Friday 7th February, 2014

Vol. 12 No. 94

Friday, February 7, 2014

. . . putting the people first

  

Rabi’uth Thani 8, 1435 AH

N150

 

IG, Police Commission in power tussle

 Abubakar swaps 23 CPs  PSC redeploys 13  Mbu finally out of Rivers 

The new posting is as follows: 1. Ambrose Aisabo Kwara 2. Felix O. Uyanya Akwa Ibom 3. Johnson Ogunsaki Rivers 4. Abdulmajid Ali Imo 5. Benjamin U. Onwuka Kebbi 6. Ibrahim Maishanu Osun 7. Adamu Ibrahim Abia 8. Aderenle Shinaba Kano 9. Mbu Joseph Mbu FCT 10. Umaru U. Shehu Kaduna 11. A.J. Abakasanga Adamawa 12. Kalafite H. Adeyemi Taraba 13. Ibrahim Idris Nasarawa

   

By Joy Baba & Stanley Onyekwere

N Borno state Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima (middle), displaying his temporary All Progressives Congress (APC) membership card with reference number 13061001, after he was registered under the supervision of APC Interim Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari (behind the governor), state Interim Chairman, Senator Kaka Malam Yale (right), yesterday at the Government House, in Maiduguri.

iger Delta warlord, Mujahid DokuboAsari yesterday visited the office of the Department of State Service (SSS), in Abuja, where he was grilled for at least six hours, for comments believed to be detrimental to national security.

Dokubo-Asari had on Tuesday reportedly threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable, unless President Jonathan secures a

second term ticket in the 2015 presidential election, warning politicians from the North to stay clear of the presidency next year.

“2015 is already a settled matter; Goodluck Jonathan will be president in 2015, whether they contest or they don’t contest, Goodluck Jonathan will be president.

“If it is war the North wants, we are ready for them because Jonathan must complete the mandatory constitutionally Contd. on Page 2



>>>>> Page 4

PAGE 2

News

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

CONTENTS

IG, Police Commission in power tussle

News

By Joy Baba & Tobias Lengnan Dapam

2-10

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

Stockwatch S/Report Islam Int’l

23 24-25 26 27-31

A

n obvious power tussle is playing out between the Inspector General of Police(IGP), Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar and the Police Service Commission (PSC), headed by retired IGP Mike Okiro.

This is demonstrated by two conflicting positions the IG’s office and the PSC took yesterday on the redeployment of senior police officers across the country.

While the PSC redeployed 13 commissioners, including the controversial Rivers state Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, the IG also transferred Mbu out of Rivers to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, in addition to moving 22 others to various states.

The PSC, in a statement signed by its Assistant Director, Press, Ferdinand Ekpe, said Mbu has been replaced by Johnson Tunde Ogunsakin, who was formerly in charge of the Special Fraud Investigations Unit in Lagos police

command.

According to the statement, Mbu was redeployed alongside 12 other commissioners of police, who were charged by the chairman of the PSC, Okiro, to put their best in their various commands, such as to provide conducive environment for both life and business.

The IG, on the other hand, ordered the redeployment of 23 commissioners of police including the controversial Mbu. A statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer ( FPRO), CSP Frank Mba, said 13 deputy commissioners of police were also redeployed to various commands and formations across the country.

The statement said the posting is part of strategic efforts to reposition the Force for improved efficiency and better service delivery.

According to the statement: “The IGP enjoins the affected police chiefs to step up the fight against all forms of criminality in the country and equally ensure

sustained improvement of public safety in all facets of our national life.

“He appeals to Nigerians from all walks of life to support the new police commissioners and their lieutenants to enable them succeed in the discharge of their constitutional and statutory mandate”, it further said Sources close to the police authorities have indicated that the PSC’s mandate stops at promotion, discipline and training of rank and file of the Force, while the IG is in charge of general operations, including posting and redeployment of servicemen.

Meanwhile, the statement from the PSC yesterday listed commissioners of police posted alongside Mbu to include: Ambrose Aisabo, to take charge of Kwara state; Felix O. Uyanya, Ekiti state; Abdulmajid Ali, Imo state; Benjamin U. Onwuka, Plateau state; Ibrahim Maishanu, Osun state and Adamu Ibrahim, Abia state.

Others are; Aderenle Shinaba, Kano state; Umaru U. Shehu,

Kaduna state; A.J. Abakasanga, Adamawa state; Kalafite H. Adeyemi, Taraba state, and Ibrahim Idris, Force Headquarters (FHQ), Abuja.

The controversial Rivers commissioner of police has been having a running battle with the state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, which resulted in series of clashes in the state between the police and people loyal to Amaechi.

The height of the conflict was the incident wherein a serving Senator, Magnus Abe, including others, were allegedly shot with rubber bullets by the police.

It would be recalled that the Senate and House of Representatives had, in reaction to the faceoff between the police commissioner and the governor, passed a resolution mandating the IGP to redeploy Mbu, as the first step to peace in the oil rich state.

Also, the IG was recently summoned by the Senate after the Rivers crisis festered, without the Force headquarters complying the earlier call by the National Assembly for Mbu’s redeployment.

2015: I’ll campaign for Jonathan, says Shekarau

A

Mu’azu to Atiku, G5: Your sojourn in APC will not be successful –Page 5

Vogue

32-33

Interview

34

S/report

35

Digest

36

Politics

37-38

Newsxtra

39,40

Sports

41

Columnist

48

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU The Peoples Daily wants to hear from you with any news and pictures you think we should publish.

You can send your news and pictures to: adverts@peoplesdailyng.com pictures@peoplesdailyng.com contact@peoplesdailyng.com

Phones for News: 08142929046 08024432099

former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, said yesterday that he would campaign for Goodluck Jonathan to be re-elected Nigeria’s president if the president is picked as the candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Premium Times reported that the ex-governor stated this at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after meeting with Vice President Namadi Sambo.

When asked if he was ready to campaign for President Goodluck Jonathan in Kano in 2015, Mr. Shekarau said, “I am prepared to campaign for the PDP. And whoever turns out to be the candidate of PDP at any level is my candidate.”

There has been clamour from several leading northern politicians that the presidency be zoned to the north in 2015. Some state governors, including those

of Niger and Adamawa, had also alleged that they only supported Mr. Jonathan in the 2011 presidential elections after the president signed an agreement to contest only one term in office, ostensibly to leave the way for a Northern president in 2015.

Shekarau also stated that the PDP would remain strong in Kano despite the defection of the incumbent governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to the All Progressives Congress.

The ex-governor, a founding member of the APC, recently decamped to the PDP, after accusing the former’s leadership of handing over its Kano structure to Kwankwaso.

The ex-governor said contrary to insinuations, the PDP was ‘on ground’ in Kano.

“His (Kwankwaso’s) defection cannot kill PDP. Those current with situation on ground knew that the governor of Kano

had long before now been out of PDP. What he is running is Kwankwasiya, a cultism kind of a group,” he said.

“PDP has always been there, so what we are doing is we are now joining PDP and his group has gone into APC. We shall see whether we are the ones on ground or the Kwankwasiya APC.” “We checked out from the APC when we discovered that some of the principal actors in the merger did not mean well,” he said.

Shekarau said his meeting with Mr. Sambo was to discuss the PDP, adding that, “It was not a special meeting. It was a continuation of rubbing of mind. I am now part and parcel of the PDP family, I will always be meeting with one party functionary or the other to continue to rob minds on how we will move the party and the nation forward,” he said.

The former governor also

said he was opposed to the repeated clamour by Northern politicians, or by politicians of any other region in Nigeria, that the presidency be zoned to their region adding that he was opposed to any constitutional rotational presidency.

While speaking on the arguments for and against a northern president in the 2015 elections, Shekarau said he has never subscribed to the argument of localizing the presidency to a particular region.

“If you had followed my arguments and my presentations or debates in the presidential election, I said so. My concern is what do we do to get the right leadership regardless of where it is coming from.”

“This issue of rotational presidency is not the issue.

What we should be talking about is balancing so that we carry people along”, he said.

Unguarded utterances: SSS quizzes, warns Dokubo-Asari Contd. from Page 1 allowable two terms of eight years.

At home, we have regrouped and we have put our people at alert.

“In less than one hour, the way we would strike, the world will be shocked. If anybody does anything against Jonathan, we will retaliate.

What we will do will shock the whole world. We will cripple the economy of the country not only in the creeks, but also on the nation’s territorial waters, no vessel will be allowed to enter Nigeria’s territorial waters,” the leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF), was quoted to have told a television station in Lagos.

He continued: “Let them not try anything. If they abuse Jonathan, there is no problem, he is

their President but anything that will affect the interest of the Ijaw people and the interest of the entire people of the Niger Delta will be resisted at any cost.

“Let them go and sleep in their houses. If they don’t, they are looking for trouble and we are going to give it to them. It will make better sense if APC picks its presidential candidate from the SouthSouth. With that, there will be no battle for us to fight and it will make it easier for us. Whichever way it goes, it will enable us to continue our right of uninterrupted rule of eight years, which is the minimum constitutional requirement.

“They cannot take that from the South-south and we will not accept it because every part of the

country must have equal access to the various institutions of government, especially at the federal level”, he said.

Spokesperson of the SSS, Marilyn Ogar, confirmed to one of our reporters last night that DokuboAsari was earlier invited to appear before the service for interrogation at 10am yesterday, and he turned up at about 9.45am, alongside his lawyer, as well as supporters.

She also confirmed that the Niger Delta warlord faced officials of the SSS for about six hours-from 9.45am to almost 4pm-, during which he was interrogated and subsequently cautioned against making any further statements that could pose threats to national security.

It would be recalled that Doku-

bo-Asari made similar remarks in the past, which were clearly ignored by security agencies.

In the meantime, in its response to the latest alleged threat by the ex-militant, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, described the remarks as reckless, irresponsible and totally condemnable, urging the SSS to act immediately or be damned.

The APC had questioned if SSS was sleeping for not arresting the warlord over the series of inciting statements, even when the agency recently made attempts to arrest former FCT Minister, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, a chieftain of the party, for allegedly making similar statements about 2015 elections.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

News Jonathan appoints new SAs, chief executives for NTA, FRCN, NAN, SURE-P

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

I

n furtherance of efforts to continually strengthen his administration on all fronts, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday approved Gen. Martin Luther Agwai and Mrs. Tanwa Olusi as Chairman, and Deputy Chairman of SURE-P respectively.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Reuben Abati said the President also appointed Mrs. Fidelia Njeze as Special Adviser (NEPAD), Senator Suleiman M. Ajadi, Special Adviser (NASS), Mr. Sola Omole as Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

Other appointments made, according to the statement was Alhaji Ladan Salihu as DG, FRCN and Mr. Ima Niboro as the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Gen. Martin Agwai (rtd.) was until now the Deputy Chairman and Acting Chairman of SURE-P while Mrs. Njeze is the current Nigerian Ambassador to Switzerland.

All the appointments, the statemenmt noted are with immediate effect.

Ogun ex-gov's trial continues April 3, 4 From James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

A

n Ogun State High Court, sitting in Abeokuta, yesterday fixed April 3 and 4, 2014 for the continuation of the trial of a former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Daniel, who was the state helmsman from May 2003 and May 2011 in Ogun state, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 38-count charge bordering on fraudulent conversion of public land and diversion of public funds.

The former governor had, however, filed an appeal at the court of Appeal, Ibadan Judicial Division challenging a ruling of the lower court which dismissed his plea to quash counts 1-13 of the 38 charges that deal with illegal conversion of public land to personal use by the former governor in the subsisting suit.

The trial Judge, Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje had adjourned the case till Feb. 6, to enable the court of appellate court rule on the appeal.

The case was consequently adjourned to April 3 and 4 for continuation of trial.

PAGE 3

2015 elections: INEC acquires voter registration machines

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has acquired voter registration machines which would be used to register voters for the 2015 general elections.

The Director of Voters Registry in INEC, Emmanuel Akem,

said this during a one-day national conference themed, “Stakeholders engagement of INEC on the status of continuous voter registration ahead of the 2015 elections”.

At the event which was organized by Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), with support from the United National Devel-

opment Programme, Democratic Governance for Development, the INEC Director also said the commission would carry out voters’ registration for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states between March 12th and 19th.

He said, “Since the machines are in place, it is 100 per cent a possibility to register in any INEC

Local Government office nearest to you. The nationwide voters’ registration has no date yet because we want to have the full complement of those back-up machines.”

He added that the introduction of the machines was being done in stages with regards to the gubernatorial elections.

L-R: Chairman, Northern Elders Council, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, Kaduna state Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero Ramalan, and former Minister of Environment and Agriculture, Ambassador Hassan Adamu, during the Northern Elders Council General Assembly, yesterday in Kaduna.

Photo: NAN

Stop using NYCN crisis as cover up, youth tells minister From Albert Akota

F

actional President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Abdul Rahman Agboola has called on the Supervising Minister of Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi to desist from using leadership crisis rocking the council as an excuse for his negligence.

Agboola urged the Minister to brace up and address issues relating to the welfare and gen-

eral welfare of Nigeria Youths as provided by the National Youth Policy (2007).

In a statement signed and made available to Newsmen in Abuja, he said many people that laid claim to the leadership of the council had no business being in the council going by the National Youth Policy of 2007, noting that there is a procedure to follow for the position of the council’s president.

Agboola explained that the deliberate effort by the power

that be to jettison the proper implementation of the National youth Policy makes it easy for “some sinister forces, who have continued to lay claim to the leadership of the Council against the enabling regulations guiding the activities of the Council leading to the continual debacle on the post of NYCN President.”

He maintained that “one of the major challenges confronting the Council that seriously undermine the fulfillment of the objectives of the Council is to absence

of an Act of Parliament by the National Assembly to authenticate the status of the National Youth Council of Nigeria as the apex Youth body by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“We appeal to the Speaker of the Federal House of Representative, Rt. Hon Aminu Tambuwal to assist the Council towards the passage of the Bill on National Youth Council of Nigeria into Law for optimum productivity of the Council.”

Reps Deputy Majority Leader denies involvement in alleged N2.4bn road contract scam

By Umar Muhammad Puma

D

eputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rep. Leo Ogor (PDP Delta), has denied any involvement in the N2.4billion road contract scam reported in the media, insisting that he is innocent of the allegation.

Reacting to the allegation in the media, Ogor said the issue of the road scam, double dealing, switching of contracts, fraud, as reported are baseless, claiming

that the aim of the reports was to tarnishing his image.

"People would just fabricate false stories simply because 2015 is drawing nearer. He or she that wrote the story should go to NDDC and verify, the engineers should tell them how they arrived at that figure. I am a lawmaker, I don't work with NDDC", he said.

"I'm consulting with my lawyers, I'm going to file a case against those that wrote the story, the reporter should have tak-

en time to investigate very well, after all it is my constituency we are talking about".

Meanwhile, there are reports in the media that the House Deputy Majority Leader, who represents Isoko Federal constituency, and a local construction company, S.O. Olotu and Sons Nig Ltd, conspired and defrauded the Ozoro kingdom, Isoko North, and the local government area of Delta state, of billions of naira in a N2.4 billion road contract in the area.

The road contract which has generated a controversy over the alleged fraud discovery, was approved by the Federal Government, and awarded at a staggering sum of millions, in 2011, by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to S.O. Olotu and Sons Nig. Ltd. When contacted, Chief S.O. Olotu, who is the contractor, threatened to deal with our correspondent should the story be reported.

PAGE 4

News ICPC, Public Service Institute partner to fight corruption

By Joy Baba

T

he Independent Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)’s System Review initiative, a pro-active measure, for curbing corruption in Nigeria has received a boost, from the Public Service Training Institute of Nigeria(PSIN).

Both the ICPC and the PSIN have decided to team up in partnership on System Study of Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).

A statement signed by the commision’s media consultant Folu Olamiti said the accord was reached when the Administrator of PSIN, Dr Shehu Abubakar, with his board members paid a courtesy visit to the ICPC Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta on Wednesday.

The statement also said the ICPC Chairman, Mr Nta said the partnership with the Institute on System Study was to identify corruption prone processes in MDAs with the aim to offer necessary advice on ways to ensure its eradication.

According to Nta, “Our partnership is critical because when I was going through your Act, I discovered that we could actually collaborate not only in the area of training but also in terms of joint system studies.

“We should look at both the civil service and the public service and identify the processes or areas that are corruption prone and offer advice on its prevention”.

He noted the huge appetite of Nigerians for foreign training programmes was not in the interest of the country adding that the benefits of all the first class training institutions in the country was yet to be fully appreciated.

He further called for the implementation of a national policy on integrated human resource development to enhance utilization of indigenous training institutions in the country especially by Civil Servants.

In his remark, Abubakar commended the ICPC for its remarkable achievements and higher tempo in the fight against corruption ever since the current Board was inaugurated.

He said the visit was to solicit for more patronage from the Commission and identify areas of collaboration to enhance human resource development.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

18 killed, 3 soldiers injured in Plateau attack From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

N

o fewer than eighteen persons were killed and three soldiers injured yesterday in an early morning attack lunched on Wase town and Mabo village in Wase local government area of Plateau state, the Plateau state Special Task Force (STF), said.

The Plateau STF Media and Information Officer, captain Salisu Mustafa who confirmed the incident also said that twenty houses were burnt, adding that

their men were able to recovered 3GM, 1GPM ,1AK47 and 1G3 from the attackers.

Shapi’i Sambo who is the Wase Youth leader told Peoples Daily in a telephone interview that the attack was first lunched on Wase town at about 4:15 and one hour later on Mabo village which is about 7 km away from Wase town.

Sambo said, “At about 4:15 am when we were preparing for morning prayer, all of a sudden we started hearing gun shots from different direction of Wase

town. Realising that the attackers came with full force, the residents stood up and repelled them. “ Soon after they were repelled , about one hour later we heard that Mabo village was also attacked by the same assailants where about twenty one persons were killed and three others injured who are currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital”, he added.

Mustafa Ahmad who is a resident of Mabo said the attackers invaded the village soon after performing morning prayers .He said

,” at about 5:55am after we have said our morning prayer, we began to hear the gun shots. I did not even go out of the Mosque when the shooting started. Everybody then left the mosque and sought refuge.”

Ahmad added that the situation now in Mabo was calm and soldiers were positioned in all nook and cranny of the village.

According to the youth leader, the attackers came with sophisticated weapons and started shooting intermittently and burning houses

50 Tarabans are to be conferred with various awards at Nigeria’s Centenary anniversary From Yusha’u Alhassan Jalingo.

F

ifty Tarabans who have distinguished themselves in their chosen endeavours are to be conferred with various awards at Nigeria’s Centenary anniversary, Taraba Chapter.

Commissioner of Information,

Culture and Tourism, Ate Sale Kundu who disclosed this in an interview with our reporter in Jalingo said arrangements are on top gear for Taraba Chapter’s celebration coming up between the 12th and 13th of this month in Jalingo.

He added that the celebration would offer Nigerians particularly

people of Taraba State the opportunity to take a retrospective view on the history of Nigeria to consolidate on past gains and lay solid foundation for future greatness of Nigeria.

Kundu emphasized the need for well-meaning Tarabas to join hands with the government to fasttrack the development process of

the State to bequeath enduring legacies.

The Commissioner added that the vast agricultural, tourism and solid minerals potentials of Taraba State, if harnessed would turn around its fortunes to achieve greatness.

L-R: Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki; Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, President, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Comrade Bobboi Kalgama, and former TUC President, Comrade Peter Esele, during the launch of TUC housing development scheme for civil servants, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Niger police recover 3 AK 47 rifles, kill 2 robbers From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

T

wo dare devil armed robbers met their waterloo at Bangi in Mariga local government of Niger state when they engaged operatives of state police command in a gun battle, police source revealed.

It was gathered that the incident occured when police at Mariga divisional police office acting on a tip off arrested one of the armed robbers at the ever busy Mariga market.

The suspect Mamman Sodan-

gi was taken to the police station for search where it was discovered that the bag contained three (3) AK 47, 50 rounds of ammunitions and three (3) magazines which the suspect cannot give satisfatory account of those items found on him.

However, on further intoregation by the operatives the suspect confessed that he belongs to a gang of armed robbers that has been terrorising residence of the area including neigbouring states of Kebbi, Zamfara and Kaduna particularly on market days claiming that the gang leader

resides at Farin Shinga near Kontagora in Niger state.

With the confessing of the suspect, he led the operatives to the village to effect the arrest of the gang leader Buba Jabbi but, it was learnt on the way back to Mariga other members of the gang ambushed the policemen which led to a shootout between the police and the robbers.

In another development, the police also arrested one suspect Abubakar Mohammed believed to be a member of Miyetti Allah Association from Karu who was in possision of 20 lives ammunition

and a magazine.

Police image maker in the state ASP Richard Adamu Oguche confirmed the two incidents adding that investigation was on top of gear as suspects will soon be charged to court.

Oguche who gave the serial numbers of the recovered riffles as AK 47- 5366, AK 47- 01742 and AK 47- 395366 advised divisional police commands within and outside the state who lost riffle with the quoted serial numbers to come to the state headquarter for identification.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 5

News

Kano Speaker’s exit gives me peace of mind –Kwankwaso From Edwin Olofu, Kano

K

L-R: Wife of Benue state governor, Mrs. Yemisi Dooshima Suswam, wife of Vice-President, Hajiya Amina Sambo, First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, President Goodluck Jonathan, and wife of Senate President, Mrs. Helen Mark, during the commissioning of Wuye International Market by the president, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Mu'azu to Atiku, G5: Your sojourn in APC will not be successful

By Lawrence Olaoye

N

ational Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mu'azu yesterday appealed to the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the five PDP governors who decamped to the opposition APC to return to the party as

he warned that their journey would not be successful.

The Chairman, who said this when Katsina state PDP delegates led

by Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema paid him a courtesy visit at the party national secretariat in Abuja.

"I appeal to those who have been wronged and decided to embark on

a journey that is not going to be successful to come back home especially the five governors and others," he said.

Mu'azu said the rule of law will be followed under his leadership, insisting that the party will recover lost ground.

Earlier, Governor Shema said he

has every reason to be committed to the party, being the only person that has emerged from the party National Working Committee (NWC) to be governor.

He boasted that PDP will continue to rule and govern Nigeria, as the only party without religion border or ethnic barrier.

Cervical cancer kills 9,659 Nigerian women yearly – SFH From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

W

orried by the growing cases of cancer, a Non Governmental Organisation, Society for Family Health (SFH) has presented Cryotherapy machine used in the treatment of pre cancerous lesion of the cervix to a private health centre in Kaduna.

The NGO said, one woman dies of cervical cancer, every two minutes in the world, while the disease was the second most frequent can-

cer among women in Nigeria following breast cancer, with 9,659 women dying of the disease annually.

Presenting the machine to the Medical Director of Amina Hospital, Kaduna, Dr. Kunle Alao, the Managing Director of SFH, Sir Bright Ekweremadu said, the machine will go a long way in changing the landscape of managing cervical cancer in Nigeria.

According to him, SFH is partnering with over 300 private health

facilities in Nigeria for the provision of quality healthcare services that is accessible and affordable, especially to the poor and vulnerable in the society.

He said, "women in developing countries suffer disproportionately from the burden of cervical cancer and account for over 80 percent of all cases. While cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates have declined substantially in western countries in the last few decades, they continue to rise in low middle

income countries.”

According to him, "Cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer among women in Nigeria following breast cancer, with 9,659 women dying of cervical cancer annually.

The Medical Director of Amina Hospital, Dr. Kunle Alao expressed appreciation to the management of SFH for choosing their hospital as a beneficiary centre, promising that the machine will be put to effective use.

ano state governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has said that he will now sleep with both eyes closed as a result of change in the leadership change of the state House of Assembly.

He stated this yesterday during a meeting with members state Community Reorientation Council (CRC) from the 44 local government areas of the state at Government House, Kano.

The governor noted that hitherto, he was not comfortable with the leadership of the house, urging the new leadership of the house to remain determined and focused in the task ahead of them.

The governor noted that the new speaker Hon. Ishaq Ali Danja is a reliable gentleman, expressing optimism that the cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature in the state would be solidified.

Kwankwaso noted that before the PDP-Kwankwasiyya left the PDP for APC in Kano, there were 31 PDP lawmakers, pointing out that presently, the new party has 34 legislators.

He urged politicians in the state who have not joined the APC to do so soon, as the party is poised to reposition Nigerian by the time it wins the 2015 general elections.

The governor also called on CRC members to ensure they register with party, adding that they should equally propagate the manifesto of the APC in order to have more supporters.

In his remarks, the state chairman of CRC, Alhaji Bello Magaji Toranke commended the governor for the rapid transformation of the state, assuring him that they would do everything possible to ensure that APC gains intimidating membership.

The APC Membership Card Distribution National Representative in the state, Dr. Musa Inuwa assured that the cards would be available for every one to register.

G5 defection: Lack of service stalls hearing

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

T

he in-ability of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to effect service of court processes on the five state governors that defected to the All Progressive Party (APC), yesterday stalled the hearing of the suit it filed against the governors before a Federal High Court, Abuja.

When the matter came up yesterday, counsels representing the state governors, who are defendants in the suit informed the court that they were not served with the originating summons and the hearing notice by the plaintiff, adding

that they were in court to protest the service, based on newspapers’ advertorial mentioning them as respondents in the suit.

They told the court that they don’t have the mandate of their clients to receive the processes on their behalf in the court, but the independent National electoral Commission (INEC), also a defendant in the suit acknowledged receipt of the processes by the plaintiff.

The plaintiff’s counsel, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN) had earlier told the court that the court bailiff went to APC national headquarters in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja and realised that the party had vacated the premises.

Izinyon therefore asked for an adjournment to enable him serve fresh hearing notice and the originating summons on the defendants.

Consequently, the trial Judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole adjourned the matter till 24th January, 2014 for report of service and charged the plaintiff to conduct his case properly in the best of his ability.

PDP had asked the Court to sack the five state governors, Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano) and Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara)” on the grounds that by their defection, they had forfeited their offices.

In the suit, PDP is arguing that the governors should be sacked because they have forfeited their offices by leaving the party on which platform they were elected.

In the event that the governors are sacked from office, PDP wants the court to order the deputy governors or speakers of their state houses of assembly to assume their positions.

The PDP asked the court for several reliefs, among which, is a declaration that by the combined provisions of sections 177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the 1999 Constitution, the governors could not continue to enjoy the mandate given to it (PDP) by

the people/electorate as they (governors) had defected to another political party.

The court was also requested by the PDP to make a declaration that in the absence of any division in the PDP, the governors had vacated or forfeited their seats upon their defection to the APC. Also, the court was asked to make a declaration that, by the combined provisions of sections 87 of the Electoral Act 2011 (as amended), and sections 177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the 1999 Constitution, the offices of the governors had reverted to the PDP.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 6

News 2015: Yakasai, others, endorse Jonathan, Sambo

From Muhammad Ibrahim, Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

I

n what appears to be like a division among northern elders, a newly established Northern Elders Council, NEC, yesterday led by an elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan and vice President Namadi Sambo candidature for 2015 elections.

According to them, they did that in order to protect the unity of this country.

Speaking during the maiden General Assembly of the group held at Arewa House, Yakasai who served as former president Shagari’s adviser in the second republic, said everybody has his or her opinion and right to support whoever he wants to support come 2015.

“We acknowledged the immense contribution of Northern Nigeria to the unity and development of Nigeria as well as the historical relationship between the North and South long before amalgamation and wish to further cement that relationship.

“We also appreciates the tremendous progress in Nigeria’s march towards establishing a stable democratic order and will work alongside all who wish to ensure that the machinations of anti-democratic forces are thwarted,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, Governor Ramalan Yero said the NEC meeting was not only timely, but imperative to the stability of the region, especially at this crucial moment in the life of Nigeria.

“As an ardent believer in the power of dialogue in building understanding among diverse people, I salute the courage of our elders in forming this eminent group and I declare my absolute support to the ideals of the Northern Elders Council.

“As elders, it is time for you to put heads together in proffering workable solutions to the myriads of socio-political as well as economic challenges plaguing development in our country.

“The present situation where our people have been divided along ethnic and religious lines is unacceptable and inimical to sustainable growth and development,” he said.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of Northern Elders Forum (NEF),Dr. Paul Unongo disagreed with the position of the NEC on the endorsement of the Jonathan/Sambo ticket come 2015.

N18.7bn suit: Court orders IGP to produce Adoke, Maku, others From Matthew Irinoye, Lagos

J

ustice Olubunmi FemiAdeniyi of a Lagos High Court, yesterday, issued a bench warrant to Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke,; his Defence counterpart, Mr. Labaran Maku, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh and the Nigerian Army (operating as ministry of defence & defence headquarters) to appear before it and defend the 18.7 billion naira suit over a sealed property.

The judge also ordered Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to produce the federal government officials in court, following their apparent refusal to appear in court to defend the suit.

She had last December granted an ex-parte motion to be served on the defendants following their refusal to comply

with the earlier order instructing them to re-open the closed Mammy Market located within Giwa Barracks, Falomo, Ikoyi, in Lagos.

It will be recalled that the Defence authorities had, in February 2007, sealed off the 225 shops in the market following one week notice given to the market men and women to vacate the place which did not go down well with the operators because of the volume of their investments and property in the market – as the notice did not convey compensation.

However, the market association met with the then Commanding Officer, Group Captain Patrick Mbanugo and pleaded that the military should see reasons with them by way of adequate time to prepare for relocation, but he told them that the closure was an order from above and therefore could not be disobeyed. Dissatisfied

with the order, the association commenced a civil action before the High Court of Lagos against the defendants, claiming amongst others perpetual injunction, declaratory reliefs and the sum of 18.7 billion naira as damages against the defendants.

The court however granted an interlocutory order against the defendants on April 25, 2008, asking them to open and take inventory of all goods and properties of the claimants. It also gave an order to restrain the defendants, their agents, servants, developers and privies from demolishing, defacing, altering and removing in any manner, reconstructing and rebuilding of any or all of the claimants 225 shops at the market pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

During yesterday’s proceedings, counsel to the market association, Mr Stanley

Ochoga informed the court that the settlement move by the defendants was long overdue without progress. In his words, “refusal of the defendants to obey the court’s order and appear in court showed that they are not serious.”

