Monday, March 31st, 2014 Edition by Peoples Media Limited

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 13 No. 29

Monday, March 31, 2014

Boko Haram: 1,500 killed in 3 months, says AI >> Pg 2

. . . putting the people first

Jimadal-Ula 30, 1435 AH

Sambo woos world's 5th richest man to Nigeria >> Pg 3

N150

Don't sell refineries, NLC warns FG >> Pg 19

Panic in Abuja as SSS battles insurgents  21 suspects killed, 2 officers injured  Jonathan not whisked away – Presidency  Security beefed up in FCT  UK cautions citizens resident in capital city By Lawrence Olaoye & Joy Baba

esidents of the vicinity of Nigeria’s seat of power, the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, were yesterday thrown into panic as gunshots were heard for hours

in the neighbourhood. This created tension resulting in widespread rumours that the Presidential Villa was under attack and that President Goodluck Jonathan had to be whisked away out of his official residence through an underground exit.

But the Presidency was quick to deny the rumours, saying that at no point was the Presidential Villa under siege. In its reaction on the security breach, the Directorate of State Services, popularly referred to as SSS said the incident resulted

from an attempted jailbreak by suspected insurgents. When the dust of the gun battle between operatives of the SSS and the insurgents settled, no fewer than 21 of the suspects were said to have been killed with three officers of the service

L-R President Goodluck Jonathan, First Lady, Mrs. Patience Goodluck Jonathan, president’s mother, Mrs. Eunice Jonathan, Chief of staff to the President, Brigadier-General Deinde Arogbofa, and Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, during the Mother’s Day , yesterday at the Aso Villa Chapel, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

severely wounded. The DSS, in a statement by its Deputy Director, Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar, said it thwarted an attempted jailbreak by one of the inmates in the head Contd. on Page 2

Soldiers raid Kaduna community, arrest 18 youths >> Pg 2

KidnappedKadunabizmanregainsfreedom,anotherabductedinBauchi

>>>>> Page 7

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2-10

Editorial

Op.Ed

Letters

Opinion

Metro

16,18

Business

19-22

Stockwatch S/Report

23 24,25

Education

Health

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

Soldiers raid Kaduna community, arrest 18 youths From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

oldiers yesterday stormed a community called Ladduga in Kachia local government area of Kaduna state and arrested about 18 youths in the area. The soldiers were said to have condoned off the community in the early hours of yesterday and conducted house to house search for weapons. Sources in the area alleged that the military men, during the search, surrounded Ladduga Central Mosque and stopped worshipers from getting out of the mosque after the dawn prayer.

Int’l

Politics

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took them to Kaduna as we were told. The army went with two armoured and about 20 Hilux vehicles with inscription Operation Yaki on them," Secretary, Mobgal Fulbe Development Association, Ahmad Yandeh, said in a telephone interview. But spokesman of 1 Mechanized Division, Colonel Usman Abdul, denied the allegation that the soldiers entered the mosque and arrested people. He said the soldiers only went to the community to search for weapons having got information that some elements were planning to attack the community. "We only went to the area after receiving information that some

people on revenge mission are going to attack the community. So we conducted house to house search that early hours and fortunately we were lucky to arrest about 18 people who we found weapons in their possessions", he said. According to him, those arrested will be interrogated on how they came across those weapons, and if the army becomes satisfied with their answers they would be released. He further denied that women and children were arrested during the raid as he called on people to avoid whipping up sentiments on sensitive issues.

In its documentation of the killings carried out in January, February and March 2014 by both Boko Haram and the Nigerian Security Forces, Amnesty highlights 14 March as a tipping point when the security forces unleashed a brutal crackdown on former detainees. The group said civilians were the ones paying a heavy price as the cycle of violations and reprisals gather momentum. More than half of the killings have been carried out by members of the Islamist armed group Boko Haram, including scores of schoolchildren who have been the victims of deliberate attacks. According to Bely, the scale of atrocities carried out by Boko Haram is “truly shocking” but couldn’t be used to justify the brutality of the response that is clearly being meted out by the Nigerian security forces.

Amnesty International has pieced together a partial timeline of events following the 14 March 14 attack in Maiduguri. The evidence is based on interviews with residents, lawyers, human rights campaigners, and hospital staff across the city as well as satellite imagery showing three possible mass graves in one area of Maiduguri. Amnesty called on the African Commission and the United Nations (UN) to assist Nigeria in investigating acts that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by both Boko Haram and the Nigerian security forces, “given Nigeria’s apparent unwillingness and inability to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of these crimes”.

Boko Haram: 1,500 killed in 3 months - AI By Hassan Haruna Ginsau

Confab reopening old wounds of North, South differences, dividing Nigeria, says Kwankwaso – Page 4

The allegation was however denied by the military authorities as they argued that they neither entered into the mosque nor stopped anybody from going into the worship centre. It was however gathered that the heavily armed soldiers went to the community with two armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and 20 Hilux vehicles. "We don't know what they were looking for as they ransacked people's houses. They also brought out our district head and kept him on bare floor with his subjects and manhandled him. "They arrested over 20 people including married women. They

he death toll in the bloody conflict between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram sect has claimed more than 1,500 lives in the north-east of the country, amid increased war crimes and crimes against humanity in the region. According to the human rights group, Amnesty international, more than 1,500 lives have been lost in the conflict in only the first three months of 2014. The group claims the soaring number of deaths, more than half of whom are civilians is as a result of an increase in attacks by the Boko Haram and uncontrolled reprisals by Nigeria’s security forces. In a strong worded briefing published yesterday, the group

says the escalation of violence in the north east in 2014 has developed into a situation of “noninternational armed conflict”, in which all parties are violating international humanitarian law. “We urge the international community to ensure prompt, independent investigations into acts that may constitute war crimes and crime against humanity,” said Netsanet Belay, Research and Advocacy Director for Africa at Amnesty International. “More than 1,500 deaths in three months indicate an alarming deterioration in the situation. The international community cannot continue to look the other way in the face of extrajudicial executions, attacks on civilians and other crimes under international law being committed on a mass scale,” Belay added.

Panic in Abuja as SSS battles insurgents Contd. from Front Page office who hit the Service Suspect Handler with his handcuff on the head, with intent to disarm the officer. Ogar, in the statement said: “At 0715 hours, the Service Suspect Handler went to the detention facility within the headquarters to feed the suspects. One of the suspects attempted to disarm him by hitting him at the back of his head with his handcuff. “His attempt to escape drew the attention of other guards at the facility who fired some shots to warn and deter others”, the statement said. The statement further said the gunshots attracted the attention of the military with which the service has an understanding of mutual assistance in the event of any threat. She also said the Army immediately deployed a team to reinforce perimeter of the service guards to forestall any external collaborators. “The situation has since been brought under control”, the statement concluded. But Ogar’s explanation has been faulted by those living close to the Yellow House, the scene of the gun battle as some of them consider the claims in the statement as “untrue and misleading”. An eyewitness told one of our reporters that while the gunshots were being heard, he saw a man dash out of the SSS building with his shoes in his hand, but could

not ascertain whether the man was an officer or a suspect. Others argued that the level of the offensive and the sophistication of the weapons deployed by the military could not just be to foil a jailbreak attempt by just one of the insurgents. Others even argued that jailbreak was impossible considering the fortification of the DSS headquarters. “The prolonged gun battle and the deployment of helicopter gunships to hover around the Villa and the DSS headquarters suggested that the attack was much more than the service was willing to disclose”, said a resident. According to a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Nasir el-Rufai, who lives few metres away from the Yellow House, the barrage of gunshots was greater than attempting to foil a jailbreak by a solo insurgent as claimed by the service. “Whatever this is, it appears more serious than an attempted jailbreak claimed by the SSS. May God protect the innocent and destroy the murderers, kidnappers and planners of genocide, Amen.” Another former minister, Femi Fani-Kayode said: “I live 50 metres away from the SSS headquarters and the Villa and what I witnessed with my eyes and heard this morning was a full scale battle”. The entire vicinity of the presidential palace and the SSS head-

quarters has been cordoned off, making it impossible for journalists to go to the area to assess the incident and ascertain what actually happened. Those living on Aso Drive, who had to drive beside the Yellow House were said to be thoroughly frisked while some were advised to use alternative routes to their homes as at the time of filing this report yesterday. Similarly, movements into and out of the Federal Capital city became very frustrating as soldiers intensified checks on incoming and outgoing passengers in vehicles on designated military checkpoints along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, the Abuja-Lokoja highway and the Abuja-Keffi road. Similarly, security has been beefed up in the city including around the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Maitama, Abuja, venue of a meeting of African ministers of finance and economy. Additional armed men deployed to the vicinity of the hotel, including soldiers, police and officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were seen with sniffer dogs. The Nigeria Police Force headquarters along Shehu Shagari Way was also barricaded with Armoured Personnel Carrier; same for the Ministry of Defence, Area 10, Garki, Abuja, as at the time of this report. Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, in a

swift reaction denied that Jonathan had to be rushed out of the seat of power due to the security breach. Abati, in a statement posted on his twitter handle, said Jonathan was not in any way threatened by the shoot-out between the army and the insurgents at the SSS headquarters. “What happened at the SSS HQs has nothing to do with the Villa. President Jonathan is safe and well. Thank you for your concern & support,” Mr. Abati posted. He added that: “What happened at the SSS HQ this morning was an attempted jailbreak which has been effectively foiled. There is no cause for alarm.” In the meantime, the United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Office has advised British citizens in Abuja to maintain “heightened vigilance” following the foiled jailbreak at the Abuja headquarters of the SSS. The revised travel alert on Nigeria was posted on the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) website yesterday. It was updated few hours after the DSS confirmed that it had foiled an attempted jailbreak by insurgents detained at the Asokoro headquarters of the security outfit. The travel alert advised British citizens to be especially vigilant “should they need to go to Asokoro or The Three Arms Zone” in Abuja.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

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News

Investment drive: Sambo woos world’s 5th richest man to Nigeria By Etuka Sunday

he Vice-President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo yesterday wooed the 5th richest man in the world-Saudi Prince AlWaleed bin Talal bin Abdul-Aziz al Saud to Nigeria. Sambo met Prince Al-Waleed at the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh Saudi Arabia in his determination to woo more investment into the country. A statement by the SSA Media & Publicity, to the Vice President, Umar Sani, said Sambo used the opportunity to intimate the prince of the recently concluded privati-

zation of the power sector, the opportunities that abound in the development of gas infrastructure as well as government's plan to invest $1billion in the sector while seeking for more investors and assured the billionaire of the viability of the sector. The statement further said he briefed the prince of the development in the upstream and downstream sectors of the economy as regard marginal fields, refineries, chemical as well as fertilizer plants, just to mention a few. He also availed the billionaire prince of the opportunities in the transport sector such as the deep

sea ports, railways, and roads to be constructed on a public-private partnership. In his response, Prince AlWaleed said that he has a longterm investment in Nigeria in the oil & gas sector and is involved in a chain of businesses in the hospitality industry, construction, oil & gas as well as many others. Some of his businesses include the Fairmont, Four Seasons and the Citi Group. The prince was excited with the growth rate of Nigeria and stated that he, alongside his partners, was currently executing Fund No.3 to tackle the African

continent. Prince Al Waleed al-Saud praised the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan, stating that the President was doing well in spite of the challenges of Boko Haram and expressed his willingness to participate in the Nigeria's business environment, adding: "You cannot talk of Africa without talking about Nigeria." Present at the meeting were Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger state, Nigeria's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Abubakar Bunu and his Charge d'affaires, Umar Farouk as well as other top government officials.

BPE remits N370bn to OAGF to settle PHCN's workers-DG By Etuka Sunday

irector-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki has said that the Bureau has so far remitted a total sum of N370billion to the Office of the Account General of the Federation (OAGF) for the payment of the former employees of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). A statement by the BPE’s Head, Public Communications, Chigbo Anichebe quoted the DG to have made the disclosure during a chat with the media after he unveiled the agency's 2014 work plan in Abuja last Tuesday. Dikki also stated that the committee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power has verified to date, 45,136 staff for payment out of 47,913 staff. The DG noted that after the Bureau's nationwide field verification of the possible 4,194 PHCN retirees, 2,931 or their next of kin have been verified, leaving 1,163 yet to be verified. He said the verification committee and the Bureau were making extra effort to ensure that the outstanding pensioners were verified and paid their entitlements expeditiously. The BPE boss advised the pensioners or their next of kin who had not been verified to do so before Wednesday 2nd April 2014. He said that out of the earlier 47,913 staff list obtained from PHCN, 45,136 verified staff entitlements have been cash- backed to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) for payment. Dikki explained that 338 on the retirees list were exited staff, while 21 were cases of duplication. He stated that 262 cases were currently being processed and 551 had already been recommended for validation by the Verification Committee on Payment of PHCN Severance Payment, following a nationwide verification exercise.

R-L: Chieftain of All Progressives Congress and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Mr. Boss Mustapha, during the former's condolence visit to the latter over the death of his father, Mr. Wesley Gida Mustapha, yestrday in Yola, Adamawa state.

Diezani jet scandal: APC warns against tampering with House probe, hails committee From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos & Umar Puma, Abuja

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly warned against any attempt to put pressure on the House of Representatives committee that is currently probing the disturbing jet scandal involving Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke. In a statement issued yesterday in Lagos by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the investigation into the scandal is of great public interest, hence

those who are reportedly piling pressure on the House Committee on Public Accounts should back off. It said the allegation that the minister has spent 10 billion naira of taxpayers’ funds to junket around the world in chartered private jets is very serious and cannot be swept under the carpet as the PDP-led Federal Government will like to do. ‘’Scandal is the hallmark of the PDP-led Federal Government and the presidency, hence both may not feel the public anger at the report that a minister, whose

most notable ‘achievement’ is her contribution to Nigerians’ burden with her fixation on endless fuel price increases, has been frittering away the country’s resources on the altar of unprecedented profligacy. “But Nigerians are interested in knowing the truth. Since the presidency has shown no interest in unraveling the truth about the latest scandal to hit the country under its watch, the House of Representatives which has taken on the challenge of seeking the truth should not be hindered by anyone,” it said.

NDLEA arrests 100 drug traffickers in Kano From Edwin Olofu, Kano

he Kano state Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Garba Ahmadu yesterday said the command has arrested 100 drug traffickers and users in two months. Ahmadu, who was speaking over the weekend in Kano attributed the success to the effort of the state governor, Engr. Rabi'u Musa

Kwankwaso who he said has been supportive to NDLEA in terms of provision of logistics, vehicles and other equipment needed to fight drug abuse and trafficking. According to him, between January and February this year, the agency in Kano arrested 100 drug traffickers and users, convicted 28 and counseled 28. He further revealed that 430.858kgs of illicit drugs were seized by the agency in January,

while in February, 429.383kgs of dangerous drugs were also impounded. "On this note, we urge traditional rulers, religious leaders and parents to help NDLEA and Kano state government in this concerted war against drug trafficking and abuse in the state, because when this is done, the society will be better and our youths will become more productive and focused in whatever goal they set out to achieve in life," he stated.

Confab: MURIC highlights reason for Sultan's visit to Jonathan By Abbas Aminu Bamalli

he Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has re-expressed the reason for the Sultan and the Muslim delegation's visit to President Goodluck Jonathan. According to a statement by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, MURIC said the main reason is to complain to President Jonathan about the lopsidedness in the composition of delegates of the national confab, adding that Muslims have been marginalized on the list of delegates attending, and sees the need to put the records straight for those who are prepared to face facts, not sentiments. MURIC was responding to an accusation by the SecretaryGeneral of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Musa Asake, who accused the Sultan and the delegation of members of the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), who visited President on March 26, of polarizing the country along religious lines and attempting to frustrate the conference. The statement said, "Only four Muslims among the 15 delegates approved for NorthCentral, including Kwara, Niger, and Kogi, only one Muslim among the 15 delegates from the South-West". It further disclosed that "only two Muslims out of six retired police officers, only one Muslim out of six retired military and security personnel, and to crown the monumental edifice of marginalization, only six Muslims out of 20 delegates picked by the Federal Government". Prof. Akintola said the facts are incontrovertible and the Sultan put them before President Goodluck Jonathan, saying, "The delegates are there and anybody can do the counting. So what is CAN's problem?” He added that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, in his characteristic way of dealing with matters, persuaded Muslims to be patient and told them that the matter would be looked into. "He then sought and secured audience with the presidency and that President Jonathan listened attentively to what the Sultan had to say and promised to look into the matter", Akintola said. "This is a shoddy response; he should stop heating up the polity. We advise President Jonathan not to allow CAN to ride on his back in its unholy attempt to get more than it deserves and deprive the Muslims of their rightful share and usurp their Allah-given and fundamental rights. These are acts capable of disturbing the peace, law and order", the statement advised the President.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

News

Confab reopening old wounds of North, South differences, dividing Nigeria, says Kwankwaso From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

he governor of Kano state, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has said that the ongoing National Conference will not yield any positive result but will rather reopen the healing wounds of sectionalism and hatred between the north and the south in the country. The governor said this over the weekend on the Hausa ser-

vice of the BBC, monitored in Jos while fielding questions on whether or not the confab is of relevance to the country. He said that fillers from the conference so far showed that it is moving the country backward rather than forward in terms of togetherness and confidence among Nigerians, saying that it was a gathering that would lead to disintegration of the country from the way delegates are now

at each others throat on every issue. He said, “ Goodluck Jonathan has nothing to offer this country. He organised the National Conference to divert the attention of Nigerians. The conference is brought in such a way that Muslims would abuse Christians and Christians would abuse Muslims or Hausas would abuse Igbos and Igbos would abuse Hausas or Yoruba would abuse Igbo and

Hausa and vice versa. “I am not in support of it. It is a waste of time and resources. Nigeria doesn’t need such kind of conference at the moment because it would not solve our existing problems. To me, coming with the conference now is just a sign of failure of the present administration.” He reiterated that what Nigeria needed was a change in leadership with people of integrity to

steer the ship of the state and” not a government that had failed and was still coming up with ideas that would not augur well for Nigeria’s unity and corporate existence in the long run”. The confab, he predicted, would end up as a talk show where billions of Naira would go down the drain instead of channeling such whopping amount into useful projects that could benefit Nigerians.

National Confab: Presence of too many old delegates may hinder progress - Lawmaker

member of the House of Representative, Dr. Rafiu Ibrahim, has said that the presence of “too many old people’’ at the National Conference may be a negation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s good intention of convening it. Ibrahim who said this in Ilorin on Sunday told newsmen the ongoing National Conference was a laudable event which has too many old people as delegates. The lawmaker who was inaugurated as Honorary President of Mess Committee of the Nigeria Navy School of Health Sciences in Offa, Kwara said the timeliness of the conference was apt. `The preponderance of the old generation may negate the conference’s outcome. My major reservation is that the confab is skewed to the old age. They are too many. Spent forces cannot decide on how our tomorrow will be,” he said. Ibrahim, who represents Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, urged the Federal Government to correct the anomaly in order to tackle the country’s multifaceted problems. He pointed out that inadequate representation and leadership inequality had been partly responsible for the under-development being experienced in all spheres of the nation’s life. The lawmaker, who is a member of the House Committees on Navy and Appropriation, said he was determined to initiate programmes which would improve the lot of the people. He then called for more support from the people to enable him achieve his lofty dreams. (NAN)

Member, representing Oluyole Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ibrahim Olaifa (3rd left), with others inspecting the container where personal effects of kidnapped victims were kept, during Hon. Olaifa’s visit to the Soka evil forest, yesterday in Ibadan. Photo: NAN

Soldiers cry out over non-payment of pension funds From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

group of soldiers deployed to Borno state to battle the Boko Haram insurgents yesterday have accused military authorities of refusal to release their pension funds. Spokesman of the aggrieved soldiers, who declined identifi-

cation and spoke to newsmen on phone, alledged that it has been over three years now after the National Assembly had passed a resolution on the matter. The complainants said the National Assembly has directed all pension funds administrators to refund each soldier their money, but till now were yet to be paid.

According to them, the amount of the money in questiob per personnel stood at about N120,000. They argued that if paid, the money would go a long way in solving some of their family problems. According to them whereas some of their colleagues in other military formations were paid

Ex-lawmaker charges stakeholders to brainstorm on North-east insecurity From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

former lawmaker in the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Harsanu Yunusa Guyaba has called for an urgent meeting of all stakeholders in the North-east zone of the country to brain-storm and proffer solution to the insurgency and insecurity bogging the sub-region.

Guyaba noted, in a statement made available to newsmen in Bauchi at the weekend, that the Northeast has in the past few years suffered serious setbacks culminating gradually to its grinding to halt. The lawmaker described as amazing the silence of stakeholders in the sub-region in the face of the evil that increasingly leads to loss of lives and properties of inno-

cent citizens including school children. “It is amazing that our legislators never staged a walkout and protest in the various legislative Houses to ensure that the executive at the federal level take decisive action to eliminate insurgency and insecurity to bring succor to defendless citizensand school children”, he said. “In fact, the zone has 18

Gunmen attack security agents in Ngelzarma

ome gunmen, suspected to be members of Boko Haram yesterday attacked an area said to be a security location in Ngelzarma town in Fune local government area of Yobe state. Although details were sketchy

as at press time, eyewitnesses said the sect members first launched attack on a military check point in the town at about 6:00pm local time. Sources said there was gun battle between the gunmen and

security forces in an effort to repel the attack. The Yobe state Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Rufai, who confirmed the incident, said the insurgents launched an attack on a security location in the town.

since December, 2012, they have been neglected. This, the military personnel said, has wordened their sufferings and that of the families. They called on the National Assembly and President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently intervene into the matter and direct the military authorities to pay them their money.

senators, 47 member of the House of Representatives, 155 members of State Houses of Assembly, 12 excivilian governors, 56 first class emirs, an ex-civilian vice president, 3 ex-secretaries to the government of the federation, 51 ex-ministers, 2 rtd IGs, many retired DIGs, AIGs, CPs and many rtd army generals who have failed to do something on the insecurity in the area” he said. The former lawmaker queried that for how long will the killing of innocent and defend less citizens continue before stakeholders in the zone take action that will halt the senseless killings of human beings and destruction of economy of the North-east. Guyaba further noted that virtually all business activities in the Northeast have collapsed, and the economy crumbling.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

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Bio-safety law is necessary to ensure food security – Tambuwal By Umar Muhammad Puma

L-R: Former Head of State and National Leader, All Progressives Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), Chairman of the occasion, Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo, APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, his wife, Senator Remi Tinubu, wife of Lagos state Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, and Lagos state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, during the 6th annual Bola Tinubu Colloquium, on Saturday in Lagos. Photo: NAN

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said the passage of the biosafety bill into law will serve as the only safety valve against the indiscriminate dumping of Genetically Modified Products (GMOs) in Nigeria by the industrialized world. The Speaker stated this while addressing participants at a one-day sensitization workshop on the need for a bio-safety law in Nigeria held at the National Assembly. Tambuwal who was represented by the Leader of the House, Rep. Mulikat Akande-Adeola at the event

stressed the timeliness of the workshop as well as the importance of a bio-safety law in the nation’s quest to attain food security and economic development by the year 2020. Appraising the essence of a bio-safety law to the attainment of food security in Nigeria, the sponsor of the bill, Rep Nkem Uzoma Abonta (PDP-Abia) told participants of the importance of having a society that is capable of feeding its teeming populace and the consequences of not been able to do so and added that food security is not a negotiable policy for a nation that must achieve targeted goals of development and security.

Tight security as Jonathan Former SA to Sule addresses N/E PDP rally Lamido loses father

From Ahmed Kaigama,Bauchi

resident Goodluck Jonathan addressed the North East grand rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under tight security in Bauchi just as Jonathan blamed Northeast governors for insurgency. All the access roads inside Bauchi metropolis have been blocked with heavily armed security personnel, making access to the venue at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium difficult. Security in and around Bauchi ahead and during the rally was very tight with armed security men deployed in many parts of the city. Many roads were blocked and party supporters had a tough time accessing Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, venue of the rally on account of the tight security as some was molested by the security men. President Goodluck Jonathan shifted the blame for the raging insurgency in the Northeast on

…blames govs for insecurity the governors in the zone saying that, the governors should take responsibility for the reign of terror imposed by members of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram on Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States. Jonathan, who spoke at the Northeast zonal rally of the PDP in Bauchi, said it was a shame for the governors to shift the blame for the insecurity on the Federal Government. “It is shameful for a governor who has stayed in power in his state for up to six years or more to come to me and talk about bad leadership when you have youth in your state, more than half of whom have not attended primary school and you are doing nothing about it. “State Governors should be ashamed when our children do not go to primary and secondary schools and they decide to carry arms. “We had insecurity challenges in Bayelsa when I was deputy

governor and later governor and we handled them. It is not the duty of the Federal Government to send children to Primary and Secondary schools but it is the constitutional right of the Federal Government to make sure children attend tertiary institutions which we have done. “How can you allow hungry youths to just go out and start killing people? Bayelsa was the first state in Nigeria that witnessed commercial kidnapping and we tackled it,” he said. He described the situation as very sad but pledged that the federal government would do its best to redress the situation. Other speakers who spoke at the rally acknowledged the insecurity in the region. The National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Muazu, called on aspirants in the party to go back to their villages and seek the people’s mandate, stressing that there is no God Father in PDP today.

Zamfara LG boss escapes lynching From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

hairman, Gusau local government council of Zamfara state, Lawali Muhammad Mada, has escaped lynching by a suspected group of angry political thugs following his attempt to impose leadership of All Progressive Congress (APC) at the ward level. Reports revealed that, politicians from five wards of the local government comprising of Wonaka, Mada, Wanke, Magami and Ruwan Bore were not happy with the decision taken by the embattled Chairman to replace the wards party Chairmen with his loyalists at the ongoing ward congresses of the APC across the

state. The angry thugs were allegedly assigned to attack the local government Chairman, should he continue any attempt to impose leadership of the party against the interest of voting system. Hundreds of youths had pounced on the Chairman last Friday morning at the entrance of the local government secretariat. He however managed to escape with blood running on his head and abandoned his smashed official vehicle. However, reports further unmasked that, threatening number of politicians in Gusau local government area have threatened to decamp to any of the opposition parties, as it was alleged that they learnt there

are self-centered politicians controlling the affairs of the party. Mada, who was allegedly working secretly for the interest of some political in the state, was reported to have exchanged words with a member state House of Assembly and Chairman, House committee on local government and chieftaincy affairs, Dayyabu Adamu Rijiya, over what he described as selfish interest of the Chairman to derail the party. Confirming the trade of words with the embattled Chairman on the matter, Dayyabu Rijiya said, he confronted the Chairman in an effort to ensure justice in the process of electing party wards Chairmen to the best interest of majority.

he Onoja family has announced the death of their father, Elder Christopher Ogbu Onoja of Opialu Village in Edumoga District of Okpokwu Local Government Area, Benue State.According to Mr. Sunday Ogbu Onoja, one of his sons who is also a lecturer with the Benue State Polytechnic, said that Elder Onoja died of asthma complications at St. Mary’s Hospital, Okpoga, on Saturday the 29th of March 2014. Untill his death, Elder Onoja was born on march

12th 1930 in Opialu Town in Edumoga District of Okpokwu, and was aged 111, he is survived by his wife, three children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Among which was the former special adviser to Governor Sule Lamido on media affairs, Mr Adagbo Onoja who later resigned in furtherance of his studies in the United Kingdom (UK). According to Mr. Sunday Onoja, the burial date would be announced after due consultations with the family.

Okeowo, journalist, needs N6m for bone surgery From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

call has gone to well meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of popular broadcast journalist and former Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to past military administrators in Kwara state, Mr. Kunle Okeowo who is been flown abroad this week for a bone transplant to save his life. A close family source informed Journalists in Ilorin on Sunday that, though Kunle Okeowo is schedule to depart for Apollo Specialist Hospital in India for the operation, it is still an act of faith as the required funds have not been fully raised, an amount which they put at N6 million as demanded by the hospital for the treatment. Okeowo, after service as CPS to past military administrators in Kwara state used to produce and present a popular programme, Critical Factor, until he was last year diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the bone while on admission at the same hospital. He had earlier been admitted at the University of Ilorin Teach-

ing Hospital for several months before his referral to Apollos. Our Correspondent gathered that he could not undertake the complete treatment in India during the first trip due to the cost but was told that the only solution is a bone marrow transplant. The treatment is expected to take between 13-16 weeks of chemotherapy and another three months for the transplant. Due to the sickness the popular programme has been rested after 10 years of continuous production and decided to transform it into a glossy monthly magazine. The first edition came out in February this year. He was said to have suddenly relapsed about two weeks ago after several weeks of good recovery, hence the decision by family and friends to send him for the treatment without further delay. Those willing to save the life of the high spirited journalist could send in their donations to a UBA Account with account number 1000335703 in the name of Mr and Mrs Benjamin Kunle Okeowo.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

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News

90 % epilepsy patients in Africa lack access to drugs

counselling urges FG to tight povety From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

he former National President of Counseling Association of Nigeria(CASSON) and current Provost, Adeyemi college of Education, Ondo State, Prof Adeyemi Idowu has advocated poverty reduction in Nigeria through the implementation of Counseling, Human Development in the country’s Universities. Idowu, a Professor at the department of Counseling Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin stated this during the 145th inaugural lecture of the institution entitled: “ Raising the bar:Thecounsellors’ mandate”. The university don, who attributed unemployment to absence of Professional Counselor Educators in Nigeria said the National Assembly should pass laws mandating the issuing of license and certificate to Professional Counseling Educators. Idowu added that if the issue of counseling was not adequately and appropriately dealt with, “there is the danger that Nigeria will, for long, continue to be a nation of unrealised hopes and unfulfilled promises”. The university don urged federal government to support and fund training of Counselors in Nigerian Universities as pronounced by the Minister of Education stressing that portion of annual education sector budget should be allocate to the implementation of counseling services in the country.

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

R-L: Osun state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and National President, Apostolic Church of Nigeria, Pastor Gabriel Olutola, during a visit by the latter’s to the governor Osun, at the weekend, in Osogbo.

Governor Aliyu mourns late Emir of Agaie T From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

he Chairman of Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has described the late Etsu Agaie, Alhaji Muhammadu Kudu Abubakar Ubandoma III as a man of peace and a rare patriot, calling his death a great loss to the people of his domain, Niger State and Nigeria. A condolence message signed by Governor Aliyu’s Chief Press

Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo said Etsu Kudu’s ten years on the throne brought tremendous progress and modernization to Agaie Emirate. Governor Aliyu said “since 2004 when Etsu Kudu a man of peace and a rare patriot, mounted the throne of his forefathers, the monarch has been playing a leading role in ensuring peace, unity and tolerance amongst the diverse tendencies that cohabit in his domain and even beyond.” The statement said the late Etsu

Kudu’s informed contributions to the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers have helped to touch the lives of many in a positive way. Governor Aliyu said the late Emir’s exemplary life of selfless service lived with uncommon humility and absolute faith in God, is worthy of emulation by all. Emir Kudu III died of a kidney related ailment in the early hours of Sunday at a private hospital in Abuja at the age of 52 years.

Farms and mills ltd Mr. Vinod Kumar Godara said the gesture was part of the overall plan of the company toensure food security in Nigeria. He said before the intervention of the company, farmers were not in irrigation of rice in commercial quantities in the area but with the coming of the company, the farmers have embraced commercial irrigation of rice adding that currently about 1000 hectares of land is being irrigated by the cooperative society.

He said the modern farming techniques being taught the farmers will lead to yielding between 4.5 to 5 metric tonnes of rice per hectre, which will go a long way in providing sustainable livelihood to farmers far adding that already the scheme has impacted about 1000 families of the area. While reacting, the ViceChairman of Alheri Cooperative society of rice farmers, Alhaji Usman Dan Alhaji thanked the company for the intervention saying the gesture could not have come at a better time.

Food security: Popular Farms and Mills distribute fertilizer to farmers in Adamawa From Umar Dankano, Yola

n an effort to ensure food sustainability and security in the country, the management of Popular Farms and Mills Ltd, a subsidiaryof Stallion group, has commenced training and distribution of farminputs to dry season farmers in Adamawa state. While distributing 400 bags to the members of Alheri Cooperative Society in NbalangNuman Local Government of Adamawa State, the Operations manager of Popular

ith 90 percent of Africa population lacking access to drugs for treatment of epilepsy, poverty, ignorance, low literacy level, wrong cultural and religious beliefs, the African continent accounts for the highest disease burden globally. A consultant, Paediatric Neurologist, University of Benin teaching hospital, (UBTH), Dr. OlusolaOkunola gave the indication at a symposium on grassroots awareness campaign at the weekend in Benin City, the Edo State Capital. The guest lecturer, who spoke on the journey so far and action plan in the treatment of epilepsy, said 75 percent of epileptic patients are adolescents, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) report. He advocated for establishment of community based sensitisation centers to complement existing referral centers across the Country and a national plan to tackle the scourge affecting over 60 million global population; warning that researches have shows that seizures in epilepsy cause brain damage. He said such measures would help to discourage caregivers from wrong practices that would further endanger the life of epileptic patients in Africa. Chairman on the occasion, Prof. Michael Ibadin, who is the Chief Medical Director, UBTH, said an estimated 4 million persons living with epilepsy should be of concern to governments at all level.

