Nigerian observer 02 09 2014

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vo l. 39 • NO. 069 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 20 14 • N 100.00 NUTRITIONAL HEALTH AND DIETETICS Page 14

Pile and what to do

Erosion: FG to get $508 million loan

ABUJA - Mr Chikelo Nwune, National Coordinator, Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) said I n t e r n a t i o n a l D e v e l o p m e n t Association (IDA) would support Nigeria with

508.59 million Dollars (about N82.3 billion) loan for its erosion control projects.

Nwune, who made this known at a news briefing on Monday in

Abuja, said that the projects would be funded in eight years under the loan arrangement otherwise known as “Strategic Investment Loan (SIL)”.

He said that the first phase of the projects would target gully sites in seven states in the country and listed the states as Edo, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Cross River, Enugu and Imo. “The loan consists of Continues on page 2

Fight Against Ebola

PERSPECTIVE

Pages 16-17

On the indivisibility of Nigeria

Lagos receives N200m

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM

LAGOS - The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola yesterday disclosed that the state has received the N200 million donated by the Federal Government to fight the outbreak of Ebola in the state.

Also, Fashola revealed while two were still that so far, seven people currently at the Isolation had survived the disease Centre at Mainland and five dead in Lagos General Hospital, Yaba.

The Governor who revealed this at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos when GOVERNMENT SPECIAL MTN Nigeria Limited ANNOUNCEMENT donated Personal

T

HIS is to inform the people of Edo State that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the 3rd phase of the distribution of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in 12 States including Edo State for September, 2014. Everyone who has a temporary voters’ card is expected to go to his Polling Unit level where he/she registered for collection of the Permanent Voter’s Card.

At the end of the Polling Unit level distribution, uncollected PVCs will be taken to the INEC office in each of the Local Government for subsequent collection.

Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) for those who had not previously registered and for those who had just attained the age of 18, will hold for five days after collection of the Permanent Voters’ Cards.

All Edo people are enjoined to take advantage of this exercise to be eligible to vote in the coming 2015 General Election and subsequent elections in the State.

Signed: PETER OKHIRIA CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

TIT BIT “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won.

There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it always.”

- Mahatma Gandhi

Protective Equipment (PPE) to the government to be worn by those attending to Ebola patients at the Isolation Centre said the government received the money last Wednesday from the Federal Government and that the

money would be used for the purpose it was meant for.

Commending MTN for the gesture, the Governor reiterated the state did not need donations at this time as it had what is needed to fight the EVD, but noted

that the challenge being faced in the management of Ebola was shortage of virologists.

The health team accepts this gesture and wish to reiterate that whilst we understand and fully appreciate humanitarian concern

that propels these things, the real problem is the sufficiency of experienced Virologists.

That is Ebola specialist needed in managing this Ebola issue. That, really is the problem, it is not always a money problem.

Continues on page 2

... 271 under surveillance ABUJA - The Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, on Monday said 271 people suspected to have contracted the Ebola virus were under surveillance in Lagos and Port Harcourt as at Sunday.

Chukwu made this known in Abuja at the second emergency National Council on Health meeting on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Nigeria.

He said that 72 persons were under surveillance in Lagos and 199 in Port Harcourt.

“There is nobody under surveillance in Enugu now and no case of EVD in Enugu State. As at Aug. 31, 278 contacts in Lagos state have completed the 21-day surveillance, and have been discharged.

“In Enugu, all the six identified contacts have completed the 21-day observation period and have been discharged,’’ he said The minister said that it was expected that a few more contacts could develop the EVD, Continues on page 2

INVESTITURE: Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion (right), receiving a commemorative plague during his Investiture as a Fellow of Nigerian Guild of Editors (FNGE), from Chief Bonnie Iwuoha at the closing ceremony of the Guild’s National Convention in Katsina on Saturday.

Jonathan, 5 other presidents to hold summit on terrorism

NAIROBI - President Goodluck Jonathan and five other Presidents are due in Nairobi for one-day AU Peace and Security Summit on Terrorism, slated for Tuesday in the Kenyan capital.

Kenyan Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday that Presidents of Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda, Burundi’s vice President and Prime

Ministers of Namibia and Algeria, will lead their countries’ delegations.

The delegations of The Gambia, Ethiopia, Libya and South Africa will be led by ministers, while Ambassadors from

Equatorial Guinea and Mozambique will represent their countries, the statement said.

The AU has expressed deep concern over the threat posed by terrorism Continues on page 2

Entwistle has enjoined journalists to extract non-violence pledge from candidates as a

means of encouraging voters turn-out in the forthcoming Nigeria’s 2015 general elections.

He gave the advise yesterday, at the opening ceremony of a 5-day media training workshop

holding at the Bolingo Hotel, Abuja.

The US ambassador Continues on page 2

2015 Elections: US calls for pledge ABUJA - United on “Professional States Ambassador to Journalism and the against violence Nigeria, James Electoral Process”

News

... 271 under surveillance

Continued from page 1

especially in River state, before Nigeria could see the last case of the disease.

He explained that the strategies for containing the disease in the country were focused on appropriate information, education and communication and sustenance of the surveillance systems.

Others strategies, according to him, are reduction in harmful practices that promote the spread of the virus, provision of adequate care for confirmed cases and active contact tracing.

Chukwu said the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had received approval for the re-production of copies of the protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for management of Ebola cases.

He said that the approval also included protocols for submitting samples to the laboratories and burying of victims of the disease.

He disclosed that Ebola virus could be diagnosed in five states in the country and Abuja and listed the states as Lagos, Oyo, Edo, Ogun and Rivers.

Chukwu said that the ministry had planned to procure additional mobile laboratories for Abakaliki, Port Harcourt, Bauchi, Jos and Sokoto.

He added that the ministry had also proposed a special fund to support affected private hospitals that complied with the policy of seeing all patients and reported suspected cases. “ Mr Atedo Peterside’s ANAP Foundation is supporting affected private hospitals that complied with the policy of seeing all patients and reported suspected cases of EVD with N100, 000 per bed space per day.

“Already, First Consultant Hospital in Lagos has benefited under this scheme to the tune of N8 million,’’ he said.

Chukwu said that the number of Ebola virus cases in the country

was 16, adding that number of cases treated in the isolation centre in Lagos was 13 while number discharged was seven.

He said that total number of deaths among those treated in Lagos was five while those still receiving treatment in Lagos were two.

“The three confirmed cases not treated in Lagos comprise a surviving primary contact of the index case (Patrick Sawyer), an ECOWAS Commission staff; a private medical practitioner and a female patient.

“An ECOWAS Commission staff who became symptomatic, evaded surveillance in Lagos, travelled to Port Harcourt and infected his attending physician,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Dr Somieari Isaac-Harry, the Permanent Secretary, River State Ministry of Health, said that out of the three contacts isolated and being treated in Port Harcourt, two had been confirmed negative.

He said that the result of the third person was being awaited, adding that the state government had developed a disease surveillance notification system in all the 23 local government areas.

Thai rice exporters scarred Vichai Sriprasert, President, Thai Rice Exporters Association, said it was now very difficult to find cargo ships to transport rice to Africa due to Ebola pandemic in some West African countries.

He said rice exporters in Thailand fear that the Ebola pandemic would negatively affect rice prices as ships refuse to sail to ports in the afflicted countries.

Sriprasert, who spoke in Bangkok on Monday, added that Ebola outbreak in Sub-Saharan Africa was making its presence felt among Thai rice exporters.

and Security Services of Africa (CISSA).

The UN, the EU, the League of Arab States and the five Permanent Members of the UN Security, will also be in attendance.

It is also open to representatives of the World Bank, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as Spain and Germany.

Turkey and the U.S. will attend the meeting as the cochairs of the Global CounterTerrorism Forum (GCTF).

help of our brother commissioner in Abia State. She developed feverish symptoms and she had been admitted at the isolation unit at Edoha for observation and treatment”.

Dr. Parker stated: “She is among the 50 high risk contacts in our list. We decided to take her to the isolation unit to make assurance surer. We are currently running a test on her and the result will be out by Tuesday, or thereabout. We chose to isolate her because we don’t want to go through the same experience we had with the diplomat, Olu-Ibukun Koye”.

The commissioner for health commended Chinyere for summoning the courage to come out from hiding.” The major problem we are having is that some of the primary and secondary contacts are hiding.

We are grateful to the operatives from the Department of State Security, DSS, for assisting us in tracking them.”

He appealed to the media to assist in sensitizing the public that ebola is not a death sentence. Dr. Parker regretted: “We are now aware that some primary and secondary contacts are running to churches seeking for healing. This is dangerous because they can even infect the pastor and other church members, including members of the families, unknowingly”.

Dr. Parker said that the Contact Tracing Committee was now adopting confidence building measures to encourage all those who had primary or secondary contacts with the late doctor or any of the workers at Sam Steel Clinic, Good Heart Hospital and Mandate Hotel, to present themselves to our medical officials team “.

He intimated journalists that Dr. Enemou’s corpse and the other corpses that were in the morgue when Dr. Enemou’s remains were brought to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, including those that were brought after his body was deposited will be buried in Port Harcourt, this week. All high risk corpse will be buried according to the World Health Organisation, WHO, Protocol.

Dr. Parker warned: “No family member will be allowed to have access to the bodies after they have been bagged. The families can hold their parties if they choose to, but they will not be allowed to come close to the bodies. We will take maximum precaution to combat the spread of the ebola virus”.

violence. This campaign will be much more powerful if it comes from Nigerians instead of from an outside observer like me”, Amb. Entwistle stressed.

This, he noted that the media could do, by making the pledge a condition for admitting a candidate into the electronic studios or in the pages, stressing, “he or she (the candidate) must take the pledge that they will not advocate, foment, or condone violence before, during, or after the elections”.

“Please consider spreading the word about this nonviolence pledge because Nigerians must demand such a commitment from those who

Moreso, the American ambassador informed the journalists that throughout the electoral process, audiences around the world would rely on them for timely, accurate and insightful reporting which would reflect whether those goals were achieved.

“This workshop is just one of the ways in which we are demonstrating our deep commitment to supporting you as you ensure that your elections are free, fair, peaceful, and credible.

We are working closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the process is transparent, well-monitored, and secure.

Sriprasert said exporters were afraid that the outbreak could put pressure on rice prices.

He said Africa was one of the key destinations for Thai rice exports with over 3.75 million tonnes shipped to the continent last year.

Doctor, Pharmacist test negative Also, in Portharcourt, A medical doctor and a pharmacist who worked with the late Dr. Iyke Samuel Enemou, at Sam Steel Clinic and Maternity, at Rumuokoro, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, who earlier developed feverish conditions and were admitted at the Ebola Isolation Unit, at Edoha, in Emohau Local Government Area, have tested ‘negative’, and consequently discharged.

They will, however, remain under strict observation and will be tested regularly to ascertain if the ebola virus has been completely eliminated from their body. The female patient that was on admission at Sam Steel Clinic when Dr. Enemuo fell ill and was initially treated has tested positive to the ebola virus.

Chinyere, Dr. Enemou’s younger sister who fled to Abia State because of the stigma, following the death of her elder brother from the dreaded Ebola virus has returned to Port Harcourt. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, told journalists at a press briefing, in Port Harcourt, yesterday, that she had been admitted into the isolation unit at Edoha.

He disclosed: “She earlier ran to Abia State apparently because of the stigma which people are arrogating to the Ebola virus. We were able to trace her with the

Jonathan, 5 other presidents to hold summit communities and Continued from page 1 on terrorism economic the Committee of Intelligence

in Africa, particularly in the Sahelo-Saharan region, Horn of Africa, including Somalia, Kenya and Djibouti.

The concern also extends to the Central African region, with attacks carried out by the Lord Resistance Army (LRA).

The concerns were captured in the AU’s decision on the Report of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) on its activities.

The AU strongly condemned the attacks carried out by various terrorist groups and expressed its outrage at the cowardly kidnapping by Boko Haram, of over 200 school girls in northern Nigeria.

The statement explained that “the objective of the Nairobi meeting is to undertake an in-depth review of the situation and the ongoing AU’s efforts to combat terrorism in Africa within the framework of the AU normative and operational instruments.

“In view of the seriousness of the threat posed by terrorism on the continent, the Assembly stressed the urgency of renewed efforts towards the effective implementation of the AU counter-terrorism framework,’’ the statement said.

This includes the signing and ratification of the relevant instruments, notably the 1999 Algiers Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and its 2004 Protocol, which entered into force on Feb. 26, 2014

In this respect, the Assembly requested the PSC to devote a meeting, at Summit level, to consider the issue of terrorism.

It is against this backdrop that the Republic of Chad, as Chair of the PSC for September 2014, planned the PSC Summit on terrorism in Africa taking place in the Kenyan capital.

The meeting is expected to agree on concrete steps to enhance the ongoing efforts to effectively address the threat of terrorism.

The meeting is open to all AU member states, regional

US calls for pledge against seeking their approval to violence are acknowledged that “the govern”, he added.

Continued from page 1

people of Nigeria and Nigeria’s friends and allies around the world, are deeply interested in the 2015 elections and deeply invested in ensuring that those elections are free, fair, peaceful and credible”.

“The United States stands with Nigeria on your journey towards perfecting your democracy, I want to make it clear that we do so as your friends and partners.

You have many friends and partners who want Nigeria to succeed, and the U.S. stands at the front of that line.

As many of you know, I’ve been asking politicians throughout Nigeria to take a public pledge against

Crisis: NYSC relocates 258 Youth Corps members in Nasarawa LAFIA - The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Nasarawa state said it had relocated no fewer than 258 corps members posted to crisis areas in the state back to Lafia, the state capital.

The NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mrs Agatha Olabanji, made this known in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Lafia.

Olabanji said that the corps members were being accommodated in a safe location in Lafia, stressing that the security situation in some parts of the state was precarious.

“They are no longer there.

We have moved them out of crisis areas.

“They are about 258 corps members that have been moved back to Lafia,” she said.

Reports state that the corps members were

evacuated from AgyaraguTofa and Assakio communities in Lafia East Development Area and Daddere and Tudun-Adabu in Obi Local Government Area.

The communities had recently been recording frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

Olabamiji said that the relocated corps members had been instructed to report regularly to the NYSC secretariat in Lafia, explaining that the measure was for the secretariat to be abreast with their welfare and safety.

She urged all corps members in the state to remain calm and go about their lawful duties, assuring that NYSC would not compromise their safety and well-being “for any reason.”

FG to get $508 million loan Continued from page 1

500 million dollars from the International Development Association (IDA) concessional loan blended with Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) grant totaling 8.59 million dollars.

“The government of Nigeria’s contribution would amount to approximately 150 million dollars.

“This amount comprises of a Federal cash contribution of 70 million dollars and in-kind contribution of 24 million dollars for staff, office cost and payment of cash compensation for resettled people.

“Also, the amount will comprise an in-kind contribution by each state of approximately 8 million dollars, totaling 56 million dollars for staff and office costs and pre-feasibility designs of intervention sites,” he said.

He explained that contribution by the states to the financing of the project was an agreed criterion for project participation.

Nwune added that additional funds of 150 million dollars would come as counterpart funding from the Federal Government and the participating states, saying that

the funds could be in cash or kind.

He said that work on the projects would follow due process of awarding contracts and that work would commence on them in October.

The Coordinator also said that 17 states had indicated interest to participate in the NEWMAP project, and assured that more states would be added to the current benefiting ones when the project would be fully on stream.

“The project has been designed to be carried out in four components to address aggressive gully and other environmental degradations in the participating states.

“Component one is targeted at environmental education to sensitise people on environmental land degradation and for them to use available resources to further control deterioration while enhancing their livelihood.

“The component two seeks to build the capacity of relevant Ministries, Department and Agency (MDAs) to address the problem, while the third component would focus on development of renewable energy.

Lagos receives N200m

Continued from page 1 I t isn’t really an equipment problem, it is human capacity problem”, he said.

According to him, “Like I said before we do not need to panic, Ebola virus is not automatic death sentence. A lot of knowledge is being gained on daily basis even at this moment about the behaviour of the virus and that knowledge helps the scientist to prepare even better to respond”.

The governor stressed further, “Different types of the virus have been identified and they now have clarity about the length of lifespan of the virus. That body of knowledge has helped in the management of disease”.

He expressed sadness that outbreak of the disease had been recorded in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, another urban settlement like Lagos, stressing that the experience of Lagos and Port Harcourt would serve as definitive knowledge in the fight of Ebola in urban settlement, adding that the state is collaborating with the government of Rivers State to curtail the spread of the disease in that state.

So far, Fashola said seven people had survived the disease

and five dead in Lagos while two were still currently at the Isolation Centre at Mainland General Hospital, Yaba.

Earlier, the Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Dr. Pascal Dozie while presenting the PPE said the gesture was as a result of the seriousness Lagos State had shown in curtailing the spread of Ebola in the state.

“Our coming here is very simple. When you see a good thing, you appreciate it and would want to be part of it. We have watched the Lagos State Government under the leadership of Governor Fashola when this Ebola incident occurred.

“We thank God that it started in Lagos because if it has started elsewhere, we would have had a pandemic. We are here to express our appreciation and lend our support. We had already started supporting their cause by providing call centres, that is the Ebola hot line where their doctors are there responding to inquiries and findings.

“Today, we have come to provide in support a fairly reasonable quantum of Personal Protective items both for the care givers and other health workers,” he stated.

News Cleric Advises Nigerians To Trust God

By PIUS ABAH / IKPONMWOBA OSAZEE

Landlords and property owners in Oriakhi Street, Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City, Edo State rehabilitating their road through self help during Saturdays statewide environmental sanitation exercise.

Oshiomhole Commended For Naming Five Junction After Queen Mother By IKPONMWOBA OSAZEE JOEL / ABAH PIUS BENIN CITY – Some members of the public have commended the Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for naming the five (5) Junction round about after the Late Queen mother, Queen Esther Erediauwa.

They made this expression known when newsmen visited some major cities in Benin City recently. In an interview with The Nigerian OBSERVER, Chief Agbama Osawaru of

Uselu said, it was a good decision by the Comrade governor, noting that the queen mother was a caring mother and also took the issues of the state at heart, as she was always concerned about what goes on in the state while she was alive.

Another respondent, Chief Dr (Mrs) Adesuwa Amayo, said she was not surprised with the governor’s decision because the Queen mother, was a great mother to Edo people, a good companion to her husband, the Oba of Benin. She was wise and hardworking, so, immortalising

her is a welcome development by the government.

Mr. Godfrey Omorotiomwan, a public affairs analyst also said that

immortalising the queen mother is a great step by the government because, by so doing her memories will ever remain green in the hearts of Edo people as well as generations yet unborn.

BENIN CITY – The General Superintendent of The Deeper Life Christian Ministry, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi has enjoined Nigerians to trust God for divine protection against the recent epidemic Ebola virus.

The charge was given at the end of month service for the month of August 2014 held at their various churches in Edo State via satellite.

In his message, healing and health for the whole man, Pastor Kumuyi revealed that the factors that contribute to our healthy living include our general habit, home, hygiene, hope and holiness.

He then said Christians must obey the rules of hygiene like washing of hands after using the toilet, stressing that everyone should take proper care of his or her body.

In addition, the G.S. encouraged believers to manifest faith in God, adding

LAUTECH Hospital Procures N5m Kits

Ebola:

OSOGBO - Prof. Femi Fadiora, the Chief Medical Director, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, says the hospital has procured kits worth N5 million to protect its personnel against the Ebola Virus Disease.

Fadiora, who spoke with newsmen in Osogbo yesterday, said that procurement of kits would be a continuous exercise.

He said it was the tradition of the hospital to be proactive in the handling of outbreaks of diseases such as Ebola. ‘’ The outbreak and unfortunate spread of the Ebola Virus Disease requires the commitment of every Nigerian, especially a health facility like the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital. ‘’We do not need to wait till we have a case on our hand before we prepare to contain such. “ The management appreciates the readiness of our health personnel to work with commitment irrespective of the sensitivity of medical cases.

‘’It is therefore an issue of responsibility to provide the necessary equipment and the enabling environment for our doctors, nurses and other allied staff to attend to the health needs of the people. ‘’We already have anti-ebola kits worth N5 million as we speak; before the end of this week , we are also expecting more,’’ Fadiora said. “ The kits that we already have include Ebola suits, infrared thermometer, masks, goggles and preventive foot wears,’’ he added.

Fadiora also said the hospital was partnering with other stakeholders to sensitise Nigerians on how to contain the virus. “ Adequate dissemination of information is key in this battle against the deadly virus that we have on our laps. “ It is indeed a challenge, but the spread can be checked. ‘’ It is only when people are well informed and educated that they can protect themselves and by extension curtail the spread of the disease. “ There have been misinformation since the virus unfortunately found its way into Nigeria,’’ he said.

A diesel tanker in flame after the Onitsha-Enugu express road at Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State at about noon on Thursday last week.

that God has given us power over every form of sickness and diseases.

Speaking with The Nigerian OBSERVER, some members of the church expressed their joy, adding that the programme marked the end of the month of August 2014.

A member of the church, who is also a chorister, Brother Emmanuel Ossai said that “I am very happy, my day is blessed. He also prayed for the General Overseer Pastor W.F. Kumuyi.

Ayogwiri Celebrates New Yam Festival

AYOGWIRI – The annual New Yam Festival (ESI) of Ayogwiri – Uzairue in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State is schedule for today September 2, 2014 at Ayogwiri-Market Squate.

The Chairman of the Community Social Development Project (CSDP) Ayogwiri, Mr. Thomas Adedio Okhakumhe disclosed this to the Nigerian OBSERVER at the weekend.

Mr. Okhakumhe hinted that this year’s ‘ESI’ festival goat will be provided by Pa Okhumeode Idedoghie, while Pa Otsu Abika would preside over the slaughtering of the goat and other events at the market square to appease the gods of the Harvest.

He also disclosed that every family head is expected to slaughter a goat after the first one which must be provided by an individual who is to choose by the council of elders.

According to Mr. Okhakumhe, who is also the immediate past chairman of Ayogwiri Youth Association, home branch, cultural dancers and other social activities are lined up top entertain guests especially from neighbouring town and villages.

Uduaghan Condoles NAN MD Over Death Of Mother

ASABA Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta has condoled the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ima Niboro, on the death of his mother, Deaconess Agnes Ukeseh.

A statement by Felix Ofou, Uduaghan’s Press Secretary, said the governor in his condolence message told the former Presidential spokesman

he shared in his pains over his late mother’s demise.

“I know the pains of losing a beloved mother. I therefore know what you are passing through. You should be rest assured that my family and the entire Delta State are with you in this moment of grief,’’ the statement said.

It quoted the governor as saying further: “The state is

delighted with Niboro’s appointment as MD of NAN after his tenure as Media Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan.

“It is a vote of confidence by the number one citizen of the country.

“To have served as Adviser to the President and be subsequently appointed MD of NAN is a vote of confidence

and, as a state, we are proud knowing that Niboro is a worthy son of Delta.

“That is why we associate with him at this moment of grief and always.’’

Reports state that the governor then prayed God to grant the Niboro’s family the fortitude to bear the loss.

The governor also prayed for repose for the soul of the deceased.

News Remains Of Former NAN Correspondent Laid To Rest

Group Condemns Killing Of Members

By Islamic Extremists BENIN CITY - The Nigerian Christian Graduate Fellowship (NCGF), Benin Chapter, has condemned the killing of one of its members in Bauchi, Pastor Blessing Osakpolor, by some Islamic fundamentalists.

The fellowship in a press statement signed by its President, Mrs. Uche Chiejina and Secretary, Brother Jide Abiodun said the murder was barbaric, vexatious and unacceptable to the Christian community.

The group expressed anger over what it termed ‘’a wellplanned Islamization agenda’’ by some religious fanatics in northern Nigeria which has resulted in the murder of thousands of Christians and destruction of churches in that part of the country.

While calling on religious groups in the country to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and respect for the sanctity of life , the Nigeria Christian Fellowship charged security agencies and governments at all levels in Nigeria to live up to expectation in the protection of lives and properties in all parts of the country.

It warned that the patience of Nigeria Christians should not be taken for granted by those who now take delight in attacking Christians and destroying worship centres.

The body enjoined believers to be more prayerful, be supportive of missionary activities and to resist the obvious annihilations of Christianity in northern Nigeria, stressing that holiness and righteousness should not be compromised for any material again. It called on the fellowship members to support the widow and children of the slain member and uphold them in prayers.

Pastor Blessing Osakpolor was a missionary and former secretary of the Bauchi chapter of the Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship.

He started his missionary work among the people of Gerawa in Bauchi State in 2001 until he was murdered in his residence by Islamic extremists on Saturday, August 9, 2014.

Bestman Momodu alleged to have murdered his father over a stick of cigarette.

Photo: MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

‘’Our souls will grieve forever. We will never forget or stop loving you,’’ he said.

Ukwu, who obtained a degree in Journalism from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, before joining NAN, later proceeded to Kwame Nkrumah Institute of Journalism for a higher certificate in Journalism.

Ukwu had previously worked as a reporter with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) before joining NAN. On retirement from NAN, Ukwu went into publishing of books and magazines.

Some of his publications were: The Realities of ADB Operations; Aro Ambassador Magazine, and The Easterner Magazine, which chronicled remarkable events in the defunct Eastern Region.

The burial ceremony was attended by senior editors of NAN, including Mr Tony Nwosu, a Deputy Editor-InChief, Felix Nwadioha and the Abia correspondent of the agency, Sam Oditah.

