Weekend, Saturday 01 - Sunday 02, November 2014. Edition.

FCT school where pupils study under threat >>PG 13 201 Days after

Will the abducted Chibok schoolgirls ever be rescued?

weekend.peoplesdailyng.com

Saturday, November 1-2, 2014 Muharram 7-8, 1436 AH

. . . P utti ng the p eop l e fi r st

pmlonline peoplesdailyng

N150 Vol. 4 No. 15

Police gun-runner dies in custody >>Pg 10

Okada ban will heighten insecurity, say Nigerians >>PG 9

Scene of the bomb blast at the Gombe Line Motor Park, yesterday in Gombe .

Explosion rocks Gombe motor park >>Pg 18

How Boko Haram defeated us in Mubi —Soldiers >>Pg 6

Photo: NAN

Ex-Milad leaves Kwankwaso for Jonathan >>Pg 10

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Page 2

Interview

Opposition parties not alternative to PDP - CNPP scribe Adegboye Adeniji is the South-West Secretary of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC).

In this interview with Ayodele Samuel, he said President Goodluck Jonathan should resign his position for failing the country.

H

ow would you describe our journey so far as a nation?

It is very unfortunate that after 54 years of independence, Nigeria is still being governed arbitrarily.

By now we should have been excellent in our democratic dispensation. Never mind the years of military interregnum, the past 15 years is enough for any serious person or nation to chart a cause of development that would be very appreciated by generality of the people. But the reverse is the case with Nigeria.

In the past 15 years the people that are fortunate to find themselves in positions of leadership have behaved like children that need to be scold every day. The internationallyaccepted tenet of democracy is being subverted by the some of the current public office holders. Every day they subvert the constitution. The essence of government is service to the people but what we are witnessing is deceit, exploitation and selfish aggrandisement of our common patrimony by the so-called ruling class. So, there is nothing to rejoice about.

The children of today are growing up in an environment devoid of civic responsibilities.

All the children see now is how to get quick money. Life is not all about wealth; life is about service. In your effort to earn a living, you are offering service to the generality of people but reverse is the case in Nigeria.

So, we must put on our thinking cap to see how we can change the course of events in Nigeria henceforth, and make sure everybody appreciates the true meaning of government.

Are you saying that there is nothing to celebrate about Nigeria this far?

Ordinarily, the 54th Independence anniversary of Nigeria calls for celebration but unfortunately, there is no cause for celebration. We are all witness to the crisis; moral, economic and political, tearing at the soul of the land. Therefore, we need to prevent the looming dangers and save our country. There are many pointers to show that all is not well with Nigeria.

Nigerian government was rated 8th most corrupt country in the world by the 2013 Corruption Barometer of

Transparency International. The missing $20billion oil revenue; the pension perfidy; the oil subsidy scam; NCC spectrum sale scam; crude oil theft and the $9.3million cash scandal exposed in South Africa remain green. Never before in our history has the looting of public resources been so brazen.

In 1999, public power generation was 3,000 megawatts.

Today, after $50billion expenditure on power, current generation is still 3,000 megawatts. Nigeria still has the lowest public power per capita worldwide. We still import petroleum products as a norm since 1999 even though we have four refineries and export crude oil.

With the highest population of out-of-school children in the world; universities closed for about six months; polytechnics and colleges of education closed down for eleven months; education and our future have been greatly imperilled. Also, with armed robbers and kidnappers operating with impunity and political thugs attacking courts in Ekiti and Rivers States and terrorists claiming Nigerian territory in the North, the security situation is unbearable.

Paradoxically, our political officials and political appointees are the highest paid in the world; with senate president earning several times the salary of President Barrack Obama of America.

At the level of Movement for Fundamental Change, we are not comfortable with the present state of things and we expect all patriots to agree with us that, we cannot continue like this.

Therefore, to prevent the country from sliding into a state of anarchy, we are of the view that the entire ruling cabal led by Dr. Goodluck Jonathan should resign collectively from office and handover to a Transitional Government to be led by the Chief Justice of the Federation to oversee free and fair general elections at all levels of government in Nigeria within six months.

In fact our current leaders are democratically perverse so they don’t have any right to continue in office. Let those who can nurture democracy come on board.

How do you see the view

Adeniji that the nationalists agitated for Nigeria’s independence too early compared to a country like South Africa that got its independence very late and things are working for them presently?

No, Ghana got independence before us and you can see the rate of development in that country. It

“

is about character of leadership.

Our leaders are seen when they are sharing our common patrimony; after that, they are not serving us. It is unfortunate and that is why we insist that there must be fundamental change in this country.

Do you foresee Nigerians using their votes for a change

in the country?

The cabal that is in charge of Nigeria today is hegemonic and all they know is to entrench themselves on the people.

And you can see in the past six months despite the insecurity, the PDP has been going about campaigning for President Goodluck Jonathan to go for a third term against the spirit of the constitution, which they swear to uphold. So, these set of people are not to be trusted by Nigerians.

They can be removed with massive enlightenment of the people. The people are waiting for the credible alternative. They are waiting to see who and where the alternative will come from.

Do you see any of the opposition parties as an alternative to the PDP? Presently, the major ruling parties have connived to deceive Nigerians, so the alternative is not from all the ruling parties. The alternative will come from within and without and that is what the Movement for Fundamental Change is trying to midwife.

Do you see the recommendations of the most-recent National Conference restoring Nigeria of our dreams?

The National Conference was a jamboree of the old brigade; the ex-this, ex-that. Majority of them were handpicked by President Goodluck Jonathan.

It was a settlement conference.

What came out of it and how would the recommendations be implemented? They are still discussing how to implement the conference report and election is by the corner. So that was actually not intended to achieve the purpose they told Nigerians they wanted to achieve. That was another deceit.

Therefore, to prevent the country from sliding into a state of anarchy, we are of the view that the entire ruling cabal led

by Dr. Goodluck Jonathan should resign collectively from office and handover to a Transitional Government to be led by the Chief Justice of the Federation to oversee free and fair general elections at all levels of government in Nigeria within six months.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 3

Feature Terrorism:

Who is holding Nigeria to ransom?

By Doyin Ojosipe

T

he Nigerian government made a huge blunder when it falsely announced the release of the abducted Chibok girls, a few days after their capture. This revealed the state of confusion within the security apparatus.

However, the announcement of a ceasefire or truce with the devilish Boko Haram terrorists amidst the continuous shelling of Nigerians is an unforgettable error which has given an unimaginable dimension to the so called agreement between the federal government and the sect.

The present security situation in Adamawa State is terrifying, Nigerians are wondering what the federal government is up to, especially now that thousands of its citizens are being massacred and displaced. The primary function of government is to protect lives and property and it is puzzling why President Goodluck Jonathan has not deemed it fit to address the citizens in order to assuage their fears.

Though the Foreign Affairs Minister, Aminu Wali, had explained that negotiations are still ongoing with the dreaded sect, he, however, revealed that the present attacks could be linked to other terrorist groups. This disturbing discovery is a pointer that Nigeria might never overcome this monstrous octopus with several tentacles except with huge tactical efforts and strength.

Like a wife would tearfully ask her husband of his hidden misdeeds, the time has come for Nigerians to ask the government to humbly retrace its steps by making public the hidden deal that has led to incessant attacks and kidnap of citizens which is causing so much anguish and mistrust.

Reports and the near negligible attitude of the Nigerian government has shown that a shady deal is being done, using the citizenry as a pawn; simply put, a field for a fight of relevance and supremacy has been created and the unsuspecting citizens are now the animals in the forest for the hunters.

“

A few months ago, President Jonathan had said, “we now have strong leads as to those involved in this terror war on Nigeria and Nigerians.”

Some names were mentioned and one of them was declared wanted, yet Nigerians have not heard the result of the investigations that was carried out nor has the court successfully convicted any of them.

Isn’t it surprising that the numerous members of the sect that are allegedly in the custody of security agencies have not been able to give any useful information that will lead to the arrest and sponsors of this devilish sect.

Another comment attributed to the president was the claim that boko haram sponsors are also in his government, yet with the massive intelligence from security agencies, nothing has been uncovered.

Several other claims have continued to raise questions on the mystery behind Nigeria’s security challenges, especially now that the intensity of attacks on hapless Nigerians is on the increase.

Presently, about 17 communities in the north-east region have been taken over by the sect.

If the federal government knows and already has a strong lead on the identity of those involved in the heartless destruction of many communities and its residents, the question on the lips of many Nigerians is why has government not prosecuted them?

A former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, noted that the security situation in the country is dangerous, bloody, vicious, heartless, brutal, deep, dark and sinister and it is a conspiracy of monumental proportions. It is a conspiracy which we have all fallen victims to. It is a conspiracy that is fuelled by secrecy and strengthened by the reluctance of those that know the truth to speak out.

Furthermore, the rate at which politics is being used to cover up President Jonathan’s lackadaisical attitude towards the security of the nation to the detriment of citizens has become a burning issue, even as the two leading parties in the country

Fleeing Mubi residents are engaged in a dangerous blame game.

For Mr. President and his PDP cohorts, the party’s enemies are at it again, for the APC members, PDP will forever be responsible for every mishap in the country. This political scenario has even blinded many followers who have refused to see the danger created by the ruling elites.

An elder statesman and noble laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, described the political bigots as “Spurred by electoral desperation, a

Reports and the near negligible attitude of the Nigerian government has shown that a shady deal is being done, using the citizenry as a pawn; simply put, a field for a fight of relevance and supremacy has been created and the unsuspecting citizens are now the animals in the forest for the hunters.

bunch of self-seeking morons and sycophants chose to plumb the abyss of self-degradation and drag the nation down to their level. It took us to a hitherto unprecedented low in ethical degeneration.”

In the same vein, Mr. President has also demonstrated his continuous desperation for power, not minding the loss of the lives of innocent Nigerians who had voted for him when he had no shoes. His deafening silence on the attack in Mubi and various parts of the northeast shows that there is more to this situation than meets the eye.

What other way can one describe an inter-marriage of a failed political system and terrorism in a country where political leaders have developed a penchant for using the people’s weakness to achieve their own selfish interest and political ambitions.

Fani-Kayode, who captured this in his analysis, said “To be sure, there is only one thing worse than failing to protect your people and that is

when you organize and mobilize some misguided and mentally unstable miscreants to use religion as a political tool and get them to blow up, kill, abduct, rape and maim innocent men, women and children in an attempt to destabilize the country, spark off a religious war, change the status quo, pull down the government, induce a military coup, dismember our country and cow the Nigerian people into submission.”

Nigerians want to know who is holding the country to ransom or have we been caught in a web of blackmail? These are paramount questions that desire honest answers, because until we find answers to them, we might wake up one day and discover that Nigeria is no more.

Until the citizenry who have been blinded by ethno-religious differences begin to see a new world, devoid of chaos and anarchy, where things are done differently, in all honesty one is tempted to say that Nigeria will forever remain a shadow.

Indeed, Nigeria yearns for good

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Page 4

Special Report

FCT school where pupils study under

Mashe Umaru Gwamna

K

ado Kuchi (Jahi) is one of the communities under Kado District of AMAC in the Federal Capital

HRH Mal. Sulaiman Dodo

Territory (FCT) located a stone’s throw distance from the famous Next Shopping Mall.

The community is full of lively activities without allowing their frustration caused by decaying infrastructure to dampen their morale.

One of such infrastructure is the primary school of the area which was a result of the community’s efforts as it was built by the youths of the area.

A visit to the school revealed that it currently has no fence to protect the pupils, while the sanitary situation around the area was so poor.

Peoples Daily Weekend observed that the overview of the school premises shows dilapidated structures which goes to show the risk under which the kids are learning.

Parents of the pupils who spoke to our correspondent, expressed fears seeing their wards in unfavourable surroundings, this was as the Headmistress of the school was accommodated in a wonderful environment with fresh air at her UBE office, akin to that of bankers under the comfort of air conditioners.

A resident of the community, Mr Jisalo John, said the school building has been too old and needs a very serious attention. “FCT Administration needs to come to the aid of this community.

“The school structure has fallen so many times, and it is the people here that have been doing community service to rebuild it. We can’t wait for

the government that is not forthcoming any more. Our children are schooling here, so we have to help,” he said.

According to another resident, Zaphaniah illiya, “the primary school is one of the first things a visitor sees when entering the community and that depilated structure doesn’t look good to the eye, it says a lot about what the community is going through.”

Despite the challenges facing the school, its pupils seemed to be happy, learning in such an unpalatable situation.

Vivian Ochoga, a pupil said they are happy being in school because they were there to learn, “even though our environment is dirty, it is good for our education. Part of our school building has fallen down and our friends from other schools usually laugh at us because we usually don’t smell nice, you can only bad smell odours.”

Another pupil, Esther John noted, “I want the educational standard of our school to be better, the way part of our school is scattered, I don’t really like it, I love going to school. So I want the government and our community to come to our aid.

We want our class to be built up, because it is useful to us.

“The surroundings of our school are unclean and unhealthy; we do not want to fall sick, we pee at the back of our classes because we don’t have toilets.

Government should come and help us build our school and a new toilet,” Ms John said.

Kingsley Abuka, yet another pupil, appealed to “government to come and build the falling structures and to fence of the school, because every child needs security. We also want our classes to be

Contd on Page 5

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 5

...Where pupils study under threat Contd from Page 5

bigger, we are usually choked on our desks because the space in our class is small as they joined us with those that their class fell.”

Peoples Daily Weekend also discovered that people usually dump refuse in the school environment and has been made a thoroughfare for people too.

According to Melvin Cleo, “pedestrians and motorists pass along the school distracting the pupil’s attention when they are having their classes; the community has tried to restore the school building, and this is not the first time it is falling down.

“The Universal Basic Education (UBE) structure there for me, is far away from the school premises, the Headmistress should be within the environment not a

bit far so that she can monitor the activities of her teachers, pupils and the surrounding of the school.”

Tejuosho Okorie, a mother of a pupil said, “the school surrounding is not good for these children, children are vulnerable they play anywhere, the moment they see an open space they jump up and down, some even falling down on those places feeling it is right.

“The community has been doing their best in most things that happen here, we call on UBE to come and fix the building of the school, it is part of their job.

“Thank God the rain is almost over, the pupils whose classes have collapsed have been shared to other classes, though the atmosphere is not good for learning, we are pleading,” she said.

Peoples Daily Weekend observed that the kids

eat and play in the school surrounding with all the dirt in the environment and will definitely get sick.

A teacher in the school (names withheld) while speaking to Peoples Daily Weekend lamented that “as a teacher I have not been finding it easy to teach in the atmosphere that surrounds us; it is not hygienic at all.

“Ventilation for the wards and us the teachers, especially those of us that are on this side of the block, breathing the smell is stressful because these are all diseases we are inhaling.

“There are no toilets for the kids to use so they keep on ‘peeing’ at the back of their classes, and even when you talk to them they do not listen because they have no option,” the teacher said.

The Community head, Mallam Suleiman Dodo, said

Special Report

Senator Bala Mohammed, FCT, Minister

“the issue of the primary school has been of concern to me; as FCT indigenes we have not been taking care of as it should. We as a community tried our best in the building of the primary school, even when government did not build one for us. The youths in the community in partnership with my council, joined hands together to ensure we had a primary school around our

Some parts of a collapsed block of classrooms

community.

“Former Minister Nasiru el-Rufai intervened; built those structures you saw in the primary, and a corps member is building another structure.

I wrote letters nothing happened, so I decided that my youths should take it as a responsibility in doing such activities,” the traditional ruler said.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Page 6

News Analysis

How Boko Haram defeated us in Mubi - Soldiers

From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos and Isioma Nwabasha, Abuja

F

ollowing the defeat of Nigerian soldiers

by Boko Haram insurgents in Mubi on Wednesday, a soldier who was drafted to the area told Peoples Daily Weekend how members of the sect overpowered them.

Mubi, which is the second largest town in Adamawa State, was attacked by the insurgents. They killed many people and destroyed property worth millions of naira.

The soldier, who spoke on behalf of his fleeing colleagues on the Hausa service of the Voice of America and monitored in Jos, said they had fought the insurgents for over an hour, but later ran for their lives, as the insurgents weapons were more sophisticated. “When the Boko Haram members arrived, we were able to confront them for over an hour, but because their weapons were more sophisticated than ours, we had to run for our lives. We can’t fight with ordinary guns. When we realised that we could not defeat them, we then withdrew honourably.’’

On the rumour that more troops had been sent to assist them, the soldier said “even if troops are sent, they cannot fight without weapons. Can armed robbers be

arrested with mere hands? Impossible! It is the same with Boko Haram insurgents.”

When asked if they will re-enforce and go back to recapture Mubi, he said “we will not go back unless government provides sophisticated weapons. You cannot fight a terrorist group with the kind of guns that we use. So, if government wants us to return to Mubi, let them give us powerful weapons and see what will happen.’’

The insurgents have taken over the town and have hoisted their flags at strategic areas.

An indigene of Mubi who craved anonyimity told Peoples Daily Weekend that ‘As early as 5am, I and my personal assistant left Yola to Maiha, luckily for me a good Samaritan had allowed my daughter to use his phone. I told her where to wait for us. By 8.40am, we met them weak, tired and with swollen feet. The magnitude of the humanitarian disaster that we saw is better imagined than witnessed. Men, women and children some as young as a day old were trekking to Pella from where they hoped to connect to Yola or other safer locations. It was a human catastrophe. ‘’I saw about three children all less than five years old who had lost contact with their parents. I saw a woman in labour.

I saw danger, I saw naked fear in the eyes of the people as they moved towards an unknown destination, I saw despondency and hopelessness. The worst picture I saw is that of soldiers running away. Soldiers and civilians competed in entering a tipper at Maiha. I was dumbfounded. Some of the soldiers begged us to take them but we couldn’t as there was no space in our vehicle. The Mararraban Pella junction has become a military cantonment of some sort.

Hundreds of soldiers and their hardware are holed up there. As we drove back, several things came to my mind. How did this insurgency start? When will it end?

Who will end it? How come our gallant soldiers are running away from combat?

Who supplies the insurgents with their superior weapons? How come there is no word from the military authorities on the latest attack on Mubi?

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Mubi Women in Abuja have called on President Goodluck Jonathan to stop the wanton killing of innocent residents, especially women and children who have been under siege by the Boko Haram terrorists.

A statement signed by Hajiya Aji Bello on behalf of the coalition, stated that they were constrained to draw the president’s

2015: Shanono, Bagwai Youths reject Farouk Lawan

By Lawal Sabo, Abuja

N

ot less than four youth groups within the two local governments that make up the Bagwai-Shanono Federal Constituency have condemned the automatic ticket given to the embattled Hon Farouk Lawan by the Peoples Democratic Party to contest for the 2015 elections.

These groups were Bagwai Youth Movement for Change; Bagwai PDP Youth Movement for Change; Bagwai PDP Farar Aniya and the Bagwai-Shanono Youth Network for Change.

The stance of these groups according to a statement signed by Ibrahim Jauro and Idi Lawan and made available to Peoples Daily Weekend, was borne out of the need to have a fresh candidate to represent the constituency in the 2015 elections.

Part of the statement said, “Farouk Lawan has been representing BagwaiShanono Federal Constituency at the National Assembly since the return of

democracy in 1999 without any meaningful development to the people in the area.

“It could be recalled that the party has given automatic contest tickets to all its incumbent law makers at both State and National Assemblies under the umbrella because of what party elders called loyalty as they refused to defect to the APC with Governor Kwankwaso.”

The youth groups said they took the decision at an emergency meeting held at Bagwai Town Hall, calling on the party leadership to look into the Bagwai-Shanono nominationwhichtheysayhasitspeculiarities.

The release said, one of the leaders of the groups, Comrade Mansur Akawu Bagwai said “as party loyalists, we accept all party decisions in good faith but we are calling on the PDP to allow for the nomination of a fresh candidate to represent the party in 2015 as Farouk had enough opportunity by representing the constituency for four uninterrupted terms, as such, we need to have a change by sending a fresh person

to consolidate on the little Farouk has contributed to the constituency.”

Comrade Mansur further stated that they are making the calls because Farouk Lawan has lost popularity and credibility so there is the need to nominate another person from the constituency that would be more acceptable to the electorate in the forthcoming election.

According to the release, “Farouk is now facing criminal charges for allegedly collecting bribe from an oil magnet while he was serving as the chairman of the oil subsidy removal committee, that we cannot afford to have a representative that risks being convicted for a criminal offence as the matter is ongoing.

Another matter of concern to the Bagwai Local Government-based groups is that they need to have someone from their local government representing the constituency at the National Assembly as Farouk who is from Shanono Local Government has been in the house for 16 years.

Sokoto elders urge IGP to reinstate Tambuwal’s security aides

From Raji Bello, Sokoto

E

lders and Political stakeholders in Sokoto State have called for the immediate reinstatement of all security apparatus that were withdrawn from the office of the Speaker, House of Representatives.

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, had through a statement, stripped off Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s security aides in the wake of his defection to All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking in Sokoto during a press conference, the elders under the auspices

of Sokoto Elders and Political Forum, (SEPF), described the Police action as ‘needless and unconstitutional’.

They maintained that since the speaker has neither stepped down nor removed from office, he remains the legitimate number-four citizen and should be treated as such.

The forum’s spokesperson and erstwhile state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Arizika Muhammud Tureta maintained that it is not the duty of the acting police boss to interpret the constitution in that regard.

“We condemn this act of impunity.

When has it become the responsibility of

IGP to interpret the constitution? The act is condemnable and unnecessary.” Tureta averred.

The forum however claimed that similar defections have been witnessed in the past without any rancour.

It further made reference to the recent defection of Ondo state governor and other lawmakers in the state from Labour Party to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which the latter received with jubilation.

The forum also explained that the decision taken by the speaker was, timely, thoughtful and done in accordance to the Nigeria’s constitution.

attention to the plight of residents of Mubi, following the obvious failure of security operatives to stop the incursion of the insurgents.

“For about two months now, Madagali, Michika and environs have been under the control of Boko Haram and sadly the security forces are fully aware of this fact. It is disheartening that at the moment, our aged parents and sibblings are missing due to the current state of anarchy and uncertainty that has enveloped the areas. We believe that this is a clear affront to your position as commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and an expression of the terrorists’ contempt for our collective freedom as citizens to live in peace and harmony in our country.

“We enjoin the president to deploy adequate troops and provide them with the necessary equipment to contain this rising insurgency before it consumes the entire country,” the coalition said.

According to them, we were forced to join the few voices of reason, following the neglect of the imminent threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty by key stakeholders from Adamawa State, especially our representatives at the national and state assemblies.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Page 7

Cover

Lead by example – Kaduna residents tell Yero Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

A

s if going by the maxim of ‘do as I say, not as I do,’ none of the six children of Governor Muktar Yero of Kaduna State attends public school.

Peoples Daily Weekend checks revealed that Yero’s two eldest children are students of a high-profile private school in Zaria, while others of school age are said to also be in other high profile private schools.

However, Director General, Media and Publicity to Governor Yero, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki who was reluctant to disclose the school the children of the governor are attending, said he is confident that the governor is somebody that leads by example because his children are in a public institution. He quickly added that “two of them are still toddlers under the care of kindergarten teachers, but the rest are spread in public institutions run by the state government at the Zaria Education Development Association (ZEDA).”

Maiyaki added that the governor has made it a mark of policy that those in his cabinet follow suit by sending their children to schools run by the state government.

But a source close to the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House (Kaduna State Government House) told our reporter that, “none of the children of the governor presently attends any public school and there is not a sign that any of them

“

will begin to do that anytime soon,” the source said.

The governor recently called on public servants to take their wards to public schools, even asking the National Assembly to consider passing a legislation that would compel public servants in the country to enrol their kids in public schools.

Reacting on the issue, a gubernatorial aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Salihu Muhammad Lukman said the call by the Governor for all public servants to send their children to public schools is a welcome development, but expressed regret that Governor Yero has failed to lead by example.

“Tell me which of the public schools in Kaduna metropolis will the children of His Excellency attend; is it Badarawa Primary School or the Television Carriage Primary School where the pupils sit on the bare floor, when most public schools do not even have enough teachers?

“It is not only enough for the Governor to come out and make a statement calling on people to send their children to public schools, he should back it up with action that will encourage policy makers to send their children to public schools,” Salihu said, The gubernatorial aspirant added that Governor Yero cannot be held responsible for the condition of schools in Kaduna State today, but his party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the major

Gov Yero culprit because for their fifteen years in office they have not built new schools but only rehabilitated few old ones, though population is increasing on a daily basis.

He further added that “the last time schools were built across the state was during the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme of Gen Olusegun Obasanjo as military Head of State.”

Giving credence to this, an

It is not only enough for the Governor to come out and make a statement calling on people to send their children to public schools, he should back it up with action that will encourage policy makers to send their children to public schools.

educationist, Mr. Musa Bitrus said he will be surprised if Yero’s children are found in one of the dilapidated public schools across the state. He went further by saying even the children of a councillor will not attend a public school in the state.

Bitrus, who once worked as Education Inspector with the Ministry of Education, blamed policy makers for the sorry state of public schools in Kaduna State. According to him, some of the policy makers, top military brass and businessmen encourage their wives or children to establish private schools which are equipped at least to best standard with exorbitant school fees that can only be afforded by the privileged few.

“How many civil servants in Kaduna today can send their children to a school where the fees are about N250, 000 per term and other expenses summing it up to about N400, 000 per term.

“Schools like Rimi College; Government College; Sadaruna Memorial College; Government Girls Secondary School Kawo; Queen Amina College; Government College Soba; Alhuda-huda College Zaria;

Capital School; Government College Kagoro and Barewa College are institutions that produced these present crop of politicians in the state but it is very sad that they’ve abandoned the schools because their children go to private schools and it is only when Governor Yero matches his words with action by sending his own children to public schools and others follow suit; that is when people will know how far our education system has collapsed to,” Bitrus said.

Peoples Daily Weekend also gathered that the present fate of public school system is as a result of abandoning it to the children of the less privileged and public schools will only bounce back if the top and powerful in the society see reason of sending their children to these schools; but in as much as private schools offering good academic curriculum at expensive rate the rich will certainly patronized them living the public schools going from bad to worse. So, it is time that policy makers in Kaduna State and Nigeria not only send their children to public schools but ensure that public schools compete with their private counterparts in all standards.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 8

Cover

Why Nigerian politicians move from grace to grass

By Mohammed Usman

W

hat sustains a lawful economic status is its moderate utilization, especially where the source is limited to a definite period of time. One of the economic opportunities in most developing countries, especially in Nigeria is holding a political position which could be elective or appointive.

It is to this end that Peoples Daily Weekend sought the views of selected Nigerians on why those in positions of authority, especially councilors become poor after the end of their tenure.

Speaking to Peoples Daily Weekend, a lawyer, who craved anonymity, said he believes that it is a moral issue. “This is because most of them did not have the wisdom to invest their earnings in profitable ventures or they were affected by the curses of those they represented.” He added that when they were in government, people said a lot of things about them such as ‘’we elected you but you failed to fulfill your campaign promises, some will even curse them. For me that may be responsible for their penury. He further stated that this issue does not only affect councilors, but even governors, commissioners and chairmen. He added that some of them are able to sustain their extravagant lifestyle because they were opportuned to get other positions, but if they are not given another lucrative position they sooner than later fall back to a limited financial status. “So, it has to do with morality, but at times they are cursed and that is what is affecting them.”

Another respondent, Umar Farouk, stressed that “you see, it is the way they behave. People usually curse them and you know that God listens to the cries of the oppressed.” According to him, they lavish money and they don’t

“

PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu

have good intentions. “They use their positions to make money for themselves to the detriment of those they are supposed to serve and that is why people curse them, that is just the truth of it.” Again, there is a spiritual angle to it, ‘’you see when they are there, they would have money, but after they leave, they become poor. They themselves cannot really explain it.’’ Most of them never thought of investing their money into lucrative businesses, some that even invested their businesses collapsed. So, that is why I said it is a spiritual thing.

For Bilal Suleiman, it is due to inexperience. ‘’They failed to invest the money they made while in office, they squandered it believing that more will come, but in the long run, they become poor. This is because the money they got during their tenure, they did not invest in any meaningful venture that will sustain them after they leave office.” Another

ACP National Chairman, Chief Odigie-Oyegun

problem is that most of the people they helped when they were in power do not assist them. Nevertheless, some of them utilised that advantage and are living well.

According to Adekunle Adegbile, “The reason is because the way they got the money was unclean.” They usually forget that anything that has a beginning must have an end.

When they start collecting a huge amount of money per month, they start living an ostentatious life. Some of them will not even put up any structure including a personal house. What they do is to buy big cars and since money does not regenerate, when their tenure ends and money no longer comes in, they become poor and can no longer live the kind of life they were used to.

But for someone with experience and is able to invest, when such a person leaves the councillorship position, he would still be able to

When they get the opportunity instead of utilizing it well or invest in a business, they will not do so, thinking that the money will never finish. They will never think of investing. It is after their tenure that they will start thinking of what to do but it would be too late. That is what is happening to them.

live comfortably.’’

Abdullahi Salihu said most councilors become poor after their tenure expires because of insincerity and the lackadaisical attitude to serve the people that voted them into office. That is the truth about it. “You know before you assume office, you must be sworn-in while holding a holy book (Bible or Quran).

These politicians do take the oath they swore with God’s word serious, and you do not joke with God. That is why it affects them, especially the councilors and even local government chairmen.

If you tamper with justice, you would never escape.’’

He continued “Take for example, those who were just in their dealings, even after they finished their tenure and some of them engaged in business, still, they make progress because of the justice they maintained when they were in office. For some of them that are not able to make a head way in life, take a look at their tenure, what happened, did they do it well, no! Then definitely, they must be affected because they took an oath with the holy book and God is just, he cannot be mocked.’’

In Abubakar Bashir’s opinion, it is as a result of lavish spending. “When they get the opportunity instead of utilizing it well or invest in a business, they will not do so, thinking that the money will never finish. They will never think of investing. It is after their tenure that they will start thinking of what to do but it would be too late. That is what is happening to them.”

Contributing to the debate, a councilor currently representing a ward in one of the local government councils in Kogi State, Idris Kasim, said being a councilor does not make you wealthy or enables you to get everything you desire on earth.

“There are higher political positions one can occupy but if God has destined that you will go back to where you were before, it must be so. So as far as I am concerned, everything that happens in our lives is the will of God. This is because you cannot become very wealthy by just being a councilor.’’

He added that a councilor’s salary for the number of years that he served, even if such a person does not spend a dime from that money, it still cannot make him/her wealthy. On the investment attitude, he said “It depends on individual differences.

On his part too, a former councilor of one of the local governments in Kogi State, Mahmud Musa Gaga, said “one thing is certain, once you leave power as a councilor or even as a president, governor or legislator, you would definitely return to square one, no matter your investments. Take for instance, you were receiving N200,000, and now you no longer get a dime, definitely you must feel the difference, no matter your plan, no matter the business you have put on ground. The only thing is that politics is usually done from the grassroots and no matter what happens people will still recount some of the good things that you did for them.

“I can even stand as an example, despite the fact that you may be ascribed as nonperforming; you must have kept something for yourself, but that cannot sustain the kind of lifestyle one lived while in office and had a steady source of income. Once you have been in a position of authority, whether you like it or not, whether you were in charge of that department or not, the achievements or failure of that office would be vested on you directly or indirectly.’’

Another thing is that you would not want to see yourself descend lower than what you used to be. “You have to perform at least averagely. And for you to do so there is the need for government’s assistance, but the reverse is the case. This is the case even if you think you have put down what you would be feeding on. No matter what you are getting now, you can’t compare it with when you were in government.”

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 9

Vox Pop

Okada ban will heighten insecurity, say Nigerians

Recently, the federal government gave the Ministry of Transport the approval to completely ban the use of okada as a means of public transport, in a bid to improve the safety and transportation system in the country.

However, Nigerians reacted to the ban with mixed feelings. Some said it will lead to increased crime rates and unemployment if it is enforced without addressing the grey areas.

According to them, banning okada will bring untold hardship to Nigerians, especially those who reside in the suburb and who live in places where vehicles cannot ply, even as they unanimously expressed fear that crime and insurgency would increase. Doyin Ojosipe reports Clara

John

Mr. John, a civil servant with the ministry of youth development, said “it is a good thing that government wants to ban okada as a means of transportation in Nigeria, many of them are not experienced and the number of deaths recorded every day is alarming; I am not saying that people will not die, but what I am saying is that more accidents have been recorded using okada.

However, I do not support total ban, government can put them on hold and create a requirement that will qualify them as good riders, make them conscious that the lives of their passengers are in their hands, and after the training, they should be allowed to return to their jobs.