Security spokespersons seek better inter-agency understanding By Joy Baba

he Director, Defence Information (DDI), Major-General Chris Olukolade has said there have been greater improvements in inter-agencies as well as civilmilitary relationships, which have contributed immensely in various operations to protect lives and

properties of the citizenry. The DDI stated this during the weekend, at the end of the monthly meeting of Forum of Spokespersons in Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA) in Lagos, where it also had an interactive session with leadership of Nigeria Guild of Editors on the security situation in the country. A statement issued and signed

by the Secretary of FOSSRA/ Head PR, NSCDC, Emmanuel Okeh, said Olukolade, who is also the chairman of the forum, said Nigerian troops have penetrated most of the hideouts of terrorists in the north-eastern part of the country, especially some locations they had carved out for themselves as new Republic, adding that the insurgents have

been on the run and that the troops will continue to pursue them. He said military offensive is being sustained to flush out terrorists from their hideouts in Nigeria, commending government’s initiative of ‘soft approach’ to counter-terrorism as preventive measures to dissuade youths from taking into

bad habit that could aggravate insecurity in the land. The statement further said the forum also held an interactive session with the leadership of Nigeria Guild of Editors, led by Mr. Femi Adesina, who commended the establishment of the forum and urged them to be prompt in responding to media enquiries on security issues.

FG inaugurates Nigerian National Merit Award board By A’isha Biola Raji

he Federal Government at the weekend inaugurated an eight member board to govern the affairs of the Nigerian National Merit Award (NNMA) Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, representing President Goodluck Jonathan

at the inauguration said the aim of establishing NNMA by Act No. 53 of 1979 constitution was to recognize deserving citizens who have contributed to the development of the nation through academic achievements. According to him, approval had been given by President Jonathan for an increment in the cash prize for each recipient, from N5 million

… I will not accept sitting allowance, says Chairman to N10 million. He said the gesture is not only to attract more entries for the award but to support the recipients in their pursuit of excellence. He urged the new Chairman of the board, Prof. F.S. Idachaba and members to continue with the

diligence past leaders have shown in discharging the activities of the board. Meanwhile, the new Chairman, Prof Idachaba has vowed not to receive any sitting allowance throughout his tenure on the board.

Other members of the board are Prof. Paul B. Onaji, HRH Igwe Prof LazEkwueme, Prof. Andrew J. Nok, Prof. (Mrs.) G.T Olutuha, Prof. John D. Enaohwo, Prof. Garba U. Goje and Mr. AbiodunOyemade, representing SGF’s office.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

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News

Pastor in court over alleged break-in, theft of N680,000

Some of the motorcycles seized from the terrorists by the JTF, recently at Gumti, in Adamawa state.

Kidnapped PTD National Treasurer regains freedom From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

he kidnapped National Treasurer of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad 633 yesterday regained his freedom after spending two days in the hand of his abductors. Sources in the area said the PTD boss was released by his abductors at Kerawa Close, which is just a stone-throw from From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

Bauchi business man, Alhaji Manu Soro has been kidnapped at the weekend by suspected gunmen in his hometown, Soro, in Ganjuwa local government area of Bauchi state. While confirming the

his residence located at Matazu road around 9 pm yesterday night. It was not clear whether ransom was paid to his abductors before they released him. Sources closed to his resident revealed that the PTD boss was hale and hearty. Peoples Daily gathered that mammoth crowd trooped to his house in jubilation while other were seen making phone calls to tell friends the good news.

it culd be recalled that the National Treasurer of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) association, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad (a.k.a 633) has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen at his residence along Matazu Road, Sabon-Gari, Kaduna. The incident occurred around 9:30pm, when he was about entering his residence on Friday night. An eye witness, who was with the victim before his kidnap, Malam Adamu Gombe,

said the victim was kidnapped at gunpoint. It was gathered that the victim was contesting the state chairmanship’s position of the association and a family member of the victim disclosed how he had escaped such attacks at his residence in the past. It was further learnt that members of PTD Kaduna chapter had earlier refused to load petrol until their victim is released by his abductors.

... As Bauchi businessman is kidnapped too incident in Bauchi yesterday, the Bauchi state Police command Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed , said the businessman was abducted by unknown gunmen at about 8:10 pm Saturday, March

29, when he came out from mosque, which is behind his house at Soro town, and fired sporadically. DSP Haruna said the police command has intensified efforts to rescue the businessman and

apprehend the fleeing suspects, noting that there was no injury recorded during the incident The PPRO appealed to the good people of Bauchi to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement within their domain.

JTF calls for establishment of special courts for speedy trial of suspects

he Joint Task Force (JTF), charged with the protection of oil installations and preventing oil theft in the Niger Delta, has called for the establishment of special courts to ensure speedy trial of suspects. Spokesman of the Task Force, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, in Yenagoa, noted that the slow dispensation

of justice had been undermining their efforts. He said that the military outfit lacked the powers to prosecute, adding that their responsibility was to apprehend suspects and hand them over to other relevant bodies for prosecution. Nwachukwu said that many apprehended suspects who were granted bail in the past often returned to the nefarious act, pointing out that the trend was

very disturbing. He said that many of such suspects often got re-arrested by JTF troops for the same crime, noting that they had become familiar with the legal loopholes. He said that the establishment of special courts would ensure quick prosecution of the cases and penalties slammed on convicts, to serve as deterrent to others Nwachukwu said that the

vandals were desperate and highly organized, and would go to any length to perpetrate their act. The spokesman said the level of desperateness was such that a suspect once attempted to bribe an official of the task force with N20 million on March 21. He appealed to relevant agencies of government to assist JTF in curbing the menace of oil theft. (NAN)

pastor, Emmanuel Akinsanya, who allegedly broke into a house and stole property worth N680, 000, was on Friday put on trial at an Itire Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. Akinsanya, 58, who resides at No. 35a, Ayodeji Ogunlana St., Matori, Ejigbo, a Lagos suburb, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, housebreaking and theft. The prosecutor, Insp. Ezekiel Ayorinde, told the court that the accused with others still at large committed the offences on Jan. 6, at 2.00 p.m. at 24, Okoye St., Bucknor, Isolo, Lagos. He said the accused gained entry into the apartment of one Christiana Njoku through the roof and stole property worth N680, 000. According to the prosecutor, Njoku got a call from a neighbour that some men were at her apartment tearing down the roof. Ayorinde said Akinsanya told Njoku that the owner of the building had contracted him and three others to remove the roofing sheets. “When the complainant entered her apartment, she discovered that her laptop, a gold necklace and some money, all worth N680, 000 were missing. Njoku immediately made a report at the Ejigbo Police Station.’’ Ayorinde noted that the offences contravened Sections 285, 305 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused pleaded not guilty. The Magistrate, Mrs. Abegunde David, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused may be given a three-year jail term if convicted. The case was adjourned to April 17 for mention.

Abia govt denies Wabara’s arrest

he Abia government, on Sunday, said it was not aware of the arrest of the Associate Editor of the Sun newspapers, Mr. Ebere Wabara. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wabara was arrested in Lagos on Friday, and after being taken to Sholoki and Oyingbo police stations in Lagos, he was moved to Aba. The Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, told NAN on Sunday, in Aba, that the state government did not know about Nwabara’s arrest. However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed Nwabara’s arrest in an interview with NAN on Sunday. The police spokesman added that Wabara was arrested by the state Criminal Investigation Department but said he did not have details of his crime. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. Accordingly, the general public may easily Contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, and Illegal/Wrong Parking to kindly Call KAROTA through the following number – 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754 and 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on – 07051246833 and 08191778888.

142nd KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

he Kano State Executive Council held its one hundred and forty-two (142nd) sitting under the Chairmanship of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE today Wednesday 26th March, 2014 (25th Jumada Ula, 1435 A H). However, as usual, Council reviewed the 141st deliberations and approval before tabling the memoranda submitted for the 142nd sitting. At the 141st sitting, eleven (11) MDAs submitted an impressive number of seventy-six (76) memoranda for deliberations by Council of which forty-five (45) were approved for execution with an expenditure of Two Billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Six Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-six Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty-one Naira, Twenty-nine Kobo (N2,776,966,831.29) covering fortyfour (44) projects. Thus, only one (1) was approved on policy issue. After the deliberations on the 141st sitting, Council faced the business of the day, i.e. the 142nd meeting but not without christening a theme for the meeting. The theme of this sitting is ‘the progress so far made’ in the implementation of major projects under the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport. The three major projects selected for this ‘progress report’ will consume over N14.2 billion. They are: i) The Construction of Sports Complex at former Nama Site, Kofa Na’i’sa- N2,761,959,814.28, ii) The Construction of the Flyover Bridges (State Road-Kofar Nasarawa and Ibrahim Taiwo Road) - N5,933,520,068.38, and iii) The Construction of Wuju-Wuju Road over Jakara -Kwarin Gogau River- N5,564,487,900.00. These selected projects and numerous ones being implemented have transformed the landscape of the old city of Kano. The city has never witnessed such revolutionary development and expenditure in its history and the benefits expected from such projects when completed cannot be quantified easily. This explains the widespread recognition, citizen’s applause and open support to the government because the State is experiencing profound infrastructural changes. There is now certainty about the nature and meaning of these changes, which is to modernize the State Capital to be ahead of its contemporaries. It is becoming glaringly clear that this administration’s transformation process is bringing not only rapid infrastructural development but improving the living standards of its citizenry through increased economic activities. Thus, the ‘report’ submitted by the Hon. Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport indicated that the construction company for these projects has made appreciable progress in the execution of each. These projects and the numerous major ones being executed confirmed the fact that the Government is purposeful and committed in fulfilling the Governor’s campaign and inauguration promises. Hence, at the 142nd sitting, eleven (11) MDAs submitted fifty-three (53) memoranda for deliberation by Council of which thirty-three (33) were approved for execution with an expenditure of Five Hundred and One Million, Six Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty One Naira Only (N501,619,851.00) covering twenty (20) projects. Thus: 1. MINISTRY OF HEALTH The Ministry of Health submitted two (2) memoranda for deliberation by Council. One (1) of them was approved for execution. Thus: Presentation of Complaints in Respect of the Operations of Security Personnel at Muhammad Abubakar Rimi Market, The Influx of Fake Drugs from Maradi (Niger Republic) and Activities of Drug Hawkers:The Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Health applauded the laudable effort of the present administration towards the eradication of illegal handling/sale of drugs in Kano State. A Task Force Committee was enacted to conduct the activities of the commendable policy. The Committee comprises personnel from the following Security Establishments: i. The Nigeria Police ii. Civil Defence iii. Vigilante iv. Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA), and v. Hisbah Corps. However, despite the efforts of the administration to support the Committee in its war against fake and abuse of drugs, some members are conniving with illegal importers of counterfeit drugs into the State thereby sabotaging the laudable program. After diligent investigation by the authorities decision was reached, which was approved by Council for a drastic transfer of all security personnel identified as supporting dealers and distributors of fake drugs. Presently, the State is facing influx of fake drugs from the neighboring Niger Republic and the drug hawkers aid the distribution of such drugs to all parts of Kano State. This necessitated the need to open a collaborative mechanism to be set up with the authorities of Niger Republic in order to stem the illegal influx of drugs into Kano State. Council agreed to implementation of the following steps: i. Government to issue out directives to both the Nigeria Police Force and Hisbah Board to arrest illegal Drug Hawkers within and outside Kano Metropolis. ii. Government to direct the Kano State Chief Judge and the Honorable Attorney General/Commissioner, Ministry of Justice to intensify efforts toward prosecuting the offenders found distributing or hawking of fake drugs. iii. Government to direct the allocation of additional vehicles for the operations of the Task Force Committee.

2. OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR/HONORABLE COMMISSIONER, MINISTRY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS The Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner, Ministry for Local Governmentssubmitted five (5) memoranda for deliberation by Council. Three (3) of them were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of Report on the Need and Permission to Sign a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) Between Kano Pillars Football Club and G – Sport, Middle East:The cited issue was presented to Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE in the month of December, 2013 by the Chairman Kano Pillars Football Club but was referred to the Special Adviser on Sports for comment and advice. Sequel to this, a delegation Chaired by the Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner, Ministry for Local Governmentsvisited and met with officials of G – Sport in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE). Deliberations were made on the nature, content and modalities involved on the agreement. Five (5) salient observations were made, which were presented to Council for consideration as follows: i. Regulators of the Nigerian Premier League were not notified officially on the cited MoU. Investigation revealed that Article 6.4 of the League Regulations was violated. ii. The “Kits” sample submitted by G – Sport did not conform with the officially registered color of the Kano Pillars Football Club for the Premier League and could not be used in the competition. iii. Too many Agents were involved instead of only G – Sports. Others should be considered as facilitators: iv. The 9–month gestation period for the MoU needed to be cancelled for the arrangements to be more beneficial to the Kano Pillars Football Club. v. The consultancy fee, sponsorship for 5 – year period, percentage of the merchandise items, etc. need to be properly realigned in favor of the Kano Pillars Football Club. The foregoing observations instigated the presentation of ten (10) important recommendations to Council for consideration, which ultimately culminated to the request for Council to consider and approve the release of the sum of $55,000 USD as downward reviewed consultancy fee to be paid to G – Sport. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation and approved as follows: i. Implementation of the ten (10) recommendations presented pending signing of the MoU. ii. Subsequent release of the sum of $55,000 USD as Consultancy fee to G – Sport as the Principal Agent.

requested for release to enable the completion of the cited project. Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N28,995,631.32 to enable the speedy execution of the project to its successful completion to 100% level. 4. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION The Ministry of Education submitted five (5) memoranda for deliberation by Council. Two (2) were approved for execution as follows: a) Request for Funds to Enable the Conduct of the 2014/2015 Entrance Examinations into Kano State Science and Technical Colleges:The Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Education submitted adequate details to Council for consideration on the cited issue, through the contents of this memorandum. Emphasis was placed on the fact that, the entire financial implications are currently to be entirely handled by the State Government due to its current policy on the provision for education free of charge at all levels in Kano State. Already, 18,000 admission forms were printed and distributed through Zonal Education Offices, Local Government Education Authorities, STSB Secretariat and its School (12,000 copies for SS and 6,000 for JSS). As such, Council was requested to approve the release of the sum of N9,500,000.00 to enable the STSB conduct the 2014/2015 Entrance Examinations into its Schools at both SS and JSS levels. Council noted, considered and approved as requested. b) Presentation of Request for Funds for the Establishment of a Girls’ Secondary School at Kurna Asabe, Dala LGCA:Kurna Asabe was identified as a densely populated enclave in Dala LGCA without a Girls’ Secondary School. Female Students of Secondary School age usually trek for considerable distances to attend Secondary Schools. Notably, the area has an appreciable number of Primary Schools that could provide adequate catchment for a Girls’ Secondary School once established. In fact, Gobirawa Primary School, most populous in West Africa, is within the vicinity. The contents of this memorandum presented details on the sixteen (16) items required along with the financial implications to the tune of N168,691,540.17, which was requested for release. Resolve of the present administration to provide for education qualitatively at all levels and in all ramifications, prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N168,691,540.17 for the stated project.

Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso b) Presentation of Report and Request for Funds for the Accommodation of Kano State Intending Pilgrims for the Year 2014 (1435 A H) Hajj:The Kano State Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner, Ministry for Local Governmentsled a relevant delegation between (1st – 14th March, 2014.) to Makkah, in Saudi Arabia for the purpose of securing proper accommodation for the intending Pilgrims from Kano State. The assignment was successfully executed as details were presented to Council for consideration along with the following two (2) prayers: i. Council should approve retention of the nine (9) houses secured at Makkah from the four (4) specified accommodation providers at Shara Mansur and Yabalash areas. ii. Council to consider and approve the release of the sum of SR2,739,500.00 to enable the payment for accommodation in respect of intending pilgrims from Kano State for the year 2014 (1435 A H). The presentation was appreciatively acknowledged as Council approved the execution of the two (2) prayers forwarded so as to ensure the provision of appropriate accommodation for intending Pilgrims from Kano State for the year 2014 (1435 A H). 3. MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING Three (3) of the seven (7) memoranda submitted for deliberations by Council from this Ministry were approved for execution as follows: a) Request for Funds to Enable the Payment of Compensation for Property Affected by the Rijiyar Zaki Friday Mosque Extension Project:The Rijiyar Zaki Juma’at Congregational mosque was identified to be in need of expansion/ extension being situated in a densely populated area and patronized by an impressive number of worshippers. Cognizant of the resolve to improve all facilities across the State by the present administration, the Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Land and Physical Planning submitted the cited request. Details on the requirements were presented for consideration by Council along with the request for the release of the sum of N8,758,960.00 to enable the payment of compensation for the property/structures acquired for the expansion of the stated Mosque. Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N8,758,960.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable the payment of compensation for the property stated. b) Request for Funds to Enable the Payment of Compensation for Properties/Structures Affected by Koki Secondary School Expansion Project:Cognizant of the policy on the positive general transformation of the Education Sector by the present administration, the cited request was submitted to Council for consideration so as to improve the available number of classrooms/facilities at Koki Secondary School. Such was acutely required due to the high population density/demand in the area. Details on the number and monetary compensation value of the respective properties/structures were presented to Council for consideration along with the request for the release of the aggregate sum of N17,824,780.00 for the purpose. To expedite prompt execution of the expansion project, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N17, 824,780.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable the payment of compensation for the acquired properties/structures for the expansion of Koki Secondary School. Council approved the request. c) Presentation of Request for Funds on the Revalidation of Contract for the Construction of the Road Network in the Legislative Quarters:The Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Land and Physical Planning reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum that, the cited Contract was proposed for execution at the initial Contract sum of N67, 834,109.20. Council instructed for a negotiation of 5% downward review as follows: • Initial Contract sum – N67,834,109.20 • Less 5% –N3,391,705.43 • Discounted Contract sum – N64,442,403.74 Notably, the Contractor was paid the following: • 30% advance payment – N20,350,232.76 • Certificate No. 02 – N15,096,539.66 Total money received by the Contractor = N35, 446,772.42. Therefore, balance for the revalidated Contract sum remains N28,995,631.32, which was

5. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT Thirteen (13) of the twenty (20) memoranda submitted for deliberations by Council from this Office were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Additional Facilities/ Infrastructure at the Corporate Security Institute Zakirai, Gabasawa LGCA:The Corporate Security Institute Zakirai has come of age, courtesy of its establishment to fruition, by the present administration under its commendable empowerment policy. After graduating three (3) batches of trainees and in expectation of the commencement of the fourth (4th) batch, the Institute still requires provision of additional facilities/infrastructure to enhance its status. These include: i. Provision of three (3) Toyota Coaster Buses to be used in conveying trainees on excursions, training and during graduation ceremonies. ii. Improvement of infrastructures. iii. Provision of more Training Equipment and facilities. iv. Provision of official car for the Deputy Director. v. Connecting the Institute with the National Grid (PHCN) to curtail excessive use of standby electricity generators. vi. Provision of recreational facilities. Council appreciated the presentation and approved as follows: • Issuance of a directive to the State Ministry of Rural and Community Development to connect the Institute with National Grid (PHCN). • Issuance of a directive to the State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to provide recreational facilities at the Institute. b) Notification on the Need to Engage in a Tripartite Agreement Among the Federal Government of Nigeria, Kano State Government and BNOT Harel Limited:The Secretary to the State Government reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum that, the State Government granted approval to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the sponsorship of two (2) of its Staff to attend a two (2) – Week Intensive Training on “Artificial Insemination” of ruminants (18th November – 2nd December, 2013) at Embryonic Institute – Cheshire, United Kingdom (UK). In this vein, the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources submitted the cited request, which was endorsed and presented to Council for consideration by the Secretary to the State Government. Council was intimated that BNOT Harel Ltd. expressed willingness to conduct a three (3) month intensive training on artificial insemination and other beneficial endeavors for the State. Thus: • Three (3) months training for twenty (20) Local Staff. • Procurement and distribution of Artificial Insemination materials at Kadawa and Dambatta Livestock Development Centers. Essentially, this will upgrade the milk production of local cattle from 1 – 15 liters per cow per day to 15 – 16 liters per cow per day. Relevance of the request towards modernization of milk production for the consumption of the citizenry in Kano State was considered as Council granted approval to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to invite the Company for further deliberations on the MoU along with cost implications for the immediate take – off of the programme. Council awaits submission on the cost implications. c) Presentation of Report on Performance Assessment of the Sponsored Postgraduate Kano State Indigenous Students Studying in Jordan under the 501 Scheme:The contents of this memorandum informed Council on the academic performance of the 154 sponsored students studying in three (3) institutions in Jordan under the 501 Scheme. Main highlights were submitted as follows: • The Schools visited by the Committee included University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; University of Jordan and Mideast, Aviation Academy, Jordan with students’ distribution as follows: i. University of Science and Technology, Jordan = 53 ii. University of Jordan = 01 iii. Mideast Aviation Academy = 100. • Academic performance of all the 154 was at Grade “A” level. General observations of the Committee instigated the forwarding of the following recommendations to Council for consideration: i. The Kano State Government to direct the Scholarship Board to pay the second (2nd) year tuition fees for the students and all other associated allowances especially the upkeep allowances. ii. Certificates of the students require authentication by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Education. iii. The State Government may consider granting an approval for the upward review of the feeding allowances to Mideast Aviation Academy students to $700 instead of $500 due to the high cost of living at the Academy.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 iv. The State Government may consider and approve commencement of the process of sending the students on graduating to various Countries for the Type – Rating Course on Commercial Aviation Aircraft (BOEING, AIR BUS, etc.) Council acknowledged the presentation . e) Request for Funds to Enable the Payment/Refund for Additional Expenditure Incurred in the Procurement of 2014 UTME/JAMB Registration Scratch Cards for 1000:The Ministry of Education commended the laudable policy of the present administration in Kano State for the procurement and distribution, free of charge, to eligible Kano State Indigenous Candidates, the registration scratch cards for UTME and JAMB. Nevertheless, the Ministry reported that 3,961 candidates amongst the 5,225 that appeared for screening qualified by fulfilling all the criteria. A balance of 1,000 such scratch cards was provided at an additional cost of N4, 500,000.00 yet to be paid for. Details were presented as follows: i. 1,000 UTME Registration Scratch Cards at N4, 000.00 each = N4,000,000.00. ii. 1,000 Registration Fee at N500.00 = N500, 000.00. Total = N4, 500,000.00. As such, Council was requested to approve the release of the sum of N4,500,000.00 to enable the Ministry of Education pay for the already incurred expenditure on the laudable project. Council acknowledged the request favorably and approved the release of the sum of N4, 500,000.00 to the Ministry of Education for the stated purpose. f) Request for Funds to Enable the Procurement and Allocation of One (1) Unit of 63 – Seater Luxurious Bus to Kano Pillars Football Club:The Kano State owned Premier Football Club, Kano Pillars, is in dire need of a befitting/ serviceable means of transportation to facilitate easy shuttle to and from away matches of the National Premier League Competitions and others. The Kano State Executive Council was notified of this important need and promptly responded by granting approval for the release of the sum of N54,000,000.00 to the Secretary to the State Government to process the procurement and allocation of one (1) unit of 63 – Seater Luxurious Bus complete with air conditioning (AC) to the Kano Pillars Football Club. This is to facilitate easy shuttles to and from their engagements in recognition and optimism for their commendable performances. g) Request for Funds to Enable Kano Participation at the 2014 Nestle Milo Basketball Championship Savannah Conference Finals in Kaduna (23rd April – 3rd May, 2014):Optimistic of commendable performances of Kano State representatives at such sports encounters, the Secretary to the State Government endorsed the cited request and presented it to Council for consideration, on behalf of the State Ministry of Education. Council was notified that Kano State was selected along with other nine (9) Northern States to participate in the Championship for both genders categories. Two (2) Schools that emerge champions will represent the zone at the National Finals slated for Lagos. Details on the requirements were presented to Council for consideration along with the financial implications to the tune of N2,234,000.00, which was requested for release for the stated purpose. Need to discover talents prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N2,234,000.00 to the Ministry of Education for the stated purpose. h) Request for Funds to Facilitate the upcoming Local Government Elections in the State:Conduct of Local Government elections in Kano State will soon be a bye – gone issue. Preparations are underway as attested by the cited request. Details were presented to Council for consideration, which were acknowledged as Council approved the release of the sum of N30,000,000.00 to KANSIEC for the stated purpose. i) Request for Funds to Enable the Payment for One (1) Way Air Tickets for Fifteen (15) of the 501 Scheme to Return Home from Malaysia on Completion of their Respective Courses:Council recalled the sponsorship of students for postgraduate courses overseas. Already some of the sponsored Kano State Indigenous Students studying abroad have completed their studies and are preparing to return home. Contentedly, the Secretary to the State Government endorsed the cited request, from the State Scholarship Board, and presented to Council for consideration. Details were presented along with the request for the release of the aggregate sum of N2,940,000.00 for the purchase of one-way tickets for the return journey. Council noted, considered and concertedly approved as requested. j) Presentation of Request for Permission to Sign a Memorandum of Understanding Between the Kano State Government and KAKZCHI Shoe Makers Development Association:The Kano State Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Tourism notified Council that, the establishment of a Common Facility Center (CFC) was successfully executed in collaboration with UNIDO as assented to by the present administration. Consequent to this commendable development, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Tourism proposed to enter into partnership with KAKZACHI Shoe Makers Development Association for the utilization of the facilities available at the CFC. The Association is based in Kano and comprises members that specialize in leather works. The facilities available at the CFC would be fully utilized for leather works productions towards the improvement of commercial activities/engagements in the State. Further, Council was informed that the draft copy of the MoU was vetted and cleared by the State Ministry of Justice awaiting Government clearance for execution of its contents. As such, Council was requested to grant approval to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Tourism to sign the MoU for the sustainable growth of the CFC. Council acknowledged the presentation and approved as requested. k) Request for Funds to Enable the Conduct of the Training of 1,000 Traditional Barbers (Kwankwasiyya Aska):The current Government in Kano State was applauded for the general implementation of its empowerment policy, which cuts across various categories of the citizenry in Kano State, Barbers inclusive. In this vein, Council was respectfully reminded of the approval granted on Wednesday 24th April, 2013 for conduct of training of 2000 Barbers (Amana Manicure) in the State. So far, only 800 benefitted from the Endeavour. As such, the Traditional Barbers Association (Kwankwasiyya Aska) still awaits extension of the programme so as to arrive at the promised 2000 figure. For the training and the procurement of Training Package the sum of N72,216,500.00 was requestedto enable Lafiya Jari Coordinating Committee to facilitate the program. Council acknowledged the presentation and approved the request. l) Presentation of Report on the Allocation of Houses at Amana, Bandirawo and Kwankwasiyya Cities:The implementation of the construction project/allocation of houses at the three (3) newly established modern cities of Amana, Bandirawo and Kwankwasiyya reported the stand of the projects so far and the proposal for the allocation of the constructed houses are highlighted below: i. Kwankwasiyya – all categories of houses (3, 4 and 5 bedrooms) constructed to 100% completion level = 530 ii. Amana – all categories of houses (3, 4 and 5 bedrooms) constructed to 100% completion level = 524 iii. Bandirawo – all categories of houses (3, 4 and 5 bedrooms) constructed to 100% completion level = 453. So far, the following allocations were made to 73 applicants that indicated interest in owning the houses by making some appreciable payments on the costs of the houses. Thus: • Kwankwasiyya = 57 leaving a balance of 476. • Amana = 04 leaving a balance of 520. • Bandirawo = 03 leaving a balance of 450. Details on the names of the 73 allottees were presented to Council for perusal. Council acknowledged the presentation appreciatively. m) Request for Funds to Enable Kano State Karate Team Honor an Invitation Received from the Karate Federation of Nigeria:The KEN President Karate Championship is scheduled to hold (26th – 29th March, 2014) in Ilorin, Kwara State. A copy of the invitation letter for Kano State to participate in the event was presented to Council for consideration along with the details on the financial implications to the tune of N352,000.00, which was requested for release to enable the Kano State Karate Team participate in the event. Council noted, considered and approved as requested. 6. MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT Five (5) of the six (6) memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from this Ministry were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of Current Status Report on Amana Luxury Taxis and Request for Release of Take – Off of Funds:The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport presented the cited report/request, for consideration by Council, on behalf of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Transport. The salient highlights of the report were presented as follows: • 245 vehicles were made available for the Scheme. • 182 of the vehicles were allocated to beneficiaries of the Scheme. • 28 of the vehicles were pledged and allocated to the Kano Pillars Football Club. • 35 of the vehicles still remain under the custody of the Chairman Implementation Committee.

