Nigerian Observer

THE NIGERIAN

The Nigerian

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PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 ART AND CULTURE Page 19

• Vol. 37 NO.229 • FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2 013 • N100.00

Senate passes State of the Nation Bill

By JOSES SEDE

Giro in culture

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

ABUJA – The National Assembly yesterday passed the State of the Nation Bill , seeking to make the President

accountable to the Nigerian people.

The provisions of the Bill also makes it man-

datory for the president to render account of his stewardship to the nation and to allow for in-

put from members of the National Assembly towards the good governance of the federation.

Continues on page 2

National Security

REFLECTION Page 23 Let there be peace in Nigeria

Jonathan cuts short S’Africa visit

ABUJA - President Goodluck Jonathan has cut short his visit to South Africa and also aborted his state visit to Namibia which was to begin yesterday. start on Thursday.

This is contained in a “The President is restatement issued yesterturning to Abuja immeday in Abuja by Dr diately to personally Reuben Abati, the Speoversee efforts by nacial Adviser to the Presitional security agencies dent on Media and Pubto contain the fresh challicity. lenges to national secuThe statement said the rity which have emerged president would be rethis week in Borno, Platurning to Abuja immeteau and Nassarawa diately to contain the sestates. curity challenges in “President Jonathan Borno, Plateau and will on arrival, meet with Nassarawa states. the Chief of Defence “In view of the recent Staff, Service Chiefs, the developments in Nigeria, Inspector-General of President Goodluck Police and heads of naJonathan has cut short tional security services, his visit to South Africa to review the security and aborted his state situation in the country.’’ visit to Namibia, due to

It would be recalled that many people, including security person-

nel, lost their lives as a result of attacks by Boko Haram on military and

security installations, prisons, as well as police and army barracks

in

Continues on page 2

Senate shuns discussion

By JOSES SEDE on 2013 budget ABUJA – Despite spirited efforts by the Chief Tony Anenih led Board of Trustees of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to douse rising tension between the executive and the National Assembly, (NASS) over implementation of the 2013 national Budget, the federal legislators are yet to begin work on the fiscal instrument.

President Goodluck Jonathan starting from his February 2013 reluctance to sign the 2013 budget into law, two months after its passage by the National Assembly, returned it to NASS

for further amendments.

The hesitency had resulted in the seeming lukewarm relationship between the Presidency and the National Assembly, afraid that the delay in signing the budget could set the country back in the usual hit-or-miss implementation which they wanted to avoid in the 2013 fiscal year.

As as result, the NASS members had vowed to veto the presidential assent, particularly for barring them from appropriating for the Security and Ex-

TIT BIT “ Be aggressively thankful. No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks. The person who isn’t thankful for what he’s got isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get. So, think - Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama

change Commission and retaining its Director-General, Aruma Otteh, whom they had resolved should be relieved of her job.

Continues on page 2

INVESTMENT FORUM: L-R: Vice Chairman, World Economic Forum, Josette Sheeran, Chairperson, African Union Commission, Mrs. Dlamini Zuma and President Goodluck Jonathan speaking at the High-Level closing plenary of the Grow Africa Investment Forum in Cape Town yesterday.

Catholic nurses hail Edo LG poll

BENIN CITY - The Catholic Nurses Guild of Nigeria has commended the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for giving the state Independent Electoral Commission a free hand to conduct a credible Local Government election in the state.

Speaking through its National President, Mrs. Roseline Okohobo during a courtesy visit to the Governor in Government House, Benin City yesterday, she described the

Governor as a gift from God to Edo people.

According to her, “we want to congratulate you on the recently well conducted local government

election. Your work speaks for itself. We are very proud of you. If there was to be a third tenure, we would have voted for you again and

again”.

Mrs. Okohobo disclosed that Edo won the number one seat at the last conference in Abuja

saying “this is a position we have never won, but this time, we followed your footsteps.

“When you are campaigning you talk, you dance, you sing. When we were going, because we had many Continues on page 2

Ihonvbere lists conditions for successful career

BY QUEENETH OROBEDO BENIN CITY- Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Prof Julius Ihonvbere has

said that having a clear cut ambition, self confidence and strategy is the only way to guarantee

career week organized the future in any chosen by the Old Boys Assocareer. ciation of Edo He stated this yesterday in Benin City at a Continues on page 2

THE NIGERIAN

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THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

News Senate passes State of the Nation Bill Continued from page 1 The Senate President, David Mark has therefore advised incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan not to delay or withhold his assent to the Bill as soon as it gets to his table.

“State of the Nation Address by the President of the Nigerian nation before a joint session of the National As-

sembly as contained in this Bill is very important, particularly at this critical moments of our nationhood. ‘’It will definitely start this year and on this note, I urge the president to assent his signature to the Bill which will be forwarded to him any moment from now”, he stated.

The State of the Nation Bill was introduced in the Senate

in 2008 and in the House of Representatives in 2009. It was passed but was not assented to by the President.

The Bill was therefore reintroduced by the 7th (present) National Assembly.

The reintroduction was followed by consideration and passage by the House on 20th December, 2011 and transmitted to the Senate for con-

Jonathan cuts short S’Africa visit Continued from page 1 Borno on Monday.

Govs. Umaru Al-Makura of Nassarawa State and Gabriel Suswan of Benue on Wednesday briefed Vice President Namadi Sambo on the deteriorating security situations in their states.

Al-Makura told the vice president how 23 mobile policemen were killed in an ambush by the Ombatse cult group, while Suswam reported how herdsmen attacked Agatu villagers and killed many people.

Meanwhile, the Presiden-

tial Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North is holding talks with commanders of the Boko Haram in Kuje prisons as part of its move to create room for dialogue with the group.

Senate shuns discussion on 2013 government as and when budget due, provided that no funds The Chief Anenih led PDP

Continued from page 1 BOT had intervened in the stand-off , in persuading the leadership of both chambers to pass the Budget as amended by President Jonathan, a situated that resulted in its listing in the Order Paper of both chambers.

However, at the sitting yesterday, body language of the members was seemingly to throw it away when mentioned, hence, the Senate Leader, Sen. Victor NdomaEgba moved that it should be stood-down on the premise that the “Lead Debate” was not yet ready.

President Jonathan had in a letter dated March 14, 2013, read on the floors of the two chambers March 18, 2013 described certain provisions in the 2013 Budget as passed as “injurious to the spirit of separation of powers and which could hamper the work of the executive arm of government”.

He also argued that appropriation for Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) was beyond their areas of jurisdiction hence, the clause mandating the Commission to seek approval of the NASS before spending from its internally generated revenue is unnecessary.

The NASS has provided in the 2013 Bugdet that: “all revenue however described including all fees received, fines, grants, budgetary provisions and all internally and externally generated revenue shall not be spent by the Security and Exchange Commission for Reccurent or Capital purposes for any other matters, nor liabilities thereon incurred except with prior appropriation and approval by the National Assembly”.

However in his letter, President Jonathan argued that “considering the fact that the budget of SEC does not form part of the core 2013 Federal Budget as presented to the NASS, I believe that this clause ought not to have been inserted in the 2013 Apprpriation Act in the first place” and that “the import of the clause is tantamount to shutting down the business of the Commission with a potential negative impact on the capital market”.

The National Assembly had in their bid to plug leakages

in the federal government spending, directed that the budgets of all extra-ministerial departments including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), SEC and others be forwarded compulsorily for necessary approval before implementation.

Of the 31 parastatals and agencies, SEC budget was not considered due to earlier Vo t e - o f - N o - C o n f i d e n c e passed on the SEC directorgeneral, Ms. Arumah Oteh and the refusal of Mr. President to heed the NASS’ call for her sack.

Clause 7 of the 2013 Appropriation Act states that “the minister of finance shall ensure that funds appropriated under this Act are released to the appropriate agencies and/or organs of

for any quarter of the fiscal year shall be deferred without prior waiver from the National Assembly”.

To President Jonathan’s understanding however, “this requires the minister of finance to seek a waiver from the NASS each time the ministry of finance cannot make full releases to MDAs (Ministries, Departments and Agencies) when due”, and submitted that “these would create delays and constraints on the budget implementation”.

“As you are aware, the nation experiences a shortfall in revenue once in a while and if the minister is to seek a waiver on each occasion, the practice would tie down Budget implementation, as this would involve the minister writing a formal letter to the National Assembly, presented in plenary’’, he said.

currence. It was also considered and passed in the Senate on 13th March, 2013.

Following the differences in the versions of the Bill as passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly, a Conference Committee was constituted in the Senate on Tuesday 19 th March, 2013 and the House on Thursday 21st March, 2013 to harmonize the differences.

A clean copy is expected to be forwarded to the President of the Federal Republic for signing into law. If after mandatory 30 days he withholds his assent, the federal legislators would be obligated to pass it with two-third majority.

Section 3 of the Bill that spells the power of the National Assembly to summon the President states: “where the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria fails, neglects, or refuses to render account of his stewardship within the time stipulated by Section 1 of this Bill, the National Assembly may by resolution supported by two-third votes of members of each House of the National Assembly, summon the president to address the nation pursuant to the provision of this Bill”.

Section 4 states: “The President’s address shall be debated by the National Assembly and the resolution of the National Assembly shall be communicated to the President within 60 days from the date of such address”.

Section 6: “The President shall not delegate his responsibilities under this Act to anybody whatsoever except in a situation as provided for in Section 146 of the 1999 Constitution as amended”.

Catholic nurses hail Edo LG Poll priority clear, you can be

Continued from page 1

delegates, we had to use the Comrade bus. As soon as we got to Abuja, people were shouting Oshiomhole, Oshiomhole.

“As an Edolite, anywhere we go, we walk tall because of what you have put in place.

“We hope to decorate you on our gala nite as the grand patron of the Nurses Guild of Nigeria and we also want to confirm a post-humous award on your late wife for her contributions to health care. Her pet project was on Malaria and child health. This project she worked on diligently until her death. I knew when she visited the Central Hospital to give gifts to the first baby of the year; her performance that day was different. Those that were crying, started laughing”, she added.

Responding, Oshiomhole said government would maintain what it has started, adding Government will ensure that development gets to all the eighteen local government areas in the State.

“According to him, we will do our best to reposition the State and reclaim the lost glory. That is why we go out to ensure that we bring in those who can drive changes in the system.

“I am particularly concerned about the health sec-

tor. There are huge challenges there and I realized that what the sector needs is not just more money because throwing money at a problem doesn’t just solve it. The lessons are clear; unless you understand the problem and diagnose and you get your

spending money and don’t get the results.

“I want to assure you that the Government will continue to encourage and motivate organizations to partner with it in its efforts to take Edo to the next level”, he said.

Ihonvbere lists conditions for successful career

what you are learning; if you do

Continued from page 1 not prepare for today you can’t Boys High School, formerly Adolor College, Benin City.

The theme of the week-long events “nurturing the student to greater height”.

Prof. Ihonvbere who was one of the guest speakers at the event and an Old Boy of the school remarked that what ever level one attains in life is largely determined by the secondary education acquired.

The SSG who went down memory lane said motivation, commitment, and looking beyond the immediate school environment were some of the unique factors that prepared them for the challenges in life.

While urging the present students to be disciplined, take their studies seriously, eschew negative tendencies as well as strive to be ICT compliant, the SSG asserted that they are the key to a successful future.

“Our teachers were committed, there was discipline and respect for senior; whatever I am today started from this school; you need to understand the essence of

have tomorrow”. He said.

According to him, “self confidence has meaning when you have knowledge; you must have ambition, hope, recognize there is tomorrow”.

“It is not enough to be here; you must think about being outside; you must eschew social vices; handwork does not kill, it is pleasure that kills. Be ICT compliant, have a mentor… and believe in God”. He said.

President, Edo Boys High School Old Boys Association, Dr, Henry Oghoator said the session which will be an annual event is part of efforts to give back to the school that helped mould them.

Principal of the Senior Secondary School, Mr. G. E. Egbon, acknowledged the agelong personal contributions of Prof. Ihonvbere to all round advancement of Edo Boys High School.

He appealed to the professor to use his capacity as SSG to ensure that electricity is extended to the school, boarding system is restored and a physics teacher is posted to the institution soon.

Commissioner tasks FRSC on public enlightenment BENIN CITY – Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Aihanuwa Eregie has called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Edo State Sector Command to intensify efforts at educating the people and create more awareness on the use of roads.

The Commissioner made this call today in her office while playing host to the State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Commander Kenneth Nwaegbe who paid her an advocacy visit.

Dr. Eregie who observed that ignorance is part of the problems on our roads, stated that most people lack knowledge of the high code.

She charged the FRSC to use the United Nations Global Safety week to increase their awareness campaign on Highway Code and the road safety.

She however promised that the Ministry will do all it could within its limit to partner with the FRSC to reduce accidents on the roads.

Speaking earlier, the State Sector Commander, told the Commissioner that he was in her office to intimate her of the activities to mark this year’s United Nations Global Safety Week which holds on the 6-12 May of every year.

According to the Sector Commander, the theme for this year’s event is, “Pedestrian Safety”, with the aim of drawing the public attention to the urgent need to better protection of pedestrians and cyclists, pointing out that the target was to reduce road accident by 50 percent.

He appealed to the Commissioner to assist the command in equipping the FRSC clinic at Oluku as well as the provision of Ambulance to rescue accident victims on our roads.

High point of the ceremony was the presentation of the Highway Code to the Commissioner.

NDA Exams holds May 18

By INNOCENT OMOAKA BENIN CITY - The Nigeria Defency Academy Selection Examination, NDASE has been scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at the Airforce Primary School, Benin City.

This was contained in a statement signed by Odion O. Ogun, for Secretary to the Edo state Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

According to the statement, the general public, especially Edo State indigenes who made the national JAMB cutoff mark are eligible to sit for the examination.

Only the eligible candidates are expected to return to the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, portal, login with their email address and password to download the examination admission card which would give them access for the NDASE. In addition, the eligible candidates are expected at the venue for the examination by 7:30am for screening before the commencement of the examination by 9:00am.

The candidates are also expected to bring with them to the examination venue, their pin number slip obtained from any branch of Zenith bank, acknowledgement form downloaded from the internet, JAMB result slip, examination admission card downloaded from the internet after the release of JAMB result and two post card size (3.5 * 5 inches) photographs.

At the back of the photographs should be written, the candidates name, state of origin, course chosen and name of the examination centre.

All eligible candidates are also advised to bring along to the examination venue, writing materials, including HB pencil and eraser, while mobile phones would not be allowed into the venues for the examination.

Funeral service for Late Madam Ihensekhien holds tomorrow UBIAJA - A funeral service will be held tomorrow, Saturday May 11, 2013 for the late Madam Omoluyi Ihensekhien (Nee Aghedo) at Our Saviours Anglican Church, Idumowu-Ebelle, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State beginning from 9:30 a.m.

Late madam Ihensekhien died on February 27, 2013 at the age of 80 years.

She is survived by 10 children, 25 grand children and

one great grand child.

Late Madam Omoluyi Ihensekhien (Nee Aghedo)

THE NIGERIAN

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THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Inside Edo

Owan East Council Boss Urges Staff To Be Committed To Duty AFUZE, Emai – Owan East Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. (Barr.) Jimoh Ijegbai has charged workers of the council to show more commitment to duty, as his administration is out to reward hard work and diligence.

The council boss gave this charge while addressing the newly elected officers of Nigerian Union Local Government Employees (NULGE), Owan East Branch, in his office.

He frowned at the laxity of some staff of the council and cautioned that his administration will not condone indolence, lateness to work, just as he said there will be reward for hard work.

While assuring that the good old days was back at the council when staff were motivated to give in their best, Hon. (Barr) Ijegbai noted that the restoration slogan of his campaign would be followed judiciously.

He disclosed that as part of his restoration agenda, salaries would henceforth be paid on or before the 25th day of each month, while verifiable claims owed staff would be paid within available resources.

The council boss stated that 50 percent debt owed health workers of the council has been paid, while modalities to liquidate the

balance, he said, was being worked out.

He promised his administration’s readiness to uplifting the standard and morale of the workers.

Earlier, the branch Chairman of NULGE, Comrade Idowu Ohiokhuobor said they were in the chairman’s office to formally present members of the new executive and pledged their unal-

loyed loyalty and undiluted cooperation to the administration of Barr. Jimoh Ijegbai.

Present at the visit, were representatives of the various departments, women wing of NULGE, as well as the State Welfare Officer of NULGE, Mr. Samson Edukpe.

. . . To Replicate Gov Oshiomhole AFUZE-EMAI – The Chairman, Owan East Local GovernAchievements ment Council, Barrister Jimoh Ijebai has said that the achievement recorded by the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole will be replicated in every ward in the Local Government Area.

Barrister Jimoh Ijegbai made his known when he played host to Ikhin Community Development Association led by its President General, Chief Monday Ebowemen.

The Chairman who assured of even distribution of the dividends of democracy in Owan East promised to liaise with the State Ministry of Education with a view to addressing the dilapidated state of Ikhin Secondary School and the provision of teachers.

Speaking earlier, Chief Ebowemen commended Barrister Jimoh Ijegbai for his victory at the State Local Government election.

He remarked that Ukpe in Ikhin lacked portable water supply while the Ikhin Secondary School is in a state of dilapidation and therefore appealed to the council boss for urgent steps to address these situations.

In another development, the Council Chairman has solicited the assistance of the management of Unity Bank, Afuze in the area of Micro Financing.

The Chairman who made this request when he played host to the management of the bank, noted that Owan East is predominantly an agrarian Local Government Area saying that such assistance would help boost the economy of the Local Government with its farmers.

He assured that the council would do everything possible to encourage the bank to remain in business being the only commercial bank operating in the locality.

Owan West Council Boss Pledges To Deliver Campaign Promises SABOGIDA ORA – The Chairman of Owan West Local Government Area, Barrister Godwin Aigbodion has stated that his administration owe it a duty to deliver on its electioneering promises to the people of the area in order to give them sense of belonging.

Barrister Aigbodion acknowledged that so many things needed to be done to improve on the living standard of the people in the area.

He solicited for their support and cooperation for him to achieve the desired aim.

The council boss who spoke to newsmen in Sabogida-Ora promised to give priority attention to providing portable drinking water to the people saying it is the major problem in the area, while expressing his readiness to improve on healthcare facilities as well as construct rural roads in the area, he also promised to give attention to the education sector through human and infrastructural development.

This, he said becomes necessary to compliment the state government efforts in developing the education sector across the state.

Meanwhile, the council chairman has urged the council workers to be more dedicated to their job and eschew idleness and absenteeism.

The Branch Manager of the bank, Mr. Lawal Nasiru, in his remarks expressed the bank’s preparedness to partner the council in the area of agriculture and other small scale business, provided communities and associations seeking the bank facilities are prepared to always repay such facilities.

Meanwhile, Hon. (Barr.)

Jimoh Ijebai has reiterated his administration’s commitment to touching the lives of the people of the local government.

L-R: Mrs. Roseline Okohobo, National President, Catholic Nurses Guild of Nigeria, Mrs. Elizabeth Nyamali, State Chairman, Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Rev. Fr. Francis Ochonogor during a courtesy visit of executive members of the Guild to the Governor in Benin City yesterday.

Ovia South West Council Boss summons project site at Iguobazuwa, the

By DANIEL EDOBOR administration Headquarters of Contractor the council.

IGUOBAZUWA – The Chairman, Ovia South West Local Government Council, Hon. Morrison Ogunrobo Ovia has invited the contractor handling the renovation of Central Hospital, Iguobazuwa to the council secretariat to explain his use of substandard materials for the project as well as its abandonment.

Hon. Ogunrobo who was on an inspection visit to the re-activated water project and other

He said even though the hospital is not within his jurisdiction but for the fact that “we are the custodian of the administrative perspective of this local government and I owe it a duty to know what is happening within our vicinity and that the contractor is not doing a classic job in the renovation and at the time of visit, no men and equipment was on site.

He said the generator bought

by Edo State Government that

has not been installed was stolen while money that would have been used for other materials at the completion of the renovation will now be used to purchase another generator, and therefore demanded to know the contractor and to know the reason for the delay in the renovation work.

Inspecting the activated bole hole at Iguobazuwa, the chairman said his administration, like Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole does not believe in abandoned project,

rather, completing ongoing projects in the Local Government Area.

He said water supply to the people of Iguobazuwa was poor, hence since his swearing in last month, he decided to make money available for reactivating all the water bole hole and make money available to fuel all the power generating set in order for the people of Iguobazuwa to get portable drinking water adding, “our effort is paying well now”.

EDHA Probes Threat To Ekpedo Community

By KEN ABU

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Mrs. Roseline Okohobo, National President, Catholic Nurses Guild of Nigeria during a courtesy visit of executive members of the Guild to the Governor in Benin City yesterday.

BENIN CITY- The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Uyi Igbe has mandated the House Standing Committee on Lands, Survey and Housing to Investiagte the alleged security threat to lives and property in Ekpedo community in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State by natives of Ogori in Kogi State.

Hon. Uyi Igbe gave the directive to the committee during plenary session following the Deputy Clerk of the House, Mr. James Omoatamae’s acknowledgement of receipt of a petition from the Onose of Ekpedo, Oba J. A Obabori.

The petition was endorsed by the member representing

Akoko-Edo constituency II at the State Assembly.

According to the prayers of the petitioner as was read by the Deputy Clerk of the House, the boundary between Ekpedo community and Ogori of Kogi State has been encroached by Ogiri people.

This, the petitioner said has led to the leasing of Edo State lands to Nomadic cattle rearers who pay royalty to the Ogori people.

The petitioner prayed the House to intervene in the illegal action of Ogiri people which he perceived may cause security breach in Ekpedo.

The committee has two weeks to forward its report to parliament.

THE NIGERIAN

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THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Inside Edo

Soyinka Proffers Solution To Boko Haram Insurgence

By RICHARD EWEKA

BENIN CITY-Literary Icon, Prof Wole Soyinka has called on the Nigeria government to go back to the very beginning of the Indoctrination of Boko-Haram sect members in schools if they intend to solve the threat and killings by the group.

He made the call while speaking on AJStream, a programme on AIJazeera cable network on Wednesday.

Prof. Soyinka said that Boko Haram is a local movement adding that it is part of an international problem that needs to be checked, “Boko Haram claim they are fighting for their religion. We have knowledge and pronouncement of other muslims that they are not true muslim. That what they are doing is not ap-

proved by any teaching in Islamic religion.

He said a military response is not the only way out but one of the many approaches which are essential to finding a solution to the problem. “If we must solve the problem, we should go back to the bases where the maI-formation took place” “Nigeria is in a war situation and every Nigerian citizen should consider this. Boko Haram phenomenon should not be limited to the Northern region alone but something that affect the entire nation.

This people have declared categoriticalhy that they will not be satisfied until Nigeria and Nigerians are Islamized” He concluded.

Meanwhile founder of Sahara Reporter Omoyele Sowore has attributed the problem of insecurity, killings

Comrade Eguavoen For Burial Today BENIN CITY-The burial ceremony of late Comrade Anthony Eguavoen, (aka Crobo) beings today Friday May 10, 2013. The Late Comrade Eguavoen died on March 11, 2013 in Benin City after a brief illness. He was aged 63.

According to a statement by his eldest son, Nelson Eguavoen, at 10am today, the body of the late Comrade Eguavoen will leave St Magrete’s Hospital Upper Sakpoba Road, Benin City for lying-in –state at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, No 1 Reservation Road, GRA, Benin City.

At 12 noon, the body will deport the NUJ Press Centre in a motorcade to his residence No 29 Amadasun street, off Upper Uwa Street, St Saviour Road, Benin City for family rites .

On Saturday May 11, 2013, there will be social dance and entertainment of guest at his

residence.

The burial ceremony will climax on Sunday May 12, 2003 with a thanksgiving service at Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Iguodala Branch, Benin City.

Comrade Anthony Eguaveon was until his death, a veteran Journalist and former sub-Editor with the Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, Publishers of the OBSERVER Titles in the 80s.

He later joined GLOBAL EXCELLENCE Magazine as Edo/Delta states, bureau chief before his demise on Monday March 11, 2013.

He is survived by a wife, six children, five grandchildren, brothers sisters and other relations.

He made the disclosure while answering questions at AJStream a programme on

L-R: Dr. Ojimowo, Barrister A.L. Ugiagbe, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, SSG, Edo State, Mr. Henry Oghoator and Mr. Jerry Iyamu during a career week organised by the Old Boys Association of Edo Boys High School.

fourty years, the leaders have failed in her leadership style.

The problem of Boko Haram is a small issue to handle but because the government of Nigeria has not been ruling well and security agencies are involved in corruption every little problem escalate and result to national issues”.

He said when we didn’t have Boko Haram we were battling with Niger- DELTA militant. Infact; now an exmilitant Asari Dokubo openly declared before the press and the international community that if President Jonathan fails to become president of Nigeria in 2015, there will be war in the country. Security are keeping quiet and are not acting now before this one too get out of hand.

“Corruption is the major problem Nigeria is facing as a nation, it has dehumanised Nigeria and her people. The leaders don’t have the love of her people at heart.

The Chairman, Etsako East Local Government Council, Hon. (Prince) Suleiman Abdulmalik Afegbua (right), presenting appointment letters to Hon. Barnabas Oshiobor and Hon. Hyat Asunugie respectively during the swearing-in ceremony recently.

Red Cross Advises Parents On Heavy Downpour

By JUDE EHEBHA

Late Comrade Anthony Eguavoen, (aka Crobo)

and distruction of live and property to bad governance by the Nigerian leaders.

