Monday, August 3rd, 2015 Edition

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Monday, August 3, 2015/ Shawal 18, 1436 AH

El-Rufai begins demolition of illegal houses Wednesday << pAGE 8 >>

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Qatar bans Nigerians without valid polio certificate << pAGE 2>>

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Vol. 16 No. 67 N150

Ritualists kill 25-year old sex worker in Ogun >> pg 3

<< pAGE 3>>

Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Borno village l Kill scores of insurgents l As army reviews cases of soldiers on death roll

page 2

Corruption: Buhari beams searchlight on MDAs l Orders

24 hours response to audit queries

By Lawrence Olaoye

I

R-L: Kebbi Deputy Governor, Alhaji Samaila Yombe, and Captain Emmanuel Mailabari, studying a sketch of military operations against cattle rustlers in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi state.

Photo: NAN

476 Days after Will the abducted Chibok schoolgirls ever be rescued?

n order to check corruption in government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF) to ensure that audit queries issued to any government agency are answered within 24 hours.

This is sequel to information made available to the President that most heads of government agencies ignore such queries for years under the last administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He equally directed the Auditor General to ensure that all outstanding audit queries are conclusively resolved within 30 days.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu confirmed the directives, adding that Buhari was irrevocably committed to tackling administrative and bureaucratic corruption head-on.

Contd on Page 2

DSS arrests 20 kidnap kingpins nationwide

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News CONTENTS News 2-11 Editorial 13 Op.Ed 14 Letters 15 Politics 16-18 Business Stockwatch

19-22 23

S/Report 24-25 Education 28 Health 30

Ai’sha Buhari donates money to Gombe blast victims– Page 6

Metro

32

Int’l 39 S/World

39

Digest 40 Sports 41 Columnist 48

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Corruption: Buhari beams searchlight on MDAs

Contd from Cover page

T

he era of impunity is gone.

The President is taking the war on corruption to the civil service.

He is not happy that standard operating procedures and financial regulations are no longer being

observed as they should.

“President Buhari will ensure that public officials and civil servants in the service of the Federal Government pay a heavy price from now on for violating financial regulations or disregarding audit queries,” Shehu said.

He added that the President was determined to put an end to the present situation in which, rather than respond to legitimate audit queries, violators of financial regulations in the Federal Government resort to threatening, bribing or mounting other forms of social pressure on auditors.

“On his watch, President Buhari wants to see firm action against those who violate extant financial regulations, not the prevarications and shenanigans that went on in the past in the form of endless probes and public inquiries,” the Presidential spokesman said.

Majority of the sentences, carried out in various military courts, have been appealed by counsel to the affected officials and condemned by local and international rights groups.

However, on Sunday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Sani Usman, said the army was itself already reviewing the punishments.

“For the avoidance of doubt it should be noted that the Nigerian Army is reviewing all recent disciplinary cases due to the wave of litigations and petitions by some aggrieved personnel,” Mr. Usman said.

The spokesperson, however, added that the “public should not misconstrue the recent directive to mean total recall of dismissed and deserter soldiers.”

Among the soldiers whose cases would be reviewed are the 54 sentenced to death on December 17, 2014. They were convicted for conspiracy to commit mutiny, and mutiny, and sentenced to death by firing squad.

In a trial that began in October, the soldiers, from the 111 Special Forces, were charged for disobeying a direct order from their commanding officer, Timothy Opurum, a Lieutenant Colonel, to take part in an operation to recapture Delwa, Bulabulin and Damboa in Borno State from Boko Haram terrorists on August 4.

Some of the accused soldiers testified that they refused to take part in the operation following the failure of the army to provide them with the necessary support equipment.

They explained that owing to a lack of equipment, they lost

three officers, 23 soldiers plus 83 others suffering various degrees of injuries after their units were ambushed by Boko Haram fighters during an operation to retake the town of Bulabulin in Borno on July 9.

Some of the accused soldiers said they did not attend the briefing where the operation was announced, while others said they did not join the mission because they were ill and there was no medical personal attached to their unit to give medical assistance.

Two other soldiers said they were given leave to attend to some administrative problems as at the time of the briefing.

Much of the trial was conducted in secret as journalists were barred mid-way into the deliberations.

The Army statement read, “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a correspondence making the rounds in some media regarding an administrative procedure to review some recent disciplinary cases in the Nigerian Army. For the avoidance of doubt it should be noted that the Nigerian Army is reviewing all recent disciplinary cases due to the wave of litigations and petitions by some aggrieved personnel. The public should not misconstrue the recent directive to mean total recall of dismissed and deserter soldiers. Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman Acting Director Army Public Relations” Also yesterday, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has pledged that his administration will provide critical infrastructure for the Nigerian Army and assist its officers to enable them carry out their mandate.

This is contained in a

statement signed by the Senior Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Imam Imam, in Sokoto on Sunday.

The statement stated that Tambuwal made the promise on Saturday in Sokoto when he visited the Command Headquarters of 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Sokoto.

It stated that the governor said the state government would continue to accord the welfare and wellbeing of men and officers of all security agencies in the state top priority. ``Tambuwal said that Sokoto State had benefited immensely from the activities of the Brigade Command in various ways. ``The state government and the army authorities will soon sign a Memorandum Of Understanding to expand the activities of the command’s skills acquisition centre to include youths and women from all parts of the state.’’

It stated that Tambuwal assured that the state government would complete the ongoing water project in barracks and provide accommodation for the youth corps members to ease their burden.

He commended the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Chikezie Ude, for embarking on projects within the barracksin spite of lean resources, and promised to assist where necessary.

Ude, who took the governor round the facilities in the barracks, hailed the cordial relationship between the people and the army in the state.

He said: “as professionals trained to provide security, the army is willing and ready to assist the civilian population at all times.’’

Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Borno village

By Mustapha Isa

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he Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday said in a combined effort with the ground troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully repelled an attack on Bita village by the Boko Haram terrorist group (BHT).

The Air Force said that, “using its Alpha-Jet, it provided combat air support to the ground force to attack the insurgents where they were observed to be mopping up to carry out a deadly attack on the village.

“Consequently, a large number of the insurgents were killed and several others were injured.”

A statement by Air Commodore Dele Alonge, Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force on Sunday said, “Thereafter, the NAF A-Jet conducted an armed reconnaissance along Bita-Gwoza road and through Yamtege, Hamdaga, Dure and Pulka.”

The NAF said, it will continue to give all necessary support to the ground force through its intensified and persistent efforts in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the NorthEast until all portions of Nigerian soil is safe and free from the insurgents.

Meanwhile, the Army said it is reviewing the cases of all soldiers who were disciplined for various offences.

Dozens of soldiers have been sentenced to death, life imprisonment and other punishment for various offences including mutiny, desertion, and disobedience of lawful orders.

Qatar bans Nigerians without valid polio certificate

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

I

ndications emerged yesterday that the Qatari authorities have banned Nigerians without valid certificate of vaccination against polio from their country with effect from June 29, 2015, as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the

disease in that country.

The Deputy Director, Press, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Mohammed Sule, in a statement on Sunday said government attention was drawn to the ban by the Department of State Services.

In view of this, it said the FCT Permanent Secretary, John Chukwu, has impressed

it on intending travellers, particularly those resident in the Federal Capital Territory, on the need to obtain duly signed and stamped yellow book on polio and other communicable diseases.

“Chukwu reiterated that obtaining of this yellow book on polio and other communicable diseases is very necessary to

avoid embarrassment at the port of entry into the country,” the statement added.

Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahmedu Ogbole-Ode, was reported to have declined confirmation if there was an official letter from the Qatari government on the ban. He, however promised to get details today.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

News

Ritualists on rampage in Ogun

From James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

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ears flowed freely as suspected ritualists on Sunday abandoned the corpse of a 23 years old sex worker at a refuse dump site located in the

Olomoore junction of Abeokuta metropolis, the Ogun state capital after they had severed part of her flesh.

The sex worker, who was later identified as Sitira by one of her relatives who stormed the Lafenwa divisional Police headquarters

where she was initially taken to by the police rescue team, was suspected to be one of the commercial sex workers plying their trade within the Abeokuta metropolis.

It was gathered that late Sitira in company of another lady whose

body was yet to be found, were allegedly thrown off a moving jeep at the Olomoore refuse dump located along the Abeokuta - Lagos expressway which was notorious for harbouring ritualists in the past.

As at the time our

been hosted to a launch by the President of Benin Republic, Dr. Boni Yayi, on the occasion of the 55th independence anniversary of that country The President, while responding to requests made by Nigerian community in Benin Republic through the Nigerian Ambassador, Dr. Lawrence Obisakin, assured that the government would next year look at the possibility of creating more consular offices in Beni Republic.

Buhari pointed out that

though his administration was seriously looking for ways of cutting down the cost of governance, including reduction on the number of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), he would not take the interest of Nigerians living in diaspora for granted.

Responding to requests for two more consulates in Benin Republic to compliment the Nigerian embassy, Buhari said “I think I will direct your Ambassador to make the request

to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that by the time we are doing the next budget, it would be included.

Although we are trying to cut down on the number of ministries, the morale of Nigerians in diaspora must be considered.

This is because we are so many. We are aggressive whether in business or other facets of life. So, we as a government will do everything possible to look after Nigerians wherever they are.”

Nigeria’ll get more consulates in Benin Republic, Buhari assures

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians living in diaspora that his government would look into their requests of setting up consular offices where necessary for the embassies to be able to coordinate and respond to their needs urgently and appropriately.

Buhari gave the assurance at the weekend while meeting with the Nigerian community in Benin Republic after having

Participants at the annual workshop for members of Association of Financial Analysts of Nigeria (AFAN), yesterday in Dutse, Jigawa state.

Photo: NAN

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he National Teachers Institute (NTI), Kaduna has received accolades for its support for sport development aimed at human physical and psychological development in order to boost the productivity of teachers in their professional activities. This much was said at the 2013 Post NACEGA Congress Meeting hosted by the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna.

Various stakeholders at the Post Nigerian Colleges of Education Games Association (NICEGA) Congress, hosted by the NTI said the role of the institution’s Director General and Chief Executive Dr Aminu Ladan Sharehu in sustaining sport games

DSS arrests over 20 kidnap kingpins nationwide

By Joy Baba Yesufu

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NTI hosts 2013 post NACEGA congress meeting

By Maryam Garba Hassan

correspondent got to the scene of the incident in Olomoore junction, ladies items which included pants, brassieres, ladies’ armless camisole, lip-sticks, powder kits, nail-paint as well as a pack of cotton wool which formed part of the contents of the other missing lady littered the ground, thereby suggesting that the ladies were two in number.

The fully-clothed Sitira’s corpse, with her armless camisole and “leggings” intact was however, lying on the ground about 500 meters away from the spot of the items.

Closer observation of her corpse revealed that Sitira had substantial flesh from her right arm cut away with body fluid oozing out.

When contacted, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi said the police have launched investigation into the matter.

and improve on it is unequalled.

The President of NICEGA, Dr Muhammed Sanusi said all hope was lost for hosting and sponsorship of the congress until NTI came to their rescue. He stressed that “staff and students of NTI should consider themselves lucky to have this genius and creative man as their Director General/CEO”.

In his welcome address, Dr Sharehu stressed the importance and correlation between sport and education. He said great institutions utilize sport to bring out the best in people physically, psychologically, and NICEGA is a vehicle for such. “Sport is the avenue through which great nations of the world exhibit their supremacy over other nations.

Sport is now effectively used to

propagate political, social and economic might. Nobel prizes won in sports help to project the image of the country, and place the country in the international honors lists” he stressed.

He called on the teachers NTI trains to rise up to the challenges by being committed to their responsibilities through active engagement in sporting activities “for them to be physically, mentally, socially, emotionally and psychologically fit to overcome the challenges. In fact, sport gives all round education without tears”.

He enthused that with that, it becomes imperative that one prepares himself maximally from sport. “That is why NICEGA is very important, especially now that scientific and technological

advancement in our society is throwing up a lot of challenges, that if we are not adequately prepared, our society may not keep pace with sports developments in the next millennium” he asserted.

The NTI, he further stressed is the mega tertiary institution in Nigeria with campuses in all the states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory and with the highest number of education students nationwide, hence NTI should not be left out of NICEGA. “The National Teachers Institute will appreciate to host the next NICEGA sports competition if given the opportunity. I therefore wish to solicit for the cooperation of sister institutions to willingly support the NTI to enable her host the great fiesta” he concluded.

he Department of State Service (DSS) in a combination of special tactical operations and robust actionable intelligence has arrested over 20 kidnap kingpins across the country.

The highly professional operations sanctioned by the Director-General, Lawal Daura, succeeded in the arrest of the masterminds and other facilitators of these kidnapping syndicates.

These groups, according DSS statement yesterday terrorise their victims and members of the public across the States particularly in the South-South, South-West and the North-West zones of the country.

The statement said that the latest onslaught is coming against the backdrop of upsurge in kidnapping incidents perpetrated by criminal syndicates/elements in the past few weeks. The DSS said the arrested suspects are currently in their custody.

Peoples Daily COO survives auto crash

By Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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he Chief Operating Officer of the Peoples Daily newspaper, Ali M Ali was involved in an accident along Abuja-Kaduna expressway on Saturday.

He was earlier admitted at St.Gerard Hospital, Kaduna. But he has now been referred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Kano where he’ll undergo an operation.

He is responding to treatment and is in stable condition..

As at the time of filling this report, our correspondent who spoke with the COO on phone, confirmed that Ali M Ali was being convened to the hospital in Kano.

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Page 4 Report

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Can higher education end soaring unemployment?

By Ochiaka Ugwu

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here is no doubt that Nigerians from all walks of life are ogling to have tertiary education and the number of candidates enrolling for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by Joint Admission & Matriculation Board (JAMB) each year give credence to this fact.

In spite of new universities that were recently established, the gap is still wide as it is incapable to admit half of the prospective candidates. Lending credence to this fact, the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde, said the last UTME had over 1.4 million and put the carrying capacity of all tertiary institutions in Nigeria including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education among others at less than 800, 000.

Informed circles have blamed the rush for certificates by Nigerians on too much reliance on paper qualification. These prospective graduates have come to believe and conclude that their only saving grace is getting a job in the nation’s civil service or other white collar job they hope to better their lot with. Education experts have called on federal government to remove the dichotomy between bachelors degree acquired from universities and polytechnics’ Higher National Diploma (HND) stating that the discrimination was responsible for the crave for university degrees at the expense of technical and skilled education in the country.

In this quest for varsity certificate, some with sound financial pedigree have turned to private varsities for succour.

Experts have also bemoaned the outrageous tuition fees of private universities, arguing that, such fees discourage good students from financially low background from fulfilling their dream of joining the certificate queue.

Indeed, Nigeria’s economic outlook is adjudged to be bright being the largest economy in Africa. Nigeria is among five of the world’s top 10 countries in GDP growth, with foreign direct investment up, inflation slowed and remittances at record levels.

Yet will that growth be constant? And with what impact for its societies? Among all these realities, a major challenge for the largest black nation in the world is creating enough jobs for its growing population. A recent National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report estimates that as many as 500,000 young people in Nigeria will be joining the jobless queue every year for the next decade, and the risks associated with growing numbers of urban

Chief Executive Registrar of JAMB Professor Dibu Ojerinde youth without meaningful occupation are high.

In depth studies have shown that long-term economic growth can only be achieved through investment in a highly skilled workforce. In the framework of the knowledge economy, higher education has become particularly critical in our clime in this regard.

Following decades of relative neglect as development agencies focused their efforts on expanding primary education systems; there is now renewed acknowledgement of the key role that universities can play in economic and social development. The debates on the new development agenda have been characterized by this renewed emphasis.

As development experts have noted that what matters is not just having technology, but understanding how to use

it well and locally. This requires universities, technical colleges, public administration schools and well trained, skilled workers in all countries.

Yet despite the rapid expansion of higher education enrolments, there are serious concerns about the ability of Nigeria’s universities to produce the kinds of graduates who can drive the nation forward.

The challenge posed by higher education is booming in our polity today. Between 2000 and 2010, enrolments in Nigerian tertiary institutions increased tremendously. It is like more than doubled in the preceding years.

This prevailing realities show there is a potential time bomb of pent-up demand. The youth explosion in the country, and increasing value attached to university-level study, has meant that even these high levels of

“

expansion have not been enough even with the establishment of 12 universities by the previous Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Indeed, employers are dissatisfied with the skills and qualities of graduates we churn out these days. This made one professor to say that Nigeria is producing uneducated graduates yearly that cannot even define their course of study. There is widespread concern about the work readiness of graduates. While employers are generally satisfied with the disciplinary knowledge of students, they perceive significant gaps in their IT skills; personal qualities (e.g. reliability) and transferable skills e.g. team working and problem solving.

Skills gap have being blamed on the much distance between our graduates and their European or

Our universities have also suffered a severe lack of physical resources, including buildings, laboratories and libraries. While some are with better infrastructure, there are low completion rates, with 20 per cent of students dropping out in the first year and only 70 per cent finishing their studies in record time.

American counterparts. Research carried out in 2013 has shown a significant ‘skills mismatch’ between employer requirements and graduates’ display of skills in the workplace, particularly in relation to communication, IT, decision making and critical thinking. It means that all these have not been rooted in our ivory towers.

Though, there are some universities in the nation that is of manageable standard that depicts excellence. But, expansion in the context of limited public funding has placed the system under significant strain. At the first generation universities, for example, classes are overcrowded.

In many cases, lecturers lack adequate qualifications and preparation themselves, and transmission based rote learning are commonplace. Our universities have also suffered a severe lack of physical resources, including buildings, laboratories and libraries. While some are with better infrastructure, there are low completion rates, with 20 per cent of students dropping out in the first year and only 70 per cent finishing their studies in record time.

Owing to this development, the universities need to embark on much stronger evidence based learning. It is needed in relation to the kinds of responses that universities should make to these challenges. Without doubt, employers have significant responsibilities in the preparation of graduates, but universities nevertheless have their own critical role. In this area, research is lacking even in high income countries. While universities have expended considerable effort in ensuring that students gain the skills required by employers, we have just a handful of studies that actually gauge the impact on employment outcomes.

Studies conducted in world class universities have found a positive effect on employment outcomes of work placements and employer engagement in course design and delivery, but no significant effect of departmental teaching of employability skills. This form of research needs to be rolled out and applied in our varsities in order to develop a more comprehensive understanding. To date, the responses to the employability challenge in our nation have centred around updating of curricula and orienting course content towards employer needs; expansion of work placement programmes; and introduction of entrepreneurship courses.

Even though Obasanjo government for instance made entrepreneurship education compulsory in all federal institutions, the impact of these initiatives, however, is not yet felt after many years.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

News

FRSC corpers grumble over monthly deductions

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

C

orps members of the Federal Road Service Corps (FRSC) from around the Commands across the country have registered their grudges against what they described as illegal deductions out of monthly salaries by the service national headquarters in the name of standardisation of cooperative activities in the corps.

Speaking under anonymity with Peoples Daily, the allcommands spokesperson of the complainants said, an internal memo signed by ACM Julius Asom on behalf of the Corps Marshal Chief Executive (COMACE) Boboye Oyeyemi, that the meeting of the corps management had decided to embark upon harmonising activities of cooperative schemes in the service.

He cried that, the deducted funds across the nation were meant to be mobilised for selfenrichment by the corps national management as the exercise lacks any legal backing drawn from constitutional provisions which empowers any employer to make use of part of employer’s earnings even without his consent.

According to the complainants, there were no records yet to indicate any corps member across the country that was able to benefit from the deducted funds as informed by the management since the inception of the exercise in October 2014, the development which brought about doubt in the reality of the controversial cooperative scheme.

Lamenting items 6 and 7 of the first distributed internal memo which says, “Membership of the new Cooperative is compulsory for all staff and deductions of monthly subscriptions shall be done from source and graduated according to rank brackets ranging from 10,000 to 1,000 naira respectively.

“That all staffs are enjoined to buy into this new mega arrangement and consider it as another subtle way of preparing for retirement hence the establishment of a new safety welfare and cooperative society” said were not reliable”, the spokesperson disputed.

Accosted for comment, the Corps Marshal Chief Executive (COMACE), Mr. Boboye o. Oyeyemi replied that all the deducted funds were there intact only to be used for the targeted purpose but not to be diverted illegally for self-enriching as the faceless complainants have alleged.

Mr. Oyeyemi further contended that, the exercise was being carried across the all other establishments across the nation, and was meant for the welfare of the corps members, saying establishments like Nigerian Army, Customs have since embarked upon such a development which FRSC would not be left behind.

2015 Hajj: Transportation of pilgrims commences Aug. 18-NAHCON

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he National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Saturday announced that it would commence transportation of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia on August 18.

The Chairman of the Commission, Malam Abdullahi Mukhtar, made the announcement after inaugurating the Medical Team for 2015 hajj exercise in Abuja.

Mukhtar, who was represented by Dr Saleh Okenwa, the Commissioner in charge of strategy, said the Commission was fully prepared for this year’s Hajj.

He said all necessary arrangements had been put in place for the commencement of

the exercise.

Mukhtar added that the Commission had provided medical facilities for Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and urged them to discharge their duties as expected of them.

He promised that this year’s exercise was going to be different from previous exercises because of the level of the Commission’s preparation.

In his remarks, the Commissioner in charge of the Medical Team, Dr Ibrahim Kana, commended the Commission for the medical arrangements put in place for this year’s exercise.

He said that ``with what I have seen on ground, I have no doubt in my mind that this year’s Hajj will be exceptionally

successful. ``With the kind of professionals that made up the Medical Team, the sky is just our starting point.’’

Kana promised the team of adequate accommodation in the Holy Land, and warned, however, that team members should not occupy a whole room for whatever reasons. ``The culture is one bed space per person and not a whole room per person and please people should not lock rooms for whatever reasons. ``We will make sure nobody suffers, whatever the team is entitle to will be given, no denial.’’

Kano also urged the team to give the best services to the

pilgrims and promised them of safety of their luggage.

He added that ``gone are the days when luggage spend several weeks before getting to the owners.’’

He called on the medical team to be professional in carrying out their duties and to dress decently. ``We are going to conduct pregnancy tests on all the females in the Medical Team too to ascertain their status,’’ he added.

Meanwhile, the National Amirul Hajj and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, was expected to announce the state that would have the first batch to be transported to the Holy Land. (NAN)

L-R: Director Administration (Army), Major-General A B Abubakar, state Niger Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, Niger Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, and Commandant, Nigeria Military School, Zaria Brigdier-General J A Fayehun, during the 57th Passing Out Parade of Nigeria Military School, at the weekend in Zaria.

OPC fracas lives 3 dead, several injured in Kwara From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

T

hree members of Odua Peoples Congress(OPC) have been reported dead during two factions clash at Agbamu,a town in Irepodun local government Area of Kwara state.

The incident, which occurred at the 10th year coronation anniversary ceremony of the traditional ruler of the Community,Arigbamu of Agbamu,Oba Samuel Olusola Dare,held at St. Paul Primary School,Agbamu.

An witness account revealed that the celebrant had invited a leader of a group of OPC, whom had been expelled from the organisation and honoured him with a chieftaincy title.

It was learnt that,immediately

the group arrived the venue of the ceremony,they started attacking Gani Adams group with guns and other dangerous weapons while the people at the venue fled for safety . It was not cleared which faction members were killed and those that sustained injuries.

Similarly, more than five members of the group who reportedly sustained various degrees of injuries in the fracas were receiving medical treatment in private hospitals in undisclosed towns within the council area.

Sources closer to the event said trouble started when some members of the OPC who were recently expelled from the group stormed St. Paul Anglican primary school, Agbamu, venue of the 10th anniversary coronation of Arigbamu of Agbamu, Oba

Samuel Olusola Dare to protest their expulsion before the national coordinator, Otunba Gani Adams.

This development, it was gathered, infuriated the state chapter of the group which eventually led to violent clash among the members leading to the exchange of gun shots among them.

The security men at the venue of the occasion, especially policemen had hectic time in putting the situation under control as OPC members turned out in large numbers for the programme.

A reliable source at the police who does not want his name in print, confirmed to our correspondent that three members of group lost their lives

in melee, while several others were serious injured.

The source said;“We never envisaged this kind of security breach; hence, we would have called for reinforcement from other neighbouring police stations.

By virtues of their large numbers, they held everybody into ransom.

“I can confirm to you that three members of the group were shot dead, while several others were seriously injured. The injured ones have been taken to nearby private hospitals”.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Kwara State command, ASP Ajayi Okasanmi said he has not been briefed of any fracas or death arising from the weekend event at Agbamu.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

PAGE 6

News

Tricycle rider loses tooth for abusing colleague

L-R: Camp Coordinator, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Mr. Philemon Emmanuel, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Arate Copious Service Limited, Catherine Enaohwo, during the presentation of relief material to IDPs in New Kuchin- Goro, yesterday in Abuja.

From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

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Photo: Mahmud Isa

Aisha Buhari donates money to Gombe blast victims

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resident Muhammadu Buhari’s wife, Aisha, has donated an undisclosed amount of money to 48 victims of the recent Gombe bomb blast admitted at the Federal Teaching

and Specialists’ Hospital in Gombe.

A member representing Dukku/Nafada Federal constituency of Gombe State, Aisha Jibir, presented the money

Saturday in Gombe, on behalf of the first lady.

Ms. Jibir told the victims that she was sent by the president’s wife to commiserate with them and give them a token assistance.

“The president’s wife was told about your conditions and being a caring mother, she decided to assist.

“The amount is just a token to help relieve you of the suffering you are encountering”, he said.

Residents in Calabar seek immediate refuse evacuation

S

ome residents of Calabar have urged the state government to evacuate the heaps of refuse littering the streets in the state capital.

They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Sunday.

The residents said that evacuation of refuse had become imperative for the city to regain its clean and green status.

An electrician, Mr Emmanuel Ekpenyong, said that a lot of places in the metropolis were dirty because of non-evacuation of the refuse.

Ekpenyong said: ``If you go to a place such as Watt Market, you can see heaps of refuse. The resurfacing of these heaps of refuse are worrisome. ``Some other areas in Calabar South are also very untidy. So, I believe that the government should increase the tempo in the refuse evacuation and disposal.’’

According to him, government’s use of “direct labour” in refuse disposal in the city is not yielding the much-desired results.

A fashion designer, in Mile 8 Area, Mrs Maria Adie, decried the irregular evacuation of refuse in the

area since the new administration assumed office. ``When the new governor announced that refuse would be evacuated in the night, we were happy because we presumed that everywhere would be clean and dry. ``But for some time now, you will see heaps of refuse littering everywhere and it takes some days, and sometimes weeks, before they are cleared. ``I think it is not good.

Government should do something to change this situation,” Adie said.

A taxi driver, Mr Sunday Daniel, also decried the presence of refuse

heaps in some parts of the city, describing it as worrisome.

Daniel noted that the present situation was unexpected because Calabar is a tourism destination, stressing that areas such as Calabar South needed some urgent attention.

Reacting to the situation, Mr Christian Ita, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor, said the state government was reforming its waste collection and disposal system to make it more effective.

Ita, while admitting that there was dirt in some streets of Calabar, said however, that ``generally the state remained clean and green’’.

Enugu govt. to upgrade district hospitals to specialist status

T

he Enugu State Government has on Saturday said that it will upgrade some district hospitals to specialist hospitals in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Samuel Ngwu, made the revelation during a news conference in Enugu.

Ngwu said Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, intended to upgrade most of the health facilities in the state for better health service delivery.

According to him, the hospitals to be upgraded to specialist hospitals are Amala Urban District Hospital

and district hospitals in Enugu North Senatorial District. ``The district hospitals in Nsukka and Enugu Ezike will be upgraded with emphasis on increasing the capacity and functionality of the two hospitals,’’ he said.

The commissioner said that the hospitals upgrade would serve everyone well by limiting the traffic.

He added that it would also ease the burden of the number of people coming to Enugu to access health services from those areas.

He noted that with plan of the upgrade, functional and essential

medical services would be at the doorsteps of everybody.

“With this upgrade, the functional and essential medical services will be at their doorsteps and this will limit the need of having to come to as far as Enugu to access the same care. ``It is important for doctors to constantly remain in those hospitals as well as in other rural hospitals in the state. ``This will enable for quick provision of necessary healthcare services to everyone whenever they are in need of healthcare services,’’ he said.

He said that those doctors who were transferred to the rural areas had passion for the job and were willing to live in those places.

He added that government would as well pay them rural allowances. ``The state government has promised to continue to support the state health sector as long as it will continue to enhance the health-care needs of people in the state. ``The government also promised to continue the child and maternal mortality programme which result has shown that it has highly reduced in the state,’’ he said. (NAN)

he biting effect of the current economic situation took a twist at the weekend as two tricycle riders in Asaba, Delta State allegedly engaged in fisticuff that reduced one of the contender’s numbers of teeth by one.

It was learnt that this shameful contest, which forced onlookers into uncontrollable laughter, occurred along Nnebisi Road of the state capital following an accidental “kiss” of the duo’s tricycle which were hustling for a passenger.

It was gathered that one of the tricycle riders, a man in his 60s, (names withheld) was flagged down by a passenger, who could not be identified at press time, and he quickly pulled over to get the calling passenger on board his tricycle.

However, his colleague, who had apparently sighted the waiting passenger from behind attempted to outsmart him; but could not, as he was still some distance away from the passenger’s calling point. On realizing that his prospective passenger would not board his Keke after all, he decide to continue his journey but, it was too late for him to hit his brake thus ramming into his colleague’s tricycle.

Visibly angered by the act, the offended tri-cyclist confronted the offending colleague, who is middle aged, on why he would deliberately hit his tricycle from behind, even as the other tried to claim he was right, alleging that his colleague did not show any sign that he was stopping over for anything since there was no traficator light to that effect.

As the duo continued the verbal claims, the older tricyclist reportedly abused his colleague in Igbo dialect saying he was a useless boy who did not have regard for elders. As he continued to rain abuses on him, notwithstanding the warnings from the abused tri-cyclist to the contrary, the younger colleague allegedly engaged him in a physical combat which made him deal a heavy blow on the older man’s mouth; pulling off his tooth in the process.

With blood profusely gushing down from his mouth, the older tri-cyclist, whose strength could not withstand the punching agility of his colleague, managed to tear off the already tattered shirt of his bully which he used to continuously wipe off the blood from his mouth; even as he tried to narrate his ordeal and possibly, attract sympathy from by-passers who had come to resolve the matter.

Meanwhile, as the unexpected fight lasted, passengers, who were hitherto on board both tricycles, alighted them and, seeing that the squabble may not end soon, boarded another for their various destinations.