PAGE 9 • 36.2% or N67,900,000.00 had been recovered from the projected N187,000,000.00 outstanding. • That the Amana Leasing Company Ltd. had been incorporated with RC Number 1168577. In conclusion, the SSA Transport requested Council to approve the release of the aggregate sum of N5,291,000.00 to cover the expenditure for the period of February to December, 2014 distributed as follows: i. Salary for eight (8) Staff (February – December, 2014) = N2,211,000.00 at N201,000.00 per month. ii. MTN Monthly subscription at N30,000.00 per month = N330,000.00. iii. Monthly Office overhead to cater for water, diesel, Office consumables, PHCN bills, etc. at N100,000.00 per month for eleven (11) months = N1,100,000.00. iv. Public enlightenment, radio talk shows and other marketing issues at N100,000.00 per month for eleven (11) months = N1,100,000.00. v. Provision for recoveries funds, travels, etc. at N50,000.00 per month for eleven (11) months = N550,000.00. Total = N5,291,000.00. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation and approved as follows: • Release of N2,211,000.00 to cater for the salaries of eight (8) Staff for eleven (11) months (February – December, 2014). • Release of N200,000.00 as monthly overhead for the Company. b) Presentation of Progress Report on the Construction of Covered Sewage Conduit/Road (Wuju – Wuju Road) over/along Jakara – Kwarin Gogau Rivers (Mid February, 2014):The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport presented the cited progress report to Council for consideration. Main highlights were presented as follows: • Contractor M/S TEC Engineering Company Ltd. • Contract sum N5,564,487,900.00. • Commencement date October, 2013. • Completion date October, 2014. • Contract period twelve (12) months • Advance payment N1,585,879,051.56 (30%). • Scope of works the work involves construction of circular covered sewage/asphalt road along/over Jakara – Kwarin Gogau Rivers. • Amount of money certified to date – 30% or N1,585,879,051.56. • Overall progress 5.2%. General Remarks:- The Contractor has already mobilized both personnel and equipment to the site. Works commenced immediately with: • Removal of about 24.276 CUM of rubbish at Aminu Kano Way. • Cut and fill 9,500CUM pumping of water at the existing pond. • 48,000.00 CUM back filling. • 28,000.00 CUM and production of 1.5M diameter rings 40nos. Conclusively, photographs were presented to Council for perusal. Council acknowledged the presentation appreciatively. c) Notification of Issuance of Appraisal Letters to the Federal Government Organizations in Kano Occupying Kano State Government Owned Houses (GPs):The contents of this memorandum substantiated to Council that, arrangements to retrieve all the houses being occupied by the staff of the Federal Government is underway. In this vein, a comprehensive list of all the houses and the Federal Government Organizations that occupy them were presented to Council for information. Council acknowledged the presentation with appreciation and blessed the efforts. d) Presentation of Progress Report on the Construction of Flyover Bridges (State Road – Kofar Nassarawa and Ibrahim Taiwo Road (from Radio Kano): Mid February, 2014:The contents of this memorandum presented the salient highlights on the progress of the execution of the cited projects as follows: i. Contractor - TEC Engineering Company Nigeria Ltd. ii. Contract sum - N5,933,520.068.34. iii. Commencement date - December, 2012. iv. Completion date - June, 2014. v. Contract period - Eighteen (18) months. vi. Scope of works - The work involves construction of two (2) flyover bridges with one (1) Silver Jubilee Roundabout – Gidan Murtala Rotary Intersection and terminating after Kofar Nassarawa Gate. The second (2nd) starting from Gidan Radio along Ibrahim Taiwo Road crossing over Obasanjo Rotary Intersection. The project also includes five (5) interchanges, slip roads and expansion of some portion of all roads involved. vii. Amount of money certified to date - 30% advance payment was made to the Contractor or N1,695,291,448.10. viii. Remarks • Main bridge State Road – Kofar Nassarawa: - substructure = 100%; precast/launching of beams = 100%; casting of in – site deck = 63%; retaining wall = 100%. • Main bridge Ibrahim Taiwo from Gidan Radio: - substructure = 100%; precast/launching of beams = 83%; retaining wall = 100%. • Clovers: - pilling = 100%; pile cap = 100%; abutment and pier = 95%; pier cap = 95%; retaining wall = 41%. • Percentage progress = 8.3% • Landscaping shall commence soon. Conclusively, photographs were presented to Council for perusals, which were appreciated. e) Presentation of Progress Report on the Construction of Sports Complex at Former NAMA Site, Kofar Na’isa: Mid February, 2014:The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport presented a precise report on the progress of the cited project. Thus: i. Contractor TEC Engineering Nigeria Ltd. ii. Contract sum N2,761,959,814.28. iii. Commencement date March, 2013. iv. Completion date February, 2014. v. Contract period eleven (11) months. vi. Scope of works the work involves construction of Sports Complex of more than ten (10) different Sports Pitches and construction of 4,112.18M road network with 7.0M width carriage way and 1.5M shoulder on both sides and 9029.6M side and main drains and culverts of various types and sizes within the Sports Complex. vii. Amount of money certified to date 30% advance payment or N749,674,806.37 was paid to the Contractor. An interim valuation certificate No. 1 was paid in the sum of N301,300,321.13; certificate No. 2 amounting to N186,339,314.55 is still with the Ministry of Finance while interim valuation certificates No. 3 and 4 in the sums of N204,226,151.45 and N379,800,709.11 respectively, are receiving the attention of the Projects Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate. viii. Overall percentage progress 71% ix. Remarks landscaping = 60%; gymnastics center = 75%; conveniences = 75%; construction of main drains = 92%; planting of trees = 33%; construction of hostel = 58%; construction of administrative block = 40%; facility management center = 30%; restaurant = 30%; installation of water pipe = 60% pave brick = 40.5%; etc. In conclusion, relevant photographs were presented for consideration by Council which was acknowledged appreciatively. 7. MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION One (1) of the two (2) memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from this Ministry was approved for execution. Thus: Presentation of Request for Approval to Transfer Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta to Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST) Wudil:The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Higher Education adequately traced the history/ genesis of the cited request, through the contents of this memorandum. Council was informed that the decision was already made on the transfer in principles pending official documentation. As such, two (2) main prayers were forwarded to Council on the issue for consideration and approval which include the followings: i. Council to consider and approve the official transfer of Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta to KUST under the established Faculty of Agriculture that offers Degree Certificates while the Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta continues to offer ND and HND Courses, etc. Council appreciated the presentation and approved the implementation of the prayers forwarded on the cited issue according to the details presented. 8. OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE This Office submitted two (2) memoranda for deliberation by Council. One (1) was approved for execution. Thus: Presentation of Request for the Replacement of Staff at Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kano:-

The cited request was submitted to and endorsed by the Head of Civil Service as presented to Council for consideration. Reportedly, the Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso lost a sizeable number of its Staff due to the mass exodus in search of greener pastures. Specifically a total of 141 (92 Academic and 49 Non – Academic) Staff were lost translating to a personnel cost of N212,969,700.04. Details were presented to Council for consideration. As such, the Institution wrote to the Office of the Head of Civil Service seeking for clearance to employ sixty (60) Academic Staff and fifty (50) Non – Academic Staff translating to an annual personnel cost of N106,473,016.44, which is still lower than the cost difference realized from the adverse loss of personnel at the Institute. In this vein, the Head of Civil Service forwarded the following two (2) prayers for consideration and approval by Council: i. That clearance be granted to the Institute to employ at least 50% of its requirement for academic staff (i.e. thirty (30) academic staff). ii. That Council should consider approving for the Institution to employ at least 1/3 or seventeen (17) non – academic staff. Council acknowledged the presentation and approved execution of the two (2) prayers forwarded on the issue but directed that concession be accorded to graduates of the 501 Scheme in filling the vacancies. 9. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES One (1) of the two (2) memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources was approved for execution as follows: Request for Funds to Enable Dredging of Sector Three (3) Night Storage Reservoir at Watari Irrigation Project – Scheme:The night storage reservoir was presented to Council as an important component of an irrigation scheme. It helps in storing the water required daily by farmers to efficiently irrigate their farms. Further, Council was informed that the Watari Irrigation Scheme was planned to cover a total of 1,400 hectares of which only 700 hectares were successfully developed and put to use by KNARDA since the year 1987. The balance of 700 hectares is currently under construction with support from the Federal Government. The Scheme had been continually operated without adequate maintenance as the required equipment available are not in serviceable condition. Consequently, farmers wait for several hours for their farms to be served with the water required for necessary irrigation due to accumulation of silt and other materials. This lowers the efficiency/capacity of the entire scheme. Related to this, the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources submitted the cited request for Council to approve the release of the sum of N4,998,400.00 to effect the necessary repairs as well as dredge the night reservoir at Watari Irrigation Scheme for optimum storage efficiency. Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N4,998,400.00 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the stated project due to its significance. The Ministry for Local Government was instructed to handle the funding. 10. JOINT MEMORANDUM; MINISTRIES OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND EDUCATION Request for Funds to Undertake the Second (2nd) Phase of Brooding and Distribution of Broiler Chicks to 100 Young Farmers’ Clubs in 100 Secondary Schools of Kano State:Clubs/Societies/Associations along with their characteristic activities by students/pupils are part and parcel of any viable education/school curriculum as specified in the document designed on the National Policy on Education. Young Farmers’ Club is among such clubs whose activities accentuate/supplement the day – by – day classroom instructions/teachings practically. Though significant, clubs were dormant prior to the second (2nd) incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. This administration is responsible enough to revive the activities of Young Farmers’ Clubs in our secondary schools. Commensurate to this, Council was notified, through the contents of this memorandum that, fifty (50) Secondary Schools benefitted from the revival of the programme. One hundred (100) more expectantly await the effort/endeavour to be extended to them. Details of the requirements were comprehensively presented to Council for consideration along with the request for the release of the aggregate sum of N14,670,290.00 for the purpose. Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N14,670,290.00 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to enable the production of broiler chicks for distribution to one hundred (100) Secondary Schools in Kano State. 11. MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, COOPERATIVES AND TOURISM Presentation of Report on the Outcome of Meeting Between the Attorney General/ Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Justice and the Executives of Tanners Council on the Closure of KANO TAN S.A Challawa:The unfortunate case of the occurrence of the fatal accident that cost the lives of two (2) unfortunate workers at the tanning factory, KANO TAN S.A Challawa was thoroughly deliberated upon by the Kano State Executive Council. A Committee was enacted to investigate the issue. The assignment was carried out with recommendations proffered to Council for implementation. The contents of this memorandum substantiated to Council that, all conditions specified for adoption by the Company were abided by. Details were presented for consideration amongst which are: i. The company agreed to pay the Group Life Insurance rounded up at N1 million to each family; ii. The company agreed to pay a grant of N1,500,000.00 to each of the deceased families; iii. The Company agreed to employ two (2) persons from each family; iv. The Company agreed to pay tuition fees to one child of each family up to Secondary level, and v. All these payments exclude the benefits for NSITF and Pension Fund. With this agreement Council ultimately granted approval for the re – opening of the Company and the implementation of the package to the bereaved families. UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 142ND EXCO SITTING 1. SWEARING-IN OF TWO (2) NEW PERMANENT SECRETARIES AND ONE (1) COMMISSIONER OF KANSIEC Council witnessed the swearing-in of (2) new Permanent Secretaries namely; Kuliya A. Zubair and Mahmud Bello Bari who were posted to Manpower Development Directorate, Office of the Head of Service and Ministry of Special Duties respectively. Muhammad Yakubu Kunya was sworn-in as Commissioner for Kano State Independent Electoral Commission to replace former Commissioner Late Umar Liman. The Governor urged them to be committed and diligent in their working places. 2. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS i. An Award to Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE by the Greek Ambassador as the “Best Governor” for the Transformation of Education, Infrastructure and Excellent leadership. ii. Letter of Credence to Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE from the National body of ANAN, Kano Branch. iii. An Award of Excellence to Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE by the National Association of Computer Science Students (NACSS) as “Best Transformer” in the Nation. 3. ROUND-TABLE CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY THE ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS (APC) Council delightfully acknowledged the able representation of the Kano State by the Deputy Governor/Honourable Commissioner, Ministry for Local Governments at a Round-table conference organized by All Progressive Congress (APC). The topic of discussion was on Budget making and implementation. Accordingly, the Deputy Governor/Honourable Commissioner, Ministry for Local Governments chaired the plenary session and informed the audience about the Kano State new approach in budget formulation and budget implementation. The State budget ratio of 75% capital and 25% recurrent has transformed the State, as the amount is being invested on development projects. He also informed them on the State cancellation of security vote and the increase in the “Internally Generated Revenue” from N360,000,000.00 to N2,200,000,000.00 monthly. These achievements impressed the participants. 4. GRADUATION CEREMONY OF 500 WOMEN TRAINED ON HOME BASED TRADE Council witnessed the Graduation Ceremony of the 500 Women trained on Home Based Trade and the distribution of training package to the participants. Government urged the beneficiaries to make good use of what they have acquired during the training to make themselves self-reliant.

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture, Kano State

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

News

Minister dispels rumour of Ebola virus outbreak in Nigeria

R-L: Ata Igala and President, Kogi state Council of Chiefs, His Royal Majesty Michael IdakwoAmeh Oboni, presenting Arise Igala Man of the Year Award to former Kogi state Governor, Prince Abubakar Audu, during Arise Igala Leadership Award, at the weekend in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

he Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to be at the vanguard of protecting vital equipment and installations from the activities of vandals, in order to ensure optimal electricity supply in Nigeria. Etsu Abubakar stated this at the weekend, when the officials of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company of Nigeria (Disco) paid him a courtesy call at his Wadata Palace, Bida, saying the vandalism of equipment and installations were counterproductive. He appealed to Nigerians to stop the act of assault on electricity company officials during the course of performing their lawful duties

Etsu Nupe urges protection of electricity installations , especially during its revenue drive. He also urged visiting officials to ensure adequate and quality power supply to the people, as part of strategy of gaining the customers appreciation and support. Yahaya enjoined the officials to ensure that the problem associated with poor electricity supply to Bida town and its environs is addressed promptly, to bring succor to the people. The Team Leader of the Task Force of Abuja Disco, Alhaji Garba

Madani, assured the monarch that a team of engineers are presently working round the clock to fix the problem at the Bida substation toward restoring normal power supply. He stated that the company had purchased new equipment and fittings toward improving power supply to its numerous customers in Kogi , Niger, Nasarawa and the FCT. Madani urged the customers in Bida and its environs to desist from the act of molesting officials in the

course of their revenue collection as such act would affect power supply in the area. He told the monarch that the present poor electricity supply in the country was due to the acts of vandalism of gas pipeline and the drop in water at some of the hydro dams in the country. He commended the Etsu Nupe for his steadfast support to the organisation and its staff toward the discharge of their duties and call for further understanding and support.

Juwah, while responding to questions from subscribers at the consumer parliament, held at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria said, not even telecommunication service providers’ masts have health hazards. Represented by the commission’s Deputy Director of Consumer Affairs, Dr. Femi Atoyebi, the NCC Vice Chairman reiterated that “there has not been any scientific proof that radiation from mobile phones is harmful to the health of subscribers”. He also stated that,

telecommunication masts have recommended height, to which the commission always ensure strict compliance to, to prevent harmful radiation from getting down to human beings and animals around. According to him, “As it is now, for someone to be affected by radiation from masts, that person must have climbed the mast naked. If such radiation is so harmful, all the people in United State of America would have died, because they have been using it a long time ago”.

While commenting on the essence of the programme, the NCC boss said, the consumer parliament was a necessary forum to subject telecom service providers to questioning from their subscribers. Meanwhile, service providers like, MTN, Airtel, Glo and Etisalat, who were present at the event, answered series of questions from their subscribers and promised to take all observations to their managements for further action, with a view to serving their subscribers better.

No health hazard with mobile phone usage –NCC From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

he Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has laid to rest the widespread speculation that, use of mobile phones is dangerous to user’s health saying that, use of the device is hazard-free. The commission disclosed this yesterday when it dragged all mobile telecommunication service providers before their subscribers in Zaria. The Executive Vice-Chairman of the commission, Dr. Eugene

Urban planning in Nigeria needs attention – Mimiko From Akilani Abdullah, Lagos

ndo state governor, Olusegun Mimiko has tasked stakeholders in the urban planning sectors on the urgent need to redefine the sector in the area of planning and housing development in Nigeria. Speaking during a book launch in Lagos, titled: “Affordable Housing and Urban Planning in Nigeria: Advocacy for Change” at the weekend, Mimiko said that without real planning, the Nigerian environment cannot

become what we aims it to be. Mimiko, who was represented by Oyewunmi Olajuyi, said “African countries are growing, and Nigeria is not exempted. We need to revisit and redefine the planning standards. We need to re- examines the contents of the program in the urban sector. On his part, Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola, who was represented by Mr. Jimoh Ajao, said that the state housing programme have commenced with tax-payers money to develop 1, 140 housing units, while some are to be completed by the middle of the

year, saying to enable legislation and environment development in the state, the citizens must abide by the law, which will bring about positive development in the state. While speaking, the author of the book, a retired town planning officer, Mr. Yacoob Abiodun while stressing on the need for affordable housing in Nigeria made it known that even with the stupendous financial resources at government disposals, it was so disturbing that the Nigeria government cannot provide or create an enabling environment conducive for the provision of

affordable housing for its teeming population. “It is unthinkable why the provision of affordable housing should be a daunting task for us as a nation, when less-endowed country such as Sri Lanka was able to provide housing to majority of her citizenry under her United Nations’ award-winning One Million Housing Programme”, he said. The author, while proffering solutions to the menace in the sector, said that the government and the governed must have the collective will to play by the rules.

he Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, at the weekend dispelled rumour of the outbreak of Ebola virus in Nigeria, saying surveillance has been intensified to prevent an occurrence. A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Minister, Dan Nwomeh, said that the attention of the ministry was drawn to a media report on the disease in the state. “The minister’s attention was drawn to a recent media report about an alleged death of an affected person in Nasarawa state. The report is not true and should be disregarded. The said case is yet to be diagnosed and confirmed as Ebola virus. “The general public should please note that the authority to confirm the outbreak of disease epidemics rests with the minister of health. “The institution that is mandated to investigate the outbreak of diseases and advise the minister of health is the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC),’’ the statement said. It said that, based on available information from the NCDC and the minister of health, there was no outbreak of Ebola virus in Nigeria. According to the statement, the Ebola virus does not the only cause of hemorrhagic fever; all suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever are subject to laboratory analysis and confirmation. It said Nigeria had the capacity to diagnose the disease if it appeared in the country and the NCDC was currently studying outbreak trends of the virus. The NCDC had mobilised Rapid Response teams and developed a detailed response plan that included a comprehensive health education and health promotion to sensitise Nigerians, the statement added. It said that surveillance had been stepped up to detect and treat the disease, just as treatment and isolation centres had been mobilised in case of outbreak. “The Federal Ministry of Health is working closely with West African Health Organisation (WAHO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is ready to deploy experts to Guinea to strengthen its response capacity. “Although the health institutions have been put on red alert for Ebola here in Nigeria, the WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions to Guinea in respect of this outbreak,” said the statement. The health ministry advised the general public to take precautionary measures to avert the outbreak. The statement advised persons coming from Ebola diseaseaffected countries, who might have symptoms of high fever, headache, severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea and bleeding, to report to health authorities on arrival. (Source: NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

redit influences many things that affect our daily lives, including our home and job. In this article we look at when and how credit is used. Prepare your credit for apartment hunting, job applications, insurance shopping, and opening new utility accounts. Find out where you stand ou can check your credit each month using Credit. com’s free Credit Report Card. This completely free tool will break down your credit score into sections and give you a grade for each. You’ll see, for example, how your payment history, debt and other factors affect your score, and you’ll get recommendations for steps you may want to consider to address problems. In addition, you’ll also find credit offers from lenders who may be willing to offer you credit. Checking your own credit reports and scores does not affect your credit score in any way.

Utility Accounts lectricity, cable, and other utility companies may check your credit report with your permission when determining your rates. People with credit issues could be required to put down a deposit, add a co-signer, or pay higher rates for their utilities. In states with community property laws (such as Arizona, California, and Texas) the utility company may even check your spouse’s credit history as part of its evaluation. Inquiries from utility applications do not harm your credit score.

PAGE 11

Money Sense

Financial credit that impact your day–to–day life rely on your score and some basic application data. If you have a high credit score (750+), you will receive the best loan deals available (sometimes as low as 0%). However, even people with major credit issues can usually be approved for an auto loan, though at very high rates. The best auto loan rates are granted from online lenders and credit unions, not auto dealerships. It’s a good idea to limit the number of loans you apply for since inquiries from auto loan applications can lower your credit score. Credit cards hen you apply for a new credit card, the company will review your credit score to see if you qualify and what terms you should receive. Some credit card offers have different rate options for borrowers with different credit standings. Others have one set of requirements for

opening the account. Usually rewards cards and cards with low APRs require the highest credit scores. Secured and pre-paid cards accept borrowers with credit problems. Credit card companies often review the credit scores of existing customers and in turn may adjust their rates. Credit card application inquiries can lower your credit score. Insurance ome and auto insurers commonly use consumer credit information along with your application data in determining rates and terms. In fact, more than 90% of auto insurance companies now use credit data. The reports and scores used by the insurance industry are slightly different from what is used by creditors and lenders, but your basic data and standing should be the same. After asking for your permission,

the insurer will pull your credit data to calculate your “insurance risk score.” The higher your score, the better your insurance rates may be. This credit inquiry will appear on your credit report but does not usually harm your credit score. Checking accounts Banks will not check your credit report during the checking or savings account application process. However, most banks will review your ChexSystems report before granting you a new account. This report is not based on your credit file, but instead includes records of bounced checks or other banking negatives. Government assistance and licensing echnically, any government agency can access limited information from your credit files without your

permission (name, address, former addresses, current and former employers). Thorough credit checks may be required if you are applying for government assistance or specific licenses. Employers mployers must get written permission before they can review an applicant’s credit report. Usually employers review your credit report for major negative records or discrepancies. If an employer decides to take “adverse action” based on information your report, he or she must notify you first and provide you with a copy of your credit report. Employers can also check the credit reports of existing employees, as long as they previously disclosed that they may take such action. When an employer checks your credit report it does not negatively affect your credit score.

Auto loans our credit score commonly influences auto loan rates available to you. Most auto lenders do not fully review your credit reports and financial history; instead, they

Money Tip: Energy star appliances If your appliances are older models, then you should retire them and purchase new ones as soon as you can. An Energy Star refrigerator can save money since this one appliance contributes nearly 15 to 20 percent of your energy consumption. A new washer and dryer, not only will save on electricity requirements, but also save on clothes. A partially filled freezer requires more electricity to keep the food frozen than a full freezer

Quote

Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy – Norman Schwarzkopf

…and domestic credit that impact your day-to-day life Apartments

our credit report is often pulled by a landlord or rental agency as part of the review process. These people are mostly looking for major negatives on your credit report that show you may not be a responsible tenant. They will also check that the name, address, and employer on your report match what you put on your application. You could be denied an apartment or required to pay higher rent. You could also be forced to put down a larger deposit or to use a co-signer because of information on your credit report. Inquiries from rental applications do not damage your credit score.

Cell phones ell phone companies will check your credit score before deciding to grant you a service plan. People with credit issues may be asked to put down a large down payment or pay extra for a service contract. There are cell phone services available that do not require a credit check. Some contracts include terminology that allows the company to review your credit at any point. Be aware that a cell phone application inquiry will appear on your credit report and can lower your credit score.

Child support enforcement agencies

hild support enforcement agencies can check the credit histories and child support payment records of delinquent parents. While the inquiry will not appear on your credit reports and will not damage your credit scores, child support non-payment is reported by these agencies to the credit bureaus. Non-payment can damage credit scores. Mortgages ortgage lenders usually review all three of your credit reports and credit scores as part of the application process. In most cases, a mortgage loan is much larger than an auto or student loan,

so the review process is much more detailed. In order to receive standard mortgage interest rates, your credit scores should be above the 700 range. Mortgage applications will appear on your credit reports and can lower your credit score. Student loans ederal student loans do not require a credit check since the interest rates on these loans are set based on national rates. When you consolidate federal loans, the new lender will not check your credit report. Only with private student loans or in a few specific situations may credit checks be required for student loans. www.credit.com

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

EDITORIAL

he Niger state government, last weekend, did the unthinkable by evicting some 200 Fulani herdsmen to Kaduna state. The Fulanis who were said to have relocated to Gulu village in Shiroro local government area were shipped back to Kaduna in about four trucks under heavy security by the Niger state government after the villagers were said to have raised an alarm after seeing a large number of people settling in their community. The Niger state Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Nomadic Matters, Sadiq Abubakar, said the herders had to be evicted considering the state of insecurity in the country, insisting that whenever the need for such movement in huge numbers arose the herders should always liaise with their registered associations so that the government would be adequately informed. Isma’ila Rabe, the Northcentral zonal chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, however, condemned the action of the Niger state government, saying, “they are harmless; they were forced to relocate to the state after losing their grazing land in Rijana village in Kaduna state… They had to relocate to Biri in Niger state after their grazing land in Rijana was sold; they are harmless herders.” What Governor Aliyu did may be excused perhaps in the light of the rising level of insecurity

in many parts of the country and particularly the oft reported clashes between alleged Fulani herdsmen and Tivs in Benue state and the recent attacks allegedly carried out in Kaura, Kaduna state, where several

“

Niger state govt’s wrongheaded action

We believe, however, that the Niger state government acted hastily in deporting these bona fide Nigerians who were in the state in pursuit of a legitimate means of livelihood. villagers were killed. The attack on some villages in Katsina state which coincided with the president’s visit recently was also attributed to Fulani herdsmen. We believe, however, that the Niger state government acted hastily in evicting these bona fide Nigerians who were in the state in pursuit of a legitimate means of livelihood. The government ought to have established first whether these herdsmen had any malicious intent before moving them out of the state like some criminals. Considering the difficulty the Fulanis face in finding

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land to graze their cattle, Governor Aliyu should have demonstrated more compassion by providing them shelter and ensuring they live in peace with their hosts. Governor Aliyu’s ill thought out action is all the more distasteful considering the fact that he is the chairman of the Northern states Governors Forum. In that capacity, he should be seen to be building bridges amongst the different socio ethnic groups in the region rather than burning them as he has just done. What his action has also shown is that he has sadly fallen into the ongoing frenzy of stereotyping and profiling Fulani herdsmen as the perpetrators of the attacks that have been taking place in some parts of the country. Recent eyewitness reports have indicated that some of these attacks were not carried out by the herdsmen but by nefarious individuals and groups that parade as herdsmen. Indeed, many ethnic and political groups have now formed militias who launch attacks on their opponents but such attacks are misconstrued to be attacks by Fulani herdsmen. We believe the Niger state government ought to have been able to make this distinction to avoid the regrettable action it took. Our federal Constitution provides Nigerians the protection to live peacefully in any part of the country they choose. The Niger state government had no right to deny these Nigerians that right.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

PAGE 13

Opinion The ‘Conference’, the delegates and Pontius Pilate By Gbenro Olajuyigbe

hen Pastor Bakare said that he ‘would not take his share of the 9 million stipends to be paid to the delegate to the ongoing national conference so that people would not say that he was going to the conference because of the money’ two things crossed my mind. One, he demonstrated his selflessness. Two, he passively admitted that it was not the people that sent him. I guess he was either sent by a governor or ‘Afenifere’. When Olisa Agbakoba wrote to the government declining his share of the ‘jumbo’ pay, he affirmed that he was comfortable enough to pick his bill. Another sacrifice! Femi Falana said he would collect the money but give it to charity. Mike Ozekhome said he would collect his own because if he didn’t, the money would return to government and would be re-looted. As plausible as all these reasons may be, these good Nigerians have allowed a wonderful opportunity to slip from their hands. Rather than reject or accept, either of which will not change the status quo,

they should have stood up on the floor of the conference and condemned ‘the jumbo pay’ with the same patriotic zeal as they have condemned the hefty pay of the Nigerian legislators and that of the executives. This would have been a better and smarter way of demonstrating how possible it is to reduce cost of governance in Nigeria. The is the same sentiment that the Law makers are expressing; and the same justification they express in collecting all the ridiculously outrageous amount that has made the cost of governance unbearable in Nigeria, and by extrapolation, one of the reasons, if any, for the convocation of the conference. The inability of these good Nigerians to transcend the prevailing vices and enthrone best practice in governance cost reduction by demonstrating collective rejection of or evn vigorously advocating against the unfair stipends have made them unfit to talk about the cost of governance in Nigeria. Self righteousness is not what makes a reformer. It is the courage to ignite the fire of change in others and trigger in them the expression of virtues necessary for social change and national reformation. Washing

your hands of the unfair allowance without causing others to see and understand its vitality to the puzzling social change and the justice our society need amount to reinvigoration of ‘Pontius Pilate’s Principle’. It is like saying I will not steal but will allow others to steal even though I am in position to prevent it. That was what Pontius Pilate did; yet he remained as guilty as others. When we are in position to make some people ashamed of exploiting others and the nation they claim they are serving and we use that position to co hence them into decency, we sin against liberty! If the conference could debate its guide lines and re-adjust the same, what prevented it from debating the offensive allowance and re-adjust same too? After all, it is the same government that gave you the guidelines being reviewed that offered you the allowance? If the government’s guideline is unfair to you, the allowance you are receiving is also unfair to the people, some of who died recently in pursuant of jobs in a country where majority are under excruciating poverty. As far back as 1985, when Nigeria was even better than she is

today, Late Justice Akinola Aguda had prepared the context in which you must reject the unfair allowance for you, while hitting on the state of unemployment in Nigeria. He declared; ‘can we imagine a greater torture for an able bodied man or woman than to wake up in the morning and not have the smallest clue as to how or where he is going to find a meal to eat the whole day, not to talk of the day after?’ This is the context in which the rejection of your unfair pay of 9 millionnNaira becomes a greater service to the majority of poor and unemployed Nigerians who may not earn what you are now been erratically and unjustifiably being paid in their life time even if they secure employment today. And more necessary, that you called what you are doing a service to your country. Self-sacrifice is one of the attributes of national service; even the newest among the youth corps members under the NYSC Scheme knows this. Although I know that it was not the love for the country that led to the conception of the idea for this conference, at least, the delegates should create room to make the intention of the cads

to agree with those of decent people. Now, the reality should have dawn on the conferees that they are pursuing the nightmare of a man who has put the cart before the horse! This is the same suspected nightmare that made me to reject my appointment into the Technical Committees on Vision 20-2020 set up by the Yar’adua/ Goodluck’s government in 2009. In my rejection letter, I asked the government to tell me just one country it planned to replace out of the 27 countries in Europe, not to talk of Asia or North & South America. Even in Africa the government was and is still not showing any sign of leadership. I did not get a response and did not follow others to chase shadow. Like the fury of an angry storm, the ill preparation for the conference, its unclear motives, its choice of prioritizing political expediency over and above legality, substituting people’s legitimate agitation with this fake and guided version of the original, its doom end is almost certain from the beginning. Gbenro Olajuyigbe is on gbenroolajuyigbe@yahoo. com

Nigerians live everywhere, even In Borno By Peregrino Brimah

hat the President planned to put across in his recent statements in Namibia, only he knows, but what he seems to have said answers many questions as to the free reign of terror in the north of Nigeria and the unabated decimation of lives and livelihood. It appears from his statements that President Jonathan either hates the north or is totally disconnected from the north and views it as a separate country. This was the message he gave President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, at the Conference Hall of the Namibia State House. President Jonathan told his Namibian counterpart: “Initially, we handled it (Boko Haram terror) with kid’s glove, but now we have decided to be a little more forceful because we must thrash out these terror groups. We must not allow it to continue to slow down economic growth in that part of the country. With the terror attacks in that part of the country, the rest of the country feel it because Nigerians live everywhere. In these other parts, there is always the fear that if you do not tackle it, it will infiltrate in these other parts.” The first part of his statement admitted that he had not taken the terror situation seriously for the first years of his regime, and only recently did he realize to step up his war against Boko Haram. This explains the relative impunity Boko Haram enjoyed and their ability to

reign terror in the northeast the last four years, resulting in the deaths of thousands and destruction of billions in property. But the second part of the statement was most worrisome. In the continuation of his talk, the President of Nigeria explained why he was now taking Boko Haram terror seriously and stepping up his war against them a notch—not all the way, just a notch as he said— Jonathan said, terror affected the economy in the northeast, “that part of the country,” as he referred to it. Then he went on to further describe his posture toward “that part of the country.” President Jonathan said, “With the terror attacks in that part of the country, the rest of the country feel it because Nigerians live everywhere.” What did the President mean by this statement? “Because Nigerians live everywhere.” Is it possible for Nigerians not to live in the terrorized Borno? Would Nigerians of other regions not feel it or will it not matter if they did not live in Borno or have people who did? Is Nigeria separate from Borno? Which would explain perhaps his message, that Nigerians lived everywhere including in Borno “country,” like “Namibia country” and are subject to the terror Boko Haram reigns on Borno country? Was the President trying to imply or inadvertently confessing that had Nigerians stayed in their regions, he would not care about the crises in Borno and the other affected states, but simply because Nigerians of all regions lived in all

regions, hence Boko Haram which has been decimating Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states becomes his concern? Can we relate to his statement? What will be a situation where Nigerians did not live everywhere? And how will this determine the nation’s response to Boko Haram terror of the people of Borno state, Nigeria? The follow-up statement of the President I believe underlined and expatiated on his thought process and feelings. The President went further to say, “In these other parts, there is always the fear that if you do not tackle it, it will infiltrate in these other parts.” Basically what this meant is that if he did not inconvenience himself, so-tosay, tackling Boko Haram terror in Borno, Yobe and environs, it may reach “Nigeria.” President Jonathan’s concern is piqued due to the risk of the real people of Nigeria in “other parts,” who might be affected by the terror and hence it is now his concern. This is the implication of his statements. He simply failed to lament the deaths and only related to extra-regional impacts. It is recognized that it was after the Yobe college massacre in which Nigerians from all states of the federation were notably attacked that the President stepped up his campaign against Boko Haram and the military engaged and pursued the terrorists more determinately, resulting in the capture and killing of dozens and the discovery of camps loaded with hundreds of vehicles,

cash, arms and other utilities. Public uproar from all quarters of Nigeria forced the President to reactivate the war against Boko Haram. Is there another explanation to his statements which seem to indicate that it is only the presence of Nigerians from other parts, at risk in the northeast and the possibility of the terror that irreversibly destroys those northern regions, spilling over to other parts of Nigeria that prompts the Presidents concern and decision to take off his kid gloves and up his war just a notch? It would be a serious matter of concern if the President of Nigeria is insensitive to the plight of and disconnected with regions in the nation. Such an unusual and dangerous reality certainly would necessitate immediate and urgent regionalism to allow regional leaders who see their zone as their nation and will do all within their means, urgently to protect life and restore hope. The President’s predecessor regime, that of late President Umaru Yar’adua was quite different. Yar’adua did not use kid gloves with Boko Haram. He promptly and adequately crushed the terrorists as soon as he got wind of them. But not only this, challenged with a different terror situation in the south of Nigeria, far off from his hometown, Yar’adua and his National Security Adviser, NSA Sarki Mukhtar did not see the Niger-Delta as a foreign land and an “everywhere where Nigerians lived,” or a potential risk of terror spill-over to “Nigeria proper,” rather

Yar’Adua determinately instituted an amnesty programme to quickly address and resolve the southern MEND terror crises he had inherited from the Obasanjo predecessor regime. It is possible for leaders to not have a phobia for regions they perceive as distant and culturally foreign to theirs. The inability and failure to do this is a very, very dangerous situation prompting immediate attention. President Jonathan’s statements in far-away Namibia possibly provide an essential opening into root cause of the failure of Nigeria to resolve the Boko Haram terror crises that has made Nigeria one of the most terrorized nations in the world today, with Boko Haram achieving a terror status second only to al Qaeda in 2013. This Northophobia is evident in the widely commented about failure of the President to visit the terrorized regions to empathize with the people and in his failure many a times to even express grief and condolence over the deaths when hundreds of Nigerians in the north are massacred. It is not really his fault, so to say; he just does not seem to have the ability to relate with these peoples and parts and recognize them as part of the same nation in his charge. I think the north should be very worried if they like themselves. Dr.Peregrino Brimah can be reached on drbrimah@ends.ng and Twitter@EveryNigerian

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

PAGE 14

Opinion If tomorrow does not come By Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

oday, in some parts of the world, many people go to bed with one eye closed. For instance, no one can predict in the northern part of Nigeria when the terrorists and the herdsmen would kill those who are sleeping at night. In the south, no one can predict, when he or she would be kidnapped for a ransom. So the fear of terrorists, kidnappers and armed robbers has become the beginning of wisdom. The most popular word in the vocabulary of many nations today is “security”. This is not protection against wild animals, natural disasters and accidents but protection of human beings against fellow human beings. A national daily, on Wednesday March 26, 2014, reported (front page) that “1,000 die, 250,000 displaced by insurgency in three months. 47 feared killed in Nasarawa, Benue, Borno”. Now, University graduates are dying in the process of seeking for jobs. In all these, “dialogue” has become another popular word in our vocabulary. I pray that the National dialogue will be frank and sincere in addressing our common concerns to such a level that no delegate in the National Conference would sleep in session. The western part of Nigeria has just advanced in cultic activitywhere innocent human beings are used for rituals. Jill

Reilly posted on the internet on March 24, 2014 that rotting bodies and skeletons have been found inside an abandoned building (House of Horror) in the city of Ibadan. Olabisi Ilobanafor, a Police serving in Oyo State reported that when they got to the abandoned building in the Soka community of Ibadan, they saw decomposed corpses, skeletons

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and skulls in the building and surrounding bushes. Some seven malnourished human beings looking like skeletons were also rescued in the bushes surrounding the building. Local media have also reported cases of human body parts being sold across the country, especially in the south western region, for ritual purposes. In Lagos, corpses are often found by the roadside with some of their vital parts missing, especially eyes and genitals. Now that no one is safe anywhere in the world what do we do? What theology do we propose to the living that still has, at least, some minutes to prepare knowing not when, where and how soon the human agents of

death would visit? Perhaps, we could first reflect on the many ways wise people have suggested that we prepare for death which is the last debt every person must pay. Most prominent in this teaching is “the Sacrament of the moment by living “one day at a time”. The musician Christy Lane captured this in her prayer/ song: “Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine. Lord, help me today and show me the way one day at a time”. Some Christians, Jews and Muslims use the Rosary, Mala or Tasbih to keep the memory of the divine mystery to purify the mind from getting too attached to physical and material realities. This prayer of the Rosary for the Catholic is a repetition of the

“Our Father, Hail Mary, etc” while meditating on the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. In the Rosary, the assumption and coronation of Mary, the mother of Jesus are contemplated as the joy that is derived in

heaven after a fulfilled life on earth. Some religions teach that one of the surest ways to die well is the art of unconditional forgiveness. This does not mean that we should accept deliberate evil intentions and actions. The logic of forgiveness flows from the fact that God has enough energy and power to punish those who trespass against us by denying us the right to life and human dignity. In Sanskrit religion, ahimsa, the principle of “Do No Harm” is one way of preparing for a happy death. Ahimsa is the awareness of our common humanity and the effort to avoid any hate speech or action which is harmful to us, others, society or the planet. It means

that we should be mindful of others and take responsibility for our actions. This consciousness of death should enable us to see the vanity of this world with the attendant greed and selfishness. It takes a wise person to know that at death, no one takes anything to the grave. Spending some time with the dying and the dead would reveal to us that we go back to God naked the way we came from our mother’s womb. The great sage Ramana Maharshi underwent a radical and permanent spiritual transformation, triggered by a sudden and involuntary contemplation of death. Plato maintained that all true spiritual aspirants practice dying continuously. To this day, Christian mystics and monks contemplate death as part of their formal spiritual practice. Many of them like Saint Alphonsus Maria de Linguori has written books on how to prepare for death. In the face of the uncertainty of death in the world today, we should be consoled with the admonition of Jesus: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10, 20). Let us live in such a way that if tomorrow does not come we shall rest with God in peace forever! Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua is the Director of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja.

