Weelend, Saturday 08 - Sunday 09, November 2014

Suntai: Court stops Kado Kuchi: Abuja community medical probe >>Pg 11 begging for ammenities >>Pages 4,5 weekend.peoplesdailyng.com

Saturday, November 8-9, 2014 Muharram 15-16, 1436 AH

. . . P utti ng the p eop l e fi r st

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N150 Vol. 4 No. 16

Where’s the N100bn textile intervention fund? >>Pg 7-9

Scene of bomb blast that rocked First Bank in Azare Bauchi State, which killed workers waiting to collect Salary.

Inset: A victim of the bomb blast on admission at the Federal Medical Centre, Azare.

Adopt consensus presidential candidate, Al-Makura tells APC >>PG 18

208 Days after

Will the abducted Chibok schoolgirls ever be rescued?

Court restores Tambuwal’s security aides

>>Page 10

Page 2

Interview

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PDP can’t stop others from challenging Jonathan- Odimabo

Ibimie Thompson Odimabo, is the President General of the Voice of Niger Delta. He believes the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by the PDP leadership does not bar other qualified members of the party from contesting. Odimba spoke with Assistant Editor, Patrick Andrew, on sundry matters ahead of the 2015 elections.

P

olitical activities are almost at its peak, but some have insisted that the country will boil ‘if Jonathan is re-elected’. What is your reaction to this?

Let’s leave that to God. Any man can make decision but God decides in the final analysis.

President Goodluck Jonathan is not the first to rule Nigeria for eight years and he has the legitimate right to govern Nigeria if Nigerians re-elect him. Nigerians are from one father but we have different mothers. I will advise people do not want Jonathan to exercise his constitution just because he is from the Niger Delta to remember that the same man is also from the mother’s womb called Niger Delta. Those saying this have the right to express their opinion just like other Nigerians that have asked him to contest and see how he can make Nigeria a better country.

Some have insisted that after the death of President Yar’Adua the North should have been allowed to complete their tenure, but Jonathan breached a Gentle man’s agreement?

Jonathan contested election for the first time as a presidential candidate on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and he won in 2011 with the support of the majority. Now, when he runs in 2015 it will his second tenure. He, of course, will not be the first person to enjoy legitimate second tenure, someone else had and heaven did not fall because the constitution allows that. From that perspective there don’t seem to be a breach of agreement. It’s more likely a conspiracy against Jonathan going for a second term. It’s a Mafia thing, which shouldn’t be because the Niger Delta have always supported the North and their son should rightly be supported to govern because others will equally have their turn.

We should not forget that what goes round comes round.

The PDP leadership has endorsed Jonathan as the party’s consensus candidate to run in the 2015 Presidential Election, isn’t that rather undemocratic as it denies others the right to test their popularity unrestrained?

Well, I think that is a party

“

affair. I am of the Voice of Niger Delta (VOND), none can dictate to us in VOND how we should select our leadership provided what we do is in line with our laid down rules. However, I don’t think the party has any right to stop member from contesting if the person so desires. If there is any courageous person that wants to test his popularity among Nigerians he should not be prevented from throwing his hat into the ring. The PDP should not stop anyone from contesting for the highest office in the land.

Recently, Gov. Rotimi Amaechi held a rally in Port Harcourt, and he lambasted Jonathan for not doing enough for the people of Niger Delta. Do you share that view?

Before you clean a man’s hand, you should first clean your own hands. What has Amaechi done for Rivers people? He should point to tangible achievements of his government of eight for Rivers people. Is it the discriminatory, mostly elephant projects? What has he done for the riverine areas?

Amaechi should stop baseless politicking, he should face facts.

Anyone who alleges that Jonathan has not performed well in Nigeria, and has not indeed done well for the Niger Delta, is living in a Fool’s Paradise. Such a person is not just deceitful but he is not a real Niger Delta man.

The governor is supposed to show example by pointing to concrete projects he started and completed that benefits the people.

Now, is it the uncompleted tram, multiple empty classrooms in selected areas without teachers, hospitals without the necessary manpower to drive them? He talked agric projects, but where are they? He can deceive those who don’t know, certainly not those of us who are Rivers indigenes. A government in which the majority of the people are subjected to avoidable hunger is no government. Rivers, the oilrich state that should be flowing with milk and honey, is today the hotbed of violence and palpable general bitterness.

Your assertion seems sharply contrasted by the large crowd that gathered in Port Harcourt at the last

I think our biggest problem is not lack of jobs but over dependence on easy oil money. Nigerians celebrate criminals in government so politics becomes the easy way to make it big. Many scramble for elective and appointive positions for selfish reasons, they hardly think of constructive engagements that generate jobs.

Hon. Ibimie Thompson Odimabo APC’s rally where Amaechi made those claims. Was the gathering not indication of his popularity and acceptance by the people and accomplishments?

Well thank God, the APC has crowd, thank God we are all going to vote: one man, one vote.

The large crowd was mostly of persons who are saw in the rally an opportunity to get their own stomach infrastructure. Since they are hungry, they needed little persuasion to gather where they will receive money.

He gave them crumbs and they accepted because that’s their only opportunity to get anything from him, they may never have that chance again. President Jonathan did not say I want to run for second tenure, but Nigerians kept urging him to run, that they need him to contest to complete his good works.

We, the Voice of the Niger Delta, have also joined in the bandwagon, we want Jonathan to test his popularity rating, his performance in his first tenure in office and let the Nigerian people freely decide based on what he accomplished in the first term of his administration. That, of course, is not too much to ask for, is it?

The Voice of Niger Delta was prominent during late Gen. Sani Abacha era, but now many out there don’t really reckon with your group. Are you worried?

When Christ started, nobody knew Christ until he started performing miracles and eventually shed his blood for Christians. So are we. We are not a political party but we have the right to join a political party, if we

so desire. We work for the interest of the grassroots of the Nigeria Delta.

We are not killers but advocates of good governance, peace and unity, fairness and justice.

If the people feel that the voice of the Niger Delta is not serious, they should recall that I started it when I was a young man in Abacha’s regime. We are not tribalistic, we are not regional, whether we are serious or not, we don’t need money bags, we don’t need people that will come and lobby us to start making stupid noise. If the president is not qualified we will tell him, and damn the consequence. I was detained severally during Abacha era, so we are not afraid to say the truth.

There is too much unnecessary political tension in the country, what should be done to tame the tide?

Nigeria is the only country where a man dying smiles, a country where a man feeds a family of eight with N200 and is still smiling. Nigeria is the only country where you see a man having 50 hectares of land and yet his next door neighbour can’t boast of a foot breadth, but continues to call the oppressor brother. Individuals in other countries don’t lamely accept such crass oppression. That perhaps is why there is tension.

It is normal in the Nigerian contest, though it shouldn’t be so. Let me tell you something, 2015 elections will be the best election ever in Nigeria. Many will vote with their conscience, not sentiment but based on their conviction.

It won’t be about region, but

performance and personality. It will be about Nigeria not a gang of selfish persons, who pretend to love the masses but oppress them and are determined to prevent people from breaking the yoke. We- the VOND- will work to protect the people’s vote, we won’t give a damn and whoever rigs the election, won’t be allowed to go free, we will go to court to challenge discredited results, we will expose elections riggers.

When the time comes the eagle will move and the lion will step aside.

The country today is ravaged by hunger, poverty and all that. Do you think government has done enough to address that as expected?

Nigeria is not hungry, Nigerians are not unemployed. It is only when you make yourself unemployed that you will be.

Nigerians are known for creative actions, they are dynamic, they create jobs for themselves.

However, because some have been made to believe in nonexistent white collar jobs or in the few vacancies in the civil service, it seems as if there is massive unemployment.

I think our biggest problem is not lack of jobs but over dependence on easy oil money. Nigerians celebrate criminals in government so politics becomes the easy way to make it big. Many scramble for elective and appointive positions for selfish reasons, they hardly think of constructive engagements that generate jobs.

These days even graduates can’t type their CVs, they go to cyber café to do that, people neglect core everyday jobs that generate income, they want to work in oil firms, they want to be politicians, they lack passion for real work.

That’s why there is hunger, anger, tension, aggression and myopic regional leanings in the false believe that ‘if my brother rules. I will be better off’.

Empirical evidence has shown that since independence that has not worked.

It is not everything that government will do for you. We should support the government to create the enabling environment conducive for creative thinking. Then it will be easier for you to think of what to do for yourself, think of what you will do for Nigeria and not always what Nigeria will do for you. We should not think that once we will vote people in all our problems will be solved. Life does not work that way. In 2015, we should vote in people who will work to create enabling environment for economic prosperity to thrive. Then there will be less hunger, anger and violence.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 3

Feature

How women are gaining altitude in Sokoto

Gov. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko presents the Sokoto State 2012 Merit Award to one of the recipients, Dr. (Mrs.) Sa’adiya Omar Bello of the Centre for Hausa Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

Hajiya Aishatu Dantsoho, the Solicitor – General of Sokoto State signs a contract agreement on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, where is permanent secretary, at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Sokoto.

Gov. Wamakko presents a watering can, improved seeds and pesticides to a woman irrigation farmer.

Women drawn from the 23 local government areas of Sokoto State display their products at a graduation, marking the end of vocational training.

Women apprentices under the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme undergo an orientation course.

Abubakar Umar

W

ay back on February, 19, 2009, while speaking at the inauguration of the Sokoto State chapter of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Governor Aliyu Wamakko pledged continued attention to the empowerment and emancipation of women; their wellbeing and the wellbeing of their children. This, he said, is imperative because the happiness of any society depends on the wellbeing of its women and children who are the bedrock of any home.

Last weekend, the Sokoto State Chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) elected and inaugurated new officials.

For the first time in such a female event was the presence of a woman general manager of the state radio station, Rima Radio.

Hajiya Halima Zurmi was before her promotion, the head of the programmes directorate of the station, whose elevation was unique because it is in a male-dominated and quite competitive environment typical of media establishments, the world over.

But she was not alone in mounting position of responsibility in her profession, as another woman, Hajiya Aishatu Dantsoho, a lawyer, has been justifying her elevation to Solicitor-General of Sokoto State and permanent secretary in the

Ministry of Justice.

The Wamakko Administration has paid attention to women that deserve recognition for meritorious service to society. In this regard, it presented one of the five Sokoto State 2012 Merit Awards to Dr (Mrs.) Sa’adiya Omar Bello. An academic and researcher of international repute, she is the director of the Centre for Hausa Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The co-awardees were: The Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Representatives; The Late Alhaji Muhammadu Zayyana, the District Head of Gwadabawa in Sokoto State; Haidara Dogon- Daji, a car designer with General Motors in the United States and Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi, a farmer and former federal civil servant.

The administration has been intervening in a variety of ways with policies and programmes that have either been targeting women or for the general public, but which equally address problems of women, especially the disadvantaged and the struggling; chiefly among these interventions have been in healthcare delivery.

The Free Medical Care (FREMCARE) and the Rural Medical Care (RUMCARE) have been targeting hard-to-reach communities especially women and children who are more vulnerable to illnesses.

These programmes are being implemented with assistance from the World Health Organisation, United Nations Children’s Fund, United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, and the United States Agency for International Development.

Women in Sokoto State have been robustly involved in the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), because a summary of biodata for the 2011 Project shows 1,313 female headed participating households benefitted as against 987 male headed.

Furthermore, the 2008/ MDG/CGS projects were essentially women-inclined: Provision of basic emergency obstetric care and Roll Back Malaria interventions in 92 community health centres; solar boreholes in 69 communities and the training of health workers on MCSS in 92 health centres. In the following year, the projects included construction of 46 skills acquisition centres, free medical care for expectant mothers and vulnerable groups in 27 centres, routine immunization in 23 centres, child development monitoring in 92 locations, solar-powered boreholes in 43 locations and one block of four-compartment VIP latrines in skills acquisition centres in 27 locations.

Another area of intervention of this administration has been in assisting Vescico Virginal Fistula (VVF) patients. The administration rehabilitates the cured patients through vocational training, guidance and counseling for six months and take off grant to enable them establish their business using the skills learnt. All these are designed and have been re-integrating them into the larger society, after discharge.

The administration has been collaborating with international agencies in implementing women-related programmes in reproductive health, nutrition, literacy, poverty alleviation and lots of others. It is in the light of this that the government has been remitting its counterpart funding to the Women Fund for Economic Empowerment (WOFEE), a Federal Ministry of Women Affairs programme tackling poverty in women.

There is also a joint programme between the State Government and UNICEF under which 700 girls from humble backgrounds are studying to obtain the Nigerian Certificate in Education at the Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE),

Sokoto. When these girls successfully complete their programmes, secure jobs and begin earning, they will be in a position to assist in raising the economic wellbeing of their families, mothers in particular.

Likewise, women farmers and those in business have continued to receive encouragement and support. For instance, women farmers’ groups benefitted from the over ten billion Naira credit granted the various categories of farmers in the state, and were not left out during the disbursement of two billion naira interest-free loan to traders and trade groups by the Wamakko Administration.

Similarly, vocational training for women has been stepped up in state since the inception of this administration to enable them acquire skills, enjoy grants and set up businesses out of what has been learnt, usually in knitting, sewing, pomade making, car wash and other essential needs. These acquired skills have been enabling hundreds of women generate income for the upkeep of their families. Trainees have continued to graduate from the various centres throughout the state.

Women beneficiaries of Wamakko Administration’s programmes have not been limited to indigenous women like the Innos, Timas, Sa’as and Zahras. A critical beneficiary has been the average non-resident woman reputed for both enterprise and sacrifice; the Mama Ejimas, Mama Sharons, Iya Bilis, On’yavus and Mama Bukatas etc. These are highly resourceful women who have been contributing quite significantly to the education of their children over the ages. They have been receiving respite in the payment of school, WAEC, NECO and JAMB fees that are now being borne by this administration for those whose wards attend state schools like bonafide indigenes.

From the foregoing, the Wamakko administration can be seen to be addressing challenges that have been confronting women in both horizontal and vertical formations, from reducing incidences of maternal mortality or morbidity, replacing anguish with happiness, frowns with smiles, frustration with accomplishment among our women, thus spreading happiness in our communities.

Umar wrote in from Sokoto

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Page 4

Special Report

Kado Kuchi: Abuja community begging for amenities

By Patrick Andrew and Mashe Umaru Gwamna

K

ado Kuchi community is a settlement in Gwarinpa area and one of the many suburbs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Whereas, its nearest neighbours dazzle in the splendour of city life, Kado Kuchi is the proverbial resident that lives by the riverside yet washes its hands with spittle.

Full of human and economical activities, a clear indication that business prospects and political activities are possible, it lacks the basics that can drive these processes. Its name suggests that it is one of those villages that sprouted when the Gbagis gave out their lands to the federal government.

Abuja, like a magnet of some sort that attracts anyone and everyone, Kado Kuchi is an amalgam of sundry tribes, a microscopic Nigeria, in composition, posture and socioeconomic bearings. The blend of tribes attests to the usual claim ‘unity in diversity’ a cliché that hardly breaks the ice with ethnic and religious bigots.

The residents seldom allow room for divisive tendencies, unlike the larger clime where faith-based ideological differences and motley of tongues constitute a huge gulf. Peasantry is elegant, cherished and appreciated. The natives are dominantly farmers.

Most residents are of average livelihood, and therefore, poor.

But to them, poverty, not opulence and crass display of illicit wealth, is a cherished virtue, something that the majority delight in and would proudly proclaim.

This though is far from detesting the ‘good life’, they also crave for the dividends of democracy like every other Nigerian who have repeatedly participated in democratic processes, since the return to civilian rule, 15 years ago.

Residents of the community have been neglected by the FCT authorities even though they are willing to cooperate and work with the state for the good things of life.

The community lack the essentials of communal life. Healthcare is a wild dream. Not deterred by limited resources and the obvious lack of government’s attention, they opted to take the bull by the horns by singlehandedly building a clinic to cater for their healthcare needs.

They are not deaf to the goals of Vision 20:2020 and the proclamation of health for all thereafter. Granted, this seems unlikely, but that in itself should not lead to lethargy. They were egged-on to conceive a self-help healthcare centre and

A residence at Kado Kuchi save themselves the plight of struggling with other residents of the FCT for the services of a few dilapidated hospitals.

Kado Kuchi community, despite their frustration with the government’s failed effort to provide them with basic essentials for their everyday life, have opted not to depend on the state for everything, albeit they never failed to pay their taxes as demanded by law.

Efforts to raise N2.5million for the project met a brick wall because of paucity of funds. That was since 2012. Since they could not sustain the mobilisation of resources to complete the clinic, the project has been abandoned for two years now.

They have appealed to AMAC and the federal government to come to their aid. The community has equally written to some MDGs to assist them with a modest clinic.

The only clinic close to the community is located at Jahi 2.

It is always busy and sometimes a visitor could be pardoned if he or she mistakes such huge gathering for a mini-political rally. Even when the clinic adopts the first come first serve approach the situation hardly improves

because it means that patients would have to leave their homes as early as 4.30am to beat the crowd.

Though they can seek healthcare services in Gwarinpa, Life Camp, and Wuse, but the cost is outrageous, far beyond their resources and therefore prohibitive. Those services are meant only for the rich and the average middle level income earners which they are not.

The plight of women and children in the community is better imagined. Child birth is an ordeal, traditional birth practice is often the mainstay with its attendant consequences.

A cross section of residents who spoke to our correspondents pleaded in the most obsequious manner to the government to come their rescue. They don’t want much; a few pittance to complete or even upgrade the health project that they had started.

According to Esther Saliasi, a trader, “there is no hospital in Kado Kuchi. To get health services is difficult. I have two children. It was not easy for me during childbirth because of lack of a primary healthcare facility. I had to go extra miles to give birth.

I thank God I had safe deliveries.

‘’When I was pregnant, because our community does not have a clinic, I usually go to Jahi 2, which is some miles away from our community. It was same for ante-natal because of lack of a primary health centre. Almost everyone, particularly women are subjected to this ordeal. If only we had ours, even if it is a makeshift clinic we will be content with it.’’

Sule Abubakar, who has lived in Kado Kuchi for over 30 years, noted that “people in our community have suffered so much, especially when they are sick. They can’t afford to patronise quality hospitals in the city centre because of the high cost of medical care in such hospitals. Some have been compelled to resort to traditional medical services and have fallen into the hands of quacks.

“It has been very difficult for us. It is an irony that we reside within Abuja, a modern city, yet we are far from modernity because the state seems to care little about us. It is sad that here there are no access roads, access to medical care is prohibitive, there is nothing to make us feel the impact of government. It makes us wonder what kind of life our leaders really want us to live.”

The community demands accountability from their leaders who had promised them so much before the elections. “We voted for these leaders in order for them to provide basic amenities, but today, it is like they want us to return to the days of our forefathers. Those promises are empty, we have not seen anything.

“We are pleading with the government to build a hospital or upgrade the clinic at Kado Kuchi community, which we started but have been unable to complete for want of funds. I am sure what we need to complete the clinic is mere groundnut money for some politicians.’’

Mama Hope Azaki has been assisting women in traditional childbirth homes, as some of them who cannot afford hospital bills are forced to resort to traditional birth methods. We do our best to attend to these women using herbal medicines to ease labour pains.

“Even the few that can afford the high cost of health services in town, the dilapidated access road only intensifies the pains of these women. Even when our children are ill, the mere thought of the

Contd on Page 5

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 5

Special Report

...community begging for amenities Contd from Page 4 ordeal that awaits you on the terrible road to Jahi 2 clinic is an illness of its own. If only there was one hospital or a good primary healthcare centre it will go a long to ease our problem.”

The Chief of the community, Suleman Dodo, who pleaded with the federal and the FCT administration to assist his community, noted that “We have shown that we are not lazy. Already, residents of the community have contributed their little resources to serve their needs but it has been farfetched.

We need quality facilities, we need qualified personnel. We need assistance from the government whether from the FCDA, AMAC or the federal government.

“Most of my people are forced to go to Wuse, Life Camp and Gwarinpa hospitals when they are sick and this isn’t good for us.

My people need basic amenities to ease their suffering and their frustration. I am appealing to the government to fulfil their promises to the community.“ Also, Shekwoyadu Tatari said residents of the community are always ready to help convey sick people and women in labour to the hospital or the clinic at the neighbouring community during emergencies.

“But you know that they have banned the use of motorcycles in Abuja. This also is a problem. If there is a standard clinic within the environment people won’t be forced to hire a cab at cut-throat

fares to go to town for medicare.’’

Ayoola Ayodeji said “the situation is pathetic, residents have experienced hardship due to lack of a primary healthcare centre in the community.

Expectant mothers are taken to Jahi 2 primary healthcare centre or to hospitals at the city centre during labour.

“In the process many have given birth on their way, while others lost their babies and some their own lives. We don’t have potable water, power supply is epileptic; we fear that there might be an outbreak of epidemic because of poor sanitation.

“We, as a community, are appealing that the situation should not continue, government should come to the aid of the

community. We don’t want much, just something to sustain us,” he concluded.

According to Celine Odu, “I used to go to Jahi 2 clinic for my ante-natal and I delivered three of my children there. Our community leader has been trying to ensure that we have a hospital here which is why we, as a people, went ahead to build this small clinic.”

A member of the clinic building committee, Mr. Yonnana Akawu, appealed to the government and AMAC to come to their aid. “Having made reasonable efforts we think we should be assisted by the authorities to complete the clinic.

We are tired of failed promises.

The former administration

headed by Zephania Jisalo made many promises, but none of them was fulfilled. We even want to meet the current AMAC Chairman, Micah Jabi, but he has been evasive.’’

Peoples Daily Weekend learnt that Jisalo had sent his supervisory councillor for works to inspect and assess the clinic that the community built, though he was impressed with the effort and made some promises, nothing was ever heard from the council again.

The community followed up with many correspondences, yet their assured promises have remained a mirage. The community is on its knees, the people are pleading and hoping that the authorities will listen to their pleas.

Vox Pop

2015: Nigerians want performing governors for senate It is no longer news that most governors who have served for two terms have either indicated or are quietly nursing the ambition to vie for senatorial seats in 2015 when their tenure as governors end.

About 19 governors may be in this category and are set for battle with some serving senators, who see their interest as a threat to their jobs.

While this has caused a lot of rancour within their respective ranks, one observes that PDP senators have openly boycotted two plenary sessions to make bold their threat to frustrate the presidency should it kowtow to the governors.

Some have even threatened to defect and going by the troubles brought about by Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s defection to the APC, the threat is hardly taken with a pitch of salt.

An angry senator, who pleaded anonymity, had expressed sadness when he said ‘“We are going to show solidarity with the Speaker of the House of the Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, we will not sit again.

“There will be no consideration of the MTEF (Medium Term Expenditure Framework) and there will be no

E

budget. We decided to adjourn and do no business and the APC senators are in solidarity with us.

President Goodluck Jonathan has lost the Senate.

He has left the PDP structures in the hands of the governors. Let the governors also do our job, we are going to shut the government.”

However many Nigerians think, it is not completely wrong for governors to vie for senatorial seats, as long as they have clean records with outstanding performance, which could earn them the peoples support. For them, once these governors have shown capability in handling the position, they could go ahead and also prove their popularity.

Furthermore, the Special adviser to the Benue State governor on media, Cletus Akwaya, explained that the people of Suswam’s zone have pleaded that the governor should vie for the Senate. “How does that become a clash even if the governor accepts to run?

It would not be an appointment so both of them would in the spirit of true democracy compete. So it does not amount to a clash.”

Doyin Ojosipe reports.

ric Edegbayi, who works with a construction company, said it is not a bad idea “they know why they want to remain in power, to be at the helm of affairs is the dream of anyone who has tasted power and their decision to go for a senatorial seat as the case may be is because they want to still remain at the corridors of power. If you have done eight years as governor, I don’t see any reason why they should not retire and go back to their personal business, but they want to hold on to power in case they still have ambition to vie for the office of the president. ‘’But truly, I prefer to sit on the fence, left to me I will stand aside and watch things happen; because if their ambition is for the success of this country, why not, but if it is for personal gains or selfishness, then they should drop it because it will take us nowhere.”

M

r. Alfred, an Engineer, said “it is a good move if they can sincerely serve the nation, the most important thing is serving the nation with truth and honesty, otherwise, they should not think of going to the Senate. I feel they are citizens and have the right to vie for any higher position they feel they can handle well. But in a case where their reputation is bad, especially judging from their previous offices or position, then I don’t think they should still go ahead because when they were given an opportunity, they failed. In fact they should be prevented from practicing politics. As the country is now, Nigerians need honest and God fearing leaders.”

Y

emi, a transport manager, said “Actually, in my opinion, there shouldn’t be any second term in the first place, because it is good they pass on the baton, there are vibrant graduates out there who could also handle that position even better, this will help us have a good evaluation of who is doing a good job or not; I don’t think it is a bad idea to for the governors to go to the Senate, as long they performed well previously, especially if the people can attest to their achievements; if he can handle the new seat well, why not?

There is nothing bad in that as long as he is ready to be honest.”

M

urtala, an exbanker, said ”For me, a governor after completing his tenure should retire and allow others to take up such post, because as far as I am concerned, that is selfishness; there are more capable and willing people who want to serve too, they should be given a chance as well.”

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Page 6

News

PVCs distribution exercise poor in Lagos, Ogun

…Fashola berates INEC over poor planning

By Akilani Abdullah & Allice Ajakaye, Lagos

C

ollection of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) began yesterday on a very floppy note in Lagos and Ogun States.

Our reporters gathered that the exercise did not take place in most areas of the states due to non presence of INEC staff to attend to residents of the state who trooped out as early as 7am.

Residents who expressed anger over the process, berated INEC for improper planning of the exercise.

The exercise which was to be held in 11 local government councils across the state did not see the light of the day after all.

As at 1.20pm, the situation report in the 11 local government areas the exercise was supposed to take place came in, there was no Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff anywhere in all the local governments.

Oladunjoye Blessing said

there was no collection of the PVC at all polling units in Ifako-Ijaiye, insisting that INEC officials were nowhere near the polling units.

“We have been waiting here since 8am and this almost 11.30am, no INEC official has been here, the next thing you will hear is that there is low turn out. With this attitude, how will everyone in Lagos be able to collect the PVC within the 3 days.”

Wale Adedayo on his part said INEC is yet to make good in Ogun State about the Permanent Voters Card (PVC). “It is well past 11am, yet we are still waiting for them throughout IJebu East Local Government,when will the PVC distribution start?”

Another resident who pleaded anonymity said “It’s 10.05am - And I am here in Ojodu School to collect my Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) - INEC Adhoc officials are just arriving and trying to settle down. The exercise was meant to start 8.00am for three days I was told, two hours is lost already. We

are still here waiting,” the resident told our reporter.

Speaking in an interview with some of the voters who were at the polling unit, said “they said they have been here for a long time now waiting to collect their PVCs but no INEC personnel on ground to issue the cards”, adding that it was a surprise because announcement was made that the cards will be distributed between 7th-9th of november 2o14.

Meanwhile, Lagos state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) expressed disappointment disappointment at the lack of planning by INEC that speaks volume of the contempt and disregard of the rights of citizens The governor made this known yesterday while addressing Lagosians on the collection of permanent Voters’ card (PVC).

He said that not all local government in the state will go through the exercise as a result of INEC omission as this was coming 48hours

after he has declared work free day in the state preparing the citizens for it.

Fashola said, “ by omission or commission, INEC has decided to make this a painful experience for us in Lagos by announcing that it will only issue Permanent Voters’ Card in the following 11 (Eleven) Local Governments: Agege, Ajeromi- Ifelodun, IfakoIjaiye, Ikeja, Mushin, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikorodu, Kosofe; and Ojo. “As for the 9 (Nine) remaining Local Governments, namely: Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Badagry, OshodiIsolo, Epe, Shomolu, Surulere; and Eti-Osa, INEC will conduct the exercise on the 28th, 29th, and 30th of November, 2014. I can only imagine the level of disappointment that you must all feel, having waited anxiously for this exercise and in spite of the fact that we had declared a work free day,” Fashola said.

Court rejects suit for Nyako’s reinstatement

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move to secure the reinstatement of the former Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, crumbled yesterday with a Lagos High Court dismissing a suit that sought to return him to office.

The court also awarded a N70, 000, cost against the application and Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje.

Mr. Ogungbeje had on August 8, filled a suit seeking to declare the removal of Mr. Nyako by the Adamawa State House of Assembly as unlawful, unconstitutional and null and void.

In the suit No: FHC/L/1180/14, the applicant, who claimed to have filled the case in the interest of the public, said the Adamawa State lawmakers did not follow the due process in removing the embattled former governor.

But in his ruling, Justice Okon Abang insisted that the applicant, Mr. Ogungbeje, lacked the locus standi to institute the case, noting that the application failed to qualify as public interest suit.

Mr. Abang, however, described the applicant as a “meddlesome interloper,” saying that only Nyako had the right to challenge his own impeachment.

The judge held that Mr. Ogungbeje should have allowed the former governor to carry his own cross, rather than be “crying more than the bereaved.”

“It is my considered reasoning that this suit is not a public interest litigation as alleged by the applicant. It is not an action instituted in the interest of the public,” Justice Abang said.

“It is Nyako that will benefit from any favourable judgment, and not the public, and so this matter does not rank among public interest litigation.

“The applicant cannot cry more than the bereaved and he has no justifiable reason to file this suit because as at the time he filed it, it was not established before this court that Nyako was in detention or incapacitated.

“The applicant can also not depose to an affidavit in support of this application on behalf of Nyako who is alive. The facts deposed to by the applicant amount to documentary hearsay.”

The judge also nullified the service of the applicant’s processes on the respondents through the Adamawa State Government liaison office in Lagos on August 15, 2014, on the grounds that the recipient was unknown.

Tafawa Balewa’s son quits PDP presidential race

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fter protesting the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, blockage of his right to actualize his presidential ambition, son of Nigeria’s former Prime Minister, AbdulJelili Tafawa Balewa, yesterday announced that he is dropping out of the presidential primary election slated for December 6.

