Peoples Daily Newspaper, Thursday, April 19, 2012 by Peoples Media Limited

Again, US warns of attacks on Abuja hotels as FG decries doomsday comments

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Vol. 8 No. 20

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Jimadal Ula 28, 1433 AH

N150

Subsidy probe: NNPC, PPPRA, others indicted

 To refund N1.06tr Reps ask Jonathan to overhaul oil corporation By Lawrence Olaoye

he House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on management of fuel subsidy in the country has indicted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Commission (PPPRC). and some oil marketers as well as other companies. It has also recommended that the NNPC, PPPRA, as well as the other indicted oil firms should refund to government coffers the sum of N1,067,040,456,171.31. The ad-hoc committee chaired by Rep Farouk Lawan further recommended the general overhaul of the management of the NNPC even as it recommended that its accounts

be audited to ascertain its solvency level. The committee in the report laid before the House plenary yesterday stated that the amount was sequel to several violations of extant laws by the players in the nation's oil sector. According to the reports, NNPC is to refund the sum of N310,414,963,613 on Kerosene subsidy;N285,098,000,000 for payment made to itself PPPRA above recommendation and N108,648,000,000 it rewarded itself as self discount. All the marketers investigated at the public hearing are to refund the sum of N8,664,352,554; companies that refused to appear before the committee are to refund N41,936,140,005.31 while the Contd on Page 2

L-R: General Secretary, National Union of Textile, Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Comrade Isa Aremu, Kaduna state Governor, Mr. Patrick Yakowa, and newly elected NUTGTWN President, Comrade Oladele Hunsu, during a visit by the NUTGTWN executives to the governor, at the Government House, yesterday in Kaduna. Photo: NAN

Suit against Jonathan: PDP seeks out-of-court settlement By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Cyriacus Njoku has withdrawn the suit he filed before an Abuja High Court seeking to

stop President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2015 presidential election. This is coming as some concerned Northerners including Niger state governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu vowed to stop

President Jonathan from contesting the 2015 presidential election through constitutional means by seeking to be joined in the suit now withdrawn. The group known as Committee of Concerned

Northern Professionals, Academics and Businessmen (CCNPPAB) consists of notable Northerners like the Jigawa state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido and the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of

Justice, Professor Awwalu Yadudu. Njoku through his counsel, Osuagwu Ugochukwu informed the court that his decision to withdraw the suit followed the Contd on Page 2

Governors not against SWF — Aliyu

Oronsaye report: Labour warns against mass sack

INSIDE

EFCC to try Ibori Senate backs Senate sets July after UK jail term military action 2013 for new against Boko Haram Constitution >>PAGE 2

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WWW.PEOPLESDAILY-ONLINE.COM

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

CONTENTS

JTF kills 3 robbery suspects in Maiduguri

News

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

2-11

Editorial

Op.Ed

Letters

Opinion

Metro

16-17

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

S/Report

Earth

26-27

Update

28-29

Newsxtra

peratives of the Joint Military Taskforce (JTF), in Borno state yesterday evening, killed three suspected armed robbers, who disguised as members of the Boko Haram sect in Auno village along the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway. This came a day after a similar incident where the JTF

gunned down four gunmen, comprising three armed robbers and a member of the Boko Haram sect, while 13 other members of the sect were arrested. Spokesman of the JTF, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, in a statement issued to newsmen in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, said the incident occurred when a fiveman gang of robbery suspects barricaded the highway, robbing several motorists.

According to Lt. Col. Musa, the hoodlums turned the operation to look like the one being carried out by the Boko Haram terrorists. He explained that the JTF had received an intelligence report that some men suspected to be members of the sect had blocked the higway, saying a team of soldiers, acting on the tip off were immediately deployed to the scene and engaged the gunmen in a gun duel.

"Following a tip off, the personnel of the task force had hurriedly arrived in the spot, on sighting our men, the gunmen fired sporadic shots at their direction, leading to a shootout", the spokesman declared. He pointed out that during the gun battle, three of the criminals were shot dead on the spot, while others escaped to the nearby bush, saying no casualty recorded from the side of the JTF.

We'll still try Ibori after UK jail term - EFCC By Lambert Tyem

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday in Abuja, said the convicted former Deta state governor, Mr. James Ibori who was sentenced to a 13-year jail term by the Southwark Crown Court in London will still face trial after completion of his jail term. According to the acting spokesperson of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, "Once again, his fate has proven that there is no safe haven abroad for politically exposed persons who looted state funds entrusted in their care.

"The Commission expects Ibori to serve his term in the UK and return to Nigeria to face other criminal charges pending in courts, arising from his eightyear rule of Delta state. "The EFCC wishes to restate the fact that the offence for which Ibori was jailed in London is only a fraction of the array of criminal infractions committed by the former governor. "The Commission remains committed in its determination to bring Ibori and other alleged corrupt politically exposed persons and corporate titans to book in Nigeria, no matter how long it takes.

"The Commission welcomes the conviction which is the icing on a tortuous investigative and legal odyssey for all actors involved in the Ibori saga. "It is reassuring that today's sentencing of Ibori was based on the foundation of the case built by the EFCC in 2007 which unfortunately was thrown out by the Federal High court, Asaba for lack of merit. "The same fate has lately befallen other EFCC cases, notably the Erastus Akingbola, Ndudi Elumelu, Dimeji Bankole and Gbenga Daniel matters. "They were all thrown out by the courts purely on technical

grounds without consideration of the substantive issues. "The fact that a case which supposedly lacked merit in Nigeria could fetch a 13 year jail term in the UK after a landmark guilty plea, brings to fore the need for a reassessment of the nation's justice delivery process. We must strengthen our judicial institutions if we are to make any headway in the anti-graft efforts. "More interesting to the Commission in the Ibori conviction, is the opportunity for the repatriation of the array of properties and assets amassed overseas by the convict".

Subsidy probe: NNPC, PPPRA, others indicted Osun secession allegation: PDP lacks understanding of federalism, says NASS ACN caucus, Page 37

International 31-34 Strange World 35 Digest

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU The Peoples Daily wants to hear from you with any news and pictures you think we should publish. You can send your news and pictures to: letters@peoplesdaily-online.com pictures@peoplesdaily-online.com contact@peoplesdaily-online.com

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 1 PPPRA is expected to refund the sum ofN312,279,000,000 as excess payment to itself. The reports stated: “The NNPC should refund to the Federation Account the sum of N310,414,963,613 paid to it illegally as subsidy for kerosene contrary to the Presidential Directive of July 29th, 2009 withdrawing subsidy on the product.” Apart from the mandate to refund funds, “the committee recommends that the NNPC should be unbundled to make its operations more efficient and transparent and this we believe can also be achieved through the passage of a well drafted and comprehensive Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). The

committee therefore urges the speedy drafting and submission of the bill to the National Assembly.” The report stated further “that the House do direct for the auditing of the NNPC to determine its solvency. This is as a result of plethora of claims of indebtedness and demands for payments by NNPC's debtors , which if not well handled, will not only affect the entire economy of Nigeria but also the supply and distribution of petroleum products "The House should direct the NNPC to stop any form of deductions not captured in Appropriation Act before remittance to the Federation Account, and the Corporation should submit its transaction to

the operational guidelines of the Subsidy scheme "NNPC Retail, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) should be the outlets for the distribution of kerosene to ensure availability and affordability of the product to Nigerians. "The NNPC should also refund to the Federation Account the sum of N285.098 billion being over deduction as against PPPRA approvals for 2011. The relevant anti-corruption agency should further investigate the Corporation for deductions for the years 2009 and 2010 "As postulated earlier in this report, data provided by NNPC and CBN tends to suggest that for 2009, 2010 and 2011, NNPC

deducted subsidy payments from two different accounts. It is the recommendation of this committee that relevant anticorruption agencies conduct thorough investigation into this matter and where it is established that double withdrawals were made, the extra amounts should be paid to the treasury and those involved prosecuted. The report also recommend that “the management and Board of the NNPC should be completely overhauled.” “Under the PSF scheme, importers especially NNPC should be mandated to patronize Nigerian Flagged Vessels provided they produce the standard safety and sea-worthiness certificates in tune with international best practice,” the report stated.

Suit against Jonathan: PDP seeks out-of-court settlement Contd from Page 1 request by the leadership of the PDP in Zuba where he is registered, for an out of court settlement. Ugochukwu told the court that the Plaintiff, being a member of the ruling party, PDP has been approached by some members of the party in Zuba to withdraw the suit so as to explore an in-house settlement. “For that reason, we are asking for a very short adjournment to explore the out of court settlement options,” Ugochukwu told the court, adding also that President Jonathan, being the 1st Respondent in the suit has been informed of the

development,for which he has shown interest. PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who are second and third Respondents in the suit did not object to the Plaintiff's application for out of court settlement. Consequently, the trial Judge, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi granted the Plaintiff's application and struck out the suit. The court adjourned till May 30, 2015 for report of the out of court settlement at the instance of the Plaintiff. President Jonathan had earlier told the Court, that though he is currently in his

first term of four years in office, he has not announced any interest in contesting for his seat in 2015. Njoku, in the suit he filed before the court on March 20, 2012 asked the court to stop President Jonathan from contesting the presidential elections in 2015 on the grounds that he is already in his second term in office. He claimed that Jonathan is running a second term in office and could not be a candidate in 2015, adding also that the President cannot swear to an Oath of Office thrice in the light of Section 137(1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution.

The applicant wants the court to determine, “Whether Section 135(2) of the Constitution which specifies a period of four years in office for the President is only available or applicable to a person elected on the basis of an actual election or includes one in which a person assumes the position of President by operation of law as in the case of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.” He had in August 2010 attempted to stop PDP from allowing Jonathan to participate in the PDP presidential primaries of January 2011. But the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Lawal Gumi dismissed the zoning suit.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

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Senate sets July 2013 for new Constitution By Richard Ihediwa

Women on queue at the free cervical cancer screening centre, yesterday in Numan, Adamawa state.

Photo: NAN

Senate backs military action against Boko Haram By Richard Ihediwa

he Senate yesterday rose from a stormy session and passed a resolution mandating President Goodluck Jonathan to recognise that those behind the terrorist attacks by the dreaded Boko Haram sect have declared war on the nation and as such should respond with all instruments of power at the

disposal of government. This followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Mohammed Saleh (CPC Kaduna) and 10 others who drew the attention of the Senate to the recent attacks in Kaduna and other northern states. Senate's position is coming few weeks after the military high commands directed that the security formations should consider themselves to be at war

with the Boko Haram sect. Senators unanimously backed the motion with many of them insisting that it would be criminal to negotiate with the insurgents as recommended by some quarters. The lawmakers also called for full scale overhaul of the nation's security agencies for effective result. Presenting the motion, Saleh noted that terrorist attacks

continue unabated nationwide despite the assurance of the security agencies of being on top of the situation and would soon defeat terrorist. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session, said the authorities must stand up and end the security problems in the country which he said was threatening the corporate existence of the nation.

US warns of Boko Haram attacks on Abuja By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, with agency report

he United States warned its citizens in Nigeria yesterday that Boko Haram might be planning attacks on Abuja, the capital territory "The U.S. Embassy has received information that Boko Haram may be planning attacks in Abuja, Nigeria, including against hotels frequently visited by Westerners," read a message on the embassy's website. "The Nigerian government is aware of the threat and is actively implementing security measures,"

the message added. US authorities issued a similar warning in November, naming the Hilton, Sheraton and Nicon Luxury hotels as possible Boko Haram targets in Abuja, but later retracted the alert. Meanwhile, the Federal Government yesterday warned the embassy and other missions in the country to stop rushing to press with such panicky information. The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku told State House Correspondents after yesterday's Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, that the government would have preferred a situation

whereby the foreign missions in the country will call the attention of Nigerian authorities to any security threat they notice rather than make statements that raise unnecessary dust in the polity. Maku said: "I must say that our security agencies have over the last year increased their capacity to respond to some of the threats particularly within this city and several other cities. "And I believe that a lot of work is being done. And we also know that when the issue came up last year, our security agencies reassured the nation of

our preparedness to safeguard all our public places especially the hotels. "So, I will continue to appeal to all the foreign agencies working in our country to align more with our security agencies rather than often running to make statements that can create undue panic among the public and am not sure that security comes from such measures." The minister also urged the media to avoid sensationalising such reports since, he said, they are capable of frustrating progress being made to end terrorism in the country.

he Senate has assured that the nation would have another amended constitution that would further reflect the wishes and aspiration of Nigerians by July, 2013. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, stated this yesterday while addressing newsmen at the end of the meeting of the committee at the National Assembly yesterday. If the next round of amendment sails through, the nation would have had the 1999 Constitution altered the third time to further reflect the interests of the people. Ekweremadu said his committee had at the meeting resolved to engage in very wide consultations with stakeholders and the Nigerian public so as to enrich the discourse in the exercise and to ensure that the amendments were truly reflective of the overall views of the people on the issues to be raised. He said the committee was still open to receive memoranda from the public and would treat all of them on merit adding that critical stakeholders such as the Governors'Forum, state houses of assembly, traditional rulers and labour fronts would be allowed to make inputs The Deputy Senate President also did not disclose the budget for the current exercise, as according to him, the National Assembly was yet to allocate funds from the recently passed 2012 budget for various activities of the legislature. The last amendment gulped a total of N1 billion, with the Senate and the House of Representatives getting N500 million apiece.

N5.2bn REA scam: Witness accuses politicians of hijacking process By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

prosecution witness in the on-going trial of Engr. Samuel Ibi Gekpe and six other senior officials of Rural Electrification Agency (REA), yesterday, told an Abuja High Court how politicians hijacked the list of contractors originally prequalified by the public procurement committee of the agency and substituted it with their companies. Other accused persons arraigned

along with Gekpe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are Dr. Abdullahi Aliyu, Simon Kirdi Nanle, Engr. Lawrence Kayode Orekoya, Abdulsamad Garba Jahun and Barrister Kayode Oyedeji. When the matter came up yesterday, the witness, Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to the Commission, said investigations into the alleged fraud revealed a lot of abuses in procurement processes which culminated in the award of

contracts to only 18 in the prequalified list out of 113 companies that eventually benefited from the grid extension contract. He said all the companies in the grid extension contracts were discovered to have only one official address and their contract letters signed by one Miss Uduak. It was further disclosed that none of the pre-qualified companies benefited from the solar- based system contracts which were finally awarded to 45 companies belonging to some officials of the

agency and members of the National Assembly. "When we asked Engr. Samuel Gekpe and Kayode Oyedeji who were the Managing Director and secretary of the agency respectively why this was so, they told us that some of the contractors were recommended from National Assembly and that a list was given to them from the Ministry of Power," Ahmed said. The court was further told how the accused persons hurriedly prepared a Certificate of No

Objection, which formed the basis for a memo seeking for approval for the contract from the minister of state for power. The six accused persons, all senior officials of REA were alleged to have sometimes in December 2008, as public servants and officers who were entrusted with money and properties of the agency, agreed among themselves to breach such trust by fraudulently awarding contracts to companies managed by them. Trial in the matter continues today.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

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Plateau councilor’s assassination: Tension heightens From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

ension mounted in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau state, as unknown gunmen invaded Sho village of the LGA and killed a supervisory councilor, Ibrahim Dachollom Pam. The deceased was said to have been shot on his abdomen behind his house when he came out of his house to go round his compound at about 7.30 pm Tuesday night. The Transition Committee chairman of the local government, Emmanuel

Loman, expressed regrets that despite the declaration of a state of emergency in his local government council by the Presidency, there are silent killings of his people. According to him, the attackers are enemies of the locality and wondered why the Barkin Ladi people continue to be killed on their farm lands and their homes. He called on the Special Task Force Commander to rise up to the occasion by providing adequate protection for the people or else the essence of declaring a state of emergency in the locality will be defeated.

Buildings collapse: NSE blames quack engineers From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

he Kaduna branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), has traced the rampant cases of buildings collapsing in the country to quack engineers, who supervise and execute construction projects across the country. The Chairman, Kaduna branch of NSE, Abdul Audu, who stated this yesterday in Kaduna at a lecture tagged “Total Quality Management: The Role of Professional Engineers in Achieving Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” which was organised by the Association of Professional Women Engineers in Nigeria (APWEN). According to him, “A typical example is the case of one of the houses that collapsed in Port-Harcourt where it was discovered that the supervisor is a pharmacist, who is being

referred to as an engineer.” He suggested that, in order to check the trend, government should appoint professionals into key positions in the regulatory and construction sectors. According to him, “we are more than worried that those that are supposed to man engineering positions in the country are being shortchanged. Also speaking, the APWEN national president, Mrs. Olayinka Abdul, who also spoke at the programme, urged the Federal Government to give indigenous engineers the chance to prove their worth, arguing that Nigerian engineers are often better than their foreign counterparts. She said, “We have discovered that there has been a gap between the policy makers and the engineers and now we are looking at how to bridge it,” she stated.

Robbers kill 1, injure 2 in Bauchi From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

unmen suspected to be armed robbers, killed one person and injured two people in Gololo village of Gamawa local government area of Bauchi state. Our correspondents gathered from the residents of the area, that the robbers attacked the village around 10 o’clock last night in two motorcycles and began house to house search, collecting huge amounts of money and other valuables. He added that unknown to

Money laundering: Former Afribank director wants court to quash charge

FG to adopt central A data base for MDAs

he Federal Government has begun the process of establishing a central data base to avoid duplications in the establishment of data centers by government agencies and parastatals. Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who briefed State House Correspondents after yesterday's Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo, stated that the proposed data base system is expected to provide a single data base for all government agencies to reduce cost of governance. "Currently, we have a data

base that is maintained by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) etc, and we also have banks keeping their own data base for their clients across the country, now this is not supposed to be so, we need a coordination such that the nation can develop one data base and different agencies can subscribe to it." According to Maku, the data base will serve as a 'One stop shop" for information gathering that would serve all the agencies and private institutions.

them to the town which they used to escape. Security operatives comprising soldiers and mobile policemen pursued the bandits into the bush but no arrest was made, and the security men, in collaboration with vigilantes are still searching for the bandits in neighboring villages. While confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Hassan Mohammed Auyo, said police are still pursuing the robbers inside the bushes in the area and they have since commenced investigation into the robbery incident.

Some applicants checking adverts at the Central Post Office, yesterday in Kaduna. Photo: NAN

From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

them; the vigilante in the area saw them and cut the tyres of their motor cycles. When the residents of the area shouted thieves, the bandits shot indiscriminately which led to the killing of one person and two sustained injuries, before they fled into the bush and abandoned their motor cycles. He confirmed that the robbers had collected over one million naira from the person they shot to death and they collected 700,000 from one person they beat to a coma, and unknown to the vigilantes, the robbers had a car that followed

former director with Afribank Nigeria Plc, Chinedu Onyia, yesterday prayed the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, to quash a criminal charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Onyia, in a motion against the charge, is insisting that there is nothing on the face of the charge upon which he could stand trial, adding that the EFCC failed to provide credible material to link him with the commission of the alleged crime. The former MD is standing trial alongside former Managing Director of the bank, Sebastian Adigwe; a stockbroker, Peter Ololo and his company, Falcon Securities Limited; former Chairman of Afribank, Osa Osunde and two directors of the bank - Henry Arogundade and Isa Zailani. The accused persons are standing trial over alleged abuse

of office, banking malpractices and money laundering to the tune of N55 billion. According to the charges, Adigwe was said to have conspired with the bank directors to grant several loan without adequate security. Some of the companies that allegedly benefited from the “reckless” loan included Larix Company Limited, Suletical Nigeria Limited, Broworks Nigeria Limited, Alsmiths Nigeria Limited, Rehoboth Assets Limited and Falcon Securities Limited. The accused were said to have failed to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the books of accounts of Afribank as at May 31, 2009, gave a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the bank as required by Sections 24 (1), 24 (2) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act. Cap. B3, Laws of the Federation by understating the loan portfolio of the bank. Specifically, Adigwe was said to have perpetrated shares

scam by creating a misleading appearance of active trading in the shares of Afribank on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE). He was accused of doing that by approving N2 billion credit facilities to Alsmiths Nigeria Limited to purchase large volume of Afribank’s shares, an offence contrary to Section 105 (1) (a) of the Investment and Securities Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 115 (a) of the same Act. When the matter came up on Wednesday before Justice John Tsoho, Onyia’s lawyer, Kola Obafemi urged the court to quash the charge against his client, and also discountenance the additional proof of evidence filed by the EFCC. Responding, EFCC’s lawyer, K.U.K Ekwueme urged the court to dismiss the two applications filed by Onyia, adding that the man had in his statement to the anti-graft agency, admitted signing on to the approval of credit facilities in the case.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Reps to probe unclaimed dividends in quoted companies

Governors not against Sovereign Wealth Fund - Aliyu

By Umar Mohammed Puma

he House of Representatives yesterday mandate its committee on Capital Market and institutions to investigate the high volume of unclaimed dividends in quoted companies in Nigeria which are gradually mounting up to N40 billion as revealed by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), and report to the House within four weeks for legislative input. Unclaimed dividends of N149 million were recorded for 2010 as well as N148 million for 2011. The motion which was read by Hon. Akpan Micah Umoh, noted that it has become a deliberate sharp practice or manipulation by quoted company to have their cheques delayed in order to generate a pool of unclaimed dividends, adding that even with the low patronage of post offices, mails are still being delivered by NIPOST in a matter of weeks or a month to any part of the country. He said even in Abuja where head offices of most quoted companies are, dividend cheques take over six month or even more and arrive months after they expired causing banks to reject them thus becoming unclaimed dividends. Umoh observed that in the last five years, Nigerian investors from all works of life were caught up with the hype of buying shares but ruined by the collapse of the stock market over the last four years and adding that effort must be put in place to salvage whatever is left of the confidence of players in the sector.

Kano empowers 44,000 women From Edwin Olofu, Kano

ano state government has empowered 44,000 women through its various empowerment programmes in the state since the inception of the government in May 2011. The Secretary to the State Government, Suleman Bichi who represented Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso at the graduation ceremony of the second batch of female students of Kano Poultry Institute in Makoda, yesterday, disclosed this while addressing the graduating students. Bichi said the women were selected from all the 44 local governments in the state, trained and empowered in different ways. Bichi cautioned the beneficiaries not to waste the ample opportunity; saying that Kano provides a big market for poultry business because of the population and high rate of egg consumption. In the same vein, the state Commissioner for Agriculture Hajiya Baraka Sani while addressing the 200 women advised them to see the privilege as a rare one and make judicious use of it. She revealed that each among the women would be given 50 layers and 10 broilers with feeds but that would be strictly monitored by the monitoring and evaluation unit of the Ministry.

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From Iliya Garba, Minna

he Governor of Niger state, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, said yesterday that the Nigerian Governors Forum does not oppose the Sovereign Wealth Fund but trying to ensure it was properly constituted against abuse. He made this known at Government House, Minna, when he received participants of the Senior Executive Course 34 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, who were on a

study tour of the state. Governor Aliyu said the governors were only against the Excess Crude Account which was unconstitutional and illegal; adding that the Sovereign Wealth Fund, which should have been in place over 30 years ago, had worked in countries like Saudi Arabia and Oman, and could be made to work properly in this country. He harped on the need for all the states to re-strategise on ways to improve their internally Generated revenue (IGR) or have themselves to blame in many years to come.

Governor Aliyu stated that Nigeria would not be discouraged by the present security challenges and would continue to do everything possible to surmount the problem. According to him, the country's intelligence network must understand and uncover those franchising in the name of Boko Haram. He stressed that government, at all levels must fight poverty as the most potent way of addressing the security challenges adding that special attention must be

L-R: Head of Service, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, and Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, at the State House, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

paid on agriculture and education as the foundation for sustainable economic development. The governor expressed happiness that NIPSS had continued to churn out individuals whose experience, knowledge, managerial and administrative dexterity have continued to assist the country in its policy direction and strategic planning. The leader of delegation and Director General of the Institute, Prof. Tijjani Mohammed Bande, disclosed that they were in the state on a study tour to establish how diversification of the states' economies could lead to sustainable economic development of the country as a whole. Prof. Bande noted that agriculture and power were central to economic development that could guarantee peace and security of the country. He acknowledged that Niger State was richly endowed in these areas, hence the decision to visit the state by the participants. The Director General said inspite of the great effort at fighting poverty, a lot still need to be done and urged government to ensure that critical issues in the areas of economic development were addressed. Meanwhile, Governor Aliyu also received 29 indigenes of the state who recently graduated as Ordinary Seaman (OS) from the Nigeria Navy Training School, Onne, Port Harcourt, who paid him a thank you visit.

‘UBEC received N177bn for primary school devt in 7 years’ By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

he Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), yesterday, said it received N177billion as matching grant in the last seven years for the states and Federal Capital Territory for the development of primary education in the country. Out of this figure, N142.700 billion was disbursed to the states and the FCT represents 80.67% of the allocation, a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the

commission, Mr. David Apeh has said. N34.204 billion is still unaccessed, the statement quoted the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Ahmed Modibbo in his speech at the 5th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC Management with executive chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards holding in Umuahia, Abia state. Modibbo also announced that the commission has received N218,131,826.68 for each of the 36 states and FCT as the first quarter allocation for this year,

but that each of the states could only access the money on payment of their N218,131,826.68 and "meet other conditions". Modibbo lamented the inability of many states to pay their counterpart funds which has resulted in the un-accessed funds. "Matching grant disbursement performance ranking, based on access of matching funds, shows that only ten states are on the top performing list, 17 are on the

performing list, 8 are on the average performing list while two states are on the non-performing list. "As a result of this unsatisfactory development, a whopping sum of N34.204 billion remained un-accessed as at 16th April, 2012. "It is more worrisome when these states that are not accessing their matching grants have a lot of challenges in the implementation of basic education", the executive secretary lamented.

Rising cases of sexual assaults in Abia worries FIDA

he chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Abia state chapter, Mrs. Uzoamaka Uche-Ikonne, has raised alarm over the rising cases of rape and other sexual assaults in the state. Uche-Ikonne told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Umuahia that about 50 percent of reported matters at the FIDA clinic in Umuahia were cases of rape and sexual assault,

especially on under-aged girls. “Most of the sexual offences are against girls below 13 years and such act is viewed before the law as defilement which attracts severe punishment upon conviction.'' Uche-Ikonnesaid that as a body fighting for the rights and protection of women and children, FIDA was beginning to get worried on the frequency at which sexual assaults were reported in the area.

She called on relevant government agencies to be more responsive to their duties and for parents to be more careful about whom their young girls associate with. The FIDA chairperson said preliminary investigations by the body showed that some of the perpetrators were people living with HIV/AIDS. “Some of the perpetrators

commit the act because of the erroneous belief that if they sleep with an under-aged girl, the infection will be cured. “Uche-Ikonne advised parents and victims of sexual assaults to report such crime to FIDA for prompt medical and legal actions, adding that ``concealment of defilement and rape cases on grounds of stigma is now old-fashion because the danger inherent in such cover ups are enormous''. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Controversy trails relocation of Jigawa traders

Delayed salary: Oyo workers accuse Ajimobi of punishment

From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

ontroversy is trailing the effort of the Jigawa state government to relocate 1200 traders from the Dutse Central Market to its new site at the eastern bye-pass. Trouble started when the Dutse Capital Development Authourity was accused of having allocated many of the lock-up shops provided for the former occupants of the central market to cronies of top government officials in the authority. Investigations conducted by our reporter indicated that some traders were denied allocations of the shops despite falling within the legitimate persons to benefit from the action. Some traders interviewed at the former central market said they were marginalised as the allocation of shops were being politicised by some top government functionaries. When contacted the Director, Adminstration and Finance in the DCDA, Alhaji Baita Salihi said to the best of his knowledge, all former occupants of the central market were being allocated shops at the newly provided site. The director said before the directive by the state government instructing the DCDA to hand-over the market to the Ministry of Commerce, the Authourity had taken a census of the occupants of the central market and was the prerogative of the same ministry to take charge of the allocation exercise. Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industries, Hajiya Hauwa Lawan, said there were some irregularities in the exercise but would not talk to the press until she reported to the governor. She however invited the Sarkin Kasuwa (head of the market) to explain the procedures for shop allocations to the press in her office. The Sarkin Kasuwa, Alhaji Adamu Garba said those making insinuations were the ungrateful few that naturally would not see anything positive in the exercise. He said, all relocated persons were adequately compensated with shops at the new site while squatters were still being considered for the allocation of temporary shops still under construction.

From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

Executive Director Corporate Services, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Hon. Lola Abiola-Edewor (middle), answering questions from journalists after the Risk Based Audit workshop for the staff of Internal Audit of the corporation, yesterday in Abuja.

Ibori: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nigeria judiciary should be ashamedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

he recent trial and sentence of former Delta state governor Mr. James Ibori over money laundering at a United Kingdom court has continued to generate reactions with the Jigawa state Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) chairman, Barrister Hussaini Garungabas, calling it a slap to the country's judicial system. Barrister Garingabas who spoke to the newsmen yesterday, said the judgement has further exposed some of the country's inadequacies in terms of sincerity in handling such issues. "I hope Nigerian authorities have learnt something from Ibori's

sentence. The good thing is that there is the hereafter.The fact that Ibori was earlier acquitted in Nigeria and subsequently convicted and sentenced in the UK courts goes to show you how the judicial process can be easily manipulated and compromised here in Nigeria." He pointed out that the judgement has established the insinuations that either the facts to establish Ibori's guilt were deliberately withheld by the prosecuting authorities or the trial system was skewed to favour Ibori. Continuing, the former NBA chairman said the operators of our judicial system should be ashamed adding that more prominent Nigerians who have stolen

Nigerian money, are yet to be brought to book because the Nigerian system does not take the fight against corruption seriously. Garungabas who spoke just as a British court sentenced the former Delta State governor, James Ibori to 13 years in prison for his involvement in a $250 million(N35.5 billion) fraud of state funds Tuesday, said, "Ibori is not alone in this kind of avarice and greed. He is only unlucky to be caught in a country where the fight against corruption is dishonest. Here in Nigeria there are a thousand and one Iboris but as long as they play according to the rules,they remain not only free but heroes.

Oronsaye report: Labour warns against mass sack By Abdulwahab Isa

he leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress is rooting for dialogue to avert probable social and labour crises that the Stephen Oronsaye Presidential Committee report may throw up. The Oronsaye Presidential Committee on the rationalisation of Federal Government parastatals, commissions and agencies had in its report, recommended reduction of the 263 statutory commissions to 161 and scrapping of 38 agencies.