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

News

36,000 officers to attend promotion courses in December – IGP

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (2nd left), discussing with former Kano state Governor, Senator Kabiru Gaya (2nd right), during the vice-president’s visit to IDPs camp and an orphanage school, at the weekend in Kano. With them is Kano state Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje ( right).

JTF arrests 18 suspected oil thieves, destroys 31 illegal refineries

T

he Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, “Operation Pulo Shield” says that it arrests 18 suspected oil thieves and destroyed 31 illegal oil refineries in multiple raids in July.

This is contained in a statement issued by Lt.-Col. Isa Ado, Media Coordinator of the JTF, in Yenagoa on Sunday.

It stated that troops of JTF deployed at Iguododo community and Chanomi Escravos in Orhionmwon and Warri South West Local Government Areas of Edo and Delta discovered and destroyed 15 illegal refining camps.

The statement stated that the suspects operated with four Cotonou boats, seven plastic

reservoirs, 34 drums, 21 surface tanks filled with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil. It stated that other items discovered and destroyed were 21 cooking ovens and eight pumping machines.

The statement stated that the suspects fled on sighting the troops. ``The squad also arrested 16 suspects for other criminal offences ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, sea piracy, cultism and pipeline vandalism. ``Items recovered from them include locally made gun with live rounds of ammunition and axe. The suspects are in custody of the JTF for preliminary investigation before handing them over to prosecuting

agency,” it stated.

The statement stated that troops deployed at Ughelli in Delta following a distress call from Afiesere community arrested a notorious armed robbery suspect with a locally made short gun and three live cartridges.

It stated that the suspect, his recovered gun and cartridges, were handed over to prosecuting agency while a stolen motorcycle recovered from him was handed over to the owner.

The statement stated that JTF in conjunction with Southern Ijaw Oil and Gas Task Force destroyed 16 illegal bunkering sites along Obi creek, Gbenekrukru, Oloma and Ogbonga waterways of Bayelsa and

Rivers, respectively.

It stated that the sites were destroyed along with metal tanks and Cotonou boats filled with stolen crude oil.

The statement stated that no arrest was made as the operators of the illicit act fled on sighting JTF troops.

It stated that a notorious and wanted criminal in Oboburu community of Ahoada West of Rivers had been arrested and taken into JTF custody for preliminary investigation.

The statement stated that items recovered from the suspect included one locally made short gun, Tecno phone and national identity card. (NAN)

Hotel manager found dead in room

T

he Operations Manager of Maybeny Hotel at Ire-Akari Road in Isolo, Lagos, Mr Uche Egwuenu, was found dead in one of the rooms in the hotel on Saturday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A source close to the hotel told NAN in Lagos that the deceased was the son of the owner of the hotel, whose name was given simply as Chief Egwuenu. ``The deceased was last seen in the early hours of Friday before

locking himself up in one of the rooms. Nobody heard from him throughout Friday. ``The assistant manager and other staff of the hotel reported the matter at the Isolo Divisional Police Headquarters, which prompted the DPO’s visit to the hotel for assessment. ``The DPO and others forced the room open and Uche was found dead and swollen on the bed, an indication that he died more than 24 hours before discovery.

``White liquid substance suspected to be hard drugs, diary and a bottle of Orijin drink with mixed liquid, were recovered from the room,” the source said.

When NAN visited the hotel at about 3.00 p.m. on Saturday, a wedding reception was on, an indication that the visitors were not aware of the incident.

Efforts by NAN to speak with the management of the hotel proved abortive as people at the reception claimed that such

incident did not happen at the hotel.

However, the Lagos State Police Command’s Spokeswoman, DSP. Patricia Amadin, confirmed the incident.

She said that policemen from the Isolo Division had deposited the corpse at the Isolo General Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.

Amadin said that the police would investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. (NAN)

he inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon E. Arase said that 36,000 Police Officers would attend promotion courses by December in the country.

He disclosed it, to newsmen in Abuja ,during an inspection tour to the federal capital territory(FCT) police command, saying 4,000 inspector would also attend the board for promotion.

The IGP who also, advised police officers against bribing any instructor during the period of the course as all expenses would be paid by the police authority.

Arase warned officers against unnecessary arrest and detention of members of the public; warned Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders (ACs) against illegal deployment of policemen to guard people who are not entitled.

“The illegal deployment of police officers is not going to accepted .DPOs and ACs should not be deploy our officers without permission ,if any go against the rules and it caught ,will be severe sanction” he said.

Earlier, the FCT commissioner of police (CP) Wilson Inalegwu, has recommended to the IGP to create additional 2 area command around Karu, Life camp, Gwarimpa and Gwagwalade axis .

“This will go a long way to boost security in those location.”

“The rapid expansion of development in the FCT, since resources are used much, having the new commands will enhance more security to safe guard and secure FCT residents”.

Moreso, He pointed out that the command has also key in to the IGP’s initiative of safe highways with 25 patrols Vans to combat criminal activities in the territory.

“The police is partnering relevant stakeholders to promote community policing in preventing and controlling social disorder in the FCT” he said.

The IGP official launch the help lines phone numbers for residents in the FCT to have quick access to the command in case of emergencies.

DSS restates commitment to crackdown on criminals

T

he Department of State Services (DSS) has reassured Nigerians of its readiness to check activities of criminal gangs in the country.

This is contained in a statement by the department,

signed by Mr Tony Opuiyo in Abuja on Saturday.

It assured Nigerians that it would not relent in its efforts to checkmate the activities of any criminal gang that terrorized innocent citizens across the

federation.

The statement urged members of the public to volunteer useful information that would assist the service in apprehending criminal gangs, promising that such information would be treated

with ‘’utmost confidentiality and dispatch’’.

It said that any suspect arrested by the service would be arraigned in courts in accordance with the law, adding that efforts were on to apprehend fleeing

members of some kidnap gangs and others hiding across the country.

It disclosed that it had arrested some criminals in some states across the country. (NAN)

PAGE 8

News Kogi needs N210bn for overall development Wada

G

ov. Idris Wada of Kogi on Friday said the State required about N210 billion for its overall development.

Wada stated addressing United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Dekina City Consultation meeting on Friday.

He attributed the underdevelopment and dearth of infrastructures in the state to paucity of funds.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, said the average total annual revenue accruing to the state from the Federation Account and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was about N80 billion He said that 80 to 90 per cent of the total revenue was often expended on workers’ salaries leaving only N5billion for development, describing it as a far cry from the N210 billion required to meet the developmental needs of the state. ``What we have for development is about N5billion and that is why the state has remained the way it is and this is also the main reason why Gov. Idris Wada goes about looking for development partners,” he said.

Wada underscored the rationale behind the Structure Plans Project in four cities of Kabba, Okene, Lokoja and Dekina.

He said that development partners, including the ADB, World Bank, the UN and others, often asked for development plans each time the state approached them for assistance. ``Everywhere we went, they kept asking, where is your plan.

It became clear to us that for us to get additional funds and assistance there have to be a good and comprehensive plan for us to present to our development partners”, he added.

He pointed out that the City Declaration Document to be produced at the end of the consultations would be passed to the state House of Assembly for legislation to make it a law for successive governments to work with.

Earlier, Prof.

Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, the UNHabitat Regional Director for Africa said the organization was committed to ensuring that Kogi emerged one of the highly developed states in Nigeria in the next 10 years.

Oyelaran-Oyeyinka said on completion, the project would provide information about the state, showcase its potentials and attract investors.

He added that the Urban Observatory system of the UN would soon be introduced in the state.

The Ejeh of Dekina, Alhaji Usman Obaje, thanked the State Government and the UN-Habitat team for selecting Dekina as one of the four cities to benefit from the programme. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

El-Rufai to commence demolition of illegal houses Wednesday From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

K

aduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai yesterday insisted that arrangement have been completed by his administration to commence demolition of illegal structures built on lands belonging to public institutions in the state.

According to him, he has since directed that buildings that are illegal be demolished.

El-Rufai who disclosed this at the 2nd town hall meeting in Zaria warned that by Wednesday any building erected in the carve out would be demolished.

“We have visited Alhudahuda school and some places in Zaria where such illegal buildings were erected on the lands. Those

people who built there knew that it was wrong to do that because I cannot imagine how somebody will build a house closed to students hostels.

“No matter who owned such a house if by Wednesday he failed to vacate the land I will demolish the house. I don’t care about his position in the society because the land belongs to our public schools.

“Our forefathers built such schools so that our great-grand children would benefit from it.

They have benefited from these institutions but the same people have acquired the land illegally to deny this students conducive atmosphere of learning. We will not allow such a thing to happen.

“All illegal building standing on such places will be brought down,” El-Rufai stated.

L-R: Project Coordinator, Command Secondary School (CSS) Kaduna 95-2015, Mr. Nureni Fashina, former Commandant, Command Secondary School Kaduna, Colonel Eddie Vincent, National Co- coordinator, CSS 95—2015, Omolola Fasanyan, and an alumni of the school, Mr. Bruno Momoh, during their 20th anniversary/dinner, at the weekend in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

IJN warns against same sex marriage From Umar Dankano, Yola

T

he National Chairman of Jama’atul Nasril Islam Sheik Abdullahi Bala Lau has warned countries worldwide to desist from accepting same sex marriage introduced by the American government.

Sheik Bala Lau who gave the warning while fielding questions from journalists in Yola, described the move as a devilish act and commended President Muhammad Buhari for rejecting the offer by the US, pointing out that homosexuality and lesbianism are among the

major sins that provoke the creator by punishing everyone including the innocent ones among Ummah.

Commenting on the recent calls by some African countries on the need to ban the use of hijab by Muslim women, the Islamic scholar called on them

to discard the move rather they should engage more women into security agencies to enable them checkmating their partners in the places of worship, markets, offices among others, especially in countries that are facing security challenges including Nigeria.

Boko Haram: Moving military operational headquarters to Borno strategic-Badeh From Umar Dankano, Yola

T

he immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh has expressed satisfaction with the strategy of moving operational headquarters of Nigerian military in fighting Boko Haram insurgency by President Muhammadu Buhari describing it as putting a peg into a right square.

The four stars Air Marshal Badeh who was last week officially pulled out of the Nigerian Military sphere and arrived Yola weekend said that with the experience and exposure of President Buhari as a retired General Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges will

soon be thing of the past.

He stated that he was a fulfilled Man having retired honorably in the services of Nigerian Air force where he sojourned for 38 years six months and ten days without any blemish.

Badeh said this while entertaining questions from a group of Journalists at his residence in Yola after being received by the Governor of Adamawa state, Senator Muhammadu Bindow Jibrilla with a mammoth crowd accorded to him in celebrating his arrival back home after retirement.

Yola international airport was filled up to capacity as people came from all works of life to give him a heroic welcome especially his kinsmen from Vimtim, his

home town in Mubi North LGA of the State.

He appreciated the former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for appointing even when is due for retirement, counting it a big confidence reposed on him to worked with him for more than thirty five years during his tenure as the chief security of the country.

“To me the president to have appointed me to serve even when i was due for retirement is just a major of confidence reposed on me and he wanted to still appreciate what i was doing haven seen my effort in the previous years to as chief of defence staff.” Badeh said Badeh advices the leaders of the country to do the right thing

for people, by creating jobs for the teaming unemployed youths in country as it are the real cause of insurgency.

He ascribed all glory to God for given him the opportunity to fly air crafts which is the pride of any air force officer, but God surprise him beyond that and even made him the number one man in the issue of security in the country.

“Me being a pilot is actually a fulfillment of what i wanted to do which was the ultimate for me, it was in that premise i became chief of air staff and later chief of defence staff” He said According to him at some point of the other his job becomes more of administrators than a military

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Page 9

News

Ochaja old IDPs coordinator decries reparation of students’ 2,500 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon association donates items to hospital From Umar Dankano, Yola

T

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he Ochaja Old Students Association in Kogi state in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter at the weekend donated relief materials to the less privileged patients in the department of Pediatrics at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

In an interview with Peoples Daily shortly after the presentation of the items, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr. Peter Alabi, said that the gesture was to put smiles on the faces of the patients at the hospital.

He expressed appreciation for what the association had done to the hospital community, explaining that the members of the association who donated the items were his classmates in Ochaja Secondary School in 1979.

He urged the leadership of the association to continue to contribute their quota to the progress of the less privileged ones in the society, while calling on the members of the association to always embrace each other in the interest of togetherness.

Commenting on the outgoing health workers’ strike nationwide, Alabi advised the health workers that they should not be in hurry to embark on the strike, as according to him, healthcare is a calling, and wants to use the opportunity to call on the healthcare workers to see their calling as that of God. Also speaking, the National President of the association, Dr. Edward Salihu, said that the leadership of the association would continue to focus on the activities of the association in which it was established for.

He expressed joy that the association presented the items to the less privileged in order to support the Chief Medical Director of the hospital who was their classmate to continue his good work.

Salihu, however, appealed to Igala Community to continue to love as well tolerate each other for the overall development of Igala land.

On his part, a health professional in the Department of Pediatrics at the hospital, Dr. Richard Onalo, thanked the leadership of the association for the items being donated to the hospital.

he latest repatriation of 2,500 Nigerians refugees by the Cameroonian authorities from their country to Nigeria has been described as’ in human and a deliberate refusal violation of the International Refugee Rights’.

Adamawa State IDPs Camp Coordinator, of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Alhaji Sa’ad Bello made the protest in an interview with journalists in Yola weekend expressing dismay over allegedly unlawful deportation of Nigeria refugees who escaped as a result of Boko Haram insurgency to

Cameroon republic for safety.

Bello lamented that their investigation revealed that those deported refugees (Nigerians) were threatened and deported unceremoniously by Cameroonian authority and that Nigerian authorities were not contacted over the development which is wrong and unacceptable globally.

“The agency received a call from the men of Nigerian Immigration who were patrolling along Nigeria- Cameroun boarder which was totally against principles of natural justice and violation of the International Refuges Rights.

“The immigration department called our attention that, there were

trucks full of Nigerians who after investigation were found to be people that were displaced by Boko Haram and unconditionally been repatriated by Cameroun Gender manes.” Bello said.

He blamed Cameroonian government for not informing Nigerian authorities over the development to enable it prepare well and receive its citizens with human dignity.

He explained that the IDPs after thorough investigation were found to be Nigerians from Bama and Gamboru Ngala in Borno state who escaped from Boko Haram attacks to Cameroun.

He said that the agency had

formally forwarded it’s complaint to the country representative of United Nation High Commission on Refuges to look into the situation with a sole aim of putting a stop to such ugly trend to fellow human beings who are in endear need of help for their safety and wellbeing.

Bello further explained that the IDPs were dumped by Cameroonian at Sahuda village in Mubi South Local Government Area, in the state (Adamawa) a border town along NigeriaCameroun boarder.

According to the Coordinator, the victims were comprises of men, women children, pregnant and nursing mothers.

L-R: FRSC Director of Special Marshals and Partnership in Anambra, Mr. Olusegun Akinola, Delta FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Rindom Kumven, Co-Coordinator of Special Marshals and Partnership in Anambra, Mr. Ben Osaka, National Co-Coordinator of Special Marshals and Partnership, Dr Sini Kwabe, and Anambra FRSC sector commander, Mr. Sunday Ajayi, during the inauguration of Special Marshals Under Special Marshals and Partnership Programme, yesterday in Anambra.

Photo: NAN

HIV/AIDS: Virology institute seeks increased funding T

he Institute of Human Virology (IHVN) on Sunday called for increased Federal Government investment in fight against HIV/AIDS in order to move from being a donor recipient nation.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Patrick Dakum, made the call while speaking at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.

He said that if the government could provide adequate funding to combat the disease, donor countries would only need to give complementary and technical assistance. `` Given the burden of the disease and given the current support that is there the level of government support is still within the region of 20-30 per cent so far of the total funding currently being provided for the fight against HIV. `` And from the donor

perspective and implementing partner perspective we definitely want to see increased commitment and funding by government. `` In the last government we were informed of a plan called the presidents comprehensive response plan which was supposed to provide close to about $500 million from the government but I am not too sure that money was made available.

He said that the U.S. government had begun a process called ``country ownership``, adding that there was need for Nigeria to take more responsibility in terms of providing funds to agencies responsible for the control of the virus.

According to Dakum, there is currently enough manpower to take charge of the implementation of various programmes.

He, however, noted that lack of financing was a major challenge. ``What is key for us now is

adequate and effective funding. I say adequate the amount must be right and effective it must be used in the right place because you can have a budget but the budget is not used for what the needs are. ``Different states have different needs. You have states where the infrastructure is ok they probably need to take responsibility for lab support take responsibility for drugs. ``For some other states especially where you have high disease burden it is a combination of everything. The government must play its role in ensuring prevention services are ongoing they must also partner with donor agencies in taking responsibility for the care of the patients. `` Then second of course is community involvement a government cannot do it alone it’s a partnership. Community involvement in terms of prevention and care is very crucial

to an AIDS free generation.`` The CEO said that the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) was currently working with the implementing partners to provide equipments and properly monitor the disease in two states.

He said the development would enable relevant agencies monitor the effectiveness of the plan in order to transmit same to more states.

Dakum reiterated the institutes resolve to continue to provide support to both public and private sector hospitals in Nigeria in accordance with the framework of the Nigerian health sector plan strategic plan.

He observed that the support the institute received was largely from the global fund and that the funds enabled the institute to procure equipment, antiretroviral drugs, training and technical support of its staff.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

News

Two killed, 5 injured in Bauchi auto crash

Wife of former Lagos state Governor and Chairperson, Leadership Empowerment and Resource Network (LEARN), Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, addressing participants during the Leadership Empowerment & Resource Network Forum organised

by LEARN, on Saturday in Lagos.

From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

A

Photo: NAN

God protected me from bullets, charms - Abolurin

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he immediate past Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ade Abolurin, has revealed that God protected him from several gunshots and charms while serving in the corps.

Abolurin gave this revelation yesterday while giving his testimony during his Thanksgiving service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.

He recalled that when he took charge at the helm of affairs of the NSCDC, “there were several charms planted on my way to the

office every day. I saw heads of goats and various animals. It was only human head that I didn’t see.

Despite all these, God protected me and I kept faith with him.

He said several other attacks directed at him was averted by the Grace of God. Specifically, he recalled that in Plateau state, “my car was attacked; two grenades were thrown in the car and the car started bouncing. Before I knew what was happening, there was serious gun shots which killed my driver. It was the Holy spirit that drove the car and it stopped under one tree in the bush”.

He said when he came out of the

car, several people rounded him and pointed the gun “in my eyes, ears and every directions. Suddenly, there was an order for them to shoot. They started shooting at me, I was hearing gun shots but none entered me.

“I told them that this is the body of Christ, and they should stop wasting their time.

“When they discovered that they were wasting their bullets, they started beating me with sticks and various kinds of metals. I told them that they will be tired. They beat me until they started beating themselves.

“At that point, I prayed and told God to make them run the race of their lives. They all started running and left me their.”

He said when they left, about 57 cartridges were found in the car, 105 were found outside the car while 1,250 unused bullets were also recovered from the attackers sent to kill him.

The former NSCDC boss also gave testimony of how God saved him from a Bellview plane crash when the pilot announced that he had lost control, saying that when he prayed to God, all the occupants of the plane were saved.

“I told them that I serve a living God and after I prayed the plane was saved”.

He charged the new leadership of the corps to be focus and ensure sustainability.

fatal motor accident has claimed two lives while five others sustained various degrees of injuries at Buzaye village, along BauchiJos expressway in Bauchi State.

Our correspondent gathered that the accident involved two vehicles with seven occupants at the weekend The first vehicle, a light blue Golf three with registration number NO EJ 749 was driven by one 40 year old Emmanuel Godwin was reportedly heading for Bauchi town when it had a head-on collision with an Ash coloured Peugeot with Reg No BAU 284 XA driven by one 65 year old Garba Gambo of Gwallaga quarters in Bauchin Two people that lost their lives where confirmed dead by a medical doctor at the Abubakar Tawa Balewa Teaching Hospital in Bauchi.

While confirming the incident, the Police Public Relation Officer DSP Haruna Mohammed said that the crash occurred around 5.30 pm in the evening.

He said the accident was a result of a head-on collision between the two vehicles which led to the death of two persons, adding that the scene of the crash was visited by police officers attached to GRA Police Station who rushed the victims to the ATBU Hospital.

DSP Mohammed added that the two corpses were deposited in the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching hospital mortuary for postmortem examination while the five others who sustained injuries are responding to treatment.

NGO distributes mosquito nets to 150 pregnant women in Kebbi From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

A

Nongovernmental organisation (NGO) in Kebbi State has distributed mosquito nets to 150 pregnant women in Takalau village in Birnin Kebbi local Government of the Kebbi State.

The NGO which was named Maternal and Child Health Care

Civil Society (MCHCCS) in the state has being assisting the less privilege and pregnancy women in the state.

The event which took place yesterday attracted large turnout of women and children in the village who came out to benefit from the programme.

Hajiya Maryam Mustapha, the Chairperson of the health

NGO told the women that the programme was aimed at safe guarding the health of mother and child against mosquitoes which is rampant during raining season.

She also explained the objective of setting up of the NGO in the state was to support the efforts of government in reducing maternal and child

mortality , collaborate with other stakeholders to assist women and children especially against killer diseases and provide awareness for women on the need to always go to hospital for medication.

During his remarks, the Vice Chairman of the association, Aliyu Jajirma urged the beneficiaries not to sell the nets as according to him it will

be inimical to the fight against malaria, promising to sustain the campaign. He advised the women also to spread the nets outside for 24 hours before using them because of the chemical used.

One of the beneficiaries, Hadiza Yar Malan thanked the NGO for the gesture and promised that they will not sell the nets but use them at home.

Jos terminus traders decry molestation, harassment by security personnel From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

F

ollowing the continued clamp down by the Plateau state government on roadside traders to enforce the law banning street trading along Terminus and Ruwang Pam street, the Jos traders who have been chased from the market areas have decried molestation, harassment and mockery by the security personnel stationed in

the area .

The traders disclosed this yesterday to newsman in Jos, through the chairman of the Terminus shoe sellers, Zakari Yau Adam who said the joint security task force were molesting and harassing their members , mocking them that their action was in line with the “ change “ they have voted for referring to the new government and therefore they ( traders) should not complain.

According to the Chairman, their members and even passerby were being given severe punishment even as they had stopped trading on the road.

He said, “Security personnel are beating and molesting us for no clear reason. They harassed and embarrassed us. Even commercial drivers and passerby in the have became victims. Some security agents are mocking us we have been happy for change.

And this is the change you have enjoying “.

Also during at the Terminus area, the chairman of Yangwanjo, Dauda Muhammad noted that the state government did not provide alternative area for them to continue their business.

He added that they were forced to sell on the road because the market had since been burn down, asking the government to provide an alternative market

before the reconstruction of the Terminus market as promised by governor Simon Lalong.

Reacting on the development the Plateau State, Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) , Emmanuel Abu denied the allegations of any bad treatment by the security personal, adding that they were at the area to protect the lives of traders as the area has been the next target of Boko Haram.

Page 11

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

EDITORIAL

Where are killers of those journalists?

I

t is with heavy hearts agents and condemnations by exposed and prosecuted. This that we recall the beastly professional associations of underscores the insensitivity killing, late January journalists, as has always been of the system to the safety 2014, of Newswatch’s the case, the matter will die down of journalists and others Deputy Editor, Toyin without questions asked on the discharging their constitutional Obadina. He was shot late whereabouts of the culprits. In duty and service to the society.

Friday, January 31 last year in the end, the poor family of the Some journalists who were killed Lagos, by gunmen suspected slain journalist is left alone to in cold blood like Dele Giwa to be armed robbers, and bear the pain of the loss of their and Obadina include James died on Saturday, February 1 loved one.

Bagauda Kaltho, Bayo Ohu and same year after undergoing a Just like the late Obadina, cases Enenche Akogwu. Their killers surgery to extract bullets from simply vanished without any his abdomen. Unfortunately, trace. Bagauda Kaltho was a the operation failed to save his senior correspondent of the life.

News in Kaduna state. He was Obadina had arrived Ikorodu kidnapped and then murdered Some journalists who around 12 midnight after in 1998. And 15 years afterward, leaving the office late on the justice is yet to be done. Ditto were killed in cold fateful Friday. He reportedly for Assistant News Editor of blood like Dele Giwa used an Automated Teller the Guardian, Mr Ogunbayo Machine (ATM) to withdraw Ayanlola Ohu, who was killed in and Obadina include money which, according to 2009 while working on a story sources, he planned to use on a James Bagauda Kaltho, that, it was believed, would have journey over the weekend. The exposed a top Nigerian Customs robbers attacked him while he Bayo Ohu and Enenche Service official. was heading home on Shagamu In 2012 alone, 13 Nigerian Akogwu. Their killers road in Ikorodu area of Lagos, journalists were killed in the collected the money and shot simply vanished without line of duty, the highest figure him twice in the abdomen. in the history of the country any trace. Bagauda Expectedly, the Nigerian police since independence in 1960. quickly issued a statement This exposes the precariousness Kaltho was a senior vowing to get the perpetrators of journalism practice in this correspondent of the of the killing and bring them to country. We agreed with then justice. Similarly, the Nigerian President of the Nigeria Union of News in Kaduna state.

Guild of Editors (NGE) Journalists (NUJ), Mohammed reacted condemning the act. A Garba, when he said in 2012: of reckless killing of jounalists statement by then President of “Media organiations should without a meaningful effort by NGE, Mr. Femi Adesina, while endeavour to provide insurance authorities to track down the condoling with the family of cover for journalists. All the killers or stem the tide are replete the slain journalist demanded journalists covering strategic in our history. Since October, that his killers be fished out to areas such as government 1986 when Dele Giwa founder of face justice. houses should be insured by the Newswatch magazine was killed We fear that after the initial government.” We still believe via a parcel bomb, no killer of razzmatazz by the security this is the right thing to do.

Nigerian journalist has been

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PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Vice-Chancellorship: The Bayero University unique example (II)

By Bala Garba Abdullahi

I

t should be noted that Congregation is a gathering of all graduate employees of Bayero University teaching and non- teaching staff. The requirement is for a staff to be a degree holder only. Since 1995 all the vicechancellors appointed for BUK had to pass through this unique process. The process is peculiar to BUK alone. And that since 1995 any aspirant who was rated the best by scoring the highest number of votes during the parley has an edge over others and stands better chance of emerging as the new ViceChancellor. In 1995, Professor Bello Bako Danbatta scored the highest number of votes and at the end of the day emerged the new Vice-Chancellor.

In 2000, Professor Musa Abdullahi of blessed memory was rated above other aspirants; he eventually emerged as the new Vice-Chancellor. Again in 2005, Professor Muhammad Attahiru Jega floored other aspirants; he became the Vice-Chancellor. Finally, the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed,mni,MFR in 2010 scored the highest number of votes during the parley; he was crowned Vice-Chancellor.

The parley is a kind of acceptability test and the university community expresses their preference during the parley such aspirant becomes Bayero University Community’s candidate and eventually becomes the next ViceChancellor.

At the end of the assignment of the Search Team, six aspirants were searched by the team and they all accepted to vie for the exalted office of BUK Vice-Chancellorship. All the searched aspirants were from BUK. Five other aspirants were not searched

but applied in response to the advertisement placed in the national dailies, bringing the total aspirants to eleven. But after close scrutiny two who failed to meet the requirements were dropped from the contest by the Selection Board. This reduces the number to nine including a Professor from American University and another academic from University of Ilorin.

As early as 8.00am members of the Congregation started to converge on Musa Abdullahi Auditorium, new Campus venue of the 48th Congregation meeting. The rate at which members were trooping to the venue left no one in doubt that members attach great importance to the parley and they do not want to take chances, but want to ensure that they fully participate by making their feelings known. Such feelings are often expressed by casting of votes for their preferred candidates. By 2.30pm all available space in the 1000-seater Auditorium was fully occupied.

The organizers had to provide extra chairs at the walkways between the Auditorium seating arrangements to accommodate more members. As of the last count, there were 1,200 members already seated. By law, the vice-chancellor, as chairman of the Congregation, should declare the meeting open, but unfortunately, the vice-chancellor, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed had travelled to Saudi Arabia for Ummra and could not return to the country at the time the congregation was taking place.

In order to abide by the standing rules of the Congregation, the meeting decided to appoint the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Sadiq Isah Radda to chair the meeting. He declared the meeting open. Since election was going to

take place during the Congregation meeting, it then became necessary for the constitution of an electoral panel.

To achieve this, the chairman of the Standing Committee on Congregation, Dr. Muhammad Babangida Muhammad, called for nomination, and at the end of the nomination exercise, Professor Aisha Ismai’l from Political Science, Professor Ado Dan’Isa from Engineering and Dr. Ado Malam Bello from faculty of Law were nominated and seconded. Dr. Ado Malam Bello was made the chairman of the Electoral Committee.

According to the Agenda of the parley, each of the aspirants was given 10 minutes to make presentation.

It was during the presentation that aspirants made various pledges of what they intended to do to move the university forward and how they plan to achieve same if given the chance.

The aspirants were then ushered into the stage to make their presentation one after the other, but as soon as the Congregation chairman called Professor Muhammad Yahuza Bello whose turn it was to come forward and address the congregation like other aspirants did, there was a thunderous applause from the congregation even before he uttered a word. His presentation was intermittently interrupted by loud ovation from the audience. And what probably endeared Professor Yahuza’s presentation was his pledge for continuity. He promised that if given the chance he would continue to implement the incumbent Vice-Chancellor’s blueprint.

He believed that Professor Rasheed’s infrastructural development initiative and access expansion must be sustained. He therefore promised to make such a blueprint his cardinal objectives. As soon as he was done

with his address, the congregation in unison gave him resounding ovation.

The aspirants were asked several questions which they all responded.

Just as members were casting their votes, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rasheed, entered the Congregation venue. He was greeted with loud ovation. At the end of the election, the Electoral Committee with the assistance of members of the Standing Committee on Congregation sorted and counted the votes scored by each candidate. The results were presented as follows: 1.

Professor Muhammad Yahuza Bello 834 votes 1st 2.

Professor Muhammad Sani Sule 116 votes 2nd 3.

Professor Muhammad Dahiru Suleiman 102 votes 3rd 4.