The party eventually allowed him and others with presidential ambitions to collect the presidential nomination and expression of interest forms.

Balewa’s decision to opt out of the race lends credence to an earlier statement made by Clark that he had succeeded in intervening to make peace between Balewa and Jonathan whom he called his sons.

Balewa, who declared his withdrawal from the presidential race at a press conference organized by Chief Edwin Clark, went further to pledge his support

for the candidacy of President Goodluck Jonathan.

This was Clark’s exact words then, “I wish to inform you that I have succeeded in intervening to make peace between two of my sons, Balewa and Jonathan.”

“The relationship between Balewa and Jonathan dates back to 2005 when the latter was the deputy governor of Bayelsa State. ”The same relationship continued in Abuja, when Jonathan became the President. In deference to their old ties, Balewa, has formally withdrawn his aspiration to contest the presidential election in the 2015 general elections,” Clark said.

The aspirant had indicated his intention to contest the presidential primaries on the platform of the PDP against the decision of the party to allow President Jonathan the right of first refusal.

L-R: Imo State governorship aspirant, Chief . Ikedi Ohakim, Submitting his nomination form to PDP National Organising Secretary, Alh. Abubakar Mustapha, at the party’s National Secretariat, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Why mass failure was recorded in English, Mathematics — Shekarau

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inister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has blamed the mass failure of secondary school students in the 2014 Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations in Mathematics and English language on the dearth of skilled teachers on the subjects.

Shekarau expressed this view in a keynote address he delivered at the 60th National Council of Education meeting held at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.

The Minister said that the 2014 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations,

WASSCE, revealed that only 529,425 candidates out of the 1.7million candidates who sat for the examination obtained credits in five subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

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Where’s the N100bn textile intervention fund?

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano and Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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efore the 90’s, Kaduna and Kano States were the haven of textile industries in the north. Then Kaduna could boast of about eight textile industries that employed over 10,000 workers.

The industries mostly located at the Kakuri Industrial Layout in Kaduna South Local Government Area were pacesetters, as allied industries sprang up with about 20,000 auxiliary workforce.

After the neglect of the popular groundnut pyramids in Kano, the textile industry was the next economic back bone of the region and the second biggest employer of labour in the country. Farmers were encouraged to produce more cotton, as they had ready buyers who in turn sold them to the textile industry. Nigeria used to be the major supplier of good quality wax-resist textile, popularly called Ankara.

However, in the early 2000s, cheap imitations of these products were being produced and exported from China to West Africa. Some would even be tagged Made-in-Nigeria or Made-as-Nigeria labels and then sold in Nigeria.

Considering its importance to the economy, it is disturbing that the garment industry has suffered a reversal of fortunes.

It moved from its boom years to the present moribund state, largely due to policy flip-flops of successive governments in the country. Figures from the Federal Ministry of Trade showed that the textile industry used to net an average of $2 billion annually across the value chain in its boom years.

For instance, in the 80s, there were no fewer than 175 textile factories employing about 600,000 workers in the country. Notable among the thriving textile companies were the Aba Textile Mills, Afprint,

Sewing department in one of the textile companies in Kano

Arewa Textile Mills, Gaskiya Textile Factory and other textile factories in Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara and other parts of the country.

A civil rights activist, Comrade Shehu Sani, while trying to proffer ways for reviving the ailing sector, said the problem of the textile industry in the north was created by northerners themselves. According to him, its leaders failed to harness their God-given resources to the development of their zone.

Sani, who paid a solidarity visit to textile workers at the Arewa Textile Mills recently, said “Northern leaders had the opportunity to industrialize,

educate and uplift the social standard and well being of the region, but they left behind a region that is backward and whose future is in doubt.

“For over three decades that northerners were in power, they simply used the opportunity to empower the traditional rulers and made the rich richer. It is very clear that the north can survive without oil revenue.

What it only needs is political leaders that clearly understand the changes that are fast taking place in Nigeria and the rest of the world,” Sani said.

In 2009, the Federal Government announced that it has earmarked N100 billion to bail out the ailing textile

industry, but the fact remains that the problem is not only that of funds. There is also the problem of the absence of reliable public infrastructure.

Again, the black oil, known as LFPO, which is the main product needed to drive operations in the industry is not readily available and whenever it is, the price is scandalously high.

There are strong indications that the intervention fund may have been misapplied or misappropriated and if this is found to be so, it will be a very embarrassing and disheartening development that calls for thorough investigation.

The suggestion that the fund specifically meant for the cotton,

textile and garment industries has gone down the drain was made by the National President of the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, who alleged that the fund, which is reportedly being managed by the Bank of Industry (BOI), has been misapplied. He likened the situation to “putting a new engine in a broken car. You cannot get the result.” The failure to use the funds to bring the textile sector back to life smacks of a lack of concern for developing alternative sources of revenue besides oil.

Contd on Page 8

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

N100bn textile intervention fund?

Contd from Page 7

The Bank of Industry (BOI), which prides itself as Nigeria’s oldest, largest and most successful development financing institution, has the mandate of transforming the industrial sector and integrate it into the global economy by providing financial and business support services to existing and new industries. It is, therefore, not surprising that the bank was charged with administering the N100 billion Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) Fund.

The expectation was that government through the BOI would leverage on these special intervention funds to address the dearth of long term funds required by manufacturers and industrialists particularly SMEs. This would ultimately transform the industrial sector into a vibrant and globally competitive sector capable of guaranteeing returns to all stakeholders and the economy in general.

Peoples Daily Weekend findings revealed that the manner BOI has been managing and administering these funds has left a sour taste in the mouth of operators and stakeholders. Citing the inability to access the funds with ease because of the bureaucracy and bottlenecks, stakeholders unanimously agreed that the

special intervention funds have made little or no impact on the sector.

Our reporter’s visit to Adahama Textiles Company (ATC), one of the leading textile companies in Nigeria, located at Bompai Industrial Area of Kano city, revealed that there are still many challenges in the sector, despite the federal government’s intervention. This is due to certain government policies that are not favourable to stakeholders.

The Chairman, ATC, Sa’idu Dattijo Adhama, said his firm has received what he referred to as “soft loan”, because the interest rate is low, reducing from seven to four percent through the BOI. He noted that the government needs to consider the entire cotton, textile and garment (CTG) sector. He argued that everybody in the sector such as cotton farmers in villages, tailors and the textile manufacturers should be involved in order to revive the sector.

“I thank God that we are among the beneficiaries of the loan, which is a soft or interest-free loan, because we are paying an interest rate of four percent. Government’s intervention policies in CTG are geared towards the direction of textile manufacturers like our company, thereby neglecting or giving less preference to cotton

Weathered gate of Kaduna Textiles Limited

farmers in villages and tailors.

Therefore, for government to achieve its efforts to boost the economic sector, it has to carry them along. If textile industries are only the focal point, then a lot of people may not get employment. We want the government to widen its horizon

and accommodate those in remote villages who work in cotton farms, as well as women who remove the cottons, load them into bags and process it at home,” Adhama said.

Observers said that with a whopping N100 billion, a generous interest rate of six percent and a repayment period of five years, the CTG industry with the entire value chain should have been bustling with manufacturing activities by now. Unfortunately, this has not been the case.

According to the DirectorGeneral, Nigeria Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA), Mr. Jaiyeola Olarewaju, so far, only about 20 textile firms have accessed

“

Embroidery machine at Adhama Textiles

the loan. He also disclosed that very few cotton and garment firms have taken the loan which sought to revitalize the CTG industry along with the entire value chain.

However, the umbrella union of the textile industry, the National Union of Textiles, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) said the N100 billion is a far cry to the amount required to revive the over 35 textile factories which were shut down due to unhealthy business environment.

President of the union, Comrade Oladele Hunsu, who spoke to our correspondent at Contd on Page 9

Figures from the Federal Ministry of Trade showed that the textile industry used to net an average of $2 billion annually across the value chain in its boom years.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

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...intervention fund?

Contd from Page 8

the NUTGTWN secretariat in Kaduna before members of the Arewa Textiles Limited factory which has been under lock for 13 years and is planning to reopen for business, said what the textile industry needs today is N3 trillion.

Hunsu painted a more disturbing picture of the CTG industry, lamenting that “We are stagnated, the problem goes beyond money.” He said there has been a significant improvement in the industry, as 1,500 jobs have been saved through the intervention, even as efforts to put the industry back on track have been frustrated due to government’s inconsistent policies.

But for Adhama, he attributed the major problem the sector is facing to the Federal Government’s failure to implement a clear policy for the textile sector, arguing that, “as the government implements the housing policy, agricultural policy, consumer protection policy among other policies, it should as well introduce clothing policy which would compel citizens to wear made-in-Nigeria clothes.

Many Nigerians do not like patronizing made-in-Nigeria products. The government lacks proper regulation of imports which would guide the importer and at the same time protect local manufacturers.”

The industrialist also argued that the government has only implemented consumer protection law, thereby neglecting the producer protection law.

Hence, he advocated for the implementation of consumerproducer protection law. “This law is against the producer, but consumers have protection on commodities imported into the country. This is indirectly a protection to the manufacturer from the import country. This law is ridiculous and would cause local manufacturers to suffer because they don’t have

“

protection. A local manufacturer would be exposed to all dangers that might be caused by importers because he lacks protection.

This law favours international manufacturers, while killing local ones. Therefore, I call on the government to consider the producers and make a consumerproducer protection law,” he said.

The business mogul said good leadership is the only solution to the inconsistent policy, adding that, “we need leaders that have the will to protect the economic interest of their people. How can you make a consumer protection law without the producer protection law, does that make sense? This means that they want our country to remain a consuming one.”

Chief Executive Officer of Arewa Textile Limited, Dr Nemile Achimugu, said he is optimistic that the factory will be resuscitated as soon as it is able to access the Federal Government’s loan. The same our checks revealed, applies to Finetex factory which was recently acquired by the Dantata family for over N200 million and has been producing at low capacity.

Further checks revealed that just Kaduna Textiles Limited (KTL), a foremost factory in Kaduna, would require a large chunk of the intervention fund to bounce back to life. The company, which is currently under lock, has problems of obsolete machinery and alleged pilfering of its belongings. Some textile technologists, who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, were of the opinion that building a new factory would be more economical than attempting to revive the KTL because with the advent of Information Communication Technology (ICT), most of its equipment cannot meet the demands of modern production.

Emmanuel Ajeh, a former staffer of Arewa Textiles Limited who spoke to Peoples Daily Weekend, said some of his contemporaries have died

For over three decades that northerners were in power, they simply used the opportunity to empower the traditional rulers and made the rich richer. It is very clear that the north can survive without oil revenue.

Staff at work in a textile company

T-shirts made by Adhama Textiles

while waiting for the factory to be revived. According to him, the intervention fund means nothing unless the factories start production and the workers recalled with their outstanding salaries and benefits paid up to date. He added that carelessness and selfishness are responsible for the state of the industry.

Ajeh, who is an executive member of NUTGTWN, Arewa Textiles branch, added that the problem of Arewa Textiles is unique because the owners are only concerned about accessing the intervention fund to install new equipment without putting workers’ outstanding salaries and benefits into consideration.

According to him, even if the factory opens for business there are strong indications that it cannot survive because the workers who are at logger heads with the management would continue to demand for their rights.

Sometime ago, the workers chased away officials of Union Bank of Nigeria Limited who tried to take over the factory

because of outstanding debts.

The fear of the workers is where will the intervention be channeled into? Is it to pay liabilities or revive the factory?

In the same vein, KTL is also facing a political problem because its owner, the Northern States Governors have been playing hide-and-seek on the issues. The last time the governors met, their Chairman, Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, said with the Federal Government’s intervention fund, it is obvious that KTL would bounce back to life soon. He made this statement early this year, but up till now the factory is still under lock and weeds have taken over all available space.

As good as the presidential intervention fund is, there are a lot of bottlenecks that need to be addressed if the gates of the 35 textiles industries across the country are to be opened for production. One of such is addressing the problem of workers, obsolete equipment and

permanently closing factories that have gone out of existence because there is no need spending N500 million to bail out a factory whereas about N300 million can build a new one.

The second major problem is the fund itself. The amount approved according to analysts, is meager compared to the problems facing the industry, and the last is the issue of smuggling and how to control our porous borders.

Our findings revealed that Nigeria spends about N300 billion annually on the importation of textile materials that can be produced locally. No business can survive in this competitive environment where textile materials from Asian countries are abundant in the market.

The intervention fund is a welcome development, but like NUTGTWN rightly stated, it is just a drop in the ocean, and its impact would not be felt if the government does not approve more funds.

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Woman arrested for stealing 6yr old child …As old man hangs self

By: Osa Eresoyen, Asaba

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woman in her mid twenties has been arrested and detained at the divisional police station, OIeh South Local Government Area of the Delta state over an alleged theft of a six year old child.

The suspect who gave her name during interrogation at the police

station as Maureen Ofuana residing at Urusewe street in Oleh denied the crime claiming that her connection with the child as at time of incident was for the purpose of errand.

On the contrary, the parent of the stolen child Mr. and Mrs. Regina Christopher told our correspondence that the suspect who lives afew distance away from their residence on

the same street came as early as 7a.m on that fateful day pleading with the mother to allow the child, Miss Anita Christopher to go on an errand for her since she was alone with her little baby.

According to Anita’s mother, “I saw the plight of the suspect and allowed my daughter to follow her but little did I know that she was up to some kind of criminal intention not until an

L-R: Wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mrs Ekaete Akpabio; Gov.Godswill Akpabio; President Alassane Ouattara of Cote D’ivoire and President Goodluck Jonathan, arriving Akwa Ibom airport for the inauguration of Akwa Ibom international stadium complex, yesterday in Uyo .

Jonathan, PDP senators reconcile

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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resident Goodluck Jonathan and the protesting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators have reached a truce as Jonathan assured them that the party leadership will address the issue that sparked off their protest in the National Assembly this week.

The senators had threatened to shutdown the economy by refusing to consider the 2015 Appropriation Bill that would be forwarded to them by President Jonathan.

They had equally adjourned plenary abruptly on Tuesday and Wednesday to protest the alleged overbearing influence of the governors in the emergence of

candidates that would fly the party’s flag in 2015 general election.

They alleged that the governors have hijacked the party’s structures and used it to manipulate last weekend’s ward congresses, which produced delegates that would elect the PDP candidates for the general election.

Worried by the development especially with the threats by the aggrieved senators to frustrate government activities since Jonathan appeared to have left them to their fate, Senate President, David Mark, arranged a meeting between his colleagues and the president.

Sources among the senators at the meeting which also had in attendance, the PDP National Chairman and

some of his National Working Committee members, said Jonathan sympathized with the plights of the federal lawmakers and pledged to “ right the wrongs” The source said that Jonathan, having listened to the submissions of the senators, assured them that the party would guarantee the return of any of them that had shown interest to contest the next year’s National Assembly election.

He said, “This is a welcome development, a situation where by about 75 percent of serving senators are being given automatic tickets by their party to return to the senate in next year. I think this will strengthen our democracy” Another source also told our correspondent

that Jonathan had directed Mu’azu to liaise with party officials in the state on how to perfect strategies that would lead to the emergence of serving senators as automatic flagbearers.

He said, “Our deliberations are very fruitful and we commend the president for playing a fatherly role of bringing all us together. We are ready to resume normal plenary next Tuesday” Meanwhile, efforts to get confirmation from the Senate Spokesman, who is also a member of the PDP Senate caucus, Enyinnaya Abaribe, was not successful, as he failed to pick calls put to his phone, and did not respond the text message sent to his phone as the time of sending this report.

hour later when Idiscovered that my daughter was not forthcoming”.

“Even when I went to the house of the suspect, the doors and windows were tightly shut and there was no trace of her or my child, nobody could ascertain where she was. Immediately, I alerted my husband who happened to be a member of the community vigilante over the situation”.

She added that their suspicion was proved right when all efforts to reach her failed not until the suspect’s husband(Mr. Ofuana) who was traced to his workshop through the assistance of concerned neighbours contacted the wife (suspect), and in a phone conversation disclosed that they were already at Ughelli.

In another development, a 60 years old man, [name withheld] weekend at Umudei quarters OgwashiUku hung himself.

The circumstance that led to the suicide remained hazy as at the time of filing this report, but information making round in the metropolis indicated that the action of the deceased bothered on economic

frustration.

According to reliable sources at Umudei, the mother of the deceased who is an octogenarian had been billed to be installed as the Ada (oldest living woman) of the quarter in a few days time.

“The fact is that the deceased had always lived a secluded life and hardly related with people. It is true he has nothing to finance the installation of his mother as the Ada, but our kinsmen had earlier met and agreed to foot the bill for the installation of his mother.

“Actually, N300, 000 was budgeted for the ceremony. Last week when our kinsmen from IdumuOgwude met to deliberate on the installation and the financial implication, someone volunteered to donate N200, 000 while others volunteered to donate various sums. For us in Idumu Ogwude we see the installation of the old woman as the Ada of Umudei quarters as a rare privilege and that is why we all came out to shoulder the financial responsibility” our source said.

Explosion rocks commercial bank in Bauchi, 7 killed, 10 injured From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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arely two weeks after the bomb explosion in Azare, the headquarters of Katagum LGA of Bauchi state, another bomb explosion at the premises of first Bank, Azare yesterday morning killed at least seven people while 10 were injured.

The Bauchi state Command Police Public Relation Officer DSP Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the ugly incident , saying that the incident occurred yesterday at the First Bank, Azare.

He said “at 10;15 am there was a bomb explosion suspected to be carried out by a female suicide bomber at First

Bank premises in Azare Town, Bauchi State.

“So far, seven persons were confirmed dead, while ten others sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to Federal Medical Center Azare for attention, out of them five were treated and discharged”,he said PPRO Haruna said the scene of incident was visited by the Commissioner of Police for on the spot assessment and to commiserate with casualties.

Meanwhile, four suspects were arrested with the assistance of members of the public, the police PPRO said.

FG pledges respect for Tambuwal’s office

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Federal High Court sitting in Abuja again yesterday, ruled that status quo should be maintained till November 17 in the suit brought by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, against the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, which withdrew his security details.

The court gave the order as the Federal Government through Attorney

General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, and the Inspector General of Police, Suleman Abba, pledged not to do anything that would undermine the Office of the Speaker.

It did not, however, make any categorical statement asking the police to reinstate the Speaker’s security aides as it was silent on it, Premium Times

reports.

Mr. Tambuwal had last Friday challenged the withdrawal of his security aides following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from the All Progressives Congress, APC. He had also asked the court to restrain the PDP from impeaching him as Speaker.

The court had ruled on Monday that

Mr. Tambuwal remained the Speaker and directed the National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Mu’azu and others not to reconvene the House, at least, until November 7.

The Speaker had decamped to the APC on October 28 while the police withdrew his security details the following day.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

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NAFDAC empowers staff for Agriculture

By Doyin Ojosipe

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R-L: Chief Edwin Clark, His Wife, Dr. Abisola Clark and Gubernatorial Aspirant of Delta State, Hon. Ndidi Godwin Elumelu, during the Gubernatorial Aspirant visit to Clark, shortly after he submitted his PDP Nomination Forms, at PDP Secretariat on Friday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Suntai: Court stops medical probe Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Taraba State High Court sitting in Jalingo, yesterday nullified the Medical Panel set up by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Josiah Sabo Kente to investigate the health status of Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai.

Our correspondent gathered that Justice Silas Haruna in a five hour judgment, stated that

the action of the State House of Assembly and the State Executive Council in setting up the panel was an usurpation of the judicial process.

Justice Haruna noted that Governor Suntai had already filed a suit before the State High Court, challenging the decision of the House of Assembly to stop him from resuming duty after he transmitted a letter to that effect on August 26, 2013.

According to Justice Haruna,

“there are two cases on this matter, one between Mr Bello Mustapha against Suntai at the Supreme Court and Suntai against the House of Assembly at the State High Court, both are served on the defendants.

“Their actions of setting up the Panel to investigate Suntai is thus a usurpation of the powers of the Supreme Court and the State High Court, all of which are proved illegal, null and void,”

Justice Haruna further ordered the parties not to take further action on Suntai until the determination of the substantive suits at the various Courts.

Mr. Chris Uche SAN, lead Counsel to the State Acting Governor, Alh. Garba Umar, while speaking to newsmen said they were not satisfied with the judgment but would study it carefully and take further action.

Zamfara NULGE urges assemblies to support LG autonomy From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

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he Zamfara state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has called on all state Houses of Assembly across the nation to adopt section 124 of the 1999 constitution as approved

by the national assembly in securing direct funding for local government councils.

In a communique signed by the Secretary to the union, Comrade Bio Mahmoud Bani, NULGE deliberated in support of the creation of the office of Auditor General of local government as well as

the local government service commission especially in some states they do not exist.

The meeting resolved to draw the attention of the leadership of state Houses of Assembly to promptly act accordingly by following-up a job well done by the National Assembly in their crusades aimed at securing

local government autonomy.

The SEC however, called on the state government to fulfill the promise made earlier pertaining implementation of minimum wage for local government workers across the fourteen local government councils of the state.

Guber aspirants sue PDP over exclusion

From Lekan Bakare, Uyo

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wo governorship aspirants in AkwaIbom State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have sued the party and its National Chairman over threats to exclude them from the party’s primary for the next governorship elections in the state.

They also asked the court to set aside the PDP Congress in the state held on

November 1, 2014 after they were excluded from participating.

Also joined as defendants in the suit filed at the Registry of the Federal High Court in Abuja is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In the suit dated November 5, 2014, the plaintiffs, Honourable Umanah Okon Umanah and Honourable Lady Roberta Nyong begged the court to determine whether the PDP can exclude them from

participating in the party primaries in the state leading to the governorship election in 2015.

They also asked the court to determine whether the statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP to the effect that only governorship aspirants from Eket Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State were eligible to contest the party’s primary is not unconstitutional. Illegal, null and void and of no effect.

Jonathan to declare 2014 Abuja carnival open From Matthew Aramunde,Lagos

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resident Goodluck Jonathan is expected to declare this year edition of the Abuja carnival open on the 24th of November 2014.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture & National Orientation Chief Edem Duke made this known when he briefed newsmen at the National Theatre in Lagos.

The annual events expected to commence on Monday the 24th will

run through to Thursday the 27th of November 2014 and will have as its theme “Creating an Enduring Creative Nation” He further revealed that the annual event commenced in 2005 under the President Obasanjo’s regime with the objective of presenting and preserving the rich intangible cultural heritage of Nigeria and showcasing Abuja as a destination of choice.

He stressed that the Abuja carnival has come to reflect the following ideals: the

continuing demonstration of our unity in diversity as states of the federation display their unique heritage through a carnival platform thus building bridges and enhancing friendship, an authentic Nigeria experience and tourism product of acceptable international patronage, a brand that celebrates Nigeria as a safe, warm and hospitable tourism destination.

Others he said are a 4 day approved street trading thus boosting the economy of the informal sector of the FCT, an

he National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC), in collaboration with an Initiative, ‘Project Fix Nigeria’ have organized a two-day workshop for over 2000 of its staff as a preparatory option against economic lopsidedness in the future.

The workshop which ended yesterday was based mostly on agricultural investment . It also encouraged women who might not have the means to try and access agricultural loans as they are meant to benefit about 60 percent of the N220 billion naira earmarked by the Central Bank of Nigeria, for the Micro or small and medium business enterprise in Nigeria.

The participants were also encouraged to enroll with the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation in order to forestall any disaster that might pose a threat to the success of their investments.

Speaking earlier at the workshop, NAFDAC DG. Dr. Paul Orhii said the training was not only to prepare its staff against retirement, but to also show them another avenue of making wealth while also creating jobs for other Nigerians.

He said, “We are empowering our staff to give them opportunity to create wealth from the office, apart from wealth for themselves; they are creating jobs, food security and cueing into the agricultural transformation agenda of the President.”

In a welcome address, NAFDAC Director for Human Resource Management, Mrs Yetunde Oni said the programme was part of its high priority for human capacity development and has therefore decided to invest in the development of staff in areas of human, technical and managerial skills geared towards the organizations mandate delivery.

In the reliefs sought, they asked the court to declare that they or any other aspirant to the office of the Governor of Akwa -bom State on the platform of the PDP cannot be excluded from contesting the forthcoming primary elections of the party or placed at any disadvantage on account of the Senatorial district, Local Government Area or ethnicity.

increase patronage of the hospitality industry especially FCT and environs and a gateway into tapping the United Nations World Tourism Organisation projected 9% increase of tourist to Africa.

The minister noted that the carnival which is a showpiece of the creative spirit of the Nigeria people, their hospitality and passion for festivity, would bring together both indigenous and foreign tourists to enjoy the remarkable sight and sounds of Nigeria.

The carnival he said, promises to offer participants diverse captivating displays and events ranging from street carnival to durbar, boat regatta, children fiesta, contemporary music fiesta, cultural night, command performances and pyrotechnics.

The four day event is expected to be graced by participants from 36 states of the federation including FCT while some corporate bodies in the organized private sector have also indicated their interest to participate during the carnival.

Page 12

Photosplash

People queuing to enter the new Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo , Akwa Ibom State

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

House of Representatives aspirant, AMAC ,Bwari, FCT Federal Constituency, Barrister Ephram Ushafa (left) submitting his nomination form at the PDP National Secretariat yesterday in Abuja.

L-R: DG SON, Dr. Joesph Odumodu; Ag MD, Nigeria Commodity Exchange, Mrs. Zaheera Baba-Ari; Minister of Industry ,Trade & Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and Exec. Director & CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr. Segun Awolowo, during the presentation of SON laboratories accreditation certificate to the Minister of Trade and Investment,yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Akwa Ibom State Senatorial aspirant, (Uyo Senatorial district), Obong Albert Bassey Akpan, left submiting his nomination form at the PDP National Secretariat, recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

People checking their names at a voters registration centre at Onilekere Primary, at Dopemu, yesterday in Lagos.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 13

News

‘Nigeria’s water storage to increase by 3.6b cubic meters’

By Mohammed Usman

T

he Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, has said that water storage will increase to 3.6 billion cubic meters when ongoing dams are completed.

A statement signed by the Head, Press and Public Relations Unit of the ministry, Boade Akinola, quoted the minister as saying this during a presentation at the fourday public affairs forum on President J o n a t h a n ’ s administration organized by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs,

Dr. Doyin Okupe.

“The ministry in the last four years completed 37 large dams of various sizes, rehabilitated 10 dams, while works on 149 dams are ongoing across the country.”

Ochekpe said her ministry had engaged in construction, operation and maintenance of dams nationwide to impound raw water for potable water supply, hydropower, irrigation, fishery development, flood control, tourism and recreation.

She added that out of the 37 completed dams,16 were with hydropower potentials capable of generating

135.15 megawatts of electricity, noting that some existing dams including the breached Goronyo Dam emergency spillway in Sokoto, Alau Dam in BornoTiga and Chalawa Gorge Dam in Kano, Hadejia barrage in Hadejia, as well as other dams in many states have been rehabilitated for optimal operation.

While speaking on Kashimbila multipurpose dam, Ochekpe said it was intended to control flood from the imminent collapse of Lake Nyos upstream in Cameroon, and it had recorded 87 percent completion status.

Philanthropist joins senatorial race, vows to unseat Mark From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

A

business mogul and philanthropist, Mr. Madaki Ameh, has joined the senatorial race for Benue South district to oust Senator David Mark, saying he has overstayed his welcome at the Senate.

Madaki, who addressed the media yesterday in Makurdi through his campaign DirectorGeneral, Mr. Thomas Oduh, described Mark as Robert Mugabe who has

continued to hold onto the seat for too long.

“Mark has stayed too long in the Senate and it is high time he left the position for someone else.

My boss wants to liberate the Idoma people,” Oduh said.

He said if elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he would amongst other things embark on people-oriented programmes through funds that would be handled by the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo

Diocese, Michael Apochi, distribute fertilizers free of charge to the people, offer free education to primary school pupils, create avenues for employment of youths, address the lingering water problem in zone c, as well as sponsor bills that will benefit his constituency and Benue as a whole.

In 2011, Madaki, who hails from Otukpo, as the Senate president had declared intention to contest the House of Representatives seat but was denied nomination.

PPG urges govt to plan for adolescents

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he Country Director in charge of the Planned Parenthood Global (PPG), an American organization, Dr. Francis Eremutha, has called on government at all levels to plan for adolescents who did not go to school, as well as those in schools in order to boost their morale.

Eremutha, who made the call in an interview with Peoples Daily Weekend during a threeday workshop organized for both public and private health workers on the integration of adolescents and youth friendly health services into primary health care in Abuja, noted

that adolescents need governments support in the area of welfare.

He pleaded with health care providers to always give priority attention to adolescents, as well as youths whenever they come to their hospitals or clinics for medical treatment.

He further appealed to them to desist from discriminating against youths, as well as adolescents while discharging their duties and assured them that the leadership of the organization would continue to train the health workers to update their knowledge for the benefit of the society.

Eremutha, however,

advised the health providers to be friendly to their patients when they were admitted into their hospitals and warned them not recruit quacks.

The National President of Private Nurses in Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Olawale, who was one of the participants, urged the government to place emphasis on youth friendly services at all times.

He lauded the leadership of the organization for organizing the workshop for health providers.

Olawale urged participants to make use the knowledge gained to better the society.

UNIVERSITY OF BENIN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

ADDENDUM COLLECTION AND OPENING OF TENDER AND PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS OF CONTRACTORS FOR NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF NIGERIA PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES SECOND PHASE OF IDENTIFIED PROJECTS In respect of the above, interested Contractors, members of the Public as well as Journalists are hereby to note the following extension of dates as follows: (i) Collection of Tender Documents: The collection of tender Documents which was supposed to expire on the 7th November, 2014 has been extended to 14th November, 2014; (ii) Submission and Opening of Prequalification Documents: The Documents should be submitted on 14th November, 2014 on or before 12 noon and it will be opened immediately after in the University Senate Chambers.

