Nigerian observer 18 09 2013

THE NIGERIAN

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol. 38 NO. 313 •WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 20 13 . N100.00 ISSUES

Pages 13-14 Nigeria Movie Industry and her struggles

FG approves N6bn for technical colleges’ rehabilitation ABUJA - The Federal Government has approved N6 billion for the rehabilitation of technical colleges, the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said.

Wike disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the opening of the two-day Africa Regional Forum on Advancing Technical and

Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

The minister further said: “To further support the development of

TVET, the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF) has been approved by the

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Assault saga in NASS Over PDP Crisis

NATURAL MEDICINE Page 19

Healing properties of Bitter leaf

... as Rep brandishes shoes

By JOSES SEDE

ABUJA - A prelude to possible hostilities in days ahead at the National Assembly from crisis in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party played out yesterday, as one of the opposing members pulled his shoes in apparent threat to attack what was intended to be a smooth presentation of grievances to Speaker Aminu Tambuwal by the Abubakar Baraje faction.

Signs that Alhaji the Bamanga Reps Bamanga Tukur chanted non stop: “PDP! supporters among the Bamanga!”; “na Bamanga PDP Reps were resolved we know!”, resulting in to challenge the Baraje fisticuffs where the PDP group at any given time parallel National Women and place were first Leader, Binta Garba noticed as they shouted Lawal (herself a former down the Speaker for Reps member) ripped announcing the open a Rep’s babaringa impending visit of the for a challenger.

Baraje group.

An aggrieved PDP law At the House of Reps maker immediately pulled Conference Room where off one of his shoes and the reception took place, dashed towards Baraje

. I ’ll stand for justice - Mark

apparently to hit him for referring to Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as “former PDP national Chairman”, but was checkmated. This in turn gave birth to free for all.

Alhaji Baraje simply

managed to read his address to the Speaker amidst the drowning commotion to the bewilderment of journalists who could not record his voice.

Meanwhile, Senate President David Mark has

cautioned the Baraje-led PDP group to allow peace to rain, stressing that no matter what, he stood for justice fairness and equity.

Responding to the Alhaji Kawu Baraje led

faction of the party who visited him at the National Assembly over the unabating impasse, Senator Mark urged the warring groups to come together and uphold a

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ASUU tongue-lashes Anglican Primate

By ABIODUN AFOLABI IBADAN -The Academic Staff of Union of Universities (ASUU) yersterday tonguelashed the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, over his call for the disbandment of the national body of the union .

In a release issued and signed by the Chairman of the University of Ibadan Chapter of the union, Dr Olusegun Ajiboye titled ‘Primate Okoh Goofed’ the Union described the call by the cleric as not only “ungodly and but also unholy” by someone of his calibre ASUU which expressed surprise at the compromising comment credited to the Anglican Bishop , deposed that such utterances was least

expected from ‘a religious leader who is supposed to integrate warring factions and not aggravate conflict’ According to Dr Ajiboye, from his comment over our struggle , Primate Okoh had in fact demonstrated the greatest ignorance about the numerous achievements recorded by the academic union .

Said he: “Nigeria universities would have totally collapsed if not for the constant agitation of our great union and to have such a comment from Bishop Okoh , it shows that he {Okoh} had demonstrated the

greatest ignorance about the numerous achievements recorded by the academic union in recent years .”

Primate Okoh spoke last Thursday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, during the Standing Committee Meeting of the Bishops Conference of the church.

BENIN CITY – The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Raymond

Dokpesi Centre for Media Development, Otunba Dr. Paul

Akintelure has commended Governor Adams Oshiomhole for

of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, in Abuja yesterday decried the

low implementation level of the 2013 capital budget.

Tambuwal, who made the remark in an address of welcome to members

from the seven-week recess, said that the budget implementation still remained a sore point of governance in

2013 capital appropriation is below expectation given the

SEND-FORTH: L-R: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, HRH Dekhe Kanoba (Eghiegbai of Ekperi), Chairman, Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Mallam Abdul Fatai Enabulele, the Chief Imam, Benin Central Mosque and Amiru Hajj during the send-forth of the state Muslim Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, at Government House, Benin City, yesterday.

Development of Edo

Dokpesi centre eulogises Oshiomhole

Continues on page 2

By ADAMS OYIBOKE/ OYENMWEN OMOROGBE

Tambuwal decries low budget the country.

ABUJA The “The level of implementation Speaker of the House implementation of the

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the giant strides in the development of Edo State.

He gave the commendation when members of the board of the centre visited the governor in Government House, Benin City yesterday.

The chairman said the centre was formed to promote media practice

in Nigeria, maintaining that the centre also promotes issues of unity, peace and national development in Nigeria.

According to Akintelure, “You came in as governor of the state in a period of apprehension. A period when development was at a stand still”, saying that O s h i o m h o l e ’ s achievements speak volume.

Continues on page 2

THE NIGERIAN

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

News

FG approves N6bn for technical colleges’ rehabilitation

Continued from page 1

Federal Executive Council.

“National Occupations Standards are being developed in a number of industrial areas including manufacturing, construction, ICT, hotel and hospitality and Agriculture, ’’ he said.

The minister said government was aware of the importance of education, especially human capital development, to the long-term development of the country.

He also said education was a critical component in achieving the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“In order to ensure the actualisation of the education component of the Transformation Agenda, we developed the four-year Strategic Plan for the Development of the Education Sector: 2011-2015.

“In recognition of the importance of TVET to skills development, it is one of the critical parts of the Strategic Plan.

“The others are strengthening the Institutional Management of Education, Access and Equity; Standard & Quality Assurance; Teacher Education & Development; and Funding, Partnerships, Resource Mobilisation and Utilisation,’’ he said.

According to him, the conference is coming at a time when government is making efforts aimed at repositioning the country’s economy through human capital development.

“In addressing skills development through TVET, we must recognise the importance of continuously gathering and sharing ideas so as to enhance success.

“Without the necessary manpower, we shall fall victim of a situation where organisations seek manpower outside of our shores simply because we have not developed our local human resources.

“This will then continue to

leave us with the problem of unemployment and economic stagnation,’’ he said.

Wike said Africa, being the next economic frontier because of its huge reserve of natural resources and potentials, had become an investor ’s destination of choice.

He said the development of TVET for skilled manpower to support the production facilities of business organisations was therefore necessary.

The minister said that without the necessary manpower, Africa would continue to fall victim of a situation where organisations seek manpower outside of its shores because it had not developed local human resources.

“This will then continue to leave us with the problem of unemployment and economic stagnation. “ Creating employment for our youths and ensuring

sustainable development must be a priority for all our societies,’’ he added.

Wike urged stakeholders at the forum to ensure that the objectives of the conference such as facilitating sharing of expert knowledge and showcasing skills development strategies were achieved.

In an address of welcome, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr Masa’ud Kazaure, said the collaboration between Nigeria and other bodies had opened doors for international linkages.

Kazaure said NBTE on its part would continue to seek for the strengthening of policies aimed at revitalisation of TVET. He commended the Federal Government for upgrading TVET Centre of Excellence to Category II at the UNESCO World Centre.

The conference, which was organised in collaboration with UNESCO, had 16 African countries in attendance.

does not represent the opinions of the responsible men and women in the Anglican Communion who believe that Nigerian youths deserve the best education like all other youths around the globe. It is laughable that while the Bishops of the Catholic Church are calling for a truce and trying to mediate in the ongoing crisis, Okoh is dancing naked in Otuoke to please his benefactor , the President.”

Dr Ajiboye said people like Primate Okoh are encouraging corruption in Nigeria , saying “only a

callous person will advocate the privatization of public universities when the private universities run by churches are attended only by children of the rich while the poor majority in the church struggle for public universities.”

“What is more immoral than a university owned by most churches lying that they have lecturers they don’t have to get NUC accreditation? ASUU agreement is not immoral and we are determined to get this agreement implemented.

People like Primate Okoh are anti-masses and we don’t want them around us” the ASUU leader said.

ASUU tongue-lashes Anglican Primate

Continued from page 1

Okoh, advised that “The government should find a way either to privatise the universities or get ASUU to be limited to individual universities such that there will be no national ASUU body mandating even institutions without grievances to go on strike.”

The Anglican Bishop went on by saying that “There is no such body anywhere in the world. Challenges facing any institution should be treated locally without involving others. “ He alleged that “While the ASUU strike lasts, university lecturers are busy teaching in private universities (most of which lack lecturers) and earning money and when the strike is over, they will still be paid for the period of the strike.

“This is highly immoral and must be discouraged.”

But the ASUU leader who could not hide his feelings over the comment by Okoh , Dr Ajiboye maintained that “ the Primate has demonstrated the greatest ignorance about the Union and the numerous achievements the union has recorded in repositioning Nigeria universities in the past.

“

“ As a revered man of God it is expected that he {Okoh} should guard his mouth and not to allow his mouth to run diarrhea on issues as important as education that concerns the teeming youths of our country. Primate Okoh should stop playing politics with ASUU. He should face squarely the work of his ministry and get busy with it.

If he cannot be part of the solution to the logjam created by the Nigerian government in the education sector.”

He opined that “ We are sure that the statement credited to Okoh is his personal view that

Tambuwal decries low budget implementation

Continued from page 1

early submission by the Executive and early passage by the Legislature.

“We have consistently advised that the procurement process be employed in a value added manner rather than the adherence to an unproductive worship of procedures,” he said.

Tambuwal said that in spite of the early passage of the budget by the National Assembly, not

much progress had been made in that regard.

“So far by the information and statistics at our disposal, there is no justification for this state of affairs,’’ he said.

The speaker said that based on the poor state of implementation of the budget, all committees of the House would proceed on oversight to all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

“However, in order to be

... as Rep brandishes shoes

Continued from page 1

strong and united party.

“Even if you have a knife in my head, I will stand for justices, fairness and equity, Senate President, Senator David Mark told warring factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja today”, Senator Mark stressed.

He further told the visitors that he will remain in the PDP and would not live to see a fallen Party just as he pleaded with party faithful that what ever happens they must not abandon the ship.

“We are stronger and better as one big, strong and united party. We need to work together and make our democracy sustainable,” Senator Mark told his guests.

In finding solution to the crisis rocking the ruling party, he counseled the opposing groups to lay the cards on the table honestly and objectively.

He added that the law makers elected on the platform of the party will remain united and cohesive saying that what makes for the good of the nation and her citizens would be their watch word.

To this end, he maintained that the leadership of the National Assembly has no intention to declare any seat of the senators or House of Representative members vacant on account of the crisis hoping that the issues would be resolved amicably soon.

Earlier Barage demanded among other things, recall of

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State from suspension as well as his recognition as the elected chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

The group also demanded the reversal of the dissolution of the Party Executives in Rivers and Adamawa states, removal of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as National Chairman of the party, strict adherence to party constitution and total objection to third term from the back door.

The G-7 governors includes Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Ahmed Fatai of Kwara , Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso of Kano and Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto state.

comprehensively guided, all the committees of the House will proceed on one-week of oversight to the MDAs. He said that report generated from the oversight would be collated by the committees on Legislative Budget and Research, and Legislative Compliance.

According to him, the committee will submit a joint report to the plenary for consideration.

The report would guide the House in the consideration of the 2014 budget proposals being expected in October from the executive.

He cautioned members of the House to exercise some restraints to avoid distraction as the 2015 general elections were approaching.

“I wish the members will exercise the highest restraint to the obvious distractions that the approaching 2015 is bound to bring.

“This has become necessary so that we do not lose our focus in the diligent pursuit of our mandate.

“The proper timing for 2015 will surely come and at that time, we shall do the needful,” he said.

He said that the ongoing crisis in the ruling PDP had further confirmed the weak internal party democracy in political parties in the country.

BNCL assures NYSC of publicity

By OPEYEMI OLUGBEMIRO/GEORGE OGBOLU/SUCCESS OSAYI

BENIN CITY – The General Manager, Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), publishers of The OBSERVER titles, Pastor Monday Aigbe has assured the State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. Lanre Ologun of support and partnership with the NYSC. He gave this assurance when the state coordinator led other officials of the corps on a visit to the management of BNCL. Welcoming the new state co-ordinator, Pastor Aigbe promised full fledged support of BNCL to the scheme, including publicity of its activities and programmes.

He disclosed that corp members posted to the

company have been good ambassadors of the NYSC, saying that the NYSC’s Ajuwaya Page edited by corp members would be revived by next week.

Mr. Ologun, on his part, said the visit was to familiarize himself with the BNCL as part of the organizations that have been of immeasurable support to the NYSC Scheme in the state.

He said there have been good reports from corp members posted to serve in the company, but added that since the NYSC policy restrictions on posting of corps members to certain areas has been reversed, more corp members will be posted to the company.

He therefore sued for continued support and cooperation of BNCL Management in giving publicity to NYSC activities.

Bill for Drivers’ Institute Scales First reading

By WINIFRED OSASOB O

BENIN CITY – Edo State House of Assembly yesterday gave first reading to the Bill for a law to provide for the State Driver’s Institute.

Speaker at the House, Hon. Uyi Igbe directed the

House Standing Committee on Rules and Business to slate the bill for second reading at a later date.

Also yesterday, the House acknowledged the receipt of two separate petitions which would be considered at a later date.

PDP has no candidate for Anambra Guber Poll - INEC

By SUCCESS OSAYI BARELY 60 days to the November 16, 2013 Governorship election in Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is yet to recognize any person as candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, disclosed this in an early morning discussion programme on Channels Television monitored in Benin

City yesterday.

According to him, “the party has to sort itself out with the nomination and when that is done, the commission will look at the nominee”, he said.

“The (nomination) process is not yet concluded and it is the believe of INEC that the party will sort itself out.

Sparking on INEC’s level of preparation, he stated that the commission is ready for the election.

“INEC is prepared and people can be assured that the election we will conduct will be the best so far”, he stated.

Dokpesi centre eulogises Oshiomhole Dokpesi Centre for Media Continued from page 1

The environment was deplorable, schools were in shambles and our hospitals reduced to mere consulting rooms.

“You came into government when it was a myth to construct one kilometer road, Edo people will remain very grateful to you for your landslide development”, he maintained.

Expressing concern on the present security challenges in the country, Akintelure called for more vigilance and reorientation of the Nigerian minds.

He said a book published by

Development titled “The Man, Raymond Dokpesi” is to be distributed to all libraries in public schools across the state.

According to him, “The book will inspire the youths to build confidence in their God given talents and inspire them to embrace challenges, rather than lamentation”.

Responding, Comrade Oshiomhole congratulated members of the Board of Trustees, of the center for their numerous activities and promised to attend the Centres Annual Lecture Series, slated for October this year.

THE NIGERIAN

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

News Ibos: APC Proved World Wrong

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan; Gov Liyel Imoke of Cross River; Gov Aliyu Babangida of Niger; Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Gov Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers; Gov Rabi’U Musa Kwankwaso of Kano after a meeting with President Jonathan at the Presidential villa Abuja recently.

Community Tasks PPMC On Road Maintenance

By MORRISON HAYBLE

AUCHI (EDO) Authorities of the Petroleum Product Marketing Company, PPMC have been entreated to take necessary steps to address the deplorable condition of the old Auchi - Aviele road leading to the oil company via the Polytechnic Campus II as a means of complimenting government effort.

In an open letter to the

Otairu of Auchi and made available to newsmen, in Auchi an indigene of the community and advocate of equal right and justice, comrade Ifijen Francis lamented that the authorities of the PPMC had not deemed it expedient to compliment government effort in this regard.

While urging the Royal father to use his good office to bring all stake holders together with a view to urgently tackling the challenge, Comrade Ifijen

Man Remanded In Prison For Beating Wife To Death AUCHI (EDO)-An Auchi Magistrates’ Court in Edo has remanded a 25-year-old man, Muniru Momodu, in prison custody for allegedly clubbing his wife to death.

Momodu, whose plea was not taken is being tried for battering and killing his wife, Mohatu.

The Magistrate, Mrs. C.A. Nwoha, said the accused should be kept behind bars pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The prosecutor, Sgt. Braimoh Abu, told the court that the accused had on June 21 fatally

injured his spouse by beating her with a hard wood.

“The wife died instantly as a result of the beating she received from the accused.’’

Abu said the accused committed the offence at Iyokhuazo, Agbede in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo. The offence, he noted, contravened Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Laws of the defunct Bendel State 1976 as applicable in Edo State.

The accused, if found guilty, may be sentenced to death.

The case was adjourned

observed that round table meetings with cooperate bodies elsewhere had yielded development for the host communities but regretted that the case of Auchi was different even when similar organizations were operating there.

Comrade Ifijen noted that no feasible project in the community had been put in place by any of the corporate establishment, pointing out that they could also do well to compliment the current moves by the various governments and world bodies in tackling the environmental challenges confronting Auchi community and its environs.

ENUGU- Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has said that the endorsement of Senator Chris Ngige as the APC consensus candidate for the Anambra gubernatorial election was to prove the world wrong about the Ibos.

Speaking with journalists after inspecting ongoing work at the Centre of Unity, Emene in Enugu, Okorocha lamented that the Ibos for many years had been known to be disorganised politically.

The governor, who was accompanied by Senator Ngige, Sen. Annie Okonkwo and other APC chieftains, said the endorsement had proved that the Ibos could agree and speak with one voice.

“We are now a new generation of Ndigbo, trying to chart a new course and sing a new song.

“We now reason together

and APC has provided the platform to sing the new song.

“What happened between Senator Annie Okonkwo and his brother Ngige is simply what we can describe as sacrifice at the highest level.

“One of them decided to lead the campaign of the other, in spite of the fact that the two of them are frontrunners in our election as APC aspirants,’’ he said.

Okorocha said the leadership of the party was able to resolve the matter and the aspirants agreed.

“Our generation cannot be considered as a generation of failure. If leaders in the past have not made it, we will make it.

“That is the spirit with which the Igbo are going into the next election and the next programme of politics in Nigeria,” Okorocha said.

-Okorocha Also speaking, Okonkwo said the party and its members were committed to making changes in the polity.

Okonkwo noted that he was supporting Ngige to drive the change in the stat, saying: “God has chosen him and I give him my full support.”

Reacting to the endorsement, the Organising Secretary of APC, Mr Osita Izunaso, said the sale of forms was still open until Aug. 26 for intending aspirants.

He said the party’s primaries would still hold on Sept. 2 to respect internal democracy.

“When people have agreed to step down for one another, you still have to go ahead to consolidate it in line with internal democracy structure of the party.

Edo State Co-ordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Olarewaju Ologun (left) presenting copies of publications on activities of NYSC to the General Manager, Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, Publishers of the Observer titles, Pastor Monday Aigbe during a courtesy visit to the company yesterday. PHOTO: LUCKY AGIE

NOA Wants Abuse Of National Symbols Criminalised

ABUJA- The National Orientation Agency (NOA) said it was working with the National Assembly to make a law that would make the abuse of national symbols a crime.

The Director-General of the agency, Mr Mike Omeri, made the statement at a oneday Patriots’ Assembly to commemorate the second edition of the National Symbols Day in Abuja.

He said that NOA was seeking the amendment of the Ordinance Act to ensure that anyone caught defacing the national symbols or handling them without respect was punished.

Omeri said the positive

values embodied by the national symbols could evoke certain attitudes and emotions toward the nation.

“We believe that our national core values, as enumerated in Section 2, Subsection 23 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria are expressed in our national symbols.

“And this should further find practical expression in the manifestation of those values by Nigerians through the inspiration they draw from our national symbols,” he said.

Dr Alex Ekwueme, a former Vice-President of Nigeria,

said disrespect for national symbols was part of the decline in national values.

He said that policies and projects undertaken by a country were influenced by country national symbols.

“A country’s national symbols, her policies and some landmark development she undertook were interwoven.

“National symbols are cautiously chosen to serve some good purpose in an individual in particular and the society in general,” he said.

Also, the Director-General of National Identity

Management Commission (NIMC), said the commission would support any move by the agency to make Nigerians respect the national symbols.

He said that if Nigeria could embrace the concept of doing the right thing, it would transform the country.

The Federal Government had approved September 16 as “National Symbols Day”.

President Goodluck Jonathan had requested NOA to implement programmes and activities that would encourage Nigerians to treat the national symbols with respect.

THE NIGERIAN

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

News

Residents Decry Epileptic Power Supply

By EMMANUEL EGOBIMABU

UBULU-UKU (DELTA STATE) – Residents of UbuluUku, Aniocha South, Local

Government Area of Delta State, have decried the power outage in the area, saying it has lasted over six months.

The residents said that

commercial activities have been brought to its kneels with most of them relying on power generating plants to meet their electrical needs.

A hairdresser/beauty saloon owner, Mrs. Udo Ikem said the situation is taking its toll on her business.

She explained that she

spends the profit from her business to fuel her power generator, thereby making the business less lucrative.

Another resident, who gave his name as Cyril, stated that people now resort to traveling to neighbouring towns to do some of their business.

He noted that this scenario is most visible with the computer/business centers, who charge customers exxhorbitantly prices due to high cost of running their businesses.

Cyril explained that most residents have taken advantage

of the situation by opening business centres where phones are charged, and paid for.

A welder, Abuna equally said that the money he spends fueling his generator could have been ploughed back to his business.

He therefore called on the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to restore power supply to the area so as to check the lull in commercial activities in the area.

Attempt to get across to officials of PHCN, did not materialize as their office was under lock and key.

Alenkhe To Be Honoured As Peace Ambassador

President Goodluck Jonathan (right) presenting a souvenir to the out going Ambassador of Bukinafaso Mr. Dramane Yameogo at the Presidential VIlla Abuja on Monday.

BENIN CITY – The Universal peace Federation, an organization with special consultative status at the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council in line with the 2013 International Day of Peace will on Sunday September 22, 2013 honour Mr. Festus Alenkhe as Internaitonal Ambassador of Peace.

Venue is the Police Officers Mess, GRA, Benin City

beginning at 3pm.

A statement by the state coordinator, Universal Peace Federation, Mr. Osasu Usenbor said the event is a prelude to the main event coming up in Orhionmwon Local Government Area. The statement advised invited guest to attend.

Delta Communities Call For Govt Intervention Erosion:

By EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU

UBULU-UKU (Delta State) Residents of Ogbe-ani Orukpe Okpe and Onitcha – Ukwu quarters, in UbuluUku Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, have called on the state government to come to their rescue by tackling flooding and gully erosion, ravaging the area.

According to them, the situation has been plaging us

for over 30 years now, as promises by previous governments to curtail the menace, have turned out to be political statements.

They explained that they are left at the mercy of floods whenever it rains.

A resident, Mr. Charles Osemene, regretted the situation that has held the area to ransome and explained that “whenever it rains, my shop is filled with water. I cannot do business

as I used to before now, the situation is getting worse by the day.”

Mr. Charles urged the government to come to their rescue before the flooding and gully erosion, causes monumental loss to them with their businesses.

Also, Mr. Ephraim Odiwe and Mr. Efienemokwu, who said that the flooding has made the Onicha-Ukwu road unmotorable, also stated that motorists have

now tagged the road a ‘nogo’ area as parts of the road have been washed off by flood.

Mr. Ephraim lamented the closure of most shops in the

area due to the ravaging flood and therefore pleads with the state government to ameliorate their plight by tackling the perennial menace.

Mr Festus Alenkhe

Minister Assures Of Improved Power stability is achieved.

