Saturday 2 - Sunday 3, August 2014. Edition.

Setback on Al-Makura’s impeachment as panel adjourns >>Page 6

Jonathan sacks Yakubu, appoints NNPC new GMD >>Page 10

Dawn of teen bombers heightens concern over Chibok girls >>Pages 7,8,9

weekend.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . Putti ng the p e o p l e fi rs t Vol. 4 No. 2

SATURDAY — SUNDAY, AUGUST 2-3, 2014

SHAWWAL 7-8 1435 AH

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FG unveils reconstruction plan for North-East >>Page 6

Raises N60bn for Boko Haram victims

110 Days Since over 200 Chibok schoolgirls were abducted

L-R: Acting Inspector General Police, Suleiman Abba, with the former IG of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, during the handing and taking over ceremony, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imoowo

14 killed in fresh Taraba violence

>>Page 10

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

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Interview

Ebola: Nigeria needs close surveillance of air, sea, border passengers, says Prof. Tomori Since the confirmation and subsequent death of a Liberian man who was the first to be diagnosed with the Ebola virus disease on Nigerian soil, anxiety, shock and fear have been expressed by a wide section of the populace. Although several assurances have been given by officials of the federal and state governments, the generality of Nigerians remain worried and doubtful about their safety.

Foremost virologist and Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, President of the Nigeria Academy of Science, Prof.

Oyewale Tomori, says Nigeria’s effort in containing the first reported Ebola case was commendable. The professor, who is currently the regional virologist with the World Health Organisation Africa Region and a Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Science, the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria and the Royal College of Pathologists of the United Kingdom, warns that as far as Ebola is concerned, Nigeria is not yet out of the woods. Here is excerpts culled from Chat 212.blogspot.com

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hat should be the best step for monitoring passengers entering Nigeria by air, land and sea from Ebola affected countries? Do they need to be quarantined?

Not necessarily. The port health staff needs to screen passengers coming into Nigeria from Ebola affected countries, by checking for anyone ill with fever plus signs and symptoms of Ebola fever. The screening can be done using a prepared investigation form for taking details of the passenger – name, age, contact address, travel history (which countries visited, for how long and which part of the country, etc), plus any history of illness or sickness over the last 2-3 weeks.

Those who are sick, like the Liberian case, must be taken for observation to hospital with isolation facilities. Others must be let off, but monitored and contacted daily by phone to check if they fall sick over the next 3 weeks covering the incubation period of Ebola infection. They should be carefully monitored by competent health staff From what we have witnessed in the handling of the first Ebola victim, is Nigeria in any way up to the task of containing a possible outbreak of Ebola?

I will say that the health staff – federal, state and the hospital where the case was admitted and the laboratory staff have performed creditably well. However, the detection of the case was purely fortuitous and not because we had our preparedness machinery in place. We should count ourselves lucky that the Liberian case came into Nigeria already sick and landed in Lagos too sick to continue his journey to Calabar.

He arrived at a time when our government hospitals were operating at “half mast” because the doctors were on strike.

We might have had a bigger problem in our hands, assuming this case was well enough to get to Calabar – (in which case he would have mingled with more passengers at the local airport and in Calabar) or that government hospitals were in full operation, (in which case he would not have been ad-

mitted into a private hospital, where there are fewer contacts). So, I am saying we were able to detect the case through fortuitous circumstances and not because of our preparedness.

We were simply lucky. In spite of our national penchant for declaring ourselves always on top of the situation, we were plain lucky on this occasion, not because we were prepared. Next time, we may not be so lucky. We must, however, commend staff of the Federal and State Ministries of Health and of the private hospital where the case was admitted for being alert and taking prompt action as soon as suspicion was raised. Another point about this issue which made me proud was the laboratory support within the country. he lab in LUTH under Prof Omilabu received samples on July 22nd and the next day provided results of a panFILOVIRUS family diagnosis that is evidence of presence of a virus belonging to the family of Ebola virus (including Marburg, Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan Bundibugyo virus, Reston virus, and Taï Forest virus).

Samples were also sent to Prof. Happi’s lab at the Redeemer’s University (RUN), late on July 23. The Happi team worked and tested and confirmed that the virus was the specific Ebola-Zaire type virus early on July 25, 2014. All these happened before confirmation came in from Dakar.

I understand the RUN lab will commence sequencing studies pretty soon. My congratulations to our colleagues in LUTH and RUN for a great job.

What should we be doing currently that we are not in terms of (a) preparedness (b) response?

We are certainly not out of the woods yet, until we ensure that we monitor and ascertain that every of his contact is free from infection. We must trace all the passengers in the plane that brought him to Nigeria, to those in contact with him at the Lagos airport, and all those who attended to him, in the hospital where he was treated.

Every such person must be monitored for the duration of the incubation period of Ebola virus infection that is up to 21

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Prof. Oyewale Tomori

days from point of contact. We must get in touch with them on a daily basis to find out if they fall sick, with fever and showing the signs and exhibiting the symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fever. This must be carried out thoroughly, efficiently and rapidly.

I repeat, we are not out of the woods yet.

One other issue we should take note of is to find out the itinerary of the ASKY flight that brought the case to Nigeria. Did the flight come direct from Liberia or were there stops on the way say, Lome, etc., and who had contact with the case.

We need to contact other countries where ASKY might have landed and is still landing. I hear also that other airlines – Arik does direct Abuja-Monrovia-Freetown flights. If that is so, then we must also mount our surveillance not only on Lagos, but also on Abuja, Not forgetting Idi-Iroko, Seme borders. n the event of detection of subsequent confirmed cases of Ebola, what would be the implication and how should we respond to such?

Any suspected case arising from new comers into Nigeria or should any of the contact of the Liberian case become ill, the case should be admitted immediately into a hospital with isolation facilities and bar-

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rier nursing instituted.

Isolation facilities This is why the monitoring at the border must not be scaled down. So long as we are still having people coming in from the affected West African countries, we must be on top alert with our border monitoring.

Are there any issues regarding the hospital where the victim was admitted and eventually died?

I am very pleased to say that the staff of the private hospital acted professionally in every aspect of the treatment and eventual containment of the case. I understand that the hospital has been decontaminate and closed for a period of time.

What is your last word on this?

As I mentioned earlier, the detection of the case was purely fortuitous and not because we had our preparedness machinery in place. We should have had our border monitoring in place soon after we learnt of the first case in Guinea. gain, so long as ASKY or any other airlines are bringing in passengers from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea, our border monitoring must remain in place until the countries are declared free and for another 2-3 weeks after the declaration.

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We were simply lucky. In spite of our national penchant for declaring ourselves always on top of the situation, we were plain lucky on this occasion, not because we were prepared. Next time, we may not be so lucky.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

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Feature

Girls’ education in Africa: The private sphere and the private sector

By Xanthe Ackerman

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f doing good needs a business case, the case for girls’ education is rock solid.

Educating girls means more employment and higher GDP. A sophisticated consumer base and a broader workforce improve the climate for private sector investment. And it is not surprising that literate mothers take better care of their children’s health and education. When you add it all up, girls’ education offers a return on investment that compounds over time.

Despite the evidence, however, progress on girls’ enrollment rates has slowed in Africa. Today, just as in 1999, there are only four girls for every five boys in secondary school.

And in some marginalised and conflict-affected communities, girls are outnumbered two to one.

Over 10 years working in this field, I have noted the increasing focus on girls’ education in international aid circles. Free primary education, instituted in many countries in Africa in the 1990s, was a boon to girls’ participation. Still, as girls get older, especially at the secondary level where tuition and other costs are high, enrollment drops off.

To Elaine Unterhalter, an Oxford professor and expert on girls’ education, girls’ education is a “volcanic environment”. At the tip of the volcano are the issues that governments typically perceive and address, such as poverty and broken infrastructure. Just below there is a potent mix of factors, including culture and attitudes about girls’ education.

Culture and the way it can constrain girls’ education has to be understood within local contexts.

In Malawi, some communities hold ceremonies in which older men have sex with girls to initiate them to womanhood. Those that fall pregnant are rarely welcome back at school, even if they can find childcare. In northern Nigeria, three-fourths of girls are childbrides. Brides do not go to school.

Because cultural issues often reside in the private sphere,

within families or communities, governments may not get directly involved. Sexism is a lightning rod in any country, and governments are not always the best suited to tackle the issue. In Nigeria, some education ministry officials see child marriage as a problem in northern states, not one that should be addressed at national level. In Malawi, the government tried to address sexual initiation with a programme backed by a bilateral grant, but they lacked the sustained funding they needed to be effective at village level.

Companies and their foundations, conversely, can be well placed to promote a culture of gender equality. Through foundations or grant making arms, the private sector is often deeply engaged with the local communities where they work. And when companies stay engaged for the long haul, they can see their efforts through. ata-driven companies are bound to look for approaches that are backed by research. A recent report on girls’ education shows that the evidence is sound for working directly with girls. Literacy programmes and clubs that inform girls about critical issues such as sexual and reproductive health are effective in building a positive environment for education.

Deepali Khanna, director of The MasterCard Foundation’s youth learning initiative, knows the value of working directly with girls. In addition to providing scholarships, leadership development, and vocational training, the foundation’s partners create safe spaces for girls to develop their voices. Ms Khanna sees these efforts as a force multiplier: “Girls like Samata Alhassan, Hamdiatu Salifu, and Zaa-Idatu Shahad Bawa, who I met in northern Ghana – a part of the country where young women’s enrollment rates are particularly poor – told me that education has allowed them to speak up and be heard,” she says.

“They told me that they will choose to marry as women, not

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School girls in Northern Nigeria as children; that they will refuse harmful traditional rites of passage like female genital cutting, for themselves, for their daughters, and for other girls in the community.”

The MasterCard Foundation, an independent organization established by MasterCard Worldwide, expects to surpass $500m in grantmaking to education this year. Seventyfive percent of The MasterCard Foundation Scholars are girls and young women. he private sector is known for its creativity. No less in girls’ education.

CAMFED, a non-profit supporting girls’ secondary education in Africa since 1993, gives scholarships and business training and envelops all their girls in a social network.

CAMFED’s Global law firm Linklaters LLP helped CAMFED create a social contract that makes the girls “shareholders” and promotes accountability among all investors in their programmes. Pearson, the world’s largest education company, has developed learning materials for use in CAMFED’s schools.

The girls own these materials and

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Ibrahim Shekarau, Min. of Education

so will reap future rewards from production.

Western Union recognised the return on investment to education after the launch of the company’s first cause programme in 2007.

Talya Bosch, the company’s VP of Social Ventures, was further convinced when she learned how little aid goes to education worldwide – less than a tenth as for health. Bosch now gets excited thinking about how a company with a half a million agent locations in 200 countries can reach youth.

The Education for Better program Western Union launched in 2012 includes “shared value” products that in 18 months have moved more than $2.5bn in principal for education. The programme uses cause marketing and social media to engage communities and challenge conventional thinking. Western Union Foundation has pledged an average of $10,000 in grants per day during the three-year program, with a focus on secondary and girls’ education.

The private sector is emerging as a real force in global education. UNappointed Special Envoy for Global

Education, Sarah Brown formed the Global Business Coalition for Education in 2012. Now there are more than 90 corporate members and many of them are Fortune 500 companies. These companies are leveraging their core assets for education, making grants, and also advocating.

The coalition recently met with President Goodluck Jonathan in Nigeria to form and support a plan to protect and educate girls. Knowing the importance of addressing investments with sensitivity to communities’ economic, religious and cultural traditions, Bosch says the coalition is a valuable place to learn and share experiences, and for companies who are new to the space. gainst a trend of declining international aid for education, the role of the private sector is increasingly important. Industries like media, technology, and capital formation help to define opportunity. With some creative long-term thinking, the private sector can help ensure that girls share in that opportunity. www.thisafricaonline.com

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Companies and their foundations, conversely, can be well placed to promote a culture of gender equality.

Through foundations or grant making arms, the private sector is often deeply engaged with the local communities where they work. And when companies stay engaged for the long haul, they can see their efforts through.

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

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News

Setback on Al-makura’s impeachment as panel adjourns

By Patrick Andrew

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he seven-man panel constituted by the Nasarawa state Chief Judge, Suleiman Dikko, temporary stopped impeachment proceedings against Governor Umaru Al-Makura allegedly to get clarifications on whether they should continue with the task of investigating the 16 allegations leveled by the House of Assembly against him.

The lawmakers, who called on the Chief Judge to constitute a panel, had raised objection over the composition of the panel and requested that it be dissolved and reconstituted.

They had threatened to dishonour the report if the CJ failed to address their concern.

The panel on Thursday held its inaugural sitting in Lafia in line with its mandate in Section 188(7) (b) of the 1999 Constitution. But the session was abruptly stopped yesterday until the resolution of the issues raised by the lawmakers by the Chief Judge.

Panel Chairman, Yusuf Shehu Usman said its session would be made public for residents to have first-hand knowledge of the governor’s responses to the allegations.

Al-Makura has engaged a nineman legal team to defend his integrity having complied with Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution; the Chief Judge said he could no longer interfere with the impeachment process.

The lawmakers are alleging that the membership of the panel is skewed in favour of the governor.

Some of the members, they said, are card carrying members of political parties, while others have filial relationship with members of the governor’s family.

The rest are said to be civil servants in the employ of the State government.

Lawyers say the Chief Judge could stop the impeachment proceeding which had begun with the inauguration of the panel. So, he chose to allow the process to go on since the court is always there for the aggrieved.

“He said disbanding the panel will lead to anarchy as those who are supporting the governor will accuse him of bias.

“The CJ feels he has fulfilled his constitutional obligation; it is left to the panel to decide the prima facie of the allegations,” one of the lawyers representing the embattled governor was quoted as saying.

Al-Makura has argued that the CJ can no longer disband the panel.

The governor, who spoke through his lawyer, Chief Udechukwu Nnoruka Udechukwu, (SAN), said the lawmakers’ call for the dissolution of the panel “is ridiculous.”

Boko Haram: FG set to reconstruct ravaged States … raises N60bn to assist terror victims

By Abubakar Irahim with Agency report

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he Federal Government has concluded a comprehensive plan for the reconstruction of the North East geo-political zone ravaged by insurgency, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on North East, Prof Soji Adelaja has said He said this yesterday at a consultative meeting with the Minister of power in Abuja.

The chairman, in a remark, unveiled series of coordinated sustainable intervention projects and policies designed to reconstruct the region in collaboration with state governments in the zone as well as federal ministries with relevant projects capable of healing the wounds

of the war.

Adelaja listed what he called emergency assistance stabilization projects covering education, health, infrastructure, and agriculture among others.

Meanwhile, the federal government on Thursday night realised over N60 billion as individuals and groups donated to the Victims of Terror Support Fund launched in Abuja.

The fund is expected to be used for the rehabilitation of victims of terror attacks across the nation.

Over 13,000 people have been killed in attacks by the Boko Haram sect while hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced and thousands of property destroyed.

Speaking at the fund raising din-

ner, President Goodluck Jonathan said his government would neither “give in to nor give up on terrorism” but will rise up to the occasion and “defeat the evil philosophy” of the terrorists.

Mr. Jonathan announced the federal government’s donation of N10 billion to the fund.

He noted that the Victim Support Fund is a short-term measure meant to cushion the effects of the terrorists’ attacks on Nigerians, while his government strived to defeat the terrorists and ensure that the abducted Chibok school girls are brought back safe and alive.

The over 200 teenage school girls were kidnapped by the Boko Haram from their school on April 14.

Some of the largest donors include Theophilus Danjuma, $10 million; Aliko Dangote, N1 billion; Jim Ovia, N1 billion; Tony Elumelu, N2.5 billion; Mike Adenuga, N1 billion; Wale Tinubu, N1 billion; Arthur Eze, $5 million; Mohammed Ndimi, $5 million; Kabiru Rabiu, N500 million; Dahiru Mangal N500 million; and Folorunsho Alakija, N500 million.

Others include a group of oil sector players, N17 billion; bankers N15 billion, telecom sector players N1 billion; state governors, N3.7 billion; and ministers, N50 million.

The Victims Support Fund is to be managed by a committee headed

by Mr. Danjuma, a former Army chief and one of Nigeria’s richest men.

Jonathan lauds Dangote for investing $1bn on rice

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President Goodluck Jonathan (R), receiving a Book “Nigeria at 100, what next” , From the Author/ Former President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Professor Joe Irukwu, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroyo

US carries out Ebola vaccine test next month

By Doyin Ojosipe with online report

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ccording to reports by the mail Online, the U.S Government will commence an Ebola vaccine test on humans by next month.

It was also reported that though the drug is still under development, it has worked well on primates during clinical trials.

The United States Government is therefore willing to test the possible life saving vaccine on humans for the first time, in the coming month, as the director of the infectious disease unit, Anthony Fauci revealed that results could be available early next year.

The report also said that, four new drugs are in the developmental stage in laboratories across the U.S. with trials involving primates yielding positive results, though researchers have complained of inadequate funds for mass production of the drugs.

A renowned lecturer at the University of Texas, Dr Thomas Geisbert, who also has a lab working on

some of the drugs, said about four vaccines have been produced to protect against Ebola (in monkeys).

He also expressed enthusiasm that a vaccine would be approved in the next two to six years.

He however complained of funds as well, as human studies is usually expensive and requires much of government assistance.

‘Human studies are expensive and require a lot of government dollars. With Ebola, there’s a small global market - there’s not a big incentive for a large pharmaceutical company to make an Ebola vaccine, so it’s going to require government funding’, he said.

The doctor, who had been into the Ebola virus study since 1988, had told Scientific American that there are three to five preventative vaccines that may possibly be the cure; having yielded positive results when tested on primates.

Geisbert explained that many of the drugs in development are at the stage where research teams are still trying to get funds to carry out human studies.

resident Goodluck Ebele Jonathan yesterday commended the Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote for investing one billion dollars ($1billion) in rice production in the country.

According to a statement issued

by Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), the President made the commendation during the signing of the $1 billion-dollar Rice Investment Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between the Federal Government and Dangote Group at the State House, Abuja.

The Minister of Agriculture, Adewunmi Adesina and Alhaji Dangote signed on behalf of the FG and Dangote Group respectively.

President Jonathan said the Dangote Group’s investment is the single largest investment ever made in rice production in Africa.

He thanked Alhaji Dangote for investing in agriculture and assured him that his investment would be worthwhile.

President Jonathan said he looked forward to a time Nigeria will be self-sufficient in rice production and a net-exporter of the grain, adding that the Federal Government will protect Nigeria’s borders and check smuggling.

“Government cannot allow its borders to be porous. We are working on non-human measures and smugglers should have a rethink now and change their ways by investing their resources in other meaningful areas,” he said.

In less than four years, Nigeria hopes to become a net-exporter of rice. The Dangote Group’s investment in rice will cover five states and contribute additional 1.4 million metric tonnes of Paddy rice.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

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Cover

Dawn of teen bombers heightens concern over Chibok girls

By Patrick Andrew and Edwin Olofu

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uicide terrorism is not new. Perhaps, it has been the 21th century’s recurring decimal even if more a distant problem to most of Africa until lately.

However, what is new to Africa nay the West African sub-region, and Nigeria in particular, is the emergence of female suicide bombers.

The advent of the softer sex into suicidal endeavours, a dastardly one at that, sends shudders into the spins of many. Reasons abound: Firstly, according to the former UN secretary general, Koffi Anan, suicide terrorism is any action “intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants” for the purpose of intimidation.

However, some say this definition somewhat diminishes suicide terrorism and sharply differentiates it from ordinary suicide bombing because suicide bombing does not necessarily target noncombatants.

These are all academics, and therefore subjective.

However, what isn’t is the emerging involvement of females in suicide terrorism. Years ago, female participation in terror act was a distant event much more suicidal activities. It was unheard of and many never remotely thought Nigeria would have to grapple with it as part of its daily fears.

Early last week, the scourge began. Kano City may not have been the first city to experience female suicide bomber. Gombe was but not in the magnitude it was in Kano. Using female suicide terrorism appears to be a new tactic of Boko Haram, although they have used them on occasion for years in the Middle East.

When the scourge hits Kano it was something new, unexpected and therefore shocking beyond imagination. Residents of the ancient city of Kano were shocked to their marrows and are still at a loss with the new trend of terrorist attacks, especially the attacks carried out shortly before Eid – el-Fitri and which marred the celebration.

Coming shortly before the celebrations that should have marked the end of the fasting period when Muslim Ummah and others, who usually share in the mood of the season, rejoice, sober up and take in the essence of the religious festivity and praise God for seeing them through the fast, were stunned. They could not therefore celebrate.

Even more so shocking was the realization that the new pivots of suicide terrorism are teenage girls barely in their adolescence and some yet to experience puberty. It is a new tactics, new deadly trend that somewhat defies previous consideration of girls as softer sex hardy capable of acts of terror much less suicide terrorism.

The new dimension of using female bombers who are teenagers took security agents and residents by surprise, because both were vigilant watching out for any suspicious movements of both human and vehicular movements in their respective domains.

The Chibok schoolgirls However, the vigilance eventually paid off when some good Samaritans drew the attention of security agents of a Peugeot parked near Sheik Isiyaka Rabiu mosque in the wee hours of Sunday on Sallah day. he Ordinance Department of the Kano state Police Command moved and discovered that the car was laden with primed Improvised Explosive Device (IED), the vehicle was taking to a safe place and a controlled detonation was carried out by the bomb experts.

As the news of the huge discovery filterred through the ancient city, residents heaved a sigh relief apparently because what would have been a

deadly attack was averted.

The fear of the new dimension forced many indoors against their wishes. Places of excitement like amusement parks, zoo house and the rest were deserted. Sudden security consciousness sets in at higher rate than previously. nfortunately, two hours later events took a twist when Saint Charles Catholic church was attacked by some terrorists that hurled explosives on worshipers that closed from church.

Police confirmed five person dead including a soldier in the attack that marked the new beginning of bomb attacks in the state.

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The emergence of female suicide bombers is no proof of sterner stuff or is it for military or spiritual eminence. Being dynamites in the hands of their insurgents may as well be out of compulsion than free-will.

Apart from the first attack of the church which, according to report, was equally a suicide attack but carried out by male attacker, the rest were carried out by female bombers.

Unknown to residents, apart from the Church attack, a female suicide bomber was carrying out another attack simultaneously at Kofar Nassarawa area of the city Centre where she targeted policemen that were stationed to ensure the peaceful celebration.

Eyewitness account at Kofar Nassarawa said the female bomber was a teenager; she killed herself and injured six policemen, according to the Police spokesman, ASP Musa Magaji Majiya.

The news that the female bomber is a teenager, left many questions on the lips of residents and security men and palpable fear enveloped the city immediately after the attack occurred.

The fear of the new dimension kept many people at home during the sallah celebration where people especially children move in large numbers to different areas like amusement parks, zoo house and the rest. he security situation deteriorated on Monday morning when another female suicide bomber who disguised as if she wanted to buy kerosene at the NNPC mega station around 10.am struck killing three persons on the spot, while seven others sustained varying degree of injuries.

Panic sets in, people scampered for safety, confusion and despondence ran high. Faced with

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Emerging female suicide terrorism Contd from Page 7 the discomfiture, the security operatives swung into action making themselves conspicuous in key places.

Then, it seems calm has returned as people met in groups to discuss the new approach and wondered how on earth girls could be led into the new deadly vogue.

Two hours later on that same day another teenage female bomber targeted policemen at the entrance of the Kano state Trade fair complex behind Shoprite shopping mall killing herself an injured five policemen. ut on Tuesday the city was peaceful with no report of explosion, except a pandemonium that broke out at Yan Kura market in the morning where people scampered for safety because of a bomb scare.

Many thought peace might have return to the city, but on Wednesday tragedy struck again when another a girl of about twelve years of age, according eyewitness, attacked outgoing students of the Kano state polytechnic who were checking their names for the mandatory youth service, killing three while dozens sustained injury according to police.

The Wednesday attack brought the number of female bombers to four that hit the city in four days. This led to apprehension in the city because of the rise in the number of female bombers that were involved in the four attacks, prompting residents to step up vigilance especially when unfamiliar female teenagers are sighted anywhere.

Before the upsurge in female suicide bombers in the city, the only case of female suicide attack was recorded in Gombe state where a female bomber attacked a military formation in the state.

She had killed herself and a soldier close to the Quarter-guard of the 301 Battalion of Nigerian Army in Gombe, Gombe State.

Report say the female bomber, was riding on a motorcycle and on approaching the gate of the military facility, hugged a soldier. This, it said, led to a bomb concealed in her hijab to explode, killing both of them.

According to the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, “Intelligence deduced from credible information earlier received on this plot confirms the vigilance of some members of the public,’’ he said.

Later, he said in a release. “Troops mounting a security check point at a barrack entrance in Gombe this morning intercepted a lady suicide bomber while she was attempting to gain entry into the barracks.

“The lady suicide bomber, who had primed herself with improvised explosive devices concealed under her Hijab, was intercepted when troops acting on intelligence report indicating that a terrorist group was plotting to attack barracks around Gombe using female suicide bombers, halted her and as she was being searched the bomb detonated killing the lady. Unfortunately, one of the troops conducting the search also died while another was wounded

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Security operatives combing the scene for forensic evidence in the explosion.”

This was corroborated by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Abdullahi Jalo, who said, “A female suicide bomber was approaching the army quarter guard around the railway area; she was heading towards the military post and they kept telling her to stop.

“She, however, kept advancing and one of the soldiers approached her, perhaps to forcefully stop her. It was at this point that she blew up herself and the soldier at about 10.50am.” t was something new and appalling. Ibrahim Usman a member civil society forum is of the view that the upsurge of female bombers is dangerous and will be extremely be difficult to curtail because of the soft -spot and sympathy people have for women.

“I’m really worried with this new development because it is going to be difficult for our security agents to curtail the new trend because people have sympathy for women. The situation is really frightening and our security

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agents must wake up to the new challenge.” he said.

Although relatively a novelty in Nigeria, female suicide bombing has existed for years. They are a proof that viciousness has nothing to do with biology. In Russia, Chechnya, Palestine, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, women have successfully carried out suicide bombing attacks showing that they are as much political subjects as men. any wonder, how is it that females, the softer sex and renowned orderly and peaceful elements, are suddenly the swords of torment. Women are never known for brutal acts. Yes, few instances but never sustained occurrences, and when suicide terrorism suddenly becomes associated with them, naturally questions as to what must have driven them into it are asked.

Could they be motivated by anger against the state? Is it hate or revenge?

Is it a spiritual resonance, the quest to secure a berth in paradise? Of course, that has been the common unproved

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reframe and provokes anger in saner people who wonder how slaughtering fellow humans on religions ground could quarantine spiritual bliss.

Some wonder, could these girls have been coerced, brainwashed or offered some enticing material rewards, some kind of security to their families as to engender and ginger them to take to this dastardly act, offers enticing enough to be willing to sacrifice themselves?

Many even wonder these girls, barely coming of age, who are they?

Could there be any connection between them and the more than 200 Chibok school girls who were kidnapped some 110 days ago? lbeit women hardly talk tough much less act tough, but these brands of girls have defied known ethics. They have given security operatives a run for ideas, and the nation a gaping guess. Indeed, are they some of the Chibok school girls, who have been brainwashed to adopt suicidal tendencies?

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They are dispensable, especially those who may have been indoctrinated, brainwashed and frightened and likely abused into subjection who may consider dying by any form a better option than remaining the depraved, degraded existence.

Already, the Federal Government has said that it may be difficult to stop the insurgents, Boko Haram from using the abducted Chibok girls as bombers since they (the girls) are not under its control.

National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki, disclosed on Thursday when speculative questions were put to him in that respect following the sudden emergence of female bombers, that it would be difficult to ascertain who the girls are. But declined to confirm or deny the possibility of the Chiok girls being used by their abductors: Boko Haram. He was asked, “Could the abducted Chibok girls be the cannon fodder?

“What really can anybody do? The Chibok girls, who are in captivity, are not under government control. The only thing we do is try and address those who are outside who will have contact with them. If they are released today, we have a programme we put them through to make sure that if there is any indoctrination, we try at least to reduce the intensity if we don’t end it completely. That is all we can do before they go back into normal life,” the NSA said.

“They are dispensable, especially those who may have been indoctrinated, brainwashed and frightened and likely abused into subservient who may consider dying by any form a better option than remaining in the depraved and degraded existence”, according Shehu Imam.

The prospect creates fear. Parents are apprehensive and had before now pleaded with the authorities to ensure that their wards do not remain in the confines of their captors. They have

Contd on Page 9

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

PAGE 9

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...Female suicide terrorists Contd from Page 8

feared for the worst and it seems their tentative fears may have gradually become real.

The picture of the remains of one of the female bombers that blew herself up in kano tend to support this fear.

Her makeup, braided hair, polished lips and eye shadow may be pointers.

A member of the National Conference and General Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, was quoted within the week to have suspected that the rising spate of female suicide bombings in the country may not be unconnected with wrong indoctrination. e added that “they’ve been indoctrinated to wreak havoc and that is exactly what they are doing. There is no logical explanation to explain what these people (both female and male bombers) are doing, but let it be known that terrorism under any guise is not in any religion, they (terrorists) merely hide under the guise of religion to do what they do.”

That is hardly comforting to parents and the nation nor would Samira Adebiyi’s assertion that Boko Haram may have found a ready pool of indoctrinated volunteers in the Chibok school girls leading to the sudden emergence of suicide female terrorists.

“Where else could they have found cannon fodders for their biddings?

Don’t forget that few weeks ago they released a video in which the girls were paraded and which they boasted that some of them have converted. Did you see the remains of one of the girls? The makeups tell stories of where she may likely have hailed from”.

The employment of young female as suicide bombers by the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents has been described as highly unfortunate, in the sense that women are considered to be mothers and more compassionate.

Though women fighters are nothing new in history, there are historical accounts of how some Ibadan women went to war with men. Queen Amina was a determined fighter who ensured that her empire in Zaira remained strong and unthreatened by the male dominating neighbours. The Aba Riot was instigated and led by women.

In the case of the Ibadan women, they even dethroned an Oba. However, the emergence of female suicide bombers is no proof of sterner stuff or is it for military or spiritual eminence.

Being dynamites in the hands of their insurgents may well be out of compulsion than free-will, according to Osahon Ossai, who also believes that the new tactics is not likely to subside soonest.

“No, it won’t stop so long as there are cannon fodders for the insurgents to use for their destructive purposes.

The aim is to instill fear in the populace. They are likely to abduct more girls and that would frighten the lives out of the majority of Nigerians.”

According to one report, female bombers have sprung up all over Tur-

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The bombed NNPC Mega station key, India, Sri Lanka, Iraq, and Israel.

Of course, that’s understandable these nations have been in conflicts and therefore war is more of a daily endeavour. eports have it that while using female suicide bombers is a relatively new trend, the female bombers had become particularly frequent among terror groups and are responsible for an estimated 30 per cent of the recent trend of Islamic suicide bombings.

One of the earliest female suicide bombers was in Lebanon in April 1985.

Sana’a Youcef Mehaidli, 16-year-old member of the secular Syrian Social Nationalist Party, drove an explosivesladen truck into an Israeli Defence Force convoy, killing two soldiers and injuring one other.

The May 21, 1991 assassination of Indian’s former Prime Minister, Ra-

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Even more shocking was the realization that the new pivots of suicide terrorism are teenage girls barely in their adolescence and some yet to experience puberty.

jiv Ghandi, was attributed to female suicide bomber, Thenmuli Rajatnam, member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Fourteen others were also killed during the attack.

On January 27, 2002, Wafa Idris became the first Palestinian woman to perpetrate an act of suicide terror, detonating a backpack filled with explosives in a downtown shopping

district, killing one elderly Israeli man and wounding more than 100 others.

The 2002 Nord-Ost Theatre siege in Moscow, lasting from October 23 to 26, resulted in the deaths of over 170 people, including 133 hostages and all 41 attackers. Nineteen of the attackers (practically half) were females.

On January 14, 2004, 22-yearold Palestinian Reem al-Reyashi killed four Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint, during a suicide bombing attack, leaving behind a husband, a three-year-old son and a one-yearold daughter.

Four females were involved in the 2004 Beslan Elementary School tragedy in Russia, which lasted from September 1 to 3, resulted in, at least, 385 deaths, including 186 children, and 783 injured.

Posing as the pregnant wife of a soldier on her way to the maternity clinic, on April 26, 2006, Kanapathipillai Manjula Devi penetrated a military hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka and detonated her explosives.

Revealing her tactical prowess, she even visited the maternity clinic several weeks prior to her attack, to maintain her cover.

Dates of major female suicide bombings

emale suicide bombers have been employed in many, predominantly nationalistic, conflicts by a variety of organizations against both military and civilian targets: · In Lebanon on April 9, 1985, Sana’a Mehaidli, a member of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), detonated an explosive-laden vehicle, which killed two Israeli soldiers and injured two more. During the Lebanese Civil War, female SSNP members bombed Israeli troops and the Israeli proxy militia the South Lebanon Army. · Former Indian Prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on 21 May 1991 by Thenmozhi Rajaratnam, a member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Between 30 and 40% of the organization’s suicide bombings were carried out by women. · The Chechen shahidkas have attacked Russian troops in Chechnya and Russian civilians elsewhere; for example, in the Moscow theater hostage crisis.

· Women of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) have carried out suicide bombings primarily against Turkish Armed Forces, in some cases strapping explosives to their abdomen in order to simulate pregnancy. · Wafa Idris, under Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, became the first Palestinian female suicide bomber on January 28, 2002 when she imploded herself on Jaffa Road in Central Jerusalem. · On February 27, 2002, Darine Abu Aisha carried out a suicide bombing at the Maccabim checkpoint of the Israeli army near Jerusalem. On the same day, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the religious leader of the Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas, issued a fatwa, or religious rule, that gave women permission to participate in suicide attacks, and stated that they would be rewarded in the afterlife. · Hamas deployed its first female suicide bomber, Reem Riyashi, on January 14, 2004. Al-Riyashi

attacked Erez checkpoint, killing 7 people. · Two female attackers attacked U.S. troops in Iraq on August 5, 2003. Whereas female suicide bombers are not typically introduced in initial stages of a conflict, this attack demonstrates the early and significant involvement of Iraqi women in the Iraq War. · On March 29, 2010, two female Chechen terrorists bombed two Moscow subway stations killing at least 38 people and injuring over 60. · The Taliban has used at least one female suicide bomber in Afghanistan. · On December 25, 2010, the first female suicide bomber in Pakistan detonated her explosives-laden vest, killing at least 43 people at an aid distribution center in northwestern Pakistan.