The NLC in a formal reaction yesterday by its acting national president, Comrade Joe Ajaero drew government's attention to the consequence of implementing the recommendations of the Oronsaye committee. The organised labour recalled that its request at the inauguration of the committee to be included in the committee was ignored by government. It premised its request on the desire to protect overwhelming number of workers in the said parastatals and agencies that would

be affected. Nevertheless, NLC assured workers that they will not be abandoned, and "that Congress will do all that it can to protect their interests, job security and family life". Going further, it said "NLC believes that there is need for reduction in cost of governance. We however believe that parastatals and agencies like the FRSC and EFCC which have records of success should not necessarily be scrapped or merged". The NLC leadership also said that where compelling

reasons and facts are given, "Congress will not necessarily oppose the merger or scrapping of certain parastatals and agencies. But since job loss may be inevitable in a few cases, Congress demands that special focus be placed on the social and labour implications. We know that each worker caters for a minimum of six persons and that each job loss may automatically translate to eight Nigerians being pushed further down the poverty line".

oth civil and public workers under the employ of the Oyo state government yesterday described the delay in payment of March salary as a deliberate punishment by Governor Abiola Ajimobi. The workers, who converged at the state secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Agodi, Ibadan, recalled that, government had vowed to punish workers who participated in the just suspended three weeks strike. One of the angry workers, Mr. Niyi Akinsola who spoke with newsmen said that the government has no excuse to delay in paying its workforce. It would be recalled that, the state chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) last week suspended its three weeks old industrial action to demand N18,000 minimum wage for workers at all levels. But in a swift reaction, the government debunked the statement saying negotiation on a new wage table was ongoing. The state commissioner for Finance, Mr Zachius Adelabu expressed optimism that by tomorrow, workers would be alerted of new developments. He added that, the wage crisis between the state government and labour union would soon be over. Meanwhile, the speaker of Oyo state House of Assembly, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu has appealed to labour leaders to accept the old wage table for March payment while negotiations for the minimum wage increase continued.

Illegal detention: Lagos govt carpets court ruling

agos State SolicitorGeneral and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), yesterday, said the court ruling which blamed the state government for the illegal detention of the Nigerien nationale, Mr. Mamman Keita is unfair. Pedro in a statement issued in reaction to the ruling, said "the applicat i o n t h a t w a s considered by the honourable court today, April 18, 2012 was our application to stay the execution of the judgment delivered by the court on December 16, 2011. "As you may be aware, the Lagos State Government was found responsible for the actions and omissions of the Police, a federal agency, which the State has no control over", the AG said.

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PAGE 7

Ports congestion: Reps to summon Customs boss By Umar Mohammed Puma

orried by the gridlock sway at the Lagos ports, occasioned by the overbureaucratisation of operations, the House of Representatives yesterday mandated the

Committee on Customs and Excise to invite the Comptroller General of Customs and other relevant authorities to furnish the committee with update of operations and services at the ports including practical measures being implemented to

avoid unnecessary delay in the clearance procedures which according to the House, must not be allowed to continue in the ports as it is not helpful to the realisation of the transformation agenda of this administration and inimical to the sustenance

of a healthy democracy. This motion was filed by Hon. Patrick Ikhariale who noted that the sea ports of any nation are the economic gateway to the outside world from the point of view of international trade, and provide the basis for measuring

the efficiency and performance of domestic economic activities and socio-economic cohesion in the nation. Rep Ikhariale said the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports are the major sea ports in Nigeria designed to facilitate and promote sustainable economic and industrial growth of the nation by providing gateway through which goods and services are brought into the country. He also noted that 80% of goods and services consumed in Nigeria are imported, including petroleum products, which availability depends on the efficiency of the procedures and operations in the ports. He submitted that over 44 vessels carrying petroleum products have allegedly been lying at the Lagos ports for several weeks, while cities like Abuja are hit with acute fuel scarcity due to the gridlock situation at the ports.

Kano to expend N4.8bn on rural roads From Edwin Olofu, Kano

L-R: Niger State governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, chatting with Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, during the seminar on Good Governance and post Fuel Subsidy Appraisal by NOA, on Tuesday in Minna, Niger state.

First Lady calls for institunalisation of vaccine summit By Maryam Garba Hassan orried by the high indices of children dying in Africa from diseases which could have been prevented by routine immunisation, wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, has called for the institutionalisation of a biannual African Vaccine Summit that will monitor and facilitate the availability of safe vaccines on the continent. A statement signed by Saghir Mohammed, the Assistant Director Press at the Ministry of Women Affairs, said Mrs. Jonathan who was represented by the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina, made the call on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the First National Vaccine Summit. She called for the establishment of a Nigerian Alliance for Vaccine Initiative, modelled after the highly successful Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI). According to the statement, Mrs. Jonathan further explained that the institutionalisation of a biannual African Vaccine Summit will offer a platform for the regular monitoring of the Decade of Vaccine, so that by the end of the decade, Africa would have achieved sufficiency in the availability of safe vaccines. She pointed out that over 1 million Nigerian children die each year, many from conditions that could easily be prevented by

vaccination and acknowledged the efforts of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the John Hopkins University for spearheading the summit. Declaring the summit open,

the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, said as the year 2015 draws near, Nigeria remains committed to achieving the Millennium Development

Goals. “It is proven that vaccinating our children is the most cost effective path to achieving Goal 4 which is aimed at reducing child mortality rates”, Anyim noted.

Lawmaker arraigned over murder From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta member of Oyo State House of Assembly, Olatoye Temitope, popularly called ‘Sugar’, was yesterday arraigned in High Court 4, Isabo Abeokuta, over alleged murder said to have been committed in 2004. The accused who was docked alongside Ajasa Balogun in suit number AB/20c/2011, was alleged to have committed the crime in December, 3, 2004 having reportedly killed one Bukola Okulana at Odeda local government area of Ogun state. Olatoye later relocated to Oyo state, where he contested election into the House of Assembly, and won. The case being heard by Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje is between the state and the accused persons. The offence is said to be contrary to section 316 (2) and punishable under sections 319 of the Criminal Code (cap 29) the laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 1978. The state was

represented by Mr. B.A Adebayo, Director of Prosecution, while the accused were represented by Chief B. Akintua. Under cross examination at the hearing, a witness against the accused Isikilu Ayinde Ajegunle, told the court and insisted that the accused were behind the killing, and recalled his statement with the police when

he went to report, maintaining that he still stand by that report. Similarly, a police sergeant, Asunba Joshua, during cross examination confirmed that one of the suspects earlier declared wanted by the police over the alleged crime was apprehended by him, in the major street of Abeokuta and taken to the police headquarters.

Aliyu reshuffles cabinet From Iliya Garba, Minna

overnor Mua’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger state has reshuffled his cabinet. Alhaji Mohammed Kpotun Abdullahi has been swornin as the Commissioner for Agriculture and a member of the state executive council. Before his appointment, Alhaji Abdullahi was the Managing Director of the state’s Agricultural Development Project (ADP). His appointment and swearing-in followed the death of Alhaji Aminu Yussuf Paiko former Commissioner for Budget and

Planning. Governor Aliyu also announced that the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peter Sale Sarki has been moved to the Ministry of Land and Housing while the former Commissioner in the Ministry, Alhaji Nuhu Musa was taken to the newly created Ministry of Mining and Solid Mineral Resources. Mrs. Susan Gana was taken from the Ministry of Agriculture to Education, while the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hajia Hadiza Abdullahi will now add environment matters to her responsibilities.

ano state government is to spend the sum of N4.8 billion for the completion of both abandoned and new link road projects in the rural areas of the state. The Commissioner in the Ministry of Rural and Community Development, Alhaji Garba Umar Durbunde, disclosed this yesterday in his office while briefing reporters on the activities of his ministry. According to him, some of the roads to benefit from the project include KuraKubarachi-Madobi road, Gwarzo-Tsaure-Tsanyawa road, Fagwalawa-Zakirai road, Mariri-Dawakin Kudu, Katakara-Laraba-Kunchi, Dinyar Madiga-KogoGorondiya-Tsangaya roads. He also stated that the Ministry has concluded plans to revitalise the long abandoned local craft development, adding that the programme would be based on enhancing crafts such as weaving, pottery and blacksmithing. Garba also hinted that the sum of N390.6 million has been committed for rehabilitation of vehicles, rehabilitation of vandalised electricity networks in 42 towns, installation of relief transformers through the Rural Electricity Board. He also stated that N1.150 billion has been allocated for the electrification of various towns and villages in the state, adding that new transformers would be purchased for installation in the communities. The Commissioner also said that in order to address the daunting challenges facing the drive for adequate water supply

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Members of Hisba, Bauchi state, conveying consignment of liquour confiscated by the Sharia commission from various outlets for destruction, yesterday in Bauchi. Photo: NAN

L-R: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on ICT, Hon. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, Director-General NITDA, Professor Cleopas Angaye, and Alhaji Aliyu Rabah discussing something of interest, during a condolence visit to the family of late Shehu Bakauye Gusau, last week in Gusau, Zamfara state.

Over loaded tricycle with empty cans on railway road, yesterday in Bauchi. Photo: NAN

n 1

Sand drilling activities in the River Niger, yesterday at Onitsha. Photo: NAN

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Civil Defence seals 6 fake private guard coys From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta

igeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogun State Command yesterday announced the sealing of six Private Guard Companies (PGCs) discovered to be operating illegally in the

state. A statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Kareem Olanrewaju made available to our correspondent in Abeokuta explained that the illegal companies had earlier been notified in writing. He said they were operating

without official licence as stipulated by the Private Guard Companies Act. Cap 367 (1990) section 1(a) and (b) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. "As part of her core mandate to regulate the activities of d Private Guard Companies in the country, the Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps, Ogun

area. Bamigbetan made this known yesterday at the flag-off of the newly approved revenue tariffs and rate card, as part of measures to ensure transparency, accountability as well as efficient and effective tax regime. The council boss also disclosed that rehabilitation work has re-commenced on the

Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) road to Jakande Estate Gate, Oke Afa and would be completed within the next six months. Also, as part of efforts to mitigate the effect of heavy rainfall as predicted for this year and reduce incidence of flooding, the council in collaboration with the state government had completed the

State Command has sealed up six (6) PGCs for operating illegally". The sealed companies include System Protection and Security Services, Mega Security Services, Mandate Security Services, Cross Border Security Limited, Eganvents Security and Homeland Protective Services Limited. The statement further emphasised that the corps has however warned private

individuals and corporate organisations in the state not to engage the services of the PGCs in any form in undermining the security of the country. Olanrewaju added that the industry which has already become a goldmine was too sensitive to be left unregulated and as such, every stakeholder must follow the due process. Meanwhile, the Corps has advised members of the public especially corporate organisations to verify and ascertain the registration status of the PGCs at the command's headquarters in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, before engaging their services.

dredging of Egbe Bridge downstream and upstream to allow for free flow of storm water. Bamigbetan, who noted that roads were the major challenge of the council at the moment, stressed that the loan became expedient due to lack of adequate

funds in the council. He explained that the council in the last six months had been lobbying the state government for the approval, which was formerly put at N524 million before the governor, subsequently, pruned it down to N220 million.

Road rehabilitation: Fashola okays N220m loan for Ejigbo LCDA From Bimbo Ogunnaike, Lagos agos state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has mandated the management of Ejigbo local council development area (LCDA), led by Mr. kehinde Bamigbetan to obtain N220 million loan from the bank to execute major road rehabilitation projects in the

Yobe pays hardship allowance to encourage teachers in remote areas

L-R: Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Malam Yusuf Usman, presenting a publication of "list of declared national monuments" to representative of Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Mrs. Olayinka Olatunji, during the 2012 International Day for Monuments and Sites, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

he Yobe Teaching Service Board has said that teachers posted to remote areas in the state were paid hardship allowance to encourage them to stay in their areas of posting. Alhaji Maijawa Dawayo, the executive chairman of the board, made this known in Damaturu yesterday at a news conference. He said that teachers employed by the board also enjoy responsibility allowance as incentive to boost productivity and commitment to duty. The chairman noted that 1,478 teachers were manning 40 senior secondary schools in the state, adding that “there are 373 university graduates, 55 HND holders, 810 NCE holders and others. “The board also trained 474

others through in-service to pursue degree programmes in various universities in the country”. Dawayo said that the board had introduced many incentives to promote commitment and encourage teachers to remain in the profession. He pointed out that the board received 2,000 new applications for teaching in secondary schools in the state. “However, 146 of the 496 teachers employed on contract were relieved of their appointments to sanitise the system. “But the board had to reengage 29 of the relieved teachers in critical subjects, including English, Mathematics and Physics”. (NAN)

Kwara govt lauds Quranic Katagum LG staff arraigned over N9m staff salaries competition contingent From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

ix staff of the Accounts Department in Katagum local government area of Bauchi State were arraigned at Chief Magistrate Court number eight over criminal conspiracy in stealing the March salary of the local government staff. Our correspondent gathered that the staff, were accused of housebreaking and negligent conduct that led to the stealing of N9, 027, 336, 69 March salaries and allowances of the council workers. Arraigning the suspects yesterday, police prosecutor, Inspector Baba Sarki Hussaini, said the case was transferred from the Azare Division along

with the suspects to the state Criminal Investigation Department being staffers of account section of the council they collected workers salaries for the month of March 2012, after they made the payment of the day they kept the remaining balance in the safe inside the office". Baba Sarki told the court that "thereafter they kept the money and unknown gunmen took the advantage of their negligence and I don't care attitude, stormed the secretariat broke into the office and stole N9,027,336,69 both the account staffers and the security guards cannot defend their actions contrary to section 288 and 196 of the penal code." The suspects through their

counsel, Barrister Patrick Owoicho, applied for the bail of the accused which was opposed by the prosecutor for fear that they will tamper with the investigation. The Chief Magistrate, Isa Mohammed in his ruling said the onus of proving a criminal allegation lies with the prosecutors as every suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty as contained in section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution and granted the bail application of the suspects at the sum of N200, 000 with a surety in like sum who must be a ward head of the suspect's area of residence. The magistrate adjourned the case to May 8 for further mentioning.

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin he Kwara state government has commended the contingent to this year's Quranic memorisation competition held in Katsina state for their brilliant performance. The government in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Gold, gave the commendation yesterday while receiving the committee in his office. The statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Dauda Nurudeen, quoted the SSG as describing the performance of the contingent as a brilliant feat which has made the state proud of them and would continue to support them in winning more

laurels in the future. The state government, according to him attached great importance to the committee's assignment especially at this time when youths engaged in anti-social vices and appealed to the trainers to put in more effort in re-shaping our youths. Earlier, the state chairman of the committee, Alhaji Ayinla Ayilara Abdulsalam, said the committee was established in 1986 with the aim of promoting Islam and training the youth in the art of memorising the Holy Quran. Alhaji Abdulsalam, who was represented by Alhaji Woli Kamaldeen, expressed the committee's appreciation to the Kwara state government for the support it has been enjoying.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Oke Odan youths protest alleged killing of colleague by Customs From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta

ollowing the alleged killing of a young man by an official of the Customs Service in Oloparun town in Oke-Odan, Yewa South local government area of Ogun state, palpable tension has gripped residents of the town and environs.

The victim, Lekan Ogunmiti who was said to be riding a rickety vehicle, was reported to have been gunned down while custom officers were said to be pursuing smugglers who were said to have evaded arrest. Our correspondent learnt that, as a result of the ugly development some youths chased the customs officers and beat one of them

mercilessly and equally set three vehicles including one of the Hilux vehicles of the service ablaze. However, Ogun state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi while confirming the incident, said, the commissioner of police in the state, Ikemefuna Okoye was in OkeOdan to persuade the angry mob who had blocked all the major

roads. The police image maker further said that, his boss would also visit the Oloke Odan of Odan to seek his assistance in the matter, while disclosing that, the command has taken over the matter and investigate it. In his own reaction, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service NCS, in Ogun

state, Thike Ngige, described the victim as a smuggler who according to him attempted to evade arrest before he was shot dead. Meanwhile, it will be recalled that few months ago, some people were allegedly killed by the some custom officers which led to unrest in the area before it was later calm.

FG assures union on developmental approach to labour issues By Albert Akota

L-R: Oyo state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Ondo state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, former Ogun state governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and Ogun state Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, during the funeral service of Dr. Moses Majekodunmi. Photo: NAN

he Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has declared that recognition and registration of labour unions is the responsibility of Ministry of Labour and no other authority of government has the authority to exercise that power that has been conferred on the ministry. He added that developmental approach to labour related issue is the mantra of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. Chief Wogu stated this in response to issues raised by the President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Comrade Michael Alogba Olukoya, during a courtesy

No going back on state of emergency, FG says By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

he Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, on Tuesday, said there is no going back on the state of emergency imposed on 15 local government areas to contain the Boko-Haram insurgency in the country. Addressing the meeting of the Body of Attorneys General in Abuja, Adoke said the decision will only be reviewed after the situation normalises urged the Body of Attorneys General, which comprise of 36 state Attorneys

General and Commissioners of Justice to ensure protection of human rights in the cause of tackling the security challenges in their states. Apart from considering how to improve justice administration in the country, the AGF meeting with the Body of Attorneys General will, among other things look at some initiatives like the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 and the Freedom of Information Act 2011 which have crystallised into legislation. Other legislative proposals to be discussed at the meeting, according to the AGF in his address

include, the Almajiri Bill and the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, adding also that the draft guidelines for prosecutors proposed by the Federal Ministry of Justice will be presented to the meeting to elicit comments designed to enrich the draft before been subjected to stakeholder consultations. Adoke apologised to the state Attorneys General for his inability to host the meeting since he assumed office as the AGF and Minister of Justice, ascribing it to the exigencies of office and added that the meeting will henceforth be held quarterly on a rotational basis.

“The Body of Attorneys’ General has been in slumber for too long, now that we have decided to end the slumber, concerted efforts must be made to keep the Body active”, the AGF noted and charged the Body to come out with tangible reform benefits in the form of draft legislations, guidelines ad recommendations. Earlier in his address, the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Abdullahi Yola, said the body was conceptualised as a forum for cross fertilisation of ideas in the administration of justice, vis-à-vis challenges encountered with extant laws, review of obsolete and subsisting laws and the possible harmonization of same for efficient administration of justice across the country.

Nigeria-Canada sign MoU on Rainfall kills prison official in Benin Bi-National Commission From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin ran into the ravaging flood that washed him away. By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

anada and Nigeria have concluded plans to sign a memorandum of understanding establishing a binational commission between the two countries. The MoU is scheduled to be signed on Monday in Ottawa, Canadian capital, by the Nigerian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru, on Nigeria’s behalf, while John Baird will sign

on behalf of Canada. A statement issued yesterday by the ministry indicated that the MoU is envisaged to elevate CanadaNigeria relations to a strategic level of partnership including a wide gamut of bilateral relations. Meanwhile, the reference point included political consultation, economic relations, security cooperation, and Development Cooperation, in areas of education, health and international cooperation.

he body of a middle-aged staff of Nigeria Prisons Service, identified as Gabriel Osegi who could not make his way through torrential flood that lasted for several hours in Benin City, and his motorcycle were picked up from the mud on Tuesday morning in Benin City, Edo state. Mr. Osegi, a Prisons Assistant 1, whose wife is an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was said to be riding on his motorcycle when he

Eyewitnesses said he was washed into the roadside gutter where he eventually died because help was not within reach. Controller of Benin Central Prison, Mr. J. Ewulo who confirmed the death of Mr. Osegi on phone, said as soon as he received the news, he immediately invited the police authority who came to remove the body. He said the police are already investigating the circumstances that led to his death.

call on him at his office. “You mentioned some certain states that had gone ahead to recognise Academic Staff Union of Secondary School (ASUSS). I want to put it categorically clear that within the extant laws, no other authority of government has the authority to exercise that power that has been conferred on Minister of Labour and Productivity”, the minister declared. “There must be room for both sides to dialogue and at the end of the day, it is win-win. It is not us against you or you against us, as there is no battle. What is at stake is the welfare of workers and that of the employers because it is vice versa”, the minister emphasised.

…pledges to revive moribund industries

he Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has charged the newly elected executives of the National Union of Textile Garment & Tailoring Workers of Nigeria to discharge their responsibilities in line with extant labour laws. Chief Wogu stated this in his office while receiving in audience the newly elected executive members of the National Union of Textile Garment & Tailoring Workers of Nigeria led by its president, Comrade Oladele Hunsu and the secretary general, Comrade Isa Aremu. “I want to use this opportunity to congratulate you on the conduct of a peaceful election and urge you to discharge your duties in line with extant labour laws so as to promote and deepen the principle of tripartism”, the minister urged. Earlier in his remarks Comrade Oladele Hunsu expressed the appreciation of the union to President Goodluck Jonathan through the minister for his effort at ensuring that the largest factory in Africa is back on stream while pleading that further efforts should be made to industrialise Nigeria and revive other moribund industries across the country.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

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Kano to build recreational facilities From Bala Nasir, Kano

overnor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano state has said that the state government will build some resorts in the state capital with a view to give families and youths in the state places for resting and other recreational activities. The governor was saying this to PDP members drawn from the 44 local governments in the state while addressing them after he returned from a five-day trip that took him to Egypt and Dubai. He said that after close to one year in office without a break he decided to take some days off with a view to get some rest and also think of other things to do for the betterment of the people of Kano state. The governor stated that Kano being a state capital and a commercial centre needs to have some resorts and gardens so that people after hectic day’s work could go and stretch themselves. “I saw such places in Egypt and Dubai where families go in their numbers to have good time and the youths play all sorts of games at the end of which they get better.” He said, Nigerians are also human beings; as such, they need similar activities like these people, that is why Kano state government is building such places.

Bauchi warns LGA Hajj officials From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

auchi state government has warned all the local government Hajj officers in the state to desist from aiding unqualified people in travelling for the Hajj exercise. The Chairman of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Shehu Adamu Jumba, gave the warning during a one-day sensitisation workshop for the 2012 Hajj preparation in the state. He warned that any hajj officer caught assisting or conniving with pregnant women in their respective local government areas to travel for the 2012 pilgrimage will be punished. He called on the officers to always remain steadfast in their official assignment, saying that they should reject any pressure from desperate pregnant women who want to travel for the exercise. Declaring the workshop open, the Special Adviser to the state governor on Hajj Affairs, Alhaji Sanusi Isa Sarkin Aska, called on the officers to work towards enhancing the welfare of their pilgrims.

L-R: Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, Chief of Health, UNICEF headquarters, New York, Prof. Mickey Chopra, and Manager, Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), UNICEF Nigeria, Boubacar Dieng, during the UNICEF delegates’ visit to the minister, on Tuesday in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Lagos health crisis worsens as govt queries striking doctors From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

resh indications emerged on Tuesday that doctors employed by the Lagos state government may start another round of an indefinite industrial action within the next one week following a query issued by the state government to the entire doctors who participated in the warning strike. The doctors had called-off their three-day warning strike few days ago. It would be recalled that the state government had earlier

warned the doctors before the strike that it would withhold their wages for the period during which the strike lasted. Chairman of the Medical Guild in the state, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote who disclosed this described the action as unfair and unjust, but said that the association, (the Medical Guild) would on behalf of their members respond to the queries issued by the state government. Odusote added that none of the doctors would be allowed to answer the query singularly. The chairman stated that the

guild would summon an emergency congress to decide on the next line of action, but added that the doctors would first and foremost explore the option of dialogue with the government to resolve the crisis on ground. He expressed surprise by the state government’s action noted that the warning strike was suspended for negotiation to resume with government. According to him the state government did not come out straight with the doctors in the negotiation on the need for the implementation of the

Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) which lasted for over a year before they decided to embark on the warning strike. Meanwhile, in what has been construed as plans by the government to threaten the doctors or probably sack them, it has placed an advert to recruit new doctors. The Lagos State Health Service Commission and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, (LASUTH) came up with the advert and the government is advertising the positions of medical officers, consultants/specialists.

NUT to battle Oyo, Ekiti, other states Don charges journalists to update National Institutes of Labour, said over allowance the governors of the affected states knowledge ceremony of the 2012 Press Week From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

he National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Michael Olukoya, has declared that the union would take up the governments of Ekiti, Edo, Ogun and Oyo states over non compliance to the payment of 27.5 percent of allowance to teachers which the states have mingled up with the national minimum wage. The union leader who stated this in Ilorin during the orientation workshop held at Michael Imoudu

have been violating the labour laws. “The first issue borders on matters of law. I am aware that all the elected political officers swore to defend the constitution of this country. Out of all the listed labour unions in this country, there is none that I know of that is a member of Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools. “We will not hesitate to instruct the unionsd of these states to go on strike at our next executive council meeting if the governors concerned are yet to honour this agreement then”, the union leader warned.

From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

he head of Mass Communications Department of the University of Maiduguri, Professor Umar Pate, has said unless journalists across the country update their knowledge, the much talked about social responsibility of the media to the society would remain an illusion. The don made this assertion in Bauchi while delivering a lecture titled ‘‘Press Freedom Versus Responsibility,’’ at the opening

organised by the state council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). He urged media practitioners to strike a balance between serving their masters and the society, where he said press freedom comes with a lot of responsibilities particularly to society in which the press operates. The professor, who advocated that the media should be free from all forms of censorship, also charged journalists on objectivity and fairness in their reportage of events so as to unite the country.

MDAs should protect public infrastructure - SSS director advises From Iliya Garba, Minna

s a result of incessant security challenges in the country, ministries, departments and government agencies have been advised to embark on security awareness training for their staff towards protecting public infrastructure.

Niger state director of the of State Security Service, Dr. Larry Obiagwu made this known in Minna at the opening of a two-day security training seminar for staff of the state Millennium Development Goals (MDG) office. He told all government departments and agencies to be

more security conscious in view of the current challenges confronting the nation, adding that security goes beyond safety of lives, but the protection of properties that have cost government millions of naira to build. “We commend the state MDGs for this symbiotic relationship

between the DSS and them because it is coming at the right time in view of the times we are in”. Dr. Obiagwu emphasized that there was need for government officials to take proactive measure in order to engage people within their localities, to protect government projects and

infrastructures sited within their domain. In his speech, the Director General of the Millennium Development Goals, in the state, Dr. Joshua Nuhu Bawa disclosed that the state government is spending a total of N1.3billion this year on the MDG’s conditional grant scheme.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

Time to stem the systemic collapse

t appears there is no end in sight yet to the tide in mass failure of candidates in Nigeria in the Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) being conducted periodically by both the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO). Late last month, precisely on March 28 this year, NECO released the result of the November/ December, 2011 SSCE which revealed another dismal performance by candidates who sat for the examination. A breakdown of the results published on the Council's website showed that about 10 percent or 10,457 of the 104,187 candidates who sat for the external examination passed English Language with credit and above. However, the candidates recorded an improved performance in Mathematics, as 41.19 percent got credit and above in the subject as against the 17.85 percent recorded in 2010. The results in core science subjects including Chemistry, Biology, Further Mathematics and Agricultural Science were also not impressve. In Physics, according to the result, 43,504 or 90.05 per cent failed, 24 candidates or 0.05 per cent had credit and above. In Biology, of the 97,595 that sat for the paper, 8,109 or 7.57 per cent had pass while 75,486 or 70.48 per cent failed. Of the 44,950 candidates who sat for Chemistry, 2,577 or 5.32 per cent had credit and above, 3,432 or 7.09 per cent had pass while 37,973 or 78.39 per cent failed. In Further

Mathematics, of the 3,271 that sat for it, 48 or 1.05 per cent had credit and above, 101 or 2.21 per cent scored pass marks while 3,085 or 67.64 per cent failed. The last SSCE was the fourth consecutive time that candidates recorded woeful performances in the NECO senior secondary school examination. In September last year NECO announced that less than 25% of the 1,160,561 candidates that sat for the June/July 2011 SSCE passed at

“

the time to act and stem the tide of this systemic decline is now, given the transformation mantra of the present administration credit level. This trend of poor performances is also similar with respect to candidates sitting for the WAEC SSCE. It is instructive to note, as we did in three previous editorials on the mass failures in WAEC and NECO SSCE, that the trend is indicative of the malaise that has afflicted our national life. And year after year, the situation only gets worse largely because there has not been conscientious effort by all three tiers of our government to tackle

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the multifaceted problems that bedevil our society, more especially the education sector, which is most critical in our view, since it is the foundation upon which virtually every other activity depends. For instance, we noted in our editorial of August 18, 2011, titled "May/June 2011 SSCE results: The same unpalatable story", that: "...we know for a fact that only few of the 36 state governments have ever matched UNESCO's recommended 25 % of government's annual budgetary allocations to education. Unless this is done and the funds are judiciously utilised, we will not see any significant change in student performance in WAEC and NECO examinations for some time yet. We made the above assertion in the last editorial bearing in mind the inadequate and dilapidated physical infrastructure, poor quality and insufficient teaching staff, poor funding or even lack of it and over all indiscipline in our schools. And to the best of our knowledge, nothing fundamental has changed between last year and this period in terms of everything required to turn-around Nigeria's education sector. We are however of the view that the time to act and stem the tide of this systemic decline is now, given the transformation mantra of the present administration, and the obvious craving for change by the average citizens arising from mass consciousness brought about by new information and communication technologies.