By INNOCENT OMOAKA Supply The minister said, “the

BENIN CITY – The Minister for Power and Energy, Prof. Chinedu Nebo has assured Nigerians of the possibility of improvement in power supply.

The minister gave the assurance yesterday during FRCN network news programme monitored in Benin City.

According to Prof. Nebo,

with the finalization of agreement and payment by preferred bidders of the transmission companies, the road to stabilization of the power sector has begun.

He added that the road map to achieving stable power supply in Nigeria would necessitate adjustment of electricity tariff from time to time until

adjustment in tariff would guarantee the services and commitment of the investors towards transforming power supply in the country.”

Prof. Nebo also disclosed plans by the ministry to resolve disputes with the National Union of Electricity Employees towards the privatization of the industry.

President Goodluck Jonathan (right) receiving letter of credence from the Ambassador of Zambia, LT. Col. Bizawayo Nkunika (rtd) at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Monday.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

News Bayelsa Fishing Community Seeks Health Centre YENAGOA - The people of Isobodono, a fishing community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa, have appealed to the state government to establish a health centre for them.

The Secretary of Isobodono Development Committee (IDC), Mr Whiteman Duoyeleme, told newsmen in Yenagoa that the absence of a primary health centre in the community had led to the death of many residents.

“Our community, which was before now a small settlement, has become home to over 20,000 people whose only means of livelihood is fishing in the surrounding Ogugubolou and Gbakeleke creeks.

“We are appealing to the government to provide us with a health centre because health care is very vital to human life.

“Only recently, a pregnant woman died in a boat while being ferried to Amassoma community for maternity care,” Douyeleme said.

He also said the community recently lost five persons, adding that three of them died of infectious diseases while an elderly woman died of snake bite.

According to him, the people often rely on herbal medicines when faced with serious health challenges.

He further said: “ Because of lack of orthodox health care, we have resorted to using herbs; how long will we

continue to use herbs in today’s world of unknown diseases?’’

Malaria and cholera, he added, had remained prevalent in the community because of the swampy nature of the environment and lack of potable water.

Reports say that several other riverside communities in the Niger Delta lack potable water as many defecate into the creeks which also serve as the only source of drinking water.

L-R: Chairman of the occassion, Seinye Lulu-Briggs; Deputy Director, Moni-Pulo Limited, Mrs Julia Oku-Jaja and Director, Rivers Ministry of Emergency and Natural Resources, Dr. Adolphus Nwaeke, at the 2013 Port Harcourt International Oil and Gas summit in Port Harcourt on monday.

Shell/Bodo Oil Spill Negotiations Deadlocked PORT HARCOURT - Mr. Martyn Day, the lawyer representing Bodo community of Rivers in settlement negotiation with Shell, said that his clients have rejected an offer made by the oil company.

Day is a senior partner at the London-based Leigh Day law firm while Bodo is in Gokana

L - R: Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr. Eugene Odoh; parents of Chief of StaffEnugu State Government House Prof Joseph Uzo and his wife, Susan, during their 50th marriage anniversary in Enugu recently.

Local Government Area of Rivers.

No fewer than 15,000 claimants from the community had been negotiating with Shell over a massive oil spill which affected the area in 2008.

Day said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt that the community unanimously rejected an offer for compensation from the oil company.

He said Shell’s offer to pay N300,000 per fishing family affected by the spill was rejected.

Day said Bodo community described Shell’s offer as “derisory and insulting”.

“Most members of Bodo community unanimously rejected an offer for compensation from oil company Shell, calling the amount derisory and insulting at the conclusion of talks between their lawyers and the energy giant in Port Harcourt.

“The negotiation ended on September 13,’’ he said.

Day said claimants from Bodo were interested in being paid a fair amount for the losses caused by the 2008 spill in their area.

“The amount offered for most claimants equated to two to three years net lost earnings whereas the creek has already been out of action for five years.

“It may well be another 20

UYO - Mr. Samuel Ikon, the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, has urged investors in the state to comply with international best practices in the delivery of their products and services.

He gave the advice in Uyo when the management team of the Emenite Group of Companies, Enugu, paid him a courtesy visit.

Ikon said that apart from ensuring that their products were of high quality, manufacturers should ensure that their products were

Mr. Tony Carge, the Managing Director of Emenite Group Companies, told the speaker that the visit was to inform him about the company’s intention to establish a depot in the state.

He also said that the company wanted to strengthen its relationship with the Akwa Ibom Government.

He assured the speaker that the company would remain committed to the production of high-quality building materials, while rendering excellent services in the building sub-sector.

Speaker Tasks Investors On Quality Products, Services affordable.

“The fifth Assembly was committed to partnering with the state government to develop the state.

“I urge you to ensure that you comply with global standards in the quality of your products to ensure good patronage in the state,” he said.

Ikon assured the company and other investors coming into the state that the Assembly had made good

legislations to make their operations hitch-free.

Ikon said that the legislature, in anticipation of the influx of investors into the state, passed the PublicPrivate-Partnership (PPP) Bill and the Akwa Ibom Investment Holding Corporation Bill.

He said that the bills were designed to protect investments in the state, stressing that investments were agents of job creation.

years to 25 years before it is up and running properly again.

“I was not at all surprised to see the community walk out of the talks once they heard what Shell was offering,’’ he said.

Reacting to the development in a statement in Port Harcout, Mr. Precious Okolobo, Shell’s spokesman, said the company could not reach an agreement with the community for compensation.

“We haven’t reached agreement on compensation, which is disappointing.

“Nonetheless, we’re pleased to have made progress in relation to clean up.

“SPDC and the Bodo

community have both committed their full support to the clean up process currently in progress with the support of Bert Ronhaar, the former Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria.

“We have also proposed a series of interim measures to get clean up started as soon as possible,’’ he said.

Okolobo said the company took part in the negotiations to achieve two objectives: “To make a generous offer of compensation to those who have suffered hardship as a result of the two highly regrettable operational spills in 2008.

“To make progress in relation to clean up,’’ he said.

Board Warns Coca Cola Against Contaminated areas where people could Products KANO - The Kano State Health Management Board has warned Coca Cola Bottling Company Plc. in Kano against allowing contaminated products into the market.

This warning is contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the board, Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi, in Kano, on Friday.

The statement said that the board’s Executive Secretary, Dr Shehu Abdullahi, gave the warning when he met with the management of the company on Thursday.

It stated that the meeting followed complaints from members of the public of cases of contaminated Coca cola.

“The executive secretary expressed concern that such drinks can get to

not identify the dangers associated with taking such drinks,’’ the statement said.

The statement said that it was the responsibility of the board to protect and prevent citizens from consuming anything that might be harmful to their health.

A director in the board, Alhaji Jafaru Gwarzo, advised the company to abide by the rules and regulations governing the production of such consumables.

He urged the management of the company to ensure cleanliness of their containers and environment.

Responding on behalf of the management of the company, Hajiya Umma Aliyu, pledged that the company would address the problems raised.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Across The Nation OPDA Restates Commitment

By TUNDE EIGBIREMOLEN To Tackle Crime

Project Co-ordinator of Edo SEEFOR, Mr. Taiwo Akerele explaining a point to the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole and Federal Minister of ICT, Mrs. Omobola Johnson during the Edo Technology Day held in Benin City recently.

BENIN CITY - The Edo State Chairman, Oseghevbo People’s Development Association, (OPDA), a security and vigilante outfit, Mr. Eghosa Idahosa, has renewed the group’s commitment to continue to curtail crime and criminality in Evbuotubu, Ugbiyogho, Upper Erhumunwse and environs.

The OPDA State Chairman who dropped the hint in an exclusive chat with the NIGERIAN OBSERVERS recently, R-L: Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Ekiti State, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Integration and InterGovernmental Affairs, Mr. Alabi Olusesa, representing Governor Kayode Fayemi and Mr. Tony Iyare at the Public Presentation of a book titled: Work in Progress, at the National Center for Technology, Management, Obafemi Awolowo, University (OAU), Ile-ife, State of Osun.

ISPON Inducts 58 New Members

LAGOS- The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) has inducted 58 new members to promote safety and prevent loss of lives and property in the country.

Reports state that the new members were inducted at the NERDC Hall, Ikeja, Lagos, having satisfied the institution’s requirements and passed the prescribed examinations.

Mr Shaw Fregene, the National President of ISPON, said that the institute would establish branches in all the state capitals, major cities and towns throughout the federation.

In his address, Fregene, said that there was a need to develop, promote and encourage safety and technical knowledge in the country.

“The realities of today demand that all hands should be on deck to control loss of lives and property and damage to the environment ensuing from mishaps.

“We need to develop and enforce standards and ethics in the practise of safety in Nigeria.

This will include harnessing and directing the energy of skilled manpower to protect our resources.

“It is our mission to collaborate with similar international bodies in order to provide relevant solutions to prevailing occupational safety, health and environmental problems in Nigeria,” he said.

The ISPON president, who said that the institute had about 35, 000 members nationwide, urged the newly-inducted members to endeavour to make a difference and be proactive.

Meanwhile, Dr Nicholas Okere, an Occupational Health Consultant, who presented a paper on “Entrepreneurship in

LAGOS- A popular comedian, AY (Ayo Makun), has urged the Federal Government to set up a Ministry to oversee the booming entertainment industry in the country.

AY told newsmen in Lagos that the entertainment industry was too big to be put under the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism and described the entertainment industry as “huge’’.

“It’s for a special ministry to be put in place; the industry is too big to be under Arts, Culture and Tourism. Because Nollywood

alone is an entire industry, is a very huge industry.

“Then, before you narrow it down to music and before you take it to the comedy sector and other forms of entertainment.

“I am of the opinion that if the government decides to set up an entertainment ministry, it should put people who have paid their dues in the same industry.

“People who know and who understand the needs of the industry, to run it, it will be a plus.

“I am not an advocate of those who just cry ‘I am an entertainer; we need help; I am a youth on

Health, Safety and Environment (HSE): Opportunities and Challenges,” called for safety culture in the workplace Okere said that HSE involved the ability to secure the health workforce and safe, healthy and a socially-conducive environment for them.

“HSE in entrepreneurship will ensure optimal productivity, enhance socio- economic status and promote a positive corporate image for business.

also assured that the vigilante group would continue to partner the Edo State Police Command in Crime prevention and control.

According to the OPDA boss, the group in its seven (7) years of existence, has helped substantially in Community Development, maintaining law and order and constantly fishing out criminal elements in the various communities, which they in turn hand over to law enforcement agents, particularly the Police.

“We have on many occasions, arrested criminals, stopped armed robbery cases and arrested kidnappers whom we handed

Mr. Eghosa Idahosa, Edo OPDA Chairman

Akinjide, Akeredolu Extol Agagu IBADAN- The Minister of State, FCT, Chief Olajumoke Akinjide, and a former National President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), have lauded the leadership qualities of the late Dr Olusegun Agagu.

Agagu, a former governor of Ondo State, reportedly slumped in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he was having a meeting with Ondo indigenes on Friday evening, barely 24 hours after he returned from a 20-day trip abroad.

Akinjide, in a statement in Ibadan, expressed shock and sorrow at the sudden death of Agagu.

She described the demise of the former governor as “the loss of a titan in the South-West chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

“On a personal level, I have a cordial relationship with him, as he was unfailingly courteous and respectful to all,” she said.

The minister also expressed her heartfelt condolences to the widow and family of the deceased, “at this difficult time’’.

Akeredolu, the governorship candidate of the defunct ACN in

Create Entertainment Ministry, Comedian Urges FG the street; government should come to our aid’.’’

He said that taking the shows outside Nigeria was an idea that came about because there was the need to export the comedy brand.

AY said that Nigerians who lived in overseas should enjoy the Nigerian brand of comedy.

He, however, identified transportation as a major issue, saying that airlines were not always ready to partner with professionals in the entertainment industry.

“In the area of transportation,

over to the Police, and we are prepared to do this, so long as the support of the police and government is there. So, there is no safe haven for these criminals in the communities in which we operate”, he said.

we hardly get the airline companies assist unlike before.

“If government really wants to help young people with talents, the requirements should conform to them.

“You don’t put up a requirement that a Dangote would be in position to meet up to before there would be access. Then you are not helping them.

“If government can implement that, trust me, a lot of people are going to go off the streets and be useful not to just themselves, but to society and to government.

Ondo State in the October 2012 election, described the death of Agagu as “the irreparable loss of a visionary leader’’.

This was contained in a statement, also issued in Ibadan.

“I just received the heartcorroding news of the demise of Dr Olusegun Agagu, the immediate-past governor of our dear Ondo State.

“I must hasten to state that I am devastated by this news.

“I am sure that many of my compatriots in the state will also feel this irreparable sense of loss,” he said.

Akeredolu, said that Agagu’s tenure as governor witnessed several significant strides.

“Many of us are living witnesses to the great achievements recorded under this sound academic and politician.

“Many of our rural areas were opened up in a manner hitherto unimaginable.

“The riverine communities effectively got re-integrated into the state,” he said.

Akeredolu also described Agagu as “urbane, resourceful, genial and frank. There are indelible imprints of his tenure in virtually every nook and cranny of the state.

“Most of the buildings standing in public schools in the state bear eloquent testimonies to his vision.

“It is regrettable that he passed on at this time when his invaluable input was badly needed in the state.”

Akeredolu expressed his hertfelt condolences to the immediate family of the departed leader.

He also commiserated with the people of Ondo State for the “unwanted visits of this morbid messenger with attendant losses’’.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Across The Nation 186 Ex-Militants Depart For Training In UK, S/Africa IKEJA- The Presidential Amnesty Office has sent 186 Niger Delta Ex-Militants to the UK and South Africa for skill acquisition.

Mr Kingsley Kuku, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Matters, held a pre-departure briefing with the delegates at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, and described the batch as lucky.

He said that the batch was the largest to be deployed for educational training in the UK. Kuku advised them to be good ambassadors of the nation in their host country by abiding with the laws and concentrating on their studies.

He said that the Presidential Amnesty Programme for youths in the Niger Delta now had zero tolerance for misconduct.

Kuku said that on completion of their training, their skills would be relevant and needed in the oil and gas industry, as well as the new refineries that would be coming on stream soon.

He noted that 690 delegates had in the past been repatriated and reprimanded for various infractions they committed during similar programmes overseas.

“Also, 2,000 delegates have been empowered by the office, following their success in their various training, and provided with business start-up packages.

“Also, 174 others have been offered direct employment in various public and private onshore and offshore organisations, ‘’ Kuku said.

He said that 1,190 women

had also been placed at specialised skill acquisition centres.

Kuku said that some of them who trained in aviation were being offered jobs as instructors in some training centres abroad.

He, however, said that the programme would come to an end by 2015 as scheduled.

“From inception, the programme was designed to run for five years— which we believe should not be altered.

“The Amnesty office would train 4,000 in 2013, 6,000 in 2014 and another 6,000 in 2015,’’ Kuku said.

He advised state governments in the Niger Delta region to commence youth engagement and empowerment programmes for their citizens.

“ By 2016, all states in the Niger Delta must take up the responsibility of designing programmes that would empower youths and women in their states,’’ Kuku said.

Out of the current 186 delegates, 60 will undergo a 12month vocational training in South Africa as emergency medical technicians, otherwise known as ‘offshore medic’.

The remaining 126 delegates will undergo educational training in tertiary institutions in Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

The News reports that the latest batch of delegates brings to 16,683 the number of exmilitants sent for training in educational and vocational institutions abroad since the programme started in 2010.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (right) discussing with the Managing Director, British American Tobacco Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Keith Grattan (left) who led Management team of the company on a courtesy visit to the Governor on Monday.

Nigeria Military, One Of The Best In Africa -Maku KADUNA- Mr Labaran Maku, the supervising Minister of Defence, said the Nigerian Military was one of the best in Africa, describing it as highly professional since the inception of Democracy

Maku said this at a cocktail organised in his honour by the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim on Friday night in Kaduna.

“Our Armed forces are among the best on the continent and

whatever is needed to support them the government will do that.”

He expressed gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for appointing him to supervise the ministry, while lauding the effort

Police, government ministries, among others, for the three-week long advocacy.

“It is to highlight the high rate of vehicular accidents and human carnage caused by reckless driving and obstinate disobedience to traffic regulations by road users,” Obidgwe said.

He disclosed that the event would be concluded by honouring prominent Nigerians who had assisted the state chapter of the society in helping vulnerable persons.

The theme of the celebration is “First Aid and Road Safety,” while the special road advocacy in the state is tagged “Sanity on Our Roads.”

unparalleled.

Maku also lauded the efforts of the military at addressing the menace of insecurity in the country, adding that the army remained the pride of the nation.

The supervising Minister said that the role of the military was better appreciated in a democracy, adding that they had contributed in no small measure to stabilise democracy. “ The strength of any democracy depends on its armed forces, we must therefore invest in them and create an enabling environment for them to function.”

He said his mission would be to join hands with the military in order to address the present security challenges facing the country.

Also speaking, Ibrahim said the Armed forces would support the minister in his quest to take it to greater heights.

The defence chief said the job of the military remained the simplest as they often called a spade a spade and not by any other name.

Ibrahim said that the military welcomed the minister into its fold as the military was one and happy family.

BIRNIN - Kudu (Jigawa) The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) presented relief materials to flood victims in four local government areas of Jigawa.

The NEMA North-West Coordinator, Alhaji Musa Ilallah, presented the items to the Special Assistant to the Governor on Emergency Management, Alhaji Sani Kangire, in Birninkudu.

Ilallah said the materials should be distributed to flood victims in Babura, Taura, Gagarawa and Sule-Tankarkar Local Government Areas.

The top NEMA official, who was represented by Hajiya Amina

Ahman, NEMA’s Head of Administration in Jigawa, said the items included 150 bags of rice as well as 100 bags each of maize, millet and guinea-corn.

Others are 30 bags of sugar, 100 cartons of detergent, 100 bags of bathing soap, 200 pieces of mattresses, 200 pieces of blankets, 100 pieces of mosquito nets and 500 nylon mats.

The rest are 300 bags of cement, 300 bundles of roofing sheets, 300 packets of zinc nails and 100 bags of nails.

Kangire, in his remarks, pledged to distribute the relief materials to the victims as directed by NEMA.

of his predecessor.

He said that the former Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Olusola Obada, had put in her best while she held sway in the ministry, adding that her commitment to the job was

Red Cross Charges FG On Roads Maintenance

AWKA- The Anambra branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, has called on the Federal Government to invest more in roads maintenance across the country to reduce traffic accidents.

Justice Paul Obidiwge (rtd), Chairman of the branch, made the call while briefing newsmen on the 2013 World First Aid Day celebration on Saturday in Awka.

Obidiwge described as “unfortunate” the condition of federal roads especially from Onitsha to Enugu, Benin to Ore, Uromi to Lokoja.

While attributing the causes of most road accidents to bad roads, he said “it is difficult to move freely on these federal roads because some of the lanes have been closed for a long time’’.

Speaking on the celebration,

the chairman said that the organisation would embark on road safety advocacy as part of efforts to reduce accidents caused by reckless driving and disobedience to traffic regulations.

Represented by the Vice Chairman, Dr Peter Katchy, Obidgwe said that the society would partner with UNICEF, Federal Road Safety Corps, the

Jigawa Flood Victims Get Relief Materials

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (2nd left) being presented a souvenir by the Managing Director, British American Tobacco Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Keith Grattan (left) who led Management team of the company on a courtesy visit to the Governor on Monday. With them are: Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu (2nd right) and her Attorney- General and Justice counterpart, Mr. Ade Ipaye (right).

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

North Boat Mishap Claims 9 Lives JALINGO The Chairman of Bali Local Government Area in Taraba, Mr Andy Yerima, said that nine persons lost their lives in a boat mishap on Sunday at Mayo-kam village.

Yerima told newsmen in Jalingo that the victims included five children and four women.

An eyewitness, Alhaji Musa Isa, told newsmen that no fewer than 50 commuters from Zude village were on board when the incident occurred.

Isa said the boat, aside the passengers, had cows, sugarcane and more than 150 bags of grains on board.

He said the boat berthed safely at its harbour, but lost control after the boat driver anchored the rope, which suddenly cut off.

Musa said the boat on the process hit a bridge shattering into pieces while its passengers and goods were drowned.

He said that some of the men in the boat swim to safety while women and children on board were drowned.

He said emergency personnel and rescue workers were not on ground to aid in search and rescue operations.

Musa said eight bodies were recovered from the river at Mayo-kam, while another body was recovered at Tella in Gassol Local Government Area, bringing the death toll to nine.

He described the incident as a colossal, and appealed to the government and National Emergency Management Agency to come to the aid of the victims.

Ministry Trains 81 Youths

Galadiman Bauchi, Alhaji Ibrahim Jahun (right) addressing members of Jahun Elders Forum during their visit to his palace in Bauchi recently.

Galadiman Bauchi, Alhaji Ibrahim Jahun (middle) with members of Jahun Elders Forum during their visit to his Palace in Bauchi recently.

NEMA Identifies New Locations For Flood Victims JALINGO - The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it has identified new locations to camp victims of flood disaster in Taraba.

The agency’s Head of Gombe Operations Office, Mr. Apollos Jediel, said this at a workshop on flood risk awareness among vulnerable communities, organised by NEMA on Friday in Jalingo.

Jediel said the measure was to prevent the usual practice where flood victims would occupy school premises, thereby disrupting teaching and learning.

“NEMA, in conjunction with the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has identified the locations with a view to building temporary camps for internally displaced persons,” he said.

The News state reports that the locations in Taraba North include Lau, Shomo, Garin Dogo, Kunini, Kanawa, Donada and Bwai.

Locations from Central Senatorial Zone include Lankaviri, Bali, Kurmi Gashaka and Mutum-Biyu, while those of the Southern zone are Ibi, Njibu, Donga, Takum and Wukari.

establishing the ultra-modern centre.

He said that agriculture plays key role in the socioeconomic development of the state and the nation at large.

“We came to Sokoto, we saw and we have testified that Wamakko is executing people-oriented projects.

“He needs the support of the people of the state to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy,’’ he said.

Babaginda, who described Wammako as “a worthy successor’’, urged him not to relent in his efforts to develop the state.

“All the projects the governor has been executing directly affect the masses and this laudable gesture should be sustained,’’ Babangida said.

In his remark, Wamakko said the centre would train 3,000 people from the seven

Jediel added that the identification of vulnerable communities and such locations for flood-displaced persons were based on 2012 flood disaster experienced in

the state.

He called on participants to cooperate with emergency management agencies to promote proactive strategies for disaster management.

Alhaji Mato Duku, the state

Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), urged Nigerians to take NIMET 2013 rainfall predictions seriously to mitigate the effects of flood.

Anambra Inaugurates Boards Of 2 AWKA - The Anambra Sports Associations Ministry of Youth and Sports has in Awka inaugurated the boards of the state associations for gymnastics and boxing.

Inaugurating the boards, the state Commissioner for Sports, Edozie Aroh, charged

the members to give their best in ensuring that the two sports became household names in the state.

Speaking later, the Chairman of the 12-member boxing board, Apha Justice,

IBB Inaugurates Agric Skill Acquisition Centre BODINGA (SOKOTO STATE) - Nigeria’s former military President Ibrahim Babangida has inaugurated the multi-million Naira agricultural skill acquisition centre constructed by Sokoto State Government at Milgoma village, Bodinga Local Government Area.

Babaginda, who began a two-day official visit to the state, commended, Governor.

