Thursday, February 5, 2015. Edition.

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Thursday, February 5, 2015 Rabi Al-Thani 16, 1436 AH

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I won’t speak until after February 14, says Obasanjo >> page 3

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Chadian troops kill 200 Boko Haram members

N150 Vol. 15 No. 50

Five IDPs test positive to HIV in Borno

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At today’s Council of State meeting . . .

Jonathan plots to shift polls - Oyegun l No going back on February 14, APC campaign insists

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IBB backs Danjuma, warns N/ Delta militants against inflammatory words From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

T Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (middle), commissioning the Multi-Billion Naira Obasanjo Bridge, yesterday in Kano. With him are Kano state Governor, Engineer Rabi’u Kwankwaso (right), and Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Abba K. Yusuf (left). The bridge is a segment of the Kofar Nassarawa flyover complex constructed at the sum of N5.9 billion by the Kwankwaso administration.

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

he former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida yesterday warned the Niger Delta ex-militants to desist from making provocative statements that are capable of creating violence and threat to the peaceful co-existence in the country.

The general gave the warning Wednesday while being interviewed on the Hausa Service of Radio France International (IFR), on how he viewed the ex-militants’ statements on the 2015 general elections.

This warning is coming following a war threat by the Niger Delta ex-militants Contd on Page 2

Nyako faults EFCC over arrest warrant

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

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

19-22 23

S/Report 24-25 M/Earth 27 Update 28 Feature 30

IBB backs Danjuma, warns N/Delta militants against inflammatory words Contd from Page 1 who said if president Goodluck Jonathan lost 2015 presidential election, the country would be broken.

Babangida said the exmilitants should be careful and watchful of their words, saying that they would be seriously dealt with if continued to make such inciting comments, adding that elders would not in any way allow

people to put the country into confusion.

He said, “We would not fold our hands and be watching some unpatriotic citizens making nasty utterances. It is uncalled for and not acceptable. Whoever is not wishing good for the country, we will deal with the person.

“Anytime I hear such nasty comments I become worried because I know what it takes. No reasonable soldier will accept

such utterances. I know what war is all about because I was once in the military. I could remember when we were at the battle field. It was not an easy task. I am still having bullet wound on my body. We know what we have suffered before the country remains as one entity.

So they should be careful, “he added.

He further said that if situation warrants him to put on

his military uniform, he would do it for the country to remain one and indivisible.

On the issue of Boko Haram insurgency, Babangida called on both Muslims and Christians to put their hands on deck to fight the dreaded Boko Haram.

It would be recalled that General Theophilus Danjuma had similarly warned the militants to stop nasty comments that can heat up the polity.

Two APC supporters shot by hoodlums in Kwara From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he campaign train of Kwara state governor, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed was attacked on Wednesday at Isapa in Ekiti local government area of the state.

The attack,it was gathered was carried out by hoodlums suspected to be supporters of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Isapa is the hometown of Senator Simeon Ajibola, the Governship candidate of PDP. Our Correspondent learnt that during the attack,two members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were shot and wounded,

while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

One of the victims of the violent attack was shot on his left leg, while the other was hit with cutlass on his ear lobe.

The APC campaign train hit communities in Ekiti local government area yesterday, with Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and leader of the party in the state, Dr Bukola Saraki, leading their supporters on the campaign tour.

The hoodlums, who had laid ambush for the advanced team of the APC campaign train, attacked them and destroyed two campaign vehicles belonging to the party.

The situation caused panic while it lasted, as people scampered

to safety.

Eye witness account revealed that the development did not deterred Saraki and Governor Ahmed from addressing the mammoth crowd that gathered to welcome them to Isapa, also the home town of the governor’s deputy chief of staff, Hon, Tunji Ayeni.

Governor Ahmed who described the attack as unfortunate restated the commitment of his government and APC to maintain a peaceful conduct of electioneering campaigns and the elections.

“We have remained committed to a peaceful campaign everywhere we have gone to and we have been to virtually all the

communities in this state without any problem.

“However it’s quite unfortunate that as we were coming here our advance team was met with resistance by some misguided youths. Some of our people were shot and they have been rushed to the hospital. One of them was very critical and we don’t know what will happen to him but we are praying that he survives it.

“It is very unfortunate and it was not expected because we have been carrying out our campaign peacefully and we intend to continue to do so and we would not allow any misguided group to truncate our record of peace in the state” he explained.

least the minimum threshold of confidence.

“We recognize that it had challenges but these are challenges that have been or are being seriously tackled by the Commission, and the engineered clamour for postponement is not helping the situation.

“Nigerians understand where the orchestrated attempts involving instigation of political parties and other groups, flimsy legal challenges and cynical manipulation of national elders and leaders are coming from.

These are part of the PDP script to deny Nigerians their right to choose their leaders on the 14th and 28th of February.

“APC has faith in the distinguished members of The Council of State, and advises them not to become tools in the hand of an administration that wants to subvert our fragile democratic process.

INEC should be allowed to perform its duties without overbearing interference from other institutions of State and the evil machinations of the PDP. When asked what the party will do if INEC postponed the election, he replied: “INEC has not changed its mind and they are the only authority authorized and recognized by law to so do.

Until they recant themselves and they give us reason for recanting, we will also seat down as a party and consider. But right now,

INEC says we are ready and we believe them.

He reaffirmed the party’s position and its commitment to fully participate in the general elections on February 14th and 28th as planned by INEC. Meanwhile, the APC Presidential Campaign Organization (APCPCO) yesterday insisted that the elections must hold as scheduled just as it urged members of the National Council of State to put the higher interest of Nigeria above selfish and other narrow considerations.

Reacting to the heightened fears of election postponement in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Campaign, Malam Garba Shehu, the APC presidential campaign organization said considering the zeal of Nigerians for change and their passion to vote, there should be no excuse to deny Nigerians the right to exercise their franchise.

With INEC, which is constitutionally empowered to conduct elections saying it is ready, the APC Campaign explained that there is no basis to contemplate on the grounds of politically expedient excuses.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission is the custodian of the electoral process and should therefore be given a free hand to conduct the 2015

general elections in line with the laws of the land.”

According to the statement, postponement of election is a serious national issue, and it, therefore, advised members of the National Council of State to vote according to their conscience when the issue of election postponement comes up for consideration.

Shehu reminded members of the National Council of State that their honour and integrity are at stake, and therefore, they must weigh the implications of election postponement.

He said the incredible enthusiasm with which Nigerians are ready to vote during the February general election should not be dampened and ruined by any idea of election postponement to serve expedient political objectives.

“As at the last count all stakeholders have committed to the conduct of the general election as scheduled. INEC had expressed its preparedness, the military and police have committed to providing adequate security and even the PDP says it is prepared for the election. From all indications the only person who is not prepared for the election appears to be President Jonathan who has seen defeat staring him in the face and is pulling all the strings to re-enact the June 12, 1993 scenario.”

Jonathan plots to shift polls - Oyegun

By Umar Muhammad Puma

FG reads riot act to illegal private airline operators – Page 22

Metro

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Int’l 39 S/World

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Sports 41 Columnist 48

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) said it has uncovered a plot by President Goodluck Jonathan to drag members of the council of state into his effort to postpone the elections during the scheduled meeting of the council today.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday, National Chairman of the party chief John Oyegun, said the party will not accept any attempt to rubbish INEC’s preparations in order to postpone the February elections to achieve selfish political gains.

Oyegun warned that such action would only lead to the polity being overheated to dangerous levels, with consequences that might be unpredictable at this stage.

“The Council of State are Nigerians who are held in very high esteem, and their involvement in a project that damages the democratic process will be a serious disservice to our national assets by leaders.

“Our party is encouraged by the fact that INEC has restated in clear and unambiguous terms its determination and ability to conduct the elections as planned. It is the constitutional prerogative of INEC to set election dates which nonetheless should meet at

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

News

I won’t speak until after polls – Obasanjo From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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ormer President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said he will remain silent on election matters until the results of the election are announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after February 14.

Obasanjo who was responding to questions from journalists in Kano on Wednesday shortly after he commissioned the newly built flyover and named after him at Ibrahim Taiwo road by

the Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s administration, said for some personal reasons he has opted to keep mum until the result of the election is announced.

“I won’t speak on election matters until the election results are out; this is my personal decision for now.”

Obasanjo recalled his past experience saying “My spending of three and a half years in prison.

Being former head of state and coming to be elected as president is also part of education and experience that made me.”

He said “you must prepare for anything before taking it because life is full of experience. I learn so many things in life which is part of experience and education”.

The former president also commended the effort of the state governor; Mr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for his wonderful performance in office, pointing out that your own experience is very instructive.

He said “Again for me to learn and others. I asked the governor how much he spent in his first and second tenure. Because my own

experience is that I have been head of state and up to my coming in to being elected president without education and experience.

“I learnt so many lessons and for all of us whatever you are trying to do is that you have to plan it and your own experience (Kwankwaso) is very instructive” Obasanjo said he is optimistic that governor Kwankwaso will exceed to high position in life, stressing that “you have a bright future and my hope and prayer is for you to excel because of your experience and zeal.

Fire engulfs Jos NTA zonal station From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

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he Management of Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Jos has confirmed the burning down of eight offices by wild electric defaulter which occurred on Wednesday.

Some vital sections of the Jos Zonal Office of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) have been destroyed by fire.

The marketing and finance departments as well as the offices of assistant director (News) and assistant director (Programmes) were affected by the fire which started at 3pm Wednesday lasting for about 30 minutes before bringing it under control.

Duty officer of the fire service, Dawang Patrick, said his men who responded to the situation, arrived the scene about 3.20 pm and it took them more than two water tanks to put off the fire.

No member of the management of the zonal office could be reached for comment by the time of filing this report as the Zonal director, Gloria Toba had traveled out earlier yesterday.

The Vice Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists Plateau state Council, Mr Benjamin metu said, the fire inferno which lasted for over three to four hours destroyed eight offices including, marketing, accounting and other departments respectively.

Officials of Business and Professional Women Group, an NGO, in conjunction with NACA AND SURE-P, conducting free HIV/AIDS screening for International Displaced Persons (IDPs), yesterday in Maiduguri.

Photo: NAN

Nyako faults EFCC over arrest warrant

By Patrick Andrew

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he embattled former Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, on Wednesday blasted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] for declaring him and his son wanted.

The former governor described the anti-graft agency’s latest ambush on him as the last kicks of a dying horse, saying President Goodluck Jonathan, will soon be kicked out of office.

Mr. Nyako who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES through his media assistant, Ahmed Sajoh, also noted that the Jonathan administration is intimidated by the soaring support he (Nyako) has continued to get even after he left office.

“I am not aware of being declared wanted. But that is

…As oil thieves reject arraignment by commission good,” Mr. Nyako said.

“If you are wanted by a rouge system, it means you are a good person. Has this government gone after anybody that is bad?

They only run after the good people and allow the bad people to roam around them, live happily and enjoy whatever bad things they are doing.”

Mr. Nyako said he is not surprised at the latest action of the EFCC and noted that many more Nigerians will be declared wanted by the government.

Nyako and his son were declared wanted by the anti- graft agency, the EFCC. Both are wanted in a case of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering.

The EFCC had in June 2014, shortly before the former governor was impeached, frozen the bank accounts belonging to the state government in what it then called a precautionary measure to safeguard the state treasury amidst evidence o f l o o t ing u nc o ve re d b y i t s operatives.

Meanwhile, two suspected oil thieves, Alakinde Wale and Boniface Onuabuchi, objected to being arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday.

The suspects, who were accused to have stolen 70 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit, insisted that they would not submit themselves for arraignment unless they were

afforded the opportunity of legal representation in court.

In its charge marked FHC/ L/310C/14, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission listed five counts bordering on conspiracy, unlawful dealing in PMS, and adulteration of petroleum products and storage of adulterated petroleum products against the suspects.

They were charged alongside their vessel, MV Zara and one Edwin Akibor, said to have jumped bail.

The alleged offences were said to have been committed on June 19, 2014 in violation of sections 18 (a) and 19(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014.

Chadian troops kill 200 Boko Haram

By Evelyn Okakwu with agency report

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had’s army says it has killed more than 200 militant Islamists and lost nine men during a battle to recapture a key town in north-eastern Nigeria.

Boko Haram militants killed about 30 people after fleeing from the battle to Cameroon, a resident said.

It was the most intense battle known to involve Chadian troops since they entered the conflict in Nigeria.

Chad and Nigeria are also bombing the vast Sambisa forest, where the militants have bases.

Boko Haram fighters were suspected to have taken to the forest more than 200 schoolgirls it abducted in April from the north-eastern Nigerian town of Chibok.

It is not clear whether any of the girls are still there. Boko Haram leader AbubakarShekau has since said that the girls have been married off.

Chad sent troops to Cameroon last month to join the offensive against Boko Haram, following widespread crit icism of t he Nige rian army’s failure to curb the insurgency.

About 2,000 Chadian troops backed by armoured vehicles crossed into Nigeria on Tuesday to battle Boko Haram for control of Gamboru, a small town on the border with Cameroon.

Chad’s army said it had recaptured the town, although the sound of automatic gunfire was still heard on Wednesday in Gamboru, AFP news agency reports.

Retreating Boko Haram fighters have raided Fotokol, a town on the Cameroonian side of the border, a resident said.

She told the BBC Hausa service that she had seen about 30 bodies, all with gunshot wounds, in a mosque in the town.

The six-year insurgency has claimed thousands of lives and displaced some 1.5 million people.

Nigeria’s military is under increasing pressure to regain territory ahead of the 14 February presidential election, amid concerns that the insurgency will prevent many people in the north-east from voting.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

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News

Danfodiyo varsity matriculates 4,133 new students

From Raji Bello, Sokoto

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he Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto has welcomed no fewer by than 4,133 new students to the institution for its 2014/2015 academic session.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Abdullahi Zuru disclosed this in Sokoto, during the matriculation ceremony.

Yero receives 200 APC decampees to PDP in Kaduna

He noted that faculty of sciences and science related courses got the highest number of students with 70 percent in compliance with the Federal Government directive on science to humanity student ratio of 60:40.

He therefore enjoined the students to work hard to earn their stay in the university.

The vice chancellor also advised them to shun

extremism, bigotry, violence, ethnicity, political intolerance and religious prejudice.

Zuru told the students that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has abolished hence forth the award of Pass Degree in Nigerian Universities with effect from the 2013/ 2014 academic session.

According to him, no university student will

henceforth graduate with a Pass Degree.

“It also means that the minimum class of degree to be earned by students will now be Third Class,” he said.

Also speaking, the Dean of Students Affairs, Dr Adamu Aliyu Aliero warned that any student that flouted the rules and regulations of the university would be sanctioned.

He assured the students

that the management of the institution would continue to accord top priority to their welfare.

Earlier, Chairman of the caretaker committee of the students union government, Comrade Aminu Wushishi, however commended the Vice Chancellor for creating enabling environment for learning and assured that the students would be law abiding.

From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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overnor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero campaign team received a boost in Igabi Local Government Area of the state yesterday when over 200 members of the opposition All Progressives Congress decamped to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The decampees were received at the PDP campaign rally in Igabi Tuesday, where they handed over their APC membership cards, brooms and posters in replacement for those of the PDP. Speaking on their decision to dump the APC, leader of the decampees, Dr. Bello Rigasa said they were not satisfied with the approach of the APC which encourages thuggery and violence against innocent people.

According to him, they decided to join the PDP to contribute to the election bid of Governor Yero.

“We are satisfied that in the last two years the Governor has performed creditably well and he deserves to be supported for another term.”

Speaking at the campaign rally in Igabi, Yero called on the entire people of Kaduna state to fully participate in the electoral process “we must conduct ourselves peacefully because all of us are brothers and sisters and there is life after the elections. I call on our people to exercise their rights by voting for candidates of their choice.”

L-R: Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ogbonaya Onu, APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Prince Tony Momoh, and APC National Secretary, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, during the press conference on the postponement of the 2015 general elections, at the Party’s headquarters, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

70 civilians, six troops ‘killed in Boko Haram rampage in Cameroon’

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oko Haram fighters killed nearly 70 civilians and six soldiers in an onslaught on the Cameroonian border town of Fotokol on Wednesday, a Cameroonian security source told AFP. “There are many (dead) civilians, nearly 70. The toll for the soldiers stands at six,” said

the source in Fotokol, adding that there were also Boko Haram bodies “everywhere”.

The attack came a day after Chad sent troops across the border to flush the jihadists out of the Nigerian town of Gamboru, which lies some 500 metres (yards) from Fotokol on the other side of a bridge.

Sokoto disburses N80m to NGOs to curb HIV/AIDS From Raji Bello, Sokoto

o fewer than sixteen Sokoto based Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) has been engaged by the state government to curb the HIV/ AIDS pandemic in the state.

The state government equally disbursed over N80 million to the affected NGOs thorough it’s Agency for the Control of HIV/ AIDS, Tuberculosis and Leprosy (SOSACAT).

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr Nasiru Yahayya

disclosed in Illela, headquarters of Illela local government during the flag off of a 4-day Free Medical Outreach Programme on HIV/AIDS. The outreach was organized by the National Action Committee On AIDS (NACA), in collaboration of the Subsidy Re-Investment Programme (SURE-P).

He explained the NGOs are being used to sensitize the people in the 23 local governments of the state on the need for them to go for HIV testing and counseling.

the Israel has made tremendous success, in order for the leaders to replicate back home”, adding that: “The Commission would collaborate with the Galilee and Hebrew Universities in Israel for the leadership Programme.”

It further stated that the Commission would commence the youth pilgrimage programme to Israel this year and is determined

to partner with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission this year to promote pilgrimage lottery in order to give room for more Christians to embark on Holy Pilgrimage.

The statement added that the Easter Pilgrimage package for this year would cost an intending pilgrim N367, 540 for eight days in Israel.

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NCPC to train govt. officials during 2015 pilgrimage

By Evelyn Okakwu

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he Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, (NCPC) says it plans to introduce new programs such as leadership training for government officials, as well as youth pilgrimage in the 2015 pilgrimage exercise.

A statement from the NCPC head of media and publicity,

Celestine Ogugua said the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara disclosed this in Abuja at a meeting with his Management team.

According to the statement, “Mr. Opara revealed that the Commission would include 3 days leadership training programme for interested pilgrims to expose them to some of the critical sectors

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

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News

NECO releases Nov/Dec 2014 results with improvement in English, maths From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna.

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he National Examinations Council, NECO, has released the November/ December 2014 results with fantastic improvement over the previous examinations conducted by the body, with 52.94 per cent credit pass in English Language and 55.37 per cent credit pass in Mathematics.

The Registrar and the Chief Executive Officer of the body, Professor Promise Okpala, while announcing the results yesterday at the Council’s National Headquarters in Minna, Niger state capital, noted that the results were an improvement on the previous exams conducted between 2011 and 2014.

Okpala intimated that out

of the 63,445 registered for the examinations, out of whom, 61,386 actually sat for the papers with 30.57 per cent candidates recording 5 credits and above.

The analysis of other core subjects showed that 53,848 sat for Biology with 26,947 pass credit level representing 50.04 per cent, Chemistry had 28,250 candidates with 14,8585 pass at credit level, representing 51.62 per cent, 28,222 sat for Physics with 57 pass cat credit level, representing 0.20 per cent.

Also, 1,753 sat for Further Mathematics while 395 passed at credit level, representing 22.53 per cent, Agricultural Science had 41,080 candidates with 12,006 pass at credit level, representing 29.22 per cent.

Professor Okpala stressed that an analysis of the malpractices

showed that 620 cases were recorded depicting an increase in NECO examinations.

Okpala however tasks students to shun all forms of examination malpractices, adding that the Council has consistently made attempts to eradicate examinations malpractices.

The Registrar opined that the trend was an indication that efforts by President Goodluck Jonathan and all stakeholders in the education sector to improve the quality of teaching and learning in secondary schools were yielding positive results, calling on all Nigerians to support such laudable efforts and ensure high quality teaching-learning process in schools.

The ultimate aim, according to him, was to actualize the

educational aspects of the transformation agenda of President Jonathan.

He believed that the role of promoting quality education through the conduct of selection and certification examination was a mission within the core mandate of NECO. “To this end, we have steadily improved the quality of various stages of the Council’s examinations from, the preexamination to the release of results in order to check examinations malpractices which pose serious challenge to quality examination delivery in Nigeria’.

The Registrar expressed gratitude to members of the press for their partnership and unflinching support in promoting quality education system, in the country.

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, and First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan acknowledging cheers during PDP presidential campaign, yesterday in Benin, Edo state.

Photo: NAN

Military frowns at political advert on CDS

By Joy Baba Yesufu

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he Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has viewed with strong exception the political campaign advert by a political party which is currently airing on several television channels targeting the person and office of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh for denigration.

In the said advert, vile references were made about the Chief’s leadership of the ongoing counter terrorism operation in some parts of the country.

The advert is simply typical of the now very common use of the print, electronic and social

media to propagate the campaign of attacking or ridiculing the Nigerian Armed Forces all with the intention of scoring political points.

A statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said the issues raised in the socalled political advert have already been clarified a couple of times by the DHQ and efforts are currently being channeled towards effective prosecution of the fight against terror with a view to reversing the situation in the areas where the terrorists are showing presence.

Olukolade further said it is unfortunate that a lot of fabrications, exaggeration,

misrepresentation of facts and outright falsehood are being disseminated to achieve this unjust objective of tarnishing the reputation of the leadership and individual officers of the nation’s military, all with the aim of getting at the government of the day.

According to the statement “It is rather disappointing that some politicians are yet to understand the need to separate sensitive national security issues from their zealous political activities. It is, to say the least, very unbecoming of any political party to drag the name and office of a serving Chief of Defence Staff into their political campaigns.

“This tendency is divisive and

aimed at the morale and cohesion in the nation’s Armed Forces.

Those who are so desperate to drag the military into political campaigns should realise that no political party or politician should hope to benefit from any effort to destroy the fabric of the nation’s military.

“The Chief of Defence Staff and by extension the entire personnel of Nigerian military do not belong to or work for any political party rather they work for the overall interest of the nation. The DHQ therefore urge politicians to always know when and where to draw the lines and keep the military out of their political machinations”

Five IDPs test positive to HIV in Maiduguri

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ive Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri have tested positive to HIV/AIDS after they were screened for malaria and HIV/AIDS. The exercise was conducted on Wednesday by a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), the Business and Professional Women (BPW).

Dr Ismaila Watila, the leader of the group, stated this in an Interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

Watila said that the five IDPs were part of the 1,000 so far screened by the group.

“We are conducting free screening for IDPs on HIV, malaria and other disease conditions.

“The programme is being conducted by the BPW in conjunction with the National Agency for Control of Aids (NACA) and the Sure P,’’ he said.

Watila said the aim of the programme was to ascertain the health status of the IDPs and prevent disease spread among them.

“We started on Monday and so far, we have screened over 1,000 out of the 8,000 IDPs in the camp.

“Out of these only five have tested positive to HIV/AIDS,’’ he said.

Watila said that the number represented 0.5 percent of the population of those screened at the camp.

“Statistically, the number appeared insignificant as it represents just about 0.5 percent of those screened.

“But as a doctor, I see the number as alarming, because it is a dangerous trend,’’ he said.

He said that the affected IDPs had already been counseled and referred for treatment.

“What we do usually is to treat those who tested positive to malaria and other diseases immediately.

“Those who tested positive to HIV/AIDS will be counseled and transferred to the state Specialists Hospital for proper medication,’’ he said.

Watila said that the team was also conducting enlightenment campaigns to the IDPs on the need to maintain a healthy living.

“We also conduct education campaigns to enlighten the IDPs on how to play safe.

“The whole thing is to reduce the prevalence of disease condition in the camps,’’ he said.

Watila said that the group decided to launch the program at the NYSC Camp, Maiduguri, because it was the largest IDPs camp in the state.(NAN)

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News

Kaduna: ElRufai to revive late Yakowa’s abandoned projects From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna ormer Secretary to Kaduna State Government during the reign of late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, Alhaji Lawal Samaila Yakawa yesterday said the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Malam Nasir El-Rufai will revive all projects abandoned by his successor, Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.

He disclosed this in Fadan Kagoma, Yakowa’s home during commissioning ceremony of a campaign office donated to El-Rufai by some members of the community.

According to him, he knew Yakowa and worked for him with absolute loyalty, therefore he will not deceive the people of Fadan Kagoma. “ Yakowa meant well before God took him away but I must confessed here that Malam El-Rufai will revive all the abandoned projects started by our late boss.

“God is watching all of us and we know what we are talking about.

We are insiders and know the consequences of our silence, and so we are stating the fact before the world. What we are saying is, support El-Rufai and let us rebuild our battered state.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Jonathan’s alleged N6bn pastors bribe: Amaechi needs God deliverance - PDP

By Ahmed Abubakar

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he Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has stated that recent statement credited to the Director General of the Presidential Campaign of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Mr. Rotimi Amaechi alleging that church pastors have received N6 billion worth of bribe from President Goodluck Jonathan is capable of stalling the Nigerian democracy.

Stating this yesterday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh told Journalists that

such ‘utterances by the opposition party as well as Rotimi Amaechi is capable of stalling the democratic process in the country”.

Metu said, “pastors are well trained clerics that should not be in any circumstance be dragged into the mudslinging accusations.

And doing so is tantamount to outright disrespect to the clerics”.

He said, “the APC DG must out rightly prostate before his church and seek forgiveness for he has sinned against the holy men of God”.

He asked the APC to respect and value the ‘Naira’ as Nigeria’s

currency even as he said the APC members are congregation of people infested with corruption that is why to them calling N6 billion as if it were N6 million is common with them”.

He said the utterances by Amaechi would not only incite the Christians against the Muslims He then accused the APC for conniving with the INEC to destroy Permanent voter Cards (PVCs)of supporters of the PDP in Lagos thereby technically disenfranchising them from voting in the polls.

He however warned that “if

R-L: Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), former IG Ibrahim Coomassie, and Leader, Delegation of Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Chief Isaac Jemide, during a news conference on the implication of postponing elections, yesterday in Kaduna.

INEC recruits 20,000 ad hoc staff to conduct polls in Sokoto

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heIndependentNationalElectoral Commission (INEC) in Sokoto said it had recruited 20,000 ad hoc staff to conduct the forthcoming general elections in the State.

Alhaji Sadik Musa, Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, announced this at the meeting of InteragencyConsultativeCommitteeonVoter Education and Publicity on Wednesday.

Musa stated that those recruited were staff members and students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and other federal organisations in the state.

“They include Returning and Collation Officers, Assistant Supervisors, Assistant Presiding, as well as Presiding Officers, among others.

“The training of electoral officers and supervisory presiding officers had since been concluded, and they are going to step the training down in the 23 local governments of the state’’, he added.

Musa further stated that the ad hoc staff would conduct the forthcoming elections in 3,035 polling units in the 244 electoral wards in the state.

Also speaking, the Head of Voter Education and Publicity Unit of the commission in the state, Alhaji Muhammad Musa, said over 40,000 voter education materials had been printed.

“We have since commenced intensive, state-wide sensitisation campaigns to stem voter apathy, curb electoral violence and reduce the incidence of void votes during the elections’’, Musa added. (NAN)

by Saturday INEC has continued to collaborate with APC we would have to decide on the next line of action”.

He said the PDP is sure of getting a total votes cast of 98 % by the non indigene of Lagos which is why their PVCs were technically destroyed through burning”, he stated.

He said “Lai Mohammed has been making utterances that represent the ‘Janjaweed’ ideology of the APC that always spells anarchy”.

He called on Nigerians to rise against the utterances of the APC.

Photo: NAN

Police set up special investigation team for electoral offences

By Joy Baba Yesufu

I

n view of the forthcoming general elections, scheduled to hold on 14th February, 2015 across the country, the InspectorGeneral of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba, has ordered the constitution of a Special Investigative Team to be headed by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Force

Legal/Prosecution Department, to investigate offences emanating from elections in the country.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. CP Emmanuel Ojukwu yesterday in Abuja Ojukwu said the IGP who disclosed this during the conference he held with CPs and above in

Abuja on 2nd February, 2015, reiterated the preparation and readiness of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure free, fair credible and violence free elections as well as adequate security of lives and properties before, during and after the elections.

The statement also said the Police High Command is appealing to Nigerians for calm and orderliness

at the poll while reassuring them of the Force preparedness to perform its constitutional and statutory responsibilities of providing adequate security for the nation and the entire citizenry.

“The Force therefore, enjoins politicians, stakeholders and other political actors to play the game according to the rule” the statement added.

Yobe, Oyo declare Thursday, Friday public holiday for PVC collection From Seyi Ojelade, Ibadan

T

he governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has declared Thursday, February 5 and Friday, February 6, 2015 as public holidays in the state.

According to a release issued by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, the holiday is to enable the people of the state to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

The governor enjoined the people to take full advantage of the public holiday by coming out massively to collect their PVCs, reiterating that it is an opportunity for them to connect with their future through voting for candidates of their choice.

Also yeste r d a y , G o v e r n o r Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe state approved the declaration of Thursday 5th February and Friday 6th February 2015

as public holidays to enable workers across the State to collect their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) from officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in their respective areas.