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PAGE 13

Ibori: Potrait of a true Nigerian By Ike Willie Nwobu

he Nigerian polity and terrain is on all counts and fronts, very peculiar. The various happenings which it continues to entertain and enlighten both its people and noncitizens alike with, never ceases to spring up phenomena that will continue to keep both the formal and informal fora of discourse agog for considerable lengths of time. Along with this characteristic comes its intrinsic ability to redefine and remould certain notions, to the extent of even adding Nigerianised words to our dictionary, along with their meanings which are consequent upon the saga that birthed it. For example, in the heat of the Yar’Ádua impasse when the nation was on auto pilot for more than four months, people could be heard saying, ‘How dare you go Yar’adua on me?’ meaning the person was incommunicado. When the nation was held to ransom in the nascence of 2012 on account of the impromptu soar in the price of petroleum products because of the fuel subsidy removal, we heard words and even names like Chinenyesubsidy-meaning God gives subsidy, or Chukwuemekasubsidy-meaning God has given us subsidy, and many other such instances. Such is the nature of the Nigerian social By Ifeanyi Izeze

hen the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, last week blamed the state governor’s demand for monthly sharing of all accruals from oil sales and opposition to the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund, as the reasons for the depletion of the Excess Crude Account (ECA), she was merely playing politics with the issues at the crux of the matter by trying to shift the blame to the state governors. No doubt Dr. Okonjo Iweala really meant well for this country, whether in the area of subsidy removal or saving for tomorrow but the problem is that she is not a politician but pure technocrat working for politicians whose hearts and minds are desperately wicked conceiving nothing but mischief. So no matter how determined she is to pull Nigeria out from the clutches of corrupt politicians, the fact remains that she takes orders from her bosses who are part of those that disabled Nigeria. As disclosed by the finance minister, funds from the ECA have been shared to the extent that the account which had over $20 billion accumulated savings has been depleted to barely $3.6 billion which cannot take the nation far in the event of a crisis. Her words: “the ECA and the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) are very important, but we have the state governors saying no, we will only allow $1billion. In fact, we managed to get that, and now, they

space, and latest developments in the direction of the soon-to-beconvicted former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, are already redefining our understanding of the concept and the word ‘gentleman’. From the way events are turning out, a gentleman is now understood to be any one who has neither been caught nor convicted of a crime. Yes, an eleventh commandment has been added to our moral code of ethics: do all you want to, but never be caught, or else you lose your dignity and relevance. And it seems pretty much that Ibori has lost his gentlemanly status, as he is presently huddled up in some UK prison serving a sentence which was shortened because of his smart plea of guilt. The statement of the Asaba high court judge in 2009 gives ready insight into what a gentleman really is in Nigeria. It was alleged that twenty million dollars of bribe money was sent courtesy of James Ibori in favour of Nuhu Ribadu in his days as helmsman of the anti-graft agency, EFCC. But in the submission of the chairman which indicted Ibori, he claimed he received fifteen million dollars which he immediately lodged with the Central Bank of Nigeria. This excellent brokerage skills of the Senator-cum-courier man, Andy Uba made him still hold on

to his gentleman title even when the sender was being dragged from court to court for corruption offences. Ibori’s mistake was that he did not notice the collapse of the Yar’Adua power blocks which he built and strengthened. He was just too revellent in the savour of power and its exigencies to learn from his colleague and former governor whom his father groomed, strengthened and positioned, to the extent of falling victim to a crime that was being peddled freely by the minute, using rookie money launderers and gobetweens. It may not be far from the truth that his present predicament is a direct result of the same inexperience. The malaise of the matter is that there were, and still are numerous avenues and channels of investment that could have been a better respite for all that fortune which has been stashed away in foreign lands, with permutable possibility of retrieval, if there will be any at all. Hospitals, housing estates, universities, oil and gas sector, airlines were all begging to be invested in, the telecommunication sector, the banking sector-even forceful acquisition of banks cannot stand up in enormity to your less-thangentlemanly status now. With all your experience, one would have thought you would have cashed

in on agriculture and all its innate investment potentialities, but no, it was better and safer as houses in Dubai, the United Kingdom and America, fleet of customised Range Rover jeeps and Bentleys, and of course, on the vanities of these ‘woes unto men’. For the purpose of record and posterity, James Onanefe Ibori is not the worst criminal in Nigeria, and even in the world. That British judge that is making hogwash of our anti-corruption campaign, calling it an opera to the gallery, should remember that it has not been too long since his country continually raped the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) and ripped off the Nigerian government to the tune of millions of pound sterling. They can lay their claims of morality to people that do not know of their spiritual misfortune of same-sex marriage, to the extent of attempting to extrude that scum down our pristine African throats, and not to us. We have not forgotten the episode of the organised freeing of the son of Margaret Thatcher who organized brigands to topple the government of Equatorial Guinea, at the behest of tele-colonialism, oil money and power. Locally, news is replete of gentlemen who are fast losing grip on their statusover 300 billion has located some civil pockets in a pensions racket, in fact one, a permanent secretary, was caught with two

billion naira cash in his home. The fuel subsidy story is a story for another day, with more than 200 billion naira stolen. Big stealing is going on, and yet there are no thieves. At the right time, the politics of Ibori’s conviction will come into play. Finally, the British system and institution is a very interesting one-find one scapegoat that is well loaded, to be used as a signal to others. The loading is to cover their investigation cost. In the end, Ibori, the Delta state government and the enlarged Nigerian populace will be over 50 million pounds poorer as operational cost, to be deducted from source. What an excellent financial model. The way to beat the British system is righteousness and alertness, like in the Matthew Ashimolowo case where his alertness saved him his ministry, his name, and indeed saved the world the Nigerian brand of evangelism from the greedy and imperialist claws of British scavenging. He nearly lost his edificial church, which was incidentally sited on the grounds meant for use in the Olympics, when his charity commission came under severe attack and investigation. So to escape is not a foolish act. Ike Willie Nwobu can be reached through ikewillienwobu@yahoo.com

Crying over depleting excess crude account is self-deceit said it is illegal; and so, the country is not able to save in the ECA and we have left today in that account only about $3.6bn. Every month, because they (the governors) say it is illegal, we have been dipping hands into it (ECA). Instead of moving that money into the sovereign wealth account, it is being shared until it is almost at the bottom. There is no need of shifting the responsibility of managing our national earnings to the governors. Most Nigerians would agree that the problem is with the centre and the political party-PDP that’s in power. We were told how our foreign reserves and the excess crude earnings were squandered by the centre and its party on the last presidential election. We have equally been told how fuel import licenses were issue as patronage and subsidy payments doled out even without ascertaining whether the ghost importers actually brought in a single litre of petrol. Not long ago, and after the 2011 presidential election, President Olusegun Obasanjo said he asked his “brother” why he decided to squander all the savings in the excess crude and external reserve accounts which were meant for the rainy days. And this was his brother’s answer: “Your Excellency, which other rainy day are we saving for when we are already in rainy days.” So there is

no ambiguity about who should be held responsible for depleting the savings in the external reserve and Excess Crude Accounts as Obasanjo clearly and directly addressed the real culprit. Accepting that there was no way her ministry could accurately determine how much petroleum products are imported and how much are actually sold in Nigeria was a confirmation of the fears of the governors that the federal government cannot be trusted to transparently manage whatever fund that’s set aside for rainy days. Agreed that fiscal federalism should not stop the country from saving as even the constitution mandates the federal government to manage the economy to the benefit of all Nigerians, but if we must save as we should do, all the stakeholders should agree on what to be saved and how to do it so that in the future, no one party would want to take others for granted this is just the point of contention What is the rationale behind the federal government’s continued deductions from states’ monthly allocation to fund a policy- fuel subsidy that is exclusively its own programme? Okonjo-Iweala should be surprise herself that as the minister of finance and the coordinating

minister for the national economy she does know how much money is spent on subsidy. What the finance ministry does, according to the minister “was to get the accountants to verify what the importers present as their imports and pay them.” Of course why won’t the governors kick against the federal government’s saving plans if the centre had decided to be dishonest even in small things like fuel subsidy payments. The sum of N304 billion was deducted from federally collected revenue between January and February this year instead of a budgeted N148 billion for the two months, representing an additional N74 billion monthly. This is money that would have gone to the states as part of their share. There is nothing wrong in government saving money either under the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) or excess crude account? Nigeria is not the only country that has created Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). Other serious- minded countries have established this long ago and we only squander without caring for tomorrow. Oil producing countries that have SWF accounts include amongst others: Kuwait 300 billion (Created in 1953);UAE 627 billion (Created in 1976); Saudi Arabia 472.5 billion; Libya 70 billion (Created in 2006); Algeria 56.7

billion (Created in 2000); Brazil 8.6 billion (Created in 2009); Nigeria 1billion (Created in 2011). However, of all the countries, Nigeria is the only one where the central government receives so much but squanders all in consumption or rather amoral lifestyle fueled by corruption and lack of creativity in mobilizing available resources to work for the good of the citizenry. It is very clear that if we don’t have arguments of constitutionality and fiscal federalism, there would have been progress on this issue but until we address this aspect of the argument, it would continue to be status quo ante and there’s nothing anybody can do about it. The governor’s forum is currently challenging the constitutionality of the Sovereign Wealth Fund in the court. And until the case is concluded, it remains illegal and irresponsible of the federal government to do anything contrary either with the ECA or the Sovereign Wealth Account.The governors would continue to insist the federal government shares everything that comes into the federation and excess crude accounts not because the governors are selfish but because that’s what the Constitution says. Ifeanyi is a public affairs analyst

PAGE 14

By Sani Adamu

vailable statistics show that there are more than 10 million Nigerian children with no access to formal education. The data also reveal that out of this number, more than nine million are the Almajiri in the northern part of Nigeria. The word Almajiri is coined from the Arabic word Al-Muhajirin, which means a migrant in search of knowledge or a drifting proponent of Islamic knowledge. A report of the Ministerial Committee on Madrasah Education estimated the population of the Almajiri in the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria as 4.9 million. It also said that there were about 2.6 million Almajirai (the plural form of Almajiri) in the North-East, 1.1 million in the North-Central, 809,317 in the South-West, 3,827 in the SouthEast and 18,500 in the SouthSouth. For many years, the Almajiri syndrome has been a source of concern to religious, traditional and political leaders, particularly in northern Nigeria. Observers say that several attempts by successive governments to provide a lasting solution to the menace of Almajirai have so far been unsuccessful due to a number of factors. However, stakeholders have repeatedly argued that for Nigeria to achieve the goals of Vision 20:2020, Nigeria needs a welleducated and skilled population. This, perhaps, informs the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to integrate the Almajiri system into the country’s formal education system. To strengthen the initiative, Jonathan approved the construction of more than 400 model Almajiri schools in 18 states in northern Nigeria. Vice-President Namadi Sambo

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Promoting the education of the Almajiri: The Jonathan recipe handled the symbolic foundation political zone alone accounted for total number of the schools to 400 stone-laying ceremony for the almost five million Almajirai, nationwide. “It is noteworthy that under schools’ construction at Gantsa, representing more than 60 per Jigawa State, in December 2010. cent of the total population of this arrangement, the Federal Government has so far constructed Less than two years after the Almajirai in the country. “The fact that the majority of 35 of such model schools. commencement of the initiative, “States with large populations the President inaugurated the these children do not attend well-equipped Federal conventional basic education of Almajirai will have boarding Government-owned Almajiri Model schools makes the situation quite and day schools. “Each school will be equipped Boarding School in the Gagi, Sokoto worrisome. “Our administration believes with a basic science laboratory, a State on April 10. computer room, In his speech vocational during the education s c h o o l ’ s workshop and a inauguration, library. Jonathan Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text “Similarly, reiterated the messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written t e xtbooks determination contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 aligned to the of his words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and n a t i o n a l administration a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed curriculum to give quality to: have been education to produced and the 9.5 million The Editor, teachers will be Almajirai Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, trained in line roaming the with the national country’s 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. policy on streets. Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com education and He said that SMS: 07037756364 the national a major curriculum. objective of the “The inauguration of the first government policy was to take the that the time has come for the Almajirai off the streets so that they nation to build on the moral model school in Sokoto today is only could acquire both Quranic and foundations of the traditional school a precursor to the inauguration of formal education in a more system by providing the Almajirai other such schools, including the with conventional knowledge and Day School located in Tambuwal conducive setting. He stressed that provision of skills that will enable them to fully town, which shall commence boarding schools for the Almajirai realise their creative and shortly,” Jonathan said. Besides, the President said that was part of his administration’s productive potential,” he said. The President also directed the the Federal Government was efforts to provide equal access to education for all Nigerian Minister of Education, Prof. providing extra support to states Ruquyyatu Rufai, to liaise with for the Almajiri education project children. Jonathan cited a report of the the state governments and work via the Universal Basic Education Ministerial Committee on Almajiri out the best approach for providing Commission (UBEC). Elucidating the President’s Education in 2010, which purposeful education for the youth. “The Federal Government has claims, Rufai said that UBEC was revealed that there were about 9.5 million Almajirai in the country. pledged that within the next four constructing 51 Almajiri schools, He noted that out of the years, it will construct 100 Almajiri including boarding and day number, the North-West geo- schools every year, to bring the schools, across the country.

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The Almajiri schools, which are being constructed under the UBEC intervention project, would later be handed over to the State Universal Basic Education Boards to manage. The minister said that UBEC would also monitor the schools on a continuous basis so as to ensure their compliance with the minimum academic standards set for basic education. Rufai said that the Federal Government would provide funds for constructing and equipping the model schools, adding that it would also provide textbooks for the students. She, nonetheless, said that the state governments would be fully responsible for the schools’ management, while constructing additional Almajiri schools in the long run to enable the programme to achieve the desired impact. The minister said that the curriculum for Almajiri schools should enable the students to go on with their education in conventional secondary schools and tertiary institutions. Rufai, nonetheless, noted that in cases where the students’ education terminated at the basic level, the curriculum would have equipped such students with literacy and conventional skills to broaden their horizon. “It will also enable them to be useful to themselves and the entire society at large,” she added. Shedding more light on the project, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETF), said that the Federal Government had expended N5 Continued on page 15

Budget 2012: What’s in it for SMEs? (I) By Fred Chiagozie Nwonwu

he 2012 budget, which runs under the theme “Fiscal consolidation, inclusive growth and job creation” is a departure, but not so much so, from previous budgets especially as it concerns Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs). While the thematic inclination shows an apparent bias towards aspects of the economy that should be advantageous to SMEs—job creation drives, inclusive economic growth and a commitment to fiscal consolidation—prevailing factors on the ground leaves a lot of space for conjecture. In addition, the theme, though seemingly fresh, is not much removed from that of the preceding year and belies a lack of special or priority provision for SMEs. Budget Overview At N4.749 Trillion, a six per cent increase from last year’s appropriation ofN4.484 trillion, the budget for 2012 though not indicative of much expansion on

the surface, includes increased deficit amid expected fiscal consolidation. The inherent inconsistency of an increase in deficit within a policy of fiscal consolidation is open to analysis. A breakdown of the total expenditure as proposed indicates the following Approximates: • N398bn (Three Hundred and Ninety Eight Billion) billed for statutory transfers • N560bn (Five Hundred and Sixty Billion) for debt service • N2.472tn (Two Trillion, Four Hundred and Seventy-Two Billion) for recurrent (NonDebt) expenditure • In addition, capital expenditure increased by 15 per cent from last year’s appropriation to approximately N1.32tn (One Trillion, Three Hundred and Thirty-Two Billion). Predicated on an estimated oil production estimate of 2.48 million barrels per day; benchmark oil price of US$70/ barrel; exchange rate of NGN155/US$; projected GDP growth rate of 7.2 per cent; and

projected inflation rate of 9.5 per cent, the budget shows a prudent attempt to cushion any volatility that might occur in the course of the year. This also shows a reasonable attempt to reverse the ill-advised utilisation of a US$75 per barrel benchmark used for the 2011 budget. The projected GDP growth rate of 7.2 per cent is consistent with growth levels experienced in the Nigeria and other developing economies in recent years. The 9.5 per cent inflation rate is at best an optimistic conjecture that will surely be negated by the removal of petroleum subsidy. This budget, which at the time of writing is still awaiting passage by the legislative arm of government, essentially contains Nigeria’s income and expenditure road map for the 2012 financial year. The budget rests on four main pillars: • Macro–economic stability • Structural reforms • Governance and Institutions and • Investment in priority sectors

Factors affecting SME growth in Nigeria SMEs are the engine of growth across the world. That is why it is not surprising that in many developed; countries more than 98% of all enterprises belong to the SME sector. A clear example can be made with Japan where 80% of the total industrial labour force works in the SME sector. In Germany, and USA the figure is smaller but at 50 and 46 per cent respectively, still impressive. Only 5 per cent of Nigerian manufacturing firms can be said to be large corporations. The remaining 95 per cent are SMEs. SMEs in Nigeria have undergone rapid growths, which resulted in local sourcing of raw materials and export drive, without which larger corporations would be handicapped. Despite the large percentage of SMEs involved in the Nigerian economy, potential growth in the sector continues to be suppressed by several factors—including, but are not restricted to:

1. Inhibited access to money and the capital markets 2. Poor infrastructural facilities 3. High rate of enterprise mortality and shortages of skilled manpower a) High rate of enterprise mortality and shortages of skilled work force The 2012 budget, like that of the year before, contains vague provisions for SMEs. At a time other nations provide special income tax incentives for new enterprises, there are no changes to the corporate tax rate and the companies’ income tax regime nor is there any new form of tax exemptions for existing enterprises. However, since no statement was made to the contrary, it may be safe to assume that the existing pioneer tax holiday for new enterprises and other company incentives are still in place. In addition, there is provision for tax rebate for bakeries that attains 40 per cent blending of cassava flour with wheat. Fred can be reached through frednwonwu.blogspot.com

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

PAGE 15

The remaining Iboris in Nigeria: Last chance for the dead Nigerian judiciary to resurrect By Segun O’Law

here is just one thing Nigerians need with highest priority; it is ‘kill corruption’. The fact remains about the trouble from the North, that those bomb wielding restive boys of Boko Haram are only aggravated about the paradox of our poverty in the face of obvious wealth – their only deficiency is the ‘how to’ of accentuating it. At the start, they began to agitate the polity, and when they saw that it brought them chance of gaining attention from the government to negotiate’, some pious elements thought it wise to kill two birds at the cast of one stone, and then stood on the wavemaking shoulders of the boys to add up other qualified, selfish, religious demands. The same is the demand of the Niger-Delta militants; they hated how evil caused underdevelopment of their region, only that when drummer seems to be gaining attention, he raises his shoulder to inspire more. The root of militancy insurgence was as a result of corruption, just as they felt cheated while their littoral community fed the corrupt leaders. Nigeria needs learn wisdom from the pupil of the eyes that looks upon other things, but yet to self is blind. Some commentaries from various quarters are busy flawing the selection of Jim Yong Kin over Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, describing

it as political and unfair’, while they have totally ignored the fact that their country is yet to address the deadly scourge of corruption back home. One fact we can trust is that if we provide a comprehensive chance to a corrupt-free polity, we will no longer have to submit to the warning; ‘FEAR NORTH’. We can then go to bed with our two eyes closed, and Boko Haram or other insurgent sects will not strike. Although, Nigerians waited curiously to hear a sentence that will keep Ibori in prison for Methuselah years infarct, if there is a way he could be kept away so that he never returns to live in the same society with us, we would rejoice all day – but we still can make do with 7 years and some months of living without one of our pesky criminals. Half bread, they say is better than none. The sentence of Ibori to 7 and half years in prison have at least made half of our day, if not the greatest day. The development tends to be directing our attention away from demanding infrastructure and employment, to demanding for the prosecution of all our ‘big’ thieves. Nigerians had demanded infrastructural development, jobs creation, good amenities, network of good roads, stable electricity, security, free and qualitative education, structural development, better standard of living from good per capital

income, and in other standard development indices. However, since these demands only amounted to a waste of time, energy and saliva, no provisions in this wise will stimulate the now enlightened Nigerian citizens any longer, not anymore. Nigerian citizens now generate electricity by themselves, throwing out the need for the government to provide electricity; citizens provide physical security and are already making out ways to bring comfort as far as they can in their little capacities. As such, the strides of government driven in the mood to meet these needs are not greeted by anymore accolades, not even the hypes from Okorochas in Imo State – sorry, no more gullible here. The only need, one that unites Nigeria at this time per se, is the need to convict and jail thieving officials – just that! Attesting to this point is the ripples of joy that wired across the Nigerian terrain following the short sentence Ibori bagged in the UK court after his expensive long standing trial at the Southwark Crown Court. Needless to emphasize further that the sentence of Ibori by the UK court splashes muds of insults on the face of the Nigerian Judiciary, which had initially acquitted Ibori and found nothing criminal against him, it is important however, especially at this time, to revive the Nigeria’s Judiciary with hot water, to take clues from this UK

Court performance and meet up with the heat. The UK Court already taught the Nigerian Judiciary how to make a good prosecution. While there is a hanging tendency that the Nigerian Government may soon scrap off the EFCC alongside fourteen other agencies, it will be good to scrap it off altogether us to set up something else that works. We do not necessarily need the UK Court to assist in the prosecution of the rest Iboris still in Nigeria. UK’s trial of our criminals will be frightfully expensive, just as it cost us so much for them to investigate Ibori. Understandably, it is better to spend that much to get justice rather than allowing the thief win away with all he purloined, it is however much better to save much money if our anti-graft drive is working at home – and we would still save more, if the Nigerian government officials are punished for siphoning public funds. Already, the Nigerian Judiciary has lost its reputation and has fallen out of place; the Nigerian Judicial system is broken. This is however an shot at resurrection. If I were Lamorde for one day, just as the EFCC stands the risk of being scrapped any time, I will only take a giant step as if I’d have no other opportunity. Since the trial of one Ibori has been produced a logical outcome, I’d just go after the rest Ibori’s who are still within reach and tinker

with them. If the Nigerian Judiciary is serious about redeeming it’s tainted image reeking of extensive corruption stench, all those whose names were mentioned during the trial of Ibori, such as the Obong Victor Attah’s are proper objects to score the bull. If the Nigerian Judiciary would like to restore citizens’ trust, Gbenga Daniel’s current case is a admirable one to give us deep breathes. If the Nigerian Justice system would become something to be taken seriously, former Governors, including the Lagos Asiwaju ‘jagaban’ are landmark cases worth pursuing. If the anti-graft crusade in Nigeria would be taken seriously, Dimeji Bankole’s case will end up in victory for Nigerians and President Jonathan must be forced to reveal his assets as a matter of urgency. We just cannot wait anymore for the rest Iboris to be tried with the UK court type of seriousness. We just can not wait, and I will have to borrow Omoyele Sowore’s ringing words during the New York episode of the Occupy Nigeria throwing of a crappy town hall meeting to the face of the minister in errand for Jonathan; Nigerians are tired of weak anti-corruption war in Nigeria and “we have been taking it lying down for a long time… and we are no longer gonna wait… no more!”. Segun is a public affairs analyst.

Promoting the education of the Almajiri: The Jonathan recipe Continued from page 14

billion on the construction of 35 model Almajiri primary schools across the country. He said that the money was spent on building, furnishing and equipping the model schools that were located in 18 of the 19 northern states. “The 35 schools — 10 boarding and 25 day schools — were built by the Fund, apart from the 51 schools, currently being put in place by UBEC,” he said. Yakubu said that all the schools, including the one in Auchi, Edo State, had state-of-the-art libraries, laboratories, ICT centres and vocational and technical education workshops. The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III , who commended Jonathan for his commitment towards the growth of education in the country, noted that the establishment of Almajiri model schools was apt, desirable and purposeful. The schools would provide succour to millions of youths who could not benefit from the conventional school system, he added. To add value to the programme, the Sultan, nonetheless, suggested the establishment of more community schools across the country.

“ We must encourage self-help projects and facilitate the establishment and sustenance of community schools. “We must, above all, restore the culture of Waqf (endowment) to support our educational and religious institutions,” he said. Abubakar stressed that education was a enterprise that could only succeed in a pragmatic way via collective efforts. Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State also hailed the President for “contributing immensely to the development of the state since his assumption of office”. He noted that the Almajirai constituted a significant percentage of the youth’s population in the North, adding that they also “ pose some challenges for the achievement of the targets of the Education for All (EFA) initiative.” Wamakko, however, said that the state government had established a similar school with 800 pupils at Tudun Dogo, Dange/ Shuni Local Government Area. He said that his government had also directed the 23 local government councils in the state to establish similar Almajiri schools in their respective domains. The commendations’ galore for the Federal Government’s initiative appears endless and as the Muslim Media Watch Group,

an NGO, is one of the groups that lauded the President for promoting the education of the Almajirai. Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, the group’s National Coordinator, however, appealed to the Federal Government to do everything possible to provide the Almajirai with qualitative education. Some Islamic scholars have also commended Jonathan for taking decisive steps to address salient issues relating to the education of the Almajirai. One of the scholars, Malam Auwalu Muhammad, stressed that the new Federal Government’s education policy would boost the morale of Qur’anic teachers, while easing the burden of educating the growing population of the Almajirai across the country. Muhammad said that the programme would also enhance the youths’ access to formal education, while raising the literacy level in northern Nigeria. “The integration of Almajiri schools into formal education by the Federal Government is a welcome development but the problem is how to ensure the programme’s sustainability. “This is because government schools are even facing some difficulties such as non-payment of teachers’ salaries and lack of equipment. “It is a good initiative but we

must ensure that these Almajiri schools are well-maintained. “We are also urging the government to put in place a mechanism that will ensure the schools’ sustainability, even after the end of the current administration,” he said. Muhammad particularly urged affluent citizens to contribute toward the maintenance of Almajiri schools in their respective localities. Besides, the Almajiri Foundation of Nigeria is full of praises for Jonathan for initiating the Almajiri Model School scheme. Mr Yusuf Hassan, the National Chairman of the Foundation, described the programme as “a noble idea which the Foundation and all Northerners had been yearning for”. He said that the education programme would provide some succour to the Almajirai, who were hitherto not adequately taken care of in the society. “The Almajirai roam about dangerously in tattered clothes, in between fast-moving vehicles, begging for food and money,” Hassan noted. He stressed that if the programme was sustained and well-implemented, it would completely eradicate the menace of the Almajirai by giving them religious and formal education

and repositioning them to contribute more meaningfully to national development efforts. To make the programme more fulfilling, Hassan urged all state governments to embark on the construction of similar Almajiri schools in each local government area of their states. He also urged the private sector and wealthy individuals to contribute to the success of the scheme. However, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, said that the initiative was part of the Federal Government’s strategies aimed at stemming the rising wave of insecurity in the country. Noting that the initiative was the first of its kind in the last 50 years, Gulak said: “Our task is to see that we live in peace and unity, while ensuring the progress of our country so that all Nigerians can get the dividends of democracy.” In spite of the widespread praises for the initiative, analysts insist that government must initiate and sustain pragmatic plans to educate the youth so as to rid the towns and cities of the large army of unemployable youths, street urchins, Almajirai and street beggars. Sani Adamu works with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

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

FCTA approves inclusion of mass housing scheme in AACTRIS project By Josephine Ella

A woman peeling yam for frying at Lugbe, yesterday.

Photo: Joe Oroye

90% of allotted plots not developed, says FCT minister By Josephine Ella

he Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has revealed that over 90 per cent of plots of land allocated in the territory have not been developed by plot owners. This, he said is due to the absence of basic infrastructures, just as he also disclosed that since the existence of Abuja as the nation’s capital city, “infrastructural development in the FCT has not been more than 25 per cent”. Senator Mohammed, who

spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting at Transcorp Hotels in Abuja reiterated the role of the private sector as the main driver for the nation’s economic growth and development saying that the FCT administration was exploring the Public Private Partnership (PPP) option to provide infrastructure in the territory. ”In our efforts to actualize dividends of the Transformation Agenda in the FCT and thus, positively transform the lives of residents of the territory, the FCT Administration has come up with sound initiative on comprehensive district

development on the basis of private sector collaboration,” he said. He noted that the forum was convened so as to formally inform members of the Organized Private Sector and would-be partners about the PPP model for district development and solicit for their active participation. He lamented that in the past, allottees of Mass Housing lands were made to provide secondary and tertiary infrastructure but that it did not yield the desired objectives. According to him, the Mass Housing districts of Kafe, Mbora,

Galadimawa, Lokogoma and Wumba, though substantially developed, have remained without necessary infrastructures; adding that other districts suffering the same fate include Mabushi, Kado, Gwarimpa and Durumi. He emphasised that lack of successes in those exercises was largely attributed to alienation of the private sector as a major and effective manager of resources, assuring however that, the FCT administration was determined to initiate new order of things and correct the past without witchhunting anybody.

1,000 people defect from PDP to ANPP in Gwagwalada By Usuman Shuabu

he Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Honourable Zakiri Angulu Dobi has disclosed that about one thousand people from 4 wards have decamped from the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) in the area. Dobi, disclosed this on

Tuesday while speaking to newsmen shortly after the ANPP rally at Gwako Village of the Area Council, saying that he will take the decampees along in the scheme of things. He expressed Joy over the caliber of people that decamped to ANPP in the Area, pointing out that his leadership will give the necessary support to the decampees in order to participate fully in the party’s affair.

He called on the ANPP ward Chairmen across the Gwagwalada Area council to deem it fit to appoint the decampees to key positions for the overall progress of the party. Earlier, the Chairman of the All Nigerian people’s party in the FCT, Mrs Abdulmaliki urged the decampees to join hands with members for the betterment of the party. The FCT ANPP Chairman

appealed to the residents of Gwagwalada to vote for ANPP in 2013 so that the leadership of the party will continue with its good governance in the Area. One of the decampees, Honourable Abubakar Jibrin Giri, who was once a speaker of the Legislative arm of Gwagwalada Area Council, said that he decamped to ANPP so as to contribute his quota to the development of Area Council.

We will regularise wages, Gwagwalada NULGE chairman By Usuman Shuabu

he newly elected Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees in Gwagwalada Area council of Federal Capital Territory, Comrade Abagi Gambo Hussaini has appealed to

members of the Union to obey the laid down rules of civil service at all time. Comrade Gambo Hussaini made the appeal in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday, saying that his administration will not hesitate to provide an enabling environment for the civil

servants in the area council in order to carry out their professional duties effectively. According to him; “my administration will try its best to regularize the workers wages as well as maintain good relationship with the management of Area council”. He said that his leadership

would follow the footstep of his predecessor , calling on members to join hands with him to move the union forward Hussaini, however, said that the Union was yet to initiate any policy of assessment to checkmate the activities of the Executive arm of the Area Council for now.

he Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has given approval for inclusion of Mass Housing sites and Sectional titles in the scope of work of the Accelerated Area Councils Title Re-Issuance Scheme (AACTRIS) project. Briefing journalists on the decision of the Exco, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Information Management and Strategy, Hajiya Jamila Tangaza said the inclusion was to enable AATRIS project take care of all Mass Housing sites, Area Councils customary allocations and sectional titles (Blocks of Flats) in the Federal Capital Territory and be issued with Certificates of Occupancy simultaneously. She explained that since the entire project of title re-issuance are similar; the FCT administration thought it is appropriate to take advantage of the existing technology platform, personnel and resources to achieve the tasks. Furthermore, she explained that the project would improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the FCT administration through the collection of statutory land fees. She equally, disclosed that the EXCO directed that all land use in the affected areas be harmonized especially the activities of the Abuja Geographic Information System; Lands; Urban & Regional Planning and Development Control Departments to accelerate development in such areas and further reduce friction. It would be recalled that the FCT EXCO had earlier in April last year, approved the engagement of Messrs E-Angel Consortium on a public private collaboration framework for the processing of backlog of Area Councils Titles. This involves conversion of customary to statutory to enhance the value of such properties and serve as collateral to access credit facilities.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

PAGE 17

3 2 1

. Men of Abuja Environmental Sanitation Task Force at work along City Gate Abuja yesterday.

