Nigerian observer 15 01 2014

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol. 38 NO. 398 •WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2014 . N 100.00 NATURAL MEDICINE Page 19

Relief for insomnia

PLACE OF PRAYER Page 21

Why do newborns die?

Oba Ovonramwen Centenary celebration begins

By ADNY EGBON, GODSTIME OYIBO, ERHARUYI MARTINS

BENIN CITY – The celebration of Oba O v o n r a m w e n C e n t e n a r y

Remembrance formally commenced yesterday in Benin City.

Oba Ovonramwen reigned in Benin Kingdom

as the 35th Oba from 1888AD – 1914AD during the Period historians regard as the second Benin dynasty after the reign of the

Ogisos.

The celebration which continues today with a colloquium and stage Continues on page 2

Edo PDP chairman loses councillor to APC

OGBONA - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State suffered a major setback yesterday as its only Councillor, Mr Peter Akhugie, representing Ogbona, Ward 4, in Etsako Central Local Government Area, the Ward of Chief Dan Orbih, the Party’s Chairman in the state decamped with over 200 of his supporters to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ward 4 in Ogbona was the only ward out of the immediately deploy the ten in the council area won Rapid Response Agency by the PDP in the April 20, to sink a second borehole 2013 Local Government in the community to be election in the Council reticulated to various quarters and homes. area.

He said: ““I have come Receiving the decampees yesterday, not only to welcome Peter Governor Adams into our fold, this Local Oshiomhole said his Government is now 10/10 government would exactly the same way it is continue to extend 18/18 in Edo state after my development to every eleciton. And that to nook and cranny of the recognize that our strength state irrespective of is not in empty rhetoric, making promises that we political divide.

He promised the people will not keep. I have come of Ogbonna that the state to assure the people of government would Ogbona that we have

done one borehole before, we will do another one. The

weapon we have against the PDP is our developmental efforts

and they have no answer to it. Each time they plan at night but in the day time God will destroy their plots.

When you were not with us, we did a borehole and now that you are with us, we will do more. We will continue to build and rehabilitate more schools

because education is the foundation for our tomorrow. We will make our schools the most beautiful and attractive, in the past, only the children of the rich attended beautiful schools.

“Politics is about the people, it is about Continues on page 2

Harassment of Developers

Govt warns CDAs

By ROLAND OSHKUE

BENIN CITY – The chairman of Peace and Conflict Reconciliation Committee in Edo State, Chief Eduwu Ekhator, has warned that government would no longer tolerate the unbecoming attitude of some members of C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t Associations (CDAs) whose activities tend to undermine the peace and order in the society.

Chief Ekhator, who lamented the activities of CDA members in the state stated that

government’s initiative to set up the committee was to bring succour and peace to prospective land developers in various communities across the state.

The Benin High Chief who spoke with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER yesterday explained that the government and the good people of Edo State were uncomfortable with the attitude of some CDA members in some communities, who wreaked havoc on some developers and subjected them to unwarranted expenses over their acquired

TIT BIT “We may not appreciate God’s effort in making nature to be still for our sake until death and other forms of natural disasters reveal the flip side of nature.”

- Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama

parcels of land.

He maintained that the Comrade Oshiomhole led administration was prepared to develop the state, hence the birth of the committee to wipe out the menace and bring to book any erring CDA member whose activities remain inimical to the policy of government.

According to him, “the Continues on page 2

DECAMPING: Governor Adams Oshiomhole (middle) flanked by Hon. Peter Akhugie, Councillor representing Ogbona Ward 4 (left) and Hon. Emmanuel Momoh, Chairman, Etsako Central Local Government Area during the decamping of Hon. Akhugie from the PDP to APC yesterday.

Oshiomhole receives new Army Commander

By ADAMS OYIBOKE

BENIN CITY – Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has received the newly deployed commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Azinta with an assurance to collaborate with the Nigerian Army in combating crime and criminality in the state.

The new Commander was led to Government

House by the Out-going Commander Major

General Pat Akem who was recently promoted

from Brigadier General to Major-General.

Governor Oshiomhole described Major General Akem as a gallant soldier who has contributed Continues on page 2

acknowledgement of his outstanding contribution to peace, security and development in the state.

An influential sociocultural, non-political association of Oghara Continues on page 2

Uduaghan to be honoured for commitment to peace, devt

OGHARA - Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, is to be honoured by

Oghara community in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state in

News

Oba Ovonramwen Centenary celebration begins

Continued from page 1

play is expected to end on Saturday, January 2014.

Yesterday’s ceremony was graced by notable palace chiefs and indigenes of the state and delegations from Calabar, Cross Rivers State.

The delegation from Calabar included a representative of the Obong of Calabar Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu in whose domain Oba Ovonramwen was domiciled

after the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom and the representative of the Offiong family of Calabar in whose care Oba Ovonramwen was entrusted by the British after he was released on bail in 1898.

The Obong of Calabar, described Oba Ovonramwen as a King who fought hard

Edo PDP chairman loses councillor to APC Continued from page 1

development, it is not about sharing rice and sugar during election periods” He said “I want to assure Edo people that APC is on a liberation movement and there is no going back what is dead is dead. Now that PDP is pronounced dead in sin, they will not resurrect. We will emphasis development, the right of the child to good schools, the right of the woman to clean water, the right of our people to good roads. Even after my tenure, we will have APC governments that will continue to work for our people, there is no resurrection for PDP. “While Dan Orbih’s people are moving to a progressive party, he remains in Benin telling lies to people but politically he is finished at home. By the time I am out of government I will be proud to go round Edo state to say this is what I did and my successors on APC platform will build on where we stopped” he stated.

In his remarks, Interim Chairman of the APC, Chief Osaro Idah said the party would soon begin its membership registration and that there would be no hoarding of membership cards but “we will give everybody equal oppprtunity” Speaking earlier, Akhugie said he decided to dump the PDP for the APC due to “my conscience because I want

the best for my people and not deceit. PDP leaders are using us to make money for themselves rather than for the people but we have said no enough is enough. We want to join Oshiomhole to make our state and council better for our people”.

against the British imperialism of the 19 th and early 20 th Centuries.

He said the Oba was a King “completely free from the egocentricities that characterised most modern day Monarchs and one whose unjust treatment at the hands of the Colonial masters turned out to be one cementing factor in the enviable union between the two ancient Kingdoms of Calabar and Benin.”

Spokesperson for the Offiong family Mr. Joseph Offiong said the family would appreciate if a museum is erected in the final resting place of the Oba in Calabar, which had already been acquired by Benin Kingdom while hoping that soon, a

monument befitting the status of Oba Ovonramwen would be erected on the spot, Offiong disclosed that there are plans by the family in that direction.

Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Elizabeth Jenitola Anena appreciated the goodwill of the organizers of the event for keeping the memory of Oba Ovonranmen alive.

She noted that the people of the Kingdom have been able to overcome the trauma of the 1897 British invasion and the subsequent looting of Benin artifacts.

The commissioner who, however, lamented that foreigners appreciate the Benin artifacts more than people of the Kingdom said Benin artifacts dotted major museums in different parts of the world.

committee was inaugurated by government.”

Chief Ekhator further explained that security men from the police and the Sate Security Service (SSS) have been drafted into the committee and assured that the committee would react

swiftly to the complaints of any person who is in distress with any community association.

He therefore called on the people of the state to remain focused and be in tune with government’s policy in the area of bringing peace to land developers.

Govt warns CDAs

Continued from page 1 havoc of some CDA’s is becoming too unbearable.

The wanton destruction of lives and property in some communities by CDA members is quite embarrassing, hence this

Uduaghan to be honoured for commitment Delta State Oil to peace, devt Otefe-Oghara; Producing Areas

Continued from page 1 people, the Oghara Elite Forum (OEF), said in a press statement made available to THISDAY in Warri yesterday, that Uduaghan would be formally honoured during the annual get-together slated for next Sunday in Oghara, the administrative headquarters of Ethiope West.

Ten other personages who have distinguished themselves especially through their contributions to the development of Oghara Kingdom, a statement signed

by President-General and Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the forum, Mr Tony Omene and Mr Tony Adams, respectively, said.

The Delta State

Commissioner for Works, Hon Ben Igbakpa, DESOPADEC Commissioner, Dr Henry Ofa as well as Executive Director, African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev David Ugolor and the Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, OtefeOghara, Dr (Mrs) Clara E. Sogbaike, are among the other recipients of the OEF annual distinguished personality award.

Moreover, six corporate bodies will also receive the distinguished performance award. They include Rain Oil; Delta State Polytechnic,

Oshiomhole receives new Army Commander Comrade Governor

Continued from page 1 immensely to the reduction of crime in the state.

According to him; “Let me use this opportunity, General Akem to thank you for what God has used you to do for Edo State and indeed, for our brother state, Delta.

“You came at the Peak of our security challenges; kidnapping, pipeline vandalizism, illegal bunkering and illegal refineries”.

He said; “It is to your credit that you provided leadership to officers and men of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army to provide fire cover to other security agents, particularly the State Security Service (SSS) and sometimes, even the police”.

Governor Oshiomhole Commended the out-going commander for the peace enjoyed by the people of Edo State during the last Christmas and New Year celebrations.

While congratulating majorGeneral Akem on his new posting as Director of Legal Services, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja,

Oshiomhole urged him to add value to any assignment given him at the Army Headquarters.

The out-going Commander had said he was in Government House to introduce the in coming Brigade Commander, to the governor.

He said Brigadier Azinta was

deployed from 13 Brigade in Calabar, describing him as intellectually and mentally fit to handle 4 Brigade Because of his pedigree.

He, however, assured the Comrade Governor of Nigerian Army preparedness at all times to contain issues of insurgency in the state.

Eid El Maulud Tragedy

Suicide bomber kills 17 the scene and cordoned off

MAIDUGURI - At least, 17 persons were killed when suspected suicide bomber detonated a bomb at the popular GSM Market near the Post Office in Maiduguri yesterday.

Survivors told newsmen in Maiduguri that the incident occurred at about 2p.m. shortly after the Zuhur prayers.

Alhaji Lawan Tanko, Commissioner of Police in the State, confirmed the blast.

“It is true that we had a blast at the GSM market after a suicide bomber driving in a firewood seller ’s vehicle detonated his bomb around 1p.m.

“Security agents rushed to

the place to restore normalcy.

“We counted about 17 dead bodies as at 2.30 p.m. but the evacuation is ongoing. We also counted five injured persons that were carried to hospital.”

He said that the casualties included a Traffic Warder who sustained injuries.

He said he had instructed his men to visit hospitals in the state capital to get comprehensive details of the casualties of the blast.

Tanko said that the police had also fortified security in all public places to prevent any incident in the state capital.

Development Commission (DESOPADEC); Western Delta University, Oghara; Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara; and, Oghara Vigilance (Vigilante) Group.

A lecture, titled, “Oghara Kingdom: WHat Does Tomorrow Hold?” will be delivered at the awards presentation ceremony by Rev David Ugolor, Executive Director, ANEEJ”, it further said.

According to the statement, “Its motto, “Service to The People”, is a summation of the philosophical stance of the OEF, namely to advance the progress and development of the people of Oghara Kingdom through outstanding service in diverse fields.

“Against this background, the OEF, after meticulous deliberations, has chosen 11 (eleven) personages and six (6) corporate bodies for its annual honorary awards holding at a special ceremony at Oghara on Sunday, 19 January, 2014.

“The eminent Nigerians for the OEF Awards, which include distinguished sons and daughters of the traditional kingdom of Oghara, have been selected for the awards of recognition for their outstanding contributions to Delta State and Oghara community development services.

“The list of recipients for the honorary awards includes the Delta State Governor, His Excellency, DR EMMANUEL EWETA UDUAGHAN, who is being honoured for his exceptional leadership and contribution to peace, security and development in Delta State in particular and Nigeria in general.”

Enogie of Eyaen pledges support for NAWOJ BENIN CITY – The Enogie of Eyaen, His Royal Highness, Dr. Osazuwa Iduriase yesterday made a serious commitment to the executive of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Edo State Council as he pledged financial and other support towards the association’s crèche project.

Chief Iduriase made the pledge in his Eyaen palace in Benin City yesterday when he received Amina Ebor-led executives of NAWOJ who paid him a courtesy visit.

The Enogie, while responding to the visitors’ requests assured them of his readiness to make land and other logistic support available for the Association’s Widows-farm project.

The Enogie who commended NAWOJ for not being selfish to request for land for themselves alone but for the less privileged in the society, especially the widows, lauded them (NAWOJ) for the initiatives.

He, however, advised Amina Ebor and her Exco not to be deterred by any setback in their quest to actualize their laudable projects, saying that good thing such as these do not come easy.

He also urged the women journalists to let love, peace and unity reign in NAWOJ insisting that such attribute was the only way the association can move forward.

Earlier in her address, the chairperson of NAWOJ, Edo State Council Amin Ebor said they (NAWOJ) have long time ago identified the traditional ruler as a benevolent royal father. “We know you as a father who has always been involved in projects that could ameliorate the suffering of the common people as well as enhance the living standard of his subjects and other needy people, hence we have come to draw from your dip well of benevolence.”

The NAWOJ Chairperson unveiled their Association’s plans and determination to continuously involve themselves in empowerment projects especially for the less privileged in the society.

“Bearing in mind the Chinese adage: ‘give a man a fish you will be feeding him for just one day, but when you teach him how to fish; you will be feeding him for a life time to this end, we have resolved to permanently empower the less privileged women and widows.”

After series of deliberations and consultations and as part of our contribution towards ameliorating their plight, we came to the conclusion that we could establish an integrated farm settlement for them”, Amina emphasised.

According to the NAWOJ chairperson, the farm settlement which is modeled after Israelis Kibbutz system, when fully operational, shall

By SWEET IDEMUDIA

D. E. E. Unuefe whose message on divine Healing complemented the lead message delivered by the General Overseer, Most Snr. Apostle (Dr.) J. E. E. Osasuyi, asserted that Christians need not live sickly lives, physically and spiritually because healing is indeed, their right.

Guest speaker, Bro. Joshua Owoshewo who spoke on “Hazards of Cell Phone” advised Nigerians on the need to put the cell phones to proper use to avoid the inherent health hazards which could lead to brain damage or cancer of the ear.

The G.R.A. Division Choir of Christ Chosen Church of God Int’l ministered at the on-going International Conference for 2014 which has, however entered its third day today, having been declared open on Monday, January 13, 2014.

The 2014 conference has as its theme: “Beauty for Ashes”.

Healing, divine heritage of Xtians - Osasuyi BENIN CITY – The Spiritual leader/General Overseer, Christ Chosen Church of God Most Snr Apostle (Dr.) Joshua Osasuyi has stressed the need for Believers in Christ Jesus to see healing as their divine inheritance. The occasion was the second day of the Church’s on-going annual International Conference for 2014.

Speaking yesterday on the topic: “Healing Is Your Divine Heritage,” the man of God emphasized that children of God need not dwell in sicknesses and diseases, but ought to live continually in healthy and prosperous condition, both in their mind and body, as well as mentally and spiritually.

Also speaking at the weeklong 2014 International Conference of the Church yesterday, Snr. Apostle (Dr.)

EDSOGPADEC boss inspects BENIN CITY – In furtherance projects of its assigned mandate, Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) has continued the inspection of its projects in the local government areas under its jurisdiction.

Led by its chairman, Barrister Vincent Osas Uwadiae and visiting journalists under the aegis of grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network, South South Zone, the tour took the team to four of the commissions, projects.

The first port of call was the site of the ongoing construction and asphalting of the 10 kilometres Egun-Iwusan-UtesiObagie-NokenkporoUyinmwendin-Azagba road in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area where it was discovered that the asphalting of the road had commenced.

Barrister Uwadiae expressed satisfaction at the quality of the job so far done by the contracting firm and called for its sustenance in line with international standards and best practices.

The member representing the local government area on the board of the commission, Mr. Victor Ekhator, member representing Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Hon. Fidelis Okunzuwa, member representing Edo North Senatorial District on the board of the commission, Hon. Luqman Muhammad as well as the local government area’s community liaison officer in charge of the project, Mr. Agbontaen Eboigbe were all full of praises for the contractor’s diligence and quality of materials used. They however, called for the speedy completion of the projects.

5 Bank Officials Arraigned Over Alleged N760m Fraud

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM

LAGOS - Five out of 15 customers and staffs of Sterling Bank in Lagos who allegedly defrauded the financial institution of N760 million have been arrested and docked by the operatives of the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The remaining ten others involved in the alleged electronic fraud which was allegedly perpetrated in 2013 at the bank’s branches on Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo State; Refinery Road, Kaduna State; Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos; and Marina Street, Lagos Island in connivance with some staff of the bank are said to be at large.

The police identified the arrested suspects as Kayode Ojo Rotimi, 23, Samson Oluwafemi, 32, Adeniyi Ishola David, 40, Adindu Precious, 40, and Iparo Olabode, 19.

After investigation, all the suspects were charged before an Igbosere magistrate’s court, Lagos on a nine-count charge of obtaining money under false statement and fraudulent conversion.

Other suspects now at large, according to the police, are: Fabusoro Samuel Toyin, Goodluck Shehu, Briska Joel,

Onifade Funsho, Mohammed Musa, Wale Arowasegbe, Awojola Tunde, Leye Baruwa, Babajide Aina and a woman Busayo Adesokan.

The Police prosecutor, Supol.

Emerho Frank told the court that the five accused persons conspired with ten others by fraudulently using the passwords and users’ profiles of some staff of the bank to withdraw the N760 million from the bank’s accounts.

They allegedly withdrew the money from the account of the funds authorising officer of the bank, John Ogun, and account of the fund transfer officer of the bank,Ogwunighie Anthonia, and transferred same to different accounts of the bank’s branches without the bank staff’s knowledge.

According to the prosecutor, the accused allegedly withdrew the money later and shared it among themselves, but were arrested in Lagos, Ibadan and Kaduna following a written complaint by the management of the bank to the commissioner of police in charge of SFU Lagos, CP Tunde Ogunsakin.

Frank said that during interrogation, all the suspects allegedly confessed to the crime, which the offence

News

committed contravened sections 409, 312(1)(2)(3), 278 and 285 of the criminal laws of Lagos State, 2011.

All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the crime in the open court, and the presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs. A. O. Adedayo granted them on bail in the sum N10 million each with two sureties in like sum, while the sureties must show evidence of 3 years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The magistrate adjourned the matter till 17 February, 2014 for mention, while all the defendants were taken to Ikoyi Prisons pending the time when they will fulfill the bail conditions.

L-R: Most Snr. Apostle J.E.E. O. Osasuyi (Ministering) and Snr. Apostle J. Onaghise at the 2014 International Conference of Christ Chosen Church of God Int’l yesterday.

Warri Area Command Urges Officers To Redouble Efforts

WARRI (Delta)- The Warri Area Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mr. Haruna Rabiu, has urged his officers and men to redouble their efforts to enable the command surpass its achievements in 2013.

Rabiu made the call at the command’s annual thanksgiving service held at “A” Police Division” in Warri-South Local Government Area of Delta.

He urged the officers to go after the smaller criminals, adding that they could graduate to armed robbery if not checked.

“Though we recorded 100 per cent crime-free rate during the festive season, but we should not relent on our past achievements, instead we should redouble our efforts now that the area is calm.

“They graduate into bigger criminals,” he said.

While reviewing the activities of the command in 2013, Rabiu said a seven-man gang of armed robbers terrorising Warri and environs was arrested by his command in December.

According to him, the arrest of the gang is responsible for the calmness recorded

throughout the festive period.

The ACP thanked the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) and the vigilante groups for their cooperation throughout 2013, urging them to sustain the tempo in 2014.

Rabiu attributed the command’s success to the Almighty God as well as the support and cooperation of the PCRC by ensuring adequate surveillance of their communities and provision of useful information.

It was recalls that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, had on Dec. 30 at a news conference

in Warri said that the state recorded 100 per cent crimefree rate during the yuletide.

The Chairman of the vigilante group “A Police Division” Warri-South, Mr. Ofoyeju Horod, said that finance and logistics were major challenges confronting their operations.

“Anytime we are going for a meeting in Asaba, vigilante groups from other local governments will go with their buses provided for them by their council chairmen.

“But we in Warri-South will task ourselves to hire a bus to convey us to Asaba which is not supposed to be so.

FERMA Promises To Rehabilitate SOKOTO - The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency Federal Roads (FERMA) has promised to

L-R: Wives of Apostles of Christ Chosen Church of God Int’l at the 2014 International Conference of the Church which opened on Monday: Rev. (Mrs.) Echibue, Rev. (Mrs) Igberase and Rev. (Mrs.) Irabor.

Butchers Union Chairman Decries

By ANDY EGBON Infrastructrual Lapse

BENIN CITY – The Chairman, Edo State Butchers Union, Comrade Ikponmwosa Orhue has decried the condition of infrastructure in public abattoirs in the state and therefore called on stakeholders to immediately remedy the situation.

He noted that abattoirs are major revenue source for government as the poor state of infrastructure was adversely affecting the revenue accruing from it.

Comrade Oihue who spoke with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER at a meeting held in Benin to harmonise

members of the union said many of the union members have relocated to private abattoirs to conduct their businesses.

He highlighted the infrastructural lapses to include bad roads, lack of portable water; lack of toilet facilities and indecent work environment.

He said the harmonization meeting was conveyed with a view to addressing the infrastructural lapses.

While noting that previous union executives failed to give due attention to making the

abattoirs work friendly, comrade Orhue appealed to stakeholders, especially the authorities of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Council and the state government to help address the lapses in infrastructure in the abattoirs.

He used the occasion to appreciate the National President of the Butchers union, Chief John Osamede Adun and the Enogie of Eyaen, His Royal Highness, Osazuwa Iduriase for their mediatory role into the crisis between the Hausa Cattle traders and the state Butchers recently.

rehabilitate all federal roads across the country in 2014 and beyond, an official has said.

A member of the board of the agency, Alhaji Ahmed Gusau, stated this when he addressed a news conference in Sokoto on Tuesday.

Gusau, a former Deputy Governor in Sokoto State, also said, “the potholes that you see, that are disturbing Nigerians on the roads are being aggressively addressed.

“This is to ensure safe driving

by Nigerians. This is one of the cardinal responsibilities of FERMA and I believe we are up to the task.

“By the special grace of God, 2014 will witness much of such intensity of maintaining Nigerian roads,” Gusau, also a former Minister of Solid Minerals, said.

Gusau explained that the gesture was to ensure that Nigerian roads were safe for movement of persons and property.

The FERMA board member, however, decried the habit of overloading by articulated vehicles, which he said, were wreaking havoc on Nigerian roads.

“There is no reason for you to

put 60 tonnes in a vehicle of 30 tonnes; that act is giving serious depression on the roads.

“Before you know it potholes will come up, hence, killing Nigerians by creating such

dangerous potholes,” he added.

Gusau further urged Nigerians to desist from such nefarious acts, saying that motorists should not be “hasty” in their bid to make money.