A statement issued from the Yobe state government by Abdullahi Bego,Special Adviser on Press Affairs and Information to the governor said the governor urges all workers and people across

the State who have not yet collected their PVCs to use the period to collect their cards as a step towards exercising their civic duty to vote during the forthcoming elections.

However, banks and other financial institutions operating in the State can OPEN their doors for business during this period. All business and commercial activities will continue throughout the State during the two-day PVC-collection holiday.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

News

Police officer’s wife arrested for robbery From Matthew Aramunde,Lagos

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he Meiran Division of the Lagos State Police Command has arrested the wife of a senior police officer for allegedly buying stolen goods from armed robbers.

The woman, whose name was not disclosed by the police, was implicated by robbery suspects arrested by the residents of Ajasa-Command Estate, Ipaja at the weekend and handed over to the police.

The woman was arrested on Sunday after the suspected leader of the gang, Gbenga Akinola, allegedly implicated her during interrogation.

Akinola’s confession led to the arrest of four other suspects and the woman who are currently detained at Meiran Division.

Akinola allegedly told the police that the woman encouraged them to go for robbery operations after which she buys most of the stolen items from them at give away price.

Efforts to speak with the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, were futile because he was not in the

office when our reporter visited the station. The police also recovered weapons from the suspects.

The investigating police officer in charge of the matter identified simple as Inspector Wasiu confirmed the arrest and declined to make any comment on the matter. However sources at the station, who also confirmed the arrest, said the suspects had made useful statements which will lead to the arrest of other suspects.

Another source at the station said the matter will be transferred

to SCID Panti or SARS at Ikeja for further investigation.

The residents of AjasaCommand where the suspects were operating for some time have appealed to the police to do a thorough investigation to bring all those involved to justice.

Some of the residents who did not want their names mentioned said robbers had beenw terrorising them before they mobilised to fight themenace.

One of the landlords said that they have not been sleeping during thenight because robbers break

Second hand clothing and assorted textile materials intercepted by the officers of the Nigerian Customs Anti Smuggling Team in charge of Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa and Katsina, yesterday at Yankara, in Faskari Local Government of Katsina state.

Photo: Bashir Bello

into houses, torture and cart away valuables of the residents. He said the robbery suspects arrested were operating at Popoola Street in the area when the residents mobilised themselves to arrest Akinola, while other suspects escaped but were later arrested by the police.

Man bags 2 months imprisonment for stealing BlackBerry

A

Kado Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja on Wednesday sentenced a 26-yearold man, Theophilus Wulangs to two months imprisonment for stealing a BlackBerry cell phone, valued at N65, 000.

The accused who lives at Ademola Adetukunbo Road, Wuse 2 Abuja, had pleaded guilty to the charge of theft.

The judge, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, who handed down the verdict, however gave him an option of N5, 000 fine and to pay compensation of N65, 000 to the complainant.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp.

Simon Emmanuel, told the court that the theft was reported at the Utako Police Station on Jan. 16 by one Victoria John of Karu, Abuja.

Emmanuel said that the offence is punishable under section 287 of the Penal Code. (NAN)

Polytechnic rector bans cultism

D

Court sentences man, 41, to 25 months’ imprisonment over impersonation

A

Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday sentenced one Edward Edward, a 41-year-old dismissed officer of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to 25 month’s imprisonment over impersonation, stealing and indecent assault.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Ojuromi, in her judgment, said that it was without an option of fine.

Earlier on, the convict had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.

Ojuromi, in her judgment said that after listening to all the evidence before the court, it was established that the accused was guilty of all the offences. ``You are hereby sentenced to

six months imprisonment for each of charges 1,2,3,4 and a month’s imprisonment for charge 5. ``The charges are: breach of peace, impersonation, indecent assault and stealing, respectively.

“The accused is obviously a big time impersonator and has been in the society assaulting people for long and causing breach of peace.”

However,themagistratesaidthat the terms were to run concurrently.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Edward was first arraigned on Feb. 4, on a four-count charge of impersonation, breach of peace, stealing and indecent assault.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Gbenga Salami, told the court that the crime was committed on Jan.

29 at about 10:30 p.m. at Orile Iganmu Bus-Stop, Lagos State.

Salami said that during investigation, it was discovered that Edward had been dismissed from the Nigerian Air Force, Ikeja in Lagos State since 2012.

“Edward still impersonates as an officer of NAF by wearing its camouflage uniform, cap, belt and boots, without permission by the law.

“The convict assaulted and obstructed people’s movements at Orile-Iganmu Bus-Stop in Lagos State,’’ he said .

Salami also told the court that a complainant, one Miss Adesewa Ajayi, had wanted to board a vehicle to her house when the convict approached her.

“The convict attacked and assaulted her in an indecent way by touching her two breasts and also snatched a gold necklace worth N28,000 from her neck.

“The complainant struggled and screamed for help but some eyewitnesses who had wanted to rescue her were hindered when the convict introduced himself as an air force man.

“The complainant reported the case to the police and the convict was arrested,” Salami said.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 78,136,166,236 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

(NAN)

r Philipa Idogho, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Edo, on Wednesday warned fresh students of the institution against cult activities and violation of school rules and regulations.

Idogho gave the warning at the opening ceremony of the 2014/ 2015 orientation programme for fresh students of the school.

She said sanctions awaited any students who violated the rules and regulations of the institution, adding that the school authority would not hesitate to rusticate such students. ``For those of you who may think that this programme is a mere formality, I will like to inform you that there are sanctions for breaches of school rules and regulations. ``There are sanctions for cheating in examinations which may result to rustication or even expulsion. ``There is also sanction of voluntary withdrawal from the school of any student who fails to register or complete the registration process at the stipulated time,’’ she said.

Idogho said the institution frowned at cult activities or any illegal social group in the campus. ``We abhor cult activities in whatever form and you must shun improper dressing.”’ she said..(NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

News

Kwankwaso swears in 3 new commissioners From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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L-R: Regional Head, Bank of Industry (North), Mr. Jack King, Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation, Mrs. Josephine Washima, and Manager, National Programme, Federal Public Administration Reform Programme (FEPAR), Mr. Ben Orokpo, during a press briefing on job creation report and figures in the last three years, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Election: CAN allays fears over Christian IDPs disenfranchisement

By Evelyn Okakwu

T

he Christian association of Nigeria, (CAN) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that Nigerians, particularly Christians displaced from the North east cast their votes in the forth coming general elections to prevent alleged rejection of results.

Speaking on the plight of the IDPs and the general elections in Abuja, Director of National issues and social welfare CAN Mr.

Sunday Oibesaid the association had scheduled to meet with Prof Jega last week on the matter, but was disappointed when according to him, the INEC chairman allegedly reneged.

“Prof.

Jega should do everything to ensure that Christians that have been displaced from the North East should cast their votes”. “ We have churches that had their headquarters, like the EYN in Maiduguri.

They have been displaced with over 3 million people

FIDA bemoans forcing of girl- child into marriage

From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna

T

HE International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Niger has advised parents especially in Agaie Local Government Area of the state to desist from forcing their under aged girl-child into early marriage.

The Chairperson of FIDA, Mrs Fatima Takuma gave the warning during a courtesy visit on the Etsu Agaie, Alhaji Yusuf Nuhu at his residence yesterday in Minna.

Takuma told the emir that the Federation got a report on how a parent in the area forced his girl-child into marriage hence FIDA was contemplating legal action against the parent.

She explained that when the girl refused the marriage she was beaten to a state of coma and taken to hospital, but legal action against the parent would not be possible without informing the royal father.

Takuma noted that the child

right law of the state provides that any parent found guilty of the act would pay a fine of N50, 000 or serve one year in prison or both.

Stressing that the Federation embarked on sensitisation last year to educate parents and guardians in the 25 local government areas in the state on the dangers of forced marriage and other related issues.

Takuma wonders why parents in the area were still engaging in such practice.

Responding, Nuhu said that most parents marry off their under aged girl-child out of ignorance and pledged the readiness of the Emirate council to assist FIDA enlighten the people of the area to desist from such act.

The Emir warned parents to allow their girl-child reach the marriage age of 18 years before marrying them off.

He also enjoined parents not to deny their girl-child the right to choose a husband.

scattered all over the country”.

“If over 20 million Christians displaced from the North East do not cast their votes, how can you say that the elections are credible and acceptable?”

“We wanted to meet with Prof. Jega, on the topic last week.

He gave us an appointment but reneged, so we are calling on Jega to ensure that IDPs, particularly Christians displaced from the North east cast their votes, or we will not accept it.”

The CAN President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, represented by the FCT Chairman, CAN, Isreal Akanji said the visit was to provide relief materials and other donations to the IDPs, in consonance with the Christian calling to be our brother’s keeper.

Representing the displaced persons Philiomon Emanuel said

there were over 700 of them from Goza local government area in Maiduguri, and that they had not felt so much of government’s impact on their lives since they became displaced. “Since we became displaced, government has only been to see us once, through NEMA, during October last year, they promised to get us special camps with more confortable houses and healthy centers, as well as schools, but we haven’t heard from them since then.

Responding, Akonji said he was part of a committee set up to address the challenges of the IDPs, and promised to take the peoples plight back to government.

The national president Youth Wing, CAN Daniel Kadzai called on the IDPs to be calm and remain law abiding.

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

from various political parties in the state to herald out their manifestos for the consumption of the teeming electorates.

He said being a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a political party which believes in giving priority to the welfare of the people, had decided to rehabilitate and construct the Gusau-Kaura Namoda–Zurmi - Gidan Jaja federal road and that of Mayanchi-Anka-Daki Takwas –Gummi road as well, because of the need to ease transportation problems faced by the people, therefore lamented the claim by the Minister which he said was premised

hree new members have been appointed into the Kano state Executive Council.

They are Zainab Audu Bako, Engr.Muhammad Hamisu Abubakar and Aminu Mukhtar DanAmu. Addressing the commissioners shortly after taking oath of office at Council Chambers, Kano Government House on Sunday, Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso urged them to avoid anything that would tarnish the good image of this administration.

Kwankwaso said that this administration enjoys respect and acceptance not only in the state but across the nation, appealing to them to contribute positively towards transformation of the state in the remaining months of the administration.

The governor maintained that Commissioners and Special Advisers are part and parcel of any administration.

He, therefore, he called on them to work hard, in line with provisions of the nation’s constitution to keep the administration afloat.

Zainab Audu Bako was appointed Commissioner for Science and Technology, Muhammad Hamisu Abubakar will take charge as Commissioner for Rural Development while Mukhtar DanAmu got the Finance portfolio.

It could be recalled that five commissioners resigned from their posts in the state to contest for different elective positions.

Gov Yari insists FG owes N33b reimbursement on road projects

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overnor Abdul’Azeez Yari Abubakar of Zamfara state has kicked against the statement made by the Minister of State for Finance, Amb. Bashir Yuguda, that the State government did not follow due process before embarking upon rehabilitation and construction of federal roads in the state.

Yari made the assertion yesterday during phone-in programme organised by the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) aimed at carpeting candidates

to score cheap political goals.

Yari further queried that, if due process was not followed for the execution of the so-called controversial projects, why did the federal government agree to pay 10 billion naira as part payment of the over 21 billion naira that the projects engulfed.

Yari pronounced that, he had kept over 90 percent of his electioneering campaign promises made since 2011 and will ensure to secure 97 percent before May 29th, “Alhamdulillah, today I can proudly tell the people of Zamfara that I have virtually fulfilled over 90 percent of the promises I made in 2011”.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

News

AIG Mbu reads riot act to law offenders in Lagos From Aramunde,Lagos

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ough talking Assistant Inspector General of Police, Joseph Mbu who was recently deployed from Zone 7 Abuja to Zone 2 Lagos has read the riot act to the men and officers of the Lagos State Police Command.

The top Police Cop who was paying his maiden official visit to the command since he assumed duties at the Zone 2 Command, did not mince words as he addressed a large gathering of Police men that includes the rank and file, even as he revealed that his mandate to the Zone under his supervision includes instilling discipline and raising the morale of the men in the zone.

His words “Confidence makes a man and courage makes a good Police officer and so I urge you to always display these two qualities as you go about carrying out your duties” He frowned at the attitude of some Policemen who for pecuniary reason has not only thrown to the dogs their integrity but has decided to bring the force to public ridicule by their acts and conduct in public.

He took time to explain some in-annealed rights of the average Policeman regretting that instead of them to hold their heads high in the course of their duties; they tend to sell such rights for a mess of porridge wondering why Policemen should turn themselves to mere pawn in the hands of fraudsters and men of loose characters.

On the controversy that seem to be associated with him, Mbu maintained that his principle of insisting that the right thing be done at all times has often put in bad light of those who think he should compromise his stance even when they are not doing the right thing.

“You can see for yourselves that i am meek,gentle, humorous and of a charismatic personality but as some one who is passionate of the only job he has, i will do everything within my powers to hold the integrity of that job high” he noted On the preparedness of the men under his supervision in the face of threat to peace as expressed in some quarters during and after the election,Mbu said his officers and men of the various units within the Police are battle ready to deal with any situation that might arise and so assures Lagosians of a free,fair and above all peaceful election.

He used the opportunity to send warning signal to those who despite appeal by the Commissioner of Police to surrender their arms are still holding on to them of the stiffest reprisal from the Police if found using such arms to disturb public peace.

L-R: President, Alumni Association, National Defence College (AANDEC), Rear Admiral Amos Adedeji, Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Guest Speaker, Vice Admiral Jubrila Ayinla, and Deputy Commandant, National Defence College (NDC), Major-General Adeniyi OYEBADE, during the AANDEC and NDC seminar on national security, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Ministry, UNDP train staff on 2015 elections

By Mohammed Usman

I

n an effort to ensure violent free 2015 election and transparent electoral process, the ministry of science and technology has moved to equip its ministry and seventeen agencies’ staff on the application of technology-base solutions in the conduct of elections.

While speaking at a two days capacity development conference that was supported

by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the theme: “Enhancing the use of Technology during the 2015 electoral process” in Abuja, Minister of Science

and Technology, Dr. Abdu Bulama said that globally, the innovative technology with peculiar local content have been deployed to ensure hitch-free electoral processes.

In a statement signed by Deputy Director (Press) of the ministry, Mr Taye Akinyemi, Bulama stated that the present administration in its renewed efforts to forestall controversy like the one that trailed the 2007 and 2011 elections, has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a huge task of adopting improved method to ensure a free and fair election in 2015.

The minister who said that the relevance of the use of

technology in electioneering exercise, necessitate the UNDP’s support to execute a project with focus on sensitizing Nigerians especially the youth, also added that the use of election technology to ensure integrity and/or enhance transparency in the electoral process can be tremendously effective.

Bulama said that the social media platforms such as Face book, Twitter, Black Berry Messenger (BBM), Whatsapp, Linkedin Instagram are veritable means of technology that can be deployed in enhancing the electoral process especially as it concerns ensuring quick transmission of results.

In her remarks, the

Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita said that in developed nations of the world the use of technology in electoral process has been accorded high priority which has led to conduct of peaceful elections, transparency and wider participation of their citizenry.

Oyo-ita who urged the participants to accord the training all the seriousness it deserves stated that the ministry was well positioned to leverage on its mandate and global trend to employ innovative technologies that support the electoral process during this year’s general elections and beyond.

Bird flu: Plateau govt. destroys 7 poultry farms, kills 20,000 birds

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he Plateau government on Wednesday confirmed the outbreak of Avian Influenza, saying that it had destroyed seven poultry farms affected by the bird flu in the state.

Dr Doris Bitrus, Chief Veterinary Officer in Plateau, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos. ``Seven poultry have been destroyed and more than 20,000 birds killed following the outbreak of the dreaded diseases,’’ she said.

She said that the State’s Ministry of Agriculture had taken measures to contain the disease, saying that other affected poultry farms had been depopulated and disinfected. ``We have also ensured that that the carcasses and wastes are adequately disposed off,’’ she added.

Bitrus advised poultry owners and live bird marketers to step up bio-security and hygiene measures within and around their farms and markets.

She also advised members of the poultry association against the sale, slaughter and consumption of sick and dead birds.

The Veterinary Officer urged poultry farmers to register their farms with the Inspectorate Division of the Veterinary Services Department of the Agriculture Ministry.

Dr Ayuba Musa, Desk Officer, Avian Influenza, Ministry of Agriculture, who also confirmed the outbreak of the disease, told NAN that measures had been taken to reduce the spread of the disease According to him, the

state government is creating awareness among farmers and consumers on the virus. ``We are conducting surveillance; we have been inspecting farms that we suspect could host the disease and have collected many samples and taken them to the laboratory. ``If the tests show that they are positive, we will go in to depopulate, decontaminate and disinfect such farms.

“We also quarantine such farms to avoid movement of products in or out of such farms,’’ he said.

He urged farmers not to panic and advised them to control the movement of persons into their farms to prevent spreading the virus.

Dr Ezekiel Pam, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment,

also told NAN that the ministry had necessary equipment to evacuate dead birds and other materials, if directed by the government.

Pam stated that the ministry had adequate facilities to disinfect materials used in poultry farms to ensure that the avian flu did not spread to humans.

Mr John Dasar, Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Plateau chapter, in his reaction, thanked government for swiftly stepping in to check the spread of the disease in the state.

The chairman said that PAN was collaborating with government to achieve ``wonderful results,’’ and expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their cooperation to contain the disease.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

News

N/Assembly orders restaurants to subsidize meals, may pull down all illegal structures

By Patrick Andrew

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he management of the National Assembly has directed the eateries located within the premises to fix their meals at N300 per plate.

Also, the management has resolved to destroy all illegal structures located within the National Assembly complex, ostensibly to restore the original architectural design of the complex.

Accordingly, and in order

to effect the demolition of the unauthorised structures within the complex, the management we learnt has contacted the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCDA) to first carry out a census of such illegal structures with a view to demolishing those found to have fallen short of the required standard or those wrongly located within the next two weeks.

We learnt, the management feels several structures that had sprung up in the last couple of

years had eroded the original architectural design of the complex and they want to do everything to correct the mistake.

The management also believes that these structures pose serious security risk, a development they do not want to toy with and has therefore resolved to nib it in the bud.

However, to cater for the interest of the low income earners and other average members of the staff in the complex, the management felt

that meals would have to be fixed so that these categories of workers within the complex will not have to be forced to pay more than they could afford.

Peoples Daily findings reveals that the more exotic restaurants located within the complex charge a minimum of N1,200 per meal a price the low income earners staff of the Assembly would be unable to afford.

The management feels that a fixed charge per meal would make them affordable to some legislative aides, staff members, including visitors to the National Assembly who have some business to conduct.

The decision of the

From Ahmed Kaigama.

Bauchi

in technical education system.

Alhaji Aminu Sagir Saleh was speaking yesterday while receiving Task Force Team Leader of the State Education Programme and Investment Project (World Bank Assisted), Dr. Tunji Adekola during a courtesy visit at the Government House, Bauchi.

According to him, attainment of disbursement linked indicators ranging from deployment of teachers to rural schools in core subjects has significantly improved teacher availability and efficiency in the rural areas.

He explained that the

project has so far deployed 3, 161 teachers including 765 core subject teachers in order to address shortage of in the rural areas of the state.

The deputy governor stated that the project has also conducted a pilot testing learning level in primary 5 in English and Mathematic subjects.

The State Education Programe Investment Project Team Leader, Dr. Tunji Adekola had earlier said that his visit to Bauchi is part of the World Bank efforts to support the state.

Adekola recalled that the state government had in 2013

management to fix cost of meals per plate may not also be unconnected to the recent upsurge in the number of food vendors who have found hawking their wares in offices within the complex lucrative as they are often patronised by several member of staff.

Perhaps, because their business has thrived, one observed that in the last one year alone, there has been an upsurge in the number of illegal kiosks and food vendors within the complex.

With the latest measures, the management plans to beef up security within and ensures no repeat of the present situation.

entered into partnership with the World Bank in the area of education, saying out of the 3 states in the country that signed the agreement, Bauchi has demonstrated commitment in terms of project execution.

Dr. Tunji Adekola who expressed delight that 20% of the fund on the project which has reached 50% has already been released, said he has seen commitment on the part of the government, and assured that World Bank will continue with the project to support the state.

VVF centre treats 215 patients in Kebbi

Bauchi govt earmarks N164m to boost technical education

T

T

he Kebbi Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) Centre in Birnin Kebbi, on Wednesday said it had treated 215 patients in the past 13 months.

The Medical Director of the centre, Dr Abubakar Dakingari, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi that 190 of the patients were operated upon while 25 were treated with catheter.

He said the patients were victims of prolonged obstructive labour and genital mutilation. ``The centre offers free treatment for patients from within the country and those from neighbouring Benin and Niger Republics.”

Dakingari said that victims of the VVF were from remote communities that lacked roads and well-equipped healthcare.

He blamed the occurrence of the ailment on ignorance and poverty, saying that it affected mostly teenage girls giving birth for the first time. ``The ailment is also common among older women living in the villages,’’ the surgeon said.

Dakingari described the shortage of manpower as the major challenge facing the centre. ``I am the only surgeon and administrator of the centre; I am being assisted by two theatre nurses out of which one would retire this year.”

He said his other official engagements outside the state had affected the smooth treatment of patients patronising the centre. ``The state government, United Nations Population Fund, USAID and other nongovernmental organisations had been providing support and facilities.’’

Dakingari urged individuals, groups and stakeholders to provide additional support to the centre.

he Bauchi state government has approved the sum of N164 million for the procurement of machines, tools and other technical equipment to support technical and vocational education in the state.

The State Deputy Governor, Sagir Aminu Saleh said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between technical colleges and private companies with a view to improving skills development

L-R: Convener, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, Margaret Adeleke, Chief Executive Officer, Arabel Ventures, Shareefah Andu, Chairman of the occasion, Professor Pat Utomi, and Chief Executive Officer, United Capital, Toyin Sanni, during World Cancer Day, yesterday in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

Katsina releases N534.6m scholarship allowances From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

K

atsina State Government has released the sum of N534.6 million for the payment of scholarship allowances for 40, 762 indigenous students of the state studying in higher institutions across the country.

Addressing a press conference, yesterday in Katsina, the

Director- General of Katsina State Scholarship Trust Fund, Alhaji Shehu Muhammad, said the allowances was for students undergoing remedial, IJMB, NCE, OND, HND, undergraduates, post graduates and law school students.

He added that the sum of N307.1 was released in December 2014 for the payment of 23, 495 continuing education students

studying in various institutions across the country, adding that the payment was effected from December 2014 to January 2015.

Muhammad further disclosed that the sum of N227.4 million has been released by the government for the payment of 17, 267 fresh students of tertiary institutions.

He noted that the depreciation of shares in the stock market has seriously affected the operations

of the fund, disclosing that it was the state government that was shouldering 90 per cent of the responsibility while the fund shoulder 10 per cent of it.

The Director-General therefore thanked the state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema for assisting the operations of the fund, advising the students to reciprocate the gesture by concentrating on their studies.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

News

Court to hear fresh suit seeking Jonathan’s disqualification Feb.11

By Ai’sha Biola Raji

A

n Abuja Federal High Court on Tuesday fixed Feb. 11 for hearing in fresh suit seeking to disqualify President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the Feb. 14 presidential election.

The trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, fixed the date after listening to counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Yusuf

Alli (SAN) and Jonathan’s counsel, Mr Olatunji Salau.

The plaintiffs: Prof.Tunde Samuel, Dr Junaidu Mohammed, Mr Rasak Adeogun and Yahaya Ndu, in the originating summons, prayed the court to restrain Jonathan from contesting in the elections.

The plaintiffs contended that Jonathan was ineligible for reelection because to do otherwise

was tantamount to allowing him spend more than eight years for anyone to serve as president.

They argued that Jonathan was constitutionally ineligible to seek re-election in 2015 because that would allow him to occupy the office of president for more than eight years.

The plaintiffs also urged the court to declare that it was unconstitutional for any

person to occupy the office of president for more than a cumulative period of eight years.

According to them, such a scenario can only happen when the country is at war.

They noted that in computing the period already spent in office as president by Jonathan, the period from 6th day of May, 2010 to 28th May 2011 should be reckoned with.

They, therefore, prayed the

Religious leaders praying for peaceful conduct of 2015 general elections at a seminar organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Islamic Affairs, recently in Kaduna.

Scientific report records 2014 as hottest year since 1880-NEMA DG

T

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said on Tuesday that researchers by two U.S. agencies had recorded 2014 as the hottest year since 1880.

The NEMA Director-General, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during a stakeholder’s platform

for

Disaster Risk Reduction.

The two-day stakeholders platform was organised by NEMA in preparation for the United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction scheduled to hold in March at Sendai, Japan.

Sani-Sidi, who was represented

by Mr Alhassan Nuhu, NEMA’s Director, Risk Reduction,

identified the agencies as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

NASA is the agency responsible for the civilian space programme as well as aeronautics aerospace research the NOAA is a federal agency focusing on the condition

Polls: Civil Liberties Organisation warns politicians against crisis From Matthew Aramunde, Lagos

T

he President of the Civil Liberties Organisation CLO Mr. Igho Akeregha has revealed that the organization has critically analyzed the current Political climate and has come out with the verdict that all might not be well with the nation after all.

He made the assertion during a press briefing at Ikeja recently.

Igho Akeregha noted that it has interpreted the current developments in the country to mean the deliberate actions by politicians to undermine the huge gains Nigeria has made since 1999 in the nations collective march to democratic stability.

He said that majority of Nigerians are now very worried about their safety and the

enjoyment of their democratic freedoms with escalating incidences of political violence and general insecurity that is adversely affecting citizens enjoyment of their basic freedoms and human rights stressing that this has led to increasing bitterness, acrimony and palpable feeling of insecurity, distrust in the governance process and looming anarchy in the country accentuated by political tension.

He noted with dismay that all these negative manifestations are against the recent peace agreement supervised by a former Common Wealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan “The CLO is worried that the consequences of these developments may precipitate voter apathy or low turn-out

leading to the deligitimization of the of the eventual winner of the elections, breakdown of law and order, threat to peaceful and harmonious coexistence of Nigerians. The right to political participation and to freely make input into the governance process is a fundamental rights of all citizen”’Igho said Casting a retrospective view at the era that consumed notable personalities like Harry Marshal, Bola Ige, Funsho Williams and others, Igho noted that the state of basic and fundamental rights have generally improved under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan even as he also noted that the current improvement in the country’s human rights profile was indeed kick started by the administration of the President Umar Yar’Adua.

of the oceans and the atmosphere.

Sani-Sidi said that the report released by these agencies revealed that the world was getting hotter due to climate change.

He quoted the report as saying that ``temperatures have consistently been recorded since 1880, providing well over a century of data. ``The reports revealed that on the average, 2014 turned out to beat the average temperature of any other year since 1880 -- 0.69 degree Celsius (about 1.24 farenheit) ``As a nation, we need to brace up and scale up on our preparedness in reducing vulnerability and the underlying risk factors in our communities.

Sani-Sidi said that NEMA was working with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that individuals and the nation as a whole, build resilience to disaster risk reduction.

In a goodwill message, Mr Joseph Alozie, the General Manager, Climate Services, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), noted that people’s attitude had aggravated environmental challenges. ``In recent years, we have challenges with heat and cold, due to very high and low temperatures.’’

According to him, in 2014, a town in Kano State recorded the lowest temperature as low as 4.9 degree Celsius, which he described as an unusual one.(NAN)

court to declare that having spent a period of more than four years in office from May 6, 2010, Jonathan is ineligible to contest for another term.

Two similar cases are pending before the same court, while another is before the Court of Appeal for determination.

Kebbi PDP accuses minister, national treasurer of masterminding fraudulent guber primaries

From Ahmed Idris Birnin Kebbi

A

group under the aegis of Buhari Support Group in kebbi state (BSG) has accused the Minister of Special Duties and interGovernmental Affairs, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) alongside the PDP National Treasurer, Alhaji Buhari Bala for allegedly been brains behind the kangaroo gubernatorial primary election held on the 8th of December last year.

The allegation which was contained in a press release signed by the Coordinator, Alhaji Nasiru Magaji and issued to newsmen in Birnin kebbi, indicated that the recent defection of thousands of PDP members in the state to APC was as a result of the wrongdoing and injustice perpetrated by the two accused persons.

It cited example of some defecting members that include General Muhammad Magoro (rtd) and Senator Representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, General Tanko Ayuba (rtd), Senator Atiku Bagudu and now APC gubernatorial candidate and Former FCT minister, Senator Adamu Aliero amongst others.

It further added that the actions of the two people and coupled with the maladministration of governor Saidu Dakingari led government that only succeeded in entrenching corruption, poverty and hunger in the state as a result of disenfranchising the people who have the interest of their people at heart.

“Sa’idu Usman Dakingari has no respect to the eyes of the people of Kebbi State because of his common betrayal, today he has dumped the people that supporteted and assissted him to win election in 2011. frankly, more than ninety percent of the people have not benefited from his administration” Nasiru was the coordinator of President Good Luck Jonathan campaign before he defected to APC to hold similar position for General Buharis campaign organization in the state.

PAGE 12

Money Sense

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Energy-efficient home improvements that save money A

s energy costs rise, you might be looking for ways to be more energyefficient without breaking the bank. Here are eight moneysmart moves to consider when making home renovations.