Aljazeera cable network on the operations of Boko Haram in the Northern part of the country.

“The problem of Nigeria is that of leadership. In the last

EKPOMA - The Nigerian Red Cross (NRC) Society, Esan West Division, Ekpoma, Edo State has advised parents and primary school managements to keep children indoors during heavy down pours in order to avoid repeat of erosion disaster that claimed the lives of two kid sisters in the town two years back.

Chairman of the Society, Esan West Division Mr. Mike Odiahi who gave the advice during a ceremony held to mark

World Red Cross Day, spoke against the backdrop of predictions of heavy down pour in Ekpoma town.

It would be recalled that two female children of same parents were killed by floods on their way to church in the university town two years ago.

“As you may be aware, Ekpoma is persistently being mentioned as one of the towns that will experience heavy flooding this year.

“Consequent upon this, parents and school managements are advised to keep children

indoors whenever there is heavy downpour, and avoid sending them to places where they would cross gutters, he advised.

Speaking on the World Red Cross Day, Odiahi said it was celebrated every May 8 to commemorate its founder Sir Jean Henry Dunnant who was born on May 8, 1828.

He said the Society was an independent humanitarian, relief and development organization, whose mission was to assist disaster victims.

He added that the society implement health and social welfare programmes and promote humanitarian principles, noting that its activities cover emergency intervention during outbreaks of violence.

The Red Cross divisional chairman however lamented that lack of funds, ambulances and others logistics were posing heavy challenge to their rescue operation, hence solicited assistance from well-meaning individuals.

, .

As a way of preventing accident, two sign posts, to be erected on the Benin-Auchi Highway were unveiled.

Representatives of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, primary and secondary schools in Ekpoma graced the occasion.

THE NIGERIAN

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THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

South South JTF Arrests 2, Recovers 2 Bodies In Bayelsa YENAGOA - The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, says it has arrested two suspects in connection with the recent clash between two armed groups in Lorbia 1 community, Southern Ijaw area, Bayelsa.

The clash left eight persons dead.

Media Coordinator of the JTF, Lt.-Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu, told newsmen in Yenagoa on Wednesday that the task force was committed to restoring peace and sanity to the region.

The JTF spokesman also said that operatives of the force had so far recovered two bodies from the creeks in addition to several items recovered during a search and rescue operation in the Area.

“Our troops were dispatched to Lobia 1 where an armed collision had reportedly occurred between two factions or groups; on arrival at the community, our troops promptly cordoned off

and searched the community for possible culprits and arms.

“And in that operation our troops recovered two AK-47 riffles, six AK-47 magazines, general purpose machine gun barrels, 145 live rounds of 7.62 millimeter special ammunition and one speed boat.

“Unspecified number of casualties was reported and at the moment two bodies have been recovered from the location.’’

Nwachukwu confirmed that the JTF had deployed troops to Azuzuama since May 5 as part of efforts to restore sanity in the area.

On April 6, 2013, a group of gunmen attacked and killed 12 policemen on security duty in the Azuzuama creeks.

The policemen were deployed to provide protection during the burial of the mother of a former militant who is now serving as a Special Assistant to Bayelsa governor on Maritime security.

Minister of State for Education, Mr Nyeson Wike; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri and Minister of Health, Mr Onyebuchi Chukwu, at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

From left: Ministers of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah; Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu and Communication and Technology, Omobola Johnson at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

Delta Intervenes In Herdsmen, Community Clash ASABA - The Delta Government said it had ordered Fulani herdsmen in the state to confine their cattle to only areas designated for grazing around the state.

The government also said that it had taken measures to ensure that the herdsmen complied with the directive.

In a statement in Asaba, on Wednesday, the government said that it needed to reassure communities in the state of their safety following fears expressed

by Ogume clan of their continued safety after a recent clash between it and the herdsmen.

It will be recalled that the state government had immediately after the clash which followed alleged destruction of farmlands by the cattle, intervened in the matter.

The statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, said: “The Government of Delta State has been liaising with all stakeholders and security agencies over the matter and wishes to reassure the Ogume clan of its security.

“Currently, measures are being taken to resolve the challenge and give succour to the farmers whose crops were damaged as well as those affected by the violent attacks by some herdsmen.

“The government hereby assures the Ogume clan and, indeed, every other community that provides grazing grounds for Fulani herdsmen that measures have been taken to ensure that the herdsmen are confined to the designated grazing areas.”

It appealed to communities in the area and their leaders to remain calm, stating that the dispute would soon be over.

It added that it would provide succour to persons and communities that suffered losses as a result of the rampage by the cattle.

“Everything about the succour package will be unveiled in the coming days and we appeal to communities, which suffered losses to be calm and patient,” the statement said.

Party Merger In The Interest Of Democracy -Lawmaker

PORT HARCOURT Sen. Solomon Ewuga, member of the National Assembly (CPC, Nasarawa North), said on Wednesday that the merger of opposition parties to form a strong political party would strengthen the

Shell Inaugurates Community Projects Community Relations, Mr. Nedo In Bayelsa YENAGOA - The Shell PeOsayande, said that the projects

troleum Development Company (SPDC) has inaugurated 10 community development projects in its host communities at Nembe in Bayelsa.

The projects, valued at N355 million include transport-towealth scheme, development of infrastructure, water projects, mini-market and a printing press.

The transport-to-wealth scheme has a fleet of 35 vehicles, 10 of which will be used by the Nembe City Development Foundation (NCDF), while 25 will be allocated to benefiting youths from Nembe Kingdom.

In his speech at the occasion, Governor. Seriake Dickson lauded the SPDC for implementing the Global Memorandum of

Understanding (GMoU) on the projects in partnership with the NCDF. “With these laudable projects, government has seen that development is coming to our communities,” he said, urging other communities to emulate Nembe communities under the auspices of the NCDF. Represented by his deputy, retired Rear Admiral John Jonah, Dickson said the oil company was complementing government’s efforts at developing the rural communities.

He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the vehicles.

SPDC’s General Manager, Sustainable Development and

were part of the oil firm’s corporate social responsibilities.

He explained that apart from the 10 projects, SPDC and its joint partners were also involved in the construction of the Nembe Independent Power Project and the Nembe Road.

He said that on completion, the road would open up communities in the area.

“Today, we are here to celebrate with the communities on the commissioning of 10 projects which cut across economic empowerment and infrastructure.

“These projects cost N355m.

I believe these investments will improve lives,” he said.

nation’s democracy.

Ewuga stated this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.

The lawmaker, who is also the Chairman, Contact and Mobilisation Committee of the Congress for Progressive Change, (APC), added that the merger would achieve continuity and stability in the polity. “I think it is for the interest of Nigeria’s democracy that we are doing what we are doing,’’ he said.

He described the merger as a step in the right direction.

Ewuga said that CPC would ensure that things worked better in the country, especially the fight against corruption.

“Every party seeks power, but to change the way things work we are looking forward to having a change that

would make Nigeria better.

“We are determined to reduce the pervasive corruption that had stunted the growth of Nigeria for the benefit of Nigerians.”

The lawmaker said the merger had already been concluded except for some technicalities, which he hoped would soon be handled after the national convention of the party.

“By the time we finish the convention, the interim executive would be on ground to manage the new party and will work toward fusing the common interest of those parties.

“The executive and all other things lied down by the party, would be in place to ensure that the party is fused into one whole entity.”

Ewuga said the interim ex-

ecutive would work for six months after which the full time executives would take over the affairs of the party.

He also expressed the hope that the forthcoming election in Anambra would be held in the name of the new party.

Commenting on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), before the Senate, he said the bill was very essential, but there was the need to remove some of the provisions inserted in it.

The lawmaker said it was better to take a proper look at PIB so as not to inhibit people’s interest.

He said those things that could reduce the interest of the business community from queuing into oil and gas business or create anxiety amongst Nigerians should be removed from the bill.

THE NIGERIAN

6

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

South West Judge Orders Army To Honour Court Judgment

Audit Query

Ogun Assembly To Sanction Erring Officials ABEOKUTA - The Ogun Assembly has warned that any government official who refuses to answer an audit query will be sanctioned in line with public service rules.

The Chairman, House Committee on Public Account, Mr. Abiodun Akovoyon, gave the warning in Abeokuta while conducting a check on the 2011 audited account of the local government councils in the state.

According to him, refusal to answer an audit query is a serious offence and gross misconduct in the civil service.

The lawmaker said the check being conducted on the account books of local governments was not meant to witch-hunt but part of the constitutional responsibilities of the Assembly.

He urged the Auditor General for Local Government to take a second look into all the financial queries with a view to determining whether there were inflated contracts.

The lawmaker expressed the determination of the Assembly to ensure repayment of such funds into government’s coffers.

The Auditor-General for Local Government, Mr. Mohammed Ogunleye, said majority of the queries were raised because vouchers were not supported with relevant documents.

Ogunleye advised civil servants to always answer queries within two weeks, saying they were meant to clarify issues.

Reports say that the local governments in attendance at the session were Ogun Waterside, Ipokia and Odogbolu.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Monguno, addressing participants during the 2013 in-house review meeting and North East Zonal refils workshop in Gombe on Tuesday

Ihejirika Tasks Finance Corps ABEOKUTA - The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has stressed the need for the military to ensure prudent management and application of financial resources.

Ihejirika spoke on Wednesday in Abeokuta at the opening of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps Warrant Officers/ Senior Non- Commissioned Officers 2013 Training Week.

He was represented at the occasion by Maj.-Gen. Obi Umahi, the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, of the Nigerian Army, The Week had as theme: ‘’Contemporary Security Challenges of the Nigerian Army: The roles of NAFC WOs/ SNCOs.” While observing that funding was fundamental to containing the increasing security challenges facing the nation, Ihejirika acknowledged that the development had placed serious demands on the resources of the army.

He said the training was aimed at enhancing the profes-

Goat Milk Contains Higher Protein Than Cow -Expert AKURE - An expert in livestock, Mr. Aloba Alex, has underscored the need for improved goat breed in view of research results which showed that its milk has higher protein content than that of cow.

Alex, of the Ondo State Agricultural Development Project (ADP), made the call while speaking with Journalists in Akure on Wednesday.

He noted that European countries gave preference to goat milk because of its high protein content.

He observed that most of the goat breed in Nigeria were raised solely for meat production, which made their milk content to be low compared to that of the temperate region.

“We will go a long way by improving new breeds of goat so that we don’t continue to depend

ABUJA - The National Industrial Court ordered the Nigerian Army to obey the Court of Appeal’s judgment and pay the entitlement of its retired officer, Lt. Col. Michael Erhabor.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Maureen Esowe, gave the order in Abuja while delivering judgment in a case of non-payment of entitlements filed by Erhabor.

Erhabor, who joined the Nigerian Army in 1970, told the court that he was dismissed in November 1983 after he was court marshalled by his superior officers.

He said that he challenged the dismissal at the Lagos High Court until 1985 when the case was finally determined in his favour at the Court of Appeal.

entirely on cow milk for protein.’’

According to him, all goats in Nigeria, both the West African ‘dwarf’ found in the western region, and the ‘Red Sokoto found in the northern part, produce good milk.

Alex stressed the need to organise an enlightenment programme for farmers, particularly on goat rearing.

He also urged the government to develop the livestock aspect of the agriculture sector, which he said, was being neglected.

He also said that conducting training programme for livestock officers was imperative and urged the government to prepare a stable policy to support livestock farmers in the country.

sional competence of the Corps in the management of the resources of the Nigerian Army.

“It is not in doubt that it is with proper training that the Nigerian Army can meet contemporary challenges which we are experiencing in the country now.

“I envision an army that will effectively manage its available resources,” he said, Ihejirika reiterated that discipline and loyalty to constituted authority remained the bedrock of military professionalism.

He urged the trainees to imbibe the spirit of professionalism and make themselves

Osun:

answerable to the people in the discharge of their constitutional roles.

The army boss urged the Corps to manage the accounts of the army efficiently to avoid audit queries from the Auditor General’s Office and the Public Accounts Committee.

Maj.-Gen. Abdulahi Muraina, the Chief of Accounts, Nigerian Army, said the focus of the on-going transformation process of the force was centred on re-alignment of the structure of the force.

He added that it was also centred on training, re-training and innovations to meet emerging operational challenges.

Muraina said the training was partly aimed at fashioning out how the army could play a positive role in enhancing and promoting democratic governance given the relationship between development and security.

“Capacity building is essential if warrant officers and senior non- commissioned officers are to contribute effectively.

“They need to understand the budgeting process as well as the skills to analyse, monitor and advise on defence expenditure,” he said.

Erhabor explained that the appellate court declared his dismissal illegal and ordered the Army to reinstate him, but the defendant did not obey.

He added that instead of being reinstated, the defendant served him a letter of compulsory retirement in March 2001 and refused to pay him his entitlements.

The claimant prayed the court to declare that the refusal of the defendant to pay him all his entitlements and emolument was illegal, null and void.

Erhabor also prayed the court to order the army to pay him his entitlements and emolument from November 1983 when he was dismissed to July 2001 when he was retired.

When the matter came up for mention in March 2012, the defendant raised an objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the court over the case.

The presiding judge dismissed the preliminary objection on the ground that the Public Officers Protection Act could not apply to cases that have continuous injury.

In arguing the case, counsel to the claimant, Miss Benedicta Obanye, urged the court to grant all the relieves of the claimant, explaining that the defendant could not defend the case.

“Where the evidence of the claimant was neither challenged nor contradicted by the defendant, it therefore means that the defendant had admitted the claims,” she argued.

Dredging Of Rivers Has Checked Flooding

OSOGBO - Mr. Bola Ilori, Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Environment and Sanitation, has said that the continuous dredging of rivers and waterways in Osun has checked flooding in the state.

Ilori, who made this known in an interview with newsmen in Osogbo, lauded Aregbesola for initiating the anti-flooding campaign to forestall flood disasters.

It will be recalled that Aregbesola began the dredging

of rivers and waterways as one of his first major assignments when he assumed office in November 2010.

Ilori noted that in order to keep the dredging project ongoing with a view to permanently nipping flooding in the bud, Aregbesola had also taken some other complementary measures.

According to him, the state government has intensified efforts on environmental sanitation exercise which takes place at regular intervals, to ensure

cleanliness, and make rivers and waterways free. ‘’The state governor has also made the planting of trees by students as primary planters, mandatory under the ‘Igi-Iye’ concept, aimed at raising 2.5 million tree seedlings.’’

Reports say that under the programme, every student is to plant and nurse a tree seedling to a sustainable level within the period of his or her stay in the school.

Ilori explained that the tree

Aide

planting initiative was designed to create awareness that the exercise should be part of public life in order to forestall the effects of rainstorms as well as beautify the environment.

He told newsmen that Aregbesola had worked out other preventive measures against flooding, stressing that the governor believed in “tackling the cause rather than battling with the effect”.

From left; The Anambra Commissioner for Local Government, Mrs Azuka Enemuo, addressing some protesting Ozalla community residents led by Chief Obi Alagboso, over alleged non-removal of refuse in their area in Awka on Wednesday.

THE NIGERIAN

7

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Lagos NMA Calls For Review Of Health LAGOS - The Nigeria MediWorkers’ Wages cal Association (NMA) has

L-R: Commandant, 2 DIV. Command Day Secondary School, Lt-Col. Husamotu Mohammed; GOC. 2 DIV., Maj-Gen. Ahmed Mohammed and Education Officer, Col. Mohammed Kini, at a workshop on “Promoting Excellence in Command Schools” in Ibadan yesterday.

called for a review of health workers’ salaries to improve health care delivery in the country and discourage brain drain.

Its president, Dr Osahon Enabulele, told newsmen that brain drain from the health sector was on the increase due to failure to improve doctors’ wages.

He added that Nigeria was a developing country where inflation thrived, a situation which he said, required regular adjustment of workers’ salaries to make up for the shortfall in the welfare of such workers.

“On health workers’ salary, Nigeria is still not where we expected it to be; you will find out that there are different levels of engagement or mechanism for bringing about remunerative benefits for workers.

“In this country we have not had any executive formula or even legislative formula for appropriately determining wages

and when and how to improve wages.

“In advanced democracies, every six months; maximum, every one-year, you find out that there are reviews of salary, especially in a developing economy where inflation is always the issue.

“Inflationary trend is everyday bothering all of us and yet the salary remains the same, nobody bothers about it.

“The last salary discussion that we had with government for instance, am talking about doctors now, was in 2009.

“Since then, even that salary had not fully percolated to all the levels we expect it to percolate ; and three-years down the line, we are still talking about that and government is not even thinking about how to adjust the salary.’’

Enabulele, however, said that the association would dialogue with government with a view to

setting up a mechanism for the review of health workers’ salaries.

He added that the reviewed salaries should motivate health workers to efficiently discharge their duties.

“Any moment from now, we are going to approach government on the need for them to take a second look at what remunerative packages, welfare packages there are for professionals in the health sector.

“We are going to do that through constructive dialogue because it’s part of the agreement that we had with government.

“And of course we think that , that will not be asking for too much , because what we had in 2009 had since been devalued by all what had transpired in the Nigerian economy.

“So, we think that one year, two years are enough for you to have a review of all the salaries of workers with these changes in the economy.’’

Multiple Auto Crash Disrupts Traffic On Eko Bridge

Participants at a workshop on “Promoting Excellence in Command Schools” in Ibadan yesterday.

Subsidy Scam: IKEJA - Mr. Damon Yelma, an investigative officer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has failed to indict four oil marketers facing a N1.9 billion fuel subsidy fraud charge at an Ikeja High Court.

Yelma was testifying at the trial of the marketers — Walter Wagbatsoma, Adaoha UgoNgadi, Fakuade Babafemi and Ezekiel Ejidele and their firm, Ontario Oil and Gas Ltd. Led in evidence by EFCC Counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the witness said he was among the team of investigators who investigated the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) scheme.

Yelma alleged that from their investigations, Ontario Oil had over-billed the Federal Government for the volume of petroleum products it imported into the country in two separate transactions.

He said the firm had in the third quarter of 2010, imported 10 million and 12 million litres of petrol (Premium Motor Spirit) respectively.

According to him, Ontario Oil collected subsidy payments

LAGOS - A multiple automobile accident on the Eko Bridge in Lagos caused a gridlock on the ever-busy bridge on Wednesday.

Mr. Awodehinde Lawal, an official of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), told newsmen that the accident involved a LAGBUS bus and seven other vehicles.

Lawal said that the LAGBUS bus with registration number XX142-DJE (W041) was heading towards Costain on the Mainland at about 6:45 a.m. when it lost control, as a result of excessive speeding, and hit seven vehicles.

He explained that the driver of the bus, who was trying to avoid a taxi that was in his front, crossed the median and hit seven vehicles coming from Costain in

EFCC Fails To Indict Oil Marketers

for 19 million litres from the PSF for both transactions.

The witness said the agency’s claims were confirmed by the owners of the tank farms where the products were discharged — Obat Oil Ltd. and the Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd. However, under cross-examination by Wagbatsoma’s counsel, Mr. E.D. Onyeke, Yelma failed to substantiate the allegations he had earlier made before the court.

Onyeke queried the witness why his commission failed to investigate the discrepancies in the four separate Shore Tank Certificates issued by the owners of the tank farms on the transactions.

He said:“Two separate shore tank certificates were issued by Obat Oil Ltd. in respect of the said transactions.

“The one that had only the stamps of Obat showed that 10,146,494 litres were discharged.

“The other certificate which had Obat stamps and signature along with that of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) showed that 19,523,892 litres were dis-

charged.”

Onyike said the same discrepancy was also noted in the transaction involving Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd. “All documents generated in the course of these transactions, including the bill of lading, cargo manifest and haulage reports, showed that at least 19 million litres of PMS

was imported at both times.

“Why did the EFCC rely only on the claims by the tank owners, without any further investigations? “ Responding, Yelma admitted that the agency did not carry out any investigation to clarify the discrepancies in the shore tank certificates.

Reports say that the cross-ex-

amination was disrupted when it was brought to the notice of the court that the EFCC had filed an additional proof of evidence against the accused persons.

Justice Lateefat Okunnu adjourned the case to May 9 to enable counsel to examine the documents.

the opposite direction.

“We have towed all the affected vehicles to the Iponri Divisional Police Station, for further investigation.

“Although the driver took to his heels after the accident, he was later arrested by the policemen and taken to the station,” he said.

Lawal said that the accident led to gridlock for several hours on the bridge, forcing motorists to use alternative routes.

Confirming the incident, Mr. Olubodun Ogunyakin, Head of Operations, LAGBUS Asset Management Ltd., — Operators of LAGBUS intra-city buses in Lagos State, said that the company would investigate the cause of the accident.

“I am not aware that anybody died in the accident. We are still carrying out our investigations to know the cause of the accident,” Ogunyakin said.

Loss Of N50m Brief: Lawyer Sues Arik Airline LAGOS - A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Ikechukwu Chiaha, told a Federal High Court, Lagos, that he lost a brief worth N50 million due to flight cancellation by Arik Airline Ltd. Chiaha was testifying at the resumed hearing of his suit against the airline over alleged cancellation of his flight to Abuja.

Led in evidence by Mr. Olayemi Olasunkanmi, his counsel, Chiaha told the court that he purchased an Arik air ticket through Zenith Bank on August 31, 2010, to Abuja, to represent

a client.

He said he was issued a boarding pass, number ETKT 7252416610757-1, and that the flight was scheduled to depart Lagos for Abuja at 7.30 a.m. on September 1, 2010.

Chiaha told the court that he arrived at the airport as early as 5.45 a.m. and was checked in by Arik officials, and eventually took his seat aboard the plane.

He said the plane never took off as scheduled, until 10 a.m.

According to him, the passengers later learnt from of-

ficials that the plane was grounded due to Arik’s failure to pay navigational charges to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

The plaintiff told the court that he was forced to travel to Abuja by another airline.

He said that by the time he arrived in Abuja, his client was irked at the delay and had terminated the brief, owing to what he described as ‘lack of due diligence in handling the case.’

The lawyer said the flight cancellation caused him “un-

told hardship as he lost the brief worth N50 million”.

Justice Yunusa adjourned the case to June 18 for continuation of trial.

Reports say that the plaintiff had filed the suit sometime in September 2011.

The lawyer is asking the court to order Arik airline to refund him the sum of N50 million, cost of his lost brief, N18,000 cost of the air ticket, and N75 million as general damages.

He is also seeking interest on the total sum at 21 per cent from September 1, 2010 until judgment is delivered, as well as the cost of litiga-

THE NIGERIAN

8

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

South West Judge Orders Army To Honour Court Judgment

Audit Query

Ogun Assembly To Sanction Erring Officials ABEOKUTA - The Ogun Assembly has warned that any government official who refuses to answer an audit query will be sanctioned in line with public service rules.

The Chairman, House Committee on Public Account, Mr. Abiodun Akovoyon, gave the warning in Abeokuta while conducting a check on the 2011 audited account of the local government councils in the state.

According to him, refusal to answer an audit query is a serious offence and gross misconduct in the civil service.

The lawmaker said the check being conducted on the account books of local governments was not meant to witch-hunt but part of the constitutional responsibilities of the Assembly.

He urged the Auditor General for Local Government to take a second look into all the financial queries with a view to determining whether there were inflated contracts.

The lawmaker expressed the determination of the Assembly to ensure repayment of such funds into government’s coffers.

The Auditor-General for Local Government, Mr. Mohammed Ogunleye, said majority of the queries were raised because vouchers were not supported with relevant documents.

Ogunleye advised civil servants to always answer queries within two weeks, saying they were meant to clarify issues.

Reports say that the local governments in attendance at the session were Ogun Waterside, Ipokia and Odogbolu.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Monguno, addressing participants during the 2013 in-house review meeting and North East Zonal refils workshop in Gombe on Tuesday

Ihejirika Tasks Finance Corps ABEOKUTA - The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has stressed the need for the military to ensure prudent management and application of financial resources.

Ihejirika spoke on Wednesday in Abeokuta at the opening of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps Warrant Officers/ Senior Non- Commissioned Officers 2013 Training Week.

He was represented at the occasion by Maj.-Gen. Obi Umahi, the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, of the Nigerian Army, The Week had as theme: ‘’Contemporary Security Challenges of the Nigerian Army: The roles of NAFC WOs/ SNCOs.” While observing that funding was fundamental to containing the increasing security challenges facing the nation, Ihejirika acknowledged that the development had placed serious demands on the resources of the army.

He said the training was aimed at enhancing the profes-

Goat Milk Contains Higher Protein Than Cow -Expert AKURE - An expert in livestock, Mr. Aloba Alex, has underscored the need for improved goat breed in view of research results which showed that its milk has higher protein content than that of cow.

Alex, of the Ondo State Agricultural Development Project (ADP), made the call while speaking with Journalists in Akure on Wednesday.

He noted that European countries gave preference to goat milk because of its high protein content.

He observed that most of the goat breed in Nigeria were raised solely for meat production, which made their milk content to be low compared to that of the temperate region.

“We will go a long way by improving new breeds of goat so that we don’t continue to depend

ABUJA - The National Industrial Court ordered the Nigerian Army to obey the Court of Appeal’s judgment and pay the entitlement of its retired officer, Lt. Col. Michael Erhabor.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Maureen Esowe, gave the order in Abuja while delivering judgment in a case of non-payment of entitlements filed by Erhabor.