Police To Impound Unregistered Vehicles In Lagos LAGOS - Vehicles that ply the roads in Lagos State without adequate registration by February 13 will be impounded, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, has said.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Police spokesperson, Ms. Ngozi Braide, a DSP, and made available to newsmen in Lagos.

Manko, who described it as a crime for people to operate their vehicles on Lagos roads without registration, said that offenders would be charged to court.

“The Lagos State Police Command hereby advises and warn all motorists to make sure that their vehicles

are adequately registered.

“The command will only give a grace of one month with effect from January 13th to February 13th, 2014.

“Thereafter, the command will be left with no option than to commence a thorough clampdown on offenders.

“We will no longer tolerate such deviant behaviour and violators will be charged to court,” Manko said.

Manko expressed concern on how many motorists ply the roads without respect for the laws of the land.

The commissioner of police also urged Lagosians to join the command in combating crime and criminality by ensuring strict compliance to the nation’s traffic laws.

News

FG Pledges To Increase Child Mortality Intervention ABUJA - The Federal Government in Abuja assured that it would scale up its nutrition and anti-malaria programmes to reduce child mortality in the country.

The Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, told newsmen that government was poised to achieve better results in its efforts towards improving maternal and child mortality in 2014.

He said malnutrition and malaria were among the leading contributing factors to child mortality.

“There are challenges. One area we are going to upscale up this year is nutrition. We are going to work hard on nutrition.

We are going to work hard on malaria.

“Government will ensure that

it supplies commodities, not only for family planning, but the rest of life-saving commodities that were recommended by the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities’, he said.

Some of the life saving commodities are female condoms, emergency contraceptives, misoprostol, magnesium sulfate and injectable antibiotics.

Others are antenatal corticosteroids, chlorhexidine, amoxicillin, oral rehydration, zinc, and others.

“We are also looking at how we can ensure that we procure adequate quantities, deliver them in a most equitable manner and ensure that we don’t have out-ofstock in our facilities,” he said.

The minister said the Federal Government would also scale up

interventions for the Preventionof-Mother-to-Child transmission of HIV.

He said the government had trained health workers for the provision of quality maternal

health services and to ensure that every pregnant woman was tested for HIV before delivery.

Chukwu said government had provided community health extension workers at many facilities in the rural areas.

Attack: Govt to Donate Building Materials To Plateau Victims JOS - The Riyom Local Government Council in Plateau is to donate building materials to victims of the January 6 attack in Shonong in the council area.

The Interim Administrator of the local government area, Mr. Sandah Matawal, gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen in Riyom yesterday.

He said that the council would provide the materials in collaboration with the state government.

Matawal said that the donation would enable the victims to rebuild their houses burnt during the attack.

Reports state that an attack on the Shonong Community reportedly left some people dead and about 50 homeless.

The interim administrator said that the council would do everything within its powers to assist the victims.

Matawal appealed to the community members not to abandon their homes out of fear,

saying that adequate security measures had been put in place to secure their lives and property.

According to Matawal, fleeing from the community will mean surrendering the area to the attackers.

Meanwhile the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has donated materials worth over N2 million as an interim measure to alleviate the sufferings of the victims.

Mr. Bintan Wuyep, the Plateau SEMA Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, told newsmen that more materials would be distributed to the people in due course.

“The first batch of materials is just an interim measure to take care of the immediate needs of the people.

“We will re-strategise, procure more materials and take to the people,” Wuyep said.

He said that the donated materials were food stuff, clothes and toiletries.

800 Teachers For Special Training - SUBEB Official

LAFIA - The Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) said more than 800 science and mathematics teachers in the state would benefit from a special training programme, this year.

The programme was part of the bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Japan.

Malam Salisu Isah, the Director of Quality Assurance of the board said this in an interview with the newsmen in Lafia.

The director said under the agreement, some of the teachers would be trained as facilitators, who would in turn train other teachers in the state on modern and easier methods of teaching the subjects.

“Thirteen of the mathematics and science teachers are currently attending a training programme at the National Teachers Institute in Kaduna.

“They will in turn come back to the state after the training to train 800 mathematics and science education teachers on the

programme “The programme was designed to improve on the teaching and learning of mathematics and science education.

“It is to equip the teachers with enhanced knowledge and skills which will impact on the pupils and students positively in their grasp of the subjects.

“That is why the federal government and Japan entered into partnership to enhance the standard of science and mathematics education in the country,” he said.

The director urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the programme to “equip themselves with modern method of teaching mathematics and science education,” so as to make it easier for students to understand.

Isah also urged parents to give priority to girl-child education, to facilitate the education of the girls and empower them to contribute their quota to national development.

High Chief Osemwegie Ebohon (right) and Sir Victor Uwaifo at the opening ceremony of the celebration of the Oba Ovonranmwen Centenary Rememberance in Benin City yesterday. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.

Navy To Develop Sustainable Programme KARSHI (FCT - The Nigerian naval headquarters would For Schools Navy said it was looking at ways continue to guide the of developing sustainable

association in terms of operational requirements where permissible and add value by way of logistics.

“I want to implore the contractors to keep to the time frame as it is very important as the school is ongoing.

“For us in the navy, we have taken education and value addition to our level of intellectual dept as one of the core attributes that will help us in human capacity development.

“So, this exercise today is in furtherance of that objective, we have as a matter of policy instituted well structured and planned development of educational institutions for the navy.’’

Earlier, the National President of NOWA, Mrs. Vivian Ezeoba, said that when she took over the leadership of the association, she promised to improve on the educational facilities of NOWA schools.

Ezeoba said that the event was in fulfilment of that promise, adding that most of the infrastructure in the school were put in place many years ago.

According to her, parents are eager to bring their children to the school now due to the expansion of infrastructure.

She added the projects were Cross section of Benin palace Chief at the opening ceremony of the celebration expected to be completed in 24 of the Oba Ovonranmwen Centenary Rememberance held in Benin City yesterday. weeks and called for assistance Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE. from the naval Headquarters.

programme for welfare schools that would be driven by Nigerian Navy Officers Wives Association (NOWA).

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Dele Ezeoba, made the disclosure at the foundation laying ceremony of a hostel and blocks of classrooms at the NOWA Educational Centre in

Karshi, Abuja.

He said the development of the programme would be a building block for which successive NOWA presidents would use as a way of adding value to developmental objectives.

He added that “rather than adhoc ways of putting structures in place because we don’t have

articulated plan, we will develop sustainable programmes to help NOWA to provide necessary resources to such schools.

“The articulated secondary school scheme will help NOWA to put their structures in proper perspective and help further development of these schools.”

Ezeoba assured NOWA that the

Nigeria Remains Grateful To Fallen Heroes, SOKOTO - Governor Aliyu the people of the state for being Says Wamakko Wamakko of Sokoto State on law abiding and peaceful and Monday said Nigeria would remain grateful to its fallen heroes because of the sacrifices they had made to keep it united.

Wamakko made the remarks in Sokoto at the launch of the 2014 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem.

He said “Nigeria has remained united as the fallen heroes

gallantly fought to keep the country one.

“The fallen heroes and those who are surviving would continue to be fondly remembered for their diligence and selfless service to the nation.”

The governor commended the various security agencies for

sustaining peace, unity and harmonious co-existence among people in the state.

He added that “security agencies have been working round-the-clock to ensure the safety of lives and property in the state.”

The governor also commended

pledged the government’s continued efforts to protect lives and property.

More than N6.5 million was collected at the event, with the highest donation of N2 million from the state government.

The Chief Launcher, Alhaji Sahabi Bojo, donated N1 million.

South South Emir Calls For Peaceful Council Poll

LOKOJA - Kogi Deputy Governor, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, suspicious activities to the has called on Muslims to HADEJIA (JIGAWA) - The Islamic Calendar, Rabi’ al- fair and just,’’ he urged. emirate council or security celebrate Maulud Nabiyyi Emir of Hadejia in Jigawa, Alhaji awwal.

Abubakar urged political agencies,” he urged.

Adamu Abubakar, yesterday The emir said that it was leaders to show commitment to The emir thanked the state with prayers for the unity and called for peaceful conduct of the imperative for politicians, improving the social and government for efforts in economic prosperity of the January 18 local government members of the electorate and economic wellbeing of the constructing roads, building state and the nation. election in Jigawa. other stakeholders to conduct people. schools and executing rural Awoniyi made the call in a Abubakar made the call in a themselves peacefully during The emir also called on electrification projects in the state statement by his Press message to mark this year’s Eid- pre-election, voting and post- Nigerians to pray for the in the past seven years.

Secretary, Mr. Michael Abu, El-Maulud in Hadejia. country’s peace, unity and election periods.

‘The emirate council will made available to newsmen in The reports say that Eid-El‘’Leadership comes from prosperity. continue to support the Maulud is held to mark the God. We must respect and obey ‘’Communities should foster government toward improving Lokoja yesterday. birthday of Prophet Muhammed. our leaders. ``Also, those in peace and support the authorities. the living conditions of the The deputy governor, who It occurs in third month in the positions of leadership must be “You must report any people,’’ he said. congratulated Muslims on this year’s celebration of Maulud Nabiyyi, also called on Muslims in the state to pray for the success of Governor Idris Wada’s administration.

Awoniyi urged Muslims to have the fear of God and spirit of sharing with the needy as exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during his lifetime.

He called on Muslims to make the lessons of Maulud Nabiyyi, the birthday of the Prophet, a lasting experience through sustained devotion to Allah.

While appealing to the Muslims to uphold the peaceful teachings of the The Enogie of Evbuobanosa, Prof. Greg Akenzua (left), the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe and the representative of Quran and the Holy Prophet, Prince Essien Etun Offiong III, Royal family of Essien Town, Calabar, His Royal Highness, Etuboun Basseq Duke, Chairman, Awoniyi stated that Nigeria Etuboun Basseq Duke, Chairman, Etubom Traditional Council, Calabar at the opening ceremony of the celebration of needs prayers for succour to Oba Ovonramwen Centenary Remembrance in Benin City yesterday. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE. the nation’s numerous

Continue To Pray For Peace,

LAGOS - The Presiding Chaplain, Chapel of Christ the Light, Rev. Femi Taiwo, has urged Nigerians to continue to pray for peace and progress in the country.

Taiwo made the call in Lagos during an interdenominational church service to commemorate the 2014 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, which comes up today January 15.

“We should continue to pray for peace and progress in Nigeria and this is the time that we all, as Nigerians, should come together and support this administration for the success of our nation,’’ he said.

The Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja Cantonment, Brig.-Gen. Ohifeme Ejemai, said that it was a moment to remember those that had died protecting the country, so that their efforts would not be in vain.

“The charge is to always tell them (soldiers) to keep the morals high, because we are in a job that has to do with a lot of sacrifice, we face danger every day.

“This moment is to remember those that have gone and to let them know that what we:” are doing is not in vain.

“This moment is a moment for sober reflection and to work hard and to remember all the things we need to do to keep our country safe”.

The Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babatunde Fashola, Maj. Babatunde Panox (rtd), urged Nigerians to pray for the gallant men and women who laid down their lives in the service of their

Cleric Urges Nigerians

country.

“For our fallen heroes, they have paid the ultimate price; so, we should all try to follow

the principles of what they believed in.

“We should make our Nigeria

great, make our people great, be our brothers’ keepers. I think from there, we will start getting things going in Nigeria,” he

said.

Present at the occasion were some service chiefs, special advisers to Fashola, permanent secretaries, other notable Nigerians and thousands of Christian faithful.

A cross section of traditional rulers from Calabar at the opening ceremony of the celebration of Oba Ovonramwen Centenary Remembrance in Benin City yesterday. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.

Kano Donates To Nigeria Legion KANO, (KANO STATE) The Kano State Government has donated N3million to the state chapter of the Nigerian Legion as part of preparations for this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day. Governor Rabiu

Kwankwanso announced the donation at the launch of Emblem Appeal Fund at the Government House, Kano.

The governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Information, Dr Umar Faruk,

said the donation was aimed at assisting the ex-service men in the state.

The governor appealed to the ex-service men to remain committed and patriotic towards national coexistence.

The state Chairman of the legion, Malam Abdullahi Bagobiri, thanked the State Government for the donation and for its developmental strides.

The armed forces Remembrance Day comes up on January 15, 2014

Maulud

Awoniyi Urges Muslims To Pray For Nigeria challenges.

He, therefore, advised Muslims and other Nigerians to shun vices that could hinder the country’s advancement in all areas of human endeavours.

The deputy governor described this year’s Maulud Nabiyyi celebration as unique as it came at a time Nigeria was marking its 100 years of existence as a nation.

Plateau Attacks

STF To Restructure Sectors JOS - As unknown gunmen continue to hit Plateau communities, the Special military Task Force (STF) says it is restructuring its sector commands into smaller units to bring troops closer to the vulnerable areas.

“We have re-sectored the commands into smaller units so that our response time will be faster. We have also deployed more men to the vulnerable areas to ease the movement of troops to support teams in areas that come under attacks,’’ STF Commander, Maj. Gen. David Enetie, said on Tuesday.

Enetie told newsmen in Jos that communication had also been beefed up to speed up information flow to effectively tackle the problem.

He described the penultimate Monday attack on Shonnong communities in Riyom as “very sad’’, pointing out that the situation would have been worse if the STF men had not rushed to the scene to repel the attackers.

While describing the Shonnong terrain as “very challenging’’, he said that the attackers took advantage of the serenity in those areas to hit them since other usually crisesridden areas were well secured by the STF men.

He dismissed as “very untrue’’, allegation of complicity by STF men in the Shonnong attacks.

“On the contrary, the leader of the Shonnong community, one Mr. Iliya, commended the STF for doing a great job. You can check that out with the Chief,’’ he said.

He said that the STF men were “neutral arbiters’’ in the Plateau crises, and challenged everyone to see himself as a stakeholder in the peace process.

Enetie also rejected suggestions that the attackers had more sophisticated weapons that the STF men. “

South-West

FRSC Warns Motorists Against ‘One Way’ Driving

IJEBU-ODE (Ogun) - The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has warned motorists plying the Ijebu-Ode/Ore/Benin expressway to desist from driving against traffic.

The FRSC Unit Commander in Ijebu-Ode, Mr. Issa Seidu, gave the warning during an interview with newsmen in Ijebu-Ode. He said the warning became necessary not only to prevent accidents but to also allow for the timely completion of the rehabilitation work on the road by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

According to him, driving ‘one way,’ as the act is popularly called, is responsible for a greater number of accident-related deaths recorded on the highway in 2013.

“Motorists cannot continue to hide under the excuse that the road is bad and risk their lives, as well as that of other road users.

“This is even more so now that reconstruction work is ongoing on the road and any attempt to cut corners by the drivers could be fatal.

“There are quite a number of diversions and road blocks on the highway as a result of the exercise, so motorists must restrain themselves from driving against traffic,” he said.

Seidu said the commission was particularly worried by the action of commercial vehicle

drivers, who he said, were usually impatient.

“They are not helping themselves. They want to make as many trips as possible. They forget that

they only have one life.

“We will no longer allow such indiscipline, which also puts other road users at risks,” Seidu said.

He said that men of the

command would be at strategic locations along the road to arrest erring drivers.

Seidu appealed to motorists to reduce their speed as they approached the Ijebu-Ode axis of the expressway because of the ongoing road rehabilitation project.

20-Year-Old Man Remanded Over Alleged Armed Robbery He said the offence contravened Sections 1(2), (a) and 5(r) of the Robbery and Firearms Act Cap. R.11, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

The Magistrate, Mrs. A.O. Abimbola, ordered that the accused be remanded in Oba Prisons in Abeokuta, pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), on the matter.

She adjourned the case till March 13 for further hearing.

Shun Destructive Actions, CAN Leader Urges Nigerians

L-R: Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority, Alhaji Musa Mayaki, Chairman, Muslem Media Practitioners of Nigeria, Alhaji Abdurrahman Balogun and DirectorGeneral, Voice of Nigeria, Malam Abubakar Jijiwa, at the 8th Annual Lecture Marking Mawlud Nabiyy in Abuja yesterday.

Schools Resume In Iseyin Council Of Oyo

ISEYIN (Oyo State) Academic activities commenced for the second term in public schools across Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The state government had on January 4 delayed the commencement of the second term to forestall religious crisis over dress code for female students.

The government on Sunday also lifted the order and directed schools in the area to re-open on Monday January for the commencement of the second term.

Newsmen who monitored compliance with the resumption order, reports that workers in all public schools in Iseyin, Osogun, Ogbolasa, Ado-Awaye and Wasinmi reported for work.

Students were also sighted in classes in all the schools visited in the council.

There was, however, a heavy presence of mobile and conventional police men on major streets and schools in Iseyin and its environs.

SANGO-OTA (Ogun) - An Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun has remanded a 20-year-old man, Salako Sunday, in prison custody, over alleged armed robbery.

Sunday, whose address is unknown, is being tried for armed robbery.

When the matter came up for hearing, the Police Prosecutor, Insp Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the accused committed the offence on December 11, 2013, at about 7.30 a.m. at Aisunle Village Ado-Odo, in Ota. Mustapha alleged that Sunday, who was armed with a sledge hammer, robbed one Mr. Dansu Segun of a Bajaj brand of motorcycle, valued at N120, 000.

ABEOKUTA - Rev. Timothy Ajibola, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ogun Chapter has urged Nigerians to desist from actions that could cause disaffection in the polity.

Ajibola told newsmen in Abeokuta while commenting on the 2014 Armed Forces Remembrance Day

A scene of bomb blast at the Post Office Area of Maiduguri in Borno yesterday.

Celebration, that many Nigerians were disobeying God in their interactions with their fellow humans.

“Many have forgotten God, refused to walk in His ways and have taken into satisfying their selfish and sinful desires.

“Many patriotic Nigerians have laid down their lives and sacrificed immensely for peaceful co-existence of the nation.

“It is saddening that many of these people have been forgotten,” he said.

The CAN leader advised men of the armed forces to endeavour to love themselves and remember their retired and fallen colleagues.

The cleric urged the Federal Government to always respond to the welfare needs of fallen and retired members of the armed forces.

He also advised political office holders to be nice to people during their stay in office, saying that their behaviours would determine what they would be remembered for after they might have left office.

Affray

2 Traders Dragged Before Court

NAFDAC Destroys N4m Counterfeit Products

OSOGBO - The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Osun said it destroyed fake products worth N4 million in the state in 2013.

NAFDAC’s State Director, Mr. Kayode Fagboyo, told newsmen in Osogbo that the counterfeit drugs were destroyed at the agency’s zonal headquarters dump site in Sagamu, Ogun.

Fagboyo said the products destroyed by the agency included drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and food.

The NAFDAC chief said that the agency was trying as much

as possible to rid the state of fake and unwholesome products to safeguard the health of the citizenry.

Fagboyo also said the agency had embarked on series of sensitisation programmes on the need for the people to patronise only NAFDAC-approved pharmaceutical stores, cosmetics and food products.

He further said the agency had organised a workshop for patent medicine dealers on the need to ensure that only drugs and products approved by the agency were being sold.

Fagboyo also said that NAFDAC officers were regularly

inspecting pharmaceutical stores and cosmetic shops to stop the free-flow of unwholesome products in the state.

He said NYSC members were also being used as the agency’s “foot soldiers” to educate residents on the need to buy products from registered pharmaceutical and patent medicine stores.

“Our message to the people is that whenever they are buying NAFDAC- regulated products, they should always check for manufacture date, expiry date and batch number.

“They should also ensure that

they get a receipt with a traceable address for all the products they buy. They should also desist from patronising drug hawkers.

“When you buy drugs from the hawkers, even if the drugs have not expired, but due to the condition they have been subjected to, the potency will be lost.

“We are doing a lot to ensure that the lives of the citizens of the state and the country are secure and the citizenry must also cooperate with us.

“This year, we are determined that only those who are ready and willing to do it well will remain in business. That is our hope and determination,” Fagboyo said.

AKURE - Two traders, who engaged in a public fight over N36,000, were on Monday arraigned before an Akure Magistrates’ Court over alleged affray.

The traders, Elijah Friday, 32, and Ogbefu Festus, 32, whose addresses were not given, are each facing trial on a charge of affray.

The prosecutor, ASP Pelumi Adejuwon, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Jan. 11 at 6.30 p.m. at the premises of the State Universal Basic Education Board on Oda Road, Akure.

“They engaged each other in a public fight over N36,000,” he said.

Adejuwon said that the offence contravened Section 83 of the Criminal Code Cap C37 Vol.1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

Lagos

Pregnant Women Demand Policy Review LAGOS - Pregnant women at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute-Metta, Lagos, called for a review of a policy by which the hospital attends to only 20 women for ante-natal clinic.

Some of the women who spoke with newsmen in Lagos,

appealed to the management to reconsider their stand on the policy, insisting that it was an unfair practice to pregnant women.

The clinic holds only on Mondays— once a week.

Mrs. Ijeoma Ndubisi, a mother of two, who resides in Badagry,

said she chose the FMC because of its efficiency.

“I was residing around this area before I moved to Badagry and this is where I have been receiving treatment. I left home around 4:00 a.m. but I still did not make the first 20 pregnant women today.

“They are efficient here, but the issue of just 20 women is not good enough. They should please have a re-think,” she urged.

Madam Latifat Suleiman, a mother of one, said she chose the hospital due to her medical history, adding that she found it difficult to change to another hospital.

“The reason for choosing this place is because of my medical history; the FMC knows what is wrong with me and will know what to do in case of emergency.

“If I have to go to another clinic, I will have to go through all the medical procedures again and it is a long process.

“I got here around 6:00 a.m. and saw a long queue. I was shocked. The most shocking aspect was when they said they would take just 15 general patients and five members of staff.

“It is unfair that it is just this number that would be attended to. I had to wake up early and take care of my first child before coming,’’ she said Suleiman, however, appealed to the management to re-consider the policy,saying that it was detrimental to the expectation of pregnant women who opted to use the hospital.

“I am begging the management

to look at this policy; 30 patients will be fair enough. The place is close to my house and I do not want to use a private hospital,” she said.

Mr. Joe Ademola, 32, who accompanied his wife to the hospital for ante-natal, said they left their home at Mowe in Ogun, at 4:00 a.m. only to be the 18th on the queue.

“How can we leave home at 4 o’clock from Mowe, get here early and take number 18, and they are attending to only 15 women?

“What kind of decision is that?

Government should please do something about it. It is unfair,” he said.

Accused Arraigned For Refusing To Offer Police Bribe

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (right) congratulating the Chairman of the State Peace and Conflict Reconciliation committee, Chief Eduwu Ekhator Obasogie after his swearing in at Government House, Benin City recently.

IKEJA - Two men, who were charged with armed robbery, told an Ikeja High Court that they were framed up by the police for refusing to offer bribe after their arrest more than five years ago.

The men — Kingsley Ogwunze and Benjamin Nwafor — made the allegation while testifying before Justice Lateefat Okunnu.