Aliyu Wamakko, for

DUTSE - The Jigawa Commissioner for Economic Empowerment, Alhaji Muhammad Mego, said that the ministry had trained 81 youths in different skills acquisition programmes.

Mego disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in Dutse.

He said that the training programmes were meant to make the youths self reliant, which he said, was part of Governor Sule Lamido’s objectives.

The commissioner said that the beneficiaries were drawn from the 27 local government areas of the state.

Mego said that the ministry would introduce more skill acquisition programmes to touch the lives of the less privileged in the society.

He said this was the only way to fight poverty and unemployment among the teeming youths in the state and the country in general.

Local Government Areas of Sokoto South Senatorial zone per annum.

He said that government establishe d the centre to create job opportunities and curb poverty.

“The centre will also help to curb the menace of ruralurban drift, youth restiveness and drugs abuse, among others,’’ Wamakko said.

He commended Babangida for working tirelessly to

ensure sustainable peace and unity in Nigeria.

The commissioner for Local Government, Alhaji Faruku Malami, said the centre currently had 100 trainees in session.

He said the trainees were taught modern skills of fish farming, poultry, cat tle breeding and raising of economic trees, among others.

told newsmen that it was a new dawn for the sport in the state.

Justice promised that he would use his vast wealth in boxing administration to revamp the sport in the state and assured the government of the board’s determination to succeed.

“However, government has to provide equipment with which the youths can train,’’ he said.

Also speaking, another member, Chinedu Akusodo, who donated a pair of boxing bags to the federation, promised to continue supporting the growth of the sport.

The board of the state gymnastics association was also made up of 12 members, and was headed by Aroh himself.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Across The Nation Woman, 28, Gang Raped

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM LAGOS - A 28-year old woman (name withheld) has been allegedly gang-raped by eight men, including her 23-year old lover boy who jilted her over marriage dispute on age differences.

The man identified as Stephen Obi, was arrested by the Police and charged with conspiracy and rape before Ejigbo Magistrate’s court, while seven of his accomplices are still on the run.

It was also alleged that some of the seven men on the run are still threatening to kill the lady if she continues to prosecute the matter.

The 23-year old Obi claimed he works with a brewing firm in Lagos and hails from Umuahia in Abia State, while the victim is from Imo State.

It was gathered that the relationship between the lovers

allegedly went sour after the woman asked Obi to marry her and the lover boy allegedly turn down the proposal telling the lady that he was not ready to marry her because she was five years older than him but still wanted the relationship to continue.

The victim refused and said since he was not ready to marry her, she was no longer interested in the relationship.

On the day the lady was allegedly gang-raped, according to her statement to the Police, Obi reportedly invited her to Baba Olopa Street, Adexson, in Igando to settle their differences.

She obliged him and went to the address, but was shocked as she entered the room as seven of his lover’s friends came in, locked the door and started beating her and asked her to strip.

Abubakar Condoles Nwodo

involved in the breach of peace to stop the mayhem forthwith.

“I, therefore, wish to advise members of the public to be calm and go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation.

“We all must, however, shun rumour mongering and spreading of false information that is capable of exacerbating this condemnable incident.”

He said government expresses its sympathy to all those affected by the dastardly act, and appealed to the people of the state to be their brothers keepers.

“We have no other state to call our own, lest we forget, peace is priceless, let us keep it.’’

NSUKKA (ENUGU STATE)A former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Sunday paid a condolence visit to the family of Nai Nwodo, a former Minister of Information in Ukehie, Enugu State.

Nwodo lost his wife, Obiegali, a justice of the Court of Appeal, in London on August 4 and she would be buried on September 27.

“It is very painful that you have lost your wife but remember that death is compulsory to all human beings.

“I urged the family to bear the loss with fortitude as we pray for eternal repose of her soul.

“The family should be consoled that Obiegali lived a useful life and contributes immensely to the society,” Abubakar said.

He said that he had being a long time friend to Okwey Nwodo, the former governor of Enugu State, adding that he knew the former information minister from his brother.

“It is because of the long and good friendship with the family that I am here today,” he said.

He said Nnai worked diligently and contributed immensely to the success of his administration.

“It is because he did very well during my administration that we have maintained the relationship with the family till today,” he said.

In his remarks, Nwodo, senior brother to Nnai, said that Abubakar had being ‘a very good friend of the family’.

“His presence today in spite of his tight schedules as UN Envoy to some Africa countries, has shown his love and concern for the family,” Nwodo said.

He said the humility and the freewill to handover to a democratic elected government in 1999 had earned Abubakar recognition worldwide.

According to him, Abubakar is one of the most respected heads of state in Africa and the international community.

“Members of Nwodo family are not surprise on the visit of the former head of state because when our mother died he was also here,” he said.

The former minister of information, in his speech expressed appreciation on the love and care the former head of state had for the family.

Nwodo added that Abubakar visited his wife on many occasions when he was hospitalised in London.

“If it is possible for anyone to have brought my late wife back to life, I know it could have been Abubakar.

provides an accommodation for officials of the zonal office of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

“The objective was to ensure that officials of the welfare board work in conjunction with those of NAHCON for successful hajj operations.

“We have also restructured the

pilgrims’ welfare board to make it more active in line with the policy of the administration.

“For the first time in many years we have inaugurated a new welfare board to ensure that it live up to the expectations of providing excellent services to the pilgrims,’’ he said.

L-R: Chairman Leather Products Association of Nigeria (LAPAN), Alhaji Bashir Danyaro, Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and Team Leader, Enable-DFID, Mr. Bayo Akindeinde at the Leather Industry Revival Initiative Summit in Abuja on Monday.

Metuh Accuses Politicians Of Exaggerating PDP Crisis ABUJA- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh, has accused desperate politicians of exaggerating challenges of the party.

Metuh, who made the accusation in a statement in Abuja, said that such politicians were; “looking for cheap popularity through sensationalism in the media.

He added that the problem in the party was a challenge which could be resolved within the ambit of the party‘s crisis resolution mechanism.

Metuh assured members that the party leadership was still capable of resolving the party‘s challenges, and urged them to be more committed to its progress.

He expressed optimism that the party would emerge stronger from its present challenges.

The PDP spokesman urged the party members to utilise the window of dialogue and reconciliation offered by the party leadership.

This, he said, was necessary to avoid playing into the hands of those who did not wish the nation or its democracy well.

He further added that portraying President Goodluck Jonathan in bad light by some party members was not necessary because as members of one big family, no challenge was insurmountable.

‘This tactics is antithetical to democracy, but not an unfamiliar rule of engagement. However, it is important that we avoid overstretching it,’’ Metuh said.

He maintained that such habit should be stopped to avoid playing into the waiting hands of those desperate to incite the people and destroy the country‘s destiny.

Supervising Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Musa Sada (left), receiving a hand over note from the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ibrahim Mahe on behalf of The former Minister, Ms Amal Pepple in Abuja on Monday.

Deal With Trouble Makers, Govt Orders Security Operatives

LAFIA- The Nasarawa State Government has announced that it had taken measures to restore lasting peace to all parts of the state.

The Deputy Governor, Dameshi Barau-Luka, made the disclosure in a state broadcast in Lafia.

Barau-Luka said the broadcast followed the eruption of fresh violence in Obi and Assakio towns and their environs on September 13.

The Deputy Governor said that government would not fold its arms and watch people unleash terror on its ‘innocent’ citizens.

“Government wishes to state categorically that, it will not stand by and watch heartless criminals in our state to unleash a reign of

terror on innocent citizens of the state.

“We want to assure members of the general public that the state government has taken necessary measures to bring the matter under control,” he said.

Barau-Luka, who read the statewide broadcast on behalf of Gov. Tanko Al-makura, said security operatives had already been deployed to the affected areas to maintain law and order.

According to him, the law enforcement agents will deal decisively with any individual or group caught fomenting trouble or causing mischief.

He decried the unprovoked attack by some Eggon youths suspected to be members of the outlawed Ombatse cult on the innocent people of Adabu, parts of Obi and Assakio towns.

“The attack on these people is to say the least, barbaric, it is condemnable and an affront on the security of lives and properties of the people.

“Government condemns in its entirety the unwarranted attack unleashed on Obi Community, and indeed, the state by this banned militia group.

“We wish to call on those

MAIDUGURI- The Borno Government said it has spent more than N600 million on logistics to ensure that its pilgrims have a hitch-free 2013 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.

Gov. Kashim Shettima made the disclosure when he spoke to newsmen on the preparations for

the 2013 Hajj in Maiduguri.

Shettima said the state government spent over N148 million on the construction of a new office complex for the state Pilgrims Welfare Board in Maiduguri.

“We have secured a befitting accommodation, near the Haram

for our pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to prepare ground for a hitch-free hajj operation.

“We have also constructed an office complex for the Borno pilgrims’ welfare board in Maiduguri to motivate the staff conducting the hajj exercise.

“The office complex also

Borno Spends N600m On 2013 Hajj

THE NIGERIAN

10

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Business + Economy Cause Of Indiscriminate Refuse Disposal

Population Increase,

L-R: Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; Executive Secretary, Petroleum Equalisation Fund, Mrs Adefunke Kasali who received the Electronic Payment Excellent award and Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, at the opening of an International Conference on payment system in Abuja on Monday

MAKURDI - Mr. Ediga Akpa, the General Manager, Benue State Environmental Sanitation Agency (BENSESA) has identified increased population as the cause of the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in parts of Makurdi.

Akpa told newsmen in an interview that the migration of people into the state following the activities of some dissident groups, had resulted to population surge in the state.

He said the increase in population was exerting enormous pressure on their waste management efforts.

He noted that more waste were being generated without a corresponding increase in the number of refuse trucks and

Participate In Oil, Gas Sector, Experts Advise Youths

LAGOS - Some experts in oil and gas sector have called for increased participation of young entrepreneurs in the sector.

The experts made the call at the First Youth Entrepreneurs in Oil and Gas Retreat in Lagos.

Mr. Chike Nwosu, a General Manager of Addax Petroleum Nigeria Ltd., said that young entrepreneurs had many opportunities in the sector in view of the passage of local content law.

He said that there were many areas to explore in oil and gas sector and urged youths to take advantage of opportunities in the sector.

Mr. Emeka Ene, Chairman, Petroleum Technology

Association of Nigeria (PETAN), also urged young entrepreneurs to use the abundance of stranded gas fields in the Niger Delta to contribute to the sector.

“The amount of gas we flare in this country is enough to power the U.S. for 10 years,” he said.

Eneh said that Nigeria was the lowest consumer of liquefied petroleum gas known as cooking gas.

He advised young entrepreneurs to register with Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria

(PETAN) so that they could be guided on ways to explore the various opportunities in the sector.

PETAN is an association of Nigerian indigenous technical oilfield service companies in the upstream.

Mr. Lawrence Cobham, Public Relations Manager, Brass LNG, also urged the youths to make use of investment opportunities in downstream sector of oil and gas.

Cobham advised them to do so by partnering with “people with great passion” in the sector.

Mrs. Raqeebah Oloko-

Customs Generate N624m

BADAGRY - The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recorded revenue of N623.9 million in August, lower than the figure recorded in July.

The Command’s Spokesman, Mr. Ernest Olottah, told newsmen in Badagry that the total revenue recorded in July was about N96 million higher than that of August.

“The revenue for the month of August is lower than that of July because trading activities during the month were quite low.

“With time, trading activities will increase, because the year is coming to an end soon,’’ he said.

Olotta said that the command made 97 seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N27.27 million.

He said the seizures included cars, rice, vegetable oil, second-hand clothes, frozen poultry products and general goods.

The spokesman told newsmen that two suspects were arrested for various offences during the period.

He urged Nigerians to desist from smuggling due to its danger to the economy.

“We need to come together

to save our economy by avoiding smuggling and embracing legitimate trade.

“In the course of importing and exporting any product, all protocols must be followed and that includes paying levies and duties to the customs,’’ he said.

Adedimeji, the Coordinator of the retreat, said that the event was aimed at promoting, developing and sustaining entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths.

Oloko-Adedimeji called on Nigerian youths to focus on investment and professional opportunities available in the industry to better their entrepreneurial and professional perspectives.

She said that retreat was to create an environment for effective

dissemination of current information on business and opportunities in the sector.

Oloko-Adedimeji said that the event was also to serve as motivational platform for Nigerian youths to seek existing opportunities in the sector without the use of force.

The theme of the retreat, organised by Bromshy Communications in Lagos, was “Opportunities for Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurs in the Oil Sector”.

-Agency

dumpsters.

The general manager also blamed poor penalties charged defaulters as another factor responsible for the indiscriminate dumping of waste in the state capital.

He said that unless stiffer penalties were enacted, people would continue to break the sanitation laws.

“In Benue, defaulters are fined as low as N2, 000 and sometimes it is children that are caught by our men.

“This law can only stand if the Lagos model is adopted where offenders are made to pay up to N50, 000 as penalty.’’

Akpa appealed to the people to change their attitudes on environmental issues as the consequences of an unhealthy environment were enormous.

He assured that the agency would continue to evacuate waste wherever they were dumped and provide refuse bins at designated spots, to make the state environmentally clean.

The general manager said the agency would embark on monthly sensitisation programme to educate the people on safe environmental habits.

He also said that the agency was working toward a sustainable partnership with the private sector in finding solutions to the environmental challenges of the state.

Akpa gave an assurance that the state Ministry for Environment was working out a holistic approach to address the challenges being faced by the agency.

SMEDAN Seeks More Funding For SMEs

ABUJA - Alhaji Bature Masari, the Director-General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), has called for improved funding of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector.

He made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

“The issue of funding is critical to the sector as proper funding of SMEs is the only way to address

the problem of poverty and create wealth in the country,’’ he said.

According to him, adequate funding of the sector will go a long way in ensuring the growth and sustainability of small and medium-scale enterprises.

The director general said SMEDAN remained committed to helping SMEs to surmount all

L-R: Deputy Governor (Financial System Stability), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Kingsley Moghalu; Deputy Governor (Economic Policy), Dr Sarah Alade; CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Deputy Governor (Corporate Services), Alhaji Suleiman Barau, at the opening of an International Conference on payment system in Abuja on Monday

challenges stalling their growth.

Masari said the agency was also set to collaborate with donor agencies, financial institutions and other government agencies that could aid the sustainability of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

He stressed the need for Micro Finance Banks (MFB) to lower the lending rate for SMEs operators.

He said SMEDAN would collaborate with operators of MFBs to ensure greater access to funding for the development of SMEs. “I want to urge MFBs to be prepared because in 2014, SMEDAN will be actively collaborating with them.

“But between now and the end of the year, some banks are going to be selected for the implementation of some SMEDAN programmes.

“The programmes are geared toward providing employment opportunities to ordinary Nigerians.

“However, it is only those MFB which offer the highest incentive by way of low lending rates that will be involved in the implementation of the programmes.’’

THE NIGERIAN

11

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (17/09/13) Stocks 7UP

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

Value

MOBIL

106

106

0

72

72

0

33

63,099

4,127,658.62

MRS

36.14

36.14

0

0.5

0.5

0

28

37,218

3,923,025.40

5

1,960

63,758.80

1

100

55

ABCTRANS

0.81

0.81

0

6

56,448

45,771.32

MULTITREX

ACADEMY

1.9

1.9

0

7

38,600

71,056.00

MULTIVERSE

0.5

0.5

0

1

40,000

20,000.00

ACCESS

10.45

9.41

-1.04

245

23,584,048

234,563,015.41

NAHCO

6.13

5.55

-0.58

41

347,273

2,032,459.83

AFRIPRUD

1.9

1.9

0

63

225,898

427,759.21

NASCON

11.65

11.55

-0.1

67

1,047,873

12,197,769.62

AFRPAINTS

2.86

2.86

0

1

1,000

2,580.00

NB

159

161

2

219

1,483,740

237,580,109.78

AGLEVENT

1.55

1.55

0

2

6,500

11,050.00

NEIMETH

1.15

1.12

-0.03

19

362,280

394,397.71

AIICO

0.8

0.79

-0.01

47

2,881,208

2,280,638.32

NEM

0.7

0.69

-0.01

26

1,973,093

1,376,722.39

AIRSERVICE

3.68

3.86

0.18

17

513,367

1,871,995.98

NESTLE

940

940

0

51

61,391

57,400,961.09

ASHAKACEM

21

21

0

58

400,639

8,209,448.38

NIGERINS

0.5

0.5

0

1

971

485.5

BERGER

8.7

8.7

0

13

19,880

173,331.80

NIWICABLE

0.5

0.5

0

2

50

25

25.65

25.65

0

1

644

14,869.96

BETAGLAS

11.87

11.87

0

4

47,799

526,012.29

NNFM

BOCGAS

6.5

6.5

0

5

182,058

1,183,377.00

NPFMCRFBK

0.79

0.84

0.05

2

85,000

71,400.00

CADBURY

49

49

0

47

144,101

6,574,258.63

OANDO

11.5

10.35

-1.15

331

8,131,105

85,915,787.84

CAP

43.4

43.4

0

22

72,011

3,131,858.70

OASISINS

0.5

0.5

0

3

22,682

11,341.00

CCNN

8.72

8.72

0

26

266,265

2,306,610.47

OKOMUOIL

45.53

45.53

0

65

303,398

13,673,477.58

CHAMPION

15.55

16.99

1.44

9

256,400

4,159,742.00

PAINTCOM

2.04

2.04

0

2

24,750

52,470.00

CONOIL

28.8

28.8

0

19

15,110

392,493.00

PORTPAINT

5.45

5.8

0.35

10

143,300

811,278.00

CONTINSURE

1.13

1.13

0

3

92,514

106,290.54

PREMBREW

0.74

0.74

0

2

2,150

1,741.50

COSTAIN

1.17

1.17

0

8

58,540

66,289.77

PRESCO

37

37

0

45

229,210

7,837,460.98

COURTVILLE

0.75

0.75

0

5

6,110

4,174.80

PRESTIGE

0.6

0.65

0.05

4

150,609

92,865.40

39.34

39.34

0

78

247,240

9,106,414.82

CUSTODYINS

1.35

1.36

0.01

39

2,306,520

3,132,130.13

PZ

CUTIX

1.93

1.93

0

16

125,165

223,954.83

REDSTAREX

4.02

4.4

0.38

21

683,259

2,869,980.95

DANGCEM

189.15

190

0.85

31

124,312

23,566,320.90

ROYALEX

0.53

0.56

0.03

6

198,350

110,234.50

DANGFLOUR

9.01

9.02

0.01

109

1,057,918

9,543,179.17

RTBRISCOE

1.38

1.38

0

17

166,183

215,568.44

DANGSUGAR

10.4

10.41

0.01

64

1,311,863

13,654,326.20

SCOA

5.32

5.32

0

2

77

368.83

DIAMONDBNK

6.22

6.22

0

74

3,680,258

22,778,211.48

SKYEBANK

4.28

4.3

0.02

117

3,774,389

16,291,445.68

DNMEYER

1.9

1.9

0

11

120,137

221,649.86

SOVRENINS

0.5

0.5

0

1

50

25

EQUITYASUR

0.5

0.5

0

1

100

50

STANBIC

18.01

18.5

0.49

67

409,510

7,495,899.30

ETERNA

2.82

2.82

0

24

332,289

896,010.45

STERLNBANK

2.45

2.49

0.04

47

3,087,290

7,482,425.95

ETI

13.75

13.68

-0.07

164

3,021,789

41,529,569.36

THOMASWY

0.79

0.86

0.07

16

415,738

352,623.68

157.9

157.9

0

19

16,985

2,614,987.99

EVANSMED

3

3

0

11

154,978

439,674.60

TOTAL

FBNH

15.6

15.5

-0.1

574

15,184,372

236,337,800.61

TRANSCORP

1.41

1.4

-0.01

137

17,065,214

23,775,088.96

FCMB

4

4

0

102

2,671,762

10,748,381.87

TRANSEXPR

1.16

1.27

0.11

12

417,111

512,511.82

FIDELITYBK

2.54

2.5

-0.04

198

14,378,376

35,827,360.42

TRIPPLEG

2.29

2.29

0

2

2,850

5,899.50

FIDSON

2

2

0

20

311,528

591,192.80

UAC-PROP

15.79

15.79

0

17

59,375

896,862.00

FLOURMILL

83

83

0

65

133,045

10,142,653.14

UACN

55

55.5

0.5

75

722,776

40,233,435.77

FO

35.7

35.7

0

48

212,327

7,846,634.97

UBA

7.1

7.2

0.1

402

25,291,266

179,216,667.75

GLAXOSMITH

64

64

0

17

16,184

1,029,210.02

UBCAP

1.3

1.29

-0.01

101

3,210,793

4,098,535.96

GUARANTY

24.01

24.1

0.09

473

9,933,054

239,680,843.78

UBN

10.39

10.39

0

86

287,993

2,963,195.16

GUINEAINS

0.5

0.5

0

1

180

90

UNILEVER

58.11

59

0.89

97

606,603

35,740,525.34

0.5

0.5

0

1

180

90

GUINNESS

250

249

-1

60

133,892

33,373,547.13

UNIONDAC

HONYFLOUR

2.8

2.61

-0.19

64

1,944,384

5,350,395.79

UNITYBNK

0.5

0.5

0

48

8,197,119

4,098,559.50

IHS

2.98

2.69

-0.29

34

1,191,637

3,229,066.90

UPL

3.6

3.6

0

16

107,150

366,449.90

IKEJAHOTEL

0.81

0.81

0

13

390,140

316,624.00

UTC

0.65

0.65

0

4

13,997

8,688.40

INTBREW

19.97

19.97

0

31

338,934

6,281,423.50

VITAFOAM

3.74

4

0.26

19

166,650

667,107.61

INTENEGINS

0.6

0.55

-0.05

22

502,436

280,384.25

VONO

1.84

1.66

-0.18

15

327,643

573,393.24

IPWA

0.75

0.75

0

4

32,340

23,755.00

WAPCO

92

92

0

90

1,002,059

92,195,367.40

JAPAULOIL

0.5

0.5

0

22

1,020,056

510,028.00

WAPIC

0.81

0.75

-0.06

50

5,135,500

3,917,855.00

JBERGER

76.95

76.95

0

24

142,519

10,434,821.25

WEMABANK

0.98

0.97

-0.01

50

2,241,237

2,187,779.57

JOHNHOLT

1.26

1.27

0.01

9

103,337

131,736.96

ZENITHBANK

19.61

19.35

-0.26

251

3,937,490

76,449,465.63

Gain

Stock

Close

Loss

OANDO ACCESS GUINNESS NAHCO IHS ZENITHBANK HONYFLOUR VONO NASCON FBNH

10.35 9.41 249 5.55 2.69 19.35 2.61 1.66 11.55 15.5

-1.15 -1.04 -1 -0.58 -0.29 -0.26 -0.19 -0.18 -0.1 -0.1

JOSBREW

8.27

9.09

0.82

48

1,120,376

10,181,537.06

LAWUNION

0.5

0.5

0

1

200

100

LEARNAFRCA

1.95

1.95

0

5

59,500

113,601.00

LIVESTOCK

3.98

3.98

0

39

953,647

3,799,807.41

MANSARD

2.1

2.1

0

10

327,000

686,450.00

MAYBAKER

2.04

2.04

0

24

183,336

368,464.58

MBENEFIT

0.5

0.5

0

2

36,000

18,000.00

MCNICHOLS

1.5

1.5

0

1

7,500

10,125.00

TOP 10 GAINERS Stock NB CHAMPION UNILEVER DANGCEM JOSBREW UACN STANBIC REDSTAREX PORTPAINT VITAFOAM

Close 161 16.99 59 190 9.09 55.5 18.5 4.4 5.8 4

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS 2 1.44 0.89 0.85 0.82 0.5 0.49 0.38 0.35 0.26

THE NIGERIAN

12

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

THE Nigerian Education Bank Bill which has passed second reading at the Federal House of Representatives, as explained by the initiator, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila proposes to establish the Nigerian Education Bank, with the primary duty of granting interest-free loans to poor students seeking higher education in Nigeria.