Mr Vitus Egwuagu and Mr John Ndukauba, the deceased’s contemporaries in the agency, and now retired also attended the burial.

Boy, 22 Kills Father Over Cigaratee

By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

Items allegedly recovered from suspected criminals paraded by Edo Police Command in Benin City, yesterday. Photo: MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

BENIN CITY – A 22-year-old boy has hacked his father to death over a stick of cigarette at Ubiane, Aviele town in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The suspect who gave his name as Bestman Momodu was among the 68 crime suspects paraded for various criminal offences by Edo State Police Command in Benin City, yesterday.

Foundation Donates Carts, Wheel Barrows To Indigent Person

SOKOTO - The Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko Foundation (AMWF), a Sokoto-

based NGO, has donated 400 carts and 200 wheel barrows worth over N 25 million to some

NOSCF Plans To Digitalise Public Service Attendance Register

ABUJA - The Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Mr Danladi Kifasi, said that the Public Service attendance register would be digitalised as part of measures to check indiscipline among workers.

Kifasi made this known in his maiden meeting with directors in his office in Abuja yesterday.

Kifasi, who was appointed Head of Service on August 13, succeeded Alhaji Bukar Aji. He said that discipline was core to achieving any meaningful goal in life.

The HOSCF said that

AROCHUKWU (Abia) The remains of Mr Lawrence Ukwu, pioneer correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York, was laid to rest in his country home Asaga, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia.

Ukwu died on July 21 in Abuja at the age of 69.

Rev.Fr. Gabriel Okoko, in his sermon after a requiem mass at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, Obinkita-Arochukwu. extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing him as a resourceful and frontline journalist.

Okoko, who is also the Parish Priest, said that Ukwu used his profession and publications to champion the cause of the downtrodden and humanity in general.

He urged Nigerians to love one another, saying that Nigeria as a richly blessed nation, would be a better place for all Nigerians to live in ‘’if we love one another as Christ loved us.’’

In a tribute, his son, Chukwuemeka, stated that the death of his father left ‘’a big void in our life and a hole in our hearts that will never heal.

President Goodluck Jonathan had mandated him to ensure quality service delivery in the public service.

“The president has given us a mandate to ensure that discipline starts from the top which means I have to live by example.

“We need to address the issue of indiscipline in the service if we are going to remain relevant in the scheme of things.

“And discipline is core in any activity you want to achieve. The president is very interested in the delivery of quality service.

“We are going to ensure that attendance is digitalised from

today.

“I have to come to work very early, including the permanent secretary and that goes down the line to the junior level.”

Kifasi said he hoped to not only entrench discipline in Civil service but ensure its sustainability after his tenure of service.

“Certainly, we need to internalise discipline such that it would be sustained even after my tenure in service.

“It is not a situation where I will exit from service and people will go back to their old ways, we intend to as part of capacity building address that seriously,’’ he said.

unemployed youths in the state.

The beneficiaries were drawn from the 23 local government areas of the state.

The State Coordinator of the foundation, Alhaji Abubakar Yabo, said this in an interview with newsmen in Sokoto.

Yabo said that the gesture was to alleviate the suffering of the beneficiaries, most of whom, he said, were indigent.

“The aim of the gesture is to empower the beneficiaries to become self-reliant and productive in order to be useful to themselves and the society.

“It is also to complement the efforts of the government in reducing poverty and unemployment and their attendant negative consequences,” he said.

Yabo also said that the foundation was sourcing its

funds solely from the personal donations of Governor Aliyu Wamakko and other wellmeaning indigenes of the state.

He cited the recent donation of 600 bags of rice and 300 bags of millet to the foundation by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, for distribution free to indigent persons across the state.

He also disclosed that Sen. Ibrahim Gobir (APC-Sokoto) had recently donated N1 million to the foundation.

Gobir represents Sokoto East Senatorial district in the National Assembly.

‘All these efforts are aimed at further alleviating the suffering of the people and complementing the efforts of the government in delivering services to the people,” the coordinator said.

According to the Commissioner of Police, Edo State, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo the suspects were arrested at different locations in the state for offences ranging from murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, defilement, unlawful possession of firearm/petroleum product, cultism to obtaining money under false pretence and impersonation.

Mr. Adebanjo disclosed that the police command has intensified efforts at checkmating ember-months related crimes.

He however enjoined members of the public to be security conscious during and after the ember months.

Items paraded along with the suspects included arms, ammunition, some N1,000 notes, vehicles, battle axe, motor-cycle and a cutlass said to have been used by Bestman Momodu to kill his father.

Bestman is a Senior Secondary School drop-out and the first child of his father, late Mr. Zuberu Momodu.

Narrating how he killed his father, he stated that in the morning of Saturday, August 16, 2014, he took a stick of cigarette from his father ’s packet of Benson, following which an argument ensued between him and his father over the stick of cigarette. The argument, he said prompted his father to slap him as he took a knife-like cutlass to stab his father in the stomach.

Speaking further, the suspect stated that “I nor mean to kill him, it was a mistake sir”.

The Police Commissioner said the suspects would be charged to court.

South South NUPENG Resumes Suspended Strike

Be Innovative, Proactive, Rector Urges Registrars BY HAYBBLE

MORRISON

AUCHII- The Rector Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Dr Philipa Idogho has charged registrars of higher institutions to be innovative and proactive in the day-to-day administration of polytechnics.

Idogho gave the charge at the 64th Regular Meeting of Council of Registrars of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria (COREG) held in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Council of Edo. She said that council of registrars plays a significant role in the administration of polytechnics, adding that as chief administrators, they are responsible for the day-to-day administration of polytechnics.

“The council of registrars needs to become more innovative, proactive, initiatives and more holistic advise in dealing with the issues of staff welfare and job description are expected from the council,’’ she said.

She advised the registrars of institution to ensure that staff are well educated through regular departmental meetings, regular seminars on administrative processes, communication procedures.

She said that this would ensure smooth administration, confidence and trust between and among employees.

“There are a lot of practices in the system that indicate that many members of staff are either oblivious of certain breaches of rules or are unaware of the implications of some action they take.

“Council has responsibility to mount a robust information, education and communication campaign for staff of polytechnics on service rules and regulations,’’ she said.

She urged registrars to always display professionalism in the discharged of their duties.

The chairman of COREG, Mr Benson Omonode said that the regular meeting of the council is to discuss the challenges

facing registrars in the carrying out administrative duties in their institutions.

“COREG was established in 1973 to promote effective service delivery and to maintain cohesion in the polytechnic system.

“The idea is to create a platform for its formation in the areas of vigorous exchange of information, ideas among member institutions and promotion of loyalty and effective service to the polytechnic system,’’ he said.

Earlier, the Registrar of Auchi Polytechnic, Dr Margret Aashikpelokhai said that the meeting was timely due to challenges confronting the registrars of higher institutions.

“It is hoped that this conference will arrive at useful suggestions that will enable all the stakeholders to move the polytechnic system forward,’’ she said.

BY BETTY IDIALU

L-R: President, Kwara South Youth Forum, Mr. Charles Folarin (KSYF); the Youth leader, Mr. Jerry Kolokolo and Director of Youth PDP Youth parliament, Mr. Sulyman Abdulrask, during KSYF 2014 summit in Omu-aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara at the weekend.

L-R: Managing Director, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Mr. Fortunate Leynes; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Deputy Managing Director of the company, Mr. John Darlington, and the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Mr. Ismail Olalekan Alli during the inauguration of rehabilitated injection substation in Akanran area of Ibadan at the weekend.

WARRI -There appears to be an imminent of scarcity of petroleum products across the country as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has resumed its suspended strike over alleged sack of its members by the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited.

This was contained in a statement signed by the union’s Senior Assistants General Secretary, Warri Zonal Council, Mr Otite Onohwowho, directing all members of the union within the zone to strictly comply with the strike.

It would be recalled that five weeks ago, NUPENG suspended three days warning strike to enable the union negotiate with management of Chevron Nigeria Limited to recall all its sacked members.

It stated that they had decided to embark on the strike in a solidarity for their sacked union members as result of the company’s refusal to honour a communiqué reached on July 10th , 2014 on the instance of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to resolve all outstanding industrial disputes.

“As a result of the refusal of Chevron Nigeria Limited Management to honour the communiqué of July 10th, 2014 issued at the instance of the Federal ministry of Labour and Productivity, Abuja to resolve the industrial dispute between the union and management, the strike action that was earlier suspended is hereby resumed”, the statement declared.

According to the statement the strike action commenced last Thursday 28th, August, 2014.

It urged all branch executives within the Warri Zonal Council which covers South-South States to ensure strict compliance in solidarity with their members whom the statement described were being treated like slaves by Chevron.

Enabuele Lauds FG’s Recall Of Resident Doctors

BENIN CITY - Dr. Osahon Enabulele, immediate past President of Nigerian Medical Association, has commended Federal Government for lifting the suspension on

residency training and recalling 16,000 Resident Doctors.

Enabulele made the commendation in a statement

BENIN CITY - No fewer than 39 persons were convicted by a Mobile Court in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo state for violating environmental sanitation laws last Saturday.

50 persons were also arrested at various locations by a taskforce set up by the council.

The convicts were charged

with violating the State Government’s restriction order on movement during the monthly sanitation.

Four of those arrested were discharged and acquitted, while others were cautioned for minor offences by the Chief Magistrate, Mr Osamudiame Afe. The convicts were sent to the Benin Prison to serve their jail terms of between

made available to newsmen in Benin.

He said “I received with gladness the news of the Presidential directive reversing the ill-advised suspension of the residency

training and sack of 16,000 resident doctors in Nigeria “ I commend President Goodluck Jonathan for listening to the voices of reason by his statesmanlike

three days and one week for their inability to pay fines slammed on them to secure their freedom.

The Head of the Department of Health/ Environment of the council, Mr Friday Ebohon, supervised the sanitation within the Benin metropolis.

Ebohon urged residents to be conscious of their personal hygiene and the environment

especially now that the Ebola outbreak was threatening some states.

Ebohon harped on the importance for the people to clear their drainage channels and dispose their wastes properly to avert outbreak of any disease.

He also urged the people to report any symptoms of Ebola to the Ministry of

decision to unconditionally reverse the directives.’’

39 Convicted For Violating Sanitation Law Health and other relevant agencies for necessary action.

“Sanitation is not restricted to the last Saturday of every month; it should be a daily affair. Keep our environment clean to ensure healthy living.

“People should try to change their orientation on health issues to embrace what is good for them and the environment’’, he said.

Enabulele also praised the Senate President, David Mark, the Speaker, House of Rep, Aminu Tambuwal and other well-meaning Nigerians for “their patriotic, dependable and objective roles in the resolution of the trade dispute.’’

He urged the federal government to “adopt more positive, objective and statesmanlike approaches toward resolving the challenges befuddling Nigeria’s health sector. “ I sincerely urge the federal government to honestly and responsibly respect all past and present agreements it signed with the association’’, he said.

Across The Nation Jonathan Condoles NAN MD On Mother’s Death The missive said ABUJA - The First Lady,

Dame Patience Faka Jonathan, has in Abuja condoled with Olorogun Ima Niboro, Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the death of his mother, Deaconess Agnes Ukeseh.

The condolence was contained in a letter signed by the first lady and addressed to Niboro.

“I write to convey to you my deepest sympathy and sincere condolences over the death of your dear mother, late Deaconess Agnes Owoma

Ukeseh, which sad event occurred last Wednesday August 27, 2014.

“Her death no doubt is painful loss to you and your entire family.

“The consolation, however, is in the fact that she lived a fulfilled life, given her sterling virtues, which most of us, admire and appreciate,’’ the letter read in part.

Jonathan described the deceased as a devout Christian, a successful retired nursing matron and a community leader.

late Ukeseh touched many lives positively during her eventful lifetime and that she would be greatly missed by many.

She said it was her prayer that Almighty God will comfort you while granting your entire family and the community, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“She also prayed that the gentle soul of our dear mother, Deaconess Agnes Owoma Ukeseh, find eternal repose in the bosom of the Almighty.

“Once again, please accept my sincere condolences,’’ Jonathan prayed.

Ebola: Health Workers Adviced To LAGOS - Mr Obinna Chilekezie, Principal Take Insurance Policies Researcher, Independent Insurance Researchers (IIR), has advised health workers to take up health and life insurance policies.

Chilekezie gave the advice in Lagos in an interview with newsmen.

He said that people have relegated the importance of insurance to their lives to the background.

“Ebola Virus (EBOV) is no respecter of persons. Health workers are at a greater risk of being infested by the virus.

“It had shown that no matter how many times you wash your hands or wear

Ebola:

protective gears, you can still be infested with the virus.

“Even though Medical Professional Indemnity is one of the compulsory insurances, but many hospitals do not buy the policy.

“With this Ebola Virus, it is necessary for health workers to ensure that they have insurance policies.

“The world is a global village and nobody knows another sickness that will be introduced to Nigeria,’’ he said.

He, however, stressed the need for insurance companies to brace- up for the settlement

of life insurance claims arising from deaths from the outbreak of Ebola in the country.

“Once anybody that is already insured dies, the insurance company is obliged to settle claim arising from it.

“And once the death rate increases among the health workers and they are insured, their families will be paid,’’ he said.

He said that federal, states and local governments should also use the opportunity and ensure that people take up compulsory insurance policies.

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State (left), receiving the Resolution of the 27 members of the State House of Assembly from the Speaker, Alhaji Lawali Zaiyana, in Sokoto on Friday. Sokoto State House of Assembly passed a vote of confidence on Governor Wamakko.

Businessman Docked For Issuance Of Dud Cheque

ABUJA A businessman, Yusuf Bazza, appeared before an FCT High Court for allegedly issuing four million naira dud cheque.

Bazza, Managing Director Zabira Oil and Gas Nigeria Ltd., was arraigned before Justice Olasumbo Goodluck, on a two-count charge of fraud

and issuance of dud cheque.

Prosecutor John Ijagbemi told the court that the accused issued dud cheque of four million naira to Vital Nwafor, Manager of Park View Hotel.

Ijagbemi said the accused made use of the facilities of Park View Hotel on about Feb. 15, 2013 at Wuse

Obasanjo Suggests Summit Of ECOWAS President

ABEOKUTA - Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has suggested a summit of Presidents in West Africa towards finding lasting solution to the spread of Ebola Virus.

Obasanjo made the suggestion during “An Afternoon with Obasanjo’’ organised by Mr Oluwaseyi AdegokeAdeyemo, publisher of Inside Watch Africa

magazine at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

Obasanjo said he had met with the President John Mahama of Ghanaian with the sole aim of finding a way to contain the spread of the deadly virus in the sub-region.

He explained that while

Mahama wanted the meeting of ministers of health meeting, he suggested that there was a limit the ministers could go and that a summit of the presidents in the sub-region would be better.

Obasanjo noted that the Ebola virus was not only a regional or sub-regional

threat but a global threat and called for a summit where a national policy on the disease would be formulated.

He said he had spoken with the Presidents of Liberia and Sierra Leone to give them words of encouragement and

L-R:Lagos Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, Chairman, Isolo Local Council Development Authority, Alhaji Abiodun Olaleye, Director, Drainage Construction and Dredging, Ministry of the Environment Mr. Temidayo Erinle and others during the monthly Environmental Sanitation to Enlighten people on Ebola Virus in Lagos on Saturday.

support on the scourge of Ebola in their countries.

He said pharmaceutical companies should be encouraged to conduct research on the virus with a view to finding the needed vaccine to eliminate it.

“Pharmaceutical companies in the country should be encouraged to carry out research on the Ebola virus and come up with vaccines to treat it.

Obasanjo said that Patrick Sawyers misadventure had started to take its toll on the manpower and the economy of not only Nigeria but West Africa.

“It is devilish enough that Sawyer had to spread this, and indeed spread it to Nigeria in connivance with some authorities from his country.

“This is because they knew he had it before he came to Nigeria.

“The toll is not only on the number of those that are ill or dead but on the economy of communities, country, region and subregion’’, he said.

Zone 1 FCT Abuja.

He said the accused issued the cheque in his company’s name.

The prosecutor said that when the complainant presented the cheque at the bank, it was dishonoured due to insufficient funds in the account.

He said the accused also fraudulently issued a Unity Bank Plc., cheque no.

28849318 dated the June 26, 2014, for four million naira with intent to defraud the bank.

He said the offence contravened Section 1 of the Dishonored Cheques Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Counsel to the accused, Mr Sunday Emoku, applied for the bail of his client but Ijagbemi opposed the application contending that the accused had earlier jumped administrative bail.

In his ruling, the judge granted bail to the accused in the sum N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Goodluck ordered that one of the sureties must be a civil servant resident in the FCT, and must deposit his international passport with the court registrar.

The judge ordered that the accused be remanded in prisons custody, till he meet his bail conditions.

She adjourned the case till November 19, for commencement of trial.

Across The Nation 2015 Election: APGA

Declares Support For Jonathan Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Amb. Nuhu Bajoga (left), receiving his new epassport from Coordinator, Nigeria Immigration Service, Kaduna State Command, Comptroller Nuhu Apang Takung in Kaduna on Sunday.

Voters Defy Rain For Niger Senatorial By-Election MINNA - Voters in Niger East Senatorial zone came out in large numbers in spite of the rainfall last Saturday to vote in a byelection.

Reports say that the rain started just as accreditation commenced at about 9a.m.

Mr Okonkwo Onyeka, the Presiding Officer at Sabon Tasha in Kuta, told newsmen that the accreditation had closed and that voting would commence by noon.

Alhaji Uba Kuta, Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Mobilisation, said “all is going on well.

“The voters and INEC officials have been conducting their duties well’’, he added.

At the Diko polling unit in Gurara Local Government, the PDP candidate for the election, Dr Shem Zagbayi, told newsmen that he did not envisage any problem during and after the election.

Alhaji Garba M o h a m m a d , Commissioner for Youths, also told newsmen that all necessary measures had been taken to ensure security of lives and property.

“As you know, there was restriction on movements for the duration of the election and security agencies are monitoring developments’’, he said.

“The federal government only stopped the residency programme because they went on strike.

“The programme is intact but government will review it and assess the situation with a view to making it more vibrant’’, Alhassan added.

He said the party would not give automatic ticket to anyone apart from the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, who would run for the Anambra Central Senatorial seat.

On his part, Umeh explained that the endorsement of Jonathan for a re-election was supported by all the national executive council members of the party.

Umeh said the conduct of free and fair elections in Ekiti and Osun states under the president was an indication that democracy had come to stay in the country.

“He needs to be re-elected for another four years. We have seen his striking humility and calmness in dealing with the affairs of the country”, he said.

The APGA boss assured that his party was in firm control of structures in the state and would be in the position to ensure victory for President Jonathan.

According to him, the 21 local council chairmen and 318 councillors in the state are in support of the call for Jonathan’s re-election Former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani and former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Josephine Anenih, commended APGA for supporting Jonathan.

They stressed the need for unity and peace in the SouthEast geo-political zone to move forward as a people.

The Director-General of JJJ, Chief Ben Oranusi, said the organisation was the vision of Igbo people to ensure the reelection of Jonathan, who he described as “good brand.”

“The base for JJJ is the Igbo race. We do not claim to have the entire nation but will carry our campaigns to other states of the federation”, he said.

of training and duties.

“We have made several efforts and attempts in terms of courtesy calls on people in authority to make the demand.

“Engineers should also move to GL 12 step 5 after passing statutory examinations and being registered by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

“It takes up to five years to graduate from the university to become an engineer.

“Our colleagues from other faculties spend three or four years to graduate and by the time you enter the service, you are employed on the same level.

“We want amicable resolution

of the matter because we are not a union, we are professionals, that is why we do not embark on strikes; we partner with government to develop infrastructure.

“We have done so many lobbying, so many contacts to make people see reason for engineers to be properly placed in the public service”, he said.

He said the Disciplinary Committee of COREN was doing a lot to ensure discipline and adherence to professional ethics.

He called on governments and the public to always engage professional engineers in the execution of projects.

AWKA - The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has declared support for President Goodluck Jonathan to run for a second term in 2015.

The party made the declaration at a rally and inauguration of Join Jonathan Journey (JJJ), NGO, at Ekwueme Square, Awka.

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state said the rally was to endorse and encourage Jonathan to seek for reelection in 2015.

Obiano, however, said the party would field candidates for other elective positions during the 2015 polls.

The

NYSC

Director-

General, Brig. Gen. Johnson Olawumi (left) with the representative of Ondo State Governor, Mr. Kola Ademujimi at the launch of the NYSC and the Ondo State Government Collaboration on monthly environmental sanitation in Akure on Saturday.

FG Procures Patrol Vehicles To Check Ebola

SOKOTO (Sokoto State),- The Minister of State for Health, Dr Khalliru Alhassan, said the Federal Government had procured vehicles for effective patrol of the nation’s borders to prevent further spread of Ebola virus.

Alhassan announced this at a news conference in Sokoto on government’s efforts to contain the spread of Ebola virus.

The minister said; “we are collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Interior and all its agencies in this direction.

“This is with the view to adequately man the nation’s porous borders and not to take any chances’’, he added.

Alhassan said that government had formed a specialised rapid response team to totally deal with the menace.

He said the team comprised doctors, medical laboratory scientists and other medical professionals.

The minister added that the

team also included medical experts from the centres for disease control from (Atlanta) USA, Geneva, Medicins Sans Frontiers and other Nigerian health professionals.

“Nigeria is not yet out of the woods, but the federal government is fully prepared to contain the problem.

“The major challenge is getting the understanding of Nigerians, especially those under quarantine’’, he added.

Alhassan said 13 cases of the Ebola disease were confirmed, including the importer of the disease, Liberian Patrick Sawyer.

According to him, seven persons have been discharged, while six, including Sawyer, died of the Ebola virus.

“Over 400 persons are still under watch, while one case is outstanding in Lagos, with two isolation centres in

operation in Lagos and Port Harcourt’’, he explained.

On doctors’ residency programme, the minister said government had not sacked any resident doctor.

Engineers Want To Join Public Service On GL 10

GOMBE (GOMBE STATE)- The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Gombe State Chapter, has urged government to upgrade engineers’ entry point in public service to Grade Level 10 Step 4.

The Chairman of NSE in the state, Alhaji Lawan Abdullahi, made the call during interview with newsmen in Gombe.

He said the society had been agitating for the upgrade so that engineers should join the civil service on Grade Level 10 step 4.

According to him, this will be commensurate with their length

Abuja

Ter errrorism:

ABUJA - President Goodluck Jonathan has joined other African leaders in Nairobi, Kenya for a meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council today.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, in Abuja.

The Nairobi meeting, according to the statement, is a follow-up to talks by Jonathan and other African leaders at Pretoria, South Africa in May on joint action against terrorism.

Jonathan, Other African Leaders Meet

The statement said the meeting would receive and consider the report of the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission on Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Africa.

It added that Jonathan, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and other

participating Heads of State would deliberate on and adopt the chairperson’s report.

“The deliberations are expected to lead to more collaborative actions by

Nigeria and other African countries, in the effort to rid the continent of acts of terrorism and violent extremism,’’ the statement said.

It said Jonathan would be

UNILORIN Achieves 60 Percent Paperless Operations ABUJA - Prof. Abdul-Ganiyu Ambali, the Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, said the institution had achieved 60 per cent paperless operations to ease administrative procedures and make its operations environment friendly.

Ambali, who said this when he featured at the media Forum on Sunday in Abuja, said most of the university’s operations were now done electronically.

He said that tapping into the electronic platform was imperative as Information Communication Technology (ICT) had taken over every field of human endeavours.

“The University of Ilorin has embarked on paperless senate, that has been on for quite a while now and our council is also paperless.

“I am happy to say that at least we have achieved 60 per cent of the paperless activities or deliberations at the council level.

“At the students’ level, they have also been able to partner with some establishments, for example, Samsung.

“And through that we have been able to procure some LED (Light-emitting diode) screens installed in most of the faculties so that communication among students is through ICT. “When you come to the University of Ilorin, you do not see posters all over the place all what you see are electronic facilities that communicate information,’’ he said.

Ambali attributed the successes achieved in the administrative and academic operations to the solid foundation laid by the past Vice Chancellors of the university.

He, however, paid tribute to them (VCs), adding that they were the ones that laid the foundation for the university which he was now building on.

“We went through turbulent period and I am happy, during that period, everybody learnt one or two things both the staff members, the management as well as the students.

“At the end of the day, they all came together to agree that there are no two ways to achieving academic excellence than to be cohesive in our thinking and be focused in where we are going.

Corps members at the 2014 emerging leaders conference in Abuja recently.

accompanied by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Nurudeen Mohammed, the

NIEEE Urges Good Maintenance Culture

ABUJA - Mr Gracious Omatseye, National Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), has urged Nigerians to imbibe a good maintenance culture in handling electrical appliances and other infrastructure.

The NIEEE is a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

Omatseye told newsmen in Abuja that Nigerians’ bad maintenance culture makes them to quickly abandon old or broken down appliances, which are still repairable, for new ones.

He said this habit has also been a problem in the public sector, pointing out that this was why many public infrastructure are dilapidated.

The NIEEE chairman said if such infrastructure had been better maintained there would not have been any need to buy new ones often.