Miss Clara, who works with a transport company, said it is not a good policy.

“Many of them will become jobless and at the end of the day, they will begin to carry guns. If government bans okada, we should be ready to entertain more armed robbers.

Oche

Mr. Oche, who works with a surveying company, is totally against the ban. “The policy is totally unacceptable, not all the roads are motorable, for crying out loud, why does government care just for the elites and not the masses? There are no okada in Asokoro or Maitama, we that live in the outskirts are not complaining either. Were there no crimes before now, and was it not vehicles that were used in most bomb blasts? In the villages, there are roads that cars cannot pass and they are very far from the roads how do we cope?

Emeka

Mr. Emeka, a civil servant, said it is in two ways, “it is better to ban them because of the security havoc and accidents on the roads but to say the truth, there will be more unrest if government doesn’t settle them; many of them are even graduates but do not have jobs, they have family members as well, they have to feed. Government did not give them jobs, they searched and could not find any, so they dropped their certificates and started riding okada just to put body and soul together, if government should stop them, some might commit suicide. My take is that government should not take the decision without thinking of how to augment the transportation system. It can ban okada in towns but not in suburbs. Infact, Abuja is not ready for this.

Ochekpe

Josiah

Mr. Josiah, a footballer, said “government is good at building castles in the air, the ban on okada will only be supported if jobs are created for them. Government should get more keke napeps for them. Though the ban was meant to fight crimes and reduce the rate of accidents, many will be thrown into joblessness again and there will be another round of insecurity.

Ochekpe, a student of Nasarawa Polytechnic, expressed sadness that another anti-people policy might be on the way again. “Some of us even do okada work to support ourselves in school, when we have to get some handouts or we are broke, some who do not have sponsors will just get a bike and start conveying passengers, from there they would gather some money to meet their needs. Why will government want to stop okada? Many youths are jobless, the labour market is overcrowded; thousands of graduates are unemployed, so when okada is banned, more people will become unemployed then what do you expect?

Many will take up arms, which means, more criminal activities, because they have to survive and that is when you will see that terrorism has not even started. Please government can do better.

Austine

Austine, who is also a student, said the ban is not completely bad in as much as government has devised a means to cater for them. At the outskirts of the city centre using bikes as a means of transportation is not bad, the bike men will not only be affected, commuters will suffer as well. Has government gotten more buses? What business have they given those that they will displace? How many of them have been trained by government? If government has not put any tangible thing on ground, then it is wicked to deprive people of their means of livelihood.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 10

News

Police gun-runner dies in custody I Stories From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

t was a black Friday in Kaduna when the Kaduna state Police Command’s Armament Officer DSP Nanbol Audu, arrested during an attempt to steal firearms from the Commands Armoury allegedly committed suicide in police detention.

The State Commissioner of Police, Umar Shehu Ambursa, who confirmed

the death of the gun runner to this correspondent, said investigation has commenced to find out what led to the death of the officer while in detention.

However sources said Audu shot himself while in the custody of the command around 5am yesterday.

It would be recalled that on Monday at the State Commands Head Quarters in Kaduna, at about 2230hours, the Command’s

Armament Officer, DSP Nanbol Audu came to the Armoury with two unknown persons in a private vehicle, parked behind the Armoury and loaded some firearms into the vehicles.

He said policemen on guard suspected foul play and immediately stopped the vehicle from leaving the premises.

Corpse of boy13, dumped in pastor’s house …Teenager electrocuted

T

he police has also commenced investigation into circumstances leading to the discovery of the corpse of 16 year old boy dumped in the compound of one Pastor Solomon Bida located at Malali village in Kaduna North Local government area in Kaduna metropolis.

The lifeless body was identified as Najir Yusuf.

The pastor while speaking to the media yesterday said he woke up at around 6.30am and was going out to shave when he noticed a lifeless body lying at the uncompleted part of his compound.

“I thought it was a man sleeping due to drunkenness, that notwithstanding I raised alarm to attract other neighbours around and my son and my wife joined me.There is a police man who lives next door to us, so I quickly sent for him and when he came he confirmed that it was a lifeless body and

immediately alerted Malali divisional police officer who came and removed the corpse.

“At the same time they arrested some suspects, including the elder brother of the dead man,” he said.

Investigation further revealed that the late Najir assists his elder brother Abdullahi at a shop located at their main house where he sells yams and Irish potato.

On a good day Abdullahi usually leave the late Najir at the shop to attend to customers.

Sometimes when he travels out of town to get more stocks, he leaves the running of the business in care of his late brother.

It was also gathered that the late Najir disappeared about three days ago and all efforts to locate him proved abortive until his corpse was found dumped at the pastor’s compound.

Pastor Solomon Bida who presides the

Cherubim and Seraphim church located at Niger Street Malali Federal lowcost(housing estate), said he is still in shock on what happened and only prays to God to expose the perpetrators.

It was also discovered by our correspondent that body parts of the deceased were removed.

Similarly, residents of Ungwan Dosa, Kaduna North local government area in Kaduna metropolis woke up yesterday morning to find the dead body of a teenager alleged to have been electrocuted to death while trying to steal an overhead electricity cable near a refuse dump in the area.

An eye witness who gave his name as Abubakar Mohammed and a resident of Ungwan Dosa said “I came out of my house around 7.15am to drop my children at Research School and on my way back, I saw a large crowd

at a refuse dump near the transformer located within the Sardauna Memorial College premises where an MTN mast is located. “ Upon getting to where the crowd had gathered, I saw the dead body of a boy lying under the transformer, and people said they think the boy is the one who cut a cable which was apparently swinging and in the process, he got electrocuted,” he said.

Another witness, Aminu Mohammed said “the boy’s name is Lawi, as he is popularly called and lives in Badarawa but his parents live at Mararaban Jos, I have know him for quite some time because he is my brother’s friend, he used to repair tyres in Ungwan Sarki before he started refuse collection in Ungwan Dosa.”

He said the relations of the boy came in the morning and took the corpse for burial at Mararaban Jos.

Ex- Milad leaves Kwankwaso for Jonathan

By Mohammed Usman

T

he Chairman/ Director-General of Kano state Youth Directorate for Economic Empowerment, Colonel Yakubu Bako has resigned his appointment to fully join President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign movement.

In a statement signed by him, Bako who described existence of “original All Progressives Congress(APC) and other form of non-original APCs as either Anti-President Coalition(APC) or AntiPatience-husband’s Congregation(APC)”, assured the people of Kano state that he would continue to protect their interests in any capacity he found himself.

“Apart from General

Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who formed the bedrock of the original All Progressives Congress (APC), most other people who are not with these two gentlemen belong to either AntiPresident Coalition (APC) or Anti-Patiencehusband’s Congregation(APC)” the statement read.

He added that the manifesto, focus and binding force of these two later-day APCs were centered around the dislike for or the quarrel with President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said that the later-day APCs were not out of respect nor want to work with General Muhammadu Buhari and could never be a counter-

poise to that of Buhari/ Tinubu,adding “and there can never be a congruity between them.”

The colonel who was a former military governor of Akwa-Ibom state said that the “later-day APCs” tended to attack or disparage not only

“

Buhari but also President Goodluck Jonathan at the slightest chance. “ P r e s i d e n t Goodluck Jonathan is constitutionally qualified to run for 2nd term if he wishes. Every group has the fundamental right to agitate for power”, he said.

President Goodluck Jonathan is constitutionally qualified to run for 2nd term if he wishes.

Every group has the fundamental right to agitate for power”

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

News

K

atsina state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Tsauri has said that the party stand the risk of losing the governorship seat in 2015 if he is denied the ticket.

The party, he said, has the option of either giving him the ticket and win or allow him leave and lose the governorship seat.

Tsauri who was speaking to newsmen in Kano shortly after he held a rally at the Marhaba Cinema said no amount of threat or intimidation would prevent him from pursuing his ambition.

He said only God can give power to whoever He likes, hence his decision to seek the post from Him, adding that his decision to contest the gubernatorial election under the platform of PDP was borne out of his commitment to promote peace, unity and development in Katsina state. “ PDP has a choice either to pick me, win election or let me go and lose election.

Shema cannot win election everybody knows that, between these choices, whichever they chose will affect Shema because you cannot give Dutsinma the governorship seat and still give them another seat. Shema’s political calculations about his survival after he leaves office is such that informed this open hatred. If I am to leave PDP for another party, the hatred will reduce, even though APC has offered

me ticket but I refused. ‘’My intention to contest the position is borne out of my desire and commitment to bring the desired change and ensure human development’’, he said.

Tsauri who is popularly known as Tata in Katsina state said he got permission from the police to conduct his formal declaration rally but was surprised to hear the withdrawal of the permission over the radio.

He alleged that his disagreement with the incumbent governor Ibrahim Shema revolve around the issue of loyalty not his capability to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Katsina state. “ Ibrahim Shema believes poverty breeds obedience, it is only when people are poor that he can be guaranteed of their loyalty and he saw me trying to remove the shackles off them and by that I’m encouraging disobedience against him and his government, which is not my intention.”

He accused Governor Shema of trying to scuttle his ambition and ensure that by all means he does not scale through. ‘’What happened in Katsina was a clear attempt by some people who do not wish me well’’, he said.

The governorship aspirant who urged the people of the state not to be deterred by what happened last Saturday, called on them to continue to give him the necessary support to ensure his victory at the polls.

2015 guber: ‘Nasko remains our candidate in Niger’ From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna.

Y

ouths in Niger state have insisted in casting their votes for Umar Nasko come 2015 general elections, saying that their resolve is to support only youthful candidates for gubernatorial race.

This is coming barely one week after students in the State endorsed him.

The group’s leader, Hon. Murtala Zubairu said this in Minna when he led youth under the auspices of Suleja, Gurara and Tafa PDP Youth Network to the Evergreen Mandate Group (EMG) secretariat in Minna to present a letter of endorsement to the aspirant.

Zubairu said “as youth, we have unanimously agreed to support Umar

Nasko. He is a youth, and we are ready to accompany him to the government house come May 29th 2015’.

“We are standing on our grounds, we remain undaunted. We are not aware of any other candidate except Umar Nasko. We will give him 100 percent support. We the youth in Suleja, Gurara and Tafa will only support and vote for him” he stated.

In her remark, the Director of Finance EMG Mrs Deborah Salawu urged the youths in the state to take advantage of the opportunity and vote in Umar Nasko who is also a youth with vibrant zeal.

“Change has come, you must all embrace this change because you (youths) are the ones who are the leaders of today and tomorrow”, she said.

‘Adamawa PDP has been saved’

By Mohammed Usman

T

he Adamawa PDP Patriotic Front has lauded decision of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party “to accede to the calls for zoning the governorship slot of our state to the Adamawa Central Senatorial zone”.

According to a press release issued and by signed Hameed Modibbo Chairman and Hallah Nicholas,Secretary of the Front in Yola, the state capital, “it is one decision that will ginger the strength of the party as we march to election in February”.

“Our great party has proved its mettle by standing with an agreement that was entred into and documented under the guidance of the Senate President and other key party leaders. This is refreshing step and a source of encouragement for all of us party members at the grassroots. We now have confidence that any genuine pact with our party will stand the test of time.

PAGE 11

Katsina 2015: Deny me ticket and you lose, Tsauri tells PDP From Edwin Olofu, Kano

The decision of the NWc is commendable not only because it corrected a long time injustice and marginalization against the good people of Adamawa Central, but also because it has shattered a grand plan to drag our formidable party and President Goodluck Jonathan down by some elements from within.

“For some time now, some unpatriotic politicians have been trying to play a dangerous religious card in our harmonious state to satisfy their selfish political motives.

Their tactic was to whip up sentiments in perpetrating their agenda, despite its unpopularity.

We were told that His Excellency the President and some top level personalities are behind what was painted as a religious calculation to what is otherwise a democratic exercise. We refused to accept the lies because we know our party, the PDP, is a secular political party that aliens with no religious faith”,it said.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, EKIADOLOR-BENIN, EDO STATE YEAR 2013 TETFund SPECIAL INTERVENTION INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION AND TENDER FOR YEAR 2013 TETFund SPECIAL INTERVENTION PROJECT

The college hereby invites competent and interested contractors for pre-qualification/tender for the following:a.

Procurement of furniture for schools/offices. b.

Procurement of different essential equipments 1) PRE-QUALIFICATION CRITERIA Interested contractors are expected to furnish the College with the following:(a) Evidence of Registration with Corporate Affairs Commission. (b) Tax Clearance certificates and Audited accounts for 2011, 2012 and 2013. (c) Evidence of registration with college of Education, Ekiadolor with receipt of renewal for the past five (5) years. (d) Evidence of Vat registration. (e) Evidence of compliance with PenCom Act, ITF Act, and evidence of past remittance. (f) Evidence of similar jobs executed by the company in the last five years

(preferable TETFund projects with the College of Education, Ekiadolor-Benin

in the last five (5) years).

Presentation of letters of award, completion certificate and photographs will be added advantages, state cost of projects, location, client, date of award and status of projects. (g) Evidence of Financial capacity with letter of reference from the bank(s). (h) Evidence of registration with the Federal Ministry of Works and Financial

Reporting Council.

2) PRE-QUALIFICATION/TENDER FEES Interested contractors are to pay the College Bursar a non-refundable tender Fees of N80, 000.00 (Eighty Thousand Naira) only for each category.

3) COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENT Bidders are advised to collect the tender documents from the office of the Provost, college of Education, Ekiadolor on presentation of receipt for the tender fees.

4) RETURN OF DOCUMENTS Pre-qualification/tender documents should be returned along with original receipt for the payment in two separate wax sealed envelopes with one marked “Technical” and the other marked “Financial” with Year 2013 SPECIAL INTERVENTION at the top right hand corner of the envelope and addressed to the: The Registrar, College of Education, Ekiadolor-Benin, Edo State.

To reach the office of the registrar not later than 11:00am on Monday, 17th October, 2014 5) OPENING Bids received shall be opened by 12:00pm on Monday, 17th October 2014, at the College Conference Hall.

All Bidders or their representatives and interested members of the Public are hereby invited to witness the opening of the Bids as scheduled above.

6) IMPORTANT NOTICE a.

This advertisement shall not be constructed to be commitment on the part of the College

to award any form of contract to your company. b.

The College shall not be bound to accept the lowest tender or any Tender for that matter.

Signed: Mrs. E. A Fenemigho Registrar

KEBBI STATE GOVERNMENT MINISTTRY OF WATER RESOURCES AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ADVERTISEMENT OF REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOLAR POWERED BOREHOLES SCHEMES AT DALIJAN, MADADI, UNGUWAR INUWA, AMORE AND GORA COMMUNITIES OF GWANDU LOCAL GOV’T. Contract NO: KBSTB\MWRD\273/2014 1.

A.Construction of solar powered borehole schemes atdalijan, madadi, Unguwarinuwa, Amore and Gora communities of Gwandu local Govt.

2.

THE SCOPE OF WORKS FOR THE PROJECTS SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: a) Drilling of a complete 150mm dia Borehole with SQ type solar powered pump. b) Construction of a complete 22.5m3 welded tank 6m tower c) Supply and installation of solar modules d) Provision of water points and commissioning apron e) control room and fencing works.

3. QUALIFICATION OF FIRMS RESPONDING TO THE (RFQ) Water engineering firms, representative of manufacturers of water materials etc in presenting quotation must show clear evidence of; a. Payment of corporate taxes,PAYE,VAT,etc. b. Kebbi State Tenders Board Registration Certificate c. Letter of confirmation by applicant’s Bankers on having financial capacity to execute the contract d. Certificate of incorporation for companies/consulting firms e. Memorandum and ARTICLES OF Association f. Registration with professional/regulatory bodies as would be applicable g. List of company/consulting firms machineries, equipment and instruments h. List of previous works/services executed within Kebbi State and evidence of \ performance i. List of company/consulting firms personnel including qualification and year of experience in the field j. Third party insurance. k. certificate of incorporation for companies/consulting firms 4. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF QUOTATION All interested companies are to submit their quotation of the project within one week from the date of this advertisement.

The Ministry of water Resources and Rural Development Kebbi State reserves the right to reject any quotation that does not meet its requirement.

Signed: Dr. AbdullahiS. Gobir Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development For Honorable Commissioner.

Page 12

Photosplash

Last batch of Bauchi state 2014 pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia on Thursday night in Bauchi

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega (r) and Mr Innocent ‘2 face’ Idibia, presenting a “vote not fight” campaign, during a sensitization and advocacy visit by NDI partners to INEC, in Abuja

L-R Chairman, Elders Council, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, Deputy Coodinator, Goodluck Support Group (GSG), Prof Nick Ezeh, Chairman, Innoson Motors, Dr Innocent Chukwuma, and Chairman, Atlas Oranto Petroleum International Limited, Prince Arthur Eze, during the Elder’s Advisory Council 5th General Meeting and Presentation of buses to gsg

by Innoson Motors, in abuja - photo: Justin Imo-Owo.

L-R: Marketing Manager of DANA Motors Limited, Mr.Peter Ayewoh; the Executive Director North, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Adams Nuru, and the Head, Retail Asset Products Mr Oljire Awofisibe, at the launch of the FCMB and DANA motor Youths performing a cultural dance during the Umuechem day at Etch Local Government Area of Rivers State alliance on auto loan, in Abuja. - Photo: Mahmud Isah

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 13

Diezani sacks four PTDF management staff

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke yesterday terminated the appointments of four General Managers in the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

However, the reasons for the

termination of the appointments was not contained in a statement signed by the Head, Press and External Relations, PTDF, Kalu Otisi Esq. The affected General Managers are Jacqueline N. Guyil- General Manager, Strategic Planning and Documentation; Olajide Adebulehin- General Manager,

Projects; Ahmed Z. BalarabeGeneral Manager, Administration and Human Resources; Ahmed Galadima AminuGeneral Manager, Education and Training Department Also affected by the disengagement order is Tinu Adaeze Oluleye, an Officer with the Fund.

The affected officers have been directed to handover all properties of the Fund to the next most senior staff and to report to the Finance and Accounts Department of PTDF for their entitlements.

PTDF is a parastatal being supervised by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Boko Haram: Interior Minister laments hitch in peace talks

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

M

inister of Interior Comrade Abba Moro has lamented that the ongoing war as well as dialogue between the Federal government and the Boko Haram sect, is being compounded by division among the insurgents’ ranks.

The minister who said this during in an interview with Journalists in Makurdi yesterday, maintained that engagement, consultations and containment with the militant group was still ongoing.

He however, dismissed insinuations that a date has already been scheduled for the release of the Chibok girls, stating that the girls’ release is still on the table for discussion.

It would be recalled that the group had three days ago invaded Mubi in Adamawa State and took over a military barrack.

All Progressives Congress (APC) Kaduna state Governorship Aspirant, Malam Nasir El-rufai (L), receiving nomination form from Kaduna state APC chairman, Mr Bala Bantex, yesterday in Kaduna . Photo: NAN

2015: Group backs Chime for senate

By Usman Mohammed

A

group known as Old Awgu Forum, has given its support to the governor of Enugu state, Sullivan Chime, over his aspiration for senatorial seat in the 2015 election.

In a statement signed by the co-ordinator of the group, Dr. Chinedu Jideofo-Ogbuagu (Iheuwa),the group, which represent the people of Aninri, Awgu and Oji River Local Government Areas, faulted the aspiration of the senate deputy president, Ike Ekweremadu to represent the areas for the third time.

“Now, Senator Ekweremadu has been in the Senate for not just 2 years, not for 4 years, not even for 8 years, but for 12 years – and he still wants to continue to 16 years, and perhaps indefinitely! We of Old Awgu Forum say “No” to this”, the statement read.

The group which stated that Old Awgu people are fair-minded, added that Senator Ekweremadu must respect that same fairmindedness for which the people of Old Awgu are known.

Reminding Ekweremadu, the group said that the same principle that made him

(Ekweremadu) and other Old Awgu persons to work for election of Senator Bencollins Ndu against Dr. Jideofo-Ogbuagu in the 2001 Enugu West senatorial by-election, should not be forgotten.

It stated that it was debatable how Senator Ekweremadu’s status as Deputy Senate President has conferred any representative advantages on the people of Enugu West or benefits over any other senatorial zone in Nigeria, adding “we the people of Aninri, Awgu and Oji River Local Government Areas strongly identify with Governor Chime’s 2015 Enugu West Senatorial aspiration.”

It stressed that Old Awgu Forum is the premier platform for articulation and advancement of political, economic and socio-cultural interests of the people of Aninri, Awgu and Oji River Local Government Areas, Enugu State of Nigeria, which together constitute the defunct (Old) Awgu Division of the defunct (Old) Eastern Nigeria.

However, it said, one of the most memorable events occurred in February 2007 when none of the many political parties had found even one Old Awgu person worthy of its gubernatorial ticket in the 2007 general election.

News

RTEAN urges members to be law-abiding

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he National President of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) Chief Shehu Musa Isiwele, has called on both executives and members of the association to be law-abiding any where they found themselves.

Isiwele, who made the call in an interview with newsmen during the swearing-in ceremony of the elected RTEAN executives of Lagos Branch at the Yar’adua centre yesterday in Abuja, also urged members of the association to love one another in the interest of peace and togetherness.

He further pleaded with the officials to work towards the progress and development of the association any time of the day.

He advised the losers of the election to accept defeat in good faith, while urging them to join hands with the winners to move the association to the next level in Lagos state.

The president therefore, assured the officials as well as members that his leadership would carry everybody along in scheme of things.

Responding, the newly elected chairman of the RTEAN in Lagos state branch, Alhaji Musa Muhammadu, said that he will operate open door administration for the benefit of the members in the association.

He also said that he would pursue policies or reforms aimed at improving the living condition of the member in the state, urging the members to co-operate with him at all times.

He assure the members that his leadership will not discriminate against any tribe in the discharge of his official duties, pointing out that he was ready to welcome useful advices and constructive criticisms.

The chairman further said that his administration would not hesitate to work closely with the Lagos state government and its agencies to move the RTEAN as well as transport sector forward in the state.

Muhammadu, however, thanked the National Executive Council (NEC) of RTEAN for the maturity displayed during the election.

ANAN flays increased corruption in Nigeria

By Isioma Nwabasha, Abuja

T

he Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) said increased and pragmatic efforts are needed to curb corruption in the country, saying no right thinking person will invest in an environment infested with corrupt practices.

The President and Chairman of council, Alhaji Sakirudeen Labode (FCNA), stated this in an opening address at the 19th annual conference of certified national accountants in Abuja with the theme ’Nigeria’s 100 years of governance and accountability: Lessons from the accountancy profession’. The conference which began on Monday, October 27 to Thursday, October, 30, also conferred on 173 accountants the Fellow Certified National Accountants (FCNA) award.

Labode said ‘’Issues bordering on governance and accountability have been in the front burner since the historic amalgamation in 1914. Corruption has assumed an alarming dimension in the polity. Successive administrations in the country had in the past taken steps to curb this cankerworm with little or no successes recorded.

The association is a proponent of a corrupt free society, hence the robust campaign in national newspapers on whistle blowing. Genuine leadership must be responsible and accountable. Professional accountants have a role to play in ensuring accountability in governance.’’

Among those honoured with the FCNA award is a Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Rex Adigwe. He began his working career at the federal civil service commission

in 1983 before transferring his services to the Nigeria Customs Service.

Adigwe thanked ANAN for honouring him with the prestigious award, saying he will continue to contribute his quota to the development of the association and the accounting profession in Nigeria. He also commended his colleagues for their support, especially those that accompanied him to the event.

Dignitaries at the event included the keynote speaker and Board Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Suleyman Ndanusa, Ministers of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, royal fathers, representatives of professional bodies, ANAN council members, past presidents of ANAN, national accountants among others.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Page 14

Crime Cycle

Stanley Onyekwere pmlcrimecycle@gmail.com 08138559513

Man sentenced to 6 days community service for stealing pot of soup

F

or stealing a big pot of soup, a 28- year-old man, Abiodun Ojedokun, was sentenced by a Somolu Magistrates’ court, in Lagos State, to six days of community service, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Bola Osunsanmi, sentenced the convict to 48 hours of community service for each of the three-count charge, after he had pleaded guilty to all of them.

Delivering his ruling, Osunsanmi says: “Based on the facts of this case before this court, the confirmed report and your plea of leniency, I hereby sentence you to 48 hours community service

on each of the counts of the charge.”

According to NAN, the convict, arraigned on a threecount charge of conspiracy, burglary and stealing, pleaded guilty to all the charges preferred against him.

The prosecutor, ASP Akinlabi Adegoke, told the court that the convict, who was a casual worker and whose address was unknown, committed the offences on Sept. 20 at 2:00 a.m. at the Onipanu Model Market in Somolu, Lagos State.

“The accused connived with some others, now at large, to break into one Mrs Gbadamosi Sanni’s shop at 2:00 a.m.

Suspected Facebook scammer docked for stealing N15m

A

n alleged Facebook scammer, Ebele Okeke, 36-year-old, is standing trial before an Igbosere Magistrate’s court, for allegedly stealing N15 million under false pretence, in Lagos state.

Okeke, mother of four, appeared before the presiding magistrate, Adeola Adedayo, on a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining by false pretence.

According to the Police prosecutor, Inspector Marcus Okon, informed the court that the accused committed the alleged offence in 2012, at Allen Avenue, in Ikeja area of Lagos.

He alleged that she obtained the said sum from one Sunday Okpere, with pretence that if he becomes her business partner,

she would use the money to buy items to sell and make profit from it, which she knew to be false.

The prosecutor noted that the offence is punishable under Sections 312 and 285 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011, respectively.

Earlier, the accused had pleaded not guilty to the two charges against her.

Consequently, counsel to the accused, prayed the court to grant her bail in the most liberal terms.

However, Magistrate Adedayo asked the counsel to the accused, to file a formal bail application before the court could grant the bail application, and adjourned the matter to November 3.

Crime quotes: A person is born with feelings of envy and hate. If he gives way to them, they will lead him to violence and crime, and any sense of loyalty and good faith will be abandoned.

- Xun Zi

“They broke the locks and stole her large pot of soup, valued at N8, 000,” Adegoke said.

The prosecutor told the court that the offences contravened Sections 285, 308 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Ojedokun pleaded guilty to the charges and asked for leniency, claiming that he committed the offence because he was starving.

IGP Sulaiman Abba

Bureau-de-Change operator in hot soup over $50,000 fraud

O

ne Abubakar Abdullahi, has appeared before Justice Dije Aboki of Kano State High court, on one count charge of criminal breach of trust.

The accused, who is the manager of Maisabulu Bureau de Change, in Kano, was arraigned in the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According a statement by the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the accused had sometime in April, 2013 upon the instruction of his employer, Alhaji Kabiru Maisabulu, who is the managing director of

the company, purchased the sum of 50,000 United States dollars from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

It added that the transaction was carried out on behalf of one Bello Sani Yakassai of Misau Bureau de Change but, converted the said sum for his personal use.

“That you Abubakar Abdullahi being the manager of Maisabulu Bureau de Change sometime in April 2013 in Kano within the judicial division of the High Court of Justice of Kano being entrusted with certain property to the sum of $50,000.00 equivalent to the sum of N7,780,000.00 given to

you by Ahaji Kabiru Maisabulu for onward transmission to Bello Sani Yakassai committed criminal breach of trust in respect thereof and that you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 314 of the Penal Code,” the statement said.

However, it said that the accused pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

The statement adds that “Based on his plea, Justice Aboki ordered that the accused be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing of the bail application and adjourned the matter to November 4.”

Adultery: Herdsman kills friend sleeping with his wife

O

ne herdsman, Mohammed Ibrahim, who allegedly took the life of his friend, Abdullahi Saliu, for purportedly sleeping with his wife while he was away, has been remanded in prison custody, in Ogun state.

His remand followed an order of a Magistrate court sitting at Isabo, Abeokuta, in the State, accordingly, reports Earlier, the Prosecutor, Corporal Moshood Hammed, had told the court that the accused committed the alleged offence on October 11 at Ojubu village, in

Abeokuta.

According to him, the accused killed his friend by hitting him with a stick on his head for allegedly sleeping with his wife.

“The accused and the deceased were close friends and lived together in the same apartment.

“When the accused learned that the deceased slept with his wife while he was away from home, a fight ensued between the two men, leading to the murder of Saliu,” the prosecutor alleged.

He said the offence contravened Sections 316 and 319

of the Criminal Laws of Ogun State.

Vanguard (online) reports that the accused, who had no legal representation, and whose plea was not taken by the court, is standing trial on one count charge of murder.

Consequently, the magistrate, Mr. Martins Akinyemi, ordered that the accused be remanded in Oba Prison, while awaiting the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP).

He, thereafter, adjourned the case to February 11, 2015, for continuation of hearing.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Page 15

Politics

2015: As APC, PDP fiercely battle for Kwara

A

head of 2015 general election, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State seem to be treading the path of victory to remain in office for second term as no strong aspirant from his party, the All Progressives Congress(APC) has come out to challenge him openly. Few months to the general election, our correspondent observed that no aspirant from the ruling party in the state has made their interest know to the party.

Governor Ahmed, who had served as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development under Governor Bukola Saraki, may escape the hurdle of the APC primary only to face the main opposition party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has many gubernatorial aspirants.

Already, about 13 aspirants are jostling for the PDP ticket. They include Senator Simeon S Ajibola, Rev John Dara, Sen Sulyman Makanjuola Ajadi, Eng Sunday Babalola, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), and Comrade Ben Duntoye. Others are Alhaji Bio Ibrahim, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, Mr Gbenga Osasona, Prof Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem, Sen Gbemisola Saraki, Engr.

Sunday Babalola and Mr. Kale Belgore.

Based on senatorial rotation, Kwara South Senatorial district is agitating for a second term ticket for Governor Ahmed since Kwara Central had spent 12 years.

The people of the area which comprises seven local governments argued that Late Governor Muhammed Alabi Lawal who was from Kwara Central senatorial district had spent four years on the seat from 1999 to 2003 while Senator Bukola Saraki also from Kwara central Sentorial served two terms as the governor of the state before hand-over to Governor Ahmed.

Pundits believe that Governor Ahmed, who hails from Share, Ifelodun Local Government that falls within Kwara South Senatorial district has a bright chance of getting APC’s gubernatorial ticket. Similarly, it was learnt that PDP was considering aspirants from the same senatorial district.

Speaking with our Correspondent in Ilorin, a member of the defunct ACN, Barrister Atolagbe Ayansola, said Governor Ahmed deserves a second term in office noting that the issue on ground was not really about zoning but fairness.

According to him, “Kwara Central had spent 12 years as elected governor of this state. Both late Governor Muhammed Lawal and Dr Bukola Saraki from Kwara Central Senatorial district had spent four and eight years respectively. It is about justice and equity. It’s not about zoning. If we want to play politics of morality, equity and fairness,

“

Olanrewaju Lawal writes on the desperate moves by the Saraki-led APC to secure a second term for Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, even as the PDP struggles to pick a flag bearer among the 13 aspirants who have indicated interest without breaking its ranks

PDP National Chairman, Alh Ahmad Mu’azu they should allow Governor Ahmed to run for second term and complete eight years as a candidate from Kwara South Senatorial district.”

It was learnt that former National Secretary of PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Bareje may join the APC gubernatorial aspirant if Dr Bukola Saraki orders him to do so, as part of political gimmicks. But till now, Baraje, a former National Secretary of the PDP and Acting Chairman of the party had not shown public interest.

But there was a rumour in some quarters however that the incumbent governor had signed a single term deal with some big wigs of his former party, the PDP in the state.

Commenting on this, Barrister Atolagbe said I was a mere political propaganda that could not be confirmed. “Governor Ahmed, as a typical Igbomina man from Kwara South, really deserves to be given gubernatorial ticket for second term. Before

PDP members believe in true internal democracy and as such will welcome that all aspirants on the platform of the party face the challenges of primary election. However, the position of the party and all the aspirants was that whoever emerges as winner in the primaries, even if it is by one vote, becomes the party’s flag bearer.

Sen. Bukola Saraki

nPDP merged with APC, the issue of one term was raised by some people in the PDP then, and Senator Sulyman Ajadi, S.S Ajibola and Theophilus Bamigboye kicked against that. It was just an imagination of some people who want to cause chaos between Dr Bukola Saraki and Governor Ahmed.”

On its part, the PDP in the state has continued to strategise against the APC led

by Dr Bukola Saraki in the state. At a recent stakeholders’ meeting held in Ilorin during the visit of Dr Bello Halliru Mohammed and former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, they resolved to work with President Goodluck Jonathan to dislodge APC in the state.