On December 29, 2013, a female Chechen suicide bomber detonated her vest in the Volgograd railway station killing at least 17 people.

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News

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Banks join Benue workers’ strike

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ommercial banks in Benue yesterday joined the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, ongoing strike, which commenced on July 30.

The strike is to protest the deductions of staff salaries and non-payment of three years’ transport allowances owed workers.

The workers are also protesting the non-implementation of the full minimum wage by the state government.

Part of the workers grievances also includes the non-implementation of 15 per cent and two and half per cent increment for pensioners in the state.

Customers were stranded at the various banks in Makurdi following the picketing of the banks by union officials.

Joseph Nyitar, a customer, said he travelled from Gbajimba to withdraw his deposits and was stranded over the closure of the banks.

“I came all the way from Guma Local Government to withdraw money only to discover that the banks were all closed.

“You know the whole of Guma does not have any bank, now I am stranded and confused, I don’t even know what to do now,” Mr. Nyitar said.

Another customer, who spoke under condition of anonymity, described the government’s decision to deduct staff salaries which led to the strike as “mere wickedness’’.

Some of the bank officials, who spoke under conditions of anonymity, sympathised with their customers while insisting that they were handicapped.

“There is nothing we can do; the NLC and TUC have stationed their staff in all the banks across board to ensure that we do not open.

“The only good thing for now is that our ATM’s are functioning effectively and our staff have free access into the banks; so, we will continue to service the machines as much as we can.

“It is quite unfortunate that some of our customers do not have ATM and some wants to deposit huge amount of money and there is nothing we can do. We are losing a lot of money,’’ an official said.

The bankers expressed worry over the decision of government to unilaterally deduct salaries of workers despite stiff opposition from the organised labour.

Meanwhile, the Benue Chairman if the NLC, Simon Anchaver, has said that the unions will not relent in their efforts to force the government to rescind the pay cuts.

Mr. Anchaver said the state government had shown its non-chalant attitude toward the strike.

“Bankers in the state had joined the strike today (yesterday) and we intend to close down every functional economic sector in the state to let the government know the seriousness of our stand,’’ Anchaver said.

The state Chairman of the TUC, Ordue Tartenger, said the congress was collaborating with NLC to ensure that government reverted to the old salary structure.(NAN)

Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos (R) speaking to newsmen on Ebola virus on his arrival from lesser hajj, yesterday in Lagos, With him are, his special adviser on media, Mr Hakeem Bello (L) and commissioner for information and strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba.

Two soldiers, 12 others killed in renewed Taraba crisis

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he Police in Jalingo, Taraba state, have confirmed the death of 14 persons, including two soldiers, in a renewed violence at Ibi, headquarters of Ibi Local Government Area, on Thursday morning.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the stare, Mr Joseph Kwaji, told the News Agency

of Nigeria (NAN) in Jalingo yesterday that no fewer than 14 houses were razed down.

The spokesman said 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.

He disclosed that two AK 47 rifles and several other dangerous weapons were recovered from them.

He, however, said that normalcy had returned to area after a detachment of Mobile Policemen and military were deployed to maintain the peace.

Kwaji said investigation into the cause of the crisis had begun. (NAN)

Bauchi geologist dismisses resource control claim From: Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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geologist in Bauchi state, Alhaji Dahiru Mohammed Kafi Madaki has debunked claims of resource control by people in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

The region currently enjoys 13 percent special concession from the federation account because oil being sourced from their geo-political zone belongs to them by derivation.

Alhaji Kafin Madaki who is the Managing Director of Damagix Nig. Ltd/Oil & Gas Services explained that oil in the Niger Delta is owned by the Federal government and as such, belongs to all Nigerians but not the people of the Delta region in particular.

“By law, this oil is owned by all of us, the resource, whatever it is, whether oil, gold, is owned by the Federal Government and we are members of the Federal Government and therefore we all own it”, he said.

Fielding reporters’ questions in Bauchi yesterday,

he also kicked against the demand by people of the Niger Delta for 100% control of the oil resource, saying the claim is baseless.

Madaki however noted that though the environment in the Niger Delta region is devastated and made it impossible for the people to earn a living, the demand for 100% of the oil proceeds should be supported with analysis, facts and figures.

“They need the oil money, they are Nigerians, nobody can go and spoil their means of livelihood, nobody will support the devastation but the basis for the request for resource control is what I’m challenging”.

He also cited yester-years source of revenue for the federal government which were mainly cotton and groundnut produced in the North but That Northerners or Northern farmers then were not stupid to claim the revenue source to be theirs.

After all, Kafi said, 80 percent of the Nigerian oil today comes from off-shore exploration , not coming from on-shore which the Deltans claim to be their

backyard.

He added that exploration is done 3 – 5 kilometers deep into the sea water with only 20% on-shore from the swampy areas.

According to him, the resource does not belong to the people of Niger Delta region alone because FG money was used to develop the oil industry to the point that the oil companies came to Nigeria to explore.

“The resource that has been evaluated before for the purpose of environmental remediation, or a certain percentage of revenue generated from oil that is being produced on-shore of Niger Delta be re-evaluated, be reviewed along this line”, said.

He attributed the initial restiveness and subsequent claim for resource control by the Niger Delta to the lackadaisical attitude of the FG to address the environmental problems in the region, but instead pitched the communities against the oil companies and vice-versa.

Jonathan sacks Yakubu, appoints Dawha, NNPC new GMD

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has sacked the Nigeria Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Andrew Yakubu and replaced him with Dr Joseph Thlama Dawha, who is the 16th person to occupy the position.

Yakubu, whose last days in office was renowned for the alleged

unremitted $20 billion and the NPDC unremitted $6bn to the covers of the federation account, was appointed in 2012 following the sack of Austin Oniwon Dr. Dawha, the new GMD hails from Borno state. He has served previously as the Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production, NNPC and Managing Director of

Integrated Data Services Ltd (IDSL), a subsidiary of the NNPC. The president also appointed Mr Anthony Ugonna Muoneke – Managing Director, and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) in major management changes in the two corporations. He replaces Mr. Iyowuna Victor Briggs.

Similarly, Muoneke, hails from

Anambra state is a lawyer and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985. He has over 29 years’ experience at both local and international levels in the oil and gas as well as the energy and power sectors, including serving as Executive Director, Finance & Admin, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd. (NDPHC).

Also appointed are Ms Aisha

Mata Abdurrahman, who takes over as the Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment, NNPC and Dr Attahir B. Yusuf, the Group Executive Director, Business Development, NNPC. According to a release signed by Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, said the appointment takes immediate effect.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

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News

Nigerian Army Amphibious School Graduates 45

By Lekan Bakare, Calabar

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he Amphibious Training School, ATS of the Nigerian Army yesterday, graduated 45 officers in the Small Boat Operators Course 34/14.

The officers comprising thirty-eight men and seven women received their badges and certificates on the prosecution amphibious warfare at the school premises in Calabar, the Cross River state capital.

In his address, the Guest of Honour at the graduation ceremony and Flag Officer Commanding of the Eastern Naval Guard, Rear Admiral Obiora Medani expressed delight that such training which he described as apt, was going on in the Nigerian Army considering the security challenges facing the nation presently.

He thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah for approving the training and providing the needed logistics.

Admiral Medani charged the graduating officers not to rest on the oars and continue to defend the territorial integrity of their fatherland where ever they are assigned.

Responding to questions from newsmen, Admiral Medani said the training is not because of the security challenges alone but a continuous training exercise for the army.

Commandant of the Amphibious Training School, Brigadier General Enang Ukagu also thanked the Chief of Army Staff for approving the training and thanked the host community, Ekorinim for their cooperation and urged them to continue to support them.

New IG promises to crush insurgency

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he new Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, yesterday promised to give full attention to efforts to address upsurge in current security challenges in the country.

Abba made the pledge shortly after he took over from his predecessor, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

He said that it was necessary to give ``attention to specific issues that are of critical concern to the nation’’.

The new I-G said that his experience in the force for almost 30 years had taught him that policing had changed and was still changing. ``Policing is no more about arresting, investigating and prosecution only. ``The responsibility of the Police in a democracy transcends these traditional roles, to expectations in ensuring a stable democracy, conducive to good governance and creating an enabling environment for economic development. ``Whilst it is not our intention to reinvent the wheel, we intend to build on those positive aspects that are firmly entrenched,’’ he said.

Abba, who noted that the police as the leading law enforcement agency in the country was daily on the limelight, said that whatever they do or fail to do attract attention. ``However, as a progressive organisation, we take very kindly criticisms and accept the responsibility to address our challenges and remedy our shortcomings”. (NAN)

L-R: Governor of Plateau State, David Jonah Jang: Minister of State (1) For Foreign Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuliri: Minister of Water Resource, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, with the Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), John Kennedy Opara, during a condolence visit to the NCPC boss over the death of his father, yesterday in Abuja,

- Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Police arrest ex-convict with human parts in Ilorin A From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

man simply known as Gani has been apprehended by Laduba community in Ogidi area of Ilorin, the Kwara state capital with human parts while preparing local medicine with exhumed baby placenta.

The arrested person, identified as Alfa Gani who was allegedly caught with the placenta of baby he named few days ago, led to the recovery of more human parts from him.

It was gathered that Laduba Community in Ilorin West local government, had raised some volunteers to go round homes in the area to demand contribution for the repair of a faulty transformer.

Our Correspondent learnt that when they arrived the suspect’s house, the volunteers were greeted with bad odour coming out from his house.

The volunteers alerted other members of the community about the odour.

Sources informed our correspondent that the community members went to the house and confronted the suspect to explain the kind of smell coming from his house.

But Alfa Gani, who felt embarrassed, accused his interrogators of intruding into his privacy.

Eye witnesses said that the situation led to argument between him and the members of the community who insisted they must get to the root of the matter.

The suspect, according to the source, quickly went to the Oloje Police Station to report that the Community members had invaded his house.

A reliable source said that before his arrival, members of the

community forced themselves into the house where they met a boy preparing some charms with a baby placenta.

The boy confessed that Alfa Gani asked him to exhume the placenta to prepare the charms.

When the mother of baby learnt about the incident, she rushed to where the baby placenta was buried only to discover that it had been exhumed.

When Alfa Gani arrived the scene with police men with the intent to arrest those trying to “intrude into his privacy”, the community presented evidence to the police.

“It was at that point that the police decided to search the entire house following which they discovered more human parts”, the source said.

The police, it was further gathered, extended their search

to an uncompleted building behind the suspect’s house only to discover that the place was being used as a human slaughter slab.

Consequently, an angry mob swooped on the houses, demolished the structures and set the suspect’s property on fire.

The presence of the police men, it was gathered prevented the mob from carrying out jungle justice on the suspect who was whisked away by the police.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relation Officer(PPRO) of Kwara State Police Command, ASP,Ajayi Okasanmi, in a phone interaction with our Correspondent, said it was not a slaughter house but that a man, who had just been released from prison on the same allegation leveled against him by Laduba Community, was caught with a baby placenta.

Litigants urge judiciary staff to end strike

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ome litigants yesterday in Abuja called on the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to call off the ongoing strike in the interest of justice.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they were ``greatly’’ affected by the strike.

A litigant, Alice Gabriel, said the ongoing strike made it impossible for her and her children to survive. ``The court gave me custody of the three children and we are supposed to be receiving money on monthly basis from my ex-husband through the court. ``But because of the strike, I have not been able to receive the money. ``I pray that the government will listen to the demands of the union and give them what they are asking for,’’ she said.

Another litigant, Ms Bilki

Abdurahaman, said she could not move on with her life since the expected ruling on her divorce case had yet to be given due to the strike.

A mother of three, Ms Joy Chike, told NAN that because of the strike, she had not been able to collect some monies due to her from her ex-husband, following a ruling by the magistrate.

NAN recalls that JUSUN started its indefinite strike July 11 following a directive by the National Executive Committee of the union.

The strike was called to press home the union’s demand for the implementation of financial autonomy for state judiciaries as ordered by a Federal High Court, Abuja.

Others issues at stake are the failure of stakeholders to abide by the decision to set up a technical implementation committee

to implement the decision of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting of June 17, 2014.

A Federal High Court presided over

by Justice Adeniyi Ademola, on Jan. 14, 2014, restrained the Federal Government and the 36 state governors from holding on to funds meant for the judiciary.

Ademola ruled that funds meant for the judiciary should rather be disbursed directly to the heads of courts and not to the executive arm of government.

The suit was filed by JUSUN. Noting that both the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) enjoyed independence of funding, the judge said the same should apply to the judiciary, in accordance with the constitution. (NAN)

Special Report Ebola:

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Page 12

The Agony, fears, and desperation Adesoji Oyinlola, Lagos

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efore July 25 Ebola virus was just one of those foreign diseases that Nigerians hear about the deadly disease but without any real concern. It seems distant. That day, Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian-American, suddenly died from the virus.

The outbreak, suddenly had meaning to Nigerians. Ebola, which started in a village in Guinea, spreading to Liberia and Sierra Leone, has so far claimed 672 lives. Sawyer became the first victim to die in Nigeria. He had flown into Lagos after attending his sister’s funeral in Liberia. She too had succumbed to the disease.

Then came anxious care. The scourge brings an added pain: the outbreak could be devastating for several reasons. Already, Nigerians who have been living under the deadly siege of Boko Haram menace ravaging some part of the north, which has led to senseless killing of innocent citizens have come under the grip of excruciating fear.

Many fear the country is ill-prepared for the scourge. Many are at risk going by lackadaisical attitude of government officials and the fact that health professionals are currently on strike, thus reducing the possibility of their rendering any serious assistance should there be any outbreak.

Indeed, there are palpable fears that the spread of Ebola in Nigeria portends danger to the rest of the world. Firstly, Nigerian doctors are on strike. Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa with a high mobility rate. The elite class is highly mobile, they are the ones to fly all over the world.

So, Nigeria’s international airports buzz with activity as hundreds of thousands of Nigerians travel all over Africa, attending to businesses, studies in Europe and North America, visit second homes in London, New York, Toronto, Dubai, Paris and far flung places in Asia and the Americas, and conduct business on the international stage.

There is great danger that the fear of the virus spreading globally will stigmatize Liberians, Sierra Leonians and Guineans, and that their West African neighbors, especially Nigeria, will try to ward off Ebola by isolating the countries in ways that will hurt their fragile economies, further imperiling the health of their people. oughly 70% of diagnosed Ebola patients in this epidemic have perished. The potential for global panic is genuine.

Sawyer, who boarded a flight in Liberia, had a stopover in Ghana, changed planes in Togo, and then arrived in Nigeria, where authorities say he died days later from Ebola, one of the deadliest diseases known to man.

Checks by Peoples Daily Weekend revealed that people are more apprehensive for the simple fact that the disease, described by medical experts as highly contagious and which spreads at the speed of light, poses no little health hazards to the people. Moreover, it is believed that those who boarded the same flight with Sawyer will have more cause to worry as no one knows for sure just how many people he came into contact with the day he boarded a flight in Liberia to Nigeria, transiting in Ghana and changed plane in Togo.

He could even have infected some of them.

Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, said: “Despite the urgent specialised barrier nursing care provided for the patient in a Lagos Hospital, the patient unfortunately passed away in the early hours of July 25, 2014,” Chukwu said.

Sawyer, 40, was subjected to thorough medical and laboratory evaluation which

confirmed the diagnosis of the disease and was said to be in a stable condition earlier on Thursday suddenly kicked the bucket even when plans were being made to return him to Liberia.

The result of tests conducted on him was still being awaited when he died. In an attempt to allay the fears of the people, the minister assured the public that the ministry of health was working with other ministries, agencies and international organizations to prevent the spread of the disease.

He said that all passengers that the patient came in contact with have been traced and are also being investigated medically. Lagos State government cordoned off the hospital where the man died and about thirty people believed to have had contact with him quarantined.

Chukwu said in line with global best practices, all ports entry in Nigeria including airports, seaports and land boarders have been placed on red alert while staff of the ministry of health are already positioned in the locations and surveillance beefed up.

He said the passenger, who had fever and other symptoms of the disease at the airport, was quickly isolated by Port Health Division officials and transported to the hospital where the patient was subjected to thorough medical and laboratory evaluation, which confirmed the diagnosis of the disease. he Health Minister also said that tertiary health institutions in Nigeria have been equipped to handle any emergency that may arise from the disease.

Also, drugs and medical consumables are prepositioned while the health ministry is working with all the states across Nigeria to contain the situation.

He urges vigilance to ensure personal and environmental hygiene and also report any suspected case to the nearest health facility.

He also said that emergency operation centre have been established and coordinated by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, advising Nigerians to call 08023210923, 08097979595 and 07067352220; or email ebolainfo@health.gov.ng for inquiries.

Checks by Peoples Daily Weekend revealed that Ebola virus disease (EVD) or Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) is the human disease caused by ebola viruses. Symptoms start two days to three weeks after contracting the virus with a fever, throat and muscle pains, and headaches.

Then nausea, vomiting and diarrhea along with decreased functioning of the liver and kidneys.

At this point some people begin to have problems with bleeding.

The disease is first acquired by a population when a person comes into contact with the

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Min of Health, Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu blood or body fluids of an infected animal such as a monkey or fruit bat. Fruit bats are believed to carry and spread the disease without being affected by it. Once infection occurs, the disease may be spread from one person to another. en, who survive, may be able to transmit the disease sexually for nearly two months. To make the diagnosis, typically other diseases with similar symptoms such as malaria, cholera and other viral hemorrhagic fever are excluded. The blood may then be tested for either antibodies to the virus, the viral RNA, or the virus itself to confirm the diagnosis.

Prevention involves decreasing the spread of the disease from infected monkeys and pigs to humans. This may be done by checking these animals for infection and killing and properly disposing of the bodies, if the disease is discovered.

Proper cooking of meat and wearing protective clothing when handling meat may be helpful.

Also, wearing protective clothing and thoroughly washing your hands when around someone sick with the disease, is encouraged. Samples from people with the disease should be handled with

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The mere prospect of Ebola in Africa’s most populous nation has Nigerians on edge. People are particularly concerned about using public transport, which is the only affordable way to travel in Nigeria.

an extra degree of caution.

There is no specific treatment for the virus with efforts to help people including giving the person either oral rehydration therapy or intravenous fluids. The disease has a high death rate: often between 50% and 90%. It typically occurs in outbreaks in tropical regions of SubSaharan Africa. Between 1976, when it was first identified, and 2014, fewer than 1,000 people a year have been infected.

The largest outbreak to date is the ongoing 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak, which is affecting Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. The disease was first identified in the Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Efforts are ongoing to develop a vaccine. However, none exists as of 2014.

Peoples Daily Weekend findings show that Ebola is common in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone where more than 900 people have been infected so far with the deadly virus with 630 deaths. There is no drug or vaccine to treat the virus and it has up to 90 per cent fatality rate.

Symptoms include, fever, headache, chills, diarrheoa, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, backache, and joint pains. Later symptoms include bleeding from the eyes, ears and nose, bleeding from the mouth and rectum, eye swelling, swelling of the genitals and bloody rashes all over the body.

In what appears to be a proactive measure to curb the spread of the deadly disease, Lagos State government issued an alert last week advising people to observe high hygienic standard including washing of hand and thoroughly washing and cooking their meat before eating. lso, the Lagos state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who was joined by his Information and Strategy counterpart, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

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Fintiri windfall: Adamawa workers criticise banks over poor services From Umar Dankano, Yola

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serious tension is brewing between civil servants and commercial banks over modalities adopted by the banks in crediting workers salary accounts with their paid outstanding salary arrears in Adamawa State.

Investigations by Peoples Daily in Yola revealed that the Adamawa State Acting Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has released outstanding salary arrears of four months in one week to civil servants in the State.

It would be recalled that the former Governor Murtala Nyako was impeached owing to non-payment of civil servants’ September and October 2011 salary arrears due to the strike action embarked by workers over labour matters and the June and

July 2014 salaries delayed as a result of the freezing of the government’s accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC, while investigation was on during Nyako’s impeachment saga.

Our correspondent reports that the famous Galadima Aminu Way where most of the commercial banks are situated is always jam packed these days as a result of vehicular and human traffic where long queues are seen at the banks premises.

A visit to some of the banks showed customers in their multitude on queue either trying to withdraw cash from any available Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or to get access to the banking hall for manual transactions.

Over-use of the ATM machines has allegedly made them faulty to the

annoyance of most customers.

Some of the customers interviewed at various banks visited expressed disatisfaction with the banking patterns which they see as too slow in meeting their demand.

A civil servant, Mr. Richard Francis lamented that, he had been on the queue to withdraw cash from the ATM machine for three hours but was not functioning well as it stopped dispensing to customers.

Richard therefore appealed to the banks to create simpler methods of handling situation like this, as the country’s population was fast growing by the day.

To Messrs Friday Rekus and Usman Modibbo who claimed to have been at the bank for over four hours, bank officials only enjoin customers to bear with them.

News

New ECOWAS brown card debuts Jan 2015 – NIA

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he Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has said that the implementation of the new Brown Card for Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will take off on January 1, 2015.

The NIA Director-General, Sunday Thomas, disclosed this in Lagos that the aim was to eradicate fake cards. The card is a creation of the ECOWAS protocol to facilitate transportation within the West African sub-region.

According to him, the ECOWAS Brown Card would help in claim payments by insurance companies to motorists involved in accidents. “The sub-regional Secretariat in Lome, Togo, had standardised the operations of the scheme with the design of a new consensual card.

“The secretariat is also designing online claim management software that will reduce the time for claims processing”, Thomas said.

The Director-General also said that the need to review the protocol in line with current realities was among the challenges confronting the ECOWAS card scheme.

He said that the Nigerian National Bureau had continued to face challenges of delay in payment of cross border claims management.

Thomas said that other challenges faced by the bureau, included issues with the police formation of some member countries to get motorists released on time.

According to him, this happens when accidents involves accidents with loss of life.

Osun election: APC accuses PDP, FG of harassing voters

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm that the PDP-led federal government has started intimidating the people of Osun State, with a view to cowing them ahead of the August 9 governorship election in the state.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party wondered why the FG would send agents of the Department of State Services (DSS), some of them masked and clad in black, to the state to harass innocent citizens in an unprovoked and primitive show of power that could only be described as sheer gangsterism. ‘’As widely reported, DSS agents, armed to the teeth and riding in over 50 trucks, drove around Osogbo and other parts of Osun State on Wednesday blaring siren and shooting sporadically in the air, thus disrupting the normally peaceful life in the state. ‘’Residents who were visibly traumatized by the shameful display of state power ran helter-skelter and wondered why their government has sent masked men, or ninjas, to terrorize them. They now understand that the masked thugs who have been following the PDP candidate around on his campaign trail were actually government sanctioned.

This is a power show taken too far, even with the well-known impunity tendencies of the Jonathan Administration,’’ it said.

APC said information at its disposal shows that 5,000 more DSS men are being dispatched to the state

before the election, on the basis of an orchestrated petition alleging that certain APC leaders are planning to foment trouble during the election. ‘’The real purpose of this fake petition and the consequent deployment of thousands of secret police to Osun is to harass, intimidate and arrest the leaders of the APC in the state, in a repeat of what transpired in Ekiti. ‘’Flooding Osun with irresponsible DSS officials to terrorize the residents is another low for a government that is notorious for abuse of power and federal institutions. It is no longer news that the military, the police and other security agencies are working for the Jonathan Administration, rather than for all of Nigeria.

What is new is that the security agencies have now been unleashed on the citizenry. ‘’What rankles even more is the constant assurances by President Jonathan that the election will be free and fair. How can we have a credible election in an atmosphere of state-led gangsterism? How can we have a credible election when the FG that is supposed to protect the people and ensure violence-free polls is the same one that purveys violence? Where else in the world do secret police announce themselves by firing to scare away harmless citizens? When did masks become part of the uniform of the State Security Service agents?’’,the party queried.

It reminded the DSS officials that the guns they use to terrorize the people of Osun were bought by taxpayers, and that they were trained at the expense of taxpayers.

The Governor of Niger state Dr Mu’azuBabangidaAliyu (right) on a condolence visit to the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’i, over the death of his son,Hamza, with them (middle) is the MD COE of Elite Jets Alhaji Ibrahim Wali (Garkuwan Kontagora), yesterday in Abuja

Group applauds NAHCON over Hajj fare From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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roup under the aegis of Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR)has commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for ensuring that there is no significant increase in 2014 hajj fare compared with the previous year.

The group equally commended the Federal Government for approving concessionary exchange rate of N150 to one US dollar for 2014 hajj rates.

This was contained in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed

and Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Mahmodu and made available to newsmen in the state.

“Having reviewed the 2014 hajj fare as released by the National Hajj commission of Nigeria, we commend Federal Government for approving a concessionary rate of N150 to one US dollar for 2014 hajj transaction. We equally commend NAHCON for ensuring that there is no significant increase in 2014 hajj fare as compared to the previous year.

“We however, observe what will think to be an error in the hajj fare press statement as released by NAHCON on the northern depar-

ture zone paying higher than southern departure zone. We therefore advise NAHCON to appropriately correct it,” he said.

According to the group, NAHCON should make sure that service providers adhere strictly with their contractual obligations to pilgrims in order to complement its efforts for a hitch-free hajj exercise The statement urged “the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure that basic traveling allowance (BTA) are processed on time for onward distribution to commercial banks where states pilgrims boards are expected to draw such funds from.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

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Crime Cycle

Stanley Onyekwere pmlcrimecycle@gmail.com 08138559513

Hoodlums in police net for stealing tricycles at Mosques T he police in Abuja have arrested and paraded some hoodlums, who allegedly specialized on stealing tricycles otherwise known as Keke NAPEP, from mosques, during Friday prayers.

According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command, Deputy Superintendent, EmekaOnya, the suspects were notorious for sneaking into mosques to steal tricycles packed around there.

“We got information that some men, who came to Abuja

were in Kano state, selling those stolen tricycles. We sent men of FCT Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) to go after them and when they got to Kano.

“They were able to apprehend the criminals and one Alhaji, whom they (suspects) supplied the tricycles to,” the spokesman narrated.

He added that most of the stolen tricycles were from the mosque, particularly on Fridays, even as hailed the police crack team for apprehending the suspects,

saying that they will soon appear in court.

“I ran to the police and reported that my Keke had been stolen from where I left it to pray inside the mosque.

“While at the police station, I also realize that other people, who were in the mosque at Apo had also lost their keke too,” Abuja Digest weekly quoted a victim, who preferred to be called Hassan.

According to the said victim, he saw two men as they paid special attention to the vehicle when he parked it at the mosque.

Chief Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

How Policemen killed bus passenger over bribery in Lagos Estranged hubby labels wife “slut”

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Photo: Sahara Reporters

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he family of a passenger in a bus, whose driver resisted bribery demand by policemen from Alakara police station in Lagos state, has claimed the body of the deceased and buried him in Ibadan, Oyo state.

The victim, identified as 23-year old LawalToheeb, was shot and killed at 9: 30 p.m. on the night of July 22 at Alakara junction in Mushin, Lagos.

According to the SaharaReporters, several eyewitnesses said the police, who were at their usual pastime of demanding bribes from bus drivers,

had shot at a bus whose driver resisted their demand. The gunshot killed Mr. Toheeb, a passenger in the bus, but the driver and other passengers scampered for safety.

The policemen had immediately cleaned blood stains from the scene of their murder and removed the body of the victim. Eyewitnesses, who suspected that the police would try to cover their murderous crime, reported the atrocity to SaharaReporters.

A witness, who owns a business stall in the area, also claimed that the police

caused the automobile accident in 2010 that claimed the life of a budding rap artiste, OlaitanOlanipekun, aka Da Grin.

He said the police had stopped a truck loaded with cement in the middle of the road in order to harass the driver for a bribe.

“The cement truck had no rear lights on, so the musician who was driving an oncoming car did not know there was any vehicle ahead and rammed into it without holding the brake,” the Online medium quoted the source.

Bizman docked over cheating

A 30-year old businessman, Benjamin Yusuf, 32, has appeared in an Upper Area court in Kado, in the nation’s capital city, Abuja ,for alleged cheating.

Yusuf, a resident of Prince and Princess Estate in Gudu, Abuja, was arraigned on onecount charge of cheating.

The prosecutor, Sgt Simon Ibrahim, told the court thatMsOnyiyechiIgwe of No. 63 Mabolo

Street, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, lodged a report against the accused at the Utako police station on March 10.

Ibrahim said that the accused collected N240, 000 from the complainant on Feb. 23 with a promise to return same the next day but did not.

He said when the complainant asked for her money the accused took her to a bank.

The prosecutor further said that the accused pretended to have withdrawn some dollars with which he said he intended to pay the complainant after changing the money to Naira.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 322 of the Penal Code.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), if convicted, he is liable to three years in prison or with an option to pay fine or with both.

He added that the policemen asked the truck driver to pull up and out of the road, and then they moved Da Grin’s car too to give the appearance that the musician’s car hit a truck parked by the roadside.

A relative of Mr. Toheeb claimed that the police admitted to his killing and took responsibility for his burial.

The source added that the police told Mr. Toheeb’s family that the officer who fired the fatal bullet had been detained for punishment. The name of the killer cop was, however, not disclosed.

After the charges were read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty.

The presiding judge, Mr.AbubakarSadiq, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N20, 000 with a surety in like sum.

Sadiq ordered that the surety must have a reliable address and reside within the jurisdiction of the court, and adjourned the case for hearing on a later date.

n estranged hubby, Samson Animashaun, seeking legal dissolution of his 14-year old marriage with one Anirat has described her as a slut, for allegedly desecrating her matrimonial home.

“My wife is a prostitute and a slut; she has desecrated her matrimonial home,’’ Animashaun, a cabinet maker, told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the estranged hubby, 37, wants the court to dissolve hismarriage with Anirat, 34, a trader, on the grounds of prostitution and infidelity.

“My wife is dating many men, who come to pick and drop her in front of our house.

“She receives calls from them even at night in my presence. I once caught her red-handed with a man in our room,’’ he alleges.

He said since the woman had parked out of her matrimonial home to live with another man the union had already been severed.

The petitioner, Anirat, had urged the court to dissolve the marriage, alleging lack of care.

She claims: “My husband does not take care of the family.

He abandoned the children even when they were ill; and I singlehandedly paid the children’s hospital bills.

“He also denied me access to my children and threatened to kill me if I go near them.”

Anirat, however, did not object to the dissolution of the marriage, saying she can no longer cope.

In his ruling, the President of the court, Mr. R.I. Adeyeri, adjourned the case to August 13 for judgment.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Page 15

Politics Akpabio’s govt responsible for atrocities in Akwa Ibom, says Umana Since his removal as the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government,Umana Okon Umana has been a subject of discussion because of his decision to defy the zoning formula of the PDP (zoned to Eket Senatorial District) to contest the governorship election. Umana is from Uyo. In an interview, he spoke on his removal from office, predicament since he left office. Our Correspondent Mike Etim in Uyo was there…excerpts.

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t was rumored that Governor Akpabio promised to make you his successor, was there any such promise?

Well, what is important is that I am in the race and I am committed. It does not really matter who could have made promises to me in the past or who offered to support me in the past because whether the governor offered to support me in the past or whether he has changed his mind, what is important is that I have set out to run for the position of the governor in 2015.

I have something to offer in that regard, to better the lot of our people.

I would not want to dwell on whether the governor promised to support me in the past or whether he is no longer supporting me. I only would like to concentrate on the fact that I am committed and I appreciate the massive support I have been shown all over the state.

You suddenly left office at some point, why were you locked out of office? Did you actually resign your position or what transpired at that level?

You know, any position of appointment that you accept is retained at the pleasure of the governor, and at any point in time, both parties, if you feel you can no longer continue, you have the right to resign and if the governor who appointed you also feel you can no longer continue, he also has the right to ask you to disengage.

So I believe that based on my letter of disengagement, if we have to go by that, the governor thanked me for my services and contribution to the development of the state and wished me well, so that is to say that we have come to that point where we say we had to separate.

But maybe the manner of separation was not ideal because I was out of town when I heard the story that my office was sealed up by the police and SSS. I heard the story from AIT and Channels, so it couldn’t have been speculations, I saw it on the news bar of AIT and Channels and I believe that maybe the Commissioner for Information must have issued a statement.

Why are you running for the position of governorship?

Well, this is the question that I would have to answer very well when the time comes to explain to Akwa Ibom State why they have to vote for me, even though I cannot give you a full picture of what my blueprint would be, I want to say that for the fact that I have been involved in the last two administrations as Commissioner for Finance in the administration of Obong Attah and SSG in the administration of Governor Akpabio, I can appreciate the challenges of the state, I am aware that we still have a lot to do especially in the area of infrastructure.

There are speculations that you and other aspirants are coming together to form a formidable force against the interest of government in terms of succession, is that true?

Well, I don’t know why the government should have an interest as government. I don’t know why, because when we say there should be a level playing field, we are saying that let there be an equal opportunity, and let the people of Akwa Ibom state decide who they want to vote for, that is all we are asking for, and we have been very consistent with our position.

We have made references to the past, even when our incumbent governor also contested the primaries against 57 other aspirants in 2006, the state governor did not interfere, he did not issue threat, we didn’t have report about the former governor threatening aspirants or delegates that they would die, or that they should not come close to the gate where the election will be held.

There was nothing like that, everybody was given the opportunity to go round to make consultation, the party was open to all aspirants.