Erhabor, who joined the Nigerian Army in 1970, told the court that he was dismissed in November 1983 after he was court marshalled by his superior officers.

He said that he challenged the dismissal at the Lagos High Court until 1985 when the case was finally determined in his favour at the Court of Appeal.

entirely on cow milk for protein.’’

According to him, all goats in Nigeria, both the West African ‘dwarf’ found in the western region, and the ‘Red Sokoto found in the northern part, produce good milk.

Alex stressed the need to organise an enlightenment programme for farmers, particularly on goat rearing.

He also urged the government to develop the livestock aspect of the agriculture sector, which he said, was being neglected.

He also said that conducting training programme for livestock officers was imperative and urged the government to prepare a stable policy to support livestock farmers in the country.

sional competence of the Corps in the management of the resources of the Nigerian Army.

“It is not in doubt that it is with proper training that the Nigerian Army can meet contemporary challenges which we are experiencing in the country now.

“I envision an army that will effectively manage its available resources,” he said, Ihejirika reiterated that discipline and loyalty to constituted authority remained the bedrock of military professionalism.

He urged the trainees to imbibe the spirit of professionalism and make themselves

Osun:

answerable to the people in the discharge of their constitutional roles.

The army boss urged the Corps to manage the accounts of the army efficiently to avoid audit queries from the Auditor General’s Office and the Public Accounts Committee.

Maj.-Gen. Abdulahi Muraina, the Chief of Accounts, Nigerian Army, said the focus of the on-going transformation process of the force was centred on re-alignment of the structure of the force.

He added that it was also centred on training, re-training and innovations to meet emerging operational challenges.

Muraina said the training was partly aimed at fashioning out how the army could play a positive role in enhancing and promoting democratic governance given the relationship between development and security.

“Capacity building is essential if warrant officers and senior non- commissioned officers are to contribute effectively.

“They need to understand the budgeting process as well as the skills to analyse, monitor and advise on defence expenditure,” he said.

Erhabor explained that the appellate court declared his dismissal illegal and ordered the Army to reinstate him, but the defendant did not obey.

He added that instead of being reinstated, the defendant served him a letter of compulsory retirement in March 2001 and refused to pay him his entitlements.

The claimant prayed the court to declare that the refusal of the defendant to pay him all his entitlements and emolument was illegal, null and void.

Erhabor also prayed the court to order the army to pay him his entitlements and emolument from November 1983 when he was dismissed to July 2001 when he was retired.

When the matter came up for mention in March 2012, the defendant raised an objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the court over the case.

The presiding judge dismissed the preliminary objection on the ground that the Public Officers Protection Act could not apply to cases that have continuous injury.

In arguing the case, counsel to the claimant, Miss Benedicta Obanye, urged the court to grant all the relieves of the claimant, explaining that the defendant could not defend the case.

“Where the evidence of the claimant was neither challenged nor contradicted by the defendant, it therefore means that the defendant had admitted the claims,” she argued.

Dredging Of Rivers Has Checked Flooding

OSOGBO - Mr. Bola Ilori, Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Environment and Sanitation, has said that the continuous dredging of rivers and waterways in Osun has checked flooding in the state.

Ilori, who made this known in an interview with newsmen in Osogbo, lauded Aregbesola for initiating the anti-flooding campaign to forestall flood disasters.

It will be recalled that Aregbesola began the dredging

of rivers and waterways as one of his first major assignments when he assumed office in November 2010.

Ilori noted that in order to keep the dredging project ongoing with a view to permanently nipping flooding in the bud, Aregbesola had also taken some other complementary measures.

According to him, the state government has intensified efforts on environmental sanitation exercise which takes place at regular intervals, to ensure

cleanliness, and make rivers and waterways free. ‘’The state governor has also made the planting of trees by students as primary planters, mandatory under the ‘Igi-Iye’ concept, aimed at raising 2.5 million tree seedlings.’’

Reports say that under the programme, every student is to plant and nurse a tree seedling to a sustainable level within the period of his or her stay in the school.

Ilori explained that the tree

Aide

planting initiative was designed to create awareness that the exercise should be part of public life in order to forestall the effects of rainstorms as well as beautify the environment.

He told newsmen that Aregbesola had worked out other preventive measures against flooding, stressing that the governor believed in “tackling the cause rather than battling with the effect”.

From left; The Anambra Commissioner for Local Government, Mrs Azuka Enemuo, addressing some protesting Ozalla community residents led by Chief Obi Alagboso, over alleged non-removal of refuse in their area in Awka on Wednesday.

THE NIGERIAN

9

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Lagos NMA Calls For Review Of Health LAGOS - The Nigeria MediWorkers’ Wages cal Association (NMA) has

L-R: Commandant, 2 DIV. Command Day Secondary School, Lt-Col. Husamotu Mohammed; GOC. 2 DIV., Maj-Gen. Ahmed Mohammed and Education Officer, Col. Mohammed Kini, at a workshop on “Promoting Excellence in Command Schools” in Ibadan yesterday.

called for a review of health workers’ salaries to improve health care delivery in the country and discourage brain drain.

Its president, Dr Osahon Enabulele, told newsmen that brain drain from the health sector was on the increase due to failure to improve doctors’ wages.

He added that Nigeria was a developing country where inflation thrived, a situation which he said, required regular adjustment of workers’ salaries to make up for the shortfall in the welfare of such workers.

“On health workers’ salary, Nigeria is still not where we expected it to be; you will find out that there are different levels of engagement or mechanism for bringing about remunerative benefits for workers.

“In this country we have not had any executive formula or even legislative formula for appropriately determining wages

and when and how to improve wages.

“In advanced democracies, every six months; maximum, every one-year, you find out that there are reviews of salary, especially in a developing economy where inflation is always the issue.

“Inflationary trend is everyday bothering all of us and yet the salary remains the same, nobody bothers about it.

“The last salary discussion that we had with government for instance, am talking about doctors now, was in 2009.

“Since then, even that salary had not fully percolated to all the levels we expect it to percolate ; and three-years down the line, we are still talking about that and government is not even thinking about how to adjust the salary.’’

Enabulele, however, said that the association would dialogue with government with a view to

setting up a mechanism for the review of health workers’ salaries.

He added that the reviewed salaries should motivate health workers to efficiently discharge their duties.

“Any moment from now, we are going to approach government on the need for them to take a second look at what remunerative packages, welfare packages there are for professionals in the health sector.

“We are going to do that through constructive dialogue because it’s part of the agreement that we had with government.

“And of course we think that , that will not be asking for too much , because what we had in 2009 had since been devalued by all what had transpired in the Nigerian economy.

“So, we think that one year, two years are enough for you to have a review of all the salaries of workers with these changes in the economy.’’

Multiple Auto Crash Disrupts Traffic On Eko Bridge

Participants at a workshop on “Promoting Excellence in Command Schools” in Ibadan yesterday.

Subsidy Scam: IKEJA - Mr. Damon Yelma, an investigative officer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has failed to indict four oil marketers facing a N1.9 billion fuel subsidy fraud charge at an Ikeja High Court.

Yelma was testifying at the trial of the marketers — Walter Wagbatsoma, Adaoha UgoNgadi, Fakuade Babafemi and Ezekiel Ejidele and their firm, Ontario Oil and Gas Ltd. Led in evidence by EFCC Counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the witness said he was among the team of investigators who investigated the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) scheme.

Yelma alleged that from their investigations, Ontario Oil had over-billed the Federal Government for the volume of petroleum products it imported into the country in two separate transactions.

He said the firm had in the third quarter of 2010, imported 10 million and 12 million litres of petrol (Premium Motor Spirit) respectively.

According to him, Ontario Oil collected subsidy payments

LAGOS - A multiple automobile accident on the Eko Bridge in Lagos caused a gridlock on the ever-busy bridge on Wednesday.

Mr. Awodehinde Lawal, an official of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), told newsmen that the accident involved a LAGBUS bus and seven other vehicles.

Lawal said that the LAGBUS bus with registration number XX142-DJE (W041) was heading towards Costain on the Mainland at about 6:45 a.m. when it lost control, as a result of excessive speeding, and hit seven vehicles.

He explained that the driver of the bus, who was trying to avoid a taxi that was in his front, crossed the median and hit seven vehicles coming from Costain in

EFCC Fails To Indict Oil Marketers

for 19 million litres from the PSF for both transactions.

The witness said the agency’s claims were confirmed by the owners of the tank farms where the products were discharged — Obat Oil Ltd. and the Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd. However, under cross-examination by Wagbatsoma’s counsel, Mr. E.D. Onyeke, Yelma failed to substantiate the allegations he had earlier made before the court.

Onyeke queried the witness why his commission failed to investigate the discrepancies in the four separate Shore Tank Certificates issued by the owners of the tank farms on the transactions.

He said:“Two separate shore tank certificates were issued by Obat Oil Ltd. in respect of the said transactions.

“The one that had only the stamps of Obat showed that 10,146,494 litres were discharged.

“The other certificate which had Obat stamps and signature along with that of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) showed that 19,523,892 litres were dis-

charged.”

Onyike said the same discrepancy was also noted in the transaction involving Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd. “All documents generated in the course of these transactions, including the bill of lading, cargo manifest and haulage reports, showed that at least 19 million litres of PMS

was imported at both times.

“Why did the EFCC rely only on the claims by the tank owners, without any further investigations? “ Responding, Yelma admitted that the agency did not carry out any investigation to clarify the discrepancies in the shore tank certificates.

Reports say that the cross-ex-

amination was disrupted when it was brought to the notice of the court that the EFCC had filed an additional proof of evidence against the accused persons.

Justice Lateefat Okunnu adjourned the case to May 9 to enable counsel to examine the documents.

the opposite direction.

“We have towed all the affected vehicles to the Iponri Divisional Police Station, for further investigation.

“Although the driver took to his heels after the accident, he was later arrested by the policemen and taken to the station,” he said.

Lawal said that the accident led to gridlock for several hours on the bridge, forcing motorists to use alternative routes.

Confirming the incident, Mr. Olubodun Ogunyakin, Head of Operations, LAGBUS Asset Management Ltd., — Operators of LAGBUS intra-city buses in Lagos State, said that the company would investigate the cause of the accident.

“I am not aware that anybody died in the accident. We are still carrying out our investigations to know the cause of the accident,” Ogunyakin said.

Loss Of N50m Brief: Lawyer Sues Arik Airline LAGOS - A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Ikechukwu Chiaha, told a Federal High Court, Lagos, that he lost a brief worth N50 million due to flight cancellation by Arik Airline Ltd. Chiaha was testifying at the resumed hearing of his suit against the airline over alleged cancellation of his flight to Abuja.

Led in evidence by Mr. Olayemi Olasunkanmi, his counsel, Chiaha told the court that he purchased an Arik air ticket through Zenith Bank on August 31, 2010, to Abuja, to represent

a client.

He said he was issued a boarding pass, number ETKT 7252416610757-1, and that the flight was scheduled to depart Lagos for Abuja at 7.30 a.m. on September 1, 2010.

Chiaha told the court that he arrived at the airport as early as 5.45 a.m. and was checked in by Arik officials, and eventually took his seat aboard the plane.

He said the plane never took off as scheduled, until 10 a.m.

According to him, the passengers later learnt from of-

ficials that the plane was grounded due to Arik’s failure to pay navigational charges to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

The plaintiff told the court that he was forced to travel to Abuja by another airline.

He said that by the time he arrived in Abuja, his client was irked at the delay and had terminated the brief, owing to what he described as ‘lack of due diligence in handling the case.’

The lawyer said the flight cancellation caused him “un-

told hardship as he lost the brief worth N50 million”.

Justice Yunusa adjourned the case to June 18 for continuation of trial.

Reports say that the plaintiff had filed the suit sometime in September 2011.

The lawyer is asking the court to order Arik airline to refund him the sum of N50 million, cost of his lost brief, N18,000 cost of the air ticket, and N75 million as general damages.

He is also seeking interest on the total sum at 21 per cent from September 1, 2010 until judgment is delivered, as well as the cost of litiga-

THE NIGERIAN

10

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Business+Economy

CSDP: Edo Ranks 2nd Of 26 States

By DANIEL EDOBOR/ BERNADETTE IDALU OBENEVBUERIBO— The General Manager/CEO Edo State Community and Social Development Project(CSDP), Dr. Gbenga Daodu has stated that of the twenty six World Bank assisted CSDP states in Nigeria, Edo State is ranked number two due to strategic projects embarked upon.

These projects, he said has enabled the state touch 96 communities, erect 158 micro projects while 49 other projects are presently ongoing.

He made the remarks when three rural communities expressed profound appreciation to the Edo State Government, Board Chairman and members of the State (CSDP) for their increased access to socio-economic and developmental projects.

Representatives of these communities while expressing their appreciation stated that based on the needs assessment and verification carried out on them through Edo CSDP, there is presently an increase of human, economic and social activities which has helped in halting the rural-urban drift of youths and the able bodied.

At Ofumwengbe Secondary School in Ovia South-West Local Government Area, the community through Mr. Michael Ogianme acquainted the Edo CSDP Board Chairman, Dr. (Mrs.) Nosa Aladeselu that in less than eight months of the establishment of the school, there has been an explosion in population of students who before now had to go to neighbouring communities to attain for secondary education.

The school principal, Mr. Festus Izedonmwen on his part,

thanked the Edo State Post Primary Education Board for posting six teachers, the government for sending down 10 National Youth Service Corps and the community for employing eleven teachers through self help to beef up the quality of education of students in the

community.

However, the principal noted that due to the explosion in student population, the six classrooms block could no longer

favourably accommodate the 574 students.

He canvassed for the building of more classrooms and the need to have a functional labo-

the CSDP was bound to pay off before the end of June with the ongoing building of a block of three classrooms to ease the present congestion and merging of pupils at different level into one class and as well as ease the stress of pupils sitting on bare floors.

Google To Train Nigerian Journalists

The remains of slain police officers in Nasarawa State being deposited at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Mortuary in Lafia yesterday.

LAGOS The Communication and Public Affairs Manager, Google Anglophone West Africa, Mr Taiwo KolaOgunlade, yesterday said that the organisation has concluded arrangements to train Nigerian journalists on data journalism in 2013.

Kola-Ogunlade stated this in a statement made available to the media in Lagos.

“This year’s training is aimed at helping

Maritime Workers Threaten To Shut Ports

LAGOS - The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has threatened to shut the nations ports if the government fails to compel the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Ltd. to pay its levies.

Mr Anthony Nted, MWUN’s President, said at an interactive forum in Lagos that it has given the NLNG a 21-day ultimatum to pay its accumulated levies or it would paralyse activities at the nation’s ports.

Nted said it was an abuse of the law for NLNG not to pay the statutory levies to the Nigeria Maritime Administration and

Investors Stake N95bn On 7.7bn Shares In April LAGOS - Investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) staked N95.06 billion on 7.72 billion shares in 120.949 deals in April, the reports says.

Statistics from the NSE released has indicated that this was against the 7.69 billion shares worth N76 billion traded in 111,485 deals in March.

The All-Shares Index closed lower at 33,440.57, losing 95.68 points or 0.29 per cent from the 33,536.25 achieved in March.

Also, the market capitalisation lost N42 billion to close at N10.69 trillion against the N10.73 trillion posted in March.

Reports say that the drop in the capital market indices is as a result of price losses by some blue chips.

The index measures the growth of the bourse, while the market capitalisation captures the daily worth of all listed securities.

Some stakeholders attributed

- World Bank

ratory which was impediments the accreditation of the school for WAEC examination.

He prayed for more intervention and grading of the road leading to the school.

At Ofumwengbe primary school, the community projected that the partnership with

the drop in the indicators to unimpressive 2012 results of some major companies.

Mr David Adonri, the Chief Executive Officer, Lambeth Trust & Investment Co. Ltd., said that equities could not rally in April due to mixed corporate results.

“Spectacular results from companies like Okomu Oil, Skye Bank, Fidelity Bank, Zenith Bank and GTBank tended to take the market up.

“But the poor returns from Diamond Bank, FCMB and a few others watered down any hope of a rally,” Adonri said.

Andonri expressed optimism that the market might experience impressive growth in May if corporate earnings continued to show positive growth.

Malam Garba Kurfi, the Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Ltd., said that the market performed very well in April when compared with other frontier markets.

Safety Agency (NIMASA), on its shipping activities.

He said that the refusal to pay the levies had reduced the revenue available to NIMASA and undermined the agency’s ability to carry out its operations and statutory responsibilities.

He said that dock workers and seafarers were trained in Nigeria and overseas through the funds realised from business activities at the nation ports, in accordance with the law establishing NIMASA. “The NIMASA Act 2007 stipulates that the Agency shall be funded by monies accruing

to it from among other sources.

“Three per cent of gross freight on all international inbound and outbound cargoes from ships or shipping companies operating in Nigeria, as part of the funds to meet its operational costs.

“And the law makes it clear that all ships and shipping companies operating in Nigeria are expected to obey this provision,’’ he said.

MWUN’s president expressed regret that since the government gave the NLNG a tax rebate for 10 years from 1989 when it started operation, they still demanded for an ex-

tension after the expiration of the rebate.

He said that the union had written to President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene because the court had failed to take action on the issue, since the NLNG failed to appear in court.

“NIMASA took the matter to court and for four years, the case was not heard because the NLNG refused to appear in court. All efforts to make the gas company pay NIMASA the money failed,’’ Nted said.

He warned that it was only the intervention of the President that could stop the nationwide strike after 21 days from today, noting that both local and international companies doing business in Nigeria must obey the law.

A cross section of participants at the 2013 Nigeria-Turkey Business Summit in Istanbul, Turkey yesterday.

Nigerian journalists to understand how to use online data journalism tools that would help them develop more data-driven news.”

He said the training would focus specifically on using Google fusion tables, Google forms and Spreadsheet, Advanced Search 2.0 application, Google Earth Maps and Crowd Sourcing with the Social Media, to enhance news gathering by journalists.

He said the training would also include sessions with application software developers who worked closely with journalists and the media to enrich the training experience.

He said the 2013 edition of the training would have a different structure to fit the feedback received by the organisation after the 2012 edition of the new media training.

Kola-Ogunlade said the number of participants at the training would be reduced to 50, to ensure easier access to resources and facilitators.

“This means that after registration, there would be a random short-listing phase where we cut down the number of participants to 50.

“Secondly, because the training this time is a lot more intense, attendees must attend all the 3 classes to qualify for certification.

“The reason is that we want everyone who attends to have a good grasp of the tools,” he said.

He therefore urged applicants to ensure that they would be available for all the three sessions before filling the form.

He said that the 2013 training series would be a 3-Session Data-Tools Training, beginning from June 4.

“The training will kick-off at Google’s one-week outreach event slated to hold in the week of June 4, 2013,” he said.

THE NIGERIAN

11

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (09/05/13) 7UP

50

50

0

12

53,111

2,658,914.02

LEARNAFRCA

1.95

1.97

0.02

20

459,189

900,216.10

ABBEYBDS

1.43

1.43

0

1

736

949.44

LIVESTOCK

2.75

2.8

0.05

38

1,118,839

3,086,167.87

ABCTRANS

1.05

1.11

0.06

61

4,840,000

5,501,474.24

MANSARD

2.6

2.6

0

10

65,179

166,091.56

2.17

1.96

-0.21

28

583,899

1,153,350.70

ACADEMY

1.85

1.85

0

4

50,650

84,585.50

MAYBAKER

ACCESS

11.02

11.04

0.02

267

25,160,215

276,763,847.81

MBENEFIT

0.5

0.5

0

1

28,470

14,235.00

AFRIPRUD

1.85

1.85

0

45

203,050

364,394.76

MCNICHOLS

1.15

1.26

0.11

2

127,000

160,020.00

AGLEVENT

1.82

1.65

-0.17

13

302,641

502,586.65

MOBIL

114

114

0

32

175,067

20,444,765.10

AIICO

0.89

0.87

-0.02

73

7,805,572

6,852,502.69

MORISON

2.23

2.23

0

1

700

1,407.00

AIRSERVICE

4.38

4.8

0.42

23

737,015

3,398,785.50

MRS

18.15

18.15

0

18

85,313

1,441,789.05

ASHAKACEM

23.6

23.6

0

43

1,391,251

32,847,543.09

MULTITREX

0.6

0.54

-0.06

1

250,000

135,000.00

ASOSAVINGS

0.5

0.5

0

1

50,000

25,000.00

NAHCO

6.25

6.3

0.05

40

742,797

4,652,397.01

BECOPETRO

0.5

0.5

0

1

56,000

28,000.00

NASCON

10.52

10.5

-0.02

153

6,184,500

65,070,231.57

BERGER

6.82

7.5

0.68

2

54,270

407,025.00

NB

170

173.5

3.5

121

1,173,836

203,594,723.73

17

17

0

4

5,085

86,558.20

BETAGLAS

9.8

9.8

0

2

526

5,154.80

NCR

CADBURY

38.9

40

1.1

112

602,497

23,596,008.12

NEIMETH

0.81

0.75

-0.06

8

157,165

117,520.69

CAP

56.62

59.3

2.68

62

729,517

42,993,130.08

NEM

0.73

0.74

0.01

37

3,013,757

2,220,861.09

CCNN

9

9

0

21

1,156,222

10,891,351.80

NESTLE

915

921

6

73

229,509

209,154,236.57

CHAMPION

4.78

4.78

0

2

12,315

62,639.70

NPFMCRFBK

0.95

0.95

0

2

1,010

868.6

CILEASING

0.51

0.51

0

5

421,492

214,980.92

OANDO

15

15.5

0.5

131

2,892,548

44,501,916.46

CONOIL

23

23

0

15

8,455

209,528.28

OKOMUOIL

105.99

106

0.01

243

2,750,526

291,893,166.76

CONTINSURE

1.05

1.05

0

12

5,555,505

5,837,354.25

OMATEK

0.5

0.5

0

1

40,000

20,000.00

CORNERST

0.5

0.5

0

12

888,000

444,279.94

PAINTCOM

1.8

1.62

-0.18

9

556,300

901,706.00

COSTAIN

0.96

0.87

-0.09

39

1,113,202

968,547.76

PHARMDEKO

2.07

2.07

0

1

10

19.3

24.61

25

0.39

67

4,256,247

107,215,738.08

COURTVILLE

0.51

0.56

0.05

6

4,428,820

2,468,851.00

PRESCO

CUSTODYINS

1.7

1.76

0.06

8

500,980

882,187.60

PRESTIGE

0.62

0.65

0.03

7

346,664

224,676.79

CUTIX

1.92

1.92

0

3

26,000

48,400.00

PZ

42

43.75

1.75

90

1,068,142

46,215,051.96

DAARCOMM

0.5

0.5

0

1

2,000

1,000.00

REDSTAREX

4

3.99

-0.01

16

462,386

1,838,352.94

DANGCEM

178.22

180

1.78

36

506,716

91,105,964.44

ROYALEX

0.58

0.63

0.05

19

1,068,183

669,761.64

DANGFLOUR

9.21

9.2

-0.01

44

405,301

3,726,671.84

RTBRISCOE

1.48

1.62

0.14

33

1,329,973

2,119,905.90

DANGSUGAR

7.79

7.76

-0.03

71

1,885,367

14,642,170.72

SCOA

5.42

5.42

0

1

2,500

12,200.00

DIAMONDBNK

6.6

7.01

0.41

170

22,215,962

154,440,417.34

SKYEBANK

5.3

5.35

0.05

211

14,556,651

78,711,635.88

DNMEYER

1.26

1.38

0.12

3

101,100

139,518.00

STANBIC

14.5

14.51

0.01

21

245,393

3,548,713.99

DUNLOP

0.5

0.5

0

1

45,000

22,500.00

STDINSURE

0.5

0.5

0

2

50,001,000

25,000,500.00

2.6

2.65

0.05

81

4,323,280

11,404,629.50

EQUITYASUR

0.5

0.5

0

1

10,000

5,000.00

STERLNBANK

ETERNA

2.71

2.7

-0.01

20

383,700

1,035,362.80

TOTAL

145.2

146

0.8

32

80,815

12,038,963.33

ETI

15.2

15.2

0

64

924,764

14,048,353.39

TRANSCORP

1.13

1.2

0.07

116

18,527,349

20,995,072.14

EVANSMED

1.65

1.65

0

6

10,122

16,684.88

UAC-PROP

14.3

15

0.7

24

231,771

3,481,606.50

FBNH

19.95

20

0.05

652

50,751,820

1,017,122,821.11

UACN

71.1

70.04

-1.06

115

2,228,994

160,736,409.04

FCMB

5

5

0

92

10,258,857

51,103,646.45

UBA

7.5

7.49

-0.01

343

19,888,052

151,093,785.56

FIDELITYBK

2.94

2.9

-0.04

137

13,414,833

39,238,965.05

UBCAP

1.2

1.24

0.04

88

2,922,447

3,597,643.75

FIDSON

1.65

1.61

-0.04

16

575,955

932,056.35

UBN

9.58

9.37

-0.21

60

796,472

7,480,191.26

FLOURMILL

76.5

77.55

1.05

49

414,082

32,099,206.06

UNILEVER

58.5

62.5

4

108

888,094

55,568,800.04

FO

14.24

14.24

0

42

538,463

8,401,067.68

UNITYBNK

0.65

0.6

-0.05

81

20,326,016

12,664,789.44

0.5

0.5

0

1

10

5

FTNCOCOA

0.5

0.5

0

3

42,200

21,100.00

UNITYKAP

GLAXOSMITH

47.25

47.25

0

12

15,822

751,918.56

UPL

4.8

5.25

0.45

15

363,512

1,799,605.52

GNI

0.5

0.5

0

5

10,010,000

5,005,000.00

UTC

0.64

0.7

0.06

7

276,473

192,531.10

GUARANTY

27

26.5

-0.5

363

8,264,111

221,500,490.47

VITAFOAM

3.25

3.2

-0.05

26

914,792

2,954,312.40

GUINEAINS

0.5

0.5

0

1

13,000

6,500.00

VONO

2.34

2.34

0

1

200

422

GUINNESS

274.3

280

5.7

106

185,232

51,877,058.00

WAPCO

79.9

80.05

0.15

41

408,038

32,676,554.90

HONYFLOUR

2.88

2.8

-0.08

33

745,100

2,100,204.82

WAPIC

0.92

1

0.08

8

218,446

216,426.00

IHS

1.7

1.87

0.17

3

114,345

192,806.85

WEMABANK

1.33

1.26

-0.07

33

1,258,533

1,588,845.01

IKEJAHOTEL

0.88

0.82

-0.06

7

214,500

182,700.00

ZENITHBANK

21.4

21.45

0.05

374

36,729,181

786,429,637.70

INTBREW

20.65

21.45

0.8

47

498,107

10,369,959.24

INTENEGINS

0.5

0.5

0

2

233,332

116,666.00

IPWA

0.6

0.6

0

6

39,505

26,023.30

Gain

Stock

JAPAULOIL

0.6

0.62

0.02

87

8,061,405

4,908,547.95

JBERGER

52

51.5

-0.5

20

659,208

33,524,780.85

JOHNHOLT

1.54

1.54

0

4

2,751

3,893.04

LASACO

0.5

0.5

0

1

1,800

900

LAWUNION

0.5

0.5

0

3

108,000

54,000.00

TOP 10 GAINERS Stock NESTLE GUINNESS UNILEVER NB CAP DANGCEM PZ CADBURY FLOURMILL INTBREW

Close 921 280 62.5 173.5 59.3 180 43.75 40 77.55 21.45

TOP TOP10 10LOSERS GAINERS 6 5.7 4 3.5 2.68 1.78 1.75 1.1 1.05 0.8

UACN GUARANTY JBERGER MAYBAKER UBN PAINTCOM AGLEVENT COSTAIN HONYFLOUR WEMABANK

Close 70.04 26.5 51.5 1.96 9.37 1.62 1.65 0.87 2.8 1.26

Loss -1.06 -0.5 -0.5 -0.21 -0.21 -0.18 -0.17 -0.09 -0.08 -0.07

THE NIGERIAN

12 THE crushing poverty level in today’s Nigeria has become so overwhelming that over 70 percent of Nigerians have unwittingly bowed to the pangs of biting hardship.