A former Commissioner under Dr Bukola Saraki administration, Chief Bisi Oloruntoba, at the meeting, sought the assistance of the Presidency to defeat Dr Bukola Saraki in the forthcoming election financially and protect members from victimisation from APC. He noted that President Jonathan should know that one of his political enemies is a former governor of the state and big wig of APC stressing that all efforts must be done to ensure PDP gets back its “stolen mandate” from APC. Similarly, Mrs Dorcas Afeniforo, another former Commissioner, observed that political situation in the state was not in a normal situation stressing that Senators, Representatives House Members and other political leaders seem not keen on rescuing the state from “political bondage.”

Other Stakeholders at the meeting including former Deputy Governor under Dr Bukola Saraki, charged national leaders of the PDP to ensure that there was no

imposition of gubernatorial or other candidates to avoid factions in the party.

Bello Halliru, who was the chairman of the delegation, in reaction said, he was convinced that PDP was firmly on ground, ripe and ready to win the 2015 general elections in Kwara stressing that there will be no imposition of candidates.

While speaking with Journalists on the gubernatorial aspirants, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Prince Shuaib Olarewaju said Kwara South Senatorial District has not endorsed any aspirant for 2015. He said it was erroneous to say that politicians from the district have endorsed former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Shuaib Abdulraheem.

He declared that PDP members in Kwara South cannot by-pass the State Executive and endorse a candidate out of about 12 jostling for the race, appealing to PDP supporters in especially Kwara South to disregard the said endorsement.

“PDP members believe in true internal democracy and as such will welcome that all aspirants on the platform of the party face the challenges of primary election.

However, the position of the party and all the aspirants was that whoever emerges as winner in the primaries, even if it is by one vote, becomes the party’s flag bearer,” Olarewaju said.

However, there is tension on ground that crisis may rock the PDP if some aspirants refuse to accept the outcome of party primaries billed to take place later in this November. Many political observers believe that the expected crisis may work in favour of Governor Ahmed, who is now the sole gubernatorial aspirant of APC in the state.

PAGE 16

Senate Diary With Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Nigerians recommended amendments in 1999 Constitution —Ekweremadu

T

he Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Ike Ekweremadu, has said the Constitution Amendment (Fourth Alteration) Bill, 2014, complied with the wishes of Nigerians.

Ekweremadu who spoke in Abuja, said the amendments “set out institutional and legal reforms, which together with sufficient political will, may help to provide for constitutional and other legal guarantees for the practice of true federalism; provide for accountability and transparency in governance; and, create an independent judicial system that would ensure the proper administration of justice in Nigeria.”

He said the Legislative List was also reviewed for improved federalism, expressing hope that “there will be a corresponding review of the revenue distribution formula to reflect the redistribution of our Legislative List”.

The Deputy President of the Senate reiterated that at no point did the National Assembly impose its will on Nigerians.

“The Bill we transmit to you today is an aggregation of the will of the Nigerian people. I must state, as I have invariably done throughout the review process, that at no point did the National Assembly have a predetermined position on any matter contained in the Bill. The Bill is

a product of popular will, extensive consultations and collaboration with stakeholders, and exhaustive deliberations”.

He therefore, called on the State Houses of Assembly to expedite action on the Bill, with a view to passing it possibly by November 2014.

He added “This Bill, being the product of people’s will, it behoves on you to do all within your individual and collective capacities to ensure its smooth passage in obeisance to popular will. As lawmakers, this ranks as one of the highest compliments we can pay the people”.

“I believe you would hasten to play your part as we all seek to consolidate democratic gains and continue to nurture a vibrant democracy”.

Receiving the Bill on behalf of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures and Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the Rt. Hon, Samuel Ikon, assured that the Bill would receive accelerated and positive action.

Meanwhile, the Houses of Assembly are simply expected to vote “Yes” or “No” on each clause. Each amendment requires approval by resolution of the Houses of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the States, which translates to 24 States to scale through in accordance with the provisions of Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

...Laments lack of literature on parliamentary practices

T

he Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has described the lack of relevant literature on parliamentary practices as a major challenge impeding the development of the legislature in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

Ekweremadu spoke at the Shehu Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, today where he chaired the public presentation of the book “Legislators In Changing and Challenging Times: An Analysis of the Nigerian National Assembly”.

The Deputy Senate President, who also doubled as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Legislative Institute (NILS) Abuja, also blamed the inadequate parliamentary culture, structures, and educational curricula that support legislative development on long years of military rule.

He therefore said the book, which was authored by Okechukwu Okoh, a Dodson-Hook Professor of Law at Southern University Law Centre, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America and currently the Director of Legislative Support Services, National Institute for Legislative Studies, Abuja, was a critical intervention towards the development of the nation’s legislature in particular and those of Africa in general.

He said “This book, coming from a distinguished Professor of Law, who has also had practical experience since coming to the Institute where he interacts and networks

with parliamentarians on a daily basis, is in my honest estimation, about the best attempt to capture the structure, organization, problems, and challenges of the legislature in emerging democracies.

“It comes as a big boost to that special area of our democracy and aptly describes the problems and challenges of Nigerian legislators while also providing profound, critical, and convincing analysis of how to address the problems that disable legislators from functioning optimally”.

He said the prescriptions and suggestions proffered by the author for improving the effectiveness of the National Assembly should command the attention and respect of anyone interested in learning about the role of the legislature in a constitutional democracy.

“The work is a must-read for anybody interested in truly understanding the legislature as an arm of government, especially within the context of an emerging democracy”, he added.

In his remarks, the author of the book, Prof. Okechukwu Oko, said the book was inspired by the need to tell the true story of the Nigerian democracy to the world.

He said: “The impression you get out there is not exactly the reality on ground. I therefore thought it necessary to present our challenges, the progress we are making, how we could do much better”.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

2015: Nigeria will come out more united —Mark

S

enate President, David Mark, has expressed optimism that in spite of the growing anxiety and challenges ahead of the 2015 general elections, Nigeria will come out stronger and more united as a nation.

Mark told the visiting European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Michel Arrion in Abuja, that government has improved and indeed strengthened political institutions to withstand any storm no matter the circumstances.

The Senate President stressed “Our political situation is steadily progressing. All Nigerians are now more conscious and indeed aware of elections and the processes. Both the government and the governed are now doing the right thing to guarantee a free, fair and credible election.

“Steadily, Nigerians have learnt how to play the game according to the rules. I have no doubt that the 2015 elections would be better than our previous elections. It would comply with international best practices. It is going to be exciting and the whole world would appreciate that Nigeria is on the right track democratically.”

He however appealed to international election observers to the 2015 polls to report facts about the exercise without sentiment or narrow perspective saying “election observers should be able to go round in order to get the true position rather than a situation where reports would be based on just a visit to one or two polling units.”

He pleaded with the EU to assist Nigeria tackle the unabating security challenges, pointing out that terrorism is no longer an internal affairs of a nation, but already assuming international dimension.

He said the nation is doing her

Senate President David Mark best, including negotiation, to bring the matter to an end as quickly as possible.

Mark assured his guest that government was doing all that is needed to create a conducive atmosphere that would attract local and foreign investors, as part of moves to diversify the economy.

According to Mark “Nigeria is now investors friendly. It is now investors’ destination.”

Earlier, the EU ambassador to

Nigeria, Arrion, said the visit was necessitated by the need to interact with political leaders in Nigeria with a view to ascertaining the political situation ahead of the 2015 polls.

Arrion assured that the EU is prepared to assist Nigeria in the processes for the conduct of the 2015 polls pointing out that it is already liaising with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for possible assistance and collaboration.

Why we amended 1999 Constitution – Ihedioha

T

he Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, has explained that the National Assembly decided to amend the 1999 Constitution to secure the future of Nigeria politically, socially and economically.

Speaking on the thrust of the review of the Constitution, he said it has become imperative to review the Constitution to meet the aspirations and needs of the diverse people and to facilitate national development in an equitable manner.

He said durability of constitutions depends on public support, as citizens are less inclined to support a constitution without their input.

According to him, “by involving citizens in the constitution review process, the legislature has indeed made a huge stride in rekindling the sense of optimism and inclusivity.

“It is our conviction that this people-centred amendment will make Nigerians feel vested in their government, encourage and challenge them to remain active and engaged in the

political process, raising questions, demanding answers and criticizing leaders who fail to perform.

“There is no doubt that broad citizens’ participation, which was the mainstay of the review process, will add value to the democratic process and improve the quality of governance”, he added.

He said that generally, the rationales for the amendments contained in this Bill are predicated on the need to amongst others, strengthen the legislature’s authority to enable it to serve as an effective pillar of checks and balance to the executive.

He also said the amendments aims at strengthen independent constitutional bodies, citizenship as a source of national identity, and to create and strengthen a culture of good governance; and recognise national diversity as a source of richness and wealth.

He further said the amendments aim at addressing the issues of corruption, ethnicity, waste of resources, revenue leakages and unbridled

government spending, adding that review of the legislative list would improve federalism.

“We hope that there will be a corresponding review of the revenue distribution formula to reflect the redistribution of our legislative list.

I would implore you as critical and distinct partners in this alteration exercise to enlist the support of your members for the successful passage of this Bill.

“You are critical and distinct partners not simply because you are legislators and because of the requirements of Section 9 of the Constitution, but more so because you are the legislators closest to the people.

“This Bill being the product of people’s will, it behoves on you to do all within your individual and collective capacities to ensure its smooth passage in obeisance to popular will.

As lawmakers, this ranks as one of the highest compliments we can pay the people”, he said.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Tambuwal, PDP and Nigeria’s constitution

B

efore Tuesday October 25, 2014, there were speculations that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, will dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC); an issue that was constantly denied by his spokesman, Mr Imam Imam.

It was on Monday last week that his possible defection was exposed when he attended a “political family” meeting at the instance of the Sokoto State governor, Aliyu Wammako, after he was allegedly snubbed by a PDP delegation led by the party’s Board of Trustees chairman, Tony Anenih, who travelled to the state for reconciliation talks with estranged party members.

This angered Tambuwal as he was not invited to the meeting despite his position as speaker, and as a member of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

Tambuwal was later invited by Governor Wamakko of Sokoto State to attend the meeting of the APC to discuss the political future of the state.

At the meeting, the APC leadership in the state agreed to zone its governorship ticket to the Sokoto-South senatorial zone where Tambuwal hails from. This move was seen as paving the way for the speaker to contest for the state’s governorship seat or the presidential election under the party.

Announcing his defection at the House plenary, Tambuwal said he was moving to the APC because of the development in the PDP in his state.

“Before I hit the gavel on the motion for adjournment, I want to make this formal announcement to this House. Based on the provision of the 1999 constitution, and having

regards to the development of PDP in my own state, Sokoto, I hereby announce my membership with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Let me register my profound appreciation to all of you my colleagues for the unflinching support you have continued to extend to me for the overall national interest and development of our democracy. May almighty God continue to guide us all,” Tambuwal said.

Reacting to the development, Leader of the House, Mulikat Akande Adeola, said the PDP caucus in the House will meet and take a stand on the matter. “This is a party affair; members take decision on the floor based on party. So, our party will take a decision at the appropriate time,” she said.

On their part the APC caucus in the House, said they welcome and applaud the Speaker’s decision to join the APC, saying his position is consistent with the law and practice in a presidential system of government.

Addressing journalists after plenary, Minority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, said, “we had all along known that this day will come. We are proud to acknowledge that the Speaker remains not only a member of the House of Representatives, but also its speaker.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the constitution requires only that, ‘Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be elected by members of that house from among themselves.’ Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has been a Speaker for all the members, all the political parties and for all Nigerians and will so continue.

“As a caucus, we pledge our continued support to the current leadership of the House

House of Representatives in session

of Representatives. We will not do anything to destabilize the institution of the House, so that it will continue to deliver on the mandate given to its members by Nigerians,” Gbajamiala said.

But House Deputy Majority Leader, Leo Ogor, said the speaker’s decision was personal and has no major implication on the political party.

“I think we need to be mindful of the constitution. According to the constitution, you would need a two/ thirds majority to remove a sitting Speaker. Do we have two/thirds?

That is another matter we need to ponder over. We will face the party and give our explanations, but I can assure you that the party’s interest will be fully protected.

“The PDP members of the House will look at the situation and take a position in respect of the defection. He is gone, fine.

And he emphasized that his decision borders on local politics.

That it borders on the interest of his people and his constituency.

But, all said and done, he came through a political party which was PDP, by the provision of Section 68G of the constitution, which is still before a court of jurisdiction. We await the ruling of the court on the matter.

“I think this is one great opportunity for us to call on the judiciary. They are also an arm of government. That justice delayed is justice denied. And if this subjected matter, before them, it behoves on them to make the necessary interpretations so that we can lay this issue to rest in respect of defection.

It is extremely important. But for us as members of the PDP, we believe that we will continue carrying on the responsibilities of our party.

“We will watch further, and definitely will see what happens.

PAGE17

Reps Diary With Umar Mohammed Puma

Speaker Tambuwal Let us look and see how he manages the House. We will watch him with eagle eyes and interpret every action that he takes,” Ogor said.

Under Section 50(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), a presiding officer of the National Assembly can only be impeached if two-thirds of the members approve it.

The section reads, “the President or Deputy President of the Senate or the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall vacate his office (c) if he is removed from office by a resolution of the Senate or of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of the members of that House.’’

In the case of the House where there are 360 lawmakers, this means that the PDP will require 240 members to remove Tambuwal, a number that the ruling PDP doesn’t have at the moment. The PDP still remains the majority party with 189 members while the opposition APC has 160 members.

In a swift reaction PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, asked Tambuwal to do the needful and honourably resign his position as the PDP holds the majority in the House of Representatives.

The party said it had met with the party caucus in the House and after a thorough consideration of

the matter, the National Working Committee came to a conclusion that he should vacate the seat since he got the position based on the numerical strength of the party.

The party said: “After a thorough consideration of the matter, the NWC came to the conclusion that the Honourable Speaker, as a responsible elected officer, knows fully well what is needful and honourable of him since his new party is in the minority.

“We are not unmindful of the fact that Hon. Tambuwal became speaker on the platform of the PDP as the political party with the majority of seats in the House of Representatives and that this incontrovertible fact has not changed.”

But the All Progressives Congress (APC) through its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, said Tambuwal has not broken any rule by his action.

“Let them try it (impeachment) if they think they have the number.

But, let them first tell us which law Tambuwal has broken by his action.

“This is not the first time this kind of scenario is unfolding.

If you remember, there was an arrangement between the then National Party of Nigeria and the Nigerian Peoples Party which produced the late Edwin Ume -Ezeoke, who was from the NPP and the late Wash Pam then the Deputy Senate President and when eventually the accord collapsed, Umezeoke continued as speaker and Pam continued as Deputy Senate President.”

Rep Jagaba Adam Jagaba (PDP Kaduna), while commenting on the BBC Hausa Service said Tambuwal has not committed any impeachable offence by defecting to the APC, adding that it is practically impossible for the House to impeach Tambuwal going by the provision of the Nigerian constitution.

Asked whether the PDP will force them to impeach the speaker Jagaba said, “before removing Tambuwal, we may need to collect about 240 signatures and you know the PDP lawmakers in the House are not up to 200, so like I said, it is impossible to impeach him.”

No doubt, in weeks to come, this issue will continue to be debated upon, as his defection has angered the PDP. But one thing is very clear that the ruling PDP will continue to press for his resignation despite what the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), said on the matter.

PAGE 18

News

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Bomb explosion rocks Gombe motor park, kills nine From David Hassan, Gombe

A

t least no fewer than nine people were reportedly feared killed while many sustained different degrees of injury when an explosion rocked a busy motor park in Gombe state.

Reports also revealed that the bombers took advantage when passengers were already at the motor park trying to travel to different part of the country. The bomb exploded in a ten-seater bus killing at least nine people and wounded many.

Confirming the incident to newsmen yesterday in Gombe, the state commissioner of police Mr. Kudu Nma said the incident occurred at 10:00am, noting that bus inscripted with “Yobe line”, was driven to the Gombe motor

park with explosives before it later exploded.

According to him, three suspects were arrested in connection with the incident saying the police would continue to do its best to ensure safety of lives and property of innocent civilians in the state.

Our correspondent who went round the hospitals to ascertain the level of havoc made by the bombers reports that people were seeing at the facilities trying to identify the corpses of their love ones.

Speaking to our correspondent in an interview, the Chief Medical Director of the Gombe Specialist Hospital Dr. Reuben Ardo also confirmed to our correspondent that eight dead bodies were taken to the Specialist Hospital including the wounded, adding that some of the wounded had been treated and discharged even

though, sources said the number of the dead bodies could be 25 in number.

In a separate interview at the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, the Head of Department Accident Emergency unit, Dr. Sani Adamu also confirmed to our reporter that one of victims who was admitted there, died few minutes after bringing official figures to nine dead bodies during the incident.

Meanwhile, the Gombe state governor Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has urged Gombe residents to shun rumours and embrace one another in order to move the state forward.

The governor made this known yesterday in an interview with newsmen in Gombe when he was taken round the hospitals in the state to ascertain the extent of damages made by the explosion.

He however sympathized with the victims and called on the people to always shun rumours whenever incidents occurred in order not disrupt the peace even as he advised them not to take law into their hands. He noted that all hands must be on deck to support the security agencies to enable them carry out their duties effectively.

The governor however expressed disgust at perpetrators of the act, and stressed government’s readiness to dialogue with aggrieved individuals or groups in order to sustain peace in the country.

He pledged that government would settle all outstanding medical bills of the victims, adding that out of 40 victims admitted in the hospitals, 35 had been treated and discharged while 15 were still receiving treatment.

IGP inaugurates committee to modernize police

Guber race: ElRufai picks APC nomination form

By Joy Baba

T

he Acting InspectorGeneral of Police, Suleiman Abba, yesterday inaugurated a Technical Audit Committee for the assessment of the Nigeria Police Force Technical Assets.

The ceremony which took place at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, affirmed the pivotal role of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in transforming the Nigeria Police into a worldclass crime prevention organization.

The IGP in his address, enjoined members of the Committee to work tirelessly as a team to achieve the objectives for which the Committee was set up so as to transform the Nigeria Police Force into a leading national, professional and efficient law enforcement organization.

The Committee is mandated to among others to: Audit the current status of technical and technological infrastructure of the NPF and help the Nigeria Police Force develop a framework for assessment of its technology requirements.

It is also expected to assist the Nigeria Police Force assess its current human resources capacity and determine the types of technical training that may be required to bring its technical personnel up to speed, as well as provide designs that would conform to

Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

F Gov. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State welcoming the Emir of Kano, His Highness, Malam Muhammad Sanusi II, to his office when the Emir visited him yesterday , at the Government House, later held about 30 minutes private discussion. Photo: Govt House

FG to finally relocate Abuja indigenes

T

he Federal Government has concluded plans to relocate the original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to their permanent site in 2015, the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Smart Adeyemi said in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Thursday in Abuja.

According to Adeyemi, the government is already creating districts to ensure the smooth implementation of the relocation next year in order to bring relief to the original inhabitants of the FCT.

“In next year’s budget, effort will be made to look at the possibility of providing a good percentage of the revenue allocation for natives to move to their permanent sites.

“Compensation is a serious problem due to the dwindling national revenue; the oil price has not really been too stable.

“And the government is facing so many challenges; so, the allocation to Federal capital Territory has not been quite encouraging.

“That explains why we are coming with a revenue board to look at the possibility of improving the internally generated

revenue of the FCT so that they can meet some of these problems.

“By and large, the problem of compensation is the issue of money.

“The FCT is ever expanding, the roads are getting congested. There is need to expand and construct more roads and all these, of course, affect other sectors.

“But I must equally emphasize that the government has done appreciably well in terms of the needs of the indigenous people”, he said.

The Senator complained that the original inhabitants had been selling the estates

built for them by the Federal Government.

“I must equally say that some of the estates have been completed but have been sold by the natives to other Nigerians, making the problem of movement a bit difficult.

“The Garki village, the indigenous people there ought to have moved but the painful thing there is that the new site provided by government, the houses there have been completed, about 90 per cent of the houses had been completed and sold to other Nigerians by the natives and if you move them, they have no place to lay their heads”.

ormer FCT Minister, Nasiru Ahmad elRufai said yesterday that he is vying for the Kaduna state governorship seat to offer credible leadership to the state. el-rufai stated this when he obtained the All Progressives Congress, APC, nomination forms at the Party’s secretariat in Kaduna.

The former Minister added that his ambition to contest was not out of desperation or because he wanted to enrich himself but because he wanted to bring about the much needed transformation in the state.

He appealed to members of the party in the state to ensure there was unity, pledging to support whoever emerges as the party’s flag-bearer.

Bemoaning the long years of misrule, the state has witnessed in the past, el-Rufai said the APC was ready to offer credible and people-oriented leadership.

The state APC Chairman, Mr Bala Bantex, earlier promised that the leadership of the party in the state will ensure fairness to all aspirants, appealing to them and their supporters to conduct themselves with decorum.

He stressed the need for unity in the party ahead of the general elections so as to ensure victory for the party.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 19

Tourism

Kamuku National Park: Home of Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius Wildlife at the park

K

amuku National Park has a total land area of 1121sqkm of typical savanna woodland vegetation and a wide variety of birds and other animals like elephants, antelopes, oribi, waterbuck, wet cat, green monkey, side stripped hyena and jackal.

Located in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, Kamuku National Park is also a home to the Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius), Denhams Bustard (Neotis denhami) and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus).

The terrain is largely flat, rising gradually eastwards to the Birnin Gwari Ridge, which forms part of the eastern boundary. The park has Guinea Savanna vegetation with, in places, some transitional Sudan Savanna elements. Dominant tree species of the park include Isoberlinia doka, Terminalia avicennioides and Detarium macrocarpum.

Also common are Danellia oliveri, Nauclea latifolia, Acacia spp., Lophira lanceolata, Parkia biglobosa, Prosopis africana and Isoberlinia tomentosa.

Elaeis guineensis is common in riparian forests that line small, seasonal rivers. Together with the forest reserves in this area the park represents one of the best remaining blocks of Sudan–Guinea Savanna vegetation in the country’s protectedarea system.

The park has an average annual rainfall of 1,250mm with average temperature of 300C. It has two seasons, the dry season which starts from November to April and raining season from May to November. The hottest months are March and April, while the coldest month is December and January during the harmattan period when temperature drops to the freezing point in the evening and morning.

Dogon Ruwa Waterfall: This is one of the major natural features at Kamuku National Park and it is located at the Northern end of the park, along Birnin Gwari-Funtua Road. The fall takes its source from two water bodies – one from Birnin Gwari and the other from old Gugama stream. The two sources joined at Kurazo village and flow directly to

the park. The fall is scenic and usually very attractive during dry season. It is normally used by tourist for camping, educational purpose and other water sports such as diving, fishing, canoeing etc.

Mai’lawa Dam: Another natural feature of note is the Mai’lawa Dam, which is located approximately at the center of the park. The dam flows from Kufaki streams also found within the park. It is the main water body that holds water for the animal all year round, and also serves as a centre of attraction because of the high concentration of animals, most especially, during the dry season.

Reptiles such as crocodiles are easily sighted within the area.

Museum: The park’s museum is where objects of artistic, cultural, historical and scientific interests are kept for public viewing. It has wildlife trophies, collection of animal specimen such as skin, legs and head of roan antelope, bush buck, ostrich and elephant. The natural history of the animals is also on display which made it educational and very informative.

Guest House: Kamuku National Park also has a guest house known as Kada Motel which are meant for tourist accommodation and relaxation. Kada motel also provides standard catering services for visitors and the residents of Birnin Gwari at large.

Fauna & Flora: Another major attractions at Kamuku National Park are the fauna and flora of the park.

Animals such as elephant serves as a major attraction for the tourists. There is also a large population of duiker, which are commonly sighted in the park couple with 177 documented species of birds (both residents and inter African migrants and several species of reptiles).

Also, the park has other animals such as buffalo, bubal hartebeest, anubis baboon, tantalus monkey, lion, leopard, hippopotamus, roan antelope, kob and warthog, etc. It is also associated with some rich cultural features, some of which are sacred like the old Parnomo shrine, scenic hills, rocky outcrops, perennial streams etc.

Cometonigeria.com

Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius at the park

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Page 20

Homes

How high should you hang your dining room chandelier?

M

ost dining rooms are illuminated by a dining room chandelier. Make sure your fixture isn’t too low or too high. Whether your taste is traditional, contemporary, or something else altogether it’s likely that you’ll have a chandelier hanging over your dining room table. The question is how high should you hang it?

When hanging a dining room chandelier it’s important to make sure that it’s low enough to light up the eating area without interfering with the sight line of the people seated at the table.

Dining Room Chandelier Height The general rule for hanging dining room chandeliers is that the bottom of the fixture should hang between 30” and 36” from the tabletop assuming you have an 8’ ceiling.

Some designers recommend that for each additional foot of ceiling height you should add about 3” to the suspension height. It’s important to note however that not everyone agrees with this. Some designers feel that the ceiling height shouldn’t affect the distance of the fixture

from the tabletop. If this is the case in your home the best thing to do is hold the fixture over the table and move it up and down until it feels right.

Sometimes the style and size of the chandelier will also affect the height from which you should hang it. If you have an elaborate chandelier that takes up a lot of visual space you might want to hang it a couple of inches higher than the standard height. Again, hold it up before committing to a height to make sure it works. interiordec.about.com

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

a g a e n i z M

d n e k e We Enter

tainment

Fashion

ps

Beauty Ti

PAGE 21

od Kannywo

d Hollywoo

Bol-

Ways to wear your Little Black Dress in style >> PG 28

Female entertainers have overated opinion of selves —Mervelous Benjy PG 34

Abhishek Bachchan to do a cameo in ‘The Shaukeens’ PG 35

Miley becomes face of MAC’s Viva Glam PG 37

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Page 22

Your Body, Image & U

Men and body odour......

Spritz up your personality!

A good shower at least twice daily can make the difference

Y

ou are having a closed door meeting with the airconditon on and you and your team of executives enjoying a good business deal and sipping good hot coffee/ tea/chocolate drinks. Suddenly someone walks in and the whole aroma in the board room turns unbearable? Boommmm! How do you feel? You might even feel like throwing up huh? You might want to excuse yourself in the middle of the meeting and step out for some fresh air and swear never to enter that room till the person that walks in with such bad body ordour leaves? Worse for you if that person happens to be the main guy to seal up the business deal so he is not going nowhere till the end of the meeting. Hahhaaaaaa!! So can you imagine the hell you will be passing through all the time he is there?

Probably you people will decide to switch off the aircondition. Will that really stop the ordour? Now you will make that individual to sweat more and smell more.Shhhhhoooott!!!

What an unbearable condition ...if you ask me! ow it is not actually a situation anyone would like to encounter on a daily basis but this happens. If you ever manage to put up with the ordor it means, the meeting will be rushed and vital details might be lost in the process of you people trying to end and leave the room. This sounds somehow funny but a very ugly situation that can create ill health for some people as well. You cannot put up with bad ordor and keep breathing such ordor and not feel sick. The air we breathe in should be fresh and clean so any polluted air is unhealthy and body

N

ordor is part of polluted air(unless you have not encountered someone with serious body smell then you will disagree with this).

What causes body ordor in men?

First and formost we live in a very hot climate that even when in rainy season as we are in presently, the sun shines like we are in dry season.

So you encounter hot sun all year round. Secondly, men in this part of the world we live in care less about body grooming and using good skincare products to pamper their body. There is this belief that good body grooming and skincare are for women only and men who take care of their skin and entire body are feminine. Seriously? With all the heavy sweating and sun damage someone still think that he will sweat all day, goes home and dump the unwashed body on bed and sleep? This does not exclude those in airconditon cars, office, houses who claim they do not sweat. You might not sweat like the person that do his runs on the streets under the sun but you still sweat 24hrs. Your skin pores are open and excretes oils, body fluids that should be washed off at the end of the day or early in the morning. f you are in the tropics and you neglect your entire body hygiene of taking good bath twice daily with sweet smelling or antibacteria soaps, you are gunning for body ordour. No one is asking you to be creaming your skin like women but just simple bath with good soaps, deodorants daily is ok. Of course as you do this, ensure your boxers, pants, socks, and other underwears are washed daily or changed daily(depending on how many you have). You see a situation where men wear one boxers/pant for almost a week stretch. Haba!!!!!! Kai...how can someone wear one pair of socks, pants for days? Ok let us assume you do not have many to change daily, try wash the ones you have every night and iron them very well.

Now picture a man that does

I

not take night baths with good quality soaps and also wear one pair of socks, pant, boxers for a week without alternating....do you seriously think such a person can avoid body ordor? Again if you see such person, the last thing they will also use are deodorants and perfumes. If you do not enjoy keeping your body clean and neat, making up with deodorants and perfume will not be in your agenda as well. Period! Moreover, those who also try to cover an unkept body with perfumes hardly succeed.

If your body is dirty and you are probably wearing stained and dirty boxers/pants, their ordor will over take the perfume smell no matter how good that perfume is. Worse still, the bad ordor could mix with the perfume and then create another bad ordor of its own....totally a disaster!! Perfumes and deodorants work best when you have a clean body hygiene and they will now sheild you with their ingredients and aroma.

How about someone walking into your house with only socks after pulling his shoes by the door step?

Once he enters your room, the ordor from the socks makes you to drive him away without apology? little bit away from personal hygiene, body ordor can also be caused by some food items consumed daily by some men. Food items like garlic, onions, ginger, groundnuts, milk, eggs, beans and some heavy spiced foods can

A

With Jacqui Iwu bwreforms@gmail.com 08184825606 (sms only) cause bad ordor. Garlic and onions are very healthy but have a way of seeping right through the skin pores when consumers sweats. Can you imagine what happens to someone who keeps poor body hygiene and eats lots of garlic, onions etc, wears one boxers/pants/socks for a week without washing? Ordor catastrophe!!!!!!

There are also body ordor caused by men with issues of sexually transmitted diseseas/infections and as you get treatments, regular baths, keeping underwears clean/ disinfected are necessary. inally, from what i have talked already you can easily figure out how to prevent body ordor but if you are not sure what skin products to use, difficulty in keeping a good oral hygiene or you feel your own issue is beyond all i talked about here, send me an email/text with your problem.

F

Jacqui IWU is a BodyImage, Life&Career Coach A STRESS Mangement Expert &Conference Speaker Media Relations Personnel FB: http/facebook.com/ beautifulwoman.column BLOG: http://bluntjacqui. blogspot.com

HEATED RUBBLE

Hi jacqui, Marriages of today are purely materialistic hence my fear of getting into it.

I am 19yrs, jobless,pretty and seriously searching. Your wise words can help please.

-Amanda- Wuse2, Abuja.

Hi Amanda, I assume you must be in school but if you are not, searching for a man to marry at 19 should not be your priority. Education first. For job, if you are not in school, think of what skills/Talents you have and look for means to develop them and create a job for yourself.

Deodorants are good tool to fight off body odour

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Page 23

Womanhood

#Bring Back Our Girls, the struggles so far…

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he #Bring Back Our Girls advocacy group stands tall among the many existing advocacy groups in the country and globally.

The group is a voice to the voiceless 219 Chibok school girls who were kidnapped in their dormitory by the Boko Haram sect.

Before the terrible news of the abduction, about 57 male students of the Federal Government College Buni Yadi in Yobe State were slaughtered in their school. Government ignored the killing of the boys.

No one fought for their justice; the boys have been buried and forgotten.

But little did the government know that the sect was reorganizing their strategies to attack a girls’ secondary school at Chibok community.

The students were writing their final examinations and were expectant of a better and brighter future, believing that one day that will become great, as a popular adage says when you educate a girl-child you educate the entire nation.

However, that dream was thwarted on April 14, when members of the Boko Haram

sect took their evil activities to another dimension. The Chibok community stood still; the story was shocking and heart wrenching. Even the government did not believe that such number of girls can be abducted in this country.

International organisations, presidents of countries, influential persons and people from all over the world irrespective of religion and other considerations prevailed on the Nigerian government to ensure that the girls are reunited with their families.

One wonders where the security personnel sent to protect the north east where and how the insurgents passed the numerous check points mounted on the roads?

After wasting time on finger pointing and senseless politicking, the federal government finally admitted the unfortunate, dastardly and atrocious kidnapping of the students.

Since 2009 when the insurgents unleashed terror on residents of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, government has consistently deployed security men to the north east.

Security budget for 2013/2014 was about N3 trillion, while the Borno State government spends N300 million monthly

to support military operations.

However, the mission to bring back the Chibok girls has been undertaken by the #BBOG. The advocacy group championed by Hadiza Bala Usman, Oby Ezekwesili and many others has taken it as a duty to ensure that the government rescues these innocent school girls whose only crime is that they sought to acquire education.