Led in evidence by their counsel, Mrs. Titi Akingbote, the defendants told the court that they

Judge Accuses Defence Counsel Of Stalling Trial

Osokogu’s Murder: LAGOS - Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere has accused the defence counsel of stalling the trial of the four men charged with the murder of Cynthia Osokogu in Lagos in 2012.

Akinlade made the accusation when counsel to the first and second defendants – Miss.

Mosunmola Oladapo and Mr. Michael Ajayi - were unable to file their written addresses as

directed by the court.

The defendants are Okwumo Nwabufo, 33; Olisaeloka Ezike, 23; Orji Osita, 33; and Ezike Nonso, 25.

The newsmen reports that Osokogu was allegedly murdered on July 22, 2012 at Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, Festac Town, Lagos, by her facebook lovers - Ezike and Nwabufo.

The counsel had at the last hearing closed their defence for the “trial within trial” which was to determine how statements were obtained from the defendants.

At the resumed hearing, the counsel told the court that they were unable to file their written addresses because of their inability to obtain the records of proceedings.

were arrested separately at Charity Bus Stop on ApapaOshodi Expressway on December 7, 2008.

The men said they never met until February 4, 2009 when they were “paired up” by the police for arraignment first at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

According to them, they were remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons, Lagos, after their arraignment on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery.

Ogwunze, who claimed to be an undertaker, said he was arrested by plain-clothes policemen while he was going to collect money from a customer.

He said despite showing the policemen his identity card and driver ’s licence, they still bundled him into a commercial bus with some other persons.

The first defendant said:

Equip Public Libraries, FG Advised

Use Forensics To Stem Cyber Crimes, Expert Advises FG forensic science, computer LAGOS - A former Country General Manager, IBM West Africa, Mr. Taiwo Otiti, has advised the Federal Government to use computer forensics in its fight against cyber and financial crimes.

He told newsmen in Lagos that computer forensics had reached a stage where its importance in technology had become incontrovertible.

“This field is just coming into bloom in many countries.

“It is basically a specialised investigative science where investigation and analysis of a suspect’s computer is done in a bid to uncover evidence of a criminal act.

“Computer evidence can be used in virtually any case, where incriminating documents are likely to be found on the victim’s or suspect’s computer because of increased dependence on computer usage,” he said.

Otiti said that such computer evidence were especially useful in cases of fraud, harassment, theft of trade secrets, homicides and child pornography, among others.

The former general manager said that like other forms of

experts used methodical approaches to find the data they needed to prove cases.

“There are numerous methods for revealing the information needed in a case, such as the recovery of deleted, encrypted or damaged files, to reveal information stored in a computer,” he said.

Otiti said that computer forensic evidence was often challenged and experts were required as witnesses to defend their findings, methods and tools.

Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu praying during the Mawlud Nabiyy celebration in Bauchi yesterday.

Gridlock Returns To Lagos Roads LAGOS - The usual gridlock on some Lagos roads which disappeared during the Yuletide and most of last week, has returned newsmen reports.

A correspondent of NAN who monitored the traffic situation in the metropolis reported that most roads witnessed slow vehicular movements.

The entire stretch of IyanaIpaja to Oshodi on the Lagos/ Abeokuta Expressway was busy as vehicles moved with intermittent stops.

“When we were inside the bus, they told me to cooperate and that I should give them money. But I refused because I had done nothing wrong.

“As we were going, the bus stopped and some persons came and gave the policemen money to release their relatives and friends, who were also in the bus.”

According to him, they were later taken to Makinde Police Station, Mafoloku, where they were detained for several weeks.

Ogwunze said the police seized his wallet and mobile phone which prevented him from reaching his family members in Abia.

“From there, I was taken to Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, where I was tortured physically for several weeks to make a confessional statement.

“Later, one Insp. Cyprian, came to meet me that if I could raise money that they will let me go, but I told him I had no money.”

It was reported that the ongoing construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Cement Bus Stop section of the road and a breakdown of two vehicles at Mongoro worsened the situation.

Also, motorists driving from Ayobo, Ishefun and Aiyetoro to Iyana-Ipaja suffered a long delay at the Gate Bus Stop, due to the traffic build-up.

Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) had a hard time managing traffic on Ikorodu

Road, because there were bumper-to-bumper movements.

The situation was not different at Mulero, Iyana Orile and Agbotikuyo sections of the Old Ipaja Road as the road was also busy.

Though Ojuelegba to Costain was not a traditional flashpoint, it recorded a few traffic snags at about 9.15 a.m.

Mr. Joel Martins, a motorist, told newsmen that the return of gridlock was expected as full activities had returned to the

metropolis, after the Yuletide.

“The traffic is back because everybody is back at work after the Christmas and the New Year holidays and you know, school pupils have also resumed.

“Lagos is back to its normal hustle and bustle, nobody likes the traffic but that is part of life in the city,” he said.

A LASTMA official, who did not want his name published, said the agency had anticipated the gridlock and was doing everything possible to keep it under control.

LAGOS - The President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Mr. Bayo Banjo, urged the Federal Government to equip its public libraries with modern Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities.

Banjo told newsmen in Lagos that many of the libraries still lacked modern ICT facilities for learning and research purposes.

He reiterated that ICT played an important role in learning and research.

The expert attributed the mass failure of students in examinations to poor reading habit and lack of modern reading facilities in public schools.

“The world is no longer what it used to be; almost everything is now online and students need such facilities in their school libraries.

“So when they don’t get it they refuse to read because they feel it is boring to read manually,” he said.

The NIG president said that if the libraries were modernised, it would enable students and researchers to have access to more materials that would aid their learning and research.

According to him, technology should be used to drive development in the country.

Across The Nation Lawmaker Empowers Women MAIDUGURI - Alhaji Abdurahman Terab, a member of House of Representatives representing Bama/Ngala/KalaBalge constituency has donated 300 sewing machines to women in Ngala, Borno.

Terab, who presented the materials at a ceremony in Ngala, headquarters of Gamboru-Ngala Local Government Area, said that the materials were meant to reduce poverty and unemployment in the area.

He said that the gesture was also aimed at making the beneficiaries self reliant.

Terab advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the items to enable them sustain themselves and provide for their families.

“These items are presented to you as a means of fighting poverty

and unemployment.

“The idea is to complement governments’ efforts by empowering you with means of livelihood,” he said.

Terab said that the gesture was meant for women because they were the bedrock of the society.

“We believe that empowering women is like empowering the entire family,” he said.

Responding, Hajia Hajja Ajiram, Chairperson of Gamboru-Ngala Local Government Chapter of APC, thanked the donor for the gesture.

Terab has also presented assorted food items to some victims of last month’s attack by suspected religious group in Goniri village, Bama.

The items included 50 bags of maiza, 50 bags of millet and 50

bags of guinea corn among others.

Receiving the items, the Village Head, Mallam Modu Goni, expressed gratitude to Terab for the donation and prayed to God to reward him accordingly.

Terab also made a similar donation to victims of a similar attack at the Kur Mohammed Barracks in Bama.

YOLA - The Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) said it has integrated 218 indigenes evacuated from Central Africa Republic (CAR) with their families and relatives.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Malam Haruna Furo, told newsmen in Yola that all the evacuees had been reunited with their families.

Furo said that the exercise followed their verification, adding that the integration cut across various local government

Adamawa Integrates Indigenes With Relatives areas in the state.

“Shortly after their arrival and camping at the state NYSC camp in Girei Local Government Area of the state, the security agents started verifying them.

“After the successful verification and with the help of various media organisations, the relatives and families of the evacuees came to the camp and

identified with their relatives.”

Furo said.

He said Mubi local government area had the largest number of the evacuees and all of them were handed over to their various families in good health.

Furo thanked NEMA and other relevant agencies for the successful evacuation of the indigenes and linking them with their families.

Waste Diposal

Govt Slams N/m Fine Each On 2 Firms KANO - The Kano State government has imposed N1million fine each against two industries for their failure to utilise their treatment plants in an environmental-friendly way.

The Chairman of the state Task Force on Sanitation, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, made this known to newsmen in his office in Kaduna.

The companies, Gashash Tannery situated at Bompai industrial Area and African Textile Manufacturers (ATM) at Challawa industrial area were made to pay the fines by the mobile court of the sanitation committee.

Abbas, who is also the Commissioner for Environment, said the companies were sanctioned for their refusal to utilise their treatment plants

Kebbi Earmarks N140.6m For Nomadic Schools

BIRNIN KEBBI - The Kebbi Government has earmarked N140.6 million for the construction of four additional nomadic schools to enhance access to education for children of nomads.

Alhaji Nasiru Masama, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor. Saidu Dakingari on Nomadic Affairs made this known in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.

Masama said the money would be used to construct four primary schools, one each in Gwandu, Argungu, Yauri and Zuru Local Government Areas of the state.

“The Council Chairmen of those areas will determine a suitable location for the schools,” he said.

The aide said the state government would also establish adult literacy classes for the nomads, in addition to providing learning materials and qualified teachers to the schools for effective teaching and learning.

despite several warnings.

“The committee has given Gashash Tannery an ultimatum of six months to construct a plant and a three-month ultimatum to ATM to restore its unutilised plant, and both companies have signed undertakings to comply with the order,” Abbas said.

Reports say that members of the communities living in the industrial areas of Kano had lodged complaints on the impact of the illegal discharge of toxic waste on the environment.

The organisers and winners of Edo Kiddies Carnival with the Editor, (Daily) Barrister Solomon Imohiosen (KSJI) and other editorial staff of BNCL in a commemorative photograph during a courtesy call on the company in Benin City recently.

Farmers Seek Financial Support

ILORIN - Some crop farmers in kwara have appealed to Governor. Abdulfatah Ahmed for financial support to enhance their production.

Mr. Dauda Raheem, a farmer at Oke-Oyi in Ilorin East Local Government Area, told newsmen in Ilorin that the past two seasons

posed serious challenges which led to poor harvest.

He said that the financial support from government would go a long way in ensuring increased food production and food security in the state.

“In the last two seasons, it has been very challenging due to the

poor harvest, problem of adulterated seeds, crop failure and inability to expand our farm lands.

“Currently, I am operating on two hectares of land and yet all these problems and challenges have been causing setbacks.

“By now, if not for financial

constraint, I should have been cultivating five hectares of farm lands,” he said.

Raheem said that there was the need for government to support farmers for increased food production.

“We only hear of yearly budgetary allocations to the agricultural sector without benefiting in form of soft loans.

“I wonder how people will be encouraged to go into farming with what we are experiencing,”

he said.

Another crop farmer, Issa Nafiu in Oko Olowo in Ilorin, said that apart from the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES), they had not benefited from any other incentive or support from government.

“This is my 15th year as a farmer and I have always been the one to source for funds at any planting season.

“Most of government’s programmes are hardly backed by financial provision,” he said.

Adhere To Teachings Of Prophet Muhamad, Cleric Urges Muslims

Editor, The Nigerian Observer, Barrister Solomon Imohiosen (KSJI) here meets with the winners of Edo Kiddies Carnival in his office during a courtesy visit to the General Manager of the company, Pastor Monday Aigbe in Benin City recently.

ABUJA - As Muslims celebrate Maulud Nabiy, a cleric, Alhaji Mufutaudeen Ajijola-Anabi, advised them to adhere strictly to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

Ajijola-Anabi, who is also the Chief Imam, Dairat Jafariyat Fitorikat Tijaniyat Islamic Organisation, Abuja branch, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

Muslims worldwide are celebrating Maulud Nabiy, the

Visiting Surgeons Donate To UITH ILORIN - A three-man team of surgeons from Britain, The Netherlands and Germany has donated medical equipment to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).

The team was led by a Nigerian, Dr Tunde Odutoye, who is a surgeon at St Georges Hospital,

University of London.

Making the donation on behalf of the group, Odutoye said the team was at UITH for the fifth edition of the Ear, Nose and Throat/Head and Neck Course in the country.

He commended the

management of the hospital for its support, saying it was the team’s priority to share knowledge and transfer skills to the country.

Also speaking at the event, Dr Jeroen Kerebijn of Erasmus University Hospital, Rotherdam,

Netherlands, commended the management of UITH and pledged deeper partnership with the tertiary health institution.

He said the priority of the team in visiting developing countries, especially in Africa, was to help colleagues who were citizens of such concerned countries.

birthday of Prophet Muhammad on January 14.

The cleric urged Muslims to always seek knowledge, saying that doing so would enable them to know more about their religion and perform their religious duties in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Qu’ran.

He also urged Muslims to reflect on the birth, life and times of the Prophet as celebrated by his birthday.

“Muslim brothers and sisters should use this occasion of the celebration of Maulud Nabiy to imbibe the lessons of the life of humility, sacrifice and sharing lived by Holy Prophet Muhammad,’’ he said.

AJijola-Anabi appealed to wealthy individuals to use their wealth in the propagation of Islam and to assist the less privileged in the society.

The Federal Government has declared yesterday as public holiday to mark the occasion.

Business + Economy Treatment Of Cervical Cancer: NGO Procures Machines

KADUNA - The Society for Family Health (SFH) said it had procured a cryotherapy machine for free screening and treatment of cervical cancer in Kaduna State.

Its spokesperson, Aisha Dadi, told newsmen in Kaduna that the machine would be installed at Amina Hospital, Kaduna, on January 29.

She said the machine would serve the people of the state in the early treatment of cervical cancer.

Wikipedia, the online dictionary says cryotherapy is the local or general use of low temperatures in medical therapy.

Cryotherapy is used to treat a variety of benign and malignant lesions.

The term “cryotherapy’’ comes

from the Greek cryo meaning cold, and therapy meaning cure.

Cryotherapy has been used as early as the 17th century.

Dadi added that women would be screened for cervical cancer and those found positive would be treated with the machine.

She said the test, screening and treatment would be free and urged Nigerians to take advantage of the offer to know their status.

According to her, as part of its activities for this year, the organisation will use trained Family Life HIV Educators to reach out to students on HIV prevention.

“This programme will include

using the students as peer educators, community awareness using rallies and peer education plus model using drama, debates, songs and games.’’

Dadi also said that not less than 10,620 students had been exposed so far to the SFH’s family education programmes across schools in the three

senatorial districts of the state.

She said 360 teachers drawn from various schools in the state were also trained by the NGO. They were trained in Family Life HIV Education with emphasises on some topics that will help pupils to build a life skill and have robust knowledge of HIV prevention,’’ she added.

LAGOS - The President, Association of Nigerian Courier Operators (ANCO), Mr Siyanbola Oladapo, has urged the Federal Government to support the association’s efforts at upgrading the industry to international standard.

Oladapo told newsmen in Lagos that the Federal Government should assist the association to evolve policies that would propel ANCO members into the next generation of courier service providers.

Microbiologist Laments Unregistered Products LAGOS - Dr Joy Onyibe, an industrial microbiologist, said that there were more unregistered products in the Nigerian market now, than the registered ones.

Onyibe, the first VicePresident of the Association of Industrial Microbiologists of Nigeria (AIMN), told newsmen in Lagos that such trend should be discouraged.

“Nigeria is a large country with many producers, both big and small.

“The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), though capable, is, however, not fully equipped to monitor all products, for compliance.

“Some mischievous producers sometimes still bypass NAFDAC with their poor quality products, ’’ she said.

The official said that the Federal Government needed to increase the manpower in NAFDAC, to enable the agency to adequately monitor products in the market in the country.

Onyibe also said that microbiologists in Nigeria were being sidelined in their positions of primary assignment.

She said that some of the AIMN members were also subjected to threats of losing their jobs, when they declare some products unfit for the market.

“The standards of our products would have been better if producers would pay more attention to quality control.

“Some companies producing consumer goods in Nigeria do not even have laboratories.

“They are much more concerned about incurring less costs, that they sell their products without quality analysis,’’ the microbiologist said.

She said, however, that not all companies in Nigeria were guilty of cutting corners, adding that some were still concerned about maintaining their brand quality.

The official said that there was no substitute for good quality products and standard hygienic practices, regretting that AIMN members were being underutilised by their employers.

Onyibe said that the work of the microbiologist was even sometimes given to other professionals, like the industrial chemist, to carry out.

Snr Rev. (Mrs) Grace Osasuyi (right) and Snr. Rev. (Mrs) Maltilda Onaghise at the 2014 International Conference of Christ Church of God Int’l

Expert Seeks More Investments In Economy LAGOS - Mr Titus Okorounmu, a financial analyst, has advised the Federal Government to invest the 27 per cent earmarked for capital expenditure in the 2014 federal budget on critical sectors.

Okorounmu, a former director at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), gave the suggestion in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

Reports say that of 27 per cent of the N4.6 trillion Federal

ASHON Links Capital Market Growth To Enhanced 2013 Results LAGOS - Mr Emeka Madubuike, President, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), has attributed the growth by the nation’s bourse to investors’ expectations of improved companies’ results in 2013.

Madubuike told newsmen in Lagos that investors were increasing their stakes in the market in anticipation of higher dividends and better financial results from companies.

He expressed optimism that the market would continue to experience slow, but progressive growth irrespective of the slowdown in economic activities.

Madubuike said that the 47 per cent growth recorded by the Nigerian stock market in 2013 had boosted the confidence of foreign and local investors.

According to him, the Nigerian stock market has emerged as one of the best performing frontier markets in the world.

He urged the Federal Government and regulators to pursue friendly policies to ensure

sustainable growth and development.

Madubuike also called for quick passage of the 2014 Appropriation Bill to fast track economic activities and development.

Meanwhile, a turnover of 1.72 billion shares worth N22.44 billion were recorded in 29,600 deals on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) last week.

These were against the two billion shares valued at N15.91 billion exchanged in 17,378 deals in the preceding week.

The financial services sector remained the most active with 1.19 billion shares worth N10.85 billion traded in 15,134 deals.

The oil and gas sector followed with a turnover of 182.28 million shares valued at N2.22 billion in 4,866 deals.

The conglomerates sector came third on the week’s activity chart, accounting for 124.13 million shares worth N665.14 million in 1,982 deals.

The NSE All-Share Index grew by 30.14 points or 0.07 per cent

to close at 41,480.62 compared with 41,450.48 posted in the previous week.

Government budget for 2014 is earmarked for capital projects, while the recurrent expenditure is about 72 per cent.

According to him, the government should set aside N500 million for small and medium businesses as part of ongoing economic transformation programme.

“The small businesses should have access to this pool of funds to grow and develop the sector.

“It is a fact that the small businesses are the engine of growth and development in every economy,” he said.

Okorounmu said that the government could expand the economy by rehabilitating the refineries and increase their current capacities to meet domestic demand for petroleum

products.

“The existing capacity can also be expanded and the excess of the products exported to some West African countries.

“Since refineries in the sub region are not commensurate with the population of the region, automatically the countries are large markets for our products,” he said.

Okorounmu also urged the government to introduce macroeconomic policies to support local manufacturers.

“Indigenous manufacturers should be given some import duty waivers in order to crash their cost of production.

“The waivers could come inform of machineries and equipment that support production,” he said.

GRA Divisional Choir of Christ Chosen Church of God ministering at the 2014 International Conference of Christ Chosen Church of God Int’l.

ANCO Pleads For Govt’s Support “Developed countries are reaping the bounty of a working courier service, while the industry is grossly underutilised, due to the absence of proper logistics and infrastructure in the country,” he said.

Oladapo said that for the courier industry to improve, there would be a need for the increased usage of the internet for the purchase of goods and services.

“Increased internet usage can only be properly encouraged through proper government initiatives and policies; the increased online usage will serve as a booster to e-commerce, and would effectively jump-start the local courier service industry,” he said.Oladapo also urged government to initiate and establish policies that would encourage internet browsing at home, to serve as a major boost toward establishing a firmly based e-commerce in the country.

“Not only will employment be generated, there will be increased activities in the industrial sector, traffic will reduce, man-hour and the roads will be saved and tax revenues would be generated,” he said.

Oladapo said the association was taking necessary steps to bring the industry up to international standard by working with government on policies and the training of its members to attain best international practices.

“We were recently at the draft reading of the National Addressing Policy, a policy that will make it easier for locating individuals, companies and organisations and will also improve transportation”.

Oladapo added that ANCO was also partnering with foreign organisations to train members on recent innovations in the industry, to keep them abreast with norms in courier services at the international level.

He expressed optimism that with proper government intervention, the industry would witness the much needed upgrade it required to be able to contribute effectively to national development.

“The recent ban on the operations of commercial motorcyclists is a challenge to some of our members, because we now have to purchase motorbikes of 250cc at a cost of about N 500,000 for our services.

“This is compared to the N120, 000 that we spent previously on motorcycles.

Government has to assist by negotiating with banks, on our behalf, for them to grant us loans to be able to break even”.

Oladapo said that for the industry to get a necessary facelift, the government must do more for it to support its growth and development.

View Point

My 9-Year Old Daughter Must Vote our monumental tragic situations? If core Islamic countries like Egypt and UAE forbids a girl from marrying before eighteen (18) years, why should followers of a borrowed religion in Nigeria, typified by our Moslem lawmakers be more Islamic than the Sheikh of Saudi Arabia? We are fast loosing it as a country, creating headlines for the various

age 9. Refusal to do this is infringement on their fundamental human right, since they have been psychologically robbed of their childhood, even denied their fundamental child right.

Didn’t the women activist raised down the heavens in the ‘mama na boy’ MTN advert?

Where have they suddenly gone to or are they only equal to multinational companies,

they cannot fall their ‘big brother’ hand before ordinary Nigerian like you and I by voting against it. No amount of tears or apology from the Southern Senators can erase the mortal blow they have inflicted on their kinsmen who voted them in to stand up against immorality in times such as this. Whatever reasons offered is not just just.

The girl child that the senators want to marry say they want pen, not your uncircumcised pennies, they want to be asked about their books, not boobs. They earnestly crave for education, not ejaculation. Yes they want to call you daddy, not hubby.

Is this too much for them to ask?

media houses when they could be avoided, yet cry unpatriotic when they are published. From MEND to Boko Haram and then to amnesty, suddenly state of emergency etc and now a law legitimizing early child marriage beginning from age nine (9).

Now this is no one concern if a parent choose to marry out their new born baby girl to hundred Lustful lawmakers, after all, being betrothed as a kid to a man of twenty (20) Is to be married, but let all thing be equal with my humble submission. Any married lady is deemed mature and in every right thinking nation, they are eligible to vote. As the law gain an overwhelming support by the Senators, let a law be quickly passed allowing 9 years old to vote and be voted for and who knows, we could have a Guinness book of record certificate for electing the world youngest president at

which are owned by foreigners, when under their nose, worse sacrilege are committed by their own people whom they stood under the sun and rain voting for?

As Nigerian pedophile Senators begin their lobby to their counterpart in the House of representatives and the various state house of assemblies, let no one be deceived that these set of lawmakers who stood by the masses during the fuel subsidy saga of January 1st 2012 will be ‘foolish’ enough not to endorse what their senior counterpart have unanimously agreed upon.