How do we redeem this clueless generation? By Sunday Ogidigbo

do not blame people that think that Nigeria is God’s cartoon parchwork. One hundred years after the birth of our nation, we cannot provide the simplest of amenities for our ever growing population. Against this backdrop of gross socioeconomic deficit, the drums were rolled out for a multi-billion naira centenary celebration. Unfortunately, I missed out of the whole jamboree, because there was no power supply that night to watch the live telecast and I couldn’t find petrol to buy to power my generator because of the scarcity of the product. Plus I was still mourning the pupils that were killed in their sleep in their school dormitory and praying for those that were adopted days earlier, also from their school. Everywhere you look, you see one problem after another. It appears those in government are not capable of doing anything

right. Who organises examinations for enlistment into public service in a sport stadium? Nigeria is a very big example of sheer waste and ineptitude. Every election cycle sees us cycling the same mountain, while smaller and less endowed nations like Rwanda are building a nation their citizens can be proud of. Clearly our problem is not in our size, but the power and sheer cluelessness of our tyrannical elite, who by the way are in the minority. All they have

“

mastered is the looting of our commonwealth with impunity and the promotion of religious, ethnic and tribal sentiments. In a time and age where nations are led by young, energetic and visionary leaders, Nigeria is busy recycling the same stock of old, tired, backward looking, greedy, sleepy, and tribalistic rulers. You don’t need to look too far to see this, just take a look at the ongoing national conference. Why won’t they all be sleeping? Does not the

Holy Bible say of old men that they will dream dreams; and that young men shall see vision? To dream, the old must sleep. A vision on the other hand keeps you awake all night. Poverty is fertilized by a little sleep and a little slumber. A nation that depends on a conference of” slumberers” to chart its future will inherit a future of poverty but would end up a proverb and a by-word. It is bad enough that majority of the delegates to this conference were major actors in creating

This current stock of leaders doesn’t have anything to offer Nigeria. They remind me of the generation that came out of Egypt with Moses. They, like them, were born into colonial rule; they were born second class citizens. They are still stuck with that colonial and tribal mindset. They cannot see the possibilities in the Promised Land, they know the giants well, but lack what it takes to slay the giants of poverty, unemployment, infrastructural deficiency and general institutional decay and collapse. They don’t know what to do with money other than steal it so that they and their cronies eat, play and sleep. The only way they know is backward, little wonder we are going backward very fast.

the mess we are in now as a nation, it is double insult and a generational tragedy for them to be sleeping at the supposed table where they seek to find solution. This current stock of leaders doesn’t have anything to offer Nigeria. They remind me of the generation that came out of Egypt with Moses. They, like them, were born into colonial rule; they were born second class citizens. They are still stuck with that colonial and tribal mindset. They cannot see the possibilities in the Promised Land, they know the giants well, but lack what it takes to slay the giants of poverty, unemployment, infrastructural deficiency and general institutional decay and collapse. They don’t know what to do with money other than steal it so that they and their cronies eat, play and sleep. The only way they know is backward, little wonder we are going backward very fast. Sunday Ogidigbo microblogs @sogidigbo

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

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Comment

As Namadi bows out of NHIS... By Zakari Suleiman

know wonder will be the first impression you would have when you read this letter. That may even change to anger on realizing that I also made the letter to become public, just as it was the case with Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s letter to President Jonathan. As known to many, a series of letters exchanged hands between Sanusi Lamido to Jonathan, Obasanjo to Jonathan and a reply by Jonathan to Obasanjo. The latest is the one Sadiq Abacha wrote to Wole Soyinka. However, while all the above cited letters were written by some desperate individuals trying to be relevant at all cost, mine is quite different for it is a letter of appreciation- a thank you letter on behalf of those Kafin Hausa students who benefited from your immensely the generous scholarships and moral encouragement you provided. I am also writing on behalf of hundreds of other people who benefited from your kindness, compassion, generosity and love. I am writing to congratulate and wish you a happy retirement life. I am writing to extend my profound appreciation for all that which you have done to me and my

family. While I can thank you albeit not enough, for those unquantifiable financial and material supports you rendered me. It is hard if not impossible to ever stop praying for you for making me your brother. It is brotherhood that made you to stand as the host on the day of my wedding. It was also a show of brotherhood when you listened to my ever pressing

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problems and offered the best advices; brotherhood it is, that makes you to tolerate me despite my numerous faults. The symbols called words cannot completely explain the depth of my gratitude, to the extent that it can only be “articulated by the inaudible language of the heart”. Mallam, may I use this medium to ask some questions

and offer advises? I am assuming that you would give me a nod to go ahead. My question is what is the secret behind your kindness and generosity? Because many times I find it as amazing and even saintly that in a greed infested country like Nigeria, where love for money and worldliness is an act of wisdom, where good men and women are generally

times I find it as amazing and even saintly that in a greed infested country like Nigeria, where love for money and worldliness is an act of wisdom, where good men and women are generally scarce, we can still find kind-hearted gentleman of your ilk. I know many people are pressurizing you to venture into the dirty terrains of Nigerian party politics. Some are even planning to dramatize the whole thing by hiring a crowd among the vulnerable rural dwellers to come and ‘beg’ you to join politics. I learnt many others will soon come in buses and on bikes to beg you on the same issue. So when they come, thank them and advise them to go and support General Muhammadu Buhari, if they really want to have good people in the helm affairs of this country.

scarce, we can still find kindhearted gentleman of your ilk. I know many people are pressurizing you to venture into the dirty terrains of Nigerian party politics. Some are even planning to dramatize the whole thing by hiring a crowd among the vulnerable rural dwellers to come and ‘beg’ you to join politics. I learnt many others will soon come in buses and on bikes to beg you on the same issue. So when they come, thank them and advise them to go and support General Muhammadu Buhari, if they really want to have good people in the helm affairs of this country. While I agree that absence of quality leadership is vain to Nigeria’s development, I don’t believe these politicians are serious on their quest for true leadership towards solving Nigerian Problem. However, all they want is themselves, their children and their wives’ relations; It is my humble opinion to say that you are too decent to be in party with the caliber of these people. They are only trying to ride on your back and exploit your reputation that was long cultivated and set you against the very people that truly and most sincerely respect and like you. Zakari Suleiman via zakskhs@ yahoo.com

CBN monetary policy committee’s decisions By Boniface Chizea

he monetary policy committee meeting which held on March 24-25 had its outcome eagerly awaited. The nervousness that surrounded the expectation of the outcome of the meeting was due to the felt need by economic agents that market expectations should be carefully managed following the sudden suspension of Governor Sanus Lamido Sanusi. And the naira came under speculative attack as the market was wary that the tight posture of policy thrust under the Sanusi regime might not survive him. Therefore, what was witnessed was a flight to safety using the dollar until the coast was cleared. The verdict across board is that the MPC rose to the challenge as could be gleaned from the decisions of the Committee as reported. One would expect that the outcome of the meeting should go a long way in assuring particularly foreign investors that at least in the near term that the devaluation of the naira is not an option and, therefore, that fear should at least for now be suspended. The MPC kept the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

at 12 per cent over fifteen consecutive meetings. But this in itself should not be surprising as at this rate and considering the negative consequences of high interest rate which amongst other factors had accounted for the poor level of contribution to the Gross Domestic Product by the Real Sector of the economy particularly the manufacturing sector; the only realistic direction the MPR could go is south. And questions have been asked why not tweak this rate, even notionally over this period instead of just leaving it at the same rate over such a long period. What would be of interest is to find out in the circumstances to what extent the demand for credit in the country is sensitive to slight changes in interest rates particularly the MPR. But this particular posture of not tampering with the MPR cannot be surprising as I had it argued by someone who should know better at a public presentation that it is not the task of the Central Bank to worry about the level of interest rates in the economy. What immediately comes to mind is to ask if interest rate does not belong to the gamut of prices in the economy. And if therefore

we all agree that the core mandate of the Central Bank is price and exchange rate stability, it follows logically that the Central Bank should be concerned and not feel powerless to show leadership in this connection. In fact in most other industrialized economies the ready instrument for use by the Central Bank is indicative change in the level of interest rate and this is eagerly monitored as it impacts directly the burden of mortgage repayments. And what is more is the realization that interest rates are factor costs which directly impact the level of inflation in the economy and therefore we cannot accept the mandate of price stability without worrying about the level of interest rates. We do hope that as Emefiele assumes duty that this is an area he would like to look into. One appreciates the rationale that resulted in the decision to withdraw public sector deposits from the banks. We had the strange situation whereby public sector interests would have deposits sitting on bank accounts earning un-remunerative interest income but then resort to borrowing at the usurious rates that prevails in the

economy. But due caution should be exercised if there is the intention to go beyond the existing rate of 75 per cent withdrawal of public sector funds. It will impact negatively on the prevailing rather high level of interest rates and could precipitate another round of distress among the banks. The decision to increase the CRR on private sector deposits from 12 to 15 per cent; it has been estimated would result in the mopping up of the sum of 300 billion Naira from circulation. Well I looked at this decision and I concluded that it might not send the right message if the MPC meets for two days and no changes were made, even if one could argue that not effecting any changes is in itself a decision. But this is a route we should be very careful about following because when compatriots argue regarding jobless growth the main reason as I have argued is that the real sector of the economy is not performing and one of the key reasons for this which accounts for lack of competitiveness of this sector is the unsustainable high levels of cost of capital. And it goes without saying that continued sterilization direct impacts negatively the interest rates.

In the interim there are other measures which the Central Bank could take in its bid to continue to defend the rate of exchange. In the past the CBN attempted to position itself as one other supplier of foreign exchange in the market by encouraging the sourcing of foreign exchange from autonomous sources. Does the CBN for instance track the foreign exchange earnings from oil companies and their utilization? And as arbitrage opportunity arise following evolving parallel market premium, to what extent is the Central Bank monitoring to discourage the temptation to round trip by the banks? We allocate foreign exchange to bureau de change and there is this fear that this channel has been used in the past for money laundering. What is being done to plug any loopholes if any? The bottom line is that as a result of oil theft, vandalism and other leakages continued reliance on the reserves to maintain stability of the exchange rate might not be sustainable and therefore there is the urgent need to think outside the box. Dr. Boniface Chizea, is the Managing Consultant, BIC Consultancy Services, Lagos.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

Metro

Almajirai on the move to earn a living, at a security check point along Dei-Dei Zuba road, yesterday in Abuja.

A young man hawking plantain chips, yesterday at Millennium Park, in Abuja

Young men dressing chicken, recently at Dutse Alhaji Market, in Abuja.

Heavy traffic hold-up, yesterday along Mararaba Keffi-Abuja road.

A Labourer in search of customers, last Friday along Area 1, in Abuja. Photos: Mahmud Isa

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

Gudu archdeaconry wins sports fiesta

udu archdeaconry on Saturday won the third consecutive trophy for the Mothers Sports Fiesta of the Abuja Anglican Communion. Gudu, which had won the two previous editions of the fiesta, produced 63 points overall to lift the trophy for the 2014 edition. Wuse and Mpape archdeaconries also registered their names in the trophy lift, having finished on the second and third with 56 and 54 points respectively. Mrs Nkasiobi Okoh, wife of the Anglican primate said the sports fiesta had become an annual activity for Anglican mothers in Abuja to usher in the ``Mother’s Day.’’ She urged mothers and upcoming mothers to be united with their families, even after the celebration. ``They should get ready because to form a family, you have to be united, and there must be love. ``You can see that in almost all the games we here, there is unity; if they are not united they will not be able to

perform well. ``So, they have to make sure they are united with their husbands so that they will be able to pull the family through’’, Okoh said. Chairman of the occasion, Dr Tolu Fakeye, thanked the organisers for the initiative, saying it would promote fitness and healthy competition among the participating archdeaconries. He noted that mothers should be capable of undertaking many activities within the boundaries of the family and the larger society. Fakeye pointed out that ``physical fitness can only benefit our health if we routinely and frequently undertake physical exercises. ``Physical exercises are very important, upcoming mothers should therefore identify with activities like this and practise regularly. ``This fiesta means that the role of mothers is not limited to the home. ``They are also supposed to be part of the society in making sure that the members of the community can also be

conscious of being fit’’, he said. Mrs Ngozi Opara, whose archdeaconry, the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Apo, emerged as fourth best finishers, said the fiesta had come to stay in the mind of mothers. ``The fiesta brings mothers together, refreshes their mind, spirit and soul. `Ìt reminds us of what we are when we were young because we passed through all these in school. `Ìt shows that we are still able to do these activities and we are doing it to the glory of God’’, she said. Opara noted that the sports fiesta was also to make mothers fit as they celebrated the Mother’s Day. `Èxercise also improves our health; so, that is another benefit of this sports fiesta. ``We have the guilds which are ladies looking forward to marry; the church brought them to participate in the march past, running, dancing and so on. `Ìt is for us to show example to these our young daughters that are coming

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION P.M.B.05

Akwanga Nasarawa State INVITATION TO TENDER 1. College of Education Akwanga is inviting competent and interested companies to submit Tender Documents for the following TETFUND Years 2011, 2012 and 2013 Library Intervention. a. Lot I: Procurement of Assorted Textbooks b. Lot II: Procurement of Reference Books c. Lot III: Procurement of E-Books d. Lot IV: Procurement of Library Equipment e. Lot V: Procurement of Library Furniture 2. PRE-QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT All interested Companies should forward copies of the following documents. i. Evidence of Registration with Cooperate Affairs Commission (CAC) ii. Technical Brochure with illustrative photographs of previous execution of similar projects. iii. Tax Clearance Certificate inrespect of VAT for the last three (3) years iv. Company’s Financial Report for the last three (3) years v. Evidence of Registration with PENCOM vi. Evidence of Registration with ITF vii. Evidence of Registration as a Contractor with the College 3. SUBMISSION OF PRE-QUALIFICATION TENDER DOCUMENTS The pre-qualification documents should be forwarded in wax sealed envelope boldly marked –PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS FOR PROCUREMENT OF LOT………at the top left corner and addressed to …… THE SECRETARY, TENDERS BOARD, COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, P.M.B. 05, AKWANGA, NASARAWA STATE and to be submitted in the Registrar’s office. CLOSING DATE All documents should be submitted not later than 1:00pm on the 24th of April, 2014. IMPORTANT NOTICE Applicants are to note that late submission will not be entertained and the College is not bound to accept Tender sent by Courier or Post. Only shortlisted applicants shall be invited to bid and this advertisement shall not be construed to be a commitment on the part of College to award any contract. Signed Audu Y. Mangut Ag. Registrar

up for them to know the importance of a family. ``You saw a family race that had father, mother and three children; so it is an example and pace we are setting for our children’’, she added. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports

that eight archdeaconries among which are Cathedral, Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, Gudu, Durumi, Mpape and Gwarimpa took part in the fiesta. Thirteen games featured at the fiesta, which included sack race, filling the basket, 100 metres race for men, boys,

girls, and sisters guild as well as the 4 x 100 metres. Three-legged race, tying of head tie, lime and spoon race, dance, march-past and filling the bottle with water also featured in the fiesta. The fiesta attracted more than 3000 participants. (NAN)

Members of the Gudu Archdeaconry, celebrating with the trophy of the over-all winner, during the 2014 Mothers’ Sports Fiesta, on Saturday at the Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Apo, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

NMA visits Nyanya community on health sensitisation

he Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), FCT Chapter, Dr Titus Ebekwe, at the weekend urged regular sensitisation of rural communities to health management to reduce diseases. Ebekwe made the call during a medical outreach to Nyanyan Community in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NMA, FCT Chapter, holds a quarterly medical outreach and sensitisation programme in different communities in the FCT. Ebekwe said that people needed to be enlightened on health management to help them in forming decisions as regards their health. ``They say information is power; therefore, the people need to be more educated on how best to manage their health. ``If we are able to arm people well with all the good health practices they need, we can reduce the import of illnesses, morbidity and mortality,’’ he said Ebekwe said that the programme was aimed at educating the people on how to live in good health. ``Malaria will be our focus because it is rampant in

this community. ``A lot of noncommunicable diseases are becoming a big challenge; so, we will look at hypertension and kidney disease. ‘’We will do health screenings, make diagnosis and treat illnesses that can be handled immediately; those we cannot, we refer to appropriate places for followup,” he said. The Chief of Nyanyan Community, Danladi Iya, told the team during a courtesy visit to him, that malaria was the major illness suffered in the community. Iya hailed the Federal Government for efforts to prevent malaria through provision of mosquito treated nets. He, however, urged more efforts toward malaria prevention. Dr Mamak Mamven, the Head of Nephrology Department, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, sensitised the members of the community to the need to be health conscious. Mamven said that prevention was the key to maintaining a healthy life. She urged them to keep their surroundings clean, shun self medication, herbal concoctions and too much salt

to prevent kidney diseases. NAN reports that Cry for Help team, an NGO, led by Mrs Vera Mensah offered free HIV screening and counselling to members of the community. Also, Senator Lee Maeba Foundation, an NGO focused on diabetes control, was also on ground offering free blood sugar test to members of the community. NAN reports that other health experts were educating the people on hygiene and health issues that affect the eye, nose and throat. As a follow up to the World Kidney Day which was marked on March 13, free kidney screening was carried out on members of the community. The screening was done alongside blood pressure check and other biometrics test. Some sick people were treated. Some members of the community, who spoke to newsmen, applauded the NMA for the outreach, and called for its continuity. Mrs Evelyn Chike said, ‘’what these doctors are doing is very good; we are very happy, but we want more of such. It will help us a lot.’’(NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

INSIDE

etuka2012@gmail.com/meetetus@rocketmail.com 08066605655,08182721672

Kano to build N150m women skills centre

-Pg 22

L-R: Chairperson, African Union Commission (AUC), Dr Nkosazana Diamini Zuma, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Mr. Jan Eliasson, President Goodluck Jonathan, Cote d’Ivoire Minister of Planning and Development, Mr. Albert Mabri Toikeusse, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and France,s Minister of Finance, Mr. Pierre Moscovici, during the opening 7th joint annual meeting of the ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and AU Conference of Ministers OF Economy and Finance, on Saturday in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

CBN commences Cash-less Policy in 30 states July From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

he Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Kaduna Branch, Alhaji Mohammed Gusau yesterday disclosed that the Cashless Policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria which was successfully launched in Lagos in 2012, had yielded appreciable progress, adding that the implementation in the remaining States of the federation would commence on 1st July, 2014. Alhaji Gusau who stated this in address delivered at the 2013

annual award/dinner night of the Kaduna Bankers Committee which held at the Kaduna Polo club house, murtala Mohammed Square also informed that CBN in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee had implemented the policy in 5 selected states namely; Abia, Anambra, Kano, Ogun, Rivers States and the Federal Capital Territory in June, 2013. According to him, the cashless policy is expected among others to reduce the cost of banking services, drive financial inclusion, reduce risk associated with cash handling and enable more transparency in payments.

Towards this end, he said, “the CBN is organizing Cash-Less sensitization to all stakeholders in Kaduna State which will hold from 1st to 3rdApril, 2014 preparatory to the commencement of the policy in the State.” On the clearing operations of the CBN, the branch controller said, “the Clearing activities effective 1st July, 2013 had witnessed a transformation from the usual exchange of instruments at the Central Bank of Nigeria Clearing Houses to a more robust and automated system of Clearing by the introduction of Cheque Truncation System.”

Privatisation: NLC warns FG against sale of refineries By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

he Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the federal government against the sale of the four refineries in the country. NLC however, advised the federal government to reactivate existing refineries and build additional ones instead of putting them for sales. “It is scandalous that the same government who had always promised to use the gains from petroleum price increases, which it has received over the years, to reactivate existing refineries and build additional ones can turn around to announce the privatisation of refineries. This is clearly unacceptable, and the public have strongly opposed this attempt several times in the past, even on the floor of the National Assembly.” NLC in a statement issued yesterday by its National

President, Abdulwaheed Omar, said “We are disturbed by the statement by the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, Mr. Benjamin Dikki, who was reported to have announced that plans have been concluded by the BPE to privatise refineries as well as commercialise the Nigerian Television Authority, the Federal Radio Corporation, the News Agency of Nigeria, Nigeria Films Corporation, Skypower Catering and Hotels Services and the Commodities and Exchange Commission as well as the partial privatisation of Bank of Agriculture and the Bank of Industries; including commercialization of National Parks”. It said the haste with which government seemed determined to sell off public properties to members of the ruling class and their cronies under the guise of making them more efficient is alarming.

NLC said “There is the need for caution because these properties belong to the Nigerian people as a collective wealth and the people have never been consulted and their interests considered before the sales. “There is no evidence that previous privatisation exercises have succeeded. The major privatisation exercise that was implemented against public interest recently is electricity and ever since that exercise, electricity supply have worsened, while consumers pay higher even as the lights have gone off under excuses that questions the competence of the new electricity companies. The statement called on government not to abdicate its social responsibilities by selling off everything that delivers services to the people. “This is unwarranted, especially in a country where poverty and unemployment has become endemic, coupled with the collapse.

He said, “The Cheque Truncation System is a system whereby physical clearing instruments are truncated into electronic format and transmitted to the Central Clearing Centre. The original physical instrument is securely truncated at the presenting Bank. Presently, cheques presented in the automated clearing house in day T+1 earns value for the beneficiary on next day which is T+2, whereas the beneficiary bank is settled in day T+1. “However, the CBN believes that the delivery of value to beneficiaries at the close of business on day T+1 is achievable. Such a move would further enhance the National Payment System and contribute to the attainment of the goals of the Payment System Vision 2020. “The Clearing House activities conducted through CBN Kaduna Clearing House from January to June, 2013, indicated a total of 83,196 financial instruments valued at N 84,872,033,002.66. These figures indicate only the first six months of operations in 2013, before the commencement of Cheque Truncation System” he stated.

Investors wealth up by 1.43% -Pg 21 Exchange Rates CBN as at 28th March, 2014 Buying

Selling

154.7

155.74

€

256.01

257.67

213.30

214.68

Riyal

41.25

41.52

YEN

1.51

1.52

CFA

0.30

0.32

MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY Taking over from an incompetent team leader

ecoming the leader of an existing team can be challenging, but taking over from an incompetent leader is especially difficult. Even if you find your new team in disarray, you’ll get better results from your team members if you invest the time to appreciate and respond to their needs and concerns before making changes. By understanding what they

have experienced, you’ll better understand the issues that must be addressed to move forward— and your curiosity will show your interest in your people’s wellbeing, another value that may have been lacking in the previous leader. Source: Harvard Business Review

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) Plot 1181 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission invites application from interested Contractors for Pre-qualification to tender for the Procurement of Operational Vehicles.

The Application must have the following qualification. 1. Evidence of Company Incorporation or Registration of Business name with the Corporate Affairs Commission. 2. Evidence of valid Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years 3. VAT registration Certificate 4. Evidence of Financial Capability or Bank Reference 5. Company Audited Accounts for the last three (3) years 6. Evidence of similar projects executed in the past 7. Evidence of Compliance with PENCOM Act 2004 8. Evidence of Registration with NSITF 9. Evidence of Registration with ITF. 10. Evidence of Registration with Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria All applications to be submitted on or before 16th April 2014. Late submissions would not be accepted. NOTE: Only pre-qualified contractors may be invited to tender All applications to be addressed in sealed envelopes and clearly marked “APPLICATION FOR PREQUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS” on the left hand corner to: THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, NIGERIAN INVESTMENT PROMOTION COMMISSION PLOT 1181, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA, P.M.B 381, GARKI, ABUJA

SIGNED Management

Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) Plot 1181 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja INVITATION FOR PREQUALIFICATION AND TENDER FOR THE PRODUCTION OF DIGITAL MULTIMEDIA DOCUMENTARY A. BACKGROUND The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), the apex investment promotion and facilitation agency hereby invites interested companies to submit application for prequalification and tender for the production of documentary on its activities and impact on economic development. Since its inception, the agency had actively participated in driving government’s realisation of the economic redevelopment through its core mandate of investment facilitation and promotion, and policy advocacy. Project Objectives The project seeks to document on digital multimedia the essence of the agency, its activities, and showcase its impact on economic development. Scope of Project and Deliverables The project would cover the state of the economy prior to the establishment of the agency, the need for its establishment, global investment trends and the impact of the agency on national industrial reengineering. Essentially, it would involve the production of three documentary episodes produced on multimedia digital medium; first two episodes will be 25minutes each, while the third, which will be an all time presentation video story of the agency lasting 15minutes. B. PREQUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Interested applicants shall respond in two parts – Technical Proposal and Financial Proposal B.i. The Technical Proposal The technical proposal should cover the scope of work, the methodology, the technology, and the timelines for the project. It should also establish the capacity of the consultant to satisfactorily undertake the required assignments by demonstrating experience in performing similar assignments in the past, highlight competency in producing multimedia digital television documentary, states firm’s strength, stability, core personnel to be deplored with scheduled work load as well as including supportive client reference. The application should also include: i. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation ii. Evidence of Current Tax Clearance Certificate iii. Evidence of VAT Registration iv. Bank Reference/Evidence of Financial Capacity to undertake the job v. Evidence of compliance with PENCOM Act 2004 vi. Evidence of compliance with ITF vii. Evidence of compliance with NSITF viii. Evidence of compliance with Financial Report Standard Act ix. Evidence of execution of similar jobs B.ii. The Financial Proposal The financial proposal should cover the cost estimates for undertaking each task listed in the technical proposal. B.iii. Channel for Advert Clarification In responding to this advert, interested applicants are advised to acquaint themselves with the details and requirements as specified in this advert. Any enquiry should be made to the email stated within 48 hours: baruwa@nipc.gov.ng The NIPC reserves the right to disqualify any application that had not sufficiently met the details as specified in this advert. Similarly right is reserved to cancel any award, if award had been made. Such disqualification and/or cancellation shall be at no fault, or cost or any liability whatsoever to NIPC. B.iv. Taxes All applicable taxes would be applied. B.v. Proposal Prices The production company shall indicate in the Financial Proposal the unit prices and total price for all activities it proposes under this advert. C. APPLICATION SUBMISSION Application can be submitted either by courier services or hand delivered by authorised representatives of the consulting firm. The application must be clearly marked and addressed to: The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Plot 1181, Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama District, Federal Capital Territory Abuja The applicant shall enclose and clearly mark ‘Original Technical Proposal’ and ‘Original Financial Proposal’ in two separate sealed envelopes. The outer envelope containing the two proposals shall a. bear the name and address of the applicant b. be addressed as stated above c. bear the name of the project E. Closing & Opening of Bid Submission of documents shall close by 12pm prompt on Tuesday 15th of April, 2014. Bids shall be opened by on the same day 2pm at Room 116, Block A, NIPC Headquarters, Abuja. All applicants are expected to be represented.

SIGNED Management

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

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Capital market

Oyo state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi (left), in a handshake with Leader, Nigerian and Chinese Business Council, Mr. Yuau Quan Jing (middle), during a visit by the Nigerian and Chinese Business Council delegation to the governor, at the weekend in Ibadan. With them is the Coordinator/ Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Mr. Mathew Uwaekwe (right).

Investors wealth up by 1.43% Stories from Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

riven by activity in the financial services sector, equity transaction on the floor of the Nigeria Stock Exchange last week closed on a bullish trend with market indicators appreciated significantly. Specifically, the NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalization soared by 1.43% to close on Friday at 38,331.78 and N12.313 trillion respectively. All the NSE Indices appreciated during the week with the exception of the NSE Banking Index. NSE 30 Index appreciated by 10.93 to close at 1,717.90, Insurance Index grew by 0.33 to close at 135.68, NSE Consumer index rose 28.36 to close at 954.60, NSE Oil and Gas 5.46 to close at 285.20, NSE Lotus II increased by 87.01 to 2752.70, NSE industrial goods 83.40 to 2577.97. The NSE Banking declined by 19.32 to

close at 366.68 while the NSE ASeM closed flat. Review of activity in the market showed that a turnover of 1.870 billion shares worth N26.811 billion in 21,632 deals were traded during the week by investors in contrast to a total of 1.391 billion shares valued at N19.414 billion that exchanged hands in 22,527 deals the previous week. The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.510 billion shares valued at N10.709 billion traded in 12,306 deals; thus contributing 80.77% and 39.94% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Services Industry followed with a turnover of 122.728 million shares worth N99.818 million in 468 deals. The third place was occupied by the Consumer Goods Industry with 84.494 million shares worth N13.618 billion in 3,593 deals.Trading in the Top Three Equities Namely- Royal Exchange Plc, Sterling Bank

Plc and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (measured by volume) accounted for 620.522 million shares worth N2.567 billion in 883 deals, contributing 33.19% and 9.57% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. Also traded during the week were a total of 284,750 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N5.889 million executed in 27 deals compared with a total of 152,511 units valued at N3.131 million transacted last week in 23 deals. (See summary in the table below). Similarly, 100 units of FGN bonds valued at N109,155.39 were traded this week in 1 deal compared with a total of 3,350 units of FGN bonds valued at N3.751 million transacted last week in 7 deals. Thirty-nine (39) equities appreciated in prices during the week higher than Nineteen (19) equities of the preceding week. Thirty-six (36) equities

depreciated in prices lower than Fifty-six (56) equities of the preceding week, while one hundred and twenty three (123) equities remained unchanged. Learn Africa Plc led the gainers table for the week in percentage terms appreciating by 19.87 per cent or N0.31 kobo to close at N1.87 kobo, University Press Plc followed with a gain of 19.76 per cent or N0.66 kobo to close at N4.00 while Ashaka Cement Plc gained 18.79 per cent or N2.63 kobo to close at N16.63 kobo. Others that appreciated in price were Guinness Nigeria Plc 18.55 per cent, Costain (West Africa) Plc 16.54 per cent, International Energy Insurance Company Plc 14.29 per cent, Cutix Plc 13.74 per cent, Totalfinaelf Nigeria Plc 13.04 per cent, Sterling Bank Plc 12.61 per cent, UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust 10.20 per cent Losers On the other hand, Oasis Insurance Plc topped losers chart, shedding 13.79 per cent or N0.08 kobo to close at N0.50 kobo, Airline Services

and Longistic Plc 11.26 per cent or N0.33 kobo to close at N2.60 kobo while Zenith International Bank loss 10.91 per cent or N2.40 kobo to close at N19.60 kobo. Other companies that recorded price depreciation were Cap Plc 9.73 per cent, DN Meyer Plc 9.38 per cent, R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc 8.89 per cent, Courtville Investment Plc 8.57 per cent, Wema Bank Plc 7.84 per cent, UAC of Nigeria Plc 5.97 per cent and AIICO Insurance Plc 5.95 per cent. Also traded during the week were a total of 284,750 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N5.889 million executed in 27 deals compared with a total of 152,511 units valued at N3.131 million transacted last week in 23 deals. Similarly, 100 units of FGN bonds valued at N109,155.39 were traded this week in 1 deal compared with a total of 3,350 units of FGN bonds valued at N3.751 million transacted last week in 7 deals.