The party was there for everybody, there was no discrimination, the party chairman was not barred from taking calls from certain aspirants. So there is nothing wrong, the aspirants can talk to each other and form alliances, it is part of politics, there is nothing wrong.

At some point you raised some alarm about threat to your life?

All I ask for is that people should be investigated, and that is not too much to ask for. So, for example you are aware of the case of our Director General, Chief Sunny Udom, armed men invaded his office, and thank God he was not around, and we were told they were robbers, and we felt we should write to the appropriate authorities so that the matter can be exhaustively investigated and dealt with.

The next was my own personal experience, in December I received a threat letter, of course I had submitted a copy of the letter to the police, I was asked to withdraw from the governorship race, else I would be attacked in either Uyo, Lagos or Abuja and I did not pay too much attention to it because I had police protection.

I travelled out, I was in Abuja when I got the report that my police details have been withdrawn and it came as a surprise, a curious coincidence of police details being withdrawn a few days after I received the threat letter, and when I made further enquiries I was told that they were withdrawn by the order of the governor. That is why we are saying that there is need for investigation.

And it is against the background of what we witnessed in 2010/2011 when elections were around the corners, there seems to be co-relations and the

Umana Okon Umana, Akwa Ibom State SSG authorities should be investigated. So we call on the police and other relevant agencies to investigate and come out with a report, and if the report indicts any person, then the law would take its course. So we acted as responsible citizens by making a report and calling for investigations. We didn’t say anybody is guilty, but we suspect that there must be fowl play that the authorities should investigate further.

But you served in the past governments and it is alleged that you were part and parcel of the atrocities committed by them. Why are you shouting now?

You think that because I served the last administration, so whatever

“

transpired, I must have been the one who gave advice, I don’t think that you can give advice for assassinations and murders of terminal magnitude. That wasn’t part of the mandate of my office, if you go and look at the constitutional demands of my office, I don’t think you would find anything on how to advice for killings and the rest, it wasn’t part of my mandate, so I only operated and acted within the mandate of my office.

And let me also point out that even in government, it is the governor who is the chief security officer because all the security chiefs reports to the governor, because he is vested with the executive powers to run things. The bulk stops on his table, which means

he must take responsibility. That means there is no way you would talk about Umana and Udom’s administration, everybody will talk about Akpabio’s administration, same way you talk about Attah’s administration, nobody knows who was SSG, in few years, nobody would care.

Leadership means you must take responsibility for whatever you do, you don’t blame subordinate especially when you are vested with veto power.

When people talk about Obasanjo’s administration, nobody would talk About Ufot Ekaete. Even the people who have been convicted for murder, it is only the governor who can sign for their execution.

As SSG I did not have the power to approve any item of expenditure and the treasury would only pay when the governor approves, that is the way it works. But sometime people feel that because you hold a sensitive position, you must know everything. There have been stories that Umana as SSG was very powerful that even some commissioners who were removed were removed at his instructions.

I have read that in some of the papers and it is absolutely ridiculous because it is only the governor who can appoint and fire. It is totally ridiculous because if I can have the power to sack a commissioner without the knowledge of the governor and then it would mean that maybe I also would go to the lodge and put a gun on the governor’s head to sign and approve a nomination letter for new commissioners that would go to the house of Assembly and I would also arrange and put a gun on his head to swear them in, it is totally ridiculous, it also goes to show that people could tell a lot of stories.

So if I recommended the dropping of commissioners, who recommended my own disengagement? When I got fired, I also made the recommendation?

It has even been rumored that I also recommended my successor who happens to be my cousin, meanwhile I am not related to him in anyway, that is not to say that I have anything against him. The Governor is the chief security officer, that is why if we have insecurity in the state, you cannot go and blame someone else, the governor must take responsibility for it, which is the way it is by law.

Leadership means you must take responsibility for whatever you do, you don’t blame subordinate especially when you are vested with veto power… Even the people who have been convicted for murder, it is only the governor who can sign for their execution.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Senate Diary Ekweremadu defends Ph.D thesis at UniAbuja Chukwumerije slams With Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Aregbeshola’s education policies

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hairnman of Senate Committee on Education, Uche Chukwumerije, has criticized the education policies of Governor Rauf Aregbeshola of Osun state.

In a statement he issued personally, Chukwumerije said the education policies being initiated in the state are contrary to the excellence being claimed by the Governor.

The statement said “two years ago when the Senate Committee on Education visited Osun State as part of its oversight functions, I had cause to commend the education policies of Rauf Aregbesola.

“Over 700 days down the line, a lot of water has passed under

the bridge with many insisting that those policies were merely on paper.

“In addition, stakeholders in the State, especially parents, proprietors, and school managers have inundated the Committee with tell-tales of woes in schools in the State, adding that the waters that have passed under the bridge in two years have been muddied.

“They cited as an example the questionable N8 billion “Opon Imo” project. This has also been confirmed by political opponents of the governor in their public comments. When good policies are darkened the way that project was, then change is a must”, Chukwumerije said.

Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Chairman, Education

Commonwealth Games: Mark commends Team Nigeria over impressive outing

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enate President, David Mark has sent a solidarity message to Nigeria athletes and officials otherwise called ‘team Nigeria ‘ in the ongoing 2014 Commonwealth games holding in Glasgow, Scotland for their superlative performances so far.

Mark, in a goodwill message to the Nigerian representatives, expressed joy that the athletes were flying the nation’s flag very high in Glasgow.

He said the medals being won by Nigerian athletes especially in weight lifting and the women 100metres

by Blessing Okagbare “are clear manifestations that the nation has come of age in international sporting competition”.

The Senate President assured the athletes and officials that the federal government would do the needful in terms of their welfare and urged them not to rest on their oars in the medal chase.

He added that the National Assembly will continue to give adequate budgetary allocation to

sports development, saying that sports remain a potential ingredient for unity of any country.

Mark pointed out that sports is not just for entertainment but now a yardstick for measuring nations’ socio- economic and political strength.

Before the Nigerian representatives left the shores of Nigeria for Glasgow, on July 23, 2014, Mark told them to rise up to the challenges of rekindling the winning spirit of the nation in international sporting competition.

He told the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) President, Sani Ndanusa to leave no stone unturned in the quest for medals at the Glasgow meet for Nigeria.

Ndanusa had promised that the athletes would do the nation proud “because we had good training with modern sporting facilities”.

Besides, he said government will not compromise the welfare of the athletes and officials.

Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu

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he Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has defended his doctoral thesis at the University of Abuja, last Thursday, wherein he advocated for financial autonomy for local governments.

The thesis titled “A Critical Appraisal of the Legal Framework, Theory and Practice of Fiscal Federalism in Nigeria” was submitted to the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja towards the award of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree in Law of the University.

The 265-page research work analyses the legal framework for the revenue allocation in Nigeria and the various formula for distribution of revenue amongst the various tiers of government in the country.

It also analyses the theory and practice as well as the adequacy or otherwise of federalism in Nigeria, and how it has affected revenue allocation and control of resources in Nigeria.

The Senator who also chairs the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution for the second consecutive time posits that “as long as states continue to

depend on the Federal Government for their economic development and survival, the wrangling and controversy surrounding the issue of revenue allocation would remain persistent and a recurrent problem in Nigerian fiscal federalism.”

Amongst others, Senator Ike Ekweremadu recommended a “radical review of the functions of each level of government in the constitution”, taking “cognizance of the respective capabilities of each level of government to perform services assigned to it most effectively and efficiently”.

He also recommended that the “local government should be given some degree of financial autonomy through the restructuring of the taxation powers”.

Meanwhile, the Deputy President of the Senate holds both Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws Degrees from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He also taught Constitutional Law and Labour Law at the same University before joining politics in 1997.

‘My conviction on a United Nigeria has been shattered’ – Abe

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gainst the backdrop of series of challenges facing Nigeria, coupled with the over reliance of her peoples on oil as the only means of survival with attendant unhealthy rivalries among them as regards sharing formular of proceeds from it, Nigeria may break up as a country if the trends are not checked, said Senator Magnus Abe. Abe who chairs the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), made the assertion in Abuja while commenting on burning issues in the polity, particularly resource control on oil which according to him, has imposed the culture of shared economy on Nigerians as against resource generation by the various co- ordinate units of the Federation.

The senator, who represents Rivers South East Senatorial District in the Senate, pointedly declared that the myriad of problems presently facing the country and the self-centeredness approach being used by Nigerians to confront them, have eroded his conviction that Nigerian has come to stay as a united country.

He said “My position on resource control is very straight

forward; I think the issue challenging this country is beyond the issue of resource control or rather issue of resource generation to run this country. What we are currently having in Nigeria is sharing economy where everybody depends on whatever come from oil; “There are countries in this world that produce absolute nothing and they are still making money by managing the quality of human being in their countries but in this country the quality of our human being begin to deteriorate every day. The quality of Education is falling, the standard of living is falling and the quality of lives of citizens are falling, “The most important thing for us to concentrate attention on, is getting the least attention in this country, what is getting the most attention is Oil, if you seat with people who think and analyse what we are doing in this country, what we are wasting in this country, what we can convert what we are not touching in this country into, what we can get our human begins to do, you will be amazed on how far we are sliding.

“Why worry too much on who

take percentage of oil and who does not take percentage of oil, before, I used to be convinced that Nigeria have made up their minds to be together, I don’t have that conviction anymore, if we are not careful, this country can blow up and split into different parts, all over the issue of oil and at the end of the day even those who think they will gain from that will lose”.

He however said Nigeria will do better as a United, Progressive and Democratic country built on reward for contribution.

His words:”I believe Nigeria will do better as United, Progressive, democratic country, where everybody right is respected, where people are treated fairly and justly, where if you contribute something you will be rewarded for your contribution and others are encouraged to contribute than bicker and fight and end up destroying ourselves .

Honestly speaking, if you have been with me two months ago, I use to tell people that I still believe that Nigerians want to live together but as I am sitting down now, I cannot say that with same conviction any longer”.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

PAGE17

Politics

N100m scandal: Is it the solution to Chibok?

By Abubakar Ibrahim

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he crisis rocking Nigeria is becoming more multifaced with alarm over the appearance of Ebola through the Liberian diplomat, Patrick Sawyer who died in Lagos on arrival in a commercial flight from Liberia.

Adrenalins especially of Lagos residents are now pumping high in fear of the pandemic which has claimed almost 700 lives in Guinea-Conakry, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

In fact, the country needs extra prayers given the incurability of the disease that attacks the body’s immune system, sparks severe fever, vomiting and blood gush from the skin pores and the like.

We need God badly at this stage not for anything but because of doubts over the capacity of our health delivery structure to withstand an avalanche of cases if it happens to infect any one in Lagos, a city known with close knit population where family ties are strong, sense of sympathy and empathy is high and body contact encouraged without as much caution as medically advised.

This is despite the Boko Haram insurgency which has, for the past five years, become a difficult hurdle to cross each passing day.

It did not get much concern until over 200 girls were abducted by the rebels sparking international outcry. Not only that, the case has turned to a local and international embarrassment to the chagrin of Nigerians and elation of the insurgents.

The presidency has faced intense criticism over its handling of the kidnap of the Chibok girls being held by the extremist Boko Haram sect since April 14.

110 days into the captivity of these girls, the Federal Government has not rescued them, neither has it negotiated their release or general détente or ceasefire with the sect for lasting peace yet. Rather, a rigmarole commenced with accusations and counter-accusations from governments and individuals, with sometimes studied denial or politicisation of the saga to the detriment of the victims still in captivity.

The Chief of Defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Badeh had recently confirmed knowledge of the whereabouts of the girls but wary of a military action that could harm them. So far, Nigerians and the international community are still waiting with baited breath for an answer. After about three months of prevarication, President Jonathan finally agreed to meet with the parents of the abducted girls after he was persuaded to do so by Malala Yusoufai, the Pakistani teenager who champions the cause of girl child education.

At last, President Goodluck Jonathan invited parents and some of the escapees to the Aso Rock villa last week.

The aftermath however, is a scandal trying to distract attention

President Goodluck Jonathan with Chibok Girls’ parents from the core issue at stake.

President Jonathan allegedly made a cash gift of N100million to parents of abducted Chibok girls, after a meeting at the Presidential villa on July 22 sparking disagreement between some of the parents and leaders of the Chibok community in Abuja.

It is unclear why the presidency stocks millions of naira in cash at the presidential villa for distribution to visitors at a time the Central Bank of Nigeria is aggressively pursuing a cashless policy.

The presidency, according to reports, allegedly released the funds to leaders of the Chibok community in Abuja for onward passage to parents of the kidnapped schoolgirls but some of the parents are alleging shortchange by the community leaders.

One parent, who was among visitors to the president, told the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) Abdu Halilu that he got only N200, 000.

“I got only N200, 000 out of the said N100million allegedly received by our leaders in Abuja.

Some of us got N300,000 and some less than that,” he said.

He also expressed disgust with

“

the way the money was shared among the parents.“Our leaders in Abuja are using the girls to enrich themselves. In fact, some of the parents were screened out of the entourage by the Chibok leaders in Abuja. Many of them are residents of Abuja, not parents of the kidnapped girls,” he said.

Another parent, who was screened out of the delegation, said he got only N7,000 out of the money shared.

“I was at the farm when they brought the N7, 000 to my house and I collected it. Some of us got even less, N300 and below,” he said.

One of the community leaders, Pobu Bitrus, a member of the House of Representatives, who was at the meeting with the president, admitted to the BBC that after the meeting, monies were distributed to the parents in envelopes.

“After we met with the presidency, the parents were given monies in envelopes and that’s all.

All other things they are saying about N100million, I don’t know about that,” Bitrus said.

But clarifying the issue, the leadership of Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA), a body representing

I was at the farm when they brought the N7, 000 to my house and I collected it. Some of us got even less, N300 and below,”

Chibok citizens expressed disgust “at the recent information circulating in the media over alleged receipt of money by the leadership of KADA from the Presidency”.

“We helped make that visit possible despite our misgivings that it was a poor substitute to our expectation that Mr. President should have visited Chibok even before the visit of our people for a tragedy that is now 107 days old”, a press release issued Wednesday and signed by Dauda Ilya, Spokesperson of KADA stated.

KADA then gave a chronological account of the events during the presidential villa visit as follows: “On the night of the 22nd July, 2014 at about midnight, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties who had been coordinating the visit on the side of the Presidency, visited the hotel and told the 51 escaped girls who came that the Presidency sent them a token of N100,000.00 each and accordingly gave them the said sum without prior discussion with any KADA official or any other person in the community.

“He equally gave the sum of N200,000.00 each to 61 parents out of the 122 parents that came on the visit. 51 Parents were given N100,000.00 each on the basis that the money given to him was not enough to go round at N200,000.00. The remaining 10 parents were not given any amount of money.

“As for the money given to some parents back home in Chibok, it was the sum of N1,000,000.00 given to them by the Hon. Member of the House of Reps representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency which is the source of the alleged N7,000.00 given to parents in Chibok that were not part of the visit.

“While we acknowledge that any well intended support for our suffering population which has lost means of livelihood since the events of April 14 and subsequent attacks could be welcome; however the approach that the Presidency adopted has brought reproach and dishonour to our community in the eyes of the public that has supported us since the abduction of our daughters.

“We hereby state categorically that NO AMOUNT OF MONEY whatsoever was given to KADA leadership to share among the parents and escaped girls or for whatever reason and therefore the allegation is completely baseless, false and malicious to say the least.

Just as the visit is taking a life of its own, Nigeria is currently thinking of an ambitious loan of $1 billion for the purchase of 40 military aircraft (among others) to fight Boko Haram. Without doubt, the loan which add up our debt despite complete repayment under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, will be obtained from western banks. Here, the foreign world is killing two birds with one stone; offering the loan on heavy interest and selling the armaments, probably at equally ludicrous prices.

Coming at a time when the origin of Boko Haram, as it is a menace today, is increasingly shrouded in mystery, the presidential largesse leaves much to be desired. Today it is Ebola, a disease without a known cure for now just like AIDS, two dangerous viruses allegedly lab-produced as weapon of mass murder in case conventional wars drag too long.

Can money solve all the problems? How much long will the President continue to pour money on aftermath of conflicts or disasters when other costless channels exist? Only time will tell.

PAGE 18

ICT World Today

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

ICT Stakeholders seek ways of fighting counterfeit devices at Geneva

By Chris Alu

S

takeholders of the International telecommunication Union ITU met at the latest ITU-T SG11 on Protocols and test specifications, recently in Geneva and the high point of their discussion was to find ways of fighting the growing problem of counterfeit devices on ICT. The meeting, which was attended by various stakeholders in the information technology sector and the international organizations including the World Trade Organization (WTO), World Custom Organization (WCO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the Mobile Manufacturing Forum (MMF), contributed to the progress of the draft Technical Report on Counterfeited and Substandard ICT Equipment”. It was also meant to anticipate the baseline document in the first phase of the meeting.

Long before now, there were several forums and conferences which had hitherto called on the ITU’s assistance in addressing the growing problem of counterfeit ICT products and devices, which is adversely affecting all stakeholders in the field such as vendors, governments, operators and consumers to mention a few.

Latching on this, the meeting agreed to revise the terms of reference of its Question 8(Q8/11) ‘Guidelines for implementations, signaling, protocols, and addressing counterfeit ICT devices’, which was the clause of the matter.

ICT experts among them Isaac Boateng, of the National Communications Authority, Ghana, and Rapporteur of Q8/11 explained at the gathering that the study on counterfeit ICT devices currently going on in SG11 was driven by resolution 177 (Guadalajara 2010) of the Plenipotentiary conference. That conference had dwelt on conformance and Interoperability that ‘instructs the director of the telecommunication develop-

Sets of ICT equipment

ment bureau, in close collaboration with the director of the telecommunication standardization bureau and the director of the radio communication bureau, to assist member states in addressing their concerns with respect to counterfeit equipment’.

He said ‘I expect that the publication of the technical report could support the ITU Member States, particularly those in developing countries, to develop policies and regulatory framework to combat counterfeit devices in their national telecommunication strategies.”

According to him, the issue of combating counterfeit and substandard ICT devices will be discussed again on 17 and 18 November 2014 at ITU headquarters in Switzerland.

He said that substandard and fake ICT products are a serious issue that impacts developed and developing economies, as well as the consumer population around the world. he highlight of the meeting was discussed in threefold, first was to discuss the global scope and impact of counterfeiting and substandard ICT products on various stakeholders, secondly look into the common concerns, challenges, initiatives, practices and opportunities of the various stakeholders in their fight against counterfeiting and substandard ICT products; as well as examine the possible role of ICT standards development organizations (SDOs), and in particular the ITU, as part of the global strategy and solution to curtail counterfeiting and substandard ICT products.

The ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) also approved in Dubai (2014) a new resolution on “the role of telecommunications/information and communication technologies in combating and dealing with counterfeit telecommunication/information and communication devices” (see draft final report Members restricted).

However, stakeholders stated

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that their next meeting will give room to discuss issues focusing on counterfeiting in ITU-T (Q8/11) and also on how to combat counterfeit and substandard ICT devices. Also other report on counterfeited and substandard ICT equipment will then be stable for approval. All members were asked to submit contributions to Q8/11 to start new work items on them.

Similarly, Nick Heudecker, the research director at Gartner Warns of the organizations of Data Lake Fallacy Company, said that the growing hype surrounding data lakes is causing substantial confusion in the information management space. According to him, several vendors are marketing data lakes as an essential component to capitalize on Big Data opportunities, but there is little alignment between vendors about what comprises of Data Lake, and how to get value for it.

He explained that, data lakes are marketed as enterprise wide data management platforms for analyzing disparate sources of data in its native format. Further, he said the idea is simple: Instead of placing data in a purpose-built data store, you move it into a data lake in its original format.

This eliminates the upfront costs of data ingestion, like transformation.

He said that once data is placed into the lake, it’s available for analysis by everyone in the organization. owever, while the marketing hype suggests audiences throughout an enterprise will leverage data lakes, this positioning assume that all those audiences are highly skilled at data manipulation and analysis, as data lakes lack semantic consistency and governed metadata.

“The need for increased agility and accessibility for data analysis is the primary driver for data lakes,” said Andrew White, vice president and distinguished analyst at Gartner.

“Nevertheless, while it is certainly true that data lake can provide

H

Mrs. Omobola Johnson is Nigeria’s Honorable Minister of Communication value to various parts of the organization; the proposition of enterprisewide data management has yet to be realized.”

Data lakes focus on storing disparate data and ignore how or why data is used and governed defined and secured. The data lake concept hopes to solve two problems, one old and one new. The old problem it tries to solve is information silos. Rather than having dozens of independently managed collections of data, you can combine these sources in the unmanaged data lake.

The consolidation theoretically results in increased information use and sharing, while cutting costs through server and license reduction.

The new problem data lakes conceptually tackle pertains to Big Data initiatives. Big data projects require a large amount of varied information.

The information is so varied that it’s not clear what it is when it is received, and constraining it in something as structured as a data warehouse or relational database management system (RDBMS) constrains future analysis.

“Addressing both of these issues with a data lake certainly benefits IT in the short term in that IT no longer has to spend time understanding how information is used — data is simply dumped into the data lake,” said White.

“However, getting value out of the data remains the responsibility of the business end user. Of course, technology could be applied or added to the lake to do this, but without at least some semblance of information governance, the lake will end up being a collection of disconnected data pools or information silos all in one place.”

Data lakes therefore carry substantial risks. The most important is the inability to determine data quality or the lineage of findings by other analysts or users that have found value, previously, in using the same data in the lake. By its definition, a data lake accepts any data, without oversight or governance.

Without descriptive metadata and a mechanism to maintain it, the data lake risks turning into a data swamp. And without metadata, every subsequent use of data means analysts start from scratch.

Another risk is security and access control. Data can be placed into the data lake with no oversight of the contents. Many data lakes are being used for data whose privacy and

regulatory requirements are likely to represent risk exposure. The security capabilities of central data lake technologies are still embryonic. These issues will not be addressed if left to non-IT personnel.

Finally, performance aspects should not be overlooked. Tools and data interfaces simply cannot perform at the same level against a general-purpose store as they can against optimized and purpose-built infrastructure. For these reasons, Gartner recommends that organizations focus on semantic consistency and performance in upstream applications and data stores instead of information consolidation in a data lake.

“Data lakes typically begin as ungoverned data stores,” said Heudecker. “Meeting the needs of wider audiences requires curate repositories with governance, semantic consistency and access controls elements already found in a data warehouse.

The fundamental issue with the data lake is that it makes certain assumptions about the users of information,” said Heudecker.

“It assumes that users recognize or understand the contextual bias of how data is captured, that they know how to merge and reconcile different data sources without ‘a priori knowledge’ and that they understand the incomplete nature of data sets, regardless of structure.” hile these assumptions may be true for users working with data, such as data scientists, the majority of business users lack this level of sophistication or support from operational information governance routines. Developing or acquiring these skills or obtaining such support on an individual basis, is both time-consuming and expensive, or impossible.

“There is always value to be found in data but the question your organization has to address is this — do we allow or even encourage one-off, independent analysis of information in silos or a data lake, bringing said data together, or do we formalize to a degree that effort, and try to sustain the value-generating skills we develop?” said White.

“If the option is the former, it is quite likely that a data lake will appeal. If the decision tends toward the latter, it is beneficial to move beyond a data lake concept quite quickly in order to develop a more robust logical data warehouse strategy.

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Tourism

Wase rock: breeding place of the White Pelican birds W

ase Rock is a massive dome shaped rocky inselberg found near Wase town in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State in central Nigeria. Standing alone in the Wase plains, it achieves a remarkable height of about 350 metres (1,150 ft) above the surface of the neighbouring surroundings.

Available records indicate that this beautiful massive dome shaped rocky inselberg is one out of only five in the world.

The Wase rock has been described as a volcanic plug by geographers. It is visible for a radius of 40 kilometres (25 miles) due to its height. It is one of the only five breeding places for the Rossy white pelican birds in Africa. The government now protects about 321 hectares (790 acres) of land around the rock as a bird sanctuary and for wildlife development.

Wase is a town and Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State in North-Central Nigeria. Situated some 216 km south east of Jos, the Plateau State capital, Wase State is a traditional state founded in the area in 1820; this became part of the British Royal Niger Company protectorate (later Northern Nigeria) in 1898.

The population of the LGA was 125,000 people as of 2003, and the area is 1750 km².

Environmental view of Wase rock

PAGE 19

Bashar is a town next to Wase among the districts in terms of population, political background and leadership. Other notable towns and villages include Lamba, Saluwe, Mavo, Wase-Tofa, etc.

A unique feature of Wase is the famous Wase Rock. It is perhaps the most outstanding and breath-taking sight in Nigeria,[according to whom?] in terms of rock formations. This beautiful topographic feature stands alone, and rises sharply at well over 800 ft (250 m), like an imposing skyscraper, above the surrounding Wase plain. The rock is also surrounded by the Wase Game Reserve/ Bird Sanctuary and serves as one of the rare breeding places of the White Pelican birds in Africa. The rock is a mountaineers’ delight and a must-visit for bird watching and picnics.

Another feature is the Wase River, which runs through the LGA. It serves as a major water source for both irrigation and the domestic use of the local communities.

The Boghom language is spoken in Bashar NGA. The main tribal group in the local council are the Fulani ruled by an Emir who doubles as the chairman of the local emirate council. The Tarok tribe also forms a significant population in Wase Local

government council. There are only two emirate councils in Plateau state, the other is Kanam. Emirs are selected by a council of seven kingmakers. The 13th Emir of Wase was Alhaji (Dr.) Haruna Abdullahi Maikano. He was nominated three months after the death of his father in September 2001, but was not confirmed until a year later. He was assisted by the Rekna of Bashar, Alh. Adamu Idris in conducting the affairs of the traditional council. who control the traditional council in the absence of the emir.

Haruna Abdullah died in September 2010 at the age of 64. Alh Dr Muhammadu Sambo Haruna replaced late Dr Haruna Abdullah as the 14th Emir of Wase with effect from 28 October 2010.

The Wase Emirate Council consists of four districts, namely: Wase, Bashar, Lamba, and Kadarko. Each of these districts is headed by a district head known as the “Hakimi”, while the several towns and villages in the districts are headed by a chief known as “Sarki”. At the moment, the Rekna of Bashar is the oldest paramount traditional ruler, having spent forty-nine years on the throne. Due to his advanced age, he is currently being assisted by his son, Yusuf Adamu Idris, who is currently working with the Nigeria customs service in conducting the affairs of Bashar.

A stunning view of the enchanting Wase rock in Wase

Page 20

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

d n e k e We

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I still act in Nollywood – Ali Nuhu

Fashion

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Hollywoo

PAGE 21

d Bollywoo

Why babes love money>>PG 34

PG 36

Simple but vital make-up breakdown for gorgeous looks >>PG 28

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Page 22

Your Body, Image & U

How healthy is your tea and coffee?

With Jacqui Iwu bwreforms@gmail.com 08184825606 (sms only)

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hen you walk into a supermarket, shops in Nigeria and ask an attendant—‘’ what kind of teas do you have here?’’ The regular response will be-- We have milo, bournvita, ovaltine, cowbell etc huh? Hahhaaaaaaa!!! Milo, bournvita, ovaltine? Are these tea variety? These are Milk Chocolate drinks and not tea!!!

If you doubt me, take time off and go round shops anywhere you travel in Nigeria, investigate on this and you will see.

Before I make any general statement in my articles , I must

have done my survey and investigation properly. I am also a regular tea/coffee drinker and sampler and get to check out and evaluate different brands. I just love to sit down with a good steaming hot cup of latte or black tea with some good wild Nigerian honey....Mhhhawww...great way to kickstart my day every day. Sure everyday!!!!! I would rather be out of solid foods than not have my varities of coffees/ teas in my kitchen cabinet.

Apart from carrying out survey of what most Nigerians refer to as teas, most of my clients on

weightloss therapy, during registeration, when I asked what they take for breakfast, they will include Tea. Tea? Ok.. what is the name of your Favourite tea? This is where they will list all kinds of milk chocolate drinks we have in the market. Ofcourse once in a while some will add –lipton!

As of coffee, we all know that for years, we have one very popular brand in Nigeria for those who have not taken the time to explore deeper into the coffee beverages. So they will mention that popular brand that has been in existence before most of us were born. If that is the only coffee you have been taking for years, you have missed what it means to enjoy good coffee. Big time!!! No kidding here! Walk into a well standard supermarket, good one, and you will see what i mean. There you will see varieties of good coffees. It is even better when you travel outside Nigeria, the coffee varieties you will see will blow your mind and you will understand, you have not even started drinking coffee at all. o you have a coffee maker in your Kitchen here in Nigeria? Ok...unless you are a foriegner or a very top Executive who knows about coffee and you can tell me ‘’yes’’. Some other persons will be wondering what I mean by coffee maker.

Do you brew your coffee? Brew my coffee? Aha, now you see, most people are so used to instant coffees that they have never seen where REAL fresh coffee is prepared. When you drink coffee that is roasted and freshly brewed every morning then you have arrived in coffee drinking not the chaff we take here by just pouring hot water, add sugar/ honey, milk and boom, coffee is ready. Naija style huh? Pathetic!!

Yet most Nigerians travel out and they drink good brewed fresh cof-

D

fee..what is wrong about having them here? Guess what, Ican’t even mention other ways of enjoying good coffee like- expresso, eggnog, cappucinno etc. You can still see some packaged instant cappucinnos in few good stores here in Nigeria but do they really taste like a fresh cappuccinno?

Sometime ago I was in a big hotel in Ghana on a conference, and during our buffet breakfast, I saw where a waiter was making cappuccinno and i was excited and requested for a cup. When my small cup filled with bubbles arrived, I took a sip and grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, whaaaaaaaaaaaat? Trust me ...I will say it... I must query you....I asked the waiter...what the heck is this? It was so tasteless...never understood what i was drinking...yet I paid so much for it!!

Now when we talk of teas, what we actually mean is your tea that comes in –tea bags, leaves.

Teas come in different types and flavours. We have –black tea, Green tea, white tea, herbal tea, slimming tea, fruit teas, etc.

These are varities of teas which now comes in different brands and they have different taste and fuctions in the body and our health. We also have caffeienated and Decaffeinated ones. Coming to our topic today if drinking tea is healthy, teas are very healthy beverages if you drink good stuffs. I tell people that teas are just special herbs dried and package for consumption.

The black teas can go with milk but others can be taken with your natural sweetners without milk. Now for you to get the best in teas, it depends on your taste and health needs. Most people think slimming teas, green and herbal teas are the only good teas for people with weight problems. That is not correct! Infact if you are not careful with the slimming/herbal/green tea you

take, you harm your health and still not lose weight. Black teas which tend to be very popular can also assist you lose weight if you choose your brands well.

Another point you must take in here is that, if you chose to drink tea to lose weight you must do this under the supervision of an expert to achieve good –lasting results.

You cannot rely on tea drinking only to lose weight if you have overweight issue. People with less weight can lose weight faster with tea combined with good diet. But all in all, good tea brands are helpful in weightloss.

Apart from weigthloss, you can also get good skin nourishing Antioxidant from teas. Most good fruit teas, green teas have lots of Antioxidants. Black teas without milk can also calm your nerves and cure MILD headaches. (If the headche persist for days, see you GP) Now on coffee, just like tea contains caffeine which is the controversial ingredient in both beverages. Some people say caffeine is good, some say it is bad.

Whatever! My stand on coffee if you are drinking fresh roasted coffee is that, they are healthy.

Fresh roasted coffees are coffee beans roasted fresh with your coffee making machine and the taste is different from Instant coffees. They also contains lots of Antioxidants like teas. Coffees are made from coffee fruits and anything fruits are natural and healthy. When next you are in Ethiopia, request for a fresh brew of coffee...you will love it!! eas and coffees are very healthy if you chose good brands. Can I get you a cuppa? Good stuff!!!

Care to join my weekend TEA/COFFEE Business meetups in Abuja? Quite Invigorating sessions!! Beverage sellers Sponsors are welcomed. Get intouch for participation/sponsorship details.

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Jacqui IWU is a BodyImage, Life &Career Coach A Stress Management Expert &Conference Speaker Media Relations Personnel BLOG: http://bluntjacqui.blogspot.com TWITTER: @JacquiWORLD

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Page 23

Womanhood

Senator Zainab Kure: Making her marks in the political arena

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enator Zainab Abdulkadir Kure is a senator at the National Assembly in Abuja. Her political career at the upper legislative house started when she took the oath of office in 2007 as elected Senator for the Niger South constituency of Niger State on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). A serving senator, she represents the people of Niger South senatorial district alongside Senators Dahiru Awaisu Kuta (PDP) Niger East and Senator Ibrahim Musa (APC) of Niger North respectively.

She obtained a BSc in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1984 and worked as a civil servant in Niger State, and rose to the position of permanent secretary before running for senate. Her husband, Alhaji Abdulkadir Kure was governor of Niger State between 1999 and May 2007. Today, she is making her marks in the senate by competently handling the chores assigned her and also making robust contributions to the debates of the red chamber.

After being elected she was appointed to committees on National Planning, Capital Markets and Agriculture. In a midterm evaluation of Senators in May 2009, ThisDay newspapers pointed out that she had sponsored the National Grazing Reserves Establishment and Development Commission Bill, 2008 and the National Poverty Eradication Commission Bill, 2008.

The paper said she had contributed brilliantly to debates in plenary, and was very active and focused in committee work.

As chairman of Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Kure strongly believes that it is possible to enact laws and make them effective towards helping to compel indigenous shippers to patronise Nigerian-owned shipping companies.

“The law will cover two strategic areas such as compelling foreign shipping companies to employ Nigerian seafarers on board their vessels and I said we need to train enough seafarers first so

Senator Zainab Abdulkadir Kure

that when the law comes on stream, there will be qualified and employable seafarers to be engaged on board such foreign ships.