“All along we’ve been talking about the power sector, but the issue we have in the country is that we have poor maintenance culture. Nobody talks about

UNILORIN To Inaugurate Moringa Processing Factory

ABUJA - The Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, P rof. Abdul-Ganiyu

Ambali, says the institution is set to inaugurate its Moringa processing factory to boost the medicinal values and revenue base of the institution.

Speaking at media Forum in Abuja, Ambali said the factory located within the university campus is completed and ready for inauguration.

The vice chancellor said the university had also established other plantations to serve as training outlets for the students.

He said: “We have started a plantation of moringa during this year ’s convocation ceremony, the moringa processing factory will be inaugurated because it has also been completed.

“We also have other plantations like Jatropha, tick; we have date palm and we have the palm oil plantation that is coming up soon. All these were established to serve as practical training outlets for our students.

“Most especially those from the forestry department, from biological sciences, from even economics and other management system.’’

Ambali said that the harvesting, processing and marketing of the moringa plant required the expertise of those in the marketing, accounting

departments and management system.

The vice-chancellor, however, urged the Federal Government to involve youths in mechanised farming to boost food production in the country.

According to him, the government should access the agriculture sector to refocus on two main areas in order to achieve the feat.

He advised government to refocus on involving youths in mechanised agriculture to enhance food security and to create job employment.

“We have to re-assess our focus. There are two ways to look at it. Do we want youths to be in agriculture because we want more food to be produced for Nigerians?

“Or do we want to put more youths into agriculture because we want to address unemployment?

“When you look at the developed World and calculate how many per cent of their population are in agriculture, it is very few, very small per cent of them are engaged in agriculture, because most of the practices are mechanised.

“But if you want to get more youths out of the street to go into agriculture, then, we are thinking of subsistence form of

agriculture and it would not work.

“If we want more food, then, we have to mechanise our agriculture,’’ said the veterinary professor.

Ambali said that with mechanised agriculture, one of two persons would be able to feed the population of a local government.

National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), and other advisers and aides.

He is expected back in Abuja today, the statement said.

“If our aim is to give the youth hoes and cutlasses and ask them to go to farm, they will not cooperate because the youth of today are ICT youths.

“They are not like youths of 30 or 50 years ago. There is no amount of money as incentive that you will give them that will attract them to go into subsistence farming,’’ he said.

repairs.

“Everybody just install gadgets, but nobody bothers about sustainability. So, when we are talking about the power and telecommunication sector, we are really talking about how we can sustain them.

“It’s not about getting and installing transformers, but now we have to sustain the validity of those things.’’

He said the NIEEE would hold the 10th edition of the International Conference and Exhibition on Power and Telecommunication (ICEPT) in Akure, Ondo State from September 8 to September 12.

Omatseye said the conference, which has the theme “Development of Sustainable Power and Communication Infrastructure’’, was very important.

“This is because it has the aim of getting all professionals within the electrical-electronics engineering family to come together and brainstorm to move the nation forward,’’ he said.

The NIEEE chairman said more than 1,000 electrical and electronics engineers from within Nigeria and various parts of the world were expected to participate in the conference.

He said through the conference the participants would identify areas where they have gone wrong in their profession and then proffer solutions to them.

“We want to collaborate with our peers all over the world to ensure that we have a better electrical-electronics engineering country.

“Be you a craftsman, a technologist or an engineer, we will come out with solutions to move the profession forward and make suggestions, even to the government on how we will move forward,’’ Omatseye said.

L-R: Experience Centre Manager, Heritage Bank, Mr. Jide Dada; Head, Industry collabration Unit, Mrs. Timipre Wolo; Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Mr. Femi Ajayi; Manager, Legal and Secretarial Services, Mr. Balarabe Ahmed, General Manager, Projects, Mr. Jide Adebulehin with participants at a Youths for Empowerment Scheme Workshop in Abuja recently.

Business+Economy Youth Empowerment

PTDF Collaborates With Heritage Bank ABUJA- The Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Mr Femi Ajayi, says the fund is collaborating with Heritage Bank Limited to empower youths on entrepreneurial development.

Ajayi announced this in his opening address at the first PTDF Youth Empowerment Scheme in Abuja.

Although the executive secretary did not give the financial implication of the partnership, the Bank said the global figure of the soft loan to be guaranteed by PTDF was about N500 million.

The PTDF boss said that as part of the funds commitment to capacity building, a special training and educational scheme was further set-up to develop the capacity of youths.

“Under this scheme, 120 youths from the Niger Delta and other parts of the country were trained in vocational skills including ICT, diagnostics/fault detection in heavy duty equipment.

“Also in Auto Rotary Technology at a City and Guilds Certified Centre in Cotonou,

Benin Republic,” he said.

Ajayi said that the scheme was designed to run in batches of 20 and this was the first set selected based on their theoretical and practical performance at the training centre.

He explained that the fund in partnership with the bank had designed the PTDF youth empowerment scheme to equip beneficiaries with resources required to set-up small and medium scale businesses.

Ajayi said that the essence was to ensure that knowledge and competences gained are maximised as well as to guarantee self-sufficiency for them in line with the Transformation Agenda of Mr President.

“Most of the support will be in material form, the bank will buy most of the equipment that is needed, and of course they will calculate the monetary equivalent of it.

“The bank will supervise the preparation of the business plan and how the businesses are set up so the amount of money involved will vary depending on the business,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Group Head

of Heritage Bank Limited, Mr Jide Dada, said the support given by the bank was not a grant but a soft loan with interest rate at a single digit.

“We have a global figure of about N500 million, this is just the pilot scheme and once we see the success of these ones, then we will begin to deploy the other ones.

“The loan that can be given to an individual would not exceed N10 million so that it can go round, although we are still deliberating on it as individual needs depend on business plan.

“We are going to administer the loan just the way we administer our regular loans, the loans are going to be at a concessionary rate and at a single digit interest rate which I think is fair enough,” he said.

The Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary, Miss Timipre Wolo, who enjoined the beneficiaries to make maximum use of the opportunity, said that the success of this first batch was very critical.

“There is going to be a serious monitoring, if we find out that some of you are slacking by the way, you could be pulled out because there is a long list of your colleagues waiting for this opportunity,” she said.

Sambo Meets Kogi, Anambra Govs Over Boundary Dispute ABUJA- Vice President Namadi Sambo has met with the governors of Kogi and Anambra to discuss the longstanding boundary dispute between the two states.

The meeting, which held behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, had in attendance, Governor Idris Wada of Kogi and the Deputy Governor of Anambra, Mr Nkem Okeke, who represented Governor Willie Obiano.

Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Wada and Okeke said that they were satisfied with the way the vice president handled the matter and expressed optimism that the dispute would be resolved by the end of the year.

“We are making a lot of

progress. Under the direction of Mr President, the boundary commission (National Boundary Commission) is tracing the boundary between the affected states in our area.

“And by the grace of God, by the end of this year all these issues will be behind us.

“Security is a dynamic issue.

Kogi is relatively peaceful by the grace of God and every effort is being made to maintain peace and tranquility in Kogi,“ he said.

On his part, Okeke said that a peaceful resolution of the dispute was top on the priority list of the Anambra governor.

“I’m here representing my principal, Chief Willie Obiano, who is unavoidably absent because of the burial of Dora Akunyili. I think this is one

thing that is foremost on his mind to solve.

“Nobody wants senseless killings; killings for no reason.

So, he sent me here to make sure that we get things moving, and I’m quite pleased with the way the Vice President handled the meeting.

“He gave directive to the National Boundary Commission to set a date to do all the necessary surveys and establish the boundary between us and Kogi state, and I believe in the near future things will be sorted out,“ he stated.

Okeke also said that Anambra was committed to the maintenance of peace and security with Kogi and ensure the matter was trashed out.

“His Excellency, you know security is foremost on his mind; my principal has been working hard on security.

Participants during a ceremony to recognise Small Holder Women Farmers for their contributions to food production and processing in Jos at the weekend.

L-R: Executive Director, Help International, Dr. John Jinung; Jos Branch Manager, Union Bank Plc, Mrs. Grace Bietdat and Plateau State Coordinator, Country Women Association of Nigeria (COWAN), Mrs. Jessica Vonkat at a ceremony to recognise Small Holder Women Farmers for their contributions to food production and processing in Jos at the weekend.

FG Moves To Ensure Improved Electricity Supply ABUJA- The Federal Government has said it would ensure that it paid the bills of electricity generating companies as part of efforts to improve power supply.

The Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo, disclosed this to State House correspondents in Abuja at the end of a closed door meeting on power, held at the Presidential Villa and chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

Nebo said that other issues in the electricity value chain were being addressed and expressed the hope that stability in power supply across the country would improve by October.

“The generation companies have been complaining that they

need to have all their bills paid.

“The good thing about this is that arrangements are being made to make sure that all the generation companies get their money as and when due.

“We are working on that. That was part of the meeting that was chaired by Mr Vice President.

“The next thing is how far we have gone with the issue of even settling the gas question. The gas question has remained for quite a while.

“But thankfully, the Minister of Petroleum Resources and I, the central bank governor and chairman of NERC (Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission) met many times to

APBN Urges FG To Check Housing Deficit LAGOS- The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) has urged the Federal Government to provide social housing, to check the huge housing deficit in the country.

APBN President, Mr Bala Ka’oje, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

Ka’oje urged the Federal Government to ensure that its earlier promise on social housing becomes a reality.

It would be recalled that social housing means homes that are owned by local authorities, let at low rents.

The houses are given to those who are most in need or struggling with their housing costs.

“Once the promise of a social housing scheme is realised, many Nigerians will live in decent neighbourhood.

“This is because it will help to reduce the emergence of slums as the houses would have necessary infrastructure and facilities which are lacking in the present schemes.

“The government should ensure funds are available for developers to engage in aggressive housing development.

“This can also be done through mortgage arrangements for people who want mortgage loans.

“The recapitalisation of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) is, therefore, very important for government to achieve more in housing delivery,’’ he said.

Ka’oje said that when government engages in social housing, some of the impediments in the Land Use Act would be surmounted.

He said that it had been difficult for individuals and developers to have access to land for housing development.

The APBN president added it had been difficult to get title documents that would help them source for money to develop the available land.

According to Ka’oje, construction professionals categorise all lands and buildings that do not have title documents as dead property.

address those issues.

“And that eventually ended in finding resources to take care of the indebtedness of the generation companies to the gas companies.

“So, once we take care of the backlog, we’ll insist that the gas companies will eventually produce more gas.“ The minister said the efforts had paid off with better power supply across the country in the past one week following improved gas supply.

“The cheering news from all of these is that if you have noticed throughout the country in the past one week people have been getting much better power supply.

“The gas is now beginning to come back and it’s something that gives all of us a lot of joy.

“And we know that it will continue to grow that way even until December.

“Now some of the facilities, maintenance, repair works on the gas equipment and so on, the gas producers have come to a place where almost all of these is being taken care of.

“And, then, the new gas we are expecting we have then trickling in right now.

“So that part of the shortfalls we’ve had in production up to this time, we hope that by beginning of October, we will see a much better stabilisation of the entire power delivery system in the country.

“So, first, I would say we rejoice that for the first time in a long time we have been averaging over 4,500 mw when we include nearly 300 mw of spilling reserve, which is always put there to make sure that the reliability and stability of the grid is ensured at all times.

“So, we are really moving forward; it may not be as rapidly as Nigerians expect, but it is important to let everybody know that indeed we are advancing, we are making progress and we will continue to make progress.

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (01/09/2014) Stocks

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

Value

NB

177

176.05

-0.95

0

322,516

56,671,522.89

7UP

134

134

0

0

110,529

15,551,430.30

NCR

13.5

13.5

0

0

4,409

59,741.95

ABCTRANS

0.68

0.71

0.03

0

604,155

425,147.50

NEIMETH

1.09

1.1

0.01

0

1,426,486

1,505,743.94

ACADEMY

1.55

1.55

0

0

2,000

2,980.00

NEM

0.81

0.79

-0.02

0

2,583,678

2,057,082.78

ACCESS

9.9

9.77

-0.13

0

36,414,477

354,179,489.40

NESTLE

1079.99

1079.99

0

0

12,090

12,629,936.75

AFRIPRUD

3.4

3.31

-0.09

0

1,164,933

3,974,607.62

NEWGOLD

2020

2023

3

0

43

87,619.00

AFROMEDIA

0.5

0.5

0

0

200

100

NIGERINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

18,100

9,050.00

AGLEVENT

1.47

1.54

0.07

0

110,582

170,296.28

NNFM

19.95

19.95

0

0

48,706

975,360.00

AIICO

0.8

0.8

0

0

733,301

586,641.52

NPFMCRFBK

1

1

0

0

300,000

300,000.00

1890.5

1881.58

-8.92

0

124,109,449

1,886,137,060.00

2048.03

2038.78

-9.25

0

148,033,933

1,994,079,228.00

AIRSERVICE

2.09

2

-0.09

0

62,800

126,400.00

NSE30

ASHAKACEM

33.5

33.47

-0.03

0

716,919

23,905,062.98

NSE50

AUSTINLAZ

2

2.09

0.09

0

7,000,000

14,630,000.00

NSEASI

41532.33

41398.05

-134.28

0

222,428,264

2,268,818,442.00

BERGER

9

9

0

0

55,473

493,171.96

NSEBNK

428.67

421.8

-6.87

0

95,954,575

905,631,748.40

CADBURY

59.85

59.85

0

0

196,266

11,620,049.10

NSECNSMRGDS

1027.86

1023.34

-4.52

0

4,667,842

186,879,013.20

CAP

39.05

39.05

0

0

53,781

2,103,805.71

NSEINDUSTR

2679.33

2682.68

3.35

0

3,732,761

357,070,324.60

CAVERTON

5.32

5.06

-0.26

0

440,400

2,234,760.00

NSEINS

144.56

143.54

-1.02

0

10,521,912

7,190,286.30

CCNN

14.3

14.49

0.19

0

786,419

11,225,603.18

NSELOTUSISLM

2725.59

2726.69

1.1

0

4,945,916

428,864,736.00

CHAMPION

8.3

7.91

-0.39

0

135,300

1,078,123.00

NSEOILGAS

480.48

477.19

-3.29

0

41,161,527

346,582,515.40

0.5

0.5

0

0

200

100

CHAMS

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,765,340

882,670.00

NSLTECH

CHELLARAM

3.95

3.95

0

0

20

82.8

OANDO

27.5

26.75

-0.75

0

4,816,073

130,869,904.30

34.5

34.5

0

0

81,071

2,801,752.80

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,880

940

CILEASING

0.5

0.5

0

0

10,300

5,150.00

OKOMUOIL

CONOIL

61.05

61.05

0

0

155,875

9,711,800.06

OMATEK

CONTINSURE

1

0.98

-0.02

0

136,350

134,227.00

PHARMDEKO

2.38

2.38

0

0

46,867

106,393.09

CORNERST

0.57

0.55

-0.02

0

100,400

55,220.00

PORTPAINT

5.25

5.01

-0.24

0

258,100

1,296,575.00

COSTAIN

1.08

1.13

0.05

0

379,068

426,379.70

PREMBREW

2.08

2.18

0.1

0

52,618

114,707.24

COURTVILLE

0.57

0.57

0

0

1,000,000

570,000.00

PRESCO

36.3

36.3

0

0

40,300

1,434,865.00

CUSTODYINS

3.92

4

0.08

0

2,258,094

8,892,532.62

PRESTIGE

0.5

0.5

0

0

38,000

19,000.00

CUTIX

1.84

1.9

0.06

0

146,966

277,066.60

PZ

35

35

0

0

421,149

14,356,148.01

DANGCEM

225

225.16

0.16

0

1,076,782

242,866,854.30

REDSTAREX

4.8

4.8

0

0

207,500

935,179.25

0.58

0.6

0.02

0

1,107,263

664,190.13 550,458.72

DANGFLOUR

7

7

0

0

63,860

430,780.46

ROYALEX

DANGSUGAR

8.74

8.75

0.01

0

1,479,109

12,943,654.49

RTBRISCOE

0.87

0.9

0.03

0

620,363

DIAMONDBNK

6.07

6

-0.07

0

19,797,845

120,261,041.10

SEPLAT

680

680

0

0

101,561

69,055,362.84

DNMEYER

1.15

1.15

0

0

4,650

5,580.00

SKYEBANK

2.9

2.88

-0.02

0

2,153,001

6,269,322.24

EQUITYASUR

0.5

0.5

0

0

285,000

142,500.00

STACO

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,400

700

ETERNA

3.9

4.09

0.19

0

35,888,506

146,742,114.20

STANBIC

30

30

0

0

138,819

4,163,924.61

ETI

16.9

16.95

0.05

0

3,923,040

66,445,135.70

STERLNBANK

2.26

2.26

0

0

12,694,320

28,629,452.07

EVANSMED

2.05

1.95

-0.1

0

67,640

131,898.00

TOTAL

180

180

0

0

121,369

21,847,020.00

FBNH

15.04

15.17

0.13

0

12,617,525

192,085,027.00

TRANSCORP

6.13

6.43

0.3

0

17,473,715

111,025,414.50

15.6

15.6

0

0

163,424

2,506,087.79

FCMB

4.25

4.25

0

0

1,838,596

7,754,251.56

UAC-PROP

FIDELITYBK

1.97

1.96

-0.01

0

5,077,371

10,028,910.77

UACN

59

59

0

0

225,999

13,229,831.98

7.6

7.3

-0.3

0

4,879,363

35,926,027.56

2.2

2.15

-0.05

0

2,875,096

6,313,734.52

FIDSON

3.33

3.39

0.06

0

545,526

1,832,352.92

UBA

FLOURMILL

68.11

68.11

0

0

114,476

7,596,419.37

UBCAP

FO

229

229.99

0.99

0

126,941

28,737,248.39

UBN

8.1

8.1

0

0

192,732

1,569,611.39

FTNCOCOA

0.5

0.5

0

0

600,000

300,000.00

UNHOMES

0.5

0.5

0

0

520

260

GLAXOSMITH

65.99

65.99

0

0

7,563

476,980.46

UNILEVER

48.55

48.5

-0.05

0

252,690

12,191,678.45

GUARANTY

29.9

29.51

-0.39

0

3,707,472

109,446,159.30

UNIONDICON

14.11

14.11

0

0

100

1,341.00

GUINEAINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

86,000

43,000.00

UNITYBNK

0.5

0.5

0

0

2,082,162

1,041,081.00

GUINNESS

185

180

-5

0

154,203

27,959,005.74

UNITYKAP

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,000

500

HONYFLOUR

4.17

4.15

-0.02

0

560,606

2,315,223.11

UPDCREIT

8.7

9.13

0.43

0

85,000

776,050.00

4.2

4.2

0

0

282,893

1,146,114.27

IKEJAHOTEL

0.77

0.8

0.03

0

357,894

281,220.50

UPL

INFINITY

1.52

1.52

0

0

100

159

VETGRIF30

18.88

18.81

-0.07

0

5

94.05

INTBREW

28

28

0

0

236,008

6,606,768.00

VITAFOAM

4.15

4.15

0

0

187,540

773,489.32

INTENEGINS

0.52

0.5

-0.02

0

350,100

175,050.00

VONO

1.05

1.05

0

0

51,069

54,089.00

JAPAULOIL

0.51

0.5

-0.01

0

5,040,909

2,597,388.49

WAPCO

117.01

117.25

0.24

0

638,321

74,902,184.88

JBERGER

65

65

0

0

15,066

965,198.10

WAPIC

0.79

0.76

-0.03

0

1,171,035

899,375.00

LEARNAFRCA

1.58

1.58

0

0

6,060

9,817.20

WEMABANK

0.97

0.95

-0.02

0

765,346

729,131.13

LENNARDS

3.15

3.15

0

0

100

300

ZENITHBANK

24.6

24.01

-0.59

0

7,114,954

172,876,598.90

LINKASSURE

0.5

0.5

0

0

100

50

LIVESTOCK

3.28

3.2

-0.08

0

276,684

877,537.28

MANSARD

2.5

2.5

0

0

174,048

436,486.00

MAYBAKER

1.42

1.45

0.03

0

480,895

700,630.85

MBENEFIT

0.52

0.54

0.02

0

5,317,600

2,868,504.00

MOBIL

175

175

0

0

47,993

8,408,160.30

MRS

55.96

55.96

0

0

4,770

266,268.20

NAHCO

4.95

5

0.05

0

1,074,980

5,376,151.00

NASCON

10.19

10.19

0

0

421,500

4,154,784.25

TOP 10 GAINERS

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS

Stock

Close

Gain

Stock

Close

Loss

NSEINDUSTR NEWGOLD NSELOTUSISLM FO UPDCREIT TRANSCORP WAPCO ETERNA CCNN DANGCEM

2682.68 2023 2726.69 229.99 9.13 6.43 117.25 4.09 14.49 225.16

3.35 3 1.1 0.99 0.43 0.3 0.24 0.19 0.19 0.16

NSEASI 134.28 NSE50 NSE30 NSEBNK GUINNESS NSECNSMRGDS NSEOILGAS NSEINS NB OANDO

41398.05

-

2038.78 1881.58 421.8 180 1023.34 477.19 143.54 176.05 26.75

-9.25 -8.92 -6.87 -5 -4.52 -3.29 -1.02 -0.95 -0.75

THE United Nations Office in Nigeria recently put the figures of those directly affected by the Boko Haram insurgency at six million people in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa in the north East of Nigeria.

ON the strength of this number, the House of Representatives last week in a motion raised by Hon. Abdulrahman Terab from Borno state asked the Federal Government to establish rehabilitation camps for the estimated six million internally displaced persons.

WE are worried that the federal government’s approach to dealing with the issue of insurgency since it broke out five years ago has been most uninspiring. It is shockingly sad to note that it took the United Nations for Nigerians to be informed that over six million citizens have been displaced by the insurgents. Sadly too, in terms of reality, there is little effort at rehabilitating those affected.

ALL Nigerians, particularly in the Northern part and the Federal Capital Territory where innocent and hapless citizens are being bombed in worship houses and other public places, several towns and villages had long been deserted, leaving the victims to roam about with no one to help them.

ASIDE being the location of a large-scale Boko Haram abduction in April, Chibok and its neighbouring villages have recently been the target of the deadliest attacks. Only recently, gunmen murdered at least 44 people in Kwada and Kautikari Villages, some 15km away from Chibok. The attacks have led to a mass exodus of villagers, who are citing constant threats to their lives. Leaders of the community revealed that the village is not only unsafe, it has been hit by famine.

MORE worrisome is the obvious fact that the internally-displaced persons include

THE NIGERIAN

Rehabilitation For Six Million Displaced Nigerians

women, children and the vulnerable who are lacking in basic healthcare, sanitation, clothing, food and shelter.

IT is shameful that despite the vulnerability of people around these three states, there is no official camp to settle them, compelling them to squat in horrible and untold environments. This situation from various reports has made the victims vulnerable to various hazards such as snake bites, weather extremes and diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, among others, more especially among women and children.

FROM the foregoing, there is clear failure of relevant government agencies to perform their duties. The National Refugees Commission, National Emergency Management Agency and all such care giving institutions of government have abdicated their responsibilities to the victims even at a time when such services were most needed.

THIS is why we align with the push of the House of Representatives for the urgent rehabilitation of all victims of insurgency, not only in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe but also in Kaduna, Taraba, Benue and even the Federal Capital Territory.

WE call on the Federal Government to make adequate provision for the upkeep of the victims and placing them in transitional settlements.

WE call on the National Border Commission and the National Refugee Commission to swing into action immediately to build the camps for the displaced six million Nigerians.

HOWEVER, the Federal Government should redouble its efforts to stem tide of insurgency and senseless bloodletting in the country.

Nigeria has never witnessed the scale of near daily attacks, killing thousands of innocent citizens who know nothing about the reasons for the insurgents’ action. The heartless, cruel and inhuman slaughtering and butchery currently being unleashed in the north must be arrested.

THE Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah has continued to assure that government would put an end to terrorism in Nigeria and has been sounding like a broken record lately. However, we urge the COAS and his counterparts in other armed forces and police to take urgent steps to route the insurgents out of the country and its borders. Mere lip service is not required at this time, but concerted effort. The fifth columnists within the armed forces in the war against terror should be identified, fished out and dealt with as well. The security agencies owe Nigerians a duty to free all kidnapped citizens, particularly, students of Government Secondary School Chibok from the hands of the mindless terrorist to free their parents and loved ones from the agony of heartaches.

WE also, call on the country’s international friends helping to deal with terrorism to increase their assistance to the nation for quick results as Nigerians are daily looking out with high hopes for major breakthroughs in the war against terror.

THE judiciary on its part, should accelerate the trial of all terror suspects and ensure that all those found wanting are adequately punished for their actions. We believe that dealing with the insurgents head-on remains a permanent solution to the displacement of hapless citizens and time to do that is now.

Issues About This Thing Cutting Edge Called Nigeria (2) With THE Nigerian State is simply a corporate enterprise, without a productive base, with Abuja as the headquarters and other subunits making up a vast consortium of branches.

Abuja operates as both the commercial and political nerve centre of the Nigerian enterprise, from where orders are crafted and dished out to other departments which are expected to carry them out without complaining. This might surprise so many people who have always seen Lagos as the centre of commerce. Compared to Abuja, the volume of trade that takes place in Lagos on a regular basis is child’s play.

The businessmen in Lagos are small timers compared to the big players in Abuja, who have the financial wherewithal and political leverage to go with it. Abuja is where all crucial national decisions – political, economical etc – are taken.

