Friday, June 6th, 2014. Edition

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 13 3N No. 79

Friday, Fr June 6, 2014

. . . putting the people first

>>> PAGE 7

Fra Fraudsters hack Governor Yero's Go phone

Sha’aban 7, 1435 AH

>>> PAGE 3

Insurgents kill 45 near Maiduguri

N150

>>> PAGE 5

Presidential scholarship: NUC boss shuns Reps

Explosion at Gombe governor’s residence  2 soldiers killed, 6 injured

>>Pg 2

Students of Lagos State University (LASU), protesting over increase in their tuition fee by the university authority, yesterday at the Government House Gate, in Lagos.

Naira drops as Emefiele settles down at CBN

By Etuka Sunday, with agency report

 Apex bank boss moves to stop illegal bank charges

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cent against the US dollar after the new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele announced his plans to grad-

he nation’s currency, the Naira, dropped to a onemonth low of N163.85 yesterday shedding 0.69 per-

ually reduce interest rates.

It would be recalled that the currency closed at N162.72 to the dollar on Wednesday. A report on

Reuters said the Naira was last seen at this level on May 8, this year, when it traded at N163.90 against the US currency.

Dollar demand was boosted by investors repatriating dividends abroad, while a lack of Contd on Page 2

Tambuwal to Jonathan: We won’t be cowed

>>Pg 2

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 2

News CONTENTS News

2-10

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

Stockwatch

23

S/Report

24-25

Int’l

27-31

Explosion at Gombe governor’s residence  2 soldiers killed, 6 injured

By Etuka Sunday

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here was pandemonium yesterday in Gombe state after a loud explosion misconstrued to be bomb blast was heard in front of Gombe Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo's private residence within the GRA in the town.

Two soldiers were confirmed killed in the incident which was said to have occurred at about 6pm, after the shells in an armoured tank stationed in front of the governor's residence exploded.

The armoured tank, sources said, was suspected to have ex-

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Vogue

32-33

Feature

34,35

Digest Politics

36 37-38

Newsxtra

39

Sports

41

Columnist

48

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Lawal said the situation has been brought under control and that the state is as peaceful as it has always been.

Meanwhile, our reporter learnt that many residents who heard the explosion scampered for safety, perhaps because of the massiveness of the sound.

A resident, Malam Baba Kumo, who said he was already at home by the time the tank exploded, confirmed that many residents took to their heels believing that it was only bomb blast that could be heard all over the city the way the explosion was heard.

Another resident, Muhammad Amin, who said he too was not

too sure of what had happened because it was already getting dark when the incident happened, confirmed that many residents of Gombe town initially concluded that it was a bomb attack on the governor's residence.

He said residents in the neighbourhood of the governor's house who had scampered to their houses, told him that only men of the Nigeria Police, fire service operatives and military officials were sighted at the scene, battling to put out the fire that resulted from the incident.

Tambuwal to Jonathan: We won't be cowed

By Umar Muhammad Puma

Protesting LASU students barricade Fashola’s office, cook beans – Page 4

ploded following the heat wave that had hit it.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media to the Gombe state governor, Malam Mansur Lawal, while confirming the incident sad six other persons, made up of security agents and civilians were wounded in the incident.

He said some of the wounded "have already been treated and discharged" from the hospital where they were treated.

Governor Dankwambo's spokesman however clarified that "it was absolutely true", the claim in an online media report yesterday that the Gombe Government House had been bombed.

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday told the Executive headed by President Goodluck Jonathan that the House would not be cowed into becoming a rubber stamp institution.

Tambuwal, in a 32-paragraph speech marking the 3rd anniversary of the 7th House of Representatives yesterday, lamented that the country was sinking deeper into corruption and insecurity even as he stressed that the executive has continued to thrive in impunity.

He accused the Executive of refusing to be accountable, and highlighted instances "where obstacles were seemingly deliberately placed on the path of our progress to genuine democracy."

The Speaker expressed concerns on the "disturbing trend whereby people now go to court to stop the National Assembly from exercising its constitutional mandate and conducting its internal operations".

According to Tambuwal, it is neither usual nor appropriate for the Judiciary to be used pre-emptively to stop the legislature from acting in the first place. "This is unheard of in jurisdictions where genuine democracy is practiced and venerated. The usual democratic practice is that the powers of the courts are activated to challenge laws enacted by the Legislature. This is the proper manner in which the Judiciary is enabled to perform its constitutional function as the interpreter of both the Constitution and duly enacted laws."

He described it as an en-

croachment on the powers of the Legislature and a slap in the face of the principle of separation of powers.

On the performance of oversight functions, he said "the House did its utmost best to exercise this very important constitutional mandate, which has always been contentious because of the direct and indirect opposition by the very entities that the Constitution gave us the power and the responsibility to oversight."

The Speaker, in his speech, said there have been attempts to denigrate the National Assembly for its insistence on instilling sanity in the budgetary process.

"Only recently, a certain government spokesman was quoted as claiming that the National Assembly ‘distorted’ the 2014 budget. It is inconceivable that an institution endowed by the Con-

stitution with the legal duty and power to perform a function can be said to be distorting the performance of that function. Those desirous of a National Assembly that will merely rubberstamp a draft budget submitted to it by the Executive must look elsewhere," he said.

While speaking on the legislative achievements of the House during the third session, he said a total of 169 bills were introduced during the Session, of which 46 passed second reading and 27 were subsequently passed into law.

"Six more bills have been laid on the table and are awaiting the action of the Committee of the whole. In addition to the bills, several motions on matters of national importance were passed during the session," he said.

See full text of the speaker’s speech on Page 35

Naira drops as Emefiele settles down at CBN Contd from Front Page fresh supply of hard currency from oil firms coupled with the Central Bank’s new stance on interest rates weighed on the Naira, dealers told the news agency yesterday.

“If interest rates are going to fall ... that could lead to a panic sell-off, with negative implications for the Naira,” one currency dealer said.

Emefiele had yesterday, while unveiling his agenda for the apex bank said he would pursue a gradual reduction in interest rates, an apparent reversal of his predecessor’s policy which was credited with bringing inflation down to single digit.

“There is no doubt that reducing interest rates and maintaining exchange rates are very daunting twin goals,” he said.

“However the Central Bank will work assiduously to ... ensure that these goals are mutually achieved,” he added.

His comments triggered a fall in bond yields and treasury bills as well as in the naira.

Analysts said there was a

strong link between naira stability and high interest rates and that Emefiele did not outline what steps he would take to achieve lower interest rates in the run-up to elections next year.

However, the apex bank boss has stopped with immediate effect, all charges on deposits by customers of banks.

This, he said, was to ensure the success of the cashless policy introduced in 2012 in Lagos, Kano, Anambra, Abia, Rivers and the FCT, and expected to go nationwide by 1st of next month.

The CBN governor said further that the charges being imposed for cash deposits have made many customers to resort to opening multiplicity of accounts and other disingenuous behaviours that would undermine the objective of the cash-less policy.

“Over the course of the pilot, we have become aware of complaints by customers particularly regarding the charges being imposed for cash deposits. This has resulted in customers devising various means to avoid the charges through opening of multiplicity of accounts and other dis-

ingenuous behaviour all aimed at undermining the objective of this policy. Given these outcomes and to better reflect our goal of having more cash under our control, all charges on deposits are hereby stopped with immediate effect”, he stressed.

Emefiele however said that, “Charges on withdrawals, in view of their eventual elimination, remain sustained at the current 3 percent for individual transactions exceeding N500,000 and 5 percent for corporate transactions exceeding N3 million. Currently, these fees go entirely to the commercial banks. However, going forward, the Central Bank shall determine what percentage of these fees on excess drawings that will be redeemed by the bank while the rest shall be remitted to the CBN,” he said.

According to him, “the vision of the Central Bank of Nigeria is to ‘be the Model Central Bank delivering price and financial system stability and promoting sustainable economic development’. This vision draws inspiration from our understanding of the multiple mandate of the bank to pursue

both price and financial system stability as well as provide complementary developmental functions by creating an environment for Nigerians to live better and more fulfilled lives”.

He said his vision was to build a Central Bank that is professional, apolitical and people-focused.

“In order to realise the CBN’s vision, therefore, I believe we must start with championing policies that promote the sustainability of our hard-earned macroeconomic stability,” he said.

“Although Nigeria produces millions of barrels of crude oil per day, the importation of refined petroleum products alone consumes about 35 per cent of our annual import bill.

“The CBN will support efforts at domesticating our oil and gas resources, to ensure that much more of these resources are produced and used in Nigeria.

“This will stimulate inclusive growth, create jobs and reduce the pressure on the exchange rate occasioned by demand for the importation of finished petroleum products”, he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

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News

45 killed in fresh Borno attack From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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t least 45 people were reportedly killed on Wednesday night, while several others wounded when suspected members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect attacked Bargari village, Konduga local government area of Borno state.

Bargari is an outskirt of Maiduguri, the state capital, about 15 kilometres drive from the city.

Our correspondent reported that the incident threw residents

of Maiduguri and environs into panic, following the horrifying sounds of explosives and gunshots, which were heard in virtually all parts of the town.

The fears were heightened when sporadic shootings intensified as rumors spread that the insurgents were trying to invade Maiduguri and were being battled by the military.

Beside loss of lives, the attack also displaced many villagers, as the attackers set ablaze houses, shops and vehicles, before carting away large quantities of assorted

food items and livestock.

A resident of the village who escaped the attack and fled to Maiduguri, Malam Bukar Goni, told newsmen that he counted 45 dead bodies, including his neighbour.

He said the gunmen, armed with assault rifles and explosives have driven into the village in Hilux vehicles and several motorcycles at about 9 pm.

According to him, the invaders told residents to assemble in one location after persuading them to believe that they were on preach-

ing mission and not unleash terror on the community.

The resident decried absence of security forces in the area, saying throughout the onslaught which lasted for two honours, there was no response from the security forces, who were stationed in the nearby Kayamla community, a few kilometers from the scene of the attack.

Meanwhile there has been no response from the military authorities on the attack as at the time of filing this report.

We'll tackle Boko Haram, Jonathan reassures

By Lawrence Olaoye

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reassured Nigerians that his government would tackle the Boko Haram menace headlong even as he disclosed that the military has deployed series of equipment to counter the insurgents.

Speaking at the 65th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday, Jonathan pointed out that security challenges in the country were less pronounced in PDP-controlled states, pointing out that the challenges of Boko Haram and other security issues in the country will soon be history.

Jonathan maintained that notwithstanding the defection if the five governors, the PDP still remains the party to beat in the country.

Commenting earlier, the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu'azu, lamented that never in the history of Nigeria that the country has been so challenged by saboteurs, adding that in the midst of "this our party is undaunted and providing the dividend of democracy."

Meanwhile, the party in a resolution after its NEC meeting yesterday said it would convene its National Convention immediately after the Ramadan fast.

L-R: Minister of Defence, General Aliyu Gusau (rtd), and Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, during General Gusau’s Condolence visit yesterday to Gombe over the death of Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar.

Photo: NAN

President Jonathan appoints Rufa’i Alkali new Political Adviser

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has appointed Professor Rufa'i Alkali as his new Special Adviser on Political Affairs.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President, (Media & Publicity), Reuben Abati.

Professor Alkali, a Political Scientist, once served as National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Demo-

cratic Party (PDP), and was appointed Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna last year. He hails from Gombe State.

The President has also appointed Hajiya Baraka Sani as his Senior Special Assistant for Schools' Agriculture Programme. Hajiya Sani was until recently, the Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture.

Both appointments are with immediate effect.

Presidential assent: Senate suspends veto vote

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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enate has suspended vote on Clause (9) of the 1999 Constitution, which seeks to strip the President of exclusive powers to sign new draft Constitution before it can become Constitution of Nigeria.

This is even as the Senate yesterday adjourned plenary to June 24, to mark the end of the third session of the 2014 legislative calendar.

The upper legislative chamber had slated yesterday to vote on whether or not to expunge the section of the Constitution, which confers exclusive power of assent on the President for any

draft Constitution to become operational in Nigeria.

Recall that the Senate Committee on the review of 1999 Constitution had altered Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, by introducing subsection (3A) which reads "For the purposes of altering the provisions of this Constitution, the assent of the President shall not be required".

It is the above subsection that the Senate suspended voting on today, but if the lawmakers eventually pass it when they return, only the consent of simple majority of Nigerians in two/ third states the federation shall be required for any draft constitution to become new Constitu-

tion.

This simple majority vote in two/third of the states would be arrived at through a referendum to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within six months of receipt of the draft Constitution from the Clerk of the National Assembly.

Other sub-sections added to the amended Section (9) of the Constitution seeks to restrict the process of drafting a new Constitution to only the federal lawmakers, in as much as it bars the sitting Presidents from initiating the process of drafting new constitution.

Recall that attempt by the

Constitution Review Committee of the Senate, led by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to include sitting Presidents among those to initiate the process of drafting new constitution met a brick wall in the Senate.

Majority of the senators argued that it was a plot to delegate the basic duty of the Legislative arm to the Executive arm, hence it was rejected by the Chamber.

Meanwhile, this section that included the President in power among those to initiate the process of writing new Constitution for Nigeria has been expunged by the Constitution Review Committee of the Senate.

NBC bans Vision FM’s ‘Idon Mikiya’

By Chris Alu

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he National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has banned a very popular political programme of the Hausa service of Abuja-based Vision FM, called: “Idon Mikiya”(The Eagle Eye).

In a letter signed by Chris Okoyomo, on behalf of the NBC director general of the NBC, the commission said the programme was banned because it was inciting and “highly provocative in nature”.

A top management official of Vision FM, Malam Umar Farouk Musa, who confirmed the ban of the programme by NBC, said the Commission’s letter, which is dated 30th of May, 2014, was only received at the station an hour before the programme was aired yesterday.

He said that the programme, which has been on air for the past three years, has never changed in its pattern and style of presentation.

Malam Umar, who said the station found the development as “very shocking and unfortunate”, explained that a few months ago, some staff of Vision FM met with officials of the NBC and addressed certain concerns raised by the Commission.

He said the station has since reviewed the concerns raised, by redesigning and repackaging the programme to address all issues discussed during that meeting.

According to him, “It was therefore shocking and unfortunate that we just received a letter, an hour to our broadcast of the programme today (yesterday), saying that the commission has stopped the airing of “Idon Mikiya”.

Though reluctant to admit, Malam Umar did not deny that this latest action of the NBC was part of the Jonathan administration’s attempts to gag the media.

Efforts to get the NBC spokesperson, Malam Awwalu Salihu, to further explain the commission’s reasons for the action failed, as he neither answered calls to his line nor replied to an SMS sent to it.

Meanwhile, some listeners of the station, had while reacting to the announcement of the ban, criticised the NBC for its action.

Malam Idris Musa, a resident of Nyanya, said, “what the government did has further confirmed insinuations that it was averse to criticism”.

Speaking in the same vein, Ado Muhammad and Zakari Usman said they were not surprised by the federal government’s action, stressing that it was “clearly” part of the build up to the 2015 elections.

“It is part of Jonathan’s desperate moves to silence the growing opposition from the North; but such actions would not in any way help his cause”, quipped Mr. Usman, who is a driver, resident in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja.

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

News

Insecurity: ‘Failure to trial suspects responsible’ From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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igilante Group of Nigerian Commander- General, Alhaji Sokoto has attributed the deteriorated state of insecurity to lack of prosecution and trial of suspects arrested by security agencies in the country.

According to him, if the government has been punishing those arrested terrorizing the people that would saved as deterrent to others.

He disclosed this while speaking to newsmen shortly after the group National Executive Council meeting with the theme insecurity in Northern Nigeria and the way out held in kaduna.

Alhaji Ali Sokoto further added that police and other security agencies have suffered negligence from the government for decades which was why they are finding it difficult to tackle the insecurity problem in the country.

“This is why we want the government to provide us with equipment so as to support the police and other security agencies to combat the insurgents in the country. We are not saying the government should give us guns but let the government provide us with vehicles to enable us move around.

“We are local people and we are more closer with the ordinary people within the societies. So we can assist the police better if assisted with necessary equipment so as to discharge our job efficiently. But the government need to trial and prosecute those criminals arrested” he said.

The VGN commander General further reiterated their readiness to partner with the police to combat crimes and make Nigeria a better place to live.

He said the VGN is a partner and friend to Police not rival, saying the group is only trying to assist in its little way to make Nigeria a safe country.

Alhaji Ali also appealed to all VGN commanders nationwide to be dedicated to their jobs.

In his remarks, Representative of Divisional Police Officer, DSP John Auta advised the vigilante to be civil while dealing with members of the public.

L-R: Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Kashim Imam, former Borno state Governor/chieftain of APC, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Interim Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, and Interim National Secretary of the Party, Alhaji Tijjani Musa Tumsa, during the inauguration of the APC state chairmen, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Minister’s roadmap: FAAN workers threaten to down tools From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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here were indication yesterday that staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has concluded plans to down tools, following what they call a delay in the implementation of various agreement reached between the workers and the management.

The staff, who defiled the early morning downpour in Lagos, gathered at the Freedom Square of the agency, demanding for the implementation for the implementation of the five point agenda.

The leadership of National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Trans-

port Services Senior Staff of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, who address the staff demanded for the full implementation of the agreement and threaten to begin strike by June 30.

The workers’ demands include the prompt payment of pensions and gratuities, the payment of 27 per cent balance minimum wage, the proper placement of all newly recruited staff in accordance with the civil service rules and scheme of service, and the 2013 and 2014 implementation of promotion of staff and renewed condition of service for workers.

General-Secretary, NUATE, Comrade Abdulkareem Motajo told reporters the FAAN management are yet to fulfill its own

portion of the contract reached between the duo.

However, spokesman for FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati said the management is looking into the issue and will meet its own portion of the bargain soon.

“We are partners in progress with the unions and the Managing Director of FAAN has been part and parcel of the unions in the past three decades. He has been in the system for over 30 years and probably that was why immediately he resumed office, he held a meeting with the unions. So, he is aware of these requests and he is going to sit down with the other management team to look at the best way to resolve them.”

Dati said “we are also part of

the unions because the growth of the unions at the end of the day is what is bringing us together. The unions want the growth of the industry and we also want the same.

The Managing Director, I believe, will look at those demands and we will sit with them and make our positions known. I want to reemphasis that the Managing Director being a part of them is also conscious that we need the workers to move the sector forward and he’s going to ensure that all the issues that have been raised are going to be addressed.”

However, sources said the management has concluded plans to carry out promotion exercise for deserving staff and that letters has been circulated to that effect.

Protesting LASU students barricade Fashola’s office, cook beans From Ayodele Samuel & Akilani Abduallah, Lagos

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tudents of the Lagos state University, LASU in their large numbers yesterday defiled heavy rainfall to paralyzed Office of the State Governor Babatunde Fashola over hike in the tuition

fees.

The students, during their protest march arrived at Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja at about 3:00 pm and immediately barricaded the entrance to the governor’s office with two Rapid Transit Buses (BRTs), other vehicles and started coking beans.

The protesting students danced and set up traditional cooking stove where they cooked beans for themselves. They also observed Muslim prayers at the entrance.

The protesters explained that on April 24th, 2014, they submitted a proposal that returning students should pay N46, 500 while

new students pays N65, 500.

LASU SUG President, Yusuf Nurudeen, told newsmen that the governor didn’t accept it.

“For Governor Fashola not accepting this, he has violated Section 3(1) of the law that established the institution. The section states that the university should

should be reduced.

But the Lagos government had claimed that the problems in the Lagos State University were being stimulated by people who were bent on derailing the government’s plans to reposition the school.

Reacting on behalf of the Coalition, its Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran described the claim by the Lagos state government as uncharitable.

He said, “It is shameless of the Lagos State government to have at-

tributed the students’ outburst to some imaginary detractors. That is shirking their responsibilities as a government.

Stressing further, CACOL boss berated the government’s claims that the students’ bursary and scholarship awards and research budget have been increased to cushion the effect of the exorbitant school fees.

The human right activist however urged the Lagos State governor to revert the exorbitant tuition fees.

“It is high time Lagos State gov-

ernor stopped commercializing social services in the state. The astronomical increase from N25,000 to N250,000 tuition fees in LASU and similar increase in other tertiary institutions in the state is making it difficult for children of the masses to be educated. The governor should not forget he was once an indigent student who enjoyed uninterrupted free education to the university level, so he should not burn the bridge he has once used”, Adeniran said.

. . . CACOL berates Lagos govt From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Coalition Against Corruption Leaders (CACOL) has lambasted the Lagos state government over its claim that some enemies of the government fuelled the protests by the Lagos State University students against the increment of the institution’s tuition fees.

LASU students had on Tuesday clashed with the police during a protest march to the Oshodi Market to educate the traders on why the fees

be made available for all people irrespective of their socio-economic background and status. Now, the governor has made LASU the University of the Rich”, he stated.

He complained that the action by the governor has led to the shutting of the school, adding “Everything has turned upside down. Our colleagues are dropping from the university daily.”

“The only language Fashola and his commissioners understand is protest. They have been promising that they will get back to us soon and very soon. Anything can be soon. We have resolved to fight this struggle by ourselves”, he stated.

State government officials however refuse to address the protesting students, while police officer attached to the Area F police command and Alausa police stations were drafted to the scene to forestall any damage to the state government property.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 5

News

Presidential scholarship: NUC boss shuns Reps

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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L-R: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, and Senate President David Mark, during the PDP National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Emergency Rule: Nyako, Gaidam, APC slam Edwin Clark over comment From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos & Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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obe, Adamawa state governments and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have slammed Chief Edwin Clark over his call for President Goodluck Jonathan to declare full state of emergency in the North-East.

Yobe state government, in a statement issued yesterday by the Special Adviser on Press Affairs and Information to the governor, Abdullahi Bego said the repeated call by the octogenarian Clark was malicious, vindictive and ill-informed.

“We condemn in the strongest terms this totally unwarranted attack on the persons of the three state governors. We take the strongest possible exception to Mr. Clark’s vitriolic and totally baseless statements. We ask that he respects his very old age and either speak with decorum and

facts or keep quiet”.

On his part, Governor Murtala Nyako, of Adamawa state, described Clark’s letter to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice calling for total implementation of state of emergency in the three states of North-East facing insecurity challenges, as “absurd and lack focus.”

In a press statement, issued and signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Malam Ahmed Sajoh, the governor berated it as “riddled with perfidy and irresponsibility”, saying Edwin Clark should know that any call for a “so-called total State of Emergency” is outside the confines of the law. It is absurd and a path which will lead Nigeria into anarchy, impunity and lawlessness”.

Similarly, the APC faulted Chief Edwin Clark for brazenly goading President Goodluck Jonathan to remove the democratic

structures in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday, by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said apart from pushing the President to commit an unconstitutional act, Chief Clark is also working to help the PDP to devise an undemocratic way to win elections in 2015, by forcefully overthrowing elected officials in the state.

The party said elder statesmen should endeavour to rise above the fray and put the national interest above sectional considerations in their efforts to help seek an end to the insurgency that has claimed over 12,000 innocent lives since 2009, adding that it is the same mindset as Chief Clark’s that has largely stifled the Jonathan Administration’s efforts to decisively tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

he Executive Secretary of National University Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie has refused to appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Education probing the allege bias on the Presidential Special Scholarship On Innovation and development, (PRESSID).

Speaking to reporters, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Education, Rep. Aminu Sulaiman (APC Kano), said the meeting initially reschedule for yesterday at the request of the NUC Executive Secretary, who requested for more time to enable him gather more data and

make consultations, was postponed till the 24 of June 2014, due to his non appearance.

“Our members have been waiting here since 2.pm up to this time but one show up, and it is unfortunately, there’s no word from the chairman of the commission or any of his members”.

“As honourable members of this committee, we decided to give them the benefit of the doubt, believing that as human beings, they may be constrained by one thing or the other, which may be responsible for their inability to appear before the committee. We therefore decided to reschedule the meeting to 24 of June 2014”, he said.

Drama as invitees flee from Reps’ hearing

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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mild drama occurred yesterday, at the sitting of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Accounts, as the officials of the Inter-Country Centre for Oral Health, Jos, Plateau State, one the Agencies slated to appear before it took to their heels when it was time for the agency to take its turn.

The Committee, chaired by Hon. Solomon Adeola Olamilekan had invited the agency along with others to appear before it over a sum of N2,993,269.00 released to it from the servicewide votes being managed by the Budget Office, on behalf of the Federal Government .

However, all the agencies slated for the yesterday’s sitting honoured the invitations extended to them, including the centre, but when its officials observed the rigorous drilling of the officials of the Nigeria Law Reforms

Commission, by the members of the Committee, led by the Secretary, Mrs. A F Ogunneye, over the disbursement of the sum of N191,376,170,06 release made to the Commission from the same service-wide votes between 2004 and 2012, after which the Committee gave the Secretary a 72hour ultimatum within which to reappear with all the relevant documents on the funds, when the Chairman of the Committee, Hon Olamilekan invited the officials of the Centre to take their seat, they were nowhere to be found.

Efforts to locate the fleeing officials of the Centre by the staff of the Secretariat proved abortive.

Reacting to the development, Hon Olamilekan said that the officials must appear before the Committee at a later date, to be determined soon, to answer to the public funds collected from the Budget Office.

#BringBackOurGirls campaigners slam Kenya Airways begins Shettima over escapees’ welfare

By Stanley Onyekwere

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he #BringBackOurGirls campaign team, otherwise known as Abuja Family, yesterday slammed Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state, for allegedly not having a distinctive package for the rehabilitation and reintegration of the 57 escaped Chibok girls.

The group, which made this known at the resumption of sitout meeting at the Unity Fountain, in Abuja, questioned the governor’s decision to assigned an inter-faith, and civil society group, with the mandate to search and chose schools for the 57 Chibok schoolgirls who returned home.

The campaigners argued that rather than focusing on the education of the escapees, the

state government should have prioritized the reintegration and rehabilitation of the girls after conducting medical and psychological examination on the girls, given the trauma they had gone through while they were away.

However, it would be recalled that Gov Shettima had, on Tuesday, given approval to a Kaduna-based ‘Inter-Faith Mediation Centre and civil society group, to commence counseling of the 57 freed Chibok girls, and look for schools for them in Abuja, or other areas.

Also, Shettima noted that the state government has earmarked N100 million for the education of the Chibok schoolgirls, saying that, “we are willing to do everything within our reach to give them (a quality education,) including those still

held captive.

Apparently not satisfied with the governor assigning the Center with the responsibility of choosing schools for the girls, after which, it would identify the capacities to make an informed decision appropriately to the future of the girls, the campaigners said the state government is not playing its role very well, adding that it’s going to register its displeasure through writing to the governor.

A leading member of the group, Oby Ezekwesili, said “normally there should be a reintegration and rehabilitation programme for these girls, but that there is a missing piece in the current arrangement; and that needs to be taken care of.

And we must be the voice that will insist on it”.

direct flights to Abuja today

K

enya Airways (KQ) has announced that direct flights between Nairobi and Abuja would begin today June 6.

The airline’s Sales Manager in Nigeria, Diran Oloyede, made this known to reporters in Nairobi yesterday.

He said KQ would fly four times a week between its hub at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, in Nairobi and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, in Abuja.

“The direct flights to Abuja will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.’’

According to Diran, the introduction of the direct flights will boost better connectivity, economic cooperation and trade

within Africa.

“Abuja is the 63rd destination of KQ in the world and from here, we hope we will be in 115 cities’’, he said.

Abuja-based tour operator Alhaji Saleh Rabo and Managing Director, All States Travel and Tours Limited, described the planned flights as positive development for the industry.

“With the launch of the direct flights, Abuja has become the second Nigerian city that KQ flies into and currently, the airline has a daily service of 10 flights of which seven are direct to Lagos.

Out of the 63 destinations that Kenya Airways currently flies to, over 40 are in Africa”, he stated. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 6

News

Prominent Yoruba leader murdered in Kano

CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele (right), unfolding his agenda, yesterday in Abuja. With him are Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Alhaji Suleiman Barau (middle), and Deputy Governor, Operations, Dr Kingsley Moghalu (left).

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

A

prominent Yoruba leader, Alhaji Ganiyu Akanbi Bello has been murdered by yet to be identified assailants.

Peoples Daily gathered that the incident, which occurred at his residence located at Race Course area of Nasarawa GRA, in Kano metropolis, sent shock wave among Yorba residents in Kano.

Family sources said that the assailants stabbed and ripped the stomach of the septuagenarian businessman open during his sleep.

The source revealed that the lifeless body of the Yoruba chief was discovered around 11.00am by family members and police officers drafted to the house.

Family members were said to have raised alarm over the nonappearance of the man in his sitting room by 11.00 am, the situation that compelled the eldest son, Nuru Bello to report to the police.

Police were said to have deployed men and hardware to the house, adding that “on arrival, the police team broke into his living room and found the man in his pool of blood”.

Confirming the incident, the Police image maker in Kano, Magaji Musa Majia said that the police have swung into action to ascertain the mystery surrounding his death.

Police arrests ‘Biafra’ Zionists who tried to take over Enugu state broadcasting service From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

he Police in Enugu State has arrested 12 men who invaded the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) with guns.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Abubakar Mohammed, announced this in Enugu yesterday, while parading the suspects before journalists.

He said the suspects who claimed to be members of the Biafran Zionist Movement (BZM) had the intention of declaring Sovereign State of Biafra. ``They were arrested during a gun battle with the police at the broadcasting service. A police sergeant was shot dead during the fracas.’’