Another segment of the law is making it mandatory for Nigerian importers and exporters to patronise indigenous shipping companies and I also said that the only way this could be achieved is to make sure these indigenous shipping companies have sufficient standard ocean going vessels of all types so that there will be indigenous vessels of internationally classed standards. So let us see the indigenous shipping companies

“

acquire ships under the Coastal and Inland Shipping region. Let’s see Nigerians own ships first before we can talk of such laws”, she said.

She won the senatorial seat for Niger South by polling 281,569 votes to defeat candidates of other parties for the post. Her closest opponent, Alhaji Isa Saidu of the Action Congress (AC) polled 9,808 votes. While she was the Niger State First Lady, she tried to support her husband in bringing the dividends of democracy to the door-steps of the people of the state, especially, in the area

Senator Kure strongly believes that it is possible to enact laws and make them effective towards helping to compel indigenous shippers to patronise Nigerian-owned shipping companies.

of youth empowerment.

Hence, the establishment of her pet project, called the Youth Employment Scheme (YES).

Since the time it was formed, the scheme trained thousands of people living in the state, to be self-employed. Whatever tribe people came from, once they registered, they automatically become a potential beneficiary of the scheme.

After training, tools were donated to the graduates. This project massively helped to reduce child and drug abuse, crime and other vices common among the youths in the state.

Born on November 24, 1959, Senator Kure’s dreams as a youth were to become a top Customs or Immigration officer. This was however, not to be, no thanks to her domineering father-in-law who put an end to that ambition. She once secured the forms from the Department of Immigration and Customs with the intention of joining the Service. She had started filling the forms, but was stopped by her father-in-law to-be.

She said: “My later father-in-law came around the house and saw me filling the forms and asked, ‘which forms are these?’ I said they are for Customs and Immigration.

He screamed and stamped his feet on the ground that I would not join any service that involves the wearing of uniforms; neither will he allow me to join any service that has shifts. And there and then, he asked me to tear the forms, which I did.”

She said there was tremendous pressure on her husband earlier on when she was posted to NTA during her Youth Service. “I simply told those behind it that it is not on screen that men would come and chase me, neither will it be on screen that I will be seen chasing men. I told them that those things are normally done in the dark, not on screen.”

Hajia Kure has always advised men to allow women to be what they want to be and not interfere in their choice of career. She believes that the nation desperately needs the contribution of women in its development.

PAGE 24

Kiddies World

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

With Miriam

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Humbe

ABCDE

HIS AND HERS CORNER

A visit to Aso Rock

Go for the ball

Cartoon Aso Rock

A

so Rock is a large outcrop that is in the heart of Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. The Aso Rock is a 400 metre monolith and is the city’s most noticeable feature.

The Nigerian Presidential Complex, Nigerian National Assembly, and Nigerian Supreme Court are located very close to it. Much of the town extends to the south of the rock. “Aso” means victorious in the native language of the (now displaced) Asokoro (“the people of victory”).

Aso Rock was the site of the 2003 Aso Rock Declaration, issued by

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Heads of Government of the Commonwealth during the CHOGM held in Abuja. It reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s principles as detailed under the Harare Declaration, but set the ‘promotion of democracy and development’ as the organisation’s priorities.

Visitors to this rock are amazed by how much nature has endowed the city of Abuja and Nigeria as a whole with tremendous beauty. The rock on most rainy days appears to have a smoky head with clouds hovering above it. The environment surrounding the rock is also peaceful and welcoming.

Visitors to this rock are amazed by how much nature has endowed the city of Abuja and Nigeria as a whole with tremendous beauty. The rock on most rainy days appears to have a smoky head with clouds hovering above it. The environment surrounding the rock is also peaceful and welcoming.

Tom and Jerry with guest, Doggie

Daffy duck and Bugs bunny

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Kiddies World

PAGE 25

With Miriam

MODEL OF THE WEEK

AFRICAN TALES

How the Rabbit took Leopard’s house

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nce upon a time the Leopard lived in a small house far way in the bush. After thinking for 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.

Day after day the Leopard and the Rabbit were building the same house without meeting or talking together. Soon the house was finished.

The Rabbit was the first to move into the side of the house he had built. Then the Leopard moved into his side then 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 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 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.”

ABCDE

Humbe

The Leopard was terrified. Early the next morning before the Rabbit family got up, the Leopards moved out. On the road they met the Baboon who asked, “Why are you sweating so much and in such a big hurry this early this morning? Why are you carrying all your belongings?

Where are you going?”

The Leopard replied, “We are running away from the Rabbit who plans to kill us and feed us to his children. I have been thrown out by the Rabbit from the house I built with my own hands.” The Baboon answered: “Oh, I know the Rabbit. That’s one of his tricks. Let me take you back to your house. But we must tie our tails in order to go together.”

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, “ 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 and the Rabbit took over the whole house.

Fatima Nuhu Musa graduated from Grade 6, from Dominion International School, Jabi, Abuja

ACTIVITIES

Using the right colours, shade the image below. Describe your action and show your work to your teacher for correction.

Cheers!

CREATIVITY

How to make a bag out of paper Paper bags have different shapes and sizes. It clip tip in the hole. depends on what purpose you are making it. You can even customize the paper bag.

Things you’ll need 3 sheets of double paper Steps Stapler (or tape, if no staples or present, or using this for Flatten two of the double papers. merchandise bags) Choose an object that is as wide as you want the bag Flat object to be.

Place it at the center of the flattened papers. This is the base of the bag. Fold the papers to the edges of the object.

With the third paper, measure the object and cut the paper a few millimeters wider than the object itself. By now you should have two strips.

Using a stapler, staple all the way both strips only on one side of the paper.

Fold the strips outside the initial paper.

Staple the other sides of the strips to the initial paper.

If you have excess paper from your bag you can use it to close the bag with a paper clip: perforate all the paper using a pen over a modeling dough and insert the paper

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Industry Africa: Next Frontier for US Investment Immigration, says Dr. Imudia Dr. Martins I. Imudia is an Attorney at law and a Director at the Centre for United States of America, who currently represents foreign investors under the EB-5 program. The immigrant investor pilot program is to attract more foreign investors to fund businesses and projects in “specific regional centers” that would otherwise find it difficult to attract domestic investment based on current geographical market trends. Prior to joining the center for United States Investment Immigration Services, Dr. Imudia worked as a management consultant to the World Bank on several projects and maintains an ad-hoc consulting role on select projects. He speaks on the benefit of the creation of the investors program (also known as EB -5 program).

W

hat is the EB-5 program all about?

Since the creation of the Investor Program (also known as EB-5), the United States’ fifth preference category for employment-based immigration, China has taken advantage of every opportunity the immigrant visa category has to offer. More than 80 percent of the approximately 10,000 visa numbers allocated annually to EB-5 investors go to Chinese citizens.

This is due to the unprecedented economic growth of China and the creation of many independently wealthy individuals there. Following China closely in the pack are India, Canada, Singapore and Vietnam. With the recent growth of individuals with high net worth in Africa, the region is poised to play a more active role in the Investor Program and reap the benefits that the program offers.

How much do you invest?

The United States Citizens and Immigration Service grants investment visas to applicants who meet one of two conditions: investment of $500,000 in a targeted employment area (TEA), or investment of $1 million in an urban and non-TEA approved region.

The investment must be made in full within two years of receipt of conditional residence permit.

Why EB-5?

While $500,000 or $1 million is a lot of money for immigrant visas for an entire family, there are certainly considerable advantages

to the investment. With Africa maintaining an average growth rate of about 4 percent, compared to 3 percent for the global economy, Africa is poised to become the next frontier for EB-5 investors.

Furthermore, the EB-5 investment package is attractive to Africans, and especially Nigerians, because affluent parents like sending their children to study abroad. In addition to profits derived by an equity investor or interest paid to a non-equity investor, the savings on four-year university tuition for three children—at some of the best universities in the world—is itself sufficient incentive to invest in the EB-5 program.

Also, as U.S. citizens, children can work or live in the United States without dealing with the headaches of residence or work permits. With 200 girls kidnapped recently in Nigeria, many parents will find comfort in knowing that their children are in a safe location as their homeland transitions through its current challenges.

Why, then, are wealthy Africans not as keen to emigrate to the United States?

Apparently, some enjoy a standard of luxury and status in their home country that far outweighs what they might be able to afford in the United States. There may also be a generalized reluctance to deal with the U.S. tax system. Even so, these concerns are surmountable, particularly since the United States is the most desired education destination for wealthy African

children. Upon graduation from university, students can remain in the United States to gain work experience and perhaps become residents, an option more difficult to obtain in Britain and other host countries.

Also, for U.S.–educated international students, the EB-5 program can be a positive alternative to H-1B visas. If wealthy African parents “gift” EB-5 funds to their children prior to sending them to college, the students not only pay lower tuition as U.S. residents, but also avoid concerns after graduation.

And in these circumstances, only the children are subject to the U.S. tax system.

Documenting sources of funds Once interested, the EB-5 investor from Africa needs the right team to tackle the issue of documentation. Most EB-5 practitioners are not familiar enough with the market to properly document funding on their own.

The main obstacle for African investors in the United States is the “white paper” vs. “black paper” issue. EB-5 investors from countries such as Nigeria must overcome the fact that wealth is not normally properly documented because of the prevalence of black money in the region.

Tax regimes in most African countries are weak, so the investor’s source and path of investment funds must be carefully documented to meet U.S. requirements. This obstacle will not deter the growth

of the market, however, because there are plenty of senior and mid-level oil and gas, telecommunications, banking and other highflying industry workers who can document their source and path of investment funds. Potential investors must therefore work with their EB-5 representatives to discern best practices for documentation.

Is Escrow account necessary for investors’ comfort?

An escrow account is a key component of the EB-5 process.

While it is not a legal requirement, most investors prefer to submit their investment into an escrow account, and this step is highly

By Kelly Dickerson

to try out his machine. Bakers thought that their customers simply wouldn’t be impressed and wouldn’t care if their bread was pre-sliced or not. Skeptics were also worried that the pre-sliced bread would become stale faster or would crumble and fall apart during the slicing, according to the Constitution-Tribune.

However, once Rohwedder got his foot in the door, it didn’t take long for the invention to catch on.

The small town of Chillicothe in northwest Missouri became the first place where sliced loaves were sold to the public. The news even made the front page of the local paper. While there’s no proof, it’s likely that the phrase, “the greatest thing since sliced bread,” came from the advertisement that ran on the back page of the paper, which called the sliced loaves “the greatest forward step in the baking industry since bread was

wrapped.”

Just two years after it was introduced, use of the slicing machine spread across the country, and the company Wonder Bread began building its own bread slicers and massproducing the presliced loaves.

During World War II, the government banned sliced bread in order to put more resources into weapons production rather than bread-slicing-machine production. The ban only lasted two months because of the strong backlash, not just from bread companies, but also from consumers who had grown used to the presliced bread and were outraged at the idea of having to slice it themselves, according to the Kansas City Star.

Rohwedder’s original machine includes multiple steel blades that chop the loaves into slices just under 1 inch (2.5 centimeters)

wide and then stuffs them into a heavy waxed paper wrapping.

One of these machines is in the

DR. Martins I. Imudia recommended because it ensures that funds will be released into the EB-5 project upon I-526 petition approval, or refunded if the I-526 petition is denied. However, the processing fee is not normally put in escrow account, and it is generally non-refundable. Investors are advised to ascertain the domiciliation of funds during the process.

DR. Martins I. Imudia is an Attorney at law and a Director in the centre for United States of America. He currently represents foreign investors under the EB-5 program. He can be reached via e-mail at martins.imudia@gmail.com or +1-813-298-722.

Sliced Bread: The ‘Greatest Thing’ Turns 86

D

o you enjoy sliced bread?

Who doesn’t? Well, sliced bread is less than 100 years. It is one of the 20th century inventions. Well, the process was invented some years ago.

The first sliced loaves of bread were sold on July 7, 1928, over 86 years ago. Sliced bread inventor, Otto Rohwedder, also celebrated his birthday same day. Rohwedder was born on July 7, 1880, When sliced bread was invented, it was the ultimate invention of convenience and the benchmark by which all other great things are compared.

Of course, every invention that makes life easier is now deemed “the greatest thing since sliced bread,” but the idea of pre-sliced bread actually took a while to catch on. Rohwedder spent over 10 years trying to get a bakery

Sliced Bread Machine

collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Original article on Live Science.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Why hawks kill chickens

PAGE 27

Leisure Compiled by Doyin Ojosipe

Laugh out loud A doctor says to his patient, “I have a bad news and a worse news”.

“Oh dear, what’s the bad news?” – asks the patient.

The doctor replies, “You only have 24 hours to live.”

“That’s terrible,” said the patient. “How can the news possibly be worse?”

The doctor replies, “I’ve been trying to contact you since yesterday.”

A man called his friend’s house and a small voice greeted him.

“Is your Daddy there?” he asked.

“Yes.” “Could I speak with him?”

“He’s busy,” the little voice replied.

“Well, can I speak to your mother?”

“Nope, she is busy, too.”

“Well then, let me talk with your brother.”

“He’s busy, too.”

“For goodness sakes, what are they so busy doing?”

“They are looking for me!”

I

n the olden days, there was a very fine young hen that lived with her parents in the bush.

One day, a hawk came hovering round, about eleven o’clock in the morning. As was his custom, it was making large circles in the air scarcely moving his wings. His keen eyes were wide open, taking in everything (for nothing moving ever escapes the eyes of a hawk, no matter how small it may be or how high up in the air the hawk may be circling).

This hawk saw the pretty hen picking up some corn near her father’s house. He, therefore, closed his wings slightly, and in a second of time was close to the ground; then spreading his wings out to check his flight. He alighted close to the hen and perched himself on the fence, as a hawk does not like to walk on the ground if it can help it.

He then greeted the young hen with his most enticing whistle, and offered to marry her. She agreed, so the hawk spoke to the parents, and paid the agreed amount of dowry, which consisted mostly of corn, and the next day took the young hen off to his home.

Shortly after this a young cock who lived near the hen’s former home found out where she was living, and having been in love with her for some months-in fact, ever since his spurs had grown-determined to try and make her return to her own country.

Therefore, he went at dawn, and, having flapped his wings once or twice, crowed in his best voice to the young hen. When she heard the sweet voice of the cock she could not resist his invitation, so she went out to him, and they walked off together to her parent’s house, the young cock strutting in front crowing at intervals.

The hawk, who was hovering high up in the sky, quite out of sight of any ordinary eye, saw what had happened, and was very angry. He made up his mind at once that he would obtain justice from the king, and flew off to Calabar, where he told the whole story, and asked for immediate redress.

So the king sent for the parents of the hen, and told them they must repay to the hawk the amount of dowry they had received from him on the marriage of their daughter; according to the native custom. But the hen’s parents said that they were so poor that they could not possibly afford to pay. So the king told the hawk that he could kill and eat any of the cock’s children whenever and wherever he found them as payment of his dowry, and, if the cock made any complaint, the king would not listen to him.

From that time until now, whenever, a hawk sees a chicken he swoops down and carries it off in part-payment of his dowry.

You can also Solve the Sporty Athletics

Spot the differences

alan culpepper false start coach field events competition fitness decathlon hammer diet high jump discus hundred edwin moses endurance javelin exercise kellie

long distance long jump medal podium pole vault metres hurdles sanya suttle

stamina steeplechase track events training shoes triple jump race winner runner richards sprinter

Beauty

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Page 28

TIPS Simple but vital makeup breakdown for gorgeous looks

Compiled by Patrick Andrew

W

omen generally use makeup. No, it’s not about being artificial, but “padding” one’s self is a modern trend. Even sublimallooking women still apply makeup, alas not necessarily because they want to hide deficiencies but enhance their natural look.

Little wonder even very popular actresses often with their good-look do resort to some external hand to boost their natural look. The use of makeup not only boosts your appearance but it brings out that desired colour, confidence and glow that you want to project.

However, like every other unnatural thing

over indulgence or outright misuse defeats the intention and makes the user rather awkward and distracts.

For simply elegance , gorgeous look, simple application of makeup in the right mood, tone, volume and shape projects up in just the manner you wanted.

Some actress’ makeup is simple yet elegant, and is appropriate for everyday and a fancy event.

Here is how to create the makeup:

Face:

Using a damp sponge, apply a medium coverage liquid foundation all over the face and next. Many prefer using the Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation because, according to them, it provides great coverage, can be layered if you have scars or redness that needs to be covered, and photographs amazingly.

With whatever foundation is left on the sponge after applying foundation to the face, run the sponge over the eyes to even out the skin tone and create a base for your eye makeup. Ensure you use properly to conceal any problem areas like under the eyes or spots by using a creamy colour. There are many concealers for that.

Apply a translucent powder to set the face makeup. Ensure the powder is applied under the eyes to set the under eye concealer.

Since the skin is very 1-dimensional in this look, there is no need for much blush, but in order to add a little color and contour, apply a bronzer to the hollows of the cheeks using a brush which will ensure a light application. Use a bronzer that is just 1-2 shades darker than your skin tone.

Stunning beatiful Indian queen Curl the lashes and apply your favorite mascara

I

f you are bold enough and are attending a special occasion, try applying false lashes.

Since the emphasis is on the winged liner, instead of using a full strip of lashes on each eye,

Eyes:

the natural arch of your brow to fill in ill in brows using an eyeshadow that is any bare areas and create a strong brow close to your natural hair color. Use a thin that will frame your eyes. Apply an eye angled brush like the MAC 166 and follow primer all over the lid and brow bone

F

Eye pencils of different colours

area in a shade that is similar to your skin tone. Apply an eyeshadow all over the lid in a shade that matches your skin tone.

Apply a mid-dark brown eyeshadow in the crease. Some like MAC’s Swiss Chocolate for light-medium skin tones and MAC’s Embark for dark skin tones. Blend this well using a fluffy blending brush so the crease is only subtly defined. The emphasis on the eye should be on the liner not the shadow.

Use a liquid liner, gel liner, or a pen style liner in black to apply a clean line on the upper lid and winging out the liner about 1/4 of an inch out. This cat eye look is what makes this look. If you are new to the winged liner look, do your liner first and then do the rest of the eye and face makeup. That way, if you mess up, you can remove the liner and redo it without messing up your other makeup.

An Indian beauty queen

use a full lash cut one strip in half, and use half on one eye and half on the other. The edge that has the longer lashes should be positioned on the outer edge of the eye.

Lips: Use a dark nude colored lip liner to outline and fill in lips with color.

Apply a bronze colored lipstick all over lips in a shade that suits your skin tone.

However, the dark can be too dark on light-medium skin tones.

If that is the case with you apply the lipstick then blot lips with a tissue until you reach the desired color. Apply a light coat of clear gloss on top to add moisture.

Overall this is an easy look, but the liner and lashes may take some practice.

If you try this out, let me know how you like it!

Compiled by Mariam Humbe

Fashion

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Page 29

Attempt to be bold with colour blocking

C

olour blocking is all about mixing and matching bright colours that you never imagined would go together. Although it may look like anything goes, there are actually a few guidelines you should stick to when you’re breaking all the rules.

Colour blocking Colour blocking is a big trend for fashion lovers this time and though it looks simple, it can actually be tricky to do right. Colour blocking involves using colours in blocks, or large chunky pieces, instead of tiny prints and little pieces. The easiest way to do it is to pick solid separates, all in different bright colours.

You can also color block by choosing a solidcolored dress and then selecting accessories all of another colour. Your accessories are a great way to get started with color blocking, since there’s no big investment such as with an entire outfit. A chunky bracelet in a bright colour with a matching bag or shoes can take a boring outfit to a whole new level.

If you’re nervous about picking out your own colour-blocked outfit, start with a blouse or dress that’s already colour blocked, and pick one or two colours from that pattern for your accessories.

You can also look to fabrics and pattern for inspiration. Find a blouse or a scarf with a colour scheme that you love, and then design an outfit based on those colours. You don’t even have to use the original piece in the outfit; just use it for your colour inspiration.

Keep it in the family When you’re mixing several colors, try to keep most of the colours within the same family — then add one contrasting item just to throw people off. Think shades of green with a pop of purple or several blues with a yellow punch.

Getting neighborly When you’re choosing your colours, there’s a fine line between a fun mismatch and a downright clash. The easiest way to stay safe from clash crimes is to stick with colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel.

Blue and green, pink and purple, and yellow and orange are combos that can almost never lead you wrong.

Choose the perfect fashion accessories Accessories can make or break your look.

Novena colour block dress

When choosing fashion accessories to match your outfit, consider the colour, scale and style of the pieces, and keep the occasion in mind.

Color When you’re wearing black, white or other neutrals, accessories in any colour look stylish and coordinated. If you’re wearing a colourful outfit, though, make sure your fashion accessories don’t clash.

It all goes back to the basics of the color wheel. Primary colours, of course, are red, blue and yellow. Secondary colors are those that result from mixing two primary colours (i.e., red plus yellow equals orange).

Primary and secondary colours that are side by side on the wheel are analogous to each other. They work very well together when they are matched on the same level of lightness or darkness.

If you want to make a big fashion statement, choose primary and secondary colours that are opposite of each other on the wheel. Pairing these colours is bold and adventurous, and some shades don’t look as good together as others. Avoid partnering red with green, though, unless it’s the holiday season. Experiment to find which colours work best for you. In general, don’t use more than three colours in your whole ensemble.

Scale The scale of your fashion accessories is important, too. When you’re wearing patterns, simple accessories are the best option. Accessories and jewelry that are too busy will make prints look tacky. The same goes for ruffled, sequined, embroidered or otherwise embellished garments: Wear understated accessories to keep the emphasis on your outfit.

The scale and shape of your handbag is also important. Consider your body type in addition to what you are wearing. Tall, thin women look best with short, slouchy bags such as hobos and clutches. Petite women should avoid oversized satchels; these bags overwhelm their small frames. Short ladies should also steer clear of handbags with long straps. Plus-size and hourglass-shaped women look fabulous with medium-sized structured or boxy handbags to balance out

Office lady colour blocking sleeveless dress

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

PAGE 30

Pots & Pans

With Miriam Hum,be

Gizzards and plantains (gizodo)

Gizzards and plantains or gizodo are prepared with a combination of gizzards and plantains (dodo). Chicken gizzards is best used for this recipe, but you can also substitute it for turkey or duck gizzards. As for the plantains, it is recommend to use ripe plantains with some black spots (on the skin), but not overly ripe, so that you don’t end up with a less appealing meal.

Ingredients: * 500 grams, Chicken gizzards * 1 ripe Plantain * 3 large fresh tomatoes * 2 Habenero pepper (atarodo) to taste * 1 red bell pepper (tatashe) * 1 teaspoonful ground crayfish * 1 large onion bulb (cut into 2 halves) *1 garlic clove/half teaspoon garlic powder * Half teaspoon each of Curry and Thyme * 2 bouillon/stock cubes * Vegetable oil (enough for frying)

Preparation: * Clean the gizzards by removing the yellow lining and wash with salted water or lemon juice. Scrub well to get rid of any dirt then rinse the gizzards in running water, strain and set aside. *You can cut the cooked gizzards into smaller bite sizes.

1. Place the cleaned gizzards into a pot pour enough water to half the level of the gizzards. Season with half onion bulb, garlic, one stock cube, thyme, curry and salt then cook until tender and set aside.

Next, cut the plantains into cubes and fry in hot vegetable oil until brown. Transfer onto a sieve.

Fry the gizzards in the same oil until brown and transfer to a sieve lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Chop the tomatoes and peppers and blend coarsely.

Heat up some oil, add chopped onions, fry a bit and add the ground crayfish.

Stir-fry for 5 seconds and then pour the blended mix into the pot and fry for about 10-15 minutes or until the sour taste is lost.

Then add one stock cube and salt to taste. Simmer for 2 minutes and set aside Add the fried gizzards to the sauce and simmer for 1 minute to soak in the sauce.

Add the fried plantains, chopped onions, green and red peppers. Mix thoroughly and put off the heat.

Serve with jollof rice, coconut rice or plain boiled white rice and enjoy.

For the Garnish you need: * 1 green bell pepper (chopped into tiny cubes) * 1 red bell pepper (chopped into tiny cubes) * 1 small red onions (chopped into tiny cubes)

Spicy zobo drink Zobo drink is a beverage made from dried roselle plant flowers.

Ingredients: Ingredients: 2 cups of dry Zobo leaves 1 glove of garlic 1 big piece of ginger 1 big very ripe pineapple Enough water Pineapple flavour To garnish: Feel free to add any sliced citrus fruits of your choice: orange, lemon, lime.

Preparation Put the washed zobo leaves into a deep pot.

Add the pineapples and pour enough water to cover the contents of the pot.

Start cooking at medium to high heat and let it boil for 5 minutes.

Add the ginger and the garlic, add more water and keep boiling for at least 30 minutes. This is the time it will take for the zobo leaves to be completely soft and the pineapples tender.

Turn off the heat and set aside to cool down completely.

When cool, rinse out the juice from the pineapples and zobo leaves, leaving only the zobo juice in the pot.

Pour the juice through a sieve to take out the remaining large particles then pour it through a chiffon cloth to remove the tiniest particles.

Add any artificial flavours of your choice at this time and stir.

Pour into bottles and refrigerate.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

PAGE 31

Relationship

What do men really look for in a woman?

W

e all desire good things: good life, a lovely home, family and loving spouse. The latter starts with a good relationship, which eventually blossoms into marriage.

That’s always the ultimate for some especially those desiring to make a home with those they are going out with.

Yes, certain attributes are desirable and must therefore be cultivated if one truly wants to forge a good relationship: one with future prospects.

No, it’s not only the woman that needs deep-rooted attributes from a man, a man also does and often the one who is likely to insist on elegant qualities.

A good man can be hard to find, but not impossible to find. Isn’t it true there are men of virtue as they are women of profound virtue: homely, motherly, moderate in habit and wholesome in every respect? So, when you do find him it can be tricky to read exactly what he’s looking for in a partner. While some men may have specific ideals for a partner, it’s more than likely that most are looking for the same traits as you.

Someone to share his interests with If you like the same music or support the same sports team, it’s undeniably a massive bonus, but finding someone with those exact qualities isn’t always realistic. For men, it is about finding a woman with the whole package, even if it means compromising on a few minor details.

It’s important to share a few interests and to be willing to entertain his passion in those you can’t directly involve yourself with.

Being open-minded about their hobbies and passions can be enough to satisfy men’s need to be understood.

Someone who makes him laugh Aside from the many benefits laughter can have on your health, the ability to laugh and share a sense of humour with your partner is fundamental to your relationship.

A woman with a sense of humour is a must-have for most men. Be it a witty, intelligent, sarcastic or daft streak, being able to throw dignity to the wind and laugh until your cheeks hurt with a partner will add an entirely new dimension to any relationship.

It is important to focus on the humorous aspects of your relationship, to ensure that it stays lighthearted, fun and upbeat. Enjoy the funny moments with all your heart and reminisce on those memories together when the opportunity presents itself. Laughing together will help you stay together.

Someone to talk to The majority of men have their male friends. They’re there no matter what, for the break-ups, banter and general good times.

But, when it comes to expressing feelings or revealing hopes and

fears, most men bottle these thoughts up in the company of their mates.

Men want a woman they can confide in completely, rest assured in the knowledge his secrets will go no further. Knowing that she really cares and has his best interests at heart will show that she’s a kind, warm and compassionate woman. Be it just to listen, advise or reassure, every man needs a loving woman to turn to in times of trouble.

Someone who takes care of herself ost relationships reach a stage where it is perfectly acceptable and healthy to be completely yourselves around each other. But until you’ve reached that stage, it’s good to show that you want to look your best for him.

In any relationship, physical attraction is arguably almost as important as chemistry, so it’s imperative that you make some effort from the outset. Besides, if you take good care of your health and appearance, you’re probably more likely to take good care of him, too.

Someone who respects herself A real lady knows how to dress, behave and interact with people from all walks of life. A man needs to know that he can take you home to meet his parents, safe in the knowledge that you’ll be polite and behave appropriately.

Respect is inextricably bound with confidence, and it is a well-known fact that women who exude confidence in both their attitude and appearance are more appealing to men. A confident woman is intriguing to men and, while almost everyone will have insecurities at times, knowing that he will not have to constantly reassure his woman of her looks is a relief to most men.

Someone who has a life of her own A woman with hobbies, interests and a social life of her own is far more appealing to a man than a woman who is keen to latch onto his every move. Independence is strong and attractive and a woman who has autonomously built and maintained her own successful life is a highly sought-after one indeed.

The majority of men will be looking for a loving relationship but, like anyone, your man will need time to focus on his own aspirations, friends and life in general to fulfill his sense of personal happiness. Knowing that you, too, have interests is not only intriguing, but it also implies that you won’t be relying on him to entertain and keep you company 24/7.

Someone who trusts him Trust needs to be built over time; one small action or mistake can destroy all trust in a split second.

Whether he has female friends or enjoys going out with his mates now and again, he needs to know that you trust him on his own. rust is the foundation of all relationships. It is the element that lasting and loving

M

T

relationships are built on. A lack of trust can be exhausting; the absence of trust in a relationship leaves a gaping hole for accusations, complications and inevitable heartache.

Someone who is faithful Infidelity can destroy trust.

“

A relationship is based on people trusting each other, so betraying one another can have devastating effects on you both.

A man looks for a woman he can trust and depend on. If she has confessed to cheating on her past

Trust is the foundation of all relationships. It is the element that lasting and loving relationships are built on. A lack of trust can be exhausting; the absence of trust in a relationship leaves a gaping hole for accusations, complications and inevitable heartache.

partners, this may imply that she is not serious partner material. Like anyone, a man wants a woman who is loves, adores and is wholly committed to him.

Someone who puts in effort ven the most blissful of relationships need a bit of maintenance now and again. A romantic relationship is a two-way street, and there needs to be a balance of effort from the off.

Some men will enjoy surprising you with lavish gifts, and whisking you off your feet for a romantic getaway, but it can’t be all take and no give. Men need to know their lady cares, not just for them, but for their relationship. Whether it’s sending a sweet text or cooking his favourite meal, a little bit of effort goes a long way in keeping the spark alive.

E

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

PAGE 32

Fiction

Truth that paved the way

U

zor’s decision to take a walk that Friday opened up a completely new vista for him. He had spent most of the day at home eating, sleeping, listening to the radio and catching up on the collection of James Bond 007 novels he had bought from a secondhand bookseller under the pillars of Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS). He hardly had time throughout the week, what with the demands of his job as an Economics teacher at St. Gregory’s College. Saturdays were for washing and ironing clothes and other chores that piled up during the week. By the time he came back from church on Sunday the day was already far gone. So whenever public holidays like this one came he grabbed it to indulge his literary palate.

As he slipped into a T-shirt and jeans after having a bath he glanced at the wall clock. 4p.m. Where do I go now? He wondered, and then shrugged. Let the wind carry me anywhere it wishes, he decided and went out of his room, locking the door behind him. He climbed down the staircase of the old NITEL building which stood like a majestic army commander who refused to bow to the ravages of his ruthless conquerors. The building had been taken over by squatters and brazenly illegal and exploitative elements that were in cahoots with corrupt staff of the comatose public corporation. The result was that the massive five-storey building became a home to all sorts in a city where accommodation was as priceless as the Holy Grail and relentlessly sought just like the Arthurian knights had gone after the precious chalice.

Uzor had ended up in the building by sheer luck. Tossed out from his Orile apartment by his rent-reviewing landlord, he moaned about his plight to a colleague at work. The guy had a friend who just got a job at Akure and wanted to sell his room on the second floor of the NITEL building.

Initially Uzor was apprehensive.

He strolled down Moloney Street, past the Police Headquarters Annex, up St. Gregory’s Road. The buzz of people and vehicles never ceased to appeal to him. It was considerably less today. There were the marketers of all types. Uzor paused by the entrance of the compactly built Wesley church along the turn-in to his workplace.

Ordinarily he would have gone past; these marketers had maverick strategies that could be irritating. But he was in an expansive, leisurely mood; it would do no harm to take a breather from the neverending Lagos tension and enjoy their amusing antics.

Loudspeakers blasted Whizkid’s ‘Pakarumo’ from the back of a big yellow Toyota bus parked under the fly-over opposite the church. Girls and young men in jeans and skirts topped by yellow T-shirts and caps with the MTN logo emblazoned on them fanned out with their merchandise.

One of them, a pert, bold-faced young lady, rocked in front of Uzor. She winked at him.

The engine that powered the teacher’s head would have sent him walking away at once but he was too relaxed for his good today.

He winked back. The marketer grabbed the opportunity. Jiggling her ample jugs, she strode up bouncily. She held the MTN product in her right hand. ‘‘Good day, sir. You like the promo, sir?’’ ‘‘I like you more,’’ replied Uzor with a mischievous smile. ‘‘Then try the product, sir. It is the latest from the range of MTN X24 cordless; it will…’’

The woman was in her mid-twenties, of average height, buxom and chocolatecomplexioned. Her artificial peroxide-

blonde hair beautifully framed her oval face. Uzor chided himself for the stupid feeling of delight that coursed through him on observing that she, unlike most of her dancer colleagues, wore no artificial nails and lashes.

He cut short the pitch. ‘‘How much is it?’’

The marketer smiled brightly, wordlessly thanking the god of commerce for his interest. She had not sold a thing today. ‘‘Just ten thousand naira, sir. But there is a discount of two thousand naira for this special promo, sir.’’

Uzor grinned. ‘‘I will buy it if you join me at ‘Mr. Biggs’ near TBS later this evening.’’ He meant every word.

The lady’s smile momentarily vanished. She was no stranger to propositions from horny Lagos men. Before she could reply Uzor got in smoothly. ‘‘No hard feelings if you don’t. As a proof of my sincerity…,’’ He slid out a thousand naira note from his wallet, wrote his phone number on a slip of paper. ‘‘Come over to the eatery as from 6p.m. You will get the balance. Call me to confirm if I am there.’’ He stared briefly but intently into her eyes, trying to penetrate her commercial mask. Then he quickly touched her cheek and abruptly turned the way he had come.

Uzor sipped a diet Coke and wondered for the umpteenth time what had addled his brain a couple of hours ago. Why had he taken the first prize for stupidity?