2. Man hwaking sunshade at Area 1, Abuja. 3. Road accident along Lugbe road, Abuja, recently.

Kwali council boss bags traditional title By Usuman Shuabu

he etsu of kwali area council in the federal capital tertiary, Alhaji Shaban Aud Niza 2011 has crowned the chairman of the area council , Honourable Joseph Shazin as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Garkuwaâ&#x20AC;? Kwali alongside some personality over the weekend. Speaking at the occasion, the chairman of Gwagwalada Area council in the FCT, Honourable Zakari Angulu Dobi said the chairman of Kwali was honoured with the traditional title based on his contributions towards the development of Kwali and its environs. The Gwagwalada chairman commended the etsu of kwali for honouring some personalities with the traditional titles in the area, saying that the honour will ginger the holders to contribute their parts to the progress of traditional institution in kwali. Dobi, however, advised the title holders in kwali to use

their positions to maintain peace with other ethnic groups for the overall development of kwali area council. In an interview with newsmen, the chairman of kwali area council, honourable Joseph Shazin who was one of the beneficiaries of the traditional titles said that his leadership would continue to contribute to the traditional institution in the area. Shazin used the occasion to inform that his administration has executed peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oriented projects, noting that the achievement recorded in the council were due to the support from residents. On his part, the etsu of kwali , Alhaji shaban Audu Niza 2011 said that the traditional titles were bestowed on some persons in order to encourage them to contribute their quota to the development of kwali area council. It would be recalled that about five non-indigenes were also given traditional titles including the personal assistant to the council chairman of kwali.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

AMAC unveils New Garki Fish Market for APO residents By Josephine Ella

raders in the Apo Resettlement Camp and those of neighbouring communities like Akpanjiya and Garki, who have longed for a legitimate marketplace for their commodities, can now heave a sigh of relief with the commissioning of the New Garki Fish Market. Though named Garki Fish Market, the market is expected to accommodate traders of other food commodities like yams, rice, tomatoes, pepper, onion, to mention but a few. Prior to the opening of the market, which consist of formal and informal sections with lock-up shops and open stalls, traders in the areas had carried out their business by the

roadside, thereby resulting to traffic gridlock thus and endangering the lives of the traders and other road users. However, with the eventual completion and official opening of the market, it is expected that this would become a thing of the past. While commissioning the market yesterday, the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Micah Jiba said the initiative is a fulfilment of one out of the numerous campaign promises of his administration. “During our electioneering campaign we did promise our electorates who voted us into office that we will give them the best. This is part of the dividends of democracy that we promised them. The opening of this market is for the

A trader attends to a customer during the ceremonial flag-off of sales in the New Garki Fish market. benefit of residents of the AMAC and Abuja residents,” he said. Represented by the council secretary, Alhaji Idris Tanko, Jiba said the effort was to ensure that traders who have converted road sides and shoulders to market places, have a befitting place to carryout to their businesses. Aside averting the dangers

associated with roadside trading, he said this would restore sanity to the areas as it is believed that roadside traders contribute to the littering of the streets and traffic congestion. The chairman, therefore warned street traders to utilise the market, threatening to sanction traders found

“

AMAC chairman, Micah Jiba

Side view of the informal section of the market

All the marketers who have gotten their allocations of shops but refuse to come to the market, we are going to revoke the allocation and give it to those that are willing to patronise the market operating by the roadside in the area henceforth. According to him, allotees who fail to take up their shops in the market would have it revoked. In his word; “By commissioning of this market today, we expect that everybody will be bringing his commodity to this market for sale. We don’t want to see anybody selling by the roadside again. As from today, any trader found selling by the roadside will be prosecuted. “All the marketers who have gotten their allocations of shops but refuse to come to the market, we are going to revoke the allocation and give it to those that are willing to patronise the market”. Community leaders of Garki, who were present at the occasion, were full of appreciation to the AMAC

administration over completion and opening of the market facility. The Chief of Garki, Alhaji Usman Ngakupi noted that AMAC had spent a lot of money for the project to eventually see the light of the day. Ngakupi, who was represented by District Head of Garki, Mr. Jacob Garki commended the effort, as he expressed confidence that the administration would replicate similar gesture in future as the need arises. He noted that apart from Apo residents, other neighbouring communities would benefit from the facility, urging traders to quit the road and use the market. Traders in the area were even more joyous as they danced in celebration to the opening of the market. Mrs Lami Jiwa, who spoke on behalf of the market women, assured residents that all commodities that would be sold in the market would be more affordable than those in other markets. She therefore, urged residents to patronise the market as she said a trial would convince them. While appreciating the AMAC for the initiative, she challenged chairmen of other area councils of the territory to emulate such a good gesture. Jiwa did not forget to advise her colleagues to relocate to their rightful place in the market rather than the roadside, for their own good. The event featured a ceremonial flag-off of sales in the market with the chairman inspecting some of the commodities displayed in the market for sale such as yams, rice, pepper, tomatoes, ice fish, dry fish and onion among others.

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

SMEDAN boss laments lack of SME plan after independence

Mob: 08033644990

FAAC allocation for the month of March 2012 S/N

BENEFICIARIES

SUB-TOTAL (N)

FG (52.68%) States (26.72%) L/govt Councils (20.72%) Derivation (13% of Mineral revenue-oil/gas) Value Added Tax (VAT) & Transfers

620.7 billion

Naira firms against US dollar on NNPC dollar sale

he local currency, the naira currency rose to its highest level in five and half weeks against the U.S dollar yesterday, after stateowned energy company NNPC sold $400 million to some lenders, which boosted dollar liquidity in the market. The local currency closed trading at 157.30 to the dollar on the interbank market, firmer than the 157.50 it closed at on Tuesday. “The market reacted to the additional sales of $400 million by the NNPC to some banks today, in addition to its initial sales of same amount on Monday which boosted dollar liquidity and provided support for the naira,” one dealer said. The energy company had initially sold about $400

Flight schedule AIR NIGERIA (MONDAY - SUNDAY) LOS-A BJ: 07.15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.30, 17.00, 17.20, 18.30 ABJ-LOS: 07.00, 09.30, 10.30, 11.15, 16.15, 19.15, 19.35 ABJ-KANO: 18.40 KANO-ABJ: 08.35 ABJ -SOK (MON): 09.35 ABJ-SOK (FRI): 10.10 ABJ-SOK (WED/SUN): 11.20 SOK-ABJ (MON): 11.35 SOK-ABJ (FRI): 12.00 SOK-ABJ (WED/SUN): 13.20

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

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

IRS AIRLINES

million late on Monday to some lenders, but that had little impact on the market because of strong demand for the greenback by importers. Traders said the naira traded as low as 157.65 to the dollar, intraday, before the NNPC dollar flow helped strengthen the currency. “Most banks were initially holding their positions, not willing to buy or sell dollars, until the NNPC funds hit the market and changed the calculations,” another dealer said. Most oil companies operating in Africa’s top oil producer sell dollars at the end of each month to banks to obtain naira for their local obligations, while the NNPC sells its dollar to fund it obligations to government. A trader said the naira should trend lower to within 157.3 to 157.65 against the dollar in the coming days, as dollar demand from importers increases. On the official window, the central bank sold $120 million at 155.75 to the dollar, compared with $150 million sold at 155.70 to the dollar on Monday. (Reuters)

FIRS to review capital gains tax, stamp duties Acts, -Ag. chairman By Tinuade Oredoyin

he Acting Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Alhaji Kabir Mashi has disclosed of plans to review both Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Stamp Duties (SD) Acts to ensure that the laws are in conformity with global best practices. Mashi made the disclosure at a workshop on Administration of CGT, SD and Personal Income Tax (PIT) for optimum revenue yield held in Abuja on Wednesday. He said that the Service would also embark on massive sensitization of the public and create awareness on best practices that would help drive improved collection of all taxes. Mashi said there was need for

the FIRS to focus more on CGT, SD and PIT to ensure increase revenue generation and maximize revenue potentials from various sources that have remained untapped. He stressed the need for CGT, SD and PIT to contribute more to the total tax take in view of the pressing need to improve revenue accruable to government across levels. “This position must however be reversed if we are to meet our targets and ensure that these taxes begin to make substantial contribution to overall revenue collection’’, he said. The Ag. Executive Chairman noted that the realisation of Nigeria’s 2012 Budget is dependent on earning

from taxes and that staff should bear this in mind at all times. “In doing this, we must note that the national budget is substantially predicated on the ability of the FIRS as the primary revenue generating agency of the Federal Government to meet its revenue targets. This will enable Government at all levels to execute its various developmental programmes and projects. “It is in this regard that we need to intensify our efforts towards optimum revenue collection. In doing this, we must bring to the fore, key issues impacting our ability to maximise revenue potentials from various sources that have hitherto remain untapped. There is therefore the need to focus on these identified areas and bring up ideas, which will enable us optimise revenue in the areas”.

DMO to issue N290bn bonds in Q2

he federal government plans to raise between N210 billion and N290 billion ($1.33 billion - $1.84 billion) in sovereign bonds ranging between 3 and 10 years in the second quarter of the year, the Debt Management Office (DMO) said, more than its first quarter debt issuance. EXCHANGE RATES

CBN CFA • £ RIYAL $

LOS -ABJ: 9.45, 11.45, 2.45

• £ RIYAL $

The debt office said late on Tuesday it would auction between 15-25 billion naira in 3year paper in April, 30-40 billion naira worth in 5-year and 10year bonds each in the same month. In May, the debt office plans to issue between 30-40 billion naira worth in 5-year and 10year bonds, respectively, while in June it would raise between

BUYING 0.2913 203.1211 246.762 41.25 154.7

SELLING 0.3113 04.4341 248.3571 41.5167 155.7

BUYING 210 254 40 158

SELLING 212 256 42 159

25-35 billion in 5-year, 7-year and 10-year paper, respectively. Nigeria, Africa’s second biggest economy, said all were reopenings of those previously issued, except for the issue of 2535 billion naira in 7-year paper in June. Africa’s biggest crude exporter issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market, create a benchmark for

corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit. Nigeria’s secondary bond market remained subdued in the last two weeks as bond holders waited for the release of the second quarter auction calendar. Dealers expect it will serve as a stimulus to boost activity in the secondary market in the coming days. ($1 = 157.52 naira) (Reuters)

Management Tip of the Day

17th Apr, 2012

PARALLEL RATES

ABJ-LOS: 11.30, 3.45, 4.45 LOS-KANO: 6.15 LOS-KANO (SAT/SUN): 16.30 KANO-LOS: 07.30 KANO-LOS (SUN/SUN): 10.30

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Mohammed Maccido, Director General, Budget Office, Mr. Bright Okogu, and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, during the public presentation of the 2012 Federal Budget, on Monday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Keep your cool when getting feedback

o one likes to hear that they aren't performing well. Yet, everyone can improve. Next time you receive constructive feedback, do these three things: Relax. It's understandable to be nervous during a feedback session. The other person holds

all the power. Accept this imbalance and be easy on yourself. Expect to be surprised. You're likely to hear something that you weren't aware of. Perhaps something was a bigger deal than you thought, or something you thought was

resolved wasn't. Don't be defensive. Even if you disagree, hold your tongue. Instead of defending yourself, ask questions. Once you've cooled down, you can always follow up. Source: Harvard Business Review

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS Nigeria’s banking crisis over – AMCON

anaging Director, Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON said Nigeria’s banking crisis was over and the sector’s earnings should see a substantial recovery when results come in for the first quarter of 2012 just as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has disclosed that the nation’s external reserves rose by 3.63 per cent.

Nigeria Customs targets N1.2tr revenue in 2012 By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

he Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde has pledged to exceed the N800 billion naira revenue target set for him by the Federal Government in 2012. Inde in an interview with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa

yesterday, said it was a tradition in the NCS to surpass government target, adding that he was looking at a realistic figure of N 1.2 trillion. “The target is N800 billion but I have put my target forward to N1.2 trillion. I made provision for additional N400 billion to generate for Nigerians so that they can be happy,” he said. On the issue of porous borders

and proliferation of small arms and smugglers, the Customs boss said: “We have acquired two helicopters which we are going to be using across borders, the President has approved the purchase of 400 units of Toyota Hilux which we acquired. Also, we have imported almost 5,000 AK47 assault rifles. I think with that, we will give you people a surprise.”

The ability of insurers to pay claims is not in doubt – NAICOM boss

ommissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel says that the present day insurance companies’ ability to settle claims is competitive to rank among the top notch companies in Africa. Daniel says the nation’s insurance sector premium rates are not regulated hence cannot be deregulated.

46 firms at NSE operate below listing standards

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is currently hosting about 46 companies that are operating Below Listing Standards (BLS), investigation has revealed. BusinessDay further learnt that these companies are noncompliant with the post listing rules evidenced in the late submission of their financial statements and unauthorised publication.

Foreign airlines directed to pay 5% fuel surchage

enate Committee on Aviation on Tuesday directed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to compute and recover from foreign airlines operating in the country the five percent passenger fuel surcharge and pay into government coffers. The directive followed admission by foreign airline operators that they were not paying the five percent fuel surcharge as statutorily required from all tickets sold to passengers after claiming that they were not aware of any law mandating them to pay.

Heaps of oranges at Zuba fruit market, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

2012 budget will slow down business growth – OPS From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

he Organised Private Sector (OPS) has raised concern on the late passage of the budget 2012 which it says would have a negative impact on the nation’s economic development and by extension, slow down investment growth. The Director-General, Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines

and Agriculture, (NACCIMA) Mr. John Isemede, said the delay will have effect on the general cash flow to the economy. Isemede suggested that government should ensure proper implementation of the Budget which he says, it will go a long way to reduce the negative impact on the economy. Also, President of Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Mr. Goodie

Ibru, said the Federal Government cash flow was important to the private sector to thrive. He noted that the chamber was concerned that budget delays have become a recurring phenomenon in the country. He also noted that the public sector is a major driver of economic activities by virtue of the configuration of the economy and resource allocation.

Jonathan in Germany to canvass foreign investment in renewable energy By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

n the invitation of German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, President Goodluck Jonathan is expected in Berlin, Germany on Wednesday at the start of a three-day State visit to the country. The visit is a follow up of the one made to Nigeria by Merkel in July last year during which she met with President Jonathan who he joined in the GermanNigeria Economic Forum which has alternated between the two countries for several years. Jonathan’s visit is aimed at enhancing the economic cooperation between both countries at a time Nigeria is

seeking to attract investors in all sectors of the economy particularly the area of renewable energy where Germany has vast experience. Merkel and Jonathan had emphasized the importance of both countries for each other, particularly in the economic perspective and had spoken of the need for the energy partnership, which has existed for several years between the two countries, to be strengthened. A bilateral Commission has already been established to deepen the German-Nigerian relations with the signing of the understanding last December by foreign ministers of both countries in Berlin.

According to the Ambassador of Nigeria to Germany, Abdu Usma Abubakar, who spoke to State House correspondents in his office in Berlin on Tuesday , the President’s visit to Germany would cement the bilateral commission which he said would now target specific and achievable programmes with time frames. He spoke of the benefit of the relationship between the two governments including the recent overture by the German government for a grant of about •90million to Nigeria for renewable energy, manpower training, among others, at government to government level.

SMEDAN boss laments lack of SME plan after independence By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem and Tinu Adedoyin

he Director-General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Alhaji Muhammad Nadada Umar has criticized the failure of past leaders to develop a proper SME plan for the country since independence. Speaking at the first edition of Daily Trust open Business Forum in Abuja, Umar noted that all through the years, the country had been concentrating on academic work after which the graduates would fall back to white collar jobs. “Every year, the Universities will graduate about four million people in the country with less than 200,000 getting jobs because we inherited a culture that once you graduate, you get a job. The colonial masters did not teach us about entrepreneurship skills and right from then we on our own did not think of that until recently when we commenced such exercise,” he said. He said that part of the solution to the problem which has already started is the inculcation of entrepreneurship training in the school curriculum. “We want a situation where a Nigerian will begin to think of what to do to better his life independently without depending on anybody and if Nigerians will begin to think this way, then we will move forward because this kind of thinking will force one to look for what to do,” he said. The SMEDAN boss said that the mixed priority by people that capital is the most important feature of enterprises has led to the collapse of so many businesses, adding that capital should come last among the three most critical factors. “The first among the important features is the concept followed by the capacity and then the last is capital but when we consider capital to be first then it will fail because if there is no capacity you can’t succeed. For instance, we have so many carpenters and other small businesses but the problem is that if you are a good carpenter, how do you run that carpentry as a successful business without concept and capacity and that is why entrepreneurship skills should come,” he said. He explained that the way forward was to give required attention to facilities that will provide good atmosphere for small businesses to grow, adding that this should have come some 35 to 40 years back.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

FG assures investors on improvement in sovereign credit profile and investment

he Federal Government has assured investors that it would continue to improve the country’s sovereign credit profile and investment grade ratings. Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, Director General, Debt Management Office (DMO) made the statement at the Nigeria Non-Deal Roadshow Investor Presentation in New York on Tuesday. According to him, the improvement is sequel to the successful implementation of reforms, and the continued robust performance of the Nigerian economy. “Nigeria’s era of progress and prosperity continues, and is marked by robust, sustainable growth, accelerating economic diversification and strong external position,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the Director General as saying. He said Nigeria’s emergence as a regional power house was being driven in a very large measure by the economic and financial sector reforms that had been at the core of Nigeria’s policy agenda since 2004. “A broad programme of reform and restructuring have improved the performance and

outlook of the oil and gas sector, oil and gas are only one part of Nigeria’s improving story.’’ He added that stringent fiscal and debt management policies had greatly improved Nigeria’s debt metrics. On fiscal and debt positions, Nwankwo, said that the international reserves position stabilised in 2011 and had improved further in 2012, standing at 35.82 billion dollars as at April 4 as against the 33.1 billion dollars at the end of December 2010. He said that the requirement for foreign investors to hold local bonds for at least a year was lifted with effect from July 1, 2011. The DMO boss revealed that despite global price pressures, inflation in Nigeria had demonstrated a downwards trend since early 2010. “Following the resolution of the banking sector crisis, the Central Bank of Nigeria has been increasing interest rates in order to normalise monetary conditions and keep inflation in check. “The increased price level arising from the recent partial removal of the subsidy on petroleum products is expected

to be moderated in the short term as the implementation of planned economic reforms resolve structural weaknesses. “It removes supply bottlenecks that remain key risk to inflation in Nigeria. The inflation rate for February 2012, was 11.90 per cent, a reduction from the rate of 12.60 per cent for January 2012.’’ Also speaking, Mrs Mofoluke

Dosunmu, Executive Director, Finance and Operations, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) said that Nigerian economy grew at an average of 6.4 per cent between 2006 and 2008. She noted that the growth was driven primarily by non-oil sector, while the downward trend in inflation over the same period was 5.40 per cent in 2008.

Dosumu said that the Nigerian banks assets rose by over N1.6 trillion between 2006 and 2008, adding that the banking sector assets as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased rapidly to 60 per cent in 2008. According to her, the poor risk management in Nigerian banks has led to the concentration of assets in certain risky areas. She noted that the situation led to the CBN intervention, stressing that the bank acted to restore financial stability in the banking sector. (NAN)

UBA posts N28.5bn 2011 loss, nets N16bn profit in Q1 2012 By Abdulwahab isa

he United Bank for Africa has posted a pre-tax loss of N28.49 billion in 2011 operations compared to a pre-tax profit of 3.22 billion naira it recorded in 2010, the bank said in a statement. The loss stemmed from write-offs of bad loans the bank which it issued a profit warning last February has posted a profit of N16 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of 2012, surpassing theN15.1bn profit forecast announced earlier on in the

year. The bank's detailed unaudited first quarter results released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday showed profit before tax grew by over200% to N16.1 billion compared to N4.8 billion in the corresponding period of last year. Gross Earnings increased by 33% to N53.9 billion from N40.5 billion recorded Contributing to growth in balance sheet were increased borrowings and deposits, which grew by 134% and President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Mr. Michael Itegboje (right), speaking before Ad-hoc Committee on Capital Market investigating the collapse of the Capital Market, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. With him are General Secretary of Association of Stocking Homes of Nigeria, Mr. Akin AkeredoluAle (middle), and Chairman, Association of Stocking Homes of Nigeria, Mr. Madubuike Emeka. Photo: Mahmud Isa

14%respectively. With a loan to deposit ratio of 48% and a strong capital adequacy ratio, the UBA group has significant capacity for credit creation in the coming quarters. "The financial performance of the bank in the first quarter of 2012, attests to the resilience of the group and turnaround in our business performance having cleaned up our balance sheet in2011. The first quarter result is our baseline performance and as we enter our business consolidation phase with limited geographic expansion, our business network, products and resources have been re-engineered for optimal value extraction for the benefit of our stakeholders. Overall, we are determined to enhance shareholder value by unlocking existing potentials in the Bank, leveraging on its huge resource base and vantage positioning in Africa, as unique sources of competitive advantage said. Phillips Oduoza, Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc. Commenting on the first quarter results, the Chief Finance Officer, Mr. Ugo Nwaghodoh said; "The first quarter resultreaffirms UBA's strong earnings capacity. The underlying fundamentals ofour business remains very strong, and we shall continue to optimise the balance sheet for even stronger earnings. This year will also see significant contributions from our solid expansive solid Africa franchise."

Shareholders demand bonus, interim dividend from Greif Nigeria

hareholders of Greif Nigeria on Wednesday requested the board of the company to give them bonus shares and interim dividend for its 2013 annual operational results. They made the request at the company’s 74th annual general meeting of the company in Lagos. The shareholders said that the requests, if accepted, would compensate them for

supporting the company which has been in operation for more than seven decades. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Greif Nigeria is a steel manufacturing company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The shareholders said that there was need for the company to have a defined dividend policy. One of the shareholders, Mr

Sunday Akinsanya,said that he was encouraged by the company’s performance and projected stream of income in the next five years. He said that the projections and anticipated earnings forecast by management and board projections encouraged the shareholders to demand for an interim dividend and bonus in 2013. Mr Timothy Adesiyan, the National President of the

Nigerian Solidarity Shareholders Association, said that there was the need for the company to assert itself by shoring up their image. Earlier, Mr Louis Wentzel, Chairman of the company, said that the management would target enhanced profitability in 2012. He also said that it would identify market opportunities, improved efficiency and reduction in operating costs.

NAN reports that the company’s 2011 annual report showed that its turnover increased to N879.49 million from N784.67 million in 2010. Profit after taxation, however, dipped to N38.38 million from N43.63 million in the previous year. Shareholders also endorsed a dividend pay-out of N12.79 million or 30k per share. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

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PAGE 25

The day “city” floated over Dulali village in Bauchi By Greg Odogwu and Mukhtar Lawal Suleiman

n what seemed like the first time in recorded history, the nearest in resemblance to the global paranormal phenomenon of unidentified flying objects (UFO), also known as flying saucer, was sighted in Nigeria. The place was a border village called Dulali, in Lanzai South ward, Darazo local government of Bauchi state. It was a Monday in the hot dry season of March 2011. Saidu Meshai Dulali, a popular hot tea brewer in the village, had just finished his morning prayer at the Mosque and was stoking up the local stove for his day’s work. Suddenly he became aware of a pervading bright light encapsulating the atmosphere, followed by the sudden thought that the heavens were falling on the village. And as he stood up to look at the shimmering sky, he saw the most amazing view of his forty years existence. According to him, “There appeared a wide, large mass of something that looked like a cloud from nowhere and it was flying slowly over the village just at the height of an average tree. “The cloud was transparent and I saw beautiful tall buildings inside it, with tarred roads and cars. It was like a flying city. And from it I could hear the sound of machines making noise just as you would hear at Ashaka cement factory.” If Saidu were the only witness of this extraordinary experience, it would have been impossible to take his testimony as a fact. But we

Hamma, Mukhtar, Greg and Yau Kaugama discovered that the ‘flying city’ was witnessed by almost all the villagers, hundreds of them, the Chief Imam of the sole village Mosque inclusive. Children and adults all saw and corroborated the story. Dauda Mohammed, a farmer, narrated how he saw it from the open field where he went to pick up an implement he had left the previous day. He said that when he looked up and saw how the floating object was moving slowly round the village, he was so surprised, but not scared. He said he saw the colour of the buildings inside what initially appeared like a moving round and wide shaped massive cloud. Ibrahim, a boy of about ten years old, pointed to the top of a tree and said that the UFO moved into the tree and

Some of the villagers during the researchers’ visit

came out on the other side but the tree was not pushed down. The above description by these villagers aptly falls into the category of the sighting of an unidentified flying object, popularly called UFO or flying saucer, a paranormal phenomenon, which is widely known and reported in the Western world but not often heard or talked about in this clime. Technically, UFO is an unusual apparent anomaly in the sky that is not readily identifiable to the observer as any known object. However, in modern popular culture the term UFO has generally become synonymous with alien spacecraft. Some researchers have argued that because these objects appear to be technological and not natural

phenomenon, and are alleged to display flight characteristics or have shapes seemingly unknown to conventional technology, the conclusion is that they must not be from Earth. Interestingly, the UFO sighting in Dulali has revealed to us as researchers the influence of religion and socio-cultural factors to the phenomenon. This is because what ordinarily raises fear and conspiracy theories in the Western world, where the UFO occurrence is predominant, was viewed in a positive light over here. The villagers were of the consensus that what they witnessed was actually an act of God, for He alone is capable of making anything happen. According to Yau Kaugama, a Lanzai ward political leader, who

accompanied us to the Dulali village, “We believe it is a sign that in time to come something great will come out of that small village. Something like a great invention, that will affect the life of mankind.” Mallam Shehu Liman is the Chief Imam of the village. He confirmed the general consensus of the villagers and specifically affirmed that, “We believe that maybe Allah used those sightings to open our eyes to see how Jinns (spirits) live in their own world. Allah is great, and there is nothing He cannot do on earth. “Exactly two weeks after appearing in our village, that flying object visited again at the same exact time, and stayed in the sky roving around the village for almost an hour before it went away. We are happy because it shows we are special

village; other towns around were not even given that privilege.” Asked whether the village made a formal complaint or report to the authorities, the Imam said they did not see the necessity of reporting, as the flying object neither harmed nor injured anyone, and they were all convinced it was a positive visitation. According to www.thejinn.net , “There are unseen creatures that we share this Earth with. They do not come from other planets. They have been called many names: Aliens, Spirits, Etherians, Ultraterrestrials, and more. In the Koran they are called the Jinn. Information about Jinn reads like a textbook description of UFO and other paranormal phenomena. “The Jinn are beings with free will, living on Earth in a world parallel to mankind. The Arabic word means “to conceal”. They appear to

include juvenile pranksters as well as powerful superior beings with an agenda we do not understand. They have influenced mankind’s religious and cultural beliefs from antiquity to the present. “Jinn can create UFOs, h a l l u c i n a t i o n s , psychokinetic effects, cattle mutilations, crop circles, apparitions and other paranormal phenomenon.” Cattle mutilations and crop circles, as stated in the above quote, are some of the physical marks left by UFOs and the beings that ride in them, generally called aliens. These incidents are always reported in the Western world, especially in the United States of America and Britain. Crop circles, which involve a sizable pattern created by the flattening of a crop such as wheat, barley, maize, in a farm field, are particularly seen in Britain, while cattle mutilations, the apparent killing and

mutilation of cattle under unusual or anomalous circumstances, were first reported in the United States. When we asked the villagers of Dulali whether they saw any living beings inside the UFO, they were all certain that no living being was seen in that ‘city’. In the Western world, some witnesses have described how the UFO, sometimes a smaller craft, landed in a remote area or farm, and some creatures came out from them. Some witnesses have even claimed to have been abducted by these beings and either taken for a ride in the craft or taken to the larger UFO hovering in the Earth’s orbit or to the habitat of the alien beings. When contacted, the Chairman of Darazo local government area at the time of the sighting, Hon. Sabo Bako Sade, said that he was aware of the paranormal visitation at Lanzai and would Chief Imam of Dulali Village, Mallam Shehu Liman praying for the researchers and the villagers have carried out a thorough investigation but was at that time of the incident occupied by the activities of marauding armed robbers who were raiding police stations and robbing banks in

his local government area. He insisted that the type of supernatural occurrence had never occurred in Darazo since the creation of the area, and had never again been reported after the Dulali

“

The villagers were of the consensus that what they witnessed was actually an act of God, for He alone is capable of making anything happen Dauda Mohammed pointing to where the UFO hovered

UFO hovered on top of these threes

Saidu Meshai pointing to where the UFO floated

incidents. He said, “When I heard the news I first thought it was a practical joke, or a wild rumour circulated by people, because at that time we were under attack by hoodlums whom we could not ascertain whether they were Boko Haram or just armed robbers. We were under immense pressure. But the supernatural sighting in Dulali was a special one, a one-ina-life time experience, even for me as a politician. I wanted to set up a thorough investigative committee on the incident but my hands were tied at that time.” The American based MUFON (Mutual UFO Network), is the organization that investigates cases of reported UFO sightings. Being one of the oldest and largest UFOinvestigative organizations in the world, it recently released a paper which stated that from the year 2011, the sightings of UFOs all over the world as compiled by it from 1969, have witnessed an increase of up to 67%. Therefore, with the Bauchi incident, it now seems that Nigeria has joined the many other nations who have see these strange objects in the sky and only time shall reveal when next and where they will be visiting on these shores. Greg Odogwu and Mukhtar Lawal Suleiman, researchers and producers of Paranormal Nigeria, wrote from Suite C8, Emab Plaza, Wuse 11, Abuja. 08063601665

PAGE 28

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said that it is prepared for the imminent collapse of Lake Nyos and the potential disaster it poses to Benue and other states in Nigeria. NEMA’s North-Central Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Alhassan Aliyu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos recently that experts had predicted that the lake, near Nigeria’s border with Cameroon, would eventually collapse by 2015. The collapse of lake, which is also a volcanic dam, would cause the release up to 50 million cubic metres (1.8 billion cu ft) of water into Katsina-Ala River. “The water will flood Benue and Taraba states and release much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. NEMA has installed warning signals in Kashimbila to warn people, about 10 km away, of the possibility of a flood and advised that they be wary and ready for the lake’s collapse if it eventually occurs earlier than the 2015 date,” he said. “The warning signals, a kind of scientific installation coded in several languages of the communities, inform the residents about the impending flood and forewarn everybody to immediately leave the river bank,” he explained. “This alert system enables the people, particularly those downstream, to get prompt information so that their evacuation can be done as quickly as possible in the event of any flood passing through the communities,” he declared. Aliyu further noted that the basement of the lake was now weak and could collapse any moment from now, warning that southern states of the country, particularly Cross River, were also likely to be flooded. He advised the states to construct buffer dams to hold such excess water, stressing that NEMA, in collaboration with other stakeholders, had undertaken the technical study of the lake and the prognosis indicated imminent hazards that could trigger major disasters. Aliyu said that a buffer dam was also being constructed by the Federal Government as a proactive measure to contain the effects of the lake’s imminent collapse, adding that “we are not taking chances. “The Federal Government is constructing a buffer dam that will serve as a protective measure for the imminent catastrophe and reduce the impact of the flooding on Benue communities because they will experience the worst floods.” “Although work on the dam was slow at the beginning, it has now been hastened after NEMA’s sensitisation workshop and advocacy visits where we alerted those concerned to the imminent threats,” he said. The zonal coordinator said that NEMA had carried out sensitisation campaigns on the hazards posed by the lake, while experts had also alerted the Benue State Government and the people to the imminent threats. Aliyu disclosed that the state government and other stakeholders had been putting

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

EMERGENCY UPDATE

Agency is prepared for Lake Nyos’ collapse — official some palliative measures in place to minimise the impact of the impending disaster on the people. “Anytime you talk in Benue about disaster management, they always think of Lake Nyos; they also remind you to do something about it and this is exactly what we are doing. “Our biggest problem now is what to do about the communities around the River Benue in the event of the lake’s collapse because there is no network of roads in the area. “However, we are discussing with other stakeholders that have expertise in road constructions so that more pathways and escape routes can be constructed for the

people.” Aliyu said that NEMA has engaged the services of the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, which was currently working on how the escape routes could constructed for the threatened communities in the event of the lake’s collapse. He, nonetheless, conceded that government had always been very careful about evacuating communities because of their attachments to their lands, noting that in a democratic country such as Nigeria, the citizens always insisted on their freedom of choice. He stressed that the government could only inform the communities about the

consequences of their continued stay in hazardous areas, adding that the communities had the liberty to decide whether to leave or stay. Aliyu, however, noted that the simulation exercise, which was an important aspect of managing any disaster that could crop up from the lake’s collapse, had not commenced as yet. “The areas the lake’s collapse is likely to cover are very complex and when it collapses, NEMA has to coordinate all stakeholders that need to be mobilised but it is not easy to coordinate an agency that is not completely under your control. “However, NEMA has very capable staff undergoing a lot of

simulation work about flood, fire and any other aspect of disaster, particularly our search-andrescue team,” he said. NAN reports that Lake Nyos, which contains a large amount of carbon dioxide deposits, suddenly emitted a large cloud of carbon dioxide which suffocated an estimated 1,700 people and 3,500 livestock in 1986. However, Aliyu disclosed that a degassing tube which siphonedwater from the bottom layers of water to the top, to allow carbon dioxide to leak in safe quantities, had been installed in 2001 to prevent a recurrence. He, nonetheless, stressed that additional tubes were still needed to make the lake safe. (NAN)

Kaduna Easter bomb blast: NEMA donates N4m to victims

Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammad SaniSidi being briefed on the condition of victims at the Rakiya Hospital during the recent Kaduna explosion along Junction Road / Sardauna Crescent before Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna.