CSCS harps on need to invest through credible portfolio managers

he Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) has warned against engaging the services of fraudulent and non-licensed stock brokers in business transaction. The clearing housed advised that investors who wish invest in the market should look for certified, healthy and credible stock brokerage company that has the capacity of protecting and defending investment made through it Speaking at the Financial Correspondent Association of Nigeria (FICAN)

Bi Monthly Forum held weekend in Lagos, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, CSCS, Mr Bukar Kyasi stated that investors should be savvy whom they entrust their money with, just like people seek to invest in the most healthy, capitalized and vibrant banks, it should be so in choosing whose ones broker should be even as he urged those who wish to open a new account to be careful. “If you are opening an account for the first time, “ I will always say, let the buyer beware, do not

go and open an account with a broker who is suspended, in fact there will be nobody in the office who can follow up your work. “You can go to the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and CSCS web site for the list of genuine and active brokers. Who is an active broker, an active broker should have a functional office and with people there who can render services to you. This is all about your money, or you even look for the top ten or twenty brokers, you see them

every day on the pages of the newspaper. Dwelling on the topic, The Role of CSCS in the Nation’s Financial Sector, Kyasi advocated for a sensitization/ awareness campaign for proper education of investors on how to ascertain the credibility of a broker and how to handle issues involved in investing through him. He listed risks being faced by those who made investment through non genuine portfolio managers to include transfer or selling of share /certificate without the owner’s consent,

tampering with investors portfolio among other offenses adding that whenever such complaints are brought about a broke to the NSE, that broker will be suspended. He urged investors to frequently check their accounts online on monthly basis in order to know when there is any form of encroachment so as to report to the relevant authorities. Investors according to him are advised to walk into the Customers Care Services of CSCS or visit their web site for any complaint.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

Business

Nuclear experts call for resuscitation of programme, say NAEC is incompetent By A’isha Biola Raji

uclear experts from Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) Zaria have shown their grievance over what they described as “strangulation “of the Nigerian Nuclear Energy Program by the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC). The experts said this at a press conference held in Abuja. According to them, since NAEC took over from Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) in 2006, research activities have dwindled, as salary payment havebecome epileptic. According to Dr. Paul Ogunleye, CERT, he said prior to the establishment of NAEC, the two centres, CERD (Center

for Energy Research and Development) and CERT had no difficulty in discharging their duties as allowances were being paid as at when due. “Now that fund is coming from NAEC which only became active in 2006, there are difficulties in running the centre”, he said. He said government should find solution to the plight of the centres, “The understanding of the working relationship between ECN and its centres across the country is attributed to the successes recorded in the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in Nigeria”, Dr. Ogunleye said. Calling on government to ensure that staff of the centres are paid allowances that had been

hanging since December 2011 he said, “Due to the nature of the industry, its staff cannot go on industrial action but notwithstanding, government should consider health issues and pay peculiar allowance as radiation in the industry is dangerous to health of the staff.” He however warned that, if the situation continue, and the working environment is not improved, the staff would be forced to move to another industry hence jeopardizing all the investment government has made on nuclear energy in the country. It would be recalled that Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission was established in 1976, it did not take up until

2006 with Dr. F. E Osaisai as the pioneer Director-General and Chief Executive, a position he held up until 2011. According to a source at CERT, during the first four years of Dr. Osaisai’s tenure, he ran the affairs of the commission single handed without a statutory board. The source said, “Despite the fact that he inherited three nuclear centers namely CERD Ife, CERT Zaria, Nuclear Technology Centre (NTC) Abuja situated in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ahmadu Bello Universityand Shetsco, Abuja respectively, there were no hitches compared to problems the centres are now facing.

L-R: CBN Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Alhaji Suleiman Barau, and CBN Kaduna Branch Controller, Alhaji Muhammed I. Gusau, during the Kaduna Bankers’ Dinner/Award Night, at the weekend in Kaduna.

Kano to build N150m women skills centre

By Etuka Sunday

ano state government has concluded plans to construction a permanent complex for women skills acquisition at Jakara, in the state capital, at the cost of N150 million. A statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations to the Executive Governor of Kano state, Halilu Ibrahim Dantiye said the project will consist of 24 classes and other facilities and is expected to be ready for commissioning by September, 2014. The statement also quoted the state governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso to have disclosed this during the celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day

in Kano, which coincided with the graduation of 750 women trained on various skills, separately, by the state Hospitality and Tourism Institute and Jakara Sana’a Foundation. 500 of the trainees acquired skills in home-based hospitality and tourism related small scale businesses while the remaining 250 women were trained on tailoring, weaving, leather work and toiletries making. The governor explained that the center is being constructed in recognition of the complementary role being played by nongovernmental organizations towards skills development and poverty reduction.

He noted that the government’s women development programmes are achieving he desired results, adding that “Kano is experiencing positive change as a result of the bold steps that our administration is taking towards improving the lives of its citizenry particularly women, youth and children”. Governor Kwankwaso disclosed at each of the 500 trainees from the Hospitality Institute will get a free capital of N20, 000, totaling N20 million while the 250 from Jakara Sana’a Foundation will each get a free sewing machine. He, therefore, urged beneficiaries of the two programmes tomake best use of the opportunity to improve the welfare of their families.

In her speech, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Binta T. Jibrin said the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is “Inspiring Change for Women”, stressing that the present administration in the state has made the welfare of women a priority, as demonstrated by its women and children policies and programmes. The National Team Leader, Mobilizing for Development (M4D), a DFID funded project, Mr. Charles Abani lauded the untiring commitment of the state government in changing the lot of women and girls, hoping that the government will continue to work with his project in helping women to fully exploit their potentials.

Kwankwaso launches N35m transport scheme By Etuka Sunday

ano state governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso on Thursday, launched the Kano Amana Travel and Tours Company, as part of efforts to exploit potentials of the travel industry, as a major component of tourism. A statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations to the Executive Governor of Kano state, Halilu Ibrahim Dantiye said, incorporated with a share capital of N35 million, the company, which was fully certified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) would be managed by 14 skilled travel agency graduates from the Kano Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Studies. Launching the company at Government House, Kano, Gov. Kwankwaso revealed that it has been incorporated with a share capital of N35 million said the government was encouraged to establish the company, given the vintage position of Kano as a commercial nerve center in Northern Nigeria. The governor, therefore, called on the public, private establishments and airlines companies to patronize the company, to guarantee its sustainability and to support the government’s drive for job creation and poverty alleviation. The governor stated that his administration is working tirelessly to bring back the lost glory of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, adding that efforts are on to bring more international airlines to commence full flight operations from the airport. In his speech, the DirectorGeneral, National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Studies, represented by Alhaji Ashiru Alaya, praised the government of Kano state for investing in the travel and tourism sector, with a view to empowering youths. On his part, the Coordinator, Kano Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Studies, Alhaji Zakari Bagwai Bagwai said the institute has so far trained 1,482 people who have been empowered by the government in the tune of about N100 million. The Manager, Turkish Airline, Kano, Mr. Ahmad Can Akbuga, who also spoke at the ceremony, thanked the state government for paving way for his airline to resume flight operation in the state.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

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Stock Watch

Report as at Friday, March 28, 2014

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

Special Report

The NIS recruitment and government’s approach: What next? By Evelyn Okakwu

he typical Nigerian graduate has over the years been prone to countless abuses. While financial and other private institutions subject these young ones to various forms of social, moral and even sexual abuse, Staff and other members of the public sector ensure that these helpless set of Nigeria’s future leaders are subjected to an equally dangerous development by forcing them to pay large chunks of money before getting these jobs; most often than not, the frustrated youths pay money, without getting the said jobs. Cases of youths abused in various ways for this purpose have time and time again been aired by the media with little or nothing done to alleviate the trend. The situation is so unfortunate that every sector of the country’s workforce seem to depict total negation of the actual right to human dignity which all Nigerians including these applicants deserve. The latest of these scenarios is the one that occurred during the exercise by the Nigerian immigration recently. A lot has been said about the events that followed the

Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro

exercise. Even the President of the federation has reacted by declaring the exercise null and void. For many Nigerians; it is hoped that that singular act will mark the end of such forms of

treatment. But can this dream really become a reality? Or are we just on a short break before yet another nightmare befalls us? After the reaction of the president, four of the applicants who participated in

Some of the NIS applicants affected by the stampede being taking away in a truck

Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr. David Paradang

the exercise still went further to seek redress from the law courts on the issue. They are Charles Ugwonye, Friday Danlami, Chinedu Onwuka and Samson Ojo . But their action has been viewed with mixed feelings even from indifferent stakeholders in the country. In this interview with Bucky Shonybare, a Human Resource Consultant with the 555 HR consulting limited Abuja, she analyses the whole scenario alongside the reaction of President Jonathan. What’s your opinion on the suit filed against the Interior minister and a set of other stake holders regarding the exercise? I think the applicants are actually right in going further to do that. We need to take a step further at certain points in this country to prove that we, as followers also know what our rights are. Section 33 of the 1999 constitution tells us that every person has a right to life and whatever will constitute an intentional attempt to deprive them of their rights is a lawful offence” But that is the opinion of the HR consultant; Barrister

Samuel Akenpuum had this to say on the issue: They will not succeed. It is, as any lawyer will tell you; a mare academic activity, because the exercise you are talking about has already been cancelled. You are saying that you want compensation for being unjustly treated in an exercise which has already been cancelled? The court does not work on speculations; it works on facts. If you say that there was an exercise and the government has already cancelled the exercise, then where is it before the court to act upon? If the court was to say anything on the exercise now, it will describe it as a mare academic exercise. But does that mean that these people have gotten their compensation just from the statement of Mr. President? Bucky Shonibaren answers this question: “Now the compensation promised by the President is certainly dicey. If you say that any person who has been injured should be given automatic employment; does that mean that if I have a

scratch then I have a right to ask for automatic employment? The word ninjury is relative. If someone hits me on the head, even if I don’t have a physical injury I can claim that I have been injured. So how do we really define what the term injury here means? It will not be out of place to deduce that a lot of youths are already going from one hospital to the other in search of a report to ascertain that they were injured. What would have been obtainable is a case where certain categories of injuries are specified to warrant a given kind of compensation. Also, there has to be a lot of factors considered”. She adds that a major constitutional problem is the absence of globally acceptable responsibilities of an employer to the employee, in the Nigerian Labour law “The staff of any organisation is part of its resources, and that explains that they are not liabilities but assets. As such, an employer will need to ensure the following, as duties to his employees:

The first is a right to safety: the employer seeks to ensure the growth of his financial assets through the contributions of his employee. The only way to make sure that this comes to be is to keep his or her employee in safe hands so that the employee in turn will treat the other variables that will ensure financial returns safely. It’s a give and

take philosophy. The next one is the right to fairness: employers should learn to treat their employees with equality; without any form of prejudice, or resort to stereotypic conclusions. You must as an employer be able to explain in clear terms why you are not accepting a prospective employee and the reasons must be fair and just; not traceable to ethnic or any other kind of affiliation. Even disabled persons should be accorded equal rights to the extent of their capabilities. The next is the right to dignified treatment. Here we have a lot to learn as a country. We don’t have a system where the dignity of prospective employee comes into play. Young Nigerians seeking employment are often made to go through such traumatic experience such as having to pay such huge sums or money or being exposed to sexual or moral abuses. All these are issues that have been provided for by international labour laws, but we do not want to look into this important issues in Nigeria”. What in your opinion is the way out? A lot of Nigerians prefer government jobs, not just because they cannot have jobs in other agencies, but because they believe that it’s better to work with the government where they will have to work for just a short while per day or may even not have to come

“

One important point to note is that the way an employee is treated at the start of a working relationship determines the employee’s perception of the said establishment, after employmen

at all to work and still get their salary at the end of the day. First of all we need to do a reorientation of the mindset of young people so that they understand that a job is something that should earn you honour. Now on the part of the employers, I will not exactly say that there is a global best practice out there, but we have seen better days in other places. Like in the recent recruitment; on the banner, we have 4,552 positions that need to be filed and thousands, even millions appeared. That alone is a negative development. Before any recruitment is done, the first thing you need to do is to determine where there is a need for that job. Is there a request for that particular job? After that the next step is to make a job profile; this provides the detailed analysis for what is needed to be done; that becomes a yardstick for further short listing using the knowledge skills and abilities; (the KSAs) The Interior minister said during an interview that practically everyone was invited for the job; that is wrong. There should be an automated level of short listing at different levels before you now get to the final stage. When you make the adverts about job openings and interest is indicated. You know we have over a hundred million youths in Nigeria and over 50 per cent of them are unemployed. So it’s not out of place for many of them to apply for the job. But there should have been an automated way to sieve out some Curriculum Vitae (CV) based on certain questions. In fact there is so much that can be done on the computer; we are not really harnessing the use of the technology. You don’t even have to ask them to send their CVs. You should have a list of questions on a dialogue box that is based on the job profile which has been developed to ascertain their level of capability. After that is done, there may be other tests like the psychometric test, the medical tests which can all be done on the computer, with specific

timing. You could even have the results given from the computer after it is marked by the system. You don’t have to gather people together. But the physical fitness test is a part of what the people applying for such positions have to go through. Who says that an NIS official has the capacity or right to determine the physical fitness of a candidate? These things should be done by a medical practitioner and it’s not everybody that should be involved. All these procedures should have been followed before you invite them for a one on one interview. With the large chunk of applicants that we have in this country, problems like this can only be averted with proper training of those in the admin and recruitment offices so that their capacity becomes good enough to accommodate

the trend. Alternatively government should employ the services of external Human resource consultants by way of outsourcing. There are a lot of consulting firms that can handle this volume of employees; even if what is needed is to bring together a team of Human Resource consultants to deal with the challenge of recruiting such large number, what stops you from doing such? One important point to note is that the way an employee is treated at the start of a working relationship determines the employee’s perception of the said establishment, after employment.” Whether this statement explains the lukewarm attitude of most government employees or not; one thing is certain that there is a need for a transformational approach towards recruitment in public sector, if the desired transformation in the sector should come to pass.

Bukky Shonibare, a Human Resource Consultant

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

Feature

Examining e-commerce, Nigeria’s fastest growing mode of shopping By Folasade Folarin

or 28-year-old Lucy Okon, a cashier in one of the first generation banks, life is now getting better with the new shopping mechanism in town: electronic commerce (e-commerce). Considering the time she puts in at work on a daily basis and the fact that her weekends are fully booked with other social activities, Okon can now buy assorted wares with ease with the introduction of the e-commerce. All she has to do is to log onto any of the online retail stores, make her purchase, pay online or upon delivery and the process instantaneously solves the problem. Okon insists that online shopping is the best thing that can even happen to anyone who loves shopping but is constrained from doing so because of certain factors. Observers note online shopping has become the norm in many countries of the world, although the trend recently hit the Nigerian cyberspace. They observe that e-commerce is fast becoming an acceptable custom among Nigerian shoppers, as it saves time while it is even more convenient. From all indications, e-commerce has revolutionised the Nigerian market, making it possible for shoppers to buy virtually anything they want. Leading players in the Nigerian e-commerce business include stores like Jumia, Konga.com, DealDey, Taafoo, while Amazon. com, e-Bay, Woolworths, dhgate. com, aliexpress, overstock, buy. com, among others, lead the international market. These online retailers sell goods ranging from kitchen appliances to books, clothes, cooked soups, local delicacies, technological appliances and other hardware. Not only do people make purchases online, airline tickets are also booked and paid for online, while many other nonretail businesses make use of the Internet to make transactions between customers and service providers easier. Besides, hotel accommodation can be booked and paid for online, while items like phone recharge cards can also be bought online using the Quickteller platform. Although the e-commerce is gradually gaining wider acceptance among Nigerians, analysts note that the initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on cashless policy greatly influenced the growth of online shopping. E-commerce is booming in Nigeria, Africa’s largest Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) market, because of cheaper Internet access, they add. Dr Eugene Juwah, the Executive Vice-Chairman,

Minister of Communication Technology, Ms. Mobolaji Johnson Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), said that over 75 per cent of Nigeria’s population had been covered by telecommunications services, adding that telecommunications services had permeated the country and improved national access. He said that the affordability of different types of telecom services had also improved significantly, as the price of services had been forced down via competition facilitated by regulation. The Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), apart from facilitating bank withdrawals, has also created online cash transfer platforms for people to make purchases without physically handling cash. The MasterCard Worldwide Online Shopping Survey on Nigeria in 2012 revealed a strong, positive inclination towards online shopping in Nigeria. The report said that 92 percent of Nigerians who had shopped online expressed their satisfaction with their shopping experience. Also, 57 percent of those who had shopped three months before the survey maintained that they would continually shop online over the next six months. Moreover, the survey ascertained that 87 percent of the ATM card holders did not belong to the internet community, while 57 percent of the group expressed concern about the security and safety of using ATM cards. The study was found that 59 percent of the ATM card holders had reservations about the safety of online transactions. Forty-three percent of the respondents expressed concern about the quality of the products procured via online channels and preferred patronising stores where

they could physically inspect products. Mr Akintunde Anjorin, an ardent online shopper, said that he once felt disappointed about the blazers he ordered for came and it was too small. ``When I saw it on the internet I was very happy because it was a designer wear and it was the only one with that particular design. `Ì didn’t expect it to be too small, considering the fact that the size written on it was within my size range. `Ì had to return it but if it was a regular shop, I would have tested it to know if it was actually my size,’’ he said. Another shopper, Miss Hadiza Abdullahi, said that she stopped paying for goods online because she was once debited thrice for one transaction. `Ì bought a kitchen appliance in one of the stores and I was debited three times for the same transaction; when I complained, they told me it was my bank’s fault and it took me close to one month to rectify it. `Ì then decided to only pay on delivery to avoid such problems again. That notwithstanding, shopping is the way to go and I won’t stop it because it is quite convenient for me,’’ she said. Miss Nike Ajagbe, the owner of paigeclothing.com, an online clothing store that started operation in Abuja in 2012 and now has clientele even in Ghana, said that online shopping was the store of the future, although it had its challenges. ``People don’t trust online stores and most of the times, they don’t make online payments before hand; they prefer payments after delivery. `Àlso, people only trust the big brands like Jumia and Konga;

Online shopping is thriving in Nigeria so, we, the small online stores, have to cultivate the people’s trust gradually. ``Moreover, many people don’t know how to shop online. It is only computer literate people who can hop online and so, it’s difficult to reach those who are not computer literate,’’ she said. Ajagbe, however, said that newer online stores should not be deterred by the challenges, adding that they must be consistent and resolute in their efforts to have a breakthrough. To build Nigerians trust in e-commerce, Mr Peter Elofusim, the Chief Executive Officer of AwoofDey Marketing, urged the Federal Government to set up a regulatory body for e-commerce. He said that the establishment of the regulatory body would aid efforts to boost the development of the industry and build the citizens’ confidence in online business. Elofusim said that the apathy of most Nigerians to e-commerce was due to the lack of trust, as most people were afraid of exposing their bank details online. ``E-commerce is still growing in Nigeria but nobody is regulating it. I believe when government comes in and regulates e-commerce; the sky will be our starting point. ``If the government sets up a body to regulate the processes of the e-commerce business, if you feel ripped off, you know where to go and lodge a report. ``The way things are going, I believe that very soon, a lot of shops and plazas are going to close down and give way to e-commerce outlets,” he said. Elofusim urged the Federal Government to provide an enabling environment and necessary infrastructure, such as internet facilities and special

funds for the promotion of the e-commerce business in the country. However, Mrs Olamide Fashola, the General Manager of Basic Information and Communication System Limited (BICS), advised Nigerians to exercise extra caution while transacting business online. She, however, noted that most Nigerians were indifferent to the terms and conditions attached to goods or services in the e-commerce before keying into transactions. ``Most of the e-commerce sites for shopping basically have a return policy; if what was delivered to you is not what you ordered, you can return it within a specified period. ``It’s always clearly stated; so you call them immediately and you can also apply for refunds. ``I will advise Nigerians to be more patient; they should read between the lines. We buy things that come with manuals which we don’t even read; these manuals contain certain terms and conditions. ``This arrangement always applies to everything -- whether e-commerce or physical commerce,’’ he said. Fashola said that whenever transactions were carried out online and customers failed to get what they requested, they should forward a mail to the customer relations officer of the online store so as to start the process of refund. All the same, observers believe that with time, internet shopping will become more popular and regulated in Nigeria, while customers will become more contented with the security and on-time delivery of their purchases.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

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Education VC hails Jonathan’s transformation agenda in education sector

he Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia, Prof. Hilary Edeoga, on Friday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for ‘’the unquantifiable transformation’’ going on in the nation’s education sector. Edeoga spoke at the institution’s 21st matriculation ceremony in Umuahia.

He said that the nation’s university system would remain grateful to President Jonathan for his genuine commitment to improving the sector. “Posterity will not forget all your efforts toward repositioning all levels of education in Nigeria for the better,’’ he said. The vice-chancellor restated the commitment of the university toward the welfare of the students.

He said that the university had defied daunting challenges to create an enabling environment for teaching and learning, including the provision of accommodation and lecture theatres. “I wish to assure you that more hostels and lecture theatres will be provided to meet with the growing population of our university,’’ he said. Edeoga said the university

had zero tolerance for all acts of indiscipline. He, therefore, charged the students to shun all acts of indiscipline, including rape, gangsterism, cultism, extortion and examination malpractice, among other social vices that could disrupt their studies. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 4,000 students took part in the matriculation. (NAN)

L-R: Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety corps (FRSC), Mr. Osita Chidoka, Minister of Labour, Chief Chukwuemeka Wogu, Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyelson Wike, Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Minister of State for Niger Delta, Mr. Garius Ishaku, and Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Chief Emeka Eze during a meeting on education sector with President Goodluck Jonathan, recently at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Uniport matriculates 5,459 new students

he Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Joseph Ajienka, on Friday urged students to shun cultism and examination malpractice. Ajienka spoke at the 35th matriculation ceremony of the school at Choba, near Port Harcourt. He said that the authorities of the university would sanction students who flouted its rules and regulations. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 5, 459 students were administered the matriculation oath by the ViceChancellor. Ajienka said that 1, 098

students were admitted in the Faculty of Education, while College of Natural and Applied Sciences admitted 1, 076 students. A breakdown of the number further showed that Faculty of Humanities had 965 students, Faculty of Management Sciences 654, Faculty of Social Science 641, and College of Engineering 261. Others are, College of Health Sciences 230, School of Science Laboratory Technology 213, Faculty of Agriculture 212, and Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science had 109 students. Ajienka said the university decided to run concurrently, two

batches of Year One students, due to the recent nationwide ASUU strike that disrupted the university’s academic calendar. “The reason is to ensure that the students do not lose a semester and that they graduate as and when due. “UNIPORT is focused on academic excellence, creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation, and as such, staff and students are expected to engage in finding creative and innovative solutions to challenges in our society. “Today, rather than resources, knowledge rules the world and so UNIPORT must challenge itself to becoming an

entrepreneurial institution that creates jobs and wealth,” he said. Ajienka said the university had re-introduced a scholarship scheme for best candidates in the Unified Tertiary Matriculations Examination and the PostUnified Tertiary Matriculations Examination. He said that candidates who scored a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.5 would be awarded scholarship, while students with 4.00 CGPA will be placed on the Dean’s List. According to him, the scholarship is to encourage candidates to work hard, having in mind that there are no shortcuts to success. (NAN)

Student freed for want of diligent prosecution

Grade 1 Area Court in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, at the weekend, discharged a student, Zachariah Amos, 26, of criminal charges for want of diligent prosecution. Amos, who resides in Kabayi village, Nasarawa State, was arraigned on three countcharges of defamation, assault and causing grievous hurt on his younger brother Abel and his wife Hussaina. The prosecutor, PC Friday Adaji, told the court that the complainants were not in court and that the IPO was also absent. He requested for an adjournment. The presiding judge, Mr Albert Maga, refused to adjourn the case. `Ì am striking out this case and discharging the accused for want of diligent prosecution. `Ì do not like what I am seeing. Just some few weeks in prison and you are looking like HIV or AIDS patient”, he said. Maga ordered the accused to write an undertaking that he will never make trouble with the members of his family again. He also advised him to concentrate on his studies and always resist temptations from the devil. Earlier, counsel to the accused, Mr Mbachu Sylvia, prayed the court to discharge the accused as he had learnt his lessons in prison. ``He is a Bible School student and a young man with a promising future. `Ì believe that his stay in prison for over one month as a result of his inability to perfect his bail conditions will make him understand that nobody benefits from trouble. ``Since the mention of the case in March, the prosecution has failed to produce witness in the matter. We pray the court to strike out the matter and discharge the accused.’’ The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the matter was reported on March 1 by Abel and his wife, Hussaina, at the ‘A’ Division Police Station, Mararaba. Prosecutor Adaji had said the accused was the elder brother of the complainant. `Àmos had alleged that Hussaina was a witch and asked her to leave Abel’s house. `Àbel stopped his wife from leaving. The accused, thereafter, engaged him in a fight during which he attempted to hit Hussaina with a pestle. ``The accused used a piece of wood to hit Abel resulting in several injuries on his right hand”, Adaji said. The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

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Education University of Agriculture Makurdi gets Otukpo campus ...To offer health, medical science courses By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

ederal government has approved the establishment of College of Health Sciences for the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, in Benue state. The college, to be located in the Otukpo new campus of the university, will accommodate all health and medical science courses, in addition to a modern teaching hospital. Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Julius Okojie, disclosed this when he inaugurated the governing council of the new college in Abuja at the weekend. Okojie explained that NUC, in approving the college at Otukpo, considered the fact that the programme must be relevant to the needs of the environment, adding that as centre of excellence, the new campus would add value to the academics and the entire society at large. He also assured that adequate manpower and facilities would be provided for the effective teaching and training of medical personnel in the school, saying that the products of the institution would address the shortfall in medical and paramedical personnel in the country. He therefore told the Eugene Okpere led governing council for the school to put necessary measure in place to access about N2.5 billion in the TETFUND for projects for the new college. Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the chairman of the governing board for the school, Eugene Okpere, promised to bring their expertise and experience to bear, to actualize the mission and goal of the new college. Members of the governing council includes the Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Professor Emmanuel Kucha, Senator Anthony Manzo, Director General, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Lagos. Others are Professor Innocent Ujah, Director General of National Agency for the Control of AIDs( NACA), Professor John Idoko and Professor Francis Uba of University of Jos, among others.

Teachers’ competency test will improve education, says ex-VC A

former Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota in Ogun, Prof. Aize Obayan, said on Friday that the competency tests being administered to teachers by some state governments was a step in the right direction. Obayan made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. NAN reports that some states in the South-West had begun an assessment of teachers in public primary and secondary schools

to ascertain their skills and competence. The Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, had said the objective was to ensure that the teachers had the right competencies for optimum performance. According to Obayan, the development will ensure continuous assessment of the teachers’ capabilities. ``Learning must not just be a one-off thing. It must be continuous; and for this to be

achieved, we must expand the frontiers of teaching starting from the teachers. ``And so, if we have such teachers who have been saddled with the responsibility of expanding the frontiers, it, therefore, means that the teachers must always be on their toes, taking into consideration the curriculum as well,” she said. The professor of Counselling Psychology, however, warned that for such assessment to yield maximum results, a progressive

assessment base should be put in place. The don added:``We must ensure that these teachers are being sent to undergo refresher courses as often as possible to catch up with existing trends in education. ``There must also be a lot of practicalities in place for training and skills development, and do less of theoretical. ``This whole issue about assessment is a serious business and must be seen as such.” (NAN)

L-R: Chief of Staff to Senate President, Senator Anthony Manzo, former Chief Medical Director, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Professor Eugene Okpere, and Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, during the inauguration of board members, College of Health Sciences, Makurdi, last Friday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

University don blasts ICPC, says commission incompetent from Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Professor of Management, David Iornem has described the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC as incompetent and a disgrace to the nation, maintaining that his prosecution by the body is politically motivated. Prof. Iornem who said this at the weekend during an interaction with newsmen in his residence, posited that the prosecution of the corruption body against him is baseless, adding that it was a mere witch hunt for those in the opposition party. “If I were in PDP, this would not have been happening to me. When you disagree with the PDP

system, you are witch hunted”, Iornem said. Narrating his ordeal, the professor said in 2005, the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) which he has been working with for a long time as a consultant, suddenly decided to close down his office on allegation that he was operating an illegal consultancy firm. “I sued them to court through a process called ‘originating summon’ asking the NUC to swear to an affidavit that my services were illegal. The NUC could not prove anything and judgment was passed in my favour. They then decided to turn to the ICPC who arraigned me in court making damaging allegations.

“The court asked them if I had been served with the proof of evidence. They promised to serve me but never did. That was in August 2013. “By November 2013, I was yet to be served with the proof of evidence.There were no such evidence and that is why ICPC disgracefully withdrew the charges. Now they want to bring up another charge against me”,he said. While averring that he has built a reputable as an internationally acclaimed educationist who has been operating institutions in UK, Switzerland, Dubai, South Africa and Belize, Iornem frowned that rather tap from his wealth of experience and

protect him, the Federal government is prosecuting him for no just cause. “I have built a reputable not only in Nigeria but in other parts of the world. My country is suppose to protect me and not prosecute me. I hear about 20 billion NNPC missing money and even ICPC has been involved in corruption. This is an abuse of state power. I agree that strong institutions should be built in the legislative, judiciary and educational sectors. We have weak institutions like ICPC who make accusations without evidence only to apologize that they made mistakes”, the professor lambasted.