Anything “low flow In addition to saving water, low-flow fixtures will save you more than a dime or two.

Inexpensive and easily installed, low-flow fixtures can reduce your home water consumption by as much as 50 percent and can save you up to N22,475 per year. Low-flow showerheads cost about N3100.

A tank-less water heater Tank-less water heaters allow users to shave 20 percent off their water bill. In addition to lasting five to 10 years longer than tank heaters, tank-less heaters never run out of hot water.

Ceiling fans A ceiling fan will help keep your home at a comfortable temperature while reducing your energy bill by about N2, 325 per year, according to Energy Star. Ceiling fans are priced at about N7750

Compact fluorescent light bulbs Fluorescent bulbs last four to 10 times longer than regular light bulbs. While they are more expensive initially, you will save about N930 per year on energy bills.

Weather stripping You might be surprised to find how much money you could save by patching up that draft in your kitchen or bedroom.

In homes that haven’t been weather stripped, air leaks account for 30 to 40 percent of cooling loss. Weather stripping materials start for as little as N775.

Costs to cut in retirement: Eliminate these unnecessary expenses and live comfortably on a fixed income

I

f you don’t have a traditional pension or large nest egg, it’s likely that you will need to closely monitor your spending in retirement. “(Retirees) don’t just sit around eating bonbons and living off pension plans,” says Bart Astor, author of “AARP Roadmap for the Rest of Your Life: Smart Choices about Money, Health, Work, Lifestyle, and Pursuing Your Dreams.”

“At 50 or 60 years old, you still have to be thinking longterm. You will be without a major career for 30, 40 or even 50 years, which is probably longer than you actually worked before. Look at what you can afford to do, and balance it with what is important to you.”

One of the simplest things you can do to make sure you stay financially viable during retirement is pay attention to your spending. “It is important to understand exactly where your money is going and what you are getting for it,” says Keith Green, President of The American Retirement Initiative. “There are

a lot of ways to cut spending on things you just don’t need.”

Whether you are in the midst of retirement or you are just planning ahead, consider cutting back in the following areas to prevent unnecessary expenditures and financial worries down the road: Adjusting to lower income:As you move into retirement, you will likely have to adjust to living on a lower income. To avoid getting into trouble later, make sure you are only buying what you can afford. “It’s generally a mistake to carry a balance on a charge card,” Green says. “The overarching thought here is that during their retirement years, folks are more likely to be living on a fixed income, and that may affect the repayment process later on.”

Technology:Don’t sign up and pay for anything you aren’t going to use. “How many people watch 50 percent, or even 30 percent, of the things they pay for with cable?”

Green says. Paying for cable can become a major financial drain

over time. Consider slimming down on elaborate packages or turning to cheaper alternatives.

“Today, you can get the content from other outlets.

Additionally, be realistic about your needs and wants. If you need a cellphone just for making an occasional phone call, don’t purchase the latest smartphone with an unlimited data package.

“You don’t need to be paying for fancy phones with features or minutes you don’t use,” Green says.

Insurance:The older you get, the less important it becomes to focus your attention and money on life insurance plans.

“In the event of your death, (life insurance pays) your dependents or those closest to you,” Green says. “But when you are retired, typically the folks who were dependent on you before aren’t anymore. Also, theoretically, you’ve had time to build up other assets so the need isn’t there.”

That saidyou shouldn’t always cancel your life insurance policy because many of them have viable

cash return options, and could help a surviving spouse or have estate planning benefits.

Travel:Travel tends to increase during the early years of retirement and taper off later on, Heichel says. If you know you are going to travel more

during retirement, try to factor those costs into your retirement saving ahead of time. However, regardless of prior planning, keep costs low by adjusting your travel itinerary. Shop around for the cheapest airline seats and discounted hotel rooms.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

PAGE 13

EDITORIAL

INEC and distribution of PVCs

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distribution given the new here have rigging and that is what the steps it has taken. We recognise been incessant country cannot afford. That that INEC has a huge task on complaints by prompted INEC to extend the its hand which requires that eligible voters that deadline yet again from Jan. its officials work maximally. they are yet to 31 to Feb. 8. Given the fact that They should put on their collect their permanent voter many prominent Nigerians thinking caps if they have not cards (PVCs) from INEC, have not collected their PVCs, done so already. Its credibility with only nine days to the there is understandable doubt is at stake here. Also at stake is presidential election. This is as to the readiness of INEC to the image of this country seen a cause for concern. It shows conduct elections next week. as the giant of Africa. Already that Nigerians are sensitive our politicians are outdoing to anything that will hinder each other to show the outside them from performing their world that we are not ready to civic duty like taking part in conduct free, fair and credible elections. The election body elections. under Professor Attahiru INEC should and must not lend Jega has impacted a lot on credence to that impression. the Nigerian electoral process We recommend that the for it to be discredited as a commission employ the result of inefficiency in the traditional and social media management of the PVCs. The platforms to tell voters where decentralisation of the PVCs exactly they can pick up their collection to administrative PVCs. If need be, it should wards by INEC in order to get employers of labour to enhance access by voters yet to declare a public holiday to collect theirs is commendable. enable workers to access Before now, the distribution the PVC. As for those who was done at local government have moved from where they offices of the commission originally registered due to after distribution at polling There have been calls in some either transfer or change of units ended. quarters for the election table to accommodation, INEC should Still the collection process be adjusted.

About 15 political consider allowing them to make is painfully slow. As at last parties and 5 presidential use of the Temporary Voter week, less than 70% of the candidates are already in court Card. The National Assembly expected 68,833,476 million to seek a postponement of the has reinforced this suggestion voters had received their polls. with a strong appeal to INEC. It PVCs. It is reported that three We would not be surprised if the already may be too late in the out of every 10 Nigerians have polls are shifted. However, we day, however, to change the not collected their cards. strongly oppose a shift in date.

Electoral Act to accommodate Inadvertent or not, the poor We believe that the electoral that suggestion. Let’s stick to and slow distribution of the body could achieve a 100 % the original election timetable.

PVCs leaves a lot of room for

“

We would not be surprised if the polls are shifted.

However, we strongly oppose a shift in date

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OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

Chairman Malam Wada Maida, Oon, Fnge Director/Editor-in-Chief Rufa’i Ibrahim Hameed M. Bello

Editor, Daily

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“To be a reputable, profitable, innovative and technologically reliant media company offering world class services and products”

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

PAGE 14

Opinion

“The only case against Buhari”

By Moses Anyaoha

W

hen President Goodluck Jonathan tipped the wicked, hypocritical and shameful cacophony of an expired politician Fani Kayode as the face of his reelection bid, it became clear he is out of ideas. The crack-head who will tomorrow include Patience Jonathan among the women he slept with have done more harm than good to the little hope he had, if at all any.

The president thinks we have fallen onto a mesmerized state that makes us accept inevitable that which is inferior and detrimental as if having lost the vision and will to demand that which is good. No wonder he said, “I don’t give a damn” when he was asked to declare his assets.

Now that the chips are down, the battle line is drawn, and the handwriting on the wall is clear that any attempt to rig the election is like making contact with uninsulated energized electrical powerline; Mr. president has no choice than to give a damn. He is ready to clinch on anything to survive including the certificate of his opponent. After much noise about certificate or No certificate, Gen. Buhari exhibited a revolutionized sense of humility and ordered the school where he obtained his certificate to release a copy to the people of Nigeria, which the school did. Gen. Buhari also mentioned names of the people he graduated

with of which one of them have since confirmed to be truth.

President Goodluck Jonathan through his spokes person Fani Kayode granted press release and stated categorically that the certificate is forged, but failed to say the next step to take. Meanwhile, INEC have made it clear that it has no power to disqualify Gen. Buhari and further advised any aggrieved party to go to Court. For Fani Kayode, transporting junks into people’s head in a Trojan horse of sweet melody is the best way to ignite the political consciousness and participation of our people.

Sorry, only the gullible and cheap minded buys such ideas, go to Court and stop the distraction.

Section 131 of the 1999 Constitution says: “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of President if (a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth; (b) he has attained the age of forty (40) years; (c) he is a member of a political party; and (d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.”

The PDP may also have breached Section 31(3-5) of the Electoral Act for joining issues with Buhari on the certificate matter. PDP should have laid its complaints between December 25, 2014 and January 1, 2015. INEC in its timetable for the general elections fixed December 25, 2014 to January 1, 2015 for claims and objections. It was learnt that the PDP has failed to comply with three

issues in Section 31 of the Electoral Act. These are: a refusal to comply with the seven-day period for claims and objections; a failure to apply to the INEC for a copy of Buhari’s nomination form; and a ruling party yet to file any application before a high court on Buhari’s credentials.

Section 31(3-6) says: “The commission shall within seven days of the receipt of the personal particulars of the candidate publish same in the constituency where the candidate intends to contest the election.

“A person may apply to the commission for a copy of the nomination form affidavit and any other document submitted by a candidate at an election and the commission shall, upon the payment of a prescribed fee, issue person with a certified copy of the documents within 14 days.

“Any person who has reasonable grounds to believe that any information given by a candidate in the affidavit or any document submitted by that candidate is false may file a suit at the Federal High Court, High Court of a state or FCT against such person seeking a declaration that the information contained in the affidavit is false.

“If the court determines that any of the information contained in the affidavit of any document submitted by that candidate is false, the court shall issue an order disqualifying the candidate from contesting the

election.”

As if this is not enough, is PDP not aware of the fact that Buhari attended the prestigious US war college where he was awarded diploma certificate.

PDP and Fani Kayode’s willingness to employ all shenanigans at causing distraction has not only failed, it has backfired, and as a bad servant he has always been he should be spurred out of the way like a cur.

It is only in Nigeria that there is no respect for men and women who put their lives on the line in defence of their country, yet you expect them to sacrifice their lives to the detriment of their family. PDP may think the machination is on Buhari alone, impossible, the entire servicemen and women along side their institutions are hereby ridiculed.

Even as the election draws near, they are going to be used in various ways.

I want to advise you all to shine your eyes as you carry out those matching orders bearing in mind that your service, integrity and dedication will be questioned tomorrow.

The outburst over the certificate issue shows that PDP values education, yet millions of our youths some with P.hD apply as drivers, security guards, while some roast corn and plantain on the roadside.

If such outburst had been channeled toward the release of chibok girls, they would have been home by now no matter how hard hearted their captors are.

The only case against Gen.

Buhari is that the situation of Nigeria is sufficiently solicitous of intervention, and among the presidential candidates, he is the one that possesses indescribable superfluity art of superintendence and administration. For this, he is favoured to win the February 14th election. Take him to court of public opinion or court of justice, he will be discharged and acquitted.

To my fellow brothers and sisters from the East, forget about sentiments, join to mark an end to power grab on the altar of injustice, oppression, domination and politics of exclusion. Brotherhood by tribal, manipulative, unrealistic and sensorship is not for this generation.

Your vote is your power and voting rightly will serve the traditional penological justification of both retribution and deterrence, so, do not miss the opportunity nor misuse it. If after four years the new government did not do well, in likewise manner, we show them the way out.

But where you wish to stick to your gun with regards to this person is from my place or he is my brother, don’t forget that there are also many of them in the race like: Chief Sam Eke – CPP, Chief Martin Onovo NCP, Allagoa Kelvin Chinedu PPN, Godson Mgbodile Ohaenyem UPD and Chief Dr. Chekwas Okorie UPP. Or you can wait till I come out to contest.

Moses Anyaoha via Eboms2001@yahoo.com

Counting costs of injurious reporting (III)

By Bisi Olawunmi

N

igeria is currently in the throes of various violent conflict situations, ranging from the Boko Haram insurgency, to Fulani herdsmen militia rampage across several states, the siege of kidnappers and armed robbers as well as murderous communal strife. In conflict situations, unwary journalists become victims of propagandists and sundry spin doctors seeking to sell points of view to the public. It would not be an impossible situation if journalists remember the injunction: When in doubt, verify and if you cannot confirm, leave out. The spokespersons of various groups in contention seek to mobilize the press. Half truths and outright lies are tools employed.

Ultimately, blatant falsehood disseminated to the public serve neither the journalists nor the spokespersons - and the constituencies they represent - well, because both lose credibility with the public. The Boko Haram insurgency is a case study that journalists and security spokespersons must address their minds to. There seems to be a tendency to garrulity by security spokespersons while journalists exhibit unpardonable gullibility in managing public communication about Boko Haram.

Both have lost the confidence of the public with regard to information/ news on Boko Haram.

In contrast, the Boko Haram elements seem to have mastered the art of strategic public communication by letting their actions do most of the talking, with occasional disdainful, information dissemination that seek to ridicule the security agencies, with a telling effect. It would appear the security forces are rather over anxious to have good news to tell, hence making some information available in the public domain, prematurely.

The other dilemma of journalists is how to overcome their dependence on pseudo-events, activities staged purposively for media attention and reportage. Bomb blasts, abductions and other spectacular crimes are tactics employed by non state actors to make a compelling demand on the nation state. It has succeeded so far, globally, because the media is addicted to what an American foreign correspondent called the allure of the Bang! Bang!!

Another observation of this paper is the need for a better working relationship between spokespersons and journalists in managing information about conflict situations.

There is a need for a confidencebuilding mechanism that fosters trust between the two because, to a large extent, one cannot succeed without the other. Even the security spokespersons have greater need to court the media rather than what appears to be their dismissive, condescending attitude toward ‘ignorant’ reporters regarded as jeopardizing national security. A state of discord among managers of public information, in their varying capacities, can only compound general insecurity.

Given the many factors which predispose Nigeria to continuing conflicts, it is imperative to have a comprehensive review of public information and communication management, with a view to explicitly defining role expectations as well as creating a platform for regular dialogue among relevant operators in the sector, particularly media owners.

One of the identified limitations of journalists seen as contributing majorly to their poor professional performance in the Kenyan post election crisis is lack of training. It is compounded by media owners’ indiscriminate appointment of people into news reporting, presentation and

management positions, some just on the basis of a beautiful face or a good voice. The dire consequences of this anomalous recruitment policy, as shown in the Kenyan situation, dictates that similar tendencies in the Nigerian media should be reviewed. It is, therefore, imperative that concerted capacity building for journalists, involving all stakeholders in Nigeria’s media sector, should be accorded priority, and treated with a sense of urgency in the short time to the 2015 general elections and the immediate post election period.

The federal government, given its primary responsibility for law and order throughout the country, should provide the lead in this media capacity building effort that should include reporters and editors in privately owned media. Such capacity building should be streamlined as against current ad hoc efforts by various organizations. It is instructive to highlight an indictment of the Kenyan government for its shortsightedness in creating a highly liberalized media environment without supporting capacity building, a development that brought about widespread unprofessional conduct among media practitioners that fuelled the country’s 2007 post election conflict.

The indictment, in a BBC post mortem of the Kenyan election crisis, contends: “It is clear that ‘unsophisticated liberalisation’ could be said to apply to the Kenyan context ( it is not alone in this ) . Yet policy engagement in how governments liberalise their media systems, how support can best be provided in doing so, how capacity building and training with media can best be structured and organized, how public interest media can be encouraged are generally low priorities in development policy”.

In making a case for media capacity building, the report highlighted the

“substantial extent” of the role of the media as a development agent , and the apparent disinterest of many governments in exploiting this, concluding that “ the Kenyan crisis demonstrates that such disinterest cannot be sustained in the future without seriously undermining other development efforts”.

Paradigm shift by the media On the part of the media industry, there is need for a paradigm shift from the ‘publish and be damned’ disposition among many journalists to a solution, order restoration reporting that sees media and public interests as better served by not giving indiscriminate platform to anomie-inclined media manipulators.

Such paradigm shift demands that journalists recognize information dissemination as a strategic function requiring utmost application of strategic thinking, consideration and evaluation of all potential ramifications of its impact. The media must be, and perceived to be, a major stakeholder in state stability by prudently performing its gate-keeping role in sifting and filtering information that gets into the public domain. It is this deliberate management of information for the public good that separates the mainstream media from the social media’s rumour market.

As part of this paradigm shift, which involves creating a corps of knowledgeable, professional journalists, journalists themselves and their industry associations have crucial roles. Journalists, especially those without professional qualification, need to invest in self development to make themselves relevant to their duties. The Nigerian Guild of Editors, representing the managerial cadre of journalists, need to establish a professional peer review committee, to monitor editors’ performances and highlight infringements

of professional code of ethics. It should serve as The Watchdog of the Watchdogs. It is, for instance, unethical for editors to function, or be seen to function, as domestic staff of their proprietors! Editors need training in casting reflective headlines, as against inflammatory headlines, which widen the divide in conflict situations. Going by preliminary analysis of media content, it would seem that journalists have largely surrendered their agenda-setting function to partisan political actors. It is imperative for Nigerian journalists to apply the Social Responsibility theory of the press which stresses their obligation to give prime consideration to enhancing social stability and peace in their news reports and analyses.

With the conflict situation arising from Boko Haram’s rampage not abating, and political campaign activities taking a vicious battle formation, the potential of another violent conflict as Nigeria approaches the 2015 general elections cannot be dismissed, off-hand. It, therefore, becomes imperative that journalists, government information managers, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders in public/political communication take proactive steps to create synergy in managing the contentious political contest before, during and post 2015 general elections such that Nigeria does not go the Way of Kenya in 2007. The eruptions after the 2011 presidential election are a pointer. SURELY, NIGERIA, DOES NOT WANT TO TRAVEL THE 2011 ROAD, AGAIN. Concluded Dr. Bisi Olawunmi is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Bowen University, Iwo. Email :olawunmibisi@yahoo.com Phone : 0803 364 7571.

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Comment

Jonathan: from the divine to the dubious

By Mohammed Adamu He was, as Shakespeare would say, “sweet Fortune’s minion and her pride”. Without ever striving Jonathan virtually had it all. And without steering, yet he attained heights undreamt even by those who give their all. He rose from a ‘rustic’, ‘shoeless’, socio-economic beginning to the neplus-ultra of political achievement: from a Local Government Chairman to Deputy Governor; from Governor to Vice President and from Acting President to President.

All these he attained more by the dint of ‘luck’ than by the hook of ‘merit’.

Besides, his name is also ‘Goodluck’ –a perfect doublet of a desirable piece of ‘good omen’. Who would be in our situation and not desire some ‘good luck’ and some ‘good omen’? For a woebegone nation, like Nigeria, and for a people so forlornly forsaken, like Nigerians, nothing could be more aptly desideratum.

Everyone said that the Zodiacs must be favorably at work in the political affairs of this young Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.) –Jonathanwho hails from hitherto littleknown Otuoke village in Bayelsa.

Although Dr. Jonathan looked and sounded deafeningly vacuous, and notwithstanding he also reeked of and radiated clueless ineptitude, many Nigerians still argued that he could be our chance-talisman.

In any case, ‘lucks’ and ‘good omens’ don’t come in packs and sachets of merit and credibility; they alight often from un-comely, sometimes repulsive, packages. Many Nigerians even waxed biblical, asking: ‘who ever thought that anything good could come out of obscure Nazareth?

They said that Jonathan could very well be our own ‘Jesus of Otuoke’; -revered not at home but highly venerated abroad.

And in our efforts to legitimize the

omens of providence and ‘good luck’ we were even prepared to turn timehonored axioms upside down and we walked other time-tested proverbials right on their heads: we argued for example that “God’s Providence” is not only “on the side of clear heads” (like Henry Beecher wrote), but that it could also be on the side of cloudy, goody-goody ones -like Jonathan’s. We also insisted that “The wind and the waves” are not only “on the side of the ablest navigator”, (like Edward Gibson said), but that they could also be on the side of lucky, un-stirring bums, like Joe. In fact a torrent of so called ‘men of God’ was soon unleashed on the debate about the possible ‘good luck omen’ inherent in Goodluck Jonathan.

Many pastors said that they had communed with Heaven and that the Lord had spoken to them, revealing that Jonathan was His ‘anointed’.

They said that God told them that this shoeless man from Otuoke would be our biblical Moses; and that in spite of his seeming vacuity and cluelessness, he would be the one to enact our own version of the parting of the Red Sea -to ‘let my people go!’ Jerry Gana, the one notorious for hunting with the Devil while he sups with the ‘Divine’, said that Goodluck Jonathan held the ‘key’ to the Gate of our Promised Land. Ethno-centric, rabble rousing, reactionary Clark said that Goodluck needed no credentials or antecedentmerit; he said that where the ‘divine’ stood proxy for man, earthly paper credentials were like filthy rags.

And so even the equitable measure of zoning, (which many canvassed as a veritable panacea for the many sicknesses of a plural society like Nigeria) was, by many, assailed and clobbered. Many Nigerians rose clubs and cudgels, batons and bayonets, to hew down the effigy of zoning and to make way for our newfound romance with ‘divine good luck’. The politics of

‘merit’ and those of ‘cause and effect’ were sacrificed on the altar of ‘luck’ and ‘good omens’.

Thus soon, a featherless political upstart crow, Jonathan, was adorned with the anointed peacock-feathers of our political forebears; we placed this clueless man from Otuoke in a celestial chariot of divine fire and we armed him with the Sword of Damocles to be Nigeria’s avenging angel.

And when Jonathan first deployed to work, many said that they saw a burst of patriotic enthusiasm in this shoeless child of destiny; an enthusiasm to unleash the ‘divine’ and the providential on this God-forsaken land which no longer brought forth fruit. There he was, Jonathan, chisel at hand, impatiently waiting to hew the hedgy overgrowth of our socioeconomic and political Augean Stable.

And for many of us it did not matter if he hit the ground running, ambling or crawling. It mattered only that he was propelled by the ‘divine’ and by the ‘providential’.

We were –and maybe still are- a nation eaten hollow by pride and prejudice, bigotry and base pursuit.

But by God we are a people driven by faith; faith in the power of the unknown and faith in the efficacy of the unknowable. We believe that since faith could move mountains, faith would not have problem moving, especially floating ships of state. So Jonathan needed not to steer the rudders. It was sufficient that he was on board the Ship of our State. The invisible hands of two angels, Cherub and Seraph, would do all the steering.

Truth was we could not invest faith in the divine medium that produced Jonathan and then appear to disbelieve Jonathan himself. And so when he said that he would move Nigeria forward, we needed no more than to say: ‘amen and amen again!’

And when he put us on a long tortuous road map, the so called Energy Road

Map, which he said would lead to abundant light; and abundant light would lead to unlocking our arrested potentials, like the disciples of old, we only picked our raiment and we faithfully followed him. Goodluck became our Moses and we became his freedom-seeking Israelites.

We walked across the plains, the swamps and the savannas; we endured the scotching sun and we braved the stormy tempests. We hungered and we thirsted. Yet our Moses became more and more distant; more uncaring, self-titillating and aggrandizing. He seemed no longer all ears to the bleating of his famished sheep. And soon we began to question the humanity in this non-provident Moses. He left us a thousand times (he said) to consult with the ‘burning bush’. But on each return instead of the light of God, what he brought to us more and more heat.

Of ‘manna from Heaven’ we saw none. Soon it was ‘blood, sweat and tears’; which had degenerated to ‘weeping and wailings and mourning and gnashing of teeth’. Now we had to ask: ‘could this truly be of God?; -a journey with Moses but without manna from Heaven? -a journey with Moses with a thousand ‘burning bushes’ but no soothing word from God? -a journey with Moses where each visit to the ambient presence of God brings no light but wrath? What manner of Moses is this who daily justifies himself more by the number of the Commandments he breaks than by those he keeps; -or intends to keep?

Now we must sift the divine from the dubious. The Jerry Ganas and the Solomon Lars had sold us a false Masih with a dubious anointing. But whose fault?. Ours. We had allowed false Christs and false prophets to deceive even the very ‘elect’ among us. ‘By their fruits’ Jesus said ‘ye shall know them’.

But how did we miss the biblical test? It must be our prejudice; -a disease which

sees what it pleases and ignores what is real. We all saw that the Jonathan tree was daily bearing evil fruit. We did nothing!

And now that the Jonathan road map has finally narrowed into a thick black endless tunnel of uncertainty, it downs on us that he is not after all ‘divine’. But too late: Jonathan’s old wares of ‘luck’ and ‘good omens’ have left us in the lurch. We now grope in the dark hoping to avoid poisonous reptiles even as we have to deal with the eerie and sinister voices of Jonathan’s armed terrorists, the Dokubos and the Tompolos, -threatening to unleash on us the furry of their state of the art weapons, -ironically weapons bought from the public till.

Even our longing for light at the end of the Jonathan tunnel does not hold any promise of reprieve. Maybe it is better to remain in the Jonathan ‘dark’ than to seek to get out of it; because if the words of Jonathan’s terrorists are anything to go by, the light we seek at the end of the Jonathan tunnel may after all be light from an oncoming train!

Jonathan has taken us high up on a dizzying flight. And then he deliberately broke a wing! So that we are now precariously ‘on a wing and on a prayer’. On a wing and a prayer was how a 2nd World war British Pilot miraculously managed to return to base, landing safely after his hit fighter plane had lost a wing.

Whether we will make a historic ‘onewing landing’ back at base only ‘time’ will tell! Because the Evil shrouded in the divine has finally bared his fangs.

Jonathan, at last has taken the path of Shakespeare’s warring Henry: he demands “A crown or else a glorious tomb; a scepter or an early sepulcher!”

He was not divine. He is dubious.

This article, earlie published as Tuesday back page column had some erros corrected here.

Wearing of hijab is a human right

By Sulaiman Badamasi

H

ijab (the veil) is a piece of cloth that is worn by Muslim women. It comes in different sizes and designs. It covers the head and flows down to the ankles. It is compulsory in Islam on every woman who attains puberty, to wear it or any other piece of cloth that serves the same purpose when moving out of her home or meeting a man that is not a member of her family or a close relative. Niqab (face veil), according to the majority of Islamic scholars is not mandatory, but is also part of the hijab.

This type of dress though, its similar kinds are adopted by peoples of other faiths (catholic Nuns, Orthodox Christian Nuns, Jews, Sikh etc) and sometimes as cultural outfits (Kanuri, Somali, Amharic, Arab etc) has been gathering momentum in recent years when some activists began to advocate against forcing the women to wear (or simply against wearing) it and some countries prohibit the use of Hijab by officially banning it.

The Republic of Turkey has announced the ban on Hijab and any type of headscarf in early 1980s in an attempt to ensure all overt religious symbols, but the ban was lifted later in 2013 when the government realised that women’s participation in public institutions is below average and that the main reason is; they don’t feel comfortable in public places without

having their body covered. In 2004, France became the first European country to ban the Hijab, Niqab, Burqa, other religious symbols and anything that covers one’s face from public places in an aim to ensuring a secured and secular community.

In 2010, some Italian regions and Anti Immigrant Northern League have made the Hijab ban official, the ban after which a woman was fined 392 Pounds in Novara, Northern Italy. Belgium followed France and Italy (though not the whole Italy as a country) in 2012 but banning only the Niqab (face veil), with a punishment of up to 7 years jail term or a fine of 380 Euros on the violators. The Dutch government also adopted the ban on Niqab with a proposal of 380 Euros fine upon violation. In 2013, Lagos state government of Nigeria has officially banned the use of Hijab in public schools.

Let me highlight some of the reasons that are given in support of a ban on hijab. Hijab can be used by terrorists to hide explosives: Of course, some attackers have been disguising under the cover of Hijab to lunch attacks, but the questions, which I may like to ask, are; is Hijab the only thing that the terrorists use? Will banning it bring an end to terrorism? Has banning it ever become an end to terrorists attacks in any country? France, as the first European country to ban the Hijab has recently (in early January 2015) faced an attack which swept away at

least 17 lives.

If someone tells me that he still supports the banning because of terrorism, I would then ask further whether he also agrees that all sorts of clothes should not be worn by anyone anymore, because terrorists do also hide deadly materials under their garments. For example; the Northwest Airline Flight 253’s underwear bomber in the US, who attempted bombing in December 2009 was discovered with explosive in his underwear, and recently in Kano-Nigeria, a 13 year old girl was on 11th December 2014 detected wearing an explosive vest, covered under her shirt. Terrorists are also using mobile phones. – does that mean we should all be banned from using GSM? They also are using vehicles. – Why do those governments not prohibit the use of vehicles, garments, mobile phones etc, and the activists too do not chant any boo against them? Therefore, it is not all that use mobile phones, garments and vehicles for terrorism, it is not all who use Hijab terrorise.

Women are forced to wear it: If there are women that are forced to wear it, and you advocate for them not to be forced to do so, why do you not allow those who willingly wear it with passion? Indeed the number of those who wail for being forced to wear the Hijab is insignificant compared to those who protest against banning it. Why is it that those who detest the Hijab have their

rights considered but the rights of the ones who want to wear it is neglected?

Tawakkul Karman, first Arab woman and youngest Nobel Peace Laureate, when asked about her Hijab by journalists and how it is not proportionate with her level of intellect and education, she replied, “Man in early times was almost naked, and as his intellect evolved he started wearing clothes. What I am today and what I am wearing represents the highest level of though and civilisation that man has achieved, and is not regressive. It is the removal of clothes again that is regressive back to ancient times.”

Thus women are wearing it willfully; therefore their right of choice of cloth should be respected, protected and fulfilled.