He took a deep breath and glanced at his wristwatch. Ten minutes to six.

He smiled humourlessly. If the girl was the typical Lagos babe she would thank her stars for giving her an unexpected one thousand naira gift and fail to show up. On the other hand if she came she would get the balance but most likely leave his offer behind. Uzor had quietly moaned as he dug out seven thousand naira from his suitcase before changing and walking to ‘Mr. Biggs.’

Seven thousand naira from a meager teacher’s salary a week before payday was no joke.

His mobile phone beeped. He glanced at the screen. ‘‘Hello.’’ ‘‘Are you there?’’

‘‘Yes.’’ ‘‘On my way.’’

A few minutes the door opened to reveal the young woman in her buxom glory. She wore a smart red shirt and an informal black jacket over the jeans she wore at the promo. He stood up with a smile. ‘‘Hi.’’ ‘‘Hello,’’ she responded pleasantly.

Once seated Uzor asked her what she wanted, hoping she would not leave a yawning chasm in his already gaping pocket. To his relief all she wanted were two mince pies and a Coke. He went to the counter. They dug into their snacks for a while in silence, and then their eyes met. ‘‘We have been introduced,’’ Uzor began. ‘‘I am…’’ ‘‘Uzor Martin Chuka,’’ the girl said.

The teacher nearly choked on his pie, forcing his companion to hide her amusement. ‘‘How did you know?’’ ‘‘Your face kept tugging my memory after we parted. By the time I got home I remembered that you had published a short story in ‘Sunday Sun’ a week ago. Your photo was on the page. Let me see, the title is ‘One Night is enough.’ Right?’’

Uzor smiled. ‘‘You know more about me than I do.’’

She laughed. It was low but fullbodied sound.

“

‘‘Joyce Ekenna at your service.’’ ‘‘Pleased to meet you.’’

Uzor was even more delighted to learn that she, like him, was from Orlu in Imo State. They attended the University of Calabar though Uzor was two years ahead.

He got out with a degree in Economics while she graduated with a combined honors degree in Marketing and Finance.

They had a few lecturers and courses in common. The conversation flowed swimmingly.

Joy bit into the last of her pie and bored her eyes into Uzor’s. ‘‘What do you want from me?’’ Her tone was mild.

Uzor was not fazed. ‘‘A regular supply of MTN products,’’ he bantered.

Joy smiled but her eyes were serious. ‘‘Scared of saying your mind?’’

Uzor liked her direct approach.

Women who overplayed at being hard to get bored him. This was the twenty-first century; both sexes had to be upfront on matters of the heart. His eyes caressed hers. ‘‘I want to be your lover.’’ He wondered if he had taken on a beautiful yoke with those words. Not boyfriend, not even man. But lover. Oh boy.

Joy’s smile was impish. ‘‘Not bedmate?’’ she asked.

Uzor could only smile to hide his embarrassment. ‘‘A smile is not an answer.’’

I am attracted to you, Joy,’’ he said. ‘‘It is a physical thing but I hope it goes further than that. You have character and integrity; you could have walked off with my one thousand. Sure, it is chickenfeed but you took the chance. I like that.’’

Uzor sat forward. ‘‘I am attracted to you, Joy,’’ he said. ‘‘It is a physical thing but I hope it goes further than that. You have character and integrity; you could have walked off with my one thousand. Sure, it is chickenfeed but you took the chance. I like that.’’ He stopped as if something held the words at the edge of his lips. ‘‘And?’’ She sipped her Coke and for a nanosecond Uzor envied the cool drink entering and flowing seamlessly down her immensely touchable throat.

Unselfconsciously she opened her right hand. Uzor slipped in his. ‘‘How many girls will I displace?’ ‘‘None,’’ Uzor replied simply.

Joy sighed. ‘‘That is what you guys always say.’’ ‘‘Take a chance on me.’’

Uzor nodded. He discovered that the pain of a yawning pocket had considerably lessened as he handed her the seven thousand naira. Joy passed him the MTN X24 and wrote out a receipt. The silence at their table was amiable. ‘‘You are a good guy and I like you a lot,’’ she said softly. ‘‘But we aren’t teenagers.’’ ‘‘Right.’’ ‘‘Where do you live?’’

Uzor told her. ‘‘Will be there tomorrow by 5p.m.’’

The teacher’s heart leaped for joy. ‘‘A reception fit for Princess Kate of England awaits you.’’

Joy’s eyes emitted a sudden but intense fire that instantly consumed Uzor.

He took a deep breath. She got to her feet. ‘‘Where do you live?’’ Uzor asked as he got up. ‘‘Fakanbi Street off Awolowo Road.’’ ‘‘Come on, let’s get to the bus stop.’’

They walked like old friends to the bus stop. When the bus swerved to a stop the conductor began calling ‘‘Falomo!

Awolowo Road!’’ in a sing-song rhythm.

Joy’s right hand lingered briefly in his. ‘‘Till tomorrow,’’ she said. Uzor waved till the bus disappeared round the corner.

To be continued…….

Naijastories.com

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

PAGE 33

Romance

Ensnared by her beauty

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anji felt a rough hand tapping on his back. Felix again? He lamented within him. Twice he had asked him a non-relevant question, and he had shunned him.

Mr. Adeyemi, the commerce teacher, was still writing on the chalkboard. If students were caught talking during his class he would not only send them out, but herd them to the bush for sanitation. So, Banji decided not to respond.

“Beejay, Beejay, see the babe I told you about,” whispered Felix.

The girl he told him about?

He wondered, the new student in SS1 H…three classes away.

Banji decided to take a quick glance across the window since his row was next to the window.

The girl was handling a drawing pad against her left side, now climbing up the low step that was situated at the front door of his classroom. As he observed her appearance, his heart boomed behind his chests like series of gunshots. He turned his head and watched her catwalk towards her classroom. Like a little child that just watched a rainbow disappear from the sky, Banji was downcast once she was out of sight.

“What is your business outside there?”

Mr. Adeyemi’s voice struck through his heart like a lightning bolt.

“Come out here! I already know your class is full of criminals.”

As Banji raised the plank that enclosed his seat, he realized he wasn’t the only one. Felix was also there, alongside six other boys that had their lockers by the window.

“I caught you all red-handed.

You don’t need to point at anyone.” Mr. Adeyemi said to three other boys.

Nine of them walked towards Mr. Adeyemi who was already motioning them to the doorway.

“Go kneel down outside and raise up your hands up. I’ll get back to you.”

On the dusty verandah knelt Banji and his colleagues, facing the classroom with their hands reluctantly stretched above them.

Oyinkansola, the girl in question, hesitated at the entrance of her classroom. She was late for class. The Fine Art Teacher was already in the classroom. She had left her drawing book in the hostel, so she had only gone to buy a new one at the mini mart. She had been informed by someone that they would have a drawing class today. This would be her first practical class in Iganmode Grammar school, Ota. She was among the best art students in her former school, Eko girls High school, but this would be her first time of attending Fine art class in IGS. “Are you part of this class?”

Mr. Shodimu, the Fine art Teacher, asked from the front of the class. He had been addressing 22 students in a class with 89 lockers. There were only six female students among them.

“Yes, sir,” responded Oyinkansola, curtsying, “ I left my drawing book…”

“Come inside,” Mr. Shodimu quickly motioned for her to come in.

“Thank you sir,” she said and headed to her locker at the third row.

“As I was saying,” Mr. Shodimu continued his lesson, gesticulating, “I want you to take this subject very seriously. In the previous class, we discussed the principles and elements of art and their applications to drawing, painting, and…”

The continuation of the lesson faded to the background in Oyinkansola’s head. Her mind wandered back to about three minutes ago when she was walking past the commercial class. She had noticed how many lustful eyes that glued to her body. She chuckled at the thought that she had started having male admirers and even jealous females in her classroom and beyond. Some male teachers had started giving her special attentions. he wished she wouldn’t fall into another trap in IGS. She was once assaulted by a teacher in her former school.

It was three months ago, a day after the celebration of her 18th birthday. She had recorded the date in her diary.

April 17, 1995.

Her mathematics teacher, Mr. Kali, had invited her to his home for a birthday gift. On getting there, he served her a coca cola drink and had one to himself. He assured her that he was doing that because she had the highest grade in mathematics the term before. Oyinkansola knew she wasn’t the best at mathematics in her class, but of course, she couldn’t protest against a positive change. After taking the drink, the next thing she realized was seeing her dress and underwear lying on the floor the same way she was lying in bed next to her teacher. Mr. Kali gave a mischievous smile and asked her if she enjoyed the play.

She had burst into tears in reply.

Kali had warned her not to expose him, otherwise he was going to fail her in his subject and connive with other teachers against her. Without a second thought, she had reported to her parents. Oyinkansola’s father, unknown to Kali, was a chief judge in a Federal High Court, Lagos. Her father charged Kali to court and he was sentenced to two years imprisonment with….

“Oyinkan!”

A shrill voice pierced through her ears, resonating like the crash of glassware against a concrete wall . Swiftly, her mind resumed the class. She was called by a girl that was seated three rows away from her. Mr. Shodimu had directed a question to her. When she seemed absentminded, the girl had decided to call her name.

“What did you call her name once again?” Mr. Shodimu asked the girl that called her.

“Oyinkansola,” responded the girl.

“Oyinkansola, what was my

S

last statement?”

As she groped through her memory, her right hand fiddled with her ear lobe. She wondered what to say.

“What were you thinking?

Grace had called you twice before you responded. Always pay attention in my class. Okay?”

“Yes, sir.” She muttered and bowed her head, slightly embarrassed.

Some minutes later, Mr. Shodimu gave them a class work. He described to them a landscape to draw in the school compound. He asked them to submit in the next forty minutes since they were having a double period. And he asked Oyinkansola to meet him in the staffroom after the assignment.

The offenders in commercial class were being led to the bush far behind the staffroom by one SS3 student. When the senior boy was walking past the commercial class, Mr. Akinyemi had asked him to lead them.

The place was clustered with tall guava trees and under each tree were dry leaves gathering in messy mounds, mingling with the tall dry grasses.

As they bent down to work the sun burnt their backs like a wild fire. They had dispersed themselves around the area, not staying too far from each other.

They started their labours in painful silence and within a few minutes, their uniforms were soaked and the grasses were nearly drenched by the sweats that had seeped from their pores in gallons. a! What have we done to deserve this kind of punishment?”

“Is that supposed to be a question?” responded another boy who was slapping his legs from the invisible insects that were pestering him, “I was trying to see what you people were staring at before I was caught.

Had I known it was a girl…. ” “You knew!” retorted an older boy beside him, “I saw you plain, plain. You could not take away your eyes when you realized it was a girl?”

“It’s high time I taught these teachers a lesson!” fumed another person behind Banji and Felix.

“Oh, oh, oh, it’s true o,” a boy who had been in the same class pointed out, “I observed she always rolled a white hankie around her hand. And she was represented by a student teacher for quite a while…. ” As they discussed, some of them were cutting while others were packing their portions of

H

“

chopped-off grasses in heaps at a separate clearing. The boy was speaking not too loud, but they could all hear him. The boy bragged that his grandfather was a medicine man. He listed how many girls he had sexed in the jungle behind the school with the aid of a magic ring. None of them doubted him.

One of them taunted the boy as a coward who was unable to propose to a girl. He protested that he only used the ring for hard girls who had insulted him or failed replying to his many love letters. Three of the students suddenly stood up straight, dropped their machetes, and fixed their eyes at the football field, about forty feet away. he other boys noticed this and diverted their attentions to the same direction. They saw the object of their plights among the students that were arranging their desks on a straight line. They knew those students were about to draw the male hostel which was close to where they were clearing.

“Her name is Oyinkansola,” said one of the boys.

“A beautiful name too,” responded another person.

After admiring her for a while, they all resumed their works. Soon, Oyinkansola and

T

her classmates started drawing.

About forty minutes later, the school bell rang for short break.

By that time, the boys were almost rounding up their cuttings. But Banji had cleared his own portion entirely. He decided to go try his luck with Oyinkansola. At that moment, he saw his colleagues huddling together. He heard Olumide, the boy who claimed to have a magic ring, saying he would enchant Oyinkansola.

He said they would all rape her together in the jungle.

“We can’t just suffer for nothing now,” Olumide added, “Just wait till closing time. All I need is just to touch her.”

The other boys burst into laughter, and they agreed that the plan was the best. They believed a beautiful girl like Oyinkansola might be very hard to seduce. Felix called Banji to come over.

“I’m with you guys,” Banji said, pretending as if he was searching for something within the mound of grass. anji seemed to have a strong feeling for Oyinkansola, and he didn’t want anyone to hurt her. He believed his colleagues only had lust for her.

He began to formulate his own plan on how to save her from the terrible incident.

Naijastories.com

B

One of them taunted the boy as a coward who was unable to propose to a girl. He protested that he only used the ring for hard girls who had insulted him or failed replying to his many love letters.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

PAGE 34

Nollywood

Why babes love money

By Joy Bewaji My Dear Bros,

I

am tired of you whining about your girlfriend. What is it that you want? What are your expectations? She grew up in a city where “chop my money” by P-square is the soundtrack of our existence. She has Eldee singing, “ki lo fe, shey moto ni?” (what do you want, is it a car?); where Skuki is telling her to stop complaining that the sex is sore after obtaining a Prada purse; and Olamide is demanding that she “go down low” before she can get whatever expensive bric-a-brac she wants.

She is on the internet watching flamboyant proposals on YouTube - one guy pays for the whole seats in a movie theatre just so he can propose to his girlfriend over a Sex and the City footage. Another pays for advertisement space at a basketball game just so his popcorn-loving babe can see herself on big screen as he pops the question: “Will you marry me?”

She has friends in school who drive around in Kia Optima bought by boyfriends working in Abuja.

That is her reality. You met her that way a broke student with expensive dreams, living with a retired father and five siblings waiting every month, with gluttony for a cape, ready to dive into the old man’s pocket to gobble their own share of his pension. Sometimes they wait for months, and months turn to years, while sons become petty thieves and daughters convert to part-time prostitutes...

You met her that way - with an expensive ipad and no job. You didn’t question the Louboutin she wore on your first date; you didn’t raise an eyebrow when you saw her rocking a N75,000 swatch; you admired her head full of weaves and nodded approvingly. That weave costs N230,000. Don’t you know?

Have you been living under a rock? So what

Ini Edo

Juliet Ibrahim

are you complaining about?

After six months, the excitement of what she must have felt when her eyes settled on your good looks have worn off considerably; her true needy nature is in full bloom, and you start to rant, turn to a preacher yelling: “Money is not everything. Why are women so desperate and greedy? Money cannot buy happiness…”

Is love going to pay her fees and keep her greed for the good things of life at bay?

So dad’s pension has been delayed for the fifth month. The last time he almost died on the queue waiting for hours, now he has announced to all his children- all shacked up in one sorry Nigerian University or the other- to go fend for themselves. Their only source of support is as good as dead.

Your babe is in her second year studying business administration. She has bills to pay and no clue how to get it sorted. She has a mop on her head (been sitting there for over nine weeks) that she needs to get rid of (to

Wiliki blasts young artistes says they lack mentoring

V

eteran Nigerian musician, Orits Wiliki, has blasted young artistes for lacking proper mentoring. He also said reggae music is not dead but only being affected by changing time.

According to him, young artistes are making waves because of the kind of music that is presently in vogue, but observed that they lack is mentoring.

“What the youths lack these days is mentoring. During our time, we had people we looked up to and this helped influence our thinking and things we say or sing about. But these days, a youth will own a computer and the next thing he prepares a beat and sings anything as long as the beat is danceable.

“With that, they do not to last in the industry because they are not well equipped with the right tools that can sustain them,” he noted.

He stated that for a singer to do well, he should be able to play an instrument, which will help enhance good song writing, but that failure to do so makes such fellow be a flash in the pan.

Furthermore, the reggae maestro hipped praises on Classic FM 97.3, a radio he said has tried to always rekindle old tunes to the older generations, who value good music.

Omotola

affix another more glorified one); her knickknacks are running out…and there you stand, with your portmanteau and a badly beaten golf car, talking about love and beautifully written letters.

Why do we like to buy trouble in the open market like this?

How do you expect a struggling student of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with zero parent/government support, and siblings who are just as deprived, to worry about love and constant pings, or care about plastic red flowers you buy once a year on Valentine’s Day? Think!

Leave the student to focus on her life and the ugly challenges threatening to consume her. Stay away, your love is the last thing she needs. Unless that love comes with pocket money and a Hyundai saloon car, just forget it. You are complicating her life even more with your N70,000 job.

Dear lover boys, why don’t you find a woman…you know?

A woman with a job, who would shriek with joy when you ping her? One you can spend hours with talking about love and sweet nothings and she wouldn’t ask for recharge cards.

Aren’t you tired of being an ATM? It’s not like you have anything really. Your salary can barely sustain you. You’ve neglected your mother just so you can take Miss Under-graduate to the cinema every weekend to make up for the Blackberry Q300 you couldn’t buy for her.

Hian! Wake up, man! If you were my brother I’ll slap you out of this thick delirium.

Be wise. Love with wisdom. With a N70,000 pay slip every month, the last thing you need is her love.

Soon you’ll start planning a wedding and children in your state of lack - the two of you walking into the arms of penury; claiming to have been captured by love. You see why you deserve a material lover? Because your brain is on permanent retreat.

‘Akan’ to premiere in August T he Ibibio-English family drama, “Akan” is set to hit cinemas in Uyo on 8th of August 2014.

The comedy movie featuredIme Bishop Umo, AlexxEkubo,VenitaAkpofure, EmaEtukudo, Grace Johnson and Archie Sam .

The movie is Produced by Archibong Sam, and directed by Desmond Eliot.

The movie revolves around a young man Akan, who after studying in the United States, comes home to introduce his fiancée, sophie to his parents.

Unfortunately,his decision didn’t go down well with his father who would prefer a girl in tune with their ways and culture.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

A

lison Hammond has signed up to this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, according to reports..

The presenter on ITV’s This Morning is joining the BBC’s celebrity dance contest as part of the competitor line-up for the September launch of the show, says The Sun. Strictly producers are said to be keen to bring in Alison’s big personality and mischievous sense of humour, which they think will win over viewers.

A source said: “She was genuinely delighted to be asked to join. She could be one of this year’s big surprises.”

M

ark Ruffalo has revealed that the Columbo film is still in development.

The Avengers star, who previously said he was keen to play the TV detective on the big screen, admitted that the issue appears to be with Universal, who own the rights to the series.

D

C Comics have announced they will make an animated Batman Vs Robin film.

PAGE 35

Hollywood

Alison’s This Morning costar Richard Arnold took part in 2012 and the source said that he had encouraged her: “Alison has always loved Strictly, but she never thought it was a possibility until she saw Lisa Riley do so well.

“The fact Richard loved it too made it even more appealing. So she jumped at the chance this year.”

Alison rose to fame on TV as a Big Brother contestant in 2002 and has since appeared in Loose Women, Celebrity Fit Club, I’m A Celebrity and Celebrity MasterChef.

A BBC spokesperson said: “We don’t comment on speculation.”

“I don’t know (when we’ll start shooting). They’re sort of asking what is happening with the rights,” he said.

“It (talks) went from, ‘We don’t know’ and not very interested to a much more pro-active conversation.”

Peter Falk, who died in 2011 at the age of 83, won four Emmys for his starring role as the detective in

The feature is one of two new animated films that DC revealed they would be working on at Comic-Con in

Columbo, which ran on TV from 1971 until 2003.

Mark was at San Diego’s Comic-Con to discuss his return to the Avengers world, where he is reprising his role as Bruce Banner/ Hulk in the upcoming sequel, Age OfUltron.

“The ambition of it is pretty spectacular. As big as Avengers One was, this is reaching for something even grander that is much more epic in its scope,” the 46-year-old teased.

“The Avengers are in the centre of a crisis - they’ve met their match.

Ultron is basically the culmination of all of them and all of their powers.

When I’m reading it (the script), I’m often thinking of Shakespeare because he has the humour, the big grand ideas about mankind and the sword fights and the action. It’s deceivingly very complex.”

James Spader plays Ultron in the film, alongside returning cast members Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L Jackson.

San Diego, according to World’s Finest.

Batman Vs Robin is set to be loosely based on the Batman storyline from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s The New 52 and will include The Court Of Owls.

The other animated film is Justice League: Gods and Monsters, an original story by Batman: The Animated Series’ Bruce Timm and will join the previously announced film in the series, Justice League: Throne of Atlantis, which follows on from Justice League: War. Batman Vs Robin is due to be released in summer 2015, and Justice League: Gods and Monsters will be released in autumn or winter the same year.

Also at the DC Comic-Con event, they premiered the animated film Batman: Assault on Arkham.

William Roache talks Corrie return

C

oronation Street star Bill Roache has revealed Ken Barlow is determined to help son Peter prove his innocence when he returns to find him in prison.

Peter (Chris Gascoyne) is behind bars after being framed for the murder of his lover Tina McIntyre. Ken has been away visiting relatives in Canada for a year as 82-year-old actor Bill had to be written out of the ITV soap while he stood trial for charges of indecent assault, of which he has been cleared.

Bill revealed: “As soon as he asks Peter outright and Peter tells him he didn’t kill Tina Ken believes him. He looks him in the eye and totally believes what he says. It isn’t just the blind faith of a father’s love, he genuinely knows Peter is not the murderer.

He added: “What shocks Ken is that even Peter seems prepared to throw in the towel - for a time Ken is the only person who seems to want to put up a fight. He realises that Peter does blame himself, even though he didn’t actually kill Tina he can see that he feels responsible which is one of the reasons that Ken genuinely does believe he didn’t kill her.”

Tina’s real killer Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis) is living in Ken’s house as he is engaged to his daughter Tracy.

Bill revealed: “Nobody suspects Rob, and Ken has no reason to think he was the killer, that is why Rob is able to get away with it for so long. What motive would he have? He has also played a very clever game sticking to his guns about Peter being the killer.”

But the actor admitted Rob gets worried when Ken launches his crusade to exonerate Peter.

He said: “Ken is fast becoming the thorn in Rob’s side, if Ken hadn’t returned and started this crusade to prove Peter’s innocence Rob would have had no worries about the truth ever being found out. Now he is constantly panicking that Ken is going to unearth something that incriminates him.”

All net proceeds from tickets sales go to Comic Relief (after VAT and admin fee) and will be spent helping poor and disadvantaged people in the UK and Africa.

PAGE 36

Kannywood

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

I still act in Nollywood – Ali Nuhu

Famous Kannywood actor, Ali Nuhu, has been off the scene for awhile.

No, not outing the business brought him fame and wealth. He has been absent from Nollywood, a “silence” which set the rumour mill agog.

They quickly interpreted his unavailability in Nollywood as calling it quit.

However, the most celebrated Kannywood has come out to debunk the claim. He said he still participates in Nollywood movies and will continue to do so. The multiple- award winner said he can’t forget his root, even though he may have reasons to object to some attitude of his colleagues: Actresses and actors.

T

he multiple-award winner, said that he saw nothing wrong with bringing his talent to both Nollywood and Kannywood and had never left the former.

“Right now as I am talking to you, I have two scripts which I am supposed to act in and they are both Nollywood scripts. We shall start recording soon,” he said.

Nuhu, who has been in the Nigerian movie industry for 15 years, is one of the most famous actors from Northern Nigeria. His fame has led to ambassadorship deals with popular brands such as Glo and Samsung Nigeria.

Nuhu’s dreams of becoming an actor started as a child but he only followed it up during his school days at the University of Jos. “AwwaluSalihu, a programmes manager then at NTA Jos gave me my first role in a drama programme for the station,” he said.

His break into the movies came when he met a Nollywood director, UzoOjukwu, who was shooting a film in Jos. Ojukwu said he needed somebody who could speak an Indian language as he was featuring an Indian, and Nuhu got the role.

“I acted in the movie and others started coming, like Return of Kazondia, House on Fire, and Mama Sunday. All these movies I acted in while I was still in school,” the handsome actor with boyish good looks said.

After graduation, Nuhu went on to serve in Oyo State.

From there, he relocated to Lagos where he featured in The Dream, starring comedian, John “Mr. Ibu” Okafor. He featured in several other Nollywood movies before moving to Kano, according to him, to contribute to building Kannywood.

“I started acting in Kannywood under the mentorship of people like HajaraUsman, Bashir Nayaya and Tijjani Ibrahim,” he said.

Over the years, he has acted in both in English and Hausa productions and has received many awards for his hard work and commitment to the Nigerian film industry.

“The awards I cherish the most include, the Afri-

can Movie Academy Award, AMAA, the Africa magic Viewers’ Choice Award, AMVCA, African Film Festival and Academy Awards (ZAFAA) and Afro Hollywood awards. There are many others too that I like but these ones I mentioned are very important to me because of their local and international recognition,” he said.

Other milestones and memorable times in Nuhu’s career include the first time he produced a movie and it was shown in the cinema.

“I can’t forget the joy and the praises coming from the people who watched the film. Also, films like Wasila, Mujadala, Sangaya are films that makes me happy all the time because they are my early Hausa films and I like them so much,” he said. owever, one day he would never forget was the day he received the news of the death of fellow Kannywood actor, Ahmed S. Nuhu, in a car accident along Kano-Maiduguri Road.

“That incident really shocked me and I do not think that I have gotten so upset by any other incident. I was so close to him. He was related to me and we happened to be doing the same business, acting. I was really devastated that day,” he said.

Being an acclaimed actor and one of the famous faces of Kannywood, Nuhu has had the opportunity to mentor other actors, including the late Ahmed, Adam Zango, HafsatShehu, Maryam Hiyana and the late Ibrahim B. Nuhu.

The 40-year-old, who is married with two children, also mentors his young son who, according to Nuhu, has featured in many Kannywood films.

“My son also features in many Kannywood films and I will give him all the support if at the end of the day he chooses acting as his career,” Nuhu said.

To upcoming Kannywood celebrities, Ali Nuhu advised them to stay focused and never derail from their career choice.

“To my fans also I appreciate the support and God willing I shall not fail them. I shall always bring the best to them,” he said.

H

Ali Nuhu

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The awards I cherish the most is include, the African Movie Academy Award, (AMAA), The African Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA), African Film Festival and Academy Awards (ZAFAA), and the Afro Hollywood Awards)

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Page 37

Special Report

The Agony, fears, and desperation Contd from Page 12

A

deshina, and the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Raji Lateef, at a press a briefing confirmed that Sawyer, before his death, tested positive to Ebola virus in the test conducted in the country.

We are going to trace all the contacts that the man came in with and the plane he came on.

“Since we have got the manifest, we are going to trace all of them. Each one of them is going to be questioned; there is protocol for questioning and the contacts are going to be followed in the next 21 days to see if any of them developed any symptoms. This is what we are in the process of doing.”

Despite the assurances from the Lagos state government and the quick response from the federal government, many are apprehensive that the outbreak of the disease could be devastating because it’s hard to be convinced that Nigerian health personnel are prepared for it. Even if they are, there are fears that the country lacks the necessary facilities to manage the virus, deadly as it is.

Many though is desperation have turned to churches which

profess supernatural abilities to cure the disease. This has prompted the Lagos state government to debunk such claims insisting that any profession of portency to cure the disease could only sheer figment of imagination as there is still medical cure for it.

According to experts, because of the contagious nature of the disease, which once a victim starts to suffer the sudden onset of the disease, the fever, crippling headache and muscle pain, it can hardly be contained. Nigerians are apprehensive that an outbreak could spell doom.

“I will say however that the detection of the case was purely fortuitous and not because we had our preparedness machinery in place,” according to Professor Oyewale Tomori, President of the Nigeria Academy of Science. ince the virus is transmitted through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals and considering the huge population and unlikelihood of everyone adopting precautionary measures against having close contact, fears are that the virus could be spread at a faster rate than airborne disease could.

Once a human is infected, the

S

Liberian health workers wearing protective clothing carry the body of a woman who died of the Ebola virus away from an isolation unit in Foya, Lofa County for burial disease can spread quickly within a community, with health workers and family members of victims at particular risk. “We are usually our brothers and sisters’ keepers and would hardly limit contact to anyone found to be ill, Ebola or not,” yes Emeka Ukachi, a Lagos resident.

With respect to the borders, he said there are people manning the borders, seaports and airports in Lagos, saying the state government was in contact with the Federal Government officials in charge of the borders.

“First and foremost, we need to dispose of the body properly; there are issues involving diplomatic relationship and we need to get

“ Patrick Sawyer

consent from Liberia, which the Ministers of Health and External Affairs are dealing with right now.

But we have to preserve the body, sanitise the hospital and ensure that the virus that killed the adult does not spread.” dris urged Lagosians not to panic, saying that treatment centres would be set up in the state to deal with any possible spread of the disease.

Described as a global problem, expert said International travel has made the spread of disease via airplanes almost routine. Outbreaks of measles, polio and cholera have been traced back to countries thousands of miles away. Even Ebola previously

I

Many fear the country is ill-prepared for the scourge. Many are at risk going by lackadaisical attitude of government officials and the fact that health professionals are currently on strike, thus reducing the possibility of rendering any serious assistance should there be any outbreak.

Who is most at risk?

Those at risk during an outbreak include: • health workers • family members or others in close contact with infected people • mourners with direct contact with the bodies of deceased victims • hunters in contact with dead animals What are the typical signs and symptoms?

Sudden fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. Vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function and internal and external bleeding.

The incubation period is between two and 21 days. A person will become contagious once they start to show symptoms.

A rash then appears on the torso, quickly spreading to the limbs and head.

Within a few days tipping point is reached - the moment at which some lucky patients will

recover, while others will develop the fatal phase, haemorrhaging fever.

The body’s immune system turns on itself.

Tiny blood vessels burst, causing patients to spontaneously bleed from their eyes, mouths, ears, and other orifices.

Internally bleeding is likely in the gastrointestinal tract and other internal organs.

The whites of a patient’s eyes will turn red and blood spots appear in vomit and diarrhoea, as large blood blisters develop under the skin.

For those who succumb to the disease, death is usually the result of multiple organ failure, haemorrhaging or shock and typically occurs between eight and 17 days after a person first falls ill.

The virus can also be sexually transmitted for up to 40 days after a man has recovered.

When should you seek medical care?

If a person is in an area affected by the outbreak,

or has been in contact with a person known or suspected to have Ebola, they should seek medical help immediately.

What is the treatment?

Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care. They need intravenous fluids to rehydrate them. But there is currently no specific treatment for the disease.

Can Ebola be prevented?

Currently there is no licensed vaccine for Ebola.

Several are being tested but are not available for clinical use.

Is it safe to travel to affected areas?

The risk of infection for travellers is very low since person-to-person transmission results from direct contact with bodily fluids of victims.

Source: World Health Organisation

traveled the globe this way: During an outbreak in Ivory Coast in the 1990s, the virus infected a veterinarian who traveled to Switzerland, where the disease was snuffed out upon arrival and she ultimately survived, experts say.

Two American aid workers in Liberia have tested positive for the virus and are being treated there. U.S. health officials said Monday that the risk of the deadly germ spreading to the United States is remote.

The mere prospect of Ebola in Africa’s most populous nation has Nigerians on edge. People are particularly concerned about using public transport, which is the only affordable way to travel in Nigeria.

“It’s actually making me very nervous. If I had my own car, I would be safer,” he said. “The doctors are on strike, and that means they are not prepared for it. For now I’m trying to be very careful”, said a Lagos based lawyer who does not want his name in print.

Since 1976, when the virus was first discovered, Ebola outbreaks were limited to remote corners of Congo and Uganda, far from urban centers, and stayed within the borders of a single country. This time, cases first emerged in Guinea, and before long hundreds of others were stricken in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Because of desperation, nations are tactictly closing their borders. The USA, Britain, Canada and Germany have taken measures to stem the spread of the deadly disease. President Barack Obama will convene a summit Monday at the White House of the heads of every key African nation -except three: Ebola-plagued Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

These leaders worldwide hope to stave off hysterical reactions to the virus and bring this epidemic to a halt, serious contingencies and agreements must be reached immediately.

Already, Liberia has closed its borders and communities with large numbers of Ebola cases are being quarantined, to prevent the spread of the disease.

Additional report by Patrick Andrew

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Page 38

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Chairman Malam Wada Maida, Oon, Fnge Director/Editor-in-Chief Rufa’i Ibrahim Managing Editor Abdul-Azeez Abdullahi

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L etters

Jonathan must go WRITE TO US

Khalifa Shehu Dokaji

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e, the Northerners, have seen our dear brothers killed every day in the name of Boko Haram insurgency. The worst of these have been the most recent in which teenage girls commit suicide by bombing themselves.

This has continued despite assurances by the PDP-led federal government that the lives and property of Nigerians will be protected. But is it really true?

These incessant killings of innocent souls started since 1st October, 2010 when Nigeria celebrated her 50th independent anniversary. Though Henry Okah’s led MEND claimed responsibility, it was rather shocking that President Goodluck Jonathan rose in defence of the militant group and insisted that the group could not have been responsible.

How wrong he was because the court in South Africa later charged Okah with terrorism. The MEND leader was also later convicted for acts of terrorism. Though he was labeled a surrogate of some former leaders allegedly by President Jonathan, but it goes without saying that the conviction of Okah and his admittance of MEND’s involvement in the dastardly act of October 1, 2010 proves that the president was rather too hasty to come to the defence of Okah. Further, Okah himself proved Jonathan wrong on all fronts.

In view of these, some of us from

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 the North are hard put not perceiving in president Jonathan’s body language a deliberate attempt to witch-hunt some of us Northerners especially some of our elite political figures. e also have reservations on the efforts of the PDP-led government to rescue the Chibok girls who were kidnapped over 100 days ago and are still being held against their wishes by the insurgents even as government claimed to have committed billions of Naira into their rescue operation. This naturally raises a question, what really is the money spent so far meant for?

We need answers to this question because with the enormous amount invested as it were in the rescue operation, by now we should have been seeing results. Besides, Nigerians have risen in support of all efforts to rescue the girls yet the government has so far failed to produce the desired results.