UNIVERSITY OF BENIN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA ADDENDUM NEEDS ASSESSMENT FUNDS 2013 SECOND PHASEBATCHIIONIDENTIFIEDPROJECTSINTHE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY. INVITATION FOR PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS AND TENDER OF CONTRACTORS In respect of the above, interested Contractors, members of the Public as well as Journalists are hereby to note the following extension of dates as follows: (i) Collection of Tender Documents: The collection of tender Documents which was supposed to expire on the 24th November, 2014 has been extended to Monday 15th December, 2014; (ii) Submission and Opening of Prequalification Documents: The Documents should be submitted on Monday 15th December, 2014 on or before 12 noon and it will be opened immediately after in the University Senate Chambers.

Signed G. O. Ogboghodo (Mrs.) Registrar & Secretary to Council

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Page 14

Crime Cycle

Stanley Onyekwere pmlcrimecycle@gmail.com 08138559513

Man, 50, docked for stealing tyre

T

he Police have arraigned a 50-year-old man, James Ojeniyi, in an Ibadan Magistrates’ court sitting at Iyaganku, for allegedly stealing a spare tyre of the luxury Ajumose bus belonging to the Oyo State Transport Company.

Ojeniyi was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The Prosecutor, Cpl. Oluseye Akinola, alleged that Ojeniyi and one other person now at large, conspired to steal the tyre.

Akinola said Ojeniyi stole one spare tyre of the Ajumose luxury bus with registration number 14B230OY9 at the garage where it was parked.

He said the tyre was valued at N97, 000, and was the property of the Oyo State Government.

Akinola said Ojeniyi committed the act on Oct. 18, at about 8.30 p.m. at the Trans City Transport Company garage, IdiOpe area, Eleyele, Ibadan.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened section 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap.38, Vol.11, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to NAN, the Magistrate, Mrs. Munirat Giwa-Babalola, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Giwa-Babalola ordered that one of the sureties must be a close relation to the accused, while the second surety must be a driver from the Trans City Transport Company, with means of identification.

She adjourned the case till December 17, for continuation of hearing.

Student in trouble over attempt to withdraw cash from dead person’s bank account

A

30-year-old student, Ayodeji Fakuade, yesterday appeared before an Akure Chief Magistrates’ court over an alleged attempt to fraudulently obtain N130, 000 from a dead customer’s bank account.

The Prosecutor, ASP Isah Atanegbe, said Fakuade committed the offence on October 30, at 2.30 p.m. at ECOBANK, Alagbaka branch, Akure.

Atanegbe said that the accused forged the signature of the late Mr Adetokunbo Adeyinka, with the intention to withdraw the sum of N130,000 from the deceased’s bank account.

He said that the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 509 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol.1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused however, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of attempted fraud preferred against him.

Consequently, counsel to the accused, Mr. Ilesanmi Ikumonisan, prayed the court to admit his client to bail, on liberal terms.

CJN Mariam Mukhtar In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Victoria Bobmanuel, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Bobmanuel said that the surety must provide this year’s tax clearance obtained from the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service and must reside within

the jurisdiction of the court.

She said the surety must also fill an affidavit of means and submit two recent passport photographs at the court registry.

The chief magistrate subsequently adjourned the case till December 1, for hearing proper.

Court remands driver in Kuje for absconding with employer’s bus Lawyer charged for killing

O

ne Ibeabuchi Chimezie, a driver, who is facing trial the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area court sitting at Lugbe, Abuja, for alleged betrayal of trust, was on Friday remanded in prison custody.

Chimezie, 35, who lives at Uzuakoli Ngwu in Abia, was arraigned on a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and cheating, after allegedly absconding with his employer’s bus.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused pleaded not guilty to the offence and also prayed the court to grant him bail.

However, the presiding officer, Senior Judge Gambo Garbo, refused to take Chimezie’s plea and ordered that he should be remanded in Kuje prison till Monday

(November 10).

Earlier, the prosecutor, Anigbo Paul, had told the court that the case was reported by one Ekeh Chukwuemeke at the Lugbe Police Station on Oct. 11.

“The accused ran away with the complainant’s Sienna bus meant for commercial purpose since Sept. 23 without remitting the N10,000 per trip which they agreed on,’’ Paul said.

He alleged that during police investigation, the accused had refused to give reasonable explanation as to the whereabouts of the bus. ``Right now the bus in question is missing.’’ the prosecutor told the court.

Paul, who said the case was still under investigation, noted that the offence contravened sections 312 and 322 of the Penal code respectively.

man’s fowl, breaking 19 eggs

A

38-year-old lawyer, Hajiya Hamamatu Manu, was on Friday charged in a Gudu Upper Area court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, for allegedly killing a man’s fowl and breaking 19 of its eggs.

Manu, who resides at Apo resettlement, Abuja, is charged for mischief.

The prosecutor, Insp Emmanuel Edet, told the court that Terhemen Kolum of Zone B, Apo resettlement, Abuja, reported the matter at the Apo Police Station on November 4.

He said that the accused killed the complainant’s fowl, destroyed 19 eggs and destroyed all the bricks that the complainant used in building his fowl’s house sometime in

September.

According to him, the damage caused amounted to the sum of N25, 000.

He further said that when the complainant challenged the accused, she told him that she acted based on the instructions of the owner of the house.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 329 of the Penal code.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Counsel, Mr. Sanni Dawaki, made a bail application in favour of his client and for bail to be granted based on selfrecognition as the accused was also a lawyer.

Dawaki assured the court that the accused would not jump bail.

The Judge, Umar Kagarko, admitted the accused to bail based in self-recognition and adjourned the case to December 17 for further hearing.

Crime quotes: There is a blessed necessity by which the interest of men is always driving them to the right; and, again, making all crime mean and ugly.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Page 15

Politics

No past or serving lawmaker can match my achievements —Elumelu

Ndidi Elumelu, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, was one of the many aspirants from Delta State that submitted the expression of interest and nomination form at the Wadata Plaza on Friday.

He later spoke with the press on why he wants to govern the state.

Patrick Andrew was there.

What’s the attraction for the Delta Govt House?

I want to serve my people of Delta state. That has informed why I have decided to go into this race.

Most importantly, I want to join the people in building the future of Delta state, to sustain the existing projects that the current governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan is executing and of course put in additional developmental projects that will make life meaningful to the people of the state.

What are the major areas that you will focus on, if giving a chance?

My major focus will be train transportation system. We have to introduce that and ensure that we ease the transportation problem of the people of Delta state, open up the economy especially as it relates to the transportation of their goods and finished products. There should be efficient transport system within the three senatorial districts.

What makes you feel you are a better candidate than other candidates?

I have served my people very

well. I have been in the House of Representatives for almost eight years and of course all the things that I have done cannot be matched by any of my colleagues that have been in the House with me or even before me.

Above all, I have been there for them, in terms of been loyal to the party, all the four local government that I represented I paid all the party chairmen, N100, 000 every month for the past seven and half years.

Most importantly, in terms of infrastructural development, I have just finished a 250 bed hospital.

None of my colleagues have done that whether in the Senate or House Representatives. And not only that, we have built nine substations, which have been completed and waiting for commissioning, there is also 132\133 KV line substation that is almost being completed. We have also built town halls for communities that cannot afford to provide such money to build town hall for themselves.

But wasn’t this why you elected and therefore nothing

unusual?

Very unusual. We have also empowered the women by creating micro finance credit scheme, which will allow women to access it, its non-interest and non-refundable funds. But it’s a roll over facility, which means that if you do very well, we will give you more to ensure you increase your performance, and thereby enhance the support of the family through the husbands’ effort.

The other one we have done, we have constructed three roads , one is Uromi, Ewehimi, Idumujuboko, Ubiaja to Uchigbo . Before now, our people used to spend two and half hours from Uromi to access Asaba. Now, now it takes you less than 40 minutes and, of course, the same thing with the one that was recently commissioned by the Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, on behalf of the president, that is the Utor Bridge, which takes you from Uromi to Utor, to Ibu, and to Asaba.

The middle one that is been constructed now is the one from Uromi to Ohoduwa , Ohoduwa to ohochukwu, Ohochukwu to Ise-

Hon. Ndidi Godwin Elumelu luku- N3bn has been committed into this road and it is ongoing.

Besides and above all, we have also empowered our youth. We have bought the KEKE NAPEP, which we have distributed within the four local governments.

We have recently extended it to the whole state, were we have giving people for the purpose of encouraging them and enhancing their capacity to make life meaningful to their family. Therefore, we have also provided motorcycle to all the teeming youths which we have asked them to commercialized in such a way they can use it to feed

their families.

Why the passion to deliver?

When I was entered the House, I made a covenant with GOD, and I promised God that if he puts me in the House, I will build a benefitting church in appreciation. I can authoritatively confirm to you that I have completed a church with 1000 capacity, fully air-conditioned in appreciation to of what God has done for me. I can go on and on, but what is important, is that God is the one that gives power, and I have asked him, and I know he will never fail me.

Govs Yero, Umar, Dep Speaker, Sen Gada, others tear-gased

By Patrick Andrew

T

he Kaduna State governor, Ramalan Yero, his Taraba counterpart, Garba Umar, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Abubakar Gada and several other aspirants were yesterday sprayed with teargas by overzealous security agents at Wadata Plaza, headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

They, along with many other aspirants, in an attempt to beat the party’s deadline for the submission of their expression of interest and nomination forms, had gone to the plaza to submit the forms as required, but were sprayed with tear-gas.

Security operatives, who were over tasked by the surging crowd that accompanied the aspirants, had problems containing them and at a stage decided to dispel the crowd by using a teargas canister, a development that forced the people to sniff and induce tears from the eyes.

The confusion that ensued forced many persons to run behind the building and to the official car park, while spiritedly washing their faces with bottled or sachet water. They also covered their noses with handkerchiefs or whatever they could lay their hands on. Tears flowed freely from their eyes even as others were sniffing intermittently.

Soon after the teargas was opened, the victims scampered into different directions.

These included the high profile politicians among them the two governors, the Deputy Speaker, Sen. Gada. Godfrey Gaya, a member of the House of Representatives, had to literarily run out from the premises; sniffing and trying to shield his eyes.

Other victims of the teargas were the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Ndudi Elemelu, whose entourage was considerable as was the Jigawa state aspirant, Hon. Aminu Ibrahim , Hon. Ibrahim El- Sudi and a host of other aspirants from across the country.

Two persons that slumped as a result of the effect were assisted by concerned members of the teeming supporters and taken out of the charged environment through the back door.

Though tempers rose, no one was able to figure out who had opened the teargas on the crowd at such a busy atmosphere where supporters freely expressed their sentiment by singing and dancing behind their aspirants.

Some aggrieved persons including journalists expressed displeasure with the act, noting that it could have been fatal had someone who is allergic to teargas been there. They also wondered why the security officials should choose to teargas instead of other means of containing the crowd.

Emeka Ihedioha

Garba Umar

PAGE 16

Senate Diary

By Paul Onwude

T

he Court also did not hesitate to order and compel the 2nd – 74th Defendants to comply with the provisions of sections 81(3), 121(3) and 162(9) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) in the disbursement of Funds to the Heads of Courts forthwith. The Court also took further decisions “that an Order of perpetual injunction is hereby made restraining, the 2nd – 74th Defendants, their agents assigns, privies etc. from committing any further breach of the aforesaid constitutional/ statutory provisions”.

In regard to implementing this judgment, we all have been waiting to see what the Executive Arm of our Government would do in compliance to these Court Orders, or whether the Executive Arm would hold the Court in contempt by refusing to comply.

The Media and Civil Society are also monitoring the situation.

Notwithstanding this Court decisions, another concern citizen and a tax-payer, Barrister Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, again; also to get the correct interpretations of the following sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, namely sections 81(2) and sections 84(1), (2), (3), (4) and 7, and this time around it was before the Honourable Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed.

Barrister Agbakoba, sought for the determination (by the Court) of the following nagging questions: (i) Whether by Section 81(2) and Section 84 (1), (2), (3), (4), and 7 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the remuneration, salaries, allowances and recurrent expenditures of the Judiciary, being constitutionally guaranteed charges (or first charges) on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation form part of the estimate to be included in the Appropriation Bill as proposed expenditure by

the President as is the present practice? (ii) Whether by virtue of the constitutional guarantee of independent funding of the Judiciary under section 81(1), (2),and 3( c) and section 84 (2), (3), (4), and (7) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN 1999), the National Judicial Council (NJC) ought to send its annual budget estimate to the Budget Office of the Executive Arm of Government or any other Executive Authority as is the present practice, or sent the estimate directly to the National Assembly for appropriation? These and many other questions in this regards were brought before the Court.

Agbakoba prayed the Court for the following reliefs: (i) A DECLARATION that by section 81(2) and section 84 (1), (2), (3), (4), and (7) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the remuneration, salaries, allowances and recurrent expenditures of the Judiciary, being constitutionally guaranteed charges ( or first charges) on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation DO NOT form part of the estimates to be included in the Appropriation Bill, as proposed expenditures by the President as is the present practice. (ii) A DECLARATION that by virtue of the constitutional guarantee of independent funding of the Judiciary under section 81(1), (2), and (3) ( c) and Section 84 (2), (3), (4) and (7) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (CFRN, 1999), the National Judicial Council (NJC) ought NOT to send its annual budget estimates to the Budget Office of the Executive Arm of Government or any other Executive Authority as is the present practice BUT to send the estimate directly to the National Assembly for Appropriation. (iii) A DECLARATION that by virtue of Section 81 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 any

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Legislature, Executive and Judiciary Interface on Budget formulation (3) amount standing to the credit of the Judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation ought NOT be released to the Judiciary in warrants or other means or through the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation or any other person or authority in the Executive Arm as is the present practice, BUT to be paid directly in whole to the National Judicial Council for disbursement. (iv) A DECLARATION that the continued Dependence of the Judiciary on the Executive Arm for its budgeting and Funds releases is directly responsible for the present state of underfunding of the Judiciary, poor and inadequate judicial infrastructure, low morale among judicial personnel, alleged corruption in the Judiciary, delays in administration of justice and judicial services delivery and general low quality and poor out-put by the Judiciary. (v) A DECLARATION that the present practice on judiciary funding by the Defendants which is Dependent on the Executive Arm in the Budgeting and release of funds is in violation of Section 81 (2), (3) ( c) and 84 (2), (7) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and therefore unconstitutional, null and void.

Surprisingly, it was the National Assembly through its Counsel that objected to this case, on the grounds of “want of competence and lack of Jurisdiction”, not even the Executive Arm that is directly involved in the preparation and disbursement of the appropriated funds.

Senate President David Mark The Attorney General of the Federal Government’s worry is that the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission is not a party to the case, not an outright dismissal of the suit, like the overzealous National Assembly Counsel, would have the Court do. We don’t know if that was the briefing he got from the National Assembly or it was his own initiative.

The National Assembly, in my opinion, was joined for her to know what is happening since she is the one that appropriated the entire funds. What injury does the National Assembly suffer if the Judiciary’s independence is enforced?

In any case, the Honourable Court sufficiently addressed the issues of lack of Jurisdiction first, according to the principles of trite law, and then move on to trash the issues of locus standi and no reasonable cause of action, abuse of Court process and the incompetent nature of the

“ The Senate in session

suite, raised by the National Assembly Counsel.

On Monday the 26th Day of May, 2014, the Court came to a decision that “in the determination of the above issue, recourse can only be had to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. Section 84 (1), (2), (3), (4) and (7) Constitution provides as follows…”

Furthermore the Court held that “from the above quoted provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, it is beyond doubt that funding of the judiciary is governed and guided by the constitutional provisions. The question therefore is, to what extent are the constitutional provisions regarding funding of the judiciary being adhered to? To put the issue differently; Is the provision of the constitution being followed in this country with respect to the funding of the Judiciary?

Onwup@yahoo.com

From the above quoted provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, it is beyond doubt that funding of the judiciary is governed and guided by the constitutional provisions. The question therefore is, to what extent are the constitutional provisions regarding funding of the judiciary being adhered to?

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE17

Tambuwal’s defection Reps Diary and the politics of adjournment With Umar Mohammed Puma

Speaker Tambuwal shortly after announcing his defection to the APC. Photo: Mahmud Isa

N

ormally, before the House Representatives a d j o u r n s plenary, the leadership meets the day before to discuss and agree on a certain convenient date that will be suitable to reconvene the House. When they agreed, the leader of the House will be asked to liaise with the Senate Leader to find out how long they will be going for recess, as both Houses always adjourn and come back at the same time.

The main function of the Leaders of the House for that day is to move motions for adjournment. But the adjournment that was moved on that particular day according to the Leader, Rep Mulikat Akande Adeola, was not a usual one, because of the number of days for which the House adjourned.

Initially, according to her, the House was supposed to adjourn for only one week and come back on the 4th of November, but everybody at the meeting raised different issues as to why they cannot go for only one week: issues ranging from members problems in their constituencies. Of course, they have to prepare and face the primaries, they want

to renew their mandate, and others want higher elective offices. And it would practically be impossible to be in two places at the same time. ‘There will be no time. How many have you seen in the chambers lately?’ she asked, and then added, “They give all sorts of reasons for wanting lengthy adjournment.

Addressing reporters in her office, she explained that she was not told that Tambuwal was going to defect on that day. According to her, even as the plenary was in session when it began to be rumoured, she asked her deputy, Hon Leo Ogor, if it was true that the Speaker was going to defect, but he told her: “I am listening to somebody on the floor” “We went into the order of the day and nothing was said about whether the speaker was moving or not. At the meeting we held, nothing was said about that. Nothing was mentioned whether he was moving or not even though it was in the air, in the media, everybody was talking about it.”

The leader insisted that she has no regrets for whatever action she took that day because she did nothing that should warrant

being crucified. She said she sees no reason why the whole world should call for her head because she carried out her legitimate responsibility as leader of the House by moving for an adjournment that was previously agreed on by principal officers.

“It is my responsibility to move for adjournment. There is no way I would have moved that adjournment if we didn’t agree on it. And this you can cross check from all the other members if they want to be truthful to themselves.

And that was exactly what happened.

“When the speaker said, Leader move for the

“

adjournment and I leaned towards the deputy speaker and said, is it as agreed, and he said yes. I got up and moved for the adjournment.

And he said, “Leo second”.

And he did. And it was at that point that the speaker now read the statement about his defection. I wouldn’t know what the Leader has done that was out of the ordinary.”

Sounding grieved by the subsequent development, she said: “It is imperative that I speak and clear the air on this matter. Because I heard the Minority Whip, Samson Osagie, was saying on NTA that the leader moved the motion for adjournment and the way he said it, it was as if it was something I did unilaterally and out of the ordinary. As you all know, it is my job as the Leader of the House to move motions for adjournment.

“At the end of the session, the speaker said, Leader move for adjournment. I still tuned to the Deputy Speaker and said, is it as agreed? He said yes. And I got up and moved the adjournment. And he said Leo, second and he seconded. And it was at that point that the Speaker now made the statement about his defection. At that point in the chamber, I didn’t feel anything but after he made his statement then I knew that error was something that must have been planned that I was not aware of.

“Because if you know me very well, I am someone who deals with everyone on an equal basis and I have a very open mind. I don’t think it would have been out of place for the speaker to even tell me that ‘Leader, I am moving tomorrow’. I don’t think that would have been out of place.

“I did not collude with the

leadership to adjourn plenary to December 3. I moved the motion for adjournment in fulfilment of my role as the leader of the House,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Rep Leo Ogor, denied having knowledge of the Speaker’s defection, saying “If I’m aware that the speaker was going to defect, it is my responsibility to tell her. I wasn’t aware of it, and if I was, I would have told her on that day. There was no sign that he was going to defect. Any insinuate that I knew about it, it’s a mere figment of some person’s imagination.

Reacting to the press conference by the APC lawmakers, Rep Ogor said based on the House rule, if the leaders of a political party wish to reconvene the House, they would do so.” The subject matter borders on our speaker. You can’t be a judge in your own case. If we have to do a fair hearing, it’ll be very difficult for him to reconvene the House. Based on this, it becomes important that his deputy steps in to reconvene the House. Reconvening the House is as easy as I have just stated.

“I want to state very clearly that a minority party can’t control the House.

The issue has nothing to do with impeachment or whatever. The circumstances are different from the House rules. Once we are able to get a quorum, we can reconvene the House.

“We have the budget which we have not addressed and we also have MTEF. Elections are around the corner, so we have to do these things on time. We can reconvene the House if we so desire. I have not been served the court order, so I am not aware of it,” he said.

I want to state very clearly that a minority party can’t control the House. The issue has nothing to do with impeachment or whatever. The circumstances are different from the House rules. Once we are able to get a quorum, we can reconvene the House.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 18

Politics

Adopt consensus presidential candidate, Almakura tells APC From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

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overnor Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa state has appealed to the All Progressive Congress

(APC) presidential aspirants to unite to produce a consensus candidate in 2015 presidential race.

Almakura, who stated this yesterday when the former Vice President and

one of the APC’s presidential aspirants, Alhaji Atiku Ababakar, (The Turakin Adamawa) paid him a courtesy call, said their coming under one umbrella will boost the party’s chance for success.

Students of Ahmadu Bello university demonstration secondary school sent out for defaulting in school fees at SamaruZaria, yesterday in Kaduna state

“Consensus and methodology will go along way to reduce friction in the party (APC) and the aspirants and by doing so the party stands shoulder higher than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections.

He maintained that, “the APC presidential candidate (Atiku) has added value to the party and stressed that his presence in the party has increased their chances in the 2015 elections.

“I appreciate you for joining the party and it has added great value that would not be forgotten as a strong statesman, a wonderful politician and a technocrat. This is a clear indication that APC has reached a level where hope of winning the presidential race is very high,” Al-Makura said.

“You have given us hope, expectation and zeal for being the first aspirant to declare intention to contest as a presidential candidate on the platform of our beloved party APC”.

Speaking on his mission in

Nasarawa, Atiku said it was part of his nationwide consultation ahead of the APC’s presidential primary. He acknowledged the governor’s giant development stride, noting, “seeing is believing. What I have seen in Lafia today is your giant development strides despite the numerous insecurity challenges facing the state”.

“Nasarawa State is a small state but the challenges are enormous and I commend Almakura for the monumental achievements that have direct bearing on the lives of the citizens. APC states have done wonderfully well to their counterpart PDP states,” said listing Sokoto, Rivers, Edo, Kano and Nasarawa states as example.

He called Nasarawa State electorates to give APC another chance to sustain the developmental efforts of Almakura.

Apart from Atiku Abubakar former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwoso, are the other high profile APC presidential aspariants.

Lawmaker moves motion against withdrawal of Tambuwal’s security aides From Raji Bello, Sokoto

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member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdussamad Dasuki, has appealed to the state assembly to condemn the withdrawal of the security details of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

Dasuki, who is representing Tambuwal East constituency on the platform of All Progressive Party (APC), made the motion of urgent public importance and pleaded with colleagues rally round for the motion to sail through.

He condemned the act and urged that the procedure of the law should always be maintained as provided in the Constitution.

“The act of Federal Government on the speaker will only lead to so many

complicity and breaches of the Nigerian Constitution by the Government, saying that “the procedure of law should always be maintained as provided in the Constitution,” Dasuki added.

Dasuki added that, the act is “condemnable as a sign of weakness by the Federal Government to rule on the violation of the Constitution”.

Supporting the motion, Alhaji Abubakar Buda representing Dange/Shuni constituency, described the act as unlawful, unjust and unconstitutional.

“The speaker is not for PDP but the entire country. The Federal Government must immediately restore the security details of the speaker to avoid further breach of the, “ Abubakar said.

Also contributing, another member representing Sokoto South II, Alhaji

Edo PVC collection on shaky start

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

T

he much anticipated permanent voter cards (PVC) collection began yesterday across the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo state on a relatively shaky but peaceful start.

The exercise, which was conducted by the Independent Electoral commission (INEC), witnessed a large turnout of eligible voters, who were on work-free day declared the state Government on Thursday.

There were however some irregularities at some centres in the three Metropolitan Local Government Areas of the State including, Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba-Okha.

Notable among the complaints observed in some quarters were alleged missing PVC in some units logistics problems which hampered the collection of PVC in the some rural and riverine Communities in Ovia and Oredo Local

Government Areas.

Over seven Adhoc Staff of INEC were stranded at Ward 2, Oredo (George Ida primary School).

A female Corps, member, who complained of lack of materials from INEC officials, alleged that the officials were neither time conscious nor committed. She said some Adhoc staff waited for hours on end for INEC vehicle to convey materials to Ogba community in Oredo Local Government area for collection of PVC. Mr Tony Odebuani, who also corroborated the female corps member claims, expressed the hope that the situation would improve the exercise ends tomorrow.

The Resident Electoral Commission in the state, Mr Baritor Kpaghi was yet to respond to complaints including shortfall and missing PVC in some areas as at the time of going to the press.

Malami Ahmad and Alhaji Arzuka Sarki of Sokoto North II, all of the APC, equally condemned the act as unconstitutional.

The Speaker, Alhaji Lawal Zayyana, said the Assembly resolved to call on, the Federal Government with immediate effect

to restore the security details withdrawn from the Speaker.

“The Inspector General of Police should always abide by the oath of office and provision of the Constitution to work in the office without fear or favour,” he urged.

2015: Delta lawmakers in shouting match over Uduaghan By: Osa Eresoyen, Asaba

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wo lawmakers at the Delta State House of Assembly last Thursday threw cautions to the ‘winds’ when they allegedly engaged each other in a shouting over governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s alleged meddlesomeness in who succeeds him.

Daniel Mayukei and Prince Sam Obi were alleged to have themselves in a shouting match at the plenary, a situation other members say diminished the the dignity of the chambers forcing the House into a closed when the Speaker, Hon. Peter Onwusanya, could contain them.

Obi said to have been provoked by the governor’s alleged warning of the lawmakers in a private meeting to stir clear from his choice of governorship aspirant.

Obi, who is one of the many aspirants did not take kindly to that and was challenged

by Mayiku, who wondered why he should challenged the governor’s order.

Obi at the floor of the House informed his colleagues of his interest to contest the governorship seat come 2015, adding “I was once the Acting Governor of Delta, I’m a man to beat in the race”

Mayiku, who described Hon. Obi as a ‘fry’ who has nothing to offer was alleged to have said, “who are you to challenge Oga, you are going nowhere” Speaking to our correspondent, Hon Sam Obi however admitted that his colleague was overzealous “In the meantime, the Urhobo people have accordingly remained resolute on this and we remain so. Our position is predicated on a number of good reasons, of which one stands out very clearly, which is that, the Urhobo nation which occupies the Delta Central Senatorial District has an over whelming voting population in Delta state, which she usually delivers em block at elections.

“In the 2011 general elections for instance, the average numerical votes delivered by the Urhobo people for the President was well above 820,000. This figure is almost comparatively double of the votes realized from the North and South Senatorial districts of the state, put together, which was hardly up to 500,000 votes. In fact that of Delta North, to be more specific was 149,000 votes only. It must be emphasized here that democracy is a game of number.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 19

Tourism

Old Oyo National Park: Home of African buffalos

Agbaku cave

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ld Oyo National Park, the park which was named after the Old Oyo – the political capital of the Oyo Empire between the 16th and 18th centuries, spans a remarkable 2,512 sq km (970 sq mi), most of which fall in Oyo State, some extends to Kwara State. The park, which is made up of two previous native administrative forest reserves – the Upper Ogun (1936) and Oyo-lle (1941) Forest Reserves, are unique ecosystem and historical relics converted to game reserves in 1952 and finally upgraded to the present status of a National Park.

Situated just about 51 km north of Ibadan city, and it harbours Nile crocodile, rock python and land tortoise. The top attractions of the park which are of historical and archaeological value, are situated at the northern end of the park and these include the relics of the old city walls of Oyo Ile, the great Agbaku cave which has evidence of stone age, the “kosomonu” hill, the old Akesan Market, Alaafin’s Palaces with crucibles of pottery used some centuries ago.

The rest of the park is a wild life park covering many hectares of land and a camp site for tourists. Wild life encountered includes elephant, buffalo, antelope and baboons. Visitors can also check out the wildlife museum at Akoto base camp or try the lake cruising on Ikere Gorge Lake, mountaineering, sport fishing etc.

The park has total land mass of 2,512km2 and is located in southwestern part of Nigeria at latitude 8° 15’ and 9° 00’N and longitude 3° 35’ and 4° 42’E. The location has inevitably placed the park at a vantage position of abundance land area as well as diverse wildlife and cultural/historical settings. The administrative office is located in Oyo Isokun area along Oyo-lseyin road, where necessary information and booking could be made. The landscaping and organized space within the large yard has made the facility very endearing to the public.

The park has four types of vegetation which are dense woodland and forests outliers in the southeast part; mixed open savanna woodland in the central part, outcrop vegetation in the northeast and riparian grassland and fringing woodland occupying the forest plains and valleys along the Ogun River.

Outcrops of granite characterize the Northeastern zone of the park especially at Oyo-lle. The central part of the park has isolated hills and ridges of numerous rock outcrops. The extreme northern part on its own has caves as well as rock shelters dominating the axis.

The drainage system is also interesting as the park is well drained by rivers Ogun, Owu, Owe and their tributaries in the central and southern parts, while river Tessi drains the northeastern part of the park.

Fauna Fauna are found more abundantly in the southern part of the park which includes lion, western kob, roan antelope, western hartebeest, Grimm’s duiker, oribi, crested porcupine, anubis baboon, patas monkey, tantalus monkey, buffalo, red river hog, gaboon viper, spotted hyena, nile crocodile, rock python, land tortoise, waterbuck, bushbuck, warthog, guinea fowl, hammer kop, African fish eagle, bush fowl, Senegal parrot, grey heron, grey hornbill, white-headed plover, yellow mantled whydah etc.