He therefore prayed the court to issue a bench warrant on the defendants to appear in court on the next adjournment.

Earlier, counsel to the Attorney-General, Mr. B.R Ashiru had prayed the court to give the defendants more time to perfect the settlement.

While giving a short ruling, Justice Femi-Adeniyi held that the settlement agreement was long overdue since the case started ten years ago. The judge therefore issued the bench warrant against the defendants to appear before the on March 27, 2014.

Why we blocked 2014 Budget – Kawu From Edwin Olofu, Kano

H

Kano state Governor, Engineer Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso (middle), being registered as APC member by the Kano state Chairman of APC Registration Committee, Dr. Mustapha Inuwa, yesterday at Kwankwaso town, Kano state.

NEPC, USAID partner to expand agricultural exports From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Nigeria Expanded Trade and Transport (NEXTT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding a i m e d a t establishing a collaborative development partnership for the delivery of technical

assistance and capacity building for Nigerian Exporters and Business Development Service Providers (BDSP).

The partnership was endorsed by the USAID Director of Mission Michael Harvey, the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC Mr. Olusegun Awolowo and the USAID/NEXTT Chief of Party Mr. Alf Monaghan.

Under the MoU, USAID and NEPC will evolve export

development strategies for priority value chains that would result in increased export of agricultural products including cocoa, shea, cashew, sesame and processed agricultural products.

The partnership will also provide technical and capacity building support to network of Business Development Service (BDS) providers serving non-oil firms.

ouse of Representatives’ Minority Leader, Alhaji Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, said in Kano yesterday that the House’s decision to block President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2014 Budget was beyond the directive of the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Kawu, who was speaking to newsmen in Kano yesterday said the budget on its own lacked merit, adding that members of the House were acting on the constitutional provision based on the mandate given to them

by Nigerians to checkmate the excesses of the executive arm.

Kawu, a staunch member of APC representing Sumaila/ Takai Federal Constituency said members of the lower-chamber were determined to ensure the passage of a budget that can add value to the nation’s economy and Nigerians standard of living.

“What are doing in the House is not based on the directive of the leadership of my party alone, rather we have critically studied the budget and have identified certain loopholes which needed to be blocked for the interest of Nigerians,” he stated.

He further added that, “Though we cannot undermine the directive from our party leadership because they saw everything wrong with the budget and made the pronouncement in the interest of Nigerians, I am telling you that what we are doing is based on our interest in development of Nigeria.”

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 7

News

SARS kills suspected robbers in Taraba From Yusha’u Alhassan Jalingo.

F

our armed robbery suspects terrorizing residents of Jalingo have

been shot dead by men of the state Anti-Robbery Squard The suspected robbers were gunned down in the outskirts of Jalingo yesterday.

Our reporter who was at the

Jaka-da-fari cemetery observed that the bodies of the robbers were brought in a pickup Van to the grave yard where they were buried, When contacted on phone for confirmation,

the Taraba state police commissioner, Jibrin Adeneji refered our correspondent to the police public Relation officer Joseph Kwaji whose line was switch off.

Robbers attack Taraba varsity, says VC

S

A finance house being sealed-up by an official of Securities and Exchange Commission for alleged illegal operation, yesterday in Ibadan.

Photo: NAN

Two in court for impersonating IKEDC staff

From Ayodele Samuel,Lagos

T

he quest to quash the activities of impostors who extort money from members of the public under the guise of being staff of the Ikeja Distribution Company

(IKEDC) received a boost yesterday with the arraignment of two persons (Isaac Eribadu and Sunday Olaleke) nabbed by the Police last week in Ojodu BU/Undertaking for impersonating IKEDC Staff and illegally disconnecting/extorting

Customers for non-payment of bills.

They were arraigned before the Ikosi Magistrate Court and pleaded not guilty to charges of Impersonation. They were each granted bail at a sum of N100,000

and Level 8 Civil Servant as sureties. In the interim, they have been remanded to prison custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

The case is adjourned to 5th March 2014 for trial.

Robbers ‘hunter’ recovers SUV, kill suspected snatcher in Kano From Edwin Olofu,Kano

R

enowned hunter Alhaji Ali Kwara yesterday recovered an SUV car stolen at gunpoint in Abuja last week, while a suspected car snatcher lost his life during a bloody confrontation on the strategic Kano- Zaria federal Highways.

Speaking to news men over the development, Kwara who operates with a crack team of IGP anti robbery squad explained that it was a painstaking effort that resulted in a gun duel at the wee hours of Thursday.

He stated that the robbers

were on their way to Kano when they were intercepted by his men, stating that two occupants of the vehicle escaped with bullet wound during the gun battle, while one was shot and died instantly.

He revealed that 3 AK 47 assault rifles and payment receipt was recovered from the stolen vehicle.

The SUV car, a Highlander Jeep gold colour with registration number GGE 660AM was snatched at gunpoint at Federal Capital Territory suburb Wednesday last week.

Kwara revealed that the payment receipt recovered in the

car was effected in the name of a result of heavy presence of anti one Miss Ogunleye Mercy, a JSS 2 robbery squad on our highways”, student of Potters Field Academy Kwara stressed.

He called on citizens to be Gwagwalada, Abuja, adding that “the sum of N110,000 was conscious of personal security paid to the account of a second in other to thwart criminal generation Bank 00096943 for and criminalities within our environment. her second term .”

Kwara said that recovered items have been handed over to the police for further scrutiny, maintaining that car snatching at gunpoint has increased of late due to versatility of anti robbery squad on highways.

“I must admit that robbery on our highways is on the decline From James Ogunnaike, time the health officials got to most especially in the northern Abeokuta the scene, one of the babies part of the country, this was as had already been delivered by mentally retarded the mad woman. woman on Wednesday “At this point, when we in Abeokuta; the Ogun rushed to the scene, we had to said he is 20 years old and has State capital gave birth to a take the woman and the already never been to any school.

He said he built the drone set of twins at the popular delivered baby to our health from a personal research at Lafenwa market in the Ogun centre where our nursing staff State capital. helped delivered the second home.

According to an eye witness baby around 11 am,” said an “I am from Delta State. I have not been to any school before. account, the woman was first official of the health facility My house is my school. I learnt noticed around 10 am to be who pleaded anonymity.

The source further hinted it at home from my research. I labour pains when passersby rushed to the nearby health that the Chairman, Abeokuta used plywood to build it.”

Local Government, Some persons present offered centre at Enugada Primary North to buy him food but Aghogho Health centre where the health Taofeek Olabode also visited the health centre to see the was later whisked away because officials were led to the scene.

It was learnt that by the woman and her set of twins . of the large crowd.

teenage school drop-out launches drone in Edo From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

A

teenage school dropout, yesterday launched drone in Benin City, the Edo State Capital, causing traffic gridlock for several hours.

The drone which was built at home and tested by Aghogho Ajine, 20-year-old, attracted a gathering of people who watched the flying with excitement.

Edo State traffic officials held the boy for causing traffic

congestion when he started flying the drone, which he controlled by a hand held device and flew through the sky and landed as directed.

It was gathered that the crowd however forced the traffic officials to return the money collected from Aghogho for the traffic congestion.

Aghogho was raised shoulder high by the elated crowd after the drone landed as directed.

In a brief interview, Aghogho

uspected armed robbers yesterday attacked the Taraba State University (TSU), carting away cash and other valuables worth millions of naira.

The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Muhammed Sani, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Jalingo.

Sani said the robbers, numbering 14, invaded the campus at about 2 a.m. after overpowering the security guards.

He said that about 20 offices, including those of the vice chancellor, registrar, bursar and cashier were burgled by the hoodlums.

“While the operation was going on, one of the security men, who succeeded in freeing himself, alerted some of the students who forced the hoodlums to flee,” he said.

The vice chancellor, however, assured that the incident would not disrupt normal academic activities.

He appealed to the state government to fence the university and ensure improved security surveillance around the area to avoid a recurrence of the incident.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Joseph Kwaji, also confirmed the incident, adding that investigations had begun.

“Yes, it is confirmed that armed rubbers attacked the university but we will give you the details later,” Kwaji said. (NAN)

Mad woman delivers twins in Ogun

A

PAGE 8

Photo Splash

L-R: Senator Chris Ngige, Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, former PDP Senator representing Orlu West, Senator Osita Izunaso; former National Secretary, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief George Moghalu, and others, during the ALL Progressives Congress (APC) registration, yesterday in Orlu.

Photo: NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

L-R: Principal, Government Secondary School, Kurgwi, Mr Yelwa Donatus, Plateau state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Solomon Maren, and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Fokkes Bankat, during inspection of housing and road projects, yesterday in Quan’pan local government area of Plateau state. Photo: NAN

L-R: Lagos state Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Commissioner FOR Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye; Bale OF Sabo Oniba, Alhaji Saliu Balogun; Lagos state Governor, Mr. BABATUNDE FASHOLA, and the donor, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, inaugurating a block of 18 classrooms, yesterday at Ogbara Memorial Junior Secondary School, in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

Chairman, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Alhaji Musa Dan-Illelah, inspecting newly provided computer sets, yesterday at the Birnin Kebbi Skills Acquisition Centre, in Birnin Kebbi.

Photo: NAN

L-R: Member, Governing Council, Nigeria-Britain Association, Chief Oliver Johnson; Patron, Chief Akintola Williams and Deputy British High Commissioner TO Nigeria, Mr Peter Carter, during the association’s Akintola Williams Annual Lecture, yesterday in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 9

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

News NUJ to float safety fund for journalists, says NUJ president From Mike Etim, Uyo

W

orried by the incessant deaths resulting from road mishaps and killings with other casualties bedevilling Journalists in the country, the National President of Nigerian Union of Journalist, Mallam Mohammed Garba has given a hint that the union is looking forward to floating a safety fund to assist families of Journalists who died in the line of duty.

Mallam Garba said this in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital on Wednesday, during an interactive session with Journalists. He urged Journalist in the country to embrace the NUJ insurance scheme with a view of planning the future of their families.

He emphasized that with an annual insurance payment of N6, 500 by members of the union, their families will be entitled to a package of N1.5 million when they

pass on.

He expressed deep concern at the pathetic state of some families of Journalists who pass on noting that Journalists rarely have enough money in their accounts to cater for their dependence to live on.

He however noted that the reasons behind such poor state of deceased Journalists families may not be unconnected with the poor pay structure of some media houses engaging such Journalists.

While noting that some media houses do not pay some Journalists they engage in their services at all, the union most times he stated had to bear the burden of raising emergency funds from its purse to support some of the stranded families.

Against the background of Journalists suffering casualties in the performances of their duties during elections, Garba

enumerated plans by the union to seek the assistance of the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) and other International NGO’s to train Journalists on security and the techniques

that are involved in election coverage.

Garba also maintained that the union is making effort at solving some of the housing problems confronting Journalists.

He disclosed that the union will on March 15th, during the flag-off of the NUJ Housing scheme, invite notable politicians and members of the public to donate towards the venture.

FG distributes 33,000 bags of fertilizer to farmers in Bauchi From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

he Federal Government has distributed 33,000 bags of assorted fertilizer to 11,000 registered rice farmers in Bauchi state for this year’s dry season farming.

The Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture in the state, Alhaji Mohammed Yusu told newsmen in Bauchi yesterday, saying that the effort was to ensure food security in

the country.

According to him, each farmer received three bags of fertilizer and 2kg of agrolyser at 50 per cent discount, as well as 25kg of improved rice seeds for free.

He described, “In addition to that, 40 (3HP) and 13 (7HP) irrigation water pumps at 75 per cent discount were also distributed to the farmers in their production clusters.

“Redemption was exclusively through the e-wallet system

under the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme.”

The director added that the decision to continue the dry season farming programme this year was informed by the success recorded last year in 10 states, including Bauchi.

Yusuf said that last year, a total of 4,374 farmers across the state benefited from the programme, adding that, “With 11,000 registered farmers this year, we intend to triple production.

APC registration: Shettima receives his membership card From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

T

he ongoing membership registration of All Progressives Congress (APC), commenced in Borno state yesterday with Governor Kashim Shettima, who received his membership card in his polling unit at Government House, Maiduguri at about 1:00 pm.

The party’s chairman of the registration committee in-charge of Borno state, Alhaji Gambo Magaji, presented the registration card with serial number 13061001 to the governor.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after obtaining the registration card, Governor Shettima said he was highly elated to be a bonafide member of APC, saying “it is a thing of joy and worthy of celebration”.

The governor directed his commissioners as well as other aides to return to their respective constituencies and mobilise their people for participate in the exercise. He also urged party loyalists to come out massively and participate in the registration.

“APC is our party. I pray for peace to reign in the party. I am confident that protests over the interim executive would be adequately addressed”, he said.

In his remarks, chairman of the registration committee, Alhaji Magaji, urged party loyalists to be firm for APC’s struggle to win next year’s election. He said the formation of APC as opposition party was part of the progressives’ struggle to save the country from PDP misrule, stressing that the party is well rooted across the state with identified massive followership at all levels.

2013 Hajj: Kaduna state to set up committee to implement report From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

K

aduna State Governor, Dr Muktar Ramalan Yero yesterday while receiving 2013 Hajj reports said the state government would set up 5-man committee that will study and implement most of the recommendations captured in the report.

According to him, it is important for the government to implement the recommendations because it seems every year, same recommendations are being repeated.

“I will set up 5-man committee because to me if we continue

repeating recommendations, it means we are not doing what we are supposed to do”, he said and commended the entire Amirul Hajj team for the success recorded in 2013 operation.

Earlier in his remarks, the state Amirul Hajj for 2013, Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Muhammad while presenting the Hajj report to the governor said though there was improvement on health but activities of Kabo Air almost brought problems to the hajj operations.

He said, “The flight was conducted by three air carriers with little hitch, but the activities of Kabo Air had almost brought problems to the operation.”

L-R: Founder of RESUL Company, Mr Carlos Torres, Osun state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi LaoyeTomori, the state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and Export Manager, RESUL Company, Mr. Duarte Amaral, during the introduction of their company to the governor, yesterday in Osogbo.

Bauchi PDP chieftains want Maku sacked From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

I

n the spirit of reconciliation and development of the party at large, Bauchi PDP Chieftain and concerned PDP members have demanded the sack of Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku for his unguarded utterances against the PDP defecting Governors to All Progressives Congress (APC).

Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam, who is also the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Bauchi state while reacting to the statement accredited to Labaran Maku to defecting governors yesterday in Bauchi, lamented that the unguarded statements are not welcome during reconciliation period and rebuild of the party.

Bukar advised President

Jonathan to caution Labaran Maku and Ahmed Gulak for their unguarded statements of abusing people. “Even if a common man left PDP, it’s a loss, talk more of serving governors and former vice President. Abusing them is disrespect, we have to persuade them, let them see light and come back to PDP instead of castigating them”, he said.

Also aggrieved about Maku’s utterance is Alhaji Salihu Magaji labaran, a close associate to former National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

According to him, Maku is over stretching his boundary as minister, by describing defected governors as political migrants like “nomadic Fulani.”

He warned, “Maku is expected to talk on the development of

the government not to pour venom on party chieftains and responsible citizens whom he has no business with as they are party executives.”

Magaji said Fulanis are known for good characters all over the world and there is nowhere one will go and will not see a Fulani man or leader like former Kano state governor Mohammed Abubakar Rimi of blessed memory. I was Rimi’s personal aide and we formed PDP. The name of Labaran Maku was not there then”, he said.

He said Maku is sabotaging the effort of reconciliation embarked by the new National Chairman of PDP, Ahmed Mu’azu and whoever sabotages the effort should be seen as enemy of PDP.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 11

Money Sense

14 applications every entrepreneur needs in 2014

By Katie Finnegan and Erica Bell

E

ntrepreneurs are known to be the masters of efficiency, right? The secret, we don’t do it alone. Besides having an amazing team to support our endeavor, we also utilize cutting edge applications to keep us on our A-game.

(When you’re heads down building a business from scratch, your time is extremely valuable.) With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the top applications that will help any entrepreneur take 2014 by storm.

Faster is better In our app rundown, lets first focus on efficiency; a necessity for

Money Tip:

S

tart a go-to fund for emergencies: The average family will face up to $2,000 (N320,000) a year in unexpected bills, says Register. For families already stretching to pay the bills, those surprises can trigger long-term financial problems. While you can’t plan what or when, you can have money set aside just in case. “You need to really boost your cash reserves,” says Edelman.

His recommendation: Aim for one year’s living expenses in an assortment of liquid vehicles, like a bank account, money market account and short-term CDs. One way to kick-start that fund: Shave off 10 percent of your take-home pay every time you get a check, says Gail Cunningham, spokeswoman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Keep it liquid and make saving automatic. Look for a money market account that pays the highest rate you can find, says Register.

Want to make sure you’re consistent? Arrange to have the money deposited electronically.

Deposit any “extra” money you receive, like that birthday check, bonus, tax refund or raise.

Quote There is some magic in wealth, which can thus make persons pay their court to it, when it does not even benefit them. How strange it is, that a fool or knave, with riches, should be treated with more respect by the world, than a good man, or a wise man in poverty! – Ann Radcliffe

the entrepreneur that is constantly juggling various tasks. The faster you can access information and execute, the faster you’ll build your company.

1. TrackMaven: This application streamlines your ability to monitor data on your competition, without going through the hassle of consulting multiple sources. Filter the marketing activity you want alerts for and erase all the extra white noise.

2. EchoSign: There’s no longer an excuse to delay the closing of a deal (You never know when Mark Zuckerberg will call with that $3 billion dollar bid.)

This Adobe application allows you to electronically sign documents easily and securely.

It also records and stores each document’s history, so you have automatic audit trails; saving you the time and trouble of backtracking in case the need arises.

3. Free Wifi Finder: A definite game-changing application for the entrepreneur and tech guru who needs to be plugged in 24/7. In the early stages of a startup, every situation and opportunity is high stakes and you can’t afford to allow a poor Internet connection to get in the way of your company’s success.

4. Uber: This application never lets us down. For any on-the-go entrepreneur, this service is essential to ensure you always have a way to get to that last minute meeting; even when every cab in the city is full.

5.

MobileDay: For those frequent occasions when you’re too busy to be sitting in the office, use MobileDay to coordinate all of your in-person and conference call meetings.

With this application, you can dial in automatically, email with participants and even get directions to your meeting place.

6. Skitch: Screenshots are second nature in the

business world these days, but it’s a tedious task to make notes directly on them.

Enter Skitch. A product of the ever popular, Evernote, this desktop and mobile application allows you to get directly to the point through different annotations, shapes and sketches.

7. FedEx Office: This mobile application is one of the most helpful on-thego apps for entrepreneurs.

Easily send files, documents or photos through the app to your nearest FedEx location to be printed or made into a beautiful presentation. You can even upload files directly from Box, Google Drive and DropBox.

…why not get a life!

O

p t i m i z i n g efficiency at work can be difficult enough but figuring out how to strike a worklife balance can be even harder. The good news is, there’s an application (or seven) for that.

8.

Hukkster: Looking for work attire but need to spend less due to a limited budget?

No time to browse the sale racks? Let our application Hukkster do the dirty work for you and track your most coveted products so you can easily get your hands on the items you want, the moment they go on sale.

9. Hinge: Single and no time to mingle? Hinge

is a great application that allows you to scope out other single men and women in the area based on your personal network.

10.

Power 20 Fitness Trainer: Sometimes it’s hard to find the time to stay fit, yet exercise is essential to staying energized and focused. We love the Power 20 Fitness Trainer, an app that provides 20 minutes of body weight movements you can literally do anywhere; in your apartment, a hotel room or even the office.

11. Venmo: is the perfect application for nights out with friends.

Don’t waste quality time doing math on the back

of a napkin. Simply link Venmo to your bank account and then easily exchange cash virtually with friends anytime, anywhere.

12.

Mint: An entrepreneur probably knows a thing or two about managing finances, but it’s always good to be able to easily access information about personal cash flow. Mint allows you to record expenses create budgets and manage savings plans, all from your phone.

13.

Pocket: As entrepreneurs, we’re full of great ideas, so much so that they hit us when we least expect them.

Enter Pocket, a phone-

based bookmarking application which can save all types of content, anything from a lengthy article to a work report; to all your electronic devices.

14.

Unroll me: There is nothing we hate more than a crowded email inbox. Thankfully, Unroll.me was created to fix that exact problem.

Simply sign up with your email address and let Unroll.me find all of your subscriptions for you. Then easily scroll through and unsubscribe from the ones you’d rather never hear from again.

You can also make sure the right emails break through all the noise.

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

EDITORIAL

or a good four years plus, all the reports coming out of and about Plateau state have been about bloodletting

by Berom and Fulani communities in rural Plateau, engaged in a war of attrition.

The clashes, mainly over farmlands and cattle rustling, were particularly ferocious last year and the beginning of 2014. Whole families were slaughtered in night attacks.

Soldiers of a special task force (STF) sent to separate the two communities have proved disappointingly unsuccessful because of their small number.

The territory they patrol is expansive and they are easily outnumbered by militias who use unconventional fighting methods and often wear military-type camouflages.

However, this week, Tuesday, February 4, some cheering news came out of this war weary state for the first time.

That day, in Jos, the Plateau state capital, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, honoured a Fulani community leader, Alhaji Bello Lamido, for saving the life of a Berom man last year. The man, according to Olakpe, had been out drinking and in a drunken stupor, he had strayed into ‘enemy territory’ in Ropp village in Barkin Ladi local government area. Fulani

youth would easily have killed him, believing he was an enemy spy but Lamido stepped in and rescued the Berom man. Not only that, the Fulani leader took the man on his motorcycle and personally delivered him to his family.

to the police his rescuing of the ‘enemy’ but his relations. For his display of magnanimity, “display of patriotism” and love of peace, the commissioner of police presented Lamido with a medal and 10 yards of Guinea brocade fabric.

No doubt, the Fulani leader displayed rare courage in rescuing the Berom man from the jaws of death. In doing so, he put his own life in danger as the Fulani youth could have killed him and the Berom man as well. But that neither happened showed the degree of respect and love he commanded in his community. Can we say same of other community leaders in Plateau and this country in general? Hardly. We believe a medal and fabrics are not “The Berom man who was enough reward for Lamido completely drunk strayed into who risked his life to build a the Fulani enclave at a time they bridge of peace between two (Fulani and Berom communities) communities that have been at were clashing with each other each other’s throat for many over land matters”, explained the ears. commissioner of police. “When However, we commend Lamido saw the drunken man in Olake’s personal appreciation of his area, he prevented the (angry the excellent deed accomplished Fulani) youths from attacking and by the Fulani community leader killing him. Lamido picked the and strongly suggest his name drunken man on his motorcycle be put forward for a national and returned him to his family honour award. We think he who had ready started to cry deserves it far more than the because they feared he had been majority of the President’s killed”. cronies we see on the honour More commendable of Lamido roll year in, year out. is that it was not he who reported

We think he deserves it far more than the majority of the President’s cronies we see on the honour roll year in, year out.

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”

“

F

Something good out of bloodied Plateau

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

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

EDITOR, DAILY AHMED I. SHEKARAU

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

DEPUTY MANAGER, PRODUCTION ABDUL-RAUF MUSA

EDITOR, WEEKEND HAMEED M. BELLO

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 13

Opinion Internal deportations: Nigeria’s untold story (II)

By Dennis M. Ndambo

T

he Supreme Court of Nigeria has previously ruled on the paramount right of Nigerians to move freely and reside anywhere they wish. Even if the state governments were to argue that they are relocating destitute persons in order to rehabilitate them, they should only do so after guaranteeing those people’s welfare. However, historically, deportations have not been accompanied by rehabilitation programmes. In addition, section 15 of the Constitution places a duty on the state to “provide adequate facilities for and encourage free mobility of people” and to “secure full residence rights for every citizen in all parts of the Federation”(29) in order to promote national integration.

Ideally, there should be no arbitrary restrictions on residing or working in any part of the country. In addition, there should be shelters and/or funding that is accessible to homeless people from any part of the country.

Apart from being contrary to the Constitution, the continued policy of deporting Nigerians from one part of the country to their places of origin is inimical to fostering national integration, as it creates ethnically homogenous regions and enhances the hostility that indigenes may have

towards settlers. Also, because the deportations are done in the absence of a national policy on social security, there is no guarantee that the deportees will receive government support.

As a direct consequence of the deportations, an increasing number of Nigerians are left destitute. These people end up settling in already over-populated regions of the country, resulting in land degradation in the rural areas and increased pressure on social amenities in urban areas.

This has a cyclical effect in that the deportees are likely to once again relocate in order to look for better prospects, increasing their chances of being deported again.

Even worse is that these deportations could lead to more ethno-religious conflicts and to disenfranchisement with the state.

Studies have shown that some state policies (such as relocating communities from oil-rich areas) lead to an extremely high demand for land that is not adequately met.

(30) The different communities that are squeezed into small areas of land end up fighting over old disagreements. Often these conflicts are inter-communal, but there are also instances where the conflicts are intra-communal.

Conflicts between groups of the same ethnicity can be just as violent as inter-ethnic conflicts, and lead to displacement as well.

(31) These conflicts can progress into national insecurity when fundamentalist and secessionist movements emerge in the name of addressing these grievances.

Ibeanu gives an example of the Maitatsine group, a radical Muslim sect, which has previously targeted Christians and other Muslim sects in northern Nigeria.

The recent Lagos deportees have gone to court to challenge the actions of Lagos State.They are seeking a declaration that their arrest, detention, and forcible transfer from Lagos State was unconstitutional.

The case, which is scheduled to be heard in January 2014, will give the courts the opportunity to adjudicate on the legality of these deportations and provide direction on the proper manner of dealing with the destitute in society. The court’s decision may not only provide short-term relief for the litigants in terms of compensation, but may also have far-reaching implications. This case could provide the impetus for the federal and state governments to devise a uniform policy on the rehabilitation of economically marginalised people. Such policies could include state-funded technical or entrepreneurship training for the unemployed, so that they could start their own businesses or find employment and contribute to the country’s

economy.

In addition to a rehabilitation policy, the Nigerian government should move its focus from modern social security to more traditional forms of social security, as the modern forms cater mostly to the formal economy, in which only a minority of Nigerians are involved.

Traditional forms of social security (i.e. kinship-based support systems) should be supported through increased budgetary allocation to the social sectors, specifically to poverty alleviation programmes. The federal government has made some efforts in trying to deal with the issue of IDPs. Nigeria has ratified the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons of 2009, also known as the Kampala Convention. The treaty is meant to establish a legal framework for preventing internal displacement and assisting IDPs. In addition, the federal government set up a committee in 2003 to draft a policy on IDPs. The committee drew from the Kampala Convention and the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement in creating a draft national policy, which they submitted to the government in 2011. However, the government has not yet adopted it, and in the past, responses to internal displacement have often been haphazard and short-term.

Ultimately, the federal government must deal with the issue of social inequality.

According to researcher Abdul Raufu Mustapha, Nigeria suffers from “systematic and overlapping patterns of inequalities” that are exacerbated by the ethnic character of the society. There are structurally embedded educational, social, economic, and political inequalities that Mustapha attributes to “history, geography, cultural orientation, religious affiliation, natural resource endowments, current government policies, and past colonial policies.” These inequalities are the source of the myriad of conflicts in Nigeria which result in the persistent incidences of internal displacement. The major effort undertaken by the government thus far has been the creation of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), the introduction of a quota system, and the constitutional entrenchment of affirmative action.

The FCC monitors and enforces the federal character of Nigeria in government bureaucracy, social services, and the private sector.While this system is aimed at reducing representational inequality, it does not go nearly far enough in addressing the systemic inequalities throughout Nigeria.

Conculded.

Dennis M. Ndambo is reachable on linkedIn

The monstrosity called JAMB

By Dele Agekameh

I

t was meant to provide a seamless passage, but ironically, it has become a monster that is tormenting Nigerian students and also causing collateral nightmares to their parents and guardians.

That is the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB. JAMB is the official examination board for entrance into tertiary-level institutions in Nigeria. The body is saddled with the responsibility of administering examinations to students who apply for admission into any Nigerian public and private universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

In recent times, a lot of public outcry has greeted the conduct of JAMB examinations across the country. The complaints range from inability to access the body’s site, inadequate examination centres, the nearness of these centres to candidates’ places of domicile and all that. But of particular contention is the body’s Computer-Based Test, CBT, which many people have attributed to the woeful results recorded last year in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, by students who were consequently denied entrance into the nation’s tertiary institutions.

Now that another UTME is holding in April, stakeholders are worried about the insistence of JAMB to give priority to the CBT and deny those students who still want to do the manual exams, that is, pencil and paper exams, the opportunity to do

so by drastically reducing centres for such exams to an intolerable minimum.

JAMB had told the nation last year that it was going to conduct pilot CBTs till 2015 before it finally opts for the system to conduct its entrance examinations to Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. One would have expected the body to still tarry awhile to perfect the conduct of its pilot scheme before putting a seal of finality on it. Even in the last year’s examination, which marked the first pilot scheme, the CBT ran into hitches which necessitated the body to shift the examination for some candidates who registered for it.

For instance, the examinations suffered some hitches at a centre located at Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos. As a result, no fewer than 200 students who were scheduled to write their exam at the centre had to be moved to other centres because they could not access JAMB’s site. This resulted in the CBT starting late. A similar incident occurred at OAK Comprehensive College, Ogba, another centre in Lagos, following a power outage cum technical problems. The consequence of this was the inability to connect the internet for the 180 candidates who were to sit for the examination. This development resulted in all the candidates being moved to another centre located on the premises of Chams, an IT-based company, located at the Government Reservation Area of Ikeja, Lagos, to enable them to take the examination.

Even at that, it was not still plain

sailing for the candidates. Prior to the incident, 350 candidates were earlier scheduled to sit for the examination at Chams on the day of the UTME, but with the relocation of other candidates to the centre, there was a population explosion which increased the number to 700. Since the capacity of the centre was 350 candidates at a time, the UTME at the centre was therefore postponed by another two days. The examination was invariably held in two sessions in order not to overstretch the infrastructure at the centre.