According to him, the group, led by one Benjamin Onwuka had stormed the ESBS at about 5.20 am on Thursday armed with machete, 46 empty bottles of beer and 25 litres of petrol.

He said that they also had the intention of setting the complex ablaze. ``They entered the studio and wanted the people there to give them access to make a live broadcast. ``They had a CD and an address where they recorded what they wanted to tell members of the public in the course of the broadcast. They wanted to urge the people of Obiagu, Ogui, students, tricycle operators and others in Enugu to come out. ``They wanted business people and markets to close and for political office holders to surrender their positions and property and to overthrow government”, he said.

Mohammed said that the leader of the group had been on the wanted list of the police for sometime, over his activities of causing disaffection in the state and beyond.

“We will not tolerate any group of people that are confronting government because it is illegal”, Mohammed said.

The commissioner did not allow journalists to talk to the suspects, saying ``these are people that want every opportunity to address the public and we will not allow that.”

The suspects are reportedly aged between 45 and 65 years.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

C’ttee seeks more funding to end touting in Nigeria From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

he National Committee Against Touting said it is working out strategies to combat the menace it describes as one of the major challenges facing Nigeria.

The body reiterated that Nigerians must unite to root out activities of touting in whatever form it takes, as according to him, it has become a headache to the nation’s citizens, investors and the country in general.

NCAT National Chairman, Dr. Ike Anikwendu spoke at a

meeting in Abuja with President Goodluck Jonathan on how best to surmount the increasing menace of insurgency in the country.

Dr. Anikwendu said, if given the requisite funding and proper equipment and logistics, the National Committee Against Touting will work to eliminate the menace perpetuated by touts within the space of three months by its skilled and special antitouting proactive operation and intelligence gathering in Nigeria.

Dr. Anikwendu, who lamented the present horrible condition of the abducted Chibok

girls in Borno state appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to release funds for NCAT operation nation-wide, adding that the 36 states functional offices and the FCT have hitherto suffered setback in implementing the federal government anti-touting programme.

He described touting as one of the causative agents of terrorist gangs like Boko Haram, political violence and thugery, area boyism, armed robbery, hired assassination, ritual killings, one chance, kidnapping, arson, cultism and 419 The NCAT national chairman

Kogi Accountant-General sacked From Omale Adama Lokoja

T

he appointment of Mr. Paul Audu, the Accountant-General, Kogi state has been terminated by the state governor, Captain Idris Wada with immediate effect.

The termination was contained in a government statement, signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy

To the Governor, Mr. Jacob Edi. The three paragraph statement added that Governor Idris Wada thanked the former Accountant General for his years of meritorious service in the State and wished him success in his future endeavours.

The termination of the appointment of the Accountant General apparently climaxed the exit of the immediate past governor’s legacies in the

administration of Governor Idris Wada, which has put in two and half years in office.

Earlier in his first phase, Governor Wada sacked all his commissioners and the chairman Kogi state universal Basic Education Board at different times, but in a similar manner that he sacked the Accountant-General.

No reason was adduced for the marching order.

Reps warn NIMC against registering foreigners From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

T

he House of Representatives has as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure that foreigners are not registered in its on-going exercise towards issuing Nigerians the National Identity Numbers (NIN).

To this end, the Commission has been called upon to apply due diligence, and adequate security measures put in place to confirm the nationalities of persons seeking registration.

The House, while sounding the note of caution, also mandated its Committee on Interior to monitor the registration with a view to periodically brief the House on the progress made and challenges to the exercise.

In a motion, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions, Uzor Azubuike (PDP Abia) drew the attention of members to the fact that even in Abuja, “some people with doubtful origin as Nigerians numbering more than 1,000 claim origin from any one native community outside

the FCT and are enrolled as such, without further identification or verification.”

He argued that given the current security challenges being faced by Nigeria, and the presence of illegal immigrants helped by the nation’s porous borders, it is expected that the ongoing enrollment is done in a manner that should guard against registering foreigners as Nigerians.

The motion was unanimously adopted without debate and referred to the Committee on Interior for further legislative action.

said his organisation is poised to stop the menace if the committee is properly funded.

The president, represented by the Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki commended NCAT for its contributions towards the eradication of touting, and a s s u r e d t h e c o m m ittee the federal government will release enough fund and other facilities for effective partnership in the fight against Nigeria’s antidemocratic forces.

He assured Nigerians and the nation’s investors of the federal government’s continued protection of their lives and property.

No recorded outbreak of meningitis in Yobe -Health commissioner From Uche Uche, Damaturu

T

he Yobe state ministry of health has reviewed its record and announced that there was no record of the outbreak of spinal meningitis during this year’s hot season.

The state commissioner for health Dr. Bello Kawuwa, who disclosed this to newsmen in his office in Damaturu listed programmes set up by the state government to achieve such good success.

These include massive and intensified vaccination, general health promotion programmes being engineered by the ministry, which enlightens people on dangers of overcrowding in a room with poor ventilation, and the importance of getting immunized to avoid the risk of contracting spinal meningitis, coupled with good responses from the people in the communities.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 7

News

Man, 30, butchers 55-year old stepmother to death in Kano From Edwin Olofu, Kano

3

0 year old, Sagir Abdullahi, of Kofar Dan ‘Agundi quarters of Kano metropolis is cooling his feet in detention in Bompai the headquarters of Kano state police command for stabbing his step mother, Zainab Abdullahi to death.

Speaking to newsmen on Thursday in Kano, the Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Magaji Musa Majia explained that the culprit sneaked into the deceased apartment by 1.00 p.m. and committed the dastardly act.

Majia stated that Sagir Abdullahi, a secondary school dropout, was overpowered by relations, who handed him over to the law enforcement agents, adding that the suspected has since confessed of committing the crime.

He revealed that the suspect has been recommended for psychiatric evaluation to ascertain the state of his mind, stressing that police has in the course of investigation recovered the cutlass and blood stain cloths .

Majia added that the police would leave no stone unturned to

unravel the mystery surrounding the dastardly act, adding that “we are working on several leads to unravel the mystery.

The suspect, Sagir Abdullahi disclosed that “I stabbed her severally in the head region until she died, lamenting however that “I cannot explain why I had to kill her.

Sagir disclosed that “my eight younger ones and I suffered serious maltreatment in the hands of the woman, and I always recalled with nostalgia how I had survived several days without food in my father’s house.

“Our woes in the house begun when my biological mother was divorced and the woman lord it over us and reduced us to a common slave in our own house”.

Sagir explained that “I climbed the stair case when all eyes are closed, armed with sharp dagger stabbed her in the nose severally while asleep and went ahead to machete her to death.

Sagir disclosed that he was overpowered by relations who gave him the beating of his life, pointing out that “it is still a mystery to me why I had to kill this woman”.

L-R: Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Martin Uhomoibhi, addressing journalists during the presentation of the Nigeria Commemorative Centenary flag to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Househelp, 27, bags 3 months jail for stealing N500,000

A

n Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court yesterday sentenced a 27-year-old housemaid, Tosin Adeyefa, to three months in prison for stealing N500, 000.

Senior Magistrate Folashade Onyekan handed down the judgment after the Adeyefa pleaded guilty to stealing from her employer, one Mrs Juliana Richard.

The magistrate ordered that the

convict should refund back the N171, 000, which the convict claimed she had spent from the money.

The convict was said to have absconded with the money, which she was sent by Richard to deposit in Zenith Bank on May 5.

Police prosecutor, Cpl. Umar Ango, had told the court earlier that the convict was reported at the Wuse Divisional Police

Headquarters, by her employer on the same date.

Ango said the complainant told the police that the convict was instructed to deposit the money into her employer’s account at Wuse Market branch of the bank instead she deposited the money into her own personal account.

According to him, Adeyefa was traced down to Lagos through

the help of the bank when she attempted to withdraw money from her account through the automated teller machine.

The prosecutor added that during investigation, the sum of N329, 000 was discovered in the convict’s account and that she committed the case of theft contrary to sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code. (NAN)

Outrage as teacher bites schoolgirl in Benin

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

A

female student of Federal Government Senior Secondary School, Ugbowo in Benin was on Tuesday reportedly bitten by her

hostel Supervisor.

The SSS 3 student of the school, Miss Crystabel Asenime was said to have been accused of bathing with mates, which angered the supervisor (name withheld).

The supervisor allegedly flogged the victim before biting her in her nipple, sparking outrage among other students, who described the act as barbaric.

A parent of the victim

currently receiving medical treatment at the University of Benin teaching hospital (UBTH) in Benin, Mr. Lawrence Asenime has asked the school authorities of meddling with her daughter life.

Man, 27, in court for misappropriating customer’s money

T

he police yesterday arraigned one Musa Salami, a former staff of First City Monument bank in an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ court for misappropriating a bank customer’s money.

The accused, a marketer with the bank was said to have collected N19, 000 from one of the bank’s customers but failed to remit the money to the bank.

Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Francis Tanko, told the court that the accused was reported by one Olumide Mark, a staff of the bank on June 4.

Tanko said that the accused misappropriated the money and absconded to an unknown place until June 4 when he was caught and arrested.

According to Francis, the accused committed the offence of misappropriation contrary to Section 309 of the Penal Code.

Meanwhile, the accused pleaded not guilty and told the court that he collected the money from the customer but misplaced it on his way to the office.

He added that he promised to repay back the money when he collected his salary, but had an accident and his appointment with the bank was terminated thereafter, he could therefore not pay back the money.

Senior Magistrate Chinyere Nwacheonwu granted him bail in the sum of N50, 000 with a surety who must have a means of livelihood and must live within the court’s jurisdiction.

She adjourned the matter to June 16 for continuation of hearing. (NAN)

Fraudsters hack Gov. Yero’s phone line Official

G

ov.

Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State on Wednesday raised alarm over the use of his phone number by fraudsters to extort money from the public.

Yero, in a statement issued by his Director-General on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, said his line was hacked by the fraudsters.

“Governor Yero has not directly or through any third party asked people to make deposit into certain bank accounts. “ Suspected fraudsters have obviously hacked the governor’s phone number and are using it to defraud unsuspecting people.” Maiyaki said.

He, therefore, advised the general public to disregard any message or text purportedly from the governor to part with their ``hard earned money’’.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 8

Confab c’tee calls for regulation of social media, protection of media operators

By Hassan Haruna Ginsau

T

he committee on Science and technology at the ongoing National conference has called on the Federal Government to regulate the various social media sites used in the country.

During the committee’s presentation of its report to delegates on the floor of the conference, its chairman, Dr Daniel Maddo said that there was a need to curb the “excesses” of the social media.

“Speed and promptness of social media channels has endeared it to both youth and the elderly. There is a need to curb the excesses of this medium; the social media.

The committee therefore recommends that Government establishes a legal framework for its regulation” said Maddo.

While it called for the checkmating of social media, the committee on the other hand resolved that adequate enabling laws be put in place to insulate media operators.

It called on the state to take effective measures to prevent and shield them from attack and to ensure perpetrators are punished while victims have access to remedies.

Said Maddo, “We realised that members of the media play a very important role in society but we also realised they have become an endangered species. So we are saying Government should provide adequate

L-R: National Conference delegates, Hajiya Altine Usman, Hajiya Ramatu Bala Usman, and Hajiya Shatu Alfa, before yestetrday’s session, in Abuja Photo: Mahmud Isa

protective measures for them so that they will be able to carry out their jobs.”

In addition, Isaac Ighure, a delegate representing the Nigeria Guild of editors in his support of the media demanded that the Federal government assist privately owned media houses in order for them to help serve the people better, to improve reporters, for broadcasters to have better equipment, and for newspapers to have better printing machines.

On the issue of

Information Communication Technology (ICT), the committee proposed the recognition of the role of ICT in National development, thereby the need to improve National infrastructure in the sector to increase access, especially in rural areas.

“The requisite manpower in ICT should be trained to create jobs and check the levels of insecurity in the country. ICT literacy should be pursued through the school system. Also, measures should be adopted

to reduce the cost of accessing ICT tools. There should be improved and sustained power supply.

Government should give adequate attention to space technology through provision of funds and capacity building. There is also a section on nuclear technology which calls on government commitment together with capacity building, Maddo added.

Based on the fact that “Science and technology relies on Science education”,

the committee recommended the comprehensive implementation of the national science, technology and innovation policy and the national policy on education with respect to Science and technology which it found was modelled after the UNESCO recommendation.

This, the chairman added should include adequate funding, capacity building and a more practical approach to imparting knowledge in the field of science and technology.

Young generation united, will fight division with social media- Youth delegate

By Hassan Haruna Ginsau

A

youth delegate at the on-going National conference has warned Nigeria’s older generation that the country’s young generation is united, and any talk of Nigeria’s break up shall be fought with social media.

During her address on deliberations on the conference’s committee on science and technology, Yadomah Bukar Mandara,

representing youth organisations informed delegates that Nigeria’s youth were strongly united by social media sites such as twitter.

Mandara commended the committee for bringing the issue of social media up, noting that we had left the era of “gongs and town crying”, and were now in the era of “tweets and instant messaging”.

“This generation is so united that we can communicate with

each other by just the click of a button. We want to tell the previous generation that we the upcoming generation are so united. Make no mistake about it or bring the issue of dividing Nigeria because we can use the power of technology to fight you” said Mandara.

In addition to the committee’s recommendations, she proposed an amendment aimed at improving National

unity because of the importance of social media especially to the younger generation.

Mandara also made an intervention on the issue of innovation, noting that we have graduates in Nigeria and people that were well versed in terms of Information Technology (IT), but these young people are not recognised.

“Nigeria is a country

that imports something as mediocre as toothpicks and we have people that can produce robots and they’re not even recognised. So I’m suggesting that we should have something like a development fund so we can give young people soft loans to encourage such innovators, graduates, undergraduates and even those who do not have formal education to benefit from this” she added.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 9

L-R: National Conference delegates, Ambassador Adamu Aliyu, discussing with Hajiya Aisha Ismail, before proceedings at the Conference, yesterday.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

L-R: National Conference delegates, Alhaji Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, and Sen. Azu Agboti, discussing after a session, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Gen. Abdulsalami

@72

General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd) GCFR It has been 15 years of uninterrupted democratic rule in Nigeria.

In the euphoria, it can be easy to forget the man who made it all possibble.

General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd) GCFR, ‘the father of our democracy’ will Celebrate his 72nd birthday on Friday, June 13, 2014.

To commemorate this special day, PEOPLES DAILY will package a publications of tributes and goodwill messages to him.

To participate please contact:Patrick: 08065648620 Helen: 08036473253

Confab rejects proposed increase in minimum wage

T

he National Conference yesterday in Abuja adopted the amended report of its Public Service Committee presented to the plenary on Tuesday by its Chairman, Mrs Ebele Okeke.

The conference also rejected an amended recommendation for an upward review of the National Minimum Wage from N18,000 to at least N40,000.

The conference also banned government-funded ministries, departments and agencies from collecting application fees from graduates seeking employment into such establishments.

Furthermore, it accepted the proposal for the setting up of recruitment centres in the states. After taking into cognisance the unfortunate stampede during the Immigration recruitment exercise.

The conference adopted a motion which called for the amendment of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to be called “Federal Character and Equal Opportunities Commission” and its extension to states.

The acceptance of the proposal, which generated serious opposition from some delegates, came after a sponsored motion by 33 delegates, which was

read on their behalf by Dr Nurudeen Lemu.

“This motion seeks an amendment to the recommendation of the Conference Committee on Public Service proposal to retain Federal Character Commission and its extension to states.

“We are recommending that the commission be upgraded to address issues of equity and equal opportunities in order to take care of other key sectors and groups in the society.

“That the law establishing the commission be reviewed to reflect the above proposal and thereby renamed as Federal Character and Equal Opportunities Commission.

“This will enable the commission to affirm the issue of affirmatives action for the people living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

“It will also address issues relating to ethnic, religion, minority, women, youths and other sections of the society that are often excluded,’’ the motion stated.

The conference also called on the National Assembly to domesticate the International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention.

It was agreed that government at all levels

should add allowances equivalent to Salary Grade Level 06 to the pay of each of the Persons Living with Disabilities.

This, the committee said, would enable them employ aides.

The conference also adopted the committee’s recommendation that government at all levels should make public offices disabilities-friendly by providing special access facilities in line with international charters and treaties.

The committee’s suggestion that no political appointee at all levels be employed as special advisers, special assistants, and personal assistants henceforth was adopted.

Instead it was agreed that, as a cost-saving measure, such political office-holder should utilise staff of ministries where it becomes necessary.

The committee said this should be applied as it is contained in Circular Reference Number B63883/73 of Jan. 3, 2000.

Following the adoption of the committee’s report, the conference commenced debate on the report of Committee on Science, Technology and Development.(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 10

News

Let’s forget politics, rebuild our economy, Yero tells northerners From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

K

aduna state Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero have yesterday told the Northerners to forget politics and work towards rebuilding it economy which is dwindling on daily basis.

This was as he appealed to the Northern elders to bury their differences and come together with a view to finding a lasting solution

to the problems bedeviling the region.

Governor Yero stated this yesterday, at the commissioning ceremony of the Kaduna Ssate Secretariat of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), in Kaduna.

He said if the North does not put its house together and come together to bury it differences it will not forge ahead.

According to him, “To me,

what I think is the most important that needs to be looked at is the economy of the North. The economy of the North is at zero percent. Those of us in financial sector know we are not going anywhere.

“Another sure way of building vibrant North is by providing our children with opportunities to acquire quality education.

In Kaduna State, we have place Education as the second on our

list of priority,” Governor Yero however stated.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of ACF Kaduna State Chapter, Alhaji Ramalan Yero reiterated that the core objective of the ACF is to foster, promote, defend and strengthen Northern unity and interest of its people in the context of one indivisible Nigeria and to contribute in safeguarding its territorial integrity.

Jonathan urges private sector participation in road devt

By Miriam Humbe

P

resident Jonathan has urged members of the private sector to invest in the road sector of the economy through government’s PublicPrivate-Partnership (PPP) policy.

President Jonathan said this yesterday in a speech to declare open the threeday 1st International Roads Federation, Africa Regional Congress, which is on-going in Abuja.

Represented by the VicePresident Arc Namadi Sambo, the President said that the sustained improvement in the road sector and general infrastructural development is paramount in the overall development of the country.

The Minster of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen, in an address at the event, which had delegations from 26 African countries, urged participants to take full advantage of the congress to engage in activities that would impact positively on the roads sector in the region of Africa and beyond.

Speaking earlier, President of International Roads Federation, Mr. Patrick Sankey said roads clashes were on the increase with more than 15 percent of global fatalities occurring in Africa and called for the use of modern technology to curb the menace of road accidents in Nigeria.

L-R: Head, Human Resources/Administration, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), Engineer Ibiene Okeleke, MD/CEO, IKEDC, Engineer Abiodun Ajifowobade, Ambassador Gbadamosi Olugbenga, and Head, Commercial, IKEDC, Engineer Olubukola Ojurongbe, during customers’ forum organised by IKEDC for electricity consumers, yesterday in Lagos.

Photo: Olawale Rotimi

Reps move to reform health sector

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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he House of Representatives said it would resume consideration of a Bill to introduce far-reaching reforms in the Health sector.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep Emeka Ihedioha disclosed this yesterday as he received the leader of the health Professionals Assembly, Dr. Godswill Okara at the National Assembly.

The Deputy Speaker promised that the House

would accommodate the demands of the health sector association to expunge and include some clauses in the National Health Sector Bill before the House.

The Senate had discarded the views of the group in considering the legislation earlier. But while addressing the delegation, the Deputy Speaker pledged that the Green Chamber would consider suggestions by the association of health professionals in the course of looking at the Bill in plenary.

Earlier, the President of the Health Workers

association Dr. Okara proposed that certain sections of the Executive Bill be expunged, while others be included to ensure that all health professionals, from Pharmacists to Laboratory Scientists and Nurses are involved in committees proposed in the impending law, to regulate the medical profession in the country.

Dr. Okara, who led leaders of different health sub-sectors to the House, regretted that their proposed amendments to the Bill sent to the Senate Health Committee were “thrown overboard”.

Adamawa distribute 45,000 chickens, poultry feeds to farmers From Umar Dankano, Yola

I

n an effort to boost agricultural sector, the Adamawa state government on (Wednesday) distribute 45,000 chickens, poultry feeds and equipment’s to farmers in the state with a view to encouraging them to invest heavily in the area .

The development was disclosed by the state coordinator of MDG in the state, Alhaji Adamu Garbajo, at the occasion of the distribution of

the farming implement stressing that, the measure was under the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme co-sponsored by MDG and the state government.

Garbajo said over 2,000 poultry farmers from five local government areas benefited from the programmer in the state which included six months training programmer.

Earlier, in his speech, the CCT Project Manager, Malam Abubakar

Musa, lauded the state government for co funding the programmer which he said would go a long way in empowering farmers in the state.

Musa urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the opportunity provided them to better their lives and that of their families, even that of the country at large.

Governor Murtala Nyako, in his remarks, said the measure was in line with his administration effort

to empower the ordinary man in the state, adding that poultry was much needed in Adamawa, towards meeting the egg and chicken meat (broilers) demands of the state.

Some of the beneficiaries interviewed by correspondent in Yola expressed delight over the gesture, describing it as right step into the right direction by both Adamawa state government and the MDGs respectively.

Chibok girls: Shettima urges Inter-faith centre to recommend schools for escapees From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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overnor Kashim Shettima of Borno state on wednesday urged assigned a Kadunabased Inter-Faith Mediation Centre to search and recommend schools for the 57 Chibok schoolgirls who escaped from the custody of Boko Haram insurgents.

Governor Shettima told officials of the centre, who were in Maiduguri with some medical experts to commence counselling of the 57 girls, search and recommend good schools outside the state to complete their studies.

Shettima said his administration was determined to do everything within its power to give quality education to the traumatised girls.

According to him, the state government has earmarked N100 million for the education of the Chibok schoolgirls, adding that he was optimistic those still being held will be released.

“Our hearts go to all the rescued girls and to those still captive of the so-called Boko Haram. We are willing to do everything within our power to give them including those still in captive. We are willing to rehabilitate all of them to bring them out of their trauma,” the governor said in tears.

He said he decided to assign the centre the responsibility of chosen schools for the girls since it will be engaged in the counselling exercise, after which it would identify the capacities to make informed decision appropriately to the future of the girls.

Shettima expressed hope that the schoolgirls would come out of their traumatic experience at the end of the exercise.

Leaders of the Inter-Faith Centre, Pastor James Wuye and Imam Mohammed Ashafa, told the governor that the centre was established after a sectarian crisis in North-Central Kaduna state years back.

The centre according to them is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

In their separate remarks, the duo commended the state government for constituting a counselling team made of medical experts and psychologist for the schoolgirls even before the voluntary intervention of the mediation centre.

“We are here not to reinvent what has been done. We have been to other African nations like Chad, Central Africa Republic, and Sudan among others, but we have the urged to replicate same in our country.

“Ours is Psycho-therapy approach, we are to generate data and then follow up the girls’ progress in their education. The medical personnel will also assist in some medical checks in collaboration with the local doctors. We are here to complement your efforts,” Wuye and Ashafa stated.

Chief of Staff to the governor, Alhaji Abu Kyari, explained that the Chibok schoolgirls are divided into three categories namely the 57 escapees, 119 not abducted but fled from the school when the abductors came and the 219 still being held by the insurgents.

PAGE 11

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

Money Sense

Four ways to get employees to save for retirement A

Taking away matching dollars might be more effective than giving them. Loss aversion is an important tenet of behavioral finance. Essentially, it’s the fact that human beings hate losing money about twice as much as we enjoy gaining an equal amount. It makes us bad investors because we hesitate to sell the losers in our portfolios. Why? It hurts too much. Now plan sponsors are toying with the idea of using loss aversion to increase 401(k) participation.

The idea is that they’ll put the maximum match into your account – you’ll actually receive the money. Then, if you don’t contribute enough to qualify for that match, they’ll take it away. The hope is that loss aversion will kick in and employees will ante up. Says Ariely: “It’s working very well in the lab.”

utomatically enrolling workers into a savings plan and reminding them how much they can lose may just do the trick.

Last year, The New York Times ran a story about how teenagers were showing a surprising new reluctance to drive. That set us talking in my house. Both my husband and I recalled showing up at the DMV the day we became eligible for our respective permits/ What was this about, we wondered. Were today’s kids so comfortable having their parents haul them around that they didn’t feel the need to drive themselves?

Did they feel so connected to their friends via ichat that there was no need to be in the same room? Or was it out of concern for the environment?

The latter played a role, said to Gabe Zichermann, an expert in gamification (and therefore, millennials), and CEO of Dopamine, Inc. But it’s not the primary factor.

Research he conducted for a leading automaker revealed that we’ve done such a good job convincing this generation that they can’t text and drive,

Send savings alerts

Money Tip: Remind them how much they can lose

T

aking away matching dollars might be more effective than giving them. Loss aversion is an important tenet of behavioral finance. Essentially, it’s the fact that human beings hate losing money about twice as much as we enjoy gaining an equal amount. It makes us bad investors because we hesitate to sell the losers in our portfolios. Why? It hurts too much.

Now plan sponsors are toying with the idea of using loss aversion to increase 401(k) participation.

The idea is that they’ll put the maximum match into your account – you’ll actually receive the money.

Then, if you don’t contribute enough to qualify for that match, they’ll take it away. The hope is that loss aversion will kick in and employees will ante up. Says Ariely: “It’s working very well in the lab.”

Quote

Talking about money is more important than ever, although, as you might recall, it isn’t easy. .

that they don’t want to drive because they don’t want to not text. “Actually, it’s Instagram and Snapchat they can’t live without,” he said. There were hundreds of people in the room and you could have heard a pin drop. “Everything you thought you knew is up for negotiation,” he said.

That’s especially true when it comes to getting people to do the right things with their money. Zichermann dropped this bombshell last week at a client conference hosted by Fidelity Investments. I was there to moderate a panel, but was invited to listen to the rest of the proceedings as well.

And I came away with a few glimpses of how the employers that provide our retirement plans are going to nudge us in the right direction financially – in particular, how they’re going to get us to save more money. This week, I thought I’d share.

Automate their savings Get ready to see higher automatic default rates in 401(k) plans (and “form designer” on the list of the hottest careers.) According to Dan Ariely, the author of Predictably Irrational who spoke at the conference, goals don’t drive behavior.

The small details of life do.

Like? Whether or not you have enough time in your busy day to check a box on a form you’re already filling out. Ariely showed a graph of the percentage of organ donors a variety of European countries, then asked why they were so strikingly different in Denmark (4.25%) and Sweden (86%), for example, where the cultures are so similar.

It wasn’t religion, or culture but the fact that in Denmark people had to opt in (i.e. check a box) to donate;

in Sweden they had to opt out (i.e. do nothing) to participate.

Forcing employees to opt out of the retirement plan at work rather than giving them the choice to opt in has been similarly successful at many American companies.

What hasn’t worked is that the default contribution rates were set – by and large – at 3%.

Even with matching dollars, that’s not going to get you to retirement. Now companies are starting to increase those levels to see if employees push back. At Credit Suisse ( CS ) , for example, the auto default was raised to 9%. The effort was considered a big success with no negative reaction from employees. Noted Credit Suisse’s Joseph Huber: “Education is very important, but Auto features produce real results !”

Remind them how much they can lose

Everyone’s a little bit narcissistic (and that’s not necessarily a bad thing). Each year, the benefits department at Microsoft ( MSFT -1.21% ) conducts a saving campaign to try to get its fairly young, fairly affluent workforce to not just contribute to the retirement plan, but contribute enough to get the match. This year, instead of general slogans to the entire population, it targeted the approach to each employee.

You’d receive notice that noted how much you were missing out on by not ramping up your individual efforts.

Something like, “Did you know you were missing out on $182 per paycheck by not contributing to the retirement plan?” Participation rates, which had been stuck at 87% according to Sonja Kellan, director of Global Retirement Benefits at Microsoft, jumped past 90%.

Talk about money – as a couple Talking about money is more important than ever, although, as you might recall, it isn’t easy. Another of Ariely’s lab findings is that when couples discuss how much he – or she – is contributing to the retirement plan, the contribution amount rises.

Why? “When people think together as a couple, they make better decisions about their long term future.”

(FortuneMagazine)

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

EDITORIAL

t last, the “Big boss”, Stephen Keshi, chief coach of Nigeria’s senior football team, the Super Eagles, has named the 23 players he will be taking to this year’s World Cup tournament taking off June 12 in Brazil. He named his 23 “hungry fighters” on Tuesday from a provisional 30-man list and after an unconvincing 2-2 draw in a friendly against non-World Cup side, Scotland, last week. That was followed by another drab draw against World Cup bound Greece.

The team list is a mix of experience and youthful vitality.

The familiar names include old horse Joseph Yobo, now handed his 100th national cup; veteran keeper and Lille of France goal minder Vincent Enyeama, the Chelsea trio of Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Kenneth Omeruo.

Stoke City’s Osaze Odemwingie, who was not a part of the qualification campaign, also made the final cut, and so did dashing winger Ahmed Musa.

The new faces, capped for the first time - the so-called World Cup rookies -are Babatunde Michael, Michael Uchebo, Uche Nwofor and Kunle Odunlami.

Asked why he picked them, the “Big boss” explained: “They are good players, they are fighters.