There are more than 30 bird species recorded in the park. Some of the well known ones are Guinea Fowl, Hammer Kops, White headed Plover, African fish eagle (Cucumber vociferous), Yellow mantled Whydah (Euplectes spp), Bush fowl (Francolinus bicalcaratus), Senegal Fire-finch (Lagonostica senegalus), Grey Hornbill (Tockus nasitus) Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) Bannerman’s Weaver (Ploceus bannermani) crossley’s Ground. Thrush (Zoothera crossleyi).

Cometonigeria.com

A herd of buffalos

Natural water fountain

It’s home of the African buffalo

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Page 20

Homes

Decorating to get the pendant light right

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endant fixtures have become a very popular lighting choice for a wide range of rooms. Being aware of a few basic guidelines can prove to be very helpful; not only when selecting a fixture for a specific location, but how high they should be hung. Here are some great ways to use them, and guidelines to get you started.

In the middle of a room. Pendants can be hung lower in the center of a room if there is a piece of furniture placed below it, such as a coffee table. This creates a dramatic look that is also functional, with no fear that someone will walk under the fixture and bump their head.

The fixture is hung fairly low above the foot of this bed, but high enough so as to not block the view of the TV.

By the side of the bed. I’ve also begun to notice light fixtures hung on either side of a bed in lieu of table lamps. This can be an effective way to light the area, particularly in spaces where they may be limited room to set a table lamp on a nightstand.

In the bathroom. Pendants hung in front or to the sides of a mirror in a bathroom can be a good alternative to more traditional sconces. The height at which they are hung should provide the best lighting while avoiding being so low that one would bump their head when leaning over the sink. When selecting fixtures for a bathroom make certain they are rated for damp rooms.

Hanging multiple pendants above a rectangular table can be a very effective choice, not only to properly light the entire table surface, but also for aesthetics.

Here the pendants are hung sightly lower than in the previous example and both look appropriate for their specific spaces.

Houzz.com

Above an island. When thinking of pendant lighting what probably comes to mind first are fixtures hung in a kitchen. They are a great solution for providing adequate task lighting while also providing an opportunity to enhance or reinforce the kitchen design.

Typically pendants should be placed 28 to 34 inches above the countertop, or 72 inches above the floor.

The nickel fixtures are a wonderful choice here, repeating the classic spirit of the kitchen design. A smaller version of the same pendant is hung in the window, creating a cohesive look.

e n i z a

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

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Fashion

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Hollywoo

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d Bollywoo

Eva Alordiah to release ‘1960’ in January

>>PG 36

Eku, Ngwekazi to host CHOAMVA 14

PG 37

Wizkid is MTV Base ‘Artist of the Month’

Lupita covers Glamour Magazine’s Dec issue

PG 37

PG 37

Bey is highest paid female musician in 2014

PG 36

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Page 22

Your Body, Image & U

What do you understand by modeling?

Muslim model

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n our African society today, most people are still in the dark what modeling means. I have interviewed many parents as well as youths to find out what exactly they understand about someone being a model. Check this outOne mother said to me-‘’ C’mon jacqui.....it’s very simple.... everyone knows that what the girls do there is just to parade their bodies and different attires designed by different designers.

I asked her –Is it only girls that model? Haba! Of course it is for girls only! (wrong)Males model too! Then this same mother finally said to me- honestly jacqui, my daughter would have made a very good model if only modeling can be something else.

Like what? I asked. She did not talk .. kind of confused on what to say.. so I helped her out by asking again- Can I meet your daughter madam? Of course jacqui, why not? On meeting the daughter on our appointed date, I was carried away by the entire beauty of her daughter from head to toe. I asked the young lady some questions about modeling and she was thrilled to hear me talk about modeling with the mother and she opened up on her great desire and passion for modeling.

In the midst of our talk, the mom said- You see what I told you jacqui...only if there are other things she can do with her beauty apart from ‘’body parade’’. This

woman actually inspired my gist for today on the misconceptions of Modeling which is one of the reasons we invite young male and females interested in modeling to join our Modeling Coaching Camp so they can understand that modeling is not just about ‘’body parade’’. By the way, as I write , this same mother has enrolled her lovely daughter in our Abuja Modeling Camp.

As you read this, you might be among those who see modeling as not a serious career and by the

Black girl with apple

time you finished reading you will see how wrong you are. Modeling all over the world is one career that enables an individual (male or female) to use his or her God given talents and body assets to earn a living. It is a career that can glorify God’s wonderful creations if one handles it very well. Now the mother Italked above was excited after I explained to her that modeling has many dimensions and not just about ‘body parade’’ like she said.

After talking with the daughter I discovered that she has the following features- ‘beautiful smiles with very good set of teeth, fantastic natural nails, smooth long neck, and long legs that can put miss universe out of business and to top it all , she speaks so sweetly like an angel that I got carried away by all the natural gifts God gave to only one person.’

Before I come back to this special mother’s gist. Let me also talk a little on young people who desire to model but keep saying that they are not tall, pretty enough,slim to model. This is not modeling talk at all if you really understand what modeling means. You must not be 6ft tall or have a barbie face /shape to make it in modeling industry.

Who says you must be skinny and so tall to be a good model?

When you decide to join the modeling coaching forum, you will be taught how to identify your body features that you can explore to model. Those who are tall and slim have their version of modeling to do. If you are not so tall, with a barbie doll shape, there must be other beautiful body features you have.

In our Modeling Coaching Camp, we explain to those who

still think modeling is all about being tall, slim. Pretty face that they are wrong. A young lady could be short but have very good set of white teeth combined with beautiful smile. This one asset could get her very good jobs from companies who are looking for such to advertise their products.

All the companies need is just her smile and white set of teeth. I am I making sense here?

When she models the only thing you see is a very sweetsmilling face with lovely set of white teeth and her body shape, height are not required here.

Most young people who have such assets will not know about this unless they are being coached to discover their features to model with. My mother friend above could not hide her ignorance about modeling when I took time to outline so many areas of modeling which inturn made her to register her daughter in our modeling coaching Camp.

Being a model must not only involve run way-cat walking stuff but goes beyond this. Models with what it takes to do runway modeling are there but majority of models are hired for good advert jobs due to their various gifts and talents. How about a young man coming to modeling coaching and in the course of coaching discovers that he can sing very well.

Oh, sure in our coaching sessions we go deeper to unveil other hidden talents youths could possess but not knowing they can use them to make a living as well.

For parents who are reading this, do not allow the talents in your youths go waste. Engage your youths in meaningful actvities like registering them in my modeling

BOBBY-male model

With Jacqui Iwu bwreforms@gmail.com 08184825606 (sms only) Camp here in abuja where we can help to groom them and unveil certain talents they possess.

The mother I told you about even asked me before I left‘’can my daughter do well in the broadcasting industry?’’. This particular mother saw all the potentials of her daughter but she was just thinking left handed like most Africans concerning the full details of what modeling means. She knew inside of her that her daughter posses special talents but was confused and primitive how to go about it due to societal concerns which by the way can not put food for her on the table.

Of course the daughter if at the end, decides not to do runway modeling can do so many other things like being a good radio/ T.v broadcaster. How could she be a broadcaster if she does not explore what kind of sweet voice she has from coaching? She can also get jobs from cosmetics and beauty products company respectively.

Modeling is a wonderful career, join our modeling Camp in Abuja to unveil your talents.

Online registeration for those outside Abuja is allowed too.

Jacqui Iwu is a BODYIMAGE Coach A STRESS Management Expert &Conference Speaker Media Relations Personnel BLOG: http://bluntjacqui. blogspot.com FB: http://facebook.com/ beautifulwoman.column

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Page 23

Womanhood

Hajiya Rabi Jimeta: Innovator par excellence Early life and education

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ajiya Rabi Shuaibu Jimeta, was born in Gombe, Gombe State to the family of Abdulrahaman Jijji Gadam of blessed memory.

She attended Central Primary School Gombe, Government Secondary School, Bauchi and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

She holds a Bachelors degree in Biological Sciences from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and a Masters degree in Zoology from Bayero University (BUK) Kano.

She also holds the qualification of Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Administrative College of Nigeria (ASCON). She is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and also holds the membership of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

Administrative Career

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aving completed her NYSC in 1979, she started her working career as a Tutor Grade II in the same year at the Government College Kano. She rose through the ranks as a teacher until she became a School Principal.

During her teaching career, she encouraged her students to study science subjects and also assisted in creating awareness on the importance of girl child education.

Having reached her peak as a school principal, she resigned her appointment, changed her cadre and took up fresh appointment with her home state, the then Bauchi State Government.

In 1992, she transferred her services to the Federal Civil Service as an Assistant Director in the defunct Ministry of States and Local Government Affairs. She served in various Departments within the Ministry including Personnel, Finance and Local Government Affairs. While in the Ministry, She attended various seminars and workshops and facilitated the creation of the present Association of Local Governments (ALGON). She also represented Nigeria in many international meetings, conferences of world bodies

Hajiya Rabi Jimeta

such as the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), International Union of Local Authorities (IULA) and Africities along with Local Government functionaries. This has greatly enhanced and developed the capacity of

“

our Local Government Chairmen on global best practices in local government administration.

She also served as the Secretary to the National Committee on the Review of Schemes of Service for Local Government Employees. She later

In January, 2011, she was elevated to the enviable rank of a Federal Permanent Secretary by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and was posted to the Special Duties Offices, under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. While there, she developed a database of all awardees of the National Honours Award from inception to 2011.

worked in various capacities in the Federal Ministries of Communication, Industry and Youth Development.

She was later promoted to the post of Director (Administration) and sent to the National Institute Kuru, Jos to sharpen her skills in administration and leadership.

While serving in the Ministry of Youth Development before her appointment as a Permanent Secretary, she carried all assignments given to her with diligence and passion. She represented the Ministry of Youth Development on several Committees and Boards both at local and international levels and facilitated the development of the Revised National Youth Policy (2010), which still serves as a guide to Youth Development in Nigeria. She also served as the coordinator of the Regional Senior Government Officials Meeting on Youth Affairs hosted in Nigeria in March, 2010, preparatory to the Global Youth Minister’s Meeting.

In January, 2011, she was elevated to the enviable rank of a Federal Permanent Secretary by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and was posted to the Special Duties Offices, under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. While there, she developed a database of all awardees of the National Honours Award from inception to 2011.

Having spent a substantial part of her career working with the Nigerian youth, right from her teaching career through her civil service experience in the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, she is now in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, where she facilitated the development and launching of the Revised National Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) Policy (2102) and the National System of Innovation (NSI) among others. This makes her an innovator par excellence.

Family life

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ajiya Rabi Jimeta is a wife and a mother, as she is married and blessed with children. She is a versatile reader and writer. rmrdc.gov.ng

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 24

Kiddies World

With Miriam

SIGHT AND SOUNDS Take a trip to Sokoto: The Seat of the Caliphate

Humbe

HIS AND HERS CORNER

Sokoto landscapes

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ocated in the northwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria, Sokoto State in its present form was created in 1996 when Zamfara State was created by late General Sani Abacha.

There are twenty-three local government areas in the state which are Binji, Bodinga, Dange-shuni, Gada, Goronyo, Gudu, Gawabawa, Illela, Isa, Kware, Kebbe, Rabah, Sabon-Birni, Shagari, Silame, Sokoto-North, Sokoto-South, Tambuwal, Tangaza, Tureta, Wamakko, Wurno, and Yabo.

History The area of present Sokoto State was the home of many empires and kingdoms of pre-colonial Western Sudan and these include Gobir and Kebbi Kingdoms as well as the Sokoto Caliphate.

The name Sokoto, which is the anglicised version of the local name Sakkwato is of Arabic origin, representing suk, ‘market’.

Being the seat of the Sokoto Caliphate, the city is predominantly Muslim and an important seat of Islamic learning in Nigeria.

The Sultan who heads the caliphate is effectively the spiritual leader of the Nigerian Muslims.

The area of present Sokoto State was the home of many empires and kingdoms of pre-colonial Western Sudan and these include Gobir and Kebbi Kingdoms as well as the Sokoto Caliphate.

People & Culture Sokoto state has a population of 3,696,999 million people based on the 2006 general census and it is dominated by Hausa and Fulani people. Other

minority groups include the Zabarmawa and Tuareg who also speak Hausa as a common language.

Sokoto State is located in the extreme northwest of Nigeria, near to the confluence of the Sokoto River and the Rima River. As of 2006 it has a population of 427,760. The state has a total land area of about 32,000sqkm. The state lies to the north-western part of the country and shares common borders with Niger Republic to the North, Kebbi State to the southwest and Zamfara State to the east. The state falls on the boundary between semi-arid region and the Sahel savanna.

Weather/Climate In terms of vegetation, the State falls within the Savannah Zone. Rainfall starts late and ends early with mean annual falls ranging between 500mm to 1,300 mm. The dry seasons starts from October and lasts up to April in some parts and may extend to May or June in other parts.

The wet season on the other hand begins in most parts of the State in May and lasts up to September or October.

During the Harmattan, a dry cold and fairly dusty wind in experienced in the State between November and February. Heat is more severe in the State in March and April. The topography of the state is mainly of the famous Hausa plains of Northern Nigeria.

Cities & Towns Other major cities and towns in the state include Yabo, Guddu, Ilela, Binji, Gwada Bawa, Bogingo, Tambulwal, and Wurno.

By cometonigeria. com

ABCDE

Growing up together

Cartoon

Tom and Jerry

Mickey, Minnie Mouse and Donald Duckling

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Kiddies World

PAGE 25

With Miriam

Humbe

AFRICAN TALES

ABCDE

MODEL OF THE WEEK

Why Rabbits have big ears

Salma Hassan Kwaifa

CREATIVITY

How to make a paper bird

T Rabbit

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nce upon a time, there lived a very cruel rabbit. He teased all the rabbits alive and tormented them. His name was Cru, he was a bully! Back in those days rabbits had ears the size of a pebble; to communicate they had to yell at each other.

One day a little girl was going for a bike ride along a path through the woods when she heard a talking noise, she asked if there was anyone around. But no one answered. Then she saw a family of rabbits talking to each other, she asked the rabbits if it was them talking and then the

biggest stepped forward. He said that it was him talking and that there was a bully around that needed to be stopped in his tracks and his name was Cru. What they didn’t know was that Cru was standing behind the tree next to the family of rabbits. When the little girl left she told the rabbits to come and visit her the next day.

So the next day the family of rabbits headed off to the little girls house, when they were walking past the clothes line Cru jumped out from behind a bush with some clothes pegs in his paws. He grabbed the

ACTIVITIES With the use of the right materials, have fun colouring this image. Show your work to your parents or teacher for correction.

Cheers!

Fish and scarf

family and hung them all up by their ears on the clothes lines and put some rocks in the back packs to stretch their ears! When the little girl walked outside to get some of her clothes off the clothes line when she saw the family of rabbits on the clothes line, she ran to them and pulled them off and they ran away never to be seen again!

With their stretched ears they could hear really well so they could whisper really quietly. No human ever heard a rabbit talking ever again!

hese step by step instructions will teach you how to a make paper bird. What you’re about to make is no ordinary paper bird. This one can actually fly! Well not really, but it can flap. All you have to do is pull on its tail and it will come alive.

The steps are pretty easy. No intricate folds are necessary to bring this bird to life. Simply follow the instructions carefully and soon you’ll have your very own flapping paper bird.

Follow the steps to learn how to make a Paper Bird.

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tep 1: Start with a square piece of origami paper. If you only have regular 8.5x11 paper, follow these instructions to make a square sheet.

Step 2: Fold the top corner to the bottom corner.

Step 3: Fold the triangle in half by taking the left corner and folding it to the right.

Step 4: Flip the paper over so we can do the same thing to the other side.

Step 5: Stand the left flap up vertically.

Open up the flap and squash down so the top corner can meet the bottom corner.

Step 6: Fold the left and right corners to the center.

Step 7: Fold down the top triangle.

Step 8: Now unfold the triangle back up along with the left and right flaps.

Step 9: Take the bottom of the top layer and open it up all the way. Using the creases as guides, fold the left and right sides in to the center.

Step 10: Turn the figure over so we can do the same to the other side.

Step 11: Fold the left and right corners in from the bottom to the center.

Step 12: Unfold.

Step 13: Open the top layer beginning at the bottom and lift it all the way up. Using the creases as guides, fold the left and right sides in to the center.

Step 14: Take the top layer from the right side and fold it over to the left.

Step 15: Turn the figure over so we can repeat the step on the other side.

Step 16: Like before, fold the right flap over to the left and you should have this shape.

Step 17: Take the bottom corner of the top layer and fold it up.

Paper Bird Step 18: Turn the figure over.

Step 19: Also fold this bottom flap up. Now we have a triangle shaped figure.

Step 20: Take the two wedges inside and pull them out like you see in the picture.

After pulling them out, crease the base below so the wedges will stay in that position.

Step 21: Take the left wedge and open it slightly so you can bend a portion of it down to form the head.

Now do an inside reverse fold by pushing the center of the head down and creasing the left and right sides together. The head will now remain folded in that position.

Step 22: Here’s the tricky part.

Hold the chest of the bird including a little bit of the wing, and fold the rest of the wing down. You don’t need a sharp fold here, just keep molding the wing until it stays down, but at the same time curved around your thumb at the front.

Basically, do what you see in the picture.

Step 23: Once the wing can remain in that position, pull the tail and the bird will come alive!

PAGE 26

e-Learning

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Do women have better sense of smell than men?

R

esearchers have solved the mystery of why women have a better sense of smell than men - and say it is all down to their brain.

Males and females greatly differ in their perceptual evaluation of odours, with women outperforming men on many kinds of smell tests.

However, until now researchers have not known why.

Professor Roberto Lent from the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Ministry of Science and Technology in Brazil, has finally found biological evidence in the brains of men and women that may explain the olfactory difference between genders.

Sex differences in olfactory detection may play a role in differentiated social behaviors and may be connected to one’s perception of smell, which is naturally linked to associated experiences and emotions, the researchers say.

This led them to believe women’s olfactory superiority was cognitive or emotional, rather than perceptual.

Previous studies investigating the biological roots of greater olfactory sensitivity in women have used imaging methods that allow gross measures of brain structures.

Researchers used a machine called an isotropic fractionator, a fast and reliable technique previously developed by a group of researchers at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

It measures the absolute number of cells in a given brain structure such as the olfactory bulb, which is the first brain region to receive olfactory information captured by the nostrils.

The group examined postmortem brains from seven men and 11 women who were all over the age of 55 at the time of death.

All individuals were neurologically healthy and none worked in professions requiring exceptional olfactory abilities, such as coffeetasting or professional cooking.

By calculating the number of cells in the olfactory bulbs of these individuals, the group (that also included researchers from the University of São Paulo, the University of California, San Francisco, and the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo) discovered that women have on average 43% more cells than men in this brain structure.

Counting neurons specifically, the difference reached almost 50% more in women than men.

The question remains whether this higher cell number accounts for the differences in olfactory

Brazilian researchers found that women have on average 43% more cells than men in their olfactory bulbs, which control smell. sensitivity between sexes.

‘Generally speaking, says Prof.

Lent, larger brains with larger numbers of neurons correlate with the functional complexity provided by these brains.

‘Thus, it makes sense to think

that more neurons in the female olfactory bulbs would provide women with higher olfactory sensitivity’.

The fact that few cells are added to our brains throughout life suggests that women are al-

The find shows that men and women really do smell differently

ready born with these extra cells.

Some believe this olfactory ability is essential for reproductive behaviors such as pair bonding and kin recognition.

If this holds true, then superior olfactory ability is an essen-

tial trait that has been inherited and then maintained throughout evolution, an idea expressed by Romanian playwright Eugene Ionesco when he said ‘a nose that can see is worth two that sniff’.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 27

Leisure

Compiled By Doyin Ojosipe

The king and the Ju Ju tree

Laugh out loud (lol)!

Akpos walked into a political rally and saw a young female journalist with a badge on her bosom region saying; “PRESS” ...and he pressed.

GBOSA! She slapped him...

Abeg tell me, who’s at fault?

Who is at fault?

Study the table below

U

do Ubok Udom was a famous king who lived at Itam, which is an inland town, and does not possess a river.

The king and his wife therefore used to wash at the spring just behind their house.

King Udo had a daughter, of whom he was very fond of; he looked after her most carefully, until she grew up into a beautiful woman.

For some time the king had been absent from his house, and had not been to the spring for two years. When he went to his old place to wash, he found that the Idem Ju Ju tree had grown up all round the place, and it was impossible for him to use the spring as he had done formerly. He therefore called fifty of his young men to bring their machetes and cut down the tree.

They started cutting the tree, but it had no effect, as, directly they made a cut in the tree, it closed up again; so, after working all day, they found they had made no impression on it.

When they returned at night, they told the king that they had been unable to destroy the tree.

He was very angry when he heard this, and went to the spring the following morning, taking his own machete with him.

When the Ju Ju tree saw that the king had come himself and was

starting to try to cut his branches, he caused a small splinter of wood to go into the king’s eye. This gave the king great pain, so he threw down his machete and went back to his house. The pain, however, got worse, and he could not eat or sleep for three days.

He therefore sent for his witch doctors, and told them to cast lots to find out why he was in such pain. When they had cast lots, they decided that the reason was that the Ju Ju tree was angry with the king because he wanted to wash at the spring, and had tried to destroy the tree.

They then told the king that he must take seven baskets of flies, a white goat, a white chicken, and a piece of white cloth, and make a sacrifice of them in order to satisfy the Ju Ju tree.

The king did this, and the witch men tried their lotions on the king’s eye, but it got worse and worse.

He then dismissed these witches and got another lot.

When they arrived they told the king that, although they could do nothing themselves to relieve his pain, they knew one man who lived in the spirit land who could cure him; so the king told them to send for him at once, and he arrived the next day, Then the spirit man said… to be continued, next week.

During the exam, Akpors kept looking under the table, and then he would write on the answer sheet.

His teacher saw him doing that & thought he was copying. *when collecting the paper after the exam* Teacher: I’m gonna minus 10 from your marks.

Akpors: Hiiaaa!! Why sir?

Teacher: you copied.

Akpors: How do you know that I was copying?

Teacher: I saw you looking under the table.

Akpors: (laughing) Question 9 said, “STUDY THE TABLE BELOW”

Sensible life quotes

* Work for a cause, not for applause; live life to express not to impress; don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt. * Never be afraid to fall apart, it is an opportunity to rebuild yourself, the way you wish you had been all along. * Smile and let everyone know that today, you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday. * Surround yourself with people that reflect what you want to be and how you want to feel; energies are contagious.

Get busy! Words for different hobbies!

BOWLING CAMPING CARD GAMES CHESS CINEMA COMPUTER GAMES COOKING CROSSWORDS EATING OUT GARDENING KNITTING PAINTING PLAYING GUITAR POOL PUZZLES READING SAILING SUNBATHING TRAVELLING WATCHING TV

Beauty

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Page 28

TIPS

Compiled by Isioma Nwabasha

Steps to a perfectly defined eyebrow have to lightly fill it in to create the best shape.

Find the end of your brow: Hold your pencil or brush up so that one end

lines up with the edge of your nostril and the other lines up with the outside corner of your eye. The extension of this line into your brow is where your eyebrow should end.

Remove the strays: Gently brush brows in the direction of hair growth and tweeze the wild hairs along

End of your brow

D

efined eyebrows can complete your looks, they frame your face and balance your facial features. Once you learn the proper techniques for defining your brows, you can create subtle and dramatic looks that will make your eyes pop and look perfect for any occasion.

Nicely defined brows can erase years from your face.

Measure

your

inner

brow: To start filling in your brow, you must find the best starting point. To do this, hold your brow pencil or brush up so that one end lines up with the edge of your nostril and the other lines up with the inside corner of your eye. The extension of the brush into your brow is where your brow should start. If there is hair past this line, it will need to be removed. If your eyebrow starts after this mark, you will

Cute eye brows

your natural brow bone.

Threading is the most precise technique for shaping brows and removing even the tiniest of out-of-place stragglers. It causes hair growth to slow and the re-growth to be lighter and much softer than the rest of your eyebrow.

Steps to a perfect eye brow

Create the arch in your brow. Use your pencil or brush to find the best place

for your natural arch in your brow. Line the pencil up with the corner of your nostril and the very center of your eye. The place in your brow that the end of the pencil hits (or would hit if it were long enough) is where your arch should be. Tweeze any hair outside this point.

Select your filler.

Options for eyebrow fillers

include a brow pencil, brow powder, or a brow cream/ gel. Each is applied in roughly the same fashion, except that the latter must be applied using a brush.

Powders create the most natural look, while pencils offer a more defined look.

Match the color of your filler to your natural hair color or a bit darker if your brows are very fair.

Compiled by Miriam Humbe

Fashion

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Page 29

Get casual in the triple layer ruffle skirt T he best skirt styles that eliminate the I-don’t-haveanything-to-wear frustration when you’re putting together an outfit are: simple, timeless skirts that cover your major daily activities as well as look good on your body figure.

The versatility of basic triple layer ruffle fashion skirts makes it easier for you to mix and match your outfits which is super cost-effective, helping you save time and money.

Build a solid skirt closet If you want to get the most out of your money, you first need to secure basic styles in neutrals without any fancy details. Look at them as canvases where

you can embellish with accessories and colours - giving more focus to your tops and showcasing your great sense of style.

The skirt is comprised of several overlapping layers of different lengths, usually three layers, but may be more depending on style. These skirt styles are perfect for trendsetters, fashionistas who love adding bells and whistles to their style and anyone who wants to draw attention to their hips, thighs and legs.

They’re great for stretching your style envelope and have fun when you’re out clubbing.

Terramar sport silk long underwear top - lightweight, long sleeve for women

Jimmy Choo black leather pumps

Bauble necklace, bauble box bib, double strand necklace, two tier necklace, emerald

Double buckle black ladies belt

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 30

Pots & Pans

With Miriam Humbe

Nutritious danwake

Enjoy your weekend cooking with this simple but highly nutritious meal Ingredients

For the sauce

1.5 cups of bean flour 1 tablespoon of kuka flour (greenish in color) 1 medium piece of edible potash (baking soda is a good substitute) 1 cup of water

1 cup of shredded chicken breast (Precooked) 1 cup of shredded bell peppers 1 small onion (chopped) 2 small scotch bonnet peppers (ata rodo) 1/2 seasoning cube 1/2 teaspoon of suya spice 1 cooking spoon of vegetable oil

Fresh ginger drink

The ginger beer is not only tasty but it is also very good for health. It is known to reduce pain and inflammation, alleviates heartburn, prevents and treats colds, and reduces hair loss and much more. It is made from fresh ginger and pineapple. Preparation time: 20 minutes.

Ingredients •4 cups of water •70g ginger, peeled and washed •300g pineapple, peeled and washed •1/3 cup lemon juice •½ cup of sugar 1 cup of water

Preparation Step 1: Add the ginger, pineapple and lemon juice in a food processor. Then add water and mix well until the liquid is home gene.

You can also use a mortar and pestle and grind the ginger and pineapple and mix well with the water.

Step 2: Filter the resulting mixture through a sieve to remove the juice.

Step 3: Add sugar to juice and mix.

Add the sugar according to your taste, you can add more or means that my amount recommended.

Keep in the refrigerator for two hours through and serve cold with your meal.

Preparation method In a bowl, mix the bean and kuka flour.

In a separate bowl, dissolve the potash in a cup of warm water and slowly pour into the flour mix till its all incorporated.

You should have a thick paste In a boiling pot of water, scoop some danwake into the pot with your hand and form little balls.

Boil/steam on medium heat for about 40 minutes so it can cook all the way through.

For the spicy sauce, in a pan of hot oil, stir fry the shredded chicken, and vegetables with the spices and seasonings.

Once the danwake is ready, serve with the spicy shredded chicken sauce.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 31

Relationship

Do’s and don’ts of dating colleague

Since about a third of our time is spent at the office, it worries. Deciding whether to date a co-worker or not is is not surprising that romance can easily spark between extremely personal. There are no right answers.

However, there are some basic rules to keep in mind colleagues. At work, you are often surrounded by bright, driven people who understand your work stress and when dating someone you work with.

Loving your co-worker

I

Avoid conflicts of interest f you or your significant other manages groups of people, conflicts of interest can arise no matter how careful you are. Even if you do everything perfectly, your company won’t want to deal with the inevitable complaints from people who see a situation differently. If you are your partner’s supervisor, talk to your employer about changing positions or departments if possible.

Even if you are not in a bossemployee relationship, you will still want to be sure to keep your relationship a private matter at work. However, keeping your work life professional and treating your significant other as you would do to any other coworker will go a long way towards ensuring that you don’t end up in trouble with the company.

Don’t reveal your relationship on social media Keep the relationship private.

Your co-workers do not need to know the intimate details of your romance. No posting of information or photos about your latest love interest on Facebook or

sending tweets about it. You never know who will see them.

professional and matured about it, In other words, no shouting matches.

Do set rules from the beginning This means that you should both have a discussion from the beginning on how to conduct yourselves, what both of you want out of the relationship, and how to handle the situation if the relationship falls apart.

Consider how it will affect your career If you want to build a career at the company where you are currently working, take a pause!

You have to ensure that people look at you as the awesome employee that you are and not think that you are only working in order to snag a husband, or that you are getting any preferential treatment because of who you are dating. Absolutely never, ever date

Don’t display physical affection in front of coworkers There should never be any physical display of affection when in a professional setting. This includes kissing, hugging, hand-holding, or even staring at each other from across the room. These rules should be followed in the office, as well as at social work events.

Be professional even if it ends Another downside to workplace relationships occurs when a love affair dissolves. You may still have to see or work with the person. You can’t vent your negative feelings in public, even if the person treated you badly. If the relationship fails, be

“

your boss or anyone you’d want to give you feedback on your next performance review. Even if it is someone at your level in another department, you still want to be known as “the girl, who is killing it in marketing” not “that girl who dates Dave in accounting.”

Know your drama level You know how you are in relationships. You know the level of contact you want, what you are looking for, you know how you deal with breakups. Now insert all of that into your work

There should never be any physical display of affection when in a professional setting.