It is against formation of a secular community: A government can be secular but should not feel authorised to forcefully secularise its citizens. The French government has pretended being a neutral government, but should indeed; recognise the rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion which further suggests that people should be allowed to practice their religion. By the way, the French government is so segregative in that respect, because in 2014, Father Christmas, which they called “Pere Noel” or “Papa Noel” could be seen on the day of Christmas, moving around, giving and accepting gifts to/from young children in the red and white dress, which obviously

communicates the religion to which he belongs.

Mark of separation/ symbol of existence of parallel society: In 2009, the United Kingdom’s then leader of the House of Commons, Jack Straw, who alleged that was worried about “implication of separateness”,suggested the ban on Niqab, and when detested and faced with mix reactions, he wrote to a local news paper, the Lancashire Evening Telegraph in October 2006 that; he preferred talking to a woman whose face can be seen, and ask women who were wearing them to remove when talking to him. But Straw publicly apologised in 2010 about his 2006 comments. Tony Blair, the then Labour prime minister also described it as “mark of separation”.

What I may want to ask anybody that is in harmony with Blair’s view is; do they know that there exists a gay community which can be identified with a different kind symbol in their countries? Are they not different from others, as they have differentiated themselves? Are there no people of other faiths whose dresses communicate the religion which they belong to? Have you not recognised their (gays) rights to differ from other people? How do you apply Article 18 of the International Human Rights law of freedom of thought on those minority Muslims in your countries?

Sulaiman Badamasi via sulaimanmahir@gmail.com

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

South-south divided over shift in Feb polls From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

here seemed to be a division amongst the major tribes in the South- south region of Nigeria in respect to the postponement of the forthcoming elections as the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought has agreed with the Northern socio cultural organization, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together for the emergence of a candidate that will work together for the betterment of the nation.

The MOU was signed at the National headquarter of the forum in Kaduna yesterday.

The parties said the two groups agreed to work together as Nigerians for the betterment of the country, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders that under no circumstances should INEC contemplate postponement of the elections scheduled for February 14th and 28th 2015.

“The implication of postponing the elections will be too far reaching as it may create constitutional crisis, lost of confidence by people in the system and social crisis as well as general uncertainty.

“We therefore, reaffirm our belief in one Nigeria and the confidence in the role elections play in democracy and to sustain the current democratic system we should not temper with the electoral process” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has warned trouble makers against causing violence in the forth coming 2015 general elections, saying that, enough is enough of political violence.

The Chairman of the forum, Ibrahim Coomassie, former

…as ACF warns trouble makers Inspector General of Police, stated this when the Arewa Youth Coalition for Peace paid a courtesy call on the headquarters of the forum in Kaduna yesterday.

Alhaji Coomassie said since 2009 Northern Nigeria has suffered from series of violence, and enough is enough of the violence.

“Northerners know of peace and we Northerners causing violence is not in our character.

“Violence does not pay at all, we therefore urge the National Independent Electoral Commission not to rig the 2015 general elections, but to conduct transparent, free

and credible elections and to also give victory those that emerge as winners” he said.

According to the ACF chairman, “Nigerians are now fully charged, and everybody is yearning for change in this country, but we want peace to reign during and after the elections”.

Commassie who appealed to the youths not to allow themselves be used by undesirable elements to cause violence, urged them to put head together and vote for the right candidates of their choice.

While assuring the association of the ACF leadership support,

Commassie called on eligible voters to come out on Election Day and vote for the candidates of their choice.

Responding, the chairman of the association, Comrade Mukatar Mohammed said, “ we already have a programme going on now across the northern states enlightening youths on the need to conduct themselves peacefully during and after the general elections.”

He also assured the ACF that they will not allow themselves be used by any politician in order to cause violence during and after the general elections.

L-R: Gombe state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Kasim Gaidam, and Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, during a stakeholders meeting on general elections, yesterday in Gombe. Photo: NAN

Amaechi needs deliverance over alleged N6bn pastors’ bribe - PDP

By Ahmed Abubakar

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that recent statement credited to the Director General of the Presidential Campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Rotimi Amaechi alleging that church pastors have received N6 billion worth of bribe from President Goodluck Jonathan is capable of stalling the Nigerian democracy.

Stating this yesterday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh told journalists that such ‘utterances by the opposition

party as well as Rotimi Amaechi is capable of stalling the democratic process in the country”.

Metu said, “pastors are well trained clerics that should not be in any circumstance be dragged into the mudslinging accusations.

And doing so is tantamount to outright disrespect to the clerics”.

He said, “The APC DG must out rightly prostate before his church and seek forgiveness for he has sinned against the holy men of God”.

He asked the APC to respect and value the ‘Naira’ as Nigeria’s currency even as he said the APC

members are congregation of people infested with corruption that is why to them calling N6 billion as if it were N6 million is common with them”.

He said the utterances by Amaechi would not only incite the Christians against the Muslims.

He then accused the APC for conniving with the INEC to destroy Permanent voter Cards (PVCs) of supporters of the PDP in Lagos thereby technically disenfranchising them from voting in the polls.

He however warned that “if

by Saturday INEC has continued

to collaborate with APC we would have to decide on the next line of action”.

He said the PDP is sure of getting a total votes cast of 98 % by the non indigenes of Lagos which is why their PVCs were technically destroyed through burning”, he stated.

He said “Lai Mohammed has been making utterances that represent the ‘Janjaweed’ ideology of the APC that always spells anarchy”.

He called on Nigerians to rise against the utterances of the APC.

Protesters besiege INEC office again over postponement of elections

By Ali Abare Abubakar

F

or the second time in two days, protesters yesterday staged a protest at national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) demanding for a shift in the elections by two months.

The elections are scheduled as follows: February 14 Presidential and National Assembly election and the February 28 Governorship and State Houses of Assembly election.

The protesters, who came under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Societies, allege marginalization of the Southern part of the country in the distribution of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

They coalition led by Amanda Chisom, said the northern states have received a total of 73 percent of the PVCs, while the southern states have received only 46 percent of the PVCs. Giving a breakdown, they noted that the North West zone has total registered voters of 18 million and has received 14 million or 75 percent of the distributed PVC, leaving behind 2.6m of voters that are yet to collect their PVCs. In the North East, the group said that the zone has received 10.4 million registered voters with a 7.4 million of PVC distribution, and 2.9 million eligible voters yet to collect their PVCs, the North Central zone has a total registered voters of 10.5 million with 5.5 million recorded to have collected their PVCs and 5 million said not to have collected their PVCs. As for the South West, the group said that there is a total registered voters of 13.1 million, out of which 6.4 million or 48.7 percent has received their PVC and 6.7 million yet to collect their PVCs, while in the South-South there is a registered voters of 8.9 million, out of which only 3.9 million or 44.1 percent and 4.9 million yet to collect their PVCs. In the South East, the group said there is 7.1 million with 3.1 million said to have collected their PVCS, while 4.1 million of the registered voters are yet to collect their PVCs. She expressed doubt over the ability of INEC to distribute 24 million PVCS between Wednesday and Sunday.

She further argued that the call for postponement is in line section 132 subsections 2 of the Electoral Act that said that election could be shifted within 90 days.

She said the election should be shifted to either March or April to enable the distribution of the PVCs to all eligible voters.

Chisom noted that they were received by an official of INEC from the Legal Department who informed them that the commission would look into their petition in the next few days.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Catholic Archbishop urges politicians to denounce provocative utterances

“APC membership is spreading like wild fire”, says Uba Nana From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

A

ll Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi State Chairman, Uba Ahmed Nana has observed that the party’s membership is spreading like a wild fire on a daily basis.

The Bauchi APC chairman revealed that a number of 76 members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who are holding executive positions across the state defected to the APC. He attributed the last minute rush by PDP members in Bauchi State to defect to the APC to what he termed as saving their faces against the anticipated outcome of next week’s general elections.

Nana who was speaking while receiving a PDP juggernaut in the state, Barrister Umar Faruk Gwadabe into the fold of the APC at the state party secretariat, expressed delight with the defection of Gwadabe whom, he noted, is cross-carpeting with thousands of his followers.

Alhaji Uba Nana described as the height of propaganda and political gimmicks the statement credited to the PDP that it has in Ganjuwa local government area of the state received into its fold over 3, 000 APC members.

By Etuka Sunday

T L-R: Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah Of South West OF Nigeria, Professor Daud Noibi, Chairman, Oyo state Muslim Community, Alhaji Isiaq Sanni and PDP Governorship Candidate in Oyo state, Senator

Voice of Niger Delta, Dokubo, others differ over ‘war threat’

By Patrick Andrew

T

he president of the Voice of Niger Delta (VOND), Hon. Ibimie Odimabo has dismissed the war threat some Niger Delta militants should incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan fails to win the forthcoming presidential election on February 14.

Odimabo, said rather hate words and threat of war, Nigerians should unite for peaceful, free and fair elections, adding that everyone must work to forestall a repeat the 2011 postelection violence that claimed several lives and property worth

millions of naira.

“Election is a democratic process, where people come out to express their franchise by giving mandate to some persons to represent them. It’s neither war nor a theatre for hate words.

There should no panic and desperation because whoever God feels should emerge the winner will eventually wins. It could Jonathan or even Buhari and nobody can stop the express will of God in this regard.

“I will advise my brothers from the Niger Delta that we should handle our speeches with maturity. We shouldn’t be using words of threat when seeking for

peoples’ vote. We want people to love our cake and the way we bake the cake matters, we want people to eat our bread but not with frowning faces.

“We are marketers selling our product to the people and it makes no sense for us to use violence to sell the PDP presidential candidate, who is our son. We will never use violent words against our other brothers and sisters across the Niger because Nigerians have the right to vote for whoever they want to vote for,” he said stressing that words that emanated from the ex-militants were far from being decorous.

National conference never endorsed postponement of election – Coomassie From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he Chairman of the Northern Delegates Forum at the concluded National Delegates Conference, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahamadu Coomassie has said delegates to the conference has never discussed the issue of postponing or shifting of the 2015 elections either at plenary or Committee session, he stated this during a press conference held in Kaduna yesterday.

According to the former Inspector General of Police the attention of the Northern Delegates which took place from 17th of March to 20th August 2014 to saying that the conference recommended the postponement or shifting of the scheduled 2015 general

election as being canvassed by some delegates in a recent press statement.

“As a distinguished delegate to the conference and also chairman of the Northern Delegates Forum, I wish to categorically state that the issue of postponement or shifting the 2015 general election was never discussed either at plenary or committee sessions throughout the duration of the conference”, noting that, no mention was even made during the debate on some of the recommendations of the committees at plenary.

“It is therefore strange and unbecoming of some delegates to come out now after the end of the conference on 20th August with the submission of conference report to the president claiming that the conference endorsed the

postponement of 2015 general election” he said.

Coomassie further explained that it is certainly not the position of the 2014 conference, but the opinion of the canvassers who want to hide under the 2014 National Conference.

“This is an illegal statement made by some delegates who are bent on misrepresenting the good work done by the 2014 National Conference, saying that, it is on record that the conference submitted its report to Mr. President on 21th August 2014 and thereafter the president declared the conference closed and this act, technically disbanded the conference, therefore delegates cannot come in any form to deliberate or issue statement on behalf of the conference.

“It is unfortunate that few days to the scheduled 2015 general elections to which government has committed huge resources and INEC responsible for the conduct of elections has assured Nigerians that they are fully prepared for the elections, some individuals or groups who do not wish Nigeria well have embarked on an unpatriotic call for the shifting of the elections.

“The insecurity reasons being bandied around for the postponement are not tenable as the Chief of Defence Staff and the IGP have on several occasions assured Nigerians that the military and the Nigerians Police are prepared for the 2115 elections and that will provide security to INEC staff and the electorate during and after the elections” he said.

he Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan has called on political leaders to publicly denounce provocative utterances made by their supporters.

This, he said, if not done would give an impression that those making the terrible statements were acting on the instruction of their leaders.

Also, a group known as the One Voice Network for Transformation maintained that violence was not the best option to address electoral grievances, urging youth not to allow to be used to perpetrate violence.

Onaiyekan stated this while speaking at the National Peace Committee for the 2015 elections meeting with representatives of different political parties in Abuja.

According to him, “To leaders of political parties on top, we still want to hear more from the leaders denouncing utterances that are contrary to the spirit and letter of the accord, by your supporters.

“Let me be blunt, if a group of people sit down somewhere and said unless our candidate win there will be war. Let that candidate comes out openly, and tell Nigerians that I didn’t send them to say that, I don’t think it costs so much to do that, to discourage and denounce them.

“But if we don’t hear anything from the top and these people are making terrible statements, then, the impression it create is that they are acting on instructions and that is not going to help us.”

The facilitator of the group, Miss Irene Jambo in a press conference in Abuja said the inciting statements from some people and the corresponding responses could turn the country upside down, if not properly checked.

Citing provocative utterances from both the ruling and the opposition parties, Irene insisted that those words were not supposed to be heard or entertained in a civilised society like Nigeria, adding that the country is greater than anybody.

“We are using this opportunity to say that youth, please don’t allow anybody to use you. I am an Ijaw woman, I should be campaigning for Jonathan, but I am saying let us come together and sensitise these people to do this thing right” she said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Buhari campaign: A carnival for change in Lagos Analysis

T

hey defied the heavy traffic that took over all roads leading to the stadium; they thronged out in their thousands, with pomp and pageantry to receive the All Progressives Party (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari who had came to inform them of his plan if elected into office.

At about 8:10am, party members arrived the venue with various party branded attire waving their brooms and dancing to live music supplied

by King of Fuji music, Wasiu Ayinde (Kwam 1) and other musicians who delighted supporters in the drizzling rain.

The crowds were also entertained by comedians, Nollywood artists, including Adebayo Salami, Jide Kosoko, Yinka Quadri, Davido, Olaminde, Mevins Crew, Fathia Balogun, Femi Adebayo Afonja Sanyeri among who also endorsed the APC candidates.

Food hawkers, petty traders also made brisk businesses at the venue as they sold food, drinks ,brooms, T shirts and APC branded hats to party members and supporters.

Not missing in action were representatives of the physically challenged persons who expressed displeasure over none signing of the physically challenged bill into law by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Their message reads: “Nigerians should vote Buhari and Osinbajo because Jonathan refused to assist us on the physically challenged bill.

Adding that they went to Abuja twice but the president did not assist them on the bill to be passed into law.”

Kick starting the rally, Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign and governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi lampooned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of being afraid of going to the election because the APC is fully ready, insisting that election must hold on February 14th. He said Nigerians will defend their votes.

“Any governor or president that cannot show what he has done for people should not be allowed to come back. PDP is afraid of election. They have seen that the people are with us, if they rig the election, we will stand by our election without leaving the polling unit. Our prayer is that Jonathan should

Despite the early shower of the first rain in the year 2015 in Lagos State, last Friday would continue to remain memorable in the political heart of members and supporters of All Progressives Congress (APC) who filled the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere to its brim, for what it called carnival for charge. Ayodele Samuel was there. not come back.

“When the President came to Rivers, he admitted that did not do anything in the state.

When he comes, he should point out one thing he has done and I would point out many things that I have done. He made a promise to the people of Rivers in 2011 and he failed. We don’t want a man who cannot fulfill his promises and that is why he cannot return as president,” Amaechi told the crowd.

In his speech, a former governor of Lagos and the national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu said that Buhari was chosen as the candidate of the party because he has been very consistent.

According to him, “Gen Buhari would have chosen to sit back and relax at home and not bother about what is happening in the country, but it is patriotism that has made him to agree to contest. It is about the future of the country so we should not play the politics and tribe of religion.

Buhari was chosen not because I was not interested in becoming the president. I am very capable, intelligent, honest and richer.

But Buhari was chosen because he has remained consistent and he is the change that Nigeria needs right now.

“In the past 16 years of democracy, we have seen all sorts of political games, but Buhari has remained steadfast and consistent. He is an advocate of change and a voice for the poor. I pray that those who talk about his age will live as old as he is.

“We are in great crisis in this country and we have faced a lot of

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari challenges and we need someone with the will to effect change.

When South Africa was about to disintegrate, Nelson Mandela, who was 75 years old was called to rescue it. When America was in crisis, they called a 70 years old Ronald Reagan to come and rescue America.

“When Britain was in crisis, they didn’t call a man who is

“

My party has identified three major aspects in dire need of solutions which are insecurity, the dwindling economy, bribery and corruption. When I become president, these things will become a thing of the past

in the parliament, they called Winston Churchill who was 75 years old then and who was a retired general to rescue it.

“When we started the APC, people thought that the merger would not work, but I told them that there was a storm coming and we have appealed to Buhari to step in and rescue the country.”

“One man that has been consistent and steadfast, courageous and advocate of the poor is Buhari”. Tinubu said that he knows Nigeria will get better with his kind of leadership.

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on his part, stressed the need to create a producing industry rather than consuming what is not produced in the country.

“Jobs cannot be created by wrong policies. We need to revive the industries, to ensure that we begin to produce and not consume alone. Rather than creating jobs, they created fraud. It is time to bring in the trusted person. For us to fight corruption, we need someone who hadn’t stolen before.”

However Rochas Okorocha, the Imo State Governor, in his own words, said politics should not be based on religion or tribe.

“We must not play politics of religion and tribal issues.”

Chief John Oyegun, national chairman of the APC, admonished that people should go and collect their PVCs, without which they may not be able to vote leaders of their choice.

“I have seen people’s sweat of change. My prayer is that no one should be stupid enough to ignore this momentum of change. I urged you to obtain your PVC.” Not taking the back stage, Mrs Aisha Buhari, wife of the APC presidential candidate, said the electorate must be educated on how to thumb print. “As we are all yearning for change, and for change to be actualized, we must educate the electorate on how to thumb print,” she said.

On his part, General Buhari however stressed that his party has identified three major problems to tackle if elected, saying that the issues identified are insecurity, the dwindling economy, bribery and corruption, while promising that the issue of the dwindling economy and the devaluation of the naira will soon be a thing of the past.

The former Head of state said “my party has identified three major aspects in dire need of solutions which are insecurity, the dwindling economy, bribery and corruption. When I become president, these things will become a thing of the past.

“What is happening in the North-eastern part of the country is unacceptable. I know that the Nigerian Police and the military are capable of restoring peace in the country and it is very important that they are well equipped to do that.

“In terms of corruption, whatever my administration is able to save when all the leaking holes are plugged will be diverted to the building and equipping of schools.

“The Nigerian Airways is no more, our railway system is moribund and the level of power supply we have is not more than what was inherited in 1999, so we need to vote the PDP out for the change we need to take place,” Buhari said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

NNPC condemns increased vandalism of crude, gas pipelines

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has decried the recent increase in attacks on crude oil and gas pipelines in country.

NNPC while lamenting the spate of vandalism announced stressing that the Escravos-Lagos Gas Pipeline was vandalized with four breaks over the weekend.

A statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC,

Ohi Alegbe quoted the Group Executive Director, Gas and Power of the Corporation, Dr. David Ige, to have revealed this in a television interview in Abuja.

Dr. Ige stated that the sudden increase in the activities of saboteurs around the TransForcados Pipeline and the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline in the last six weeks has robbed the nation of several billions of naira to the detriment of the national economy.

He disclosed that NNPC loses between 50,000 and

60,000 barrels of crude oil and condensate on a daily basis to pipeline breaks and that there appears to be a syndicate behind the economic sabotage.

The GED stated that most of the power plants including the Calabar Power Plant, Alaoji Power Plant, Omoku Power Plant, and Olorunsogo Power Plant, among others have been connected to gas and that all the efforts of the Federal Government to construct unprecedented massive gas pipeline infrastructure are being sabotaged by pipeline vandals.

He lamented that between January and February 2015 alone, the Trans-Forcados Crude Pipeline was attacked and vandalized four times, adding that none of the Corporation’s gas pipelines have been able to run two straight days without been brought down.

The NNPC GED said the Corporation was exploring a number of options on how to tackle the pipeline vandalism menace ranging from an aggressive community engagement to installation of technological

gadgets to stave off the vandals.

Dr. Ige noted that each time a gas pipeline was brought down by the vandals, power supply across the country drops which adversely affects economic activities across the length and breadth of the nation.

He called for aholistic approach to resolve the pipeline vandalism scourge ranging from tightening security to expeditious judicial enforcement to bring to an end the menace which has deprived the country of several billions of revenue.

Some of the property alleviation and empowerment materials distributed to the beneficiaries by the Kaduna state Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, yesterday in Kaduna. The materials were donated by the state Commissioner for of Finance, Hon. Samaila Aliyu.

Photo: Bashir Bello

N16.2bn Kano IPPs ready for installation – Kwankwaso

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Kano state Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has announced that the N16.2 billion Independent Power Projects (IPPs) in the state would soon take off, as the two power generation turbines for Tiga and Challawa Gorge Dams have arrived in the state, for installation from India.

Kwankwaso who gave the assurance while inspecting

four containers of electrical components for the Tiga IPP that arrived Kano, added that the eight similar containers for Challawa IPP were already at the site.

A statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations to the Executive Governor of Kano state, Halilu Ibrahim Dantiye, quoted Kwankwaso to have said that the four containers were displayed to the people at the

state government house so that those who cannot go to Tiga and Challawa could have a glance at the multi billion Naira machinery.

“Both the two projects were approved at the sum of N14.2billion, in addition to N2billion for conveying the electricity to the city”, said the governor adding that but for the determination of his administration, the projects would not have been realized.

He maintained that Tiga

IPP is capable of generating 10 megawatts, noting that five mega watts would be used to power Tamburawa and Challawa Water Works. While the remaining five megawatts to be produced by the IPP would be used to power street lights at night while during day, it would be sold to industries in order to generate revenue and employment for the people.

He further said that 25 mega watts for Challawa Gorge IPP

would solely be dedicated for commercial purposes, expressing delight that his administration has provided the state with power projects that would be yielding huge revenue to the government.

Kwankwaso disclosed that apart from these two dams, there are 21 other dams that are capable of generating electricity, explaining that in the 2015 fiscal budget, another IPP project at Minjibir Dam is in the offing.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Business NERC ready to enforce rules as Electricity Market begins

By Etuka Sunday

N

igerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed all electricity market participants to base it buying and selling on contractual and regulatory rules.

Recall, the much awaited Transitional Stage of the Electricity Market (TEM)in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) started 5 days ago (Sunday February 1, 2015).

The Commission, in a

FG will soon inaugurate Sapele power plant to boost electricity supply – Sambo

statement issued by Christy I., for Head, Public Affairs Division said, with this development, a greater degree of business and investment certainty has been introduced into the country’s electricity market, with the welcome result of setting an even firmer basis for increasing the amount of electricity available to Nigerians in short order.

Commenting on the importance of this stage of the market, the Commission’s Chairman Dr. Sam Amadi said, “This will ensure more discipline, corporate governance, guarantee recovery on investment as well as give certainty for a sustainable and growing electricity market that would serve the need of

Nigerians”.

NERC in its Order said, “Conditions precedent set out in the market rules and subsequently agreed to be necessary for effective TEM have been satisfactorily fulfilled”.

“With effect from February 1, 2015, the amendments to the Market Rules and application and enforcement of the said Market Rules shall be in full force. With the effectiveness of the Market Rules, as amended, the Transitional Stage Electricity Market shall commence with effect from the same date”.

One of the implications of TEM is that the gas bottleneck which has constrained electricity

supply would be reduced as gas will be supplied to electricity generation firms on a legally binding basis as regards delivery and payment.

Besides, the failure of electricity distributions companies to pay for energy bought from generation firms and for deliveries on their privatisation performance obligations will now attract sanctions in line with the Market Rules and contractual obligations.

The Order dated December 31, 2014 further directed all relevant market participants, service providers and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) to comply with effect from February

1, 2015.

From that date, the market will now be governed with the strict application of the terms and conditions of the Multi Year Tariff Order 2.1 (MYTO 2.1) that was approved on December 24, 2014 and became effective from January 1, 2015. This Tariff Order ensures that market participants now have a cost reflective tariff.

The Tariff Order is one of the major conditions precedents for takeoff of TEM. Some other conditions include the constitution of a Dispute Resolution Panel and Initial Stakeholder Advisory Panel, approval of the Grid Code and the Market Rules and their implementation, among others.

V

ice-President Namadi Sambo said on Wednesday the Federal Government would soon inaugurate the Sapele Power Plant to boost electricity supply across the country.

Sambo made this information known at the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Presidential Campaign Rally in Asaba, Delta.

“You all know that Mr President is addressing the issue of power supply and I’m pleased to inform you that the new NIPP power plant in Sapele is now 100 per cent completed and it will be commissioned soon.

“In addition to the East-West road contract, Mr President has approved the contract for a new coastal railway line with fast train that will come from Lagos to Benin to Asaba to Onitsha to Yenagoa and to all the South-South and South-Eastern states. Thank you very much, Mr. President.`` He expressed gratitude to the people of the state for coming out en masse to welcome President Jonathan and urged them to vote massively for PDP candidates during the elections.

The Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Ahmed Mu’azu also thanked the people of the state for their loyalty to the party and for turning up as a group to welcome the presidential campaign team.

He said Jonathan had performed creditably and, therefore, deserved to be reelected on Feb. 14 Speaking at the rally, the Minister of Finance and Coordinator of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the Jonathan-led administration initiated numerous economic empowerment programmes.

She said the programmes would ensure the development of infrastructural facilities nationwide. (NAN)

Marketing Manager, Grand Cereals Limited, Mr. Tope Banjo (right), addressing participants at the sensitisation workshop for poultry farmers and other stakeholders, on Tuesday in Jos, Plateau state.

Photo: NAN

Fire outbreak in Kano GSM market destroy properties worth millions of Naira From Edwin Olofu, Kano

A

night fire outbreak on Tuesday at the popular GSM market in Kano, destroyed phones, accessories and other related materials worth millions of Naira.

The market which is located in Farm centre adjacent to passport office of the Nigeria Immigration Service houses over 300 shops mainly both new phones and used phones.

According to eyewitness the inferno started at about 9pm and lasted for about two hours that

destroyed valuables, including auxiliary attachments, made up of woods and planks used by petty traders.

Personnel of the state fire service and other volunteers battled do several hours trying to put off the fire.

Usman Jibrin a trader in the market told our reporter that stalls estimated to be about 300 were burnt down by the fire, while the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

But other witnesses said the fire was as result of an electric fault, while majority said

nobody knows the cause of the fire.

Confirming the fire incident to reporters on Wednesday, the Deputy director of the state fire Mr Tijjani Abbas said the personnel of the fire service put off the fire which started in the late hours of Tuesday night.

Tijjani said investigating the cause of the fire, adding that the market has been sealed so as to avoid looting the remaining properties of the marketers, stating that policemen and other security operatives have been deployed at the scene of the

inferno.

However, Kano state governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who paid a sympathy visit to the scene promised to renovate the market and assist the traders who lost their properties, In the same vein, the emir of Kano Alhaji Muhammadu Sunusi II was also scene of the inferno on Wednesday morning to commiserate with the targets.

Our correspondent observed that the scene and all roads leading to it were sealed off by the combined team of security men.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Business

FG to enforce standardisation of electricity materials installations From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

M

inister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil, yesterday said the Federal Government is set to enforce quality control and standard of electricity materials installations. speaking at the official commissioning of the Remodelled National Meter Test Station and opening of the Technical Inspectorate Service Field Office in Lagos, Wakil said that President Goodluck Jonathan has successfully reformed the generation, transmission and distribution sub-sectors, adding that government now focussing on effective delivery of safe and reliable electricity supply to

Nigerians.

According to him, we are resolved to enhance consumers and investors’ confidence and certification through sustained inspection, testing and certification of electrical materials and equipments.

“Electricity materials should be of the high quality and specification, all categories of electrical installations, power systems and network must be properly planned, designed and exulted before use.

“Gone are the days of substandard equipments and installations which compromised safety of Nigerians.

More pointedly manufacturers of fake power equipments are hereby put

on notice.

“The long arm of law shall caught-up with those endangering lives of innocent citizens.

Nigerians not only want adequate power supply but also safety and reliability,’’ he said.

Wakil said that the significant of safety and quality control informed the establishment of Electricity management Services Limited (EMSL) , one of the successor companies established by law, adding this agency has grown from nothing to an emerging giant.

“I am happy to note that EMSL has within this short period achieved remarkable successes which included the remodelled meter test station and others at

Kaduna and Port Harcourt.

“The technical inspectorate service field offices of EMSL has detected defective power equipments in many zones,’’ he added.

Mr Peter Ewesor, the Managing Director, Electricity Management Services Limited (EMSL) said that the remodelled national meter testing station will be saddled with the roles and responsibilities of enforcement of technical and safety standard.

Ewesor said that others are technical inspection, testing and certification of all categories of electrical materials and equipments and electrical installations.

He said that in line with EMSL

mandate and regulations, no electrical installation or network can be put into use unless it has been tested and certified fit for use by their engineers and technical officers of EMSL. “Over ten thousand substandard meters have been rejected for not having antienergy-theft protection. These types would have led to high commercial and collection losses for the investors.

“We have rejected over five thousand meters having terminal connections that were out of specifications, this would have led to risk to workers and staff of the utility companies and possible burning of the meters on installations,’’ he said.