The Bill seeks to make available to each benefiting student, a sum of five hundred thousand Naira (N500,000) repayable in two years after graduation. The repayment, according to the proponents would take the form of direct deduction of ten percent monthly deductions at source from salaries of beneficiaries or from the profits in the case of self employed graduates until the loan is liquidated. According to the provisions of the Bill, “applicants must have secured admission into any Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of education or any vocational school established by the Federal Government or the Government of the States of the Federation.”

THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER commends the initiators and promoters of the Bill, which we consider progressive in a country where more than 70 percent of its population live below the 1 USD per day poverty line. For most Nigerians who have had to go through hell to obtain higher education, this is a watershed Bill not only welcomed by the poor, but groups marginalised by society such as orphans, physically challenged persons among others who do not have anywhere to turn to for higher education.

It is not much of news that students of tertiary

THE NIGERIAN

In Support Of Nigerian Education Bank Bill school-Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Agriculture and Colleges of education and others have gone through untold difficulties over the years to pass through such institutions. We are glad that the Bill is currently being considered by the lawmakers.

IT is equally heartwarming to note that, with the proposed law, Nigeria is on the right track to join the rest of the world in subsidizing education for the poor. It is important to note that Scandinavian countries such as Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark have developed sound qualitative education and almost tuitionfree higher education from cradle to grave. In fact, in Denmark, the tuition is free and, in fact, international students also enjoy free tuition provided they could show evidence of $6,000 feeding and upkeep fee per annum. Although tuition in Australia is not free, there are a lot of grants, scholarships and bursaries instituted for both the brilliant and poor students. These are best practices that this bill seeks to emulate.

We recognise that schooling anywhere in the world is not easy and hardly cheap, it is against this backdrop that we welcome the move by the Federal House of Representatives to introduce

a law that would take such a load off parents’ shoulders. We equally wish to call on the upper legislative chamber, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to concur the Bill as soon as it is passed by the lower house so that it can become a law in Nigeria.

Our support for the bill notwithstanding, we are of the opinion that Section 22 of the bill must be re-couched to read that “beneficiaries should be made to pay back the loan as soon as they are employed” , not the two years contained in the bill, given the high rate of unemployment in the country.

In our view, Sub-section 4 of the bill which stipulates punishments for offenders of the law in a case of default also requires a review to avoid the culture of impunity among young Nigerians who would take undue advantage of the benefits derivable from the law. Two years imprisonment or an option of fine of N500,000 being the same amount benefited by the beneficiary is not sufficient deterrence. We recommend five years imprisonment for offenders or a fine of N700,000 instead.

WE believe the Bill also throws up the need for government at all levels to take urgent steps to improve the employment market in Nigeria to absorb the army of unemployed persons roaming the streets in search of jobs.

Government should redouble efforts towards guaranteeing constant electricity supply, potable water supply, roads, railway system and other infrastructure needed to boost the nation’s industrialization, as a major way of making the law work efficiently when it eventually passed and assented to by the President.

THE NIGERIAN

13

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Issues

THE African Film Industry is said not to be only an entertainment industry; it is also a money maker. Film industry analysts believe that the Nigerian cinema is the most popular on the continent. Nollywood films have a large following audience in Africa and among Africans around the world.

Since 1990’s the industry, now stylishly called “Nollywood”, has churned out thousands of titles and brought many producers, marketers, actors, technicians into limelight.

Nollywood is said to be African’s largest movie industry in terms of both value and the number of movie produced per year.

Despite the popularity of this industry, it has her limitations. The Nigeria movie industry is close to what we can call ‘‘all most beyond repair.’’ The problem with Nollywood industry ranges from lack of government support, poor editing, stereotypy problem, politics, corruption, piracy, lack of talent hunt, greed, and many others.

When one studies the history of movie production in Nigeria, one would expect that at this point the industry would have gone higher and would have grown stronger than this or maybe would have become 2nd best in the world after America.

Nollywood movie industry is said to be (US$250million) which is less than the total budget of Avatar ($280 million), Tangled ($260 million), Spiderman ($258 million), or Pirates of the Caribbean sequels ($300 million) that means Nollywood is still a far cry from being a global film market.

Generally, Nigeria had always have people setting the pace for her to follow but no! She does not follow because; you can only take a horse to the river but cannot force it to drink water. It

seems like nothing that has ever been introduced into this country flourishes.

Starting from our politics to other affairs of the country, most have fizzled out, few are managing to survive.

Cinema is one of the most important public issues over which successive Federal Governments have exhibited inexplicable indifference, may be, borne out of ignorance of the significance and the functions of the film industry. Cinema is the least developed of the mass media in Nigeria. The country inherited the colonial structure of film industry and, despite her political independence in 1960, the system has not changed.

Koichiro Matsuura, a former director-general of the United Nation’s Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), say that “film and Video production are shining examples of how cultural industries, as vehicles of identity, values and meanings, can open the door to dialogue and understanding between people but also to economic growth and development.”

Film is a means of socialization, i.e. the process and experience that help an individual to become sensitive to the expectation of other members of the society, their values and culture. Cinema is an important tool in building cultural institutions, and reinforcing cultural pride.

Culture plays a vital role in the physical and mental development of an individual in any society. If it is required of the members of the Nigerian society to develop the basic physical, intellectual, social and emotional capabilities, then Nigerian films could be very helpful in this respect.

The cinema as a means of education could play a great role in the development of the nation. One naira invested in the intellectual

Nigeria Movie Industry development of a Nigerian could augment the national revenue more than one naira invested in a steel company or an automobile industry.

The cinema could be used to contribute to a feeling of nationness, as a voice of national planning, to help teach necessary skills, to extend the effective market, to help people look to the future and to prepare people

to play their role as a nation among nations’.

At the 2nd Ife International Film Festival, held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ghanaian Minister of Culture and Tourism, senator Bello Gada recognised how Nollywood could help in improving this nation when he stated that “Nollywood could be a huge source of wealth for the country.

The minister further urged our private sector not to give up the fight against piracy as it is one bane against the industry. He urged them to

And Her Struggles

By PRAISE EGHWRUDJE

improve a great deal on quality of works produced to face the challenges of the future and that he have no doubt in his mind that Nollywood will soon be one of the leading sources of the

practically, no revenue goes to the government.

One of the banes against Nollywood is the selfish attitude and interest shown by some stakeholders of the industry. A renowned

nation’s revenue”.

Nollywood’s popularity also means serious piracy problem. The World Bank estimates that for every legitimate copy sold, nine others are pirated. Ms. Nwagboso remarked that “In terms of exports, these movies are purchased and watched across the countries, Europe, USA, Caribbean and almost all the exports are pirated copies”. She further explained that because there are currently few legal channels for exporting movies, few or no returns go to the filmmakers and

property manager cum actor, Ahamefula Henry Ndunbisi, categorically stated the those at the steer of the industry needs to refrain from the pursuit of selfish interest, and start thinking of the way forward for the general purpose and betterment of all. According to him, selfishness has made the race for the growth of the industry to be fruitless.

He further revealed that currently, there are men and women who are all partners, investors and stakeholders, but seventy percent of them are selfish and self-centred.

Poor Editing is another mighty bane against the growth of the industry.

Nigeria movies are produced so quickly, without giving proper attention to the final stage of movie production, which is editing. The major technique that American directors employ into movie

“Nollywood’s popularity also means serious piracy problem. The World Bank estimates that for every legitimate copy sold, nine others are pirated. Ms. Nwagboso remarked that “In terms of exports, these movies are purchased and watched across the countries, Europe, USA, Caribbean and almost all the exports are pirated copies”.

production that makes their movies outstanding is editing. An American movie can take six months, one year or more before it is finally brought out into the cinema. During that period, the movie goes through a very powerful editing stage,

they fix everything they want, make unreal actions real, but Nigerian movies don’t go through such process as it seems the process is too long and they need to make their profit very quickly because of piracy.

Nigeria films are produced within a month and are profitable within two to three weeks of release. Most DVD movies easily sell more than 200,000. But despite the success of the movies, Nollywood actors’ incomes are low. Even the most popular get paid between $1000 and $3000 per film. Only recently that Actress Omotola Jalade Ekehinde, one of the most popular Nollywood star, topped the chart at 5million Naira per film.

Prolificacy of films; going by market indicators, it is no Continues on page 14

THE NIGERIAN

14

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Issues Continued from page 13

longer contestable that Nigeria is one of the highest producers of video films in the world. It is said that an average of 50 video films are churned out from different producers every week. This is because the producers of Nigerian films go for low or shoestring budgets. ‘‘Films can be produced with as little as $10,000’’, says Ejike Nwaukwo, an independent film producer. He adds, ‘‘the low budget film makes it possible for us to shoot and complete production as quickly as possible, sometimes within a month or less. But sadly, it affects the quality of productions as everything is hurriedly done.’’

In several quarters, involvement of producers in low budget films has been identified as one of the greatest banes militating against the fast rising

industry. The poor quality of films experienced from the industry as well as the hurriedness with which these movies are shot and produced have all been attributed to low budgets.

Movie producers that have toed the line of producing big budget films are Emen Isong, who jointly produced Guilty Pleasures with Desmond Elliot and Uche Jombo and Mahmood Ali Balogun, who produced Tango with Me. Despite the efforts of these ones, critics both local and international view the Nigerian film industry as a poor imitation of the real thing despite its popularity around the world.

Blurring any hope of launching into global acceptance in the near future, Yerima argues that Nigeria’s video film is at best a television drama, which explains why most of the movies are shot in episodes.

“RIDICULOUS distortion” that was the phrase Christopher Kolade used in Katsina State recently to refer to the reports of plans to ‘smuggle’ pension for life for principal officers of the National Assembly into the constitution.

Strangely, if the likes of Christopher Kolade is not sure of the truth regarding what the National Assembly ‘smuggles or smokes’ into the constitution, who will know?

It was the same week that Oby Ekwesili was engaging the same National Assembly to the debate over the One Trillion Naira she claimed they have earned doing nothing.

The House of Representatives had taken up the Oby challenge, whether the debate holds or not, will only serve up our appetite to take our minds off the fading deportation drama and the aftermath of the FFK VS Igbos imbroglio, after all the underage marriage matter is dead, and we have left Obama and his gay drama.

Same week, Oil Producers Trading Section (OPTS), disagreed with the figures in public domain as regards the number of barrels of oil lost to illegal bunkering.

The body said at an event in Abuja that Nigeria actually loses 49,000 barrels per day to illegal bunkering as against 490,000 barrels per day as the

public is made to believe.

A representative of OPTS, Ayobami Olubiyi, at a roundtable meeting on Voluntary Principles, organized by Global Rights, explained that while 49,000 barrels are lost, 350,000 barrels are lost to production shut-ins. Production shut-ins the amount of oil lost to nonproduction as a result of vandalized pipelines.

According to him, the figures lost to illegal bunkering vary from day to day depending on the “scale of sabotage that occurs at each section.

Bottom-line is that, Nigeria is loosing oil whether by shut in, shut out, or bunker in and out. This explanation mirrors part of all that is wrong with this nation, just like Kolade put it, all distortions, we have a Department of Petroleum Resources, a ministry of petroleum and various committees on the oil sector and yet we just cannot get it right.

Same week Health workers started their own strike action, joining ASUU, while the PDP NEC was meeting and the APC had an extra-ordinary meeting in Abuja. Strange indeed, I mean just a distorted mentality, no one will really do anything, so we continue in the status quo of suffering and smiling.

Did I tell the uninformed, that the ASUU talks was

Nigeria Movie Industry...

He said; ‘‘I doubt whether what we describe as the Nigeria film can be described as film in

America. They will rather call it television drama or documentary. They were originally TV series and were

Edem Duke, Minister of Tourism

to be serialised, because the market was there, they now got encourage not to go to TV houses anymore. So from TV drama series, they became movies. ’’ If Nigerian Government can support this struggling industry to fight against piracy, reconstruct the national theatre and make it attractive for foreign investors to come in, the industry can also help to generate revenue for the nation and unemployment can be reduced as opportunities would be given to upcoming movie personnel. The reason new faces are not allowed into the industry is because those that are there, are holding on stiffly to what they have as there are no jobs in the country and producers are afraid of using new faces

that might not help in getting back the money they have put inside the production.

Government should also show interest in other parts of the country’s gifts and reduce their focus on only oil production as it has been discovered that the oil would soon dry up. They should stop paying lip service to this industry as producers are becoming tired on the fight against piracy. If government can get involved in the fight, that industry can become profitable to the nation. Our government should be very careful so as not to wake up some day and discover that everything this country is blessed with have all gone due to lack of attention and lip service.

A Nation’s Ridiculous Distortion

deadlocked severally with even the President supposedly a one time ASUU member threatening thunder, brimstone and the whim of a puppy all to no avail.

The House of Rep committee on Education was begging ASUU, ASUU was begging, parents were begging and the students, for those that had not taken to other vices, because even education in Nigeria is a vice, were begging—What a distortion!

As all these continued, FG and the other two tiers of government in this feeding bottle styled federalism shared N715.8B for the month of July. Before we bother and lament regarding where all these monies go, take a visit to ‘their’ garage, luxurious cars litter them, kids schooling in Alaska, and girlfriends and concubines drawing allowances from the billions.

The media had no choice, as all the news was politics, 2015, If Obasanjo was not raining curses, Danjuma was the kite for a Christian Northern Presidency; an uninformed joke. Tukur continued his battle with his kinsmen governors, while Dame and Amaechi did the stage performance of “you did not condole me”. We

By PRINCE CHARLES DICKSON

played snake and ladder with whether the man with nine lives Abu Shekau was dead or not, between STF, and Defense Hqtrs., it was storystory even as everyone became an expert on the man who only threatened Obama on CNN few days before he was proclaimed dead—It’s the land of ghosts and disappearing acts so don’t be scared, it is all part of the distortions.

We have professors everywhere, experts, PhD holders, consultants, gurus and revered men who claim to see or talk to God regularly, yet no headway, the best we get is grammarians who take ipads to farms and hoes to board meetings.

The Wednesday FEC contract meeting held and as usual another slice of the national cake was chopped off.

Attend any event with the Maitama Sules, Braithwaites, Jakande, Onosode, Lar and co. generation, we hear of the good old days, and sadly we are living witnesses of the current days of Tinubu, Rufai, Utomi and co. Nigeria is

neither a practical nor theory not on human or auto pilot, neither a zoo, at least the animals are caged and know their limits. We are just a huge distortion.

Did I tell you it was the week FG made more millions, no I mean billions selling PHCN while a third quarter of the nation was in darkness.

We have all become part of one huge joke where all comes, and no one goes beyond talk shops: even when we put the pegs right in the holes they should be, one wonders are if we are cursed, by whom and for whose benefit. We are enmeshed in greed that defies creed, and religion, yet encapsulated in a feisty fight of rights rested on religion and ethnicity.

Our democracy is just a huge distortion, a few steps forward, massive strides backwards because representation at all levels, from Local Councils to National Assembly, Governors, Ministers, and those we refer to as ‘they’ are plagued by a disease called

ridiculous distortion, as mirrored by Afis Odidere : “They cannot debate.

They are pretentious.

They are intellectually lazy.

They are foolishly religious.

They demand respect.

They cannot reason on a straight line.

They are too touchy and too personality conscious.

They love to parade useless degrees instead of d e m o n s t r a t i n g Intellectualism.

They tell stories of how they were schooled, but when they discuss issues, they lack analytical prowess.

And for those who showcase their PhDs, they lack research skills.

They are never prepared when coming to a meeting (never used their acquired skills for the Group’s benefit, only used their acquired skills as Weapons of Mass Destruction)”.

We know the problems, the solutions are there, we are just toying with reality, and ridiculously distorting our future. A weapon one doesn’t have in hand won’t kill a snake…all these distortions, whether there is hope–Only time will tell

THE NIGERIAN

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Discourse

I have silently and demurring abandoned the issue of the on-going Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) protracted strike which has just entered its third month by my calculation. This is because as far as my sentiments can carry me, the glamour, serenity and the patriotic emotionality with which it is being carried out have been profaned and now, it is living on its past glories and under the shadows of time since both parties involved, that is the federal government and the union leaders are not willing to shift ground.

In order to avoid living in conflict over the ASUU on-going strike and the proposed Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) planned action which is expected to commence any moment from next week, let me quickly point out here that the social approach to any national issue as the two critical matters enumerated above could not have been based on unpatriotic or a rebellious machinations of the actors involved in the crisis but an attempt to on finding lasting solution to the lingering problem.

Disappointment envisaged by the leadership of NMA before issuing the ultimatum was based on the dilapidated state of the Nigeria’s health sector which the NMA President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele described as groaning under hard

conditions and needs to be fixed if this nation really wants to achieve its concerns health for all by the year 2015.

The NMA is equally of the view that the incessant trip abroad by some well-to-do Nigerians who traveled to India and other parts of the world for medical attention will not only be reduced if our health sector is working, it will also enhanced the nations economic growth, as what is taken abroad in form of brain drain and our hard earned resources can then be expended in Nigeria’s ailing economy.

Interestly, Nigeria has had controversies trailing the health status of some of our political office holders since our nascent democracy started in 1999 and by the last count, we have had cases of president and government’s alleged having serious health challenges without a conforming office of SurgeonGeneral of Nigeria established to authenticate the true health status of these public officers.

Infact, Nigeria has become a laughing stock in the eyes of the international community following the recent incident of the Taraba State Governor, Mr. Danbaba Suntai who was involved in aeroplane accident when he attended to fly himself.

After ten months of medical sojourn abroad, upon return to his own state to resume work as governor of the state, he

Beyond Proposed NMA Strike

was rebutted by the state House of Assembly who passed a resolution to the effect that the Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Umar should continue as the Acting Governor of the state pending when Governor Suntai is physically fit health wise to resume work as governor of the state.

We have also heard of

By FRIDAY OBANOR

which some public tertiary hospitals is being handled pervades the entire stratum of the Nigerian society hence the NMA is at daggerdrawn with the federal government over the

ultimatum expires, interestingly, the federal government has not deem it necessary to call the health workers to a round table dialogue so as to nip their action in the bud. Instead the

being that if the government allows another protracted strike from a vital sector, like health to join the ASUU on-going strike, the implications are obvious for all those who have monitored the trends in Nigeria in recent time.

Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health

NMA President, Dr Osahon Enabulele

cases of people patronizing quack hospitals because of lack of facilities at the public hospitals, these persons sometimes end up being victims of circumstance in their bid to access qualitative and affordable healthcare services.

As it were, the deliberate manner, general laxity and the carefree attitude with

presidency is treating the issue with kid gloves and decided to put his 2015 ambition ahead of every other national issues.

Although, it cannot be sustained that the federal government had not commenced talks with the union leaders, our concern however, is that this proposed action will not take place in the interest of the nation and its citizenry; reason

proposed planned industrial action aimed at forcing government to be alive to its responsibilities by fixing our health sector.

For instance, media reports have it again that the President of the NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele while fielding questions from newsmen vowed to commence the indefinite strike immediately the union’s

In this wise, we advise that on the part of both parties, ego should for once be put aside and open up dialogue in the interest of the nation.

Failure to do this might spell doom for the nation with its attendant consequences which may touch on both the high and low in the society, especially the political class.

“Infact, Nigeria has become a laughing stock in the eyes of the international community following the recent incident of the Taraba State Governor, Mr. Danbaba Suntai who was involved in aeroplane accident when he attended to fly himself.”

THE NIGERIAN

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Midweek Magazine Continued from last week

Constitutions without Constitutionalism: Recompacting the Political Space NIGERIA has never had a truly democratic constitution. To be sure, the country has had legal constitutions, but they have hardly been legitimate. The country has never adopted a participatory or processed approach involving the various nationality groups and the various communities, constituencies and interests that make up the country in compacting its constitutions. It has consistently been elitedriven with the state playing a critical role in determining the content of the final document It is no wonder that the constitutions have hardly served as coherent compacts for determining the relationship between the ruled and the rulers and none has been able to ensure the rule of law and popular participation much less transparency, accountability, and social Justice. Nigerian constitutions have been opportunistic documents designed to perpetrate what could be regarded as a political fraud on the nationalities of Nigeria in particular minority groups and non- bourgeois constituencies. Finally, Nigerian constitutions have never been instruments for ensuring the survival of the democratic project, neither have they prevented nor discouraged the subversion of the democratic enterprise by the military. More so, the constitutions have not empowered the Nigerian people to have access to the structures of power or to the constitution so they can claim ownership of the document and deploy such ownership in the defense of their individual and collective rights.

As indicated above, military rule destroyed the basis of Nigerian federalism.

The concentration of power in the federal government and the commandist nature of military rule turned Nigeria into a pseudo-federal state.

This has turned out to be the basis of agitations for autonomy and political restructuring demanded by the various minority groups, opposition and human rights movements, and ethnocultural organizations.’ The 1999 constitution hardly demonstrates any sensitivity

to these issues. It hardly pays attention to questions of autonomy or reorganization of political power and though it pays so much attention to power and the definition of power, it is still lopsided in favor of the centre, The states of the federation do not have control over their own resources. This is still the exclusive preserve of the federal government that has guaranteed only 13% of generated revenues to the states where the resources are generated (see below). This is no different from the situation under the military where the federal government illegally appropriated the resources of units of the federation and doled out meager portions to them under dubious fiscal arrangements. The debate in the oil-bearing and producing communities of Nigeria has long gone beyond percentages to one of control The 1999 constitution could not have been more unrealistic and out of touch.

Under the 1999 constitution, the states cannot set up their own police forces.

The State Police Force (SPF) is only a branch of the federal police force under a federally appointed inspector general of police, Section 214 (1) is clear on the fact that ‘There shall be a Police Force for Nigeria, which shall be known as the Nigeria Police Force, and subject to the provisions of this section no other police force shall be established for the Federation Or any part thereof.”

According to Section 214(c), it is the National Assembly that is empowered to “make provisions for branches of the Nigeria Police Force forming part of the armed forces of the Federation....” And the Commissioner of police for each state “shall be appointed by the Police Service Commission.” Even more ridiculous in a federal system, is that in the event of a need to maintain or secure public safety and public order within the state, a governor may direct the commissioner of police to take necessary action. However, according to section 215 (4), “before carrying out any such directions ... the Commissioner of Police may request that the matter be referred to the President or such Minister of the Government of the Federation as may be authorized in that behalf by the President for his direction.” After Nigeria’s experience in the first republic, and given the bitter partisan quarrels that

The Nigerian State As Obstacle To Federalis

By PROF JULIUS IHONVBERE

accompanied the 1998-99 elections, the federal government can hardly be regarded as not being partisan much less interested in objectively responding to crises in states if such crises might weaken the opposing parties. The federal ministry of education does not just play a supervisory role; it also dictates policy to the state departments of education. In fact, one of the first acts of General Obasanjo as the democratic president of Nigeria was to pay the salaries of striking teachers in the states. As it turned out, General Obasanjo had illegally appropriated monies belonging to the state governments to perform this magnanimous act for which he took a lot of credit Citizens in a state cannot form political parties that are registered in the state and interested in canvassing for support and contesting for office only in the state. In fact, all parties are to comply with federally dictated requirements and are to be registered with the federal government’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This goes directly against the autonomy of the nationalities of the federating units and erodes the ability of states to organize their political interests and processes indendentIy. In fact,the entire idea of parties being registered by the federal government means that the same federal government could deny registration on the grounds that its requirements have not been met. Given the experiences of the past, what the 1999 constitution has done is to restrict the formation and operation of political parties to the wealthy. It is only this wealthy class that can afford the cost of such an exercise.