POVERTY is today a generic term and has been so since attempts at its classification by various study and academic groups with Non Governmental organizations (NGOs) ever more vehement and critical on the problems associated with large scale poverty and ways to improve the economic status of those classified in the group.

SOCIAL scientists in attempt at plausible stratification and definition of the term find it necessary to contrast it with such opposite terms as richness, wealth, comfort, affluence and the likes as the terms carry inherent semantic undertones that most climes solicit sympathy, empathy and compassion from those afflicted with the plague which poverty has come to symbolise.

HOWEVER, by daily interactions within society and among communities and nations, it is clear that poverty has striking universal perception and similarities because of its cross country feature and characteristics. The basic feature being that people suffer hunger and deprivation with not enough to eat, lack shelter and clothing as well as basic necessities required for human existence.

FOR instance, the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights aptly sums up poverty as a “human condition characterized by the sustained or chronic deprivation of the resources, capabilities choices, security and power necessary for the enjoyment of all adequate standard of living and other civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights”.

THERE is, as a result, conscious efforts by many organizations to mitigate time harsh effect of poverty which is more endemic in developing countries and many parts of Asia while in Nige-

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013 THE NIGERIAN

Unemployment And Poverty Burden ria, government’s effort at providing palliatives and putting in place workable measures from some of its economic policies that cause poverty shocks are yet to yield the desired impact.

IT is the concern for the world’s poor and to find solution to speeding poverty crisis that the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) is celebrated worldwide in order to push people up the ladder of comfort where health care, food, shelter, clothing’s among others are assured the citizenry without experiencing the pain of deprivation.

IN Nigeria, however, government has put in place social programmes as National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategies (NEEDS), the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to tackle problem of youth unemployment, a crucial poverty indicator among the socio cultural stratification.

IT presents a sad scenario that despite several policy initiatives the menace of poverty is a staggering reality and may have accounted for the loophole in myriad of social vices, most notably are high incidence of armed robbery, kidnapping, corruption, advance fee fraud (419), prostitution Rings, human trafficking and “the likes perpetuated and perpetrated by the authors as the quickest route to scale the poverty barrier.

THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its 2011 Human, development report on Nigeria, states that 64.4 per cent of Nigerians are in abject poverty while massive unemploy-

ment of people and the under utilization of resources are the order of the day. Since the report, nothing about the poverty level changed dramatically.

IN assessing Nigeria’s poverty level, based on its oil wealth which it described as a mixed blessing, the report explained that it was not the oil resources that are the problem, but the management of those resources.

A general overview of Nigeria’s poverty crisis indicates therefore that there is a fundamental problem which the Federal Government needs to identify and tackle in order to address the continuing poverty level in Nigeria. The NIGERIAN OSERVER urges the government to re-appraise some of its economic policies and those geared towards poverty eradication. Beside, it is remarkable that government insensitivity to suggestions put forward to it is increasing and is not being addressed as they should.

A holistic reappraisal is therefore inevitable at all sectors of the economy and mitigating measures put in place if government is to succeed in it poverty eradication drive.

IN the face of glaring discontent at the increasing poverty level, the World Bank proffered in its report that “oil and natural gas will generate continuing wealth for many years on which Nigeria can build, if it manages this wealth well.

If it channels more of this wealth to the development of its people and to the productive use of its land and other resources, then Nigeria has a promising Future”.

WE implore the Federal Government to continue to put policy measures in place to scale down poverty level. Corporate bodies and organisation can play a part by partnering with the various governments to alleviate poverty in the land.

THE NIGERIAN

13

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Voice of Islam Every Friday With Mallam Ikponmwosa Abdulfattah Enabulele Chief Imam of Benin

Allah says: “O you who believe! If you obey and fear Allah, He will grant you Furqaan (a criterion to judge between right and wrong), or Makhraj (i.e. making a way for you to get out from every difficulty), and will expiate for you your sins, and forgive you, and Allah is the Owner of the Great Bounty [al-Anfaal 8:29] The one to whom Allah give Taqwa has been given light by which to walk on the road of salvation, protected from bad influences on his ‘Aqeedah and methodology.

He will live away from any contamination that could affect the purity of his way and his following Islam.

“O you who believe! Fear Allah, and believe too in His Messenger (Muhammad), He will give you a double portion of His mercy, and He will give you a light by which you shall walk straight, and He will forgive you. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” [alHadeed 57:28] How great is the need of this Ummah to have the hearts of the Muslims filled with awareness of Allah (Taqwa) so that Allah’s promise will be fulfilled for them! Allah says: “It is a Promise of Allah, and Allah fails not in His Promise, but most of men know not” [arRum 30:6] O brothers in Islam, the glory of the Ummah, its soundness and guidance, its well-being, its success and leadership – all of this is connected to its adherence to the Book of its Lord and the Sunnah of its Prophet. The evidence for this in Shar’i texts and historical events is quite clear. At times when the Ummah adhered to true Islam and was guided by the light of the two revelations (i.e. Qur’aan and Sunnah), following in the footsteps of the Prophet, the East and West were subjugated to it, it was united and its banner flew high, and innovations, whims and desires had no way of infiltrating Muslim societies.

O brothers in faith, centuries passed and as the years went by, this Ummah began to suffer from division and differences in religious matters.

When the followers of truth, the guardians of Islam and the followers of the Sunnah were distracted by other things, all kinds of deviant beliefs and corrupt ways crept in, causing confusion to the Ummah with regard to its most precious assets: its ‘Aqeedah, adherence to the Sunnah and love for its Messenger. Thus, the Ummah was divided into

groups and factions, whims and desires pulled people in different directions and there developed many different ways of thinking under a variety of banners; people began to follow different ways and developed different goals and aims. Turmoil and troubles became widespread and the Ummah wandered in the wilderness of dissent and disunity for a very long time.

Loyalty and commitment to its ‘Aqeedah grew weak and the Ummah became inclined to follow in the footsteps of its enemies.

Things got even worse in

All seating for the seek of modern times, as tribulations increased in severity, calamities came one after another and disasters never ceased.

Ideologies clashed and mingled at a time when attacks were launched against the religion and ‘Aqeedah of this Ummah; there were strong and powerful calls to misguidance, and concerted campaigns against the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet. This places the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the guardians of the Sunnah, the guardians of Islam, so that they might awaken from their slumber, shake off their apathy, stop being distracted by minor issues and defend the Sunnah of their Beloved. They must

Who Will Stand Up For The Prophet’s Sunnah Today? (3) learn it, act upon it, teach it and call others to it on the basis of knowledge and understanding, striving to explain it and bearing patiently the harm that might befall them. They must defend it and explain everything that is contrary to it, highlighting the falseness thereof and exposing its faults, so that issues will become clear to people. This, by Allah, is one of the greatest means of drawing closer to Allah.

O bearers of the Sunnah, the weakness that has affected many societies and the misunderstanding of Islamic concepts that has arisen in many people’s minds has caused a great deal of confusion and led to flawed standards. Good may be regarded as evil, evil as good, bid’ah (innovation) as Sunnah and Sunnah as innovation – except for the one on whom Allah has mercy. Thus, it has become necessary for the followers of Islam, those who adhere to the correct methodology, Ahl-as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah, the followers of the early generations of this Ummah, to take action. This can be done by clarifying issues in a straightforward manner, highlighting facts without beating about the bush, and pointing out what is alien to Islam and what is originally part of the Deen, (religion) what is true and serious as opposed to what is false and trivial. It is essential to focus on matters of ‘Aqeedah and Sunnah, and adherence thereto, and prove the falseness of everything that contradicts that of opinions, specious arguments, methodologies and slogans.

It is time to unmask the enemies of the Ummah whether they are individuals, groups or organizations. The truth is

trary to it? Where is the application of the Sunnah in the home, with the family, and on the street and in society?

What does the Ummah gain when it neglects – the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad?

Upon him be the best of blessings and the purest of greetings. The result of this neglect is that the Ummah is content with outward appearances and slogans rather than adherence to the Sunnah in the true sense of the word.

The Ummah has been content to devote only some of its nights and days to studying the Sunnah, reviving it and expressing love for the Prophet. Yet indeed, they have been content to talk about it for just one night of the year, and to examine its lessons for just one day, but do not ask what happens after that! To Allah we com-

the Galant Soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice to keep Nigeria united. more deserving of being followed.

How long will the Ummah remain lost and confused, unable to distinguish between friend and foe? Where are the intensive efforts to serve and defend the Sunnah? Where is the role of the scholars in explaining the Sunnah to the Muslim masses, watching out for any mistakes in implementing it and explaining and teaching it to the new generation so that there will be no extremism or negligence?

Where is the care for the Sunnah in Da’wah and the efforts of the Daa’iyahs? Do intellectual, cultural and modern issues take precedence over discussing the fundamentals of Islam and setting out the methodology for understanding the Qur’aan and Sunnah? Why are we are focusing on Shar’i knowledge-especially knowledge of the Prophet’s Sunnah, in the fields of narration, understanding, application and behavior? To what extent is there focus on the Sunnah in educational curricula? It is essential for students to fill their minds with the most important branches of knowledge and those which are most deserving of attention, instead of crowding their minds with other branches of knowledge.

Where is the care for the Sunnah in the media in Muslim lands or, at the very least, stopping everything that is con-

plain and there is no power and no strength except will Allah. He is the One Whom we ask for help in dealing with what we see and hear.

Even worse than this behavior, which is not in accordance with sound Islamic teachings or even common sense, we see strange attempts to justify this behavior on the basis of religion and claims that it brings one closer to Allah. Such things only come about when the religion becomes a stranger, which is a great calamity.

O Ummah of Islam, it is the duty of all of us to show the utmost concern to reviving the Sunnah. All Muslims must work together to achieve that. Don’t we all

“O you who seek salvation: adhere to the Sunnah and follow the Prophet. Beware lest you be deceived by the huge numbers of those who follow other paths; truth is not connected to large numbers, Allah says: “And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah’s Path”

want to travel the path that leads of Paradise? Is there any other way than the way of the Prophet and his companions and the early generations of this Ummah (may Allah be pleased with them) – the best generations?

O you who seek salvation: adhere to the Sunnah and follow the Prophet. Beware lest you be deceived by the huge numbers of those who follow other paths; truth is not connected to large numbers, Allah says: “And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah’s Path” [alAn’am 6:116] Rather you should follow sound proof and evidence.

The bearers of the Sunnah must be united and come together, and beware of any internal friction or letting minor differences create division among them. Blind following of slogans and groups and narrow-minded partisanship have nothing to do with the religion of Allah. Truth is not a monopoly owned by one individual or group to the exclusion of others. So long as they are all following the way of the Prophet, especially with regard to ‘Aqeedah, even if mistakes are made – which is possible – what is prescribed is to offer sincere advice. Dismissing the opinions of others and hurting the feelings of one’s brothers is not allowed. Indulging in open arguments and being distracted by infighting among the followers of one methodology gives our enemies an opportunity to widen the gap between people who love one another, so beware.

How great is the need for the bearers of the Sunnah to coordinate their efforts and unite with their rulers and scholars to ward off the danger that surrounds them.

O Ummah of Islam, O bearers of the Sunnah, O lovers of the Prophet, is it not time for us to recognize the danger that surrounds us and threatens our spiritual and worldly interests? Is it not time for us to give up senseless battles and minor differences, and instead focus our efforts on defending and propagating the Sunnah, and to unite with our rulers land scholars so that we may all walk together on the path of truth and guidance?

Who will do that, O Ummah of Islam? Who will stand up for the pure Sunnah, adhere to it, call others to it, rally the Muslims behind it, strive for its sake and defend it – after Allah – except you, O Muslims? So be as Allah wants you to be and He will fulfill His promise to you.

And help and guidance come only from Him. May Allah benefit me and you with the guidance of His Book and the Sunnah of His Prophet. I say these words of mine and I ask Allah to forgive us and you and all the Muslims, so ask Him for forgiveness, for He is the OftForgiving, Most Merciful.

THE NIGERIAN

14

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

CLASSIFIED:CHANGE OF NAME AWELE – I, formerly Miss Mekoma Anita Awele now Mrs. Okoh Mekoma Anita.

All former documents remain valid.

General public and concerned authorities should please take note.

AIGWI – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Itohan Esther Aigwi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Itohan Esther Yakubu. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

Mrs. Idahosa Okuomose Mary.

All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Post Primary Education Board (PPEB) Edo State and the general public should please take note.

ASEMOTA – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ivie Trivas Asemota now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ivie Trivas Osaigbovo Edward.

All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OGIESOBA – I, formerly Miss Osaherunmwen now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Osaherunmwen Ayemere. All former documents remain valid.

Civil Service Commission Edo State, concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

AGHAHOWA – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Iziengbe Adesotu Aghahowa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fred Iziengbe Osarenren. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Edo State and the general public should please take note.

AGBONTAEN – I, formerly Miss Eunice Agbontaen now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Eunice A.A. Daniel. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

ABUBAKAR – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Atinuke Abubakar now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Atinuke Akiode. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

MUONAGOLUM – I, formerly Miss Francisca .E. Muonagolum, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Francisca E. Benson. All former documents remain valid. Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital Irrua, concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

ONI – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Ede Oni now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Ede Enoghayen Ojo. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

EDET-ISAIAH – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uduak Edet-Isaiah now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Faith Uduak Eyagbe. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba and the general public should please take note.

AGHATISE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aghatise Imariabe Philomina now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Philomina Enoch Ajali.

All former documents remain valid.

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OBAZEE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Obazee Okuomose Mary now wish to be known and addressed as

EDOSOMWAN – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Lawrrenta Edosomwan now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lawrrenta Asoro. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

AKPAN ESHIET – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mandu Akpan Eshiet now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mandu Peter Umoren. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) and the general public should please take note.

OBASUYI – I, formerly Mrs. Ekinadoese Obasuyi now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs. Igbinigie Ekinadoese. All former documents remain valid.

Local Education Authority,

Ovia North East Local Government Area, Okada, Edo State and the general public to please take note.

IMHONIKHU – I, formerly known and called Miss Blessing Imhonikhu now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Oshiomogho. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC, Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OZABOR – I, formerly known as Miss Augustina Grace now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Tina Ighomo Obadagbonyi.

All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

IJEH – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ijeh Bridget now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okonta Bridget. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OMOSORIA – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ivie Marian Omosaria now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ivie Marian Enofe. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, LAPO Micro Finance Bank and the general public should please take note.

OTOTE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oghogho Justina Otote now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oghogho Justina Oke. All former documents remain valid.

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ANGAKUMO – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Angakumo Henrietta now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jacob Henrietta. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Federal Medical Centre, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State and the general public should please take note.

AGUEBOR – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sandra Noghayin Aguebor now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ojo Sandra Noghayin.

All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OKOLI – I, formerly Miss Lovelyn Chinonye Okoli now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Lovelyn Chinonye Innocent Ndimkoha. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Federal High Court of Nigeria and the general public should please take note.

INETIANBOR – I, formerly Miss Evelyn Inetianbor now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Evelyn Ikhifa. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, St. Philomena Catholic Hospital and the general public should please take note.

EDOKPAYI – I, formerly known and addressed as Edokpayi Promise now wish to be known and addressed as Solomon Promise. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OKEKE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Maryann Ijeoma Okeke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Maryann Christopher. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the general public should please take note.

UBIGHO – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ese Ubigho now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ese Onotu. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the general public should please take note.

ONYEKABA – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinazo Wanda Onyekaba now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Osikorobia Chinazo Wanda.

All former documents remain valid.

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EGUAVOEN – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eguavoen Doris Edith now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Egbe Edith. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OTUYA – I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Fapohunda Christiana now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lodje Christiana. All former

documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the general public should please take note.

OYEMINA – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kate Osa Oyemina now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kate Osariemen Enorense. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OMONOR – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Taiwo Joyce Omonor now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omoma Taiwo Joyce. All former documents remain valid.

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EZE – I, formerly known and addressed as Joshua Ani Salomi Eze now wish to be known and addressed as Eze Salomi.

All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OMOIGUI – I, formerly Miss Omoigui Bridget now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Otasere Bridget. All former documents remain valid.

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AWOBIYI – I, formerly known as Miss Awobiyi Faith Omowunmi now wish to be known as Mrs. Isere Faith Omowunmi. All former documents remain valid. Sterling Bank Plc, concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

EDAMWEN – I, formerly known as Miss Osagie Rosemary Edamwen now wish to be known as Mrs. Sylvester Osagie Rosemary. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

ADAMU – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Tawakalitu Adamu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tawakalitu Zekeri Yakubu. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

AIGBOKHAE – I, formerly

known and addressed as Rogers Imariabe Aigbokhae now wish to be known and addressed as Rogers Imariabe Osaro.

All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

AIGBOKHAE – I, formerly known and addressed as Chris Etinosa Aigbokhae now wish to be known and addressed as Chris Etinosa Osaro. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

AIGBOKHAE – I, formerly known and addressed as Bright Aigbokhae now wish to be known and addressed as Bright Osasumwen Osaro. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

EHIMATIE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ehimatie Osayomwanbor Evelyn now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. E b i z u g b e Osayomwanbor Evelyn.

All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OKEKE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Josephine Enuma Okeke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Josephine Enuma Oladokun. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, UBTH, School of Nursing, Benin City and the general public should please take note.

AKPERHE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Patience Okiemute Akperhe now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Patience Okiemute Okhigbochie. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the general public should please take note.

OBAYOMI – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Obayomi Temitope Oluwakemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Temitope Oluwakemi Adebisi. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

Continued on pg.

15

THE NIGERIAN

15

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

CLASSIFIED:CHANGE OF NAME

CLASSIFIED:CHANGE OF NAME

OJO – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Imuetinyan .I. Ojo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Imuetinyan Daniel Achi. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

EDIA – I, formerly known and called Miss Precious Edia now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Precious Odion. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public should please take note.

OKUNDIA – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okundia Temi Isoken now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Asse Temi Isoken. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

BELLO – I, formerly known and addressed as Sadiatu Bello now wish to be known and addressed as Ezewanye Patricia Nkem. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OJO – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Maureen now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Enadeghe Maureen. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OMOGIEDE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Doris Amalawa Omogiede now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Doris Amalawa Erhunmwunse. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

IKHINE – I, formerly called Miss Blessing Ugo Ikhine is now known and called Mrs. Blessing Oamen. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Edo State Local Government Civil Service Commission and the general public should please take note.

NAPOLEON – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abieyuwa Napoleon now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Philo Abieyuwa Edobor. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OKHUOYA – I, formerly Miss Okhuoya Anthonia now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Anthonia Aigbodion. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and the general public should please take note.

FADIPE – I, formerly Miss Fadipe Taiye Deborah now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Ebhodaghe Deborah Taiye. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

ACHIOYA – I, formerly Miss Achioya Priscilla now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Aifuobhokhan Priscilla. All former documents remain valid. Auchi Polytechnic Auchi, other concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

ASIBOR – I, formerly known and addressed as Asibor Osagie Lucky now wish to be known and addressed as Dereck Asibor. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

UADEMEVBO – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Comfort Uademevbo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Comfort Uademevbo Arhumwunda. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

ASOKWONYE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ozioma Lilian Asokwonye now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ozioma Lilian Bazuaye. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OSHIOGWE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rita Aloagbaye Oshiogwe now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rita Aigbokhaevbo.

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ENOBAKHARE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Enobakhare Bridget now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ehimwenma Ogienaga Bridget. All former documents

CORRECTION OF NAME I, Ojo Osamwonyi wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Ojo Osemwengie. It should be known therefore that I am properly known and addressed as Ojo Osamwonyi. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and Niger Delta Development Commission, Edo State should please take note.

remain valid. Concerned authorities, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Edo State and the general public should please take note.

OKOYO – I, formerly known as Miss Edith Onuwabhagbe Okoyo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edith .H. Igabali. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OLUMOROTI – I, formerly Miss Wendy Yewande Olumoroti now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Wendy Yewande Braimoh. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

IMAFIDON – I, formerly Miss Jane Imafidon now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Jane Ernest Osoize. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, EsanSouth East Local Government Secretariat Ubiaja and the general public should please take note.

OYAMETA – I, formerly called Miss Evelyn Osadebamwen Oyameta now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs. Evelyn Osadebamwen Asemota. All former documents remain valid.

Eco Bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

IMUDIAN – I, formerly known as Miss Susanna Ibhagbosoria Imudian now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Susanna Ibhagbosoria Omonzejele. All former documents remain valid.

Greenoak Int’l School, PortHarcourt, concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME I, Eruaga David wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am one and the same person as Ude David. It should be known therefore that I am properly addressed as Mr. Ude David. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities should please take note.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME I, Aghedo Agbontaen Enoghayin Enoch wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Aghedo Agbontaen Enoghayin and Aghedo Enoghayin .E. as appeared in my various documents. It should be known therefore that I am properly known and addressed as Aghedo Agbontaen Enoghayin Enoch. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities should please take note.

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

EGUAVOEN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA,

BY UNIBEN FENCE P.O. BOX 9040, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA.

PUBLIC NOTICE The Executive Chairman, Elders and Members of Eguavoen Community hereby inform the General Public that the entire constituted bodies of Eguavoen Community Development Association Executives have thus dissociated themselves from the Public Notice in The Nigerian Observer of April 16, 2013.

2. Eguavoen Community Development Association, registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission Regulations with Registration Number CAC/IT/No. 57528 and no member of above named body was aware of the said meeting of 7th of April, 2013 before Publication.

3. The General Public is hereby advised to ignore the Public Notice in The Nigerian Observer of April 16, 2013.

PUBLIC NOTICE

VICTORIOUS HOLY FAMILY PRAYER MINISTRY The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor (Mrs.) Rebecca Idahosa-General Overseer 2. Pastor Bright Idahosa 3. Deacon (Barr.) Patrick Ugheoke 4. Blessing Idahosa 5. Josiah Idahosa AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. To bring families together in Christ 3. To hold crusades, seminars and teachings about Christ and the famaily.

Any objection to the registration should be directed to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama District, P. M. B. 198 Garki, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Barrister Edna .E. Ray-Eboigbe 08063016489

ADDITION OF NAME I, Edjedafe Stephen Akpevbe Ovie wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Edjedafe Stephen Akpevbe as appeared in my various documents. It should be known therefore that I am properly known and addressed as Edjedafe Stephen Akpevbe Ovie. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and GT Bank Plc should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

HOSTEL ACCOMODATION FOR SALE We advertise for sales, a Block of 18 (No) rooms self contained flats covering an area of 659.135 square metres, located at No. 1, Illeh Street, Ujemen-Ekpoma covered with Certificate of Occupancy. Intereseted persons are to contact: Aigbologa Estates, No. 64 Enogie Street, Etete, G.R.A, Benin City or call 08022776333, 08033007203 or 08055020652.