They want to prove something, they are hungry. I want players who are hungry, who want to prove themselves”.

A notable exclusion is France based midfielder, Sunday Mba, who played a wonderful game in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations

“

A

Brazil 2014: Keshi’s 23 “hungry fighters”

Football loving Nigerians generally have accepted that the buck stops on the gaffer’s table. The decision is his and if the result is good he will reap the reward, if not he alone will take the blame. in South Africa which Nigeria won, its first since 1994. This was how Keshi explained away Mba’s exclusion: “We’ve less than two and a half weeks to the World Cup, he isn’t showing me he wants to be at the World Cup. He is too relaxed; there is no bite, no hunger than to be at the World Cup.

OUR MISSION “To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

“We’ve players who are hungrier and want to give everything”, he added. The player appears to have taken in good stead. He said he was “gutted” for not making the final team, but hoped that it would post a good result. Very sportsmanlike.

Football loving Nigerians generally have accepted that the buck stops on the gaffer’s table. The decision is his and if the result is good he will reap the reward, if not he alone will take the blame. “Keshi is the coach; Technical Committee members don’t have the powers to influence the team list. It’s the business of Keshi and he would take the credit or blame, depending on what happens in Brazil”, said committee official and former Nigerian international Garba Lawal.

On his expectations, Keshi would not make any predictions, saying only, “We want to go match by match. What I know is that we’ll give it our 120 percent, the rest is in God’s hand”.

On our part, we join millions of our compatriots in wishing Keshi and his wards a fine outing in Brazil to obliterate the disappointment of South Africa 2010 where we failed to make it beyond the group stage.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

CHAIRMAN MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE DIRECTOR/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RUFA’I IBRAHIM MANAGING EDITOR ABDUL-AZEEZ ABDULLAHI

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

DEPUTY MANAGER, PRODUCTION ABDUL-RAUF MUSA

EDITOR, DAILY AHMED I. SHEKARAU

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

EDITOR, WEEKEND HAMEED M. BELLO

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 13

Opinion As Emefiele takes charge at CBN

By Bassey Udo

G

odwin Emefiele assumed office on Tuesday as the 11th governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. The former Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc. is succeeding Lamido Sanusi, whose suspension from office by President Goodluck Jonathan last February over alleged financial recklessness triggered a major crisis that not only unsettled the delicate stability of the entire banking sector, but also the confidence of investors in the country’s economy.

As he assumes office, the aggregate expectation of Nigerians is that Mr. Emefiele would immediately think about how to exert the appropriate response, through appropriate monetary instruments, to contain potential shocks capable of unsettling the financial system stability. Having overcome the uncertainty that beclouded the financial system in February and March as a result the Sanusi crisis, there has been some observed stability in the foreign exchange market, money market and capital market.

For Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane, although the macroeconomic environment

appears to be relatively stable, several risks are still lurking in the corner for the new CBN governor.“The conflicting trends of core and headline inflation since January 2014 will have to be put in perspective as well as the concerns over the eroding fiscal buffers; all of these could accentuate another speculative attack on the naira,” Mr. Rewane said.

For the Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice, CSJ, Eze Onyekpere the challenge for the new CBN governor has to be how to assert his office and reassure all stakeholders, particularly executive and legislative authorities, on the need to maintain CBN’s autonomy and independence away from politics. He said Mr. Emefiele has to reposition the CBN as a team player in the administration, not in the sense of condoning corruption, but by ensuring coordination and harmony between the monetary and fiscal authorities in the country.

During the Sanusi administration, an interventionist policy was adopted by providing funding to some critical sectors of the economy, including agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, solid minerals exploration

and mining activities.While sustaining this policy should be an imperative for the new leadership at the CBN, analysts say care must be taken to ensure that the disbursement of these funds was targeted at clear identified projects with defined goals and objectives, with adequate standards to monitor and evaluate outcomes.

On this score, the new CBN has to ensure that the support to agriculture sector through the Nigeria Incentive-Based RiskSharing System for Agricultural Lending, NIRSAL, initiated by his predecessor was not only sustained, but also improved upon.Provision should be made to ensure that credit guarantees continue to enable banks lend to farmers, particular those with proven capacity to produce food to feed the nation.

The role of the CBN in facilitating housing has been visible in recent times and must be sustained under the new leadership.

The recent launching the National Mortgage Refinance Company, NMRC by the Federal Government, which is expected to come on stream later this year, was to lay the foundation for the take-off of affordable housing scheme for low income earners in the country. The

company requires the support of the CBN to succeed. This is one area Mr. Emefiele must take very seriously. Besides, Afrinvest, a research and financial advisory agency, is concerned about the need to take proactive stance against what would likely play out in the run up to the 2015 political activities in the country.

Throughout the tenure of his predecessor, if there was any achievement that one could point a finger on, it was its ability to keep inflation under check at single digits. Officially, Nigeria’s inflation rate figure is put at a single digit of about 6 to 7 per cent. However, in reality, it could have risen to as high as 12 per cent but for the intervention of the CBN. Therefore, this makes keeping inflation under control a prime challenge of the new leadership at the CBN to stabilize prices of goods and services, if he must make a success of his mandate.

Beyond that, such policies as the cashless initiative in all financial transactions is one innovation that set the Sanusi-era apart from the past, when most transactions

by Nigerians were mostly cashbased, no matter how much was involved.

When Sanusi assumed office, the issue of corporate governance infractions by bank

executives was the challenge he had to face. Arguably, Mr. Sanusi did his best by ensuring that the system was not only cleaned and sanitised, but also that the perpetrators were made to pay for their misdemeanor by throwing them into jail. Sanusi’s may not have been the best, but certainly there were changes he made that should be sustained.

Where there is need to refine and adopt, Emefiele should not hesitate to do so. One area that financial analysts say his management should tamper with is in moderating the current tight monetary policy of the CBN. For economist Henry Boyo, the new CBN’s priority at the moment should not be different from the expectations of his office as spelt out by the mandate of the Bank in the enabling law.

This includes maintaining price stability, which does not involve the prices of goods and services alone, but also the cost of funds, which has remained consistently high at about 20 per cent for the real sector.The cost of funds may have stabilized at 20 per cent for several years, but Mr. Boyo pointed out that this was hardly the kind of stability that is capable of driving growth and bring small and medium scale enterprises into operation.

Bassey Udo is on linkedIn

Our attitude to increasing rape cases

By Allahnana Attah

N

igerians are gradually getting used to news of rape cases being reported in different media outfits across the country making it look as if there is not much to worry about. Some just brush such stories aside simply because they are not directly involved, or that this is not the first of such incidences to be recorded and so why bothering oneself.

I was miffed when a 44 year old woman in Maiduguri, Borno State abducted by young men under the garb of Boko Haram revealed to the media that she was captured and taken to a far off place by this group and subjected to psychological torture. Her revelations were such that I concluded the boys must have gone crazy, possessed with drugs or were under some other narcotic influences. She lamented how a young boy of about 18 years, in fact the age of her biological child, repeatedly raped her at gun point. I wondered what religious benefits he stood to gain from such dastardly act, if at all religious piety is what the group seeks.

As if that was not disturbing enough, I found it hard to belief the story of a 95 year old grandmother, Mrs. Caroline Ununka -Anyanwu being raped by youths, for the third time!

To make the case worst, this grandmother who hailed from Umugaa village in Umunama autonomous community, Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State is a widow. Did I hear you scream “shame to this generation of men, particularly the youth?

I share you rage at the sad development, where young men capable of keeping and protecting women as wives will abdicate from the responsibility of doing so only to subject their community members, and most often parents, to this horrendous treatments. The community where this grandmother was raped described the incident as “very ugly, disgraceful and abominable”. If there are better words to do so, I would have added same to these ones.

Well the case is not too different in other parts of this country as on a daily basis we read screaming headlines of such cases in our immediate environments. In Nasarawa State, a police man was recently reported to have raped a three year old at Mararaba, Karu LGA. A security operative under the Special Joint Task Force was similarly accused of the same offence in Plateau State recently.

There is virtually no community that will claim freedom from such attacks as it is just a matter of who, when and where next?

The Save the Children Initiative (STCI), Nigeria in collaboration with West African Network for the Protection of Children (WAN) and others had cause to bring this act being perpetrated against women to the fore in faraway Sokoto, seat of the Caliphate, when it staged a forum to commemorate the 2014 Children’s Day celebration.

Leader of the SCTI remarked that, “in Sokoto state and the world in general, rape has been an act that is destroying young generations and producing uncultured adults”. He lamented that this act which had been going on against young girls is today being extended to under aged children”, and I add grandparents.

India, one of the largest democracies in the world, was the center of media bliss when two cousins from the Utah Pradesh State were mercilessly raped, strangulated and hung on a tree in their community apparently for parents to see and be warned that more of such await their children. The rage that this incident drew from the community, Indians and the global family due to the non-chalant or collaborative attitude of security personnel is better imagined.

Sadly, the attitude of Nigerians to cases of rape is appalling. It is a complete show

of “after all I am not affected”.

Even those entrusted with the duty of protecting citizens are caught in this abuse web.

Frustration therefore sets in as was the case with the Imo State case where one respondent in the community stated that when his grandmother was raped two years ago, he reported the incident to the village head who in turn directed him to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) but what came out was rather discouraging. The ‘suspect was arrested and detained by the police and later released and the matter just died like that”. He remarked that “it was the shoddy manner the police handled the previous incident that discouraged him from reporting the recent case”. We are surely culpable.

The fact that these women that are raped are so vulnerable due to societal neglect is cause for concern. Imagine that this 95 year old widow and grandmother could face this heinous crime three times without any one being apprehended and punished for it only depicts how much we care for our community members. It shows the level of being our brothers’ keeper. This is more worrisome as members of that community have been entreating the security guard in her compound to leave so as to

pave way for them to carry out the attacks. It is saddening that revelations are to the effect that the villagers “want to kill the old woman in order to take over her late husband’s property”.

Shame unto lazy men.

Contributions by various individuals, philanthropists, corporate bodies and governments will be useful if geared towards assisting women so tormented in our midst. That is the more reason why I see the recent dishing out of grants to disadvantaged women in Nasarawa State by the Governor, UmaruTanko Al-Makura as one effort in the right direction.

Governor Al-Makura betrayed his soft spot for these women (made up of widows, physically challenged and barren) when he penciled 1, 4700 for the gesture on the 2014 Democracy Day. This act really showed how a low keyed ceremony ought to be marked as declared. The selection of 10 women from each of the 147 wards that make up Nasarawa State is also commendable.

More of such efforts are highly required to take our dear mothers (including potential ones) out of the situation they find themselves.

Allahnana Attah via attah1961@gmail.com

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 14

Opinion

Asari Dokubo’s war mongering

By Mansir Lawal Kaware

T

he man Asari Dokubo does not know the devastating effects of war that may be the reason he is fond of war. One thinks that Mr. Asari Dokubo is being carried away by the successes they recorded during Militia activities in the South-south. That was not a war, but a protest to draw the attention of the authorities.

If those are the yardsticks of his outbursts of being ready for war, he has mistaken because a war destroys everybody and everything. As the saying goes, a newly recruited ignorant soldier boasts of going to war, possibly because he does not know its devastating effects. This is about a soldier, whose Profession is to fight a war, talkless of Asari Dokubo who possesses the weapons he claimed to have illegally. On February 4, he said “we are ready for war” over Jonathan’s election in 2015. He also stated on May 8 that no girls were missing from Chibok, describing it as a scam. He again said “we will meet Boko Haram in the battle field”. The Niger

Delta volunteer force leader also threatened that to avoid war, APC has to take its candidate from Niger-Delta, so that whoever wins will be from the zone, otherwise even in a free and fair election if Jonathan lost to another candidate not from NigerDelta, it will lead to war. Mr. Dokubo further

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called on others from South-South to support Jonathan and the Ijaw to fight the Northern Imperialists. One begins to ask himself what is Asari Dokubo up to, because the way he speaks, it looks like he is more powerful than every other Nigerian including the President.

He appears to be an authority in himself who felt he can do and undo at will. If not because Asari Dokubo claims to have about ten children who can all operate guns with considerable

expertise, an indication that he is a family man taking care of his wives and children, his people would have been asked to seek for psychiatric help on his behalf.

But under the circumstance I would like the Presidential aides to guide him rightly, because democratic governance is not obtained through fighting wars.

I believe he will listen to the Presidential aids, since all his fire spitting posers are for the sake of protecting the chair for Goodluck

Jonathan come 2015.

These wars Dokubo has been calling for if actualized may not give Jonathan the seat of the Presidential because there may be others with better fire power which Asari Dokubo may not be able to survive

let alone give the required protection to Jonathan. If can be understand that Mr. Dokubo is also asking South-South to prepare for war, as Boko Haram may extend their offensive to the region. With the kind of confidence Asari Dokubo has for war, as we read on the pages of Newspapers, one may think that he will carry his gun and cross the Niger to meet them, instead of waiting until they corner

him at home. It is always better to fight a war away from home even for the sake of guaranteeing the survival of women and children.

0.Indeed there is the need to remind Asari Dokubo that fighting wars at home endangers innocent people and let him know that he only knew how to maneuver in the creeks and should avoid inviting trouble, because when it happens, it does not differentiate between the culprit and the innocent. If the war gets to its oeak, he will find the world too narrow for himself as the creeks may not be able to hide him. Like every other Nigerian, Dokubo has a right to support a candidate of his choice and campaign for him in the best civilized manner by galvanians support for him across the country. It will be wiser for Mr. Asari Dokubo to find a string and tie his tongue from these thirsts for war, because nobody will be intimidated by his empty threats. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Mansir Lawal Kaware wrote in from Katsina

Boko Haram: How Nigeria can protect soft targets

By Bamidele Ademola-Olateju

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ne of the lessons we have learnt from the recent spate of attacks is for us never to confuse good luck with good planning.The country’s biggest mistake so far is its false sense of security that is now shattered. It strengthens the assumption that the fact that nothing has happened in the past, does not mean that nothing will occur in the future.

Terrorists attack people and places with the aim to threaten, intimidate, attract public attention, and to kill as many people as possible.

Attacks by Boko Haram have always been directed at what is referred to in security parlance as “soft” targets, or targets of opportunity that are poorly defended and do not have much security. For this reason, soft targets give terrorists an obvious tactical advantage. They often avoid hard targets because such attacks are easier to identify and disrupt by law enforcement.

Hard targets require would-be attackers to commit considerable financial and technical resources towards its preparation; the involvement of more people in planning, monitoring, and execution also makes it easier to foil. On the other hand, soft targets are easier to attack because it can be carried out by a madcap or by small cells and franchisees.

Almost every establishment and places in Nigeria is a soft target. Something has to be done

to harden these targets before a calamitous attack that can kill thousands or even millions of people and cause millions of dollars in economic damage happens. Terrorists kill for the shock value that serves to glorify them and the cause they serve.

Nothing will delight Abubakar Shekau and his platoon of violent men more than inflicting maximum damage on the Nigerian state.

Nigeria’s specific challenge now is the protection of urban soft targets and critical infrastructure. I urge President Goodluck Jonathan and his security team to immediately give specific considerations to urban soft targets exposed to increasing security threats of attack by Boko Haram. These areas are urban areas into which large numbers of citizens are freely admitted, for usual activities or special events or where they routinely live. These places include all airports – especially the porous departure halls – markets, banks, shopping malls, bus stations, hotels as well as cultural, historical, religious and educational institutions.

We must learn from examples in Kenya, India etc. that attacking urban soft targets is not new for terrorists because they are easy to infiltrate and they are often packed with defenceless victims.

So far, the government’s dislocated responses have been based on counterterrorism. This means instead of hardening targets in anticipation of attack, Boko Haram members

are targeted for capture to gain further intelligence and to remove them by way of targeted killing with a view to eliminating the threat they pose.

It is an effort to stop an attack by going after the attackers or degrading their ability to attack.

If the war on terror must be won, counterterrorism is not good enough without infusing elements of antiterrorism.

Which means, using intelligence, political, religious, social, psychological, criminal, analysis to predict where and when an attack is likely to happen and using the information to harden against the possibility of attack.

That is, reducing the likelihood of an attack by making a target too difficult to attack.

This brings us to the belief that terrorists are highly adaptable in their operations.

Terrorists are actually nothing if they are not adaptable.

Underlying their core belief is the alternative target concept which means, if it is harder to strike one kind of target, strike the easier target.Since it is impossible for any government to prevent all attacks, the people have to assume responsibility for their own security. One must report suspicious activity in their area. No government has the resources to protect every potential target. As long as there are criminals and terrorists bent on conducting attacks, they will always find vulnerable soft targets to attack because it is impossible to protect every target.

Now that terror has birthed on our shores, it must be treated as an unfortunate prospect and a continuing concern, but it can be understood and thwarted. Every citizen must make effort not only to prevent unlawful situations from occurring but also to deter the people who would commit those crimes. The internal security and employees of hotels, motor parks, shopping malls, schools, airports and venues with large audiences must know they are potential soft targets for terrorists. They must act as protectors and understand the nature and characteristics of terrorism, terrorists, and their methods. They must be vigilant to be able to foil terror attacks.

As a step towards protection, different categories of soft targets must be identified, as it is impossible to define a “one size fits all” approach for all of them.

To guard federal infrastructure, the military’s traditional “3G” approach of “guards, guns, and gates” to physical security must be employed and deployed immediately without waiting for the attack to happen. Middle and upper class homes in urban areas have adopted the idea since crime escalated in the 80′s. Unfortunately the farming villages and settlements do not have this safeguard hence the ability of Boko Haram to invade and crush them easily. The idea is to place obstacle in the way of intruders and to use guards to control access through gates.

This same concept can be used with gun wielding guards to

harden a perimeter to ensure that only authorised guests gain entrance by making it difficult for intruders to gain access.

The protection of soft targets like Nyanya bus stattionis not an easy task. Security personnel cannot observe, screen and control every single threat and person in such a densely populated transportation hub.

In such circumstances, public vigilance is a decisive factor in securing the park. It is publicprivate co-operation that can assist security personnel to identify suspicious people or activities. When security became tight at Nyanya, we saw how accessibility and efficiency became critical challenges for commuters. With the attendant loss of efficiency, another attack was carried out at the same park successfully.

To enhance public security, there is no one size fits all solution. The best course of action is to adopt a customised security system based on risk assessment. Attacks on public transportation facilities and infrastructure can be prevented by random searches of people and baggage, increased presence of security officers and bombsniffing dogs, metal detectors, close circuit monitors and the enforcement of restricted-access zones. We must be prepared to give up some of our basic freedoms for our collective safety.

Bamidele AdemolaOlateju is on Twitter: @ olafunmilayo

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 15

Comment Migration and the African condition

By Owei Lakemfa

M

any of the estimated 231.5 million migrants in the world come from Africa. So, on the issue of migration, we Africans know it, feel it, and live it. It is, therefore, an issue that is quite dear to our hearts. There is no country that we know, that is composed entirely of only its own people; for every country, it is its people, and people that have come to settle there. Migration is not a crime, it is not a sin, it is not a curse; it is part of human history and existence. In fact, migration can be beneficial to all concerned. Perhaps the most developed country in the world today, the United States, is known as a country of migrants.

This is the more reason why every country has the duty to defend the socio-economic interests of migrants.

In many cases, people have had to migrate due to conflicts, climate change, low standards of living and even due to the reality of colonialism. Also,

a lot of Africans have moved in search of better working conditions overseas in order to send much-needed financial aid to relatives back home, with foreign remittances making huge percentages of national annual incomes.

So a pressing challenge for all humanity is to address the causes that has led to the unregulated movement of people from their countries.

This is a sure way of stemming the tide of the mass exodus of people we are witnessing.

This, to us, is a better solution than increased security, harsh measures and even “out sourcing” migrants to other less privileged countries. People desperate to migrate cannot be deterred by such tactics. To confirm this, all we need do, is examine the tragedies that occur off the Italian coast of Lampedusa where annually, according to the UNHCR, at least 2,000 would-be migrants perish in its seas. These victims include women and children.

Also, in order to stem the

tide and significantly reduce forced labour, the world has to squarely take on the criminality, and crimes against humanity called human trafficking. This should be checkmated at the sending, transiting and receiving countries.

Migration is a reality; we must do all we can to ensure that migrants are guaranteed their trade union and human rights at all times and in all climes.

For migrants, there should be fairness in conditions of work, equal pay for equal work and a fair tax policy.

We at OATUU appeal to sending countries to be alive to their responsibilities for the protection of the interests and rights of their people both at home and abroad. We appeal to governments and employers to protect the trade and human rights of workers; any violation of these rights should be punished according to the law. Also, we ask our brothers and sisters in the Trade Union Movement across the world to organize and unionize

migrants workers and ensure that the fundamental and trade union rights of migrants are guaranteed.

OATUU supports the eight components of the ILO’s future work on fair migration highlighted in the Director General’s Report. However we insist on the important role to be played by governments in collaboration with social partners on improvement of governance issues in handling migration matters. Governments should put in place practical and humane national legal framework for labour migration, bilateral agreements and multilateral systems for fair migration.

As African workers, we use this forum to appeal to African countries to speed up the regional integration of the continent so as to provide decent jobs, decent living and basic infrastructure. This will in no small way, ensure prosperity and stem the tide of migration.

Also, we urge the AU and all African States to integrate

migration into AU 2063 Development Agenda On our part, OATUU will continue to promote the speedy implementation of the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community and the promotion of intra – African trade in order to ensure prosperity within the continent.

It is appropriate to conclude by stating unequivocally, that all human beings are same; we all deserve respect and should be treated equally without prejudice. This should be more so, in the case of migrants.

Finally, African workers one again, call for the reform of the ILO at all levels to make it all-inclusive. It will hurt the ILO’s long term objectives and endanger its health if some parts of the world behave and carry on as if they are indigenes of the ILO while the vast majority of us are migrants.

Owei Lakemfa is Secretary General of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity [OATUU] in Accra, Ghana.

military has become too corrupted and divided at the top to rescue a failing nation?

The Americans cannot even trust them or the Jonathan government with intelligence reports. What if victory, real or forced, by President Jonathan in 2015 brings the nation to its knees through violent protests? What if victory by another presidential candidate, particularly from the north, unleashes mayhem from a rejuvenated MEND as payback?

What if people of the north-east refuse to recognize the authority of a post-2015 elections president should they be blacklisted from the elections?

Nigerians must not hope for a reality that is unrealistic by real evidence on the ground.

I love Nigeria more than I would ordinarily wish a friend to win an election. Whether President Jonathan has kept faith with Nigerians or not, depending on individual perspective, regional or religious perception, one fact stands tall: he has not been able to keep Nigeria together in peace and general welfare.

And this is a huge national concern. What if an ex-general of the Nigerian army, an expresident of Nigeria, who has proved in the past a capacity to hold the nation together, is appointed by an internationallyinstigated or coordinated arrangement to head an interim government before May, 2015 in order to cool off tension and

organize a sovereign national conference that is enabled by a piece of legislation that is forged by some Transition and Reconciliation Council (TRC), headed by the ex-president? The ongoing national conference is like an intermediary meeting of neighbors to save a marriage in the neighborhood, without any legal authority; the couple could ignore their counsel as meddlesomeness if either party perceives some disfavor.

ECOWAS, the AU and the world have a stake in this largest economy on the African continent and the largest black nation on earth.

They could either watch it sink and self-destruct or step in to save the Next Big Thing.

What the Americans did during the Yar’adua saga is what is needed the most needed now.

If the “Doctrine of Necessity” was required then, it is most required now; and the national assembly most do the right thing to save Nigeria. There are yet smart and patriotic fellows there, no matter how few.

I see no meaningful elections holding in 2015? I see danger for people that are at ease now. At eventide there shall be trouble. They have spoiled and robbed the people; they have made a fire that shall consume them; and they shall meet their comeuppance. What if…?

Going into 2015

By Leonard Karshima Shilgba

N

igerian politicians never learn or they never learn in time. Nigeria is now divided, not into two parts, but more. Safety of life has become very doubtful. The heart of many Nigerians is becoming calloused with deep-seated anger and hatred in increasing degrees. Disappointment and fear are common emotions on our streets. The man of lawlessness is now in charge of our spiritual engagements, which always precede physical endeavorus.

The four scattering horns push dangerously north-wards, south-wards, east-wards and west-wards, pushing against stability, national confidence, and general safety. But we shall soon have four divinely sent carpenters to smash these horns. These are not ordinary times. It is not time to look for scapegoats; politicians are to blame, just like they were between October 1, 1960 and January 15, 1966. Nigerian politicians are like flies that defy the charming caution and eventually follow the corpse into the grave.

Regional and religious sentiments are being encouraged by politicians.

There is a dark prospect of a dissolved union or a second civil war. In the midst of all these, Nigerian politicians carry on as though they could govern in crisis. Less than a year before

the 2015 general elections, a whole region of more than 10 million voters is being threatened with an election blacklisting due to growing violence. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is being exhumed just in time before the 2015 elections, probably, as a counterinsurgency against Boko Haram. The president has cried out that there are plans to overthrow his government. I should think that this is highly speculative. In any case, the bungling of national issues by the Jonathan government is highly encouraging of this scenario. Most lately, a member of the national conference suggested a delay of national elections for 18 months, that is, until 2018.

I do not believe that ambitions of a few people should be encouraged at the expense of millions of Nigerians.

In 1966, after the first military coup was staged, the Igbos became scapegoats even though there was initial national jubilation at the intervention that ended the crude excesses of politicians. Intervening events thereafter, including a counter coup by northern army officers, drove the young nation into a devastating civil war that claimed millions of souls, and that has yet to heal emotional hurts that are being sustained by even Nigerians who were not yet born at the time.

Then, the anger of Nigerians

in 1993 forced General Ibrahim Babangidanto “step aside,” but not before he had installed the first interim government in the history of independent Nigeria.

However, that government, which was led by a weak leader, was displaced by General Sani Abacha (whom General Babangida knowingly left behind for the purpose), who held viciously unto power until death snatched him away from the scene. General Abdusalami Abubakar, who succeeded Abacha, being so eager to leave power, hurriedly initiated a civil rule that threw up many rotten apples into the political market, who moved in so swiftly to entrench a kind of politics that has encouraged lawlessness and heart-wrenching corruption that scares not a few from stepping into the arena.

I am yet to come across any insightful Nigerian who sees peace during and after the 2015 general elections. Nigerians and the international community have to make a choice between the politics of now and the salvation of the nation; the 2015 general elections and the rescue of the nation. It is time for real statesmen and –women both in Nigeria and abroad to swing intelligently and quickly into strategic actions to save Nigeria.

What if during the campaigns for the presidential and national elections in 2015 scores of people are killed and bomb blasts erupt here and there? What if the Nigerian

Leonard Karshima Shilgba via shilgba@ yahoo.com

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

Defamation: FCT minister to sue online newspaper

By Stanley Onyekwere

M

inister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed is set to sue an online media organization (Pointblanknews.com), for allegedly publishing false and libelous reports against the minister, his children and the FCT Administration.

“The media organization had in recent weeks alleged that two children of the minister whose names it gave as Ibrahim and Shamushdeen had stashed away a staggering N35billion in the Unity Bank and UBA Plc as well as an unnamed offshore account.

“But the minister in a strongworded petition to the InspectorGeneral of Police is calling for an investigation of the allegations which he dismissed as nothing but criminal fabrications by the authors”, said a statement by the SA Media to the FCT minister, Nosike Ogbuenyi.

It added that the minister said that contrary to the claim of the said online publication, he has no son called Ibrahim Also, it noted that the minister’s children had no domestic or offshore account with Unity Bank or UBA contrary to the claims of the online newspaper. He added that even the name of his first son, Shamsudeen was wrongly spelt as ‘Shamushdeen’ in the hatchet stories.

“Against the backdrop of untruths and contradictions in the stories, he appealed to the Inspector–General to interrogate the publisher.

“The minister urged the Police boss to prevail on the media organization to disclose the full identities of the ‘Ibrahim’ and ‘Shamushdeen’ it referred to in its reports so that the people would be better informed.

“They should also be made to provide credible evidence of the bank account numbers to enable you carry out your investigation”, the statement stressed.

However, it added that appeals to the said online media to desist from publishing further negative reports against him and his children were rudely ignored, adding that the publisher has not only failed to heed wise counsel by retracting the malicious story but has continued to do more false reports against him and his children.

Scene of an accident at a military check-point on the outer Northern Expressway, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

ABUCCIMA to build 7-star hotel, shopping mall

By Evelyn Okakwu

I

n a bid to make Abuja, the hub of tourism and other economic activities in the country, Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA) is partnering with a South African investors to build a seven-star hotel and modern shopping mall in city.

The projects, to be sited within the 31-hectare of Jeremiah Useni International Trade Fair Complex,

along Airport Road, Abuja, would be the biggest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to the ABUCCIMA President, Mr. Solomon Nyagba, who disclosed this yesterday, the projects when completed would also create employment opportunities for the people.

He spoke at a press conference, ahead of the 9th Abuja International Trade Fair, billed to hold later this year; from September 23 to October 6.

Nyagba said the Abuja Chamber would also build a convention centre and a worldclass trade exhibition centre in the FCT. “The ground-breaking ceremony of the project is expected to hold before the end of this year.

“Due to the strategic location of this complex, we are hoping that when we finish the projects, it will shift focus from the city centre which is becoming choked with

economic activities,’’ he said.

The president noted that the construction of the complex, which will be through a public Private Partnership, is intended to ensure the revolution of commerce in Abuja and Nigeria in general.