Long before the commencement of the CBT UTME last year, Nigerians from all walks of life had expressed pessimism over the policy. Their argument was premised on the fact that it might not work after all. They hinged their resentment on the shameful epileptic power supply in the country, the low computer literacy level of many Nigerian students with much emphasis on those living in the poor, rural areas who may not have the least opportunity to work on the computer, as well as the sustainability of the policy which JAMB hopes to be adopted fully in 2015.

There is no doubt that Dibu Ojerinde, a Professor and Executive Secretary of JAMB and his team mean well. The CBT may have been a good idea, especially now that the world is becoming increasingly ICTcompliant. One also appreciates the fact that the body’s target is to ensure that candidates’ papers are marked, and results released within a short frame of time after the conduct of its examination, but the body needs

to make sure that it puts the proper machinery in place before the full take-off of the system. Like I said earlier, though Nigerians are not averse to Information Technology, most candidates, especially those in rural areas, do not have access to computer in their schools. Where they exist at all, they are drastically in short supply, perhaps, reducing the ratio of computers to students to like 1:100 or more.

It is also quite understandable that all JAMB is doing is to improve the quality of examinations for Nigerian students so as to be able to compete favourably with their counterparts in any part of the world. However, introducing such noble policy without enough enlightenment, sensitisation and adequate preparation of the students through exhaustive pilot scheme, casts some dark clouds on the body’s determination to succeed in revolutionising the conduct of examinations in Nigeria. It is like Ojerinde is in a hurry to bring so many innovations at once to the body, mostly those that are not in tandem with available infrastructural facilities in the country. It was not surprising, therefore, that last year’s UTME recorded lots of irregularities and raised some uproar across the country.

The 2013 UTME was taken by 1.7million Nigerian students with the hope of gaining entrance into the various tertiary institutions in the country. Unfortunately, the examination witnessed many lapses during the exercise and after

the release of the results. This ugly development left many students wondering if they could ever gain admission into tertiary institutions through JAMB the way things were going. The situation is further compounded by the fact that there are limited or scanty spaces available for the candidates.

Out of the 1.7 million candidates who sat for the 2013 UTME, only a miserable 500,000 places were available for them, leaving about 1.2 million candidates stranded. And to further rub salt into the wound, even the students who scaled JAMB’s hurdle were confronted by yet another problem when the universities were closed down due to the industrial action embarked upon by lecturers in public universities nationwide. They only had a rethink in January this year after keeping the classrooms under lock and key for an upward of six months.

Now that the 2014 UTME is here again, the blunt refusal of Ojerinde and his men to see reason and allow the candidates to settle for the system of their choice for the examination is causing a lot of ripples in the land. So far, all entreaties to make JAMB to accommodate the pencil shading system, preferred by some candidates, have fallen on deaf ears.

This obstinacy is creating panic and generating much furore among students and parents, who believe that the policies adopted by the body to address problems associated with the examination, is rather frustrating.

Dele Agekameh’s professional profile is on linkedIn

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 14

Opinion Political relevance v. national interest

By Yakubu Muhammad Rigasa

T

he place of my birth and origin in Nigeria is geographically described as the core north, whatever that means. In this region our generation in the 70s – 80s grew up valuing no other virtues as precious and dignifying as honesty and the will to serve one’s country.

We looked up to some notable people then, both dead and living, as our models not because they amassed wealth or were in the corridor of power but due to our vernal but true perception of their will to serve the nation in their respective capacities as well as their glaring honesty and sincerity.

Those that have remained in one’s memory include Late Mallam Aminu Kano, Mallam Abdukadir Balarabe Musa, Late Mallam Yahya Gusau, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Isa Kaita Wazirin Katsina. We then heard and read of Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Joseph Tarka and a host of their contemporaries. Some of these people were not privileged to have held any leadership position but their innate desire to serve and liberate their communities from the shackles of poverty, illiteracy and servitude was conspicuous.

We grew up believing that the collective interests of one’s people supersede one’s personal interests

because we never saw any of the aforementioned great men managing public properties to his advantage. To them, leadership or any official capacity was a means of serving and not enslaving the people. This had instilled an indelible effect in our minds.

However, current happenings in Nigeria’s political space stir one’s

WRITE TO US Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed to: The Editor, Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

Email: opinion@peoplesdailyng.com SMS: 08134607052

curiosity to ask certain questions even though rhetorically at times.

“

Political leaders now seem more interested in their personal goals

than serving the national interests and yet they hypocritically cite those past heroes as exemplary leaders worth emulating, something that keeps one in utter bewilderment.

What exactly is amiss that warrants this attitudinal retardation?

Was this

country not as richly endowed during the time of those past

Political parties have been turned into an easy ladder for ascension to the nation’s treasury. One wonders how political relevance is superimposed on national interests. Decampments from one political party to another are mostly done without the minimal will to serve the nation’s interests but to maintain political relevance in the scheme of things. The worst part of it is that the masses are taken for a ride. Let Nigerian masses know that these politicians are now like footballers, they don’t pay absolute and permanent allegiance to any party or its ideology. They can shift position or change party anytime. Let us just use our discerning minds to read between lines in selecting who to represent us, who are best thought to serve our collective interests even if that demands sacrificing theirs.

heroes? Were the nation’s resources not at their disposal then? Or were they simply less materialistic and more fanatically patriotic in nature than the present crop of leaders?

The way politics in Nigeria has become an occupation for people to invest in their capital with a view to making stupendous wealth in return is deplorable.

Political parties have been turned into an easy ladder for ascension to the nation’s treasury.

One wonders how political relevance is superimposed on national interests. Decampments from one political party to another are mostly done without the minimal will to serve the nation’s interests but to maintain political relevance in the scheme of things. The worst part of it is that the masses are taken for a ride. Let Nigerian masses know that these politicians are now like footballers, they don’t pay absolute and permanent allegiance to any party or its ideology. They can shift position or change party anytime.

Let us just use our discerning minds to read between lines in selecting who to represent us, who are best thought to serve our collective interests even if that demands sacrificing theirs.

Yakubu Muhammad Rigasa wrote in from Kaduna, Kaduna state

Old shrine, new gods

By Victor Ehikhamenor

I

am back from church. It is noon on Sunday and the hammering has ceased. The carpenter is done. I look out my window, a shrine stares back at me. Rain has given way to sunshine. Blinding rays bounce off the corrugated zinc covering the shrine. Everybody has one in this city in this country. Along my street, like every other street in Lagos, shrines litter compounds.

Small ones, big ones and very big ones. Men and women and businesses and even the government build them daily without knowing. The shrines are built in compounds in a nondescript corner—that is well in the nature of shrines. Behind doors, bush paths, deep in the forest, river banks—humans always give gods a respectable distance.

This new shrine looks old already. Same architecture from life so distant, it is almost like it never existed. Before fraudulent prophets/pastors grew faster than mushrooms on decaying wood, we had fathers and grandfathers that could see beyond the razzmatazz of polyester suits, clip-on ties and megaphones powered by Ever Ready batteries. They were priests in their homestead; every household had one and a shrine to manage. Some shrines were made in honour of deities; others were altars of remembrance for founders of entities. Whites go

to cemeteries to throw roses at gravestones of departed loved ones. Africans say prayers to theirs at shrines erected in memory of the departed. Through the diligent work of colonial/ missionary masters, Okonkwo became the devil and St. Michael Peter became our angel. Chaplets replaced amulets and pamphlets became semi-permeable membranes via which our brains osmosised western beliefs.

This Lagos shrine is not different from that of yesterday which lined the village paths I walked. This particular shrine reminds me of Okosun Onogun’s, the blacksmith, shrine. By virtue of his profession, he was the high priest of the iron god—Ogun. His small shrine was built away from his workshop, the gulag of many dogs, Ogun’s favourite beverage maker. All day, you could hear the striking of iron on metal as he

“

fashioned hoes and cutlasses and knives for villagers. Onogun could hold red-hot iron with bare hands because, as we were told, Ogun had given him power over burns.

Ever so often, he performed his priestly role by pouring Ogun’s diesel of dog’s blood on the shrine.

More power. Sometimes, when we dared to stare hard at the interior of Onogun’s shrine, built with wood and corrugated zinc, we saw heaps of stained metal. Beside a very old dane gun and retired hoes and cutlasses devoid of wooden handles, new gods of Western origin found themselves into the shrine—spark plugs, a motorcycle petrol tank, bicycle chains, and a rusted exhaust pipe to show the universality of Ogun. As children, on our way to catechism or Mass, we made a sign of the cross and held tight to our rosaries as we raced past Onogun’s fearsome shrine. What frightened us most

was not the caked blood of dogs that lost their lives to Ogun, but the pictures of such shrines painted by our catechist and reverend fathers. Last time I went to the village, Okosun Onogun has long gone and his shrine had taken the colour of used generator oil.

The shrine the carpenter built is for my generator, Nigeria’s new god. Every household has one, a house to house these new gods, like old shrines in my village. Pepper sellers and barbers have generators. Factories and manufacturers have generators.

The House of Assembly and Senate have generators. The Presidency and the President have generators—the new god of Nigeria. They come in different sizes, as gods are wont to, and in Nigeria size matters. To stroke egos and make manhood swell to supernatural proportions

The acquisition of generators is the beginning of light. For long we have been thrown into perpetual darkness by our “Power Sector” and there is nothing any government can do about it but worship generators as well. Every Nigerian must seek his or her own power and therefore must worship generators. Even PHCN offices worship generators. Small and mega-churches worship these new gods or else the pastor’s loudspeakers would fall silent—like the relics of Onogun’s shrine. Dogs’ blood has been replaced with diesel and engine oil—no more barbaric sacrifices you would say. But that is because you have never visited the Niger Delta, where the oil comes from to see what and who are dying in place of dogs.

especially. Big jeep. Big houses.

Big country. Big failure. So we buy bigger and bigger generators and build bigger shrines for them, as we seek more power.

The acquisition of generators is the beginning of light. For long we have been thrown into perpetual darkness by our “Power Sector” and there is nothing any government can do about it but worship generators as well. Every Nigerian must seek his or her own power and therefore must worship generators. Even PHCN offices worship generators. Small and mega-churches worship these new gods or else the pastor’s loudspeakers would fall silent— like the relics of Onogun’s shrine.

Dogs’ blood has been replaced with diesel and engine oil—no more barbaric sacrifices you would say. But that is because you have never visited the Niger Delta, where the oil comes from to see what and who are dying in place of dogs.

I drag my generator (only 7kva, a small god compared to my neighbour’s earth-moving one) out of its box to the shrine, clean it and give it the desired anointing with petrol and oil. As Onogun the blacksmith sought remote power from his shrine by offering it sacrifices and incantations, I seek power from my generator which came with a remote. I mutter a short prayer by the shrine and beg God to let the generator generate power.

Victor Ehikhamenor is linkedIn

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 15

Comment Re: Katsina’s low blow to VP Sambo

G

arba Shehu in his popular column “Musings” has this week mused about the supposed ungentlemanly treatment meted out on the vice president Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo by what he referred to as overzealous supporters of the Governor of Katsina state Ibrahim Shehu Shema to have shouted down the vice president halfway into his speech at the commissioning of the new PDP Katisna state secretariat.

I must admit that the article made an interesting reading as regards the roles commonly played by sitting governors in outdoing one another to clinch the presidency or at most position themselves for the office of the vice president.

However, while narrating the incidence that led to the chanting of ”Sai Shema” Garba Shehu, who was not at the venue of the event, must have relied on some reports or secondary gist from

either a colleague an eyewitness and such people, while narrating a version of the event will not only distort the facts but will twist them to portray a different scenario to what happened at the venue. To put the records straight, it is instructive that as an eyewitness who was standing very close to the action spot, I felt the need to draw the attention of the writer to what actually transpired.

The occasion was the commissioning of the newly built PDP secretariat of the Katsina State chapter and it was

“

billed that the national chairman of the party Alh Adamu Mu’azu was to commission the edifice.

Having commissioned it and declared the office open for use, the Katsina State governor requested the vice president to make some remarks to the august assembly.

After the usual protocol, extension of felicitations from his boss, the vice president while ending his remarks in the usual slogan of praise chanted “PDP” and the crowd chorused “POWER” and he went to say “NIGERIA” and they said

*SAI SHEMA*! The usual response was for people to chant PDP, POWER! and NIGERIA, *SAI GOODLUCK!* However, for derailing from the norms does not presuppose that the crowd was overzealous as to angle for their mentor, the job of the vice president.

Since they, as politicians, know that such power rests squarely at the table of Mr. President. More so, the governor hitherto has come out to debunk the insinuations making the rounds that he was positioning himself for Sambo’s job.

I must admit that the article made an interesting reading as regards the roles commonly played by sitting governors in outdoing one another to clinch the presidency or at most position themselves for the office of the vice president.

It must also be appreciated that as the northern leader, the vice president accommodates all individuals or groups that seek to promote national or northern interest. The group as set up by northerners themselves under the aegis of the Northern Elders Council headed by Tanko Yakasai should not be misconstrued to mean a creation of the vice president. However, where such groups identify with government, it certainly will be embraced by it.

The visit by the Bayelsa state stakeholders is a bold statement that all discerning minds especially those politically inclined will decode. One does not need a soothsayer or a crystal ball to be told that the message in clear terms is, those angling for the vice president’s position should shut up!

And that Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo is the popular choice. *Bashir Bello can be reached at bb_hallirus@ yahoo.com

Dokubo and other tribalists

By Peregrino Brimah

T

here is no denying the disdain for tribalism by the Prophet of Islam. In other narrations, of fighting for tribalism he said to “leave it, it is rotten.” Again he is narrated to have said, “Behold, Allah (God) has removed from you the arrogance of the Time of Jahiliyyah (Ignorance) with its boast of ancestral glories. Man is but an Allah (God)-fearing believer or an unfortunate sinner.

All people are the children of Adam, and Adam was created out of dust.” More references can be found on Zawaj website (http:// www.zawaj.com/editorials/ nationalism_ahmed.html).

Mujahid Asari Dokubo claims to be a Muslim, but according to these narrations, not only he, but all other Nigerians, who clamor for and prescribe tribal based fire and blood regardless of the interest of the nation’s masses, simply for the best and most decent, progressive and non-corrupt leadership, are “not Muslims”. A Muslim will never fight for tribalism or nationalism.

It is one people and one world, all made from dust. All that separates people is their fear of God and their good and Godly behaviour. The New Testament likewise does not favour tribalism. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to

Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:28-29) Many of us pray for and seek a day and a world without borders and without indigenship and ethnic regulations for leadership.

A world where a Kenyan man’s son can become president of America, the world’s most powerful nation (That day has come already in America, but the reverse obtains today in political Nigeria). The concept of tribalism is very foreign to Africa. Many great writers have penned and typed articles on this fact. When we look back at our ancestors, the one thing that defined precolonial Africa is the integration not only of citizens but of leaders too.

“

King Jaja of Opobo, Jubo Jubogha was an Igbo man from Orlu, who was assimilated into and became leader of Ijaw Opobo in Rivers/Akwa Ibom. Malam Umaru Altine was a northern Fulani man who was first elected as the mayor of Enugu; he was again re-elected to serve a second term. There are tons more examples. Indeed in pre-colonial Africa, all it took was to migrate into a new territory and prove your diligence and character to be fully accepted, acculturated and be eligible not only for ethnic citizenship but even to lead the nations. We have Nigerian origin Yoruba chiefs in Ghana, Sierra Leonean politicians and chiefs in Nigeria, Nigerian top government officials in The Gambia and so on.

What is happening to Nigeria now as few of us are so embroiled in dirty tribalism is un-African and will make our ancestors turn in their graves. Those of us who wear tribal regalia and claim tribal loyalty would be discarded by our for-fathers as illegitimate offspring of their great hospitable and progressive legacies. It must be added that there is a space for ethnocentrism. However, this is only useful as regards competing with the positive achievements of those who came before us, to do better than their records; not in tribalism feats, defaming and disgracing what they valued and promoting what they rejected.

In an earlier article, “The Devil Was the First Ethnocentric,” I presented how

Nigeria needs good leaders, short and simple.

Regionalism or disintegration is a legitimate quest if raised and sought respectfully and without direct and indirect celebration or sponsorship and promotion of death; but promoting tribe-based leadership is cheating as long as it is one nation and murderous. The likes of Dokubo Asari, and others, north, south, east and west, who argue to cheat Nigeria of its much needed race to recovery and development, by promoting rotational-presidency and ethnic selection and re-election of candidates, are in African terms, abominable inheritors of our great ancestors. Spiritually speaking, they are cannibals, who thrive off of eating the testicles of their fathers.

by refusing to bow for Adam, the devil was the first to portray such shameful behavior, and is the father of tribalism and ethnocentrism. The devil had argued that he, made from fire should not bow for Adam, made of “mere” dirt. The devil was discarded into the pits of hell for such repugnant behavior.

Nigeria’s empty political elite, the enemies of the nation and the 168 million poverty ridden, humiliated masses, have copied a page from the colonial books, by taking advantage of, and festering tribal sentiments as a weapon to secure their inutile holds on power.

Nigeria needs good leaders, short and simple. Regionalism or disintegration is a legitimate quest if raised and sought respectfully and without direct and indirect celebration or sponsorship and promotion of death; but promoting tribe-based leadership is cheating as long as it is one nation and murderous. The likes of Dokubo Asari, and others, north, south, east and west, who argue to cheat Nigeria of its much needed race to recovery and development, by promoting rotationalpresidency and ethnic selection and re-election of candidates, are in African terms, abominable inheritors of our great ancestors.

Spiritually speaking, they are cannibals, who thrive off of eating the testicles of their fathers.

Dr. Peregrino Brimah via drbrimah@ends.ng

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Centenary: NGO to organise competition for students

Open stalls for farm produce at the Wuye International Market inaugurated

by President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday in Abuja.

By Etuka Sunday

I

Photo: NAN

Jonathan unveils 1st Abuja BOT multi-billion naira market at Wuye

By Stanley Onyekwere

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday commissioned the first Abuja Build-Operate – Transfer (BOT) multi-billion naira ultra-modern market with over 2,000 shopping facility, covering about 7.3 hectare of land, at Wuye District, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The market, which was designed and developed by All Purpose Shelters Ltd, under a Public-Private Partnership initiative with the Abuja Investments Company ltd (AICL), is equipped with modern state of the art facilities, to be a destination for perishables and non-perishable goods, from building materials to cooking items, clothing, to the least household items.

While unveiling the market, the President, said the successful completion of the market is a demonstration of the government’s commitment towards promoting effective domestic trade in the capital city and the country at large.

He said: “This kind of partnerships does not only

conserve resources but also is very important in ensuring people’s ownership of development projects, efficient maintenance culture and sustainability.

“Nigeria must now begin to reorganise and organise her markets, for the advancement of internal trading activities in the country.”

He stressed the importance of continued participation of private organisations in the formulation and execution of developmental initiatives in the nation’s capital and across the country.

Jonathan commended the FCT Administration for coming up with the BOT initiative for the development of infrastructure in the Territory, urging traders to ensure proper use of the market.

Earlier, the FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, disclosed that the market was the first of the BOT initiative, aimed at enhancing trade activities in the Territory.

He said FCTA’s principal role in the project, was the provision of land and primary infrastructure while the developer provided project finance and the technical capacity for the project implementation.

According to him, the developer is to manage the facility for the duration of the reversionary period of 13 years, after which it would be transferred back to AICL to manage on behalf of the FCT Administration.

“The Wuye Ultra-Modern Market is a significant landmark on the journey of the FCT Administration towards providing the requisite physical and social infrastructure to the populace of the Territory.

“We hope this will serve as a catalyst for economic growth and enhancement of commercial activities within Wuye District in particular and FCT at large,” the minister said.

He added that to ensure all round facilitation of trade activities in Abuja, the FCTA plans to replicate other similar markets in all the the six Area Councils of the Territory, saying already, AICL is developing new markets such as the Dubai International Market, Guzape Shopping Complex, Area 3 Shopping Complex and Garki Executive Office Suite.

Also, speaking, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment,

Olusegun Aganga, who described the market as a model for development of world class markets in the country, said the government is doing a lot in providing necessary trade incentives and interventions for rapid transformation of the economy.

On her part, the acting managing director of All Purpose Shelters, the developer of the market, Mrs. Jibola Bolatinwa, said the company formally took over the site for the construction of the market in 2006, and opened up the access road from the Family Worship Centre to the market.

According to her, each building in the market is equipped with firefighting equipment, in addition to other things on ground, to ensure all traders and buyers have a very conducive, versatile and vibrant environment for buying and selling.

“We have Clinic, fast food restaurants, banking facilities, crèche where shoppers can keep their kids safe and happy while shopping; including chapel and mosque, locked up cold rooms, chicken, meat stall, warehouse and opened shops”, she explained.

n a bid to inculcate the right morals and ethics into the children in their formative years, a Non-governmental Organinsation under the auspices of “Nigeria of My Dream” has concluded plans to organize a centenary competition for both Primary and Secondary Schools in Abuja.

Speaking yesterday during a courtesy visit to Regina Pacis College, and FCT School for the blind, Abuja, the Coordinator, Mrs. Ngozi Alichi, said participants should see the project and the awards as a way of using their talents wherever they are to contribute to the formation of Nigeria of their dreams.

Alichi said the participants would be required to re-live Nigeria in the past 100 years and postulate her future as they deliver the theme ‘My Nigeria, Our Pride: The Past, Present and Future’.

According to her, the seasons 1 and 2 of the competition were successful as the events saw participating schools paint in glowing colours the Nigeria of their dreams through various creative media such as drama, poetry and dancing.

“The event was chaired by former Minister of Education Dr. Oby Ezekwesili. Seasons 2 of the completion was held in 2 (two) stages-the Preliminary and Grand Finale, on the March, 7 2013 and June 7, 2013 respectively.

However, the 2014 competition tagged season 3, which focuses on Nigeria’s centenary celebration, has been slated for June.

Also speaking, one of the sponsors of the project, Mr. Peter Igoh said, advised the students not to bank on the euphoria of the last year’s achievements but should strive to do more in the forthcoming competition.

He said it is not all about academics but the social aspect of it, saying that the two should go together.

Responding, the Principal of Regina Pacis College, Rev. Sister Amanfo thanked the team for building the future of the society through the project.

‘Pastor’ in detention for defrauding church

A

Grade 1 Area court at Kuje, Abuja, has remanded a 26-year old self acclaimed pastor, Tope Joshua, for allegedly defrauding The Lord Chosen church of N435, 000.

The accused person, who resides at No. 23, Zoka Area of Ibadan in Oyo State is standing trial on a two count charge of joint act and

cheating.

The presiding judge, Mr. Nuhu Ibrahim, remanded the accused following the prayers of the prosecuting police, Cpl. Ocheche Samuel.

Samuel told the court that the church treasurer, Miss Gloria Iwu of Federal Low-Cost, Kuje, FCT, lodged the complaint at the Kuje

Police Station on January 20.

The prosecutor said that the accused and two others now at large, collected the money from Iwu, the treasurer of the cChurch, when he pretended to be the pastor of the Church.

He added that: “Joshua pretended to be the church pastor calling from London when he called

Iwu and instructed her to deposit the N435,000 in a First Bank account.

“The accused told Iwu that the money was to be used to renew his (Pastor) visa and to buy a musical instrument for the church,” Samuel said.

The prosecutor said N195, 000 was recovered from the accused during investigation.

He said that the offence contravened sections 79 and 320 of the Penal code.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge, saying ``I am not the brain behind the scam.”

The presiding judge, who remanded the accused, adjourned the case to February 24 for further hearing. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 17

Metro

Physically challenged people begging, at Kubwa, in Abuja.

Young boy cleaning a car wind screen, yesterday at Central Area, in Abuja.

A man taking ride on a motorcycle with life chicken, yesterday at Durumi, in Abuja.

Young men hawking wears in a traffic hold-up, yesterday at Utako, in Abuja.

A car overloaded with vegetable in sacks, yesterday along Airport Road, in Abuja.

Photos: Justin Imo-Owo

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Metro

Court frees tout who bit off driver’s lower lip

A

A car engulfed in fire at the Central Business District Area near Bolingo Junction, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Labourer to spend 14 days in prison for stealing 14 chairs from Church

A

20-year old labourer, Hassan Mohammed, is to spend 14 days in prison, following his conviction and sentence by an Abuja Chief Magistrates’ court, for stealing 14 plastic chairs from a Church.

The Chief Magistrate, Hadiza Dodo, handed down the judgement after Mohammed pleaded guilty to the two-count charge of criminal trespass and theft against him.

The Magistrate, however, gave him an option to pay N2, 000 as fine.

The convict said: I am guilty.

I entered the Church and stole the chairs in order to sell and transport myself back to Zamfara.

“Stealing was not part of me but I had to do it to save my father’s life. I got a call that my father was seriously sick, that was how the devil pushed me to commit the crime.

“I want the court to temper justice with mercy and I promise never to steal again,’’ he begged.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. Francis Udofia, had told the court that Mohammed, on February 2, entered Life Hope Salvation Ministry, Karu, Abuja, and stole 14 chairs.

Udofia said the convict was caught during the act and handed over to police for prosecution by Joseph Nwogwu, a member of

the Church.

He said the offences contravened the provisions of sections 348 and 288 of the Penal code respectively.

The prosecutor urged the court to give the convict a summary trial under Section 157 of the Criminal Procedure Code because he was sincere and admitted without wasting the court’s time. (NAN)

… as Police arraign guard for stealing 4 chairs

T

he police have arraigned a security guard, Lucky Ojoma, in an Abuja Chief Magistrates’ court for allegedly stealing four conference chairs belonging to a hotel.

The accused was arraigned on a one-count charge of theft, an offence which he denied.

The police prosecutor, Cpl. Francis Udofia of Karu Police

Station, told the court that the accused person worked in Cane Wood Hotel, Karu, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as a security guard.

Udofia said Ojoma stole four of the hotel’s conference armless chairs kept in his custody on January 27.

He said the accused was caught by one Frank Miller of the same address while trying to escape with

the stolen chairs and handed over to the police.

The offence, according to the prosecutor, is punishable under Section 288 of the Penal code and carries a maximum prison term of seven years with an option or both.

Chief Magistrate Hadiza Dodo granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with a reliable surety in like sum and must have a

3 guards docked for negligence

T

he Police have arraigned three security guards in an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ court, for alleged negligence of duty.

They are Sunday Obisi, 36; Mathias Musa, 60 and Kolawole Ayomide, 20; all working as security guards with Chambain Plaza, Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja.

The prosecutor, Salisu Mohammed, told the court that the accused persons were assigned by the management to guard the Plaza and its environs.

Mohammed said the guards

failed to perform their duty effectively, thereby allowing unknown persons to break into a shop in the building and stole three laptops valued at N450, 000 and N20, 000.

The prosecutor told the court that Mrs. Ero Dehen of Chambain Plaza, Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja, reported the matter at the Gwarinpa Police Station, Abuja, on January 24.

The three accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Senior Magistrate, Zubairu Mohammed, granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N200,

000 each and one surety each in like sum.

He said the sureties must be living within the jurisdiction of the court and must be civil servants not below Grade Level 08.

Mohammed said that in the case of an employee, the surety must have a letter of introduction from his or her employer to the court stating that the prospective surety is an employee of the organisation.

He then adjourned the case to February 11 for further hearing.

(NAN)

reasonable means of livelihood.

Dodo added that the surety must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

The case was adjourned to March 3 for continuation of hearing.

(NAN)

Grade 1 Area Court in Mararaba, has discharged a motor park tout standing trial over an allegation of biting off the lower lip of a taxi driver.

The tout, Alex Areji, 20, was alleged to have dismembered the lower lip of the driver, Ifangi Alade, on January 2, following a disagreement over money.

The News Agency of Nigeria however reports that when the case came up Monday, Areji told the court that they had settled “amicably”.

The Judge, Mr. Albert Maga, therefore struck-out the one count charge of causing grievous hurt, preferred against the accused.

“It is always good for parties in a matter to iron out their differences and the court is always here to help resolve such.

“The case is hereby struck-out and the accused is discharged,” he said.

The police had told the court on January 6, when the case was mentioned, that on January 2, Areji assisted Alade to load passengers into his (Alade’s) vehicle, after which a disagreement ensued.

“On January 2, at about 6.45 p.m. at Aso junction, Areji assisted Alade to load passengers into his vehicle.

“Alade gave the accused N40 but the accused rejected the money and insisted that the complainant add N10.

“The accused started fighting him, and in the process, bit off his lower lip and it came off completely. The accused was later arrested.

“The offence contravenes the provisions of Section 241 of the Penal Code, and on conviction, attracts seven-year prison term, or an option to pay a fine, or both,” the police said.

The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charge. (NAN)

Man bags 3 weeks’ jail term for concealing indian hemp in suspect’s food

F

or concealing Indian hemp in a plate of food meant for a suspect, an 18-year-old applicant, Samuel Samson, is to spend three weeks in prison.

A Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ court presided over

by Mrs. Chinyere Nwacheonu, sentenced Samson after he pleaded guilty to the onecount charge of intentional concealment.

Nwacheonu, however, gave the convict an option to pay N2, 000 as fine.

Earlier, the counsel to the prosecution, Cpl. Umar Ango, told the court that one Cpl. Patience

Nwoye, attached to Wuse Zone 3,s Police Station, Abuja, arrested the convict on January 9.

According to the prosecutor, the convict and one Olawale Toyin, now at large, intentionally concealed the Indian hemp in a plate of rice and beans which they brought for a suspect in police custody.

The prosecutor said that Samson also placed cigarettes in a loaf of bread for the suspect.

Ango said that the convict committed the offence of joint act and adulteration of food contrary to Section 79 and 184 of the Penal code respectively. (NAN)

PAGE 19

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

INSIDE

etuka2012@gmail.com/meetetus@rocketmail.com 08066605655,08182726172

L-R: Permanent secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, in handshake with Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, during the meeting on power sector, recently at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

PAAR implementation: Customs abandoned Seme border – ANLCA chieftain

By Dapo Olalekan

F

resh indications have emerged that the Nigeria Customs Service in all its sensitization and campaign on the newly introduced Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) may have abandoned stakeholders operating at the Seme Border.