Signed: Jude Ogbodo Solicitor

JOY WEDS HENRY The Solemnization of marriage between former Miss Osemwonyewen Joy Omozuwa (A Hair Stlylist) and Mr. Henry Paul Ehigie (Based in Texas, USA) took place on Thursday 9th May, 2013 at the Oredo Local Government Council Marriage Registry in Benin City.

Amongst those present were Mrs. Victoria Ehigie, Mrs. Ceceria .O. Agbonkonkon, Mr. Elvis Ehigie, Mrs. Eki Idehen, family members, relations, friends and well wishers. Picture shows the couple at the Registry. Congratulations. PHOTO: SONNIE .E.

THE NIGERIAN

16

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Insight

Checkmating Rural-Urban Drift A VISIT to many rural areas will reveal it. The effects are seen almost everywhere. Every grown up and even little children in rural areas, want to “move out” they want to go and hustle in other cities. Rural-Urban migration has become a recurrent phenomena in the Nigerian society. During festive periods, people come back in droves to their home towns only to go back in a larger number. The rate at which rural-urban drift is taking place is very alarming and heart-rendering.

Rural-urban migration, is also known as urbanization and refers to the movement of populations from countryside (rural areas) to cities (Ehow.com).

Top amongst reasons why people move from rural areas to cities include hoping to gain a better career or job or to attend school and sometimes a desire to experience metropolitan life.

Rural-urban migration has been existing in Nigeria for a very long time. When the British Colonial masters came, they settled in some coastal areas.

Due to this, people were now moving to these areas so as to find “greener pastures” it was from these movement that cities as Lagos, Port-Harcourt and so on sprang up. Even after the colonial masters left, the trend of rural-urban migration did not stop.

The oil boom of the 1980’s let to increased urban movement from rural areas.

It is estimated that about 40% of the country’s poor, live in urban centers. As a result of the poverty level in most urban centers, people end up living in slums and congested areas. Since one of the major factors responsible for this migration is the search for greener pasture, then the rural areas should be developed in terms of infrastructure and other basic needs of man. Amenities which are often lacking in most rural areas, should be provided.

Amenities such as pipe-borne water, good roads, electricity and others should be at the “doorpost” of rural dwellers.

Furthermore, the concerned authorities should establish industries, projects and businesses that will absorb the rural workforce. This will ensure that the rural workforce do not take their “labour muscle” to urban centers where they will seek “greener pastures”. This is expedient because most migration from the countryside to the cities, are as a result of non-availability of industries to absorb these “immigrants”.

In addition, the agricultural sector of the rural areas should be looked into. As a result of the large number of people who engage in agriculture in rural areas, there is need for the use of mechanized farming. This will culminate in the halt of rural-urban migration as few persons will be “gingered” to leave their “heavenly” rural abode to the cities. A situation where a farmer is using only “hoe and cutlass” to farm, will only succeed in making him “run away to where the thing dey happen” the reverse will always be the case if the farming system is made interesting and alluring to the rural dwellers.

In same vein, more educational institutions should be opened as most tertiary institutions are located

By EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU

in urban areas. On regular basis, young and vibrant people leave their villages to towns so as to access higher education. Most of them, after acquiring their degrees, do not return to the “village” while I was still a child, I watch keenly as people left the rural area, in this case, my village, in droves to seek for academic satisfaction. This would not have been possible had there been a tertiary institution around my home town then.

In similar fashion, the rural-urban migration has

caused the depletion of the population in rural areas. As I said before, most “immigrants” to the cities, go in search of greener pasture since there are no government offices, Parastatals or agencies in their villages. Therefore, government and all concerned should make it a priority to locate some agencies and Parastatals in rural areas. This act can curtail the migration to urban areas as few persons will be

tempted to go to “Sokoto” for what is in their shokoto”.

Additionally, the National Orientation Agency and the media as agenda-setters, should be calling the shot in terms of awareness campaign on the negative effects of rural-urban migration. I sincerely know that this act will instill the needed culture of people to stay in their home towns and avoid “unnecessary migration to urban centers. On the part of the media, programmes that are geared towards discouraging rural-urban migration, should be aired/ transmitted. After all, living in an urban center is not a

guarantee to success. Cases abound where most urban dwellers live in shanties and slums. The attendant negative effects of rural-urban drift are numerous and is not the best for a country like Nigeria that is clamouring for development. Let the “migration” stop as what you are looking for in “Sokoto is in your shokoto.

“It is estimated that about 40% of the country’s poor, live in urban centers. As a result of the poverty level in most urban centers, people end up living in slums and congested areas. Since one of the major factors responsible for this migration is the search for greener pasture, then the rural areas should be developed in terms of infrastructure and other basic needs of man”

THE NIGERIAN

17

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Insight

Revamping Educational Sector In Nigeria

All over the world, education is a key component of societal growth. Education is the process by which the mind develops through learning at school, college or university; the knowledge and skills you gain from being taught. However, the educational system in Nigeria, has for some time now, not being able to impart the needed knowledge and skills on students.

In developed nations like Germany, the technological base is driven by research works of the educational sector. These researches, bring breakthrough in development which leads to increased economic activities.

In Nigeria, it is common to see a graduate of Mechanical Engineering, not able to fix a car engine. The Nigerian Universities commission (NUC) Secretary, Prof.

Julius Okojie, once said that Nigerian graduates are not employable. Prof. Okojie said that “many of the graduates are perceived to lack the skills needed by the employers of labour” Over the past few years, results posted by “failed edu-

cation” in Nigeria Onyekakeyah (2005), noted that out of 800,000 candidates that sat for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in 2005, only 18.4% were admitted.

In 2012, result released by the West African Examination Council (WAEC), shows that 80% of 324,998 candidates, got credits in English language and mathematics.

According to Chinelo Ogoamaka Soaze, three major reasons are responsible for the falling educational system in Nigeria.

These include poor funding, poor implementation of educational policies and programmes and poor attitude to school work.

How would researches which form the core of educational activities be carried out without money? No wonder there is a dearth of infrastructures and other amenities in Nigerian schools. Often, students are seen packed as sardines in classrooms. At other times, equipments needed for practical works are visibly abstain.

BY EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU

When I was doing my Senior School Certificate Examinations in 2008, the Nigeran Union of Teachers, embarked on a strike to press home their demands. That strike held back our National Examination Council (NECO) exams for about two months.

Also, in 2009, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), went on a strike that lasted for over two months. The reasons for the strike action were for the fed-

eral government to improve funding for schools, also increase retirement age for lecturers among others. Incessant strike by bodies in the educational sector, has crippled Nigeria’s education system. It is a known fact that as strikes are going on in Nigeria, the world is moving on. No country will wait for you because you are on strike. This, has further derailed the country’s education.

Over the years, policies on

education have come and gone every now and then, we are told of a particular educational policy that will bring the sector back to its glory days. It is however disheartening to say that these policies are either not implemented or poorly implemented. In 2010, a joint effort of UNESCO UNICEF, revealed that over four million Nigerian girls between the ages of six and eleven, have no access to education in same vein, the federal ministry of education in their 2010 ministerial press briefing noted that 17 million Nigeria children had no access to education.

A former minister of edu-

cation once derided the failure of educational policies in Nigeria as thus: “These statistics are appalling. They reflect the failure of our development policies to address the educational needs of the people. “ He continued by saying that “It is sad after many years of launching the universal Basic Education scheme (UBE) and varous other educational programmes, Nigeria has such a large army of children who are not in school. This is the way policies are mapped out without being implemented. The UBE programme is meant to provide basic education to every child; today, the number of children who are not having access to this basic education is on the increase.

In addition to the above, examination malpractice and poor reading culture among students, is a major drawback to the continuous growth of Nigeria’s educational system. Students and some persons involved in the education sector, now see examination malpractice as a norm. All a student now needs to do is to register for an examination in a “miracle” or “special” centre and he is assured of his As and B’s. This has only helped in compounding the woes of our education since anybody can wake up from his bed and register for an examination without reading or preparing for such an examination.

My candid opinion, is that the government, which carries the bulk of any nation’s education burden, should live up to its duties. Also, parents should instill reading culture into their children or wards. It is only when such practical steps are taken, that the dwindling fortunes of our educational system, can regain its greatness.

“How would researches which form the core of educational activities be carried out without money? No wonder there is a dearth of infrastructures and other amenities in Nigerian schools. Often, students are seen packed as sardines in classrooms. At other times, equipments needed for practical works are visibly abstain”

THE NIGERIAN

18

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Art Alive Continued from 26th April Edition

THE eleventh day is devoted to the final preparations for the grand finale that occurs on the twelfth day.

The teeming population of Osogbo people undertakes a procession into the sacred grove. The procession begins at about 9.00 am it is led by the votary maid (Arugba), the Ataoja and the devotees supported by the High Chiefs to Osun courtyard at the point of offering (Ojubo) on the bank of Osun River around the location of the first palace within the grove.

The procession is accompanied with drumming, singing and dancing. Other side attraction is the flogging/whipping ceremony whereby desired youths in the procession whip each other with flexible twigs of plants to the admiration of the king and all spectators.

The flogging/whipping exercise stops when the king gives out money to the youths. The festival also witnesses the display of various ancestral masquerades.

Collins, (1980) stated Festival are religious celebrations which came at the same time each year; artistic celebrations/entertainments, which are put on at regular intervals.”

The Grand Finale is the most interesting aspect of the festival, the votary maid (Virgin girl) accompanied by the Osun devotees, leaves the Osun shrine in the palace at Ode-Osogbo to pay traditional homage to his Royal Majesty with calabash containing some antiquities already on her head. His royal majesty wishes her a safe journey to and fro. The only taboo is that she must not stumble. This final celebration of the festival usually pulls a lot of people to the groove. As soon as the votary maid leaves the palace at ode Osogbo, His Royal Majesty the Ataoja of Osogbo, important dignitaries, friends, relatives and traditional chiefs surely accompany him to the groove amidst, dancing, singing and drumming.

The votary maid who carries the ritual calabash of medicine follows the ritual route to the Osun temple, where she put down the calabash in front of the Osun Priest who accompanies her to the shrine. When the Arugba arrives at the first palace where the first phase of her assignments terminates, there are loud ovations with beating of drums and dancing and also there she

With FRANCIS ODUPUTE

Osun Festival Grand Finale will have spiritual rest till the end of the day’s rituals at the point of offering (Ojubo) on the bank of Osun River. At the groove the traditional chiefs called Ilumoye led by the Ajagunna of Osogboland pay traditional homage followed by the Tyalode and her chiefs and Igbimo and his traditional Chiefs. Other traditional worshippers follow. The kind reads the Royal message before going inside the Osun shrine at the groove. The priestess, the Priest and other relevant Osun devotees then call the Alaoja into the Temple Shrine where he sits on the stone throne to offer prayers to Osun with a calabash of sacrifice prepared. Jegede, (I95) in ‘Made in

her mouth so that she will not be able to talk lest she speak out the wondrous things that fill her mind on visiting Osun. She must not stumble lest her fate and subsequently that of Osogho (i.e. all human kind) will be exposed to the hazards of stumbling throughout the following year. This is evidence of the inseparable links between the Orisa and its followers.

IMPORTANCE OF OSUN DEITY People celebrate the festival annually because of the following importances: Goddess of Fertility: The river, which has its source in the swamp of Igede-

Nigerian Artists’ observed that, “Shrines arc set up as places where members of the community offer sacrifices to appease the spirit of the ancestors.”

The Ataoja offers prayers after which the Priestess and Priest pray fervently for the Ataoja, Osogbo community, other citizens and participants. The items for the sacrifice are then carried to the river for offering. AM and sundry and everyone present begin to pray earnestly and fervently to Osun for individual and collective needs at the riverside hail the discharge of offering. Vows that must be honoured are made.

However, the king who leads the pilgrimages along the public route to the Ojubo shrine will address the audience and pray that Osun will make it possible for them to come next year and then everyone disperses.

The Osun Osogbo Festival officially ends when the votary maid successfully returns to the Osun Shrine in the palace at Ode Osogbo. For the people of Osogbo the role of the votary maid goes beyond that of a precarious being. She is the soul of the celebration and represents the life giving force of their spiritual being. Two bitter kola nuts will be put in

Ekiti in Ekiti stato, acquired over time the reputation as the goddess of fertility and peace with devotees. The barren hear the children if Osun is consulted. If pregnancy time becomes unduly prolonged, Osun can deliver the baby.

Spiritual Healing: The goddess of Osun River provides spiritual healing for anybody suffering from any type of ailment believing that drinking the curative water will relieve him/her of ailment.

The nursing mothers up till today go to Ojubo to take concussion (agbo) for their children.

Security: In terms of security, the goddess of Osun River provided adequate protection over her people, no war has ever conquered the ancient city - Osogbo. The Fulani invaders were driven back at Idi-baba, Oke - Baale, and Osogbo.

Economic Empowerment: The noise made by the goddess of Osun River that Larooyc, Olutimehin Osogbo Ikoko aro mi le ti fo tan.” This means you have broken all my dyeing pots. This indicated that the area has been inhabited by some spirits who specialized in dyeing

“The worship of Osun Deity (Osun Osogbo Festival) is unique in many ways. It is one festival throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria that is original and has not deviated from the initial arrangement. The worship of the deity takes cognizance of the culture and history of the people. The festival has attracted thousands of tourists from within Nigeria and beyond this commercializing the state. It also helps to bring about oneness unity and togetherness among all sons and daughters of Osogbo land at home and

of cloth, with the aid of “Aro”. This influenced the earlier settlers of Osogbo to get involved and specialized in dyeing of cloth using “Aro”. ‘Thus, the goodness of Osun River provided job opportunities for the earlier women of Osogbo as their main occupation. This art of cloth dyeing is still vividly visible in Osogbo.

Furthermore the worship of Osun deity increases returns on (which is usually doubled) economic activities of Osogbo people through the teeming number of people coming to Osogbo during the festival bringing in hard currency from overseas. They spend it in Osogbo. They buy relics, artifacts such as Batik, Wooden carvings, sculpture pieces, Bead works, Bronze carvings, Sculpture pieces, Bead works, Bronze carvings, painting c.t.c. as mementoes and take them away to all areas of the world.

Transport Operators, hoteliers, food sellers, petty traders e.t.c. also experience these double returns during the festival.

CONCLUSION: The worship of Osun Deity (Osun Osogbo Festival) is unique in many ways. It is one festival throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria that is original and has not deviated from the initial arrangement. The worship of the deity takes cognizance of the culture and history of the people. The festival has attracted thousands of tourists from within Nigeria and beyond this commercializing the state. It also helps to bring about oneness unity and togetherness among all sons and daughters of Osogbo land at home and diaspora.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the Federal Government of Nigeria has adopted the worship of Osun deity (Osun Osogbo Festival) as one of the core festivals in the South Western Nigeria.

The huge crowd of tourists from different parts of the country who have journeyed from a far to witness the festivals confirmed the fact that there is therefore no gain saying the fact that the worship of Osun deity (Osun Osogbo Festival) is an international festival.

THE NIGERIAN

19

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Art And Culture GIRO in culture is an ancient system by which cowry, the ancient money is transferred from one holder to that of another or those of other holders.

It is called Ise in Edo culture, which was later put into play on a hewed piece of solid wood, containing six pitches (holes) on either side with two bigger pitches at each end of the board called “Ogiurho Ise. It can also be played on dug holes on the ground”.

At the earlier stage, it was used to allow favoured child to enmass, save money, from the parent. The parent would allow the child to capture as much money as possible from the pitch; hence if you know how to play the game, capture it, if not, capture it. (ughai guata, U vice, Umai gua ta, U vioe).

Giro game was develop to accommodate up to six players, each person getting hold of two pitches as the number of pitches are twelve.

There are regulations to the number of seeds in each pitch. The strategy is for one party attempting to capture as many seeds as possible from the other party. The winner has to capture the greater number of cowries.

The general rules of the game are that the cowries should be sown in anti— clockwise direction, that is, going by the right hand direction. In one of the rules two, three cowries are captured, while in the other only four cowries in a pitch can be captured, except in the game of Oba Esigie and his brother Arhuanran, where transposition takes place.

Nowadays the game could be played, using suitable seeds or pebbles. If the seeds sown by a person, say player A, falls on the seed liable to be captured in the side pitch of another player say player B, the seed of player B is captured. The seeds are removed by player A and put in the bank of the seeds — Ogiurho Ise of player A. The same is true if the seed falls on a pitch containing two seeds in one of the rules but if the pitch contains three or more seeds, the sown seed cannot capture them. It simply increase the number of seeds in the pitch.

So also in another rule, if the side pitch say BCD consecutively contain 1, 2, 2, seeds and after sowing on B.C, the last seed falls on D, then the seed on D does not capture only two seeds in D, it also captures those in B and C, so that 2, 3, 3, seeds are removed from the pitch.

If the seeds in B.C.D are consecutively 1, 4, 2 and the sowing terminates in D, that B.C and D now contain 2,5,3, the seed can only capture the seeds in D and not those in B and C. this method applies to the Edo theorem (IseEdo) where seeds in a pitch are more than 3 form an odun.

Seeds cannot be captured by any seed sowing that terminates in odun. An “Odun” is said to ebb, if the number of seeds are so much that the sowing does not terminate on the side of the opponent, if the sowing terminates on another Odun or if the sowing terminates on an, empty pitch.

The players play the games in turn. Under no circumstance can one player play consecutively. If a foul play is detected, the game would be cancelled, and a fresh start would be made.

The winner of the game is the person who has captured the greater number of seeds. If before the completion of the game, that one party anticipates

With AMBROSE EKHOSUEHI

Giro In Culture

defeat and concedes victory, then the other party becomes the winner.

It should be emphasized that either player could start the game from any pitch. The game starts from an initial position of the seeds on each of the twelve pitches. When one of the prayers collects the seeds from one of the pitch and sows in the anti-clockwise or right hand direction, and the seed ends at captured seeds or at zero pitch.

The Opponent responds by collecting the seeds at owned side and sow them in the same direction until it ends on captured seeds or zero pitch.

The game depends on strategy and skill, but with better strategy and skill, any actual game can end in

long to Esigie” Again from all the remaining eleven pitches, player D takes two seeds each for Arhuanran; while player K takes the two that remain in each of the pitches for Esigie.

On the twelfth pitch prayer D takes the three seeds out of the four seeds in the pitch for Arhuanran, while player K takes the remaining one seed in the pitch for Esigie.

Each player may put all the seeds in the Giro bank (Ogiurho Ise) at each end. Cover it with the palm of the hand, shaking the seeds saying “Let the one seed in Esigie (K) collections goes to Arhuanran D and let the three seeds in Arhuanran Collections move to Esigie collections. — Dunan, Dunan,” Dunan “Done,

a fewer numbers of player times.

The most amazing Giro is the prince theorem introduced from the contest of Prince Arhuanran who eventually became the Duke-Enogie of Udo, and Prince Osawe who became King-Oba Esigie of Great Benin Kingdom where transposition of seeds take place.

The game is played on full Giro board. Four cowries or four seeds are put into each of the twelve pitches of the board. It is played by two contestants.

Let the players be K for the king, and D for the Duke, player D takes two seeds out of the four in a pitch to start, saying; “These two seeds belong to Arhuanran”, player K takes the remaining two seeds from the same pitch saying “These two seeds be-

Done”“Done” the two players say the same words Done, Done, Done. (Dunan, Dunan, Dunan).

At those words, the players pulse awhile, then feed the seeds back, putting four seeds in each pitch. It will be found that each of the pitch has four seeds but on the side of player K there are three seeds at the last Pitch, that is the three in the Arhuanran moved to Esigie, while the one taken by prayer K moved to player D, Arhuanran, at the last pitch.

This transposition of one seed in player K moving to the collections of player D who had collections of three seeds transferred to player K was a tussle between rivalry brothers and till date the mystery remains as the only solution could be settle in mathematical theorem of Giro in culture.

“The most amazing Giro is the prince theorem introduced from the contest of Prince Arhuanran who eventually became the Duke-Enogie of Udo, and Prince Osawe who became King-Oba Esigie of Great Benin Kingdom where transposition of seeds take place. The game is played on full Giro board. Four cowries or four seeds are put into each of the twelve pitches of the board. It is played by two

THE NIGERIAN

20

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Environmental Watch

Communities Begging For Womanity THERE are things you ordinarily need not tell a sane human being; like, do not throw wastes into the drainages, and when it rains, do not throw them into the raging flood, either; do not litter your immediate environment, nor the environment anywhere in the whole wide world with filth, do not block the waterways with refuse from your spoils or those from your excesses, or from any source at all.

However, these are things we must, of necessity, be sounding out in the ears of every human being, whether sane or demented, but the demented ones who are inadvertently reducers and multipliers of wastes can be excused, while women have a major part to play in all this.

It’s easy to have a mental assessment of the way we live and make deductions that would culminate in the way we hope to live. Whatever way your assessment goes, you will find a woman at the centre of it all. For that reason, the role of women in positively propelling the society to Eldorado cannot be over emphasized.

This writer has traversed the length and breadth of the Nigerian Living space, from East to West and from North to South as a change agent and has made due assessment of the dividends of democracy as delivered by each democratically elected government at all the three tiers of government – Federal, State and Local – and has seen how development appears to

FEMINIQUE With IJEOMA UMEH email: ladywithgoldenpen@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 08182382839 “Government has made it easy for women to apply common sense in handling and managing wastes. The Ministry of Environment, the Waste Management Board, the Environmental and waste management officials and related agencies – are they not within reach?”

still be far flung from the governed just for the simple fact that the whole machineries of government is no where located in the people’s private chambers, in their bedrooms or their waste rooms. There is no gain saying the fact that it would be impossible for government to begin now to chaperon the use or misuse of intuition and good conscience up to the

in the home or concubinage, in the harem or the secret rendezvous, in the street, or outside of it, on the major road or the Apian Way, in the market or the no trade zone, wherever you find it.

Now, having reminded everyone about that, it is high-time that truth sank deeper and a commensurate action followed, even if it would

sitivity; it will rather be enough if women would learn how it is in their own hands to march out against personal recklessness in waste management and disposal and their insensitivity to the needs of their immediate environment.

Government cannot transfer its paraphernalia of office into private bedrooms from where most

love songs around it and keep sounding it out in their sub-conscious that for every ‘small’ waste they dump into a drainage, over a hundred homes will be submerged

bedrooms.

Having said that, it is also important for mention that women, even as natural agents of change themselves, are in the centre of virtually every litter that is formed around the living area or the environment as a whole. Put succinctly, there is a woman behind every dirt mound whether

work as a stop gap in consideration of government effort at ensuring that the dividends of democracy takes the front seat in every family setting. It is not enough to strap a loin cloth around the bosom and, prodded by anti-government agents, march out in protest against perceived government insen-

wastes emanate, but women can check how those wastes exit those private chambers, and surely, they should not exit the bedrooms to find their way into the drainages and as clogs on waterways. It is crime against humanity by the time that blockade causes phantoms of flood water to find their way into homes, destroying lives and property.

Women should understand the little arithmetic called ‘wawifil,’ that is, water will find its level; they should memorise it, ruminate over it, sing songs that will resonate in every living space with it; write their lullaby and

in flood as the rains come.

And that is not all, the health hazards posed by waste mishandling are there too, the emission and transfer of micro organisms into and around our airspace, diseases and infections that could become fatal, they are all there in our wastes.

Government has made it easy for women to apply common sense in handling and managing wastes. The Ministry of Environment, the Waste Management Board, the Environmental and waste management officials and related agencies – are they not within reach? Waste bags and baskets, are they not handy? Designated

Words On Mareble ‘There is no security on this earth, there is only opportunity.’

- General Douglas Mac Arthur.

‘They always say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.’

- Andy Warhol

“ Lord, grant that I may always desire more than I can accomplish” - Michael Angelo.

dumpsites, are they not there? Women should know how to access these facilities and actually deplore their use in managing their wastes.

To put it mildly, life has gotten to the point where no one should drink ‘pure water’ if there’s no designated waste disposal point in sight to dump the sachet in, nor should people eat if there’s no refuse can to dump the aftermath in.

It is high time every living soul is awakened to the responsibility that awaits them on the threshold of environmental friendliness. The health of a people revolves around the health of the environment. It is time! It is time!

It is also time for women to look inwards; a walk round your immediate community will give you a full grasp of your responsibilities as a change agent. It is not all about ensuring your wastes don’t develop legs and wings and find their way into the street corners, there are several challenges still to be confronted; there’s a child that ought to be in school that’s not there; but in the street, either hawking wares or wasting away; the minimum education is free, find out. There’s a pregnant woman that needs to be told to ditch self help or primordial medication for proper antenatal, even that is free.

There is a girl –child on the trafficking route, stop her… there are women trading in the No trade zones… so much for womanity to do for humanity … start doing it!

Now!

THE NIGERIAN

21

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Political Platform NO matter how bad Nigerians may think the political roforofo between Abuja and Governor Chibuike Amaechi is, it is essential to say that it can only be worse if Amaechi is defocused.

Amaechi should understand that wars are caused by human beings, and cannot be left for animals in the bush to.

Amaechi should take solace in the words of Thisuri Wanniarachchi who said that life is at its best when everything has fallen out of place, and you decide that you’re going to fight to get them right, not when everything is going your way and everyone is praising you.

It is justifiable that there are different parties fighting Amaechi and want him to hate the day he became governor.