Capital market indicators up by 2%

E

quity transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday ended on positive note for the third consecutive day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the All-Share Index appreciated further by 599.61 points or 2 per cent to close at 30,617.96 against the 30,018.35 achieved on Tuesday.

Similarly, the market capitalisation rose by N2 billion or 2 per cent to close higher at N10.198 trillion from the N9.998 trillion recorded on Tuesday.

Dangote Cement led gainers table by N5.00 to close at N162.00 per share.

It was followed by Nigerian Breweries by N2.50 to close at N148.50, while UAC appreciated by N1.85 to close at N38.85 per share.

Unilever increased by N1.62 to close at N35.70 while Zenith Bank appreciated by N1.31 to close at N18.11 per share.

Conversely, Conoil topped losers chart, shedding N3.53 kobo to close at N32.68 per share.

Guinness trailed with a loss of N1.44 to close at N128.46, while Presco Plc fell by N1.05 to close at N29.99 per share, Stanbic IBTC went down by N0.89 to close at N25.11 and Okum Oil dipped by 81k to close at N26.64 per share.

NAN reports that the volume of shares traded increased by 17.45 per cent with 466.045 million shares worth N4.75 billion traded in 4,880 deals.

This is against the 396.808 million shares valued at N3.81 billion exchanged in 4,885 on Tuesday.

Oando Oil emerged the most traded stock, accounting for 112.699 million shares worth N2.02 billion.

FBN Holdings followed with an exchange of 77.215 million shares valued N541.19 million, while UBA traded 44.96 million shares worth N161.78 million.

Diamond Bank sold 35.93 million shares valued at N140.03 million while Access Bank accounted for 32.68 millon shares worth N179.49 million. (NAN)

L-R, Bisi Ogunjobi, Chairman Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), George Ossi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development and Gimba Kumo, MD/ CEO FMBN during a welcoming and sent forth dinner for the new and outgoing management of FMBN in Abuja.

European shares end higher, led by LVMH and Greek banks

E

uropean stocks ended higher on Wednesday as betterthan-expected results from LVMH triggered a rally in luxury goods makers, while Greek banks continued to recover on hopes of a deal with the European Union on Greece’s debt.

Shares in LVMH jumped 8.1 percent and hit a record high after it said fourth-quarter sales grew, partly thanks to a renaissance of its Louis Vuitton brand under star designer Nicolas Ghesquiere.

“Sales growth was particularly solid in the United States and Japan,” Barclays France director Franklin Pichard said.

Shares in rivals Hermes and Kering lifted 3.1 percent and 2.3

percent respectively.

Greek banking shares rallied again, with Bank of Piraeus up 20.8 percent and Eurobank up 10.7 percent. Athens’ benchmark index ATG, which rose 0.9 percent on the day, has now recovered all the ground lost after the election of the anti-austerity party Syriza.

Energy stocks halted their recent sharp rally and fell back along with crude prices. Brent futures were down 3.2 percent at $56.01 a barrel, hurt by renewed concerns over global demand and high stock levels.

Oil majors BP and Total lost 1 percent and 1.1 percent respectively.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares ended 0.6 percent higher, at 1,487.20 points.

Around Europe, Britain’s FTSE 100 index lost 0.2 percent, dragged back by falling resourcerelated stocks, while Germany’s DAX index gained 0.2 percent and France’s CAC 40 added 0.4 percent.

Switzerland’s SMI index outperformed, rising 1.9 percent, boosted by rallying shares in luxury goods makers and as the Swiss franc dipped against the euro, seen as positive for Swiss exporters.

Syngenta AG rose 3.9 percent.

The world’s largest maker of

crop chemicals reported an unexpected rise in operating earnings and raised its dividend, as price increases partly offset the effect of declines in the Russian and Ukrainian currencies.

Spain’s BBVA gained 2.8 percent after the bank posted better-than-expected revenues from lending in the fourth quarter and said it would now aim to grow more in its domestic market, where losses on loans are dropping.

BBVA’s results echoed a positive update from its larger peer Banco Santander on Tuesday, signalling improving trends in Spain. (Reuters)

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Business

FG reads riot act to illegal private airline operators, hammer to fall Thursday From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

he Federal Government has taken a bold step to confront close a 100 private airline operators who for years has engaged in illegal operations that has denied the federal government revenues as it directed all the registered private airlines that currently engage in commercial operations different from their core businesses within Nigeria regularise their operations or face the hammer effective tomorrow Thursday.

The affected airlines include those registered in other countries but are engaged in commercial operations in Nigeria and the Nigerian registered private jets that engage in hire and reward.

Also it directed all airlines operating in the country to have Nigerian pilots in their cockpits; it warns that that failure to comply would lead to revocation of their Air Operator’s Certificates (AOC).

The government said failure to do so the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has been directed to ground errant airlines and their operating document withhold.

Aviation Minister, Mr. Osita Chidoka read the riot act yesterday in Lagos at the launching of the ‘Aviation Commits’ Initiative he said will represent the federal government new aviation policy drive.

Chidoka said disclosed that there are about 90 private aircraft in the country engaged in General Aviation (GA) that were registered for private use but are now engaged in chartered operations in the country, affirming that as a sovereign state, the country cannot tolerate it further.

He said that private registered aircraft must learn to play by the rules and that they should either operate in accordance of the operation which they registered for or regularise their operations with NCAA. The minister stated that any of these aircraft who fails to regularise will not be allowed to fly in Nigeria airspace.

Chidoka added that he has directed NCAA to ground any of the private registered aircraft, who uses their aircraft to do chartered operations and who fails to regularise their operations on or before February Thursday 5, 2015.

He also stated that henceforth, renewal of Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) will be based on the ability of airlines to produce plans on how they hope to train their personnel yearly.

The Aviation Minister explained that this condition became necessary following discovery that airlines in the country prefer to poach one another’s personnel instead of investing in training.

According to him, “For airlines to renew their AOC,he must show

us plan to train personnel and if they cannot produce this yearly plan ,their AOC’s will not be renewed” The Minister also directed that beginning from July 1 2015, all airlines operating in Nigeria both local and international engaged in General Aviation (GA) and commercial aviation in Nigeria must have a Nigerian

pilot in their cockpit.

“We cannot grow Nigeria without Nigerians “he said.

Speaking further, the Aviation Minister said that beginning from Tuesday, February 3, 2015(yesterday), paying of cargo sale charge by importers of agriculture products has been.

Chidoka stated that it was

discovered that cargo charges in Nigeria is the highest of the 14 countries surveyed, adding that the charges.

Special Guest of honour at the occasion, Vice President, Nnamdi Sambo, who was represented by the Minister of National Planning, Abubakar Suleiman, said that the Federal Government has achieved a lot in the last four years in the

aviation industry.

He mentioned the remodelling of airports, securing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Category 1 in 2010, which according to him was revalidated

by FAA in 2014.

He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would sustain the temple of the achievements in the sector.

L-R: Assistant Director, Special Services, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Babatunde Faleke, Assistant Director, Lagos Zonal Office, Mrs. Evelyn Obidike, and Founder, Lagos Fashion & Design Week, Mrs. Omoyemi Akerele, during a stakeholders’ forum for garments, textiles and apparel producers, on Tuesday in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

Local meter manufactures want government to liberalise meter market From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he Electricity Meter Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (EMMAN) on Wednesday urged Federal government liberalised meter market to allow members sell directly to individuals, corporate organisation and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approves vendors.

EMMAN, Executive Secretary, Muyideen Ibrahim, told newsmen that liberalizing meter market remains the only way to ensure effective distribution of meters to electricity consumers is when meter manufacturers are allowed to sell meters to government institutions, private estates and barracks.

He said that this will no doubt create market for our EMMAN members and also increased production.

“Government should liberalise

meter market so that individual can also buy meters from approved NERC vendors and installers.

“If the market is liberalised more electricity customers will be metered and it will go a long way in addressing crazy bills and estimated billing system.

“Because some of distributions companies are not willing to gives meters to customers, that is why government should allow meter manufacturers to sell meters directly to the consumers.

“Government should also create enabling environment for manufacturers to excel, it’s only the distribution companies that manufacturers can sell to, because most meter has been engraved with manes.

According to Ibrahim, not only that more Nigerians would be gainfully employed because there will be expansion and continuous production.

“Estimation billing is the other

of the day, whereas, soft landing is not giving to consumers who are willing to buy meters because they are not metered. “meter supplied should be separated from meter installation to enable prompt payment after supply and delivery of meters have been certified by the National Meter Test Station (NMST),’’ he said.

Ibrahim urged government to create and make available of five per cent special intervention fund for local electricity meter manufacturers so that locally produced meters can be sold to distribution companies at very competitive prive like China.

He said that standing work order and upfront payment should be made for the manufacturers in order to leep the factories running.

The scribe said that members will continue to contribute their quota to the development of power in particular and to the

entire nation in general through development and manufacturing of high quality products.

He said that EMMAN will ensure massive employment, gross domestic products, foreign direct investment, technology that is proudly Nigerians.

Others are development of electricity components, skills acquisition, continuous software development that can energy theft, after sales services, robust integrated service and enhancement of power industry.

Ibrahim said that members are faced with low patronage from the distribution companies, adding that as a result of this, members laid off staff and quite unfortunate.

He said that some members had stopped producing because the stocks were not evacuated because major consumers of their meters are distribution companies, adding that most of them not buy from them.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Stock Watch

Report as at Wednesday, February 4 2015

PAGE 23

Peoples Daily, THursday, February 5, 2015

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Special Report

The palace of shame that makes China angry

By Chris Bowlby

T

here is a deep, unhealed historical wound in the UK’s relations with China - a wound that most British people know nothing about, but which causes China great pain. It stems from the destruction in 1860 of the country’s most beautiful palace.

It’s been described as China’s ground zero - a place that tells a story of cultural destruction that everyone in China knows about, but hardly anyone outside.

The palace’s fate is bitterly resented in Chinese minds and constantly resurfaces in Chinese popular films, angry social media debates, and furious rows about international art sales.

And it has left a controversial legacy in British art collections - royal, military, private - full of looted objects.

By coincidence, one of the story’s central characters is Lord Elgin - son of the man who removed the so-called “Elgin marbles” from Greece.

But there’s a twist - a hidden side to this story which I’ve been exploring as it involved my ancestor, Thomas Bowlby, one of the first British foreign correspondents.

His torture and death at Chinese hands - and the revenge taken by Britain, destroying the old Summer Palace in Beijing in 1860 - was a moment, says one scholar, that “changed world history”.

These days the site is just ruins - piles of scorched masonry, lakes with

overgrown plants, lawns with a few stones scattered where many buildings once stood.

The site swarms with Chinese visitors, taken there as part of a government-sponsored “patriotic education” programme.

As everyone in China is taught, it was once the most beautiful collection of architecture and art in the country. Its Chinese name was Yuanmingyuan - Garden of Perfect Brightness - where Chinese emperors had built a huge complex of palaces and other fine buildings, and filled them with cultural treasures.

A new digital reconstruction by a team at Tsinghua University gives a vivid idea of what this extraordinary place looked like when, 155 years ago, a joint British-French army approached Beijing.

The army was sent towards the end of the Opium Wars to force Chinese imperial rulers to open up their country further to Western trade and influence. In command on the British side was the 8th Earl of Elgin, from one of the most famous families in British imperial history.

With him was Thomas William Bowlby of The Times.

Elgin described Bowlby as “remarkably agreeable” and saw him as good for his image back in Britain, “the means of diffusing sound information on many points”. The two men bonded on their journey towards China as cultural tourists, visiting the pyramids in Egypt.

Once they had arrived in China Bowlby wrote in his

A temple in the ruins of the Old Summer Palace, circa 1860

China’s ground zero newspaper reports and private diary of his admiration for aspects of Chinese life - its fine buildings and “admirably cultivated gardens”.

But cultural admiration was mixed with the harsh reality of a brutal war. He also reported a very one-sided military campaign as the Anglo-French force relentlessly approached Beijing. The British army’s new Armstrong gun, he noted, inflicted “perfectly awful wounds” on the Chinese. “It smashes whatever it comes in contact with.”

Because of this military power, Bowlby was confident that imperial China’s rulers - “effete and faithless Mandarins”, he called them - would “soon be suing for mercy”. Eager to witness the war’s end, he set off with a delegation of British and

French officials - as well as escorting Indian army troops - to negotiate what they assumed would be the Chinese surrender.

It was to prove a fatal miscalculation.

Meanwhile, French troops reached Beijing and the Summer Palace, where they began helping themselves to porcelain, silks and ancient books - or simply destroying what they found.

British troops joined in when they arrived shortly afterwards. “Officers and men seemed to have been seized with temporary insanity,” said one witness. “In body and soul they were absorbed in one pursuit which was plunder, plunder.” When Lord Elgin arrived, he initially recorded his horror in his diary. “War is a hateful business. The more

Thomas Bowlby’s mangled body was returned in a coffin

one sees of it, the more one detests it.”

But loot was an established part of army pay, and Elgin helped organise an auction of the many thousands of works of art and other objects that had been taken. The army tradition was to share out the spoils, with officers and other ranks taking their cut, and some of the cash used to compensate the families of dead or wounded soldiers.

That might have been the end of the pillaging and destruction. But then news emerged that the delegation that had gone to negotiate Chinese surrender had been taken prisoner. Some members, including the journalist Bowlby, were tortured and murdered.

“For three days the men were tied up, and for three days their bandages were soaked with water so that they would become tighter and tighter,” says historian Vera Schwarcz.

“Every time they begged for water their mouths would be filled with dirt.” Eventually several prisoners died, their corpses hardly recognisable.

In response, Lord Elgin ordered the British troops to burn down the entire Summer Palace complex.

The destruction, he wrote later, was intended “to mark, by a solemn act of retribution, the horror and indignation... with which we were inspired by the perpetration of a great crime”.

He was worried about his reputation back in Britain, too. “What would the Times (newspaper) say of me,” he reportedly told a French commander, “if I did not avenge its correspondent?”

Burning all the magnificent buildings took several days.

“Whenever I think of beauty and taste, of skill and antiquity while I live, wrote James M’Ghee, chaplain to the British forces, “I shall see before my mind’s eye some scene from those grounds, those palaces, and ever regret the stern but just necessity which laid them in ashes.”

I visited the current Lord Elgin, at his ancestral home in Scotland, to ask how he explained what had happened in 1860. He showed me, from family archives, a picture sketched by a British officer of the return of Bowlby’s mangled body in a coffin to British headquarters.

“There are things that perhaps you might have done differently,” he says of his ancestor. “At the same time you’ve got to judge what was the feeling - intense feeling - at that particular moment.”

China rejects such explanations.

“This is what they say to justify their actions,” says Wang Daocheng, a leading Chinese scholar of these

events. “That’s the way they try to maintain the so-called moral high ground.”

Soon after the Summer Palace’s destruction in 1860, the 8th Earl of Elgin made a triumphant entry to the centre of Beijing, his procession symbolising British and Western domination - and Chinese humiliation.

For some time afterwards, memory of what happened faded in Chinese minds as the country went through modernisation, the end of imperial rule, war and communist takeover. Indeed in the communist-led Cultural Revolution of the 1960s, says historian Vera Schwarcz, “some remnants of the Summer Palace were literally slashed with knives by Red Guards”.

They hated reminders of the imperial past.

Since the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests against communist rule, however, China’s leadership has tried

to reinforce its authority by encouraging patriotic pride in the country’s history - and teaching citizens that only strong government today can prevent a repeat of the 19th Century humiliation by outsiders. The ruined site of the old Summer Palace offers an ideal place to make this point.

China is also focusing increasingly on all the art that was looted by French and British forces - and taken to Europe. It was widely traded and still sits in all kinds of private and public collections.

A recent film by the martial arts star Jackie Chan has stirred up a sense of resentment in millions of Chinese minds. He plays a daredevil hero attempting to recover from evil Western collectors and museums a set of bronze carved zodiac animal heads - among the most famous items looted from the Summer Palace.

The real Chinese loot investigators appear no less determined, even if they don’t resort to violence.

“We’re making a plan to start a series of actions to recover these antiques and get them back to China,” says Niu Xianfeng, general director of the National Treasures Fund, affiliated to the Chinese Ministry of Culture.

“China will never give up the right to bring these looted or stolen treasures back.”

Liu Yang, a researcher who has spent 15 years tracking down the artworks, says “British museums never reply” when he writes to ask what they have. But he has collected hundreds of images of looted items on his computer.

He even has pictures of a Pekinese dog, taken by a British soldier from Yuanmingyuan, and given to Queen Victoria.

It was the first of its breed to come to Britain - and was named “Looty”.

Chinese museum curators protested when this imperial seal was auctioned in Paris in 2009, arguing that it had been looted from the Old Summer Palace

Seven of the zodiac heads are now held in Chinese museums

A portrait of Looty is still in the Royal art collection, though later newspaper reports said the dog was ostracised by other royal dogs because of its “Oriental habits and appearance”, and had to be moved from Buckingham Palace to Sandringham.

The Royal collection has several other items thought to be connected with the Beijing Summer Palace, including Chinese imperial sceptres, brass plaques and a mahogany screen.

The Wallace Collection in London has magnificent imperial vases from the palace.

British military museums have many items too. At the Royal Engineers’ museum in Kent deputy curator James Scott showed me a beautiful jade ornament brought back from the 1860 campaign. There are also parts of a Chinese imperial throne acquired by the officer Charles Gordon (later famous for his death in Khartoum) - used for many decades as part of the furniture in the officers’ mess.

Labelling these items is a sensitive matter. “We don’t actually mention the word loot at all. We try to keep the interpretation as neutral as possible,” says Scott.

Similar sensitivities are needed by auctioneers, who can make huge profits when items originally taken from the Summer Palace are re-sold today. Proof of their origin as part of the Chinese imperial collection - such as inscriptions by made by the soldiers who looted them - hugely increases their potential value.

Some newly wealthy Chinese have bid for such items. But having to pay for art that was stolen - as many Chinese see it - causes increasing resentment.

And what of the Elgin family? Does today’s Lord Elgin think art should be returned to

China?

“It’s a very good arguing point” he concedes. But “the beauty of something is inherent in it wherever it happens to be”.

At the family home, he showed me a magnificent pair of stork sculptures in bronze, originally given by the Japanese emperor to his Chinese counterpart, and then brought back by the 8th Earl of Elgin from Beijing after his China campaign.

“These things happen,” he says of the 1860 events. “It’s important to go ahead, rather than look back all the time.”

And the British-Chinese relationship is certainly looking to a new future. It was symbolised for Lord Elgin when Chinese workmen arrived at Rosyth naval dockyard, very near his home, to install a huge crane, needed to build Britain’s new aircraft carriers.

The workmen started helping themselves to Lord Elgin’s oilseed rape crop - a Chinese delicacy. He objected at first, but then came to see it as a kind of “tit for tat”.

But the Chinese want a lot more compensation than that for what happened in 1860.

They realise it will be very difficult, so long after the event, to retrieve what was taken from the Summer Palace, but they are keen, at least, for more open acknowledgement by Britain of what was done.

The French, who joined in the looting of the palace, have been more open about their regret.

“We call ourselves civilised and them barbarians,” wrote the outraged author, Victor Hugo, about the destruction of the Summer Palace. “Here is what Civilisation has done to Barbarity.”

A recent French book, The Sack of the Summer Palace

by Bernard Brizay, has been translated into Chinese and warmly received in China.

In the UK, the emphasis is overwhelmingly on the future - on Chinese investment and trade - not the past.

Prime Minister David Cameron has spoken of a new “partnership of mutual respect and understanding” with China and it’s against this backdrop that the Duke of Cambridge will soon visit the country. But developing this relationship may one day mean engaging with the painful past that China has not forgotten.

Even in China, though, memory is selective.

Some of the 1860 history has already been buried, as I discovered when I went to look for Thomas Bowlby’s grave.

Instead of a cemetery, all I found was a golf driving range.

Source: BBC

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

PAGE 33

Photo Splash

A commercial cyclist on duty, yesterday at Mararaba.

Business activities on pedestrian bridge, yesterday in Mararaba.

Wheelbarrow pusher eking out a living, recently at Giri junction along Gwagwala road, in Abuja

A scavenger on the move, yesterday at Kurunduma village, in Abuja.

People buying clothes, yesterday at Wuse market, in Abuja. Photos: Mahmud Isa

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Metro

Firm partners Academy to empower students, others with innovative skills

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

I

n order to encourage enterprise and career development among students and organized groups in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), a private firm, Aqurian Consult Ltd is collaborating with Etisalat Academy and New Pitman Training, to lunch business skills training progrmme.

Peoples Daily gathered that students and business professional in the FCT will be exposed to executive vocational skills in handling business challenges.

According to a statement signed by the business advisor of Aqurian Consult, Chukwuka Anozie, the programme tagged “Helping business to prepare for business challenge in 2015” will serve as platform for enterprise and career development.

He said the programme, which is the first of its kind in the FCT, will equip business professionals and individuals, who are interested in harnessing greater value in their organisations.

“The training will also introduce recongized international business ideas which will deliver professionals to world class training in the FCT, the statement added.

Guard jailed for theft, mischief

A

Kado Grade 1 Area court in the FCT, yesterday sentenced one Mario Christopher,34, to eight months imprisonment for theft and mischief.

The presiding judge, Malam Abubakar Sadiq, sentenced Christopher, a security guard with Ulo Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, to two months imprisonment on the first count charge and six months on the second count charge.

Sadiq however, gave the convict an option of payment of N150, 000 as fine.

The prosecutor, Insp. Simon Ibrahim had told the court that one Mr. Isreal Adeyemi of No 7 Agadez Crescent, Wuse 11, Abuja, reported the matter at Utako Police Station.

Ibrahim said that on January 19, Christopher criminally went into the office of the chairman of the plaza and stole two laptops and was arrested by his colleagues on duty He said that one of the laptops, valued at 150, 000, was damaged during the incident.

According to him, the accused confessed to the crime during police investigation He said the offence contravened sections 289 and 327 of the Penal code respectively. (NAN)

A young man hawking children’s wears, yesterday at Nyanya, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

CSWYE begins biometric capturing of 3,000 participants in FCT

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Community Service for Women and Youth Employment (CSWYE) of the Federal Government’s Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) has commenced the on line biometric capture of all its 3,000 beneficiaries/ participants in the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Chairman of the CSWYE Project of SURE-P in the Territory Alh. Yahaya Yunusa Suleiman, disclosed this at the beginning of a two day sensitization workshop for

Area council Desk Officers and supervisors of the project, in Abuja.

Suleiman said the aim of the online registration of the participants is to provide them with a direct platform that will update their biometrics nationally.

He added that it would provide accessible data base for official use and facilitate faster payments of monthly stipends directly to their personal accounts in designated banks.

He noted that the CSWYE Project under the Federal Ministry of Labour is one of the success stories of President GoodLuck Jonathan

transformation agenda as it has regularly and consistently put food on the table of the 3,000 families in the FCT for the past twenty four (24) months.

The Chairman who was represented at the workshop by the CSWYE-FCT Vice Chairman and Coordinator, National Directorate of Employment (NDE) FCT, Mrs. Edna Ofordile assured the Desk Officers and Supervisors that the data which will be forwarded as SMS to the designated number has been simplified to enable them teach their participants.

According the chairman, the participants are expected to register individually by

forwarding their profile via SMS using their personal handsets.

Suleiman assured them (the participants) that every participant will after successfully completing the process receive a confirmation text message reply with their Programme Identification Number (PIN) which will be confidential and only known to them.

He advised all the beneficiaries of the CSWYE Project the Territory to ensure that they register via SMS and keep their PIN numbers safe and confidential, as it will be their instrument of identification in all their future dealings with the project in FCT.

Karshi women to mobilise 5,000 votes for Aduda

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

s this month’s general elections draw nearer, some women in Karshi community in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have reiterated their resolve to mobilise five thousand votes for senatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Philip Aduda.

According to the Karshi

Women Leader, Hajiya Mariam Isa, who made the vow, they are committed to garner the said votes for Aduda, who is seeking re-election into the lone FCT seat in the senate.

She said that the women are ready to canvass for votes the said votes in Karshi ward and beyond, in order to ensure victory for the Senator.

The Karshi Women Leader dropped this hint yesterday, when the FCT-PDP women

campaign train stormed the area.

“We have seen a man who has come to our rescue, that’s all women in this ward, will give him 100 percent votes during this month’s parliamentary elections,” she stressed.

Isa who described Aduda’s late mother, as a woman who was a true mother to all people in the FCT, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity, hailed the Senator for follower her

footsteps.

On her part, the Wife of the Senator, Mrs. Hauwa Aduda, who led the women campaign train asked FCT women to stand up and vote massively for her husband as well as other PDP candidates at all levels during the polls.

The highlight of the campaign was the presentation of empowerment tools to women in all the wards it visited.

Page 35

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

International international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

India tries to strengthen US ties without alarming China ANALYSIS

U

.S. President Barack Obama and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, wave during a photo opportunity ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House, New Delhi. During President Barack Obama’s recent visit to India, he and India’s leaders committed to work more closely to promote stability and peace in the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. But even as New Delhi makes a significant shift in aligning itself with Washington to contain China’s growing influence, it also is working to smooth ties with its Asian neighbor.

As India Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Beijing this week, Indian and Chinese leaders struck an optimistic note about growing the relationship between the two nations.

Chinese officials backed India’s bid for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, as well as an Indian proposal for a resolution in the world body to punish countries that shelter and finance terrorism - widely seen as a measure that could target Pakistan.

The visit was seen as an effort to reassure Beijing after India and the United States forged what is being called a new alliance to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region.

During President Barack Obama’s recent visit to New Delhi, he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared an era of “new trust.” In a joint strategic vision they pledged to work together to protect freedom of navigation, maintain maritime security and keep air space safe in the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean region.

It was a significant departure for India, which has stayed away from explicitly aligning its security concerns with Washington.

Lalit Mansingh, the former Indian foreign secretary and ambassador to the United States, said India has virtually abandoned its policy of non-alignment.

“China is not directly mentioned, but there is a perception among the diplomats and strategic planners that in the long term China poses a threat.

And therefore we see a greater convergence of Mr. Modi’s Act East policy and President Obama’s rebalance in Asia. So the U.S. is emerging not just as a strategic partner, but the principal strategic partner of India,” said Mansingh.

Chait’s critics say he is being “condescending and dismissive”

Although the economic relationship between India and China is thriving, deep suspicions linger - the fallout of a brief war they fought in 1962.

Tensions occasionally flare over a simmering boundary dispute in the Himalayas - they cast a shadow over the Chinese President’s visit to India last year when New Delhi accused Chinese troops of infiltrating its territory.

India also worries about Beijing’s expanding influence in the Indian Ocean region, and the docking of two Chinese submarines in Sri Lanka last year raised hackles in New Delhi.

Sukh Deo Muni, with the Indian Defense and Strategic Institute in New Delhi, said Indian policy makers hope that the new partnership with the United States will make it easier to deal with China.

“There is a feeling that China behaves properly when they know that they are under pressure.

Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China

It would pressure China to be far more accommodative and far more soft, so far as India is concerned,” said Muni.

Since taking office last year, Prime Minister Modi has made no secret of his ambitions to play a greater role in Asia. He has moved decisively to forge closer

“

ties with countries like Japan and Vietnam, which are involved in disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea. India wants to get weapons and advanced military technologies from the United States to modernize its armed forces to develop better capability to counter China.

Former diplomat Lalit Mansingh said the two countries are also expected to revive a loose security network involving other countries in the region.

“In the new 10-year defense cooperation agreement, there is a greater stress on expanding the joint military exercises and the idea now is to bring in countries like Japan and Australia into the joint exercises, so it quite clearly has an implication for China. Again, a signal that we are willing to be counted among those who oppose China’s aggressive designs in the region,” said Mansingh.

Responding to President

India wants to get weapons and advanced military technologies from the United States to modernize its armed forces to develop better capability to counter China.

Obama’s New Delhi visit, China’s state-run media called the friendship “superficial,” and cautioned India not to slide into Western influence.

President Obama told an interviewer that China “does not need to feel threatened” by good relations between the U.S. and India.

New Delhi is also taking steps to assure China that its growing relationship with the United States is not at the cost of Beijing. Prime Minister Modi heads to China in May and the pragmatic leader is expected to seek access to China’s market and Chinese investment in India. Leaders of both expanding economies speak of working together to build an Asian century.

Jayadeva Ranade at the Center for China Analysis and Strategy in New Delhi said that even as India builds good relations with the U.S., it wants to strengthen ties with Beijing.

“It is very important for us from the point of view of the economic potential of that relationship as well as the need to see that the borders remain peaceful and tranquil. So on both counts it is important, but I think while Modi will signal that the economic relationship has to be pursued, he will probably reiterate that intrusions and such activities will restrict the relationship,” said Ranade.

Analysts say the challenge for India in the months ahead will be to grow its friendship with Washington while not alienating Beijing.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Page 36

International DR Congo conflict: Gen Bruno Mandevu ‘should be replaced’

ECOWAS court installs new judges, launches legal year

T

he ECOWAS Judicial Council on Wednesday installed seven new judges of the ECOWAS Court at a ceremony to launch its 2015 legal year.

