Enugu Baby Factory smashed

Vol. 1 No. 27, Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

N150

Enugu shouldPage forget zoning in 2015 – Ejiofor 7

Enugu Baby Factory smashed O

By Ted Peters & Patrick Okolie

·Doctor, 74, Nurse arrested ·3 day-old baby recovered

PERATIVES of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Enugu State, Wednesday, raided a clinic where babies from unwanted pregnancies are freely sold to willing buyers.

The proprietor of the clinic, Dr Ben Agbo and a nurse working with him, Mrs. Agnes

·Teenage mothers get N20,000 to forfeit babies ·I am rendering humanitarian services - Culprit

Igwe, have been arrested while a three-day old baby about being delivered to a buyer was recovered from them.

One Joseph Eze, a 37 year-old commercial bus driver residing in the same premises was also arrested by the operatives but the officials said he would likely be used as a witness in the event of the doctor's prosecution. He told newsmen that he had seen some teenage pregnant girls in the hospital and continued to wonder what was going on there.

The illegal baby home identified as 'Moonlight Maternity home' is located at 61 Agbani Road by Abagana street in Coal Camp area of Enugu capital city.

The 74-year old proprietor of the clinic said he had been operating the clinic since the past nine years admitting that he had been

Continues on page 2

·Page 18

Doctor Ben Agbo and Nurse Agnes Nweke, with 3-day old baby girl recovered by NSCDC Officials from Moonlight Clinic and Maternity, Coal Camp, Enugu. Pix: THE ADVOCATE

Son's wedding controversy: Kumuyi may resign Pages 26

Rivers crisis: Mbu must go – Amaechi insists ·Plot to unseat Amaechi intensified

Pages 20 & 21

Read Advocate online: www.theadvocatengr.com

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

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Enugu Baby Factory smashed ·Doctor, 74, Nurse arrested ·3 day-old baby recovered ·Teenage mothers get N20,000 to forfeit babies ·I am rendering humanitarian services – Culprit

How do you settle the mother of the baby?

When the mother will be going, we can settle her with N20,000. They don't stay with us during the period of pregnancy. I am a qualified doctor.

NURSE MRS AGNES NWEKE My name is Agnes Nweke, I am 46yrs. I have worked with Dr. Agbo for 3 to 4 years.

Continued from cover page selling babies to those in need under a humanitarian service of the clinic.

The State NSCDC Commander, Nathaniel Ubong, while parading the suspects, said they were arrested following a tedious surveillance mounted by his men around the said maternity home after a tip off by a patriotic citizen on the illicit activities going on at the maternity home.

According to Ubong, his men raided the home and recovered a three-day old baby that was about being sold to a buyer but the proprietor was unable to give a clear account of the baby and the whereabouts of the mother.

He explained that they were disturbed because the 'Moonlight maternity home' is not in the list of hospitals submitted to his unit by Ministry of Gender Affairs as those accredited for child fostering in the state.

He said that his men recovered some vital documents relating to past sales of babies by the clinic under the guise of child fostering which the doctor had no authority to conduct.

Speaking with newsmen, Dr Agbo said that even though he was not accredited to conduct child fostering, he was using his clinic to render humanitarian services to couples, who are finding it hard to produce their own babies after many years of marriage.

When asked to explain the whereabouts of the mother of the baby found in the home, he said she went away to seek for assistance and is yet to return.

When pressurized to comment on the amount of money he makes from the deal even though he claimed to be rendering humanitarian services, Dr Agbo explained that he charges between N100,000 and N120,000 per child given out to "those in need" to cover the cost of delivery and other medicare on the child and the mother.

He said that the mother of the baby is thereafter settled with a paltry sum of N20,000 as compensation for forfeiting her baby.

But men of the NSCDC who conducted the search on the home, recovered some files that contained records of previous transactions and pending applications from people seeking to buy newly born babies from the maternity home.

Some of the handwritten applications and transaction

everything should not be free. If you collect like N120,000 from them you feed and do everything to get out the baby and give to the person who have been crying for such a good thing (child).

What kind of business do you do there?

Initially, we started with inpatient, outpatient and after that he started to do abortion. Then he had a case with the police and 'Social Mother' and the welfare organization wanted to take us to court but we settle the police and we were bailed. The hospital was shut down by the Ministry of Health sometime last year and we have to do the normal registration. Then I was on leave to treat my injured leg, it was just last week that I resumed work. And the doctor had advised me not to overwork myself lest my BP would rise. So you see, that had been the nature of the work here. I don't normally come to work on Saturdays and Sundays so I know nothing about the baby and her mother.

NSCDC Commander, Nathaniel Ubong records shown to newsmen revealed that some babies were sold at the whooping sum of N500,000.

They also found some records of transactions where some of the doctor's clients deposited up to N200,000 for a baby boy promising to pay the agreed balance, when the child is delivered to them.

But Dr Agbo insisted that he is rendering humanitarian service since he was opposed to abortion which he described as a big sin.

He admitted that he had been doing the business since the past ten years, adding that he had been arrested by the police on several occasions and released after 'clearing himself.".

However, the NSCDC boss in Enugu insists that he must be prosecuted after their investigations.

I have not paid the mother yet, if she comes back and require So you agree that what you payment, I will pay her. I have not are doing is illegal? paid any kobo to the mother but It is not all that illegal but if it is when she comes back to claim the said to be illegal okay. baby then she will pay us hospital Is your business legal?

How long have you been in bill.

I can't tell whether it is legal or not. this business?

H o w m u c h d o y o u I am an employee, I work for Dr. I have been in it for close to ten normally sell these babies Agbo. I live at Police Officers years now. mess; my husband is a police Why do you think that it is (male and female)? officer who works with the Babies are not for sale anyway, it a not illegal?

Commissioner. humanitarian.

It's humanitarian; I believe it is Is your husband aware of humanitarian that was why I said it The first time you were your business? caught how did you get off is not illegal.

I don't know if he is aware or not of that I take it as temptation.

How many of such cases the hook? the kind of business I am doing. have you been involved I use to clear myself from the WITNESS MR. JOSEPH police and they will leave me. since the past ten years?

EZE [37YRS] How? I had one at State CID last time

that was the only case I have had with the law. I have been doing my business all this while without disturbance

How do you come about this baby you are carrying Both Dr. Agbo, Mrs. here?

Nweke and Eze spoke

The baby was delivered in my hospital last Saturday. I don't use to be in the hospital weekends, the nurse that assisted in the delivery, when I came on Monday told me that the mother said she will be THE DOCTOR BEN coming later to claim the baby but since then I haven't seen her. The AGBO mother's name is one Mrs. Mercy. I My name is Dr. Ben Agbo of don't know her surname. The fact Moonlight Maternity located at 61 is that she is not our patient, she Agbani Road, Coal Camp Enugu. just came in. she is an outpatient Why are you involved in anyway.

with newsmen during their parade by the NSCDC boss. Below are Excerpts:

this alleged illicit child How much have you paid trafficking? to the mother in Well for government I can say that compensation for the I am not really impressed with this type of case I am having now only baby?

When you tell police the truth the will leave you. The truth is this it is humanitarian. Humanitarian is when you help people in need. I don't have the names of those I have helped off head. Some in their husband family have stayed for 18 20 years without an issue (child) so if you can be able to help them, you help them to get 'pikin'. And when they get that 'pikin' they feel very happy. We have been told that abortion, even before man and God is not approved. Instead of delivering and throwing the baby away or this and that, you take it to the needy.

Why not take the child to the motherless babies' home?

Motherless babies home are people who don't know what to do but in a place where we are doing humanitarian, you need not… In humanitarian gesture like this

I was arrested alongside this doctor, I don't know why but I can assure you that I am innocent. I am not a part of them; I live in a house behind the maternity. I am a bus driver, even the doctor had testified before all that I am not a part of his maternity, he told the Civil Defence this.

What I know was that sometime last year I asked a former nurse with them how they manage to get those babies they sell and they mothers that deliver them, her reply was that their mothers are young teenagers and singles who are victims of unwanted pregnancy. Instead of abortion they choose to deliver for adoption. Recently, I have seen about three of those young girls in the maternity.

I have no business whatsoever with what is going on that hospital.

I only live in the same compound.

That is all I know.

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

Seven die as buildings collapse in Lagos, Kaduna trying to doze ·Kaduna building over 101yr-old He said: “I was offstillafter the initial

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ragedy struck in Lagos Thursday as a three-storey building collapsed in Ebute Meta, killing seven people and injuring many others.

Also in Kaduna State, another three-storey building collapsed in the Kaduna metropolis with many people reported trapped.

The incident occurred along Hadeja Road by Ibrahim Taiwo Road about 3p.m. yesterday.

Among the dead in the Lagos incident were a couple, identified as Bukky and Lanre; a pregnant woman, a nursing mother, Iya AbdulBarki, and her one-year-old son as well as an 85-yearold Alhaji Ganiu Salami, who has since been buried according to Islamic rights.

A middle-aged man, who had just paid N600,000 rent to the landlord also died in the collapsed building.

It was learnt that one of the dead residents was trying to rescue his in-law.

The three-storey building located at 29b, Oloto Street, off Cemetery Road, Ebute Meta, which was said to have been marked as distressed by the Lagos State Government, caved in about 2a.m. Prior to its collapse, it was gathered that the building had given the residents distress signs with cracks all over, which were ignored.

Our correspondents learnt that as at 1a.m. when a loud sound followed by severe cracks in the walls woke up occupants of the building, residents were said to have evacuated some of their properties outside and were waiting for dawn before moving out.

But the building eventually collapsed about 2a.m. Many residents were trapped in the building until about 6a.m. when heavy duty equipment from the state government arrived at the scene.

The rescue operation was jointly

carried out by the police and officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, the Red Cross, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, and the state Fire Service.

Efforts by youths in the area and sympathisers bolstered the rescue operation as more people were rescued from the debris, including two children; a male and female, aged 2 and 4 years. They were rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment.

The rescue operation was, however, not without a mild drama as policemen manhandled and arrested the NEMA spokesperson, Ibrahim Farinloye, on the order of the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Mr. Akeem Odumosu.

The arrest of the NEMA official almost marred the rescue operation, as other officials of the agency protested, abandoned the operation and drove away from the scene.

Farinloye incurred Odumosu's wrath for daring to stop him from sending away residents of the area, who stormed the scene and for telling him that he was stupid to have done that.

Odumosu, who got to the scene about noon, went straight to where evacuation of the trapped victims was taking place and started chasing away non-emergency workers, including journalists.

Farinloye, who was in the thick of the operation, walked up to the police officer, angrily confronted him and told him to stop chasing away the residents. He said they had been part of the operation even before NEMA officials came to the scene.

A visibly angry Odumosu, who did not utter a word when Farinloye

confronted him, ordered his men to arrest him, leading to the NEMA spokesman being bundled away from the scene.

Farinloye was later detained at Denton Police Station with an instruction from Odumosu that he should be arraigned in court on Friday and had not been released as at 4p.m. Thursday.

Earlier, Farinloye had told journalists that the building collapsed about 2a.m. taking the residents unawares as some of them were still sleeping.

He said that preliminary information from the victims was that the building started cracking about 1a.m. but the residents just moved out their properties and went back to sleep only for the building to cave in about 2a.m.

He added that due to speculations that many people might still be trapped in the rubble, emergency workers were still combing the perimeter to ensure none was left behind.

Eyewitnesses, however, said that one of the occupants, identified as Dalikis Abdulamid, was rescued along with her mother and her four siblings and were taken to the hospital.

A female resident admitted that they had been noticing cracks in the walls of their rooms, but did not bother so much over this because her father used to patch the cracks with cement as soon as they appeared.

She said: “We did not know that the building will collapse. By about 2a.m. when the building came down, some of our cotenants were trapped, while some were dead. It was a rude shock for everyone.”

Another resident of the building, who simply gave his name as Femi, said they were shocked out of their sleep when they heard a loud sound, which turned out to be cracking walls.

evacuation when the walls started quaking. “I quickly sprang up and jumped down.

Some of my cotenants were not that lucky. Some were killed while many others were injured and were rushed to the hospital.”

Mrs. Fatima Alake, another resident who claimed to have escaped death miraculously, was not totally lucky as she lost her aged father. Her husband also sustained serious injuries but has been rushed to the General Hospital for medical treatment.

She said that although the building collapsed about 2a.m., it took another two hours before rescue workers could move to the scene.

Alake said that she just moved to the house last Monday after she had paid N120,000 for a room and a parlour to the developer, who she said also lived in the house.

The building, she said, was made up of rooms and parlours, onebedroom flats, two-bedroom flats and three-bedroom flats, while the ground floor was used as warehouse for storing motorbikes and spare parts. The developer of the building, identified by survivors as Mr. Oladimeji Gbaja, has been on the run since the building caved in.

An eyewitness, Mrs. Bukola Sanni, who lives about 50 metres away from the scene, said she heard the sound of the collapsed structure at about 2a.m. and came out but could not do anything than to make phone calls to neighbours for help.

She said it took two and a half hours before local rescue workers moved to site. Later workers from the state government and other agencies arrived with a bulldozer for rescue operation.

Also narrating how the incident happened, a man who identified himself simply as Ekpere, who narrowly escaped being trapped in the collapsed building said: “I came back from office at about 11p.m.but on getting home, my wife was already asleep.

So I had to go to the kitchen myself to prepare what I wanted to eat.

“On getting to the kitchen, I discovered that some rubble from the building had fallen off. But I didn't take it serious. So I went to bed.

“At about 2:05a.m., I woke up and I discovered the entire building was cracking. While trying to alert

the landlord, I discovered that the cracks had increased.

“That was when I quickly alerted other tenants and rescued my family. Immediately we came out, the building caved in.” Mr. Hakeen Adeyemi, a resident who also engaged in the rescue operation also said that majority of the bodies recovered were women.

Adeyemi said: “A baby and his two siblings were rescued and have been admitted in the general hospital. “Bukky and her husband died in the collapsed building. If the equipment had come early, the number of casualties would have reduced.

I was involved in the rescue mission. I assisted in recovering three bodies and rescued two persons.

“She (Bukky) was sleeping in the house with her husband, Lanre, and a sibling, Juwon, when the building collapsed. She rented a one-room apartment four years ago.

When she rented her apartment, I was the one who stood for her as guarantor and there wasn't any crack on the building then. She was dealing in local and foreign fabrics.”

Three adjoining properties to the collapsed structure were immediately marked as distressed buildings by the Lagos State Building Control Agency, having showed serious signs of weakness.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning Mr. Toyin Ayinde, said some adjoining buildings in the area had also been marked as distressed. He said that the residents of the marked buildings had been given ultimatum to relocate.

Ayinde also noted that the state government would soon carry out integrity tests on many buildings in the area to ascertain their condition.

He advised home seekers and residents to be wary of the environment, stressing that when a building “is peeling off, it is a sign of possible collapse of the structure.”

The Kaduna incident happened when the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, was on a working visit to meet beneficiaries of SURE-P. Our correspondent, who was at the scene saw good Samaritans and a team from the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, on rescue operation.

Three people were immediately rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

However, a woman was said to have her baby trapped in the building with other occupiers as the building served as a residential abode and also had shops.

SEMA Executive Secretary, Ishaku Dogo Makama, confirmed that two people were rescued.

Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Yero visited the scene of the incident Thursday.

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

Army impounds illegal oil vessel, arrests14 crew members 路Vessel sponsors offer N14m as bribe

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FFICERS and men of the 3 Battallion Army, Effurun, near Warri, Delta State have impounded an illegal oil vessel, MT Cape Hope , Panama, together with the 14 crew members on board at Bennet Island along the Warri waterways.

The arrest was effected by the Sector One command code-named Operation Pulo Shield in an operation led by the Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Ifeanyi Otu in Warri South council area The 35000 metric ton oil vessel with International Maritime Organisation, IMO, Number 8313544 also bearing Dragon Supreme has Mr. Stephen Fregene as Captain, Ebikoro Oweikeyi as Engineer and a Ghanain n a t i o n a l , M r. A n k u Williams on board.

Others include Evans NNwoko, Blessing Okafor, Jacob Ojugbeli, Uchegbu VictorIdris Omoleri and Shola Ilororo. Also on board are John Mark, Ugbosanmi John, Patrick Wilson, Lamidi Janunu and

Peter Adume respectively.

Speaking to newsmen, the Captain said he was employed by his company, Jack Marine a week ago and directed to proceed to Egbokodo in Warri to load sludge and on getting to Benneth Island soldiers arrested him with the empty vessel with all the approved papers to load the sludge.

He claimed ignorance of what sludge is but agreed that it was possible that the vessel was sent to Warri for illegal bunkering purpose as there was no Refinery nor Flow station at the Benneth Island nor Egbokodo where the papers indicated that he is to collect the sludge cargo.

Parading the 14 crew members, Lt. Col. Otu, who commended the 4 Brigade Headquarter Commander, BrigadierGen. Pat Aker for his support and effort at stamping out the illegal trade said the discovery of the vessel is shocking, noting that some persons approached him and offered to pay him the

N14m to allow the vessel do what they intend whenever they eventually arrived Warri.

He said he played along with them and monitored the vessel till it got to Benneth Island and ordered its arrest immediately, saying that a thorough investigation would be conducted to unmask the barons behind the deal as there are four oil theft vessels earmarked to arrived Warri to load the sludge.

All the crew members told newsmen that they were only recently employed by Jack Marine to embark on the trip.

According to Lt. Col. Otu, all the 14 crew member would be taken to the Brigade Headquarters at Benin and handed over to Brig-Gen. Pat Aker, saying that the directive from the 4 Battalion to stem the illicit trade would be implemented to the letter as the country cannot afford to be losing so much revenue through this economic sabotage.

Man jumps into canal to avoid trial

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suspected fraudster who resides in Lagos State, Olayinka Salau, tried to avoid trial by fleeing from an Ejigbo Magistrates' Court in Lagos Lagos and jumping into a canal under a heavy rainfall.

The suspect caught the court officials unawares when he escaped while entering the court room.

The 35-year old Salau was, however, re-arrested by the Investigating Police Officer, IPO, Akinkumi Muni, who also jumped into the canal and brought him back to the court for prosecution.

As the suspect fled the court, Muni ran after him and jumped into the canal with the suspect where they both engaged in a scuffle as the IPO tried to stop him from escaping.

Salau was initially arrested by the police at Area 'M' Command, Idimu, for allegedly stealing

N430,000 belonging to his lover, Afunku Adeshola.

Adeshola, who is a travel agent, explained that her client gave her the money and she gave it to Salau to keep for her on their way to a bank to deposit the money.

She alleged that Salau convinced her to give him the money so that thieves would not dispossess her of the money on their way to the bank.

She said she gave him the money because she trusted him since they have been dating for four months and their parents knew about their relationship.

Adeshola alleged that she did not t know that Salau had an ulterior motive of stealing the money to travel abroad.

She said she was shocked when Salau ran away with the money along the road at Ijagemo area on the outskirts of Lagos.

After the incident, Adeshola reported the matter at Idimu Police

Command and he was arrested and detained at the station.

Salau reportedly admitted that he collected the money, explaining that he needed the money to travel back to South Africa where he was deported to Nigeria.

When he was rearrested and arraigned in court, he was charged with stealing under the Criminal Code.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Th e p r o s ecu to r, A S P Nicholas Atumonye, opposed his bail on the ground that he will jump bail considering how he tried to escape from the court.

However, the presiding magistrate, Mrs. M.B. Folami granted him bail in the sum of N400,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The court also ordered that the parents of the victim and the accused should appear in court since they knew about their relationship.

The matter was adjourned till 18 July and the suspect was remanded in Kirikiri Prisons in Lagos.

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

5

United Evangelical Church College of Nursing to take off in Kogi

By Abu Michael

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ogi State Government has assured of its support for the proposed take off of the United Evangelical Church, College of Nursing at Ochadamu.

Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada, gave the assurance when he received in audience the National Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees of United Evangelical Church, formally Qua Iboe Church, who were in the State for a four day National Retreat of the church.

The State Governor who described the proposed College of Nursing as a programme that is in line with his administration's transformation agenda, said the State Government is very interested in the September, 2013 date for the commencement of the college.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Yomi Aw o n i y i , c o m m e n d e d t h e religious harmony existing in the State, lauded the role played by President Goodluck Jonathan in

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etroleum dealers in Abia State have been called to join hands with government to move the State forward.

The Chairman/Chief Executive, Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, Elder Udochukwu Ogbonna, made this call during a meeting with members of IPMAN, Task Force on Revenue Mobilization and Committee on IGR held at the Conference Hall of the Board recently.

his assistance to restoring peace in the State at a time insurgents crept into the State.

The State Governor, called on Christians in the State to always conduct themselves in a manner

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syndicate that specialize in tertiary school certificate racketeering has been nabbed by the operatives of the state intelligence Bureau of the Enugu state command of the Nigeria police force who acted based on the intelligence gathered in respect of the syndicate. It was gathered that the syndicate issues to their victims certificate of various schools as well as that of the polytechnics at the cost of the sum of 60.000 naira. Suspects who gave their names as Ikechukwu Olisa, Nwankwo Anthony and Osinachi Udoka

Elder Udochukwu pointed out that the call became imperative due to a letter written by IPMAN alleging that the government is using two revenue agents to intimidate them.

He said that government did not send two revenue teams into the field but explained that the Task force on petroleum has its own functions which include checking adulteration, diversion and proper measures amongst others, while

that hold a beacon of hope for mankind.

He described the UEC choice of choosing Lokoja for its National Retreat, as laudable while commending the very rich history of the Church. Earlier in his remarks, Rev. Nathaniel Sani Issah, National Chairman UEC

commended the support given the church by the State Government towards establishing the College of Nursing at Ochadamu.

Rev. Issah, said the National Retreat which brings together about 250 Reverend Ministers, has "Church in Evangelism" as its theme, adding that the retreat is

intended to educate and enlighten the Reverend gentlemen on the need for spiritual growth, prayers for the State and Nation in general. Qua Iboe Church of Nigeria was established in 1887

by Samuel Alexander Bill at Ibeno in the present Akwa Ibom State.

were arrested at the Trans Ekulu axis of the state recently when they were about handing over to one of the victims, a Higher National Diploma Certificate (H.N.D) with that of the inscription of Institute of Management and Technology Enugu.

Recovered from the suspects include; Stamps with an inscription of M e c h a n i c a l E n g i n e e r i n g Department of IMT Suspects in a case of School Certificate Racketeering, arrested by and that of a secondary Enugu State Police Command. school, six copies of certificate with the inscription of IMT, Four identity cards ,45 files suspected to be owned by their candidates and the Revenue Agents collect good access road to Osisioma some substance suspected to be revenue for the State. d e p o t a n d g o v e r n m e n t ' s hard drugs. Meanwhile a full scale According him, Electronic determined effort to make sure investigation have commenced as Receipts have been introduced in that the depot is working, suspects are now helping the the system to check paying to stressing that the toll collected by police in their investigations. The wrong hands.

IPMAN from February 2013 must state commissioner of police, The Chief Revenue Officer called be reconciled and paid into the Abubakar Adamu Mohammed on IPMAN to remain law abiding IGR account without further has applauded the effort of his and not to take laws into their delay. operatives just as he appealed to hands; pointing out that the Also speaking during the members of the public for Governor is a peace loving man meeting, Chief Mgbeahuru (the partnership by a way of timely and would not want any group to Task Force chairman) thanked the and useful information about heat up the system through S t a t e G o v e r n m e n t f o r crime and criminality in their issuance of threats. maintaining sanity in the oil domain so that our environment He advised IPMAN to reciprocate industry so far. will be safe and secure.

State Government's gesture of

N14.1m Fraud: Court remands former NUJ Chairman, Secretary in prison

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RUTH about the crises which rocked the Abuja Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) between 2008 and 2009 came to the fore Tuesday when an Abuja High Court remanded in prison Mr. Timothy Elerewe and Adegbuyi Ayodele, former chairman and secretary respectively of the Nigerian Union of Journalists Correspondent Chapel, Abuja.

Elerewe was the one who led the unslaught against the administration of Malachy Uzendu who as chairman of the Abuja council of the NUJ not only recovered land donated to the NUJ by the General Ibrahim

Babangida administration by Mallam Nasir el-Rufai who was then the FCT minister.

Uzendu also broke the jinx of erecting the NUJ Press Center at the Utako District land but ran into trouble when he refused to open the council's vault to be looted.

Elerewe at the time had illegally announced that he had acquired land for the building of an NUJ Village, which Uzendu cautioned was a fraud.

Based on petitions after it was proved it was a fraud and after the EFCC investigations confirmed that there was a fraud, Elerewe and Adegbuyi were charged to court.

Presiding Justice Suleiman

Belgore following their arraignment on a five-count charge that borders on conspiracy and criminal breach of trust preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission remanded them in Kuje Medium Security Prison..