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Added to the pains we are being subjected to, the government is alleged to have given money to the parents of the kidnapped girls as if such money would ransom their children and would be appropriate replacement for them.

So far, it has been speculated that no fewer than 150 000 innocent souls have lost their lives since the Boko Haram insurgency started even as efforts of the government to end their scourge seem lame. t is unfortunate that despite appeals by the general public for the government to allow the locals especially the Coalition of Northern Nigerian Youth Congress to assist in tackling the insurgency, the government seem rather unwilling.

The north has been the major victim of the series of bomb blasts and killings and we are still counting because it is yet to subside. Ironically, though Boko

I

Haram claims to be fighting the course of Islam, Muslims are the most affected.

This seems to have provided some the weapon to brand Muslims “terrorists” as they tend to make political of it for their selfish ambitions.

We believe if Jonathan wants to rule our votes must count (this is our constitutional right and it must be respected) he should be patriotic by placing Nigeria above self. This simply means resigning from his post since he has been unable to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.

This, according to the Constitution is their rights to be protected.

The Coalition of Northern Nigerian Youth Congress, therefore, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to humbly reconsider his quest to run for 2015 to pave way for another person to return Nigeria to a stable and peaceful governance. We are considering some options including calling for his impeachment in view of the many impeachable offences we think he has committed. e therefore called on the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) Arewa Consultative forum (ACF) Northern Elders Forum (NEF), the traditional authorities (emirs), past Heads of State and other well meaning Nigerians to support the call for the president to resign for the good of Nigeria.

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Khalifa Shehu Dokaji, Director General Media and Communications, dokaji003@ yahoo.com

PAGE 39

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Opinion

Israeli/Palestinian war: Will ICC investigates crimes in Gaza

By Toby Cadman

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n July 25, Palestinian officials filed a criminal complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. The complaint accuses Israel of war crimes as a result of its ongoing campaign in Gaza, which has now left more than 1,200 Palestinians and 53 Israeli soldiers dead. The filing alleges crimes including the crime of apartheid, attacks against civilians, excessive loss of human life and crime of colonisation.

The immediate response from the Israeli government is that it will need to consider the new filing, but according to Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Paul Hirchson, “The Israeli military is working 100 percent within the dictates of international humanitarian law.” There are now counter allegations emerging from Tel Aviv that the responsibility lies with Hamas and not the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).

It is important to point out that the ICC investigates situations and therefore if it opens an investigation, it will look into the conduct of all sides to the conflict, including Hamas, IDF and other groups involved in the hostilities. It will then determine responsibility.

Will there be an investigation?

There are a number of issues that the ICC will have to take into consideration before launching an investigation.

First is the question of jurisdiction. It has to be determined whether the conduct in question falls within the crimes set out in the Rome Statute. On July 23, the outgoing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, condemned both Israel and Hamas for failing to protect civilians and stated that “there seems to be a strong possibility that international law has been violated, in a manner that could amount to war crimes.”

The Israeli position is that it has only selected military targets and is acting in self-defence, but it is difficult to understand how the targeting of a hospital or a school constitutes a legitimate military target. There is also strong evidence of Israel targeting unarmed civilians, including children.

While the debate will continue for

some time, there does not appear to be any dispute, irrespective of whether one adopts the Palestinian or Israeli line, that crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC have been committed.

Second, the ICC is limited to dealing with crimes that have occurred since the Rome Statute went into effect on July 1, 2002. This requirement has been clearly met. hird, the ICC has to weigh territorial jurisdiction; that is, whether the state in question has ratified or accepted the jurisdiction of the ICC or the situation has been referred to the ICC following a UN Security Council resolution.

There is a provision according to which the ICC can exercise jurisdiction over “The State of which the person accused of the crime is a national.” For example, if the ICC gained jurisdiction over Palestine (either by state party referral, Security Council referral, or proprio motu request), it could have jurisdiction over an Israeli committing a war crime on Palestinian territory even though Israel remains a non-state party.

Conversely, the court could have jurisdiction over a British or French national accused of having committed crimes on Palestinian or Israeli territory, as the UK and France are state parties.

While Israel is not a state party, the Palestinian Authority has issued a declaration accepting the ICC jurisdiction over Palestine. Palestine has a nonmember observer status at the UN and in April 2014 sought to ratify a number of international treaties including the Geneva Conventions.

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Palestine’s acceptance of ICC jurisdiction was not accepted in 2012, as the former ICC Prosecutor, Moreno Ocampo, could not make a determination on whether Palestine was a state within the meaning of the statute.

Many countries, as well as UNESCO, have now recognised Palestine as a state. That, in addition to the granting of special status in the UN, may now give the new ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda the cover she needs to open a preliminary inquiry. This is not likely to be an easy decision and significant pressure is likely to be exerted by the US and Israel. n the event that this argument fails, Palestine would need to seek a UNSC referral. This of course is far from assured.To enable such a resolution to be passed, the five permanent members must agree not to veto. Considering that only two permanent members are state parties and two others (US and Russia) have vested interests in supporting Israel, it is unlikely to succeed.

Moreover, the US recently voted against a UN Human Rights Council resolution calling for an international investigation in Gaza, and the UK and France abstained. It should also be recalled that while the US recently supported a French-sponsored resolution for the situation in Syria to be referred to the ICC, this was on the condition that such a referral would not include any potential investigations into alleged crimes in the Golan Heights.

It is therefore clear that any proposed resolution in the UNSC is unlikely to succeed, notwithstanding the scale of casualties on both sides.

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It is clear that both sides in the conflict have now engaged in conduct that may constitute war crimes. There is an overwhelming need for a system of truth, justice and accountability.

Delivering justice In terms of ensuring accountability, let us not forget where the current military campaign started. The recent incursion by Israel followed the tragic abduction and murder of three Israeli teenagers. This was followed by mass arrests of Palestinians which culminated in the abduction and brutal murder of a Palestinian teenager. Both sets of circumstances were tragic and require justice to take its natural course.

Should the ICC refuse to investigate, then the international community, and in particular the US, will have to revaluate its policies towards Israel.

The support that US and other western countries lends to Israel allows it to disregard accusations that it has breached international law on many occasions.

The fear of confronting Israel and its appalling human rights record must stop. It must be subject to the same high standards as the rest of the world. By the same token, so must Palestine. If one is to criticise Israel for its disregard for human rights protection and accuse it of apartheid policies, the targeting of Israeli civilians and any anti-Semitism must be equally condemned. The same standards must apply universally. t is clear that both sides in the conflict have now engaged in conduct that may constitute war crimes. There is an overwhelming need for a system of truth, justice and accountability. In the event that the ICC prosecutor is not granted the authority to investigate the situation in Palestine, the international community will have to come up with a comprehensive and long-term strategy to settle the conflict and deliver justice for the crimes committed.

Any brokered ceasefire will have little chance of success and there will not be long-term stability unless those responsible, on both sides of the conflict, are brought to justice through a credible process.

Toby Cadman is an international criminal law specialist. He is a barrister member at Nine Bedford Row International Chambers in London and a member of the International Criminal Bureau in The Hague.

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Gaza war: A war to market the Iron Dome

By Samer Jaber

O

peration Protective Edge, Israel’s name for its latest war on the Gaza Strip, shares many characteristics with its predecessors of 2008 and 2012.

Once again, there is a high casualty rate among Palestinian civilians, especially women and children. Israeli forces are again targeting the family homes of suspected members of armed Palestinian groups as part of the policy of collective punishment used to deter Palestinian resistance.

But this time around, there is something new - the ability of armed Palestinian groups in Gaza to reach towns and cities deep inside Israel with their crude missiles. It is the first time they have reached as far as Haifa and Ben Gurion airport.

Israel’s Iron Dome defence system is designed to act as a shield against missiles and artillery shells fired from Gaza - and it has attracted great attention from international media.

It is understandable that Israeli officials would want to promote the idea of the Dome’s

success. It gives the Israeli public a sense of safety and security. It demonstrates that the state is fulfilling one of its commitments to its citizens the duty to protect.

But it is undeniable that this unquestioning tone helps provide a certain marketing message.

So the message is clear - the Dome is an effective and highly desirable product, made in Israel and employed on the front line against Islamic terror, able to be customised to meet the needs of potential buyers.

The marketing message is designed to link Palestinian groups which resist Israel’s siege and occupation with armed groups around the world, subliminally suggesting that Israel is fighting the same threats - unexpected attacks designed to create fear in the public - as many other “civilised” countries.

The Dome is, according to Israel’s security industrial complex, an effective and successful high-performance instrument in the fight against both local and international terrorism. It protects not only the general public in their homes but also important soft targets with limited defence

systems - civilian airports, government buildings, public spaces, and so on - making missile attacks ineffective.

Israel is also eager to show the Dome as an ongoing development. Shortly after the launch of operation Protective Edge, the Israel Army deployed new Dome units described as advanced and able to meet the diversity of missiles launched from Gaza. The tacit message is that the war on Gaza is an experiment in real life - where people are the mice of this war laboratory, and the results are televised for the world.

Of course, the Israel security establishment censors, as a war measure, what information is made available for public consumption. But it does keep feeding news outlets with new information about the Dome’s achievements.

At the same time, opinions that question its effectiveness, such as an analysis that recently appeared in the MIT Technology Review, is given little international attention.

The latest round of war on Gaza Strip has neither promoted Israeli objectives nor met the Israeli criteria of war. It is a military operation

that was widened as a result of a dispute between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

The war on Gaza might have been launched as a warning to armed Palestinian groups, but Israel’s security institutions and associated corporate interests have exploited the situation, constructing an advertisement event for the Iron Dome system from the ravages of war.

Israel, as a colonial state, is run by the security apparatus headed by the army, and private security companies such as RAFAEL. Following Operation Pillar of Defense, launched against Gaza in November 2012, seven nations, including the United States and South Korea, expressed interest in buying some variant of the Iron Dome system. As the Israeli economy depends on the sale of weapons and other military equipment, this latest round of war on Gaza is another opportunity for Israel’s weapon consortium to boost its business around the world.

Samer Jaber is a political activist and researcher.

Follow him on Twitter: @jerusalem_sbj

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Comments

One year of Snowden’s leaks

By Joshua Eaton

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ne year ago, Russia granted Edward Snowden temporary asylum after a 39-day stay for the NSA whistleblower in the transit zone at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. Snowden had become stranded there while trying to flee to Latin America, where several countries had offered permanent asylum after the U.S. government filed charges against him for making off with thousands of classified documents about its surveillance programs.

Since then, the Snowden story has unfolded in dramatic ways for a nonstop 12 months — as the world reacted to the vast amount of information that his files contained — sparking revelation after revelation about some of the nation’s most cherished secrets. It has also sparked a fierce policy debate over how to make intelligence organizations more accountable.

In the last six months alone, reports based on Snowden’s files have included important new details about how the NSA collects large amounts of American data under the guise of foreign surveillance. It has been shown that the NSA and Britain’s GCHQ targeted Muslim community leaders and online activists — possibly crossing the line between surveillance and censorship.

For many anti-secrecy activists and civil rights campaigners, the avalanche of stories over the past year has seemed to prove many of the things they had previously only suspected, when it came to surveillance actions and the way intelligence gathering was being used.

“The primary significance, in my view at least, of the Snowden disclosures is that it ... presented to the American public documents that were actually written by the government proving, in fact, that what we [the ACLU] had been saying was true,” said

Kade Crockford, who directs the Technology for Liberty Project at the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and edits its Privacy Matters blog.

Yet while the headlines have been dominated by Snowden’s leaks, much of his own life over the past 12 months has remained in the shadows. Earlier this month, his lawyers said they had filed for an extension of his asylum in Russia beyond the July 31 expiration. According to a recent interview in The Guardian, which along with The Washington Post first reported on the Snowden leaks, it appears he spends his time in Russia working on digital privacy tools, reading Dostoevsky and giving talks about surveillance via videoconference.

What is ‘foreign’?

These foreign collection programs raise legitimate privacy concerns for billions of people outside the U.S., but many experts say they also create a back door for domestic surveillance.

“Our communications travel all over the world. Sometimes even communications that are internal to the United States travel outside of the U.S. before reaching their destination domestically,” explained Crockford. “It’s very difficult, in the 21st century, to draw bright lines between what is domestic and what is foreign.”

The NSA’s minimization rules usually require it to discard data when it accidentally “targets” a U.S. person without first obtaining a warrant from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC). But as Barton Gellman pointed out in a follow-up to the Post’s investigation, the NSA is free to store and search data it incidentally collects from U.S. persons while targeting foreign entities or collecting supposedly foreign data en masse.

In June, the Washington Post published details of how the NSA can also col-

lect domestic communications “about” its targets — for example, a domestic email from one U.S. citizen to another that contains the phone number of a foreign diplomat whom the NSA is targeting. The Post also published a FISC order authorizing the NSA to collect communications “concerning” almost every country, as well as several international bodies and foreign political parties. The only exceptions are the NSA’s four closest partners — Canada, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand.

Sharing big data The NSA and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) have what one NSA memo called “a vibrant two-way information sharing relationship.” In May, The Intercept reported that the NSA used the DEA’s access to telecom facilities in the Bahamas to set up a system that monitors and stores every phone conversation in the country for 30 days.

“The rules governing the sharing of this sensitive information should be strict, especially when it comes to Americans’ communications, but instead those privacy rules have been watered down in secret,” explained Patrick Toomey, staff attorney at the ACLU’s National Security Project.

“Once our data is in the NSA’s hands, it can end up in any number of government databases, and potentially even on the desk of an FBI agent conducting an ordinary criminal investigation.”

Ahmed Ghappour, a professor of law at the University of California’s Hastings College of the Law who has represented clients in terrorism and hacking-related cases, sees that getting worse. “NSA surveillance is the bread and butter of national security investigations,” he said. “As our threat priorities shift from terrorism to cybersecurity, I have no doubt that warrantless surveillance will become more pervasive in cases related to

information security.”

One of Ghappour’s former clients, Issa Doreh, was convicted last year of wiring money to the Somali armed group Al Shabab as part of an investigation based largely on information from the NSA’s phone records program.

Shutting down free speech’ In July, The Intercept also found that the NSA has been monitoring the email accounts of five prominent Muslim American community leaders, lawyers and academics — despite the fact that authorities have not charged any of them. This came on the heels of revelations that the NSA had targeted WikiLeaks and its supporters, and that GCHQ had actively disrupted Internet Relay Chat (IRC) forums used by the hacktivist group Anonymous.

Indeed, several reports over the past few months have explored GCHQ’s attempts at disruption, disinformation and propaganda. They include tools that can alter the results of online polls, talk of “pushing stories” on social media and presentations about online psy-ops.

In his recent Guardian interview from Moscow, Snowden took on GCHQ, which has less legal oversight and collects data less discriminately than the NSA. “They enjoy authorities that they really shouldn’t be entitled to,” he said. “And the problem with that is, when you have an unrestrained intelligence agency that’s not being well overseen, that’s not accountable to the public, they’re going to go further than they need to.”

But after more than a year’s worth of bold headlines about mass surveillance, the U.S. Senate is still debating measures to control the NSA. It could be a long time before any concrete legal reforms emerge from Snowden’s leaks.

Aljazeera

When will Nigerians enjoy stable electricity?

By Sani Adamu

U

narguably, the provision of stable and uninterrupted power supply is key for accelerated economic and industrial development of any country. Analysts are quick to point out that Nigeria’s quest to become one of the 20th economies in the world may as well be a mirage without stable electricity supply.

They say that stable electricity supply will reduce the cost of manufacturing and services; boost investment and employment, among others.

However, in spite of its importance, efforts to guarantee sustainable stability in the power supply chains have remained elusive despite huge investments in the sector by successive administrations since independence.

For instance, available records showed that the Obasanjo’s government spent over three billion dollars on its National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) as at 2007. This, according to Gov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue, the Chairman, Joint Transaction Technical Committee, is out of the over 10 billion dollars earmarked for the NIPP. He said that the amount was also inclusive of the two billion dollars Federal Government’s counterpart funding for Mambilla Hydro Power project and the 1.4 billion dollars set aside for additional nine turbines plants.

At the moment, four of the projects which on completion would generate 4,774MW, had been completed, while six others are at 80 to 90 per cent completion. To further boost the initiative, the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has strengthened the power sector reform by fully privatising the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

The exercise eventually resulted in the unbundling of the PHCN and the establishment of power Distributing Companies (DISCOs) across the country.

Although the reform is yet to significantly improve power stability nationwide, the World Bank, however, applauded the government for the initiative, with a call on other African countries to emulate the policy.

Mr Mukhtar Diop, the bank’s Vice President, Africa, made the commendation while listing some infrastructural achievements in Africa, during the recent African Union Summit on Financing Infrastructure Development, in Dakar, Senegal.

According to him, the power reform is one of the ways of solving Africa’s problems by Africans. “We must commend the leadership in Nigeria for the successful completion of the privatisation of the country’s power sector.

“The electric reform in that country is one of the ways of solving Africa’s problems by Africans. We commend the country for that.”

This perhaps, is why President Jonathan, while commissioning the NIPP 500MW Omotosho II Power Station at Omotosho in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, promised to restore uninterrupted power supply to Nigerians by the end of 2014.

“My administration is committed to boost electricity supply in the country. Today, we are in Ondo State to commission Omotosho Power Plant that will also serve the people of these areas and improve electricity supply in the country.”

This though has been a mirage. Mr David Ladipo, whose company, Azura, is spending 700 million dollars to build a 450 MW plant in South Africa, insists that with situation on ground, it will still take Nigeria 50 years from now to enjoy stable power supply.

Ladipo told Reuters news agency that Nigeria would need about 140,000MW to guarantee stable power supply. ‘’Nigeria is still scores of years away at this threshold. At present, it generates a meagre 4,000 MW for a population estimated at 170 million. South Africa, with a population of about 50 million people, produces about 40,000 MW of electricity and has been trying in recent years to increase output.

“It will probably take Nigeria another 50 years before it attains the same level of electricity consumption per capita as South Africa currently enjoys today,” Ladipo said.

However, Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State be-

lieves that with patience and commitment, Nigerians will soon enjoy the dividends of the ongoing power sector reforms. He expressed the optimism in Lagos at the closing ceremony of the 7th Lagos Economic Summit, tagged: Ehingbeti.

He said the privatisation of the power sector will not be successful without the cooperation of investors and consumers.

“We should desist from illegal connections of electricity and ensure that our bills are paid appropriately. Electricity poles should not be used as speed breakers by reckless drivers; we should all protect the infrastructure from being damaged,’’ the governor said.

Prof. Chinedo Nebo, the Minister of Power, said the Federal Government will cooperate Indian to adopt its power sector model to boost the nation’s capacity to generate more power.

According to him, this is because of the peculiarity between both nations’ power sector. He said the ministry would soon summon a stakeholders’ forum of all Generating Companies (GENCOs), Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and the regulatory bodies to take a closer look on how India transformed its power sector. He assured that was committed to achieving 10,000 MW by the end of the year despite the challenges.

The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Ajjampur Ghenashyam, who also spoke, advised Nigeria, as the hub of economic activities in the West African sub-region, to take the lead in the development of regional power market.

He said that India had achieved over 400 per cent leap in generation capacity in the last 10 years due to the competitiveness of the market.

Ghenashyam said countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Pakistan had already been enjoying from seamless cross-border market and this had further boosted confidence for investment flow into the sector.

(NANFeatures)

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

PAGE 41

Online Comments The terror attack on Buhari gagner de l’argent sur internet says: You really make it appear so easy along with your presentation. However, I do find this matter to be actually something which I believe I’d by no means understand. It seems too complex and extremely vast for me.

I’m a looking forward to your subsequent submit, I will attempt to get the grasp of it!

Jonathan commiserates with el-Rufa’i over son’s death Moses Ola-Olu Famuyiwa says: MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE. (AMEN) Nmaduefuna says: May his soul rest in Peace.

Jonathan’s ‘N100m largesse’ splits Chibok Community Usman o Ibrahim says: Jonathan should ensure equity in the distribution of the N100 million to the parents of the kidnapped Chibok school girls.

It is very sad to hear that somebody whose child is missing was given N7000 out of the N100m from the Abuja-based community leader.

I wish the same gesture could be extended to those who lost relatives and properties in crises areas.

Moses Ola-Olu Famuyiwa says: Jonathan is now achieving his aim. After the money, the parents will start to campaign for his re-election in 2015. Thereafter, he will return their children.

If these parents were serious, they would have rejected the money and rather insist on getting their daughters back and of course safely. Or is money from Jonathan better than having their daughters back?

#BringBackOurGirls debunks reports of Chibok girls’ involvement in suicide bombings’ S. Maigari says: Mr. Olawale, how can you prove that they are not? Much as one is not sure but it can’t be totally ruled out. I think some person should stop acting dumb.

No evidence? Here’s one: the girl who bombed the Shoprite site in Kano two days ago had only her middle blown up. Her top, from shoulders up, and her legs were intact.

Thus, it was observed that she had permed her hair. This is a Clear indication that she was non-indigene and Christian. Actually, what could a Chibok girl do if she is wrapped up in a bomb vest and asked to proceed to a place, knowing that someone held the remote control?

2015: Declare for presidency now, group urges Atiku Mr. Abdin says: The call for Atiku to contest for the presidency under the platform of the APC by some Nigerians is a welcome development. This is because Atiku remains the only hope left for the restoration of human dignity and abolition of poverty in Nigeria. God bless our great country Nigeria.

Zirem says: I totally agree with this group, Atiku is our best bet. He is a visionary leader, a compassionate man and a true democrat. sirOscie says: I seriously agree with this group, Atiku is a detribalized Nigerian that will help return the country to peaceful ways and unite us. He is experienced and visionary. Sai Turakin Adamawa 2015.

What I know for sure

Gov. Al-Makura

Abdullah Musa says: What I know for sure is that it was the same President that you were celebrating who booted Sanusi Lamido Sanusi out of office for blowing the whistle.

The same President, who also wanted to prevent him from ascend-

Gen. Buhari

Alh. Atiku Abubakar

ing the throne as the Emir of Kano.

And what I know for sure you are a human being like the rest of us; you may thus be courting the ears of the President.Good luck.

Address insecurity now, Atiku urges FG

Nigeria sets stage for agricultural revolution Graduation invitations says: Firstly, I want to say wonderful blog! I have a quick question that I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.

It was interesting to find out how you center yourself and clear your head prior to writing. I had a tough time clearing my thoughts and getting my ideas out. I truly do enjoy writing, however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually spent just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or hints? Appreciate it!

Homosexuality in Africa, its origin and negative effects Abdullah musa says: There was a foundation for human life: religion. That was, the belief in a Creator; and in some revealed religions, books of guidance.

When you removed the Creator, you opened the gates for all kinds of deviations.

Even impeachment does have its benefits Vincent Akpan says: The message from this is that one is free to steal provided you are loyal to the bigger thieves. As the speaker rightly said that from the president’s body language he encourages corruption. Sad that some of his aides said it’s minor stealing not corruption.

Kaduna bombings:

Mr. Abdin says: Former Vice president Atiku Abubakar is absolutely right. The present security challenges facing Nigeria is very unfortunate. The federal government headed by Goodluck Jonathan must wake up from it slumber and protect the lives of Nigerian.

Akuroseokika says: Being a President is not an easy task. Recall that when he declared a State of Emergency in the affected states he was fiercely attacked for doing so yet his attackers did not provide better option.

Governors are the Chief Security Officers of their states and do appropriate huge votes for security, yet have failed to use same to tackle even minimal security issues. Instead, they shift every blame to the federal government.

As Nigerians, we need collective change in our behaviour. A situation where school leavers have no jobs is very alarming yet our elitist population does not want to wake up from its slumber. We all need to rededicate ourselves to the ideals of nationhood, if we must have a future.

Al-makura: Jonathan, Nasarawa legislators in secret meeting cadiri says: He should be lauded for wanting to get first hand information because peace is everyone’s heart desire. Let democracy takes its course.

On the other hand, the president should allow all agencies and arms of government to perform their functions independently without interference. This is necessary because these agencies failed they would rightly blame the president for it or no need to step up their performances believing that the presidency will also come to their aid.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

PAGE 42

Health Xtra

Using corn, tomatoes, others to boost your eyesight

By Patrick Andrew with agency report

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here are several eye problems. The goodnews is that many are common avoidable with some care.

Although some like presbyopia come with age and therefore seems natural, there are quite a number of foods that can boost one’s eyesight. Before that though, let’s briefly talk about cataracts.

Cataracts are cloudy areas that develop within the eye lens. Since the lens in a healthy eye is clear like a camera lens, light has no problem passing through the lens to the back of the eye to the retina where images are processed.

When a cataract is present, the light cannot get through the lens

as easily and, as a result, vision can be impaired. Cataracts often form slowly, causing no pain, redness, or tearing in the eye.

Some stay small and do not alter eyesight. If they become large or thick, cataracts can usually be removed by surgery.

Now back to our topic.

With many millions of people suffering from macular degeneration and cataracts, it’s well worth adding foods that are good for your eyes into your daily diet. Enjoy learning about the best foods to eat to keep your eyes healthy and feel free to add to this list your foods after reading through!

Corn t’s the season for corn. Not only is it available but it is very affordable by all. More so, this is the season and therefore can be found just anywhere and everywhere. This common stable in the country is essential for the eye.

Consuming corn on a regular basis

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lowers the risks of cataracts and helps prevent the loss of yellow pigments in the eyes.

A yellow corn is rich in zeaxanthin and lutein, with only ½ a cup of cooked corn providing you with plenty of every nutrient to keep your eyes healthy.

In Nigeria for example, corn is

either eaten roasted or boil. It can even be grounded into flour and then taken as pap (akamu), blended and eaten like fufu or pounded yam. Of course, the variety of ways corn can be used makes it inexcusable for anybody not to give his or eyes the full benefit of the desire stable.

ta-carotene you have to thank for helping to keep your eyes healthy when you eat sweet potatoes. I like sweet potatoes since they are very versatile. You can mash them, roast them, or even make them into chips and fries!

These amazing and tasty foods are good for your eyes since they all contain antioxidants, fats

or minerals that are so good for your eyes. You know, these are lutein, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, vitamin E, vitamin C, omega-3 fats and zinc. Eat more of these tasty foods and enjoy good eyesight and feel healthy as well!

Do you eat these foods for your healthy eyes? Please comment below!

Leafy greens reen vegetables are a common sight at markets, street corners and even in make shift veggie gardens and therefore offer everyone the choice of enjoying its goodness.

Kale, spinach, and other leafy greens are packed with the antioxidants, zeaxanthin and lutein. Leafy greens absorb blue light, which is especially harmful to the retina. They also help your eyes to detect contrast better and keep your vision good in both the long and short term.

G Carrots his is another vital food that boosts eyesight. For us in the north, carrot is a common fruit that is just and easily affordable. Look everywhere even fruit vendors parade carrots and its many other companion.

Sure, carrots top this list of the

T

best foods to eat for healthy eyes!

Carrots don’t give you night vision, of course, but the beta-carotene will help lower your risk of both cataracts and macular degeneration.

Therefore, with just N50 one can purchase this delicious fruit and enjoy not only its sweetness but benefit the eye maximally with its medical juice.

Sweet potatoes ur savanna region avail us the bountiful presence of a variety of sweet potatoes.

The Plateau is renowned for its abundance of sweet potatoes and readily available in tones at very bargain prices. Interestingly, it is a great food to eat for healthy eyes is sweet potatoes. It’s the be-

O Tomatoes Tomatoes are often considered a vegetable, though in actuality they are a citrus fruit. Tomatoes are an incredibly versatile food. They are delicious eaten raw, in salads or on sandwiches, and take on a wonderful sweetness when cooked.

Their high acid content makes them a perfect food for canning. Tomatoes are farmed in virtually everywhere in the north and are such an important part of our diet one hardly excluded in most meals.

One medium whole tomato contains around 22 calories, 0 grams of

fat, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 1 gram of protein and 6 milligrams of sodium. It also provides 40 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C, 20 percent of the RDA of vitamin A, 2 percent of the RDA of iron, and 1 percent of the RDA of calcium. Here are some of the health benefits of tomatoes.

Tomatoes are packed with carotenoids, including lycopene. Lycopene helps prevent light-induced damage and the Vitamin C found in tomatoes helps to protect your vision. Tomatoes are also rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber.

PAGE 43

Biographies

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (December 1912 – January 15, 1966)

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lhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE(1) (December 1912 – January 15, 1966) was a politician, and the only prime minister of an independent Nigeria. Originally a trained teacher, he became a vocal leader for Northern interest as one of the few educated Nigerians of his time. He was also an international statesman, widely respected across the African continent as one of the leaders who encouraged the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

Nicknamed the Golden Voice of Africa because of his oratory, he stands one of the only three National Heroes of the Nigerian Nation.

Early life and career In contrast with the largely aristocratic ruling elite in the north, many of whose ancestry derives from royal lineage, Balewa had very humble origins. His father was a slave who rose in service of the Madaki of Bauchi and became a district head.

According to family oral history, Balewa’s paternal grandfather Isa was murdered in front of his family by his rival’s agents. Isa’s widow then took her infant son to Bauchi, where the Madaki of Bauchi took her in. Abubakar was born in December 1912 in the village of Tafawa Balewa, in modern day Bauchi state. He was his father’s only child. The name of his birthplace was appended to Abubakar’s name (Abubakar Tafawa Balewa).

Tafawa Balewa village takes its name from two corrupted Fulani words: “Tafari” (rock) and Baleri (black). This may have contributed to the “Black Rock” nickname he acquired in later life. Although it is widely (incorrectly) presumed that he was Hausa, Balewa’s father Yakubu Dan Zala was in fact of Bageri ethnicity, and his mother Fatima Inna was Fulani.

Education He attended Quaranic school and learnt the first chapter of the Qur’an by heart. For his Western education he attended Bauchi Provincial School. According to his teacher and classmates he was a shy, quiet and not outstanding student. Although reserved by nature, he did commit a disciplinary infraction when he was caught outside school without permission, and smoking with his friends to boot. He was whipped as punishment.

One of his juniors at school was Nuhu Bamalli (later Foreign Minister). He later attended Katsina Teacher Training College (1928-1933) and graduated with a third class certificate. His best subject was unsurprisingly, English. He became a teacher and irritated by a friend’s remark that no Northerner had ever passed the exam for a Senior Teacher’s Certificate, Balewa duly sat the exam, and obtained the Certificate. He became headmaster of the Bauchi Middle School. He reported that the first white woman he ever set eyes on was Dame Margery Perham (a renowned academic on African affairs) when she visited Nigeria on an investigation of native administration.

In 1945 he and other northerners (including Aminu Kano) obtained a scholarship to study at the University of London’s Institute of Education (1945-1946), where he received a teacher’s certificate in history. When he returned to Nigeria he said he now saw the world with “new eyes”. Balewa said he: “returned to Nigeria with new eyes, because I had seen people who lived without fear, who obeyed the law as part of their nature, who knew individual liberty” He returned to Nigeria as a Native Authority Education Officer.

He was elected in 1946, to the colony’s Northern House of Assembly, and to the Legislative Assembly in 1947. As a legislator, he was a vocal advocate of the rights of northern Nigeria, and together with Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, who held the hereditary title of Sardauna of Sokoto, he founded the Northern People’s Congress (NPC).

Politics Balewa was no firebrand political radical. He may have remained a teacher for the rest of his life had southern politicians such as the flamboyant intellectual Nnamdi Azikiwe not pushed for Nigerian independence. Although not overtly political he founded an organisation named the “Bauchi Discussion Circle” in 1943, and was elected vice president of the Northern Teacher’s Association (the first trade union in Northern Nigeria) in 1948. Anxious not to be politically upstaged by the southerners, Northern leaders sought educated Northerners to serve in political posts. Balewa helped found the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), which was originally intended as a cultural organisation but by 1951 morphed into a political party due to the need to present a Northern response to the rapid and sophisticated political groupings emerging in the south. Balewa was called into political service as the Bauchi Native Authority’s representative to the Northern House of Assembly. The House of Assembly also selected him to become a member of the Nigerian Legislative Council.

Despite political involvement, Balewa remained suspicious of Nigerian unification and feared that the Northern Region would be dominated by the better educated and dynamic south. He said that “the southern tribes who are now pouring into the north in ever increasing numbers…do not mix with the northern people in social matters and we…look upon them as invaders. Since 1914 the Brirish government has been trying to make Nigeria into one country, but the Nigerian people themselves are historically different in their backgrounds, in their religious beliefs and customs, and do not show themselves any sign of willingness to unite. So what it comes to is that Nigerian unity is only a British intention in the country.”

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Balewa administration alewa entered the government in 1952 as Minister of Works, and later served as Minister of Transport. In 1957, he was elected Chief Minister, forming a coalition government between the NPC and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), led by Nnamdi Azikiwe. He retained the post as Prime Minister when Nigeria gained independence in 1960, and was reelected in 1964.

Prior to Nigeria’s independence, a constitutional conference in 1954 had adopted a regional political framework for the country, with all regions given a considerable amount ofpolitical freedom. The three regions then were composed of diverse cultural groups.

The premiers and some prominent leaders of the regions later took on a policy of guiding their regions against political encroachment from other regional leaders. Later on, this political environment influenced the Balewa administration. His term in office was turbulent, with regional factionalism constantly threatening his government.

However, as Prime Minister of Nigeria, he played important roles in the continent’s formative indigenous rule. He was an important leader in the formation of the Organization of African Unity and creating a cooperative relationship with French speaking African Countries. He was also instrumental in negotiations between Moise Tshombe and the Congolese authorities during the Congo Crisis of 1960–1964. He

Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

led a vocal protest against the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960 and also entered into an alliance with Commonwealth ministers who wanted South Africa to leave the Commonwealth in 1961. However, a treason charge and conviction against one of the western region’s leaders, Obafemi Awolowo, led to protest and condemnation from many of his supporters. The 1965 election in the region later produced violent protests. Rioting and violence were soon synchronous with what was perceived as inordinate political encroachment and an over-exuberant election outcome for Awolowo’s western opponents. s Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, from 1960 to 1961, doubled as Foreign Affairs advocate of Nigeria. In 1961, the Balewa government created an official Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations ministerial position in favour of Jaja Wachuku who became, from 1961 to 1965, the First substantive Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations, later called External Affairs.