The judges who were installed by Justice MamadouKone, Chairman Judicial Council of the community, were sworn-in on June 18, 2014

by President Dramami Mahama, Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.

In his address, Kone requested the judges to bring in their wealth of experience to enhance democracy and the respect for human rights in the region. ``The mentality of our community is the need for democracy and the respect of human rights,” he noted.

The judges installed were Justice Maria Do Céu Monteiro from Guinea Bissau, President of the ECOWAS Court and Justice Friday Chijioke Nwoke from Nigeria, Vice President of the ECOWAS Court.

Others include Justice Traore Jérôme from Burkina Faso, Justice Haméye Malhalmadane from Mali, Justice Alioune Sall from Senegal, Justice Boiro Yaya from Guinea and Justice Micah Wright.

The court’s legal year was also officially launched by Justice Maria Do Céu Monteiro, President of the ECOWAS Court.

The theme of this year’s ceremony is ``The Effectiveness of ECOWAS Community Law: Challenges of Enforcement”. (NAN)

US drone strike targets alShabab leader

T

he United States carried out a drone strike in Somalia against a senior leader from the militant group al-Shabab, the Pentagon announced Tuesday.

Defense Department press secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said Saturday’s Hellfire missile strike south of the capital, Mogadishu, targeted Yusef Dheeq, the group’s chief of external operations and planning for intelligence and security.

Kirby said he could not confirm the results of the strike, but he said if successful, it would be a significant blow to the terrorist network.

The U.S. has been targeting the alShabab leadership in a series of strikes over the past few months.

In late December, the Pentagon confirmed that a U.S. strike killed intelligence chief Tahlil Abdishakur.

The group’s previous leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane, was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Somalia on September 1.

A

leading rights group in the Democratic Republic of Congo has called on the government to annul a controversial general’s appointment to lead the fight against rebels.

Gen Bruno Mandevu could not run operations against the FDLR rebel group because he was accused of summary executions and rape, it said.

The government said he remained innocent, until proven otherwise.

It is under international pressure to disarm the FDLR in eastern DR Congo.

The FDLR was formed by Rwandans who fled to the mostly lawless east after the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

Rwanda sees the FDLR as a threat to its stability and, along with the UN, has repeatedly demanded its disarmament.

‘Red list’ It has twice invaded DR Congo, saying it is trying to hunt down the militiamen who took part in the genocide.

Rwanda’s critics say many FDLR fighters are too young to have taken

part in the genocide.

The FDLR has been accused of recruiting child soldiers, rape and systematic looting.

A 2 January deadline to launch the operation passed without any action.

O n S u nd a y , D R C o ng o ’s government announced Gen Mandevu’s appointment to head the offensive.

UN forces in DR Congo, known by the acronym Monusco, were expected to take part in the assault.

Reuters news agency quoted unnamed Western diplomats as

DR Congo’s army is battling to end lawlessness in the east

saying this was in doubt following Gen Mandevu’s appointment as he was on a Monusco “red list” over 121 rights violations, including summary executions and rapes.

He has not commented on the allegations.

‘Innocent until proven guilty’ The Congolese Association for Access to Justice campaign group said he should be removed from the post, pending an independent investigation into the allegations.

“We ask the United Nations to refrain from collaborating with General Mandevu”, said Georges Kapiamba, the head of the group.

The head of the UN mission in DR Congo, Martin Kobler, told the BBC that the UN was in contact with the government over Gen Mandevu’s appointment.

However, it whole-heartedly supported an assault on the FDLR, and believed that any risk of human rights violations could be “mitigated” by close surveillance of the operation, he said.

DR Congo government spokesman Lambert Mende said the government would not take instructions from the UN. Gen Mandevu was innocent until proven guilty, and the government was waiting for the UN to present evidence against him, he said.

The government had chosen its best soldiers to expel the FLDR from its territory and this included the general, Mr Mende added.

Officials: 3 S. Sudanese held after UN Plane lands in Rebel area

A

South Sudanese civil servant and two other people travelling from a governmentcontrolled area aboard a U.N. World Food Program helicopter were detained on Tuesday after their aircraft landed in a rebel-controlled area, officials said on Wednesday.

The World Food Program spokeswoman said the agency has “received indications that they are well and unhurt, and have been

assured that we would be able to pick them up today.”

Tensions in South Sudan are high as President SalvaKiir and rebel commander Riek Machar seek to finalise a deal to end a conflict that has ravaged the oil-producing state since it erupted in December 2013.

The WFP he licopte r w as carrying Isaiah Chol, chairman of the statistics and census commission, and two other

passengers who were meant to fly from one government-controlled area to another in the Jonglei region but landed instead in a rebel-held region, government officials said.

Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin told Reuters the two other South Sudanese men worked for a non-governmental organisation. He said the South Sudanese government was working

with the United Nations to ensure the three were released.

“So far we have been promised through the office of [the South Sudanese] president and United Nations that the rebels have accepted to release the three officials,” said South Sudanese army SPLA spokesman Colonel Philip Aguer.

Rebel officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

UN Chief ‘Regrets’ parts of S. Sudan deal U nited Nations chief Ban Ki-moon is expressing disappointment at an agreement between South Sudan’s warring parties, billed as a key step toward a peace deal.

In a statement released through his spokesman, the U.N. secretarygeneral said he regrets that neither President SalvaKiir nor rebel chief Riek Machar compromised to reach a mutually-acceptable power-sharing formula.

The statement Tuesday said “no sustainable peace will be found in South Sudan unless its leaders place the interests of the civilian population above their own.”

The agreement, signed Sunday

by Kiir and Machar, said the South Sudanese government and rebel

forces must finalize a peace deal by March 5, but gave few details on how

that would be achieved.

The two sides have been at war

South Sudan’s President SalvaKiir, left, and rebel commander Riek Machar exchange documents after signing ceasefire agreement during IGAD summit, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

for more than year, leaving more than 10,000 people dead and driving about 1.5 million people from their homes.

The fighting stemmed in part from the political rivalry between Kiir and Machar, who the president fired as his deputy in July 2013.

The government and rebels have previously signed at least three peace deals which were quickly broken.

The East African bloc IGAD has been mediating peace talks in Ethiopia. IGAD mediator Seyoum Mesfin said anyone who breaks this latest agreement will be reported to the United Nations Security Council and the African Union.

Both organi zati ons h ave threatened sanctions against those undermining peace in South Sudan, the world’s newest country.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Page 37

International Asia & Middle East Jordan executes 2 militants Gaza conflict: quits in response to Pilot’s killing Schabas UN inquiry over

In this Thursday, May 5, 2014 file photo, Mohammed Fahmy, Canadian-Egyptian acting bureau chief of Al-Jazeera, appears in a defendant’s cage at a courtroom in Cairo

J

ordan executed two militants at dawn Wednesday, responding to the Islamic State group’s gruesome killing of a Jordanian pilot captured after his plane went down during a mission targeting the fighters in Syria.

Authorities hanged Sajida alRishawi, an Iraqi woman sentenced to death for her role in a 2005 suicide bombing in Amman, and Ziad al-

Karbouly, another Iraqi with ties to al-Qaida.

The Islamic State group had demanded al-Rishawi’s release as part of a prisoner exchange, but Jordan refused to move forward without proof that pilot Muath alKaseasbeh was still alive.

A video emerged online Tuesday purporting to show the pilot locked inside a cage, then a

militant lighting a trail of gasoline that traveled to the cage and burned him to death.

“The U.S. intelligence community has no reason to doubt the authenticity of the video,” said Brian P. Hale, director of public relations for the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Jordan said the pilot was apparently killed a month ago. He

was captured in Syria after his plane went down while flying as part of the U.S.-led coalition conducting airstrikes against Islamic State targets.

“This is cowardly terror by a criminal group that has no relation to Islam,” a grim-looking King Abdullah told the Jordanian people from Washington on Tuesday. “The brave pilot gave his life defending his faith, country and nation, and joined other Jordanian martyrs.”

President Barack Obama, who met briefly with King Abdullah, said the video is just one more indication of the Islamic State’s “viciousness and barbarity.”

“And it, I think, will redouble the vigilance and determination on the part of a global coalition to make sure that they are degraded and ultimately defeated,” the president told reporters.

United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon condemned the pilot’s murder and said Islamic State is a terrorist group with no regard for human life.

Jordan’s participation in the airstrikes against fellow Muslims has been unpopular within the country.

But General Lloyd Austin, the head of U.S. Central Command, which oversees the coalition fighting the militants, said Tuesday Kaseasbeh “served his country courageously and honorably,” and was an important member of the team fighting the Islamic State group.

23 killed after Taiwan Plane crashes into river

A

uthorities in Taiwan launched operations to try and rescue survivors from a TransAsia passenger plane that had 58 people on board when it crashed shortly after takeoff from an airport in downtown Taipei. At least 19 people have been confirmed dead from the crash. Dramatic video footage captured the plane’s rapid descent and crash landing into the shallow Keelung River.

The ATR-72 prop passenger jet crashed Wednesday morning shortly after takeoff from an airport near downtown Taipei after clipping a bridge and hurtling sideways into a river. The flight was on its way to a domestic airport in the outlying Kinmen islands.

Officials say at least 31 of the passengers were tourists from mainland China.

Video captured along a heavily

used freeway next to the crash site showed the plane flying sideways as it rapidly lost altitude before hitting a taxi on an elevated freeway in its final seconds in the air. The taxi driver was mildly injured.

Some 165 national defense personnel and fire rescue crews scrambled to pull survivors and bodies from the wreckage.

National defense and fire rescue crews on rubber rafts extricated people from the door of the plane’s mostly submerged fuselage and took survivors to local hospitals. Another ATR-72 aircraft operated by the same airline crashed in the Taiwancontrolled Penghu islands last July, killing 48 people.

Trans Asia Chief Executive Officer Peter Chen told reporters he did not know why the plane went down.

These images were captured as the plane careered over an elevated road

Sri Lankan President calls for reconciliation

S

ri Lankan President MaithripalaSirisena pledged Wednesday to pursue national reconciliation in a country still divided by a decades-long civil war that ended nearly six years ago.

He spoke in Colombo at an independence day ceremony that

paid respect to all those killed in the 26-year war that pitted government forces against rebels seeking an independent state for Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority.

“The biggest challenge today is to unite the hearts of the people of the north and south through a

national reconciliation process,” Sirisena said.

The president was elected last month, defeating former leader MahindaRajapaska, whose government rejected an international investigation into allegations of possible war crimes

during the conflict.

Government troops killed as many as 40,000 Tamil civilians during the offensive that ended the war in 2009, according to a United Nations report. The U.N. has said the total death toll during the war could be as high as 100,000 people.

bias claims

T

he head of a UN inquiry into potential war crimes committed during the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict has resigned amid allegations of anti-Israel bias.

William Schabas acknowledged he had previously done work for the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), and did not want this to compromise the probe.

Israel had accused Prof Schabas of “clear and documented bias” against it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the investigation should now be scrapped.

The inquiry’s panel, which was commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), is due to issue its findings in March.

‘Conflict of interest’ Mr Netanyahu said the council was “an anti-Israel body” whose record proved it had “nothing to do with human rights”.

“This is the same council that in 2014 made more decisions against Israel than against Iran, Syria and North Korea combined,” he said.

“After the resignation of William Schabas it is time to shelve the antiIsraeli report his committee wrote.”

Prof Schabas, a Canadian international law expert, was appointed last August to lead a three-member group looking into alleged war crimes during Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.

UNHRC spokesman Rolando Gomez said Israel had accused Prof Schabas of having a “conflict of interest”, AFP news agency reports, due to paid consultancy work done by Prof Schabas for the PLO in 2012.

In his resignation letter, Prof Schabas said he did not want the issue to overshadow the work of the inquiry which “is at a decisive stage”.

“Under the circumstances, and with great regret, I believe the important work of the Commission is best served if I resign,” he added.

Israel refused to co-operate with the investigation, saying the panel was unfairly targeting Israel and ignoring abuses committed by Palestinian militants.

The Palestinians and Israel have each accused the other of committing war crimes during the 2014 conflict.

The war left more than 2,100 Palestinians dead, the majority civilians, according to the UN. Tens of thousands of homes in Gaza were also destroyed or badly damaged.

On the Israeli side, 67 soldiers and six civilians were killed by militant attacks, which also caused damage to homes and other buildings. Israel says the offensive was aimed at ending rocket fire and preventing militants attacking it via tunnels.

The 50-day war began in July and ended with a ceasefire in August.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Page 38

International

Six killed as New York train hits vehicle A

commuter train has hit a vehicle at a level crossing north of New York City, killing six people and injuring 15, officials say.

The train, with about 650 passengers on board, hit the Jeep Cherokee near Valhalla - about 20 miles (32km) from New York - on Tuesday evening.

The vehicle’s female driver was killed, along with five people on the train, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said.

The car and front carriage of the train caught fire following the crash.

It was previously reported six train passengers had died, plus the car driver, but Mr Cuomo and New York officials said that number had been revised down.

Mr Cuomo told broadcaster CBS seven people were seriously injured.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is on their way to investigate the crash.

“I am amazed anyone got off that train alive,” he said.

The packed commuter train had left Grand Central Station in New York City and was heading to Wassaic in south-east New York State.

The crossing gates at the

railroad had come down on top of the vehicle, which had stopped on the tracks, Metro-North Railroad spokesman Aaron Donovan said.

The driver got out to look at the damage, and then got back into the car to drive forward before it was hit by the train. It pushed the vehicle more than 120m (400ft).

It is not yet clear why the vehicle stalled on the tracks.

As a result of the collision, the electrified third rail of the track

came through the front carriage of the train.

Passengers had to escape from the rear of the train.

Mr Cuomo, who visited the site of the crash, said he witnessed “a truly ugly and brutal sight”.

He added: “When you look at the damage done, it’s actually amazing that not more people were hurt.”

Passenger Justin Kaback told ABC News: “I was trapped. It

was definitely scary - especially when people are walking by on the outside and said ‘The train’s on fire’.”

Another passenger, Jamie Wallace, said passengers had started to panic and shout for a fire extinguisher as flames spread to his carriage.

Hundreds were taken to a local rock climbing gym following the crash.Parts of the railroad remain closed on Wednesday.

Passenger Neil Rader told NBC that some passengers had managed to flee the train by breaking glass on the doors to get out, adding: “I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”

Greece, IMF begin debt-swap talks

G

reece has started negotiations with the International Monetary Fund over a plan to swap its sovereign debt for growthlinked bonds, Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said in an interview published on Wednesday.

Greece’s new government is trying to restructure its public debt after receiving 240 billion euros ($275 billion) in bailout money since 2010, when the eurozone debt crisis brought its economy close to collapsing.

The government of leftist prime minister Alexis Tsipras, elected last month on an anti-bailout ticket, is proposing to swap Greek bonds held by the European Central Bank and national governments for either growth-linked or perpetual bonds.

The plan got a skeptical reception from euro zone officials on Tuesday as Tsipras sought support for his proposals in Europe.

His finance minister told Italian newspaper La Repubblica the same deal was also being offered to the

IMF. Varoufakis said the debt would be divided up, with the ECB being paid back “entirely and by the deadline.”

“We are proposing to substitute the other tranches, to the IMF and other countries, with new bonds at market interest, which is very low at the moment, with a clause: we will start the entire repayment once solid growth starts in Greece,” he said.

Greece has started talks with Fund officials.

“I don’t see why they should not

accept an extension like they always do in these situations, at least until the end of the year,” Varoufakis said.

Varoufakis and Tsipras have been visiting European capitals this week to drum up support for their plans. Varoufakis is due to meet ECB officials on Wednesday.

Varoufakis told La Repubblica he was optimistic that the Greek debt problem would be solved and had received good feedback during meetings with financiers in London on Monday.

French comic Dieudonne condemns Paris terror attacks

F

ormer US rap music mogul Marion “Suge” Knight has been taken to hospital shortly after pleading not guilty to murder and attempted

murder in court.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Mr Knight was seen by doctors after complaining of chest pains.

Dieudonne could face prison if found guilty

His earlier court appearance came five days after he was involved a hit-and-run incident in which one man died.

Prosecutors claim he intended to run over two men after an argument, but his lawyer has said it was an accident.

The 49-year-old faces a total of four charges under his real name Marion Hugh Knight and faces life in prison if convicted.

A truck Mr Knight was driving hit and killed his friend Terry Carter, 55, in the incident in the suburb of Compton last week. Another man, Cle “Bone” Sloan, 51, was injured.

The former record label boss’s lawyer said his client was trying to escape an attack

at the time.

At a brief court hearing in Compton, the judge set a bail hearing for Monday and Mr Knight was remanded in custody.

On Monday, a court commissioner revoked the $2m (£1.3m) bail after police said the defendant had a violent past and could intimidate witnesses.

Mr Knight founded Death Row Records in the 1990s but later declared bankruptcy and the company was sold at auction.

He helped launch the careers of artists including DrDre, Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg.

The music producer has previously been convicted of armed robbery and assault with a gun.

Europe and Americas

Obama’s Pentagon nominee to brave senate confirmation grilling

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resident Barack Obama’s pick for defense secretary is poised to tell Republicans in Congress on Wednesday he might eventually consider reviewing the schedule for withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan, and would push to trim wasteful spending.

Ashton Carter, a former Pentagon No. 2, heads to the Senate for a 9:30 a.m. confirmation hearing that is expected to be far smoother than the one that badly damaged outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s political stature two years ago.

But Carter is hardly going to get an easy ride, with key Republicans in the Senate Armed Services Committee sharply critical of Obama’s drawdown schedule in Afghanistan as well his limits on U.S. military actions in Iraq, Syria and Ukraine. “I think he’s well qualified. He’s going to have to do well.”

He’s going to have to defend the president, but not to a fault,” Senator Lindsey Graham, a key committee member, told Reuters.

Carter was nominated to become Obama’s fourth defense secretary after Hagel resigned under pressure last year, raising questions over whether the 60-yearold technocrat would be able break into Obama’s tight-knit inner circle.

Hagel remains in the job until his successor is confirmed.

In an opening statement Carter is due to read on Wednesday morning, obtained by Reuters, he promised to give Obama his “most candid strategic advice” about the dangers ahead.

Carter also said in written answers to questions due to be publicly released on Wednesday that he’s willing to consider recommending changes to Obama’s drawdown plans in Afghanistan next year, should conditions deteriorate.

That could appeal to some Republicans who criticize Obama for setting drawdown targets based on what they say is a political calendar instead of security after 13 years of war.

Carter also expressed interest in expanding counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan and advancing efforts to arm and integrate Sunni tribal forces into Iraq’s battle against Islamic State militants.

Still, it remains to be seen whether Carter will depart from longstanding Obama administration positions. Carter is an administration insider who has toiled away in high-ranking positions within the Pentagon in recent years.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Page 39

Strange World

Giant rat the size of a buffalo had front teeth like elephant tusks, according to research

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giant rat the size a buffalo had front teeth like an elephant’s tusks which it used to dig for food and fight off predators, according to new research.

The one ton beast, the largest rodent ever to have lived, roamed Earth three-million-years-ago and had a bite force of about 1,400 Newtons – as powerful as a tiger – and the incisors would’ve been able to withstand almost three times that.

N a m e d Josephoartigasiamonesi, the huge rodent looked liked a cross between

a guinea pig and a beaver and stood about five foot high.

It lived in the forests of South America where it would have dodged attacks from enormous meat eating birds and sabretoothed cats.

Dr Philip Cox, of York University, said: ‘We concluded Josephoartigasia must have used its incisors for activities other than biting, such as digging in the ground for food, or defending itself from predators.

‘This is very similar to how a modern day elephant uses its tusks.’

He used computer modelling

to make the calculation after its fossilised skull was dug up in the San Jose region of Uruguay and taken to the Montevideo National History Museum where it lay for years before anyone realised its importance.

The research, published in the Journal of Anatomy, also made a virtual reconstruction of the skull which was then subjected to finite element analysis, an engineering technique that predicts stress and strain in a complex geometric object.

The animal is estimated to have been about ten feet long from the tip of its nose to the end of its very

Comic book fan has implants put in his face and part of his nose CHOPPED OFF to fulfil his dream of looking like Captain America’s enemy, Red Skull

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Real-life villain: Henry Damon, 37, from Caracas, Venezuela, has had his nose removed as part of his facial transformation into a real-life version of Marvel villain Red Skull

The married father began his process by putting subdermal implants on his forehead

Venezuelan man has taken body modification to the extreme in a bid to make himself look like comic book super villain Red Skull.

Henry Damon, 37, had already had several subdermal implants on his forehead before having part of his nose removed in order to achieve the right Marvel madman look.

Despite the drastic surgery, Mr Damon, from Caracas, Venezuela, is getting ready to take it even further to fulfill his dream.

The married father, who now calls himself Red Skull, also tattooed his eyeballs black before adding red and back face tattoos to look like the comic book villain.

Red Skull first appeared in 1947 as the Nazi agent archenemy of Marvel hero Captain America and most recently appeared in the 2011 film Captain America: The First Avenger, played by Hugo Weaving.

After meeting up with medschool dropout Emilio Gonzalez, who specialises in tattooing and extreme body surgery, Mr Damon ‘knew that this was his opportunity,’ a friend said.

‘He has loved comic books since he was a kid and always dreamed of being Red Skull, but never got round to doing it,’ friend Pablo Hernandez said.

Before the surgery, Mr Damon underwent several physical and psychological tests, according to his ‘surgeon’ Mr Gonzalez.

‘Henry aka Red Skull is a physically and intellectually healthy person,’ Mr Gonzalez

said.

‘He’s an excellent son, husband and father, who has an extreme taste for body modification.

‘Most of my customers know that body modification is the last step of body art, everyone knows very well what they want and as well as Henry, many of them are waiting for me for many years to make their dreams a reality.’

Mr Gonzalez added that Mr Damon is not done with his transformation, and is about to take it even further.

Mr Gonzalez said: ‘Next will be silicone implants on the cheekbones, chin and cheeks.

‘Then we will tattoo his entire face red and then he will be Red Skull.’

Before: Mr Damon poses with a friend before he started his process to become Red Skull

Introducing the giant rodent Josephoartigasiamonesi short tail. The jaws would have been big enough to hold a small animal, but its tastes apparently ran to fruit and vegetables, ground down with ever growing teeth.

The enormous incisors extended four inches from its gums and were probably used as weapons against predators, or for processing wood like a modern day beaver does.

Because of its size, its legs would have been under huge strain and it would have needed to stand

more like a cow or sheep than a mouse.

Rodents first appeared around 40 to 50-million-years-ago. The largest living today is the eight stone capybara from South America, while the smallest is Pakistan’s inch-long pygmy jerboa.

Previously, the largest prehistoric rodent was a 118-stone monster discovered in Venezuela in 2000, which lived eight million years ago.

Teenager cut off his own hand because he was addicted to the internet

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teenager was rushed to hospital after he chopped off his own hand in a desperate attempt to ‘cure’ his internet addiction.

The 19-year-old ‘web junkie’, from the city of Nantong, Jiangsu province, China, left a message for his mother in his bedroom before sneaking out of the family home with a kitchen knife.

And the teen, identified only as ‘Little Wang’, hacked off his left hand at the wrist once safely out of sight, leaving it on the ground before calling a taxi to take him to A&E, Jiangsu TV reports.

‘We cannot accept what has happened,’ said the boy’s mother, who declined to be identified.

‘It was completely out of the blue. He was a smart boy.’

MORE: Internet sex toys at risk of being attacked by cyber hackers The woman said at around 11pm

she realised he had disappeared after finding the note, which read: ‘Mum, I have gone to hospital for a while.’

Incredibly, surgeons at a local university hospital managed to reattach the hand after police recovered it, but said they could not guarantee full mobility would return.

Campaigners say Asian countries such as China, which has around 649million internet users, are in the midst of a major online addiction epidemic.

There are an estimated 24million so-called ‘web junkies’ in China and a number of ‘boot camps’ set up to combat addiction.

Symptoms of internet addiction range from regularly absconding from school to living almost entirely in a virtual universe and hardly ever leaving the bedroom.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Page 40

Some Interesting Facts

Lisa’s lips.

The human brain cell can hold 5 times as offee is great for asthma.

Our calendar repeats itself every 400 much information as the Encyclopedia Britannica. years.

Scientists say the Astronauts are not allowed to eat beans because passing wind in a spacesuit higher your I.Q. the more you dream. damages them.

C

On a Canadian two dollar bill, the flag flying over the Parliament building is an American flag.

All of the clocks in the movie “Pulp Fiction” are stuck on 4:20.

Winston Churchill was born in a ladies’ room during a dance.

Kleenex tissues were originally used as filters in gas masks.

Leonardo Da Vinci invented scissors, played the viola, and spent twelve years painting the Mona

Leisure

Most men have erections every hour to hour and a half during sleep.

People in nudist colonies play volleyball more than any other sport.

On average, 12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents daily.

Time magazine’s ‘Man of the Year’ for 1938 was Adolph Hitler.

Say what?

SUDOKU SUDOKU EASY 238

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Giles believes that by forming a relationship with the tigers he is able to give them a much better quality of life.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Mother Earth Ambrose Inusa Sule environment watch globenviron@yahoo.com 0703-441-4410 (sms only)

A quiet place in Goa

The sounds of silence

H

ave you ever wondered how difficult it is to find a truly quiet place these days? At home, household appliances are noisy. At work, generators, computers and air conditioners hum, much more.

If you work in manufacturing, it is not unusual that the noise level is so high that you need hearing protection. In the car, there is road and engine noise, and even far out in the woods, one is surrounded by unwanted noise from roads, industries and communities.

Even worse is the attitude of music cassette vendors who believe, wrongly, that the fastest and easiest way to attract customers is by heightening the decibel of their equipment.

Most beer parlors and other sit-

“

outs are located within residential estates that also generate as much noise, if not more than worship centers that blare megaphones and loudspeakers. The volume of noise emanating from markets, club houses and factories are not less disturbing.

Recently, not a few shouted blue murder when the Lagos State Government through its Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello, threatened to sanction any church or mosque found disturbing public peace with noise from their loud speakers.

The reason was that Lagos State Government had been inundated with complaints from residents living near some religious places disturbing their neighborhoods with noise, and it

would no longer watch the trend continue.

Those affected would likely argue that noise from the religious groups pale in intensity when compared with that from human and vehicular traffic.

The war on noise pollution did not just started today, it all began some years ago when the State Ministry of Environment took the first step of issuing out threat notices to churches, mosques and other religious institutions in the state to desist from constituting what it called nuisance to members of the public through their public address systems (PAS) which often blare out sounds at deafening decibels.

There were laws proposed for amendment which include the

The war on noise pollution did not just started today, it all began some years ago when the State Ministry of Environment took the first step of issuing out threat notices to churches, mosques and other religious institutions in the state to desist from constituting what it called nuisance to members of the public through their public address systems (PAS) which often blare out sounds at deafening decibels.

Lagos State Physical Development Regulation 2005, the Land Use Pattern and the Noise Pollution Control Policy.

The Noise Pollution Control Policy wants those concerned, especially churches and mosques, to desist from the use of externally placed speakers as well as refrain from the use of horn speakers within their premises.

It also prescribes that they observe night vigils once a month without musical instruments so as not to disturb other churches/ mosques within the same area. It says that the noise level should not exceed 55db during the day and 45 db at night, just as early morning service should not commence before 7.am and midweek services should not exceed 9pm and should be conducted without musical instruments.

Noise pollution is recognized as a major problem for the quality of life in urban areas all over the world. Because of the increase in the number of cars and industrialization, noise pollution has also increased. Noise in cities, especially along main arteries, has reached up disturbing levels.

Residences far from noise sources and near silent secondary roads are currently very popular. People prefer to live in places far from noisy urban areas.

Many surveys addressing the problem of noise pollution in many cities throughout the world have been conducted and have shown the scale of discomfort that noise causes in people’s lives.

Existing evidence indicating that noise pollution may have negative impacts on human health has justified research in order to provide better understanding of noise pollution problems and control.

Depending on its duration and volume, the effects of noise on human health and comfort are divided into four categories; physical effects, such as hearing defects; physiological effects, such as increased blood pressure, irregularity of heart rhythms and ulcers; psychological effects, such as disorders, sleeplessness and going to sleep late, irritability and stress; and finally effects on work performance, such as reduction of productivity and misunderstanding what is heard.

City noise levels can be investigated in three different ways as traffic and transportation; industrial activities; Sport, marketing and entertainment facilities. In comparison to other pollutants, the control of environmental noise has been hampered by insufficient knowledge of its effects on human

and lack of defined criteria.

Noise pollution is a significant environmental problem in many rapidly urbanizing areas.

This problem is properly not recognized despite the fact that it is steadily growing in developing countries. It is well established now that noise is a potential hazard to health, communication and enjoyment of social life. It is becoming an unjustifiable interference imposition upon human comfort, health and quality of life.

In Nigeria, the problem of noise pollution is wide spread.

Several studies report that noise level in metropolitan cities exceeds specified standard limits.

But, there is no legal frame work upon which noise pollution can be abated. The then Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) which metamorphosed into the Federal Ministry of Environment only provided daily noise exposure limits for workers in industry (i.e. 90 dB (A) for 8h exposure) in Nigeria.