These decisions have serious bearings on the country as a whole. Even Wall Street does not hold a candle to Abuja when it comes to the act of buying and selling. Just imagine operating a country as huge and rich as Nigeria as a business concern; imagine the capital available to the traders in Abuja and the amount of commodities they can obtain and dispose of at will with all that cash. From the ceaseless lobbying for political positions by different interest groups, awarding of mostly overbloated contracts to the bankrollers of the party in power and other jobless errand boys, dishing out of personal favours to government loyalists, payment of compensation claims to different aggrieved groups, and other forms of influence bartering, Abuja is

a constant beehive of commercial activities. The rule is that “if you want to buy anything buyable in this country, just go to Abuja”.

Once you have the cash and the necessary contacts, all other things will follow. Just press the right buttons and say the magic words. That’s all.

This is a state that exists to serve the interests of some superintending grandmasters; a pantheon of the gods; a crop of selfstyled cognoscenti who are full of their importance; deities, who should only be seen and not spoken to – speaking to them has dire consequences for, as gods, they retain the exclusive powers of life and death.

Just like the emperors of ancient China, these human divinities act like the forces of nature, overcoming all within their paths in ridiculous demonstrations of absolute power. Like the gods on Mount Olympus, they assume that air of extreme pomposity, regality and immortality that sets them apart from common earthlings. These people see the state as a robot customized to attend to their kleptomaniac urges; a machine to be tuned to do their perverted biddings.

They are driven, unflinching, calculating machines, who live in a world beyond this world; a world where everything is seemingly within their reach. That is why they think they can take whatever they want, whenever they want without scruples. But in their arrogance, they ignore the existence of a more powerful force than them; a group with a better claim to authority; a majority from whom their own authority should

normally flow from and on whom their continued existence depends; the people without whom there would be neither state nor government. They forget that even the gods without people to worship them soon loose relevance and wither away.

The truth of the matter is that the pre-independence order of serfdom has been fully restored and restructured to serve the whims of some native supremacists who cut across all the ethnic, clan, religious and other sub groups in Nigeria; the few ones Nigerians who are involved in the reprehensible business

traditional rulers, as heads of organized religions, as heads of big businesses, as commanders of militant groups, as heads of organized criminal consortiums, and in other contrived capacities. They constitute the legendary “Establishment”. These set of people pose as representatives of their constituencies, but are, in fact, murderous

national life who are always recycled to keep the subsisting order of deceit in place.

This is a gang-up by an alliance of shameless opportunists against their own; an axis of evil where the darkest minds to have ever traversed this plain habitually shoots poisoned darts at their brethren. Forget the hollow myth of how the British supposedly left

of commandeering the country’s - “our collective” - wealth for “their common” good; the self- ordained illuminati - Latin for enlightened ones - of Nigerian politics. You find them in government, as members of the diplomatic corps, as top brass of the armed forces (serving and retired), as members of the council of state, as party chieftains, as contractors, as

backstabbers who should be avoided like killer diseases.

They represent no one but themselves and their lapdogs. These assemblages of bounty hunters form the soft-landing base that eases the business of corrupt enrichment, especially during times of national crisis when they take up the mischievous roles of peace ambassadors. They are permanent markers of

political power in the hands of Northerners and economic power in the hands of Southerners. This does not hold water any longer in the present dispensation as any semblance of Northern or Southern homogeneity has gone with the winds. The only homogeneity that exists in this country is the one among the elite forces, who constantly struggle to maintain their hold on the reins of power because of the several doors it opens to them; for the possession of political power in Nigeria, guarantees control of all ramifications of national life, especially the economic sphere which has remained the centre of attraction for the seekers of political office, and is largely responsible for the criminal system of corruption and the

Obuseh Jude GSM: 08033510173

“Thus, all the various transitions – civilian to military, military to civilian, military to military et al – that Nigerians have been forced to be spectators to over the years have been replays of the exchange of personnel that was formally enacted in 1960, and have been continually reenacted in the political graduations of succeeding years; an unending “Democraduras”

various intractable conflicts bedeviling this country, some of which have manifested as ethnoreligious or such other derivatives. “When you seek first the political kingdom of Nigeria, and all its accoutrements, you are guaranteed access to all other things”. Power is all that matters to these Chameleons, not the people’s welfare, which comes’ last on their scale of preference; It has become a currency that must be obtained by all costs. This “get and keep power by all means syndrome” has traditionally defined the behavior of Nigeria’s ruling classes over the years.

Thus, all the various transitions – civilian to military, military to civilian, military to military et al – that Nigerians have been forced to be spectators to over the years have been replays of the exchange of personnel that was formally enacted in 1960, and have been continually reenacted in the political graduations of succeeding years; an unending “Democraduras” – a revolving door of transitions – that has led us to a dead end. Forget it when politicians promise change in the course of campaigning for political positions, or when after taking over the reins of office, make fake shows of carrying out reforms; they are mere publicity stunts. It is the same senile, visionless system operated by the same set of yapping yahoos, with the same guiding principles that has been the subsisting order. That is the sad fact about this thing called Nigeria. Nothing has changed.

This is an illegitimate order; an order of coups and counter-coups. (A coup within the context of this discourse refers to the illegal takeover of government by any individual or group; not Continues on pg 15

Nutritional Health And Dietetics

Pile And What To Do

THE physiological structures cushioning the passage so as to aid the exit of fecal matter are referred to as hemorrhoids consisting of blood vessels and tissue they make way for the passage of fecal waste on inflammation or swelling hemorrhoids enlarge to attain the pathological condition also known as piles.

Types of hemorrhoids – external hemorrhoids located at the penultimate end or exist of the anal passage becomes painfully swollen and itchy on acquiring the conditions of piles. Research shows that the veins surrounding the farthest end of anal canal become varicose or swollen in nature, prone to developing into clot.

Internal hemorrhoids which find their location inside the rectum are usually painless in nature.

Hemorrhoids anatomically located in the internal folds of the anal passage may give way to bleeding and take prolapsed form on inflammation.

Therefore, hemorrhoids which may be internal or external refer to the swollen inflamed veins in and around the cavity. While internal ones are located inside, the external ones are found on the outer surface. Both forms of hemorrhoids lead to bleeding after the passage of bowel, a feeling of discomfort and fullness. In extreme cases when hemorrhoids tend to prolapse, it is accompanied by pain, irritation which intensifies on straining.

Piles refer to a physiological condition whereby, there is an inflammation of vascular structures guarding the anal canal. Owing to the inflammation of the hemorrhoids or blood vessels guarding the anal passage, the pathogenic condition of piles develops.

Piles hemorrhoids are therefore, masses, clumps, cushions of tissue in the anal canal, they are full of blood vessels, support tissue, muscle and elastic fibres.

Although piles are thought of as unpleasant inflammations, we all have them. It is when

the hemorrhoidal cushiness become too big (inflamed) that problems occur – pile or pathological hemorrhoids.

Causes of piles A number of factors are responsible for the development of piles.

Irregularity in bowel movement with susceptibility toward constipation and diarrhea is one of the causes.

Absence of fibre in the food and imbalanced diet with insistence on junk food contributes.

Hereditary factors may also,

be responsible for the pathogenic condition of piles.

Constipation aids the condition of piles by giving way to prolonged straining.

Pregnancy may wall give rise to the condition of piles with the developing fetus exerting pressure on the vascular structures.

Obese people and those prone to long hours of sitting are also, more likely to develop piles.

An obstruction or abnormal growth on the way to the canal can also lead to piles.

Other factors contributing to

the pathological condition of piles including age and vascular structure guarding the anal passage lack in valves.

Straining when passing stool and lifting heavy weights.

How do you known you have pile (symptoms) Any individual with piles may experience the following.

A hard lump may be felt around the anus. It consists of coagulated blood called a thrombosed external hemorrhoid. This can be painful.

1 hemorrhoids, but also, inside the anus when passing a stool, they may get pushed out, but return unaided.

Grade 3 – often called prolapsed hemorrhoids, these appear outside the anus the patient may feel them hanging out. They can be pushed back in if the patient presses with finger.

Grade 4 – these cannot be pushed back in and need to be treated by a doctor. They are large and stay out side the anus all the time.

External hemorrhoids are

After going to the toilet, a feeling that the bowels are still full.

Bright red blood after a bowel movement.

Itchiness around the anus.

Mucus discharge when emptying the bowels.

Pain while defecating The area around the anus may be red and sore.

Hemorrhoids are classified into four grades.

Grade 1 there are small inflammations usually inside the lining of the anus. They are not visible.

Grade 2 – larger than grade

called perianal hematoma.

These are small lumps that are located on the out side edge of the anus. They can be painful if blood clot forms inside (thrombosed) external hemorrhoid.

The blood vessels around the anus and in the rectum will stretch under pressure and may swell or bulge.

Inflammed veins (hemorrhoids) can develop when pressure increases in the lower rectum. This may be due to chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea, pregnancy.

Blood in the stool

“Both forms of hemorrhoids lead to bleeding after the passage of bowel, a feeling of discomfort and fullness. In extreme cases when hemorrhoids tend to prolapse, it is accompanied by pain, irritation which intensifies on straining.”

With

O.C. Madu GSM: 08056379608 For internal hemorrhaiods, the doctor may perform a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) or use a proctoscoped.

The protoscope allows the doctor to see the anal canal and may recommend laborator of analysis.

What to do As straining leads to pain and discomfort to minimise he concerned effects steps should

be taken to soften stool and loosen up bowel movements.

Diet high in fibre content can ensure substantial relief.

Therefore, whole grains, brain and green and leafy vegetables.

Your lifestyle will be changed.

Water is the best drink and the patient may be advised to increase his or her water intake, too much caffeine is not good.

If the patient is obese, losing weight may help, reduce the incidence and severity of hemorroids.

Try not to strain when you go to toilet.

Normal sleep and regularised bowel habits should be adopted.

Sufficient helpings of fruits, yellow and green vegetables will help to overcome the conditions of constipation a condition which aids the existence of pile.

Diet centering merely an fruits is also recommendable.

The fruit centric diet serves

significantly in over coming the malady of constipation.

Avoid spicy food items and those of synthetically flavoured drinks.

Avoid sugar and related product.

Rome remedies – Herbal.

Banana is known to be a good laxative to prevent constipation.

A concoction made out ginger time and mint is effective in keeping the system cool and free from toxins.

Juice made out of radish is another natural options whereby, you are able to flush out your system thereby, minimizing the painful discomforts of piles.

Turn up leaves are also, effective in the cure.

It is important that persons afflicted with piles go for diet oriented towards fruits and vegetables.

Sufficient amount of water should be taken to flush out the toxin.

Taking warn shower in water enriched with few drops of evalyptus oil may prove to be equally relieving.

Adopt a dietary regimen focusing on high fibre content and reduced fat and spicy elements, equal insistence should be given on avoiding caffeine, alcohol and carbonated drinks and junk foods.

Some of the excellent herbs to cure piles are butcher’s broom is proved to be one of the commonly used herbs in the case of piles steroids.

Horse chestnut piles can also, be healed completely using horse chestnut which is found to be one of the excellent herbal cures for the problem of same.

Bilberry can also be used which is unanimously used herbal remedy.

Piles refer to physical condition whereby, there is an inflammation of the vascular structures guarding the anal canal. Owing to the inflammation of the hemorrhoids on blood vessels guarding the anal passage, the pathogenic condition of pile develops.

It is imperative that the persistence of condition of pains and swelling will need the expert opinion of your health provider.

For more counselling the writer will be of help to you.

Peace and loves.

... Thing Called Nigeria (2) Issues Cutting Edge Continued from pg 13

only the military.) This might sound surprising to some us as the mere mention of coups reminds us of the military putsches that have punctuated our political transitions over the years; interruptions that have slowed down our growth as a people and stalled our match to nationhood. But I am not talking about military interregnums in the strictly traditional sense of the word, but about a take-over orchestrated by the elites; a coup against Nigerians by, first, our foreign colonial masters, and secondly by our internal colonialists: our own brethren. These two groups of Orangutans masterminded the coyest, cockiest design in the political history of this country, starting from 1914 when the first coup was staged, and have zapped our most crucial rights to selfdetermination as a people, as is normal in coups, setting the stage for the macabre dance of death that our politics have become muddled up in today.

Nothing separates the several fraudulent takeovers of government by these mercenaries in mufti, from the inglorious actions of their military cohorts - both usurp political authority under the flimsy pretexts of political expediencies; both are exploitative; both are illegitimate; both deny human rights; and both rely on the use of brute force.

In this order of force, the security forces – military, police etc - constitute the strong arm of the state: enforcement agents of the state’s iron will and shield from threats of any shade.

They are used in beating any form of opposition – real or imagined - into line, especially during crisis situations, when they expose their murderous fangs for all to see. Their main job description is to repel any

attack on the political and economic foundations of poverty in this country, and to ensure the continued existence of this exploitative system where a minute 1% of the population continues to enjoy over 80% of this country’s wealth. These trigger-happy goons shoot first and ask questions later.

They live outside the ambits of any known law, and thus, act arbitrarily, without recourse to any form of censorship; outlaws, who are laws unto themselves; masters of the law, who believe that peace should be projected through superior firepower; that conflict, can only be avoided through the projection of fear. They are professional killers, who delight so much in their sadistic duties that they close their ears to all entreaties to pause in their bullish strides.

Just like the notorious British Rangoon’s and Redcoats of the old English army, these bloody scallywags habitually lap up the instructions of their commanding officers to unleash mayhem on defenseless civilians, cutting down many in their mad fury, under the sassy pretexts of keeping the peace. They represent the monstrous face of this arrangement; modern day replicas of the legendary Attila the Hun, whose only language is fire, brimstone and sulfur – which they ceaselessly reign down on those bold enough to stand up to the imposturous prescriptions of their masters. They are the vicious hit-men, who are used in maintaining this order of inequality where the mad quest for dominion and profit takes pre-eminence over other considerations; the supposed sworn protectors of the realm. They are simply imbecilic robots in whose psyche the use of terror is deeply ingrained.

The Judases, who have

steered the rudderless ship of this country since independence, have surprisingly had a smooth sail. The traitors among us have had fun stamping on us without attempts from any quarters to stop this impetuous display of bravado. Apart from some isolated and largely muted

With Obuseh Jude GSM: 08033510173

“They are used in beating any form of opposition – real or imagined - into line, especially during crisis situations, when they expose their murderous fangs for all to see. Their main job description is to repel any attack on the political and economic foundations of poverty in this country, and to ensure the continued existence of this exploitative system where a minute 1% of the population continues to enjoy over 80% of this country’s wealth.” protests here and there, it has been a jolly ride for these wily, wild, wild cowboys.

From the heroic, but blunted attempts of the country’s founding fathers, the

the impetuous, braggadocios and primitive dispositions of these Neanderthals (the postcolonial hegemonic forces) have been barely questioned.

continued to win one pitched battle after another because of their control of the resources of the state which they have unfairly used to

Visigoths, Vandals, Huns, Tatars, Mongols and other Barbarian tribes. It is simply a contemporary order of slavery run by a pack of loathsome Hyenas. It has ensured that

successive attempts by the civil society, especially during the bloody years of the Jackboot boys, the largely textbook efforts of the intelligentsia, to the muted sounds of a minute section of the vocal public,

Due to their single-minded class consciousness, they have had the upper hand in their war against us; a war without any known formal rules of engagement; an asymmetrical war in which the forces of evil have

their own advantage. From the control of government at different levels, which automatically guarantees the control of the country’s mineral wealth, the subversion of elections, and withholding of desperately needed funds, the elites have had a field day slaughtering the general will.

But who is to blame for the one sided outcome of this ongoing war? Please don’t hazard any guess!

This is a jumbled up order in which the domination of man by his fellow man has

Nigeria remains a business centre run by political merry men and women; the happygo-lucky ones among us, who prevent “others” from joining their party. It is a merry-goround customized to accommodate only the few privileged ones. This personalization of the country, which was meant to suit the fancy of the journey-men in our midst, formally laid the faulty and quake-prone foundation that has continued to define citizen-state relations till date. That is sadly the other of things in this called Nigeria.

I sign off until next week!

“This is a jumbled up order in which the domination of man by his fellow man has been injuriously executed with the kind of callousness rivaled only by the bestialities of the Visigoths, Vandals, Huns, Tatars, Mongols and other Barbarian tribes.”

been injuriously executed with the kind of callousness rivaled only by the bestialities of the

(CONCLUDED)

Perspective

ONE of the developing dynamics observed in the Nigerian polity in recent times, is this fear of the possibility of Nigeria breaking up due to its current prevailing challenges.

In fact, it has been observed that majority of Nigerians no longer believes in or have confidence in the present structural arrangement of the country and the way things are going. It was for this reason and many others, we believe, the present administration initiated the just concluded National Conference, because there was the obvious need for Nigerians to come together to fashion out a way of living with one another. There is no doubt that a country that has become as fractions as Nigeria needs to put its acts together.

It is not for nothing that the country is bedeviled by challenges, some of which touch dangerously on its oneness. But despite the concluded Confab, many Nigerians are still unsure if anything concrete will come out of the exercise. And as such, some are still skeptical about Nigeria’s Unity, especially in the face of prevailing circumstances and the election year ahead.

It is often said that “United we stand, divided we fall”.

This is hinged on the premise that for any group of persons, no matter how small (be it a nuclear family, a village, a country), to actualize desired goals, dreams and aspiration for the good and betterment of those concerned; there has to be ‘unity’-which is the quality of being ‘united’ into one, usually for making progress and moving forward. And for any country or society; unity of varying interests and people that make it up, is the foundation upon which everything else can be built and sustained. Without it, everything else cannot be built and sustained. Without it, everything else regarding the progress, and even the existence of a society cannot stand.

Perhaps, it is the importance of this ‘unity factor’ that has made many relevant stakeholders in Nigeria, both in government and outside government, to every now and then speak out and reiterate that Nigeria’s unity is a must

and that the country cannot disintegrate, irrespective of the happenings in the polity.

The current concern and outcry regarding the Unity of Nigeria and the integrity of its sovereignty obvious arose from the general insecurity and worsening levels of poverty and hardship that has taken its toll on the country in recent years. The deplorable situation of Nigeria has created “anxieties” over the long announced disintegration of the entity called Nigeria by both foreign analysts and groups. For instance, the United States of America Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on its website some time back stated that Nigeria will disintegrate before the year 2015. Others, including the dreaded sect called Boko Haram has threatened that President Goodluck Jonathan may be the last President of a united Nigeria.

Although, there seems to be logic in the speculations made by both domestic and international observers; judging from the level of increasing hardship and insecurity that has claimed hundreds of lives of innocent Nigerians and even foreigners alike, which has created fears and anxieties in the minds of the citizenry, however, we are strongly of the opinion that in spite of all; Nigeria will not disintegrate nor divide as a result of its overwhelming problems. As a matter of fact, we are of the opinion that everything within the power of the people and its leaders, should be done to ensure the unity of Nigeria. We also believe there are so many factors and attributes in Nigeria that will make it impossible or very difficult for Nigerians to allow for the disintegration of its country on ethnic or religious grounds.

Aside the fact that the advantages of a united Nigeria far outweigh that of a disintegrated Nigeria, there are several existing and well established factors already in the country that will make Nigerians not to easily support the idea of breaking up.

One of such factor is the interwoven, intertwined and inter-relations existing within and between Nigerians which spans over a century. And with

On The Indivisibi

By ZIK GBEMRE, JP

each decade that passed down the line, as more states were being created with the ever increasing population and economic business activities, the ‘bond’ of this interconnectivity has continued to grow. As Chief (Dr.) Jonathan Adio Obafemi Olopade OFR, recently noted in an interview after he clocked 88 years that: “Nigeria can never break up. There are too many reasons why Nigeria can never break up. We are so interwoven that I have very good friends from the Northern part of the country and the Eastern part where I grew up. Friends that I can tap their doors and enter their houses and eat and sleep comfortably. The same thing in the West. Why do you want to break up? Those saying that are those who do not understand what is going on in the minds of the people. Some people who want to build up their names are the people shouting that Nigeria will break up. We cannot compare the defunct Soviet Union with Nigeria today. Look at Ukraine from the old Soviet Union today it is in crises.”

The truth is that Nigeria as it is today has become so interwoven to the extent that its break up would not be easy at all. As Chief Olopade noted, we have friends in different parts of Nigeria that are even closer and trustworthy than family members. There is also the issue of Nigerians having several business investments and personal properties in different parts of the country outside their state of origin. No one would want to encourage or instigate issues that would bring about such break up in the country which would adversely affect their investments/property. Most Nigerians are even working in different cities that are not part of their State of origin. The only possibility we can see in the current Nigeria make up is that our diversity and differences will only end up making us stronger and better as a people. But for that to be

truly assured there is need for the custodians of the nation’s resources and wealth to judiciously use same to better the lives of its citizenry.

In other words, the unity and peace of Nigeria as a sovereign entity is dependent on our political leaders. The togetherness and progress of Nigeria as one indivisible nation squally depends on our political leaders actions/ inactions in government circles at all levels. Our Nigerian Political Leaders cannot be saying they do not want the nation to divide or the nation cannot divide but yet, they do things that have the propensity to make the nation break up. For instance, Nigerian Political Leaders have been known to always execute/establish projects/ programmes not according to the needs of the general masses but according to their self-centered needs; usually along ethnic or tribal or religious or political party lines. We see these both at the Federal levels and State Government levels. That is why there is usually so much crises and bad blood before, during and after elections; of who should occupy public office. This is because there is this mindset that once a particular ethnic group succeeds in occupying a sensitive public office like the Office of the President or Office of the State Governor, those from the same ethnic group as the one occupying the public office in question, will be the ones to ‘enjoy more of the so-called dividends of democracy’ and benefit more from the national cake. Some ethnic group is even of the mindset that the ruler-ship of this country is their birthright while others should just be the appendages.

This is the bedrock of all the problems we have concerning the Unity or possible break-up of the country called Nigeria.

Imagine a situation where political leaders are known to site Federal or State Projects/ Establishments in their places

“A well planned Nigeria that is not built on the foundation of ethnicity, tribalism, lawlessness and corruption, will become the strongest nation in Africa.”

of origin instead of where such Projects/Establishments are needed most. For example, the current Federal administration under President Goodluck Jonathan decided to site a Nigerian Law School in Yenegoa in Bayelsa State where he comes from, instead of Warri, Delta State, which is home to most veteran and aspiring lawyers in the SouthSouth region of Nigeria and also home to one of the best and most active branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). We have also had former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, who while in Office sited The Delta State Teaching Hospital and a Standard State Stadium all in his home town, Oghara instead of Warri or Sapele where we have more population and

offices, nobody will worry about the possible breakup of the country. That is, Political leaders who would consider the country (for a President) or the State (for a Governor), as their own constituency and they are willing to execute the demands of their office for the general good of all, irrespective of tribe, ethnicity, religion or political party affiliations. We once had political leaders of the old Western Region like late Obafemi Awolowo who had concentrated more development projects in Ibadan where we had more population and not his home town Ikenne in Ogun State. He understood the need to site these Regional presence projects where they were needed most and not be carried away by selfish expectations of his people.

urbanization. Oghara is just a small community with a small population; hence, these State Government Projects/ Establishments like the Stadium are practically wasting. The remote location of the Delta State University Teaching Hospital in Oghara is also not helping very sick patients to locate in good time, especially in an emergency.

Not to mention the transportation stress medical practitioners and hospital workers have to go through daily just to be at the teaching hospital.

It is for this reason that we believe that once we start having political leaders who are devoid of ethnic/tribalistic tendencies in various public

A well planned Nigeria that is not built on the foundation of ethnicity, tribalism, lawlessness and corruption, will become the strongest nation in Africa.

But in order for this to happen, and for us to get to that ‘Promised Land’, a whole lot of issues has to be addressed and put in place; starting with the integrity and efficiency of our electoral system in guaranteeing that those elected to serve in various public offices are the choice of the Nigerian majority.

When we have the ‘right political leaders’ in government circles, Nigerians are then sure of seeing the other pressing

issue addres A lo lot is s possib not, o Presid month fears t disinte that h over a He ac that th made seces never “I do assert challe count 1966 w four, w challe when

Boro dec the Niger “In 196 War. Oju secessio Republic but we a there are affected t just bec detonati probably level of a Delta, w almost un begin to p disintegra disintegra psyche o the civi easterner member country c

Perspective

ility Of Nigeria

s in the country ssed holistically. ot has been said and a still being said about the ble disintegration or of the Nigerian entity. dent Jonathan some few hs back, allayed the that Nigeria would not egrate. In fact, he added he would not preside a disintegrated country. cknowledged the fact here are challenges, and historic references to sion attempts which succeeded. His words, on’t agree with the ion. Nigeria may have enges, just like other tries. I remember in when I was in primary when we had the first enge in the Niger Delta, the late Isaac Adaka

clared secession and r Delta Republic.

67, we had the Biafra ukwu declared the on of the Biafra . We had a civil war, are back together. So e major issues that the country. It is not cause people are ing bombs here or because there is some agitation in the Niger which, of course, is nder control, then we predict that we would ate. A country that will ate you can study the f the people. During il war, the Southwas the bulk of the of the proposed new called Biafra. Now the

Igbo’s have investments across the country. Go to the South-West, go to the North.