GSS Malumfashi alumni laments school’s poor facilities From Muhammad Kaduna

Ibrahim,

orried by the poor state of facilities at the Government Secondary School Malumfashi, the alumni of the school, called on Katsina state Governor, Ibrahim Shehu Shema to rehabilitate the school. A Communiqué issued at

the end of a one day meeting organized by set 1980 of the School in Kaduna by its Chairman Publicity Committee, Shuaibu Muhammad Mashall urged the governor to rehabilitate existing structure and construct additional classrooms. They also called on him to provide science and technology equipment, and to also employ

more teachers. The communiqué described GSS Malumfashi as a great school that had graduated a lot of students who have contributed in the development of the country. The alumni also set up a committee to visit the school to identify the problems facing the school in order to address them. They further approved the

immediate purchase of a new engine for GSS Malumfashi school bus, so as to make the school bus functional The communique commended Governor Shema for his developmental programmes which they said were aimed at ensuring the speedy development of the entire state.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

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Healthy Living

Papaya, the health wonder

apaya is great for the skin and can be used as a face pack to get its benefits. It helps to get rid of acne and it helps to open clogged pores. The fermented flesh of papaya also called as papain helps to dissolve the dead cells, giving fresh and glowing skin as a result. Papaya is a fruit that is rich in fiber and lowers cholesterol levels. It contains enzymes that help prevent oxidization of cholesterol, which in return helps to prevent heart-attacks. The antioxidants in papaya help in controlling premature

ageing. This quality of the papaya helps you to get a younger look. The seeds of papaya too possess medicinal properties. They are very good in treating intestinal worms in the body. Papaya helps in preventing constipation and aids in digestion. The enzyme papain is a digestive enzyme that helps in natural digestion. Papaya juice helps in curing infections of the colon by clearing the pus and mucus from it. You need to take it regularly to heal quickly. Papaya is good to cure the

Side effects of microwave

skin infections and wounds that don’t heal quickly. It is low in calories and high in nutritional values. Hence, it is a good food for those who want to lose some weight. For pregnant ladies, regular consumption of a small slice of papaya helps to cure nausea and morning sickness. Papaya contains antiinflammatory enzymes that help in relieving pain for those who are suffering from arthritis, edema and osteoporosis, and it also possesses anticancerous properties that can help preventing cancer. Papaya is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C that helps in boosting the body’s immunity and hence is very good for those who are suffering from fever, cold or flu. Shampoos that contain papaya are very good to control dandruff. Raw papaya helps in controlling the menstrual irregularities in women. Papaya helps to ease menstrual cramps and helps in promoting regular flow of menstruation. Here were some good reasons to eat papaya at least once in a week. Papaya can be taken with fruit salads, or in other cuisines or can be applied directly on the skin, it is bound to show some positive results and benefit your health.Healthy tips

Fat flush water

ou should drink at least three 8 oz glasses per day, they say the longer it sits, the better it tastes. You can eat them as well but they are intended as flavouring and still work, so that is a personal choice. The Vitamin C turns fat into fuel, the tangerine increases your sensitivity to insulin, and the cucumber makes you feel full. Try it for 10 days and see what you think! Ingredients per 8 oz serving: Water

1 slice grapefruit 1 tangerine ½ cucumber, sliced 2 peppermint leaves Ice – as much as you like Directions Wash grapefruit, tangerine cucumber and peppermint leaves. Slice cucumber, grapefruit and tangerine (or peel). Combine all ingredients (fruits, vegetables, 8 oz water, and ice) into a large pitcher. Stir & Enjoy! (Healthy tips)

Something you might not have known and need to know

ontinually eating food processed from a microwave oven causes long term — permanent — brain damage by “shorting out” electrical impulses in the brain, de-polarizing or demagnetizing the brain tissue. 2. The human body cannot metabolize the unknown byproducts created in microwaved food. 3. Male and female hormone production is shut down and/or altered by continually eating microwaved foods. 4. The effects of microwaved food byproducts are permanent within the human body. 5. Minerals, vitamins, and nutrients of all microwaved food is reduced or altered so that the human body gets little or no benefit, or

the human body absorbs altered compounds that cannot be broken down. 6. The minerals in vegetables are altered into cancerous free radicals when cooked in microwave ovens. 7. Microwaved foods cause stomach and intestinal cancer tumors. This may explain the rapidly increased rate of colon cancer in America. 8. The prolonged eating of microwaved foods causes cancerous cells to increase in human blood. 9. Continual ingestion of microwaved food causes immune system deficiencies through lymph gland and blood serum alterations. 10. Eating microwaved food causes loss of memory, concentration, emotional instability, and a decrease of intelligence. (Healthy tips)

nts Problem: Ants hate Cucumbers. “KEEP the skin of Cucumbers near the Place where they are or at Ant Hole. To Get Pure & Clean Ice : “Boil Water first before placing in the Freezer” To make the Mirror Shine: “Clean with Sprite” To remove Chewing Gum from Clothes: “Keep the Cloth in the Freezer for One Hour” To Whiten White Clothes: “Soak White Clothes in hot water with a Slice of Lemon for 10 Minutes” To give a Shine to your Hair: “Add one Teaspoon of Vinegar to Hair, then wash Hair” To get maximum Juice out of Lemons: “Soak Lemons in Hot Water for One Hour, and then juice them” To avoid smell of Cabbage while

cooking: “Keep a piece of Bread on the Cabbage in the Vessel while cooking” To avoid Tears while cutting Onions “Chew Gum” To boil Potatoes quickly: “Skin one Potato from one side only before boiling” To remove Ink from Clothes: “Put Toothpaste on the Ink Spots generously and let it dry completely, then wash” To skin Sweet Potatoes quickly : “Soak in Cold Water immediately after boiling” To get rid of Mice or Rats: “Sprinkle Black Pepper in places where you find Mice & Rats. They will run away” Take Water Before Bedtime.. “About 90% of Heart Attacks occur Early in the Morning & it can be reduced if one takes a Glass or two of Water before going to bed at Night”

6 plants that purify the air

amboo Palm tree: according to NASA, removes impurities from the air and also acts as a natural humidifier. 2. Sword of s. Jorge: Second NASA is great to absorb impurities and oxides of nitrogen. 3. Areca Palm tree: one of the best purifying plants for General cleaning. 4. spider plant: this plant is for removing carbon monoxide and other toxins and impurities. Spider plants are one of three plants that NASA considers how best to remove toxins from the

air. 5. Lily of peace: peace Lilies could be called “clean everything.” They are often placed in bathrooms, bathrooms or laundry rooms because they are excellent for removing mildew. 6.: Gerbera daisy not only have beautiful flowers to remove benzene from the air, they are also known to improve sleep by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off more oxygen during the night. (Healthy tips)

We Know Water is important but never knew about the Special Times one has to drink it.. !! Did you ??? Drinking Water at the Right Time Maximizes its effectiveness on the Human Body; 1 Glass of Water after waking up - helps to activate internal organs.. 1 Glass of Water 30 Minutes before a Meal - helps digestion.. 1 Glass of Water before taking a Bath - helps lower your blood pressure. 1 Glass of Water before going to Bed - avoids Stroke or Heart Attack. Chinese Proverb Says: ‘When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, You have a moral obligation to share it with others too.’ (Healthy tips)

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

Healthy Living

NPHCDA, IPAS collaborate to save women from abortion By Abbas Aminu Bamalli

he National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and Ipas, an international Non-Governmental organisation (NGO), with headquarters in North Carolina, USA are collaborating towards saving the lives of women in Nigeria through the provision of postabortion care services. According to a statement issued by the Head of Public Relations Unit of NPHCDA, Sa’adu Salahu, the decision to collaborate was part of the outcome of an advocacy visit on the Executive Director of

the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Ado Muhammad by the Ipas’ Regional Director, Mr. Uche Ekenna. Accompanied by the Country Director of Ipas-Nigeria, Dr. Lola Mabogunje, Mr. Ekenna disclosed that Ipas mission focused on reducing maternal mortality and morbidity arising from complications of unsafe abortion. The NGO, he disclosed worked mostly with government institutions in 25 Countries globally, adding that it has a large concentration of its work in Nigeria. Responding, the Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr. Ado

Muhammad highlighted various government’s interventions and huge investments towards reducing maternal mortality and morbidity in the country. These, according to Dr. Ado, included the recruitment, training and deployment of over 16,000 frontline health workers to over 2000 health facilities nation-wide, through the Midwives Service Scheme and the SURE -P on maternal and child health. Others, Dr. Ado disclosed, are saving one million lives, decentralization and integration of HIV/AIDS services into Primary Health Care services at the Primary

Health Care level to prevent, mother-to-child transmission, maternal and new born Health Week and conditional cash transfer under the SURE-P on maternal and child health to encourage pregnant women to attend antenatal services and deliver at health facilities. Dr. Ado assured the IPAs team of the willingness and determination of his management to collaborate with IPAs towards reducing maternal mortality and morbidity arising from un-safe abortion. Not less than 3,000 women in Nigeria die every year from complications of unsafe abortion.

Researchers set sight on HIV cure from Africa

purred by success of antiretroviral therapy for HIV victims, some researchers have set their eyes on a cure by targeting viral reservoirs. Although eliminating these reservoirs may be difficult, the researchers may be relying on knowledge from recent researches to pursue an antidote. A news article by Cassandra Willyard, on Nature online, disclose that the strongest proof that HIV can be cured comes from the case of Timothy Brown, who was infected with HIV until he received a stem-cell transplant in 2007 to treat leukaemia. He has

remained free of HIV since then. Brown’s transplant helped cure his HIV, in part, because the donor’s stem cells lacked a key receptor that the virus needs to enter cells. Particles of HIV that are invisible to the immune system must be flushed out before the disease can be said to be cured. But at this week’s XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington DC, Timothy Henrich, an infectious-disease physician at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, reported a study of two HIV-infected men who received transplants of stem cells

that did have the HIV receptor. Since they received a milder dose of chemotherapy than Brown prior to their transplants, they were able to continue taking anti-retrovirals throughout the procedure. The transplants did not immediately eliminate the men’s infected immune cells, but roughly ten months later, the men had no evidence of HIV in their blood. After their transplants, both men developed graft-versus-host disease, in which donor immune cells attack the transplant patient’s cells. Henrich and his colleagues speculate that the anti-retroviral

drugs protected the donor cells from infection with HIV. These healthy donor cells then destroyed the HIV-infected cells, leaving the men free of virus. “Theoretically, they could be cured because the immune system was rebuilt under the coverage of antiviral therapy,” Steven Deeks, an HIV researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, who wasn’t involved in the research said. The ultimate test, according to the nature article, however, will be to see whether the men remain HIV-free when they stop taking antiretroviral medicines.

Rapid treatment after HIV infection may be enough to “functionally cure” about a 10th of those diagnosed early

Paediatrician says teething powder is not recommended for babies

igerian mothers have been advised not to administer teething powder on their babies as the medication could have future adverse effects on them. Dr. Chinatu Ohiaeri, Consultant Paediatrician at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that parents should instead administer paracetamol

syrup when their babies are teething. ”Teething is a natural process that can cause pain and irritation sometimes. But this can be managed by giving paracetamol syrup to relieve pain in those children”, he said. “Because we do not know what is in the so called ‘teething powders’, it is not recommended for children”, she added.

Ohiaeri also advised parents to ensure that their children received the necessary immunisation, to prevent them from childhood diseases. According to her, most mothers attribute diarrhoea to teething because during teething, the child puts everything that crosses his or her way in the mouth, adding that, most of the diarrhoea cases seen in children are caused by bacteria; we

immunise them against diarrhoea and so the incidence has reduced. Ohiaeri urged parents not to expose their children to persons with cough in order to prevent them, especially the under-fives, from being infected with cough and catarrh. She advised mothers to ensure that ventilation in the house was optimal, noting that children should be dressed properly with cotton vests and clothing. (NAN)

FG takes over Bauchi VVF centre By Abbas Aminu Bamalli

he Federal Government and the Bauchi state government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the takeover of the Ningi Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF), Centre and the designation of the Centre as a National Obstetric Fistula Centre. The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu who signed the MOU on behalf of the Federal Government in Bauchi, noted that recent data shows that there is a decline in the incidence of VVF cases in the country which he said is attributable to the renewed efforts by government and partners to address the reproductive health of women and girls suffering from VVF. He observed that the takeover of the Centre by the Federal Government and its designation as National Obstetric Fistula Centre would bring expansion of services for the treatment and rehabilitation of VVF patients thereby reducing the backlog of VVF patients in Bauchi state and its environs and the country at large. Prof. Chukwu also said that the Centre will also serve as a training and research centre, provide additional Federal Government presence and job opportunities in the state as well as promote the health of women, which is crucial to the family and society for national stability and development. He reaffirmed that the fight against Obstetric Fistula is gaining momentum, especially from the present administration as part of the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President with increased partnership from State Governments, development partners, individuals, private institutions and Non-Governmental Organisations all working assiduously to eliminate Obstetric Fistula and restore dignity and hope of the sufferers. In his response, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda commended the Federal Government for establishing the National VVF Centre in the NorthEast describing it as pleasing, as it will cater for the health needs of the VVF victims in the zone. He also thanked the Minister for constituting the Governing Board of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital of which he envisaged that the Teaching Hospital would be one of the best in the country taking into account the calibre of people on the board. He said that his government has achieved some developmental strides to include the award of contract for the construction of a new 350-bed capacity Specialist Hospital, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities at the cost of N2.7 billion Naira and provision of infrastructures, upgrading of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital with stateof-the-art equipment. He also said that the State Government has also expanded Primary Healthcare Centres services stressing that to date, over 1,200 health facilities are at Primary Healthcare level.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

ANALYSIS

ith less than a week left before Afghans go to the polls to elect a new leader to replace President Hamid Karzai, who has been in office for the past 13 years, the country is vacillating between trepidation and enthusiasm. For the first time since 2004 (the date for the first post-Taliban general election), there is a groundswell of political excitement building up across the country. But the spectres of intimidation, meddling and uncertainty are acting as spoilers. These could become serious barriers to realising a relatively fair and free ballot that will determine the level of credibility and legitimacy needed to assure a more stable and prosperous future. A new survey released this week indicated that a large number of Afghans are eager to take part in the upcoming watershed presidential (and provincial council) elections. Last winter’s survey conducted by the Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA), indicates more than 91 percent of respondents support the holding of elections slated for April 5,

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International

Afghanistan elections: Domestic and external spoilers and more than 74 percent want to participate. Whether events unfolding over the next few days will allow for a large turnout on E-day is another question. Although rigging is a prime concern for most political actors across the country, security has become a major worry since the beginning of the year. Kabul and a number of high target provinces have experienced a spate of suicide attacks and assassinations after the Taliban leadership issued one of its signatory statements earlier this month promising to “use all force” possible to disrupt the presidential elections. Making good on their promise, they have unleashed spectacular suicide attacks that have resulted in civilian deaths as part of a pre-meditated intimidation strategy. But the reaction by Afghans across ethnic and socio-economic lines has been one of defiance.

An Afghan woman registering for upcoming elections Realising that peace talks between Pakistan and the home-grown TTP (Taliban of Pakistan) may be intended to facilitate the Taliban’s ability to disrupt

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION P.M.B.05

Akwanga Nasarawa State INVITATION TO TENDER 1. College of Education Akwanga is inviting competent and interested companies to submit Tender Documents for TETFUND Year 2013 Board of Trustees Special Intervention. a. Lot I: Procurement of Equipment and Furniture for Computer Laboratory. 2. PRE-QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT All interested Companies should forward copies of the following documents. i. Evidence of Registration with Cooperate Affairs Commission (CAC) ii. Technical Brochure with illustrative photographs of previous execution of similar projects. iii. Tax Clearance Certificate inrespect of VAT for the last three (3) years iv. Company’s Financial Report for the last three (3) years v. Evidence of Registration with PENCOM vi. Evidence of Registration with ITF vii. Evidence of Registration as a Contractor with the College 3. SUBMISSION OF PRE-QUALIFICATION TENDER DOCUMENTS The pre-qualification documents should be forwarded in wax sealed envelope boldly marked –PRE-QUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS FOR PROCUREMENT OF LOT………at the top left corner and addressed to …… THE SECRETARY, TENDERS BOARD, COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, P.M.B. 05, AKWANGA, NASARAWA STATE and to be submitted in the Registrar’s office. CLOSING DATE All documents should be submitted not later than 1:00pm on the 24th of April, 2014. IMPORTANT NOTICE Applicants are to note that late submission will not be entertained and the College is not bound to accept Tender sent by Courier or Post. Only shortlisted applicants shall be invited to bid and this advertisement shall not be construed to be a commitment on the part of College to award any contract. Signed Audu Y. Mangut Ag. Registrar

the Afghan elections, there is growing Afghan civil resistance, especially due to the news that many attackers are Taliban students being deliberately discharged from crossborder madrassas. Afghan sensitivities to perceptions of intrusion by any foreign power, as well as local spoilers, have hardened voters’ resolve to assure the success of the national process. Despite having more than 20 million voter cards in circulation in a country with an estimated 11 million eligible voters, there are still long lines of Afghan men and women at registration stations eager to sign up. All indications point to a heavy turnout on election day, both in urban as well as relatively safe rural areas. In addition to more than 380,000 army, police and international forces securing the elections, more than 13,000 women will also help with security to boost gender participation. Despite a dynamic campaign and mobilisation effort, several frontrunners in the 2014 race point to fraud and high-level meddling as the primary challenge facing the overall process. There are lingering questions about the neutrality, independence and capacity of the independent election commissions to mitigate, investigate and follow up with the irregularities. Moreover, some candidates have accused high government officials of financial impropriety, bias and intrusion in favour of preferred candidates.

Empty threats and warnings have been issued by the authorities, but to date, no one has been seriously penalised or prosecuted. Three major types of fraud are anticipated: ballot stuffing and the use of illegal voter cards on elections day; post-elections manipulation of results; and biased or erroneous assessment and adjudication of complaints. While most of the campaigns, civil society, media, and international observers groups and youth organisations are concentrating their monitoring efforts on election day, there is little that is envisaged in terms of oversight in the crucial post-balloting phases before results are finalised. Many Afghans have all but given up on the international community playing a neutral but effective oversight role in assuring a credible outcome. Even the United Nations, usually seen as an unbiased arbiter, came out with a contradictory position this week, whereby it condemned electoral fraud, but also warned candidates to accept final results and refrain from protesting. If election results were to be contested by large constituencies, the ultimate responsibility for a botched election will rest partly with corrupt candidates and their agents, the electoral commissions and, above all, with the outgoing government. Karzai has tried in vain to avoid giving the impression of meddling, but has not been able to

appease public doubts since the 2009 fiasco that led to the disqualification of more than one million votes. Both random cases of insecurity and likelihood of fraud have fueled uncertainty about the transparency of elections. However, as shown by recent surveys, Afghans consider an inclusive electoral process as not a perfect solution, but as the best opportunity to express their free will, given the challenges they face at this juncture. The FEFA survey also reveals that most Afghans want to protect the gains of the last decade, and are looking for traits in a leader that include good education and experience, in addition to honesty and being just. Caught between uncertainty and enthusiasm, it is evident that the electoral process and widespread communal participation in political life - exposed through a vibrant media - have enriched the countrywide discourse and strengthened the bonds of nationhood. It is for these reasons that domestic and external spoilers aim to disrupt the flow of progress by resorting to extreme means of violence and intimidation. But these forces are now facing deep resentment and defiance by all segments of society. The challenge facing current and future Afghan leaders will be to allow for the constitutional process to run its course, without undue meddling or tampering. Source: Al Jazeera

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

International AU envoy appalled by grenade attack on civilians in CAR

S Ebola scare forces Senegal to close borders

ealth officials are racing to contain a deadly Ebola epidemic in Guinea, with one neighbouring state closing its borders and two others reporting cases amid warnings of a “serious threat” to the region. Senegal on Saturday said its border crossings to Guinea would be closed “until further notice”, while neighbours Liberia and Sierra Leone have reported suspected cases of the disease. Guinea said on Saturday the number of suspected cases of Ebola stood at 111, with 70 deaths. Most cases were in the southern forested areas but eight cases had been confirmed in the capital, Conakry, with one death. The World Health Organisation said neighbouring Liberia had reported six of eight suspected cases of Ebola feverhad resulted in death, while Sierra Leone had reported six suspected cases, five of them fatal. All of these reported cases had recently travelled to Guinea, the WHO said. The EU pledged $690,000 to fight the outbreak after a plea from the Economic Community of West African States, which described the outbreak as a “serious threat to the region”. No treatment or vaccine is available for Ebola, a highly infectious and virulent disease which can cause uncontrollable bleeding. The Zaire strain detected in Guinea, first recorded 38 years ago in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, has a 90 percent death rate. It can be transmitted to humans from wild animals, and between humans through direct contact with blood, bodily fluids or the unprotected handling of contaminated corpses. The Doctors Without Borders group said the spread of the disease was being exacerbated by people travelling to funerals in which mourners touch the bodies of the dead.

pecial Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Jean Marie Michel Mokoko is appalled by Thursday’s grenade attack on innocent civilians in the Central African Republic (CAR), which killed and injured several persons, said an AU statement Saturday. The special envoy, who is also the head of the African-led International Support Mission in the CAR, noted with profound

dismay that an increasingly sophisticated arsenal of militarytype assault weapons has been used in the recent spate of violence in the country. The attackers, who targeted innocent civilians Thursday night at a funeral in a Bangui home, escaped from the crime scene and have not yet been identified or apprehended, according to the AU statement. The AU official called on the CAR Transitional Authorities to do

all in their power to “bring to justice the cowardly perpetrators of such atrocious acts.” He strongly urged community leaders, opinion leaders, religious leaders, political party leaders as well as leaders of civil society organizations to speak up and use their influence to help end the current violence in their country. He particularly urged the local and international media to demonstrate a high sense of

responsibility in reporting events in the CAR and refrain from further fanning the flames of hatred and animosity among the population. The AU envoy also conveyed to the bereaved families the sincere condolences and deepest sympathy of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, NkosazanaDlaminiZuma, and wished a prompt and complete recovery to the injured. Source: Xinhua

Zimbabwe’s Mugabe boycotts EU-Africa summit

Mugabe

imbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has decided to pull out from attending a summit to be held in Brussels next month between the European Union (EU) and African states over the bloc’s selection of participating African leaders. Zimbabwe Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Joey Bimha

confirmed that President Mugabe and his delegation will not be traveling to Belgium and the seats reserved for Zimbabwe at the summit will be empty, the statecontrolled Sunday Mail reported. Bimha said the EU was suspected of “holding Africa in contempt. “ According to Zimbabwe’s state media, Mugabe was initially not invited, his wife Grace Mugabe has not been granted a visa, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has also not been invited. Mugabe and his wife are the only remaining individuals on EU’s travel ban of more than 200 people, which was imposed in 2002. In theory, they can be temporarily exempted to attend international conferences. Bimha said Zimbabwe, rotating vice chair of the African Union (AU), has also urged other AU members to boycott the summit on the ground that some AU members were also not invited

and substituted by northern African states which are not AU members or whose membership is suspended. “Consultations were still ongoing to decide whether other AU members should attend or not,” Bimha said, but adding that unconfirmed reports suggested AU Chair President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania wanted the summit to proceed as planned. EU’s head of commission to Zimbabwe Aldo Dell’Ariccia explained that it is not a EU-AU summit but EU and African states, and there will be no programs for spouses of the heads of states. Ariccia earlier told state media the Herald newspaper that 48 African countries have confirmed their participation of which 41 will be represented by the heads of states, as well as all 28 EU states, including 23 being represented by the heads of states. Source: Xinhua

Over one million displaced by South Sudan conflict- UN

ore than one million people have been forced from their homes by the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, the UN says. Of these, 803,200 have been displaced within the country, and another 254,000 have fled to neighbouring countries, according to the latest UN report. It warns that the situation is likely to get worse as the violence continues. Fighting erupted between the forces of President SalvaKiir and troops loyal to his former deputy, RiekMachar, in December. The two sides signed a ceasefire agreement in January, but sporadic fighting has continued. In its report, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the conflict had caused “a serious deterioration in the food security situation” leaving around 3.7 million people at high risk. “Fighting between government and opposition forces has continued, especially in Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile state, where towns and rural areas have been ravaged by the violence,” it added.

South Sudanese refugees The UN estimates that 4.9 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, but it warned that “the remote and dispersed placement sites make it difficult to reach many of South Sudan’s conflict-affected people”. In its report, the UN says it has received only a quarter of the money it needs to respond to the growing crisis. The violence erupted on 15 December between pro-

government forces loyal to President SalvaKiir and soldiers backing RiekMachar, his former vice-president. President Kiir is a member of South Sudan’s largest ethnic group, the Dinka, while MrMachar is from the Nuer community - the country’s second largest. The conflict has seen reports of mass killings along ethnic lines even though both men have

prominent supporters in their rival’s community. Thousands are feared to have died since the conflict began. Four top South Sudanese politicians have since gone on trial accused of plotting a coup against the government and inciting an insurgency in South Sudan. South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011 after a long and bloody conflict, to become the world’s newest state.

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International Over 100,000 protest in Taiwan over China trade deal

ore than 100,000 protesters took to the streets of Taiwan’s capital yesterday as a two-week-long campaign against a trade pact with China gathered steam, piling further pressure on the island’s leader. The rally in Taipei - where many were dressed in black and some clutched sunflowers to symbolize hope - was one of the largest in recent years in Taiwan, an island that split from China over six decades ago after a civil war. Protesters say the deal to open 80 of China’s service sectors to Taiwan and 64 Taiwanese sectors to China was rushed through, and could leave Taiwan increasingly beholden to China’s Communist Party leaders. Some called for the resignation of Taiwan’s China-friendly president Ma Ying-jeou, whose popularity has plunged despite helping to improve ties with China since taking office in 2008. “We must safeguard our island’s interests,” said Chin Mei Ching, a 29-year-old mother who was pushing her one-year-old daughter

in a buggy. “We have to guard against China using the economy to control us.” A coalition of student and civil groups behind the demonstration said that around 500,000 people had massed in streets near the Presidential Palace and the parliament building that has been occupied by protesters for nearly a fortnight. Police put the figure at 116,000. Police erected steel barricades to prevent protesters from reaching major government buildings including the cabinet offices that were raided by students last Sunday, sparking scuffles and the use of water cannon by police. “We will not back down,” Lin Fei Fan, one of the student leaders behind the occupation of Taiwan’s legislature, told Reuters inside the building. “The large turnout today shows there is a clear majority in Taiwan that demands President Ma address our concerns in an acceptable manner.” Activists have plastered anti-Ma banners on the legislature walls, and stacks of armchairs block the exits.

Obama-Saudi King talks may ease friction but no breakthrough seen

audi Arabia’s leaders hope U.S. President Barack Obama and their King Abdullah understand each other better after talks and can stabilize a close regional security alliance after months of rockiness over Middle East policy, diplomats said. Friday’s two-hour exchange at Abdullah’s desert camp did not yield a shared statement or any evidence of policy changes, leading some Saudis to question whether differences over Syria’s war or Iran’s nuclear programme were closer to being resolved. But diplomats said the mere fact Obama made the effort to visit and discuss issues “frankly” - in a U.S. official’s words - with the king should reduce the margin for public spats and counter an impression that both sides value the alliance less. Obama visited the world’s top oil-exporter and birthplace of Islam

aiming to soothe Saudi fears that the United States was retreating from its commitment to the security of Middle East allies and allowing Riyadh’s rival Iran more influence. Those concerns, revolving particularly around the cautious U.S. approach to the war in Syria where Riyadh and Tehran back opposing sides, had led top Saudis to warn of a “major shift” from Washington and that they might “go it alone” in future. Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said before Obama and Abdullah met late on Friday night that the relationship had improved since the autumn

C Demonstrators holding sunflowers shout slogans in front of the Presidential Office Ma has said the trade agreement is necessary for Taiwan’s economic future, but opponents say the deal could hurt small Taiwanese companies. Many also worry the pact will allow Beijing to expand its influence over a fiercely independent and proudly democratic territory that China sees as a renegade

thanks to better coordination on assisting Syria’s insurgents. But the comments made by a senior administration official later on Friday did not indicate any shift in areas where the two sides have disagreed. “It’s too early to judge whether the meeting is successful. Judge and jury on this is if the American policy on Syria changes quickly enough,” said Mustafa Alani, a security analyst with close ties to the kingdom’s Interior Ministry. That point was echoed by Abdullah al-Askar, chairman of the foreign affairs committee in Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council, a body

province. “Save Democracy, Don’t Sell Our Country,” read a banner on Sunday. The trade pact was signed by China and Taiwan last June as a way to boost economic cooperation between the two sides but has yet to be formally ratified by Taiwan’s legislature.

appointed by King Abdullah to discuss policy issues and advise the government. “As you know, before the visit the relationship was a cold one, but not to a degree where it was in danger,” he said, adding that he was speaking in a personal capacity and did not have direct knowledge of what Obama and Abdullah discussed. But Askar added that although the meeting had appeared to go smoothly, it was not yet possible to judge its success. “We can figure out on the ground...if there is a change (in U.S. policy), it means the Americans now understand the real story.”

Israel not sure on fate of peace talks

sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that it will be clear within “days” whether the crisis-hit peace talks would be extended beyond an April 29 deadline, local media reported. His remarks, which were reported by several Israeli news websites yesterday, come as US officials work around the clock to prevent a collapse of the negotiations over a dispute about Palestinian prisoners. “It could be a matter of just days,” Netanyahu reportedly told ministers from his right-wing Likud party who met just before the weekly cabinet meeting. “Either the matter will be resolved or it will blow up. And in any case, there won’t be any deal without Israel knowing clearly what it will get in exchange,” he said. “And if there is a deal, it will be put to the cabinet for approval.” With the talks teetering on the

Netanyahu brink of collapse, Washington has been fighting an uphill battle to coax the two sides into accepting a framework proposal which would extend the negotiations beyond April to the end of the year. But the matter has become tied up with the fate of 26 veteran Palestinian prisoners whom Israel was to have freed this weekend

Asia & Middle East China seizes $14.5bn of ex-official’s assets

under terms of an agreement which brought about a resumption of talks. Israel on Friday informed the Palestinians via a US mediator that it would not release the fourth and final batch of prisoners, with the US State Department confirming it was working “intensively” to resolve the dispute.

The Palestinians say they will not even consider extending the talks without the prisoners being freed, but Israel has refused to release them without a Palestinian commitment to continue the talks, prompting a fresh crisis of confidence between the parties. IssaQaraqaa, the Palestinian prisoners minister on Saturday told AFP news agency that the crisis was likely to be resolved quickly. “There are efforts to solve the crisis and I believe that in 24 hours everything will be clearer,” he said. Under a deal that relaunched peace talks last July, Israel agreed to release 104 prisoners held since before the 1993 Oslo peace accords in exchange for the Palestinians freezing all efforts to seek further international recognition. So far, Israel has freed 78 of them in three batches, and the last group was to have been released on March 29.

hinese authorities have seized assets worth at least $14.5bn from family members and associates of retired domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang, who is at the centre of China’s biggest corruption scandal in more than six decades, according to Reuters news agency. More than 300 of Zhou’s relatives, political allies, proteges and staff have also been taken into custody or questioned in the past four months, sources, who have been briefed on the investigation, told Reuters. The sheer size of the asset seizures and the scale of the investigations into the people around Zhou - both unreported until now - make the probe unprecedented in modern China and would appear to show that President Xi Jinping is tackling corruption at the highest levels. But it may also be driven partly by political payback after Zhou angered leaders such as Xi by opposing the ouster of former high-flying politician Bo Xilai, who was jailed for life in September for corruption and abuse of power. Zhou, 71, has been under virtual house arrest since authorities began formally investigating him late last year. He is the most senior Chinese politician to be ensnared in a corruption investigation since the Communist Party swept to power in 1949. “It’s the ugliest in the history of the new China,” said one of the sources, who has ties to the leadership, requesting anonymity to avoid repercussions for speaking to the foreign media about elite politics. The government has yet to make any official statement about Zhou or the case against him and it has not been possible to contact Zhou, his family, associates or staff for comment. It is not clear if any of them have lawyers. The party’s anti-corruption watchdog and the prosecutor’s office did not respond to requests for comment. Xi ordered a task force formed in late November or early December to look into accusations against Zhou, sources have previously told Reuters. They have not said what the allegations were except that they were related to violating party discipline, official jargon for corruption. A third source with ties to the leadership said Zhou had refused to cooperate with investigators, insisting he was the victim of a power struggle. “Zhou Yongkang is tough and claims it’s political persecution,” the source said. Zhou rose through the ranks of China’s oil and gas sector before joining the elite Politburo Standing Committee in 2007, where as domestic security chief his budget exceeded defence spending. He retired in 2012 and was last seen at an alumni event at the China University of Petroleum on October 1.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

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International Europe and Americas

Washington mudslide missing revised down ‘substantially’

Ukraine crisis: US, Russia ministers in Paris talks R

he number of people missing from last week’s Washington state mudslide has been revised down substantially from 90 to 30, the authorities say. The official death toll has risen to 18, with several bodies yet to be formally identified. Rescue workers halted operations briefly on Saturday to observe a moment’s silence for those who died. It has been over a week since the town of Oso, north of Seattle, was struck by a 177ft (54m) wall of mud and debris. Identification The authorities say the number of those killed is believed to be at least 27 but that the official tally does not include those who have yet to be formally identified. Jason Biermann, of the Snohomish Department of Emergency Management, said the crews were not always recovering complete remains, making it difficult to identify those killed. “Often they are making partial recoveries,” he said. More than 200 rescue workers are involved in the rescue operation, which has been hampered by days of heavy rain. They paused for a moment’s silence at 10:37 (17:37 GMT) on Saturday, a week after the landslide struck. “I know that every Washingtonian holds in their heart the people of the Stillaguamish Valley and we all wish we could ease their pain,” said Washington governor Jay Inslee. Snohomish County executive director Gary Haakenson told reporters on Friday it was “a very, very slow process”. He said the conditions at the one sq-mile site had continued to deteriorate, with the rain turning the already dangerous debris field into “quicksand”. No survivors have been found since the day of the mudslide. The victims Authorities have so far identified five victims: Christina Jefferds, 45; Stephen Neal, 55; Linda McPherson, 69; Kaylee Spillers, 5; William Welsh, 66. MsJefferds, who the Seattle Times reports was a dental office manager, died of blunt impact injuries, says the medical examiner. Family members have told local media that searchers also discovered the body of MsJefferds’s four-month-old granddaughter, Sanoah Violet Huestis, whom she had been babysitting at the time of the mudslide. Nichole Webb Rivera, 39, has not heard from some of her family members since the disaster struck. Her 20-year-old daughter, Delaney Webb, was visiting Ms Rivera’s parents for the weekend with her fiance Alan Bejvl, 20, when disaster struck.

Kerry (L) shakes hands with Lavrov

ussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry have arrived in Paris for crisis talks on Ukraine. The meeting was hastily arranged after President Vladimir Putin phoned President Barack Obama on Friday. Russia has annexed Crimea and there are reports of thousands of Russian troops massed close to Ukraine’s borders. Earlier MrLavrov set out demands for a neutral and federal Ukraine, an idea Kiev called “full capitulation”. However, MrLavrov has categorically denied any plans for an invasion. But he has stressed Moscow will protect the rights of ethnic Russians and Russian speakers, after pro-EU protests

Hollande braces for losses as turnout low in French mayoral vote

arly turnout was low in France’s mayoral elections yesterday with President Francois Hollande’s Socialists bracing for losses in hundreds of towns and the far-right National Front poised to win a handful of cities for the first time since 1995. The runoff round of voting comes at the end of a week that saw French unemployment surge to a new record, making a reverse of first-round losses by the Socialists unlikely and a cabinet reshuffle by Hollande possible as soon as today. Some 80 percent of the French want him to dismiss Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, according to a Harris Interactive poll this week, and ambitious and tough-talking Interior Minister Manuel Valls is their favorite to replace him. “I can’t see how (Ayrault) could stay, unless we save about 30 towns, something nobody really believes,” a Socialist Party source said. The Interior Ministry said only 19.83 percent of eligible voters had gone to the polls by midday, almost four points lower than by the same time in the last municipal elections in 2008.