He adds: “We are fortunate that the Abuja Chamber of Commerce has been given the free hand to bring about the permanent center for trade fairs by the Minister and indeed Nigeria.”

FCT residents tasked on blood donation

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he Coordinator of the National Blood Transmission Service, in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Omo Izedonmwen, has urged residents to come out en masse to donate

blood for the sake of saving lives when the need arises.

Izedonmwen, who made this known in an interview with Peoples Daily during the voluntary blood donation exercise organised by the Ebira community in Gwagwalada, also called on the other tribes in the FCT to emulate the Ebira’s in their

gesture in the society.

He said his leadership would not relent in his effort to mobilize the people for the blood donation, in the territory for the benefit of those who need it.

He disclosed that the blood being donated by the Ebira’s will be assessed and kept at the

University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Gwagwalada, for other Ebira people.

He therefore, appealed to the FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, to make use of the FCT Health secretariat to enlighten the public on the importance of blood transmission.

Laboratory scientists call for more fight against quackery

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he chairman of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) branch, Dr Casmir Ifeanyi, has called its remembers as well as other health professionals to continue to wage

war against quackery in the health sector.

He also urged the health care professionals to remain committed to the ethics of the profession any where they operate.

Ifeanyi, who told newsmen at a seminar organized by the association, in Gwagwalada, on Wednesday, pleaded with the

health professionals irrespective of their status to shun any acts of ethical misconduct towards their clients.

He said that the association would continue to gear towards the capacity building of the members for a better health care delivery.

The chairman said that plans

are in place by the leadership of the association to supervise both the public and private hospitals in the FCT. On his part, Prof. Bissallah Ekele, of the University of Abuja, also urged the health professionals to give priority attention to research to update their knowledge in the sector.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 17

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

Metro Court jails guard for theft

A

n Upper Area Court in Kado, Abuja, yesterday sentenced a 28-year old security guard, Amos Livinus, to one month in prison for stealing 250 litres of diesel.

Livinus, who resides in Mega Born Estate, Galadimawa, Abuja was charged with theft.

The Presiding Judge, Mr Abubakar Sadiq, sentenced Livinus after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Sadiq, however, gave the convict an option to pay N2,000 fine and warned him against stealing and ill behaviours.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Salisu Mohammed, had told the court that Ramchandra Reddy, of Michael Jackson Street, Gwarimpa, Abuja, lodged the matter at the Gwarimpa Police Station, Abuja, on June 1.

Mohammed said Livinus trespassed into Reddy’s house and stole 250 litres of diesel, valued at N38,750.

He said the convict was arrested by some security guards while trying to flee with the product.

The prosecutor said the convict confessed committing the crime during investigation, adding that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 287 of the Penal code. (NAN)

Cheating: Court remands fish farmer over N.7m

A

n Upper Area Court Kuje, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has ordered a fish farmer, Owekele Anthony, 41, to be remanded in prison, pending written bail application.

Anthony is alleged to have defrauded Kuje Fish Farmers’ Cooperative Society of N794,500.

The judge, Malam Adamu Wakili, gave the order after Anthony was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to cheating.

Wakili, who refused to give the accused bail, ordered that he should engage the service of a lawyer.

He adjourned the case until June 11 for hearing.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl Ocheche Samuel, had told the court that the case was filed at the Kuje Police Station on May 20, by Mr Segun Kolawale of Kuchiyakwo Kuje, Abuja.

Samuel said that the accused was entrusted with the cooperative cat fish pond.

He said the accused sold the fish for the amount without the farmers’ consent and converted the money for his personal use.

The offence contravened sections 311 and 320 of the Penal code respectively.

If convicted, he is liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, fine or both.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge. (NAN)

Children fetching water from a broken pipe in Bwari

2 men bag 6 months’ imprisonment for possession ‘charms’

A

n Abuja Senior Magistrates’ court has sentenced two unemployed men to 6 months in prison for being in possession of criminal charms.

The convicts are Abdullahi Kabo, 40 and Abdullahi Safiyanu, 31, both of Dape village, Life Camp, Abuja.

The Chief Magistrate, Hajiya Fati Tafida, sentenced the convicts after finding them guilty of a two-count charge of joint act and being in possession of criminal charms.

Tafida, however, gave them an option of N5,000 fine each.

The Chief Magistrate, in her judgement, said that ``the

convicts pleaded for leniency, but being first time offenders, you both are hereby sentenced to 6 months imprisonment with an option to pay N5,000 fine each.

Failure to pay the fine will attract another 6 months imprisonment and the jail term will run concurrently’’.

Similarly, an unemployed man, Liman Salisu, 25, of the same village, who was also arraigned alongside the two convicts, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate granted the accused person bail for N50,000 and one reliable surety.

“The surety must be a civil servant on GL 15 with a landed property in Abuja and should deposit a copy of the Certificate of Occupancy of the property to the court registry. ``The residence of the surety must be made known to the police and should not be an uncompleted building. ``The surety should deposit two passport photographs, an ID card with a letter of undertaking to provide the accused throughout the trial. ``He should also provide his original promotion letter to the court for sighting,’’ Tafida said.

The Chief Magistrate further

adjourned the matter until June 23 for hearing proper.

Earlier, the police prosecutor, PC Odigri Onah, had reported that on May 31, the convicts jointly conspired and went to the residence of the accused (Salisu) to prepare a charm.

According to Onah, the charm was prepared to enable one Ayuba Abubakar, who is in court detention on a criminal charge, to disappear from the prison cell.

He said the convicts were arrested by the police officers at the counter while delivering the charm which was hidden inside a plate of food for Abubakar.

(NAN).

Man in trouble for receiving stolen property

T

he Police have arraigned a man, Adewumi Adeniyi, 30, of Bwari, Abuja, in a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ court, for allegedly receiving a stolen property.

The police prosecutor, Cpl. Umar Ango, told the court that the accused was arrested with one DSTV walka valued a N38,000.

Ango said that the item was the property of Mr Friday Okwela of Ibrahim Taiwo Street, Aso villa, Abuja, that was reported stolen on August 6, 2013 at Wuse police station.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the Penal Code.

The accused, however,

pleaded not guilty.

“My lord, I never knew it was a stolen property. I bought the walka from a man who said he is tired of using it and need to dispose it. ``I like it to keep me busy whenever I am free and I bought it since I have been seeing him using it for long,’’ Adeniyi said.

The magistrate, Mr Aminu Eri, admitted the accused to bail for N50,000 with two sureties.

Eri ordered that the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means and be resident within the court’s jurisdiction.

He adjourned the case until June 16 for further hearing.

(NAN)

Court discharges vagrant for irregularities in FIR

A

Chief Magistrates’ court in Mararaba, has discharged a vagrant, Isaac Abraham, of criminal charges, for irregularities on the part of the prosecution.

Abraham, 21, was charged with one count of being a vagabond, which contravened the Penal code.

Delivering ruling, Senior Magistrate Habila Abundaga, said contrary to information provided by the prosecutor, the accused

had a place to stay before he was arrested.

“As evident here in the First Information Report (FIR), the accused has a place he was living in before he was arrested,’’ he said.

Abundaga said the FIR also did not show that the accused committed any offence to warrant being punished.

He said it was not fair to continue to let the accused keep

coming to court to answer to an offence he never committed in the beginning.

Abudaga, therefore struck out the case and discharged the accused.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr. Stephen Kwaza, had told the court that Mr. Duru Clif of Angwan Hashimu, Mararaba, reported the matter at Sani Abacha Police Station on May 31.

Kwaza said the accused was seen wandering around the complainant’s business premises and when questioned, he was unable to give a satisfactory answer.

According to the prosecutor, during the course of police investigation, it was discovered that the accused was a vagabond and had no means of livelihood.

(NAN)

PAGE 19

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

INSIDE

business@peoplesdailyng.com 08142929046/etuka2012@gmail.com/08066605655

NDIC begins payment of MFB depositors -Pg 20

NCC: Anticipating the broadband boom -Pg 21

L-R: Director, Quality Assurance, Consumer Protection Council, Mr. Emmanuel Amlai, Acting Director, Standard Department, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Mrs. Chinyere Egwionwe, and Guest Speaker, Professor Joseph Odigure, during a one day stakeholders and sensitisation workshop on standard, grades and usage of cement in Nigeria organized by NGO Network in collaboration with Standard Awareness Group, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Aviation: ICAO commends Nigeria as workers ask Senate to clarify N174bn debts From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

he global aviation regulatory body, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has acknowledge the infrastructural upgrade at Nigerian airports, and said such expansion and remodelling are a prerequisite to upsurge in passenger traffic.

Meanwhile, a group of workers in the industry has asked the senate committee on aviation to seek further clarification in order to appreciate the purported debts of N174 billion owe contractors by the aviation ministry.

Nigerian born ICAO president Dr. Bernard Aliu said development in the country’s

aviation sector are require to prepare the numerous airports for the increase in air traffic.

An estimated record of between 15 and 16 million passenger are projected to pass through aerodromes by the end of 2014 and continues to increase as the country’s rebased economy attracts more foreigners and Nigerians travel within and outside the country.

Dr. Aliu reiterated every member state of ICAO must have to improve its airports for the expected growth in air traffic, adding that the growth is a significant contribution to the economic and social development of any country.

He said “The growth is

positive thing because it ensures the contribution to economic and social development, but it is also a challenge. The implication is that you need more infrastructures for airport operations, for air traffic management in order to accommodate that capacity. So every member state is supposed to invest in order to accommodate the traffic growth.”

Coordinator of Congress of Aviation Unions and Aviation Professionals Association, Sheri Kyari told journalists that the volumes of work going on is expected to gulp huge amount of money.

Kyari said the projects are visible and can be identified while the debts is aligned to each

NSE trades 447.41m shares worth N6.32bn

I

nvestors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Thursday staked N6.32 billion on 447.41 million shares in 5,943 deals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the volume of transactions represented 3.83 per cent increase over the 430.922 million shares worth N6.52 billion traded in 5,569 deals on Wednesday.

The financial services sector remained the toast of investors as Zenith Bank emerged the most traded equity.

The sector accounted for 118.57 million shares valued at N3.01 billion.

Unitykap came second with 112.28 million shares worth

N56.14 million, while Transcorp accounted for 26.93 million shares valued N112.17 million.

Skye Bank traded 21.93 million shares worth N74.76 million, while UBA exchanged 18.31 million shares valued at N137.35 million.

The NSE All-Share Index depreciated by 57.36 points or 0.14 per cent to close at 41,570.07 against the 41,627.43 achieved on Wednesday.

Similarly, the market capitalisation dropped N19 billion or 0.14 per cent to close at N13.726 trillion from the N13.745 trillion posted on Wednesday.

Forte Oil led the losers’ chart

by N7 to close at N250.01 per share.

Seplat trailed with a loss of N1.95 to close at N675, while Oando dropped N1.34 to close at N19 per share.

Nigerian Breweries lost 79k to close at N183.20, while ETI dipped by 65k to close at N16.85 per share.

On the other hand, Conoil recorded the highest price gain of N2.41 to close at N50.82 per share.

It was trailed by Okomu Oil, which gained N1.50 to close at N34.50, while CAP and Guinness appreciated by N1 each to close at N40 and N178.50 per share respectively.

Julius Berger chalked up 98k to close at N67.50 per share.

(NAN)

project.

He advised the federal government not to make it an excuse to abandon the projects as the facilities would be worse than they were before the new effort to overhaul them. “ the debt is huge but it is relatively less than the debts incurred by government in projects in other sectors that are far less than what is being done in the aviation sector.

“We are talking about 14 perishable cargo terminals where agriculture produce will be processed and exported overseas by our farmers. Two terminals at the old General Aviation Terminal (GAT) in Lagos have been completed,” he told reporters.

What constitutes ‘trade’ for tax purposes: guidelines for the general public -Pg 22

Exchange Rates CBN as at 5th JUNE, 2014 Buying

Selling

$

154.7

155.74

€

256.94

258.60

£

212.44

213.81

Riyal

41.25

41.52

YEN

1.49

1.50

CFA

0.30

0.32

MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY Succeed as a start-up within an established business

N

ew growth initiatives can sometimes disrupt an existing business, but it is possible to succeed on both fronts.

Two tactics can help an entrepreneurial unit succeed within a bigger company: • Don’t define the battle as “old” versus “new.” Too many people go into existing organizations and define success as recreating what is there. Instead, think about how to utilize existing

assets, like a strong network or a devoted customer base.

Take advantage of those resources.

• Bring in new talent sets. Define your unit’s priority going forward (Is it software platforms? Digital capacity?). Bring in people who understand your goal, and team them up with people who understand the company. Blending new and existing talent can be very powerful.

PAGE 20

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

Business

NDIC begins payment of MFB depositors

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has commenced the verification and payment of insured deposits of 33 out of 83 microfinance banks (MFBs) whose licences were recently revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

A statement by the Head, Communication & Public Affairs, H. S. Birchi said that the first phase of the deposit pay-out of

the 33 closed MFBs would cover total deposit liabilities of N588, 685,792.25 and each depositor would receive a maximum of N200, 000.

The statement said, “As part of the verification and payment exercise being undertaken by staff of the Corporation, affected depositors are to report to the last known addresses of their closed MFBs with evidence of account ownership including passbooks, cheque books and personal identification

documents such as national identity cards, drivers licences and voters cards.

“Depositors without valid identification documents are to obtain introduction letters with their photographs and the letters are duly signed by traditional rulers of their localities or local government chairmen.

It said, “The depositors are also requested to take along details of alternative bank accounts operated in any of the existing banks into which

their insured claims could be paid while those without bank accounts have been asked to provide details of accounts of close relatives to which their payment could be made.

The corporation also announced it has commenced verification and payment of N125 million as first liquidation dividend of 50 kobo each to shareholders of the defunct Rims Merchant Bank at its Abuja and Lagos Offices and eight zonal offices nationwide.

BPE advises Shanghai Electric to establish transformers manufacturing company in Nigeria

By Etuka Sunday

T

L-R: General Manager, Eastern Zone, Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), Chief sonny Nwobi, Director, Orlean Invest, Mr. Simone Volpi, and Managing Director, Orlean Invest, Mr. Damir Miskovic, during Orlean Invest and NPA media briefing on the their activities at Onne Port, on Tuesday in Rivers state.

Nigerian Arik Air to commence Dubai flight operations From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

N

igeria carrier, Arik Air said it has concluded plans to commence flight operations into the lucrative United Arab Emirate as seek to expand its reach to the Middle East and become the first Nigerian airline to offer a commercial service between Abuja and Dubai.

The airline said the first

commercial flight on the new route is tentatively slated for Monday, 28th July and will subsequently operate five weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Nigeria and return on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from Dubai.

According to Mr. Olabanji Ola, its spokesperson, outbound flights will depart from Murtala

Muhammed International Airport in Lagos to stop over at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport enroute Dubai.

“Current planning has the LagosDubai route operated by an Airbus A330-200. Fitted to offer the very best in-flight comfort and style, the A330 is an environmentallyfriendly product that provides the highest degree of operational flexibility and passenger comfort.

The A330 will offer a two class configuration with 30 Premier Business Class seats and 187 Economy Class seats.”

In a statement, Mr Ola said “Passengers will have individual secluded booth areas that contain flat beds featuring an in-built massage system complete with a hand held 3.5” inch LCD screen unit controlling seat and lighting functions”.

Agency to generate more credible geosciences data for solid minerals devt

By Etuka Sunday

M

r Alex Ndubuisi, the Director-General of Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), said the agency would intensify efforts to generate more credible geo-sciences data to ensure development of solid minerals.

Ndubuisi stated this in Abuja at a reception organised by the NISE Town Union to mark his recent appointment as the new the Director-General of the agency.

He said although the programme of generating credible data had been ongoing, more effort

would be intensified to generate more.

He said that the availability of credible geo-sciences data in the country had become necessary as it would increase the interest of investor and competitiveness in the sector.

Ndubuisi said that the agency would make available enough geosciences data for research, industry and investors ``The agency, being responsible for the generation of geosciences data, my vision is to increase the level of geosciences data available in this country.’’

He said that the agency would

take things one after the other toward investment in the solid mineral sector with a credible geosciences data.

He said that the Minister of Mines and Steel Development had drawn up a lot of policy which would actually encourage people to invest in the solid mineral sector.

He said that mining was a long time business but Nigeria had to start from somewhere, adding that ``we are pushing even though we are trying to increase the tempo’’.

Mr Musa Sada, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development,

urged the director-general to turn around the agency as the ministry would support him to move the agency to the next level.

The minister, who was represented by Mr John Mshelia, the Director of Planning, Policy and Administration Management, said that the ministry would encourage the development of credible data gathering in the country.

The Chairman of NISE, Mr Don Obiekie, advised the director general to uplift the standard of the agency, appealing to the staff to support him, to achieve the transformation agenda of the current administration.

he Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki has advised Shanghai Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Engineering Company Limited (SPTDE) to establish electricity transformers’ manufacturing company in the country.

Dikki who received a team from the company led by its Nigerian partner, Kenneth Awara of Beresford Electric Power Limited said, at present, there was no company in Nigeria producing electricity transformers and allied products.

He said the reforms in the power sector had opened up a vast market in the electricity sector and the Bureau is willing to assist genuine investors to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the sector.

In a statement by the Head, Public Communications, BPE, Chigbo Anichebe promised that should Shanghai “decide to establish electricity transformers’ company in Nigeria, the Bureau will assist the company to link up with the relevant government institutions that will grant approvals and licences”.

On power generation, Dikki stated that the estimated power requirements was 40,000 megawatts while the nation had installed capacity of 11,000 megawatts, thus the investment opportunities were here.

Earlier, the Vice General Manager of the Shanghai Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Engineering Company Limited, Mr. Victor King noted that Nigeria had a huge market with its status as the first in Gross Domestic Product (GPD) in Africa.

He said the company intended to take advantage of the huge market to establish its presence in the country and that currently it was in talks with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to establish areas of collaboration.

SPTDE is a specialized professional engineering company in the Shanghai Engineering Company (SEC)’s power transmission & distribution group.

It was established in 1986 and its core business are, power generation, power transmission & distribution, Heavy industrial machinery, transportation and environment protection among others.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 21

TAX Alert What constitutes ‘trade’ for tax purposes: guidelines for the general public

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his article clarifies the FIRS’ position on what constitutes ‘trade’ or business for tax purposes. In accordance with the Companies Income Tax Act (CITA), and the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA), any trade is subject to tax under CITA and PITA, even if that trade is carried out by friendly societies, cooperative societies, charitable and ecclesiastical organizations, or trade unions. .

CITA states that “any trade or business for whatever period of time such trade or business may have been carried on” shall be subject to Companies Income Tax (Sec 9(1)(a)). The profits of certain institutions are exempt from tax under CITA, but only in so far as such profits are not derived from ‘trade or business’ (Sec. 19(1) (a, b, c, e)). This means that the profits of any organization that are derived from ‘trade’ shall be subject to Companies Income Tax. This raises the question, what exactly constitutes ‘trade’?

A definition of the word ‘trade’ cannot be found in Nigerian tax legislation although an attempt was made in PITA. The interpretation Section of the Fifth Schedule of PITA defines “trade or business” to mean “trade or business or that part of a trade or business the profits of which are assessable under this Act”.

However, the issue has been addressed in several legal cases, the rulings of which provide some legal certainty regarding how the courts interpret the word (see Section 2). In line with these rulings, ‘trade’ can be regarded as “the business of buying and selling or bartering goods or services”.

Furthermore, the one-off nature of an activity in no way invalidates that activity as constituting trade.

This interpretation matches the approach in other jurisdictions, namely the UK and USA (see Section 3).

Case Law in Nigeria Although no explicit definition of ‘trade’ exists in the law, the issue has been addressed in several legal cases, the rulings of which provide some legal certainty regarding how the courts interpret the word.

The most important case is that of Arbico Ltd v. FBIR, {1996} 2 All NLR 303. The plaintiff in the dispute, Arbico, had acquired a plot of land, erected a building, and sold the property at a profit.

The company was subsequently assessed for tax on the proceeds of the sale of property The Company objected to the assessment on the basis that the transaction was a one-off and therefore did not constitute ‘trade’. The case was ultimately settled in the Supreme Court. In the ruling the Court laid down two important axioms: • Firstly, that the word ‘trade’ should be interpreted in its

widest sense, in accordance with its common everyday meaning; • Secondly, that an isolated one-off transaction can still constitute a “trade”.

In line with the ruling of the Supreme Court, the following definition seems to capture the common meaning of the word ‘trade’. Trade is “the business of buying and selling or barter in goods or services”(taken from Black’s Law Dictionary, Eighth Ed. (2004)).

Treatment Jurisdictions

in

Other

Tax

In considering what constitutes ‘trade’ for tax purposes it is useful to consider how the issue is addressed in other jurisdictions.

In the UK, as in Nigeria, there is no statutory definition of the word ‘trade’. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) relies on case law to formulate a working definition. HMRC states that “Usually, trading involves the provision of goods or services to customers on a commercial basis”.

As in Nigerian case law, “Simply because a venture is a one-off or occasional does not mean that it will not be treated as trading for tax purposes”. It is interesting to note that although the HMRC definition employs the notion of ‘commercial basis’, HMRC explicitly states that whether or not the profits of an activity are ultimately used for charitable purposes is not relevant for the determination of whether or not that activity constitutes a trade.

In the USA, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employs a similar approach to HMRC. IRS regards ‘trade’ as including “any activity carried on for the production of income from selling goods or performing services”.

It is interesting to note how IRS treats the trading activities of an

organisation that also carries out tax exempt activities. IRS states that “an activity does not lose its identity as a trade or business merely because it is carried on within a larger group of similar activities that may, or may not, be related to the exempt purposes of the organizations. In other words, a single organisation can undertake both exempt activities and trading activities. This implies that an organisation cannot argue that none of its activities constitute ‘trade’ just because it undertakes some exempt activities.

Badges of Trade In 1955 in England, the Royal Commission on the Taxation of Profits and Income in reaction to whether a statutory definition of trade was necessary, said that “each case must be decided to its own circumstance (1955 Cmnd.9474 para.116) and suggested badges of trade” which they considered to be the major relevant considerations that will facilitate in determining whether any profit is a taxable trading profit or not. Badges of trade refer to certain indicators that may be used in determining the factual question as whether an activity is trade or not. Case law has expanded it to 9. The badges of trade are: Profit seeking motive.

An intention to make a profit supports trading, but by itself is not conclusive.

The number of transaction. Systematic and repeated transactions will support ‘trade’. An isolated transaction may also constitute a trade.

Existence of similar trading transactions or interests.

Transactions that are similar to those of an existing trade may themselves be trading.

Changes to the asset.

Was the asset repaired, modified or improved to make it more easily saleable or saleable at a

greater profit?

The way the sale was carried out. Was the asset sold in a way that was typical of trading organizations? Alternatively, did it have to be sold to raise cash for an emergency?

The source of finance.

Was money borrowed to buy the asset? Could the funds only be repaid by selling the asset?

Interval of time between purchase and sale. Assets that are the subject of trade will normally, but not always, be sold quickly.

Therefore, an intention to resell an asset shortly after purchase will support trading. However, an asset, which is to be held indefinitely, is much less likely to be a subject of trade.

Method of acquisition.

An asset that is acquired by inheritance, or as gift, is less likely to be the subject of trade.

These ‘badges’ will not be present in every case and of those that are, some may point one way and some the other. The presence or absence of a particular badge is unlikely, by itself, to provide a conclusive answer to the question of whether or not there is a trade.

The weight to be attached to each badge will depend on the precise circumstances.

FIRS Position A definition of the word ‘trade’ cannot be found in Nigerian tax law. However, the issue has been addressed in several legal cases, the rulings of which provide some legal certainty regarding how the courts interpret the word. In line with these rulings, ‘trade’ can be regarded as “the business of buying and selling or bartering goods or services”. Where one or more of the criteria on the badges of trade apply, FIRS will treat such transaction as trade.

Furthermore, the one-off nature of an activity in no way invalidates that activity as constituting a trade. This interpretation

matches the approach in other jurisdictions, namely the UK and USA. The following decided cases are relevant in this regard: i In the case of Marlin Vs Lowry (1955)3 All ER 48; 11 TC 297), a person without previous knowledge of linen trade bought a surplus stock of aeroplane linen from government which he sold to the public in small lots. He engaged employees for the re-packaging and embarked on sales” promotion through extensive adverts and campaigns.

It was held that he was trading. ii In Murray Vs I.R. Comrs (1951, 32 TC 238), where a timber merchant who bought standing timbers in two plantations and could not cut them due to labour cost, sold the rights to cut the timbers to meet his indebtedness. He was assessed to tax on the profit from the transaction. He contended that the sale was a capital transaction since it was not in the normal course of his business but it was held that the transaction was part of his normal trading as a timber merchant. iii In Burge Vs Pyne (1969, All ER 467), a club proprietor providing facilities for bar, dancing, cabaret, fruit machines and gambling, appealed against the inclusion of his winnings in his assessment. The appeal was dismissed on the ground that the winnings formed part of his regular income from the trade of running the club.

From the foregoing and in accordance with the provisions of CITA, any friendly society, cooperative societies, charitable and ecclesiastical organizations or trade unions that carry out trade as defined and described above would be liable to tax on income derived from such trade.

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

Business

NCC: Anticipating the broadband boom

By Okechukwu Okonta

T

he Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah, has told the international community to expect a broadband boom in the Nigeria’s telecoms sector. He gave the promise during his presentation at the sub-Saharan Africa Regional Summit at the GSMA Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, Spain.

According to Juwah, the success attained with the voice services will be replicated in the Nigerian broadband market.

He feels sure that the telecom revolution phase of Nigeria’s development has passed and has to give way to the broadband revolution that will eventually impact positively in the lives of every Nigerian. He therefore told the audience to expect mobile broadband boom in Nigeria whose teledensity has grown from 400,000 telephone lines in 2001 to the 120 million subscribers (and still counting), representing a ratio of 0.04 percent and 86 percent teledensity in 1999 and 2012 respectively.

The NCC helmsman believes the commission would fasttrack the growth of Nigeria to a knowledge economy and the contributions of broadband to GDP growth with a number of initiatives including the auction of 2.3 GHz spectrum license in February, a fully articulated broadband Industry Infrastructure framework, licensing of infrastructure companies, among others.

Most importantly, he assured that the government has initiatives that would assist potential investors with the necessary framework to set their investments on the right footing for the broadband market. Broadband availability will be achieved through wellarticulated government policies, effective and independent regulation that attracts the necessary investments, among others.

Again drawing attention to the tremendous success achieved with the voice services, Juwah told the audience that Nigeria is ripe for broadband having concluded the sale of the 2.3GHz spectrum while looking forward to licensing companies that will provide infrastructure for a national broadband network on a nondiscriminatory, open access and price regulated basis to all service providers. He also informed the audience that the NCC would license 2.5 and 2.6GHz bands before end of this financial year.

“We are creating enabling environment and incentives for

NCC building

the private sector to roll out broad band networks which will be a one off incentive for last mile to be achieved. We will replicate the success we made in voice in broadband plan as we proceed on the journey.

“We are also going to license more retail services and encourage the operators where possible to extend fibre to homes and businesses on their own.

Government is committed to providing incentives to winners of infrastructure licenses”, he said He observed, rightly, that for Nigeria to be part of 21st century knowledge economy there is need to leverage on the potentials of broadband. To realise Vision 20-2020, he said Nigeria must take advantage of broadband and become an e-economy. Broadband has the potential to stimulate business activities, providing support for other sectors of the economy as

well as providing better living and governance.

With Nigeria’s internet penetration a mere 32.9 percent and broadband penetration at 6.1 percent, the NCC boss thinks it is time to galvanise the data segment of the ICT sector to the level where the voice segment has reached.

He reiterated his belief in the ‘open access model’ to adequately address the problem of broadband access because the establishment of the broadband networks in the metropolitan areas would aid in extending access to households and businesses.

The objective of this initiative, he said, is to stimulate a new national broadband network that is not only more widespread but also faster and more secure than what is available today. With the open access model to drive broadband penetration nationwide, he

assured that the strategy will be operator-neutral, providing a network that is open to all players on equal terms.

Accordingly, it would offer efficient connectivity as well as ultra-high-speed broadband services that are available, affordable and sustainable. The open access model, therefore, is also envisaged to address the challenges of congested and unplanned settlements, the challenges around infrastructure sharing and other issues such as high cost of right of way for the service providers.

The model will potentially help optimize the cost of broadband access across Nigeria and ensure that all operators, whether large or small, have equal access to broadband infrastructure.

The proposed industry structure offers infrastructure companies as entities that complement the existing industry players by focusing

on the market gap and offering non-discriminatory open access wholesale bandwidth services to investors. Juwah explained that proposed structure allows existing players to operate on the basis of business-as-usual, with the option of leasing their inter-city and existing metropolitan fibre infrastructure.

He assured that the commission will continue to create an enabling environment for private sector participation and robust investment in the broadband ecosystem to fast-track its penetration. Like the GSM counterpart, Nigeria’s broadband market is obviously one of the top markets in the world with potential for good returns on investment and here opens a fresh investment chapter to further enhance telecoms sector contributions to the nation’s economy.

Okonta is an ICT entrepreneur writing from Lagos

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

Stock Watch

Report as at Thursday, June 5, 2014

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

Interview

OIC, a political and not religous organisation – Secretary-General What is your mission to Nigeria?