Peoples Daily in an exclusive interview with a frontline member of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Chief Mikky Okunola learnt that the customs had bypassed stakeholders at seme border.

Okunola alleged that since PAAR campaign started, there has not been any seminar, sensitization or lecture from customs, neither has any been organized by ANLCA at the

chapter level.

“The chapter I come from (Seme border) since the customs have been propagating the PAAR scheme, we have not seen any get together, talk less of seminar or awareness, this is not ideal, PAAR is supposed to be a current thing as at now, every chapter of the association is supposed to be engaged on how to educate their members on the necessary things they should know” “This is always the problem with land borders because they are set in remote areas, this is not to say that the CG cannot come there, but even if the CG does not come there, other people can come, he must have trained some people that will be able to train others, we cannot expect that it has to be the CG all through” Okunola who is gunning for

a seat on the Board of Trustees (BOT) of ANLCA lamented that the association at Seme Border has not had an adequate representation on the BOT and this is why he decided to vie for the position.

“If there is a better representative of the border operation on the BOT, nothing stops the association from gingering customs to come to seme, we know they have done sufficiently for seaports, for airports, but for the land borders nothing at all has been done” he alleged.

But speaking on the contrary, Chairman of ANLCA at Seme Border, Mr. Patrick Ozobialu in a telephone chat with our correspondent debunked the allegations, saying that the PAAR

Activities close low on NSE, market capitalisation dips 0.27%

A

ctivities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Thursday closed lower as market capitalisation dropped marginally by 0.27 per cent.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation depreciated by N36 billion to close at N13.067 trillion, compared to N13.103 trillion recorded on Wednesday.

The All-Share Index, which opened at 40,878.71, decreased by 112.55 points or 0.027 per cent to close at 40,766.16.

Analysis of the price movement indicated that Nestle led the losers’ table with a loss of N10 to close at

N1, 140 per share.

It was followed by Mobil with a loss of N1.80, to close at N122 per share. UACN dipped N1 to close at N67, while Lafarge Wapco lost 90k to close at N108 per share.

On the other hand, Guinness came first on the gainers’ chat, with a gain of 40k to close at N219.40 per share.

CCNN came second, gaining 32k to close at N10.72 per share.

Ashaka Cement appreciated by 28k to close at N19.48, while Neimeth rose by 20k to close at N2.27 per share.

NAN reports that the volume of shares traded increased by

4.29 per cent as a total of 261.840 million shares worth N2.7 billion were exchanged by investors in 4,700 deals.

Hmarkins was the toast of investors, recording 65 million shares, valued at N32.50 million exchanged by investors in one deal.

Access Bank trailed, accounting for 17.82 million shares worth N163.75 million in 167 deals.

Transcorp accounts for 17.60 million shares worth N73.11 million transacted by investors in 261 deals, while Zenith Bank sold 17.55 million shares, valued at N403.77 million in 229 deals.

(NAN)

scheme was working fine at the border.

Ozobialu said that stakeholders have started using the PAAR instrument and that there is no much difference between the PAAR and the RAR, other than the fact that the Nigeria customs are now in charge of the process.

According to him, stakeholders meeting have been held two times and some of the members attended, but that many of them were nowhere to be found.

“A clearing agent is supposed to be versatile and work anywhere, the CG came to Apapa and we were there, it’s not because we are working in Apapa” “We have done sensitization and we are still doing it, it all bores down to who cares to know” he said.

World Bank disburses N25.788bn to 26 states for community development projects - Pg 20

Distinguishing withholding tax from value added tax -Pg 21

Islamic Bank to play critical role in Post-2015 Development Agenda -Pg 22 Exchange Rates CBN as at 6th February, 2014 Buying

Selling

$

154.7

155.7

€

252.31

253.95

£

209.12

210.48

Riyal

41.26

41.52

YEN

1.52

1.53

CFA

0.30

0.32

MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY

F

Embrace constructive conflict

inding the right balance between the need to deal with conflict and the instinct to avoid it is one of the toughest challenges that managers face.

While unbridled conflict can create a toxic atmosphere, insufficient conflict can be just as damaging: creative ideas and better ways of getting things done – which help organizations advance – often stem from constructive conflict.

Encourage constructive conflict by reinforcing the notion that people can disagree about ideas and strategies, practices and

processes, but still respect and like each other – it’s not personal, it’s business.

Rather than leaving it to chance, schedule time with your team to question norms and change the way things are done. If someone pushes back or raises an uncomfortable question in a meeting, back them up rather than shutting them down. If possible, make those moments teachable and encourage others to do the same.

Source: Harvard Business Review

PAGE 20

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Business Kaduna refinery fire incident: No course for alarm-NNPC

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced that there was a fire incident earlier in the day at the truck park near the Kaduna Refinery in

which two tankers got burnt and two persons were injured.

The Acting Group General Manager Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, in a statement on Thursday explained that the park where the fire incident occurred is some

distance away from the Kaduna Refinery Complex and so did not affect the operations of the refinery in anyway.

“We, therefore, urge members of the public not to engage in panic buying as neither production nor distribution of petroleum

products from the refinery was affected in anyway by the fire incident. The two persons who sustained injuries in the incident are currently receiving treatment at our clinic. Investigation has commenced to determine the cause of the fire”, he stated.

Leakages: NNPC test runs Kaduna Refinery

SEC seals up Finance House in Ibadan over unapproved operations

T

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Thursday in Ibadan sealed up the New Nation Finance House for allegedly engaging in unapproved operations.

Mr Alani Falade, the Head of SEC enforcement team, who led the operation, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the exercise that the company was engaging in unapproved operations.

The firm, it was learnt, has its

headquarters in Port Harcourt and has a branch office in Ibadan.

“The recent closures embarked upon by the commission is to send a strong and unequivocal message to illegal fund managers and sundry perpetrators of indiscipline malfeasance in the capital market.

“It is time these companies sought worthier endeavours as these illegal entities erode the integrity of stocks in our markets in addition to introducing hapless investors to the agony of loss of

value,’’ Falade said.

But Mr Oliver Nwamkpa, the Branch Manager of the firm, said the company had stopped its `Women in Oil Empowerment Scheme’ since June 2013.

He said the company was now engaged in a programme tagged: `Grey and Strong.’ Nwamkpa said the company’s official documents, including registers, could be accessed at the company’s headquarters in Port-Harcourt.

NAN recalls that Mrs Arunma

Oteh, the Director-General of SEC, had hinged the successes recorded by the commission on its ongoing reforms.

Oteh told the BBC recently that the reforms were introduced after the 2010 stock market crash caused by fraud and reckless trading.

She urged the public to consult the list of registered capital market operators and approved fund managers displayed on SEC’s website. (NAN)

World Bank disburses N25.788bn to 26 states for community development projects

T

he World Bank says it has disbursed 165.307 million dollars (N25.788 billion) out of 200 million dollars on Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) in 26 states between 2009 and 2013.

This is contained in a world bank’s report `` Fostering Transformational Development in Nigeria’’ obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

Some of the states include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue,

Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo and Katsina.

Others include; Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara state.

The report stated that the communities involved had recorded progress in education, health, water and environment.

Other areas it added include transport, electricity, skills acquisition and Local Government Area and Community partnership building.

It said that 49,057 children

were enrolled in schools with average attendance of 7,112 per week.

According to the report, about 77.52 per cent of the communities’ population has access to good drinking water.

It said that 172,188 attendances were now recorded in new health centres while the number of women attending antenatal and postnatal clinic was now 36,100 in all the participating communities.

According to the statement, 31.23 per cent area of land has been protected through erection of

erosion controls, gully drains and woodlot.

“There is 53.48 per cent reduction in travel time due to new roads,’’ it said. The document further stated that 3,312 new small scale businesses had been established with about 66.5 per cent of the participants actively supporting their communities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project is established to increase access of poor people to improved social and natural resources and infrastructure services. (NAN)

Electricity: 2 in court for impersonating Ikeja Disco’s staff From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he quest to quash the activities of impostors who extort money from members of the public under the guise of being staff of the Ikeja Distribution Company (IKEDC) received a boost yesterday with the arraignment of two persons (Isaac Eribadu and Sunday Olaleke) nabbed by the Police last week in Ojodu BU/Undertaking for impersonating IKEDC Staff and illegally disconnecting/ extorting Customers for nonpayment of bills.

They were arraigned before the Ikosi Magistrate Court and pleaded not guilty to charges of Impersonation. They were each granted bail upon the conditions of N100,000 bail bond and Level 8 Civil Servant as sureties. In the interim, they have been remanded to prison custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

The case is adjourned to 5th March 2014 for trial.

Speaking on the development, Pekun Adeyanju, Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, IKEDC said the case will serve as a deterrent to persons who have been impersonating IKEDC staff as well as vandalizing the company’s equipment and installations.

Adeyanju said IKEDC had continued to sensitise members of the public on the activities of impostors adding that the Disco is partnering with relevant authorities to ensure that the issue of vandalism, sabotage and theft is addressed. “We will stop at nothing to ensure that defaulters are duly prosecuted,” he stressed.

He said members of the public need to know that no one including current and past PHCN or IKEDC staff is authorized to make monetary or other demands from customers in return for reconnection or allocation of prepaid meters. “We urge members of the public to rebuff these impostors and report such cases via email to: customercare@ ikedc.com or the nearest IKEDC office and we will follow up such cases to conclusion.”

Adeyanju stated that IKEDC remained solely responsible for the supply, repair and replacement of its equipment and installations. “We have since commenced customer education campaigns aimed at creating awareness of ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and encouraging customer involvement in ensuring the success of the Power Reforms,” he added.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 21

Tax Alert

Distinguishing withholding tax from value added tax T

here is a need to draw attention to the fundamental difference between Withholding Tax (WHT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) so as to facilitate clear understanding of the mechanics of the tax concepts.

WHT is an advance payment of income tax and the purpose is to bring the prospective taxpayer into the tax-net, thereby widening the income tax base. In other words, the WHT system is aimed at tracking down taxpayers and the incomes which may otherwise not be reported by them.

When the income on which WHT is deducted at source is finally brought to the notice of the tax authority and the appropriate tax computed, due credit is given for the WHT deducted at source on the presentation of the original WHT receipts through the issuance of credit notes.

The taxpayer will be required to pay only the balance due after matching the actual tax liability against the credit for the WHT suffered at source. WHT is therefore nothing more than a collection machinery to curb tax evasion. It is not a separate tax on its own. It is a part of the income tax - whether personal or corporate income tax.

In contrast, VAT is a different type of tax. VAT is a consumption tax payable on the goods and services consumed by any person, whether government agencies, business organisations or individuals. The target of VAT is the final consumer of goods and services and unless an item is specifically exempted by law, the consumer is liable to the tax. Exemption from this is not aimed at agencies, companies or individuals but rather at the goods and services.

Therefore, all agencies of government, religious and other organisations and similar persons that are normally exempted from income tax are expected to pay VAT on the goods and services consumed by them except where the goods and services are specifically exempted by law.

renewed by a regulatory authority, evidence of WHT and VAT on issues handled in the previous year must be produced.

THE SECONDARY MARKET (a) How to Impose WHT

FIRS Ag Chairman Alhaji Kabiru Mashi within 30 days as stipulated in the tax law. The net is then paid over to the issuing house that handled the issue. The applicable rate for commissions/fees is ten percent (10%) for limited liability companies, and five percent (5%) for individuals and partnerships.

How to Impose VAT

Listing by the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE)

Every consumer pays VAT on services rendered to it.

As consumers of the services rendered by both the issuing houses and other parties to the issue, the issuing companies are liable to the payment of VAT for the services rendered. The issuing houses and other parties to the issue should charge VAT at 5%

As a pre-requisite for listing new securities by the NSE, the evidence of settlement of WHT and VAT on the new and rights issues must be attached. The listing fees are themselves liable to WHT and VAT. Renewal of Operators’ Licences Before an operator’s licence is

Thereafter, the net sale should be paid over to the investor.

Both the stockbroker’s commission and other fees paid to other third parties are subject to WHT. The stockbroker is to pay over tax withheld from the commission and other fees to the relevant tax authority. (b) How to Impose VAT In both purchase and sale transactions, the consumer of the services rendered is the investor.

It is therefore the investor that is subject to this tax. The VAT on

COLLECTION ARRANGEMENT In respect of the collection of the taxes herewith discussed, the usual collection arrangement will prevail. Reference to the relevant FIRS information circular (9502 of 20th February 1995, 9501 of 13th January 1995) may be advisable.

However, in summary, the following collection arrangement should be observed:(a) WHT The rate at which tax is to be withheld on commission and fees is 10% when these payments are made to limited liability companies; and 5% for individuals and partnerships.

The currency in which the tax is to be paid is the currency the transaction was carried out and in which the tax was deducted. payments of wht should be made in bank drafts and payable to: ‘‘The Federal Government of Nigeria- FIRS – Withholding Tax Account’’ Payments should be accompanied by the relevant forms (CMF1, CMF2, CMF3, CMF4, or CMF5).

Any default in the implementation of the tax carries heavy penalties.

Failure to deduct WHT and failure to remit taxes withheld are punishable on conviction by a fine of 200% of the tax not withheld or remitted. (b) VAT The rate for VAT is 5%.

Payments of VAT should be made in bank draft and payable to: ‘‘The Federal Government of Nigeria – FIRS – VAT Account’’ The payments should be accompanied by the VAT FORM 022 which is readily available online and all FIRS offices throughout Nigeria.

DUAL ROLE OF ISSUING HOUSES

THE PRIMARY MARKET How to Impose WHT It is usual for issuing companies to pay fees to issuing houses, stock brokerage firms, reporting accountants and solicitors in respect of new and rights issues, as well as debenture stocks. Such fees should be subject to withholding tax at source in accordance with Section 63 of the Companies Income Tax Cap 60 LFN 1990, and the relevant extraordinary Gazette. The issuing companies are hereby mandated to deduct theWHT tax therefrom and pay over to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)

on their invoices for services rendered. Since the issuing houses handle the transactions connected with new and rights issues, they are to act as agents for the collection and remission of VAT to FIRS.

In the case of a purchase, the stockbroker is expected to charge the investor for the following:the cost of the shares purchased, commission based on gross value of shares purchased on behalf of that investor, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) fee (which is currently 1% of total consideration and is not subject to WHT and VAT being part of gross income earned by SEC) deduct WHT on the commission at 10% and pay over to the relevant tax authority, i.e.

State Board of Internal Revenue (SBIR) or FIRS. In the case of a sale, the stockbroker is expected to deduct from the investor’s gross consideration the following:his commission, the other fees payable to other third parties, as approved by the SEC.

these transactions should be paid over to FIRS.

It is necessary to clarify that the new policy of government imposes dual roles on the issuing houses as agencies which handle new and rights issues: ibas agent of government for the deduction and remittance of WHT and as agent of government for the collection and remittance of VAT even in respect of their own respective transactions which ordinarily should have been paid over to the operator who charged the VAT on his invoice. (For more details see pare. 4 of Information Circular no. 9502 of 29th February, 1995).

Bank_building

PAGE 22

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Business

NIPCO deepens gas utilization campaign From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

N

ipco plc, an integrated downstream player in the nation’s oil and gas industry has taken its campaign to deepen Liquefied Petroleum Gas usage as domestic cooking fuel to the next level exploring the potentials of the Indian community in Lagos.

This feat came into the fore at a cultural event organized by scores of Indians resident in Lagos during which Nipco mounted an elaborate exhibition of LPG cylinders and its accessories for domestic cooking.

The forum was also used to launch its specially designed safety leaflet to guide gas users across

the country to utilize gas cylinders in a safe manner, a document that attracted many visitors to the company stand at the event.

The programme held at the Mobil Pegasus club ,Apapa ,to coincide with the Annual Harvest festival in the Asian country afforded the company avenues to reiterate its commitment to LP gas as domestic cooking fuel as against the preponderance of kerosene for cooking.

Conducting people of different strata of the society who visited the stand, Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr Lawal Taofeek said the company took part in the event as part of its avowed commitment to enhancing of LP gas utilisation in the country among all nationals.

He maintained that continuous awareness on the growing benefits of gas as domestic cooking fuel is imperative if the increasing number of people switching to gas as against other cooking fuel is to be sustained and increased accordingly .

Mr Lawal listed some of the benefits of switch to gas as cooking fuel to include: ease of cooking, faster cooking, smoke -free, convenience, paucity of wall stains in the kitchen environment and affordability.

According to him, the company has invested huge sums of money to procure al varying sizes of cylinders and other accessories to guarantee affordability its

affordability while our gas refill rates are very competitive.

He counselled hundreds of participants at the event that by refilling at the various outlets of the company retail outlets and skid centres across the country, they are not only assured of accurate quantity but also assured of a clean energy source and a safe alternative for cooking.

Mr Lawal equally informed that in 2014 additional refill outlets are in the pipeline and noted that sooner than LP gas consumers may think their nearest gas outlet may be the Nipco filling station next to your household to further encourage LPG consumption by the populace.

L-R: Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson; IBM Chairman, Ginni Rometty and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, after a meeting with IBM team, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) said it has eliminated of inefficiencies in the petroleum supply and distribution chains in the downstream sub-sector of the Nigerian economy through its reform initiatives.

PPPRA said as a result, the House Committee on Downstream lauded the regulatory Agency, during an oversight visit, for being “a classical example of a government agency that has succeeded in exhibiting global best practices”.

A statement issued by the Head of Media, PPPRA, Lanre Oladele quoted the the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Mr. Reginald Stanley as saying that, “our reform initiatives have led to the elimination of petroleum products wastages, scarcity and other malpractices

We have eliminated inefficiencies in petroleum supply, distribution chain – PPPRA in the supply chains, resulting in the reduction in quantity of PMS consumed from 60.20million in 2012, to 39.66 million in 2013. Stanley further said that ‘this effort, singularly led to the saving of about N409 billion in subsidy claims in 2012 alone’.

“I wish to inform all Nigerians that, under the direction of the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, there has been improved PMS availability nationwide and at regulated price”.

“We have also been able to achieve and sustain transparency, while deepening local content promotion in the industry through the restriction of participation to only owners of coastal discharge/depot f a c i l i t i e s ” .

The Executive Secretary

promised that the PPPRA is “committed to sustaining the tempo of the reform initiatives while guaranteeing adequate supply of products nationwide and at reasonable cost saving level to the government”.

In his response, the leader of delegation, Professor Wumi Iledare, who is also the incumbent President of the International Association of Energy Economics, commended the activities of the PPPRA under the leadership of the Executive Secretary, for the vitality of his administration, while bringing back trust of all Nigerians on the regulatory agency.

He charged the Executive Secretary and his team not to rest on their oars, until the industry is free from all ‘those

debilitating factors that have hitherto hindered the growth of the sub-sector, and called to question, the integrity of Nigeria among the comity of nations.

In his contribution, the President of the National Association of Energy Economics, the Nigerian affiliate of the international body, Professor Adeola Adenikinju, praised PPPRA and Mr. Stanley, for the good work in bringing sanity into the downstream by providing an enabling environment for fairness and robust business participation.

He however called for the support of PPPRA towards a successful hosting of the forthcoming International Conference to be hosted by the NAEE in February 2014 in Abuja

Islamic Bank to play critical role in Post-2015 Development Agenda

By Etuka Sunday

I

slamic Development Bank (IDB) has been tipped to play a critical role in shaping the post-2015 development agenda, as the United Nations work towards proposing new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General on post2015 Development Planning, Ms Amina Muhammad made this disclosure yesterday while speaking in Jeddah at the headquarters of the Islamic Development Bank where she delivered a town-hall lecture on “Post-2015 Global Development Agenda”.

Ms Amina said “The UN appreciates the effort of IDB in integrating the millennium development goals in its Vision 1440H, and then tailoring it towards its specific needs”, Ms Amina said, “IDB can encourage its member countries to engage with the post-2015 development agenda.

IDB can also help in the areas of education, poverty alleviation, governance and human rights.”

The UN adviser said IDB has been playing an important role in working towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), citing as an example the support provided by IDB in the millennium village project (which is an integrated approach to community development) in Kaduna State of Nigeria.

She mentioned some of the key areas the post-2015 development agenda will focus on such as economic transformation, addressing inequalities, human rights, governance issues and infrastructure development.

Ms Amina Muhammad further stated that the MDGs will not be abandoned; rather, she told the audience from various departments and complexes of the IDB Group that “SDGs will be a transition that integrates the Millennium Development Goals with more sustainable global development agenda”. She noted that although the UN has an ambitious plan, there will be challenges in mobilizing resources as well as coming up with an agreeable implementation plan, and according to her the expertise of IDB will be relevant here.

In his welcome address, the Director of the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development Department, which is the poverty alleviation arm of IDB, Dr Bashir Fadlallah thanked Ms Amina Muhammad for creating time to address IDB staff, stating that the MDGs are in line with the work of ISFD, whose mandate requires deep understanding of poverty issues and other global initiatives.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 23

Stock Watch

Report as at Thursday, February 6, 2014

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Special Report

Curbing crime through community policing and neighbourhood watch

By Emmanuel Acha

dealing with the rising menace of child traffickers across the state. ``The police gave the child traffickers a hot chase in Aba and parts of Isiala Ngwa; the child traffickers secretly migrated to Olokoro and operated there for four months. ``We got information through the instrumentality of community policing, struck and arrested the suspects and rescued 18 innocent pregnant girls,” Tilli said.

Nevertheless, Mr. Chidi Okenyi, the former Chairman, the PCRC of Utako District, Abuja, stressed that community policing was based on the notion that the police was adequately empowered to forestall crime and tackle factors leading to crime.

K

ingsley Ubani, a native of Eziama Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia, was arrested on Nov. 23, 2013 by the Abia Police Command, following a tip-off that the suspect allegedly sold his child.

The man purportedly sold his three-year-old son for N260, 000, as part of a Machiavellian plan to raise money for the burial expenses of his late father.

Ubani, who was paraded alongside other crime suspects by the police command, said: ``I had no money to bury my father whose body was in the mortuary and I convinced my wife to let us sell our son.’’

Again, on Dec. 12, 2013, a team of police officers from the Abia Police Command raided an illegal charity home at Umuobia Housing Estate in Olokoro, Umuahia South Local Government Area.

In the operation, the police rescued 18 pregnant teenagers, while arresting the son and daughter-in-law of the proprietress of the illicit charity home.

Mr. Usman Tilli, the Commissioner of Police in Abia, said that the police raid

Thriving baby industry: Pregnant teenage girls rescued by the police in Abia state was sequel to some intelligence information gathered from some members of the public. ``Upon a tip-off, a team of police officers from our command struck; the squad arrested the suspects and rescued the pregnant teenagers,” he said.

Nigerian Police brutalizing a teenager

The police chief noted that community policing strategies had been instrumental to the successes which the state police command so far recorded in efforts to curb crime in the state.

Security experts say that community policing and

neighbourhood watch focus on crime prevention via some designed strategies.

They note that the strategies include aspects of traditional law enforcement and crime prevention, as well as problemsolving and community engagement measures.

From all indications, the strategies involve multi-faceted processes but observers note that in Abia, the processes entail the formation of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) and vigilance groups with direct links with police in nearly all the rural communities, However, the security experts insist that even though community policing is a tactic or strategy; it is, however, more of a philosophical approach to how policing is conducted.

This is because communityoriented policing is based on a pragmatic collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities in efforts to identify and address issues relating to crime and social disorder.

The crime prevention approach also involves volunteer citizen action to boost security of local communities by encouraging citizens to report suspicious activities in their neighbourhoods with a view to reducing crime.

Going from the general to the specifics, Tilli said that the partnership between the police and communities in Abia had been outstanding, adding that such collaboration had led to some commendable feats in policing and crime prevention.

He cited the recovery of three police AK47 riffles, which were taken from two police officers who were killed by hoodlums on Dec. 7, 2013 on the Aba-Enugu expressway, as one of the benefits of the policecommunity collaboration. ``On Dec. 12, 2013, following a tip-off that two suspects on a motorcycle were sighted in a bush at UmuAwa Alaocha, Ohuhu, Umuahia South Local Government Area; police operatives were dispatched to the area and three AK 47 and one military riffle, concealed in a bag and buried in the ground, were recovered,” he said.

Tilli described community policing as an indispensable tool in crime prevention efforts because information, which could frustrate efforts to commit crime, was usually generated via the community policing approach.

Besides, the police commissioner said that the state police command, through its anti-kidnap team, had been

Okenyi, now a member of the PCRC of Zone 9, Umuahia, said that the central goal of the organisation was the establishment and maintenance of mutual trust and respect between members of the PCRC and the police.

He added that such arrangements would allow the law enforcement agencies to have wider access to valuable information in the community which could aid efforts to prevent and tackle crimes. ``The PCRC is established to assist the Nigeria Police Force in generating information from various communities and backgrounds that are not ordinarily accessible to the police,’’ he said.

Okenyi said that the partnerships formed in support

“

such arrangements would allow the law enforcement agencies to have wider access to valuable information in the community which could aid efforts to prevent and tackle crimes

Vigilante group at work in a village in the north

Police and other rescue workers evacuate man from disaster area of community crime prevention efforts could also provide a framework for engaging the citizens to aid the police in plans to identify possible terrorist threats.

He, nonetheless, stressed that apart from developing

partnerships between law enforcement and citizens, effective community policing should also involve intergovernmental and inter-agency collaborations among state and federal agencies.

He underscored the need for such partnerships in efforts to collect and exchange intelligence, identify threats and share resources in the event of an attack.

He noted that community policing was so effective in Abia, stressing that members of the public had formed a formidable synergy with the police in efforts to generate the desired information which would strengthen efforts to curb crime and criminal tendencies in the state.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr. Sampson Onwuka, the Head of Ohafia Vigilance Services in Ohafia Local Government Area, said that the traditional crimewatch system, which relied on the age-grade system in rural communities, had been useful in efforts to maintain law and order in most localities.

To facilitate the success of the strategy, Onwuka underscored the need for

``absolute trust between members of the vigilance groups and the police so as to guarantee that any information, which the groups provide, is handled with utmost secrecy”.

He said that the success of the activities of the PCRC depended on the understanding between the police and members of the committee, with a view to building and maintaining mutual trust. ``There should be understanding about what the PCRC stands for and one has to be careful about who you give information to, so as to ensure that such information will not turn back to haunt you,” he said.

All the same, Onwuka regretted that the PCRC had not been able to achieve much because of the wrong societal perception of the roles of members of the organisation. ``Some members don’t have any cogent reason fo r belonging to the PCRC other than selfish reasons such as personal protection; they also use the organisation as a platform for intimidation and selfish aggrandisement,” he said.

Okenyi urged the PCRC and other traditional forms of community policing to restructure their objectives and form better synergy with the police. ``Government should make it compulsory for those that are most vulnerable to attacks, including banks and other corporate organisations, to sponsor these outfits to encourage the generation of reliable security information from rural communities,” he said.

Due to the increasing menace of neighbourhood crime and terrorism in the country, security experts underscore the need to encourage community partnerships, citizen involvement, problem solving and the transformation of the PCRC in efforts to make community policing more effective and purposeful.

They insist that all the key elements of community policing should be part of a comprehensive internal security blueprint put in place for the country.

Source: NAN

PAGE 26

Islam

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

The life span of a nation III Allah says:

“T

o every people is a term appointed: when their term is reached, not an Hour can They cause delay, nor (an hour) can They advance (it In anticipation).’’[A’araf: 34] In 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 blessing of Allah be upon His last and final Apostle, his Household, his companions and all his followers till the end of time.

In continuation of the major causes of the downfall of nations, we only mentioned two in in the last discourse; turning away from the teachings of the Apostle of Allah in part or in general and changing the laws of the Shari’ah to conform to the human whims and caprices.

The third cause is: 1.

Injustice and iniquity: The cementing factor of any nation’s advancement is its ability to maintained proper administration of justice and fairness amongst its citizens notwithstanding differences of tribes, culture and most importantly the social disparities. The law must remain deaf and blind in administering reward and punishment. There should not be sacred cows from the sacrificial ones. All citizens must be treated equally before the supremacy of the laws. Allah says: “Allah doth command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom They are due; and when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice: Verily How excellent is the teaching which He giveth you! For Allah is He who heareth and seeth all things.” [an-Nisa’: 58] Similarly, the fairness should be allowed to go round amongst all and sundry. If the accused or the culprit is certain that he has the capability of turning the justice upside down by impediment of any sort, must rescind and accept the verdict of Allah over him as an expiation and propitiation of his sins right here in the world. Allah says: *”O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, As witnesses to Allah, Even As against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), Lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, Verily Allah is well- acquainted with all that ye do.”*[an-Nisa’:135]

*And:* *”O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, As witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.*[al-Ma’idah; 8] Not at any circumstance, should a judge allow his whims to override his conviction, even between two warring brothers.

Allah says; *”If two parties among the believers fall into a quarrel, make ye peace between them: but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other then Fight ye (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of Allah; but if it complies then make peace between them with justice and be fair: for Allah loves those who are fair (and just).’*[al-Hujrat; 9] Thus, the issue of personal interest or tribal and religious receptiveness must not allow justice and fairness suffer administrative setback and delay.

2.

Indiscriminate killings and murders: The moment the sacredness of human lives cease to be honoured and respected by all and sundry, the termination of that nation is eminent. The killings, notwithstanding who are committing them must be stopped by all means regardless of the number of causalities or costs of hardware. The wisdom is that a protruding calamity must be nabbed in the bud with maximum might and precision.

The government of the day must exert maximum force to eliminate any threat to insecurity of lives and properties not

ISLAM EXPLAINED

By Husain Zakariyya Yawale +234-8052952900 (sms only) islamexplained35@yahoo.com minding the remoteness of the group or individual to the larger society. It must be up to its responsibilities with utmost authority and power.

The moment insecurity becomes the order of the day, mistrust and suspicion will prevail on reason and sensibility that will lead to mass and incessant murders, killings and marauding of innocent citizens without any authority to protect them. While it is the right of every citizen to be protected by the state at all cost.