It also hardly recognizes the fact that not all parties in the world are necessarily set up to win national elections. This would continue to anger the minorities, the opposition groups, and locally based politicians. As Balarabe Musa has already argued,”... the idea of pasty registration is undemocratic. For instance, during the last election, we saw a situation whereby only people who had money and who could afford to buy votes, were able to contest and win elections.” In other words, the cumbersome,

expensive, and intrusive federal government requirements for party formation and registration is a direct way of encouraging corruption, elite-dominated politics, and the continuing marginalization of persons without connections with the wealthy in the political process.

The 1999 constitution negates a cardinal pillar of federalism by denying Nigerians the right to form political parties at any level they wish and by doing so, it subverts creativity at the local level by forcing it into the complex, corrupt and often compromised vortex of national politics.

Because the state wishes to continue the concentration of power at the center, it has avoided a direct engagement of the nationality issue. Thus it tries to forge a non-existent sense of nationhood by forcing political parties to adopt superficial national symbols in their logos, names, and presence in geographical spaces. The reality is that these can (and have) been done without a true commitment to unity and the integration of political interests and objectives. Most political parties that have described themselves as “national” in Nigeria’s history have been dominated by power elites from the North, East or West. Denying the nationality question is tantamount to postponing the evil day for Nigeria because the degree of political alienation in the country that gave rise to ethnic and regionalist groups like Afenfere and Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Ijaw Peoples Union, Ahaeze, Middle Belt Forum, Midwest Initiative, Eastern Mandate Union (EMU), Northern Peoples’ Forum, and so on, cannot be washed away through superficial Institution building. Rather, Sections 221-229 stipulate regulations that are federally determined and controlled. In fact, according to Section 223 (b), “the members of the executive committee or other governing body of the political party must reflect the federal character.” Section 222 ( requires political parties to have their headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This is a clear negation of the rights of nationalities to form their own parties, restrict their activities to their states or local governments and

dedicate themselves to the improvement of their particular communities In fact, the federal stipulation means that only those that can afford the high cost of party formation at the national level can pursue such an agenda.

In a country with well over 250 distinct ethnic groups with a plethora of distinct languages, the 1999 constitution declares in Section 55 that the language of the national assembly shall be English, Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba. This ridiculous and provocative prescription is evidence of the arrogance of power that informs the politics of the custodians of state power in Nigeria: the

Compact

redistributive politics.

The 1999 constitution retained the vexing issue of the Land Use Act in Section 315 (d). This Act, passed in 1978 as the Land Use Decree under the previous General Obasanjo regime, has angered minority communities, those that feel marginalized from the center of power, and the entire groups and communities in the Niger Delta. It was the greed to control the oil wealth of the Niger Delta by an unsteady state and an unproductive elite that led to the promulgation of the Land Use Decree. The decree allowed top military

W vis 19 fac him rej the ha it r an fed T co cle po pe qu do Og

Prof Julius Ihonvbere

majority ethnic groups and retired/active military interests. In their arrogance, they completely ignored the growing militancy, awareness, organization, and demands of the other nationality groups in the country. Thus, rather than accord all languages equality before isolating those to be used in the National Assembly, the constitution and its civilian and military framers simply ignored nonmajority spoken languages in Nigeria. This attitude reflects the power configuration of the country and exhibits the direct implication for resource control and

officers, transnational corporations and members of the ruling class to grab large parcels of land at minimal cost in the name of farming. In fact, following the election of general Obasanjo in 1999, the leading groups in the Niger Delta, including the Ijaw youth Council, The Chicoco Movement, and the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) met and announced their rejection of his election as president because he was singularly responsible for promulgating the decree that took away their land and vested all oil wealth in the federal government from which they are marginalized.

Ka Og Ik po ha de So So Ni Pa Co Su Ni De W In Na m co the bu de

THE NIGERIAN

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Midweek Magazine

sm: Towards A New Constitutional

For Democratic Politics

When President Obasanjo sited the Niger Delta in June 999 to meet the warring ctions, Ijaw activists told m to his face that they still jected the Land Use Act and e constitution into which it as now been incorporated as represented a grave injustice nd a negation of true deralism.

The various Niger Delta ommunities and groups have early articulated their osition, demands, and erspectives on the national uestion in various ocuments including the goni Bill of Rights; the

alanta Declaration, the gbia Deck, ration, and the kwerre Rescue Charter. The ositions in these declarations ave been endorsed by other emocratic groups such as olidarity Movement of the outhern Minoritics of igeria, National Conscience arty, Oodua Peoples ongress, Movement for the urvival of Easterners and iger Deltas, Eastern Nigeria/ elta Unity Association, Women of Nigeria nternational, and Igbo ational Movement, to ention a few. The 1999 onstitution not only ignores ese documents and demands ut actually goes as far as eclaring that the provision on

the land use act (and those on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Public Complaints Commission, and the national securities agencies) “shall continue to apply and have full effect in accordance with their tenor and to the like extent as any other provisions forming part of this Constitution and shall not be altered or repealed except in accordance with the provisions of section 9 (2) of this Constitution.” The Land Use Act has been included in the Exclusive Legislative List and would continue to “have effect as Fecleral Enactment (...)..“ This is not only insensitive to the demands of the various groups that have demanded increased control over their lands and other resources, but a clear demonstration of continuing federal domination of the states as had been the case under military regimes.

Without doubt, this would continue to generate pressures, contradictions, and conflicts as alienated groups have made it clear that the repeal of the land use act remains one of their primary objectives.

The 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is anything but federal.’’ One could make the argument that in spite of existing political structures at local, state, and federal levels, the constitution assumes that the military was still in power! It simply consolidates existing relations of power in favor of the central government. Section 4, second Schedule outlines a very long list of Legislative powers. The “Exclusive Legislative List” is a long shopping list that includes everything with no attempt to bring in the states, much less the local governments. Part II of the Schedule contains the “Concurrent Legislative List” where both the Federal and the State governments have powers to make laws. Even here, the central government has the Final say on all issues as the National Assembly is declared as the superior power whose laws shall prevail in the case of conflicts, The Third Schedule lists “Federal Executive Bodies” such as the Code of Conduct Bureau, Council of State, Federal Character Commission.

Federal Civil Service Commission, Federal Judicial Service Commission, Independent National

Electoral Commission, National Defence Council, National Economic Council, National Judicial Council, National Population Commission, National Security Council, Nigeria Police Council, Police Service Commission, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission. These are simply national or federal commissions designed to facilitate federal regulation and control of the states up to the minutest details. In this context, it has hardly altered existing relations that had reduced the states to mere appendages of the federal government under the various militaryjuntas. Interestingly, Part II of the Third Schedule lists only four ‘States’ Executive Bodies” -the State Civil Service Commission, State Independent Electoral Commission, and the State Judicial Service Commission, The national equivalents, save for the civil service commission, continue to have significant influence in the performance of duties within the states. Thus, in terms of addressing the demands of prodemocracy groups, human rights organizations, minority communities, the various ethnic associations, women’s movements, the Niger Delta communities, and the widespread calls for political restructuring to return the country to true federalism with regional control over local resources, politics, and economic activities, the 1999 constitution has completely failed to address these issues.

It is strong and long on power, but very weak and short on strengthening civil society, and serving as the basis for mobilizing Nigerians for the construction of a tolerant, inclusive, and democratic project in the next millennium. The constitution does not pretend to be the basis for operating a federal system of government.

To drive home its insensitivity to nationality agitations in the Country, the constitution has provided very stringent and dearly unattainable conditions for amendments, state and local government creation, and boundary adjustments. What it wants to do is preserve the current structures that favor the majority nationality groups and silence the yearnings of the minorities.

This also translates directly to

majority control over national resources within the excessively ceniralized power structures, For instance, to create a new state, Section 8 (1) of Chapter 1 provides that an Act of the National Assembly shall he passed only if a request is supported by at two-thirds majority of members representing the area demanding the new state in the Senate and House of Representatives, the house of assembly in the state concerned, local government councils in the area concerned, a referendum approved by at least twothirds majority of the people in the area where the demand originated, the result of the referendum is approved by simple majority of all states of the federation through a simply majority of members of the houses of assembly, and finally the referendum result is approved by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of members of each house of the national assembly. Aside from the scary financial implications involved in this circuitous process, the framers of the 1999 constitution knew very well that intra-party conflicts and competition, personality clashes, ethnic and religious as well as regional suspicions would make this process useless to the task of state creation. Clearly, the requirements already work in favor of the majority groups that already dominate or control power and resources in the current structures that the framers of the constitution appear determined to preserve.

Conclusion: Towards true Federalism and Constitutionalism The character of a dominant elite is critical to the restructuring of political spaces and relations. A dominant elite with a holistic world-view would always appreciate the value of dialogue, negotiation, and compromise the interest of the larger national project. As well, it would recognize that in politics concessions do not necessarily mean defeat. As well, the ability to build new networks and platforms of politics in the interest of advancing the cause of democracy and expanding the foundations of pluralism is directly related to the structure of class relations and the patterns of capital accumulation. Unfortunately, for Nigeria, it fails at all points of interrogation. The elite is

still factionalized and fractionalized. Its national project is still heavily mediated by primordial considerations, loose alliances, political irresponsibility, and a seemingly pathological fixation on primitive accumulation. Its regard for civil society is opportunistic and tendentious.

Its commitment to a national project is shallow. Its relationship to the state is opportunistic as it uses it to enhance accumulation even at the cost of destabilizing it.

Finally, the Nigerian bourgeoisie remains impatient with democracy, sees politics as a business in which you invest and reap quadruple rewards, and sees the ordinary Nigerian as an object of manipulation in the political process.

Clearly, such an elite is incapable of constructing the necessary political structures to support a truly democratic project. This is unfortunate for Nigeria where the experiences of the past, especially the civil war (1967-70), created opportunities for redefining and recompacting political relations. Furthermore, consistent and articulate agitations by popular groups since 1960 have produced some of the most creative political prescriptions for inclusion, tolerance, accountability, and political restructuring in Africa. The power elite, especially its fraction that dominates the state, has simply opted to ignore these prescriptions.

More than anything, this elite has preferred superficial tinkering with political reforms, This situation has not been helped by the advent of the military that introduced an arrogance of power and gave the political elite a feeling of invisibility. Even then, contestations within and between political constituencies since political independence have also exposed the fragility of the state and its limited ability to consolidate the occasional engagements with democracy.

The corruption and breakdown of governance that accompanied irnlitai-y mie, especially under the Generals Babangida and Abacha Juntas easily reified corruption and curtailed the ability of the elite to effectively orseriously negotiate the contours of the country’s complex pohtical terrain. The net result of these and other features of Nigeria’s distinctive political economy is that political restructuring has become part of national contestations and discourses.

Yet, the character of the state and its custodians remain an obstacle to very much needed national dialogues, much less negotiations for reform.

The option open to the Nigerian state today is to go very far beyond the so-called “Presidential Technical Committee to Review the 1999 Constitution” that has adopted an opportunistic, short term, and nonconsultative approach to reviewing the constitution.

The process of constitution making must, in some sense, be seen as an effof at reconstructing or remolding the soul of the nation, and an effort at compacting a peace treaty between and within the various nationalities. It must be a truly open, transparent, accountable, inclusive, and participatory process with the capacity to engage all communities and constituencies. Such a process must bring in all groups and give them an opportunity, to become part of constructing such a national project. The depth of existing contradictions has taken this initiative beyond what the political parties or national assembly can handle. Nigeria would do well to learn from recent experiences and processes in Uganda, South Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe where the emphasis is on the process as well as on ways to not just use constitution making to address the questions of ethnicity, political structure, identity, leadership and so on, but also as a way of generating a document that would be owned by the people and used to defend the democratic enterpise, Given the present levels of contradictions, negative coalitions, suspicions, violence, and direct challenges to the already tenuous legitimacy of the state, the Olusegun Obasanjo government would be swept off the political scene if it fails to adopt an open, inclusive and participatory approach to recompact the foundations of governance.

This would be the only way to build democratic legitimacy, strengthen Political institutions, reopen closed political spaces, and enhance the struggle to consolidate democracy. The current strategy of piecemeal aloof, elite-driven and superficial efforts at consulting the people would culminate once again in sidetracking the issues and a missed opportunity to establish minimum political platforms of agreement and mobilizing the Nigerian people in a true federal political system.

THE NIGERIAN

18

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Opinion

Curbing The Evil Called Female Genital Mutilation FEMALE Genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female circumcision is defined

by World Health Organization (WHO) as “ all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons” It is practiced as a cultural ritual in 28 countries in Western, Eastern and NorthEastern Africa and in parts of Asia and the middle East.

The WHO estimates that about 140 million women and girls around the world have experienced the procedure, including 101 million of them in Africa.

FGM is usually carried out between the ages of four and ten, typically without anaethesia by a traditional circumciser using of knife, razor or scissors, although wealthier Families may have it performed in a hospital.

The WHO offers four classification and type of female circumcisionThis type is the removal of the clitoris (Clitoridectomy) and clitoral hood.

This second type is the

By ANGELA OJOR-PAUL

removal of the clitoris and inner labia.

Infibulations is the removal of all or part of the inner and outer labia and the fusion of the wound with a small hole left for the passage of urine and menstrual blood, the wound is opened up for intercourse and child birth.

Around 85% of women who undergo FGM experience type 1 and 11.

While, type 111 is predominant in Djibouti, Somalia and Sudan and in parts of Eritrea Ethiopia and Mali Type 11 refers to procedures such as symbolic piercing of the clitoris and cutting into the vagina to widen it (gishiri cutting) The health effects of FGM can include recurrent urinary and vagina infections, fatal hemorrhaging, as well as anxiety, depression and loss of trust in caregivers.

The practice is rooted in gender unequally cultural identity, ideas about purity, modesty, aesthethic and honour and attempts to control women’s sexuality by reducing their sexual

desire, thereby promoting chastity and fidelity. In communities that practice it, it is supported by both

called it one of the “three feminine sorrows, in the procedure itself, followed by the wedding night when a woman with type has to be cut open, and then child birth when she has to be cut again.

instead of a gave or acacia thorns, the availability on antibiotics.

Immediate complications are enhanced when FGM is performed in traditional ways the procedure is

Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health

women and men.

According to a Sudanese surgeon thalrid toubia, who has campaigned against the FGM for decades, it is harder to persuade the women to give it up than men, because they see it as a source of status and authority.

Urologist Jean Fourcoy writes that women in countries that practices it

FGM has no known health benefits-it has both immediate and late complications which depend on sexual factors, the type of FGM, the conditions in which the procedure took place and whether the practitioner and medical training, whether unsterilized, or surgical single-use tools were used, whether surgical thread was used

extremely painful and a bleeding complication can be fatal CA 2007 film by Mariana Van zever, shot in Sierra Leone, discusses how girls who bleed excessively are regarded as witches. Other i m m e d i a t e complications include acute urinary retention, urinary infection, wound infection, septicemia,

tetanus and in case of unsterile and reused instruments hepatitis and HIV, it is not know how many gins and women die from the procedure.

Late complications vary depending on the type of FGM performed.

The formation of scars and keloids can lead to strictures, obstruction or fistula formation of the urinary and genital tracts.

Urinary tract sequelae include damage to urethra and bladder with complete obstruction of the vagina results in hematocolpos and hematometra. Others include epidermoid cysts that may become infected, neuroma formation, typically involving nerves that supplied the clitoris and pelvic pain.

FGM may complicate pregnancy and place women at higher risk for obstetrical problems, which are more common with the more extensive FGM procedures. Thus, in women with type 111 FGM who have developed vesicovaginal or rectovaginal fistulae- holes that allow urine and faeces to seep into the vagina. It is difficult to obtain clear urine samples as part of conditions such as preclampsia harder.

Cervical evalvation during Labour may be Continues on Page 25

“Late complications vary depending on the type of FGM performed.

The formation of scars and keloids can lead to strictures, obstruction or fistula formation of the urinary and genital tracts.”

THE NIGERIAN

19

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Natural Medicine

Healing Properties Of Bitter Leaf

BITTER-LEAF has several principles or ingredients, if you like.

However what interests me today in this column are the main active ones.

Namely, you have the amygdalina principle to start with. Remember, the botanical name of bitter leaf, afterall, is vernonia amygdalina.

The amygdalin principle in bitter leaf is responsible for its bitter taste. Then, there is the chlorophyll that bitterleaf contains which is why it is dark green in colour.

Other major principles in the leaf are flavonoids, saponins and tannins.

All these main principles in the leaf give it dnique healing properties. Now let’s take a look at the ingredecents in bitterleaf, briefly.

Flavonvods: These substances in bitterleaf make it act as a diuretic as well as an antispasmodic

and an anti-inflammatory agent. This means that as a diuretic, bitterleaf promotes urination which in itself cleanses purifies blood.

Also, because it is on anti-spasmodic, bitterleaf prevents spasm of smooth muscles of the body, thus eliminating or easing the involuntary contraction of there muscles.

Tannins: They are astringent or tissue – contracting in nature.

Hence, they help to protect, maintain as well as sustain the integrity of the mucous membranes within the body Don’t forget these membranes secret mucus for bathing themselves when under traumatic irritation by allergens or other substances.

Saponins: These are a variant of glycosides

which foam like soap when bitterleaf is washed in water. Essentially, saponins emulsifies oil/fat . This explains why oil/fat mixes well in a cooking bitter pot of soup.

Emulsification is a process which involves the breaking down of oil/fat into smaller particles to enable them mix well as a solvent in solution.

Saponins also act as an expectorant for liquefying thick, toxic mucus so that they can easily be expelled from the body.

Furthermore, saponins

promote duiresis-that is, urination- in addition to enhancing digestion and absorption of silic, calcium, etc.

Chlorophyll Because of the chlorophyll that bitterleaf contains, it can act as a disinfectant.

Moreover, it is beneficial for deodorizing the body of odour as well as eliminating deposits of metals and drugs lodged in the body. So, here is a bonus for people who are eating fish contaminated with mercury or have used mercury amalgam to fill their teeth. Drink bitterleaf tea for a while. The tea will help to clear up the mercury, entering your

With

Dr. MAO

08030717341

body through your teeth fillings and causing your ‘mysterious’ allergies.

Amygdalin. This principle in bitterleaf gives it the bitterness associated with it. Like other enable bitter-tasting vegetables, bitterleaf has the following medicinal properties. It is blood-purifying, firstly.

Secondly, it includes perspiration and sweating, being a diaphoretic as well as a sodorific plant, respectively for ‘sweating out’ a fever. That is as far as the leaf can go if you want to use it as an antimalaria fever then that is another different matter.

You have to drink thrice glass of the extracted juice three times a day for three days only. No more. Abuse of bitter leaf juice-I don’t mean water extract of the leaf –compromises your blood volume.

Thirdly, bitter leaf is useful for stimulating your appetite and digestion.

This explains why you may end up over-eating when you have a soup prepared with bitterleaf and eba/pounded yam or akpu before you.

Also, that is why you keep indigestion and its ally, constipation, away from you when you eat bitterleaf soup regularly.

What indeed heals the body and is bio-friendly is often not “palatable” to your tastebuds!!

Fourthly, bitterleaf has an anti-inflammatory effect on the human body.

Impliedly, the leaf can prevent growths and eliminate or minimize a swelling induced by a trauma/ injury whether internally or externally.

Therefore, why do you wait to shop for expensive anti-inflammatory agents when your cheaper garden

bitterleaf is handy?

Fifthly, bitterleaf stimulates and acds detoxification process of the liver. Put simply, what this means is that each day take a tea cup of bitterleaf to empower the liver and enhance its power eliminate toxic wastes from your body after converting them to harmless substance.

Sixthly, bitterleaf is beneficial for managing Diabetes Melletus Type 2 because its bitter principles assist blood sugar if it is high and lowering abnormal Note, nevertheless, I am not saying that bitter leaf repairs a sick pancreas implicated in the cause of this type of diabetes.

Managing or treating a disease is quite different from curing it. Bitterleaf tea only lowers high blood sugar Iglucose. Nothing more.

If you want bitterleaf to work for you, show love for the plant as you walk towards it to harvest its leaves. The healing plant doesn’t like to collaborate with dirty, sinful and immoral persons. Also, don’t drag or pull at the leaves when you are harvesting them. Use a sharp, Chef ’s knife instead for cutting the leaves with one blow at a time. The plant withdraws its healing principles when ever you subject its leaves to the pains of a drag or pull. All plants have emotions, The also feel pains like you when ill-treated. Therefore, just as you withfraw your hand from burning fire, assets for safe keeping into their branches and stems when their leaves are being vandalized recklessly.

“If you want bitterleaf to work for you, show love for the plant as you walk towards it to harvest its leaves. The healing plant doesn’t like to collaborate with dirty, sinful and immoral persons.”

THE NIGERIAN

New Horizon

20

Teachings Of The Holy Quran (1)

ANSALAM MUALEKUN - Amu alekun selam — may the peace of Allah be with usAmi. “Allah is one, Allah is of all whom depend, He is the biggest gift, nor He begotten.”

The “Holy Quran” is the book, in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah — the most merciful, the most gracious who believe in the unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what we have provided for them. And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter. They are on (true guidance) from their Lord, and it is these who will prosper. As to those who reject faith, it is the same to them whether thou warn then or do not warn them, they will not believe. Allah hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing. And on their eyes is a velli great is the chastisement they (incur).

The people there are some who say: we believe in Allah and the last day,” but they do not (really) believe, fain would they deceive Allah and those who believe, but they only deceive themselves, and realize (it) not. In their hearts is a disease, and Allah has increased their disease, and grievous is the chastisement they (incur) because they lied (to themselves). When it is said to them, “Make not mischief on the earth”, they say: “We are only ones that put things right”.

Of a surety, they are the

ones who make mischief, but they realize it not.

When it is said to them, “believe as the others Delieve”, Nay, of a surety they are the fools, but the, do not know. When they do not know. When they meet those who believe, they say, “we believe”, but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, we are really with you, we (were) only you, we (were) only jestting. Allah will throw back their mockery on them, and give them rope in their trespasses, so they will wander like Mind ones (to and fro). These are those who have battered guidance for errow, but their profit is profitless, and they have lost true direction. Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire, when it is lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in utter darkness, so they could not see. Deaf, dumb and blind, they will not return (to the path) or (another similitude) is that a rain laden cloud from the sky, in it are zones of darkness, and thunder and lightening they press their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunder — clap, the while they are in terror of death.