This includes kissing, hugging, hand-holding, or even staring at each other from across the room. These rules should be followed in the office, as well as at social work events.

environment. If you are super chill, perhaps go for it. If you are the type who is going to throw a screaming fit because he forgot your two months anniversary, ask yourself if that is something you should be doing at the office.

Ensure you have an outside support network For some people this might not be a problem, but if you derive the majority of your social network from work, adding an office relationship to the mix can be too much – your friends are at work, your boyfriend is at work, your work is at work. Make sure you have some sort of non-work outlet for when you need to get away, because venting about work to your coworker who is also your boyfriend can become stressful.

Have an exit strategy No one wants to think that things might end when starting a relationship, but in this case, you need to. If things don’t work out, will you still be able to work with this person? If you are the kind of person who can’t stand seeing an ex, then you need to ask yourself if dating a co-worker is worth your career.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 32

Fiction

Okon had seen his face

W

hen he turned away from locking his car he had briefly locked eyes with the other man. It had been barely for a second but it was enough. The gateman’s face ran through a mix of emotions: recognition, surprise, disbelief before finally settling into a lewd, secret smile. He had anticipated it in the scheme of things and in return, quickly dipped his head before heading into the big house after his host.

Drumming his fingers on the arm of the sofa in Shola’s lavishly furnished living room with his other hand wrapped around a drink she had poured him from the bar, he waited for her return from her bedroom upstairs.

Between admiring the all too familiar decor and wondering what sort of stupid playlist she had put on the stereo, he replayed the evening in his head.

Since he had offered her a ride a week before when her car had conveniently broken down, all their texts, phone calls and instant messaging had led to the dinner that they had just had. They had been out to a place he knew she hadn’t been before and just to be sure, he had asked her. It had been a slow night for the restaurant, weekdays usually were.

She had of course made sure to order something very expensive off the menu that she couldn’t even pronounce but he didn’t mind. He had reveled in the sensation that came from her feet repeatedly brushing against his leg, languidly tracing circles under the table and the sultry way her eyes undressed him all through the meal, the way she leaned over when she spoke coupled with her low cut dress had caused a dull, pleasurable ache in the front of his expensive, tailored trousers.

Afterwards, they had come back to her place, on her insistence, for a late drink.

None of that had really been necessary for him: not dinner, not the constant back and forth with the flirty messages or the weak excuse she had invented just to get him in her house; he had already marked her down as his since he’d first laid eyes on her. But it was the excitement borne by this toying around and seductive play that kept him.

It was exhilarating playing a game that he had already won, everything he did became a part of some sort of ceremony in preparation for the inevitable.

Heck,even the meal had had some sort of significance. It was like the ritual of a predator stalking its prey; certain

He tied her up in her bedroom and left her for dead

protocols had to be observed, certain roles had to be played out. It was the thrill of the hunt.

He glanced at his watch impatiently and suddenly stopped drumming his fingers.

Or it was possibly because he had reached his breaking point with the stupid music on the stereo which was slowly killing him inside, grating on his mind and with his thoughts.

But something in his mind snapped and he couldn’t wait any longer.

He took the stairs slowly to the first floor of the house with his hand gliding effortlessly over the smooth, polished wood of the banister as he went, his heels clicking oddly on the tiles.

He found the intricately carved, heavy wooden door at the end of the corridor as on all his previous visits, but this time he wasn’t so careful when he threw the door open without a knock.

Shola who was standing in the middle of the room jumped in surprise to face him, clad in nothing but a black thong. She recollected herself quickly and wordlessly raised an eyebrow at him, smiling provocatively.

A ripple ran through him at the sight of her perfect body: tiny waist, toned thighs, turgid nipples, and smooth skin.

It was arousing.

It was mind-shattering.

He got to his feet and left her coughing and spluttering in a ball on the floor beside the bed.

It was a relief to be able to breathe again and Shola sucked in the precious oxygen. Which

“

She fought the stiffness in her muscles and raised herself to a sitting position, leaning against the bed watching Ahmed walk across her room to her dresser and wondering what sort of crazy person he was.

kind of rough play be all this one now?

Her throat was on fire and every breath she took burned.

She fought the stiffness in her muscles and raised herself to a sitting position, leaning against the bed watching Ahmed walk across her room to her dresser and wondering what sort of crazy person he was. She was used to fetishes, some a bit daring but this was something else, and worst of all he hadn’t even warned her.

A cold, dank feeling of dread clutched at her heart as she watched him pull out the last drawer in the bottom of her dresser. Her cause of discomfort wasn’t because he had opened it; it was the unfaltering way that he casually reached for it, slipped his hand inside knowingly, like he knew exactly what would be there. The realization hit her low and hard: this man had somehow been inside her house unnoticed; there was no other plausible explanation. And there

was only one way that could have happened.

Hai! Okon you have killed me!

He turned to her slowly with dark, unreadable eyes; her silver handcuffs dangling off the end of his fingers. The ones she had specifically gotten because Nasir was fascinated with kinky stuff like that. ‘ “Sssshhh” he was closing the distance between them with slow, calculated strides, stroking the handcuffs tenderly.

What trouble is this?

She opened her mouth to scream and the last thing she remembered was a heavy fist crashing into the side of her head.

When Nasir showed up at Shola’s house that morning because she hadn’t picked any of his calls or replied his, he had thought it was a good idea.

He figured he would play the part of being annoyed at her for ignoring him and she would give him “apology”. And that was just

how he had planned to start his day.

He parked outside and made to knock on the side gate but it was unlocked and swung open slightly on impact.

That useless gatekeeper he cursed in his head, stepping in through the gate and heading straight for the main house.

Finding the front door unlocked he made his way into the house.

With every step he took up the stairs, he throbbed impatiently in anticipation.

“Shola?” he knocked on the door to her bedroom twice before slowly pushing it open.

Shola was sitting up in bed, completely naked with her hands held up loosely over her head by a glint of silver at the wrists.

But there was no head, just the stump of a neck. He didn’t realize he was the one screaming until he couldn’t breathe, so he ran. Stumbling down a few of the stairs, he seemed to regain his composure as soon as he was out the front door. He glanced into the gate house wondering where the gateman could possibly have disappeared to at such a time and he froze.

Okon was sitting on the floor with his head flopped unto his chest, propped up by the iron frame of his tiny bed. His abdomen had been slashed open and his innards had been neatly arranged on the floor beside him.

This time, Nasir’s scream wasn’t at fast as the contents of his stomach and the doubled over beside the gate house, heaving.

Naijastories.com

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 33

Romance

The stranger who swept her off her feet A

lone in the apartment she shared with her friend, Tiwa, Joy stirred a cup of hot chocolate, nibbled on a biscuit and watched the television screen without seeing a thing. Her mind was far away, caught in the grip of the tall, thin young man she had encountered earlier today. He would not have qualified for the finals of Mr. Nigeria. Those medicated glasses he wore gave his deepsunk eyes an owlish appearance.

He had no bulging Arnold Schwarzenegger muscles; no Jean Claude Van Damme jaw to attract a maiden’s eyes. So what was it about him that got her spine tingling? Sure, he was clean-shaven and neatly dressed; he was confident and eloquent; he gave the impression of being straightforward. But he was not the first guy with such qualities she had known.

She sipped her drink. You were dumb to have given him the green light, she rebuked herself. Even inviting yourself to his place! Girl, you have gone way below cheap. Are you so hungry for the thing because of your celibacy for just eleven months? The thought made her laugh. Instinctively she knew she was being untrue to herself.

She was going to honour their date tomorrow.

She wished Tiwa was here.

Behind her sassiness she concealed a deep insight into human nature, especially the male’s. But Tiwa was in Abuja for a week-long workshop. She would have…

Come on, is she your babysitter? An inner voice interrupted Joy’s thoughts. She shrugged and reached for the packet of biscuits. Why all the analyses and questions over a man who was not even twentyfour hours old in her calendar?

A guy she could easily phase out? Hell, if I don’t want to have anything with him it is my call, she concluded. She shrugged again and focused on the programme on the television.

They were seated in a fairly compromising manner on the king-size Mouka mattress in Uzor’s clean but sparsely furnished room. Celine Dion announced that she drove all night to be with her man over Uzor’s Amtronic audio CD player. Apart from a secondhand iron and a Philips standing fan,

“

it was the only electronic gadget he owned. ‘‘Uzor.’’ Joy’s voice was low. ‘‘Mm?’’ She gently eased out of his arms and looked at him in her arrestingly bold manner. ‘‘What is the matter?’’

Uzor took a deep breath.

He had hungered for this moment but now it was here he was alternating between fiery hotness and iced water coldness. ‘‘Sweetheart, I don’t want you to feel used. I am no good at laying my dates on the first or second time out, especially those I like.’’

Joy’s eyes moistened but her voice was steady. ‘‘I like you a lot. I don’t know why and how I am so hot up on you. Is the attraction mutual?’’

Uzor nodded. ‘‘So come.’’ ‘‘Are you sure?’’ he asked softly. ‘‘Yes.’’ Uzor gently eased her backwards till she was lying on the mattress. Her eyes shone with a desire that reflected his.

For a second their eyes spoke to each other.

Joy returned on Sunday afternoon, looking elegant in flannel trousers and matching jacket. Uzor welcomed her with a resounding kiss at the door while his neighbour, a young wag, watched with an amused smile. ‘‘Ah, ah, allow her enter your hut, old boy,’’ he said. ‘‘Wetin be your stress?’’ Uzor retorted with a grin as he led her in. He sat her down and reached for his denim jacket from the clothes hanger. ‘‘Uzor.’’

He turned and became still at her quiet, almost sad tone. ‘‘What is it?’’ he asked, jolted.

Joy took a deep breath. ‘‘I enjoyed every minute of yesterday. It was simply divine.

But I hope you won’t belittle me because I fell so easily.’’

Uzor was disturbed by her words and soulful look.

He pulled her to himself reassuringly. ‘‘Darling, I enjoyed it too and I wish it is just the beginning of the best. Why should I think you cheap for being true? Now get that sad look off your face.’’

They smiled at each other, kissed briefly and disengaged. ‘‘Let us go and eat. There

is a decent ‘mama Put’ that operates in TBS on Sundays.’’

Uzor tapped his stomach for emphasis.

Joy wrinkled her nose. ‘‘You are good at sniffing out decent ‘Mama Puts.’ What purpose does your stove serve?’’

Uzor shrugged. He could not cook to save his life; he did not own a single pot. The stove was for boiling water. ‘‘You are wasting money,’’ she said. ‘‘Writers don’t have money, especially in Nigeria.’’ ‘‘My limo will pick you up tomorrow. I bought it with royalties from my first novel.’’

They roared with laughter.

Madam Hoha’s eatery was buzzing with mostly young people whose growling stomachs did not allow them get home after long church services.

Uzor and Joy fell to deliciously peppery rice, beef and canned malt. As they ate they looked into each other’s eyes and smiled.

Cupid was doing overtime. ‘‘So who am I dealing with?’’

Uzor asked quietly after the meal. ‘‘Who is this angel sharing my table?’’

Joy patted his right hand. ‘‘Think I am the Phantom of Lagos?’’ ‘‘You can never tell. It is rare to receive bed tutorials at the hands of a real-life Jagua Nana.’’

‘That’s Cyprian Ekwensi’s novel?’’ ‘‘Yes.’’ Uzor was delighted to be in the thrall of a booklover.

Joy became serious. They

Besides, which girl will live with a guy tossed out by nairalessness from a self-contained apartment to an army barracks?’’ His casual selfdeprecation made Joy smile.

talked about each other for about fifteen to twenty minutes.

Their conversation flowed like a relaxed stream. Each partner easily wore the other like an old shoe.

Joy was the only daughter in a middle class family of three children. Her father was a businessman, her mother a teacher. After graduation she pounded the streets for two years unsuccessfully searching for a job. Fortune smiled on her when she reconnected with Tiwa Adefope, her close pal from secondary school, on the streets of Enugu where she was still living with her family. Tiwa had come to Enugu to visit her sick aunt.

She had just been employed by the Federal Ministry of Commerce, Lagos, and had a few contacts. Joy did not look back as she moved to Lagos.

An MTN subsidiary snapped her up three weeks after she arrived. Though the outsourcing telecommunications operations company’s pay and conditions of service could not rival those of the parent company, it was a platform for Joy to get into MTN someday.

Her face hardened when Uzor asked her about her last relationship.

‘It ended about eleven months ago. I don’t want to talk about it for now, if you do not mind.’’ Uzor backed off with a smile.

He told her how he ended up studying and immensely enjoying Economics though he had applied for Law in the Universities Matriculation Examination. He had also tasted the bitter fruits of unemployment though, like her, he graduated with a 2’1.

St. Gregory responded to his application and that sad state ended. He discovered that he loved teaching and was good at it. Subsequently he professionalized with a diploma in Education from the

University of Lagos. He had been writing for nearly ten years though there was no book to show for his efforts. He was the first of three children, all boys, and at thirty there were subtle pressures from his family to bring someone home. ‘‘So why have you not taken anyone home to Mama?’’ Joy asked coyly.

He shrugged. ‘‘Just did not click. She wanted a posh guy who did not spend all day fancying himself another John Grisham. Besides, which girl will live with a guy tossed out by nairalessness from a selfcontained apartment to an army barracks?’’ His casual selfdeprecation made Joy smile. ‘‘Different strokes for different folks,’’ she said ambivalently. But her eyes shone with a clarification. Women, the unique, mysterious creatures of God, Uzor thought. He bit off a bit of what remained of his chicken and fed her, ignoring the look of the patrons eating at the next table. Joy bit gently, then snapped at his finger. ‘‘Ouch. Bad girl,’’ Uzor said in mock pain. ‘‘It takes one to know one.’’

Uzor passed her a serviette. ‘‘Mind if I invite myself to your home now?’’ ‘‘My husband is at home.’’

Uzor put on an air of mock bravado. ‘‘He is not man enough.

If he try anything I go show am.’’ ‘‘You no fit.’’ Joy laughed as she reached for her handbag.

Forty minutes later they were at the two-room apartment.

Once Joy shut the door Uzor picked her up. Joy was not expecting the move but she smiled and put her arms round his neck. ‘‘Want to carry me over the threshold?’’ Her voice was a caress.

Uzor kissed her on the nose. ‘‘Sure. Where is it?’’

She pointed at the door to her room.

Naijastories.com

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

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Nollywood

How Nollywood is viewed outside Nigeria

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igeria cradles the second largest film industry in the world.

Only Bollywood surpasses Nollywood in film releases per year, while Hollywood lags way behind – their production values may be enormous, but they pay for it with a comparatively paltry output.

Arguably, the Nollywood film industry helps enormously to

put Nigeria ahead of the game when it comes to building a worldwide perception of the nation. Just as the US in the 1930s utilized its budding cinematic industry to export awareness of its culture and issues to the rest of the world, so Nollywood may be doing the same. However, given that Nollywood’s style is somewhat unique, and

that – unlike when the US was developing its cinematic style – other cultures have now become accustomed to alternative modes of cinema, how successful is Nollywood in influencing outsider perspectives of Nigeria, Nigerian culture, and Nigerian issues?

African Adoration Across Africa, of course,

Nollywood is well known and appreciated. Nollywood DVDs are exported across the continent, and provide staple entertainment for people from many hundreds of African cultures. While Nollywood stars may well have yet to attain the kind of glamour and cross-cultural acclaim that Hollywood and Bollywood stars enjoy, few people would

disagree that Nigeria is fast becoming a beacon for the up-and-coming African actor, screenwriter, or director. Nollywood’s specialization in witchcraft and voodoo flicks has proven enormously popular all over Africa, and classics like the Igbo film ‘Living In Bondage’ are rightfully revered as exemplars of the genre. Nollywood is also having a profound cultural effect upon Africa as a whole – with people of many cultures emulating their favorite Nigerian stars and characters – as well as upon overall perception of Nigeria. Outside of Nigeria, it is commonly believed that Nigeria must be precisely as it is portrayed in the films.

This is an often erroneous impression – and can on occasion work in a negative manner when one considers Nollywood’s predilection for voodoo and witchcraft flicks - but the glamorous nature of Nollywood settings has stood Nigeria in good stead when attracting skilled workers and investors.

Source: Nigeriafilms.com

Ameenkhan fetes Kannywood stars in India

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

A

n Indian based musician, Aminu Ardo, aka Ameenkhan, recently

organised a get together for Kannywood delegates in India.

The delegates were sponsored by the federal government to undergo a course on film and

entertainment at the Bollywood School, New Delhi, India, for one month.

Prominent among the 19 delegates are Ali Nuhu, Ibrahim Mandawari, Hamisu Iyan Tama and Hauwa Maina. They will learn all categories of film making, such as scripts, directing, producing, lightening, camera, and post productions.

However, the Hausa-Indian musician gave the artistes a warm reception after they paid him a visit at his residence.

According to Ardo, he organised the dinner for the Kannywood stars because “I have old friends among them and for about four years, we have not met in person. That was why I

I have other jobs aside acting—Halima Abubakar

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ontroversial Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar, known for her no-nonsense attitude on social media, has warned that successful people should be appreciated because it is not easy to attain an enviable height.

Halima said before anyone is

criticised, the critic should ponder on some important questions.

According to her, “before condemning other people’s choice of reason or lack of, ask yourself if you are doing better on your own. With no one’s support!

“When you see someone doing it, ask how are they doing

it so you learn and improve.

I appreciate all the love and critics alike. I won’t stop learning because I have people to feed.

Thank God I do have jobs I do even if I stop acting!! You have my support in yours, if you don’t support me, well that’s your sin not mine. Peace”

organised a dinner party just to be together, share more ideas and old memories and I am glad they attended. They made me feel at home. I feel like I am in Kano when ever we are together. It is a cherished moment with a lot of memories,” he said.

He added that he takes his time to feed the Hausa film Industry with technical advice on how to make films in line with bollywood techniques.

Reacting on the current crisis between the Hausa film industry and marketers over Hausa/indian dubbing, the musician stated that it is good to have such developments.

“Voice-over translation (dubbing) is usually done by

other voice artistes trailing the original dialogue by a few seconds. It is good to have people doing it over Hindi and Telugu films at least it will promote the Hausa language instead of Hindi and Telugu languages in our society.

Even here in India, they do the same as most Hollywood movies must have Hindi voice over translations,” he stated.

However Ameenkhan added that “it has a huge effect on Hausa Home video productions.

The government should consider the thousands of people that are earning a living under kannywood, so I suggest it intervenes and bring solutions to the problem.”

PAGE 35

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

‘How to get away with murder’ lands Marcia Gay Harden

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arcia Gay Harden has landed a major recurring role on Shonda Rhimes’ rookie ABC legal drama, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Details on the role Harden is playing is being kept under wraps, but the veteran actress is expected to first appear when Murder returns from its midseason finale.

Hollywood Michael Fassbender in talks to play Steve Jobs in biopic

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ith Christian Bale parting ways on the project, Sony has moved quickly to find the man to portray the late Apple founder Steve Jobs.

Michael Fassbender is in early talks to play “Jobs” in the the Sony biopic that Danny Boyle is directing, sources confirm.

Based on Walter Isaacson’s biography “Steve Jobs,” the real-life drama is directed by Danny Boyle and written by Aaron Sorkin.

Seth Rogen is in talks to play Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Scott Rudin will produce along with Mark Gordon and Guymon Casady.

Sorkin has publicly said the movie will be divided into three

long scenes, each taking place backstage before one of Apple’s famous product launches.

“The first one being the Mac,” he told the Daily Beast.

“The second one being NeXT, after he had left Apple. And the third one being the iPod.” “It’s a little like writing about the Beatles,” he added. “There are so many people out there that know him and revere him.”

Leonardo DiCaprio had been circling the role but eventually passed to take time off from acting. David Fincher had also been in talks at one point to direct.

Sony acquired rights following the Apple mogul’s death in 2011.

Fassbender is repped by CAA.

Harden’s casting keeps her firmly in the ABC family as she starred in the network’s shortlived comedy ‘Trophy Wife’ opposite Bradley Whitford and Malin Akerman.

BAFTA to kick off ‘Life in Television’ event series with Julie Walters

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ulie Walters, the multi-BAFTAwinning actress with almost four decades of appearances on U.K. TV and film, will be the star of the first in a new live series from BAFTA entitled ‘Life in Television’ , to be held in London on December 3.

Alongside renowned film roles in titles such as Billy Elliot, Mamma Mia, Calendar Girls and seven of eight Harry Potter titles.

Walters is much-loved in the U.K. for her television appearances, in particularly alongside comedy actress, writer and director Victoria Wood in shows including Dinnerladies, Wood and Walters and Patt and Margaret.

She picked up an International Emmy for best actress in 2009 for Simon Curtis’ TV film A Short Stay in Switzerland, and in 2006 came fourth in a poll by U.K. broadcaster ITV of the country’s 50 Greatest TV Stars.

“We’re delighted to be launching a new strand of television events, BAFTA A Life in Television, and doubly delighted that Julie Walters, one of the U.K.’s most celebrated performers, has agreed to be our first subject,” said BAFTA Television Committee chair Andrew Newman in a statement.

Lifetime Cancels ‘Witches of East End’

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ifetime’s supernatural series “Witches of East End” has been canceled after two seasons, Variety has confirmed.

The series, which focuses on the Beauchamp family of witches, premiered in 2013 and wrapped its second season in October.

“Witches” was adapted from Melissa de la

Cruz’s series of young adult novels and starred Julia Ormond, Madchen Amick, Jenna Dewan Tatum and Rachel Boston.

The net’s upcoming roster of scripted shows includes “Omen” series “Damian,” “UnREAL,” and the third season of “Devious Maids.”

Anne Hathaway believes aliens exist

The ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ star has admitted that she believes there are other life forms in the universe, but is unsure of what they would look like.

She told The Mail on Sunday newspaper: “I’ve never had any problem with the idea that there is other life in the universe.

“Does that life look exactly like us? Probably not. In fact, I couldn’t even imagine

what these other life forms might look like, or what set of values they might hold or knowledge they might understand.”

She continued: “I’ve always thought it’s highly unlikely there’s nothing out there. I certainly don’t struggle to believe that they exist.”

The 31-year-old actress features in new science fiction film ‘Interstellar’ as one of four astronauts, and revealed that while she dreamed of exploring the solar system as a youngster, the stars have become more and more intriguing for her as she has matured.

She admitted: “I did want very much to go into space when I was little, but I was very bad at both maths and science when I was at school so I could never even dream about making that journey.

“Then, when I was older, I started to watch a lot of nature documentaries, which later led to documentaries about science, about physics, about the universe.”

She added: “Astronomy has been a mini-passion of mine for some time now.”

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 36

Celebrity gists

Khloe K, Eva Alordiah to release ‘1960’ in January French Buy P.Diddy an escalade

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few days ago, singer French Montana openly stated that the Keeping up with the Kardashian star, Khloe Kardashian, will always have a space in his heart so it comes as no surprise that the duo may be back together after taking a break from their eight month relationship in September.

French and the reality star are back to doing ‘coupley’ things like giving a joint gift.

Rapper and producer, P.Diddy, took to his instagram page to reveal one of the gifts for his 45th birthday, a white escalade given to him by French and Khloe. He later shared a video of him and French toasting to the car.

Khloe had revealed that P.Diddy was the mutual friend who brought her and French together so this grand gesture might be their way of thanking him for the fix up.

O

ne of the few female rappers in the Nigerian music industry, Eva Alordiah, has announced the release date for her much awaited debut album titled ‘1960’.

The album is set to drop on January 14, 2015, but while fans await its release, the talented

female rapper dishes a self-titled extended play album to be released on November 20.

Her 1960 album features collaborations with Darey Art Alade, Femi Kuti, Yemi Alade, Olamide, Sarkodie and Sir Dauda.

The album will be co-produced

by Tintin and Gray Jon’z.

Jay Z buys Armand de Brignac champagne brand

Bey is highest paid female musician in 2014

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ega star, Beyonce, is the highest paid female musician in 2014 with estimated earnings of $115 million, more than double of what she earned last year, Forbes magazine has said.

The huge sum, most of which was from her world tour, propelled Bey, 33, from fourth place last year and put her firmly ahead of pop star, Taylor Swift, 24, with $64 million.

“Beyonce played 95 shows during our scoring period, bringing in an average of $2.4 million per city,” said Forbes, citing data from the Pollstar trade magazine.

The R&B singer’s self-titled album released

last December and endorsement deals pushed her earnings up.

Swift jumped up one spot from last year to number two, while pop singer, Pink, 35, climbed up from number eight in 2013 to third with $52 million.

Barbados-born Rihanna, 26, with $48 million and Katy Perry, 30, who earned an estimated $40 million, rounded out the top five on the annual list.

Madonna, 56, who ranked number one last year, failed to make the top 10 in 2014. Lady Gaga, 28, slumped from number two in 2013 to ninth place this year with estimated earnings of $33 million.

‘I

’m not a businessman; I’m a business, man’ That was Jay Z’s line from his 2005 feature on Kanye Wests ‘Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix). Music mogul, Jay Z, is certainly a businessman as he is constantly expanding his assets. The 44-year-old rapper has reportedly bought over the Armand de Brignac champagne brand popularly known as ‘Ace of Spades’. The golden-bottled champagne, which featured in a 2006 Jay

Z music video, sells for $300 (£188) per bottle and is one of the expensive drinks favoured by the rich and famous.

This new acquisition is the latest addition to his vast business interests outside of his music, which include a clothing line, restaurants and a recording label. According to Forbes magazine, Jay Z is considered the third richest hip-hop artist in the world with an estimated net worth of $520 million.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Page 37

Entertainment

Eku, Ngwekazi to host CHOAMVA14

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igerian and South African TV presenters, Eku Edewor and Siyabonga Ngwekazi, have been announced as the hosts for the upcoming 2014 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards.

The awards, scheduled to hold in Nasrec Expo Centre in Soweto, Johannesburg, will be broadcast live as it is one of the biggest awards for the African music industry. The awards still has categories open to the public for voting. Voting closes on November 23 at midnight.

Lupita covers Glamour Magazine’s Dec issue K

enyan Hollywood actress, Lupita Nyong’o, who has been off the radar for a while, is on the cover of Glamour Magazine’s December 2014 issue. The 31-year old actress, who was basically unknown two years ago, has now become one of the few African Hollywood actresses that the world has their eyes one.

With a spectacular performance in 12 Years a Slave, her first major movie role, Lupita has bagged key roles in two upcoming movies – Jungle Book and Star Trek: Episode VII. Also listed as part of her future project is the film version of the novel, ‘Americanah’ by Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

According to reports, Lupita will take the lead female role and star as Ifemelu, a young Nigerian woman who migrates to America and starts blogging about race in her adopted country. The beautiful actress states that she can’t wait to start working on it. She has teamed up with Brad Pitt and his Plan B Entertainment to make the film version of ‘Americanah.’

Afrobeat Legend, Femi Kuti, signs deal with Chocolate City

A

fter losing two artists this year, Brymo and Jesse Jagz, record label, Chocolate City, is strengthening its team with the signing of an unexpected artist, Femi Kuti.

The record label, founded in 2005 by lawyer/ entrepreneur, Audu Maikori, along with Paul Okeugo and Yahaya Maikori has artistes like M.I, Ice Prince and more signed on to their management platform.

While M.I and Ice Prince are known for their rap game, 52-year-old Femi is known for his afrobeat style that follows the style of his father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, so we are definitely interested in seeing how Chocolate City will be able to merge the two genres.

Wizkid is MTV Base ‘Artist of the Month’

W

izkid has definitely had a good year. In 2014, he released his sophomore album ‘Ayo’, renewed a number of endorsements and revealed his very own record label – Star Boy. He also recently landed an exciting new management deal with Disturbing London that will help raise his profile and expose him to an even broader audience in the UK and Europe.

Still bouncing off the euphoria of his new album, MTV Base has decided to make Wizkid their ‘Artist of the Month’ for November and they will be backing him with a month of programmes dedicated to his fame. Throughout the month of November, programmes on Wizkid will feature on MTV Base, highlights include: A Day In The Life: Wizkid (19:00 CAT, Thursday, November 6) – exclusive footage from Wizkid’s London tour and show, as well

as a host of never before seen footage including his son’s singing!

The Truth: Wizkid (19:00 CAT, Thursday, November 13) – Wiz gets a step closer to his fans as he answers their questions submitted via social media. This is the only show where you will see Wizkid tell The Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but The Truth…. Videography (19:00 CAT, Thursday, November 20) – Take a walk down memory lane with Wizkid’s personal videography as he countdowns five of his biggest videos tilldate.

And, of course, favourite Wizkid hits such as “Show You The Money”, “In My Bed”, “On Top Of Your Matter”, “Caro”, “Bombay”, and a host of other hits will be on high rotation on MTV Base, supported by short programming inserts like “Spotlight”, where they delve into Wiz’s meteoric career, and “Top 5 Tips To Be A Starboy”.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Page 38

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Chairman Malam Wada Maida, Oon, Fnge Director/Editor-in-Chief Rufa’i Ibrahim Managing Editor Abdul-Azeez Abdullahi

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Editor, Daily Hameed Bello

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Head, Lagos Bureau Adesoji Oyinlola

Acting Editor, Weekend Lawal Sabo Ibrahim

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

ISSUES

The Nigerian mindset

By Arnold Obomanu

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ost Nigerians do not believe anyone is seriously working to ensure that they get their fair share of whatever is due to them. This makes most of us believe that we are on our own. This belief, in turn, drives a survival-of-the-fittest, every-man-forhimself mindset, which pervades every activity, dictates the rules of engagement between citizens, and fashions the pattern of everyday life in Nigeria.

This subconscious state or mindset, by guiding the thoughts and actions of the majority of Nigerians, is the brush that paints the picture of Nigeria.

While every Nigerian deeply and dearly yearns for some assurance that someone is looking out for his or her interests, the majority have learnt from experience to equip themselves, as well as they can and protect their interests by themselves. As an observer of the Nigerian condition, once you realise this it is as if the scales are suddenly taken off your eyes and a lot of confusing Nigerian behaviors immediately begin to make sense.