Thus, when the lives of the individuals are worthless, such that nobody has an apron of guaranty to live the next day or the next hour! When people are not secured in their market shops, on their farms, in their offices and in their homes, then the motion for the imminent disintegration of that nation has already started ticking.

3. Race hankerings against lusts and desires: If the rich and poor are competing to satisfy their animalistic desire by means readily available to them, then expect the worse to befall them any moment; the very worse leading to eventual expiration of their life span as a nation.

Today many developing

nation around the world are in total lost to lusts by all means. Many have taken the path of drugs and intoxicating substances. Others choose the way of canal lusts of opposite sexes or same sex intercourse; may Allah forget bad thing! Yet there are some, though their number is growing by the day, quench their animalistic desire by choosing the pedophilia way of life.

The moment people become accustomed to living the way of the earlier destroyed nations as normal way of life today; such as the people of Prophet Lut, who consider sodomy and lesbianism as normal sexual life!

Allah says: ‘We also (sent) Lut: He said to His people: “Do ye Commit lewdness such As no people In creation (ever) committed before you?” “For ye practise your lusts on men In preference to women: ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds.” And His people gave no answer but this: They said, “Drive them out of your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!” But we saved Him and His family, except His wife: she was of those who legged behind. And we rained down on them a shower

(of brimstone): then see what was the end of those who indulged In sin and crime![al-A’araf: 80-84]* This unprecedented state of decadence in the history of mankind has become invigorated and resuscitated into big issues leading to severe economic retribution for nations that refused to condone it. Nigeria far example is daily receiving knocks and blows from Western nations by simply exercising their right as an independent country! Such castigations should not distract our attention to more important issue before us; insecurity, poverty and corruptions.

Finally, the moment you realize that truth has become lies and lies has become the truth, Sunnah has become bid’ah and bid’ah has become the Sunnah, the conventional norms become objectionable and the offensive become the standard, Good preachers are no more tolerated and the soothsayers are honoured, commanding what is right become distasteful and despised, then wait for the wrath of Allah, if not quickly return to Allah!

It is indeed the tradition of Allah to elevate and lower nations with reasons or without reasons.

Allah says: *”There is not a population but we shall destroy it before the Day of Judgment or punish it with a dreadful penalty: that is written In the (eternal) record.”[*alIsra’i: 58] I could write more on this topic but for its inexhaustibility.

However, I will pause here until another time that is appropriate for further discussion, in sha Allah!

Boys read the Qur’an in a madrasa, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Kabul, Afghanistan.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 27

International Thailand election distracts from disastrous south

Thailand Police inspect the scene of car bomb explosion

ANALYSIS

W

ith Thailand having just gone to the polls for an historic election, in which some 6 million voters were unable to cast ballots, international media have zeroed in on the protests raging on the streets of Bangkok, where an emergency decree has been in place for about two weeks.

Given its status as one of the most visited cities in the world, concern about the violent flareups is understandable. But much of the mainstream coverage has neglected an important and underreported issue in Thailand: the ongoing violence and human rights abuses in the country’s southernmost provinces along the Malaysian border. In this area, there have been emergency laws in place for nearly a decade.

The predominantly Muslim region was included within the borders of Thailand after the signing of the Anglo-Siamese Treatyin 1909. There has been long-standing unrest ever since, due in part to forced assimilation policies implemented by successive Thai governments.

In the past 10 years, however, this unrest has escalated to unprecedented heights, with a steady pattern of sectarian violence targeting state authorities, religious figures, teachers, and civilians, including children. Bombings have become

commonplace, the threat of murder and authoritarian reprisals loom large, and the people in these locations - many of them rural poor - live in constant fear.

On the surface, a simple casualty toll can provide a glimpse into the extent of the problem.

According to the recent reports from the Bangkok Post, nearly 6000 people have been killed and close to 10,000 people injured since 2004. And the violence has showed no sign of slowing down.

According to the region’s Internal Security Operations Command, there were 320 bombings in the four border provinces between January and December 2013.

This is up from 276 reported bombings in 2012. And already in 2014 there have been attacks that have killed and wounded several police officers, including four dead in the week of the elections.

Beneath the surface, however, this problem is layered and very complex. While it’s easy to label these separatist groups as “terrorists”, one can’t ignore the role the Thai government has played in this evolving conflict.

Since 2005, three pieces of special legislation have been in place throughout the region at various times, though often concurrently: Martial Law, the Internal Security Act, and the Emergency Decree (which is the same piece of legislation recently invoked in Bangkok).

Used alone, or in tandem, these measures provide security and law enforcement officers with extraordinary powers to make arrests without warrants and to detain suspects in secret locations for periods of up to 37 days.

These laws have allowed for human rights violations such as torture, forced confessions,

“

disappearances and extrajudicial killings. One example is the 2004 forced disappearance of Muslim lawyer and human rights activist Somchai Neelapaijit, presumed by many to be dead.

The laws have also raised doubts about the fairness and impartiality of the justice system.

Specific cases of injustices have been highlighted in reports by nonprofit organisations such as the Thailand Union for Civil Liberties, the Cross Cultural Foundation and the Muslim Attorney Council, which provides legal assistance to southern Muslims suspected of insurgency.

In many of the terrorist cases, which are punishable by death, these doubts over court impartiality are very concerning indeed.

What makes it all the more surprising that international media hasn’t paid more attention

After his rise to power in 2001, Shinawatra dismantled the Border Administrative Centre, which served as a liaison to Muslim leaders.

to the south during the recent Bangkok protests is the role played by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the polarising figure at the centre of the country’s political chaos, pitting “red shirts” against “yellow shirts”. Shinawatra may have cemented his party’s stranglehold on power with his favour in the populous northern provinces, but in the deep south, he has played a fundamental role in exacerbating tensions.

After his rise to power in 2001, Shinawatra dismantled the Border Administrative Centre, which served as a liaison to Muslim leaders. Shinawatra’s now infamous war on drugs, which claimed the lives of more than 2,800 Thais, including many Malay Muslims, provoked even more tension in the region.

Arbitrary arrests and police brutality, along with the constant threat of cultural erosion, are considered, by many, to be significant catalysts leading to the current conflict, which erupted with three separate incidents in 2004.

While two of these incidents involved insurgent attacks, the third saw government forces crack down on a protest outside a police station. More than 80 protesters died, many of suffocation while being transported to a military base, in which they were restrained and stacked upon each other in trucks, five or six deep. After the incident, known as the Tak Bai Protest, Shinawatra enraged Muslims and drew international criticism when he blamed the Ramadan fast for weakening the deceased.

The current administration of Yingluck Shinawatra came into power with grand visions of providing greater economic autonomy to the region, but little in the way of concrete reform has been realised, and nothing has been done to quell the violence.

Election Day has come and gone, but the political saga is far from over. More protests are expected in the coming weeks as by-elections are held, votes are slowly tallied, and protesters hope to nullify the results. And on the ground, there are concerns among Thais that more violence will materialise if the current administration is toppled, either by the courts or the military.

But with all eyes turned to Bangkok, it’s important to remember that unrest in Thailand isn’t confined to its largest city.

Serious human rights abuses and deep-seated social problems continue to plague this fragile country, which many tourists have come to associate, quite simply, with tranquil island beaches. One thing is certain: It will take concerted political effort and considerable legal reform to have any chance at finding a solution to the disastrous situation in the country’s south.

Source: Al Jazeera

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 28

International Saudi Arabia seeks strategic relations with Nigeria on devt in Africa

By Stanley Onyekwere

Egypt says Sisi misquoted on presidential bid

E

gypt’s army has said that a Kuwaiti newspaper “misinterpreted” remarks

by Field Marshal Abdel Fattah alSisi in which he said he would seek the presidency, saying he would only announce such a decision to the Egyptian people.

Kuwait newspaper Al-Seyassah ran an interview with Sisi yesterday in which he was quoted as saying he would run in the presidential election due to be held before midApril.

“What was published by the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Seyassah is nothing but journalistic interpretations that are not direct declarations from Field Marshal Sisi,” army spokesman Colonel Ahmed Ali said in a statement.

Sisi’s decision “to put forward his candidacy or not is a personal decision which he himself will take before the great Egyptian people, no one else, in clear direct words which will not be open to doubt or interpretation,” Ali added in his statement.

Earlier yesterday, Al-Seyassah newspaper published an interview with Egypt’s defence minister, quoting him as saying he would run in the presidential elections, due to take place by mid-April.

“The decision has been made, and I have to succumb to the people’s demand of running for the republic’s presidency,” the paper quoted Sisi as saying.

“I say it with all sincerity: God knows that I carry the burden of this trust, and I am all hopes that the achievements will match (their) dreams. It is no secret that people’s aspirations and wishes have become massive after the recent disappointment,” he added according to the newspaper.

The Kuwaiti report came a week after the country’s top military body endorsed the candidacy of Sisi, who ousted democratically elected president Mohamed Mursi in July following massive protests against the Islamist leader.

Sisi

T

he government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is committed to seeking to form a new horizon with Nigeria, by developing the relationship between the two countries, from normal relations to strategic relations, which will be suitable for the development of both countries, according its ambassador to Nigeria, Mr.Fuad Rajeh.

The ambassador said, he has

noticed a lot of progress and desire of the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, to cooperate with foreign Islamic missions in Nigeria, especially Saudi Arabia.

Speaking on Wednesday, in Abuja, when the Senior Special Assistant to the Nigeria President, on Islamic Affairs, Alhaji TahirUmarTahir, paid him a courtesy call at the Embassy, Mr.Rajeh, said both countries must have to find a way to develop further their

relationship especially in the area of providing scholarships for studies into various fields of human endeavours.

He disclosed that every year, Saudi Arabia offers scholarships to about 220 Nigerians, but since he came in Nigeria, he raised the number to 250, including expanding the scope of the field of studies into all fields like medicine, engineering and so on.

“We are looking forward to creating more horizons for greater cooperation with Nigeria

in all aspects and field of human endeavours, so as to develop the national economies of the two countries.

“Nigeria is a great country and has all the initiatives, ability and capability to be one of the great countries in the world. Nigeria is the biggest country in Africa and also it is one of the biggest countries contributing to peace and stability not only within the region of Africa but its contributing to peace missions all over the world.

France likely to extend mission in CAR- minister

F

rench Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said yesterday the United Nations would probably have to renew a French mandate for French troops to restore order in Central African Republic when it expires in May. France deployed 1,600 troops there in December to try to stem violence between Christian militias and largely Muslim Seleka rebels who ousted President Francois Bozize last March.

Catherine Samba-Panza, the interim president, says she hopes to restore order within a month, though Human Rights Watch has warned Seleka fighters who fled the capital Bangui have regrouped in the northeast and begun attacks on civilians.

Government soldiers lynched a man in the capital on Wednesday whom they suspected of having been a rebel, underscoring security concerns in a country that plans to hold elections in February next year.

Asked during an RTL radio interview whether France’s sixmonth U.N. mandate, granted

A French soldier carries his weapon as he takes a strategic position during a joint Chad MISCA French army patrol in Wouango

on December 5, would have to be renewed, Le Drian said: “Probably”.

The defense minister said that the French mission helped ease tensions and that the situation was improving day by day.

“The situation in Bangui has more or less stabilized,” Le Drian said. “In the rest of the country it is much more complicated”.

The European Union agreed last month to send around 500 troops to

Central African Republic to support the French-African mission there.

French troops intervened alone for the second time last year after ousting Islamist rebels in Mali, another former African colony.

Deaths of 8 miners spark outrage in South Africa

C

ompanies came under attack yesterday after the bodies of eight miners were found in the fire-stricken Doornkop gold mine west of Johannesburg.

Mining companies must take responsibility for the safety of miners, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said.

Rescue workers have located the miners’ bodies at the Doornkop gold mine, mine owner Harmony Gold said yesterday.

Nine workers were unaccounted for after a fire broke out on Tuesday night in a stope adjacent to 192 level haulage (some 1, 733m underground), following a seismic event that triggered a fall of ground.

The search continued for the ninth employee, but rescue work was hampered by smoke and a fall of ground, the company said.

On Wednesday, eight other miners were rescued from the

underground refuge bay and were unharmed, said the company.

The incident is the most serious in South African mines since nine workers died in a rock fall at a platinum mine in July 2009.

NUM General-Secretary Frans Baleni expressed sadness, saying bread winners have lost their lives.

Former head of Anglo American South Africa Kuseni Dlamini said the tragedy “is very concerning.”

Dlamini stressed the need for the mining industry and government to work together to avoid such tragedies.

“The (mining) industry and government need to step up

South African miners

their act in terms of making sure that there is more safety in the mines. We shouldn’t tolerate what happened. Even if it’s one person, it is outrageous,” Dlamini told AM Live on SAfm. NUM called for the Department of Mineral Resources’ Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the accident, identify the causes, and assess whether there was any negligence on the part of the mine management.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) also said it was shocked and saddened by the tragedy.

“We send our condolences to their families and fellow workers, and urge the rescue teams to continue their search for the one worker who is still unaccounted for,” COSATU national spokesperson Patrick Craven said.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 29

International North Korea issues warning over South reunions day after agreement

N

orth Korea has threatened to cancel family reunions with the South, a day after agreeing to hold them.

Its top military body said in a statement that it would reconsider the deal if joint US-South Korea military exercises went ahead.

“Dialogue and exercises of war” could not go hand in hand, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency quoted the North Korean statement as saying.

The two Koreas last held reunions for divided families in 2010.

The next reunions - for family members separated when the Korean peninsula was partitioned at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War - are scheduled for 20 February.

In the past North Korea has cancelled reunions after the South took actions it opposed.

It has been accused of using the reunions, which are highly

emotional events, as a bargaining chip.

“As we were reaching an agreement on the separated families, B-52 bombers were engaging in nuclear strike drills against us above Korea’s western sea,” the statement from North Korea’s National Defence Commission said.

“As long as [South Korea] hurts our dignity and slanders our regime, we can’t help but reconsider fulfilling the agreement,” the statement added.

Seoul’s Defence Ministry refused to comment on the activities of American assets, the BBC’s Lucy Williamson in Seoul reports.

But South Korea’s main news agency said the drill had involved one B-52 aircraft training along the country’s south-western coastline, our correspondent adds.

Major US and South Korea military drills, which are held

Family members from the two Koreas reuniting

every year around this time, are due to begin later this month. The exercises anger Pyongyang, which views them as aggressive.

Last year, the exercises led to a prolonged surge in tensions, with North Korea threatening pre-emptive nuclear strikes and cutting a military hotline with the South.

A South Korean Defence Ministry spokesman said on

Thursday that the joint drills would go ahead.

“We will proceed with our drills normally, regardless of the reunions for separated families,” said ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok.

It is estimated that there are about 72,000 South Koreans nearly half of them aged over 80 - on the waiting list for a chance to join the family reunion events.

Pakistan-Taliban peace talks under way

T

he first formal meeting between the Pakistan government and a Talibannominated team has begun at an “undisclosed location”, officials say.

They are due to start charting a “roadmap” for peace talks to end a decade-long insurgency.

The government side has entered the talks “wholeheartedly”, the interior ministry tells the BBC.

Militants from the Tehreeke-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have been waging an insurgency inside Pakistan since 2007.

The talks initiative was announced last week by Prime

Taliban negotiators include, from left, Prof Ibrahim Khan, Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, and Maulana Abdul Aziz

Minister Nawaz Sharif, Sharif following followin a spate of attacks.

Originally scheduled for 4 February, the meeting was delayed after the government side asked for clarification about the composition of the team representing the Pakistan Taliban.

More than 100 people, including soldiers, died in Taliban attacks across the country in January.

Thousands have been killed since the TTP came to the fore in 2007.

The chief negotiator for the government side, Irfan Siddiqui, said the government committee would attend the talks with “an open mind”, the Pakistan Tribune reports.

This much-anticipated meeting marks what some hope could be a start of a peace process in Pakistan, says the BBC’s Shahzeb Jillani in Pakistan. Others are deeply sceptical and see it as a sign of weakness on the part of the government, he adds.

Asia & Middle East

Australian woman lay dead for 7 years

A

n elderly Australian woman lay dead in her home for around seven years before her body was found, an inquest was told yesterday.

Police found Natalie Wood’s body in her Sydney home in July 2011. She is believed to have died in 2004.

Police said she may have died after a fall, but the amount of time since her death made it “forensically almost impossible” to determine her death.

Ms Wood has been dubbed “the woman Sydney forgot” by local media.

She was born in 1924.

A police officer told the Glebe Coroners Court that Ms Wood “kept to herself... it got to a point she answered the door with a special knock”.

Rings and valuables inside the house had not been touched, although there was no TV, fridge, mattress or purse inside.

There were cobwebs throughout the house, and a tree growing outside had spread into the upstairs of her home.

Ms Wood’s sister-in-law, Enid Davis, said she last saw Ms Wood from a bus window in January 2004.

“There was no reason [we stopped talking] other than my husband had dementia and got very sick,” she said.

Ms Davis and some of Ms Wood’s cousins are seeking to claim her estate.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ‘lookalike’ banned from acting

I

raqi authorities are detaining thousands of women illegally and subjecting many to torture and ill-treatment, including the threat of sexual abuse, Human Rights Watch has said.

Many women were detained for months or even years without charge before seeing a judge, HRW said in a reportyesterday, and security forces often questioned them about their male relatives’ activities, rather than crimes they themselves were believed to have committed.

In custody, women described being kicked, slapped, hung upsidedown and beaten on the soles of their feet, given electric shocks, threatened with sexual assault by security forces during interrogation, and even raped in front of their relatives and children.

“The abuses of women we documented are in many ways at

the heart of the current crisis in Iraq,” said HRW’s deputy Middle East and North Africa director Joe Stork in a statement accompanying the report, ‘No One Is Safe’: Abuses of Women in Iraq’s Criminal Justice System.

“These abuses have caused a deep-seated anger and lack of trust between Iraq’s diverse communities and security forces, and all Iraqis are paying the price.”

A spokesman for Iraq’s Human Rights Ministry said the testimonies in the HRW report were “overexaggerated”, but acknowledged that “we have some limited illegal behaviours which were practised by security forces against women prisoners”, which it said had been identified by the ministry’s own teams.

These teams had referred their reports to the relevant authorities,

“asking them to bring those who are responsible for mistreating female detainees to justice”, the spokesman said.

“Iraq is still working to put an end to prison abuse and, with more time, understanding of law and patience, such illegal practices will become a history,” he said.

The report is based on interviews with imprisoned Sunni and Shia women and girls, although Sunnis make up the vast majority of the more than 4,200 women detained in Interior and Defence Ministry facilities, HRW said.

The release of women detainees was a main demand of Sunnis who began demonstrating late in 2012 against the Shia-led government, which they accuse of marginalising their community.

One woman who entered her

meeting with HRW at a death row facility in Baghdad on crutches said she had been permanently disabled by abuse, displaying injuries

consistent with the mistreatment she alleged including nine days of beatings, electrical shocks and other forms of abuse that left her disabled.

Women protest outside Abu Gharib prison over the treatment of their relatives while detained

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

International

Putin aide warns US on Ukraine, says Russia could act

A

senior Kremlin aide accused the United States yesterday of arming Ukrainian “rebels” and, urging the Kiev government to put down what it called an attempted coup, warned it could intervene to

maintain the security of its ex-Soviet neighbor.

Sergei Glazyev, an adviser to President Vladimir Putin with responsibility for relations with Ukraine, told a newspaper that U.S. “interference” breached the 1994

treaty under which Washington and Moscow jointly guaranteed Ukraine’s security and sovereignty after Kiev gave up its Soviet-era nuclear arsenal.

His characteristically confrontational comments, on the

Police troops stand guard during an anti-government rally near the parliament building in Kiev

eve of an expected meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych at the opening of the Sochi Winter Olympics, could add to tensions with Washington, and within Ukraine.

Asked by Kommersant-Ukraine daily whether Russia might “actively intervene” if the country’s crisis deepened, Glazyev recalled the Budapest Memorandum of 1994: “Under the document, Russia and the USA are guarantors of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and ... are obliged to intervene when conflict situations of this nature arise.

“And what the Americans are getting up to now, unilaterally and crudely interfering in Ukraine’s internal affairs, is a clear breach of that treaty. The agreement is for collective guarantees and collective action.”

He did not specify what action Russia might take.

Washington, which has urged Yanukovych to share power with a unity government to end a violent standoff in the streets, has accused Russia of pressuring the leadership in Kiev to prevent Ukraine joining a trade pact with the European Union.

Yanukovych sparked the protests in November when he turned down the EU accord and took financial aid instead from Moscow.

Ukraine protest leader describes torture

U

kraine opposition leader Dmytro Bulatov has outlined the details of his imprisonment and torture, saying his captors cut off part of his ear before touching it to his face.

Bulatov described his beatings as “very professional” while speaking to reporters yesterday in Lithuania’s capital Vilnius, where he headed for medical treatment after being discovered eight days after he went missing on January 22.

“They cut my ear, I couldn’t feel how much they cut off my ear.

They took the piece of my ear and touched my face with it,” Bulatov said adding that he became so desperate as the beatings continued that falsely confessed to having received $50,000 from the US

Ambassador in an attempt to stop the torture.

Bulatov said his captors were continually asking who was funding the protests in Ukraine and accused him of being a US spy paid by the CIA. “It felt as if melted metal was poured on my face. The only thing I wanted was for this to stop,” Bulatov told reporters. “I said whatever they wanted.”

Automaidan, the protest group run by Bulatov, was largely made up of drivers who would blockade streets to protect protest camps.

On the final day, Bulatov says he was pinned to a wooden door. “On the last day they put me on my knees.

They said ‘we are going to crucify you,’” he said.

Bulatov

“I was asking them to kill me because I was unable to stand this any more. Some time later they came and put a bag on my head and took me somewhere. I was hoping my suffering was finished.”

His detention became a rallying point of Ukrainian protesters in Kiev and was condemned by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton who called it a “deliberate targeting” of peaceful protesters.

London train strike causes second day of travel chaos

M

illions of commuters faced a second day of travel chaos yesterday due to a 48-hour strike by London Underground

workers angry over ticket office closures and job cuts, with no sign of an end to the standoff between unions and rail bosses.

Evening commuters wait at a bus stop in central London

Staff from the two main rail unions began the first of two planned 48hour “tube” strikes late on Tuesday, reducing the city’s vital Underground network used by three million people daily to a skeleton service.

The strike has left many people unable to get to work while others joined long queues to squeeze onto crowded buses and overground trains, turned to river boat services, or resorted to running or cycling to work.

“The train was so crammed I couldn’t even breathe but I do sympathize in some ways because it’s their jobs,” said Omar Salahuddin, 29, a teacher, whose journey from Pinner in northwest London to Canada Water in east London took four hours instead

of the usual one hour.

But the lengthy, and sometimes costly, alternative routes to work on Wednesday appeared to have deterred more commuters from battling the transport chaos yesterday. “tubestrike day 2 = half empty tube pulls up as I get to the dead platform. Is everyone working from home today?!” tweeted Daniel Mryan.

The unions are protesting about plans to cut about 950 jobs and close manned ticket offices as part of a restructuring that Transport for London (TfL), which runs the capital’s public transport network, says could save 50 million pounds ($80 million) a year.

Europe and Americas

US warns airlines of Russia ‘toothpaste’ bomb threat

T

he US has warned airlines with direct flights to Russia that explosives hidden in toothpaste tubes could be smuggled onto planes.

The Department of Homeland Security’s warning comes ahead of the Winter Olympics’ opening ceremony in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.

It said it was not aware of any specific danger to the US at this time.

Russia banned all liquids, pastes and gels from its airports and internal flights last month.

The move was part of a significant tightening of security in the country ahead of the Olympic Games, the BBC’s Daniel Sandford reports from Sochi.

The Russian authorities have not yet commented on the US warning, but Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak said the level of security at Sochi “is similar to that of any other safe city in the world”.

Although the Games do not officially start until Friday, some qualifying events are now being held.

Unnamed US security officials were quoted as saying there were fears toothpaste tubes could be used to smuggle explosives which could then be used to assemble a bomb either in flight or upon arrival at the Olympics.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that “out of an abundance of caution” it “regularly shares relevant information with domestic and international partners”.

“While we are not aware of a specific threat to the homeland at this time, this routine communication is an important part of our commitment to making sure we meet that priority,” it added.

The White House National Security Council said the latest threat had not altered existing travel guidelines for Sochi.

“If we should receive information in the coming days and weeks that changes our assessment of whether people should travel to Sochi, we will make that information public,” spokeswoman Laura Magnuson told US media.

Air travellers are restricted to carrying liquids - which include pastes, creams, gels and drinks - in containers no larger than 100ml (3.4 oz).

Sweeping changes to airport security regulations were brought in after three Britons were arrested for plotting to bring down transatlantic airliners with homemade liquid explosives disguised as soft drinks in August 2006.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 31

Concern Youths Alliance 46 Maikahon Karo Road, SOKOTO

Bafarawa - PDP Celebrating An Enemy

I

his own fate, he still blames it on Governor n politics in Nigeria, they say no Wammako. Bafarawa, don’t bother any permanent friend, no permanent enemy. longer since you have pitched your tent with How interesting isn’t it? This aptly those that not only encourage and shield described the situation of PDP in Sokoto. corrupt people, but reward them. Your case That despite the tranny, the oppression and would soon be a thing of the past. brutality Bafarawa visited on PDP members Another thing the PDP in Sokoto can as Governor of Sokoto State from 1999not forget is Bafarawa”s treachery and 2007, they are welcoming him into their fold diabolical nature. These are his most portent and even celebrating him with the presence credentials which would soon manifest in of PDP “s “Ogas at the top” at his formal the confusion that would engulf the PDP unveiling in Sokoto. President Jonathan, in Sokoto. Can any of them forget his vow relegated state matters to attend along with never to join PDP and worked against Bafarawa”s old time friend, the new PDP it to the extent of destroying the federal helmsman. government”s FM Radio Station cited in Whatever they want to achieve by doing so sokoto Rima Basin, a federal government would be seen in no distant future. The thing premises and rejecting a cheque of hundreds that surprises Sokoto People, who for those of millions from Muktari Shagari as water years that Bafarawa ruled sympathized with resources minister to improve water supply, the PDP folks for the ill and dehumanizing which has dwindled, in the State? The party treatment Bafarawa meted out to them, is has already said goodbye to peace since how they have forgotten so easily a man Dogo Mai rodu has joined their ranks. For who abused, incarcerated and maimed their Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa those who don’t know, Bafarawa does not members in Sokoto. Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Tambuwal, then PDP chairman and his Former Governor of Sokoto State want to be led. He must lead and his wishes are everyone”s command. Apart from being secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji Gusau were all thrown into sokoto prison by Bafarawa for daring to oppose dictatorial and cynical, he sees himself as an emperor. It is not as his government. These are just few examples of his impunity if any one hates Bafarawa, it is just his nature that makes people as Governor. Not only that they know they are only deluding to despise him.

The 2007 revolution that took place in Sokoto which swept themselves by pretending the PDP has made “a big catch”.

Bafarawa , they know is not in PDP to better its” fortune or make Bafarawa aside is still fresh in the minds of Sakwatawa. Nothing it win any significant votes, but only to get his own pound of flesh has changed but rather the zeal, the will and determination are from Magatakarda Wamakko. He is in the party believing he can gathering momentum daily and come 2015 the people of Sokoto get help from Abuja to use apparatus of government coercion to would speak, and loudly too. The movement has been enlarged humiliate and embarrass the person of Wamakko for taking over with the defection to APC. The Wamakko”s rank has swollen power and subjecting him to seeming prolong EFCC prosecution. up. Sokoto people are waiting to make a wonderful showing in Perhaps, let me refresh the memories of those interested 2015 where they intend to make a statement that will change the in the politics of Sokoto State as to how the problems started. politics of Nigeria. We are a people that have never waived in Former governor Attahiru Bafarawa, at the twilight of his our commitment and resolve. Hardly does any true Basakkwace administration invited EFCC to showcase his ‘transparent’ double speak. We are known to be direct and open. No wonder management of Sokoto resources” for which he had severally we turn “molasses into honey”. The vanguard for the change that boasted of . It was at a time he gleefully told the world that is waiting to happen are the masses and abled young men who he left N13 billion in the State coffers. The citizens of Sokoto have vowed to show that all the victories Alu has achieved are no State were made to understand then that the money was in flukes.

Bafarawa is never an issue in sokoto because contrary to raw cash. Tongues wagged why so much money was kept in the State coffers while scarcity of water was hitting hard what his negligible number of admirals are saying, he does not in the State; teachers were buying teaching materials; rate wield any power or influence. The bad thing about him is that he of poverty was in upward surge while a few cabal was in is all alone because all his strongest loyalists such as, Umarun opulence. If the former governor said he left N13 billion and Kwabo AA, Maigari Dingyadi, Chiso Dattijo, Usman Danmadami, Governor Wamakko refuted the claim something must be lawali labbo margai, Yushau Mohammed Ahmed, Eng Abubakar wrong somewhere that needed to be investigated. Indeed, Aliyu yabo and a host of other prominent personalities have all Governor Wamakko’s administration froze that account that deserted him due to his politics of vengeance and retrogression. up to date has not been operated to allow EFCC to finish Once again nothing to celebrate about him or have any cause its investigation. This is at the detriment of Sokoto State, while for concern. While he waits for Jonanthan to empower him and the law takes its cause. We are yet to see the hand of Governor avail him of the use of security apparatus to unleash violence Wamakko in the EFCC palaver. In fact, eminent citizens of Sokoto on Sokoto people to ensure his new benefactor”s ambition, all State had been writing EFCC against Bafarawa’s administration sectors of the Sokoto people have warmed up to excercise their prior to his invitation by the commission. Bafarawa tried to play franchise so as to let the world know that their view point must be smart by conjuring up a figure which include value of Sokoto State respected. shares in UBA and bonds, May, 2007 state and local government Garba MB Mullela statutory allocation from the federation account and other sundry balances to make up his imaginary cash he claimed to have left Secretary behind in UBA account of sokoto state. Despite being achitect of

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Weekend Revue Salman Khan’s Jai I left music temporarily Ho becomes victim of to raise my kids piracy, leaks online – African China WITH TOBIAS LENGNAN DAPAM lovelengz@yahoo.com 07036990957

P T

he internet seems to have no qualms about hosting the recently released Salman Khan starrer ‘Jai Ho’.

