Peoples Daily Newspaper, Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Gunmen kill soldier as Bok o Boko Har am issues kidna p thr ea t Haram kidnap threa eat

Vol. 7 No. 63

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Rabiul Awwal 8, 1433 AH

PAGE 3

N150

I N S I D E Fulani accuse Yakowa of apartheid

Court dethrones Obong of Calabar

NEXIM doles out N30bn to exporters

Miyetti Allah has faulted the recent peace committee inaugurated by Kaduna State Governor, saying he excluded the association which is a stakeholder in efforts for peaceful coexistence in the state– Page 4

The Obong of Calabar who is the paramount ruler of the Efik Kingdom in Cross River state, Prof. Elijah Henshaw, was yesterday dethroned following a ruling by a High Court in Calabar, Cross River state – Page 5

Managing Director of NEXIM bank yesterday told the House of Reps the bank had earmarked N30bn as support fund to the nation’s exporters to enable them perform optimally – Page 8

Al-mustapha to die by hanging, says court Family to appeal judgment From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos & Edwin Olofu, Kano

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iving focus at last to one of the longest legal drama in Nigeria’s history, a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, presided over

by Justice Mojisola Dada, yesterday pronounced death by hanging for Major Hamza Al-mustapha, Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha and Protocol Officer in the Contd on Page 2

INEC okays Wada, fixes dates for polls in Sokoto, 3 others

By Richard Ihediwa

T

he governorship tussle in Kogi state following the sacking of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris by the Supreme Court has taken a new twist as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed that the winner of the December 3, 2011 election, Captain Idris Wada be sworn-in immediately as the new governor of the state.

Also, the commission has fixed new dates for governorship elections in the other four states affected by the apex court judgment of last Friday.

The states are Sokoto, Adamawa, Cross River and Bayelsa.

The electoral body fixed the Adamawa poll for coming Saturday, February 4; Bayelsa’s Contd on Page 4

Major Hamza Al-mustapha (middle), acknowledging cheers from his supporters after he was sentenced to death by hanging for the 1994 murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, at the High Court premises in Lagos, yesterday.

WWW.PEOPLESDAILY-ONLINE.COM

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

CONTENTS News

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-17

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

S/Report

24

Discourse

26

Agriculture

27

Issues

29

Wamakko poised to retain political hegemony in Sokoto, Page 37

International 31-34 Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-45

Columnist

48

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Al-mustapha to die by hanging, says court Contd on Page 2 campaign organisation of the late Chief MKO Abiola, Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan.

A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, presided over by Justice Mojisola Dada, yesterday sentenced to death by hanging, Major Hamzat Al-mustapha, Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha and Protocol Officer in the campaign organisation of late Chief MKO Abiola, Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan Delivering judgment in the conspiracy to murder and murder of late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola in June 4, 1996, preferred against the duo by the Lagos state Government, Justice Dada said in view of the overwhelming evidences before the court, it was clear that Al-mustapha invited to his office, Sergeant Barnabas Jabila (Rogers) who shot sporadically at Kudirat for a special assignment in Lagos.

The judge also held that the fact that Al-mustapha showed Rogers a special gun that looks like MP5, and asked if he could handle it showed that there was a deliberate plot to carry out a wicked action.

While maintaining that the evidences of Jabila and Mohammed Abdul (Katako) who drove Jabila (Rogers) on the day Kudirat was murdered were reliable in the dispensation of justice, the court posited that the evidence of Jabila was a special one and it deserved special consideration.

Justice Dada added that, “The allegation of torture by the 1st defendant is nothing but fallacy.

“The tapes carted away by the Special Investigation Panel (SIP) were the ones illegally acquired by the 1st defendant while he held sway as CSO. “The statement that his (Almustapha’s) responsibilities as CSO do not go beyond the seat of power is a misstatement because if not, why would he send Rabol Lawal to Lagos to protect the properties of late General Abacha?” he queried.

Justice Dada held further that the allegation by Al-mustapha that he was being persecuted and not prosecuted was unfounded.

The court also said the allegation by the convicted CSO that some prominent Yoruba leaders received incentives for their compromise in the annulment of the June 12 election and subsequent death of the self acclaimed winner of the election, Chief MKO Abiola could be substantiated because of lack of evidence before the court.

The trial judge described Shofolahan as a willing tool in the hands of the devil, even as she added that he wanted to remain relevant in the regime of late General Abacha, regardless of who was affected.

Justice Dada said, “The 2nd defendant was wicked and a blood thirsty traitor. The MKO Abiola family never knew that they had a vampire in their midst.

“The 2nd defendant willingly handed over Kudirat Abiola to her killers.

“The prosecution has been able to prove beyond reasonable doubt because the evidences are so weighty that the court has no doubt in its mind.

“The defendants are found guilty of murder as charged.

“The light shines in darkness and darkness comprehends it not.

“Those who shed blood are those who fear death most.

“By virtue of Section 319 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos state, the defendants, Major Hamzat Almustapha and Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan are accordingly sentenced to death by hanging until they are pronounced dead.

“May the lord have mercy on your souls”, she said.

Earlier in her pronouncement in the conspiracy to murder charge against the convicts, Justice Dada held that the defendants’ statements to the SIP were duly signed by them and therefore made them as originating from them since they both confirmed that the statements were in their handwriting, even though they claimed that the said statements were made under duress.

The court also held that, “It is not true that the 2nd defendant never met with the 1st defendant not until March 1998.

“The fact that the PW2 and PW3 denied what they had earlier told the court does not make their initial statements incredible.

“The duty of the court is to discover the truth in accordance with the provisions of the law.

“The charge of conspiracy to murder Kudirat has been proven beyond every reasonable doubt by the prosecution”, she stressed.

In its written submission earlier, the defence, led by Mr Olalekan Ojo, maintained that the court should commit the credibility of all the prosecution witnesses to scrutiny having been dented by numerous contradictions.

While praying the court to ensure true dispensation of justice in the case, Ojo argued that, “Any diligent prosecution would go the extra mile to confirm whether the 2nd defendant in this matter actually worked as a protocol officer in the campaign organisation of late MKO Abiola”.

Ojo who cited numerous Supreme Court decisions on criminal matters to back up his argument posited that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendants as to the murder of Kudirat Abiola, explained that, “The issue of contradiction on the part of the prosecution witnesses makes it terribly bad.

“In spite of the inconsistencies manifest in the evidence of the prosecution witnesses, the prosecution did not make any attempt to declare any of them as hostile witnesses”, he said.

Ojo urged the court to hold that it cannot be said that the count of conspiracy has been established against the defendants.

According to the defence, “Murder is a very serious offence and the prosecution was not able to

establish that Shofolahan was a protocol officer in the MKO Abiola campaign organisation’s office.”

Ojo also held that the prosecution was not able to establish that the defendants carried out the killing of Kudirat.

He said, “I urge this honourable court to acquit and discharge the defendants accordingly.”

On its part, the prosecution, led

by Lawal Pedro (SAN), asked the court to take judicial notice of the reign of terror on some targeted Nigerians while late General Abacha held sway as head of state and commander- in-chief.

The SAN maintained that even though the defendants claimed not to have known themselves until 1999, they could still be held liable for committing the crime.

“My lord, the prosecution has succeeded in proving a case of conspiracy to murder and murder of late Kudirat Abiola against the defendants.

“I urge your lordship to convict them accordingly,” Pedro added.

But in his reply on point of law, Ojo urged the court to disregard the submission of the prosecution that the regime of late Abacha should be held liable for the numerous horrible situations in the country at the time.

He said there must be moral certainty that the defendants committed the offence.

It would be recalled that Sofolahan had on August 17, 2011 told Justice Dada that he was a protocol officer in the MKO Abiola’s campaign organisation tagged ‘Hope 93’.

Shofolahan denied ever working for late Kudirat in any manner.

He explained that he got to know Kudirat at the Hope ’93 campaign organisation office along with other wives of late MKO Abiola.

“I know Alhaja Kudirat Abiola during Hope ’93 campaign. She used to come to the campaign office.

Other wives of Abiola such as Doyin Abiola, Bisi Abiola were always coming to the campaign office to collect campaign materials.

“Honestly speaking, after Hope ’93, I have never worked for Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.

“Some people refer to me as her Personal Assistant, driver, but I never worked for her in my life”, he stressed.

Sofolahan who is the second defendant in the criminal trial stated this while being crossexamined by the Lagos state Solicitor General, Lawal Pedro (SAN).

Sofolahan also informed Justice Dada that he was not aware that the late Kudirat Abiola was killed by gunshot.

“I am aware that Alhaja Kudirat Abiola died but I did not attend the burial, but I watched it on the television. I did not attend because I learnt area boys have invaded the campaign office of Hope ‘93 at Opebi”, he stated.

He further informed the court that he was one of the youth leaders

that led Lagos delegates to the 2million-Man-Match rally in Abuja seeking for the election of General Abacha as a civilian President.

Sofolahan who initially denied that he knew that MKO Abiola was in detention as at the time he attended the 2-Million-Man-Match rally at the Eagle Square, Abuja later turned around to say that Abiola was in detention.

He told the court that his confessional statement dated October 8, 1998, was made under duress adding that he was merely ordered by the Special Investigation Panel (SIP) to copy verbatim an already prepared statement.

Sofolahan told the court that because of the torture he was subjected to he had no choice but to comply with the directive of the SIP adding that he was ordered to implicate himself in the statement.

He told the court that the pains inflicted on him was so severe that if he was instructed to write that he personally shot Alhaja Kudirat Abiola or that he planned a coup he would have done so.

Earlier, in his examination – in-chief led by the defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, Sofolahan told the court that he has been in detention since 1999 till date.

He admitted he was a protocol officer in the campaign organisation of late MKO Abiola and that he was in charge of providing accommodation for delegates and party officers at the Gate Way Hotel, Ogun state under the direction of the Dr. Jonathan Zwingina who was the Director General of Abiola’s political organisation.

He said his schedule as protocol officer included giving out campaign materials such as posters, caps, T-Shirts to people.

“At the Special Investigation Panel, I begged AIG Ojomo, the leader of the panel to invite any member of Abiola’s family to identify me as either her PA or her driver but my request was not acted upon even though they promised to do so,” he said.

Sofolahan told the court that in 1993 after the annulment of the June 12 election, everybody in the campaign organisation was paid off and that he went back to his previous business as a beer distributor.

He told the court that his office was located at No 12, Itere Road, Abeokuta Bus Stop, in Mushin area of Lagos and that he was a major distributor to Nigerian brewery, Guinness Plc and Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited respectively.

He further told the court that in 1998 he joined the campaign team of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and that he resided in Ota Farm House and after the election he moved to the Presidential Villa Abuja along with the former President.

“I was arrested on October 8, 1999. I was taken to the Police Headquarters. On getting there I Contd on Page 4

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

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PDP holds NEC meeting Thursday

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday announced that it will convene its National Executive Council (NEC) on Thursday.

The party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Rufa’I Ahmed Alkali, stated that the meeting would discuss current political issues affecting the party and the country.

The PDP NEC is however expected to address the controversies surrounding the zoning of the positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) in the oncoming National

L-R: Chief Operating Officer of Peoples Media Ltd, Malam Ali M. Ali, presenting some copies of Peoples Daily to PDP national chairmanship aspirant, Architect Ibrahim Bunu, during the latter’s visit to Peoples Media headquarters, in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

I’ll reform PDP, Ibrahim Bunu assures

By Ali Alkali

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ormer Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Architect Ibrahim Bunu, yesterday said he is in the race for the national chairmanship of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to make the party one united family again.

“Today, the position of the National Chairman of the party is zoned to the North-East sub region; and this offers us the opportunity to participate.”

Bunu made the declaration when he visited the headquarters of Peoples Daily, reiterating that PDP, as the ruling party with 23 states under its control, is the only party that can find solution to the challenges facing the country, if it gets a focused and purposeful leadership.

As an active member of the

party and member of its Board of Trustees, the former minister said he has all the required qualifications to be chairman of the party.

“PDP today is the party that has the Federal Government, the party that has produced the President of Nigeria. The party that has produced more than 200 of the 360 members of the House of Representatives, produced more than 60 of the 109 senators, and 23 of the 36 state governors.

Therefore, PDP has taken charge of Nigeria. Anybody who wants to be the chairman of the party has to be a believer and a true patriot in the Nigerian enterprise.

And I am that believer; that patriot.”

After consulting with many senior stakeholders in the party who have called and encourage him to contest for the position,

Bunu said he was very encouraged by the response he got, saying “That is the reason I am in the race.”

The aspirant further said he wants to be chairman of the party to harness all the party’s potentials and resources to help the Federal Government achieve its transformation programme, because, “the Federal Government Transformation programme is a PDP document.”

With him at the helm of affairs, he said he has a work plan to further spread the tentacles of the party and bring on board more people and more states to the party.

“I believe in one Nigeria as a united entity. I believe in PDP as a political party that believes in this Nigerian enterprise. And if I am elected chairman, I will peruse all the objectives that would promote the success of this enterprise.

I never contested AU chair with Boni Yayi — Jonathan

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday made an express denial of his reported humiliation by President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic in a bid to become the new chairman of the African Union (AU).

It was widely reported in the media on Monday that President Jonathan’s last minute bid to assume the top continental position was met with an embarrassing opposition from heads of state and government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the ongoing 18th Ordinary Session of the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

But in a statement yesterday signed by his Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, President Jonathan described the report as false as according to him, it was calculated to cast Jonathan’s administration in bad light.”

The President insisted that he was not defeated by Boni Yayi since according to him, there was no election and he was never a candidate.

Gunmen kill soldier as Boko Haram issues kidnap threat From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, MaiduguriA

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soldier attached to the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), was yesterday evening gunned down by suspected Boko Haram members along Jiddari ward of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Our correspondent gathered that the deceased whose name and rank could not be ascertained as at press time, was killed at about 4.30pm after leaving a duty post to make some purchases at a nearby shop.

Witnesses said the soldier may have been trailed as two men armed with AK 47 rifles hid in a corner apparently waiting for his passage through the spot, before they suddenly appeared and shot

him dead.

Both the Field Operations Commander of the JTF, Col. Victor Ebhaleme and the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Simeon Midenda could not also be reached for comments.

Meanwhile, the Boko Haram

sect yesterday threatened to kidnap family members and relations of top government officials, should security operatives continue to arrest spouses and other relations of its members.

The spokesman of the sect, Abul Qaqa, in a statement emailed

to newsmen in Maiduguri added that the sect will also consider attacking schools where their children attend if Mosques and Qur'anic schools attended by Muslim children in the southern parts of the country continue to face attacks.

3 killed after Boko Haram attack From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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hree people were killed Sunday night after gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram launched a fresh attack on a police station in Yan Katako, Naibawa, in Kano metropolis.

The gunmen who stormed the station around 6.45pm

before the commencement of the dusk to dawn curfew imposed by the state government, opened fire on the building killing three people in the process.

Kano state Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Idris who confirmed the incident, said the three victims were civilians, and that no policeman was

Congress.

Although the position of the national chairman was zoned to the North East while that of the Secretary has been earmarked for the South-West, the zoning of other positions is also expected to be discussed at the meeting while new dates for the congresses from the ward to the national level may be announced after the meeting.

It is also expected that the latest Supreme Court ruling that sent five governors on the platform of the party packing would be critically examined even as the NEC is expected to be briefed on the activities of its candidates preparing for governorship elections in Adamawa, Sokoto, Cross River and Bayelsa states.

affected during the attack.

Our correspondent gathered that the policemen who were on duty in the station disappeared on citing the gunmen in large numbers.

Last Friday gunmen attacked the Mandawari divisional police headquarters killing one police man in the process.

The statement also denied that President John Atta Mills of Ghana opposed President Jonathan at any time, insisting that Ghana and Nigeria still enjoyed strong and excellent relations.

“It is true, however, that in the last week, some newspapers have been speculating that President Jonathan may be adopted by the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government to be the next chairman of the African Union, since it was the turn of ECOWAS to produce the AU Chairman for 2012-2013. Mr. President was indeed approached by leaders within and outside the West African sub-region to take up the challenge of leading the AU for the next one year,” the statement noted.

Nigerians in Austria allege ill-treatment

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he members of the House of Representatives committee on Diaspora were yesterday told how the government of Austria has been treating Nigerians in an undignified manner.

The President of the National Association of Nigerian Community in Austria (NANCA), Engr. Oluyemi Ogundele, who led a delegation to an interactive session with the Abike DabiriErewa headed committee at the National Assembly, said Nigerians in Austria and their families in the country suffer at the hands of the Austrian government through their embassy in Abuja.

“The Austria Mission in Abuja demands the sum of N120,000 for verifications of documents that have already been certified as genuine by the Nigerian government and its agencies.

“Nigerians are required to take their documents to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for authentication. Thereafter, the Austrian mission then engages a local lawyer to reconfirm the authenticity claim of the same documents by the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria before accepting the document as genuine,” he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

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Fulani accuse Yakowa of apartheid

NSCDC arrests suspected oil pipeline vandals in Plateau

From Mohammed Adamu, Kaduna

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iyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has faulted the recent Peace and Reconciliation Committee inaugurated by Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, saying he excluded the association which claims to be a stakeholder in any peaceful coexistence in the state.

The Association lamented that, despite being the worst affected by the post-election violence, the Kaduna State Government did not find their people worthy of being considered as members of the 60-man Peace and Reconciliation Committee, set up to ensure lasting peace issues in the State.

In a Communiqué issued at the end of an executive meeting in Kaduna yesterday, the State Chairman of the nomads, Alhaji Suleiman Kasuwan Magani, stated that following the exclusion from the committee, the entire pastoralists in Kaduna State have resolved to boycott the Committee, adding that no Fulani man shall appear before it or submit any memorandum with respect to the plight of their members until the imbalance is corrected.

According to the Chairman, ‘ up till now no one has explained why our people would have to be attacked, killed , maimed, displaced and their properties destroyed in such a barbaric manner, even though everyone knows that they are not engaged in politics.

“Our members, despite being the worst hit by the crisis without any provocation, were the first to advocate the formation of the committee. To our greatest dismay, a 60-man committee was inaugurated

by His Excellency, with no single member from our people.

We are therefore forced to ask whether the planned reconciliation does not include our people.

‘We are also forced to conclude that either His Excellency was not properly advised on all issues affecting pastoralists in Kaduna State or does not have them in his mind.

We are constrained to think along this line because since its inauguration, the governor did not undertake the annual vaccination of cattle in Kaduna State,’ he stressed.

He further observed that all Committees that were formed by the past regimes under Dr Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi and Architect Namadi Sambo, especially those that directly affect the lives of pastoralists, were formed in such a way that membership was carefully selected to represent all shades of opinion in other to give everyone sense of belonging.

From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

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ive suspects have been arrested by the Plateau state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in connection with vandalisation of a petroleum pipe line in Bassa local government area of the state.

The state Commandant of the

NSCDC, Mr. Desmond C. Agu, briefing journalists at the command’s headquarters in Jos, said the suspects were arrested at Tega village near Gurum in Bassa local government area of the state.

Agu said the suspects, who were conveying the stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in a Mazda pickup truck, with registration number XC 161 BSA, were arrested

in possession of seven drums filled with PMS, eight empty drums, two plastic buckets as well as a funnel and rubber pipe.

The suspects were identified as Daniel Adamu, Abbas Bawa, Mubarak Abubakar, Ya’u Isa and Ibrahim Adamu, and were paraded at the state headquarters of NSCDC in the state.

He warned those in the habit of

R-L: Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega with Commissioner in charge of Information, Chief Solomon Shoyebi, during a press briefing on the political situation in Kogi and four other states, in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

vandalizing government property, especially NNPC pipeline, to desist from such acts saying that any person caught will be prosecuted.

Sokoto Ag. gov. retains excos From Muhammad Abdullah, Sokoto

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cting Governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Lawwali Zayyana, has retained the appointments of all members of the state Executive Council and other appointments made by former Governor, Aliyu Wamakko.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media Affairs, Alhaji Sani Umar and made available to newsmen in Sokoto, yesterday.

Zayyana pledged to, not only sustain, but also continue with the laudable programmes and policies of Wamakko administration.

He maintained that the new administration would not effect any change in the leadership, saying that the statusquo would be maintained.

He appealed to all appointees to remain loyal and show commitment to the success of the administration, urging the political appointees to work assiduously towards moving the state forward.

“All appointees should join hands together to ensure the progress of the state,”Zayyana said.

INEC okays Wada, fixes Feb for polls in Sokoto, 3 others Contd from Page 1 for Saturday, February 11; while the re-run elections in Sokoto and Cross River states are to hold Saturday, February 18 and 25, 2012 respectively.

INEC’s decision on Kogi came despite the directive from the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, SAN empowering the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Abdullahi Bello to be sworn-in last Friday as acting governor by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Nasir Ajjana, some hours after Wada was sworn-in by President of Kogi state Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Ibrahim Atadoga Shu’aibu.

Wading into the impasse yesterday, the commission, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega described the Kogi governorship election as conclusive and as such declared that Wada should be sworn-in immediately.

In fixing the dates for the rerun elections in the four other states, INEC sealed the fate of sacked Bayelsa governor, Timipre Sylva as it maintained that only candidates who emerged after the Court of Appeal’s judgment of Friday, April 15, 2011, which elongated the tenure of the affected governors will be recognised for the elections.

The statement reads: “ It will

be recalled that the Supreme Court on Friday, January 27, 2012, delivered a judgment that the tenure of office of five governors to wit: Adamawa, Bayelsa, Cross River, Kogi and Sokoto states expired on May 28, 2011.

“This commission, having carefully studied the judgment and after due consultation with its legal team, has decided as follows: That the Kogi state governorship election which took place on December 3rd, 2011, is a concluded election and therefore, the governor-elect should be sworn in immediately.

“The dates for the remaining governorship elections are as follows:

AdamawaSaturday, February 4th, 2012 Bayelsa-Saturday, February 11th, 2012 Sokoto-Saturday, February 18th, 2012 Cross River-Saturday, 25th February, 2012 “This decision has been taken after due consideration of the logistics, operational and administrative requirements to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

“The commission wishes to categorically state that only candidates who emerged after the Court of Appeal judgment of Friday, April 15, 2011 are the recognised candidates for the elections.”

Al-Mustapha to die by hanging, says court Contd from Page 2 was handcuffed backwards. I was first accused of using Obasanjo’s name to collect money in CBN,” said Sofolahan.

The second defendant in the murder trial said that he denied that accusation but he had to sign that he knew about Kudirat’s murder when the torture was too much.

He said he was made to stay in a cell whose floor was broken. He said he was chained in both hands and legs, was beaten and even at a point hanged.

Shofolahan said he was asked to copy the said confessional statement and that he had to do it to get respite.

Sofolahan denied the

allegation that he gave information to those who murdered Kudirat, adding that he never met Sergeant Rogers and Mohammed Rabo-Lawal until he got to the SIP in 1999.

Shofolahan explained that he met Mohammed Abdul alias Katako for the first time in the court.

But Sofolahan said he saw Major Al-Mustapha for the first time in 1998 during the twomillion- man- march organised in support of General Sani Abacha.

He however said he did not know he was the one bearing that name until he saw him in 1999.

The family of Hamza Almustapha, the Chief Security Officer to the late Head of state

General Sani Abacha has said that yesterday’s ruling by a Lagos High court that AL Mustapha must die by hanging for the murder of Hajjia Kudirat Abiola is a temporary setback.

Alhaji Hadi Al Mustapha younger brother to Hamza who was reacting to the ruling said yesterday’s judgment was a temporary setback, promising to pursue the case to its logical conclusion.

He said the family received the verdict with shock, describing the case as having political undertone.

“We strongly believe in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, but I must confess

to you that we are shocked by this ruling. But in every situation we shall give glory to Almighty Allah, the only thing I can tell you now is that we are going to appeal and we will be vindicated at last I promise you.”

Hadi added that today’s judgment have proven beyond reasonable doubt his brother’s case was politically motivated.

“Over 13 years this man has been standing trial alongside many others but today all of them have been discharge and acquitted and my brother has been sentenced to death by hanging. We still have fate in the judiciary; the highest court of the land will do justice on this matter.” Hadi stated.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 5

Gov. Aliyu advises citizens to be courageous

Unilorin V-C becomes 2011 best Nigerian V-C From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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From Iliya Garba, Minna

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iger state governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has advised residents of the state not to be scared but continue to live in peace with one another.

Aliyu made this known yesterday in Government House Minna, while reacting to series of threat text messages sent to residents of the state by ‘unknown persons’ saying that the information is false and meant to create unnecessary fear among the people.

Receiving leaders of 5 groups in the state who paid him a solidarity visit to commiserate with him over the January 11, 2012 crisis in the state capital during which many public and private property were destroyed, the Governor said “nobody should frighten us we should not be afraid of them”.

“We should resolve to police one another and pray to God to get rid of the bad ones among us” He said to further strengthen the security of lives and property in the state, a Bill has been sent to the House of Assembly to legalize the operation of Vigilante groups in all parts of the state.

He however, vowed that the government will do everything within their reach to ensure the security of lives and property of the people in the state, adding that government will not discriminate against anyone on account of religion or ethnicity.

Nasarawa govt warns against illegal acquisition of land From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

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overnor Umaru Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa state has warned against the abuse of government property by individuals or group, stressing that it has become necessary to caution the people against illegal acquisition of lands, including where government property are located.

Al-makura made the warning while delivering a speech yesterday, at the swearing-in ceremony of 20 Special Advisers, in Lafia, the state capital.

The governor who raised alarm over what he called “the disturbing practice of illegal acquisition of land”, especially in cities like Akwanga, Keffi, Nasarawa and Lafia, the state capital, called on those in the habit of indiscriminate acquiring of such property to desist as according to him, government will soon embark on an exercise to reclaim its property and demolish any illegal structure erected on such lands.

Former Sokoto state Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (right) acknowledging cheers from his supporters who welcomed him to the state capital, yesterday, after the Supreme Court judgment. With him is Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (left).

Court dethrones Obong of Calabar

By Muhammad Sada

T

he Obong of Calabar, Prof.

Elijah Henshaw, was yesterday dethroned following a ruling by a High Court in Calabar, Cross River state.

This was contained in a

judgment passed by the presiding judge of the high court, Justice Abojor Ogar who stressed that all the circumstances surrounding the case have been critically analysed and considered.

The Obong who is the

paramount ruler of the Efik Kingdom in Cross River state, was ordered to abide by the ruling of the court while elders of the council have been ordered to embark on the process of the selection of a new paramount ruler.

he Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, professor Is’haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, has been named as the best performing Vice-Chancellor in Nigeria for the year 2011, by a Kaduna based Non- Governmental Organisation, the Baseline Global Venture.

A statement issued yesterday in Illorin, by the Deputy Director, information unit of the Institution, Mallam Mahfuz Adedimeji, said that the award was conferred on the Vice-Chancellor, who was represented at the occasion by Mr. Salahu Abdurahman, at the Banquet Hall of Arewa House, Kaduna State.

The statement said, the organization described the Vice Chancellor as ‘the most hardworking university VC in Nigeria’.

The Chairman of the Award Committee, Prince J. O. Adeleke, said the purpose of the award is not only to appreciate one’s immeasurable contributions and achievements, but also to motivate others.

It would be recalled that a major educational publication in Nigeria, Nigerian Education Times described Prof. Oloyede as “The pillar of education in Nigeria” while in the same month, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Chapter also recognized the University of Ilorin for its outstanding performance in academic stability and excellence.

…as Edo Attorney-General goes on 30-day remand From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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he Federal High Court 1 sitting in Benin City, Edo state yesterday remanded the Attorney- General and Commissioner of Justice in the state, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana for 30 days for contempt of court.

The action is pending when the state government obeys the interlocutory injunction given in a suit involving it and a private investor, Churchgate Industries Limited in the state owned firm, Bendel Breweries.

Justice Adamu Hobon yesterday in its ruling ordered that Obayuwana be remanded in prison until the state is able to provide an affidavit of compliance of the injunction the state government gave in furtherance

of the court earlier issued directing the state government to comply with an interlocutory injunction sought and got by Churchgate.

Several other lawyers in the court yesterday tried to intervene on behalf of the AG who claimed he did not receive any copy of the injunction.

But Hobon insisted that government should be held responsible for its disobedience of the order and that the AG was a representative of the government in court.

He said the state government only filed a notice of appeal in the trial court against the injunction but the appeal was not entered properly adding that it was a ploy to delay court process.

Shortly after the end of proceedings, some senior government officials were sighted in the court premises apparently

to seek any possibility of reversal.

The suit has instituted by Churchgate to challenge the alleged arbitrary and illegal action of Edo State Government in forcibly ejecting it from the management of the Bendel Brewery on June 17, 2003.

In issuing the bench warrant last week, Justice Hobon ordered the Commissioner of Police, Edo state, to ensure that the order is complied forthwith. The case was further adjourned to yesterday for hearing of the committal proceedings.

Bendel Brewery Limited was previously owned and managed

by Edo state government before it became insolvent as a result of alleged mismanagement while under government control and had to be closed down.

Confirming the arrest, State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, admitted that the Federal High Court Registrar actually brought a warrant of arrest of the Attorney General where he did advise that both parties should seek better way towards resolving the matter.

The Commissioner who spoke in a telephone interview with Correspondent from Abuja, said, the Attorney General had presented himself in court.

However, efforts by the State government Officials to stop the court proved abortive.

“I’m in Abuja, but I was told that the man reported himself in Court and despite intervention by some People, the man insisted that they should remand the man in prison…We didn’t play any role”, he stated.

FG to prioritise timely completion of women skills centres, says Minister

By Maryam Garba Hassan

T

he Federal Government said it has put in place the necessary machineries to ensure the completion of about 70 Skills Acquisition Centre projects for women across the country, before the end of the year, to meet the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the transformation agenda of the

present administration.

A statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the deputy director press, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Saghir el Mohammed, said the Centres, which are constituency projects, are expected to provide skills to women in various trades and handcrafts that would boost their economic ventures, equip them to be self-reliant and promote their

economic empowerment.

In her keynote address at the 14th Regular meeting of the National Council of Women Affairs and Social Development, held in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, said the National Assembly has been briefed on the importance of the Centres to the women at the grassroots.

According to the Minister, her recent advocacy visit to the ministry of Agriculture has started yielding positive results in favor of women farmers, with the setting up of an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Women in Agriculture to raise the access bar of women and make them benefit from the Nigeria InventiveBased Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) programme.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Unilorin holds proverb confab From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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L-R: Professor Emeritus, Department of Public Law, University of Lagos and Lead Consultant, Prof. Adedokun Adeyemi, Director of Rehabilitation, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Bola Daodu and Deputy Director, Technical Support Services, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, at a meeting on the validation of the National Baseline Survey on Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria, in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

‘Plateau’s wealth used in exploring Niger Delta oil’ From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

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lateau state Governor Jonah Jang said the North especially Plateau state provided the fund used in prospecting oil in the Niger-Delta region, saying tin and columbite from the state sustained the country’s economy in the 60s and 70s.

Speaking while receiving the Presidential Youth Committee on Deregulation of Downstream sector of the oil industry, Governor Jang pointed out that the state had paid its due for the growth of the country and called for improved ecological funding in order to reduce the effects of the devastations left by mining.

He recalled that since Nigeria

became independent, Plateau province was feeding the entire national economy from tin and columbite mining but regretted that the state has been neglected and left with devastated land and dangerous ponds.

According to him, the ponds were dangerous to humans in all respects as men, women and children of the state are being inflicted with cancer stressing that successive governments did not carry out impact assessment of the mining on the people and the environment.

Jang noted that recent researches showed that mining sites and ponds were contaminated with radioactive materials which are dangerous to humans, animals and plants and that drinking

water in many villages and the sand used in building houses were contaminated leading to increased cases of breast and pelvic cancers in the state.

He said, “All these are the prices we paid for the country, yet nobody is saying anything. Rather, we are being seen now as a parasite when others had been parasites on us.

“If you look at revenue allocation to States, Plateau is among the least.

Plateau will even get near nothing out of proceeds of the fuel subsidy removal when shared according to revenue allocation”.

While insisting that the revenue allocation formula was long overdue, Jang said it must be reviewed if the state was to make any substantial impact from the fuel subsidy removal saying the

Federal Government is sitting on 52 per cent of the revenue of the whole country and yet the population is in the state and local governments.

With such huge cut in the annual budget, the FG was yet not make any impact in the state.

He said “It is sad that every year, the federal budget does not have any impact in Plateau state.

The federal presence in Plateau is nothing; even the federal roads in the state are death traps’.

Meanwhile, the leader of the team, Dr Jophia Gupar, informed their host that they were in the state to enlighten the youth on the gains of fuel subsidy removal and to equally discuss the benefits accruable to the state through the SURE programme.

FG gets N4.89trn investment commitment in 6 months

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

he Federal Government has secured a total of N4.89 trillion investment commitments from local and foreign investors within the last six months.

Documents obtained yesterday from the Ministry of Trade and Investment claimed that of this total amount, local investors account for N2.67trillion while the remaining N2.22trillion proposed investments will come from abroad.

According to the documents, the investment commitments were secured from the over 60

investor meetings held at home and abroad in the last one year as part of efforts to boost the country’s economy.

A breakdown of proposed investments from foreign companies shows that an American Company, Vulcan Energy International, has finalised plans to invest N620bn in the oil and gas sector of the Nigerian economy within the next one year. The company is involved in the installation, set-up, commissioning, maintenance and operation of electric power plants using natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), diesel

and bio-fuel.

Similarly, GE Healthcare (United Kingdom) and GE Electric (United States) have made a combined investment proposal of N379.12billion for the health and transport sectors of the Nigerian economy; while a consortium of European investors have also commenced the process of investing N240billion in the power, petroleum and housing sectors of the economy within the next five years.

The group comprises Seagas Services Limited and Oceanmar Services Limited.

Also, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, (US EXIM) has

made a N232. 5 billion investment proposal for the power sector; while the Bakrie Group of Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Trade and Investment for an investment package worth N155billion in mining and rubber plantation in two states of the federation within the next five years.

Other proposed investments from international investors include: N310 billion from Tecnimont, a premier engineering firm in India; N155 billion from Torch Petroleum of the United States; and N155bn from China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC), among others.

he University of Ilorin will host the Second International Proverb Conference in Nigeria scheduled to hold between March 12 and 16, 2012 at the University Auditorium.