I

am here on a visit not a mission. Nigeria is an important member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (IOC).

It has taken more and more interest in the last few years. As you know, it is now the fourth largest contributor and partner of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). The President (Goodluck Jonathan ) attended the last summit of the (IDB) in Cairo (Egypt) and we look forward to seeing the Foreign Minister (Aminu Wali), to attend the coming council of foreign ministers’ meeting on June 18 in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia); which will be the first time a full minister (from Nigeria) will come to the CFM. The visit is basically to show solidarity with Nigeria in the way it is confronting insurgency. It is also an opportunity for me to thank the Nigerian government for the support in voting for me as the Secretary General; and I hope this confidence will continue?

The OIC recently issued a strong-worded statement against the Boko Haram sect over the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria. Can you clarify what the group meant by taking such stance?

Let me first of all make some clarifications before I answer that question directly. Many people, not only in Nigeria, think of the OIC as a religious organisation, which it isn’t.

It is a political organisation.

It has 57 member states which ranks it as the second

Mr. Iyad Ameen Madani is the current Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). A journalist who had held several cabinet posts, including minister of information in his country, Saudi Arabia, Mr. Madani is the first Saudi official to become secretary general of the OIC. He was in Abuja on Monday, and in this brief interview with Ahmed I. Shekarau, he explained why the OIC stridently criticised Boko Haram’s activities, especially the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, why Nigerian Christians should not entertain fears about Nigeria’s membership of the group, and many more. Excerpts: largest international body after the United Nations.

And the members are states and governments; Nigeria is a member, Indonesia, etc. The areas of involvement of the OIC cuts across all human activities: political conflicts that relate to member states, economic and sustainable development of member states; also stimulating development through science and technology, education and culture, etc.

It is not about preaching Islam or asking people to convert to Islam. But what combines the 57 countries is common interest, identity, by either being Muslims or part of Islamic culture.

Our position is that Boko Haram is not a movement for liberation or human rights, but a movement of terrorists.

Any movement that allows itself to kill innocent people, destroy places of worship and kidnap innocent schoolgirls cannot be a liberation movement.

We said this is not Islamic.

They raised the banner of Islam. How can anybody associate Islam with such act of indiscriminate killing or kidnapping? It is a crime

Mr. Iyad Ameen Madani

not only against Islam or any particular religion, but against humanity.

So we came out strongly with a statement describing them as outlaws and their action as criminal. But these are not enough. The statement needs to be followed by action, where help is necessary.

Although you said OIC is a political organisation of countries inhabited wholly or partly by Muslims, one would have thought that it will be pleased with this particular action of Boko Haram, through which it said

it converted nearly 100 girls to Islam?

How can we be pleased with that? These are not group of girls who want to be Muslims on their own.

They were kidnapped by force and the head of Boko Haram went on television to say ‘Allah’ told him to kidnap those girls. He later said ‘Allah’ instructed him to sell those girls at a cheaper price. This is madness. Nobody in their right mind, let alone an organisation that has 57 member states, will accept that. I have heard all sorts of stories, that the Boko Haram has been hijacked

by Israel intelligence; that the Israel intelligence is using them to dismantle not only the fabric of Nigeria as a country where Muslims and Christians lived together, but also Islam and Muslims in Africa. We are concerned about persecution of Islam and Muslims in other parts of the world especially Europe, and we would always commit ourselves to protecting their rights.

But we are not pleased with the issues of kidnap and forceful conversion.

There have been allegations,

especially in Nigeria that some Muslimdominated countries are sponsoring Boko Haram. How do you react to that?

I can tell you as the secretary general of the OIC that we have no inclination that any Muslim country is supporting Boko Haram.

Why will they support Boko Haram? What will any Muslim country benefit from religious strife in Nigeria? A strong Nigeria is a contribution to the Islamic world. It is a support for OIC and a contribution to Africa.

What strategic advantage is it that any country which is an OIC member-state would like to support (Boko Haram)?

Unless the dismantling of a powerful African country is to their advantage; unless strife between Muslims and other religious groups is to their advantage; unless picturing Islam and Muslims as deviant and violent people is to their advantage. All of these are not to the advantage of any Muslim OIC member-state.

As you admitted tacitly, Islam and Muslims are today viewed as war mongers, and most countries

that are in war today are either Muslimdominated or, those behind the acts of violence are believed to be Muslims. What is the OIC doing to change this negative perception?

First of all, it is not historically true that Muslims are behind all wars. The two largest world wars were purely European wars. Muslims were used; for instance people in Senegal were recruited with a promise that they would be equals with the Europeans.

But we all know that after the wars, none of those promises came to pass. If look at the largest war after the Second World War, none of them were Muslims. If you say that there is violence in Iraq because Iraq is Muslim, then you simply ignored the fact that Iraq is a country that was invaded.

And when the invaders dismantled the state, everything was destroyed; the bureaucracy, army and the security was destroyed.

And this makes people

Mr. Madani stressing a point during the interview

to go back to marginal sense of identity for their personal protection. In every case where there is violence, you have to look at the context. Are the Muslims in Myanmar responsible for the violence in that country?

The answer is No. They are minorities and they are being subjugated to right wing Buddhist groups and Monks. They denied them their citizenship. So it is not accurate that Muslims are responsible for crises in the world.

Some of the wars are results of injustices perpetrated by

“

Unless the dismantling of a powerful African country is to their advantage; unless strife between Muslims and other religious groups is to their advantage; unless picturing Islam and Muslims as deviant and violent people is to their advantage. All of these are not to the advantage of any Muslim OIC member-state

governments through bad governance and corruption. Does the OIC in particular, or through the IDB, have any mechanism that helps to enthrone good governance and discourage or minimise corruption in member states?

Corruption and good governance are the responsibilities of each country and its society.

When the IDB comes to a particular country, it makes sure that the project it supports are transparent. It does not involved in cases of corruption in any country; it is not its business. The IDB has been very active in Nigeria and many other member states in areas of infrastructure: roads, dams, airports, etc. We are working to also increase the IDB role in the area of microeconomics, where micro-credit is given to small production units. Not only loans in the financial sense but also capacity building, access to the financial market place, etc.

We hope that that will be the priority in the next stage of the bank’s activities.

This way the network of people benefiting from the IDB will be larger and many countries have started their own work of

microfinance. Our aim is to make a way for the IDB to be more active and able to finance (projects), with the guarantees that are needed for subjectivity.

If, as you said, Nigeria is the fourth largest contributor to the IDB, why is its impact not felt much in the country through such project financing?

Maybe this is IDB’s fault, but to publicise more projects that involves them, for your own newspaper, we can provide you with some data on the projects that IDB has been involved in Nigeria or in general. IDB is a bank that works quietly; it finances projects and gets involved in developmental areas. It is not a media entity. So the fault is actually yours not the bank’s, for ignoring such activities. You told me you are a newspaper that caters for the average man.

The average man requires sustainable development more than anybody.

The IDB has infinite resources and is governed by a governing board.

It is an institution with policies, bureaucracies and priorities. But we all want the IDB to do more.

I think they have done a marvelous job in 40 years, which they will celebrate in

a couple of weeks. I think they are using this occasion to rethink the IDB. They want to see how they can do more. There are other things we used to push for development, there is an organ used to dismantle trade barriers so that they will do better. The aim was to bring it to 20%, which I think the objective will be met. And these agreements, whether to encourage trade, are the tools by which the OIC works.

When Nigeria joined the OIC in 1986, there was a huge outcry by the Christian community in the country over fears that it was a move to Islamise the country. Now, religion has become one of the major fault lines in the country, and that sentiment still reverberates. What is the OIC doing to douse such fears, in spite of your earlier statement that it is more a political organisation than a religious one?

Nigeria is a member of ECOWAS and some members of ECOWAS are Muslims. Did this create any problem between Nigeria and these countries being members of other organisations? No. It did not because ECOWAS has nothing to do with religion.

It is purely economic issues. So being a member state of an organisation should be judged based on the objectives (of such organisation). The OIC like I told you is a political organisation.

The membership is governmental; there are no religious groups that are members of the OIC. I think this feeling that some Nigerians may have felt at some point in time that the country is being taken over by some Muslim group is misplaced. Secondly, I think in Africa, this notion of religion against religion is not an African notion. African tradition, even before Islam and Christianity, was a religion of acceptance and tolerance.

And most families in Africa have people belonging to all the religious groups.

The African identity is just one identity and does not care about religion.

Now, I hope the nearly 30 years of membership (of the OIC by Nigeria) proves to all Nigerians that the organisation is not meant to serve one religious or political group.

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

Islam

OIC, Boko Haram and the vituperations of CAN

Secretary General of OIC, Iyad Ameen Madani

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n the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All Praise is due to Allah! We praise Him and we seek help from Him. We ask forgiveness from Him. We repent to Him; and we seek refuge in Him from our evils and bad deeds. Anyone who is guided by Allah is indeed guided; and anyone who has been left astray, will find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, the Only One without any partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and final messenger to mankind. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon His last and final apostle, his household, his companions and all his followers till the end of time.

Last week witnessed the solidarity visit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) especially made to Nigeria. The Secretary-General of the important organization, Sheikh Iyad Ameen Madani was received by the Nigerian president, Mr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at the Presidential Villa. They had a closed door meeting with the Mr. President where they discussed issues of mutual benefit and concern.

At the end of the meeting, Sheikh Iyad Ameen Madani told State House correspondents of that: “We are here to express our solidarity with Nigeria in facing up to this terrorist organisation and to condemn the terrorist acts they have been committing and to show our condolences to the Nigerian people”.

He went further and in strong terms to condemn both Boko Haram and their atrocious activities. He said, “What they do is criminal acts that have nothing to do, absolutely nothing to do with Islam, Islamic teachings, the religion of Islam, the history of

CAN President, Ayo Oritsejafor

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau

Islam, the culture and civilisation of Islam and we should identify them for what they are as a terrorist group”. He also took time to show case the principles of his organization in the following words: “Africa, we keep saying, is a model of such tolerance. Its history is the history of tolerance, and of living together; we keep saying that the African tradition is something that needs to stay. This is where the principles or OIC position is.

There are of course the economic and social aspects to that conflict and similar conflicts elsewhere in the world”. He moved a step ahead from mere words to action where he expressed the readiness of the OIC to help alleviate the hardship being experienced by communities affected by the activities of the insurgents.

He said again that OIC is a political and not a religious organization, and is prepared to assist the country in convening inter-faith dialogue, based on the request of Nigeria, in order to promote unity and religious tolerance amongst Nigerians; Muslims and Christians alike.

One of the comments that followed this commendable visit and was very unfortunate, came from the Secretary General of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Mr. Musa Asake! He said, “Such statements (of Mr. Madani) cannot be true given the antics and antecedents of the Boko Haram sect”. Also, he suggested that if the OIC said that Boko Haram members are not Muslims, they should meet with Boko Haram because the sect had told the whole world that they are Muslims, and that Boko Haram wants to upturn Nigeria’s Constitution and put in place Sharia.

Let Mr. Asake arrange a meeting with the Boko Haram since being a Nigerian and a

ISLAM EXPLAINED

By Husain Zakariyya Yawale +234-8052952900 (sms only) islamexplained35@yahoo.com secretary general of CAN must have a secured communication link with them or at least knows their exact whereabouts. The OIC secretary general does not know anything about Boko Haram, apart from what he reads from newspapers or watch on satellite television.

If only Mr. Asake was stable emotionally, there is no reason for him to point at OIC secretary general with the following words: “They should tell us the steps and actions they have taken to show that Boko Haram (members) are anti-Islam”. He has forgotten that OIC is not a government of any nation. It is not like the American, Israelii, German, UK or China governments which possess all that it takes to level the forest of Sambisa within hours, if not for the innocent captives and the sovereignty of the Nigerian nation!

I remember reading the statement of the CAN President, Mr. Ayo Oritsejafor after the bombing at Suleja, were he said that if the federal government cannot protect them, they will have no option but to protect themselves.

I wrote and challenged him in one of my articles on terrorism to please avail all Nigerians with the power in their possession to protect them from the slaughters of Boko Haram.

Could anybody believe what

I got as a reply? A man with hidden number and husky voice called me and warned me never to talk against the man of God (Mr. Oritsejafor)!

What is most disheartening was what CAN Director of National Issues, Mr. Sunday Oibe, told THISDAY that nobody would believe OIC in view of the atrocities committed by Boko Haram sect in the name of Islam.

“They proclaim Islam; it is for them (OIC) to go and sort themselves out. These are people who have been taught and radicalized by Islamic clerics. In fact, we are suspecting the OIC”.

For this accusation to come from the calibre of person in question is a very serious indictment which can go beyond the pages of newspapers.

Though I am not stepping in for the OIC or any organization, I feel this vituperation is a serious joke. This, by inference, CAN is saying that OIC is the founder and financier of the dreaded Boko Haram!

Otherwise, of what basis would good host level such accusation against his guest who travelled from a distant part of the world to commiserate and sympathize with him, and even offered to financially assist the government on the internally displaced people?

The whole statements of CAN officials towards the OIC official is

nothing but categorical mischief, and a ploy to distract both the government and the public from benefitting from the unprecedented visit at no better time than this!

Thus, one can sum it up by saying the minds of most Nigerians that CAN’s incumbent president has made so many inciting statements in the past, which have further deepened the division in our country, and hampered possibility of cordial inter-faith dialogue which will eventually create a situation where we will be living together without suspicion and mistrust!

Although the statement made

by Mr. Asake is unfortunate and seriously disheartening, I want to believe that we should go ahead with the planned inter-faith international conference later in the year. His vituperation should instead give us a stronger zeal and determination to hold this conference, come what may, in order to solidly bring adherents of both faiths together.

Holy men should always endeavour to speak good unless they are under the spell and insinuations of the devil! Chai, there is God o!

“These are Muslims; it is not only in Nigeria, look at other Islamic countries, there are killings also. If they are rejecting Boko Haram.

It is not on paper, while the people are doing the havoc.

“Boko Haram proclaims Islam, Koran who want to enthrone Sharia in Nigeria. So who is fooling who?

They are Muslims as far as we are concerned, he said.

Oibe further maintained that CAN is completely opposed to the participation of OIC in the forthcoming inter-faith conference billed to take place in Nigeria.

“We don’t want OIC again in Nigeria; they like coming through the back door”.

P A G E

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

International

On anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in Europe

The rise of the far right in Europe has fed Islamophobic sentiments, writes Farris

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ANALYSIS

n 1844, Karl Marx published a short but dense text entitled “On the Jewish Question”. It was a critical review of two essays by the-then famous philosopher Bruno Bauer, who had argued against equal rights for Jews if granted on religious grounds. If Jews wanted to be considered full citizens Bauer maintained echoing the widespread opinion of the time - Jews would have to abandon their religion and embrace Enlightenment. According to this logic, there was no room for religious demands in a secular society.

As Bauer’s position suggests, anti-Jewish racism in Germany and elsewhere in Europe in the first half of the 19th century, was justified mainly on cultural and religious grounds. Jews were discriminated and regarded with suspicion because they were considered an alien “nation within the nation”. In fact, it was not until the second half of the 19th century and the rise of “social Darwinism” that “racial anti-Semitism”, framed in biological terms, appeared on the political scene and Jews

were openly discriminated against on the basis of their alleged genetic inferiority.

The question we might want to ask ourselves today is whether contemporary Europe is confronting a Muslim question similar to the Jewish question 170 years ago. Is European antipathy towards Muslims comparable to that first stage of hatred towards Jews, a hatred that culminated in one of the darkest pages of human history?

In spite of the obvious differences between the two contexts, the success of the far right during the recent elections in several European countries seems to suggest that

the answer is a resounding yes.

The victory of these parties attests to the incredible gains made by Islamophobic propaganda in the last ten years. In France, the president of the National Front, Marine Le Pen - who obtained one quarter of all votes - has asked school canteens to stop offering Muslim children alternatives to pork. In Britain, the UK Independence Party campaigned against the construction of mosques and became the biggest winner in the elections, with an astonishing 27.5 percent of the vote.

Many of these parties, as well as those who voted for them,

“

do not consider themselves racists. After all, the problem with Muslims - according to the likes of Le Pen - is their alleged backwardness, fanaticism and unwillingness to integrate.

In short, it is the Muslims’ fault. Just like the Jewish question of the 19th century, the contemporary Muslim question is premised upon cultural differences and thus presented as legitimate and politically correct.

Though immigrants in general are singled out as a social and economic threat to European societies and workers, it is Muslims in particular who have come to epitomise the “bad other”.

Though immigrants in general are singled out as a social and economic threat to European societies and workers, it is Muslims in particular who have come to epitomise the “bad other”.

This has been achieved not only through the xenophobic propaganda of the far right.

Actually, conservatives and even liberal and left-wing parties have contributed to the fanfare.

On the one hand, conservative leaders such as current UK Prime Minister David Cameron, France’s former President Nicolas Sarkozy and Italy’s former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi have repeatedly invoked the Christian roots of European countries, while, on the other, a much broader gamut of political forces, including liberals and leftists, have participated in decrying the headscarf as a symbol of backwardness and oppression.

The voices nourishing antiMuslim sentiment across Europe come from all sides of the political map.

Muslims have thus become, at least in many ways, the new Jews. They have become the scapegoats onto whom Europeans are projecting their anxieties about the future.

Conservative and far-right politicians constantly intensify and exploit these anxieties in order to enhance neoliberal and nationalist agendas, while most liberal and left-wing parties have imitated the racist right, perhaps hoping it will bring them more votes.

Marx understood this process all too well. He criticised Bauer for claiming that the lack of political emancipation for the Jews was the result of their culture and religion. Marx maintained that religion had nothing to do with the continued discrimination of the Jews. The prejudice against the Jews and their lack of rights, Marx argued, is to be understood in the broader context of the state’s structural inequalities.

The transmutation of the Muslims into the Jews of the 19th century does not mean that a new genocide is imminent, or that the tragedy of the Jewish people in 20th century Europe will be replicated as the tragedy of the Muslim people in the 21st.

History does not repeat itself in this way. But history can rhyme. It will only be the redoubled work of anti-racist militants and organisations that can potentially prevent that rhyme.

Courtesy; Aljazeera

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 28

International Al Jazeera staff face 15 years in Egypt jail Burundi prepares to send more troops to CAR

B

urundi is ready to send more troops to the Central African Republic (CAR), where international forces are trying to put an end to sectarian violence, the country’s President Pierre Nkurunziza has said.

“We have been asked by the African Union and the United Nations to raise the number of our troops in the CAR,” Nkurunziza said during a visit to Paris on Wednesday.

“We are ready to deploy 450 troops and have prepared two police units of a total of 280 officers.”

Burundi is looking for necessary equipment and support from its partners to see the mission through, he added.

Sectarian violence between Christians and Muslims in the Central African Republic, a former French colony, has left tens of thousands dead and displaced around a quarter of the country’s 4.6 million people.

Burundi currently has 850 men in the 6,000-strong African peacekeeping force known as MISCA, which is trying to contain the crisis along with about 2,000 French troops.

MISCA will gradually be replaced by a 12,000-strong UN peacekeeping force from September.

‘Tragic circumstances’ On Wednesday, the UN food aid and refugee agencies appealed for funds to cope with a growing humanitarian crisis in Cameroon caused by thousands of refugees fleeing the Central African Republic.

The World Food Programme and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said up to 2,000 people a week were crossing into neighbouring Cameroon, many of them wounded in sectarian clashes and suffering from malnutrition after weeks hiding in the bush.

“People are arriving in absolutely tragic circumstances and in a context in which support for humanitarian organisations is reduced, because this is a forgotten crisis,” UN refugee chief Antonio Guterres told the AFP news agency.

“The appeals we have launched have been financed to a level of around 10 percent,” said Guterres, who also warned that there was “a real risk of regional spillover” from a conflict that has taken increasingly ethno-religious tones.

E

gyptian prosecutors have demanded the “maximum” penalty of up to 25 years’ jail for three Al Jazeera English journalists accused of aiding the Muslim Brotherhood.

The call came on Thursday as prosecutors delivered their closing arguments against Baher Mohamed,

Al Jazeera’s journalists have been held in a cage while the court is in session

Peter Greste and Mohamed Fahmy in the court in Cairo.

The prosecution told the court that the three journalists had used “selective filming” to unfairly portray a protest in Tahrir Square on June 30, 2013, against Mohamed Morsi, whose presidency was overthrown by the army days later.

None of the accused was in Egypt at the time.

The prosecution also said that Al Jazeera’s report on sexual assaults in Tahrir Square during protests against Morsi was designed to show Egypt in a bad light.

Mohamed, Greste and Fahmy have been imprisoned since

December accused of producing false news and providing a platform to the Brotherhood.

The defence then opened their case. Lawyers said their clients were part of a show trial manufactured to appease public opinion.

The session was the 11th since the three were arrested. The prosecution has also charged 16 Egyptians with joining the Muslim Brotherhood, designated as a “terrorist group”.

If found guilty, Egyptian nationals could get prison terms of 25 years, while foreigners face 15 years in jail, according to defence lawyer Ibrahim Abdel Wahab.

A fourth Al Jazeera journalist Abdullah Elshamy, who works for the Arabic channel, has been jailed without charge since August, and has been on hunger strike since January.

Elshamy’s family, who visited him in a maximum security prison on Wednesday, said that he had told them he had not eaten any food and that no food had entered his cell at any time.

A hearing to decide whether to release him has been postponed until June 11. Elshamy said he will not break his fast until he is freed.

Al Jazeera strongly rejects the charges against its all of its journalists and calls for their immediate release.

Opposition divided over Sudan dialogue

W

hen Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir called for a national dialogue with the opposition some four months ago, he hoped the move would quell years of unrest and “solve the political crisis in Sudan”. The process, however, appears to have further divided the Sudanese opposition, with some forces viewing it as yet another government attempt to cling to power.

Two weeks after the arrest of Al-Sadiq al-Mahdi, a key opposition figure and a proponent of the national dialogue, the whole process appears to be teetering on the brink, as talks about the resumption of the dialogue have been delayed.

Al-Mahdi, 78, was detained for speaking out against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a government-sponsored force

formed in August 2013, which he accused of allegedly committing atrocities in Darfur and Kordofan states. The Umma Party, led by al-Mahdi, was one of the largest opposition parties to sign up to the national dialogue process, as it holds a substantial membership in the two states.

Following al-Mahdi’s criticism, battalions of the RSF were deployed around the Sudanese capital while the Sudanese Armed Forces remained silent. On the same day, the leader of the RSF, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, held a press conference on Al-Sharooq TV in which he stated, “We [the RSF] have the power now - others have to obey us. If the government has an army, let them show us the army.”

Speaking from the Sudanese capital, Magdi El Gizouli, a fellow at the Rift Valley Institute, a

National dialogue has been delayed since the arrest of al-Sadiq al-Mahdi, head of the Umma Party

ore than 200 people have died from the Ebola virus in Guinea in one of the worst ever outbreaks of the disease, the World Health Organisation has said.

The UN’s health agency said on Wednesday it had registered 328 confirmed or suspected cases of Ebola in the country, including 208 deaths, with 21 deaths registered

between May 29 and June 1 alone.

Neighbouring Sierra Leone and Liberia have also reported more infections, said the WHO, which has described west Africa’s first outbreak as one of the most challenging it has faced.

To date, 79 confirmed and suspected cases have been reported in Sierra Leone, the agency said. Six

people have died of the disease.

The disease appeared to have resurfaced in Liberia, which had not recorded a new case for two months.

A person believed to have been infected in Kailahun in Sierra Leone came across the border and died in Foya, the WHO said.

The body was taken back to Kailahun to be buried, it added.

research organisation based in Kenya, told Al Jazeera: “In Khartoum there is an atmosphere of coup, people are afraid that if the government leaves, the RSF will take over and reap chaos

across the country”.

The situation in Khartoum is very confused. No one knows why al-Mahdi has been arrested; the Umma Party has now decided to pull out of the national dialogue.

Ebola kills more than 200 in Guinea M Sierra Leone has restricted travel in some areas, and reaffirmed an earlier ban on trips to funerals in neighbouring Guinea in a bid to stop the spread of the disease.

The virus is one of the world’s most deadly. It was first identified in 1976 in what is now a the Democratic Republic of Congo, in an outbreak which killed 280.

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

International

Indian woman shot dead for resisting rape

R

ebels b l have h shot h t dead d d a 35-year-old mother of four in northeast India after she resisted their attempt to gang-rape her, police said, in the latest string of sexual crimes to shock the country.

Authorities said that armed fighters of the outlawed Garo National

Lib ti A tt k d a woman Liberation Army attacked in the remote south Garo Hills in Meghalaya state late on Tuesday, after locking her husband and children inside a room before turning on her.

“The woman was shot dead by Garo National Liberation Army rebels after she resisted their attempt to molest and rape her”, local police

hi f Lakardor L k d S i told t ld AFP news chief Syiem agency.

Responding to a request of Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, the deputy federal Interior Minister, Kiren Rijiju, said that ten companies of paramilitary, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF) had been

The latest string of sexual violence against women in India has caused a global outrage

t the th province i t ensure the th sentt to to safety of people.

“We received a call from the chief minister and we quickly sent ten companies of paramilitary forces, five companies of CRPF and five BSF companies. And we would send more forces if they need,” he told Reuters.

The Garo National Liberation Army is one of five tribal rebel groups fighting for a separate “Garoland” to be carved out of Meghalaya.

Global outrage As Al Jazeera previously reported, the incident comes amid global outrage over the gang-rape and murder of two teenage girls in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh last week.

The girls, belonging to the lowest Dalit caste, were hanged from a tree in Badaun district, with tests showing they had been sexually attacked multiple times.

On Tuesday, the United Nations condemned the attack on the girls, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon saying he was “appalled” by the Uttar Pradesh killings.

“We say no to the dismissive, destructive attitude of ‘boys will be boys’,” Ban said, referring to a controversial remark made by an Indian politician earlier this year.

Court orders arrest of ex-Pakistan CIA chief

I

slamabad’s High Court has ordered police to press charges against the CIA’s former station chief for murder, conspiracy and waging war against Pakistan.

Judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui issued the orders on Thursday following a 2010 court petition by drone activist Kareem Khan, whose brother and teenage son were killed in a US drone strike in North Waziristan tribal district.

The former top spy left Pakistan in December 2010 after his identity was disclosed through the court

case, and there is little expectation Islamabad will seek his return to face charges.

Khan is being provided with legal assistance by the Foundation for Fundamental Rights, a charity associated with Britain’s Reprieve.

“Today’s order is a victory for all those innocent civilians that have been killed in US-led drone strikes in Pakistan,” he said.

Mirza Shahzad Akbar, his lawyer, said: “We are fighting this legal battle since 2010 and the police was reluctant to pursue our case but

finally we did it, we won the war.”

Khan, who is also a freelance journalist, lost his teenage son Zahinullah and brother Asif Iqbal in the drone strike in December 2009.

He was briefly kidnapped from Rawalpindi in February this year, days before he was due to travel to Europe to speak with German, Dutch and British parliamentarians about his personal experience with drone strikes and the impact they are having on his country.

He was released four days later, blindfolded and dumped on a

roadside at the outskirts of Islamabad, with Pakistani intelligence agencies suspected of being behind the detention.

Approximately 2,155 people have been killed in drone attacks since August 2008, the AFP news agency reported.

The last drone attack on Pakistani soil occurred on December 25, 2013, killing three suspected foghters.

According to media reports the strikes have been temporarily halted at the Pakistani government’s request.

Christians object to serving in Israel’s army

T

he leaders of Israel’s large Palestinian minority are stepping up opposition to Israeli government plans to recruit Christians into the military with a specially convened congress on Friday.

The congress, due to be held in the Galilee town of Sakhnin, will include all the minority’s political factions. It follows an announcement in April from the Israeli Defence Forces that all Christians would receive call-up papers on graduating from high school. An initial batch of 800 papers is due to be issued in the coming weeks.

“The congress will make clear that there is a national consensus against serving in the military and the government has crossed a red line,” said Nadim Nashef, director of Baladna, a youth movement that has led opposition to the government drive.

The Israeli military has insisted that the notices will be treated as an “invitation”, but Nashef said it was widely assumed that Israel intended to impose a compulsory draft at a later stage. Unlike Israeli Jews, most of Israel’s 1.5 million Palestinian citizens, comprising a fifth of the country’s population, have been exempted from conscription since

the state’s establishment more than six decades ago. Many in the minority fear the change in official

policy is intended to fuel tensions with their Muslim compatriots, as part of a “divide and rule” policy.

Netanyahu backed enlistment of Christians after a Nazareth priest went public with his support 18 months ago

Asia & Middle East

Deadly fighting erupts in Iraq’s Samarra

G

overnment forces in the city told Al Jazeera that they believed the men were members of t he Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group (ISIL) and that the army was sending in reinforcements to face them.

They said the fighting was ongoing and that government warplanes were attacking rebel positions in the city, which lies 125 km north of the capital Baghdad.

Sources said the men entered the city in large numbers from the south with heavy weapons attached to pick-up trucks.

ISIL, which grew from the remnants of a now disbanded al-Qaeda-allied group, has been strengthened by involvement in the war in neighbouring Syria and now holds parts of the city of Fallujah, just 65km from Baghdad.

On Thursday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it had delivered medical supplies to Fallujah for the fst time since January, describing conditions in the city as “extremely dire”.