Professor Khamilu Sani Fagge 61 votes 4th 5. Professor Muhammad Abdullahi 36 votes 5th 6. Professor Muhammad Yelwa 17 votes 6th 7. Professor AbdulRahman Adejo Audu 17 votes 7th 8. Professor Yahya Oyewole Imam 04 votes 8th 9. Professor Duke Urhobo Ophori 00 votes 9th The chairman of the electoral committee told the congregation that the total number of accredited voters was 1,280, total votes cast stood at 1,199 and that total valid votes were 1,187. He gave 12 as the total number of invalid votes. By the results shown above, Professor Muhammad Yahuza Bello who is a Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science, two times Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) scored 70 per cent of the total votes cast, while the seven other aspirants put together shared

the remaining 30 per cent. What this means is that, Professor Yahuza’s acceptability rating among members of the Bayero University Congregation is not only overwhelming, but also unique, because since the parley was introduced in 1995, the university never experienced such high number of contestants, and it also never had a contestant with such an overwhelming score margin.

Members of the public should know that congregation meetings are not an avenue for the appointment/ selection of Vice-Chancellor for Bayero University, Kano. It is a local arrangement PECULIAR TO BUK ONLY where aspirants shortlisted for the post of Vice-Chancellorship pass through University Community Acceptability test. And, the result of the interaction or parley with the aspirants at the Congregation will be passed to the Selection Board for its consideration. However, the Selection Board often puts into consideration the outcome of the parley. And Since 1995 when the parley started, aspirants with the highest scores often emerge as the new Vice-Chancellor. We never had a situation where aspirants who either came second, third or fourth emerge Vice-Chancellor in preference to the aspirant with the 1st position at the Congregation Parley. Already, the Congregation has communicated to the Selection Board the outcome of the parley. It is expected that it will continue with other processes and communicate to the Visitor the best among the aspirants for final appointment as the new ViceChancellor of Bayero University, Kano.

Concluded Abdullahi is with the Directorate of Public Affairs, Bayero University, Kano

Why are governments not responsible employers, clients?

BY Abdullahi Musa

W

herever, and whenever possible, humans prefer certainty to uncertainty.

It will be highly unnerving if the position of one’s place of residence keeps changing daily. We are more at home in familiar surroundings. We drop all our defences in the company of brothers and sisters, or friends with whom we have been acquainted with for decades.

When people get employed by governments, a false sense of security is engendered. Lucky employees believe that they are insured for life. Since it used to be believed that governments do not die, that is, they don’t collapse, employees entrust their present and future to it. They dutifully report to work daily and whenever required. Some never go on the allowed annual leave. Some may not want to go because they do not want to miss the graft associated with their office, chair. Others do not want to go because they do not know what to do with the time. It is this group that does not last long after retirement: life has lost meaning to them.

But the illusory Paradise was shattered long back, with the first mass purge in the civil service. It was followed by successive retrenchment

in the civil service conducted by the military. Another shocker came when governments were unable to settle retirement benefits: no pension, no gratuity, more tragic, cessation of salaries since affected workers had retired. Part of the reforms carried out by former President Obasanjo was reform of the pension scheme.

PENCOM was created, which when I last read about it, it had trillions in its books as assets.

Now the puzzle: why is it that in some States retired workers are demonstrating against non - payment of their retirement benefits? Not only that, why a Governor who was given an honor for exemplary service to humanity unable to pay salaries to his State’s civil servants? Well it is quite probable that his civil servants do not qualify to be part of humanity, the service to which he was honored.

It is of interest to reader to note that inability to pay salaries, retirement benefits and pensions cut across party divisions; meaning both APC and PDP Governors were/are culpable.

Modern democratic governance involves preparation of budget, approval of same by legislators, and assent to appropriation bill by the Executive. But with us, all the processes associated with financial activities of governments are mere charade: neither the Executive, nor

the Legislature is bound by it. It is not a law in practice. It is simply compliance to what White men call “due process”. The Executive do not want their spending powers constrained by budgetary provisions.

The legislature turns a blind eye in so far as the executive will spread the butter to both sides of the ‘slice of bread’.

So since it is possible for law to be flouted by those who enacted it, why then engage in the yearly routine of budget - making and its approval?

Well this is the way black race’s minds operate. Do you know what the civil servants call all procedures that ensure accountability? They call them “mere formality”! By aiding and abetting lawlessness, Civil Servants created the monster that turned round and devoured them. However the culprits are usually few: those who hold their organizations by the jugular. Those who are so distant from ‘tap head’ are the ones who bear the brunt. Such are usually the teachers.

In the civil service all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. The Civil Servants have shown that they will not cater for the interest of all and sundry. More horrifying is the fact that even Union leadership many a time side with oppressors. Can the reader recall the

romance of former NLC leadership with then ruling PDP? Has it escaped our memory how a ‘Labor’ Party in Nigeria adopted PDP’S presidential candidate as its own? After successful years without punishment, corruption became bold and brazen. It showed the cowards that they had nothing to fear. It was in the saddle, dispensing patronage, and “no shaking”! So clerics, unionists, traditional rulers, security personnel, all joined in Lucifer’s feast.

So since States, Local Governments are not ashamed to break the law, PMB’s administration should get the lawmakers to pass a law creating National Salaries and Wages Commission. This Commission should be entrusted with the task of paying salaries and wages to all public employees at all levels of government throughout the federation. Geopolitical or state - based offices may be created to ensure speedy operations. The gross amounts due will be deducted at source and be transferred to the Commission, which will disburse it through the channels it will create. It will remit to governments all taxes on salaries, pay Union dues, including those belonging to enfant terrible, the NLC. It will remit workers’ contribution, plus FG’s, States’, and LG contribution to respective pension

administrators, or so - called Trustees, those who allow Governors to pillage the pension funds, while refusing to meet the monthly injection stemming from salary payments.

My idea may look cumbersome but what cannot be denied is that the present system has broken down.

We cannot trust Governors to honor their commitments talk less of Local Government Chairmen. If they claim trustworthiness, it is not universal.

The same lack of respect for budgetary provisions gives rise to abandoned projects in contracts undertaken for governments across the board. Little sympathy may be felt for contractors, in that the subsidy scam has shown us the ugly face of Nigerian business class. They are willing accomplices when invited to break the law by civil servants and politicians.

A Governor may not be prosecuted while in office, but his subordinates do not enjoy immunity. So when the appropriation law is flouted, (Dis) honorable Commissioner of Finance, Accountant General, Auditor General, should all go to jail. It is left to those appointed after them to either be upright and achieve a secure career, or obey a corrupt Governor and land in jail.

Abdullahi Musa is a commentator on national issues

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Comment

Unmasking Obama’s light up Africa project

By Tony Ademiluyi

I

n 2013, United States President Barack Obama launched the Power Africa project with much fanfare in Cape Town in South Africa. The ambitious project is a $7 billion one handled by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with the goal to double electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa over the next five years. In his words ‘The program would provide light where currently there is darkness and the energy needed to lift people out of poverty.’ Five Hundred and Ninety Million Africans lack access to electricity and six countries were in focus – Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana and Ethiopia.

The funds for this grand agenda will come from the Export-Import Bank, a government backed lender who will bring in $5 billion. The White House was also able to secure at least $9 billion in pledges from the private sector. The US Congress also showed more than a passing interest as two members: Ed Royce and Eliot Engel introduced a bipartisan bill to bring power to at least fifty million Africans by the year 2020. The indoor air pollution from wood stoves kills 3.5 million Africans annually more than the deaths from the combination from HIV/ AIDS and malaria.

However some critical questions arise from this ‘laudable’ initiative.

Firstly, will there be a conflict in enhancing energy with Obama’s climate goals? Africa cannot power itself through solar and wind power alone. Tanzania for instance is in a haste to tap massively into its large offshore natural gas reserves. How will this add up to Obama’s earlier pledge to cut back on greenhouse gas emission? Some environmental rules could limit America’s involvement in the project. The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) which pledged $1.5 billion in energy projects for sub-Saharan Africa has an internal cap on greenhouse gas emission.

These rules will prevent OPIC from funding more than one mediumsized natural gas plant which will be grossly inadequate.

Secondly, what really constitutes electricity access in Africa as it is relative? Some households may just need a little to power their cellphones and light a few bulbs.

Others may need it to run a small home based business. There is no clear benchmark as to a generally acceptable standard of what passes off as supply. Roger Pielke Jr, an environmental studies academic at the University of Colorado opined that the international community’s definition of modern energy access is so scant that it may mean providing people with 2.2% of the energy the average American uses.

Thirdly, how much money will the project gulp? A recent report

by World Bank and International Energy Agency estimated that the

light up Africa project will most likely cost between $120 to $150 billion annually over and above the existing levels to bring energy access to everyone by 2030. The amount raised so far is a mere drop in the ocean. It will also mean the alteration of regulations and institutional frameworks in these poorer nations. How easy will that be in view of the mind boggling red-tape?

Fourthly, is this a way of Uncle Sam drumming up business for her companies and allies under the guise of aiding the beleaguered continent?

United States Consultancy, Taha Tech secured a $64 million consulting contract and Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s African Governance Initiative was not left out in the largesse as they clinched a $3 million deal.

Fifthly, will this project outlive Obama whose term will be coming to an end next year? His Democratic Party suffered a devastating defeat in last year’s mid-term elections while the EXIM and OPIC are battling for survival in Congress.

Sixthly, there is the perennial issue of corruption which has made nonsense of such noble initiatives in the past. Former Central Bank Governor and current Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi opened the can of worms in 2013 when he alleged that $20 billion was not remitted to Nigeria’s coffers by the state owned NNPC. The Tanzanian

Parliament is currently reviewing a report on graft in the energy sector. What is the assurance that these funds will not develop wings as has been the sad case of how the local bureaucracy can act as a clog in the wheel of progress? The anti-corruption laws are still rather weak with too few successful prosecutions for the big fishes.

Seventhly, privatization is a key requirement needed to be met by the aforementioned countries.

That exercise is still riddled with graft and nepotism in Nigeria for example. The privatization of the power sector didn’t alleviate the suffering of the hapless hoi polloi.

Rather it merely transferred the ownership of strategic power plants to individuals who had access to the government at the centre and in most cases bought it at giveaway prizes. There are still unexplained questions that trailed the controversial sales of some government assets when Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the current Governor of Kaduna state held sway at the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE). The system has a way of stifling progressive ideas and initiatives.

Africa’s development can only come from within as experienced with the Asian Tigers. Let us cast our minds back at the US/Africa summit held in Washington last year. It was crystal clear that there was an agenda by Obama to prevent African nations from using coal under the guise of

meeting climate ambitions. The developmental needs of the continent were coldly ignored who badly need roust energy to succeed.

There are significant coal reserves in the continent that can be used to provide sufficient electricity beyond the cook stove and light bulb ‘solutions’ that is the focus of many of the so called international development agencies.

The recent draft proposal for Sustainable Development Goals is unclear on how it purports to meet the gargantuan needs of the continent. The target set by the International Energy Agency is a mere five hours a day. How will this meet the demands of hospitals, schools, industries and businesses both large and small scale? Rather than crying wolf as to climate issues, the question should be how can coal be utilized without compromising the environment?

Pragmatic solutions should be sought rather than the problems being magnified. It is still possible to strike a balance between the two.

For how long will Sovereign African States outsource their brains to the West? Our power problems should be solved ourselves with our peculiar technology rather than waiting for manna from the west that always turns out to be worse than a little lad crying his eyes out for a piece of candy in the moon Ademiluyi writes in from Lagos

Nigerian politicians and the myth of assets declaration By: Amir Abdulazeez

I

t is safe to assume that many Nigerians showed little or no concern towards the declaration of assets by elected and appointed public officials prior to the emergence of Umaru Musa Yar’adua as Nigerian president in 2007. This is probably due to the facts that the declarations are made in secret or because many Nigerians share the opinion that with or without assets declarations, our politicians are not just trustworthy.

The trail blazing public assets declaration by the late president sparked into life the interest of many Nigerians on this matter.

Another issue that further accelerated public interest on assets declaration was former President Jonathan’s (in) famous ‘I don’t give a damn’ comment on public assets declaration. It is still unclear whether Jonathan said that deliberately or it was a gaffe, but to many Nigerians, this meant that, not only was Jonathan hiding something from them, he also had some sinister moves and doesn’t care what the public thinks about it. To be a bit fair to Jonathan, he probably meant assets declaration doesn’t effectively and significantly prevents anything and as such, he doesn’t care to publicly do so.

If willingly and publicly declaring one’s assets upon assuming office is to be translated as incorruptibility, then we can easily conclude the

Late President Umaru is arguably the most incorrupt president in Nigeria’s history, whereas former President Jonathan is the most corrupt. However, when we critically examine the issue, we can come up with many unanswered or even unanswerable questions that will make us have a massive rethink about our conclusions. For instance, Umaru’s assets were made public, but did he direct the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to reveal to the public the processes it followed in verifying those assets? How rigorous, thorough and transparent was the verification exercise? If at all, the whole process was to convince the public that they indeed have an honest president in place, what provision was made for independent public verification?

Is the CCB empowered by law to continue monitoring the acquisition and disposal of assets and liabilities of those public officers or it can only fold its arms and watch? Upon his death, did Umaru’s family declared his assets? If yes, did they make it public so that Nigerians can have a basis for comparism with his earlier declared assets upon assumption of office?

By the time, one starts seeking for genuine and convincing answers to the above questions, one may find out that the whole issue about asset declaration in Nigeria is more of a myth rather than a reality. Prior to Umaru’s voluntary public declaration, the whole issue was kept as a secret

from the public and few or no people ask any questions.

One fundamental thing we need to look at is that, no public official is required by law to make his assets declaration and liability-if anypublic, he is only required to declare his assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau. May be, we can say the Freedom of Information Act can now be used to inquire and have access to information on politicians’ declared assets. Though CCB is a federal agency, what if state public officers who declare their assets in the state chapters manipulate this and mischievously use it to deny access to information from the bureau?

The declaration of assets is as politicized as the politicians themselves. Upon assuming office, one hears about declaration of assets everywhere, especially in the media, but upon leaving office, what one hears is a deafening silence. Hardly will you hear of any public official prosecuted for acquiring additional assets more than his total legitimate earnings while in office. The very few ones that come up usually have some obvious semblance with witch hunt.

If this whole process is meant to stop public officers from using their offices for self-enrichment, then asset declaration upon leaving office should be more emphasized than declaration of assets while assuming office.

However, the reverse is the case.

The 1999 constitution supposed

to be the legal instrument with the highest capacity to stop corruption and impunity by public officers, especially those elected and appointed. However, it ironically appears to be the highest one promoting or encouraging impunity and corruption. It was from this constitution that the issue of assets declaration comes up, but the same constitution went ahead to give unrestricted immunity against prosecution to those who are the main actors and are therefore the ones most likely expected to violate the code of conduct rules against using public office for illegal self-enrichment.

What the 1999 constitution did was akin to protecting someone for four years to do all the damage he wants to do before making him available to a weak and largely compromised judicial system. If he escapes justicewhich he is very likely to do, he then finds a safe haven to enjoy his loot.

The authors of the 1999 constitution probably did not take into consideration the weaknesses of our checks and balances mechanisms involving our legislature and judiciary before inserting the controversial immunity clause. They also appeared not to have considered the general untrustworthy reputation of Nigerian politicians in allowing for the clause.

Even though Buhari is yet to fulfill his promise, but it is good that he has promised to make his assets and liabilities public and also ‘encourage’

all his appointees to make theirs public. However, the president should move a step further by making sure the CCB does a thorough job of not only verifying the authenticity of all submissions by the declarants but also conduct thorough searches on the sources and legitimacy of these assets. Without a proper verification, declarants have various tricks of cheating their way through.

Declarants can declare much more than the own, so that during their time in office, they can steal enough to cover for what they over declared.

The CCB should also be empowered to monitor the acquisition of assets by friends, families, associates and cronies of those in office as mostly public funds are being diverted through these people. The president should make sure that the CCB asks outgoing public officials to promptly declare their assets and those with questions to answer must come forward and give satisfying explanations.

Meanwhile, Nigerians themselves are the ones who must make sure that public officers properly account for all their assets. It is before the eyes of all Nigerians that many politicians come to office as poor and humble people and leave as stupendously rich and arrogant elites, but they still go ahead to support them on ethnic, religious and other partisan affiliations. abdulazeezamir@hotmail.com

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

PAGE 14

News

Gombe NDE trains 50 women in skills acquisition From David Hassan, Gombe

T

he National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Gombe State has said the agency trained 50 women on basic business skills acquisition to enable them make cosmetics, perfume, soap and insecticide for domestic use.

Speaking at the end of the training in Gombe at the weekend, the State Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Audu charged the participants to utilize the knowledge positively on their lives. He said that the objectives of the program was to create more job opportunities among

women in order to be self reliant and to reduce the pressure on their husbands. According to him, at the end of the training, the agency would expect them to be self reliant and also train others to benefit from the experience they got during the training in their respective Local Governments Areas where they

came from. He called on them to consider themselves as lucky people for being among the beneficiaries of the program.

Audu said that at the end of the training the beneficiaries will be expected to write bank reports that would be use for accessing loan from bank for them to establish a full time business.

Earlier the Director General Malam Abubakar Mohammed implored the women to take the training with all seriousness.

Mohammed who was represented by the Zonal Director Mr. Gabs Gatiya said that aim of the training was to make them self reliant not to depend solely on their husbands.

LG immunises 111,372 children against polio virus

D

Garba who stated this during the pull out parade of retiring officers at the state command said government should provide equipment, the general public should provide information and security Agency should be dedicated.

He said he came to Kwara as a sub-inspector of police in1981 and exists as a commissioner of

police in Ilorin where he started after serving his father land for a voluntary 35 years.

He implored officers and men of the state command to extend to the incoming commissioner of police the cooperation given to him to enable the sustenance of tranquility and peace enjoy in the state.

“I am proud to declare

that through their efforts the 2015 general election in Kwara State was a success. Serious and heinous crimes like Bank robbery, Homicides  and others were brought under control”.

Garba expressed delight for the way he and his retiring colleagues were honour with the memorable pull-out parade by the state command.

utse Local Government Area of Jigawa has said that it immunised 111,372 children against polio virus during the recent round of polio immunisation.

The Manager, National Programme on Immunisation for the area, Alhaji Suraj Muhammad, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Sunday the council received 121,000 doses of Oral Polio Vaccines and used 119,040.

He said 150 non-compliance cases were recorded out of which 142 cases were resolved and eight cases pending.

Muhammad said that the non-compliance cases would have resulted in the non-immunisation of 282 children, but its resolution led to 272 children being immunised.

He commended religious and traditional leaders in the council for their support and intervention in resolving the non-compliance cases.

The manager further commended the local government for providing cartons of sweets to entice the children to participate in the exercise.

Muhammad expressed satisfaction with the turnout of children, and commended parents for their cooperation. (NAN

everything to remove corruption from the society and I wouldn’t want the war against corruption to be lopsided, we want is total war against corruption. ”So if there is war against corruption the present administration should closely check people and prosecutes them including people in the APC, so many of them are very corrupt we know them.” “ PDP who ruled this country for 16 years has corrupt people among them, the present ruling party also has corrupt people among them, even APGA has corrupt people, all the parties have corrupt people so it should not be selective and if corruption

is not fought generally then it is vindictiveness, mischief and it is wicked act so everybody that is corrupt must pay for it.

He challenges president Buhari to start his probe from successive governments, saying “He should start from after Shagari’s government to actually probe military and civilian successive regimes till date he should not single out Jonathan, Jonathan’s government is not the only one corrupt we are aware that there are many military governments that were corrupt, we are aware that successive civilian government has been corrupt and we know most of the corrupt people lives within us

and so there should be no sacred cows.” ”We know the houses they bought in London, government can identify their houses in Switzerland, in South Africa and cease those properties, even in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna everywhere.”

“So all the ill gotten wealth should be ceased by government and people should pay through their nostrils that is the only way he can win war against corruption.”

On insurgency, the clergyman pleads with the president to as a matter of urgency negotiate with Boko Haram saying “it has come to a level where they should negotiate”.

He said leaders in Northern part of the country should cover their faces in shame because a society where there is hunger, no good education, youths are unemployed and neglected should expect crimes. ”So that is why we say insurgency can be traced to criminal neglect by the leadership from the North, they have not been taking care of their people and if you go into details you will find out that kidnappers in the East and armed robber in the West are all products of neglect even now we are neglecting our young people and how do you think that these crimes will end?” he asked.

Nasarawa state Governor, Alhaji Umaru Al-Makura (6th left), his wife, Hajiya Salamatu Umaru Al-Makura (7the left), in a group photograph with trainees of Mothers and Child Care Education Foundation (MCCEF), during their graduation, on Saturday in Lafia.

Photo: NAN

Retired Kwara CP urges FG, public support for police From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

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he former Kwara state Commissioner of Police,Mr. Salihu Garba has called on the Federal government, members of the public and security agencies to support Nigeria Police and work towards ensuring that the challenges bedeviling the agency were removed.

Anti- corruption war: Methodist church back Buhari From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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relate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Samuel Uche Kanu had said the Church support the man in authority, President Buhari Muhammadu ,and his anti corruption war, saying the fight against corruption should not be lopsided. .

He stated this while speaking to newsmen in Kaduna during a “Recognition of service and award of merit held at the Wesley Methodist Church held in kaduna yesterday, .

According to him, to Dr. Kanu everybody talks about corruption therefore the country should do

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

APGA moves to reconcile aggrieved members

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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L-R: Wife of Oyo state Deputy Governor, Mrs Janet Adeyemo, wife of Oyo state Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi; wife of former Secretary to Oyo state Government, Mrs. Bola Ali, Oyo state, APC Women Leader, Mrs. Mabel Williams, during the Women Intercessory Network (WIN) Oyo state women breakthrough prayer rally, on Saturday in Ibadan.

Photo: NAN

Lawmaker urges Buhari on reviving discipline culture

By Doyin Ojosipe

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member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye (APC, Obokun) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to fight against social disorder, indiscipline and all forms of anarchy in the country as well as revive the culture of discipline that will respect the rights of Nigerians as well as demand action from them.

The lawmaker made the call weekend while speaking on the spate of moral decadence among the younger generation at a

programme organised by New Era Youth Forum in Osogbo.

According to him, if the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) of the Buhari/Idiagbon regime of 1981 had been sustained by successive administrations, the spate of indiscipline among the teeming population would have been curtailed.

He said corruption that has pervaded all spheres of live in the country is a form of indiscipline that has become part of the social order in almost three decades, saying a subtle campaign against indiscipline would go a long way to curb the menace especially

among teenagers “It is important for all of us to realize that our society is suffering from lack of discipline and this has eaten deep into all sectors. This is one of the primary problem facing Nigeria as a nation as most people do not see corruption as an social vices that most be corrected.

“The issue is that we must all agree that we have a issue with discipline among the population and I would be of the opinion that a civil discipline corps should be put in place to revive the culture of discipline among our teeming youth population”.

The lawmaker identified gaps

in social settings which include high level of chaos on highways, market places and disorderliness in public places among others, saying, orderliness is the first law in heaven and indicator of civilization in any society “No society can achieve any significant development if the people live without any form of discipline, I think Nigerians must come to term with the fact that development has its sacrifice, hence, we must all be ready to compromise our usual comfort zones and give up some bad habit in the interest of national development” Oyintiloye said.

PDP alleges plan by Buhari to implement communist regime

By Ahmed Abubakar

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused President Muhammadu Buhari of planning to implement a communist economic regime on Nigerians, stressing the recent foreign exchange transaction restrictions by government are illegal, unlawful and void.

The party while stating that the delay in forming an economic team three months into the new APC administration is leading the country into economic quagmire and doldrums, alleged that Buhari has plans to unlawfully repeal the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions Act and replace it with unilateral imposition of new regulations.

The PDP noted that the recent

series of bans amount to complete clampdown on free trade.

A statement by the party signed by its national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, reads in part: “in the past, we had given examples of the devastating effect of lack of an economic team and a clear-cut fiscal policy by this administration as evidenced in the lull and painful decline in the stock market, spiral rate of inflation, the disastrous outing of the government team in bilateral talks during the recent visit to the United States of America and the shambolic state of our economy at present.

“This confusion has been extended to operations and regulations of the foreign exchange transactions in Nigeria wherein the government is making it impossible for honest Nigerians to engage in free trade and regulate their

personal activities as guaranteed by the constitution, and this is clearly an agenda to illegally impose a communist economic regime on Nigerians.

“In a desperate attempt to create a semblance of movement out of the clearly motionless and stoic state of affairs of this government, they have reeled out bans and complete clampdown on free trade. One begins to wonder therefore whether we are not heading back to the era of import duty licenses and regulation of commodity prices.

“The most disturbing aspect of this communist economic agenda is the illegal and unlawful attempt to repeal the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring And Miscellaneous Provisions Act, otherwise known as Decree No 17 of 1995 and replace it with unilateral imposition of new regulations.

“This Act remains the subsisting law regulating the operations of domiciliary accounts in Nigeria and by its provisions therefore, Nigerians are empowered to freely open and operate domiciliary accounts.

“As such, any enactment and or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are deemed void.

Thus, the recent foreign exchange transaction restrictions by this government are illegal, unlawful and void. Besides the provisions of the law, the PDP declares this administration’s archaic communist economic agenda as unworkable and unsustainable.”

The party reminded Buhari “that this is 2015 and not 1984; we remind him that trade and import restrictions are archaic and outdated; and we remind him that we are practicing a proper democracy and not the dictatorship of the politburo under a communist regime” the PDP stated.

he All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has resolved to end the crisis and recriminations in the party, which has persisted over the years, as a means to building a cohesive, united and progressive national party.

In a communique issued after a two-day retreat in Abuja, the party said this is aimed at transforming APGA into a clear alternative to all the other parties, and to enable Nigerians utilise the APGA platform as a rallying point for national peace, development and prosperity.

The party also commended its National leader, Willie Obiano, for laying the foundation for good governance, crime free society and rapid development of Anambra State, saying that the example being set by Governor Obiano in the state is the clearest demonstration of APGA’s vision and mission to rapidly develop Nigeria.

While vowing to transform APGA into a leading political party in Nigeria, participants also resolved to unite behind the current leadership of the party to take APGA to greater heights.

To this end, participants resolved to rapidly expand the party membership base throughout the country through a set of programmes, including new membership registration drive in all the 36 states and FCT. The party also resolved to mobiles resource to fund the new APGA at all levels, even as the leaders resolved to charge every party member to regular payment of membership dues as a token of commitment to the party and as a source of revenue for administering the party.

“This will ensure that the party is owned collectively by party members and would also enhance accountability and internal democracy as members ensure party leaders render account of money collected to run the party”, the communique said.

“Participants also resolved to tap on the large membership base of APGA in the Diaspora to raise resources through payment of dues to help fund the party”, it added.

The party also charged party leaders at all levels to embark on sensitization of party members on the manifesto of the party and Constitution of the party, saying this would enable it to run effectively on the basis of its mission statement and ideology to provide cohesion for its members.

Meanwhile, the party has adopted the suggestions by IRI for rapid dissemination of information on its programmes and activities to popularise APGA as a party of choice for all Nigerians.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Politics

Remove Daura as new DSSS boss now, Rights activist tells Buhari

By Doyin Ojosipe

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L-R: Deputy Speaker Plateau state House of Assembly, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, and Plateau state Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, during the inauguration of care-taker committee chairmen of local government area, recently in Jos. Photo: NAN

Missing N150 million: Don’t spare any corrupt party member – Niger APC From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

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ollowing the missing of N150 million from the Niger State Government House coffers after the payment of staff salaries for last month, the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has set up a committee to investigate the fraud in the his office two months into his administration.

Disappointed over the incident supposedly by a government proclaiming change, the governor has immediately set up a committee to ascertain the where about the said money and those involved in the fraudulent activity so as to bring them to book.

The Niger State All Progressives Congress APC has thrown its weight behind the governor to go ahead not to spare any member of the party who has soiled its hands by stealing the money.

The APC statement came on the hills of the alleged missing

of N150 million in Government House in which the office of the Chief of Staff could not account for which has not gone down well with the governor who ordered a full scale investigation into the matter.

The statement issued in Minna by the APC Publicity Secretary, Mr Jonathan Vatsa stated that for the state to get it right the governor must fall in line with General Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption stand and axe any officials found wanting within his government.

According to Vatsa “Niger State has been looted under the PDP government for the past 8 years to stupor, even if it was yesterday that our dear governor appointed any of our member and he is found wanting the next day such an official should be axed”.

The statement pointed out that for the state to get it right, self-centred government officials who do not see their appointment as service but as a way to enrich

themselves should be quickly shown the way out.

Vatsa said that the APC fought tooth and nail to upstage the PDP elements who were traditionally known for looting and for the party’s government to be seen living above board of what it accused PDP of, deviants within its government who refused to abide by the transparent nature of the Governor Alhaji Abu Bello’s administration must be booted out.

The party stated that they are confident that the governor will not tolerate corruption and leakages and therefore urged party members to know that APC will not conduct affairs of government like PDP hence the party will not engage in what it fought against.

“Our party is not a party where people go to government to enrich themselves, if you loot to come and contest under our party you will be treated exactly how looters should be treated, we are

confident that our dear Governor is vigilant to watch all appointed officials” it stated.

According to the statement, “this does not mean people should not be given their deals, in fact those who deny others their deals are same people who engage in aberrations in their financial dealing and the Governor should not consider any political implication before sacking corrupt elements.

“We are sounding this warning because we don’t want our party members appointed to think that because they are members of APC they will be spared in the Governor’s anticorruptions agenda. In fact our party members should in the real sense be used as examples for others like civil servants.

We therefore urge the Governor to sack any party man found wanting no matter the duration of his or her appointments before committing such offence” he concluded.

Saraki appoints El-Sudi, Isah SA legal matters, public affairs

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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enate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has appointed Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi as his Special Adviser (SA) on Legal Matters, just as he appointed Mohammed Isah as Special Assistant on Public Affairs.

A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said El -Sudi comes to the job with a great wealth of experience, having started his career as legal practitioner in Kano in 1990 and served as Special Adviser on Legal and Legislative Matters to the

Governor of Taraba State between 2002 and 2003.

“In 2007, he was made the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). He was again appointed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Taraba State in 2009. He was a member of the 7th House of Representatives”,

the statement said.

Meanwhile, Isah was former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Print Media to ex-Speaker, House of Representatives, Alh. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, was the Politics Editor of Peoples Daily before he joined Tambuwal as the SA Print Media.

uman rights activist and Chairman, Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEO), Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to remove the newly appointed boss of the State Security Service(SSS), Alahji Lawal Daura, declaring that Daura was loyalist of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) and President Buhari as intelligent officer of Buhari’s Presidential campaign organization, describing the appointment as bias and unacceptable.