The management of the institution in a statement through its Deputy Director of Information Unit, Mallam Mahfuz Adedimeji recalled “the 1st Proverb Conference in Nigeria held at Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe, Osun state, Nigeria between 1st to 4th August, 2006 on the theme “Contemporary Perspectives on African Proverbs” stating that this year’s international conference would reveal amazing scholarly interest especially the relations between nations and cultures which has been increasingly dynamic.

“The exploration of the proverbial indices of these contacts becomes of immense significance.

These factors underscore the need for the creation of further forums for scholarly interaction between researchers, teachers or those who have a general interest in African proverbs.”

The institution which disclosed that the confab would be hosted by the department of English language said interested participants are invited to present papers for the second International Proverb Conference in Nigeria with the theme, “Evolutionary Trends in African Proverbs”.

Oshiomhole condoles with the Enahoros From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

E

do state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, joined millions of Nigerians to commiserate with the Enahoro family over the death of matriarch of the family, Mrs Helen Enahoro, who died on Saturday, January 28, aged 79.

In a condolence letter to the scion of the family, Mr. Ken Enahoro, Governor Oshiomhole said: “I wish to convey to you the condolence of the people and Government of Edo State and my personal sympathy over the passing on of your beloved mother, Mrs. Helen Enahoro. Our hearts are with you and the rest of the family at this moment of grief.

“Mama’s demise is our collective loss in Edo State. She was an authentic heroine in her own right, the moral fibre and backbone of an activist family that had contributed so enormously to democracy and development in Nigeria.I have fond memories of Mrs. Enahoro as an outstanding embodiment of Edo womanhood. In my interaction with her, I was always touched by her gracefulness and the ease with which she radiated goodwill.

“We pray that God will grant her soul peaceful repose. We also pray God to give the Enahoro and the Ediae families the fortitude to bear the loss of a loving and a worthy matriarch”, Oshiomhole said.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 8

FG to train 12,000 ex-militants as 146 depart for universities abroad

By Muhammad Nasir

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he Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta matters, Hon Kingsley Kuku said about 12,000 exmilitants have been earmarked for training at home and abroad this year.

According to a statement from his office, another batch of

146 ex-militants from Niger Delta departed Nigeria for university education in South Africa and Belarus for year course in electrical engineering, computer engineering, and petrochemical engineering and radio informatics.

Other courses some of the departing ex-militants are billed

to study include, mass communication, biological sciences, physics, chemistry and mathematics in Belarusian State University and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

The statement noted that, the departure of the 164 exmilitants from the Niger Delta under the post-

amnesty programmes is part of capacity building to empower youths from the region thereby filling the gap in adequate manpower for the critical sectors of the economy.

Speaking at a pre departure ceremony in Lagos for the ex militants, Hon Kingsley Kuku explained that instead of 2015, when the post amnesty training

is expected to be completed it could be completed in 2013 following the speed at which the delegates are being sent for training.

Kuku explained that the batch going to Italy is the first to be sent to Western Europe, even as he called on the youths to be of good behaviour to enable other countries grant visas to their colleagues billed for other countries.

Hon. Kuku also handed over 164 laptops designed to meet the trainee needs of the ex-militants to assist them cope with their training.

Gombe to train 5, 000 youths From Auwal Ahamd, Gombe

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he Gombe state government is to float a skills acquisition programme where 5, 000 youths will be trained in each cycle.

The Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation, Alhaji Mijinyawa Sani Labaran, disclosed this in Gombe during a town hall meeting of the

Nigeria Youths on Advocacy in support of Deregulation in the Oil sector.

Alahji Labaran said that already over 100 master trainers have been shortlisted to handle the trainees.

He explained that each of the trainees would receive N6,000 monthly stipend they would on completion of their training, receive N200,000 with kits of the trade they had learnt.

NANS urges govt to accord education priority, wants ASUU to end strike

By Augustine Aminu

S

tudents under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), have called on political leaders in Nigeria to give priority attention to quality education to enhance the development of Nigerians.

They expressed concern over the poor state of education in Africa and urged its leaders to join together in promoting quality and standard education for the betterment of their people.

This challenge came in a statement signed by the Senate President, Comrade Kolade Olaoluwa yesterday in Ilorin the Kwara state capital were the leadership of NANS gathered to thank Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, the governor of Kwara state for declaring free education, free text books for primary and secondary schools, provision of shuttle buses and the promise to build more accommodation for the students.

“All the politicians in the country need to take a lead from this example and create an enabling environment for our

educational system.

Leaders to join together in promoting quality and standard education for the betterment of their people’ Olaoluwa stated.

He admonished other governors in Nigeria to give education its deserved priority pointing out that no nation, could develop or advance further without sound and steady educational policies.’education must be given priority in the country so as to empower the youth who are the leaders of tomorrow’. ”We are calling on the ASUU and the FG to come to a lasting resolution so that we will have some kind of stability in our tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

We also urged the education minister, Prof. Ruqayyat Rufai to as a matter of urgency, resume talks with Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and all who are stakeholders in Nigerian education so as to ensure a positive and lasting solution to the ongoing strike which has halted academic activities in the nation’s universities” he said.

R-L: FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, with Minister of State for FCT, Ms. Olajumoke Akinjide, during the 2012 budget defence by the two ministers before the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, at the National Assembly, in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Gombe to establish 14 new hospitals From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

I

n its effort to make healthcare services accessible to the people especially those at the grassroots, Gombe state government has concluded plans to establish fourteen hospitals across the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kennedy Ishaya who disclosed this in Gombe while exchanging views with our reporter, said that the new 14 hospitals to be established in the

state were intended to provide comprehensive health care delivery to the people in remote areas of the state.

He explained that the hospitals when established would provide general medical service, maternal, ante natal, pediatrics minor surgeries and all other treatments that do not require specialised tests, adding that the hospital would be located in Akko, Bage, Boh, Dogon Ruwa, Gwandum, Gombe-Abba, Maikoho, Gujuba, Kalshingi, Nyunwar and Wade.

NEXIM doles out N30 billion to exporters

By Lawrence Olaoye

M

anaging Director of Nigeria Export, Import Bank (NEXIM), Roberts Orya yesterday told the House of Representatives had earmarked N30billion as support fund to the nation’s exporters to enable them perform optimally in the export trade sector this year.

Speaking during the defence of the bank’s budget before the House Committee on Banking and

Currency, Mr. Orya said the bank will generate as much as N1.65billion “this year as we are really ready to make more profit in 2012.

According to him, those expected to benefit from the support fund which would be in form of loans are those in the manufacturing, agriculture sector, solid minerals and service sectors of the economy.

The NEXIM helmsman said the bank’s 2012 budget however

has debt recovery as the major challenge facing the bank even as he noted that the bank was doing every within its powers to recover the debts.

According to him, some of the debts are as old as 5 to 10 years and some were even from the banks that were liquidated in the early 1990s by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC. He said some of the debt being owed the bank spanned between 10 to 15 years, and that the bank

was only able to recover N418 million out of about N1.9 billion it had planned to recover in year 2011.

Orya said: “Low recovery of debt has been the major challenge of NEXIM, we hope that this year we should be able to do much more better. Even at that, in 2012 we are planning to recover N1.3 billion and as soon as we are able to recover that it will go into our loss and profit account”.

He also said another major

Dr. Ishaya further added that 14 ambulances would be acquired for the new hospitals to be established and that four specialised mobile ambulances with life saving facilities and telephone have been acquired for distribution to each of the senatorial districts for enhanced healthcare delivery The commissioner said all the nearby hospital would be linked on telephone to the special ambulances so that adequate arrangement would be made to receive their patients before their arrival. challenge was the human resource angle which the bank has taken good care of as new departmental head both within Nigeria and abroad would be joining the bank in 2012.

On underwriting, the Bank CEO said the bank made N200million and fervently hope that by this year the bank will go the extra mile to improve on the 2011 figure.

Speaking earlier, the chairman of the committee, Hon Chukwu Jones Onyereri tasked the bank on the need to live up to expectation and as well justify its existence.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Education minister advocates increased funding

By Abdullahi Yunusa

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he Minister of Education, Prof. Ruquayyatu Rufa’i has noted that the provision for capital projects in the 2012 budget is insufficient.

Prof Rufa’i, in Abuja at the meeting with Rectors and Provosts of polytechnics and colleges of education, said out of N400billion stipulated in the budget, the second highest provision after that of security, only about N55billion is accessible for capital projects while the remaining funds goes for recurrent expenditure.

She said, “We are aware that what we have in the budget may not be adequate for the various projects that will emerge for the year and we know that we are a sector that is always faced with this inadequate funding especially when it comes to the issue of capital projects”.

MRA holds workshop for journalists on FOI Act

By A’isha Biola Raji

T

he Media Rights Agenda (MRA), commenced a workshop yesterday in Abuja for journalists on the use of Freedom of Information Act (FOI).

The two-day workshop aimed at educating the media on how to request for records, was organised in collaboration with British High Commission.

In his welcome address, the Executive Director of MRA, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, said the essence of the lecture was to sensitise the media on FOI and its use thereby raising more awareness among the public.

According to him, FOI is a tool which is globally designed to move a country forward and Nigeria is not an exception.

He charged journalists to explore it as an avenue of holding various organisations accountable. “It is the most well informed legislation in Nigeria”, he said.

In his remarks, the representative of the British High Commission in Abuja, Mr. Osaro Odemwingie, said the higher the public participation in the use of the FOI Act, the better the society.

L-R: Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Architect Mohammed Musa Sada, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, Hon. Isa Hassan, and Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, at a two-day workshop on investment opportunities in the Nigerian mining sector in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Bauchi CAN urges govt to provide Tafawa Balewa with security From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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he Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bauchi state chapter has called on the Bauchi state government to consider the plight of the people of Tafawa Balewa town and provide them with adequate security at all times.

This is coming after a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reports monitored yesterday stated that several mosques were alleged torched by unidentified persons in Tafawa Balewa at the weekend.

AThe state’s CAN Chairman Rev. Lawi Pokti made this call during press briefing with

newsmen at the NUJ secretariat, saying there was urgent need for Bauchi state to provide adequate security in Tafawa Balewa to stop the perennial crisis in the area.

According to him, the police report on attack unleashed on the people of Tafawa Balewa a week before, was not armed robbery on an old generation bank as revealed

by the Bauchi state commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba.

The CAN chairman said “we cannot afford to witness such a satanic act in a community that is trying to sustain the fragile peace, and call on the state government to please visit the victims and see how vulnerable they are.

Fresh attack in Kano as IG’s wife buried From Bala Nasir, Kano

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s new attack was launched on a police station at Mandawari in the morning yesterday, wife of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar, Hajiya Maryam Abubakar was being laid to rest in Kano yesterday afternoon

in accordance with Islamic rites.

The burial ceremony which attracted prominent members of the society was conducted under tight security by the police.

Details of her death were not made public, but our correspondent gathered that police authorities would issue a statement over the death later in

Gaidam assures workers of better pay From Hussaini Jirgi, Damaturu

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overnor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe state has assured the civil servants of the state of an improved welfare package.

The Governor, who gave the assurance in Damaturu the state capital, commended the workers contribution to the development of the state.

He said his administration was already working out modalities to harmonize salary relativity and other workers need across the state.

According to him, special focus would be given to the improvement of welfare packages, manpower development, recruitment of capable hands, regular payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities and other entitlements of serving and retired officers across the state He said the government would continue with the policy of personnel audit to flush out ghost workers, undertake periodic review of the public service rules and financial regulations in the state.

the day yesterday which was not however done up to the time of filing this report.

As early as 5:30 am people of Mandawari area were woken up by sounds of gun shots which took about 30 minutes before subsiding, residents said.

Secretary on the Nigeria Red Cross Society in Kano, Musa Abdullahi, however, told Peoples Daily that he could not ascertain if any deaths resulted from the incident.

With latest attack, the ever busy Mandawari Road has been closed by the police. It will be recalled that the Mandawari police station was attacked last week and two policemen were killed.

Policeman slaps traffic officer From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta

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mobile policeman identified with the nickname Abacha at the weekend in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, allegedly beat up an official of Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE).

Abacha was reportedly dressed in mufti and was coming from Ijebu-Ode on Saturday in his blue Honda Accord car with registration number BQ 813FST when he was stopped for questioning for disobeying the sanitation day exercise.

Our correspondent reports that the incident occurred at the T-junction of Moshood Abiola Way/ Presidential Boulevard, which is the entry point to the

state capital.

The police officer having noticed some vehicles already stopped for the same offence, crossed to the other side of the expressway.

He was immediately stopped by the traffic officers, who queried him for disobeying the sanitation exercise as well as for violating traffic rules.

However, in response to the questions, the policeman engaged the officials in hot exchange of words, claiming that as a police officer, he has the right to move anytime of the day.

Further questions to ascertain his status were said to have enraged Abacha who slapped one of the traffic officials, David Ogunleye before speeding off.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Reps disown G57 group

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he House of Representatives yesterday denied the existence of a group known as G57 Transparency Group in the National Assembly even as it alleged that the group’s outburst was aimed at aborting the findings of the ongoing ad-hoc committee investigating the nation’s subsidy regime.

Reacting to an advertorial sponsored by the group in some newspapers alleging that the focus of the Rep Farouk Lawan subsidy regime’s investigating committee had been shifted and its motive hijacked by some oil majors, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep Zakari Mohammed, said the issues raised by the group were diversionary.

He said: “We state that no such group as G57 Transparency Group exists in the 7th Assembly of the House of Reps. Furthermore, the 7th Assembly of the House of Reps is a unique family of 360 legislators bounded by project Nigeria, devoid of party, religious, ethnic and sectional affiliations. This is evident by the pan-Nigerian stance that we have taken since our inauguration.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we want to place on record that the issues being raised by the publication are diversionary and lack focus. It would seem that following the stream of stunning revelations at the committee’s public hearing, several individuals who have profited and (continue to benefit) from the distortions in the management of Nigeria’s oil resources have not

only become jittery, but are now desperate to initiate moves aimed at aborting the findings of the committee.”

Responding to the allegation made by the group that the House embarked on wild-goose chase at a time the nation’s security was tottering; Mohammed insisted that there was never a time the Green Chamber failed in its duties to ensure security of lives and property in the country.

“On the issue of security which was mischievously raised in the publication to divert attention, we make bold to state that as individuals and as an institution, the security of lives and property in our country severally topped our agenda both at plenary and executive sessions.

“Although a strictly lawmaking body, the leadership of the House

of Reps and the service chiefs have regularly interfaced with an aim to addressing the security challenges in the country,” the Reps spokesman stressed.

While assuring that the subsidy committee would remain focused in spite of the glaring attacks orchestrated by the G57, Mohammed said the House would ensure that the findings of the committee would be made public even as he gave the guarantee that the House would compel relevant authorities to implement the findings of the panel.

He however warned that the public should be vigilant as the group would be unrelenting g in its series of attacks against the House with the overall aim of derailing it from its people oriented legislative agenda.

Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, The Most Reverend John Onaiyekan (middle), addressing journalists on the forthcoming ordination of Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese in Abuja, yesterday. With him are Vice-Chairman, Planning Committee, Mr. Patrick Fufeyin (left), and Director of Communications, Rev. Father Patrick Alumuku (right).

Photo: NAN

Commission chairman wants increased IGR in states

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Alhaji Aliyu Jibril Yelwa, has canvassed the need for an increase in the internally generated revenue profile of states and local governments.

According to a release made

available to newsmen by the Head, Media of the commission, Abdulganiyu Aminu, “there are so many untapped revenue sources in both states and local governments which, if fully utilised, could make them independent and less reliant on federal allocations”.

According to Alhaji Yelwa,

“corruption and bad governance had made it impossible for governments to impose legitimate taxes on the citizens, adding that there was need to carry out an intensive research on how to redress the situation”.

He also called for a more aggressive tax regime in the

country so as to boost the revenue profile of the country.

Similarly, the acting Director of Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSCA), Dr. Ebere Uneze, said reliance on oil revenues by states at the expense of other viable sources of revenue was not sustainable.

S/Court allows Sylva’s cross appeal application

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

T

he Supreme Court yesterday granted the former governor of Bayelsa state, Chief Timipre Sylva leave to file a cross appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal, which held that Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a Federal High Court In Abuja went beyond himself in warning the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against tampering with the subject matter of the action before him.

A five-member panel of justices of the apex court led by Justice Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar, also granted an order for accelerated hearing of the appeal filed by PDP and the cross appeal filed by Sylva and fixed February 7, 2012 for definite hearing.

While delivering her ruling on Sylva’s application, Justice AlomaMuktar said, “in view of the fact that this is a political matter and requires urgency, the application for accelerated hearing is hereby granted. The appeal and cross

appeal are fixed for next Tuesday, February 7 for hearing”.

Sylva had through his lawyer, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), asked the apex court in the cross appeal to consider the urgency and circumstances of the case and invoke Section 22 of its enabling statute and hear the case fully and determine it to its finality as if it is the high court.

If the court agrees with him, it will hear the originating summons filed by Sylva at the Federal High Court.

Both Sylva and PDP are presently before the apex court because they were dissatisfied with the judgment of the Abuja Court of Appeal which held that Sylva was right to have filed his case against PDP at the Federal High Court but added that the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole went too far when he threatened to sanction PDP and INEC if they failed to appear before it within 72 hours to show cause why he should not grant Sylva all the reliefs he sought from the court.

Ex-NYSC boss proffers solution to insecurity From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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he immediate past DirectorGeneral of the NYSC, BrigGen. Maharazu Tsiga (rtd), has argued that the present security challenges facing the country could only be addressed if followers of both Islam and Christianity adhere to the teachings of their religions.

Brig. Tsiga who stated this at Quranic graduation ceremony of the Madarasatul Irshaduil Adfaal Ila Sabilissa’adah in Katsina, weekend, stressed that adhering to the teachings of the two religions would bring peace to the nation particularly as they preach peace and unity among their followers.

He called on the leaders of the two religions and their followers to mobilise themselves in inculcating morality and good values in youths so that they were brought up as good citizens, adding that if followers of the two major religions can uphold the teachings of their religions, government could have been left with little burden on it to save the country from its present situation.

He then advised parents to remember that they would be questioned on the religious and moral training they gave their children in the hereafter, hence the need for them to be up and doing in the respect.

In his remarks, Alhaji Faruk Tsiga, the acting chairman Zango local government council of the state, attributed the increasing rate of immorality in the society to the deterioration of Islamic education.

Bauchi Yam Sellers Association says five members are missing From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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he association of yam sellers in Bauchi state has alleged that five of its members are missing after the attack on Tafawa Balewa by gunmen last week.

The chairman of the association, Alhaji Shuaibu Ibrahim disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Bauchi, saying, “We want to inform the whole world through your various mediums that five of our members are missing after the recent attack in Tafawa Balewa, initially after the attack we did not get eight people but later we got three; two with many injuries in their bodies”.

He gave the names of missing persons as Harisu Alhaji Sadi, Suleyman Mohammed, Shehu Alhaji Gambo Sabiu Alaramma and Yagana Alhaji Gambo and added that this was the second time its members were attacked by inhabitants of Tafawa Balewa.

Responding, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Mohammed Barau, said he was not aware of the incident but assured them of looking into the issue.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 11

Reps decry low budgetary allocation for agriculture

Community decries killings, faults security agents From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

By Lawrence Olaoye

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afawa Balewa community in Bauchi state has decried wanton killing and destruction of property and has also accused security agencies of deviating from their formal duty.

This follows recent killing of some people in the area by some security operatives, deployed to restore peace in the trouble zone.

The spokesman of the community and former chairman of Tafawa Balewa local government area, Alhaji Aminu Tukur, stated this while briefing newsmen in Bauchi.

“Two people, Dauda Haruna and Audu Haruna, travelling inside a commercial vehicle from Yelwan Shendam to Bauchi state, were asked to come down by soldiers under Special Task Force (STF) at Bogoro bridge road; they were taken to the police station.

“On arrival, Audu Haruna attempted to escape, probably due to the mammoth crowd that gathered at the station, he was shot dead by a mobile policeman called Emmanuel Solomon of MOPOL 10 Bauchi, and youths in the area that gathered at the police station set the corpse ablaze.”

According to him also, between Monday to Friday last week, miscreants had destroyed all places of Worship and houses in the area despite the presence of heavy security personnel in Tafawa Balewa.

Aminu Tukur, alleged that soldiers under STF arrested over 20 people and took them to their headquarters in Jos and detained them for many days and months without trial which was a clear violation of their human rights.

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L-R: Speaker, Bauchi state House of Assembly, Hon. Yahaya Miya, welcoming the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh, from his five-day official working visit to Germany at the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, yesterday.

Photo: NAN

Robbers kill over 30 in Zamfara in one week From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau

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ver 30 people were said to have lost their lives in Zamfara state, few days after the appointment of Alhaji M.D Abubakar as the new Inspector-General of police, an investigation conducted by our reporter revealed.

The first episode during which

Nasarawa govt warns against illegal acquisition of land From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

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overnor Umaru Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa state has warned against the abuse of government property by individuals or group, stressing that it has become necessary to caution the people against illegal acquisition of lands, including where government property are located.

Al-makura handed down the warning while delivering a speech yesterday, at the swearing-in ceremony of 20 Special Advisers, in Lafia, the state capital.

The governor who raised alarm over what he called “the disturbing practice of illegal acquisition of land”, especially in cities like Akwanga, Keffi, Nasarawa and Lafia, the state capital, called on those in the habit of indiscriminate acquiring of such property to desist henceforth as according to him, government will soon embark on an exercise to reclaim its property as well as demolish any illegal structure erected on such lands.

Describing the swearing-in of

the Advisers as a continuation of his administration’s effort to put in place a formidable team of technocrats and bureaucrats who will share in the vision to take the state to greater heights, the governor reminded them that it is possible to achieve success and realise objectives “only if we have an assemblage of people with the right attitude, experience, focus, drive and patriotism as team players.”

He however reiterated that from the activities of his administration in the past few months, “it is evident that we are already making steady progress in areas of road construction, water supply, healthcare delivery, power supply and the improvement of economic status of the state, among others.”

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Silas Agara, a former commissioner in the state, thanked the governor for considering them fit for appointment as special advisers, while pledging their total commitment to the development objectives of the CPC administration in the state.

about 20 people were killed was that of Birnin Magaji town, when a vehicle full of businessmen from the area, who were on business trip to a nearby town, Batsari, in Katsina state, were suddenly attacked by a group suspected to be armed robbers.

The suspected robbers, according to the investigation, numbering about 90, ambushed the businessmen at about 7:30am that day and opened fire on them, and consequently killed 20 of them.

After killing them, they ruthlessly put their corpses in the already attacked and riddled vehicle and set them ablaze.

A day after, another tragedy

happened in Tsafe, during which a senior customs officer was chased and attacked by some masked armed robbers on a motor bike.

They fired several shots on the said officer and escaped untouched to their hideout.

Peoples Daily gathered reliably that in the same Tsafe, another group of vigilante group was attacked and many were killed.

Though the state commissioner of police, Alhaji Tambari Yabo, assured the people of his command’s readiness to bring the culprits to book, however, as at the time of filing this report, no arrest has been made as regards the killings.

Kogi records 396 deaths in 2011, says FRSC From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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ogi state sector commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Sunday Maku, has disclosed that 396 people died in road accidents across the state, last year.

Maku stated this yesterday in Lokoja while giving the 2011 accident records in the state, saying that the deaths were recorded from the 709 road crashes in the last 12 months.

While giving statistics of the deaths month by month, the sector commander said “21 persons died in the month of January, 44 in February, 19 in March, 30 in April, 27 in May, while 38 died in June.

“Also, 34 persons died in July, 38 in August, 13 in September,

35 in October, 36 in November while 61 died in December," he noted.

The FRSC boss disclosed further that the month of September had the least number of deaths while December with 61 was the highest.

He attributed this to the mad rush by drivers through dangerous overtaking and bad conditions of vehicles plying the roads.

He said a total of 5,970 passengers were involved in the auto crash, adding that about 396 passengers died, 2,923 injured while 2,651 escaped unhurt He advised motorists to always observe traffic rules and maintain their vehicles in order to reduce accidents, while advising the Federal Government to expedite action towards completing the Abuja - Lokoja highway.

he House of Representatives has decried the low budgetary provision made for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the 2012 appropriation currently undergoing consideration in the Green Chamber.

The House Committee on Agriculture chaired by Rep Tahir Mohammed Monguno, described the N78.98 billion proposed for the sector as too meager, even as he suggested that the government slashes part of the security allocation to fund agriculture.

President Goodluck Jonathan had while presenting the 2012 budget proposal before a joint session of the National Assembly, proposed N921.91 billion for the security sector.

Speaking during the Committee’s 2012 budget defense meeting with officials of the Agricultural Research Institutes at the National Assembly, Monguno lamented that the agriculture sector in Nigeria had been underfunded despite its importance to the country’s economy.

“As a legislature, we are not happy with the proposal brought by the Executive. Therefore, our thinking is that the allocation made to the security sector is too much; this is to the detriment of the critical sectors like agriculture which has the potential of creating employment as well as food security in the country.”

25 judiciary reform c’ttee members signed report, says CJN

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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he Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, yesterday, said 25 out of the 29 members of the Judicial Reform Committee signed the committee’s report submitted to him on December 15, 2011.

The Deputy Director of Publicity of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Mr. Soji Oye had, in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday in Abuja refuted media reports that only 14 members of the committee signed the report.

According to Mr. Soji, “the Secretariat of the committee is constrained to inform the public that on December 15, 2011 when the report was submitted to the Chief Justice of Nigeria by the chairman of the Judicial Reform Committee, Justice M. L. Uwais, it was signed by 25 members and not only 14 as reported by and advertised in some dailies”.

The CJN who doubles as NJC chairman, said for the avoidance of doubt, the list containing the names and signatures of the members of the committee that signed the report at the time it was submitted to him on December 15, 2011 can be verified from the report in his office.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

Libya’s slow descent into anarchy

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here is little hope that the lightening speed at which the NATO-backed Libyan insurgency toppled the 42-year rule of former Libyan strongman, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, would, any time soon, bring about order and stability in the oil-rich North African country. Now, the rump of the defeated Gaddafi loyalists are staging an audacious comeback. But the regrouping of the pro-Gaddafi forces is not the only headache of the National Transitional Council (NTC), the current government of the country, composed of several armed factions, largely hostile to and suspicious of one another, but only united by a common hatred for the former Libyan leader; more importantly kept together by NATO heavy military machine and western money diplomacy.

A fractious post-Gaddafi Libya is unraveling just as the different armed factions are turning their guns against each other. The much heralded and media-hyped “revolution” faces danger from within. The call by the NTC for various armed factions to disarm has largely gone unheeded. The armed groups argue that their relevance in the emerging political equation is their firepower. Shootouts among rival groups are rife in the capital, Tripoli and other cities.

Former fighters and their patrons are staking out huge claims to the political pie. NATO, meanwhile, having seen off one of its major traducers in a lightening military siege, is sitting back while its Libyan armed protégés quarrel.

We view with alarm the emerging scenario in Libya, where the interest of ordinary people are evidently tucked aside, while the victorious armed gladiators slug it out in a fight for the political booty. We are pained the more to remember that ordinary Libyans under the rule of Gaddafi were about the most well-fed, clothed, housed and even secure people in Africa, though for 42 years, they never had a chance to thumb a ballot paper.

Libya, now, is on the boil. In Bani Walid, the last hold-out of the former Libyan strongman, the pro-Gaddafi

“

We urge that the rulers in Tripoli open dialogue with all the factions in contention for Libya’s political soul, more importantly, the rump of the Gaddafi loyalists armed insurgents have already carved out a territory for themselves, in defiance of the central authority in Tripoli. Meanwhile, the United Nations special envoy to Libya, Ian Martin, last week in New York, said that the growing strength of the Gaddafi forces only highlighted the challenge of reconciliation between the Gaddafi forces and the current government. He, however, noted that

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the former regime might have been toppled, but the harsh reality is that the Libyan people continue to live with its “deep-rooted legacy.”

Without mentioning it, part of the “deep-rooted legacy” of the deposed Gaddafi regime is the high quality of life that Libyans enjoyed. With politically-motivated chaos looming, from obvious in-fighting among the victorious former insurgents and the pro-Gaddafi forces regaining confidence, after the hard-hitting NATO military knockout, ordinary Libyans might just be slipping into the terrain of the great want that other Africans have known for decades since the end of formal colonial rule.

We believe that NTC rulers in Tripoli know that military victory secured at the behest of heavy foreign political meddling and direct military involvement is not enough to establish legitimacy and order in the country. Sustained foreign meddling and even military presence will further discredit the strange ‘revolution’ authored in Brussels, Washington and executed largely with French and British bombs and missiles. We urge that the rulers in Tripoli open dialogue with all the factions in contention for Libya’s political soul, more importantly, the rump of the Gaddafi loyalists. After all, the NTC has always said that it would negotiate with the Gaddafi group but not with the Colonel himself. Now their wish is more than granted with the colonel out of the way and his influential family decapitated, in disarray and on the run.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 13

Mystery of the burning tyre

By Adepoju P. Plusegun

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s early as five in the morning, protesters were already out setting up barricades with logs of wood, trees and tyres.

The atmosphere was still cool that it looked as if things were normal.

For a second, you would think the barricades were set up to inform drivers to be conscious and cautious of a faulty car nearby. It looked like a harmless gathering of early risers. But two hours later, things had gone haywire. Commotion was everywhere to the extent that you’d believe a revolt was taking place. Now look around and compare the scene with what held sway say like 2 hours ago. They are not comparable and it is just one evident change you could see, burning tyres.

Most times when there are civil actions like strikes and protests, at least a tire fire is seen on every street. This is not restricted to Nigeria, West and North Africa, or any other place; tire fires unite the world.

Understanding the importance of burning tires during struggles is quite difficult, almost impossible because recorded history has no definite description of the world’s gradual interest in tire fire, and the world’s acceptance of burning tires as a means of making peoples’ grievances known.

The Arab Spring was initiated in Tunisia after a young man set himself on fire.

Had he drowned himself in water, the effect would not have been widespread because some people would see his death as an accident or a suicide. But people all over the world take

arson serious. Tyre fire is a serious strong message to the government suggesting that the people are annoyed and are ready to do anything; literally going all the way to achieve their set goals.

Rising global interest in addressing environmental challenges like global warming and climate change could tempt some badly hated governments to ban the burning of fires since it is scientifically proven as a major harm to the environment.

Burning fires produce a lot of smoke, which often carries toxic chemicals from the breakdown of rubber compounds while burning. A single tire contains about the equivalent of 7.5 liters (two U.S. gallons) of oil. More than enough fuel to burn down three houses, or more when in the hands of a “professional”.

States and cities like New York State, Minnesota and several others already have legislation in place to prevent or check indiscriminate burning of tires. But not in Africa. The anger of the people fuelled by the loss of interest of the government in addressing and regulating fire tire could be seen as an extension of the continent’s centipede steps in addressing enormous challenges. Hence when there is a tire fire, the gory black images shot and aired by the foreign media paints the picture of a hardened government and resolute citizens that will go to any extent, including an interference with the delicately balanced ecosystem, to make their voices heard.

The burning tire is also

expected to instil fear in the mind of those who are opposed to the cause. Tires are typically not prone to self-ignition as a tire must be heated to at least 400°C for a period of several minutes prior to ignition.

Anyone who is ready to go all the way to that temperature and beyond should be taken serious because he/she/they are armed with a weapon of mass destruction. They can cast, bind and destroy with strong fire.

That’s why protesters are often prevented from getting access to properties and infrastructures of national or state importance. With just one misguided rolling burning tire, a national treasure could become a black heap of ashes.

The fear of this happening is a bargaining power in the hands of protesters.

Apart from fuelling fires, tire fire also fuels anger.

Throughout my experience with riots and rioters, protests and protesters, I’ve not seen happy people happily flaring tires. No. It’s something you do

when you are angry and you want to show your anger. In some environment-friendly conservative cultures, you throw shoes and you get attention. But elsewhere tire fire and arson might not even get mentioned in the newspapers which causes more anger and pressurised bottle becomes filled with maddening anger. This is what is happening in Nigeria.

Tire fire isn’t an every protest event, it’s reserved for those tough times when the issues affect every Nigerian irrespective of age, sex religion, and standard of living. During the military junta and the fight for democracy, tire fires were all over the country. A foreign tabloid even used the phrase “nation up in flames” to describe the struggles then. A reenactment was also achieved during the labour-spearheaded strike action to oppose the recent hike in fuel pump price as a result of the president’s removal of fuel subsidy.

While Boko Haram crisis is

“

Tire fire isn’t an every protest event, it’s reserved for those tough times when the issues affect every Nigerian irrespective of age, sex religion, and standard of living. During the military junta and the fight for democracy, tire fires were all over the country

dividing the nation along religious, ethnic and sect lines, tire fire is uniting the rest of the nation. During the entire period of tire flaring, Boko Haram was on break. Robbers that decided to operate at night also had to contend with residents who stayed up till daybreak burning tires to ward off criminals. Some of the questions that come to my mind every time I see thick black smokes from a tire fire is: Where are these tires coming from? Who is footing the bills (I’ve never seen protesters contribute money to buy a burning kit that includes tires). I also want to ask who is providing the matches. Who is striking the fire?

More questions, few answers.

You rarely see the planning that goes into burning tires, but you will definitely see the resulting thick smoke and ashes on the road. This is an attitude that Nigeria and Nigerians should work on improving and utilizing to achieve a lot of great things.

The burning tire symbolizes the aggregation of the peoples’ affliction and dissatisfaction.

The resulting thick smoke rises beyond what could be hidden or contained by any powerful force. And the ashes you step on while going about your daily chores are meant to remind you that the battle is not yet over, it is only suspended until a later date when the pressure will become unbearable and a burst will become inevitable.

This is the mystery of the burning tire in Nigeria, and beyond.

Adepoju P. Olusegun can be reached through pauladepoju.blogspot.com

Naming the cabal: Dizeani’s mission impossible

By Taju Tijani

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rs Dizeani Allison Madueke, our petroleum resources minister, was in the House of Representatives the other day a retinue of courtiers befitting a custodian of our oil wealth.