“The situation is very worrying,” said Patricia Guiote, head of the Red Cross sub-delegation in Baghdad and the leader of the five-member team that delivered the supplies to Fallujah.

“People are enduring a severe shortage of food, water and health care. Services at the hospital, which is the only facility still able to provide treatment for the injured and the sick, have been seriously affected by the fighting.”

The ICRC said the team delivering the supplies found “immense needs and a situation that is extremely dire.”

“People in the city are living through a terrible ordeal.”

Upwards of 350 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in months of conflict in Fallujah, according to Doctor Ahmed Shami at the city’s hospital.

Violence in Iraq is running at its highest levels since 2006-2007, the height of the country’s Sunni-Shia sectarian conflict.

More than 900 people were killed last month, according to figures separately compiled by the United Nations and the government.

Over 4,000 have been killed so far this year, according to AFP news agency figures based on security and medical sources.

Officials blame external factors for the rise in bloodshed, particularly the civil war in neighbouring Syria, and insist wide-ranging operations against ISIL and other groups are having an impact.

But the violence continues unabated, with analysts and diplomats saying the Shia-led government needs to do more to reach out to the disaffected Sunni minority to reduce support for rebels.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 30

International

G7 holds off from further Russia sanctions L eaders of the G7 group of industrial nations have limited themselves to warning Russia of another round of sanctions as they urged President Vladimir Putin to stop destabilising Ukraine.

On the first day of the group’s summit in Brussels on Wednesday, the bloc said that Putin must pull Russian troops back from his country’s border with Ukraine and stem the pro-Russian uprising in the east of the country.

“Actions to destabilise eastern Ukraine are unacceptable and must stop,” said the group in a joint statement after the meeting.

“We stand ready to intensify targeted sanctions and to implement significant additional restrictive measures to impose further costs on Russia should events so require.”

However, Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, said that further sanctions would take effect only if there had been “no progress whatsoever”.

Al Jazeera’s James Bays, reporting from Brussels, said: “The G7 leader are talking here again about tougher sanctions on Russia. But they are

Merkel said that further sanctions against Russia would only occur if there had been ‘no progress whatsoever’

talking about the same tougher sanctions they have been talking about for months now.”

Meanwhile, Putin reached out a hand towards dialogue, despite being banned from the summit following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in

March, saying that he was ready to meet Ukraine’s president-elect Petro Poroshenko and US President Barack Obama.

Obama has shown no signs of wanting a meeting with Putin, despite the fact that both leaders will be in

France’s Normandy to mark the 70th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings in Europe.

Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, accused the US of seeking to restrict Russian potentials for preserving its own global leadership.

Eerie silence grips shelled Ukraine town

W

hile government troops refused to clarify who they were fighting in the town, more than 50 pro-Russian rebels

were stationed in the woods nearby on Wednesday, reportedly manning positions on the edge of the town.

Though townspeople said that

The Ukrainian army is carrying out a clean-up operation in parts of Krasny Liman near the embattled city of Slovyansk a day after shelling rocked the town in the east of the country.

shelling - which began on Tuesday morning - claimed several victims, a nurse was only able to confirm that two civilians were wounded during an army attack on a nearby rebel checkpoint along a road heading through heavy forest into Slovyansk, about 18km southeast of Krasny Liman.

On Wednesday, the northern section of Krasny Liman was quiet despite a growing sense of dread among the residents. A group of men outside a grocery expressed shock and anger, saying they could not understand why the army had shelled their town.

‘Brother against brother’

“This is brother against brother,” said Dima, who had bought bread and was heading home to prepare his basement as a shelter for his wife and three young children.

“It doesn’t make any sense. Why would they shoot into a town full of civilians?” he said, adding that the pro-Russian rebels had only set up barricades a little more than a week ago in the town.

The town bore tell-tale signs of the shelling. A bread factory had a large hole blasted through its front wall. Nearby, a house was still smoldering after a direct artillery hit.

The family had left just hours before to stay with relatives.

Hometown of freed US soldier cancels welcome

U

S Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl’s hometown has cancelled a rally planned for later this month celebrating his release from five years of Taliban captivity.

Organisers in Idaho cited concerns that they lacked the resources to safely manage the thousands of supporters and protesters who were expected to converge on the small mountain community of 8,000 residents.

The decision on Wednesday came as pressure mounted to cancel the rally in the face of rising hostility, expressed in a torrent of emails and phone calls directed at city officials and businesses, over claims by Bergdahl’s one time army comrades that he deliberately abandoned his

post in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan “National media attention on Hailey and this event has led many across the nation to believe that the event is intended to be a military parade,” a town statement said, citing public safety concerns as a reason for the cancellation.

Hailey Police Chief Jeff Gunter told the Associated Press the event had been misrepresented in the national media, leading people to think it was some sort of hero’s welcome.

The town has had an event called “Bring Bowe Back” for several years.

That commemoration of his capture was scheduled for June 28, but when news of Bergdahl’s release broke, organisers quickly announced it would be a welcome-home party

instead instead.

Hailey Chamber of Commerce President Jane Drussel said she had received dozens of hateful emails and

Organisers cited public safety concerns as a reason for the cancellation

phone calls over the past few days, starting after she was quoted in news stories saying the town was jubilant that Bergdahl had been released.

Europe and Americas

Police officers shot dead in Canada

T

hree police officers have been shot dead and two others injured in Canada’s east coast province of New Brunswick, police said, as they conducted a manhunt for a man carrying a rifle and wearing camouflage clothes.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in New Brunswick said on its Twitter feed that three officers were dead and two others had sustained non-life threatening injuries on Wednesday. Police spokesman Paul Greene confirmed the deaths.

The RCMP said on Twitter that they were looking for 24-year-old Justin Bourque of Moncton. The police force tweeted an image of a suspect wearing military camouflage and wielding two guns.

Canadian police said on Wednesday night they believed the suspect was at large in a Moncton subdivision. They had a number of roads in the city blocked and traffic was backed up on major arteries across the city.

Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc urged all residents to pay strict attention to the RCMP warnings.

“The police and other emergency personnel are working under extremely difficult conditions and need our complete cooperation.

Stay home, stay safe. If you cannot get home, seek out a friend or family and remain there until you are advised otherwise,’’ LeBlanc said in a statement.

In an interview with CBC News, Greene said the officers were shot in the early evening after responding to reports of a man wearing camouflage clothing and carrying guns.

One witness said he saw the shooter in the distance on Wednesday evening, wearing a camouflage outfit and standing in the middle of the street with his gun pointed at police cars.

Danny Leblanc said he believed it was an RCMP officer he was looking at until he heard a burst of automatic gunfire coming from the man’s gun.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement saying the deaths of the officers would be honoured and remembered.

“This is a sad time for the people of Moncton, the people of New Brunswick and for Canada,” he said.

A Facebook account allegedly belonging to Borque contained messages supporting the right to bear arms and posts critical of the police.

One picture posted on the account a few hours before news of the shootings broke condemns the ‘militarisation’ of the police forces around the world.

Moncton is a city of about 69,000 people about 1,177km east of Canada’s capital, Ottawa.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 31

Strengh World

Blind followers keep dead cult leader in a freezer, claim he is just meditating

S

wami Ashutosh Maharaj, a religious cult leader in India, was pronounced clinically dead, after doctors confirmed he died of heart disease.

However, his followers are unwilling to accept the verdict. Instead, they claim

that he’s simply meditating. They’ve put him in a freezer for now, and they say he’ll be returning to them soon.

Ashutosh Maharaj, over 70 years of age, was the founder of the Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan (DJJS) in Jalandhar city, Punjab. On January

29, he complained of severe chest pain, and is believed to have suffered a heart attack. Dr. Harpal, who examined Ashutosh along with a team of doctors on February 3, said: “After several check-ups, including an ECG test, the team concluded that Ashutosh is

clinically dead.”

But his disciples have yet to be convinced. They insist that he is in a deep state of meditation, called ‘samadhi’. So he has been kept ‘spiritually alive’ on the sprawling, 100acre DJJS premises, in a commercial freezer. “Maharaj has been in deep meditation,” said one of his followers.

“He has spent many years meditating in subzero temperatures in the Himalayas, there is nothing unusual about it. He will return to life as soon as he feels, and we will ensure that his body is preserved until then.

Several politicians in the state of Punjab did send their messages of condolence in January, when Ashutosh’s death was confirmed.

Thousands of followers thronged the DJJS premises back then, mourning their guru’s death. But his close associates quickly retracted the statement about his death and instead claimed that he was meditating. Even the official DJJS website declared: “Shri Ashutosh Maharaj ji has been in deep meditative state since 29th January 2014.” Although the district police confirmed his death initially, the report was dismissed by the Punjab High Court, because they couldn’t intervene in spiritual matters.

The curious case of Ashutosh Maharaj, who is considered to be one of India’s wealthiest gurus, has caused a widespread debate in the nation.

Many people say that since the man has no pulse or heartbeat, he has to be dead. But his disciples insist that these are classic signs of ‘samadhi’ or deep meditation.

Interestingly, the guru left behind properties worth over $150 million, spanning India, the US, South America, Australia, Europe and the Middle East.

Many believe that this massive wealth is actually fuelling the controversy surrounding his death.

His disciples have been accused of denying the guru’s death, because he died before he could choose a successor. Without a successor, all his wealth would go to a charitable trust, which the DJJS obviously do not want. So people say they’re stalling things until a suitable successor can be appointed. “Only Mahararj ji will announce his successor after coming out of his samadhi,” declared the media department of the DJJS. Surprisingly, even Ashutosh Maharaj’s wife and son have accepted his death – they want his body released for cremation. But they aren’t even being acknowledged by followers.

“Ashutosh has no family and was an unmarried ‘sanyasi’ as a matter of principle and tradition,” said a DJJS official. Dalip Jha, Ashutosh’s son, says he’s prepared to go through a DNA test to prove he is Maharaj’s son.

According to some media reports, Ashutosh Maharaj was born as Mahesh Jha in the state of Bihar. He left his home, his wife and his one-month-old baby boy in 1970, arriving in Punjab to spread his spiritual message. He founded the DJJS in 1983, and his spiritual centers spread all over the world. For now, his body has been placed in a heavily guarded freezer, that only his close associates and doctors are allowed to enter.

Chinese dad stranded in Korea after son doodles on his passport

A

Chinese tourist from Shenyang city, in Liaoning Province, known only as ‘Mr. Zhang’, is currently stranded in Korea for a very bizarre reason – his four -year-old son doodled on his passport! The two were on a short father-son bonding trip to Korea, organized by a local hospital, but had to extend their stay after custom officials denied the dad passage due to his doodled passport photo.

This is really serious business for Mr. Zhang, but this story had me laughing out loud, especially after seeing pictures of what the kid did with his dad’s passport.

The little tyke apparently

didn’t realize that it was an important document, and used it as a sketchbook. He drew animals, clouds, plants, people and unintelligible doodles all over the passport, and even ‘improved’ his dad’s photograph with a mustache and beard.

Mr. Zhang was preparing to leave South Korea, when he realized that he had accidentally left his passport with his son.

Unfortunately it was already too late. Obviously, the Korean immigration officials weren’t impressed with the boy’s drawing talent, and they barred him from leaving the country. Mr. Zhang then posted pictures of his son’s masterpiece on Chinese

microblogging site Weibo, with a plea for help. “It’s so depressing,” he wrote. “What am I supposed to do now I cannot go back to China? Solutions? Help?”

The incident took on May 15, and so far it isn’t clear if the man was able to go home or not.

He was advised on Weibo to visit the Chinese embassy for emergency travel documents, but the process could take a while. Some social media users are even doubting the authenticity of the story; they feel that the passport may have been digitally manipulated and posted online (especially because the man’s identity is completely invisible).

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 32

Weekend Revue

WITH TOBIAS LENGNAN DAPAM lovelengz@yahoo.com 07036990957

Mexican movies and offensive tendencies

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

M

exican movies today have become a major source of concern to Nigerians, because they are offensive to conventional standards of decency.

They have the largest audience more than Nollywood, the local movie industry in the country popularly called African magic.

The movies have penetrated the psyche of most Nigerians especially the youths who crave for the contents of the movies designed to arouse lustful feelings and affecting them negatively and therefore unfit for a morally responsible generation. As it stands majority of Nigerians depend on movies from the United States and Mexico. These countries have become the world leaders in production of media content.

With the attitude that the movies have planted in most Nigerian youth, it is just a matter of time before it overflows and spills into their daily activities.

Speaking on the contents, Lauretta George, a sociologist, said the issue is worrisome.

“It is something that we should worry about because this foreign culture posed threat to our own culture. If you look at our youths these days and what they wear, it is a clear indication that immorality has replaced our moral being.

“Some years back, Nigerians were described as the most descent people in the world but I doubt if that is still the case. Our once beautiful African girls including married women have started acting what they watch on those Mexican soap operas.

They wear long coloured hair and paint their faces as if they are going

for Halloween party. The problem is already affecting our family values to the extent that parents do not see anything wrong with the skimpy dresses that their female children are wearing. In fact they appreciate those dresses and even buy them for their children”.

Also speaking, Obed longs, a student of International Institute of Journalism said the whole scenario is in line with globalisation, adding that Nigerians like copying what they watch on the TV. “Because the way it is now with globalisation, many people in the third world countries, not only Nigeria, feel they can only be part of the global village by trying to copy what is being done in those climes.

They feel by wearing those looks, the industrialized societies will begin to see them as equals.

“It is ignorance. If you look at the majority of people being brain washed by such media contents, they are the youths. There is this craze for crazy fashion and what they think is trending thus they want to be part of the mix.

To be able to do what is right, the media in the country must look inwardly and begin to look at the aspect of the country’s rich culture and produce them instead of imitating other foreign movies.

NBC should ban those movies from the air waves and insist on purely local content that are produced and modernized.

If these are being checkmate, the country would restore its lost values and bring home its youths and majority of its women who are currently on the loose acting out a life style that portends destruction for them in the future.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 33

Weekend Revue

Firm loses battle over Marley’s songs A

Marley

Bluntt ffor ‘B Bl ‘Batman t V SSuperman’’ movie i

E

mily Blunt is the latest star to be linked to the upcoming ‘Batman V Superman’ movie.

The British actress, who can currently be seen in cinemas alongside Tom Cruise in ‘Edge of Tomorrow’, is tipped for a part in ‘Dawn Of Justice’, according to Spanish site El Multicine.

She is said to be close to signing up for the film.

Details of the role aren’t known, but some sites have speculated that Emily, 31, could be up for the part of Cat-woman.

The actress was previously said to be in the frame for roles in Iron Man 2 and Captain America: The First Avenger but

would be making her superhero film debut if she does sign up for the ‘Man of Steel’ sequel.

Zack Snyder’s movie, which

has started filming, will see Henry Cavill return as Clark Kent/Superman and Ben Affleck take on Bruce Wayne/Batman.

music company has lost a High Court fight with a rival over the rights to 13 Bob Marley’s songs.

Cayman Music and Blue Mountain Music had aired their dispute at a trial in London in May over the songs.

One of the songs involved was ‘No Woman, No Cry’, one of the late Jamaican reggae star’s most famous works.

The case centred on the ‘’construction’’ of an agreement made in 1992 - 11 years after Marley’s death - under which copyrights in ‘’various musical works’’ were transferred by Cayman.

Cayman claimed that the 13 songs were not transferred under that agreement.

Blue Mountain, which is responsible for administering rights transferred under that agreement, disputed the claim.

Deputy High Court judge Richard Meade today ruled against Cayman and dismissed the company’s claim.

He had been told that the 13 songs involved were: Crazy Baldhead; Johnny Was; Natty Dread; No Woman, No Cry; Positive Vibration; Rat Race; Rebel Music (Road Block); Talking Blues; Them Belly Full; Want More; War; Who The Cap Fit and So Jah She. Lawyers for Cayman told the judge that Marley agreed a publishing deal with Cayman in late 1973.

They said the 13 songs were written by Marley between October 1973 and October 1976.

And they said Marley ‘’fraudulently’’ attributed the songs to other people to avoid the provisions of the 1973 publishing agreement.

Lawyers for Blue Mountain said, on the ‘’straightforward application of ordinary principles of contract law’’, the claim had to be dismissed.

They accepted that Marley ‘’falsely claimed’’ that the 13 songs had been composed by other people in an attempt to ‘’escape the automatic assignment of their copyright to Cayman’’.

But they said it was ‘’common ground’’ that as a matter of law the ‘’ruse was ineffective’’.

They said the ‘’plain intention’’ of the 1992 agreement was to ‘’transfer all rights’’.

Judge Meade concluded that Cayman had no rights in the works because copyrights in the works passed under the 1992 agreement and added: “Accordingly, the claim fails.”

Derrickson picked for Dr Strange

Blunt

Hounsou swings into Tarzan film

D

jimon Housou is to star in a new Tarzan film.

The Oscar-nominated actor has been cast in the role of Chief Mbonga in

Warner Bros’ live-action version of the action adventure, reported Deadline.

Alexander Skarsgard is set to play Tarzan, with Margot Robbie

Hounsou

as his love interest Jane. Samuel L Jackson and Christoph Waltz will also appear in the film, which will be directed by Harry Potter filmmaker, David Yates.

The film follows Edgar Rice Burroughs’ hero after he has left the jungle and settled in London, only to be called back into action to investigate dodgy dealings around a mine by Queen Victoria.

Beninese-American actor Djimon, who received Oscar nods for his performances in Blood Diamond and In America, has a voice role in How To Train Your Dragon 2.

The 50-year-old will also be seen in Guardians Of The Galaxy and Fast And Furious 7.

Derrickson

D

irector Scott Derrickson has confirmed he will direct the ‘Doctor Strange’ movie.

The filmmaker - whose previous movies include ‘The Exorcism Of Emily Rose’, ‘Sinister’ and ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ - was reported to be Marvel’s top choice to take the superhero comic book character to the big screen.

While some websites suggested the deal had yet to be officially signed, Scott has now appeared to confirm the news on

Twitter.

The director shared a picture of himself peeking over a Marvel comic book about the character which covers most of his face, and wrote: “My next movie will be STRANGE.” The character first appeared in 1963 and is a neurosurgeon who serves as the Sorcerer Supreme protecting Earth against threats.

It hasn’t been revealed who will take on the title role but an announcement is expected within the coming weeks.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 34

Issues How terrorist ‘prank’ was handled in Osun state

T

he precarious security situation in Nigeria nowadays makes one shiver even at the mere mention of insurgency.

And despite the fact that the activities of the deadly sect, Boko Haram have remained largely in the North east which may now be rightly described as a war zone, or enclave of the insurgents people in other parts of the country still consider themselves unsafe.

That was the state of mind of the people of Ikonifin, which until now, was a peaceful sleepy town in the state of Osun in South Western Nigeria. A report alleged that a Baptist Church pastor in the town, who is the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman in Ola Oluwa local government area attempted to fake an invasion of his Church during a vigil. When the dust finally settled, scores of the faithful were left with different degrees of injuries.

Reports said Pastor Olatoke, had allegedly conspired with some members of the Church, namely Emmanuel Atanda, Peter Oyedepo and Ogunniyi Babatope who agreed to disguise as Muslims, adorning their heads with turbans to fake terror attack. On 18, May, 2014, between 11pm and 12 mid-night while conducting the Church vigil, the three persons swooped on the Church and began throwing some bright exploding objects, fireworks to scare the people away.

Those calling for full scale investigation into the matter are of the opinion that the ‘prank’ was capable of igniting crisis in the entire local government.

As we rode into Ikonifin at about 5.43 pm on the cool windy Friday, the sun was setting behind the Oba

Recently, reports emerged of how a Baptist Church pastor in Ikonifin town in Ola Oluwa local government area in Osun state, allegedly staged ‘fake’ terrorist attack on his Church during a vigil making members of the congregation to scamper for safety with some sustaining injuries. Our Correspondent, Suleiman Idris visited the sleepy town to find out more about the incident.

Suleiman Idris Hill, casting a temperature of 28 degree centigrade while humidity stood at 56%. The Oba Hill, a rounded elevation of limited extent rising above the surrounding land with local relief of less than 300m, reminds a first time visitor of an agrarian environment.

The look on the faces of the

villagers however did not betray any deep seated animosity, which l later found out after my encounter with the Oba of Ikonifin, Muslim and Christian faithful and scores of villagers within and in the neighbouring Iwo, the most popular city within the axis, less than a hundred kilometers from

Ibadan.

A brief inquiry from Taju, my co-traveler on the motorbike, (the most common means of transport) from Iwo to Ikonifin, actually revealed that the incident actually took place but he quickly added that the whole incident was considered a drama rehearsal.

Aside a traditional marriage ceremony in one of the ancient buildings where family members gathered, nothing else suggested a crisis of confidence between the two prominent religious groups in the ancient town. After discussion with a few people, l proceeded to the Oonifin Palace to visit the Kabeyesi. Dr. Solomon Oyewo Ojo, the paramount ruler, who is the Akinyena 1 and a permanent member of Osun state council of Obas. He said, “The condition in the country is very sensitive and anything that will cause panic anywhere must be avoided” he began. Oba Ojo said “immediately I was informed l wasted no time as l swung into action.

Oba Solomon was however not happy about the experience saying the incident was the least he expected to happen in his domain, “each day l pray for the progress of this community and my neighbours, having worked in different spheres of life l choose to retire home and lead my people. I did not expect such at all.

It is very unfortunate, if my Ikonifin is to gain global attention, it should be for the right reason.”

Earlier in the day in Oshogbo, l had visited the Commissioner for

Information and Strategy in the state, Mr. Sunday Akere, who gave the government’s position on the matter.

“We are a straight forward government, we neither relate with anyone on the condition of religion nor tribe, the position of the government is straight forward, we have instructed the security agencies to carry out the necessary investigations and to come out with a report. All we have had so far are conflicting reports.” The Commissioner said.

My next point of call as l left the Oba was a Mosque down the road some few meters away from the Palace of Oba Solomon. The Imam, resting his hand on the window as l approached him said.

“We are a peaceful people; we have all agreed to pursue peace within and among ourselves, our leaders have stepped in so l am not permitted to speak to anybody.

At the entrance to the Baptist Church where the said incident took place, a group of young men and women gathered and were discussing mundane issues among themselves. One of them said Pastor Olatoke was not in town.

Later l put a call to Mr. Oyintiloye Olatunbosun, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Community Forum.

On a squeaky telephone line, he told me the government has put in motion modalities to ensure peaceful co-existence among communities in the state.

I did not mastermind Dutch nationals’ kidnap - Ofehe Comrade Sunny Ofehe, human rights activist and Founder/ExecutiveDirector of Hope for Niger-Delta Campaign (HNDC) was recently kidnapped alongside four Dutch nationals at Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, in this interview with selected journalists in Lagos, he narrate his experience, Ayodele Samuel was there.

INTERVIEW

Y

our and four Dutch nationals were kidnapped at Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. What was your mission in the community?

The kidnap was not only embarrassing but very shameful. It destroyed the aspect of my campaign which has tried to portray the region as a safe place for white people particularly when yourmission to the area can be associated with helping the ordinary people of the community. We were in the Dodo River Communities of Amutu 11 and Bilabiri 11, the same communities I had visited along with one of the white people Mr. Jandries Groenendijk in 2009.

We were there to inspect a new 45 bed hospital built by Chevron under the GMOU programme.

The idea was to make a report on the project and look at the impact it may have on the people of the communities hosting two major oil deep sea drilling sites with a

combined capacity of more than 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day called the Bonga Oil Field and EA Field but yet living in complete abject poverty. We finished and stopped briefly at the King’s palace of Bilabiri 11 before setting out to embark on the more than two hour trip to Warri when we were attacked just in front of Letugbene.

reason in a media report.

What is your opinion on this?

The writer of the article was sponsored to write that article. He received monetary promises from a Dutch journalist in the Netherlands

Do you think the kidnapping is political or attempt to weaken your activities in the NigerDelta by the oil producing companies?

It is still too early to know the sources that may be responsible for the satanic act but what is sure is that it didn’t happen from the ordinary. There were forces behind it and I know the God who saw the good heart with which we went there will expose those behind the attack.

You were accused of masterminding the kidnapping saga for selfish

Comrade Sonny Ofehe

and also collected money from a source he was trying to launder their image.

Your mother was killed and recently you were kidnapped,

are you not really afraid of your life?

In 2007 my mother was assassinated by unknown people in Benin City and since then she has not been given a befitting funeral.

Unfortunately the Nigeria Police have not been able to unravel those behind the assassination. For as long as this remains unsolved, the Nigerian authorities will be held responsible for the death of my mother.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

For the Record

PAGE 35

Nigeria’s ‘fierce urgency of now’

T

oday’s sitting marks the third anniversary of the Seventh Assembly, House of Representatives of Nigeria’s National Assembly.

We have come a long way indeed since our inauguration on 6th June, 2011, and we all must give thanks to the Almighty God for His guidance and protection.

2.

Before proceeding further, Honourable Colleagues, you will recall that in the course of the past year, one of our colleagues, Hon. Raphael Nomiye passed on.

The loss of any member of the family diminishes the whole family and we the members of this family fortunate to have been spared so far by the Almighty mourn our brother, Hon. Nomiye.

3. Of course, needless to say, virtually every member lost some of his or her constituents.

Most heart-wrenching of all are the deaths of hundreds of Nigerians as a result of Boko Harm terrorism and communal conflicts. Shall we therefore rise to observe one minute silence in honour of the memory of our fallen colleague and our lost constituents especially our compatriots lost to the needless bloodshed of terrorism, including our dedicated men and women in the armed forces.

4. May their souls rest in peace. Amen.

On the legislative achievements of the 3rd session 5.

We will recall that at the inauguration of this 3rd Session, I had called our attention to the need to deal decisively with the core issues that diminish the quality of lives of Nigerians, especially unemployment, poverty and insecurity. Our legislative agenda unveiled at the commencement of the 7th House of Representatives session was designed to advance these goals. I must commend you all for your sense of diligence, patriotism and self-sacrifice and for the way you assiduously applied yourselves to the execution of your mandate and the advancement of our legislative agenda. As your Speaker, I can proudly and confidently attest to your commitment and dedication to the cause of nation building. The result of your commitment is seen in the modest achievement recorded by this House in this 3rd Session.

6.

On legislation, a total of 169 bills were introduced during the Session, of which 46 passed second reading and 27 were subsequently passed

usual nor appropriate for the judiciary to be used preemptively to stop the legislature from acting in the first place.

This is an encroachment on the powers of the legislature and a slap in the face of the principle of Separation of Powers. I urge all members of this Honourable House to recommit themselves to the defence of the integrity of the legislative process and resist the temptation to be part of this dangerous trend that will only succeed in bringing the legislature to ridicule.

into law. Six more bills have been laid on the Table and are awaiting the action of the Committee of the whole. In addition to the bills, several motions on matters of national importance were passed during the session.

7.

On the performance of its oversight functions, the House did its utmost best to exercise this very important constitutional mandate which has always been contentious because of the direct and indirect opposition by the very entities that the Constitution gave us the power and the responsibility to oversight.

During the session under review, findings at oversight visits as well as complaints and petitions from members of the public consistently revealed the extent to which corruption has eaten into the fabric of the stewardship of public resources. We responded by launching necessary investigations to shine needed light into the darker recesses of public resource management in Nigeria, and where routine investigation is inadequate, we empanelled special committees to carry out a more thorough inquiry.

8. Strangely, the collective experience of our members in the course of their exercise of their oversight functions is that there is a growing culture of impunity on the part of public officers in Nigeria which makes them inclined to resist the ethos of accountability.

Some hesitate to honour their invitation to appear before the House, while others resort to litigation in an attempt to frustrate legislative oversight of their activities.

9.

I wish to assure Nigerians that the House of Representatives will not be intimidated into abdicating its sacred duty to provide robust checks and balances to executive action, especially for the purpose

“

Speaker. Dr. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of exposing corruption in the polity and of ensuring the judicious management of our commonwealth.

Challenges to our Democracy 10. Unfortunately, over the course of the past year, we have witnessed several challenges to our democracy. These challenges have manifested both in the affairs of this House and in the larger Nigeria society. Permit me to highlight some of the instances where obstacles were seemingly deliberately placed on the path of our progress to genuine democracy.

Challenges in the Budgetary Process 11. This Honourable House has only recently concluded the exercise of approving the 2014 Budget. The problem which the House experienced in the budgetary process emanated from several factors including the entrenched culture of lateness in budget preparation and submission to the National Assembly by the Executive branch.

12. There have also been attempts to denigrate the National Assembly for our insistence on instilling sanity in the budgetary

process. Only recently, a certain government spokesman was quoted as claiming that the National Assembly ‘distorted’ the 2014 budget. It is inconceivable that an institution endowed by the Constitution with the legal duty and power to perform a function can be said to be distorting the performance of that function. Those desirous of a National Assembly that will merely rubberstamp a draft budget submitted to it by the Executive must look elsewhere.

Resorts to the Courts 13. During the session, we witnessed the dawn of a disturbing trend whereby people now go to court to stop the National Assembly from exercising its constitutional mandate and conducting its internal operations. This is unheard of in jurisdictions where genuine democracy is practiced and venerated. The usual democratic practice is that the powers of the courts are activated to challenge laws enacted by the legislature.

This is the proper manner in which the judiciary is enabled to perform its constitutional function as the interpreter of both the constitution and duly enacted laws. It is neither

The usual democratic practice is that the powers of the courts are activated to challenge laws enacted by the legislature. This is the proper manner in which the judiciary is enabled to perform its constitutional function as the interpreter of both the constitution and duly enacted laws. It is neither usual nor appropriate for the judiciary to be used pre-emptively to stop the legislature from acting in the first place.