The majority of the houses of assembly members are from the North where Yerima come from and in my own estimation are grateful to Yerima for speaking their minds (I’m no tribal” or’ religion bigot). ‘Scratch my back, I scratch your back’ says a local parlance, that is to say

I stand to be proved wrong, but this bill is passed into law already and like every other day, a new event will overtake it, confining it to the dustbin of history. But woe betides any civil women group or feminist who will challenge any man authority for being an obsessive lord over his wife or any woman on the street should they fail to fight aggressively to stop the passage of this satanic law.

They either speak now or forever remain silent.

Let’s take this as no joke that the proponent of this law have spotted 9 to 13 years old damsels and desiring to marry them needed such law to give them backing, knowing full well that the ‘children of anger’ will go tweeting against it, after the Yerima 2010 saga.

This time, the child bride will not be imported from Egypt where a huge dowry will be paid, but will be at our backyard and she could even be your daughter reading this

2015 Election: “I’VE always held that early marriage is a sure indication of second-rate goods that had to be sold in a hurry” - Martin Harris Why must anyone blame Yerima for raising a motion for the amendment of early child marriage in the Nigerian constitution? I thought the National Assembly is a chamber for honorable lawmakers and distinguished senators whose duty it is to make, re-make and amend the laws of the country? I don’t know if I’m mistaken but I stand to be corrected. I thought this distinguished senators where elected by the Nigerian citizenry, why the hue and hullabaloo when they chose to make a law allowing ‘underage’ girls or are they now ‘ladies’ to be married at age nine (9)? Let nobody give me the crap that they are elected, after all the entire nation did not go into flames as other countries would have done if there was rigging.

Why is anyone calling for the head of distinguish Senator Sani Yerima for been the champion of this early child marriage crusade after giving him an overwhelming vote to represent us in the hallowed chamber? This country and its electorates must be the greatest joker of the century. Where were they when the election was conducted? Where were the so called feminists when Senator Yerima (then Zamfara state governor) imported a thirteen (13) year old girl, Mariam Maged Elady as a wife from Egypt paying a scandalous bride price of $100,000 and now they are screaming blue murder on this act? These country citizens must be the joker of the century. “I live in a city where young girls at the age of 12 have already become serial fornicators and cannot count the number of men they were intimate with. I live in a city where school children divingin themselves behind toilets on valentine day. I live in a city where young girls flood the street at night looking for men that would give them N500 to be intimate with them. I live in city where parents send their daughters out overseas to prostitute and send dollars down. I live in a city where government officials pick undergraduate from university car parks with coastal buses to wild sex

parties. I live in a city where abortion is so common that even a chemist shop owner can perform abortion with just N2500. These are your daughters, and this should worry you not Yerima’s private matters. So ask me again why I support early child marriage and I will slap the Jinn out of you”-Senator Yerima.

This statement from Yerima though not yet confirmed by me is a slap on the nation and a firsthand revelation of the moral decadence of our elected and appointed government officials. Yerima is a government official and wouldn’t be making false claim about his colleagues rampaging our universities to pick up young damsels in their teens to ‘service’ their wrinkled grand pa body. Did we hear him right that they don’t ‘pick’ the girls with the government cars that we collectively fuel but with coaster buses? Oh my Allah!

That must be a night of orgy.

This is where the battle should begin.

Yerima has opened a can of worm, imaginations that were only in our brains, ideas that we only get from Nollywood and stories that we only read about. Now the horse has spoken, questions must be asked and no other person will be in a better position than our dear ‘Prof’ Yerima who live in this city. For all I know, Yerima live in two cities, namely Zamfara and Abuja and in both cities, he holds sway, as an ex -governor in Zamfara and a serving Senator in Abuja. The question is: Since the Senator knows the happenings in these cities, why didn’t he propose a law banning the daughters of Eve from parading the streets of Zamfara and Abuja in search of vulnerable, wayward and loose men like our honorable members and government official? Can deceitful, sorry, distinguished Senator Yerima name any of the chemists who perform abortion and for a ridiculous price of N2500?

Let the questions begin from there and every other thing will follow. That the Senators could be convinced on the altar of religion is the dumbest excuse ever conjured from the planets. It simply goes to show that puppets have been elected to represent us. Come to think of it, is early child marriage the solution to

By FEJIRO OLIVER

piece.

As the 2015 election approach, I need no law passed for me to register my ten (10) year old daughter to vote for the candidate of my choice. Yes! I need no law as everyman is now a law to himself. This is just the beginning of the Yerima kind of law as a law would soon be made mandating all pregnant women to go for scan to determine the sex of the unborn baby. If it happens to be a female child, the lawmakers will debate among them who will marry her.

Verily verily I say unto you, ladies may claim to run the world on their BBM display pictures and status, but evidences on ground

convinces beyond reasonable doubt that this is unarguably a man’s world. So bad that the men have now chosen to run it this way.

Now let’s test the law.

Distinguished Senator Sani Yerima, I am using this platform to publicly ask for the hand of any of your fourteen(14) year old daughter in marriage with a bride price of $5000 and still willing to take all the floggings that go with it. I’m waiting.

Oops! It’s almost l0 am and I’m missing my flight to Russia’ there I’m taking my 10 year old daughter, Princess to, to continue her education to avoid her being kidnapped and forcefully married pending the 2015 election when she will come back briefly to register and cast her vote. She’s very beautiful you know.

This little things matters...

International Features

USA:

THE head of the Republican National Committee (RNC) has threatened to ban CNN and NBC from 2016 GOP primary debate coverage if they do not drop two Hillary Clinton projects that are in the works – a move dubbed both hasty and unwise by political and media observers.

NBC has plans for a miniseries starring Diane Lane, while CNN is acquiring a featurelength documentary that will run theatrically before airing on the cable channel. Both are planned to air well in advance of the 2016 election – a race in which Ms. Clinton is assumed by many to be running.

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus calls both projects thinly veiled attempts to put a “thumb on the scale” for the 2016 election. He informed each network by letter that if they have not agreed to pull the programming prior to the start of the RNC’s Summer Meeting Aug. 14, he will seek a binding vote of the RNC stating that the committee will neither partner with either in 2016 primary debates nor sanction primary debates that they sponsor.

The move is contrary to the best interests of voters, CNN suggested.

“Instead of making premature decisions about a project that is in the very early stages of development and months from completion, we would encourage the members of the Republican

Intrigues Ahead 2016 Polls National Committee to reserve judgment until they know more,” the network said in a statement Monday afternoon.

NBC, meanwhile, appeared to sidestep the issue. Spokeswoman Liz Fischer said in an e-mail that the following is NBC’s only comment on the RNC threat: “NBC News is completely independent of NBC Entertainment and has no involvement in this project.”

The NBC project will be handled by the entertainment division.

Political debates are typically covered by the news division.

While many miniseries and TV movies have ruffled feathers of both political parties in the past – and networks have changed plans in response (think CBS shuffling “The Reagans” over to Showtime back in 2003) – there is little precedent for this current brinksmanship.

The networks have no room to wiggle, says Jeffrey Berry, a political science professor from Tufts University in Medford, Mass. “This crosses a line,” he says, adding “this is an Edward R. Murrow moment for them.” Both the networks have no choice but to stand up for the integrity of their independence as broadcasters, he says.

Priebus accuses the networks of intentional political manipulation.

In his letter to NBC, he writes, “Your company has expressly stated that your choice to air the miniseries in the near future would avoid

concerns of running afoul of equal time election laws.” This suggests a deliberate attempt at influencing American political opinion in favor of a preferred candidate, “not to mention a guilty conscience,” he continues.

But this move could backfire on the RNC, points out Bill Rosenberg, political science professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia. He likens it to the empty pedestal on-

anything is the state of affairs within the Republican Party, says journalism professor Mark Tatge, from DePauw

how “scared the Republican Party is of a Clinton candidacy in 2016.” He notes that the GOP is shrinking,

Robert Thompson, founder of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at

“The party has many concerns heading into the 2016 election, agrees Tufts’ Professor Berry, noting that this shows just how scared the Republican Party is of a Clinton candidacy in 2016. He notes that the GOP is shrinking, currently representing fewer than 20 percent of registered voters.”

Hillary Clinton

air moment that ensued in a 1980 debate.

Then-President Jimmy Carter refused to participate in a three-way with candidates Ronald Reagan and John Anderson. Instead, the broadcast showed his empty spot.

“It only reflected badly on Carter,” Professor Rosenberg points out.

What these accusations suggests more than

University in Greencastle, Ind. “The Republican Party is in a state of disarray,” he says, suggesting this is little more than an effort to gain publicity for a message intended to rally the RNC base, “and get donations from Hillary-haters.”

The party has many concerns heading into the 2016 election, agrees Tufts’ Professor Berry, noting that this shows just

currently representing fewer than 20 percent of registered voters. “As minority populations are growing and the white population is dwindling,” he says, national elections “are becoming increasingly difficult for Republicans.”

But given that neither Clinton project is finished, the RNC move may be more theater than anything else, says

Syracuse University in New York. “It’s akin to the baseball player who yells at the ref after a call he doesn’t like,” says Professor Thompson. “He doesn’t actually think the call will be reversed,” he says. But, he knows the next few calls will have just that extra layer of attention to fairness because of the extra scrutiny, he adds.

“RNC Chairman Reince Priebus calls both projects thinly veiled attempts to put a thumb on the scale for the 2016 election. He informed each network by letter that if they have not agreed to pull the programming prior to the start of the RNC’s Summer Meeting Aug. 14, he will seek a binding vote of the RNC stating that the committee will neither partner with either in 2016 primary debates nor sanction primary debates that they sponsor.”

THE year 2014 and particularly January 1, 2014 was ushered in with great expectations as a special year and day in the lives of both Nigerians and Nigeria as a nation. New year day was a day that every one prayed for in the sense that they have to be part of a transition, from the old year to the New Year. A year in the Gregorian calendar which is the globally accepted standard in calculating space and time consists of 365 days; it also includes addition of an extra day called a leap year or leap day. A leap day is added as 29 February, making the year 366 days. However, the out gone year, 2013 had 28 days in February to complete a circle of 365 days and therefore not a leap year. Again 2014 will not be leap year because February has 28 days.

INTERESTINGLY, a leap year occurs every four years. Further more, the Gregorian calendar omits 3 leap days every 400 years, the mathematics of the Calendar had been carefully and perfectly worked out that it has remained global standard for decades. The joy, excitement and passion for the New year is understandable against the specter of achievements and failures in all human endeavours, as well as the circle of exits/ passages and births which everyone fervently prays for“ to roll over’’ into a new year.

AGAINST this background, the poser should be how have I fared? For the individual or nation the response perhaps could be eclectic in terms of the events that have touched and influenced their lives. The individual that we all see that shapes our lives and in the clime that we live in is our collective interest, which is the Nigerian State. At our private moments we shall take stock and make new resolutions and sometimes we needn’t bother and keep on living as it comes and takes things in our stride, evidently, that connotes a less positive image, reckless and care freeness that is most

THE NIGERIAN

2014 And Its Expectations undesirable for a serious minded individual or nation .

THE starting point therefore is the leadership of the Nigerian State, personified in the person of President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan.

At this point in time, the goodness and success , ipso facto of the Nigerian State is his sole responsibility . He is surrounded by a retinue of ministers and advisers, carefully chosen and selected by him to administer the country and make it the envy of all in the comity of nations.

Unfortunately, Nigeria has not been blessed with good leadership since independence, notwithstanding its vast human and natural resources that one can proudly assert that Nigeria is a country laden with gold on its streets. “There was a country,’’ authored by one of Nigeria’s most acclaimed writer, Late Chinua Achebe reflects the past and also the present.

THE echoes of violence across the nation from the terrorist organization, BOKO HARAM, Niger Delta Militants, Kidnappings and the MASSOB, Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, among other multifarious ethnic organizations or nationalities are hydra headed octopuses working in opposite direction of the aims and purposes of the leadership whose credibility to lead and govern is being called to question by intra party squabbles as well as without of a meek , weak and ineffective administration being led by President Jonathan.

THE former President, Olusegun Aremu Obasnjo had in a letter which spread like a hurricane threw accusations of ethnicity and maladministration at President Jonathan whom he schooled and schemed up as VicePresident under late president Umaru Yar’Adua whose death paved the way for President Jonathan amidst all the manipulations before the“ doctrine of necessity’’ contrived by Senate President, David Mark was endorsed.

MANY calamitous scenarios in 2013 are pointers to the effect that the Nigerian leadership should be reawakened and reappraised for better performance in 2014.

The educational system collapsed for over five months when the ASUU, Academic Staff Union of Universities went on strike, only called off recently. The fact being ignored is that the public university system has been the building bloc and fulcrum of development and research that can sustain the nation if well funded. It is the system that is the supplier of labour to private universities.

THE State of emergency declared in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno states were late in coming. In essence, the Jonathan administration still has a lot to do to convince Nigerians that it is working, not meek, weak and ineffective. If he is to seek reelection, then the leadership has an uphill task, because opinions are still divided about his performance and non performance. While information minister, Labaran Maku goes from state to state parroting Jonathan’s achievements, not many Nigerians believe him. Just what happens and how he does it, Nigerians await Jonathan and to put him to the test in next year’s presidential elections should he be willing to venture out to contest. On this note, the Nigerian Observer wishes its numerous readers a happy new year.

Issues A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru, once said that one of the major challenges facing Nigerian´s foreign policy is the plight of Nigerians in various prisons abroad.

Nigeria has more than eight million of her citizens resident abroad, most of them living in the U.S. and UK. Many of the Nigerians living abroad are contributing to the socioeconomic development of their host countries.

For instance, in 2012, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said Nigerians living abroad remitted 21 billion dollars in 2012 alone, said to be the highest in Africa.

“Nigerians in the Diaspora are excelling in various fields of human endeavour and have continued to make great contributions to national development, particularly in education and health sectors,’’ Anyim said.

Regrettably, not many Nigerians fit into this description by the former Senate President as there are indeed exceptions.

As at July 2013, available records from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs show that over 9,000 Nigerians are in various prisons abroad, with 752 of them in UK prisons alone.

The remaining prisoners are concentrated in the Asia–Pacific region and several of them are on the death row for drug trafficking related offences.

In a recent report, the Director-General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Ahmadu

Promoting Welfare Of Nigerians Abroad

Giade , put the number of Nigerians convicted abroad of drug related crimes at over 6,000.

Out of this number, no fewer than 300 Nigerians are in jail for drug peddling in Indonesia with 17 of them on death row, says Giade.

In Brazil, over 450 Nigerians are detained for drug related offences and in India, the Nigerian High Commission estimates that more than 500 known Nigerians are in various prisons across the country.

Their offences range from drug trafficking, fraud, Internet scam, identity fraud, cyber crimes, job scams and forgery of travel documents.

Many of those serving prison terms abroad claimed that they were lured into drug business by foreign drug barons.

The Federal Government has taken a hard stance on Nigerians involved in drug related offences abroad.

Mr. Mohammed Adoke, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said during the 2012 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, that government would not intervene on behalf of any Nigerian “properly convicted’’ abroad for drug related offences .

“Nigeria will no longer be drawn into undue negotiations with any other country for the purpose of securing clemency for any Nigerian citizen properly convicted aboard for a drug related offence,’’ Adoke said.

His position was

By PETER ONWUBUARIRI

reinforced by Senate President David Mark and the immediate past foreign Affairs Minister,

Minister of Foreign Affairs and current Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada, says many Nigerian

President Jonathan

Olugbenga Ashiru.

However, government has adopted the Prisoners’ Transfer Agreement (PTA) option to negotiate the well-being of Nigerian prisoners abroad.

So far, Nigeria has established pact with the United Kingdom, Thailand, Japan, China, Indonesia, Switzerland, South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, India and Hong Kong.

The intention is to bring home Nigerian prisoners to complete their prison terms.

But Chief Ojo Maduekwe, a former

about 200 Nigerians protested by blocking a national highway and clashed with Goa police.

Fifty-three of the protesting Nigerians were arrested and later released after paying exorbitant fines.

judicial killings’’.

‘Extra-judicial killing must be condemned .This cannot be less so when Nigerians are killed extrajudicially in foreign lands, he said.

According to the Acting General Secretary of the

Senate President, David Mark

prisoners abroad are opposed to the swapping arrangement, as they prefer to complete their prison terms abroad.

Closely connected to the plight of Nigerians in prisons abroad is the maltreatment of Nigerians abroad.

One of the most bizarre cases in 2013 was the brutal murder of 35-yearold Simeon Obodo on October 31, in Goa, India.

Obodo, who hails from Ohaji/Egbema in Imo State, was hacked to death in India during a violent clash.

Following his death,

“In Brazil, over 450 Nigerians are detained for drug related offences and in India, the Nigerian High Commission estimates that more than 500 known Nigerians are in various prisons across the country. Their offences range from drug trafficking, fraud, Internet scam, identity fraud, cyber crimes, job scams and forgery of travel documents.”

The Goa incident was condemned by the Federal Government, describing the killings as “reprehensible’’ and demanded an apology from the Indian government.

Another harrowing episode occurred in October 2013, in GuineaBissau, as three Nigerians were killed by a mob in Bissau.

The angry mob attacked the Nigerians after a child was reported missing in Bissau.

The mob also invaded the Nigerian Embassy in Guinea Bissau where a diplomat was killed and others severely injured.

Though the government apologised, the National Assembly and the Nigeria Labour Congress advised the Federal Government to demand full explanation of the killing.

The Senate Leader, Senator Victor NdomaEgba, condemned the incident, calling it “extra-

NLC, Mr. Chris Uyot, government needs to do a lot more than it is doing to protect Nigerians living abroad.

Experts, however, suggest that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should issue travel alerts to help Nigerians better understand the risk or threat to personal safety in travelling to certain countries.

Besides, they also want the ministry to unequivocally demand full protection of Nigerians in their host countries, according to the minimum standards of acceptable international human rights.

Though we are in a global world, analysts insist that government must, however, put measures in place to check the lure by youths to travel abroad, by fast-tracking the rapid development of critical sectors of the economy.

Education The decision of the state government to suspend the competency test for teachers in primary school in Edo State has been applauded and it is an indication that the Comrade Governor is a listening and humane governor.

The suspension is to enable all stakeholders in education sector to meet and fashion out appropriate time and method for conducting the competency test. According to the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, Comrade Emma Ademokun a committee would he set up to work out the modalities.

The introduction of the competency test for teachers have received mixed reaction from the general public and major stakeholders in the education sector. Some are of the opinion that the competency test for primary school teachers is a welcome development.

According to these sets of people, many primary school teachers are incompetent to teach, as they lack adequate knowledge and skills to impact knowledge in the learners.

A survey has revealed that some primary school teachers cannot write lesson note, while many others lack adequate knowledge of the content and characteristics of the Basic School Curriculum.

The curriculum which is the totality of learning experiences a learner is exposed to in school is very important in the education system. The appropriate methodology must be applied

Improving Quality Of Teachers In Public Schools

By DESMOND AGBAMA in order to bring about meaningful learning. Just as the curriculum is dynamic, so

is the methodology for teaching it.

Those who regarded the

competency test for primary school teachers as a bad development argued that the timing was wrong, and that teachers ought to have been notified and given enough

“A survey has revealed that some primary school teachers cannot write lesson note, while many others lack adequate knowledge of the content and characteristics of the Basic School Curriculum. The curriculum which is the totality of learning experiences a learner is exposed to in school is very important in the education system.”

time to prepare. Some regarded it as a witch hunting exercise for the teachers.

Be that as it may, the need to improve the quality of teachers in our primary schools cannot be over emphasized, more so that the primary school is the

foundation of education upon which other levels of education rely. Just like a house, if its foundation is weak, the whole house will be weak and eventually it will collapse. That explains why teachers in our public primary and secondary schools must be constantly trained and

retrained, in order for them to he equipped with the modern skills, knowledge and methodology for teaching. It is sad to note that many primary and secondary school teachers have not had additional training since they were employed or since they graduated from teacher training colleges or University many years ago.

Without upgrading their knowledge and skills, sooner than later it will become out dated and irrelevant in a modern society.

Without any doubt, the quality of education in any society’ is determined by the quality of its teachers, which explains why there must be deliberate effort to improve the quality of teachers in public primary and secondary schools. Against this background, the decision of Edo State government to introduce competency test for teachers may be seen as a right step in the right direction. However, there should also be a corresponding training and retraining programmes for the various categories of teachers. This could be achieved through workshops and seminars or in service training.

The task of improving the quality and standard of education in the state is a collective one. Therefore, the government should play its part, while the teachers, parents and other stakeholders in education should also play their part.

Echoes Continued from last two weeks

There are: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, politics without principle, and right without responsibility. All men were born aerial, and as such, they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Therefore, Nigeria is a property of every citizen in the country, thus, we must all

Moral Value Of Patriotism embrace and appreciate such reality! There is an enduring promise which Nigeria holds for everybody. It’s the promise that says, you can be what ever you want to become, if only your intentions are genuine, and are found within the frame works of the law. All you need is the will and the industry.

Therefore, hooliganism and oddity has no place in our country, and can never be a substitute to our aged long cherished

By GLADYS ALONGE

ideals and values. To build the Nigeria of our dreams, all hands must be on deck, and just as the study of English language and mathematics are compulsory subjects in our elementary schools, the teaching of patriotism as a subject should also be made compulsory in both the elementary and tertiary institutions in the country.

Patriotic deeds of individuals should be openly rewarded

and publicized all over the country so as to encourage others to be patriotic.

Patriotism should be incorporated as one of the reguirements a candidate must fulfill before he or she is cleared to stand for any elective position in the country, to do this I suggest the establishment of the “National Agency for the promotion of patriotic services in Nigeria” this

agency should be saddled with the responsibilities of monitoring, assessing and rewarding patriotic services in any part of the country.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political parties should demand for the evidence of patriotic deeds issued by this agency, before clearing and forwarding the names of candidates for elective positions in Nigeria.

The civil societies should also be more assertive by

investigating and reporting any false claim by any politician about his or her patriotic deeds or services to the father land.

When all these postulations are implemented, Nigeria would not only be producing patriotic leaders, but leaders that meet the statement of late Vaclav Havel, the former president of Czech Republic, in one of his books about ones duty to politics. He said: “In all circumstances, try to be decent, just, tolerant, and understanding, and at the same time try to resist corruption and deception.

Health

Small Pox And Its Symptoms

By ISEMHENBITA FAITH

YOU may have heard about smallpox and wondered what it is or whether you are anyone you know could get it.

Some people are worried that the germ that causes small pox could be spread and used as a weapon.

Although this is a frightening through, the government and police are working on ways to protect us.

It’s important not to panic over smallpox, the chance that you or someone in your family could ever get it is very small. One of the ways you can feel better is to learn about the disease.

When you know what it is and how you can get it, it doesn’t seem quite as scary.

What is smallpox?

According to kids Health.org smallpox is a very serious illness caused

by a virus called the variola virus. Smallpox gets it’s name from the pus-filled blisters (or pocks) that form during the illness. Although the names may sound alike, smallpox is not related to chickenpox, which is a milder disease caused by a different virus.