There was a discernible, yet penetrating arrogance in the carriage and demeanour of DAM – Dizeani Allison Madueke. Whether a DAM can damn the million dollar question of the existence of a shadowy vampire class called cabal is everybody’s guess.

Then the inevitable question popped up.

The Chairman of the ad-hoc committee investigating the actual subsidy on petroleum, diminutive but boyish Farouk Lawan damned and ruffled the oily feathers of our superbly confident Dizeani.

“Hon. Minister, do we have a cabal and who are they?” Lawan asked sharply. There was no thunderous cheer but only

hidden giggles all around the house. She raised her expansive eyeballs above the rim of her delicately perched goldrimmed glasses. She scanned the floor of the house like a lone bald eagle. Lawan, in a nononsense damning mood kept his icy eyes on DAM – Diezani Allison Madueke. At that instance, whoever blinks loses!

Satisfied that none of the known but unknown vampire cabal was in the house, DAM gave a wilting answer.

“Enmmm.... as I have sworn on oath before this committee, I can assure the honourable chairman, Farouk Lawan that there had been manipulations in the oil sector,” Dizeani declared, looking unperturbed.

She will not punch below the belt. She knew the rules. Since Dizeani will not let drop the expected enigmatic word: “there are cabals in the oil industry” her loyalty to the law of Omerta quickly dissolved in Lawan’s shift of consciousness. DAM has saved the cabal for another day. She

will not force an eternal disharmony in their rank before the eye of the world.

Meanwhile, the nation’s hunger for a pitiless assault against the cabal remains a riveting script without any taker. Even President Goodluck Jonathan hovers between craven fear and complacent weakness in the hunt for the vampire cabal in and outside the polity. Bomb the system

with lurid and ear tingling details of who the cabals are, can we then possibly go for broke and unravel the mystery? And if a central player like Dizeani will not, What is the definition of a cabal? According to my 21st century edition of Collins English dictionary and thesaurus, a cabal is defined as a small group of intriguers especially one formed for

“

If Dizeani Allison Madueke could not see them in the engine room of our democracy – House of Rep – pray, are we not chasing illusion by searching for cabals? Are we not all cabal-driven, cabal-loving and cabal-oriented people?

political purposes. Again, cabal is described as a secret plot; conspiracy and a clique.

By extension a group of powerful people can form a cabal through enlightened rationalism and with the express aim of protecting vested interests be it in politics, business, sport, military, media, education, transport and even the sex trade. Pardon me if I have gone hypercabalistic for your rational comprehension. That said, the distinctive feature of any group of cabal is the stigma of being perceived as covenanted enemies of the state. Ironically, what really fascinates the public about these gnomish creatures is their notoriety to remain invisible even to the bulging, bright eyeballs of Diezani.

If Dizeani Allison Madueke could not see them in the engine room of our democracy – House of Rep – pray, are we not chasing illusion by searching for cabals? Are we Continued on page 15

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Why this Shema bashing should stop O

By Hadiza Usman Moh’d Katsina

ne of the beauties of democracy is the freedom of expression which the system guarantees. The system also enables people to express their feelings on the art of governance at whatever level.That notwithstanding, it is only right that when people want to express their views and feelings on the art of governance, they do so with all honesty, sincerity, humility, decorum and above all with utmost fear of God. I was compelled to respond to an article captioned “Governor Shema Excellency Indeed” by one Mukhtar Kabir Usman in Daily Triumph of January 23, this year. The writer manipulates language to rubbish the reputation of Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina state.

One wonders what the writer wants to achieve, but be that as it may, he should have gone for substance rather than chase shadows.

It is a fact that Mukhtar is close to the seat of power in Katsina and has a fair knowledge of the circumstances that led to the emergence of Governor Shema; the process was open and fair. He was the anointed of former governor of the state and late President Umaru Yar’adua .

Beyond that, Governor Shema had diligently and meritoriously served the PDP when he held the position of the Deputy National Chairman. Even during the 2003 general elections, Governor Shema played a key role and led over 50 lawyers at the election petition tribunal for cases involving those who contested elections. One expects that the writer as a learned person should have forward his suggestion on

By John Igoli

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ourage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. Winston Churchill.

Any discerning Nigerian would know that the fuel subsidy strike was not all about the price of petrol but issues that has made this policy a necessity for the government any time they want to curb their expenditure. The disappointment with NLC/TUC that led the negotiations on behalf of Nigerians is because they believe they have obtained victory for Nigerians while on the contrary what we have is a stalemate.

Presently neither the government nor the people are able to move towards formally exhuming the real issues and interring them properly. Both parties are now left praying separately and in silence.

What we need now is for the government to have the courage to dialogue with the people. The people want government to truly give us honest answers to the some simple questions on petrol production, importation and ‘subsidy’ payments. Why can’t we refine our crude oil in Nigeria to obtain all the products

how to improve governance, in projects from late President’s enrollment into three State his home state, as Governor administration and completed owned tertiary institutions and Shema had repeatedly appealed them for the benefit of the at the UMYU has continued to at various fora that his citizenry among others. And increase due to intake of qualified ones. If the administration is writer doubt ready to receive this it is left to contributions in him to whatever form to Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text verify. help fast track the I am a s p e e d y messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written mother of development of contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 e i g h t the state. words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and children and M u k h t a r a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed a widow; the claims Katsina’s to: government resources are not policy of free used to impact the The Editor, education lives of the Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, has really citizenry; this is 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. helped four erroneous. If there Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com out of them is one state in to progress Nigeria where SMS: 07037756364 beyond JSS state resources III; otherwise are fairly and equitably distributed it is after that government able to they might have dropped out of KATSINA. In fact one wonders construct 23 new roads projects school and their future would what the writer wanted, may be across the three Senatorial Zones have been in jeopardy. Another his like minds wanted the in the state. In the education policy that affects women is the governor to create midday sector, the writer claims that the interest free loan to cottage millionaires, rather than free education programme of the owners in which even ordinary improve on the life of the government has not had any akara seller benefited from the citizenry. For instance, in the field impact. Well, may be Mukhtar scheme.

Another sector which has got infrastructural development, had his education in the Far East, Governor Shema had created forgetting what fate befalls the a huge dose of government history, by completing all children of the poor and the investment is health, where over inherited projects which this vulnerable group. He should 29 primary health centres have writer firmly believe that know that since 2007, over 140 been constructed, a number of Muntari and co are beneficiaries new secondary schools and 34 hospitals renovated and a 250of such projects. Indeed if lack of girl child primary schools have bed orthopedic hospital built. In same vein, youth continuity is the bane of our been; 277 students have been the development surely that did not sent to Sudan to do different empowerment was also given affect Katsina State. For instance, courses of study and the tsangaya attention as the Governor established a youth craft village, Governor Shema completed the school system introduced.

Similarly, buses have been with 16 trades, as well as Umaru Musa Yar’adua University with over N11 billion. introduced in Katsina, Daura and encouraged youths to set up Secondly, the Katsina Funtua to take female students cottage industries for chalk, paint International Airport which to and from schools and the fares and fertilizer blending.

Unlike some states where lip recorded four consecutive Hajj are heavily subsidized by the exercises was another project government. That is in addition service is paid to the sector, in inherited and completed. In the to the scrapping of school fees Katsina words are matched by area of roads construction the including those for the WAEC/ action. For instance, before the of current state administration of Governor SSCE, NECO and NABTEB advent Shema inherited seven road examinations. As a result, administration of Governor

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A dimensionless view derivable from it? What is the exact amount of petrol imported daily, weekly and what is our domestic consumption? What is government’s response to the ‘fuel economics’ write-up that was being circulated? It claims the cost of petrol cannot be more than N34.00 even under the present circumstances/arrangements.

Are there any plans to build new refineries or privatize the existing ones? Is it still economical to run the old ones? Wages, maintenance and overheads?

What are the arrangements for importation, storage and distribution of petrol? Finally at the new price of N97.00 per litre, is the government still subsidising petrol?

Why can’t we use our natural gas (NGV) to drive our cars? On the security challenges, Nigerians would love to have answers to some questions such as: are the police and other security agencies equipped to deal with the current level of insecurity? Do they need help? Are there really people in government or in the security forces who are truly members of these gangs: Terrorists?

Kidnappers? Armed robbers?

Pipeline vandals? Oil bunkering?

Etc.Any relevant information that will give further assurance to Nigerians?

On corruption and its control there are many questions. What are the salaries of political office holders and affiliated staff compared that of career civil servants? Provision of well paying jobs. Any hope? Any strategies?

Any plans for social security payments to the unemployed?

There are many more matters arising from the above issues that need to be discussed. Government should not fear about losing face or respect but should focus on the understanding and trust it would gain from such discussions. The discussions may not be held as a sovereign national conference but under a forum that will allow freedom of participation by all interested individuals and parties.

Many of the issues are already in the public domain and requires just answering or acting on them now. Committees and other such millipede organisations should be avoided as they just have too many legs but no use in

development or movement.

We urgently need a data base for Nigerians. Many Nigerians presently live in urban slums and other undeveloped residential areas. This creates room for crime as they serve as hideouts for criminals. Majority of Nigerians cannot be traced to specific home or residential addresses. Nigerians change names, addresses and falsify records at will. Agencies charged with documentation responsibilities do not have any means of crosschecking the data submitted to them. Everyone is accepted at face value and treated according to his value/mode of dressing or oral CV! These are some of the impediments to the use of IT for crime detection and criminal prosecution in Nigeria.

We must continue to remind ourselves that this country belongs to us all. No one is greater than the collective and no interest should be above the national one.

There is no leader so bad that Nigerians cannot bear him out or too good that Nigerians cannot withstand him. We need heroes who are ready to sacrifice personal victories, including

Shema the Jibia Dam which laid fallow since its construction hardly irrigation farmers cultivate 100 hectares, but currently 3,500 hectares are being tilled by dry season farmers.

In addition over 27 grounded irrigation sites were put back to use.

Equally, water supply was also improved, for instance in Katsina metropolis, five major water schemes were conceived and executed, while of the over 3,000 boreholes required by communities in the state, the current administration was able to provide over 2,000 boreholes across the state. Moreover the administration was able to provide electricity to a number of towns and villages which helped in employment generation through establishment of handcraft trades by communities that benefitted from such gesture.

Another issue raised by the writer was what he described as “the level of parasitism on the part of those who ruled and still rule Katsina state since its inception is far reaching…” Governor Shema assumed office in 2007 and what transpired between September, 1987 and May 2007 did not in any way involve him. Back to the issue of the funds that accrued to Katsina state which the writer claimed had not been accounted for. I challenge the writer to undertake a study tour of the state to see if the living conditions of people has improved or not.

Character assassination is never part of our character and culture. Ours is a society where good work should be appreciated and not condemned as to do so will only draw us back.

Hadiza Usman Moh’d Katsina can be reached on hadizausm97@yahoo.com

electoral and office benefits, for sake of peace and progress. To cling to power or election results or questionable court judgements/ injunctions while causing destruction to life and properties does not serve a greater Nigeria but retards us immeasurably.

The ball is now on the court of the government. They must make the move now. Hot matters on ground such as the on-going ASUU strike, other strikes at state or local government levels should be tackled immediately. The president must show a personal interest in these matters and not say the relevant ministries or agencies are on it or he has not been briefed or it has not come to his attention!

Any programme or economic blueprint that does not translate to a cheaper cost of living and uplifts our human dignity makes no meaning to the common man.

Therefore the government should avoid statistical developments on paper while the reality on ground says the exact opposite. The government, their champions, the NLC/TUC must look in all dimensions to see the reality on ground and understand what the people are saying and requesting.

John Igoli can be reached through igolij@yahoo.com

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

By Prince Charles Dickson

“

W

hat food might this contain?” the mouse wondered. He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap. Retreating to the farmyard, it proclaimed this warning: “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!”

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, “Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is of grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.”

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!”

The pig sympathized, but said, “I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it.”

The mouse turned to the cow and said, “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!”

The cow said, “Wow, Mr. Mouse. I’m sorry for you, but it’s no skin off my nose.”

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down, dejected, to face the farmer’s mousetrap...alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house - the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.

The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it. It was a venomous snake whose tail was caught in the trap. The snake bit the farmer’s wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital. When she returned home she still had a fever.

Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup. So the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup’s main ingredient.

But his wife’s sickness

PAGE 15

Aso Rock, concerns of a mouse and ubuntu worsened.

Friends and neighbours came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.

But, alas, the farmer’s wife did not get well...she died. So many people came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all. And the mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

The Igbo say onye aghana nwanne ya, meaning “your neighbour’s challenge should be of some concern to you!”

The Zulus put it in this way, Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu “A person is a person because of people”). Other translations state “a person is a person through other persons.” In either case, this compelling truth about what it means to be a “human” in the Afrikan context reveals the wisdom of our ancestors and the tremendous beauty of our way.

In a word it is the spirit of Ubuntu. Ubuntu: the spirit of reciprocal living that luminously envelops a community in healing energy radiating from the hearts of interdependent human spirits sharing, and loving.

Archibishop Desmond Tutu further explained Ubuntu as the essence of being human.

Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can’t exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can’t

be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality – Ubuntu – you are known for your generosity. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole World. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.

How would Patience Jonathan feel if any of her kids, relatives lost a limb in Madalla; how would she feel if she lost an in-law was in the Kano bombings? Would it make more sense if any occupant in Aso Rock on assignment to Yola was butchered?

Do our leaders behave like the chicken, like the pig, like the cow, after all they all have security votes, and they can

afford to ride in bullet proof vehicles purchased at the taxpayers’ expense.

Is there any semblance of Ubuntu in the elite we call leaders, they are well versed in condolence visits and messages, experts in on-thespot assessment, but they do very little to prevent the avoidable.

In recent times we have had the Solomon Lar panel, Shiekh Lemu commission, and specific ones for Kaduna, and Borno, but even when they are made public, there is no effort or will in putting the recommendations or findings to work.

No one cares up there, just rhetoric...Its either they are on top of it and the killings take place under, or they are

“

How would Patience Jonathan feel if any of her kids, relatives lost a limb in Madalla; how would she feel if she lost an in-law was in the Kano bombings? Would it make more sense if any occupant in Aso Rock on assignment to Yola was butchered?

bringing it under control after it has happened. Will we witness a difference in approach if the Senate President is kidnapped of governor attacked and killed?

Already the feeling for Boko Haram is deadly divided regarding their targets, many are now saying leave the poor masses and attack the ruling class. No one is being brought to book; no one is facing the wrath of the law.

According to an NTA report monitored by burningpot.com, they called the Bayelsa Explosion in Tombia dynamites, not bombs; my humble question, if the president’s uncle was blown to shreds by it, would it have mattered if it was a bomb or dynamites.

The conspiracy theorists are spinning the theories in their dozens, when it capitulates, it will touch all of us. We need each other, we either retrace our steps now or it may be too late, the occupyNigeria dance was just a tip.

Our leaders need us to lead, rule or govern, even the monies they steal, they still need us to impress, to suppress, and they cannot be in isolation. They can’t be human all by themselves, and the earlier they see the mousetrap the better, sooner or later, the bomb may not just be an ordinary citizen, time will tell.

NB: The Concerns of a rat was told me by ‘Dozie Kaidi Obiaku

Naming the cabal: Dizeani’s mission impossible Continued from page 13

not all cabal-driven, caballoving and cabal-oriented people?

Consider this: politicians will naturally form a cabal to gain and protect power at all cost. If need be they can sacrifice innocent lives to hang on to power. Look to Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and now Syria and you get the gist.

Chasing the politicians is the business cabal. In our critical anxiety to unmask the cabal we may want to suspect the Nigerian business class as favouring more scrutiny in view of their sharp practices.

They will do anything to subvert the economy of their nation and hold us ransom through strangulating monopoly regardless of whether the nation atrophies like in the subsidy palaver.

Now consider how the cabal behind our sport administration has destroyed our national team – Green Eagles – over the years. Then peep into the minds of a small group of intriguers – military cabal – who refashioned

Nigeria after the civil war and went on to ravage her mercilessly.

Further afield are the intellectual cabal. They control the teaching materials offered to our kids in various campuses. They control the grading system and exercise the power to promote scholastic minds to professorial chairs.

They decide on who to give and deny honorary degrees. They punish deviants and reward conformists. Pleasurably, they are the purveyors of sex for grade. Cabalism could also range outside of politics, business, military and education to embrace the media. The Nigerian Union of Journalists is a shameless cabal. Don’t they protect their own interests by massaging the bowler-hatted head of President Jonathan and powerful politicians? Are they not co-opted members of the elusive corrupting class?

Is the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria not a cabal forever protecting their own interests?

Are the tone of their newspapers and magazines valiant or neutral on critical national issues? Are our digitalised journalists and writers still the questioning or acquiescing messengers? Is there anything resembling Sowore’s ‘Sahara Reporter’ among our media literati? For real, newspaper houses are now liberal institutions because of the unwritten rule that forbids

a cabal to fight a cabal.

Transport workers have demonstrated intelligent collectivism that seems in tune with the creed of cabalism. The National Union of Road Transport Workers – amalgamation of Area Boys cabal – have refused to ease commuters’ suffering even when the petroleum pump price was scaled down to 97 naira. We should also add that

“

We should defy this woolly thinking and begin to hunt for every absconding cabal from all areas of everyday life. The invisible cabal, those who instigated our economic ruination might be up your road if you look hard. In line with Diezani’s thinking, we have to force a rethink of our old stereotype of politicians as this nation’s vampire cabal

pimping is a muscular form of vampire cabalism. Large scale sex trade be it in USA, Europe, Africa, Latin America, Asia and Australia is not a warming democratic enterprise. A group of cabal in the mould of muscular and gun-wielding brutes protect and extract every penny from any wayward girl foolish enough to sign up to hoo-hah, hoo-hah industry.

It is about time we abandoned the extraordinary myth which reduces belongingness to a cabal to only politicians and their collaborating businessmen and women. We should defy this woolly thinking and begin to hunt for every absconding cabal from all areas of everyday life. The invisible cabal, those who instigated our economic ruination might be up your road if you look hard.

In line with Diezani’s thinking, we have to force a rethink of our old stereotype of politicians as this nation’s vampire cabal.

Taju Tijani is reachable on tajutijani.wordpress.com

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Why Gwarimpa building collapsed-FHA

By Josephine Ella

T

he Federal Housing Authority (FHA), yesterday revealed that the ill fated building which caved in on Saturday at 1st Avenue in Gwarimpa, killing two persons and injuring five others resulted from an uncontrolled demolition carried out by the Nigerian Navy Holdings, instead of a controlled demolition requested by the navy.

According to a statement issued in Abuja by the Managing Director / Chief Executive of FHA, Arc Terver Gemade : “Preliminary investigations indicate that the building collapsed as a result of uncontrolled demolition”.

Aside the fact that the navy embarked on an “unauthorised renovation”, he said that the FHA’s technical personnel who should have been involved to supervise the exercise were neither contacted nor were they involved.

Gemade revealed other factors which contributed to the collapse of the building at Block 1, 45 Road, Gwarinpa Estate, stems from the situation whereby “steel acro-props that should be in place at the ground floor and the upper floors were not used”.

Also, he pointed out that “as should be the case in a professionally conducted operation, the

demolition did not commence with the breaking of slab panels”.

He added that rather, critical edge columns were broken during the demolition resulting in the tragic slump.

Gemade recalled that the Nigerian Navy Holdings Limited/ GTE had in a letter dated December 12, 2011 and signed by Lt E. O Aigbe, made a request for a controlled demolition and reconstruction of the block.

However, before the integrity of the building would be probed and approval granted (or otherwise) to the Navy, the Authority’s Development Control personnel on

routine inspection noticed some demolition activity on the site in the evening of Thursday, January 26, 2012, he said.

Continuing, he explained that following that development, the Authority issued a ‘stop work notice’ the following morning and the building concerned was duly marked.

Those engaged to carry out the unapproved demolition, however, ignored the notice and continued with undue haste on Saturday apparently to take advantage of the weekend. The result was the collapse of the building and the unfortunate loss of lives, he said.

Student charged with forgery

A

student, Adesina Rotimi, resident at Environmental Quarters in Karu has appeared before an Abuja Senior Magistrate’s Court, charged with forgery and theft.

The Prosecutor, Mr Abdullahi Adamu told the court that on January 19, 2012, one Onyeka Hamlet of Enterprise Bank, Wuse Zone 5, reported at Wuse Police Station that the accused presented a forged dividend warrant cheque to the bank.

He said that the accused filled a deposit slip for N48, 444,97, but on presentation, the teller on duty discovered that the document was forged.

Adamu said that it was also discovered that on August 8, 2008, the accused presented a forged and stolen dividend warrant cheque of N375, 690,79.

The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to Sections 364 and 287 of the Penal Code.

The accused pleaded not guilty and the prosecutor asked for a date for hearing in view of his plea.

Senior Magistrate, Josephine Obanor granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 and a surety in like sum.

She said the surety must be a civil servant on Salary Grade Level 08 and above, living within the jurisdiction of the court.

Obanor adjourned the case to February 16, 2012 for hearing.

(NAN)

Members of the environmental task team of the AEPB removing a shanty at Ade Remo close at Area One in Garki last weekend during flag-off of its house-house sanitary inspection exercise.

Photo: Udoh Chidozie Ernest

AEPB boss bags Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award

By Udoh Chidozie Ernest

T

he Director, Abuja Environment Protection Board (AEPB) has been conferred with the Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award,

by All Africa Students’ Union (AASU).

The award which was conferred on him at the weekend in Abuja was in recognition of his strategic and silent achievements in

protecting the environment through selfless service.

According to the Deputy Speaker of AASU, Hon. Yinka Gbadebo, “bearing in mind that the African Continent is presently faced with the challenges of leadership, the aim of the prize, awarded annually

by AASU is to promote all forms of good leadership designed to construct the defences of African cultures of leadership with integrity in the minds of men,

by rewarding particularly outstanding leaders with vision to uplift Africa”.

Reacting to the award, the AEPB Director, Mr. Isa Shuaibu expressed delight for choosing him as the recipient of the 2011 award.

He encouraged the students to embrace hard work and be committed to nation building, adding that by that, they would become great leaders of tomorrow.

Dear reader, Metro welcomes human interest stories in your neighbourhood. Please call or send SMS to 08065327178 or e-mail jomarch4@yahoo.com to inform us about happenings in your area. Share your experiences or those of your friends and neighbours with fellow readers.

AEPB takes sanitation campaign to door steps of residents

By Udoh Chidozie Ernest

A

s part of efforts to ensure cleanliness in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Abuja Environment Protection Board (AEPB) has taken environmental sanitation campaign to the doorsteps of residents.

The program which kicked off on Saturday had the Director of AEPB, Shuaibu Isa Mohammed, and his Deputy Director, Aisha Adebayo, supervising and addressing the residents of various houses on the need to always keep their environment clean.

According to the Director, it has been observed that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise was not yielding any fruit as it provides avenue for residents to stay indoors and watch movies during the duration period as against the environmental cleaning.

“What we have done today, I think it’s far much better than restricting it to just monthly exercise. I think it’s a much more realistic approach to sanitizing the FCT. We want to remove this psyche that it’s only at month end. So let’s not deceive ourselves and do things the right way”.

Shuaibu who described the exercise as a very good approach that brings AEPB closer to the people added that it would be a daily routine describing it as a better way of sustaining the program.

The program which kicked off at the Area 1 shopping centre in Garki, where the shanties located around the shopping centre at Lapai Street, Abuja, were removed, was extended to Utako village and is expected to be a daily routine that would cover other parts of the city.

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Tel: 09-2349080-98 Fax: 09-2349074

Maitama - 08038485123 Central Police Station - 08033568389 Lugbe - 08077657371; 08037882321 Wuse - 08053088102 National Assembly - 08065777706; 08045317637 Asokoro - 07028134449 Nyanya - 08046115181 Utako - 07055888119; 07038621264 Karshi - 08023565354

Wuye Karu Gwarimpa Karmo Garki Life Camp Kubwa Gwagwa Zuba Dutse Alhaji Bwari Kuje

- 08023314440 - 08036249825 - 08059113555 - 08033773129 - 08033560903 - 08058036613 - 08036134478 - 08035537989 - 08075804475 - 08053089999 - 08075804475 - 07030800531

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- 080 33062496 - 08060568342 - 08057467369 - 08037209328

FCT HOTLINE AEPB 09 - 4603600-9

08065560315

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 17

Minister inaugurates 300 enforcement team officers

By Josephine Ella

T

he Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has inaugurated the enforcement squad of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), with strict directive to them to strive harder to meet the expectation of the Federal Government, the FCT administration and residents.

The inauguration of the

300 members of the squad took place at the old Parade Ground at Area 10 in Garki.

While inspecting a parade mounted by officers of the enforcement squad and the newly acquired operational vehicles of AEPB, he pledged to extend all necessary assistance to the AEPB Director, Mallam Shuaibu to enable them continue with their laudable works.

He commended the AEPB Director, Mallam Isa Shuaibu

Gbagyi indigenes accuse FG of negligence

By Adeola Tukuru

G

bagyi indigenes under the auspices of Greater Gbagyi Development Initiative (GG-DIN) have decried what they described as ‘the insensitivity of the Federal Government’ to their plights.

The President of the association, comprising of young men and women from all the satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Prince Gbaiza Gimba made known their grievances when they paid homage to the Chief of Garki, Alhaji Usman Ngakupi at his palace in Garki.

According to him, the visit was to appeal to the chief to intervene on their behalf as “most of their birth rights have been forfeited by successive government in the Territory”.

The group alleged the forfeiture of lands, markets among other form of livelihood by the government making them vulnerable to all kind of thread and victimization by residents who now take undue advantage

of them by exploiting them.

Gimba claimed that most steps of theirs to speak with the government on issues affecting them have not yielded any positive result. ”We are patriotic citizens of Nigeria, we demand that not only our views be sought when policies affecting us are being formulated but we should participate in them,” he added.

They also condemned the proposed government policy where private individuals investors would be allowed to buy lands that initially belongs to the indigenes, while fund raised would be used to resettle them to where government deem fit.

Responding, the Chief of Garki and Chairman Peyi Chiefdom, Alhaji Usman Ngakupi commended the group for their visit, assuring them of his backing to get their dreams fulfil.

Ngakupi further urged the group to be patient with the government, as they are working assiduously to ensure that natives’ problems are tackles for the interest of all.

for the great innovations and impetus he has brought to bear on environmental sanitation in FCT since he assumed duty few months ago.

High point of the event, was the unveiling of the 17-point operational handbook for the AEPB enforcement squad.

The handbook is a practical manual for curbing the most nagging environmental offences in the FCT.

Among the duties spelt out for the Enforcement Squad officers to execute are arrest of hawkers and street traders; arrest of persons who drive or park on drainage slabs, walkways, arrest of persons who walk across parks, lawns or flower beds; arrest of persons who excavate laterite, sand or stones or operate quarry sites illegally and arrest of persons who erect or construct sheds,

kiosks, etc at unauthorized places.

Others includes enforcement of the use of waste bins; arrest of persons who litter the streets, parks, gardens and other public places; arrest of persons who defecate or urinate by the road side or at places other than toilets; arrest of persons who sell or hawk fuel in unauthorized places.

Bwari residents call for more fuel stations

R

esidents of Bwari in Bwari Area Council of the federal Capital Territory (FCT), have appealed to the government and investors to establish additional filling stations in the area.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews that because of inadequate filling stations, the only two retail outlets were selling petroleum products above the official pump prices.

A taxi driver, Mr James

Adiku decried the development, urging private investors in the oil sector to come and establish filling stations in the area to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

“It is painful to note that we cannot get any filling station to buy fuel (petrol) at the official pump price; in essence, there is no way we can revert to the old transport fares. It will still continue until we can get fuel to buy at the reduced pump price”, he said.

A car owner, Hajiya Asabe Nuhu narrated her ordeal to NAN as a result of inadequate filling stations in Bwari and called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to establish a mega station in the area.

“We buy petrol at N110 per litre from the two filling stations currently operating in Bwari.

This is unfair because it is no longer a filling station price but black market price”, he said.

(NAN)

Karu traders laud AMAC over market demolition

By Adeola Tukuru and Amaike Ndidi Beauty

E

fforts by the Abuja Municipal Area Council(AMAC) to reconstruct Karu market in to a modern one, have been appreciated by the market traders as most of them said it was a good plan.

The council, had last week Thursday, embarked on partial demolition of the market for this purpose.

One Mr. Patrick Obi told our reporter during a visit to the market that the development was the kind of change traders had been expecting.

“I am very much delighted. In no distant time, this market will be like that of Wuse,” he said.

Investigations by Peoples Daily revealed that most of the people that sell in the particular segment of the market that was demolished had been using their shops as residential.

Another trader who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: “What the government is doing is

very good. They want to build a comfortable market for us; they are demolishing the market bit by bit.

“After building that complex, people in the left side will move to the new one till the completion of the project. Although it is affecting us but is for a short period of time,” he said.

Speaking on the demolition exercise, AMAC Supervisory Councillor on Special Duties, Hon Alex Ebi Edim said that the council had dialogued with the affected traders in Karu market. ”What AMAC intend doing is to extend the markets by a way of modernization. We want to change it to a modern market and there is no way we can do it without demolishing the existing structures, so we have already spoken to the traders, we have engaged the developers and we have already prepared a place for resettlements of the displaced traders.

He said that AMAC had given the traders official notice on the rebuilding of the market three years ago.

People hew firewood at Garki market for sale as kerosene becomes expensive, in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: NAN

Man in remand for sodomizing 12- year-old boy

T

he Police in Abuja has arraigned one Emmanuel Manta before an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court for sodomizing a 12-yearold boy (names with held).

Manta, who pleaded guilty also confessed to violating other boys in Mpape area of the city.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Musa Abdullahi had told the court that the case was

reported to Mpape police station on January 16, by the boy’s father (names with held).

The father had accused the suspect of having illicit sex with his son.

The prosecution informed the court that Manta had sexual intercourse with the boy through the anus, an offence which contravened section 288 of the Penal Code.

When the charges were read to the accused, he pleaded guilty, confessing that he had in the past molested many children in the area.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Okeagu Azubike, ordered the accused to be remanded in prison and adjourned the case to February 14, 2012 for ruling.

(NAN)

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2012

The world’s most amazing car showroom: 600 Volkswagens stacked into 200ft tall silos ready for delivery

T

hese futuristic garages are the ultimate car showroom - with millions of pounds worth of new vehicles sitting in the stunning glass towers.

Each day about 600 cars are picked up from the two 200ft tall silos by their new owners - making it the world's largest vehicle delivery centre.

Incredibly, the cars are built at the manufacturer's main plant, in Wolfsburg, Germany, and transported by conveyor belt to the adjacent towers' basement.

From there they are lifted into position at a speed of two metres a second via a robotic arm that rotates and run along a central beam.

Each tower contains 400 brand new Volkswagens.

An underground tunnel connects the two buildings, and the cars roll along an internal track to arrive to be fitted with license plates.

New owners can watch as their car is picked up from a bay and delivered to them at the Autostadt CustomerCenter, with the speedometer at zero.

The 20 storey buildings, which were the inspiration for a huge garage in the latest Mission Impossible film - Ghost Protocol - are housed at the Volkswagen theme park, the Autostadt, which translates as 'car city.'

Last year 175,893 new cars were handed over to their new owners.

The theme park also features a three Michelin star restaurant, the world's largest glass doors and the

world's longest printed line - four miles.

A spokesman said: 'Taking possession of a new car is a special event and each customer is made to feel like a king.

'Each handover includes professional advice from a personal consultant.

'It is no surprise the CustomerCenter is one of the main attractions for people

visiting the Autostadt.

'This automotive theme park attracts people who have a passion for cars as well as those who enjoy culture and unique kinds (of) events.

'Instead of focusing on vehicle production, the presentations highlight the many different aspects of human mobility.'

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

High tech: The futuristic garages in use, with new vehicles being moved around the complex

World's largest vehicle delivery centre: Each day about 600 cars are picked up by Ultimate showroom: The two buildings at the Volkswagen theme park, the Autostadt, are 200ft tall their new owners

Choice: Shiny new cars line up waiting for new owners to collect them

Scenes from the latest Mission Impossible film - starring Tom Cruise - were inspired by the Autostadt

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 19

INSIDE amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk 08033644990

NPA commences massive dredging project From Samuel Ayodele, Lagos

T

he Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has commenced massive dredging of all navigational channels throughout the country in order to accommodate bigger vessels berthing at the nation’s seaports.

Described as top on the NPA’s priority list, the exercise is seen as part of the efforts to open up the seaports to modern vessels that are 15 meters deep.

Most of the ports in the country are 13.5 meters deep, a development that makes it impossible for bigger vessels with 15 meters depth capacity berth at the ports.

All Bacoliners, as they are described in industry parlance, and other bulk cargo carriers of 15 meters depth have had to discharge goods midstream under a procedure determined by the authority.

The Managing Director of NPA, Mr. Omar Suleiman, said in an interview that dredging the nation’s channels was a deliberate policy to open up the ports for bigger business.

The NPA boss said that dredging the channels to a depth of 15 meters was strategic in positioning Nigerian seaports as

Flight schedule AIR NIGERIA (MONDAY - SUNDAY) LOS-A BJ: 07.15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.30, 17.00, 17.20, 18.30.

ABJ-LOS: 07.00, 09.30, 10.30, 11.15, 16.15, 19.15, 19.35 ABJ-KANO: 18.40 KANO-ABJ: 08.35 ABJ -SOK (MON): 09.35 ABJ-SOK (FRI): 10.10 ABJ-SOK (WED/SUN): 11.20 SOK-ABJ (MON): 11.35 SOK-ABJ (FRI): 12.00 SOK-ABJ (WED/SUN): 13.20

AEROCONTRACTORS (MON - SUN) LOS-ABJ: 06.50, 13.30, 19.45 LOS-ABJ (SUN): 12.30 LOS-ABJ (SAT): 16.45 ABU-L OS: 07.30, 13.00, 14.00, 19.00 ABU-LOS (SUN): 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 ABU-LOS (SAT): 18.30

DANA AIRLINES (MON - SUN) LOS-ABJ: 07.02, 08.10, 12.06, 15.30, 17.10 ABJ-LOS: 07.20, 09.36, 13.05, 14.40 ABJ-LOS (SAT/SUN): 13.05, 18.00 LOS-KANO : 08.10 KANO-LOS: 11.25 KANO -ABUJA: 11.25 ABUJA-KANO : 10.08

IRS AIRLINES

the hub of shipping activities in West Africa.