“It’s not a good number, the lowest score since 1983,” YvesMarie Cann of the CSA polling institute told BFM-TV, although the move to summer time, with clocks going forward an hour, meant the rate should be treated with caution. Final turnout last Sunday was 63.5 percent - considered low in a country with a strong attachment to its mayors, who wield considerable local power. Most polling stations will close at 6 p.m. (1600 GMT) although some in big cities will remain open two hours longer. Dissatisfaction with Hollande’s tenure and a string of legal intrigues involving opposition conservatives were expected to dampen turnout. Next presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for 2017. The streets of Paris were quiet on Sunday morning near the old stock exchange building in the centre, without the queues at polling stations typically seen on an election day. “I’m scandalized by these imbeciles who don’t vote,” YannDedet, a 67-year-old cinema

Kosciusko-Morizet producer, told Reuters after casting his ballot “for the left, of course”. A high abstention rate was expected to help the anti-immigrant FN win in the depressed postindustrial north and in southern towns such as Beziers. Pollsters identify half a dozen FN-run towns emerging after the vote, giving the party a chance to try exercising power once more. Its attempts to run four southern towns it won in 1995 and 1997 revealed a lack of competence.

in Kiev led to the ousting of Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych. He had faced months of protests after pulling out of an association deal with Brussels. Yesterday, the US ordered its top general in Europe to return early from a trip to Washington. Gen Philip Breedlove, Nato’s supreme allied commander Europe, had been due to testify to Congress, but a Pentagon spokesman told Reuters his return was prudent “given the lack of transparency and intent from Russian leadership about their military movements across the border”. Hours before the Paris talks were due to take place at the Russian ambassador’s residence, MrLavrov told Russian state TV that Ukraine should come up with a new constitution “providing for a federal structure” and neutrality. The Russian foreign minister said Moscow, the US and European Union should act as a support group for Kiev to begin a nationwide dialogue that did not involve the “armed radicals”. Moscow claims that fascists have taken power in Ukraine, jeopardising the safety of Russian speakers. In an interview on Saturday, he said Russia had been deceived after being promised “there would be no movement of Nato military infrastructure closer to our borders”. The Ukrainian foreign ministry said it deeply regretted MrLavrov’s “patronising” remarks. “At the point of its automatic rifles, this aggressor demands only one thing - Ukraine’s full capitulation, its split and the destruction of Ukrainian statehood,” said a statement carried by Interfax-Ukraine news agency. Nato’s outgoing Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned on Sunday that Russia’s government was “[flouting] the principle that every state is sovereign and free to choose its own fate”. Mr Putin is also thought to be demanding that Washington accepts Crimea’s independence from Ukraine. Separately, Moscow is keen to tackle the issue of Trans-Dniester, a pro-Russian separatist region of Moldova on the south-western border of Ukraine. It accuses Ukraine and Moldova of “blockading” the area while the EU and the US stay silent. US officials are divided over whether Mr Putin is seeking to ease tensions or is still planning further military action, BBC Paris correspondent Christian Fraser reports. The Pentagon believes Moscow has massed tens of thousands of troops close to Ukraine’s eastern border.

Turkish elections turn deadly in local feuds

iolence has hit Turkish municipal elections, with eight people being killed in fights between groups supporting rival candidates. The isolated clashes took place yesterday, Reuters news agency reported, as tens of millions of Turks cast their votes into the evening. The Dogan news agency said six people died and four were wounded in the village of Yuvacik, in the southeastern Sanliurfa province. Separately, in the southern city of Hatay, Dogan reported that rival families fought with clubs, knives and guns in a battle over

their respective candidates. The agency said two people died and nine were injured. More than 50 million voters were eligible to cast their ballots in Turkey’s local elections, amid corruption allegations and damaging security leaks that have shaken the 12-year rule of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. The municipal elections have become a crisis referendum on the rule of RecepTayyipErdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, and his religiously conservative AKP. The party, which swept to power in 2002 on a platform of eradicating the corruption

that blights Turkish life, hopes on Sunday to equal or better its overall 2009 vote of 38.8 percent. Erdogan crisscrossed the nation of 77 million during weeks of hectic campaigning to rally his conservative core voters, during which he temporarily lost his voice. “They are all traitors,” Erdogan said of his opponents at a rally in Istanbul, Turkey’s commercial capital and the most populated city, on Saturday. “Let them do what they want. Go to the ballot box tomorrow and teach all of them a lesson... Let’s give them an Ottoman slap.” Erdogan has purged

thousands of people from the judiciary and police following the anti-corruption raids in December targeting businessmen close to Erdogan and sons of ministers. The prime minister said that those behind the investigations were trying to form a “state within a state” or “parallel state”, blaming the movement of FethullahGulen, the US-based Turkish cleric whose followers are apparently highly influential in Turkey’s police forces and judiciary. Many analysts say that the two sides used to be allies in the past in their struggle against Turkey’s politically dominant military.

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Governor Al-Makura, A True Democrat Worthy Of Emulation By Iliyasu Yakubu

government areas. This demonstration of free, fair and t’s not surprising to note that credible local government election by the personality of Governor Governor Al makura is the first of its Al makura consciously kind in the history of local government entrenched true democracy election in Nigeria since 1999. in the just-concluded local The action has engendered the government election, considering governor to series of praises and the circumstances of the true commendations from across the democracy that brought him into globe, with a nick name attached to power where the electorate voted his name Al makura as the political and defended their votes during the revolutionist in Nigeria, worthy 2011 general election. of emulation; people now make It is a usual practice across the reference to this height of political country that every ruling party advancement by Governor Al makura. conduct and win all local council It is the belief of some political elections without due respect to the actors that the replication of Al wishes of the electorate; sometimes makura’s true democratic process even the general election is across the country will no doubt Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura usually characterized by series of advance our political process to Executive Governor, Nasarawa State irregularities, thereby undermining international standard, a journey democratic tenets and principles. that must be consciously adopted The fact remains that Governor Al makura is a product to achieve the needed peaceful co-existence among the of true democracy in the political history of Nigeria; people. this is a man who do not have the security apparatus nor Although some supporters of the Governor do not find elected or appointed officials at his disposal during the it funny, suggesting that it would have been the usual 2011 governorship election in Nasarawa state, but to the practice of an incumbent’s win all without recourse to the disbelief of many, Al makura defeated the incumbent wishes of the electorate, a reflection of the continuous governor despite all the mechanism of master rigging style of PDP’s autocratic rule. put in place by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at One scenario that beats my imagination was that, having that time. It is obvious that the electorate can determine identified that the PDP across the country since 1999 has their destiny democratically by voting candidates of never considered any party in the local polls no matter their choice and vehemently defending their votes, as how rooted that party maybe in that local government demonstrated in Nasarawa state and other parts of the area, yet instead of the PDP in the state to bury its head country. in shame, it publicly exposed its weaknesses by telling Since his assumption of office, Governor Al makura the world that they won more than four local government has been preaching the ideals of true democracy among areas. Haba! PDP; have you forgotten so easily the time the political class in the state, with a view to inculcating of your autocratic rule in the state? adherence of true democratic tenet and principles to Obviously, Governor Al makura is magnanimous the people; no wonder the Governor is able to achieve enough to have considered the wishes of the electorate; he his promise of free , fair and credible local government deserves commendation and not castigation for achieving election in the state, as the just-concluded local government this height in the political advancement in the country. election result showed, where the PDP won in four local We must change for the good and forge ahead in its government areas of Nasarawa, i.e. Eggon, Kokona , quest to remodel the political process of our dear country, Keffi, and Keana, out of the ten local government areas Nigeria, which is yearning for a change after the decade so far declared, without interference from any quarters of political backwardness of the country. Iliyasu Yakubu wrote from Lafia, Nasarawa state while the All Progressives Party (APC) won six local

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Digest

Sniffing fruit ‘improves your diet’

hen diners have to choose either a healthy dish or a calorieladen treat, it can be an all-out battle between willpower and temptation. But now scientists have discovered a simple trick to make the choice much easier - sniffing some fruit. New research suggests being exposed to fruity smells before making a food selection can make the brain more likely to take the healthy option, especially when it comes to dessert. Psychologists at the University of Bourgogne, in Dijon, France, say their findings highlight the extent to which smells influence our food choices because volunteers in their experiment were unaware that they were deliberately being exposed to fruit odours. Modern restaurant menus tend to cater for all needs and many chefs now place a greater emphasis on providing healthy, low-fat options for customers watching their weight. But the latest research, published online in the journal Appetite, suggests the choices diners make may have more to do with what they can smell than what they can see. For their research, they

The study provides the first scientific evidence that food choices can be primed bu subconscious factors

recruited 115 men and women aged from 18 to 50 and split them into two groups. They told them they were taking part in a study looking at how people communicate while they eat.

Half the volunteers were told to sit in a waiting room that had been sprayed with the smell of fresh pears just minutes before. The remainder sat in a room that had not been sprayed.

After 15 minutes, the volunteers were shown into another room and asked to pick three courses from a buffet-style presentation. For each course, there was the option of a dish with fruit or

vegetables and another with no fruit or vegetables. Starters was either a plate of cold meats or grated carrots, the main course choice was between between cannelloni Bolognese and salmon with green vegetable risotto, while dessert was either chocolate brownie or apple compote. Although the pear odour had little effect on starter or main choice selections, there was a big difference when it came to desserts. Three out of four participants who did not smell fruit beforehand plumped for the unhealthy chocolate brownie, compared with less than half the ‘pear’ group. Scientists say the results show how our appetites can be ‘primed’ by stimuli that we may not consciously be aware of. In a report on their findings they said: ‘Participants exposed to a pear odour were significantly more numerous in choosing to eat a dessert containing fruit than non-exposed participants. ‘For the first time, this study provides scientific evidence that a non-consciously perceived fruity odour can influence actual food choices, guiding them toward more ‘fruity’ desserts.’ Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Carrots can reduce risk of prostate cancer

hey’re best known for supposedly helping us to see in the dark. But carrots could also be a much more powerful force for good health, at least for men, new research shows. Scientists have found that regularly eating the brightly-coloured vegetables appears to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by almost a fifth. Men who included carrots as part of their regular diet, eating them at least three times a week, were 18 per cent less likely to develop a prostate tumour, according to findings published in the latest European Journal of Nutrition.

It is not known exactly why carrots are protective against prostate cancer but it could be because of their carotenoid content. Image shows prostate cancer cells

The study, by scientists at Zhejiang University in China, pulled together the results of ten smaller studies from different parts of the world looking at the anti-cancer effects of carrots. This type of research, called a meta-analysis, is performed when findings from lots of studies with small numbers of patients produce conflicting findings. Some research has suggested carrots do protect the prostate against disease, others have found little or no benefit. Scientists pooled data from ten studies and looked at the overall effects on cancer risk. Most of the studies looked at cancer rates in men who ate carrots three to five times a week compared with men who ate them once a week or less. When the individual results were combined, researchers found carrots had a significant impact on disease rates, even when they allowed for other factors that could increase the men’s risk of illness -such as if they were obese. Nearly 40,000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed every year in the UK and 10,000 men die from it - the equivalent of more than one an hour. The risks increase with age, with men over 50 more likely to develop a tumour, and there is a strong genetic element to it. Average UK carrot consumption is more than ten kilogrammes per person - or roughly 100 carrots each a year.

Men who eat carrots at least three times a week are 18 per cent less likely to develop prostate cancer ‘Several potential mechanisms It’s not exactly clear how carrots might exert their protective effect but could explain the association between they are known to be a good source of carrot consumption and the risk of carotenoids - chemicals that give them prostate cancer. ‘But further well-designed studies their bright orange pigments. The best-known carotenoids, are warranted to confirm our findings.’ Dr Iain Frame, director of research such as beta-carotene and lycopene, have long been considered potentially at Prostate Cancer UK said a healthy powerful weapons against cancer by diet is crucial to preventing the disease reducing damage to cells by oxidative but there is no strong evidence that eating carrots instead of something stress. In a report on their findings else provides added benefit. ‘While there are general health the researchers said: ‘We found a significantly decreased risk of prostate benefits associated with eating a cancer associated with a high intake balanced diet rich in vegetables, there is nothing to suggest that one of carrots.

particular vegetable is better than any other. ‘The known risk factors for prostate cancer are being 50 and over, having a close male relative with the disease or being of black ancestry.’ Cancer Research UK science information manager Dr Kat Arney says a healthy diet can help to reduce the risk of many types of cancer. But she stressed: ‘Many of the studies included in this analysis were relatively small.’ Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

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Benue Rep blames insecurity on failure of govt

Confab: Lamido carpets Jonathan for dragging traditional rulers into politics

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

A member of House of Representative for Makurdi/ Guma Federal Constituency Rep Emmanuel Jime has blamed the present crisis in the nation which has inflicted hardship and suffering on the people to absolute failure of government at all levels. The lawmaker who said this at the weekend while donating relief materials to displaced persons in different camps in Makurdi lamented over the invasion of Fulani marauders which has daily displaced the people from their ancestral homes He said that the main responsibility of any government is to protect and provide for her citizens, positing that failure to do this, as is the case presently, means that there is an absence of governance in the country. “I am your representative, my work is to ask questions. I have been asking and would continue to ask but it is unfortunate that I lack powers to execute. “I have not come to see you as a one only sympathizing with you. I am part of you because, as you know, my father’s house, our land have, just like yours, been completely taken over by our enemies”, he regretted. Jime urged the refugees to remain calm, assuring them that everything is been done to bring the crisis to an end so they could return to their homes and farms. While handing over the relief materials to the Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Parish North Bank, Very Rev. Fr. Beba who was assisted by Fr. Solomon Mffa of Daudu Parish, himself a refugee now staying with Beba at the church, Jime expressed confidence that the Church will distribute the materials fairly. “I decided to hand the materials to the Church to distribute as a deliberate strategy to avoid a situation where the materials may be shared on partisan inclinations or sectional sentiments and the fear of camp managers diverting the materials as was the case in previous experiences”, the legislator said. The camps visited include St. Mary’s Primary School, NorthBank and the most populated but not known one at Aper Aku Housing Estate, Makurdi where 64 bags of rice, 40 bags of beans, 70 bags of garri, 18 cartons of soaps, 18 cartons of maggi were given to the displaced persons.

From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse overnor of Jigawa Alhaji Sule Lamido has lambasted President Goodluck Jonathan for convening the National Conference that aimed at disgracing the country’s elders. Lamido stated this at the Government House Dutse while receiving the delegation of the Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture (BOA) Dr. Falalu Santuraki. He said , “it is unfortunate that our last line of hope, which comprises the Emirs, clerics and elder statesmen have been assembled somewhere and are busy insulting one another in the name of national conference. “If the PDP or APC members of the House of Assembly abuse

one another it is understandable, but for the people we always turn to whenever there are contentious issues to be gathered somewhere and be insulting each other is the ultimate humiliation on our integrity”. He noted also that, “it is quite unfortunate that today in Nigeria hundred of innocent people are killed like chickens on daily basis for no just reason and nobody cared to talk about it”. “Also, It is only in Nigeria that $ 20billion would be declared missing from the public treasury but no one care to talk about it because leaders can dare any huge consequences in bargaining and securing their political interests”. “The leadership in this country is totally disconnected from the people, all its policies

are formulated in parrarell with their needs, plight and interest of the common man and the country”. “The masses are today living in agony due to high level of injustice, denial, imposition, abuse of office ensued by the tyranny of bad leadership. “Today institutions are not doing what they are created for, with the existing Ministry of water resources but people have no drinking water, with ministry of Agriculture but people are dying of starvation, with Ministry of Education we are recording mass failure in examinations”. Lamido added that the Auyo irrigation scheme in the state was abandoned for over 30 years by the Federal government, despite the promises made by President Jonathan to release N10 billion

for the project and reassurance by the Vice President when he visited the state, nothing was done to that effect. According to him, the dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri federal road which was started more than eight years ago is still not completed, a further evidence of lack of seriousness from the side of leaders. Earlier, the MD BOA Dr. Falalu had commended Lamido for his dogged commitment towards the uplifting of the lives of the people through his support for agriculture in the state. He however proposed a N1 billion commitment and challenged the governor to do same as partners to support irrigation farmers at the Hadejia valleys with minimal interest rate.

Impunity bane of democracy in Nigeria, says Islamic group

L-R: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts, Mr. Adewale Atanda, Mr. Majekodunmi Aborode, and Oyo state PDP Governorship Candidate, Mr. Seyi Makinde during the inauguration of Omi Titun for the 33 local government areas of the state, on Saturday in Ibadan. Photo: NAN

PDP accuses APC of blackmailing its members By Lawrence Olaoye

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of engaging the services of the media practitioners to discredit and ridicule its members and other well meaning individuals the country. The party in a statement signed b its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, noted that “In the last few days, the media have been awash with paid writeups and advertorials by the APC using resources meant for the development of their states to castigate, discredit and ridicule PDP officials and other well meaning individuals in the country. “It is rather despicable that

instead of coming out with tangible explanations that would delink it from the negatives for which Nigerians have rejected it, the APC, now haunted by its ugly shadow, has resorted to yet another diversionary tactics of propaganda, blackmail and falsehood, this time, using paid consultants masquerading as newspaper columnists to attack and insult individuals including the person of President Goodluck Jonathan. “We however wish to restate that the PDP is not perturbed by these attacks and they cannot deter us from exposing the APC. We completely stand by our position that the APC is a party of unpatriotic persons whose agenda is to destroy our democracy and the

unity we enjoy as a nation. This wave of attack is clearly part of APC’s “Janjaweed” ideology of destruction and inciting the people against individuals, especially government officials, in furtherance of the plot to undermine the system and balkanize the nation along ethnic and religious lines ahead of the 2015 general elections; an agenda which has already failed.” The party equally alerted that the opposition has engaged the services of foreigners who, according to it, have since been imported into the country to do the hatchet job in collaboration with the paid consultants who pocket as much as N5 million naira for each negative publication.

mpunity has been described as the problem facing Nigeria democracy and a threat to the survival of the grassroots in the country. The Muslim League for Accountability (MULAC) made the assertion during a sensitization lecture on impunity against the Rule of Law held in Kaduna yesterday. The Amir of the League, Mallam Yusufu Arriggasi’u, who spoke on the reason for the lecture said time has come for the grassroots to stop sleeping on their right and ensure that they seek court redress to challenge any steps or decision that is against their fundamental human rights. Speaking earlier the Guest Lecturer, Barrister Jubril Mohammed ESQ, said the constitution of Federal Republic was clear on the basic fundamental rights of the citizens which includes; rights to life, freedom of movement and expression, right to belong to a lawful association “Even thought the 1999 constitution, as amended, is enshrined with these rights, there still exists daily abuse of Nigerians rights and the main conspirators are the same people who are custodians of the constitution. “A policeman will just walk into your house and say you are under arrest without any arrest warrant and he expects you to follow him to the station where you can be detained for more than the 24 hours that is stated in the constitution. The police officer has either forgotten that word of mouth alone is not enough to effects any arrest or he is ignorant of the constitution.

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Politics Don’t give me federal appointment if I fail to defeat Fayemi, Fayose tells Jonathan By Lawrence Olaoye

eoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose, has told President Goodluck Jonathan never to consider him or any member of his family for federal appointment should he fail to wrest power from the incumbent governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the June 21 guber poll. Fayose, who defeated thirteen other candidates to emerge the PDP flag-bearer, said he was sure of defeating Fayemi because he knew how he became the state governor in the first place. He said “I won’t look for government appointment because if they appoint you today, you may be removed tomorrow. I won’t ask the Federal Government for appointment if I fail to win this election. Let the Federal Government not consider me or any member of my family if I fail to send Fayemi packing. I’m sending Fayemi back to where he came from and we shall take over the Government House.” The Ekiti PDP flag-bearer also assured that he would reconcile with his counterparts to ensure victory for the party at the June 21 governorship poll. He also appealed to all he might have wronged in the past to find a place in their hearts to forgive him even as he assured them that he had learnt his lessons having gone into political hibernation for 12

years. On the insinuation that President Goodluck Jonathan aided his victory at the primary election, Fayose said his emergence had sent jitters into the camp of the opposition. According to him, the opposition camp, especially the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, are aware of his political prowess and have begun to panic ahead of the election.

“I am a political lion and my emergence has thrown them into confusion. They know my worth and that is why they are worried,” he asserted. Fayose boasted that the political temperature of the state would change after the President would have handed him the party’s flag and his campaign train moves in the state within the next one month. Meanwhile, the National

Chairman of the party, Dr. Ahmadu Adamu Mua’zu, while handing over the Certificate of Return to Fayose, has reminded him of the need to share positions among the party faithfuls to ensure equity and justice. He also cautioned aspirants on the platform of the party to work with the people at the grass root for their electoral victories instead of putting their hopes in their political god-fathers.

L-R: Bauchi state Governor Isa Yuguda, Senate President David Mark, Akwa Ibom state Governor, Godswill Akpabio, and Vice President Mohmmed Namadi Sambo, during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)North-East rally, on Saturday in Bauchi.

Float illegal exco, get sanctioned, APC chieftain warns From Umar Dankano, Yola

he Interim National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), North East Zone, Dr. Umar Duhu, has reminded the members of the party that so far the party has not constituted Executive Committee anywhere in the country and I any chapter, doing so by members is a nullity that would be sanctioned by the party. Duhu made the statement during an interactive session with newsmen yesterday in Yola, adding that, the party will not fold its arms to watch party faithful

circumventing the rules of the party with impunity saying that severe sanctions will be meted out to any defaulting chapter. “Any state Chapter or any branch of the party that decides to constitute an executive before the congress is conducting an exercise in nullity and it will not be accepted by the party. “We have guidelines and they stipulated the time and days of the congresses and those that will contest elections will be allowed to campaign to the electorates and members of the party,” he said. He added that as a party that

respects rule of law, APC will ensure that the conduct of congresses will be strictly regulated in other to ensure that only those that are genuinely voted occupy party positions in Nigeria. He however said the party membership at the polling unit and local government levels will all participate in the congresses noting that delegates will be elected to participate at the national convention of the party through open secret balloting. He added that the party will set congress committees in each state and local governments of the country, which will supervise the conduct of the

congresses as stipulated by the party’s rules and guidelines adding that whenever a consensus was reached out, it has to be backed by all the stakeholders of the party in the area. “Consensus can only be made through the unanimous agreement of all stakeholders and subjected to a yes or no votes before it can be endorsed,” he said. He said the party, during its last National Executive Committee meeting, has agreed to form committees for the congresses and the National Convention and that already names are being collated and will be published in some national newspapers soon.

2015: Sokoto PDP chieftain canvasses unity among stakeholders From Raji Bello, Sokoto

chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Sokoto state, Alhaji Dahiru Yusuf Yabo, said disunity among the leaders of the PDP is the obstacle to the party’s quest to win the governorship election in the state in 2015. Yabo, a one-time governorship aspirant, told journalists that “such attitude would not augur well for the PDP, especially now that the party was poised to wrest power from the APC.” He observed that the PDP leaders in the state, were busy scheming against one another in order to achieve their individual selfish goals. Yabo also maintained that unless the leaders of the PDP drop their personal ambition and work for the common good, it could affect the party’s quest to wrest power from the APC in 2015. “The PDP leadership in Sokoto is currently facing the challenge of lack of unity of purpose. This is due to the fact that political titans are struggling for positions rather than working with synergy to enhance membership drive,” he said. “The leadership of the PDP in the state must drop their personal ambition and work as a team to make the party strong and stable. This is necessary in order to clinch the governorship election in 2015,”Yabo averred. He advised the PDP leadership in the state to refrain from undue scramble for positions at the detriment of the party’s objectives by working assiduously to strengthen the party. Yabo expressed his readiness to contest for the 2015 governorship elections in the state, saying the people of Sokoto were in dire need of change and purposeful leadership.

Nasarawa LG election: How election was manipulated in my unit, by presiding officer From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

presiding officer during last Saturday’s local government election in Nasarawa state, Paul Ogazi, 35, has said that election did not actually take place in his polling unit, Angwan Tsira, in Kofan Gwari electoral ward of Kokona local government area. In an exclusive chat with this reporter at the weekend, Ogazi

alleged that two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts, Hon. Lo Glabe and Obadiah Ondo, approached him shortly after the completion of the accreditation exercise, and after attempting to bribe him, forcefully seized the election materials from him, ordering their thugs to beat him up. Ogazi, who refused to accept the bribe, was however informed by his assailants of a tradition in the polling

unit, indicating that voting hardly takes place there and that all they require of the presiding officer was for him to handover to them the ballot papers in his possession for them to thump print. Following his refusal to do as required by the PDP stalwarts, Ogazi alleged they instructed their thugs to beat him up. He narrated that soldiers escorted the electoral officers to Angwan Tsira,

and that the accreditation exercise showed that out of the 753 registered voters in the polling unit, only 182 turned up for the exercise. But just as actual voting was about to commence, the two PDP henchmen appeared to disrupt the exercise, beating up the presiding officer and taking possession of the ballot papers which they allegedly thump printed with the result submitted at the electoral ward.

“They ordered their boys to beat me up and I cried that they should spare my life. They ordered me to leave the place and I ran into the bush”, Ogazi told our reporter. He further alleged that even after he took to the bush, some of the PDP thugs pursued him into the bush where they caught up with him in a valley, after which they gave him more beating, from where he sustained injuries on his leg.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

News Extra

Medical lab scientists donate free blood tests to Gombe corps members

L-R: Sr. Callista Umon, Rev. Father Sylvanus Ali, Jenifar Ann, and Director, Federal Ministry of Information, Mr. Peter Dama, during the memorial mass in honour mother of Mr. Dama, Madam Anna Matkwaram Ajuji Dama, on Saturday at the St. Bredon’s Catholic Church, Kwa, in Quan Pan Local Government Area of Plateau state.

From David Hassan, Gombe

he association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria has offered free blood group test for corps member in Gombe state. The association made the disclosure at the weekend, while conducting a free blood group test for 1,717 2014 Batch ‘A’ corps members deployed to Borno and Gombe states. The Chairman of the union, Malam Umar Tanimu said, at the Malam-Sidi Orientation Camp, in Kwami local government area of the state, that the gesture was to enable the corps members to know their status ``in case of any emergency.” “During the course of our discussion with them they requested that they need us to come and conduct blood group test for them. So we took the opportunity and the association came to conduct the blood group test free of charge,” he said. Tanimu called on the corps members to ensure they knew their blood group in case of any emergency, especially during accidents. The Chief Medical Director of the camp clinic, Dr. Hepu Victor commended the association for the gesture, saying the camp would continue with the exercise and sensitise the youth corps members on the importance of knowing their blood group, before the end of the programme.

…as NYSC D-G advice corps members to acquire skills for selfemployment From David Hassan, Gombe

he Director-General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen. Johnson Bamidele Olawumi has advised corps members to acquire skills that would enable them to be self-employed after their service. Olawumi gave the advice when he visited corps members deployed to Borno and Gombe states at the MalamSidi Orientation Camp at the weekend. He said the entrepreneurship programme was introduced by the Federal Government with the aim of educating the corps members to be self-employed as well as empowering them to be job creators. ``This is to make you change your orientation to become entrepreneurs, in order to find job opportunities after the service year’’, he said. He added that government alone could not give employment to all graduates at the same time because people were graduating every year. Olawumi called on them to take opportunity offered them very seriously, as it would place them at advantage after the service year and also to play their part in ensuring security in the state and the nation in general. He further assured them of their safety and security, adding that all the security agencies were ready to provide same.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Niger NUJ disassociates self from NAWOJ inauguration From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

he Niger state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has disassociated itself from the purported inauguration of a parallel Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ)’s State Working Committee (SWC) in the state. According to a press

statement issued at the weekend, the council stated that, “The Niger state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in its capacity as the supervisory organ of NAWOJ, as enshrined in Article 5 (G) and 9 (B) of NUJ constitution, wishes to disassociate itself from the purported inauguration of a parallel NAWOJ State Working Committee (SWC) in Niger State on Friday, March 28, 2014. “The untoward, adverse and

vexatious conduct was perpetrated by the immediate past National Chairman of NAWOJ, Asabe Baba Nahaya and her cohorts, in absolute disregard to laid-down statutes. The council stated that the authentic leadership of NAWOJ in Niger state has Halima Bawa as Chairperson, Mary Berji as Vice-Chairperson, Leah Thomas -Secretary and Rabi Bello Treasurer. Other members of the leadership are Balkisu Aminu-

Auditor and Felicia Ibrahim Assistant Secretary. “Asabe Baba Nahaya’s purported inauguration of Mary Jalingo and the directive to handpick and inaugurate other members of her team is null and void, of no effect and an exercise in futility. Consequently, we plead with members of the public and are hereby advised to steer-clear of this unnecessary contraption, that is Mary Jalingo led NAWOJ”, it further stated.

Insecurity: Over 700 northern imams meet in Minna From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

he Sultan of Sokoto and chairman National Islamic Council Affairs of Nigeria, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar has advised Nigerians to learn how to leave together in harmony, peace and be their brother’s keeper irrespective of religious affiliation, as that was the only way to restore peace in Nigeria. Sa’ad made the disclosure at a 3-day workshop for Imams from 19 northern states of Nigeria, with theme: “Muslims yesterday,

today and tomorrow; Challenges to Muslims unity in northern Nigeria”, which held at the U.K Bello Arts and Theatre, Minna at the weekend. The Sultan said the Imams should see themselves as leaders of Islam, and advised them to take the good message to the people devoid of violence, but to always preach peace. He said “the words of Islam are the words of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and living in peace is the only answer to the Nigerian crisis especially bedeviling the northern part of the country.”

Sultan, who was represented by the Emir of Jiwa, in the FCT, Dr Idris Musa, said that the present predicament faced by the people was because of the turn-around by Muslims against Islam and God, maintaining that efforts to restore unity amongst Muslim Ummah cannot be over emphasized. Niger state governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, in his remark, stated that Imams occupied an important position in Islam and amongst the Muslim Ummah, urging them to use their knowledge and position to impact

positively in the society and the people they led. The secretary of the state’s Juma’at Mosques Forum, Alhaji Umar Farouk Abdullahi, in an interview, disclosed that over 700 Imams of the 19 northern states attended the workshop with 30 - 50 delegates from each state, adding that “Muslims must go back to the past, by working with the prescription of the Holy Quran where Imams preached the right thing devoid of abuses, rancor and acrimony but giving emphasis on peace, unity and coexistence of the society”.

DG BPE, Benjamin Dikki, a worthy Kebbi ambassador - Youth leader From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

he National Youth Council of Nigeria, Kebbi state chapter, has described the leadership style of the DirectorGeneral, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Benjamin Dikki, commendable that has the patriotic disposition and commitment to the Nation.

In a press statement issued and signed by the state secretary of the council, Muammade Dantani Ango (a.k.a Yellow), yesterday in Birnin Kebbi, the council noted with satisfaction the way and manner Mr. Dikki is piloting the affairs of the BPE with professionalism and the fear of God. The state youth council also stated that since he became

the DG of BPE there has been sanity and healthy application of procedures governing the conduct of public enterprises sales management especially in power sector and other national assets. “Mr. Dikki has proved to be a competent and reliable administrator, whose leadership style is worthy of emulation by up-coming generations; we see

Mr. Dikki as a role model, whose contribution to the growth and development of Kebbi state and Nigeria are so enormous and exemplary’’, the council stated. He assured him the support of the entire youths of Kebbi state and also encouraged him to re-dedicate himself and continue with the laudable initiative currently going on under his leadership at the BPE.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

Photo Splash

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, leader of APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, APC chieftain, Chief Segun Osoba, during Tinubuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthday celebrations, on Saturday in Lagos.

Camels carrying sacks of potassium, yesterday in Turum village, Ganjuwa Local Government Area, Bauchi state. Detained lorries with fire wood, yesterday in Ganjuwa local government secretariat, Bauchi state.

Members of Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) of St Luke Chaplaincy, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, celebrating Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, yesterday in Abuja.

L-R: Akwa Ibom state Governor, Godswill Akpabio, Imo state Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumeri, Benue state Governor, Gabriel Suswam, Kogi state Governor, Idris Wada, and Gombe state Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting presided over by Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, recently at the State House in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye & NAN

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

SMS- 08036258222, albertakota@yahoo.com

National Female Basketball League ends in Abuja

he First Bank female basketball team on Saturday thrashed Plateau Rocks 65-42 to maintain their winning streak in the Zenith Bank National Female Basketball League. The first phase of the league ended at the weekend. In the Group B match played at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Abuja, both teams started the game on a par level for the first quarter to end 15-15.