Abridgment of the Rights of Nigerians 14. Outside the chambers of this House, we have witnessed far too many instances of abuse of the fundamental rights of Nigerians. Perhaps the greatest challenge to democracy is the trampling underfoot of the fundamental rights of citizens.

Without a doubt Nigeria has made appreciable progress in the enthronement of a culture of respect for human rights, but there is still so much left to be done and it is the duty of this House to ensure not only that new gains are achieved but also that the gains of the past are not eroded. We have had several sad cases of extrajudicial killing, detention without trial, denial of due process, etc.

15. As if to buttress our descent into the pits of reckless disregard for the rights of citizens, the nation recently woke up to the sad dawn of a Commissioner of Police acting on his own initiative, without clearance from his superiors and in flagrant contravention of the clear Constitutional guarantees of the right of citizens audaciously purporting to ban the peaceful assembly of Nigerians. This is an unacceptable abridgement of the rights of Nigerians to freedom of speech, association and peaceful assembly, and this House must treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves.

The fact that the office of the Inspector-General of Police felt compelled to deny the action of the Police Commissioner only goes to underscore the audaciousness of the conduct of the Police Commissioner.

16. As important as all our duties and functions as the legislative arm in a democratic government are, none is more important than our duty to protect and preserve the rights guaranteed to all Nigerians by our Constitution. Any attempt by anybody to infringe on the rights of Nigerians is a direct affront to this Hou s e . T h i s H o u s e must therefore take necessary measures to ensure that such sacrilege does not repeat itself anywhere in Nigeria. The culture of impunity at the highest levels of governance in Nigeria must be brought to a halt.

Cont’d from page 47

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

Digest

How stress can cut the chances of fatherhood There is a home kit for testing sperm fertility and motility

The findings show that psychological stress is harmful to sperm and semen quality, affecting its concentration, appearance, and ability to fertilise an egg

S

tress can make men infertile, warns a new study.

Researchers found men who feel stressed have fewer, slower sperm - which may diminish fertility.

The findings, published online in the journal Fertility and Sterility, show that psychological stress is harmful to sperm and semen quality, affecting its concentration, appearance, and ability to fertilise

A

poor set of curtains may not just mean you wake up too early - they could also make you fat.

A study has found that sleeping with too much light in the room increases the risk of obesity in women.

Greater exposure to light at night raised both Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist size in more than 113,000 women taking part in the British study.

Negative: Other research has found the disruptive effect of nighttime lighting on the body may contribute to depression and mood disorders

an egg.

Infertility affects men and women equally, and semen quality is a key indicator of male fertility.

Study senior author Dr Pam Factor-Litvak, associate professor of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health in the United States, said: ‘Men who feel stressed are more likely to have lower concentrations of sperm in their ejaculate, and the sperm they have are more likely to be misshapen

or have impaired motility.

‘These deficits could be associated with fertility problems.’

The researchers studied 193 men, ages 38 to 49. The men completed tests to measure work and life stress on a subjective scale - how they felt overall and objective scale - life events behind the stress).

They also provided semen samples.

Technicians at the University of California, Davis, used standard methods employed in fertility

testing to assess the samples for semen concentration, and sperm appearance and motility.

Measured subjectively or objectively, life stress degraded semen quality, even after accounting for men’s concerns about their fertility, their history of reproductive health problems, or their other health issues.

Workplace stress was not a factor, however the researchers say it may still affect reproductive health since men with job strain had diminished levels of testosterone.

Being without a job did not improve matters. Unemployed men had sperm of lower quality than employed men, regardless of how stressed they were.

Dr Factor-Litvak said it is not fully understood how stress affects semen quality. It may trigger the release of steroid hormones called glucocorticoids, which in turn

could blunt levels of testosterone and sperm production. Another possibility is oxidative stress, which has been shown to affect semen quality and fertility.

The study’s first author Dr Teresa Janevic, an assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, added: ‘Stress has long been identified as having an influence on health.

‘Our research suggests that men’s reproductive health may also be affected by their social environment.’

She said that while several previous studies have examined the link between stress and semen quality, the current one is the first to look at subjective and objective measures of stress and find associations with semen concentration, and sperm appearance and motility.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Are your curtains making you fat?

The Breakthrough Generations Study followed the women for 40 years in an attempt to identify root causes of breast cancer. Obesity is a known risk factor for the disease.

Professor Anthony Swerdlow, from The Institute of Cancer Research in London, said: ‘Metabolism is affected by cyclical rhythms within the body that relate to sleeping, waking and light exposure.

‘The associations we saw in our study between light exposure at night and obesity are very intriguing.

‘We cannot yet tell at this stage what the reason for the associations is, but the results open up an interesting direction for research.’

Co-author Dr Emily McFadden, a visiting researcher at the the institute, said: ‘Because all the information was collected at the same time, we cannot tell the sequence of events.

‘But the associations we found are consistent with previous research examining light exposure and metabolism, and further investigation is needed.’

The study was funded by the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, whose senior research officer Dr Matthew Lam said: ‘These findings add weight to previous results from

Danger: Being exposed to light at night may increase the risk of obesity by disrupting the body clock

nimal studies that looked into how animal light exposure, circadian rhythms and metabolism could all be connected in some way.

‘It’s too early to suggest that sleeping in the dark will help prevent obesity, a known risk factor for breast cancer, but the association is certainly interesting.’

The findings are reported

in the American Journal Of Epidemiology.

Previous research has drawn similar conclusions. A team at Ohio State University examined how nocturnal light affects weight, body fat and glucose intolerance (the underlying cause of late-onset diabetes) in mice.

They found that persistent exposure to even a little night-time

light caused increases in all three.

Another report from the American Medical Association found the disruptive effect of nighttime lighting on our bodies’ circadian rhythms may contribute to ‘obesity, diabetes, depression and mood disorders, and reproductive problems’.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 37

Criticisms trail INEC’s voter registration exercise in Benue From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

C

riticisms have continued to trail the just concluded voters registration exercise in Makurdi Benue State following the alleged extortion of N50 from prospective voters by INEC adhoc staff.

The exercise ended yesterday as eligible voters scrambled to be registered. INEC adhoc staff capitalized on that to extort money from the voters.

It was learnt that some registrants at the Fiidi polling unit in Makurdi alleged that they were asked to pay the fee but they resisted while others paid in order to get registered before the close of the exercise.

Ngodoo Orban, Umeyi and Rachael Orban all complained that Youth Corps members who worked as adhoc staff collected the said amount from them in order to buy fuel to charge the Direct Data Capture Machines, DDC. According to one Mr. Innocent, the decision to collect the money was a unanimous one taken by members of the community to avoid the exercise being marred.

Reacting to the issue, an INEC officer in Makurdi Local Government Area, Mr. Abu Ofene, condemned the act and cautioned youths corps members against collecting money from the people.

Ofene later gave money to the adhoc staff to purchase fuel and implored the people not to panic as registration will continue at the local government headquarters.

Also commenting on the allegation, INEC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Louis Ochai, condemned the act as illegal.

In another vein, there were complaints of non presence of INEC officers in Kanshio, a suburb in Makurdi, even as allegations that some politicians hijacked the DDC machines and diverted the to their homes.

“Some politicians are using this registration to get support for their political ambition. Most of them in collaboration with INEC diverted the machines and are registering their supporters in their houses. In other cases, areas seen as strong opposition polling units, were deliberately left out. This is undemocratic”, Mr. Afatyo Msen, a resident of Kanshio lamented.

R-L: Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar Chairman, Adamawa state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs. Binta Masi Garba, and Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Yamusa Shu’aibu, during a visit of executives of APC Adamawa state to the chieftain of APC, yesterday in Abuja.

Mu’azu’ll support Yuguda’s anointed successor, says PDP chair aide From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

he National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP Alhaji Ahmadu Mu’azu, will support any candidate brought by Governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda, to succeed hima, aide to Mu’azu, Alhaji Sani Ahmed Toro made

the assurance Sani Toro who served as Commissioner of sports during the Mu’azu’s administration and a former House of Representatives member stated this yesterday in Bauchi while briefing news men.

He said “ as somebody who is close to Mu’azu,I know his thinking towards that line, he believe that what ever the

present Governor brings, definitely Mu’azu will support him” Toro said “they had problems in the past but they resolved it; we don’t know why people are just trying unnecessarily to bring clash between the two leaders.

Yuguda is the leader of the party in the state and Mu’azu is a member of the team and they have agreed to work together to

make sure that PDP produces the next governor in 2015”.

When asked about other candidates who are interested in the seat, he said “Mu’azu is not in support of any candidate.

What he has told us and I believe him is that any nominee of Yuguda will be supported. If today Yuguda nominates Mr A, Muazu and his supporters will support him.

APC congresses: We will investigate all cases of irregularities - Akande

By Umar Muhammad Puma

I

nterim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, has said yesterday that the party will investigate all cases of irregularities during the recently conducted states congresses across the country.

Speaking at the inauguration

ceremony of the 36 state chairmen of the party in Abuja, Akande said the party had received several complaints and protests on how some of the state chairmen emerged, and assured that the complaints will not be swept under the carpet.

“There are complaints and protest on how some of you emerged; we are not going to

sweep these complaints under the carpet. We are going to continue with the investigation on how all of you emerged, and those of you who emerged not in accordance with the laid down guidelines of this party, will be thrown out”.

“It has happened before in this country when governors were inaugurated and the court

discovered that they are not the actual winners of the election and they threw them out. So don’t think that you will not be investigated. If you have any thing to cover, APC is not the place”.

Only 35 state chairmen were inaugurated, while those of Kaduna and Katsina were declared inconclusive by the Interim National Chairman.

INEC inuagurates c’ttee on permanent voters card distribution From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

N

iger state Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has inuagurated an 11 man committee for the Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on the distribution of permanent voters card and continuous voter registration in Niger state.

Inuagurating the Committee at INEC office in Minna yesterday, the

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Emmanuel Onucheyo, said that the committee was mandated to draw a road map in order to have an effective Voter Education and Publicity Programme in the state devoid of any hitches.

Onucheyo urged the members to make use of their respective experiences and professional background to ensure the attainment of the set goals,

stressing that the committee will determine the exact content of programme, promotion mechanisms, strategic places of implementation and precise target audience.

He commended the state government for it effort in contributing to the membership, adding that Niger state was at the third phase of the programme schduled to commence its distribution of permanent Voter

Cards (PVC) from Friday 22nd August, 2014 - Sunday 24th August, 2014 while the Continious Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will begin on Thursday 28th August, 2014 and end 31st August,2014.

He therefore directed all the committee members to fully engage stakeholders at the local government levels, like the security agencies, NYSC, traditional rulers in order to have full coverage of the exercise in the state.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

Politics

Ekiti 2014: PDP victory’ll be landslide, says minister designate From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

A

fenifere Chieftain and Minister designate, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has said that the PDP will win the June 21 governorship election convincingly, adding that; “the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will be so embarrassed that it won’t be able to go to the Tribunal.”

Adeyeye, former governorship aspirant on the platform of the PDP in Ekiti state, who was nominated as minister by President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, told PDP supporters during a meeting in Ado-Ekiti yesterday that no effort must be spared to ensure a resounding victory for the party.

He charged leaders of his group, the Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement (PAAM), to go to their respective wards and make sure they deliver their polling units to the party at the June 21 governorship election.

Those who attended the meeting included former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Sola Ajigbolamu, former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Afolabi Ojuawo, the only PDP member in the State House of Assembly, Hon Dele Ajibola, former Commissioners, Hon Bade Adara, Dr Gboyega Isijola among others.

Adeyeye, who described the PDP governorship candidate,

Mr Ayodele Fayose, as a honest and sincere person, added that; “the only way to reward a man who was sincere to you is to also support him and make him victorious.”

He said; “Obviously, the masses of Ekiti State will liberate themselves from the APC deceitful government on June 21, 2014 by voting massively for the PDP such that Governor Kayode Fayemi and his APC won’t be able to challenge our victory in court.”

Also speaking, former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sola Ajigbolamu hailed President Jonathan for the appointment, saying; “for the first time in recent time, Ekiti will be having a minister worthy to be called a minister.”

A former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon Ajibade Owolabi said; “If I were Fayemi, I will simply withdraw from this election because this is the last straw. Fayemi’s camel back is

already broken and I can say it confidently that June 21 is sealed and delivered to the PDP.” Reacting to the appointment, the Arinjale of Ise-Ekiti, Adeyeye’s hometown, Oba Ayodele Ajayi, thanked President Jonathan for finding Adeyeye worthy of the appointment.

He also thanked the PDP governorship candidate, Mr Ayodele Fayose, for standing by Adeyeye, describing Fayose as a “man of his words.”

L-R: Leader of delegation from Edward Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Dr. Domenic Ginger, Chief Executive, Institute for Government Research and Leadership Technology, Moses Essien, and Secretary-General, New Jersey Democratic Committee, Nick Nvoelker, during the multicultural leadership development programme, yesterday in USA.

Ex Katsina SSG joins APC chairmanship race From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

A

former Secretary to Katsina State Government, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, has formally declared his intention to run for the post of Katsina state All Progressive Congress, APC, chairman.

Making the formal

declaration in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Katsina, Inuwa noted that he resolved to join the race after due pressure from some stakeholders of the party.

He said “I have no intention of vying for the office of chairman of the party. It was various interests of the party that encouraged me to seek for

the office and therefore I cannot disregard their calls”.

The former SSG noted that despite his intention to contest the election, it was, according to him “ not a do or die afffair. If I am elected, fine if it is otherwise I have no hurt feelings”.

Inuwa similarly promised to contribute his quota in solidifying the party in the state

if elected, adding that the central issue was to set a standard and provide a vision for the succees of the party in the state.

The APC stalwart therefore urged various interests in the party to work towards building the party structures in the state, which he said was the only way of wresting power from the PDP in the state.

Court strikes out suit challenging appointment of 20 Bauchi council chairmen From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

B

auchi State High Court Number 10 has struck out a suit filed by the All Peoples Congress (APC) challenging Governor Isa Yuguda and 26 others over the appointment of caretaker chairmen to run the local government in the state instead of holding elections.

The presiding Judge, Justice Abdulkadir Hussein Suleiman, in his ruling over the preliminary objection filed by counsel to Yuguda counsel, Hassan Liman, asked the court to dismiss the case because of lack of

jurisdiction since the case was instituted over three months after the appointment of the council chairmen.

Justice Suleiman yesterday in Bauchi said the “the case was instituted 9months after the chairmen were appointed by the Governor. Action of the Plaintiffs was brought outside the time limit, the suit is not properly constituted pursuant to section 2(a) of the public officers protection law cap 127 laws of Bauchi 2006”.

Suleiman said “the court lacks the requisite jurisdiction over it,and the plaintiff originating

summon is hereby struck out.”

Earlier Counsel to the APC and DPP, Barrister Yakubu Bako, had filed a suit before the State High Court challenging the power of the state government to appoint the 20 caretaker committee chairmen instead of conducting local government elections.

A preliminary objection filed by government counsel, Hassan Liman (SAN), asked the court to dismiss the suit on the ground that the chairmen were appointed since 3rd September 2012 and the complainant waited until 29 July 2013 before he instituted his action.

Liman said by virtue of the operation of statute of limitation, section 2 of the Public officers protection law this action is statute barred.

He said the Plaintiff did not file the suit within three months as contained in the law.

In his reply Barrister Bako said the law cited is a colonial law which commenced since September, 1916 and it has two sections, and the state House of Assembly had enacted another law called Bauchi State Limitation law cap 84 which has 45 sections and its commencement date was15th June 1989.

Pension Law: Emulate Akpabio, Kwara PDP urges Sen Saraki From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he Kwara State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has urged the immediate past governor of the state,Dr Bukola Saraki, to emulate the Governor of Akwa-Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio by giving up his own pension entitlement he is currently enjoying.

PDP in a statement in Ilorin yesterday noted with delight the reversal of the controversial pension laws by the Akwa Ibom state governor.

“By this reversal, Governor Akpabio has yet again demonstrated that he is a leader that respects overwhelming public opinion and the larger interest of the Akwa Ibom citizens.

“It is in the light of the above that we call on Sen. Bukola Saraki, erstwhile Governor of Kwara state and Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, to take a cue from Governor Akpabio and ask the Kwara State House of Assembly to commence immediate legislative process aimed at reversing the obnoxious, self-serving and insensitive Kwara pension laws that he (Saraki) orchestrated while in office and has continued to enjoy for the past three years, notwithstanding that the state is gradually going bankrupt to the extent of going aborrowing.”

The party recalled that Sen. Saraki, in the twilight of his eight years of ‘uneventful’ administration of Kwara state, got himself a mouthwatering life pension package, which is similar in content and substance to that of Akwa Ibom state.

In what has become a bad precedent for other capacious state governors, Saraki receives a monthly pension benefit equivalent to his monthly salary when he held sway as a governor.

Others include, astate-of-theart residential house in Ilorin, an annual vacation of 30 days outside Nigeria with 30 days estacodes, free medical treatment for him and all the members of his families in any part of the world, three cars for the governor and in addition to one pilot and two backup cars to be replaced every three years en bloc, furniture allowance payable every two years en bloc, two cooks, steward, gardener and other domestic staff whose salaries shall be pensionable, two SSS details, eight policemen (one each for house and personal security).

“But despite stringent public outrage from Kwara elders, pensioners, Nigerian Bar Association and even his late father, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, Mr. Saraki, in cohort with an equally insensitive legislative assembly, hurried the passage of what is now known as the Kwara State Pension for Governor and Deputy Governor Law, No 12, 2010.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

PAGE 39

News Extra NYSC annual confab holds June 10 in Calabar – Director

L-R: Bauchi state Director, Human Resources, Primary Health Care, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, Executive Chairman, Mr. Adamu Gamawa, and Bauchi state Director, Community Health Services, Dr Yahya Yerima, during a media workshop, yesterday in Bauchi.

By Albert Akota

T

Photo: NAN

NECO boss lauds forum for peace building initiatives

By Evelyn Okakwu

T

he Universal Peace Federation (UPF), has been commended for initiating several peace-building, international harmony and cooperation programs, in its quest to complement the effort of the federal government to instill peace in the conscience of the populace.

This was disclosed by the Chairman National Examination Council, NECO, Dr. Paddy Njoku, while presenting the key note address titled “Forging

Global Cultural Partnership for Peace and Development in Nigeria: The role of the Intercultural and International Diplomatic Community” during the commemoration of the ‘2014 International Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development’, organised by the UPF, Nigeria, in Abuja.

Dr. Njoku averred that, “The Universal Peace Federation, by virtue of its tenets on Godcenteredness, family peacebuilding, international harmony and cooperation, human responsibility and altruism,

leadership development and good governance, inter-racial and inter-religious marriages for world peace, has become a model vehicle for forging a strong and peaceful Nigerian nation and the universal world.”

Also speaking at the event erstwhile first lady of Kogi state, A’isha Audu Emeje, who read the address of the Director-General, UNESCO, affirmed that,” The greatest strength of goods and services lies in their dual, economic and cultural nature.

This specificity offers a response to the growing demands for more

integrated policies, capable of addressing the economic, social and environmental dimensions of development.”

Presenting the speech of the late founder of UPF, Rev. Sun Myung Moon, titled: “Renewing the United Nation to Build Lasting Peace,” the vicepresident, Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, George Ogburie, proposed that each nation, in addition to its current ambassador, send a religious ambassador to the UN, to serve as a member of the religious assembly, or UN senate.

NGO establishes 330 literacy centres in Kogi From Omale Adama, Lokoja

K

ogi state chapter of NonGovernment Association For Literacy Support Services(NOGALSS) has established over 330 literacy centres with over 6,000 adult learners, which comprises youths and women in its quest to increase the literacy level of the state.

The state chairman of

NOGALSS, Mr. Noah Emmanuel gave the hint while explaining key ideas that informed the organisations effort in Lokoja on Wednesday.

He said following the launching of the organisation’s mass literacy campaign by the Kogi state governor, captain Idris Wada on November 12, 2013 in the state, the activities of the NOGALSS have spread

across the state with centres of learning established in the capital city, Lokoja and all the major towns and cities in the 21 local government areas of the state.

While stressing that the organisation is targeting to have 4 literate centres in each of 229 wards of the state, the state chairman of NOGALSS said that the vision of the organisation

Taraba forum calls for probe into handling of Suntai’s illness

By Lawrence Olaoye

A

socio- political group, the Taraba Justice Forum, has called for a Commission of Enquiry into the handling of the illness of the Taraba state governor, Danbaba Suntai, was handled by some people around him.

The group also demanded that those found culpable in the alleged mishandling of the ailing governor’s health be tried for attempted murder.

The group in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Barrister John Ambulus, stated that “the cabal attempted to murder the ailing governor, by

abruptly stopping his treatment in the United States, seized his passport upon arrival in Nigeria and held the governor hostage despite his worsening health.”

He urged judicial authorities to immediately arrest all dramatis personae in this criminal and inhuman act.

“Events of recent days have vindicated us. After months of denial and hostage scenario, the cabal has finally conceded to allow the governor to go abroad for medical treatment which they stopped because of their selfish interest. This is criminal, immoral and reprehensible. The right thing to do is to charge those behind the whole plot for

attempted murder”, he stated.

“If the cabal had allowed the governor to continue his treatment, may be his condition would have improved by now. By stopping the medical treatment of an elected governor, the cabal endangered his life. By the time he was flown abroad on Tuesday, the governor was worse than ever before.

“If the Acting Governor failed to act under two weeks, we expect the Speaker of the House to take up the task, failing which we will seek legal order to compel the Acting Governor to set up the panel”, the group threatened.

is to achieve education for all in Kogi state by year 2020, by producing neo-literates who will be self-reliant via skill acquisition and functional literacy.

According to the NOGALSS chairman, the target of the organisation remains the “unschooled children, youths, adults who have no privilege of attending formal school, the drop-outs from formal education system and all who desire to know how to read and write in their local languages or otherwise”.

Our error We inadvertently misrepresented a remark made by Mr. Blesson Akpuluma, a representative of Chief Dan Etete, in a report titled “Nigerian youths urged to embrace peace”, published on page 40, in our edition of Wednesday, May 21, 2014. In the same report we also erroneously referred to him as Mr. Blessing Akpulama instead of Mr. Blesson Akpuluma. The errors are regretted.

– Editor

he National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said that the 2014 Annual Management Conference of the scheme would take place between June 10 and June 14 in Calabar, Cross River.

The Director, Press and Public Relations of the organisation, Mrs. Abosede Aderibigbe, said this to newsmen in Abuja.

“The conference, which serves as a platform for deliberations on general policy matters in the scheme, is usually attended by members of the top management, State Coordinators and all Deputy Directors.

The last edition of the conference took place in Sokoto in May, 2013. Far reaching policy decisions were taken at the event.

Oshiomhole condoles with Vanguard publisher on mum’s death From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

G

overnor Adams Oshiomhole has commiserated with the Publisher of Vanguard newspaper, Mr. Sam Amuka on the death of his mother, Mrs. Teshoma Amuka-Pemu, describing her as a beacon of motherhood.

In a condolence letter, the Governor said “My thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire Amuka family at this very difficult moment of grief. While we join you to mourn her painful departure, we are certain that you will find consolation in the fact that your precious mother lived a worthy life, and stood as a beacon of motherhood, religious devotion and community leadership.

“You also must be proud that she is leaving behind a remarkable legacy and most especially the calibre of children and grandchildren she raised, among whom is your good self, a renowned publisher of one the nation’s leading newspapers and others who have distinguished themselves as leaders in their own right, who have contributed immensely to the development of their community and the country at large.

“Our sincere prayer is for God to, in His infinite mercy, receive her soul with His love and bless her with paradise. We also pray God to give you and the entire family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of such a worthy matriarch.”

PAGE 40

Photo Splash

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

3.

L-R: Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr. Emeka Ezeh; representative of President Goodluck Jonathan, Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation OF Nigeria, Dr Ladan Salihu, the Author, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, and his wife, Mrs. Esther Ogbonnaya Orji, during the presentation of a book “What They Don’t Teach You in Broadcasting”, yesterday in Abuja.

Staff of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), on a road walk to mark 2014 World Environment Day, yesterday in Ibadan.

L-R: Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum ‘Down Stream’, Hon. Yusuf Galambi, Chairman, Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), Roads and Bridges, Mrs. Mayen Adetiba, Project Manager, RCC Nig. Ltd, Mr. Sharon, and Chairman, SURE-P, General Martin Luther Agwai, inspecting Loko-Oweto Bridge across River Benue linking Nasarawa and Benue states on Wednesday.

Staff of National Museum protesting, yesterday in Lagos.

Articulated vehicles that crashed into one another on Ring Road, yesterday in Ibadan.

Photos: NAN

SPORT 41 PAGE

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046, 08036258222, albertakota@yahoo.com

7 Days to World Cup

Nigeria maintains 44th position in FIFA ranking

By Albert Akota

N

igeria remained unmoved at number 44 in the latest Fifa rankings for the month of June released yesterday.

The Super Eagles failed to improve on their rankings with seven days to the World Cup despite recording two draws in their friendly matches, a 2-2 draw with Scotland and a goalless draw with Greece.

Nigeria are ranked 28th amongst the 32 countries that will feature at the World Cup and are the least ranked side in Group F where they have Argentina (5), Bosnia (21) and Iran (43).

In the overall world ranking, Europe still holds onto the top two spots with Spain and

By Albert Akota

T

he hurricane of collaboration blowing round Nigeria football gathered pace yesterday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).

During the brief ceremony at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja, Chairperson of the NWFL, Chief

Germany while World Cup hosts Brazil climbed up one spot to the third position.

Behind the top three are Portugal, (4th, down 1), Argentina (5th, up 2), Switzerland (6th, up 2) and Uruguay (6th, down 1) who share seventh position.

Algeria has become the topranked African side on the 22nd position, after they overtook Cote D’Ivoire who dropped two places to 24th position in second.

They are followed by Egypt who dropped 12 places to 36th, Ghana 37th (up 1), Cape Verde 39th (up 3), Tunisia 48th (up 1), Guinea 52nd (down 1), Cameroon 56th (down 6), and Mali 57th to round up the African top ten.

By Albert Akota

T

Mikel Obi

NWFL signs MoU with NTA (Mrs) Dilichukwu Onyedinma said the collaboration had been in the pipeline for a long time, as the body sought to give more value to Nigeria women football.

She harped on the quality of the NWFL brand and the pedigree of Nigeria football internationally, recalling that the Super Falcons are six time champions of the continent, having also attended all

FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in history, while the U-20 girls and U-17 girls have also been at every edition of their World Cup tournaments.

“Nigeria women football is a great brand and the Nigeria Television Authority is also the largest television network in Africa. We are happy to collaborate with NTA.”

Responding, NTA’s General Manager (Sports), Mr. Akinloye Oyebanji disclosed that the preparation of the MOU was the first official assignment performed by the new Director General of NTA, Mr. Sola Omole. “We are very happy to finally seal this pact today, as this underscores NTA’s nondiscrimination policy.

Ikpeme preaches consistency in World Cup: Eagles can reach quarter-finals – Babangida believes Eaglets’ camp

By Albert Akota

T

he Golden Eaglets have been told to be inconsistent and responsible as the team shift base from Abuja to Calabar for their closed-camping.

Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, Director Technical at the NFF, addressing 33 selected players picked after 70 days of rigorous screening and during their training session at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja yesterday, said it was imperative for the players to realize the purpose of being in the national team.

He told the players in an unequivocal manner that without consistency in performance and attitude, they stand no chance at all of a successful career.

“First and foremost, I want to congratulate you because you have been picked from thousands who came for the screening,” he said.”But be that as it may, I want to remind you that there are three things that you need to imbibe in order for you to succeed.

“There must be consistency on your part in order to give your best at all time as well as internalise information from your coaches and above all, you must have a winning mentality,” he

noted.

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets would expectedly draw the curtain on the first phase of their programme with another practice match against Ibadan-based SRHD Sports Football Academy at the NFF/ FIFA Goal Project Pitch today before departing for Calabar this weekend.

Ikpeme

NFF, NTDC seal pact on sports tourism

F

ormer Wing Attacker, Tijani Babangida has tipped the Super Eagles to go as far as the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Babangida was a part of the team that reached the second round at the 1998 World Cup in France.

“I have absolute confidence in the ability of the Super Eagles team to qualify to the second round and go as far as the quarter-final of this Mundial,” Babangida told Goal.

“Don’t forget that we are the African champions and we are expected to do well in this competition.”

Babangida who is also the chairman of premier league club side Taraba FC, said that the surprise exclusion of midfielder Sunday Mba was due to indiscipline.

“As regards Mba’s case, last week I was in Lagos I told a friend of mine that if it is the Keshi I knew very well, Mba won’t make that list as a result of coming late to camp most especially coming to camp when the chief coach was already rounding up as regards the players he wanted to pick for the World Cup. “So I think Mba should be blamed for not making the list that

ordinarily he ought to have based on his previous heart-warming performances at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations where he emerged as the tournament revelation from Nigeria. I was very disappointed to hear that Mba did not make the final cut for the World Cup.

Babangida

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) have sealed an agreement to promote and market Nigeria’s vast tourism products and potential within and outside the country.