He said that apart from other access road projects in Apapa, which are targeting 80 percent completion this year, the NPA is determined to massively deepen the ports because of the economies of scale for more vessels.

“We want to dredge our channels much deeper than what we have now. Our target is to get

Suleiman also disclosed that the authority will begin work on the deep sea port at Ibaka in Akwa Ibom state and continue the Lekki Deep Seaport seen by industry stakeholders as timely because of the traffic congestion being created by Apapa ports.

“This year, we hope that work will start in at least one or two of the deep seaport. The Lekki port should be able to start off, and also

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Mr. Dauda Kigbu, Kaduna state Governor, Mr Patrick Yakowa, and Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, during an investment meeting between the governor and the minister, in Abuja, recently.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

US thumbs up Nigeria’s aviation sector From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

he United States yesterday commended the growth recorded by the Nigerian aviation sector in the last few years, affirming that the industry has the potential to grow like its American counterpart.

Speaking in Lagos at an interactive session with the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, the US Assistant Deputy Secretary of State, Susan McDermott said Nigeria airlines operators and the industry would grow into a robust one if necessary machineries are put in place.

Susan, who is in the country to deliberate on ways of further

strengthening the Open Skies Agreement both countries signed in 2001, told her host that, “I think it is robust; I think that it is growing. The carriers are basically very new. They have a lot of issues that they have to resolve among themselves”, she stressed.

On issues confronting the sector, she said, “They are issues of aircraft inability to access finance, there are issuesA of instability and I think that the Nigerian aviation industry will grow like the US into a large robust market; people need to fly, some flying into Nigeria, some from West Africa, some from all over Africa, including into the United States” The Deputy Secretary told the DG that “the US is encouraged by

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what has happened so far between the two countries. There are very large points in the US that can support Nigeria and we feel that not only is the consumers well served, but the competition as well” On his part, Dr. Harold Demuren noted that Nigeria will continue to seek other avenue to work with the US in realizing a vibrant aviation industry in the country.

He said the meeting has afforded the agency to carry out an overview assessment of the agreement which has seen the Nigerian carrier fly into continental United States.

The DG noted that the US team “is the greatest delegation coming from the US government and from the Department of Transportation”.

Nigeria plans to generate 16,000mw ... the Ibaka port project in Akwa Ibom should be able to start,” he said.

He said the Ibaka deep seaport project is considered to have taken off with the engagement of the consultants working on the project.”

According to him, NPA is waiting for the report from the consultants to be able to know the type of business model to adopt for the port.

He said several investors from mainly South Korea and Poland had already visited and held useful discussions with the NPA management.

He explained that the port model structure will be similar to other ports in the country, including the Roll-on-Roll-Off (RORO) port in Lagos, which the Grimaldi Group built and is operating it under a lease agreement.

He stated that one concern of the authority remains the issue of security on the channels, adding, however, that this was being addressed because of complaints lodged by the concessionaires.

Gombe Assembly passes Financial Economic Development Act into law From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

T

he Gombe state House of Assembly has passed the state’s Financial Economic Development Amendment Act 2011 into law.

Presenting the report at the floor of the House, Chairman, Committee on Financial Economic Development Act, Jalo Ahmed Ganga said that the Committee on Financial Economic Development have made its research findings and has come out with a blueprint to adopt the all the sectors in the state that have been abandoned years ago.

He said findings made by the Committee will give the House more boost to carry their legitimate functions effectively.

Meanwhile, the House has inaugurated a seven-man committee to take charge of ministries in the state in order to oversee their functions. The committee has been given 3 weeks to submit its report.

Management Tip of the Day

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up to 15 meters, now we have 13.5 meters. Having 15 meters will enable us attract bigger vessels,” he said.

He added that the dredging project was on going in nearly all the ports in the country, including Bonny, Port Harcourt and Lagos channels, further disclosing that Calabar and Warri channel dredging will soon start this year.

- Pg 20

Know which kind of mentor you need

M

entors help you advance in work and life. But don’t wait for someone to take you under his wing. Seek out people who can help you. The first step is to figure out which mentor will best meet your needs: The co-mentor. This can be anyone—a colleague, a friend—

who needs you as much as you need him. Find a co-mentor if you have a specific skill to learn and something to teach in return.

The remote mentor. This is someone outside your organization who can offer objective advice. You may need a remote mentor if you are

looking for a fresh perspective and you’ve already exhausted closer resources.

The invisible mentor. You don’t have to have a personal relationship with this mentor.

You learn from observing and following her example.

Source: Harvard Business Review

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS Ecobank reiterates commitment to epayment solution

E

cobank Plc has reiterated that its ‘Rapid Transfer’ is the most suitable and accessible payment solution for business transactions across Africa, urging students, traders, students and businessmen to embrace the product.

FG signs MoU with C/River on Tinapa, pledges infrastructure upgrade

T

he Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson has said that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Cross Rivers state government will leverage part of the worldclass infrastructure and services of the Tinapa business and leisure resort in Calabar to create a knowledge city.

Nigeria plans to generate 16,000mw of power by next year

T

he Federal Government is to spend US$5.5 billion (about N852.5bn) under the first implementation plan of its Vision 20:2020 to generate 16, 000 megawatts (MW) by 2013, according to a project implementation document.

The Vision 20:2020 implementation document for 2010 to 2013 issued by the National Planning Commission states that during the period, the proposed investment will cover four major areas: power generation, transmission, distribution and alternative energy.

According to the document, the overall target for the period

was to increase electricity generation, transmission and distribution from the 3,700MW in December 2009 to 8,000MW in 2010 and 16,000MW by 2013.

“Access to electricity is expected to increase from the current 40% to 50%, while per capita consumption will increase from the current 125kwh to 500kwh over the planned period.

This is expected to be achieved through significant investment in rural electrification programmes that will facilitate the expansion of transmission and distribution lines to the majority of rural

Nigeria,” the document stated.

It adds that alternative energy technology will be developed from other renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass, especially for the electrification of rural communities.

“In order to achieve the medium term goal, government will continue regular maintenance of all its power infrastructure, and rehabilitate and complete all ongoing power projects. It will also put in place incentives for private sector participation through the accelerated implementation of the Power Reform Act”, the document concluded.

Flour Mills invests N7 bn in edible oil facility

F

lour Mills of Nigeria Plc has concluded agreements for the supply of a new 500 tonne per day edible oil extraction and refining facility to be established in Ibadan, Oyo state.

I

Govt plans bill on patronage of local products

T

he Federal Government appeared set to give further bite to its patronise made- in- Nigeria products campaign, as it has prepared a bill to enforce compliance.

Oil prices head for first weekly gain in three trading

O

il headed for its first weekly gain in three trading on Friday, nearing a one-week high in New York amid signs of economic recovery in the United States of America- the world’s biggest crude consumer.

T

he Bui Power Authority (BPA) has announced that it has taken delivery of three turbines and two transformers, which are to be installed at the 400MW Bui hydroelectric project in Ghana.

Each of the turbines cost US$4.7 million, while each transformer cost US$1.7 million, giving a total cost of US$17.5 million.

The pieces are parts of a powerhouse in Ghana’s Brong Ahafo region that is, according to a BPA representative, nearly 70% complete. The project features a concrete gravity dam with a fivebay spillway, three penstocks, a switchyard, 276 km of transmission line and a permanent bridge downstream of the dam.

Financing for the US$622 million project is being provided through a concessional loan of US$263.5 million and a buyers’ credit of US$298.5 million from the Chinese government and Exim Bank, respectively, with Ghana’s contribution being US$60 million.

Ghana selected SinoHydro Corporation Limited as the project’s contractor in 2008, while management and staffing duties were assigned to BPA. BPA officials said they were still awaiting the delivery of one more transformer, but that the project is on schedule for commissioning by the end of 2012. (Source: ESI Africa.com)

Tanzania seeks US$257m loan for power generation

IITA to backstop Nigeria’s national cocoa transformation initiative nternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has unveiled plans to provide vital support to Nigeria’s cocoa transformation efforts, as the country embarks on doubling production of the crop in the next few years.

New turbines and transformers arrive for Ghana power project

A typical electricity transmission grid

Kenya and Ethiopia sign power purchase deal

D

etails of the high-stakes negotiations before Kenya signed a 400 megawatt (MW) power deal with Ethiopia are emerging, revealing that Nairobi managed to talk down the initial charges proposed by Addis Ababa as too high.

The deal, which analysts say pre-sages a new era of power trading in the region, was arrived at after a great deal of haggling, with the Ethiopians pressing for a higher price on the grounds that Kenya is currently buying even more expensive power from thermal plants. “The East African” reports that it ushers in one of the biggest power pool projects in the region, and will serve as a model for future arrangements under the Eastern Africa Power Pool.

The transaction is a take or pay contract, meaning that Kenya has to pay for the 400MW supply even if it is not using it. It will pay US cents 7 per kilowatt hour. The transmission line is expected to be completed by 2016 at a total cost of US$1.2 billion.

The agreement for continuous supply of 400MW was concluded in Addis Ababa

by Kenya Power and the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation after two days of intense negotiations.

The power purchase agreement is the second in Kenya’s history as it seeks longterm solutions to its perennial power problems. A decade ago, Kenya imported about 30MW from Uganda.

The conclusion of the agreement paves the way for Kenya and Ethiopia to mobilise funds for building a 1,045km high-voltage electricity transmission line. Ethiopia, which is endowed with a huge hydropower potential of about 45,000MW, is currently building three dams to generate power for domestic use and to export to Kenya and other neighbouring countries.

(Source: ESI Africa.com)

Libya oil output climbs to 1.3m bpd

L

ibyan oil production has climbed to 1.3 million barrels per day, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) said in a statement, as companies resume production following the eight-month war.

“The National Oil Corporation announced that the production of crude oil has reached 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd),” said a statement on its website.

Before the February uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi,

Libya pumped some 1.6 million bpd, but civil war brought flows to a standstill, cutting off exports of around 1.3 million to the international market.

The most recent resumption of oil production include Libya’s Waha Oil, a joint venture with U.S. firms ConocoPhillips, Marathon and Amerada Hess, which began crude oil production at the Dahra and Samah fields at a rate of 16,000 bpd. (Reuters/ NAN)

T

anzania’s state-owned power utility says it is in talks with a group of lenders including Citigroup Incorporated’s domestic unit for a US$257 million loan for the funding of electricity generation.

“The discussions may conclude this week,” said the Managing Director of Tanzania Electric Supply Company, William Muhando in an interview.

“The money is needed to fund emergency power projects that we undertook last year to meet demand,” Muhando explained.

“We expect to conclude negotiations with a group of financiers led by Citibank soon.”

Tanzania, East Africa’s second-biggest economy, had an electricity deficit of 264 megawatts (MW) last February following a drop in hydropower generation after a drought. The resulting power outages caused a slowdown in economic growth to 6.4% in the third quarter of 2011 from 6.7% a year earlier, the National Bureau of Statistics said.

Tanesco, as the utility is known, is also pursuing financing for new generation projects to be commissioned this year, Muhando said. (Source: ESI Africa.com)

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

LNG in talks to raise $1bn to buy six ships N igeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) is looking to raise $1 billion in international markets to acquire six LNG carrier ships, and is in the process of appointing financial advisers for the deal, the company said at the weekend.

General Manager (external relations), Siene Allwell-Brown, told Reuters the operator, which

is majority owned jointly by the state oil company NNPC and Royal Dutch Shell, held a board meeting on Thursday to discuss the appointment of advisers for the loan process.

“We have contacted global banks from which we will choose a financial adviser who will give us the best option through which we will raise at least a $1 billion loan to acquire six LNG carriers

for our operations,” AllwellBrown said.

It was not yet decided which bank would not lead manage the deal, nor from which company they would source the ships.

She did not provide a timetable for when the company expects to close the transaction but said that the loan aims to expand the operations of its shipping subsidiary Bonny Gas Transport Limited, which currently has 24 LNG ships.

NLNG was set up over two decades ago to harness Nigeria’s

natural gas resources and produce Liquefied Natural Gas and Natural Gas Liquids for export.

The company has long-term supply contracts with buyers in Italy, Spain, Turkey, Portugal and France and also sells on the spot market, Allwell-Brown said.

It has a capacity to produce 22 million metric tonnes of liquefied gas a year. It obtains its gas supply from the upstream oil companies and liquefies it for export.

Nasarawa govt plans to partner market management to improve economy

G

overnor Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa State said the government will collaborate with the Abuja Market Management Limited (AMML) to effectively and efficiently put to use the Lafia Modern Market.

A statement signed by the Director of Press, Iliyasu Yakubu and made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia quoted the Governor as making the plea recently when the AMML team paid him a courtesy call.

Al-makura said the speedy completion of the market was to ensure the utilisation of its values and give prospective business people the opportunity to contribute to the economic advancement of the State.

He said the market hand over to the AMML team was to ensure proper management of the sector which would in turn improve the economic base of the State.

The governor enjoined the Market Association in the State to cooperate with the Management team for effective running of the Market.

Al-makura also promised to consider handing over of Karu International Market to the AMML if they put in impressive performance in running the affairs of Lafia Modern Market.

Earlier, the Managing Director of AMML, Abubakar

Faruk said the essence of their visit was to harmonise the best ways of handling the market for effective utilisation.

While assuring the Nasarawa State Government

of its commitment towards effective management of the market, the AMML team also promised to put to use their wealth of experience to improve the economy of the State.

The Chairman, Nasarawa

State Market Traders Association, Alhaji Wakeel Abubakar, assured the State Government and AMML of their unalloyed support and cooperation in carrying out business activities in the Market. (NAN)

Kerosene vendors waiting for customers at Garki market, in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: NAN

Pioneering African Business Initiative launched by Tullow Oil

A

frica’s largest independent oil company, Tullow Oil Plc (‘Tullow’), last week kicked-off a new business initiative aimed at attracting and facilitating further investment in the continent.

Invest in Africa aims to encourage long-term investment across the continent to help build and develop local capacity, boost domestic job markets, develop skills and stimulate economic growth.

The programme’s call to action will be supported through a unique partnership with English Premier League football club, Sunderland AFC. As the initial Founding Partner establishing Invest in Africa, Tullow plans to secure five further Founding Partners from the international businesses community focused on Africa. These Partners will help to evolve and shape the programme in years to come.

Speaking at the launch, Tullow Chief Executive, Aidan Heavey said, “Tullow is investing in Africa for the long term and we want more businesses to do the same. Africa has been good to us, and we have been successful, but we want that success to bring growth for local people and economies too.

Africa’s a great place to invest and this partnership with Sunderland AFC will allow us to get the message to a global audience. There are some great opportunities out there and we want other companies who share our vision to join us.”

Further details about the initiative including the additional partners which join the campaign will be announced at the end of the Premier League season.

(Source: ESI Africa.com)

Transfer workers’ housing fund to loans board, council tells FG

T

he Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has called for the transfer of workers’ housing fund from the Federal Mortgage Bank to the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board.

The JNPNC said the call became imperative because of the inability of civil servants to access the fund.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, the General Secretary of JNPNC, Mr. Solomon Onaghinon, said a negligible percentage of National Housing Fund (NHF) contributors had access to the monies.

The NHF was established by Decree No. 3 of 1992, which made it mandatory for Nigerian workers in public and private sectors, earning at least N3, 000 per annum, to contribute 2.5 per cent of their monthly salaries to the fund.

Available statistics show that of the total registered contributors of 3.4 million, only 44,252 were able to access the fund in 2008.

It also revealed that of about N79.5 billion which was contributed between 2006 and January 2009 to the fund, only N41.9 billion representing 52.8 per cent was disbursed to Primary Mortgage Institutions

(PMIs) and estate developers.

Of the N41.9 billion, only N666 million (16 per cent of the fund) was actually disbursed to individual contributors.

But Onaghinon, who is also the General Secretary, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), expressed dismay with the continued remittance of the fund to the Federal Mortgage Bank without disbursing it.

“Many civil servants have continued to lament their inability to access their money in the bank.

“We are not happy that the government still deducts the

housing fund and remits it to the bank.

“The fund should be taken to the staff housing loans board for workers to get loans to build their own houses,’’ he said.

According to Onaghinon, the board had approved over 16, 000 applications for workers, but could not give applicants loans because of lack of funds.

“That is why the eight unions that make up the JNPNC have agreed that the money should be removed from the bank and kept with the board.

“We want the government to stop further deductions because

the bank is not accounting for the money they have been collecting over the years,’’ the ASCSN scribe said.

Onaghinon said the 90-day ultimatum given the government on the matter would expire next week.

“Members of the Council have scheduled a meeting with the Head of Service of the Federation, the AccountantGeneral of the Federation, and the Minister of Labour for Feb. 7 and Feb. 9, to discuss the issue,’’ he added.

He, however, expressed the hope that the meeting would be “fruitful” to stave off a possible strike. (NAN)

PAGE 22

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Promoting free trade in West Africa via NEXIM sea-link project

A

dvocates of increased trade among West African countries always stress the need to put in place reliable international transport systems to facilitate the movement of goods and services in particular.

In the commercial city of Aba, for instance, many traders emphasise the need for alternative means of transportation to ferry their products from the city to different locations in West African countries.

They argue that road transportation cannot support the growing volume of trade with their business partners in these countries. ``If we have alternative means of transporting our goods, it will go a long way in aiding our goods to get into the markets of many countries,'' says Chidi Umeafor, a shoe manufacturer at Ariara market in Aba. Umeafor is one of several young Nigerian manufacturers who are desirous of attaining a smooth flow of business transactions within the West African subregion.

Economic experts, however, note that the economies of most African countries are growing steadily in spite of the current global crisis which has negatively affected the economies of many developed countries.

The experts argue that the effective collaboration of every sector of the national economies of African nations is, nonetheless, required to reposition the economies to engender any meaningful national development.

They, nonetheless, note that international trade in the West African sub-region has been fraught with various challenges, thereby stunting the countries' economic development.

However, several efforts have been initiated to facilitate and deepen intraregional trade within West Africa, in line with the ECOWAS Protocols on Free Movement of Persons, Goods and Services.

As part of these efforts, the Nigeria Export Import Bank (NEXIM) recently initiated a sea-link project to boost trade within West Africa, while deepening payment systems and improving the access of traders and exporters to credit facilities.

Managing Director of NEXIM, Mr. Roberts Orya says that the bank embarked on the project to deepen trade within the West African subregion, in particular. ``The project is geared towards setting up a maritime shipping company that would

link seaports on the West African coast in order to facilitate trade and ensure smooth transportation of goods among ECOWAS member states,'' he says.

The Project Consultant, Mr. Traore Tidiane argues that maritime trade within the sub-region has been largely dominated by inadequate, unsafe and old vessels, without due regard for passenger safety.

He says that that the sealink initiative is designed to offer a safe, secure and modern fleet with experienced international management, adding that shipping service will also have the capacity to compete effectively with the fleets in other regions.

“The service will offer a combination of passenger and cargo services that are attractive to traders,'' he says, adding: ``The capital outlay for the project is around 61.5 million dollars and the funds will be raised through 60 per cent equity and 40 per cent debt.''

Orya explains the rationale behind the project succinctly, saying: “The primary objective of the NEXIM project is to deepen trade among West African states, while reducing the current high costs of shipping goods along the West African and Central African coastlines.''

He adds: “This is because movement of goods between West African destinations are often carried out through Europe or South Africa due to the non-existence of direct coastal sea links in West Africa..''

Orya stresses that the project initially involves the setting up of Sea-link Promotional Company Ltd., a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created to promote the establishment of a maritime shipping service that would connect West African coastal ports, including those of Central Africa, to boost trade within the region.

He says that the project

will later involve the process of raising equity, adding that at that stage, the private sector will come in and buy shares.

“We have identified that one of the barriers to deepening trade within the ECOWAS sub-region is how to move goods within the region; if we have to increase the flow of trade in the region, we have to set up a vehicle to drive this,'' Orya says.

“That explains the raison d'être behind our initiative.

We need to have an efficient transportation system for the movement of goods from one country to another, while creating jobs for the teeming youths,'' he adds.

In spite of the fact that NEXIM initiated the sea-link initiative, it is, nonetheless, collaborating with the ECOWAS Commission, the Federation of West African Chamber of Commerce and the region's private sector.

Orya says that the hub of the sea-link project is in Nigeria, reiterating that the project was initiated to scale down the hurdles associated with the transportation of goods within the West African sub-region.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Bashir Wali, NEXIM's Director of Corporate Services, stresses that the initiative will particularly facilitate the growth of trade in West Africa.

He says that the project will also promote the fulfilment of ECOWAS integration schemes, as it is aimed at ensuring the free flow of trade within the West African subregion.

Experts are of the view that the sea-link project will aid the efforts of Nigerian manufacturers and exporters to have a structured access to the West African and Central African markets.

This is because most of the consumer products and raw materials in the ECOWAS markets originate from Nigeria, some of the experts

“

He says that the project will later involve the process of raising equity, adding that at that stage, the private sector will come in and buy shares.

Managing Director of NEXIM Mr Roberts Orya say.

The initiative is, therefore, expected to boost efforts to actualise the aspirations of Nigerian traders and manufacturers to gain access to regional markets, thereby boosting manufacturing, foreign exchange earnings and job creation in the country.

Prof. Wilson Attah, the former President of Ghana National Chamber of Commerce, says that the initiative will promote regional integration and bring about economic development.

He notes that the West Africa has been losing about 45 per cent of its cargoes to European shipping lines because of poor maritime services in the sub-region.

“Apart from the fact that shipping of goods is going to be cheap in the region, the introduction of the initiative will also boost the development of the region's tourism sector.

“We are grateful to NEXIM for the initiative and the major role it is playing in the project,'' he says.

The President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr James Gbeho, says that the sea-link initiative is laudable, pledging the Commission's support for the project that is aimed at boosting trade within the sub-region.

He particularly pledges the support of ECOWAS Commission for the company that was set up to oversee the sea-link project.

“We will support the company not only because it is an indigenous West African company but also because the initiative's objectives are aimed at facilitating

transportation of persons and goods within West Africa, which falls within the ECOWAS vision for the region,'' he says.

“It is also in line with our integration efforts,'' he adds.

Gbeho stresses that ECOWAS has shifted its focus from its member states to the people since 2007 so as to speed up efforts to integrate the economies and infrastructure of West African countries, while initiating peopleoriented development plans.

“Unless we are able to reach that point, we are not going to develop fast enough and we need to develop the continent.

“Since NEXIM's vision conforms to our own vision in ECOWAS, there is nothing we can do than to support the initiative,'' he adds.

Gbeho emphasises that the maritime industry in West Africa is one of the sectors which could meaningfully promote ECOWAS integration aspirations.

Apart from the myriad economic benefits of the sealink project, maritime experts believe that the initiative will also improve the capacity of West Africa’s maritime industry, while providing alternative sea transport routes for modern and multipurpose vessels.

Besides, the project will foster inter-regional maritime passenger and freight services, while serving as a catalyst to trade development in and between Africa's subregions.

“The sea-link project will certainly stimulate the economic growth of West African countries,'' some of the experts say. (NANFeatures)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 23

Report as at Monday, January 30, 2012 Company

Price

% Change

Last Updated

Company

Price

% Change

Prestige Assurance Co PLC

0.920

-4.167%

Jan 30

UACN Property

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

28.500

-1.724%

Jan 30

RT Briscoe Nigeria PLC

1.200

0.000%

Red Star Express PLC

2.310

Regency Alliance Insurance PLC

Development Co PLC

12.600

0.000%

Jan 30

Jan 30

Unic Insurance PLC

0.500

0.000%

Jan 26

-3.347%

Jan 30

Unilever Nigeria PLC

29.900

0.000%

Jan 30

0.500

0.000%

Jan 18

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

8.650

0.000%

Jan 30

Resort Savings & Loans PLC

0.500

0.000%

Jan 27

Union Diagnostic &

Royal Exchange Assurance PLC

0.500

0.000%

Jan 30

Clinical Services PLC

0.500

0.000%

Jan 30

Skye Bank PLC

3.400

-2.857%

Jan 30

Union Homes Real Estate

Sovereign Trust Insurance PLC

0.500

0.000%

Jan 26

Investment Trust PLC

50.000

0.000%

Jan 24

%

Union Homes Savings

Spring Bank PLC

Last Updated

Staco Insurance PLC

0.500

0.000%

Jan 25

& Loans PLC

Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC

7.060

1.146%

Jan 30

Unity Bank PLC

0.520

0.000%

Jan 30

Standard Alliance Insurance PLC

0.500

0.000%

Jan 30

Universal Insurance Co PLC

0.500

0.000%

Jan 30

Starcomms PLC

0.500

0.000%

Jan 30

University Press PLC

3.250

0.000%

Jan 30

Tantalizers PLC

0.500

0.000%

Jan 26

UTC Nigeria PLC

0.500

0.000%

Jan 25

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

24.250

0.000%

Jan 30

Vitafoam Nigeria PLC

3.850

-4.703%

Jan 30

Total Nigeria PLC

190.000

0.000%

Jan 30

Vono Products PLC

2.880

0.000%

Jan 23

Transnational Corp of Nigeria PLC 0.590

1.724%

Jan 30

Wema Bank PLC

0.530

0.000%

Jan 30

UAC of Nigeria PLC

0.689%

Jan 30

Zenith Bank PLC

12.010

-0.744%

Jan 30

29.210

%

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Subsidy strike: Was it a 14-day dream?

It may appear like business as usual but people do not experience such an outpouring of solidarity and power and remain unchanged. The apathy barrier has been broken and there has been a shift in consciousness, writes Sokari Ekine.

I

s the Nigerian 'revolution' over? Was it just a brief moment in our history when everyone came together, believing that this time things would be different? Or has there been a permanent shift in consciousness?

Emmanuel Iduma likens Nigeria's 14-day revolt to a dream from which we awoke and returned to normalcy.

'The horizon of your dream was of a better life, a different form of existence, a tangible and measurable difference. You saw that the debate about fuel subsidy removal was the opportunity to dream of change, because this was a protest above all protests, because this protest seemed naturally logical. But you forgot that in dreaming one does not feel; the night happens so fast, and very soon you are awake.'

Nigerians may well have woken up and it may appear that it's business as usual but people do not experience such an outpouring of solidarity and power and remain unchanged.

The apathy barrier has been broken and yes there has been a 'shift in consciousness' - how deep and how lasting remains to be seen. The momentum was lost when on 13 Friday, when the labour movement called for a two-day weekend break to 'recuperate'. It would have been better if the NLC had just said we needed time to negotiate than lead people to believe this was only the beginning rather than the end. It was hardly a surprise to learn by Monday that the unions had sold out after a N100 fuel price was agreed with the government.

Threats by PENGASSAN to shut down oil production and thereby bring the government to its knees turned out to be merely hot air.

On his blog Notes from Atlanta, Farooq A Kperogi speaks for many when he comments on the NLC sellout.

'Then Nigeria's thoroughly compromised labour movement hijacked the revolt, lulled the people into a false sense of solidarity and finally extinguished the revolutionary fire that was burning down the foundations of Nigeria's ruling elite... The Nigerian Labor

Congress and the Trade Union Congress didn't join the mass protests until at least three days after the fact. They were obviously drafted by President Jonathan and his agents to help contain, and if possible snuff out, the conflagration that was going to consume them. From the very start, I privately expressed concerns that the Nigerian Labor Congress would infiltrate and dilute the people's revolt.'

Exactly one week after the protests ended, Boko Haram struck once again. This time it was a bombing carnage in Kano which left between 180 and 250 people dead and hundreds injured [exact figures differ and the number of dead continues to rise]. The sheer bloodbath and impunity with which Boko Haram continues to bomb northern Nigeria almost on a daily basis has left the country traumatised. Only 48 hours after the Kano bomb, the group attacked towns in Bauchi state and lately in Kano.

With nearly 1000 people dead since 2009, Nigerians continue to speculate about who exactly are Boko Haram and how they are able to continue killing so freely. There is consensus that they are a disparate group with many heads; they do have support both in government and in their communities; the bombing campaigns have been in response to the murder of their leader Mohammed Yusuf and other members of the sect in 2009. It must be noted that this was almost two years before Jonathan became president.

Olly Owen expands on these factors in African Arguments but also reminds us that there is, like in the Niger Delta, 'a persistent trajectory of under development and misgovernance' in the region. I would add there is a similar danger of reductionism whereby in this case the sect is simply labeled 'radical Islamists' without considering their origins or the material context in which they have flourished.

'Media speculation, which pointed fingers at former Governor Ali Modu Sherrif as the 'father' of Boko Haram, seems to have been wide off the mark, (devout Islamists and his brand of politics stayed far apart) but it is fair to say that the administration, and others like it in the region created the conditions for the spread of extremism by fostering thuggish, winner-takes-all corrupt politics at the same time completely neglecting basic services and education...

'Religious scholars such as sect leader Mohammed Yusuf preached a pro-poor message which was admired even by some Christians in the city, and gave more concrete help, such as micro-credit, to their own followers. Neither is it surprising that the movement exhibits a marked antipathy to the state it is after all born in a region which has seen previous millennial Islamic risings such as the 1980s Maitatsine movement, and in which evading the state through border-crossing, smuggling and migration around the Lake Chad borderlands is a virtual way of life for many.'

President Goodluck Jonathan's failure to act following the Christmas Day bombings left Nigerians feeling he was either cowered by those Boko Haram elements he claims have infiltrated his government or he is just plain incompetent or possibly both. He has finally raised one eye and woken up to the urgency of the situation by ordering the Inspector General of police [IG] and all deputy generals to resign immediately and for an urgent reorganization of the police. The question still

remains why it has taken him so long, particularly following the escape of the only suspect in the Christmas Day bombings when over 100 police guarding the prisoner did nothing.

The Nigerian police force is possibly the most corrupt and violent institution in the country, one which has played a major role in terrorising local communities in the Niger Delta, the north and other parts of the country. They have carried out extra-judicial killings, torture, rape and forced prostitution in the Niger Delta and there is no reason to believe they act differently elsewhere in the country. Owen suggests a 'quiet revolution' to create a new model of community policing rather than 'the anti-terror police, increasing paramilitarism, or increasingly expensive high-tech gadgets. It is these ground-level tactics which can help detect crime and extremism, gather intelligence and build partnership and confidence with the public.'

I would also suggest police drawn from local communities and who might have some vested interest in building a trustworthy relationship with the community.

The sense that the government is fearful is supported by statements by two northern politicians who have called for Boko Haram to be given amnesty. 'The Speaker of the House of Representative, Aminu Tambuwal, has urged the Federal Government to forgive the members of the Boko Haram Islamic Sect and grant them amnesty. 'Forgive them, bring them to the table and discuss with them to see how to end these problems.' 'About a

month ago, Buba Galadima, the National Secretary of the Muhammadu Buhari-led Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) had told the same BBC that the FG was underestimating the support that Boko Haram had within the population...Buba Galadima had reasoned in that interview thus: 'Why didn't the president crush the Niger Deltans? That's a questions a lot of people in this part of the country are asking. Instead they are being rewarded for the economic destruction they brought Nigeria.

Why can't the same be true for Boko Haram? The people are sympathetic to certain principles and ideas,' he told the BBC. If people feel they are being denied anything or an injustice is being meted out to them then there is a likelihood that they will take the law into their own hands and help themselves.'

I cannot imagine that the majority of Nigerians would agree to an amnesty for Boko Haram even if it were possible, which I very much doubt. Too much blood has been shed and the repercussions for the country go far beyond the bombings to the whole national project that is 'One Nigeria'. Nigerian social media crews are at pains to counter the international media's insistence that the Boko Haram attacks are part of a religious war between Christians and Muslims. I completely support this position.

But if we scratch below the surface we find that tensions between religions and ethnic nationalities do exist and cannot be swept under the carpet.

Religious fanaticism is becoming endemic in both faiths. The country is drowning in God from all directions but maybe the practice of religion is the one unifying force!

Tensions remained between the Niger Delta and the rest of the country. The region has been largely absent from the protests.

On the contrary the loudest voices and by far the most disturbing, have come from some activists and ex-militants who issued a statement on Saturday 14 January calling for all Niger Deltans to protect Goodluck Jonanthan and to return home. The statement by the Niger Delta Occupy the Niger Delta (NDOND) was essentially a preamble to secession. It is not clear what precipitated the statement

signed by AnnKio Briggs who in December, and as late as the day before, had expressed doubts about the validity of the fuel subsidy removal. She had also insisted that if it was removed it should be conditional. She described the subsidy as 'The mother of corruption', which is pretty accurate.

'The subsidy itself is the mother of corruption. I'm in support of its removal but there are grounds for taking this position. One of them is that Nigerians will not pay a kobo more than they can afford to pay for petrol. Second, there must be an open investigation into how such fraud was perpetrated in the name of subsidy. It is now very clear that something fraudulent was going on. How is it that Nigeria started paying subsidy in 2006 to three companies but by 2011 there were 77 companies collecting subsidy? So, there has to be a public enquiry and these companies must tell Nigerians how they qualified for the subsidy they received.

Third, the government must tell Nigerians the issues about our refineries. Why is it that we have four refineries and none is working? People who were interested in setting up refineries across the geopolitical zones in the country were not allowed. What is the problem when people can illegally, as they call it, refine crude in a very crude manner and still bring out petrol to sell?

This is my position and that of the organisation I represent, Agape Birthright'. [Sunday Sun December 18, 2011. 'Reps are anti-people - Annkio Briggs',

By Daniel Alabrah] So it was with horror and disappointment that I read the NDOND statement which could end up undermining years of struggle in the Niger Delta. Although it appears to be a minority viewpoint it is the voice which is being heard above all else. For example, the article supposedly published by the ex-militant group, MEND [there is no way to verify who is behind the site] 'Can This Government Do the Job' has not been reported.

'Nigeria is literally falling to pieces under the watch and stewardship of President

“

Pro-subsidy demostrators in Lagos.