The movement which is inspired by their core value of humanity has intensified advocacy for the girls, every milestone was a challenge for the group, as they have reached out to Nigerians with their demands both on the internet and the domestic media.

Though the group sought

“

audience with the president, so as to be informed on the steps being taken to ensure that the girls are rescued, their mission proved abortive.

Security personnel were stationed on Yakubu Gowon Street and prevented them from approaching the State House. Also, a delegation from the group visited the National Orientation Agency but couldn’t get access to talk to the director and others to press home their demand. #BBOG has taken their campaign to the streets of the nation’s capital, sensitising the public on the need to join the fight.

A 17-year old child activist, Malala, visited the president and urged him to do everything humanly possible to ensure

that the girls are rescued. She donated about $16,000 dollars to the course.

Last week’s announcement by the military concerning the ceasefire agreed upon

by Boko Haram, after many negotiations between the sect and the military in Chad, was received with anxiety.

On receiving the news, there was so much excitement among members of the #BBOG, parents of the abducted girls and the Chibok community, who at their daily sit-out patiently waited for the return of the girls.

As the 2015 elections approach and the activities of the Boko Haram sect intensify, government needs to do all it takes to ensure that insecurity is curbed.

The movement which is inspired by their core value of humanity has intensified advocacy for the girls, every milestone was a challenge for the group, as they have reached out to Nigerians with their demands both on the internet and the domestic media.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 24

Kiddies World

With Miriam

SIGHT AND SOUNDS

Humbe

HIS AND HERS CORNER

Visit to Koma Hills

Arts and Craft Village, Abuja

K

oma hills is located on the mountainous fringes bordering the Republic of Cameroon and Nigeria in Jada, a local government area in Adamawa state, North East of Nigeria. Koma people, the inhabitants of the hills is a pre-modern race representing a past way of life probably of stone age, compact with primitive themes and mode of dressing bordering on nudity which they uphold as a cultural heritage Koma is a relatively primitive hill-dwelling ethnic group in northern Adamawa, in the Atlantika Mountains, which shares a border with southern Cameroun. Hilldwellers are spread through the south and southwest of these mountains, including many on the Cameroun side.

There are 21 Koma villages in the Cameroonian side of the Alantika Mountains and 17 villages on the Nigerian side.

History The Koma people became recognized as Nigerians in 1961, a year after independence, along with the old provinces of northern Cameroun. Today Koma is part of the seven districts of Ganye local government in Adamawa State. The hill was discovered in 1986 by a corps member.

The Koma have their own language, known as Koma, with an estimated 61,000 speakers. It is a member of the Niger–Congo language group.

The Koma people are divided into three main groups: the hill-dwelling Beya and Ndamti, and the Vomni lowlanders.

They are committed to their traditional culture.

The men wear loincloths by men and women wear fresh leaves. Koma men are much more receptive to wearing of contemporary clothes than the women.

Customarily children in Koma inherit their

maternal lineage. As a mark of acceptance and friendship, a Koma man may share his wife with friends, especially visitors. They have an average population of about 400 people per village, and many engage in rearing of animals.

Culture Among the Komas, a twin birth is regarded as evil, and twins are considered abominable so much so that until recently babies of multiple births used to be buried alive with the women who had the ‘misfortune’ of being their mothers.

This obnoxious practice of twins killing is out of vogue among Komas who dwell on the plains, but in the out-of-the-way settlements on the hills, the ancient practice still thrives untainted.

Adamawa is a State in North-eastern Nigeria. The state is essentially a picturesque mountainous land transversed by river valleys of Benue, Gongola and Yedsarem. The valleys of Cameroun, Mandara and Adamawa mountains form part this undulating landscape.

Crops such as maize, rice, millet, sugar cane, cotton, groundnut, gum arabic, guinea corn, tea and kola nuts are all successfully grown in the state.

There are abundant deposits of mineral ore in the state such as iron, lead, zinc, limestone etc. The state is part of the old Gongola State with the headquarters in Yola.

Adamawa State is well noted for a rich cultural heritage which is reflected in its past history, craftmanship, music, dance, dress patterns and hospitality.

Festivals such as Njuwa fishing festival which holds at Lake Njuwa in nYola town and the Yinagu fishing festival at the Michika attracts people within and outside state from the month of March through May each year.

ABCDE

In the warm embrace of a big brother

Cartoon

Mickey and Minnie Mouse

Tom and Jerry

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 25

Kiddies World

With Miriam

AFRICAN TALES

The Leopard and the Rabbit

O

nce upon a time the Leopard lived in a small house far way in the bush. After a long time he decided to look for a better place. After a short time he found a suitable place nearer the other animals. The Leopard began to cut sticks for building a house. After collecting a big bundle he carried it to the new building site. While the Leopard was doing all these things the Rabbit was nearby watching. He also cut a bundle of sticks and put them near the Leopard’s bundle.

But the Rabbit did not tell the Leopard.

The next day the Leopard brought another bundle. He was surprised to find a second bundle already there, but didn’t know who had brought it. However he put down his own second bundle.

Meanwhile the Rabbit was hiding and watching the Leopard’s work. Then the Rabbit cut a second bundle and brought it to the site, making a total of four.

The Leopard continued to bring bundles of sticks and the Rabbit did likewise.

When the Leopard saw that the sticks for building were enough, he began digging the foundation for his house. When he got tired he went away. The Rabbit also came and dug the foundation for the second wall and put in poles.

He got tired and went to sleep.

The Rabbit was the first to move into the side of the house he had built. Then the Leopard oved into his side. Then the problems began. The Rabbit lit a fire on his side of the house and the Leopard

on his side. The Leopard was surprised to see a fire lit in his house without his knowledge. He shouted, “Who is that mad person lighting a fire in my house?” Then the Leopard and the Rabbit began to quarrel without solving the problem.

The Rabbit thought of a way to make the Leopard leave the house to him. He told his wife to pinch the children to make them cry loudly. When the children began to cry the rabbit asked his wife in an angry voice: “Why are the children crying?” Mrs. Rabbit answered, “They are crying for the Elephant’s liver.” The Rabbit answered boastfully in a loud voice so the Leopard and his wife could hear. “Tell them to stop crying. Finding an Elephant’s liver is no problem for me.

Tomorrow I will kill an Elephant and give its liver to my children.”

When the Leopard heard these words he became terrified. He thought that the Rabbit was a very dangerous person. If he could kill an Elephant for sure he could kill him also.

After a few days another quarrel erupted between the Leopard and the Rabbit. Then the Rabbit thought of another way to terrify the Leopard and drive him away. Again he told his wife to pinch the children to make them cry loudly. When the children began to cry, the rabbit asked his wife in an angry voice: “Why are the children crying?”

Mrs. Rabbit answered, “They are crying for the Leopard’s liver.”

Meanwhile the Leopard and his

ACTIVITIES

Using the right materials, have fun coloring the image below. Show your work to your parents or teacher for correction.

Cheers!

wife were listening very carefully to this conversation. The Rabbit answered boastfully in a loud voice so the Leopard and his wife could hear. “Tell them to stop crying. Finding a Leopard’s liver is no problem for me. There is a Leopard right here in this house with us. I will kill him easily and give his liver to my children. I don’t want my children to be deprived of anything.”

So the Leopard and the Baboon tied their tails together and went to where the Rabbit was. When he saw them the Rabbit began to rebuke them. He told his wife to pinch the children to make them cry loudly. Then the Rabbit asked his wife in a voice that could be heard by everyone: “Dear, why are the children crying?” Mrs. Rabbit answered, “They are crying for the Leopard’s liver.” The Rabbit said in a loud voice, “I planned with the Baboon that he would bring the Leopard here and so he has.

Keep calm, my children. You are going to get the Leopard’s liver right now.”

When the Leopard heard this he became very angry and began to insult the Baboon saying, “Is this your plan, Mr. Baboon? You deceived me. Do you want me to be killed by the Rabbit?” He became terrified and tried to run away. But since his tail was tied to the Baboon’s he could not. They ran in opposite directions and their tails were badly bruised. In this way the Rabbit took over the whole house.

Humbe

ABCDE

MODEL OF THE WEEK

Abdallah Nura Umar

CREATIVITY

Make a paper evergreen tree

Evergreen tree

M

ake a simple 3-dimensional evergreen tree from construction paper. You can make your own forest of these fantastic trees.

Supplies needed: • Green construction paper • Crayons, markers, or tempera paint • Scissors • Clear tape Fold a piece of green construction paper in half, then cut it in half.

Put the two pieces together, and fold them in half again.

Draw half an evergreen tree opposite the fold.

Cut along the line - you should get two identical trees.

Fold the trees in half; just barely creasing the center line (this

is to mark the centre of the tree).

Cut a slit along the bottom half of the centre of one tree and along the top half of the centre of the other tree.

Slip the two trees together along the slits.

Using clear tape, tape the bottoms and tops together (pieces of tape on the bottom and at the top make the tree stand up well and stop the slit ends from flopping over).

Draw some pine cones on your tree if you’d like.

For a bigger tree: Start with two pieces of green construction paper, and fold them so they make a long, thin rectangle.

Draw a tree opposite the fold.

The rest of the instructions are the same.

PAGE 26

e-Learning

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Why writing is the best way to increase your mental strength

By John Hall

T

his past year, I’ve read some phenomenal articles on mental strength. And after reading Jeff Haden’s tips for becoming mentally tougher, I began thinking through more ways to hone this vital leadership skill.

To me, mental strength means persevering through challenging situations while keeping your confidence in tact.

Although you might feel like writing makes you vulnerable to judgment, regularly exposing yourself to the harsh critics who’ll challenge you is the best way to build an unshakeable foundation of mental strength and become a more influential business leader in the process.

Writing exercises your brain.

Staying physically tough requires preparation, discipline, and consistency. I remember training for sports when I was younger. The only way I could improve was by working out and training a few times a week. If I got lazy, it showed on the field.

Your brain is a muscle.

Becoming mentally tougher works just like gaining physical strength; you have to exercise it to get stronger. But that doesn’t mean clocking in an annual visit to the gym or doing a Sudoku puzzle every once in a while.

You have to consistently work out your brain to strengthen it. For me, writing out my ideas helps me retain information better, and it’s one of the best mental workouts you can do to stimulate your mind.

Many successful business leaders are also devoted writers.

Fortunately, I’m always surrounded by highly intelligent people. One key characteristic they all seem to share is that they write out their thoughts on a regular basis. For example, our initial investor, Brent Beshore,

“

Writing out your ideas will help you work through them. always wrote notes before and during our meetings, and he continues to write every chance he gets.

Other impressive industry leaders such as Shane Snow or Dharmesh Shah are also avid writers. You’ve also probably read articles from Brad Feld, Peter Thiel, Tony Hsieh, and more — the list of thought leaders goes on and on. It makes sense that intelligent people have insights

to share, but putting them on paper is the best outlet for organizing, understanding, and articulating them effectively. Making a commitment to provide value to readers also challenges these thought leaders to stay sharp, question the status quo, and become all-around smarter leaders.

Spelling out your ideas paints a more complete picture.

If you keep your ideas to yourself, you have no one to

point out the flaws or holes in your logic. And that can lead to an ugly cycle of ignorance and inflated confidence. When you’re writing, you can dispel your ideas and take a more critical eye to them. And if they’re published, readers can also offer feedback.

Take a look at my LinkedIn article, for example. You’ll see that many of the commenters question my title choice and impose strong opinions on my

Your brain is a muscle. Becoming mentally tougher works just like gaining physical strength; you have to exercise it to get stronger. But that doesn’t mean clocking in an annual visit to the gym or doing a Sudoku puzzle every once in a while. You have to consistently work out your brain to strengthen it. For me, writing out my ideas helps me retain information better, and it’s one of the best mental workouts you can do to stimulate your mind.

decision to single out leaders.

People will always challenge certain stances I take, and it’s one of the best ways to stay sharp.

You learn how to approach your ideas from new perspectives, defend your thoughts, and fuel educational conversations. It’s not a battle of who can yell the loudest; it’s a way to gather diverse opinions and sift out the jewels. After a few beat-ins, you learn to take the punches and can recover to be mentally stronger than before.

I’m no psychologist, but I do interact with more experts than anyone I know. And the common denominator among these intellectually curious people is their mental toughness and commitment to writing. Investing time in your mental acuity and strength through writing shouldn’t be buried deep in your wish list; it should be a daily priority. And who knows — you might even earn the reputation as a trusted thought leader and reap the benefits that extend beyond your professional development.

John Hall is the CEO of Influence & Co., a company that provides a turnkey thought leadership solution for companies.

Source: businessinsider. com

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 27

Compiled By Doyin Ojosipe

The proud Princess

L

ong ago, in the kingdom of Arokodade, there lived a king and a queen. They had a very beautiful daughter called Ewabunmi whose beauty surpassed that of any other person.

The princess was well loved and pampered that she eventually became proud. When Ewabunmi attained adulthood her parents decided it was time for her to get married. Many suitors came to seek for her hand in marriage, but she refused them all. Princes, hunters, and warriors all hoped to win her heart with gifts but she never seemed to be satisfied with any of them. She rudely dismissed them from her father’s court whenever they came seeking for her hand.

She always had one complaint or the other about them.

News of the beautiful but haughty princess had spread far and wide and more men came seeking for her hand. At this point, her parents had begun to despair as to whether she would ever get married since she seemed to reject and insult every man that approached her.

One day, an extremely handsome man came into the town and sought her hand in marriage. He was a well

built and handsome man. No one could fault his looks and he came bearing numerous gifts for the princess and her family. Ewabunmi was so caught up in the gait and carriage of the young man that she instantly became carried away, despite her parents reservations about not knowing him or anything about him, she refused to listen or heed to anyone’s advice and insisted on marrying the stranger.

After much persuasion, the king realized his hands were tied and that she had made up her mind on marrying the stranger, the marriage ceremony was conducted and typical of the kings’ fashion, everyone had plenty to eat and drink.

The new couple after receiving the royal blessings of their parents, prepared to leave for the home of the groom. As was the custom of Arokodade land and especially since it was the princess involved, many maids and servants accompanied the couple bearing different goods that the princess was expected to setup home with.

The journey took them deep into the forests and they did not stop to rest for once. Anytime the

Laugh out loud (lol)!

princess asked when they would get to his home, he kept promising her soon. One by one, he dismissed the guards, servants and maids that accompanied the princess and she was left to bear the load they had hitherto carried or discard them if there was no one to carry it. Many of the items taken along suffered the same fate.

The princess saw it as strange that her husband never offered to help her carry any of these heavy things which she had to carry, but she sought excuses for him that perhaps males don’t bear loads in his village. As the last of the escorts was sent back, once more Ewabunmi expressed concern over the endless journey and the need to send her helps back but he assured her of many more servants upon getting to his home.

At a point in their journey, the handsome couple had to cross a stream and upon crossing, the groom’s features began to change.

Gradually he stopped looking human. His ears became longer and hairier; his eyes came closer together and looked very mean.

His teeth began to protrude as they became sharper and longer.

Leisure

The once handsome man became a hideous monster. Ewabunmi upon noticing this transformation screamed and screamed but there was no one to hear her. Her once handsome husband was actually a monster. He had taken her deep into the forest where he resided. He pointed to a hole in a cave telling her that would be her home henceforth.

He had heard of her pride and decided to assume a human form in other to teach her a lesson. The

proud princess at this point then realized that her faith had been sealed and she was doomed to a life as the wife of a beast and a cave as a home.

She regretted all her actions of the past and prayed for a second chance, but it was too late for her, her pride had caused her freedom and luxurious life.

Story by Adebayo Aderinoye

Get busy! Cross out the internet words

Akpors and Johnny went for an interview for employment.

J

ohnny was the first to be called in for a question and answer session; (The manager asking Johnny questions).

Manager: who was the first military head of state in Nigeria Johnny: General Aguyi Ironsi.

Manager: when was the North and southern protectorate in Nigeria Amalgamated Johnny: 1914.

Manager: that is good of you; Question no 3, is it true that the cure for HIV/ AIDS is discovered Johnny: eehm… Yes but not scientifically proven.

Manager: good way of answering questions, please can you wait for us outside; we will attend to you later.

(When Johnny went outside Akpors asked him) Akpors: Johnny, can you tell me the questions and please tell me the answers?

Johnny was about to tell Akpors the questions and answers, when the manager shouted from inside `NEXT! (Akpors then said to Johnny) Akpors: Ok tell me only the answers.

Johnny: answer to number 1 is: General Aguyi Ironsi, number 2 is 1914, number 3 is yes but not scientifically proven (Akpors got in for the interview, after exchanging greetings, d manager told him to sit down) manager: Please sir, what is your name?

Akpors : General Aguyi Ironsi (manager became confused) Manager: Please what year where you born?

Akpors: 1914 Manager: (angrily, he shouted at Akpors)!! Are you mad?!!!

BLOG

FORUM

NETWORK

VIRUS

BROWSER

HYPERLINKS

RESOURCES

WEBSITE

MEDIA

TECHNOLOGY

SEARCH SECURITY DOMAIN

BROADBAND GAMES

PAGE

COMPUTER INFORMATION WIRELESS

Sensible quotes!

-Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication - Something bad happens, you have three choices: you can either let it define you; let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.

-You can’t start the next chapter of your life, if you keep re- reading the last one.

-Follow your heart but take your brain with you.

-The minute you think of giving up, think of the reason, why you held on so long -No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

Beauty

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Page 28

TIPS

Compiled by Isioma Nwabasha

Home remedies for treating chapped lips

C

happed or dry lips can be painful and unattractive.

Common symptoms are dryness, redness, cracking, flaking, and tender or sore lips. Some of the main causes are vitamin deficiency, allergic reaction, dehydration, smoking, excessive licking of lips, sun exposure and harsh weather.

Lips can become chapped or dry when they are exposed to the sun, wind, cold or dry air. A lip balm containing petroleum or beeswax will provide a barrier and help seal in moisture.

More moisture is lost through the lips than through any other part of the face or body.

When the lips lose moisture, the skin covering them become tight and start to split. The best thing to do for dry or sore lips is to regularly apply a lip balm containing petroleum or beeswax. Choose a balm with an additional sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 to help protect your lips in the sun.

A lip balm will act as a shield to protect your lips against the sun, wind, cold or dry air. It will trap in moisture and seal cracks against infection.

There are many commercial products available to treat chapped lips. But you can save money and easily get relief with some easy-tofollow natural remedies.

Sugar Exfoliating dead cells off your chapped lips will help restore their natural softness faster; 1. Mix two teaspoons of sugar with one teaspoon of honey.

Apply the paste to your lips and let it sit for a few minutes. Then use your fingers to gently rub the mixture on your lips to loosen the dead skin cells.

Wash it off with lukewarm water.

Honey; Honey is a great

moisturizer that also has healing and antibacterial properties to treat chapped lips. Simply apply pure organic honey on your chapped lips several times a day.

• You can also make a paste of honey and glycerin and apply it before going to bed.

1. Rose Petals; The rose plant in your garden can also come to your rescue when suffering from chapped lips. This remedy will help your lips stay moisturized while also enhancing their beautiful colour.

Wash a handful of rose petals thoroughly in water. Soak the petals in milk for a few hours. (If you have issues with dairy products, you can soak them in glycerin instead.)

2. Mash the rose petals into a thick paste.

Apply the paste on your dry lips two to three times a day and every night before going to bed.

Coconut Oil; Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer that heals chapped lips caused by cold or dry weather. Simply apply pure coconut oil several times a day on your lips to keep them moist. You can also use olive oil.

Castor Oil Castor oil is another good treatment for dry and chapped lips. Simply apply it on your lips several times a day.

• You can also make a soothing treatment using one teaspoon of castor oil, one teaspoon of glycerin and a few drops of fresh lemon juice. Mix it well and apply it on your lips before going to bed.

In the morning, wash it off with a cotton ball dipped in lukewarm water. Repeat this daily until your lips are healed.

Chapped lips on your lips and leave it on for 10 minutes. Then gently wash your lips with a cotton ball dipped in lukewarm water.

2. Do this daily to help your lips heal faster.

Drink plenty of fluids. Having 8-10 glasses of water per day is ideal.

When your body is dehydrated, it often shows first in your lips. The more water, the better!

Don’t lick or pick at your lips.

Milk Cream; The high fat content of milk cream makes it a great natural lip moisturizer.

1. Apply fresh milk cream

Rose Petals

Sugar

A chapstick

These two common habits can dry out your lips more and lead to an infection or a cold sore. When your lips are chapped, avoid the temptation to lick them constantly or pick at them.

Exfoliate your lips. Before applying any sort of ointment, remove the dead skin using an exfoliation method. This will expose the fresh skin and help your lips heal. Don’t rub your lips too harshly

- that could make things worse.

Gently massage them. You can exfoliate your lips using the same items you use to exfoliate other areas on your body.

Use an exfoliating brush. The easiest brush to use in this case might be your toothbrush! Just make sure it is clean. Any other small brush will also do. Rub it over your lips in a circular motion to remove dead skin.

• Don’t use a soap-based exfoliant. Face wash with scrubbing beads and other soap-based exfoliants will dry out your lips.

Apply an ointment. Be careful which over-the-counter ointment, or chapstick, you use to heal your cracked lips. Many chapsticks and ointments contain ingredients that can dry out your lips even more, forcing you to reapply them over and over.

• Look for a lip balm or chapstick that contains beeswax, shea butter, coconut butter, almond oil, and other natural moisturizers.

Don’t choose a lip balm with an extra-long list of ingredients you can’t pronounce.

• A vitamin E or glycerinbased ointment containing other natural ingredients could also be helpful.

• Avoid using lipstick to moisturize your lips. Lipstick can be drying - you need a protective ointment underneath.

Compiled by Miriam Humbe

Fashion

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Ways to wear your Little Black Dress in style

T

he Little Black Dress or LBD, is an iconic garment that deserves a spot in every woman’s wardrobe. From the deceptively simple to the downright dazzling, the LBD can be whatever you want it to be. Here are a few tips on how to wear your black dress in style.

At the office This elegant shift dress is perfect for your working wardrobe and conveys authority without losing femininity.

Providing the ideal solution to the office-to-bar outfit, team with a pair of courts and add a splash of colour with a scoop neck cardigan in a dark shade, or work the on-trend monochrome look with a white coat warmer.

At a posh party With its fine pleated design, satin roses and floaty double layered skirt, this gorgeous evening dress is sure to make you look and feel elegant and chic for your special event. The V-neckline and embellishment make this LBD perfect for pear shapes, whilst the

A perfect black figure hugging dress

cinched waist and flared skirt will flatter the figures of rectangle, V and hourglass girls.

At the weekend Another one with a sailor neckline provides a casual approach to the Little Black Dress but, in true LBD style, can be adorned with accessories for a great evening look. Wear this with leggings and ballet pumps for a walk around the shops and switch to killer heels when you hit the clubs.

On a date You can’t really go wrong with a Little Black Dress on a first date. Radiating cool confidence and feminine charm is easy in an LBD, and this soft flowing tunic dress is no exception.

The deep V-neck and just-above-theknee length allows you to show off your figure without revealing too much, whilst the embellished batwing sleeves and fantastic fit are sure to impress your date.

Black dress for a night party

Brown colours are perfect accessories

Page 29

Black dress for the workplace

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 30

Pots & Pans

With Miriam Humbe

Enjoy a spicy weekend with Dambun Nama

If you have a mortar at home, go for it, if not you can manage with hitting the beef with a rolling pin on your chopping board. This appetizer is a favourite amongst the Hausa people in Nigeria.

Ingredients (Serves two people) 1/2 pound of beef 2 seasoning cubes 1 teaspoon of pepper Pinch of Salt Handful of chopped onions 1/2 teaspoon of chopped ginger 1 clove of garlic 1 tablespoon of Suya Spice (Yaji) 1 tablespoon of groundnut oil

Preparation method Wash your beef and chop off the fatty parts of the meat.

In a pot, boil the meat with salt, pepper, onions, ginger, garlic and 1 seasoning cube.

Boil the beef till the water dries out and in a mortar, pour your meat and pound.

If you do not have a mortar, pound the meat with your rolling pin on the chopping

board.

Mix the beef with the suya spice and another seasoning cube in a bowl and set aside.

In a pan, heat up the oil but don’t let it be too hot. Shallow fry the beef and strain the excess oil on a paper towel and serve.

Make yourself a refreshing Zobo drink

Zobo drink also known as Zoborodo or Hibiscus drink is a popular nutritious healthy drink to make at home. It is an Ox-blood or red wine colored drink made from dry petals of the roselle plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa) which is a hibiscus specie. It is a rich and natural health drink filled with enormous benefits.

Preparation time: 20 minutes Cook time: Over 1hour Utensils needed: • A Sieve • A Large Pot • A Sharp Knife

Ingredients • 150g Zobo leaves • 7 Litres water • 30g Dry ginger or Fresh ginger • 3 tablespoon Cloves or Konofiri • 1 Large Pineapple • Artificial flavors and sweeteners such as (foster Clark’s Pineapple flavor, jolly juice) -Optional.

• Sugar cane or honey - Optional (You can substitute with Sugar)

Directions Step 1: Before peeling the pineapple, wash the skin thoroughly and rinse with clean water. You can use both the inner part and the outer skin to get added flavour. (Use the skin only if you are sure of how it was stored or if it’s been thoroughly washed.) Peel and Dice the fruit - Set aside Step 2: Wash the dry leaves of the hibiscus severally with cold water. This is because the leaves are often times dirty due to the way they are stored.

Once you’re done washing, place the washed leaves in a large pot and add the water and turn on your burner.

Step 3: Add the chunks of pineapple, ginger and Cloves (Konofiri). The taste of the zobo really in-

tensifies when it’s boiled with the ingredients unlike when its left to steep. Leave to boil for about 25mins.

Step 4: Sieve out the extract into a bowl and leave the drink to cool. The boiled leaves in the pot can still be reused till the red colour of the zobo totally reduces. You’d know when the red color becomes less intense.

Step 5: This is supposed to be a health drink so be sure to use only natural sweeteners and flavors like honey, sugar cane juice, pineapple juice etc. Alternatively if you don’t have the natural juices, you can substitute with artificial flavours and sweeteners Nutri C, jolly juice e.t.c.

Step 6: Refrigerate and serve cold.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 31

Finding true love on social networks

By Musa Martha

T

he society is currently grappling with the million dollar question, can you find true love on social networks (twitter, facebook, whatsapp, palmchat, BBM, 2go e.t.c)? Men use social networks to search for partners because they are shy to speak with a lady one on one. People have entered into life changing relationships with those they met online.

Some youths who spoke to our correspondent bared their minds on how an online romantic relationship can be sustained.

Nkechi Judith Obiora, a resident of Kubwa, said “yes,

people can find true love on social networks but it will be long before both parties realise that they are really in love with each other,” she said.

According to Ime Bassey, a resident of Nyanya, Abuja, “Only five percent can find true love that will result in marriage in any social network. Most relationships that begin on social networks end because both parties were faithful to each other.’’

For Yahaya Musa Ayuba, a student of Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria, Kaduna State, “it depends on the people involved and their mind-set towards the relationship. It worked for someone I know.

According to George

Chiebonam Adonu, “yes someone can find true love on social networks in the sense that love is no respecter of how you meet, what really matters is the genuine feelings you both have for each other,” he said.

In Bala Duchi’s opinion, “yes, the two parties can fall in love with each other, but it will take them time to trust themselves. And remember in any relationship there must be trust,” he said.

You can find geninue and fake love on social networks, just as you can find it anywhere else. There must be a meeting point and it could be anywhere including on social networks.

There are people who

So, you have a crush on your friend.

Don’t panic! This is a good thing. There is always the nagging fear that your friendship will never be the same once capital-F Feelings enter the picture, but don’t forget that it can get so much better too. It is a risk to make the leap from buds to beaus, but you’ll never know if you don’t try. Some of the best relationships are fostered from friendship since friends

are already people who get along, share similar interests, and, most importantly, adore spending time together.

Relationship

Online dating

have gotten live changing relationships online. There are the good, bad and ugly on social networks and one needs to be very careful. Don’t divulge personal information or give out your contact to someone who you do not know very well, don’t meet online friends for the first

time alone or in secluded places. The story of Cynthia Osukogu who was murdered in Lagos after her drink was spiked by friends she met on Facebook comes to mind.

Though you can find true love and even a life partner on social networks, caution is the watchword.

one time. If you usually hang out in a group, see if they want to meet up beforehand. Know you’ll both be at a big party?

Ask if they’ll pick you up or give you a ride home. Getting to hang out without the rest of the group gives you an opportunity to see if he or she catches on the chemistry and if this crush is indeed worth pursuing.

not immediately be into the thought of you two getting together. Instead of emerging as a we-don’t-know-what-weare sort-of-couple straight out the gate, give the relationship a few weeks to incubate on its own before you bring other pals into the fold. Letting everyone know immediately ups the ante for stress, and in the integral first weeks of a relationship, you want to focus on each other.

Crushing on your best friend

Fri

end today, significant other tomorrow! It can happen so quickly that your head spins, but crushing on a close pal is how some of the most successful (and wonderful!) relationships start. It is a tricky road to head down, though a little finesse and a lot of honesty can help you figure out where you stand without waiting forever for the object of your affection to make the first move.

Best friends

Find out if they’re interested Instead of tasking your mutual friends with asking this person if they “like like you,” put the ball in your own court. It is a good idea to drop a few subtle, flirtatious hints, but the most crucial move of all is to invest in some one-on-

The Conversation.

When you are ready, go ahead and let them know in a calm, honest way. There are chances your crush is going to be blindsided and will need to process if they want in.

Translation: The odds are high that you’ll see instant panic in their eyes, even if they harbor the same quiet feelings. Be light and straightforward with your confession, and let them know it is completely fine if they are unsure or even need some time to think it through.

And your friend likes you back...

Sparks!

Maybe even fireworks! Definitely some relief! Now that it is settled, it is time to get back to reality.

Depending on how your circle of friends interact, the rest of the group may

But if your friend is not interested Hey, it happens! Your first instinct will likely be to tell him or her how much you want to stay friends, but decide if that is actually the best move for you. If your feelings are super strong, spending time with your crush maybe even while they are pursuing someone else—could, well, crush you.

You need to do what’s best for you, not the group or even the object of your affection. But if you truly feel like you’ll get over it in time and can handle being buds with no hard feelings, then go right ahead with staying friendly! The best part is, because you handled this on your own, the rest of the group doesn’t even have to know anything has changed.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 32

Fiction

The twins’ trouble

S

he nearly cried out when she saw her precious Nma’s hair scattered on the sitting room and some been played with by one of her naughty twin sons. She has always prided herself for the upkeep and growth of Nma’s hair. It was soft, full and black.

She was always experimenting with her daughter in hair making. Nma, being her only daughter (after their decision to stop child bearing after three boys) is a very pretty, quiet and quick-to-smile girl of two years old.

Blessed thought that she had hidden the sewing materials which she noticed Izu and Ike (the famous and naughty twins) trying to play with them. She never imagined that they would still find the scissors hidden in her basket of knitting things. Knitting and sewing are hobbies she uses to while away time when the boys were asleep.

“What have I gotten with these boys? So this was how Clement and Ephraim (her husband and his brother) were to ‘Ganny’(her motherin-law’s nickname by the twins) She reminisced over all she had experienced with the twins from the day they started walking four and half years ago. They were fast in their development and she was excited about it not knowing that it comes with a price. What a price! She remembered when the twins went to make breakfast for her and Clement. The thought of that alone brings goose pimples all over her body. That morning was a confirmation that God is in control and knows why the twins came to their lives. It happened when the twins were two years and eight months old. Till date, she still cannot define the twins whether naughty or lovely in their attempt to prepare cold tea and bread for her and their daddy. When they were cautioned, they innocently played on her that it was because she was carrying their brother in her tummy and could not wake on time, they decided to help her with breakfast. (How mischievous!)

The fate of having naughty identical same sex twins.

Meanwhile, she stood shock still without knowing what to do. Her third son Ibeh is the bookworm of the house.

At age three and five months old, he reads to people’s understanding. He is classical!

He is the carbon copy of my father in-law, Judge

The journey started in the United States of America in 1960.

Imoke Winfrey. Ibeh is my father in-law’s favorite child, followed by Ephraim’s only daughter Melisa(the beauty of the family). Ibeh is a quite, studious and caring boy who

“

loves his sister Nma so much.

He has made himself Nma’s protector and champion. No one dares beat Nma for any reason. That was the reason why he was deceived by the

twins who trimmed Nma’s hair. They told him that she will look lovelier with the hair trimmed.

Blessed came in to see tears streaming down his little face

with a woebegone expression.

He could not do anything to the mischievous duo after all they were his elder brothers and could out-smart him in a fight. Nma was virtually unaware of her look and what was going on around her. She had her thumb in her mouth signifying tiredness and was in the verge of sleeping off. Her hair was tattered unequally by the amateur duo.