But C. JoyBell C admonishes that perhaps there really is a good that exists; for a century of darkness to be eschewed by a single flame; for a decade of evil done to the heart to be undone by simple and unplanned acts of kindness! There must be a goodness, after all! But we don’t find it when we’re looking for it; not in church, not in a cathedral, not even in our own homes! We find it when we’ve fallen down so hard, are downtrodden so low; and there is one true friend who picks us up; or one random person who takes us in! And we realize goodness was never in the places we thought it was!

It was all along in the most humble of places: bound up in the heart of a true friend.

Even the once good and close friends of Amaechi may be thinking otherwise now: whether to continue with him or pitch tent with the Abuja politicians, because of their perceived ditch that Amaechi has fallen into. Notwithstanding, Amaechi should focus on his most-important electoral mandate to Rivers masses, while not miscalculating in his ongoing political imbroglio with the powers that feel they are.

These powers that feel they are, are the most crusaders of national reconciliation, while at the same time fighting perceived critics, which they see Amaechi as one. Has the country not gone back to the era of tyranny?

Amaechi should not be deterred in the face of victimisation, if the caricature of democracy from Abuja can be seen as such. In “Take Care of Us Captain” it is said that there must be times when we want to give up on what we really want to do. Because it’s too hard. Then take a deep breath. We just need to go slow, no need to go back.

No leader who feels that he or she is supreme can prevent all the people in a democracy not to look into the affairs of a government that operates a diversionary technique. While such leader is fighting to prevent Amaechi from looking into such affairs, the tyrannical features emitting against critics will never make the leader a winner.

It is mumbo-jumbo to win in a war without the peace; a won war without peace is the equivalent of winning more enemies over by force. This is why (Martian Fleet Commander), Richard Wakinyan says: “Regardless of the situation, don’t let the bastards win … and have no regrets … for it will be a good day!

In “Remains To Be Seen” Brandi L. Bates says that the greatest minds are like film, they take the negatives and develop themselves in darkness... Amaechi should know that confidence is inbuilt and not bought, hence those fighting him portray false-confidence because they cannot stand what they do not want to hear, and that was perhaps coming from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), which Amaechi is the chairman.

Randy Pausch says that the brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.

No leader with a goofing attitude of a superior mentality can outsmart everyone in a democracy; any leader with this way of thinking is just digging his or her political grave. The fought is not always defeated!

In the principle of “Fighting for Your Dreams” experts have this to say: When things don’t go right, it doesn’t mean you have to go wrong along with them. Goals and dreams are kind of like breathing – once you give up, there’s no hope left. Don’t do that to yourself. It’s always too early to quit.

You must continue breathing, even if it’s just a series of short, shallow breaths. Continue putting forth even the smallest efforts to sustain your dreams. Accept the fact that if you fight through the challenges, there is always a chance you might lose, but if you do not fight at all, you have already lost.

A word should be enough for Amaechi, but since words do not make meaning without a sentence, it is imperative that more are said to him. If Amaechi’s problem started with the

Amaechi Should Not Be Defocused

By ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE

Gov Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State

visit of a woman in Aso Rock to his state, we have to read this from Barbara Cohen’s Seven Daughters and Seven Sons: “Listen to me, Amin,” I said slowly. “Listen to me very carefully. Nothing is the same. Nothing will ever be the same again. There lives on this earth a woman who can be my friend and my lover. Do you understand that? Do you understand what a marvelous thing that is?”

“A friend is a friend,” Uthman interrupted, “and a woman is a woman. You can’t have them in one person. The whole world knows that.”

“If that’s what the whole world knows,...then the whole world is wrong. I believed the whole world, and I lost her.”

Let us not believe that this woman in Aso Rock is engineering her hubby to be lengthening the age-long war between the Ikwerre and Okrika people. This is what perhaps a Minister of the Federal Republic who is an Ikwerre son being used to fight Amaechi, does not realise. Has the Ikwerre taken their waterfront which the Okrika are ‘holding’ when an Okrika son was governor? Is Amnesty International now not advocating for the protection of the Okrika-occupied Rivers State waterfront because of the efforts of Her Royal Majesty in Aso Rock?

No wonder George Harrison says that it’s being here now that’s important. There’s no past and there’s no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can’t relive it; and we can hope for the future, but we don’t know if there is one.

The outspoken Amaechi should be pitied by the way his friends betray him, upon his love for them; and many of them are Ikwerre he is somewhat always fighting for their rights.

In the principles of “Being Present” experts say: Do not wish your moments away. Do not ruin today by focusing on another time and place. There is only now; realize how rich you are in it. It stands to reason that if you learn to live well you will eventually pass on well too, in complete peace. The skills are the same: being present in the moment, and brave, and thankful for all the opportunities you have. Make your time count. Right now you are creating history – your legacy.

Don’t let it slip by without being aware of it. Life works in a strange way: You want something and you work and wait and work and wait, and feel like it’s taking forever to come.

Then it happens and it’s over and all you want to do is relive all the great memories you made along the way.

Amaechi should know that he has not murdered sleep, so he should sleep with his two eyes closed. He should know that his major fighters are his friends he once loved to a fault.

While a woman who was naturally created to be a dispute settler is causing the trouble herself, she should take this advise: In the book, “The Other Queen”, Philippa Gregory who is a lady advises women thus: A woman has to change her nature if she is to be a wife. She has to learn to curb her tongue, to suppress her desires, to moderate her thoughts and to spend her days putting another first. She has to put him first even when she longs to serve herself or her children. She has to put him first even if she longs to judge for herself. She has to put him first even when she knows best. To be a good wife is to be a woman with a will of iron that you yourself have forged into a bridle to curb your own abilities. To be a good wife is to enslave yourself to a lesser person. To be a good wife is to amputate your own power as surely as the parents of beggars hack off their children’s feet for the greater benefit of the family.

Amaechi should not be defocused. He should be vibrant, up and doing and be thankful. Walt Whitman says: Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.

In the principle of “Being Thankful”, it is written that you are right here, right now, breathing. Enjoy it. You’ve got nothing to do today except to smile. Happiness is valuing what you have, and enjoying the people, places, objects and events in your life for what they are. It’s not about changing and achieving all the time, it’s about being and appreciating.

And you can nearly always enjoy the things happening around you if you make up your mind firmly that you will.

THE NIGERIAN

22

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Issues THE local government election in Edo state has come and gone with a sweet victory for the ruling party Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that won 17 chairmanship seats for the party while that of Esan North East has been postponed to a later date. The victory is attributed to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s support during the campaigning for ACN chairmanship candidates as well as the massive infrastructural development efforts of his administration in the state.

Determined to bring development to the grassroots, the people whose eyes have opened to the resources of the state which was previously stolen but now utilized by the Oshiomhole led administration decided to put their trust and give their votes to ACN and all its chairmanship candidates and subsequently they all won in the election. Following the sweet victory of ACN at the April 20 poll, all the chairmen elected from the 17 local government council were subsequently sworn-in.

The people at the grass roots are getting acquainted with the new chairmen and furnishing them with the various issues and obstacles confronting them as a people. They are hoping that the chairmen will all follow the footsteps and leadership style of the peoples governor whose leadership strategy has transformed Edo state to one of the fastest developing states in the country.

The comrade governor gave all the chairmen marching orders to deliver on their electioneering promise to the people they are representing and stay under the umbrella of the party which is known for good governance and to ensure they implement peoples’ oriented project that will add value to the lives of the people.

At the swearing in ceremony, the comrade governor told all the local government chairmen to reside at their local government and stay among the people so that they will be able to feel the impulse of the people and know what they need and ensure that they meet it. This is necessary for the people to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

The dividends of democracy is the focal point of the present administration in the state as such; all the local government chairmen are in a hurry to deliver on their promises to ensure that the people who entrusted them with their votes will have no regret rather, thank God for voting ACN to power.

Aside, state and federal government, the local government is the closest government to the people directly responsible for her development and progress; the chairmen have all swung into action to put their detractors to shame, as they all work to key into the transformation and infrastructural development of the comrade governor of Edo state to add more value to what’s on ground.

For example, in Egor local government council, the chairman elected Hon. Enobakhare got a massive support from the people as he won by a landslide victory. He scored 10, 152 votes. PDP scored 1,951; LP 1,037; CPC 57, ANPP 133 and Accord 20.

Swinging into action to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people, Hon. Victor Enobakhare has started work fully by swearing in his councilors and secretary of the council calling on them to join hands with him to ensure the council area enjoy the dividends of democracy.

As expected, Hon. Enobakhare during one of his first official assignment at the council, join his staff in packing refuse and cutting the grasses at the council premises to the surprise of all that were present. With this action he has shown to the people that he is a leader that leads the people by example, “do what I do not what I say”. This act is rare in today’s leaders except with exceptional leaders like Adams Oshiomhole.

Visiting Egor market, Hon. Enobakhare on a tour round the market, called on market women, citizens, inhabitants and staffs of the council to ensure a cleaner environment. He made the call while on an inspection tour to market across the council area. He said this is to ensure a cleaner working environment and also cleaner markets to fight against diseases.

Speaking further, the Egor council boss stressed the need to work together to move the council area to an amiable height and ensure adequate representation and developing the council area. He said every last Friday of every month should be

As Grassroots Governance Come Alive, It’s Action Time In Egor

BY RICHARD EWEKA

• Gov. Adams Oshiomhole

• Hon. Victor Enobakhare

set aside for environmental sanitation by the council staff to ensure a cleaner and conducive working environment. He ordered abandoned and spoilt vehicle to be removed from the premises of the council to create a conducive working environment.

In another inspection tour to market in Egor Local government area, Hon. Enobakhare frown at the way traders at uselu market were trading on the street obstructing vehicular and human movement. Hon. Enobakhare gave the traders 24 hours to vacate the street where they are trading their wares or face government sanction.

According to media reports, Hon. Enobakhare gave the order when he made an unscheduled visit to the market and was visibly annoyed that trading and other activities have virtually taken over one of the major streets of the council secretariat. He said “it will no longer be business as usual as he is ready to rid the local government of street trading and other vices inimical to smooth running of his administration.”

The report stated further that Hon. Enobakhare promised to give priority attention to environment sanitation. “Traders who fail to comply with the directives would be made to face the full wrath of the law as he will soon inaugurate a task force charge with the monitoring of the market in Egor council area in order to ensure full compliance”.

The Egor council boss is a lover of youths and sport as such his administration within few weeks in office has successfully team up with Edo state Youth Clubs Coaches Association (ESYCCA) to organize a youth football competition in the council area which he sponsored.

Delighted by the gesture, the president of ESYCCA Sam Pele Uwadiae thanked the chairman for his great vision which is targeted at developing football from the grassroots. “Since the council boss found ESYCCA worthy enough to organize a good football competition, youths in the locality should take advantage of it and participate in the competition.

Speaking further Uwadiae said Enobakhare believes that the youth must explore their talent well by playing football and take up a career in the game in future. It will help to reduce insecurity in the state.

A visit to the chairman’s office reveals that chairman is a man of the people and a true representative of the people.

His office is open to all who come to see him for one problem or the other. He has a listening hear like the comrade governor and also passion to work.

With this zeal that Hon. Enobakhare has demonstrated in the few weeks of coming into office as Egor council boss, the sky is certainly the starting point. It is certain that all his electioneering promises will be brought to bear and subsequently transformed into what the people will see and also improve their standard of life.

“A visit to the chairman’s office, you will discover that the chairman is a man of the people and a true representative of the people. His office is open to all who come to see him for one problem or the other. He has a listening hear like the comrade governor and also passion to work.”

THE NIGERIAN

23

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Reflection IF there is any value every Nigerian citizen must uphold, it must be the value of “peace and unity.” If there is any topic that should form the headline of every Nigerian media, it must be “peace and unity.” And if there is any prayer that should serve as a prayer point for Nigerian men and women, it should be prayer for peace and unity. This is so because the Nigerian national anthem which was adopted in 1978 concludes with the pledge “To serve with heart and might one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.” Peace and unity is the essence of the Nigerian national anthem. Ironically, if there is anything that is lacking in the present Nigeria, it is ‘peace and unity’. Can we honestly and proudly say that Nigeria of today is still bound in peace and unity? What went wrong? Where and how can we find peace in Nigeria?

Over the pass years, especially since this present regime came into power, Nigeria has experienced a lot of religious, political and ethnic conflicts. Robbery attack, kidnappings, shading of innocent blood has become the order of the day.

Bombing of Churches is no longer seen as news in Nigeria.

Hundreds of people have died in bomb attacks and other forms of terrorism. When will Nigeria ever experience peace? Or is the case of Nigeria beyond repair?

People are now afraid to go to Church on Sundays, especially in the northern part of Nigeria. Imagine how many innocent people have lost their lives because of the so-called Boko Haram! The situation has so deteriorated that before one enters any Church in some northern part of Nigeria he would undergo thorough screening to ensure he is not carrying bomb. What an hopeless situation! Yet, you want me to believe that Nigeria is a nation bound in peace and unity.

There is no doubt, the federal and some state governments has done a lot to restore peace and security in Nigeria. They are pouring money into the security agencies. A lot of changes, recruitments and reformations are taking place in the Nigerian security agencies. For the sake of peace, the federal government has gone as far as setting up a committee to look into the possibility of granting amnesty to the Boko Haram sects, even when they did not demand for it. Amnesty for killing innocent souls! Yet, nothing was given to the families of those who lost their lives to the Boko Haram saga.

With all that the government has done and still doing to restore peace and unity in Nigeria, you can agree with me that the situation is not getting better. More churches are still under attack. Even some politicians and security agencies have been kidnapped or even killed. We should be humble enough to accept that human agencies have failed. If the government and security agencies are under attack who is now safe in Nigeria? How and where can we find peace and security in Nigeria?

The current security challenges in Nigeria could be compared to the same situation that led the psalmist to compose Psalm 121. When the psalmist discovered that human assistance has failed, he exclaimed, “I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From whence cometh my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2). The Psalmist was smart enough to discover that there is only one direction where help can come from, and that direction is heaven. There is only one person who can offer help when other helpers fail and that one Person is the Lord God who made heaven and earth.

The Nigerian government has done a lot and they are ready to do more for the sake of peace and unity. Nevertheless, there is one thing they are neglecting. Even if they are aware of it they are not giving it the required attention. Nigerians are yet to turn to the Prince of Peace, the giver of peace and the restorer of peace; the Man that came into this world because of peace; the Man that made peace the subject matter of his life and teaching; the Man that died a shameful death on a cross for the sake of peace. This Man is no other person than JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH! He is the only solution to the problem of Nigeria. He said in the Gospel of John, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him will bear much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 5:5). Apart from Jesus we are wasting our time and resources. Jesus Christ is the only solution to our problem!

Without Jesus, no amount of force or amnesty can restore peace in Nigeria. In fact, if care is not taken, the federal gov-

Rev. Fr. John Damian Adizie Mobile: 08076635886; Email: johndamianocd@yahoo.co.uk

• Goodluck Jonathan

Let There Be Peace In Nigeria REV. FR. JOHN DAMIAN ADIZIE ernment will create another ‘amnesty-haram’ a salutation where young people who want to make quick money from the government will team up and start killing innocent people after which they will get amnesty from the government for committing murder. It’s a pity!

Only the Man Jesus and his teaching can guarantee a lasting peace in Nigeria. Jesus Christ is the prince of peace and the Lord of lords. The Prophet Isaiah calls him “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus is “the Prince of peace.” He is peace! He is the giver of peace and the restorer of peace. His message is the message of peace. He lived a peaceful life. Even in the midst of storm, he was not perturbed. The waves of destruction could not rob him of his inner peace. As the restorer of peace, He came to reconcile us with God and with one another.

The greatest gift Jesus gave to the world is the gift of peace.

We cannot co-exist without peace. Jesus said, “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid” (John 14:27). The world uses gun, teargas, bomb and other violent means to restore ‘peace’ but Jesus is a non-violent Messiah. Even as a non-violent messiah he was able to establish peace in the world. Imagine what would have happened if the Christians in Nigeria were as violent as this Moslem sect who call themselves Boko Haram.

If not for Jesus, his teachings and his followers, by now Nigeria would have been fighting another Jihad war. Thanks to the Prince of Peace, the Man who taught his followers how to co-exist with their enemies. He is the God, who continues to bless his people even in the midst of trials and tribulations. No wonder the Psalmist said, “You have prepared a banquet for me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23:5).

The followers of Jesus leant how to excel even in the mist of calamities.

After his resurrection, Jesus met his disciples in a hopeless situation. They gathered together behind locked doors, be-

cause they were afraid of the Jewish authorities (their own Boko Haram, John 20:19). They were afraid of being arrested and even crucified like their master. They did not even remember that Jesus said that after three days he would rise again. Jesus came and stood among them, in that room of fear where they were hiding and he said to them, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). For the sake of emphasis, he repeated this greeting again and again, “Peace be with you” (John 20:21).

You need peace, I need peace; we all need peace. Our country, Nigeria, need peace more than anything you can think of.

As Nigeria is facing a cold war; people are being kidnapped on daily basis; the roads are no longer safe for traveling, those in the northern part of Nigeria are afraid to go to church on Sundays. Even the government officials and security agencies that were suppose to provide security for the people are now under attack. People are afraid. No security! No peace!

What is the way forward? If the federal government could use half of the money they spend on security and amnesty to sponsor prayer crusades, youth employment and empowerment programmes, etc, I believe Nigeria will experience a lasting peace. After all, most of the Boko Harram sects are young unemployed youths. I know, for most people, this may sound so simplistic and even sentimental. Whichever way you may look at it, whether you like it or not, unless we turn to the Prince of peace and use the resources of our nation creatively and constructively, peace will continue to elude us in Nigeria.

In your own personal case, I may not know how peaceful you are. I may not know what is bothering you? Or what you are afraid of? But look unto Jesus, the Prince of Peace and the Lord of lords. As you do so, that spirit of fear in your life must surely disappear! Any situation you find yourself, let there be peace. In your office and business centre – let there be peace. In your academics – let there be peace! In your journey – let there be peace! In your ministry – let there be peace! In our country, Nigeria – Let there be peace. Anywhere you find yourself as a child of God, let there be peace – in Jesus name – Amen!

THE NIGERIAN

24

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

International

Compiled By FAITH OKHUELEIGBE

Jihad Peril Makes Its Way To miles) of Jebel Chaambi, Tunisia square near the southern city of

Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, second left, visiting members of National Guard, hooded, and military officials in Jebel Chaambi, western Tunisia and close to the Algerian border

Workers stand outside an 11-story building that houses the Tung Hai Sweater Ltd. factory and apartments after a fire in Dhaka, Bangladesh,

TUNIS— The hunt for alQaida-linked militants in a mountainous region near Tunisia’s borders with Algeria in recent days has raised alarm that the birthplace of the Arab Spring has become the latest battleground for violent jihadis.

With neighboring Algeria and Libya full of weapons and violent movements of their own, Tunisia is struggling to prevent the growth of armed groups while making its own tentative transition to democracy.

The news out of Tunisia in the past week has been depressingly familiar for the Middle East: roadside bombs badly wounding soldiers and police as they comb a cave-filled mountainous region for al-Qaida linked militants. What’s un-

protests and counter-protests related to the complex legacy of the independence war in recent months.

The protests are one of the main challenges facing the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who opened an inquiry into abuses committed during the war in 2010.

Leading defense lawyer Abdur Razzaq rejected the verdict and sentence and said Kamaruzzaman would appeal.

Bangladesh became part of Pakistan at the end of British colonial rule of India in 1947. But the country, then known as East Pakistan, won independence with India’s help in December 1971 following the nine-month war against then West Pakistan.

The recent unrest began in January when the tribu-

nal sentenced to death in absentia a leader of Jamaat.

Thousands took to the streets in February demanding the execution of another Jamaat leader after he was jailed for life on similar charges.

More than 100 people have been killed in clashes this year, most of them Islamist party activists and members of the security forces.

“We are happy with the verdict as it fulfills the demands of the countrymen, especially the young generation,” said Imran Sarker, who gave up his medical practice to lead the movement demanding the death penalty for all war criminals.

Jamaat and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) both accuse the prime minister

Kasserine. He said that another dozen were at large 100 kilometers (60 miles) to the north, around the town of al-Kef. Minister of Interior Lotfi Ben Jeddou told worried lawmakers on Wednesday that “certain terrorists” in the Jebel Chaambi region as well as al-Kef had come up from northern Mali.

The mountain hunt is the culmination of a string of relatively minor incidents with armed groups since Tunisians overthrew the dictatorship of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011, kicking off the pro-democracy uprisings of the Arab Spring around the region.

‘PKK Not Welcome In Iraq’ BAGHDAD- Iraq’s central government said yesterday it would not accept armed groups entering its territory as Kurdish militants began withdrawing from Turkey under a peace deal, but Baghdad has no control over its northern border which is run by Iraqi Kurds.

Under the nascent peace deal, Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters should cross from Turkey, where they have been fighting for Kurdish rights for three decades, into Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region where they have their headquarters.

More than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict which has blighted investment

Bangladesh Islamist Gets Death For of using the tribunal to perDHAKA- A Bangladesh War Crimes secute them. The governwar crimes tribunal convicted and sentenced an Islamist party leader to death yesterday, raising fears of a repeat of clashes between police and protesters after similar sentences were handed down earlier this year.

M o h a m m a d Kamaruzzaman, 61, assistant secretary general of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, was found guilty of genocide and torture of unarmed civilians during the 1971 war for independence from Pakistan, lawyers and tribunal officials said.

War veterans were among hundreds who cheered the verdict, the fourth reached by the tribunal with more to come, on the street outside the court.

Bangladesh, reeling from a garment factory collapse that killed more than 900 people, has been rocked by

usual is that the setting is this largely secularized middle class nation of 10 million.

For now the numbers are small compared to those found in Algeria, Libya or northern Mali. But recent fighting in the Sahel — the arid region just south of the Sahara Desert — has sent jihadi fighters looking for new havens, raising fears that Tunisia is in their sights.

“We have discovered a terrorist plan targeting Tunisians and the state,” Mohammed Ali Aroui, the Interior Ministry spokesman, said Tuesday, without giving further details. He estimated that there were some 20 militants hiding in the rugged 70 square kilometers (27

ment denies the charge.

The tribunal has been criticized by rights groups for failing to adhere to international standards. Human Rights Watch said lawyers, witnesses and investigators reported they had been threatened.

and development in Turkey’s mainly Kurdish southeast and tarnished the country’s image abroad.

Turkey, the European Union and the United States all list the PKK as a terrorist organization.

The withdrawal of PKK fighters, ordered late last month by PKK field commander Murat Karayilan, is the biggest step yet in a deal negotiated by the group’s jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan and the Turkish government.

The first fighters are expected to arrive at PKK bases in Iraq’s Qandil Mountains within a week, monitored on the Turkish side by Ankara’s MIT intelligence agency and across the border in Iraq by Iraqi Kurdish authorities.

As well as controlling Iraq’s border with Turkey, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is fiercely defensive of its internal boundary with the rest of the country run

by Baghdad.

The central government’s ability to intervene directly in the northern enclave is therefore extremely limited, but Baghdad’s statement is the first indication of its stance on the process that

has raised hopes of peace.

“The Iraqi government ... does not accept the entry of armed groups into its territory that could be used to impact the security and stability of Iraq or neighboring states,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on its website.

Baghdad nonetheless said it welcomed a non-violent political settlement to the 28-year insurgency.

Relations between largely Sunni Muslim Turkey and Iraq’s Shi’ite-led government have been strained by Ankara’s burgeoning ties with Kurdistan, which is rich in oil and gas.

In recent years, Iraqi Kurds have antagonized Baghdad by signing contracts on their own terms with international oil companies, and are also pursuing an increasingly independent foreign policy.

Ankara and Baghdad have exchanged accusations of sectarianism after Turkey gave refuge to Iraq’s fugitive Sunni vice president, Tareq al-Hashemi. He was sentenced to death in Baghdad in his absence on charges of running death squads, accusations he denied.

Al Qaeda-Linked Gunmen Kill Yemen Intelligence Officer ADEN - Suspected al Qaeda militants shot dead a Yemeni intelligence officer yesterday in the southern province of Lahj, a local security official said, a day after three air force pilots were killed in a similar attack.

About 60 military and security officials have been shot dead in southern and eastern Yemen since 2011 after an Islamist insurgency erupted, exploiting political chaos caused by a mass uprising that later ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

“The officer, Mohammed

Ahmed Saleh al-Koobi, was shot with a silenced weapon while he was walking through the streets of his hometown (in Lahj),” the local security official said.

He said the attackers were believed to be linked to Yemenbased al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), seen by Washington as the most dangerous arm of the global jihadi group.

On Wednesday, al Qaeda-associated gunmen killed the air force pilots as they were travelling to a southern air base that

is jointly used with U.S. forces to strike at AQAP. A Yemeni defense ministry statement said that authorities had captured one of the militants involved in that attack.

Clashes between pro-government forces and militants continue in the south, causing jitters beyond Yemen’s borders due to its proximity to No. 1 oil exporter Saudi Arabia and sea lanes through which crude is shipped.

(Reporting by Mohammed Mukhashaf; Writing by Amena Bakr; Editing by William

THE NIGERIAN

25

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

International

Compiled by FAITH OKHUELEIGBE

Gaddafi’s Ex Spy Chief Suffer “Passive Torture” In Jail would be tolerated. But he said

Muammar Gaddafi’s former spy chief Abdullah al-Senussi arrives in Tripoli

TRIPOLI- A daughter of Muammar Gaddafi’s jailed former intelligence chief accused Libya yesterday of denying him access to a lawyer, family visits and exercise and she likened his detention to “passive torture”.