Back to the mass action, much has been tweeted about the absence of women in the Nigerian protests which runs contrary to the history of women's resistance in the country.

But on Monday this changed as hundreds of Kaduna women came together in an action against the eviction by the Nigerian Air Force from their ancestral home.

Jonathan. And these are not the words of a detractor or an enemy...it would appear that the Nigerian government under President Jonathan has completely lost control of the situation in the country and can no longer guarantee the security of life and property of innocent and law-abiding Nigerians. For murderers to plan and successfully drop 20 bombs, including grenades, in Nigeria's second largest city, leading to the death of more than 200 people, and the government and its machinery did not pick up any hint of its coming in any way at all to save this country the horror, scandal and embarrassment that befell it last Friday is, to say the least, quite scary. Even during the 1967-1970 Nigerian civil war, I cannot remember anywhere 20 bombs and grenades dropped on a single city in one day. Boko Haram continues to get stronger, more sophisticated and more ambitious by the day while the federal government continues to look weaker, smaller and more pusillanimous.'

Back to the mass action, much has been tweeted about the absence of women in the Nigerian protests which runs contrary to the history of women's resistance in the country. But on Monday this changed as hundreds of Kaduna women came together in an action against the eviction by the Nigerian Air Force from their ancestral home.

'The women were carrying placards with inscriptions in Hausa such as, ' Bamu da gida sai Titi' (meaning, our only shelter left is the highway). The women were also protesting the physical assault on one of them by soldiers who were drafted to control the women. An incident that nearly broke into a security operation between the youths, the husbands of the women who were standing by and the security men drafted to the area. The incident, which increased anxiety in the town, led to the complete blockage of exit and entrance of traffic to Kaduna town for over three hours. It, however, took the combined efforts of the police, the military, government officials and community leaders to calm the nerves of the protesting women who had insisted on remaining on the highway as the only shelter left for them to occupy.

Narrating their grievances, the leader of the women, Mrs. Monica Musa who spoke to newsmen, said several years back the Air Force had evicted them from Ungwan Waziri, a village were the graves of their great grandparents lay, without any compensation.

'We had to move to this present location in 1984. They followed us again in 2008, and destroyed our houses and farmlands.''

(Pambazuka News).

President Goodluck Jonathan

Acting Inspector-General of Police Mohammed D. Abubakar

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Weep not, Kano, be innovative

By Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde

T

he Kano bombings of Friday, 19 January 2012, could not have come as a surprise.

It is not the first time that Kano and Maiduguri would share the same fate. The early 1980s saw the Maitatsine religious crisis spread from Kano to Maiduguri, Gombe and Yola. This time, it reversed.

Coming three decades later with its epicenter in Maiduguri, Boko Haram has spread to Kano.

The two are the most vibrant commercial cities in the far North.

And not by coincidence, they are also the leading cities in Qur'anic tradition. Speaking in historical terms, they shared borders and there are large populations of Kanuri in the old Kano State. They are twins, you can say, in many respects.

While the people of Kano and indeed the entire country commiserate with the victims of the attack, and while the injured are still on hospital bed hoping for quick recovery, I feel not enough attention on the future is given in our commentaries. Will last Friday's attack and its ongoing aftershocks be the last to visit Kano or will the second most populous city in the country share the fate of its twin sister?

The motive of Boko Haram and the reaction of government to the attacks suggest to me that Kano is likely to share the destiny of Maiduguri. More attacks should be expected. They are likely to come with no less, but if not more, degree of devastation.

This is not a prayer but a prudent, albeit brutal, reading of the situation. It is the most likely scenario that needs to be prepared for or, if possible, avoided all together.

Boko Haram has given its reasons for the attack. It said it was predicated on the failure of the authorities to release innocent members of the sect detained from and after the 2009 crisis. Massive arrests, it said, took place in Wudil. Recently, also, added Boko Haram, many have been quietly arrested in the Kano itself without any trial.

The organization said it put off attacking the city many times before due to the intervention of some ulama it respects. But when neither of the demands was met, it ran out of patience and finally decided to go for what is correctly described as its biggest operation ever.

If previous arrests instigated the attack, as Boko Haram said, it will be difficult to see how the attack in itself would lead to amity with the government.

Naturally, more arrests were made after the attack, and more will be made, in addition to a large dose, if not an overdose, of a cocktail of both preemptive and retributive measures. The killing of a Kantin Kwari merchant and his wife and the arrest of his children point at the extent that government would go with its policy of extermination, depicting another striking similarity with Maiduguri.

Policemen inspect a bomb site at the police station, in city of Kano, after several attacks by Boko Haram sect, recently.

From experience, Boko Haram will not be cowed by such measures. They only serve to provoke it further. Unless a wiser approach is taken, last Friday's attack was the conjugation that will endlessly replicate the Maiduguri crisis DNA in Kano. I have not lost sight of the significance of the label given to the YouTube video released by its leader, Imam Abubakar Shekau, few hours ago: "Sako Game Da Harin Kano 1." In the caption is an implicit message that there might be Kano 2! The content of the video did not leave

a better ground for hope either.

What should Kano resort to?

Will it choose to depend on the overwhelmed federal government, in spite of the assurances of the new IGP, or would its leaders be innovative in following a complementary or, if need be, different path to peace?

Unlike Maiduguri, however, Kano has a small window of hope.

If it is true that there are ulama in Kano who the sect hold at high esteem and whose reverence was instrumental in wading off earlier plans to attack the city, then the

“

Unlike Maiduguri, however, Kano has a small window of hope. If it is true that there are ulama in Kano who the sect hold at high esteem and whose .....

opportunity should be used to ensure that Kano is spared the crippling fate of Maiduguri.

In the pursuit of this goal, I advise that Kano must not solely rely on the federal government, whose extermination policy has only worsened matters nationwide. The Chief of Defence Staff just recently reiterated that government will not negotiate with Boko Haram. This high horse of government stupidity will not spare Kano the spectre of destruction that is staring at it. It will only destroy the city, to the delight of some.

The state government must quickly recruit the support of the Kano Emirate, the ulama of Kano as well as its businessmen to dialogue with the group. This should be done silently without courting publicity. Some nonKano residents, like the Chief of Defence Staff, may think this is abominable. But think of it objectively. Is negotiation too big a price for peace and what it preserves of lives, property and businesses?

Let us examine the prospects of the government's military option briefly.

The most obvious thing that will happen is that the army will become increasingly drafted to Kano streets as the attacks continue. Their mandate will equally continue to expand, each time pouching from the authority of the state government, as we have seen in Plateau and Maiduguri, with state of emergency declared in all the local governments of the city.

The state will be spending chunks of its allocation to finance

the military presence on its streets.

It will be a web from which Kano will find difficult to extricate itself, moreso, when the misery of the city will mean a fortune for people who will exploit the situation to their advantage, diverting billions of security expenditure - which is a quarter of our federal budget into their bank accounts.

The people who will suffer most will be the ordinary citizens whose businesses and livelihood will be impaired. When achaba is banned, for example, as in Maiduguri and Yobe state, a million commercial motorcyclists shuttling the streets of Kano will be jobless and their two million dependents will face serious hardships. And so with other businesses. The misery, in the end, will be unimaginable.

Markets, as it happened in Maiduguri, will also be at the risk of getting destroyed by fake soldiers who will cordon them, disperse their traders and set them ablaze immediately.

Businessmen will be sent letters containing bullets demanding millions of naira or face death.

Those who would like to cripple the long standing record of Kano's economic success will have a golden opportunity. They will carry their operations and push the blame to Boko Haram.

At home, families will be subjected to abuse. A single explosion will justify the ransacking of the entire neighbourhood by soldiers, killing the innocent, raping the women and shooting the men. Residents of the city will be forced to abandon it. Where will those millions go?

In the end Kano will be a ghost of its present state...if it solely relies on the federal government...if it commits the mistake of its twin sister, Maiduguri.

It must pursue a different path, wherever and whenever possible.

It must not be overwhelmed by its tears, which at best preoccupies it with the past incident and prevents it from preparing for the future.

But unlike Maiduguri, Kano must be ready to take its destiny in its own hands. Durkusawa wada ba gajiyawa ba ne.

As I was about to conclude this piece, Reuters reported that the President has confessed that the military option is not a solution, that his government is ready to dialogue if Boko Haram "will come out." Kano should not wait for Boko Haram to "come out" before it finds peace. It should take its own initiative. Who knows? Its effort, if it succeeds, may open the way for government to follow.

Finally, I hereby condole to the families of the victims that were killed and pray for fast recovery of all the injured.

Weep not, Kano. Your great people must take heart and take their destiny into their own hands.

As the poet al-Mutanabbi once put it, Innal 'azeema 'alal 'azeemi sabouru: Great people endure great calamity.

Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde is renow.ned columnist based in Jos

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 27

Cassava bread: Farmers group pledges to boost cassava production T

he Association of Small Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN) has promised to cooperate with the Federal Government to increase cassava production to complement efforts at promoting the use of cassava flour for bread baking.

The association’s National Vice President, Mr Joshua Mabinuori, stated this recently in Ijebu-Ode, in Ogun State.

It will be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan recently presided over a presentation of bread made from cassava flour and called on Nigerians to encourage its production.

Mabinouri said government’s decision to substitute wheat flour with cassava in bread production was a policy in the right direction

as it would discourage wheat flour importation, and encourage farmers to produce more cassava.

Mabinuori explained that Nigeria, being the largest producer of cassava in the world, should not be an importer of wheat flour for bread production since cassava could serve as an alternative.

“Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world.

So if we have that advantage why

can’t we make use of it? And presently, I think they bake bread from wheat flour which is being majorly imported into this country.

“If we have cassava in abundance and we are still spending money to import a particular bread ingredient from abroad that cassava can substitute, I think the best thing for us is to work it out quickly.

“And we want to really say that

eating cassava bread is a policy in the right direction and that I wish Nigerians, particularly the bakers will cooperate with government in that direction. As for us farmers, we will definitely cooperate,” he said.

Mabinuori, who noted that Nigerians are used to wheat flour bread, said that with time, cassava bread would become the staple brand for all.

“The taste of cassava bread and

Borno govt pledges to support cassava farmers

A

Niger govt accords priority to agriculture

T

he Niger state government has said it will continue to accord priority to agriculture in order to provide sustainable economic development and food security in the country.

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Daniel Shashere, made this known while briefing participants of the Senior Course 34 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji-Kaduna in Minna recently.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Alhaji Adamu Umar, Shashere told the delegation that the state had the largest land mass in the country.

According to him, about 80 per cent of the land is arable and capable of producing enough food for the nation’s need.

He said that the administration initiated Ward Development Projects as a new approach to participatory democracy through projects identification and execution at the grassroots.

Shashere said that the programme had taken development to the grassroots and that government would increase the monthly subvention from N500, 000 to N1 million to all the 274 wards in the state.

He also said that the administration had accorded attention to the education sector through the provision of basic learning and teaching materials, equipment, construction as well as renovation of schools in the state.

He reiterated government’s commitment to ensure that people of the state had unlimited access to potable water irrespective of their location in the state.

Responding, Maj. Anthony Wende, who spoke on behalf of the group, commended the landmark achievements of the administration, which he said, were meant to move the state forward.

that of wheat flour are different.

We are very much used to the wheat flour. But we all have to make sacrifices to boost our economy by encouraging local production rather than importing flour,” he explained.

The ASSAPIN boss said that the policy would also help to increase income for cassava farmers as well as make cassava farming attractive to the unemployed youths. (NAN)

A cross session of members of the committees on World Food Security, Side Event Standing on Nutrition, and the Nutrition and Food Security, making the connection in October 2010, in Rome.

Cooperatives central to hunger, poverty reduction, says FAO

T

he United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Director-General, José Graziano da Silva, at an official meeting with the Brazilian Economic and Social Development Council (CDES), declared that cooperatives and producer organisations will be increasingly important in efforts to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty around the world.

Addressing the CDES members in Porto Alegre, Brazil, according to a statement by the UN agency, Graziano da silva, who stated that the agency was dedicated to improving food security in the world also said that the UN had declared 2012 the International Year of Cooperatives, reflecting a renewed interest in the multifaceted value of cooperatives and the need for greater awareness about them.

He said that the FAO would step up its collaboration with producer organisations and rural, food and agricultural cooperatives.

They include those that give organisational, economic, and social clout to smallholder farmers, pastoralists and those who rely on fishing and forestry for their

livelihoods.

“FAO needs strong cooperatives and producer organisations as key partners in the effort to eliminate hunger for some 925 million people, and to respond to the many challenges that face our world today.

“FAO is committed to seeking out and sharing evidence of the impact of cooperatives and producer organisations on food security at the global level, and to strengthening its ties with such groups,” the FAO chief stressed.

He noted that cooperatives operate in all sectors of the economy, ranging from small-scale to multi-million-dollar businesses across the globe, both urban and rural.

According to the statement, the International Cooperative Alliance estimates that its membership is more than 800 million members.

It said that in 2008, the largest 300 cooperatives in the world had an aggregate turnover of 1.1 trillion, comparable to the GDP of many large countries.

“Experience has shown that, when empowered by membership in a larger group, smallholder farmers and other producers can negotiate better terms in contracts.

They can also lower prices for agricultural inputs like seeds, fertiliser and fishing gear,” the statement said.

It further said that they could reduce risks and gain enough influence to secure land rights and better market opportunities.

“Cooperatives are paramount to creating a new social environment and helping to organise production.

Without their contribution it would be very difficult to achieve food security on a sustainable level,” said Adalberto Martins, one of the leaders of the Landless Rural Workers’ Movement (MST) of Brazil and member of a small-scale farming cooperative.

Meanwhile in 2011, more than 180 FAO programmes and projects helped to build and strengthen the capacities of producer organisations, cooperatives and local community groups to attain their organisational goals.

In eight countries across Eastern, Southern, Western and Central Africa, FAO has been helping to strengthen the relationship between farmer organisations and buyers of various products, including cotton, cassava, oil palm and rice.

s part of efforts to harness the agricultural potential of the state, the Borno Government has pledged to support cassava farmers to boost the production of the crop.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Usman Zanna, made the pledge recently in Maiduguri when he received officials of the state Cassava Farmers’ Union.

Zanna assured the officials that the government would train their members on the use of modern farming techniques to enhance cassava cultivation.

“We will strive hard to provide improved cassava seedlings to farmers to enhance their yield.

Government will also assist in training cassava farmers on modern techniques of farming and on how bakers can to bake bread using 10 per cent of cassava flour,” he said.

The Commissioner said the ministry had assisted one Hajiya Hafsatu Muhammed, a baker, to undergo training on the use of cassava flour to bake bread.

Zanna said the training was in line with the directive of the Federal Executive Council to state governments to encourage Nigerians to consume bread made from cassava flour.

He said that at the end of the training, Muhammed would be expected to teach other bakers the techniques of using cassava flour in baking bread.

According to him, “A meeting of the Federal Executive Council directed all state governors to encourage the baking and consumption of cassava bread in their respective states.”

The commissioner advised officials of the union to register with relevant organisations to enable their members to access credit facilities.

In his response, Alhaji Umara Al-Amin, the Chairman of the union, said the organisation was established with the sole aim of improving cassava production in the state.

He said that the union is an offshoot of Arewa Cassava Farmers’ Union.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 28

AFAN urges govt to subsidise farm inputs

A

ll Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Enugu chapter, has urged the three tiers of government to subsidise the prices of agricultural inputs to make them affordable.

The state Chairman of AFAN, Eneh made the call in Enugu, saying the decision that manufacturing companies should sell such inputs directly to farmers was a welcome development.

He expressed the hope that the measure would check the activities of politicians who often diverted the inputs to other sources to the detriment of the farmers.

“Now that many people are interested in farming, government should peg the cost of agricultural inputs at affordable prices for the small, medium and big time farmers,” he urged.

According to the AFAN chairman, some input producers have increased the prices of their products by 100 per cent, thereby making it difficult for farmers to buy the quantities they required.

Eneh observed that the prices of improved varieties of high breed maize had increased from N140 to N250 while open pollinated breed rose from N100 to N200 per kilogramme.

He said that no fewer than 11,778 members of the chapter had registered for the nationwide registration of farmers while 2,000 were unable to meet the deadline set for the exercise. (NAN)

Lawmaker rejects ministry’s N812m requests for three agric centres

M

embers of the Plateau House of Assembly recently rejected request by the Ministry of Agriculture, asking for N812 million to manage the State’s three Agriculture Service Training Centres (ASTC).

The members, who considered the request presented by the ministry in its budget defense, described the request as “unacceptable and unrealistic”.

The House Committee Chairman on Agriculture, Mr. Istifanus Mwansat, observed that only two of the centres had been completed after a breach by SEC Communications, the firm handling the establishment and management of the three ASTCs. He noted that only the ASTC in Kassa and Mangu had been completed, while work was still

ongoing at the Shendam centre.

It was learnt that three projects had cost N10 billion, with the state government paying N8 Billion as counterpart funding, while SEC paid N2 billion.

But, the House Chief Whip, Tim Golu, said: “We wonder way the State Government should keep pumping money into the management of the centres when only the Kassa centre is fully operational.”

Meanwhile, after a long deliberation on the matter, the House resolved to slash the demand

by N312 million, leaving N500 million.

According to Mwansat, “we are approving N500 million for the management of Mangu and Kassa ASTCs because there is no guarantee that Shendam centre will

be completed soon.”

“There can always be a supplementary budget if the Shendam centre is eventually completed,” he said.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Elisha Baleri, had explained to the law makers that SEC Communications is an Israeli firm managing the ASTCs, and that government was thinking of reviewing the contract.

The House, however, approved N600 million as intervention fund for the Ministry, with mass production of some crops such as potatoes, hungry rice, rice, coffee, soya beans as priorities.

It was however noted that N300 million was also approved as subsidy for the procurement of fertilizer in this year’s farming season.

Fadama III: N21m spent on projects in Adamawa

T

he Fadama III Office in Maiha Local Government Area of Adamawa State has said that it has expended about N21 million on the programme.

The Desk Officer for the programme in the area, Malam Nasiru Lawan, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiha recently.

Lawan said that N15 million was spent on rural community development projects while N6 million was committed to pilot assets acquisition in the last three years.

“Some 15 Fadama User Groups (FUGs) benefitted from the pilot assets scheme to enable them to engage in agricultural processing, crop, fishery and livestock production,” Lawan said.

He identified the benefitting FUGs as Lingal, Alheri and Soran, Imani Support, Pakka Widows, Hamdala Women and Rahma Poultry.

According to him, the programme has so far registered 12 Fadama Community Associations (FCAs) and 134 FUGs serving 2,010 members in the area.

The desk officer, however, called on the local government to pay its N5.5 million counterpart fund to enable more communities to benefit.

“The council is yet to pay its contribution to the programme for 2010, 2011 and 2012.”

Meanwhile, the Acting Administrator of the Council, Alhaji Lawan Datti, said that arrangements had been concluded to settle all outstanding payments to the programme. (NAN)

A view of Africa’s innovation and technology for practical remedies and other self sustaining activities at the Shonga farms.

Association empowers small scale farmers with N140m

T

he National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has said that has so far granted N140 million micro-credit facility to the small scale farmers nationwide under its Agricultural Intervention Scheme.

The President of the association, Mr Ken Ukaoha, who disclosed this recently in Abuja, said that the gesture was part of efforts of the association to build the capacity of farmers as well as improve their livelihood.

According to him, the association has also introduced grain banking where grains that are in season are stored for future use.

“NANTS has spent about N140 million so far on this revolving credit in various states of the federation.

We have in Nassarawa state; we have in Plateau state; we have that in Benue state majorly; we have in Ebonyi state, for small scale rice farmers; we have in Niger state; we have in Adamawa and Taraba.

“And now we are also moving towards Ondo for small scale cocoa producers to assist them. This is what we are doing; but apart from the micro-credits, we also administer what we call grain banking for farmers of grains like rice, beans, sorghum, groundnuts and all that,” Ukaoha stressed.

Ukaoha also stated that the grain bank was also to create market access for the farmers who produced so many crops which perished after some time by by-passing the middlemen.

The NANTS president said that the farmers were given the loan according to their basic crop that was in season so as not to tie down the loan to deny others access to the facility.

He said when it was time for harvesting the crops, the officials of the association made sure they visit the farmers in their farms and buy the produce after fixing the different prices thereby eliminating the

middlemen.

“We look at the sequence of the whole timing and then we give them money according to their basic crops that they plant which we call leech crops.

“So when we now observed that these so called middlemen are cheating on them, what we did was we designed this grain bank. Once they are trying to harvest we meet them at the farm gate which is at the point of harvest. They harvest, they come out we ask them to say the price by themselves.

“We use our own money again to buy those produce from them. We pay them and buy it from them and when we buy it, we now go and store them. So, in every locality, in every zone, we have what we call these grain banks where we bank these grains that we buy from them. So, we are banking them because of the season when these grains will be lacking in the market, we bring them out,” he explained.

The ministry’s total budget demand was N3.472 billion, out of which N1.6 billion was earmarked for capital projects and N1.807 billion for recurrent expenditure.

(NAN)

BOA disburses N44bn loan to farmers

T

he Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has said it has disbursed N44 billion to farmers and enterprises in the country within the last 11 years.

The bank also said that about 550,000 enterprises that benefitted from the loan generated over 5.5 million jobs across the country within the period.

The Managing Director of the bank, Alhaji Mohammed SanTuraki, disclosed these when he received members of the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture in Kaduna recently.

San-Turaki said that the bank recovered N35 billion, representing about 76 per cent of the loan, from the beneficiaries and recorded N391 billion savings turnover during the period.

He, however, said that the bank was under capitalised by about N20 billion, adding that the bank needed about N100 billion to recapitalise.

He called on the government to provide intervention fund to address food security, employment generation and wealth creation.

IFAD-Nigeria rice, cassava project to begin in April A pilot value chain programme on rice and cassava in Nigeria sponsored by IFAD is to begin in April this year, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Gbenga Ashiru, said on Tuesday in Rome.

A statement issued by the Nigerian embassy in Italy, said that Ashiru announced this at the signing of a Host Country Agreement (HCA) between Nigeria and IFAD. The statement said that the project would cover six states and would commence after an approval

by IFAD executive board. “The focus on rice and cassava, the two biggest staple foods in Nigeria, would no doubt change the economic fortunes of the rural smallholder farmers,” it quoted the minister as saying.

It said the agreement would, among other things, provide the legal framework for IFAD’s operations in Nigeria, including the establishment of its Country Office.

The statement said that since the UN agency started operation in Nigeria in 1985, IFAD has financed eight programmes and projects including three currently running, with a total loan commitment of 157 million dollars.

It also quoted IFAD President Kanayo Nwanze as saying that the agreement would enable the organisation to post its professional staff to Nigeria for effective monitoring of its projects.

With the signing of the agreement, Nigeria has become the fourth country in West Africa to conclude IFAD’s HCA.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

By Bukar Usman he most surprising thing about the wholesale fuel subsidy removal announced by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) on January 1, 2012, was that it was contemplated at all. The second surprising aspect of the entire drama was that the removal became so urgent a policy thrust that government could not wait for the year-end holiday season to pass but was compelled to announce it on New Year day! This overview, in appraising the many issues thrown up by the crisis, hopes to identify policy areas which require urgent attention to ensure that the gains of the crisis are maximized for the benefit of the people.

From about N141 per litre pegged by the PPPRA on January 1, 2012 (thereby abolishing the then prevailing price of N65 per litre), the pump price of “petrol” was reduced by President Goodluck Jonathan, fifteen days later, to N97 per litre. It was a welcome relief, although none of the nationwide protesters was relieved enough to thank the president or the labour leaders who capitulated without achieving the set goal of making government revert to N65 per litre.

Indeed, many protesters were disappointed by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress (NLC/TUC) decision to call off the strike. Their explanation that they would press further for their demands to be fully met through the forum of the committee chaired by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore, impressed very few people.

I think both government and the protesters should take solace in the fact that each side got 50% of what they had wanted. But beyond this compromise is the floodgate of open enquiries into the hitherto secretive goings-on in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry. This, for me, far more than the “palliatives” and the SURE promises, is the greatest achievement of the mass protests. And I hope the enquiries, especially that of the House of Representative committee chaired by Hon. Lawan, should be carried out to its logical conclusion and the findings made public.

The public began it all and deserves to know the findings unearthed by its representatives.

While it was labour which initiated the protest, it developed into a mass protest as non-wage earners equally participated while other interest groups expressed solidarity with the labour cause. Some saw the protest as their round of “harmattan” protest akin to the “Arab spring.”

Such was the far-reaching impact of the protest! It afforded Nigerians the opportunity to vent their pent-up feelings and for government to feel the pulse of the people from whom it appeared to have alarmingly drifted within so short a time after the general elections. Otherwise, how did a civilian administration imagine it would succeed in pushing through a onetime, wholesale removal of fuel subsidy, a long-standing temptation even past military administrations were sensitive enough to avoid? It was mere upward adjustments of the pump price of “petrol” that elicited serious protests in the past. What made the state and federal governments appear so insensitive this time around?

The question is: what pushed us to this subsidy removal crisis. Looking

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ISSUES

Fuel subsidy removal crisis: An overview

Protesters against the recent fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria

back at the road leading to the fuel subsidy removal policy would help us understand where we are coming from and where we might be headed. It has become even more compelling to so reflect in view of the recent accusations and counter accusations as to who was responsible for the policy. For sure, it was a government decision and not an individual’s. But that would not explain it all. How did the idea of subsidy removal come about; and how did it crystallise as a compelling policy of government?

Before the subsidy removal, government had dropped the hint of its intention to remove fuel subsidy, estimated at N1.3 trillion for the period January-August, 2011. It followed up by entering into discussion with various interest groups, including Labour which quickly indicated its intention to oppose it. Socialistoriented, Labour had taken such principled stand over SAP and the ongoing deregulation of public enterprises.

The first hint that government was determined to remove fuel subsidy emerged when it submitted to the National Assembly the 2012 national budget without making any provision for the subsidy. This put Labour, the civil society and, indeed, the entire nation on the alert. But since government gave the impression that it was committed to its on-going consultation with interest groups on the matter, all adopted a wait-and-see approach.

Following the decision to raise the national minimum wage to N18, 000 per month, about the middle of 2011, state governors, fresh from elections, raised issues with the federal government about their inability to meet up with the financial burden of the new wage bill. They asked for an upward review of the revenue allocation formula or some other source of money to augment their revenue.

They also raised issues about “illegal” deductions from what was due to them from the Federation Account

and, in protest, refused to come forward to collect their regular allocations on at least two occasions.

They further objected to the Excess Crude Account (ECA) and the Sovereign Welfare Fund (SWF) which affected the quantum of money in the Federation Account available for distribution to all tiers of government.

With some dialogue, the governors somehow patched up their differences with the federal government. The SWF which was already signed into law would stand while money in ECA would be transferred into the SWF after some were released to the states.

In effect, ECA gave way to the SWF with hopes raised about more money coming from the fuel subsidy removal.

Meanwhile, the implementation of the minimum wage was stalled, with some states making some token gestures, here and there, amidst threats by the labour unions to embark on strikes to back up their demand for immediate implementation.

All these took place under the tense atmosphere of continual Boko Haram attacks in some parts of the federation, resulting into massive destruction of lives and properties. There was widespread panic when the group ordered some religious groups to relocate from their normal places of abode. Towards managing the crisis, government announced the imposition of state of emergency in some affected local government areas in Borno, Yobe, Plateau, and Niger states.

It was against this background that the public received the shocking announcement on January 1, 2012, that fuel subsidy had been removed.

Most Nigerians were still in holiday mood and had travelled to various places for the holidays. Suddenly their calculations for the cost of their return journey to their destinations were thrown into disarray as prices of goods and services immediately shot up, with some prices doubled or tripled to match the percentage of the subsidy removal.

Labour was immediately up in

arms. Within a few days, it put its scheme in place and commenced strike with effect from Monday January 9, 2012. As at January 14, the strike had entered its 5th day with government and labour yet to arrive at an amicable solution. The Senate President, Senator David Mark, turned out to be the honest broker between the executive arms of government and labour while the president walked a tight rope ensuring that he carried the governors, the formidable power brokers and international creditors who favoured zero subsidies, along.

The protests and measures taken by government to forestall or abort the labour-led mass protests brought out the worst and the best in both parties.

That government waited till Friday to move an ex parte motion leading to the National Industrial Court order stopping a strike that was scheduled to start on Monday was very curious, to say the least. Conveniently, too, labour claimed not to have been served with the order, and went ahead with the strike.

The use of the security agencies, particularly the police, resulting into deaths, here and there, inflamed the situation. In some states, curfews were imposed to check violence. Public servants were ordered to resume work or lose pay. Labour replied with “workto-rule” threat.

Having come under heavy barrage of protests against what had turned out to be an unpopular policy, government officials embarked on the blame game.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, tried to absolve herself, stating that the decision to remove oil subsidy was taken before her arrival into the country. She pointed to the state governors as being the catalysts. Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, on his part, kicked the blame ball in the direction of the Governor of Central Bank, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Some ministers placed the burden on the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Alison-

Madueke, who was alleged to have given the final directive to PPPRA to make the subsidy removal announcement on New Year eve. The Petroleum minister maintained that it was a “collective decision,” in other words, the collective responsibility of the federal executive council members.

There were also denials over accusations that, in removing the oil subsidy, government was merely implementing World Bank/IMF programme. The visit of the IMF Managing Director to the country shortly before Nigeria took the final decision on the subsidy removal tended to lend credence to this belief.

But Izielen Agbon, in his article, “IMF and ‘Fuel Subsidy’ Removal” (The Guardian, Jan 12/13, 2012), amply traced the conception and crystallisation of the fuel subsidy removal policy to documents prepared by high-ranking IMF officials dating back to 2002.

Some of the documents include IMF Working Papers 02/140, 03/42, 06/247, 07/71, IMF Public Information Notice (PIN) No.08/135 and IMF Staff Position Note 10/05 all of which were debated in Washington and at the G-20 meeting before adoption as a policy for implementation.

Reportedly, in IMF Public Information Notice (PIN) No. 08/135 of October 10, 2008, the IMF and World Bank pushed for the adoption of their fuel subsidy removal policies in the September 2009 G-20 leaders meeting in Pittsburgh, USA. The G-20 supported fuel subsidy removal world wide, calling on the International Energy Agency (IEA), Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank to provide an analysis on the scope of the energy subsidies and suggestions for the implementation of the initiative.

To advance their price-gap methodology campaign, and using Nigeria as a test case, IMF officials, as far back as 2003, prepared a paper which developed policies ‘’to stop any strong protest and social unrest after subsidy removal.’’ Further IMF policy papers developed similar strategies aimed at selling the bitter pill to make it palatable for interest groups to swallow.

Agbon, earlier mentioned, had pointed out that ‘’in 2011, the Federal Ministry of Finance carried out a review of the economy based on the IMF price-gap methodology. The Federal Government insisted that the fuel subsidies must be passed on to the consumers. It advocated fuel subsidy removal and the implementation of the IMF plan.”

Part of the IMF plan was the necessity of a proper management of the pre- and post-subsidy removal publicity. It was apparently that plan which inspired the various publicity stunts generated by the NNPC, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Federal Ministry of Information, state governors and establishment NGOs. According to Agbon’s research, Continued on page 30

PAGE 30

By Ephraims Sheyin

T

hat the protracted crises in Plateau have claimed many lives and left several others with varying degree of physical injuries is indisputable.

What perhaps may not be too obvious to many Nigerians is that the health condition of many residents of the embattled state is worsening by the day because of some “silent” killerailments.

Just recently, the Chief of Defense Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, raised an alarm in that direction, declaring that many residents had been hit by high-blood pressure and ulcer.

“The situation is very rampant and very alarming,” Petinrin said in Jos as his office undertook a free health scheme for citizens of the state.

The scheme was a quick-impact medical project where residents were comprehensively checked in the eyes, blood and body.

The Alliance Professional Resource Services Limited undertook the project for the Defence headquarters in areas as Jos North, Jos South, Jos East, Riyom and Barkin-Ladi.

Petinrin said that the scheme was part of the confidence-building measures for the crises-torn state, hoping that such gesture would foster peace, while enhancing the people’s health.

A startling revelation from the free medical exercise, however, was that high-blood pressure and ulcer were the dominant ailments in the 6,000 people in the area examined by doctors.

“I have spoken with the medical experts and what they tell me is that, for people in such traumatised situations, those ailments usually come up,” Petinrin said.

Observers, nonetheless, say that as worrisome as the medical findings are, there are also other health concerns in the crises-torn state.

For instance, the Plateau AIDS Control Agency (PLACA), also raised an alarm recently that there had been increase in the cases of HIV-AIDS infections on the plateau that were directly traceable to the protracted crises.

“There is a sudden rise in HIV/ AIDS prevalence from 2.6 per cent in

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Plateau crises take toll on residents’ health 2008 to 7.7 per cent in 2010,’’ PLACA Executive Director, Dr Francis Magaji said in Jos. He explained that during conflicts, the rate of new HIV infections are usually on the rise due to various factors associated with conflicts.

“Conflicts lead to increased population mobility. During those unstable moments, people usually have limited access to accurate HIV information or means of protection, prevention, treatment and care.

“Conflict also exposes people to sexual violations; it deepens poverty as many lose their properties, breadwinners and means of basic livelihood.

“Such situations result in desperation to survive and the easiest job around, for women that is, is usually prostitution.

“Some youths also take solace in drug taking, which pre-exposes them to the pandemic,’’ he expatiated.

Describing the sudden rise, within two years, as astronomical, Magaji, based his report on surveys carried out in four sites — Jos, Shendam, Ganawuri, and Panyam.

He expatiated that by 2010, the figure for Jos rose to 15.7 per cent from 3.3 per cent in 2008, while in Shendam, Panyam, and Ganawuri, the figures were stable at 4.2 per cent, 3 per cent, and 0 per cent, respectively as there were in 2008.

“So, you can see that Jos, when compared with the other sites, has a very sharp rise. The city has been crises-ridden and it will be safe to think that the violence is a remote factor responsible for the rise,” he explained.

He moaned that the situation had been worsened by the fact that most partners, who assisted in providing HIV/AIDS intervention measures, were international agencies, which found it difficult to access the state because of the crises.