Blessed could not just imagine how she will discipline the twins as she stood there tired. The sound of the car signaled the return of Clement. Before she knew it, the twins zoomed out to meet their father with their tale of the new art perfected on their sister’s hair(they are now professional barbers) She could hear them from the sitting room chattering away to their father.

Clement was about to hand over the packs of popcorn he bought for them when she screamed ‘Clement Imoke Winfrey, if you dare give those boys anything, you will see my red colors now’. All of them strengthened up and came into the sitting room.

Clement smiled as he saw his half sleeping daughter but was confused with the state of her hair and the unkempt state of this sitting room. He called out to the house help ‘ Nkeiru, Nkeiru, where is this girl? How can she leave this place like this and who did this to my jewel?’

Without getting any response from his wife and the boys, it now dawned on him what the twins were telling him outside by the car. He turned towards them with a shocked expression to behold the twins looking at him innocently. ‘No, no, no, I will not take this from you boys.

How dare you do this to your sister?’ he shouted. Ibeh realised that what the twins did to Nma was very bad and the tears started running down his cheeks without control.

Naijastories.com

Ibeh is a quite, studious and caring boy who loves his sister Nma so much. He has made himself Nma’s protector and champion. No one dares beat Nma for any reason. That was the reason why he was deceived by the twins who trimmed Nma’s hair. They told him that she will look lovelier with the hair trimmed.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 33

Romance

Caught on the cross-roads

T

his story is the tale of a young female undergraduate, the temptations she faces. Read and enjoy…….

She was late. Her class started ten minutes ago, and she was still at home. Buckling her sandals with one hand and with the other goin through her bag to ensure she didn’t forget anything. She hated early morning lectures.

To add to her other concerns her phone rings. She was prepared to ignore the call when the special ringtone registered.

“God help me” she prays quickly as she answered the call.

“Babe, good morning”

“Sara how are you?” Her boyfriend Dan asked.

“I’m good and you?”

“Just there, just got to the office. I missed you last night.”

“I’m missing you too babe, but you know I have an early morning lecture today, and the professor is…..”

“I know,” he cuts in “anyways you are not yet in class or you wouldn’t have answered your call.”

“I’m so late, say a prayer for me.”

“You get going, we’ll talk later.”

“Later babe.” She ends the call and rushes out of the room locking the door behind her.

“What are you working on so seriously. Serious student!”

“

Mabel, Sara’s cousin teases her as she enters Sara’s room.

“Professor Otu gave me a research assignment o! He needs it first thing on monday morning.” Sara replies, looking up from the books and papers scattered all round her, on the bed and the floor.

“Wow! You are friendly with Prof?” Mabel asks as she pushes some books aside to sit on the bed.

“No o! He just called me to his office and asked me to write on this.” She passes a paper to Mabel. “Where are you all decked up to?” She asks as she takes in Mabel’s outfit.

“Peter and I are going out with some friends of his. It’s a friday night, why are you not out with Dan?” “He has a business dinner, I have this.” She spreads her hands to encompass all the papers scattered around her.

“That’s not it, Dan never takes you out when he is to be with people, ever wondered why?” Mabel asks heatedly “This one is work related.”

“Today its work related, another day its boys night out or his family. He’s never taken you to any of those places, you are always together alone.”

“Dan and I don’t have friends in common….”

“How will you if he hides you away?” Mabel cuts in. “Do you know any of his friends?

No. His family? No. If anything happens to him while you are together, who will you call?”

“Chic take it easy.” Sara gestures to Mabel to calm down.

“You guys have been on for two years and the only time you see is at night. If you see him during the day will you recognise him?” ” Don’t be ridiculous Mabel…”

“Whereas Frank, he is ready

to show you off to the world, to confirm you as his wife.”

“How can I marry someone I don’t know?”

“How will you know him if you don’t give him a chance?”

“Did he put you up to this, is that what this whole discuss is all about, Frank?”

“No he didn’t put me up to it, but you need to explore other options besides Dan. You guys have gone steady for over two years, and…” She spreads her hands “Nothing to show for it.”

“We are just getting to know each other.”

“What else is there to know.

If he has future plans with you, you would have seen telltale signs. I think he is kust cruising with you. Unlike Frank….”

“Please stop.”

Sara interrupts. “Dan and I have a good thing going and I’m not interested in Frank or anyone else.” She says with a note of finality.

“Oooh! I hope it works for you o!” Mabel concedes.

Sara goes back to her research as her phone rings.

She glances at the screen, hisses and drops the phone on the bed.

“Who is the caller?” Mabel picks up the dropped phone.

“Its Frank, the man is a true son of his Father. Answer the call now.” Mabel passes the phone back to Sara smiling.

“I can’t talk now, I’m busy.”

Sara refuses to take the phone.

“Ehn, answer and tell him.”

“If I answer it, you will let me be?” Sara asks.

“Sure.” Mabel agrees as Sara takes the phone.

“Hello” Sara answers the call, putting the phone on speaker.

CROSSROADS is writen by Chinma Eke. Naijastories.com

How will you if he hides you away?” Mabel cuts in.

“Do you know any of his friends? No. His family? No. If anything happens to him while you are together, who will you call?”

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 34

Nollywood

I’ve not been ‘behind closed doors’ for long — Halima Abubakar

C

ontroversial N o l l y w o o d actress, Halima Abubakar, has urged ladies to learn how to control their bodies and abstain from robbing bodies with men. Halima noted that she has not slept with any man for a long time.

She explained that though it has not been easy for her, but she has been able to abstain from it because she controls her body to adapt.

When the actress wrote, ‘take control of your body and say no to s3x!! Stay off s3x my people,” fans began to question her authority for saying such.

In her response to various comments, Halima asked the fans if it was a must they must have intercourse, adding that the gospel of abstinence should be preached.

The actress, who has recently been trailed with various scandals, stressed that s3x is not food.

Odunlade Adekola, Fathia Balogun in sizzling romance

Nigeriafilms.com has reported that Yoruba popular actors, Odunlade Adekola and Fathia Balogun, are in a sizzling romance. The duo have both worked hard to command respect in the motion picture industry and also have strong fan bases.

O

n the part of Odunlade, who is based in Abeokuta, Ogun State, he has had a fair share of alleged romantic affairs with some actresses in the Yoruba film industry. He was once rumoured to have dated Mosun

Filani, who was also linked with fellow actor, Muyiwa Ademola.

It was then reported that the alleged affair between Muyiwa and Mosun had threatened the former’s marriage.

For Fathia, she has been

romantically linked with some men, including the Corporate Pictures boss, Rasaq Abdullahi, who himself has been rumoured in the past to have dated some Yoruba actresses.

‘Female entertainers have overated opinion of selves’

P

opular Nigerian dancehall singer, Benjamin Ukueja aka Marvellous Benjy, said some female entertainers feel they are good enough for marriage.

The singer, made this known while giving reasons for his long absence from the scene.

He explained that he has been trying to create some rich lyrical contents aimed at passing meaningful messages across to the people, rubbing the belief that he has left the industry that got him fame.

Benjy noted that he has a couple of tracks to be released soon like ‘Fine Girl’, ‘Bad Character’ and ‘Sabi Dance’, which he did to correct the attitudes of some ladies in the industry who do not possess the qualities of a good wife, believing that beauty is all they need to get a husband.

Analyzing the music industry, the singer applauded the rapid growth in the industry, but hinted that the Ajegunle artistes have been abandoned without putting into consideration the amount of talents based in that locality.

He added that people in Ajegunle are less privileged and do not have enough resources to push their music which is why some of them are still not known.

PAGE 35

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Hollywood

Selena Gomez ‘overreacted’ to Justin Bieber and Kendall Jenner date

S

elena Gomez reportedly feels she “overreacted” to Justin Bieber and Kendall Jenner’s date in Paris.

The 22-year-old singer believes she may have jumped to conclusions about her on/off boyfriend and the 18-year-old model’s lunch date in France last month. A source told the HollywoodLife.com: “She hasn’t said that she’s going to take him back, but that’s usually how it goes once they get back in touch.

She’s been saying stuff about how she overreacted and how she has to take responsibility for her part in things so it definitely seems like she’s opened her heart up to him again.”

The ‘Come & Get It’ hitmaker reportedly dumped the troubled pop star, 20, whom she first started dating in 2010, because she was fed up of him flirting

with other girls in front of her face.

However, following the split, Selena has been leaning on her close friend Taylor Swift, 24, who is encouraging her to drop the negativity from her life. Selena said previously: “She [Taylor] was actually at my house the other day, and we were sitting by the fire and I was talking about relationships and business in my life. She just kind of looked at me and was like, ‘Selena, if you’re the smartest person in the room, I think you’re going to be in the wrong room.’

The singer added: “She thinks I should constantly surround myself with people who are going to make me better, that are going to challenge and motivate me. It kind of stuck to me.

I want to surround myself with those people.”

Meghna Gulzar silent on reuniting with Tabu Filmmaker Megna Gulzar, who is directing a film based on Aarushi Muder case, has reportedly teamed up with Tabu again for the film.

When asked to confirm the news, Meghna didn’t deny the news, but said: “I am unable to comment on that right now.

I am extremely sorry.”

Sources close to the project, which is scripted by Vishal Bhardwaj who is also co-producing the film, said that Tabu is part of the project titled Talwar along with Irrfan. “About 80 percent of the shoot is completed,” said a source.

Meghna roped in Tabu and Sushmita Sen for her directorial debut Filhaal, while for her second venture Just Married she had teamed up with Esha Deol and Fardeen Khan.

Abhishek Bachchan to do a cameo in ‘The Shaukeens’

A

fter being liked by everyone in his latest release Happy New Year, Abhishek Bachchan is all set to show his funny side again in The Shaukeens.

The actor has done a cameo in Abhishek Sharma’s upcoming comedy film, The Shaukeens. As per the reports, when the makers of the film approached Junior Bachchan for the cameo he was busy with the promotions of Happy New Year but he liked the idea so much that he took time out from his busy schedule for it.

Abhishek Bachchan has been appreciated for her role in Happy New Year “I had always heard that Abhishek has a great sense of humour. But this time, I saw it for myself. I have become a huge Abhishek fan after this experience,” Abhishek Sharma was quoted by an online portal.

The Shaukeens releases on November 7 and stars Anupam Kher, Annu Kapoor, Piyush Mishra, Lisa Haydon, Akshay Kumar and Rati Agnihotri.

Gallagher announces Beady Eye split

R

ock star Liam Gallagher has announced that his Beady Eye project has split up.

The former Oasis frontman posted the news on Twitter, but did not explain why the band was calling it a day.

He tweeted: “Beady Eye are no longer. Thanks for all your support. LGx” Beady Eye were formed in 2009 and made up of former Oasis members Gem Archer, Andy Bell and drummer Chris Sharrock.

Andy tweeted: “Thanks to all the Beady Eye fans. I had a blast. See you on the other side. Big Love Andy B X” The band released their debut album, Different Gear, Still Speeding, in 2011, followed by BE in 2013.

Both albums made it to the top five in the charts but the group had only one top 40 single, The Roller, and never came close to replicating the huge success of Oasis.

In February the band cancelled an appearance at the Coachella festival in California’s Colorado Desert, and later that month announced they had parted ways with manager Scott Rodger.

Rodger said in a statement to the NME at the time that they were one of the “last great British rock bands”.

The announcement fuelled speculation on social media that Oasis may reunite, amid reports that Liam and brother Noel are back in each other’s good books.

The two have been estranged since Oasis split in 2009, but in an interview for Q magazine’s December issue Noel reportedly said: “We’re on good terms, as good as we can be.”

But he added that there was no comeback in the offing to mark the 20th anniversary of Oasis’s second album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?

The current High Flying Birds frontman is reported to have said: “I’m f****** looking forward to spoiling everybody’s party next year.

We won’t be doing it.”

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 36

Celebrity Gist

‘Fury’ wins box office Miley weekend race becomes face of MAC’s Viva Glam

M

AC Cosmetics has announced singer Miley Cyrus as the latest face of its annual Viva Glam collection for 2015.

Miley joins a fab list of celebrity Viva Glam spokeswomen like Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga (that is quite a list). Her first shade is an electric pink that reminds us of strawberry treats.

That is not all, the sale of the lipstick $16 and lip gloss: $15 which will hit the shelves in January, will go to the MAC AIDS Fund.

A

ctor Brad Pitt and a squadron of up-andcoming actors held off “Gone Girl” at the multiplexes this weekend as “Fury” topped box office charts with a $23.5 million debut.

Despite surrendering first place after two weeks wearing the crown, “Gone Girl” had impressive stamina. David Fincher’s adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s best-selling mystery dropped just 32 percent to $17.8 million. Its total now stands at $107.1 million.

In third place, 20th Century Fox and Reel FX’s Day of the Dead themed animated fantasy, “The Book of Life” took in $17 million across 3,071 theaters. The weekend’s other wide release, Relativity’s “The Best of Me,” racked up $10.2 million from 2,936 theaters, good enough for fifth place, but below such previous Nicholas Sparks’ pictures as “The Notebook” ($13.5 million debut) and “Dear John” ($30.5 million).

The animated picture cost $50 million to produce, while romantic drama carries a $26 million

price tag. Relativity says that foreign and ancillary pre-sales and tax credits limit its exposure on the film to $5 million.

“Fury” relied on Pitt’s star power and strong critical notices to attract crowds to a story that deals with dark subject matter. The bloody action film is set in the waning days of World War II and follows a gruff Sherman tank commander (Pitt), an idealistic newbie (Logan Lerman) and his crew (Michael Pena, Jon Bernthal, Shia LaBeouf) on an impossible mission. Sony Pictures released the $68 million production which was backed by QED and LStar Capital, It was written and directed by David Ayer (“End of Watch”).

The opening is lower than projections, which predicted a debut of $25 million. But Sony said the film is resonating with audiences, which could help it build word-of-mouth. “Fury” played to an opening crowd that was 60 percent male, and 51% over 35 years old.

‘Kanye West doesn’t use auto-tune correctly’

M

any music lovers feel that T-Pain is the king of auto-tune, having worked with it throughout his career and helped to popularize its use. But there is another favourite who Pain doesn’t think qualifies for auto-tune royalty, Kanye West. According to him, “Kanye uses it, but he doesn’t use it correctly. He makes great music with it, but the way that I use it and the way that I have shown Chris Brown and Jamie Foxx to use it, he doesn’t use it that way.

He sings without it first and then he puts on after he is done with the vocals,” the “Up Down” singer added. “You don’t know how it is going to come out. You can’t catch your mistakes before they happen. So sometimes it gets a little bit wobbly and things like that…[808s & Heartbreak] was actually good, but I had a lot to do with that album.”

Mega collaboration!

M.I to feature 27 artistes on new album

T

he chairman, M.I Abaga’s fans can be rest assured that his new and third studio album is going to have a compensation for the delayed release with a feature of 27 other artistes from Nigeria, Jamaica and Ghana.

According to a listing that M.I released on his instagram page, his new album will have Ice Prince, Sarkodie, Sound Sultan, Tuface, Wizkid, Beenie Man, Olamide, Phyno, Reminisce, Patoranking, Seyi Shay, Runtown, Frank Edwards, Storm Rex, Oritse Femi, Morell, Chigurl, Nosa,

Loose Kanyon, Debbi, Nanya, DJ Lambo, Emmy Ace, Milli, I.J, Koker and Moti Cakes.

The album is due for release at the end of October and the superstar has already had listening parties in Kenya and Abuja with a third one to hold in Lagos. M.I Abaga also unveiled his official album artwork along with the track-list of his highly anticipated third album, The Chairman. The album contains 17 songs. There is also an international collaboration with Dance Hall superstar, Bennie Man.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Entertainment

Page 37

Nick donates $2m diamondencrusted shoes to charity M

ariah Carey’s ex-husband, Nick Cannon, has donated the $2 million diamond encrusted shoes he wore to the grand finale of America’s Got Talent in September to a children’s hospital. The actor and TV host donated the foot wear to the St Mary’s Hospital for Children in Queens, New York.

The shoes will be auctioned off at a later date and the hospital

Late Oscar de la Renta

will keep all the money made from selling it. Nick says he is happy to donate the shoes. “I want to keep this children’s hospital going. It is one of the oldest children hospitals in New York. You get there and it puts everything into perspective.

You see all that they are going through and that they can still have a smile on their faces. I get so much out of it. I am glad to do this,” Nick said.

2face Drops Nfana Ibaga Video Remix

D

o you remember the song ‘Nfana Ibaga’? It was one of 2face Idibia’s first songs and that song will forever have a space in the heart of a lot of Nigerians.

It appears that 2face himself still has a soft-spot for the song as he has released a video remix, about a decade after the song came out. The song has been reproduced by OJB Jezerel with new lines.

According to his reps, the super star released the remix of Nfana Ibaga to celebrate his 10th year anniversary in the music industry.

Also in commemoration of the landmark 10th anniversary of Face 2 Face, Hypertek Digital/960 Music Group is releasing a new album titled “Rewind, Select and Update” as well as “Face 2 Face 10.0″, a Kennis Music re-issue album, which contains ‘new’ bonus tracks.

Mirren unveiled as New Beyonce to partner Topshop Face of L’Oreal Paris Athletic on Activewear

B

eauty indeed knows no age!

69-year-old veteran actress and age-defying beauty, Dame Helen Mirren, is the newest face of L’Oreal Paris.

This is the first time the Dame is lending her ageless beauty to a beauty range.

Speaking on her new role, she said “I am not gorgeous and I never was, but I always okay looking and I am keen to stay that way. I have always loved the L’Oreal Paris brand, and I hope I can inspire other women towards greater confidence by making the most of their natural good looks.

We are all worth it.“ On red carpets, on the silver screen and in countless other places, Helen has been one of

the poster girls for age-defying beauty and it is gladdening that L’Oreal has snagged her as one of its many faces. Other beautiful women affiliates with the L’Oreal Paris brand include Blake Lively, Zoe Saldana and more.

Speaking on beauty earlier on this year, Hellen said “I don’t really know what a beauty routine is. But I love beauty products, and I am always trying new ones.

I wear make-up every day. I love putting it on, and I get really into it: a little bit of this here, a little bit of that there – but then I stand back and look in the mirror and it is awful! It is absolutely true that, as you get older, you have to wear less and less make-up.”

M

ega super star, Beyonce, is set to launch an active wear label with Topshop that will include clothing, footwear and accessories across dance, fitness and sports categories. The label is yet to be named but is in partnership with British retailer, Parkwood Topshop Athletic Ltd. Speaking on the new partnership, the sexy musician said; “I could not think of a better partner as I continue to grow the Parkwood business. I have always loved Topshop for its fashion credentials and forward thinking. Working with its development team to create and produce a technical and fashionled collection is exciting and I am looking forward to participating in all aspects of this partnership.”

‘I wouldn’t mind marrying a younger man’

N

igeria’s foremost drummer, Ara, whose marriage packed up few years ago leaving her with a six-year old son, has said, she is ready to give marriage another shot. Ara revealed that, she isn’t just ready to get married for the sake of being married, but she really wants to get married for love. She went as far as saying, if a younger man comes around, she will jump at it and as a matter of fact she has been talking to people about that, and they feel if the younger man is matured

at heart, then she should go for him.

“When I meet the right person and fall in love, I will consider marriage. I really want to fall in love again. I don’t believe in marriage just for its sake. If a younger guy comes up to me, I don’t mind dating the person. I don’t mind marrying somebody who I am older than. I have spoken to a couple of people and they don’t see anything wrong with it. If the person has a mature mind and is committed, then it is not a big deal.”

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Page 38

OUR MISSION “To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

Chairman Malam Wada Maida, Oon, Fnge Director/Editor-in-Chief Rufa’i Ibrahim Managing Editor Abdul-Azeez Abdullahi

Chief Operating Officer Ali M. Ali

Deputy Manager, Production Abdul-Rauf Musa

Editor, Daily Hameed Bello

Manager, administration Hassan Hammanyaji

Head, Lagos Bureau Adesoji Oyinlola

Acting Editor, Weekend Lawal Sabo Ibrahim

“To be a reputable, profitable, innovative and technologically reliant media company offering world class services and products”

L etters It is time to say goodbye to ‘former President Jonathan’ Toyin Dawodu

A

mericans have a saying: “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

That saying is absolutely true. Research teams at Harvard University and MIT confirm that humans automatically make snap judgments about others within three seconds of meeting them. We judge not only their level of danger and friendliness, we also try to determine their level of education, affluence, influence and value to us as connections – all in 2.8 seconds.

These conclusions that we reach in under three seconds serve as the foundation on which we base our opinions of others.

These are first impressions and try as you can, it is hard to get someone to change his mind about a first impression.

So then, I will ask you this: Since assuming his post as president in 2010, what impression has Goodluck Jonathan made on you? I would say he seized his opportunity to rule, had his chance, and blew it. In four years, he has never been able to push his way past being ineffective.

I hope Nigerians are smart enough to show him the door out of Aso Rock. And even if the PDP nominates him, Nigerians should wholeheartedly reject Jonathan’s candidacy for one simple reason: He can’t do the job.

I believe in Nigeria. I believe in the power one Nigerian has to change our country for the better. I gladly support several candidates who I know have plans to run for different offices in 2015. One will run as PDP and another may run as APC. I support these candidates because I know first-hand their character and I am hoping that each of them will be able to maintain their character and integrity throughout their terms in office. I am yet to make a decision on a presidential candidate. But after four years of Jonathan’s administration, one thing is very clear to me: Jonathan is not the leader Nigeria needs. I fear four more years of his presidency will delay our progress.

Believe it or not, Jonathan never set

WRITE TO US

Peoples Daily Weekend welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed to: The Editor, Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

Email: opinion@peoplesdailyng.com adverts@peoplesdailyng.com pictures@peoplesdailyng.com contact@peoplesdailyng.com out to become Nigeria’s president. He didn’t have a plan in place for the country.

He made us no promises! It is a wonder Nigerians elected him. If you remember, he posted a quote on Facebook when he ran for office in 2010 that read: “I do not want to win your affections by giving you promises of things I would do in the future which others before me have given and which have largely been unfulfilled.” The sentiment is romantic, but it says nothing of his desire to strengthen the economy, of his strategy to ensure that every business and household has working electricity.

Since we elected to the nation’s highest office a man without a plan, Nigerians should not be surprised that power

“

generation has now dropped from 5,000 megawatts in 2010 to 2,500 megawatts today. These are figures told to the media

by Jonathan’s very own Minister of Power, Professor Nebo. But, I am sure Nigerians can bear witness to this fact without having to read it on the pages of newspapers.

We are not naïve enough to continue to accept vandalism as a legitimate reason for not being able to power Nigerian homes and businesses. So, Mr. President, we do not want four more years of your excuses and fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants presidency.

We may like Jonathan as a public figure or a celebrity personality. Who doesn’t like Jonathan? But the question we need to ask ourselves is: Did Jonathan deliver? A better

What will the next four years hold for us if Jonathan is reelected? I don’t know. As long as Jonathan is in office, Nigeria will remain in darkness. If we are smart, we will reject him this time around and find a candidate who is equipped to strengthen Nigeria.

question is, can he ever deliver? If the answer is “No,” we need to send him back to his village for permanent retirement.

Jonathan’s so-called Road Map to Power Nigeria failed miserably, denying Nigerians a fundamental convenience of civilized life – uninterrupted electricity.

I had the opportunity of discussing with Professor Nnaji, Jonathan’s former chairman of this “road map” in September 2010. The president himself urged me to meet with the professor. Jonathan was quite excited about the plan I developed to build 4,000 megawatts of distributed power in Nigeria, but my plan could not come to fruition because the chairman and I did not see eye to eye on Nigeria’s power plan.

I reviewed the chairman’s power plan, but there was one important flaw – it wouldn’t deliver electricity to Nigerians for a decade or more. I didn’t have to convince him of the flaw in his plan. He already knew, but insisted his mandate did not allow him to tweak the road map and focus on what is feasible and achievable.

I will admit that I had high hopes for the president. He was a fresh face and he seemed like a good man. Fueled by my meeting with his handlers and Jonathan’s vague statements before he took office, I did my best to warn Nigerians about the trouble ahead, but to no avail. I don’t doubt that Jonathan is a good man. He is just not a good president.

Well, friends, another election is upon us. If we are not careful, we will forget the failures of the past four years and mortgage the future of our children by electing a winning smile and great personality to an office that requires a grueling work ethic and smart strategies. What will the next four years hold for us if Jonathan is reelected? I don’t know. As long as Jonathan is in office, Nigeria will remain in darkness. If we are smart, we will reject him this time around and find a candidate who is equipped to strengthen Nigeria.

What will your decision be?

Dawodu posted this piece on Sahara Reporters and can be reached on 1amazingtoyin

PAGE 39

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Opinion

Saving Northeast from insurgency siege

By Tiijani Ahmad and Abdulhadi Sadiq

M

any people don’t appreciate the gravity of what is really happening in Northeastern Nigeria, until they meet the victims or have testimony from an eye witness. The condition is beyond what we see in papers, on the screens of our televisions or what we listen from radio programmes.

As an average Nigerian who grew up in Kano, I did not have knowledge of what a real disquiet situation is, as I didn’t know how a gunshot sounded, let alone a bomb blast. My worst experience was rather of a teargas which torment I had encountered at Kano Pillars Stadium in 1990s, during a match between Julius Berger and Soccer Strikers in the then Tofa Cup tournament.

I cannot forget the unpleasant experience of the first bomb blast in Kano on January 20th 2012. It happened in the late afternoon of one Friday, when I was driving along BUK Road. The experience was extremely terrible, shocking and frightening, up to the extent that, I had to leave my car because I could no longer have any consciousness to calm myself.

After taking hold of myself, I started reflecting on how the people of the Northeast were feeling; those in whose area series of gunshots and sporadic explosions of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) become common, day in day out. These brutal, sadistic and inhuman atrocities have been happening since 2009, with a seeming casual attention from government and other

International organisations. The situation worsens as the insurgents seemingly got stronger and more brazen which threw the region under siege.

Northeast, a region that comprises six states of Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Barno, Adamawa and Taraba; with a 16.5 million population (Approximately) covering a land mass of 277,175 km2 shares land borders with Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic.

The region has fertile land that grows so many agricultural produce (mostly food crops) that used to be supplied to other regions; and (mostly untapped) natural resource. The region also hosts the largest fish markets in Nigeria; Baga, Bama, Banki and Gamboru-Ngala, all of which are in Borno State and the second largest cattle market in West Africa, located in Potiskum, Yobe state.

Despite all these, the region remains backward socially, educationally and economically as they have a negligible 22% literacy level, high unemployment rate, and high mortality rate hitherto, with onward rural-urban migration coupled with poverty and diseases. No wonder it is considered among the poorest regions in the world.

However, with all these eyesores, the region was in full repose until the present insurgency set in.

Prior to having a clearer picture of the insurgency through testimonies by some eye witnesses and victims, I thought that the situation was merely being exaggerated.

Not knowing that thousands of people were killed, while many others were orphaned,

widowed, disabled and displaced. An eye witness would tell you that, the militants, often camouflaged in military uniforms would break into houses and cart away any youths available without any due course, kill them or even bury them alive; many were murdered before their loved ones.

Thousands of people are fleeing to neighboring countries (Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic), and other states of Nigeria to save their lives. Do you know that several others (young males and females) were abducted apart from the more than 200 Chibok girls? Do you know that many schools in the Northeast have been closed for more than a year? Do you know that that younger generation of ours in the Northeast was not able to complete their SSCE syllabus, and that they just had to reluctantly write their exams?

Muslim communities in the affected areas now offer prayers as if in a ‘real’ war zone, which is in two phases-while one group is offering prayers, the other will be keenly watchful. Likewise for the spread church services that have now become mainly combined. Many worshippers could not even remember when last they attended their worship places, for numbers of mosques and churches have been burnt down to rubbles.

Potiskum town, the region’s commercial hub, now has only three banks running (as at the last time I was there), all the remaining ones have been burnt down since 2012.

The town is yet one of the most populous local governments in the country, and is a base for the second-largest cattle market in

West Africa! Governments seem to be doing little or nothing to help these hardworking but now hapless citizens, who have been surrounded by the vicious cycle of poverty, disease and excessive trauma as a result of the insurgency.

Despite allegations of high-handedness, our soldiers deserve commendation for their sacrifices in fighting the insurgency.

With all the very minimal motivation from the government, they are tirelessly fighting day and night. But the insurgents are continuously taking over towns in Borno and Adamawa States proclaiming territories, while the government is busy paying more attention to much less important things.

Imagine the damages in terms of reduction in population, destruction in properties and crippling of the economy.

Can’t we be their voice as they are voiceless?

Can’t we be their media as they have no access to one? Can’t we employ huge concern towards their situation as this is the right time to show it to them?

We must appeal to the government, human rights organisations and other similar groups and volunteers to come to the aid of our dear brothers and sisters living in the Northeastern Nigeria. This is because a lot of what we see in news media now are mere propaganda, as the reality is beyond the viral pictures and other videos seen via government or other controlled networks.

Ahmad and Sadiq are Nigerian Post-graduate students in Uganda and can be reached on ahmatee123@ gmail.com

Why Sen. Bala jettisoned guber ambition

By Rogers Edor Ochela

I

t was with considerable joy and a huge sense of relief that Nigerians, especially indigenes, residents and other relevant stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) received the news of Sen. Bala Mohammed’s decision to subordinate his narrow personal interest to that of the larger national interest by dropping his much speculated gubernatorial ambition.

In all ramifications, Bala, the incumbent minister of the FCT, is eminently qualified to vie for the governorship seat of his home state of Bauchi. As a matter of fact, of all those vying for that seat, Bala stands pole over them. That he finally decided to hearken to the voice of reason to forgo his ambition is an attestation to his great leadership qualities as a listening and humble leader.

According to the late British Field Marshal, Bernard Montgomery, ‘’leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence’’. Bala, from all intents and purposes, epitomizes the above definition of leadership.

Prior to the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Villa in Abuja, the nation’s media was awash with reports that Bala and some of his ministerial colleagues with gubernatorial ambition would quit the federal cabinet to pursue their ambition in their respective states. This did not go down well with the indigenes, FCT PDP executive members and other stakeholders, who were completely enamored by Bala’s stunning performance in the territory, a development that culminated in public protests and calls for him to shelve his ambition to continue with his good works in Abuja.

So, it was with bated breath that all Nigerians waited for the outcome of the FEC meeting of Wednesday, 15 October, 2014.

Happily enough, after the meeting, news filtered out that Bala has decided to hearken

to the voice of the people by forgoing his ambition in the overriding interest of the nation.

A deeper introspection of the factors underpinning Bala’s decision to align with the aspirations of the people could be tied to some fundamental reasons to be outlined here shortly. The most outstanding of this reason is the several on-going multi-billion dollar projects personally initiated by the minister that are scattered all over the territory. These projects require the Minister’s close supervision and monitoring in order to nurture them to maturity. Leaving them at this juncture for another minister could spell disaster for them.

Some of the projects are: the Abuja Centenary City ($18bn); Jabi Lake Resort ($3bn); Abuja City Centre ($2.7bn); World Trade Centre ($1.2bn); Aerotropolis City ($2.5bn); Abuja Industrial Zone project ($3bn) and Land swap ($4.5bn) with the richest man and woman in Africa, Aliko Dangote and Folorunsho Alakija respectively participating.

Also on the card is the 2nd phase of Abuja Railway project connecting the ever-busy Nyanya—Mararaba axis valued at $750m, whose contract was recently signed by the minister.

Another interesting dimension to this whole saga is that at a recent 2014 Conference of Nigerians in Diaspora held at Ohio, United States of America, Nigerians in Diaspora, who likened Bala’s developmental initiatives to that of his namesake, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Prime Minister of Dubai, have signified their interests to come and invest in the FCT, especially in transportation, Health, housing, power and environmental sanitation etc.

It has equally been revealed that considering the minister’s closeness to the President and as one minister that has been adding value to the Jonathan Administration, quitting the cabinet at this critical juncture

in the life of this administration could spell disaster for it.

Pundits have said it times without number that Bala has authored so many social policies aimed at bridging the hiatus between the haves and have-nots, a development that has generated a huge followership for him in the territory. Through his exemplary leadership, public and civil servants in FCT have imbibed the philosophy of ‘’business unusual’’ of the present administration, which is a euphemism for paradigm shift in all facets of government life.

It has often been said that performance in office is not factored on age. Capability and performance are contingent on so many dependent variables. Experience has taught us that you do not need the age of Methuselah in order to have the Wisdom of Solomon, but at the same time, the spring of wisdom tells us that experience is the best teacher.