In 1963 he gave a spellbinding eloquent speech at the Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) inaugural conference of the Organisation of African Unity. As Prime Minister he maintained a thoroughly dignified comportment. A British acquaintance called him “perhaps the perfect Victorian gentleman”. He gained several awards from the British: OBE in 1952, CBE in 1955, Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in January 1960 and was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Sheffield in May 1960.

Balewa proposed an amendment to Nigeria’s constitution to give due recognition to the nation building role played by then Governor-General Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Balewa proposed that “Nnamdi Azikiwe shall be deemed to have been elected President and Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces” because “Nigeria can never adequately reward

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Dr. Azikiwe” for the nationalist role he played in building Nigeria and achieving independence. Azikiwe is referred to by name in Nigeria’s 1963 constitution, and to my knowledge Azikiwe was the only living individual constitutionally enshrined by name in his democratic country’s constitution.

Honours In January 1960, Balewa was knighted by Elizabeth II as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Sheffield in May, 1960.

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Overthrow n January 15, 1966 he was kidnapped from his official residence by armed soldiers who were executing Nigeria’s first military coup. He was missing for several days and a search for him was ordered by the new military regime headed by MajorGeneral Aguiyi-Ironsi. His family and friends continued to believe he was alive. Rumours claimed the rebel soldiers were holding him alive and that he would be released as part of a prisoner swap involving the imprisoned Chief Awolowo. However these hopes were dashed when his decomposing corpse was found a few days later, dumped in a roadside bush. His corpse was taken to Ikeja airport in the company of Police Commissioner Hamman Maiduguri, Inspector-General of Police Kam Selem, Maitama Sule and his wives Laraba and Jummai who accompanied it as it was flown to Bauchi where he was buried. His body now lies inside a tomb declared a national monument. The tomb includes a library and a mosque.

The famous race course square in Lagos was renamed “Tafawa Balewa Square” in his memory. His image appears on the 5 Naira note.The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi is named in his honour.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

PAGE 44

Archive

Relics from Stone Age (I) I INTRODUCTION

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tone Age, period of human technological development characterized by the use of stone as the principal raw material for tools. In a given geographic region, the Stone Age normally predated the invention or spread of metalworking technology. Human groups in different parts of the world began using stone tools at different times and abandoned stone for metal tools at different times. Broadly speaking, however, the Stone Age began roughly 2.5 million years ago, ended in some parts of the world 5,000 years ago, and ended in other regions much more recently. Today only a few isolated human populations rely largely on stone for their technologies, and that reliance is rapidly vanishing with the introduction of tools from the modern industrialized world.

Human ancestors living before the Stone Age likely used objects as tools, a behavior that scientists find today among chimpanzees. Wild chimpanzees in Africa exhibit a range of tool-using behaviors. For example, they use bent twigs to fish for termites, chewed wads of leaves to soak up liquid, and branches and stones as hammers, anvils, missiles, or clubs. However, when prehistoric humans began to make stone tools they became dramatically distinct from the rest of the animal world.

Although other animals may use stone objects as simple tools, the intentional modification of stone into tools, as well as using tools to make other tools, appear to be behaviors unique to humans. This stone toolmaking and tool-using behavior became central to the way early humans adapted to their environment and almost certainly had a profound effect on human evolution.

Archaeologists believe the Stone Age began about 2.5 million years ago because that marks the age of the earliest stone tool remnants ever discovered. The earliest recognizable stone artifacts mark the beginnings of the archaeological record— that is, the sum total of material remnants of ancient human activities. As recently as 5,000 years ago all human societies on the face of the earth were essentially still living in the Stone Age. Therefore, over 99.8 percent of humans’ time as toolmakers—from 2.5 million years ago to 5,000 years ago—took place during the Stone Age. During the Stone Age our ancestors went through many different stages of biological and cultural evolution. It was long after our lineage became anatomically modern that we began to experiment with new innovations such as metallurgy, heralding the end of the Stone Age. II STUDY OF THE STONE AGE The term Stone Age has been used since the early 1800s as a designation for an earlier, prehistoric stage of human culture, one in which stone rather than metal tools were used. By the early 1800s various archaeological sites had been found in Europe that contained mysterious items from evidently earlier, prehistoric times. Christian Thomsen, curator of the National Museum in

Copenhagen, Denmark, developed a classification scheme to organize the museum’s growing collections into three successive technological stages in the human past: Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age. This three-age classification was quickly adopted and spread not only among museums in Europe but also among excavators, who were able to identify Stone Age remnants that were found below Bronze Age remnants, which were in turn found below Iron Age remnants as they dug down through layers of deposits at their sites. The fact that Stone Age remnants were found at the bottom layers indicated that they were the oldest.

A General Concepts The study of the Stone Age falls under the fields of anthropology, which is the study of human life and culture from the origins of human life up to the present, and archaeology, which is the study of the material remains of humans and human ancestors. Archaeologists seek out, explore, and study archaeological sites, locations around the world where historic or prehistoric people left behind traces of their activities.

Archaeologists use the data collected to make theories about how human ancestors lived. rchaeologists normally use the term artifact to refer to objects that have been modified by human action, either intentionally or unintentionally. The term tool is used to refer to something that has been used by a human or a human ancestor for some purpose and may be modified or not. For instance, a thrown rock is a tool, even if it was not modified. It is usually difficult to demonstrate that a particular stone artifact was used as a tool prehistorically, so in practice, archaeologists prefer to use the term artifact instead, especially in relation

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Prehistoric Tools and Their Uses Prehistoric humans made a great variety of stone tools, many of which were designed for particular tasks. Larger forms, such as axes and adzes, were used to cut and shape wood. Knifelike blade tools were used to butcher animals. Small arrowheads of a variety of shapes and sizes made precise weapons for hunting. © Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. to the earlier stages of the Stone Age. Unused debris or waste from the manufacture of stone tools is also considered artifactual.

Stone artifacts are of great importance to archaeologists who study prehistoric humans, because they can yield a wide range of information about ancient peoples and their activities. Stone artifacts are, in fact, often the principal archaeological remnants that persist after the passage of time and as such can give important clues as to the presence or absence of ancient human populations in any given region or environment. Careful analysis of Stone Age sites can yield crucial information regarding the technology of prehistoric toolmakers, which in turn gives

anthropologists insight into the levels of cognitive (thinking) ability at different stages of human evolution. efore the Stone Age, early human ancestors—called hominids—had already become bipedal, meaning that they walked upright on two legs. At the dawn of the Stone Age, there were two types of hominids: those who belonged to genus Homo and those who belonged to genus Australopithecus (called australopithecines). Over the course of the Stone Age, both evolved into new and different species. Early Homos evolved into forms such as Homo habilis, Homo rudolfensis, Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis (also called Neandertals), and, finally, Homo sapi-

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Prehistoric Flint Tools Humans have been toolmakers for at least 2.5 million years. The earliest technology was a practically oriented tool kit of haphazardly shaped chopping, cutting, and scraping implements fashioned from pebbles. From the later stone ages, archaeologists have identified some 60 or 70 standard kinds of intricate tools with very specific purposes; some had ceremonial uses. While the axhead, arrowhead, scrapers, borers, and flakes in this picture were all made of stone, materials such as bone and ivory were also used. Tools like these can be made by direct percussion (using a hammerstone or other implement to knock flakes from the raw material) or indirect percussion (using the hammerstone to strike a chisel-like tool that is precisely positioned on the raw material).

G.A. Maclean/Oxford Scientific Films

ens—modern humans (see Human Evolution).

A2 Geologic Epochs of the Stone Age uring the Stone Age, Earth experienced the most recent in a succession of ice ages, in which glaciers and sea ice covered a large portion of Earth’s surface.

The most recent ice age period lasted from 1.8 million to 11,500 years ago, a period of glacial and warmer interglacial stages that is known as the Pleistocene Epoch. The Holocene Epoch began at the end of the ice age 11,500 years ago and continues to the present. See Geologic Time.

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Tree of Human Evolution Fossil evidence indicates that the first humans evolved from ape ancestors at least 6 million years ago. Many species of humans followed, but only some left descendants on the branch leading to Homo sapiens. In this slide show, white skulls represent species that lived during the time period indicated; gray skulls represent extinct human species. © Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Page 45

Digest

How to quit oil by 2050

By Leonid Bershidsky

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onventional wisdom states that renewable energy cannot cover 100 percent of the world’s needs: It’s too expensive and too scarce, and switching would be inefficient while hydrocarbon resources are still plentiful. A group of 28 U.S. scientists and engineers has attempted to make the opposite case.

The group focuses on California, arguing that the state could move its industry, transportation and housing entirely to wind, water and sunlight energy by 2050 -- and gain from it economically. By U.S. standards, the state is relatively energyefficient to begin with: It consumed 201 million British thermal units per capita in 2012, the third-lowest after New York and Rhode Island. It’s energy-hungry, though, compared with the global average consumption of about 75 million British thermal units per capita.

The group of engineers and scientists, mainly from Stanford University, concluded that there is nothing in the entire state that couldn’t run on electricity even if only today’s technology were used. By 2050, according to their 55-page report, California could run all its transportation on batteries and hydrogen fuel cells, heating and cooling on heat pumps, and high-temperature industrial processes on combusted electrolytic hydrogen. Installing the necessary capacity would require 0.9 percent of California’s land area, mostly for solar plants that can be more useful here than in most other U.S. states. Roofs of buildings and parking lot canopies would also need to be used, and wind farms would be built offshore. The plan doesn’t provide for the construction of new hydroelectric plants, just a reasonable expansion of the existing ones’ capacity. Tidal and wave energy can cover up to 1 percent of the state’s needs in 2050.

The experts argue that one of the biggest problems with renewable energy -- the fact that it is not produced continuously, with wind turbines running only a third of the time on average -- can be solved by combining power sources and installing storage. They project that the state has more wind, solar, hydro and geothermal energy resources than it will need in 2050. The energy shift would result in a loss of 413,000 nuclear-related and fossil-fuel jobs -- California now produces 9.5 percent of U.S. oil.

A refinery But it would create 632,800 jobs in construction and the new energy industry, resulting in a net gain of $24.6 billion a year in 2010 dollars for the state’s economy.

So far, so good, but what about cost -- the killer argument against all major renewable projects? Switching from natural gas, which California uses to generate more than half its electricity, would require major infrastructural changes. In all, the experts estimate that installing the necessary renewable-energy capacity by 2050 would require an investment of $1.1 trillion.

Their justification for that cost is not entirely satisfactory. They claim the move will eliminate $103 billion a year in “mortality costs” of air pollution, at about $8.2 million per human life, and $48 billion in “global warming costs.”

The health-cost savings alone, they ar-

gue, will make the investment pay off in just seven years. These are the kind of squishy numbers that turn most people off clean energy plans: The global warming calculations are highly abstract and the attribution of deaths to air quality is shaky. There are lots of other ways to make people’s lives better, and pollution is too far from the top of the list of Americans’ worries to justify spending a trillion dollars on alternative energy in California.

A better argument might be that as the use of renewable energy becomes more widespread, its direct cost will fall below that of hydrocarbon energy. Wind turbines cost 20 percent less in 2011 than they did in 2008, both because of technological advances and economies of scale. Solar energy, too, is getting cheaper to generate as panels become commoditized. The study’s

authors project that by 2030, the weightedaverage cost of sustainable energy will be 6.2 cents per kilowatt-hour, or about half the current level. Current wholesale prices for hydrocarbon energy start from less than 4 cents per kilowatt-hour, but it will only increase in price as fuel gets more scarce and harder to extract.

This might not yet be a convincing case for investing $1.1 trillion or even subsidizing private firms that might want to do it.

It’s no longer an impossibility, however.

Countries making tens of billions of dollars in energy revenues -- such as Norway, which consumes almost twice as much energy per capita as California -- should start looking into major renewable projects to ensure their future once fossil fuels run out.

Leonid Bershidsky at lbershidsky@

Stress gene can show suicidal instinct

By Angela Zimm

A

gene tied to negative thoughts and impulses may lead to a blood test predicting suicide risk, according to researchers who said such a tool could help prevent a leading cause of death.

Scientists from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore discovered that a mutation to a gene, called SKA2, appeared to prevent the brain from responding normally to stress hormones. An analysis of brain tissue from people who had killed themselves found depleted levels of SKA2.

The finding, published online today in the Journal of Psychiatry, adds to recent genetic discoveries in psychiatry that promise to advance treatment and diagnostics in the field.Suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While there are known risk factors, such as mental illness, drug abuse or distressful life events, there is no consistent way to predict suicide, researchers said.

“We have found a gene that we think could be really important for consistently identifying a range of behaviors from suicidal thoughts to attempts to completions,” Zachary Kaminsky, the lead study author and an assistant pro-

fessor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said in a statement. “With a test like ours, we may be able to stem suicide rates by identifying those people and intervening early enough to head off a catastrophe.”

In a series of experiments, researchers focused on the SKA2 gene, first by looking at brain samples from mentally ill and healthy people. In addition to having reduced levels of SKA2, there were also higher levels of methyl chemicals in people who had died from suicide, the study found.

Stress Hormones The SKA2 gene is in charge of regulating stress hormones, such as cortisol. If there isn’t enough SKA2, the stress hormone receptor it brings into cells isn’t able to suppress the release of cortisol, a chemical throughout the brain. Cortisol levels have been linked to suicide.

The study then tested blood samples of 325 participants and found a correlation between methylation increases at SKA2 in individuals with suicidal thoughts or attempts. With this finding, researchers devised a model analysis that predicted, with 80 percent accuracy, which of the participants were experiencing suicidal thoughts or had attempted suicide.

A simple blood test could greatly help doctors, in clinics or in emergency rooms, in their decisions on therapy or to prevent a tragedy, such as suicide-monitoring, restricting weapons and other lethal means patients might use to take their own lives. It could also be useful for the military when assessing soldiers as they return home from the battlefield, Kaminsky said.

New Findings The findings are a direct result of new technologies that enable scientists to peer deeper into human DNA, identifying genes and genetic alterations responsible for variety of ailments, now including those as mysterious as mental illness.

Last week, researchers reported identifying 128 genes in 108 locations in the human genome tied to schizophrenia. The findings may point the way to new therapies for the disorder, which has been treated for more than 50 years with drugs that have the same mechanism of action. The findings revealed genes in areas tied to learning, memory, brain signaling and the immune system.

Angela Zimm in Boston at azimm@bloomberg.net

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Page 46

International

Three key themes for the future of investment in Africa

By Anthony Thunstrom

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s recently as two years ago, a typical conversation with a multinational company wanting to invest in Africa, would be peppered with questions around corruption, political stability and sustainability – all reflecting a weight of negative stereotypes that we seemed unable to shake off. These questions were not particularly difficult to address, but they did demonstrate the hurdles left to clear before “business as usual” became the norm.

Fast-forward to the past six months, and a very different picture emerges. The old contradictory clichés about Africa as either a hopeless continent or a hopeful continent are finally giving way to a more nuanced, realistic perspective.

At a macro level, previously hazy intentions to invest in Africa have turned into real commitments and actions. A good example here is the number of ring-fenced Africa funds run by private equity houses. Recently the Carlyle Group, one of the largest global asset management firms specializing in private equity, closed its maiden sub-Saharan Africa fund having attracted investment of around $700m – about 40 percent beyond its original target. This has followed the closure of a number of other, similar Africa funds at anywhere from $350m to $1bn. According to industry norms, these funds will have to be invested in African assets within the next couple of years.

There is now a clear and palpable urgency to discussions about how to invest in Africa, and I am confident that we have just reached what will, in the future, be considered a significant turning point in Africa’s economic ascendancy. So, what does the future hold?

How will the global desire to invest in Africa play out practically over the next couple of years?

From our perspective, based on dealing with any number of global, regional and emerging local investors in Africa, there are three key themes: 1. Closing the investment gap Among the factors that will define Africa’s economic future are the continent’s size and scale, its natural resources and its population. Africa’s landmass is significantly larger than that of India, China, North America and Western Europe combined. Moreover, Africa’s population already nearly rivals that of India or China, and will accelerate past both in the next decade or so.

The flip side of this huge advantage of scale is that it is difficult and time-consuming to identify the best investment-grade opportunities. Most investors do not have the luxury of a full time Africa team on the ground.

On the one side, there are record amounts of global capital that have been raised and committed for African investment and are currently seeking a home.

On the other side there are so many solid, successful African businesses that offer fabulous investment opportunities. However, more often than not these parties have not been able to find each other or fully understand the potential that the combination of external investment and an already thriving local business can generate.

Solving this mismatch between investment-seeking capital and identifiable investment opportunities will be vital to Africa’s future growth. In the medium to long term, increased efficiencies in local capital markets, action by governments and trade organisations to improve the “ease of doing

Olusegun Aganga, Min. of Trade and Investment business”, and big picture improvements in the economic climate will all help address the mismatch. In the short term, there is a role for qualified corporate intermediaries to provide guidance, as well as for governments and their investment arms to champion opportunities.

2. Non-negotiable sustainability nvestment into sub-Saharan Africa used to be characterised by extremes. One one side, we had aid-driven or “humanitarian” investment. On the other, we had opportunism – ventures launched with the “get rich and get out” mentality that still, unfortunately, haunts many of Africa’s resource-rich regions. Today, a number of factors suggest strongly that when investing in Africa, sustainability in the future will be non-negotiable. Africa’s billion-plus population, with its youthful demographic and deep awareness of historical injustices, places powerful pressure on the investment policies and regulations of African governments. Virtually any investment must take local social conditions into account.

I

“

Dr. Suleiman Abubakar, Minister and Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission

In mainstream global investment circles, sustainability is increasingly a fundamental requirement to be considered alongside factors like risk-adjusted returns and political risk ratings. A sustainable return implies more than a continuous flow of profit. It implies a degree of social responsibility in terms of the type, timeframe and structure of an investment, and also a social compact – an understanding that, if you invest in a region to the genuine benefit of its people, your investment will be repaid with fair and maintainable earnings, quite possibly for decades to come. mpact investment – that is, investment dedicated to making a benevolent impact, while still earning attractive rates of return – is becoming fashionable. Even in the private equity arena (renowned for its absolute focus on generating average returns in the 30 percent per annum range, and for exiting investments over an average five-year period), we are seeing new funds with clear mandates around sustainable investment.

These offer investors the opportunity to balance philanthropy with acceptable financial

I

returns.

3. Maturing motives for investment hat fascinates me is the extent to which motives for investment into Africa have matured to become more commonplace, in the sense that they are the same motives that would apply if, say, a North American company wished to invest in a European one. Africa is filled with African companies that have tremendous talent, a great track record and a more-thanpromising future. Naturally, investors from elsewhere would like to partner with them and share in their growth potential.

At KPMG’s Global Africa Practice, we spend at least a week every month “matchmaking” – introducing investors to suitable African partners. In 95 percent of cases, a “marriage” results. In the vast majority of partnership negotiations, the agenda is neither opportunistic nor philanthropic – it is simply optimistic. And concern for sustainability is assumed from the start.

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In mainstream global investment circles, sustainability is increasingly a fundamental requirement to be considered alongside factors like risk-adjusted returns and political risk ratings. A sustainable return implies more than a continuous flow of profit. It implies a degree of social responsibility in terms of the type, timeframe and structure of an investment, and also a social compact – an understanding that, if you invest in a region to the genuine benefit of its people, your investment will be repaid with fair and maintainable earnings, quite possibly for decades to come.

PAGE 47

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Entertainment Xtra

Nigerian pop star, Precious John, (aka Presh) of the defunct KC PRESH has who has just returned from a brief hiatus to the music industry after his break up with KC now known has “Limpopo master”, is taking the bull by the horn and not relenting in his efforts to claim top spot in the music industry.

He returned to the music industry with a mouth watering record deal with “Eric Manny records” and has since dropped two singles titled “Olegelege” and “International lady”. The Akwa Ibom state-born entertainer recently spoke on some issues.

Y

ou made a comeback to music after being way for some time, why did you feel it’s the right time?

Well, it’s not like I have been totally quite, I dropped a song about a year ago, but I just didn’t stay to promote it. I travelled out of the country for almost 1 year. I went to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and UK, so when I came back home, I knew that I had to study the market before pushing out anything and that was exactly what I’ve done. Trust me there’s a master plan and it will all start falling into place systematically.

Let’s talk about your new single “International lady” what’s the idea behind it?

Well, the new song was inspired by what I see happening around me on a regular basis. The song “International lady” simply talks about a professional lady, who really knows her worth and what she wants, the video was shot and directed by Sesan, and we went to different routes with the concept, and so far since its release, the response has been awesome.

You recently signed a deal with Eric Manny records, what did they offer you?

Eric Manny is my boss. We have known for quite a while, so we got talking and he said to me let’s do business and make money, that was it all started. I am not going to disclose the offer to you, but I can tell you it’s a good and mouth watering deal. We have a great and cordial relationship, my boss is a boss that listens and carries people along.

N o w that you are back, do you think you have what it takes to stay relevant in the music industry?

Yes, as a matter of fact it’s

a capital yes.

What stands you out?

What stands me out is my vocal ability and my style. What people are listening to right now is just an introduction, I would say it is just the starting of a long journey. By the time you listen to other songs I’ll be dropping in the coming months, you’ll be thrilled.

I will be dropping more videos and evergreen songs.

People tend to compare you with Kcee, do you see him as a challenge for you?

Not at all, I’m on my lane and he’s on his lane too just like every other artiste. It’s a big market so there’s really no reason for competition at all.

What’s your relationship with KCEE at the moment? ur relationship is still very cordial. I remembered I was on a radio show on his birthday recently, and I gave him a shout out on air, we are still really good.

But what really went wrong, why did you guys part ways?

Nothing went wrong, we just had an agreement to pursue solo careers, so keep your fingers crossed, we just might come back.

Are you working on something together already?

Not at the moment.

How did music begin for you?

It’s a funny story. It’s actually a girl that made me to join music.

She said I had a frog

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and toad voice when I was singing for someone. At first, I got angry and wanted to beat her up. So, I later joined the church choir and I remember they put me at the back. I just used to make sounds, because what I did back then wasn’t singing compared to what I know now.

So I began to focus and build my vocal strength. Later, I joined a group of 6 guys called “The genesis”. One day, Kcee came to join us, and he had this kind of reggae feel to his kind of songs while we were used to the pure gospel and R&B stuff. We thought it was a good mix, we came together and any time we performed in church it was always electrifying.

Do you do anything other thing apart from music?

No, all I do is music.

If music had not worked out for you, what else would you have done?

It would have definitely worked out because, music is all I know. As a child growing up, I always wanted to do music. Though at some point, I admired accountants because they always looked prim and proper in their suits, but I knew deep down that accounting wasn’t for me.

What was your childhood like? grew up in a ghetto in Ajegunle to be precise. My mum was making Fufu and I used to help her in selling and distributing it. I did more of supplying not hawking.

How did your parents react when you started music?

At first, my dad wasn’t happy with that but when we became popular and money started coming in everything changed.

I f you look at your c a r e e r now, would you say you are fulfilled with what you’ve

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Precious John (aka Presh) achieved so far? o, not yet. There’s a higher place I’m going, it’s been my dream to be one of the people that will nurture new artistes to stardom. When I will be able to sit back and look at over 15 acts doing great on top of their game through me, then we can start talking of fulfillment. I want to be able to help people and impact in the society.

Are you married?

No, I’m not, I’m not even in

N

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a relationship, all I see and think about now is my music.

So how would you describe your dream woman? ell, my dream woman has to be pretty, humble, and have a sense of humour. You know she has to be a balance of a good and bad girl. Not too holy and not too spoilt so we can both be spontaneous and do crazy things together.

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Nigeriafilm.com

It’s a funny story. It’s actually a girl that made me to join music. She said I had a frog and toad voice when I was singing for someone.

At first, I got angry and wanted to beat her up. So, I later joined the church choir and I remember they put me at the back. I just used to make sounds, because what I did back then wasn’t singing compared to what I know now.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

PAGE 48

Business

What makes a good bank?

By James Vaccaro

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fter all that has happened over the past few years, our expectations of banks have never been lower. Officially the most loathed profession, twice as likely not be trusted than to be trusted, the banker’s reputation is in tatters. And in considering what a “good bank” is, our imagination seems to be constrained. Many now agree that a good bank is, or should be, just a “boring” institution – one that plays it safe and doesn’t lose our money. But a truly sustainable bank should go far beyond this.

When listening to today’s debate on the banking reform, talk of splitting, capping, stress tests and ringfences (electric or otherwise) all sounds very clinical. It doesn’t seem to refer to a person-centred business, rather a wild beast that is out of control and needs to be tamed. City traders and bankers anonymously shared their views on the proposed EU bonus cap (limiting their bonuses to two times their salary), revealing a lot about the culture that they live in.

They are confident that, no matter which rules are put in place, their institutions will find ways round them – they always have.

They justify their bonuses in terms of needing the motivation in order to get up at 5am and not leave the office before 8pm. It’s a lifestyle that doesn’t seem very healthy – and certainly hasn’t proved too healthy for the rest of society. It’s difficult to experience alternative motivations beyond profit when working in such a monoculture, where profit is all

there is to work for.

It’s the cultural aspect that seems missing in the debate on redesigning the financial system.

Whatever rules banks have to adhere to, it is the people who lead banks and work within them who define the culture and ultimately determine what those organisations become.

While regulations are of central importance and are always necessary, they can never be sufficient in defining how an organisation operates.

Governments, and maybe even some new bank CEOs, may want to find a quick fix, but cultural change takes considerably more effort than a rebranded regulator, a new rulebook or a memo to staff.

Is a good bank just a ‘boring’ one?

Personally, I feel that working in a one-dimensional world where the only motivation is profit, and all you see are computer screens and your colleagues, is boring – no matter how much adrenaline is injected into the mix. Sustainable banking can address the needs of society – how we can transform to a low-carbon economy, how we can grow our food in tune with nature, how we can provide housing, health education and other services that are inclusive and offer the right level of care for vulnerable or marginalised people, and how we can support entrepreneurs who are growing businesses with a mission to care about all their stakeholders and the environment.

Sustainable banks exist; they are run by bankers with a different set of motivations and values. They see their role as one that can catalyse the

CBN GOVERNOR - Mr. Godwin Emefiele development of sustainability by acting alongside their clients – the entrepreneurs and depositors – whose interests they are responsible for balancing in a healthy way. By working out how to finance a venture, bankers can unlock the creativity of entrepreneurs and can help savers to move their money towards activities that they support.

Can bankers be sustainability leaders of the future?

Given the power that banks have in being able to allocate money within an economy, this is entirely possible.

This week, in Berlin, the leaders of the world’s values-led sustainable banks are gathering for the annual conference of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values. Their focus this year is on change-makers – a reference to the clients that they work with but also the aspiration for what each bank is hoping to be.

They tell the story of bankers working with clients to create inspiring developments. In Mongolia, micro-finance bank XacBank has developed low-cost loans to insulate the wooden-tent homes of families living in Ulaanbaatar, the world’s

coldest capital city, while in Vancouver, Vancity, north America’s largest credit union, has worked with aboriginal first-nation groups to provide financial solutions to meet the needs of their communities.

These stories aren’t just interesting in themselves – they turn the banking debate on its head. By talking about the role they play between depositor and borrower, these banks awaken people to each other’s roles in financial relationships, making money matters seem less intimidating and more accessible.

While they have to understand profit, loss, risk and the commercial drivers of business, they also need to understand the social connections around a business and its stakeholders. By taking this more integrated approach, these bankers stay connected to the real word as well as developing a longer-term approach to understanding financial health. That’s neither boring, nor irrelevant for considering how to build a robust longterm business model.

These bankers don’t need huge pay packets or bonuses to be motivated and they aren’t part of a culture that tries to break the rules to serve themselves or maximise profits. Instead, they engage in how the financial system can best be altered to serve the deeper needs of society and the planet more effectively.

Having that kind of culture could be far more effective in changing the banking sector than any rules or regulations. And having these new kind of banks could change the economy and our world far more than we might currently imagine.

James Vaccaro is head of market & corporate development for Triodos Bank NV

Bankers need Hippocratic Oath to restore virtue to the financial sector

By David Fagleman

C

ould a bankers’ oath restore virtue to the sector by providing a sense of duty that guidelines have failed to provide?

A significant programme of financial reform to address the failings of our banking sector has been embarked upon. The banks’ actions not only led to financial crisis and ensuing recession, but also to the public losing trust and confidence (through a plethora of scandals) in what is arguably our most important sector.

Reform was inevitable and the focus so far has been directed towards creating a more stable financial sector through the Independent Commission on Banking Standards, Financial Services Act, Banking Services Act and the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards.

The outcomes of these have set the wheels in motion towards creating a more stable and responsible financial sector in an effort to avoid any future crises on the scale of

2008.

While there is still a long way to go, the coalition can be proud of these achievements and it is imperative that the next government builds on what has already been achieved. However, despite five years of reform the public retains its distrust for bankers and the services provided fail to meet the diverse financial needs of society.

As ResPublica argues its report, Virtuous Banking: Placing ethos and virtue at the heart of finance, launched by the chair of the Banking Standards Review Council, the government’s reforms have wrongly focused purely on prudential and regulatory issues.

A focus on financial stability alone fails to address the root cause of the crisis, which we believe lies in the inherent lack of virtue among our banking institutions and subsequent ethos.

This led to a self-serving culture that influenced the behaviour of bankers. Without attempting to address this and restore virtue to the sector, the current approach to

reform will do little, if anything, to improve the underlying culture of British banking or stem the tide of scandal.

In contrast to a rigid moral regime that most ethical systems call for, the theory of virtue recognises that people’s needs are all different and as a result, argues for the fulfillment of those needs in all of their distinctness. Applying this theory to banking reform means that our banks should, to the best of their abilities, attempt to meet people’s diverse financial needs, and should not simply focus on selfenrichment or basic transactional services.

Banks perform crucial functions that are vital to our everyday lives, providing savings and retirement options, enabling us to become homeowners and prepare for our future. Their purpose goes beyond macro-economic concerns and extends to the long-term prosperity of customers. Advocating for more virtue in banking is a call for the re-introduction of an economic and social purpose to banking that

is vital if we are to get the banking sector we deserve.

One way this can be achieved is by requiring all members of the banking profession to affirm a Hippocratic-style oath, where employees publicly voice their commitment to behave in a manner that prioritises customers and recognises that the abuse of their position can have dramatic consequences for society.

This bankers’ oath would symbolise a turning point for the profession and make a muchneeded encouraging signal to the public. Lawyers, doctors and architects all hold a professional motive to not only do the best for their client but also adhere to the well established principles of that profession. In medicine, the Hippocratic Oath provides a centrepiece for personal responsibility in the profession and their overarching principles. Banking is no different and in the post-crash era, should strive towards professionalism.

Such a proposal has gained support in our neighbouring

countries. In the Netherlands, the Dutch Banking Association has ordered its 90,000 members to swear an oath, with those who break it facing possible suspension or fines. In the US, after discussing the pros and cons of an oath to ensure academic integrity, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University concluded that new undergraduates from 2015 would be asked to affirm the school “honor code”, which drew inspiration from a voluntary oath created by students at Harvard Business School.

A bankers’ oath would begin to restore virtue to the sector by setting the right environment towards creating a culture for bankers to flourish and provide the right services for their customers. An oath can provide a sense of duty, responsibility and deep-rooted involvement from employees that rules and guidelines have so far failed to provide.

David Fagleman is a researcher at ResPublica he tweets at @ DFagleman.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

PAGE 49

Side Talk

By Jacinta David

High profile breakfast, End Time wonders

This week on Side Talk, we would attempt to take at the most interesting high profile breakfast in recent times. After a season of tongue waggings between these prominent leaders, the news suddenly began to make the round that these seemingly sworn foes were reclining at the same table not only grinning from ear to ear but sharing a sumptuous meal even as their foot soldiers remain at daggers drawn. Not so their Man Fridays: sworn enemies these!

No, going by images in the media, they weren’t smiling but were fully engaged in guffaw straight from the heart.

While this is indeed a welcomed development, we wonder what it would portend for the larger public. Could there be a message for Nigerians that the many tales of political indifference really holds no water?

In the same vein, the recent pace of verbal vengeance for what may be regarded as an opposition’s problems reached its peak when one member of the leading opposition claimed with flourish that should the arrowhead of their party be pluck down neither the architect (rightly or wrongly) nor the polity would know peace.

It’s obvious these agents thrive on rumour and suspicion. None ever stopped for a moment to ponder over the slightest semblance of fact in respect of the said suspicion. They needed a scapegoat to pin their anticipated failure.

Nonetheless, the disillusion of any group may indeed be something sad, but when the same disillusion is imposed on the general public especially coming from a supposed high profile personnel or group of persons then Side Talk cannot help, but notice the contrast, if you like hypocrisy.

Pastoral cure

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hat Side Talk chose to relay this tale doesn’t place the breakfast at premium. However, the irony thereof makes it command the top spot.

Publicity, they say, is expensive, and so when a man popularly known as a servant of the most high, comes up with a statement that he has the cure to the disease, even the physician are still battling to deal with, one then wonders if he is talking from the angle of prophetic manifestation, is just another rabble rouser or a plain attention seeker, just want to be heard.

According to our source, the Holy man was following the steps of a former man of his kind who goes by the name “Lake”. He stated that with the aid of the Holy Spirit, he can lay his hands on the people and the problem will be solved. This indeed is dramatic. A pastor suddenly claiming sublimal might: Possesses divine strength to cure the most deadly disease of the present age. This leaves Side Talk and indeed the larger public bemused as the pastor only added to the many tales of pastoral ruse. Indeed, wonders never end.