In short, the Nigerian Government and her citizenry appear not to be conscious of the present and future impacts of noise induced health hazards in their environment. Unless and until measures are taken to control the level of noise, the ongoing urbanization and industrialization may complicate the problem so much that it becomes incurable.

Generation of noise in a metropolitan setting can be viewed in the light of city planning disorderliness and the increasing number of vehicular traffic in the face of urban growth and development. The planning, development, and establishing a noise control capacity is an important consideration in the aspect of noise control.

There is need for abatement plans for noise generation areas like areas around major transport facilities especially at bus stops along traffic routes having economic activities and major market areas.

Noise has always been a major environmental stressor in urban areas. The ability to measure ambient noise levels and represent them on a map should provide a powerful tool for spatially identifying noise sources, its spread and its impact and make decisions relating to its control and management.

In other climes noise pollution is taken very seriously and is working with policies, strategies, legislation, and monitoring and research to reduce noise interference in society.

P A G E

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Mother Earth Expert says excessive T he General Manger, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Mr Adebola Shabi, has cautioned the general public against excessive exposure to the noise in their environment.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that noise could be harmful if it exceeded specified standards.

He explained that the unpleasant sound may be valueless to those around the polluted environment.

According to him, the noise causes a lot of damage to the central nervous system of individuals frequently exposed to it.

“Before l go to the health hazard of noise, l have to let you know the standards we have in the country and the state.

“In the state, we have the noise level during the day at 55 decibels and at night, 45 decibels in residential areas. And in industrial areas, 90 decibels during the day and 80 decibels at night.

“But when your noise level exceeds these limits, it now becomes a noise pollution that has

exposure to noise harmful

health impact on people.

“Noise is in valueless to others and it can affect your hearing aids.

Noise also can impair on your central nervous system.

“It can make you to be agitated.

If you are on medication, noise can affect the way your medications works on you and it can affect your sleeping habit.

“So, if you are exposed to noise that is over 115 decibels, it can lead

to deafness within an exposure period of six hours.

The general manager noted that churches and mosques have hitherto flouted the regulations on noise pollution, but expressed

delight that the level of compliance to the standards level has appreciated considerably.

He said that the rate of petitions against noise pollution had reduced considerably in the state. (NAN)

Commissioner warns against deforestation, urges establishment of game reserve

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he Commissioner for Environment, Mr Alex Apera, has charged staff of the Ministry to enlighten members of the public on the effects of deforestation and the need for game reserves in the state.

Apera made the appeal on Friday in Makurdi during the ministry’s end of the year party.

He assured the people that the ministry would embark on rigorous tree planting campaigns as part of efforts in tackling deforestation.

He expressed regret over the destruction of forests for the purpose of making land available for other uses, noting that vacant lands abound everywhere for such purposes.

Apera also said that the destruction of wildlife and the felling of trees for herbal and domestic fuel should be discouraged.

He further said that the state would ensure that more workshops and trainings were organised to eliminate the practice.

In his speech the Head of Service, Mr Terna Ahura, urged staff of the ministry to emulate hard work.

He also commended the ministry for its prompt response to environmental and sanitation matters in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some staff of the ministry who excelled in their departments were given awards.

(NAN)

Air pollution caused by industrial activities

Children exposed to air pollution at risk of decreased memory, IQ, and altered brain metabolic ratios—Study

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ew study by researchers at the Universities of Montana, Carleton, and North Carolina, and the Centro de Ciencias de la Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, heightens concerns over the detrimental impact of the apolipoprotein—the most prevalent genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease -- upon cognition, olfaction, and metabolic brain indices in healthy urban children and teens. These findings are published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

These children have lifetime exposures to concentrations of air pollutants above the current USA standards, including fine particulate matter (PM 2.5).

Metropolitan Mexico City is an example of extreme urban growth and serious environmental pollution and 8 million children are involuntarily exposed to harmful concentrations of PM 2.5 every day since conception.

The study focused on children’s and teens’ cognitive and olfaction responses using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R) and the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test.

Researchers measured three major brain metabolites in

hippocampus, pons and the white matter of the frontal and parietal lobes using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Carriers of the APOE ε4 versus ε3 children had a key metabolite NAA/Cr ratio reduced in the right frontal white matter and showed significant decrements on attention, and short-term memory.

A worrisome finding in this study was the below-average scores in Verbal and Full Scale IQ (>10 points) in the Mexico City carriers of the gene associated with the risk for Alzheimer. APOE4 children had problems with odor detection and failed to identify the smell of soap more often than ε3 carriers. Interestingly, this finding strongly correlated with the left hippocampus mI/Cr ratio, a ratio of key importance in Alzheimer’s patients.

“APOE ε4 is likely playing a role in Mexico City children’s response to their cumulative air pollution exposures. Of importance for health and educational issues, since Mexico City children mostly attend underprovided public schools that do not help in the development of executive function skills and do not build cognitive reserves, the >10 point IQ difference will likely have

a negative impact on academic and social issues, including bullying and teen delinquency,” said investigators Lilian CalderonGarcidueňas, MD, PhD, The Center for Structural and Functional Neurosciences, University of Montana, and Amedeo D’Angiulli, PhD, Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University.

“The results add to growing data suggesting APOE ε4 carriers could have a higher risk of developing early AD if they reside in a polluted urban environment,” added Dr. Calderon-Garcidueňas.

The authors argue that sustained exposures to urban air pollution result in cognitive underperformance and metabolic brain changes that reflect glial and neuronal alterations. The combined effects of residency in a highly polluted city and APOE ε4 could lead to an acceleration of neurodegenerative changes.

Air pollution is a serious public health issue and exposures to concentrations of air pollutants at or above the current standards have been linked to neuroinflammation and neuropathology. In the US alone, 200 million people live in areas where pollutants such as ozone and fine particulate matter

exceed the standards.

There are significant associations between exposures to particulate matter and increased mortality due to stroke, cardiovascular, and respiratory events. The problem in children living in megacities like Mexico City is much worse.

There is an urgent need to have a broader focus on APOE ε4 and air pollution interactions impacting children’s brains and their responses could provide new avenues towards the unprecedented opportunity for Alzheimer’s disease prevention.

The authors concluded: “We have a 50-year window of opportunity between the time urban children experience the detrimental effects we are describing here, and when they will present with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. APOE ε4, the most prevalent genetic risk factor for AD, has been understudied in children and teens.”

“We need support for studying the current pediatric clinical and imaging evidence in highly exposed urban children. Our efforts should be aimed to identify and mitigate environmental factors influencing Alzheimer’s disease.”

PAGE 28

Emergency Update

By Abubakar Jimoh

I

n recent times, the alarming trend of cholera outbreak recorded in various parts of the country is begging for quick intervention. Experts said the disease could kill in a matter of hours.

Consequently, from January 2015 to date no fewer than eight people have died of Cholera in Anambra State, with 25 newly recorded cases of the disease. In a related development, 29 people are reported to have lost their lives to Cholera in Sagbama and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.

Similarly, it would be recalled that upwards trend of cases in Nigeria is persistently observed during the dry season. For instance, in February 2014, Nigeria Cholera Situation Report by UNICEF revealed that as of 31 January 2014, 855 cholera cases and 20 deaths were reported from 28 Local Government Areas in 9 States. In the same period, “288 cases and 10 deaths were reported in four LGAs from Bauchi, Ebonyi, Federal Capital Territory and Kano States”.

UNICEF disclosed that water sources in the dry season had been stretched, contributing to the already low access to water and sanition. “Only 58% of Nigeria’s population has access to water and sanitation, which poses a high risk for the spread of cholera cases to states which have not previously reported any cases”, it reported.

Cholera has been described

by World Health Organisation (WHO) as an acute enteric infection caused by ingestion of bacterium Vibrio cholerae present in faecally contaminated water or food, primarily linked to insufficient access to safe water and proper sanitation. When a person consumes the contaminated food or water, the bacteria release a toxin in the intestines that produces severe diarrhea.

It is undisputable fact that inadequate water supply and basic facilities expose several communities to dangers of Cholera outbreak, just as interruptions to the water supplies, together with overcrowding, are aggravating factors causing the outbreak.

Disruption of basic environmental infrastructure in a part area or state has been reported to enhance cholera outbreak.

Massive displacement of Internally Displacement Persons (IDPs) or refugees to overcrowded settings, where the provision of potable water and sanitation is challenging, constitutes another risk factor for outbreak.

Other identified common sources of Cholera include contaminated municipal water supplies, ice made from contaminated municipal water, foods and drinks sold by street vendors, vegetables grown with water containing human wastes, raw or undercooked fish and seafood caught in waters polluted with sewage.

WHO reveals that, “about 75% of people infected with cholera do not develop any symptom. However, the pathogens stay in their faeces for 7 to 14 days and are shed back into the environment, possibly

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Before the next Cholera outbreak

A group of participant at a two-day National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in preparation for United Nations World Disaster Conference, yesterday in Abuja. infecting other individuals.”

Cholera is an extremely virulent disease that affects both children and adults. Unlike other diarrhoeal diseases, while it kills healthy adults within hours, individuals with lower immunity, such as malnourished children or people living with HIV, are at greater risk of death if infected by cholera.

A study carried out by Open Collections Programme of Harvard University provides as parts of the symptoms of Cholera, profuse and violent cramps, vomiting and diarrhea, with dehydration so rapid and severe the blood thickens and the skin becomes deathlike and blue.

As part of measures for the prevention of Cholera, United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends provision of clean water and proper sanitation to populations who do not yet have access to basic services.

Individuals are advised to: use safe water to brush, wash and prepare food; clean food preparation areas and kitchenware with soap and safe water and let dry completely before reuse; boil it or treat water with a chlorine product or household bleach. Cholera acquired in advanced countries is very rare

“

because of our high standards of sanitation, water and food quality.

The key to effective control of cholera is environmental sanitation. It has been argued those human beings are surrounded by thousands of harmful organisms.

In 2011, five years survey of four different communities conducted by the WHO, revealed that provision of sanitary facilities for human waste disposal can reduce the incidence of cholera by as much as 68%.

In its own effort, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) apart from constant distribution of relief materials and drugs to the victims of Cholera outbreak, the Agency find it worthy to organise regular campaign and sensitisation across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, primarily to educate and immune the public, especially those in the rural areas against avertable deaths from the outbreak of disease such as Cholera.

As more cases of Cholera outbreaks are reported annually, there is very vital for the governments at all levels to institute a regular reliable and accurate surveillance data as this would help to monitor the trend

and evolution of the outbreak and enhance adequate intervention measures as it was successfully exploited in the United States Cholera Outbreaks in the 1800s.

More importantly, personal hygiene is strictly required of individuals to help combat Cholera outbreak. It is important engage regular hand wash before eating or preparing food or feeding children, after using latrine or toilet, after cleaning a child’s bottom, and after taking care of someone ill with diarrhea. Individuals must avoid defecating in any body of water.

Instead it is highly recommended to use latrines or other sanitation systems, like chemical toilets, to dispose of feces. For individuals that do not have a latrine or chemical toilet, they are advised to defecate at least 30 meters away from any body of water and then bury their feces in a newly dug latrine or temporary pit toilet at least a half-meter deep. They should washing hands with soap and safe water after defecating, cleaning latrines and surfaces contaminated with feces, Governments at all levels should ensure adequate provision of drinkable water supply, especially in the rural areas. For

Other identified common sources of Cholera include contaminated municipal water supplies, ice made from contaminated municipal water, foods and drinks sold by street vendors, vegetables grown with water containing human wastes, raw or undercooked fish and seafood caught in waters polluted with sewage.

instance, another study conducted

by WHO discovered that provision of a safe water supply can decrease Cholera by 73%. Where both toilets and water supplies are provided, the incidence can be reduced by as much as 76%.

Appropriate media, such as radio, television or newspapers should be involved in disseminating health education messages in related simple form and local language. Community and religious leaders should be involved in the awareness social mobilization campaigns for health education and good food hygiene. Through these platforms, communities should be reminded of basic hygienic behaviours, including the necessity of systematic hand-washing with soap after defecation and before handling food or eating, as well as safe preparation and conservation of food.

Strengthening surveillance and early warning alert system, and improving preparedness to rapidly respond to an outbreak remain essential in detecting the first cases and put in place control measures.

In the observation of WHO, among people developing symptoms, 80% of episodes are of mild or moderate severity; and 10%-20% of cases develop severe watery diarrhoea with signs of dehydration. Once an outbreak is detected, the usual intervention strategy aims to reduce mortality is to ensure access to treating and controlling the spread of Cholera.

In order to achieve this, all stakeholders involved intervention should be properly coordinated and those in charge of water and sanitation must be included in the response strategy.

The main identified tools for cholera control are: proper and timely case management in cholera treatment centres; specific training for proper case management, including avoidance of nosocomial infections; sufficient pre-positioned medical supplies for case management; improved access to water, effective sanitation, proper waste management and vector control; enhanced hygiene and food safety practices; and improved communication and public information.

Government of South Australia has suggested exclusion of people with cholera from childcare, preschool, school, work, and food business. Severely ill patients should be isolated in hospital; and people who are less severely ill can be nursed at home. In this case, all linen and articles used by the patient should be washed in hot soapy water and the room thoroughly cleaned when the person has recovered.

Furthermore, while travelling to high-risk zones, travellers are advised to seek advice from a medical clinic or an experienced general practitioner on how to protect them from cholera and other diarrhoeal illnesses. They should drink only water that has been boiled or disinfected with iodine or chlorine tablets.

Abubakar Jimoh is the National Coordinator, Youths Against Disaster Initiative (YADI) abujimoh01@gmail.com

Page 29

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Feature

Husband’s revenge: Facing the massive crocodile that ‘ate my wife’

D

emeteriya Nabire was at the water’s edge with a group of women from her village - they were gathering water from Uganda’s Lake Kyoga when the crocodile grabbed her. It dragged her away and she was never seen again.

Her husband, Mubarak Batambuze, was devastated Nabire was pregnant when she died, and he had lost not only his wife but an unborn child as well.

He felt powerless. But then last month he heard the crocodile had returned.

“Somebody called me and said, ‘Mubarak, I have news for you the crocodile that took your wife is here - we are looking at it now.’”

The 50-year-old fisherman made his way to the lake with some friends. “He was a very big monster, and we tried fighting him with stones and sticks. But there was nothing we could do,” he says.

So Batambuze went to visit the local blacksmith.

“I explained to him that I was fighting a beast that had snatched and killed my wife and unborn baby. I really wanted my revenge, and asked the blacksmith to make me a spear that could kill the crocodile dead.

“The Blacksmith asked me for £3.20 ($5) and made the spear for me,” he says. It was a significant amount of money for Batambuze, but he was determined to kill the animal that had snatched his future.

“The crocodile ate my wife entirely. Nothing was ever seen of her again - no clothes, no part of her body that I could identify.

I just didn’t know what to do - a mother and her unborn child. It was the end of my world. I was completely lost.”

Armed with his new spear specially designed with a barb on one side - the widower went on the attack.

When he got to the water the crocodile was still there, but Batambuze’s friends took fright.

“Please don’t attack this beast,” they pleaded, “it’s so huge it may eat you. The spear is not enough it won’t finish the job.”

But Batambuze insisted they stay. “I failed killing it the first time around,” he told them, “I’m not

“

Four months ago, Demeteriya Nabire was killed by a crocodile when she went to the lake near her home to fetch water. The animal later came back to the area but found Nabire’s husband waiting, ready to take revenge.

The beast that killed Demeteriya Nabire bothered if I die killing this beast.

I’m going to take it on with this spear, and I will make sure that it dies.”

A Ugandan Wildlife Authority ranger, Oswald Tumanya, says the crocodile was more than four metres long and weighed about 600kg.

“I had so much fear in me but what helped me to succeed was the spear,” says Batambuze.

He tied a rope to the end of the weapon so that once the tip was embedded in the crocodile, he could pull it out at an angle and the barb would cut into more of the

It took an hour and a half for Batambuze and his friends, fighting and retreating, exchanging attacks with the enraged animal, before the crocodile was finally dead.

animal’s flesh.

“I put the spear into the crocodile’s side, and while my friends were helping to throw stones at the beast’s back, it tried getting its mouth up to attack me again.

“It turned violent, and then there was so much fear in the place. But I was so determined, and I wasn’t afraid of dying. I just wanted it dead, so I put the spear in its side and I pulled the rope. That got the crocodile into trouble.”

It took an hour and a half for Batambuze and his friends, fighting and retreating, exchanging attacks with the enraged animal, before the crocodile was finally dead.

Exhausted, they made their way back to their village. “There was so much shock. What really surprised everybody was how big the beast was. It wasn’t an ordinary crocodile. It was so big. And people called me and my friends heroes,” he says.

The dead animal was taken to Makarere University in Kampala, where it was examined by a vet, Wilfred Emneku.

He says a tibia bone was found inside the crocodile’s stomach, but while he believes it’s human he can’t be sure.

A crocodile expert at Charles

Darwin University in Australia, Adam Britton, says he would be very surprised if any remains inside the animal’s stomach were those of Demeteriya Nabire.

“After 12 weeks... under normal conditions, it would be highly improbable for bones from the same meal to remain in the stomach,” he says.

So while Batambuze’s celebrity status endures in his village, it is unlikely that he will ever have a

grave to mourn at.

“Within myself I’m a very depressed man because I lost a wife and an unborn child,” he explains.

“But the locals keep on saying, ‘Thank you for killing the beast, that’s where we fetch water and we’re sure it would have taken somebody else. Thank you so much, you did a great job.’”

“So I’m a local hero - people keep on thanking me.”

Source: BBC

Mubarak Batambuze with the spear he ordered from the blacksmith

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Page 30

Feature Ukraine conflict: Is Russia stoking war or pushing peace?

By Sarah Rainsford

B

arely a week ago, there were hopes of an international peace summit for eastern Ukraine. Now, with fighting around Donetsk reaching an intensity not seen for a long time, the chances of such a breakthrough look increasingly slim.

Russia’s deputy foreign minister talked on Monday of “serious consequences for Ukrainian statehood” following a surge in violence that has claimed increasing numbers of casualties.

Some interpret that as a warning of increased military intervention by Moscow. Russia is already accused

by Nato and Kiev of arming and supporting the separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, a claim it vehemently denies.

But others suggest that a flurry of recent official statements may signal Moscow’s desire to avoid escalating the crisis any more.

“If Ukraine pushes further and, say, enters Donetsk then President Putin will have to respond, and that’s a dilemma,” argues Dmitry Trenin, head of the Moscow Carnegie Centre.

“If he tries to reverse the situation, that will mean a far greater military involvement, and that could be disaster. It’s not what he wanted,” Mr Trenin argues.

In such a scenario, abandoning the pro-Russian separatists to their fate is not an option for Russia’s president. For months, Moscow has accused a “fascist” government in Kiev of conducting a “punitive” operation - even genocide - against Russian speakers in Donetsk and Luhansk.

That message is hammered home daily by state-controlled television, which portrays patriotic rebel warriors alongside helpless civilians under attack by indiscriminate Ukrainian artillery.

The fact that insurgents frequently fire from residential areas is never mentioned. Formally, Moscow advocates “special status” for the occupied regions of eastern Ukraine, a pro-Russian enclave within a

Russian state TV depicts rebels in Donetsk and Luhansk as warriors defending civilians

“

Last week, a former Russian prime minister from the late 1990s raised the rhetorical question of sending regular troops to Ukraine - openly, not furtively - should Kiev pushed on with its offensive.

united Ukraine.

But Russia-watchers have suggested that the real goal is another frozen conflict: an open sore for Moscow to prod and stir when required, and so retain influence over Kiev.

But for Ukraine’s authorities, who have already seen Crimea annexed by their neighbour, territorial integrity and sovereignty are key.

President Petro Poroshenko vowed again this weekend not to cede another “scrap” of Ukrainian soil.

The key battleground for now is Donetsk airport. Although its value now is little more than symbolic, whoever controls it claims supremacy.

So when pro-Russian forces suddenly pushed forward there last week to seize new ground, Kiev hit

A boy and his father were killed when shells hit the government-held town of Debaltseve on Monday

back with similar force.

The editor of Russia in Global Affairs, Fyodor Lukyanov, believes Ukraine is demonstrating renewed energy for a fight, manoeuvring to strengthen its hand at any future peace talks.

“The Minsk process took place because Kiev was almost defeated,” he argues, referring to the September ceasefire deal signed last September.

“It couldn’t continue fighting.”

Since that truce, more than 1,400 people have been killed.

“But the worst thing for Russia is if Kiev continues to try to settle this by military means. Russia will be forced to respond militarily, and that would be a disaster for everyone,” Mr Lukyanov warns.

Last week, a former Russian prime minister from the late 1990s raised the rhetorical question of sending regular troops to Ukraine openly, not furtively - should Kiev pushed on with its offensive.

Yevgeny Primakov ultimately warned against such a move, but some suggest he would not have raised the option had voices close to President Putin not been advocating it.

Putin’s ‘olive branch’ Then, very late on Sunday night after a day of heavy clashes around Donetsk, the Kremlin revealed that President Putin had extended an apparent olive branch. On Thursday, he had written to President Poroshenko offering a “concrete timetable” for implementing the existing peace plan.

Russia’s president clarified that Moscow accepted a ceasefire line in Ukraine set by Kiev and was prepared to use its influence on the rebels to pressure them to withdraw

their heavy weaponry.

The contact line, as it is known, was established last September based on the position of forces at that moment. But continued conflict ever since has altered positions, and opened its location to hot dispute.

“Maybe Russia is ready to put pressure on the rebels now, to get them to stick to the Minsk deal even though many have said they are not happy with it,” suggests Mr Lukyanov, seeing a possible concession here by Moscow.

That has yet to be proved.

Meanwhile, there has been markedly little progress on other major issues including reestablishing Ukrainian control over a long stretch of its border with Russia, the alleged entry route for fighters and weapons.

A Russian foreign ministry spokesperson said that issue was being addressed, as part of the Minsk process.

But the process has evidently stalled.

On Wednesday evening the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Russia - as well as Germany and France - will meet again in Berlin, to discuss how to enforce the Minsk deal.

With civilian casualties mounting, the need for progress is urgent.

Meanwhile pro-Kiev troops and insurgents continue to battle for control of the shattered, empty shell of Donetsk International Airport.

We may never know exactly how many lives have been lost in the ruins at the heart of the Ukraine conflict.

Source: BBC

PAGE 31

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Northern Youth Group declares support for Jonathan

Wife of the Senator

From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

A

Lai Mohammed, devil’s advocate-Fani-Kayode

By Ahmed Abubakar

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he Director Media and Publicity of the presidential campaign organization of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, as ‘a devil’s advocate’ over his alleged comments that pastors received N6 billion bribe from President Goodluck Jonathan.

Chief Fani-Kayode stated this yesterday at a world press conference calling on the APC spokesman to openly confess his sin ‘as he has sinned before God’ for deliverance over desecrating the persons of the men of God. He said, “Lai Mohammed has taken it upon himself to play the devil’s advocate by building up seemingly scary scenarios to create tension, cause panic in the polity and incite supporters of his party and well-meaning Nigerians against the Federal Government, President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP”.

The PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation called on the Nigerian people to discountenance APC and Lai Mohammed’s petty lies and they can be rest assured that all arms of government are patriotically committed to discharging their constitutionally-prescribed responsibilities and duties.

Chief Fani-kayode asserted that, “We believe that the APC’s unconscionable alarm is part of its characteristic and habitual propaganda through which it has over and over again imposed its skewed agenda on many undiscerning Nigerians. We are constrained to take this opportunity to paint an accurate portrait of the APC and its leaders. It is time for us to expose them for what they really are. The truth is that they are agents of destabilization. They comprise of retrogressive elements that are desperate to take power just for the sake of it. If they ever succeed in taking power in this country, God forbid, they will take the country back into darkness because they represent darkness and everything that is

reprehensible.

“We, as a party, will not allow them to damage the good work that the PDP, most especially the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, has done to transform our nation”.

He opined that, “The APC can go on its illusive flight of selfimportance, but it is now increasingly clear to every Nigerian at home and in the Diaspora as well as members of the International Community that the opposition party is excessively desperate for presidential power and has imported unrestrained violence into our body-politic”.

“The truth is that they cannot win the forthcoming elections and they know it. That is why they have come up with the allegation of Interim National Government. We repeat: those who want Interim National Government are the APC and some elements that are secretly behind their party.

“Their plan is to prepare a fertile ground upon which to discredit our anticipated victory at the polls, unleash anarchy and violence on

the country after they lose so that we would not be able to enjoy our victory.

By the grace of God and the support of a vast majority of Nigerians, their plan will fail”.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Presidential Campaign Organisation have inundated the Nigerian people with allegations that the Peoples Democratic Partycontrolled Federal Government is not ready for the scheduled February 14 and 28 general elections and that it is plotting to scuttle the process with a view to emplacing an Interim National Government”, he stated.

“These allegations are disingenuous, tenuous and shameful. Rather than elevate the APC, this resort to mendacity and scaremongering further reduces them to a gang of desperadoes seeking power by all means and simply for the sake of it. This is because it is common knowledge that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not provide for the Interim Nation Government contraption that the APC talks about” Fani-Kayode said.

We left APC because of Ajimobi’s insincerity - LP Chairman From Seyi Ojelade, Ibadan

L

abour Party chairman in Oyo State, Comrade Gbenga Olayemi has said that most of those who left APC/ACN to form Labour party left due to insincerity on the party of the governor.

Comrade Olayemi in an interaction with journalists in Iganna during the campaign of LP in Ibarapa zone said, the failure of Sen

Abiola Ajimobi to fulfill his electoral promises make some of them to resolve to quit the party without any regrets “Most of us while campaigning for Senator Ajimobi in 2011 risked our integrity and name but when we realize that Mr Governor is not sincere and not ready to fulfill most of his electoral promises, we left him on principle and formed Labour Party with which we want to actualize our

goals. “ If Senator Ajimobi had told us he will be demolishing shops and making life difficult for our people during campaign in 2011 nobody would have supported him but he has shown the kind of leader he is and that is why most of us left him.

Speaking on the choice of Alao Akala as gubernatorial candidate of the party, the party chairman said , “Akala is the best among the three

major contenders in the state and since the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) failed to use him, we went to him and asked him to be our candidate because he is the best among them”.

“We consulted widely before we concluded on him, we have contestants in our party who are also qualified to contest election but we decided to respond to the yearnings of the people of the state who are asking for the return of Alao Akala.”

Pan African group, Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly (NEYGA) said it has decided to declare a total support for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in office because he has performed credibly above his predecessors with his transformational programme which is very evidence in the six geo-political zones of the country.

The group stated this yesterday shortly after rising from its extraordinary session held in Keffi, Nasarawa state through the President of Ijaw Youth Council, Comrade (Eng.) Udengs Eradiri who said after due deliberation and consultation with relevant stakeholders and pressure groups affiliated to it, it considered the present state of the nation vis-àvis the leadership of the country, hence, its decision to support Jonathan for a reelection.

“We commend the federal government under the impeccable leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the efforts made thus far to curb insurgency in the North east and we also hail our brave soldiers for fighting gallantly to restore peace and order to the affected states” the group said.

It said that beyond huge deposits of crude oil alongside other mineral resources lying beneath the country, the youth have been identified as the treasure base of Nigeria and was glad that President Jonathan has been giving them prominence.

“Today, we call on all youths in the North and beyond to reject politics of bitterness and being used by politicians to cause mayhem in their communities and support unity across ethnic nationalities,” the group urged.

They noted that with the emergence of President Jonathan had made some minority ethnic groups in the north and southern parts of the country to understand that they exist in similar circumstances.

While declaring that “We the youths from the north have decided to close ranks and offer undivided support to President Jonathan rivaled being a man of impeccable character and unrivalled records of achievements in Nigeria”.

However, they assured Nigerians that they would work assiduously at all times to contribute their quota to the unity and progress of Nigeria as a means of leaving their footprints on the sand of time.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

PAGE 32

Business activities going on at Madalla Thursday Market, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Stop articulated vehicles during rush hours, Nyanya residents urge FRSC R

esidents of NyanyaMararaba have urged the Federal Road Service Corps (FRSC) to stop the movement of articulated vehicles in and out of Abuja metropolis, during the rush hours.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday, a driver, Mr. Tony Nwachukwu, said that the movement of articulated vehicles during rush hours

posed a threat to motorists and passengers along that axis.

Nwachukwu said that the movement of such vehicles had been were stopped due to numerous accident caused in the past.

“Before now, accidents used to happen every day on that axis due to the movement of articulated vehicles.

“Any accident on that road that involves such vehicles end up affecting many cars, leading

to loss many lives,’’ he stressed.

Nwachukwu alleged that some drivers of articulated vehicles were always under the influence of alcohol; and so do not listen to road users.

He appealed to FRSC officials to always stay around Abacha Barracks to ensure that drivers of such vehicles were compelled to park until 10 p.m.

He said that this would stop the vehicles from struggling on the road with other cars.

Also commenting, a businessman, Mr. Ibrahim Musa, advised that the government should provide alternative road for articulated vehicles.

“I think the best solution should be to provide alternative road for articulated vehicles because the drivers of such big vehicles like to intimidate the small ones’’.