Comrade Sulaiman who doubles as Executive Chairman, Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ), also alleged that President Buhari with the aid of leadership of his political party, All Progressives Congress (APC) had concluded arrangement to be appointing the strong members of the ruling party (APC) into the strategic and professional position in the country, including Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) because of 2018 governorship elections and 2019 general elections respectively.

He alleged further that, former controversial Osun State INEC boss and immediate past Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Rufus Akeju would soon be named as Zonal Commissioner of the Commission, as part of the effort of the APC leadership, particularly, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to compensate Akeju for job well done for the ruling party during the last governorship elections in Osun and Oyo states respectively.

Reacting on the controversy surrounding Daura’s appointment as new Director-General, State Security Service boss, through a statement issued and signed by Comrade Sulaiman which a copy was made available to newsmen at the weekend, maintained that Daura would be biased in discharging of his duties and Daura’s appointment was not in tandem with the unity and oneness of the country, enjoying Daura to reject the appointment which the work to do for the ruling party has been predetermined by those who appointed him.

The Rights activist however stated that there was no way the Presidency and the ruling party (APC) could distance Alhaji Daura from being the strong member of APC and it would affect his sense of action in discharging of his duties in such strategic position as it might spell doom for country security outfit because of the fragile political nature of the nation. ”Anybody that is seeking equity must come with clean hands. If we are condemning the previous administrations with their impunity, the new administration should not follow the same path so as to avoid being having the same result at the end of the day” he stated.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Politics

Medical practitioner hails Sen Melaye as truly representative From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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Pharmacist based in Kaduna, Abdullahi Sanni Galadima has commended the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district, Senator Dino Melaye for his effort toward ensuring that democracy was properly rooted in the country.

Pharm Galadima who made the remarks at an interactive session with pressmen in Kaduna described Senator Malaye as truly representative of his people and the country as a whole.

He also described Senator Melaye as ambassador of democracy, sincere and respected politician.

According to him Senator Melaye has the interest of the nation at heart saying that his mission at the senate is to put in his best toward promoting peace, unity and solid development among others.

Pharm Galadima who is popularly known as Galad said Senator Melaye as an activist who “built bridges across the nation before venturing into politics to contribute his quota into democracy and democratic process, has become a house-hold name not only in Kogi State but across the country”.

He explained that “at home Senator Melaye has been contributing toward the development of his people to develop their talents in all fields, the people of Kogi State and Kogi West Senatorial district in particular should give their total support to their illustrious son and help him to succeed.”

Tsav lampoons Ortom over alleged N1Billion allocation to SSG From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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ormer Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav has condemned the recent allocation of N1billion to the office of the Secretary to Benue State Government, SSG describing it as “fraudulent” and “laughable”.

Recall that the Benue State House of Assembly had last week passed a supplementary budget of over N12.9 billion with an allocation of N1 billion to the office of the SSG that raised eyebrows amongst Benue indigenes.

Tsav who made the condemnation in a chat with journalists, lamented that the allocation is coming less than six months to the end of the year to a sector that does not embark on projects.

Tsav who spoke with newsmen on phone in Makurdi, the state capital at the weekend regretted that the All Progressives Congress, APC, government in the state is out to create a reservoir for easy stealing.

“I have said it before and I want to say again that Governor Ortorm is just devising ways to pay people who fraudulently brought him to power”, the Commissioner of Public Complaints decried.

Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki (2nd left) Senator Sha’aba Lafiagi (left), new couple Ibraheem Sha’aba (middle), and Ramat Ndanusa (2nd right), and Kwara state Governor, Abdulafatai Ahmed, during the wedding fatia of Senator Lafiagi’s son at the weekend, in Ilorin.

Past PDP govt plundered Katsina State, says Oyegun From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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ational Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Oyegun has alleged that reports indicate that the immediate past PDP administration in Katsina State had plundered the state’s resources.

Oyegun made the allegation while speaking, weekend at a reception organised in honour of

the state Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari in Kafur, Katsina State.

He further alleged “reports indicated a high level of misgovernance and thievery by the immediate past PDP government in Katsina State”.

Oyegun therefore urged people of the state to rally round the state Governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari in order to bring the desired positive change in the state.

According to him, with

President Buhari at the helm of affairs in the country Nigerians “have no reason to fear they are in safe hands”.

Also speaking, Governor Masari narrated how the immediate past PDP administration in the state engaged in mass looting of the state treasury.

He however promised that in the next few weeks the administration empowerment programme that would capture

youth and women would be kick started.

Earlier, the chairman of the organising committee, Alhaji Bello Kagara said they organised the event to honour Governor Masari who is an indigene of the area.

Kagara disclosed that the governor had contributed immensely to the development of the area and urged people of the state to support him to succeed.

Monarch commends Buhari for seeking to reduce cost of governance

By Ali Abare Abubakar

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traditional ruler in Nasarawa State, the Abaga Toni, Dr.Slyvester Ayih has commended President Muhammadu Buhari on the initiative to reduce the cost of governance in the country which the monarch said has constituted a stumbling block in the nation’s quest for development.

Ayih gave the commendation yesterday in his palace in Garaku, headquarters of Kokona local government area while addressing a delegation of Hausa/Fulani community from the area who paid him a courtesy visit.

The first class traditional ruler also called on the youths to embrace different skills acquisition programmes in order to become self employment, stressing that the era of depending on government white collar jobs had gone.

He said “First and foremost, I want to thank you for the visit and to reinstate my commitment in promoting peace and unity among the people irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation for the overall development of the country.

“Government is doing its best in providing job opportunities to the youths but government alone cannot provide employment opportunities and others basic needs for all its citizens, that is why there is the need for all of us to help ourselves by embracing skills acquisition programmes “Due to the present economic situation in the country, President Buhari is doing his best in reducing the cost of governance through the slashing of his and the Vice President’s salaries and other entitlements, that is why I have commended him for the good gestured.

“Reduction in the country’s cost of governance has become imperative to enable him fix other problems such as poverty, unemployment, youths restiveness among others problems affecting the country” he said.

Ayih also called on the members of the association and Nigerians not to relent in their efforts towards embracing skills acquisition programmes and engage in meaningful ventures in order to be self employed as well as to be employers of labour.

According to him, “if we Nigerians especially the youths shun idleness, embrace skills acquisition programmes and engage in other meaningful ventures, it would go a long way in fighting not only unemployment but would also fight others social vices in the society”.

He lamented on how some Nigerians do not want to engage in meaningful ventures but want

to depend solely on government for everything, adding that such attitudes would not help the people and the entire nation.

Earlier, leader of the delegation, Mallam Abdulkarim Muhammad Abdullahi said that the visit was to appreciate the royal father’s effort in promoting peace in the area and called on him to sustain the tempo.

Abdullahi who is also the Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), appealed to the royal father to advise some of his district/village heads against being partisan in the interest of peace and national development.

“We are also here to appeal to you to advise some of your district/ village heads to settle land and others dispute within their domain with the fear of God and not to be partisan as they are the custodian of peace and culture “he stated.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Politics

My worries with Gov Bello of Niger State – Sen. Umaru Analysis

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our critics say you are fighting for personal ambition not the interest of Niger East in the face off with government on issue of marginalization, what is your take on this?

When people want to make certain scenario cloudy, they bring in unnecessary sentiments.

I think that the role that I have played in the politics of Niger State goes beyond any personal ambition. If there is anything I have done, I did it because I have always believed that what is happening to this state is very unfortunate. You and I know that if you look around there is lack of development everywhere. We seem to have been stagnant since the creation of the state. There is nothing to show for our about 39 years of existence particularly if you compare us with those states that were created at the same time with Niger State. You will weep for us. This is what had informed my decision to make foray into politics. Previously, I had avoided everything politics but it got to a stage when I found out that my inaction was a great disservice to our society. Looking the other way was beginning to be impossible and a burden. As a result, I was eventually compelled by circumstances to take a plunge.

How did this face off between you and Governor Bello start?

There is no face off with anybody. However, I think it is good for us to put things in proper perspective. Let us begin from the point when this issue of marginalisation started. I aired my view when it was clear that positions were not being equitably distributed amongst the 3 senatorial zones by the governor in his appointments. Following that, lots of comments were made.

And I was later confronted by some journalists saying that the Governor said that I had, in a secret meeting, retracted the statement I had made on the marginalisation of Niger East zone. In addition, that I told him that I had spoken in my personal capacity and not as a representative of the people of my zone. I was quite disappointed in that statement because I never said so. I have not recanted any statement either at a meeting with him or elsewhere. I never told him or anybody that I spoke on that issue in self-recognisance. The journalists who came to me wanted to know if that was the case. At that point my reputation was at stake.

You have known me all this while.

I have never made a statement and denied making it. And here was I confronted with this situation: To accept the allegation and be

Senator David Umaru (APC, Niger East) recently spoke with journalists insisting that his constituency has been short changed and marginalized in the appointments of juicy positions so far made by Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello which has continued to generate controversy. Yakubu Mustapha was there. dubbed a liar and that those who interviewed me lied/misquoted me or to tell the truth and maintain my credibility and be at peace with my God. So, I chose to tell the truth as I have always done. I confirmed that I made that statement and I still stand by that. And I would like to confirm that I made the statement after due consultation with my constituents and I have been speaking on their behalf and not in my personal capacity. I am not looking for any appointment so there is nothing personal about this. The people of Niger East are saying that they have not been treated fairly in the appointments that have been made so far despite the fact that it is the bulk of their votes that gave victory to the Governor.

How did you take the APC warning statement?

For me I have no issue to join with the party. I think that the party is unnecessarily trying to get itself involved in an area that is outside its sphere of influence.

The party appears unable to differentiate its role on one hand and my activities as a Senator on the other. Agreed that I was elected on the platform of APC but I never took a “blood oath” or any oath whatsoever in order to become a party member. I never took oath that if I see things going wrong I should keep quiet. Even if the interest of my constituents is being compromised I should remain mute. On the contrary, today following my election as a Senator of the federal Republic of Nigeria, I have taken an oath under the seventh schedule of our Constitution that I will defend the constitution and ensure that the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy as enshrined in the constitution are duly observed. My duty as a senator is first to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and most importantly to my constituent.

So my responsibility by extension is to the people who voted me into the National Assembly. My responsibility to the party is another thing, but the greatest responsibility that I have is to my country, to defend the constitution and ensure that I represent my constituent effectively. This means that I cannot be gagged and nobody can stop me from speaking for and on behalf of my people. The party cannot. The party, I think, is being hypocritical because in one breath it is telling me not to speak to press.

But it is going to the press to speak to me. So this is hypocrisy. I will advice that the party executives concentrate in building the parting

Senator David Umaru and winning new members which is its primary responsibility. In fact, it should be the responsibility of the party executives to advise the governor when an issue like this creeps up. They should advise him on the need for equity so that everybody in the state will have a sense of belonging. The fact that the state Chairman of APC comes from zone B does not change that position because the chairman of the party was not elected by the people of zone B. He was selected by members of the party.

And it is to them that he owes his responsibility.

What are these issues of marginalisation you are speaking against?

I still maintain that the distribution of the offices as has been made by the Governor so far is not equitable and that Niger East has been short-changed. I equally disagree that the Governor has a blank cheque to make appointments as he likes as far as the issue of the statutory offices are concerned. For this I will refer to section 208 (4) of the constitution which requires the Governor to make the appointments particularly that of the SSG having regard to the diversity of the people of the state and the need to promote national unity. The Governor has taken an oath under the 7th schedule of the 1999 constitution which enjoins him to defend the constitution and also strive to comply with chapter 2 of the constitution which stipulates the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy.

This actually talks about equity.

This means that if the Governor is from zone C, the Deputy Governor from zone A, the next highest position under the constitution is the SSG. Equity demands that it should go to zone B. You may want to ask about the Chief of Staff and the Speaker of the state assembly as the party has argued was allocated to zone B. The Speaker of the state House of Assembly cannot be appointed by the Governor. The members of the House of Assembly choose from among themselves whom they want to lead them.

By the way, they too have their own zoning formula. It is mischief therefore to consider the position of the Speaker as an appointment made by the Governor for zone B. It is the prerogative of the honourable members.

They can remove him at any time because they appointed him.

So for me it is not an argument.

The office of the Chief of Staff is not known in the constitution. He is just a staff, as the name implies, of the Governor employed to work for him. In the case of the present Chief of Staff, he is a personal friend of the Governor and he was not appointed to serve the interest of zone B. The Governor is from zone C and he is from the same local government with the SSG. The constitution does not allow this. In zone C there are eight local government areas. Even if he wanted to make the appointment from that zone it ought to have been sourced from another local government not the same local

government as the governor’s.

Now by this arrangement, zone A has the deputy governor, the Head of Service, the Chief Press Secretary and the Chief of Protocol.

These are four offices. Now let’s look at the distribution: Agreed the deputy governor comes from Mokwa, the Chief Press Secretary comes from Bida, the Director of Protocol comes from Lapai and the Head of Service is from Lapai.

This also is faulty. The zone has four positions. Now, what are they claiming to have given to zone B? The Speaker as I have told you is not an appointee of the governor.

In any case, he is from the same Chanchanga local government area as the Chief of Staff. Now that’s all that they have given to our zone! So, where is the equity and compliance with the federal character principle enshrined in the constitution?

What is your major grouse with the Governor and the party?

When I speak, I do not do it to destroy anybody. I can’t destroy the house that I have built. I have spent 10 years of my most productive life in trying to bring about the “Change” we now have today; we now have a change of government.

I have consistently committed all my time, resources and strength to get to this point. Most of those who are talking were not even in opposition. For example the SSG is not a member of the APC and he was never a member of APC. He allegedly worked against the party at the 2015 general elections. So what is the leadership of the party saying about this? Doesn’t it worry them that the SSG is not and was never a member of our party? And he is being given this high position in the state. That should worry the party leaders more than saying that I am talking to the press or demanding equity for our peoples.

Let me finally emphasis that APC is my party and I love my party. I have fought to make it what it is. None of those shouting are more APC than I am. I have worked tirelessly to have this government of the day.

So, this is my government. I cannot destroy what I have struggled to put together. But to succeed, we must have the good sense to listen to each other and accept advice no matter how it is offered (whether in private or in public). We must banish sycophancy because they are only with you when the going is good and disappear when power is lost. My DNA is calibrated to tell the truth. I cannot be gagged.

I owe this responsibility to my country, to my constituency and to my society.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

NEITI calls for speedy reforms of extractive sector in Nigeria

By Etuka Sunday

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igeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has called for the speedy reforms of the Extractive Sector in Nigeria so as to reposition it.

NEITI in a statement also appeals for the full implementation of findings and recommendations contained in NEITI Audit reports.

The statement quoted the Executive Secretary of NEITI, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed to have solicited the support of the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai towards the implementation of findings and recommendations contained in NEITI Audit reports.

She described issues thrown up in the reports which have remained unimplemented as “an unfortunate recurring decimal”.

Mrs. Ahmed made the call when she laid a delegation of NEITI management on a courtesy visit to the Governor in Kaduna.

The visit was part of a planned sensitization programme for key officers in the new administration

on the principles, methods and benefits of Nigeria’s membership of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) She said that data from the NEITI Audit reports show that Nigeria lost about 160 million barrels of crude oil valued at $13.7 billion to crude oil theft from 20092012. The records she said was gotten from three international oil companies; Shell Production and Development Company, Nigerian Agip Oil Company and Chevron Nigeria Limited.

The NEITI Executive Secretary disclosed that over 4.8 trillion naira has been expended by Government on subsidy payments alone.

She renewed NEITI’s call for a gradual phasing out of the subsidy scheme. Mrs. Ahmed lamented that the scheme which was designed to benefit the ordinary Nigerian has become a drain pipe of government revenue by a few privileged individuals through all forms of manipulation and corrupt practices The Executive Secretary informed the Governor that

between 2009-2012, Nigeria lost about $1.1Billion to crude oil and product swap, while NLNG dividends to the tune of $11.6Billion is yet to be remitted to the Federation Account. She further disclosed that from the NEITI 2012 Report, Nigeria spent over $7Billion on Joint Venture Cash Calls with international oil companies.

She conveyed NEITI’s position that the Federal Government should divest its shares in the Joint Ventures, incorporate the Joint Ventures and/or transit them to other types of operating arrangements like the Production Sharing Contracts.

Mrs. Ahmed joined the calls for the unbundling of the NNPC and commercialization of the new sub business units to free the Corporation from regulatory functions.

On NEITI’s recent Audit that examined how states disburse and use revenues accruing to them from their share of the Federation Account, the Executive Secretary told Governor El-Ruffian that what NEITI found was that most

states in Nigeria have over the years depended on oil revenues and do little or nothing to generate revenues internally.

“The country and the states are over reliant on oil revenues. They have neglected the huge potentials abundant within. Some states have as little as 3% internally generated revenue, carry a huge recurrent expenditure and deploy very little to capital and social services like education, health care and security. What we saw from the report of the nine of the states sampled are shocking”.

Mrs. Ahmed urged the Governor to study the report for the benefit of Kaduna State.

Mrs. Mohammed said that the report will benefit Kaduna State and is in line with the philosophy of the EITI which believes that “when the citizenry are able to ask how revenues from their natural resources are used, then accountability has been achieved” Mrs. Ahmed said that the NEITI Audit reports of the oil and gas sector covering years 19992012, the Fiscal Allocation and Statutory Disbursement Audit

Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Dr. Herbert Wigwe (left), Group Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Obinna Nwosu (2nd right), Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Seyi Kumapayi (4th right), and other representatives of the winning units, during Access Bank’s 4th CEO awards, at the weekend in Lagos

findings and recommendations covering years 2007-2011 and the Solid Minerals sector Audit that spanned years 2007-2012 contain a wealth of information that further informs the need for urgent and speedy reforms of the extractive sector in Nigeria.

Responding, Governor of Kaduna State and member of the National Economic Council, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai pledged his support and commitment to the EITI process in Nigeria as a global response to fight resource curse. According to El-Rufai, “NEITI has remained one of the few institutions of Government set up for reforms that is still working because the organization by its unique composition was designed to succeed. We will study the reports and work with NEITI to reform our oil, gas and mining sectors”.

Governor El-Rufai said as a member of the Team set up by the Economic Council to probe the inflows and outflows from the Federation Account, NEITI reports will be a reliable working document for the Committee.

He promised that all “Unremitted funds arising from under payments, under assessments and other malpractices uncovered

by NEITI in its reports will be recovered and used to improve the country’s infrastructure and living standards of the people.

He extolled the boldness, courage and sterling leadership qualities of the NEITI Management led by the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed Also speaking the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Barnabas Bantex said that NEITI is standing up against very strong opposition and called on the organization to identify champions at the National Assembly who would use their constitutional, legislative and oversight roles to remediate the gaps in the sector and bring about speedy reforms.

It should be recalled that Mallam Nasir EL-Rufai led the Federal Government delegation that announced Nigeria’s membership of the global EITI in London in 2003.

Refineries privatisation need PIB passage-BPE

By Etuka Sunday

D

irector General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki has disclosed the desire of the present government to privatise the country’s refineries,which he said would require the passage of the correct Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

A statement by the Head, Public Communications, BPE, Alex E. Okoh quoted the BPE boss to have revealed this on Friday, when he received in audience, a delegation from Greenpark Worldwide, led by a one-time British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Sir Richard Gozney.

He expressed optimism that the 8th National Assembly would have the opportunity to review the original Bill of 2008, which when passed would achieve the desired result for Nigeria.

Dikki decried the nonregulation of the health sector in the country which has resulted in high medical pilgrimage abroad by Nigerians.

He said it was for that reason that the Federal government was keen on reforming the sector and a joint preliminary review of the sector legislations begun by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to reform the sector.

He noted that at present only

the medical practitioners were being regulated, leaving out the services and practice thus making the sector open to unqualified operators.

Mr. Dikki further informed his audience that government was also working on reforming the Sports, Hospitality &Tourism, River Basins, Housing and Road sectors. He added that five Bills in the Transport Sector were being reviewed by the government for possible re-representation to the National Assembly for enactment.

The DG noted that unfortunately the five transport sector Bills with three others were not passed before the expiration of the 7th National Assembly and expressed the hope

the 8th National Assembly would expeditiously pass the Bills when presented by the executive arm.

According to him, once the Bills are passed, other new regulatory agencies would be set up or existing ones restructured. The passage of the Bills will facilitate private sector investment in infrastructure like railways, roads and inland waters ways and this would require manpower training and capacity building to drive the emerging change Nigerians yearn for.

On the Sports Sector, the DG said that given the huge population of 160 million Nigerian sports enthusiasts, a lot of potentials abound in the sector which if well

harnessed, would be a veritable income earner for the country as is the case in Britain and other countries.

Earlier, leader of the delegation, Sir, Richard Gozney said Greenpark is a management training company that has the skills and capabilities to support the privatization and reform objectives of the Federal Government.

He said the team took special interest in the BPE because of its mandate and as knowledge –based organization.

Green Park Worldwide is a London-based training company, supporting international banking, major industry and private & public corporations across the globe.

Page 20

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Business ETI reports N48.1bn PAT in Q2 P

an African lender, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) has announced profit after tax of N48.1 billion for the financial period ended 30th June, 2015 against N31.6 recorded in the same period of 2014.

Revenue for the period as well increased to N211.3 billion from N175 billion written in 2014 financial year.

The lenders pretax profit for first quarter (Q1) 2015 grew by 58 percent to N31 billion from N19.3 billion posted a year earlier.

Also, profit after tax (PAT) increased by 64 percent to N24.5 billion from N14.9 billion

recorded in the same period of 2014.

Gross earnings inched up slightly by two (2) percent from N86.3 billion to N105 billion in the review period of 2015, the pan African bank said in a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Share price of ETI at the end of today’s session on the Nigerian bourse climbed up 0.98 percent to N20.70 from N20.50 reported the previous session gaining 0.20 kobo per share.

Albert Essien, group chief executive officer (GCEO) of ETI said “For the first three months of

2015, we grew profit for the period

by US$34 million or 37 percent to US$125 million from same period last year, while earningsper-share increased 13 percent to 0.50 US$ cents. As expected, the quarter was characterised by macroeconomic headwinds including a strengthening US dollar, which significantly appreciated against our major functional currencies - Naira, Cedi, and XOF/XAF. According to Essien, despite the headwinds, the bank’s diversified pan-African business model continued to serve as well, with encouraging underlying

performance in its line of businesses and geographies.

“We were pleased with our cost efficiency gains, which led to our cost-income ratio improving to 62.7 percent from 69.2 percent in 2014. Revenue growth was modest, given the seasonally low client-activity we see in the first quarter of the year and the currency translation impact we experienced,” he added.

Essien concluded: “We maintained adequate levels of capital to support our business.

Our total capital adequacy ratio was 19.4 percent for the quarter versus 16.1 percent

in the prior year. Overall, our results are reassuring in light of the challenging operating environment. We are deeply proud of the competitive advantage our platform provides and the work our dedicated staff continue to do for all our stakeholders. ”

Insurance Industry set to partner law enforcement agencies on compulsory Insurance

I

Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe (middle), cutting the tape at the official launch of Yudala Offline Division, with the opening of its Experience Store at The Palms, Lekki, at the weekends in Lagos. With him are Vice-President, Yudala Retail Stores, Mr. Stanley Uzoechina (left), and Chairman, Zinox Group, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh. (right)

FCMB grows N77.3bn revenue in Q2 Stories from Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

F

CMB Group has posted a revenue worth N77.3 billion for the financial period ended 30th June, 2015 against N69.6 billion achieved in the same in 2014.

Profit After Tax within the period dropped to N8.3 billion from N9,5.5 billion recorded in 2014.

The lender in the first quarter of 2015 recorded a Profit before tax (PBT) of N5.8 billion up 4% from N5.6 billion for the first quarter 2014 while Net interest income of N18.1 billion, for the three months ended March 2015, had an increase of 8% Year-onYear (YoY), from N16.7 billion for the same period prior year.

Non-interest income of N6.16 billion, for the first quarter 2015 was equally recorded representing an increase of 9% YoY from N5.63 billion, for the first quarter 2014.

Commenting on the result, the Managing Director of FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Peter Obaseki, stated, “The business environment in the first quarter was subdued by the political activities and a degree of un-certainties which have largely cleared-out. The monetary stance remains tight with inflation creeping up to 8.5% as at the end of March; broad money supply, MM2, annualised, contracted by 10.23% It is against this background that we report first quarter growth in gross revenue and profit after tax of 16% and 9% and in

actual terms, N39.3 billion and N5.3 billion respectively. While return on average equity fell by 2.1% year-on-year, we expect this to recover in the subsequent quarters based on strong capital and liquidity positions.”

Group Managing Director/ CEO of FCMB Ltd, Mr. Ladi Balogun, equally opined, “The activities of the Commercial and Retail Banking Group resulted in a 15% YoY growth in revenues, though profit after tax grew by a modest 4% YoY. This was partly due to a decline in non-interest income, as a result of further reduction in our maximum COT rate to 0.1%, low government revenues which affected risk asset growth, as well as a generally slow preelection period. Notwithstanding,

our balance sheet size grew 2% Quarter on Quarter (QoQ) and 20% YoY, our capital management and liquidity metrics improved in 1Q15, standing at 19% and 41%, respectively, and OPEX grew below inflation rate as a result of cost optimisation initiatives.

1Q15 also saw a 12% YoY and 4% QoQ growth in our total deposits, with funding from individuals and small businesses (which make up our retail division) now accounting for 53% of total deposits and growing 32% YoY and 5% QoQ. On the loans side, our retail portfolio grew 27% (N45bn) YoY and, as at March 2015, although corporate loans still dominate the loan book, almost one-third of all loans were issued to individuals & small businesses.

n an effort geared towards enforcing compulsory insurances in the country, the Nigeria Insurance industry has resolved to collaborate with Law enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance to insurance.

According to the sector. the collaboration would enable the industry to eliminate fake insurance policies and agents in the country.

Speaking on behalf of the industry, the Director General of the Nigerian Insurers Association, (NIA), Mr. Sunday Thomas said that the industry needs to move forward in other to achieve its goal of contributing to the nations GDP. He also called on law enforcement agencies in the country to setup implementation framework to ensure proper implementation of compulsory insurances in the country, this he said will be reviewed at the next year conference.

Speaking further on building liability insurance, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Tuner, applauded the Lagos State government for the success it has recorded in the enforcement of building insurance.

He however called on the industry to work together with State government to ensure they enforce the compulsory building insurance law in their various states.

He also called for proper training of law enforcement agents to understand the rudiments of insurance business.

Speaking further the Corp Commander, Federal Road Safety Corp, Mr Angus Ibezim, faulted the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) for the delay in enforce the compulsory motor insurance policy, according to him the VIO is responsible for the delay in enforcement of insurance policy.

He said third party insurance policy are mostly sold in all VIO offices in the country.

The NIA Chairman, Mr. GUS wiggle however called on the law enforcement agents to work together with the industry to build a risk free country.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Capital Market Niger Insurance gross premium grows by 5.95%

N

iger Insurance Plc has recorded gross premium rise to the tune of 5.95 per cent to N11.06bn in 2014 from N10.44bn in 2013.

Net premium income of the underwriting outfit equally increased by 1.45 per cent to N9.79bn in 2014 from N9.65bn in 2013 while investment income to grow by 46 per cent to N1.15bn in 2014 from N790.54m in 2013.

Following firms interesting outing within the period, 3.5kobo per 50kobo share, totalling N270.88m for the entire shareholders was declared as dividend said the company.

Addressing shareholders the company’s 45th annual general meeting, the chairman, Mr. Bala Zakariyau, said the group’s profit after tax rose to N690.96m in 2014 from N627.42m in 2013 despite the challenges of a harsh operating environment.

“The management’s ability to cut costs also helped to increase the profit as management expenses reduced by 29.27 per cent from N4.68bn in 2013 to N3.31bn in 2014,” he said.

Niger Insurance, he said, had been increasing equity in the business while improving on its insurance funds.

Zakariyau explained that the growth in investment income was due to strict implementation of the National Insurance Commission’s directive of ‘no premium no cover policy.’

The directive is aimed at stimulating liquidity in the system by reducing the huge ‘receivables’ carried on the statement of financial position of insurance companies.

He added that Niger Insurance had been intensifying payment of claims to clients as its claims ratio increased to 37.88 per cent in 2014 from 35.72 per cent in 2013.

Claims expenses rose by 12.33 per cent in 2014 to N4.19bn from N3.72bn recorded in 2013, he said.

He said the company was determined to give more attention to the retail segment of the industry, which has been less volatile.

According to the Niger Insurance boss, the company is planning to diversify its investments portfolio and revamp product offerings.

The chairman stressed that the organisation would hasten the formation of new local and international alliances to further consolidate its position in the industry.

trading-floor-nSE

Stock market dips by 2.93%

Stories from Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

he stock market last week recorded significant depreciation as the market indicators turned red.

Specifically, the NSE AllShare Index depreciated by 2.93% to close at 30,180.27 basis points from 31,091.69 basis points it opened with while the Market Capitalization of listed equities as well dipped by 2.93% to close at N10.345 trillion from N10.657 recorded the previous week.

Similarly, all the Indices finished lower during the week, with the exception of Industrial Goods and ASeM Indices that closed higher.

Meanwhile, turnover of 1.366 billion shares worth N17.953 billion in 17,391 deals were traded by investors on the in contrast to a total of 1.727 billion shares valued at N23.389 billion that exchanged hands in 15,043 deals the previous week.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 837.735 million shares valued at N7.369 billion traded in 9,923 deals; thus contributing 61.32% and 41.04% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Oil & Gas Industry followed with a turnover of 200.367 million shares worth N3.367 billion in 1,444 deals. The third place was occupied by ICT Industry with 115.888 million shares worth

N59.517 million in 133 deals.

Trading in the Top Three Equities namely – Access Bank Plc.; Oando Plc., and Zenith International Bank Plc. (measured by volume) accounted for 541.496 million shares worth N6.477 billion in 3,498 deals, contributing 39.63% and 36.08% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Also traded during the week were a total of 26,580 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N1.719 million executed in 24 deals compared with a total of 1,703 units valued at N540,319.29 transacted last week in 15 deals.

There was no activity recorded in the debt board this week.

However, 1000 units of FGN

Bonds valued at N1.080 million was transacted last week in 1 deal.

Sixteen (16) equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than twenty-eight (28) equities of the preceding week. Fifty-five (55) equities depreciated in price, higher than forty-four (44) equities of the preceding week, while one hundred and nineteen (119) equities remained unchanged, higher than one hundred and eighteen (118) equities recorded in the preceding week.