According to EFCC, the duo were alleged to have in 2006 informed the members of NUJ of a 33.32 hectares of land purportedly allocated to the NUJ Chapel by the Nasarawa State Government.

In a bid to secure the land, one hundred and eleven members were alleged to have each paid the sum of three hundred and fifty thousand naira per plot, totalling N14, 146,000.

Since then, members of the

Chapel members alleged that they neither got the land nor had their money refunded to them.

One of the counts read; “That you Timothy Elewere (being former chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists Correspondent Chapel, FCT and Adegbuyi Ayodele (being former Secretary, Nigerian Union of Journalists Correspondent Chapel FCT) between January and December 2008 in Abuja within the Abujaa Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did dishonestly convert the sum of N6,491,000.00 (six million, four hundred and ninety one thousand naira only) being property of Nigerian Union of Journalists Correspondent

Chapel, FCT to your own use and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 311 and punishable under section 312 of the Penal Code�.

The accused persons pleaded they were not guilty to the charge.

Based on the plea of the accused persons, the prosecuting counsel asked the court to fix a date for trial and also prayed the court to remand the accused in prison custody pending the determination of the case.

However, counsel to the first accused person, Esther Uzoma made an oral application for bail and pleaded with the court to admit the accused persons to bail.

However, Justice Belgore insisted on a formal application for bail and adjourned proceedings to July 25, 2013, while remanding the accused persons in Kuje Prison.

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

The Convocation of Eagles

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ll attention and movement was directed to Danic Hotel Enugu on the 6th June, 2013, the venue of the convocation of the students of Living Word Bible Training School. Family members, friends and well-wishers of the graduating and ordained student came emmasse to witness the commissioning or charge to responsibility of their Loved ones.

The President of the school Rev. Ifeanyi Okonkwo in his speech told the audience that Living Word Bible Training School was graduating 19 students, 10 for Diploma, 3 for Associate Degree and 6 for Bachelors Degree making a total of 296 students that has graduated from the school since inception. Apart from these graduates, 5 ministers will be ordained, while 5 will be licensed.

According to the clergyman, “the need for a bible training school for the ministers of the gospel cannot be over emphasized as the problem we are passing through in Christendom today is partly contributed by lack of training.”

The president also gave a rundown of the journey so far, stating that the institution began with students on part-time basis and held its 1st lectures on 4th October 1997 at

Graduates 2013 diploma and Bachelor with associate degree Asata Primary School, Enugu on Saturdays.

“The School continued this way until 1998 when we commenced a full-time two years Ministerial Diploma Training Programme. By the 24th of September, 1988, the ministry rented an accommodation at Block C, Ekpeluchi Avenue Thinkers Corner, Emene and classes began with 7 full-time students. Over 30 courses are offered by seasoned men and women of the word”, he continued.

"Then 2003, a three year part-time Diploma course began at the college with students graduating alongside full-time students and in 2005, we instituted as Associate Degree programme from United

State Of America for those who are interested and who meet with the basic qualification.”

“This programme runs in line with an international curriculum taught by leading teachers in Europe, USA and other well known countries.

The Associate Degree Programme is an affiliate of CHIRSTIAN LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY, U.S.A.” “This ministry will graduate her 9th set of the Associate Degree Students today. And by the grace of God, we will also graduate our second set of Bachelors Degree Students from the same affiliate university, he added.

Pastor Godsown Onuzulike,one of the grandaunts who bagged his

FG to sack workers Budget amendment … As Senate dumps Reps in face-off with Jonathan

F

resh indications emerged at the weekend that the Senate may have dumped the House of Representatives in National Assembly's face-off with the Presidency over amendment of the 2013 budget.

It was gathered that an agreement had been brokered between the Presidency and the Senate which culminated in the U-turn in the Upper Legislative Chamber and a possible lay-off of federal civil servants in 2014.

Hitherto, federal lawmakers were on the war-path with the Presidency over requests to amend the N4.987 trillion 2013 Appropriation Act. Investigations revealed that the lawmakers were angry that rather than prioritise areas of amendment in the budget, the Presidency brought “an entirely new budget which is N152 billion higher than the N4.987 trillion harmonized budget passed by the two chambers. “ U p o n c l o s e s c r u t i n y, w e discovered that the first correspondence to us showed that instead of amending, the Presidency wanted an entirely new budget, while stylishly rejecting the one we passed,” a source said.

A breakdown of the amendment sought by the Presidency showed that statutory transfers is now N388, 063,000,000 as against N387,976,000,000 (an increase of N87 billion) passed by the National Assembly on December 20, 2012.

The recurrent capital expenditure had been increased from N2,386,024,770,349 to N2,418,976,391,494 (an increase of N32,951,621,145) while the

capital budget was cut from N1,621,455,655,252 to N1,588,578,805,197 (N32,876,850,055) making a total increase of N152,828,471, 200.

The National Assembly rejected the first amendment proposal. The second time when the Executive asked for the review, a bulkier budget was presented for amendment.

The National Assembly source told our reporter that lawmakers were peeved that, “having passed the 2013 budget with just two volumes, the Presidency returned three volumes of the budget to us. To us, that meant they wanted us to rework the entire budget which we flatly rejected.”

The matter was reportedly resolved when the National Assembly went on its annual June recess and officials of the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office reportedly met with the Appropriation Committees of both houses and the areas needing urgent amendments in the budget were agreed upon.

On June 26, the President forwarded the prioritized areas of amendment to the National Assembly, making it the third version within three months. This time around, besides adjusting the recurrent expenditure to allow government meet its obligations in terms of paying workers' salaries, the National Assembly will concentrate more on capital budget cuts.

Beyond agreeing on the amendments, however, it was gathered that the Executive would still have to sack some workers in

the federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

Based on that agreement, the National Assembly slashed salaries payment to some MDAs. “We are in a quandary now because the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance Minister has already rallied organized labour and the civil servants behind her.

They have been told that it's the National Assembly that cut their salaries and even the September deadline is too far for them to run out of funds to pay salaries.

“The Federal Government balked on carrying out the exercise in 2013, after reaching an agreement with the National Assembly that it reduces its recurrent expenditure by shedding weight in the MDAs this year. But the problem of ghost workers in the federal civil service still persist. We heard that ghost workers have been weeded out in

Bachelor's Degree from the affiliate University in US while speaking, encouraged everyone to enroll for the new academic session.

Onuzulike noted that the training is not only for pastors but for other church workers and members as the training will help one to have balanced knowledge of the word of God inorder to possess high resistance to falsehood.

The school has provision for regular and part-time students, both in their Diploma Course, Associate Degree and Bachelors Degree Courses. The Associate Degree and Bachelors Degree of the school is in Affiliation with the Christian Leadership University USA. Both the, Associate Degree and Bachelors Degree takes the duration of one year each, and the lectures are taken on Monday & Tuesday and Wednesday & Thursday 3:00p.m.-5:00p.m. respectively while the Diploma Courses takes 2 years for regular students and 3 years for part time students.

The ceremony marks the 15th convocation of the Living Word Bible Training School and the 9th convocation of Christian Leadership University USA. The high point of the occasion was the charge of the Ministers by the Quest speaker Pastor Emeka Onyebuchi.He called the Minister to make full proof of their ministry

just one third of the MDAs, while work is still on-going in the remaining two-thirds of the ministries” “As things stand, Senate has agreed to go ahead with the amendments, return the salaries and also, effect cuts in the N1.621 trillion capital budget for the year. The priority areas to cut in the capital budget are already spelt out in just one volume which is already before the Appropriation Committee,” a source said.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi, believes the present impasse can be resolved “through peace, patience and dialogue.”

Senator Emodi was emphatic that, “it is important for Nigerians to know that there is a budget already being implemented. The only thing is that the Executive wants amendments in some priority areas and this will be done through dialogue. There is no discord between the two arms of government,” Emodi reiterated.

ADVOCATE

Priest arrested in Vatican bank probe

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OME (AFP) A priest has been arrested on suspicion of fraud and corruption in connection with the sweeping probe of the scandal-plagued Vatican bank, Italian media reported last week.

Nunzio Scarano, a priest from Salerno, was arrested after an investigation into the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR), as the bank is known, unearthed a suspected international fraud scheme, reports said.

Initial reports that had suggested Scarano was a bishop were incorrect, Vatican senior media advisor Greg Burke said.

The priest was suspended from his position as a member of the administration that manages the Vatican's assets (the APSA) “about a month ago, after his superiors learnt about an investigation into his activities,” Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said.

Scarano was arrested along with a former member of the Italian secret services and a financier for allegedly plotting to illegally move 20 million euros ($26 million) from Switzerland to Italy.

The money allegedly belonged to friends of Scarano and was brought into Italy on board a private jet belonging to the former secret service agent, Giovanni Maria Zito, the reports said.

Zito purportedly received 400,000 euros for the service.

According to the daily La Repubblica, Scarano is also under investigation by the Salerno prosecutor on suspicion of money laundering.

“They called him Monsignor 500… because of the great number of 500 euro notes he had at his disposition,” which he allegedly used to launder money for friends in southern Italy, the daily said.

It added that it was an initial investigation into Scarano's bank account at the IOR which led to the discovery of the suspected racket.

Anambra guber election to hold Nov 16

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he Anambra State governorship election will hold on November 16, 2013. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday announced the date for the election and released the Time Table and schedule of activities for the election 2013 in Anambra State.

In a statement signed for the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the State, Prof.

Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, by A s s i s t a n t D i r e c t o r, P u b l i c Relations, Mr. Frank Egbo, the Commission said activities for the

exercise would start on August 13, 2013.

The statement read in part: “In exercise of the powers conferred on the Independent National Electoral Commission by the Electoral Act 2010 as amended and all other powers enabling it, the Commission hereby issues the Time Table and schedule of Activities for the Governorship Election 2013 in Anambra State.

“Activities for the election will commence on 13th August 2013 while the ban on campaign by political parties in public is hereby lifted with effect from 18 August

2013. Also, there are other activities scheduled for, from 26th August to 15th November 2013.

“In accordance with Section 179 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Run-Off Election (if any) will be held within seven days of the announcement of the result of the election.

Interested members of the public and political parties are advised to check for details on the Commission's notice board in the State Office, Awka, and all LGAs in the State.”

THE

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

7

Enugu should forget zoning in 2015 – Ejiofor ¡Says Ebeano remains a formidable factor in Enugu politics Following recent endorsement of power shift by the PDP caucus and Governor Sullivan Chime to Enugu North, a close ally of former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani and henchman of the Ebeano political group, Sir Sam Ejiofor, says there is nothing like zoning arrangement in the state.

Ejiofor, who spoke in an interview at his country home in Agbani, said the Ebeano political structure that threw up Chime but which he (governor) sometime ago pronounced dead, is still very much alive.

Excerpts: prevail and to Sir, what is your position on the controversial zoning arrangement in the state that saw the zoning of the 2015 governorship position to Nsukka zone?

As a politician, I must tell you that I don't believe in zoning. Zoning is a lazy man's way of aspiring to a political position. What should occupy our mind is, who will deliver the goods. The question is, if we produce an Nsukka man, is he the governor of Nsukka or the governor of Enugu State? The same thing goes for an Udi or Nkanu man. The problem of Nigerian politics is divisive tendencies ethnicity, religious bickering, sectionalism. These are our problems. We are not patriotic enough to have Nigeria as an umbrella; as our own. These divisive tendencies breed all the ills we have in our society. It breeds corruption; it breeds sectional sentiments, it breeds favouritism. When somebody is working in a place, instead of focusing on the issues, he will be thinking of favouring his people because this is his turn. If these things have to die, we won't be talking about zoning; we will be talking about capability; we will be talking about who is able; we will be talking about wise vision, wise programme.

I strongly support the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

There was never a time we had a written agreement on zoning in Enugu State. When Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani contested as governor, did he contest with an Nkanu man or people from Enugu East Senatorial Zone? He contested with people like Nduka Agu, Ogbuefi Ozongbachi, Dubem Onyia, Eddy Ugwu from Nsukka, just name them; they all contested under the same PDP. They failed and Chimaroke won and they are talking about zoning. Even Sullivan Chime, when he contested, it was not only Udi people that presented candidates, Nsukka people presented. A lot of them; the same Eddy Ugwu, the same Okey Ezea, Fidel Ayogu all of them contested. Is it because Sullivan won that they are now talking of zoning? For what? There is no zoning. If there must be zoning, we should sit down and draw the procedure for the zoning so that if it is the turn of Enugu East, every candidate must come from that zone. A situation where

flourish in our society.

What has happened to the Ebeano political group? Is it dead?

Whether you like it or not, there are still legacies that Ebeano will never die. What might die may b e t h e composition b e c a u s e politics is about interest. Why do we have a nuclear family, extended family, a village a town, Sir Sam Ejiofor a community? somebody is contesting from all Even the state comes up from a the zones and one other person won little nuclear family. Previously, all and you say it's zoning, that is of us were from Eastern Region, rubbish. including Rivers and South-South.

So there is no zoning; what we Later on, it was split into states. We should be talking about is who have old Anambra State from there knows the problems of Enugu Ebonyi went and now we have State; who will solve the problem Enugu State. Even in this current of Enugu State. Besides, what Enugu, Nsukka is itching for causes this issue of zoning is the Adada State. As they are growing, same problem bad governance. the nomenclature changes, the People do not care who you are if structure changes, the feature you are giving them their due; if changes but still for the fact that we you are providing jobs equitable; all hail from Igboland, we are still it's because of the principle of Igbos, that expansion does not winner-takes-all, that's why we are remove it. That is exactly what talking about zoning. If governor Ebeano is. Ebeano has grown as a sees himself as the number one big family; a big political empire, citizen of the state and carries having so many leaders, so many e v e r y b o d y a l o n g , g i v e s extended structures, but it is there. employment to qualified persons The moment you get to the Ebeano from every part of the state, builds Tunnel, you remember Ebeano; the roads equitably, nobody will talk moment you get to Otigba a b o u t z o n i n g . G e t t o t h e Junction, you remember Ebeano; Government House, you will only the moment you come to Ebeano be hearing one language: 'Di anyi city, ESUT, and you remember emeko kwe ya' you've known Ebeano. And the moment you where he is coming from. If it's an remember those things, you will Nsukka man, 'also' if it is Nkanu see the remnants of Ebeano there. man'si ahara ya'. People thought Which party do you belong to that those slangs are for nothing, currently, sir? they are for identification of where I don't change party. I am still one comes from, and that is the studying the situation. I am not problem. So anybody who wants to happy with the situation. Changing contest should come and tell Enugu party for what? Which party is people what he wants to do for better than the other in the current them. That is who I will support. dispensation? All the parties are the But if you are coming on the same; the same make up, the same grounds that you are from Nsukka composition. It's because when or you are from the East, that is someone's interest is not rubbish; that is nonsense. We accommodated, they start looking shouldn't talk about it; it is not an for another place. Nigeria is not effective way for democracy to playing politics along ideological

principles. If we do, there will be no need for people running around.

It is the same group of people looking for selfish interest, not the interest of the society. All these political parties have states they control, are they better in their states? Tell me a state that is not running the same type of winnertakes-all arrangement, the same type of electoral process of winning by all means. That's why I love what the National Assembly is trying to do, if they can include the new arrangement of having an independent candidate. That will be better. If you want to contest election, people will know you for who you are, not by your party.

There has been this speculation of a sour relationship between the Deputy Senate President and Governor Chime, which appears to have gained more weight by their disagreement over zoning. How will this affect the 2015 elections in the state?

Don't look at politicians and don't follow politicians. When you see politicians exchanging views and words don't follow them; it will deceive you. They are friends; I can assure you of that. I know both of them, they are my very good friends and we are all part and parcel of Ebeano. They are both airing their views, and they both have interests. And remember no permanent friend, no permanent e n e m y, w h a t y o u h a v e i s permanent interest. When they differ in interests, it looks as if they are quarrelling, they are not; I must tell you. People who want to cash in on the fact that both of them are quarrelling are doing a wrong calculation politically; they are not.

Ekweremadu is not the quarrelsome type. I know him from time, he goes about his business he doesn't waste his time in picking quarrels. The same goes for Sullivan. What they are doing is that, each person is trying to position himself, so that his interest will be achieved in 2015. It's not quarrel.

Ok sir, do you still have political ambition?

When there is life, there is hope. I still have ambition, but I am studying situations.

Where are you looking at?

Listen, I am not looking at anywhere, I believe in God; it is God that determines.

Governor Chime is concluding his second term and Ekweremadu has been to the Senate for about three tenures. Do you expect the governor to go to Senate?

What of Ekweremadu, because they come from the same senatorial zone?

You see, that is Nigerian mentality.

There is no limitation in legislative

positions. In developed worlds, people stay in the Senate for 15 to 20 years, as long as that person is doing his job well and his people still want him. Nothing is bad about it. For the governor, it doesn't mean that everybody who finishes as a governor must be a senator; there are other positions. One can be a minister, one can be Vice President, one can be President. So, I cannot determine for him if he should go to the Senate. What if he goes for the presidency, is it wrong? What if he goes for Vice President, is it wrong? He is qualified. And if he wants to go to the Senate, no problem, he has to convince his people and if they give him the mandate, he goes. So, I am not in a position to determine for them what they will be in 2015 just like nobody will be in a position to tell me what I will be.

Sir, you were a pillar in Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani's administration, but people believe both of you fell out during the last election. What is the true position?

There is something people don't know, Chimaroke is my brother; we hail from the same town. It's not politics alone that brought us together and there is no relationship that will ever last without some sort of quarrels, misunderstandings and disagreeing to agree. But when such things happen, people misconstrue it to mean that the people are quarrelling. We are not quarrelling. Our relationship is still cordial and we understand each other now more than ever. Because we have seen ourselves, we have learnt a lot of things from our mistakes; from where we disagreed and where we agreed, and that helps us to build more confidence in ourselves and in our relationship.

As a stakeholder in the Ebeano family, have there been efforts to reconcile Governor Chime and his predecessor Dr. Nnamani?

The former governor and the current governor are childhood friends. I don't interfere in their relationship because they know each other better than I do.

And has any of them ever come to tell you, this is the problem I have with the other?

If there is issue to settle, you go for settlement. If there is none, why do you beat about the bush? If personally, as one who is friendly with both of them, If I know exactly that this is what they are struggling for, then I can come in and say, please don't do it that way. But people stay in their houses and formulate issues that do not exist and I want to advise that when you feel that politicians are quarrelling, never put yourself into it because the very day they will settle, you won't be there.

THE

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

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Pope condemns global apathy to refugees' plight

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EAD of Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has called for an end to worldwide indifference to the plight of refugees while visiting an Italian island where tens of thousands of migrants from Africa and the Middle East reach Europe.

Delivering his homily at a mass near the fishing harbour on his first trip outside of Rome since his election in March, Francis said: “We ask forgiveness for the indifference towards so many brothers and sisters.”

The pontiff, who spoke within sight of dozens of the abandoned boats used by the migrants, paid tribute to the hundreds who drown every year trying to reach Europe and said he had come to Lampedusa “to reawaken consciences”.

“The culture of well-being makes us think about ourselves, renders us insensitive to the cries of others,” he said, urging “brotherly responsibility” and condemning a “globalisation of indifference”.

The pope, according to a report

by Agence France Presse (AFP), celebrated mass with a cross and a chalice made from the wood of the rickety boats that migrants typically arrive on, mainly from Libya and Tunisia.

The altar was also fashioned from a fishing boat.

The Catholic leader earlier boarded a coast guard boat and cast a wreath of white and yellow chrysanthemums the colour of the Vatican flag into the water.

Surrounded by dozens of fishing boats and yachts, the pope solemnly made the sign of the cross over the sea in a spot where one of many drownings occurred.

Francis also met with a group of around 50 recent arrivals, many of them Eritreans, telling them: “We will pray for those who are no longer with us.”

One of the young men, who wore

T

he Iranian regime's henchmen have hanged three prisoners in western city of Kermanshah.

The inhumane mullahs' regime sent 11 inmates on Sunday, including 3 three women, to the gallows in Zahedan Central Prison, located in southeastern Iran. Four days prior to this 21 inmates were hanged in Ghezzel Hessar Prison in Karaj, west of Tehran.

tracksuits and white baseball caps, told him: “We suffered a lot reaching this calm place but now we have to stay in Italy. We would like other European countries to help us.”

Under European Union rules, asylum-seekers have to stay in the country they first arrive in and unaccompanied minors are often stuck on Lampedusa for months at a time awaiting relocation.

In tune with the new pope's

informal style, the visit had less of the pomp customary for papal visits.

There were no meetings with politicians or high-ranking clergy, and the pope used a Fiat car on loan from a local inhabitant as a “popemobile”.

The visit was announced only last week, unlike past papal trips arranged months in advance.

Just hours before he touched down, the latest boat carrying 166

migrants landed on Lampedusa.

Another migrant boat was reported by Italian coast guard to be in difficulty just off Libyan shores.

Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, head of the Vatican's migrant department, said he hoped the visit would prompt “concrete concern and solidarity to improve situations that have become inhuman and unacceptable”.

The pope also paid tribute to the local population a fishing community of 6,000 on an island of 20 square kilometres (eight square miles) for the assistance and tolerance they had shown to the boat people.

“May your example be a beacon for the world as a whole to have the courage to welcome those who are looking for a better life,” the pope said after the mass.

Lampedusa has seen an increase in arrivals in recent weeks, with around 4,000 arriving so far this year three times more than during the same period in 2012.

But the numbers are still far from the peaks reached in 2011 as

maritime border controls disintegrated during the Arab Spring revolts in North Africa.

Since 1999, more than 200,000 people have arrived on Lampedusa making the island one of biggest gateways for undocumented migration into Europe.

Responding to the pope's words, Matteo Salvini from Italy's antiimmigration Northern League party said he was against a “globalisation of illegal immigration”.

But Laura Boldrini, speaker of the Italian parliament and a former UN official on refugee issues, said coordination of rescues at sea “should be improved”.

“Rescuing them is a legal and ethical duty,” she said in an interview with Rai public television.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that 40 people have died so far in 2013 most by drowning trying to cross from north Africa, while around 500 were reported dead or missing in 2012.

Leaked report criticises Pakistani govt's failures on Bin Laden

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HE late leader of Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, lived undetected in Pakistan for nearly a decade due to incompetence and gross negligence by the authorities, according to a new report detailing how he was once stopped for speeding and wore a cowboy hat.

The leaked report from a Pakistani government-appointed commission, which Pakistani officials have so far declined to comment on, reveals fascinating details about his life on the run and the U.S. Navy SEALs raid that killed him on May 2, 2011.

The raid near a military academy in the town of Abbottabad was one of the most humiliating episodes in Pakistan's history, exposing the

Therefore, the number of executions following the mullahs' sham elections in June has reached over 60.

One of those executed was merely 15 years of age at the time of his arrest. Six of the victims were women and four inmates were hanged in public before the eyes of terrified people in the cities of Ahvaz, Shahr-e Kord and Karaj.

country to allegations of collusion with Al-Qaeda.

The government appointed a judicial commission to investigate how bin Laden hid for so long and how the U.S. raid unfolded to fend off fears that a military investigation would not be independent.

The panel interviewed more than 200 people, including government ministers, intelligence chiefs and members of bin Laden's family before they were deported to Saudi Arabia.

But its findings were kept secret until the Al-Jazeera news network published a leaked copy of the report on Monday.

“Culpable negligence and incompetence at almost all levels of government can more or less be conclusively established by the testimonies of witnesses,” the report said.

The commission said it had found nothing to support allegations of complicity but neither could it rule out the possibility of “'plausibly deniable' support” from current or former officials.

The 336-page report coined the expression “governance implosion syndrome” to explain the extent of the failures.

It said bin Laden arrived in Pakistan in the spring or summer of 2002 after the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

He stayed in Afghan border areas, spent six to eight months in the northwestern district of Swat, lived in a spacious home in Haripur and then settled in Abbottabad in August 2005.

Maryam, the widow of one of two Pakistani couriers who provided his core support network said they including bin Laden were once all stopped for speeding on a visit to a market in Swat.

Her husband “very quickly settled the matter with the policeman and they drove on”, the report said.

In Swat, bin Laden was said to have met Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, in February 2003.

Muhammad was arrested by Pakistani authorities a month later but in 2005, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) agency closed its file on the hunt for the Al-Qaeda boss.

It was a decision that showed “its lack of commitment to eradicating organised extremism, ignorance and violence which is the single biggest threat to Pakistan”, the commission said.

In Abbottabad, it was an austere life and bin Laden paid the courier brothers just $90 a month.

Bin Laden occasionally complained of pain in the heart and kidneys, but never visited a doctor.