Low funding from the state government, he added, had also affected negatively, the sustenance of

An injured person in the Jos crisis on admission at a private hospital in the Nasarawa area of the city, recently. Photo NAN

the HIV-AIDS programme in the state.

“With dwindling resources, it is becoming difficult for PLACA to carry out awareness and behavioral change campaigns”.

Diarrhea and cholera have also been identified a epidemics which afflicted persons in the state all through the crises Mr Simon Joshua, Zonal Director, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), tried to explain the possible causes of the diseases. ”There have been all manner of explosives in the war zones; such explosives contain chemicals which carry heavy metals, which when released into the environment, hurt the quality of soil and water.

“Such chemicals also alter ecological balance; adulterate the

nutritional value of plants, foods and farm yields.

“The ultimate effect is that those who drink from boreholes in the area will naturally have health disorder and suffer from diarrhea or gastroenteritis.’’

Some analysts have shared their perspectives on the health costs of the persisting violence, insisting that they are not surprised by the prevalence of the various ailments.

Mr Pius Ade, a Jos-based public health analyst, said that high blood pressure and ulcer cases that were rampant in Riyom, Barkin-Ladi, Jos South and Jos North Local Governments were a direct consequence of the “fear, anxiety and uncertainty” which characterized life in the areas.

“Residents of these areas live in

constant fear of attacks by unknown assailants. The situation is even worse among rural dwellers, who are usually victims of midnight attacks.

“The result is that the people hardly sleep. They stay awake for fear of the unknown. Such worries could result in ulcers and high blood pressure.’’

He said that recent studies showed that many who lost loved ones and valued properties, including shelter and investments, suffered from schizophrenia.

“It is very common these days to see individuals along Jos streets talking to themselves. Some get frightened very easily, hardly trust anyone, and are easily irritated. Many have been confirmed to have mental cases,’’ he added.

Ms Antonia Obi, another public health specialist, said that she was not surprised at the rising prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the areas affected by the violence.

“During violence, many young girls are raped. Rapists do not use condoms, so the victims of such rapes end up positive to the pandemic.

“Again, most of those killed are usually the men who are the bread winners of their families. Such situations make widows and children very vulnerable.

“There are also soldiers, policemen and other security men who are on deployment for long periods to keep the peace. They engage in unprotected sexual activities,” he said.

Observers recall that last year, a non-governmental organization said it gave out 10,000 condoms every month to security men in Plateau but no one can ascertain if they were used,’’ she said.

No doubt, the health costs of the crises on the troubled plateau are enormous and the earlier all parties see the need to embrace peace, the better for the health circumstances of the people.

Source: NAN

Fuel subsidy removal crisis: An overview Continued from page 29

even the much-promoted Subsidy Reinvestment and Expenditure Programme (SURE) of the federal government was not home-grown. It was IMF-inspired. For sure, SURE shares the same origin as the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and the SWF. Such terminologies point to their external roots in today’s global village in which some transnational organisations and foreign powers lord it over others. SWF and the fuel subsidy removal especially are programmes primarily targeted at OPEC member countries to recycle their enormous petro-dollar, a task OECD was charged with by the West since the energy crisis of 1973.

It could be seen that the formulation and implementation of fuel-subsidy removal was scripted over a long period of time at the IMF and in Nigeria. Considering her exalted position in the World Bank, a major

player with the IMF in shaping the economies of developing countries and the world, it would be difficult to accept Mrs Okonjo-Iweala’s claim that she had no prior knowledge of the policy or that the IMF has no connection with it.

It was a well-packaged policy which was poorly executed because the product was unsalable. If subsidyremoval as a concept is such a worthwhile policy, why are some developed countries, notable for administering heavy subsidies to their people, not adopting it even when such countries are currently known to be facing serious budget deficits? Some of those countries for decades subsidised farm products, such as wheat and butter, and are still doing so with no sign of discontinuing.

If you discount the corruption which bloated the actual subsidy amount, fuel subsidy may not be the heavy burden the government wants Nigerians to believe it is. Since government has traced this corruption

to “a cabal,” why should it, rather than deal with the “cabal” and their official collaborators, toe the line of least resistance by depriving Nigerians the subsidy they rightly feel entitled to?

The people are not convinced that if the regular annual budgets of the federal, state and local governments had not appreciably delivered jobs and social amenities, denying them oil subsidy would make these governments overcome corruption and do more.

From the pieces of information passed through internet social media during the protests, corruption emerged as the No. 1 problem, not oil subsidy. Unlike past protests against fuel price increases, social media was fully utilised by the intelligentsia, the political elite, civil society, opinionmoulders and Nigerians abroad to exchange information and effectively mobilise public opinion.

The CBN Governor’s position, which was well articulated and freely circulated in the internet, cuts both

ways to the cause of the subsidy removal policy. It made a strong case for subsidy removal while throwing up issues of monumental fraud, thereby making many to believe that government did not do enough to check glaring abuses in the disbursement of the funds. How did N246bn subsidy budget for 2011 rise to N1.3trn within 8 months when the annual average for preceding years was at worst N400bn? That was and still remains the big question yet to be answered. Could we not have cut down such wastages and the enormous perks of public officers before embarking on subsidy removal?

The circulation of the list of beneficiary organisations, which list was associated with who’s who in the society, merely compounded the situation, as it made people to make insinuations and resolve that before we could proceed any further there is need to first sort out the rot so that the sacrifices the generality of

Nigerians are being asked to make could be justifiable and better appreciated.

Even now, government needs to reassure people by indicating on project-by-project basis how the “subsidy” removed would be applied, as the public remains highly sceptical and do not seem ready to give a blank cheque.

In summary, the agenda for items requiring government attention may be short but critical as it includes looking into financial leakages in the NNPC and the maritime industry, perks of public officers, corruption, devolution of powers, review of the revenue sharing formula, and internal security without which the SURE programmes cannot even be implemented. It is advisable for the authorities to quickly sort out these issues for the genuine transformation of our beloved country.

Bukar Usman, a retired federal permanent secretary in the presidency, lives in Abuja.

PAGE 31

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

ANALYSIS

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olitical unrest in Pakistan has its root in underlying distrust and latent hostility.

Washington, DC - It appears a measure of good judgment and rationality have returned to Islamabad this past week.

Both are welcome, and overdue.

Despite the latest histrionics between Yousaf Raza Gilani and the military leadership, in which the Pakistani prime minister darkly suggested that the chief of army staff and the head of Inter-Services Intelligence had committed acts both "unconstitutional and illegal", only to be warned in turn that such statements "could have serious ramifications", both sides have turned down the rhetorical heat considerably, and appear ready to get back to business.

Following an apparently conciliatory meeting between army chief Kayani and President Zardari, this week also saw a four-way meeting among Kayani, intelligence chief Ahmed Shuja Pasha, Gilani and the country's foreign minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, focusing primarily on challenges in Afghanistan which, by the way, have not dissipated during the recent political distractions.

Meanwhile, the over-hyped Supreme Court investigation into the so-called "Memogate" scandal appears to be running out of steam. Nearly all sides are apparently, and belatedly, losing patience with the endless manipulations and coy insinuations of Mansoor Ijaz, whose October op-ed in the Financial Times, alleging a government conspiracy to enlist US support against Pakistan's army served to launch the current political crisis in the first place.

It seems most unlikely that Ijaz will subject himself to the personal risks associated with a return to Pakistan, or expose his elaborate allegations to the risk of close evidentiary crossexamination.

Ultimately, absent some basis in compelling fact, the overheated souffle of the Memogate crisis will inevitably collapse upon itself.

All of this serves to underscore the fact that the recent political unpleasantness in Pakistan has had relatively little to do with substance, but a great deal to do with underlying distrust and latent hostility among the major power blocs in the country, and the eager enthusiasm of various actors and institutions - the Supreme Court perhaps most prominent among them to exploit an opportunity to pursue pre-existing agendas and settle personal accounts.

After all, what, precisely, would the US have been able to do to forestall a Pakistani military coup, even if it had been invited to do so?

It is not as though US levers have had great effect on Pakistani behaviour in the recent past. And what were the

Pakistan: A triumph of sense over sensibility?

Pakistani Prime Minister Gilani has reportedly been threatening the chief of army staff and intelligence agency [AFP] chances, this past summer and fall, that the Pakistani military, its public esteem and support at an all-time low following the humiliation of the US Abbottabad raid on Osama bin Laden, would actually entertain seizing control of the government?

However, as unseemly as the whole Memogate crisis has been, it has served a useful purpose. It has shown all concerned that the traditional power relationships in Pakistan are not immutable, that they are, in fact, evolving, and that as much as some may be tempted to brand the Land of the Pure as an incipient failed state, both public and private institutions are proving to have greater power and resiliency than previously thought.

Irreparable damage?

Yes, the Pakistan army remains the preeminent institution in the country, and the greatest repository of competence - if decidedly not wisdom - in the Pakistani

system. Memogate has served to underscore, however, what we thought we already knew, which is that while the officer corps may have the means to protect its solidarity and its entrenched interests, it no longer has the base of popular support to impose its will on the country at large.

Since the departure of Musharraf, the army has not wanted to assume political power; recent developments have demonstrated moreover that it cannot, at least not without doing lasting, and perhaps irreparable, damage to itself. It may not like having to co-operate with an unsteady and self-seeking civilian government, but it now fully and transparently recognises that it has no choice.

When as weak and malign a character as President Zardari actually does something good for Pakistan, one naturally assumes that it is inadvertent. It was just such an unintentional service which he provided when he left

“

South Asia for Dubai earlier this month. In 1953, the Shah of Iran briefly fled the country in the midst of a political struggle with Prime Minister Mossadegh, serving to dramatise what was potentially at stake, and helping to rally latent, but genuine support for the monarchy.

Similarly, when Zardari suddenly sought "medical care" abroad while under the combined assault of the army and the Supreme Court, he was most likely acting out of genuine fear for his future; but as a piece of political theatre, his act very likely concentrated minds in the army leadership as to the unpalatable consequences of the current course of events, thus inducing them to back off. The recent assertiveness of Prime Minister Gilani demonstrates that a lesson concerning the limits of the military's power in Pakistan has been learned, and not just in the army.

Yet another indication of evolution and political

It may not like having to co-operate with an unsteady and selfseeking civilian government, but it now fully and transparently recognises that it has no choice.

maturation in Pakistan is the current stance of the Supreme Court. Courts, as we all know, do not command armies. The force through which they can demand adherence to their rulings is a moral one. For all its current overreaching and bumptiousness, Pakistan's Supreme Court, having previously been a doormat to executive power for many years, now commands a moral authority to which others must pay heed.

Likewise, the growth of Pakistan's public media, which is perhaps the most positive legacy of General Musharraf's time in power, has created a force for transparency which can no longer be entirely suppressed - even if various attempts at intimidation have achieved a measure of temporary, tactical success.

It may already be hard to remember, but just a few days ago it was beginning to appear to many, including this observer, that Memogate could potentially lead to a fundamental crippling of the Pakistani state. As the crisis winds down, however, it appears that the relevant lesson is a very different one: That Pakistani institutions, while not strong, are considerably stronger than previously thought, and that rumours of their demise have been much exaggerated.

Source: Aljazeera

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 32

South Sudan accuses Khartoum over deadly raid Clashes erupt in Cairo during anti-army protest

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undreds of Egyptian p r o t e s t e r s demanding an immediate end to military rule clashed on Sunday with rivals in civilian clothes outside central Cairo's state media building, the same place where 25 people were killed in a demonstration in October.

"Down with military rule," protesters chanted.

The sound of gunshots rang through the air but it was unclear who was firing.

"Tell me council, who chose you? It's Mubarak's gang that appointed you," the crowd chanted, referring to the army council which has ruled Egypt since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted on February 11.

Dozens of protesters clashed with a group of people protesters described as "thugs" brought out to attack them, hurling stones at each other. There was no sign of police or troops intervening or securing the media building.

"We were protesting here peacefully, and all of a sudden a group of around 50 thugs came from side streets surrounding the building and atta c k e d us with stones and glass bottles, and we responded by throwing stones back at them. They tore down our tents," said Mohamed Abdo, 45, an elevator worker.

State radio said residents in a poor area next to Maspero, the site of the demonstration, had challenged the protesters because they were disrupting shops and businesses in the area.

Protesters often say such "thugs", usually youths in plain clothes and sometimes members of the police force, have been hired by the authorities to disrupt demonstrations.

T h e O c t o b e r v iolence at Maspero in which 25 people died erupted when troops tried to break up a protest sparked by what Christians said was an attack on a church in southern Egypt.

Brutal tit-for-tat cattle raids by rival ethnic groups remain common in areas of South Sudan [EPA]

S

outh Sudan has accused the government of neighbouring Sudan of arming gunmen alleged to have killed dozens of people in a cattle raid, as the UN warned that tensions between the two sides risked regional peace.

"A militia group from Unity state penetrated into Warrap state... and attacked people in a cattle camp, killing over 40," Alison Manani Magaya, South Sudan's interior minister, said

yesterday following the latest violence in the world's newest nation, which ceded from Sudan last year.

"This militia group was armed by the government of Khartoum," he added.

Magaya could not name the specific group responsible for the attack, which took place over the weekend, but claimed that rebel groups in Unity state were collaborating with one another.

"The number of wounded is

still not clear, but they took a lot of cattle with them," he said, added that the gunmen were from the Nuer ethnic group, while those attacked were Dinka.

Magaya said government teams had been sent to investigate and that the death toll could rise as local officials "were still counting the bodies".

The UN has warned South Sudan faces massive challenges as the world's newest nation struggles to support hundreds

of thousands of fleeing violence.

Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations chief, said on Sunday that tensions and a furious row over oil between the former enemies has become a major threat to regional peace and security.

"The situation in Sudan and South Sudan has reached a critical point. It has become a major threat to peace and security across the region," Ban told an African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital.

Senegal legal body confirms Wade’s bid for third term

T

he Constitutional Council, in the same ruling, rejected an appeal by world music star Youssou N'Dour and two other candidates against a decision on Friday blocking their presidential bids.

The court rejected several other appeals including some by Wade's camp against a number of opposition candidates, declaring them unfounded.

The council's decision on Friday to validate the candidacy of 85-year-old Wade

sparked violent protests. The opposition has vowed to make the country "ungovernable" if Wade insists on running for a third term.

Wade's rivals say the constitution sets a limit of two terms on the president. But Wade, who came to power in 2000 and was re-elected in 2007, has argued that his first term pre-dated the 2001 amendment establishing the limit.

Meeting in a Dakar hotel on

Sunday before the council's final decision, Senegal opposition parties and the umbrella opposition activist group M23 vowed to continue "national resistance" against Wade's bid, calling the council's decision a "constitutional coup".

After violent protests on Friday, calm returned to the capital Dakar over the weekend, but around the presidential palace truckloads of police in full riot gear were deployed, armed with tear gas, grenade

launchers and truncheons.

Senegal's influential Mouride Muslim brotherhood has urged calm, while Wade has appeared on state television to promise free and fair polls.

Senegal is the only country in mainland West Africa not to have had a coup since the end of the colonial era. February's poll, and a possible run-off a few weeks later, are seen as a test of social cohesion in the predominantly Muslim country.

AU, Kenyan forces move to squeeze rebels out of Somali

A

frican Union and Kenyan troops aim to squeeze Somali rebels linked to al Qaeda by pursuing a coordinated war on two fronts, the U.N. chief's special envoy in Somalia said yesterday.

Under the plan, AU forces will push towards a Somali rebel stronghold outside the capital and Kenyan forces will focus on the Islamists' bastions in the south.

Augustine Mahiga, who relocated to Mogadishu from

Nairobi to become the most senior U.N. official in Somalia for 17 years, cautioned it was hard to predict if the complex strategy would defeat the rebels given their sophisticated weaponry and ability to melt into the population.

African Union and U.N. officials at an AU summit in Addis Ababa are optimistic the twin track of a coordinated military campaign as well as a political roadmap, which

envisions elections by August, means "the prospect for peace in Somalia has never been so real".

"AMISOM (the AU force) is (conducting) operations on the outskirts of Mogadishu and they'll be heading towards the Afgoye corridor. That is where al Shabaab has retreated to and has the highest concentration of its troops," Mahiga told Reuters on the summit's sidelines.

"They (Kenyan troops) take Kismayu and from there ... they'll progress northwards to

Marka and the AMISOM troops from Mogadishu will also be going further south. It is a strategy that has been divided into sectors," he said.

It may not be that simple. The Ugandan and Burundian troops who make up the AMISOM force encountered fierce resistance in the battle for Mogadishu.

Equally, the advance of Kenyan soldiers towards the port city of Kismayu has been slower than anticipated since they crossed into Somalia in October.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 33

Hundreds of Occupy Oakland activists arrested

P

olice in Oakland have made one of the largest mass arrests of Occupy activists, detaining some 400 people in the latest attempt to disperse protesters gathered in the centre of the northern California city.

As a clean-up crew worked to undo the damage inflicted on Saturday night, Oakland police and city officials told a press conference on Sunday they did not have a final tally of arrests which were made on charges ranging from failure to disperse to vandalism.

The bulk of arrests occurred in one incident when protesters were kettled by police into a city block.

Activists told Al Jazeera that they had entered the YMCA building on that street in order to find an escape from arrest.

Some managed to escape through back doors before police entered and detained those who were left.

Earlier on Sunday, the West Coast city's emergency operations office put the arrest figure at around 400 after skirmishes had left three officers and

at least one demonstrator injured.

Though Saturday's events started peacefully, by the afternoon the scene had deteriorated into clashes punctuated by rock and bottle throwing by protesters and volleys of tear gas from police.

Police said a group of protesters burned an American flag in front of City Hall, then entered the building and destroyed a vending machine, light fixtures and a historic scale model of the edifice. The city's 911 emergency system was overwhelmed during the disturbances.

"While City Hall sustained damage, we anticipate that all city offices will be open for regular business tomorrow," said Deanna Santana, Oakland's city administrator.

Saturday's protests, the most turbulent since Oakland police forcefully dismantled an Occupy encampment in November, came just days after the announcement of a new round of activist actions.

Leaders gather for eurozone crisis summit

E

uropean leaders are set to meet in Brussels, the Belgian capital and de facto capital of the European Union, for a fresh round of talks aimed at tackling the eurozone debt crisis, with Greece's precarious financial future at the top of the agenda.

Monday's summit aims to finalise a budget treaty that will ensure closer co-ordination among the 17-member eurozone countries that use the single currency, as well as focusing on initiatives, pushed by France and Germany, to promote growth and job creation.

About 23 million people in the European Union are currently unemployed and tough budget cuts might further worsen the situation.

"As well as finalising the fiscal treaty, leaders at the summit will assess a separate Franco-German

Police fire tear gas and arrest hundreds of people as anti-Wall Street protesters try but fail to take over downtown buildings, including City Hall, in Oakland, California.

initiative for special measures to boost growth and job creation," the London-based Financial Times newspaper, reported.

However, wrangling is likely to continue among EU countries over the exact policies to address the crisis after the Financial Times reported on Saturday that Germany had sought tougher conditions on any future Greece rescue package.

Greece responded by saying the reported German plan might impinge upon its sovereignty even as its talks with private creditors failed to bear any result on the debtswap.

Private investors have been asked to take a 50 per cent "haircut" [loss] on their bond holdings in Greece with the aim of cutting the country's debt to 120 per cent of gross domestic product by 2020.

Strike brings Belgium to a halt Trains and public transport are paralyzed across Belgium during a day of nationwide strikes to protest austerity measures that have in part been imposed through European Union pressure.

Hours before the start of yesterday's European Union summit in Brussels that aims to seek more growth and jobs, Belgium's three main unions served warning that efforts to reinvigorate the European economy should center on taxing multinationals instead of slashing public services and imposing a pension reform that forces people to work longer and cuts payments in some cases.

One airport was closed and Brussels international airport suffered cancellations, delays and diversions. Traffic delays were limited since many people either worked from home or took a day off.

Belgian rail workers launched the strike late on Sunday, with the first trains stopped turning around 9:00pm local time (2000 GMT), travellers said on Twitter.

High-speed international train services, such as the Eurostar from London and Thalys from Paris, were

not running into or out of the country from late on Sunday.

Rail authorities have warned passengers that it could be Tuesday afternoon before the network is functioning normally again.

The Belgian government arranged fallback emergency access via a military airport for EU leaders who needed private landings.

Monday's industrial action is the country's first general strike since 1993 over government plans to raise the effective retirement age along with other measures designed to save $14.84bn.

The government also froze 1.3bn euros of spending at the start of the year after a warning from the European Commission that it was not on track to meet its targets.

Belgium has pledged to bring its public sector deficit below the EU limit of three per cent of gross domestic product this year to avoid an EU fine and to reassure investors that it has its finances under control.

The EU leaders will sign off on a permanent rescue fund for the eurozone and are expected to agree on a balanced budget rule in national legislation.

Greek PM Lucas Papademos has been holding talks with private investors to clinch debt-swap deal [Reuters]

Belgian workers block entrances to the airport in a general strike called to oppose austerity measures [AFP]

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Trader pleads not guilty in UBS fraud case

T

he former UBS trader accused of unauthorised deals that cost the Swiss bank $2.3bn pleaded not guilty to four frauds and false accounting charges in a London court.

Kweku Adoboli, 31, the British-educated son of a retired United Nations official from Ghana, was arrested and charged in September in connection with one of the world's biggest cases of alleged "rogue trading".

The losses shook the Swiss bank, leading to the resignation

of former chief executive Oswald Gruebel and a shake-up of its investment arm to cut its exposure to risk.

The trial is expected to shed light on the bank's management, traders and risk controls.

Adoboli, who faces a maximum 10-year jail sentence if found guilty, spoke only to confirm his name and reply "not guilty" to all the charges when they were read out to him at a packed Southwark Crown Court.

Judge Alistair McCreath remanded Adoboli in custody and set the start of the trial for

September 3.

"An earlier trial would be simply not possible," he said.

At his last hearing on December 20, Adoboli's lawyers said he had changed legal teams because he was

unhappy with the advice he had received.

That meant he had been unable to enter a meaningful plea, his new defence lawyer Paul Garlick told the court at the time.

Adoboli worked for UBS's global synthetic equities division in the City of London financial district, buying and selling funds which track different types of stocks or commodities such as precious metals.

Catholic Church rejects Obama Healthcare Rule

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Catholic parishioners in America, in a letter through their church leaders has rejected President Obama's Healthcare rule that requires employers to provide health insurance plans that include contraceptive coverage.

Although the decision was lauded by abortion rights supporters. But Catholicism considers some forms of contraception termination of life, and religious leaders say adherence would fly in the face of the tenets of their faith.

Critics also charge it would be a violation of the Constitutional right to freedom of religion.

According to one of the letters from the Archdiocese of Washington, "Catholic moral teachings will be placed in the untenable position of having to choose between violating the law and violating their conscience."

In another from the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona, a bishop calls on Catholics to stand united against the rule.

Although Churches and other houses of worship are exempt from the guidelines but Catholic hospitals, colleges, and social services fall under the umbrella of institutions covered by the decision.

The letters were penned by individual clergy, so variations exist in what was read at each Sunday Mass, but the overall theme is unified.

"We cannot - we will not comply with this unjust law," it reads. "People of faith cannot be made second class citizens."

Therefore, they called on the parishioners through the letters to pray for a reversal.

According to them, during the 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama carried 54 percent of Catholic voters.

Then-running mate Joseph Biden was Catholic himself.

However, this campaign season has seen two strong Catholics come out of the Republican party as well: Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich.

Although On Jan. 19, Pope Benedict XVI told the American Roman Catholic Church they

needed to understand "grave threats" posed by what he called radical secularism in politics and culture. The pontiff specifically mentioned the U.S. church struggling to be permitted conscientious objection to intrinsically evil practices."

Earlier this month religious institutions were given a year extension to comply with the decision.

Kweku Adoboli worked as a trader for the Swiss Bank UBS in the global synthetic equities division in London [EPA]

Canada jury finds family guilty of murder

A

jury in Canada has found three members of one family guilty of the 2009 so-called "honour killing" deaths of four female relatives.

The court in Kingston, Ontario, convicted Mohammad Shafia, 58, his wife, Tooba Mahommad Yahya, 42, and their son Hamed, 21, on Sunday of first-degree murder, a verdict that carries an automatic sentence of life in prison without chance of parole for 25 years.

The three defendants were found guilty of the deaths of the couple's three

daughters, Zainab, 19, Sahar, 17, and Geeti, 13, and Rona Amir Mohammad, 52, Shafia's first wife in a polygamous marriage, after a four-month-long trial that saw dozens of witnesses testify.

Judge Robert Maranger described the killings as "coldblooded, shameful murders" resulting from a "twisted concept of honour".

Speaking after the verdict was announced, Shafia and his wife maintained their innocence.

"We are not criminal, we are

not murderers, we didn't commit the murder and this is unjust," Shafia said.

His weeping second wife, Tooba said, "I am not a murderer, and I am a mother, a mother."

But Maranger was unmoved, saying the evidence clearly supported their conviction for "the planned and deliberate murder of four members of [their] family".

Al Jazeera's Daniel Lak, reporting from outside the court, said the case had captivated the country's attention and that there

UN atomic team in Iran for nuclear talks

O

fficials from the United Nations nuclear agency are in Tehran for talks aimed at allaying concerns that Tehran is seeking a nuclear weapon.

The visit, which began on Sunday, comes at a time of heightened tension between Iran and the West.

It remains unclear whether

the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team, headed by chief inspector Herman Nackaerts, would inspect nuclear sites or just discuss with Iranian

‘Street fighting rages’ near Damascus

F

ighting is continuing in the eastern suburbs of Damascus, according to activists, as Syrian security forces appeared to be re-asserting their control over the restive fringes of the country's capital.

Activists reported yesterday that the Free Syrian Army, armed defectors fighting against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's rule, had launched scattered attacks on government troops in the district of Saqba, which was reported in recent days to have been under opposition control.

An activist named Kamal, speaking to the Reuters news agency by telephone from the AlGhouta area on the eastern edge of the capital, said that security forces had re-occupied the suburbs.

"The Free Syrian Army has made a tactical withdrawal.

Regime forces have re-occupied the

suburbs and started making house-to-house arrests," he said.

A spokesman for the Free Syrian Army appeared to confirm that account.

Meanwhile, state media said "terrorists" had blown up a gas pipeline in the central provoince of Homs, causing a leak of about 460,000 cubic metres of gas.

The escalation in violence comes days after the Arab League suspended its beleaguered observer mission in the country, where activists have been calling for Assad to step down since last March.

Activists inside Damascus told Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught that tanks had rolled into Al-Ghouta, within 10km of the city centre.

"Activists say it is the fiercest violence they have witnessed

in months," our correspondent reported. "There are fires burning all over Syria, some say almost too many for the army to deploy all over the place."

Activists said there were 64 people killed in fighting across the country on Sunday, including three children and two defected recruits, according to the Local Coordination Committees (LCC), an activist network.

In the suburbs of Damascus, there were 16 deaths, in Kafar Batna, Saqba, Hamourya, Rankoos, Zabadany and Harasta.

At least 19 people were reported killed in Homs, 15 in Hama, five in Idlib, four in Deraa and three in Saraqeb, Deir Ezzor and Damascus, the LCC said.

had been a great deal of emotion in the courtroom as the verdict was delivered.

"Hamed Shafia, the son, visibly sagged when he learned from the judge that he was going to serve, along with his father and mother, a life sentence, 25 years without parole," our correspondent said.

He said the judge called the case a twisted crime and described it as a crime based on a sick notion of honour that was based on the domination of women, which had no place in civilised society. officials possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear programme.

Although not officially disclosed, the IAEA team is expected to meet with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saedi Jalili and atomic chief Fereydoun Abbasi.

But there will be no meeting with Ali-Akbar Salehi, Iran's foreign minister, who left Tehran earlier on Saturday to attend the African Union summit in Ethiopia.

Speaking in Ethiopia, Salehi said he was "very optimistic" about the IAEA delegation's visit.

"Their questions will be answered during this visit. We have nothing to hide and Iran has no clandestine (nuclear) activities," Salehi was quoted as saying by Iran's Mehr news agency.

"We are looking forward to start with a dialogue, a dialogue that is overdue since very long," Nackaerts said before boarding a plane in Vienna, where the UN nuclear watchdog is based.

"In particular we hope that Iran will engage with us on our concerns regarding the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear programme," said Nackaerts, who is heading the team along with Rafael Grossi, a top adviser to IAEA director Yukiya Amano.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 35

Father and son reunited 17 years after they’re both arrested, taken to same police station

F

ather had not seen his son since the boy was one year old Son refused to speak to father 'he means nothing to me' They committed different crimes, in different parts of town, but a father and son were reunited when a savvy policeman noticed that they were related.

The pair were brought in separately by cops in Sao Paulo state, southeast Brazil the father for making threats and the son for armed robbery.

Before their chance meeting at the police station in the town of Rio Preto, the father had not seen his son since the boy was one year old.

The young man didn't even know who his father was.

Orival Raimundo de Souza Jr, 18, was arrested on

Reunited: Orival Raimundo de Souza Jr, and his father of the same name were brought in separately by police in Sao Paulo state, southeast Brazil - the father for making threats and the son for armed robbery

Saturday for holding up a petrol station in Rio Preto 10 days earlier.

When he was taken to the police station and produced his identification, police realised that his father, Orival Raimundo de Souza, 54, had been brought in moments earlier for a different crime.

Officers had picked him up at the junkyard where he worked accused of making death threats against his stepson.

Police sergeant Joao Eduardo told Brazil's Bom Dia Sorocaba newspaper that officers decided to reunite the two, but while the father was thrilled at finding his son again, Orival Jr refused to speak to him.

He said: 'The father tried to explain to his son why he walked away, but to no avail.'

British pair arrested in US on terror charges over Twitter jokes

T

wo British tourists were barred from entering America after joking on Twitter that they were going to 'destroy America' and 'dig up Marilyn Monroe'.

Leigh Van Bryan, 26, was handcuffed and kept under armed guard in a cell with Mexican drug dealers for 12 hours after landing in Los Angeles with pal Emily Bunting.

The Department of Homeland Security flagged him as a potential threat when he posted an excited tweet to his pals about his forthcoming trip to

Hollywood which read: 'Free this week, for quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America'.

After making their way through passport control at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) last Monday afternoon the pair were detained by armed guards.

Despite telling officials the term 'destroy' was British slang for 'party', they were held on suspicion of planning to 'commit crimes' and had their passports confiscated.

Leigh was also quizzed about another tweet which quoted hit

Leigh Van Bryan was due to go to Los Angeles with his friend Emily Banting but was stopped when he arrived in the U.S. over tweets he had sent

US comedy Family Guy which read: '3 weeks today, we're totally in LA p****** people off on Hollywood Blvd and diggin' Marilyn Monroe up!

Federal agents even searched his suitcase looking for spades and shovels, claiming Emily was planning to act as Leigh's 'look out' while he raided Marilyn's tomb.

Bar manager Leigh, from Coventry, and Emily, 24, from Birmingham, were then quizzed for five hours at LAX before they were handcuffed and put into a van with illegal immigrants and locked up overnight.

They spent 12 hours in separate holding cells before being driven back to the airport where they were put on a plane home via Paris.

Leigh, an Irish national, and Emily arrived at Birmingham Airport last Wednesday afternoon.

Emily said: 'The officials told us we were not allowed in to the country because of Leigh's tweet.

They wanted to know what we were going to do.

'They asked why we wanted to destroy America and we tried to explain it meant to get trashed and party.

'I almost burst out laughing when they asked me if I was going to be Leigh's lookout while he dug up Marilyn Monroe.

'I couldn't believe it because it was a quote from the comedy Family Guy which is an American show.

As a result of this message, the pair's luggage was searched for spades 'It got even more ridiculous because the officials searched our suitcases and said they were looking for spades and shovels.

They did a full body search on me too.

'We just wanted to have a good time on holiday. That was all Leigh meant in his tweet. He would not hurt anyone.'

Leigh posted the tweet on

January 16 before the pair flew to LA last Monday.

Leigh said: 'It's just so ridiculous it's almost funny but at the time it was really scary.

The Homeland Security agents were treating me like some kind of terrorist.

'I kept saying to them they had got the wrong meaning from my tweet but they just told me "you've really f***** up with that tweet boy".

'When I was in the van I was handcuffed and put in a cage. I had a panic attack but the worse was yet to come.

'When we arrived at the prison I was shoved in a cell on my own but after an hour two huge Mexican men covered in tattoos came in and started asking me who I was.

'They told me they'd been arrested for taking cocaine over the border.

'When the food arrived on the tray they took it all and just left me with a carton of apple juice.'

After 12 hours in custody they returned to the airport where they were handed documents which stated they had been refused entry to the US. Emily's charge sheet stated: 'It is believed that you are travelling with Leigh-Van Bryan who possibly has the intentions of coming to the United States to commit crimes.'

Leigh's charge sheet, alongside a police mug shot and finger print, added: 'He had posted on his Tweeter website account that he was coming to the United States to dig up the grave of Marilyn Monroe.

'Also on his tweeter account Mr Bryan posted that he was coming to destroy America.'

Leigh and Emily have now been told they must apply for visas from the US Embassy in London before flying to the US again.

The father later said: 'It's a very embarrassing situation to finally get to meet him again in the police station. I wanted to tell him not to follow a life of crime, but how could I?' The son said: 'I had seen this guy on the street but I didn't realize he was my father. But it doesn't matter, he's never done anything for me, he means nothing to me.'

After their ten minute encounter the two were placed in separate cells, police said.

Despite his son's reaction, Orival Sr promised to keep in contact with him.

He said: 'I always wanted to have my son at my side. I'll send a car to pick him up from jail when he's released. I'll explain to him what happened with his mother, I'll try to make amends.'

The words that could land you in hot water

T

he Department of Homeland Security was recently criticised over false accounts it set up on Twitter.

These are then used to scan networks for 'sensitive' words and then for tracking the people who use them.

Online privacy group, the Electronic Privacy Information Centre requested information on the DHS's scans, which it says the agency announced in February last year.