“This is a great opportunity for two of the biggest windows available to the nation internally and internationally to collaborate on promoting the nation’s tourism potential and achieve the goal of positioning our dear nation as the preferred Sports Tourism destination for Nigerians and foreigners,” NFF President Aminu Maigari said.

Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, Dr (Mrs) Sally Mbanefo added: “I am excited at the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding. Nigeria football is presently on a high domestically and internationally, and we are happy to collaborate with the NFF to achieve our vision.”

Nigeria football has hit new heights at both domestic and international fronts in the past two years, with the Aminu Maigari administration credited for some ingenious steps and policy decisions that have turned things around for the better.

Under the terms of the agreement, the NTDC shall endorse NFF as a sports tourism partner for domestic and international sports tourism, grant NFF reasonable rights to branding of NTDC events, publicize NFF during NTDC tourism events and promote sports tourism at all local and international football matches, starting with the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.

On its part, the NFF shall facilitate within its ability the hosting of international matches in Nigeria to encourage foreigners to visit Nigeria, publicize NTDC during local and international football matches, provide free promotional materials for NTDC representatives during football events, assist NTDC to market and promote Nigeria tourism at local and international levels and assist NTDC to facilitate sponsorship for sports tourism promotion.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PST.CHUKA AGWUEGBO - PRESIDENT 2.PST. EUNICE AGWUEGBO 3.PST. MUDI OROVWUJE - SECRETARY 4.DCN. CHRIS IYOVWAYE 5.BARR.IFEANYI KEAZOR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PROMOTE PEACE AMONG MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: PST.MUDI OROVWUJE SECRETARY

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CITIZENS UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

STANDING TOGETHER FOR UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

AFRICAN FEMALE YOUTHS AND STUDENTS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO FOSTER PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTRY.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ETA USO 2.SMATT OZOEMENA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT AMONG CITIZENS OF NIGERIA.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: BARR.SMATT OZOEMENA

SIGNED: BARR.SMATT OZOEMENA

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ETA USO 2.SMATT OZOEMENA

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.UMORU HALIMA SADIYA NURU 2.ASEMOTA PERCULIAR 3.IGHEDOSA EUNICE ADESUWA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWERMENT. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR.KENNETH OSEMEHA 080373332991

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REMEDY INTERNATIONAL FOODSAFETY AWARENESS ORGANISATION

GODLY BROTHERS SOCIAL CLUB OF NIGERIA

9JA CHESS FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACTS 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACTS 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE ORGANISATION SEEK REGISTRATION BY THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA IN ACCORDANCE WITH PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: OCTUS ADONIS OTOBOH EMMANUEL BARAU RICHARD FILIBUS MERCY TIMKUT VICTORIA ALUWONG AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROMOTE FOOD SAFETY AWARENESS AMONGST CONSUMERS AND PRODUCERS OF FOOD PRODUCTS THROUGH SAFE FOOD CAMPAIGNS. 2. TO ENSURE THE AVAILAIBILITY OF SAFE FOOD TO CONSUMERS THROUGH A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RELEVANT AGENCIES. 3. TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN FOOD AID DURING EMERGENCIES. 4. TO EDUCATE, INFORM, AND EQUIP FOOD HANDLERS WITH FOOD SAFETY INFORMATION,PROCESSES AND TECHNIQUES. ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATIONTO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PMB 198, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA,ABUJA,NIGERIA. SIGNED; OCTUS ADONIS OTOBOH CHAIR,BOT 08033143534

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ENGINEER JONAS OBASI -CHAIRMAN 2. MICHAEL IKENNA EMENIKE -VICE CHAIRMAN 3. NGWUOWO HYACINTH - P.R.O AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE THE PROGRESS OF MEMBERS 2. TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATIONTO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PMB 198, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA,ABUJA,NIGERIA. SIGNED: ENGINEER JONAS OBASI CHAIRMAN

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. STANLEY OCHUKO OMADOGHOCHAIRMAN / CEO 2. JOSHUA JOLOMI TENUMAHTREASURER 3. MRS BRIDGET EREKAIFE -SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO ESTABLISH AND. ORGANIZE MAJOR CHESS TOURNAMENT FOR ALL CATEGORY OF PLAYERS 2. TO SPONSOR CHESS TOURNAMENTS AND EVENTS. 3. TO ACTIVELY INVOLVE CHESS ENTHUSIASTS AND PHILANTHROPIST IN THE SPONSORSHIP OF MOJOR CHESS TOURNAMENTS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION 42, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: JOSHUA JOLOMI TENUMAH SOLICITOR 08033759418

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JAMES AMANAM ATTAH FOUNDATION

GRACE AND COMPASSION BIBLE CHURCH

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACTS 1990.

NAMES OF TRUSTEES: 1. MR. IDORENYIN JAMES ATTAH. 2. MR.ETIM EDET ETIM. 3. MR. ADETOKUNBO AYODEJI ALUKO. 4. MRS ROSALINE IDORENYIN ATTAH. 5. MRS STELLA IFEANYI OWOH. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP TO THE LESS PRIVILEDGE. 2. TO GIVE GRANTS TO SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MODERN STUDIES IN SUCH AREAS AS ARTISANSHIP, FISHING, HANDWORKS, ETC FOR THE RURAL POPULACE. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION 42, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACTS 1990.

CAPACITY BUILDING AND SOCIAL INCLUSION FOUNDATION

SIGNED> BARR EDET EYO.

NAMES OF TRUSTEES: 1. PASTOR REMI YESUFU. CHAIRMAN. 2.OSE MARY MAGDALENE.SEC. 3 MR BABAJIDE YESUFU. 4.ARC OLUREMI YESUFU. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS ROUND THE WORLD. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION 42, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR SOLOMON AKHIGBE.08037257296

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MRS ALICE KANDAK OMAJI, (CHAIRMAN) 2. PROFESSOR PAUL OMAJI, (VICE CHAIRMAN) 3. MRS ESTHER DAKYOUNG (SECRETARY) THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY VULNERABLE GROUPS BY SUPPORTING EMPOWERMENT PROJECTS SUCH AS ADVOCACY, SKILL AQUISITION AND PUBLIC ENLIGHTENMENT. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: MRS ALICE KANDAK OMAJI CHAIRMAN.

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NSUKKA URBAN COMMUNITY,GBOKO BRANCH

SECOND COMING OF JESUS AMBASSADORS MINISTRY

PILGRIM LIGHT ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.AGBO CELESTINE 2.AYOGU JONAH 3.EZE OKECHUKWU THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO PROMOTE THE UNITY AND WELFARE OF THE MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED:EMMANUEL EKWERE OKON C/O HOME OF LAWYERS (ABUJA) TEL:0818328147/08038526830

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PASTOR ADENUGA EMMANUEL ADEKUNLE 2.MRS ADENUGA ELIZABETH AFOLABI 3.PST MRS ADENUGA ADEDAYO OLUWOLE 4.ADEKOYA AYODELE OMOSOLA 5.OGUNLADE KEHINDE OLUMIDE 6.EVANGELIST JOHN OSIKOYA 7.OLUKOYA ELIZABETH OLUBISI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED:SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.MR VICTOR OKORO - GENERAL OVERSEER 2.MRS NKECHI OKORO - ASSISTANT GENERAL OVERSEER 3.IFEANYI CHUKWU OKORO - SECRETARY 4.ELDER ACHEBE .O. NJOKU - MEMBER THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

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ASSOCIATION OF THREE COASTAL COMMUNITIES OF SEA FOOD MARKETERS OF AKWA-IBOM STATE

OBIAGELIE OKOLIE FOUNDATION

LIFE REDEMPTION CHRISTIAN CENTRE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CENTRE HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR. TOMOLA ADEHIN - CHAIRMAN 2. MR. EYITOYO OLADIPUPO - SECRETARY 3. MR. DAMILOHUN AKINGBOYE 4. MR. OLORUNYOMI DODO THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF SEA FOOD MARKETERS OF AKWA-IBOM STATE.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.MR OLUBUNMI OBEMBE 2.MR. ONYEKACHI OMENUKO 3.MRS. SONYE ALLANAH 4.MR. TARI TEBEPAH THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. ASSIST LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE COMMUNITY. 2.TO PULL FUNDS TOGETHER WITH THE AIM OF HELPING OUT THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE COMMUNITY WHEN REQUIRED.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: FEMI FABUNMI 08056234371

SIGNED:TIMILAW CONSULTS 08065347706

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PASTOR IGWE NKPA KALU - PRESIDENT 2.PASTOR/MRS. PRECIOUS IGWE - MEMBER 3.HON. JOHN ARUA - MEMBER 4.BRO. UDE ROBERT DANIEL - MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO BUILD BELIEVERS FAITH IN GOD. 2.TO SUPPORT THE ORPHANS AND THE LESS PRIVILEGE PEOPLE IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: PASTOR IGWE NKPA KALU (PRESIDENT)

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MILLENNIUM UNITED SPORTS CLUB ABUJA

ST TERESA’S COLLEGE NSUKKA OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION CLASS ‘90 (STOBA - CLASS ‘90)

CELEBRATION OF GRACE MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.CHIEF CHUKWUDI JOSEPH CHIBOR (KSJ) 2.MR. PAUL DINWOKE 3.ENGR. BENSON OKECHUKWU AKWUCHIE 4.MR EMMANUEL CHUKWEMEKA THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED:UZOWULU UGO & CO 08033393213

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR EMMANUEL IYIDOBI - CHAIRMAN 2. BARR CHIDUABO K. K 3. DR GEORGE UGWU 4. OTEGBULU COLLINS 5. EZUMA, MAGNUS NNANNA 6. EZE CLETUS 7. EZEH CHARLES 8. EZEUGWU CHIKE 9. MADU OBINNA 10.UGWU EMMANUEL C THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO FOSER PEACE, PROGRESS, UNITY & WELFARE OF MEMBERS. 2. TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROWTH & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR ALMA MATER. 3. TO ENCOURAGE GOOD GOVERNANCE & PROMOTE DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: CHIDUABO K.K, ESQ - SECRETARY.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1)REV DR. DOM NGO DARL CHIEMELA (G. O.) (2)REV EKE BERNADETTE NKECHI (MRS) SECRETARY (3)DECONS TONIA NZEKWE (4) ELDER AUGUSTINE UGOEZI (5) PASTOR CHINONSO CHIEMELA (6)DECON CHISO DOM BEN (7) DECONS OKAFOR BEATRICE NGOZI (8) BRO BEN CHINA (9)BRO AUSTIN JONES (10)ELDER EZENWA AMADI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO PREACH THE GOODNEWS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. 2. TO MAKE CONVERTS TO CHRISTAINITY AND DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS 3. TO HELP THE NEEDY & DESTITUTES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: REV. MRS EKE BERNADETTE NKECHI - SECRETARY.

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JESUS THE GREAT DIVINE ALPHA PHYSICIAN PRAYER MINISTRY

HARBOUR-BRIDGE HEAD INDUSTRIALISTS ASSOCIATION

LIFECROWN FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) SISTER PATIENCE ANYANSI (2) RUTH UZOMA (3) MRS STELLAMARIS ONOR (4) MR. CHARLES EHIRIM (5) MR. AUGUSTINE IKWUEGBU (6) MR. SOLOMON EZEH THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: (1) TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. (2) TO PROPAGATE CHRISTIAN FAITH TOWARDS DELIVERANCE FROM SPIRITUAL BONDAGE. (3) TO PROPAGATE CHRISTIAN FAITH TOWARDS HEALING OF THE SICK. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) CHIEF PAUL OKONKWOR (2) MR. BENEDICT ABASILIM (3) CHIEF EMMANUEL AMOBI (4) CHIEF EMMANUEL EZIOKWU (5) CHIEF CHRIS CHIDUME (6) CHUMA UMUNNA (7) SIR DANIEL CHUKWUDOZIE THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: (1) TO PROMOTE PEACE AND UNITY AMONG INDUSTRIALISTS WITHIN THE ONITSHA HABOUR-BRIDGE HEAD. (2) TO PROMOTE GOOD AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE ONITSHA HABOUR-BRIDGE HEAD. (3) TO RENDER FINANCIAL AND MORAL SUPPORTS TO MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED:SECRETARY

SIGNED:SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OYELAMI OLUBOLA OLAITAN 2. OYELAMI OLUBOYE SAMUEL 3. OLOTU KEHINDE OLUBADE 4. AROWORADE OLABISI NIKE 5. UREBV CYNTHIA OKECHI 6. DR ANJORIN ABEL ADEYEMI 7. UDENSI NGOZI FLORENCE 8. OYELAMI ESTHER OLUWADARA 9 OLAOFIN ADEDOLAPO ELIZABETH THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: I. TO LEND A HELPING HAND TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

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CHRIST INSPIRATIONAL AND EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

REALM OF GLORY MINISTRY

AKOH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.OLUSOJI ADETUNJI PETER ADEGOKE 2.FUNMILAYO RADEKE ADEGOKE 3.ALEX OLUWAKAYODE ADESUMBO 4.ADEWALE OYELAMI 5.OLUWAYOMI OJO 6.ADEKEMI OLANIYAN 7.OMOLOLA AYINDE ARAROMI-OKE 8.OLOWOYEYE ARAROMI-OKE 9.ADEGOKE ADEWUMI THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.UKACHUKWU EGBUKA D. 2.CHIEF MAXWELL OKORJI ORLU 3.OGADINMA IGBI FYNEFACE 4.CHIDEBEM BENJAMIN 5.ANTHONY BENETH 6.ISRAEL ONYIRIMBA 7.FERNANDO EWOR ROBINSON 8.AUGUSTINE EGBO UKPENIBUCHI 9.AGBI EMMANUEL HYCIENT THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO CARE FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED:SECRETARY

SIGNED: IDOWU & ORIARAN ASSOCIATES 08057340446

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. APOSTLE BENSON EGHIEBADE UMORU 2. PASTOR MRS BRIDGET OYOWEN-AVOTU UMORU 3. PASTOR LINUS OTSEMHOBOR UMORU THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: (1) TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR CHUKWU SAMUEL PRINCE

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AHOADA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

HOMELAND HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION

KAWO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.STANLEY AGILE 2.JOSEPH ESOR NWEYE 3.CHINYERE AMARAGBA 4.LONDON LAWRENCE 5.GOSPEL IKAH 6.CHIGBEM EWOH

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ENGR. MICHAEL NWABUEZE IDAM 2.STEPHEN TOCHUKWU ANEKWE 3.DAVID ANEKWE

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. JIBRIN MOHAMMED MAGAJI 2. SHEHU USMAN DANTUDU 3. ALH BAKARI MOHAMMED 4. IBRAHIM MOHAMMED SADI 5. YAHAYA IBRAHIM 6. SANI MAINA 7. UMAR ALIYU ABUBAKAR 8. YERO WADA MAHARAZU 9. ALIYU SULEMAN JATAU THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO ASSIST KAWO COMMUNITY FOR SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO CARE FOR THE INDIGENT AND LESS PRIVILEGED.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO PROMOTE AND PROJECT THE GOOD IMAGE OF OUR COUNTRY NIGERIA.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: BARR. CHINENYE ALI 08062313818

SIGNED: SECRETARY

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.OGIDE DECEMBER 2.PASTOR OGBOKA SUNDAY 3.IKECHUKWU FRANK 4.CHIEF SAINT FRIDAY OBIDINMA 5.KENNETH EKECHI 6.INNOCENT AGWANI 7.GODDEY HEZEKIAH 8.JAMES OGADINMA EKPE 9.BRIGHT JONATHAN OGOSHI THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO CARE FOR THE INDIGENT AND LESS PRIVILEGED. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: PASTOR IKECHUKWU CHIGOZIE - PRESIDENT 2.PASTOR SUNDAY OKONKWO - VICE-PRESIDENT 3.ELDER ELIAS UGOBI - SECRETARY 4.MADAM LILY OKOLO - MEMBER 5.DEACON OKECHUKWU UDEGBUNAM - MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO CARE FOR THE WELFARE OF IT MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

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PETER AND GEORGE OSUNDE FOUNDATION

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THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR THEREGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 PETER-KINGS OMOUYI OSUNDE 2 MRS JULIANA EBHOMIEN 3 MR. GEORGE OLUJIDE OSUNDE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1 TO HELP THE POOR AND LESS PRIVILAGED IN OUR SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, MAITAMA, ABUJA SIGNED: SECRETARY

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 DR. CHARITY KONYEGWOSE USIFOH 2 MRS. ADELINE ORIFE 3 MR. GEORGE CHIMA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1 TO SUPPORT HEALTH SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING IN NIGERIA ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, MAITAMA, ABUJA SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR THEREGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

OGIDE DECEMBER 1.

PASTOR OGBOKA SUNDAY 2.

IKECHUKWU FRANK 3.

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KENNETH EKECHI 5.

INNOCENT AGWANI 6.

GODDEY HEZEKIAH 7.

JAMES OGADINMA EKPE 8.

BRIGHT JONATHAN OGOSHI AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1 TO CARE FOR THE INDIGENT AND LESS PRIVILEGED. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, MAITAMA, ABUJA SIGNED: SECRETARY

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GOOD TALK INITIATIVE

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GIDEON DOGO BABAGIDA 2.

ADEJOKE MARY OLUMUYIWA 3.

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TUNDE ALABI 5.

GLORY TITILOPE AYOKUN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.

TO PREACH THE UNADULTERATED GOSPEL TO UPLIFT THE DOOR AND THE NEEDY. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, MAITAMA, ABUJA SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR THEREGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

OTTOABASI AKPAN IKPE PRESIDENT 2.

GODWIN THOMPSON UDO 3.

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TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, MAITAMA, ABUJA SIGNED: SECRETARY.

HOLY GHOST PROPHETIC POWEER MINISTRY WORLDWIDE THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR THEREGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. APPOSTLE JEROME OKOH GENERAL OVERSEER/PRESSIDENT 2. APOSTLE (MRS.) PATIENCE OKOH TREASURER 3. EVAN SUNDAY ODEH SECRETERY-GENERAL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS WORLDWIDE 2. TO RAISE GREAT PROPHETIC ARMIES WHO WILL DEMOSTRATE THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 3. TO DISCIPLE SPIRITUAL AND SECULAR LEADERS WHO WILL BE LIKE CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, MAITAMA, ABUJA SIGNED: SECRETARY

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THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR THEREGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. AKEEM LAWAL ESQ CHAIRMAN 2. HABEEB FASUYI MEMBER 3. GODSON OSHIOGBE IGBANUME ESQ MEMBER 4. KABIR FOLORUNSHO ELELU ESQ MEMBER 5. MARGARET ADENIKE LAWAL MEMBER 6. DAWUD ABAYOMI SULAYMAN ESQ SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS WORLDWIDE 2. TO RAISE GREAT PROPHETIC ARMIES WHO WILL DEMOSTRATE THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 3. TO DISCIPLE SPIRITUAL AND SECULAR LEADERS WHO WILL BE LIKE CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, MAITAMA, ABUJA SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR THEREGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

SABO AHMED HARUNA 2.

AHMED IBRAHIM HARUNA 3.

HARUNA BABA AHMED 4.

MUKHYAR AHMED HARUNA 5.

ABUBAKAR AHMED HARUNA 6.

SHU’AIBU AHMED HARUNA 7.

IMRANA AHMED HARUNA 8.

AHMED AMINU HARUNA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.

TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY AS NEED MAY ARISE. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, MAITAMA, ABUJA SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR THEREGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

EJIKE UGBOAJA 2.

TIJJANI ISAH IDRIS 3.

HENRY UGBOAJA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE ACQUISITION OF SKILLS AMONG THE YOUTH 2. TO PROMOTEEDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT AMONGST THE LESS PRIVILEGED. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, MAITAMA, ABUJA SIGNED: BARR. IDRIS 08030619247

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THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSEMBLY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR THEREGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. UGWUARUA FERDINAND EMEKA CHAIRMAN 2. UGWUEZE CHIKWENDU ENGENE SECRETARY 3. NKWOKE CHARLES C. MEMBER 4. MAMA COLLINS NNANYELUGO MEMBER 5. NGWOKE EMEKA MEMBER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO FOSTER UNITY AND INTEGRATION AMONG MEMBERS 2. TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE OVERALL UPLIFTMENT OF THE PEOPLE IN THEIR IMMEDIATE ENVIRONMENT. 3. TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE AND OVERALL WELLBEING OF MEMBERS 4. TO PROMOTE FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE AMONG THE MEMBERS 5. TO ASSIST MORALLY AND FINANCIALLY 6. TO PROMOTE SOCIAL UNDERSTANDING AMONG MEMBERS 7. TO PROMOTE PEACE AND COOPERATION AMONG MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, MAITAMA, ABUJA SIGNED: IKECHUKWU KINGSLEY ODOH NO. 21 NIAMEY STREET, ZONE II ABUJA 08032613839

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, (CAC) ABUJA FOR THE CHANGE OF TRUSTEES AND AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: SENATOR EBENEZER CHUKWUEMEKA IKEYINA - RETAINED MRS. MABEL EZIM IKEYINA - RETAINED OYEWO ADEWALE AKINTUNDE - REMOVED CHIDOZIE IKEYINA - RETAINED NEWLY ELECTED TRUSTEES: PASTOR UWANDU ISRAEL UCHE SISTER MERCY KOKOMA MAYODE BARR. ARTHUR AGHAISUOTI TOCHUKWU UKWUDILI IKEYINA REASON FOR CHANGING THE REMOVED TRUSTEE HAS LEFT THE CHURCH WHILE OTHERS WERE ELECTED TO STRENGTHEN THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION: ARTICLE 8 (2), THE NUMBER OF THE CHURCH TRUSTEES IS AMENDED .

ARTICLE 8A IS AMENDED TO BE ARTICLE 9.

ARTICLE 8A (1 TO 4), NAMES OF THE TRUSTEES IS DELETED. SECTION 8A (4), QUORUM IS AMENDED. TO BE THE LEADING GLOBAL NETWORK NGO THAT WOULD EQUIP THE YOUTH WITH NECESSARY TOOL TO BRING DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGE IN THE SOCIETY TO ERADICATE POVERTY IN NIGERIA TO GIVE JOB OPPORTUNITY TO THE UMEMPLOYED AND TO CREATE ENABLING GROUND FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGE/AMENDMENT SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED: ARTHUR AGHAISUOTI ESQ. TEL: 08028243327 GOSPEL SUPPORT FOUNDATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR THEREGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

DR. EMEKA EMMANUEL ENYINNIA 2.

DR. JULIANA UCHENNA ENYINNIA 3.

BARR. CHIDINMA CONCILIA EGEONU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.

SPREADING THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 2.

CHURCH PLANTING AND EVANGELISM. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, MAITAMA, ABUJA SIGNED: SECRETARY.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014

QUOTABLE QUOTE I’m another Goodluck in the University of Maiduguri, as one cannot progress if they are afraid of taking risks. We take risks in order to progress and move the university forward.

– Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, new Unimaid Vice Chancellor.

SPORTS Harsh tag reality: My journey to Borno LATEST

7 days to World Cup: Bosnia, Iran top Eagles in FIFA ranking

#

T

he Super Eagles face a tough task qualifying from Group F of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil as less fancied group opponents, Iran and Bosnia are going to the Mundial ranking higher than the Nigerian team.

In the June World Ranking released by FIFA early yesterday, while Nigeria remained static as number 44 in the world as they did last month, group opponents, Bosnia moved up four places to rank 21 in the world, while Iran another opponent were ranked 43rd.

Going by the ranking, there are indications that Iran and Bosnia may not be less fancied going into the World Cup as pundits thought.

Last month, the Eagles moved up to 44th in the overall ranking and sixth in Africa. It is the same position that they maintained this month and will remain like that till the next release is made, possibly after the World Cup tournament in Brazil, which ends next month.

Nigeria polled a total of 640 points and will be looking at gathering more points to rise up on the log.

Nigeria’s case was not enhanced with the last two draws that they have played, most especially that of Scotland which was considered in this ranking.

Meanwhile, Algeria is now the highest ranked African team, moving up three places to place 22nd in the world.

Côte d’Ivoire slumped down two places to 23rd and 2nd in Africa, while Egypt which will not be at the World Cup went down twelve places to 36th in the world.

I n the ov e ra ll ranking, Brazil has steadily found their way to third position with Spain and Germany unchallenged in the first and second positions respectively.

Argentina and Switzerland moved two places up to fifth and sixth respectively on the log.

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

0805 0805 0814 0805 0803

BringBackOurGirls remind me of the Malaysian Airlines syndrome. Of families who will not give up in the face of harsh reality. Some still believe their loved ones will come back.

Whilst we focus on the girls that Boko Haram is holding hostage, the army cannot act for fear of hurting them and many other hostages, and bringing international condemnation.

Yet every night Boko Haram insurgents burn more villages and kill more people, yet the hostages tie up the hands of the military. Sometimes we have to take ruthless decisions in war.

The harsh truth is that we have to make a harsh choice, and tag along with the harsh reality.

Harsh truth. Tag along.

Reality. This is our Harsh Tag Reality: between finding the 200 girls of Chibok and saving the villages of Borno we may have to face a choice, or linger on in limbo. I pray we have have both but the realities here indicate we may have to face one, the more important one.

It is really a bit like gangrene.

You either have to cut off the gangrenous limb or lose your entire life. If we can find the 200 girls and all the other girls abducted before and after, fantastic. But let us focus on the real issue here, Borno! How do we save Borno and prevent more killings and abductions.

There is another argument that this critic used. The Chibok girls are a symbol of our resolve. It is almost like we are more interested in the colourful demonstrations of the hashtag group, the superstars

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Friday Column Agha Egwu

Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno

in Hollywood who have moved on from the hashtag fad, and in the letters of the Senate Women in America, than in the reality in Borno. They claim it made President Obama sit up and notice and put 80 American troops in Chad to find the Chibok girls with drones. The ridiculousness of this proposal is too painful to contemplate.

The truth is that despite the meetings in France with the francophone countries, we are on our own for the meantime.

Please understand this: President Obama was playing to the gallery and just wanted to be seen to be doing something.

He is not being nasty. He is not being deceptive. He is clearly

very tired. President Obama is suffering from American Intervention Fatigue.

When I asked the question, “Why the Chibok Girls?” those focused on the success of the hashtag did not understand the deeper implications of that question. Racism.Think of what happened in Rwanda, Mali, Central African Republic.

It is until thousands die and governments are toppled that America and the West notice disaster in Africa. Why did it take the dramatic capture of 200 girls in the middle of the night to wake up the feminist liberation movement, that was more concerned about the rape of the girls than the dying of thousands in Borno. Please do not get me wrong. Raping the girls and selling them into slavery is a terrible thing, but like in Jos, or Biafra, when you are burying hundreds of dead in a trench, one more dead body means nothing to you.

Death and pain is relative to your degree of suffering. 200 Abducted girls rings terrible in Lagos, Abuja, London and Washington, but 200 abducted girls mean nothing in Borno.

They are more concerned with 200 burnt out villages. You get?

The people that will save Borno and hundreds of abducted girls and burnt out villages are the Nigerian Army, the junior JTF and the hunters who

One thing that gets me about Maiduguri is the pleasantness of the people. It reminds me of our lives in Biafra. Surrounded by death at every turn, we found time to laugh, to love and to be kind to strangers and refugees. Maiduguri is filled with refugees and displaced persons, but you do not see them. Many are with helpful relatives. The resolve of the people of Maiduguri, their kindness and goodwill are awe inspiring. Most do not know anything about hashtags and I do not think they are waiting for demonstrations to save them through America. They will save themselves and with that save Nigeria.

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have volunteered to do so. The Nigerian Army and our soldiers from the South probably lack the motivation, but the hunters and junior JTF need to be trained and armed properly if we are to save Nigeria. Their motivation to save their homes, like our motivation in Biafra to save our lives from massacre, is strong enough to match the religious zealotry of Boko Haram.

One thing that gets me about Maiduguri is the pleasantness of the people. It reminds me of our lives in Biafra. Surrounded by death at every turn, we found time to laugh, to love and to be kind to strangers and refugees.

Maiduguri is filled with refugees and displaced persons, but you do not see them. Many are with helpful relatives. The resolve of the people of Maiduguri, their kindness and goodwill are awe inspiring. Most do not know anything about hashtags and I do not think they are waiting for demonstrations to save them through America. They will save themselves and with that save Nigeria. We need to focus not just on the girls but on Borno.

If we must have hahtags, then #BringBackBorno is a more relevant hashtag to the dignity of these people than 200 girls who may or may never come back.

The butterflies are still buzzing in my belly as I write this piece wondering how I will cross no man’s land back to Damaturu and the less terrifying bombs of Abuja, or even better, the green meadows of England.

Every noise is magnified in the night. I am listening out for bombs and bullets. None yet. Fear dissipates. I smile with understanding. Perhaps it is better to blog about #BringBackBorno from a safe distance. But before I go, I must leave something important for these wonderful people. I must persuade the Governor to put a proper Security corridor with escorts on that Damaturu Road so that single vehicles do not travel alone. It is their only lifeline and will do much to increase the commerce and traffic to Maiduguri. It reminds me of Biafra’s Uli Airport, the only route for bringing food to the starving millions of Biafra. If that is all I can do to help, it will be far better than ranting on the internet and making much ado about nothing. Hashtag Fatigue has become Harsh Tag reality!

Agha Egwu has just returned from a trip to Maiduguri.

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