If he felt ill, he treated himself with traditional Arab medicine and “whenever he felt sluggish he would take some chocolate with an apple”, the report said.

He was nicknamed Miskeen Kaka, or “poor uncle” by other children in the house after they were told the reason he never went to the market was because he was too poor to buy anything.

All the bin Laden women observed strict purdah, which started for his daughters at the age of three, and extended to not watching men on television.

He oversaw the religious education and play of his children and grandchildren “which included cultivating vegetable plots with simple prizes for best performances”.

But for nearly six years, abnormalities at his villa, such as no television or telephone lines, no

rubbish collection and 18-foot (5.5 metre) walls, failed to attract attention from Pakistani officialdom.

“How the entire neighbourhood, local officials, police and security and intelligence officials all missed the size, the strange shape, the barbed wire, the lack of cars and visitors etc over a period of nearly six years beggars belief,” the report said.

“None of this negligence necessarily implied connivance. But it does suggest gross negligence at the very least,” it added.

The report also contains dramatic details of the US helicopter raid recounted by the Al-Qaeda chief's family.

Bin Laden had retired to his room with the youngest of his three wives, Amal, when they were awakened by what “sounded like a storm” shortly after midnight.

Aware that the long-feared US threat was closing in, bin Laden stopped his wife from turning on a lamp and called for his son Khalid, while two of his daughters recited verses from the Koran.

Suddenly Amal saw a U.S. soldier pointing his weapon at the terror chief from the landing outside their bedroom. She rushed at him as the soldier shouted “No! No!” and shot her in the knee.

One of bin Laden's daughters, Sumayya, said she saw her father dead on the floor, his face “clear and recognisable”.

The report condemned the US raid as an “American act of war” and said the Pakistani military should have responded much more quickly to an operation 160 kilometres (100 miles) inside its territory.

It was Pakistan's “greatest humiliation” since East Pakistan seceded in 1971, it said.

THE

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9

Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

Nobody will intimidate me from serving my people – Ekweremadu Organizes quiz competition for Adult Education students

By Ted Peters

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eputy Senate President and Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu says nobody would intimidate him from serving his people diligently in line with his constitutional duties.

Ekweremadu spoke last weekend during the 2013 Grand Finale of the Ikeoha Foundation Annual Secondary Schools Quiz Competition held at Holy Rosary College, Awgu.

Presentation Secondary School Awgu, which took the first position received a cash award N200,000 , science equipment and books while Christ High School Abor and St Theresa,s Secondary School, Oghe which took the 2nd and 3rd positions got N150,000 science equipment, books and N100,000, science equipment and books respectively.

Ekweremadu, who is the founder of the Ikeoha Foundation, which had in the past offered grants, scholarship, among others to students from Enugu West Senatorial Zone, urged members of the foundation to organise a quiz competition next year for students of the adult education programme founded by the foundation.

He expressed happiness that the adult education students were doing well, adding that some of the old students have taken their first school leaving certificate examinations.

The Deputy Senate President, who offered N500,000 each to students of the school that won the 2012 edition of the competition for their university education for

five years, said nobody would stop him from representing his people qualitatively and putting across their views, stressing that his desire was to use his position

to do good to his people.

He also promised to fund the university education of the winners of the 2013 edition of the competition.

"You see a representative either in the House of Assembly, either a councilor, a senator or anywhere speaks for his people and in doing so, sometimes you run into trouble, sometimes you get misunderstood, but because you are a representative of the people, one of the attributes of a representative is that you must be fearless, you should not allow anybody to intimidate you so long as you are defending the interest of the people you are representing.

"That is the most critical thing; you don't know any other person except those you are representing.

Nobody will stop me from representing my people qualitatively and putting across their views and everything I say in defence of their right, I stand by it," said the Deputy Senate President.

River’s Crises: How I was attacked – Chinda

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on Michael Chinda, one of the five legislators opposed to Governor Amaechi who suffered several bruises during the fracas has spoken of his experience.

He said: ”Rivers state House of Assembly elected a new Speaker Hon. Evans Bipi and the old Hon. Daniel Amachree was impeached and everything concerning the enthronement of the new speaker

was concluded. As we were about to leave the place, the governor broke into our chambers.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi led the group. They came into the chamber and started beating everybody.

“For my case, I have to be very specific. I was about leaving; I never knew that Chidi Lloyd, very close to me in the House. I was misled by closeness with him. I never had any idea that he could

be so brutal to use such a weapon on me.

“My colleagues rushed me to this Saint Patrick Hospital in the pool of blood and I have been here since yesterday.

“If you look at my records from the very day we were inaugurated by the governor of Rivers State, I have never insulted the governor.

I hold the office of the Governor of Rivers State in very high esteem and I won't have gone

Nigeria must diversify economy – Jonathan ·Govt appoints liquidator for M-Tel, NITEL ·Seven firms shortlisted for Kaduna Disco, three for Afam ·N59.55b proceed from Egbin sale for bulk trader, BPE immigration laws and expatriate

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan Thursday admitted that the increasing exploitation and utilisation of shale gas and other alternative sources of energy by the United States (U.S.) and other advanced nations had made it more urgent for Nigeria to move faster towards the diversification of its economy.

A statement from the office of his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, quoted the president as making the observation while speaking in an interview with China Television, in Beijing. Jonathan noted that the increasing utilisation of alternative sources of energy was a matter of concern for Nigeria and other oilexporting nations.

“That is why we have to increase the pace of diversifying our economy and moving our country away from dependence on the oil and gas industry. We must work towards greater industrialisation,

Ekweremadu, who said that he would not want either his political career or anything to stop the activities of the Ikeoha Foundation, has decided to reposition the foundation for actualization of a road map that would ensure sustainability even when he leaves office.

He said that the foundation was now committed to the actualization of adult education to ensure that his constituents who had no opportunity of accessing formal education would do so through the adult education programme which had since commenced in the senatorial zone.

Some traditional rulers from Enugu West senatorial zone who witnessed the grand finale and presentation of prizes including Igwe Professor Sam Ukpabi , traditional ruler of EkoliOkpanku community in Aninrii local government area,hailed the humanitarian gesture of Senator Ekweremadu saying the people of the zone had benefited immensely from him,.

He prayed that God should continue to elevate him for the benefit of his people and the entire Enugu State.

add more value to our agricultural products, develop our solid minerals' potential and other sectors of our economy before the time comes when crude oil may no longer be dominant as a global source of energy,” Jonathan stated.

At a meeting with the Nigerian community in China, the president commended the National Assembly for its ongoing process of expanding the coverage of the Local Content Act to sectors other than oil and gas, saying that the move would further stimulate domestic industrialisation and contribute significantly to the desired diversification of the country's economy.

Responding to concerns raised by a member of the community about Nigerian professionals having to compete with expatriates from China and other countries for employment opportunities in the country, the President said our

quotas provide adequate protection for workers.

“If our immigration personnel do their job as they are expected to do it, then you are all adequately protected,” he said.

Jonathan urged Nigerian students and professionals in China to imbibe the positive traits of the Chinese and come home to contribute to national development.

“You are in a country that is a super p o w e r, a c o u n t r y t h a t i s technologically developed, a country of hardworking people who work day and night. If you imbibe this culture and pass through their training, you will all be in a position to come home and help us to develop our own country,” the president told students and professionals at the interactive session.

He assured them that his administration was totally committed to making a positive difference in the lives of all

Nigerians.

“As a people, we must build our country. I can assure you that we are working steadily to do so. Our vision and roadmap are very clear,” Jonathan told members of the Nigerian community.

Before his meeting with them, the President addressed a large audience of Chinese investors at a Nigeria-China Business Forum in the Beijing World Trade Centre and urged them to take advantage of the very generous investment incentives currently being offered by the Federal Government.

Jonathan assured the Chinese business community of the safety of their investments in Nigeria.

In the meantime, a liquidator has finally been appointed for the Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL) Plc and the Mobile Telecommunications (M-Tel) Plc. At the end of a meeting of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) in Abuja, Olutola Senbore and Co was announced as the firm to liquidate the moribund entities.

It is not clear how the NCP's

closer to the governor. I didn't even go close to the governor because we respect the governor.

Until Chidi Lloyd and the policemen came and did what they did. Only God will judge.

Why will I do that. Why will I insult the governor? I can never do that. If anybody said I did such a thing the person is not being fair to me. We formed a quorum, the normal number required to impeach a Speaker.” decision would be taken by the National Assembly, as the Senate Committee on Privatisation had this week insisted that it would not allow the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to liquidate NITEL. Several attempts to sell off the entities have failed in the past.

The BPE had said in April that it would conclude the liquidation of NITEL this month after the emergence of a preferred liquidator among the five that showed interest.

This has met with opposition from the National Assembly.

The Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngana, told reporters after a meeting of the NCP in Abuja yesterday that the Federal Government would proceed with the liquidation of the two firms. He was silent on the Senate's stance.

He said: “We are also happy to announce that at last, a liquidator has been appointed for NITEL and M-Tel and this liquidator was reached after several bids were received from about eight companies. At the end of the day, five were pre-qualified and after

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Rex Arum, writes on the deliberations made at the 4th Quadrennial State Delegates Conference of National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction Furniture and W o o d W o r k e r s (NUCEFWW) Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi states council, and how the union's lingering issues about casualisation of workers, subjecting workers to some form of slave labour and subletting of contracts by the Main contractors which are ostensibly designed to weaken the strength of the union.

The 4th Quadrennial State Delegates Conference of National Union of Civil Engineering Construction Furniture and Wood Wo r k e r s ( N U C E F W W ) o f Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi states council, held in Enugu ended with a call on Nigerians to sue for peace with all sincerity for the progress of this nation.

The President General of the Union, Comrade Amechi Asugwuni, in his presidential address at the end of the conference expressed regrets that insecurity challenges have affected negatively their sector and the country at large, appealing to all who are aggrieved to sheath their swords and bury their differences.

He urged the members and indeed Nigerians to pray at all time for the peace of the country, construction workers and individual homes, while lamenting the magnitude of economic lose to the country through wanton lost of lives and capital.

“It is on record that multinational investors are moving their investments in our dear country to our very neighbours.

Economically, this is not in the interest of our business environments. Again, we have lost many of our members as a result of the insurgence. Our democracy is also greatly being threatened by this wanton and unnecessary loss of lives and property”, he said.

“Comrades, we must work together in furthering national development, provide strategies if we must be relevant and guarantee socio-economic rights for all construction workers in Nigeria and by extension Africa continent”.

While Asugwuni, imploring the new leadership of the union in the three states to continue to build upon the standard which has been set out by the Comrade Anikwe led regime, he emphasised that this could be achieved through transparency and hard work.

CONFERENCE: 5th from right, Comr. Amechi Asugwuni; President General of National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCEFWW) and other state delegates of the union at the just concluded 4th Quadrennial State Delegates Conference of NUCEFWW at Enugu.

“I wish to call on all state councils leadership to imbibe the ethics of transparency and accountability in all dealings and should avoid any fraudulent act that could tarnish the reputation of this great organisation”.

The national president however thanked the union members in the council for their support for his emergence as the national president of the union adding, that “this conference affords me the opportunity to have close contact with major principal actors of the union in Enugu state council as the president general of our great union”.

He said, “it behoves on me and some members of the leadership of the union here present to appreciate your council for your support to my becoming the national president general of the union, we know that it was not an easy task. All we are seeking for is the continuation of this unflinching support not only from those of you sitting here in the conference but from all construction and furniture workers in Enugu state council.

The president general however pledged that his administration is poised to providing purposeful leadership and ensuring discipline at level of the union.

“All we wish for is your unflinching co-operation and understanding in this regard. Let us join hands and resources together to ensure that this administration succeeds even as we marshal out positive plans and

programmes. Under this framework, we must understand that certain economic realities and structures play great roles”, Asugwuni disclosed.

Earlier in his address the Chairman of (NUCEFWW) Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi states council, Comrade Anikwe Godwin at the opening ceremony, thanked God for journey mercy granted to the members that travelled from far and near to attend the conference.

“Today marks the beginning of another giant stride in our efforts to build a formidable union in the state. I was elected as the state chairman of this council about this time four years ago, but within the period the union enjoyed tremendous peace, harmony which metamorphosed into the growth we are witnessing today”.

The theme of the conference is: “Construction and Wood Sector Growth' Key to Employment Deficit and Strong Union in the World of Work”.

Anikwe explained that the choice of the theme demonstrated the giant contributions made by construction industry to reduce unemployment in the country, regardless of some challenges confronting the growth of the industry which includes; “out sourcing, free trade zone, subcontracting, casualization, direct labour, to mention but a few, this virus invariably weakens the strength of the union”.

The state council chairman,

appealed passionately to government at all levels to pay for projects executed by construction companies so as to avoid the ugly incident of abandoned project due to lack of payment as it contributed immensely to the mass loss of prospect of workers in the industry.

Anikwe however enumerated the achievements of his administration within four years after he was elected, though not without challenges, said one thing kept telling him that the can make real her collective aspiration.

“The past executive up-graded the council secretariat, bought council's vehicle, held constitutional meetings before their tenure expired in 2009, living us with the challenge of getting a permanent site for the council”.

“Comrades, we have improved on the achievements recorded by my predecessor and I am proud to announce to this honourable gathering that we have purchased a plot of land at a strategic site for the building of the permanent office of (NUCEFWW) Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi states council. We have also sustained the growth, peace and progress in the council including holding our constitutional meetings and maintenance of the council secretariat”, he said.

He congratulates Comrade Amaechi Asugwuni for his successful election as the President General of the union, the general secretary and CWC

members for the success recorded at the just concluded national delegates' conference held in Owerri earlier this year. “We pledge our loyalty and support to you all”.

Anikwe who thanked the government of the day for encouraging indigenous contractors, stating that it is good but the idea of these contractors discouraging unionism by all means is bad and must be stopped.

“Where there is no union, he said definitely the management is practicing slave and deceitful labour. Please kindly join us to say No to non-unionization of each establishment including construction companies, no to casualization, no to modern day slavery in the name of contract labour without future.”

He enjoin all labour officers including the central labour o rg a n i z a t i o n N L C s h o u l d continue to say No to nonunionization and this devilish attitude, urging the national headquarters to come up strongly to condemn this syndrome using everything within their reach as it is a deadly virus in the system.

While he revealed that some Lebanese, Chinese, Turkish, and Arab companies do not understand what minimum standard is all about, they do not have internal condition of service in their agenda, stressing that even where they pay higher, as soon as they lay their hands on our NJIC they will reduce what the workers have been earning.

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

Rivers House of Assembly debacle: ·Impunity is threatening to consume Nigeria’s democracy– Group

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he Stop Impunity Nigeria (S.I.N.) campaign, a multistakeholder project to check impunity in all sectors of the Nigerian society, Thursday called on security and law enforcement agencies to take decisive action against the perpetrators of Tuesday's violence in the Rivers State House of Assembly and end the circle of impunity in the political arena.

In a statement in Lagos, the Campaign noted that there was no dispute about the sequence of events that led to the crisis in the House, adding that: “When five members of a legislative body procure the services of thugs and militants to orchestrate a series of violent actions in order to gain a political advantage over the other 27 members, they should be told unequivocally that such criminal behaviour is neither tolerable nor acceptable under our laws and democratic system, regardless of political affiliation.”

The campaign coordinator, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, of Human Development Initiatives (HDI), said: “These people cannot go unpunished.

These five legislators, along with the thugs and militants who aided them, must be arrested and punished to the full extent of the Law for their criminal and barbaric actions.

To do otherwise would be to send a wrong signal to other misfits in the political arena that if they have the right connections, they can use

violence to subvert the democratic process and get away with it.

Nigeria must turn away from this culture of impunity which is threatening to consume the country a n d i t s democracy.”

T h e campaign noted that it i s a l s o unconsciona ble that the Rivers State Commission er of Police, M r. M b u Joseph Mbu, who was officially informed and notified in advance by the leadership of the House of the possibility of threat to peace and security in the House, by his own admission, initially chose to ignore the call for him to provide adequate security.

He only decided to act when the Brigade Commander of the 2 Amphibious Brigade in Port Harcourt pleaded with him to do so and, apparently, he did so half-

heartedly with the result that thugs and militants were able to gain access into the Chambers of the House fully armed with various weapons, including guns, despite the fact that Commissioner Mbu's men were supposedly searching everyone going into the premises.

In the end, his men were neither able to prevent nor contain the breakdown of law and order.

The campaign said such an error of judgment on the part of a senior

o ff i c i a l o f t h e s t a t u r e o f Commissioner of Police is reprehensible and amounts to criminal negligence as more timely and decisive action on his part could have prevented loss of public and private property occasioned by the mayhem as well as the injuries caused to many innocent persons, including some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The campaign insisted that Mr.

Mbu had shown himself unfit to hold such high office where the security of lives and property in the entire state largely depend on him. It therefore called for his immediate removal.

It also called on the Police Service Commission to investigate further the actions of the Police Commissioner and take disciplinary actions against him for his inexcusable failure to perform his duties.

Resolution on animal farms in Enugu metropolis, what hope?

By Frank Onwumelu

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ecently, the Enugu State House of Assembly (ENHA) passed a resolution directing the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) and the Enugu State Ministry of Land and Housing to ensure the ban on conversion of residential premises into hotels, commercial activities and livestock farms in Enugu metropolis and that anyone who does so henceforth will have such facilities closed down.

The resolution specifically directed the Commissioners for Health and Environment, Enugu State to ensure that within a given time frame, poultry or piggery farms located within residential neighbourhoods in Enugu metropolis and which are brought to their notice are closed down.

The House resolution directed the Ministry of Environment further to ensure that the noise levels emanating from hotels and other commercial activities in the city do not constitute nuisance to

neighbourhoods.

In some areas, this resolution is hailed as a welcome development especially by the decent-minded inhabitants, and those directly at the receiving end of the nuisances constituted by these illegitimacies.

They suffer from pollution emanating from the stench oozing out of the poultry farms and piggery pens or the noise pollution of musicians performing in the hotels or the sound makers commercializing their video films and new music hits with their loud speakers pitched to the highest level.

However, some see the resolution as timely though deficient, inconclusive and selective in picking those to be punished for these lapses. Agreeing that hotels should not be located within residential areas because of so many negative social effects on those neighbourhoods, they argued that it is not enough to pass resolutions against operators of hotels alone, because the

authority's disapproval of citing of the hotels at the residential neighbourhoods should have been included.

Should there not have been any sanctions or reprimands recommended for them for approval for God-knows-what reason? It is a truism that in most cases these hotels and 'hot' commercial houses are converts from residential abodes by their new landlords who acquired them for such uses. But the fact remains that during the conversion from the original purpose to new status, the authorities should not have approved such requests. They should have gone further to control such distortion of purpose clause and original master-plan.

But be that as it may, ministries should always mount close surveillance on their field operatives to nip blames and negative approach to execution of their statutory mandates in the bud. The aspect of noise emission from the business houses and

hotels should be given a very high priority. There should be close monitoring, through legislations, of the music makers and sellers with their noise levels reduced to congenial decibel levels for the good health of the inhabitants of the neighbourhoods.

Furthermore, the ministries should swing into action to fish out the animal farms offensive to the health of the neighbourhood for closure. It is necessary to point out here that the poultry that emits very offensive odour is not well taken care of.

And candidly speaking, pig's pens should not be located near any residential neighbourhood because apart from the air pollution, the noise pollution associated with its constant bleating remains nothing to contain.

More so, the very serious development of keeping goats and sheep in our neighbourhoods call for a more urgent attention. The goat-keepers are so

conscienceless that they let loose their goats to devour people's farms mindless of the new cropping season and the crops germinating in the farms.

The beautiful flowers used by residents in decorating and beefing up the aesthetic beauty of their homes to suit them were not left out of devastation by the goats.

It shall be necessary to suggest at this juncture that the Enugu State Ministry of Environment should hasten up to contract out the job of capturing any goats or other animals including pigs straying about in town for a prescribed fee as was done in the past. The owners should also face prosecution at a competent court of justice.

In fact, this timely and well thought out resolution of the Enugu State House of Assembly should be followed to the letters and not allowed to be affected by bureaucratic bottlenecks in order to give further support to the FourPoint Agenda of Governor Sullivan Chime for the welfare of the citizens and other inhabitants of the state.

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Wada’s transformation agenda is on course – Kogi Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi, indefatigable Deputy Governor of Kogi State throws light on the transformation agenda of his principal Governor Idris Wada. In this interview with The Advocate, the ever busy Deputy Governor expresses his desire to work with Governor Wada many times over whom he described as a man with the right vision to bequeath to people of Kogi the much eluded dividends of democracy

direction therefore, we are doing something about our internally generated revenue, IGR which has gone up by at least a 100 per cent. By the time the bill guiding the operation of the internal revenue board is passed and signed into law, the board will be sufficiently empowered to launch out fully.

Yomi Awoniyi

Idris Wada longer has inter and intra transport services. In a matter of weeks, that would be addressed. By and large, the transformation agenda is on course. It is less than one and a half years and appreciable progress has been made. We have in all sincerity, made a quantum lift. Very soon, we will unfold new areas. The whole essence, I like to add, is for us as a people to appreciate that there is virtue in planning and I think that we are achieving something in that direction.

How has rice suddenly taken the centre stage?

Rice has always been in our national life. Do you know that the country spends a whooping N1 billion every day to import rice? Maybe, we have suddenly just discovered the suitability of rice to grow on our soil and the governor has merely taken advantage of the potentials of the state in that regard to once again; drum the state into the consciousness of the nation.

Captain Wada has been driving the process of this revolution in agriculture. We have a huge capacity to earn revenue from rice production. It is a major channel of development with diverse multiplier effects on the state. For now, we have five rice mills with each having the capacity to mill 2,000kg per day. The federal government has also gone ahead to earmark additional two rice mills for the state. Any moment from now, the state will become a major producer of rice in the country.

What is happening to the rice produced? Have we started to eat the rice?

Not yet. We have them in our

The houses being built are not meant to serve as camps. They are post-flood housing scheme. They are houses built to ensure that those who live in flood planes access them. We have about 250 units which, we consider grossly inadequate but it is a good starting point. It is government's gesture of concern. The houses are not ready but we are making good progress and hopefully by September, they should be ready.

What are the modalities for accessing the houses?

That, I believe is being worked upon by the relevant authority.

Sir, how far has the Captain Wa d a t r a n s f o r m a t i o n agenda gone.

I can say with all certainty that the transformation agenda is on course. His Excellency, Captain Wada has been clear as to the desire to reposition the state in a manner that would fast track development. From the very onset, the governor is clear headed about his vision for the state. He didn't want to pass through without making impressionable marks. It is quite clear that agriculture remains a major plank of this agenda. We have the rice farm, the cassava farm, and cocoa as well as cotton plantation to drive the agenda in the sphere of agriculture. We also have cassava processing plant. To add to all these, agriculture is being used as a tool to ensure youth employment and entrepreneurship. In other areas like education, the government has continued to ensure that it is given the pride of place by ensuring that the condition of service of teachers is looked into carefully. Every policy from the National Council on Education is given a proper positioning within our own set up. In the area of healthcare delivery, the state has remained polio free. The unfortunate area where we haven't fared well is in the area of the increasing scourge of HIV/AIDS and the governor has charged the ministry of health and every stakeholder in the health sector to rise up to the challenge posed by the situation for us to address the problem. The governor has continued to chart necessary free health programmes for our teeming populace. The whole essence of these free health services is to cater for the health needs of the people knowing fully well that there are people who might not be able to afford the cost of treatment. The government has also been backing all immunization programmes. Our specialist hospital has just taken delivery of new badge of equipments to improve on their s e r v i c e d e l i v e r y. T h e administration has also been spending huge sums on the procurement of drugs. Let me disclose to you the plan of government as regard the health needs of our people. Before long, a health programme would be unfolded targeted at improving healthcare delivery in all parts of the state. The government, I must say is concerned that the state no

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Last year, the flood committee faced a lot of challenges ranging from lack of warehouse to pilfering of some of the materials.

What are your plans towards solving these problems?

All that you have said is news to me. We didn't have problem with where to store our materials and let me tell you, we effectively distributed all that we had. The only problem we had was that of identification. In many camps especially in city centres, we had people who are not internally displaced persons coming to collect materials which they go and sell. This time around, we are working hard on getting our data capturing system in place. I can assure you that we will get over the problem.

Considering the state's experience arising from last year's flood and given the fact that there are predictions for similar What is the level of private occurrence this year, what There is an outcry about the amounts that was given sector participation in the is your greatest prayer? programme given the fact My prayer is that may it not as compensation to the that many governments are happen this year. From all the victims. Sir, what is the true increasingly divesting their predictions and reports, it appears picture? that the flood will come sooner Let me explain what the donations interest in business because than last year. The best we can do were meant for. The N500 million of non-profitability? is to be better prepared. As a from the federal government is to warehouse. We are processing them. We will polish the rice.