Additional 1,000,000 units of Vetiva Griffen 30 ETF was issued to trade at the Exchange on July 31, 2015 by the fund manager. By this action, the total outstanding units of the ETF now stood at 150,400,000 units.

Forum confers NSE with African regulator of the year

T

he African Leadership magazine, which organised the 6th African Business Leadership Forum & Awards has named the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) the African Regulator of The Year.

The event took place in London, United Kingdom (UK).

The Exchange was also presented with a Special Commendation Award by the US Georgia Legislative Black Caucus.

According to the organisers of the award, African Leadership magazine, UK, this award is being conferred on The Nigerian Stock Exchange for its effective regulatory policies and programs implemented across national, regional and international levels which has encouraged actions beyond compliance

with applicable laws. “We at African Leadership Magazine UK, recognize your efforts in enhancing stakeholder’s engagement while contributing to the growth of the National and Regional brand through practical impact on the people. Your unflinching passion for creating a reliable, efficient and an adaptable exchange hub in Africa cannot be overemphasized”.

Recipients of the award emerged from a survey of over 480,000 readers and fans who were asked to nominate their outstanding business leaders and institutions. Commenting on the award, the Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, OON said, “This award is a strong affirmation of the audacious reforms we have been

implementing to create a fair and orderly market that inspires the trust and confidence of domestic and foreign investors.

The journey has brought about major reviews of our governance, market structure and operations to create a stronger regulatory environment whilst implementing innovations required for delivering a robust, efficient and sustainable capital market. We thank the African Leadership magazine for following our success stories; according us this great recognition and my profound gratitude goes to the great team at The Nigerian Stock Exchange, who are making significant contributions to the development of the Nigerian capital market and Africa at large.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange, a company limited by guarantee, services the largest economy in Africa and is championing the development of Africa’s financial markets. The Exchange offers listing and trading services, licensing services, market data solutions, ancillary technology services, and more. The Nigerian Stock Exchange continues to evolve to meet the needs of its valued customers, and to achieve the highest level of competitiveness.

It is an open, professional and vibrant exchange, and the Entrepreneurial Growth hub of Africa. The Nigerian Stock Exchange aspires to be Africa’s foremost securities exchange, connecting Nigeria, Africa and the world.

Page 22

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Business

Dangote Cement declares N121.8bn half-year profit

By Etuka Sunday

D

angote Cement posted a profit after tax (PAT) of N121.808 billion in the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, indicating a 21.65 per cent increase over the N95.440billion announced for the same period of 2014.

According to the half results released on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange at the weekend, the cement company achieved a 20.23 per cent growth in profit before tax. Its Profit before Tax grew from N107.070billion to N128.726billion in the period under review. This followed a 15.94 per cent rise in revenue, with the company realizing N242.215billion revenue as against N208.909billion in the first half of 2014.

Dangote Cement grew its revenue to N114.7bn from N103bn in the first quarter of 2015 on the back of its expansion programme, which saw it commence operations in some African countries. Its net profit for the quarter also rose by 44.1 per cent to N68.6billion from N47.62billon in the first quarter of 2014.

Speaking on the results, Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Cement, Onne van der Weijde, said “Our new plants have made excellent starts across Africa in the first half of 2015 and our operations now stretch from Senegal across to Ethiopia and down to South Africa, making

us a truly Pan-African leader in cement.

“Our strategy has been to enter markets with higher-quality cement produced at lower-cost factories and as a result we are building strong shares in key African markets, despite wellestablished competition. The increasing diversity of our business is demonstrated by the fact that 22% of volumes were sold outside of Nigeria and this has helped to offset some of the uncertainties in our home market. We will build on these early successes in Africa as we continue to expand our business across the continent.”

He said the 1.5mt factory in Senegal, which opened in January, made an excellent start, particularly in the second quarter, and provides more than 30 percent of all cement sold in Senegal while the new 1.5 million tonne cementgrinding facility in Cameroon began operation in late March.

Dangote Cement is Africa’s leading cement producer with 40mt of capacity operational, including three plants in Nigeria, an import terminal and Ghana and recently opened factories in Ethiopia, Zambia, South Africa, Senegal and Cameroon.

It is a fully integrated quarryto-customer producer with production capacity of 29.25 million tonnes in Nigeria. The Obajana plant in Kogi state, Nigeria, is the largest in Africa with 13.25 million tonnes of capacity

DPR seals 5 petroleum depots in Calabar

T

he Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has shutdown five petroleum depots in Calabar for selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) above the ex-depot price of N77.66 per litre.

Mr Asuquo Antai, DPR’s Controller of Operations in charge of Cross River and Akwa Ibom, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Eket on Sunday. ``The depots have been suspended from loading products to marketers, for selling above the ex-depots price of N77.66 as stipulated by government.

``We are selling off the product to the marketers at the official price of N77.66 per litre at those depots that still have it,’’ he said.

Antai cautioned other depots in Calabar against dispensing the product above the official price or the wrath of the law would catch up with them.

He added that marketers were expected to be selling PMS known as petrol at the official pump price of N87 per a litre.

He further said that DPR would sanction and prosecute erring marketers caught selling PMS above approved pump price of N87 per litre. (NAN)

By Etuka Sunday

Usman Abba Arabi said, the panel comprised two persons representing generation companies, specifically hydro, two from Transmission company of Nigeria, two from Distribution Company.

Also inaugurated according to the statement are two persons representing independent power producers, with three persons to cover consumers in the following category, domestic, commercial and industrial. An appointee of the Commission is also a member.

In a welcome address by the Commission’s Chairman, Dr Sam Amadi, described electricity consumption per capita, as one of the indices used to assess the development of any country, thus

across four lines. The Ibese plant in Ogun State has four cement lines with a combined installed capacity of 12 million tonnes. The Gboko

plant in tonnes recent Cement

Benue state has of capacity. investments, has eliminated

4 million Through Dangote Nigeria’s

dependence on imported cement and is transforming the nation into an exporter serving neighbouring countries.

L-R: Head, Human Capital Management, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Taiwo Olupeka, Best Graduating Trainee of Skye Graduate Intensive Training, Mr. Michael Emetoh, and Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, during the graduation ceremony of Streams 39 and 40 at the Skye Business Training School, last Friday in Ibadan.

Akon takes Energy project to Nigeria, set to commence pilot scheme

From Ayodele Samuel,Lagos

U

S based singer and Entrepreneur Akon over the weekend said he’s set to commence a pilot scheme of his energy project, ‘Akon Lighting Africa’ in Nigeria.

The Senegal born rap artist whose real name is Aliaune Damala Bouga Thiam said the project will address energy crisis in Africa by providing power to over 600 million africans in the rural areas.

Akon spoke separately during his visits to the former governor of Lagos state and All Progressive Congress APC, National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Tony Elumelu Foundation in Lagos.

He said that the Akon Lighting Africa project is currently operating in 14 African countries, stressing

that it will fight unemployment in the continent.

“The project is to make Africa a better place for our unborn children, we have more than 5000 Africans working on the project.

“The young people of Africa will be empowered to install and maintain the infrastructure therefore creating jobs in the rural communities,” Akon said.

Akon said he choose to help fight energy problem in Africa “because infrastructure is not possible without energy.

“You need energy for every project or infrastructure you want to venture into,” Akon added.

Also speaking during the visits, co-founder of the project and chief executive of Solektra Energy Solution for Africa, Samba Bathily said the project is to provide one

billion USD credit line launch in links with local banks.

According to Samba, the project will provides over 100,000 solar domestic kits, 1,200 solar mini grids and 100,000 solar street lamps.

He said that his firm supports the electrification of Africa through a sustainable and environmental friendly development model using solar energy.

The ‘Akon Lighting Africa’ project includes installation of solar equipment in households as well as the promotion of their energy sufficiency which will allow millions of Africans access to electricity.

The project plans to start delivering village-level solar power to allow people to enjoy electricity and equally create massive employment

Power: NERC inaugurates safety code review panel

N

igerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has inaugurated a 12-member panel shouldered with the responsibilities of reviewing , monitoring and complementing the Health and Safety code as part of the reforms within the electricity industry in Nigeria.

This the Commission disclosed was intended to change the course of electricity delivery that would ensure high efficiency of the networks and safety of utility workers and the general public.

A statement by the Head, Public Affairs Department, NERC, Dr.

the importance of the safety code review panel.

Amadi said, ‘’ The code has provided that a health and safety code review panel consisting of qualified industry health, safety and environment shall be constituted to take on the function of reviewing , monitoring and complementing the code as part of the reforms within the electricity industry in Nigeria.’’

Speaking in the same vein, the Commissioner, Engineering Standard and Safety, Dr Abba Ibrahim, said that the setting up of the panel is meant to ensure high standard in the industry that would produce best practice, which makes it very imperative for them to be focused.

The panel shall be responsible for improving and developing the code through regular review, consultation, research and other methodologies found appropriate from time to time. Members shall be appointed for a term of two years, renewable for another term of two years only and no more.

The panel shall keep the health and safety code and its implementation under review; among which is the review of all suggestions for amendment as well as publication of recommendations as to the amendment and the reasons for the recommendations, to the Commission.

Furthermore, health and safety officers shall consider what

changes are necessary to the safety code arising out of any unforeseen circumstance referred to it by users of the generation, transmission, distribution networks or to NERC. All proposed revisions from operating companies shall be sent to the Chairman of the panel, who will advise the panel with notice of no more than 20 business days.

Meanwhile, the highlight of the meeting was the election of an 8-man exco, followed by the administration of oath of office by a legal practitioner, Barr. Emeka Ugwuowo.

Mr Chuka Amobi of Ughelli power emerged the Chairman, while the Secretary is Gilbert Nweke of Benin Disco.

PAGE 23

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Stock Watch:

Friday, July 31, 2015

PAGE 25

Peoples Daily, Monday, August 3 , 2015

PAGE 24

Special Report

Being African: What does hair have to do with it?

S

undays were salon days when I was young. From the age of 10, my mother would plait or relax my hair for school.

She spent three hours on each of her three daughters’ heads.

My middle sister has a sensitive scalp and was the first to rush for the wash basin.

She’d be crying funeral tears by the time she was done.

The chemical sodium hydroxide is put on the hair to break down its protein causing it to become straight. This can be a painful process that sometimes leaves you with a burnt scalp.

Although African hair is versatile, with endless hairstyles to choose from, Africa has been flooded with relaxers to smooth that stubborn kink.

But people are starting to turn away from relaxers.

Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has touched on some of the restrictions it brings.

“Relaxing your hair is like being in prison,” she wrote.

“You’re caged in. Your hair rules you.”

“You’re always battling to make your hair do what it wasn’t meant to do.”

Natural hair supporters go one step further - to say natural hair is a nod to being a real African.

South African hair blogger Milisuthando Bongela says black hair has been treated with disdain for years because black people have been made to be a problem.

For centuries black women around the world were

Hair has become a political issue across Africa. Chemical relaxers, which straighten hair, have been popular for years. But while the look is seen by some as professional, others call it un-African.

There’s a move away from relaxing hair - a journey the BBC’s Pumza Fihlani has made. discriminated against because of their skin, hair and culture.

White attributes - including straight hair - were seen as superior.

There are still remnants of that to this day.

When a black woman graces our screens she is usually wearing either a weave or has bone-straight, relaxed hair.

But believing that all women who relax their hair or wear weaves do so because they are trying to be white would be simplistic.

It doesn’t take into consideration the social pressures.

Until recently many South African schools and work places favoured relaxed hair because other styles weren’t seen as the “professional look”.

Eyewitness News reported in 2014 that a 16-year-old girl from Cape Town was sent home from school for wearing thick braids.

Later in life, some women worry that they will be passed over for promotions and relationships if they keep their hair natural.

That’s because there is still a stigma around natural hair. Its harshest critics consider it to be unkempt.

Even the Kenyan Oscarwinning actress Lupita Nyong’o told the BBC that when she decided to stop relaxing her hair and cut it all off, what grew back “wasn’t that bad after all”.

I don’t ever recall my mother saying long straight hair made us prettier or making any of us feel our bushy natural hair was unsightly. For her, relaxing it meant less time getting us ready in the mornings.

It was simply convenient.

It takes time and effort to look after natural hair. Now I spend anything up to five hours in the salon up, a twice-a-month ritual.

Each visit can cost up to 1,500 rand ($120; £75), depending on what I get done.

Ms Adichie also points out that many people choose to relax their hair because they don’t know how to care for natural hair.

‘Education is needed on hair care’ “There’s a perception that

From dreadlocks, weaves and relaxed hair, my sisters and I wear our hair with pride.

Although I’ve relaxed my hair for more than two decades, I will keep my daughter’s hair natural for many years

“

The chemical sodium hydroxide is put on the hair to break down its protein causing it to become straight. This can be a painful process that sometimes leaves you with a burnt scalp.

Although African hair is versatile, with endless hairstyles to choose from, Africa has been flooded with relaxers to smooth that stubborn kink. But people are starting to turn away from relaxers. Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has touched on some of the restrictions it brings.

Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie says when you have relaxed hair, your hair rules you. natural hair is unkempt hair. A bit of education needs to be done here. I know that natural hair can look neat too.”

Fify Loewen is a photographer from Gaborone, Botswana.

10 tips on how to transition from relaxed to natural hair without the big chop • To prevent breakage, use your fingers instead of a comb.

• Choose styles that don’t need to be changed daily to avoid breakage • Keep your hair well moisturised. The drier your hair, the more likely it is to break.

• Keep your hair tips tucked away to prevent them from drying out • Trim off split ends or excessively dry ends • Trying to achieve the same styles that you did

when your hair was relaxed will frustrate you . So create some new hairstyles • Avoid heat on your hair.

• Use weaves, wigs and braid extensions with care. If fitted too tightly or worn for too long they can lead to hair breakage and traction alopecia • Many hair products will make unproven growth and strength claims, but scientific trials are yet to prove they do more than aid styling • A healthy diet extends to the health of your hair.

‘Good hair’ For many years, I had below shoulder length hair. I’d often be stopped by strangers to ask what I use to grow it. Many would run fingers through it.

No-one likes this.

Milisuthando Bongela says a lot needs to be done to fight the stigma against natural hair around the world.

“Do you have white blood?” they’d ask.

“Are you Coloured [mixed race]?”

It seemed too far-fetched that a black woman can have “good hair” - a phrase used to mean it is long and healthy - unless there’s a white relative in the family to help loosen our tight coils.

Hair is used in this way to categorise each other.

In apartheid South Africa when your race wasn’t clear a pencil would be pushed through your hair. In the so-called pencil test, if the pencil fell to the floor, you would be considered white.

If it stuck, you would be considered “Coloured” (mixed race). In some cases, members of the same family were classified into different groups, and forced

I am taking a relaxer break for an entire year to see how much I can grow it without chemicals to live apart.

Breaking type When I decided to cut my hair last December I felt like a major change. But I was also curious how people would react.

It became evident that a lot of people were more attached to my hair than I was.

I was told I was “ungrateful” because many struggle to grow their hair.

This shocked me.

I would like to be seen as more than my hair.

I refuse to be reduced to a type because of my hair, boxed into the category of “beautiful because she has long hair”, “successful because she long

hair”, perhaps even “married because she has long hair”.

And what is it about straightening my hair that communicates that I have abandoned my roots?

While I love my new hairstyle - I don’t think I’m any more African now than I was before the chop.

As columnist Kuli Roberts says, “we need to stop putting black women in a box”.

She has been scrutinised over her choice to wear weaves questions that are never directed at people from other races.

Some say hair is one of the most contentious issues in black society.

Kuli Roberts says her hair is only an accessory, it does not define her

South African columnist Danielle Bowler goes as far as to say in Eyewitness News that “while some women might not choose their hairstyle based on an overt political decision, the choices available to us are themselves inescapably political”.

She also notes that hair can be divisive.

The debate is often “reduced to a simplistic antagonistic relationship between weaves and natural hair” she says.

But African hair comes in many different textures - it is versatile and resilient.

It holds braided hairstyles like no other and we can adorn our crowns with these for weeks on end with endless options to choose from.

I look forward to the day when I can leave my hair wild and uncombed and have it say nothing else about me apart from “I didn’t feel like combing my hair today”.

Whether I weave it, relax it or braid it I’d like to live in a world where the choice of how to express myself - in hair and everything in between - is mine.

As for my sisters; the youngest now has long dreadlocks, my middle sister - who still isn’t a fan of combing - rocks a weave most of the time and I have short, colour-treated afro hair.

We are the perfect representation of choice in modern South Africa - and in the end choice and the freedom to express it, is what those before us fought for.

More women on their hair choices

‘Black hair cannot help but be political’ “People generally love the way I wear my hair, I get compliments from people of all ages and races.

I don’t feel pressured to look a certain way anymore, but not everybody has this experience.

“Black hair has been treated with disdain for years because black people have been made to be a problem, fighting to get out of enslavement and oppression, fighting to get into mainstream society, fighting for equal rights.

Black hair, which is what makes us black, has been fighting for those same rights.

“Our hair is great because it is adaptable and we have been embellishing and adding length to it and styling it in myriad ways for thousands of years, weaves didn’t come with white people.

“But we have to create safe, non-judgemental, non-divisive spaces for us to talk to each other.

“I think the best approach is to reinvest natural black hair with positive qualities so that people don’t feel the need to change their hair in order to be associated with things like beauty, sexiness, success, ambition and professionalism.

“All we can do as black people who accept our features and love them, is symbolically invest them with the good qualities that racism has taken away.”

Milisuthando Bongela is a blogger in Johannesburg, South Africa ‘I’m not trying to be white’ “With our history it will always be about race but what people don’t understand is that there are other races - and we need to stop

this obsession with white people.

The problem is we’re placing white people on a pedestal - not every woman who wears a wig is trying to be white.

“There isn’t a single thing that we do to our hair that white people don’t, they colour it, they wear wigs, they straighten it - noone ever accuses them of trying to be something else.

“The idea that when a black person wears a weave it’s a sign of how insecure she is, is just ridiculous frankly. I have options.

I treat my hair the same way I treat my nails, I can wear it in many different ways - that doesn’t change who I am.

“I don’t rely on my hair to make a statement about me, it doesn’t determine my race. I know who I am. The idea that you have such low self-esteem that your hair is the one thing that defines you - come on.

“The debate about hair needs to happen but we mustn’t let ourselves become part of some agenda outside of us. I will not take part in anything that seeks to berate black women for exercising their options.

“I’ve been insulted and told I look like a Barbie - but I don’t ever entertain that.

“They don’t do it to any other race, they do it to black women.

How about we debate why Jewish women wear wigs? Why white women colour their hair? Why they wear braids - are they trying to be black?

“We need to stop putting black women in a box, society needs to evolve past that. Don’t put me in a box.”

Source: BBC

Feature PAGE 26

T

he capital of Canada has long been called the city that fun forgot. But is it really a hotbed of infidelity?

Earlier this month, hackers broke into Ashley Madison, a dating site for married people who want to cheat on their spouses.

“Life is short. Have an affair,” reads the homepage. The hackers claim to have stolen the real names and addresses of the site’s users, and are threatening to release the information.

Shortly afterwards, Canada’s National Post reported that Ottawa boasts 189,810 Ashley Madison accounts. The city itself has a population of 883,000.

That’s the equivalent of one out of every five residents. Ashley Madison did not respond to the BBC’s request for membership statistics.

The contradiction between the capital city’s straight-laced reputation and Ashley Madison’s numbers is staggering.

“When I tell people I’m a sex therapist from Ottawa, they say, ‘People in Ottawa don’t have sex,’ and I say, ‘Oh, you have no idea,’” says Sue McGarvie, founder of The Ottawa Sex Therapy and Libido Clinic.

McGarvie, whose former office was a block and a half from the National Defence headquarters and two blocks from Parliament Hill, says the people of Ottawa working as government officials, diplomats, bureaucrats - tend to let go at night, because they must maintain a certain image by day.

“I have a lot of guys who come in [for sex therapy] and say their name is John Doe and pay cash,” says McGarvie. “If the National Defence guys get wind that they’ve seen a sex therapist, it’s on their personnel file. There was a lot of people whom I’ve had come in with [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] bodyguards.”

Ashley Madison allows for a complete separation between the modest front and the reality behind the scenes.

The dating site, which boasts 37 million users worldwide, was founded in Ontario in 2001. It

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Can Ottawa really be the infidelity capital of Canada? was first heavily marketed in that province, which includes Canada’s capital.

“Ottawa tends to be [made up of] those people who have been everywhere, done everything,” says McGarvie, who is on the site herself.

“Except for a moon launch, what’s next? Next is proving their virility, which is ‘too many women, not enough time.’ There’s a lot of people who are kinky, people who are looking for fetishes, in terms of wanting to be dominated - anything that they can’t bring up at home.”

And more than releasing one’s wild side, mob mentality may also play a role in the sexual patterns.

Cheryl Harasymchuk, a psychology professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, says research on infidelity shows having a social network of friends who condone cheating, as well as having available alternatives for mates, is linked with increased infidelity.

She gives the example of Las Vegas - a city with a slogan hinting at all sorts of off-the-record behaviour - “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

“And that seems to be conveying a local culture, at least for tourists, that all sorts of misdeeds, including infidelity, are the norm there,” Harasymchuk says.

But she can’t imagine describing Ottawa in such a way.

“If someone says Ottawa is a hotbed of infidelity, I have to ask myself, ‘Is this true?’” she says There is no published, peerreviewed research that maps infidelity by region across Canada, and the number of accounts on Ashley Madison don’t necessarily match up to the same number of people - someone could have multiple accounts or accounts could be spam bots, for instance.

“As a social scientist, when I see numbers like that, I have a lot of questions,” Harasymchuk says.

Ashley Madison has competitors, such as European-focused Gleeden and traditional dating sites

“

“Given the national divorce rate is 55%, and adultery is probably 80% of the cause, I was surprised [at the 20% figure].” Sullivan says. “There’s a lot more than that.” But infidelity, he pointed out, is not special to Ottawa.

“I have conducted surveillances for Triangle in England, in South America, Miami, California, Hong Kong, Peru, Alaska. I travel all over the world doing these surveillances and nothing really changes,” Sullivan said.

What happens in Ottawa... probably also stays in Ottawa

Canada’s capital city has a reputation for being straight-laced

“Do they know that every member is in a relationship or is it just a convenient place to meet people?”

McGarvie says she has at least three different profiles on Ashley Madison, and says the numbers are probably inflated as they include non-active members.

But others say one website’s numbers underplay the real extent of infidelity across Canada, and elsewhere.

John S ullivan is ge ne ral

manager of the Triangle Investigation Agency in Ottawa.

He heads a team of private investigators specialising in matrimonial surveillance, andtold PRI’s The World whatever the exact number, he knows it’s high.

“Given the national divorce rate is 55%, and adultery is probably 80% of the cause, I was surprised [at the 20% figure].” Sullivan says.

“There’s a lot more than that.”

But infidelity, he pointed out, is

not special to Ottawa.

“I have conducted surveillances for Triangle in England, in South America, Miami, California, Hong Kong, Peru, Alaska. I travel all over the world doing these surveillances and nothing really changes,” Sullivan said.

“I don’t think the percentage is any greater or any less than any other city.”

Source: BBC

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Education

Suppliers halt ongoing project at FGGC Warri over non-payment From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, N280 million intervention project for the rehabilitation of male and female hostels at the Federal Government College, Warri, Delta state, has been stopped by suppliers of building materials due to non- payment and alleged fraudulent change of project contractor.

The suppliers said they have no choice but to stop the project because of non-payment for building materials supplied to the indigenous contractor, Prince Services Limited running into

millions of naira since 2014.

Speaking with our correspondent, Mr. Newport right Tucker, who had been meditating on the matter, said the project was for the rehabilitation of six storey building and that they have completed two and the third one was almost completed towards the end of December last year when they were asked to proceed on Christmas break.

According to him, they were surprised when this year, without any notice a new contractor, Nisen Investment Limited, Abuja, was engaged to commence work on the same project, from where they stopped and the contractor have

used up all their left over materials.

He said the only way to get to the bottom of the matter was to meet the school authority for clearance, saying that the authority were not also forthcoming with any explanation either.

The site supervisor for Nisen Investments Ltd, who pleaded with the suppliers, then scheduled a meeting with them the next day where he assured that the Principal would brief them on the new development and how to go about the job.

When our correspondent visited the project site, students were seen already occupying the two completed hostels, while

workers of the new contractor were also on site working, before they were stopped by the angry building materials suppliers.

However, The Principal was not available for comment on the matter, the Vice-Principal said he knew nothing about the project, adding that only the Principal can comment on the matter.

It was gathered that the Job was given to another contractor who is not only owing the building materials suppliers but also allegedly borrowed money from the school PTA fund in the course to execute the job before the recent problem started.

Candidates writing the Federal Government College, Keffi supplementary Common Entrance Examination into JSS1 in Federal Unity Colleges, recently in Nasarawa.

Photo: NAN

Rector wants FG to establish Mathematics commission From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

T

he Rector of Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, Professor Haruna Kafur has called on the Federal Government to establish National Mathematics Commission.

Kafur who made this call at the weekend in an interview with newsmen in Katsina, said the move would address the dearth of mathematic teachers in the country.

He said the Commission will assist in formulating plausible policy and strategy that will assist in developing the teaching of mathematics.

The Rector further called for the provision of special incentive and remuneration for those teaching mathematic at all school levels across the country.

He decried a situation where those that studied other science courses were forced to teach mathematic at the secondary school level.

“Since it is compulsory for students to pass mathematics before gaining admission into university then we have to promote its teaching and learning” he added.

However, the Rector expressed confidence that the incumbent governor of the state, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari would chart a new course for the educational development of the state.

Religion, moral education declining in Nigeria- Buhari

From Mohammad Kaduna

P

Ibrahim,

resident Muhammadu Buhari has said moral and religious educations are declining in the country as he called on parents to teach their children religious values.

The President made the call over the weekend in Kaduna at the launching of the reviewed editions of books by the late Justice Muhammad Bashir Sambo Centre for Islamic Da’awah and Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation.

He also directed the Federal Ministry of Education to look into adopting two Islamic

Studies books written by the late Justice Sambo in secondary school curriculum for all Federal Government Colleges.

According to him, adopting such books in schools has become very importing as it will teach young generations good moral and religious values.

The two books co-sponsored in memory of late Justice Sambo, former Judge of the Sharia court of Appeal and the Code of Conduct Tribunal were reviewed by Mallam Mukhtar Lere to conform to the current academic curriculum of 6-3-3-4 system in the country.

President Buhari who spoke while launching the reviewed editions of the two books was

represented by Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufa’i.

Rufa’i said, his first encounter with the late Justice Sambo was on television when he, along with Mallam Umaru Sanda and Justice Muazu Aliyu, all of blessed memory were teaching Islamic Da’awah on television.

He described the late Justice Sambo as a distinguished public servant, educationist and a great teacher.

“As an educationist, the late Justice Bashir Sambo, not only wrote this book that was used in secondary schools in Nigeria at a time, but went on to become a distinguished Judge at the Sharia court of Appeal and the Code of

Conduct Tribunal.

“I thank the co-authors for updating these books and structured them in a way that matches new secondary curriculum. I call on the ministry of education to look at these books with the view to adopt them in all government colleges.

“There are similar Islamic books that teach moral upbringing to our children, but these books are facing extinction, I therefore call on Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation to go into research and bring out these books and update them for the benefit of Islamic education in our society.

“I still remember that when we were growing up, our Mallams

used to teach us good moral from these books, so the foundation should ensure that these books are brought back to life”, he said Earlier, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the foundation, Alhaji Umar A. Mutallab said Justice Bashir Sambo Centre for Islamic Da’awah was established by disciples and associates of late Justice Sambo to immortalise and inspire the legacy of the late sage.

He explained that the review of 1974 edition of the book became imperative in view of the introduction of academic curriculum of 6-3-3-4 system in the country by the Federal ministry of education, which rendered the maiden edition obsolete.

PAGE 28

Education

Tension in Delsu over nonacademic students’ fraudulent activities From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

F

resh crisis has enveloped the Delta State University (DELSU) following alleged fraudulent activities of a group of students popularly known as “Non-Academic Students (NAS) disguising as students of the university.

The students are said to be in the habit of loitering around the various campuses with the intent to intimidate unsuspecting students and dispossess them of their personal belongings.

The students, it was learnt are responsible for the frequent unrest that befalls the university community in recent times and have stayed in the town for years and parade themselves as students.

To curtail the excesses of the fake students, the university management through the Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Victor Peretomode, directed the security operatives to be on the lookout for such students and checkmate their activities.

Only recently, a pre-degree student identified as Felix Eboreme, was allegedly harassed by this same group of students in one of the sites of the university as they were said to have worn black outfit and pounced on him threatening to kill him if he refuses to part with ten thousand naira on him but for the intervention of the security operatives, the student was rescued.

Investigations revealed that most of the Non-Academic students, who operate hitherto on the three campuses of the university are either former students of the institution who had dropped out of the school or had been rusticated from the school due to cultism and other criminal activities.

Further investigations revealed that, the students formed a group and collect money from their unsuspecting parents for their upkeep, school fees, house rent and other dues students pay in the institution.

The university authorities have however advised students to be weary of the students and raise alarm whenever they are harassed on campuses by the fake students.

Prof. Victor Peretomode, the Vice-Chancellor of the university assured that modalities were been worked out with a view to collaborating with security operatives to bring the fake students to book.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Pry pupils to get free education, feeding, uniform from Sept -El-Rufa’i From Mohammad Kaduna

Ibrahim,

K

aduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i has assured the citizens of the state that from September this year free education, feeding,

uniform would be provided to primary, school pupils in the state.

According to him, no parent should pay school fees from September in all government schools across the state as his administration has placed

priority on the educational sector in the state.

El-Rufa’i disclosed this at a town hall meeting held in Zaria at the weekend.

“From September your children will attend schools for 9 years free of charge. We intend

to provide uniform, feeding in our primary and junior schools in the state. There will also be no more PTA fees in our schools”, He said.

He called on the people, particularly parents to report any school principal or Headmaster who ask his or her child for money.

Dan Galadima of Adamawa Emirate Council, Alhaji Lawan Ribadu (right), presenting trophies to Aisha Usman and Safiya Mahmood, Best Graduating Students in Mathematics and Physics respectively, during the graduation ceremony of Ahmadu Ribadu College, on Saturday in Yola. Photo: NAN

Grand Khadi lauds Ribadu college for contributing quality education in Adamawa From Umar Dankano, Yola

A

hmadu Ribadu College, Yola, has been commended for its contribution to quality education in Adamawa state.