In spite of the relatively short period of time he has sojourned at the FCT as minister, Bala—take it or leave it—has outperformed his predecessors in terms of the enormity of the projects he has initiated. In all, the principles which he espouses and the stake of development that he has raised; sets Bala out as a national icon.

According to a popular adage, ‘’when an intelligent person is given a room to manage and administer, he uses his great skills to turn that room into a country; but when a lowly placed person is given a country to manage and administer, he transforms that country into a room due mostly to myopic reasoning and narrow-mindedness’’. Development experts attest to that fact that Bala represents that person that was given a room to manage, but succeeded in transforming it into a country. His giant strides in virtually all sectors in FCT since he took over the driver’s seat as the minister in 2010 confirm the authenticity of this conclusion.

Considering his awe-inspiring nay publicly-acclaimed achievements that has

put the FCT on the path to attaining the status of a world class federal capital city; his chummy relationship with the indigenes and above all, the rising confidence of his principal, President Goodluck Jonathan in him (Bala) as the most legitimatizing factor of his Transformation Agenda, Bala’s patriotic decision to kiss his gubernatorial ambition goodbye (for now) deserves commendation and applause from all and sundry.

In taking this critical decision of abandoning his guber ambition, Bala also factored in his legendary relationship with his principal, President Goodluck Jonathan.

As a close confidante and faithful ally of the president, he has the ears of the nation’s number one citizen. He has remained unwaveringly committed to the president.

Even on issues where chicken-hearted contemporaries will not hesitate to denying their master, President Jonathan three times before daybreak like Apostle Peter did to Jesus Christ, Bala has remained steadfast like the rock of Gibraltar.

It is this untainted loyalty and a host of other critical issues that the minister brought to bear while taking this decision.

At least, with the crucial 2015 presidential election around the corner, Bala, as one of the co-pilots of the president’s much-cherished Transformation Agenda, will not abandon his master midstream. At least, over these years, he has proven his unquestionable loyalty to his boss so much so that analysts view him as a favoured minister.

He will for now, have enough time to closely monitor and supervise the clinical execution of all his multi-billion dollar projects that have the potentials of transforming the nation’s capital city into one of the best cities in the world.

Ochela, former newspaper editor and media consultant wrote this piece from Abuja (070-35109174/08058908037).

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Comment

Perusing Kwara pdp guber primary

By Nurudeen Gasali .B

T

he PDP primary is critical going by the following facts. One, due to the fact that the present government in place in Kwara states like some other few states, is a STOLEN MANDATE by a prodigal son so to say, who in a daylight-robbery-operation like, stole the parent’s property in his care, to willing buyers looking for cheap stolen property from a seller at a give-away price. Two, critical in the sense that Kwara and Kwarans for long has been in a political bondage in the hands of a single colonialist dynasty, a trend that must be put an end to come 2015 by all means civil, matured and cautious in the manner of a cautious dove with the support of God. We had a near opportunity like this during the reign of late Mohammed Alabi Lawal which we allowed to slip our hands due to non serious and arrogant perverted judgement of success already at hand, with the fake NO SHAKING & NO VACANCY IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE slogan. Three! critical still because we haven’t learnt from the mistakes of the past in Kwara, be it those of us in the two major political parties in the contest i.e. the Liberation (PDP) or the Colonialist APC, including docile watchers of events unfolding or otherwise in our dear state that gained independence in 1960 from the white men with Nigeria our great country, but landed into the fire of another local colonialist.

I can see that the terrain of the war is no more favourably disposed to our political oppressors, colonialist like before, they too are fighting their last war, but unfortunately they are fighting a war with a divided house already.

Likewise, there is already personality clash unfolding amongst PDP aspirants and sponsors both in Kwara and Abuja (Presidency) or those dropping the Presidency’s name as political gimmicks or strategy.

Amongst those aspirants, we have genuine spirited candidates who are not only serious with their intensions, but also stakeholders of the long drawn war of liberation from the political dynasty of colonialism in Kwara State who have fought the war within the dynasty fold and outside it. We have a blood and biological member of the dynasty this time around in Senator Gbemi Saraki who has also been marginalised by the self-appointed heir apparent referred to as Leader in the opposite camp who stalled her gubernatorial ambition

and blocked her Senatorial bid in 2011. She is also a formidable and serious candidate.

Amongst the lots, Senator Suleiman Makanjuola Ajadi, Senator Rukayat Gbemi Saraki, Rt Honourable Bio Isa, are the PROBABLES in this major result expected contest going by their antecedents politically,el ectorally,intergrity-wise, popularity ,control of fellowship structure and if we should look deep and critically to the role of religion in Nigeria’s politics or polity vis a vis the predominance Muslim population of the state of Harmony.

These three can be said to be tested, experienced and trusted utility players of the 2015 game (First Eleven members) if you like.

On the other hand in the amateur list, we have stars in their own rights that include Professor Oba Abdulraheem who have never contested any major election except contesting the guber primaries and have never acquired elective but appointive position. He is however a worthy candidate with integrity in his other endeavours outside politics, where he has followers. He has impacted positively on many in various gestures, educational and employment wise.

Then Senator Simeon Ajibola who though has won election through the courts that upturned Senator Ajadi’s victory with the help of Late Sola Saraki and also the subsequent election to the senate which he is presently enjoying. He is not ripe yet as PDP Candidate for the 2015 gubernatorial contest with his non impressive performance as a Senator. He is one of those rated by a monitoring outfit as a docile legislator early this year. In this category also is Barrister Dele Belgore also an unknown politician who came from the blues and was imported to Kwara Politics like a midnight thief to contest the governorship in 2011 against all odds.

The appreciable impact created was not on his merit but rather one that enjoyed Senator Tinubu’s imposition just on the basis of their Lagos relationship .The impact came from Tinubu’s heavy spending for the party, the yearnings by Kwarans for change reminiscence of the yearning of Nigeria when we wanted a change from military to civil rule which didn’t make us care to remember the Muslim/Muslim ticket of Abiola and Kingibe, but just to get military out. In 2011 Kwarans at home and in the diaspora never cared about the candidate but the party platform we wanted to get the

Sarakis out. Electorate are now wiser.

Deacon John Dara has been making attempts not only to the gubernatorial election but shot at the Presidential contest. He is a popular politician in Kwara and known across board, but he has little fellowship and he too shares on the religion yardstick which is not a plus now for him.

Others like Jani Ibrahim, AbdulRahman AbdulRazak, Kola Belgore (younger brother of Belgore) and the rest are green horns in this historical battle of liberation which would also benefit them now and in the future. (it would benefit them now if they sacrifice their ambition for lesser position or ask the party for appointive positions instead of playing the black leg role in this historic scenario as posterity and Kwarans would not forgive them if they scuttle this chance we have now with their gamble which would draw us back 50 years.

SENATOR Makanjuola Ajadi hails from Adio/Babanloma in Ifelodun local government, Share District to be precise, where the incumbent Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed also comes from. Senator Ajadi is a rank and file politician, rising from the grassroot as President of a non political Youth Association tagged; Ifelodun Youth Solidarity Forum which later metamorphosed into a political platform, which he has been using as a socio political forum to install friends and associates into various local and national political positions. He was in NRC (National Republican Convention) as a major stakeholder before his contributions earned him the position of Commissioner for Finance and member of the Kwara State Executive Council in 1994. After his appointment as commissioner, he also had a spell in the UNCP (United Nigeria Congress Party) also as leader.

As a futuristic politician, he stayed back in politics not minding the military incursions until he contested for the Senate under the defunct APP and won the election alongside Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki as leader of the APP then. However, during his second shot at the Senate Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki fell out with the then governor Mohammed Lawal and moved to PDP, while Ajadi pitched tent with the Governor and won his second election to the Senate in his Kwara South Senatorial District majorly on personal merit and as payback from his people for his all-inclusive and peopleoriented representation; thus becoming one

of the foremost politicians in Kwara State to break the jinx of Dr. Abubakar Olusolu Saraki.

As the present President Jonathan administration as Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, he has been using the position judiciously for the benefits of the masses. Coupled with zoning and power shift criteria on his side, the stage is set for PDP’s victory in 2015 courtesy Ajadi’s candidacy.

SENATOR GBEMI RUKAYAT SARAKI: Being a product of a political dynasty for decades as one of the children of late Dr.Abubakar Olusola Saraki, Senator Gbemisola Saraki is a Political Princess that is now a genuine heir apparent to the late sage. A dogged fighter, the mantle of the Saraki Political legacy is firmly in her hands as she proudly owns more than half of the rural card carrying and committed followers of the father; the remaining left to his brother who betrayed the late Saraki’s political lineage.

As a House of Representative member for 8 years, Senator for 4 years, she has established tentacles in all the 16 local governments amongst the youths, women folks, politicians, political office holders’,(former and serving), political groups, etc. which can qualify her as a PDP flag bearer that can shake Bukola Saraki and his APC candidate in 2015. The albatross hanging on her neck is GENDER and Zoning/Power shift to Kwara South current arrangement, otherwise nothing stops her occupying the Ahmadu Bello Way Government House Ilorin come 2015.

Rt Hon.Isa Bio. Is a surefooted politician also from Kwara North Senatorial District, who can pull weight, he is an experienced hand with integrity and virtues. As former council helmsman in his local government, Commissioner and member of Kwara State Executive Council, Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, cum Member House of Representative with active contributions in legislative duties and attraction of projects to his state and constituency; except for the political arrangement on ground now which does not favour his Kwara North Senatorial districts, he would have been a strong and formidable contender.

Nurudeen Gasali .B, Journalist/ Analyst, Current Affairs Commentator writes from Utako, Abuja.

APC leaders and the anti-Metuh fixation Richard Ihediwa

I

n recent times, there has been a series of personal attacks sponsored in a section of the media by some All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in a spirited plot to discredit officials of the federal government and those of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The overall Machiavellian purpose of these attacks is very clear; to bring respected officials of the federal government and the PDP to public odium.

Typical of a desperate opposition, as the 2015 general elections approach, the APC leaders have scaled up these attacks. In the last couple of months, they have engaged an army of heavily paid consultants masquerading as columnists and writers in local and foreign media to sustain this devious enterprise by employing their stock-in-trade of lies, insults and blackmails. This is in addition to the unleashing of APC thugs in the social media who use multiple accounts with pseudonyms to attack PDP, its people-oriented programmes and post lies and insults against President Goodluck Jonathan.

Of particular note is the endless personal attack on the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh. In the last few months, the APC has concentrated its onslaught against the PDP spokesperson and the reason is not far-fetched. Since his emergence as PDP spokesperson, Metuh has become for members of the opposition party, a thorn in the flesh for matching their propaganda machinery by effectively projecting the positive image of the PDP while exposing the many inherent negatives of the APC. The APC is distraught because Metuh has been able to adequately communicate

the unique selling points of the PDP and the major difference between its content and character and those of the APC. They are bitter because their party has been appropriately and correctly profiled by Metuh as an anti-Nigeria platform which does not have the interest of the people at heart.

While effectively projecting the PDP as a national and democratic party, committed to the overall national interest without regard to ethnic and religious considerations, Metuh has further succeeded in presenting the true picture of the APC as a sectional and undemocratic party, completely lacking in ideology, promoting division among Nigerians; a party of frustrated and corrupt dictators seeking a platform to actualize their ethnic, religious and pecuniary agenda. He succeeded in exposing the hidden links between the utterances of the APC and the insecurity that has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent citizens.

The APC leaders have been having sleepless nights because Metuh not only stripped their party of its fake messianic robe, making a public display of its true identity as a party on a mission to destroy Nigeria, but also showed that it is no alternative to the PDP, a message which has formed a strong foundation for informed electoral choices for the 2015 general elections based not on propaganda but on reason and facts as was the case in the June 21 Ekiti state governorship election.

Characteristically, Metuh has maintained his high moral ground of decency and equanimity in the face of the attacks by APC leaders. He has refused to join issues with them or to allow himself to be distracted.

However, it is very important to place on record that there is no statement by Metuh on APC or its leaders that has not been based on

facts. This explains the reason APC leaders and their paid writers have continued to indulge in stretching their imagination but always end up with insults and threats.

The questions are: is the APC not a private estate of few politicians who have instituted a reign of impunity and brazen dictatorship within its fold? Are APC leaders not running their party like a rebel group? Are they not engaged in actions and utterances that promote division and violence in the country?

Have they not been deliberately dishing out lies and fabrications in their statements to incite Nigerians and discredit the PDP ledadministration?

Since its registration on July 13, 2013, the APC has never purposefully and constructively engaged and challenged the PDP on issues.

Instead, in its 15 months of existence, it has issued hundreds of press statements all of which have been devoted to attacking government officials and those of the PDP as subterfuge to cover their heinous plot against the nation.

Metuh has been able to prove that we have an opposition party which seeks to weaken critical institutions of government, make them vulnerable and set the stage for the materialization of their ignoble plans. The publishing of negative advertorials and articles in local and foreign media by the APC; and the sponsoring of pockets of anti-government protests across the country confirm his position.

Nigerians may recall the sustained vitriolic attacks and campaign of calumny against the legislature at the national and state levels with the APC issuing statements labeling them as corrupt and falsely accusing them of receiving millions of dollars to do PDP’s bidding.

Tinubu should answer Metuh on

why he barred a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bamidele Opeyemi, from contesting the June 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State on APC’s platform. He should explain the role he played in stopping former Senate Minority Leader, Olorunnimbe Mamora, from re-contesting the Senate seat in 2011.

Yes. Tinubu should reply Metuh. Did he not impose his son in-law, Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, as a member representing Ijero/Efon/ Ekiti West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives? Did he not impose his sister in-law, Lola Fibisola Akande, as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and his daughter, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, to replace his late mother, Abibatu Mogaji, as President-General of the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men? These and many more were issues raised in the PDP’s statement which Tinubu’s media office failed to address. In fact, they will be rendering better service to their master by helping him provide answers to Nigerians on the widely reported allegations of monumental fraud and massive looting of Lagos state’s resources leveled against him.

In any case, the APC must understand that no amount of sponsored media attacks, blackmails, insults and threats will subdue the resolve to stand for the truth, which Metuh now personifies in the current political scenario. Indeed, nothing will deter him from continuing to be of service to our dear fatherland by exposing the evil machinations of the APC until they heed calls by well-meaning Nigerians to learn to conduct themselves in a manner expected of responsible citizens and stakeholders in the Nigerian project.

Ihediwa posted this article on Ekekeee.com

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 41

Online Comments

Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso

Atiku Abubakar

Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal

2015: Of Kwankwaso, Buhari, Atiku, et al

Jj says: Which on top of the situation when they have already been overrun. Useless talk.

government are not doing anything to better their lives, no good roads, water, electricity, health facilities etc.

SirOscie. says: Atiku is unarguably the most prepared candidate for public office presently and I feel it is time we give him a chance to better the lives of Nigerians.

His policies and plans for our people if elected are on point and till now others have failed to unveil their own policies for Nigerians. I believe he will make a good president and will want all to support him.

The CHANGE is here let us embrace it wholeheartedly.

Power: FG has Nigerians- Fashola

SPPU scrapping , NLC threatens strike over generates condemnation minimum wage in Adamawa

failed

Ade says: Fashola should face the problem of infrastructural decay in Lagos, especially roads. Virtually all inner roads in the city of Lagos are bad. Even with the current load shedding electricity has been relatively stable. Please help fix the roads.

J. Tukur says: # Bring back skills acquisition programme Adamawa State governor.

2015 Jonathan’s Christian/Muslim ticket is better than Buhari’s Muslim/ Muslim ticket. GEJ will win.

Thomas Ayan says: NLC versus NASS the stage is set for the fight of titans.

Plateau Guber : Forum

Atiku unveils economic vows to resist Jang’s ethnic Jonathan’s cronies have blueprint in Abeokuta politics today cautions hijacked govt – Atiku Me says:

British MP Nigerian lawmakers against greed

Moses Ola-Olu Famuyiwa says: This shows that Nigerian politicians are known worldwide as corrupt, they seek people’s votes to enrich themselves and their immediate family. Building of a church within the National Assembly complex does not show that you have a clean heart. All of you are public looters including your president.

Accord Party strategizes for 2015 election, elects ‘Young Alhaji’ leader Asabe Nkiru Izuora Chife says: I am confident and optimistic that Accord Party will make a positive change in Benue State because it possesses a leader that will qualitatively represent his people.

The great team has offered to serve the people dedicatedly and judiciously. More grease to your elbow. “God’s judgment is final.”

Tambuwal: Jonathan meets PDP leadership, govs

Abucheadams says: Atiku is right, the only people not complaining about this present government are the beneficiaries.

I don’t see why we complain and lament about the current situation of Nigeria and still make the same wrong choice.

What has GEJ’s administration done in the past six years? They have misused public funds for their selfish interest.

Unemployment, insecurity has become our nightmare. Is this how we want to continue living? The earlier we put sentiments aside and face reality, the better for us as a nation.

It is obvious that Jonathan lacks the capacity to bring the transformation he preaches.

SirOscie. says: I cannot categorically say that Jonathan’s administration has done nothing for the masses, considering the kind of funds at its disposal. I don’t think Nigerians should be crying for power, good health and unemployment in the 21st century because the means to do all this are available but our so called leaders lack the political will to effect positive change.

Atiku is very correct and we are saying enough is enough, we are ready to embrace the change Atiku is preaching.

Nigeria has suffered enough and the time for change is now. #ANigeriaForAll. #CHANGE2015!

Moses Ola-Olu Famuyiwa says: Jonathan and his cabal party members may plant some Judas into the APC to cause serious problems, so, APC should be watchful and careful.

Mark vows to spill blood over creation of Apa State

Again, Boko Haram sacks Mubi, seizes Army barracks

Silas says: But your are not sincere to others why would you spill blood to retain those who want to be aligned with other members of their tribe, since you and your state

Mr.Abdin says: Atiku’s quest to move this country forward cannot be overlooked, that is why he is seen as the most prepared person for the presidency. The unveiling of his policy document has shown that campaigns should be based on issues not gimmicks.

SirOscie. says: This politics of issues by Atiku Abubakar is a welcome development and one that other politicians should emulate.

Atiku has always shown that he is prepared for public office and I will urge all to support him instead of going for those who are not prepared for the job or those that are begged by persons to contest.

I believe that it is time to vote in those that are prepared for the job. #ANigeriaForAll.

Deaf people can do anything except hear, says NGO chief

Jang is just using ‘Operation Rainbow’ to corrupt the state because he is not paying the operatives.

GoA says: Dear Plateau people, we should tread with caution and the governor ought to be sensitive to issues that will unite the peaceful Plateau people. All hands must be on deck to achieve the desired goal of the state, without ethnicity or sentiments among stakeholders. The clay pot must not be dropped on a cemented floor. Jang must leave a legacy that will be emulated by all.

Wish us well.

Aaron Gongji says: The masquerade has been unmasked.

Plateau is heading towards ethnic domination and it is time to resist it. Other ethnic groups on the Plateau should not be subjugated based on Jang and his ilk’s ethnic bigotry. The campaign for total emancipation is now in order to secure the future of our children. A word is enough for the wise.

Mr Chamo says: Wishing all deaf people success Mohammad Inuwa Ringim says: Thanks for this opportunity

2015: At last, Jonathan declares presidential bid Moses Ola-Olu Famuyiwa says: As Jonathan declares his intention to contest for the presidency on the platform of the PDP, he will be defeated by an APC presidential candidate, he just wants to disgrace himself. He bowed to the pressure of those selfish people in his party.

Senator David Mark

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 42

Interview

‘Nigeria’s unity, focus of 2014 Christian pilgrimage’

In this interview with Evelyn Okakwu, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, (NCPC) John Kennedy Opara, outlines the basic objectives of this year’s Christian pilgrimage to Israel

T

ell us how far you have gone on this year’s pilgrimage?

The 2014 pilgrimage commenced on the 18th of this October when the first set of the pilgrims departed for Israel. We screened and sensitized all the pilgrims in preparation for the exercise.

About 250 of them departed and we’ve been having daily flights. You are aware of the fact that we have a three-year pilgrimage calendar.

This year’s pilgrimage is particularly important because it is the eve of our election year.

Pilgrims will pray for the peace of Jerusalem, as well as that of Nigeria and above all as pray that God will keep us as one.

We are still putting things in place to maintain our zero mortality rate. By and large, the two airlines approved

by Mr. President, Atlas Jet Ltd and TAT/Ela’ab Israel, will air lift the pilgrims throughout the exercise.

The medical teams are ready, the ground handlers are ready; I have gone on the visits to ascertain the state of readiness in Israel with officials of the pilgrim’s welfare board and all is now set. We have ensured that the place is set for the commencement of this year’s pilgrimage, before the actual date of the kick off.

What we started last year, as a day with Jesus, with Mr President, will be continued this year, and this will be done with leaders of the country at the pilgrimage.

We will fast and wait on the lord in Israel for the sake of Nigeria. The Bible says that; “Victory comes from you oh Lord, and only God can save us from evil.” So we will be

praying with clergy men and women who will join us at the pilgrimage to pray for Nigeria.

In Israel I can assure you that there will be security of lives and property. Security is in the hands of God, but we will do all that we need to do in our human capacity.

The issue of Mount Sinai the arrangement is still ongoing; we are watching the security situation and God willing if things prove that our pilgrims will be safe, then we will visit the area. Some of our pilgrims will also visit Rome, the Vatican, Greece, Athens and other places, as the case may be.

The good news is that the pilgrimage exercise for this year has already begun, and we are praying for God to sustain Nigeria’s democracy.

What is your target this year for the pilgrims, and what plans have you put in place to ensure that our pilgrims do not face any challenges because of Ebola?

Well, the pilgrimage this year is expected to be for about 30, 000 pilgrims, but we are still expecting that as more people continue to indicate interest in taking part, we exceed that number.

About Ebola, the president did make it clear that Nigeria is now Ebola free, besides that, WHO has already certified Nigeria Ebola free but we are not leaving any stones un-turned. We are still ensuring that the pilgrims are all screened and I can assure you that in the event where we find anybody with the problem we will ensure that the person does not join the others; also, I can assure you that the screening is serious.

Are we going to witness a full implementation of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) this year?

The BASA is on. We are trusting God that the airlines will have to fly direct to Israel for this year’s pilgrimage. We will not have any problem implementing that. Out of the five ground handlers, at least three of them will be Nigerians that are partnering with the others in Israel.

This was not the case before; however, we believe that this latest development has come to stay.

Pilgrimage is a spiritual exercise; yet while these pilgrims pray quite often in unity, previous experience has shown that they do not go to their various churches. What is your take on that and how are you organising the eating plan of pilgrims?

Well, we do have plans to ensure that the pilgrims this year will have at least three rounds of Nigerian meal.

We are trying to see that we increase the rate of Nigerian meals available to these pilgrims.

“

Opara

We understand that various denomination members will want to worship with their various denominations. Those who are Catholics will want to warship in the Catholic Church, Anglicans and so on. So what we have done is that the spiritual committee will liaise with the leaders of these various denominations.

We will have at least three groups that will have their own time of worship.

What we want is to let people know that Israel is not that kind of place where people go to various churches. If you start telling people that they will go to their various churches, they will start asking you of their particular denomination; some will say, where ECWA church is, where Baptist is; and most of these churches are not there. So at the end of the day, you will have a very serious problem with the pilgrims which is what we are trying to avoid.

Judging by the high

rate of corruption and the various comments of critics, would you say pilgrimage is still necessary?

The fact that Nigeria is still experiencing problems, does not explain the fact that the country should give up; change is a matter of understanding. Pilgrimage transforms the life of a human being such that when a person returns from pilgrimage, the person returns transformed.

A very good friend of mine, who happens to be the governor of Akwa Ibom State, once said that ‘supposing Nigerians were not praying, what would have become of this country?’

The fact that things go wrong does not mean that we should stop trusting in God. Our prayer is that the promise of God should not stop. If Nigerians continue to be transformed as they return from Israel, what will become of the country, if more and more Nigerians embark on pilgrimages?

This year’s pilgrimage is particularly important because it is the eve of our election year.

Pilgrims will pray for the peace of Jerusalem, as well as that of Nigeria and above all pray that God will keep us as one.

PAGE 43

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Politics

Suleiman: Thinking beyond dreams of Sokoto people

By Chris Alu

A

lhaji Yusuf Suleiman often asks the same q u e s t i o n s that Reverend Jesse Jackson asked to a congregation of AfricanAmerican leaders in 1984, when he joined the presidential race of the Democratic Party in the United States of America that’ if not me who, if not here where, and if not now when?

The articulate Jackson was famous in his advocacy drive for the interest of peace and development to the AfricanAmerican people.

According to him, the battle for political space, recognition and respect would be lost if he did not enter the race to prove that an African-American could make successful inroads into the American politics.

Yes, to him, his entry was a political statement in the presidential primaries of a major political party, but to others it was the beginning of a new dawn. This premise would perhaps also provide a glimpse as to why Suleiman is joining the Sokoto governorship race in next year’s general elections.

As a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, right from its inception, he has executed several community projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the people in the state, especially in the areas of agriculture, healthcare delivery and education to mention a few.

Suleiman is indeed a real gem and a man with high political prowess whose wishes of becoming the next governor are largely to salvage the masses of the rural poor and to bring hope alive to the people. He often said if elected, he will use

his vast political acumen and experience to transform the state to the dreams and aspirations of the people into a reality by building cottage industries and providing skills acquisition centres that will enhance development.

Indeed he has shown much concern to take the state to the next level. This can be attested to through his personal relationship with the local folks and the words of courage that always come out of his mouth. He said if he is given the opportunity to serve he will write his name in gold with performance. Just like Jackson, who emphasized that, even though he was a black African-American, he had all it takes to contest and govern the people, if need be become the first black American president; Suleiman too has said joining the race was not because he is from a royal home but that he is qualified to do so. He went on that though his name might not be a household one in politics, he has all it takes to govern the people, and therefore can never be intimidated by anybody.

As a grassroots politician, his messages are clear and different from others’ because he knows where the shoe pinches and will definitely go for it. He has repeatedly told journalists that one of the things he will not allow is to leave farmers’ hard-earned agricultural produce to be wasteful in the state.

According to him, farmers lose millions of Naira worth of their goods yearly, as a result of poor storage system, and will provide irrigation system to them. For him, it is one among the few things he has itemized to find lasting solutions to if he eventually becomes the next governor.

Suleiman has also said he is more interested in rewriting

the history of the state more than making mere public statements. According to him, he is interested in bringing fresh ideas and projects that will have direct bearing on the lives of the people. He said he will do everything possible to promote peace and unity of the state as well as providing adequate security and employment opportunities for the people.

On his mission and vision to the people of the state, he said the objective for aspiring to be the governor was to ensure that people are free from all manners of poverty, intimidation and will focus on providing better education for the teeming youths, and of course carve a niche for himself for posterity’s sake.

Suleiman also said his experiences as a former commissioner for industry in Sokoto State and former minister of sports and later transport, has made him a man of many parts, for which some people see him from the side of his background, while others see him as a humble man. Yet to others, he is a man whose contributions have positively shaped the socioeconomic lives of the people.

It is interesting to

“

Suleiman

note that, one of the key fundamentals of selfdevelopment that influenced the life and career of Suleiman was his love and desire for the people of the state, which he has helped to develop in a number of ways.

He has the intellectual capability and goodwill to make a difference in terms of developmental strides to the people of the state if he eventually got elected as the governor of the state. Above all, as someone with human kindness and meekness for the down trodden people, he is an asset that can be presented to the people in order to enhance the socio-economic development and wellbeing of the state and the country.

Suleiman has committed his large heart, time, energy and resources to uplift the state, being a hardworking, honest, dependable,

unassuming and accessible man. He also has compassion to carry everybody along.

Little wonder, within the short time he announced his intention to run for the number one seat of the state, lots of cheers have greeted him.

As the battle-line has been drawn to vie for the number one seat of the state in the next general elections, both young and old are yearning to have him voted for because of the difference he will make in the public and private lives of the people. For him, it is not a do-or-die affair but to the electorate it is time to effect a change that would add value to the their lives.

So, the ball is now in the PDP court to score by giving the most popular candidate the ticket, or give it to an ineffectual person and face the most likely loss.

Suleiman also said his experiences as a former commissioner for industry in Sokoto State and former minister of sports and later transport, has made him a man of many parts, for which some people see him from the side of his background, while others see him as a humble man. Yet to others, he is a man whose contributions have positively shaped the socioeconomic lives of the people.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 44

Archive

9 famous Americans you probably didn’t know were Muslim

O Dr. Oz

n the sports field and at awards ceremonies, it’s common to hear people thanking God. Thanks to Allah is heard less often.

Still, there are more than 2.5 million American Muslims, making it the third-largest religion in the US. While Muslims account for just 0.8% of the population, they have faced rising discrimination and prejudice since the 9/11 attacks 13 years ago. With the rise of groups like the Islamic State now seeking to promote their brand of violent extremism, that may be unlikely to end anytime soon.

A recent poll reported that 62% of American’s didn’t personally know a Muslim, so here’s a list of 9 Muslim Americans you probably will know.

Dr. Oz Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of “The Dr Oz Show” and vice chair and professor of surgery at Columbia University, was born in Ohio to Turkish parents. His mother’s family was fiercely secular, while his father’s family treated Islam as much more central to their lives. Dr. Oz has said he has struggled with his religious understanding but describes his beliefs as a mystical form of Islam closely related to Sufism.

Shaquille O’Neal O’Neal has rarely spoken publicly about being a Muslim, but in 2010 he did reveal he intended to take the Islamic pilgrimage known as the Hajj to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government bars all non-Muslims from visiting Mecca.

Fareed Zakaria The Indian-born journalist Zakaria hosts his own show on CNN, is an editor at large for Time magazine, and writes a foreign-affairs column for The Washington Post. Zakaria was

Shaquille O’Neal

Fareed Zakaria

Ellen Burstyn

Aasif Mandvi

Akon

Dave Chappelle

Ice Cube

T-Pain

raised by Muslim parents, though he has said he doesn’t consider himself “a particularly religious person.”

Mandvi was born in India and spent much of his childhood in the UK before his family ultimately moved to Tampa, Florida.

Mandvi told the Tampa Bay Times, “My experience on ‘The Daily Show’ is that ... sometimes you get the thing that you want, but in a way that you never expected to get it.

“Like an important time to say something as a MuslimAmerican, as a brown person, as an immigrant. I feel like a lot of my work is about [exploring] that gap between cultures ... I just want to keep building on that,” he said.

A self-described “spiritual man,” the rapper Akon has weaved his religious beliefs into his music. In his song “Senegal,” he raps, “So what you know about how God comes first in our lives, everything that we do is for Allah.”

In a later interview the comedian said a trip to Africa had crystallized his beliefs. “I’m a Muslim — I don’t necessarily practice the way a good Muslim is supposed to practice, but I believe in these tenants,” Chapelle said.

Ellen Burstyn Burstyn, an Emmy-winning actress, appears to follow a loose form of Sufi Islam, The Wall Street Journal has reported.

Burstyn, known for “The Exorcist,” “Requiem For A Dream,” and “Political Animals,” says shebelieves in aspects from many major religions.

Aasif Mandvi Mandvi, an actor and comedian, is best known for his role as a “Daily Show” correspondent.

“

Akon

Dave Chappelle The comedian Chapelle has spoken about his beliefs on occasion but tends to shy away from talking about being a Muslim.

“I don’t normally talk about my religion publicly because I don’t want people to associate me and my flaws with this beautiful thing,” he told Time magazine in 2005.

On the sports field and at awards ceremonies, it’s common to hear people thanking God. Thanks to Allah is heard less often. Still, there are more than 2.5 million American Muslims, making it the third-largest religion in the US.

Ice Cube Rapper Ice Cube converted to Islam in the 1990s. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Ice Cube has said: “What I call myself is a natural Muslim, because it’s just me and God. You know, going to the mosque, the ritual and the tradition, it’s just not in me to do.

So I don’t do it.”

T-Pain Grammy Award-winning rapper T-Pain was born Faheem Rasheed Najm and grew up in Tallahassee, Florida.

He says most people aren’t aware that he was raised a Muslim. “People don’t even know.

Me, Busta Rhymes, Lupe Fiasco — they don’t even know we are Muslim. People think a Muslim has to have a turban or a big beard. It’s stupid,” T-Pain said.

However, T-Pain has also expressed broad beliefs in aspects of many religions, and he has also said he doesn’t like that religion separates people.

Source: businessinsider. com

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Page 45

Digest

Do men and women really have different brains?

M yths about differences between the brains of men and women never seem to die, and the most popular ones raise real issues for women in tech, math and science.