Afterward, we will decide what should be done. Let me assure you that we have very high yield.

The approach the state is bringing to bear on the project is akin to what the private sector would do.

On the farm, we have a consultant to ensure that we operate in line with best practice. Private individuals are also partnering with government to produce rice on the farm and the proceeds are to be shared based on an agreed ratio.

The administration, on assumption of office, raised a committee to prepare a development blueprint for the state. Is the blueprint being followed?

I must confess that it has been very tough but by and large, the spirit and letter of the blueprint is being adhered to. A programme is a plan, as you progress, you may see a need to make some adjustments and so on. But one thing is sure; we are not working too far away from the blueprint. It has been more like our road map.

How has the state been coping in the face of tight finances?

The issue of finance or funding is a global challenge. It is a major challenge that has kept us on our toes. It has made us begin to task our thinking faculties to see what we can do to stay afloat. In this

committee, we meet regularly to fine-tune our strategies. We don't want to be caught napping. We are making arrangements for proper camps because we don't want to disrupt school activities just as it happened last year. We are also making arrangement on how relief materials can be better received. However, let me say that we do not want to over anticipate the flood but even at that, we don't have reason to be caught napping and that is why we are planning and making projections ahead of time so that at the drop of the heart, we can access all that we require to mitigate the effect of any flood disaster. As we speak, we are already making contact with places we can get relief materials from. By and large, if the flood comes, we will be ready.

People in flood-prone areas should be ready to move. We are already sounding this warning and we are being careful not to be draconic in enforcing the order but we expect them to show understanding that all we are doing is in their interest. We don't want to be too hard-handed.

Talking about being prepared, the housing project being undertaken, can they be ready as camps before the flood sets in?

provide succour in terms of relief materials to the victims who were in the camps but because we got so much relief materials from good spirited individuals, we kept the money until many of the relief material had been dispensed. That was when we started to buy. Also, from the money, roads that were made impassable by the flood had to be fixed. We also used part of the money as seed fund for the housing project. Later, we sat down and categorised the nine local government areas affected into three just as the federal government did and gave them money according to the magnitude of disaster in their respective areas. At that level, we instituted stakeholders' committee and the committee was expected to decide what is to be done with the amount they received. In some places, the money was used to fix roads or some other infrastructure destroyed by the flood. It is laughable when people say that all that victims got was a paltry N1, 000. Whatever was given as cash was to facilitate their return home after the flood. We had the biggest problem in Ajaokuta and Lokoja.

Honestly, the government did its Continues on page 19

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Why most Government Projects are not implemented – Dr. Eugene Nweke. youth received training and how many of them are into the trade?

As the Executive Director of Initiative for Social Change in Africa (VOFCA), Dr. Eugene Nweke, who is also an astute academia while in the course of implementing the programmes and activities of VOFCA which are community based has identified some of the reasons why some government projects are not implemented at the grassroots. He pointed out that if some of these problems which include political interest, conflict noticed within town unions and non-involvement of community members in government programmes are urgently resolved that most programmes embarked upon by the government would be successfully implemented to meet the need of the people. Excerpts

By Ngwuta Chinedu Can you give us the background of your organization and what actually informed its formation?

Our Organization is known as Initiative for Social Change in Africa. It is a non-governmental organization, non-profit making and a non-political organization.

Our concern is, in the African context where women, children and youth enjoy third life living, we work towards achieving our visions of giving them support.

The organization started as early as 2006 when it was formed by volunteers who share with the common challenges of helping humanity, promoting, third life living, promoting good governance, especially as it affects women, youths and children.

However, we have been able to operate from then to today and we have contributed in our own little way as much as we can to improving the welfare of humanity. Our organization has equally embarked on several projects. We have embarked on household economy strengthening where we can get the vulnerable groups, we have equally worked with peaceful youths targeting at the children who are still in school.

And what we do here is that we provide them with some leadership training, especially prevention strategies and life building skills. We equally work with out-of-school youths to develop their skills and trade, widen their knowledge in HIV prevention and work towards giving them leadership training and economic strengthening training that could enable them stand on their own.

You have stated that VOFCA works towards improving third life living.

What is the scope of your operation?

We h a v e w o r k e d w i t h communities including villages and town union organizations to build viable and strong community structure. We believe strongly that once a community structure is strengthened and the capacities of those managing the community structures are strengthened, then they can now form the basis of developing the structure that will

address the challenges faced by some of these communities such as dropping out of school enrollment, inadequate access to health service, management of resources and providing skills to their members so that they can enjoy a sustainable livelihood based on self-reliance.

We intervene in the areas of providing shelter, especially to the vulnerable groups. We equally work in partnership with government sectors such as public hospitals where we create referral .Recently; we were working with Comprehensive Health Centre, Igboji where most of the identified vulnerable group accesses free health service including those we have enrolled in skill acquisition.

Approximately over twenty of them are already receiving training.

How many youths have you empowered so far who are gainfully employed through your programmes? how to relate with vulnerable you are handling a class, you When you talk about empowerment of the youths, the first thing to think about is skill acquisition. We have 67 already receiving training. Fifty of them are females while 17 of them are males. Now, one may ask why we are interested in female.

The female folk are more endangered, there are more vulnerable and we intend to encourage them. We have equally provided start off grant as soft loan to over one hundred care givers.

Now, care givers are those who take care of basically the children and family and our belief here is that once you take care of the bread winners of the family. They can sustain their families.

We have provided up to 1028 vulnerable children in various communities across the state with different services ranging from health services, school services, and so many of them. Then, apart from these, we have supplied drugs worth over five hundred thousand in partnership with Igboji Comprehensive Health Centre for identified children to access the drugs and they do not pay. What they do is that they are already registered by the Organization. So, they access drug free and whenever there is a shortage, we replace them.

We have equally empowered over one hundred teachers on teacher's friendly activities and equally on

children. This is because the behavior of a vulnerable child is different from the behavior of a child who is not vulnerable. The teachers are empowered on how to relate with the community so that they can increase their enrolment and decrease drop out from schools.

In the same vein, we have equally worked closely with the community leaders because they are the stakeholders. You cannot achieve anything without working with them. We have organized seminars for the stakeholders on how to handle these activities and how they can contribute. For us, we are only making a little c o n t r i b u t i o n . To a c h i e v e sustainability, they must to ownership. So, we have trained over sixty of them in different communities on how to they can manage the projects. Now, they can pool their resources within their communities and see how they can achieve some of these projects.

should show more attention to those students who are always absent in school to find out what they do, relate with them and have interaction with them, find out why they may have been sleeping in class, why they may be too dull, why they are not participating actively in the class, because some of these things are build up from their homes.

Most of them who must be either maid or house help or who may be children whose parents lack the basics in making their children to show interest in education or are overburdened with responsibilities. So, we believe that by the time we train the teachers, they will be able to identify these children and have closer relationship with them as well as their parents.

But the parent should promote what we call parent/child communication. Now, you should be able to monitor the activities of your children by interacting with them. Most time, parent think Can you expatiate on what children cannot contribute your organization do to anything but if you budge the communication gas to have empower teachers and why discussion with your children, you do you choose this as part of will discover that most of the your programmes? things they intend to hide are, Ye s , w h e n w e t a l k a b o u t mostly their challenges you will empowerment of teachers what we begin to appreciate them and do here is that, because part of our address them. services is essential service, we In what specific areas of want a teacher to understand that if specialization have these

Now, the youths have received training in various areas. Most of the girls have been trained in fashion and designing, decoration, hair dressing etc. For the boys, most of them have received training in radio mechanic, motor mechanic, vulcanizers , barbing and wood work. Some of them both male and female have also received training in computer repairs and operation. And why we do that is that these youths have outgrown the age of going to primary school and they may not fit into primary school.

Some of them have equally completed primary school but cannot support themselves or their parent supporting them to access secondary education instead of them to remain idle without doing anything so we decided to engage them in the trade of their choice.

Now, in the choice of the trade, we make it open for them to choose the one they want to learn and we will train them in that area.

Now, how do we train them? We recruit local operators or those who work on these areas who we have identified to be capable and now engage them. We pay the trainers to train these people. That is exactly how we operate. And another thing is how we select them. We use the community participation approach to select them. The first thing we do is to meet with the stakeholders of the community through advocacy and mobilization and sensitization; they will now be part of what we are doing. They identify with the people who will work with the organization. These people are called community care workers.

There are some who are called volunteers. They work with us to identify members of their communities who are very vulnerable and fall within the category and we now use an index of assessment to identify those who will actually benefit from these. Then, we will come up with the list of those who are most venerable then we provide them with these services.

Your programmes obviously involve fund considering the set goals. How do you generate fund to execute these activities?

We work with partners. Most often, we are sponsored by USAID. Through our partnership with pact Nigeria and USAID. Then, the Board of Directors of the organization usually contributes.

And again, we equally work with other individuals in the society who can buy into the vision of the Organization. Most of them often provide their support. When we put all these together, we are able to achieve our goals.

Continues on page 19

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ADVOCATE

Nigerian Military Heads of State (5) Muhammadu Buhari (born

Major General Muhammadu Buhari

December 17, 1942) was a Major General in the Nigerian Army and a former military ruler of Nigeria from December 31, 1983 to August 27, 1985. He also ran unsuccessfully for the office of the President of Nigeria in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections.

His ethnic background is Fulani, and his faith is Islam; he is a native of Daura in Katsina State of Nigeria.

Minister of Petroleum Having joined the army in 1962, Buhari first came to widespread public attention in 1976 when he became theMinister (or "Federal Commissioner") for Petroleum and Natural Resources under then-Head of State GeneralOlusegun Obasanjo.

Before then he served as Governor of the newly created North-Eastern State during the regime of Murtala Mohammed.

He later became head of the newly created Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in 1977.

Buhari government Major-General Buhari was selected to lead the country by middle and high-ranking military officers after a successful military coup d'etat that overthrew civilian President Shehu Shagari on December 31, 1983. At the time, Buhari was Commander of the Third Armored Division of Jos. Buhari was appointed Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and Tunde Idiagbon was appointed Chief of General Staff (the de facto No. 2 in the administration). Buhari justified the military's seizure of power by castigating the civilian government as hopelessly corrupt, and his administration subsequently initiated a public campaign against indiscipline k n o w n a s " Wa r A g a i n s t Indiscipline" (WAI). Aspects of this campaign included public humiliation of civil servants who arrived late for work whilst guards were armed with whips to ensure orderly queues at bus stops. He also moved to silence critics of his administration, passing decrees curbing press freedoms and allowing for opponents to be detained up to three months without formal charges.He also banned strikes and lockouts by workersand founded Nigeria's first secret police force, the National Security Organization. His government sentenced popular musician and political critic Fela Kuti to ten years in prison on charges that Amnesty International denounced as fabricated and politically motivated; Kuti was later pardoned and released by

Major General Muhammadu Buhari Buhari's successor. In another high-profile incident that sparked a diplomatic incident with Britain, British officials found Buhari's former transportation minister drugged in a crate marked for shipment to LagosAccording to the BBC, "Buhari's attempts to re-balance public finances by curbing imports led to many job losses and the closure of businesses."

These losses were accompanied by a rise in prices and a decline in living standards.] Some may hold contrary view to this assertion and call it mischievous though because Buhari is admired by many for his uprightness and stand against corruption. His government is revered for its ability to keep the country afloat by making progress through sheer economic ingenuity even when it rejected IMF loan and refused to adopt IMF conditionalities to devalue the Naira.His government is praised for its gain in reducing inflation by refusing to devalue the nation's currency, the Nigerian Naira, curbing imports of

needless goods, curtailing oil theft and using counter trade policy to barter seized illegally bunkered crude oil for needful goods like machineries, enabling it to export above itsOPEC quota.

1985 coup and detention

justice as his policies were beginning to yield tangible dividends in terms of public discipline, curbing corruption, lowering inflation, enhancing workforce and improving productivity.

In the face of the austerity measures, worsening economic conditions, and continued widespread corruption (this is questionable as corruption was said to have been at its lowest ebb in the Buhari/Idiagbon regime), Buhari was himself overthrown in a coup led by General Ibrahim Babangida and other members of the ruling Supreme Military Council (SMC) on August 27, 1985. Babangida brought many of Buhari's most vocal critics into his administration, including Fela Kuti's brother [Olukoye Ransome-Kuti]], a doctor who had led a strike against Buhari to protest declining health care services Buhari was then detained in Benin City until 1988 Buhari's admirers believe that he was overthrown by corrupt elements in his government who were afraid of being brought to

Buhari served as the Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), a body created by the government of General Abacha, and funded from the revenue generated by the increase in price of petroleum products, to pursue developmental projects around the country. A 1998 report in New African praised the PTF under Buhari for its transparency, calling it a rare "success story" However, the same report also noted that critics had questioned the PTF's allocation of 20% of its resources to the military, which the critics feared would not be accountable for the revenue.In 2003, Buhari contested the presidential election as the candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP). He was defeated by the People's Democratic Party nominee,

Later years

President Olusẹgun Ọbasanjọ, by a margin of more than eleven million votes. It was claimed by Buhari's supporters and other members of the opposition that in some states, like Ebonyi, there were more votes than there were registered voters. Although some allegations of fraud were proven in the courts and the conduct of the election was criticized by the Commonwealth Observer Group,the consensus among Nigerians was that he should not waste his time in court as he did not have the necessary resources to "buy" himself justice.

Eventually, the same court also decided that the level of proven electoral fraud was not sufficient to affect the outcome of the election and to warrant the cancellation of the whole Presidential electionOn 18 December 2006, Gen. Buhari was nominated as the consensus candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party. His main challenger in the April 2007 polls was the ruling PDP candidate, Umaru Yar'Adua, who hailed from the same home state of Katsina. In the election, Buhari officially took 18% of the vote against 70% for Yar'Adua, but Buhari rejected these results After Yar'Adua took office, the ANPP agreed to join his government, but Buhari denounced this agreement In March 2010, Buhari left the ANPP for the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a party that he had helped to found.

He said that he had supported foundation of the CPC "as a solution to the debilitating, ethical and ideological conflicts in my former party the ANPPBuhari was the CPC Presidential candidate in the 16 April 2011 general election, running against incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and Ibrahim Shekarau of ANPP. They were the major contenders among 20 contestants He was running on an anticorruption platform and pledged to remove immunity protections from government officials. He also gave support to enforcement of Sharia law in Nigeria's northern states, which had previously caused him political difficulties among Christian voters in the country's south However, he remains a "folk hero" to some for his vocal opposition to corruption. Buhari won 12,214,853 votes, coming second to the incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP, who polled 22,495,187 votes and was declared the winner.

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

50-yr-old Student, 29, jailed for attempted rape father lips and put his finger in her girl the case at the Wuse Police station. private part thereby trying to defile charged of n6yr-old A b u j a S e n i o r sentenced the accused with an Tanko said that the complainant the child.

Magistrates' Court on option of N10,000 fine after he had reported that the convict came According to him, the child ran for raping Thursday sentenced one pleaded guilty to the charge. to her office at Poly Plaza, Wuse, and alerted her mother of the student, Akande Abiodun, 29, of Earlier, the Police prosecutor, Cpl. on the pretext of coming to type a incident.

14-yr-old Kuchingoro, Airport Road, to Francis Tanko, told the court that document.

The accused, while pleading three months imprisonment for one Emmaunella Osajie, the He said that the convict made guilty told the court, “My Lord, it daughter attempted defilement. mother of six-year-old girl of 86 advances at her child, took her was a devil's handwork, and I will

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50-year-old farmer has been charged before a Federal High Court, Lagos, for allegedly raping his 14year-old daughter.

The accused, Yesiru Onajobi, living at Bogije Street, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, is standing trial on a two-count charge of unlawfully having carnal knowledge of his teenage daughter.

He is being prosecuted by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Person, NAPTIP. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, however, ordered the accused to be remanded at the Ikoyi prisons.

He adjourned the case to Oct. 21, for hearing of the bail application of the accused, and a motion challenging the court's jurisdiction to hear the suit.

The accused was first arraigned before retired Justice Benedicta Molokwu of the FHC, sometime in September 2012. The case was, however, re-assigned to a new judge following the retirement of the judge.

The prosecutor told the court that the accused was arrested on January 20, 2010.

Prosecutor said after the death of his wife, the accused had engaged in the habit of sexually harassing his only daughter, kept in his custody, alleging that the accused intimidated and forcefully had carnal knowledge of the teenager, who eventually became pregnant.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes sections 13 (1) and 18 (a) of the Trafficking in Person (Prohibition) Law Enforcement Act 2003.

Senior Magistrate Nafisat Ibrahim Army Barracks, Kubwa, reported upstairs, kissed her twice on the not do that again.'’

Gunmen kill soldier, kidnap an Israeli in Benin *As Police nab 5 suspected kidnappers

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unmen Monday, in Benin, Edo State, killed a Soldier on guard duty at SETRACO Construction Company yard and kidnapped an Israeli working with the company.

It was gathered that another soldier was reportedly shot and wounded, while a third soldier, also on guard duty was said to have escaped the attack launched by the gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

It was also learnt that the kidnap victim, whose name could not be established at press time, is said to be a staff of SETRACO working on the Upper Mission Road in Benin.

When contacted, Monday, 4 Brigade Army spokesperson, Capt. Roslyn Managbe, said she was yet to be briefed on the incident.

But her Edo Police Command c o u n t e r p a r t , M r. M o s e s Eguavoen, who confirmed the incident, said police had commenced covert intelligence gathering with a view to apprehending the suspects and also ascertain what might have led to the incident.

He assured members of the public of police determination to provide safety for them and their property.

In another development, Rivers State Police Commissioner; Mr Joseph Mbu, said, yesterday, that five persons have been arrested in connection with the abduction of

the three National Youths Service Corps, NYSC members, who regained their freedom on Sunday.

Mbu at the Police headquarters, Port Harcourt said corps members serving in Ogolokon community, where the three corps members were taken hostage had been relocated to Ominima still in Abua Odua Local Government Area, adding that the Police took the action because of the vulnerable nature of the lodge.

He said: “The lodge, close to

mangrove water is too vulnerable for attacks,” adding that security of the occupants should have been considered in the location of a residential quarters for corps members.

Meantime, security operatives in Rivers State have been urged to take steps to guarantee the security of lives and property in the state.

A group, Pilot in a statement in Port Harcourt, expressed worries over the rising incidents of kidnapping and shootings in Port

Police begin trial of 195 senior officers

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he Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police, DIG, in charge of Administration and Chairman of the FDC, Suleiman Fakai in Abuja, Monday said that the Police High Command has commenced the trial of four Assistant Inspectors General of Police, AIGs; 17 Commissioners of Police, CPs; and 174 other senior officers for various disciplinary offences.

Those facing trial also include two Deputy Commissioners of Police, six Assistant Commissioners of Police, and several Chief Superintendents, Superintendents

and Assistant Superintendents.

The offences for which they are being tried bothered on misconduct, negligence of duty, collusion with Boko Haram i n s u r g e n t s , m a n s l a u g h t e r, criminal acts, conspiracy and other misconducts.

Already, 14 senior officers, including a Commissioner of Police, one Assistant Commissioner of Police, one CSP, two Superintendents, one Deputy Superintendent and eight ASPs have been dismissed from the force.

Sixteen others, including two CSP's, one Superintendent and 13 ASPs, were compulsorily retired even as 22 others were demoted.

House help docked for stealing Man beats wife to death in Ilesa He said the defendant stole coral N10m beads and wrist watches valued middle-aged man, Wale Jumoke, with a block on the

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20-year-old house help, Christiana Jonah, who was alleged to have stolen valuables worth N10 million, was Thursday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate's Court.

Jonah, who is facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing, levelled against her by the police, was docked before Magistrate A. O. Akinde.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the offence was committed at Plot 1862, Abraimoh Kuku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

N10 million, perfume and scarfs worth N15,000 and N27,000 cash.

The prosecutor said that the stolen items were property of Mrs Adeola Yusuf.

According to him, the offence committed contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read.

Magistrate Akinde granted her bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the matter to August 5, 2013.

Harcourt.

The group in its statement by Mr Egbe Festus pleaded with security operatives to ensure that the state did not return to the era when hoodlums overran the state.

Continuing, the group charged the people of the state to join in building a peaceful state, adding that cult clashes in Amadiama area of Port Harcourt on June 28, which allegedly left one dead should not be allowed to occur again.

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Agbaje, on Monday allegedly beat his wife to death during a scuffle over some domestic issues in Iroye Street at Ilesa, Ilesa Local Government Area of Osun on Monday.

An eye witness said that the couple had lately been engaged in altercation until the latest fatal incident.

The eyewitness recalled that after the couple had shouted at each other, the husband hit the woman, identified simply as

forehead.

Jumoke, who was said to have bled profusely following the attack was rushed to a hospital for medical attention, but later died.

It was gathered that detectives from the Police 'B' Division Headquarters, Ilesa, had arrested the suspect for interrogation.

Mrs Dorothy Gimba, the state Commissioner of Police, confirmed the incident saying investigation into the matter has started.

The only CP that was dismissed is ZakariBiu, who was indicted in the escape of Boko Haram suspect, KabiruSokoto, while the case of former Plateau State CP, Femi Ayeni, was still being investigated.

Meanwhile, punishment for such infractions include but not limited to dismissals, reprimand, serious reprimand, demotion in rank or exoneration, as the case may be.

He said that before the assumption of office by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, there were over 3,000 pending cases, and that the cases had all been disposed with.

On the case of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Danjuma, who was allegedly involved in the APO 6 murders, Fakai said the officer had been dismissed from the police and currently facing murder trial in court.

He said: ''If however the court exonerates him and recommends his coming back, the Police will comply.”

Meanwhile, Fakai said that FDC members comprise all the seven DIGs and the Force Secretary, while their finding and recommendation would be forwarded to the Police Service Commission, who has the final authority and type of sanction to be meted out for the erring officers.

Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

GRADUATION CEREMONY VON Schools, City Layout New Haven, Enugu held her 2012/2013 Graduation and Parents' Day Celebration last Friday. The Advocate crew captured the colourful event in picture‌

Director of VON Schools, Chief Mrs V.O. Uzoaga ( 2nd right), parents and dignitaries at the occasion

JS 3 graduates celebrating at the occasions

Nursery II pupils making presentation at the ceremony

Graduating Nursery 3 pupils in their ceremonial gown

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State with newly sworn-in commissioners at Government House Enugu State.

R-L: Governors of Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Abia, Delta and Bayelsa states, Mr. Sullivan Chime, Mr. Martin Elechi, Sen. Liyel Imoke, Chief Godswill Akpabio, Mr. Peter Obi, Chief Theodore Orji, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan and Chief Seriake Dickson in a group photograph shortly after the South East, South-South Governors meeting at the Government House, Enugu.

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

Walk on Broques

Why wear them?

“Ok guys, forget everything you've been told before, this is year zero and there's only one thing you need to impress the girl of your dreams. Yes, a huge bank account helps, but the deal breaker is always what's on your feet. The men's footwear market can be a minefield, so the golden rule is to keep it simple. And there's no better way to get maximum style kudos than in a pair of classic brogues.

How should I wear them?

“You can pair an elegant, narrow pair such as Church's or John Lobb with a slimline suit or pinstripe for work. The heavier variety such as Tricker's work a treat with jeans. Still doubtful? Legendary fashion photographer and impeccable style icon Nick Knight is never without a pair, which he teams with no socks, slim dark jeans, a simple shirt and a sharp blazer.

What should I avoid?

“This is the great thing about classics, they're actually pretty hard to get wrong. Don't go the whole hog and pair them with 'custards' (those hideous yellow baggy trousers so beloved of hooray Henrys) and tweed or you'll end up looking like an archetypal toff (i.e. not sexy).

Where should I buy them?

“It's best to invest in Jermyn Street heritage brands such as Church's, Tricker's or John Lobb for timeless quality. Designers such as Paul Smith. if you're on a budget it's very difficult to go wrong with good old Marks and Spencer which has a pleasingly stylish and affordable - selection from Jeffrey West this season

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

Thief falls Chinese Police Seize Chicken Feet Still On Sale asleep But Had Expired Since 1967 while robbing home

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omonique Pinkard, 21, was allegedly asleep on the couch of a residence on Winners Circle when the home owner walked into the living room, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

The home owner called the cops, who determined that Pinkard and his accomplice, 20-year-old Julian Evangelist, kicked in the back door around 7:30 a.m.

Pinkard then conked out on the sofa while Evangelist allegedly made off with a TV. Evangelist, it seems, failed to wake up his partner in crime.

Investigators say Pinkard told them he'd been "working hard all day and he just needed to sit down for a moment, and evidently he fell asleep," Police also say they found an estimated $500 worth of the victim's jewelry in Pinkard's pockets, according to NBC Miami. Other items, including clothing and electronics, were allegedly found at Evangelist's home.