Grand Khadi of the state Shariah Court of Appeal, Justice Mohammed Mahmood, made the commendation at the 10th Graduation ceremony, speech and prize giving day of the college in Yola.

Mahmood, who was the

chairman of the occasion, said the College has made it mark as one of the leading private schools in the state that has maintained standard.

Mahmood who was represented at the occasion by the Registrar Shariah Court of Appeal, Barrister Hashimu Suleiman, urged government to assist such colleges where necessary for them to continue to sustain the tempo in providing quality education.

He lauded the school initiative of providing meals

and transportation to students during school hours, saying such measures would go a long way in helping students concentrate on their studies.

He also urged private schools to endeavor to place humanitarian interest above profit in their operations.

In his speech, Administrator of the college, Alhaji Nazeef Isa Ahmed, said in spite of security challenges in the North Eastern part of the country that has affected the state, the college was able to

fully complete its curriculum.

Ahmed said the school also focused on capacity building for teachers and management staff to equip them with skills required to deliver their jobs.

Highlight of the graduation ceremony was the presentation of certificates and prizes to deserving students by the Dan Galadima of Adamawa, Alhaji Lawan Ribadu who was assisted by other dignitaries including the District Head of Mayo-Belwa, Alhaji Mohammed Bamanga.

Council of leaders endorses deduction of pry sch teachers’ salary from Source From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

T

wenty-five leaders from the various local government legislatures, under the aegis of Delta State Councilors’ Forum (DSCF) at the weekend reaffirmed their support for the continuous deduction of the wage bill of primary school teachers from the local government allocation source.

However, it demands that the State Universal Basic Education

Board (SUBEB), should give the Councils the privilege of promptly knowing the number of teachers SUBEB pay monthly from the council’s resources. the Forum, in a communiqué signed by its Chairman, Kema Egenu and Secretary, Richard Pessu, at the end of their meeting in Ndokwa West Local Government Council Legislative Chamber on July 29, 2015, resolved “to find some of the root causes of the Council’s inability to pay workers’

salaries.

They stated that for the purpose of accountability and good conscience, the local government councils should give maximum support to them to embark on workers’ verification exercise through their oversight functions to know the actual number of workers under the state’s unified local government system, including primary schools teachers.

The Councilors also called

on the State Government to put in place an effective mechanism that will monitor the Councils staff’s tax deductions and onward remittance to the State Board of Internal Revenue so that the councilors can be guaranteed of getting their tax payment receipts on monthly basis; and certificates issued to them at the end of every year to avoid councilors being double taxed or having no evidence of their tax payments at the end of their tenure.

Page 29

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Health What is a bowel obstruction?

Health A

bowel obstruction happens when either your small or large intestine is partly or completely blocked. The blockage prevents food, fluids, and gas from moving through the intestines in the normal way. The blockage may cause severe pain that comes and goes.

All cases of abdominal surgical intervention are associated with increased risk of future smallbowel obstructions. Statistics from U.S. healthcare report 18.1% re-admittance rate within 30 days for patients who undergo SBO surgery. More than 90% of patients also form adhesions after major abdominal surgery.

Common consequences of these adhesions include smallbowel obstruction, chronic abdominal pain, pelvic pain, and infertility.

What causes a bowel obstruction?

Causes will depend on the part of the intestine affected: Small bowel obstruction •Adhesions from previous abdominal surgery (most common cause) •Pseudoobstruction •Hernias containing bowel •Crohn’s disease causing adhesions or inflammatory strictures •Neoplasms, benign or malignant •Intussusception in children •Volvulus(Twisting of the intestine) •Superior mesenteric artery syndrome, a compression of the duodenum by the superior mesenteric artery and the abdominal aorta •Ischemic strictures •Foreign bodies (e.g. gallstones in gallstone ileus, swallowed objects) •Intestinal atresia Large bowel obstruction Causes of large bowel obstruction include: •Neoplasms(Tumours) •Diverticulitis / Diverticulosis •Hernias •Inflammatory bowel disease •Colonic volvulus (sigmoid, caecal, transverse colon) • Adhesions • Constipation • Fecal impaction • Fecaloma • Colon atresia • I n t e s t i n a l pseudoobstruction • Endometriosis • Narcotic induced (especially with the large doses given to cancer or palliative care patients) Outlet obstruction Outlet obstruction is a subtype of large bowel obstruction and refers to conditions affecting the anorectal region that obstruct defecation, specifically conditions of the pelvic floor and anal sphincters.

Outlet obstruction can be classified into 4 groups.

•Functional outlet obstruction Inefficient inhibition of the

Matters Dr. Longwap AbdulAziz Saleh

e-mail: longwapabdul@yahoo.com, Text: 08039537913 internal anal sphincter S h o r t - s e g m e n t Hirschsprung’s disease Chagas disease Hereditary internal sphincter

dyssynergia) Multiple sclerosis Spinal cord lesions • Mechanical obstruction

myopathy Inefficient relaxation of the striated pelvic floor muscles Anismus (pelvic floor

I n t e r n a l intussusception(Telescoping of the intestine) Enterocele

outlet

• Dissipation of force vector rectocele Descending perineum Rectal prolapse •Impaired rectal sensitivity Megarectum Rectal hyposensitivity Risk factors Diseases and conditions that can increase your risk of intestinal obstruction include: •Abdominal or pelvic surgery often causes adhesions — a common intestinal obstruction •Crohn’s disease can cause the intestine’s walls to thicken, narrowing the passageway

•Cancer in your abdomen, especially if you’ve had surgery to remove an abdominal tumor or radiation therapy

What are the symptoms?

•Crampy abdominal pain that comes and goes •Nausea •Vomiting •Diarrhea •Constipation •Inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas •Swelling of the abdomen (distention) Call your doctor right away if your belly pain is severe and constant. This may mean that your intestine’s blood supply has been cut off or that you have a hole in your intestine. This is an emergency.

How is a bowel obstruction diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, other digestive problems you’ve had, and any surgeries or procedures you’ve had in that area. He or she will check your belly for tenderness and bloating.

Your doctor may do: •An abdominal X-ray, which can find blockages in the small and large intestines.

•A CT scan of the belly, which helps your doctor see whether the blockage is partial or complete.

How is it treated?

Most bowel obstructions are treated in the hospital. Infarct, in the management of small bowel obstructions it was once said, “never let the sun rise or set on small-bowel obstruction” because about 5.5% of small bowel obstructions are ultimately fatal if treatment is delayed In the hospital, your doctor will give you medicine and fluids through a vein (IV). To help you stay comfortable, your doctor may place a tiny tube called a nasogastric (NG) tube through your nose and down into your stomach. The tube removes fluids and gas and helps relieve pain and pressure. You will not be given anything to eat or drink.

Most bowel obstructions are partial blockages that get better on their own. Some people may need more treatment. These treatments include using liquids or air (enemas) or small mesh tubes (stents) to open up the blockage.

Surgery is almost always needed when the intestine is completely blocked or when the blood supply is cut off. You may need a colostomy or an ileostomy after surgery. The diseased part of the intestine is removed, and the remaining part is sewn to an opening in the skin. Stool passes out of the body through the opening and collects in a disposable ostomy bag. In some cases, the colostomy or ileostomy is temporary until you have recovered. When you are better, the ends of the intestine are reattached and the ostomy is repaired.

If your blockage was caused by another health problem, such as diverticulitis, the blockage may come back if you don’t treat that health problem.

Page 30

Healthy Living

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Myths about diabetic diets

By Doyin Ojosipe

O F

ver the years, there’s been upcoming myth about the diabetic and what kind of food he

should eat. Those myths have made if difficult for healthy feeding which has equally affected well being.

Of such myths are: 1 the diabetic patients are not

expected to eat any starchy food because of the belief that it raises blood sugar level; so the fearful patient stay completely stay away from starchy foods, which is suppose to supply energy to the

body in order to prepare one for the day’s activities. Dieticians have however advised that everyone needs some carbohydrate giving foods every day to supply strength or energy to the body.

2 Another, is that they should cut down on their calories immediately; which the body system may find difficult to adjust to as it is done so abruptly, meanwhile experts have advised that one way to stop the body from responding negatively is to eat at the appropriate time, “the best way to deal with food cravings is to try to prevent them by following a healthy eating plan,” they said.

3 There is also the believe that the diabetic should eat differently from the rest of the family, which makes them feel alone. However, experts have said the diabetic patient could eat same meal with the family, they said the ideal thing is everyone is meant to eat healthy not forgetting to add more of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein foods.

4 Another common myth says the diabetic should not take sodium diets and salt; the dietician said diabetic patients could could consume sodium diet but in small quantity as much intake of it, including salt could lead to high blood pressure, which in turn leads to heart disease as diabetic patients are at high risk of such disease.

5 one other faulty belief is that people with diabetes could consumed as much fats as possible as it does not raise their blood glucose level; but again, nutritionists have warned that too much fats intake could slow down digestion and resist the effects of insulin, leading to high blood glucose level, while much fats in the body has been recorded to increase risk of heart attack or stroke.

What to do for a restless, sleepless baby

ew situations are as stressful for new parents as caring for a new baby who will not settle and fall asleep. Although most new parents expect to get less sleep than they did before their baby’s arrival, a baby who stays up all night long can try the patience of even the calmest and most

dedicated parents. Maintaining realistic expectations about infant sleep—and sharing night-time parenting with your partner—can help your household cope with a sleepless and restless baby.

Significance Sleeping too long or too deeply is not generally healthy or desirable for new babies,

who usually need to eat every few hours in order to grow and develop properly. As babies grow older, gain weight and eat more at each feeding, they will naturally begin to sleep better and go longer between feedings, suggests Kids Health. Although you might not be able to change newborn sleep patterns, establishing consistent

sleep routines can help your baby sleep better as he grows older.

Identification Watch your baby for signs of sleepiness, such as eye-rubbing, faint circles under his eyes or pulling on his ear, and put him to bed as soon as you notice that he is tired. Over-tired, exhausted babies often fight sleep and might be difficult to settle down. By watching your baby’s cues, you can create a sleep routine based upon his patterns. Try to put him down for naps and night-time sleep at the same time each day and start the proceedings with a consistent routine, perhaps including a bath and stories or songs before bedtime.

Considerations Some new babies might need help differentiating between night-time and day-time sleep.

Although babies usually adjust their sleep and wake patterns on their own within a few weeks of birth, Stanford pediatrician Alan Greene suggests that you can speed up the adjustment process by altering the environmental stimuli surrounding your baby.

Keep the house brightly lit during the day and play with her frequently. At night, talk in soft voices and keep your interactions with your baby low-key and

minimal. Change her diaper and feed her without making eye contact or turning on bright lights.

Misconceptions Many new parents expect their baby to sleep quietly and peacefully throughout the night, but in reality, most babies toss and turn, cry out from time to time and wriggle in their sleep. The University of Illinois Extension suggests waiting a few minutes to see if your baby will settle back down before responding to her at night. If she continues to cry after five minutes--or if the crying escalates or sounds urgent--you should check on her and help her re-settle.

Solution Creating the right sleep environment for your baby can help improve her sleep patterns.

Use a white noise machine or fan in her room to muffle household noises and voices. Install lightblocking shades on her windows so that she will not wake at the first hint of sunlight. For your baby’s safety, keep soft objects and loose items out of the crib, this includes blankets, pillows, bumper pads and toys.

HealthyChildren.org

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

An intern with Abuja Inquirers Newspapers, Ms Feyi Alufohai, presenting one of the items donated to IDPs in Gwoza/Bama camp in FCT to the chairman, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, while others watch with keen interest.

Intern donates relief materials to IDPs in Abuja

By Stanley Onyekwere

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n intern with The Abuja Inquirer newspapers, Ms. Fey iAlufohai has donated assorted food items, school materials and toiletries worth thousands of naira to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Gwoza/Bama camp in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as part of efforts to give back to the society.

Alufohai, a 3rd year junior student of Media and International study of Indiana University in the United States of America who served with The Abuja Inquirer made the donation last week to the displaced

persons before departing for US to complete her studies.

Alufohai explained that her official visit to the camp exposed her to the trauma and anguish most Nigerians undergo on account of insecurity, while calling on government to do more in alleviating the plight of the displaced persons in the country.

“I was sent here to do a metro news report on the internally displaced persons by The Abuja Inquirer last week; even though, I have read much of IDPs in Nigeria, but little did I know the trauma and anguish experienced by this disadvantaged group.

“My first contact with them really exposed me to the reality

that people are suffering in a country of abundance.

“When I got home, I told my mum that I will channel my allowances paid by The Abuja Inquirer and other pocket money to support these displaced persons especially those school children learning under unfavourable condition. And I am happy doing just that,” Alufohai stressed.

She commended other spirited Nigerians and nongovernmental organisations who have contributed immensely to the upkeep of the Internally Displaced Persons in Gwoza/ Bama camp, even as she tasked government to ensure that they put an end to the insurgency to

enable the displaced persons return to their native homes.

While receiving the items on behalf of the IDPs, the chairman of IDPs of Gwoza/Bama in the FCT, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim thanked Alufohai for the kind gesture, even as he prayed for God’s continued blessings during and after her studies. In a related development, the editorial staff of The Abuja Inquirer organised a valedictory session for Alufohai as a mark of her excellent performance during her internship.

The valedictory session which was presided over by the Editor of the paper, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche was the first to be organised for any intern students

since the inception of the paper 11 years ago. During the occasion, Ogbeche commended Alufohai for her outstanding contributions to the paper, noting that she carried out her functions with passion and less supervision.

He charged other correspondents to be focused, dedicated even in the daunting challenges facing the media industry in Nigeria.

It could be recalled that Ms. Feyi Alufohai, was a major contributor to the Metro desk, People Speaks and she was instrumental to the on-line version of The Abuja Inquirer during her internship.

Court remands butcher accused of stabbing man

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Chief Magistrate Court in Karu, Abuja, has ordered the remand of a butcher, Garba Mohammed, 25, for allegedly stabbing man with a knife.

Chief Magistrate Omolola Akindele gave this order after the accused pleaded not guilty

to the offence.

Akindele ordered the prosecution to ascertain the condition of the complainant and also to find out the degree of injuries done on him.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused was arraigned on a one-count

charge of causing grievous hurt.

Prosecutor Pascal Njoku informed the court that Nazifi Mohammed lodge the complaint against the accused at the Karu Police Station on July 24.

Njoku said that the

accused sometimes in March stabbed the complainant over disagreement on payment for N13, 000 worth of meat he sold in the market.

He said the complainant sustained serious injuries and was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.

The prosecutor said that the accused confessed to the crime during police investigation.

He said the offence contravened section 241 of the Penal code.

The case was adjourned till a later date, for further hearing.

(NAN)

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Photo Splash

An accident scene at Kagini Junction along Dei-Dei /Kubwa Expressway, recently in Abuja.

Man hitching a ride behind articulated vehicle, yesterday along Gwarimpa Road, in Abuja.

Two women coming from farm, recently at Jikwai, in Abuja.

Teenager girl hawking shoes, on Saturday at Karu, in Abuja.

Young man drinking sachet water, yesterday at Unity Fountain, in Abuja.

Photos: Mahmud Isa

PAGE 33

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Metro

Scene of an accident along Beger round about, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Computerized vehicle inspection: 11,000 vehicles tested in 10 months

By Stanley Onyekwere

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n order to ensure the safety of lives and property on Abuja highways, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has used its new computerized Vehicle Inspection Scheme to check the road worthiness of 11,000 vehicles from September 2014 to July 2015.

The Administration Secretary reiterated that this policy has become very necessary, considering the number of the unfortunate road crashes in and around the 250 square kilometers of the Federal Capital

City, Abuja.

It may be noted that the FCTA Computerized Vehicle Inspection Scheme is the first and the only one in Nigeria.

A statement signed by FCTA’s Deputy Director, Press, Muhammad Sule, said these were some the disclosures during a recent Special Media Parley organized by the FCT Permanent Secretary, John Obinna Chukwu, for some FCT Operational Departments at the FCT Archives and History Bureau, Abuja.

In his remarks, Chukwu disclosed that the inspection is ongoing and

urged the motoring public to take advantage of the scheme to know the status and be sure of their vehicles before using them on the highways.

He restated that the vehicles’ test would make the Directorate of Road Traffic Services certify such vehicles for use thereby minimizing avoidable road accidents.

The Permanent Secretary remarked that in order to improve service delivery, the FCT Administration has approved six additional Driving Training & Test (DTT) Centers for the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services

to run driving tests simultaneously as well as the issuance of drivers’ licenses.

Chukwu assured that the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services as at today, has the capacity to process new vehicle number plates / vehicle papers within 24 hours except for fancy or out of series numbers that may take longer time.

In a related development, the Permanent Secretary revealed that the FCT Administration has so far impounded 20,373 commercial motorcycles (Okada) since the ban on their use in the Federal Capital

City took effect on the October 1, 2006.

He said that the ban is still enforced and warned illegal riders to desist, as the Administration will always impound and confiscate such motorcycles when seen.

On her part, the Director of Information and Communication, Stella Ojeme, explained that the essence of the Parley is to bring the members of the fourth estate of the realm together with the officials of the FCT Administration to rub minds for the purpose of partnership.

mischief.

The prosecutor, Insp. Sani Yakubu, told the court that the matter was reported by one Ajibola Oriwala of Citic Villas, Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja, at Wuye Police Station, Abuja, on June 19.

He said that on that date, the accused forcefully opened Oriwala’s car and took her hand bag containing ATM card, drivers licence, a power bank, a text book valued at N50,000 and N2,050 cash.

Yakubu said the accused was

caught when he was trying to dispose the stolen bag the following day, noting that the offence contravened Section 327 of the Penal Code.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and the Judge, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq,

granted him bail in the sum of N10,000 and one surety in like sum.

Sadiq ordered that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case until August 24 for continuation of hearing. (NAN)

Man arraigned for alleged mischief in Kado

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he police have arraigned a 27-year-old man, Saidu Hassan, in a Kado Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, for alleged mischief.

Hassan, of no fixed address , is facing a one-count charge of

Trader docked over alleged cash theft

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he Police have arraigned a 27-year-old trader, Richard Bitrus, in a Karu Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing money and a cell-phone.

Bitrus, who resides at Federal Housing, Nyanya, FCT, was arraigned on charges of joint act and theft.

The Prosecutor, Mr Pascal Njoku, told the court that the matter was reported at the Karu Police Station by one Marius Adamu on July 9.

Njoku said that the accused and one Sunday (surname unknown), who is now at large, conspired and entered into the

complainant’s room.

“They stole his office key which they used to gain access to his office and made away with one Nokia handset valued at N25,000 and a cash sum of N30,000 ,’’ he said.

Njoku told the court that during police investigation, the

said phone was recovered from the accused person.

He said the offences were punishable under Sections 79 and 287 of the Penal Code.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.

The Chief Magistrate, Sharon

Ishaya, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She ordered that the two sureties, who must be “reasonable and responsible citizens,’’ should sign an undertaking.

The case was adjourned till August 12 for hearing. (NAN)

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Money Sense

How to buy a new phone: The CNET Smartphone buying guide

By Jessica Dolcourt & Brian Bennett

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efore buying that new cell phone or Smartphone, make sure you’re aware of these shopping essentials and more.

“Which phone should I buy?”

This is the single most common question readers like you ask phone reviewers like us every day. We get it, it can be a challenge, especially with superb choices such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and iPhone 6 Plus battling it out against the Sony Xperia Z3 and second-edition Motorola Moto X. But depending on your price range and what’s available where you live, the new phone you should be getting may not be a flagship -- it could turn out to be the Nokia Lumia 635 or one of the Motorola Moto Gs. On the bright side, options are a good thing, so long as you’re armed with the knowledge necessary to make smart shopping decisions. Sit tight as we lay out what you need to know to find the best new device for you.

Three key phone-shopping essentials 1. Don’t be a cell phone cheapskate Contract or no contract, chances are high that once you commit to a new phone, you’ll hang onto it for a while.

Therefore, buy the best device you can afford. You’ll need the camera quality and processor to last you as long as possible until your next upgrade. The battery, too, becomes less efficient at holding a charge as your phone ages, so you’ll want to choose one with a high capacity.

An added benefit of going for a high-end handset, say like an iPhone 6 or Samsung Galaxy

Premium handsets cost a bundle, but will age with grace. James Martin/CNET S5, is that the resale value tends to hold over time, so make your device an investment that pays off.

2. Know which phone features you want If you understand exactly which features and capabilities you’d like to see in your new phone, it’ll help you avoid paying too much for those you don’t want or need. Some, like the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, have it all; including a curved screen with its own interface and navigation controls. Yet if you’ll never use the stylus or the new UI, you’ll be overspending for a pricey novelty device.

3. Find the right design Buying a cell phone means entering into a deeply personal

The BlackBerry Passport is a rare modern device to have both a classic QWERTY keyboard and a Smartphone OS. Josh Miller/ CNET

relationship with a highly portable physical object. That’s why you should think hard about how it’s designed, since you and it will be spending plenty of quality time together. Make sure you’re comfortable with the way it looks and this is important; feels in your hand, and make sure that your phone-to-be reflects your personal sense of style. This is as true for sleek metal handsets and simple flip phones as it is for rubber-plated rugged handsets.

Cell phone types Smartphone

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t the top of today’s handset pecking order is the Smartphone. These devices typically have the most power, and top-notch components: the fastest processors and Wi-Fi; the highest image resolution and memory capacity and the most pixel-rich screens. By definition, they run true mobile operating systems; think iOS and Android, but also Windows Phone and BlackBerry OS. They also support downloadable applications through virtual storefronts that are tied to their associated software platforms, like the Google Play store. Because of all their capabilities, Smartphone are usually the most expensive phones on the market.

Messaging or feature phones One step below Smartphone, feature phones strive to offer many of the same capabilities as Smartphone. Instead of popular mobile operating systems, these gadgets run proprietary software crafted by their manufacturers, such as Samsung or LG. Many feature phones are made primarily for text messaging and e-mail, though you won’t be required to buy a data plan.

A thick, rugged handset like the Kyocera DuraForce won’t do you any good if you don’t enjoy toting it around. Josh Miller/ CNET Several of these designs sport full running apps on a mobile device.

QWERTY physical keyboards. Simply put, they just want a With a raft of cheap, available new phone for making calls, and Android and Windows Phone that’s it. No funny stuff. Basic devices, feature phones are fewer handsets are uncomplicated use traditional simple keypads. and farther between.

They typically come in clamshell designs that flip open, or in tall, Basic phones There are plenty of people narrow candy bar form. They’re who have no interest in viewing typically lighter and smaller than full desktop-quality Web pages or feature phones and Smartphone.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Page 35

International international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

How many people have gone to Syria to fight?

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ANALYSIS

he decision to go to war in a country far from home is not a new phenomenon - in the 1930s about 30,000 foreigners fought in the Spanish Civil War, and the early 19th Century the British poet, Lord Byron, fought for Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire.

In recent times many went to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen or Somalia. But the numbers travelling to Syria now represent “the largest foreign fighter mobilisation of Islamist foreign fighters in history” says Thomas Hegghammer, a director of terrorism research at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment.

There are several reasons for this, he suggests.

Syria is easier to get to than previous conflicts - people have been able to travel to Turkey and cross the border without any difficulty. And once inside Syria, there are areas where the risks are limited. Because IS controls a large territory, foreigners can avoid front-line combat if they want to.

A Turkish soldier with an armoured personnel carrier securing a road near the border with Syria “In the early days of the war, the main declared motivation was, ‘I want to go and fight Assad to defend the Sunnis in Syria,’” says Hegghammer.

“Now the most common declared motivation is, ‘I want to go and live in Islamic State, I want to live in the Caliphate.’

“You have people in Europe who sell all their belongings, they take their children out of school and move to Raqqa with the full intention of living there for the rest of their life.”

More or Less: Behind the stats Interpol has identified 4,000 individuals who have travelled to join the militants. But many put the overall figure of identified and unidentified people, far higher.

“The fact that in December 2013 I was able to identify around 3,800 individuals, suggests that they [Interpol] don’t have the full picture.” says Aaron Zelin, a fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR) at Kings College, London, who studied the subject between 2011 and 2013.

“It’s been a year and a half since then, and I would argue that the number of foreign fighters has gone up exponentially.”

The ICSR now estimates that 20,000 is closer to the truth, a figure it arrives at by monitoring media reports and other publicly available information.

“It can be anything from let’s say the UN saying the total

It’s been reported that thousands of foreign fighters have made their way to the Middle East to join Islamist militant groups - so-called Islamic State, and others. But how reliable are the figures and how many of the people who went are still there now?

A Turkish soldier with an armoured personnel carrier securing a road near the border with Syria

number is 15,000 or 20,000 down to the mayor of a town in southern France saying, ‘We’ve had 22 people leave in the past three months,’ and everything in-between,” says Hegghammer who uses similar techniques.

“The reports are of different types and of different reliability so you need some kind of human subjective assessment in there but I think you can get a reasonably good sense of the scale.”

Even so, Hegghammer says the estimate of 20,000 should be taken with a pinch of salt.

“If an analyst or an organisation says, ‘We think somewhere between 500 and 900 people have gone from France,’ the headline will be almost always be, ‘Up to 900 people have left from France,’ and then

that 900 number kind of sticks and feeds into the aggregation exercise. I think that tends to lead to inflation,” he says.

European militants who have gone to Syria/Iraq (estimates)

Country Per 1m inhabitants Total Belgium 40 440 Denmark 27 1 0 0 150 Sweden 19 150-180 France 18 1200 Austria 17 100-150 Netherlands 14.5 2 0 0 250 Finland 13 50-70 Norway 12 60 UK 9.5 500-600 Germany 7.5 5 0 0 600 Source:ICSR (Jan 2015) Also, this is not the number of foreign fighters thought to be waging jihad with IS right now. It represents people who have joined Sunni militant organisations in Syria over the course of the entire conflict. The ICSR estimates that between 10% and 30% - up to 7,000 people have already returned home and a further 5% to 10% have been killed.

But where do these people come from? According to the UN, more than half of the world’s

“

I often compare this to sausage making,” says Hegghammer. “People say that butchers don’t eat sausages because they know what goes into them

countries are producing jihadist.

The majority are from the Middle East and many come from North Africa. The five countries with the most fighters in Syria are Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Libya.

Russia has also contributed a substantial number of fighters with most believed to have come from Chechnya. Another 3,000 come from former Soviet states.

It’s estimated that 4,000 are from Western Europe with France, Germany and the UK the biggest contributors. Belgium has contributed more per capita than any other EU country.

But Zelin also agrees with Hegghammer that the figures should be treated with caution.

“I often compare this to sausage making,” says Hegghammer. “People say that butchers don’t eat sausages because they know what goes into them. And it’s the same thing with people like me who work trying to estimate numbers, I rarely trust the estimates that I see thrown around because I know what goes into them.”

In Kosovo it used to be the case that families were culturally Muslim, but rarely devout believers. Recently though some young people have become radicalised. The BBC World Service’s Linda Pressly looked at the stories of two families whose lives were changed when relatives left for Syria.

The boy who grew up to be a suicide bomber Soon after the piece was published, the child featured in the piece - Erion Abazi - was reunited with his mother in Kosovo after a secret operation.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Page 36

International Zimbabwe seeks second American ‘lion killer’ AlJazeera trial: Verdict delayed until 29 August

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aher Mohamed (L) and Mohamed Fahmy denied collaborating with the Muslim Brotherhood An Egyptian court has again delayed a verdict in the retrial of three al-Jazeera journalists convicted of aiding the banned Muslim Brotherhood.

Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy, Egyptian Baher Mohamed and Australian Peter Greste were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison in July 2014.

Their convictions for spreading false news were overturned and they were freed in February to await retrial.

Mr Greste was deported to Australia and is on trial again in absentia.

The journalists strenuously deny collaborating with the Muslim Brotherhood, which the Egyptian government considers a terrorist group, after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in 2013.

At a hearing on Sunday, the journalists were told the verdict would be delayed until 29 August.

Baher Mohamed (L) and Mohamed Fahmy denied collaborating with the Muslim Brotherhood

Cecil was a major tourist attraction in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park

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imbabwe says it is seeking a second American over the illegal killing of a lion, as the outcry over the death of famed animal Cecil continues.

The National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said the man from Pennsylvania killed a lion in April.

A Zimbabwean land owner has since been arrested, the agency said.

Cecil was shot illegally in July. Zimbabwe is seeking the

extradition of the man who killed him, Walter Palmer of Minnesota.

The National Parks authority gave little information on the new case, but said on Sunday that the killing of the lion had taken place without a permit.

It said the hunt had been arranged by a Zimbabwean man who owned a safari company.

The man they are seeking is from Pennsylvania.

The authority said in a statement that it had agreed to “undertake

an industry-wide investigation to crack down and weed out any illegal hunting activities”, but it was not clear if the latest case had emerged from that investigation.

Mr Palmer, a dentist, is believed to have paid about $50,000 (£32,000) to hunt Cecil, a major tourist attraction in the Hwange National Park.

He says he thought the hunt was legal and was unaware Cecil was protected.

There has been a huge online

backlash against Mr Palmer.

The dental practice he runs in Minneapolis has been closed since he was named as the hunter who shot Cecil.

On Thursday, the White House said it would review a public petition to extradite the American dentist after more than 100,000 signed it.

But spokesman Josh Earnest said it was up to the US justice department to respond to any extradition order.

Burundi presidential aide Nshimirimana killed in attack

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resident Pierre Nkurunziza after voting in parliamentary elections in June A close aide of Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza has been killed in an attack on his car in the capital, Bujumbura.

Gen Adolphe Nshimirimana was a former army chief of staff and intelligence chief.

The attackers targeted his car in the Kamenge district reportedly with machine guns and rocket launchers.

Burundi has been racked by unrest since April, when Mr Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term in office.

Opponents argued this contravened the constitution and there was a failed coup attempt in May. A presidential election was then held last month which Mr Nkurunziza won, but which was boycotted by the opposition.

Gen Nshimirimana was reportedly in charge of the

president’s personal security and had been central in cracking down on protests.

Witnesses to the attack said four men in military fatigues had sprayed the car with bullets.

Other witnesses said rockets were also fired.

Presidential adviser Willy Nyamitwe told Reuters: “He has been killed by a bullet... He was in the car with some bodyguards

but I don’t know exactly what happened.”

In a Twitter message Mr Nyamitwe said (in French): “I have lost a brother, a companion in the struggle.”