Although people are concerned that the smallpox virus might be used as a weapon, this would be difficult for anyone to do. Right now, there are no cases of smallpox disease in the United States. The last case of smallpox in the world was in 1977.

Some samples of the virus that causes the disease are still kept in laboratories, though.

According to World Health Organisation(WHO) smallpox was one of the world’s most feared

PSORIASIS is an Immune-Mediated disease that affects the skin. It is typically a lifelong condition. There is currently no cure, but various treatments can help to control the symptoms.

According to Wikipedia Atom feed, Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakes a normal skin cell for a pathogen, and sends skin cell foe a pathogen , and sends out faulty signals that cause over production of new

skin cells.

It is not contagious and has been linked to an increased risk of stroke and treating high blood lipid levels may leads to improvement. There are five types of psoriasis; ! Plague ! Guttate ! Inverse ! Pustular ! Enythrodermic The most common form, Plague Psoriasis, is commonly seen as red and white lives of scaly patches appearing on the

diseases until it was eradicated by a collaborative global vaccination programme led

caused by a laboratory accident in 1978 in Birmingham, England,, which killed one person and caused a limited outbreak.

Smallpox was officially declared eradicated in 1979.

HOW IS SMALLPOX SPREAD?

Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health

by the World Health Organisation. Since the last case in Somalia in 1977, the only known cases were

According to kids health.Org, small pox is contagious, that means the virus can spread to others.

It spreads through tiny drops of an infected person’s saliva (spit) when the person coughts, talks, or sneezes. Smallpox usually passes from person to person during close, faceto-face contact.

SYMPTOMS OF SMALLPOX According to mayoclinic.com, the first symptoms of smallpox usually appear 12 to 14 days after you are infected.

During the incubation period of seven to 17 days, you look and feel healthy and can’t infect others.

Following the incubation period, a sudden on set of flu-like signs and symptoms occurs, these include fever, Headache, overall discomfort severe fatigue, severe back pain, sometimes vomiting, disarrhea or both.

A few days later, flat red spots appear first on your face, hands and forearms, and later on your trunk.

Within a day or two, many of these lesions turn into small blisters filled with clear fluid, which then turns into pus. Scabs begin

to form eight to nine days later and eventually fall off, leaving deep, pitted scars.

The rash is usually most noticeable on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. Lesions also develop in the mucous membranes of your nose and mouth and quickly turn into sores that break open, spreading the virus into your saliva.

WHAT IS THE SMALLPOX VACCINE According to kidsHealth.Org, a vaccine, a type of shot can prevent infection with the virus that causes smallpox. Years ago, people were vaccines are not given because nobody has had the disease for many years. Although you cant and don’t need to get a smallpox vaccine in case others is an outbreak of the disease.

ARE THERE MEDICINES TO TAKE FOR SMALLPOX There are no pills that can treat smallpox, but scientist are doing research to try to develop medicine for the disease. If someone does become infected with the smallpox virus, getting the vaccine within a few days of becoming infected can lessen the disease’s symptoms.

Skin Disease: Psoriasis

top first layer of the epidermis (skin). Some patients, though, have no dermatological signs or symptoms the name Psoriasis is from the Greek language, meaning roughly “itching condition” (Psora ‘itch’+ - sis “action”, condition).

In plague Psoriasis, skin rapidly accumulates at these sites, which gives it a silvery-white appearance. Plagues

By BEAUTY OBAMWONYI

frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees but can affect any area, including the scalp, palms of hands and soles of feet and genitals. In contrast to eczema, psoriasis is more likely to be found on the outer side of the joint.

The disorder is a chronic recurring condition that varies in Severity from

“In plague Psoriasis, skin rapidly accumulates at these sites, which gives it a silvery-white appearance. Plagues frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees but can affect any area, including the scalp, palms of hands and soles of feet and genitals. In contrast to eczema, psoriasis is more likely to be found on the outer side of the joint.”

minor localized finger nails and toenail are frequently affected (psoriatic nail dystrophy) and can be seen as an isolated sign. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as Psoriatic arthritis between 10% and 30% of all people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.

The cause of psoriasis is not fully understood, but it is believed to have a genetic component and local psoriatic changes can be triggered by an injury to the skin known as the koebner

phenomenon, various environmental factors have been suggested as aggravating to psoriasis, including oxidative stress, stress withdrawal of systemic corticosteroid, as well as other environmental factors, but few have shown statistical significance. There are many treatments available, but because of its chronic recurrent nature, psoriasis is a challenge to treat, withdrawal of corticosteroids (topical steroid cream). Can aggravate the condition due to the rebounds effect of corticosteriods.

Midweek Magazine WE all know the problems or challenges of leadership in Nigeria and Africa. Let me state clearly that it is the failure of leadership that has landed us in the wahala we all face today. If the LEADERS have been in charge just before and since political independence, then can we say that they have succeeded or done well?

Some Nigerians even believe that life was better under colonialism. This is unfortunate because life can never be better under slavery, discrimination, domination, and colonization. However, such statements are simply a measure of the general frustration and disillusionment with our contemporary leaders. Let us look at the problems of Nigeria in the last twenty years: poverty, unemployment, insecurity, lack of water, lack of adequate housing, crime, corruption, rural underdervelopment, low industrialization, technological backwardness, nepotism, ethnic distrust, religious violence, deteriorating infrastructure, illiteracy, poor pay for workers, lack of social security, unreliable power supply, poor public transportation system, malnutrition, high maternal and child mortality, inadequate health services,

Leadership And Sustainabi environment that promotes accountability, social justice, fiscal discipline and responsibility, transparency, service delivery and accessible leadership. Good governance requires that the people remain primary in the deployment of governmental powers, the allocation of programmes and policies as well as resources. Good governance demands a leadership that emanates from the people and functions within the context of dialogue, consultation, and contitutionalism. In an environment of good governance, the public will and public good dominates and the people, their communities and constituencies are consulted before governmental actions are taken. Good governance is about the people, their hopes, dreams, relationships, cultures, values, and general socio-cultural environment.

Can we say that we have been experiencing and enjoying good governance in Nigeria and Edo State in particular? I leave that to your judgment for now.

The truth is that our leaders have, in large measure, failed us. Not only have they failed to promote economic

profits, structural fragility and eventual collapse. A home without leadership also culminates in crisis, violence, indiscipline and collapse. A state or government with bad Leadership lacks focus, discipline. credibility, capacity to deliver and ends up inflicting pain and punishment on the people.

Democracy is about the people, their security, prosperity, progress and living conditions. Any leadership or government that can not ensure and assure these conditions, or at the very least, be seen as capable of meeting these conditions, can be described as useless.

As a young African leader put it not too long ago.

Good leadership brings hope and energy to the people. It attracts the best minds as well as local and external support. Good leadership brings about quality and good governance, progressive policies, happiness in the people, and general dynamism. Good leadership brings out the most purposeful, creative and innovative qualities of citizens and expands the capacity to share the pains of reform and to establish strong platforms of tolerance,

There are also those that often find it difficult to distinguish between populism and realist environments, between opportunism and actual delivery and between government and governance.

For instance, government is the existing structure that you can fight, challenge, even overthrow.

However governance is that process you organize, consolidate, and operate to serve the people.

The former, government, any one can fight. The later, governance, requires commitment, dedication capability, education, discipline, sensitivity, experience, exposure, positive networks and long term commitment to the steady transformation of existing socioeconomic and political structures and institutions.

A final word on leadership.

What exactly have we, the people done to offend our leaders that they inflict so much pain on us? Why do they relish in lying to us again and again? Why do they waste our resources on white elephant projects and frivolous travels? Why do they engage in criminal misgovernance and arrogance of power? Why do they fail to realize the importance of

“Good leadership brings hope and energy to the people. It attracts the best minds as well as local and external support. Good leadership brings about quality and good governance, progressive policies, happiness in the people, and general dynamism.

Good leadership brings out the most purposeful, creative and innovative qualities of citizens and expands the capacity to share the pains of reform and to establish strong platforms of tolerance, mutual support, cooperation, innovation, and social justice.

In fact, no matter the level, there is no alternative to purposeful honest focused dedicated and patriotic leadership.” political instability and rascality. I can go on and on.

Now tell me, are these problems not still with us today? Are they almost solved? Are they 50% solved? Are Nigerians happier today? That is the crux of ‘leadership and democracy. Bad leadership cannot enhance democracy.

Bad leadership cannot promote accountability, discipline, social justice and good governance. Bad leadership cannot encourage discipline, productivity, creativity, unity, and patriotism. Bad leadership and bad governance are directly related. But what exactly is good governance?

By good governance we refer to the existence of an

development to improve the living conditions of the people in general but they have also done everything to undermine all laid down rules and regulations that guide socioeconomic and political development. The evidence is around us in dilapidated infrastructure, massive unemployment and underemloyment, breakdown of public institutions, general inefficiency, unbelivable corruption and waste, and the contamination of the souls of our people.

In government, political parties, educational institutions, businesses and at home, bad leadership spells disaster for all. A business under bad leadership accumulates debts, declining

mutual support, cooperation, innovation, and social justice.

In fact, no matter the level, there is no alternative to purposeful honest focused dedicated and patriotic leadership. A good leader encourages the emergence of other Ieaders, encourages people to take charge and to want to make a difference (President Faure Eyadema, 50th Birthday Lecture for Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Benin City, 2006).

Of course, we do have some very good leaders in our country. Those that we can call Islands of integrity and dedication. Their efforts unfortunately, are often contaminated, compromised and undermined by the others that are just political rascals.

education, a clean environment, and good roads?

Why can’t they see the direct linkage between unemployment and criminality? Why are they so blind to the poverty around them? Why do they relish in manipulating class, religion, ethnicity, profession and other primordial considerations to get to power? Why can’t they play a politics of credibility and democratic discipline?

Why do they relish in the imposition of candidates, manipulation of primaries and elections, and discrimination against women and credible aspirants for political office?

Why have many so- called leaders turned elections into a business thus virtually bankrupting aspirants before

they become candidates? The questions can go on and on.

The truth is that we have many rulers and selfappointed leaders but very few leaders and statesmen.

We have been lucky in Nigeria. In spite of our peripheral commitment to true democracy, accountability and transparency, we have recently celebrated 10 years of unbroken civil governance.

Some like to call it, democratic governance because the worst democracy, as the saying goes, is much better than the best military form of domination. In large measure, this is very true. But how do we sustain this civil rule and ensure and assure good governance, good leadership and true democracy: one that involves the people, their communities and constituencies, gives privilege to their needs and dreams, that is accountable, respects due process and the rule of law, believes in allowing the will of the people to prevail at elections, and where parties operate as peoples organizations rather than the property of a few individuals?

How do we consolidate democracy with the situation in the Niger Delta, violence in many states, continuing ethnic distrust, the violation of human rights, abuse of office, ongoing waste and misplaced priorities, and unbelievable cases of corruption that we hear and read about dailyTranscorp-Hilton, WilbrosHalliburton, Siemens, power sector, and Federal Ministry of Health to mention a few? I do not need to remind you of the hundreds of billions of naira that have been frittered away by the Nigerian power elite. How can we consolidate democracy with 30% interest rates, with industries closing down, with millions of graduates unemployed, with kidnapping now a very lucrative business, and with elected leaders that are not accountable to the people?

For our democracy to be consolidated we must take ourselves more seriously. We must take the people seriously. All this nonsense about primitive accumulation, political rascality and violence, social irresponsibility, fiscal indiscipline, and parties that function more like mafia gangs must stop. We must

By PROF begin to generate the capacity to vision and to take merit seriously. We cannot continue to experiment with opportunists, false leaders, herbalists, crooks, exconvicts and vagabonds in power (VIPs). Let me begin to conclude by identifying some major steps or actions that must occur for our democracy to become sustainable and consolidated: Political Parties Our political parties must

as appr and any enco arro viole that case are cour can resp free p and

Prof Julius Ihonvbere

begin to function like true political parties.

The proliferation of parties is not a measure of the strength of democratic practice. In fact, it shows lack of ideology, focus, consensus on national issues, and crass opportunism. Parties must practice internal democracy, learn to cooperate in their -programs, mobilize and educate their members and the populace, prepare manifestoes or platforms that guide their performance in office. Identify and present the best aspirants and candidates for political office, commit to free and fair elections, restrain their members from involvement in electoral malpractices, and define a clear mechanism for sanctions against members that behave in undemocratic ways.

Elections We must see elections as opportunities for exercising the civic rights of citizens and not

Co am pr pr no th El in so vo im pr an ele la pr Ib co el fl ex co

T de wh br na co

Midweek Magazine

ility Of Democracy In Nigeria

F. JULIUS IHONVBERE

war. The do-or-die oach to politics is wrong should have no place in modern society. It ourages political gance, rascality and ence. It is embarrassing even after two years, s on the 2007 elections still in the courts. Of se, a free and fair election only come from a onsible and corruption police force, a disciplined unbiased Electoral

ommission, cooperation mong political parties and the reparedness of the people to rotect their votes. We must ot only focus on elections at he national and state levels. lections within organizations ncluding formal NGOs, ocial clubs and other oluntary bodies are just as mportant. When we fail to ractice internal democracy nd conduct free and fair ections in civil society, we ay the basis for similar ractices at the national level. believe that there is national onsensus today that without ectoral reforms, our edgling democratic xperiment is bound to be ompromised or demolished.

Corruption This country and its emocratic efforts will go no here if corruption is not rought under control. No ation in the world is orruption free, However, in

Nigeria, it is brazen and almost institutionalized.

Corruption exists in the family, workplaces, political parties, government, religious organizations, trade unions, educational institutions, and in the private sector. So, how on earth are we going to make progress when we worship and protect corrupt persons, appoint them to political positions, allow plea bargains for convicts, and have endless litigations while those

accused of corruption remain in office? We make a lot of noise and no one is in jail. The EFCC says the lawyers and judiciary are the problem.

There is no amount a Nigerian can not steal knowing that nothing would happen. We have run down all our public institutions in the name of corruption. No one believes in doing anything the normal way. We all look for short cuts. Even to run for office, many begin by looting public funds directly and indirectly, then bribe some so called god father and leaders, bribe the police and security forces, bribe electoral officers, even bribe some journalists, and there you go, the criminal gets into office.

Now you know why our hospitals, roads, schools, and social institutions are not working. Until we take the fight against corruption seriously, there would be no

hope for sustaining or consolidating our democracy Leadership I have said a lot about this already. The sort of leaders that we need to widen, deepen, sustain and consolidate our democracy must embody character, commitment, courage, exposure, honesty, discipline, sensitivity, compassion, knowledge, humility, responsibility, positive worldview, vision, creativity, innovation, respect for history and culture, and Godliness.

Agents of Change We can only consolidate and sustain our democracy when all office holders, including bureaucrats, youth groups, and those in the private sector transform themselves into agents of change. This will build the much needed collective spirit to shun violence, waste, nepotism, corruption and the arrogance of power. We have no future without this critical development in our political economy and the younger generation can never be inspired along positive and progressive lines. Those in power, appointed and elected, owe the rest of us this debt.

Constitution and constitutionalism That the 1999 Constitution is flawed in several sections is no longer the issue, but you

can all see how badly the review process is going. The fight is over chairmanship and co-chairmanship and at bottom of the fight is the control of money. When are the politicians going to grow up and keep the interest of Nigeria at heart? People are being killed or kidnapped daily in the Niger Delta, there are disputes on resource allocation, there are debates on the exclusive and concurrent legislative lists and over issues of state police. Yet, we are fighting over chairmanship. If the National Assembly cannot work together, what hope do we have that they can harmonise their reports and conclusions?

Until the constitution is adequately amended to reflect the interest of Nigerians, it can not serve as the foundation for democratic sustainability. The process must be accountable, transparent, people driven, consultative, an issue-driven.

We must engage i n c o m p a r a t i v e constitutionalism to learn from the experiences of other nations. I will particularly recommend South Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda and Ghana as special successful examples of consultative, inclusive and participatory constitution-making. Then, after the review, we must develop a culture of constitutionalism where the document becomes a living document because it comes from the people and structures are created to mass produce, distribute, abridge and teach the Constitution to the people.

When they see and understand the constitution, then it can be deployed to defend their individual and collective interests. Not just lawyers and parliamentarians having access to the document and quoting it to defend narrow interests. As you can see, we have not started on this journey.

Development By development I am speaking of a process of systematic structural transformation, anchored on the creative energies and needs of the people, that moves a society towards a capacity of meeting the basic human needs of the vast majority of the people. While on the one

hand, development requires and promotes progressive pro-people planning, infrastructural development, holistic people-centred policy making, its end point is to ensure and assure adequate housing, access to health services, education, employment, and services for the enjoyment of life here on earth. It is only under such conditions that democracy can thrive in modern society. Please, note that it is possible for a nation to achieve and sustain high growth rates without development and this may not redistribute wealth, provide appropriately for women, the youth and the aged, provide social amenities for the majority, guarantee freedoms and rights, and consolidate democratic practices and institutions. Though Nigeria today is not moving in the direction of true people-centred development, it is still possible to get it right with the correct leadership, necessary political will, a check on waste and corruption, and putting the right people in positions of responsibility so we stop starting everything all over every time, including the renovation of Government offices, governors lodges and so on.

National discipline and ideology A nation and people must believe in something that unites, energizes, motivates and propels them to seek higher grounds. It cannot be soccer or rebranding. True, Nigeria is a nation-state composed of many nation. We must find strength and a mission in the general commitment to collective struggles for democracy and development. In our country today the culture of impunity reigns.

People do and say what they like. The arrogance of power is suffocating democratic spaces. The rich and well-connected believe they can get away with anything and quite often they do. They believe that they can loot the treasury, murder innocent people, destroy communities, promote violence at elections, rig elections, run down public institutions, suffocate democratic spaces and bastardize democratic processes and nothing would happen. This sort of indiscipline compromises the emergence of a national philosophy, contaminates democratic discourses, and tears our people and their communities apart. A process designed to contain or stop this trend must go beyond conferences, sloganeering, publicity stunts and the careless use of public funds to support narrow interests. We must give our people something to believe in as they plan their lives and communities for democratic existence.

Conclusion Democracy is clearly better than dictatorship. The rules of democracy are very well known to all. However, the sustenance and viability of democracy depends on how the operators and the people respect the rules, deepen and widen the system, give meaning to their collective dreams, strengthen democratic institutions, and commit to social justice and fair-pay. To date, we toothache and bellyache about democracy and its dividends. Yet, We do so much to undermine, contaminate and compromise democracy, its institutions and processes. In fact, we do not show that we understand the linkage between democracy, peace, progress and development.

Our goal is to take all we can for private ends and leave nothing for posterity. Then when such actions breed militants, angry youths, alienated communities, and disgruntled public officials, we complain, and resort to prayers. God will certainly not answer such prayers because we are the architects of our misfortunes.

It is not too late. If we all in the hall commit today to democracy, due process, merit, and the struggle against corruption, imposition of political mediocres and opportunists, we would have started something. If we decide not to be deceived by opportunistic and noisy politicians, to study them well before giving them our votes, to demand that parties should respect their own rules, we would have contributed to building a truly democratic society. If we take things for granted, try to manage bad leaders, and allow our present and future as well as those of our children to be toyed around with, history may not be very kind to us. Clearly, we can only move forward and enjoy the good things of life. If, and only if we strategize together, plan together, work together, struggle together and put our true leaders in charge of our affairs. Talk is cheap. Anyone can talk. Go to the motor park or the markets and you will see a lot of talking. However, action, focus, serious mindedness, discipline, commitment, and democratic conduct can only be found in few places and in fewer people. A word, they say, is more than enough for the wise.

Midweek Leisure

Mandela: Legality Of The Indemnity “Alexander The Great, Julius Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have built great empires. But upon what did they depend?

They depended upon force. But long ago Jesus started an empire that depended on Love; even to this day millions will die for Him”.

(Napoleon Bonaparte).

WHEN a Nation and its’ People are cocooned in the throes of nihilistic and narcissistic regressionalism, it takes leadership stout guts, people power, political, socioeconomic strategic permutations to antisepticise their travails and ensure visceral anacatharsis. This is what Mandela did for the people of South Africa and the world.

Nelson Rolihlahla “Madiba–Tata” Mandela was born in Umtata, South Africa on July 18, 1918. As a man of great cerebral virtuosity he attended the University College of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand and qualified in law in 1942. He joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944 and was intransigently vociferous and uncompromisingly obdurate in his resistance against the National Party’s (NP) apartheid policies from 1948.

His schismatic ploy against the apartheid regime led to his prolonged trial for treason in 1956, but was acquitted in 1961. The African National Congress was banned in 1960 and eight of the accused, including Mandela, Oliver Thambo and Walter Sisulu were sentenced to life imprisonment. From 1964 to 1982, he was incarcerated at Robben island prison, off Cape Town, thereafter, was transferred to Pollsmoor prison on the main land.

In the allocutus delivered by Chief Obafemi Awolowo on 11th September, 1963, when Justice Sowemimo declared him guilty on charges of treasonable felony: Awolowo said, “it is therefore, with a brave heart, with confident hope and with faith in my unalterable destiny that I go from the twilight into darkness, unshaken in my trust in the providence of God that the glorious dawn will come on the morrow”. So did Nelson Mandela, as he ascended and gained charismatic positivity and became more of a political colossus during his years in prison, he became a cult-Hero and the most popular black leader in South Africa. He became a quintessence and a portent symbol of the struggle and resistance against apartheid and the apartheid regime. He blatantly refused to compromise his principled political position to obtain his freedom. This was his moral authority and the legality of the indemnity.

He suffered torture and pains under the Gestapo–like brutal machines of the apartheid regime, but throughout his trials, travails and tribulations he refused to compromise his sacred position with the repressive regime and its apartheid policies. He was released on February 11, 1990 and concretized the plinth of the struggle. In 1991, at the National Conference of the ANC held inside South Africa after the organization had been banned in 1960, Mandela was elected President of the ANC. He won the Nobel peace prize in 1993 and was elected the President of South Africa in May 1994. His victory and tenure as President of South Africa sounded the death-knell of the repressively nauseating apartheid policy. That is the legality of the indemnity. Mandela gave his all unselfishly to mankind. He invested his dreams on humanity through the harrowing anguish of gory trauma to stand for the truth and the high ideals of lifting up mankind above the frays of hatred and dehumanization. He spoke truth to power notwithstanding whose ox was gored. He treated oppressors and oppression with scorn and impurity. He served God Almighty through his love and commitment to mankind. His molehill faith had mountainous works.

Like Martin Luther King Jr. said “we will be able to matriculate into the University of Eternal life because we had the power to love our enemies; to bless those persons that cursed us, to even decide to be good to those persons who despitefully used us,” so Mandela in his ethics, principles and practice of reconciliation and forgiveness said “let the striving of us all prove Martin Luther King Jr. to have been correct when he said that humanity can no longer be tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war. Let the efforts of us all, prove that he was not a mere dreamer when he spoke of the beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace being more precious than diamonds or silver or gold”.

These sacrifices of love, forgiveness and the

epitome of the forgiving and reconciliatory spirit. He said “the time for the healing of the wounds has come.