Both men were jailed on charges of burglary and grand theft

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hinese police have reportedly seized 20 tonnes of out-of-date meat from a Vietnamese smuggling gang including chicken feet that were 46 years past their sell-by-date.

During a raid conducted in May but only reported this week, police in the southwestern province of Guangxi said they smashed an underground network that had been swamping the Chinese food market with substandard chicken feet, tripe and throat.

Among their stomach-churning

discoveries were chicken feet that date back to 1967, a time when China was still ruled by Chairman Mao and the Tiananmen Square

Facebook Love: Girl commits suicide after fiancee married her friend in Asaba

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isillusioned and uncertain, a 30year-old graduate of Microbiology from the Delta State University (DELSU) Abraka, has allegedly committed suicide after hearing that her fiancée, who she met on Facebook, had gotten married to her best friend.

Reports said the lady, identified as Nkechi (surname withheld), hailed from Onitsha, Anambra comes over him at that point.

State and settled in Asaba with her Hear him: “I beg to be forgiven. This is parents after graduation while the handiwork of the devil because I do searching for employment. not know what usually comes over me. Nkechi then got involved in What usually happened was that the Facebook-ing at the centre where urge would just come and before I she was being tutored in know it, I would be with either of computer appreciation. This was them.” how she met the young man, who When news of the act reached the disguised himself as a 'cripple', mother of the children who resides in but was actually a lawyer who Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, she trained in the United Kingdom. reportedly rushed to Lagos, where she It was reliably gathered that after was quoted as saying that she was series of chats, the said cripple asked for her hand in marriage. shocked beyond words.

She reportedly said she was forced to After their long relationship onleave her husband because of alleged line, which lasted about seven battering, in spite of the fact that she months, the young man, who was was the one responsible for the upkeep identified as Henry (surname withheld), returned to Nigeria on of the home.

She said while leaving, she handed her a w h e e l c h a i r . N k e c h i , two children to her mother with the accompanied by her friend, went intention of sending them monthly to the airport to welcome him, but allowance, only for their father to go was shocked to see him on a wheelchair and when he begged and take them. her to marry him, she refused.

Executive Director of Esther Child Rights Foundation, Mrs. Esther Ogwu, According to reports, feeling said her foundation was making effort disappointed, Nkechi continued to ensure that the woman would take to refuse his proposal, despite his custody of her children, adding also pleas and a visit to her house. She that the arrest of the suspect was a first did not listen to that of her friend, either. Her friend, identified as step to ensure that justice was done.

Onyinye, a fashion boutique The two girls are now under police owner, living somewhere around protection while their father will be Infant Jesus area of Asaba, was arraigned at the Ejigbo Magistrate's shocked at her friend's decision Court by the police. after pleading with her to When contacted, the Lagos State reconsider her decision, but Police Command, Public Relations Nkechi refused. This, reports Officer, PPRO, Ngozi Braide said, endeared Onyinye to Henry. confirmed the arrest of the suspect, Issues took a different turn when saying that he would be arraigned in Henry went ahead to finalise court soon.

Dad begs for forgiveness for defiling his two daughters

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olicemen attached to Ikotun division in Lagos have arrested a man alleged to have been having carnal knowledge of his two daughters between the ages of 10 and 13, in the past two years.

His daughters reportedly claimed to have been going through what they described as horrible experience since their mother left them for another man.

Unable to resist their father, they endured until the elder girl confided in her friend's mother, who then contacted some child rights groups.

The organisations were said to have effected the man's arrest at his 29, Omooye Street, Abaranje, last Saturday and handed him over to policemen at Ikotun division.

Explaining, the elder child (names withheld) said: “Our father started it when I was 11 years old. I did not know he was doing same to my sister who was then eight years.

I only got to know when I saw her blood stained undies and when I demanded to know whether she had started seeing her monthly flow, she revealed that our father slept with her the previous night. He usually crept to either of us at night whenever he wanted to satisfy his urge. He was the one who dis-virgined us.”

I beg to be forgiven Suspect On his part, the 35-year-old suspect , a commercial bus driver identified as Adewale Adeleke, admitted to the police that he committed the sacrilegious act. He claimed, however, that he did not know what usually

massacre was still twenty-two years away.

Li Jianmin, a local security chief, told the state news agency Xinhua that after smuggling the decades-old feet into China the expired meat was treated with chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide, “to kill bacteria, prolong the expiry date” and make the feet “look white and big”.

The smugglers were able to turn a profit of around £1750 per tonne by transforming 1kg of out-of-date chicken into 1.5kg of apparently fresh chicken, the South China media reported, citing Guangxi's Chutian Metropolis Daily.

The chicken feet, that are as old as the debut albums of both the Doors and Pink Floyd, entered the market during a crucial year of world history.

Under Chairman Mao, China was in the throes of the decade-long Cultural Revolution, a vicious crackdown on landowners, intellectuals and religion that is thought to have claimed at least one

million lives.

Over the border in Vietnam, from whence the chickens' feet came, war was raging and US president Lyndon Johnson faced a growing backlash at home over the rising body count.

In Britain, Harold Wilson was three years into his first term as prime minister and the Beatles' were preparing to release Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Forty-six years on, the Guangxi chicken feet have become the latest symbol of China's ongoing food safety crisis.

Scarcely a day goes by without new and often mind-boggling concoctions hitting the domestic food market.

In May it emerged that diners in some Shanghai restaurants had been gorging themselves on rat, mink and fox rather than lamb.

Last week, Shanghai police said they had closed two crayfish restaurants after receiving a tip-off from a kitchen “insider”. The chefs, it was claimed, had been adding poppy seeds to their soups in the hope it would leave their customers

wedding plans with Onyinye.

They had the traditional marriage and white wedding last weekend in Asaba, but at the reception, Henry got off his wheelchair to the amazement of all and informed everyone that he was never a 'cripple,' but had to disguise himself because he was hoping to get married to a Nigerian lady who would love him, even if he was a cripple.

When the news got to Nkechi, she was reported to have committed suicide.

Confirming the news, the Police Spokesman in the State, ASP Lucky Uyabeme, disclosed that the incident occurred on Thursday night when the girl returned home and complaining

of having a minor headache, turned in. According to Uyabeme, while in her room, she may have taken some drugs and dropped a note by her bed side. Uyabeme said the note read: “I have gone to rest as I cannot stand the situation after the house I built has collapsed.”

“This is a lesson for single ladies; never reject any suitor, so that you don't end up dead,” Uyabeme said. He also added that her corpse has since been deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre.

Sources, however, said that the parents were fined by elders of the quarters, who considered it a sacrilege for a suicide to be committed in the area.

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stop himself from smoking.

He then gave one its two keys to his son and the other to his wife so he cannot open the helmet to smoke when outside the home.

Ibrahim said he is trying to shake off the habit of smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, which he has been doing for 26 years. The newspaper reported that he donned the helmet two days ago, and has not smoked a cigarette since then.

all it extreme, but some people will go to unimaginable lengths to quit smoking. A Turkish man has resorted to locking his face in a cage to prevent him from smoking.

Turkey's 'Hurriyet' newspaper on Tuesday reported that Ibrahim, 42, from the country's western province of Kutayha, made a helmet-shaped cage and locked his head in it in a bid to

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

Why most Government Projects are not implemented – Dr. Eugene Nweke.

actively in developing other policies. We have contributed in developing health education policy for health workers. These are some of the things we have done outside Ebonyi State but in terms of implementing peoples oriented policies, we are still concentrated in Ikwo Local Government Area.

Continued from page 13

How many Local Government Areas have so far benefited from your programmes?

Presently our activities are carried out now in the eight communities in Ikwo Local Government Area.

This programme is encompassing.

When we are working with a community, we work with the care givers, mostly their parent or their guardian to reach their children.

You do not reach them without their parents or their care givers and the same thing with the youths. The project is still that of targeting the youths, who are independent, and the children who are dependent on their parents or who are on their own and the care givers who are taking care of this programme. We do not separate them. The name of the programme is providing comprehensive care and support to orphans and vulnerable children.

From the acronym of your NGO, it has a continental connotation, to what extent has the organization addressed rural poverty and

utmost best.

It's almost one and a half years that you assumed this position. Do you a times wish you are not the one wearing the cap?

I have always enjoyed wearing this cap (laughing, he removes his cap from his head) No, it is not about the cap, it is about the office. One and a half years into this assignment, I give thanks to God for giving me a leader like Captain Idris Wada. To

unemployment?

We have contributed through policy formulation. We are part of the post MDGS programme.

There is a new policy called sustainable development programme.We are already part of the Millennium Development

Programme which will end in 2015. The new framework that will achieve that is already on and we will be part of the contribution towards making the new policy that is our way of pursuing our Africa agenda. Now, outside Ebonyi state, we have participated

From what we do, our programme is based on community ownership. Now, what we do is to start a project and allow the community to take ownership and that is why we are using their leaders to develop a structure for them to sustain the programme.

Some of them are already carrying out similar programme. If the way they are doing it is not sustainable, we now clear them because we are contributing to solve the problem within their communities. So, we have been able to empower them and they are now contributing. For instance, some members of the community now donate land to the widows of the vulnerable families. This ab initio they were not doing. These families now will not depend on us again because the community is already taking part in providing what they

be honest with you, I am a very busy deputy governor. I thank my boss for the trust he reposes in me.

I pray that I don't disappoint him or the people of the state. It can be quite tough and frustrating though, especially when you are not able to choose those you work with. It is a big challenge. By and large, the average civil servant in the state is desirous of progress. It has been quite wonderful and one prays that it gets better each day.

Just today, someone said he is poorer by accepting to serve. Do you feel the same

way?

My perception of the whole issue is different. I don't judge my being here on the basis of material wealth. I am richer by experience.

I am richer by my knowledge of the state. I am richer by the people I have come to know and relate with in the course of doing this job. My mind has been opened to the richness and vast potentials of the state. All of these, you cannot measure in monetary terms but they are solid gains. Yes, I am poorer by the fact that I have not seen my children for 18 months

but again, it is about service. On the whole, I am fulfilled and happy doing what I am doing.

Now, let's talk about your Ibaji project. How far?

On Ibaji, the peace project is in progress. I am so passionate about the people. I think we are making s u ff i c i e n t p r o g r e s s a n d I appreciate the communities from both ends for agreeing to begin discussion even though it was achieved after lives had been lost.

I also commend the National Boundary Commission for it's resolved to see the matter amicably resolved. All that I know is that we will have what is due to us.

NEWS

Chime approves construction of new rural roads

By Patrick Okolie

T

HE Enugu State Government has completed arrangements for the re-construction of three rural roads in partnership with the five local government areas of the state that benefited from the roads project.

The approval for the reconstruction of the three roads was given at the State Economic Planning Commission meeting chaired by the State Governor, Mr. Sullivan I. Chime and attended by the 17 council chairmen in the state.

Briefing the Press at the end of the

need to sustain them. Some of them are already assisting the school children by waving away some levies on such category of children which we will not do but the community will do it in line with the Parent Teachers' Association.

The activities and programmes you have implemented did not easily What effort are you making come by. What are the to ensure the sustainability c h a l l e n g e s y o u of this programme in the encountered in the course of implementing them? benefitting communities?

The transformation agenda of the state governor is on course – Kogi Deputy Governor Continued from page 12

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meeting, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke said that in the execution of the road project, state government will contribute seventy percent of the total contract sum while the benefiting council area will pay thirty percent.

The roads include the 18 kilometer Amokwe junction Umabi, Ehuhe Achi Nkpokolo Achi Court road within Udi and Oji River and the Afor Ugwu Health Centre - Aguobu-Owa Ekeagu Obeleagu Umana junction in Ezeagu local government council.

Mr. Ugwoke said that the commission gave similar approval for the construction of 12 km Orie Emene Nkwubor Nike Ugwuomu Godfrey Okoye University road and added that the State Ministry of Works will scope the road, estimate the cost and carry out the necessary design before final award of contracts for the construction of the roads.

The Information Commissioner who was accompanied during the briefing by the chairman of Udi, Mr. Chinedu Iloeje, his Nkanu East and Igbo-Eze South counterpart, Pastor Sam Iyogwe

and Festus Ozioko said that the commission used the occasion of the meeting to evaluate the progress of work done by the various local government councils in the state.

He noted that Governor Chime thanked the council chairmen for the various accomplishments in their distinct local government councils and implored them to ensure speedy completion of projects of the rural areas.

The meeting was attended by the local government council chairmen and commissioners for line ministries that make up the commission.

Talking about implementing projects in the rural communities, most of them have the perception that such program is political and even in the course of implementing it, some people try to bring political connection into it thereby accommodating some people who they want o benefit.

But because we are on ground we work towards curbing any form of discrimination. So, when we go on our verification, you discover that some people that have identified may not actually be vulnerable and we may find out that it is based on political reason. Again, is the rate of crisis within the town union. Most town union is engaged in leadership squabbles neglecting the primary responsibility of people they are meant to govern. So, we spend more time trying to reconcile conflict because if the conflict is not reconciled, they will carry out their personal interest as against the interest of the Community.

And when these things are not done rural development is stagnated. Also, most of the programmes introduced by the government are not actually implemented in most of these rural settings. For instance, we talk about free and compulsory education but they are still hidden charges affecting the children who cannot afford such charges to get to school. So, we work closely with them to see how these things can be resolved. Otherwise, why we have the idea that there is free education underling it is hidden charges that inhibits these vulnerable group from benefiting from such services.

What is the prospect of Initiative for Social Change in Africa (VOFCA)?

Our prospect is that we will continue to contribute, to improv the welfare of the masses, to promote good governance both at the rural and at the state level.

Because we believe that the surest way of addressing challenges in Nigeria and the whole work is to have effective community government. Community government has become more important and is the closet to the people. If the community wants effective government, they can articulate their problems and solve them. So, our problem is to strengthen this structure for all these things to take place.

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

RIVERS POLITICAL CRISIS Plot to unseat Amaechi intensified Attempt to impeach Rivers Speaker with fake mace foiled Lawmaker allegedly asks police to shoot gov three lawmakers met again, with Dep governor attacked, legislators injured Bipialaka addressing his two other colleagues.

Shortly after the governor's ACN asks NASS to sack Jonathan departure, 22 lawmakers, led by the

R

IVERS State has been thrown into a major political crisis by some selfish individuals who by sheer luck found themselves in top leadership positions at the federal level. The target is Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, a performing governor who is well loved by his people.

The political upheaval is not as a result of the governor's nonperformance or for any known sin against the people he leads, but on account of his perceived lack of support for President Goodluck Jonathan's second term ambition.

Amaechi has never declared publicly that he is against Jonathan's second term bid but his traducers who have since constituted themselves into a high class rumour peddlers at the Aso Rock and who appears to have the ears of the president, have taken it upon themselves to run the governor down. They have done everything possible to cause serious enmity between the President and Amaechi for reasons not far from dirty politicking.

Even though Jonathan has kept calm and looking the other way as his aides backed by the Commissioner of Police in the state are setting fire to the State, which has made tremendous progress under Amaechi, it is difficult to believe that he is responsible for the current crisis in Rivers State.

Last Tuesday incident at the State House of Assembly clearly exposed the plot by the President and his boys to cause anarchy in the state.

As captured live by media correspondents who witnessed the House of Assembly, that Tuesday began with banters, and it promised ending on a comradely note. But allegations and counter-allegations culminated in scuffles during the legislative session of that fateful day.

A fake mace allegedly smuggled into the legislative chamber to impeach the Speaker, Otelemaba Amachree, sparked a fight between lawmakers loyal to Governor Chibuike Amaechi and five others opposed to him.

Some lawmakers had arrived at the legislative chamber Tuesday

morning and they were exchanging pleasantries. But suddenly there was an altercation between the House L e a d e r, C h i d i L l o y d a n d Okechukwu Chinda over a fake mace in the House when the speaker had not arrived.

Amid the altercation, one of the antiAmaechi lawmakers representing Ogu Constituency, Mr. Evans Bipialaka, walked up to Lloyd and allegedly slapped him. And in a bid to prevent the ensuing crisis from descending into violence, the speaker who had just arrived at the chamber and another lawmaker, Azubuike Njoku tried to intervene but were also allegedly attacked by Bipialaka and this led to a free-forall.

In a statement on the ugly development, Lloyd said when they got to the House in the morning; they saw over 50 policemen and thought that this was in response to the Speaker's request.

He explained that shortly thereafter, he noticed that the five anti-Amaechi members were discussing and calling on their boys to come into the chamber. According to him, initially, the policemen were searching everybody who would come to the premises. But suddenly the policemen stopped searching people.

Alleging that he was heavily assaulted, he added: “I didn't just utter a word until Hon. Ihunwo graciously asked me to run for my dear life because they have brought people with guns and of course when I looked at the gallery they were shouting who is the Chidi Lloyd, who is the Chidi Lloyd? “ The five anti-Amaechi lawmakers climbed on tables and allegedly destroyed some of the computers in the legislative chamber even as they shouted and grappled with proAmaechi colleagues. The contending lawmakers threw chairs and punched one another.

Amid the pandemonium, someone called the governor who came in with his own security detail because the policemen in the House were said to be standing helplessly, watching

what was going on. The governor was reported to have gone to the House and one of the lawmakers opposed to him was allegedly screaming aloud “shoot him, shoot him.” But the governor was not deterred as he walked into the chamber. Amaechi's security detail rescued 23 members, including the Speaker.

And after a while, three antiAmaechi lawmakers, namely Bipialaka, Kelechi Nwogu and Victor Ihunwo, held a mock session and pronounced Bipialaka as the 'new' Speaker.

While the anti-Amaechi lawmakers were sitting, with what the Leader of the House described as a fake mace, some of the governor's loyalists led

by Lloyd went back to the House and seized the mace. In the process, further fighting ensued.

As soon as the governor left, the

Speaker, reconvened and received the Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru, who then presented a bill for an amendment of the 2013 Appropriation Law to them.

But before presenting the bill, the deputy governor had requested that the anti-Amaechi lawmakers should come into the chamber if they so wished. Bipialaka who had earlier pronounced himself the new speaker later returned and allegedly almost attacked Ikuru but was held back by the Government House security detail.

As Ikuru was driving out of the House, some former militants hurled stones on his convoy.

Several Lawmakers were badly injured in the brawl. Lawmakers punched one another and chairs were hurled. Chinda had a blow on the head as a result of the mace that was slammed on his head and was taken to the hospital with blood streaming down his face. As at the time of filing this report, he and Chinda were in the hospital.

Reacting to his purported impeachment, the Speaker and 22 of his colleagues who spoke with journalists at the Government House, Port Harcourt, said: “I am the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly and all the other officers and the clerk are here with me. The leadership of the House is intact and what Evans Bipi told you is pure fallacy, .”

“Can five members sit to impeach the Speaker? We are about 27 members here. We don't know what

ADVOCATE their aims were but today; in fact, we did not know there would be chaos in the House. So, we went to the House as usual and we were exchanging pleasantries. But we quickly arrested the situation and started our deliberation.”

The Speaker said he was shocked that the police failed to intervene and restore peace. He said the motive for writing to the police commissioner for protection was to prevent the repetition of what happened on May 6 when some hoodlums invaded the House.

“We didn't want a repeat of that, so I directed the clerk to write to the CP and also the Brigade Commander, but to my greatest surprise I did not see one single security operative there (House). The police I saw were acting funnily. One of my colleagues was even beaten by the police. The computers in the hallowed chamber were all destroyed. In that hallowed chamber, honourable members can do anything there. It happens in every parliament. What we are concerned about is for a member to bring in hoodlums to attack his fellow members, but as colleagues we can fight in the chamber. But outside the chamber, it is unfortunate that the police will also be there and watch hoodlums attack members,” he said.

Amachree explained that the House would formally write to the National Assembly to complain and would continue to sit irrespective of the crisis.

But the Felix Obuah-led faction of the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated Bipialaka.

The party's Spokesman, Monday Oyenzeowu, said that lawmakers who elected Bipialaka as their Speaker had once again demonstrated the unity and sense of purpose that characterised the hallowed chamber before the crisis.

However, two federal lawmakers, Senator Magnus Abe and Dakuku Peterside, have described the attack on Otelemaba as an assault on democracy.

…ACN calls for Jonathan's impeachment

T

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Wednesday, blamed the crisis in Rivers State on President Goodluck Jonathan calling on the National Assembly to immediately commence impeachment proceedings against him, for failing to live up to his oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said by Jonathan's abhorrence of the rule of law and majority rule, the latest indication of which is his unmistakable support for a group of renegade lawmakers who are fomenting trouble in Rivers State, the President has become a clear and present danger to the country's democracy, and must be shown the way out in accordance with the Constitution. ”Under President Jonathan's watch and with his tacit support, a few lawmakers dictated to majority of the members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, which was locked for a long time. Under President Jonathan's watch, the Nigerian Governors' Forum was sabotaged by his minions who declared a Governor with 16

votes a winner over the one who scored 19 votes, in an injurious blow to the concept of democracy. ”And under his watch, five lawmakers out of 32 have become the majority and, simply because they have the backing of the presidency, are now being given police protection to disrupt the proceedings of the House.

As we write, Rivers state has been taken over by current and former militants who have been unleashed to destabilize the state and cause a breakdown of law and order, to pave the way for the imposition of a State of Emergency. ”This cannot and must not be allowed to continue, hence our call on the National Assembly to move quickly to remove the source of the crisis.

Since this is no longer an intra-party dispute and because of its potentials to set the country on fire, we also call on civil society groups, professional bodies and ordinary Nigerians to rise up and defend the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution over arbitrariness,” ACN said.

The party decried the anarchy that is now reigning in Rivers, simply because the five renegade lawmakers have the backing of the presidency, which has emboldened them to take

extra-Constitutional measures to try to remove the majority-backed Speaker of the State House of Assembly. ”Taking a cue from the presidency, the State Commissioner of Police has turned himself into a politician and abandoned his constitutional role.

Instead of providing security for the entire House to sit, he chose to back the renegades and their thugs to unleash mayhem on their colleagues.

This is what you get when a leader dons the garb of a partisan instead of being a statesman. All sorts of minions simply follow suit,” it said.

The party said that in the aftermath of the crisis, the soldiers attached to the State House in Rivers have been withdrawn while there are real fears that the police security will also be withdrawn by a Commissioner of Police who, apparently, no longer takes orders from his boss. ”This is not the democracy that was watered with the blood of many Nigerians. This is not what Nigerians bargained for after years of military rule. We should not and must not allow those who are now reaping where they did not sow to reverse the little progress that we have made,” ACN warned.

THE

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

Rivers crisis: Mbu must go – Amaechi insists ¨There is plot to kill Amaechi – Shaibu alleges ¨Soyinka, others condemn Rivers mayhem

strengthen the security of the state, Mbu unilaterally terminated the joint police/army patrol, which

By Our Reporters

R

ivers State Governor, Chubuike Rotimi Amaechi, has pleaded with the Police Service Commission, PSC, to immediately redeploy the controversial police commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, from the State for his partisanship in the unfolding political crisis in the state.

Amaechi, who reeled out a catalogue of offences committed

by Mbu against him and the State, said that the police officer, had compromised his post and professional ethics in the discharge of his duties.

The Governor's allegations against Mbu are contained in a petition he sent to the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Mike Okiro, which was copied to President Goodluck Jonathan, the Senate President, David Mark, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.

In the petition dated July 9, 2013, Amaechi recalled all the atrocities committed by Mbu since he was posted to the state in February this year, culminating in last Tuesday's shameful attempt to assist five out of the 32 members of the House of Assembly to assault the Speaker and his supporters.

Mbu unfit Recalling that he had worked seamlessly with four other police commissioners before Mbu was deployed to the State, Amaechi made it clear that Mbu was unfit to serve in a sensitive State like Rivers since it was too clear that he had opted to work against the interest and wellbeing of the people of the state.

The governor said that apart from taking side with those bent on causing trouble in the state, Mbu did not show appropriate respect to constituted authorities as demanded of his job as a police officer and should therefore be shown the way out of the state.

The governor noted, “The actions and comments of Mr. Mbu have shown that he is unwilling to support me to protect lives and properties of everyone in Rivers State.

“He has compromised our regular Security Council meetings leading to reluctance on the part of other members to speak up during the meetings and therefore rendering the meetings ineffective.

“Besides his disparaging comments and discussions of security matters with scant regard for decorum, he has destabilized the security apparatus in the State thereby supporting the return of some of the key actors in the cult wars that engulfed the State from 2004 up till 2007.

Not desirous to curb crime “Sir, it has become evident that Mr. Mbu is not desirous of assisting us

in our quest for a crime free and peaceful Rivers State. It is also evident that he lacks the appropriate mien and disposition required of such a highly placed officer of the law and is unable to appropriately perform his functions as commissioner of police in Rivers State.