You would see the Northerners have investments even in my village; as small as my village, they bought lands. People who want to disintegrate will begin to shift back into their own geopolitical zones. The behaviour of Nigerians do not really show that we are going to disintegrate. Look at us because of ethnic diversities we are beginning to predict that we would disintegrate-but we will not disintegrate. I will not preside over a country that will disintegrate. I assure you that we will remain one united nation”.

In as much as we agree with some of the stands of the President on the assertion that

Nigeria will not disintegrate, however, this stand will not happen or remain by mere wishful thinking. Many Nigerians, like us, do not believe that the fight/struggle for integration or otherwise should be fought with ‘words and diction’. They called on the Federal government to fame the increasing insecurity and poverty that are seemingly making the predictions a reality.

Regrettably, there is little to indicate that the current administration has plans to develop an “appropriate national strategy” or even to judiciously follow/execute that which is already planned, to holistically deal with terrorism in Nigeria. But while Nigerians are used to the rhetoric of the

present government, we are sure his audience at the UN expected to hear, not empty talk, but the ‘practical proactive steps the government has taken to tackle terrorism in Nigeria.

His UN assembly audience would also have been interested in leaving what the Nigerian government was doing or has done to address other serious issues, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to healthcare, qualitative education, all of which ‘infringe on the fundamental rights of all peoples to life and to live in safety from year”. But it did not happen and it was not surprising. Under the present administration, we have come to expect more “rhetoric and less action”.

Like the explanation given above by President Jonathan, regarding his disagreement with the assertion that Nigeria would disintegrate; we do not know whose psyche the present administration has been studying, but to dismiss the threat of an imminent national implosion on the basis that people are not “shifting back into their own geo-political zones,” would have been laughable except that is misleading and terrifying. But even at that, the ‘reality’ does not support the president’s position. Across the country, there are thousands, if not millions, of displaced people fleeing violence and natural/ palpable threat to their lives.

Many of those who have not moved may have no place to go having lived in their current locations for decades.

Nigerians leave their homes everyday not knowing what to expect. It is only by God’s grace and mercy that many live through the day. Not since the civil war has there been this level of anxiety, uncertainty and insecurity. Whether we believe it or do not want to hear it, the ‘reality’ is that Nigeria, with the way things have been going, is on the brink. The frightening truth is that the “war” this time will not be between any clearly defined ethnic nationalities. It is for this reason that we should be concerned.

There is nothing secred and different about Nigeria. Our country, like many of the 54 countries that make up the Commonwealth of Nations, was the result of British Commercial and expansionist interests. However, unlike some other countries born out of colonial or imperialist conquest, Nigeria has managed to survive for 50 years. We should not take our unity for granted. Nations survive and maintain cohesion through concerted efforts, not ‘wishful thinking’. We hope President Jonathan does not think that by saying Nigeria will not disintegrate, that is enough to secure the unity of the country.

There are ominous signs all around us. Indeed, it is a miracle that Nigeria has survived for a long considering the decades of abuse it has suffered in the hands of ‘supposed’ political leaders.

Of course, we can agree on one thing. The current crisesridden situation in the country, whether it is infrastructural deficiency, the collapse of public institutions, or the lack of national ethos, did not start with the Jonathan administration. But the job of a President, particularly one at a period of national emergency, is to show a sense of urgency and courage in confronting problems. These two factors are lacking in the way the country is currently being run.

But the fact still remains that Goodluck Jonathan is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and holds the destiny of over 160 million people in his hands. For that reason, we all should desire to see him succeed. We should want to see him succeed. His failure does not bode well for the future of the Nigeria project. But for a man who claimed he had to walk to school without shoes, President Jonathan, now the proud owner of all kinds of designer shoes, does not look like a President in a hurry to “walk the talk”.

Today, Nigeria is bedeviled with all manner of problems that are threatening its existence. Boko Haram insurgency that started in the North and spread throughout the country; the Niger Delta

Militancy that has refused to go away; incessant strikes in both the health and education sectors that has given Parents/ Guardians and the general masses sleepless nights; the deplorable state of our transportation system; the issue of corruption in higher places that is daily crippling the nation’s economy; the rising poverty and unemployment levels; and more recently, the Ebola virus disease that is gradually spreading, the list is endless. All of these have led and contributed to the present insecurity situation and hardship in the country presently. But we are where we are today as a nation, as a result of series and strings of “unjust/ wrong political decisions/ policies made by past and present political leaders.

The political unrest spreading across the globe, especially in the middle east like an untamable wild fire certainly is a sign of changing times and the obvious fact there is increased awareness that the leaders just talk and never walk the walk. This unrest can be seen all across the continents, even the almighty United States was not left out. We only pray that it stays away from Nigeria as the late Fela sang in one of his songs, “these uprising shall bring out the beast in us.”

Nigeria is known, especially to foreigners as the most peace loving people on earth, little wonder Afro-beat legend Fela Kuti, in another song sang; “suffering and smiling”.

Nigerians are known to smile while suffering. As Nigerians, we totally concur with that.

Howbeit, the days of complete ignorance are over. Nigerians ask questions and more questions these days and are becoming increasingly restless and agitated and we fear that this agitation is at the verge or threshold of an uncontrollable outburst which may bloom into a colossal revolt. Our younger generations are becoming more interested and getting more enlightened and observant of the world’s policies and how these affect their lives and future. The interest has become a tool for self-enlightenment and ideological mass mobilization. And they have been enduring the years of disappointments, shattered hopes and failed promises left by their father’s generation,

most of who are still in the corridors of power. It is a deaf and blind government that refuses to read between the lines about the mounting anxiety and happenings in the country.

Like we noted earlier, it is the inadequate and failures of Nigeria’s past and present leaders in various government circles/levels that have culminated and is still building up to the shades and pockets of insecurity, poverty and all manners of dehumanizing living conditions across different parts of the country.

The annoying aspect is that our so called political leaders, because of their ‘privileged positions’, have no inkling neither are they empathic about the sufferings of the masses.

They send their families to the best schools and health care delivery across the world, while the Nigerian people are forced to make due with whatever that is left at home.

The question we are forced to ask is, what has the Nigerian government all these years been doing with all the billions of trillions of Naira yearly budgeted and claimed to have been invested in the various sectors of the country? if they claim to have invested so much every now and then, how come they and their families members are not patronizing these sectors? The truth is that we do not have “Leaders” in Nigeria political circles, what we have are “rulers” who rule without consideration.

However, in spite of all these disturbing prevailing circumstances, we strongly believe that Nigerians will come out of the dark tunnel stronger and better. On the issue of us disintegrating God will not allow that to happen.

We only pray that our leaders will understand the long-rope and grace given to them by the creator, so that they can make amends and honestly start using the nation’s vast wealth for the betterment of all, and not some privileged few. We believe no condition is permanent. However, whatever evil our political leaders are sowing today, they should also remember that they will surely reap it; one way or the other.

We pray and ask that they should change their misguided ways for posterity sake. Let the right thing be done. This we urge.

“Like we noted earlier, it is the inadequate and failures of Nigeria’s past and present leaders in various government circles/levels that have culminated and is still building up to the shades and pockets of insecurity, poverty and all manners of dehumanizing living conditions across different parts of the country.”

Issues View Point

Science, Space Colonisation And God

“Science bestowed immense new powers on man And at the same time created conditions which Were largely beyond his comprehension and Still more beyond his control” Winston Churchill (18741965)

MAN in his natural quest to conquer, subdue, explore, exploit and understand a complex world has applied fundamentally radical research, investigation , analysis, trials and errors, doubts and guesses to build blocks of facts and discoveries that have eviscerated him from the bowels of “mental Erebus” precipitating cyclopean serendipity.

In 1860, Anthony Trollope, British novelist, said: “All mankind has heard much of ‘M. Lesseps’ and his Suez Canal …. I have a very strong opinion that such canal will not and cannot be made, and that steam navigation by land will and ought to be the means of transit through Egypt”. The Suez canal was opened only nine years later and proved to be one of the most heavily – used shipping lanes in the world.

In his book the “Admired of the Ocean Sea”, Samuel E. Morrison, cited the impossibilities highlighted by the Royal Committee appointed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain in 1490 on the great impracticability of voyage to the

CHIEF Orji Uzor Kalu is not facing the greatest opposition because of the political animosity the man at the helm of affairs in Umuahia, Abia State, has been showing against him. What the international business man, renowned peacemaker and ex-governor of Abia State does understand is that while he is persecuted unjustly by his perceived political foes, he is closest to his biggest miracle on earth.

That could be the philosophy that has kept Kalu moving. For a long period of calmness on how his traducers in the present Abia State Government have hounded him for no fault of his through blackmails and character assassinations, the Igbere-born outspoken personality bared his mind in the article – Reign of terror by Abia triumvirate – on his Column, The Sun, Saturday, August 9 2014.

It was obvious after reading that article that Kalu did not stand for pride and selfishness.

Notwithstanding, some of us knew that he would face a first degree attack from the attack dogs of the government that he told the truth in the face without mincing words. They knew that

By BOBSON GBINIJE

New World, much more the discovery of a shorter route to India. But to their uttermost surprise, this became a reality that changed the Americas.

In 1610, some group of Aristotelian professors, who were contemporaries of Galileo, made a pronouncement on his discovery of Jupiter’s moon thus “Jupiter’s moon are invisible to the naked eye and, therefore, can have no influence on the Earth and, therefore, would be useless and, therefore , do not exist.” They have ever since been proved wrong.

In 1873, Sir Erickson, a British surgeon, doubted the possibility of surgery on the chest, abdomen and brain. He was proved wrong in 1881 by Dr. Albert Christian Theodore Billroth who performed the first successful operation for stomach cancer.

This penumbra of vagueness and doubts also predated the invention of the Radio, Television, Aircraft, the Submarine, Automobiles, the Atomic Bomb , Atomic Fuels, Landing on the Moon, rockets, Locomotives, etc.

However, mention must be made of the doubts and controversy that engulfed the invention of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBN). The United States Senate set up committees to look into the invention. In one of the reports submitted in 1945 by Dr.

Kalu hates false personification of power; he does show his love, strength and independence in the wilderness of cowards, as many people aren’t wont to showcasing.

I’ve read many attacks from the government’s aides against Kalu since he published that article. But without mentioning names so that the government does not see me as one of the Kalu’s aides, I would say that Kalu did a profound analysis of ‘truth’ in that article and wish the government would learn from the points that Kalu raised therein.

If Kalu hated anybody or the government in his home state, he would have been very far and would not make any contribution to better the lots in that state. But that was not the case for Kalu who is not muddled in all ramifications.

Kalu is not like a growing cancer that stays silent; he does not show the trait of a coward; he does not see such trait as intelligent for anyone who does not stand for himself, according to the dictates of the society. At least, Kalu wants all to know what he stood for.

Instead of attacking Kalu unreasonably, I would have

Vannever Bush, he stated. “there has been a great deal said about a 3.000- miles high angled rocket shot from one continent to another carrying atomic bomb and so direct as to be a precise weapon which could hit a city ?

“I say technically, I don’t think anyone in the world knows how to do such a thing. I wish the American people would leave that out of our thinking”. Today, assorted ranges of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) litter nooks and crannies of the world. Man’s insatiable appetite for adventurism and discoveries and his natural bent for escapades has given birth to cryonics, cloning and space odyssey, etc.

The desire to unravel the mystery of the universe initially gave rise to the terrestrial telescope that revealed the planetary structure or planets of the solar system. Astronomers and space technologist have continued to discover new things hitherto thought non-existent.

They have discovered a 10 th planet and more. Instead of the former nine which were Mercury, Venus , Earth , Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

The joint development effort by the old Soviet Union and America led to the building of the Sotyuz-Salyut Spaceship as predicted by Sir Bernard Hovell.

This has evinced the

establishment of permanent robot manned and unmanned spaceship in orbit around the earth and other planets. Robots now man the asteroids. unmanned interplanetary investigation has gained currency amongst technologically advanced

to revitalize space exploration with a view to its exploitation.

Nearly all the stars in the galaxy are being tagged with breakthrough in physics and biophysics, larger space stations, permanent scientific communities on the moon and manned exploration of all stars are being projected.

With all these breakthrough “Man “ is poised and on the threshold to planetary colonization through robotics and manned space –craft. It is the

Nations. China, France and Britain are making great strides in these regards.

The discovery of fossils: recognizable part, trace or imprint of a prehistoric animal or plant in the Planet Mars has latently accentuated the drive and search for extraterrestrial life.

The mystery of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) has also done same. All these have tended

thematic thrust and scientific motive of man in the 21st Century, with America through NASA and Russia through its Space Science Association taking the lead. The launching into orbit of the Voyager, the Challenger and the Viking by the American Space Shuttle ,the landing on the moon of Russian Cosmonauts and setting up of a permanent Lunar Base for exploration and

scientific research, Japan’s sending inter-planetary probes to Venus, with virtually all developed Nations having Satellites in Space and China putting an Astronaut into orbit around the Earth : all these point to a burning desire of man to colonize Space.

If the colonization of space becomes a truism, it will be a culmination of many years of painstaking scientific research, the success of a desire to elucidate the crevices of the universe and the victory of a drive to extend the frontiers of a mysterious world. What, therefore, are the implications of fossil discoveries? Is there extraterrestrial life in space?

Where does the Bible, Koran, etc, stand in the light of these? And where does God Almighty stand.

The Almighty God is the creator of the Heavens, the Earth and the Stars. The constellation of the stars, and the milky way Galaxy which scientists are trying to unravel, is a creation of the Almighty it is, therefore , not out of place for man a spiritual and mental midget to strive to unravel the mysteries of God’s creation, for He has said: “I shall hide these things from the wise and reveal them to babes “and “the wisdom of men is foolishness in the sight of God.” It is a consummate and indefatigable truism that science does not contradict the works of God Almighty but complements them. Darwinism and the Principles of Creationism are cocooned in the throes of celestial, Rhomboidal and cosmological harmony. God cannot be an author of confusion.

He has created all of these for Man to extend and exploit the contours of his cerebral viosity.

Kalu Not Standing For Pride And Selfishness preferred that the aides of the government in Umuahia saw that article as an encouragement from a father to his child to do the rightful explorations in order to evade molestations from the society in the near future. That was how I saw Kalu’s article, not as an attack against the governor and the government in Umuahia.

It is obvious that a child that does not take the rebuttals of the father does not grow and does not master the art of whatever he or she is doing. That child will be over controlled by obnoxious anxiety and will continue to fail and the outside world will continue to overrun, maneuver and control such a child to the chagrin of the father.

I did not see Kalu’s position in that article like the voice of somebody that was insecure.

I’ve known Kalu as a man who does not show any sign of insecurity in whatsoever and he is a man who does not falsify the past from any angle one looks at it.

Kalu always makes his ways straight and his voice shows a

By RUBBY OBINNA

big difference, always looking for a reason to better the lots of humanity around him; and the government in Umuahia is a part of that humanity around him. I think those calling Kalu names should have seen him as a man who does not welcome dull moments, as one who copes with difficult times and as well, does everything within his coffers to rise above odd times.

Against this backdrop, the world could see that his God is always giving him blessings, but his traducers rather than see reasons to enjoy the mammoth experiences that Kalu is embedded with, they obviously think that their hearts are full to receive any outside advise let alone Kalu’s. Any government, group or person that has no love, has no power to exhibit to the society, except fierce and steady falsification of ideas to sell to the society. This is the reason Kalu calls for love and truth through his stream of consciousness so that any group or person who is showing any

sign of weakness can rise from slumber.

However, one Anthon St. Maarten, as if speaking to Kalu, was quoted as saying: Never shy away from opportunity and wholehearted living. Never be fearful of putting yourself out there. The courageous may encounter many disappointments, experience profound disillusionment, gather many wounds; but cherish your scars for they are the proud emblems of a truly phenomenal life. The fearful, cautious, cynical and selfrepressed do not live at all. And that is simply no way to be in this world.

But as if speaking to the government that Kalu was writing to about truth, Susan Forward, in her work, “Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life”, says: Just as verbally and physically abused children internalize blame, so do incest victims. However, in incest, the blame is compounded by the shame. The

belief that ‘it’s all my fault’ is never more intense than with the incest victim. This belief fosters strong feelings of selfloathing and shame. In addition to having somehow to cope with the actual incest, the victim must now guard against being caught and exposed as a ‘dirty, disgusting’ person.

Chief Orji Uzor Kalu should continue to stand in the shoes of compassion and tell truth to power without any form of biasness, although I have not read him as a myopic personality. He is always straight to the point. He should not degrade himself by listening to the side distracters like the aides of the government in Umuahia or bother to reply them. He should add to his solace with Israelmore Ayivor’s “The Great Hand Book of Quotes”, which says, faith has won it! Fear has lost it! When you get full of faith, the devil gets filled with fear! Keep your faith in light every day and you will keep the devil in fright always! To waste a life with fear is, really, the scariest thing.

Drumbeats

None Shall Be Barren (2) FRIENDS, what is the danger associated with disobeying traffic order?

What is the danger of refusing to take treatment once you discover that you have AIDS or CANCER? What is the danger of disobeying government rules and regulations? If you can answer the above question correctly, then you will also agree with me that there are dangers with barrenness.

The following are some of these dangers associated with barrenness.

1.

It leads to frustration: A man or woman who is barren is always faced with frustration.

The success of other people will frustrate him or her.

Frustration is dangerous and can contaminate your destiny.

Frustration is contagious, it led Cain into destroying his brother Abel and also led to his own destruction.

2.

It causes hypertension: Majority of the cases of hypertension are as a result of barrenness.

When a man or woman begins to think of what they could have achieved but have not due to barrenness on their side, he or she is led into much thinking. When we don’t think positively and always focus on the negative sides of our lives, then the end result is hypertension.

Hypertension is destructive.

Please be careful of what you allow into your heart.

3.

It causes reproach: One of the things we fear most in our lives is reproach from other people.

Barrenness in ones life can make members of ones family to reproach him or her.

Your friends and your enemies will reproach and mock you if you are not successful.

4.

It leads to early death: One of the major dangers connected to barrenness is that it leads to early death in ones life.

Majority of early death we

witness in our society are caused by barrenness. I have heard, seen and witnessed people who died when they should not have died early because of barrenness.

Barrenness in people’s lives could lead one into disobeying God and your pastor.

5.

It leads people into stealing: God is against us taking what does not belong to us. Even our society condemns stealing, our conscience tells us that what we are doing by stealing other people of their possessions is wrong. Whether you believe it or not barrenness has led several people into stealing.

Beware of the dangers of barrenness.

6.

Causes sickness in people’s lives: Most sicknesses that had defied medical attention and solution are as a result of barrenness. Barrenness attracts sickness and leads one into death. My prayer for you is for God to deliver you and me from all dangers of barrenness in Jesus name.

None Shall Be Barren The greatest power constant in achievement lies in your ability to stand in the word of God and claim his promises concerning you and use it to beautify your life and destiny.

“There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land the number of they days will fulfill. “Exodus 23:26.

Gods words is ultimate, He had declared that none shall be barren among us.

What is your problem? Is it financial, marital, emotional, physical? You many have found yourselves at the moment. The word of God to you is that you will not be barren in the land. Whether in the past or present instances of people who were barren and God turned their barrenness into a blessing abound every where.

“And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the

Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set times of which God hand spoken to him.

And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him; whom Sarah bare to him Isaac”Genesis2l:l-3.

If God could heal Abraham and Sarah of their barrenness and remove the reproach in their lives why can’t he do the same in your own life? Think of it once again God is not a partial God. His word declares that

heal you of your barrenness.

Are your creditors after you? Are you barren politically and financially?

Whatever the conditions and state of your barrenness God can still heal you of your barrenness.

“And Abraham was old, and well-stricken in age, and the Lord has blessed him in all things”Genesis2: I .

he is the same today, tomorrow and forever.

Why have you isolated yourself from God, friends and your family because of barrenness in your marriage and business? His word declares that with God all things are possible. His hands are widely opened to receive you and your problems irrespective of the magnitude of your barrenness.

Are you seeking for a child or you are in a state of dilemma maritally? God can

barrenness, financial barrenness, spiritual barrenness, marital barrenness and emotional barrenness.

“Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year hundredfold; and the lord blessed him. And the man waxed grate, and went forward, and grew until he became very great For he had possession of flocks and possession of herds, and great store of servants and the philistines

If God could bless Abraham in all things, it shows that he can also heal you from political barrenness, academic

“The greatest power constant in achievement lies in your ability to stand in the word of God and claim his promises concerning you and use it to beautify your life and destiny.”

With Apostle Dr. Raphael O. Ayemere 08035459593

envied him For all the wells which his father’s servants had dig in the days of Abraham his father, the philistines had stopped them, and filled them withy earth” Genesis 26:12-15 If God could heal Isaac of his barrenness and made him fruitful and caused his enemies to envy him, then he can also do the same for you and cause all those who had

of the ship, and ye shall find.

They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes” John 2:36.“Now when he had left speaking he said unto Simon, launch out into the deep, and let down your net for a draught And Simon answering said unto him, master, we have toiled all the night, and have

mocked you in the past to start envying you. God specialize in turning our sorrow into joy. He is interested in your case and he wants to help you out of your predicament. Don’t delay any further, please stop seeking solution from where it does not exit.

“Simeon Peter saith unto them I go a fishing; they say unto him, we also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately, and that night they caught nothing.

But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

Then Jesus saith unto them, children, have ye any meat? They answered him No. And he said unto them, cast the net at the right side

taken nothing, nevertheless at thy word 1 will let down the net And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes, and their net brake.

And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them.

And they came and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink When Simon Peter saw it he fill down at Jesus knees, saying depart from me, for l am a sinful man. O Lord For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken. “Luke 5:4-9.

Certainly, the God who healed Peter of his fishing barrenness at different occasions will also heal you of any barrenness that may have characterized your life in Jesus Name. Amen.

Opinion

Many Saw It Coming

Poor WAEC Result: AFTER many years of witnessing a downward trend in student performance, the West African Examination Certificate (WAEC) results have hit an all time low as 70% of Candidates failed in the May/June edition this year. Many saw it coming considering the dwindling allocation of resources to education in the country and the lack of quality teachers but the most important contributing factor has been the lackadaisical attitude of the students.

It’s not been so long since our time in Secondary School but there’s been a massive drastic drop in the quest for knowledge.

During our time, we wanted to be good, studied for long hours and even overnight and competed against ourselves.

Education was an active, big part and source of happiness in our lives but nowadays, take study out of a students life and he or she be happy. They like it easy and fun.

Success doesn’t just fall from heaven like our pastors want us to believe, it’s a result of hard work and proper preparation because you can’t give what you don’t have. Success is deliberate and so is failure. “There is no better future than through pen

By USHA and paper”, were my grandmothers last words to me.

For a woman who never saw the four walls of formal education and that I never saw her alive after hearing those meant I had heard from God himself and never took my books for granted. Even the bible says “study to show thyself approved...” but what do we see these days? Students are no more studying, they don’t. They are not driven or motivated by academic success anymore. Words such as Hard work, determination, perseverance, goals and all that are constantly losing value. The reality is that boys and girls are more conversant with Skelewu, Kukere, Dorobucci, Ukwu, Gobe and a host of other words that hardly have any meaningful contribution to their future. Many of them don’t know anything other than what’s on TV. If Don Jazzy, Davido and the likes haven’t sung it, they won’t know it. Social networks such as Facebook and 2go have not helped matters as they have become a hub for the waste of

THOUGH there may be genuine reasons for workers to embark on industrial action, but the regularity of strikes in Nigeria is worrisome.

Economic experts say that if the incessant strikes are not checked, Nigeria’s quest to be among the top 20 economies by the year 2020 may not be realised.

Stakeholders who spoke on the backdrop of the recent strike by members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), noted that most of the time, the raison d’ etre of workers’ strikes border on welfare and other pecuniary issues.

A professor of Economics at the University of Abuja, Sarah Anyanwu, said that generally, incessant strikes have adverse effect on the economy.

According to her, some of the effects are loss of national output, fall of Gross Domestic product (GDP) which was recently re-based, manpower loss and man-hour loss.

She said that the strikes in various sectors were having effects on the economy as they caused cost-push inflation and increase in the poverty level.

“ When there is strike, goods and services are not available, while demand will be high resulting to inflation.

“More so, the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is affected, because you will not have investors trust if the system is not stable as a result of frequent strikes.

“Our development objective of being among the top 20 economies by 2020 will not be realised when there are reoccurring lull in production of goods and services due to industrial actions.

The don said that when schools embark on strike, the manpower that should be produced for the economy is affected.

According to her, the loss of lives of bread-winners due to doctors’ strike causes poverty and puts pressure on families, society and the economy.

Anyanwu said that incessant industrial actions also increase political agitations as opposition politicians would always cash-in on such situations.

Mr Emeka Oraba, a Social Commentator, said that growth and development, whether in the health,

ANENGA

valuable study time. The whole day is spent “keeping up with the Kardashians”, chatting and all sorts of rubbish.

Students are busy browsing “cheats” or “expo” for WAEC exams and even after the results are out, one of the most searched topics on Google is “how to check WAEC result without scratch card”, why would you want to do that? Typical Nigerian attitude of cutting corners and it went horribly wrong this time.

WAEC board have argued that the abysmal performance is as a result of a clamp down on

“miracle centres” and other exam malpractices, suggesting it has always been this way but I bet not this bad.