The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come. The time to build is upon us. We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. We succeeded to take our last steps to freedom in conditions of relative peace. We commit ourselves to the construction of a complete, just and lasting peace. We understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom. We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success. We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation,

Late Nelson Mandela

reconciliatory spirit are the credentials and prizes which will continue to stand as inflangrante delicto evidences to authenticate the legality of the indemnity for freedom of the whole of mankind. Martin Luther King Jr. looked across the years of history and said “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Nelson Mandela stood in the gap for lovers of freedom, peace, justice and liberty.

He became a cardinal embodiment of struggle to create higher ideals for the totality of mankind. O’ whenst cometh such another?

In Nelson Mandela’s inaugural address speech delivered on May 10, 1994, he displayed that he is an

for nation building, for the birth of a new world.”

Finally, Nelson Mandela has taken the world to the mountainous heights of political, moral, ethical and humanistic lebensraum by authenticating the legality of indemnity. We hope that leaders at all strata of life will be impacted by his leadership zeitgeist and his idiosyncratic format and disposition that has made him a Saint and god-like colossus in our morally bemused and politically bankrupt world. We say in the words of the English playwright William Shakespeare that, “Blow, blow, blow thou winter wind, but thou are’th not so unkind as the spirit of ingratitude.” The world is eternally grateful for your authenticating the legality of the indemnity. FARE THEE WELL O’ GOOD ONE.

“it is therefore, with a brave heart, with confident hope and with faith in my unalterable destiny that I go from the twilight into darkness, unshaken in my trust in the providence of God that the glorious dawn will come on the morrow”.

Natural Medicine

With

Dr. MAO

08030717341

Relief For Insomnia Insomnia is a chronic pathological inability to fall and/or remain asleep for at least eight hours each day that is considered adequate for a normal person. Several factors maybe responsible for this medical condition, unless you know them, you wouldn’t be able to treat the disorder. You would be groping in the dark world of self-medication worsening your health status, progressively.

To start with, neurotransmitters deficiency maybe at work triggering off your insomnia. Some of these neurotransmitters include L-tryptophan, melatonin and serotonin, all sleepinducing agents. The pineal gland produces melatonin and serotonin. Absence of these neurotransmitters hinder sleep.

Another factor causing insomnia is lack of Vit D. Any person with a daily exposure to sunlight does not suffer from insufficiency of Vit D. because the skin manufacturers this fat-so luble vitamin on contact with the sun’s rays.

Furthermore, given that unlike the water-soluble vitamins B-complex and C, vitamin D is not easily eliminated from the body.

This implies that it is not common for a person with an active outdoor life to be short of vitamin D most especially if he also eats vitamin D rich foods as well as uses vitamin D supplementation occasionally.

Given all these, it is common for elders to have vitamin D deficiency.

Therefore, when they complain of insomnia and other causative factors have been clinically excluded, check their vitamin D profile. The

problem may lie there.

Note that without vitamin D, calcium metabolism is affected. Yet, calcium is a relaxant just like its twin mineral magnesium is required for calming excited tense nerves which make sleep difficult.

You might ask for emphasis what makes nerves tense? Lack of calcium, magnesium, zinc and B-Complex in the diet maybe responsible for it; also, watch your bowel movement and colon.

Caked faeces, gaseous emission of methane and ammonia from dirty, congested colon into the blood, as well as inflammation in the colon known as colitis also cause tense nerves. Don’t forget that toxins in the blood from colon waste irritate the nerves making them to become tense. Lest I forget, too, that when your body is congested with mucus it can make you develop sleep disorders.

Do you belch, suffer from flatulence and complain of other gastrointestinal tract ailments at a time you are also having sleeping problem? Then, there is every suggestion that your problem can be traced to these ailments. Go for tests.

Maybe there is an imbalance in the ratio between friendly and unfriendly, pathological bacteria in your gastro intestinal tract. If this is the etiology of your sleeping disorder, all you need to do is to restore the balance of the bacterial flora in this tract with probiotics.

Chemical anti-biotics are not applicable here. They only worsen the problem.

The use of stimulants, which increase the level of metabolism as well as raise the physical energy in your body can contribute to insomnia. Before you can

sleep off like a baby, your energy profile should be declining as the night falls to a basal minimum that keeps your body while you sleep. However, because

physiological malfunction of your thyroid. Unless you normalize this organ, your insomnia will remain with you.

Earlier on, I said that you

sleep, avoid watching horror films, reading tension-soaked books, engaging in heated discussions/debates, quarrelling, anger tantrums

relaxing.

Vitamins and minerals that help sleep disorders include: vitamin BComplex, most especially vitamin B-one, B-three, Bsix, B-twelve, calcium, magnesium, vitamin and vitamin E are beneficial for sleep disorders. Swedish

stimulants elevate your energy, your working body remains awake. Therefore, if you are on stimulants, then expect insomnia.

Stimulants include alcohol, salt, coffee and kolanuts. Stay away from them entirely. Or minimize their intake. When you do, don’t use any of them close to bed time.

Apart from stimulants, an overdriving thyroid increases your metabolic rate raises your physical energy profile and consequently keeps you awake with insomnia.

Invariably, the root of your insomnia is the

should step down your body’s metabolism and physical energy output as night falls so that you can have a restful sleep.

Impliedly, as the working day draws to a close, keep hard work aside. Return home fully relaxed without re-assigning another tasking job to yourself.

There is no use turning your home, bed-room or bed into an office. If this is your habit don’t be surprised if insomnia creeps into your life.

In addition, to enable you eliminate excitement, fears, worries and anxieties at bedtime which disturb

as well as harbouring negative thoughts in your mind.

At this juncture, I will give you some tips for treating your insomnia.

Before bed time take a meal of small potato. If it is L-tryptophan, melatonin and serotonin you lack, you can get these neurotransmitters from a natural medicine shop.

Suppose your sleep disorder is due to congestion in the head, then dip your feet in warm water for at least 10 minutes before bedtime.

Alternatively have a warm bath. Which is also

bitters, apple cider vinegar, Choline, St. John’s Wort, passion flower, Camomile, vervain, valerian root, lecithin, lavendar, skullcap, nettle and ginseng are some natural substances available for managing insomnia.

On a final note, I shouldn’t forget to remind you that there is c o n t r i b u t o r y psychotherapy for insomnia. One of its methodologies emphasizes cognitive restoration. You should understand, afterall, that a diseased mind can cause insomnia.

“Another factor causing insomnia is lack of Vit D. Any person with a daily exposure to sunlight does not suffer from insufficiency of Vit D. because the skin manufacturers this fat-so luble vitamin on contact with the sun’s rays. Furthermore, given that unlike the water-soluble vitamins B-complex and C, vitamin D is not easily eliminated from the body.”

New Horizon

Jesus Christ: Jesus the Christ, that is Jesus the Son of God the Supreme FATHER. Materially, Jesus Christ was the Son of a Carpenter (Joseph), Mary as Mother.

He left home at 12 years for Spiritual quest and returned back after many years as a first class preacher of the word of God. He was a gentleman of a superlative degree and proved his qualities without bias.

During his various interactions, he proved that he is the true Son of God and has come to do the will of his FATHER. Jesus Christ been so Simple and humble, never acclaimed false prestige to himself as God. He always remains, Son of God as his true position. it was at this point that the Jews interviewed him. We know you as the son of a carpenter before you left home, and you are back home to claim to be the Son of God. Actually a materialist will not believe him. Jesus Christ was the true Son of a Carpenter but left home for spiritual transformation of the highest order. The transformation of knowing God and putting it into practice of the highest order as predicted by ordained scriptures. Due to his claim as Son of God, the Jews hated him and worked out plans to eradicate him. From the beginning to the end of this agony and to his crucifixion, he maintained his position as a true Son of God. Alongside these agonies he exhibited the good qualities of a true Son of God — Humility, Simplicity, Tolerance, Patience; Fore bearing, Forgiveness, Friendliness, Kindness, Meek and Gentleness, detachment, simple living and high thinking etc. To buttress the above claims by Jesus Christ himself, He said and

I quote: JOHN: 20:30 — Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, that were not written in this book, but these are written that you may believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, JOHN 20:17 — Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the FATHER, but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my FATHER and your FATHER, to my God and your God. JOHN 5:17 — 18 But Jesus answered, my FATHER is working still, I am working. This was why the Jews sought other means to torture him to death because he not only broke the Sabbath but also called God his own FATHER, making himself equal to God, JOHN 5:19 — 12 Jesus said to them, Truly, Truly, I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the FATHER doing for whatever he does, that the Son does like wise. For the FATHER loves the Son, and shows him all that he himself is doing and greater work that these will he show him that you may marvel. For as the FATHER raise the death and gives them life, so also the Son gives Life to whom he will.

JOHN 5:22 — 23 — The FATHER judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honour the Son, even as they honor the FATHER, He who does not honour the Son does not honour the FATHER who sent him.

JOHN 14:1 2 - Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me, if it were not so, would I have told you I go to prepare a place for you.

7. JOHN 16:23 - In that

With VICTOR ANIUKWU

Son Of God Almighty

day, you will ask nothing of me. Truly, Truly I say to you, if you ask any thing of the FATHER, he wilt give it to you in my name.

8. JOHN 8:48 - Then Jesus answered, Are we not in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon. Jesus answered, I have not demon but I honour my FATHER and you dishonour me. Yet I do

position to himself but to his FATHER. 10. JOHN 14:10 - Do you believe that I am in the FATHER and the FATHER in me, the words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own authority, but the FATHER who dwells in me does his works.

11. MATTHEW 26:39 And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, my

Portrait Of Jesus

not seek my own glory.

There is one who seeks it and he will be the judge.

Truly, Truly I say unto you, if anyone keeps my words he will never see death.

9. JOHN 1:1 - 3 - In the beginning was the word and the word was with God, and all things were made through him and without him, was not any thing made that was made.

If God made thing through Jesus Christ, he never claimed anything nor

FATHER, if it be possible let this cup pass from me, Nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt, 12. MATTHEW 1:23 Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.

Remember that Jesus was born in a stable at Bethlehem. In this context, God is UNBORN. No one born of a mother, virgin or not can become God. Course in 16th, 17th, 18th

Centuries, Virginity was quite existing amongst the people of the world but not common. A word is enough for the wise.

Jesus Christ the Son of God has personally dwelt on Twelve major aphorisms above, with more emphasis below: That Almighty God is his FATHER and not Jesus (as claimed by most today’s preachers of confusion.

That he is the true Son of God. That he is not different from his FATHER That he is not higher than his FATHER. That whosoever believeth in him and his words shall not see death.

That he has not any authority but the direct authority of his FATHER. That whatever works he is able to do is just the will of his FATHER who sent him.

That he has come to do his FATHES WILL. And during his Crucifixion, he cried out to his FATHER, saying FATHER, FATHER, Why has thou for saken me.

And when the Jews were carrying out their nefarious act, he called unto his FATHER, saying, FATHER, FATHER, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.

Jesus in his capacity exhibited great love and honour to his FATHER and mankind.

It is generally known that Jesus Christ died, rose again, ascended into Heaven and seated at the right hand of the FATHER.

Jesus Christ did not seat on the throne of His FATHER because his FATHER LIVETH eternally. From various interactions with preachers and some religions groups, Jesus the Son of God has been declared as God ALMIGHTY. This is strongly held by those concerned. At this juncture, what is the faith of our children about God. Can we draw any conclusion from Jesus Christ himself and the eleven points above. Jesus Christ did not and has never in any manner of presentation, refer, call, claim, accept, Welcome, believe, pose, assume, nor arrogate to his good self, the lone position of God the FATHER. He remains always as a servant of God and maintained a FATHER SON relationship with God, his FATHER all his days on Earth.

In conclusion, and in the history of all the ordained scriptures, none, I repeat NONE, has emphasized the presence of Two God in the material and the Spiritual World. All had ascertained that there is one ALMIGHTY GOD. Note that there are many gods but one SUPREME GOD and not Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is a perfect Son of God. The Koran claimedcne Almighty God — ALLAH The Bible claimed one Almighty God — God The Binis claimed one Almighty God- Osalobua The Ibos claimed one Continue on Pg 24

“The transformation of knowing God and putting it into practice of the highest order as predicted by ordained scriptures. Due to his claim as Son of God, the Jews hated him and worked out plans to eradicate him. From the beginning to the end of this agony and to his crucifixion, he maintained his position as a true Son of God.”

Place Of Prayer

Victory Over Curses CURSE is a judgment passed on a broken law. The bible says in Ecclesiastes 10:8b whose whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. The bible also says in Proverbs 26:2- As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shell not come. From the foregoing, we can see that Curses take their strength from a law that is broken.

When law is kept, curse cannot stand, but when law is broken, curse is attracted.

have been delivered from the power of curses, there are certain signals in the lives of some believers that are indicative of curse. Some of these signals are revealed below: Evidences/signals of A Curse 1. Stagnation: If you were moving before, and suddenly there is stagnation, it suggests the presence of a curse. In Numbers 22:1-6, we see that Balak was threatened by the progress of the Israelites and

In Deuteronomy 28:1,15, God said to the children of Israel: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and over take thee!

Curse, therefore, is the reward of violation. When a person violates law! curse is attracted to that person.

Although children of God

so he sought to stop their progress, Balaam was invited to curse them so they would be stagnated. Stagnation in education, in matrimony in success etc could be indicative of a curse.

2. A Repeated Evil: in Nahum I:9b, the bible saysaffliction shall not rise up the second time. Evil may happen to a believer, but it does not have the legality to happen again. Repetition of an evil occurrence is an indication of a curse. When you have an evil happening over and over again, its a suggestion that there is a curse. In 2 Samuel 21: 1, the bible says there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year.

This is a repeated evil and it was a signal to David that there was a curse upon Israel.

3.

Fruitlessness/

Unproductivity/Delay in Expectation: God’s covenant with His children is that of fruitfulness, productivity and quick manifestation of their expectations. See the scriptures below: Jeremiah 17:8- For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comet, but her leaf stuff be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit, Isaiah

Health Challenges: A person can fail sick sometimes when he or she does not rest properly or eat balanced diet or when he or she is exposed to conditions that endanger health. However, when someone falls sick without reason and there is a no medical explanation for the condition. It could be an indication that the person is cursed. Being sick negates the sacrifice of Jesus for us. By His stripes, we were healed (1 peter 2:24). When this

With Pastor Samuel O. Osaghae SMS Only 08030809339

and they have put it even among their own stuff Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before theft enemies, but turner! their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will be with you anymore, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.

The children of Israel suffered defeat in battle because they took for themselves, things that had been cursed by God. When you suffer defeats that cannot be explained logically, it can bean evidence of a curse.

6.

In-explainable Rejection: The bible tells us in Ephesians 1:5-6 that having been adopted as sons of the Father, we have been made acceptable in the beloved. As a child of God, you should not be rejected. In explainable rejection could be an indication of a curse. Jesus said in Luke 13:16- And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? Jesus could not reject this woman because she was under the covenant of Abraham. Jephthah was rejected by his brothers because of his caused parentage. See Judges 11:1-2.

When things do not operate in a person’s life as they ought, it is an indication that the person is operating under a curse.

You can’t pray curse out; no prayer can stop the reward of violation, It is not an issue of praying; that law must be executed. Only an acceptable sacrifice can stop the reward of violation. A sacrifice is the foundation for victory over curses. In the coven, the reason For the curse is usually stated. Among the heathen, when a curse is suspected, oracle is played to know the acceptable sacrifice for the curse to be broken. This principle holds true for all situations of a curse. In the realm of the spirit, prayer does not have the power to break curse; an acceptable sacrifice is what stops the curse, God had to operate by this principle to wipe away the curse upon mankind.

Although God was the one that placed curse on human race in the Garden of Eden, when He wanted to change the curse to blessing, He could not just wish the curse away; He had to offer an acceptable sacrifice: a sacrifice with divine packaging. God is not a foolish God who did not

“The children of Israel suffered defeat in battle because they took for themselves, things that had been cursed

by God. When you suffer defeats that cannot be explained logically, it can bean evidence of a curse.”

65:24- And it shall come to pass, that before they call I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear!

Your efforts will always have evidence if you are blessed. If you are cursed, there will be no evidence for your efforts, This cuts across business, academics, etc. barrenness and delay are signals of a curse.

4.

Medically inexplainable affliction and

promise of Christ no longer holds true for you as a believer, it could be a signal of a curse.

5. In-explainable Defeat; Joshua 7,10-12-And the LORD said unto Joshua. Get thee up; wherefore best thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also,

When people who are supposed to accept you begin to reject you, it could be a signal that a curse is at play.

7.

In-explainable Abnormality: Ecclesiastes 10:5-7: There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity and the rich sit in low place. I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

have the answer to the question of curses. He knows that curses are only altered by sacrifice. Jesus died to break every curse over your life. By this sacrifice of Jesus, you can no longer operate under a curse. You do not even need to pray yourself out of a curse anymore; you have been brought out of every curse by the sacrifice of Jesus. to be continued next week.

By Pastor Samuel O. Osaghae

International

Ukraine Protests Draw 50,000

KIEV - An estimated 50,000 pro-Western Ukrainians massed in the heart of Kiev amid swelling anger over the bloody beating of prominent former minister turned opposition leader Yuriy Lutsenko.

The 49-year-old member of jailed ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko’s cabinet was transferred out of intensive care on Saturday evening after being attacked by truncheon-wielding police during a small protest the night before.

“He received about 10 blows to the head,” the former interior

minister’s spokeswoman said.

“No one is allowed to see him except for his closest relatives.”

Nearly 20 activists were injured when they tried to prevent the police from moving to jail three young men who were sentenced to six years for allegedly plotting to blow up a statue of Soviet founder Lenin in 2011.

It marked the first use of force against a leader of Ukraine’s latest wave of pro-

Jihadists Seize Syria Town, Execute 60

BEIRUT - The jihadist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has seized a town in Syria’s Aleppo province, and executed 60 people in other areas, a monitor said.

The advance by the group in the country’s turbulent north comes after 10 days of fighting pitting moderate and Islamist opposition forces against the Al-Qaedainspired organisation that has killed nearly 700 people.

“ISIL on Monday seized control of the town of Al-Bab, northeast of Aleppo city, and took dozens of civilians and fighters prisoner,” said Rami Abdel Rahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

“The jihadists called via loudspeakers on the minarets of local mosques for residents to hand over their weapons because ISIL had come to apply Islamic law,” he told AFP. The town has been out of regime control for more than a year, but came under fierce aerial bombardment by government troops at the weekend.

The two-day wave of air strikes killed 50 people, said the Observatory.

Elsewhere in the province, the Observatory said the rebel groups battling ISIL were progressing in the town of Jarabulus, near the Turkish border.

“Overnight, fighting continued in Jarabulus between ISIL and the Islamic Front and other rebel groups, with the latter progressing,” the Observatory said.

The fighting in Jarabulus had resumed after a deadline given by rebels for ISIL fighters to withdraw from the city passed without them leaving.

Fighting between ISIL and opposition forces also erupted again in the northwestern province of Idlib, where the rebels were progressing, and in Raqa, a northern ISIL stronghold where the jihadist group has largely held off rebels.

The Observatory said ISIL had executed 46 Islamists from the Ahrar al-Sham in an ambush in Kantari, 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Raqa city.

The group also killed 14

prisoners in Homs province on Monday, the Observatory said.

Jihadist foreign fighters were widely welcomed by Syrian rebels when they first entered the conflict, but have experienced a backlash against their reported abuses of civilians and rival rebels.

On Sunday, ISIL in Raqa accused opposition forces of fighting against it to please the West and other “apostate” nations before a scheduled peace conference in Switzerland this month.

Syria’s regime and opposition are scheduled to hold talks in the town of Montreux beginning on January 22.

Western protests and threatened to reignite the worst political crisis of President Viktor Yanukovych’s fouryear rule.

The ex-Soviet nation of 46 million that once served as the breadbasket of Europe has been gripped by ceaseless demonstrations ever since Yanukovych in November ditched an historic EU trade deal in favour of tighter ties with old master Russia.

The biggest rallies on Kiev’s iconic Independence Square drew hundreds of thousands — an echo of the 2004 Orange Revolution that first nudged Ukraine on a westward path. The city’s main street remains occupied by a tent encampment protected by makeshift barricades to this day.

Protest numbers had begun to recede when Yanukovych brushed aside the havoc in mid-December and struck a $15-billion (11-billioneuro) bailout package with Russia that also slashed the price Ukraine has to pay for natural gas imports on which its teetering economy depends.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn during a press conference in Addis Ababa on January 13, 2014.

South Sudan: Japan, Ethiopia, Call For Peace

ADDIS ABABA - The leaders of Japan and Ethiopia has urged South Sudan’s warring parties to sign a ceasefire to end weeks of fighting that has left thousands dead.

“We agreed that the cessation of hostilities in South Sudan and national reconciliation is the most important way forward,”

Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, said at a joint briefing with his Japanese counterpart.

The comments came amid peace talks in Addis Ababa between rival South Sudanese parties aimed

ending weeks of violence that has displaced over 200,000 people and brought the young country to the brink of civil war.

Ethiopia and Japan said they were committed to stability in South Sudan, which gained independence

IAEA Says Nuclear Talks With Iran Postponed To February 8

VIENNA - The U.N. nuclear frequency of such visits and see Separately, Iran and the six governing board is due to hold an watchdog said yesterday a some additional facilities, powers - the United States, extraordinary meeting on January planned meeting with Iran next 24 to discuss the U.N. agency’s including plants where Iran France, Germany, Britain, week to discuss steps meant to China and Russia - said on extra work in monitoring the sixmanufactures equipment for refining uranium. Enriched help allay concern over its nuclear Sunday the implementation of month agreement between Iran uranium can have both civilian program had been postponed to a November 24 landmark and the six states, two diplomats and military purposes. told Reuters on Tuesday.

February 8, without giving a agreement to curb Tehran’s For its increased workload, The IAEA already regularly reason. the IAEA likely needs to send atomic activity in return for The talks between Iran and the some sanctions easing would inspects Iranian nuclear sites to more inspectors to Iran and it has tentatively assessed that it International Atomic Energy begin on January 20. The make sure there is no diversion will face extra costs of roughly Agency (IAEA) are separate from IAEA will play a major role of sensitive material for military 5 million euros ($6.83 million) purposes.

- though still closely linked with in verifying that Iran which partly will be funded by It will now both increase the - broader diplomacy between implements its part of the deal. voluntary member states contributions, diplomats have Tehran and six world powers over The IAEA’s 35-nation said.

Iran’s disputed nuclear activity.

In November, Iran and the IAEA agreed a cooperation pact, including six initial steps to be taken by the country over the following three months, including access to two nuclear-related facilities and the provision of information.

They said after a review meeting last month they would meet again in Tehran on January 21 to discuss the next steps under the framework agreement. An IAEA spokeswoman confirmed in an e-mail a report that the date of the meeting had been postponed.