Until you recognise the existence of this mindset, you will struggle to understand what appears to be the irrationality and complexity of Nigerian behavior, and many people have been so baffled as to posit complex theories about the inferiority of the black race.

But what we see is basic human nature at play.

In Martin Meredith’s The Fate of Africa, one Nigerian civil servant describes his experience this way: “You bribe to get your child into school; you pay to secure your job and also continue to pay in some cases to retain it; you pay ten percent of any contract obtained; you dash the tax officer to avoid paying taxes; you pay a hospital doctor or nurse to get proper attention; you pay the policeman to evade arrest. This catalogue of shame can continue without end.”

For instance, as a result of the experiences of that civil servant, he could easily feel justified to demand bribes at his duty post. As a matter of fact, a lot of the people he has encountered in that chain of corruption may have started their activities as a means of ensuring

their own survival or because others are doing it. This mindset tells Nigerians that they must get all they can now because they have no guarantee for the future. It tells them that the patient Nigerian dog will see no bone and that has significant implications for every developing nation because it means that people live for the moment and are discouraged from thinking for the long-term in many areas of life.

This is not helped by the fact that the young observe the treatment of government retirees and see no incentive to think for the long term. Pensions are stolen regularly and retirees are treated callously when

trying to obtain their pittance.

It is the reason being fast and smart is a national virtue while demonstrating trust is the worst social crime a Nigerian can commit. It also explains why a lot of Nigerians demonstrate systematic indiscipline, refusing to form a queue or respect an existing queue but rather spend their time looking for a way to get the better of the system.

Indiscipline is very common and manifests in different ways, which continue to entrench this mindset to observers and participants. People deviate from social mores and standards to favor themselves;

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“

You bribe to get your child into school; you pay to secure your job and also continue to pay in some cases to retain it; you pay ten percent of any contract obtained; you dash the tax officer to avoid paying taxes; you pay a hospital doctor or nurse to get proper attention; you pay the policeman to evade arrest. This catalogue of shame can continue without end.

for example, they urinate anywhere they like and drive against traffic.

Government officials and their escorts terrorize others on the roads with constantly blazing sirens.

People of affluence and power shove their power down the throats of less powerful Nigerians; military and police officers humiliate average Nigerians, make them kneel or crawl on the streets at the slightest offence, beat them, or mete out other dehumanizing treatment that is aimed at putting them in their place in the social order.

One of the behaviors that completely baffles Nigerians and foreigners alike is the way people will often queue dutifully to board a plane at Heathrow in London only to start rushing for their hand luggage as soon as the plane gets into the Nigerian airspace even before the plane taxis to a complete stop. Such behaviors have led to the absurd theory that there is something in the Nigerian weather that gets in people’s heads.

But in the light of our discussion, it is obvious that there is a instinctive awareness by every experienced Nigerian in that plane that they need to get their luggage off the conveyor belt as quickly as possible before the luggage is stolen or the belt breaks down or something worse happens. At the end of the day, it is still a reaction to the mindset that no one will look out for you.

Similarly, at any sign of confrontation a lot of Nigerians ask, “Do you know who I am?” Careful analysis shows that this question shows up when people are worried about not being treated well, because they are not important. This omnipresent question is also a tacit admission that if you are not important or influential in the Nigerian society, you are likely to get a very raw deal in your various dealings.

It is obvious that if you are not a ‘Big Man’—if you are not influential—you will not get served.

Obomanu posted this excerpt from ‘The Survival Mindset: A Systematic Approach to Combating Corruption in Nigeria’ on Sahara Reporters and can be reached on www. arnoldobomanu.com

PAGE 39

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Opinion

Sam Nda-Isaiah: What’s in his big ideas?

By Igboeli Arinze

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n Nigerian politics, the name Sam Nda-Isaiah may never ring a bell, but that largely is to the undiscerning and this lies in the fact that most Nigerians are apolitical and only care for the showoff, the bizarre and the rain makers in politics. It also lies in the fact that our being political is like a river bed which is so wide but ankle deep. I would rather stick with the letter, since we are a people who tend to prefer lesser than the substantial.

It is a reflection of our politics, it stares us in the face with stark realism, when our politicians debate on issues, what you hear will be sickening; no agenda, no doctrines. We just have rolling stone politicians who gather no moss in and out of offices, they rather acquire wives and concubines, property at home and abroad, while the situation becomes worse off than how they met it!

Still, to hold the notion that Sam Nda-Isaiah is unknown in the politics of Nigeria would be a grave error. This notion is defeated with the fact that he

has been a columnist and journalist for years now, a publisher and also an astute businessman, who for most of his writing years has sided with Nigerians and what they yearn for good governance, probity, patriotism, development etc.

In addition is the fact that he was also spokesperson for the BuhariOkadigbo Campaign Organisation where he marshaled out brilliant media strategies that naturally cowed the PDP’s media blitz which had more respectable journalists and more cash to throw around. But despite this, the ANPP media team led by Nda-Isaiah perfectly sold Buhari to Nigerians, who in turn, did vote for Buhari. Nigerians will however not forget the electoral heist of that same year.

Now, one of the biggest problems of Nigerian leadership is that we have been foisted with leaders who had nothing to do with leadership and never wanted to have anything to do with it. Examples abound, in 1960, the British foisted Ahmadu Bello on us. He in turn preferred to govern the northern region, while his lackey

in Balewa was assigned the role of governing Nigeria by proxy. Again, in 1979, Shagari wanted to answer the name senator but some powers that be felt that his docile nature would allow them an unfettered access to the nation’s treasury and so he got upped to run for the office of the presidency against more experienced aspirants like Maitama Sule and Joseph Tarka.

In 1998, Obasanjo was a high level prisoner of the Abacha junta, and then came the death of Abacha and the emergence of General Abdulsalami Abubakar. In a few days, Obasanjo was released and did not at the slightest opportunity ever hint at the fact that he would be returning to the highest office in the land. At a point, he even snapped when asked by journalists to confirm whether the rumours making the rounds then about his possible return to Aso Rock was true. Obasanjo was reported to have retorted ‘How many presidents will you make out of me?’

Thus heaven suffered immensely from these PBAs (Prime Ministers or Presidents By Accident). Nigeria at this point in time surely needs a leader

that is prepared to lead the way to the promised land, a leader determined to push Nigeria from poverty to prosperity, and a shared one for that matter.

What Nigeria needs is a man with the ideas of how to govern, working with the paradigm best suited for a nation keen on making great progress within the comity of nations. That man is Mr. Sam Nda Isaiah. A cursory look at any candidate that appears to be worth his salt is the value of his ideas; how tested are these ideas? And have they worked?

So, where the likes of Jonathan and co are basing their candidatures on religion, ethnicity and zoning, Nda-Isaiah has based his on the fight against corruption, security, quality of education and its access, on growing Nigerian businesses and promoting entrepreneurship, infrastructure, agriculture and food security, on the respect for human rights and a flourishing democracy. These are ideas which have worked for other nations in the past, and can work for us too.

Igboeli posted this piece on Ekekeee.com

The Abia political Almajiris Okon Uduma

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have followed very carefully the political developments in Abia State since the rift between former Governor Orji Kalu and his successor was blown open. I have also kept tabs on the numerous articles written on the sordid state of affairs in God’s Own State. But, there is something very dangerous happening which many commentators have failed to address and that is the gradual emergence of a new class of poor and impoverished people, whom I call the Abia political Almajiris. I do not think there is a more apt word to describe this class of people whose level of poverty and penury is frightening. Surprisingly, many of them are found in the corridors of power running errands.

These people once bestrode the political firmament like colossuses during the regime of Orji Kalu. At the end of his administration, they still desired to remain relevant in the new dispensation. So, they threw caution to the dogs, got dressed in the garb of wolves in sheep’s clothing and plied their trade ignominiously. Their major tool was character-assassination and sycophancy. They started singing and dancing to the staccato of sounds oozing out of Ochendo’s musical armchair.

Pronto they went to the governor and his family to pay homage and run down Orji Kalu and others whom they saw as a threat to their evil plot to destroy the strong foundation the former governor laid. In order to give them some relevance and make them open up the more, they were given

the compensatory posts of special assistants to the governor. Like hungry wolves, that they are, they pounced on the offer.

They did not stop at running down their former master, they took their game plan to another level: fighting to devour one another in their desperation and unquenchable greed to be noticed by the governor. But unknown to them, the governor has never trusted them, because he knows them very well, having worked with them when he served as Chief of Staff to Orji Kalu.

I have always wondered how on earth this bunch of charlatans and political demagogues think the governor would ever be impressed with their puerile antics. The governor knows quite well that their mission is self-centred and opportunistic and, therefore, has dined with them with long spoons and knives. From the feelers I gathered, these desperadoes are not always allowed access to the governor’s abode. The governor is also aware that he is riding the tiger’s back and might end up in its belly if he does not play safely. And so, both parties have continued to psyche each other up, applying all the ploys in their tricks-bag.

I find myself in a dilemma whether to empathize with them or mock them in their present austere and lamentable state. But I prefer to deride them since the path of infamy they have chosen to tread was entirely their personal decision. Nonetheless, the state of affairs around them is quite worrisome and pitiful. I was almost moved to tears when I saw one of these political almajiris

riding on an ‘okada’ (motorcycle) recently, coupled with the fact that one of his sons he sent abroad during the hey days of Orji Kalu as governor had been sent packing by his institution for inability to pay school fees. Things are so bad that they can hardly afford any luxury usually associated with them some seven years ago.

The magnanimity of Orji Kalu to them while in office as governor is unforgettable. At their quiet times, they would be asking questions how they got to where they are. For me, their impoverishment stems from the law of karma, which awaits every evil-doer.

How could they have gone scot-free having sold out and done unimaginable things for crumbs from the master’s table?

Another shocking fact is that some of these men and women come from Igbere – the same ancestral home as Orji Kalu. He took them in and rehabilitated them when it mattered most. All they could give him in return as a token of their appreciation is betrayal. I feel disgusted whenever I listen to them speak abominable words against their brother. Shockingly, the Ezes and other highly-placed people in that community have failed to rise up to the occasion and call them to order.

Their despicable activities during the senatorial election in Abia North in 2011 (in which their brother Orji Kalu was a candidate) cannot be forgotten in a jiffy. They ganged up with his detractors to brazenly rig the election in favour of another candidate.

Among the political Almajiris also are questionable characters who were summarily dismissed for various cases

of misdemeanour and fraud during the Orji Kalu’s tenure. Today, some of them hold important positions in the present administration. The only qualification they have brought on board is notoriety and baseness. They think by insulting people, they will earn prominence and relevance.

Abia State is passing through difficult times. If those in the corridors of power could look wretched and hungry, then what becomes of we the masses? There is hardly any political office holder in Abia State that can afford a decent holiday abroad. Many of them who used to travel abroad cannot even afford an economy flight ticket to Lagos. Their poverty is manifest and baffles many of their admirers. The situation is made worse by the five-month salary arrears owed civil servants in the state. So, from whom comes their redemption?

Now that elections are fast approaching, these political turncoats are warming up for what they know how to do best: rig election. However, I am sorry for whoever allows himself to be used as a pawn in the chessboard this time round. I advise them in their own interest not to make themselves available to be used negatively. They should resist the temptation of serving as ballot box snatchers and result manipulators.

Anybody who fails to change will end up like the grasshopper, which was completely burned when it had thought that the oil dripping from its body was a sign of wellness.

Uduma posted this article on Ekekeee.com

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Comment

2015: Why Abuja natives support Jonathan, Bala

By Ray Edmund Oche ‘’Nobody has ever been honoured for what he received; honour has always been the reward for what he gave’’---Calvin Coolidge

A

s the battle for the 2015 general elections gather momentum, candidates with verifiable proofs of performance are receiving endorsements from different segments of the society. And President Goodluck Jonathan and his faithful ally, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed were not left out of such endorsements.

Aside from the uncountable endorsements the president has received from all over the country, the icing on the cake of them all is the recent one from Abuja natives.

The latest of this endorsement for President Jonathan and Sen. Mohammed was recently given by HRH, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, Chairman, FCT Council of Chiefs on behalf of FCT Chiefs and Indigenes at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Wednesday, October 29.

At the occasion, Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo described the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed as an action Minister who has done so much to fast-track the development of the Federal Capital Territory.

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Adamu Muazu, who was also at the occasion, said considering the endorsement of the minister by the FCT Traditional Council, he (Bala) may as well be the first Mayor of Abuja.

Yunusa, who led a high-powered delegation of traditional rulers in FCT and indigenes, described President Jonathan as a listening leader, stressing that his administration has done a lot in tackling challenges of general insecurity, terrorism

By Ogundana Michael

I

n 2012 after the sudden increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called Petrol, and the reprisal protest organized by some concerned Nigerians, I wrote an article titled: “Nigerians, Peaceful or Cowardly?”

In that article, I said the fact that most Nigerians do not fight for their rights does not make them peaceful but that most are just cowardly to demand for justice.

I have written, read so many articles and heard so many speeches complaining about government`s wickedness, cluelessness, selfishness, greed, and also about the high level of corruption of our leaders and lack of care towards the masses. However, you will agree with me that there are few articles that have talked about the citizens’ cowardice as one of the banes of the country`s development.

Of course, if the removal of fuel subsidy in 2012 was the right thing to do, it was never the right thing to astronomically increase the price of fuel to over 110 percent from ₦67 to ₦141. How on earth did the government expect the people to cope with that?

Believe me, if the few that were bold enough had kept quiet about the increment and didn’t protest against it, the fuel price would have remained the same and the truth is, it wouldn’t have alleviated the poverty of the people, neither would it have made our economy better nor reduced the corruption in the land. The poor would have suffered the pains alone.

Surprisingly, while the occupy Nigeria protest was alive and active in Lagos, two days later I traveled to Umuahia in Abia State, a large group of people allegedly sponsored by the state governor, Theodore

and the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The PDP national chairman had said that he wished the minister would go back to Bauchi State to replicate all the good works he has been doing in the Federal Capital Territory.

From whatever angle one looks at this seemingly long-overdue endorsement, the support of the Abuja natives for Mr. President and the minister did not happen just for the fun of it; it was premised on an inter-play of several factors, the most outstanding of which is the generally acknowledged superlative performances of both the President at the national level and that of his protégé, Bala in the FCT. While acknowledging the able leadership of the FCT minister and the support the President has been giving to the FCT Administration, FCT Council of Chiefs further attested to the fact that a lot has been achieved in the last four and half years in terms of provision of infrastructural facilities, especially roads and bridges

“

construction and above all, the land swap programme, which they described as a sound policy for accelerated opening up of more districts in FCT while addressing the issue of resettlement and compensation of the indigenes at the same time.

They appealed to the President for greater funding of the Resettlement and Compensation programme as a way of giving a sense of belonging to the original inhabitants of FCT, and putting them in proper stead to contribute their quota to national development, just as they also canvassed for the provision of amenities for places like Garki Village, Utako Village, Jabi Village and Guzape where the indigenes are still living in squalor.

Come to think of it, of all the groups that have performed political pilgrimages to the Villa, in a manner of speaking, to urge the president to re-contest the 2015 presidential election, this last one from the FCT Council of Chiefs and natives of the territory towers above the rest in terms of its epochal

From whatever angle one looks at this seemingly long-overdue endorsement, the support of the Abuja natives for Mr. President and the minister did not happen just for the fun of it; it was premised on an inter-play of several factors, the most outstanding of which is the generally acknowledged superlative performances of both the President at the national level and that of his protégé, Bala in the FCT.

significance on account of the minister’s verifiable scorecard, which they used as a handmaiden to justify the visit and support for both the president and the minister.

It is now boldly clear that the FCT natives, just like other segments of the Nigerian society, are abreast with Jonathan and Bala’s dynamism, which can be largely gleaned from their proactive nature in handling official assignments.

This dynamism is driven by their sociopsychological experience that man, no matter his background, cultural milieu and even views on issues, is the epicenter of economic, social and even political development. This ideology, according to those at the penumbra of the Jonathan administration, has defined the entire essence of the administrations of these two great personalities and has also reflected in their relationship with their followers.

Another noteworthy attribute of these men that won them the plaudits of the FCT natives is their resilience in surviving in Nigeria’s shark-infested political waters against all odds. Several times in the past, their presumed obsequies have been written after some major setbacks and each time, they have resiliently fought back all the way to the top. They have barreled through their opponents with single-minded determination and yet have maintained their humility and dignity, and stayed true to their nationalistic selves, wearing it like badges of honour. It is these trademarks of quintessential leadership in Jonathan and Bala that informed the decision of FCT natives to throw their weight behind the duo ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Ochela, fmr Newspaper Editor and now media consultant is based in Abuja and can be reached via 07035109174.

Let’s talk about our cowardice Orji, were gathered in front of the stadium, thanking the presidency for removing the subsidy with all sorts of inscriptions on their placards. I witnessed this live!

What would you call that, if not an act of cowardice? Cowardice isn`t only not being courageous enough to address issues, but extends to knowing the truth but choosing to defend lies.

The bad news is, most often, when the dauntless few confront the atrocities and carelessness of our leaders, the cowardly majority kick against it even before the government does.

It is that same cowardice of the majority that will not allow the courage of the few to yield good results. It is cowardice that will make a people keep quiet when they are supposed to speak out and demand for good governance!

The people really need to do more; we really have to keep our leaders on check.

“

Parts of our social responsibilities as citizens are; to protect our nation, to keep an eye on the government, to protest when and where necessary, to criticize when and where necessary, to condemn when and where necessary and not to fold our hands and pretend that all is well when nothing is well.

You will agree with me that, one of the banes of the #BringBackOurGirls group is the cowardice of the majority attacking the courage of the few campaigners.

It takes the courage of these few to keep the #BringBackOurGirls campaigns alive. Despite the humiliations, threats, embarrassments and all sorts of names calling, courageously they keep demanding for justice on behalf of the abducted girls.

Even if the government’s actions do not portray it to be doing enough about granting their demands, one thing is sure, their requests remain a torn on its flesh. That is what courage can do! And the truth is, the

If only we would unanimously speak out against the acts of wickedness perpetrated by our leaders, Nigeria would be a better place. The government has nothing to lose, so they may decide not to continue with their wickedness, but the very day the masses decide to do away with their cowardice, they would get justice, good and caring leadersnot those that will place their own interest above national interest and consequently, we all would enjoy good governance.

nation would have moved on, we would have forgotten about these girls if the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners were not active. Apart from the Chibok girls, other people have been abducted and forgotten because no one courageously demanded for their release.

If prudent, Nigeria can easily provide for a population two times as great as it is. So there are no excuses for the abject poverty in the land, there are no excuses for the high level of unemployment among its youths, there are no reasons why the people should go to bed with hunger. Our leaders also confirm that we are rich but why are the people impoverished?

If only we would unanimously speak out against the acts of wickedness perpetrated by our leaders, Nigeria would be a better place. The government has nothing to lose, so they may decide not to continue with their wickedness, but the very day the masses decide to do away with their cowardice, they would get justice, good and caring leadersnot those that will place their own interest above national interest and consequently, we all would enjoy good governance.

Finally, in the words of Jim Butcher, “If you go to your death rather than do everything you might to prevent what is happening, you are merely committing suicide and trying to make yourself feel better about it. That is the act of a coward. It is beneath contempt”.

God Bless Nigeria!

Ogundana posted this piece on Ekekeee.com and can be reached on @MickeySunny on Twitter

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 41

Online Comments Jonathan plots to impose Ihedioha as Speaker – APC Moses Ola-Olu Famuyiwa says: Jonathan, listen to my advice, even if you were too young during the first republic, you must have heard about what brought the republic to an abrupt end. Now, your present actions are worse than what happened during the first republic. It seems you are using your tail to light the fire, and you cannot survive it if the problems come, even those that surround you, including the military officers that you rely on will not survive it. Better think about your senseless actions and retrace your steps. If you like take the advice, and if not ignore it.

Dan Duku says: It is his right Ethelbert Anthony says: He was elected speaker by the PDP when they became majority in the House. Now he is no longer a member of the PDP. What platform is he going to retain the position as a speaker? He should provide his own security and heaven will not fall.

Is SEC under Oteh rising or falling?

Ese Otaks says: This is quite impressive and it brings to mind the extent the House of Reprentatives under Tambuwal went in trying to get rid of Oteh. They even passed resolutions forbidding the president from allocating funds to SEC until she is sacked. When the president did not budge they then threatened to impeach him. This is the Tambuwal that is seeing himself as a potential leader of Nigeria.

And what was the case against Oteh?

She refused to yield to cheap blackmail of the greedy, unpatriotic, self serving and looting House members.

I salute the courage of this woman of substance, her tenacity and leadership of SEC.

Why we need zebra crossing

Yakubu Abdullahi U says: Indeed our road users need to be educated about the signs and cautions on/ by the road… Wise thoughts!

Defection: PDP can’t remove Tambuwal – Jagaba

TUNGA JOSHUA says: Jagaba you have demonstrated the sense of a truthful leader.

Jonathan finally picks PDP presidential nomination form

Moses Ola-Olu Famuyiwa says: Jonathan, your advisers are planning for you to dance nicked at the market place, they know that you are power drunk. They

are saying to you continuing dancing, we are looking or taking care of your back, now they want you to dance naked to the market before you fall into the trap that they have set for you.

Boko Haram takes over Defence Chief’s residence

Moses Ola-Olu Famuyiwa says: Nigerians can now see that we are governed by corrupt and senseless leaders, the military has now confirmed how strong the Boko Haram sect is after taking over the military barracks with sophisticated weapons, we have to prepare to flee or abide with Boko-Haram’s orders. Jonathan is busy with his re-election, while the country he is presiding over is burning. May be he likes to be the president of the dead.

Tambuwal: Jonathan meets PDP leadership, govs

Moses Ola-Olu Famuyiwa says: Jonathan and his cabal party members may plant some Judas into the APC to cause serious problems, so, the APC should be careful.

Again, Boko Haram sacks Mubi, seizes Army barracks

Jj says: Which on top of the situation when they have already been overrun. Useless talk.

I’m inspired by my childhood experience to work for teens – Idika-Chima

Charity Adazion says: Nice work but more specification will boost the production. Well done

Emmanuel Acha says: My sister you are doing a great work!

Keep it up. I am proud of you.

Ceasefire with Boko Haram, a disgrace to military – Rtd army officer

Thomas Ayan says: We should all know that only pepper soup officers are left in the military. What a disgrace. Where are the likes of Generals Shuwa, Adekunle, Ojukwu Hassan Katsina etc of blessed memories.

We’ll resist any attempt to derail democracy, says NSA

Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal

Hon. Emeka Ohedioha

President Goodluck Jonathan

Does it mean that the northern political leaders are insensitive to the plight of their people? Is it that political posts are worth more than the lives of their people? Most

past leaders are of northern origin yet the lives of their people – educational, etc… are underdeveloped. When will a messiah arise to save the northerners from their elders and leaders? The lives of these people are daily being wasted while the defense chief and the NSA are northerners yet no solution to the Boko Haram menace? Stop blaming Jonathan and fix this problem please.

Rochas Okorocha joins APC presidential race

Okoli Ndubuisi says: I support APC, I support Okorocha and I am ready to mobilize for him. I am an officer but I am ready for any politician that will support me.

Isaac says: APC for life; politicians support me for mobilization.

Senator Chris says: APC, if your followers like Okorocha, Buhari etc have good prospects for Nigeria and dubious minds, despite their failure come 2015, they should have helped in some ways and not fighting our best president since 1960. They should all remember that the presidential seat is meant for 160 million Nigerians. .APC should let sleeping dogs lie.

Up PDP! Up Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. till 2019.

Blessed-Osbert says: I am fed up with the clueless tactics in governance. Ineptitude in routing out BH, high cost of living, low ranking university education, power failure despite cut throat bills, high level of money laundering, massive poverty and hunger, corruption etc. Let God give us a leader that can take us out of the woods. It doesn’t matter party affiliation.

the German trade show specialist, fairtrade from Heidelberg!

Court halts plot to reconvene House

Moses Ola-Olu Famuyiwa says: Most of PDP executives and their president, Jonathan, were cultists in their university days and that is why they behave like uneducated people.

We’ll resist illegality, APC Reps vow

Moses Ola-Olu Famuyiwa says: There is fire on the mountain, PDP run, run, run. Jonathan is planning to cause problems in the House of Reps, as he did with the Governors Forum. If he causes chaos it will consume him, as well as his surrogates in the House. Softly, softly, Jonathan the ground is slippry.

Lagos 2015: Ambode declares today

Ola Jide says: We want Akinwumi Ambode as our next governor in Lagos State.

An oba’s confessional

Eniyan Olorun says: This is the case of a kettle calling the pot black. The Commissioner of Police is mischievous. Let him swear if he never takes bribe as a police officer. Stupid man!

AFCON 2015 qualification: Keshi expresses optimism

Peter Arunsi Kalu says: When the ovation is high you bow out; that was my expectation for Keshi to avoid disgrace. However, there is still time to maintain his glory.

EU holds 1st international trade fair in Nigeria next year

Dominik Rzepka says: Thank you very much for reporting about our international trade show agrofood Nigeria to be held in April 2015.

Unfortunately, there is a misunderstanding.

This event is not organised by the EU! The EU is just supporting it, it is organised by

Gov. Rochas Okorocha

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 42

Interview

Gov Yero has done well, says Sen Usman

Esther Nenadi Usman, who represents Kaduna South in the Senate, believes Governor Ramalan Yero that is completing the tenure of late Patrick Yakowa, has done enough to justify being given the chance to stand election in his own capacity. She wants to return to the Senate in 2015 but says that her fate will be determined by the people of her district. She spoke with Assistant Editor, Patrick Andrew, on these and other issues.

T

he security situation in Kaduna South Senatorial District is deteriorating on a daily basis, as the Senator representing the area, what have you done to address the issue?

It is not true that security situation is deteriorating daily in Kaduna South. As at today that I am speaking with you, what has happened? What had happened yesterday?

What have you heard now?

So rather than using the media to hype non-existing tension and suggesting that Kaduna South is a war zone, the effort of government should be supported to ensure that a peaceful atmosphere prevails always. So, it is not true that Kaduna South is witnessing increased violence now.

Secondly, the state government is sensitizing the people on the security situation. The government wants people to know that security is everybody’s business. In this regard, I am also doing the same.

As a legislator, I spoke on the floor of the Senate on the issue of internally displaced persons and I made several suggestions how they could be catered for. Relatively, there is peace in Southern Kaduna and that should be sustained through media support.

But it seems some are hellbent on creating tension and insisting that neither you nor the leadership of the state are doing enough to ensure that peace reigns, what is your reaction?

That may be so, but my advice is that we should all work together in the interest of Kaduna state and people, be tolerant of one another because it is only when there is a peaceful atmosphere that development can be

Gov. Yero

achieved.

We cannot all be one and the same tribe neither can all of us be of the same religious faith. God has created us to live together in this place called Nigeria and we must all live in peace with one another.

The Senate Joint Committees earmarked N20 million for the internally displaced persons, but some persons felt that the amount is inadequate, a far cry from what many think is actually needed to meet the basic needs of the internally displaced persons?

Yes, the Senate has just decided to appropriate a token, just a token. I am sure you know that the senate cannot undertake the responsibility of catering for all refugees and the internally displaced peoples. That is just the truth.

What the Senate did was

Sen. Usman

just to show commitment that these people need help and that they should be helped.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with that.

There is a saying in Hausa that it is not the size of the gift, but the good intention behind the gift that matters.

What the senate did was symbolic: calling on the international community, the Federal Government and the state governments to consider and actually assist

“

the internally displaced persons.

Why it is a good gesture many would rather a better approach be adopted to tackle the problem because the gesture many not actually get to the needy persons?

Honestly speaking, I am not an expert in this area.

Money was contributed during the flood disaster and it did not get to the victims.

That’s unfortunate and it shouldn’t be so. I don’t know

why it did not get to the actual persons. Anyway, you may wish to advise us in this direction.

You recently declared your support for Governor Ramalan Yero to continue in 2015.

Is that the position of Kaduna South Senatorial District?

Yes. That is the position of the majority of Southern Kaduna Senatorial District.

Though there are some dissenting voices because you can’t expect 100 percent support, the majority though feel that he should continue.

Even Jesus Christ, despite all he did, it was not everybody that supported or liked him.

Some people still went ahead to crucify him.

We are in a democracy and it’s a game of numbers. Once the majority is with you then you are comfortable. Anybody can make noise, gather some people behind them, but in the finally analysis it is what the majority say, who they support, that matters.

Many have expressed their interest in 2015, knowing that you have represented your senatorial district well in the last three years, what’s your ambition?

Well, I don’t have any other political ambition other than returning to the senate in 2015. But like I said it is the people that decide. That’s all.

We are in a democracy and it’s a game of numbers. Once the majority is with you then you are comfortable.

Anybody can make noise, gather some people behind them, but in the finally analysis it is what the majority say, who they support, that matters.

PAGE 43

Biographies

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

President, Military Leader

Idi Amin (1925–2003)

Idi Amin

I

di Amin was a Ugandan president best known for his brutal regime and crimes against humanity while in power from 1971-1979.

Idi Amin was a Ugandan president born circa 1925 in Kokobo, West Nile Province, Uganda. He rose within the military from the 1940s through 1970. Amin overthrew the current leader in 1971 and declared himself president, and he remained in power from 1971-1979. During his tenure, he lived a lavish lifestyle while contributing to the collapse of Uganda’s economy. He sought to stay in power at all costs,

“

resulting in extensive human rights violations via mass killings.

Overthrown in 1979, he fled first to Libya and then to Saudi Arabia, where he died on August 16, 2003.

Idi Amin was a member of the small Kakwa ethnic group of northwestern Uganda. His birthdate is unconfirmed, but estimated to have been in 1925.

His mother, an herbalist and diviner, raised him after his father deserted the family. Amin had little formal education before joining the King’s African Rifles of the British colonial army in 1946 as an assistant cook.