I know there’s a lot for the government, parents and teachers to do but without commensurate effort from the students, there can’t be a fix for this. There need to be a change of priority and attitude in secondary students of this generation, they need to understand that there’s no way around academic excellence, hardly. Hard work and merit need to exalted and put in its rightful place for all to see and emulate.

Until these students learn to take responsibility, we’ll be talking about this or even worse for a long long time.

Usha Anenga (usha.com.ng and @UAnenga) is a concerned Nigerian?.

“Students are busy browsing “cheats” or “expo” for WAEC exams and even after the results are out, one of the most searched topics on Google is “how to check WAEC result without scratch card”, why would you want to do that? Typical Nigerian attitude of cutting corners and it went horribly wrong this time.”

Economic Consequences Of Workers’ Strikes

education or any other sector, is a continuous process.

He said that the nation loses millions of naira in capital flight because of the rising number of Nigerians seeking admission in foreign schools and those seeking medical treatment abroad.

“When an academic process gets interrupted with strike, all

By CHIJIOKE OKORONKWO

ongoing research get abandoned or delayed; students keep their books in shelves and when the strike is called off, both students and

Abdulwaheed Omar, NLC President

“Even though the amount of money lost as a result of the numerous strikes embarked upon by workers cannot be quantified, the amount lost during the 2012 petroleum subsidy strike was put at about N300 billion.”

lecturers are mentally weak.

“At the end of the day, they graduate with mere certificates instead of knowledge that could impact on the economy.

“In the health sector, many talented and gifted adults and children have died during doctors’ strike.

“Incessant strikes in our education sector has brought about an exodus of Nigerian students to universities in Ghana, South Africa, UK, U.S.A, India and even Malaysia.’’

He said that all efforts to curb medical tourism will be futile if the hospitals are always closed because of strike.

According to him, even people who ordinarily will receive medical attention in Nigeria, can be pushed into medical tourism; hence the loss of foreign exchange.

On the incessant strikes by members of the NMA and JUSUN, stakeholders want parties to come to amicable resolution in order to avoid loss of lives and denial of justice. “ Government hospitals are not functioning, while the courts are not sitting. “ Where do they want

somebody who has a bail application to go to since the courts are not sitting,’’ a litigant who came to a Federal High Court in Abuja, when the JUSUN strike started lamented.

Even though the amount of money lost as a result of the numerous strikes embarked upon by workers cannot be quantified, the amount lost during the 2012 petroleum subsidy strike was put at about N300 billion.

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who gave the figure said that the amount was not more than that because the economy was not totally shut down during the six-day strike.

She said that if the economy was totally shut down, the country would have lost about N500 billion for the period the strike lasted.

The amount quoted by the minister was lost only in six days; that shows the adverse effect of incessant strikes on the national economy generally.

Stakeholders want the government to do all within its powers to check incessant strikes, especially in the key and critical sectors of the economy.

(NAN).

Discourse Issues Ebola:

Creating Anti-Social Behaviour

EBOLA Virus Disease (EVD) or Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF) according to scientist is a disease that affects humans through physical contact which the infected person or through the handing of wild animal that are carriers.

The place of this virus in our society as an anti-social behaviours cannot be undermined. This is because the outbreak of this deadly disease has done more harm than good in our society.

Human relationship has greatly been affected to a large extent following the nature and how the virus could be transmitted from one person to another. There has been cases of deadly diseases but one have not seen any virus that is as scary as Ebola virus.

“Some people would joking say that HIV is a headache for where Ebola Virus is.

The fearsome deadly Ebola virus which is spreading graudually can be seen to have great negative effect and impact on human socialization in some ways.

First, it has broken the cultural valves of the people.

This is assertion is made because in most countries of the world like Nigeria, shaking of hands and hugging are seen as a way of greeting, but since the outbreak of Ebola, this mode of greetings has to stop in a bid to curtail the spreading of the disease, since that it is on record that the virus can be

SINCE we are now in the season of defection and redefection in Edo State I also want to defect.

Being that I am not a registered member of any political party my defection will not be from a party to another but from all other churches put together to the church of his lordship Pastor Ize-lyamu a social-political pastor of high political rigmarolism.

My main reason of defecting is that Pastors like T.B. Joshua, apostle Johnson Suleman, Adeboye, Apostle Osagiede, Felix Omobude, Kumuyi, Chris Okafor and the host of others are not carrying the political Christians along.

They don’t supervise and support the political Christians to actualise their political ambition even if it means eating and drinking with satan himself to actualise that ambition. That is why I am defecting to the church of Pastor Ize-lyamu who will support me to actualise my political ambition against public interest.

Again if his lordship becomes governor of Edo State in 2016, he will make me the commissioner of finance.

What a fantastic ambition? Is

By MBADUGHA KINGSLEY

contracted through such contact with the infected person. This claim was also confirmed as the Arch Bishops of Catholic Church has suspended the exchange of had shake which they called the “sign of peace” during the celebration of mass.

However, this is critical, because what Ebola is doing in our society is that it helps to foster suspicion and anxiety in communities. Take for instance, the medical implication; most health care workers and family members feel reluctant to attend to any ill patient. People are also very reluctant to go to health facilities to receive treatment because of fear of contracting the virus and this has affected the societal interaction that has been in existence.

Notwithstanding, the buying and selling of goods and services, going to public centre where there is a large crowd or population is now at minimal even now people are now afraid to enter buses because of the natural of Ebola Virus.

“I noticed that some people who decide to shake hands now does that with the tip of their finger and only very few people are ready to hug for the sake of

their friendship, Ann said”, a friend of mine residering in Delta State (Ibuza) Nevertheless, there are other deadly diseases such as HIV, Laser Fever and host of others,

that not what defecting and redefecting for?

If you like say my reason is selfish, self-centered and greedy. You are on your own, you are saying that because “na only you de waka com” if you had walked in with his lordship you will not feel that way. After all, greed is the motor of his lordship, selfishness is his goal, self centeredness is his values. Sit down look, come 2016 he will be governor and I will be commissioner of finance.

Many people have been asking me why I want to defect when other pastors are performing well in attending to the needs of the people spiritually and otherwise just as Governor Oshiomhole is attending to the needs of the people politically and otherwise. My answer has been and is still “na wetin dem do for people I go chop” How can what they are doing for people make me the commissioner of finance? How much money will what they are doing for people put in my pocket? As far as I am concerned it is me and me alone others can go to hell.

My other reasons for planning to defect are; the

other pastors are too spiritual, it is prayer and fasting, deliverance, preaching, confession, repentance, salvation etc. There is no room for political meetings, factionalisation of political party, issuing ultimatum to a governor, visiting Aso Rock for political negotiation.

The other pastors are always preaching against selfishness, greed, self centeredness, desperation in pursuing ones ambition. These are the tools I and his lordship needs to actualize our ambition in 2016.

Other pastors are always doing what will benefit the majority of the people, they pursue general interest against individual selfish interest. I am not comfortable with this because if things go along this way my 2016 ambition will suffer.

Since it is the usual practice of our politicians to bargain before defecting or redefecting, I will also like to bargain with his lordship before defecting to his church with my over 50,000 blind and visionless followers.

One; he will make me the treasurer/financial secretary/ chairman finance committee of his church.

but Ebola is an exception to all because as at now, it has no comparison.

Also, what put fear and anxiety in the minds of many is that it is very difficult to avoid body contact from people around you and man cannot live in isolation. Measures as avoiding body contact will be very difficult to be applied in country like Nigeria because of

her population.

Recently, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, (CBCN) has approved the reception of Holy Communion in the hand as a measure to curtail the further spread of Ebola Virus in the country. not only that, even the “Right of peace” which is the exchange of hand shakes in the catholic

church during mass celebration has been put to hold till further notice.

Ebola to a very high standard has threatened the relationships among individuals. Every body is now a suspect.

Lots of people who have fallen sick are not been neglected and some how ostracized because of the

nature of this deadly disease.

To the best of my knowledge, Ebola is like no other diseases that I have heard and witnessed.

When you see people seated in a bus, it seems as if they are sitting with the tip of buttocks been very careful to have a clear body contact to the peoples sitting next him/her.

Some guys in the University of Benin, Campus have taken the notion of saluting a instead of the usual hand shake.

It’s now, since the outbreak of Ebola Virus that guy and girls reject hugs.

Some of these students jokingly rejects hand shakes and hugs from friends while in the actual sense they are maintaining social distances.

Ebola Virus has left no one, that is it has no limitation, everybody is involve, the old, young and kids infact even the

good, the bad and the ugly are all involve in it. Ebola is a friend to no one not even the doctors.

That is the reason even the doctors are virtually more careful than everyone else.

The Almighty Evangelist according to a friends is Ebola, because no one has to preach to you to avoid immorality. In the case AIDS HIV, you can use some measure to an extent to avoid contacting it but Ebola is quite different.

Ebola Virus has hampered our relationship and socialization. It has caused stinginess among people. Nobody is ready or very much willing to give out something to be used.

Lately, I told my friends let’s go and swim but they all laughed, one of them said, the fear of Ebola is the beginning of quitting going to pool to swim.

Ebola Virus has done more harm than good to our social lives, religious and all that pertains to our society at large.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended the Primary/Secondary School resumption which supposed to start on 14th of September to 13th of October all because of the outbreak of the virus.

Ebola virus is a big threat to our country and the world at large. If this virus continue to spread, countries would have to declare state of emergency and they can ban international trade any form exchange that will warrant allowing alien to enter the country.

Conclusively, Ebola Virus is real and very much at work, so take a precautionly measure that can keep you from being a victim.

I Want To Defect

By UKHUN FELIX

Two; He will make me the Commissioner of finance in Edo State come 2016.

Three; He will make me chairman committee on defection.

Four; I will be a signatory to

the church and state account.

If he can agree on these I will defect immediately with my many puppet followers. I am also aware that politicians in Nigeria don’t keep to agreement. If after defecting,

he backs out of the agreement, I will redefect with my robot, zombie followers.

I have over 50,000 followers and these followers also have followers, so I can boast of over 10 million followers. Did I hear someone saying this number is phantom? “Na you sabi”.

Environment “The Care of human life and happiness, And not their destruction, is the First and only legitimate object Of good government”. [Thomas Jefferson] AS the quintessential epitomization of satyriasis lies and dovetails into saturnalian debauchery, so, nature abused, fights back with odium. Hence, Jean Louis Agassiz (1807-1873) observed that “The study of Nature is an intercourse with the Highest Mind. You should never trifle with Nature”.

Man, has horrendously abused Nature over the years and now Nature is vengefully fighting back with and through CLIMATE CHANGE”.

The climate change phenomenon has led to the horrid depletion of the Ozone Layer and has also precipitated disastrous climatological consequences on the planet Earth.

Resulting in delugial floods, droughts, tornadoes, gales, hurricanes, dermatological cancer, optical diseases and other multidimensional socio-economic aftermaths.

In Nigeria, the weatheriological and meteorological bodies have warned of the coming of floods of biblical proportion in over 30 states of the Federation. In the last flood disaster the Federal Government doled out Billions of Naira to statutorily obligated institutions charged with alleviating and checkmating the effects of the floods and to the State Governments.

Indeed, the Ministry of Works got 2.6Billion and an additional 556 Million, NEMA got 1.1Billion plus 1.24Billion, Ministry of Environment got 250Million plus 95Million, National Committee for Refugees got 150Million and Technical Committee on Flood Impact Assessment got 100Million.

These monies are exclusive of what the Federal

Government disbursed to the States and what various State Governments injected into the fight against floods, structures and compensations etc.

The torrential rainfall, the opening of the Lagdo Dam by the Cameroonian Authorities as it happened Last Year, the slow pace of work on the Kashimbilla Multipurpose Dam being constructed by the Federal Government in Taraba State, the Collective Leadership inertia in most States of the Federation and the lethargic pace of the 23 Dams being constructed across the country will definitely precipitate terribly horrendous floods.

The fight to checkmate the coming killer floods is on-going in Delta State, as illegal structures along drainage paths and waterways are being pulled down in Asaba, Warri, Sapele, Ughelli, Effurun, Agbor, Orerokpe, Aladja etc. In Warri the opening-up of culverts, bridges, waterways, gutters etc has gained intensive acceleration. The bridge along Lower Erejuwa Road, Ogboru/Nelson/Deco/ Avenue/Okandeji/Ope/ Omoine and Father Healey Streets are receiving commendable attention and personally supervised by Chief Omare, the Commissioner for Environment.

In short, I saw the Commissioner hired an engine boat (watercraft vessel) and went to superintend the quenching of a fuel barge conflagration on the warri River Opposite Warri Club/Naval Base and there were two water hyacinth tractors doing cleansing of the Warri

Countdown To The Killer-Floods

Delta State:

By CHIEF BOBSON IGBINIJE

River. These efforts must be commended.

But we must admonish the Commissioner and His Excellency Governor Uduaghan, that this is a Molehill in a Mountain and a tip of iceberg. They must note that Delta State, River State, Akwa-Ibom State, Edo State, Ondo State, Lagos State etc as litoral States experience more rainfall and hence floods than other states in Nigeria and must be fully prepared for the in-coming killer floods.

The sand filling and building of a Model School on the Warri Prison Rice Farm along Esisi Road by the Okere Bridge is wrong. That Rice Farm acted as a shoreline protection measure, flood comber, rain chamber and speed breaker to floods. We also wish to draw the attention

of the Hon. Commissioner and His Excellency to the Warri drainage plan brought from Holland by Late Chief (Dr) Esiri in 1963 and being executed by the then Warri Divisional Council, the Igberaja/Abeke Drainage plan for Sapele Urban Area of 1961 and the 1962 Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh sponsored Bill on flood exigencies and the creation of the Mid-Western Region etc.

We call for attention to be given to the Delta Development and Planning Authority Area Effurun (DDPA) and the NPA/Niger Cat/Ugbuwangue/Ughoton/ Jeddo/Ubeji and Ogbokodo as these areas have no viable and functional drainage systems and the existing ones are blocked by dirt. There is

“They must note that Delta State, River State, AkwaIbom State, Edo State, Ondo State, Lagos State etc as litoral States experience more rainfall and hence floods than other states in Nigeria and must be fully prepared for the in-coming killer floods.”

need for the channelization of the area and its environs into the Edjeba/Ugboroke/ Effurun etc Rivers and their tributaries. We admonish the commissioner and His Excellency that the Upper Ogunu, Okere Road/ Ajamimoghan, Esisi, Pessu, Alawuru, Agbassa, Mccliver Roads be channelized to the Warri river based on proximity to various points.

There must be massive sensitization based virtually on propaganda hype through Delta Television, Pointer Newspapers, Delta Fm radio and other communication medium to the people of Delta State on how to be prepared like the people of Oklahoma before the disastrous tornado in America. We are yet to see Waves/Flood breakers in our rivers. We call for the construction of flood/wave breaker in all our rivers in Delta State to forestall inundation due to flood breaker absence.

The Methuselah Sapele market that has been undergoing construction for over 8 years now after being burnt down should be dredged and beveled into the Sapele river to avoid floods getting into the town, if the

river Ethiope over shoots its Banks. The Sapele Urban Area should be channeled to the Sapele River and Ughelli town and its environs should be adequately channelized.

This is not Government effort alone. All hands must be on deck to forestall the in-coming devasting and killer floods.

We still call on Government to setup, exclusive of existing bodies, Delta State Flood Monitoring, Emergency, Rehabilitation and Refugee Assistance Body [DSFMERAB] to work with the People and all relevant Government Agencies to alleviate the shelter, refugees, health and food supplies problems etc.

Finally, the tidal surge of force majeure is no respecter of lives and properties. We admonish the Delta State Government and the Nigerian Government to do their best and we hope that their best will be good enough to forestall the draconic tentacles of the killer floods. Abraham Lincoln [1809-1865] posited that, “Beware of rashness, but with energy and sleepless vigilance go forward and give us victories”. We deserve the best from an Oil Producing State and it’s Leadership.

Issues Education And The Unemployment Factor

AN opinion pool was recently carried out in sampled towns in Anambra State by the author of this paper. Secondary school drop-outs were interview on why they left school to join trades. Parents were questioned why they no longer encourage their children to pursue secondary education.

The response was generally the same: “Investment in education these days no longer yield economic benefits; but investing, the same number of years and fund which would have been budgeted for education, in trade or business will yield greater pecuniary profit”.

It was primarily this mentality of our people that motivated me into outlining the following few considerations purposefully articulated in enlightening persons with such view and eradicating the view.

The main issues here therefore are: do we acquire education only for employment? Are there other benefits accruing from educating other than employment? How does the society benefit from individual’s education?

The problem is viewed from the cross -section of the society: studies in social science have provided data which indicate that the higher a family’s status, the more likely its children are to plan on acquiring education, to actually acquire it and later to graduate at higher institutions.

These also reveal that many talented young people in Nigeria who are unable to take advantage of opportunities for secondary and higher education are concentrated in families of lower socioeconomic status. More recent evidence indicates that a policy of government subsidies through scholarship for example, tends to favour your groups of students who on average come from higher income families. Whether the barriers to education in general are largely economic or social in nature remains unresolved, but it is apparent that educational opportunities aid unequally distributed.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS Economic benefits should not be considered with regard to the student alone. Other economic benefits exist.

Regardless of how universal education is defined, the heart of the matter is its efficacy in producing benefits not only for the individual about also for society. Frank Bowles (1966) stated the issue quite succinctly “Universal education is not, in itself a goal for our educational system. The goals are

intellectual, social, economic, cultural, political - the enlargement of knowledge, an open society, the advancement of the culture, freedom of opportunity, freedom of conscience and political expression - aspirations that are individual and aspirations that are collective.”

What are the “economic benefits” of education? The term itself is not precise in-asmuch as a variety of dimensions of benefit; may be regarded as economic and the line separating what is and is

not “economic” is often blurred.

It is useful to distinguish in other ways the various dimensions of both benefit and costs for example, there are monetary and non-monetary benefits. Monetary benefits higher earning - are economic benefits; more there can be measured in terms of Naira.

None-monetary benefits including the joys and pleasures derived from one’s education-might or might not be classified as economic; some non monetary benefits can be expressed in monetary equiva1 but others are difficult or impossible to quantify.

Further there are individual benefits and social benefits, that is the benefits which are captured by individuals as contrasted to the total benefits, including individual benefits, which accrue to society. The usual term for the difference between individual and total benefits to society is external benefits - those benefits produced by education but which cannot be captured by the individuals who obtained the education. Both individual and external benefits have a monetary and non-monetary components.

One often-cited piece of evidence is the relationship between education an occupational attainment. the

By REV. (DR.) J. C. ORAEMESI

general notion is that more education opens opportunities for individuals to enter better paying occupations. In general, the higher ranked occupations - ranked by income, prestige, and the like — are filled with the people who have vested more heavily in education.

Consequently, the relationship between educational attainment and occupational attainment is said to he quite positive. Efforts to identify and quantify all factors, so as to

the rising educational attainment explain 16-23 percent of the growth rate of the economy in the U.S. over the period 1929 - 57. Some other studies indicate values placed on the contribution of education to economic growth of that nation.

Despite such cited results, neither economists nor educators pretend to have any well-developed theories; that explains exactly how and why increased schooling facilitates

provide a more accurate statement of the effect of schooling on income have not been lightly successful. In summary, then, school and the facto is closely associated with it appear to have a strong impact on the economic rewards provided individuals in our society; in addition there are other satisfactions consumption benefits - which are not equally reflected in money earnings.

Here I shall cite some of the research studies carried out overseas on this issue. Some in the audience might ask, why not research works in Nigeria.

It is unfortunate to note that on account of lack to fund availability and governmental encouragement most of out higher institutions are not research oriented. How much fund is made available in this college, for example, for research? None. This is why we resort to oversea research centres. I do not want to be apologetic on this.

An indicator of the economic benefits produced by education (all levels) is provided by research studies on the relationship between investment in schooling and economic growth. The pioneering work of Schultz and Denison (1963) indicates that improvements in the quality of the labour force resulting from

occupational entry, enhances worker productivity increases earnings and ultimately helps to account for a more rapid rate of economic growth.

Another approach to the estimation of the economic returns to education, from the stand-point of both individuals and society, calls for a measure of the net economic benefits of education. Such a measure would permit us to combine costs (which are concentrated over a brief span of years in early adulthood) and the stream of benefits (which is spread over most of the remainder of a lifetime) by calculating the internal rate of return. This requires that future benefits be “discounted” to allow for the fact that far-distant benefits are valued less highly than benefits just a few years off in the future.

The internal rate of return generated by this procedure may be likened to the rate of return or the rate of intent received from placing funds in a savings bank, buying government bonds, or investing in corporate securities. Individuals will find it beneficial to invest in more higher education if the internal rate of return to education for the individual exceeds the rate of re turn to other types of investments.

The analysis here deals with two kinds of internal rates of return. The first is the individual rate of return, which summarizes the future benefits and costs as perceived by the individual. The costs include the income that is forgone while in school and the costs of books, tuition and incidental expenses connected with schooling. The second is the society’s internal rate of return, which summarizes future benefits and costs as perceived from the standpoint of the economy as a whole. Thus,

costs include not only the costs to the individual but also the subsidy provided by the taxpayers through below-cost tuition. Later section of this paper refers to these costs as total resource costs.

H I S T O R I C A L EVIDENCE ON BENEFITS Kotsching and Harris (1943) hypothesized concerning the U.S. that 1. Higher institution graduates would be in oversupply relative to the occupation they would seek to enter, with fewer and fewer educated people to do the less glamorous work; 2. The earnings of the higher institution graduates would fall relative to those of lesseducated groups; 3.

Widespread unemployment of higher institution graduates would result because of the nontransferability of skills; 4.

Idle, frustrated intellectuals would foment social revolution; 5. Larger productions of unqualified students would be enrolled in higher institutions, and as a consequence; 6. The social benefits to investing in higher institution training would decline.

Did these dire predictions materialize? Towards the end of the decade 4of the l950s the individual’s rate of return held

constant, at somewhere between 10 -15 percent reported economists. Thus the predictions did not materialize.

This is substantiated from the fact that three decades later, dramatic shift towards more universal higher education was being accomplished without any great change in the rate of return on investment the College - educated. The job market was able to assimilate the newly educated with comparative ease. The period of the 1960s, particular, was one of rapid economic expansion. In the turn of the decade when there speared to be increasing unemployment, individuals were able to alter their choices -‘. readjustments took place to help equilibrate supply and demand. These changes were expected to trigger reassessments by young people con templating their educational and career choices.

HUMAN AND SOCIAL BENEFITS One common Nigerian way to justify a controversial enterprise is to argue that it makes or saves money. The benefits of education are considered to be such gains as lifetime income increments to the individual and contribute to the percentage rate of increase in the G.N.P. Since the assumption is widespread that monetary benefits are in some ultimate sense more “real” than less “tangible” human and social benefits, we begin this decussion of human and social benefits by considering two different Concepts of benefit and the two distinct components of higher education to which they correspond. We next turn to an examination of some empirical Studies of the effect of higher education attendance on students. Finally, we shall see that the human and social effects of education constitute benefits are necessary for the maintenance of a society that is not only technological and prosperous (as the present government envisages of Nigeria) out also open, pluralistic and democratic.

These aspects will be treated briefly on an account of limited time for presentation of this paper.

Much recent discussions of the costs, benefits and effectiveness of education in general among the Nigerian youths rest primarily on monetary or assumptions.

Educational experiences can be classified as containing two distinct a Sometimes opposing components which are called technical and critical education.

International

Hong Kong: Protest HONG KONG - Hong Kong police used pepper spray to disperse prodemocracy activists on Monday as the Asian financial center braces for a wave of disruptive protests against China’s decision to rule out full democracy.

China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee set the stage for a

inside the building heckled Li, shouting slogans and interrupting his speech.

Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with wide-ranging autonomy and freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland under a policy of “one country, two systems”.

The activists want universal suffrage, but Communist Party rulers in

Loom As China Rules Out Democracy

saying Beijing had lost credibility. Pro-establishment people in the crowd clapped as the democrats were led out.

Alex Chow, head of the Hong Kong Federation of Students, was also removed as he criticized the NPC’s Li.

“Hong Kong is our turf,” Chow shouted. “The NPC doesn’t represent us. Stop insulting us. Hong Kong people won’t be insulted by you again.”

Student activists said they would begin boycotting

Pro-democracy lawmakers hold up a banner and signs during a protest as Li Fei (seen on screen), Deputy General Secretary of the National People’s Congress (NPC) standing committee, speaks during a briefing session in Hong Kong yesterday.

political showdown on Sunday when it rejected democrats’ demands for the right to freely choose Hong Kong’s next leader in 2017, leading scores of protesters to take to the streets.

Scuffles broke out yesterday during a tense stand-off at the entrance to a center where a senior Chinese official was explaining Beijing’s decision, prompting police to use pepper spray amid chaotic scenes inside and outside the venue.

Activists from a movement called Occupy Central have threatened to lock down Hong Kong’s financial district on an unspecified date unless Beijing grants full democracy.

“Occupy Central is an illegal activity. If we give in, it will trigger more illegal activities,” said Li Fei, deputy secretary general of the NPC Standing Committee, who flew to Hong Kong to explain Beijing’s decision.

Pro-democracy activists

Beijing say any candidate for the territory’s chief executive has to be first approved by a nominating panel - likely to be stacked with pro-Beijing loyalists and making it almost impossible for an opposition democrat to get on the ballot.

If Hong Kong lawmakers voted down the package, governing Hong Kong would become much more difficult, Li said. The next leader would again be chosen by a small committee without any form of popular vote.

But Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying tried to cast the NPC decision in a good light.

“There is still room for discussion in regards to the issue in Hong Kong legislation,” he said.

Dressed in black and wearing yellow ribbons, members of the democratic camp were escorted out of the auditorium after they shouted and held up signs reading “shameful” and

classes in mid-September.

Prominent proestablishment figure and former Hong Kong security chief Regina Ip said she expected six months of unrest in the lead-up to Hong Kong lawmakers’ vote on the NPC proposal, media reported.

About 100 activists had gathered for Li’s speech, some waving British colonial flags and banners with an “X” over the Chinese characters for “communism” amid a heavy police presence.

A group of Beijing loyalists stood nearby waving China’s flag.

The NPC Standing Committee endorsed a framework to let only two or three candidates run in Hong Kong’s 2017 leadership vote. All candidates must first obtain majority backing from the nominating committee.

Political reform has been a major source of tension in Hong Kong, with China party leaders fearful of calls for democracy spreading to other cities.

The Mainland Affairs Council in self-ruled Taiwan, which China

regards as a breakaway province, expressed “regret” at the NPC’s decision while activist groups posted messages of support for the democracy movement online.

China has held out the “one country, two systems” formula as a solution for Taiwan, an idea ridiculed by Taipei.

Following the publication

by Beijing of a white paper outlining China’s authority over Hong Kong in June, democracy activists held an unofficial referendum on voting in the “special administrative region”, and hundreds of thousands marched to the city’s business district and staged a sit-in.

Charles Rivkin, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs, said in Singapore the United States backed “free and fair elections and transparency”.

“We believe, in the case of Hong Kong, in one country and two systems,” he said.

British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said in July that Britain “would not shy away from defending” one country, two systems.

Britain made no mention of democracy for Hong Kong until the dying days of about 150 years of colonial rule.

Fighting Erupts Between Syrian Army, Rebels In Golan Heights DAMASCUS - Heavy fighting between Syrian army forces and rebels erupted on the Golan Heights yesterday, a Reuters photographer said, but it was unclear if either of the two sides had gained an advantage to control a key frontier crossing.

Rebels of al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front have been battling the Syrian army in the area and have wrested control of the crossing at Quneitra, which is operated by the United Nations.

Persistent small arms fire and explosions from mortar shells and other munitions could be heard on the Israelicontrolled side of the frontier of the strategic plateau, the photographer reported.

At least one tank belonging to the Syrian army loyal to President Bashar al-Assad was also involved and rebels could be seen a few meters (yards) away from the frontier fence.

On Sunday, Israel’s military said it shot down a drone that flew from Syria into Israelicontrolled airspace over the Golan.

It was not immediately clear who dispatched the unmanned aircraft or the nature of its mission in an area where fighting from Syria’s civil war has occasionally spilled over into Israeli-held territory.

In a statement, the military said the drone was downed by a Patriot missile near the Quneitra crossing between the Israeli-held Golan Heights and Syria.

A contingent of 44 U.N. peacekeepers from Fiji was detained on the Syrian side of the Golan by Islamist militants on Thursday, and the head of the Fijian army said on Sunday negotiations for their release were being pursued.

More than 70 Philippine troops trapped by Islamists in

a different area on the Syrian side of the frontier were extracted to safety, the United Nations and authorities in Manila said.

Israel captured the Golan

Heights in the 1967 Middle East war and beefed up defenses in the area after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war more than three years ago.

Bashir Al-Assad, Syria President.

International

Obama Ponders Action Against Islamic State Extremists

WASHINGTON - Pew finds most Americans think President Obama is ‘not tough enough’ on foreign policy and national security. But most also are warweary and don’t think the US has a responsibility to ‘do something about the violence in Iraq.’

It’s been the summer of his discontent for President Obama, at least in terms of how voters apparently see him.

Gallup reported this past week that Americans are more than twice as likely to say they “strongly disapprove” of President Barack Obama’s job

performance (39 percent) as they are to say they “strongly approve” (17 percent), and it’s been trending in that direction.

“The percentage of Americans who strongly disapprove of Obama has increased over time, while the percentage who strongly approve has dropped

by almost half,” writes Gallup’s Justin McCarthy in an analysis of the polling organization’s latest findings. “In the first year of Obama’s presidency, the percentages of Americans who had strong views about the job he was doing were essentially tied [32-30 percent with a slight

US President, Barack Obama.

Islamic State Group Wants To

WASHINGTON — Cities in the United States and Western Europe are being eyed as Islamic State militants’ future targets and President Barack Obama needs to take action, two U.S. lawmakers are warning.

Without offering specifics on any threats or suggestions on how to confront them, the leaders of the Senate and House intelligence committees on Sunday prodded the White House to work to prevent the Islamic State extremists from launching attacks on U.S. soil.

The bipartisan pair of lawmakers shared a dire warning against the Islamic State group, which now has control of vast swaths of Syria and Iraq, has killed civilians from that region and beheaded American journalist James Foley “This is a group of people who are extraordinarily dangerous,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the California Democrat who leads the Senate intelligence panel.

“And they’ll kill with abandon.”

In a separate TV interview, the leader of the House Intelligence Committee

warned the leaders of the Islamic State, sometimes called ISIL or ISIS, are looking for a spectacular attack that would help them raise money and recruit more fighters.

“ISIL would like to have a Western-style attack to continue this notion that they are the leading jihadist group in the world,” said Republican Rep. Mike Rogers.

The pair of lawmakers, who have access to some of the nation’s most sensitive secrets and receive regular detailed briefings from the nation’s spy agencies, offered dire predictions of an attack on the United States or its European allies if the militants are not confronted.

“They have announced that they don’t intend to stop,” Feinstein said. “They have announced that they will come after us if they can, that they will, quote, ‘spill our blood.’”

The threat, Rogers said, could include Americans who have trained with Islamic State fighters. He said there are hundreds of Islamic Statetrained Americans who can return to the U.S. with their

Hit US - Lawmakers

American passports.

“I’m very concerned because we don’t know every single person that has an American passport that has gone and trained and learned how to fight,” Rogers said.

Rogers said U.S. intelligence agencies were tracking the Americans who are known to have traveled to the region. If they helped Islamic State fighters, he said, they should be charged under laws that prohibit Americans from aiding terrorists.

The top Democrat on Roger’s intelligence panel, Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland, was more skeptical. He said more needs to be known before judging whether Islamic State extremists plan to commit terrorist acts in the U.S. any time soon. The group’s priority now seems to be to hold on to territory it has gained rather than export violence.

“It is extremely urgent, but you don’t just rush in,” he said.

It was a view shared by Rep. Adam Smith, a Washington

state Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee: “We can’t simply bomb first and ask questions later.”

Feinstein spoke to NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Rogers appeared on “Fox News Sunday.” Ruppersberger was on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Smith was interviewed on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

edge to “approve”], but the strongly negative responses now significantly outweigh the strongly positive ones.”

Recommended: Do you understand the Syria conflict?

Take the quiz When those who “moderately” approve or disapprove of the President’s job performance are added in, Obama still comes up short – 53 percent disapprove to 44 percent approve.

True, there’s a strong partisan element to this with Republicans more intense in their disapproval – 75 percent “strongly disapprove” of the way he’s handling his job as president.

But Democrats’ enthusiasm for Obama has waned considerably since that first honeymoon summer of 2009, with strong approval dropping from 65 percent back then to 38 percent today. Among independents, intensity of views has been more consistent over time, but it’s still not great news for Obama today: 54-39 percent disapprove/approve.

Looking at specific issues or presidential responsibilities – particularly at a time when dangerous situations around the world (Ukraine, Iraq/Syria) seem to be escalating – gives similar and perhaps more urgent results.

“Obama’s approach to foreign policy continues to be viewed as not tough enough,” the Pew Research Center reported this past week. “Fiftyfour percent say Obama is not tough enough in his approach on foreign policy and national security issues, while 36 percent say his approach is about right and just 3 percent say he is too tough.”

Obama did himself no favors the other day when he remarked to reporters that “we don’t have a strategy yet” for confronting the Islamic State extremist group in Iraq and Syria.

“While the White House went into damage-control mode,

emphasizing that it was a reference to the lack of decisions about increasing military action in Iraq and/or Syria and not a lack of a broader strategy there, the damage was already done,” writes Aaron Blake in the Washington Post’s political blog “The Fix.” “As with all gaffes, the worst ones are the ones that confirm people’s preexisting suspicions or fit into an easy narrative,” Blake writes. “That’s why ‘47 percent’ stung Mitt Romney so much, and it’s why ‘don’t have a strategy’ hurts Obama today.

It certainly gave a major opening for Republicans like Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham, two of the Senate’s most prominent hawks.

Confronting the Islamic State extremist group in Iraq and Syria, McCain and Graham wrote in The New York Times the other day, “requires a comprehensive strategy, presidential leadership and a far greater sense of urgency.”

But some prominent Democrats also are urging Obama to be more vigorous in dealing with the Islamic State.

Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) of California, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, said, “I’ve learned one thing about this president, and that is he’s very cautious. Maybe, in this instance, too cautious.”

In their New York Times oped column, McCain and Graham acknowledged that Americans are “war-weary” after 10-plus years in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Recent polls confirm this.

Pew found last month that most Americans – 55-39 percent – don’t think the United States has a responsibility to “do something about the violence in Iraq.”

No doubt that’s a key reason why Obama is being cautious and deliberate in confronting the Islamic State.

French firemen carry a victim in the rubble of a building after an explosion collapsed it, in Rosny-SousBois, outside Paris, Sunday.

French authorities say a four-story building in a northeastern Paris suburb has collapsed after an explosion, killing a child.

More people are thought to be underneath the rubble.

Speaking on i-Tele, fire department spokesman Gaabriel Plus said around, 10 people were evacuated from the building in RosnySous-Bois that occurred early Sunday morning. Plus said that around another 10 people could still be underneath.

International Thailand Totters Towards Waste BANGKOK - A blaze at a Crisis kingdom’s garbage problems. vast rubbish dump home to six explaining the whole waste million tonnes of putrefying trash and toxic effluent has kindled fears that poor planning and lax law enforcement are tipping Thailand towards a waste crisis.

Locals had long pressed for the closure of the foulsmelling Praeksa landfill site, which is wedged between a cluster of industrial estates on the fringes of Bangkok.

But a ferocious eight-day fire that cloaked the eastern suburbs of the capital in poisonous smoke earlier this year thrust Praeksa to the heart of a national debate over rubbish.

Bangkok — a sprawling city of 12 million and counting — produces around 10,000 tonnes of waste a day, a substantial portion of the 27 million tonnes generated each year across the kingdom.

The ruling junta has put waste disposal high on its todo list, recognising that poorly regulated pits are fast filling up and prone to disaster.

But Thailand is not alone in struggling to tame its trash.

From Jakarta’s Bantar Gebang dump to Manila’s ‘smokey mountain’, open landfills blight Southeast Asia’s booming megacities, as urban planners labour to keep pace with rapid urbanisation and industrial growth.

Experts warn those dumps are a timebomb for the environment and the increasing number of communities forced to live cheek-by-jowl with them.

Open dumping “offers a quick and easy solution in the short run,” the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific says in a study, warning of severe environmental problems and long-term health issues caused by contaminated water and land.

Of Thailand’s 2,500 open rubbish pits, just a fifth are properly managed, according to the kingdom’s Pollution Control Department.

The rest are at the mercy of illegal dumping — including of hazardous waste — fires and seepage into nearby land and water systems.

The department says the mid-March blaze at Praeksa, which has caught fire several times since, was just one of 10 raging every month at dumps across a kingdom.

A lack of enforcement is to blame, says Nicha Rakpanichmanee of Ecological Alert and Recovery Thailand (EARTH),

disposal chain is skewed towards “anyone who can pay”.

She says that 1.9 million tonnes of toxic waste goes unaccounted for after leaving factory gates every year, with many factory owners flouting laws to save on the costs of safe disposal and tip operators willing to turn a blind eye to the illegal dumping of toxic run-off.

“The people who will remain with the problems are the poorest who cannot move,” she says of the communities forced to live with contaminated water and land.

For residents near Praeska, in Samut Prakan province neighbouring Bangkok, the intensity of the blaze has left them in little doubt that inflammable chemicals swash around the fetid mounds of trash.

The tip is meant for household waste only.

“I want it closed,” said 85year-old local resident Jad Pimsorn. “I have lived with it but I don’t want my children and grandchildren to live with it too.”

The dump operator denied he had allowed chemicals to be illegally stashed at his site.

“But there were several companies operating the pit before me,” Krompol Samutsakorn told AFP. Until the Praeksa blaze, talking about trash was a conversation few wanted to have.

Currently Thai households pay less than half a dollar a month to get rid of their waste.

Local authorities say that leaves them short of cash to invest in modern, environmentally friendly incinerators or recycling plants, but they are reluctant to raise rates on would-be voters in already poor neighbourhoods.

That could be about to change, with military ruler General Prayut Chan-O-Cha vowing to tackle the

“Can people throw away garbage in outer space?” he asked in a typically enigmatic weekly television address to the nation on August 8.

“They cannot... they have to throw it away in Thailand.”

The comments from the can-do junta chief have raised hopes of a policy revival towards waste after years of short-term planning — abetted by short-lived governments — in the politically turbulent kingdom.

Fearing landfills are incubating massive health issues down the line, the Pollution Control Department wants to see collection rates raised locally and laws tightened to encourage recycling.

One solution is better facilities to compost organic waste — especially in places such as Thailand where nearly half of the daily 1.1 kilograms of household waste produced per person is bio-degradable.

As they heave a wheelie-bin full of rotting food and broken beer bottles into the back of a rubbish truck, a group of Bangkok binmen say Thais must change their habits or live with the consequences.

“It is hard to solve the problem,” said Wutthichai Namuangrak, seemingly inured to the sickly-sweet stench rising from the back of the truck.

“We can help by collecting the trash, but people cannot just rely on us.”

CHANGE OF NAME

MOMOH – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Momoh Zuwerat now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abdulmalik Zuwerat.

All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

SULEMAN – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Suleman Awuleyu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mark Lauretha Awuletu. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, NYSC and the general public should please take note.

EKHAINE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ekhaine Khadijat now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ismail Inu Khadijat.

All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi the general public should please take note.

Environment AS we stand at a pedestrian crossing or walk by a bridge, and a vehicle passes by, letting out a cloud of smoke in our face, our immediate reaction is to fan it away with our hands. We are also quick to give the driver of the vehicle a stare and even make a comment about how unclean and unsafe the air in the atmosphere around us is.

That would be the air outdoors which is polluted every moment due to poisonous emissions from fuels of cars, buses and trucks. But have we ever paused to think about how safe is the air which we breathe inside enclosed spaces like our workplaces, homes, restaurants/pubs, schools, campus hostels and public transport? Indoor air pollution most commonly includes tobacco smoke and smoke from the combustion of solid fuels. Apart from these, other indoor air pollutants could be cooking oil smoke, kerosene smoke, incense smoke, mosquito coil smoke and pesticides.

TOBACCO SMOKE Do we see no harm in smoking in front of our two year old child? Does the smoke exhaled by the passenger in the taxi have no effect on the taxi driver?

How bad can that be? It’s just a bit of smoke. Exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) causes a high burden of disease as does the direct use of tobacco. This burden is higher in low-income countries and affects women and children most of all. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) rightly avers that there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke.

Worldwide, passive smoking or second hand smoke causes about 603,000 premature deaths in nonsmokers every year. Women are at least 50% more likely to be exposed to SHS than men. While adults suffer from lung cancer, heart diseases and chronic respiratory diseases, children suffer from asthma, other respiratory infections and sudden infant death syndrome as a result of this totally avoidable exposure.

Some countries have introduced laws forbidding

Addressing Menace Of Air Pollution

Breathe In And Out: smoking in public areas. But what really matters is how well these laws are followed. Strong antismoking legislations have to be backed by equally strong implementation, which alas does not happen often.

Surely, many of us have had our building corridor smell of smoke that is coming from the neighbour’s flat.

Many of us must have also enjoyed the sweet odour of the flavoured sheesha/ hookah from the table next to ours in an outdoor restaurant. But then if we have smelt it, we have inhaled it. How many of us smoke in our home verandah and then take our 3 year old in our arms the very next minute?

In an online survey held recently, 26.7% of the respondents said that they smoked in enclosed public areas where smoking wasn’t banned. 9.68% said they smoked in the car, taxi or auto rickshaw. About 10% smoked at their workplace and inside the house. While 57.14% said they would move away from other people who were not smoking, 17.86% said they would only do that if the others objected.

According to Kathryn Seymour, Communications Officer at International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) who spoke to Citizen News Service – CNS: “Every person has a right to breathe clean air that is not contaminated by carcinogens and other harmful substances. Smoke free indoor public places are one of the key measures that can be implemented to protect this right. Under the smoke free policy, bans on smoking should be implemented in all indoor and crowded outdoor areas, as well as campus vehicles.

Designated smoking rooms within these areas should not be allowed because there is no truly efficient means of containing or extracting tobacco smoke. In order to improve compliance, it is strongly recommended that

By CAROLYN KAVITA TAURO

managers of facilities consider offering cessation support to staff who smoke or referring them to a separate cessation service.

Banning the sale of tobacco products and banning tobacco advertising will also

87.2 % of rural families and 33.6% of urban families in India use pollution creating cooking fuels. However, there has been a migration toward the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) especially in the urban areas

kerosene in the past few years, “It used to be very difficult for us when we used cow dung to cook our food. The house was always full of smoke and we were constantly coughing. Now that we have the LPG cylinders our visits to the doctors have decreased,

help with compliance.”

SOLID FUELS AND BIOMASS The other most common form of indoor air pollution, especially in low income countries, is the pollution due to the combustion of solid fuels like coal and biomass such as cow dung and firewood. Globally, about 50% of all households and 90% of rural households use solid fuels as the main domestic source of energy.

Data from the Indian Census 2011 shows that

in recent years. Most of urban India now uses LPG and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) while rural India still relies on solid fuels and biomass. This is not so much due to a lack of awareness but more due to lack of availability, accessibility and, most importantly, affordability of cleaner fuel options.

Sunita (name changed), who lives in a slum in Mumbai, says that most slum dwellers have changed from solid fuels to LPG or

although the cylinders are expensive to buy”.

Efforts aimed at the prevention of airborne diseases for children under 5 years of age, will not only improve the general health of our future generation but also reduce the child mortality rate in the country.

Along with this, interventions to reduce exposure to indoor air pollution will also help us in the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) — the end to

the requirement of collecting fuel for cooking will help women by decreasing the time burden promoting gender equality and empowerment (Goal 3); it will also result in more time being made available for education and other activities that could help them generate more income to help eradicate poverty (Goal 1); a nation’s progress towards environmental sustainability can also be monitored through the

proportion of the population using solid fuels (Goal 7).

Air has been taken for granted far too long.

Everyone has a right to breathe in clean and safe air and so every person has the responsibility to provide themselves, their families and their communities this right.

Along with legislations that aim to reduce indoor as well as outdoor air pollution, let each one of us do our bit to contribute toward a cleaner and safer environment.

“Air has been taken for granted far too long. Everyone has a right to breathe in clean and safe air and so every person has the responsibility to provide themselves, their families and their communities this right.”

Rwanda Accuse CAF Of Double Standards THE Rwanda FA has accused the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for being unfair in the manner they have handled the matter to disqualify them from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Secretary General of the FA, Olivier Mulindahabi, has told MTNFootball that CAF is simply using double standards and failing to use their own rules.

On August 17th CAF disqualified Rwanda after Congo Brazzaville lodged a protest over the eligibility of Amavubi striker Birori Dady, who plays for DR Congo side AS Vita Club under a different passport, as Etekiama Agiti Tady, and a different age.

CAF said their investigations found that the DR Congo-born striker was born December 12, 1986 as it is indicated in his Rwandan passport, while his

Congolese passport indicates that he was born on December 13, 1990.

Rwanda lodged an appeal, but CAF last Saturday maintained that the appeal was not successful and Congo Brazzaville who had been ejected by Rwanda qualifies to the Group stage.

Part of the CAF statement released last Saturday states that, “Based on the documents on record, it was evident that the Rwandan federation was aware of this double identity but proceeded to feature the player for the national team while he held a different identity with the club.”

Mulindahabi said it was not fair to disqualify Rwanda because Birori had never featured for any national team and this biggest issue of double standard was accepting Congo’s

complaint after 20 days instead of the mandatory 24 hours.

“It is double standards for Caf to take a decision to ban Rwanda based on information that they received 20 days after the game

and not 24 hours,” he said.

On taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), the official said they will first consult with stakeholders

Omagbemi Delighted With Latest India Switch

EX-Nigeria U23 international Dudu Omagbemi has said he is delighted to have joined top Indian club East Bengal.

Omagbemi, who inked a year’s deal to team up with compatriot Ranti Martins, said he now hopes to do well for the club after his debut at the weekend.

“I am happy with the deal to join East Bengal. It is one of the big teams here in India,” he said.

“I feel good to be here, I hope to keep the good spirit around going and do well for my new team.”

He debuted on Saturday in 31 win over Mohun Bagan just after one training session.

Dudu has played for Sporting Club De Goar, Dempo, Salgaocar (All in India), P e n a n g ( M a l a y s i a ) , Wi s l a K r a k o w ( P o l a n d ) , Debreceni(Hungary), KuPS and FC Honka(Finland).

He featured for Nigeria U23s at an invitational tournament in Malaysia in 2008.

2015 AFCON Qualifiers:

Rwanda Lose Appeal Against THE Confederation of of a player shall be eliminated Explusion African Football (CAF) has from the competition,’’ CAF rejected an appeal by Rwanda against their disqualification from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

A statement on CAF website on Sunday said the decision was taken after CAF’s Appeals Board met on Aug. 27 to address Rwanda’s appeal against their disqualification earlier this month.

The country was expelled after beating Congo in the second round, as the latter argued that Daddy Birori had been ineligible to play in the tie.

Congo had argued that the player has both Rwanda and DR Congo passports, both of which bear different names and different dates of birth.

“Any team that has committed fraud on the identity

said in the statement.

It said its Appeals Board established that the player was the same who played in the Champions League with the club AS Vita using the name Etekiama Agiti Tady.

Rwanda’s failure means that Congo Brazzaville will compete in Group A of the final qualifying competition, alongside defending champions Nigeria, South Africa and Sudan.

Libya, who Rwanda beat in the first round of qualifying, had previously lodged a claim against the striker but their protest had failed.

The group phase of Nations Cup qualifying gets underway on Friday, Sept. 5 with Congo playing in Nigeria a day later in Calabar.

Dudu Omagbemi

Beating Sudan Has Lifted Zambia - Kalaba

By IKPONMWOBA OSAZEE JOEL

RAINFORD Kalaba says Zambia must use the 3 – 1 friendly win over Sudan on Sunday in Lusaka as a

Springboard to beat Mozambique this Saturday.

Zambia hosts Mozambique on September 6 at

Southampton Question Taider’s Committment After Terminating Loan THE Algeria international arrived at St Mary’s Stadium on a season-long deal earlier this month, with Pablo Daniel Osvaldo moving in the other direction.

Taider failed to feature for Southampton in competitive action in the early weeks of the campaign, and has now returned to Italy.

Southampton confirmed the news on their official website on Friday, with Taider ’s attitude seemingly failing to impress those in charge at the south-coast club.

“Southampton Football Club can confirm that it has agreed to terminate midfielder Saphir

Taider ’s loan spell,” a statement read.

“The midfielder joined Saints for the 2014/15 campaign but, having failed to live up to the high levels of commitment expected of Southampton players, that arrangement has been cut short by the club.

“Taïder, whose only firstteam appearance came in the friendly against Bayer Leverkusen earlier this month, now returns to parent club Inter.

“Dani Osvaldo’s loan arrangement with the Italian side is unaffected.”

and government since they have 10 days to make another appeal to CAS. “We do not want to rush running to CAS, but we want to consult first with lawyers and all other stakeholders,” added the FA’s Media and Communication Officer Bonnie Mugabe.

Kalaba

Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola in the two sides opening 2015 African cup group F qualifier.

The match was very difficult because they (Sudan) are also preparing for next weekends game.

“But I think we have done a great job and just have to continue with the same spirit for the game against Mosambique.

“The fans should just come in good numbers and I wish them to travel safely to Ndola to support the team because without them we cannot perform well.

It was a memorable day to Kalaba who was landed the Zambia captaincy for the first time that he topped with an impressive performance from midfield.

Goals from Christopher Munthali, given Singuluma and Mukuka Mulenga in the 14th, 34th and 90th minutes respectively handed Zambia their debut win at their brand new home at National Heroes Stadium in Lusuka.

Meanwhile, Striker Ibrahim Salah scored Sudan’s consolation goal deep inside stoppage time of the 90 minutes.

Didier Drogba Impressed By Chelsea Teammate Diego Costa DIDIER Drogba has believes Chelsea teammate Diego Costa is showing he is “special” after his spectacular start to life in the Premier League.

Costa, who signed from Atletico Madrid this summer for 32 million pounds, scored a brace in Saturday’s 6-3 victory

Mashaba Lashes Out NEW Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba said the public and the media should stop criticising him and South African football.

Mashaba lashed out at the media at a press conference in Johannesburg on Monday saying that the country shoud be in a happier mood about the state of their football.