Yes, it’s a fact that faith goes beyond human reasoning, but this said cure his personal ruse, a tale he spins to advertise his illogic prowess and take simply to put food on his table. End times sign this!

Won’t it have been more persuasive if he had carried out his cures silently and allow the works to speak volume for him and generate the audience to his enclave? Better still, what stops this powerful man of God from just doing his work and letting God take the glory.

And very importantly how is it possible that God stops a problem, only to have it, resurface? My brother man must whack.

Are political leaders also prophets of doom?

T

he prediction of one of the nation’s leading opposition party that the fall of the other party would be too horrible a crash to imagine naturally draws Side Talk’s spotlight.

The story deserves spotlight because of the interest or anxious care the stern prediction generated within the public.

It beats one’s imagination his sudden clairvoyance competence more so since he has never been known to have acquire neither pastoral skills of lately.

The place of Side Talk is not to take sides, but when an opposition takes it upon itself to prophesy such against its opponents; Side Talk wonders whether the statement is born out of strife or from the normal culture of back bating by our nation’s political actors.

This latest show of friendship; Who is fooling who?

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ur third story is also dramatic in a political sense. After months of debates and public stabbing; side takings notices the actions of two political lords in the country. We are again put on the side of surprise as we witness this so-called political enemies dine and wine to the bewilderment of their supporters.

As a matter of fact the scene created by photo journalist who covered the event was more dramatic than that narrated by the use of words.

A people who were made to seem like sworn enemies by alphabetical journalists, were ironically reunited by photo journalists in such a manner that side talk thinks it needful to ask, who is actually fooling who?

Food for thought

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ood, that essential need of all living humans catches our attention next. Well, it’s just a matter of food for thought.

The infamous prediction by the lawmakers that the most important liquid of the present age will stop Nigeria from remaining one simply makes one to wonder why Nigeria, in the midst ocean, has opted to bathe in spittle.

Is breakup the magic wand that would suddenly unite? Come to think of it, this suggestion is it based on faith or the result of a desperate quest for greater audience?

And Side Talk considered it needful to ask this rather necessary question. When will be time for the leaders of the second tier of government to understand that the way forward is not only to tell the truth about their local resources, but also remit funds from same to the national treasury?

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

PAGE 50

Healthy Living

Tooth decay fact file

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he most common oral health problem by a mile is tooth decay.

Tooth decay occurs when the outermost Layers of the tooth surface referred to as enamel gets worn down. The culprit is the acid produced as a by product of the action of bacteria which are ordinarily resident in the mouth act on food types basically carbohydrate sugars taken into the mouth.

There are outer layers of the tooth surface, the visible crown, the dentine layer, the pulp, which can be affected by tooth decay.

A sticky coat plaque forms on the tooth surface called plaque, which is easily removed by general oral hygiene measures like toothbrushing, use of dental floss, mouthwash and any oral hy-

“

giene aid. The bacteria germs in the mouth feed on the substrate of reducing sugars and the carbohydrate in a similar fashion as we humans take in food for energy. The acid produced as a by product of the bacteria metabolism is the culprit in the demineralisation of the hard tooth surfaces hence the dental decay, tooth decay, dental caries.

The whole process is based on the structure of the tooth and the action of these acids, which can dissolve the content of the tooth structure.

The body naturally tries to repair the fault and damage so there is deposition of more minerals on the tooth surface, it becomes a battle of the two extremes deposition and removal, The ding dong process goes on and once the balance is tilted in the

direction of dissolution or removal of the hard mineral structure of the tooth, tooth decay forms. The tooth decay appears in the tooth as holes and should this progress unchecked it goes affecting deeper layers of the tooth until it reaches the centre, the pulp of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels, at this point the pain may be excruciating and the battle to save the tooth via treating the decay may be lost.

It stands to reason that tooth decay is not an instantaneous occurrence; it rather is a gradual process.

When the cavity/hole/decay is at the initial stages treatment can be sought and the decay arrested and a filling placed on the tooth. This filling stops the cavity from progressing in most of the cases.

The tooth decay appears in the tooth as holes and should this progress unchecked it goes affecting deeper layers of the tooth until it reaches the centre, the pulp of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels

With

Dr. Samuel Omodele Awosolu 08108155239 (SMS only) samawosolu@yahoo.co.uk (Text only) The body tries to fight back as earlier stated, other mechanisms of preventing the decay of teeth include the body fluids of the environment, saliva.

Saliva produced by several major and minor salivary glands in the head and oral cavity is a neutralising solution which mixes and washes away the acid produced by the bacteria in the mouth. It has a ph, ionic hydrogen ion concentration closer to neutral hence it acts an s a balance making the oral cavity less acidic.

The saliva has some important ions too like fluoride; the fluoride is an important ion as it makes the tooth surface more resistant to the attack and dissolution by the acid produced in the mouth by the bacteria acting on the carbohydrate food. Fluoride is deliberately added in toothpaste at optimum concentration to make the teeth more resistant to decay. This is the principle behind using fluoride in water supplies, toothpaste, mouth rinses, as topical application on children teeth at the dentists.

Whilst plaque is continuously formed in the mouth

and on the teeth, the failure to remove plaque regularly by not adhering to oral hygiene measures, may result in calcium deposits hardening plaque to become tartar/ calculus.....This can only be removed at the dentists and it is necessary to note that calculus may accumulate in some specific areas of the mouth. The dentist will be able to help remove calculus and clean the mouth by a procedure called scaling and polishing. This is a professional way of cleaning the mouth.

To prevent tooth decay dietary advice is essential , there are some tooth friendly food , that the dentist can advise you consume , fruits and vegetables which are not only kind to the tooth they are kind to the general wellbeing they contain anti oxidants and vitamins and help the body keep in top shape.

Once yearly regular visits to the dentist will be the best way to avoid having tooth decay, the dentist will give the dietary advice where necessary, help with preventive advice and detect any early signs of tooth decay.

See you next week

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Those who shouldn’t venture into marriage (II) Last week, I began sharing with you features of those who shouldn’t venture into marriage. As I’ve said, my intention is not to discourage people from marrying but to highlight some attitudes that will work against marriage. And if those with such attitudes are not prepared to change, it will be better they don’t marry than to create needless problems for themselves. I want to share with you today more of these features. May the Lord speak to your heart.

• Men who are not ready to love their wives. Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands love your wife even as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it” The Bible commands that husbands love their wives. Ephesians 5: 33 also says, “Nevertheless let everyone of you in particular so love his wife even as himself and the wife see that she reverence her husband” If you are going to live for yourself and care for yourself alone, don’t venture into marriage. That is not right spirit in marriage. Your wife does not exist just to serve you; God demands that you love her. And as I have said before, love means troubling yourself for the person who you love. There are too many selfish husbands who also become selfish fathers; they never care about their wives or their children. They eat well alone, dress well alone and just have good time alone neglecting their families. That is not how to be a responsible husband and father.

Love means that you become wifecentered (and family-centred when you become a father) rather than selfcentered. If you are not ready for this, don’t venture into marriage.

• Men who are idle. These ones are doing nothing; they are jobless or unemployed. A wife is a helpmeet and since they are doing nothing for which they need a helper, they should not venture into marriage. Marriage is not for somebody without a work or a vision

that he is pursuing; the wife will suffer in his hand. God gave Adam a job before giving him a wife; he was taking care of the Garden of Eden. (Gen 2:15-18) It is not dignifying for a man to be without a job and yet go into marriage.

Even if the woman is a millionaire, the husband should be gainfully employed either self employed or an employee.

A responsible man is not comfortable depending on the wife’s purse to be running his own life and the home.

Even if he loses his employment, he does not sit down idle satisfied with the wife being the bread winner. He makes effort to earn income to provide for the family. Of course, there’s nothing wrong in the wife supporting the husband financially but the husband must not become irresponsible.

A man should not allow himself to be pressured into marriage when he’s not financially mature to take care of his wife and the home. Your uncle, your father, your mother may finance your wedding but will they continue to finance your home? They’ll soon be tired of giving you handouts. You’ll become a nuisance.

• A woman who wants to face his own life and not ready to help any man called husband. The woman is created to help the man in marriage not to simply pursue her own independent vision. Any marriage contrary to this command will collapse. There cannot be two visions in the home; two visions will cause division. The wife’s vision is to be realized within the vision of God for the husband. Both visions (which are actually one) will not suffer if they are from the Lord and are not mere human ambition.

In Gen 2:18, God calls the wife a helpmeet. That is God’s will for the woman. The woman is created for the man, and the man is incomplete without the woman. Any woman who is not ready to play this role should not venture into marriage; she will

only create unwarranted problem for herself. It is better that she continues as a single lady. Without a conversion to embrace God’s Word, such a woman will only cause herself avoidable pain.

No man that is worth his salt will allow a woman to continue to live in his home with an independent spirit becoming a law to herself.

• Women who don’t want to submit and adapt to their own husband. If you can’t subordinate and submit yourself to the man you want to marry, don’t go into marriage. There’s no need for competition and rivalry between the husband and the wife. Eph 5:22 says, “Wives subject (be submissive and adapt yourself to your own husband, as (a service) to the Lord” (Amplified Bible) Pay close attention to that word “adapt” To adapt means to change, adjust, alter, modify, get used to, settle in. Also notice that the reason to subject yourself as a wife to your husband is not because of your husband but because of the Lord – your subjecting yourself to your husband is a service to the Lord. Most wives don’t understand or realize this.

Also Eph 5:24 says, “Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything” Subjection to your own husband (not another person’s husband or all men) should be in everything as long as it does not amount to a disobedience to the Word of God. 1Peter 3:1 and 5 also emphasize the need for a wife to be subject to the husband. The Amplified Bible renders verse 1 thus: “In like manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands (subordinate yourself as being secondary to and dependent on them and adapt yourself to them) so that even if any do not obey the word of God they may be won over not by discussion but by the (godly) lives of their wives” If your mindset is that no

From the Pulpit green pastures

By Pastor T. O. Banso

cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 man can give you any instruction or you can’t play the second fiddle to any husband, you don’t need to go into marriage because you’re expected to play the second fiddle, not because you’re inferior but because your husband is assigned leadership by God. That role is not based on the man’s intelligence; women are as intelligent as men – that is the truth.

Some wives are even more intelligent than their husbands!

• Women who are not prepared to respect their husbands. Never marry if you won’t respect your husband. Eph 5:33 says wives should see that they reverence their husbands. When as a wife you disrespect your husband, you have no moral right to expect others to respect him. When a wife respects the husband, she is invariably respecting herself. A wife who respects her husband attracts honour to herself.

People will treat her with honour. Sarah called Abraham her husband lord demonstrating her respect for him. (1 Peter 3:6) There are wives who respect other men – other people’s husbands – but dishonour their own husbands.

That is not what the Bible teaches.

• Men who are not ready to be the head of their family. The head provides the leadership spiritually, physically, financially etc. Any home where the man is not the head is not God’s ideal home. God did not create the woman to be the head of the home not because men are better but because the man and the woman are different. Except by reason of death, divorce, separation etc, a woman should not head the home.

Only a weak husband will surrender her God-given role of the head in the family. It’s safe for a woman to come

under her husband’s leadership.

The lack of input of a strong father as head of the family is usually evident in children brought up by mothers alone.

Eph 5:23 says the husband is the head of the wife. Provision of the financial and material needs of the family is part of headship. Think about that! So no man should be wearing the badge of headship while running away from the demand of headship!

I’m going to stop here today and bring the concluding part of this message next week. I believe God has spoken to you today. Go ahead and obey His voice.

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.

Freedom from the bondage of worry and anxiety Matthew 6:25-30

“

I

say unto you, Take no thought for your life” (verse 25). “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit (18 inches) unto his stature?” (verse 27) “And why take ye thought for raiment?” (verse 28) “Therefore take no thought” (verse 31) “Take therefore no thought for the morrow” (verse 34). In this brief passage, our Lord warns and cautions us against worry and anxiety. He commands us not to be worried or anxious about our present needs and future prospects.

Worry is unnecessary because we have a heavenly Father who cares for us. Worry is unreasonable because we cannot improve our lot by worrying and being anxious. Worry is unwise because it cannot stop whatever is going to happen and it paralyses our faith which has power to change all situations and things.

Worry causes and increases tormenting fear; it broods over what may never happen and creates unnecessary despair and depression, making our situations seem worse than they really are. Worry brings the pain of yesterday, borrows the burden of tomorrow and adds them to the

concerns of today thereby making our excessive load of the present hour unbearable. Worry makes us live like a hopeless orphan, without a heavenly Father, without any promise of divine help and provision. “Have faith in God.” 1.

CHRIST’S COMMAND FORBIDDING WORRY AND ANXIETY Matthew 6:25,31,34; Luke 12:22-30; Mark 13:11; 1 Corinthians 7:32; Philippians 4:6-8; Hebrews 13:5,6; 1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22; Luke 21:34-36.

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life.” What is the meaning of “Take no thought”? Is the Lord teaching us not to plan for the future? Is He encouraging us to be thoughtless and careless about our lives? No. He expects us to plan ahead, count the cost, plan for the future on earth and plan with faith and commitment for our eternal future.

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin

By Pastor W.F Kumuyi to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish” (Luke 14:28-30).

What, then, does this mean? “Take no thought.” ‘Be not anxious, be not worried’. Christ’s command is that we should not be worried or anxious concerning any area of our lives - what to eat, what to drink, what to wear, etc. God, our Creator, Redeemer and Father who has given us life will take care of that life. Since He has given us life, we can trust Him to provide all that is necessary to take care of it. He will surely provide necessary food to sustain the life given. Since God has

graciously and freely given us bodies, surely we can trust Him for adequate clothing for the body.

2. COMMON CREATURES’ FREEDOM FROM WORRY AND ANXIETY Matthew 6:26,27; Genesis 1:30; 8:6-19; Job 38:41; Psalm 104:1014,27,28; Matthew 10:29-31; Luke 12:24; Job 35:10,11; Psalm 8:4-9; Ecclesiastes 3:14.

“Behold the fowls of the air: ... your heavenly Father feedeth them.”

Our Lord now uses the example of the birds. There is no worry or anxiety in their lives. They do not attempt to pile

up food for an unforeseeable future, yet their lives go on as ordained by God. Let the higher creatures learn from these lower, common creatures. The Lord provides an abundance of food for the birds, will He not provide for us?

If God so carefully takes care of these relatively insignificant creatures, how much more will He take care of His own children? Will anyone of us who owns fowls, dogs, goats at home take care of these animals and yet allow the children to starve and die of hunger?

He who feeds the birds and keeps them from worry and anxiety will also feed us. Trusting in the care and provision of our heavenly Father, we are kept free from worry and anxiety.

Jesus asked an important question. “Are ye not much better than they? ” - than the fowls of the air? No bird is created in the image of God or recreated in the image of Christ, our Saviour. No bird is a joint-heir with Christ. No bird has a place prepared for it in heaven. If God gives sufficient provision to sustain the life of birds, will He not take care of us who are His children? He has given us Christ, will He not give us all that we need to sustain our lives? (Romans 8:32).

PAGE 52

Photo Splash

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Workshop on Phase 2 Permanent voters’ card distribution, as part of awareness programme continuous on voters’ registration exercise, yesterday in Calabar.

Commuters in the rain at Oshodi, yesterday in Lagos.

Security check at a plaza yesterday in Area 10, Garki, Abuja.

NLC and TUC picket banks in Makurdi during on going workers’ strike, yesterday in Benue state .

L-R ,Commissioner of Police, Rivers, Mr Tunde Ogunsakin. Deputy Governor of Rivers, Mr Tele Ikuru and Sen. George Sekibo at the first official launch of stop kidnapping campaign, yesterday in Port Harcourt.

- Photo: Justin Imowo & NAN

S p or T

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Keshi wants to fortify Eagles’ ahead of competitions Page 54

AWC: Falcons coach weeps over unpaid salaries Page 54

West Brom hand Anichebe number 10 jersey >>Page 55

Page 54

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Sports

Keshi wants to fortify Eagles’ ahead of competitions Stories by Albert Akota

T

he Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, believes returning as the Eagles’ gaffer will give him the opportunity to finish what he started, hence his desire to extend his contract with Nigeria.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has opened channels of communication with Keshi on the probability of a contract renewal for the Eagles job.

The Executive Committee has given the Acting President, Mike Umeh, the go ahead to convene a meeting of the Emergency Committee to approve details of Keshi’s possible re-engagement within the shortest possible time.

“Yes, I met with Deji Tinubu (a member of NFF board) in Lagos before heading out for the US to see my family.

“It’s my country, I am ready to serve. I have started something I would love to finish.”

However, ‘Big Boss’ Keshi quickly added the working

conditions for his new deal have to be better than what he had previously.

“But I cannot work the way I worked last time, it’s not possible!

All my staff, no!no!!no!! We have to be professional, everybody has to do what they are supposed to do,” the Africa Cup of Nationswinning coach said.

“I cannot be paying another staff salary, when I am not the Nigeria Football Federation.

We will see how it goes. If the conditions are met, we will be there, no wahala.”

In the meantime, the NFF has disclosed to Africanfootball.com it will forward a letter of intent for contract renewal this week to Keshi.

Head of a three-man committee for Keshi’s contract renewal, Tinubu, who discussed with Keshi last week in Lagos, said: “We have made tremendous progress.

“We will first send a letter of our intent for a renewal of his contract and expect a reply from him as quickly as possible.

“This would allow us to start working on the terms of contract.

Stephen Keshi giving out instructions to players

We would have our terms and we know he would have his terms, but we would be working in such a way that we would arrive at an

agreeable term that would suit both parties and then hopefully he signs.

“We can’t put a time limit

on this, but we hope we are done with it as quick as possible considering that we have a game in September.”

NFF’s electoral AWC: Falcons coach weeps over unpaid salaries committee releases

A

ll may not be well with the Super Falcons ahead of the 2014 Africa Women Championship (AWC) as head coach Edwin Okon has claimed he is being owed as much as two year’s salary arrears.

“Since August 2012 when I led the Falconets to the World Cup where we came fourth, up till today,

Edwin Okon

I’m yet to get a dime as salary from the NFF. “Every time I go to the office to complain, they will say there is no money. At a time I learned that the Federal Government gave the federation some money to pay Keshi and other national team coaches, but up till yesterday my story is still the same,” he told

reporters in Abuja.

The Rivers Angels coach, who in 2011 signed a four year contract with the NFF to coach the Falconets, was last year promoted to the senior women national team, the Super Falcons - albeit on an interim capacity after the resignation of erstwhile coach, Kadiri Ikhana, who failed do well with the team.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons are drawn alongside hosts Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire and Zambia in the Group A of African Women’s Championship, which kicks off on October 11.

The top three teams from the championship will qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

The Nigerian ladies will also be looking to redeem themselves at the tournament after they finished fourth in the last edition of the biennial tournament, their worst-ever finish in the history of the African Women Championship.

guidelines

T

he NFF Electoral Committee has unveiled the dates for all processes leading to elections into the Executive Committee of the nation’s football governing body on Tuesday, 26th August, 2014.

“We have taken into careful consideration, the yearnings of everyone in the Nigeria football family for a level –playing field for all, and have decided to slightly extend the deadline for the endorsement and collections of forms, which has also affected slightly other deadlines.

“However, we are committed to holding the elections as scheduled on Tuesday, 26th August, 2014.

Our responsibility is to play the role of an impartial, unbiased umpire in the entire process to ensure fairness for all,” Chairman of the NFF Electoral

Committee, Mr. Amoni Biambo, said in Abuja on Thursday.

Endorsement and submission of forms will now take place between Thursday, 31st July, and 6pm on Monday, 4th August, while screening of candidature, endorsement and release of names of eligible candidates will take place between Tuesday, 5th August and Wednesday, 6th August, 2014.

Protests/Appeals against candidates will be entertained latest on Monday, 11th August while the election proper holds on Tuesday, 26th August.

Biambo stated further: “The NFF Electoral Committee will do everything possible to guarantee a free and fair election that will do justice to the great name of our country in the comity of football playing countries of the universe.”

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 2,- sunday 3, august, 2014

Page 55

Sports

Falconets get jersey numbers

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layers of Nigeria U-20 female team (Falconets) have officially been assigned their respective jersey numbers for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. The assignment of the Jersey numbers cameby after head coach Peter Dedevbo named his final 21 players for the tournament.

Captain of the side Patience Okaeme and defender Maryam Ibrahim received their favourite numbers 9 and 5 shirts respectively. While midfielders Asisat Oshoala, Halimat Ayinde and Yetunde Adeboyejo were also assigned the numbers 4, 10 and 11 shirts respectively.

One of the shinning light of Costa Rica U17 World Cup, Uchenna Kanu, takes her place in Dedevbo’s team with the magic number 12 after impressing with three goals in her side’s four games at the tournament earlier this year. She is joined by her club team mate Chinwendu Ihezuo jersey number 19, who has been capped at the senior level.

Hardworking Gladys Abasi wasn’t left out as she got the jersey

number 18, while big duo Courtney Dike and Uchechi Sunday received the 8 and 20 jersey numbers respectively.

The full squad and numbers are as follows: 1.Sandra Chiichii [Ibom Angels FC] 2.Ebere Okoye [Nasarawa Amazons FC] 3.Idike Jiroro [Delta Queens FC] 4.Asisat Oshoala [Rivers Angels FC] 5.Maryam Ibrahim [Nasarawa Amazons FC] 6.Nnodim Sarah [Delta Queens FC] 7.Loveth Ayila [Rivers Angels FC] 8.Courtney Dike [Oklahoma State University] 9.Patience Okaeme [Delta Queens FC] 10.Halimat Ayinde [Delta Queens FC) 11.Adeboyejo Yetunde [Bayelsa Queens FC] 12.Uchenna Kanu [Pelican Stars FC] 13.Yetunde Aluko [Sunshine Queens FC] 14.Osarenoma Igbinovia [Ibom Angels FC] 15.Ugo Njoku [Rivers Angels FC] 16.Ibijoke Sangonuga [Delta Queens FC] 17.Victoria Aidelomon [Pelican Stars FC] 18.Gladys Abasi [Ibom Angels FC] 19.Chinwendu Ihezuo [Pelican Stars FC] 20.Uchechi Sunday [Rivers Angels FC) 21.Chiudo Ehiudo [Delta Queens FC].

Falconets celebrate a goal in one of their matches

Football pundit wants NFF to be self reliance by 2015

By Albert Akota

T

Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi

he Chairman of the Kaduna State Tennis Association, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi has called on the current board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to be self reliance by 2015 if it desires a lasting peace in the running of football in the country.

Kurfi who made this calls in a telephone interview with Peoples Daily Sports from Saudi Arabia, said the country’s football can only know peace should they desire to run it football activities without government funds.

He noted that the current crisis rocking the NFF would still resurfaced after 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russian should government keep on sponsoring and purring money of it activities both local and international competitions.

“As far as I’m concerned the Nigeria football federation may not known peace and smooth running should government keep on putting money, I strong believe NFF can run it football activities with FIFA subvention and sponsors.

“I want NFF to know that they can run it activities without government interferences, in order to avoid it interference, they most meet the

Federation Cup final: Lagos to host for three years

By Taofeek Lawal

T

he Nigeria Football Federation has awarded Lagos State the hosting right of the Federation Cup final for the next three years 2015, 2016 and 2017. This was announced in a communiqué made available to sports writers in Abuja on Wednesday, after the Federation held it executive congress. The NFF commended the Lagos Government for hosting of the past final in Lagos and called on the government to put up a final that will surpass previous

finals held in the state. On Thursday in Abeokuta and Abuja respectively, FA defending champions Enyimba FC of Aba defeated hard fighting Giwa FC of Jos by a lone goal at the MKO Abiola Stadium while Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt also knocked out Prime FC of Osogbo from the Federation Cup final by one goal to nil at the FIFA Goal Project pitch package B of the Abuja National Stadium. All is now set for the final of the Federation Cup between Enyimba and Dolphin which will hold at the Teslim Balogun stadium in Lagos.

necessary economics and experts in the system to put them through on how to finance itself.

“I am not happy with what is happening with Nigeria’s various sectors because we can stop everything should we plan well for the country, football can create employment and take our youths out of the streets, I am an economist, I can bring lasting solution to Nigeria economy as well as sports.

“I am in Saudi Arabia praying fervently for the peace of this nation both insurgences, sports especially football, unemployment and youth restiveness in our dear country,” the Dan Arewa said Meanwhile, Kurfi praised the efforts of the past executive board led by Aminu Maigari for the successes it achieved while in office and called on the current board not to relent on the achievements thus far.

He enjoined all stakeholders in the administration of football in the country to quickly resolve the crisis currently bedevilling it.

“I want to call on everyone in the administration of football in the country to put the country first rather than self goal in finding solution to the problems rocking the house”, he concluded

West Brom hand Anichebe number 10 jersey

Maigari splits NFF Congress

T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) congress could not form a quorum to ratify the removal of Aminu Maigari as president. This could ultimately lead to the recall of Maigari, who was impeached last week by eight of the members of the NFF board.

It was reported that 30 out of the 46 members of NFF Congress rejected the removal of Maigari as president and they backed up their position with the Statutes, which they say was not followed to the letter. The general congress that has been slated for August 26 still remains but there is so much discord in the lead up to the elections that are also slated for that date.

In a communiqué released on Wednesday and

signed by Emeka Inyama, the chairman of the communiqué drafting committee: “Electoral Committee headed by Mr. Amoni Biambo with the exclusion of Dr. Akpo Mudiaga-Odje and Mr. Pascal Patrick, while the Electoral Appeals Committee is also retained with the exclusion of Barrister Eddy Ibrahim Mark, who is a Chairman of one of NFF’s judicial bodies.”

The communiqué also added: “As a result of unforeseen circumstances, the emergency Congress of NFF earlier proposed for Thursday, 31st July, 2014 but not convoked, will now be convened at a later date.

Board apologized for any inconveniences caused members of the NFF Congress by the postponement.”

N

igeria’s Victor Anichebe has been handed the ‘revered’ No. 10 jersey at West Brom ahead of the commencement of the League season. The bullish striker was previously wearing the No.16 jersey before opting for the new number. The Baggies on Thursday also announced that Joleon Lescott has been handed the No.6 shirt. Fellow summer signings Andre Wisdom, Chris Baird, Craig Gardner and Sebastien Pocognoli have been allocated the No.2, No.4, No.8 and No.15 jerseys respectively. West Brom’s record signing Brown Ideye, who is awaiting his work permit, will wear the famous No.9 shirt.

Anichebe

BIG PUNCH “My colleagues set the stage for all what is happening in the state today. They laid a faulty foundation to a process that ought to be constitutional.”

—House Minority Leader, Tanko Maikatako (APC, Lafia-Central)

Peoples Daily WEEKEND, SATURDAY — SUNDAY, AUGUST 2-3, 2014

How Alison-Madueke’s management style is illing Nigeria’s oil industry, threatening revenue flow

D

elays in taking vital decisions in the oil and gas industry are fuelling concerns about Nigeria’s prospect of meeting her targets of increased daily oil production capacity and enhanced national reserve by 2020.

Industry operators blame the Minister of Petroleum, Diezani AlisonMadueke, for an increasingly lethargic style that has slowed major decisions and processes – from board meetings to licence renewals – failings that now threaten the government’s projected expansion of production frontiers and more revenues.

One operator particularly accused Mrs. Alison-Madueke of “micromanaging the entire industry as her personal estate using her personal aides to carry out key policies, rather than designated officials.”

The Federal Government wants to raise daily oil production from the current average of 2.15 million barrels per day, BPD, to 4 million barrels, and reserves from about 35 billion barrels to 40 billion.

In July, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN], Godwin Emefiele, said at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee that oil industry performance improved marginally from -9.36 per cent in the 4th quarter of 2013 to -6.60 per cent in the first quarter of 2014.

Overall, the CBN Economic Report for April 2014 showed slow growth, with oil production increasing from 1.86 million barrels per day or 52.08 million barrels per month in February, to 1.90 million barrels per day, or 57 million barrels in April.

But, the marginal growth has failed to suppress mounting concerns among key operators about the consistent failure of the industry to meet its growth projections in virtually all areas of operation.

Sluggish management Most industry operators, particularly major oil companies, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimization, blamed the industry’s woes and its poor turnover on Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s increasingly sluggish style. One operator particularly blamed her for “micro-managing the entire industry as her personal estate using her personal aides to carry out key policies, rather than designated officials.”

At the NNPC, where she is the Chairman of its Board, a top official, who would not want his name mention to avoid being victimized, accused the Minister of side-lining the management in most important decisions, preferring to use her “powerful aides”.

According to the official, until recently, one Eric Ufo, one of the Minister’s many Personal Assistants/ Special Advisers, was charged with the responsibility of interfacing with key industry players. After Mr. Ufo, the Minister appointed Kevin Alonzo and Advert: Business:

News: Lagos:

Kelvin Okpere as replacements, with wider powers.

“These assistants are so powerful that whenever they invoke the name of the Minister, industry players cower in fear,” a senior member of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, (NAPE) said. “They have become the middlemen between the Minister and the industry on all issues, including crude oil lifting.”

Consequently, the muddling of the chain of command and the abuse of approval processes through the use of personal aides over key officials has left the industry replete with scores of delayed approvals awaiting the Minister’s attention.

“While the Minister wants to see every memo, she is always never there to see it,” said the NNPC official, who also lamented the inability of the Board of the Company to meet regularly.

The NNPC Act 1977 demands that the Board meets not less than four times each year. But that schedule is hardly met as meetings are often deferred. How such delays extend to other policy timelines played out in the government’s plan to open up new oil production areas, called acreages. he minister had in November 2013 announced plans by the Federal Government to hold the second marginal field licensing round to allocate existing marginal oil acreages to new operators.

After several postponements, the exercise was rescheduled for March 2014.

While the minister announced that the DPR would publish bid guidelines, no such action has been taken till date.

“To date, prospective investors who looked forward to the bid round have been left in limbo,” a distraught official in one of the indigenous oil companies lamented. “Not even the marginal oil blocks to be included in the bid basket for sale have been identified. Nobody can say with certainty what to expect about the exercise,” the source said.

The pall of uncertainty appears to be pervading the operations of the six oil majors. Apart from ExxonMobil, which had its operational lease renewed in 2012 after a protracted disagreement, all the other multinational oil companies, including Shell, Chevron, Total, Agip and PanOcean, all operating Joint ventures with the NNPC, are doing so with expired leases.

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Growing frustration The Shell Country Chair and Managing Director, Shell Companies in Nigeria, SCiN, Mutiu Sunmonu, recently voiced his frustration with the Nigerian Government for the delay in renewing his company’s 20-year lease more than six years since the document expired. At the presentation of Shell’s 2013 Briefing Notes, Mr. Sunmonu lamented how the delay was making it impossible to finalise some of the company’s operational plans,

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Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke particularly on divestment from some of its onshore concessions.

“The delay (in renewing the lease) is affecting divestment,” Mr. Sunmonu said. “You all know you cannot sell what you don’t have.” senior official with Chevron, who spoke with our reporter on Saturday in confidence, confirmed the American oil firm had been pressuring the Federal Government for the past two years to renew its expired oil lease.

The Oando Group, which entered into an agreement with ConocoPhillips in December 2012, for the acquisition of Medal Oil Company Limited, had to wait for the Minister’s signature for more than one and a half years before the $1.65 billion deal was approved.

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The company announced the completion of the deal on July 17. 2014.

Some oil and gas projects have equally suffered, as their final investment decisions, FIDs either had to be postponed indefinitely or cancelled after long delays from the Minister’s office.

Some projects affected were said to include the data repository system, petroleum products trucking policy and pipelines surveillance and monitoring system to check oil pipeline vandalism. The projects have either been delayed or abandoned. mong the world’s leading oil producing countries, Nigeria ranks among those with the longest contract approval cycle of between three to five years. There is

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The pall of uncertainty appears to be pervading the operations of the six oil majors. Apart from ExxonMobil, which had its operational lease renewed in 2012 after a protracted disagreement, all the other multinational oil companies, including Shell, Chevron, Total, Agip and PanOcean, all operating Joint ventures with the NNPC, are doing so with expired leases.

also the delay in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, more than five years since the process began, costing the industry more than $125 billion loss since 2009, reliable sources in the Department of Petroleum Resources told this newspaper.

Marginal growth Detailed industry activities data obtained from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, showed a trend towards near stagnation or slow progress that would make realizing set targets difficult or impossible.

Since 2012, total rig count, number of exploratory oil wells and those actually drilled by the six multi-national joint venture operators depicted a general decline in production activities.

Total rig count, which usually shows the intensity of industry activities, grew slightly from 17 in 2012 to only 21 in 2013; while total oil rigs in operation grew to 33 in 2013, slightly higher than 29 in 2012.

Similarly, while exploratory wells declined from 10 in 2012 to only 7 in 2013, the number of development wells recorded a marginal increase from 63 in 2012 to 64 in 2013, while oil wells actually drilled (138) in 2012 dropped to 102 in 2013.

A company-by-company statistics showed that Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, which accounts for more than 50 per cent of Nigeria’s total oil production capacity, deployed only 20 development wells, with eight rig counts, and actually drilled only 35 wells in 2013.

ExxonMobil, which had the highest number of development wells deployed (24), had only four rig counts and drilled 30 oil wells. Chevron, which had only one rig count during the year, deployed as many development wells but actually drilled two, while Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, which actually drilled 18 oil wells during the year, deployed only eight development wells with only five rig counts.

Total, with only one rig count, deployed only 10 development wells, and actually drilled 13, while Pan Ocean Oil, which did not deploy any development well, had two rig counts, and actually drilled four. ut experts say Nigeria will need to do more to increase production, and achieve its set goals by 2020.

For a start, the 1,300 exploration wells the oil industry has so far drilled must be surpassed, the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, George Osahon, said during the 2014 Nigeria Oil and Gas, NOG conference in February.

The NNPC has put the level of new oil production required by the industry to meet the 2020 targets at an average of about 300,000 and 350,000 barrels per day.

Culled from premiumtimes.

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