President Pierre Nkurunziza after voting in parliamentary elections in June

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

International

Myanmar floods: UN says death toll ‘to rise’

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he death toll from floods in Myanmar is expected to rise over the coming days, the United Nations has warned.

Four western regions have been declared disaster zones after heavy floods, caused by monsoon rains, left at least 27 people dead.

But rescue teams have not yet reached many areas and are still awaiting reports on the worst-hit regions.

In the neighbouring eastern Indian state of Manipur, a landslide buried a village, killing at least 21 people.

Heavy rains are normal in monsoon season, but many people in Myanmar - also known as Burma - told the BBC that the rains were particularly strong in recent weeks.

Wind and rain from Cyclone Komen added to damage.

On Sunday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said some 156,000 people were affected by the floods in 12 districts but the total could be “significantly higher”.

On Saturday, Mg Mg Khin from Myanmar’s Red Cross told the BBC the country was facing “a big disaster”.

Heavy rains are expected in many states, including Chin, Rakhine and Magwe, over the next two days, forecasters say.

Thousands of people are sheltering in Buddhist

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MH370 search: New debris on Reunion investigated

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Sagaing is one of four districts in Myanmar to be declared a disaster zone by the government monasteries, but one report said people from the Rohingya Muslim minority were turned away from some shelters.

The Burma Times said security forces turned away Rohingya Muslims from abandoned schools and community centres in Rakhine.

More than half a million

acres of rice paddy fields have been flooded, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation said.

The landslide in Manipur state hit a remote village in Chandel district, bordering Myanmar, early on Saturday.

Rescue teams are expected to reach the area only on Sunday be c au s e o f he avy rains and

landslides, a local MP said.

Continuous rain in recent days has washed away bridges and roads and left thousands homeless, India’s NDTV reported.

Elsewhere, floods in Vietnam left at least 17 people dead and in western Nepal, some 36 people were killed after torrential rain triggered landslides.

Jerusalem Gay Pride: Israel UAE arrests: 41 accused of teenage stabbing victim dies plotting ‘caliphate’ teenage girl who was stabbed at a Gay Pride march in Jerusalem has died from her wounds, doctors say.

Shira Banki, 16, was one of six people attacked at the event on Thursday.

She was rushed to the Hadassah Medical Centre with serious wounds, but doctors were unable to save her. The other victims suffered various degrees of injuries.

Yishai Schlissel, an ultraOrthodox Jew, who carried out a similar attack in 2005, was arrested at the scene.

Asia & Middle East

Dramatic images showed the suspect reaching inside his coat and raising a knife above his head.

He then began stabbing marchers while screaming, before being tackled by a police officer.

The parade continued after the wounded were taken to hospital, with protesters chanting “end the violence”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack as “a most serious incident”.

The Gay Pride event has long been a source of tension between Jerusalem’s secular majority and its Jewish Orthodox communities.

Ultra-Orthodox Jew Yishai Schlissel was arrested

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he state news agency said the group comprised foreigners and UAE nationals.

Attorney General Salem Saeed Kubaish said the suspects planned to “carry out terrorist acts on UAE territories”.

It is the latest in a series of trials against Islamists in the UAE. Rights groups have attacked the fairness of the hearings.

The group had a “takfiri” ideology, Mr Kubaish said referring to an extremist Sunni Muslim belief pursued by the so-called Islamic State.

“Takfir” is the practice of one Muslim declaring another an

apostate - and one which IS has used to carry out punishments.

Mr Kubaish said they also had guns and explosives and had been in touch with militant groups abroad.

In July 2013, 68 Islamists were jailed without right of appeal after being accused of a plot to overthrow the UAE’s government.

One human rights observer said the verdict “cemented the UAE’s reputation as a serious abuser of basic human rights”.

And in January last year, a court in the capital Abu Dhabi convicted 30 people over links to the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates say 41 people will go on trial for trying to “seize power and establish a caliphate” in the Gulf nation.

ore debris washed ashore on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion is being investigated after a wing part suspected to come from missing flight MH370 was found on Wednesday.

It was thought one object discovered south of the city of St Denis may have been part of a door.

But police say it is not yet being treated as evidence and Malaysian officials cast doubt on it.

MH370 disappeared in March last year with 239 people on board.

The Malaysia Airlines flight was travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

An Australian-led search effort for the plane has so far focused on a vast area of the southern Indian Ocean about 4,000km (2,500 miles) to the east of Reunion.

No physical trace of the aircraft has been found.

The BBC’s Karen Allen, on Reunion, says one of the pieces was found on a rocky beach just north of where the plane wing part was spotted.

A team of police and police photographers was called and the object was taken away.

However, Malaysia’s Director General of Civil Aviation Azharuddin Abdul Rahman told Associated Press: “I read all over media [the new debris] was part of a door. But I checked with the Civil Aviation Authority, and people on the ground in Reunion, and it was just a domestic ladder.”

Malaysia’s transport ministry says it now wants to expand the search for more debris around Reunion.

Malaysia will ask regions nearby to alert it if they find any debris that could be from MH370.

The Agence France-Presse news agency said on Sunday that one of its photographers had also seen a mangled piece of metal inscribed with two Chinese characters, attached to a leathercovered handle and measuring 100 sq cm being placed into an iron case and carried away.

Some social media commentators suggested it might be a kettle.

Malaysia’s transport minister earlier confirmed that the object found on a beach at St Andre on Wednesday was a wing flap from a Boeing 777 - the same type of aircraft as the one that vanished.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Page 38

International

Turkish troops killed in ‘Kurdish PKK suicide blast’

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wo Turkish soldiers have been killed and 31 wounded in a suicide attack by Kurdish PKK militants, the Turkish military says.

A tractor laden with explosives was driven at a military police station, a statement said.

The attack happened early on Sunday near the town of Dogubayezit in Agri province, near the border with Iran.

Since 24 July, Turkey has carried out hundreds of air raids on PKK bases on both sides of the Iraq-Turkey border.

A Turkish state news agency, Anadolu, said the tractor was carrying two tons of explosives that were detonated by a suicide bomber.

Turkey’s army said in a statement that “long-range guns” were also found. Four of the injured were in a serious condition.

The statement said the Karabulak Gendarmerie Station was hit at around 03:00 local time on Sunday (midnight GMT).

Images in the Turkish press showed a badly-damaged building with the roof destroyed.

One report said the blast was so strong that houses in a village several hundred metres away were hit by debris and some residents were slightly injured.

The Dogan news agency added that militants also set up ambushes on roads to prevent medical teams getting to the scene.

There has been no comment from the PKK so far.

AFP news agency said it would be the first time the group was

O

Canada PM Harper calls general election for 19 October

C

A military police station on a road near the town of Dogubayazit was targeted accused of deploying a suicide bomber during recent clashes.

Turkey’s official news agency says about 260 Kurdish fighters have been killed in strikes in northern Iraq and Turkey since 24 July. It has also targeted positions held by the Islamic State group.

At least six people were killed and several wounded in further Turkish air strikes on Saturday east of Erbil, said local officials.

The pro-PKK Firat news agency described an attack on the village of Zerkel as a “massacre”.

Iraqi Kurdish President Massoud Barzani said: “We

condemn the bombing, which led to the martyrdom of the citizens of the Kurdish region, and we call on Turkey to not repeat the bombing of civilians.”

The Turkish military on Sunday said it had investigated the incident and dismissed claims that there could have been civilian casualties in Zerkel, Reuters reported.

Turkey considers both the PKK and IS terrorist organisations.

The PKK has been fighting Turkey for an autonomous homeland for the Kurds.

More than 40,000 people have been killed and hundreds of

thousands displaced since the PKK began an armed uprising in 1984.

In 2012, the government and PKK began peace talks and the following year a ceasefire was agreed.

However, the ceasefire ended in effect when Turkey launched raids against Kurdish separatist camps in northern Iraq last month.

The raids came after the PKK reportedly killed two Turkish police officers in retaliation for an attack claimed by Islamic State and what the PKK sees as Turkey’s collaboration with IS.

Calais migrant crisis: David Cameron accused of ‘playing politics’ ut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.Media caption French police used pepper spray to force back a group of migrants who had cut through fencing ‘Divide people’ Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s The World This Weekend programme, Mr Johansson criticised Mr Cameron for using the word “illegal” about asylum seekers before they have been through asylum the process, and said they were seeking a basic human right.

Sweden allows anyone from Syria into the country, and last year Sweden accepted 30,000 asylum seekers compared to the UK’s 10,000.

Mr Johansson called on the rest of the European Union, including the UK, to take more people in.

“I hear what he [Mr Cameron] is saying about illegal immigrants and about swarms and everything like that,” he said.

“I think he’s playing on

Europe and Americas

strings - that he wants to actually divide people - and that’s not a constructive way.”

“It’s gone midnight, we need more people, you need to come,” says Mohammed, a Sudanese migrant standing by a metal fence that separates him from the railway line at the Channel tunnel freight terminal.

Preparing for the next “tunnel run”, he is on his mobile, urging his cousin Tayeb to join him and the 200 other migrants who have broken through two layers of fencing already.

On the other side stand 20 riot police, waiting with tear gas.

Mohammed’s plea is a telling indication of the wider split in the camp, between those who continue to risk their lives on the relentless quest to illegally stow away to the UK, and those who are exhausted, injured, or deterred by the increased security.

This weekend has been

relatively calm, although French police have decided to stop releasing daily estimates of how many migrants are managing to break into the train terminal.

The fear is the continuous daily updates on security lapses only serve to fuel media reports and intensify the situation.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Home Secretary Theresa May and her French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve urged other EU nations to help

address the root causes of the “global migration crisis”.

A raft of additional security measures planned for the French end of the Channel Tunnel, such as more CCTV surveillance, French police reinforcements and extra fencing, were agreed between Mr Cameron and French President Francois Hollande on Friday.

There have been significant delays in and around Kent and to cross-Channel services as a result of the situation in Calais.

anadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called a parliamentary election for 19 October.

In an announcement he said he had asked Governor General David Johnston to dissolve parliament.

Correspondents say the campaign is likely to focus on Canada’s sluggish economy and security issues.

Mr Harper’s centre-right Conservative Party has been in office since 2006 but analysts say he could struggle to form another majority government.

If he is successful, Mr Harper would be the first prime minister since Sir Wilfrid Laurier in 1908 to win four consecutive elections.

He made his announcement after meeting Mr Johnston, who represents Queen Elizabeth II, Canada’s head of state.

Mr Harper said the election would be about “leadership on the big issues that affect us all, our economy and our nation’s security”.

The 11-week election campaign will be one of the longest in Canadian history.

The main parties opposing Mr Harper’s Conservatives are the Liberals, led by Justin Trudeau, and the left-wing New Democratic Party (NDP) under Tom Mulcair.

Australia Speaker Bronwyn Bishop quits over expenses

T

he speaker of the lower house of the Australian parliament, Bronwyn Bishop, has resigned over an expenses scandal.

Ms Bishop, an ally of Prime Minister Tony Abbott, had used AU$5,000 (£2,300) in public funds to charter a helicopter to attend a political fundraiser.

She also claimed expenses for attending colleagues’ weddings. Mr Abbott said Ms Bishop’s resignation was the right decision to take.

He announced that the parliamentary expenses system would now be reviewed.

Mr Abbott has himself had to pay back money spent on travel in the past.

Ms Bishop has apologised and is paying back the helicopter costs but had, until Sunday, resisted calls to resign.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Page 39

Strange World

Doctor becomes second American named in African lion-killing investigation

P

ennsylvania Dr. Jan Seski is accused of killing a lion in April and his guides have been arrested in the African Country It comes a week after Africa’s most famous lion Cecil was killed by Minnesota Dentist Dr. Walter Palmer in early July Dr. Seski has been pictured online with a series of dead animals including elephants, hippos, zebras, ostriches, and water buffalo Seski is a bow hunter which means he kills animals with a bow and arrow instead of a rifle A second American has been named in a growing big game poaching investigation in Zimbabwe.

Pennsylvania Dr. Jan Seski is accused of killing a lion in April and his guides have been arrested in the African Country.

Dr. Seski has been pictured online with a series of dead animals including elephants, hippos, zebras, ostriches, and water buffalo. An online hunting club claims he has killed six elephants.

It comes a week after Africa’s most famous lion Cecil was killed by Minnesota Dentist Dr. Walter Palmer in early July, sparking international outrage.

Hunter and prey: Dr. Seski poses here with a hippo he killed ‘with one shot.’ Hippos are quickly dwindling because of hunters who kill them for sport 13 Hunter and prey: Dr. Seski poses here with a hippo he killed ‘with one shot.’ Hippos are quickly dwindling because of hunters who kill them for sport Killed at least six: Dr. Jan Seski poses with an elephant he’s killed.

According to the description on the Alaska Bow Hunting Website that posted the images, this is the sixth African elephant shot by Dr. Seski Killed at least six: Dr. Jan Seski poses with an elephant he’s killed.

According to the description on the Alaska Bow Hunting Website that posted the images, this is the sixth African elephant shot by Dr. Seski Another kill: Seski’s arrow struck high in the crease, traveled between ribs on the near side, cut completely through the top of the heart, then kept going out the other side, once again, between ribs, says the hunting website that also makes mention of the endangered animal’s valuable tusk Another kill: Seski’s arrow struck high in the crease, traveled between ribs on the near side, cut completely through the top of the heart, then kept going out the other side, once again, between ribs, says the hunting website that also makes mention of the endangered animal’s valuable tusk Dr. Jan Seski is listed as being Director of Gynecologic Oncology at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Dailymail.com called Dr. Seski who answered the phone and said ‘just a minute,’ before putting the reporter on hold and later hanging up the call. Future calls to his number went directly to voicemail.

Seski was involved in an illegal

hunt of a lion in April around Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, said the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority in a statement released to CBS. A Zimbabwean landowner named Headman Sibanda was arrested in the case and is assisting police with their investigation, the authority said.

He named Seski as being involved in the hunt.

Dr. Seski is listed as being Director of Gynecologic Oncology at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

Not only is Dr. Seski an alleged lion killer, he is a member of the Alaska Bow Hunting Society that shows members posing with elephants, hippos, and other animals they’ve killed. Seski is a bow hunter which means he hunts animals with a bow and arrow instead of a rifle.

Dr. Jan Seski poses here with what appears to be a tiny deer he killed on a hunt in Africa where he is accused of illegally poaching a lion Dr. Jan Seski poses here with what appears to be a tiny deer he killed on a hunt in Africa where he is accused of illegally poaching a lion Here Dr. Seski poses with another elephant he’s killed. According to the website this animal had a 45 pound ivory tusk. Elephants are quickly vanishing due to the over hunting of them Here Dr. Seski poses with another elephant he’s killed. According to the website this animal had a 45 pound ivory tusk. Elephants are quickly vanishing due to the over hunting of them The website shows an arrow piercing the skin of the African bull elephant Seski claims to have killed.

His hunting club’s website posts image after image of the animals he and other hunters have killed The website shows an arrow piercing the skin of the African bull elephant Seski claims to have killed.

His hunting club’s website posts image after image of the animals he and other hunters have killed Racing chicken: ‘First trophy of the hunt, a “racing chicken,”’ says the caption along with this photo of Seski and a dead Ostrich Racing chicken: ‘First trophy of the hunt, a “racing chicken,”’ says the caption along with this photo of Seski and a dead Ostrich ‘This Zimbabwe elephant is the sixth African elephant shot by Dr. Jan Seski. For this hunt Jan used our custom-built GrizzlyStick Momentum UFOC 175 arrows cut to 29 inches and fletched with 4-inch DuraVanes to accommodate his finger-shooting style,’ says the website description under a photo of one of the elephants.

‘The arrow was shot quartering into the elephant, penetrated a rib and one lung, lacerated the heart and liver, and was recovered in the gut.

The elephant went a short distance and died. With results like this, no wonder Jan is a firm supporter of our Ultra-Magnum Arrow System,’ said the site of the way the elephant was killed.

Poachers are the single biggest threat to elephants’ survival. After decades of decimation of elephant populations for their ivory tusks, the international trade in ‘white gold’ was banned in 1989.

According to the International

Union for Conservation of Nature elephants are listed as ‘vulnerable’ which is the category immediately below endangered.

In 1930, there were between 5 and 10 million African elephants. By 1979, there were 1.3 million.

Showing his true stripes: Dr. Seski poses with a Zebra he killed on a website for a company called Horn’s African Safari’s. Seski is accused of illegally killing a lion back in April Showing his true stripes: Dr. Seski poses with a Zebra he killed on a website for a company called Horn’s African Safari’s. Seski is accused of illegally killing a lion back in April Dr. Seski holds a bundle of arrows, his weapon of choice in killing this African water buffalo Dr. Seski holds a bundle of arrows, his weapon of choice in killing this African water buffalo In one photo of Seski with another dead elephant on the Alaska Bow Hunting website, the description beneath the photo makes mention of the extremely valuable tusk.

‘Really nice bull elephant taken by Dr. Jan Seski with one Ashby tipped arrow. The bull was quarteing away at 20-yards. The arrow struck high in the crease, traveled between ribs on the near side, cut completely through the top of the heart, then kept going out the other side, once again, between

ribs. The ivroy was 50+# per tusk.

Congratulations to Dr. Jan Seski on another fine elephant with the bow and arrow,’ says the website.

Seski is pictured with a third dead elephant on the website who is described as having 45-pound ivory.

Elephant hunting is legal in Africa though lion killing is not.

Dr. Seski grabs a small animal from underneath a vehicle. ‘A very rare sight indeed......luckily we got it pretty quick!!’ says the caption along with the image posted to the Facebook page of Melorani Safaris Dr. Seski grabs a small animal from underneath a vehicle. ‘A very rare sight indeed......luckily we got it pretty quick!!’ says the caption along with the image posted to the Facebook page of Melorani Safaris Dr. Seski crouches behind this Gemsbok he killed as part of his controversial hobby Dr. Seski crouches behind this Gemsbok he killed as part of his controversial hobby ‘Dr. Jan Seski took this elephant bull with 45 pound ivory with one Ashby tipped arrow. He booked his hunt through Neil Summers of Bowhunting Safari Consultants.

Look at the penetration Dr. Seski got with the Ashby broadhead even after going through the elephant’s rib! Congratulations Dr. Seski!!,’ says the description below the series of gruesome images.

Seski is photographed with a hippo he’s killed, another animal that’s disappearing due to hunting.

‘Take a look at the penetration Jan Seski got on this hippo with a GrizzlyStik Ashby broadhead. Jan used an 85# Mathews Monster with a heavy arrow that drove the Ashby broadhead into the far rib. Congratulations to Jan on a fine hippo taken with one shot,’ says the description beneath the photograph.

Dr. Seski poses with one of the scores of animals he appears to have killed with his bow and arrow Dr. Seski poses with one of the scores of animals he appears to have killed with his bow and arrow Trophy hunter: Dr. Seski is seen with a Kudu bull he also killed in the African region in recent years Trophy hunter: Dr. Seski is seen with a Kudu bull he also killed in the African region in recent years In addition to hippos he can be seen posing with dead water buffalo which have been on the endangered species list since 1986.

On another website called Horn’s African Safari’s, Seski can be seen posing with a zebra he killed along with a series of other animals.

A Facebook page for a company called Melorani Safaris shows Dr. Seski with a variety of different antelope he struck along with an ostrich he pierced.

On Saturday, Zimbabwe’s wildlife authority said it had suspended the hunting of lions, leopards and elephants in the Hwange area. Bow and arrow hunts were also suspended and can only be approved by the head of the wildlife authority.

Read more: http://www. dailymail.co.uk

Page 40

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Digest

The 10 embarrassing health symptoms no woman should ever ignore...

By Dr Deyo Famuboni

F

rom pain during sex to abnormal bleeding, there are a host of signs that things aren’t quite right ‘down there’.

At the same time, many of us worry about whether we’re ‘normal’ in terms of appearance and how our vagina behaves.

Here, writing for Healthista, one doctor reveals her ultimate guide to what’s normal, what can go wrong and what can be done about it...

PAINFUL SEX The vagina can become painful during sex - a condition known as superficial dyspareunia, which usually occurs when the vagina is too dry or inflamed because of an infection. Foreplay and lubrication helps.

As opposed to superficial dyspareunia - which is felt in the entrance or wall of the vagina - deep dyspareunia is pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis during sex.

This can happen due to several conditions including endometriosis (a common condition in which small pieces of the womb lining are found outside the womb) and fibroids (noncancerous tumours that grow in or around the womb).

Pain during sex can be caused by inflammation, infection or because of a condition that causes muscles around the vagina to spasm If you are concerned you have an infection or suffer from deep dyspareunia, see your healthcare professional.

Swabs and possibly a pelvic ultrasound can then be organised.

Sex can also be painful because of a condition called vaginismus.

This is due to the muscles around the vagina going into spasm on attempted penetration.

If severe, it can even happen on inserting a tampon. It is good to discuss it with your doctor so that causes of this can be explored.

Treatment to gradually desensitise the vagina, such as dilators, is readily available.

Also known as vaginal trainers, dilators are rod shaped instruments which come in graduated sizes.

Used as part of a holistic treatment for vaginismus, they can help improve control of the pelvic floor reflexes and muscle tightening that contributes to vaginismus.

BLEEDING Taking the combined contraceptive pill irregularly can cause bleeding or spotting in between your periods.

If this bleeding persists after taking the Pill regularly then a visit to your doctor is warranted.

Other forms of contraception such as the mini-pill (the one with one hormone), the injection, the implant (the one in the arm) and the intra-uterine system (known as Mirena, or the coil) can cause your periods to be irregular.

As long as there no concerns regarding infections and scans, if indicated are normal, this tends to settle over time.

Bleeding after intercourse also needs a review as it could be due to a polyp – this is a benign growth and easily removed.

Other causes include changes on the cervix and cervical or rarely, vaginal cancer.

Indeed, a common symptom of

cervical cancer is bleeding after sex.

With these, in addition to bleeding after intercourse, you may get copious amounts of discharge.

However a one off mild bleed after a particularly vigorous episode of intercourse is probably no cause for concern.

DISCHARGE From puberty to menopause, having some vaginal discharge is normal.

The quantity can vary from woman to woman and throughout the monthly cycle.

The first few days of the cycle is your period, following this, the discharge can be white, creamy or yellow, thick and sticky.

Ovulation then occurs and the discharge changes to slippery, clearer, stretchy and wet.

Following this, if you don’t become pregnant, it then changes to thick and sticky, becoming hostile to sperm.

Discharge becomes abnormal if there are other symptoms with it or the colour and amount changes, for example, becoming chalky white with candida (thrush) or frothy yellow or green with trichomonaisis, a sexually transmitted infection.

It is therefore important to be sexually responsible.

Hormonal contraceptions and having a condition where the inner lining of the cervix protrudes outward (called, ectropion) can also change the discharge so it becomes copious.

Other causes of an increase in the amount of discharge include cervical polyps (a non serious growth on the cervix which can easily be removed), forgotten tampon, douching, allergic reaction for example to a spermicide, and rarely, a connection between the bladder or bowel and the vagina (a fistula).

A condition we worry about is cancer and if affecting the vagina, cervix or lining of the womb, can also cause an increase and change in the type of discharge such that it becomes thinner and blood stained.

Should this happen, see your health care professional, who would offer a vaginal examination to ensure it looks healthy and onward referral if required.

Just like the armpits, the skin around the labia has a lot of sweat glands.

The vagina also produces fluid to keep it healthy and maintain balance at an acidic level.

With exercise, it is normal to sweat more in these areas, so dont be alarmed if the crotch of your gym wear is damp after exercise. It is a good thing as it prevents friction, chaffing and overheating.

LUMPS AND BUMPS Most commonly due to an ingrowing hair, this is more common in those with elliptical shaped hair shafts.

Shaving or waxing contributes to this and can be best prevented by shaving or waxing in the direction the hair grows.

Hair removal using a depilitator or laser by a trained professional also helps. Depilitators, however, can make the vulva skin dry and irritable.

Lumps and bumps are often caused by shaving pubic hair - and can be prevented by shaving or

waxing in the direction the hair grows Other non-worrying lumps are remnant of the hymen (redundant, irregular bits of skin), which may become more obvious with weak pelvic floor muscles (causing a prolapse), or glands on either side of the vagina called bartholins which produce bits of mucous.

These can become infected so if painful and swollen, require medical attention and drainage. Keep up with the pelvic floor exercises (kegels).

Just like with any part of the body, sebaceous cysts (fluid filled sac that is not infected or painful), warts, boils or abscesses can also occur around the vulva.

A review by your doctor is warranted should these occur as if infected, would need treatment.

The surface of the vaginal wall can also feel bumpy as it is made of tissue which can retract and expand when needed.

As well as thrush, there are many skin conditions that can cause the area around the vagina to itch ITCH The most common, familiar reason for this is thrush, which is often accompanied with a chalky discharge.

Easily treated by over the counter antifungals such as as Canesten, if this is the first time or not settled with treatment, it is worth seeing your healthcare provider to rule out other causes.

We can easily disrupt the normal vagina flora and protective layer of outer skin by using scented products, douching and over drying.

This can lead to dermatitis inflamed skin.

Other skin conditions can also affect areas around the vagina and cause itch.

There are various simple actions you can take to try and address or prevent the problem: * Refraining from douching (washing out the vagina) * Wearing cotton underwear or none, refraining from tight clothes such as skinny jeans * Decreasing hot baths, always cleaning from front to back (and the area in between) * Using water only and if you have to, non scented, hypoallergenic, pH-balanced washes and changing cloth washing products should you suspect a skin reaction * Changing condoms if you practice anal and vaginal sex or develop itching or a rash after using a condom DRYNESS Rigorous cleaning, the use of hormonal medications (especially those with progesterone hormone), post pregnancy (as oestrogen levels drops), breastfeeding, other medications such as antihistamines and antidepressants and age all contribute to the vagina feeling dry.

Discussing contraceptive choices with your health care professional will help to ensure you are on one without the side effect of vaginal dryness.

SMELL There are so many reasons why your vagina might smell, from overgrowth of the normal bacteria because the vagina environment becomes less acidic (this is called

Pain during sex can be caused by inflammation, infection or because of a condition that causes muscles around the vagina to spasm

Lumps and b u m p s are often caused by shaving pubic hair and can be prevented by shaving or waxing in the direction the hair grows

bacterial vaginosis) to a retained (not lost) tampon or condom.

A fishy smell is usually due to bacterial vaginosis and is always advisable to have checked. Unless you have been diagnosed and treated with bacterial vaginosis previously and know the symptoms, treatment is available over the counter.

Some women find this is triggered by their periods or intercourse. In this situation, using a lactic acid gel, such as Balance Activ, regularly can prevent a recurrence.

It gives the vagina the nutrients it requires to remain in balance.

Like everything else in our bodies, good nutrition is vital in vaginal health. Nutrient-rich foods in general help to maintain a healthy acid level and prevent overgrowth of the bacteria that causes the fishy smell.

Maintaining the good bacteria known as lactobacilli in the vagina is also helpful, hence why taking live active yogurt or probiotics has been linked to decreasing the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis.

Retained tampons or condoms can easily be removed by your healthcare provider.

Bad odour can be caused by infections such as bacterial vaginosis - caused by an overgrowth of certain bacteria - but is easily treated URINE CHANGES Passing urine can become painful and the most common reason for this is a urine infection.

This can happen after sex and is best prevented by passing urine before and after to decrease any bad bacteria that may be hanging around.

Also being well-lubricated during intercourse can be helpful to decrease any chaffing or sores.

As well as thrush, there are many skin conditions that can cause the area around the vagina to itch Urine incontinence can occur if the muscles become weak and cause a prolapse – see your doctor should this be of concern.

NUMBNESS With the advent of increased cycling, numbness or pain has also become a fairly common problem.

The pressure from sitting on a cycle sit can affect the skin and nerves in that area.

It usually settles and can be prevented by wearing padded shorts and getting a good supporting firm cushion so you don’t sink into the seat.

If there are other problems with it, like swelling, urine or bowel problems or back pain, or it persists, a visit to your doctor is warranted.

Cycling is a great and fun way to increase fitness levels but some preparation beforehand is essential to prevent problems.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

SporT 41 Page

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Knee injury knocks Okagbare out at All Nigeria Athletics Championships

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

Coaches, club managers anticipate exciting second NPFL stanza

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Dream Team advance after draw in Pointe Noire

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oaches and officials involved in the Premier League at the weekend expressed optimism that the second stanza of the 2014/2015 league season would inspire better performance.

The thrilling performance of the league, they hoped it would improve clubs’ performances in the second phase.

The first phase of the league ended on July 19 with 10 sensational games played by 20 clubs.

The coaches observed that the league recorded huge success due to strategic improvements in match officiating, television coverage and adequate security at match venues by the League Management Company (LMC).

The Coach of Shooting Stars (3SC) of Ibadan, Gbenga Ogunbote, said he hoped to finish the season in a better position with the club.

I have been given a target by the management of 3SC to finish the league in a good position but every coach’s dream is to grab a continental ticket.

I will be happy with any one that I am able to achieve,” said Ogunbote.

He also said the remarkable improvements put in place by the LMC needed to be sustained; stressing that more live coverage should be maintained.

We need the LMC to look into televising more matches live for every club because this draws spectators to match venues, when they see how much the league has evolved, they would get interested in coming out,” Ogunbote added.

Cajetan Nkwopara, the media officer of Heartland FC of Owerri, hoped that the team would make an impact in the league and clinch the continental ticket.

We hope to start this second round with a sense of

determination and urgency, we are also targeting either the first, second and third position in the league.

Our squad is improving and we are looking to add more players to fortify our team before registration and commencement of the second phase of the 2014/2015 season.

He expressed optimism that there would be an improvement in salaries and allowances, commending LMC’s initiative to hold matches in the evening.

There is need to have a fixed and constant salary structure for clubs as some states still battle with payments.

He also said the remarkable improvements put in place by the LMC needed to be sustained; stressing that more live coverage should be maintained.

We need the LMC to look into televising more matches live for every club because this draws spectators to match venues, when

they see how much the league has evolved, they would get interested in coming out,” Ogunbote added.

Cajetan Nkwopara, the media officer of Heartland FC of Owerri, hoped that the team would make an impact in the league and clinch the continental ticket.

We hope to start this second round with a sense of determination and urgency, we are also targeting either the first, second and third position in the league.

Our squad is improving and we are looking to add more players to fortify our team before registration and commencement of the second phase of the 2014/2015 season.

He expressed optimism that there would be an improvement in salaries and allowances, commending LMC’s initiative to hold matches in the evening.