Extremely charismatic

and skilled, Amin quickly rose through the ranks. His stature was rather notable. He stood 6 feet, 4 inches tall and was a Ugandan light-heavyweight boxing champion from 1951 to 1960, as well as a swimmer. He soon became notorious among fellow soldiers for his overzealous and cruel military interrogations.

Eventually he made the highest rank possible for a black African serving in the British army. From 1952 until 1956, he served in the British action against the Mau Mau revolt in Kenya.

Before Uganda’s independence in 1962, Amin became closely

associated with the new nation’s prime minister and president, Milton Obote.

The two men worked to smuggle gold, coffee and ivory out of Congo, but conflicts soon arose between them, and on January 25, 1971, while Obote was attending a meeting in Singapore, Amin staged a successful military coup.

Amin became president and chief of the armed forces in 1971, field marshal in 1975 and life president in 1976.

Amin began his rule with popular actions, including freeing several political prisoners.

Simultaneously, however, he sent out “killer squads” to hunt down and murder Obote’s supporters, predominantly those from the Acholi and Lango ethnic groups, military personnel and civilians.

His victims soon came to include people from every order and rank, including journalists, lawyers, homosexuals, students and senior bureaucrats. He expelled all Asians from Uganda in 1972, an action that led to the breakdown of his country’s economy.

Amin became known as the “Butcher of Uganda” for his brutality. It is believed that some 300,000 people were killed during his presidency. In July 1976 he was personally involved in the hijacking of a French airliner to Entebbe.

In October 1978 Amin ordered an attack on Tanzania. Aided by Ugandan nationalists, Tanzanian troops eventually overpowered the Ugandan army. As the Tanzanian-led forces neared Kampala, Uganda’s capital, on April 13, 1979, Amin fled the city.

Escaping first to Libya, he finally settled in Saudi Arabia.

On August 16, 2003, Idi Amin died in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The cause of death was reported to be multiple organ failure. Although the Ugandan government announced that his body could be buried in Uganda, he was quickly buried in Saudi Arabia. He was never tried for gross abuse of human rights.

Source: biography.com

Sometimes people mistake the way I talk for what I am thinking. I never had any formal education -not even nursery school certificate.

But, sometimes I know more than Ph.D.’s because as a military man I know how to act, I am a man of action.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 44

Archive

A short history of the world’s most powerful beards

W

hen it comes to facial hair, there are few more passionate advocates

than Phil Olsen.

As the “founder and selfappointed captain” of Beard Team USA, he was responsible for bringing the sport of competitive bearding to the United States in 2003.

Since then, things have, well, grown.

“It really is quite amazing,” Olsen said from his home in California. “Interest in bearding worldwide has taken off.

“You see more and more facial hair everywhere you look, and every time, it feels like a little victory for me. Men are finally liberating themselves.”

The weird world of ‘competitive bearding’ Olsen is one of the “bearders” behind the World Beard and Mustache Championships, which took place in Portland, Oregon, this weekend. Hundreds competed in categories including “full beard natural,” “full beard styled mustache,” “imperial” and “freestyle.” World’s most frustrating objects bearding worldwide has taken off.

Phil Olsen, Beard Team USA founder “Men are competitive. It’s in our very nature,” Olsen said this month. “So why shouldn’t we compete over our beards? It is our uniquely masculine quality, the one thing we can do that most women can’t.”

The scale of this event is emblematic of the huge resurgence in beard cultivation over recent years.

For Olsen -- who himself sports a 12-inch sculpted Wookiee of a thing -- this burgeoning masculine hairiness is driven by sexual politics.

“For centuries, men have been pressured by women to scrape their faces daily so that they would look more like women,” he says.

“Finally, we have come around to realizing that we should express our masculinity in the natural way, by growing a beard.”

So how does he feel about men who shave?

“I don’t despise the cleanshaven,” he said magnanimously.

“I just feel sorry for them, because they’re not experiencing the majesty of realizing one’s full masculine potential.

“As for the stubble people, they still have to go through the almost daily humiliation of keeping it at stubble length. But at least they’ve taken the first step and are not completely emasculating themselves.”

The World Beard and Moustache Championships were held in Portland, Oregon.

The beard as social statement This militant pogonophilia may seem rather extreme.

But according to Allan Peterkin, the Toronto-based author of “One Thousand Beards: A Cultural History of Facial Hair,” the beard has always been a powerful, and often controversial, social symbol.

What we can learn from the tattoos of our ancestors “It’s only recently that men had a choice about their facial hair,” he said. “In the Victorian period, certain beards or sideburns were the badge of a gentleman or maybe a sportsman. It was a known quantity.”

In earlier periods, the climate was even more severe. Alexander the Great banned the beard so that it would not be grabbed in combat; several rulers, including King Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Peter the Great, enforced a “beard tax,” making it a rigid indicator of affluence and social status (in early 18th-century Russia, bearded men had to carry a “beard token” to prove they had paid up).

“Traditionally, men have taken their grooming cues from authority figures, such as the king, politicians or clergymen,” Peterkin said. “We were told by authority figures what it is to be a man, what that should look like.

“There were lots of arbitrary declarations about facial hair, saying it is sinful, or virtuous or

whatever.

“It was always for reasons of control. Men wore their allegiance, and an indication of their class, on their faces.”

In many parts of the world, this is still the case. The beard is of vital importance in most Islamic societies, for example, and in Turkey, the size and twirl of a mustache shows one’s political affiliations.

“Oscar Wilde was cleanshaven when all his contemporaries had a big Victorian beard,” Peterkin said. “Just by doing the opposite, you make a statement.

These days, having a beard is a bit rebellious because it departs from convention.”

In the postwar period, the military requirement to shave denoted respectability. Then came the Beatniks and the Hippies and the Freddy Mercury mustache of the ‘70s, followed by ‘80s designer stubble and the ‘90s grunge-style goatee.

“Then all hell broke loose,” Peterkin said. “In this postmodern period, anything goes, from trim professional beards to hipster madness.

“Men in the West are freer to do whatever they want and keep their jobs, which was just not the case for our fathers and grandfathers. We can express ourselves in all kinds of ways and grow our facial hair in more ways than ever before.”

These days, many men grow a

beard to reflect transition in their lives, such as a change of career or divorce.

Al Gore, for instance, grew a beard after he lost the presidential election in 2000. By doing this he was changing his public face, demonstrating that he was becoming an academic where beards are welcome.

How does a beard change how you are perceived?

But despite the increasingly hirsute-tolerant atmosphere, studies have demonstrated that having a beard dramatically alters how you are perceived -- and not necessarily for the better.

It has been argued that a bearded man appears more confident of his strength (since a “grabbable” beard is a disadvantage in a fight) and immune system (PDF) (since a beard can encourage parasites, bed bugs and sand fleas). He is also perceived to have a higher social status.

A number of studies, however, have suggested that a beard makes a man appear more masculine and aggressive; older; and, generally speaking, less attractive to women.

“Wearing a beard is a bold statement, even today,” Peterkin said. “That’s why it evokes so much emotion. And it is why you so rarely see a politician or a banker with a beard. They can’t afford to alienate a sizable portion of the population.”

Olsen strenuously disagrees.

“I’m a lawyer,” he said, “and I’ve never had a negative comment about my beard, not from any client, judge or opposing counsel.

“It has not been a hindrance but an asset at work. It’s a distinction, something that helps people remember me.

“It demonstrates someone who is willing to be an individual, to stick his neck out, to take a risk, to be bold. In many professions, that should increase one’s esteem within the community.”

Have we reached ‘peak beard’?

Where now for the beard?

Peterkin believes that the nature of fashion is such that every peak will be followed by a trough, and we shall soon see a decline in the level of enthusiasm for facial hair.

Olsen, however, thinks the revolution is only beginning.

“People need to realize that not all beards are created equal,” he said. “There is a beard to suit every face. They can be groomed, they can be cleaned, and they can be tamed.

“As soon as people start to realize that having a beard isn’t the same as not brushing your teeth or taking a shower and that there’s something for everybody, the sky’s the limit.

“Men need to break free.

I would like to see the beard championships grow and eventually become on a par with the Olympics.”

Source: CNN.com

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Page 45

Digest

Ten easy steps to happier living

By Mark Williamson

T

ake control of your own wellbeing with these ‘10 keys to happier living’.

Think positively, look after your body, help others …

We’re constantly bombarded with messages about what makes for a good life. Advertisers tell us it comes from owning and consuming their products. The media associate it with wealth, beauty or fame. And politicians claim that nothing matters more than growing the economy. But do any of these things really bring lasting happiness?

For thousands of years, people have looked to philosophy, religion and grandmotherly wisdom for answers to such questions.

But in recent decades this ancient wisdom has been tested by scientific research.

Scientists have found that although our genes and circumstances matter, a huge proportion of the variations in happiness between us come from our choices and activities. So although we may not be able to change our inherited characteristics or the circumstances in which we find ourselves, we still have the power to change how happy we are – by the way we approach our lives.

Action for Happiness has identified 10 keys to happier living, based on an extensive review of the latest research about what really helps people flourish. These are not “10 commandments”, because each of us is unique and what works for one of us may not for someone else. They are simply 10 areas that tend to make a big difference to people’s happiness - and crucially they are all areas that are within our control.

1. Do things for others Caring about others is fundamental to our happiness. Helping other people is not only good for them; it’s good for us too. It makes us happier and can help to improve our health. Giving also creates stronger connections between people and helps to build a happier society for everyone. It’s not all about money - we can also give our time, ideas and energy.

So if you want to feel good, do good.

Action ideas • Do three extra acts of kindness today. Offer to help, give away your change, pay a compliment, or make someone smile.

• Reach out to help someone who’s struggling. Give them a call or offer your support. Let them know you care.

2. Connect with people Our relationships with other people are the most important thing for our happiness. People with strong relationships are happier, healthier and live longer.

Our close relationships with family and friends provide love, meaning, support and increase our feelings of self-worth. Our broader social networks bring a sense of belonging. So it’s vital that we take action to strengthen

Caring for someone else can boost your happiness. our relationships and make new connections.

Action ideas • Make more time for the people who matter. Chat with a loved one or friend, call your parents or play with the kids.

• Make three extra connections today. Stop to chat in the shop, wave at a neighbour, learn the name of someone new.

3. Take care of your body Our body and mind are connected. Being active makes us happier as well as healthier. It instantly improves our mood and can even lift us out of depression.

We don’t all have to run marathons - there are simple things we can do to be more active each day.

We can also boost our wellbeing by spending time outdoors, eating healthily, unplugging from technology and getting enough sleep.

Action ideas • Be more active today.

Get off the bus a stop early, take the stairs, turn off the TV, go for a walk – anything that gets you moving.

• Eat nutritious food, drink more water, catch up on sleep. Notice which healthy actions lift your mood and do more of them.

4. Notice the world around you Have you ever felt there must be more to life? Good news – there is. And it’s right here in front of us. We just need to stop and take notice. Learning to be more mindful and aware does wonders for our wellbeing, whether it’s on our walk to work, in the way we eat or in our relationships. It helps us get in tune with our feelings and stops us dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

Action ideas • Give yourself a bit of head space. At least once a day,

stop and take five minutes to just breathe and be in the moment.

• Notice and appreciate good things around you every day, big or small. Trees, birdsong, the smell of coffee, laughter perhaps?

5. Keep learning Learning affects our wellbeing in lots of positive ways. It exposes us to new ideas and helps us stay curious and engaged. It also gives us a sense of accomplishment and helps boost our self-confidence and resilience. There are many ways to learn new things throughout our lives, not just through formal qualifications. We can share a skill with friends, join a club, learn to sing, play a new sport and so much more.

Action ideas • Do something for the first time today. Sample sushi, try a new route, read a different newspaper or visit a local place of interest.

• Learn a new skill, however small. A first aid technique or a new feature on your phone, perhaps. Cook a new meal or use a new word.

6. Have goals to look forward to Feeling good about the future is really important for our happiness. We all need goals to motivate us and these have to be challenging enough to excite us, but also achievable. If we try to attempt the impossible, this creates unnecessary stress.

Choosing meaningful but realistic goals gives our lives direction and brings a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when we achieve them.

Action ideas • Take the first step. Think of a goal you’re aiming for and do one thing to get started. Make a call, fill in that form, tell others.

• Share your dreams. Tell three people about an aspiration

that is really important to you this year and listen to theirs too.

7. Find ways to bounce back All of us have times of stress, loss, failure or trauma in our lives.

How we respond to these events has a big impact on our wellbeing. We often cannot choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we react to what happens. In practice it’s not always easy, but one of the most exciting findings from recent research is that resilience, like many other life skills, can be learned.

Action ideas • Ask for help today. Confide in a friend, talk to an expert, reach out to a colleague, ask a neighbour to lend a hand.

• When something is troubling you, do something you really enjoy. Shift your mood and bring a new perspective on the problem.

8. Take a positive approach Positive emotions – like joy, gratitude, contentment, inspiration and pride – don’t just feel good when we experience them.

They also help us perform better, broaden our perception, increase our resilience and improve our physical health. So although we need to be realistic about life’s ups and downs, it helps to focus on the good aspects of any situation – the glass half full rather than the glass half empty.

Action ideas • Do something that you know will make you feel good.

Listen to music, watch something funny, get outside or call an old friend.

• Try to smile and say something positive or constructive every time you walk into a room. Notice the reaction you get.

9. Be comfortable with who you are

Nobody’s perfect. But so often we compare a negative view of ourselves with an unrealistic view of other people. Dwelling on our flaws – what we’re not rather than what we’ve got – makes it much harder to be happy. Learning to accept ourselves, warts and all, and being kinder to ourselves when things go wrong increases our enjoyment of life, our resilience and our wellbeing. It also helps us accept others as they are.

Action ideas • Ask a trusted friend or colleague to tell you what they think your real strengths are. Try to make more use of these.

• Be as kind to yourself as you are to others. See your mistakes as opportunities to learn.

Notice things you do well, however small.

10. Be part of something bigger People who have meaning and purpose in their lives are happier, feel more in control and get more out of what they do. They also experience less stress, anxiety and depression. But where do we find meaning and purpose? It might come from doing a job that makes a difference, our religious or spiritual beliefs, or our family. The answers vary for each of us but they all involve being connected to something bigger than ourselves.

Action ideas • Feel part of something bigger. Spend time with children, visit an inspiring location, gaze at the stars or join a club.

• Be more charitable. Give others your time, offer to help neighbours or friends, consider giving blood or volunteering.

Mark Williamson is director of Action for Happiness. For more about the 10 keys to happier living, check out the 10 keys guidebook and take the happy habits quiz Guardian.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Page 46

International

Islamic State: Obama wrote secret letter to Khomeini

P

resident Barack Obama secretly wrote to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, last month and described a shared interest in fighting Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, according to people briefed on the correspondence.

The letter aimed at buttressing the campaign against the Islamic State and nudging Iran’s religious leader closer to a nuclear deal.

Obama stressed to Khamenei that any cooperation on Islamic State was largely contingent on Iran reaching a comprehensive agreement with global powers on the future of Tehran’s nuclear program by a November 24 diplomatic deadline.

The October letter marked at least the fourth time Obama has written Iran’s most powerful political and religious leader since taking over office in 2009 and pledging to engage with Tehran’s Islamist government.

The correspondence underscores that Obama views Iran as important—whether in a potentially constructive or negative role—to his emerging military and diplomatic campaign to push Islamic

State from the territories it has gained over the past six months.

The American president’s letter also sought to assuage Iran’s concerns about the future of its close ally, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, according to another person briefed on the letter. It states that the US military operations inside Syria aren’t targeted at Assad or his security forces.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah, has cancelled a visit to Gaza on Saturday after a wave of bombings hit Fatah property in the territory, government spokesman, Ihab Bseiso, told AFP. Hamdallah had been due to meet in Gaza with the European Union’s new foreign affairs Chief, Federica Mogherini.

But early on Friday, at least 10 explosions hit houses and cars belonging to members of the Fatah movement of Palestinian President, Mahmud Abbas in Gaza, an AFP correspondent and witnesses said.

In South Sudan, President Salva Kiir and his former Deputy and rebel leader, Riek Machar, held talks as part of

Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (r), escorting President Barack Obama (l) to his meeting with King Abdullah at Rawdat Khuraim, Saudi Arabia AP Photo the latest effort by East African leaders to broker a deal that will end more than 10 months of fighting.

The pair met on the first

Putin Blames ‘Politics’ For Falling Oil Prices

R

ussian President Vladimir Putin has blamed politics, in part, for a decline in world oil prices.

Speaking to Chinese state media, Putin said “a political component is always present in oil prices.”

A Kremlin transcript of Putin’s November 6 interview also quotes the Russian leader as saying: “At some moments of crisis, it starts to feel like it is the politics that prevails in the pricing of energy resources.”

He also said an “obvious reason” for the decline was a “slowdown in the rate of economic growth.”

Oil prices have fallen to about $78 a barrel, down

President Putin of Russia

from a June high of $108 a barrel.

The falling price means trouble for Russia’s economy and budget, which was based on Russia receiving more than $100 a barrel for its petroleum exports.

He said China could replace Germany as Russia’s biggest gas consumer, if Moscow and Beijing agree to add a route from Russia’s Western Siberia to the one already agreed under a $400 billion contract.

Germany now consumes 40 billion cubic meters of Russian gas annually, and China will start buying even more if the western route is agreed on, Putin said.

“The next step [in RussiaChina gas cooperation] is a possibility to make a similar deal on a so-called w e s t e r n r o u t e , ” President s a i d commenting on a RussiaC h i n a megadeal s i g n e d Wednesday in Shanghai.

T h e president a d d e d the route

connecting Russia’s western Siberia and China could be developed even faster than the eastern.

Though so far there are no concrete agreements on the western route, Putin said it would also be cheaper than the eastern one.

The key issue is connected with pricing and the second project should be easier in this respect as the main mechanism would be already tested by then, he explained.

Aleksey Miller, head of Russia’s gas giant Gazprom has insisted that the gas price in a $400 billion deal was a “commercial secret,” while Aleksandr Medvedev, CEO of Gazprom’s export arm, said it would be well above $350 per 1,000 cubic meters.

The eastern route connects Russia’s Kovykta and Chaynda fields with China, where recoverable resources are estimated at about 3 trillion cubic metres.

Putin, however, says they are underestimated and have even more, enough to last for the next 50 years.

Also, Russia and China may complete negotiations on building an additional natural gas pipeline to China, which will deliver energy via a western route by 2015, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.

day of a regional summit in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. They discussed how to share power between the presidency and a proposed

new office of prime minister, as well as a suggestion by rebels for a federal system, said Taban Deng Gai, the head of Machar’s delegation.

Burkina Faso: Zida dismisses AU intervention

B

urkina Faso’s interim leader, Lt Col Isaac Zida, has dismissed the African Union’s (AU) imposition of a twoweek deadline to hand power to civilians.

“We are not afraid of sanctions, we care much more about stability,” Zida said after talks with opposition parties and civil society.

They have agreed to hold elections next year but not on an interim leader.

The military took over power after President Blaise Compaore was forced to quit last week amidst mass protests.

The West African regional body, ECOWAS has appointed Senegalese President, Macky Sall, to leads its

Burkina Faso, Zida

mediation efforts in Burkina Faso. He was one of the three leaders who travelled to the capital, Ouagadougou, on Wednesday for the talks, which led to the one-year transition agreement.

The talks are continuing as the various parties attempt to agree on a civilian interim leader.

Some opposition parties do not want Compaore’s former governing party to be involved in the discussions.

Zida has agreed to hand over power to civilians, but on Thursday he said he was not concerned with the African Union’s deadline. “We have waited on the African

Union in moments when it should have shown its fraternity and its friendship but instead it was not there.

It is unfortunate, but it is not too late.”

Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, said he thought the threat of sanctions would be avoided. “I am certain that we will not reach the stage where the international community will have to impose sanctions.”

The AU sanctions could include suspension of Burkina Faso’s AU membership and a travel ban on military officials. The AU’s Peace and Security Council is expected to meet again later this month to discuss the crisis.

PAGE 47

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Business FG sets to revive rail transportation

Railway transportation

By Umar Muhammad Puma The pragmatic efforts at reviving the Nigerian Railways Corporation (NRC) by the present administration under the supervision of the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has received commendation from Nigerians who have now heaved a sigh of relief that the long awaited rail transport will soon be delivered.

Recently, the minister after inspecting the ongoing standard gauge rail line linking Port Harcourt to Maiduguri via Gombe, assured the people of Gombe and the entire northeast that most of the rail transport projects across the country would be completed by the end of the year.

He tasked the contracting firm handling the project to ensure quality and standard railway lines, saying the federal government under the Ministry of Transport was leaving no stone unturned to see that the lost glory of the sub-sector is restored.

“

He said the government is committed to ensuring that it delivers the dividends of democracy to citizens through the transformation agenda and that the railway project would reduce the cost and risk of traveling by road.

“At the moment, we are concentrating on resuscitating the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri line, which spans Port Harcourt, Enugu, Makurdi, Lafia, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and up to Maiduguri. We hope that by the end of this year, the trains will be back on track,” he said.

He added that work on the tracks is going on simultaneously with the standard gauge line, in order to meet up with modern trends in the rail transportation system.

“While that is going on, we are assiduously constructing the standard gauge line, with a view to bringing modernization to the railway system in Nigeria and contract for the Lagos-Ibadan double track has been signed, we do hope that before the end of the

year, contractors will be mobilized to site,” Umar added.

These signaled the commencement of the modern railway services development plan for the country under the present leadership which is committed to steadily improving the living standard of ordinary Nigerians using the railway system.

Many Nigerians now believe that the completion of the LagosMaiduguri standard gauge will make it cheaper and faster to move goods and services from Lagos to the north-eastern part of the country.

With the intervention funds from SURE-P aimed at resuscitating and revitalising Nigerian railway which had suffered neglect for decades, the present administration has resolved to transform rail projects to include the rehabilitation of the existing narrow gauge, the construction of new standard gauge rail lines, as well as the maintenance of existing ones.

In realization that the survival of any nation depends largely on

the economy and indeed the extent of development and efficiency of its transportation system, the present administration has as its top priority, the development of the transport sector, with more emphasis on the railway service which were neglected by previous administrations for over 30 years.

A resident of Gombe, Hassan Ayuba, who confirmed that he has never used rail transport, was excited with the news of the ongoing project, saying “It is a welcome development, Nigeria and the rest of us require this infrastructure. We appreciate the minster for what he has been doing not only for the people of Gombe, but to the entire country. We will continue to give every support that the corporation requires as we now have complementary services in the transport system.’’

Jonathan’s administration also inaugurated the revitalised Lagos-Jebba rail lines, a project which cost the government over N12 billion. To add value to the initiative, the NRC had also launched its Mass Transit

While that is going on, we are assiduously constructing the standard gauge line, with a view to bringing modernization to the railway system in Nigeria and contract for the LagosIbadan double track has been signed, we do hope that before the end of the year, contractors will be mobilized to site.

Train Service (MTTS) in Lagos.

Available records showed that the corporation has deployed 11 trains, carrying close to 15,000 passengers daily within Lagos metropolis.

Reports also indicated that the federal government has also signed a N67 billion contract for the rehabilitation of the 2,119 kilometres three eastern rail lines.

This comprises the 463 km rail lines from Port Harcourt to Makurdi; 1,016 km rail linex from Makurdi to Kuru, including spur lines to Jos and Kafanchan; and 640 km rail lines from Kuru to Maiduguri.

Available records showed that appreciable progress had been made in the completion of the 1,657km eastern line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, with the procured 25 new locomotives from General Electric and refurbished 366 coaches and wagons, among others.

Recently, the minister performed the official track laying of the Abuja-Kaduna fast train line at the Idu area of Abuja, people oriented projects aimed at touching the lives of Nigerians, signifying the complete modernisation of the railway system in the country.

According to him, the Kaduna-Abuja rail project is the first segment of the Lagos to Kano standard gauge rail lines, adding that when completed and operational, it will enable people to live in Kaduna and work in Abuja.

He said the project had reached 68 percent completion, including earthworks, hydraulic structures, railway bridges; box bridges; precast T-beams for bridges; and over pass bridges.

Umar noted that seven new standard gauge lines were also being proposed under the PublicPrivate Partnership arrangement.

He listed them as the 322km Lagos-Benin City line, 500km Benin-Abakiliki line, 673km Benin- Obudu Cattle Ranch line, 615km Lagos-Abuja high speed line, 520km Zaria-Birnin- Koni line, 533km Ega nyi-Otukpo and the Ega nyi-Abuja line.

Umar assured that the AbujaKaduna railway project would be completed by December 2014.

On the challenges facing the project, the minister said efforts are being made to ensure that the two major constraints- water interference at km 19, and certain estates built along the rail lines at Kubwa were addressed by the relevant authorities in the FCT. He also said that the project had employed over 4,000 Nigerians and would on completion, provide jobs for over 5,000 Nigerians who would be trained in various skills relating to the operations and maintenance of facilities.

To further complete the modernisation of the railways, the federal government had also earmarked more than N10 billion from its 2014 SURE-P share to fast-track the completion of the Abuja Rail Mass transit.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 48

Business

Nigeria’s currency falls to record low

By Mohammed Usman with agency report

N

igeria’s currency plunged to a record low on Friday after emergency measures by the Central Bank failed to reassure investors concerned that falling oil prices could derail Africa’s top economy and crude producer.

The naira fell by three percent on Friday morning to 172 against the U.S. dollar, a record low that extends the currency’s slide against the greenback this year to nearly seven percent. The drop places Nigeria among those oil-rich nations hardest hit by a production glut that has led to a 22 percent drop in Brent crude prices in the past three months.

Attempting to stanch the slide, the Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN) on Thursday sought to tamper dollar demand by barring importers of goods, including electronics, generators and telecommunications equipment, from procuring dollars at its foreign-exchange auctions.

The CBN also limited the amount that money lenders can deposit in the bank’s so-called Standing Deposit Facility to N7.5 billion or about $44 million. That regulation should boost naira liquidity among banks, traders said.

But the naira still fell 1.8 percent against the dollar on Thursday, according to FactSet. Traders are bracing for the currency to fall much further in the months ahead.

Nigeria’s Central Bank normally buys and sells dollars to keep the naira’s value around 165

to the dollar. Economists say the bank’s next move may be to raise interest rates at a monetary policy meeting set for Nov. 24.

“The CBN may face political pressure not to raise rates ahead of February’s general election,” Capital Economics analyst, Jack Allen, wrote in a note to clients. “But we think that the threat of a currency crisis is likely to trump these concerns.”

A central bank spokesman didn’t respond to calls and text messages seeking comment on Friday.

Oil and natural-gas account for 96 percent of export revenue in Africa’s top producer and about 80 percent of government revenue, according to the International Monetary Fund

Nigeria to auction N65b in bonds Nov 12

N

igeria plans to raise N65 billion ($392 million) worth in sovereign bonds with maturities of three to 20 years at an auction on November 12, the Debt Management Office (DMO) said on Friday.

The debt office said it will auction 10 billion worth of threeyear bonds, N30 billion of 10-year debt notes and N25 billion of 20year bonds next Wednesday using the Dutch Auction system.

All the bonds are re-openings of previously issued debt notes.

“For re-openings of previously issued bonds, successful bidders will pay a price corresponding to the yield-to-maturity bid that clears the volume being auctioned, plus any accrued interest on the instrument,” DMO said in a notice. (1 US dollar = 165.8 Nigerian naira) Reports showed that over

N300 billion in loanable funds was hanging, as the CBN offers juicy rates to banks, highlighting analysts’ calls for review of interest rate to banks.

Part of the circular from the CBN said, “It has been observed that banks and discount houses have preferences for keeping their idle balances at the Central Bank in the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) thereby constraining the process of financial intermediation.

“In order to encourage the banks to increase lending to the productive sector of the economy, the guidelines for the operations of SDF is hereby reviewed as follows: The remunerable daily placements by banks and discount houses shall not exceed N7.5billion. This shall be remunerated at the SDF rate of 10 percent per annum. Any deposit

by a bank or discount house in excess of the N7.5billion shall not be remunerated.”

Suleiman Barau, a member of the Monetary Policy Committee at the last meeting said, “As I have always said, recent research studies initiated by MPC have proven lack of a clear relationship between MPR and credit growth in Nigeria.

“Desirable as it may be to some, there is no evidence to show that a reduction in MPR will be accompanied by any significant growth in private sector credit and real sector growth, at least in the short -run. This confirms our earlier position that what is needed to spur radical growth in credit to the private sector is the much talked about structural reforms. Credit will subsequently flow into the real sector.”

challenges, we have come up with this electronic devise portal.

It will ensure that workers are credited adequately and that employers are saved the time of going around one PFA and PFC for reconciliation, ‘’ he said.

Yusuf said the portal was being developed with the Nigeria Inter-banking Settlement System (NIBSS), stressing that it has been tested by all PFAs, PFCs and National Commission on Pension (PenCom).

The sub-committee chairman on EPCCOS added that the pilot programme test had been carried out among over 500 employers, disclosing that whatever problems encountered at this stage would be perfected and that

by January 1, the portal would be available for use by all employers.

Yusuf said the EPCCOS was the pension industry application and employers would use it for free.

NIBSS Head, Business Process and Outsourcing, Mr. Samuel Oluyemi, said the electronic platform ensured that standards were kept in payment facilitation. According to him,

EPCCOS is being introduced to solve the problem of un-remitted pensions and schedules that could not be traced.

He said once an employer uploads its workers’ pension details it would show the total amount remitted, specific PFAs and PFCs and the amount to pay to each of them. Oluyemi said the employer could make the payments electronically or take the receipt generated by the portal to pay in the bank within seven days.

He added that the payment schedule would still be on the site and would be removed after 30 days.