“I thought everybody would be on cloud nine about what is happening in our football, no not about the selection or the appointment of myself,” said Mashaba.

“Listen it is not a new thing to me, let me warn people. I have been in this chair before.

“Our teams are doing so well, our under 20’s have qualified for the African Youth Championship, our under-17’s are on the verge of qualifying, our women’s team is doing so well – don’t you think the God’s of football are smiling for us, for a change, why don’t you rejoice that?

“Now I would be happy if people criticize and come with solutions please, we accept that criticism.

“When you keep criticizing you are killing our momentum.

“Your criticism makes me strong, that is why I am going on and on.

“If you criticise me and think you are breaking me down, you are wasting your time, I am taking that and converting it into positives.

“Some of the criticism we read in the newspapers are very uncalled for and they seem to be personal.

“One day I will give those authors a hug to thank them for making me strong.”

over Everton to add to his goals against Burnley and Leicester.

Drogba, back at the club for a second spell, has been highly impressed with the Spain international’s start at Stamford Bridge.

“Diego Costa has started very well,” Drogba said in the Daily Mirror. “He looks special. He’s scoring goals and helping the team.”

Chelsea have seen a host of high-profile strikers fail to make their mark during the Roman Abramovich era, including Andriy Shevchenko and Fernando Torres.

Even Drogba endured a difficult introduction to the club after signing from Marseille a decade ago, and the Ivorian added: “He’s settled right in — and he’s started much better than I did!”

Chelsea full-back Cesar

Azpilicueta said he had been impressed with the striker when coming up against him during last season’s Champions League semifinal against Atletico.

“I played against him last season and I knew he is a good striker,” the Spaniard said. “We are happy to have him in our team.

“He’s a competitive guy who always tries his best for the team.

He’s a nightmare for defenders.

He’s a worker. He saw the space to cover for me on the left wing and that is the most important thing to play as a team.”

Costa, meanwhile, said he was pleased to have helped Chelsea to three wins out of three at the start of the new season.

“It’s nice to score goals but, for me, the most important thing is that the team wins,” he said. “I’m happy that I can score and help the team. I just hope I can continue like this.”

Diego Costa

The Illogical Transfer That Makes Perfect Sense - Falcao

LITTLE about Falcao’s transfer deadline day loan to Manchester United appears to subscribe to logic.

On the face of things, it’s hard for the Champions League, to decipher the logic in United owner Dmitry Rybolovlev is expending so much time and now pulling everything down in resource on signing a new an apparently nonsensical way. striker when they already have Nonsensical, that is, until you Robin van Persie and Wayne figure in his impending £2.6 Rooney. billion divorce settlement.

In a squad chronically short As for Falcao, logic seems to of acceptable centre-backs and have been deferred again, with accomplished midfielders, arguably the best out-and-out where is the logic in front- striker on the planet now facing loading the team even more, yet another season without with Falcao completing a multi- Champions League football. faceted and multi-talented Last year he signed for Monaco, attack? and this year Manchester Did we not see the results of United. Neither could even such a glaring squad imbalance offer him the Europa League. on Sunday when Real Madrid – Indeed, a player who once shorn of Xabi Alonso and Angel scored a record 17 goals for a Di Maria, but boasting Toni Europa League/UEFA Cup Kroos and James Rodriguez - let campaign at Porto has never slip a 2-0 lead to Real Sociedad really made the step up to the to lose 4-2? senior competition, playing a It is said Falcao is being total of only eight Champions signed on a £6m loan - in League fixtures, all with the addition to anything upwards of Portuguese club, and none at all £200,000-a-week in wages - due since 2011. to concerns over the fitness of The logical move was surely Robin van Persie, yet the to finally join Real Madrid, the Colombian himself has only club who are said to have recently recovered from a tracked the Colombia serious knee injury. international for years, to the And why, come to think of it, extent that his shock move to are Monaco happy to loan out Monaco last summer was seen their best player, so soon after by some as merely a device to losing James Rodriguez to Real avoid him moving directly from Madrid? Having spent obscene Atletico Madrid to the sums of money to win promotion Bernabeu. to Ligue 1 and then to qualify Falcao even tweeted a message apparently welcoming a move to the European champions on Saturday night, and his bizarre explanation – that a tweet clearly sent from his account was a Photoshop job – was surely the most illogical thing about this whole affair.

But then again, logic has never really governed football, particularly on transfer deadline day – that biannual event in which chief executives lose control of their budgets and managers lose control of their senses. Unless their office postcode is N5.

Putting all that aside, though, we should greet news of Falcao’s imminent arrival for what it is: a sensational football story. Only a grouch would begrudge United bringing a striker of Falcao’s rare talent to the Premier League.

Shakes Mashaba, Bafana Bafana Coach

Furthermore, the signing of Falcao does not preclude United signing other targets in key areas, most notably Daley Blind who is due to arrive from Ajax to shore things up in central midfield as the holding presence United have been so sorely lacking. They could also recruit

another midfielder before the night is out.

One of the most lucrative loan deals of all time is also a triumph for Ed Woodward, who was told he could not close a deal to save his life and has now signed two world-class

performers in a week in Di Maria and Falcao.

The latter will undoubtedly make United a more fearsome proposition as no player in world football possesses quite the same poaching ability in the penalty area, and it’s not as though their much-vaunted attack has been putting teams to the sword this season.

So there you have it: a transfer which is illogical, yet somehow Remy fromsense.

QPR for makes perfect B£10.5million.

It could be if an opportunity arises - like the one last year which saw Willian join despite passing a medical at Tottenham - Chelsea may make a further signing, but, for now, Remy completes the squad for the first half of the 2014-15 campaign.

“I spoke with him (Mourinho),” Remy told chelseafc.com after agreeing a four-year contract.

“He is very clever and he knows exactly what he wants.

He has targets for me and I know I have a target for myself as well.

“Everybody wants the best so the discussion was really good.

I know he can get the best out of a player and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Costa has scored four goals in three Premier League games so far this season after his double in the 6-3 win at Everton.

Remy added: “We have two great strikers here already and I don’t have a choice if I want to be in the team - I have to play at a very high level.”

Many of those not in contention for a first-team place have left on loan - 21 in all after Marco van Ginkel, the midfielder who spent most of last season out with a serious knee injury, joined Torres at the San Siro.

The Dutchman’s departure means Chelsea fulfil the Premier League’s homegrown player rule and will have the maximum 17 foreign players in their 25-man squad.

Of the loan group, only Patrick Bamford, whose initial loan runs until January, did not leave on a season-long deal.

Remy Ready For Chelsea Challenge LOIC Remy is hoping to discover his best form under Jose Mourinho after almost certainly becoming Chelsea’s final addition of the 2014 summer transfer window.

Mourinho had long stated that the window was closed for the Blues, having completed deals for Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, Filipe Luis and Didier Drogba earlier in the summer.

Fernando Torres’ departure to AC Milan for the final two years of his five-and-a-half-year Chelsea contract - in effect ending his time at Stamford Bridge following his B£50million move from Liverpool in January 2011 necessitated the arrival of another striker, but even then Mourinho moved swiftly to sign

By IKPONMWOBA OSAZEE JOEL / OMORODION LAWRENCE

Banyana are currently preparing for the 2014 African women’s championship, which is set to take place in Namibia from 11 to 25 October, South Africa book AYC spot.

The U-20 South African national team booked their ticket for the African Youth Championships Senegal 2015 on Sunday, following a 2 – 1 win over Cameroon in the return leg of the final qualifying round at the Peter Makaba Stadium.

Amajita are through thanks to a 3 – 2 aggregate victory after holding the Cameroonians to a 1 – 1 draw in Yaounde in the first leg.

The visitors took an early lead when Noubisi Marius found the back of the net after three minutes of play, but a brace by fagrie Lakay within eight minutes just before the break put the locals in the driver’s seat. And the South Africans held onto their one-goal advantage during the remaining 45 minutes to progress to the tournament’s final.

It will be Amajita’s appearance at the continental tournament, after competing in the 1997, 2001, 2003, 2009, and 2011 editions.

Banyan Thrashes Tanzania In Friendly

THE South African’s women’s national football team secured another comfortable win when they defeated Tanzania 6 – 1 in an International friendly match recently.

Shiwe Nogwanya, Leandra Smeda, Silindile Ngusane, Sanah Mollo, and Captain Janine Van Wyk all found the back of the net at the old Peter Mokaba stadium.

The visitors opened the scoring through Captain Sophia Edward and Nongwanya leveled matters for the home side before Smeda handed them a 2 -1 lead at the break. Vera Pauw’s side were more clinical in the second half as Van Wyk made it three before Silindilee Ngubane netted a brace.

The rout was completed when Banyana added the sixth goal late in the match seal yet another convincing win for Banyana against the Twiga Stars.

Ancelotti Furious At Real Madrid Attitude

By OMORODION LAWRENCE / IKPONMWOBA OSAZEE THE Spanish giants’ coach is outraged after their shock 4 – 2 defeat to Real Sociedad and rejects suggestions that Xabi Alonso’s departure to Bayern Munich was to blame.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti did not hide his frustration after his side

slumped to a shock 4 – 2 defeat

by Real Sociedad.

Having taken a two-goal lead

after just 11 minutes through Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale, the European Champions missed a host of chances before falling apart defensively.

Ancelotti apologized to the club’s supporters after the loss, angry at what he saw as a complacent performance.

This is a loss that I do not like at all because I think occasionally you can play badly but, when you lead 2 – 0, you have to show the required attitude to see out the game, “he told reporters after the match.

“It is my responsibility.

Something has to change and it will. I am sorry because I do not like it that the team have played in this way. You have to quickly change the things that have not gone well”.

The defeat means that Madrid already trail Barcelona by three points in and champions Altletico by one in the early standings in La Liga.

Ancelotti feels that it is a difficult match to review after his side started so impressively but rejects claims that his team’s

poor performance was down to the departure of Xabi Alonso to Bayern Munich.

“It is not easy to assess this match because there were two parts to it,” the Italian remarked.

“The first 30 minutes were very good and we showed great concentration. For the rest of the time it was very bad – we thought the game was over. We gave away too many fouls and corners.

“We didn’t have an adequate defensive system in place. We were too soft at the start. The game changed a lot after that and we defended badly. We were lacking balance above all.

“This isn’t a problem with just one player or another but a general problem. The team lost

after a fantastic first half-hour.

When there isn’t a good attitude, it makes no difference if Xabi Alonso is there or not”.

Ancelotti defended the performances of new faces James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos, adding that the result would not change the club’s transfer plans with just one day to go until the closure of the summer window.

He continues: “The new signings still need time but they are adapting well. With a game like that it is always more difficult for new players than it is for the others.

“This defeat changes nothing on transfers. We need to change our attitude and concentration in these types of games.”

Manchester United Agree Loan Deal For Falcao

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid Boss

Wenger To Referee Charity Match ONE might think that transfer deadline day would be a time for a manager to stand as close to his fax machine as possible, but Arsene Wenger apparently has other plans.

With speculation that Arsenal could make a late move into the transfer market before the window closes at 11pm, pictures emerged of Wenger waiting at Heathrow airport on Monday morning.

Was he flying out to finalise a late deal? Was he trying to persuade a target to move to the Emirates?

No, apparently not. Wenger was instead on his way to Rome where he is set to referee a charity match. Seriously.

Arsenal have already been beaten to the signing of Loic Remy by Chelsea, and were also reportedly in the race for Radamel Falcao, who seems set to join Manchester United on a loan deal.

They have also been linked with a defender and a midfielder, but the sight of Wenger instead travelling to promote world peace suggests that no business is imminent at the Emirates.

Of course, if he signs Pirlo and Messi while over in the Eternal City then all will be

forgiven. If not, and Arsenal’s woes continue, then it’s fair to say that those ‘Wenger out’ signs will start appearing once more at The Emirates..

Arsene Wenger, Arsenal Manager

MANCHESTER United have agreed a loan deal for Monaco striker Radamel Falcao, subject to a medical and terms.

The Colombia international, who cost Monaco 60 million euros last summer, is set to join Louis van Gaal’s squad, sources told ESPN FC. Falcao had also been a target for Real Madrid and had been linked with Arsenal and Manchester City His arrival will be one of two transfers United are expected to complete on deadline day, along with finalising Daley Blind’s move from Ajax.

Van Gaal had already brought in Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera, Sporting Lisbon defender

Marcos Rojo and Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria.

European champions Madrid had been the favourites to sign Falcao, whose departure from Monaco seemed to be signalled when he was omitted from their squad to face Lille on Saturday.

The 28-year-old, who missed the World Cup because of a cruciate ligament injury, scored 70 goals in 91 games for Atletico

Madrid and 72 goals in 87 matches for Porto before joining Monaco.

Falcao’s signing should pave the way for Javier Hernandez to move to Madrid, with the striker’s Mexico boss earlier wishing him luck on his move to the Bernabeu.

Onda Cero journalist Alberto Pereiro tweeted a picture of Hernandez undergoing a medical in Madrid on Friday morning.

Villa Midfielder El Ahmadi Rejoins Feyenoord MIDFIELDER Karim El Ahmadi has left Aston Villa to rejoin Feyenoord on a three-year contract, the Dutch club announced yesterday.

The Dutch-born Moroccan international played for Feyenoord between 2008 and 2012, during which he had a loan spell in the United Arab Emirates, before moving to England.

At Feyenoord, El Ahmadi reunites with coach Fred Rutten under whom he played in the early stages of his professional career at Twente Enschede.

“I always said I’d like to come back to Feyenoord and the right moment has arrived,” El Ahmadi told the club website (www.feyenoord.nl).

“In my first spell, Feyenoord were a growing club and have continued this over the last years. I’m looking forward to playing in front of a capacity stadium at De Kuip and helping the other Feyenoord players with my experience,” added the 29-year-old.

Radamel Falcao

Richards Set For Fiorentina - Reports FIORENTINA are again linked with making a late move for Manchester City defender Micah Richards on deadline day.

La Viola have been linked with attempts this summer to strengthen their full-back department, with Davide Santon amongst the most prominent players listed in reports.

Richards had also been linked with Everton, Sunderland and West Ham, with chances of first team action under Manuel Pellegrini

looking slim, but it now appears that he will be heading to Florence.

Reports in the UK yesterday morning claimed that Fiorentina may be leading other parties in an attempt to pick up the defender on an initial loan deal, paying City an initial fee of £1m, around €1.2m.

Indeed, the Serie A club seemed to confirm the news on Twitter: Should a move for the 26year-old not materialise, Fiorentina are anticipated as following through on interest in Lazio’s Abdoulay Konko, or former Inter man Giulio Donati, now at Bayer Leverkusen.

Mario Can Be Anfield Idol -

Premier League

Suarez Returns For Brief Goodby

STEVEN Gerrard bid an “emotional” farewell to former team-mate Luis Suarez on Monday as the striker made a brief return visit to Liverpool’s training ground.

Suarez, who left the Merseysiders to join Barcelona earlier this summer, certainly caused a few eyebrows to be raised when it emerged that he was back at the Melwood complex on transfer deadline day.

But he was there just to collect some belongings - as well as present a gift.

The image was accompanied by a message reading: “He is back bearing gifts.

“Emotional saying goodbye to the main man this morning. Best wishes to a phenomenal player.”

he was a terrific team player.

Gerrard “He did a lot of ugly work for eyes were on him and I thought

Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo To Prolong

Int’l Career - Italy Coach

JUVENTUS and Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo believes his former coach, Antonio Conte, can lead Italy back to great form after two disastrous World Cups.

Andrea Pirlo has told Italy qualify for Euro 2016, with coach Antonio Conte that he will Conte confirming on Sunday be available for international that Pirlo has not retired. selection in future.

“I wanted to find out if the fire The Juventus midfielder was still burning inside him and announced prior to the World he’s a battler. He has given me Cup that he would quit his availability and that is all I international football after this need,” Conte told RaiSport. summer’s tournament in Brazil.

Antonio Conte could do well However, following former in charge of Italy, but failure Juve coach Conte’s appointment would be devastating. Conte, 45, as successor to Cesare Prandelli, left Juventus this summer after that decision appears to have winning three consecutive Serie been put on ice.

A titles.

Pirlo, 35, flourished under Conte was unable to call Pirlo Conte at the Bianconeri, helping into his first squad selection to them win three consecutive face Netherlands and Norway Serie A titles. after the midfielder was ruled He can now expect to be a key out for a month with a hip injury. component of the new Azzurri He may return to the Italy fold coach’s side as they aim to

Mata Wishes Kagawa Well KAGAWA was unable to exhibit his best form at Old Trafford following a move from Dortmund, where he won two Bundesliga titles, in 2012.

Having struggled to nail down a regular starting berth in his preferred playmaker role, the 26-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements by new United boss Louis van Gaal and sealed a return to Signal Iduna Park on Sunday.

Writing in his latest blog, Mata said of his former teammate: “I would like to wish all the best to Shinji Kagawa, a fantastic player but especially a great person.

“It’s been a pleasure to be his team-mate and I’m sure both

Borussia Dortmund and fans everywhere will enjoy his football again.”

Mata also commented on the new faces at United, hailing the capture of Angel di Maria from Real Madrid and the prospective arrival of Netherlands international Daley Blind from Ajax.

“I would like to welcome Di Maria and Blind to the club,” added the Spaniard.

“I am sure these two players will give a lot to us and will strengthen the team.

“We already know what Angel is capable of, his ability and dribbling skills, and Daley has a great touch and is very intelligent, as he showed during the World Cup.”

for Euro 2016 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Malta next month now he has assured Conte he will extend an Italy career which already totals 111 caps.

Meanwhile, Conte has praised the support he has received from Serie A clubs since he was appointed by the Azzurri last month.

The combustible coach did not see eye-to-eye with some of his colleagues during his Juve

years, but that has now changed.

“When you’re rivals, you can never be friends,” Conte said.

“But now I have received fantastic support from them.

They see me in a different role now and our relationship can be friendly. I’m ready to collaborate with them now.”

STEVEN Gerrard is confident Mario Balotelli will become a “terrific player” for Liverpool and expects the club’s fans to welcome him.

In need of another striker following the exit of star man Luis Suarez, the Reds last week plumped for a shock move for the maverick Italian.

Arriving in a cut-price £16million just 18 months after leaving the Barclays Premier League, Brendan Rodgers said Balotelli was a “risk worth taking”, but admitted the player was facing his “last chance” to thrive at the top level.

The 24-year-old was thrown straight in at the deep end by the Reds boss on Sunday, who started the striker from the outset at Tottenham six days after arriving from AC Milan.

Liverpool comfortably triumphed 3-0 despite Balotelli missing a host of chances, but Gerrard saw enough to be confident he will have a big impact at Anfield.

“With all due respect to Manchester City and AC Milan, Mario is going to get a different kind of support here,” the Reds captain said.

“These are the best fans in the world and traditionally they always get behind our strikers.

I’ve told him it’s there for him.

“If he plays well and works hard for these supporters, they’ll get behind him. He won’t have experienced support like that he’s about to get.

“He’s a big, strong lad. He held it up terrifically well. All

the team and showed some really good touches. You’ve got to remember that he’s only had three lots of 45 minutes in preseason, so with game time and getting used to the manager and players around him, he’s going to be a terrific player for us.”

Balotelli was replaced just after the hour mark at White Hart Lane, by which point the three points were secure.

Raheem Sterling swept home after just eight minutes, before a Gerrard penalty and solo goal

by Alberto Moreno in the second half secured another dominant win against Spurs.

Moreno’s goal was particularly impressive as he dispossessed substitute Andros Townsend and raced the length of the Spurs half to unleash a fine low drive past Hugo Lloris.

“I’m just glad we got the signing over the line because I had watched him quite a bit for Sevilla,” Gerrard said of the left-back, speaking to the club’s official website, www.liverpoolfc.com.

“I had watched YouTube clips of him and I knew he was a flier, quick and very aggressive with and without the ball.

“He showed his aggression with the ball today with a terrific run and the finish at the end of it was just pure quality.

“If a Real Madrid or Barcelona player did that, everybody would be getting carried away. Give him credit that was a top goal.”

Mazda Calm Dispite Sudan Defeat SUDAN coach Mazda Abdallah believes Sunday’s loss away to Zambia has no bearing on this Friday’s 2015 AFCON qualifier against Bafana.

Sudan host Bafana Bafana in both sides’ opening Group A qualifying game in Khartoum on September 5.

The buildup to the match hit a pothole on August 31 when Sudan lost 3-1 away to Zambia in a friendly played in Lusaka.

“We want to win against South Africa,” Mazda said in Lusaka after the match.

“The game is crucial but we will be playing home, we will take advantage of playing home.

“Zambia did play with high motivation, they celebrate so many things.

“We used our strongest team here. Sometimes local players do better than professionals.”

Mario Balotelli

Mahlangu Injury Not Serious SOUTH African midfielder May Mahlangu will not spend a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining a minor injury on Sunday.

The 25-year-old played the entire match and was also on the scoresheet during his side’s 2-0 win over Kalmar before complaining of pain on his left foot.

However, club

physiotherapist Fredrik Larsson is expecting the on-form midfielder to be back at training this week.

“There is no danger. It will take one or two days and then it will be fine,” Larrson told Goteborgs-Posten. “It’s not like the injury he had on his right foot.”

Mahlangu now spots a scar which runs up from the right

heel following an Achilles tendon injury which kept him on the sidelines from July 2013 to April 2014.

The former Helsingborgs player has been linked with a move away from Goteborg in the current transfer window with a number of clubs also looking to snap him up when his current contract expires at the end of December.

Revisiting National Confab’s ‘Nay’ Vote On Minimum Wage ONE of the resolutions at the just concluded National Conference that continues to attract reactions is the rejection of a proposal to increase the national minimum wage.

The Confab committee on Public Service had recommended the review of national minimum wage every five years to keep it in tune with cost of living and realities of the time.

A delegate from River, Chief Sergeant Awuse proposed an increase of the national minimum wage from N18, 000 to 40,000.

He said that going by the economic realities; N18, 000, “ is not a living wage’’ and asked his colleagues if any of them could survive with such meagre salary.

Mr Clement Mgbada, a delegate from the South East, said N18, 000 minimum was too paltry for public servants, adding that endemic corruption in the system was as a result of poor remuneration.

He also said that the issue of minimum wage should continue to be in the Exclusive List of the constitution.

In spite of the views expressed by some delegates on the need to increase the national minimum wage, when it was put

to vote, an overwhelming majority of the delegates said ‘nay.’

Though the conference had submitted its reports, the rejection of hike of the national minimum wage has continued to elicit reactions from Nigerians of all walks of life.

They say that the issue should be revisited; stressing that salary should be based on cost of living index.

Mr Gerald Ukeni, the General Secretary, Nigeria Civil Service Union, said it was wise for any progressive economy to periodically review the salary of its workers.

Ukeni said that workers are always the ones affected by inflation; hike in house rents, hike in school fees and other adverse economic trends without a corresponding increment in their wages.

“Reviewing of workers’ wages every five years is a healthy thing for industrial peace and democracy; the wage that was implemented in 2011 is no more relevant going by the economic trend and price of goods.

“In Nigeria, there is price abuse; while the wage remains fixed, prices cannot be fixed because of the economy we run here.

“People fix prices for their commodities in whichever way they want; prices are not

regulated by the forces of demand and supply.

“Immediately there is a wage increase, the landlord will skyrocket house rent; the market women will skyrocket prices of goods; so, it makes a mincemeat of the increment.’’

He said that as trade union members, they knew that workers

MATTERS IN FOCUS With Chijioke Okoronkwo

He however said that it was imperative for any economy to review its performance in terms of productivity and other economic factors before reviewing wages.

“In such economy, there must be productivity; there must be minimal corrupt practices; there must

that providing facilities such as houses, good environment for workers and subsidising school fees in both public and private schools could reduce agitation for wage increase.

Ukeni said that in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, many workers struggle to pay for

be a national consciousness and respect for the institutions.

“In Nigeria for instance, we cannot say that productivity is what it should be; we cannot say that corruption is less; so to do a review at the end of every three years will be difficult because the indices may not be there.’’

Besides wage increase, Ukeni said

accommodation with their meagre salaries.

Mr Martins Oche, a civil servant, who commented on the upward review of the national minimum, said the rejection was unfair.

He said that they should have borrowed a leaf from countries that review their national minimum wage every three or five years.

In his part, the National Chairman,

Idris Kutigi

were at the receiving end of stagnant wages, adding that it would be proper to review workers’ wages every three years in order to cushion the effect of rising inflation.

According to Ukeni, there is need to set up a committee of experts who will always be monitoring the economy and give out indices that can help for planning.

Progressives People Alliance (PPA), Mr Peter Ameh, faulted the rejection of increase in the national minimum wage.

The national chairman said the welfare of Nigerian workers should be accorded priority, because of their e n o r m o u s contributions to n a t i o n a l development.

“Proper housing and transportation schemes should be put in place to better the welfare of workers,” he said.

Ameh, however, lauded the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and called on the Federal Government to enhance the scheme, quoting the old adage that “a healthy workforce is a better nation.”

Sharing similar sentiments, the National Secretary, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Mr Gilbert Agbo, said government should put in place sustainable welfare scheme for workers.

Agbo who was not comfortable with the Confab’s resolution on national minimum wage, said that “Nigeria has the resources to take care of the needs of her workers.”

He said there was the need for government to enhance the standard of living of its workers with a good salary scheme in tune with

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