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has donated N4 million to the victims of Kaduna bomb blasts which occurred on Easter Sunday. In a statement signed by NEMA Public Relations Officer, Mr Baba Ali, the four hospitals in the state where the victims are currently receiving treatment, would also benefit. They are Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, 44 Army Reference Hospital, Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital and St. Gerards Hospital, all in Kaduna. The statement stated that the cash donations would enable the victims procure essential needs during treatment. “The agency will continue to discharge its responsibility promptly and efficiently to assist victims of natural and man-induced disasters,” the statement added. (NAN)

NEMA calls for action against impending floods in Nigeria

ational Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for concerted action at all levels of government and sectors of the economy for pro-active ways to avert impending flood disasters in the country. The South-East Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Mr Abdullahi Onimode, made the call at Abagana, Anambra, on Tuesday during a sensitisation meeting on “Flood Early Warning and Mitigation” for traditional rulers. Onimode explained that the thrust of the meeting was to discuss the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) 2012 seasonal rainfall

prediction and its socio-economic implications for the nation. He disclosed that not less than 20 per cent of the population would be subjected to the danger of flooding if nothing was done before the occurrence. “Floods are among the most devastating natural disasters in the world, claiming more lives and causing more property damage than any other natural phenomenon. In Nigeria, at least 20 per cent of the population is at risk of impending flooding,” he said. “With increasing threats from climate change, the frequency of flooding and intensity of the hazard is certain to be on the increase,” the

coordinator observed,” Onimode explained. Onimode maintained that it was the responsibility of all stakeholders to intensify risk reduction, mitigation and preparedness by increasing their resilience to reduce vulnerability to flooding and its attendant effects. “Flooding was recorded in virtually all states of the federation in 2011 but was more critical in nine states, Anambra inclusive,” he said. “Therefore, the sensitisation campaign on risk reduction, mitigation and preparedness is geared toward strengthening the country’s capability, which is believed, will reduce the

diverse effects of flooding,” the coordinator pointed out,” he added. He appealed to the traditional rulers to go back to their communities and educate their subjects and generate ideas on how to tackle the menace. Onimode also urged them to talk to the people on the need to cultivate the habit of tree planting as way of checking flooding and erosion in the area. Responding on behalf of others, the traditional ruler of Oko, Prof. Laz Ekwueme, called for encouragement and empowerment of the royal fathers in the fight against flooding and erosion in the country. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

EMERGENCY UPDATE NEMA resettles 10,000 IDPs are in 3 North-Central states

ational Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said that there are currently more than 10,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in three states of Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa states. NEMA’s North-Central Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Alhassan Aliyu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos recently that, “the myriad conflicts in the three crisisprone areas have left more than 10,000 homeless and they are now in various IDPs camps.” Aliyu said that 5,840 of the IDPs were currently camped in Nasarawa State, while about 3,000 from Yobe State were being camped by churches in Plateau. “After recent attacks, we also visited five IDPs camps in Nasarawa State and the figure from Nasarawa State Emergency Agency (SEMA) is 5,840 persons from clashes within the state alone. “The estimate we have from Plateau is about 3,000 IDPs, and

they are mostly those who fled from Yobe State,” he said, adding that the figure of IDPs from Benue State was still being compiled,” he explained. Aliyu also noted that many people were killed in two disasters in Benue, adding that these were the clash between herdsmen and farmers as well as the recent church collapse in Vandeikya. “In the case of Benue, the figures have remained uncertain because we have conflicts which we are still battling with. There has also been an influx of people from Benue and Nasarawa into each other’s territory,” he said, adding that camps in Benue were receiving IDPs from Nasarawa, while those in Nasarawa were receiving IDPs from Benue. “We have provided relief items such as rice, beans, corn and other assorted foods items. We have also provided the IDPs with mattresses, blankets, mats, buckets, mosquito nets and household utensils worth millions of naira,” he said.

“We don’t have the exact amount of the relief items because we have not yet quantified the value; the lifting of materials is still ongoing and we are still awaiting further approvals,” he added. Aliyu, nonetheless, noted that NEMA was having some problems with managing Yobe IDPs quartered in Plateau as they were not fully in camps. “NEMA doesn’t want to reckon with individual IDPs; some people just take five or 10 IDPs into their homes but NEMA wants a situation where IDPs are located in camps which could be effectively reached and managed. “Again, if the IDPs are inside churches, mosques or schools where they are accessible; that would also be good,” he said. Aliyu, however, said that the Plateau State Government had carried out a survey of IDPs from Yobe, while obtaining some support from the NEMA headquarters to help the IDPs. (NAN)

are not permanent havens. The people should always be encouraged to go back to their respective homes and start living their normal lives after sometime.” He said: “Government doesn’t encourage IDPs camps to remain open for a long period and that is why after sometime, these camps are closed down, usually after about one month.” According to him, “even in war situations and whenever disaster strikes, everybody is looking for a

refuge and that is why the camps are established mostly by states to provide a safe haven for the people, with all the security provided.” Aliyu stressed that the maintenance of IDPs camps in the country was quite expensive, as the occupants were given food, clothing and shelter which could not be sustained for a long time. He particularly noted that the Nasarawa governor had to close down some IDPs camps in January this year because they had constituted a very big burden to the state government. “Some camps, after awhile, will not have real IDPs actually. People, from outside usually troop into these camps because of the food or relief materials that are being provided. Government cannot continue to deceive itself; it cannot continue to provide relief over a long period. We don’t encourage this because people will take undue advantage of the situation and abuse it,” he said. The coordinator said that the Benue government had been discouraging IDPs camps and had been encouraging the camps’ residents to go back to their normal lives, while assuring them of security. Aliyu, who said that only five IDPs camps currently existed in Nasarawa state, added that “this will relieve the government the burden of providing relief to many others not affected by any catastrophe and those who will still be coming into the camps, even long after the disaster.” “No IDPs camp lasts more than a month. None currently exists in Plateau, for instance; they have all been closed down, while the IDPs are now being accommodated by individual families or churches,” he said. The NEMA official, nonetheless, noted that the latest introduction of bombings into the catalogue of disasters and conflicts had put more strain on NEMA’s resources. He urged Nigerians to live in peace with one another. (NAN)

…to close down IDPs camps

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will soon close down Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps so as to encourage the occupants to start living their normal lives. NEMA’s North-Central Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Alhassan Aliyu, who said that IDPs camps were only meant to provide temporary reliefs, noted that, “the camps are established to provide temporary relief for the IDPs; they

NEMA decries absence of State Emergency Agency in Plateau

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has lamented over the inability of the Plateau Government to establish a State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), in spite of the conflicts plaguing the state. The NEMA Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Alhassan Aliyu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recently in Jos, that the situation was “regrettable”. “Plateau remains the most sensitive and volatile state in the North-Central zone in terms of manmade disasters, but unfortunately, no premium has been placed in establishing a SEMA to manage the situation,” he lamented. “Managing the crises in Plateau has been very tasking and we have continued to pester the state government to establish a functional SEMA to complement our efforts,” he added. “The crises in Plateau are many; farmers clash with pastoralists, herdsmen attacking rural dwellers, while ethnic, religious and political conflicts have become common place. There are also ecological and natural disasters like flood,” Aliyu explained. ‘Since NEMA came on board in 1999, it has always advised states to have their own SEMA. Many states

have established SEMA but Plateau is still lagging behind,” Aliyu said. The coordinator explained that the situation had always slowed down responses to disasters and mitigation of conflicts. He called on the state government and the State House of Assembly to urgently collaborate to establish the agency, so as to complement the efforts of NEMA in the state. According to him, the state agency will be responsible for managing disasters which are not of serious magnitude and will invite NEMA when it is beyond its capacity to handle. The coordinator said the agency should also be established in local government areas to handle disasters at the local level. “SEMA is supposed to respond immediately to disasters in local communities and only invite NEMA where such occurrences become overwhelming. If a disaster happens in Benue and the state government keeps waiting for NEMA from the Zonal Headquarters in Jos, before we respond, it may be very late,” he observed. The coordinator said that the agency had been responding swiftly to attacks and explosions in the state, through its search and rescue team. (NAN)

YOUTHS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY By Abubakar Jimoh abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Averting lead poison in Nigeria

ead has been described as a naturally occurring metal, generally found in deposits of ores containing other elements commonly used as a solder in home plumbing systems and in water service pipes designed to transport water from municipal water mains into homes. However, the interference of lead with a variety of body processes is poisonous to many organs and tissues including the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems; notably among children, causing potentially permanent learning and behaviorial disorders, convulsion, paralysis and even death. In the last few years, many Nigerians, especially the young, have suffered from series of health challenges arising from the emergence of lead poison which has led to the death of hundreds. For instance, Zamfara State lead poisoning epidemic claimed the lives of over 400 children in the year 2010; no fewer than 500 persons were admitted in various hospitals for lead epidemics; while over 4000 children tested positive to toxic lead contamination in the same state in the year 2012. This awful development is not limited to Nigeria, as over 1000 children have been affected with lead epidemic in central Henan province, China. Also, occupation is another factor that exposes adults to lead poison. For example, it has been estimated by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), that more than 3 million workers in the United States are potentially exposed to lead in the workplace. In a study conducted by NEMA in collaboration with international stakeholders on epidemics control, it has been reported that lead poison arises from such human daily activities as placing lead objects or fingers in mouth after handling lead, breathing dust that contains lead. Lead can be found in pre-1978 house paint, solder used in plumbing, dust and chips from deteriorating lead paint on interior surfaces, old/ imported toys or furniture, curtain weights, pottery, porcelain, leaded glass, and hobby materials, contaminated breast milk, among others. In response to tackling these deadly epidemic, apart from timeto-time distributions of relief materials to the victims of lead, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) under the leadership of the Director-General, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi has established a partnership with state governments and international organizations by organizing series of stakeholders’ workshops to help sensitize the general public on the prevention and mitigation against the influence of lead poison. Following this, in his key note address at the National Workshop on the Mitigation of the Risk of Lead Poisoning Associated with Gold Mining and Processing among Rural Communities in Zamfara State, March 2011, Alhaji Sani-Sidi warned against the ongoing excessive and unjust mining activities among rural communities in Nigeria; and the need for the constant Environmental Impact Assessment in part of state governments. This can be achieved through effective environmental

management, land use planning and strict compliance to occupational safety and industrial regulations, as the society exploited its natural resources to sustain livelihoods. Meanwhile, early diagnosis through clinical screening conducted by medical specialists will help to determine the signs and medical history of the poison. Indeed, the main tool in diagnosing and assessing the severity of lead poisoning is laboratory analysis of the blood lead level. Besides, screening is an important method in preventive medicine strategies. Screening programs exist to test the blood of children at high risk for lead exposure, such as those who live near lead-related industries. Frequent hand washing has been recommended as vital steps individuals must embark upon to reduce the blood lead levels of children, also, increasing their intake of calcium and iron, and discouraging them from putting their hands in mouth helps in this regard. Households are counseled on the regular practice of running water in the morning to flush out the most contaminated water, or adjusting the water’s chemistry to prevent corrosion of pipes. Also, use only cold water from the tap for drinking, cooking, and for making baby formula. It has been argued that hot water is more likely than cold water to contain higher amounts of lead; hence, water can avoid lead exposure. Recommendations have been made by health professionals for lowering childhood exposures which include banning the use of lead where it is not essential and strengthening regulations that limit the amount of lead in soil, water, air, household dust, and products. In this case, there is a need for the adequate review and full implementation of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) of 1988 in addition to the existing administrative mandates of the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administrative Control (NAFDAC), National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to help gain effective control and regulate environment and land use as well as maintaining adequate check against local and imported paints, furniture, and toys containing lead. In the lead-prone environment, individuals are advised to create barriers between living areas and lead sources; while all sources of lead must be isolated until the completion of the environmental clean-up. For the children living in the zones, parents should create temporary barriers such as contact paper or duct tape, to cover holes in walls or to block children’s access to other sources of lead. Regularly wash children’s hands and toys which can become contaminated from household dust or exterior soil. constantly wet-mop floors and wet-wipe window components as household dust is a major source of lead, therefore, parents should wet-mop floors and prevent children from playing on bare soil; if possible, provide them with sandboxes.

PAGE 26

Kebbi votes N37.6m for water project

he Kebbi government has earmarked N37.6 million for the provision of 250 additional boreholes in remote areas of Augie Local Government Area of the state. Alhaji Magaji Bunza, the State Commissioner for Water Resources, stated this recently in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi state capital that 15 settlements would benefit from the project. He said the project was part of the “Water for All” programme initiated by the state government to ensure adequate supply of drinking water to the people of the rural area. “The ministry had also provided 6,700 motorised boreholes to rural areas last year, while 15 earth dams were provided to boost livestock production and dry season farming,” he said. Bunza, called for the cooperation of journalists to enable the ministry to record greater achievements.reiterated the commitment of the state government to regular water supply for human and animal consumption. He called on the benefiting communities to ensure the maintenance of the facilities, assuring that, “we would continue to provide potable water to our people within our limited resources.”

Anambra Govt. plans proper waste mgt, says Commissioner

nambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Michael Egbebike, has said that state government is working hard to ensure the proper management of waste in the state. The commissioner told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recently in Onitsha that the government had removed waste management from the schedule of the state ministry of environment. He said the government had created a new agency - Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA) – to take charge of waste management. “I don’t have much control over Onitsha waste or Anambra waste; it is now the responsibility of ASWAMA. The governor gave them the full mandate to manage waste,” he said. “Everything pertaining to waste would be handled by this new waste manager. We are hoping that he would handle it properly. All of these are attempting to give waste the attention it deserves. It’s not probably easy for a commissioner, who has a lot of other state responsibilities, to also give waste the proper attention it deserves,” Egbebike explained. “But there are a lot of challenges in waste management, which people cannot just see, and everything is still evolving,” he noted. Egbebike, however, urged the residents of the state to cooperate with the new agency by ensuring proper disposal of waste and regular payment of their sanitation levies. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Environment ministry critical to national devt, says new Perm Sec By Mohammed Kandi

he new Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs Ibukun Odusote, has said that the sector was critical sector to the country’s development. Odusote disclosed this in her

inaugural speech on Monday in Abuja when she met with journalists covering the ministry on assumption of duty. She laude journalists for their objective reportage of the sector, saying “the media have helped in disseminating information to the populace; you made my work

easy when I was in the Ecological Fund Office and I still want you to continue in that direction.” The new permanent secretary, who called for the cooperation of journalists to enable the ministry to record greater achievements in its duties, emphasized the need for

the development of human resources in the sector to enable it to achieve its mandate. Odusote was re-deployed from the Ministry of Power where she took over from Alhaji Mohammed Bashar, who was transferred to the Office of the Head of Service.

A car being washed away by flood

Floods: FG approves N6bn for Asa Dam project in Kwara

he Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment, Sen. Bukola Saraki, has said in view of recurrent flooding of the Asa Dam in Kwara state the federal government has approved N6 billion for the reconstruction project of the Dam. Saraki, who stated this in

illorin recently, also stressed that the project would check the perennial flooding of Asa Dam which had affected several parts of Ilorin and its environs. Saraki, however, said that the project would be executed in three phases, adding that about N1 billion had been released as mobilisation fees to the

contractors for the commencement of the project. He said that the project would provide a lasting solution to the age-long menace of the dam’s flooding during rainy seasons. The Committee Chairman on Environment, who represents Kwara Central Senatorial District in the Senate, bemoaned the loss

Sanitation: 12 water quality laboratories to be ready next year, says Director

irector, Water Quality and Sanitation of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Dr Obioha Agada, has said that the 12 water quality laboratories being built by the ministry are to become operational next year. Agada made the announcement recently in Owerri at a workshop on the implementation of Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ), organised by the ministry. The director, who was represented by Mr Emmanuel Awe, a staff of the ministry, said that the laboratories were located at Kano, Gombe, Minna, Enugu, Akure, Lagos, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Makurdi, Umuahia, Asaba and Port Harcourt.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised for state water corporations and related establishments in the South East and South-South. He stated that the laboratories, which were being established for water quality surveillance, would ensure that the country’s standard for water quality, launched in 2007, was implemented. He said it was regrettable that since the launch of NSDWQ, most water producers in the country had yet to implement the standard with the general excuse that they were not familiar with the document. Agada told the participants that the standard contained maximum allowable limits for 44 parameters in drinking water,

assigning institutional responsibilities to some establishments in line with their statutory obligations. In a goodwill message, Mr Fabara Chukwu from the Federal Ministry of Health, called on all tiers of government to ensure the provision of safe and quality water by fully implementing the standard. Chukwu said that the ministry was willing to cooperate with stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the standard through monitoring and surveillance. He said that the workshop was important because it would inculcate in the stakeholders the culture of providing at all times safe and portable water for the citizenry. (NAN)

of lives and property caused by floods and erosions in Ilorin in the past, while pledging that his committee would ensure the prompt completion of the project. However, Saraki called for adequate funding of environmental projects across the country, saying that the government ought to desist from treating ecological problems as emergencies and contingencies. He stressed the need for the government to take ecological issues more seriously, adding that climate change issues were now attracting global attention because they could cause serious ecological disasters. “Ecological Fund is largely used as intervention funds but some of the ecological issues such as flooding and erosion should no longer be handled as mere intervention programmes,” he said. “So, we need to go back to the drawing board and see how we can get adequate funding for these environmental issues that need to be addressed on regular basis,” he added. “By and large, we are working with the executive to see how to go about that. However, it is somewhat difficult because the budgetary allocation for environment in 2012 is less than what it got in 2011,” Saraki said. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

PAGE 27

2012 raining season and the expected floods E nvironmental concerns are always heightened by a major crisis. And flooding because of its relatively rapid onset can capture a great deal of public attention. Over the past decades a number of dramatic flood disasters have been documented and well publicized. According to reports, 2010 witnessed the worst natural disasters in the last decade with flooding as described by scientists as a disaster of “biblical proportion”, in view of the Armageddon of flooding across all the continents of the earth where millions of people were displaced and thousands died. Nigeria has had its own fair share of the unprecedented flooding as a major natural disaster with huge costs compounded by lost of incomes in farming, mining and tourism. Like other natural disasters, the intensity and frequency of flood disasters have been attributed to climate change which has continued to disrupt weather variations and no doubt altered the geology of the earth. And virtually, every state in the country has been battered by flooding with an untold hardship on the people and the environment. Recently, the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has been calling on who cares to

NEWS

esidents of Moro, Edu, Patigi and Kaiama Local Government Areas in Kwara have been urged to take proactive measures to minimise damages from heavy rainfall and flood expected due to a forecast. The Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Hon. Samuel Bamisaiye, gave this charge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ilorin. According to him, the warning becomes necessary in order to minimise damages that may occur as a result of the forecast heavy rainfall and its attendant flood. He said that after an alert

listen that Nigerians should prepare for more devastating flood disasters in the months ahead. The Lagos State Government has warned residents of the state to prepare for at least 236 days of heavy rainfall in 2012, being the total period of rain predicted by experts. 236 days of heavy rainfall out of 365 days in a year is alarming. The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) said that the intensity of the rainfall would be like that of 2011, recording 1,279mm of waters with marginal error of 50mm. The prediction was arrived at using the Seasonal Rainfall Predictions instrument, which was coordinated by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency with other agencies. It is expected that government should embark on massive clearing of drainages, dredging of primary and secondary channels, and lining of many earth channels should be parts of efforts by the governments to cope with the rains. But little can be achieved without the collaboration of the people as no nation can promise a flood free state, only mitigate it. People should be told to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse, drains around homes must

be evacuated and building of structures on drainage alignments must stop. This is where enlightenment campaign comes in. But from all indications, agencies of government responsible for disasters management and prevention have not showed any seriousness to tackle these problems of floods

ENVIR ONMENT ENVIRONMENT WATCH By Ambrose Inusa Sule, mnes globenviron@yahoo.com 0703-441-4410 (sms only) building of structures on such drainages. All tiers of government agencies responsible for

A flooded compound along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

Kwara Govt. alerts residents of heavy rainfall from the Federal Ministry of Environment through its Flood Early Warning System (FEWS), the ministry decided to sensitise residents. Bamisaiye said there was the need for all buildings and structures along river banks or on streams to be evacuated with immediate effect. The commissioner explained that the flood, according to the forecast, would occur in Jebba and

other adjoining towns to the River Niger between now and April 30. He ordered all residents along river banks to vacate the areas and ensure strict compliance as the ministry would soon

commence the demolition of illegal structures along the banks. Bamisaiye advised the general public to clean their drainage and stop the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into gutters, rivers,

Advocacy strong tool to advance climate change actions — Jibunoh

he Founder of Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE), an NGO on Environment, Dr Newton Jibunoh, has canvassed for the use of advocacy as a strong tool to advance actions on Climate Change. Jibunoh, who made the suggestion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday, said: “Advocacy should be done from the inverted pyramid style of bottom up approach to involve the people at the grassroots and children, as they are the most affected by hazards of climate

management. Structures should be put in place to monitor as well as tackle such disasters whenever they occur.

change.” He also underscored the importance of tree planting to save lands ravaged by natural disasters and environmental degradation, adding that “there should be coordinated efforts by all stakeholders working together and championing the cause of adopting mitigation policies that will be effective in all localities to address climate change effects.” “It is also important that local and state governments should have a forum to deliberate on measures thatcan be used to mitigate the the effect of climate change,” he said. (NAN)

Scavengers' search for survival on refuse sites

waterways and streams. According to him, this advice will go a long way to create a sustainable, friendly and hazardfree environment in Kwara. (NAN)

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Official fears US and Britain shared about over Obama’s ‘anti-American’ and ‘anti-white’ father

n his three years as U.S. president, Barack Obama has been dogged by claims he is not patriotic enough. Last year he even had to publish his birth certificate to silence doubters who suggested he was not born an American. Now it emerges that similar fears were expressed about his father, who was categorised with others as ‘anti-American and antiwhite’ when he moved to the United States in 1959.

Mr Obama Snr had grown up in Kenya under British rule and aroused the fears of both colonial officers and American officials when he won a chance to study in Hawaii. The officials felt Kenyan students were ‘academically inferior’ with a ‘bad reputation’ for turning anti-American. A memo from a British diplomat in Washington to Whitehall – released today by the National Archives in West London – sets out their concerns about the young

Father and son: The Barack Obamas together, when the US President was just 10 years old

Barack Obama with his mother Ann Dunham

Father: Barack Obama with his wife Michelle and daughters Malia (left) and Sasha (right)

Barack Obama, Sr. in a snapshot from the 1960s

Kenyans. Dated September 1, 1959, it says: ‘I have discussed with the State Department. They are as disturbed about these developments as we are. They point out that Kenya students have a bad reputation over here for falling into the wrong hands and for becoming both anti-American and anti-white.’ In one of the Foreign Office files, the future president’s father appears on a list of Kenyan students as ‘OBAMA, Barack H’ – they shared the same name. At the age of 23, he enrolled at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu to study economics with classmates including Ann Dunham,

a 17-year-old white American from Kansas. The couple had a short marriage that led to the birth in 1961 of the future president, Barack Obama II. Mr Obama Snr was among 100 or so Kenyan students brought to America by the African American Students Foundation. U.S. and British officials were deeply suspicious of this outfit, observing that the AASF – though backed by singer Harry Belafonte and actor Sidney Poitier – had links to a Kenyan nationalist leader. ‘The motives behind this enterprise, therefore, seem more political than educational,’ warned a letter from the British Embassy

in Washington. It added: ‘The arrival here of these students, many of them of indifferent academic calibre and ill-prepared for the venture, is likely to give rise to difficult problems.’ Mr Obama Snr, who died in 1982, is not singled out for concern in any of the documents. After leaving Hawaii he took a PhD in economics at Harvard and later became a senior economist with the Kenyan government. The President was forced to release a copy of his birth certificate to counter claims he wasn't born in the U.S. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

PAGE 31

US: Shadowy world of racial contradictions

Martin Luther King Jr.

ANALYSIS By Fawaz Turki

merica may not witness another "trial of the century" later this year when George Zimmerman, a white-Hispanic American, appears in court to be tried for the murder of Trayvon Martin, an African American teenager, but the country is surely poised for another "O.J. Simpson moment" - perhaps even a Rodney King moment should the verdict go against the expectations of the victim's legion of supporters, who are convinced the murder was racially motivated. That the state prosecutor's decision to charge Zimmerman garnered front page news in virtually every national newspaper in the US last Thursday attests to the significance that Americans attach to the case, and to its potentially explosive consequences on race relations. Not withstanding the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed all major forms of discrimination against African Americans, including racial segregation in schools and the workplace, American society, sadly, remains polarized along racial lines. Clearly you can legislate laws to guide the social contract, but you cannot legislate laws dictating how a

Barack Obama mindset should perceive objective reality. A sensibility that had taken generations to insinuate itself into a community's soul will take generations for that sensibility to be deflected from its archetypal roots. Consider then, in this regard, the O.J. Simpson moment, when the black celebrity athlete was acquitted in 1995, by a predominantly African American jury, of the crime of having killed his estranged wife and her male companion, both white. Consider as well the Rodney King moment, when the "black everyman," as he came to be known, became the victim in a police brutality case in 1991 involving four officers, all white, who were video-taped (by a bystander) striking him with their batons as he lay writhing on the ground, footage of which was aired by

news agencies around the world. The predominantly white jury found three of the accused not guilty and failed to reach a verdict on the fourth. And consider equally how a black jury looked at what everyone thought was overwhelming evidence against Simpson, including DNA analysis of the socks and the gloves, yet found him not guilty; and how though a white jury watched a video of four white Los Angeles police officers beating the bejesus out of Rodney King, they found three of the four not guilty of using excessive force. In both trials it was clear that, like it or not, race was at the very heart of these emotionally charged cases. (The late Jonnie Cochran, Simpson's flamboyant defense attorney, said at the time: "Race plays a role in everything in America and people need to stop ducking

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

and dodging away from it.") And given the racial composition of the juries and their obverse experiences with law enforcement in their respective communities, the verdicts were both predictable and inevitable. What has entered the folklore in American popular culture since then was not just how these trials became emblematic of the separate worlds the majority of blacks and whites inhabit in America, but how far apart, how polarized, these worlds remain close to half a century after the Civil Rights Act was passed by Congress. What followed the verdicts in both trials were riots in the streets. To be sure, in the case of O.J. Simpson it was a riot of jubilation by black Americans everywhere, and despondency by white Americans at the spectacle of a man who they were convinced was guilty of murder but was now enabled by

What has entered the folklore in American popular culture since then was not just how these trials became emblematic of the separate worlds the majority of blacks and whites inhabit in America, but how far apart, how polarized, these worlds remain close to half a century after the Civil Rights Act was passed by Congress.

black jurors to walk free. In the wake of the Rodney King verdict, however, the response, in the form of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, was violent, deadly and tragic all around widespread looting, assault, arson and murder, with 53 people killed, thousands injured, and property damage estimated at roughly one billion dollars. Now comes, or will soon come, the Zimmerman trial, with its potential for igniting, to borrow a term from the black novelist and essayist James Baldwin, "the fire next time." America obviously is not a country comprising just black and white communities, but also folks who are brown, Semitic, Hispanic, Oriental and others. But among black and white Americans there remains a divide anchored in their respective histories. Damaging images and assumptions they form of the "other" insinuate themselves into the attitudes of the most progressive, the most liberal, the most unbiased amongst them. What do African Americans make of the privileges enjoyed by white Americans, and how do they relate to the stereotyping - often unconscious and invisible in this politically correct age - that is thrust upon them by whites? What do these whites know anyhow about how even the most assimilated, successful and influential blacks in society yearn for the comfort of all-black separateness? And yes, who bears the burden of history, of slave ships bringing unfortunate souls from another continent to pick cotton, to avert their eyes at the sight of a white woman, at peril of being lynched? Do you still shoot a black teenager today, after emancipation was proclaimed 149 years ago, because "he's wearing a hoodie and he looks suspicious," and still not expect to trigger the ire of 30 million African Americans? Between America as a moral vision, a nation of nations, as it were, that continues to welcome to its shores "your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free," and America the country of strangers living in their own little islands of privacy, there remains a chasm - a shadowy world of racial contradictions. A court of law will in time adjudicate the case of Zimmerman. It cannot, however, adjudicate how a people's inner history will propel them to respond to its judgment. Culled from Arab News.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

PAGE 32

Mbeki urges UN to intervene in the Sudans war ICC prosecutor goes to Libya on Gaddafi son case

ar crimes prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo arrived in Tripoli on Wednesday to continue investigating charges against Muammar Gaddafi's detained son, Saif al-Islam, sought for trial by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Hague-based court issued an arrest warrant for Saif al-Islam last year, after prosecutors accused him and others of involvement in the killing of protesters during the revolt that eventually toppled his father. However Libya has insisted he will be tried in his home country, despite having still been unable to prize him out of the hands of the militia fighters who caught him in the southern desert in November. Saif al-Islam remains in a secret location in the western town of Zintan. Upon arrival at Tripoli airport, Moreno-Ocampo told reporters: "I'm here because I am still investigating crimes." Asked whether a potential deal was being brokered with the Libyan government about trying Saif al-Islam in Libya under the supervision of the ICC, he said: "I am a prosecutor at the ICC, I don't make deals. We apply the law. "The judges of ICC ordered (Libya) to surrender Saif. The Libyan government says they will challenge the admissibility of the case before the end of April and then the judges will decide." The ICC this month rejected Libya's request to postpone handing over Saif al-Islam to face war crimes charges. The court ordered Tripoli to "comply with its obligations to enforce the warrant of arrest" and surrender him without delay. Libya has appealed the decision. A U.N. Security Council Resolution obliges Libya to cooperate with the court, the ICC says, and Tripoli's failure to hand him over could result in it being reported to the Council. Ahmed al-Jehani, the Libyan lawyer in charge of the case and who liaises between the Libyan government and the ICC, said last week the Zintan fighters who captured and hold Saif al-Islam want him tried locally. Libya has appealed the decision. Ahmed al-Jehani, a Libyan lawyer in charge of the case and who liaises between the Libyan government and the ICC, said he was optimistic Moreno-Ocampo's visit would help convince judges to allow the North African country to try Saif al-Islam locally.

frican Union mediator Thabo Mbeki has urged the United Nations Security Council to take action to stop the fighting between Sudan and South Sudan, warning that both sides are locked in a "logic of war" with hardliners increasingly in control. Security Council members promised to urgently discuss how to address the crisis, including the possibility of sanctions, said Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN and current Security Council president. Rice briefed reporters on Tuesday about former South African president Mbeki's closed discussion with the council via videoconference. Mbeki, along with Haile Menkerios, a special UN representative to Sudan, "described a disturbing situation in which both sides are locked in, and I quote, 'a logic of war'," Rice said. "They stressed that hardliners are winning the day in both Juba and Khartoum and urged the Security Council to engage with both governments directly to convince them to walk back their positions." A border conflict between Sudan and South Sudan escalated when the South seized the disputed oil town of Heglig. Sudan has

South Sudan"s President Salva Kiir (L) and his Sudan counterpart Omar Hassan al-Bashir during the Independence Day ceremony in Juba, July 9, 2011. responded with fierce aerial bombardment of the town. The fighting is the bloodiest since South Sudan broke away from Sudan last July and became the world's newest nation. The crisis threatens to widen into allout war. Rice said Mbeki told the council that Khartoum believed South Sudan was seeking regime change in its northern neighbour "and

that if that was the case, then the objective of Khartoum would also be regime change" in the South. "Frankly, one would hope that that is rhetoric and not the objective or the purported objective of either side," Rice said. Rice said Security Council members reiterated their demands that the South's forces withdraw from Heglig and that the Sudanese armed forces end their

bombardment. She provided no details on the sanctions the council might consider. The ambassadors of South Sudan and Sudan each described their countries as the victim. South Sudan's UN ambassador, Agnes Oswaha, insisted that her country "took Heglig out of selfdefence and also because the Sudan army has been using the area as their operation base to wage their attacks on the Republic of South Sudan". "We have reiterated our position over and over calling upon Khartoum to return to the negotiation table," Oswaha told reporters after Mbeki's briefing. "Our intention is not regime change." Sudan's UN ambassador, Daffa-Alla Elhag Ali Osman, said any sanctions the Security Council discusses should be directed at South Sudan because of its seizure of Heglig. "We are not an aggressor. We are the victim," he told The Associated Press, adding that Sudan would return to talks when the government of South Sudan "returns to its senses and accepts a withdrawal". The fighting has displaced more than 100,000 people.