Abdullah al-Senussi was one of the late strongman’s most feared associates until his 42year regime was toppled by rebels in 2011. He was handed over to Libya in September by Mauritania, where he had been arrested with a false Malian passport after arriving on a flight from Morocco.

Senussi is suspected of playing a central role in the killing of more than 1,200 inmates at Tripoli’s Abu Salim prison in 1996. It was the arrest of a lawyer acting for relatives of the victims that sparked the uprising in February 2011.

Senussi’s daughter Sarah appealed to Libyan transitional

authorities on behalf of her family to grant him the right to see a lawyer and his family.

“What are the legal guarantees that will be given to Senussi if his basic right to defense is neither respected nor guaranteed?” she said in an email distributed to media.

“We, his family, have asked the Libyan authorities several times to grant us a visit permission to him in order to check on him. But until this day we have not received an answer.

“Isn’t this a sort of passive torture and slow death over a long period of time?” she said, referring to her father’s complaint that he was not allowed to leave his cell to exercise.

Justice Ministry officials were unavailable for comment.

Mohammad al-Alaghi, president of Libya’s independent human rights commission, said any allegations would be thoroughly investigated and no abuses

Senussi had been subjected to no torture since his arrest.

Human Rights Watch said in April it was concerned that Senussi had not yet seen a lawyer or been told what charges he faces. HRW pressed Libya to grant Senussi the rights that Gaddafi’s regime denied its people.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) wants to try Senussi and Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam, also jailed in Libya on suspicion of war crimes. But the Tripoli authorities want the pair to face justice in the North African state.

They have not said when charges and trials will come. But Libyan authorities are now preoccupied with a crisis caused by armed groups besieging several ministries to press demands including the resignation of the prime minister.

Ex-Pakistan PM’s Son Abducted

People shout slogans as they celebrate after hearing the verdict of the trial of Mohammad Kamaruzzaman, assistant secretary general of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, in Dhaka

Bangladesh Fire Kills 8 As Collapse Toll Hits 948

DHAKA— A fire in an 11story garment factory in Bangladesh killed eight people, including a ruling-party politician and a top official in the country’s powerful clothing manufacturers’ trade group, as the death toll from the collapse of another garment factory building passed 900 yesterday.

The fire Wednesday night engulfed the lower floors of the Tung Hai Sweater Ltd. factory — which had closed for the day — said Mamun Mahmud, deputy director of the fire service. The blaze, fed by huge piles of acrylic products used to make sweaters, produced immense amounts of smoke, he said.

The victims died of suffocation as they ran down the stairs, Mahmud said.

“Apparently they tried to flee the building through the stairwell in fear that the fire had engulfed the whole building,” he said.

Had they stayed on the upper floors they would likely have survived the slow-spreading fire, he said.

“We found the roof open, but we did not find there anybody after the fire broke out. We recovered all of them on the stairwell on the ninth floor,” he said.

The blaze comes just two weeks after the collapse of the

eight-story Rana Plaza building, home to five garment factories, killed at least 948 people and became the worst tragedy in the history of the global garment manufacturing industry. The disaster has raised alarm about the often deadly working conditions in Bangladesh’s $20 billion garment industry, which provides clothing for major retailers around the globe.

The identities of the victims of Wednesday’s fire showed the entanglement of the industry and top Bangladeshi officials. The dead included the factory’s managing director, Mahbubur Rahman, who was also on the board of directors of the powerful Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association. Along with him was senior police official Z.A. Morshed and Sohel Mostafa Swapan, head of a local branch of the ruling party’s youth league.

Independent TV, a local station, reported that Rahman had plans to contest next year’s elections as a candidate for the ruling party and had been meeting friends to discuss his future when the fire broke out.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire, which began soon after the factory workers went home for the day and took three hours to bring under control. Mahmud speculated it

might have originated in the factory’s ironing section. Officials originally said the building also housed several floors of apartments, but later said it was just a factory.

The Facebook page of the Tung Hai Group claimed it was a sprawling enterprise with a total of 7,000 employees at its two factories and the capacity to produce well over 6 million sweaters, shirts, pants and pajamas every month. The group claimed it did business with major retailers in Europe and North America.

The country’s powerful garment industry has been plagued by a series of disasters in recent months, including a November fire at the Tazreen factory that killed 112 and the building collapse.

More than two weeks after the building in the suburb of Savar came crashing down, workers with cranes and other heavy equipment were still pulling apart the rubble and finding more bodies. On Thursday, authorities said the death toll had risen to 948 and it was unclear how many more people remained missing. More than 2,500 people were rescued alive after the April 24 accident.

Maj. Ohiduzzaman, an army

ISLAMABAD- Gunmen kidnapped the son of a former Pakistani prime minister yesterday as a letter from the leader of the Pakistani Taliban revealed plans for suicide bomb attacks on election day.

Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, in a message to the group’s spokesman, outlined plans for the attacks, including suicide blasts, in all four of the country’s provinces on polling day on Saturday.

“We don’t accept the system of infidels which is called democracy,” Mehsud said in the letter, dated May 1, and obtained by Reuters yesterday.

Since April, the al Qaedalinked Pakistani Taliban have killed more than 100 people in attacks on election candidates and rallies, particularly those of secularleaning parties, in a bid to undermine elections they regard as un-Islamic.

The polls, already Pakistan’s most violent, will mark the first time a civilian government has completed a full term and handed over to another administration.

The attacks have prevented candidates from the three main parties in the ruling coalition from holding big rallies. Instead, they have relied on door-to-door campaigning or small meetings in homes or on street

corners.

Gunmen kidnapped the son of Yusuf Raza Gilani, former prime minister and stalwart of the outgoing Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), as he headed for a small political gathering in the central city of Multan, police said.

Ali Haider Gilani’s secre-

tary and guard were shot dead in the attack.

“If we don’t get my brother by this evening I will not let the elections happen in my area,” said his brother, Musa, in televised comments.

Taliban spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan denied responsibility in a telephone call to Reuters.

Pakistani Militants Spare Main Opposition Party ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Taliban are blamed for many of the suicide bombings across the country, a nuclear-armed strategic ally of the United States.

But they have not attacked the main opposition party led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, which has courted support from groups accused of supporting militancy.

Sharif, who is seen as favorite to become the next prime minister, says Pakistan should reconsider its support for the U.S. war on Islamist militancy and suggests he would be in favor of negotiations with the Taliban.

Nor have the Taliban attacked former cricketer Imran Khan’s party, which advocates shooting down U.S. drones and withdrawing the Pakistani military from insurgency-infested ethnic Pashtun areas along the Afghan border.

The military said on Thursday it would send tens of

thousands of troops to polling stations and counting centers to prevent the Taliban from disrupting the election.

The military has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 66-year history, either through coups or from behind the scenes.

Army spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa said 300,000 security officials, including 32,000 troops, had been deployed in Punjab, the most populous province. Another 96,000 security forces would be deployed in the northwest.

“Definitely they have reports and obviously they have made a plan to counter that,” newspapers quoted him as saying, referring to security agencies getting threats of violence from the Taliban.

Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League has capitalized on widespread frustrations with the outgoing government led by the Pakistan People’s Party.

THE NIGERIAN

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THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

International

Compiled by FAITH OKHUELEIGBE

40 Years On, Fleeing Vietnamese Take To tian groups have reported on alHANOI— Nearly 40 years Seas Again leged suspicious deaths in cusafter hundreds of thousands of

People of Freedom (PDL) party member and former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi wipes his forehead as he attends the Upper house of the parliament in Rome.

Italian Prosecutors Want Berlusconi To Face New Corruption Trial

NAPLES, Italy- Prosecutors yesterday called for former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to face another trial, on charges of bribing a senator, deepening the legal troubles of a key ally in Italy’s coalition government.

A Naples judge must decide whether the evidence is sufficient to indict Berlusconi and order a trial.

The prosecutors accuse Berlusconi of having paid former Senator Sergio De Gregorio 3 million euros ($3.95 million) to defect from the small Italy of Values party shortly af-

ter the 2006 parliamentary election and join the center right.

His defection undermined then-Prime Minister Romano Prodi’s government, which had a slim parliamentary majority, and contributed to its collapse in 2008.

De Gregorio has admitted taking money, and prosecutors asked that he stand trial alongside Berlusconi.

The request came a day after a Milan appeals court upheld a four-year prison sentence for tax

fraud against Berlusconi, which will not take effect unless it is confirmed in a final appeal.

His People of Freedom party (PDL) is a key partner in Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s right-left coalition government.

Berlusconi is already facing trial on charges of paying for sex with a minor in “bunga bunga” parties at his villa outside Milan.

He has denied any wrongdoing and says he is being persecuted by politically-motivated magistrates.

Syrian Warplanes Pound Rebel Position DAMASCUS— Syrian warplanes pounded rebel targets in two northern provinces yesterday as President Bashar Assad’s troops pushed on with an offensive to reclaim more territory from the opposition.

The airstrikes come against the backdrop of a new, joint U.S.-Russia effort to bring the sides in the 26-month-long conflict to the negotiating table.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Assad’s air force was shelling rebel positions in Aleppo and Idlib yesterday. The group said regime planes were hitting rebels near the Mannagh military air base outside of the northern city of Aleppo, the provincial capital.

The rebels stormed the base, which lies near the border with Turkey, and captured parts of it on Sunday but were later forced to retreat in the face of regime’s superior air power.

In neighboring Idlib province, heavy clashes were underway yesterday outside several army bases near the government-controlled provincial capital, said the Observatory, which relies on a network of informants based inside Syria.

In Damascus, the state-run SANA news agency said government troops regained control of one more village and some land

near the country’s border with Lebanon yesterday. The agency claimed Assad’s troops inflicted heavy losses on the rebels in Aleppo and Idlib.

In the past months, the rebels have captured large swaths of land in the north and northeast, including the entire city of Raqqa and several neighborhoods inside Aleppo, Syria largest urban center and its main commercial hub.

But the opposition fighters have struggled to hold on to the territory, frequently complaining to their Western backers that their weapons are no match for Assad’s weapons arsenal.

Assad has relied heavily on his air power to reverse rebel gains and to prevent the opposition from setting up a rival government in their northern strongholds.

The Obama administration has said it is considering providing weapons to vetted units in the armed opposition, following recent revelation of a U.S. intelligence assessment suggesting Assad regime used chemical weapons.

But the U.S. maintains deep reservations about providing direct military assistance to the rebels for fear that advance weapons would end up in the hand of al-Qaida-linked groups that have been the most effec-

tive fighting force on the opposition’s side.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to announce a new aid package of $100 million to Syrian opposition, U.S. officials said Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter ahead of Kerry’s announcement in Rome later yesterday.

The money is for humanitarian purposes only and not linked to any decision on arming Syrian rebels.

Washington is looking for ways to halt the conflict, which has killed more than 70,000 people since the revolt erupted in March 2011.

On Tuesday, Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced in Moscow that they will convene an international conference on Syria with the goal of corralling Assad’s government and opposition representatives into peace talks.

Their initiative is identical to a plan, set out in Geneva last year, to bring Damascus regime and opposition representatives together for talks on an interim government. Each side would be allowed to veto candidates it finds unacceptable.

The Geneva proposal also

Vietnamese fled the country’s Communist regime by boat, a growing number are taking to the water again.

This year alone, 460 Vietnamese men, women and children have arrived on Australian shores — more than in the last five years combined. The unexpected spike is drawing fresh scrutiny of Hanoi’s deteriorating human rights record, though Vietnam’s flagging economy may also explain why migrants have been making the risky journey.

The latest boat carrying Vietnamese cruised into Australia’s Christmas Island one morning last month, according to witnesses on the shore. The hull number showed it was a fishing vessel registered in Kien Giang, a southern Vietnamese province more than 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) from Christmas Island, which is much closer to Indonesia than it is to the Australian mainland.

Many Vietnamese who have reached Australia have been held incommunicado. The government doesn’t release details about their religion and place of origin within Vietnam, both of which might hint at why they are seeking asylum.

Truong Chi Liem, reached via telephone from the Villawood Immigration Detention Center on the outskirts of Sydney, would not reveal details of his case but said, “I’d rather die here than be forced back to Vietnam.”

The 23-year-old left Vietnam five years ago but who was detained en route in Indonesia for 18 months. He said Vietnamese simply looking to make more money shouldn’t attempt a boat journey, but he also said, “If a person is living a miserable life, faced with repression and threats by the authorities there, then they should leave.”

Some Vietnamese reach Australia via Indonesia, following the same route that the far more numerous asylum seekers from South Asia and the Middle East have blazed for more than a decade. Others set sail from Vietnam itself, a far longer and

riskier journey.

In separate statements, the Australian and Vietnamese governments said the overwhelming majority or all of the arrivals were economic migrants, which would make them ineligible for asylum. Several Vietnamese community activists in Australia and lawyers who have represented asylum-seekers from the Southeast Asian country dispute that categorization or raised questions over the screening process Australia uses.

Those activists and lawyers also raise concerns about what will become of the migrants, saying that while Australia doesn’t want to keep them, Vietnam doesn’t want to take them back.

“Vietnam’s attitude is that, ‘These are people who will never be our friends, so why should we take them back?’” said Trung Doan, former head of the Vietnamese Community in Australia, a diaspora group.

In a statement, the Vietnamese government said it is “willing to cooperate with concerned parties to resolve this issue.”

Asylum-seekers are a sensitive issue for Vietnam because their journeys undermine Communist Party propaganda that all is well in the country. They also hark back to the mass exodus after the Vietnam War. Those Vietnamese who fled persecution by the victorious Communists in the immediate aftermath of the war triggered a global humanitarian crisis. Their plight resonated with the U.S. and its allies, and they were initially given immediate refugee status. In 1989, they had to prove their cases pursuant to the Geneva Convention, and acceptance rates quickly fell as a result. Nearly 900,000 Vietnamese did make it out by boat or over land, with the United States, Canada and Australia accepting most of them.

Vietnam remains a one-party state that arrests and hands long prison sentences to government critics, including bloggers and Roman Catholic activists. Human Rights Watch alleges torture in custody is routine. Chris-

tody.

Most independent human rights activists say that repression has increased over the last two years.

Little is known about the background of those that have made the trip this year.

At least some of those who have arrived in the recent past are Roman Catholics who took part in a protest near a cathedral in the capital, Hanoi, said Kaye Bernard, a refugee advocate who has met some arrivals from Hanoi. Others are said to be involved in land disputes with local authorities.

“I don’t think you can generalize but there has been an increase in repression in Vietnam.

The sentences are getting longer.

There is more fear,” said Hoi Trinh, an Australia lawyer of Vietnamese descent who heads an organization helping asylumseekers. “If more people are more fearful, then more of them will flee.”

Peter Hansen, a lawyer and Vietnam expert who advised in some appeals involving recent arrivals from Vietnam, said the small number of cases he was aware of didn’t involve intellectuals, bloggers or political dissidents most targeted in the current campaign by the government. But he cautioned that current Australian guidelines on the validity of claims from Vietnam didn’t take into account the reality of persecution against certain religious sects in specific parts of the country.

“I can’t account for why there has been a significant increase this year, but I can tell you now that I’m absolutely certain that there is a proportion of that number who weren’t motivated to come here for economic reasons,” he said.

Neighboring countries like Cambodia have continued to receive small numbers of asylumseekers since the 1990s. Many thousands of Vietnamese have left the country to work in Asia or beyond, either illegally or as exported labor. Many don’t return after their contracts end.

Soldiers stand guard outside a district court as election commission workers carry election materials in Hyderabad, Pakistan.

THE NIGERIAN

27

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

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THE NIGERIAN

28

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Puyol Rejects Milan Speculation

City Yet To Decide S. Africa Opponents FORMER Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City have not decided which teams they will face on their preseason tour of South Africa.

Roberto Mancini’s men will visit Africa in July and have matches scheduled for 14 July at Loftus Stadium and on 18 July in Durban on Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday.

The organisers of this tour, Matchworld, announced that Man City will be in the line-up for this year’s Mandela Day having successfully hosted Manchester United in the last edition of what is described as a ‘Football Invitation in support of Mandela Day’.

Last year, the Red Devils played AmaZulu in Durban before travelling to Cape Town to face Ajax Cape Town. Lyndon Barends, the Executive Chairman at Matchworld, is happy to have another well recognized club in South Africa.

“Man City was actually very keen on coming to South Africa,” said Barends. “They said doing something for Mandela is paramount to them and they will make it their first priority.

“They will bring most of their superstars. We are busy finalising most of the sponsors and when that is done we will then announce the teams they will play on those two dates set aside.”

CARLES Puyol has quickly moved to rubbish rumours he could be set for a summer transfer to AC Milan.

Barcelona television show ‘La Porteria’ claimed on Tuesday night that the Barcelona captain, 35, had decided to leave the Camp Nou and join the Serie A giants. The report caused a sensation in Catalonia, especially as Puyol signed a new contract just last January which runs until June 2016.

But the defender, currently recovering from a knee operation undertaken in mid-march,

Sir Bobby Charlton

Fergie Replacement:

Charlton Has Doubt Over Mourinho

SIR Bobby Charlton’s concerns regarding Jose Mourinho’s conduct ensured the Real Madrid coach was never a serious contender to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager, ESPN understands. heated Supercopa tie in 2011

While United legend Charlton is an admirer of Mourinho’s coaching abilities, his keenness to ensure the positive public image of United is maintained meant Mourinho was never in the running for the Old Trafford hot-seat, which looks set to be filled by Everton boss David Moyes imminently.

Charlton said in the Guardian “a United manager wouldn’t do that” after Mourinho gouged the eye of the then Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova in a

and his subsequent comments summed up his feelings on the coach apparently bound for a return to Chelsea.

“He is a good manager, but he pontificates too much for my liking,” Charlton said of Mourinho in an interview back in December.

“Mourinho is a really good coach but that’s as far as I would go really.”

At the news that Ferguson is to step down as United boss after 26 years in charge, Charlton offered a glowing tribute to the 71-year-old who

Dep Gov Lauds Egor LG Boss For Successful Football Tourney

By NICHOLAS EBIOGBE THE Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Pius Egberamwen Odubu has expressed Government’s resolve to continue to develop grassroots

Hon. Victor Enobakhare

football in the state.

Rt. Hon Odubu who made the statement immediately after the grand finale of Egor Local Government Football Competition organized by ESYCCA in conjunction with Egor Local

Government Council.

The Deputy Governor hoped that future stars that would do well in their career will emerge from the tournament.

He congratulated the chairman of the Egor Local government Council, Hon. Victor Enobakhare for throwing his weight behind the tournament even as he did same to the local organizing committee, Edo State Youth Clubs Coaches Association for putting the tournament together. According to him, Hon Enobakhare has demonstrated that he believes in contributing his quota geared towards giving the necessary welfare to his people in the locality.

Odubu congratulated the winners of the competition including other teams that participated.

The Chairman of Egor Local Government Council, Hon Victor Enobakhare promised to continue to bankroll the competition every year.

“The youths must be carried along in the scheme of things in the Local Government. We want to assist in developing football and other sports from the grassroots”.

In the finals of the competition, Amegor Female side that represented Ward 5 beat their counterparts from Ward 6, 4-0 while in the Male category, Ward 5 defeated Ward 3 by 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw at full time.

is considered greatest manager of the modern era.

“Everything he has done has been fantastic,” Charlton said of his friend Ferguson.

“He is a sensational person in every form and I am really delighted for him.

“I am a director, but I hardly do anything because we are winning all the time and it is all down to Sir Alex Ferguson. He loves the game and we at the club have had nothing to do really.

“His family is the crux of the whole thing. He’s very aware of his family, the club and everything that he touches. He’s made his decision on various grounds, but I would say really his family

and his operation in the summer.

“He deserves to have a break. He’s got the hip, and there’s just so much pressure on the position. It’s very tough.

“He’s such a fantastic manager. He could go on forever, that’s the way he is, but maybe with a bit of ill health, on top of not seeing the family, he’s thought this is the time to do it.”

Moyes is expected to be confirmed as the next Manchester United manager in the next 48 hours, while Mourinho is tipped to return to his former club Chelsea once compensation has been agreed with his current employers Real Madrid.

calmed the situation by tweeting on Wednesday that he was going nowhere.

“All the information that is coming out is false,” Puyol said.

“I am just focused on recovering well and being at my best for next season.”

The transfer rumours were given some credence as Puyol had admitted in February, prior to the two teams’ Champions League last 16 meeting, that he was a long time fan of the Rossoneri.

“My second team is Milan,” he said then. “I always want them to win, except when they play against us. I have never hidden that I would have liked to play here, but now I am getting old. I know for sure I will retire at Barca. But I will always be a Milan fan.”

The Catalan defender’s fitness should not stop him celebrating Barca’s title win later this week, which will be the sixth of his career. He has also won three Champions Leagues and two Copa del Reys in 14 seasons in a Blaugrana jersey.

Carles Puyol

Martinez Focused On Final, Not Everton Job ROBERTO Martinez insists any approach from Everton would currently be “a waste of time” as he focuses on attempting to lead Wigan Athletic to FA Cup glory.

Martinez will lead his team into their first-ever FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday when they take on Manchester City.

But he has emerged as an early contender to take charge at Goodison Park as a replacement for David Moyes, who is the overwhelming favourite to be named Manchester United’s new boss.

Moyes’ pending move to Old Trafford was set in motion after Sir Alex Ferguson announced on Wednesday that he would step down at the end of this season after 26-and-a-half years in charge at United.

And Wigan chairman Dave Whelan admitted on Thursday morning that he is resigned to losing Martinez sooner or later.

Martinez paid tribute to Ferguson, but attempted to play down reports that he might move on to Everton.

Asked if he had received any contact from Goodison Park,

Martinez said: “No, no, no. It would be a waste of time for anyone at the moment. The most important aspect is to be as ready as we can for Saturday, and then we’ve got another two incredible finals in the league.

“This is the peak time for Wigan Athletic, and we need to make sure we are ready to allow our fans to be very, very proud and enjoy a really strong ending to the season. That’s what we have to fight for.”

Whelan said on Thursday that he feels Martinez is worthy of a bigger club than Everton.

And the Wigan manager said: “The chairman has got a fantastic knowledge about the game and you can ask him anything.

“He will never turn away from an answer, and I’m sure he has many other answers to give you.”

Martinez is attempting to juggle a first cup final with a relegation battle, as Wigan have two more Premier League games to play after Saturday’s Wembley showpiece.

His side are three points from a position of safety after Tuesday night’s 3-2 defeat at home to his former club Swansea. They visit

Arsenal next Tuesday before completing their season at home to Aston Villa a week on Sunday.

But Martinez believes his team can win the cup and achieve topflight survival.

He added: “People ask which competition we prefer; we want both. I think it’s clear we need to learn how to cope with the demands of both competitions.

“I thought on Tuesday in the league, if anything, we were affected by it. But it’s something we want to get through.

“Reaching the FA Cup final is a momentous time for the football club, and we want to enjoy the occasion.

“And then we will leave the league on the side. It’s a crucial time of the season, and we have three major games to try to achieve something special.”

Martinez is having to cope with a lengthening injury list, confirming that Ronnie Stam will miss the final after damaging ankle ligaments against Swansea on Tuesday, three days after fellow defender Jean Beausejour suffered a hamstring injury at West Brom that will keep him out of the FA Cup final too.

THE NIGERIAN

29

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

England Escapes FIFA Action Over Chants

FIFA will not take disciplinary action against the Football Association for alleged racist

chants from England fans regarding Rio and Anton Ferdinand during the match

Rio Ferdinand

against San Marino in March.

The FA has, however, been warned to take “preventative measures’’ after anti-discrimination body FARE reported the singing of an abusive song to FIFA following the World Cup qualifier.

In a statement, FIFA there would be no action due to a lack of evidence: “We can confirm that in the case of alleged racist chanting during the recent World Cup qualifier San Marino vs England, it has been decided not to open disciplinary proceedings due to the lack of concluding evi-

dence.

“The FA’s attention was however drawn on the pertinent provisions of the FIFA regulations and they were requested to display prudence and adopt appropriate preventive measures in order to avoid that incidents of such nature do occur in the future.’’

Rio Ferdinand had incurred the anger of some England fans after pulling out of the international squad at short notice, but the fact that his brother Anton was also targeted raised concerns given that he was the victim of racist abuse by former England captain John Terry.

Barthez, Blanc Hail Old Boss Ferguson FORMER Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez added to the tributes pouring in for Sir Alex Ferguson, saying the retiring manager showed him “a different kind of football” during his time at the club.

The World Cup-winner, who won two Premier League titles during his four years at Old Trafford, praised Ferguson’s man-management style following the news that the 71-yearold will retire at the end of the season.

“He was always: ‘How are you? How’s your wife, your parents, your children?’ He always wants to know how if a player feels good. With him, I discovered a different kind of football,” Barthez said, adding he felt no rancour towards Ferguson, despite being replaced by Tim Howard after the 2002-03 season. “It went really well. He puts you on the bench, but he explains the whys and wherefores. It’s all clear. He always protected me.”

Barthez also backed former international team-mate and France coach Laurent Blanc to succeed Ferguson as United manager.

Everton boss David Moyes is the favourite to inherit Ferguson’s position at Old Trafford, with reports suggesting that the Scotsman’s appointment is imminent despite Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright insisting on Wednesday evening that he is yet to been contacted by the Premier League champions.