According to reports, a pirated version of the film - 2 hours 17 minutes in all - was released online within just days of its theatrical release. It seems a Dubai-based user uploaded the pirated print of Jai Ho, that released on January 24, on January 28 on Youtube.

Interestingly, the video got a total of 1,08,151 views after which it was removed, only to be followed by a better print the next day.

The pirated prints, reportedly, were quite a hit, and may in part explain the reason behind Jai Ho’s not so grand success at the box office.

Jai Ho’s reportedly one of the first Bollywood movies that was leaked this quick.

BBC films options Deborah McKinlay novel ‘That part was true’

A

BBC film, the U.K. public broadcaster’s film-making unit, has optioned the rights to Deborah McKinlay’s novel ‘That part was true.

The novel, due to be published in the U.K. later this year by Orion, charts the relationship between a U.K. divorcee and U.S. novelist through their shared love of food and cookery.

BBC Films chief Christine Langan described McKinlay’s work as a “stunning novel.”

She said: “Deborah is a wonderful storyteller whose characters leap off the page, their dilemmas subtly touching modern nerves. We’re delighted to be bringing her engrossing world to the big screen for the first time.”

opullar music opular music i artiste, artiste i Africa Affric i a China C Chi hina has h been been away from from the h music music i scene for for so so long l and d here h is his reason when recently asked what has kept him out of the music scene for so long.

The music star who is currently working on a collabo with Flavour and 2face Idibia said he left music temporarily to raise his children, but is fully back now “I’ve been working but after becoming a father, I told myself I needed to concentrate fully and see what fatherhood is all about.

“I do not want to have a scattered home. You know its not easy. I know I may not be able to manage stardom and family so I had to quit one for another. Not that I left music but I just wanted to relax and face my family.

“I left music for them but now that my kids are grown up, I think I can hit the streets. I’m good to go,” he said.

Talking about his new slimmed down look and darker complexion, African China jokingly blamed it on fatherhood. “(Laughs) fatherhood join. E reach make person thin o”.

Shah Rukh Khan and Rohit Shetty to produce Marathi movies

A

fter having made a groundbreaking collaboration in the blockbuster’Chennai Express’, Bollywood filmmaker,RohitShetty and actor S Shah Rukh Khan are now joining fo forces again and this time, they are g going to make Marathi films.

According to the latest buzz, the d dynamic duo will produce a total of ssix regional films under their joint b banner.

Rohit went on and confirmed the n news and was quoted saying, “Yes, w we are looking at producing Marathi films, but it is too early to talk about it a as we are still working on things. A few fr friends from the Marathi film industry h have already narrated their scripts to m me. I liked couple of them and I look fo forward to producing these ventures.”

A source has added that Rohit has sspoken to SRK about the same and th that the latter has shown interest in fu funding these projects.

However, when Rohit was asked a about his plans to make a sequel to ‘C ‘Chennai Express’, he said that there’s n no script in place right now.

Shah Rukh Khan

Rohit Shetty

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 33

Weekend Revue

George Zimmerman wants to fight Kanye West

K

anye West may have settled out of court with the teen he harassed weeks ago for insulting Kim Kardashian but now, George Zimmerman – the same man who shut down Trayvon Martin – is waging war on the star as a lesson to stop being a bully.

The ex-convict wants to beat up the super star ironically because he believes he has a history of attacking “defenseless people.”

According to TMZ, “Promoters for Zimmerman’s upcoming celeb boxing match say he badly wants to step in the ring with Yeezus.

The promoters are deliciously

Flavour visits Alma Mata

Machiavellian --- knowing for many it will become a choice between 2 evils; thus becoming a must-see spectacle.”

It’s obvious that George’s beef with Kanye is not just that he attacks paparazzi but the innocents as well - like the 18-year-old who allegedly insulted Kim. The promoters have confirmed that if Kanye decides to take Zimmerman up on the offer, they’re willing to move the fight to L.A. Flavour

I

n a rare show of philanthropy and love for one’s AlmaMata, highlife crooner, ChineduOkoli, (FlavourN’abania), took time out to visit his old secondary school, College of the Immaculate Conception, Enugu, where he was decked in the school’s uniform of white shirt over blue trousers.

The artiste stormed the school’s assembly ground and made the students and teachers go wild with joy and ecstasy.

The visit marked the highlight of the college as the students screamed and shouted with delight at the realization that such a celebrity actually passed through the institution.

It was learnt that the visit was facilitated by the singer’s NGO, FlavourFoundation, with the star artiste announcing later that the foundation would be responsible for the payment of fees for some brilliant but indigenous students.

George Zimmerman

Kanye West

Chinese C hi epic i ‘‘Monkey M k K King’ i ’ ttops worldwide chart with $46m

H

ollywood Reporter has said trio of Chinese films did big business at the Chinese New Year holiday box office, led by Hong Kong director,SoiCheang’sThe Monkey King.

It said the 3D fantasy epic grossed a massive $46 million to top the weekend’s global box office chart.

Most of Monkey King’s earnings came from China. The film is playing in a total of seven territories and has earned $54

million to date, according to Rentrak. In China, Imax theaters are reporting record business.

Another Chinese film, Dad, where are we going?Opened to $34 million to place No. 2 on the weekend global chart. The third new film in China, The Man from Macau, debuted to $12.5 million.

Disney’s Frozen came in No. 3 with $33.3 million in ticket sales, including $9.3 million in North America, where a sing-along version opened on Friday, and $24 million overseas. Through Sunday,

Nigeria music lacks message-Fredrock

the animated blockbuster’s total is $864.4 million, putting it ahead of fellow Thanksgiving release The Hunger Games: Catching Fire ($860 million).

Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street placed No. 4 on the global chart with $29.6 million, as it sailed past the $200 million mark worldwide. The Oscar best picture contender nabbed $26 million overseas for an international total of $122 million, and $3.6 million for the weekend in North America.

Fredrock

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

A

The premier of the move ‘Monkey king’.

buja budding gospel artist, Fredrock has said that the country’s music lacks message.

Fredrock, who gave this indication yesterday in a chat with our reporter, said “music should help change the people. It should have a message that reminds the people about certain things in the society they live”.

The gospel artist, who said he

started singing at the age of 10, added that his music is aimed at converting people from the street to the church.

“I sing basically for the people in the street, to bring them to the path of righteousness instead of encouraging them to sin”.

He said there was need for musicians to be focus on their goals and work towards contributing their quota to the development of the society they live.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 34

Interview

Yobe: We will achieve 90% MGDs goal on water in rural areas by 2015 –GM RUWASA From Uche Uche, Damaturu

C

omrade Mohammed Bukar, is the General Manager, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RUWASA), Yobe state, and former chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Yobe chapter. In this interview with Peoples Daily in Damaturu, He sheds light on what the state government is doing to meet the MDG goals in water supply and sanitation. Excerpt.

How have you been able to realize your goals in the provision of water and good sanitation?

As far as we are concerned, the general outlook of water supply in Yobe state, looking at it from the point of view of what the state government is doing towards providing potable drinking water to the people in rural communities, it is impressive. This is because, we have many programmes currently going on in the state, so in general terms, water supply situation in Yobe has increased tremendously.

As I am speaking with you now, we have a lot of programmes which are affecting the lives of people directly. For example, under the state government, we have been able to maintain a lot of boreholes and we are working with chairmen of the 17 local government areas concerned and all of them are doing very well in terms of providing water supply to the rural communities.

In fact, since the coming of the present administration in the state, a lot of water points have been rehabilitated in all the 17 local government areas and there is no village in Yobe state that has not been attended to in terms of rehabilitation of broken down water systems except those areas where they have security challenges because we find it difficult to move in there but the chairmen in the local government areas are working closely with RUWASA and we are doing our best.

In terms of providing new water facilities, I think that if you look at it generally in the northeast, we are on top of almost all the states. We are lucky to have the African Development Bank in water supply programmes in Yobe state which is covering all the local government areas and in fact, recently, we have awarded contract for the construction of about 150 boreholes which is ongoing and about 85% of the work has already been completed.

Also recently, in those communities that we felt motorized water scheme cannot go in, the government has also awarded the construction of almost more than 1000 hand pump boreholes in all such communities.

Who are the partners you are working with in actualising the project?

We have the European Union water programme, which kickstarted in Yobe and RUWASA

Yobe state Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam, is the executing agency and we are providing water supply in all the rural communities in Nguru and Bade local government areas respectively which covers about 285 communities.

Going by our Millennium Development target, the state is putting hands together with donor agencies to see that we achieve the MDG goal in terms of rural water supply and sanitation in Yobe state come 2015 because, now we have been able to successfully concluded the African Development Bank projects which is a mega project in the sub-region and we have been able also to complete the EU UNICEF programme in Yobe state plus what the 17 local governments are doing in terms of water supply and

sanitation.

Coupled with what the state government is doing independently in rural water supply, by 2015, I think, we will at least reach about 85% to 90% of access to potable water in rural communities both for human and animal consumption, this I can assure you. We are working directly with the 17 local governments through the ministry for local government and in fact, under the administration exercise, just during January last year to now, the local governments have rehabilitated about 21 boreholes which I know, because we do get their submissions from this office before they finally go to the sites and sometimes, we give them technical support to go about the

job of rehabilitation.

How many boreholes have been constructed so far?

Under the African Development programme, we have about 17 new boreholes currently being drilled and the government is awarding about 20 or so hand pumps together with general works.

Yobe state government in partnership with chairmen of local government management committees, has drilled a total no of 97 boreholes, rehabilitated 21 and upgraded 11 boreholes in various locations across the 17 local government area of the state.

Other water projects executed he said, include the sinking of a total number of 73 cement wells, repair of 180 cement wells, drilling of 176 hand pumps and repair of existing number of 43 hand pumps, purchase of maintenance equipments and supply of diesel, all at the total cost of N1.186 billion.

So, if you look at it generally from the point of view of what is supplied in the local government as far as our record is concerned, more than 80 to 85 percent of these boreholes are functional throughout the state. Some of these boreholes are motorized, some are solar system powered but these motorized boreholes have their own complications that you may come today and they are working but tomorrow they are not for one fault or the other.

Feature Spain’s dwindling knife sharpeners

By Tom Burridge

A

s I was getting ready to leave my flat I heard a sound, a shrill, but tuneful whistle reverberated around the narrow streets of my neighbourhood in central Madrid. I peered from my balcony, and, in the distance, there he was.

His name is Antonio, an elderly man, dressed in simple clothes, who grew up in a Spain that is far removed from the country we both live in today. And he was practising a Spanish tradition that is slowly disappearing.

Antonio is an afilador, which translates into English as a sharpener. He thinks he is one of only five left in the whole of Madrid.

Brandishing two of my best kitchen knives, which probably hadn’t been sharpened for about 10 years, I ran down on to a silent, sleepy, Sunday morning street.

It was 11:00, but perhaps four hours ago the same street would have been throbbing with noisy partygoers, doing what Spaniards do best.

The afilador saves time for business people like fishmonger Miguel Paredes.

Rafael Romero del Campo and his knife-sharpening motorbike Suddenly, I felt a pang of guilt as a petrol-powered stone wheel on the back of Antonio’s motorbike whizzed around, and the tranquillity of that Sunday morning was lost.

Then he set to work, holding each knife in two hands carefully passing it back and forth, a craftsman of a dying trade.

Days earlier, I had tracked down another sharpener 310 miles (500km) south in Seville.

Rafael Romero del Campo is 53 and lives in the working-class neighbourhood of Torreblanca.

It’s a part of Seville that the tourists don’t see it.

Ironically, in such a poor neighbourhood where unemployment is rife, the trade of a sharpener is now a stable, if low, source of income.

“I have five children and four grandchildren, and this job feeds them all,” says Rafael.

I asked him if he likes the job.

“The truth is there’s no other work. I used to also work as a builder on a building site, but I lost that job.”

Rafael’s 30-year-old son, Jose Antonio also used to work on the building sites, which were plentiful during the country’s construction boom.

Now he’s unemployed, and unofficial work is sporadic.

“I get little work at the moment, but at least my dad is able to earn something every day,” he tells us.

Jose Antonio shows no desire to follow in his dad’s footsteps but he is sad to see this way of working go.

“It’s a shame… his dad taught him, and he in turn was taught by his own dad.”

For local businesses in Seville, the sharpener is a vital service that saves time and money.

The melody from Rafael’s trademark whistle warns them that he is approaching.

Then we watch as fishmonger Miguel Paredes has his knives sharpened outside his shop’s door.

“I don’t have the hassle of taking my knives somewhere else,” he says.

And it’s a sentiment echoed by those at the Bodegon de Sierra cafe, in Rafael’s neighbourhood.

Barman Angel Gutierrez needs to keep his knives supersharp for his jamon “He doesn’t charge much,” says barman Angel Gutierrez, as he slices Spanish ham with his freshly sharpened knife.

“It’s something we shouldn’t lose. It’s something we need,” he says.

Rafael Romero del Campo started sharpening knives at the age of 13.

For the first three years of a now 40-year career, he travelled around Seville on a bicycle, using pedal power to sharpen knives.

He spent only one day at school and cannot read, or write, except his name.

So when will he retire?

“I will keep sharpening until I die,” he says, before letting off his trademark booming cackle of a laugh.

PAGE 35

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Special Report

Boosting food production through dry season farming

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

T

he Federal Government recently approved the release of N14 billion for dry season farming.

The release of funds for dry season farming has indeed become a practice as N9 billion was released in 2013 for the same purpose.

The release of the funds underscores the importance government attaches to dry season farming.

According to available statistics, Nigeria has over 82 million hectares of arable land not fully utilised because of predominantly rain-fed farming practised in the country.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who spoke recently in Abuja, at the official launch of the Dry Season Farm Support Programme, said government would sustain the dry season food support programme. ``Our resolve to expand this dry season programme is strong and subsequently it has to come up in October so that they will get all that they need before the commencement of dry season. ``To demonstrate this, I am today announcing N14 billion to support dry seasoning farming for 2014 season. ``As more states come on board we will continue to increase the amount of money. ``We will continue to work with farmers and that is why I am announcing today that the support will become a national policy. ``Our nation shall be green, our barns shall be filled and our farmers shall prosper,’’ the President said.

Jonathan said that the programme launched in 2011, was designed to add an additional 20 million metric tonnes of food to the country’s domestic food supply.

Alhaji Mohammed Yusuf, Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, who spoke recently in Bauchi at a stakeholders meeting of the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme, said agricultural inputs would be provided farmers under the dry season farming programme.

Yusuf said that in Bauchi State alone, the Federal Government provided incentives to 10,000 dry season rice farmers.

According to him, each farmer received three bags of fertiliser at 50 per cent discount and 25kg of improved rice seeds.

Yusuf said that more than 400,000 farmers from 19 participating states were being supported under the 2013/2014 dry season GES scheme. ``The effort produced more than one million tonnes of rice during last year’s dry season farming with just over 200,000 farmers drawn from 10 states. ``We intend to double or even triple the production this year. ``We have already carried out sensitisation campaign across the state, identified genuine farmers, enlightened them and assessed their level of preparedness in respect of land and source of water.

Man channels water on his farm during dry season ``I am happy to inform you that our farmers are ready; they have prepared their lands in clusters and ready for planting.

Very soon, we will commence distribution of the inputs,’’ he said.

The director advised the farmers to utilise the inputs to expand their production capacity, adding that the problems of processing and

marketing had been addressed through the value chain initiative.

Dr Emmanuel Adanu, Director, Dams and Reservoir Operations, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, urged farmers to embrace irrigation farming, as it can deliver greater crop yield than rain-fed farming.

He noted that irrigation farming

Woman carrying her banana to the market was more productive because it was usually regulated and more focused than rain-fed farming.

According to him, that is why the southern part of the country is being encouraged to use the dams located in their areas for irrigation. ``We are encouraging people in the South now to go into it, though in the South we don’t have

Tomatoes are cheaper during dry season

“

WeareencouragingpeopleintheSouth now to go into it, though in the South we don’t have a long period of dry season for them to do continuous irrigation. So, we encourage them to go into some irrigation because the production from irrigation normally is better than rain-fed agriculture, Adanu said.

a long period of dry season for them to do continuous irrigation. ``So, we encourage them to go into some irrigation because the production from irrigation normally is better than rainfed agriculture, `` Adanu said.

Adanu said the North engaged in irrigation agriculture more because it has a longer period of dry season and abundant expanse of land than the South.

Mr. Charles Ovweigho, the Manager, Asaba Area Office of BeninOwena River Basin Development Authority, said that dry season rice farming would soon start at Illah, Delta state after the inauguration of Illah irrigation project.

He said that the N200 million irrigation project was for dry season rice farming.

Ovweigho explained that 100 hectares, out of the 200 hectares earmarked for rice farming, was irrigated for dry season farming. ``The contract for the irrigation was awarded in 2012 and the project will soon be inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture,” he said.

Ovweigho said the farm project extended to the neighbouring Ebu community, where 100 hectares was acquired, adding that 15 hectares had also been cleared in the community.

Ovweigho said interested large-scale farmers would be allowed to farm on the land after fulfilling some obligations. ``This is a Federal Government project and it is all over the country; no restrictions or discrimination is placed on anybody,’’ adding that interests of host communities would be protected. Ovweigho said that farmers currently on the land, only paid for the cost of land preparations, adding that when the irrigation system becomes operational the cost would also be subsidised.

Stakeholders want the government to complete the various irrigation projects spread across the country, to ensure the success of the dry season farming programme.

Source: NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 36

Digest

Want to lose weight? Try the weekday diet

By Anna Hodgekiss

I

f you feel bad about what you ate on the weekend, then don’t beat yourself up too much.

Instead, you’re better off focusing on eating healthy lunches and dinners during the week.

That’s because the majority of us pile on the weight at the weekends and shed pounds during

Austerity weekdays: Researchers found it’s what we eat during the week - and not just weekend binges - that affects our weight

the working week, according to new research.

For just as there are sleep cycles, there are also weight loss cycles, the study has found.

The researchers, at New York’s Cornell University, found that almost everyone loses weight on weekdays and gains weight on weekends.

But, crucially, what separates the slim from the heavy isn’t how m much more they gain on weekends - it is how much they lose during tthe weekdays.

The study, led by Dr Brian W Wansink, looked into the impact tthat the seven-day cycle we live by h has on weight.

Eighty adults participated in tthe study, ranging in age from 25 tto 62 years old. These people were cclassed as either weight losers (-3 per cent weight loss), weight g gainers (+1 per cent weight gain), o or weight maintainers (-3 per cent tto 1 per cent weight change).

These people were asked to w weigh themselves before breakfast.

Only weight measurements that w were taken over at least seven cconsecutive days were included in tthe analysis.

The main objective of the study w was to observe whether weight fluctuation is dependent on the days of the week.

Weekly weight patterns were then analysed across the three

Guilt-free living: By following the weekday diet, we can enjoy weekend excess such as hamburgers groups: weight losers, weight gainers and weight maintainers.

The results revealed a clear pattern in weekly weight fluctuation.

People weighed more on Sundays and Mondays, with their weight steadily decreasing during the weekdays - reaching the lowest point on Friday.

Unexpectedly, the researchers found a difference between weight losers and weight gainers in these fluctuation patterns.

People who lost weight did so by cutting back on calories straight after the weekend and continuing so until Friday.

Meanwhile those who didn’t

lose weight had no clear decrease during weekdays.

The researchers add that ‘successful weight control is more likely to happen and for the long run if one is not too strict with one’s diet but allows for short-term splurges’.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk.

One fizzy drink per day raises heart risk

By Jenny Hope

T

oo much sugar can double your risk of dying from heart disease, warn researchers.

Scientists have discovered an alarming link between excessive consumption of sugar found in fizzy drinks or processed food and heart-related deaths.

They found that even one fizzy drink a day was enough to increase the chances of dying from cardiovascular disease (CVD) by almost a third.

And for those consuming a quarter of their daily calories from sugar, the risk of heart-related death doubled.

Added sugar is that which is introduced to the processing of food products, rather than coming from For those consuming a quarter of their daily calories from sugar the risk of heart-related death doubled, researchers found. Campaigners are now calling for a sugar tax - saying the substance is the new tobacco

natural sources such as fruit.

Dietary guidelines from the World Health Organisation recommend that added sugar should account for less than 10 per cent of calorie intake.

But British campaigners are calling for an upper limit of 5 per cent, along with a sugary drinks tax because they say sugar is the ‘new tobacco’.

Professor Graham MacGregor, chairman of Action On Sugar, said: ‘This is an important study.

‘It clearly shows a high sugar intake is associated with an increased risk of stroke and heart attacks, highlighting the need for much more focus on reducing sugar to reduce obesity and cardiovascular risk.

‘Not only is added sugar an unnecessary cause of calories and

a cause of tooth decay, but also predisposes to strokes and heart attacks. We need to take action now.’

The study, led by Dr Quanhe Yang, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, used US national health survey data to determine how much added sugar people were consuming.

Between 2005 and 2010, added sugar accounted for at least 10 per cent of the calories consumed by more than 70 per cent of the US population. bout a tenth of adults got a quarter or more of their calories from added sugar, says a report in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The data was matched against heart disease mortality over a period of 14.6 years, during which 831 CVD

One fizzy drink a day is enough to increase chances of dying from cardiovascular disease by a third, scientists say (library image)

d deaths were recorded in the study g group which was representative of tthe population.

The risk of heart-related death w was 38 per cent higher for people who cconsumed 17 to 21 per cent of daily ccalories from sugar compared with tthose who were under 10 per cent.

IIt was four times higher for those g getting one-third or more of calories ffrom added sugar.

One can of sugar-sweetened

drink every day increased the risk of CVD death by 29 per cent compared with drinking one can or less a week.

A 360ml can of fizzy drink can contain eight teaspoons of sugar.

The researchers say the extra risk is not simply because people consuming more sugar are more likely to be overweight or obese, which makes heart problems more likely.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 37

I came when morale was low in PDP- Mu’azu admits

By Lawrence Olaoye

N

ational Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mu’azu yesterday disclosed that he became the party chairman at a time when morale of members was very low.

Mu’azu who spoke when members of the party’s Board of Trustee (BoT) led by its Chairman, Tony Anenih paid him a courtesy visit at the party national secretariat, added that he “came at a time when the party had lost grounds; at a time when competition was apparently going to be very interesting and at a time when PDP has the opposition developing the skill of poaching.”

“But I tell you all hopes are not lost; we are doing everything with our colleagues, in consultation with you our leaders and with prayers and support, not only will we regain lost grounds, we will strengthen and get back to our proper leadership position in PDP,” he said.

Mu’azu described the BoT, made up of 117 members, as the pillar of the nation, adding, “I once told a friend of mine in a BoT meeting in Abuja that if a bomb as we are sitting now, comes up and everyone dies, Nigeria will be in a stand still for one year. Because everybody that is anybody is in this BoT.” He disclosed that due consultation with regard to members, especially elders

has been lacking in the party, stressing that the shortcoming will be restored.

“I assure you that what has been lacking is due consultation with regard to members, especially elders, this will be restored. The job is tough and these are tough times,” Mu’azu said.

Speaking on behalf of the BoT members, Chief Tony said that the members were at the party

national secretariat to pay the National Chairman a courtesy visit, noting that what they have seen since he (Mu’azu) became the Chairman has given Nigerians and PDP hope.

“From what we have seen in the last few weeks since your election, I think Nigerians have hope now, I believe PDP has hope.

I also want to thank you for being a team player. Today we have a

National Working Committee as a team and no longer as a group,” he said.

Anenih added that since Mu’azu came on board he has moved almost round the 36 states, something that has never happened before and which the former Chairman criticised them when they embarked on such move, apparently referring to Bamanga Tukur.

L-R: National Secretary, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Sagir Auwal Maidoga, APGA National Chairman, Barrister Maxi Okwu, and APGA Deputy National Chairman, (South), Chief Chris Uche, during National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

APGA sets up administrative organs

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he National Executive Committee (NEC) of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has mandated the chairman of the party, Maxi Okwu, to immediately commence the process of establishing administrative organs for the party in accordance with Article 14 of the party’s constitution.

In a communique issued yesterday after its NEC meeting which was signed by the Acting

National Publicity Secretary, Stanley Chira, the party, at the NEC meeting, also set up seven standing committees to run its affairs.

According to the communique, the seven committees are finance, contact and mobilisation, publicity, administration, organisation, research and publicity, which the party said is in accordance with Article 15 of the party.

While pointing out that the era of running a unitary party was over, the party in the communique

also directed that the national caucus be constituted by the party in accordance with the provisions of Article 10 sub section (11) and Article 11 sub section (11) of APGA constitution.

In addition, the party’s NEC directed that a 24 member Board of Trustees be inaugurated by the party, who will meet in two weeks time in line with provisions of Article 10 and Article 11 sub (10) (3) of the party’s constitution to elect their chairman and secretary.

It resolved also to adopt the

wife of late leader of the party, Emeka Ojukwu, to replace her husband as a leader in the party, even as it reiterated that Ojukwu, though late, remains the party’s symbol and leader.

Meanwhile, it agreed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the authority to fix the 2015 general elections at any date, even though it advised that the commission should consult with political parties before taking such sensitive decision.

APC’ll save Nigeria from poor management, says Fashola From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

L

agos State governor, Bababtunde Fashola, yesterday said All Progressive Congress (APC) will save Nigeria from poor management of human and natural resources.

Speaking after performing his membership registration in his ward at State Senior Grammar School located in Itolo street, Surulere, Fashola said its high time the nation’s electorates rescued the country from difficult challenges of poor management.

Fashola appealed to Nigerians to register as members of the party.

“This is an association where there is no compulsion to join. So, you are free to come and join if you believe in what the party stands for which is to save Nigeria from its current difficult challenges and poor management”.

He explained that the membership registration exercise is tailored to consummate the initial contacts and meetings that heralded the formation of country’s first ever merger of political parties into the APC. Fashola said, “ We are now in the process of identifying by membership, the individuals that make up the large number of Nigerians who are delivering what is clearly the biggest political movement in order to give birth to a new Nigeria has begun today.

“You can see the process, the openness and the transparency. So all those who are concerned about our country will find a vehicle of expression in the APC and I urge them to join us by registering as members of this party to save our country”.

“We will ensure that the process is all inclusive, if there are issues with registration, there would be mop up to ensure that there is a level playing field, everybody who wants to register will register.

“So going forward thereafter will be the announcement by the interim National Executive for the plans of the ward congresses, local government congresses, state congresses up to the National Convention where all of the officers of the party will now be elected in a transparent and open process.

President Jonathan visits Sokoto tomorrow

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan will visit Sokoto state on a one day visit to lead a grand reception for the former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa and his supporters

who decamped from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) tomorrow.

A statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the President visit to the state, Yusuf Dungyadi, stated that the

ceremony is expected to take place at Shehu Kangiwa Sqaure, Sokoto with attendance of all the Bafarawa’s supporters from the 23 local governments of Sokoto state and other PDP supporters.

Those to be expected at the grand reception include

Chairman of the party’s BoT, National Chairman of the PDP, Ahmad Adamu Mu’azu, National executive members, Governors of the party, ministers, former governors and former ministers from the north-west.

The President will also inspect PDP party office and later meet with the elders before returning to Abuja.

The city of Sokoto has already taken a new look with banners and posters of the PDP at all major roads and roundabouts.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Politics Resign, if you can’t conduct free, fair election, Rep tells Jega Interview

T

here are divergent views on the status of lawmakers in the National Assembly who defected to the opposition.

What is your opinion on this?

The spate of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) and also a single defection from defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to PDP is a welcome development politically. It shows that the democratic discourse and democratic dispensation in Nigeria is coming alive and is taking shape and so it is better late than never. Now specifically speaking defections from PDP of my compatriots, my fellow honourable members of the House of Representatives, was also a very positive democratic step and it has also been taken care of constitutionally by the provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended.

Those that are claiming that any member who defects from his party to another party loses his seat automatically are missing the point and they have not understood the constitutional provision of section 68 (1) paragraph g clearly. The constitution provides that a member of the House of Representatives or Senate should vacate his seats and it lists the conditions. But there is a proviso and when ever in any statutes you see a proviso it means it is an exception to the general rule and that proviso is there under section 68. It provides that where a member defects to another political party as a result of some situation, one, as a result of division within the political party on which he was previously a member; two, if there is merger of his political party with another or if there is a merger between some political parties and a faction of his own party then he does not lose his seat in the National Assembly. So, the constitution, specifically the proviso to section 68 (1) (a)-(g), encapsulates three situations in which a member can join another political party on the floor of the house and without losing his seat. That is if there is a merger between his political party and one other, just like we in the CPC merged with ACN and ANPP, we are now APC and we have not lost our seats. Second scenario is if there is a division between a political party and that division is from a single political party like where you have the new PDP and the old PDP, then the third scenario is if there is a merger between a faction of his own political party and an existing political party in which case here members of

Barrister Abbas Abdullai Machika, APC member of the House of Representatives representing Faskari-Sabuwa-Kankara Federal Constituency of Katsina state, in this interview with our Katsina Correspondent, Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, tells the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resign if he can’t conduct free and fair elections. the new PDP constitute a faction of old PDP and consequently therefore protected under this proviso to join APC. So there is no controversy as far as the legal position on this is concerned.

How do you assess this issue of defections and mergers politically?

This idea of merger of political parties into one is the first time it has happened in Nigeria’s political history. We have never had a situation whereby political parties collapsed into a single political party. So, this is a testing period and there are some three critical issues we should consider.

Legally speaking, you don’t stop a person from registering into a political party because once that party is registered it’s not your own; it belongs to all Nigerians.

And once he is ready to register and he signs and abides by the rules and regulations of that party, unless if he flouts the rules he is a member of that political party. We in the APC are now involved in registration of our teeming members across the country. We don’t have yardstick to say register A don’t register B simply because B has left his former political party, he wants to join us, even if you know you can’t stop. The best thing you can do is to say ‘ok surrender registration card of the former party you belong to.’ Two, the fact that this is the first time parties are merging has its challenges in the inter party relationships. The massive influx into APC from PDP, which is the dominant party in the country, will definitely give sleepless night to PDP leaders and it would also attract comments in the public fora either in the print or electronic media. Certainly it will post an intellectual issue for the academia to discuss.