The group claims that a request under the Freedom of Information Act to access the documentation has gone unanswered.

Words deemed as being sensitive by DHS include: "

Illegal immigrant

"

Outbreak

"

Drill

"

Strain

"

Virus

"

Recovery

"

Deaths

"

Collapse

"

Human to animal

"

Trojan

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 37

Wamakko poised to retain political hegemony in Sokoto ANALYSIS Down but not out, a saying goes. Former Sokoto state governor, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko is one of the five governors sacked by the Supreme Court last week; but he is confident of returning because he had built strong politicla bridges across the state. Lawrence Olaoye writes.

I

n spite of the last week Supreme Court’s ruling halting the administrations of five governors including those of Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Kogi, Adamawa and Sokoto, the political influence of most of the governors, has yet to abate. Except for the former Bayelsa state governor, Timipre Silva; and his Kogi counterpart, Ibrahim Idris, who may not have the opportunity to re-contest and recapture their seats, others have the prospects of recovering their positions having been cleared as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidates for the governorship elections in their various states.

While some of the ousted governors may be entertaining fears of possible challenge to their political influence in their states, Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko is perhaps one of those who could go to sleep with the assurance of re-election due to the groundswell of goodwill going for him in the state. While some of his counterparts affected by ruling are having running battles with their acting governors, Wamakko seems to be at peace with the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Lawali Zayyana, who is currently holding forte as the acting governor of Sokoto state.

This indication emerged recently when the acting governor received the leadership of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) who were on courtesy visit to him in Sokoto and he told them pointedly that his brief tenure would be an extension of Wamakko ’s administration. Zayyana, in his welcome address to the NGE leadership stated “On behalf of the good people and government of Sokoto state, I most sincerely welcome you to our state.

Incidentally, you are coming to Sokoto at a time when some interesting political developments have occurred. I am of course referring to the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria which was delivered yesterday Friday, January 27. It is in compliance with that judgment that I happen to be standing before you this evening and welcoming you as the acting governor of our dear state.

He continued “At this juncture, it is important for me to deliver a very important message from our leader, mentor and elder brother, His Excellency Alhaji Aliyu

Magatakarda Wamakko, who would have been here to welcome you personally but for the circumstances of the last 36 hours to which I have already made reference. Nevertheless, he sends his goodwill messages to you and enjoins you to relax and fully enjoy the great hospitality for which our state is well known.

“On my part I assure you, nothing has changed in Sokoto state. We are already in an election mood, our great party, the PDP, already has a gubernatorial candidate; and by the special grace of Allah, who gives power to whom He pleases, we are confident that even if elections are held today, the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, will post a convincing victory insha Allah.

“Meanwhile I understand that you have had time to go round the state metropolis and observe some of the great achievements recorded in the last four years. I am sure you have reached your own conclusions; but let me assure you that but for the constraints of time, we would have taken you deep into the nooks and crannies of our state where you would see the numerous people-centered projects that the Sokoto government under Wamakko has been able to achieve.

You would then understand why time after time, election after election H.E Wamakko has remained very very popular,” the Acting Governor said.

Zayyana’s declaration, of course should be taken as the political reality on ground in the state as majority of the ordinary folks may have made up their minds to vote en-masse for the PDP governorship flag-bearer. This rare demonstration of loyalty is of course a total departure from what obtained in other climes, including Bayelsa and Kogi. While the acting governor of Bayelsa state and the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Nestor Binabo, immediately effected changes in the cabinet left behind by Sylva, his Kogi state counterpart could not hide his overt ambition when he challenged the directive that the newly elected governor of the state, Captain Idris Wada, waiting in the wings to take over reign of power, be sworn-in to avoid vacuum in governance.

Zayyana’s open declaration of

Former Sokoto state governor, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko loyalty further goes to confirm Wamakko’s popularity in the caliphate. This is even more so when the two political personalities have two backgrounds. The acting governor belongs to the ‘old’ PDP while the former governor is at the head of the ‘new’ PDP. In 2007, Wamakko who was coasting home to win the Sokoto governorship election on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), on the strength of his popularity, was persuaded to merge with the PDP on power sharing arrangement.

Wamakko, who was at the head of the former ANPP, now rechristened new PDP, was made to become the governor while Zayyana, a loyal member of the old PDP became the Speaker of the Sokoto state House of Assembly.

The old rivalry however played out recently during the PDP governorship primaries in the state when Senator Abubakar Gada, a helmsman from the old PDP camp, challenged Wamakko to a supremacy battle. The former governor, who had gathered enough political clout, having served the state for four solid years, was able to re-establish his political supremacy by routing the opposition posed by Senator Gada.

“

While some of the ousted governors may be entertaining fears of possible challenge to their political influence in their states, Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako is perhaps one of those who could go to sleep with the assurance of re-election due to the groundswell of goodwill going for him in the state.

His victory and political events playing out in Sokoto, as at now, further confirmed Wamakko’s acceptability among the people of the caliphate.

Prior to the PDP primaries that produced Wamakko as the PDP flag-bearer for the March governorship election, 14 members of the Sokoto state National Assembly caucus endorsed the former governor and the loyalty still persists. The caucus led by Senator Umaru Dahiru, representing Sokoto South Senatorial District, to the national leadership of the PDP chaired by Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, said the caucus held a meeting on October 17 and resolved to endorse the governor.

According to him, Wamakko’s endorsement was based on his “purposeful leadership; maintaining of peace and tranquility in the state; meaningful development; deliverance of the party in all elections and stabilizing the PDP in the state.”

Dahiru equally pointed out that Wamakko entrenched the ruling party in Sokoto state as he stressed that the state remained the only state in the federation that produced representatives at all levels including the local government, state and federal from the PDP. Responding, Baraje had told the lawmakers, “This your action has shown that PDP is well grounded in Sokoto state; it has shown that there is no rancor in the party and we are sure that we shall win again in the state Insha Allah.” Lawmakers who signed the endorsement letter include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri

Tambuwal, who was said to be unavoidably absent, Senator Umaru Dahiru, Senator Ahmed M. Maccido, Senator (Dr.) Ibrahim A. Gobir, Reps Kabiru Marafa Achida and Hon. Umar Bature.

Others in the team include Reps Aminu Shehu Shagari, Musa S. Adar, Shuabu Gwanda Gobir, Isah Salisu, Aliyu Shehu, Abdullai Balarabe Salame, Sa’adu Na Bunkari and Abdullai Wamakko.

The entire members of the state House of Assembly equally followed suit by unilaterally endorsing Wamakko’s for the governorship election in the state.

Apart from the avalanche of endorsements from PDP stakeholders in the state, Wamakko’s achievements while in power made eloquent statements about his capacity and capabilities to take the state to enviable heights in the next four years. Political watchers have submitted that the PDP governorship candidate made a giant stride in ridding the state of the ‘Almajiri’ syndrome by establishing integrated schools where Islamic studies were married with western education with a view to producing future citizens who are expected to be well grounded in moral, religious and westernized education. Within the spate of four years, Wamakko was able to initiate and complete 2000 Housing units; 27 Township roads within the Sokoto metropolis as well as ease traffic congestion in the heart of the city by constructing and commissioning a fly-over.

The long abandoned Giginya hotel, one of the foremost hotel in northern Nigeria, which had been in dilapidated state was renovated and put into commercial use by the administration of Wamakko even as he conceived and constructed Fish and Vegetable Markets with a view to decongesting the Shehu Shagari mega market in the metropolis.

The greatest asset of the PDP aspirant however is embedded in the social network he has been able to build for so many years. On assumption of office, Wamakko was able to carry many of the stakeholders in the state along without discrimination. He was able to wield the ‘old’ and ‘new’ PDP together in a way that the party became a synonym for the state having produced candidates for all the political positions in Sokoto from the local government through the state to the national level. Observers are of the opinion that barring unforeseen circumstances, the March governorship election would be a walk-over for Wamakko who is currently enjoying the support of all and sundry.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 38

Jonathan summons Oyo PDP to Abuja today From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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L-R: Deputy Speaker, Plateau state House of Assembly, Hon. Johnbull Shekarau, Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Yakubu Choji and Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. Diket Plang, durng the MDGs budget defence at the State House of Assembly, in Jos, recently. Photo: NAN

Sack of 5 governors, a huge setback, says PDP

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday described the sack of the five governors of Adamawa, Kogi, Bayelsa, Cross River and Sokoto states, who were elected on its platform, by the Supreme Court judgment at the weekend as a huge setback for the party.

The party, in a release made available to newsmen by the National Publicity Secretary, Professor Rufa’i

Ahmed Alkali, said the ruling has posed a major challenge to the PDP’s determination to deepen the nation’s democracy.

He stated “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to express dismay and bewilderment over the judgment of the Supreme Court in which five governors elected on the platform of the party were removed from office in one fell swoop.

“The judgment no doubt throws a major challenge to our determination to deepen

democracy in our country. For us in the PDP, it is a huge setback considering the time and resources spent in the last one year to ensure smooth transition in the affected states.

Speaking further, he said, “While we await a clear position from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the status of elections in these states, we call on our members to remain calm and be rest assured that we shall continue to stand by them and do everything

legally possible to maintain our dominant position in those states.

“The Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, on behalf of the National Working Committee, wishes to express solidarity with the five governors and wishes to assure them that the leadership of the party shall spare no effort in ensuring that the current situation does not derail our preparations for elections,” he assured.

CPC Senator to promote education in Katsina North

By Augustine Aminu

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he recently sworn-in Senator representing Katsina North, on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Hadi Abubakar Sirika, has said that he will pursue the educational empowerment of people of the zone.

Speaking to Peoples Daily reporter in Abuja, he admitted that education is one area that people of the area were lagging behind, compared to other districts in the country, adding that his tenure in the senate will emphasis the promotion of education in the area, arguing

that education is power.

According to him, “when you educate a people, you have liberated them, and when you liberate them, they can participate in other sectors of the economy, and they will convert that to their cooperative advantage. We will pursue those educational needs of my people that is in the concurrent list, right from the very basic foundation of education up to the tertiary level”.

Sirika also promised to embark on participatory representation of the people of the zone, by involving them in major decisions on how to meet their needs in terms of the

provision of dividends of democracy.

He said, “my people should expect some level of participatory democracy. I will always consult them as I used to and I will represent them to the best of my ability in terms of speaking for them, fending for them and engaging in making the laws of the federation that will empower them, promote and keep the country as one”.

He however said, the senatorial zone which is largely agrarian, would need some federal presence that can enhance their occupation, pointing out the areas of attention to include the

completion of the works on the Sabke Dam, which has been ongoing since 1997 and the large Ingawa Dam. According to him, “these dams will help greatly in enhancing agricultural productions in my Senatorial Zone.

He therefore called on the indigenes of his senatorial zone to maintain law and order, by living peaceably with all Nigerians from all works of life in their area, pointing out that, “we have to associate and live together as one country in Nigeria, irrespective of religion, culture and language”.

Benue politicians enjoined to support Suswam From Lawal Sadiq Sanusi, Kaduna

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he Concerned Citizens of Benue state Forum, have called on prominent sons of the state, like Senate President, David Mark, Senate Minority Leader, Dr. George Akume, ministers and other political appointees of Benue state extraction, to join hands with the Governor Gabriel Suswam, without minding party affiliations.

In a communiqué issued at

the end of its ordinary breakfast meeting over the weekend in Kaduna, the group said the state had witnessed endless political opposition since its inception, adding that such oppositions has made it difficult for successive administrations to succeed in giving good governance to the people of the state.

The communiqué, which was signed by its President, Mr. Sunday Oibe, appealed to oppositions in the state to

sheath their swords and embrace the administration of Governor Gabriel Suswam for the good of the state.

The communiqué explained that the appeal became necessary to forestall the use of youths for political battle, saying, “we say no to endless legal battle that is capable of distracting Governor Suswam from the set goals of providing good governance to the people of Benue state.

It added, “We also say no to

politics of bitterness that has dragged the image of the entire state to mud. Enough is enough for the philosophy of if it is not me or my party, nothing should work, in Benue state.” The communiqué also appealed to Governor Suswam to continue the infrastructural development in the areas of intra state road network, establishment of fruit processing plants and rural electrification across three senatorial zones in the state for rapid socio economic advancement.

pparently worried by the lingering crisis rocking the Oyo state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan has summoned an emergency meeting of stakeholders of the party to Abuja today.

The Minister of State for FCT, Abuja, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, who disclosed this at the weekend, said she has received an order from President Goodluck Jonathan to convene a meeting of all stakeholders of the state PDP in Abuja today.

Akinjide hinted that the meeting would have in attendance former governors Rashidi Ladoja, Adebayo Alao-Akala, Senator Lekan Balogun, Teslim Folarin, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, Chief Dejo Raimi, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, Elder Wole Oyelese, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi and many others.

She disclosed that she had called the feuding chieftains and informed them of the meeting, adding that Abuja was chosen as the venue so as to bring the leaders out of their comfort zone for a fruitful deliberation.

It would be recalled that the minister had vowed that she would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the PDP returns to winning ways in the state.

A very reliable source close to Ms Akinjide, told Peoples Daily that the FCT Minister of state had boasted to President Goodluck Jonathan, that the people of Oyo state are for the PDP and that she was determined to use the rerun federal constituency election in the state as an eloquent testimony of her boast.

It was equally alleged by our source that this was the reason why she had deployed a lot of her personal resources to ensure that the party wins the election.

Mark condoles IGP over wife’s demise

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

S

enate President, David Mark, has condoled the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, over the demise of his wife, Maryam Abubakar.

In the condolence message from Mark, he expressed sadness over the death of Abubakar’s wife, particularly at a time when she was to be supportive of her husband in reforming the Nigeria Police Force.

According to him, “I earnestly share in your pains and wish that Almighty Allah in His infinite mercies grant you and the entire family the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

He urged the bereaved family, the government and people of Zamfara state, to take solace in the fact that late Maryam left a legacy of a virtuous wife and mother, who touched the lives of people positively.

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Tambuwal condoles with IGP over loss of wife

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he Speaker of the House of Representatives yesterday condoled with the Acting Inspector General of Police, M.D. Abubakar over the untimely death of his wife, Hajiya Maryam Abubakar.

Tambuwal, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media, Imam Imam, prayed Allah to grant the deceased Jannatul-Firdaus and give her husband and other members of the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

“I wish to express my condolence, and that of the House of Representatives, over this monumental loss.

Hajiya Maryam has fulfilled her obligation in this world.

May the almighty Allah (SWT) forgive her shortcomings and reward her good deeds with jannatul firdaus,” Speaker Tambuwal said.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Ugbah Vs Suswam: Benue tribunal orders return of exhibits From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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he Benue state Governorship Election Tribunal has ordered Prof. Steven Ugbah and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to return the exhibits which they initially applied for on the 6th December, 2011 and was released to them by the secretary of the tribunal.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Halima Mohammed, gave the order at yesterday’s sitting, urging all counsels to prepare their addresses on all the issues raised at the inspection of exhibits by them during the adoption of their final written addresses.

Earlier, while giving report on the inspection of the exhibits by the parties as directed by the tribunal in its last sitting of 23rd January 2012, Counsel to Governor Gabriel Suswam,

Donald Denwigwe (SAN), who held fort briefly for Damian Dodo (SAN), told the tribunal that a certain document labeled C29 which was not in custody of the tribunal as list of exhibits was introduced by the petitioners, noting that the act contravened the Electoral Act, as well as High court rules.

He added that section 46 of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, empowers the secretary of the tribunal to have a lists of all exhibits, contending that in this case, the secretary claimed lack of knowledge of the lists.

On his part, Counsel to INEC, Jubrin Okutepa, said there were no photocopies of the exhibits to prove that they were the same ones that the electoral body tendered before, intimating that he applied to the tribunal secretary for a list of the exhibit but did not

receive any positive response.

The petitioner’s counsel, Samuel Orkuma, who frowned at the incessant attacks on the integrity of ACN counsels in some section of the local and national media reiterated that the party did not steal the exhibits as claimed by the PDP, but duly applied for them, maintaining strongly that there was no case of missing or extraneous exhibit been introduced.

“The exhibits were marked up to 28 for the Mbazun ward of Ukum LGA. But it was discovered that the marking was not serially done. One exhibit which was supposed to marked as 16, was not marked since that 16 was taken to INEC for certification”, Orkuma explained.

At this point, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Mohammed, not pleased with

the inability of the counsels to resolve the issue of the exhibits, urged them to show maturity since only one exhibit was in contention and adopt it in their written addresses.

“We are not here to chase shadows and would not be provoked by your attitudes. We want to achieve justice. If somebody wants to delay until the expiration of 180 days, so be it. We can dispense of the case in February. We will not allow anything to dent our future and career”, Justice Mohammed stated.

However, all counsel resolved the matter and agreed that the exhibits should be returned to the tribunal and issues therein would be addressed in their final written addresses. Meanwhile, the tribunal then adjourned to February 9th 2012 for indefinite hearing of the matter.

Benue ACN guber candidate contests tribunal’s jurisdiction to hear case From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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enue state Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate at last year’s election, Prof. Steven Ugbah, has filed a suit challenging the jurisdiction of the Election Petition Tribunal to hear his matter.

Counsel to Prof. Ugbah, Samuel Orkuma, intimated the court at yesterday’s resumed sitting on the case against Governor Gabriel Suswam, that motion was filed on 28th and served on all parties, even as he also sought judgement in favor of his client.

However, the application sparked off spontaneous fury from Counsel to Governor Suswam, Damian Dodo (SAN), who argued that the application is ill-conceived as the issue of jurisdiction had already been settled by the tribunal which he said cannot now set aside their ruling on that matter.

“This issue of jurisdiction had been settled by the tribunal and they cannot set aside their ruling. Not even the appeal court has the power to do so. This application is the biggest joke I have seen in an election petition. If the petitioners are not working to do the case, we will help them do so. Nobody can stall this proceedings, not even the Appeal or Supreme courts”, Dodo said.

Meanwhile, the tribunal has given Governor Suswam, PDP and INEC 7 days to reply to the application, while the petitioner has 2 days to file a counter reply.

L-R: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri, members of the committee, Hon. Innocent Tirsel and Hon. Charles Odedo, during the committee meeting with Austrian delegation at the National Assembly, in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

INEC to recruit Ad hoc staff for Nasarawa NASS re-run From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

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ollowing the order by the federal Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, Benue state, that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should conduct a re-run election for the Nasarawa/Toto federal constituency, of Nasarawa state, the commission has disclosed that it will recruit ad hoc staff who will be trained as returning officers, presiding officers, polling clerks and assistants, ahead of the re-run.

Ahmad Makama, state

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), made this known yesterday, in a speech he delivered at the headquarters of the commission, in Lafia, the state capital, during a stakeholders forum organised by the commission.

The forum, which was attended by political parties in the state, security agencies and the press, according to Makama, provided an opportunity for every stakeholder to contribute meaningfully toward entrenching enduring democratic culture, “through conducting free, fair and

credible election.”

While restating the resolve of the commission to the ideals of one man one vote, geared toward conducting a free, fair and credible re-run, the REC however harped on the need to sustain and build on the existing peace in the state, stressing that peace is an indispensable prerequisite for credible election.

Makama appealed to the political actors and their supporters to give peace a chance and to eschew every act of violence and other election malpractices, adding that, a

level playing ground is already provided, saying it is now left to the politicians and the electorates to accept and observe the basic rules and regulations governing the contest of the election.

Five political parties are set to contest in the re-run slated for the 14th of next month, which is expected to hold in Akum and Odu electoral wards, both in Nasarawa LG and Karmo, Kwaki and Rumudu B polling units, in Toto LG, with Samuel Egya (PDP) and Musa Onwana (CPC) being the major contenders.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Two PDP chairmen defect to ACN

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wo Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) former council chairmen, ward leaders and Labour Party leaders in Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas in Edo South Senatorial District, were among thousands of PDP supporters that decamped to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), yesterday, in Benin City.

Speaking on behalf of the decampees, Hon Ehi Egharevba, former chairman, Egor LGA said that their motivation to join the ACN was the inspirational developmental strides of the governor of the state. Adams Oshiomhole.

According to him, “it takes the drive from within to prove what you stand for. Every day, as I drive through Sapele Road, Ring road, Siluko, Akpakpava, I see that our ancient city is in the process of transformation.

It is with great pleasure that I have come to add my quota to the good works of the governor.”

On his part, Mr. Abella Idele Iyen, PDP chairman Ward 10, Oredo said the “ACN is a moving train and Comrade Oshiomhole is the driver.

My followers and I have entered and we are going to contribute our wealth of experience to the ACN”.

For Prince Bernard Aghama, former chairman Labour Party, Egor, Local Government Area, “Our governor has not disappointed us at all. We have come to associate ourselves with the governor because of his good works.

“What is happening today in Edo state is a great thing.

Anybody who cannot support good things is an enemy.”

Receiving the defectors, Governor Oshiomhole welcomed them to the ACN family.

According to him, “Old habits die hard; and the godfather is oiling his machinery to rig the next election. But I want to assure you that we are not only on ground, but we are firmly on ground.

“When they say they will spend N3b to buy votes, print electronic results from China or South Africa, that they will sew fake NYSC uniforms, our people should collect their money; but their votes would not be sold,” he said.

He noted that PDP said the Supreme Court judgment is a setback for democracy, adding “for them any judgment that affects the riggers is a setback.”

He advised the PDP that “the way of the future is to key into one man, one vote. In Edo one man one vote has been deeply entrenched.”

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NNPC and other probes will fail, says ACN

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), has said the federal governmentordered audit of all government institutions in the oil and gas sector, as well as the solid minerals resources sector, is programmed to fail because the government’s decision to oversee the probe is akin to a man being a judge in his own case.

ACN, in a statement issued yesterday in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the principle of fairness and the doctrine of separation of powers meant that any probe of institutions under the executive arm of government should be carried out by the National Assembly, in line with its oversight functions. ‘’It is therefore the National Assembly, rather than the executive, that should probe this revenue generating agencies in the oil and gas industry, as well as in the solid minerals sector: and we call on the National Assembly to be alive to its

responsibilities,’’ ACN said.

The statement added that while the party does not intend to cast aspersion on any person or organization, ‘’we are constrained to raise issues concerning the two audit firms that have been named by the federal government to carry out the audit (Sada, Idris & Co for oil and gas, and Haruna, Yahaya & Co for solid minerals). What antecedents prepared them for such a massive task? And what similar audit have they successfully carried out that will give Nigerians the assurance that they will carry out an independent and credible audit this time,” the statement added.

The party also called for the immediate implementation of the recommendations contained in the audit of the NNPC by KPMG, to convince Nigerians that the outcome of the new audit on the oil and gas sector as well as the solid minerals sector will not be ignored.

Meanwhile the statement said that ACN criticized federal government officials who have continued to sing discordant

tunes and misinform Nigerians on the entire fuel subsidy scam, in order - it seems – to justify its desperate act of forcing the citizenry to pay for the waste and fraud of a few fat cats in the oil industry. ‘’The revelations at the ongoing fuel subsidy probe by the House of Representatives have been shocking, to say the least.

For example, while the Petroleum Resources Minister put Nigeria’s daily fuel consumption at 52 million litres, NNPC said it is 35 million, Finance Minister said it is 40 million while DPR put it at 43 million.

“The same inconsistency was noted on the issue of fuel subsidy.

The Petroleum Resources Minister put the figure at 1.4 trillion naira; Finance Minister put it at 1.3 trillion naira while the CBN said it is 1.7 trillion naira. Different figures were also given for the current production capacity of the local refineries by the NNPC (30%); PPPRA (20%), DPR (13%) and Petroleum Resources Minister (15%),” ACN queried.

Oyo: PDP, others ask INEC to comply with Electoral Act From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Oyo state yesterday a s k e d Independent N a t i o n a l E l e c t o r a l Commission (INEC) to comply with new electoral act and issue certificate of return to the winner of rerun election at last Saturday’s rerun election in Irepo/ Olorunsogo/ O o r e l o p e F e d e r a l Constituency.

The state secretary of the party, Alhaji Bashiru A k a n b i highlighted p a r t y ’ s position over t h e cancellation of rerun election in the state, and urged INEC to comply with section 27 subsection 2(d) of Electoral Act 2011 as Amended, which reads “ T h e returning officer shall

announce the result and declare the winner of the election at the Federal Constituency Collation Centre for the House of Representatives.

The party faulted the decision of INEC’s returning officer Prof. Jelili Akinade Akinlabi for being a partisan and called on Prof Attahiru Jega to rescue the situation in accordance with constitution of the land.

“Total polling units in the Federal Constituency is 217; still Prof. Jelili Akinade Akinlabi thought it wise to disenfranchise voters in 210 polling units and concluded in his wisdom that because of 7 out of 217, the election was inconclusive. This is a serious matter of thought for INEC,” Akanbi said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, has described the result of the rerun election in Irepo/ Olorunsogo/Oorelope Federal, Constituency as electorates desire to return to mainstream politics.

She noted that the result has shown that the Peoples Democratic Party has returned to winning ways in the state.

Speaking in a statement signed by her media aide, Mr. Kehinde Isiaka, the minister commended the efforts of the law-enforcement agencies that thwarted surreptitious moves by “desperate politicians within the opposition camp”saying the result of the election would have been catastrophic for the PDP. She urged the security

operatives to ensure those arrested are brought to book to serve as deterrence for those who might be similarly inclined to yield themselves to desperate politicians with the lure of money.

Also the Minority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Rafiu Adekunle, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the winner of the Saturday’s rerun election without any further delay.

Honourable Adekunle, representing Saki West constituency warned INEC to respect the wishes of the electorate, saying the result reflected the love and desire for change in the state at large.

While charging INEC to declare the winner of the rerun election, Adekunle advised any party not satisfied with the outcome of the result to seek redress in the tribunal as provided by the constitution.

The minority leader commended the party leaders, members and the electorate in the three local government councils where the election took place for “voting massively” to the PDP and urged them to go about their lawful business and remain unprovoked by attempts by “thugs from an opposition party.” “INEC claimed there were cases of over- voting in some units, which the Electoral Act of 2010 has taken care of by stipulating that the results of such units should be cancelled; and where it was alleged that voters did not turn out for voting, there is nothing anybody can do about that,” he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Budget Office slashes NSC’s N17bn proposal to N6.8bn Stories by Patrick Andrew

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he outlook of Nigerian sports is bleak going by the gloomy faces of the officials of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and its affiliate the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday at the defence of their respective budgets for 2012 before the House of Representatives Committee on Sports.

The officials were hard put coming to terms with the Budget Office’s drastic reduction of their budgets for the year and openly pleaded with the committee to intervene to forestall sanctions from the international sports organisations which would be imminent because of Nigeria’s likely failure to meet mandatory obligations.

Such obligations includes preparation and participation in the London 2012 Olympics which is being threatened by paucity of funds, participation in several CAF and FIFA qualifiers as well as completion of ongoing capital projects in the country.

This gloomy picture was painted before the committee by the DirectorGeneral of the NSC, Chief Patrick Ekeji, who lamented that the Budget Offices slashed its budget for the year from N17, 017, 438, 213 to N6, 866, 865, 878. 00, an amount he said is a far cry from what the commission needs to meet basic obligations and capital projects.

“On the template we have the 2012 proposal as sent to us by the Budget Office. The envelope is N6, 866, 865, 878. 00 and our proposal was N17, 017, 438, 213. Under that total envelope and under capital proposal what we are expected to spend is the sum of N1, 188, 800.88.”, Ekeji stated.

In the same vein, the Nigeria Football Federation lamented that the sum of N2.176 billion was approved as its limit from the Budget Office for the year and stressed that the amount, no matter how frugal the football federation would be, is grossly inadequate to prosecute all its programmes.

The Acting General Secretary of the federation, Barrister Musa Amadu, while pleading for the amount to be yanked up told members of the House Committee that the minimum of N6 billion is needed by the federation to prepare the national teams to take part in the CAF and FIFA qualifiers and tournaments.

Peoples Daily Sports recalls that the commission had been turned back by the committee last Wednesday for failing to present as requested a proper 2011 expenditure profile.

Accordingly, the commission was expected to show evidence of how the N2.2 billion appropriated and released for the All Africa Games in Maputo, last September was expended.

The matter was not raised given the impression that the request was obliged.

PAGE 41

Nigeria budgets N2.4bn for Olympic Games

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eam Nigeria contingent would need at least N2.4 billion to prosecute the London 2012 Olympic Games, according to the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Chief Patrick Ekeji.

Ekeji, who revealed this at the commission’s 2012 budget defence before members of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, said the amount is part of the N6, 866, 865, 878. 00 envelope sent to it by the Budget Office.

Though he said the amount was a far cry from what the commission would have liked to have considering that a proposal to the tune of N17, 017, 438, 213 had been made, the NSC boss said it would be compelled to work on stringent budget.

Chief Patrick Ekeji The amount includes the N350m that the Presidency approved for release for the commission’s preparation of athletes for the London Games.

A breakdown of the budget approval from the Budget Office as to what will be expended this year on capital projects shows that N182.1 million will be spent for the maintenance of the 6 federal stadia located in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Bauchi, Ibadan and Kaduna; while completion of 44 mini stadia would gulp 268.1 million. ports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission Purchasing of fire fighting (NSC), Honourable Bolaji Abdullahi, has asserted that the recent court ruling which declared the NFF and NPL unknown to the law of equipments would take N181. 4 Nigeria was more political than legal in context. million, construction of NSC Speaking before the House of Representatives Committee on Sports at secretariat would milk N36. 2 million, the defence of the commission’s 2012 budget, Abdullahi said he drew construction of Association of African his conclusion from the stakeholders’ meeting he called in Lagos last Athletics Confederation tracks and week. filed regional centre in Abuja would “All I can say is that I called a stakeholders meeting last week in Lagos cost 134. 3 million while N152. 4 where we discussed this issue. What I make of it is that the challenge we million would be expended on the have Nigerian football is not technical but political.

Athletics Hostel in Abuja.

“So, because it is political, we are going to negotiate, discuss and settle Sympathising with the commission it. I can tell you that it is not a legal issue, even though people have gone to court, it is political and I assure you we are going to settle it on political and its affiliates, the Committee table,” he assured the committee. promised to work persuade the It would be recalled that the Federal High Court Abuja had penultimate government to appropriate more Friday, in a case brought by Dr. Sam Sam Jaja seeking relief for his funds to enable them meet basic disqualification from contesting the position of NPL chairman, ruled obligations especially for the that both the both NFF and NPL was unknown to our domestic law hence Olympics and participation in the illegal. continental and FIFA qualifying Meanwhile, Abdullahi, has revealed that he intends to prune the campaigns. number of sports federations in the country to allow for development Chairman, Hon. Godfrey Gaiya rather than participation in competitions. gave the assurance and reiterated the At present, there more than 30 federations all absolutely relying on the government for sponsorship, a situation the minister said is fleecing need for the commission and its the scarce resources of government. affiliates to always work in concert “The commission will no longer continue to spend its scarce resources with the members of the committee on the multitude of sports when they can make more impacts on few for the advancement of the sports in sports. We intend to trim the number of a manageable proportion.” the country.

However, the deputy chairman of the committee, Hon. Ayo Omidirana former board member of the NFFprotested against the exclusion of the women league in the NFF budget.

“We did not see any allocation to the National league and Women league even when we are in the era of hunting for talents to replace our aging national team players. You have to also specify the amount you voted to the Women Challenge Cup. “It is not going to be business as usual because you have to tell us the participatory fee and other monetary benefits attached to the teams. I want to also bring your attention to the omission of the full details of the projects you intend to spend your capital cost on,” She reminded the Hon. Bolaji Abdullahi Hon. Godfrey Gaiya NFF.

Minister says court ruling against NFF political not legal, vows to prune sports federations

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

AMAC wins U-17 FCT Minister’s Cup

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he Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Director of Sports, Malam Alim Musa, says each participating team in the just concluded the U-17 FCT Minister’s Cup will receive N50,000.

Alim, who made the statement at the final match of the second edition of the football championship between Ward 2, Bwari Area Council and Ward I, AMAC, said the award was to encourage grassroots sports development in Abuja.

He, however, said the 12 wards in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) would get N60,000 each because the

Gov Amosun asks Flamingoes to roast Kenya

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he Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun yesterday challenged Nigeria’s representatives in the FIFA U-17 Women Championship currently campaigning for qualificationthe Flamingoes to rout their Kenyan counterparts when they come visiting for Saturday’s qualifier in Abeokuta.

The governor, who charged the girls to show immense discipline and patriotism in the campaign, urged them to spell kenya with the number of goals they score against the East African country.

“Football is a big issue with Nigerians, and it behooves on you players who have the privilege of being selected to fly the nation’s flag, to always do so with the highest sense of responsibility and discipline, and to always realize that you have to conduct yourselves well at all times.

“I assure you that when you play on Saturday, not only the football fans here at the MKO Stadium will be cheering you on, but the whole country will be behind you, including President Goodluck Jonathan”,Gov. said.

The Flamingoes intensified their preparation for the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Kenya, yesterday. On Friday, in a friendly match, the Flamingoes walloped Women Professional League club, Sunshine Queens of Akure 3-1 at the Akure Township Stadium, and the following day pounded Tewo Queens of Ibadan 3-0 at the MKO Abiola Stadium.

Nigeria won the first leg in Nairobi 2-0 penultimate weekend and are all but certain to reach the next and final round of the African qualifiers, where they are most likely to play Zambia’s U-17 Women’s Team.

Zambia lashed Botswana 5-1 away in Gaborone in front of their fans during the first leg match and should easily wrap up the tie in Lusaka this weekend.

winning team came from the council.

Alim said the second edition of the championship was an improvement on the first as it witnessed more participation and commitment.

“We ensured that all the 62 wards were here today as there is a need for the youth to mix together, understand and cooperate with each other. I am sure some of them might have come to the city for the first time and this was an opportunity for them to expose themselves,” he said.

Alim said the championship would

help the officials of clubs in the FCT to identify some talented players to be used by their clubs in future.

Alhaji Umar Ibraheem, the Managing Director of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), one of the sponsors of the championship, said the corporation was committed to the development of sports as part of its social responsibility.

“The NDIC has donated funds toward the successful holding of the event and the board and management of the corporation also approved financial assistance toward

the development of sports in six states of the federation,” he said.