The IAEA wants Iran to address allegations that it has researched how to develop nuclear bombs, a Ukraine protesters sing the national anthem during a mass rally of the pro Western charge Iran denies. Tehran says opposition Independence Square on January 12, 2014. the nuclear program is entirely peaceful.

in 2011.

“I have confirmed with (Hailemariam) that Japan and Ethiopia will maintain close contact and exchange information for stability for the situation in South Sudan,” Japanese leader Shinzo Abe said.

The Japanese leader said peace, security and aid in Africa were a priority for his government and promised $11 million (8 million euros) to support refugees in Ethiopia.

Abe also announced $4.8 million (3.5 million euros) to develop Ethiopia’s agriculture sector and said his government was planning on investing in geothermal power production.

In addition, the countries launched the first direct flight between the two countries as a means to boost political and economic ties.

“We have to double our efforts to bring our trade relations to the level possible between our two countries,” Hailemariam said.

Abe reiterated his commitment to increasing Japan’s role in Africa, home to several of the world’s fastest growing economies.

“The Abe administration is the administration that has placed the greatest emphasis on Japan’s relationship with Africa,” he said.

The two-day trip to Ethiopia is Abe’s final stop on an Africa tour that has also taken him to Ivory Coast and Mozambique in a bid to boost Japanese ties and business relations in Africa, which has become a key trading partner with China.

International Features Exclusive: With Muslim Brotherhood Crushed, Egypt Sets Sight On Hamas

CAIRO - After crushing the Muslim Brotherhood at home, Egypt’s military rulers plan to undermine the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which runs the neighboring Gaza Strip, senior Egyptian security officials told Reuters.

The aim, which the officials say could take years to pull off, includes working with Hamas’s political rivals Fatah and supporting popular antiHamas activities in Gaza, four security and diplomatic officials said.

Since it seized power in Egypt last summer, Egypt’s military has squeezed Gaza’s economy by destroying most of the 1,200 tunnels used to smuggle food, cars and weapons to the coastal enclave, which is under an Israeli blockade.

Now Cairo is becoming even more ambitious in its drive to eradicate what it says are militant organizations that threaten its national security.

Intelligence operatives, with help from Hamas’s political rivals and activists, plan to undermine the credibility of Hamas, which seized control of Gaza in 2007 after a brief civil war against the Fatah movement led by Westernbacked Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

According to the Egyptian officials, Hamas will face growing resistance by activists who will launch protests similar to those in Egypt that have led to the downfall of two presidents since the Arab Spring in 2011. Cairo plans to CHANGE OF NAME

MOMOH – I, formerly called Momoh Aminu Sule is now known and called Momoh Aminu Sule Vikion. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

support such protests in an effort to cripple Hamas.

“Gaza is next,” said one senior security official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. “We cannot get liberated from the terrorism of the Brotherhood in Egypt without ending it in Gaza, which lies on our borders.”

Asked why Egyptian intelligence is not going after Hamas now, another senior security official said: “Their day will come”.

Egypt accuses Hamas of backing al Qaeda-linked militant groups which have stepped up attacks against security forces in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula over the past few months. The attacks have spread to Cairo and other cities.

Both the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas deny accusations of terrorism, and the Brotherhood says it is committed to peaceful activism. The group was ousted from power in Egypt after the military threw its weight behind street protests last summer.

Freely-elected president Mohamed Mursi is now on trial on charges of inciting the murder of protesters during his presidency.

Egypt’s military-backed government has cracked down hard on the Brotherhood, arresting CHANGE OF NAME

ADEOYE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeoye Priscilia Omomeje now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogunwale Bashirat Omomeje. All former documents remain valid. Local Government Service Commission, concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PROPERTY FOR SALE A parcel of land measuring 1000ft by 1000ft with C of O issued by Edo State Government, situated at Ogheghe Community along Sapele Road, Benin City, is available for sale.

Interested buyer (s) should contact Steve Asabo: 08167667169, 0805046611. email:sonnychucks@gmail.com.

Hurry while the offer lasts.

Signed: Patience Odigie.

almost its entire leadership and thousands of its backers as well as formally declaring it a terrorist organization.

But the situation is very different in Gaza, where Hamas, an offshoot of the Brotherhood, is heavily armed, has years of experience fighting Israel, and moves swiftly to squash dissent.

Gaza, the group can still draw on significant support from among the territory’s 1.8 million people.

But Egyptian officials hope to exploit tensions with rival militant groups, even if there are no signs of major splits yet.

“We know that Hamas is powerful and armed but we

at the conference.

The activists showed video clips of masked gunmen chasing and dragging away protesters, and posted banners showing activists who they said had been tortured by Hamas for their opposition.

The Gaza-based Palestinian Centre for Human Rights last year accused Hamas of

Palestinian members of the al-Qassam brigades standing guard as they wait for the arrival of Hamas Chief Meshaal in the Southern Gaza strip A Hamas official said the comments made to Reuters by Egyptian officials showed Cairo was inciting violence and trying to provoke chaos.

“We reaffirm that Hamas did not and never would intervene in the internal Egyptian affairs,” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters.

“No one should ever dream to weaken Hamas”.

“A LOT OF ANGER” So far, contacts between Egypt and Fatah have been limited to discussing ways to help Fatah undermine Hamas, said the officials. They declined to name Palestinians involved in those discussions or give details of how many meetings have been held.

Hamas keeps Fatah party officials under very close watch in Gaza. A senior Fatah official in the occupied West Bank, where the party is far more powerful, denied any plot to oust Hamas.

“There is a lot of anger in Gaza. People are suffering, but protest is not easy. We cannot hope that Hamas will vanish tomorrow,” he said.

Hamas has an estimated 20,000 fighters, with another 20,000 in its police and security forces. Despite growing economic hardship in

also know that there are other armed groups in Gaza that are not on good terms with Hamas and they could be used to face Hamas,” another Egyptian security source said.

“All people want is to eat, drink and have a decent living, and if a government, armed or not, fails to provide that, then the people will rise against it in the end,” the source said.

“THE FIRST SPARK” In early January, Cairo publicly hosted the first conference of a new antiHamas youth group called Tamarud, or rebel, the same name used by the Egyptian youth movement that led last year’s protests against Mursi.

Members of the Palestinian Tamarud stood with the Palestinian flag wrapped around their necks to highlight what they called Hamas’s crimes against activists in Gaza.

The event was attended by representatives from Egyptian liberal parties and Fatah.

“We support the movement and any peaceful movement against the cruelty of the Islamist group that is part of the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood organization,” said Ayman al-Raqb, a Fatah official in Cairo in his speech

orchestrating a fierce crackdown against activists suspected of trying to organize a Tamarud-like protest in November. It said some of those detained were tortured and the mooted rally never materialized.

Hamas has accused Tamarud members of being Israeli agents, but has denied allegations of torture.

Activists in Cairo have called for protests in Gaza on March 21.

Egyptian officials hope that future Hamas crackdowns may turn the tide against the movement’s leadership.

“Surely, the world will not stand still and allow Hamas to kill Palestinians. Someone will interfere,” said the Egyptian security official. “But so far we are only working on firing the first spark.”

But officials also concede that the plan is likely to take years.

“The aid Egypt will mainly provide to the anti-Hamas groups will be logistical not financial. Tamaruds don’t cost much,” one Egyptian security official said.

TUNNELS The plan to undermine Hamas reflects renewed confidence among Egypt’s

security forces after being sidelined following the fall of long-time president Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Senior security officials are now determined to eliminate their Islamist foes for good - inside and outside Egypt.

They were angry when Mursi became the first Egyptian president to meet Hamas leaders in the presidential palace. Mursi also sent his prime minister to Gaza on the second day of an Israeli offensive on the enclave in November 2012.

Many Egyptians believe the Brotherhood intended to give part of the Sinai to Hamas.

The Brotherhood has consistently denied the allegation.

Mursi’s administration did acknowledge the problem posed by the tunnels under the border between Egypt and Gaza. His national security adviser last year said the government was flooding a number of tunnels he described as illegal.

But the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza was kept open for much of Mursi’s rule, allowing vital food and goods to flow into Gaza.

After Mursi’s overthrow, the army took over command of the Sinai and started destroying hundreds of tunnels. No Hamas official has been allowed to travel into Egypt since then.

Last month, Egypt’s public prosecutor accused Hamas of conspiring with Mursi and Iran to stage terrorist attacks in Egypt.

“We know Hamas is the Brotherhood and the Brotherhood (members) are terrorists and no country could develop with terrorists in or around it,” the security official said.

Gaza prime minister and Hamas deputy leader Ismail Haniyeh has said repeatedly since July that his group is focused exclusively on confronting arch-foe Israel and has no armed presence in Egypt.

“We do not intervene in Egyptian internal affairs,” he told supporters last month.

“Egypt cannot do without us and we cannot do without Egypt. This historical, geographic and security link can never be severed”.

However, an Egyptian security official, who declined to be named, dismissed his words. “They (Hamas leaders) can say what they want on their role in Sinai. We don’t base our judgment on them, but on

New Horizon

...Son Of God Almighty Continued from Pg 20

Almighty God Chukwu The Yorubas claimed one Almighty - Olorun The Ibibios claimed Almighty God — Obasi The Urhobos claimed one Almighty God — Oghene •. The Rastafarians claimed one Almighty God — JAH These names are wonderful and relate to time, place and circumstance. Of course all God names are HALLOWED. Modern day Ministers and preachers should Maintain Sanity in applying the words of the ordained scriptures. Lastly thou shall not add, thou shall not subtract says all the good• Books of the SUPREME FATHER. THE REAPPEARANCE OF JESUS CHRIST GOODWILL IS LOVE IN ACTION John the Baptist first declared the coming of Jesus Christ, “that a son shall be born, his name shall be called Emmanuel, curd and honey shall he eat, that he might know good from bad”. And when the time came, Jesus Christ was born in a stable at Bethlehem. He grew and went through the ordeals of youth and adult age, all in a very high preaching and fasting mood. After all said and done he concluded by saying — I shall come back again, and he warned as a THIEF. This is the missing link in today’s preaching.

Generally people believe that Jesus Christ is coming again but they are not well informed about his coming again as a THEIF. That is to say that there is stagnancy in our information flow, caused by today’s preachers. May I use this medium to state that the people should be updated with this long outstanding piece of instruction from Jesus Christ himself. That he is

coming as a thief that he will come uniformed and unnoticed. Right now he is every where watching while we wait in futile to see him.

WILL JESUS CHRIST RE-APPEAR ON EARTH Every information and people come in three dimensions. People in the mode of ignorance, people in the mood of passion, people in the mode of goodness. They see with different visions at any point in time. Those in the mode of ignorance and passion cannot go beyond the middle level of the sea, because they are still in fear and doubt. They tap from the surface of the sea.

Only those in the mode of goodness go dip down to the bottom of the sea. They can really come up with the essence of the message.

They are more balanced and in the minority.

In John 14:15 Jesus Christ says if you love me, keep my commandments and I will pray to the Lord to give you another counselor to be with you forever. in John 1 57- 11 it says if you I abide in me and my words abide in you, asked whatever you will and it shall be done for you. This glorifies my father. That you bear much fruit and so improve to be my disciples. AS the father has loved me so have I loved you, abide in my love, if you keep my commandments you will abide in my love just as I have kept the commandments of my father and abide in him.

These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full. This paragraph shows that we have to improve ourselves to be qualified to ask and get something from God. Everyone, of us here is a preacher, because birds of

the same feather, Flock together. One thing has brought us here today that is love. This love goes beyond tribe, creed, and class. See the fighting all over. Is that a sing of love — No the bible says,

With VICTOR ANIUKWU

That real love is what we should crave for and can be achieved if we preachers of today base their thoughts, words and actions on the precepts and commandments of God the father unadulterated. Some have compromised these words of the Lord to suit their whims. The Bible has

distorted and the doer is there still talking. Such practice breed woe in time to come, Finally, may I conclude to state categorically and emphatically that Jesus Christ has invested all his powers in his instructions and the precepts of his father before he departed.

warned, don’t add, don’t subtract anything. Some have changed the bible to suit their own tastes. For example some preachers changed the word-thou shall not kill to murder. This does not attract peace to the congregation because something has been

These statements clearly demonstrates that you must go beyond that idea that Jesus Christ is coming again. Jesus Christ came over 2000 years ago, and we are not babies waiting for Jesus Christ to come again.

We should but to learn how to carry our cross ourselves.

Jesus Ressurection

“Thou shall not kill. Infact a lover of Gods creation will, not kill an animal, what to kill a human being out of share sentiment derived from hallucination. We have love for materialism but real love is based on love of God and his creations.

We are now much older to grab the precepts and commandments of God as our live and soul in our day to day preaching, interactions, schools of thought and to every human being. May I state that all preaching Houses, centres, mosques and Temples etc. should live and emphasise more on the precepts and commandments of God as enacted in the beginning and so shall it be for ever.

When this is properly followed by all — there will be auspiciousness every where this is the greatest miracle yet to come. This action will usher in real love and the idea of fighting and killing one another will reduce and disappear.

Lastly, let us all begin now to be significant of the reappearance of Jesus Christ as a THEIF. And so the answer is that when we are finally cognizant to practice the precepts and commandments of God, we don’t wait for a special time to see Jesus Christ but ever ready even as he comes as a thief in disguise. Further, Jesus said, “Where two are gathered in my name, I am present. Yes He is always present in spirit as the unseen guest. A novice will be waiting to see Jesus again, but one who is advanced will sees Jesus in his words and instructions, this is advancement.

Food for thought by Victor Aniukwu The errand boy

“John the Baptist first declared the coming of Jesus Christ, “that a son shall be born, his name shall be called Emmanuel, curd and honey shall he eat, that he might know good from bad”.

And when the time came, Jesus Christ was born in a stable at Bethlehem. He grew and went through the ordeals of youth and adult age, all in a very high preaching and fasting mood.”

Edo Kiddies/Youth Carnival 2013

Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Aanene Jemitola declaring the carnival open as organisers and children applaud.

R-L: Organisers of the carnival, Valerie, Ella, Cynthia and Precious

Some youths from Franej International School displaying during the carnival

Contestants/organisers with Chief Oseni Elama, Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) at the contest for Miss/Master Edo Kiddies/Youths.

Housing Getting Your Dream Home:

Fantasy, Fears And Facts The Fantasy IN the famous Abraham Maslow hierarchy of needs, shelter was identified as man’s basic need. True to this, virtually everyone wants a comfortable place they can rest their head after a hectic day of work. This dream remains in the heart long enough until it is realized. Every now and then they hold the picture very clear in mind. No one wants any kind of home but rather the exact one that meets the specification of the ideal home waiting to grow out of your heart and from imagination into the physical sweet abode-yes a home away from home.

The fantasy or desire becomes stronger when your present landlord breathes down on your neck and determined to make your life a living hell when you fail to meet up the deadline for rent payment. Your heart skips a beat whenever your landlord knocks on your door to remind you of your monthly obligation. Sometimes you have to hide each time you sense your landlord is coming to your house. Even worse you resort to outright lying and other antics just to escape any possible encounter with him. With this situation in mind, you are determined more than ever before to get out of it. And so you need your own house badly.

Moreover, many people are fed up with their current location.

So they want to move out as soon as possible. But not in so much hurry because they don’t want to rent another place but desperately need their own home.

The fears Assuming you are now ready to make the move to purchase your own house, fear emerge right from your heart and stand in front of you. The little voice inside you screams “you might buy a house under dispute and end up in court throwing good money after bad”. You then pause to gauge the possibility of such occurrence. Suddenly you remember a friend who found himself in such mess and is still bleeding financially from such experience. This way and that way you become super carefuleven holding back when you should make the purchase.

However, some clients hate estate agents. They do not have any element of trust for them. Unfortunately or inevitably, agents are more or less the door you have to pass through to get that much desired property. Yes, it is true most properties put out for sale are usually done through the agent. This problem is further compounded when the client remembers a particular nasty experience with some dubious agents that exploit their clients.

Some clients get confused when they see different properties that are seemingly okay. They just can’t make the decision or rather make up their mind to buy the property. Herein comes procrastination, unnecessary delay and irrelevant excuses. That is why you see a client highly enthusiastic this minute and in the next twinkle of an eye they lose interest.

They want another brain perhaps their spouse or any other reliable person to just make the decision for them.

It is worth stating that in attempt to avoid what the economist calls” buyers remorse”, they hold back from buying property immediately. Think well of a time you bought that article and when you got home you discovered you had made the wrong decision or choice of purchase. Worse yet you could not return it-your hard earned money gone down the drain.

You felt terribly bad, didn’t you? So whenever you want to make a purchase you remember this experience and your recoil back.

Additionally, some clients do not want to pay agents commission. For this reason they put up all forms of delay mechanism to push the agent out of the picture.

The facts 1.

It is possible to get your ideal home 2.

You can work hard and save big for your dream home 3.

There are genuine properties out there 4.

There are reliable agents with impeccable records of honesty 5.

You can feel satisfied with your lovely home and buyer remorse is cast into oblivion.

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Coates Hits Out At Referees

STOKE chairman Peter Coates has accused the Premier League’s top referees of big-club bias after again falling victim to the latest perceived injustice.

Coates was left angered by recent decisions in matches against Newcastle and Spurs, the former resulting in an official complaint made against Martin Atkinson.

Coates is unlikely to follow suit on this occasion in the wake of Anthony Taylor ’s performance during Sunday’s 53 defeat to Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium.

But he has made his feelings plain after seeing Raheem Sterling appear to dive to win a penalty that gave Liverpool a 32 lead after Stoke had clawed their way back into the game from a 2-0 deficit.

“The game changes when the referee gives a penalty for the merest of touches. The player dived,” said Coates, speaking to The Sentinel.

“There was also a handball by Sterling before the penalty, one the linesman didn’t see, and that is a game changer.

“We are again victims of poor refereeing and I am sick of it. We had it against Newcastle and Tottenham, and now Liverpool.

“You get fed up with it

Players Must Take Responsibility - Rafael RAFAEL says Manchester United’s players must take responsibility for the club’s poor form this season.

The Premier League champions have struggled this campaign under new boss David Moyes and last weekend’s 2-0 win over Swansea was their first victory of 2014.

Prior to Saturday’s victory, United had lost three successive matches, including an FA Cup third-round home tie to the Swans.

They are currently seventh in the table, 10 points behind league-leaders Manchester City.

Manager David Moyes has been heavily criticised, but fullback Rafael feels the squad need to shoulder the blame.

“We are the ones who have to take the responsibility,” said the Brazilian. “I don’t know why everyone is looking at the manager. It is the players who have to do the job on the pitch.”

In the summer, the club experienced its first major upheaval in 27 years as Moyes succeeded the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson, but Rafael refuses to see that as an excuse for the dip in performances.

“We knew there would be a change,” he said. “The manager had just left after 27 years and it was always going to be hard.

“But David Moyes has a strong mentality. He is doing his own job. We have to use that in a positive way.

“We have to show our quality.

People are saying United don’t have a good squad. We have to prove it is not true.”

because these are big decisions that affect the games you play in, so you are bound to get very upset by it.

“It is well known that the big clubs, especially at home, but often away too, get the big shouts.

“I am not questioning any referee’s integrity, it’s human nature. It’s always been like that and it never changes.”

Coates believes previous comments from Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers about decisions that went against his own team in games with Chelsea and Manchester City may have played a part in Taylor’s thinking.

“If you remember, Brendan Rodgers was rather annoyed not to get a penalty recently,” added Coates.

“He made a big play of it and the media made a big play of it, so you do wonder if it crosses the referee’s mind.

“I am not accusing referees of cheating, just acting subconsciously under various different pressures.”

Mourinho Belongs To Chelsea JOSE Mourinho says he is hoping to finish his coaching career at Chelsea after rejoining the club for a second spell at the start of the season.

The Portuguese coach enjoyed a lot of success in his first spell with the Blues from 2004 to 2007, winning five trophies, which included two Premier league titles.

He then went on to claim more accolades with Serie A side Inter Milan and La Liga giants Real Madrid, but he says Stamford Bridge is an extra special place.

“I’m not here thinking about my next move because I don’t want to have a next move,” he told the Evening Standard.

“I will have a next move if and when Chelsea decides it’s time for that. I’m here to stay. I belong to Chelsea, Chelsea belong to me.

“I gave a lot to Chelsea in the past but they also gave a lot to me. This is a different professional relationship.”

Jose Mourinho

Giroud, Wishere Fire Gunners To Top Spot

ARSENAL returned to the top of the Premier League table when they defeated Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park on Monday night.

Jack Wilshere and Olivier for Villa late in the second Giroud handed the Gunners a half.

The first chance of the two-goal lead with two quickfire goals just after the half- match fell for the Gunners in hour mark, while Christian the 5th minute when Bacary Benteke scored the only goal Sagna’s cross found Giroud

Arsene Wenger

in the centre of the box, but he directed his header wide off the target.

Villa were then forced into making an early substitution in the 21st minute with Leandro Bacuna replacing the injured Nathan Baker, who was stretchered off with a mild concussion.

The hosts had an opportunity to snatch the lead two minutes later as Fabian Delph delivered a cross into the box towards an on-rushing Karim El Ahmadi, but he sent his volley just wide off the target.

Arsenal opened the scoring in the 34th minute following a decent team move which saw Nacho Monreal break through on the left before squaring the ball for Wilshere to finish from just inside the box.

The Gunners doubled their lead less than a minute later

FA Probe Puncheon’s Warnock first tweet ‘everyone is entitled CRYSTAL Palace midfielder Row to their opinion’ I haven’t got a

Jason Puncheon could face disciplinary action from the Football Association as well as legal action by Neil Warnock following a series of controversial tweets.

Puncheon squandered a chance to give Palace an early lead against Tottenham on Saturday when he blasted a penalty horribly wide.

It was a costly miss as Tottenham went on to win 2-0 at White Hart Lane and leave Palace bottom of the Premier League.

The 27-year-old came in for criticism from many pundits over the weekend, but he took exception to comments from TalkSport pundit Warnock and

launched a scathing attack on the former Palace manager on Twitter.

Puncheon, who is on loan at Palace from Southampton, has since deleted his tweets, which reportedly accused Warnock of dubious managerial practices.

Warnock revealed he had been alerted to the matter and was now considering his next course of action.

The Football Association, meanwhile, is also set to seek further information.

A spokesman confirmed: “We are looking into it.”

Warnock maintained the matter was being “addressed directly” with Puncheon.

He said in a statement: “The

problem with, but moving on from this is his later tweets.

“He’s made comments I know nothing about. If it has been suggested I have done anything untoward I confirm I most certainly have not.

“I notice Jason has removed his tweets. The matter is being addressed directly with him on my behalf. In the circumstances there is nothing more for me to say.”

Warnock had not held back in his criticism of Puncheon during his comments on live radio.

“There’s no way I would’ve trusted him with a penalty.

You’ve got to have somebody a little bit more cool, and he’s not like that, Jason,” he said.

as Wilshere stole possession from Delph and chipped the ball towards Giroud, who then brought it down expertly inside the penalty area before placing his low shot into the right corner.