The third thing is that the progressive elements in Nigeria are now agreeing for the first time to come together and carry along other progressive NGOs and professional organizations in order to put what is wrong in Nigeria right.

How would you react to the recently released INEC time table?

Release of election time table is the responsibility of INEC under the Electoral Law. The Act enjoins them or INEC as an institution to release time table for the conduct of election or election processes in the country.

One would expect INEC to be very transparent; to be open and to carry along all stakeholders in

Barrister Abbas Abdullai Machika the democratic process in Nigeria for it to succeed. Where major stakeholders are questioning INEC’s exercise of its statutory power under the Electoral Act, then there is a problem. Because the stakeholders are actually going to submit themselves to the impartial judgement of INEC at the end of the day, that is elections, when from the release of time table the stakeholders are raising issues with INEC, then there is a problem. And I will advise INEC to look at the issues raised by the stakeholders so as to be transparent; so as to be all inclusive to carry everybody along with it in the discharge of its duty of returning a government for this country come 2015.

What is your reaction to the statement allegedly credited to the INEC that it cannot guarantee a perfect election?

It is only in a country like Nigeria where the head of an electoral body will say he cannot guarantee free and fair elections and remain in office. Because this is the highest stage of self indictment. If he says so, he had actually accepted that he is a total failure.

Why is the House of Representatives trying to amend the constitutional impeachment procedures for the President?

It is not an isolated issue what happened was that recently, we did a third reading for the amendment of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. Now, in the course of that third reading, sections that were amended were now read and in line with the procedure

for constitutional amendment.

You have to have 2/3 majority of those who are present and voting.

So, every clause that is read, the Speaker will first take attendance then will call for vote also. Now, we came to a sub-section in section 148 that is dealing with procedure for impeachment of executive bodies, president, vice-president and what have you. Now since you require 2/3 majority for every amendment to pass. That particular one, we did not get the required 2/3 majority and consequently by constitutional parlance, it has not passed the standard for it to be amended. So that is really what happened and it is not an isolated case.

Some people were recently deported from some states after being labelled Boko Haram. How would you react to this?

Well, these portend danger for the country and every right thinking Nigerian will agree that these things are not normal.

Because the Nigeria you and I know is a united, free fair Nigeria particularly at grass root if you go.

I’ve travelled to most parts of this country and most of my travelling are by road and I assure you I feel comfortable in the remotest part of Rivers state as well as I could feel in the remotest part of Katsina state. I did my youth corp in Imo state. So, it is alarming what is happening now. And that is a conglomeration of so many factors, particularly economic hardships. Two, insecurity and three, lack of humanness of governance at all levels. This is what I feel is contributing to this type of dangerous situation. After

all there is no reason why such people would be arrested and be labelled Boko Haram and they would say, ‘Okturn back’. Now if they are Boko Haram and turned back, it means they should come back to Katsina or any other place and kill us. Those that chase them are also having their indigenes in the places they are returning them back to. The victims of Boko Haram are more Muslims and northerners than any part of the country.

What is the security situation in your Faskari, Sabuwa federal constituency in Katsina state?

That is my constituency right. Right from Faskari Ward, Layin Galadima, Maigora you move down to Dugun Mu’azu in Sabuwa, Gamji, Sayau and Sabuwa B it has been spoilt; it has been depopulated by the marauders, armed robbers and bandits taking refuge inside Faskari forest reserve. Faskari forest reserve, otherwise known as Kogo forest reserve, was made a forest reserve since 1933 and it covers 500 square kilometres now, which means it cuts across Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna and some parts of Kebbi and Niger states. It is a thick forest. There are rivers in it and so it has a water supply and in fact those daring hunters that used to go there and come out, the kind of intelligence report they bring out is that there is entire bandit military garrison stationed there.

So, for the last one year, based on the statistics I have, they have stolen over 4000 herds of cattle; over 6000 sheep and goats. Some village enclaves have now left their villages and moved into larger villages. There is a total paralysis of rural economy farmlands which cannot be cultivated now because the bulls that are used to plough and plant lands are not there; they have been stolen; about 19 people have so far been murdered.

People are scared, they don’t go to their farms; women are being raped and abducted. They will just abduct any woman they so wish and go into the bush with her later they release her if at all she can find her way back home. So, you now have a situation whereby the entire that section has been depopulated; more so there are no more cows to be stolen now.

Reasons for this insecurity are economic hardship, failure of security agencies and lack of political will by the leadership to act on it. It is a terrible situation.

PAGE 39

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

News Extra

NCPC gears up for 2014 Easter pilgrimage

L-R: Former Edo state AttorneyGeneral, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, Chief Executive Officer, Arise Consultancy Service Limited, Professor Assisi Asobie, and Lagos based Lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, during the celebrating of Lives and Times of Festus Iyayi and Baba Omojola, Foremost Revolutionaries and PanAfricanists, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

By Evelyn Okakwu

T

he Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) said it is poised to make the Easter Pilgrimage Exercise to Isreal a unique and rewarding experience.

Speaking on the level of preparation by the committee for this year’s pilgrimage, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr John Kennedy Opara said preparations are in top gear to ensure a smooth and hitch free exercise.

He said the 2014 Easter pilgrimage Exercise would be flagged off on 1st March with about twelve states participating in the exercise.

This year’s Easter pilgrimage Exercise would be the third edition since it was flagged off for the first time, in March 2012 in Port- Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Easter pilgrimage provides an opportunity for pilgrims to experience the awesome power of resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Land of Israel.

Introduce interfaith education, UPF tells FG Evelyn Okakwu

T

he Universal Peace Federation (UPF) has called for an introduction of interfaith Educational curriculum in the Nigerian academic syllabus.

The call was made at a programme organised to mark the United Nation’s World Interfaith Harmony week by the UPF as part of its Global peace education initiative.

Speaking at the event, the secretary general of the Universal peace Federation, Dr Raphael Ogar said the interfaith week was slated for the first week of February every year by the United Nations to help member countries focus on the requirements for sustainable peace in their countries.

He stated that the week was very necessary for Nigeria, adding that there was also the need to introduce the ministry of interfaith affairs in the country.

Also speaking at the event, His Royal Highness Ambassador Dallhatu Abubakar Lawal, the Dallatun Kauran Katsina said peace is a key factor for sustainable development which can best be achieved in the face of profitable employment for the youths.

“Nigeria is one irrespective of tribe or religion. What we should look out for is ensuring that all of us both youths and leaders earn what they work for, not our State of origin or religion, he said.”

Ibrahim Ummaru, one of the newly inducted ambassadors from Adamawa State noted that the association encourages its members to do things rightly.

Help to correct misconceptions about Nigeria, Jonathan urges ambassadors

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged ambassadors serving in Nigeria to convey positive realities of the country to the world.

Speaking at an audience with the outgoing Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Roberto Colamine, President Jonathan said by doing so, the envoys will help to correct

misconceptions and adverse misrepresentations of Nigeria in the international community.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President, (Media and Publicity) Reuben Abati said the President urged the ambassador to use the knowledge acquired in Nigeria positively to, “help us as you go back home”.

President Jonathan commended Mr. Colamine for his

untiring efforts at strengthening and expanding areas of bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Italy during his tenure in Nigeria.

He particularly praised the ambassador’s facilitation of the training of some ex-Niger Delta militants in Italy as part of the Amnesty Programme, which, he said, had helped to restore relative peace and security to the region.

Mr. Colamine told President

Jonathan that he had witnessed challenging political transitions in the country during his more than four-year tenure, but was glad that issues were always resolved.

The Ambassador also commended President Jonathan for Nigeria’s continuing leadership role in Africa as well as its efforts to promote peace, political stability and democracy in all parts of the continent.

Qadiriyya movement poised to improve Muslims’ welfare

By Evelyn Okakwu

T

he leader of Qadiriyya Sect, Sheikh Qaribullahi Mallam Kabara said he is committed towards ensuring adequate health information for the Muslim Ummah to improve its followers and humanity in general.

He was speaking at a two day Seminar on “family healthcare” organized by the Forum of Northern Religious Leaders on Primary Healthcare.”

Represented by Dr Mansur

M. Kabara, Khalifa Qaribulllah Kabara said Qadiriyya Movement had constituted a 20 member In House Health Committee to pursue and spread the gospel of immunization against preventable and communicable diseases.

Other strategies adopted and being implemented by the Movement are reorientation of its followership for a paradigm shift and attitudinal change for a better family healthcare and ultimately productive society including

individual hygiene.

The Seminar which was a follow-up to similar ones held in Abu-Dhabi of the United Arab Emirate (UAE), and Abuja between first and third quarters of 2013 was chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji (Dr.) Sa’ad Abubakar III. Sheikh Qaribullahi said Qadiriyya Movement has over the years allocated a vast land for a clinic within its affiliate institution, Turathul Islam College,

Gwauron-Dutse, Kano.

The spiritual leader said this initiative by the Movement to introduce and manage a clinic was aimed at attending to the healthcare needs at primary level for all categories of beneficiaries of the program including the ongoing sensitization program of the ummah for maintaining a clean worshipping centres and their closets to rid mosques environment of any diseases arising out of people gathering and use of facilities.

AKSG, NBC sue for peace between border communities From Mike Etim, Uyo

T

he Akwa Ibom State Government has called on boundary communities between Abia and Akwa Ibom States to cooperate with the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to find lasting solution to problems confronting both states.

The Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Boundary Committee, Lady Valerie Ebe who stated this in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State during a meeting between the two states and NBC, stressed the need for the border communities

to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign and support the Federal Agencies with adequate inputs that would put an end to further boundary skirmishes.

The Deputy Governor reminded the people of the age long co-existence between the two states as kith and kins, in-laws and friend and urged the people to uphold the virtue of love and mutual co-existence and not to allow greed compel them to shift the hedge.

Sir Emmanuel Ananaba, the Deputy Governor of Abia State, condemned, in strong terms, the incessant boundary clashes

between the two states and called for a reconsideration of the contentious portions for peace to prevail.

Sir Ananaba cautioned that any breach of peace in the community, Local Government Council Chairmen and Traditional Rulers would be held accountable.

The leader of the Technical Team and representative of the Surveyor General of the Federation, Surveyor Soji Alade, sued for cooperation to enable the team address the contentious issues and to provide honest and useful inputs to aid the team in the discharge of their duties and

assured the two states of the NBC’s commitment to ensuring a fair and logical conclusion of the field exercise.

Speaking, the Chairman of Ini Local Government Council, Mr. Etetim Anwatim, expressed appreciation to the Federal and State Governments for the commitment to ensure that peace returns to all the border communities in the country, particularly that of Abia and Akwa Ibom States.

He said as one of the border Local Government Council, incessant border crises had affected development as well as human empowerment.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Photo Splash Nasarawa state Governor, Alhaji Umaru Tanko AlMakura (right), inaugurating the Committee on the Disengaged Local Governments’ Staff, yesterday in Lafia.

Traffic gridlock, yesterday at Ojota, in Lagos.

Fire fighters putting out fire on a building, yesterday in Ibadan.

Photo: NAN

Photo: NAN

L-R: Director General, National Office for Technological Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Engineer Umar B. Bindir, Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, and Director,Planning Research and Strategy of NOA, Mr. Bonat Tagwai, during a visit by the NOTAP team to NOA headquarters, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Kwara state Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed (right), displaying his temporary APC membership card after he was registered, on Wednesday at Share town, Kwara state. With him are Chairman of APC Registration Committee, Dr. Hassan Lawan (left), Secretary of the Committee, Alhaji Danmola Afeez (2nd left), and governor’s wife, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed (2nd right).

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 41

Argentine Ambassador seeks closer ties with NFF Stories by Albert Akota

T

he newly-appointed Ambassador of Argentina to Nigeria, His Excellency Gustavo Dzugala yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, proposing that Nigeria and Argentina do much more together in the football sector.

Dzugala, who is only a month old in Nigeria, after serving in the same capacity

in Serbia, is seeking closer ties between Nigeria and Argentina National Teams as well as Clubs in both nations.

“Football is more than just a game; it is becoming a very potent political tool all over the world. Football makes the world go round beautifully, because it is the ‘beautiful game’.

“Our two countries can definitely explore more ways of collaboration and friendship in football, because both are

AFN targets IAAF World top three ranking in 2014

T

he Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) number three spot in the International (IAAF) ranking for 2014.

Solomon Ogba, President of the when achieved would go a long way in country.

According to Ogba the IAAF latest released which placed Nigeria 19th in the an indication that things were getting better.

“Generally if I assess what we have done, happy to say it has been good but “We want to have at least within the first three in the can now begin to beat our “One of our goals is to records set before and that because many falling.

The AFN desire to see m o u n t international necessitated Performance AFN. He noted of a performance director in Nigeria’ contingent to the Olympics contributed Blessing Okagbare’s metres race.

“There is difference performance coach; if can make Usain Bolt, be worth 10 million Nigeria’s latest was attained by the achieved by its and World

very strong, powerful nations in the game,” Dzugala observed.

Responding, Maigari wished Dzugala well in his new role, saying the NFF and Nigeria football family as a whole are open to further collaboration between Nigeria and Argentina in the game.

“A former Board Member of Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Chive Kaave, is the Ambassador of Nigeria to Argentina, and we have also discussed several ways of

NBBF to receive separate allocation in federal budget–Gaiya

said yesterday that it would target the Association of Athletics Federation AFN said in Abuja that the target repositioning athletics in the World ranking recently world and 3rd in Africa was I think modestly one will be not where we want it to be yet. three, four or five athletes ranked world; if we have that then we chest. erase most of the national we’ve started doing records have been boss noted that his Nigerian athletes the podium at competitions the employment of a Director for the that the absence the `Team 2012 London largely to loss in the 100 between a coach and a a coach knows something that that thing that man knows can dollars. position on the IAAF ranking final and semi-final positions athletes at the 2012 Olympics championships Blessing Okagbare

Hon. Godfrey Gaiya

T

he Chairman, Chairman House Committee on Sports Hon. Godfrey Gaiya, yesterday said that financial allocation to the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) would henceforth be separated from those of other sports federations in the federal budget.

Gaiya made the disclosure at the NBBF Stakeholders Forum in Abuja on plans for the 2013/2014 season and the way forward for the sport’s growth.

According to him, the separation will enable NBBF to receive its allocation on time than the former way in which allocations were lumped together thereby causing delay.

He said that basketball had grown from the ranks of the lesser sports and had gradually become a favoured sport in Nigeria.

“Basketball has gradually grown to become a big sport in Nigeria; there are a lot of activities going on yearly as regards the league, and other international

Eagles to recall Haruna, Uche

L

ukman Haruna and Ikechukwu Uche are to be recalled to the Super Eagles ahead of the World Cup in Brazil, officials have said.

And both players could well get their chance as early as next month’s preWorld Cup friendly against Mexico in the USA. Dynamo Kiev midfielder Haruna has been superb for his Ukrainian club after a recent injury setback, while Villarreal striker Uche has scored 12 goals in La Liga.

However, it is left to be seen whether a hamstring injury suffered by Uche last week may not stop him from the Mexico match.

further collaboration. With your coming, we will activate most of the possible areas and bring them to fruition,” Maigari said.

Nigeria play Argentina in Group F of the 20th FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil this summer, with tickets for the June 25 match in Porto Alegre long sold out.

In a two-match friendly in 2011, Nigeria’s Super Eagles beat Argentina 4-1 in Abuja, with the Argentines winning the second leg 3-1 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Haruna last played for Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup, while Uche has not been involved with the national team since he bombed at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

The players who were not part of the qualifiers for Brazil 2014, but have been doing well at their various clubs in Europe will also be considered by Coach Stephen Keshi.

“My team will be open to any Nigerian player who is doing well,” maintained Keshi.

The Eagles are due to resume training camp by the end of the month ahead of the friendly against Mexico on March 5.

Lukman Haruna

competitions. competitions “Nigeria will feature in the Commonwealth Games coming up in Glasgow, Scotland and hopefully in the coming 2016 Rio Olympic Games, and we intend to prepare well for these international events.

“We have the capacity to do well if we prepare adequately. However, in our capacity as House of Representative, we can only push for allocations to be disbursed properly,’’ Gaiya said.

According to him, his committee is working round the clock for President Goodluck Jonathan to be aware of the present poor state of the National Stadiums.

“We have stadia that had been built since the 1960s and the 1970s in Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano and many more that require urgent attention,’’ Gaya said.

He added that the committee was confident that in 2014 Federal Budget, allocations would be released for the refurbishment of the stadiums.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 42

Sports

2014 NYSC Sports Festival: Delta win volleyball event

Delta female volleyball team and Zamfara

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS HAPPY EKENOMULEFU. NOW WISHES TO BE KNOWN AS HAPPY E. EHIMARE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID.THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION AND GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Pillars to miss Abdullahi at CAF champions league

K

ano Pillars will be without CHAN Eagles star Shehu Abdullahi for Sunday’s CAF Champions League tie as he did not get a visa to DR Congo.

The Nigeria champions are away to AS Vita of DRC on Sunday in a preliminary round, first leg match.

“Shehu’s visa application was late because he could not be reached in time and as such he will not be travelling with the rest of the squad for this game,” Pillars spokesman Idris Malikawa said.

The versatile former U20 international midfielder impressed as Nigeria finished third at the 2014 CHAN in South Africa.

However, the cheering news for Pillars is that their top strikers Gambo Mohammed, Kabiru Umar and Manir Ubale will all be available for selection on Sunday.

All three strikers did not feature at the recent Super 4 in Abuja.

Pillars fled out yesterday, a day ahead of schedule, on a chartered flight to Kinshasa.

Keshi dismisses NFF’s foreign assistant

Stories by Albert Akota

T

he Delta female volleyball team yesterday in Abuja beat their Zamfara counterparts 3-0 to win the volleyball event at the NYSC Sports and Cultural Festival.

In the final match played at the Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment, Delta beat Zamfara 25-14, 25-16, 25-11 to win the competition’s main trophy.

In the third-place match played earlier, Kwara also beat Edo in three straight sets of 25-22, 25-16 25-16 for a 3-0 victory.

However, Blessing Godwin of Zamfara was adjudged the competition’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

The 2014 NYSC Sports and Cultural Festival had begun on Sunday, Feb. 2 and ended yesterday.

Volleyball is one of three sports events being competed for at the festival with football and athletics as the others.

Shehu Abdullahi

T

Stephen Keshi

he Nigeria Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has refused to accept an offer of a foreign assistant ahead of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil this June.

The Nigeria Football

Federation (NFF) had met with the current African Coach of the Year recently and proposed a foreign assistant to him which he turned down.

The football federation even proposed to Keshi to pick any foreign assistant of his choice and it will foot the expenses including the salaries.

Instead Keshi, 52, demanded that the Nigeria football house reinstate one of his former assistants and former teammates, Sylvanus Okpala, who was sacked after the Super Eagles won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

“Stephen Keshi was offered the chance to choose a foreign assistant, who will work under him but he made it clear he was fine with his current assistants and backroom staff. The federation did this because they felt Keshi needed additional assistant.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

KALIMATUL HAQ FOUNDATION

MAJMUUL-ALKHAIRIYAH FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVEFOR REGISTRATION TO THE UNDER PART “C” OF THE ACT OF 1990 LAWS OF THE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR. ASHEIKH MAIDUGU. 2. ABDULLAHI MUHAMMAD DOGONYARO. 3. SURAJ MUHAMMAD TUKUR. 4. RAYYANU MUHAMMAD SANI AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROMOTE PEACE AND UNITY AMONG MUSLIM UMMAH. 2. TO CREATE AWARENESS IN REGARDS TO THE TRUE TEACHING OF ISLAM. 3. TO CATER FOR ORPHANS AND THE LESS PRIVILEGE. 4. TO CO-OPERATE WITH OTHER SIMILAR ORGANISATIONS IN ENJOYING WHAT IS GOOD AND FORBIDDING WHAT IS BAD.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. SHEHU UMAR. 2. NUHU MUHAMMAD JUME. 3. NURADDEEN IBRAHIM ABUBAKAR. 4. BARR. MAHMUD LAWAL ISMAIL. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE PEACE AND UNITY AMONG MUSLIM UMMAH. 2. TO CREATE AWARENESS IN REGARDS TO THE TRUE TEACHING OF ISLAM. 3. TO CATER FOR ORPHANS AND THE LESS PRIVILEGE. 4. TO CO-OPERATE WITH OTHER SIMILAR ORGANISATIONS IN ENJOYING WHAT IS GOOD AND FORBIDDING WHAT IS BAD.

ANY OBJECTION(S) TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, AND MAITAMA. P.M.B 198, ABUJA, WITHIN TWENTY EIGHT (28) DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PAGE 43

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

SAMUEL OLATUBOSUN SHONIBARE CHARITY FOUNDATION

GRACE AND PEACE CHRISTIAN MISSION

LEADERSHIP ENTREPRENEURIAL AND ATTITUDE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED “CHARITY ORGANISATION” HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE PART C OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACTS, 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE:1. MRS. IDOWU ASHIRU: - PRESIDENT 2. MRS. IBILOLA TUNWASHE 3. MRS. IBIYINKA SAMUEL 4. MR. GBEYIN OLATUNBOSUN SHONIBARE - SECRETARY 5. MRS. OMORINSOLA OLUWASEUN SOFOLA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: TO PROVIDE FOR THE NEEDY IN ORPHANAGES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND ALL NATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO REGISTRAR - GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, P.M.B 198, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA ABUJA, WITHIN {28} DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF 1990 TRUSTEES: 1. PASTOR EKPENYONG SUNDAY - CHAIRMAN 2. OKON INNOCENT MICAH VICE-CHAIRMAN 3. SUNDAY ABRAHAM EKPENYONG - GEN. SEC 4. REUBEN ALICE. - TREASURER 5. IBBI WAMBA ILIYA. - FIN. SEC 6. ERIOKPE FIDELIS GEORGE. - ASS. GEN SEC 7. UDOH FRIDAYN. - P.R.O AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST 2. BUILDING GRACIOUS AND PEACEFUL SAINTS. ROMAN 1:7 ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION .MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED: GEN. SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF 1990 TRUSTEES: 1. PRINCE ADETOKUNBO SIJUWADE CHAIRMAN 2. MS FOLUSO ADADEVOH SECRETARY 3.PROF. FAMOUS IZEDONMI MEMBER 4.MRS.OLAFUNKE ILUYOMADE MEMBER 5. LOUIS OJOMOH ESQ MEMBER 6.MRS. BRIDGET OSAMUDIAMEN ELESIN MEMBER 7.MRS.AMINA EMOEFE MEMBER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES TO DEVELOP AND EMBED SUSTAINABLE PROCESSES AND STRUCTURES THAT WILL PROVIDE GOOD LEADERSHIP PATHS FOR NIGERIAN CHILDREN AND YOUTHS. WE WILL JOIN HANDS WITH LIKE MINDED CBOS AND NGOS WHO BELIEVE THAT NIGERIA CAN BECOME A SAFER AND BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN. VISION: TO BUILD AN EMPOWERED GENERATION OF YOUNG LEADERS WHO ARE IMPACT AND SOLUTION DRIVEN. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION .MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED:SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

SERICULTURE STAKEHOLDERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

THE CITY OF GOD HEALING & DELIVERANCE MINISTRY INT’L

NEW LAGOS OKOBABA MOTORPARK TRANSPORTERS ASSOCIATION

THIS IS TO INFROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF 1990

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. HON. ABAYOMI LAPITE CHAIRMAN 2. CHIEF LATEEF LASISI ADEGBOYEGA SECRETARY 3. CHIEF TAJUDEEN OLOWONJEGBURE TREASURER 4. ENGR. TOYIN OMOTOSHO 5. MRS. OLUWATOYIN LAPITE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO ENSURE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS ON THE ROAD 2. TO CATER FOR MEMBERS

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION .MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1; MICHEAL SARAH YUSUF - CHAIRMAN, 2; HENRY EGBI - SECRETARY 3; ODIBA MICHEAL YUSUF 4; AGAMAH ALADI ABIGAIL 5; OGILI MONDAY UGBOBI 6; OJOMA RACHEAL OMAJALI 7; NMODU KAJINYANA IDRIS AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO DELIVER AND TO SAVE LIVES FOR JESUS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPERATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: GENERAL SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: HON. ABAYOMI LAPITE, CHAIRMAN. 08038936643

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PROF. AKINGBADE JOSEPH FUNSO-CHAIRMAN 2. PROF. MUSILIU OLASUMBO ASHIRU 3. MRS. MARY OLUTOYIN OLAYINKA 4. MISS. ADEOLA JOYCE ALABI 5. DR. FEMI AYOADE -GENERAL SECRETARY AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO PROMOTE SILK FARMING AMONG THE NIGERIANS FARMERS.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPERATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

CRITICAL RESCUE MISSION

NICE-ESTHER FOR ALL FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MISSION HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ANDREW ABECHI =SECRETARY 2. OGANGWU OCHOCHE JOHN =PRESIDENT 3. OFONG MARY 4. OLUKAYODE OSENI SAMUEL 5. SAMUEL YINKA SOYODE 6. OLALEKAN NOWOOLA 7. EGBOCHUO DAVID JOSHUA 8. TOYOSI AKINLADE 9. OCHOCHE VICTORIA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, AND MAITAMA. P.M.B 198, ABUJA, WITHIN TWENTY EIGHT (28) DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MISSION HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. LADY NGOZI CONFIDENCE AMADIWOCHI 2.

CHIEF MRS NICE ALERUCHI TOBOLAYEFA ALAMIEYESEIGHA 3. STEPHANIE NNADI 4. HON. ENEIKIYO BONNY FELIX AYAH 5. ENGR. GODKNOWS ALAMIEYESEIGHA 6. CHIEF SIR ALEXANDER AMADIWOCHI 7. DR. NORA AMADIWOCHI 8. PROPHET WISDOM OKONKWO EHIME 9. FESTUS GOTEH NGOCHINDO 10. KENJIKA CLINTON WORDU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO HELP THE NEEDY IN THE SOCIETY ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, AND MAITAMA. P.M.B 198, ABUJA, WITHIN TWENTY EIGHT (28) DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: VICTOR KANU ESQ.

ANAMBRA WOMEN PROGRESSIVE WELFARE ASSOCIATION

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE LORD’S SOLUTION MINISTRY RC - 43014

OUR FATHER’S WILL BIBLE CHURCH

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1. OF 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES REMAINS THE SAME AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAINS THE SAME ANY ABJECTION TO THIS AMENDMENT SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR- GENERAL OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B.198 GARKI, ABUJA, WITHIN TWENTY-EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: ADEUSI TEMILADE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR JOHN KUNLE OSADARE - GENERAL OVERSEER 2. PST. MATTHEW OLUWAYEMI PETER 3. DEACONESS FAITH FAYOKE OSADARE 4. DEACONESS ENO MATTHEW 5. BRO. JOHNSON KUNLE OSADARE JUNIOR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH AND PROPAGATE THE CHRISTAIN GOSPEL WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY. 2. TO MINISTER HEALING, DELIVERANCE AND RESTORE FREEDOM TO THE CAPTIVES. 3. TO ESTABLISH BRANCHES WHEREVER CONVERTS ARE MADE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. 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. FREDERICK AJEDE 08056582894

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MRS. EBERE UJUMADU NWAWULU 2. OGOCHUKWU OBI 3. COLLINS OBIALOR 4. JANE OKOLI 5. CHINWE OBIWULU OBJECTIVE. 1. TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF THE MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, AND MAITAMA. P.M.B 198, ABUJA, WITHIN TWENTY EIGHT (28) DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED ONWU INNOCENT C. 08035105079.