But Allah is ever round the rejecters of faith. The lightening all but snatches away their sight, every time the light (helps) them, they walk therein and when the darkness grows on them, they stand still, arid if Allah willed, He could take away their

faculty of hearing and seeing, for Allah hath power over all things. 0 ye people, worship your guidance Lord, who created you and those who came before you, that ye may become righteous.

Who has made the earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy, and set down rain from the heavens, and brought forth there with fruits for your sustenance, then set not up rivals unto Allah when ye know (the truth).

And if ye are in doubt as to what we have revealed from time to time to our servant, then produce a Sura like thereunto, and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any)

besides Allah, if ye are truthful. But if ye cannot and of a surety ye cannot — then fear the fire whose fuel is Men and stones which is prepared for those who reject faith. But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is gardens, beneath which rivers flow.

Every time they are fed with fruits there from, they say, “Why, this is what we were led with before; for they are given things in similitude; and they have therein spouses purified, and they abide therein (forever). Allah disdains not to use the similitude of things, even of a gnat as well as any thing above it.

Those who believe know that it is the truth from

“Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of heaven and earth, and I know what ye reveal and what ye conceal? And behold, we said to angels: Bow down to Adam” and they bowed down, not so iblis: he refused and was haughty: he was of those who reject faith.”

With

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 VICTOR ANIUKWU their Lord, but those who reject faith say, what means Allah by this similitude? By it He causes many to stray, and many He leads into the right path, but He causes not to stray, except those who forsake (the path).

Those who break Allah’s covenant after it is ratified, and who sunder what Allah has ordered to be joined, and do mischief on earth: these cause loss

things, then He placed them before the angels, and said, “Tell me the names of these if ye are right.” They said, “Glory to thee: of knowledge we have none save what Thou has taught us: in truth it is Thou Who art perfect in knowledge and wisdom. He said: “0 Adam, I tell them their names.” When he had told them their names. Allah said: “Did I not tell you

(only) to themselves. How can ye reject the faith in Allah? Seeing that ye were without he, and He gave you life, then will He cause you to die, and again to Him will ye return. It is He who has created for you all things that are on earth, then He turned to the heaven and made them into seven firmaments, and of all things, He hath perfect knowledge.

Behold, thy Lord said to the angels, “I will create a vicegerent on earth.” They said, will thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? Whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?

He said, “I know what ye know not”. And He taught Adam the names of all

that I know the secrets of heaven and earth, and I know what ye reveal and what ye conceal? And behold, we said to angels: “Bow down to Adam” and they bowed down, not so iblis: he refused and was haughty: he was of those who reject faith. And we said, ‘0 Adam, dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden: and eat of the bountiful things therein as (where and when) ye will; but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression. Then did Satan make them slip from the (Garden), and get them out of the state (of felicity) in which they had been. And we said. “Get you down, all (ye Continues on page 24

THE NIGERIAN

Media

21

A Property Of Non-Verbal Communication Distance:

THIS paper tries as much as possible to taken in depth look at Non-verbal communication considering one/of its property!” distance’! and xraying it to five broad categories which include personal distance, business distance, social distance, marital distance, educational distance and public distance.

What all these means and why it is classified under Non— verbal communication. This paper intends to x—ray the topic and make for easy comprehension and understanding for participants and listeners’ of this seminar.

INTRODUCTION We have long been aware that it is very possible to communicate effectively without using verbal languages. The Non-verbal signs we used has been defined as ‘a1l external stimuli other than spoken or written words and including body motion, characteristics of appearance, characteristics of voice, and use of space and distance”. We all have interpreted body talk, perhaps without knowing we were doing so. We will use this paper to examine distance as a property of non-verbal communication and x-ray the topic of discussion for easy comprehension to all participant seated in this hall today.

The word distance, is not new to us all. We’ve used it one way or the other in some point while communicating. It has helped in driving home our point, pass information or communicate an idea.

Pause a minute and pronounce the word “Distance” inwardly, does it mean anything to you? Have you ever used this word? How was it used? Under what circumstances was it used? Do you have any new meaning for it now?

According to Andrew D.W, Roy M.B, and Darlyn R.W. (1991: 187) states that every person is surrounded by a psychological bubble of space.

This bubble contracts and expands depending on the person’s cultural background and emotional state as well as the activity in which he or she

is participating.

Distance to many means the space or gap between people, organization, territories, nations, and object. But Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary States that distance is the amount of space between two places or things.

According to Jesulowo and Oyinlola(2003:181) distance refers to the gap created between people. It can be the space between the people, nations, buildings, seating arrangement in a gathering, the arrangement in a room e.t.c.

Distance is used as a means of communication in both formal and informal situations.

If distance is used for communication what then is communication?

According to Tony Abolo while delivering a Lecture on principle and practice of Advertising define communication simply as making information common.

For Jesulowo and Oyinlola (2003:18 1) says it is a process of transmitting ideas, or thoughts (message) from one person (a sender) to the other (a receiver) for the purpose of creating understanding in the thinking of the person receiving the communication.

Citing peter little (1983) in Okpeodua (2003) communication is the process in which information is passed between individuals or organizations by means of previously agreed symbols.

According to Ojo (2001:1) most scholars (Mac Bride et al, 1981; Chapels and Read, 1974; Schrarnm, 1971; Bergin, 1980) aptly agree that communication involves exchange or sharing of ideas, opinions, information, feelings, attitudes, facts, messages and the likes and it is usually between two parties.

This means that in communication, there is a common thing between the two parties.

Non-verbal communication is a communication without words. You communicate nonverbally when you gesture, smile or frown, widen your eyes, move your chair closer to someone, wear jewelry, Touch someone, or even say nothing. The crucial aspect is

By RICHARD OKORO-EWEKA

that the Message you send is in some way received by one or more people.

(Joseph A. D: 2005:105) Non- verbal communication is a type of communication which involves the use of extra- Linguistic devices to express thoughts and emotions.

This aspect of communication is usually referred to as paralanguage.

communication but the verbal greatly needs the non- verbal to be effectively functional. At times, the non-verbal medium is used to drive home the point raised by the verbal medium.

When there is interaction between two people, the two are used simultaneously and can be easily received through the non- verbal means.

While the non- verbal medium makes the ideas

Omobola Johnson, Communication Technology, Minister Non-verbal communication takes the form of body posture, gesture, eye contact, facial expressions, silent body movement, touch and the likes.

All these devices convey messages of their own like the verbal devices. For instance, the message given by somebody who sits alone with his face downwards is different from that of a person who sits in the midst of friends laughing excitedly. Even, some facial expressions may attract or repel people.

It is important to state here that both the verbal and nonverbal media are useful in

expressed by the verbal medium situational, its decoding may be difficult for the receiver of the idea if there is no mutual understanding of what the signals mean.

We have to take the above journey to be able to lay a foundation to the crop of the matter; Distance: A property of a non- verbal communication, under the following headings.

Personal Distance: - This refers to the gap which separates you from other human beings. You normally choose to stay close to your friends, but maintain a comfortable distance between

“Non-verbal communication takes the form of body posture, gesture, eye contact, facial expressions, silent body movement, touch and the likes. All these devices convey messages of their own like the verbal devices. For instance, the message given by somebody who sits alone with his face downwards is different from that of a person who sits in the midst of friends laughing excitedly. Even, some facial expressions may attract or repel people.”

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 yourself and mere acquaintances or between yourself and total strangers. We normally feel most comfortable keeping a distance when talking to strangers’ because invasion of this personal territory will cause us to back away.

When you go to the library or any public place where many persons have assembled, and you have to select a seat, you will most likely sit next to someone you know rather than next to a total stranger. In the case of an interview, when talking with the applicants, the chair of the applicant is not placed side by side with that of the interviewer, but rather placed facing each other because this distance wants to be maintained.

In general, people tend to be more accessible to friends, professional colleagues or business associates. Total strangers maintain a comfortable distance. The gap which separates an individual from others within his environment and which is only broken into by friends and colleagues is called personal distance. Strangers are not easily allowed into it while close friends can penetrates it with ease.

Business Distance:- Have you not noticed that the head of an organization normally has a large office to himself while five or ten junior workers share one office?. This in itself is an indication that the boss has more official power in the organization than the junior workers. This is the business distance created for him by status within the organization.

You do not walk into that space unless you are sent for or have official business to discuss, or you are there as a cleaner to keep the office clean.

Social Distance: - Refers to the distance between people who have different social backgrounds.

Their backgrounds may differ because of education, wealth, or religious belief. Whatever the case, these differences often keep people apart as well as communicate the differences between them. Social clubs which are popular in many parts of Nigeria tend to emphasize the distance between one group and another.

Also part of social distance is the standing-seated interaction, in wish the person in charge stands and the other person sits. This occurs among others, in teacher-pupil, bosssecretary, and police officerarrestee transactions.

Marital Distance: - This is a distance created in our matrimonial homes. It can be deliberate and also accidental, caused by circumstances beyond our control, due to disagreement between the husband and his wife. Distance caused by church activities like

prayer and fasting that would require the husband and his wife to abstain from sexual activities. Job transfer for either the man or woman can also cause a marital distance, as well as little mis-understanding can make the couple live like strangers until they settle their differences.

Educational Distance: This is the distance created by educational background and status. A University graduate will find it difficult to discuss freely with secondary school students because of the knowledge gap between them.

These two different categories of students don’t reason along the same line and their frame of reference is difference.

Rather, the secondary student takes instructions from the university student because he wants to be in that position tomorrow.

Public Distance: - It is used by teachers in lecture rooms and speakers at public gatherings as well as by public figures like politicians who place a barrier between themselves and their followers.

When people with different cultural backgrounds come into contact, they often assume they have the same concept of space.

Public figures such as politicians, top civil servants, diplomats, honorable, commissioners, ministers, governors, president all maintain public distance in most of what they do. The head of state of a country and governors are not usually allowed to walk unaccompanied into a market place. When any of them addresses large audiences, he stays on a platform, at a reasonable distance from the people being addressed.

Whenever you notice this, you know that these officials are maintaining public distance.

Invariably, they feel the need to be protected from danger, or from hostile members of the crowd. In spite of tight security and attempts to maintain this public distance, public figures like Nigeria’s Head of state Murtala Mohammed in 1976; John F. Kennedy of USA (1968); Indira Ghandi of India (1985) and Olof Palme of Sweden (1986) were, assassinated. Incidents like these help us to appreciate the need for our leaders to maintain public distance.

A distance therefore plays an important roles in life, in business transactions, within an organization, and other areas of human endeavor. They, too, can be consciously adopted and used at appropriate moment to carry our messages across.

We need to remember that non-verbal communication often reinforces verbal communication.

THE NIGERIAN

22

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

International Iran Confirms Exchange Of Letters With Obama

TEHRAN - Iran’s Foreign Ministry said yesterday that President Hassan Rouhani had exchanged letters with U.S. President Barack Obama, confirming direct communication between the leaders of the two countries.

The United States and Iran cut off formal diplomatic ties in 1980, shortly after students

and Islamic militants stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took American diplomats hostage.

But officials from both countries have said they are open to direct talks in order to find a diplomatic

EUROPA TABLE WATER VACANCIES We are mega table water situated in Benin City, Edo State.

As a result of expansion, we want for immediate employment: 1. General Manager 2. Production Manager 3. Factory Supervisors 4. Machine Operators 5. Accounts/ Admin Manager 6. Cashier 7. Secretaries/PA to Chairman 8. Logistics/Fleet Manager 9. Store Keepers 10. Marketers 11. Drivers 12. Securities 13.

Baggers 14. Cleaners · Distributors are needed Nation Wide. · Qualifications: for 1. Good First Degree in Food and Nutrition with not less than three years relevant experience.

2. As in (1) above with not less than two years relevant experience.

3. Relevant experience in water production 4. SSCE with relevant experience 5. Good First Degree in accounting with good computer knowledge and minimum of three years experience in administration.

6. OND or is equivalent in Accounting.

7. Good interpersonal relationship and relevant credentials.

8. Knowledge of fleet management.

9. As in six (6) above 10. Flair for marketing with relevant credentials 11. Current drivers’ licence.

12. At least Primary School Leaving Certificate.

13. As in twelve (12) above 14. As in thirteen (13) above Interested candidates should contact Julius Inofe & Co. (Chartered Accountants), 128 Akpakpava Road, Opposite AP Filling Station, Benin City within two weeks of this publication or email your applications with photocopies of curriculum vitae to inofeju@yahoo.com Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

08186796355, 08023673433 Signed: Management RECONCILIATION OF NAME

I, Enogie Osazuwa Uhunekpenman is the same person as Enogie Osazuwa Napoleon. I now wish to be properly known and addressed as Enogie Osazuwa Uhunekpenman. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Elizabeth Benjamin wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Deborah Benjamin as appeared in my Primary School Leaving Certificate.

It should be known therefore that I am properly known and addressed as Elizabeth Benjamin. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OSAYAWE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Esohe Sarah Osayawe now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Esohe Sarah Musoe.

All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

BENJAMIN – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Benjamin now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Elizabeth Omorodion.

All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general should please take note.

solution to a decade-long dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme, over which the West has imposed economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Tehran denies seeking nuclear weapons but the United States and its allies suspect it is working towards a nuclear weapons capability.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said yesterday that Obama had sent Rouhani a message of congratulations on the occasion of his election.

“As we have seen in news reports, this letter has been exchanged,” Afkham said, according to the ISNA news

agency. “The mechanism for exchanging these letters is through current diplomatic channels.”

Obama said in an interview broadcast on Sunday he had exchanged letters with Rouhani. The two men will speak on the same day at the U.N. General Assembly next week, though there are currently no plans for them to meet.

Rouhani, a centrist cleric who defeated more conservative candidates in June elections, has said he wants to pursue “constructive interaction” with the world, raising expectations of a negotiated settlement to the nuclear dispute.

JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington on September 30, an Israeli official said yesterday, for talks expected to focus on Iran’s nuclear program.

Netanyahu, confirming he would see Obama but giving no exact date, said the talks would take place before he attended the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“I intend to focus on the question of stopping Iran’s nuclear program - an actual halt to the nuclear program.

And until this is achieved, the pressure on Iran should be intensified and not eased,” Netanyahu told his cabinet.

Western powers suspect Iran of harboring ambitions to build an atomic bomb, but Iran says its nuclear program

Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani CHANGE OF NAME

ISOKPUNWU – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Isokpunwu Augustina Esohe now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Augustina Esohe Aramude. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

Israeli Soldiers Kill Suspected Palestinian Militant JENIN, West Bank - Israeli soldiers shot dead a 20-yearold Palestinian militant yesterday during a raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian and Israeli sources said.

The Israeli military said its troops opened fire as the man tried to flee arrest and after

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Palestinians shot and threw firebombs at them. He died of his wounds in an Israeli hospital, a military statement said.

A Palestinian security source identified the victim as Islam al-Tubasi. The militant group Islamic Jihad issued a statement mourning Tubasi as one of its members.

He is the fourth Palestinian killed in the West Bank since Israel and Palestinians resumed peace talks in July.

Regular meetings between negotiatiors from both sides as part of U.S.-brokered peace talks have continued despite a similar incident in late August at another refugee camp where soldiers killed three Palestinian men.

The negotiations resumed after a three-year stalemate over Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, areas Israel captured in 1967 and where the Palestinians hope to set up an independent state.

Fifteen Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers this year.

Netanyahu, Obama To Meet In Washington is intended purely for peaceful purposes.

Israel is also in the midst of U.S.-sponsored peace talks with the Palestinians that the Obama administration hopes will yield an accord within months. Both countries are concerned by fighting in Syria, on Israel’s borders, and the use of chemical weapons there.

Libyan PM Says Dialogue, Not Bloodshed Must Stop Oil Protests

LONDON Libya is losing some $130 million a day due to protests that have crippled the North African’s oil sector, Prime Minister Ali Zeidan said yesterday and insisted he still wanted to solve the crisis through dialogue rather than force.

“We are going to work on solving this problem,” Zeidan told an investment conference in London. “When blood is shed, the loss will be greater”.

The crisis has caused oil output to slump to around 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) from pre-war output of 1.6 million bpd.

Zeidan confirmed output was resuming at the El Sharara and El Feel oilfields in southwestern Libya and that the Marsa al-Brega port had started to export again.

Austrian Poacher Shoots 3, Takes Police Hostage VIENNA - A suspected game poacher in Austria shot two policeman and a paramedic after they tried to arrest him in woodland, police said yesterday.

A police spokeswoman could not immediately elaborate on a short statement from the Lower Austrian police, which did not say whether the three were alive or dead.

The suspect fled by car from the scene near the Lower Austrian town of Annaberg to his farmhouse near the city of Melk, about 70 km (40 miles) away, where he is surrounded by special forces.

The Austria Press Agency said a third policeman had been taken hostage by the gunman, who was shooting at the special forces from inside his farmhouse.

THE NIGERIAN

23

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

International Features

Wrecked Ship Hauled Off Italy

ENGINEERS declared success on Tuesday as the Costa Concordia cruise ship was pulled completely upright during a complicated, 19-hour operation to wrench it from its side where it capsized last year off Tuscany, an unprecedented feat that sets the stage for it to be towed away next year.

The submerged side of the Concordia suffered significant damage during 20 months bearing the weight of the ship and the operation to right it, officials said. That damage must be repaired to stabilize the ship so it can be towed and turned into scrap.

Shortly after 4 a.m., a foghorn wailed off Giglio Island and the head of Italy’s Civil Protection agency, Franco Gabrielli, announced that the ship had reached vertical and that the operation to rotate it — known in nautical terms as parbuckling — was complete.

“We completed the parbuckling operation a few minutes ago the way we thought it would happen and the way we hoped it would happen,” said Franco Porcellacchia, project manager for the Concordia’s owner, Costa Crociere SpA. “A perfect operation, I must say,” with no environmental spill detected so far, he said.

Applause rang out among firefighters in the tent where the project engineers made the announcement.

An hour later, Nick Sloane, the South African chief salvage master, received a hero’s welcome as he came ashore from the barge that had served as the floating command control room for the operation.

“Brilliant! Perfetto,” Sloane said, using some of the Italian he has learned

over the past year on Giglio preparing for the operation. “It was a struggle, a bit of a roller coaster. But for the whole team it was fantastic.”

The Concordia slammed into a reef off Giglio Island on Jan. 13, 2012, after the captain brought it too close to

went remarkably fast as gravity began to kick in and pull the ship toward its normal vertical position.

Parbuckling is a standard operation to right capsized ships.

But never before had it been used on such a huge cruise liner.

The Concordia is

weeks and months. The damage he said was caused by the capsizing, bearing 20 months of the ship’s weight and the operation to rotate the ship.

“We have to do a really detailed inspection of the damage,” to determine how to shore it up so it can withstand towing.

The ship must be made strong enough to withstand the winter storm season, when high seas and gusts will likely buffet the 300-meter (1,000-foot) long liner.

After receiving cheers, embraces and a kiss from his wife on shore, Sloane said he wanted to get some sleep, a beer “and

The Costa Concordia rests upright on the Tuscan Island of Giglio, Italy, early yesterday morning. The crippled cruise ship was pulled completely upright early yesterday after a complicated, 19-hour operation to wrench it from its side where it capsized last year off Tuscany, with officials declaring it a “perfect” end to a daring and unprecedented engineering feat.

shore. The cruise ship drifted, listed and capsized just off the island’s port, killing 32 people. Two bodies were never recovered.

The operation to right it had been expected to take no more than 12 hours, but dragged on after some initial delays and maintenance on the vast system of steel cables, pulleys and counterweights that were used to roll the 115,000-ton, halfsubmerged carcass of steel upright. The final phase of the rotation

expected to be floated away from Giglio in the spring and turned into scrap. The aim was to right it intact, to prevent the leakage of potentially toxic waste into the pristine waters around Giglio, which is located in a marine sanctuary.

Sloane said an initial inspection of the starboard side, covered in brown slime from its 20 months underwater perched on a jagged reef, indicated serious damage that must be fixed in the coming

But Sloane seemed confident: “She was strong enough to come up like this, she’s strong enough to be towed.”

The starboard side of the ship, which was raised 65 degrees in the operation, must be stabilized to enable crews to attach empty tanks on the side that will later be used to help float the vessel away. Such tanks were affixed to the exposed, port side of the ship and were filled with water in the later phases of the rotation to help pull the port side down.

maybe a barbeque tomorrow.” He was later seen celebrating in a harborside bar with members of the salvage team.

“I think the whole team is proud of what they achieved,” he said as he was mobbed by wellwishers and television crews, still wearing an orange life vest around his neck and carrying a South African flag in his hand, given to him by his wife.

Helping the Concordia to weather the winter and stabilize it is an artificial

platform on the seabed that was constructed to support the ship’s flat keel.

“The ship is resting on its platform,” Gabrielli said.

About an hour before the rotation was complete, observers said the ship seemed to suddenly settle down upon its new perch, with a clear brown-green line of algae drawn across its front delineating the half of the liner that had been underwater and the half that was exposed.

Mayor Sergio Ortelli said the island felt a wave of relief as soon as the Concordia was freed from the reef in the initial hours of the operation. But he said there was also the realization that two bodies still have yet to be found, with a fresh search to be launched now that the ship is upright.

“While there is happiness today, there is no triumphalism,” he told The Associated Press.

The Concordia’s captain is on trial for alleged manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning the ship during the chaotic and delayed evacuation.

Capt.

Francesco Schettino claims the reef wasn’t on the nautical charts for the liner’s w e e k l o n g Mediterranean cruise.

Five other Costa employees were convicted of manslaughter in a plea bargain and were sentenced to less than three years apiece.

Costa is a division of Miami-based Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise company.

Courtesy: AP

THE NIGERIAN

24

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

New Horizon

Continued from page 20

people),with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling place and your means of livelihood for a time.”

Then learnt Adam from his Lord certain words arid his Lord turned towards him, for He is oft - Returning.

Most merciful. We said: “Get you down all from here: and if, as is Sure, there comes to you guidance from Me, whosoever follows my guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve “But those who reject faith and believe our signs, they shall be companions of the fire: they shall abide therein” 0 children of Israel call to mind the (special) favour which I bestowed upon you, and fulfill your covenant with me and I shall fulfill my covenant with you, and fear none but me. And believe in what I reveal, confirming the revelation which is with you, and be not the first to reject faith therein, nor sell My signs for a small price, and fear Me, and me alone. And cover not truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know (what it is).

And be stead fast in prayer: give zakat, and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship). Do ye enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget (and forget to practice it) yourselves, and yet ye study the scripture? Will ye not understand? Nay seek (Allah’s) help with patient, perseverance and prayer: it is indeed hard, except to those who are humble. Who bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord, and

that they are to return to Him. 0 children of Israel call to mind the (special) favour which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you to all others.

Then guard yourselves against a day when one soul shall not avail another nor shall intercession be accepted for her, nor shall compensation be taken from her, nor shall anyone be helped (from outside).

And remember, We delivered you from the people of Pharaoh: they set you hard tasks and chastisement, slaughtered your sons and let your women — folk live therein was a tremendous trial from your Lord. And remember We divided the sea for you and saved you and drowned Pharaoh’s people within your very sight. And remember, We appointed forty nights for Moses, and in his absence ye took the calf (for worship) and ye did grievous wrong. Even then We did forgive you, there was a chance for you to be grateful. And remember We gave Moses the scripture and the criterion (between right and wrong), there was a chance for you to be guided aright. And remember Moses said to his people: “0 my people, ye have indeed wronged yourselves by your worship of the calf: so turn (in repentance) to your maker and slay yourselves (the wrong doers) that will be better for you in the sight of your Maker”. Then He turned towards you (inforgiveness), for He is oft-Returning, most merciful. And remember

... Of The Holy Quran (1) ye said, “0 Moses we shall never believe in thee until we see Allah manifestly,’ there upon thunderbolt sized you.