Mali picks Microsoft official as interim PM

heick Modibo Diarra, Microsoft Corp's chairman for Africa, has been appointed Mali's interim prime minister, tasked with helping to restore civilian rule to the West

African country after last month's coup. The appointment of Diarra, a former NASA astrophysicist, was announced on Tuesday in a statement read out on state

Former NASA astrophysicist Cheick Modibo Diarra to help restore civilian rule as interim PM

television. Earlier on Tuesday, soldiers arrested the head of one of Mali's biggest political parties, Soumaila Cisse, hours after a former prime minister was detained by military personnel, officials said. The arrests raised fresh questions about whether the military was still in control of the nation despite a handover of power to a civilian leader. The coup leaders who ousted Mali's democratically elected president last month recently handed over power to an interim civilian leader, Dioncounda Traore, but the military rulers' leader has also said he will play an important role in Mali's political future. The European Union delegation in Mali issued a statement expressing concern

about the arrests, calling for "an urgent clarification and their immediate release". The West African regional bloc ECOWAS, the EU and the United States all want to see the military rulers back in their barracks and out of politics as soon as possible. The latest arrests suggest that the military rulers have yet to accept this. Cisse was arrested in front of his home in Bamako, according to Abdoul Malick Diallo, a member of parliament from Cisse's party. Diallo said that Cisse was hurt during the arrest but that he could not say how serious the injury was. Cisse was one of the frontrunners for the presidential election that was due to take place on April 29.

Mugabe urges peace ahead of Zimbabwe elections

imbabwe President Robert Mugabe yesterday urged political parties to ensure a looming general election is peaceful, amid a rise in violence that he blamed on ambitious politicians staking claims as candidates. "It's very sad that we are seeing ugly fights in constituencies sponsored by sitting members of parliament and potential candidates," he said at a rally to mark 32 years of independence from Britain. Critics and opponents say Mugabe hung on to power in a 2008 election by rigging polls and allowing independence war veterans and the

youth brigade of his ruling ZANU-PF to attack opposition candidates. Addressing the rally, Mugabe, 88 years old and Zimbabwe's ruler since independence, also said ZANU-PF would not back down from a highly criticised drive to force foreign firms to surrender majority stakes to locals. The empowerment plan was meant to correct colonial injustices, he said. Mugabe was forced into a powersharing deal with long-time foe and now Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai after the 2008 election, which Western powers said was marred by ZANU-PF violence and intimidation.

Zimbabwe"s President Robert Mugabe looks on during a rally marking Zimbabwe"s 32nd independence anniversary celebrations in Harare April 18, 2012.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

PAGE 33

US troops in callous pose with Afghan insurgent corpses

lready tense U.S. and NATO ties with Afghanistan were dealt another blow yesterday with photographs appearing in an American newspaper of U.S. soldiers posing with the maimed bodies of dead Afghan insurgents. Senior U.S. officials and NATO's top commander in the country, U.S. General John Allen, moved quickly to condemn the pictures even before they were published by the Los Angeles Times, which received the photos from another soldier. "The actions of the individuals photographed do not represent the policies of International Security Assistance Force or the U.S. Army," Allen said in a statement, adding an investigation into the incident was underway. The appearance on the LA Times website of some of the 18 pictures, taken in 2010, comes at a sensitive time in U.S.-Afghan relations, following release of a video in January that showed four U.S. Marines urinating on Afghan insurgent corpses. The inadvertent burning of copies of the Koran at a major NATO airbase also triggered a week of riots that left 30 dead and led to the deaths of six Americans. And in March a U.S. Army sergeant went on a night-time shooting rampage in two southern Afghan villages, killing 17 civilians and prompting Afghan President Hamid Karzai to demand foreign soldiers confine themselves to major bases. Taliban insurgents launched suicide attacks in Kabul and three other provinces at the weekend, claiming the assault was launched in retaliation for all three incidents. In one of the pictures a paratrooper posed next to an unofficial patch placed beside a body that read "Zombie Hunter", while in another soldiers posed with Afghan police holding the severed legs of an insurgent bombers. Two soldiers in another frame held a dead insurgent's hand with the middle finger raised. The LA Times said the 82nd Airborne Division soldiers had been at a police station in Afghanistan's Zabol province in February 2010, and revisited several months later. The pictures were taken on both occasions. U.S. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said in a statement released by departmental spokesman George Little that publication of the pictures could prompt further attacks against security forces ahead. "The danger is that this material could be used by the enemy to incite violence against U.S. and Afghan service members in Afghanistan," Panetta said. "U.S. forces in the country are taking security measures to guard against it." The U.S. Ambassador in Afghanistan Ryan Crocker also condemned the photographs, calling the actions of the soldiers

"morally repugnant" and saying they "dishonour the sacrifices of hundreds of thousands of U.S. soldiers and civilians who have served with distinction in Afghanistan". The Times defended the

distribution of the photos, which U.S. military officials asked the Times not to publish. "After careful consideration, we decided that publishing a small but representative selection of the photos would

fulfil our obligation to readers to report vigorously and impartially on all aspects of the American mission in Afghanistan," Times Editor Davan Maharaj said in the newspaper's article.

U.S. General John Allen (C), NATO"s commander of foreign troops in Afghanistan, talks with Afghan officials after a ceremony to sign an agreement in Kabul April 8, 2012.

Iran arrests more than 15 on espionage

ran's official news agency says more than 15 Iranian and foreign nationals have been arrested for allegedly spying for Israel, attempted assassination and sabotage. The IRNA report says the group planned to assassinate an Iranian expert as well sabotage the country's infrastructure. It added details to a report released earlier this month. It said the group used Israeli diplomatic missions in Western counties to prepare plans. The expert's field was not identified. In the past, several Iranian nuclear experts have been killed. The latest report did not elaborate on nationality of the foreign detainees. It claimed Iranian intelligence also uncovered a spy base of Israeli Mossad in a neighboring country. Israel's Foreign Ministry refused to comment.

Al-Qaeda seeks release of prisoners in exchange for abducted Saudi envoy

Myanmar"s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi attends a ceremony at National League for Democracy party head office in Yangon April 18, 2012.

Suu Kyi to visit Norway, Britain after 24 years in Myanmar - party

obel Peace Prize laureate and newly elected lawmaker Aung San Suu Kyi will travel outside Myanmar for the first time in 24 years after accepting invitations to visit Norway and Britain in June, her party said yesterday. Her travel caps months of dramatic change in Myanmar, including a historic by-election on April 1 that won her a seat in a

year-old parliament that replaced nearly five decades of oppressive military rule. Her trip will include a visit to the British city Oxford, where she attended university in the 1970s, said National League for Democracy (NLD) party spokesman Nyan Win. "But I don't know the exact date yet," Nyan Win said, adding he did not know which country she

would visit first. She has previously indicated that it would be Norway. Suu Kyi, 66, was first detained in 1989, and spent 15 of the next 21 years in detention until her release from house arrest in November 2010. She refused to leave the country during the brief periods when she was not held by authorities, for fear of not being allowed to return.

suspected militant wanted by the Saudi government has demanded the release of prisoners from Saudi jails and a ransom in exchange for Saudi diplomat Abdullah Al-Khalidi who was kidnapped by gunmen in Yemen on March 28. The abduction case took a new turn after Mishaal Mohammed Rasheed Al-Shodoukhi, who was named on a list of fugitive AlQaeda militants by the Saudi authorities in 2009, made a phone call to the Saudi Embassy in Sanaa and demanded the release of some prisoners. Major General Mansour AlTurki, a spokesman of the Ministry of Interior, said in Riyadh yesterday: "The Kingdom is concerned about the safety and security of Al-Khalidi, who still remains in the hands of his kidnappers. The case is being followed by the concerned departments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and we look forward to obtaining support from our brothers in Yemen to secure the release of the diplomat". Al-Khalidi, the Kingdom's deputy consul posted in Aden, was kidnapped in the Yemeni port city outside his residence by some unknown gunmen. Three weeks since the day of his abduction, the Saudi Embassy in Sanaa received a call from AlKhalidi. "In the call, Al-Shodoukhi took responsibility for kidnapping the Saudi deputy consul," said Ali AlHamadan, Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, in a statement yesterday.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Norwegian terrorist wants death penalty or acquittal

orway's prison terms are "pathetic," mass killer terrorist Anders Behring Breivik declared Wednesday in court, claiming the death penalty or a full acquittal were the "only logical outcomes" for his massacre of 77 people. The right-wing terrorist said he doesn't fear death and that militant nationalists in Europe have a lot to learn from al-Qaida, including their methods and glorification of martyrdom. "If I had feared death I would not have dared to carry out this operation," he said, referring to his July 22 attacks - a bombing in downtown Oslo that killed eight people and a shooting massacre at a youth camp outside

the Norwegian capital that killed 69. Breivik's comments, on the third day of his terror trial, came as he was pressed to give details on the anti-Muslim militant group he claims to belong to but which prosecutors say doesn't exist as he describes. Several unrelated groups claim part of that "Knights Templar" name. The 33-year-old Norwegian acknowledged that his supposed crusader network is "not an organization in a conventional sense" but insisted that it is for real. "It is not in my interest to shed light on details that could lead to arrests," he said refusing to comment on the group's alleged other members.

French election: Former President Chirac says he won’t vote for Sarkozy

ormer French president Jacques Chirac will spurn Nicolas Sarkozy and vote Socialist in the upcoming election to choose a new head of state, it emerged today. The snub will come as a huge blow to Mr Sarkozy, who is already on course for a

humiliating defeat in the nationwide ballot. Jean-Luc Barre, a former aide of Mr Chirac's, told Le Parisien newspaper: 'Jacques Chirac is true to himself when he says he will vote for Francois Hollande. 'I visit him frequently - we have lunch and dinner together.

European rights court halts Abu Qatada’s deportation to US

adical cleric Abu Qatada cannot be deported from Britain yet, the European Court of Human Rights has said, after an appeal was lodged. The appeal was lodged just before the deadline last night. This means the deportation process cannot begin until a panel of judges has decided whether the case should go to the Grand Chamber of the court. Home Secretary Theresa May acknowledged on Tuesday that the process could take months if an appeal were started. Abu Qatada, 51, who faces charges in Jordan of plotting bomb attacks, had been arrested on Tuesday and denied bail.

In a statement to the Commons later, Mrs May said he could be removed from the UK "in full compliance of law". The last-minute lodging of the appeal by his lawyers was a huge embarrassment and blow to Mrs May, says BBC correspondent Danny Shaw. The European Court of Human Rights had blocked Abu Qatada's deportation to Jordan in January, saying evidence obtained by torture might be used against him. Mrs May travelled to Jordan in March for talks with the king and ministers on the case of the Palestinian-Jordanian, whom ministers have described as "extremely dangerous" and consider a threat to UK national security.

Snubbed: Jacques Chirac has revealed that he will not vote for Nicolas Sarkozy at the forthcoming French election

Swedish culture minister in ‘racist cake’ row

he artist, Makode Aj Linde, said the message of his piece has been misunderstood [Image via YouTube] Pictures of the Swedish culture minister cutting a cake designed like an African tribal woman has caused widespread anger and prompted one organisation to demand her resignation. Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth was invited to cut the cake, which doubled as an art installation, at an event marking the 75th

anniversary of the Swedish Artists Federation at Stockholm's modern art museum on Sunday. The exhibit at the Moderna Museet was meant to highlight the issue of female genital mutilation, and Makode Aj Linde, its Afro-Swedish creator was part of it all with his head built into the cake. When Adelsohn Liljeroth put the knife into the cake, he screamed "No, no!" from inside the installation. A Swedish organisation promoting the rights of people of

Tasteless: Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth appeared at the art event in Stockholm and cut pieces from the controversial black cake.

African origin on Tuesday called for the minister to resign for participating in a "tasteless, racist spectacle". "According to Moderna Museet, the cake eating party was intended to highlight the problem of female circumcision, but how this is supposed to be done with a cake depicting a racist caricature of a black woman ... is unclear," said Kitimbwa Sabuni, head of the African Swedish National Association. Adelsohn Liljeroth described the incident as a "bizarre situation". "I was invited to speak at World Art Day about the freedom of art and the right to be provocative, and then they asked me to cut up the cake," the minister said. "I had no chance to inspect the cake beforehand ... If some people have been offended, I apologise. Then it's up to the artist to explain what he meant with his work." Linde said the message of his piece had been misunderstood. He has for several years used art to criticise stereotypes of black people and said that female genital mutilation as a choice of theme for the cake "was quite natural, as you would have to cut it up." "I think the people who have

After four years of discussions, I believe I'm one of those who best know how he thinks.' The election takes place in two rounds - the first on Sunday, and the second two weeks later, on May 6th. Mr Chirac, who stepped down when Mr Sarkozy came to power in 2007, was once a mentor to his fellow conservative. But they fell out when Mr Sarkozy showed him disloyalty by backing another candidate for the presidency in 1995. Mr Sarkozy also once made fun of Mr Chirac's love of Japanese culture, including sumo wrestling. In turn, Mr Chirac last year mocked Mr Sarkozy as being 'irritable, rash, overconfident and allowing for no doubt, least of all regarding himself'. 'We do not share the same vision of France, we do not agree on the basics,' said Mr Chirac wrote. Meanwhile, Mr Chirac's memoirs described Francois Hollande as a "true statesman" capable of crossing party lines. Mr Chirac and Mr Hollande both have links to the Correze department of central France. The former president's parents are from Correze, while the Socialist started his political career there. An Ipsos poll published on Monday had Mr Hollande winning the second round of the election by 12 points.

UK minister sued for sending Libyan back to torture

Libyan military commander is suing former British foreign minister Jack Straw for allegedly authorising his illegal transfer to Libya where he faced years of torture in Muammar Gaddafi's prisons, a lawyer for the commander said on Wednesday. The action against an ally of former Prime Minister Tony Blair ups the stakes in a debate over Britain's role in helping the United States to spirit suspected Muslim fighters across borders, often to face torture or ill treatment. Lawyers acting for Abdel Hakim Belhadj, once a Libyan rebel fighter on the run who went on to help topple Gaddafi in 2011, say recent evidence indicates that Straw authorised British spies to allow Belhadj to be sent back to Libya without due legal process, something known as rendition. "A letter of claim, the precursor to formal legal proceedings was served," Belhadj's lawyer, Sapna Malik, told Reuters. "The allegation is that he made the authorisation of the rendition

of our client," she said, adding that the letter had been served by email. An aide to Straw, 65, declined comment. Belhadj says he was arrested in 2004 with his pregnant wife in Malaysia and then transferred to Thailand where agents from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency took them into custody and sent them back to Libya to face years of torture. Now a powerful man in Tripoli, Belhadj says the United States was acting on a tip off from Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, known as MI6, and that the CIA used the British island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to refuel during the flight. Belhadj is already suing the British government, the intelligence services and Sir Mark Allen, the former MI6 head of counter terrorism operations. British ministers have denied knowledge of sending anyone to face torture abroad and London police are investigating whether Britain illegally sent detainees to Libya, though there has been no firm denial from the British government.

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The mother who cannot laugh or love: Rare disorder means she collapses every time she expresses strong emotion

uring an attack Kelly can see and hear but her body is temporarily paralysed Attacks can last anything from a few seconds to an hour A woman with a rare condition that means she collapses every time she laughs fears she may have passed the rare illness onto her young son. Kelly Timson cannot visit a comedy show or even go to the pub with her friends as every time she laughs, she collapses in a literal fit of giggles. She suffers from a rare neurological condition called cataplexy which means her body goes into a state of total paralysis in response to strong emotions such as amusement, surprise, anger and even love. Just gazing in motherly admiration at her two young children Charlie, five, and Ronnie, two, brings on an attack leaving Kelly totally unable to move or speak. Often, she finds herself collapsed in a heap on the floor having injured herself on the way down and once she nearly suffocated after landing face-down on the sofa. She suffers up to 20 cataplexy attacks a day and has to have her mother or brother around her all the time in case she collapses. She also suffers from the related condition narcolepsy which means she randomly falls asleep throughout the day, no matter what she is doing. Kelly, 25, from Ashford, Kent, said:

Limits: Kelly can never have a bath alone as she could have an attack and drown

Inherited? Kelly Timson has both cataplexy and narcolepsy (right). Her younger son Ronnie is undergoing tests after experiencing a fit a few weeks ago 'I've lost count of the number of times I've fallen asleep face down in my dinner. I can't even go to a restaurant with my boyfriend in case I nod off at the table. It's so embarrassing. 'Once I had an attack of cataplexy in the supermarket and then another and another. I must have had about 20 in a row and I think people must have thought I was drugged or drunk. Every time I stood up, I collapsed again. 'When I have an attack, I can see and hear but I can't move or communicate at all. It can last a few seconds or it can last for an hour. 'The worst times are when there is no one around. I might be laid on the floor, completely paralysed and the boys will be pulling all the food out of the cupboards and there's nothing I can do. That's why I don't like to be left alone with the boys in case anything happens to me or them.' Kelly first noticed the narcolepsy when she was 16 and would fall asleep suddenly in front of the television or while sat on the sofa, even after a long night's sleep. Her condition worsened over time until the point where she never knew where she might nod off. Kelly said: 'I would be in the middle of eating my dinner and I would just fall asleep or I would fall asleep in the bath. 'I used to work on a dunking doughnuts kiosk as a teenager and once I fell asleep while I was frothing some milk for a cappuccino, which is impressive when you think of the noise those machines make. I just fell asleep standing up and I was lucky I didn't burn myself on it. 'Eventually I saw a consultant who diagnosed me with narcolepsy and gave me some medication.' Then, at the age of 19, she fell pregnant with Charlie and everything changed. Suddenly, Kelly would find herself going limp and heavy while she was holding her new baby. Her head would become

heavy and loll to one side and her arms would flop to her sides. She said: 'I would have to call to my mum to come quickly and grab Charlie off me in case I dropped him. 'I would just be looking at him and thinking how much I loved him and then all of a sudden my arms would go floppy. 'I was really worried because I was terrified of hurting him.' Over time, Kelly found her attacks were becoming more frequent and more severe, causing her to become completely paralysed and unable to speak whenever she had one. In 2007, she was officially diagnosed with cataplexy. While cataplexy is extremely rare, 70 per cent of sufferers also suffer from narcolepsy. In addition, Kelly also suffers from poor short term memory and often forgets what she did the previous day. Kelly said: 'I often panic when I'm going into an attack and I'm always hurting myself. One time I landed on the sofa on my nose and I couldn't move my head in order to breathe. The cushion was pushed up against my face and I thought I was going to suffocate. 'My boyfriend was asleep on the sofa and I couldn't even make a sound to alert him to what had happened. 'It felt like it lasted for ages although it was probably less than a minute and then the attack started to ease off so I was able to move my neck just enough to breathe. At times like that the attacks can feel like forever. 'Another time I went down and hit the doctor's desk while I was in the middle of talking to her. She didn't even realise what was happening until it was too late and I had smacked my head on the edge.' Like many epileptics, Kelly needs constant supervision and cannot drive or even take a bath on her own. However, she can suffer up to 20 attacks a day and is not entitled to

extra support for her condition. Now she is worried she may have passed the condition onto her son Ronnie, who suffered a fit in a supermarket two weeks ago. He is currently awaiting tests to see if he has inherited either of his mother's rare conditions. She said: 'I'd hate for Ronnie to

have it as it affects every aspect of my life. 'I'd love to be able to go for a drink and have a laugh with my friends, but I can't. As soon as someone cracked a joke I would be paralysed on my barstool and it would be mortifying.

Kelly found her attacks got worse after having Ronnie (left) and Charlie

PAGE 36

rom cabbage soup to Atkins, WeightWatchers to Slimming World, I’ve tried every diet going over the past 30 years. But the story was always the same: having lost a few pounds I would bask victoriously — only to put the weight straight back on. So it was a pleasant surprise when, about 18 months ago, I lost nearly four stone after becoming a vegetarian and giving up alcohol. My weight dropped from over 14st to around 10st, the first three stone disappearing within a couple of months. I hadn’t planned to lose weight so quickly, but I wasn’t complaining. Wearing size 8 jeans felt great (I dropped three dress sizes) and I was lapping up the compliments. My husband was stunned, while my 13-yearold son loved that I was able to run around playing cricket with him. But ten months after reaching a stable weight, I discovered a disturbing downside to shedding the pounds. I’d met a friend in Bristol for a pub lunch, and as I drove back down the M5 to my home on Exmoor, my stomach started griping. I put it down to indigestion but by 9pm I was in agony: it felt like being in labour, with waves of intense pain. The room was spinning. Painkillers didn’t touch it, and I was gasping as I struggled to talk on the phone to NHS Direct. By the time the emergency doctor arrived around 11pm I was curled up on the bed in a foetal position. I wondered if I had ruptured my appendix. Then the doctor prodded a point under my ribcage on the right-hand side and I nearly hit the ceiling. ‘It’s your gall bladder,’ he said. ‘You’ve got gallstones.’ An ultrasound scan a few days later confirmed I had not one but three gallstones, one a centimetre across. I was puzzled. I’m now an ideal weight for my height and I exercise nearly every day. My old diet was never that bad (I just ate too much), but my new regime is filled with fruit and veg. Surely, I thought, gallstones come from a rich, fatty diet? ‘They do,’ said the radiographer. ‘But there are other causes. Have you lost weight?’ He explained that there can be a direct correlation between rapid weight loss and gallstones. ‘It’s not just older people either,’ he warned, telling me his daughter, in her early 20s, developed them after losing about two stone very quickly on a well-known diet plan. I was stunned. To be fair, the information is out there — it’s just not stressed. People don’t tend to think about gallstones until they cause problems, yet they are extremely common. About one in four women and one in eight men will develop gallstones at some stage, according to the British Liver Trust. And the numbers are rising. Gall bladder removal has increased by nearly 34 per cent from 2004 to 2011, according to NHS statistics. In fact, it’s now the most common elective surgery in the UK.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Crash dieting dangers: Losing weight too quickly gave me gallstones ‘This will help you lose the recommended amount of 1-2lbs (0.5-1kg) per week.’ It’s possible to have gallstones for years without symptoms, and it seems mine were forming in the 18 months since I began losing weight. But up to 4 per cent of people with gallstones suffer from biliary colic, when a stone moves to the neck of the gall bladder. This was responsible for my initial excruciating pain. Further complications can include jaundice, infection of the bile duct, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) or bowel obstruction.

Slow and steady: The best way to lose weight to avoid other health problems (posed by model) ‘No one is sure why people develop gallstones,’ says Emer Delaney, of the British Dietetic Association. ‘However, we know they are more common if you are overweight, pregnant, or taking high-dose hormone replacement therapy, and in those who have recently lost weight.’ Doctors are also seeing the condition in much younger women than before, even teenagers. This may be due to changes in our diet over the past two generations. Gallstones are lumps of cholesterol that form in the gall bladder, ranging in size from fine gravel to a golf ball. The gall bladder is a pear-shaped bag that lies under the liver. It acts as a reservoir for bile, a liquid produced by the liver which helps digest food and, in particular, fat. When we eat, the gall bladder empties bile through the bile duct into the intestine. Bile has three main components: bile salts (that act like detergent, removing fats), pigments and cholesterol. Crash dieting upsets the balance between bile salts and the cholesterol the body produces (as opposed to the cholesterol we consume), says Simon Bramhall, liver transplant surgeon at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. ‘When bile is supersaturated

with cholesterol, it’s more likely to form crystals which become stones,’ he says. Skipping meals may also stop the gall bladder emptying regularly, making bile more concentrated. Combine these factors and you have the optimum conditions for gallstones to develop. The major symptom is abdominal pain, often triggered by fatty food. I’ve been told it was likely to have been the creamy mushroom risotto I’d had in Bristol that caused my discomfort. The gall bladder contracts in response to the fat and may move a gallstone to block the bile duct, causing inflammation and pain. Some people feel nauseous or have pain between the shoulder blades. So here’s the tricky part. In order to lessen your risk of gallstones, you should lose weight, but not too quickly. But how much weight, how fast? Many studies have looked at the threshold at which gallstones develop and, according to an overview in the journal Obesity, anyone losing over 3.3lb (1.5kg) a week is at risk. The report pinpoints very lowfat diets as a risk factor — we need a certain amount of healthy fat for our digestion to work properly. ‘If you do need to lose weight, aim to eat 500 calories fewer per day, combined with regular exercise,’ agrees Emer Delaney.

Once you have had a bout of biliary colic, it’s likely to become a recurring problem and doctors usually recommend removing the gall bladder by keyhole surgery (you can live normally without a gall bladder — the bile dribbles continuously into the intestine, rather than emptying after meals.) There are drugs which can dissolve stones, but they don’t always work and, once treatment stops, the stones may form again. Prevention is obviously better than cure. The British Liver Trust points out many of the risk factors, such as age and gender, are fixed. Yet others, such as obesity, smoking, lack of exercise and high levels of cholesterol, can be addressed with lifestyle changes. And, if you already have gallstones, the best way to keep them quiet is to get your weight under control and eat a balanced diet, avoiding ‘bad’ cholesterol (in saturated fats, fatty meats and fast food). However, don’t cut out fat altogether: sources of ‘healthy’ fat include olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds and oily fish such as mackerel and tuna. It may also be worth upping your m a g n e s i u m intake. A 2007 report in the American Journal o f Gastroenterology suggested that a diet low in magnesium may i n c r e a s e cholesterol. Meanwhile, my GP and I agree to disagree for now. He wants me to have my gall bladder removed, while I am hoping to keep my gallstones quiet by saying no to risotto. All surgery carries risks and I’d like to avoid it if I can. Despite the gallstones, I don’t regret losing weight — being slim and fit feels fantastic. But it’s w o r t h remembering that slow and steady really is the best Lesson learned: Jane now eats much more way to do it. carefully after she developed gallstones S o u r c e : from rapid weightloss Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

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Osun secession allegation: PDP lacks understanding of federalism, says NASS ACN caucus By Lawrence Olaoye

ction Congress of Nigeria, ACN Caucus members in the National Assembly yesterday said the allegation that the Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola was planning secession from Nigeria was an indication that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lacked understanding of basic ideals of federalism. Senator Babajide Omoworare who read the press statement at a press briefing cosigned by all the members said,"it is not alien to federalism anywhere in the world for federating states to maintain independent identities vis a vis state flag, anthem, emblems, coat of arms, among others." He explained that "Cross River state is an apt example and this is also common in the United States of America, USA where we borrowed our, federal, presidential and democratic model." The Senator said "it is surprising that rage and quest to regain relevance at all cost has deprived the PDP the capacity to appraise this warped logic of theirs, a clear

understanding of structures and practices of federalism and governance with a view to revamping the lost practices and cultures ideal to genuine federalism." Omoworare further stressed that "blackmailing the Governor and the Government of the state of Osun and whipping the religious sentiments is an expression of a sinking political party desperate to hold a rootless straw to stay afloat." "As at today at the National Assembly, there are two Christian Senators, four Christian Hnourable members and one Moslem Senator and five Honourable members, in the state House of Assembly there are 18 Christian Honourable members and eight members while in the 31 member Executive cabinet, there are 19 Christians and 12 Moslems and at the local government level, there are 17 Christian local government executive secretaries and 14 Moslems." "At the top echelon of our party AC N in the state of Osun, the acting Chairman, the secretary and the treasurer are all Christians, given the above statistics, it is absence of deep thinking, cerebral

Rauf Aregbesola articulation and sound reasoning that can make anybody suggest islamisation of the state under the prevailing political dialectic." "The PDP and the Diretectorate of State

Security Service, DSS should note that historically, the South West Region has been exceptional with our religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence without recourse to religious enmity, divide or segregation in our politics."

Senate committee on Constitution amendment will complete assignment by July 2013 — Chairman

Sen. Ike Ekweremadu

he Senate yesterday promised that its Committee on Constitutional Amendment would complete its assignment by July, 2013. The Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu (PDP- Enugu), made the promise yesterday, while briefing journalists at the end of the committee’s meeting in Abuja. Ekweremadu said, “Give and take, our estimation is that by July 2013 we will be able to conclude another set of constitutional amendment.

“We even thought we could move faster than that, but because we are going to be engaged with other national assignment. “So when we put all these things together, we believe that July 2013 would be an appropriate time to deliver the next set of amendment.” He urged Nigerians to have confidence in the determination of the Senate to ensure that the amendment would take care of their interests. “We want again to ask you to trust us to do a good job to amend the constitution, not

Group praises Senate committee on pension probe

n anti-corruption group, the International Network Against Corruption, has commended the Sen. Aloysius Etok-led committee on pension probe for its effective service delivery. A statement on Wednesday by the National Coordinator of the group, Alhaji Musa

Mohammed, said the committee had performed creditably, adding that it should disregard campaigns to derail its work. The group urged President Goodluck Jonathan to look into the Pension Reform Task Team for the allegation of illegal transfer of N3 billion being the

police pension fund. “All over the world, pension is the inalienable right of senior citizens who have served their country meritoriously in their youth. “We are advocating for a law that will prescribe stiffer penalty for pension fund siphoners,’’ it said.

the way we want, but the way Nigerians want. Not the issues we want, but the issues Nigerians want,” he said. Ekweremadu, who also is the Deputy Senate President, gave the assurance that all stake holders would be given opportunity to make their inputs to the amendment process. He said, “We are going to make allowance for the input by the Executive, Governors’ Forum, professional bodies, the Belgore Committee and all other stake holders. “We are going to allow the people of Nigeria, as well to send in their memoranda so that those who have opinion on any issue that can help us advance those opinions.” He said that the committee would meet next week to identify those areas that were considered as “burning issues.’’ Ekweremadu added that the Senate would cooperate with the House of Representatives to ensure the smooth amendment of the constitution.