“I would therefore wish to respectfully request for his redeployment from Rivers State in the interest of the people of the State and to restore the confidence of the people of Rivers State in the impartiality of the Nigerian Police.

Security deteriorate “Regrettably, since after Mbu's assumption as Commissioner of Police in February 2013, the security situation in Rivers State began to deteriorate due largely to his approach to the discharge of his responsibility as commissioner of

police.

“Shortly upon resumption of duties Mr. Mbu began to withdraw police security attached to principal officers of the State for reasons that were different from those given by the Assistant Inspector General of Police of Zone 6 during a visit to me.

“Police security attached to the Governor, the Speaker, the Attorney General and key judicial officers were withdrawn without prior notice or justification. This was followed by a daily redeployment of divisional police officers and heads of departments who understood the security dynamics of the State and had held their offices with great commendation,” Amaechi alleged.

The Governor lamented that apart from ignoring pleas from him to work with him in order to

had been used as a formidable strategy to check violent crimes of kidnapping, armed robbery and car-snatching in Rivers State.

“Regrettably, while I was still making efforts to persuade Mr. Mbu to appreciate the peculiar challenges of the State and to adopt a cordial working relationship, which the State had enjoyed with his predecessors, Mr. Mbu began to exhibit conduct consistent with partisanship in the discharge of his official duties.”

Security dismantled Explaining what led to last Tuesday's crisis in the House of Assembly during which many members sustained various degrees of injuries, Amaechi accused Mbu of dismantling the security deployed to guard the assembly complex thereby paving the way for hired thugs to attack

... Plot to kill Amaechi

M

eanwhile, a public affairs analyst, Phrank Shaibu, has raised alarm that some well-placed persons may be planning to take Amaechi's life.

Shuaibu said the attack on the Governor by the CP, who should be working closely with him as his counterparts in other states, was an indication that the commissioner had been given a different brief on

M

Amaechi.

“Nigerians should be aware that the withdrawal of some of the security details to the Governor is part of a knavish and villainous plot to kill him.

“It is a politically dangerous situation which calls for mass mobilisation and an urgent internal arrangement in order to thwart any further move by the

enemies of the state and “external forces” from eliminating the Governor or “killing” the state economicall\ “This crass refuge to the profanation of power, as Nigerians can clearly see, is not a sign of political strength but a clear manifestation of an annoyingly imprudent show of immaturity, especially by the Presidency,

some lawmakers said to be loyal to him.

He said, “Following intelligence reports, security was enhanced within and around the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex.

“At about 09.00 hours, Mr. Mbu invited some of the personnel and directed that the security formations should be demobilised.

In consequence of this failure of security at the instance of Mr. Mbu, hoodlums invaded the premises and Chambers of the House of Assembly. The attendant fracas led to injury to persons including members of the House.

“Upon the receipt of this information, I went to the Assembly Complex with my security details to rescue members of the Assembly. Thereafter, the House proceeded to sit and conduct its business for the day.

Decline invitation “Further information reaching me in the presence of Mr. Mbu necessitated my inviting him to accompany me to the Assembly Complex, which he declined. On the advice of my security, I stayed back and directed that they should monitor the situation.”

The Governor pointed out that he could no longer tolerate the excesses of Mbu, having called him names including a tyrant and dictator and shown to the world that he had taken side with criminals who were out to bring down the State and destroy the property of the citizens.

Amaechi said that on many occasions, the CP and his men had turned a blind eye while allowing cultists and militants to cause mayhem in the State and in the State House of Assembly, which is opposite the Police Command in Port Harcourt.

despite several denials as it bothers on their role in the ugly saga in Rivers State.

“Nigerians can see a semblance of the ugly treatment experienced by then Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State during which his security aides were suddenly withdrawn, paving the way for his unconstitutional removal from office in the offing.”

…Soyinka, others condemn Rivers mayhem

any prominent Nigerians have also condemned the mess going on in Rivers State. Nobel L a u re a t e , P ro f e s s o r Wo l e Soyinka, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Constitutional lawyer, Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN, Itse Sagay, SAN, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Femi Falana, SAN were unanimous in their condemnation of the political crisis which they feared could truncate Nigeria's democracy, if not urgently nipped in the bud.

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who condemned in strong terms the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, said that

democratic grounds were being eroded in the state.

Soyinka also took a swipe at the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan for her alleged over bearing tendencies and urged President Goodluck Jonathan to call her to order.

Faulting the presidency for trying to absolve the president from the crisis, the Nobel Laureate said “the perception in the world is that he (Jonathan) bears a vicarious liability in the crisis.”

Besides, he said the indifference exhibited by the President creates an enabling environment for his followers to act on his behalf.

He said: “What I want to do here is

to remind you of a certain historic figure. I am sure most of us here must be familiar with Thomas Becket, who was Archbishop of Canterbury in the 11th Century, who was murdered at the altar by four Knights of King Henry II.” Commenting on the crisis, he said: “Now, I have read on the pages of newspapers and watched on television that the President's spokesmen have been trying to distance him (President) from what is happening in Rivers State. They are doing their job and I wish them well but they have to understand that the President has to understand that the perception out there in the world is that he bears a lot of

responsibility for what is happening in Rivers state.”

Drawing a parallel, he said “My reference to Thomas Becket was this: the absolute Monarchism that obtained at that time was that King Henry II saw that Thomas Becket was becoming too influential and what he said was that: 'will no one rid me of this pestilence?’

“What happened after that was that four Knights went and attacked the Archbishop at the Cathedral.

Historically now, we have five operators carrying out the imaginary will of the absolute monarch, again another parallelism.”

Continues on page 27

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Chime hails UNICEF support for healthcare services in Enugu

G

overnor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has d e s c r i b e d h i s administration's partnership with UNICEF in promoting healthcare and other social services to the people as very beneficial and rewarding.

Governor Chime made the assertion through his deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi at the signing of the 2013 Programme Implementation Agreement (PIA) between the state government and the UNICEF Country Representatives at the Lion Building, Enugu.

Governor Chime noted that the state benefited most in the partnership in area of policy

formulation for the healthcare of children and women adding that Enugu State was the first to launch the Free Maternal and Child Healthcare in Nigeria at the inception of the administration; a programmme that has been sustained till date with good results.

The State Chief Executive said that on assumption of office, his administration introduced Free Education to primary and junior secondary schools which he said has increased school enrollment in the state.

He explained that government also empowered women through workshop and seminars on HIV/AID eradication in the state.

The Governor said that his administration is women friendly and observed that with the signing of the implementation agreement, a new chart has been created to

actualize the drive on the 2013 programme.

Earlier in an address, the leader of the UNICEF C o u n t r y Representatives, Jean Cough expressed happiness for the cordial relationship existing between the state government and UNICEF, adding that Governor Chime's administration has continued to provide enabling environment that had facilitated her organization's implementation of her programmes in the state.

She added that she was in the Government House to formalize the partnership of UNICEF with the state government to foster the

Kogi Government to give Pentavalent Vacccine programme attention

By Abu Micheal,

T

he newly introduced Pentavalent Vaccine in Kogi State has been described as a health program that will seriously receive government's attention.

The State Governor, Capt Idris Wada stated this at the State flag off of the 2013 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week as well as the introduction of Pentavalent Vaccine in Kogi State.

The Governor described the vaccine as an integrated health care program designed by UNICEF to immunize children against preventable diseases.

The Governor who was represented by the State Head of Service, Dr Moses Atakpa said the vaccine has the advantage of preventing five diseases using a single dose.

Capt Wada described the strategy as a critical intervention strategy by his administration to reduce death of children to the barest minimum.

He called on experts to find and carry out innovative ways and research that will lead to the discovery of solutions to deaths during child birth with a view to saving newborn and mothers.

The urgent need to make child birth safer have several benefits according to the governor which cannot be over emphasized, saying, such research will enable women and children contribute to nation building and attain their full potentials.

“The importance the present administration attaches to women and children” the governor noted, elicited the comprehensive health need for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children, adding that plans have been concluded to reduce the cost of

treatment for the affected groups in the State.

Capt Wada who commended Council Chairmen in the State for their collaboration in not only meeting the Millennium Development Goals in children's health but also in other areas , said

it is a sure way of bringing health care delivery closer to the people.

In her good will message, Hajia Halimat Wada, Wife to the Kogi State Governor described the introduction of the Pentavalent vaccine schedule as a step in the right direction adding that more lives would now be saved in the state.

The First Lady said her Pet project, the Kogi Women Empowerment Network will continue to collaborate to accelerate health program that will benefit women and children through effective mobilization of human and other resources.

In his speech, Dr Idris Omede Commissioner for Health, said the Pentavalent Vaccines newly introduced in the State is made up of DPT, Hepatitis B and Heamophilus influenza type B has been distributed across the State, will prevent children from having

Diptheria, Whopping Cough, Te t a n u s , H e p a t i t i s a n d Pneumonia.

The Commissioner called on Parents and Caregivers to avail themselves of the Government's resolve to improve the health of communities, women and children in the state by embracing the new innovation.

Also speaking, Mohammed Ali, Chairman Dekina Local Government, who commended the state government in the commitment shown on the health needs of the people, appealed to parents of the area to turn out en mass for the five day immunization programme.

The flag off ceremony also witnessed the presentation of goodwill messages from WHO, UNICEF, NCWS, National Population Commission and the Ministry of Women Affairs, who commended the commitment the Capt Idris Wada has shown in the health needs of women and children.

interest of women and children.

She said that UNICEF and state governments signed an annual Programme Implementation Agreement (PIA) in line with the Federal Government/UNICEF 2009 to 2013 country programme of cooperation.

UNICEF Country Representative added that the ongoing health sector programmes in the state are impressive, especially the strengthening of human resources cutting across all the community health facilities, the provision of logistic support, and the procurement of drugs to support the free health services for women and children.

She further said that UNICEF would continue to provide technical support to ministries, departments and agencies in the state including the civil society organizations for the realization of the rights of women and children.

She enumerated some of the achievements made by UNICEF in partnership with the Enugu State Government for children survival, basic education and protection in the state, which include, successful implementation of two rounds of maternal/ newborn child health week, adopting of frontline measures that have demonstrated ownership and commitments to the 2009 neonatal child health resolution.

She stressed the need for renewed efforts in scanting up achievements in routine immunization, that is cost effective and an essential measures of prevention of childhood illness and diseases.

Cough requested Governor Chime to sustain the progress and consolidate on the gains made in improving child health outcomes in the state.

She pleaded to the state government to increase the allocation of resources to the delivery of services to children.

NACA tasks CSOs on war against HIV, Malaria, TB

C

ivil Society Organisations (CSOs) involved in the fight against HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis, have been charged to come up with targets that are realistic and demands that are within the capacity of the government to provide.

D i r e c t o r, P a r t n e r s h i p a n d Coordination of the National Agency for the Control of AIDs (NACA), Maimuna Mohammed, gave the charge in an interview with Daily Independent during the Civil Society Consultation of the African Union Special Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, in Abuja, on Monday.

According to her, “Our advice to CSOs in the fight against HIV, TB

and malaria is that they should come up with realistic targets that we can achieve.

“Realistic demands that the government can provide within its capacity and also thinking outside the box not relying wholly on the government.

“The reason why we are here today is because we know that civil society organisations are very important.

“The government realises that the partnership is one that will achieve results that is why we are having this meeting in preparation to the AU meeting itself.

“Sustainability is a key to fighting HIV/AIDS and this discussion we are having today is very important because after the policy, what

comes next.

“You cannot shy away from the fact that civil society organisations are very important in the implementation to HIV policies, because they work at the community level.

“They are the ones that work at the point of care, were we cannot go, they are always there.

“So we need their commitment and we need to work together with the civil society organisations.

“This meeting is a preamble to the meeting of all the heads of the countries that are coming together to the African Union (AU) for the contributions that civil society will have and also make policies in line with what we can achieve with targets and time frame and responsibility and also have a plan to check ourselves as we go

along.”

On whether Nigeria is making tangible progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Hajiya Maimuna said: “When we started this programme, talking about HIV/AIDS was very difficult.

CHANGE OF NAME OBASI— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Charity Obasi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Charity Ogbonna.

All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

THE

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

ASUU, ASUP STRIKE: One Strike too many

By Tayo Demola

T

he essence of education to the growth and development of any nation cannot be over emphasized. Education is so crucial to economic growth that any nation that genuinely hopes to develop must vehemently and consistently appropriate a large chunk of its budget to developing its educational sector. This is because without education, no nation would attain meaningful economic and socio-political development.

Now when we talk of our leaders being responsible, what we are saying is that they should stop paying lip service to the educational sector. There is no doubt that the best legacy parents can give to their children is quality education, so our leaders should realize that there is urgent need to overhaul the comatose educational sector in Nigeria because we cannot develop if we as a nation do not have a sound educational system.

The fact is that there is hardly any segment of our educational system that does not require urgent attention. From the primary, secondary to the tertiary education in Nigeria, the same story of neglect abounds. But this time around, we are tired of promises, so we want actions on the part of government.

Two months into the nationwide strike embarked upon by the Academic Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and the Academic Union of Universities (ASUU) have now embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike over the failure of the Federal Government to implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with ASUU with respect to paying lecturers ''EARN'' allowance of N12,500 per month.

While several moves had been made on the part of ASUU to ensure that government implements the agreement, these had yielded no results over the years hence their decision to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike as a last resort.

The Nigerian education sector is presently in a state of rot and perennial neglect by successive governments and one wonders how we can attain the vision 20:2020 if education is not given utmost priority in the scheme of things.

ASUU on their part had reduced the ''EARN'' allowance, which is the bone of contention, to 80% but the Federal Government had agreed to pay 50%. The issue here is why would government legally enter into agreements and renege on such agreements? It beats one's imagination that matters regarding education are handled with utmost levity by the government. Yet we cannot

FACT BOX Compiled by Patrick Okolie

HEAVIEST MAN The heaviest person in medical history was Jon Brower Minnoch [USA]. He suffered from obesity as a child and by 1963 when he was 22 year old and 1.85m [6 ft 1in] tall, he weighed 178kg (28stone). Four years later he weighed 317kg (50stone) and by September 1976 he weighed 442kg (69stone 9lb). he was rushed to hospital in 1978 with heart and respiratory failure weighing an estimated 635kg (100stone).

When he died in 1983 he was down to 362kg (57stone).

LONGEST CELL Motor neurons are some 1.3m (4ft 3in) long; they have cell bodies (grey matter) in the lower spinal cord with axons (white maters) that carry nerve impulses from the spinal cord down to the big toe. The cell systems that carry certain sensations (vibration and positional sense) back from the big toe to the brain are even longer- about Equal to the height of the human body.

LARGEST TUMOUR REMOVED INTACT The largest tumour ever removed intact was a multicystic mass of the right ovary weighing 137.6kg [303lb]. The operation which took over six hours was performed by Professor Katherine O' Hanlan of Stanford University Medical Center, California, USA. The growth had a diameter of 1m (3ft) and was removed in its entirety in October 1991 from the abdomen of an unnamed 34-year-old woman. The patient made full recovery. e-mail: jesuskidallday@gmail.com Phone: 08132597886

develop if education is relegated to the background in the scheme of things. There is no equality in a system where a local government councilor earns three or four times the salary of a university lecturer. Any system that relegates teachers' welfare to the background will definitely produce half-baked graduates and graduates who cannot prove their mettle in the labour market.

Why would government wait until lecturers embark on strike before taking action? Does it mean that strike action is the only language the Nigerian government understands? When will there come a time, when lecturers will no longer embark on strikes in Nigeria?

It is evident that strikes are really paralyzing the already comatose education sector. With the current insecurity in Nigeria, why would government allow our tertiary institution students to waste their talents at home or roam the streets when they can be meaningfully engaged in the classrooms? Some of these students who are now idle hands could be tempted to

engage in nefarious activities or join criminal gangs to perpetrate crimes. An idle mind is definitely the devil's workshop so the government must as a matter of urgency act to ensure it resolves the issues with the polytechnic and university lecturers so that these students can go back to school.

The strike actions will not do anyone any good; it will only end up crippling an already ailing education sector. We were recently told by the Federal Ministry of Education that only about 500,000 applicants will eventually get admission into our tertiary institutions in 2013 out of about 1.7 million that sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in April 2013. Many eligible applicants are denied admission placement due to shortage of space in our institutions, due to the fact that these institutions lack the requisite facilities to accommodate them.

One of the reasons why the education sector has degenerated

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to this sorry state is that the government keeps paying lip service to issues concerning education without taking proactive steps to forestall a crisis. I think declaring a state of emergency in the education sector is long overdue and this should be done to forestall a total collapse of the sector. A lot of reforms are urgently required in the educational sector and I believe that the government can do this if it is really serious in addressing the problems in the education sector. We are a country where so many talented people abound. But one sure way to discover and tap these talents for the benefit of the nation is through sound education for the people.

The Federal Government should urgently call ASUP and ASUU to a roundtable and iron out the issues with them so that they can call off the strike as soon as possible to avoid the negative consequences of these avoidable strike actions. We want action now from the government and not mere promises. It is high time we discouraged strike action as the only tool that can coerce government into action on matters of public concern.

FG begs lecturers to return to classroom

O

ne week into the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Federal Government finally m e t w i t h Vi c e Chancellors of all public universities in Abuja on Monday.

The meeting which h e l d a t t h e headquarters of the National Universities Commission (NUC) was chaired by M i n i s t e r o f E d u c a t i o n , Ruqayyatu Rufa'i, with most of the Vice Chancellors in attendance.

Rufa'i, who pleaded with the striking lecturers to go back to the classroom while negotiations continue, indicated that she will be leading a delegation from her ministry to meet with members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Education today and that ASUU and its executives are expected to also be in attendance.

“We would be meeting with the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Education and our colleagues would be there and after that encounter we would take decisions.

“I believe that after tomorrow you will know the relationship between government and ASUU. But the good thing is that we always plead that let them go

back to the classes,” the minister said.

ASUU's current strike is anchored on the 2009 pact the union entered with the Federal Government, one major component of which is the Academic Earned Allowance (AEA).

Meanwhile, President of ASUU, Nasir Fagge, who spoke at a separate forum organised by the Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group (ISDMG) in Abuja to x-ray President Goodluck Jonathan's achievement in the education sector, accused the NUC of violating the Act establishing it.

According to Fagge, issues of

better infrastructure, funding and welfare needs for tertiary institutions which ASUU has been clamouring for over the years ought to be the responsibility of the regulatory agency, NUC. F a g g e s a i d government, rather than own up that it has failed in the provision of access to quality education in the country, heaps the blame on low public private partnership (PPP).

ASUU also took a swipe at government over the recent establishment of additional 12 universities in the six geo-political zones, saying they were mere measures to assuage political interests.

“What do I mean by this? Every time we have interaction with government, the issue of PPP comes in.

“Simply put, the private sector must contribute to the development of education in this country. How does the Federal Government expect the private sector to contribute? The first thing government places on the table is, we increase tuition fee.

“NUC is busy organising conferences, rather than focusing on regulatory functions, these are clear cut violations of education laws that NUC is supposed to address.”

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ADVOCATE

Francis Egwuatu, wins Mr Anambra Universe pageant entrepreneurial ability. He was presented with a Volkswagen Golf car, ward robe allowance, opportunity to participate in Mr.

By Tosin Adesile Universe Nigeria 2014 and one student at the Federal year modelling contract.

University of Technology, In an interview with Francis, he Owerri (FUTO), Francis Egwuatu, has won the Mr Anambra Universe pageant held recently for youths.

By Boniface Nzama, The pageant held at the Marble Calabar Arch Hotel and Event Centre, esidents of Ohong Awka, Anambra State capital had Community in Obudu Local the 21-year-old final year student Government Area of Cross of Mechanical Engineering River State have been thrown into represented Ekwusigo Local grief and mourning as fire has gutted Government Area of Anambra a residence in the area, killing three State in the contest as the winner. siblings.

The event, which was the first of The incident which occurred at about its kind, was attended by youths 7:30 pm, reportedly killed the and students, who came from siblings who were said to be two boys and a girl of four, six, and eight various parts of the country.

About 58 students entered for the years. contest online, while 37 were called for auditioning. After a series of training and test, the contestants were reduced to 16.

The contestants were tested on physical strength in various BONYI State Police attires. Their entrepreneurial skills Command has arrested were also tested when they were o n e S t e p h en Okolie given tickets to sell to participants.

Chukwu a native of Umuegbe The judges also engaged the contestants intellectually. The A m a i f e k e i n O r l u L o c a l pictures of the contestants were Government Area of Imo State later uploaded on the Internet for with fake N1 million notes. online voting by the public. The command's spokesperson, a At the end, Francis beat 15 others Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Sylvester Igbo, who to win the contest. disclosed this Tuesday, said the He attributed his success to divine suspect was arrested in Abakaliki mercy. According to him, hours to the event, he was already feeling on July 4, 2013 when he came to bad that he was not going to win Alhaji Lawal Ibrahim Bureau de because he could not get highest Change to convert N1 million number of votes cast by the public. denominations into US dollars.

Francis, however, won the contest Igbo said on close examination of because of his brilliant and the currency notes by Alhaji

A

said “I feel greatly honoured for this feat. I see Mr. Anambra Universe as a stepping stone for me” According to him, nothing good comes easy in life as I went through lot of drilling, fitness and

cat walking but thank God because it worth it at the end. He further emphasised more on his coming pet project which is aimed at empowering the Anambra youths and adolescents who are less privileged, infected

with HIV/ AIDS and will also venture into improvement of sports as well. The show featured performances by several artistes.

But the hall was livelier when Lynxx, a hip-hop artiste, took the stage.

Fire razes Residential Building, kills three Sibblings

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Our correspondent who visited the community gathered that, the fire was caused be a steaming generator which the father of the three siblings had just put on as there PHCN (NEPA) tripped off.

The father of the ill-fated kids, Mr. John Ugem and his wife, including one their wards were sitting outside when the fire errupted.

The power generating set was on for about 30 minutes, before some petrol apparently started drifting through a leakage on the tank of the set, flowing into the sitting room.

Few minutes after, one Mr. Sunday Ugbe said there a sudden spark which ignited the generator and engulfed the frontage of the building, blocking the three siblings indoors.

Sympathisers attempted to force the windows and door open to rescue the kids, but were repelled by the huge fire, thick smoke and heat emanating from the fire.

The fire was said to have defied all efforts by neighbours to put off the flames, as Mr. Ugem allegedly reserved some containers of petrol in

the house.

In his attempt to save the lives of his children, Mr. Ugem broke into the house through one of the back windows and got trapped by the inferno.

At press time, Mr. Ugem was on admission at the Obudu Sacred Heart Hospital with life threatening burns while attempts to speak with Mrs. Ugem did not yield any result as she wept bitterly, saying “the fire had mysterious under tune, regretting that the fire has left her with only one child.”

Police nab man with fake N1m notes in Ebonyi

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Ibrahim, who suspected the notes were fake, he lured the suspect to a bank (name withheld) where the

money was confirmed to be fake by the bank.

He said the suspect had been assisting the police to trace the import of fake naira notes into the state capital.

In an interview, the suspect who confessed to the crime, told newsmen that he bought the N1 million notes from one Ugoo who is based in Oguta, Imo State for N150,000.

Meanwhile, the state Police Command, Tuesday, gave motorists in the state 13 days ultimatum to renew their vehicle particulars, change all fake number plates or be arrested.

It said: “The command has observed with dismay the indiscriminate use of vehicles/motorcycles without number plates and fake number plates as well as improvised number plates.

“It is pertinent to note that the prevalence of such vehicles/motorcycles in the state pose security threat as they could be used for heinous and violent crimes. Only original number plates and genuine vehicle particulars from relevant authorities will be allowed unfettered movement in the state.

“Therefore, with effect from July 21, 2013, motorists with fake number plates and expired particulars will be arrested as owners of vehicles impounded will be prosecuted.”

Kogi govt to off set pension arrears, Zambia may become gratuity of civil servants desert in 15yrs, if… which 300,000 hectares were …says is of paramount importance ambia risk turning into getting deforested annually

By Abu Michel

K

ogi State Government says it is committed to defraying the gratuity and pension arrears of Civil Servants as soon as its financial resources get better.

The State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada, gave the assurance at the send off ceremony held in honour of former Head of Service, Isah Ichaba and some Permanent Secretaries who retired from the service.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, said the backlog of workers Pension and gratuity arrears who have served the State meritoriously remains paramount to the present administration, lamented the scarce resources available and the heavy wage bill the State have to bear with.

The Governor described those

being send off as people retiring into active service, said their contribution to their fatherland would not go in vain.