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS ODOULAMI MIKE, NOW WISHES TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MR ODOULAMI MARCELLIN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME I FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS EZEORA THERESA NGOZI NOW WISHES TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS CHUKWUDI THERESA NGOZI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, KIDSGOTIT LIMITED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME I FORMERLY KNOWN AS CHRISTINA SILAS NOW WISHES TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ASHFAT D. SAMIR, ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 44

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE NEW CITY OF GOD ASSEMBLY

ISEYIN HUNTERS AND BLACK-SMITH ASSOCIATION

ANCIENT WORD MINISTRY

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSEMBLY 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. BISHOP DR EHIMEN EZEKIEL AUGUSTINE - GENERAL OVERSEER 2. PASTOR DR. EHIMEN O. BLESSING 3. EVANGELIST EHIMEN ELIJAH OSEMUDIAME 4. BISHOP JOSHUA NISSI 5. APOSTLE CHRIS MONDAY ASOTIE 6. BARR. FREDERICK AJEDE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH AND PROPAGATE THE CHRISTAIN GOSPEL WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY. 2. TO MINISTER HEALING, DELIVERANCE AND RESTORE FREEDOM TO THE CAPTIVES. 3. TO ESTABLISH BRANCHES WHEREVER CONVERTS ARE MADE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. 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. FREDERICK AJEDE 08056582894

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OGUNLETI OGUNSIJI 2. OGUNYEMI MOSES OGUNBUKOLA 3. OKUNLOLA LATEEF ADEWALE

- CHAIRMAN - SECRETARY

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: OGUNLETI OGUNSIJI CHAIRMAN

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OLANIJI OLUSOGA JULIUS 2. ADETOYI OLAMIDE JULIANAH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST 2. FOR WRITING, PUBLISHING AND DISTRIBUTION OF FREE TRACTS, BOOKS AND NEWSLETTERS CONCERNING THE GOSPEL 3. TO INSTILL AND ENCOURAGE GOOD LEADERSHIP QUALITIES IN OUR YOUTHS 4. ORGANIZING SPECIAL TEACHINGS AND COUNSELING ON RELATIONSHIPS, MARRIAGE, FAMILY AND HOME. 5. ORGANIZING DRAMA AND FILM OUTREACHES ON CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE 6. TO CONDUCT TELEVISION AND RADIO PROGRAMMES ON RELATIONSHIP, MARRIAGE, FAMILY AND HOME. 7. FOR THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPERATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. OGUNDIPE YEWANDE; 08023310633

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE RECONCILIATION CHAPEL OF CHRIST

ADOYI ALASHE FOUNDATION

PARENTS AGAINST DRUG ABUSE INITIATIVE

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MRS. ANYEBE CECILIA 2. PROF. OLUREMI BIYI 3. MR. WILLIAM A. ANYEBE 4. REV. ISAIAH ALEKOJO ONUCHE 5. REIGNS HOSEA LAZARUS

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. KAZEEM YEKINI ADEBAYO 2. PRINCE ADENIRAN FALOHUN ISMAILA 3. MR. GBENGA BANJOKO OSHO 4. CHIEF LATEEF ARUBO 5. DR. ORE FALOMO 6. MADAM ADEBISI LADEGA 7. MR. JIMOH ALAKA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE SOCIAL AND WELFARE DEVELOPMENT OF MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPERATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CHIEF LUCKY NOSAKHARE IGBINEDION CHAIRMAN 2. DR. EHI IGBINEDION 3. ENGR. AISHA ABUBAKAR 4. MR. IBRAHIM ADAMU ABDULLAHI 5. ALHAJI IMAM MOHAMMED YAHAYA 6. MRS. FATIMA MOHAMMED SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. AN AWARENESS ON THE ISSUE OF DRUG ABUSE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, WITH THE RIGHT KIND OF INFORMATION ABOUT DRUGS OUR YOUTH CAN BE EMPOWERED TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICES ON DRUG USE AND STRENGTHENED NOT TO BUCKLE UNDER THE PRESSURE OF PEER INFLUENCE ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPERATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: IBRAHIM ADAMU ABDULLAHI ESQ. 08033994447

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST TO ALL NATIONS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPERATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: FAITH PARTNERS (SOLICITORS)

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

AAYATULLAH EMINENT VOLUNTEER FOUNDATION

SAVE AND SERVE CHRIST GOSPEL MINISTRY

NEWDAY CHRISTIAN CENTER

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CENTER HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PROPHET OLA JOHN OLUWAMAKINDE 2. EVANGELIST ADEYELE DEBORAH OMOWUNMI 3. PASTOR AKURE CLEMENT FOLORUNSHO 4. PASTOR OWOLEYE JOHN DAHUNSI 5. DEACONESS AKURE JANET TALE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR JIDE ATANDEYI 2. MRS. OMOLOLA ATANDEYI 3. MR. TALENTED OLAYINKA 4. MRS. ABISOLA OLUGUNNA

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ALHAJI ISMAIL ADESINA AHMAD 2. MRS. SILIFAT ASHABI AHMAD 3. MR. MUSTAPHA GANIYU ALABI AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROPAGATE AND TO PROJECT THE BEAUTY OF ISLAM AS A RELIGION IN NIGERIA, AFRICA AND WORLDWIDE 2. TO PROMOTE PEACE AND UNITY AMONG MEMBERS AND NIGERIA IN GENERAL, RENDER TRAINING, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES TO MEMBERS 3. TEACHING ISLAMIC KNOWLEDGE AND PROPAGATION OF THE DEEN THROUGH QUR’AN ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPERATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: NUMA. O. ERAKPOFOKE ESQ.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE WORD OF GOD

PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST TO ALL NATIONS.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPERATE 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, CORPERATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PEACE, CHARITY AND ISHAN FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL

MOHAMMED BABA MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

GLORIOUS LIFE RESURRECTION MINISTRY WORLD WIDE

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MUHAMMAD SANI USMAN 2. JIBRIN RAMALAN ABUBAKAR 3. IDRIS UMAR MUSA 4. SABO ISYAKU DANASABE 5. MUSA MUHAMMAD 6. IDRIS USMAN IDRIS AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO HELP THE POOR, ORPHANS AND WIDOWS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPERATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. AISHA MOHAMMED 2. TAIYE AYO 3. GRACE OMAIYE 4. GROUP CAPTAIN FRAMAH ELI BATUAH 5. MARK ATTAH 6. SHAWA MOHAMMED AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY 2. TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPERATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. NDIBE AYODELE HILARY AZUBIKE (REVEREND) 2. NDIBE UCHE QUEEN 3. UGORJI OBIAGELI DESIREE 4. NDIBE SEBASTINE (PASTOR) 5. NWUFO EKENE 6. OGUERI KENNEDY AMANDI AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST 2. TO CATER FOR THE WIDOWS 3. TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGED ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPERATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 45

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

NWOKE TIMOTHY FOUNDATION

OGWASHI-UKU YOUTHS FORUM,ABUJA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OKAFOR NWOKEJIEZI TIMOTHY. - PRESIDENT 2.OKAFOR FLORENCE NWAKAEGO-SECRETARY 3. OKAFOR CALLISTUS EKENEDILCHUKWU. TREASURER. 4. OKOLIE MARCELLINUS OSONDU. - FINANCIAL SECRETARY. 5. OKAFOR SAMSON- ASSISTANT SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO RENDER ASSISTANCE TO THE LESS PRIVILEGE. 2. TO FETCH OUT YOUNGSTERS AND CHILDREN FROM RURAL LOCALITY AND ASSIST THEM TO ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS. 3. TO HELP RENDER EDUCATION, MEDICATION AND RELATIONSHIP THAT WILL BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR 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:BARR. KARO KELVIN RUGBER. 08067108634

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAME HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE. 1.MR. EMEKA OGBOGU - PRESIDENT 2.ENGR. CHARLES EZEDIUNOR - VICE PRESIDENT 3.BARR. SAMUEL OKELEKE - SECRETARY 4.MR.FRANCIS OGBOGU - FIN SEC 5.MR CHRISTOPHER UZOECHINA - TREASURER 6.MR. FRANK OKOLIE - PROVOST/PRO THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO ENHANCE THE SOCIOCULTURAL INTEGRATION OF OGWASHI-UKU YOUTHS RESIDENT IN ABUJA,FCT. 2.TO INITIATE AND SUSTAIN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND SKILLS ACQUISITION ACTIVITIES FOR OGWASHI-UKU YOUTHS RESIDENT IN ABUJA,FCT. 3.TO PROMOTE THE OGWASHI-UKU CULTURAL ORIENTATION AMONG OGWASHI-UKU YOUTHS RESIDENT IN ABUJA. 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.

FAVOUR CARE FOR THE NEEDY AND HELP FOR THE HELPLESS INITIATIVE

SIGNED: SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE. 1.JUMMAI DAUDA KATSALA - CHAIRMAN 2.HELMA KUNDIRI 3.BARKA DAUDA GIRABA 4.BARR. IBRAHIM WATILA - SECRETARY THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED:BARR.RUTH IDOWU 12A KAOLACK STREET ZONE 1 WUSE ABUJA 08033471617

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FACE OF GIVING EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

BEYOND THE LIPS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

SCHOOL OF BIBLICAL-STUDIES

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO 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 FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE. 1.MR OLUWAFEMI OYEGUNWA (CHAIRMAN) 2.LADY ANGELINA OKEWU OGWUCHE 3.(SECRETARY) 4.MR OJILE MARK 5.MR OLAKUNLE EHINLANWO 6.MR ALIYU YUSUF 7.MR EMEKA IGWE 8.MR NATH OGWUCHE 9.MRS AMINA AGELLAH ALIYU 10.BARR AIDA NATH 11.MR FOLAYOMMI GARBA THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGED THROUGH EMPOWERMENT. 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 UCHEJE KALU KELVIN ESQ 08038110491

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION APPLIED FOR A CHANGE OF TRUSTEES TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACTS, 1990.

THE OLD TRUSTEES: 1. BABAJIDE OGUNTIMEIN (REMOVED) 2. NAPHTALI HAMMAN DAGASAMAH (RETAINED SEC.) 3. SOLOMON INYAM AGUH (RETAINED) 4. STEVEN WORLEY (RETAINED) 5. YOHANA KWAGA (REMOVED) THE NEW TRUSTEES: 1. BARR. PETER S. EGURE (CHAIRMAN) 2. BARR. CLEMENT IORNONGO

THE TRUSTEES ARE. 1. KELECHI BENJAMIN UKAEGBU. 2. PETER OGBUDU OMOKINIOVO 3. OZUEM ESIRI ONYEBOLISE THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO ENHANCE THE WELFARE OF THE LESS PRIVILEGED THROUGH GENERIOUS GIVINGS, EMPOWERMENT & DONATIONS. 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: CHRIS OKEGBE, ESQ TEL. 08034704290:

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME .

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGE OF TRUSTEES 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. PAUL AUDU.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

GLOBAL IMPACT MINISTRY

ISOKAN YORUBA BUTCHERS ASSOCIATION

UDI TOWN PROGRESSIVE UNION, ABUJA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR FAVOUR ONOJA-PRESIDENT 2. REV. (DR.) UCHE EKE 3. REV. ADOGO JAMES ADOGO 4. MEGBET DAVIDWHITE ISHADU 5. MRS. FAVOUR OBIAGELI ONOJA - SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL TO ALL NATIONS OF THE WORLD. 2. EMPOWERMENT, TRAINING AND EQUIPPING OF PASTORS, CHURCH WORKERS AND LEADERS WITH RESOURCES TO ENABLE THEM FULFILL THE CALL OF GOD UPON THEIR LIVES. 3. TO UNITE CHRISTIANS OF ALL DENOMINATIONS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE 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. SIGNED: BARR. AKPAMA EKWE.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED UNION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: I. MR BERNARD CHIME - CHAIRMAN 2. MR FERDINAND CHIME - SECRETARY 3. MR IKECHUKWU BENSON ANEKE - FINANCIAL SECRETARY 4. MR CHRIS CHIME - TREASURER 5. ONOGOLU CHARLES ENEH TRUTEE 6. OMELUOHA KENNETH CHIME -TRUSTEE THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: I. TO PROMOTE UNITY, LOVE, GOOD UNDERSTANDING AND FAITH AMONGST UDI PEOPLE RESIDING IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY AND ITS ENVIRONS. 2. TO PROTECT THE IMAGE AND INTERESTS OF ALL UDI PEOPLE IN GENERAL WHEREVER THEY MAY BE. 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 : CHIME AND CHIME ( BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS) 08033273262

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) KAMMAR ALABI (CHAIRMAN) (2) AREMU MUIDEEN ABOLAJI (3)SURAJU ISHOLA JASPER (4) ADEWALE TREASURE (5)ADEBAYO DAUDA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: (1) TO PROMOTE OUR BUSINESS (2) TO BRING LOVE AND UNITY AMONG OUR 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

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

HALAL CHILDREN HOME

SELF EMPLOYED WOMEN WELFARE AND SUPPORT INITIATIVE

UNITE THE WORD PEACE TORCH FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.MRS KHADIJAT FASHINA 2.IBRAHIM SHERIFAT 3.OWODUNNI ABDULRASHEED ABIOLA ADEDOYIN MUJHIDAT 4.MRS MUINAT FOLASHADE OYEKAN 5.HON JUSTICE FATI LAMI ABUBAKAR 6.RAMATU ABUBAKAR YUSUFARI 7.SHITTU-TITIOLA WASILAT ASABE MOTUNRAYO THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO CARE FOR THE LESS PRIVILEDGE IN THE SOCIETY. 2.TO CARTER FOR THE WELFARE OF MOTHERLESS CHILDREN. 3.TO BRING HOPE,PEACE AND JOY TO THE MOTHERLESS CHILDREN,ORPHANS,RESTIVE YOUTHS AND FAMILIES. 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:SAMIRAH OLUBUKOLA FASHINA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PRINCESS OMOBOLANLE OGUNDIRAN 2.NNAMDI OLEBORA 3.MRS T. A AMAECHI 4.EDWIN UCHE 5.OGUNBIYI KEHINDE THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.CHARITY AND COMMUNICATION. 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 FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.BENSON IMIAVAN 2.ISREAL BENSON 3.JOSHUA BENSON THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE AMONGST NIGERIANS 2.TO CREAT AWARENESS ON GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND AGENDA GEARED TOWARDS FOSTERING UNITY AMONGST NIGERIANS. 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:GODSENT OSAGIE IMIANVAN 08062325911

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

DOMINION GATE EVANGELICAL BIBLE CHURCH

SABILULHUDA ISLAMIC FOUNDATION

NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAME HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.REV. (MRS) CONSTANCE CHIGOZIE OYOLU - CHAIRMAN 2.EVANG. (MRS) NKECHI ALI-BALOGUN - SECRETARY 3.OGOCHUKWU OYOLU - MEDIA PUBLICITY 4.PASTOR JAMES AKPOMIEMIE ONYENOBIE - MEMBER 5.JUDE ONYEBUCHI ODIAKAOSE - MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PREACH AND PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WITHIN OUR SOCIETY AND THE ENTIRE NATIONS OF THE WORLD,AND THEREBY PREPARE PEOPLE FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 2.TO PROMOTE EVANGELISM BEING THE CARDINAL OBJECTIVE OF THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND AS DIRECTED IN LL TIM 4:2 AND MATT. 10:6-8.

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:EVANG.(MRS) N. ALI-BALOGUN

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ABDULLAHI ALIYU GWANI - CHAIRMAN 2.SHEIKH MOHAMMED LAWAL - MEMBER 3.MUHAMMED BASHER AHMED - MEMBER 4.ALTINE ABDULLAHI LAWAN - MEMBER 5.USTAS ADAMU MOHAMMED - SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PROMOTE THE TEACHINGS OF ISLAM. 2.TO INITIATE AND SUSTAIN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND SKILLS ACQUISITION ACTIVITIES FOR THE SOCIETY. 3.TO PROMOTE PEACFUL CO-EXISTENCE OF THE SOCIETY. 4.ORGANIZE WORKSHOP,CONFERENCES,SEMINARS. 5.TO AFFILIATE WITH OTHER SISTER ORGANIZATION. 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.AHMED LAMBE 08036767604

KINGDOM ZEPHYR AFRICA MANAGEMENT NIGERIA LIMITED RC:954080 VOLUNTARY WINDING UP NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE FINAL MEETING OF THE ABOVE NAMED COMPANY REQUIRED TO BE HELD

BY SECTION 44 (SUB SECTION 1 PARA. C OF COMPANIES REGULATION 2012) AND SECTION 466 OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT LFN 2004 WILL BE HELD AT NO.81 BADAGRY STREET DOLPHIN ESTATE IKOYI,LAGOS NIGERIA ON THE 14TH DAY OF MARCH,2014 AT 10’CLOCK AM FOR THE PURPOSE OF LAYING ACCOUNT OF LIQUIDATION OF THE COMPANY BY THE LIQUIDATOR. NOTE: A MEMBER ENTITLED TO ATTEND AND VOTE AT THE MEETING IS ENTITLED TO APPOINT A PROXY (ONE OR MORE PROXIES) TO ATTEND AND VOTE IN HIS STEAD.A PROXY NEED NOT BE A MEMBER OF THE COMPANY.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD ADEKOLA MUSTAPHA ESQ LIQUIDATOR.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

LOSS OF DOCUMENTS

ABDULRAHMAN BUHARI EDUCATION FOUNDATION

GLOBAL INITIATIVES FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY WITH NUMBER: MISC: 10856 ISSUED IN RESPECT OF PLOT NO: 1437 MEASURING 4039.478 SQUARE METRES,WHICH IS SITUATED AT KATAMPE EXTENSION ABUJA,FCT ALLOCATED TO ALHAJI OLADIMEJI & SONS LIMITED,BELONGING TO FRANCIS ORAGWU GOT MISSING TO FIRE. ALL EFFORT TO TRACED THE SAID LOSS DOCUMENT PROVED ABORTIVE. PLEASE IF FOUND CONTACT THE AGIS OR THE NEAREST POLICE STATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVES HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ALH. ABDULRAHMAN BUHARI 2.SHAMSUDEEN ABDULRAHMAN BUHARI 3.FAIZ ABDULRAHMAN BUHARI

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.DR UCHENNA IBEH 2.MR. SAMUEL OCHELLE

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO GIVE OUR YOUTHS GOOD AND QUALITY EDUCATION. 2.TO GIVE HELP TO THE LESS PRIVILEDGE.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO EMPOWER AND DEVELOP WOMEN 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:BARR.AMINA IBE HAMDALLA CHAMBERS,ABUJA 08033137990

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

PUBLIC NOTICE KATAGUM ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT FORUM THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAME HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

THE TRUSTEES ARE. 1.AIH. AHMADU MAIDALA 2.ALH. AMINU AHMED 3.ALH. RABIU SHEU GAMAWA 4.HON. BAPPAH HARUNA BISINA 5.ENGR. ALIU MOHAMMED THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF KATASUM COMMUNITY. 2.SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT OF KATAGUM COMMUNITY. 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:ENGR.ALIU MOHAMMED SECRETARY CONTINENTAL ATTORNEYS.

PUBLIC NOTICE TOLU FOUNDATION

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. TOLULOPE FALOPE 2. HELEN FALOPE 3. DOCTOR OLUSEGUN FALOPE 4. NMA OSADEBE 5. AYO AMINU 6. HADIZA ISA 7. KOLA ADEBARI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.

TO HELP CREATE SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH TRAININGS, AWARENESS PROGRAMS, WORKSHOPS AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT WILL BETTER POSITION THEM TO CREATE SOLUTIONS TO PRESSING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS. 2. TO FACILITATE MEMBERS EXCELLENCE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS. 3. TO TRAIN MEMBERS THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS, ENCOURAGING THEM TO BE SELF STARTERS, INDEPENDENT THINKERS AND SELF RELIANT. 4. TO PROPERLY PREPARE STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY GRADUATING STUDENTS TO EASILY INTEGRATE INTO 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:BARRISTER SECHAP TSOKWA

PAGE 47

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Some Interesting Facts

G

eneral Johnson Thomas Umurakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi on 24 May 1966, with Decree No. 34, dissolved Nigeria’s regions, creating provinces. He unified Regional Public Services under a single Commission. Riots were provoked in Kano and mutiny in Abeokuta; eventually there was a coup.

• In 1967 Gowon split the four regions into 12 states.

• Gowon’s Decree No. 8 of 1967 after the Aburi conference restored Nigeria as a confederacy.

• Late President Murtala Muhammed’s dad, Pam Azatus Iyok was from Dogon-Gaba, near Vom in Plateau state, Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Pam became a Muslim and married Ramat from Kano. Murtala Muhammed’s wife, Hafsat Ajoke was a Yoruba lady.

• Ex- President Yakubu Gowon from Jos state (Middle Belt) is a Christian.

General Obasanjo was his Army chief who helped him defeat the Biafra attempted secession from 1967-1970.

• Nigeria has been ruled for 30 years by Christians (25 years if Azikiwe is excluded).

• Mujahid Asari Dokubo, the leader of the southern Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and the most vocal enemy of the north, is a Muslim.

• Nigeria is not roughly divided between a Muslim north and a Christian South. The far north, east and far south do have concentrations, but the rest of the nation defies such demarcations.

• In the Southwest, Osun, Lagos, Ogun and Oyo have a higher population of Muslims than Christians according to counts. Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau in the north have Christian majorities.

• According to the Senate joint committee, Nigeria’s chief terrorist leader, Abubakar Shekau is not a Nigerian; he hails from Niger republic. {Shekau is believed by security services to be deceased.} • According to current demographics, after Hausa-Fulani (29%), Yoruba (21%), Igbo (18%) and Ijaw (10%) comes Kanuri (4%) and then Ibibio (3.5%) and Tiv (2.5%).

• Not really a northern caucus, but it was late M. K. O. Abiola that orchestrated and sponsored the Buhari /Idiagbon coup and

Leisure

then again the Babangida coup overthrow of Buhari. –Shagari memoir, “Beckoned to Serve;” Babangida, “Karl Maier – Midnight in Nigeria.” (Max Siollun) • The leading caucus is basically a childhood friendship: President Obasanjo was childhood friends with President Babangida, President Abacha and Commander Danjuma.

• President Babangida was childhood friends with President Abdulsalam.

• President Obasanjo graduated Abdulsalam who later became President and went on to hand over power to democratically arranged President Obasanjo.

• Under the Presidential system, Nigerians have had 7 years total Northern rule and 11+ years Southern rule.

• Total civilian rule, Parliamentary and Presidential, Nigeria has had 12 years Northern and 11+ years Southern rule.

• 6 coups is the highest number of any nation in Africa. Nigeria along with Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Uganda and Mauritania are the nations with 6 coups.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

SUDODKU SUDODKU EASY 34

He He’s He’ e’s ffaun-ding e’ faun aun-di ding di ng g thi thiss e exhausting: xha h ust usti ting ing g: 1 10 10-week-old 0-w 0 week k-ol old ol ld C Casp Casper asp per tak t kes a n takes nap ap p on Asl A Aslan’s lan’ an’s b back ack k in in th thi this is re is rere-imagimagimag ima gining of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Oil revenue leakages: Another chance for Nigeria Continued from page 48 prisms have so contracted as to consider $10bn - nearly a third of the annual federal budget - as too puny to worry about. A kobo of public funds not properly accounted for should bother us, because a person that can steal a penny will steal billions if opportunity presents itself. We should rather aspire to live in a country whose revenues do not leak, leading us free to concentrate on valuefor-money in government investments and expenses.

The Federation Account belongs to the federal, state and local governments, and the quantum of the balances it contains should concern every Nigerian. Many of the 36 states are rightly concerned that the explanations offered imply that the NNPC can practically shortchange them at will. The conduct of the NNPC thus distorts the revenue allocation formula, already weighted too much in favor of the Federal Government. It must be in

the interest of the FGN and the NNPC not to allow the perception to fester that the NNPC has indeed become a state within a state, protected and reinforced in its law breaking by a corrupt and benefitting Jonathan government.

As a minimum, that would entail thorough scrutiny of the NNPC accounts which have not been audited since 2005, if only to avoid legal entanglements with state government who are at liberty to sue for the non-remitted funds.

The National Assembly has to ask the tough questions regarding the legality of the strategic alliance agreements between the NNPC/NPDC and Atlantic Energy and other fly-by-night ‘indigenous operators’ with not track record other than connections to the Villa. It is a serious matter when a CBN governor goes public with the charge that “these agreements merely serve to transfer revenue due to the Federation into private hands” - yet another

clear, more serious case of theft of federation revenues by a private firm, facilitated by the NNPC. Citizens should put pressure on all elected officials that amidst these contentions, Nigeria will emerge with a transparent, rigorous and effective oil revenue collection and remittance system. While awaiting passage of the much delayed Petroleum Industry Bill, the NNPC should in the interim be compelled to remit all funds first, and submit verifiable claims for reimbursements later, after due appropriation by the National Assembly. In the meantime, we should thank for the CBN and its courageous governor for providing the facts and figures, and the opportunity to introduce real transparency in the very opaque oil revenue remittance regime of Nigeria.

The ball is now in our court to ensure that this case of financial malfeasance is not swept under the Jonathanian table!

www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

QUOTABLE QUOTE I love controversy. A lot of the noise that is happening in the country today around me and the oil sector is good for the country because at the end of the day, if it leads to improved governance over oil revenue…, that is good for the system.

–CBN governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

SPORTS Oil revenue leakages: LATEST

Ali to rival Mba for World Cup squad

K

ano Pillars midfielder Rabiu Ali is set to battle France-based Sunday Mba for a place on Nigeria World Cup squad.

Rabiu Ali will therefore be one of the players from the 2014 CHAN for next month’s friendly against Mexico in the USA. The pre-World Cup friendly will be played on March 5 in Atlanta as part of the African champions’ preparation for the World Cup in June.

The Pillars playmaker was given permission by his club to get across his travel papers to Abuja ahead of application for visas into the US. “Rabiu was excused from the team’s training camp to proceed to Abuja to submit his papers for visa application to the USA,” a Pillars official said.

The skilful midfielder along with Ejike Uzoenyi and Kunle Odunlami were picked by CAF for the CHAN Tournament XI. Coach Stephen Keshi has already hinted he plans to call up several players from the recent CHAN in his build-up to Brazil 2014.

Keshi has been most impressed with Rabiu’s creativity, which is desperately missing in his midfield combination of Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi.

Enyimba to benefit from Uche’s transfer

E

nyimba will be entitled to half of the transfer fee of Henry Uche if he quits Albanian club Uche, who has been capped

by Nigeria at full international level, has signed a deal with Kukesi till the end of the season.

He has had a running battle with Enyimba over his clearance, but it has now been resolved that the Aba club will get 50% of his subsequent transfer fee.

“Enyimba have formally contacted me on this,” Uche said.

Offers from Greece and Turkey for the former Shooting Stars forward were scuttled because of Enyimba’s insistence they still own the player even though he last played for them two seasons ago.

Another chance for Nigeria

T

he Presidential Economic Team of 2003 to 2007 which I was privileged to be a member had a running joke - that the NNPC was an independent federal republic on its own totally separate from and way superior to the Nigeria we all worked for! This joke was our way of criticising the way and manner the NNPC not only sells crude oil as an agent on behalf of the government of the federation as in its enabling law, but even then felt entitled to spend as much of the proceeds of sale as it deemed fit. The NNPC had begun then to be a law unto itself, outside our national laws and above the constitution, hence our joke.

Recent revelations of oil revenue leakages have confirmed that this is a joke that has turned into a macabre reality. Our nation’s finances are in grave danger of becoming zero due to the conduct of a rogue institution that has become more powerful than its principal under Jonathan’s watch.

For a country dependent on oil revenues for most of its income, Nigeria cannot claim to have exercised the closest scrutiny on this vital resource. At least not in recent times. As bad as this gross neglect has been, it is surpassed by the failure to seize the moments that have also been presented to the country in recent times to restore some sanity and integrity to the collection and remittance of revenues. The conversation around the sudden explosion in the fuel subsidy payments from N300bn in 2009 to over N2 trillion in 2011, the protests around the removal of petrol subsidy in January 2012, and the subsequent investigations into the scandal regrettably did not coalesce into a new deal on revenue management or sanctions for the beneficiaries of the obvious fraud!

Another such opportunity to clarify compliance with the constitution, law and due process in the collection and remittance of oil revenues has been presented by the rolling revelations made by brother CBN governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. It is a moment the whole country should seize, so that public confidence can be restored in the operations of the NNPC and integrity of the revenue remittance process. But to get there and understand the issues clearly, let’s summarise the constitutional position, the law and the factual contentions.

Our constitution is very clear

NASIR EL-RUFAI ON FRIDAY elrufai@aol.com

NNPC GDM, Andrew Yakubu in sections 80, 81, 82 and 162 in requiring that all revenues are to be paid into the federation account for distribution to various tiers of government in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and the revenue allocation act. No institution or person can spend a kobo on fuel subsidy or pipelines repairs from these revenues without the funds being first paid into the federation account, and then subjected to due appropriation by the National Assembly. Any spending outside this lawful framework is a case of an agent not accounting honestly for proceeds of sale to a principal.

In everyday language, that illegal conversion is called theft, pure and simple, and in violation of the constitution. No one, whether it

“

be NNPC or the Jonathan spinmasters should be allowed to obscure this clear legal position.

Now, what are the facts surrounding the latest case of non-remittance of federation revenues?

In a letter to the president in September last year, Sanusi expressed concerns about the non-remittance of $49.804 billion, monies due to the federation account from crude oil sales. Until December when the letter became public, neither the presidency nor the NNPC responded to the issues, believing like every other instance of corruption allegation, the matter will die a natural death over time.

Internally, within the Jonathan administration, no clear action was found to have been taken to cross-check the veracity of CBN’s concerns about the NNPC owing the federation account some N8 trillion.

The NNPC demurred only when these concerns became public, insisting it was not owing the federation account. When all the parties - CBN, NNPC and the Federal Ministry of Finance met to reconcile accounts, it was agreed that indeed some funds had not been accounted for and may need further reconciliation.

The outstanding sum amounted to $10.8bn (according to NNPC and Ministry of Finance on one side) or $12bn, according to the CBN. Further to this, the NNPC

What has been lost in the emotions unleashed by these series of disclosures are the substance of the issue, and the caveats inserted by the CBN governor. His letter to the president and public statements are drawing attention to the nonremittance or non-repatriation of funds to the Federation Account.

then came up with another afterthought - that it had spent the $10.8bn on gasoline and kerosene subsidy payments, repairs of vandalised pipelines and operational costs. It did not appear that anyone believed the NNPC, on its use of the money, its right to withhold the money in the first place and its initial denial of owing the federation account.

The CBN is obviously one of those not buying the NNPC’s explanation. This week, the apex bank raised the figure of non-remitted funds to $20bn, including the $12bn outstanding from the reconciliation. The balance includes $6bn worth of crude oil NNPC shipped for the NPDC its upstream subsidiary, and another $2bn from “thirdparty” financing.

What has been lost in the emotions unleashed by these series of disclosures are the substance of the issue, and the caveats inserted by the CBN governor. His letter to the president and public statements are drawing attention to the nonremittance or non-repatriation of funds to the Federation Account.

There was no claim then that these monies are missing, at least not yet. That will be beyond the CBN’s brief. But as the banker to the government, the CBN is within its mandate to declare what sums it has received in relation to the funds expected. The onus is thus on the NNPC to explain why these monies have not been remitted or why they cannot be remitted, and point to the laws that permit them to so act. Anything other than this is admission of theft of federation account proceeds and the 36 states and their local governments should act to recover the amounts, if the Jonathan administration does not.

It is my view that the NNPC have to quickly refund the amounts or prove the numbers wrong. It cannot take comfort on the brittle ground that the sums said to have not been remitted have fluctuated. It has not convincingly explained why it held on to monies belonging to the Federation Account, and why it used the monies for its own purposes without the lawful authority of appropriation by the National Assembly. Every kobo not credited to the country or not properly accounted for by an agency of the government violates the constitution and the law.

I do not believe that we have sunk so low or that our moral Continued on page 47

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

0803 0805 0814 0805 0803

311 689 292 327 454

7458 1765 9046 1969 0344

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234 814 292 9046. Cell: +234 802 443 2099; 803 7007 759. e-mail: contact@peoplesdailyng.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141