Ibraheem, who was represented on the occasion by Eboeme Pascal, the Director of strategic Development Department, said the corporation would continue to sponsor the event.

The AMAC team beat Bwari 5- 4 on penalties to win the trophy after a goalless draw after 90 minutes of play.

The first, second and third position winners received N500,000, N200,000 and N100,000 awards respectively.

Director of Sports.

NFF board has failed, must quit, says Emordi E

Aminu Maigari

Okey Emordi

nugu Rangers manager, Okey Emordi, has called for the resignation of the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Emordi said the federation has failed in the administration of football in the country and demanded that the members of the board should resign en masse to pacify Nigerians.

“We don’t have a standard NFF. Members of the technical committee have failed. They have no business leading Nigerian football and they should do the right thing and resign; all of them,” Emordi demanded.

The former Enyimba trainer also said the failures recorded in Nigerian in football in 2011 were clear indicators that those governing football in the country at present “are not the right men for the job.”

“We should be honest with ourselves. They (members of the NFF) are square pegs in round holes and that is why we failed woefully last year. The NFF must take responsibility,” he said. The Rangers coach also reflected on his side’s loss to Nigeria Premier League (NPL) champions, Dolphins blaming terrible officiating for the reverse and indicting the NFF over the situation.

“Everyone who saw the match (against Dolphins) would attest to the fact that we did not deserve to lose. The officiating was terrible and to be honest, I blame the NFF for the terrible form of officiating in the league.

“When I managed in South Africa with Bush Bucks, things were handled differently.

You never got to know the identity of the referees for a game until he walks into the pitch. Here (in Nigeria), the opposite is the case.

“In the NPL, the home teams pay the indemnities of the referees. That is ridiculous.

Until the NFF starts taking responsibility of that, we will never improve,” he said.

Emordi was named best coach in Africa by Caf in 2004 after leading Enyimba to success in the Caf Champions League.

Ajagun has dumped us, Dolphins cry out

N

igeria Premier League (NPL) champions, Dolphins have sensationally declared that midfielder Abduljeleel Ajagun has unceremoniously dumped the club.

The player, who has also represented Nigeria at Under17 and Under20 levels, is believed to be in Israel with a club whose identity is unknown.

Club secretary, Ahmed Abdulrahman revealed that the player has refused to communicate his whereabouts to the management and the club has now been forced to declare him absent without leave (AWOL).

“No one knows his whereabouts. He has

been away from the club for some time now without our permission and this is totally unacceptable,” Abdulrahman revealed.

Abdulrahman also revealed that the club would ‘take action’ whenever the player returns to the club.

“We believe he is in Israel for trials but he did not leave with our permission. It negates the policies of discipline in this club and we will take action on the matter,” Abdulrahman explained.

This is not the first time Ajagun will be leaving the club without official permission as he performed the same act in October 2010.

Meanwhile, midfielder, Omo Ojabu is set to tie up a deal with an unnamed Norwegian club.

“Omo has been in Norway over the past one week for trials with a Norwegian club.

I am not at liberty to reveal the identity of the club right now but I can tell you that if all goes according to plan, he will be joining the club,” club secretary, Ahmed Abdulrahman told SuperSport.com.

Ojabu is an established junior international representing Nigeria at Under17 and 19 levels. He was an important member of the Dolphins team that won the 2011/2012 NPL title.

Abduljeleel Ajagun

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

A

Transfer Rumour, Transfer Rumour

s the season coasts to a decisive moment, clubs are looking to beef up their squads and better reposition for the ultimate chase for some while others will be deadlock in battle for survival from the murky waters of relegation. here, we begins a spice report on the winter transfer movements.

PAGE 43

K

evin De Bruyne appears on the verge of signing a deal with Chelsea amid reports the Genk star is undergoing a medical with the Premier League club.

It is claimed De Bruyne, 20, will open a fiveand-a-half year contract at Chelsea after a fee in the region of £7 million was agreed.

The Belgium international is then expected to be loaned back to Genk for the remainder of the season before joining up with the Blues in the

Chelsea seal £7m deal for De Bruyne summer. A Genk spokesman is quoted by the Mirror as saying: “Dirk Degraen is in London and the expectation is that it (the transfer of De Bruyne) will be finished this week.

“The assumption is that Kevin de Bruyne will be transferred to

Chelsea and then will finish the season (on loan) at Genk.”

Attacking midfielder De Bruyne will become the third Belgian to join Chelsea in the last six months, following the arrivals of Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois last summer.

Captured less than 24 hours to close of window J

ust a few hours remain for teams to make the final adjustments which will take them through to the end of the season, whether they are targeting reinforcements or hoping to move players on.

Desperate to retain their berth in the Premier League this term, promoted side Queens Park Rangers realise they need experience in their ranks to haul themselves away from their current precarious position. The 16thplaced side have thus turned to leaders Manchester City to recruit solid Nigerian-born defender Nedum Onuoha, who spent last season on loan at Sunderland.

He will be adjusting to his new surroundings in west London along with Nigerian international Taye Taiwo, the left-back having struggled for playing time since

Nedum Onuoha

Taye Taiwo

Kevin De Bruyne

E

verton have opened talks with Rangers in a bid to sign Nikica Jelavic before the transfer window closes tomorrow.

West Ham had a £7m offer for the 26-year-old Croatian international striker rejected - now Everton boss

joining AC Milan from Marseille last summer.

Bottom side Wigan Athletic face their own survival struggle and they are hoping for big things from Birmingham City’s Chilean midfielder Jean Beausejour as they bid to avoid relegation. Top-flight new boys Norwich City are similarly anxious to protect their Premier League status and have bolstered their squad with former Leeds United captain Jonny Howson, an ex-England Under-20 international, while Bolton Wanderers have agreed terms with New York Red Bulls for United States defender Tim Ream.

Elsewhere, Russian midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov has decided to end his stay with Everton and return home, putting pen to paper on a contract with Spartak Moscow three years after leaving the club’s local rivals Lokomotiv.

However, he will not brush shoulders with Vagner Love during derby matches against CSKA Moscow as the Brazilian forward with the colourful dreadlocks has rejoined Flamengo, where he enjoyed a loan spell in 2010. In contrast, his compatriot Ilsinho has been tempted back to Europe, the midfielder reacquainting himself with Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, for whom he plundered ten goals in 56 outings between 2007 and 2010, following subsequent stints with Sao Paulo and Internacional.

Young defender Juan Jesus is now discovering the Old Continent for the first time after catching the eye of Inter Milan, though the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 winner will begin his Serie A education at promoted club Novara after being swiftly loaned out by I Nerazzurri. Italian U-21 striker Stefano Okaka Chuka could no doubt teach him a thing or two about life on loan, and the Roma striker is now making a temporary home for himself at Parma, having previously been loaned to Modena, Brescia, Fulham and Bari since joining the capital club in 2005. Former Roma midfielder Manuele Blasi has also moved on, the 31-year-old with eight Italy caps ending a difficult start to the season with Parma to return to Lecce, where he made his professional debut in 1998.

As for Blasi’s erstwhile Gialloblu colleague Amauri, he too has taken steps to improve his career prospects.

Struggling for time on the pitch at Juventus, where he does not figure in the plans of coach Antonio Conte, the 31-year-old Brazilian-born marksman has packed his bags for Fiorentina, his task being to fill the gap left

by Genoa-bound forward Alberto Gilardino. Serie A leaders Juve have nonetheless added to their numbers by bringing in Martin Caceres on loan from Sevilla, the Uruguayan defender having previously represented I Bianconeri in 2009/10, while Chilean forward Mauricio Pinilla has swapped Palermo for Cagliari.

Palermo have also bid farewell to Argentinian defender Mauro Cetto, who is back in France with champions Lille, six months on from departing Toulouse. Ligue 1 has likewise extended a welcome to Olivier Kapo, with the marksman commencing a second spell at Auxerre, eight years after leaving the

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov

Nikica Jelavic Burgundy outfit to parade his abilities at clubs including Juventus, Monaco, Levante, Birmingham, Wigan and Celtic. Further north, Rennes have picked up Mevlut Erdinc, the Turkish striker having endured a difficult time at Paris Saint-Germain of late after signing for the capital side from Sochaux in 2009.

Bosnian forward Vedad Ibisevic endured a testing spell of his own at PSG in 2003/04, but he has since proved his worth in the Bundesliga, and his scoring feats with Hoffenheim have earned him a move to Stuttgart. The 27-year-old will no doubt cross paths with Algerian centre-back Anthar Yahia, whose strike against Egypt famously secured his country’s place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Yahia has finalised a contract with Kaiserslautern, a year after leaving Bochum for Saudi Arabian team Al Nasr, and he will boost his new side with the benefit of his previous experiences in the Bundesliga, not to mention Italy and France.

Another well-travelled player is Argentinian winger Jesus Datolo, familiar to fans of clubs like Banfield, Espanyol, Boca Juniors, Napoli and Olympiacos. His next port of call will be Internacional in Brazil, while Brazilian striker Diego Costa has made the much shorter trip from Atletico Madrid to Liga neighbours Rayo Vallecano.

Everton open talks on Jelavic with Rangers David Moyes has made his move.

Rangers are understood to want £8m for Jelavic, who missed Saturday’s 4-0 win against Hibernian because of

illness Everton have a limited transfer budget but sold Diniyar Bilyaletdinov to Spartak Moscow for £5m.

However, the Toffees are

unlikely to meet Rangers’ full asking price for Jelavic.

Talks are ongoing in an attempt to agree a deal, with Everton hoping Rangers may drop the price to what the

Goodison Park club will regard as a more realistic valuation.

Rangers are currently struggling with financial problems and manager Ally McCoist said after the win against Hibernian: “Nikica, if he went, would be a big loss.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

N

ovak Djokovic has that unbeatable feeling. And well he should. The Serb outlasted Rafael Nadal to defend his Australian Open title in the longest ever Grand Slam final and become the fifth man to win three straight majors in the Open Era. Djokovic now has the French Open the one major to elude him in his sights. He won’t even rule out the ultimate: the Grand Slam.

“One player (Rod Laver) has done it, so it is possible,” he said after the traditional post-victory photo shoot in a downtown Melbourne park yesterday.

“Obviously the times are different and tennis nowadays is much more competitive and much more physical.

And that makes that challenge more difficult to achieve. But everything is possible.”

With the London Olympics to follow Wimbledon this year, Djokovic could even make it a Golden Slam by winning the gold medal at London 2012 to go with the four majors.

“The facts are that I’m at the peak of my career,” Djokovic said. “I feel physically and mentally at the peak, I feel strong, I feel motivated, I feel eager to win more trophies.”

Having slept for only a few hours, Djokovic dispensed with the band and the raucous dressing room celebrations that marked his victory last year, choosing to strum the air guitar and belt out a few lyrics from “Highway To Hell.”

Djokovic recalled the brief celebrations after the match at Rod Laver Arena and made a half-hearted attempt to sing the refrain from the AC/ DC rock anthem. His legs were too tired, and his throat a bit hoarse. “Oh man, I’m tired.”

And so he should be. Djokovic completed a 5-hour, 53-minute 5-7, 64, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5 victory over Nadal at 1:37 a.m. ending an epic match with a forehand winner that finally finished off the Spaniard.

He defied exhaustion to tear off his shirt and flex his bare torso as he made his way to celebrate with friends and family. He was still doing interviews after 4 a.m.

It didn’t leave much time for celebrating. Unlike his victory at the 2011 Australian Open, when he beat his friend Andy Murray in straight sets and then kicked off an all-night party with a rock band in the locker room.

“I didn’t have any more energy left to celebrate,” Djokovic said Monday. “I was preferring my bed.”

I’m at the peak of my career, upbeat Djokovic says

Djokovic with Australian Open trophy When he awoke not long after, his body reminded him not just of the incredible events of the previous evening, nearly six hours of physically punishing tennis against one of the game’s most ferociously competitive athletes, but also of a near five-hour semifinal two nights earlier against Murray.

He also appeared to struggle physically during his semi-final defeat of Britain’s Andy Murray, in a match which lasted four hours 50 minutes. He reached the Melbourne final after overcoming breathing and injury problems in his quarter-final victory over David Ferrer.

“I felt lots of pain all over the body,” he said. “The adrenaline is still there and I still am very excited about what I have experienced here in the last two

weeks and especially last night. I’m full of joy, but I think still I don’t have a real sense of what’s going on.”

Djokovic wasn’t the only one feeling a little dazed Monday. There were still 1.86 million people watching in Australia until after 1:30 a.m. The peak audience was 3.86 million, approaching about one-fifth of the population. When the last ball was struck, hardly any of the almost 15,000 spectators in Rod Laver Arena had left.

A historic final provided a fitting climax to a men’s tournament that also featured riveting semifinals between Nadal and No. 3-ranked Roger Federer, and Djokovic and No. 4 Murray.

Tournament director Craig Tiley, celebrating a record attendance of 686,006 over two weeks, described the final as “the greatest match of all time.”

Djokovic’s Grand Slam wins • 2008: Australian Open • 2011: Australian Open • 2011: US Open • 2011: Wimbledon • 2012: Australian Open

“

A day after earning her first Grand Slam title, even Victoria Azarenka came out to watch the men’s final. The 22-year-old Belarusian needed 82 minutes two minutes more than the first set lasted between Nadal and Djokovic to rout Maria Sharapova and claim both the trophy and the No. 1 ranking.

Djokovic’s seventh straight win in a final over Nadal underlined his dominance of the men’s game, which until last year had been headlined by Nadal and Federer.

Nadal got closer to ending the Serb’s recent success against him, but after being a break up in the fifth set, couldn’t get over the line. Despite a third straight loss in a Grand Slam final, Nadal leaves Melbourne more motivated than ever.

Less than 24 hours before the tournament began, he was in tears, believing a freak knee injury he sustained while sitting on a chair would prevent him from competing in the tournament.

To end it having pushed his nemesis to the limit was more than enough consolation for the 10-time Grand Slam champion.

“I wanted to win, but I am happy about how I did,” he said. “I had my chances against the best player of the world today. I played one against one.”

In the end, Djokovic’s unshakable belief that began to develop when he won the Davis Cup with Serbia at the end of 2010, and strengthened when he went the first 41 matches of last season unbeaten, pulled him through.

Once the bridesmaid to Nadal and Federer, Djokovic understood exactly how his opponent felt.

“When I played three, four years ago against Rafa and Roger in Grand Slam semifinals and finals, I felt that they were just superior on the court, that they had this mental advantage,” he said. “Because they just know that when the time comes, when the match is breaking down, fifth set, they will always prevail, because they believe more, they have more experience and they know what to do.”

Now it’s Djokovic’s turn to feel like he’s the one who can’t lose.

“

NADAL I’m sure any other tennis player would say the same.

We live for these matches.

We’re trying to dedicate all our life to this sport, to come to the situation where we play a six-hour match for a Grand Slam title.

DJOKOVIC “I overcame everything,” said the Serb. “That’s the most important thing for me.

And to be able to mentally hang in there, it was obvious on the court for everybody who has watched the match that both of us, physically, took the last drop of energy that we had from our bodies.

Nadal in action during his game with Djokovic

Pictorial

Pix ii: Delon Armitage is dropped from the England Saxons squad after being arrested on suspicion of assault.

v

vi

vii Pix iii: World number one Novak Djokovic labels his historic Australian Open final against close rival Rafael Nadal as the best moment of his career.

Pix iv: Britain's women earn a 2-2 draw with Olympic champions the Netherlands at the Champions Trophy in Argentina, having gone two goals down.

Pix v: England's Robert Rock repels Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy to claim the biggest win of his career at the Abu Dhabi Championship.

iv

Pix i: Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is due at Chelsea for a medical ahead of a proposed transfer from Genk.

Pix vi: Carl Frampton successfully defends his Commonwealth super-bantamweight title with an impressive seventh-round stoppage against Kris Hughes in London.

Pix vii: UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee believes that 5,000m world champion Mo Farah is "a complete athlete".

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012 PAGE 45

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

28 athletes implicated in German doping scandal, sprint decides Miami marathon

G

ermany’s national anti-doping agency says 28 athletes have been implicated in a scandal involving a doctor under investigation for conducting blood transfusions.

NADA says it is receiving files from the court in Erfurt in Thuringia state from an ongoing case against Dr. Andreas Franke, who worked at Thuringia’s Olympic training facility.

Franke is suspected of treating athletes’ blood with UV light before reinjecting it, a procedure banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Public broadcaster ARD said Sunday it had a list of the 28 names implicated in the scandal, including former Olympic speedskating champion Claudia Pechstein.

Meanwhile, Samuel Malakwen beat out Teferi Bacha by about a stride’s length in a sprint down the finish-line chute to win the Miami Marathon on Sunday.

Both runners had a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes, 55 seconds, but the Kenyan edged out the Ethiopian at the tape.

Benazzouz Slimani of Italy was third

in 2:19:48, and Guatemalans Alfredo Areval (2:22:44) and Mynor Armando Aguilon (2:23:55).

Raquel Maraviglia of Argentina won the women’s race in 2:41:39, leading from the start and coming in nearly four minutes ahead of Wioletta Kryza of Poland (2:45:32) and 2011 champion Alena Vinitskaya of Belarus (2:45:48).

It was Maraviglia’s fourth career marathon.

The 10th anniversary of the race went through Miami and Miami Beach on a clear, 66-degree morning.

Catholic Church wants Pacquiao to become “Bible ambassador” T

he Catholic Church in the Philippines has asked Manny Pacquiao to become a “Bible ambassador”.

Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said on Monday church leaders had approached Pacquiao with the idea to follow in the footsteps of American football hero Tim Tebow.

They have had no reaction from the 32-year-old boxer.

“We asked him to partner us in promoting the reading of the Bible among Catholics,” said David, who presides over the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) Bible ministry.

“We told him: ‘You would be a big help to us, brother Manny’, but he has not pledged his partnership yet.”

He said Pacquiao could follow the example of Philippine-born National Football League star Tebow, a devout Christian dubbed in the press as “God’s

Manny Pacquiao

quarterback.”

“Tim Tebow became very popular by promoting the word of God,” David said.

“Some have referred to Manny Pacquiao as the Tim Tebow of the Philippines.”

Tebow, born in Manila in 1987 to a Baptist missionary couple, has emerged as America’s hottest football star with his come-from-behind heroics for the Broncos. He has pledged to help fund a $3 million hospital in the southern Philippines.

Pacquiao is regarded as one of the best boxers in history. He has a professional record of 54-3, with two draws, and has won a record eight “world” titles in as many weight divisions.

Pacquiao, who is a member of the Philippines’ lower house of parliament, often cites God as the source of his success, and wears a rosary around his neck before and after his fights.

But the ultra-rich sportsman has not escaped intrigue, and there have been

reports of him womanising and gambling.

In an interview with a Philippine TV station, ABS-CBN, Pacquiao said he had recently renewed his faith and given up vices after an “encounter with God” during a dream.

In the dream, Pacquiao said, he found himself in a forest, where a bright light shone, believed to be God, asking the fighter why he was veering away from Him. “I woke up crying. I remember I was crying in my dream and when I touched my pillow, it was wet,” he said.

“If I had died last year or in the last two years, I’m sure I would have gone straight to hell. My faith in Him was there, 100 per cent, but behind it, after prayers, I would still do evil things.”

Pacquiao said he now immersed himself in Bible study and spent more time when not in training with his wife, Jinkee, and their four children.

CAS to announce Contador decision February 6

T

he Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will announce their verdict on threetime Tour de France winner Alberto Contador’s doping case on February 6, the organisation said Monday.

A verdict was initially set for midJanuary, but CAS opted to delay the ruling, blaming the delay on media allegations of bias against the three-man arbitration panel.

Contador tested positive for the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour de France, but the Spaniard was cleared by the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) in February 2011, prompting the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) and International Cycling Union (UCI) to appeal the decision to CAS. The 29-year-old Spaniard claimed he had ingested the banned substance by eating a contaminated steak, an explanation which satisfied the RFEC but which failed to pass muster with the International Cycling Union (UCI) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

If CAS upholds the appeal the Spaniard faces a competition ban and being stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title and the Giro d’Italia, which he won for a second time last year, and any other victories since July Alberto Contador 2010.

Don Fullmer dies at 72

D

on Fullmer, the tough American who took on champions such as Terry Downes, Dick Tiger, José Torres Emile Griffith and Bobo Olson, has died at the age of 72.

He campaigned as a middleweight in the 1950s and 1960s and fought nine world champions during a career of 79 professional fights of which he won 54, lost 20 and drew five.

His older brother Gene, who fought Nigeria’s Hogan ‘Kid’ Bassey, was world middleweight champion in the 1960s.

After remaining undefeated in 65 amateur fights, Don Fullmer turned pro at the age of 17. He fought opponents of the calibre of Phil Moyer, Virgil Akins, Downes, Tiger, Torres, Griffith and Carl “Bobo” Olson.

He once beat Jimmy Ellis, who went on to win the WBA heavyweight title, but lost to Nino Benvenuti in Rome in 1966. Benvenuti later won the world middleweight title and gave Fullmer a rematch. The Italian was knocked down but won on points over 15 rounds.

In 1967, Fullmer beat John Hopkins in a fight that was billed as a bout for the world junior light-heavyweight title, but few people recognised this title.

Fullmer lost points over ten rounds when he met Fourie at the Ellis Park Tennis Stadium in Johannesburg on February 19, 1972. The light-heavyweight match was marred by fouls.

After retiring from the ring, Fullmer worked for the Salt Lake City fire department and helped his brothers run boxing gyms.

He died of lymphocytic leukaemia in Utah last Saturday and is survived by his wife and five sons. Don Fullmer

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 47

Nations Cup Morocco’s future starts now, says Gerets

F

or coach Eric Gerets, Morocco’s tie against Niger today has assumed an importance totally at odds with its billing as a ‘dead’ game with both sides out of the Africa Cup of Nations.

“We are playing for pride for Morocco and playing for the future, because we are not going back to Morocco without a win,” the Belgian told the eve of match press conference yesterday.

A good result against Niger in their closing Group C game after defeats to Tunisia and Gabon will help Gerets’ bid to remain in a job he is anxious to keep.

“I am more motivated now than ever to continue with the Moroccan team and I need my players to help me,” he said.

“I want to continue my work with this team but I also need my players to continue in the same way that they showed in qualifying for this tournament.

“We need mentally strong players for the next era of Moroccan football and we have to build a very strong base preparing for the next competition, especially with World Cup qualifiers starting in June.

“I’ve won a lot of prizes in my career as a footballer and coach and I have the same wish to continue my work with Morocco to get another prize with players who have the same motivation.”

He accepted that as the saying goes the buck stops with him as coach.

“The coach is always the first and last person responsible for every failure even if he does his job very well, this is football, it’s the coach who pays. We choose

the most difficult job in the world and we must accept the consequences.”

He sent a message to the people back home.

“All the Moroccan people were dreaming and hoping and they have been disappointed, but everybody must be aware that we are also disappointed and we must accept things as they are.

“I know Moroccan fans and their people are very generous and love football and I hope things change in the future and we can put a smile back on their faces.”

Gerets added that since he took over Morocco had done well, apart from “going missing for two weeks” - in Gabon.

“We will start to correct that starting from tomorrow and if things go very good against Niger it will be a very good start for the future.”

The embattled manager was appearing alongside team captain Houcine Kharja, the Fiorentia striker responsible for all of Morocco’s three goals in the competition.

Kharja dismissed reports that he along with Rennes’ midfielder Youssef Hadji and Arsenal forward Marouane Chamakh were planning to quit the national team.

The 29-year-old said: “We are ready to play as long as we can as long as the team needs us.

“If Morocco wants us we are here. For a lot of the squad this is their first Nations Cup, we have a good generation who will do well next time. This is my fourth Nations Cup, and I have nothing to show for it, that’s football.”

Gabon, Tunisia battle for top spot T

he right to stay put in Libreville will be at stake when co-hosts Gabon and Tunisia do battle tonight in a final 2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group C match.

Both teams are already through to the last eight of the tournament after they won their first two matches.

Today’s clash will, therefore, determine who wins this group to return to Gabon’s capital city of Libreville for a quarterfinal against the second-placed team in Group D. The runners-up in Group C will stay back in Gabon’s second city of Franceville to take on the winners of Group D, which features Ghana, Guinea, Mali and Botswana.

A draw will suffice for hosts Gabon as they already enjoy a better goals difference than Tunisia. Second place for the Azingo would also mean that if they reach the semifinals, they would have to travel to co-hosts Equatorial Guinea for that game.

The home team would therefore very much wish to be back in the capital, where they have been lifted by the tremendous support from their fans at the Stade de L’Amitie to go past Niger and Morocco.

Les Pantheres of Gabon showed great character to come back from a goal down to beat a fired-up Morocco 3-2 in their last group game in Libreville.

The co-hosts have already equalled their best ever performance in this competition by reaching the quarterfinals, as they did in 1996.

On three other occasions, in

1994, 2000 and 2010, they failed to go past the first round.

Gabon forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has lived up to the star billing leading up to this championship. The Saint Etienne ace was the man of the match against Niger and crowned it with a goal. He then followed up with another against Morocco.

However, the durable Daniel Cousin showed he could also still some damage when he came off the bench to score his first goal of the tournament against Morocco. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have cleared Club Africain defender Bilel Ifa for this game after they first informed Tunisia that the player picked up a second booking against Niger and so he is ruled out for the Gabon game.

However, Tunisia contested this ruling, arguing that the player was not booked in an opening

Group C match against Morocco and he has now been unbanned.

Auxerre striker Issam Jemaa came off the substitute point to score a late match winner against a hard-fighting Niger team and earn the Carthage Eagles a berth in the quarterfinals.

Jemaa has been nursing an injury but he is now expected to be picked ahead of Amine Chermiti, who started the team’s last game against the Mena of Niger.

Coach Sami Trabelsi is already looking beyond the Gabon game and has hinted he plans to make several changes to his team as several players are already on a booking and if they are again booked today, they will miss the quarterfinals.

Among those on a booking are skipper Karim Haggui, midfielder Khaled Korbi and goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi.

Isaac Chansa

Chansa hopeful of Zambia semifinal

O

rlando Pirates midfielder Isaac Chansa says Zambia have proven that they can reach the Afcon semifinals for the first time since 1996. “We can realise out semifinal dreams,” said Chansa.

Chipolopolo on Sunday evening booked their second successive Africa Cup quarterfinal place after beating tournament co-hosts Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in Malabo to finish top of their pool.

“This time it is our target that we want to go further and continue with our brilliant performance,” Chansa continued.

In 2010, Zambia qualified to the Africa Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1996 when they finished third in South Africa.

“If we get to the final it will be a plus for us and if we get there anything can happen,” the Orlando Pirates midfielder said.

Chansa lamented that this time Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon

Issam Jemaa Tunisia’s prolific striker

the team was older and wiser with a mix of the old and new players blending in well after losing to Nigeria two years ago on postmatch penalties in the quarterfinals in Angola.

“Two years ago we went to the quarterfinals where we lost to Nigeria but we learnt a lesson from last time,” Chansa said.

“This time around we are with the same team, but more experience and yes we do have young players and brilliant players and they are doing fantastic for the team.”

Zambia, who head back to Bata in midweek will play either Group B leaders Cote d’Ivoire, who have six points or second-placed Angola on four points in Malabo. The match was decided last night.

Meanwhile third-placed Sudan take on out-of-contention Burkina Faso in Bata in the other simultaneous kick-off.

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE “If histor y rre epea ts itself history peats itself,, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of lear ning fr om learning from experience” ge Ber nar d Sha — Geor w Shaw Georg Bernar nard

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Sudan reaches Nations Cup quarter-finals for 1st time in 42 years

S

udan reached the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 42 years yesterday, beating Burkina Faso 2-1 to squeeze through on goal difference and edge out Angola.

The Pelancas Negras, who were ahead on the Desert Hawks before their game against the group leaders the Elephants of Ivory Coast, lost out of the quarter-finals race following the 2-0 loss they suffered yesterday in the hands of Didier Drogba-led team.

Mudather Tayeb scored both of Sudan’s goals to deliver the nation’s biggest sporting moment since it won the African Cup on home soil in 1970. It was also Sudan’s first win at the tournament since that triumph.

Mudather broke clear to beat Burkina Faso goalkeeper Daouda Diakite in the 33rd minute and then punished a mistake by the keeper in the second half to carry Sudan through, despite a 97th minute goal from the Burkinabes.

Burkina Faso sprung on the attack right from the starting whistle as Jonathan Pitroipa made a decent run into the box, as he did well to combine with Charles Kabore but there was too much scrambling in the box for Burkina Faso to unleash a shot.

During the action Bahaa Eldin Abdallah took a stud near to his temple and was forced into being taken off in the sixth minute of the game, to be replaced by Musaab Omer.

Thirteen minutes in, Beli Moumouni Dagano had a decent opportunity as he struck a 30-yard long-range free kick, but it went over the bar.

Dagano saw another chance go begging as he headed it just wide of goal.

Didier Drogba

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Nigeria not yet ready for a revolution?

A

few years ago, I visited Nigeria and found myself at the new sprawling estate in Lagos called the Victoria Garden City (VGC). What struck me then was how VGC was on one side of the road with its plush homes, gardens and adoring beauty, while a huge slum stood directly across the road from it. I believe that poor side of the road was referred to as Maroko.

I am aware that more estates like VGC have since sprung up.

One that caught my attention recently is the AMEN Estate at Lekki, Lagos. I had asked myself then what it would take for the poor folks in this slum to rise out of anger from their shanties and run over the exclusive VGC estate across from them. After all, the poor folks far outnumber the rich ones inside the estate. I could not understand how the poor folks felt everyday they walk pass the huge entrance into VGC estate and see the expensive cars coming in and out of VGC and not be tempted to throw a stone. My feelings about this became even stronger when I saw a sign that circulated a lot on the Internet that read “One day the poor will have nothing left to eat but the rich”.

This sign correctly captured the feeling I had then.

When I probed, I was told that Nigerians are typically not violent people. They see rich people, and aspire to be like them.

They go to any length to find out what these rich folks are doing and try to imitate them.

That explains why 419 caught on so widely among young people. It was the fad then, and poor people saw how the participants quickly ascended the throne of wealth with little effort and minimal challenge from authority and Government. True to type, the Naija attitude kicked in and soon everyone was into 419 in Nigeria, or knew someone who was. This attitude explains why the kingmakers and lords of 419 can now openly display their wealth by buying up huge home at VGC. Poor folks across the road see this and pray to become like them one day.

I was suddenly jolted from my Naija slumber when I saw Nigerians rise to protest the

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GUEST COLUMN Elue Madu growshort@yahoo.com

President Goodluck Jonathan recent petrol price increase (otherwise called subsidy removal). I thought Nigerian masses had finally woken up.

They had crossed the threshold of pain and suffering. There was nothing else to live for. They were ready to rise like other Africans in Tunisia, Egypt, and the Middle East. They were ready to stand up to the rouges who have entrenched themselves in power and use that power to suppress the masses. I had gathered a few of my older friends to discuss the development, and I recall I was the only one with any expectation of a prolonged standoff. My friends laughed at me for even thinking that Nigerians will sacrifice anything for the survival or sustenance of Nigeria. I was hopeful. I really believed that the events around North Africa and the middle East that toppled longreigning regimes could just rub on Nigeria. Boy, was I wrong!!

The strike action was over by the second week. It was even more painful the way it ended without fanfare.

A mere announcement by the labor unions accepting a unilateral decision by ‘King’

Goodluck Jonathan to minimally reduce the initial rate was all it took to end what would have been a showdown with great potential to salvage a stagnant, dying state called Nigeria. I am afraid to ask how much those union leaders got in exchange for their cooperation.

Lost in the meaningless and inconclusive effort are the people who died during the clashes.

First, let me get this off my chest. I listened to the debate and commentaries on the oil subsidy removal, and will like to respond to my dear sister and minister for Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

She kept reminding us that she really did not have to be in Nigeria working as a minister at this time.

That she left behind a more comfortable existence to accept the headache of turning around the Nigerian economy. I beg to differ from that her notion. She came from the World Bank. We know the record of the World Bank even as it relates to the industrialized nations talk less of the poor ones. If the World Bank or her cohorts in the IMF had any workable solutions, Europe and America will not be in the financial mess they are now. I challenge her to take that her “expertise” to Greece, Spain, France, and even the great USA, and help them find a way out of their financial woes. Where was Ngozi and her world bank when the Soviet Union collapsed under the weight of her economic burden? So, the next time Ngozi throws this at the faces of Nigeria to appreciate where she has come from I ask that someone should dare her to walk away and return to continue the policies of economic strangulation at the world bank office. Yes, that is what the World Bank knows how to do well and Nigeria can do

without it.

What did Nigerians really expect from the subsidy strikes?

Did they expect that the likes of Ngozi, Sanusi and Madueke will speak for them? I listened to the debates and heard Sanusi claim that the thieves (cabal) of the petroleum industry as it currently exists are so powerful and rich that they can buy anybody. Let anyone convince me that anything will change after adjusting the pump price.

Is anyone under the illusion that this cabal will simply fold tent and walk away ingloriously? With the kind of money Sanusi alluded to, I can now say with certainty that all of the Government speakers who favored the subsidy removal have been bought over and over. They are now mere mouthpieces of the cabal, while masquerading as representatives of the people. If Nigeria is truly serious about dealing with the issue, then the root should have been addressed. That root is the ‘cabal’. We can beat around the issue all we want, and nothing will change until we get serious about this reality.

So, I was wrong in assuming that Nigerians were ready for a fundamental transformation of our dear country. I ask what will it take?

How many more instances of injustice can we stand? How many more people will suffer and die silently? Sadly, I still see the ethnic lines of thought and ideas about the way forward still permeating our polity. My observation is that the bulk of the current leadership against the ruling class has come from the Yoruba tribe. I dare to ask where the other ethnic groups stand on this issue. I can imagine the average Easterner telling himself that he is not ready to sacrifice for Nigeria. Not after that terrible civil war that ravaged the East not too long ago.

The East will be glad to see a showdown between the West and the North, but it ain’t gonna happen. Let me remind folks who harbor this line of thought that the events that became the civil war started in Western Nigeria.

Easterners at the time laughed as Akintola and Awolowo battled each other for control of the...

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