Nigerian leaders urged to make integrity their watchword

olitical office holders in the country have been enjoined to make integrity their watchword, while serving the nation. Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) said this on Wednesday in Umuahia in an interview with newsmen. He said that the only way politicians could render selfless service to the people was to bring integrity to bear in their actions and policies. “Nigerians are highly knowledgeable. What they lack is the will to do what is right,’’ he said. Olawale-Cole said the institute had imparted the requisite knowledge and standard management technique across a wide range of professions in the nation’s leaders. “Unfortunately, it is one thing to lead a horse to the river and another to force it to drink. “Nigerian leaders have failed to put into practice all the management principles and techniques at their disposal, rather they indulge in selfish acts,’’ he said. Speaking during a courtesy call on Gov. Theodore Orji, Olawale-Cole commended the governor for tackling kidnapping and insecurity in the state. He said that the institute had actively been involved in public policy advocacy on “burning and contemporary issues of national importance.” The institute, the president told the governor, would focus on power, employment and job creation among other issues in its 2012 national budget report to be presented to the Federal Government. He appealed to the governor to nominate civil servants from the state for the institutes’ upcoming 2012 Women in Management and Leadership Conference in Lagos. He also urged the governor to nominate civil servants for the Top Executive Leadership Programme, taking place in Manchester, England. In his response, Orji, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, promised that the state would participate in the two training programmes. He commended the institute for its laudable achievements in its 50 years of existence, pointing out that it had helped in grooming Nigerian professionals in management.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

I’ll give Oyo facelift - Ajimobi

Yakowa urges youths to join security agencies on peace mission

ov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state says his administration will create an environment where basic amenities and a conducive environment will be provided for business and commercial activities to thrive. The governor, who spoke yesterday during an unscheduled visit to the construction site of Mokola overhead bridge in Ibadan, said his administration would do everything possible to give the state a facelift. Ajimobi said his administration would change the perception of the state from one of brigandage and petty trading to one where peace would reign and the economy would witness a boom. He said that he wanted his administration to be remembered as one that set a standard in good governance through the provision of basic infrastructure. Ajimobi noted that his would be the first civilian administration to construct an overhead bridge in the state, stressing “we want to be the government of modern Oyo State. “The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was outstanding as the governor of Old Western Region. We too want to be the Number One government of a new Oyo State. “I believe that by the time we do all these (overhead bridges), construct roads, put other infrastructure in place and improve business and commercial activities in the state, there will be a modern Oyo state free of thuggery, violence, brigandage and petty trading that have taken our people to nowhere,’’ he said. The governor assured the people of the state that the overhead bridge would be completed on schedule, pointing out that there had been an appreciable progress on the project.

overnor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State yesterday urged youths to join the nation’s security organisations to restore peace and order in the state. Yakowa gave the advice while receiving the state indigenes of Batch 20 graduates of the

next batch of the course to enable the state get more position in the navy. Yakowa reiterated the government’s commitment towards peace, unity and development and assured them of his support. Earlier, the leader of the group,

Yakubu Cephas, said the course started in September 2011 and ended on April 13. Cephas appealed to the state government to show more concern and commitment to indigenes studying various courses outside the state to enhance their performance.

L-R: Secretary to Adamawa state Government, Mr Kobis Thimnu, the state Deputy Governor, Mr Bala Ngilari, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Vice-Chairman, North East, Alhaji Mohammed Girgiri, and other dignitaries, during the inauguration of Adamawa state PDP executive members, yesterday in yOla. Photo: NAN

Dankwambo urges Conference of Speakers to ensure justice, fairness

ov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe state has advised the newlyelected Chairman of Conference of Speakers of Nigeria, Alhaji Inuwa Garba, to ensure justice among its members. Dankwambo gave the advice in Gombe yesterday when Garba called on him. “You should ensure selfless

Ibori: NGO calls for reform in nation’s judicial system he Forum for Justice & Human Rights Defence (FJHD) says the conviction of Chief James Ibori by the London Crown Court exposes inadequacies in Nigerian justice system. The FJHD National Coordinator, Mr Oghenejabor Ikimi, made the remark in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. Ikimi, who is also a lawyer, said there was an urgent need to reform the Nigerian justice system for proper service delivery. He, however, said that 13 years sentence awarded to Ibori, who was the former Delta Governor by the court, was a

Nigerian Navy Basic Training School Onne, Port Harcourt, who paid him a courtesy call. The Governor urged the 35 graduates to be dedicated, determined and to work hard in their various places of assignments. He said more indigenes would be recruited to participate in the

welcome judgement. Ikimi said Ibori deserved the sentence since he admitted looting billions of naira from the state treasury. “We say kudos to the London Court for a job well done to the people of Delta State and humanity. “The above sinister action of the erstwhile Governor had no doubt further pauperised and impoverished the entire state and its suffering masses.” Ikimi expressed the hope that Ibori’s jail sentence would deter other corrupt public office holders from similar crime in Nigeria. He said public officers should ensure probity, transparency and accountability in governance or get humiliated.

service in all you are going to do, make sure you work with other people and your decision should always be the last.” The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Garba is also the Speaker, Gombe state House of Assembly. Dankwambo said the advice was necessary because Garba’s election posed a “new and bigger challenge” on him, stressing that he should not disappoint the people of the

state. The Governor said if the Speaker succeeded, the credit would go to the entire state, adding that the government would support any indigene of the state who aspired for higher positions. Garba promised not to fail the government and people of the state. “Gombe state and the entire country will be proud of

me, all I need is your prayers and continuous support. “ The Speaker had earlier told newsmen that he would use his position to address the nation’s political and economic challenges, to ensure peace and development. “I will ensure a purposeful, focused and quality leadership, I am determined to look inward and liaise with my colleagues to ensure that we serve the country deligently.”

Code of Conduct Tribunal bars 2 from holding public offices in Kogi and ordered the ban accordingly.

he Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting in Lokoja, has banned two former public officers in the state from holding public offices for one year for failing to declare their assets. Those banned are Sumaila Adamu and Sumaila Shuaibu, Special Advisers to Ofu Local Government Chairman in 2007, were banned for refusing to declare their assets after collecting the bureau’s asset declaration form. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the tribunal ordered the ban on Wednesday in Lokoja while trying 40 accused persons in Kogi, who contravened various sections of the Code of Conduct and

Tribunal Act. The accused pleaded guilty to the charges of non-declaration and submission of the forms within 30 days of issuance. The offence is punishable under the amended Section 23(2) Cap 56 of the Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act, 2004. Prosecuting Counsel Kyari Ahmed urged the tribunal to give summary trial on the matter since the accused had pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them. The chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar in his judgment said that since the accused had admitted to committing the offence, there was no need to prolong the matter

NAN reports that the tribunal also issued a bench warrant on six former councillors and three special advisers from Mopa-Muro and Dekina Local Governments of Kogi for absenting themselves from the court. Also at Wednesday’s sitting, the tribunal discharged Abdul Idris and Hassan John Ahmed charged with late submission of the asset declaration forms. The duo were supervisory councillors in Omala Local Government of Kogi in 2007. They said that the forms were completed and submitted on time, but the prosecution held that they were issued the forms on Feb. 23, 2007 and they submitted on Sept. 5 of the same year.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

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Budget: Osoba faults low allocation to capital projects

member of the House of Representative, Olumide Osoba, on Tuesday faulted the 28 per cent allocation to capital projects by the Federal Government in the 2012 budget. He said that the allocation was inadequate. Osoba, representing Abeokuta North/Odeda/ Obafemi Owode Federal Constituency, made the observation while inaugurating a health centre he donated to Apolaja village in Odeda Local Government area of Ogun. He said that the allocation was not only inadequate, but would slow down the development of infrastructure in the country. Osoba said that it would be grossly unfair to think that the infrastructure would develop beyond their current state without adequate budgetary allocations. “Seventy-two per cent going to recurrent is too high for a nation that wants to grow its economy; we must find a means to reduce all these costs and direct the savings into capital projects,’’ he said. The lawmaker, however, lauded the Federal Government’s initiatives to establish the Almajiri Schools in Sokoto. He expressed optimism that the school would engage school aged children, who would otherwise, take to crimes. Osoba urged government to build more of such schools across the states in the north. Speaking on the health centre, Osoba said that he had opted to give back to the community based on their needs and not on what he felt or thought was the best for them. “I was very moved and touched with what I saw here during my campaign and I promised that if elected, I will by God’s grace, make health care facility available to the people of my constituency. “Even though I did not receive any allocations for the projects, my major aim is to make my people happy,’’ he said. NAN reports that the projects included provision of bore holes and transformers to enhance water supply and electricity in the constituency.

L-R: Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Hon. Lasun Yusuf, Senator Babajida Omoworare, and Senator Mudashiru Husain, during a press conference by the ACN Caucus on the purported security report on Osun state, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

UPGA registration: Okorie urges INEC to disregard Umeh’s petition By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

he National Chairman of United Peoples Grand Alliance (UPGA), Chekwas Okorie, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to discard the petition from the Chairman of APGA, Victor Umeh, requesting INEC to avoid registering the UPGA on the grounds that it has similar acronym with APGA. In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by UPGA, the party said that Victor Umeh should be bothered that their National Secretariat has

not been functional for a long time, adding that INEC has a responsibility to withdraw the certificate of a party that has no functional office in the Federal Capital Territory. “Umeh should concern himself with how to manage a crisis free APGA instead of being paranoid about an emerging new party that is yet to participate in a general election in Nigeria.” He said pointing out that Umeh is at liberty to initiate the changing of the name of APGA and the symbol of the party. While contesting the alleged attempt by Umeh to

link the rising sun with the defunct Biafra, which he said was never a political party, he said the rising sun is a universal brand, adding that it is the height of ‘chicanery and stupidity’ to attempt to mislead the commission into assigning the rising sun to the Igbo people of the South East as their exclusive property. The party further refuted the allegation that INEC had earlier rejected the registration of the party, saying that INEC rather amended its guidelines for political party registration to include that no name or

symbol used before by a political party, political association, alliance, or cooperate body should be used again. Meanwhile, the members of our National Executive Committee of the party has reiterated its readiness to, in compliance with INEC’s letter reference number INEC/ DPPM&L/UPGA/428/VOL.1/5 dated 30 th March, 2012, to be on hand to receive the team from the Commission for the purpose of inspecting its National Secretariat at the Dome, Central Business District.

Kano Assembly calls for removal of top officials in 3 councils

he Kano State House of Assembly has called for the removal of interim management officers in charge of three Local Government Councils in the state. This was contained in the recommendations of the report of the House Committee on Local Government Councils

and Chieftaincy Affairs, adopted by the House on Tuesday in Kano. Presenting the report, the Committee Chairman, Alhaji Zubairu Mahmoud, listed the affected officers as those in charge of Ajingi, Dawakin Tofa and Garko Local Government Councils. He cited poor relationship

between the local councils and their respective communities, improper siting of development projects against the wish of the people and inflation of contracts as some of the lapses observed by the committee. The chairman said his committee had also identified improper record-keeping and

operation of unauthorised orders as other lapses obtainable in all the 44 local councils in the state. Mahmoud, quoted section 128 of the 1999 Constitution to back up the decision taken by his committee against the erring interim management officers, urging the State Government to remove them.

A/Ibom Assembly confirms 18 commissioners, 4 special advisers

he Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has confirmed 18 commissioners and four special advisers sent to the house by Gov. Godswill Akpabio. Confirming the nominees on Tuesday in Uyo, the Speaker of the house, Mr Samuel Ikon, said that the nominees had earlier

been screened by the House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Public Petitions. Ikon said: “accordingly, the list of commissioners and advisers sent by the governor is hereby cleared. The Clerk to the House is directed to forward the confirmation list to the

governor.” Earlier, the Majority Leader, Mr Okpolupum Ette, moved a motion, accepting the report of the House’s Committee on Judiciary as presented by its chairman, Mr Ekong Samson. Those confirmed as c o m m i s s i o n e r s

are Bassey Akpan and Don Etim, Ekpenyong Ntekim and Emmanuel Enoidem and Dr Bassey Antai. Others are Eno Akpan, Aniekan Umanah, Sunny Anyang, Adasi U b o l u m , E n o b o n g Uwah, Helen Akpabio and Comfort Etuk.

The others are Clement Bassey, Effiong Abia, Austin M b e h , E u n i c e Thomas, Martins Udoinyang and Ita Umoh Udoh. Those confirmed as special advisers are Etido I n y a n g , S e n a s Ukpanah, Godwin Udom and Samuel Frank.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Ibori's jail term sentence is a big lesson for Nigerian politicians, says Lawyer

r. Clifford Okoye, an Onitsha-based lawyer, yesterday said that the 13-year jail term slammed on James Ibori, former Delta Governor, by a Lon don Crown Court, would serve as a bitter lesson for corrupt politicians and public office holders in the country. Ibori, who was Governor of Delta state between 1999 and 2007, was on Tuesday found guilty of embezzling about $250 million from the treasury of the Delta state Government. Part of Ibori's ill-gotten properties, according to the London Court, include a house in Hampstead, north London, for £2.2m, property in Shaftesbury, Dorset, for £311,000, a £3.2m mansion in Sandton, near Johannesburg, South Africa, a fleet of armoured Range Rovers valued at £600,000, £120,000 Bentley Continental GT and a Mercedes-Benz Maybach 62 bought for 407,000 euros cash, that was shipped direct to his mansion in South Africa. Okoye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha that the judgments would fire-up judges to take decisive sentence on any politician or public office holder found guilty of embezzlement of public funds. “I want the judiciary in Nigeria to take a cue from what the London County Court has done. “I also want politicians in Nigeria to learn their lessons fro m what happened to James Ibori. “Leaders are elected by the people to serve them in all honesty. “From available information and the judgments of the court, it has shown that James Onanefe Ibori was elected by his people and he did not do, he did not execute properly the mandate of his people. And he is paying for it. “So it is big lesson for politicians and public office holders, those who are entrusted with public funds to see, to manage and to superintend over such funds judiciously and judiciary. '' It will be recalled that Ibori fled Nigeria to evade arrest and prosecution by the EFCC. He was subsequently arrested on 13 May 2010 in Dubai by Interpol and extradited to London where he was tried and sentenced by the London Court.

L-R: Chairman, Ad-hoc Committee on Capital Market, Hon. Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi, members of the Committee, Hon. Yakubu Doga, and Hon. Udoka Ini Akpan, during the investigation by Committee into the collapse of the Capital Market, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Gov Shetima calls for improved standard of living for poor

ov. Kashim Shetima of Borno on Tuesday in Abuja called for improvement in the living conditions of the poor in order to forestall insecurity and engender peace for national development. Shetima made the call at the opening of an International Security Awareness Summit on Terrorism and Other Related Crimes tagged “National Security: Our Shared Obligation.” He said the poor living condition of the less-privileged was part of the reasons “why they are more susceptible to carrying arms and threatening the peace and security of the nation’’. Shetima, therefore, called on government officials and the political elites to shun enriching themselves alone and take stringent steps to improve the living conditions of the poor. “We either make things right by improving the living standards of the poor or make ourselves rich and the generation of the poor take up arms and the peace which some of us take for granted disappears into thin air. “There is no better time to

examine this than now: this insecurity has affected all sectors of the country centering mostly on the Northern part of Nigeria. “There can be no development without peace and the search for peace is the priority of my administration. “Peace is not something to be wished for but something you actually worked for. The search for peace is not a favour to anyone but to oneself. ’’ The governor said that Islam preaches peace and tolerance, not violence and unwarranted killing of innocent people. “How can a true Muslim explain these cold blooded murders in the name of Islam? “Islam preaches tolerance: any understanding of Islam which justifies killing of people is condemnable. “Real Islam does not sanction the killing of people and destruction of their places of worship.” Mr Tony Onyima, the Managing Director of The Sun Newspapers, organisers of the summit, said security was a shared responsibility and not the preservation of the security

agencies alone. He said that everyone had a role to play in combating the insecurity that had befallen the nation in recent years. “As part of our social responsibility, we decided to open a conversation aimed at taking a dispassionate look at the various modes of terrorism: their causative agents, their social, economic, political and religious vectors and arrive at conclusions. “The conclusions should help our country speedily and permanently to conquer the monster. Our ultimate objective is to make Nigeria safe for lives and investments. “ The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Mike Okiro, a former Inspector General of Police, said security challenge was not peculiar to the country alone. He said the country should be able to surmount the growing insecurity just as other countries had done, adding that security was a necessary infrastructure for the development of modern Nigeria. “Every effort must be made to ensure the security of lives and property as well as peace among Nigerians.’’

Also speaking, Maj.-Gen. Sarkin Bello of the Office of the National Security Adviser, called on Nigerians to assist by forwarding all suggestions that may lead to overcoming all forms of security challenges to the office of the National Security Adviser. He said that intelligence must drive every security and military operation and that there could be no intelligence without information. Chief Olake Adeyemo, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, said terrorism was not only a crime against humanity but also a crime against God. He noted that terrorism affected both civilians and military alike and called on civilians to provide vital information to security agencies. In her contribution, Marylyn Ogar, the Deputy Director (information), State Security Services (SSS), decried a situation where Nigerians see the security agencies as solely responsible for security in the country. She called on the media and the nation at large to assist the security agencies in whatever way possible to combat the security challenges.

Politicians decry recurrent expenditure burden

he Natioanal Publicity Secretary of the Democratic Peoples Alliance, Mr Sam Onimisi, on Tuesday blamed the heavy recurrent expenditure of the Federal Government on the ghost worker syndrome. Onimisi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that until Nigeria eliminated ghost workers, it would be losing money to fraudsters in the public service.

NAN reports that President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday signed into law, the 2012 Budget with an aggregate expenditure of N4.697 trillion, comprising N1.34 trillion capital expenditure and N3.357 recurrent expenditure. ``If the recurrent expenditure will be three times more than the capital expenditure, where do you think we are going? ``I do not know of any country

that wants to develop who will use three-quarters of its budget in paying salaries. `` I want to tell you that onethird of the so-called employees are ghost workers,'' Onimisi said. Also commenting, the Lagos State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Mr Godfrey Lemchi, attributed the heavy expenditure burden to the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage.

Lemchi urged the government to be prudent and transparent in the implementation of the budget. ``Transparency and accountability determine how far a government goes,'' he said. The National Publicity Secretary of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, Mr Osita Okechukwu, told NAN that heavy recurrent expenditure could retard development.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Ikhana to earn N3 million monthly, gets W/C semi-final target

Nigeria/Rwanda match venue: NFF still studying Kaduna situation

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday in Abuja said it was still studying the situation on whether Kaduna should remain the venue for the upcoming Nigeria/ Rwanda match. Nigeria are billed to clash with Rwanda in the return leg of the 2014 World Cup qualifier as well as the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier that is scheduled to between June 15 and June 17 in the country. The NFF had earlier given indications that the match would hold in Kaduna, but security situation in Kaduna in the recent past has led to speculations that the NFF may be considering moving the game to another venue. “Football is a game that enhances peace. So, on our part, we are studying the situation for now as we are using this game of football to bring peace to this country,’’ he said. Maigari said nothing had been decided on the match venue as other things were in consideration to determine the final choice. “It is my belief and prayer the kind of situation we are presently experiencing will improve for the better. But, as it is now for us at the NFF, we are still trying to see how the situation will come up,’’ he said. The Rwanda and Nigeria had played a goalless draw on Feb. 29 when both sides met in Kigali in the first leg match.

Kadiri Ikhana By Patrick Andrew

he NFF president, Aminu Maigari, yesterday charges members of the two standing and two ad hoc committees to re-jig football administration through innovative ideas which would aid the rebuilding process. The standing committees, which will be in place until 2014, are the NFF Organising Committee and the Media and Publicity Committee. The other committees are those on the Road Map to Sustainable Development in Nigerian Football and the Committee on Reconciliation. Maigari said the executive committee resolved to set up the committees because it neither possesses monopoly of wisdom nor want to arrogate to themselves the passion that belongs to all. Instead, he said the committee

Nigeria, Gabon friendly before Peru

Ejike Uzoenyi, Super Eagles player

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here are strong indications that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the Super Eagles handlers are working on the possibility of playing the friendly game against Gabon before the team travels to Lima, Peru for another international friendly against the Peruvian national side. NFF insiders say the game which is at the request of the Gabonese President Ali Bongo, has been scheduled for after the game in Lima, but Nigerian officials want it before the game against Peru. The Gabonese have not yet finalised with the NFF and Nigerians must be patient to get the right information on when the game will be played abnd where”, sources close to NFF Scribe, Barr Musa Amadu, said. Eagles boss, Stephen Keshi on his part, says the two games are important but must not be played too close to the Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers, which commences in the first week on June. The fear of injuries to his key players and the need to keep the team tactics away from the opponents may have informed Keshi’s position. National team Secretary, Dayo Enebi Achor, said only time will tell whether the Super Eagles will play against Gabon. “We have to be patient with Gabon FA, because the game is at their request and we cannot force them to fix a date that suits only Nigeria”, he said.

uper Falcons Head Coach,Kadiri Ikhana is to earn N750, 000 per week totally N3m a month, according to the coach he was officially unveiled yesterday at the FIFA Goal Project, National Stadium package B, Abuja. Ikhana, who signed a four-year contract as coach of the Super Falcons, has been given the target of reaching semi-finals of the FIFA Women World Cup, retention of the African Women Championship trophy for 2012, 2014 and the Olympic soccer in Rio Janeiro, Brazil in 2016. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Maigari said the football federation believes in the qualities of the coach and was convinced he has the depth and savvy to deliver on promise.

Maigari said he was not anticipating any failure from the coach stressing that the football federation would avail both the team and coach necessary logistics and morale support to meet the set target. Maigari, who outlined the targets during the public presentation of the coach yesterday, the football federation would rally necessary support for the team noting that it has already made plans for the team ahead of their qualifies. “We have a world-class coach in Kadiri Ikhana and we expect him to sustain our position as Africa’s best by winning the next AWC, qualify Nigeria for the 2015 AAG and take Nigeria to within the top three positions at the next Women’s World Cup. And I believe Kadiri Ikhana can do it,” Maigari said Ikhana promised to add value to the Falcons.

Maigari charges four committees to re-jig football administration with ideas wants an all inclusive administration of the game that allows all stake holders to contribute meaningfully to the game. “This will be through formulation of policies that will guide the respective secretariat staff of the NFF and the league in general organisation,’’ Maigari said, adding that members of the organising committee should seek means of ensuring that the stadia were made safer and appealing for players and fans to be attracted to the game. Maigari also said that since football was a media event, the Media and Publicity Committee should ensure adequate publicity to add value to the game. “The amazing power of the media cannot be over emphasised; it is imperative that the Media and Publicity Committee begin to look for

how best to propel our domestic game to the international audience. We have to find a way the media will do it in a very big and compelling manner,’’ Maigari said. Further, he urged the committee on roadmap to set realistic targets that are both achievable and measurable. You are to fashion out a comprehensive roadmap in sustainable development of Nigerian football. You are also to come up with long-term, short-term and medium-term development programmes for a better management of the game,’’ he said. Responding, Toro thanked the NFF for the opportunity to serve and pledge to work assiduously to meet the target. He appealed for contributions from all football stakeholders, saying that all suggestions and recommendations to make the job easier would be welcome.

Sani Ahmed Toro, chairman Roadmap Committee

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Obuh rues Golden Eaglets’ failure

ohn Obuh, Head coach of the Flying Eagles, has regretted the failure of the last batch of the Golden Eaglets to qualify for the Africa championship and described it as a major setback the new crop of Flying Eagles he has been called upon to groom. According to the coach had the Eaglets qualified for last year’s fiesta, the bulk of the present Flying Eagles would have been drawn from them thereby reducing the burden of having to start afresh to build new crop of Flying Eagles players. Obuh said yesterday at the formal unveiling ceremony of new Super Falcons head coach Kadiri Ikhana that the forthcoming Eight-Nation Invitational Tournament in South Africa would be used to assess the players in new squad. The tournament in Cape Town is scheduled to hold between May 24 and

June 3, with Nigeria’s Flying Eagles defending the title won in the 2010 inaugural edition. Already, some members of the wouldbe Flying Eagles have begun training yesterday even as the coach expects a full house by weekend. “As it is now the only thing we can do is to make sure that we use every competition that we participate in to assess the players to select the ones we will be able to groom together. “And that is why we are looking forward to this South Africa game; probably after about two or three games we will be able to asses them very well,” he said. The coach said that he was not expecting too much from the team for now, adding that the game would enable the players to test their ability in a competitive match.

“When we start raising an entirely new team like this, the thing that will be on the technical crews’ mind is the possibility of getting what you need from the new players. “Once you find out that they have the understanding of the game, their coordination is good, they have the necessary skills and they are coachable, then you can pick up from there. “Definitely it would have been better if we had at least about eight or 10 that played together in the U- 17 team,” Obuh said. He said the performance of the present crop of players in the team during the trial matches would determine whether there would be any addition or subtraction from the squad. The coach allayed the fears of clubs that the players might not be released to

John Obuh, Head Coach, Flying Eagles honour club assignments, saying that playing for their clubs was also good exposure for them. “If their coaches are asking for them, I will allow them to go and play,” he said. The other countries expected to participate in the tournament includes host South Africa, Egypt, Brazil, Japan, Argentina, Cameroon and Ghana.

Keshi turns radar to Spain-based Lawal, as Sidney Sam snubs S

uper Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has revealed he has turned attention to Spain-based Raheem Lawal after being shunned by Leverkusen winger, Sidney Sam, who could play for either Nigeria or Germany. Keshi, who had planned to visit Germany to talk to Sam, said he would

now rather allow the Bayer Leverkusen star to make up his mind on his international future. “I have called Sam over 15 times and each time, the phone dovetails into voice mail and I have always left message, but the player has not responded to any of my messages, that to me is shocking and says a lot about his readiness or otherwise to play for the Super Eagles,” Keshi said. Keshi said while he has not given up on the player, he has for the meantime decided to look beyond him and try other willing Nigerians, even as he has employed some scouts to work on Sam, who has capped by Germany at various age-grade levels. One of such players, according to Keshi, is Atletico Beleares of Spain midfielder Raheem Lawal, who featured for Nigeria at the London 2012 Olympics qualifiers in Morocco last year.

“Lawal is young and talented and many Nigerians who have watched him have said he will go places in future. Those are the type of talents that we are looking up to in raising a team that Nigeria will be proud of in the near future,” said the Eagles handler. However, Keshi is undaunted in his quest to rebuild the national team as he has set his sights on Atletico Beleares midfielder, Raheem Lawal. The 21-year-old Spain-based Lawal turned out for Nigeria’s Under23s at the London 2012 Olympic football qualifying tournament in Morocco where the “Dream Team V” failed to make the cut for the games. Keshi says he is willing to give the youngster a chance in the national team. “Lawal is young and talented and many Nigerians who have watched him have said he will go places in future, those

are the type of talents that we are looking up to in raising a team that Nigeria will be proud of in the near future,” Keshi said. Lawal scored a hat-trick for the Nigerian Under23s in their 4-1 victory over Algeria at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Morocco in December, 2011.

Dolphin to apologise over terrorist ‘threat’

Sidney Sam

he NPL have ordered Dolphin to apologise to Kano Pillars over a terrorist threat they were alleged to have made after a recent league game. “The threat was unfounded as Dolphin could not substantiate that any member of Pillars made such a threat after they lost 10 in Port Harcourt recently,” NPL executive secretary Tunji Babalola disclosed. “This is rather unfortunate and we have therefore asked Dolphin to tender

an unreserved apology to Pillars and coach Kabiru Baleria in this regard.” Dolphin alleged that Pillars official Baleria threatened that they will set the terrorist group Boko Haram on them in a reverse fixture after Pillars lost by a late goal in Port Harcourt recently. Both clubs were ordered to appear before the NPL Tuesday to give their own sides of the story during which Dolphin failed to prove their case.

Raheem Lawal

World Cup qualifier:Bring Eagles to Ibadan, Olarinoye urges NFF maintained; the official dressing rooms in good order coupled with the constant electricity supply to the sports complex as an added advantage,” he said. According to him, the South West’s football fans are eager to see their darling national team again claiming that the last time the stadium hosted an international engagement was in 1999. Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman, Oyo State chapter of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Alli Femi, promised that his team would do everything possible to mobilise people to the stadium. “We will ensure large turnout of football fans so that appreciable crowd

would be seen watching the Super Eagles in Ibadan,” Femi said.

Aminu Maigari, President NFF

teve Olarinoye, the Zonal Coordinator, South-West Zone 1, of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Ibadan, has revealed that management of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, would be willing to host the return leg of the Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda. The management’s decision followed the controversy trailing the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) moving the matches away from the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, due to Boko Haram threat. Olarinoye said that the former Liberty Stadium “has all it takes to host such international matches”. “The recently re-grassed pitch is well

He said his club had explained to the state Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Dapo Lam-Adesina, the need to convince Gov. Abiola Ajimobi to bid to host the matches. According to him, kudos should be given to the Ogun State Government which has, over the years, been hosting different national teams matches in its various stadia. “We also have good stadium here in Oyo State; our Obafemi Awolowo Stadium is more than capable to host any international match. According to him, NFA should give the teeming football fans in the state and its environs the chance to watch the national team matches in Ibadan.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

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Zenith Bank B’ball League: AHIP, FCT Angels in opening Game clash

HIP Queens of Kano and the FCT Angels of Abuja will play in the opening game when the second phase of the 2012 Zenith Bank Female Basketball League begins in Ilorin on Saturday. The league’s second phase competition is scheduled to hold from today through April 30 at the gymnasium of the University of Ilorin Sports Complex. Ten clubs, including defending

champions First Deepwater of Lagos, First Bank of Lagos, Sunshine Angels of Akure, Delta Force of Asaba and AHIP Giants are taking part in the competition. The rest are Lagos-based Dolphins and Nigeria Customs, FCT Angels, Nigeria Immigration of Kano and Plateau Rocks of Jos. In the fixtures sent to the clubs, AHIP will face FCT Angels in the first game at 8 a.m on

April 20, the Day One of the 11day competition. Four other matches have been slated for the day, with First Bank facing Immigration at 10 a.m and Plateau Rocks against Customs at 1 p.m. In the day’s other matches, First Deepwater will go against Dolphins at 3 p.m, while Delta Force will meet Sunshine Angels at 5 p.m. On subsequent match days, till Day Nine on April 29, five

matches will also be played between 8 a.m and 7 p.m. Meanwhile, clubs participating in the competition have been advised to pay all outstanding transfer and registration levies to the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) at the competition venue. According to a letter to the clubs by the federation’s Secretary-General, Francis Gbiri, the NBBF will also make arrangements to pay to the clubs

NIPOGA: LASPOTECH hauls 11 gold medals

Chief Patrick Ekeji, DG, NSC

he Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) is currently leading other institutions at the ongoing Nigerian Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA) holding at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun. The winners of medals were decorated on Wednesday at the Games scheduled to end on April 22. LASPOTECH is leading with 11 medals, four gold, five silver and two bronze medals ahead of Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria, with four gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Yaba College of Technology

in cash the subsidy for the competition. “This will enable the clubs to pay all the outstanding transfer and registration levies to the federation and other teams,” he said in the letter. It would be recalled that the NBBF had earlier planned to hold the competition in Asaba, but only shifted it to Ilorin after some protests against the choice of the Delta State capital. Kaduna had earlier hosted the first phase competition, while the third and final phase will hold later in the year in Lagos.