Then we raised you up after your death, ye had the chance to be grateful.

And we gave you the shade of clouds and sent down to you manna and quails, saying, “Eat of the good things We have

of) those who do good. But the transgressors changed the word from that which had been given them, so we sent on the transgressors a plague from heaven, for that they infringed (our command) repeatedly. And remember Moses prayed for water For his people: We said, “strike the rock with thy staff.1’ Then gushed forth there from

provided for you.” (but they rebelled), to Us they did no harm, but they harmed own selves. And remember, We said, Enter this town, and eat of the plenty therein as ye wish, and enter the gate prostrating, and say: forgive (us) We shall forgive you your faults arid increase (the portion

twelve springs. Each group knew its own place for water. So eat and drink of the sustenance provided by Allah, and do no evil nor mischief on the (face of the) earth. And remember ye said, “0 Moses, we cannot endure one kind of food (always), so beseech thy Lord for us to produce For us of what the earth

“Even then We did forgive you, there was a chance for you to be grateful. And remember We gave Moses the scripture and the criterion (between right and wrong), there was a chance for you to be guided aright.”

growth, - its pot herbs, and cucumbers, its garlic, lentils and onions.” He said, “Will ye exchange the better for the worse? Go ye down to any town, and ye shall find what ye want” They were covered with humiliation and misery: they drew on themselves the wrath of Allah. This because they went on

turned back thereafter: had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allah to you, ye had surely been among the lost. And well ye knew those amongst you who transgressed n the matter of the Sabbath.

We said to them, “Be ye apes, despised and rejected.” So we made it an example to their own ye are commanded. They

rejecting the signs of Allah and slaying his messengers without just cause. This because they rebelled and went on transgressing.

Those who believe (in the Quran), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians — any who believe in Allah and the last day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve, And remember We took your covenant and We raised above you the Mount (Sinai) (saying): “Hold firmly to what We have given you and bring (ever) to remembrance what is therein: perchance ye may fear Allah.” But ye

said: “Beseech on our behalf they Lord to make plain to us her colour.”

He said, “He says: a fawn — coloured heifer, pure and rich in tone, the admiration of beholders.

They said: “Beseech on our be half thy Lord o make plain to us what she is: to us are all heifers alike: we wish indeed for guidance, if Allah wills.

“He said, He says a heifer not trained to till the soil or water the fields, sound and without blemish”. He said, Now hast thou brought the truth”. Then they offered her in sacrifice, and they scarcely did it.

THE NIGERIAN

25

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Opinion Curbing The Evil Called...

Continued from Page 18 increases with the impeded and labour Muslim population, it is a religious prolonged. Third degree not laceration anal sphincter requirement and Islamic damage and emergency scholars debate whether caesarean section are it is desirable or even more common in FGM. permitted it is regarded FGM is viewed by its as a pegan-custom by the practitioner as an Saudis. However for the essential part of raising Christian religion. It is a girl child, reasons be not recognized biblically, that it promote social because God just cohesion by offering it’s instructed circumcision practitioner a way to for a male child after 8 identify with their local days of birth, so any culture. Type 111 FGM Christian who indulges guarantees virginity with in it is just following their local culture. Type culture and not what the 111 FGM guarantees word of God say’s and to virginity and encourages me I feel female chastity and fidelity, circumcision is satanic because of the pain and a punishment to a girl associated with sex and child.

In the 1960’s and difficulty of undoing an infibulation without 1970’s doctors in Sudan, Samaria and Nigeria being discovered.

Asthetically, female began to speak out about genitalia are regarded by the health consequences communities that of FGM and about practice FGM as dirty opposition gathered pace and ugly, physicians during the united Nations Miriam martinelli and Decade for women Jaume Enric olle-Goig (1975-1985). In 1979 the write and preference is American feminist write for women’s genitalia to Fran Hosken (1920be “flat, rigid and dry”. 2006) presented research There are also various on seminar on Harmful myths that cite the traditional practices clitotis as dangerous, Affecting the Health of able to poison a woman’s women and children breast milk if her baby sponsored by the WHOtouches it during child Rahman and Toubia birth, cause excess write that African women cranial fluid in babies, from several countries and harm a man if his led a vote to end the practice. penis touches it.

While the likelihood of Nigeria, due to its large experiencing FGM population has the

highest number of female genital mutilation (FGM) worldwide, accounting for about one-quarter of the estimated 115-130 million circumcised

Emergency fund, Federation of International obstetrics and Gynercology (FIGO), African Union.

The economic commission for Africa and many women organisations. However,

The origin of FGM is fraught with controversy either as an initial ceremony of young girls into womanhood or to ensure virginity and curb promiscuity or to protect female modesty and chastity. The ritual has

right to health, security and physical integrity, the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and the right to life when the procedure results in death in the process.

women in the world.

The objective of this review is to as certain the current status of FGM in Nigeria.

The National prevalence rate of FGM is 41% among adult women, evidence abound that the prevalence of FGM is declining. The ongoing drive to eradicate FGM is tackled by WHO, United Nations international children

there is no federal law banning FGM in Nigeria.

Therefore, there is need to eradicate FGM in Nigeria, so education of the general public at all levels with emphasis on the dangers and undesirability of FGM is paramount.

FGM is practice whose origin and significance is shrouded in secrecy, uncertainty and confusion.

been so widespread that it could not have risen from a single origin as it practiced in more than 28 countries in Africa and a few scattered communities world wide, its burden is seen in Nigeria, Mali, Ghana here it has been an old traditional and cultural practice of various ethnic groups.

FGM is recognized world wide as a fundamental violation of the human rights or girls and women. It reflect deep-rooted inequality between the sexes and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women. It involves violation of

Further more girls usually undergo the practice without their informed consent, depriving them of the opportunity to make independent decision about their bodies.

In conclusion, there is need for the abolition of this unhealthy practice. A multi disciplinary approach involving legislation, health care p r o f e s s i o n a l organisation, empowerment of the women in the society and education of the general public at all levels with emphasis on dangers and undesirability of FGM is paramount.

“The origin of FGM is fraught with controversy either as an initial ceremony of young girls into womanhood or to ensure virginity and curb promiscuity or to protect female modesty and chastity.”

THE NIGERIAN

26

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

EVERY WEDNESDAY, WEEK 10, 2013 LUCKY 1.2. X SELECTIONS 1 INTERNATIONAL NOS. HOT PAIRSS 8 14 10

18 25 33 40

BANKERS

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22 2XB

4. STEVENAGE

30 505

5. WALSALL

10 USE

6. PARTICK

XXB

15

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25

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49 007

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40

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7. ARSENAL

1 PAY

PORTSMOUTH

41

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8. BARNSLEY

10 CBK

9. YEOVIL

20 CBK

WEST BROM

8

10. MIDDLESBRO

18 XXX

BARNSLEY

11. BRIGHTON

14 X0X

12. PORTSMOUTH

41

13. WYCOMBE

44 XXX

14. OXFORD UTD

40 TIP

15. ABERDEEN

45 NP

WEST BROM

8

ACB

16. PARTICK

49 XO

PARTICK

49

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17.GLLINGHAM

23 XOX

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45

CBK

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OUTLOOK

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10

TOP TOP

BIG BELLS

18. MAN CITY

6

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OXFORD UTD

40

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19. WEST BROM

8

NN

ARSENAL

1

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20. WIMBLEDON

33

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DERBY

By SAM EHEBHA GSM:08056626091

SATURDAY RITUALS

1 8 10 45 49

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10 45 49

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IF NOT NOW WHEN?

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THE NIGERIAN

27

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

EVERY WEDNESDAY, WEEK 10 2013 WATSON WEST 1.2.X FORECAST

By SAM EHEBHA GSM:08056626091

Your Star

EDITOR’S NAP

NAP 49 XX 49 XX 49 NAP 18 XX 18 XX 18 PAIR 30 Vs 32 PAIR 40 OR 41 GOODLUCK LET IT BE

PAIR 15 OR 16 WATCH OUT

PAKER NAP

NAP 23 XX 23 XX 23 PAIR 43 OR 44 BE A WINNER

NAP 33 XX 33 XX 33 PAIR 10 OR 11 FOR SURE

PAUL NAP

ODION NAP

OKUNS NAP NAP 10 XX 10 XX10

PAIR 24 OR 38 THERE IS HOPE

NAP 16 XX 16 XX 16 PAIR 4 OR 14 EXECUTIVE

J. B. NAP

SUNNY NAP NAP 1 XX 1 XX 1

MURPHY NAP

BEST COMPILER

NAP 8 XX 8 XX 8 PAIR 6 0R 44 HAPPY BETTING

NAP 45 XX 45XX 45 PAIR 43 OR 47 BE MY GUEST

GUESSING GAMES

1

40

10 49

@

45

SMOKING GUN BEWARE

2 3 4* 5* 9 14

42 12 17 26 28 36 39 FOR THREE DRAWS?

THE NIGERIAN

28

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Moses Thrilled With Debut Goal

Injuries Down Agger, Coutinho

DANIEL Agger is a doubt for Liverpool’s Premier League home game against Southampton on Saturday after damaging his ribs in a gymnasium accident.

The centre-back suffered the injury during a training session on Sunday as he tried to avoid a falling weight.

He was forced to miss Monday night’s 2-2 draw at Swansea — and with Kolo Toure judged only fit enough to start on the bench, new signing Mamadou Sakho stepped in to play alongside Martin Skrtel.

Toure, who has been recovering from a groin injury, played the final 21 minutes at the Liberty Stadium and should be fine to start on Saturday.

But manager Brendan Rodgers is unsure as to how serious Denmark international Agger’s injury is, and is also waiting to assess Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who damaged his shoulder against Swansea.

Coutinho left the Liberty Stadium with his arm in a sling, having been taken off during the second half after falling under two heavy challenges.

Rodgers told the Daily Mail: “Philippe will have a wee scan.

As for Daniel, It’s too early to say whether he will be fit for Saturday. He had a real freak incident in the gym. Just before he was coming out to train, he overstretched trying to prevent a dumbbell falling on his foot.

“He has overstretched and yanked his side. We are waiting to see if that settles down over the next few days. If it doesn’t, we have got ample replacements. That is why we brought in extra players.”

Rodgers was pleased with the performance of Sakho, signed from Paris Saint-Germain on September 2.

“Sakho did very well,” Rodgers said. “He has played a lot over pre-season but he has come back in and done very well. I thought he was excellent and assured. Once he gets used to working with us, he will improve.”

Rodgers, who spent two years in charge at Swansea before joining Liverpool in June 2012, also gave a debut to on-loan Chelsea winger Victor Moses, who rewarded his manager with a goal.

“I had a feeling about playing Victor coming here,” the manager said. “When I was manager here, he always played well against us. He scored here and also scored for Chelsea here.

I just had a feeling about him and his goal was very good.

“He is still getting up to speed.

These are boys who haven’t played a great deal over preseason but overall, we had moments that were very good.

We had fluency and quality.

When Coutinho went off, we probably lost that connection between our midfield and forwards.”

NIGERIA international Victor Moses says it was a great feeling to score on debut during Monday’s 2-2 draw against Swansea City.

The 22-year-old joined the Reds on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea on the last day of the transfer window.

He was handed his first start and linked up well with Phillipe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge before scoring Liverpool’s second goal of the night.

Swansea City vs Liverpool Match Report.

“It’s always great to get on the scoresheet. It was a great goal for me,” he told the club’s website.

“They made a mistake in the middle of the park, I took the ball, cut in and watched the

Victor Moses in action for Liverpool.

‘keeper - I gave him the face and put the ball in the back of the net.

“It was great to put on the red shirt, get back on the pitch again and enjoy my football.

“That was the most important thing. It was a great game for us and we’re delighted with the result.

“I think it’s a fair result. We could have taken all three points but it wasn’t an easy game for us.

“Everyone up front is doing pretty well at the moment.

We’re still unbeaten, so we just want to keep the momentum going and try to keep winning games.”

Liverpool will look to maintain their unbeaten run when they take on Southampton at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

Stamp Out Diving Across Europe - Rio RIO Ferdinand insists any move to stamp out diving must extend beyond the Premier League.

Manchester United have “You go into the found themselves at the Champions League and you centre of a storm this week have been told in the Premier after Ashley Young was League you are not meant to booked for initiating contact dive, then you get players with Crystal Palace from other countries who midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi simulate. at Old Trafford on Saturday, “As a defender, you don’t before going to ground want people trying to con the looking for a spot-kick. referee, but if there is contact, The incident, followed by the player has the right to go Reading striker Pavel down.

Pogrebnyak’s dismissal “It has become a part of our against Brighton on Sunday game that, as defenders, we have sparked yet another are used to. debate over the issue of “You have got to defend diving. with your head and think how And Ferdinand accepts you are going to combat the there is no easy solution. forwards.

“It’s weird,” he said. “It’s “They are cute and know got to happen across Europe how to deal with this type of and the world, not just in our stuff. league.

“It is such a difficult thing

for referees to say someone dived or there was contact.

“Retrospective viewing and punishments may be the way to go.”

United boss David Moyes certainly feels so, even if he thinks referee Jon Moss handled the Young incident correctly.

“I can never be sure it won’t happen again,” said Moyes.

“I have had a word with him (Young) privately.

“I’ve said for many years we should have retrospective video for diving. That would help referees no end.

“Moving from Everton to Manchester United doesn’t

Black Desperate To Atone For Betting Against Rangers

IAN Black is desperate for the chance to make amends at Rangers after admitting to betting against his own team.

The midfielder was banned for three matches - with a further seven games suspended until the end of the season - and fined £7,500 by the Scottish Football Association last week for breaching gambling rules.

The sanctions were handed down after Black admitted charges of betting on three football matches on his thenregistered club not to win and betting on a further 10 football matches that involved his own club.

He also received a warning over bets on a further 147 football matches.

Black told RangersTV: “I’ve spoken to the boys and the manager and they know how I feel.

“I need to say sorry to the fans and I appreciate them backing me.

“I’ve always known they back their players and I just want to go out and give 100 per cent as soon as I’m available again.”

Black acknowledged he is fortunate still to have a career with the club.

He added: “You break the rules so you’ve got to be fortunate to keep your job.

“That’s where I’ve got to thank the board and the players and the staff who stood by me and gave me the chance.

“It’s a second chance for a silly bet and it’s up to me to

come back stronger and repay them, as well as the supporters.”

One of the bets was an accumulator which included Rangers to draw against East Stirling in a Third Division match last season.

He said: “Looking back, I wasn’t thinking at all. A small bet of £5, there was obviously no thought in it.

“It was a silly bet and I’m paying for it now.

“I scored the goal to beat that bet but people are saying they can’t trust me and I’m this player they’d have to look in the eye.

“People who know me, and supporters who watch me every week, know that I give 100 per cent in every game, even in training.”

change my views on that because it is really difficult at times.”

Palace chairman Steve Parish has gone even further, claiming diving should be treated in the same harsh manner as preventing goalscoring opportunities.

“If preventing a goalscoring opportunity is a straight red then trying to create one by cheating should be a straight red also,” Parish told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“The only player in the incidents that was honest was Kagisho Dikgacoi and he’s sent off and banned for the next match.

“Ashley Young’s dive and the appeal before put pressure on the referee to give a subsequent penalty that was

certainly outside the area and probably wasn’t even a foul.

“Ashley Young has a yellow card and three points and we have no points and one less player to pick from for the next game. “(It) might have cost us a point that might keep us up.

(We) need to get some momentum behind a straight red for a dive.”

“But I said ‘there is no problem, go out there, you still have 45 minutes to turn it around’.

“He knew only he could bring himself back into the game and it was a fantastic reaction to pull himself together.

“It says a lot about him, he is still very young and he will be stronger for this game.”

Landrup Hails Shelvey’s Character

SWANSEA manager Michael Laudrup felt the need to deliver a half-time pep talk to Jonjo Shelvey as the midfielder went from hero to villain and back again in a thrilling 2-2 draw with his former club Liverpool at the Liberty Stadium.

Much of the pre-match build-up had centred on Shelvey’s first appearance against the Reds since his summer move to south Wales, and he made a dream start as he fired the home side ahead after 87 seconds.

But just 99 seconds later his woeful backpass allowed

Daniel Sturridge to equalise, and another misplaced pass saw Victor Moses put the Reds ahead on his debut.

Shelvey was left with his head in his hands and the visitors led 2-1 at the break, but he responded by teeing up Michu for an equaliser with a surging run and astute cushioned header.

Laudrup praised the 21year-old’s character, but admitted he had a word with the ex-Charlton man at the interval.

“It was a difficult half for him,” he said.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Klopp Hopes For More Fun When Dortmund Meet Napoli TWO of Europe’s in-form teams clash in the Champions League on Wednesday when Serie A leaders Napoli take on a Borussia Dortmund side still on a high after hitting six goals in the Bundesliga at the weekend. ast season’s Champions League runners-up Dortmund travel to the hostile San Paolo stadium buoyed by a 100 per cent start to their domestic campaign featuring five league wins out of five.

Coach Juergen Klopp could not have hoped for a better dress rehearsal for the Group F fixture in Naples than Saturday’s 6-2 demolition of Hamburg.

“That was amazing,” he said.

“It was spectacular how the boys played up front and it was pure fun watching them.”

Rafa Benitez’s Napoli are top of Serie A for the first time since the great Diego Maradona led them to the title 23 years ago, having scored nine times in their opening three games.

Four goals have come from top scorer Marek Hamsik in a start that has made the fans forget Edinson Cavani’s closeseason move to Paris St Germain.

“I want to score 20 goals (this

season) ... I feel great playing in this system. In only two months you can see the results of the work Benitez has done,” the Slovak forward told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

Hamsik is benefiting from playing in a more advanced role while fellow new signings Jose Callejon and Gonzalo Higuain are also flourishing.

Spaniard Callejon and Hamsik started on the bench for Saturday’s home game with Atalanta, rested ahead of the game against Dortmund.

Napoli, though, struggled against dogged opposition and the pair had to come off the bench to guide their side to a 2-0 win, Callejon scoring his third goal in three games.

Benitez’s team are looking to improve this season on their run to the second round in 2012 when they threw away a 3-1 first-leg lead to lose to eventual winners Chelsea.

“It’s been a radical change with Benitez. We keep possession of

CARLO Ancelotti left his job at Paris St Germain because he felt he did not have the full trust of the management, the now Real Madrid coach said on Tuesday.

Ancelotti, who led PSG to the Ligue 1 title last season, left the club 18 months into a two-anda-half-year contract, sticking to a decision he made in March.

“When I sign a contract, I usually hope to extend it and stay for a long time,” the Italian told French sports daily L’Equipe.

“When I signed with PSG I believed in a project. New players were joining, a team was about to be built and this is something that takes time,” said the Italian who switched to Real Madrid in June.

“The first six months were good but the following year I understood that the management had changed their

point of view. There was no project anymore just an idea to get results immediately.”

Ancelotti acknowledged being under pressure last December after his team conceded three defeats in five games. But after a 1-0 against Reims in March, he said he did “not feel the trust” of sports director Leonardo and president Nasser al-Khelaifi.

“It is true that we had payed badly. But I thought that after the good three months we just had, I would have a bit of tranquillity,” Ancelotti, who led PSG to the Champions League quarter-finals last season, said.

“The day after, I told Leonardo that I would not coach (PSG) at the end of the season.

“Everybody thought that I left because I had Real Madrid. This is not true. I made this decision, I don’t know if it’s the right one, but it had become too complicated at PSG.”

the ball more and we’re more aggressive, we don’t wait for the opposition any more, instead we attack them,” said the 25-year-old Hamsik.

New signings Henrikh Mikhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have also integrated seamlessly into Dortmund’s squad and both underlined their early

season goal-scoring form against Hamburg.

“We are ready for Napoli,” said Klopp. “It is a completely different competition from the Bundesliga and they will be a very tough nut to crack.”

Klopp will be without captain Sebastian Kehl who picked up an ankle ligament injury in training on Sunday and is out for six weeks.

LIONEL Messi admits the memories of Barcelona’s humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich last season will play firmly on his mind when the Spanish champions open their European campaign against Ajax on Wednesday.

The Argentinean is eager to get the new Champions League season underway to atone for his side’s 7-0 aggregate defeat to Bayern.

Messi refused to make excuses for Barca’s disappointing

showing in the semi-finals last term but is ready to return the Catalan giants to the pinnacle of Europe.

“We always wanted to achieve more,” he told UEFA’s official website. “Winning the league was very important because of what it signified — winning it back after Real Madrid had won it last year.

“There’s also a bitter taste after what happened in the semi-final against Bayern Munich, where there was a big gap between the two teams — we didn’t go into it in our best shape.

“But that’s the past and we have

Messi Seeking European Revenge

PSG Did Not Trust Me, Says Ancelotti

Ancelotti

BARCELONA have snapped up one of the hottest prospects in Swedish football despite the fact that he is only nine.

The Catalan giants have signed Zico Jr Marecaldi from Swedish fifth division club BK Olympic after he impressed during a Barcelona recruitment camp.

Zico Jr may have the name of a Brazilian legend but he says that Barca’s Argentine star Lionel Messi is his true hero.

The youngster has already

Messi

to look forward. What happened against Bayern? They were just the better team in all respects, physically and in football terms too. They just played a great first leg, and had the advantage over the tie, so they were really superior to us.”

Messi insists Barca will not be taking any of their group opponents — Celtic, AC Milan or Ajax — lightly but is confident new coach Gerardo Martino will have a positive influence in helping his team qualify.

“It’s a difficult group, but we knew that would be the case. It’s very difficult to win the Champions League — it’s already hard from the start,” he added. “I think the groups are very even, very balanced, so there will be some great games. We hope to play at our best level to be able to qualify.

“There are top class, historic teams in our group — big names.

Teams that we’ve faced before, so we know them a bit. Maybe not so with Ajax, but we’ve watched them. It’s an exciting group.

“Our adaptation with the new coach has been very quick. We try to do what he’s asking — play football the way we always did.

Of course he’s a new coach with new ideas, but our mentality is the same as ever: start in the best possible way to be able to win all the trophies we’re playing for.

“We try to give our fans the best, as we’ve always done. We know we need each other’s support and hopefully this will be a year where we can celebrate together.”

Barca Sign Swedish Wonderkid been followed by the Swedish press such is his early promise.

“It’s going to be cool,” Zico Jr. told Swedish daily Skaanska Dagblade.

Swedish rules state that a club cannot hold a full registration of a player until they are 12-years-old so BK Olympic will not receive any compensation for Zico.

However, they are still happy the transfer is going through.

“This is great PR for BK Olympic and a great chance for Zico,” said Leif Isie who helps coach the BK youngsters.

Zico’s father Antonio is also a coach at the club. He said Zico would first be sent to boarding school in Barcelona before the entire family moves to Spain in a few months.

“Zico was obviously very happy (when Barcelona said they wanted him), but his first reaction when he found out that he would be staying at the boarding school was that he cried and said he did not want to leave me,” explained Antonio.

“But 20 minutes later, he had already decided it was a good idea. Otherwise we would have called off the whole thing.”