Blanc played under Ferguson between 2001 and 2003, winning the Premier League title in his final season before retiring.

Barthez, who was also Blanc’s team-mate at Old Trafford during his own four-year spell at United, told RTL the ex-Bordeaux coach not only has what it takes to succeed English football’s most successful manager, but would also likely receive his blessing.

“Knowing his personality, he would even be a very good successor,” Barthez said. “Laurent

liked Ferguson a lot, and Ferguson liked him. They had talks, they share the same vision of football, based on trust, and also a lot of love and protection towards the players.”

Former Auxerre coach Guy Roux, who - in more than four decades in the dugout in Burgundy - guided the former boys’ club from local football to the Ligue 1 title with Blanc in his side in 1996, also gave his backing to the classy central defender, himself a French titlewinner at the helm of Bordeaux in 2008-09.

“It wouldn’t be idiotic, he was very much appreciated by Ferguson. I’d be happy about it.

If I were asked to vote on it, I would vote for him,” said Roux, 74, who warned United against following Barcelona’s modus operandum. “It’s going to be difficult, but they mustn’t try to take someone similar to Ferguson. Barcelona’s mistake was that after [Pep] Guardiola, they took the number two [Tito Vilanova]. When he fell ill, it was the number three. If he’d have got a cold, they would have taken the gardener.”

Blanc would not be drawn on the possibility of taking the reins from Ferguson. Like Barthez, however, he acknowledged the impact the Scot had had on him, despite arriving at Old Trafford aged 35 and already a World Cup winner and European champion.

“I think he’s someone who has a gift for handling human beings,” Blanc told RMC. “What really surprised me was that he had great players in front of him who he considered his sons, because he’d known some of them since they were 12. I’m not surprised that today players like Giggs, Scholes and Gary Neville are still there. They’re with their father. The club has a family feel to it even if it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

Gerard Houllier frequently pitted his wits against Ferguson’s during his six-year reign with United’s arch-rivals Liverpool. Despite the enmity

between the clubs, the former France coach insisted Ferguson never let the on and off-the-pitch animosity spill over into their relationship.

“What was great about him was that, once the match was finished, he didn’t talk about what had happened. For him, the most important game is always the next one,” Houllier told RTL. “What I like about him is his humility. He’s an enormously hard worker. He really knows

world football. And above all, he has an energy, a loyalty to the men with whom he worked.

When you’re with Alex, you’re with him for life, even if you make a stupid mistake, which was sometimes the case with his players.”

When asked what his abiding memory of the United manager was, Houllier replied: “He’s a bloke, who - outside of football - is absolutely wonderful, who has a lot of humour, and who loves red wine.”

Kwadwo Asamoah

Asamoah To Lift Seudetto Trophy With Juventus JUVENTUS will be presented with their Scudetto trophy on Saturday evening but they will first have turn out against Cagliari, which will see Kwadwo Asamoah

Real Make Barca Wait For Title BARCELONA will have to wait a bit longer before being confirmed Primera Division champions after Real Madrid destroyed nine-man Malaga 6-2 in their penultimate game at the Bernabeu.

The hosts got off to the perfect start when Raul Albiol gave them the lead after just two minutes, but Roque Santa Cruz levelled with a quarter of an hour gone.

Sergio Sanchez made his side’s task a whole lot harder by getting himself sent off midway through the first half, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil took advantage of the man advantage by extending Madrid’s lead.

Vitorino Antunes pulled a goal back for the visitors but Karim Benzema restored the two-goal advantage before the break, before Luka Modric and Angel Di Maria got involved in the scor-

Cristiano Ronaldo

ing in the second half, while Malaga were further weakened when Martin Demichelis was shown a second yellow card late on.

Atletico Madrid assured themselves of a top-three finish in the Primera Division and an automatic berth in the Champions League after seeing off relegation-haunted Celta Vigo 3-1.

Celta marginally edged a goalless first half but it was Atletico who took control with goals from Diego Costa and Juanfran Torres after the break.

The home side pulled a goal back with six minutes to go through Augusto Fernandez but Atletico star Radamel Falcao ended any further hopes of a fightback as he made it 3-1 two minutes later to complete the scoring.

The result means Atletico

now cannot be caught by fourthplaced Real Sociedad, who are 14 points behind with only four games left.

Suarez Escapes Punishment

URUGUAY striker Luis Suarez will face no further action from FIFA despite being caught on camera punching Chile defender Gonzalo Jara during a World Cup qualifier in March.

Suarez and Jara clashed at a corner in the match which Chile won 2-0 to leave Uruguay’s hopes of qualifying for Brazil 2014 hanging in the balance.

On Thursday the Uruguayan FA published a fax sent by FIFA to confirmed there would be no charge for misconduct. “The matter in question does not require the intervention of the FIFA disciplinary committee and therefore the disciplinary procedure in question is declared closed,” it read.

AUF president Sebastian Bauza said he hopes Suarez will learn from his mistakes: “It’s very good news for Luis, the national team and for the whole group. We understand that from now on, Luis should realise that he will be watched from all sides and we hope that this experience, when added to others, will be useful, so that he becomes the player will all want him to be.”

Last month Bauza insisted Suarez was being “persecuted” by football’s authorities.

Suarez is already suspended for Uruguay’s next World Cup qualifier, away to Venezuela on June 11, due to accumulated yellow cards.

crowned a Serie A champion for the first time.

The match will be Juventus’ final game at the Juventus Stadium this season, with kick-off at 18h00 (CAT).

Antonio Conte’s men were dubbed this season’s Champions with just three games to go when they defeated Palermo last Sunday afternoon and have since gone on to continue with their impressive run in a 1-0 win over Atalanta on Wednesday.

“It was definitely a great goal today, but I preferred the one I scored against Chievo because I struck it better. It’s been fantastic because we’ve won the Scudetto, but also positive from a personal point of view,” he said after netting the match winner against the Bergamaschi.

With an unreachable margin of 11 points over second placed Napoli, and with two games to go, the Bianconeri have little to play for when coming up against Cagliari.

In fact they will be more eager to get their hands on the Scudetto trophy they swung aloft last season when they have it handed over to them after the final whistle on Saturday.

Cagliari’s impressive run since Ivo Pulga’s reign at the club took a bit of a dip on Wednesday evening when they were handed their third loss in five games, following a 1-0 defeat to Parma.

The loss meant they slipped out of the top 10 in the table for the first time since January, and they will be eager to make a return to the winning ways by dampening Juve’s party celebrations.

“I must give my compliments to the team who tried their best.

We put out all we had, we tried in every way. The boys have done a great job, saving us well in advance. Tenth place has gone way, but we’re still in the mix until the very end,” noted the

THE NIGERIAN

30

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Weightlifting Coach Tasks Athletes CHRISTOPHER On Continuous Training Nwadei, Head Coach, Kogi State Weightlifting Association, yesterday in Lagos advised athletes to continue to turn up for training in spite of dearth of competitions.

“The rate at which ath-

Insecurity At Match Venues Promotes Poor Officiating - Ref HENRY Ochei, a football referee, said yesterday that insecurity at match venues was a challenge to good officiating in the country.

The Nigeria National League (NNL) referee said that a secured match venue would promote better officiating of matches in the league.

He told newsmenin Lagos on telephone that a referee who felt threatened by possible attack may not be able to discharge his duties fairly.

“Security is a key issue in ensuring that officiating in our various leagues is fair enough.

“This is because a match venue that is safe will help the referee to be relaxed and to focus on doing a better job than when in a tense environment,” he said.

Ochei added that an improvement in the welfare of referees would also help in ensuring better officiating at matches.

“Apart from having a match venue that is secured, an improved welfare package for referees will ensure that match officials do not compromise themselves,” he said.

The referee, however, commended the management of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), for endeavouring to improve upon the technical skills of referees through seminars.

Aminu Maigari

letes respond to training programme has dropped,’’ Nwadei said in a telephone interview with newsmen He attributed the development to lack of competitions and postponement of slated ones, especially at the national level.

“But I want to encourage them not to be discouraged by the situation because epileptic response to training might cause their zeal to drop,” he said.

The coach therefore called for the holding championships every quarter to prepare athletes for competition, improve their skills and create awareness for the sport.

“Regular championships keep athletes in readiness and perfect shape for national or international competitions

as well as create more awareness,’’ he said.

He expressed regrets that the National Open Championship, earlier scheduled for March by the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) could not hold.

It will be recalled that NWF Secretary Uche Onwumeh attributed the indefinite postponement of the championship to lack of fund and response from the proposed sponsors.

“This is not good for the development of the sport,’’ the head coach noted.

He said that with inadequate national competitions, athletes and officials would be unable to appraise their progress in their various sports as they prepare for continental tournaments.

Bolaji Abdullahi

Nigeria Rescinds Decision To Withdraw From 2014 CHAN NIGERIA Football Federation (NFF) has rescinded a decision to pull out of the 2014 Championship of African Nations.

The decision was taken at professional players who an executive committee have been part of coach meeting with officials saying Stephen Keshi’s rebuilding this will encourage and give process all along.

A broke NFF had earlier opportunities to home-based hinted they would pull out of the competition which is for the players based in the various home leagues due to a cash crunch.

The home-based Eagles uled to take place in Brazil, with will therefore honour their the Confederations Cup coming qualifier against Cote up in June as a prelude to the d’Ivoire in June.

2014 FIFA World Cup. NFA enNigeria have yet to qualify dorses appointment of Shuaibu for this tournament since it Amodu as technical director was founded in 2009.

NFF Endorses Amodu’s Appointment

THE Board of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on Wednesday in Abuja endorsed the appointment of Shuaibu Amodu as the association’s National Technical Director (NTD).

Reports say that the Technical Sub-Committee of the NFA, in April, recommended the appointment of Amodu and two other assistants.

The NFA board also endorsed the appointment of Kashimawo Laloko and James Peters as Assistant National Technical Directors.

Laloko was a former Technical Director of the NFA while Peters was the association’s former Assistant Secretary-General (Technical).

In endorsing the appointments, NFA said Laloko would take charge of the male national

teams, while Peters would handle the female teams.

The board, while announcing this in a communique after its meeting, said the recommendations of its technical sub-committee would boost the country’s preparation for forthcoming matches beginning from this month.

The communique said the board also approved programmes and preparation for the Super Eagles, the Flying Eagles and the Beach Soccer national team ahead of upcoming matches and championships.

Meanwhile, the NFA has changed its mind on plans not to take part in the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled for South Africa.

“The board resolved that Nigeria will now participate in the qualifying series for the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

“This is in order to encourage home-based players who have been part of the rebuilding process put in place by Super Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi.

“It is also an opportunity for the players to blossom,’’ the communique stated.

It also said the NFA board was working in collaboration with Keshi to ensure Nigeria qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. Both tournaments are sched-

Next year’s CHAN will be hosted by South Africa after it was originally to be staged

by Libya The NFF executives also approved the recommendation of the technical subcommittee for the appointment of Amodu Shaibu as national technical director.

Kashimawo Laloko and James Peters will assist him.

NFF also approved the programmes and preparation plans for the Super Eagles, the Flying Eagles and the Beach soccer national team ahead of upcoming matches and championships.

Kaduna Gymnastics Boss Worried About Lack Of Competitions SANI Mohammed, Head Coach, Kaduna Gymnastics Association (KGA), on Thursday complained of the lack of activities in the association’s itinerary; which had made gymnasts to be idle.

Mohammed told newsmen in Lagos on telephone, that the body lacked the necessary implements to take the sport to the next level.

“I am stating this to you that the lack of competitions in gymnastics is killing the sport and the gymnasts are losing interest by the day.

“I can tell you authoritatively that the last National gymnastics competition in this country was at the 18th National sports festival that took place in Lagos.

“The athletes have been training rigorously on their own, but they don’t have an avenue to demonstrate what they have learnt; and this is

because the sport is not being properly funded,’’ Mohammed said.

He added that since the inception of the year, there had not been any competition at the National level and that states were saddled with the responsibility of engaging the athletes.

“At the National level, nothing is happening and we are yet to get the year’s schedule for 2013,’’ he said.

According to him, we complain that we don’t have enough sponsors to support our programmes, much less organising a competition to lure potential sponsors.

“How will people sponsor the sport when there are no competitions to attract them to the sport; sponsorship can only be attracted when competitions are held on a regular basis,’’ he added.

Mohammed appealed to

the authorities to at least organise championships on a quarterly basis, across the country, in order to sharpen the competitive edge of the country’s gymnasts and create more awareness.

“Regular championships keep athletes in good shape, ahead of local and international competitions lined up.

“When athletes engage in frequent competitions, they tend to improve on their skills all the time and become conversant with current trends in the sport,” he said.

He also called on the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN) to come to the aid of the sport and help organise competitions for the athletes to showcase their skills.

(NAN)

THE NIGERIAN

31

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Stoke welcome desperate Tottenham

Rafa Salute Retiring Fergie in a different way and hopefully

CHELSEA interim manager Rafa Benitez put his frosty history with Sir Alex Ferguson to one side as he wished the outgoing Manchester United boss a happy retirement.

The two managers have never seen eye to eye, with the most famous flare up of the pair’s rivalry coming with Benitez’s infamous ‘facts’ press conference in January 2009, when the thenLiverpool boss lambasted Ferguson’s treatment of referees.

United beat Liverpool to the title that season, much to the Spaniard’s indignation, and the managers’ war of words has regularly been reopened since.

However, Benitez - whose Chelsea side have knocked the Premier League champions out of the FA Cup and beaten them in the league in the past six weeks - insists he will miss the opportunity to test himself against Ferguson, and also played down the extent of their antagonism towards each other.

“I like to challenge and to compete against him, but now that he’s retired I wish him health and hopefully he can enjoy his retirement,” Benitez told Sky Sports.

“I think he will enjoy football

Rafa Benitez

I can be involved in football, so I will be quite busy. I don’t have any problem to [talk with him] after football, to have conversations with him.”

With David Moyes the favourite to replace Ferguson at Old Trafford, the Everton job could be up for grabs this summer and Benitez, who is leaving Chelsea at the end of the season, was asked if he would consider taking the reins at Liverpool’s city rivals.

The Spaniard, who still has his family home on the Wirral, was coy in his response. “Still I have to concentrate on [Chelsea’s next match at] Aston Villa,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas paid tribute to Ferguson’s teambuilding ability, telling Sky Sports: “The world of football will miss this great example of a manager, for his charisma, his passion and the teams he has built, as successful as they were.”

Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex The Greatest Of All Time

FORMER Manchester City and Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has hailed old rival Sir Alex Ferguson as the greatest football manager of all time ahead of the Scot’s impending retirement from the game.

The pair have enjoyed that he will retire from the some memorable managerial game after 26 years at the duels, notably when Old Trafford helm, has Keegan’s Newcastle were achieved will be edged to the Premier League unsurpassable. title by Manchester United “For me, he’s the undisin the 1995-96 season. puted greatest football manAnd the ex-England boss ager the game has seen,” believes what Ferguson, Keegan told ESPN. “Nowho announced on Thursday one will achieve what he has

Moyes deal not yet done EVERTON chairman Bill Kenwright has revealed that a deal is not yet done to take David Moyes to Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson’s replacement and that any decision will be solely down to the manager.

Kenwright also confirmed that Moyes will remain in charge of Everton for their Premier League game against West Ham on Sunday.

“I don’t know about a deal being done. David had a meeting scheduled with me and we had a good meeting,” Kenwright

David Moyes

- Kenwright told Sky Sports News. “I think at the end of the day, David’s contract is up in six weeks’ time and he has a right to make his own decisions. He’s served this club wonderfully well and he has a right to make his own decision.”

Moyes, who is out of contract this summer, is expected to take charge of Manchester United following the news of Sir Alex Ferguson’s impending retirement. He has repeatedly refused

to commit his future to Everton, saying talks would take place at the end of the season. Speculation on his situation increased when he was seen with Kenwright in a pre-arranged meeting in London on Wednesday evening.

He is now expected to bring his 11-year reign to an end with reports in the Daily Telegraph that Moyes’ appointment at Old Trafford will be made public within 24 hours.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, Swansea’s Michael Laudrup and Celtic boss Neil Lennon have already emerged as early candidates for the job at Everton.

Speculation over Moyes’ future has grown over the season.

He declared in February that he wanted to use his team’s performance over the final three months of the season to help him decide whether to stay on at Goodison Park. All attempts to question him on his future after that were met with the response that he would make a decision at the end of the season.

A long-time friend of Ferguson, Moyes was a candidate to become his assistant at Old Trafford after Brian Kidd vacated the role to become manager of Blackburn in December 1998. that Roman Abramovich is balking at paying Real Madrid’s buy-out clause.

The timing of Ferguson’s retirement had led to speculation that the path had been cleared for Mourinho but ESPN under-

done again. It’s impossible the way football is going and to be honest almost impossible where it’s been.

“If someone had told you 26 years ago that he would go on and build what he has, you’d have laughed them out of town. With all the clubs around at that time, the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton, the thought of Manchester United becoming such a dominant force would have been ridiculous.

“I wish him a really happy retirement, no-one deserves to enjoy their retirement more than him for everything he has put in to football. I think he’ll miss it and the game will miss him.”

Although Keegan suffered disappointment at the hands of Ferguson, he also guided Manchester City to their first Premier League victory over

United, in the last ever Manchester derby at Maine Road.

But there is one result he remembers with particular fondness.

“We had some great battles over the years, but my favourite memory is definitely when my Newcastle side beat Man United 5-0 [in October, 1996] ,” Keegan said. “I’ll take that result with me and I know Sir Alex won’t begrudge me that!”

Charlton Says Fergie ’ll Not Interfere With New Boss SIR Bobby Charlton is sure that Sir Alex Ferguson will not meddle in the affairs of his successor when the Manchester

Arsenal Break New Ground With Vietnam Game ARSENAL revealed on Thursday that they will become the first English Premier League club to play a game in Vietnam as part of their pre-season tour of Asia in July.

Arsene Wenger’s side will play the Vietnam national team in the 40,000-seater My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on July 17.

“Arsenal has so many loyal supporters in Asia and we are delighted to be visiting Vietnam in July to play a match in Hanoi,” said Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis.

STOKE City welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Britannia in a must-win game for the North Londoners if they are to keep the heat on fellow Champions League hopefuls Chelsea and Arsenal.

The North London club’s European dream is out of their hands after a midweek 2-2 draw with rivals Chelsea sees them sit one point behind Arsenal in fifth with only two games remaining in the league this season.

The Lilywhites missed out on European qualification last season after Chelsea managed to win the UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich; as a result the Blues took Tottenham’s spot despite the North Londoners finishing two places above them in the league.

Champions League qualification is yet again not in their hands – even if Spurs win their remaining two games, they can still narrowly miss out if Arsenal take six points from their remaining games against strugglers Wigan and Newcastle United.

Stoke City have enjoyed another stellar season under Tony Pulis. Despite only sitting six points above the relegation zone, the Potters occupy 11th spot on the log, three places above the position they finished in last season.

Stoke drew 1-1 with Sunderland in their last encounter despite playing most of the game with an extra man on the turf.

The reverse fixture at White Hart Lane on a rainy day in December last year ended in a goalless draw.

“Everyone at Arsenal is proud to be the first Premier League team to play a match in Vietnam and to be spending time in this wonderful country.

“Arsene Wenger, the players and all the staff have hugely enjoyed our tours to Asia in the past two years, and we are all looking forward to visiting Vietnam as part of our Asia Tour 2013.”

Arsenal have previously announced fixtures in Jakarta, Indonesia and Japan.

United boss draws the curtain on his history-making 26-year spell in charge at the end of the season.

Ferguson will remain at the club as a director and ambassador, as Sir Matt Busby did when he stepped down as United boss following a glittering 24-year spell in charge. Busby’s successors, Wilf McGuinness and Frank O’Farrell, both struggled while the former manager maintained a presence at the club but Charlton insists Ferguson will not meddle.

“Alex Ferguson doesn’t work like that. He won’t interfere,” said Charlton, one of the Busby Babes, who made 758 appearances for the club. “He is famed for his decision making and this will be just another decision.”

David Moyes has been installed as the bookmakers’ favourite to take the reins, while Jose Mourinho has also been touted as a potential successor.

CMYK

THE NIGERIAN

32

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013

Free Marriage Offer: The Long Awaited A LOT of persons will hate me for this. Hate me Opportunity To Live In Europe for what they would consider as a provocative dummy of an advert. Even abuse me for toying with their aspirations: The profound ambition of travelling and living abroad; away from the burdens of their local environment, which keep growing by the minute.

I have heard some Christians rehash the portion of the bible that talks about how from time immemorial, the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence; whereas only the violent ones have been capable of gaining it by force. Someway, this portion of the Scripture has managed to germinate questionable, but fairly acceptable interpretations. A lot believe it to mean heavens approval of adopting desperate means in difficult situations.

And to a great deal, some churches have latched onto this: Organising special services to acquire God’s blessings in doing all things. Insofar as God could bless King David, who was a murderer and an adulterer; if God saw nothing wrong in using Rahab, a prostitute in advancing the cause of conquering Jericho; if Jesus Christ as the son of God could forgive a prostitute, consider a thief on the stake for amnesty, and never resented God’s decision to allow His only begotten son be crucified alongside notorious thieves, then it would be immodest to be discriminatory, when God has demonstrated ample evidence of overwhelming accommodation for all to copy.

This has provided the purview for some clerics not to take exception to certain chosen means of survival. Even in spite of knowing some endeavours to be rapacious and dangerous to the overall wellbeing of all, they still consider it as only fitting as Christians to beseech God’s guidance in a very compelling manner.

In today’s world, there is no doubt that the act of survival has become very eventful; demanding beyond knowledge. In Nige-

ria, if a person had just gotten a job, his peers, family, and society would expect him to acquire the bravery to dare what would place him at a financial advantage regardless of such an ‘achievement’ being against the objective of the Organisation.

This type of know-how is very much preferred to the knowledge and decency of keeping a ‘good-name’ in poverty: A bad society would never see the value in any man’s poverty; even if it was the price of keeping a goodname. When such a person had intended to only keep a worthy career, he would not

taining the sleaze which keeps funding such demands of hangers-on.

In any case, I am deeply sorry for making the title of this piece appear as an advert. It was only intended to attract more interest in considering how ‘ordinary’ our society has become: Because I understand how we are all so busy and trapped in the business of survival, and would sincerely prefer not to be bothered about what process to adopt in rescuing the tail of our only ‘fish’, damned with the misfortune being rotten from the head.

since some fervent prayers and miracles could still see us through the deadly missions of prowling Boko Haram insurgents, inventive kidnappers and dare-devil armed robbers.

The above title is strictly how the leaflet carefully placed into my palm was titled. The skimpily dressed young ladies advertising the service were a sight to behold. Dangerously beautiful and well schooled in the act of stimulating erotic thoughts with their sheep’s eyes look. It would be difficult for the most pious not to be abstractly interested; if

• President Goodluck Jonathan

• Senator David Mark

be seen as having done well: At least, he will not be considered striving towards the means to devolve common good, which most of the persons parading themselves as his well-wishers are hankering to benefit from.

For example, any Law maker; be it State or at the national level cannot be perceived to have done anything good or worthy if he simply went about enacting Laws and adopting the motions that could strengthen the workings of our institutions.

For those who are expecting the parliamentarian to break new grounds in creating employment, satisfying their unceasing financial demands and political patronage, he must find a way to hobnob and compromise the Executive in creating amphibious agencies and appointments, certify poorly executed projects, and neglect appropriate sanctions; when sus-

not physically tempted.

I managed a quick glance at the printed material in my hand. It demanded the simple and only condition of a token payment once the visa is secured. The pictures of the young black ladies and men on the leaflet were even more promiscuous in their appearance. Consent before contact, or marriage for sale, I whimpered. Then, my mind

When I have recourse to what would happen when our ‘fish’ gets completely decomposed, then I shudder because of our ravenous nature in all that we do. And I fear about that day in which everyman would know it is suicidal to step a foot outside his house, for fear of being eaten-up by his fellow-human. Even the present time might be considered better,

By KINGSLEY OGBEIDE-IHAMA switched to the stories of those whom I know were sent abroad to be hooked with desperate husbands in search of desperate wives.

Please appreciate that my intention to use the words ‘husbands’ and ‘wives’ in situations of unmarried people, is

to emphasize how consent was granted even before the couples ever met themselves.

Yes it could be concluded that these are due to the conflict of social forces arising from economic conditions: More so, incidences of betrothals between families for their children, who hardly knew themselves have duly predated now. But these were done between peoples of the

same culture and for reasons other than economic desperation. In any case, the rich values intended to be grafted on each other were nurtured through the family support and fondness. And therefore, a high percentage of such marriages are known to have succeeded, while the transnational ones largely fail.

However, this is not so much about the ills of those travelling abroad for reasons considered unwholesome. It is about how we have all worked ourselves into desperate situations. After all, a friend believes that we must all look for desperate means to survive. And he added a puzzler; “How do you expect the daughter of a worker on a minimum wage to live a decent life as an undergraduate in any of our universities and sadly too, those owned by churches?” “How do you expect a young female graduate seeking employment not to be imperiled by sexual harassment in a country where the rulers believe it is only the thugs, militants and Boko Haram insurgents that must be considered for urgent jobs?” As a perfectionist, which most persons are, I would leave these puzzlers for your witty answers.

However, this is not so much about the ills of those travelling abroad for reasons considered unwholesome. It is about how we have all worked ourselves into desperate situations. After all, a friend believes that we must all look for desperate means to survive.

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