However, former league champions, First Bank displayed their superiority in the second quarter by garnering 18 points, while their Josbased opponent had 10. First Bank extended their lead in the third quarter by scoring 21 points, leaving Plateau Rocks with only nine. With the win, First Bank has won all their seven matches in the first phase of the league that started on March 21. They had beaten Benue Queens 66-20,

Coal City 97-18, Customs 42-31, FCT Angels 79-31, Dolphins 48-41, and AHIP Queens 55-21. In the other matches, Immigration defeated Taraba Hurricanes 7748, Coal City lost 33-74 to Benue Queens and GT 2000 beat Oluyole Babes 47-40. The second phase of the league, which is in its 10th edition, will hold in Ilorin from May 1 to 11. The final eight playoffs will be in Lagos later in the year.

Female basketballers

2015 AYC qualifiers: NFF positive on Golden Eaglets’ screening

Victorious Golden Eaglets By Albert Akota

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed optimism that the ongoing screening exercise for the Golden Eaglets would yield positive results. The Chief Technical Officer with the federation, Siji Lagunju, said the team’s technical officials had already seen talents which could be groomed. The team’s head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, had on Wednesday, March 26 invited 35 players to an open screening camp ahead of the 2015 African U-17 Championship qualifiers. Lagunju had been working alongside the team’s coaching crew at the FIFA Goal Project pitch at the Abuja National Stadium, the venue of the screening. “Although, we just started the screen-

ing, I can tell you that we have seen some talents here that can be trained to measure up to our standard. “With this exercise, we hope to get a very good team that can win the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the country,’’ he said. The former Super Eagles striker expressed optimism that the team’s present technical crew would come out of the screening with the best players for the country. “The present coach, Amuneke, was in the technical crew which produced the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning team, and I am sure he won’t deviate from that standard. “He knows what it takes to do that and he has been up there among the best. So, he will do a good job,’’ he said. Lagunju however declared that the team’s camp was still open for hitherto-

World Cup: Flamingoes apologise to Nigerians for quarter-final loss >>pg 42

uninvited players to display their talents, even though some players had already been sent home. “As at yesterday (Thursday) morning when we started, we had over 500 players, and before the end of yesterday, over 300 were sent back. “Most of them are either over-age or not talented, because the major criteria we are using is being within the 17 years of age and having talents of the game. “But the camp is still open to players who want to show us the stuff they have,’’ he said. The NFA official called on state governments to host the team for their closed door camping programme that will come up after the two weeks of open camping. “This first phase of the screening, which is open, will last for two weeks after which we will start the closed camping

when the players will be concentrated on. “So, we will be glad if any state government offers to accommodate us for the second phase, so that we can have concentrated camping and training ahead of the qualifiers,’’ he said. The Golden Eaglets had drawn bye into the second round of the qualifying competition of the championship billed for Niger Republic. They will meet the winners of the first round tie between Burundi and Congo DR. The first leg match is scheduled to hold between July 18 and July 20, while the second leg match is between Aug. 1 and Aug. 3. The Golden Eaglets were runners-up at the 2013 edition of the championship in Morocco, after losing 4-5 to Cote d’Ivoire on penalty kicks.

Old Trafford won’t be soldManchester United

Hall retains IBF title after technical draw with Ward

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>>pg 44

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

PAGE 42

Sports

Bayelsa United qualify for Conf Cup playoffs Edo to

ayelsa United have qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup playoffs after they beat How Mine of Zimbabwe 2-0 to advance 3-2 on aggregate. Bayelsa, who reached the semi-finals of the same competition in 2009, will know their opponents from the CAF Champions League in the next round of the competition after today’s draw by CAF. The overall winners of this round will qualify for the mini-league stage of Africa’s second-tier club competition. The club took the lead against a very defensive How Mine after 57 minutes through Jafar Buhari.

campaign against sudden deaths

In a game they struggled to create many scoring chances, Bayelsa finally doubled their lead two minutes from time through midfielder Azubuike Okechukwu. The restart of the second half was delayed by about five minutes following an incident where some fans challenged the visitors for coming down with Juju (fetish substance)which ensured they stopped the home team from breaking the deadlock in the first 45 minutes. Bayelsa were without star striker Peter Ebimobowei, who suffered a hamstring Salomon Junior of Bayelsa (left) injury in training.

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

World Cup: Flamingoes apologise to Nigerians for quarter-final loss

Flamingoes

he Flamingoes apologised to Nigerians over their loss to Spain in the quarter-finals of the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica. The media officer of the team Jennifer Okoye in a statement from Costa Rica quoted the team head coach Bala Nikyu as also praising the standard of the competition. The Flamingoes had lost 0-3 on Thursday night in the city of Liberia in Costa Rica to drop out of the competition. “Although, the Flamingoes couldn’t get the semifinal ticket, the standard of the competition was high.

“Although, we are disappointed that our adventure has ended too early, we have really enjoyed taking part in the tournament which has been well organised. “It goes without saying that I am not happy with the way we lost. There is nothing we can do about it now except to put it behind us,’’ the statement quoting Nikyu said. It also quoted the team’s captain, Chinwedu Ihezuo, as saying she felt bad that the team could not live up to expectations. “I feel very bad about the outcome of the match. I don’t know what happened to us.

“But I am just sure that Nigerians are disappointed in us. We are just appealing to them that this is not the end of the world,’’ the statement said. The team’s assistant captain, Uchenna Kanu, according to the statement, also said it was not their delight to lose the encounter. “I am not happy that we lost, which means we are out of the competition. “I believe football is a game of luck. It can favour anybody anyday. But we thank God that none of us sustained any injury. “The way it happened, I do not know what happened to the

referee and everything seems to be against us. “I know it is not a thing of joy to lose, especially at the stage we did. But it is very appalling,’’ the statement quoted her to have said. The statement said the Flamingoes on Friday departed Costa Rica for Madrid to connect a flight to Lagos and arrive in Abuja on Saturday. The loss showed that Nigeria had in the last three editions of the four previous competitions lost at the quarter-finals stage. Flamingoes lost to Korea Republic in 2010, France in 2012, both on penalties, and now to Spain in 2014.

do State government has slated Thursday 3rd April for campaign against sudden death prevention across some major Streets in Benin City, the State Capital. The road walk, dubbed “Walk for Life “according to the State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Chris Okaeben will include all government appointees, voluntary and non-voluntary organizations, civil society groups and private organizations. The maiden edition of the road walk covers major roads in the state capital and including Akenzua, Plymouth road, Ring road through Akpakpava to Ramat Park to terminate at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, is expected to be a monthly affair. Speaking with sports journalists at the weekend, Okaeben said that the exercise, which is an all-inclusive event, would be led by Gov. Adams Oshiomhole. “The reason for this exercise is to arrest the menace of sudden deaths, especially through slumping in our society today where people cannot even walk half a kilometre without grasping for breath. He assured that all mechanisms to ensure a hitchfree edition of the road walk had been put in place. “The walk for life road walk is an initiative of the state’s ministry for sports to encourage our parents, citizens of Edo, sportsmen and women to remain healthy. “It is an all-inclusive event, all government appointees, all government functionaries, organisations (both voluntary and non-voluntary), corporate entities, etc. “It is an event in which we have put all machinery in place. We have communicated with the FRSC, the Police, `Save Accident Victims’ and the Red Cross, as well as all other security agencies in the state. “We do not envisage any accident, but we are convinced and resolved that our people be encouraged to retire where they get tired. He said the essence of the walk for the people is to stay healthy; the commissioner said chairmen of the 18 local government councils in the state would be encouraged to replicate same in their respective areas.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

Sports

Old Trafford won’t be sold-Man United M

anchester United remain adamant they will not sell the naming rights to Old Trafford and are not in talks with any commercial partner that would result in their ground being rebranded, sources said. Rumours on social media sites suggested United’s historic home could be renamed after kit manufacturers Nike in a lucrative deal that would enable them either to pay off debt or finance the signing of

new players. Forbes had reported in 2012 that, if the club did decide to sell the naming rights, experts believed a 20year deal could be worth in the region of $1 billion, or $50 million (30 million pounds) a year, to the club. However, United have maintained that there is absolutely no truth in stories that their ground will be rebranded to include a sponsor’s name and that there is no chance of it happening.

The club’s position on the matter has been consistent, and in April last year executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said their American owners, the Glazer family, would not countenance selling the naming rights to the stadium. In December, he added: “It’s important that Old Trafford is Old Trafford. The Glazers are actually very traditional in their views. People have asked us the question, asked us if we would consider [selling the naming rights]. We won’t.”

David Moyes

Ejike fires Supreme Court FC to victory By Albert Akota

triker Ejike Orji was the hero for Supreme Court FC in one of the Nigeria National League (NNL) matches decided at Old Parade Ground, Abuja as his lone strike in the 58 minutes of the game ensured that the home team piped Mighty Jets of Jos 1-0. Ejike broke the deadlock in the second half of the encounter after series of opportunities from both sides met waterloo. The match which began exactly 4pm on Sunday witnessed some changes in the starting lineup from Coach Haggai tutoredhome side in bid to beef up its attacking options. Captain Maha Musa and right-footed attacker Endurance Osaghai popularly known as Bongo were rested while Peter Maraibo and Adams Abdullahi started in the absence of creative striker Jude Chibuike who was sidelined due to injury.

Speaking shortly after the encounter which was characterized by controversial Center referee’s repeated decisions throughout the 90 minutes of the tricky tie, Coach Haggai who expressed satisfaction with the level of his team’s performance however frowned at the behavior of

Referee Marwan bala who painstakingly removed his eyes from several infringements committed by the visiting team on his players. “Personally, I don’t use to complain of referees behavior but what I witnessed today which everybody including spectators repeatedly pointed at was very

clear that the officiating referees came on a mission. “But thank God that my boys waved off all of that and continued fighting till they were able to get the lone goal. Similarly, one of the spectators identified as Sani Abdullahi who said he left other things he ought to do and

decided to watch yesterday’s match lamented “I don’t use to come here to watch matches but decided to have an idea of how Nigeria players at home play in the league. “But honestly what I observed from match officials made me get tired of the game. I think, the referees need to improve.”

Everton hopes top 4 finish

verton manager Roberto Martinez was delighted with a 3-1 win at Fulham that took the Toffees onto the shoulders of Arsenal in the race for fourth place in the Premier League. Everton have won all of their last five matches while the Gunners falter, having taken just one point from their last two matches. Arsenal travel to Goodison

Park next Sunday with only a four-point advantage over their hosts, who have a game in hand, and Martinez believes Champions League qualification is now very much within their sights. Should Everton win all their remaining matches, they will qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2005. Martinez, though, feels they might also face pressure from the teams behind them.

All the goals at Craven Cottage came in the second half, after Everton had disappointed in the first 45 minutes. Steven Naismith, instrumental in Fulham ‘keeper David Stockdale scoring an own goal for Everton’s first, scored the third after fellow substitute Kevin Mirallas had put his side back in front after a superb equaliser from Ashkan Dejagah. One blot for Everton was the

Mourinho: Chelsea can’t win EPL title C

helsea manager Jose Mourinho said his side’s Premier League title chances were over after a lacklustre display in their 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace. The Blues are still top but are only a point clear of Liverpool and two ahead of Manchester City, who have played two matches fewer and drew 1-1 at Arsenal. Asked whether Chelsea could still win the league for the first time since 2009-10, Mourinho said: “Now it’s impossible to win the title. “You have players who are fantastic in some games and disappear in others” Jose MourinhoChelsea manager Mourinho admitted his side deserved nothing against a

Palace team who are still only five points clear of the relegation zone despite a hugely impressive win. He praised defenders Branislav Ivanovic, Cesar Azpilicueta, Terry and Gary Cahill but said the other players lacked the correct “mentality and a little bit of quality”. “Mentality because the opponent beat us clearly on that,” said Mourinho. Mourinho also explained why he ran to a ball boy in injury time after the youngster failed to release the ball to Azpilicueta promptly. Hazard was sent off in a League Cup game at Swansea last season when he tried to kick a ball away from underneath a ball boy who had fallen on top of it. Jose Mourinho

Roberto Martinez celebrates Everton’s success at Fulham. loss of Ross Barkley with a calf injury, even if his replacement by Naismith proved key to victory, though Martinez suggested the World Cup hopeful will be fit to face Arsenal. Fulham, meanwhile, are mired deep in relegation trouble after failing to capitalise on a first-half performance in which they had much the better chances. Young striker Moussa Dembele was particularly guilty of missing a chance to give Fulham the lead when heading straight at Tim Howard, while Kieran Richardson did the same with a shot.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

PAGE 44

Sports Williams beats Li Na to win Sony Open

Serena Williams

erena Williams defeated Li Na in straight sets to win the Sony Open and secure a seventh Miami title. The 32-year-old world number one recovered from going two breaks down in the first set, and raced through the second for a 7-5 6-1 success. In doing so, the American retained the crown she won last year and won her second title of the season. China’s Li, the world number two,

has not beaten Williams in six years and has lost 11 out of 12 matches overall. Serena Williams, who first played in the Miami tournament as a 16-year-old, added the 2014 title to successes in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2013 Williams, who first played in the Miami event as a 16-year-old, was ctrangely subdued early in the match, being broken in the first game before dropping serve again for a 5-2 deficit

after fighting off three break points. But she won the next five games to take the lead, saving set point on the way and decisively breaking her fellow 32-year-old in a 12th game that went through six deuces. With her serve improving and the power of her returning increasing, Williams galloped through the second set. A fierce backhand took her to 5-1 and victory was secured on the first match point. Williams, who lives in nearby Key Biscayne, had previously shared the record for Miami titles with Andre Agassi. But her seventh success was also a 59th career WTA triumph and extended her winning streak against top-10 ranked opponents to 15 matches.

Djokovic beats Nadal to win Sony Open at Miami

Novak Djokovic

ovak Djokovic took his winning run against world number one Rafael Nadal to three matches with a superb victory in the Sony Open final. The Serb, 26, won 6-3 6-3 to claim his fourth Miami title, moving him ahead of Pete Sampras and two behind Andre Agassi in the event’s all-time list. Djokovic, the world number two, broke serve once in the first set and twice in the second as he dominated Nadal. Nadal, 27 will hope to regain the initiative as the tour heads to Europe for the clay-court season, with Djokovic having won back-to-back hard-court Masters Titles in Indian Wells and Miami. Djokovic might have been without head coach Boris Becker, who is recovering from hip surgery, but he could not have played much better as the world’s top two players met for a record 40th time yesterday. The Serb saved a break point in the opening game and began to put the pressure on Nadal, moving 4-2 clear when a huge forehand clipped the back of the baseline.

Mickelson injury ahead of Augusta bid

hil Mickelson’s bid for a fourth Green Jacket is in doubt after he pulled out of the Texas Open with a muscle strain less than two weeks before the Masters. The three-time Augusta winner withdrew after 11 holes of his third round after pulling a muscle in his side. Tiger Woods is receiving treatment for back spasms and has said he is not sure whether he will be fit for Augusta. Five-time major winner Mickelson, 43, who won the Open at Muirfield last summer, has had a slow start to the season. A back problem forced him out of Torrey Pines in February, and he has not had a top-10 finish in eight starts. World number one and four-time Masters champion Woods withdrew from this month’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill because of a back problem. Woods won the last of his 14 majors in 2008 and is still four titles short of Jack Nicklaus’ major record. The Masters, the year’s first major, starts on 10 April.

Hall retains IBF title after technical draw with Ward

Stuart Hall and Martin Ward

tuart Hall retained his IBF world bantamweight title when a cut to right eye meant their fight in Newcastle ended in a technical draw. The English fighters accidentally clashed heads in the first round, and the bout was stopped in the second. Hall, 34, edged round one in his first defence of the title and said he was “gutted” with the outcome. Earlier, Frankie Gavin successfully defended his Commonwealth welterweight title by beating Sacky Shikukutu. Martin Ward was Hall’s thirdsuccessive southpaw opponent after Sergio Perales and Vusi Malinga. It means the Darlington boxer has not fought an orthodox puncher in almost two years. The 28-year-old was knocked down for the first time in his

professional career when he walked on to a left hand from the WBO Africa champion. But he regained his composure to comfortably win on all three scorecards and take his record to 19-0. Hall (16-2-2) and 26-year-old Ward then contested a main event which would prove an anti-climax for a north-east crowd supporting two fighters from the region. Hall, who became the oldest fighter to win a world title for the first timewhen he beat Vusi Malinga in December, looked in control in round one, but when he stretched to land a right hand his head collided with his opponent’s. Elsewhere, former Olympian Bradley Saunders, 28, maintained his unbeaten record with a ninth win - stopping Mitch Ward with three knockdowns in the fourth round.

UAE Derby winner eyes Toast of New York

rainer Jamie Osborne is planning to add Toast Of New York to the field for the Epsom Derby following his Meydan victory in Dubai on Saturday. Ridden by Jamie Spencer, the son of Thewayyouare landed the Group Two UAE

Derby by two and a half lengths. Osborne hopes Toast of New York can see out the trip at Epsom on 7 June. Osborne also suggested a return to Meydan next year, but this time with the Dubai World Cup as a target.

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PAGE 45

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THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.MRS CLARE OMATSEYE 2.DR. RICHARD AJAYI 3.MRS. BOLA ADESOLA 4.LADY ELIZABETH OKONKWO 5.DR. IFEANYI OKOYE 6.CHIEF (MRS.) EBUN DELANO 7.MR. ASUE IGHODALO 8.AIGBOJE AIG-IMOUKHUEDE 9.DR. AYODELE BENSON THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH ENCOURAGEMENT OF INNOVATION IN THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE. 2.TO ENCOURAGE EFFICIENT PROVISION OF QUALITY CARE AND HEALTH PRODUCTS THROUGHOUT THE REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.COMRADE NEWTON TOITOI - CHAIRMAN 2.GERARD UDIJI EDOUGHA - SECRETARY 3.DR. PRINCESS RABI IBRAHIM - MEMBER 4.COSMOS INGWU 5.MRS. PEACE IBOJE 6.IME INYANG 7.CHIMAOBI OKOLO 8.ELAYELA KANOS 9.VICTOR BEBESEI THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO EMPOWERED AND TRANSFORM THE LIFES OF YOUTH FOR RELIANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

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CENTRE FOR HEALTH SYSTEMS SUPPORT AND INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

THE LIGHT AND GLORY OF GOD EVANGELICAL MINISTRY.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CENTRE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

SIGNED: BEM ATETAN

THIS IS NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. NO 1 OF 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. MR. MUFUTAU OYEJIDE OGUNDIJO( GENERAL OVERSEER/ CHAIRMAN) 2.MRS. SIKIRAT TEMILOLA OGUNDIJO 3. MR. OLUWAFEMI OJOMO(SECRETARY) 4. MR. OPEYEMI ISRAEL OGUNDIJO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE WORLD AND PROMOTE CHURCH GROWTH 2. TO BRING PEOPLE OF ALL NATIONS, TRIBES AND RACES IN THROUGH MISSION GENERALLY TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST AND MEMBERSHIP OF OUR LOCAL CHURCHES FOR THE WORSHIP AND TO HELP THEM GROW TO CHRIST LIKE MATURITY AND TO EQUIP THEM FOR THE END TIME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED O.A. AJAYI, AJAYI & CO 7B, EGBE ROAD, BESIDE SWEET SAVOR RESTAURANT, JAKANDE GATE, ISOLO, LAGOS

THIS IS NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. NO 1 OF 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. MR. EZE PETER EMEKA 2. MRS. EZE ANTHONIA KWUFOROCHI 3. MR. ALAKWEM GORGE NDUBUISI 4. MR. ALAKWEM CHARLES PETER 5. MR. ISRAEL OSEREMEN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEDGE AND PROMOTE YOUTHS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 2. TO PROMOTE, ENCOURAGE, ASSIST AND CO-OPERATES WITH OTHER BODIES WHO MAY SHARE SIMILAR OR RELATED OBJECTIVES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: ADESHINA ADENIYI (ESQ) LEGALBRAIN SOLICITORS & ADVOCATES 10, SERIKI ARO AVENUE OFF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO WAY, IKEJA LAGOS LEGALBRAINSOLICITORSANDADVOCATES@YAHOO.COM 08066666193 & 08029949994

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CHRIST LIFE GLOBAL MINISTRY

CHRIST INTERVENTION PRAYER & MIRACLE MINISTRY

MANTLE OF MIRACLE INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL CERNTRE

THIS IS NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. NO 1 OF 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 ODAH FELIX CHUKWU-GENERAL OVERSEER 2. PASTOR MRS. CHUKWU NGOZI 3. ELDER UCHE BERNAD OMI 4. PASTOR ONWE SUNDAY INAH 5. DEACON SOLOMON IBAH MOSES 6. OMI JOHNSON -GENERAL SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST JESUS 2. TO PREPARE PEOPLE FOR THE SECOND COMING OF LORD JESUS CHRIST 3. TO PREACH THE WORD OF GOD TO HUMANITY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED GOSPEL CENRE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. NO 1 OF 1990. TRUSTEE ARE; 1. PROPHET DIVINE ONYEFORO EJIKE. 2. PASTOR (MRS.) FAITH EJIKE 3. BARR. LINUS ALUGWO OKERE. 4. MR. PASCHAL CHIJIOKE AKUJUOBI. AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1. TO SPREAD D GOSPEL 2. TO PREACH D GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR SOUL WINNING WORLD WIDE 3. TO ORGANIZE, PLAN, CO-ORDINATE CRUSADE 4. TO ORGANIZE EVANGELICAL TRAINING, WORSHIPS SEMINARS ETC 5. TO CONDUCT HEALING & DELIVERANCE SERVICES FOR THE OPPRESSED. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. ISAAC ODEBUNMI

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR. CHARITY KONYEGWOSE USIFOH 2. MRS. ADELINE ORIFE 3. MR. GEORGE CHIMA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO SUPPORT HEALTH SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING IN NIGERIA ANY OBJECTION TO THIS AMMENDMENT SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. NO 1 OF 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR AFOLABI ADESANYA OLUSHOGA 2. PASTOR (MRS) AFOLABI ADESANYA OLUSEYI 3. LUCKY IGBOJI CHRISTOPHER 4. OLISEAMAKA SOLOMON CHUKS 5. OGIDAN ADEOLA AMOS AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE WORLD. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED:DICKSON OGHENE SOLICITOR

SIGNED: PASTOR AFOLABI ADESANYA OLUSHOGA

SIGNED-GENERAL SECRETARY

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR NOMTHI ODUKOYA CHAIRMAN 2. PASTOR KUNLE AREOGUN SECRETARY 3. PASTOR ATINUKE OLASHORE 4. PASTOR PATRICK TOLANI 5. PASTOR GBENGA ONABANJO 6. MRS. SHIRLEY OKHAREDIA 7. MRS. TOLU IJOGUN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGED ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. BOLAJI ABIMBOLA, SOLICITOR, 08033294739

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

Some Interesting Facts

igeria has 5 of the 10 richest pastors in the entire world, with net worth’s according to Forbes, from $10-150 million. They are Pastors, David Oyedepo, E. A. Adeboye, Chris Oyakhilome, Mathew Ashimolowo and Temitope Joshua. • Nigeria has the 4th highest number of poor, living under a dollar a day in the entire world. 100 million are ‘destitute’ according to figures from the NBS (National Bureau of Statistics). • Nigeria, the biggest economy in Africa is 160th out of 177 countries in HDI (Human Development Index). • Nigeria has the highest paid legislators in the entire world. • Based on amount squandered, of an income of $81 billion per year, Nigeria is the most corrupt nation in the world. • The nation with the most defrauded people, aka ‘mugus,’ in history, is Nigeria. Successive administrations continue to loot a greater percentage of the nation’s wealth, running in hundreds of billions of dollars. • Nigeria in 2013 was rated the worst country to be born based on welfare and prosperity projection. • Aliko Dangote funded Presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and Jonathan’s 4th republic campaigns. Buhari rejected funding from Dangote. • Usman dan Fodio (1754–1817) was trained in classical Islamic science, philosophy and theology and wrote over 100 books on society, culture, religion, governance and politics. He could only declare Jihad when he was made leader in Gudu {In Islam you can

only declare Jihad if you are an official Muslim leader}. • The Borno Empire rejected Dan Fodio’s colonization jihad. Al-Hajj Muhammad al-Amîn ibn Muhammad al-Kânemî not only militarily defended his Empire, but also did so by religious, theological, legal and political debates, challenging why a Muslim Empire should colonize another. • Kano history has it that a great warrior princess Magajiya

Leisure

Maimuna led her cavalry from Zaria to conquer Kumbwada. • Kumbwada in Kano today is ruled by Queen Hajiya Haidzatu Ahmed, who presides over up to half a million subjects. A throne curse which makes men sick and die, keeps males off the throne. {Sadly, the woman ruled Kumbwada is the least funded chiefdom in Nigeria}. • The Igbo ethnic group are the ‘Jews’ of Nigeria. Eager for a home state and highly entrepreneurial; during the Biafra secession attempt in the 60’s, this industrious people were already constructing indigenous tanks and other weaponry. • There are several Nigerian officials in the government of English speaking The Gambia. • There is a Nigerian origin, Yoruba chief in Accra. Chief Brimah is the only foreign Chief with a seat in the Ghanaian traditional council.

Say what?

SUDOKU SUDOKU EASY 61

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Kazakh: Ka aza zakh zakh kh:: Three Thre Th ree re e Ka K Kazakh aza zakh akh men men sit sit o on n th their eir ei ir ho h hors horses ors rses es a accompanied ccom cc ompa om p niied pa db by y th their eir ei ir hu h hunting unt nti tin ing ea ing eagles. gles gl es.. Th The e Ka K Kazakhs aza zakh akh khss are descendants of Turkic, Mongolic and Indo-Iranian tribes. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

www.peoplesdailyng.com

MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

SPORTS LATEST

Liverpool beats Spurs to top EPL table in style

iverpool moved to the top of the Premier League as they humiliated a woeful Tottenham side at Anfield. A second-minute Younes Kaboul own goal, following Glen Johnson’s low cross, put the Reds on course for an eighth successive league victory. Luis Suarez made it 2-0 after Michael Dawson’s error, and the Uruguayan then had a header pushed onto the post. Philippe Coutinho added a third goal from 25 yards and Jordan Henderson’s low freekick sealed the rout. Victory moved the Reds two points ahead of Chelsea and four in front of Manchester City, though Manuel Pellegrini’s side have played two games fewer than their title rivals. However, with both Chelsea and City still to visit Anfield, Brendan Rodgers’s team has their destiny in their own hands. Six wins from their last six matches will see them win the league title for the first time since 1989-90. This game was expected to present a tough challenge, but the hosts - who last topped the table on Boxing Day, before a 2-1 defeat at Manchester City - dominated from the off and should have won by a wider margin. Liverpool was always comfortable in front of a noisy and passionate Anfield crowd, who only had to wait two minutes before they were celebrating a goal. Fifty years ago - on 30 March, 1964 - Liverpool beat Spurs 3-1 at Anfield to go top of the First Division. They went on to win the league by four points An excellent diagonal ball from Coutinho found Raheem Sterling, who released the overlapping Johnson. The England right-back pulled the ball across the sixSuarez’s cross was then narrowly missed by Daniel Sturridge and Coutinho fired just wide as the hosts pushed for a second goal. Two rare Tottenham attacks saw Nabil Bentaleb’s 30-yard drive well dealt with by Simon Mignolet, and Roberto Soldado’s curling effort punched clear by the home goalkeeper.

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

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. . . putting the people first

QUOTABLE QUOTE The loss of these young Nigerians, who are needed as a critical human resource factor for nation building is most regrettable. As the minister of interior, under whose purview this unfortunate exercise took place, I cannot abdicate my responsibility. The buck stops at my table. –Abba Moro, interior minister, finally accepting responsibility for NIS job deaths on March 15

President Jonathan and the North-east

he report released by the National Emergency Management Agency – NEMA- last week on the situation in the North-east is frightening. For the first three months of this year alone, the report says 250,000 people have been displaced and are surviving in the bush, overcrowded with relatives and friends or in squalid camps where 500 share one latrine. The insurgency in that part of the country has affected over three million people. Out of these, thousands have been killed while many others have been driven from their homes. Indiscriminate killings by the insurgents, now an everyday routine has brought fear to every home in the region. The first three months of this year have been particularly gruesome since the insurgency started a couple of years back. Ironically, this year opened on an optimistic note. Late last year, the governments of the North-east geo-political zone organized the 2nd North-east Economic Summit. I was there and there was hope in the air. Held in Gombe, the conference attracted who is who in the North-east and beyond: Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, then PDP National Chairman, Malam Adamu Ciroma, former Minister, Hajia Amina J. Mohammed, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General on post 2015 Development Planning, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor of Central Bank, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and many others. Even though the summit was focused on economic development, every paper presented found its way round the issue of terrorism and insurgency ravaging all parts of the region. It was generally agreed and rightly too that economic development cannot take place in the situation of war that is the reality of the North-east of today. President Goodluck Jonathan was also there with a message of hope. In his speech, the president revealed that the federal government was evolving an intervention programme specifically targeted at accelerating the pace of socioeconomic development in the North-east. He however noted

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Monday Column Emmanuel Yawe royawe@yahoo.com 08024565402

President Goodluck Jonathan that the re-establishment of peace and security in the zone was essential for the successful implementation of the measures and actions envisaged in the intervention programme. Two rather disappointing things have followed that Presidential pronouncement. Figures later released by the Presidency gave a token amount of N2 billion as the promised intervention fund the president spoke of in grandiose terms in Gombe. This N2 billion fund was greeted with disappointment and then anger from the majority of the people in the region. Many people from there feel the president - who has hardly visited the war ravaged states of Borno and Yobe - does not know the gravity of the devastation and human misery visited on these two states by the insurgency. There is also a feeling that the president who voted over N500 billion at the same time for intervention in his zone, South-south, does not give a damn about the plight of the North-east zone. Secondly, since the president made his pronouncements on the need to create a peaceful atmosphere for economic development, the attacks by the insurgents have become

more frequent and devastating. Schools have been sacked and many students slaughtered - some in their sleep. Whole villages and sometimes towns have been ransacked with hundreds killed. Banks have been raided, looted and then set ablaze. Military, police and paramilitary barracks have been overrun. One could go on and on. The successful campaigns of the insurgents have led to more misery for the ordinary people. Thousands have been killed and tens of thousands of farmers driven from their land. There is fear of widespread famine in the zone. Additionally, according to the NEMA report, “the fabric of society is being torn apart, with the increase of female-headed households, unaccompanied children, and the most vulnerable are being left behind.” The Agency, says health services have collapsed in many areas, epidemics are likely, and food shortages will worsen as refugees say they are getting by on one meal a day. “Sanitation conditions are horrendous, with an average of 500 persons per latrine instead of the recommended 50, in most affected areas”, it said. Many camps have no latrines at all, forcing camp residents to use the bush, or plastic bags and pieces of newspaper. There are no refuse bins, communal refuse pits or bathing areas. People have to bath and collect water for cooking from streams. The government agency said it has tried to help, driving in tanks of water and giving away mattresses, cooking pots and other emergency goods. But “the needs of the affected population are increasing by the day,” it says, appealing for help. The state governments of the region have offered all the help they can. About 75% of the budgets of Borno and Yobe are for instance devoted to containing the insurgency and

its fallouts. But their efforts are a drop in the ocean when compared with the magnitude of the problems on hand. More dangerously, some of the state governments are becoming despondent. They believe that the president simply does not care. Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno says Boko Haram is better equipped and better motivated than the Nigerian Army. Governor Murtala Nyako last week released a stinking criticism of the president’s handling of the crisis. He made public a memo he submitted at a meeting with the State Department of the United States. The memo spoke of a President who is impervious to reason as many of his (Nyako’s) memos to him have simply been ignored. I think it should worry my President that people of Nyako’s status are talking to outside governments and the Nigerian public that way. Let us for once leave political squabbles aside. What we have in the North-east is a serious threat to our sovereignty and national security. Nyako is not just a state governor. He is an accomplished general, former Chief of Naval Staff and former Deputy Chief of Defence Staff. Sometimes he clowns but when he speaks on security issues, he does not speak out of ignorance. Nyako who was himself attacked by the insurgents questions the commitment of the military to bringing an end to the insurgency. Many of us share his worry. There is widespread belief that the military has come to see the disaster in that zone as a honey pot. Millionaires and even billionaires are coming out of the military everyday. Whatever military strategy our Commander–in –Chief has in place has not worked and he needs a rethink. More importantly, the president needs more constructive engagement with the people of the area. Setting up bogus committees that guzzle money and produce no result is another wrong strategy. There are groups from the North-east, led by responsible patriots of this country. They want to assist our president to end this catastrophe. The Borno-Yobe Peoples Forum will for instance address a world press conference this morning. Is our president listening?

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234 814 292 9046. Cell: +234 802 443 2099; 803 7007 759. e-mail: contact@peoplesdailyng.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141