(YABATECH) is third with three gold, two silver and six bronze medals, while the host institution is 10th with one gold, three silver and eight bronze medals. LASPOTECH won three of its gold medals in athletics while the other was in taekwondo; Bamali Polytechnic had all its gold medal in taekwondo. YABATECH had two of its gold medals in athletics and the third gold in taekwondo, while Federal Polytechnic Ede had its only gold in athletics. The proceedings at the Games

were put on hold for hours yesterday following the boycott of matches by the officiating officials. The officials had accused the NIPOGA committee of nonpayment of their allowances and had vowed to suspend all activities until they were fully paid. The Deputy Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Mrs Alirat Babalola, and the Chairman, Technical Committee of NIPOGA 2012, Mr Idowu Dehinde, later said that the crisis had been resolved. “The management of the host

institution had met with the leaders of the officiating officers and the issue has been resolved. They wanted full payment of their allowances and it has been paid, so activities have since resumed,” Babalola said. Dehinde, who corroborated the claims of the Deputy Rector, called on all participating institutions to resume for the remaining activities in the Games. No fewer than 43 institutions across the country are taking part in the two-week competition.

NBBF invites 14 players to camp for 2012 Olympics qualifiers

he Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) yesterday in Abuja invited 14 players and four officials to camp in Lagos in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games qualifiers. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the camp is scheduled to take place at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos from today through April 21. The camp is holding in place of the cancelled 2011/2012 DSTV Premier Basketball League’s All Stars Weekend Game earlier scheduled for April 20 to April 22. The players invited include Dike Azuoma, Ohiero Michael, Ojo Adeolu and Onyeka Ekpete from Royal Hoopers of Port Harcourt, and Onyia Dalington from Ebun Comets. Usman Abubakar, Yusuf Ibrahim and Matthew Onmonya are from Kano Pillars, while Stanley Gumut from Nigeria Customs of Lagos,and Ikyaartor Orseer from Lagos Islanders have also been invited. Lagos-based Dodan Warriors’ trio of Yahaya Abdulwahab, Bukar Mohammed and Akita Akpara, as well as Adeniyi Adebayo of Union Bank of Lagos completed the list. The officials invited are Ayo Bakare of Comets, Ahmed Sani of Pillars, Ayinla Johnson of Union Bank and Dr Samuel Ogbedimu. According to a letter of invitation sent to the players and officials, as well as their seven clubs, they are expected in camp early on Thursday for evening training. Training and trials for the players will then hold on Friday and Saturday, while the camp is expected to close on Sunday. NAN reports that the NBBF is preparing a team for the 2012 Olympic men’s basketball qualifiers scheduled for Venezuela early July.

Nigeria’s basketball male team

18th NSF Mascot: LOC to unveil winner next week

Babatunde Fasola, Gov. Lagos, hosts of 18th NSF

he Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos said on Wednesday that it would announce the designer of the Mascot for the event next week. The LOC General Secretary, Dr Kweku Tandoh, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos as the entries for the design of the mascot closed. Tandoh said the entries were open to individuals and corporate organisations,

especially Lagosians to be involved at all levels of the festival. He said that the winner would be rewarded handsomely by the state government. “The winner will be picked based on the artist understanding of the elements underlying theme of the NSF which an average onlooker will be able to appreciate.” Tandoh said the Main Organising Committee (MOC), the LOC and the 36 states Sports Directors, Secretaries and the 25

sports federations would inspect facilities and decide on venues to be used for each sport between April 19 and April 22. He said the team would arrive in Lagos for the inspection on Thursday, while the inspection of facilities would take place on Friday and the event rounded up with a two-day technical meeting from Saturday. Tandoh said several issues concerning the sports festival would be discussed at the meeting.

“The MOC, LOC, state Sports Directors, Secretaries and members of the 25 sports for the festival will hold a technical meeting, inspect facilities and decide on the venues for each sport.” The National Stadium Surulere, Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre Yaba, Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere, University of Lagos Akoka, Yaba; College of Technology, Yaba and Onikan Stadium, are among venues lined-up for use at the festival.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

London 2012: Javelin thrower shocks Masai, Kipchoge, other 10,000m runners in pre-trial

Moses Masai ll Africa Games Javelin Throw titleholder, Julius Yego, stunned renowned 10,000m runners who against all odds at the Kenya men’s 10,000m Olympics Pre-Trial in Nairobi on Tuesday by clinching a place in the slot for preOlympic trials. At the meet, the rich field of 10,000m runners that included the likes of Moses Masai, Wilson Kiprop and Eliud Kipchoge were

Eliud Kipchoge expected to dominate the headlines. Instead, it was Yego who did by setting a new national record of 79.95m which is inside the Olympic B-Standard (79.50) for the Games. It was the performance of the day. Though Masai in a slow 28:10.30 won the race to decide who’ll be in the line-up for the Kenyan 10,000m Olympic trials race which is being held at the Prefontaine Classic -

Julius Yego Samsung Diamond League meeting. The 10,000m is scheduled for Friday June 1 while the main meeting comes next day , Saturday, June 2 and will now be one of the 13 runners contesting the three available Kenyan berths for London. Yego, whose previous national mark of 78.34m was set when winning the All Africa Games in Maputo last year, had just

returned from a two months’ training stint in Finland, the homeland of javelin throwing. Athletics Kenya (AK) Secretary General, David Okeyo, said they were expecting Yego to break the A-qualification of 82.00m but if that is not possible, they would still consider sending him to London. World Half Marathon titleholder, Wilson Kiprop did most of the initial front running as national coaches, Julius Kirwa and Peter Mathu waved frantically on the sidelines for the pace to be picked up. Masai, who missed the bronze at Beijing to Micah Kogo in a dead heat finish heeded the call and took over at the sixth bringing the lap pace down to 64 seconds with Kiprop, the 5000m Olympics silver winner Eliud Kipchoge, African 5000m bronze medallist Mark Kiptoo, and Edinburgh junior World Cross bronze winner Lucas Rotich in quick chase. The speed proved to be too much for Josphat Kiprono Menjo the Osaka World Champs eighth finisher, and Philemon Yator the Africa 5000m silver winner, who dropped out in successive laps. Kipchoge, the two-time Olympian, then took his turn to stretch the field with three laps left through the bell where Rotich then took charge with 350 to go before Masai bore down the homestretch to head Kipchoge (28:11.0) and Rotich (28:12.0) on to the podium. “The race was good for me today because my injury is now gone so I have seen that I’m in good shape so my chances for the Olympics are good. In Beijing, I missed the bronze medal and if I

London 2012: Bolt aims at 9.4, 19 seconds in 100m, 200m By Patrick Andrew with agency report

Usain Bolt

eigning Olympic champion, Jamaican speedster, Usain Bolt, says that he is aiming at further lowering his world marks in the 100m and 200m at the forthcoming London 2012 Olympic Games. The Jamaican had awed the world with his breathtaking performance at the Beijing Games four years ago and now plans a repeat of the Beijing feat. Bolt, who paired current world champion in 100m and compatriot Yohan Blakes last week to set an astonishing new 4x100m time, said he is working to meet the expectation of athletics bluffs who long to see a sub 9.4 seconds. “People are looking forward to me running 9.4, 19 seconds, anything that’s amazing,” the 25-year-old Jamaican told the BBC in an interview to mark the 100-day countdown to the start of the Games in the British capital yesterday. “So, I’m working as hard as possible so I can go as fast as possible.” Bolt was one of the main stars of the last Games in Beijing four years ago, winning gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, establishing him as one of the greatest sprinters of all time. The sprinter clocked world records of 9.69secs and 19.30secs in the 100m and 200m, while the Jamaican team’s 37.10secs in the 4x100m was also a new world best. Bolt cemented his position in the sporting pantheon by lowering his own world records to 9.58secs for the 100m and 19.19secs for the 200m at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. Bolt made a triumphant start to his 2012 season last Saturday, anchoring his Racers team to 4x100m relay victory in the UTech Classic in Kingston, Jamaica.

get the chance, this time I want to get something for myself and it feels good to be back,” Masai, the former double African 5000m and 10,000m junior gold winner expressed. “I have been running 5000m in the last two Olympics and for the third I want to run the 10,000m, said Kipchoge the 2003 World 5000m champion. “ I hope to be among the three Kenyans and since I have my best of 26:49 in the distance, I see no harm even if this was my first 10K in Kenya,” the Athens bronze and Beijing silver medallist added. Kiptoo (28:17.4) former World junior champ and Josphat Bett (28:27.6) closed the top five. All finishers bar sixth placed Kogo (28:31.0) and Daniel Siele in 11th were named in the squad for the Prefontaine Trial with the pair seeing their Olympics dream in the event end since they had not broken the AStandard of 27:45.00. The overcast conditions with high humidity proved to be a daunting task for Japan based runners including World Cross senior silver winner, Paul Tanui (28:34.2) and All Africa Games 10000m bridesmaid Bedan Karoki (28:39.8) who came home in the seventh and ninth places, as Wilson Kiprop (28:46.2) slumped to tenth. According to Athletics Kenya, the selected team will enjoy a three-day break before gathering at the High Altitude Training Centre in Eldoret to continue their preparations for the Prefontaine Classic. The 10,000m squad is Moses Masai, Eliud Kipchoge, Lucas Rotich, Mark Kiptoo, Josphat Bett, Paul Tanui, Emmanuel Bett, Bedan Karoki, Wilson Kiprop, Titus Mbishei, Mark Kigen, Geoffrey Kirui, Dennis Masai. In other keynote action, Commonwealth Games 400m gold medallist, Mark Mutai (46.0) edged out World Youth silver medallist Alphas Kishoyian (46.2) in the one lap event with Boniface Mucheru finishing third (46.5). A 4x400m relay squad was also selected for the Penn Relays in the United States after the event: Mark Mutai, Alphas Kishoyian, Anderson Mureta, Boniface Mucheru, Vincent Mumo. MEN 10,000m 1. Moses Masai 28:10.3 2. Eliud Kipchoge 28:11.0 3. Lucas Rotich 28:12.0 4. Mark Kiptoo 28:17.4 5. Josphat Bett 28:27.6 6. Micha Kogo 28:31.0 7. Paul Tanui 28:34.2 8. Emmanuel Bett 28:35.6 9. Bedan Karoki 28:39.8 10. Wilson Kiprop 28:46.2 MEN Javelin 1. Julius Yego 79.95 (NR) 2. Sammy Keskeny 71.26 MEN 400m 1. 2. 3. 4.

Mark Mutai 46.0 Alphas Kishoyian 46.2 Boniface Mucheru 46.5 Julius Koskei 46.7

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Ikhana promises to add value to Super Falcons K

adiri Ikhana, the Head Coach of the senior national women football team, yesterday pledged to add more value to the team. Ikhana was appointed on March 28, 2012 by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to head the team’s coaching crew. Speaking at his official unveiling ceremony, Ikhana said he would do his best to ensure that the team also known as the Super Falcons becomes better than what it used to be. “I don’t have much to say now because I don’t want to talk much. However, I want my results to speak for me. I can for now only promise to add more value to the Super Falcons by God’s Grace,’’ he said. The former coach of Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin further said he was

confident he would meet the terms stated in his appointment’s contract papers. The coach had been mandated to lead the team to qualification for the 2012 African Women Championship (AWC) and subsequently the FIFA Women’s World Cup of 2015 “I can assure that I can build a team that will qualify for the AWC later in the year and then the Women’s World Cup in 2015 as demanded by the contract,’’ Ikhana said. Earlier in his speech at the unveiling ceremony, the NFF chairman, Aminu Maigari, had reiterated the association’s support for women football. He said the unveiling ceremony itself was a practical demonstration of that as it was the first of its kind for a women’s team coach.

Lionel Messi was unable to break his Chelsea Jinx

“NFF is not paying lip service to women’s football because this is the first unveiling for the women’s national team coach. Now the whole nation will be convinced of the position of the present administration, that it holds women’s football in high esteem,‘’ Maigari said. He explained that the coach was chosen out of many applicants because of his numerous achievements both at home and abroad. Maigari said this was to help the team retain the name it has made in Africa and globally. “ In a bid to retain the records the Super Falcons have in Africa and globally, the association opted for Ikhana because of his pedigree and his achievements both home and abroad.

Drogba separated the two sides yesterday

“ We believe he can deliver very well, considering the records he had broken as a player and a coach. So, he can do it not only to the Super Falcons but to women’s football in general,’’ he said Maigari however pointed out that In the coach’s four-year contract, NFF expected him to win the AWC title. “In addition to this, he has to help to make Nigeria one of the best three teams at the 2015 Women’s World Cup and help the team qualify for the next Olympics,’’ he said. The NFF Chairman assured that the association would give Ikhana all the necessary support he would need. ‘We will also provide for him the enabling environment to bring about changes in the women football sector generally,’’ he said.

Giwa FC coach scores NNL high on awards

UEFA Champions League: Chelsea maintain Stamford Bridge supremacy over Barcelona

helsea held English Premier League flag high yesterday by beating on song and defending champions of the UEFA Champions League Barcelona 1-0 in the first leg of the semi-final. And it was the Blues’ talisman and Ivory Coast skipper Didier Drogba that made all the difference when he popped up to slam in a Ramireles’s low cross. Leonel Messi had been dislodged and dispossessed of the ball by powerhouse Frank Lampard and launched a run that found Drogba who tailored it so well for the former Liverpool midfielder and darted smoothly to take advantage of the slack defending by the Spanish

players for latch on a true pass for Drogba to tug in. Before then, Barcelona had been rampage bombarding the vital area of the Blues with reckless abandon but it was one day that inspirational skipper John Terry marshaled his men on duty with pious attention. Though and as expected, Barca dominated in virtually all departments except on the score sheet, Chelsea were rigid in defence if slack in their offensive approach even as they worked hard to kill off the delectable midfield display which the defending champions have reputation for. Even resumption, Barca kept on the

pressure but the sole English team left in the race soaked up everything while relying on counter attacks to attempt to strike a deadly blow. That never came. On several occasion the La Liga champions knocked at the door but they were rebuffed Terry ensured that six matches record of not losing to Barcelona at Stamford Bridge remains unbleached. Next Tuesday at the Noc Camp, Chelsea will face Barcelona to decide whether they or the Spain team will play the winner between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The German team defeated Real at the Allainz Arena on May 19 for the final.

he Assistant Coach of Giwa FC of Jos, Solomon Bala, has commended the Nigeria National League (NNL) for initiating awards for players and teams performing well in the league. Bala told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Jos that the transparency exhibited so far by the body in selecting best players and teams for monthly awards was commendable. He was speaking on the emergence of the club’s midfielder, Ibrahim Shuaibu, as best player for the month of March. The midfielder made history by picking the maiden award for the best player award for the month of February. The award for the best player was initiated by the NNL to reward outstanding players in the second division league in the country. “I want to give kudos to the league body; so far they have been fantastic. I would say the criteria they use in scoring players is perfect. ‘What they have said about Shuaibu is accurate because he is disciplined, hard working and he is good at scoring wonderful goals. “I am giving them kudos for watching and paying attention to what is happening in the league,’’ Bala said. He said Shuaibu’s winning the award twice did not come to the team as a surprise because of his determination and hard work. “We are encouraging other players to emulate the midfielder. ‘He is the kind of player that doesn’t talk on the pitch, never complains when he is given an assignment and his scoring prowess is legendary.’’ Bala advised Shuaibu to keep up the hard work and not allow his success to breed arrogance that might kill his career.

Poor implementation of committees’ reports our bane, says Sani Toro By Patrick Andrew and Albert Akota

igeria’s failure to record visible progress in the administration of football has been largely because of the political will to implement the recommendations of the various panels set to proffer solutions to obvious problems. This was the view of the former Secretary General of the then Nigeria Football Association, (NFA) now NFF, Alhaji Ahmed Sani Toro, said had the past boards of the football federation chose to use the many well articulated reports on football administration, reports and recommendations made by panels and committees set up by the executive committee, they would have discovered several well conceived roadmaps for the

country. Sani Toro, who is the chairman of the Strategic Roadmap Committee for Sustainable Football Development, said yesterday at the inauguration of the committee that he has resolved to monitor and persuade the present board to implement whatever recommendations the committee would come up with. “I want to quickly tell Nigerians that what we have been mandated to do is not altogether strange to us, giving the fact that various committees have been set up in the past to ameliorate the state of football in Nigeria. “I can give example of Dominic Oneya committee that was set up to reform our football that was never consider as a recommendation or way forward to football

development to Nigeria. Our prayer for this committee recommendation will not go the way of other committees in the past went, that end up as decorations on the shelves of the NFF. “My committee will study the past reports with the view to harmonising them in our final submission because we will monitor our recommendations to the latter for the interest of football development and Nigerians who have the game at heart, “he said. The former Commissioner for Sports in Bauchi state said, the committee would involved football stakeholders, coaches, referees, players, media, clubs, state football associations and sponsors to ensure the committee do not left stone unturned to justify the confidence repose by the NFF. “We will involve everybody in our report,

I want to use this medium to appeal to members of football as well as other interesting Nigerians to avail us their suggestions and recommendations so that we can strive to produce a report that will make Nigerians proud, “ Toro begged. The former lawmaker assure Nigerians to meet with the National Assembly members in a view to repeal Decree 101 of the NFF status, stressed that the committee will come up with new bill that will conform with international best practices, especially FIFA standard. Further, Sani Toro said that the committee report will guarantee an enabling environment that will attract sponsors and smooth administrative run of football in Nigeria.

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Home-based players a plus for Super Eagles, says Babalola

he Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has said that the inclusion of more home-based players in the Super Eagles was indicative of the vast improvement of the domestic league’s standard and quality. The NPL’s Acting Executive Secretary, Tunji Babalola, while applauding the head Coach of the Eagles, Stephen keshi, for not only

Chigozie Agbim

Reuben Gabriel

believing in the domestic league and the players therefrom, lauded the Eagles’ technical crew for giving the players the opportunity to showcase the abundant talents in the league. He assured that the league body will endeavour to organise the domestic league in such a manner that standard and quality will be its hallmark thereby giving the players the needed chance to exhibit their talents to the full. He said that the successful completion of the first stanza of the league has given the regulatory body to carry out an appraisal and put in place measures that would further improve the NPL. “So far so good; the league has been going on fine, it could be better. We will ensure that our mistakes earlier this season, would not be allowed to happen again and we will fine-tune our strategies to keep improving. “If you look at the makeup of the Super Eagles today, the bulk of the players are from the domestic league, which I see as a plus for the NPL’’, Babalola said. In the area of officiating in the league, Babalola said that the referees had given a good

account of themselves, adding that the away victories secured by visiting teams spoke volumes about the improvement. “In this season, we have had more away victories, compared to the past. This means fairness by match officials,’’ he said. Babalola urged fans to continue to attend league matches and not to relent in their support, stressing that they would get good value for their money in the next stanza of the league. “I want to assure fans of the intention of the NPL to serve them with exciting and entertaining football in the second stanza, because of the keen competition by clubs vying for the title,’’ he said. The NPL is currently on a one week break, to enable teams to rest and prepare for the second stanza which kicks off at the various centres on April 21. The break would also serve as a transfer window to enable teams to carry out midseason transfer of players to fortify their squads before the commencement of the second stanza. The 2011/2012 season of the NPL will end in August.

Obuh vows to produce better Flying Eagles

ead coach of the Under-20 National Team, Flying Eagles, John Obuh has vowed to produce an even better than Flying Eagles than he did with the squad that crashed out in the quarter-finals of the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Championship in Colombia. Obuh, whose 46 invitees arrived in the camp last weekend, said yesterday at the unveiling of Super Falcons’ Head Coach, Kadiri Ikhana, that he intends to chisel a squad that would readily graduate to the U-23 National Team to seek qualification for the 2016 Olympics in Rio Janeiro, Brazil. The Flying Eagles, who will be defending the African Youth Championship title in Algeria next year, have the African Youth Championship qualifying date at the end of July, against the winner of the fixture between Sudan and Tanzania. Meanwhile, the organizers of the EightNation Invitational Tournament in Cape Town, South Africa have confirmed that the event will take place between May 24 – June 3 this year, with Nigeria’s Flying Eagles as

Cup holders, having won the 2010 inaugural that also had Brazil and Ghana in attendance. The eight participating countries, viz champions Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Brazil, Japan, Argentina, Cameroon and Ghana are the leading youth football powers of the universe. Brazil lifted its fifth FIFA U-20 World Cup title in Colombia last year, only one less than Argentina’s record, while Cameroon and Egypt were also in Colombia as Africa’s flag-bearers. Argentina won its first world title in 1979 in Japan, defeating Cup holders Soviet Union with the exquisite skills of Diego Maradona and Ramon Diaz. The country also won in 1995, 1997 and 2001, 2005 (defeating Nigeria in the final in Utrecht) and 2007. But Brazil also reached the final in 1991, 1995 and 2009, losing to Portugal, Argentina and Ghana respectively. While Nigeria have reached the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals on two occasions (1989 and 2005) and won bronze in 1985, Ghana is the only African country to have lifted the trophy, in 2009 in Egypt.

Seven clubs register for Kebbi Challenge Cup

even football clubs have registered for the 2012 Kebbi Challenge Cup. The secretary of the state F.A, Alhaji Usman Ladan, disclosed this on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi, adding that the championship has been designed to highlight

available talents as well as ensure that the best teams emerge winners. Ladan said that the winners and runners-up of the 2011 edition, Nasarawa Utd, of Birnin Kebbi, and Yelwa Utd., of Yauri, would participate in the competition. He listed the other clubs

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to notify the General Public the loss of passport issue to MR. CHADI ANTONIE EL GHAZAL with Serial No. RL0947596 and Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and ALLIEN SCHEME (CERPAC) Serial No. AO 0939156 issue to him by Nigeria Immigration Service is declared missing. All effort made to trace the said documents prove abortive. If found, please contact the nearest police station or Nigeria Immigration Service.

as Sakaba Links FC,Sakaba Utd, Fadama Utd. of Argungu,Gamji Utd. of Birnin Kebbi and White Eagle FC, of Yauri. Ladan said that the clubs

had been cautioned against unruly conduct, while the F.A. would ensure goof officiating and application of football rules “without fear or favour”.

John Obuh The secretary added: “The clubs that emerge first and second will represent the state in the national Challenge Cup competition.’’ He said that the final of the competition would hold on May 4.

…16 clubs for Lagos fives inter-clubs tourney

o fewer than 16 clubs will be participating at the Lagos State Fives Association Inter-Clubs Championships scheduled for April 19 and April 20 at the National Stadium, Lagos. The association’s Chairman, Nasiru Mohammed, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos. He said the championship was part of measures being put in place, to keep the athletes

busy in the countdown to the 18 th National Sports Festival scheduled for Nov. 27 to Dec. 9 in Lagos. “This competition will be a unique one because April marks the 90 th year the sport came into existence in Nigeria and we want to celebrate it. “We are also planning to honour some notable individuals, who have been of immense support to the association over the years,’’ Mohammed said. He said the National Stadium was chosen because it was the only one

that had fives’ courts in the southern part of the country. Mohammed commended the state governor, Babatunde Fashola for the championships, saying that it would go a long way in developing the sport in the state. The championship is being facilitated by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Fashola on Grassroots Sports Development; the Ministry of Youths, Sports and Social Development and the State Sports Council.

Nationwide board warns againast m a t c h he Nigerian abandonment Nationwide League,

NNWL, has warned clubs against abandoning matches in the ongoing season of face the wrath of the law. This warning followed increasing incidences of abandonment the most recent being the alleged refusal of Afijio FC to complete their home against Dynamite FC after going down 2-0 before the end of the first half. The chairman,NNWL Alhaji Muazu Ahmed Kawu, who disclosed this in Abuja said the secretariat will hence forth not tolerate abandonment of matches adding that the secretariat has been directed to deal decisively with defaulting clubs. He said aside from being banned from their home grounds, heavy fines will also be imposed upon the clubs found to have abandoned their matches. “We are completely disappointed with the attitude of some of these clubs, because they have acted in breach of the statutes. The rules say, you must complete your match and thereafter you lodge your complaints with the football house, if any. That is why we have the Organising and Disciplinary Committee, O&D of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). “We will no longer tolerate indisccipline in the league, and I am using this opportunity to warn all the clubs in the NNWL to desist from indulging in this ugly fancy. Should they persist, we shall not fail sanction these clubs heavily to deter them,” he said. Afijio FC, which are in the Group A of the Nigerian Nationwide League Division One (formerly called Nigerian Amateur League) also have Ilesa West FC, Fountain FC of Ado Ekiti, Bolowotan FC of Ikorodu, Union Bank F.C. of Lagos,FC Ebedei, Olurunda FC, Injectors FC of Ilorin, to contend with in the group. The Nigeria Nationwide League One, NNWL, which is the third level of club football in Nigeria, was recently rebranded and it has now been divided into four groups by geography with either nine, ten or eleven teams each, with up to eight teams promoting to the Nigeria National League at the end of the season.

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE A conser vati ve is a man with conserv tiv two perfectly good legs who, ho wever ver lear ned to how er,, has ne nev learned walk forward oose velt —F D.. R Roose oosev Frranklin D

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Olympics: London begins 100-day countdown to 2012

ondon Olympic organisers said there was now a real buzz about the 2012 Games as they started the 100-day countdown yesterday by unveiling its 'Inspire a generation' motto. The milestone was marked by events in Britain and around the world as London 2012 chiefs said they were looking in "great shape" for the final lap before the sports extravaganza kicks off. "Expectations are high, and we won't disappoint," said double Olympic gold medallist and London Games chairman Sebastian Coe. "This is about celebrating the fact that we are 100 days today from the opening ceremony -- 100 days today we will be welcoming the world." He was speaking at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, southwest London, where 20,000 flowers have been planted in the shape and colours of the five Olympic rings. They are visible from planes flying into London Heathrow Airport. The motto, Coe explained, was aimed at London's promises that its Games would leave a genuine, lasting legacy. "It is everything we have been saying since we started this extraordinary journey," he said. "It's the heartbeat, the very DNA of this organisation and a rallying cry for the athletes to come to the UK to perform at their very best and inspire the world." The milestone was marked by events in Istanbul, Caracas, Miami, Wellington, Berlin, Sarajevo, St. Petersburg, 2014 Winter Olympics host Sochi and in the Palestinian Territories. "I have rarely witnessed the level of excitement... amongst the elite-level competitors that are going to come and dignify our Games in 100 days' time," said Coe. The 15,000 Olympic and Paralympic athletes are "inching their way to the biggest moment in their lives", he said, adding that London would not let them down. Coe said he was "very confident" that the city was in "great shape" to host the Olympics.

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The Nigerian Muslim and democracy

igeria as a democracy is given and it is my firm belief that the only way for democracy to strive in a plural society like ours is through the active participation of every segment of the society. Put differently by way of popular participation and constructive engagement and whenever these two elements are lacking, mutual suspicion and mistrust take centre stage. Nigeria is a potpourri of pluralities – social, economic, religious, cultural, ethnic and even climatic. As it is common with all social concepts, pluralism has its merits as well as demerits. The meeting of minds from different backgrounds, the dazzling multiplicity of ideas and of course the very eccentric nature of the solutions, make for great potential in pluralism. There are, however, as noted earlier, problems because pluralistic societies are, by their very nature, divided by cleavages, among others. How a nation negotiates the landmines beneath those cracks is usually the difference between progress and regression. It is appropriate at this point to address our minds to the famous words of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello on the need to recognize our differences and not pretend that they don’t exist. To recognize them is to respect them, and to take them into consideration when discussing issues that can potentially affect the whole nation. To recognize them is to be mindful of the various groups that live in a nation such as ours and not take any group for granted. However, it does not mean that we should dwell on our differences or allow them to jeopardize our progress. But we cannot close our eyes to the fact that such differences do in fact exist and that we have had problems in the past when we became insensitive to these realities. It is important to recognize that these problems are not peculiar to our country. All societies have their problems and it is only the failure to discuss them amicably that leads to crisis. That is why we must always create the opportunity to meet and rub minds. In any case, many of the issues that face us as a nation are not as grievous as they appear. They are mostly problems that are common with any developing

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GUEST COLUMNIST Aminu Waziri Tambuwal

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal democracy and with time and more efforts many of these problems will be overcome. Accordingly, I encourage dialogue because debates and dialogues are the bread of democracy. Indeed, it is no longer democracy if people cannot participate in the process of governance, if they cannot have their way they should at least have their say. The stifling of public opinion leads to the kind of explosions that are now dubbed the “Arab Spring.” Here in Africa, there have been more and more debates among Muslim states over the way they want to be governed and this has led to the enthronement of better

democratic arrangements. It is now clear to the world that the answer to the question: do Muslims want democracy? is ‘Yes.’ But as John Esposito and Dalia Mogahed noted in their book, “Who Speaks for Islam,” after a reported data based analysis of the point of view of over 90 percent of the global Muslim community in 35 countries, Muslims don’t want the wholesale adoption of Western styled democracy that is not adapted to the peculiarities of their religion. Yet, if freedom of speech means “allowing all citizens to express their opinions on the political, social and economic issues of the day,” then an average of 93 percent of world Muslims support it. The true essence of democracy lies on the tripod of good governance, accountability and the participation of the people. In this wise, it is no different from the ideals of a genuine Muslim society. As elected representatives, we know very well the value of equal representation, not just of people, but of complexity of opinions as well. It was Aristotle who said, “A state aims at being, as far as it can be, a plural society composed of equal and peers.” And because we represent the various multireligious and multi-ethnic federal constituencies, we are forever conscious of the need to cater for

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Here in Africa, there have been more and more debates among Muslim states over the way they want to be governed and this has led to the enthronement of better democratic arrangements. It is now clear to the world that the answer to the question: do Muslims want democracy? is ‘Yes’

the needs and aspirations of all those within the federation. This is engendered by a legal and political framework that provides a level playing field for all citizens. In our role as lawmakers, therefore, we shall continue to ensure that all people are treated equally irrespective of their beliefs or ethnocultural origins. I therefore urge all Muslims to continue to express their views freely, as guaranteed by the democratic system that we now practice. As good Muslims and responsible citizens, however, we must strive to conduct ourselves peacefully and respect the views of others because this country belongs to all of us equally and we share equal responsibility towards its sustenance. As a country we must strive to make dialogue the default means of resolving conflicts. The truth is that without justice there is no peace and without peace there can be no progress of any sort. I therefore appeal to leaders of all persuasions to be mindful of the way they respond to issues. Sometimes the utterances of many leaders leave much to be desired and do fatal damage to the psyche of the followers. In this regard, let me also appeal to all to be mindful of other people’s feelings and to be as civil as possible in their discussions. As Muslims let us use this opportunity to enlighten the world about our capacity for rational discourse, our ability to advance human progress and our enduring resolve to engender peace. I urge Muslims to continue to rededicate themselves to the great Islamic values of patience, perseverance and the use of just and legal means to realize their legitimate aspirations. In these trying times, we all have a duty to do everything in our power to encourage dialogue and understanding among Nigerians and to distinguish between true Muslims and pretenders who are agents of violence and terrorism. I am confident that this country has enough room to accommodate our diversities, our differences and our socio-cultural and ethnoreligious challenges. The more we talk about about them, the less we will fight over them. Tambuwal made these remarks, as the special guest of honour at “The Nigerian Muslims and Democracy Conference,” last Saturday, at the National Mosque in Abuja.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com ISSN: 2141– 6141