Before his final match for BK, the club printed up a shirt with his name on the back. Zico scored a goal and the team won before celebrating the victory by eating cake in the clubhouse.

Zico is hoping to become the third Swede to play for Barcelona after Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Hamburg Dismiss Thorsten Fink

HAMBURG have sacked coach Thorsten Fink after picking up just four points from their opening five games.

Hamburg suffered a 6-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday evening but, late on Sunday, the club’s sporting director, Oliver Kreuzer, had denied any discussions had taken place over Fink’s position.

However, on Monday, Kreuzer did little to dampen speculation Fink was set to leave the club when he said in kicker: “I don’t know what [the situation] will be tomorrow.”

Carl-Edgar Jarchow, the chairman, also withheld his support for the coach, saying: “Essentially I have a lot of patience, but the management also expects that certain things should be implemented.”

Fink later confirmed to NDR radio that he was no longer in charge: “I am proud to have been here the past two years. I have coached a great club. There is still

enough time to reach the [club’s] goals — even if it is with another coach.”

Hamburg, beaten 5-1 at home to Hoffenheim on August 17, have conceded 15 goals in their five games to date this season. For the trip to Dortmund this weekend, Fink had experimented with a 3-52 formation and then twice changed his tactics during the course of the defeat.

Following the game at the Westfalenstadion, Fink had visited his family in Munich rather than travel back to Hamburg, and Kreuzer said on Monday: “Admittedly, that is a bit unfortunate. After such a defeat you have to change your private plans. I will also discuss it with him.”

Late on Monday, Kreuzer relieved Fink of his duties.

Hamburg captain Rafael van der Vaart told Bild he had been left “totally shocked” by the decision.

“I have never considered this possible,” the former Tottenham

midfielder added. “Nobody informed me. I don’t know anything about it. I don’t really understand the timing of the decision.”

Hamburger Morgenpost suggests two possible candidates to replace Fink: Franco Foda, the

Thorsten Fink

former Kaiserslautern coach, and ex-Hoffenheim boss Markus Babbel. Bild reports that Babbel is currently the favourite.

Next weekend, Hamburg will entertain local rivals Werder Bremen at home.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

World Cup: Australia Wants Com-

pensation For Qatar Switch

AUSTRALIA’S football chief Frank Lowy has warned FIFA not to rush a decision on switching the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the northern hemisphere winter and said other bidders should be compensated if the move goes ahead.

Qatar beat bids from Australia, FIFA’s executive board meeting Japan, South Korea and the United next month risked “making a bad States to win the right to host situation worse”.

As well as the other bidders, football’s showpiece tournament despite temperatures in the Gulf Lowy said countries with nation reaching 50 degrees Celsius professional leagues, like Australia’s top flight A-league, in the middle of the year.

After heavy criticism of the which would be disrupted by the should also be decision, calls were made to move move it from its normal position in June compensated.

“Our season takes place during and July to the end of the year the Australian summer to avoid when temperatures in Qatar are a clash with other local football lower.

Football Federation Australia codes,” he said.

“If the World Cup were to be (FFA) chairman Lowy, the staged in the middle of our Abillionaire owner of the Westfield shopping centre empire, said a League season it would impact quick decision over the move at on our competition, not just for 2022, but for the seasons leading

Michel Platini

up to and beyond that date.

“Clubs, investors, broadcasters, players and fans would all be affected.”

FIFA president Sepp Blatter last week stood by the decision to award the tournament to Qatar, saying the decision to play the tournament in the middle of the year was the only mistake.

“FIFA has an opportunity now to make the best of a bad situation by embarking on a transparent and orderly approach, unlike the process that led to the original flawed decision in December 2010,” Lowy said in a statement.

“FIFA champions the notion of ‘Fair Play’ and that principle should apply to the decisions it makes in the coming months.”

Australia invested A$43 million (£25.18 million) in their failed bid to host the World Cup for the first time.

Lowy said the FFA had already contacted Blatter to explain Australia’s position.

“Australia invested heavily in the World Cup process and the entire nation was behind the bid,” he said.

“Since December 2010 Australia has been careful not to let its misgivings about the process be interpreted as sour grapes.

“But now, with increasing speculation about a change that will impact on us as one of the bidding nations, and because our competition will be affected, we have made our position public.”

Lowy also suggested that no decision on the switch be made until an investigation into the 2022 bidding process by FIFA’s ethics committee was completed.

“Better to let the independent investigative process run its natural course and then, with those issues settled, make a cleareyed assessment about rescheduling and its consequences,” he added.

In another blow to FIFA’s hopes of switching the tournament, Fox Sports, who agreed to pay a record fee for US broadcast rights to the stage the World Cup, apparently oppose plans to move the 2022 event.

James Murdoch, the son of 21st Century Fox chairman Rupert Murdoch, are against moving the competition from June to the winter because it would clash with their coverage of the NFL in the US. Fox paid $425m for the twotournament, 2018-22 package in 2011 - four times what ESPN paid for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the 2014 finals in Brazil.

“FIFA has informed us that they are considering and voting on moving the 2022 World Cup,” Fox told Bloomberg. “Fox Sports bought the World Cup rights with the understanding they would be in the summer as they have been since the 1930s.”

Abou-Treika Excited To Play EGYPT inspirational Ghana In Play-Offs midfielder Mohammed reach the finals in Brazil.

Abou-Treika is delighted the Pharaohs drew Ghana and not a North African rival in the World Cup play-offs.

The Al Ahly play maker was praying the seventime African champions avoided either Tunisia or Algeria who were both seeded.

Egypt must now deal with the Black Stars, 2010 FIFA World Cup quarterfinalists, over two-legs in October and Novermber to

Platini To Decide Whether To Run For FIFA Presidency Next Year UEFA president Michel Platini said yesterday that he will decide whether to run for the top job in world football at or after next year’s World Cup. “I haven’t decided yet what I’ll do in the future and I’m still giving myself a few months to think about it,” said Platini, who skippered France to the 1984 European Championship title.

“I’ll make my decision during or after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, not before,” he added at a meeting of UEFA members in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Platini, who has been the president of European football’s governing body since 2007, is seen as a leading candidate to succeed current FIFA boss Sepp Blatter.

The former Nancy, Saint-

Etienne and Juventus midfielder, who played 72 times for France and won the Ballon d’Or three times during his playing career, added that he would be heartbroken to leave UEFA as he loved the organisation “deeply and whole-heartedly”.

But he recognised that the questions over his future would not go away and he needed to take the time to reflect.

“Then again, the (FIFA) elections aren’t for another two years and I think that it would be egotistical on my part to make them a subject of discussion or debate now while football has more important issues than me,” he told delegates.

“Let’s concentrate then on real pressing issues and we’ll have all the time in the world to come back to my future over the next few

Mohammed Abou-Treika

months.”

No candidate has officially declared his candidacy to challenge or

succeed Blatter, who has blown hot and cold whenever the subject of a further term has come up.

FORMER world number nine Marin Cilic has said he will be appealing a ninemonth doping ban imposed on him after he tested positive for the banned stimulant nikethamide.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced on Monday they had imposed the ban on the 24-year-old despite accepting his explanation that he had ingested the substance in glucose tablets and not intended to enhance his performance.

“I will be appealing that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport very shortly,” Cilic said in statement through his country’s tennis association.

“I wish to emphasize that I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any banned substance in my life and that I am opposed to any use of performance-enhancing substances in sport.”

The suspension has been backdated to May 1 to allow Cilic to return to the ATP circuit on Jan. 31 next year.

The ITF said Cilic had tested positive at the BMW Open in Munich in April this year.

“Unbeknownst to me, the glucose tablets contained a substance that is banned in competition although it is allowed out of competition,” Cilic added.

Cilic has not played since withdrawing from his second-

“I’m glad to avoid the tension that accompanies games against Arab nations,” Treika told FilGoal.com.

“The pressure becomes much less against nonArab teams, plus it would

give a chance for better Arabic representation at the World Cup.” Abou-Treika earned his 100th cap for Egypt last week and scored as Egypt beat Guinea 4-2 in their final Group qualifier.

Quality Coaches Pivotal To Sports Development ABEL Ubeibi, a certified International Tennis Registry (ITR) coach, on Tuesday said that no country could achieve any sustainable sports development without the inputs of quality coaches.

Ubeibi made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He added that athletes

Tennis: Cilic To Appeal Doping Ban

round match at Wimbledon in June but retains a ranking of 24th in the world.

The tall righthander reached a career-high ranking of ninth in the world in February 2010, spending 11 successive weeks in the top 10.

Marin Cilic

would not be able to achieve their full potential, unless they are mentored by good coaches.

“Athletes don’t know how to maximise their potentials; but with experienced coaches, the athletes will be appropriately guided..

“There is no way a country can succeed in any sport, without the development of its coaches,’’ Ubeibi said.

The ITR instructor also urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to endeavour to expose coaches to programmes that would keep them abreast with current trends.

“We have to train and produce knowledgeable coaches, who should be given the right exposure to develop our athletes from foundation, to enhance their performance.

“This is the only way we can revive our dwindling fortunes in sports.

“We need knowledgeable coaches and sports scientists, who can take our athletes to international competitions.

“In today’s world, it’s not just the job of a coach to train an athlete; the inputs of other experts in sports medicine and sports science, are also required,’’ he added.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Sports Enthusiasts Predict Victory For Eagles

World Cup Play-Off:

SPORTS enthusiasts in Abuja predicted victory for the Super Eagles against Ethiopia in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Play-off scheduled for October and November.

Reports say that the draws for had met on nine occasions with Abdullahi urged the NFA to the play-off took place on Nigeria coming out tops with maintain the U.J Esuene Monday at the headquarters of seven wins, while Ethiopia won Stadium in Calabar as the home the Confederation of African only once and drew the other. ground for the Super Eagles.

Football (CAF) in Cairo, Egypt.

Talle said the Super Eagles must “I hope the Super Eagles will The draw was conducted by approach the fixture with every play the crucial home game at Gordon Savic, Head of FIFA seriousness it deserves and must Calabar, because it has been a World Cup and Olympic leave no stone unturned to ensure good hunting ground for them Qualifiers Competitions, with victory. so far. assistance from CAF Secretary“I will advise the Nigeria “The Abuja National General Hicham El-Amrani.

Football Association (NFA) to Stadium will not be appropriate Speaking on the draw, Musa organise series of friendly for the match because the fans Talle, the FCT Football matches, both within and outside in Abuja are not as passionate Association Chairman, told Africa, for the Super Eagles. as their counterparts in Calabar.

NAN that Ethiopia would be “This will enable them play “We need a stadium that will handed their eighth defeat by the more as a team rather than as be filled to capacity, and the Eagles. individuals. location of the stadium in He however warned that the “Playing individually at their Abuja does not help in any way Ethiopians must not be different clubs and playing as it is not easily accessible,’’ underrated, adding “ any team collectively as a team are two he said. that has made it to the final different things,’’ he said.

Samuel Abimbola, a former round of the qualifiers must not The football association Technical Adviser of Sunshine be taken for granted. chairman urged the NFA to assist Stars Football Club of Akure, “All teams at this stage are team head coach Stephen Keshi said he was sure the NFA and potential qualifiers for the World and his technical crew with the team’s technical crew knew Cup final,’’ the FCT FA everything they would need to what was at stake. chairman said. enable them succeed.

He said he believed that NAN recalls that both sides “Whatever assistance Keshi will Nigeria has what it takes to take need, be it financial, moral or on any team in the world. otherwise, must be given to him,’’ “I was happy with the series he said. of matches I have watched the Talle however warned the team played so far, especially technical crew to do away with any the friendly match against sentiment in the selection of Burkina Faso where they players. showed their supremacy over “Any player, whether homeETHIOPIA’S head coach based or foreign-based, and is the Stallions.

“It is good to see that the Swenet Bishaw says his team doing very well in his club should boys are back to their form, and must utilize their first leg home be called up to make contributions I hope they maintain and game against African to the team. sustain that high tempo going “Unfair selection of players into this final qualifier,’’ the champions Nigeria next month in the last phase of the 2014 usually lead to the failure of the former national under-20 team team,’’ he said.

World Cup qualifier. assistant coach said.

Talle said he trusted that Keshi Mohammed Aminu, a retired The only surviving representatives from the Cecafa and the players would not let the referee and a FIFA-badged country down. instructor, said he had no region were on Monday drawn He also called on Nigerians from to face Nigeria. The first leg of all religious groups to collectively doubts that Nigeria would qualify for the World Cup the game will be played between pray for the team’s success. finals scheduled for Brazil.

11-15 October and the return leg The FCT FA Secretary, Ibrahim He said that Nigeria had gone will be played in 15-19 Abdullahi, said Ethiopia should beyond the level of being afraid not be seen as an easy team to beat. of playing any team in Africa, November.

“We must not be too quick to adding that Ethiopia should be Although Nigeria beat Ethiopia 2-0 en-route to winning jubilate over the draws because the the least of Super Eagles’ the Afcon trophy last February, Ethiopians are a formidable team. problem.

“If you look at how they “So far so good, the road has the Waliya Antelopes are a much emerged from their group, you will been so smooth for the Super improved side and showed this understand my point.

Eagles. We won the African by qualifying from the group “They stopped the likes of that also had better seeded South South Africa and Botswana, and Nations Cup. Whether we are third, fourth or fifth in Africa Africa. beat the Central Africa Republic today, the fact is that we are the “We cannot underrate Nigeria (CAR) 2-1 on their home ground. African champions.

“So, even if we will be playing at all, but we shall make sure “Ethiopia will not be a that we make use of the first leg away first in Ethiopia, home problem if we put our acts because I have learnt that advantage is no guarantee that we together and play as a family winning at home is always very will qualify. We must take both the as we did at the AFCON. If we home and away matches very play as a team, we will not have important. seriously,’’ he said.

“We are going to work so hard in the remaining weeks since most of our players are local based,” Bishaw told MTNFootball.

THE Nigeria league has match, it will be replayed in While Egypt who battle Lagos.”

Ghana, will be looking for their ordered a replay of a Week 31 The LMC Twitter handle third World Cup appearance, game between Kano Pillars and further disclosed that the replay Enyimba in Lagos.

Ethiopia will be hoping to break The game, which was abandoned will be for 90 minutes and that the jinx for teams in the Cecafa region that have never tasted after crowd problem at the Sani Pillars have been fined five World Cup atmosphere.

Abacha Stadium in Kano, will now million Naira.

Because of the crowd Uganda came close to be played at the Teslim Balogun trouble, Pillars will now play qualifying for the last phase of Stadium in Lagos. the 2014 World Cup, but were League Management Company their remaining home games in beaten 1-0 over a week ago in (LMC) top official Salihu Ibrahim Kaduna on order of LMC. by this ruling, Bayelsa are the neutral Stade de Marrakech told MTNFootball.com that LMC Stadium in Morocco. The has taken a decision on the game. now top of the Nigeria league Teranga Lions face an uphill “Decision has been taken over with 52 points, a point ahead task against in-form Ivory the abandoned Pillars, Enyimba of Pillars, who have a game in Coast. hand.

any problems,’’ the retired referee said.

He urged the NFA not to interfere with the coach’s team selection.

“If we allow distractions that we usually witness when we have major competitions like this, then we may be putting the team in disarray and putting the technical team under intensive pressure.

“This will also affect the performance of the team. This is a time that everyone must shut his or her mouth up and allow the technical crew to do its job.

“Members of the technical crew were assigned the responsibility of coaching the national team and must be allowed to the work,’’ Aminu said.

Ethiopia Coach Plans To Utilize Home Game

LMC Orders Pillars, Enyimba Replay In Lagos

Coach Stephen Keshi

... Do Not Underrate Ethiopia, Amiesimaka Warns

ADOKIYE Amiesimaka, an ex- Eagles winger, yesterday urged the team not to underrate Ethiopia in the final round of the 2014 World Cup qualifying matches.

Amiesimaka told newsne in Port Harcourt that the Eagles should be professional and aim to win the two-legged encounter.

“The Eagles should play purposefully to accumulate as many goals as possible.

“The Eagles should approach the game with all the seriousness they can muster. In fact, their target should be to annihilate Ethiopia. That will be the best approach.’’

The ex-international enjoined the Eagles to adopt the attitude of the new Brazilian team, not losing concentration or focus and winning their matches.

Amiesimaka, a former team manager of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, urged the Eagles not to make the mistake of underrating the Ethiopians, because there were no more minnows in African football.

He said the present Eagles team had the potential to qualify for the Mundial and urged them to continue the fine run they started early this year, when they won the Africa Cup of Nations in January in South Africa.

Amiesimaka, however, urged

the team to thread carefully, because any result was possible in football.

“In football, you do not underrate any team. Surprises are

possible, though I do not see that in this game.

“I am confident our team has the professional attitude to carry the day,’’ he added.

Ogunjobi Says Ezeala To Blame For Kayode Failed Transfer EX-NFF chief Taiwo Ogunjobi has said football agent Emeka Ezeala should be blamed if Olanrewaju Kayode failed to complete a move to Israel.

Israeli club Maccabi Netanya are running against time to beat Tuesday’s transfer deadline for Kayode to be registered by them.

Top football administrator Ogunjobi, who is Kayode’s guardian, said he has no authority over Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas and has no power on the issue of ITC, which is a discussion between the clubs and which he claimed Ezeala has been avoiding.

“As far as I am concerned and that I know, ASEC are not holding on to Kayode, they are ready to let him go, but they expect the club he signed for to come and discuss his clearance/ITC with them. The rule says clubs discuss ITC but that is what Emeka Ezeala, his agent, has been avoiding.

“If not that Ezeala doesn’t want clubs that want the boy to discuss his ITC with ASEC, he would have sealed a deal in Europe long before now.”

Ogunjobi says he is vindicated Ogunjobi added: “Fortunately, I met with chairman of the committee set up by NFF to

investigate the issue, Chris Green, in Lagos during Federation Cup final. We discussed about Kayode where he solicited that I should wade in to help them contact ASEC so that the boy will get the ITC to meet Tuesday’s deadline to complete his move.

“NFF secretary general Musa Amadu witnessed this and I told him I am not responsible. They should let the club contact ASEC because I don’t have authority over them. Kayode signed for them on his volition.

“I am glad FIFA cleared air on his contract status and rejected Heartland’s request for his ITC through the NFF. “He is my son and I want the best for him. His manager should stop toying with the boy’s career.

I have forgiven him for whatever step he would have taken against me, I strongly want to believe he was misled. His career is my concern.

“I urge the NFF to mandate Emeka Ezeala to desist from blocking the boy and allow both clubs to talk on his ITC, his job is to fight for his player’s welfare at the club not discussing ITC. “ASEC have made it clear all they want is discussion with them on Kayode.”

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 CMYK

Adventure Of Daniel Oikhena

IT is bewildering that a nation blessed with prodigious material and human resources is still confronted with a generation of youths who still swim in the waters of promiscuous poverty and dire needs. This stark reality is heart shattering. Over the years our older generation of elders simply ran away from their responsibilities, discarded policies that would have benefited the mass of the people” Quoted in WHERE WE ARE (page 86).

at the grass root level can have access to democratic dividends. Democracy is meaningless if the people cannot have their ways.

Politicians must be made to change their ways, at least for once in Edo State to

upbringing, that the boy did what he did because he was all alone to himself, watching television from day break to midnight.

From what we have gathered it was circumstance beyond his

On Saturday, August 24, 2013, a chap desperate to flee his father land, took his destiny in his hands and took an unprecedented risk by hiding himself in the wheel compartment well of an ARIK Air craft flying from Benin to Lagos.

The shocking news of Ricky Daniel Oikhena adventure stauned majority of Nigerians, including my humble self. When my wife broke the news to me that very weekend, I told her that it was a fairy tale; that how could a boy about 13 years survive such a game with certain death?

Behold, the next morning the news of the daring adventure of Daniel Oikhena was everywhere it was already in Naija news when I opened my laptop to check the day’s news items. Infact, most newspapers flowered their front pages with the wonder boy from the ancient city of Benin.

Since then I have been watching closely the explosive debates for and against the adventure of Daniel Oikhena. I have therefore decided to bare my mind on this fearless, reckless and determined chap who underwent what I call a suicide mission to relevance today on this column.

I am using this

compliment the drastic efforts of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Yes! Daniel Oikhena adventure has attracted wide comments from various quarters. some commentators have lambasted the parents of the chap that he lacks good parental care and

fathers control that made him to relocate to another section of Benin.

Daniel Oikhena father told the whole world that he lost his driving job and persuaded his wife to move from a three bedroom apartment to a smaller abode, but his wife refused to relocate with him, which made the poor man to move out alone. So, it was economic reasons that made both the boy’s father and mother not to look the after him properly.

In as much that I don’t support the idea of improper upbringing of children because I am a father myself but we could see through the domestic scenario of Daniel Oikhena that all was not well between his father and mother. Reader will equally

Ricky Daniel Oikhena opportunity to appeal to the comrade Governor of Edo State to periodically hold meeting with the local government chairmen for the purpose of making them to prioritise their agenda to benefit the greatest number of the mass of the people in the various localities. This is the only way the people

“The shocking news of Ricky Daniel Oikhena adventure stauned majority of Nigerians, including my humble self.

When my wife broke the news to me that very weekend, I told her that it was a fairy tale; that how could a boy about 13 years survive such a game with certain death?”

agree with me that there are many homes where both father and mother are living under the same roof, and they still have children that misbehave and do all sorts of funny things.

The point I am trying to make here is that parents should endeavour to make prayers the bedrock of their homes. In this age of computer and fantastic technology any child could pick up anything. Therefore prayers and infinite prayers plus close monitoring of children will go a long way in moulding the character of children as they grow up.

Daniel Oikhena adventure is something the almighty God allowed to expose certain sordid things within the aviation industry and the way we are being governed in this country.

This is the way I see it. It is pathetic and tragic that the Benin Airport as a whole has no proper perimeter fence, patrol vehicles and central circuit cameras to monitor whatever is going on within the place for every twenty four hours. According to Rev. David Ugolor, the Executive Director of African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) in a release he made available to press men on the Daniel Oikhena adventure. Despite yearly budgeting for airports security in the country, there is no patrol vehicles and perimeter fence at the Benin Airport.

I indeed join Rev. David Ugolor to lament the state of insecurity in Benin Airport in this era of suicide bombings and political

tension in our country. I know deep down that Benin Airport is not alone in this porous security situation. It is incredible that corruption has destroyed everything in this country. Now, what has been happening to the yearly budgets for security at the Benin Airport and elsewhere?

If anything Daniel Oikhenas adventure has helped the high and the mighty who are making use of the Benin Airport every now and then, that their lives have been under serious threats all these years. If a poor boy dreaming to travel to United States or Europe have fallen into the hands of suicide bombers or those who want to settle scores with their political enemies or rivals, the whole story would have been different?

This country has been ran aground since political independence, nothing is working except politics, where people amass gigantic wealth for themselves and generations yet unborn. It is in this light that I agree with De Raufs, a volunteer group working for Osun State Governor’s interest and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on their position on Daniel Oikhena. The boy should be assisted.

He has indeed proved a point by his mysterious adventure.

NOWINTA, WROTE WHERE WE ARE

TOMORROW ON THIS PAGE In the face of the enormous “ powers in the hands of Sanusi which powers are not available to Jonathan, the inevitable question is who is now the president?

”

-Hon. Josef Omorotionmwan

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