Another business man, Mr. Ifeanyi Okereke, urged the

Road safety to impound such vehicles and ensure that owners pay a fine before the trucks are released to them.

“The Road Safety should impose heavy fine on these long vehicles for any defunct.

“And the vehicles should be impounded and released only after payment of the fine.

“Government should put in place drastic measures to check the impunity of these truck drivers,’’ he said. (NAN)

Monarch tasks Wuse traders on unity By usman shuaibu

T

he Sarkin (second class chief) of Jiwa in Abuja municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Idris Musa, has called on the new officials of Wuse Market Traders Association (WUMATA) to work together for the progress of the market.

Musa, made the call while addressing the traders during the swearing in ceremony of the

fourteen executive members of the association at the market, on Monday. He urged the officials to carry their members along in the scheme of things at the market.

Also, the monarch charged the executives to give equal treatment to their members, irrespective of their tribal and religious inclinations.

He noted that Wuse market is a pillar of unity among all the markets in FCT. He therefore appealed to the officials to remain committed to

the welfare of the traders in the market, while warning them not to temper with the association’s money.

He equally advised the all traders in the market to be lawabiding members of WUMATA. While commenting on the forthcoming general elections, the royal father warned FCT residents against inflicting violence during or after the exercise.

Earlier, in his speech, the newly inaugurated chairman

of WUMATA, Mr. Okorie Ikechukwu Raphael, called on both officials and members of the association to join hands with him to further develop the market.

According to him, “we shall protect the poor and weak among us while upholding the principles of justice and respect for the fundamental human rights of all traders.

“I would operate government of ‘participation’, where every trader would be allowed to speak his or her mind on any issue

affecting the market.

He assured the traders that the leadership of WUMATA under his watch will leave a legacy worth of emulation for the association.

He stressed that stakeholders must embrace WUMATA, so as to make the very best of it for the interest of all.

The chairman added that his leadership would welcome constructive criticisms and advice that would move the market to the next level.

SporT 41 Page

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

Pillars

26 states shun Federation Cup

By Albert Akota

T

here is apathy for the 2015 Federation Cup as only 10 states are confirmed to have completed the registration formalities for the for the 2015 men and women competitions despite several pleas from the Nigeria Football Federation.

A statement from the NFF

spokesperson, Ademola Olajire, expressed fears that a good number of the states may risk not participating in this year’s competition as the deadline for registration is fast approaching.

The statement from Mr. Olajire revealed that the passionate pleas from the Head of Federation Cup Unit in the NFF, Ruth David, have so far fell on deaf ears as only 10 States have reg-

istered for this year’s competitions, 10 days to the deadline for registration.

“It is important to remind all the States that the deadline for registration for the 2015 Men and Women Federation Cup competitions is February 13. Late registration, between February 16 to 20, will attract a fine of N50,000 for the men competition and N40,000 for

Flying Eagles to play Algeria renew Friendlies against Gourcuff’s Ghana side contract >>>Pg 42 >>>Pg 43

the women competition.

“Submission of completed players’ licenses will be between February 23 and 27. Late submission, between March 9 and 16, will attract a fine of N300,000 to the defaulting club(s).”

Miss Ruth warned the erring states, noting that there have been little or no responses to her repeated phone calls and text

messages to the different states.

While the states dillydally, the grand finale of this year’s Men and Women Federation Cup competitions has already been fixed for Sunday, August 16 Enyimba International is the reigning champions having successfully defended their title last term in Lagos against Dolphins FC.

Stakeholders want NBBF to engage statistician for teams >>>Pg 44

Page 42

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Sport

N20m sponsorship deal excites Nation Wide League

By Albert Akota

E Flying Eagles

Flying Eagles to play Friendlies against Ghana side

T

he Flying Eagles of Nigeria are set to play two friendly matches against the U20 team of Ghana this month.

The Nigerian U20 boys’ team, otherwise known as the Flying Eagles, won the Super 6 tournament in Abuja on Sunday, as part of their preparations for the 2015 Africa Youth Championship.

The Nigeria Football Federation has approved a

request made by the Flying Eagles coaches to have a series of more friendlies before the start of the AYC in March.

The games against the Ghana U20 are expected to be a twolegged affair, with the first in Nigeria and the return leg in Ghana.

And Flying Eagles coach, Manu Garba also confirmed that they are set to play against the Ghanians on the 15th and 18th of February.

xecutive Secretary of Nigeria Nation Wide League, Olushola Ogunnowo is excited by the sponsorships recently secured for the amateur league.

Ogunnowo said that one of the sponsors, Puzzles Group will be investing in the league to the tune of N20 million for the 2015 season.

“Yes we already have some sponsors. Puzzles group are ready to partner with us. They are a group of company who are into so many things. We have reached an agreement with them; we are only waiting for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be signed.

“Puzzle group are offering us twenty million naira for the season and they want to sponsor it for three seasons. They are the first company in the history of Nation Wide League to come out to sponsor the league with such amount of money.

“Other sponsorship we have are with Jovago and Verve international .The partnership with Jovago is going to be more than 20 million naira but the way they are going to fashion their own will be quite different because they are into hotel management, bookings and travel business.

“They are creating a partnership whereby they ease payment of hotel for our clubs.

“As for Verve international we will soon work out their own method of sponsorship and how much that will translate into” The Executive Secretary stated.

Ogunnowo revealed that the secret of the success recorded by the Nation Wide League boils down to professionalism as they have been able to merge professional experience with administration.

He called on corporate businesses to join the league of new sponsors of the Nation Wide League, saying “it is the league to beat”.

“We are likely to play Ghana on the 15th here, and play them on the 18th there in Ghana,” Manu said.

The Ghanaians are also preparing for the Africa Youth Championship, and they are grouped with South Africa, Mali and Zambia in group B. The Nigerians have won the tournament a record six times, the last being in South Africa in 2011 under John Obuh.

FA elections: NFF warns against external influence (L) Albert Akota, Chairman FCT SWAN Kayode Adeniyi and Arafat Aliu posed with award during a Novelty match between FCT SWAN and federal ministry of Health yesterday in Abuja to mark Cancer day

NFF emphasizes need for synergy among leagues, departments

By Albert Akota

T (R) Alhaji Musa Talle, FCT FA Chairman handover giant trophy to Chairman, FCT Sports Writers Association (SWAN), Mr Kayode Adeniyi

By Albert Akota

T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reiterated its warning that, in line with the NFF Statutes, there must be no external influence in the conduct of elections into the boards of the Football Associations of the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday, NFF Acting President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi made it clear that the Federation would not treat any State that runs foul

of this important proviso as a sacred cow.

“We are sending this important message to all the Football Associations of the 36 States and the FCT. Any State where it is found that external influence has played some role will be visited with the full sanctions applicable.

“The Nigeria Football Federation is serious about this.

All the Football Associations of the States and the FCT have a duty to observe the guidelines and the stipulations to the letter, in the true spirit of association

football,” Akinwunmi said.

Elections into the Boards of the Football Associations of the 36 States and the FCT have been scheduled for 15th to 28th February, 2015, with a number of the States having fixed dates for their elections already.

The Elections Monitoring Committee, headed by Member of the NFF Executive Committee and Chairman of Chairmen, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau,is presently going through documents submitted by the States for the conduct of the elections, including guidelines and delegates’ lists.

he Nigeria Football Federation has begun concrete moves to ensure synergy between the NFF and the different Leagues affiliated to the NFF, also among departments within the Federation to guarantee global best practice in organization of matches and competitions in the country.

Commending the organization of the recently-concluded Super Six Tournament held in Abuja, NFF Acting President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi thanked the League Management Company, Globacom Communications who are the sponsors, the participating teams and of course the fans who came out in their thousands to watch the matches.

He stated that the gains of the brilliant organization, and the lessons learnt from whatever shortcomings there were, should be taken on board to guarantee much better organization of matches and championships.

On Monday, Akinwunmi as

Chairman of the NFF Organizing Committee, chaired a meeting where the Premier League, National League, Women League and Nationwide League were represented, and which also had in attendance NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, as well as heads of the NFF Technical, Competitions, Marketing and Communications departments, Referees Unit, International, Inter-Clubs, Federation Cup Unit, and Security Committee.

“We must begin to insist on global best practice in everything we do, in organization of matches and carrying out of other assignments. The NFF leadership will begin to frown seriously at the attitude of ‘business as usual’ and people in positions of responsibility must discharge those responsibilities with absolute professionalism.

“Synergy between the NFF and all the Leagues and also among the departments within the NFF that are represented here is key for the real growth of Nigeria football.”

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Sport

Eq.Guinea unhappy over Malabo move

A

frica Cup of Nations hosts Equatorial Guinea have complained over having to leave their base in Bata to play today’s semifinal against Ghana in Malabo.

Nzalang Nacional has created a fortress in Bata where they have not lost an international game.

Equatorial Guinea’s team

has reportedly argued against moving the game to Malabo, saying the 15 000-capacity stadium there will be overrun by the home fans.

Their quarterfinal against Tunisia was originally scheduled for the 8 000-capacity Ebebiyin Stadium, but CAF later moved it to the 35 000-capacity Estadio de Bata.

PAGE 43

Algeria renew Gourcuff’s contract

Christian Gourcuff

Raul Fabian Bosio and Rajindraparsad Seechurn

Appiah savours special full debut

A

lgeria coach Christian Gourcuff has been given a new deal despite the Deserts Foxes’ quarterfinal exit at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Frenchman, who was appointed in August 2014, was unable to steer Africa’s

stop-ranked side past Ivory Coast, losing 3-1 on Sunday.

But Algerian Football Federation president Mohamed Raouraoua “has renewed his confidence” in Gourcuff.

“There will be changes within The Greens,” said Gourcuff.

“Some players are entering their 30s and are preparing to leave the team.

We’ll have to call up other younger players.

“We already have a core of young and good players around which the future national team will be built.

“We’ll only need to

reinforce certain areas by other elements for upcoming deadlines, notably the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2018 World Cup.” Algeria captain Madjid Bougherra had already announced he would retire after the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

the official, Rajindraparsad Seechurn, after the match and their football federation has been fined $50,000 (£33,000).

Caf also wants an apology from Tunisia for accusations of bias.

Tunisia have also been ordered to pay for damages to a door and a refrigerator in the team’s dressing room at Bata Stadium.

Mauritian referee Seechurn awarded the penalty in stoppage time after Ali Maaloul was harshly ruled to have fouled Ivan Bolado when Tunisia were leading 1-0 and, after equalising from the spot through Javier Balboa, hosts Equatorial Guinea went on to win 2-1 in extra-time.

Seechurn has also been removed from Caf’s list of

elite referees.

According to Caf, it was sent two letters by the Tunisian FA following the match, with the second asking for an investigation and suggesting that Caf and its officials “were questionable and biased against Tunisia in general”.

Equatorial Guinea was fined $5,000 (£3,300) for poor security at the stadium.

CAF bans referee, fines Tunisia FA

T

he referee for Tunisia’s Africa Cup of Nations last-eight defeat has been banned for six months by the Confederation of African Football.

Equatorial Guinea was awarded a controversial penalty in stoppage time and they went on to beat Tunisia 2-1.

Tunisia staff confronted

Appiah

S

triker Kwesi Appiah is still savouring his debut goal for Ghana in the quarter-final win over Guinea.

The 24-year-old scored the second in the 3-0 thrashing of Guinea to set up a semi final clash in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations against hosts Equatorial Guinea.

Appiah’s call up to the side for the tournament stirred a lot of controversy in Ghana with many believing he lacked the competencies and credibility to earn a Black Stars place.

The Crystal Palace man who had just returned from loan at English third tier club Cambridge United however

impressed and scored on his first full debut in the win over Guinea where he was also adjudged the Man of the Match.

Appiah remains a happy man for his impressive performance and his debut competitive goal for his country.

“Obviously it is a very special moment for me to score a goal for our country and very pleased with our progress to the semi final,” he said.

“I really look forward to that [semi final clash] now and we will regain our energy and focus and put it towards the semi final. We are ready.”

Officials reusing Rajindraparsad Seechurn

Page 44

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Sport

Stakeholders want NBBF to engage statistician for teams

Ogogo has second Achilles operation

B

ritish Olympic medallist Anthony Ogogo will be sidelined for several more months after he suffered a setback in his recovery from Achilles surgery.

The 26-year-old had hoped to continue his unbeaten professional career in February, but has needed another operation to clear infected tissue.

Ogogo hopes to be back

in training by April or May. London 2012 bronze medallist Ogogo, who is managed by 10-time champion Oscar De La Hoya, has won each of his seven bouts since turning pro two years ago.

But, after he pulled out of a fight in Las Vegas, he underwent surgery in September to fix chronic Achilles pain, which has persisted throughout his rehabilitation.

Basketball players

By Albert Akota

S

takeholders have advocated for the inclusion of statistician to all the technical crew of the national teams following amidst continuous dwindling performance of Nigeria’s teams in basketball competitions at the international level.

The stakeholders, who spoke yesterday during day two of the ongoing Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Stakeholders Forum in Abuja, said the importance of statistician to the basketball team cannot be over emphasize and called for inclusion of

C

one to both the national teams and league clubs.

Coach Oliver B Johnson (a.k.a) O.B.J., who delivered a lecture on the use of statistics, identified lack of proper use of statistics or its misinterpretation as major challenge facing the nation.

The veteran coach, who said shortly after the lecture, said the use of statistics open up games and helps the players to improve their performance.

“If ask me whether we need statistician in a basketball team or not, my answer is yes or no. What I mean is that you may have statistician on the bench but if the coach doesn’t know how to use statistics it

is become wasteful.

“My stand is that every coach needs statistics to work. The players themselves will know how to improve if know their statistics. For instance if a player know that in every match he is suppose to score 24 points and his teammates also know when he is suppose to have ball or not, they would work for him.

“A lot of time, you see a player who is free and he want a ball but his team mates are holding on to the ball. And when asks the player why was he hold on to the ball when this person was free? He may tell you that he did see

now fight for the vacant title.

Froch, 37, wants to defend his WBA supermiddleweight title this summer.

Talks have taken place over a potential bout against Mexico’s Julio

Cesar Chavez Junior in Las Vegas, or two-weight world champion Bernard Hopkins, 50, in Froch’s home city of Nottingham.

DeGale earned the right to face Froch after beating Brandon Gonzalez on the undercard of Froch’s

him or he don’t know. So, statistics is to open up the game for people to know what they are doing and the responsibility is on the coaches.

“In1997 when I ran basketball clinic in NIS in Lagos, I work on statistics. Basketball is about scoring and it is through the statistics that we got to know this thing.

Our major problem in basketball is lack of proper interpretation or use of statistics. Many people would say money but I don’t believe it is money.

We need to know the money that are available and the utilization of the money might a lot,” he said.

Ogogo

Campbell pulls out of Hull bout

Froch vacates IBF world title

arl Froch has vacated his IBF supermiddleweight belt as he recovers from an elbow injury.

Fellow Briton James DeGale, 29, who was the mandatory challenger, will

Wembley fight against George Groves in May 2014.

Promoter Eddie Hearn is in negotiations for Degale to fight American Andre Dirrell for the IBF title and hopes the clash can take place on 25 April at London’s O2 Arena.

Meadows wins 800m at Copernicus Cup

J

enny Meadows won the 800 metres at the Copernicus Cup indoor meeting in Poland.

The 2011 European indoor champion , 33, clocked a second sub twominute time of the week, winning in 1:59.85.

World indoor champion Richard Kilty had to settle for second in the men’s 60m, in front of fellow British sprinter Sean SafoAntwi.

There was success for Lucy Hatton, who clocked a personal best of 8.06 seconds to win the women’s 60m hurdles.

Guy Learmonth posted a season’s best of 1:48.43 to finish fifth in the men’s 800m, while Felix Maisey-Curtis came fourth in the men’s long jump, with a leap of 7.46m.

Jamie Bowie clocked 47.28 in the 400m, ahead of Luke Lennon-Ford’s 47.41 and Greg Louden, who recorded a time of 48.06 at the meeting in Torun.

Alex Nwenwu came eighth in the men’s 60m hurdles with a time of 8.46 seconds.

Luke Campbell

O Meadows

lympic gold medallist Luke Campbell has pulled out of a scheduled fight on 7 March, promoters have said.

The 26-year-old Hull lightweight, who has won all five of his bouts since turning professional, was due to fight at the Hull Ice Arena.

But, he has pulled out to spend time with his family as his father, who has cancer, is moved to a

hospice.

The boxer, who was awarded an MBE, said “it is important to spend every second possible with my family”.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has now said the Hull fighter’s bout will be replaced on the card.

In August last year, Campbell said he was taking a break from the sport but a March 2015 date with an opponent had then loomed on the calendar.

Page 45

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Sport

1.Nigerian defender Moruf Yusuf has said he has learnt his lessons from a transfer saga involving Egyptian rivals Ahly and Zamalek, which led to a month’s ban and a fine.

P-i-c-t-o-r-i-a-l

2.Out of favor Super Eagles midfielder Fengor Ogude was the star man for his team Amkar Perm in their second friendly of their winter camp scoring and bagging an assist in their 3-2 victory.

3.Andy Murray concedes he was distracted by Novak Djokovic’s fitness problems during his Australian Open defeat.

4. Lance Armstrong is charged with leaving the scene of an accident after a car crash in the American ski resort of Aspen.

1

2

5.Carl Froch vacates his IBF super-middleweight title, leaving mandatory challenger James DeGale to fight for the belt.

3

4 5

Page 46

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

Sport

Such is her stature in the women’s game that Marta has found herself on a plane to Switzerland every winter for the last ten years.

A serial attendee of the FIFA Ballon d’Or, her invite is by no means just a courtesy.

Indeed, the Brazilian No10 has finished in the top three of the Women’s World Player category every year for the past decade, scooping the main prize herself at five consecutive Galas (20062010).

Always amenable and available for a chat with FIFA.com, the 28-year-old naturally cuts a more mature and composed figure these days than on her early visits to Zurich.

Yet she has not lost her spark, sense of fun nor burning desire to continue to push the growth of women’s football in Brazil.

On the agenda for the conversation this time around were her high and lowlights of 2014 and, of course, A Canarinha’s major challenge for 2015: the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in Canada.

You’ve not missed a Gala since 2004. Does it still feel like a special occasion?

It’s fantastic! In a way, you end up setting this, being here, as one of your goals. This is proof that you’ve been playing at a very competitive level for a long time.

That’s why, when the season finishes, you’re already hoping to come back and get your dose of Zurich!

(Laughs) The first time I came here I was very shy, but I’m much more relaxed in these situations now.

Taking a look back at your 2014, what’s your most striking memory?

I think it has to be the Champions League final [Editor’s note: Marta netted

Marta

Brazilians hate to lose a match, says Marta

twice in Tyreso FF’s 4-3 defeat against German and European champions VfL Wolfsburg].

We didn’t win, but we were going through tough times at the club. We knew that we were going to play the final and then the next day the club would fold. In the months leading up to the final, there were problems even for us to train, but the squad all pulled together. We said: ‘Let’s forget about everything off the pitch, the late wages.

We’re going to work for each other and we’ll reach the final, because this squad deserves it.’ We grew into one big family. That’s how we managed to reach the decider and go toe-to-toe with a very solid Wolfsburg team. It was a very special time.

Was that the year’s best women’s football match?

It was a brilliant game!

But there’s another match I have to mention too.

Late in the year I played in a tournament with the national team and the USA were also in it, the first time the US women’s side had come to Brazil for several years.

We were losing 2-0 but ended up winning 3-2. It was another game that had a big impact on me in 2014. Both of them are in the mix, 5050.

Let’s talk about A Seleção. There’s not long to go until the Women’s World Cup in

Canada. How are the players preparing for the challenge ahead?

Are Brazil not as strong as they once were?

That’s a fact. We’re now eighth in the FIFA Ranking, while we’ve been higher in the past… What’s gone wrong? Well, from my point of view, we hit a high standard in 2004, 2007 and 2008 when finishing runners-up at the Athens Olympics, Women’s World Cup China and

Beijing

Olympics respectively.

From that point on we’ve kept a core of players together, but some new ones have come in and others hung up their boots.

We weren’t able to properly replace the players that left though, so we’ve had to start afresh with a new generation.

We’ve got a league championship in Brazil now, though it’s still not very competitive or popular. A few years back we didn’t even have that and the national coach faced enormous difficulties in finding quality players, because he couldn’t get to see them.

We wasted a lot of time and we didn’t manage to take full advantage of the generation that burst onto the scene in 2004.

There should have been a more consistent, longterm project put in place, to develop promising players

to a high enough standard to adequately replace the ones who moved on. So we started from zero again.

And we have to be very thorough this time too, because us veteran players, like me, Cristiane, Formiga and Andreia Suntaque won’t be around forever. Only through consistent hard work can we keep the national team strong.

Realistically, what are Brazil’s chances at Canada 2015?

I think that

we’ve got the ability to do very well, to battle it out with the heavyweights like Germany, USA, France, Sweden, Japan, Canada and England.

That said, our current status doesn’t reflect that, because we’ve fallen down the Ranking. If we want to be compared to those past Brazil teams, we have to prove it out on the pitch. The World Cup is coming up, the Olympic Games are next year.

Its crunch time now.

New coach Vadao [Oswaldo Alvarez] is doing a very good job, he’s giving all the girls a chance, he’s training with the Brazil-based players every day.

That’s hugely important if we want to get the best possible team together and do well at these competitions.

Vadao coached in men’s football for over 20 years. Do you think that makes a difference when it comes to his coaching style?

No, I don’t think so, though one thing you do notice is the amount of experience he has. He makes it easier for everyone to get on together. For things to go well, you need to feel good in the workplace. That makes a

difference and the players notice it.

Vadao, and also Rene Simoes, give you the opportunity to have your say. Just because you’re a player doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have an opinion, and we like our voices to be heard too. We can talk to him and that’s a good thing.

We’re feeling good and that makes things go better.

Taking a brief look back at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, which you attended first-

and it was what impressed me most.

And what was your view on their 7-1 defeat of Brazil? Where did you watch it?

I was in the stadium.

As a Brazil fan I was devastated, very sad… Not about the defeat so much but by the manner of it. I’ve tried to find an answer for it, but to this day I can’t fully understand w h a t

hand, what’s the main lesson you drew from that tournament?

Germany’s teamwork.

They didn’t have just one standout player, a superstar, but their teamwork was vital in them winning the title. It shone through in all their games

happened.

As I said, Germany had a very strong team ethic but we weren’t expecting to lose like that.

As a sportswoman I’ve been through difficult situations, such as when you see your team is slipping out of a match and needs to get going again, but there’s not enough time. Things happen very fast.

I could sense that in that match: the goals were flying in so fast that the Brazil

players couldn’t react, couldn’t say to themselves, ‘Let’s sort ourselves out, let’s do something different.

We might lose but not like this.’

They didn’t even have time for that: it was a situation I’d never seen before and one that I don’t think will ever happen

again [to Brazil].

How did you feel after the game?

I felt a bit apprehensive.

There were so many people in the stadium, on the streets and we’d just lost 7-1…

Brazilians don’t take defeat well. In fact, I decided to slip out of the stadium about ten minutes before the end.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, february 5, 2015

PAGE 47

www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

THURSDAY, february 5, 2015

QUOTABLE QUOTE Whenever I discuss with him (President Goodluck Jonathan), I see a young man who has passion for Nigeria. Under Jonathan, Nigeria is in safe hands.

– Former President Ibrahim Babangida.

SPORTS Calm down, change is coming latest

Gyan to undergo late fitness test

G

hana’s assistant coach Maxwell Konadu says Captain Asamoah Gyan will be subjected to a late fitness test to see if he can play in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations semi final clash against Equatorial Guinea.

The 29-year-old is struggling with an injury he picked up after suffering from a brutal challenge in the 3-0 win over Guinea in the quarter finals.

Gyan only returned from Mongomo – where he was flown to undergo further examinations on his injury – on Tuesday afternoon and has since not trained with the side.

Various reports suggests the prolific Al Ain ace will play no part in the semi final clash against the tournament hosts.

But Ghana’s assistant coach Maxwell Konadu says there is still a possibility the inspirational could play in today’s clash once he passes a late fitness test.

Roy set to quit Congo

C

ongo coach Claude Le Roy has said he will soon decide on his future, saying he is still unhappy how he was treated when his team lost at home to Nigeria in the AFCON qualifiers.

“I told the players that with the way I have been treated in the meeting between FECOFOOT (the Congo football association, NDLR), the Minister of Sports and the ‘Diables Rouges’ technical staff after our defeat to Nigeria in Pointe-Noire (in the AFCON qualifiers, NDLR), and given the current atmosphere, I was under reflexion about my future and they will be the first ones to hear about my decision.”

Earlier reports had suggested he has quit his post, but the Frenchman said he was misunderstood when he told his players they will be the first to know what his decision is.

Le Roy said he was shabbily treated after his team lost 2-0 at home to Nigeria in qualifying match for the AFCON. Frenchman Le Roy is one of Africa’s most travelled foreign coaches having also worked in Cameroon, Senegal and DR Congo.

Advert: 0806 business: 0704 news: 0814 lagos: 0805 0803

T

here is a sudden restlessness in the land. This is not unconnected with the grim possibility of a change in polls date. Since it became public that the National Council of State is meeting today and possibly recommend a shift in elections timetable, all Nigerians smart enough to know the difference between “window” and “widow” have been restive.

This Council is made up of the President, his deputy, all the states governors and past heads of states and presidents. The Senate President, the Speaker, Attorney General and all former Chief Justices of the nation are also members.

Its role is purely advisory.

It advises the president in the exercise of his powers in respect of prerogative of mercy, award of national honours, INEC including the appointment of members of the Commission and others.

The Nigerian president is very powerful. At his pleasure, he singly appoints all service chiefs, heads of federal parastatals, countless boards and dispenses sundry patronage. By his own admission, President Jonathan had “created” billionaires. He once cited the prevalence of private jets in the country as evidence of the nation’s prosperity.

The possibility has heightened this anxiety. A substantial chunk of the loudest set of the agitated domiciled in the social media has been eerily silent about the likely shift. Still there is mute hoopla. Not the kind the former CBN governor, Charles Soludo and the current Finance Minister

“ 564 385 292 327 454

8620 9705 9046 1969 0344

THURSDAY Column Ali M. Ali

aliyumaliyu@yahoo.

Gen Muhammadu Buhari

Madam Ngozi OkonjiIweala treated us to. Recall the recent very public spat between these two eminent “economists”.

Strikingly, they make polar opposites. Just out of curiosity, I wonder the kind of babies this odd couple would raise were they legally married. Soludo is wholly “home” grown.

All his education was in Nigeria acquiring a Ph.D. from University Of Nigeria, Nsukka. Madam on the other hand, is a product of the best schools in the US. She was marinated in the best of Bretton Woods’s tradition.

A child by these two would

certainly suffer ‘nervous breakdown’ managing his/ her personal finance. Soludo and Okonji-Iweala are polar axis all right.

Now back to the agitation.

The hoopla is about the coming election. I wrote this piece yesterday around 9pm.

There is a lot of talks of the inevitability of postponing the impending polls just nine short days away. Yesterday a group of youth in support of “Febuhari” stormed INEC headquarters to insist on the date. For the umpteenth time, the electoral body has assured of its preparedness to conduct the elections as scheduled. To that effect, it has begun to ferry nonsensitive materials to the states.

Those in the know accustomed to power play and intrigues swore a long time ago that in February14, it would be “failbuhari”. If the deal to shift date sails through, a step of a labyrinthine web to thwart change may have been clinically executed.

The plot to “failbuhari’ has been afoot a long time ago.

In September 2014, Senate President, David Mark, was “off” mark when he hinted that election this year was not “on the cards” because of the restiveness in the northeast.

What happened? Uproar nationwide. He was knocked silly. The ‘gallant” retired

Those in the know accustomed to power play and intrigues swore a long time ago that in February14, it would be “failbuhari”. If the deal to shift date sails through, a step of a labyrinthine web to thwart change may have been clinically executed.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos.

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general that Mark truly is, beat a hasty retreat.

Since then, the idea has been stalking the land.

Everywhere it intruded, it was ferociously chased away.

Soon an army to track down and exterminate it literally rose by itself. Still, the idea demonstrated an amazing resilience. It began to recruit the respected and the not so respected among the traditional rulers class, the clergy and even the political class.

Such important personages like the Sultan, presumably a father to all, publicly bemoaned not collecting their PVC. Principled politicians like Balarabe Musa and fiery man of God Tunde Bakare suddenly began to call for a postponement of the election. The icing on the cake was the open call in far away Britain for polls change of date by the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. So. At home, a group staged an anti February 14 protest to INEC. Thankfully INEC has remained resolute. According to its latest update, it has so far distributed 66% of the 68,833,476 registered voters. It is hopefully that by February 8, the extended deadline, it would have achieved 100% distribution. I listened to Nick Dazang, the spokesman of the commission last night insisting that the polls would go on as scheduled.

Even the almighty Nigerian Military, the top brass per se, has assured of their preparedness to go on as scheduled.

Who then wants the election postponed?

DAN GAYE

Nigeria in safe hands with Jonathan – IBB

Maradona no de reign, Messi is now the main man!