Capt. Wada promised to look into the request to provide opportunity for more service to the State to those who have retired and still considered fit, to serve in other political office, urged the retirees to avail the state with their wisdom and knowledge in the attainment of the transformation agenda of the present administration.

Earlier in his speech, the Kogi State Head of Service, Dr. Moses Atakpa, said the send-off was aimed at uniting the old and the past in the State Civil Service.

Dr. Atakpa commended the concern the present administration places on the Civil Service, called for political appointment for officers who have served and retired

diligently.

The Head of Service described the service as presently in its best form to complement service delivery in the present administration, wished those going into retirement good health and a rewarding retirement life.

In his welcome address, T.O. Aliyu, Permanent Secretary Training and Establishment, said the essence of the send-off was to appreciate top Civil Servants who served selflessly and diligently in achieving the transformation agenda of the C a p t . I d r i s Wa d a ' s administration.

Responding on behalf of the retirees, Peter Kirin (MNI), said the occasion would remain indelible in their minds, praised the present Civil Service in the State as one that is now better positioned to deliver service in achieving the transformation agenda.

Z

a desert in the next 15 years if the current levels of deforestation are not curtailed, the Daily Nation reported on Thursday.

Zambia has been ranked among the top 10 countries in the world that are heavily contributing to the production of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of deforestation, according to the Global Climate Change Initiative and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

With almost 80 per cent of Zambia's rural population largely depending on wood fuel, the country was deforesting about 300,000 hectares of land annually.

Zambia had about 50 million hectares of forests out of

and if the trend continues, the country would have no forest in the next 15 years, said USAID and Global Climate Change Initiative economic growth team leader Anna Toness.

“Zambia is contributing heavily to causing global warming. One of the biggest causes of greenhouse gas emission in the world is deforestation and land degradation and climate change cannot be tackled without addressing deforestation and land degradation,” she said.

According to her, there has been a huge demand from the growing urban population for charcoal which has been exacerbating deforestation in the country.

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

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Gov Dickson calls for formulation of equitable revenue formula

By Philip Eke, Yenagoa

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ayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has described the current efforts of the Federal Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to review the derivation formula as a step in the right direction.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Retired Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah at the

Interactive session with members and staff of the Commission at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Dickson noted that the move would translate into the formulation of an acceptable and equitable revenue formula for the country.

Governor Dickson, who noted that he was looking forward to the presentations that would be made at the zonal level, assured that the

state government would set up a committee that would effectively reflect the state's position on the issue.

Commending the commission for the sensitization visit, the Governor expressed satisfaction with the explanations offered by the team adding that the format provided by the Commissioner would guide the state in the preparation of its memorandum.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Chief Ambrose Akierite, described the visit of the

commissioner as timely, stressing that the interest of the states should be protected.

Highlighting efforts made by the state to shore up the internally generated revenue, the Commissioner said machinery has been put in place to ensure the proper application of relevant tax laws.

In his presentation, a Commissioner in Federal Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mr. Frank Owhor who represented the Chairman of the commission

explained that the objective of the visit was to enlighten all stakeholders and the public on the need to participate actively in the review process of a new revenue allocation formula.

Mr. Owhor gave the current allocation formula as Federal Government 52.68%, state 26.72% and Local Government 20.60% with the expendable share of the Federal Government put at 48.5% of the Federation Account describing the balance of 4.18% as the Special Fund which is kept in trust.

ASUP Strike: Members protest FG delay in reviewing Act

By Ngwuta Chinedu, Abakaliki

T

he Chapter of Academic Staff Union of P o l y t e c h n i c s , A S U P, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, has taken both the Federal Government and the

National Assembly to task for their delay in reviewing the Act establishing Federal Polytechnics as a way of addressing the over three months strike embarked upon by Polytechnics in the country.

The position of the body was made

known yesterday by the Chairman of ASUP, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Comrade Edmund Onyeneho at a press conference in Afikpo.

He blamed the lingering impasse on Federal government's lackluster attitude to the plight of Polytechnic lecturers and students as well as its lukewarm attitude towards spotting and addressing the immediate and remote causes

Cross section of new Okorotomu Community of KOLGA Centre, the Ibedaowei f Kolokuma Kingdom HRM King Mozi Agara, Kala-Okun III

of problems within the education sector.

According to him, the Chapter was totally engaged in the agitation by the National body of ASUP to liberate the Polytechnic system from the neglect it is currently undergoing which had risen to its crescendo of disparity and discrimination of the products of the Polytechnic system by the society “ASUP demands the speedy review of the Federal Polytechnics Act. The National Assembly should do more than lip service in this regard. There is now an urgent need to review this Act and reposition our polytechnics to effectively fulfill the goals of technological growth and development in Nigeria” “For avoidance of doubt, no demand of ASUP in the present situation is selfish. ASUP is only asking for government's attention to the debilitating state of our polytechnics and also to treat the products of the system not as second rate graduates".

“In other words, ASUP is asking government to do the right things by relating to the products of the polytechnic system on the basis of their quality and not the

Unions urge Chime to sack ESBS board

T

he three House Unions RATTAWA, NUJ and NUCSSAW in the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) has called on the State Governor to dissolve the Board of Directors of the establishment over what they described as gross mismanagement of the stations resources.

Members of the three unions also accused the Board of Directors of insensitivity to the plight of workers and arrogating to themselves powers that do not belong to them in the establishment.

The grievances of the workers were contained in an address signed by the leadership of the three unions and presented when they made a peaceful solidarity visit to the Government House,

Enugu.

In the address read by the spokesman of the unions and chairman of RATTAWU in the establishment, Mr. Ifeanyi Udeh,

they expressed gratitude to the Governor, Mr. Sullivan I. Chime for his special interest in the affairs of the broadcasting house since he assumed office.

They specifically thanked the Governor for total refurbishment and digitization of the establishment with state of the Art Broadcasting equipment and procurement of Outside Broadcasting Vans and TV Vans, among others.

The union noted with satisfaction the prompt action taken by the governor to stop the on-going refurbishing work at the establishment's property at Number Two Forest

Close, GRA, Enugu, in accordance with the unions' earlier request.

They stated that if the renovation work was not put on hold, it would have gulped over ten million naira that would have been used to pay workers salary arrears, offset pension arrears and take care of other operation running costs.

The labour union then appealed to the Governor to inherit ESBS into his office as was the case at the inception of the Broadcasting Station with the name ATV in 1981.

They also added that inheritance of the establishment by the office of the Governor would bring the station in the same condition with their Sister Stations like Ebonyi and Anambra Broadcasting Services that are directly under

environment that produced them” “It is worrisome that the Polytechnics have no Commission like the Universities and Colleges of Education in Nigeria. More insulting in this regard is that even Nomadic Education in Nigeria has a Commission. The Government should stop this brazen discrimination by urgently establishing a Commission for polytechnics and monothecnics in Nigeria” ”Most polytechnics in Nigeria today, more especially stateowned polytechnics have unqualified and incompetent Rectors” The union thereafter embarked on a peaceful solidarity march around the institution and within Afikpo town in support of ASUP-National's present engagement with the Federal government” Some of the placards displayed by members of the union during the protest had the following inscriptions: “We want a revised scheme of service for Polytechnics” Release of White paper on visitation” “Polytechnic Act... overdue”“NBTE rejected yes! To NPC” in support of the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Union.

their Government House.

Addressing the workers unions at the Government House, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Media Matters, Mr. Afam Okereke, commended the workers of the ESBS for adopting mature and peaceful method to express their grievances against the establishment's board of directors.

Mr. Okereke assured the workers that their grievances would be made known to the governor whom he said would not hesitate to take necessary action to address them.

The SSA noted that Government has invested much in the station and will ensure that her drive to resuscitate the establishment for effective service delivery would not go in vain.

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

The Advocate Gospel This Week

DON'T BE FRIGHTENED TO USE GOD'S GIFTS TEXT: 2 Timothy 1:6-7 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of selfdiscipline. (NIV) NARRATION Timothy had some great spiritual privileges: a godly mother and grandmother, fatherly mentoring by the Apostle Paul, and their prayers. Also, Timothy had been commissioned for gospel ministry by the Apostle. But there was a risk that all of that would have no spiritual result if Timothy did not choose to actively engage with what God wanted to do in him and through him.

The younger man might have become weary in the face of opposition, or felt isolated or discouraged by Paul's absence and imprisonment. He could have become frightened by the threats of discontent within the church and those in the city who were still stirring up trouble for the believers. Whatever the reason, Paul urged Timothy to actively use the spiritual gifts God had given him, which the Apostle had affirmed. It was not the time to be afraid and hide, but to advance with the gospel. After all, when Timothy believed in Jesus, he received the Holy Spirit, who is never afraid.

The same Holy Spirit is in you, if you have surrendered your life to Jesus Christ. He has already given you gifts, and some of these may have already been recognised by leaders or other believers. Are you holding back from using what God has given you?

This is no time to be afraid: the world needs the grace of God and you are expected to work with the Lord in the public square, the workplace and within your wider family. The Holy Spirit will give you the strength you need, the love to apply truth to people who need it and self-control to help you serve the Lord and not yourself. So don't be afraid; use God's gift for His glory.

Prayer:

Father God. Thank You for giving me spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit. I am sorry when I get frightened and do not trust You to give me the power, love and selfcontrol I need. Please help me to accept my responsibility of working in Your 'family business', showing others Your love and telling them of Your grace. In Jesus' Name.

Amen.

ADVOCATE

Son's wedding controversy: Kumuyi may resign National overseer in Jamaica removed Suspension of couple wrong, Pastor Bakare tells Deeper Life

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astor Kumuyi the General overseer of the Deeper Life Bible Church had offered to resign following the controversy that trailed the wedding of his son in Jamaica last month. Similarly, the National Overseer of the church in Jamaica and the father of the bride, Pastor Augustine Odih had been removed on the ground that children misbehavior is as a result of parent failing in their responsibilities and therefore should be punished.

John Kumuyi and his wife, Love had engaged in acts, which negated the church's tradition during their wedding held in Jamaica on June 15, 2013. Love, who is the daughter of the National Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church, Jamaica, Pastor Augustine Odih, was dressed in a fitted stylish wedding gown with transparent short sleeves. She also wore makeup, jewelry and carried a bouquet of flowers. The couple cruised in a limousine and had a huge wedding cake.

The misdemeanor, which attracted widespread criticisms, had earned the newly wedded couple suspension from church activities despite showing remorse and tendering an apology to the church, blaming their misconduct on the fact that both of them had resided abroad for so long.

Reporters gathered that the practice in the Deeper Life bible Ministry is that if members' children misbehave, both the children and their parents get punished on the grounds that it's the parents' failing in their responsibilities that made the children to err. Although the children involved in the Jamaican wedding infraction are adults, the leadership of the church regarded their action as a strong breach of its tradition, and immediately removed the bride's father, from his position as National Overseer in Jamaica.

To demonstrate that there is no double standard in the church, it was further learnt that Pastor Kumuyi, at the meeting held by the leadership of the church on the matter, offered to resign as General Superintendent, but was prevailed upon not to.

According to our source, the General Superintendent did not take kindly to the couple's behaviour, unlike Eli in the Bible who did not discipline his sons and incurred the wrath of God, Pastor Kumuyi had ensured that the offenders were sanctioned.

Meanwhile, the suspension of John and his wife from church activities has provoked mixed reactions from notable church leaders and other Nigerians.

Reacting to the development, the General Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare who was once a member of the church condemned the punishment meted out by the church, describing it as wicked. “I personally did not see what they have done wrong. A man is entitled to his own authority in his own home.1st Peter Chapter 3. A wife should dress to please the husband and not the members of the church or public. It's sheer wickedness to the couple; they should leave them to enjoy their honeymoon. They should not squeeze them to the modus operandi of a particular organization. I did not see anything wrong in the wedding. The bride was not naked or dressed inappropriately and the groom didn't. Esther the queen was beautifully dressed in the bible to gain the king's attention. They should not make mountain out of a molehill.”

In the same vein, a leader of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Osun State and General Overseer of the Royal Family Life Ministry, Pastor Sam Segun-Progress described the suspension of John Kumuyi and his wife from the church as a wrong decision taken by the leadership which is capable of sending wrong signals about Christianity to the public, especially nonChristians.

He said: “dressing in any way does not affect the faith of any individual. Putting on earrings and making up do not by any way mean sinful acts. It's not against Christian faith to dress the way the woman dressed. But it was actually against the doctrine of Deeper Life Bible Church, and since the church is not the Kingdom of God, the couple should be allowed to do that which pleases them and their belief.”

According to him, the Bible states clearly that, “there is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus,” adding, “for any church leader to condemn a member contravenes the standard of the scripture, which is the symbol of our Christian faith. The doctrine of any church has nothing to do with the kingdom of God. Every individual should be allowed to do that which pleases his faith,” he added.

The Osogbo-based Christian leader who noted that the church should be a rehabilitation centre, said “I would have appreciated it better if this affected couple were just disciplined within the church and were not suspended,” saying that the suspension of the two notable members of the church was capable of sending them out of the church and Christianity totally.”

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Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

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deemed approved if the relevant authority fails in its duty to reject Enugu Widow petitions AGF over move to demolish building plan submitted to it within Law, Cap 18 Laws of Enugu State, workmen, on July 1, 2013 invaded to quickly prevail on Ugwuegede to 30 days of its submission.

2004 had provided for a maximum the premises and ordered the tow the path of due process and her property period But when contacted, both of one month (30) days, and widow's tenants to park their respect the extant and subsisting

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N Enugu-based widow, Mrs. Grace Chukwu has petitioned the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, over the alleged move by Enugu State Commissioner for Capital Territory Development A u t h o r i t y, E C T D A , E n g r.

Ikechukwu Ugwuegede to demolish her property in Enugu.

The petitioner, who owns a leasehold property situated at Plot CR79 in Block XXVI, Achara Layout, Enugu otherwise known as No. 217 Agbani Road, Enugu, said that the commissioner had on July 1, 2013 invaded her premises and threatened to demolish the block of stores despite his pending appeal in suit number E/185M/2012 challenging the ruling of Enugu High Court in favour of the petitioner.

In the petition written by her counsel, Chief Tagbo Ike, the widow narrated that she had in December 2011 duly applied to Enugu South Town Planning Authority for the approval of a building plan for the erection of a block of stores in her attempt to develop the said plot.

But she met a stone wall as officials of the Town Planning office reportedly cited the interest of one Mr. Matthias Ekweremadu, younger brother to the Deputy Senate President , Ike Ekweremadu as being in conflict with the widow's application.

“The said Mr. Ekweremadu had (allegedly) induced the impaired son of our client (widow), Prince Emeka Chukwu to forge a land instrument purporting a transfer of the said property. The fake transfer is a subject of pending suit in suit number E/142/2009 Mrs Grace Chukwu Vs. Prince Emeka Chukwu & 3 Ors”, the petitioner said.

Following the delay in obtaining the approval of the plan, the widow approached the ECTDA commissioner, Engr. Ugwuegede and his aide Mr. E. C. Asadu, who demanded payment of fees for the building plan approval. The fee was later paid and well receipted after which the Commissioner and his aide promised to look into the widow's building plan application, although they never did.

“Rather the duo kept on with their sing-song of either not having time to approve the building plan or that the plot wherein the building was to be built was in dispute. As time wore on, our client found out that the dilly-dally equivocation of Engr. Ugwuegede and his aides over the approval of the building plan was masterminded by Mr. Ekweremadu, who was seen severally in company of Engr.

Ugwuegede at our client's said property,” the petitioner further stated.

She informed the Attorney General that Ugwuegede and his aides “deliberately allowed the process of building plan approval to linger for over three months when the Building Plan (Special Provisions)

beyond which in absence of formal rejection of the building plan shall be deemed approved.”

Expectedly, the petition said, the widow took advantage of the said provision of the law and initiated a suit at the High Court, Enugu in Suit No. E/185M/2012 and the court affirmed and declared that the widow's building plan submitted to the ECTDA was deemed approved.

However, Ugwuegede appealed against the Enugu High court judgment but rather than pursue his appeal, he (Ugwuegede) in company of Mr. Ekweremadu and

belongings and leave as earthmoving machines would shortly arrive to demolish the block of stores which, according to Ugwuegede, was built without approved plan. ”Upon being reminded by our client's tenants that there is an extant and subsisting judgment of the High Court that deemed the building plan approved, Ugwuegede retorted that he is bigger than the High Court and that his machinery would do the talking,” recalled the petitioner.

Appealing to the Attorney-General

judgment of the High Court Enugu on the matter, the petitioner said that Ugwuegede and his henchmen were bent on demolishing the said building in pretext that there was no approved building plan when the widow's building plan had been adjudged and deemed approved by a court of competent jurisdiction.

“To mow down our client's building on the basis that no building plan approval exisit is not only a blatant resort to outlawry and thuggery but a defiance to the Building Plan (Special Provisions) Law, 2004, which allows building plan to be

Ugwuegede and Ekweremadu said they were in a meeting and as such they would not respond to the issues raised. Even text message to Ekweremadu was not replied up till the time of going to press. The second attempt made to contact Ugwuegede for his reaction did not bear fruit as his line was inaccessible. But Ekweremadu answered his own call during the second attempt to contact him , although after the reporter introduced himself, the line went off. Several calls put across to him rang endlessly but he did not answer any.

KUDIRAT'S MURDER: Al-Mustapha, Shofolahan step out of Kirikiri Prisons ·Kudirat's son, CLO decry Al-Mustapha's acquittal, AYCF hails judgment said that the prosecution totally failed to establish the charge of conspiracy and murder against AlMustapha and Shofolahan.

Reacting to AlMustapha release, Abdul Abiola, son of the late Kudirat Abiola, decried the Court of Appeal judgment in L a g o s w h i c h discharged and acquitted Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha charged with murder of Kudirat.

“I missed my mum as Alhaji Shofolahan, Late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and Major Hamazat Al-Mustapha much as a little boy.

This judgment is like a aj. Hamza Al-Mustapha gates of the prisons ahead of their stab in my heart. was on Friday released release.

“As a grown-up I am no longer f r o m t h e K i r i k i r i The duo had been in detention since bitter, but the problem is that this M a x i m u m P r i s o n s , L a g o s , 1999 when they were charged to might continue to happen to other following his discharge and court. Al-Mustapha's younger people. acquittal of a murder charge by the brother, Hadi, said that he was “This is an injustice in our system overwhelmed by the judgment of and I pray that our leaders should do Court of Appeal .

The appellate court sitting in Lagos the court. the right thing,'' he said. upturned a death sentence earlier At the appellate court, Justice Rita The appellate court on Friday passed on Al-Mustapha and Alhaji Pemu, who read the lead judgment, discharged and acquitted AlLateef Sofolahan, an aide to the late Kudirat Abiola.

Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late a mere domestic appendage of Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, Continued from page 21 power could go to a state and take was sentenced to death on Jan. 30, over the alleged murder of the Continuing, he said “Again, I have over the state for 11 days. “A queen been asking myself are we not goes to the archbishop's domain, Kudirat, on June 4, 1996 in Lagos.

Kudirat was wife of the late tilting towards absolute monarch? stays 11 days and the baron is not business mogul and politician, There are many ways of saying: will even allowed to move; creating an no one rid me of this pestilence in enabling environment for that Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

Al-Mustapha, who waved to well Rivers State? You don't have to utter baron to be dealt with. He is stopped wishers that besieged the prison, a word directly but from your by a Sheriff and that baron is said: “thank God, thank God,'' as he conduct which can convey very responsible for security and was rushed into a jeep, which drove strong signals or better still say I governance.” will come after you.”

He continued: “I am calling on the him away.

The former CSO was driven off in Stating that he was not casting President Jonathan please curb the aspersion on any individual, he excesses of his wife. Too much is the same vehicle with Shofolahan.

Shofolahan had emerged five said, “I am saying that one can too much. Is she the first First Lady minutes ahead of Al-Mustapha, into establish certain conducts in the we have had? She is now being used the warm embrace of friends, who mind of one's followers, all of to abuse the authority of an elected which circle around impunity. governor. were also full of joy.

There are certain ways you can “The governor's lodge was tearIn a joyful mood, Sofolahan said, convince your followers, your gassed. Anybody who said teargas “we are fine, we feel happy.''

Reports said that there was tight officials, your cohorts that they can was not thrown into Amaechi's security as both men were released act with impunity. There are many lodge is either ignorant or lying. ways, for instance, you can expose a Some of Amaechi's security has from prison. been removed. The democratic Anxious family members and prey and say that prey is available.” friends of Al-Mustapha and First Lady's excesses Decrying grounds are being eroded. With a Shofolahan had earlier besieged the alleged excesses of the first lady, teargas thrown, the next one may be Soyinka said it was unfortunate that a smoke gun”.

M

Mustapha charged with the murder of Kudirat, wife of the late Chief M.K.O Abiola, on June 4, 1996 at Motorway near the old Toll gate, Lagos.

Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, was sentenced to death by hanging on Jan. 30, for conspiracy and murder of Kudirat.

Mr Yinka Odumakin, spokesman of Save Nigeria Group (SNG), reacting to the development, described the judgment as a big blow to criminal justice in Nigeria.

“After Al-Mustapha was duly convicted by a lower court, it is so painful that he has been acquitted, ''Odumakin said.

The state Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation, Mr Ehi Omokhuale, also described the judgment as unfortunate.

However, the President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, hailed the judgment, saying it has renewed his hope and faith in Nigeria.

“We thank God for the victory as it demonstrates that there is hope in Nigeria. This judgment shows that evil will not continue to reign in Nigeria,'' he also said

…Soyinka, others condemn Rivers mayhem He chided Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu over his role in the political imbroglio and described him as a political policeman.

Falana laments crisis Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana said it was regrettable that exactly 10 years after a group of thugs attempted to abduct a sitting governor in Anambra State, another set of thugs attempted to undermine democratic institutions in Rivers State.

Falana said the silence of President Jonathan on the unfortunate development in Rivers State was tantamount to an endorsement of the political crisis.

He said: “We have been through this route before. We must tell them that we are not a conquered people.

The case of Rivers is more absurd, more odious, where five members of the assembly aided by the state invaded the Assembly chambers and chased away their colleagues”.

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EU approves N2.5bn for standardisation in Nigeria

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he European Union has made twelve million Euros (about N2.5 billion) available through United Nations Industrial Development, UNIDO, for the establishment of National Accreditation System in Nigeria.

National Accreditation System is a body that is competent to carry out specific tasks in terms of the accreditation for conformity assessment, calibration and good laboratory practice.

UNIDO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, disclosed this during Stakeholders' Consultative Forum organised by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, in Lagos to elect Board Members for the take off of the project.

“With the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, SON, Consumer Protection Council, Organised Private Sector and others, we will be implementing a EUR 12 million project (funded by EU) to create and operationalise a National Quality Infrastructure (Standards, Quality Assurance, Accreditation, Metrology) for Nigeria,” said Kormawa. Represented by Dr. Raymond Tavares, Industrial Development Officer/ Deputy

the system and integrate other the system would make Nigerian countries in ECOWAS into the products to be competitive, of system. quality and generate jobs in the Country, he said: “We trust that “Regarding trade development, in industrial sector. this project and all ongoing quality fact, the accreditation capacity of Dr. Samuel Ortom, Minister of efforts and initiatives will lead to Nigeria shall lead to more State for Industry, Trade and business development, effective credibility on quality efforts, Investment, said: It's a welcome and competitive trade, as well as quality potential and quality development.” job creation in Nigeria. content of Nigerian products.

“The accreditation system will W h i l e u rg i n g t h e F e d e r a l “We trust Nigeria would then help our products to be accepted G o v e r n m e n t a n d o t h e r appropriately occupy its leading globally. Today, we have the stakeholders to be committed to place in the West African trade, responsibility of ensuring that we the project, he said Nigeria was and increase its competitiveness diversify from oil economy to long overdue to have a national against currently imported non-oil economy. One challenge accreditation system and UNIDO products. that has been facing us is the issue is willing to help the country to of standards and I believe this He said beyond helping Nigeria to actualise this exercise. have standards for infrastructures, initiative will help our products to be exported to other countries,” he He added that Nigeria should lead

said. SON Director General, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, said Nigeria will benefit tremendously from the establishment of a National Quality Infrastructure of which accreditation is key.

He cited the examples of developed and developing economies like the United Kingdom, USA, Canada and South Africa where the establishment of quality infrastructures were championed by the National Standards Institute. He said that SON is prepared to play its part actively in ensuring same in Nigeria within the shortest possible time.

Nigeria loses over N735m daily to gas flaring official

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he Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) says Nigeria is losing over 4.9 million dollars (more than N735 million) daily to gas flaring.

Mr George Osahon, a Director in DPR, made the disclosure at the 14th Business Forum of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) on Tuesday in Lagos.