The most recent entry in the gender-brain sweepstakes is the BBC, with a series called “Is Your Brain Male or Female?” Stories and interviews about the series have already been featured in the U.S. on public radio stations.

In one such interview, Michael Mosley, a British physician and BBC TV host, claimed that “studies” have found that men are better at “systemizing,” while women are better at empathizing.

As a BBC.com post explains: “In other words, men are often more adept at discovering the rules that govern a system … Women, on the other hand, are thought to be better at guessing other people’s emotions and responding appropriately. They would be more likely to comfort you in a time of crisis.”

Have “studies” actually found this to be true? In fact, no. One study has, but it has been widely debunked.

The BBC series quotes Simon Baron-Cohen, a Cambridge University psychologist, who put forth this theory of male and female brains in his book, “The Essential Difference.” How does Baron-Cohen define the brains of the sexes?

Men: Ideally suited for leadership and power. They are hardwired for mastery of hunting and tracking, trading, achieving and maintaining power, gaining expertise, tolerating solitude, using aggression and taking on leadership roles.

Women: Specialized for making friends, mothering, gossip, and “reading” a partner. (Girls and women, it seems, are so focused on others that they have little interest in figuring out how the world works.)

Baron-Cohen based his ideas on a study done in his laboratory of day-old infants, male and female. He claimed that boy babies looked at mobiles longer, while girl babies looked at faces longer.

Based on this study, Parents magazine informed its readers, “Girls prefer dolls [to blocks and toys] because girls pay more attention to people while boys are more enthralled with mechanical objects.”

But Baron-Cohen’s study had major problems. It was an “outlier” study. No one else has replicated these findings, including Baron-Cohen himself. It is so flawed as to be almost meaningless. Why? The experiment lacked crucial controls against experimenter bias, and was badly designed.

Female and male infants were propped up in a parent’s lap and shown, side by side, an active person or an inanimate object.

Since newborns can’t hold their heads up independently, their visual preferences could well have been determined by the way their parents held them.

There is a long list of literature flat-out contradicting BaronCohen’s study, providing evidence that male and female infants tend to respond equally to people and objects, notes Elizabeth Spelke, co-director of Harvard’s Mind/ Brain/Behavior Inter-Faculty Initiative. And Cordelia Fine, a PhD in cognitive neuroscience and research fellow at the University of Melbourne, says there’s little evidence for the idea of a male brain hardwired to be good at understanding the world, and a female brain hardwired to understand people.

Still, this idea thrives, and it creates an obstacle for young girls who might be attracted to math and science. And it starts early. When parents take their kids on a “learning” trip, girls can get shortchanged. In one study of kids’ and parents’ visits to a science museum, the girls and boys

were equally engrossed in the exhibits. But boys were three times more likely than girls to hear explanations from their parents about what they were seeing. This gender difference popped up with kids as young as 1 to 3 years.

Parents may be involved, quite unconsciously, in creating a gender bias in science and tech learning years before their kids ever even see the inside of a science classroom.

Are boys’ brains more suited to math and science than girls’ brains? Many of us think so, including teachers and parents.

For example, teachers of sixth-grade math students believed that boys were more talented at math than girls, even when the actual kids in their classes scored equally on tests.

Parents of sixth-graders had less confidence in daughters than in sons — regardless of their girls’ actual abilities and performance scores. This attitude held true even when girls had higher grades in math than boys. Teachers and parents, it seems, often ignore the reality in front of their eyes and see, instead, the stereotypes.

So do the kids themselves.

In the third and fourth grades,

boys and girls like math equally.

There’s no change in fifth and sixth grade for boys, but girls’ preference declines. Between fourth and 12th grades, the percentage of girls who say they like science decreases from 66 percent to 48 percent. In those same years, the percentage of girls who say they would prefer not to study math any more goes from nine percent to a whopping 50 percent.

Do real brain differences explain this? No. Lise Eliot, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Chicago, conducted an exhaustive review of the scientific literature on human brains from childhood to adolescence, and concluded that there is “surprisingly little evidence of sex differences in children’s brains.”

In fact, childhood is the time when the brain is most able to learn and change. It is the worst time to expose people to stereotyped ideas. Eliot points out, “There’s enormous danger in this exaggeration of sex difference, first and foremost in the expectations it creates among parents, teachers, and children themselves. Kids rise or fall according to what we believe about them, and the more we dwell on the differences between boys and girls, the likelier such stereotypes are to crystallize into children’s self-perceptions and self-fulfilling prophecies.”

This puts more of a burden on parents and teachers to treat each child as an individual, and to avoid falling prey to people who peddle what amounts to scientific snake oil. Eliot, who wrote the book “Pink Brain, Blue Brain,” warns that, “Even teachers are now preaching the gospel of sex differences goaded on by bad in-service seminars, by so-called brain-based learning theories, and, perhaps by the chance to excuse their own lack of success with one or the other gender, usually boys.”

One area where boys consistently outperform girls is in “mental rotation” — the ability to imagine how objects will appear when they are rotated in two- or three-dimensional space.

Some have argued that male brains were hardwired for these abilities by throwing spears back in the Stone Age. But women hunted too, killing small game and birds with arrows or slings.

We need look no further than boys’ tendency to play more games in childhood such as football, baseball, and blocks than do girls. One study found that boys threw better than girls did with their dominant arm — but when the kids were asked to throw with their other arm, there were no gender differences. If biology alone determined throwing ability, then boys would throw better

than girls with either arm. Practice, not hardwired ability, turned boys into better throwers. Playing videogames that involve stalking or tracking also create superior mental rotation skills.

One Canadian research team, instead of just noting that the males did better than the females, and chalking the difference up to female brains, or male hunting in prehistory, took another step. The low scorers were divided into two groups; one group spent 10 hours playing tracking videogames, while the others did not get such training.

What happened? The training almost completely eradicated the gender gap in mental rotation skills. And when the researchers checked back six months later, the group that had received the training had retained the gains they made.

Clearly, we need to develop games that appeal to girls and that involve the same sort of tracking skills that the boy-oriented games provide. Such games don’t have to be violent. We could imagine, for example, a game called “Save the Polar Bears,” in which players have to track and snare the bears as they dash across the ice or plunge into the icy waters.

The goal: To send the bears to protected habitats where they would not be drowned by melting Arctic ice.

The truth is that we are learning more about the brain every day, thanks to new technology.

We can indeed find some different patterns in the brains of men and women; they may or may not be significant. Just finding a difference means little. The simple fact of a structural difference means nothing unless it can be proved that such a difference has some real consequence.

Remember, we thought for years that a very real structural difference — men’s greater brain size — was important to human intelligence, and it turned out to be of very little consequence. But that mistake kept women out of universities for years.

Cordelia Fine sees myths dressed up as science propagating a dangerous new conventional wisdom about the limitations of girls and women in math and science.

In her book, “Delusions of Gender,” she calls much of popular gender-difference theories “neurosexism.” She notes that “the idea of hardwired sex differences is very confidently presented as ‘fact’ by many popular writers. Unfortunately, claims about [such] differences may be a particularly effective way of reinforcing the gender stereotypes that influence us in self-fulfilling ways.”

Source: www.recode.net

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Page 46

International

Burkina Faso’s leader steps down

Protesters near the parliament building in Burkina Faso

B

urkina Faso’s leader of 27 years, Blaise Compaore, has stepped down, following a wave of violent protests against his bid to seek a fifth term in

power.

In a statement read out on national television on Friday, Compaore said elections would be held in 90 days. It is not clear who

‘Russia may resume gas supply, if Ukraine pays $2.2b’

R

ussia may restart gas supplies to Ukraine as soon as next week if Kiev pays $2.2 billion (1.4 billion pounds) worth of debts and pre-payments, Alexei Miller, Head Of State Gas Monopoly Gazprom, said on Friday.

Moscow, Kiev and the European Union clinched a deal on Thursday that would resume supplies of Russian gas to Ukraine over the winter in return for payments funded in part by the Ukrainian government’s western backers.

Gazprom halted supplies to Ukraine in June amidst a bitter dispute over debts and pricing between Moscow and the former Soviet republic that is now seeking to foster closer ties with the west rather than Russia.

Miller said Gazprom would restart supplies to Ukraine within two days after Kiev covers part of its debt for past gas deliveries and provides a pre-payment for supplies that would reach it in November.

“Everything depends on when Ukraine makes this payment. We understand this can happen by the end of next week,” Miller told state TV broadcaster, Rossiya 24, in an interview when asked about possible timing for resuming supplies.

Miller said Ukraine must

Russian gas pipeline control

provide $1.45 billion to cover part of the gas debt and pay $760 million up front for November before supplies resume. By the end of the year, Kiev must pay a total of $3.1 billion in debts for past deliveries.

He said Kiev will need to pay another $760 million in advance to receive gas in December and that maximum daily supplies stood at 114 million cubic metres with a deal between the sides for monthly supplies of 2 billion cubic metres in both November and December.

The deal struck in Brussels on Thursday allows Kiev to use some resources under its existing accords with the EU and the International Monetary Fund to fund the pre-payment. Kiev said it has resources put aside to cover past debts to Gazprom.

Under the agreement, Ukraine would buy gas for the rest of this year at $378 per 1,000 cubic metres and at $365 in the first quarter of next year.

Russia said the price amounts to a $100 discount compared to previous agreements with Ukraine and Miller said on Friday he expected Russia’s government to approve it formally on Saturday.

will take power in the interim.

A spokesman for Compaore also confirmed that he is resigning.

Protesters had stormed the parliament and unleashed unrest

around the country, successfully blocking a vote to allow Compaore to seek re-election next year.

Earlier, French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, said on Friday that he had asked his ambassador in Burkina Faso to try to appease the situation in the West African nation, where parliament has been dissolved and a transitional government put in place after mass protests.

“We have asked our ambassador on ground (in Burkina Faso) to facilitate the solution to calm the situation down,” Fabius told journalists, adding that it was not up to France to set up a new government.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister, David Cameron, expressed his condolences to Acting President Guy Scott on the death of President Michael Chilufya Sata.

In a letter to Scott, Cameron said: “I am writing to express my condolences and those of the British government to you and the Zambian people on the

death of President Sata. I was deeply saddened to hear of the president’s passing. He played a commanding role in the public life of his country for over two decades, and I know that his loss will be sorely felt in Zambia and beyond. ‘’I had the privilege of meeting the president on the occasion of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. It was clear to me from our conversation that his indepth knowledge of the United Kingdom, drawn from his years living and working here, had helped further strengthen the already strong links between our countries. ‘’I know that your government is receiving support from our High Commission in Lusaka and from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. If there is anything further that my office or the government can do to assist in the coming days, please do not hesitate to ask.’’

Isreal re-opens holy site in Jerusalem

I

srael has reopened a contested Jerusalem holy site and deployed hundreds of security personnel amidst rising tensions in the city.

Muslim worshippers on Friday made their way through a series of Israeli checkpoints to the site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary.

Police said Muslim men over the age of 50 and women of all ages could attend the weekly prayers.

Israel closed the site after security forces shot and killed a Palestinian man suspected of attempting to assassinate a hard-line Jewish activist who advocates giving Jews greater access to the site.

Israeli-American rabbi, Yehuda Glick, was shot three times on Wednesday but his condition is said to be improving.

Palestinians had described the closure as a “declaration of war”.

Meanwhile, an eight-yearold Chinese boy was stabbed to death and two of his classmates seriously injured on Friday in the latest attack on school children in the country, state media reported.

A suspect who was released from jail in April attacked the children in the eastern province of Jiangxi as they walked home from school and then fled to a nearby mountain, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Violent crime is rare in China compared with many other countries but there have been a series of attacks on school children in recent years. The incidents have led to calls for better security at schools in a country where many couples have only one child.

In May, a knife-wielding man stabbed and injured eight students in a primary school in another city in Hubei. In December 2012, a man barged into a village primary school in the central province of Henan and stabbed 23 children.

School guards in China are not equipped or trained to stop such attacks.

Ebola: China to send army unit to Liberia

C

hina will dispatch an elite unit from the People’s Liberation Army to help Ebola-hit Liberia, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday, responding to United Nations (UN) calls for a greater global effort to fight the deadly virus in West Africa.

Washington has led the international drive to stop the spread of the disease that has killed nearly 5,000 people, sending thousands of troops and committing about $1 billion, but Beijing has faced criticism for not doing enough.

The PLA squad, which has experience from a 2002 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), will build a 100-bed treatment centre in Liberia, the first of such facility in the three countries most impacted

by Ebola to be constructed and run by a foreign country, said Lin Songtian, Director General of the

ministry’s Department of African Affairs.

The centre will be open for operation in a month’s time, he told a briefing in Beijing.

China will also dispatch 480 PLA medical staff to treat Ebola patients. This is the first time China has deployed a whole unit of epidemic prevention forces and military medical staff abroad.

China is Africa’s biggest trade partner, tapping the continent’s rich resources to fuel its own economic growth over the past couple of decades. Some critics have rounded on Beijing for not helping more in Africa’s hour of need.

China has so far donated 750 million yuan ($123 million) to 13 African countries and international organisations to combat Ebola, according to the government. ‘’China’s assistance will not stop until the Ebola epidemic is eradicated in West

Africa,” Lin said.

The White House also responded to criticisms that as the global superpower it was not doing enough by taking a veiled swipe at the contributions of Russia and China.

“When we have a situation like this on the global scene, people aren’t wondering what the Chinese are doing to respond to it. People aren’t picking up the phone and wondering if Vladimir Putin is going to commit Russian resources to this effort,” White House Press Secretary, Josh Earnest, told a media briefing.

“People want to know what the United States of America is doing about it.”

Also, Liberian President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, opened the first of 17 U.S.-funded Ebola treatment units, as she thanked international donors for scaling up their response to the world’s worst Ebola outbreak.

PAGE 47

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Business

When science, technology institutes gain recognition

By Mohammed Usman

I

n line with its mandate of constituting governing boards that would formulate policies and guide the chief executive officers and management of science and technology institutes in discharging their duties, the federal ministry of science and technology headed by Dr. Abdul Bulama recently inaugurated the governing boards of the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT) and the Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST).

Emphasising on the strategic status of the agencies to the economic sector, the minister said “The two agencies that we are inaugurating their boards today are strategic to the development of science and technology, as well as a vehicle for national development and transformation.’’

NARICT was established with the mandate of researching into processes for the conversion of solid minerals, petroleum and agricultural raw materials into useful industrial chemicals, petrochemicals and polymers and conduct R&D activities into industrial plastics, textiles and other synthetic materials, while NILEST was established to provide courses of instructions, training and research in the field of leather and leather products and conduct R&D on leather technologies and goods production. He went further to say that the two agencies are therefore complementary parastatals of the federal ministry of science and technology.

Bulama disclosed that the ministry has commenced the implementation of the revised policy on science,

Ivanna Leather Institute

technology and innovations that cut across all spheres of human endeavors, he stated that the policy’s emphasis was on the concept of innovation as a paradigm shift in their approach to deploying science and technology apparatus for national development.

He added that it was in this regard and in order to transform Nigeria from a consumption based economy to a production based one that they deployed the tools at science, technology and innovation to all sectors of our national economy to ensure the much needed development of the nation and its people.

While stating the present administration’s effort to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of Nigerians through the transformation agenda, Bulama said science, technology and innovation

have proven to be the key factor for rapid socioeconomic transformation of nations. He further said that it remains the major determinant that categorises nations into developed and developing economies.

The minister, who urged the chairmen of the governing boards to be abreast of the enormous responsibilities before them, assured of the ministry’s unalloyed support for their success. He stressed that the governing boards of public institutions, particularly research institutes have the responsibility of preserving and enhancing a legacy of learning, scholarship, and free inquiry that is unique to the institution or establishment.

He added that they occupy positions of trust and must be accountable to the public, they must also exemplify the

“ Dr Abdu Bulama, Federal Minister of Science and Technology

highest standards of integrity.

Earlier at the inauguration, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Winifred Ita-Oyo, said there was no doubt that the contributions from science and technology is vital to national development and to attain economic independence through the active implementation of activities and programmes.

While giving the historical underpinning of the federal ministry of science and technology’s Science, Technology &Innovation scheme (ST&I) in relation to attaining macro economic and social objectives of vision 20:2020, Ita-Oyo said the two parastatals were established with the mandate of developing indigenous technologies for use locally; to promote industrialisation and youth employment and

to provide training for middle level man-power in the two sub-sectors of the economy (i.e leather and chemical technologies.).

She said the research results from both institutes have tremendous potentials of generating foreign exchange, increase the nation’s GDP and create employment opportunities, especially for women and our teeming youth population throughout the country.

While extolling the virtues of the board members, she said “It is my hope and expectation that this board will work harmoniously with the management of these institutes in achieving their mandates towards actualising the transformation agenda of Mr. President.’’

NARICT was established with the mandate of researching into processes for the conversion of solid minerals, petroleum and agricultural raw materials into useful industrial chemicals, petrochemicals and polymers and conduct R&D activities into industrial plastics, textiles and other synthetic materials, while NILEST was established to provide courses of instructions, training and research in the field of leather and leather products and conduct R&D on leather technologies and goods production.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 48

Business

Nigerian interbank rates falls after AMCON retires bonds

L-R: Director General, Women Development Centre, Mrs Oyeka Onwenu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris umar and Former Director General, NTDC, Mrs. Omotayo Omotosho, during the Public Affairs Forum on Jonathan Administration 4.Impactful years in Transports Sector, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

N

igeria’s interbank lending rates eased to 10.2 percent on average on Friday, from 10.37 percent last week after

state-owned ‘bad bank’ AMCON repaid matured bonds, buoying liquidity in the system, traders said.

Nigeria’s state-backed AMCON repaid N867 billion ($5.24 billion) worth of bonds on Friday, cutting its liabilities to

Nigerian Breweries seeks shareholder approval for merger

N

igerian Breweries said it would seek shareholders approval on December 4 for its plan to merge with rival Consolidated Breweries.

Heineken, the majority shareholder in Nigerian Breweries, acquired a controlling stake in Consolidated Breweries in 2005 and is seeking to merge both businesses to take advantage of Nigeria’s growing market for beer and malt drinks.

In a notice to shareholders, Nigerian Breweries said it planned to exchange four of its shares for five of Consolidated Breweries, involving up to 396.85 million ordinary shares in total.

Nigerian Breweries had said it has won the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval for the merger.

Nigerian Breweries, listed on

the Nigerian Stock Exchange, is expected to be the surviving entity after the merger.

The local unit of Heineken said shareholders would be asked to consent to an order of a court sanctioning the merger to allow the deal to go ahead.

The companies have not disclosed the value of the deal.

Meanwhile, business confidence entering into November has turned out to be the strongest this year as current production activity rose to a new series high. Demand and output both increased at their fastest pace this year since March, data from Standard Chartered’s new Business Sentiment Indicator showed.

According to survey findings, companies are experiencing a surge in orders ahead of the

coming festive season. The eidel-Kabir festival also contributed to the rise in output. The BSI headline indicator rose to a high of 66.6, up by 6.8 percent (monthon-month) from September’s 62.4.

In October, two of the five components of the headline indicators showed the largest increases: New Orders posted rose 18.7 percent m/m, while production rose to 11.2 percent m/m. Also, six of these indicators expanded at the fastest pace since the series began (new orders, export orders, production, productive capacity, prices received, and financial position).

A BSI score above 50 suggests that output is expanding.

October’s score of 66.6 shows that output may have expanded at an accelerated rate.

Fidelity Bank’s pre-tax profit falls marginally

F

idelity Bank said on Friday that its nine month pretax profit fell to two percent, N13.38 billion from N13.65 billion a year ago.

Revenue at the mid-tier lender however rose to 5.7 percent during the nine months to September 30, against N90.32 billion in the same period last year, the bank said in a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange. (1 US dollar = 165.45 naira). Reuters reports.

On a progressive note, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) continued on an impressive growth trajectory for its FY 2014, following the announcement of its Group Profit before Tax (“PBT”) of N9.7bn for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, an 89 percent year on year (yoy)

increase from September 2013.

Gross revenue for the group stood at N31.4bn which represents 167 percent growth from third quarter 2013 results of N11.8bn, while total operating expenses for the Group of N9.3bn increased by 41 percent year on year from N6.6bn as at 30 September 2013.

Group PBT for the period of N9.7bn represents 89 percent increase on PBT of N5.15bn achieved for Q3 2013, while total assets for the Group grew by 6 percent from N149.454bn for full year 2013 to N157.8bn for the nine months ended 30 September 2014.

Commenting on the results, Emmanuel Nnorom, the president and chief executive officer, Transcorp plc, said: “Our third quarter 2014 results underscore our determination to

achieve our FY 2014 targets.

“Our commitment to excellence is evident in the significant achievements we have recorded this year in our power and hospitality businesses. We have significantly increased the generating capacity of our Ughelli Power Plant from 160MW to 476 MW in nine months which has substantially added to our energy and capacity charge revenues.

“Our flagship hotel, Transcorp Hilton Abuja, continues to outperform the Abuja hospitality market. Our just concluded Transcorp Hotels Plc IPO positions us to embark on an aggressive expansion agenda starting with the development of two 5-star hotels in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

around N3 trillion.

Dealers said 30 percent of the repaid bond about N260 billion was expected to enter the system in the form of cash on Friday, while the balance would be in treasury bills, transferring that part of the liability to the Central Bank.

Dealers said the Central Bank had also repaid around N160 billion in matured treasury bills, while around N320 billion in monthly budget allocations to government agencies hit the market this week, further buoying liquidity.

The cash balance that lenders held at the Central Bank opened around N552 billion on Friday, compared with N389 billion last week.

The open buy back rate eased to 10.15 percent from 10.25 percent last week -- 1.85 basis points below the central bank’s benchmark interest rate of 12 percent.

Overnight placements also fell to 10.25 percent from 10.50 percent last week.

Dealers said interbank

lending rates were expected to remain stable at this level next week, with market liquidity set to rise further after the payment of the AMCON bond is reflected on bank balances held at the central bank on Monday.

In the mean time, a steady shift from the development of residential to hotel apartments in Dubai, riding on the back of the huge tourist and business traffic, is likewise seeing a significant paradigm shift in the investment portfolio of Nigerian property investors who today account for 60 percent of hotel apartment purchases in the burgeoning Dubai hospitality market.

During the property market boom which suffered a crash in the world economic recession of late 2008 to 2010, Nigerian investors accounted for well over 40 percent of Dubai’s residential market, such that a significant number of houses on Palm Jumaireh—one of Dubai’s exclusive locations— belong to Nigerian home buyers.

Forex reserves falls to $38.7b N igeria’s foreign exchange reserves fell to 1.94 percent monthon-month to stand at $38.76 billion on October 29, the lowest level in more than three months, data from the Central Bank showed on Friday.

The reserves also dropped 14.28 percent year-on-year, compared with $45.22 billion the same time last year. The reserves were last seen at the current level on July 21, when they stood at $38.72 billion.

Since last month, Nigeria’s central bank has increased the amount of dollars sold at its twice-weekly foreign exchange auction, and also sells dollars directly to banks on the interbank market to provide support for the currency and calm the market.

The naira has been under pressure over the past five weeks from falling global oil prices, which has caused offshore investors to cut back their positions in the debt and stock markets.

Against the backdrop of the recently enacted Pension Reform Act of 2014, Nigeria’s Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings plc, has stressed that Nigeria’s pension industry now stands on a stronger foundation, providing safety for the N4.4trn pension assets under management.

The company, Nigeria’s biggest Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), boasts of over one million retirement savings account (RSA) holders and assets under management

in excess of N1trn, paying approximately N1.8bn to almost 30,000 retirees monthly.

Over N178bn has been paid to retirees seamlessly since the PFA commenced operations in 2006.

Speaking at a conference on pension and corporate governance organised by the company in Lagos, Demola Sogunle, chief executive officer, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, said the new law had expanded the scope of participation in the pension scheme by Nigerians as well as strengthened compliance with its provisions, especially relating to enrolment and remittance of pension contributions.

“The Pension Reform Act of 2014, among its very many laudable provisions, will be instrumental in expanding coverage of the Nigerian pension system and strengthening compliance, while building a vibrant pension industry capable of supporting economic growth and development,” Sogunle stated.

Sogunle explained that private sector organisations with three employees or more are expected to register under the scheme. The law also compels an employer to open a Temporary Retirement Savings Account (TRSA) on behalf of an employee that fails to open a Retirement Savings Account (RSA) within three months of being employed.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 49

Side Talk

By Jacinta David

This week on side talk we will continue with our series of extracts from political actors. First, side talk will assess the campaign strategies of our political heavy weights, were every aspirant now has faithful supporters who go as far as buying tickets for them.

Our next story takes a look at the reported attributes of the biggest campaign manager in recent times.

Side talk gathered that the man at the helm of the leader’s campaign is neck dip into corruption. While we assess the viability of this report, we wonder whether politics as played in Nigeria is not a game for money lovers, as opposed to the intent of the said report.

Then our third story tried to reiterate the focus of the BBOG campaign. Two weeks after the much acclaimed promise was made, the story is still the same. Worse still; the security officers have formed part of those on the missing list. Side talk wonders whether the promises made would be fulfilled in this generation or in the one to come.

T

here is certainly nothing wrong with the desire to indicate one form of allegiance or the other, to a group leader for certain reasons.

Nonetheless when the show of loyalty becomes tailored along a single train, consisting basically of the same form of action, then something is amiss. In fact a keen observer may be quick to conclude that the comic point of the drama is just at hand.

Thus when on side talk, we saw one after the other, interesting shows of loyalty or allegiance as portrayed by party members for their leaders vying for political positions, we thought it wise to bring the story to the spot

light.

Our sources revealed that it all began like a melodrama when a group of loyalists felt they believed in one party leader and bought a nomination form for him.

Then like wild fire, the culture spread through all the ‘parties’ in the country. Subsequently, all the aspirants that matter have loyalists buying the forms for them.

The claim, according to the story, is that these loyalists are so pleased with their leaders that they want them back at all cost. In fact, they are prepared, as we hear, to go ahead with other campaign expenses aside buying the nomination forms.

These loyalists are so financially buoyant that they

Between allegiance and the purchase of campaign forms

have put resources together to buy forms for the same set of people hoarding the billions trapped in the national treasury.

The economic effects of unemployment as caused by ineffective polices, unnecessary political rivalry and insurgency among others have not detracted the focus of these supporters from putting

scenes after plots to bring this latest drama before our very eyes.

At side talk we analysed the political, as well as economic effects of the latest scenario and have concluded that if the scenes carry the weight of the story, then two things can be deduced: that these set of people believed to be responsible for the nation’s

woes, may not in fact be the only actors on stage. They may have had, as is being portrayed, the support of invincible lots whose benefits have just been converted to yet another investment.

The effect of which may be that the larger community hoping for a better Nigeria may only end up with nightmares

Allegations of corruption; what fruit is derivable from this campaign leader?

I

n this report, we will take a look at the recent charges brought before the man at the helm of the incumbent’s campaign.

According to the story, the man to head the declaration slated for the 11th of November is said to have been indicted in a foreign country with allegations of corruption.

In fact we were told that he was only allowed to come home and face his country’s judgment as a mark of respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Lo and behold, the man of many charges

was put before his fellow countrymen as the one who would lead the tussle for the next election from the biggest party in the country.

The report made efforts to disrepute the man, describing him as one, neck deep into corruption.

While it may be true that this campaign leader was accused of involvement in corrupt practices; the game of politics as played in Nigeria is for a set of people, different in their looks, but similar in their attributes.

Bello Haliru Mohammed

Another week without the girls

T

his story was picked for the task it gave fellow colleagues reporting on security issues in the country. Our sources

gathered that the chain of reporters planned security pages leaving a space in case of any news regarding the much expected return of the

missing girls. Yet minutes ran into hours and even days, without any sign of the return of these girls.

Instead; the news of

further abduction of security officers has heightened the irony in the reported promise.

While we watch the

various campaigns for the girl’s return, we wonder if the long awaited return will be experienced in our time or in times to come.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 50

Healthy Living

How to make the perfect smoothie A

vitamin-packed smoothie is a great way to start the day, or works as the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

The tastiest smoothies are frosty, so you will need to crush either frozen fruit or frozen ice. Choose a blender that can crush ice well, a professional-style blender. Make sure your fruit is cut into fairly small pieces. Frozen pineapples, mangos and strawberries can be too big for regular blenders.

You may have to cut them in half before putting them into your blender.

Getting your ratios right Start your smoothie with two mugs full of a liquid base. This can be milk, or a dairy-free alternative such as soya or almond milk, natural or flavoured yogurt, fruit juice, or for a tropical flavoured smoothie, low-fat coconut milk or coconut water. It is important to add the liquid to your blender before adding the fruit as this will prevent the blade from getting damaged.

Next add about three quarters of a mug of your chosen fruit.

Banana is a great base flavour for any smoothie, and will give

you a lovely creamy texture.

Other fruits that work well are berries, mango, peaches, plums, nectarines, grated apple or pear, and melon. You may have to add more fruit or liquid, depending on the type of fruit you choose. Play around until you have a texture you like. Add a squeeze of honey, maple syrup or agave syrup if your smoothie needs it and finally add a few ice cubes to the blender for a thick and frosty smoothie.

Get creative Once you have mastered the basics, try adding different flavours to your basic recipe.

Add a spoonful of cocoa powder, cinnamon, grated nutmeg or vanilla essence before blending, or give your smoothie some texture with a sprinkle of flaxseeds, toasted chopped nuts or whole oats. Not only will it taste great but it will keep you fuller.

Bump up the goodness If you haven’t tried a smoothie made from a mixture of fruit and vegetables before, you may be surprised by the flavour. The sweetness of fruit blends well with lots of vegetables and makes for a

Berry and vegetable smoothie delicious and super-nutritious drink. Try making a green detox smoothie with coconut water, grated apple, kiwi, banana and spinach. Other vegetables which

Banana and mango smoothie work well are grated beetroot or carrot, kale, tomatoes and avocados.

If you are having a smoothie for breakfast or lunch, make it a

more rounded meal by adding some protein. A spoonful of protein powder, peanut or other nut butter, or some tofu will blend well with your smoothie and give

Boost your immunity with fruits

F

ood is one of the most powerful tools that help prevent diseases and a healthy body begins with a healthy immune system. Over 70 percent of your immune system is in your gut and what you eat forms the foundation of your health. Your immune system maintains homeostasis by defending against viruses and bacteria which can cause

inflammation in the body, illness and disease.

Fruits are most healing when it is close to its original state and has the properties to heal and nourish.

Ensure you get a daily dose of fresh fruits, vegetables and quality protein so that your body can repair quickly.

Citrus

Citrus such as oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, lemons and limes are an excellent source of vitamin C which helps maintain the body’s defence against bacterial infections. Citrus has a unique type of fibre that, in studies, appears to dramatically reduce cholesterol.

Carrot Carrots contain

vitamin

A

precursors called carotenoids (Beta carotene) that help promote vision and support a healthy immune system.

Turmeric Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric, responsible for the distinct yellow colouring and the impressive list of health properties.

Curcumin is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, detoxifying and amazing for digestive health.

Turmeric has been linked to the prevention of cancer cell growth and management of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, asthma, eczema and inflammatory bowel disease. It is a nutritional powerhouse, rich in manganese, zinc, B group vitamins and iron Pawpaw This golden fruit is so nutritionally rich that it is known as the medicine tree in Africa and the Caribbean. The enzyme, papain, is extracted from pawpaw and is beneficial for those with digestive problems. Pawpaw is a rich source of beta-carotene which converts to vitamin A in the body and promotes healthy eyes, skin and tissues.

Basket of fruits

Ginger Studies have shown that ginger has potent antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It helps to boost immune function and combat cellular damage. This gut friendly spice stimulates digestion, gut motility

and bowel function, while helping to relieve bloating, cramping and nausea. A recent study also found ginger to be as effective as pharmaceutical agents in relieving menstrual pain in women.

Garlic Garlic is also an immune system warrior, protecting the body from infections and illness.

Garlic contains allicin, a potent phytonutrient that is great for cardiac health. It has been shown to help lower blood pressure, inhibit blood clotting and promote healthy cholesterol levels.

Pineapple They are jam packed with B group vitamins including thiamine (B1) and B6, which are vital for energy metabolism and nerve function. Pineapples contain the enzyme bromelain, renowned for aiding protein digestion which allows your body to utilise immune boosting amino acids effectively.

Protein Protein helps nourish your immune system, repair the body and assist recovery. Choose nutrient rich ones with a complete amino acid profile.

Cruciferous yegetables These include kale, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. They help support the liver and its immune function by boosting the liver’s ability to flush out toxins.