Arsene Wenger’s men adopted a more cautious approach in the second half as they looked to protect their lead, while Villa were

determined to get back into the game.

The host did eventually reduce the deficit in the 76rd minute when Benteke finished with a diving header from close range, connecting with a cross from Matt Lowton.

The Belgian did have an opportunity to net his second goal of the match in the 88th minute, but he sent his header straight at Wojciech Szczesny as Arsenal held on for maximum points.

MIKE Jones will not referee in the Premier League this weekend.

The Chester official took charge of Sunday’s stormy clash between Newcastle and Manchester City, with a number of his decisions coming under scrutiny.

Newcastle’s Cheick Tiote had a goal ruled out on a contentious offside call, while many felt the home side’s Mapou

Yanga-Mbiwa should have been sent off for a crude challenge on City’s Samir Nasri.

There were other flashpoints during the game too, and in the latest list of referee appointments issued by the Premier League, Jones is only named as the fourth official at Saturday’s game between Sunderland and Southampton.

Ref Jones Stood Down After Newcastle-Man City Game

Referee Mike Jones

Australian Open... Australian Open... Australian Open...

Isner Throws In Towel In Melbourne, Isonga Through THE Australian Open ended early for John Isner after the American number one retired from his match against Martin Klizan.

The big-serving 13th seed, better of Italian Filippo who had been struggling with Volandri in straight sets. an ankle problem, gamely Tsonga, who lost to Roger played on for 82 minutes Federer at the quarter-final before throwing in the towel stage last year, overcame while trailing 6-2 7-6(6) in his Volandri 7-5 6-3 6-3 courtesy first round contest. of five breaks of serve.

It was not just the players He will now face Thomaz who were struggling with the Bellucci, who progressed after intense heat in Melbourne as a ballboy on court eight required Julien Reister retired.

World number five Juan medical treatment after fainting Martin del Potro advanced to during Milos Raonic’s 7-6(2) the second round with a 6-7 6-1 4-6 6-2 victory over Daniel 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Gimeno-Traver.

American qualifier Rhyne Jo-Wilfried Tsonga fired Williams in stifling heat. down 15 aces as he got the

Azarenka Overcomes Slow Start And Heat In Melbourne VICTORIA Azarenka made a stuttering start to her bid for a third straight Australian Open title when she was kept out in the Melbourne heat for 106 minutes

by Johanna Larsson before sealing her place in the second round.

Organisers tried to mitigate temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius by providing towels packed with ice, hundreds of bottles of water and an extra 10-minute break between the second and third sets for the women’s matches.

Azarenka had no need of the extra 10-minute break after wrapping up her match 7-6(2) 62 despite having her service broken three times in the opening stanza of an absorbing contest and twice facing the Swede serving for the first set.

“First matches can be tricky and the weather is not really helping,” the Belarusian said on court after her win set up a meeting with Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, after the Czech beat Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei 6-1 4-6 61.

“But was really glad to win that first set, it was really important and then I played better in the second.”

Meanwhile, Slovenia’s Polona Hercog retired with a shoulder injury after just six points of her first round contest against France’s Alize Cornet on court six.

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki lost her serve early in the second set but swept into the second round with a 6-0 6-2 victory over Spain’s Lourdes Dominguez Lino.

“Was this before the heat? Jeez it was hot out there, felt like I was playing in a sauna or something,” the Danish 10th seed said after her 67-minute contest.

“I was just trying to take the ice-towel as much as I could.”

Romanian 11th seed Simona Halep, who last year won six titles and was named most improved player on the women’s tour, took 54 minutes to beat Katarzyna Piter 6-0 6-1 in the first match on Margaret Court Arena.

The towering Argentine, who won the 2009 US Open, is a dark horse to win his second Grand Slam title having enjoyed encouraging form in the lead-up to Melbourne with victory in the Sydney International warm-up event.

The 22-year-old Williams, ranked 130 in the world, had other ideas as he matched Del Potro’s firepower in a tense first set and closed it out when the fifth seed stumbled in an error-strewn tiebreak.

Del Potro steadied in the second set and cruised to victory in just over three hours to set up a clash with Spain’s 62nd ranked Roberto Bautista Agut.

“I tried to focus for the match in the worst conditions to play,” Del Potro said in a courtside interview. “Really, really hot but the crowd kept me going.

“Hopefully the weather will be better on Thursday.”

Del Potro is unlikely to get his wish, however, with the temperatures forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius for the next three days until a cool change on the weekend.

Asian number one Kei Nishikori endured a gruelling five-set marathon in the

Melbourne heat before taking his place in the second round with a 6-3 5-7 6-2 4-6 6-2 win over Marinko Matosevic.

The 16th seeded Japanese got the better of his Australian opponent after three hours, 40 minutes in the full glare of the sun on court two, sealing the victory when an exhausted Matosevic slapped a backhand into the net.

“Nish! Nish! Nish!” chanted the large Japanese contingent in

the crowd, who had more than held their own against the vocal locals, particularly as the tiring players slugged it out in a deuce-heavy final set.

Nishikori, watched by new coach and former French Open champion Michael Chang, next meets Serbian Dusan Lajovic as he bids to match, or even better, his run to the quarterfinals at the “Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific” in 2012.

Men’s number 21 seed

Philipp Kohlschreiber withdrew from the tournament with a recurrence of a left hamstring problem before his match against Aljaz Bedene, who was instead defeated 76(3) 6-3 6-0 by French lucky loser Stephane Robert.

Three of the “Big Four” of men’s tennis also get their campaigns underway on Tuesday with Roger Federer having braved the daytime heat against local wildcard James Duckworth and Andy Murray to come. World number one Rafa Nadal faces Bernard Tomic in the relative cool of the evening.

John Isner

Murray Shakes Off Rust With Dominant Win

ANDY Murray marked his return to Grand Slam tennis with a dominant 6-1 6-1 6-3 win over Japan’s Go Soeda to reach the second round of the Australian Open.

The Briton headed into the

clash having played just two competitive matches since back surgery in September and said it would take him time to hit top form.

But fourth seed Murray had little trouble getting back into the groove against the unseeded Japanese, roaring to victory in 87 minutes in stifling heat at the Hisense Arena despite the lack of

match practice.

Murray will next play the winner of France’s Vincent Millot or another qualifier in American Wayne Odesnik.

“This is a tournament I’ve come close at a few times so I’m more confident than I was a few years ago, but I’m lacking match practice,” admitted Murray, a losing

WORLD number five Juan Martin del Potro advanced to the second round of the Australian Open with a 6-7 63 6-4 6-4 win over American qualifier Rhyne Williams in stifling heat on Tuesday.

The towering Argentine, who won the 2009 U.S. Open, is a dark horse to win his second grand slam title having enjoyed encouraging form in the leadup to Melbourne with victory in the Sydney International warmup event.

The 22-year-old Williams, ranked 130 in the world, had

other ideas as he matched Del Potro’s firepower in a tense first set and closed it out when the fifth seed stumbled in an error-strewn tiebreak.

Del Potro steadied in the second set and cruised to victory in just over three hours to set up a clash with Spain’s 62nd ranked Roberto Bautista Agut.

The extreme heat at Melbourne Park on Tuesday caused a ball-boy and men’s player Frank Dancevic to collapse during his first round loss, and the Canadian later

finalist in 2010, 2011 and 2013.

“I’m desperate to try to win here. I’ve had a lot of near misses and played some of the best tennis of my career here.

“The air is so hot. There are a lot of players struggling, but I’m happy to get it over with quickly.

“I was training over in Miami for five weeks to get ready for this but you can’t prepare yourself for this.”

Del Potro Wins In ‘Worst Conditions’

Victoria Azarenka

slammed organisers as ‘inhumane’ for not suspending play.

“I tried to focus for the match in the worst conditions to play,” Del Potro said in a courtside interview. “Really, really hot but the crowd kept me going.

“Hopefully the weather will be better on Thursday.”

Del Potro is unlikely to get his wish, however, with the temperatures forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius (108 Fahrenheit) for the next three days until a cool change on the weekend.

Jean Michel Aulas Cristiano Ronaldo (L) Cristiano Ronaldo

Spain Reacts To Ronaldo’s Coronation

PORTUGAL manager Paulo Bento believed “justice was also finding room on its cover done” when Cristiano Ronaldo was named the best player in for Messi vowing to return the World on Monday.

Jose Samano picked up on how stronger in 2014.

Sport was slightly more There was plenty of pride — Ronaldo’s moment of triumph partisan, claiming ‘This time and just a hint of smugness — — with his three-year-old son the best has not won’ on its in the Madrid media on accompanying him on the front page.

Tuesday morning as Cristiano podium and his mother crying The general feeling around Ronaldo’s 2013 Ballon d’Or proudly in her seat — had Catalonia, however, seemed served to humanise a player to be that this year Ronaldo victory was celebrated.

Marca’s front cover pictured who for years was seen as had deserved the recognition, the Portuguese wiping away a egotistical and unfeeling. with Mundo Deportivo’s “With his son in tow, online poll on Tuesday tear, with the headline ‘Lloro’ — a pun on the words ‘cried’ Cristiano left in Zurich an morning showing a clear image to remember, the poster and ‘golden’. of an emotional hero, a mortal majority agreeing with the AS went with ‘The Best divinity,” Samano wrote. “Bit result.

Won’ on its cover, with a photo by bit, Cristiano has left behind of Ronaldo holding the trophy the image of a capricious showand Madrid’s seven winners off. We now see a superstar FIFA Ballon d’Or winner through history in a strip down footballer who is more and Cristiano Ronaldo must more commendable, a person the side of the page. who is more and more continue to maintain his Inside AS editor Alfredo substantial.” exceptional high standards in Relano wrote that Ronaldo had The Catalan press was less order to be classed among the deserved to take the prize delighted at the result, with sport’s legends, according to ahead of fellow finalists Lionel Mundo Deportivo maintaining Brazil great Pele who compared some objectivity by leading the Portuguese to Eusebio.

Messi and Franck Ribery.

Portugal and Real Madrid “Cristiano Ronaldo won the with ‘Cristiano Wins’, while 2013 Ballon d’Or, and it was Ronaldo Shows Respect fully justified,” Relano wrote.

To Madiba And Eusebio “…This has been a bad year for Messi, while Cristiano has CRISTIANO Ronaldo paid because my mother and my maintained his insistence on tribute to Nelson Mandela and son (who joined him on excellence. Ribery, ‘the best of Eusebio after he won the 2013 stage) are here.” the rest’ was just third. Which Ballon d’Or award at a Mandela, a global icon and ceremony in Zurich on South is already a lot.

Africa’s first “But even more was Monday. democratically elected The Portugal captain won Cristiano, who yesterday was president, passed away at the Fifa’s top individual playing sincerely emotional on prize for a second time with age of 95 on December 5 last receiving the prize he had 27.99% of the votes, beating year.

Eusebio, a Mozambiqueworried so much about, after former holder Lionel Messi and born Portugal footballing suffering for so many years.”

Frenchman Franck Ribery.

Marca took the chance to “I want to thank all those who legend, died on January 5 at poke fun at Messi — and his had faith in me and I want to the age of 71.

Ronaldo also said: “I’m fashion sense — in a blog on speak again about Eusebio and their website which hoovered Madiba and to pay tribute to delighted, I want to thank all up the best and worst of the them one last time,” Ronaldo my team-mates, all my said. family in the room. Those twitter reaction to the “Each time is different. But I who know me know how ceremony. would say that this second More seriously, El Pais writer Ballon d’Or is more emotional, many sacrifices I made to win this reward.”

Leo Messi

Work To Do For Ronaldo To Become Legend, Says Pele forward Ronaldo beat Argentine’s Lionel Messi and France’s Franck Ribery to claim the prestigious award for the second time on Monday.

“To me the last true great was (France playmaker Zinedine) Zidane. He stayed at the same very high level for at least 10 years,” Pele, who was awarded a honorary Ballon d’Or, told France Football magazine on Tuesday.

Ronaldo is on the right path,

though, and reminded the threetimes World Cup winner of former Portugal striker Eusebio, the top scorer at the 1966 World Cup, who died earlier this month at the age of 71.

“Today Messi and Ronaldo are above the rest. Ronaldo reminds me a bit of Eusebio, he is well bred. He has the elegance and the creativity of the great players,” Pele said.

Winning the World Cup used to have greater significance in the

LIONEL Messi has congratulated his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo on winning the 2013 Ballon d’Or. Messi had won the previous four awards but finished runnerup to the Portuguese in the latest balloting, with Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery in third.

Asked in the post-ceremony mixed zone about losing out to Ronaldo, Messi was magnanimous and said he understood why Ronaldo cried upon receiving the trophy.

“It is a normal emotion at a

time of excitement,” Messi said.

“I want to congratulate Cristiano because he was the deserved winner.”

When asked why he felt he did not win this year, Messi was reluctant to say.

“I have nothing to say about that. I think it was a good year for all three of us so I have nothing to complain about and no need to make excuses.

“I don’t know if it would have been different without the injuries. It’s true I didn’t get right

voting for the Ballon d’Or but the success of Ronaldo and Messi, who won the award from 200912, proved that was no longer true, according to the Brazilian.

“It is perhaps less important than it used to be when I was playing,” Pele of the showpiece tournament that the duo will look to win for the first time later this year.

“I’m not saying it is not essential to win the World Cup but the Champions League now has the same considerable impact celebrity-wise.”

Messi Hails Ronaldo

until the semi-finals of the Champions League and this year I got injured at the beginning of the season.

“But that has nothing to do with this. Cristiano merits the win.”

Messi added that he hoped now to put a hard year behind him and concentrate on a better 12 months to come.

“It was a difficult year, not just for injuries but for things that were said about me and my family.

“Hopefully I can enjoy football in 2014.”

NNL Says Unfair Officiating Dampens Fans’ Interest In League THE Nigeria National League (NNL) on Monday identified unfair officiating as part of the problems hampering fans’ interest in watching the league matches. league would be resolved within The Chairman of the league, 24 hours to avert more damage.

Chief Emeka Inyama, disclosed “The national league board has this in an interview with the taking the decision to resolve any News Agency of Nigeria incident within 24 hours to avert (NAN) in Abuja. further damage, applying the rules He said that security and regulations of the game. challenge and the fear of the Inyama said that they were fully unknown also stopped club prepared to kick off the league on supporters from coming out in Jan. 25, stating that the officials large number to watch the match ball approved by FIFA was league. available in the office.

The league chairman said that He said that the use of the unfair officiating on the part of branded balls was to strengthen the the Nigerian referees and image of the league, stressing that indiscipline portrayed by the all clubs must have a minimum of players were part of the 10 branded balls or be penalised. problems.

The league chairman said that He said that if the issue of the league was considering the unfair officiating was solved, increase of match official’s most of the problems of indemnity to avoid them from hooliganism during matches being corrupted by the clubs. would be resolved.

“We hope to increase the “ The truth of the matter is indemnity of match officials and that, if we are able to remove we in the league are looking at it unfair officiating in the league, seriously. we would have solved the “Because if you give a little bit problem of hooliganism by 90 of something that is enough to per cent. cover their transportation, it will “ The reason why the league is going down is because of the security challenge, unfair officiating, and indiscipline on THE 2013/14 Nigeria league the part of the players.

“Somebody cannot pay to season will kick off on February watch a match and get to the 23, the League Management pitch seeing a player beating up Company has announced.

“We will commence the new a referee and nothing is being done, that will be a kill-joy, “ season by the weekend of February 23-25,” announced Inyama said.

He said that the league chairman of the LMC, Nduka management board had decided Irabor after a meeting with the 20 that matters arising during the clubs in Abuja on Monday.

reduce the tendency of the match officials to be corrupted by the clubs,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the NNL 2013/2014 league season will end on July. 26.

Alhaji Aminu Maigari

...League Season Begins Feb 23 Last season ended in October, but the start of the new league campaign has been delayed by various vexed issues including a face-off between the LMC and the club managers.

Irabor also disclosed that the traditional pre-season tournament, the Super 4, will be played between January 24

Junior Tennis: Talents Abound At The Grassroots In Nigeria, Says Coach THE Nigeria National Tennis Coach, Ubale Mohammed on Monday said a lot of talents abound at the grassroots level in the country.

Mohammed disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said that the country had been doing very well in the game of tennis, especially at the grassroots level, adding that Nigeria had a very strong grassroots programme.

“The Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) has been in partnership with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) on a project known as the School Tennis Initiative.

“The partnership, which has since been on now is basically for children in primary schools and has yielded a lot of positive results in terms of the discovery of young talents,” he said.

He said that the decision for the country to host the qualifiers was a result of its positive contributions in terms of grassroots tennis.

Mohammed urged the government, individuals and corporate bodies to fund the grassroots programme for the purpose of continuity.

He noted that the country would be a force to be reckoned with if the nation’s young talents were properly harnessed.

In the round robin matches played on Monday, Nigeria’s Gabriel Friday defeated Vincent N’tcha in two straight sets 6-0, 63.

Daniel Joshua lost 3-6, 0-6 to Michael Osewa, all of Nigeria in the male U-12 category.

In the female U-14 category, Mattu Kamara of Sierra Leone lost 0-6, 6-1, 4-6 to Nigeria’s Charity Patrick.

Aichata Keita of Mali defeated Joyce Sunday 6-1, 7-5, while Barakat Quadri of Nigeria defeated Djeneba Diarra of Mali 6-1, 6-0.

In the male U-14 category, Peter Lawal of Nigeria beat Mali’s Bourama Kouma 6-1, 6-1, while Amadou Balde of Senegal lost 16, 0-6 to Abdoulaziz Bationo of Cote d’Ivoire.

Togo’s Daniel Goudjinou defeated Michael Ayoola of Nigeria 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, while Delmas N’tcha of Benin defeated Nigeria’s Chidera Anozie 6-3, 57, 4-6.

In the female U-16 category, Faith Sunday of Nigeria beat Marie Ange of Cote d’Ivoire 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 while, Zainab Oladimeji

and 28.

“We hope this tournament will help prepare our teams who will feature in international competitions this year,” he said.

Champions Kano Pillars and Enyimba will represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League, while Bayelsa United will feature in the CAF Confederation Cup. El Kanemi will be the fourth team for the Super 4 after they placed fourth last season.

U-17 World Cup:

Flamingoes Coach To Submit Provisional List To FIFA FLAMINGOES’ Coach, Bala Nikyu, on Monday said the provisional list of 30 players for the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be submitted to FIFA on January 31.

The U-17 female national team coach told newsmen in Abuja after the team’s morning training session that currently he had 35 players in camp.

The team resumed camping on Jan. 6 in preparation for the fourth edition of the U-17 Women’s World Cup. The tournament will hold in four Costa Rican cities from March 15 to April 4.

“Currently, we have 35 players in camp and we will be working with them until the end of the month when we will submit the provisional list to the football world governing body.

“So, after the submission, we will drop five of the players in camp who will remain on standby in case, God forbid, something terrible happens to one of the 30 picked.

“And anytime, there is need for any of them to come back, we will know who exactly to call in terms of their positions of play,’’ Nikyu said.

The Flamingoes coach said the players were responding well to training compared to last week when they were new in camp.

“The players are responding well to training now compared to last week that was used as the conditioning week.

“This week we intend to go into the game proper, not playing per say, but to ensure that the players understand each other.

“As a player, I should know what my team mate can do and what he cannot do and we will also start to teach them the tactical aspect of the game,’’ he said.

NAN also reports that the Flamingoes qualified automatically for the World Cup without kicking the ball after South Sudan withdrew from the African qualifiers.

The Flamingoes are drawn in Group D with Mexico, China and Colombia.

Uche Ik Equals Finidi’s La Liga Record IKECHUKWU Uche has equalled the 11-goal mark of Finidi George after his brace for Villarreal on Monday night.

Uche’s double helped his side beat Real Sociedad 5-1. He scored Villarreal’s second goal of the game in the 27th minute and completed his brace in the 55th minute to give his team 4-0 lead.

He thus becomes only the second Nigerian to score 11 goals in a single season in La liga after Finidi’s exploits in 1998/1999 season when playing for Real Betis.

Villarreal are now fifth on the league table with 34 points from 19 matches.

Uche has scored 18 goals in 44 games for Super Eagles and he is expected to be recalled for the World Cup in June.

Do Not Write Off CHAN Eagles

of Nigeria also defeated Habibatou Diallo of Mali 6-2, 6-0.

Also, Nigeria’s Elizabeth Pam beat Fortune Aniso also of Nigeria 6-0, 6-0, while, Astan Doumbia of Mali defeated Amandine kouadio 6-4, 7-5, 61.

In the male U-16 category, Dominique Gandonou of Benin defeated Bassie Kargbo of Sierra Leone 6-4, 6-3, while, Togo’s Antoine Gbadoe beat Godgift Timibra of Nigeria 63, 4-1 rtd.

THE President of the Nigerian Union in Western Cape, South Africa, Azu Okparaugo, said the Super Eagles should not be written off in the ongoing CHAN tournament.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Cape Town on Monday that in spite losing 1-2 to Mali in the opening match, the Eagles had the potential to come back to reckoning in the tournament.

was excited with his new challenge at Russian club Amkar Perm.

The combative midfielder sealed a four and half year deal with the Russia Premier league side after he completed a medical on Monday evening.

The former Valerenga of Norway player said that he is thrilled with the deal and looks forward to achieving greatness with the team.

“I have signed a deal with Amkar. I signed a four and half year deal. I am happy with this and I will do my best for the

team. I can’t wait to get down to business here. I have been assigned jersey number 87,” Ogude told MTNFootball.com “I will be travelling with my team to Turkey Tuesday for Preparation for the resumption of the league.”

It is believed this switch will now revive his flagging hopes of getting on the flight to Brazil 2014 with African champions Nigeria after he has been overlooked since the 2013 AFCON. Amkar Perm are seventh on the Russia league table with 30 points from 19 matches.

Russia Move Excites NIGERIA international Ogude Fegor Ogude has said that he

- Okparaugo

Okparaugo said Nigerians in South Africa had the confidence that the Eagles could bounce back to winning ways.

“The truth is that we trust Stephen Keshi and his team. We have a high regard and we believe in him. I know, yes they made a mistake, but, we are not writing them off.

“They are still our team. The Super Eagles have that history of coming back and coming back doing better and they proved it in AFCON last time.

“So, yes, we believe in them and we will not fail to support them. We will continue to support them, even better in the next match.

“And we believe they will do better. That they lost this first match does not mean that we will write them off. No, we trust them.

“The only thing now is that they have their work cut out for them. They need to work twice as hard to prove themselves.

“But the community in Cape Town will not relent in the support we give to them’’.

Okparaugo said Nigerians in

Cape Town expected the Eagles to win the match against Mali as the boys had the requisite experience but might have had a lot of things that counted against them.

“It’s a learning call for them, it’s a bad start, the entire community was disappointed because of the fact that the loss put a lot of pressure on the team’’.

Okparaugo said Nigerians in South Africa were expecting a lot from the team in their next match.

Daniel Amokachi