Osahon said that in spite the country's massive hydrocarbon

translates to about 1.4 billion cubic feet of gas flared daily by endowment, Nigeria was yet to the international oil companies,'' he said. fully benefit from the resources.

According to him, Nigeria gas Osahon, who was represented by reserves endowment is up to 600 Mr Oliver Okparaojiako, a Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF), hence Deputy Director in DPR, said that the country is often described as gas flaring would be curtailed when Petroleum Industry Bill large gas haven with little oil.

(PIB) was passed into law.

“Oil production stands at 2.5 mbpd, while gas flared stood at “It will help in the creation of a modern petroleum legal frame 1.4 billion cubic feet per day. work, align with the Nigerian Gas “ This means that an average of Standard to meet international 4.9 million dollars worth of gas is best practises and enhance being flared on daily basis which transparency,” Osahon said.

Osahon said that the objective of the PIB was to increase exploration activities and expand reserves and formulate a National Oil and Gas Policy.

He said that whenever the PIB was eventually passed into law, it would ensure that gas was widely used for domestic purposes.

The theme of the forum was “Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

Analysing the challenges and opportunities on the gas value chain and solutions for successful implementation in Nigeria''.

Passengers determine growth of transport companies – ‘Mr. Cruiz’

By Patrick Okolie Journey Walker Mass Transit: The transport business which was started in 2011 by the CEO HRH Igwe Chima Felix Achiekwelum, the traditional ruler of Achi in Anambra State with less than ten Toyota mini buses has now grown to twenty buses. The company's director is Nenia Nwankwo. In this short interview with Mr. Cruiz the company's manager he had disclosed that the major challenge facing the company is strong competitors and low patronage.

The journey so far: It has not been easy. We started operation in 2011 with less than ten and now we are growing to having a fleet. We have improved on our services to both customers and staff. Our customers enjoy DVD entertainment throughout a journey; they also enjoy air conditioned vehicles. Most importantly we give our customers discount of 5-7%, this means that if other transporters are collecting say N2.000 we charge 5-7% less than that. Other ways we have improved on our services is in training our staff- drivers and field workers to be friendly to

and sustaining a business involves having good staff. In this transport business we need well behaved field workers [loaders, in a customers. Again, our vehicles are Our major challenge is how to layman's understanding] who will coded to obey a particular speed increase patronage. Maintaining inform travelers of the benefits to limit, every of our buses cannot exceed this limit. The speedometer of each Journey Walker buses is Continued from page 9 between 100-120km/hr, once any proceed to the financial bid stage. driver tries to exceed this range the analysis, we picked a successful “We have also approved for the BPE bus will slow down. liquidator, Olutola Senbore and N59.55 billion out of the proceed of

get from the company. In this season, the rain is another problem w e h a v e . We ' v e c o m e t o understand that people don't travel much in this season instead they go farming.

Nigeria must diversify economy – Jonathan

Routes Our routes spread through the major cities in Nigeria. We ply Enugu-Lagos. Lagos-Abuja, Abuja-Kaduna, Kaduna-Port Harcourt and Port Harcourt to Lagos. We also have local routes within Enugu.

Competition Every business is always confronted by competition and ours is not an exception. We face competition from the well established transport companies; the likes of Ekenedilichukwu, Peace Mass Transit, Ifesinachi.

They have been in the business for years even before we started.

Travelers would always want to board their vehicles. For us to convince customers that we can offer better services than those established ones is a great task.

These strong competitors seem to have monopolized the transport sector and we have a herculean task of breaking this monopoly.

Challenges

Co.” Besides, N59.55 billion out of the proceed of the sale of Egbin Power plant has been allocated to the BPE and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET).

Ngana said the money was for “some of the activities of both the bulk trader and BPE itself.”

He went on: “One of the major issues discussed was the continuation of the privatization of NITEL. You will recall that the last time when we met, we did not conclude the privatization of Kaduna Disco and Afam Genco.

“For Kaduna Disco, we have seven companies that have been prequalified and they will now proceed to the next stage. They are Axis Power Distribution Ltd, NAHCO Consortium, INCAR Consortium Aiteo Consortium, LEDA consortium Ltd, Nothwest Power Ltd, Copperbelt Consortium.

“For Afam, the companies are Primezia Energy Ltd, TES Power Ltd, Talevares Group. Fobby Energy Ltd was disqualified. These companies have been cleared to

the sale of Egbin Power plant for some of the activities of both the bulk trader and BPE itself. For the bulk trader, N50 billion has been set aside and this will be the guarantee for the signing off of the power purchase agreement so that the generating companies will feel comfortable that they will have money to actually pay them.

“To proceed further with the privatisation of the power companies, the BPE also needs some money to continue with the several consultancy works, the sum of N9.55billion has been set aside to meet these expenses.

“We have also discussed the issue of the transfer from the pre-completion liability of PHCN to the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company (NEMCO). Another memo will be presented in the next meeting to give us details of what the liabilities are and the amount involved but in principle, we have agreed for the BPE to continue with the transfer of these liabilities to NEMCO.” He also spoke on the BPE's ability to

prepare other potential companies for privatisation. These include the national park, the national stadium, and the river basin.”

Meanwhile, Vice President Namadi Sambo has restated the Federal Government's commitment to the timely completion of the Abuja (Idu)-Kaduna railway transportation project. He said the Jonathan administration had made adequate contingency plans to source funds from the Subsidy ReInvestment Programme (SURE-P) to tackle any financing gap in the project.

The contract for the Abuja (Idu)Kaduna railway project valued at $847,308,704.00 million was originally awarded in 2010 but the execution of the preliminary stages of the project commenced in 2011.The completion period is December 31, 2014.

Sambo disclosed this in Idu during the commencement of the tracklaying of the Abuja (Idu)-Kaduna Standard Gauge Railway Modernisation Project. He also stressed that the project was a deliberate initiative of the Federal Government to facilitate urban mass transportation.

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ccording to a source Olamide has signed a multimillion Naira endorsement deal with alcoholic drink Ciroc Ultra Premium vodka and will become the first Nigerian ambassador for the alcoholic beverage.

Inside sources stated that the deal has been signed and sealed already. "The money had to be sent in three parts, that's how huge

Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

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it is", an insider said.

Ciroc, produced and distributed by Diageo is looking at promoting their brand in West Africa after launching in 2011.

By signing Olamide as ambassador, Ciroc is adopting the similar marketing model practised in the US; the likes of French Montana, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Ray Jay, Funkmaster Flex are all ambassadors for the drink

I

industry in Nigeria, and most men would like to do anything to have for keeps.

When in front of the camera, the mother of four delivers and interprets her role to the letter. When it comes to romantic scenes, she gives her all in making her character looks real, which surprises most of her fans, who wonder how her husband takes such scenes when he stumbles on them.

When asked by one of her fans on twitter, a popular micro-blogging platform, if her hubby gets jealous when a guy kisses her on set, the actress answered in the affirmative.

“Does your husband get jealous when you kiss a guy in a movie?” a fan asked the Ondo State-born actress, and she replied, “Yes, if the guy is cute.”

t is no doubt that not many men would allow their wives to take up acting as profession and the reason is not far-fetched. With the jealous nature of men, it is very rare to see a man accepting another man cuddling or touching his wife all in the name of acting or practising a profession she likes.

That is why it is very common in this part of the world to see actresses dumping acting shortly after getting married. Most of the men they marry tend to kick against the profession after they must have said 'I do'.

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, who is married to a pilot, Capt Mathew Ekeinde is one of the sexiest screen divas in the movie

T

he OJB Jezreel fundraising committee has sued an online news website, Aproko247 for N100million over a story published on its platform alleging that some members of the committee ripped the ailing singer off through donations made by kind-hearted Nigerians to save OJB Jezreel.

The website posted the story on Monday, while the committee members called a press conference on Tuesday evening at OJB Jezreel's residence in Surulere, Lagos, where they made the announcement of the N100million lawsuit against the website.

The committee members are aggrieved that such allegations could be made against them, which they termed 'malicious and character assassination'.

Members of the committee sworn to press charges to clear their names of the allegations made by the website.

When contacted on phone on the matter, the Editor-in-Chief of the news website, who simply identified himself as Dapo, said, "we are aware of the rumour that we have been sued for N100million over a story posted on our platform on the OJB Jezreel committee, but we have not received any letter from their lawyers or any court. We are waiting for them. But for now, we take it as a mere rumour until we are officially served.”

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Nigerian Pioneer Football Clubs (5) Mighty Jets Football club of Jos

By Okey Anyichie

J

os is a tin-city situated in the middle-belt of Northern part of Nigeria. It is a cosmopolitan city of many peoples both expatriates and Nigerians since the town started growing during the 40s in the colonial days. The town became one of the Northern towns that promoted the game of football right from 1945, when the first major soccer competition started called Governors cup and later Challenge Cup, but now known as Football Association (FA) Cup. Jos came into this competition forcefully in 1951, when the first eleven team then known as Jos Highlanders played and lost in the final to Railways of Lagos by 3-2.

Later teams from Jos qualified for the finals of this competition for a record seven times and lost out to their opponents. Thus it went

down on the record as “traditional runner-up” of the FA cup.

However, in 1999 a football club called Plateau United finally won the cup for this tin-city.

The game of football in this tincity of Jos took a new shape in 1969, when Plateau Highlanders teamed up with a local club-side called the Republicans to form a football club called 'Mighty Jets'.

This club participated in the maiden edition of the clubs' soccer competition called 'Amachree Cup' in 1970, which was won by Stationary Stores FC of Lagos. Then in 1971 Rangers FC won the cup and in 1972, the National League soccer competition on amateur basis started. Mighty Jets won the maiden edition of the competition. After 1972, they had never won any competition again.

When the Professional league started in 1990, Jos team called Highlanders was among the ten

teams that started the league which is now called Premier League.

Ekweremadu presents awards, cash prizes to 2013 Ikeoha U-18 Soccer Champions

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he Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has restated his determination to give back to the society through sports development.

Senator Ekweremadu stated this during the presentation of awards and prizes to the winners of the 2013 Ikeoha U-18 Male Soccer Championships in Enugu.

According to him, his decision to support and sponsor the competition annually, is to encourage the youths in excelling in their choosing discipline and keep them gainfully employed throughout the duration of the competition.

He commended the participants and organizers of the competition for a successful event, assuring of his

commitment to continue supporting and funding the annual event.

The Deputy Senate President expressed his resolve in p r o v i d i n g g o o d representation to the people of Enugu West senatorial zone and will not be deterred in his quest to provide quality and responsible leadership, despite the handiwork rumour mongers and mischief makers.

In his remark, the member r e p r e s e n t i n g A n i n r i / Aw g u / O j i R i v e r Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, appreciated the resoluteness and supportive nature of Senator Ike Ekweremadu for continuously sponsoring the Ikeoha U-13 Soccer Championship.

In his vote thanks, the Chairman of Udi Local Government Council and winners of the Soccer event, Mr. Chinedu Iloeje expressed gratitude to the Deputy Senate President and sponsor of the annual soccer event, for his sponsorship of the soccer event, assuring him of the support and encouragement of youths in the local government area and the zone.

Cash awards and presentations were given for the most valuable player, highest goal scorer, best goal keepers, best supportive chairman and best coach.

Present at the event were, the chairman, Aninri Local Government, Chief Chris Nwobodo, SPA Projects to the DSP, Hon. Bethel Onyenyini, soccer lovers and stakeholders from the Senatorial District.

The fortunes of this club-side called ‘Mighty Jets’ nose-dived as the club is now in the lower

professional league. However, in remembrance of this 1972 National league soccer fiesta, one will acknowledge its impact on the national soccer scene since 1970s. Up Mighty Jets!

st

Week 21 Premier League championship last weekend

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angers FC last weekend at Aba lost in their clash with Enyimba FC by a lone goal in what is described as 'Oriental Soccer war' between the two clubs, the Aba based club-side pipped the visiting Enugu club-side to step up the league ladder with 34 points and in fourth position in the league table while Rangers defeat to Enyimba had placed them on the eight position with 30 points.

Results of other week 21st premier league encounters are as follows: Kano Pillars 3:1 Wikki.

Gombe united 3:2 3SC of Ibadan.

Kwara united 0:0 ABS of Ilorin Kaduna united 2:0 Sunshine.

Wolves FC2:0 Sharks FC Nembe city 2:0 Heartland FC Dolphins2:0Akwa united

K

ano Pillars are on top of the league table with 39 points, while Sharks are at the bottom of the table with 23 points. The week 22 league championship will be played this weekend across the country. Meanwhile, the round 32 federation cup soccer encounters will kick off on Wednesday, 18th July, 2013 across the country. Teams to play are:

Team

Venue

Heartland vs. Ingas of Enugu J. Atere FC vs. Sharks FC Akwa United vs. Makwada fc Rangers vs. Samba Kurna FC Plateau United vs. Niger Tornaadoes Warri Wolves vs. Sportlight FC El- Kanemi warriors vs. Kano Pillars FC Taraba vs. Gombe united Nasarawa United vs. COD FC Nembe city vs. Sunshine of Akure Reino FC vs. Enyimba FC 3SC vs. Juth FC Dolphins vs. Akwa Starlets Abia Warriors vs. Kaduna United ABS vs. Bayelsa United MFM FC vs. Lobi Stars

Enugu Abakaliki Katsina Ala Abuja Kaduna Ilorin (4pm) Lafia (4pm) Lafia (2pm) Ilorin (4pm) Rojenny Oba Lokoja [4pm] Minna Umuahia Lokoja [2pm] Benin City Nnewi.

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C/wealth Games: Team Nigeria to take part in 6 sports

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eam Nigeria will take part in six sports at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 3. This is authoritative.

Briefing the Executive and Board members of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, on Monday at the Boardroom of the NOC, President Sani M. Ndanusa named the sports as Athletics, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Table Tennis, Boxing(male and female) and Para Sports.

The Para Sports are in Athletics, Table Tennis and Power-lifting.

There are 17 Sports on the programme for the Commonwealth Games.

They include Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Cycling, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Rugby Sevens,

Shooting, Squash Rackets, S w i m m i n g , Ta b l e Te n n i s , Triathlon, Weightlifting and Wrestling.

Ndanusa said that as part of preparations for the Games, a Nigerian delegation comprising of NOC and NSC officials visited Glasgow(June 18 to June 20) and met with the Organising Committee of the Games on vital issues relating to the Games.

He said that everything relating to Team Nigeria's successful outing in the Commonwealth Games was on track.

A l s o s p e a k i n g , Te c h n i c a l Commission Chairman of NOC, Dr Daniel Igali dismissed fears that Team Nigeria were yet to start preparations for the Games. “All the Sports concerned are doing well. I can tell you that Wrestlers are preparing and will soon hit camp. It is not only when we

gather all the sports that you think they are preparing. Serious preparation is on-going”, Igali who is also the President of

Wrestling Federation of Nigeria said.

Seven out of Eight Executive members of the NOC attended the

meeting while 18 Federation Presidents of their representatives out of the 24 Olympic Sports attended.

Keshi vows to work on Eagles midfield T

he Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna was near capacity full when Nigeria hosted Ivory Coast in the first leg, 2014 African Nations Championship qualifier on Saturday, July 6. When the Super Eagles emerged from the tunnel, it was evident that the Stephen Keshi tutored team were out to obliterate the sour memories of the FIFA Confederations Cup from the consciousness of Nigerians.

Their opponents, the Elephants of Cote d”Ivoire were worthy ambassadors of their country as they were to prove moments later.

Keshi fielded his strongest eleven and they did not disappoint as they romped to a deserving 4-1 win. Of the lot, however, Afcon 2013 hero, Sunday Mba was again the hero of the day. After creating the opening goal which was scored by

Mohammed Gambo, Mba produced what turned out to be the goal of the match.

It all started with a cross from the far

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right. It rested on Ezekiel Mbah's head, who dropped it in the direction of his more accomplished colleague, Mba who was lurking in the middle of the pack.

Mba chested it down, without allowing the ball drop, with his left foot, he released a cannon that rankled through the entire Ivorian defence and rested on the far corner of the net. It was a goal of the highest class. The capacity crowd, led by Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramallan Yero stood to salute the wonder strike.

Although the Ivorians pulled one back before the end of the first half, Mba was to score again from the spot soon after the restart after an Ivorian defender handled the ball in the vital area. Ede Benjamin Ifeanyi scored Nigeria's fourth goal.

Nigeria's performance was anchored by Keshi's more experienced Super Eagles quartet of Sunday Mba, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Solomon Kwambe. Chigozie Agbim was not stretched on the night because the defence was up and doing. In the

heart of the defence was Oboabona, Kwambe and Ekwuekwe.

The rookie who gave spectators cause for concern was Benjamin Ishida. In the midfield, the Ivorians almost dominated except for the two Mbas, Sunday and Ezekiel who combined well to supply passes to the attack which was spearheaded by the much vilified Gambo Mohammed. The young Pillars forward justified Keshi's confidence in him with two very wonderful strikes, although the second, a header was disallowed by the Malian referee Keshi was to say after the match, “I am satisfied with the performance of my team. Most of them are new and we had just four days' training.” He also admitted to the strength of the Ivorians in the midfield and promised to plug the loopholes before the second leg. “We struggled in the midfield that is why I had to leave Gambo for the duration of the match to maintain the pressure on the Ivorians.”

The second leg is not going to be easy as the Ivorians showed a lot of fighting spirit. With just nine men playing the second half, all the Eagles could do was to add only one goal to raise their tally to 4. It was thought the Elephants would present the Eagles with the Tahitian scoreline but it was never to be.

“There was nothing wrong,” Keshi defended his wards, saying, “you know African football. It is about physicality. They(the Elephants)

fought the battle of their lives to keep the scoreline respectable. You know how difficult it is to play against 10 men or 9 men. Give credit to my players, 4-1 is not a child's play under any situation.”

Speaking on the World Cup qualifier against Malawi in September, Keshi said “I don't want to think about that for now. I have another life to live; not just football. I have my family life to live. When the time comes for Malawi in September, we will start thinking about that. Right now I am thinking about how to qualify Nigeria for the African Nations Championship, CHAN, which is very important”.

On the growing concern over Victor Anichebe's response to national duty, Keshi said “If you talk about Anichebe, perhaps, I will say yes.

But I have never met him, I have never spoken to him.

I tried to call him but he never picked his call. I made efforts to meet him but with the busy schedule I am having now, it is going to be pretty difficult for me to go to London. Because if I have to go to London, it is not just going to see Anichebe, I will try to see other players too; some of them play in either the Premier League or in the Championship” The former Mali and Togo coach said he was not bothered Eagles drop in the FIFA rankings “I am not bothered about that. That is not my concern, my concern is to qualify Nigeria for the World Cup, FIFA ranking or no ranking. Brazil was 22nd in the world but they went ahead to win the Confederations Cup, so why are we bothered about ranking or no ranking. For me it all boils down to what we do on the field. Our target is clear; to qualify for the World Cup and that is the most important thing to us”.

Vol. 1 No. 27, Monday, July 15 - Sunday, July 21, 2013

Victor Obinna Back page comment

That Nasarawa Massacre

By Okechukwu Alaku

O

ver the years the fate of Nigerian Policemen in cases involving violence has been a source of worry to many families especially when it turns to be bloody.

No matter the scale of danger the police are often at the fore front ready to combat the enemy sometimes better armed with sophisticated weapons. They are often readily called upon in view of the lives and property of the citizens.

The citizens are generally made to believe that the police are friends to the people and should be given all needed cooperation and assistance remains a mirage inspite of successive government's year in year out.

The Police are never proud of the barracks or homes in which they are designated to live; they are neither proud of the equipment provided for them nor are they happy with the salary scale in which they are placed. Despite these short comings the police are he prime targets when confronted with criminals- the robbers, kidnappers, swindlers or insurgents, In a most disastrous attempt to fulfill the obligation in their duties in the Niger Delta area about 12 police o ff i c e r s w e r e h i j a c k e d a n d murdered,-throwing the nation into a horrible mourning in the recent past.

The nation was further devastated shortly after following the Nasarawa massacre in which over 100 policemen were ambushed and also killed. Consider the number of police officers who lost their lives to insurgents since three years ago in their efforts in protecting the nation yet in the after math of these sacrifices no one cares to listen to their protracted welfare. It is strange to realize that the late police officers families were paid N500.000 each as a temporary measure to relieve the families while their SSS

counterparts were paid N10m after the Nasarawa massacre if one is to put himself in their position it may be a way of discouraging future officers from joining the force. How many police heads make one of the SSS? The Nigerian Government has a lot to do to improve the lot of police welfare to make the service attractive to would be officers.

Rather than budgeting and allowing the police to execute projects involving them a more purposeful approach could be adopted to ensure that contracts awarded in that direction are properly utilized.

involvements and risks inherent in policing a nation of 160 millions people we must as well appreciate the need to make the job worthy of attraction.

While the nation swallows the pill associated with this ugly incident, we also hope that the Leadway Insurance PLC who are the official insurer to the Nigeria Police Force will keep to its promises to provide covers for officers and men of the Force. The scheme created in 1992, covers death benefit, permanent disability, medical expenses and withdrawal benefit.

However it is interesting to note that the inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar state that the monetary gift was not part of the entitlements and benefits due to each of the deceased officers which will be calculated according to their ranks. We commend the IG for his foresight and passion for raising the gift to one million Naira to the bereaved families for the gesture leaves a mark of relief when compared to the trauma and disappointment associated with the honour. Maybe the dilemma of the police, in view of the recent incidents will open the eyes of our leaders and not to look elsewhere when the fate of these career officers are being discussed.

We also commend the Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura for having doled out N1 million to each of the families in support of the temporary measure. We realize the handicaps associated with the reformation of the police as a huge task considering the total

We are also of the opinion that the Presidency may look into the disparity among various security agencies whose s e c u r i t y organizations have to implement its funds for o p e r a t i o n differently instead of showing uniformity in the event of death.

The security agencies are fighting the same cause and should be treated in like manner no matter the height of various other missions including the United Nations Missions overseas. While we groan and sympathize with the families of these dastardly act, we also look forward to an improved welfare in the Police force to encourage the youths to appreciate the pride in defending their nation. The issue of state police having been laid to rest as advocated by some few governors, to avoid further conflict among the states, this decision is a well deserved development in the interest of the nation.

Considering the attacks and counterattack emanating from political differences and the fact that 2015 is still pregnant without yet a reliable midwife, Nigerians must look ahead of all possible plans and not to rely on the several prophets and evangelists who jolt out regularly and make us believe in divine intervention in long term projections.

Victor Nsofor Obinna (born 25 March 1987 in Jos, Nigeria) is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a second striker for FC Lokomotiv Moscow.

Biography Obinna in Igbo, literally means "Father´s heart".

He played for Chievo in Italy's Serie B, having played regularly in Serie A with the club until their relegation in 2007. He made his full international debut for Nigeria at the 2006 African Cup of Nations, scoring once in three appearances as his side were eliminated in the semi-finals. Obinna celebrates by doing a cartwheel-to-2 hand aided backflips-to-backflip somersault.

Club career Early career Obinna played for Nigerian clubs Plateau United and Kwara United were he was discovered by FIFA agent Marcelo Houseman, he went on trials with Italian clubs Internazionale, Perugia and Juventus before signing with Brazilian club Internacional, but international clearance problems meant that the transfer was never finalised.

Chievo Obinna was signed by Italian club Chievo on a five-year contract in July 2005. But also reported that Chievo formed an agreement with Inter that Obinna first registered as Chievo player in order to use the non-EU registration quota of Chievo, like Júlio César in 200405 season. Then he would be call back to Inter.

In his first season with Chievo, Obinna scored six goals in 26 games, including a goal on his Serie A debut against Parma in a 10 win, 11 September 2005.

Internazionale In summer 2008, Obinna moved back to Internazionale for €1.2 million in 3-year contract.English club Everton attempted to immediately sign him on loan, but were unable to secure a work permit for the player. Obinna's first goal for Inter came on 19 October in a 40 win over Roma. Internazionale coach Jose Mourinho described Obinna as one of Inter's best talents for the future.

Málaga CF On 26 August 2009, Spain's La Liga side Málaga CF signed Obinna on loan from Internazionale for one season. He scored his first goal for the Andalucians on 4 October in 11 a draw against Xerez, a match in which he was also sent off.

West Ham United On 27 August 2010 Obinna signed for West Ham United on a season-long loan from Internazionale with the option of a permanent deal in 2011. He scored his first league goal in 31 win against Wigan on 27 November 2010. He continued the fine form with four assists in a 40 win against Manchester United on 30 November 2010, automatically booking a first League Cup semi-final for 20 years.

International career Obinna was a member of the U-20 Flying Eagles that Won Gold in Benin in the African Youth Tournament in 2005 he was called up to the Nigerian senior squad at the 2006 African Cup of Nations, scoring once before his side's semifinal elimination.