PAGE 51

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Decongesting Your Life (II)

I

started this message last week and I took my main text from Mark 4:13-20 but I’ve focused on verse 19 which says, “But all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things, so no crop is produced.” (NLT) Another word for crowded is CONGESTED, and to be congested means to be OVERCROWDED. I have already discussed things that can congest your life. Today, I want to focus on practical ways to decongest your life.

How To Decongest Your Life Protect your heart against worry, the lure of wealth and desire for things. Prov 4:23, says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” (NLT) How? Jealously guard your prayer and Bible study life. Observe your quiet time everyday – let not the devil steal it through the pursuit of money, wealth or material things of this world. This daily discipline will give you God’s perspective of life and keep you on the right track. Don’t worry over anything; take everything to God in prayer. (Matt 6:25-34) Be content with what you have. (1 Tim 6:6, Heb 13:5) Pray about everything; don’t worry about anything. (Phil 4:6-7) As a Roman prisoner, Paul wrote that he had learnt contentment in whatever condition he was whether in abundance or in lack. (Phil 4:11-14) You should also learn contentment in every condition you are.

Spurgeon says, “You say, ‘If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.’ You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.” According to him, “A man’s contentment is in his mind, not in the extent of his possessions.”

Be content with what God has given John 3:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:1,11; Galatians 5:16-18,24,25; 2 Corinthians 3:18

T

he Scripture teaches that the entrance of the Spirit of God at salvation makes a believer experience supernatural wonders on a daily basis. The Spirit begins to control his language, disposition and other aspects of his life. The power of the Spirit becomes central in his life. The Holy Spirit thus becomes the gateway into the Kingdom and divine wonders.

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” The Holy Spirit is also the gateway into sanctification and holiness of life that makes us peculiar people of the Lord. Besides, the Holy Spirit is the gateway to a life of power – power to evangelize, endure trial and persecution – at all times. This power helps believers to accomplish the task of the great commission, do exploits and remain sensitive to the Lord. Empowered by the Holy Ghost, the believer continually overcomes the constant battle between the flesh and the Spirit. With the assistance of the Spirit, a believer is able to walk consistently in righteousness. From the point of conversion to when a believer goes to be with the Lord, it is the Spirit that sustains him.

For a believer to keep moving from one level of glory to another and lead a life that is void of disgrace and shame as he journeys towards heaven, he needs the Spirit of God. 1.

THE PRESENCE OF THE SPIRIT IN YOU John 3:3-6; 14:17; Romans 8:1-

you; beware of covetousness.

Be selective in your commitment to people. Don’t crowd your calendar with commitments or obligations.

So many appointments will keep you unnecessarily busy. Don’t be too quick to say, “Yes” to every invitation.

Don’t feel guilty turning down some invitations. You can’t be everywhere.

Don’t spend all your precious time honoring people’s invitation that you neglect your work, your family, your destiny etc.

Four times Sanballat and Geshem invited Nehemiah for a meeting among the villages in the plain of Ono planning to harm him, and on each occasion he turned down their invitation saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” (Neh 6:2-3 NKJV) You must consider your work a great one that you allow no congestion of your life through over-commitment to people.

Invest your time wisely. You need to organize your life so that you can make the best use of the 24 hours per day that God has given everybody equally. “Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (Ps 90:12 NLT) Cut off from your life time wasters and invest the time saved to do what really matters. Someone has said, “In time take time while time doth last, for time is no time when time is past.” Don’t waste time; invest it. Reduce drastically the time you spend watching TV. Use your phone only when necessary; don’t be addicted to it. Don’t waste invaluable time on-line chatting, visiting unnecessary sites etc. Don’t waste your time on some get-richquick schemes instead invest your time in legitimate businesses that God can bless. “A greedy person tries to get rich quick, but it only leads to

poverty.” (Prov 28:22 NLT) The seconds and the minutes make up a whole and before you know it time is gone. How you use the smallest time matters a lot. An Irish Proverb says, “Time is so precious that it is dealt out to us only in the smallest possible fractions-a tiny moment at a time.”

De-clutter your home. Some people’s lives are congested with items they own that are useless to them. These are things they’re no more using but could be useful to others. They also include items they bought long ago which they never used but which can be very useful to others. These things occupy space in their homes and indeed in their hearts because the sense of ownership is there, ownership of items not serving any useful purpose in their lives. The solution is to decongest their homes of such things. Give them away.

There is blessing in giving. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

(Acts 20:35 NLT) There is always a time of harvest for every seed sown.

(Gal 6:7-10) Be a habitual giver. In addition to de-cluttering your home of what you don’t need which are just occupying space, become a habitual giver.

Cultivate the habit of generosity.

Rather than wanting more, give more. Rather than accumulating more, give away more from your abundance.

Giving is actually an antidote to breaking the hold of the power of desire of other things on your life. That’s why the Bible says those who’re stealing should work not to meet their personal but so that they can have to give to others. “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” (Eph 4:28 NKJV) When they

From the Pulpit green pastures

By Pastor T. O. Banso

cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 begin to give others, they will destroy the spirit of stealing what belongs to others that’s in them.

The Bible enjoins those who’re rich to be rich in good works and give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them thereby storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life. (1 Tim 6:18-19) Appreciate what you have; don’t complain about what you lack.

Don’t hoard your treasure on heart; stockpile it in heaven. Be generous towards others; don’t store up things for yourself. (Matt 6:19-21, Luke 12:21) “God has given us two hands – one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing.” (Graham) Like Wesley said, “Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”

Avoid overworking yourself.

While the Bible teaches that we should be diligent, the Bible doesn’t support driving oneself crazy with work. Prov 23:4 says, “Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!” (NKJV) We must maintain balance between our work and other departments of our life. Overcrowding your life with work will not do you any good.

Excessive hours of work, moving from one job to the other or doing

overtime all in order to make more money at the expense of your spiritual life, family and health is dangerous.

I can’t finish discussing this issue of overworking today. That is where I’ll start next week. I believe God has spoken to you already. Obey the voice of God, and it shall be well with you.

TAKE ACTION! If you want to be born again, kindly say this prayer now: “0 Lord God, I come unto you today.

I know I’m a sinner and I cannot save myself. I repent of my sins and forsake them.

I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I‘m saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God” I believe you’ve said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations!

You’ll need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you’ll be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon.

May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be.

The gateway to the spirit-controlled life 4,7,8,9,14,13.

Mere religious profession does not make anyone a Christian. What makes one a Christian and qualifies him for the Kingdom is the presence of the Spirit in him. The Holy Spirit partners with the believer to lead and guide him. Although Nicodemus, a highly placed individual in the Jewish society, recognized and honoured Christ, he did not know the way into the kingdom of God. “Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” He could not tell the difference between the natural birth and the spiritual birth. The spiritual birth by the Spirit brings total transformation of life and makes the believer possess the Spirit of truth; lying, deception, hypocrisy, diplomacy, will all be gone. He is enabled to live a consistent Christian life and walk in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit means that the believer has no more interest in fleshly pleasures like alcohol, drug, tobacco, pornography, fornication, adultery, partying at night clubs, gambling, fraud, greed, etc. The believer who walks after the dictates of the flesh cannot please God. Thus, if a member of any religious gathering, a bishop, preacher or priest does not have the Spirit of Christ, “he is none of his.”

Those who choose to live after the flesh will die spiritually. “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

2.

THE PURITY

By Pastor W.F Kumuyi THROUGH SANCTIFICATION IN YOU Psalm 24:3,4; Matthew 5:8; Acts 15:9; 1 Timothy 5:21,22; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Jude 20,21,24,25.

Obtaining salvation and enjoying good health, deliverance and prosperity without sanctification is not sufficient to take the believer to heaven. “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD?... He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart…”.

Professing believers who are sensual in their mode of worship, filled with immoral thoughts, steal money from the coffers of the church or government, defraud their employers or employees, kidnap others and demand for ransom, assassinate or murder their fellow human beings, give or take bribes, earn salary with forged certificates and wish their enemies evil, do not possess clean hands and a pure heart that qualifies one for God’s kingdom.

Christ teaches that, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Possessing clean hands

is by obtaining forgiveness of sins and doing all necessary restitutions to have clear conscience before God and men. For a believer’s thought, desire, affection, ambition, pursuit to be patterned after Christ’s, he must be sanctified. When a believer’s heart is purified, he is always careful in his walk with God, avoiding anything that will make him a partaker of other men’s sins.

He is always watchful to guard the sanctification experience jealously.

Without sanctification, all our labour in God’s vineyard will be in vain. So, we constantly take inventory of our Christian life to know the state of our hearts and where we are heading to.

Hard work and zeal in Christian service without regular intake of the Word and holiness will amount to a waste of time. Therefore, we must “follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

Believers who willingly consecrate by laying down all on God’s altar and seek Him with a sincere heart will be sanctified and made ready for

heaven. Sanctified, we must shun every form of hypocrisy and “keep [ourselves] pure” while labouring to bring others into the Kingdom.

3.

THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT IN YOU Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,5; 19:2; Isaiah 40:31.

Christ’s command is to “…tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

Believers must not allow church administration, religious activities and running errands for leadership to make them disobey Christ’s command to tarry for baptism with the Holy Ghost. Christ must take preeminence in everything we do.

Misplacing priority on religious activities while neglecting His command to “tarry …until” the power of the Spirit comes makes believers live in defeat. Therefore, set aside time to pray for the power of the Holy Spirit. To be effective in Christian service and soul-winning, “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me…”.

The Spirit’s power in the believer is indispensable as He gives grace and courage to do restitutions and enjoy all divine provisions.

We must strike a balance between Christian activities and our desire to get to heaven, and go beyond mere religion to reach out for true righteousness. The baptism with the Holy Ghost that empowers us to lead a victorious Christian life and fulfill the great commission is available for every believer who waits upon the Lord.

S p or T

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

PAGE 52

Uyo Stadium gets CAF’s nod >>Page 55

Warri Wolves striker wins N100,000 award Page 54

Rumble in the Jungle: 40 years on Page 53

Aleksandar Tonev

George Foreman Etebo

Muhammad Ali

Racial abuse: Celtic winger gets seven>>Page 55

PAGE 53

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Sports

Rumble in the Jungle: 40 years on Back in the day, it was everything you ever wanted in a sporting event: the power and the passion, the agony and the ecstasy, the staggering saga with the twist in the tale and the staggering denouement.

See, it was 40 years ago today, that the boxing world reached its pinnacle of world interest, when the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” took place in Kinshasa, Zaire, in the early hours of the morning, perfectly suited for American prime time television, carried by new-fangled satellites to 100 countries around the world.

I

n the blue corner, the most beloved if controversial man on the planet, the one-time heavyweight champion of all the world, famous and infamous alike – Muhammad Ali – who had become a Muslim, changed his name, and refused the Vietnam

draft, only to be stripped of his titles and be sentenced to jail, then saved on appeal. In the red corner, the incumbent World Champion, George Foreman, pretty much the hardest hitter that ever lived – legendary for his “anything punch,” because

George Foreman

Muhammad Ali “anything I hits wit’ it, I breaks.”

Joe Frazier could have told you about it, but after being knocked down a staggering six times in two rounds before the ref stopped the fight to make Foreman champion, he probably wouldn’t remember.

But Ali is not intimidated.

“George Foreman is nothing but a big mummy” he told the press before the fight. “I’ve officially named him ‘The Mummy.’ He moves like a slow mummy, and there ain’t no mummy gonna whup the great Muhammad Ali.” Few experts give Muhammad a chance for all that, but the Zairean crowd is with him from the first, as the man who “floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee,” dances around the ring in the steamy night. “Ali bomaye!” they roar again and again. “Ali,

kill him!”

But from the second round on, it looks like it’s Muhammad that’s getting killed. For as the crowd groans, Ali leans back on the ropes, his forearms covering his head and much of his torso, as Foreman unleashes punch after punch . . . not realising that it is those very ropes that are taking much of the force. For in a deliberate tactic, as brilliant as it is innovative, Ali is doing “ropea-dope,” inviting to Foreman to expend all his energy. To encourage him to keep going, Ali keeps taunting his opponent: “Didn’t hurt, George.” “Try again, George, I barely felt that one.”

“Hit harder! Show me something, George,” and “That don’t hurt. I thought you were supposed to be bad.”

After seven rounds, both fighters are exhausted and retreat to their corners, but in a moment of inspiration, Ali jumps up and away from trainer Angelo Dundee, to stand on his stool and lead the crowd in the chant! “Ali . . . bomaye! Ali . . . bomaye!”

At the beginning of the 8th round, Ali comes out, and after the first few exhausted punches from Foreman, leans in close and says, “is that all you got, George? Is THAT all you got? You done now?”

And so it is. Ali unleashes. After a flurry of blows right on Foreman’s noggin, finally, the denouement, as so evocatively described by the great American writer, Norman Mailer, in his book, The Fight. Tell ‘em what happened then, Norm.

Courtesy: bbc.co.uk

Grant pencil led down for Eagles job D espite Coach Stephen Keshi returning back as the national team coach on Thursday, there are still growing interest in the Super Eagles job from across the world as a report on Sky Sports claim former Chelsea Coach, Avram Grant is on the wish list of the NFF to lead Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations next year.

Grant, who is also in the race for the Ghana national team job had earlier shown interest in coaching the Eagles when Coach Keshi took everybody unawares and said he was resigning from his post as Super Eagles Coach just after the AFCON 2013 triumph in South Africa.

Grant interestingly has had the opportunities of working with Nigerian players like John Obi Mikel and Kanu Nwankwo having succeeded Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager in 2007 and also managed Portsmouth and West Ham in the Premier League During his time in charge at Stamford Bridge, Grant led Chelsea to the Champions League final in 2008 and runner-up spot in the Premier League in the same season, the 59-year old Israeli has never coached and African team.

Avram Grant

Page 54

Sports

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Warri Wolves striker wins N100,000 award By ??????????????????

W

arri Wolves striker Oghenekaro Etebo has emerged the winner of the Glo Premier League Wonder Goal Award. The forward took 72.2 percent of the vote to beat Dolphins Emem Eduok, Heartland’s Bobby Clement and Bayelsa United’s Samuel Tswanya to the award which comes with a N100,000 cash prize. Etebo becomes the second player from Warri Wolves win the award after Freedom Omofoman won it last year.

Warri Wolves also becomes the second club to produce back to back winners as Etebo Etebo

emerged the seventh winner.

Rangers International had earlier produced two players, Osaguona Ighodalo and Emeka Eze winning the first and second edition of the award.

The other nominees for the award were Emem Eduok of Dolphins who came second with 12.8 percent votes while Bobby Clement of Heartland scored 9.8 percent of the votes leaving Bayelsa United’s Samuel Tswanya with 5.3 percent in fourth place.

Fans who participated in the voting chose Etebo’s goal in Warri Wolves defeat of Bayelsa United on Match Day 32 in Benin while Eduok was nominated for

Khune eulogizes Meyiwa in death

G

oalkeepers always gave coaches a headache when it came to who to play between the sticks, Kaizer Chiefs captain and former Bafana Bafana captain Itumeleng Khunesaid on Thursday.

“From the age of 15, we were already battling for the position of number one,” Khune told sport fans at the Standard Bank Arena to pay homage to three sporting figures who died in the past week.

“It went on to Bafana Bafana.

We gave them headaches. They never knew who to select or put on the bench.”

Bafana Bafana captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was shot dead in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, while visiting his

singer girlfriend Kelly Khumalo on Sunday evening. Two men entered the house demanding cellphones and shot him before fleeing.

Former world champion 800m track sensation Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was killed in a car accident in Mpumalanga on Friday. He was on his way to Johannesburg when he lost control of his car.

Welterweight boxer Phindile Mwelase died on Saturday after being in coma for two weeks following a bout.

The service attended by, among others, ANC veteran Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, SA Football Association

Khune

president Danny Jordaan, and Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba, started nearly an hour late. Khune spoke fondly of his friend Meyiwa and closest rival.

Their rivalry was played out throughout the junior structures of South African football up to the national team.

He said the coaches would never know who to play. The entire squad would be written on the board except for the position of goalkeeper.

Khune said they lived together while they were still juniors at their clubs. Khune said the day he got promoted to the senior team at Chiefs, he walked from Mayfair, Johannesburg, to Auckland Park to inform Meyiwa of the good news.

We don’t need Balotelli – Napoli

N

Balotelli.

his fifth goal in the historic six he scored against Nembe City in Port Harcourt on Match Day 35. Bobby was nominated for his goal against Kano Pillars, a cheeky side flash on Match Day 30 in Owerri while Tswanya got on the nomination for his smashing shot against Sunshine Stars in another Match Day 30 fixture in Benin.

Etebo described the award as an ‘inspiration for me to get back to the top of my game’.

He will receive the award and prize money at the presentation ceremony which holds in Warri on Sunday during their Match Day 37 fixture with Crown of Ogbomosho.

apoli sporting direction, Riccardo Bigon has denied reports linking the club with a January move for Liverpool striker, Mario Balotelli.

The Italy international moved to Liverpool in the last few days of the January transfer window but he has struggled for form since then scoring just two goals thus far.

Earlier this week, Napoli manager, Rafa Benitez was rumoured to be interested in bringing back the striker to Italy in January, however, the club has quickly come out to deny such claims stressing that the fiery forward in not a target they are considering.

“It’s a rumour told in Spain, England and Italy but I don’t think it is a possibility. Nothing of what has been posted is true.

“Mario Balotelli is a really great player but he has been just signed by Liverpool who believes a lot in him. Best wishes to him in his English adventure,” Bigon said.

Contador wins rider of the year award

Contador pain’s Alberto Contador has won the 2014 Velo d’Or, cycling’s rider of the year award. The Tinkoff-Saxo rider, 31, succeeded Britain’s 2013 Tour De France winner, Chris Froome.

Contador recovered from a leg fracture, which saw him retire from this year’s Tour De France, to win his third Vuelta a Espana. It was his sixth Grand Tour title, having also won 2007

S

and 2009’s Tour De France, plus the Giro d’Italia in 2008. The awards are organised by French cycling magazine, Velo.

Britain’s Bradley Wiggins won the ‘Golden Bicycle’ in 2012 and Contador himself took the award in three consecutive years from 2007 to 2009. Contador was stripped of his 2010 Tour De France and 2011 Giro d’Italia victories after testing positive for banned substance clenbuterol.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 1,- sunday 2, november, 2014

Page 55

Sports

Uyo Stadium gets CAF’s nod T

Gov Godswill Akpabio

…as Eagles play Ghana in stadium’s opener

A

frican champions, Nigeria, will face Ghana’s Black Stars in an international friendly on 7 November. The game, which will be played in Uyo will be used to officially open the newly built Akwa Ibom International Stadium.

Nigeria will also be using the game as part of preparations for their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Congo in Pointe-Noire in November.

Caretaker coach of the Nigeria side, Shuaibu Amodu, who is expected to oversee the friendly game against the Black Stars, says there is no margin for error ahead of the game against Congo.

“Our preparations for the two games (Nigeria will also face South Africa in November) will commence in earnest. “We have to approach those games with every bit of seriousness and with God on our side, I am sure Nigeria’s flag will be hoisted in Morocco (2015 AFCON) next year,” Amodu told supersport.com.

The Super Eagles currently sit in third place of 2015 AFCON qualifying behind South Africa and Congo who occupy the top two places in Group A.

he new Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo has been likened to the Soccercity in Johannesburg that played host to the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup by CAF inspector.

According to the CAF inspector, Fred Crentsil, who is also vice president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Akwa Ibom International Stadium is “a wonderful facility.”

Crentsil said he is impressed that the stadium has “are provisions for the physically –challenged persons.” “You guys have a wonderful facility here. It is one of the best I have seen anywhere around Africa and elsewhere. It is of the same standard and mould as Soccercity (the main stadium in Johannesburg that played host to the final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup) with a lower capacity.

Racial abuse: Celtic winger gets seven-match ban

C

eltic winger Aleksandar Tonev was hit with a seven-match suspension on Thursday after the Scottish Football Association found him guilty of racial abuse. Tonev, on loan from Aston Villa, had been charged by the SFA following an incident involving Aberdeen defender Shay Logan during a Scottish Premiership match last month. The Bulgarian was ordered to appear before the SFA’s judicial panel, which ruled he had committed “excessive misconduct by the use of offensive, insulting and abusive language of a racist nature”.

However, Scottish champions Celtic insist they are backing their player’s claims of innocence and plan to appeal. A club spokesperson said: “Racism has no place in football and as a club for all people, Celtic absolutely abhors racism of any kind.

“This was a very unfortunate case, but the club has accepted Aleksandar’s

Former Real Madrid, Schalke and Spain striker Raul has signed a deal to play for US side New York Cosmos. The 37-year-old will join the club on a “multiyear” contract at the start of the 2015 season in April and will be technical adviser to the youth academy.

New York Cosmos play in the North American Soccer League (NASL), the division below Major League Soccer. It reformed in 2013 after the original club, which featured Pele and Franz Beckenbauer, folded in 1985.

Raul, the all-time Champions League record goalscorer with 71, previously retired this summer after two years in Qatar.

“Everyone throughout the soccer world knows the Cosmos name and the legacy of the players that played for this team previously,” he said.

“They helped establish soccer in America and I’m honoured to follow in their footsteps.”I believe in this club’s vision and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Raul won six La Liga titles, four Spanish Super Cups, and three UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid in his 16 years at the Bernabeu. He scored 323 goals in 741 matches for Real Madrid, and a record 71 goals in the Champions League. He spent two years in the Bundesliga with Schalke 04 after leaving Real Madrid in 2010, a further two years at Qatari side Al Sadd before announcing his retirement in March.

Aleksandar Tonev explanation that he did not say the words that were alleged to have been said and that he is not a racist.

“We are, therefore, very

disappointed by the outcome today and can confirm that Aleksandar will be appealing this decision.”

Man City clash: Man Utd get Rooney boost

M

Wayne Rooney

“I am particularly amazed that there are provisions for the physically –challenged persons.

Everything is taken care of here.

I am hugely impressed,” Crentsil, who was accompanied by the NFF assistant director of competitions, Bola Oyeyode, said in Uyo on Thursday.

Crentsil’s remarks on the new stadium in Uyo is already giving the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) the confidence that the facility will play hosts to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations against South Africa on November 19.

“It is now official. The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying cracker between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa will take place at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo,” stated the NFF in a statement on Thursday.

Raul joins New York Cosmos

anchester United have been handed a major injury boost as club captain Wayne Rooney is set to make a comeback for their derby clash against Manchester City at the Etihad this weekend. Wayne Rooney is on course to return to action for United against City on Sunday after overcoming the foot problem that had cast doubt over his prospects of playing against the champions.

The United captain had been facing a battle to be fit for the derby after being observed limping heavily during a commercial event at Old Trafford on Monday.

With Colombian forward Radamel Falcao still recovering from the thigh problem that forced him to miss Sunday’s 1-1

draw against Chelsea, Rooney’s injury concern had left manager Louis van Gaal with the prospect of having just two fit strikers, Robin van Persie and teenager James Wilson fit for the trip to the Etihad Stadium.

But Rooney, the all-time top scorer in Manchester derbies with 11 goals, is understood to have since trained without further concerns and Van Gaal is now preparing for the 29-year-old to return to the squad following a three-game suspension.

Meanwhile, former United captain Bryan Robson believes that the late fightback which earned a draw against Chelsea has boosted hopes of a positive result at the Etihad.

Raul

EPL fixtures

EPL fixtures Saturday

Newcastle v Liverpool Arsenal v Burnley Chelsea v QPR Everton v Swansea Hull v Southampton Leicester v West Brom Stoke v West Ham

12:45 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00

Sunday Man City v Man Utd 13:30 Aston Villa v Tottenham 16: 00

BIG PUNCH The implication of the Inspector-General of Police’s statement is that he has removed Rt Hon Aminu Tambuwal from office of Speaker, House of Representatives.

—Tambuwal’s spokesman, Imam Imam reacting to Police withdrawal of personnel attached to the Speaker

SATURDAY — SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1-2, 2014

Saturday Column By

I

Prof Tam David West

have always maintained in my articles, essays or discourses that “The fear of General Muhammadu Buhari is the beginning of self-serving wisdom among corrupt Nigerians, especially politicians and their cronies at the corridors of power.” This is because of his zerotolerance for corruption and iron-cast discipline and uncompromising principle. This excruciating mortal fear of this bunch of Nigerians has become even more intense since General Buhari expressed interest in the presidency through the normal democratic channel.

In a concerted effort or attempt to frustrate or even scuttle the fear-inspiring Buhari’s presidential ambition, these Buhari phobic’s have over time orchestrated mendacious propaganda against his person. They spin all sorts of contemptible lies about him. They dis-inform the public with satanic audacity. They have persistently fabricated so many tendentious lies about him with such curious relish that one tends to wonder if they are capable again of knowing the difference between falsehood and truth. I am particularly concerned and worried over this trend for at least two main reasons.

First, no society ever grows and develops steeped in falsehood. Falsehood enslaves and obscures light; contrariwise; truth liberates. Those feeding society with falsehood are therefore necessarily enemies of society; especially when such fabrications are conveniently peddled to answer to personal obsessions or phobia.

My second concern and worry has to do with some of our otherwise respected intellectuals, who are expected to educate with the truth and not to conveniently mis-educate the public with disinformation. This is all the more frightening because some of these intellectuals are so greatly respected by the generality of the public because of their great learning and intellectual decorations both national and international. Because of this general approval by the people, some of these classes of intellectuals sink to conceit and tend to cherish an exaggerated or inflated self-evaluation or sense of self-worth. In short, they become megalomaniacs; victims of narcissism.

They nurse mental delusion of their omnipotence and infallibility, which they parade and expect that their great learning and intellectual decorations can even sanctify their fabrications.

They delude themselves to believing that the public, the people, will believe whatever they spin even without any proof. But they forget that this is only to the extent that their lies are not confronted with well researched and copiously documented counters; especially when it can also be shown that one can be very brilliant intellectually and be approvingly so decorated; nevertheless, still be physically lazy to painstakingly research into issues of societal interest.

Perhaps, I should at this juncture Advert: business: news: lagos:

0806 0704 0814 0805 0803

564 385 292 327 454

make the following germane disclosures: General Buhari invited me to his ministerial cabinet in 1984. He swore me in as Minister of Petroleum and Energy on 18 January, 1984. Later on, I was also honoured with the Chairmanship of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as well as the Chief Executive of the NNPC; thereby making me the most powerful minister of petroleum. This includes even himself who was holding the Petroleum portfolio earlier on during the great General Murtala Muhammed administration.

It is significant and underscores the General Buhari style to add that in spite of all the honours bestowed on me, he emphatically added: “Professor, I will not interfere.” And he kept strictly to his word until he was ousted in a selfserving Babangida coup on August 27, 1986.

General Babangida also appointed me Minister of Petroleum Resources.

My long-standing friend (since 1975 in Rivers State General Zamani Lekwot Cabinet), General Sani Abacha, pleaded with me to please accept to serve “to continue the good work for the country.” I gave in not quite enthusiastically.

I must add, and indeed stress that I had never met Buhari before he invited me to his cabinet. He told me that he was guided by my writings on national issues and of course also by security reports on me. To God be all the glory!

Finally, on a lighter note, I wish to state that my salary as Minister was less than my then salary as Professor of Virology/Consultant at Ibadan: N16,000 to N18,000 a year. And I had no salary as Minister for three months because of delay in opening a Lagos bank account.

As petroleum minister, I regularly and very closely interacted with Buhari. This gave me the golden opportunity to study him very minutely. I got to know him intimately especially what he stands for as a person. Thus, when I write about General Buhari, I do so from close firsthand experience. Not hear-say or stereotypes.

I have over time written a lot about the General. These include two formal works: “Who Really Is General Muhammadu Buhari?” and “The Sixteen ‘Sins’ of General Muhammadu Buhari.” The first was launched publicly at The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island on March 9, 2009. The second book was launched in Kaduna (29 July, 2010) and Port Harcourt (14 March, 2011).

Both events were crowd-pullers. I must mention that General Buhari was kept in the dark about both projects. I only informed him two weeks to the launching. I don’t have to consult him to tell the truth about him.

I was very delighted and indeed greatly honoured when our greatly respected and honourable former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR, accepted to write the “Forward” to “Who Really Is Gen-

8620 9705 9046 1969 0344

Buhari: The politics of age

West eral Muhammadu Buhari?” A fantastic “Forward” indeed!

But why General Buhari? Simple.

He is a rare gem of a Nigerian, especially a leader. My third book, “General Muhammadu Buhari: A Very Rare Gem” is almost completed.

My address at the launching of “The Sixteen ‘Sins’ of General Muhammadu Buhari.” in Port Harcourt on March 14, 2011 encapsulated the grounds for deep adoration: “I am a committed – very committed Pro-Buhari. I have no regrets.

I have no apologies. My unwavering, unflinching support is not based on sentiments or any patronage expectation whatsoever (I think I don’t need it). Among all the mortal leaders I know, General Muhammadu Buhari easily stands out a refreshing beacon of an exemplary leader in probity, integrity, focus, vision, discipline, courage, humility (almost self-effacing), honest in leadership by example (not by sermons). These are very rare qualities in contemporary Nigerian leadership (maybe even for all time).”

His response was superbly refreshing and humbling: “Service to our country brought Tam and I together, and the ideals we share in common made us friends.

Tam is a friend you can go into the forest with.”

“The Sixteen ‘Sins’ of General Muhammadu Buhari” was intended to expose and counter (with copious evidence) all the sixteen lies being peddled by the contemptible Buhari phobics over time. I even challenged them for debate at the public space. None has mustered the courage to pick up the gauntlet – even after over three solid years. This is very instructive indeed. In short, they simply orchestrated fabrications about General Buhari. Shameless bunch.

It is also telling of our system that the book The Sixteen ‘Sins’, has been printed three times. Best selling. People tend to rush to “bad” news about

leaders or persons than “good” news.

They thought – very wrongly that I was exposing General Buhari’s misdeeds.

After all their (the Buhari phobics) tendentious lies about General Buhari have been effectively debunked, they now in their desperation peddle that he is in fact too old to contest for the Presidency. I call this “The Politics of Buhari’s Age.” It is like a drowning man resorting to straw as if it is life buoy. But this “Age Palava” has shown even more clearly that they are either (or both) intellectually fraudulent or physically lazy to do meaningful research.

Therefore, in this discourse, “General Muhammadu Buhari: The Politics of Age” I intend, once again, to expose their tendentious lies and specious disinformation. I do this, once again, fortified by well researched facts and figures.

General Buhari was born on December 17, 1942. He is 72 years in 2014.

He will be 73 in 2015. Still young to be president of Nigeria! This nonsense about age is also faulted on the grounds that good leadership is not necessarily defined by age. It is also not defined by high learning – PhD and all that. Good leadership is innate divine endowment.

But it can also be nurtured at times.

From my research (ably assisted by my friend, Okoi Obono-Obla) I list some 15 examples of leaders, both in Africa and abroad who are older – some much older-than General Buhari.

Let me start with our neighbour, Liberia, with its great lady president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, she became president in 2006 at the age of 70. She will remain president till 2016. She will be 80 years then. President Jacob Zuma of South Africa is 72 years old. He will be president till 2019 at 77 years.

President Peter Mutharika, Malawi 74 when he was sworn in on May 31, 2014. He will be president till 2019 at 79 years. President Alpa Conde Guinea is aged 76.

Religious Extremism Buhari’s enemies confuse religious

extremism with fundamentalism. He has respect for both Christianity and Islam. For instance, three of his cooks are Christians, his confidential secretary is a Christian. His private secretary, a Christian, his driver number two is a Christian. His second security, a Christian and his office cook, a Christian too.

TESTIMONIES “Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, an extraordinary Nigerian, matched only by few in integrity and readiness to subject himself to the demands of public office… abiding concern for the fate and welfare of the people of this great country.”

By General Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR, CSG. Forward: “Buhari, The PTF Years” (1979).

“General Muhammadu Buhari, is a man of principle and moral absolutes who has made a name for probity and integrity. By all stands, Buhari, has proved an extraordinary Nigerian in and out of uniform.”

By General Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR, CSG. Forward: “Who Really Is General Muhammadu Buhari, (2009).

“Nigeria, in its current dire straits needs Buhari more than he needs Nigeria.”

In conclusion, I urge my compatriots, please in 2015 and beyond in the interest of our Nigeria, vote for integrity, probity, zero-tolerance to corruption and discipline. Never, never again for your recycled looted money for “stomach infrastructure” or pocket consolidation.

So help us God. Amen.

David-West, a former Minister of Petroleum, posted this piece on ekekeee.com

DAN GAYE

Internal squabbles responsible for Eagles failure – Jonathan

Squabbles don’t cause failure just like stealing is not corruption

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +2348142929046. Cell: +234 8024432099; 803 7007759 e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail. com ISSN: 2141– 6141