There is need to have a fixed and constant salary structure for clubs as some states still battle with payments.

PAGE 42

Sport

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Dream Team advance after draw in Pointe Noire

By Albert Akota

T

he Dream Team VI has qualified for the CAF Under 23 Championship after drawing goalless with Congo in the away leg of their qualifier in Pointe - Noire yesterday.

The Nigeria Olympic Team, who had defeated the Congo U23s 2 - 1 in the first leg, were put under pressure by their opponents but came out unscathed to advance to the tournament in Senegal,.

On 11 minutes, Usman Mohammed would have given

Nigeria the lead but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Mafoumbi.

After they could not find the’) find the back of the net in the first half, coach Samson Siasia introduced Aminu Umar and Kingsley Sokari in the second half in search of an insurance goal but the scoreline remained goalless at the end.

Nigeria will qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio if they finish among the top three teams in the second edition of the CAF Under 23s holding in Senegal from 28 November – 12 December 2015.

LMC grants provisional approval to six suspended Stadiums

By Albert Akota

S

ix clubs whose grounds were decertified from hosting Premier League matches have been granted provisional approval by the League Management Company (LMC) to return to their grounds while further inspection would be carried out to ascertain the appropriateness of repairs done.

In a circular to the Clubs, the LMC listed the clubs that have been granted provisional approval to return to their home grounds as Giwa FC (Rwang Pam Stadium,

Jos), Nasarawa United, (Lafiya Township Stadium), FC Taraba (Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo), Heartland (Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri), FC IfeanyiUbah (Gabros Stadium, Nnewi) and Arabia Warriors (Umuahia Township Stadium).

The clubs had their grounds decertified from Match Day11 after they were inspected and adjudged not fit to host Premier League matches. The clubs were directed to repair the observed defects and notify the LMC for further inspection.

Dream Team vs Congo

LMC orders Pillars to pay Nasarawa N2m for poaching Ganaru

NNWL set to unveil major sponsor

By Albert Akota

A

s part of it agenda to improving the standard of the three divisions of the Nation-wide League, the management of the league body has called for an extraordinary congress on Thursday 6, August to enable it unveil it’s major sponsor.

The extra-ordinary congress and the unveiling ceremony scheduled to take place at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja will commence at 10.Am “The Board of Nigeria Nation-wide League has deemed it necessary to call for the extraordinary Congress as contained in

the Statutes that established the 3rd cadre League in Nigeria.

The main agenda is the unveiling of our major sponsor,” Shola Ogunnowo, Executive Secretary of the NNWL said.

It would be recalled that early last week news papers reports has it that, top Nigerian business men; Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Dr. Ifeanyi Uba have both indicated interest to sponsor the league.

Nigerianationwideleague.com reports that their quest to sponsor the NNWL is not far fetch from the recent football artistry going on in the league, it organization as well as professionalism exhibiting by the match officials; referees and match commissioners.

Nationwide league player in action

Kano Pillars

By Albert Akota

K

ano Pillars and their new Coach, Baba Ganaru have been fined separately by the League Management Company (LMC) for breaching the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Rules and Framework 2014/2015 Season.

In its recent exercise off Summary Jurisdiction, the LMC cited Ganaru for breaching the Code of Conduct for Managers and Coaches as contained in Appendix B of the NPFL Rule Books by accepting to enter into negotiation with Kano Pillars without first obtaining the consent of his employer, Nasarawa United.

Ganaru’s sanction for this breach includes the payment of a fine of N200, 000, forfeiture of one month salary to Nasarawa United being one month salary in lieu of notice as stipulated in his contract with the club and a further forfeiture of N5 million,

being 50% of his sign-on as agreed in his contract with Nasarawa United for the 2014/2015 season since he has only served half of his full season contract with the club.

The Coach though, has a right to submit to the decision or elect to have his case heard by a commission in which case he has 48 hours to communicate his objection in writing to the LMC. For failing to obtain permission of Nasarawa United before entering into negotiation with Coach Ganaru for the position of Technical Adviser, Kano Pillars was charged with breach of Code of Conduct for Clubs as contained in Appendix D of the NPFL Rule Book.

Kano Pillars was fined N0.5m for contravening the Rules and will pay N2m as compensation to Nasarawa United within two weeks. Pillars have 48hours to submit to the Summary Jurisdiction as exercised by the LMC and pay the fines or appear before a Commission.

The LMC decisions came as a result of a formal petition lodged by Nasarawa United on the contracting of their Coach by Kano Pillars without following the laid down rules for such transaction between clubs, coaches and players and a review of the documentation on the transaction submitted to the LMC

by Kano Pillars which confirmed a breach of the Rules.

Meanwhile a reliable source in the camp of the League defending champion said the management of Kano Pillars would appeal the decision of the LMC. Following the departure of Baba Ganaru to Kano Pillars, Nasarawa United FC have immediately confirmed the appointment of former ABS FC gaffer coach Kabir Dogo who assisted Baba Ganaru as the interim Technical Adviser of the club.

Dogo is expected to lead the team against Dolphins FC in the week 20 fixture of the NPFL in PH this weekend.

Sport

Page 43

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Chelsea may give up on Stones, Mourinho hints

J

ose Mourinho refuses to fuel transfer rumours, declining to comment on suspected left back signing, John Stones, a week ahead of the start of the season.

Jose Mourinho has hinted that Chelsea may not increase their offer for Everton defender John Stones.

Everton have rejected a second Chelsea bid of £26 million for England defender Stones, 21, who

made 23 Premier League starts last season.

Mourinho has a strong squad but has said he is short of options in defence -- something he will seek to address before the transfer window closes.

Branislav Ivanovic, Kurt Zouma, Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta and John Terry are Chelsea’s only firstteam defenders.

Angel Di Maria

PSG agrees Angel Di Maria fees

A

ngel Di Maria looks set to have a medical with Paris Saint-Germain in the next 24 hours after Manchester United agreed to sell him to the French club for €63 million (£44.3m), according to Press Association Sport.

PA reported that midfielder Di Maria is due to hold talks with PSG officials in Doha on Sunday and will undergo a medical.

United gave Di Maria permission to speak to PSG after agreeing a €63m (£44.3m) fee with the big-spending French

champions.

United signed Di Maria from Real Madrid for £59.7m last summer, but after an encouraging start his form dipped drastically and he started only one of the final 10 games of last season.

The former Real Madrid winger was left unsettled after an attempted burglary at his Cheshire home in February.

Since then, the 27-year-old and his family have been living in a Manchester city centre apartment owned by former United defender Phil Neville.

As recently as June, Di Maria said he wanted to stay at United, but it became apparent that he had his heart set on a move to the French capital in the last couple of weeks.

The Argentine was due to report for duty during the second leg of United’s preseason tour of the U.S. on July 25, but failed to show.

Van Gaal is expected to move quickly to sign a replacement for Di Maria. The Dutchman is interested in Barcelona forward Pedro, who was frustrated by his lack of game time at the Camp Nou last season.

Jose Mourinho

Manchester United reveal Pedro admiration

Aubameyang extends Dortmund deal

B

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

orussia Dortmund forward PierreE m e r i c k Aubameyang has extended his deal with the club until the end of the 2019-20 season.

Aubameyang, 26, had been linked with a move to a number of European clubs including Premier League side Arsenal.

The Gabon international, who joined from St Etienne, netted 16 goals in 33 Bundesliga appearances last season.

Swansea still working on Michu exit - Monk

S

wansea City is still working towards an agreement that will see Michu depart the Liberty Stadium, says manager Garry Monk.

Michu proved huge fans favourite with the Welsh club after he plundered 18 Premier League goals in his debut season in 2012-13 - form that saw Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins value him at £30million.

However, he struggled to replicate that form in his second campaign and spent last season on loan at Napoli where injuries restricted him to just three Serie A appearances.

The 29-year-old forward is not a part of Monk’s plans for the coming season, but Michu - who has been linked with former club Rayo Vallecano - has yet to find a new club.

Pedro

M Swansea City forward Michu

anchester United manager Louis van Gaal says the Red Devils must sign a player like Barcelona star Pedro this summer.

United have reportedly identified the Spain international as a potential summer acquisition as they seek to bolster their forward line.

Barca have repeatedly insisted that there have been no bids for

the 28-year-old, but the president of Pedro’s first club, CD San Isidro, says that he has been informed of the winger’s impending move to the Premier League.

Van Gaal has now revealed that he intends to buy a player with pace and creativity, and has hinted that Pedro may be the player he targets.

Pedro made 50 appearances for Barca in all competitions last season, scoring 11 goals.

Sport

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Page 44

Britain finds no evidence of impropriety against Farah

A

UK Athletics review into doping claims against Mo Farah’s coach Alberto Salazar has found no evidence of wrongdoing

by Britain’s double Olympic champion.

There is no suggestion that Farah, 32, has been involved in doping.

UK Athletics added there was no reason to question Farah’s training regime at Salazar’s Oregon Project base.

American Salazar has worked as a consultant for British Athletics since 2013.

In a statement, UK Athletics said it was announcing the initial findings of “the first and most vital

objective of the review”, but that a full report would be made public some time after next month’s World Championships in Beijing.

The governing body also said that, because of a subsequent launch of a formal investigation by US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), the findings from their review would be shared with UKAD “prior to any wider circulation”.

Farah is currently preparing to stage a defence of his 5,000m and 10,000m world titles in Beijing.

Should he succeed, it would make him the first man to complete the long-distance double at two World Championships.

Mo Farah

Joshua most promising boxer- Klitschko

W

orld heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko says Britain’s Anthony Joshua is the most promising boxer he has seen “in 25 years”.

Londoner Joshua, 25, is undefeated in 13 fights since turning professional after winning Olympic gold in 2012.

WBA, IBF and WBO champion Klitschko, who has trained with the Englishman, said: “Joshua has the qualities that not many guys have had.

In May, Joshua beat American Kevin Johnson, who had not been

Knee injury knocks Okagbare out at All Nigeria Athletics Championships

By Albert Akota

N

Championship and Brazzaville 2015 All Africa Games.

The AFN stated that Okagbare’s medical and sports science team in a letter to the board through

igerian and African queen of the tracks, Blessing Okagbare, will be missing in action at the 2015 All Nigeria Athletics Championships which begins at the Warri City Stadium.

A statement from the governing body of track and field in Nigeria, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, indicates that Okagbare is currently nursing a knee injury as well as an abdominal problem.

Previously touted to be the star attraction at the two-day meet that would run through Friday in the oil-rich city of Warri Delta State, fans would be denied the chance of seeing Okagbare on the local front before heading to the Beijing 2015 1AAF Athletics Blessing Okagbare

its medical committee headed by Ken Anugweje, pleaded with the federation to exempt the athlete from the national trials to enable her treat a knee injury and an abdominal problem.

The team said the need to treat the injury and be fully fit for the World Championships has also forced Okagbare to withdraw from the Diamond Leagues and other competitions.

Aside from Okagbare, another athlete, Chinwe Okoro, also wrote to the board seeking exemptions because the period of the trials coincided with her Master’s degree examination.

After deliberation on the subject, the board agreed to the request of the two athletes. The technical department of the federation argued that by exempting them, the federation will have more slot at the World Championships since they already qualified automatically as the Area Champions.

Crolla set for Perez rematch – agent

stopped in 36 previous fights.

Johnson had also gone the distance with Wladimir’s brother, Vitali, a former world champion.

Klitschko, who fights Britain’s Tyson Fury in October, said he was also impressed by Joshua’s all-around attitude.

“Anthony has all the tools to become that great champion inside and, most importantly, probably, outside of the ring,” said the 39-year-old.

The Ukrainian, who has not lost a bout in 11 years, added that he “could not exclude” the chance of fighting Joshua in the future.

Anthony Crolla and Darleys Perez

B Anthony Joshua (L)

ritish lightweight Anthony Crolla will have a WBA title rematch with Colombia’s Darleys Perez, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.

Champion Perez, 31, retained his title with a controversial draw with Crolla on 18 July despite being docked points for several low blows.

Crolla, who returned to the ring after suffering a fractured skull, said: “So grateful to have this opportunity.

The 28-year-old Mancunian produced a superb performance in front a home crowd months after being attacked with a concrete slab by burglars, who were trying to break into his neighbours’ house.

One scored it in 116-111 his favour but the other two called it even, ensuring Perez kept the title on a majority draw.

Following the controversy, WBA vice president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza ordered an official review.

“We are already in negotiations with Perez’s team and we expect to announce

Page 45

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTEGRITY AND ACCAUNTABILITY MONTORING AWARENESS INITIATIVE

tHE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. ONWUBUYA JOHN ABRAHAM - CHAIRMAN 2. MRS WAITER ELIZABETH - MEMBER 3. BARR. HAMZA ABDULAHI - MEMBER 4. MRS LOVETH BREAKFORTH - SECRETARY 5. PROF. NNAJI GODSWILL - MEMBER 6. PROF. YUSUF OBAJI - MEMBER 7. BISHOP EVAN HARRY - MEMBER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO MONITOR THE INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICE HOLDERS 2. TO PROMOTE INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AMONG PUBLIC SERVICES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURAL & INDUSTRIAL ENTREPRENEURS OF NIGERIA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.CHIEF CHUKU WACHUKU 2.PROF HERBERT ORJI 3.MR SEUN OGUNLUYI 4.HAJIA MARIA IBRAHIM BABA 5.DR IBRAHIM DOGO 6.NGOZI WACHUKU THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO PROMOTE THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

MARIA UDE NWACHI FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Maria Ude Nwachi - Chairman 2. Pascal Okochi 3. Iheukwumere Okogwu Otu 4. Princess Pat Obila - Secretary 5. Chika Dibia THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.To provide educational scholarship for the less privileged in the society.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: Cy okpogoro 08189245140

PUBLIC NOTICE

CITIZEN’S VOICE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

PUBLIC NOTICE

CONCERNED CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION

PUBLIC NOTICE

LOVING HEART OF JESUS FELLOWSHIP

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 Ifeoluwa Arowolo - chairman 2 Tanko Dauda -secretary 3 Nubwa Medugu -Member 4 Adedeji Desalu -Member 5 Femi Dada -Member THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To extend the love of christ by caring for the needy in the society.

2. Motivated by our faith in christ to service the poor and oppressed in the society.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PASTOR MOSES O. ULEKHAI 2.MRS. LIZZY JACKRICH 3.ENGR. JACKRICH TEIN 4.DEACON BABALOLA OLAWALE 5.MRS. HELEN O. ULEKHAI 6.MRS. ADENOLA BABALOLA THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: ONYIKE JAMES ECHIM Esq. 08037699365,08022219038.

SIGNED: EJEATA ANNET IMENE ONOGHO 08053056007

PUBLIC NOTICE

LIVING GRACE HOME OF ANSWER MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.KAREEM SADIQ - CHAIRMAN 2.JOSEPINE SADIQ - SECRETARY 3.JOSEPH OLORUNBEHIN - TRUSTEE 4.OKON AZUKA -TRUSTEE 5.WAHEED ADIGUN THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE ABILITY OF HIS GRACE TO PROVIDE SOLUTION TO ISSUES OF MANKIND. 2.TO ORGANISE CHRISTIAN PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING SERVICES, CRUSADES, SYMPOSIA, SEMINARS ETC TOWARDS PROPAGATING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. 3.TO SEE TO THE SPIRITUAL AND MATERIAL NEEDS OF MEMBERS AND THE NEEDY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BAR FRIDAY OMAKOJI ABU, ESQ

PUBLIC NOTICE

DEVATOP CENTER FOR AFRICA DEVELOPMENT

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. JOSEPH Osuigwe Chidiebere (Chairman/president) 2.Dr. Nwachukwu Chibuike U 3. Mrs Pauline Iwuji Chinenye THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. Combating/preventing human trafficking, rape and violence against women.

2. Transforming educational system.

3. Promoting women, youth and community development.

PUBLIC NOTICE

coop estate residents association phase 2 kpeyegyi, abuja

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOC0IATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Ven.Akinolu Temitope Ajayi 2.Callistus Martins Onyeachor 3.Mr Bala Ibrahim 4.Cholli Ibrahim Balna 5.Mr Adedeji Ajibola Alabi 6.Victor ijeremen THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.To promote a clean and healthy environment and to free the estate of illegal structures.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE REAL CANAAN FAMILY EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.AMBASSADOR AMOS OLUWOLE IDOWU (RTD) - CHAIRMAN 2.PASTOR MRS FLORENCE OLADUNNI IDOWU 3.MISS MONA MOHAMMED - SECRETARY 4.MISS CHRISTINA OLUSEYI IDOWU THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO SUPPORT THE POOR FAMILIES BY EMPOWERING THEM. 2.TO CARE FOR ORPHANS, MENTORING AND PERSONAL FEELING.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

DEJI AWOBOTU FOUNDATION

PUBLIC NOTICE

UDA PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named Initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The general public is hereby informed that the above named association has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Chief Charles Chukwuma Okafor 2. Mr. Samuel Eneonwuta 3. Pius Rwang Jahkim 4. Mrs. Rosemary Eton

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Dr. Adedeji Awobotu 2. Mrs. Oluwabukonla Deji Awobotu

NAME OF TRUSTEES 1. Eze Anthony Ik - President 2. Eze Augustine - Secretary 3. OnahCosmas - Financial Secretary 4. Fabian Udeh - Treasurer 5. Odoh Joel - P.R.O AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To foster unity among members.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar- General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent Off AguiyiIronsistreet, Maitama, Garkia, Abuja within 28 days of this publication

The Aim and Objective: 1. To mediate on inter-ethnic conflict Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Ekere Christy 08033436481

The Aim and Objective: 1. To assist the less privileged in the society.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Agbonifo Osaze, Esq. 07039462574

Signed: Secretary

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Page 46

PUBLIC NOTICE

KINGS CHAPEL INTERNATIONAL PRAYER MINISTRY

The general public is hereby informed that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Pastor Godfrey Irebhude 2. Mrs. Maryam Irebhude 3. Mr. OgwuChukwudi 4. Mr. Afam Elijah Chacha 5. Mr. NdukaOnyeka Justice 6. Dsp Willy Okpoye (Rtd) Aims and Objectives: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. To equip Christians for works of service, encouraging spiritual growth and helping them to recognize and develop their God-given gift through the teaching of the Bible, the ministry of the Holy Spirit and worship.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this Publication Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

EMISSARY OF THE PEOPLE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Festus Francis ElumeEsq 2. Isaiah AnubiEsq 3. Bishop Solomon ErhikioyaOgunEsq 4. Mr. Alex Marquez 5. OluchiIdehen Ivory Esq 6. Faith AkpotaireEsq 7. Mrs. OsumeEdaEsq AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. 1. Promotion of fair, just and egalitarian society 2. To fight human rights abuse, oppression and wickedness in the society.

3. To educate Nigerians in educational institutions of their rights and duties.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the day of this publication.

Signed: secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

EVANGELICAL MINISTRY OF CHRIST JESUS THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

WEST AFRICA GOLD TOUR FOUNDATION

BEAUTY IN EVERYLIFE INITIATIVE

The general public is hereby notified that the above name has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission CAC Abuja for registration under the part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

SIGNED: IKECHUKWU PASCHAL IFEGBO SECRETARY

The General Public is Hereby informed that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs commission, Abuja for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and allied matters act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EbereAkadiri - President 2. Acqueen Obi 3. Monica Akinuli - Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To inspire teach and instruct physically, psychologically and emotionally cast off, abused and less fortunate women and children to discover the inherent beauty residing within their hearts and the array of possibilities that lie within them that can be reached through tapping into their innate self confidenceself esteem.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off AguiyiIronsi Street, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: BARR. GLADYS JOEL 08053581188

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Harris Davis EmekaOkatta 2. Begonia Rubio Saiz 3. Ikechukwu Paschal Ifegbo AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To promote the game of golf in Nigeria and West Africa.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

WONDERFUL GATE ASSEMBLY

PORT HARCOURT ELITE CLUB

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Apostle Benjamin Moses 2. Pastor Gloria Benjamin Moses

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Samuel OlukayodeAbidogun 2. Muhammad LanreYusuph

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. 1. To preach the gospel all over the world.

2. To train vibrant ministers that will expand the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. 1. To protect the interest of members.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the day of this publication.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the day of this publication.

Signed: BARR. VICTOR ONYONAKPARE

Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

SUPPORT ZAMAN LAFIYA FOR WOMEN AND ORPHANS FOUNDATION

PUBLIC NOTICE

WOMEN SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT INITIATIVE CAC/IT NO. 19544

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANISATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR CHANGE OF TRUSTEES UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration Under Part “C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees are 1. Prof. Ahmed Saduki 2. HannatuAbubakarGawu 3. Alh. IdrisAzozo 4. Alh. BalaSaiduFarinwa 5. Dr. Aliyu Mohammed 6. SadaukiAbubakar 7. Engr. AminuGawu 8. SanusiAbubakar 9. HajiyaSa’adatuAbubakar 10. HajiyaHauwaAbubakar Aims and Objectives 1. To foster peace and unity among it members.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar – General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off AguiyiIronsi Street, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED SECRETARY

SIGNED: MRS HELEN MARK

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. EbiOgunuku - President 2. Mrs. Portia Ogunuku 3. Mr. YakubuYakurama 4. Mr. Tamaratarelayefa David Ogunuku - Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through outreaches and crusades.

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MRS HELEN MARK - RETAINED 2. ARCHITECT JOHN AMEH - REMOVED 3. HON. (MISS) COMFORT OBEYA - REMOVED 4. HON. ALHAJI SULE AUDU - RETAINED 5. MRS MARIA ODEH - REMOVED THE NEW TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PROFESSOR INNOCENT ACHANYA OTOBO UJAH 2. PROFESSOR EDIGA .B. AGBO 3. CHRISTABEL BUGO OJAY IYANYA - SECRETARY ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGE SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS TAMAR MA’AJI GIZO. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS HAFSAT MA’AJI GIZO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, August 3, 2015

Some Interesting Facts 1. An asteroid in our solar system has rings, like Saturn.

2. There might be another Earth-sized planet in the outer solar system.

3. A narwhal’s tusk is filled with nerves.

4. Each of a tarsier’s eyeballs is as big as its brain.

5. If you shuffle a pack of cards properly, chances are that exact order has never been seen before in the whole history of the universe.

6. Adults have fewer bones than a baby.

7. Humans can’t breathe and swallow at the same time.

8. There are about 7,000,000,000,00

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0,000,000,000,000,000 atoms in a human body.

9. There are about 86 billion neurons in an average human brain.

10. Every atom in your body is billions of years old.

11. There’s a type of mollusc called a chiton that can make its own magnetic teeth.

12. Bees sense a flower’s electric field and use it to find pollen.

13. Beaked whales can hold their breath for over two hours.

14. Mantis shrimp can punch at 80 kilometres per hour.

15. The universe might be a hologram.

16. There’s a gas cloud in the constellation of Aquila that contains enough alcohol to make 400 trillion trillion pints of beer.

17. Looking at stars is basically looking into the past, because of how long it takes the light from them to reach us.

18. Dung beetles can use the Milky Way to navigate.

19. The Milky Way has four spiral arms, not two.

20.

If you cry in space the tears just stick to your face.

quick crosswords

CROSSWORD SOLUTION 15

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

A woman stokes a fire underneath a pot inside a makeshift clay fire pit beside the active train tracks.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

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monday, AUGUST 3, 2015

SPORTS latest

Arsenal beats Chelsea to win Community Shield for second year

A

24 minute goal by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was all Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal needed to win the Community Shield, for the second consecutive year, this time beating the London rivals, Chelsea.

Last year, Arsenal also demolished Manchester City to clinch the trophy.

The victory is a morale booster for the Gunners less than a week to the kick-off of the competitive Barclays Premier League.

Under Jose Mourinho’s watch Chelsea had always beaten Arsenal and once last season, both coaches had lost their cool in one of the league matches at Stamford Bridge.

But today, a special strike from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Wembley, changed the story.

The England international cut inside Cesar Azpilicueta in the 24rd minute and arrowed a shot into the top corner, giving Chelsea goalkeeper Thibault Courtois no chance.

It was a goal to grace the occasion and it gave Arsenal their fifth straight victory in pre-season and by far their most significant.

Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud could have added a second but the better chances fell to Chelsea after Oxlade-Chamberlain’s opener.

Ramires squandered a free header, Eden Hazard fired a glorious chance over and Petr Cech denied Oscar and Kurt Zouma.

Arsenal have waited a while for a win over Chelsea and, although the Community Shield is no substitute for major honours, this victory can only bolster the self-belief in Arsène Wenger’s squad as they embark on a new campaign.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrate the vital goal with Cazorla

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QUOTABLE QUOTE The President, General Muhammadu Buhari as a Military Officer, understands the import of these altruistic suggestions and I trust that he will take steps to apply some of them that fit into the mainstream strategies already in place.

– Former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida

Osinbajo,Garba Shehu and the Triumph old boys

P

rof Yemi Osinbajo has emerged from obscurity to become a household name in Nigeria. As a running mate to the first candidate to defeat an incumbent President in a free and fair election, he is certainly a prominent figure in a historic government.

At a lunch in Africa House in Kano last Saturday, I had my first close encounter with him.

He has been on the road, going places, since he and President Muhammadu Buhari were sworn into office on May 29th.

It is just as well that he came to Kano in these early days of their ascendancy to power.

Kano is not an ordinary State in the politics of Nigeria. It has the highest population of all the 36 states. In the last Presidential election, it gave the Buhari / Osinbajo tag a whooping 1.9 million votes, the highest they got in any state.

Historically, Kano was founded by Kano, a blacksmith of the Gaya tribe who in ancient times came to Dalla Hill in search of iron. It was selected as the capital of the Hausa state of Kano in (1095–1134). After the Jihad (1804–07), the city was chosen to be the capital of an emirate centred on the city. Later still when the British colonized what they called the Northern Protectorate, they enhanced the status of Kano as a center of administration by making it the capital of the protectorate until this was shifted to Kaduna.

Kano was also a vortex of international trade and received kola nuts from Ghana; salt from the Sahara; slaves from the Bauchi and Adamawa emirates; natron from Lake Chad; and sword blades, weaponry, silk, spices, perfumes, and books brought from Europe by the trans-Saharan camel caravans in return for Hausa leather work, cloth, and metal wares. British forces captured the city in 1903 opening the railway from Lagos in 1912 hence changing the direction of trade south to the Gulf of Guinea.

Even though Kano was made famous as an international trading center, it also developed a bubbling industrial base which retained its prosperity up to the 80’s. The industrial districts of Sharada, Bompai etc were churning out textiles, knit fabrics, tents, bedding, foam rubber products, clothing, and cosmetics among others while heavy industries manufactured asbestos, cement, concrete blocks, metal structural products, bicycles, automobiles, trucks and chemicals, products that could compete with those from any part of the world.

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Monday Column Emmanuel Yawe royawe@yahoo.com 08024565402

Vice President prof. Yemi Osinbajo Sadly, the Kano of today is not the good old Kano I knew and enjoyed – forty, thirty years ago.

Certainly it has lost the allure and the innocence that attracted young men with their dreams, ideas and skills from all over Nigeria and abroad. Frequent social upheavals – beginning from the Maitatsine uprising of 1980, have scared away alot of skilled manpower from Kano. The industrial districts now look like grave yards.

Still, apart from the huge votes it offers, Kano remains a significant town to Osinbajo. At the Lunch, speaker after speaker referred to the state as the first home of his principal, President Buhari. In his speech, Osinbajo himself said Buhari had given him some secret assignments to carry out while in Kano.

But what took the Vice President to Kano in the first instance? We shall return to that in a moment.

In 1980, the far sighted Governor of the State, Abubakar Rimi established a newspaper he called the Triumph. He appointed Rasheed Haroun Adamu as the founding Managing Director.

Rasheed came to town with a rich profile from the Daily Times, the most successful newspaper in

Nigeria and Africa at the time. He did a good job of his appointment by assembling brilliant younger journalists to start the paper.

Mallam Abba Dabo his successor also came with a rich background as a former Editor from the New Nigerian and Chief Press Secretary to Shehu Shagari.

He continued in the tradition of Rasheed. It was Abba who brought to Triumph Kabiru Yusuf who has made history as the first Northerner to start and run a successful newspaper in a terrain littered with dead publications, including the ones started by yours sincerely. By all standards, both local and global, the Trust newspapers are a huge success.

Abba brought in Ujudud Sherif who rose quickly to become a Commissioner in the Kano state cabinet at a very youthful age.

Abba dragged me to Kano from Kaduna. At the time, I was “protesting and screaming” as he frequently puts it when we meet these days. Ironically, it was in Kano I first attained the office of Editor in my turbulent and itinerant life as a reporter. Today I have fond memories of Kano; have some of my best friends from there.

The Lunch attended by Osibanjo last Saturday was put

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together in honour of Garba Shehu, an exceedingly brilliant journalist and public relations guru who came to Triumph while Abba presided. He took over from me as acting Editor of Sunday Triumph when I left in continuation of my itinerant professional life to work with the Gongola State government. He stayed on, becoming the Editor of Daily Triumph, Editor in Chief and finally the Managing Director of the company.

The Lunch in his honour was well attended by the invited and uninvited. Hosted by Dr Umar Ganduje the Governor of Kano State, it was chaired by Dr Maitama Sule, Nigeria’s former Ambassador at the United Nations.

Mr Dan Agbese, the co founder of Newswatch Magazine delivered a talk on Media – Government Relations. The chairman described Garba as “a journalist, a special journalist – a dependable man of integrity and loyalty”. Osinbajo himself said he has an abidding attraction to Garba Shehu for his ability to speak the truth to power.

Ironically the event was kidnapped from friends of Garba Shehu - his Triumph old boys who muted the idea of hosting him. Once Governor Ganduje heard of it, he hijacked it and extended an invitation to the VP who surprised all by turning up. It turned out to be a huge successful PR for Osibanjo for as revealed by Chairman Maitama Yusuf, it was him who made it possible for the Kano people to get the huge pay off from Pfizer.

Still, Garba Shehu remains a toast and pride of the Triumph old boys. There are many media icons in the group: Kabiru Yusuf, Chairman Trust Media, Baba Dantiye, former President Nigerian Guild of Editors, Sani Zorro, former President, Nigerian Union of Journalists NUJ, Garba Mohammed, immediate past President, NUJ and present Commissioner for Information Kano State. There are many more.

Sadly, Triumph itself is as good as dead. Here lies the challenge to the Triumph old boys.

DAN GAYE

I chose Yar’Adua because others were corrupt – Obasanjo

Especially because you had his health dossier