PenOp Executive Secretary, Ms Susan Oranye, said the EPCCOS was to enable employers comply with the 2014 Pension Act. According to her, the employers can do this from the comfort of their offices and avoid sanctions and penalties from PenCom. She said new employers to the scheme would-- through EPCCOS-- find it easy to remit their workers’ pension contributions. (NAN)

PenOp to deploy uniform pension collection system Jan. 1

T

he Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) said it will begin the deployment of an Electronic Pension Contribution Collection System (EPCCOS) on January 1.

Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Pension Custodians, Mr. Bayo Yusuf, said this at a two-day 2014 PenOp Media Partners Retreat on Friday in Lagos.

Yusuf, who is also the association’s Chairman, Subcommittee on EPCCOS, said the system will drive pension remittance schedules.

According to him, EPCCOS will unify the way employers remit their various workers schedule, as well as ease collections for Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs). ‘’This electronic platform is informed by the lack of specific rules on how employers will submit workers’ schedules for pension to PFAs and PFCs. We have been faced with huge challenges of how to reconcile some schedules submitted by employers. To tackle these

Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor

Interest income buoys banks’ Q3 top-line figure at N2.3t

C

umulatively, banks listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) grew their earnings to N2.3 trillion in the third quarter (Q3) of 2014 driven largely by modest rise in loan book, as well as overall interest earning on their asset bases.

In addition, analysts said higher yield accretion in some banks, which re-priced and optimised the mix of assets also provided support for their top-line growth.

“From my observation, most of the banks are reporting strong growth in interest income and other incomes during the period.

Although, interest from loans to customers recorded the most growth, placement income and gains from trading in financial instruments also grew significantly. And some of the income are from govplacement at the standing deposit facility of the CBN, hence justifying the excess liquidity claim of the monetary authority,” Femi Ademola, Head, Research and Intelligence, BGL Plc, said.

Looking at the results at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Access Bank Plc reported top-line figure of N181.387 billion, interest income accounted for N131.724 billion. Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) Plc reported N344.558 billion in gross earnings, the bank’s interest income stood at N207.745 billion in the same period.

Out of the gross earnings of N331.693 billion reported

by FBN Holdings Plc,

N255.722 billion came as interest income. GTBank Plc earned N199.472 billion, the bank’s interest income accounted for N148.187 billion. United Bank for Africa Plc reported N210.715 billion in Q3 earnings, interest income accounted for N149.409 billion.

In the review Q3 period, Zenith Bank Plc reported N273.738 billion in gross earnings, interest income accounted for N213.011 billion. Diamond Bank Plc reported N151.596 billion in Q3 gross earnings, N120.032 billion was income from interests. FCMB Group Plc reported Q3 gross earnings of N104.973 billion, interest income accounted for N84.501 billion.

“Banks’ fee-based revenues were modest across board, except for a few players like Zenith Bank Plc, which rode on creditrelated fees and FX gains to post strong growth in noninterest earnings,” said Rasaq Abiola, analyst at Associated Discount House Limited.

Also in the Q3 period, Fidelity Bank Plc earned N96.023 billion, interest income was N76.818 billion; Stanbic IBTC Plc reported Q3 gross earnings of N94.637 billion, interest income accounted for N52.308 billion.

According to the analyst, higher funding cost and rising operating expenses (OPEX) of banks, which were partly impacted by regulation, as well as higher effective tax charge eroded gains from the top-line growth.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 49

Oddities Compiled by Isioma Nwabasha

‘Snake Boy’ sheds his skin every 41 days A

ri Wibowo sheds his skin like a snake every 41 days and must constantly smear his body with moisturiser to stop it from hardening and seizing up.

The Indonesian teenager has a rare skin condition that doctors have been unable or unwilling to treat and which has left him with an extraordinary appearance. He suffers from Erythroderma, an inflammatory skin disease also known as ‘red man syndrome’, that causes the skin to become scaly and flake off.

Ari has shed his skin every 41 days since he was born 16 years ago. He must soak his body in water every hour night and day - and smear himself with lotion every three hours to prevent drying out. If he doesn’t moisturise or soak his skin in water, his body would shrivel and harden up

Couple stuck together while making out

Vietnamese hairdresser cuts hair with samurai swords

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wo Italians decided to take advantage of a sunny day on an almost-deserted beach by heading into the sea together where they engaged in a passionate embrace. But their lovemaking came to an embarrassing end after their genitals got stuck together at a sea in Porto San Giorgio in the Marche region of Italy.

According to Italian newspaper, Il Mattino, the man and woman called for help about 30minutes after they went into the sea.

A woman walking along the deserted beach heard their call for help and handed them a towel.

Other locals went to rescue the embarrassed couple and called an ambulance. It took about an hour for an ambulance to get there and take them to the hospital.

The case was so severe the couple was taken to the emergency room at a local hospital. The couple may have suffered from the rare occurrence ‘penis captivus’ in which the muscles of the vagina clamp down on the penis much more firmly than usual.

A doctor was able to free them by administering an injection to dilate the woman’s uterus.

Doctors later told the press that the man was ‘unable to extricate himself from the woman due to suction’.

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guyen Hoang Hung, a sword-wielding hairdresser from Vietnam, cuts his clients’ hair with a sword. And his unusual ‘weapon of choice’

doesn’t affect the speed or quality of his haircuts, as he manages to produce brilliant results every single time.

Hung said he picked up the

unique skill four years ago, when he participated in a game show where he was required to cut hair without scissors. He had used a handsaw at the time, and enjoyed

Pregnancy foils man’s drug test

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n Egyptian bus driver who tried to fool a drug test by using his wife’s urine ended up being told that he is pregnant.

Public Transportation Authority officials said they became suspicious when the male driver’s urine test detected a pregnancy and

they confronted the man and asked him to verify the sample was his own urine.

The man confirmed ownership of the sample, leading officials to respond, “Congratulations, you are pregnant.”

The driver admitted the urine came from

like a sculpture and he won’t be able to move. If he leaves it unattended for too long, he won’t be able to speak because the wrinkles inside his mouth would go hard and it would dry out all the blood in his body.

The vision in his right eye is impaired, while the left must be kept moist with constant drops.

Ari is taking lessons, but is forced to study alone because of ignorance about his condition.

No school is willing to accept him because they fear his skin condition would be contagious to teachers and other students.

Many people blame Ari’s condition on a superstition that if a woman mistreats animals while she is pregnant then it will affect her unborn child.

Some people believe Ari’s mother ‘tortured a lizard’ she found in the family home when she was pregnant.

the process immensely. Later, he evolved to the more sophisticated sword as a haircutting tool.

He began by using it on women with longer hair and then moved on to shorter styles. He admitted that it was difficult and risky at first, but he just kept practicing on training wigs. And after four years of rigorous, unrelenting practice, Hung is now able to create beautiful hairstyles within minutes.

Hung admitted that he only learned the skill to use during performances and exhibitions, but more and more customers who visited his salon started asking for his legendary ‘sword cut’. So he had to oblige and eventually abandoned the scissors altogether.

He now uses a Wakizashi (which means ‘side inserted sword’), a traditional razor-sharp Samurai sword that has been around since the 15th century.

Warriors generally used it as a backup sword and also for closequarters fighting, to behead an opponent. That sounds dangerous, but he insisted that it is perfectly safe for cutting hair. In fact, he said it works much better than a pair of scissors, as it allows him to accomplish a unique, light, feathered look that is otherwise impossible to achieve.

his wife and said he was not aware she was two months pregnant. The authority said an investigation into the incident is underway.

Officials said they will avoid repeat incidents by requiring blood samples for drug tests.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

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Healthy Living

How to make a simple fruit salad

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ruit salad is a dish or dessert containing a mixture of different kinds of fruit.

Different kinds of fruits that can be used to make a fruit salad such as; strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, pawpaw, orange, pineapple, apple, grapes, banana, cherry, pears e.t.c.

The whole essence of a fruit salad is to get a mixture of as many fruits as possible including the juices in a bowl.

Eating fruits is healthy as this fortifies the digestive system with nutrients the body needs in guarding against diseases, lowering the rate of heart disease, High blood pressure, stroke etc. One of the major rules of eating fruits is to take it on an empty stomach so that the body would be able to absorb the nutrients it needs quickly. If you

Fruits

take fruits with your meal, it’d be held for a longer time in the stomach with the food and this after sometime would ferment and rot which would result in runny tummy, indigestion, heartburn, burping e.t.c. The best time to take fruits would be 1 hour before your meal or two hours after to get maximum benefits.

You need a quarter medium sized pineapple, two apples (red & green) and asmall sized water melon.

Wash the fruits thoroughly, remove the seeds from the watermelon and the pineapple eyes, dice the fruits into small bits, mix all the diced fruits together, refrigerate and serve chilled Culled from Dobbyssignature.com

Fruit salad

Do the benefits of soy milk outweigh its dangers?

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he benefits of soy milk may outweigh the dangers for many, but this is not true for everyone. How this milk alternative will affect your body depends heavily on your current state of health.

Its dangers are threatening to

Soymilk

those that have a rather specific medical history (e.g., breast cancer or hypothyroidism).

Soy milk is the product of soaked soy beans and water.

That is it. Well, depending on your personal taste. Like the other milk alternatives,

you simply blend, strain, and enjoy. It is available in a variety of flavors: unsweetened, sweetened, chocolate, and vanilla.

Soy milk is rich in some essential vitamins and minerals.

It is a significant source of: fiber, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, and protein. In comparison to other milks in the market, it is a healthy choice. Soy milk is nutritionally comparable to skimmed milk.

So the fact that it is low-calorie, like skimmed milk, seems to support the weight-loss claims.

Also, the fatty acids inhibit the absorption of fat in the body. Finally, soy milk’s fiber content really helps! It allows the body to feel fuller. Feeling fuller longer means eating less, so I suppose this milk does promote weight loss.

One of the highly promoted benefits of soy milk is it is ability to improve the heart.

The Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids have protective powers in the blood vessels.

They help prevent hemorrhage and lesions. These fatty acids also keep free radicals from wreaking havoc and cholesterol

deposits from forming in the lining of the vessels. They also increase the flexibility of cells, which in turn makes them more resilient to blood pressure.

The milk has zero cholesterol and mostly unsaturated fat.

Research has also suggested that regular consumption of soy may lead to a decrease in low density lipoproteins (LDLs or “bad cholesterol”) and an increase in high density liproproteins (HDLs or “good cholesterol”).

While there may be wonderful benefits of soy milk for some, it can cause great harm for others.

One major concern is soy’s effect on the thyroid’s function in the body. Researchers

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believe the isoflavone geinstein may prevent the thyroid from functioning optimally (hypothyroidism). This is a concern for people that already suffer from hypothyroidism or even an iodine deficiency.

This gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormone.

Its primary function is to regulate the body’s metabolism.

Symptoms include: Fatigue, weight gain, extreme difficulty in losing weight, depression, constipation, increased sensitivity to cold, hair loss and rough, dry skin.

If left untreated, these symptoms progress into lifethreatening issues such as extreme depression or even heart failure.

Soy milk is rich in some essential vitamins and minerals. It is a significant source of fiber, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, and protein. In comparison to other milks in the market, it is a healthy choice.

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Decongesting Your Life (III)

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one of the ways people congest their lives. As someone has rightly said, “Seven day without a Sabbath makes one weak.”

Don’t let your work take over or use up your time at home. As much as possible, let your work end at the work place. But if you must take work home because of the nature of your work, limit the time you spend on it.

If you don’t, it will crowd your life.

Protect your home from the pressure of your work; make your home your sanctuary, your place of refuge. Don’t turn your home to your office. Don’t transfer home the tension of the work place. It will have a negative effect on you and your family. You deserve enough rest at home after a busy day’s work. “The sleep of a labouring man is sweet.” (Eccl 5:12 KJV) If you work from home, have closing time. Save enough time for you to have enough rest at home.

If there’s any official work to do at home, handle it in a way that it doesn’t destroy family life. Your success at work can never compensate for your failure at home. I encourage you to work but I don’t believe being a called a workaholic is a compliment because other equally important things suffer when you spend more time than is necessary at work.

Don’t fall for the temptation of taking up for extra money more work that will steal your time for doing your quiet time and attending church programmes especially Bible study, prayer meeting and Sunday Service.

That will amount to having the love of money which the Bible says is a root

From the Pulpit green pastures

raise the Lord! This is the concluding part of this subject we have been looking at for some weeks now. The message is based on what Jesus said explaining the meaning of the parable of the sower.

“But if you can’t understand this story, how will you understand all the others I am going to tell? The farmer I talked about is the one who brings God’s message to others. The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the message, but then Satan comes at once and takes it away from them. The rocky soil represents those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots don’t go very deep. At first they get along fine, but they wilt as soon as they have problems or are persecuted because they believe the word. The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things, so no crop is produced.

But the good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s message and produce a huge harvest — thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.” (Mark 4:13-20 NLT) As I said previously the focus of this series is on verse 19: “But all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things, so no crop is produced.”

CROWDED! To be crowded means to be congested, and to be congested means to be OVERCROWDED.

That Scripture says that the word that was sown in the heart that was overcrowded with the cares of life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things, did not produce any crop because the word was choked up. So it will be right to say that an overcrowded life will make you unfruitful. Unfortunately that is the condition of many people today – their lives are overcrowded with avoidable activities and concerns. A look at their diaries will show that they are fully booked with activities and engagements that do not make them fruitful. They need to decongest their lives.

We have already discussed some ways to decongest your life namely: •Protect your heart against worry, the lure of wealth and desire for things; •Be selective in your commitment to people; •Invest your time wisely; •De-clutter your home; •Be a habitual giver; •Avoid overworking yourself.

But last week I couldn’t finish all I wanted to say on avoiding overworking yourself. Let me quickly round off that as I conclude this message.

God is a worker. But the Bible says, He created the heaven and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh day. (Gen 2:2) God gave us this example and in the Ten Commandments commands us to do same – work for six day and rest on the seventh day. (Ex 20:8-11) Violation of this commandment is

UNCHRISTLIKE JUDGMENT FORBIDDEN Matthew 7:1,2

The gateway to the spirit-controlled life

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udge not.” These gracious words of Jesus are often quoted casually and carelessly.

When an evil-doer is confronted by a friend or neighbour, instead of showing any desire to change or repent, he glibly responds by saying, “judge not.” Many people, in their ignorance, use the words of Jesus to cover up their evil deeds and continue in the way that leads to destruction.

These words of our Lord have also been misunderstood and misapplied by some leaders and teachers in our modern society. They maintain that human nature resents correction and that no one ever changes his behaviour because we want him to change. They teach that correction in any form is useless and accomplishes nothing except to harden the sinner. They say that any form of judgment, even by the judges in the world is contrary to the teaching of Christ. They dream of a world where “judge not” will be absolutely and universally practised.

They hope for a civilization where there will be liberty for all children and all people to do as they please without judging anyone.

The problem of such interpreters advocating absolute liberty without restraint is that they forget that God is the great Judge (Hebrews 12:23) and Christ is also the Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:40-42).

They overlook the responsibility of Christians to judge between the brethren (1 Corinthians 6:1-5). What, then, is the meaning of the words of Jesus? How do we apply these words in our personal lives, in our individual families and among the brethren? We must consider everything Jesus said and did as well as the application of His words by His disciples in the early Church.

1. MISINTERPRETATION OF CHRIST’S WORDS ON JUDGMENT Matthew 7:1; John 19:11,12; Luke

20:22-26; 23:1,2; John 2:18-22; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1012; 2 Timothy 4:3-5; 2 Corinthians 11:3,4,11-13; 2 Peter 3:16,17; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6; 2 Corinthians 4:1,2.

Satan quoted God’s Word to Jesus to persuade Him to please the flesh, to worship Satan and to sin against God. It is not enough to merely say the Word, we must know its context, meaning and proper application. As a general rule, any quotation of God’s Word which is intended to justify wrong-doing or cover up sin in any way is wrong and misleading.

The Pharisees also quoted the words of Christ but they used those words to accuse Him falsely and to excuse themselves. They deliberately put an interpretation that would suit their sinful purpose (Matthew 26:61; John 2:19-21; Matthew 27:62-64). As the Pharisees twisted and misapplied the words of Jesus when He was on earth, so many are deliberately misinterpreting and misapplying Christ’s words today. Such people delude themselves and deceive others.

Judges and magistrates are needed in the society. They are ordained of God and the words “judge not” do not apply to them (Romans 13:1-4).

Each of us must also learn to judge and discern between good and evil so we can choose what is good and reject everything sinful and evil. We must judge and discern false prophets by their fruits, wolves in sheep’s clothing, dogs and swines who trample the truth under their feet and turn again to rend and hurt, religious men who compass land and sea to prevail on the ignorant wanting to make them two-fold more the children of hell than themselves.

Leaders and teachers who have a charge to keep must judge and lift up the standard for the people (Isaiah 62:10). Jesus judged the Pharisees and warned His disciples of their error.

2. MODEL OF CHRIST’S

By Pastor T. O. Banso

cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Tim 6:10) Conclusion: Don’t forget where I started – Mark 4:13-20. Your source of your life is the Word of God because it is the Word of life. Therefore, make sure that the word of God you read, hear, study and meditate on is not is not crowded out by the cares of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things. You’ll definitely need some adjustment in your life by way of decongestion. If you do this, the Word will be fruitful in your life and you’ll live a productive life; not life too crowded to accommodate God. TAKE ACTION! If you’re not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus. I urge you to take the following steps:*Admit you’re a sinner and you can’t save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness

By Pastor W.F Kumuyi WISDOM IN JUDGMENT Matthew 7:1; 10:16; 7:15-20; 13:3643; 23:13-33; Luke 16:14,15; John 3:18-20; 8:24,37-44; 9:39-41; 5:22-30; Matthew 16:6-12; 18:15-17.

The actions of Jesus give us a perfect interpretation of His words. It is said of the Pharisees, “for they say, and do not ” (Matthew 23:2,3) but we cannot say that of Christ. His life interprets His words and His words explain His life. His life and His words do not contradict but they complement one another. He lived as He preached and He preached what He lived consistently before His disciples and the whole world. To understand the meaning of His message, simply observe the demonstration in His life.

As He has commanded us to keep or obey His words, He has also called us to follow His example (John 14:15; 13:15). Doing this, we cannot go astray because He always did what pleased the Father and none could convict Him of sin (John 8:28,29,46).

“Judge not ” was His command and He neither judged nor condemned the common sinners or His disciples. He did not excuse the sins of any sinner but He was loving, gentle, gracious and ready to forgive. He led sinners to repentance and warned those who came to Him not to continue sinning without judging or condemning them (John 5:14; 8:11). He rebuked His disciples

sharply when it was necessary (Matthew 16:22,23; Luke 9:51-56) but it was not to judge them in a tone of condemnation, it was to restore them to righteousness. He was never bitter or critical, in all His corrections and rebukes, His desire was to make them escape the judgment to come. He loved His disciples but condemned actions which could make them incur God’s wrath or judgment.

“Judge not, condemn not.” Christ condemned sin in every form but He had compassion on the sinner.

His love and compassion for sinners made Him to die for us; His hatred and condemnation of sin made Him to call all sinners to repentance in clear, unmistakable language. He judged and condemned the Pharisees, hardened sinners who were deceiving ignorant sinners (Matthew 23:33).

This He did as “the Judge of quick and dead ” (Acts 10:42) and “the Watchman” over the souls of those He came to save (Luke 19:10).

3. MANDATE IN CHRIST’S WORDS ON JUDGMENT Matthew 7:1,2; Luke 6:37; John 7:24; Luke 12:57; Isaiah 65:5; Luke 18:11; 7:36-39; Matthew 12:1-7; Ezekiel 13:22; Romans 2:1,2; 14:1-4,10-13; 1 Corinthians 4:5.

In our personal relationship one with the other as brethren, our Lord has commanded us not to judge one another. We can admonish one another

to mature in the faith, start to attend a Bible-believing, Bible -teaching church. There you will be taught how to grow in the Kingdom of God. Kindly say this prayer now: “0 Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today.

I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God” I believe you’ve said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations!

You’ll need to join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church in your area where you’ll be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon.

May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be.

(Colossians 3:16), counsel and correct one another (Malachi 3:16), exhort and watch over one another (Hebrews 3:13), teach and edify one another (Romans 14:19), be concerned for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25), minister to one another (1 Peter 4:10), exhort and challenge one another (Hebrews 10:25) but we are not to judge, criticize or condemn one another.

Before and during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, the Pharisees called attention to themselves as the religious standard to follow. They thought that they were the true citizens of the kingdom of God. Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord corrected the error and self-deception of the Pharisees. They were fond of exalting themselves and despising others (Luke 18:9). They judged others with a ‘holier-than-thou’ attitude. They condemned others on minute, insignificant, unimportant things while they excused terrible, soul-threatening sins in themselves.

They set aside the laws of God and established many ridiculous laws on non-essential, superficial things. “Be not ye therefore like unto them. Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 6:8; 7:1). Judging others on seemingly unimportant issues while ourselves are guilty of great soul-damning sins shows that we are not motivated by real spiritual concern, neither are we seeking only the glory of God. Judging and condemning others for doing what we also do, even in greater measure reveals an inconsistent personality, a heart without principles. Judging others for great sins or minor faults without helping them, through patient instruction and personal influence and practical example, to have the grace for a higher life is unkind and unscriptural. Judge not, show them “the highway” to the heavenly city, “the way of holiness”.

Let your life raise up a standard, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it.”

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

PAGE 52

AFCON 2015: Weah calls for caution over Ebola

Is Ike Uche Nigeria’s AFCON messiah? >>Pg 53

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Ballon d’Or: Ronaldo is ahead of Messi —Rooney

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I still believe in Man City —Kompany

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PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Sports

Is Ike Uche Nigeria’s AFCON messiah?

The return of Stephen Keshi has filled column inches, but it is the striker’s recall that could deliver excitement where it really matters…Upon reinstatement by presidential fiat, Stephen Keshi’s first action was to recall Ikechukwu Uche to the Nigeria squad.

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he return of Stephen Keshi has filled column inches, but it is the striker’s recall that could deliver excitement where it really matters…Upon reinstatement by presidential fiat, Stephen Keshi’s first action was to recall Ikechukwu Uche to the Nigeria squad.

Considering that the controversial exclusion of the Villarreal man was one of the most debated of the Big Boss’ decisions, it came as a bit of a shock. Of course, Uche is fully deserving. That is not the point. What is interesting is the timing. Was a recall for Uche always on the agenda, or are there more clandestine workings beneath the surface?

The directive for Keshi’s return was issued following a crisis meeting between warring factions of the NFF and the Presidency. As with all negotiations, there are bound to be compromises. Could it be that this is one of them, that Keshi has finally been prevailed upon by the NFF, who have long been vocal with their incredulity at his leftfield selections?

One can be forgiven for being cynical about this sudden volte-face; Uche is a topic Keshi went so far as to bar journalists from bringing up in October. He accused pressmen of seeking to sow discord and unrest in the team with their constant questions about the 30-year-old.

“So, why do you guys want to tear this team apart?” he hissed at reporters. “Please let it be the end today. Don’t ask me about Uche. Please nobody should ask me about Uche again. “This is the last time I will speak about Ike Uche.

And I do not want anybody to ask me about Ike Uche again.”

That said we are obliged to consider the opposite angle, which is that Keshi has demonstrated a rare streak of practicality in selecting Uche again. The Super Eagles are in a precarious situation: they need to win, and they need goals to do it. When you consider that Sudan at home

in October was the first time since June 2013, that Nigeria had scored three goals in a senior international, you can understand him calling in the cavalry.

It is worth remembering that Nigeria progressed to the last Nations Cup in South Africa largely on the strength of Uche’s goals. Indeed, Uche’s contributions to the Super Eagles at actual tournaments have been largely forgettable; it is in qualifiers he has shown his worth. So it is only logical that the coaching crew has sought the safety of the familiar. International sides have much less time to gel for friendlies and qualifying matches, and the former Getafe man’s aptitude for poaching and exploiting gaps is perfect when the opposition defence is not so cohesive.

So, could Uche be set to profit in the coming games?

Well, Congo away presents a good opportunity. The Central Africans impressed in their opening two games, but have fallen away somewhat. There are doubts over their defence; Claude Le Roy is no novice when it comes to coaching solid defensive units, but there is a distinct lack of quality at the back.

The decision of 30-yearold Christopher Samba to make himself unavailable to the national team creates a leadership vacuum in defence. If the same looseness that enabled South Africa score twice in Pointe-Noire manifests again, Uche will be licking his lips. There is no better Nigerian striker at punishing opposition lapses in concentration.

Can Uche profit from Christopher Samba’s absence from the Congolese defence?

South Africa are much better defensively; Eric Mathoho has been excellent, and Shakes Mashaba has welcomed Anele Ngcongca back into the squad after injury. They do however prefer to pick up players in front of them and could struggle against movement in-behind,

Stephen Keshi which is a specialty for Uche.

So, while it is clear that the prodigal son of Nigerian football is a good match for the sort of opposition that awaits, one must also consider how he functions within the team.

His last appearance under Keshi saw him appear out-ofsorts and unable to hold up the ball. He does not offer the lateral roaming and power of Emmanuel Emenike, neither does he bring the same graft that Brown Ideye used to.

Simply put, the team will have to adjust to Uche. This perhaps explains to a degree

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Ike Uche the Big Boss’ unwillingness to include him till now: as with all poachers, the set-up behind him must be tailored to mine his strengths. Efficiency in front of goal makes the trade-off somewhat bearable, but poachers are really not sustainable at the top-level anymore.

The striker himself has expressed his pleasure at the recall. Having appeared destined to remain on the outs with Keshi in charge, Uche now has a window of opportunity.

When the next Afcon kicks off, he will be 31. By conventional

wisdom, he is at his peak; now would be a good time to finally deliver for the national team at a major tournament.

Do that, and Keshi’s compromise will have been worth it. First, Congo and South Africa lie in wait. One thing in his favour though: having been out of the national team so long, Uche has become something of an unknown quantity for opponents.

Messrs Le Roy and Mashaba, say hello to our secret weapon.

Courtesy: Goal.com

So, while it is clear that the prodigal son of Nigerian football is a good match for the sort of opposition that awaits, one must also consider how he functions within the team. His last appearance under Keshi saw him appear out-of-sorts and unable to hold up the ball. He does not offer the lateral roaming and power of Emmanuel Emenike, neither does he bring the same graft that Brown Ideye used to.

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Sports

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Ballon d’Or: Ronaldo is ahead of Messi – Rooney

AFCON 2015: Weah calls for caution over Ebola

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anchester United captain Wayne Rooney believes that Cristiano Ronaldo has “certainly overtaken Lionel Messi now as the best player in the world”. The England captain, who played with the Portuguese at Manchester United, believes his old friend is the clear favourite to reclaim the Ballon d’Or for his incredible exploits.

The Portugal international, a former team-mate of the England forward at Old Trafford, has been in incredible form for Real Madrid in recent years and already has 20 goals in 13 Liga and the Champions League games so far this season.

Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or for his exploits in 2013 and Rooney expects him to retain the trophy this time around.

“I think so,” he replied when asked by MUTV if Ronaldo would win again. “He’s had an incredible two or three years and I think he has certainly overtaken Lionel Messi now as the best player in the world. “I’m sure it’ll be difficult to give it to anyone else.”

Ronaldo heads a 23-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or, which will be awarded in Zurich on January 12.

Rooney

I still believe in Man City – Kompany

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ormer world footballer of the year, George Weah has called upon the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to give Morocco the opportunity to host the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations at a later date in order to avoid a spread of the Ebola Virus Disease. Weah has called for caution in hosting the Cup of Nations in order to avoid spreading the deadly Ebola Virus Disease CAF has given Morocco until November 8 to decide if it would host the tournament after the country asked for a postponement due to the ravaging disease in three West African countries including Weah’s Liberia. Weah who contested for president in his country asked CAF to ensure the virus is not spread during the competition.

“Let us be positive about everything. We are aware of the fact that the world is experiencing the [Ebola] epidemic and it is something nobody should handle with levity and we should all fight very hard to eradicate it in our

midst,” Weah told journalists in Abuja. “I hail from a country where Ebola has killed thousands of people. So the best thing to do is to take precautions.

“If Morocco need time to put precautionary plans in place to ensure that those players and officials that would come for the AFCON are safe, then let’s give the country time to achieve this.

“I think that is the right thing to do. We should be helping Morocco to put in place measures that will ensure the safety of those that would participate in the competition. “So if Morocco wants extended dates for us to be safe when we come for the Nations Cup then let’s give them the extension of date. “Everybody loves this game and nobody wants to go to the Nations Cup and come back dead,” Weah said.

CAF has said it would announce a new host if Morocco decide against hosting the competition that is scheduled to take place between January 17 and February 8, 2015.

Rokoduguni makes England debut

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What is wrong with us? City players seem to be asking

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incent Kompany says he still believes Manchester City can succeed in Europe - despite the club being in danger of another early Champions League exit. City are bottom of Group E after a 2-1 home defeat by CSKA Moscow.

But captain Kompany insists the side, who had two players sent off against CSKA on Wednesday, is still learning.

“Everyone will jump on the bandwagon,” he said. “I go the other way. I believe in my team.

I back everyone at this club 100% to turn it around.”

Now in their fourth Champions League campaign, City have twice failed to make it out of their group and have never gone beyond the last 16.

That form contrasts sharply with their domestic achievements,

with two Premier League titles and the League Cup won in the same period.

“Let’s put things into perspective,” said Kompany.

“We are not a club who has been there for 20 years and you don’t just go from never playing in the Champions League to winning it. “We are trying to put milestones down every year and so far we have been quite successful.”

Rokoduguni in Afghanistan

ath wing Semesa Rokoduguni will make his England debut against New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.

Fijian Rokoduguni, 27, a lance corporal in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, qualifies for England on residency.

Uncapped duo George Kruis and Anthony Watson are on the bench, while Saracens’ Brad Barritt and Bath’s Kyle Eastmond form the centre partnership.

“I am delighted for Roko. It’s great to be able to give him this opportunity,” said England boss Stuart Lancaster. “The same with Anthony Watson and George Kruis and I am sure they will contribute should they come off the bench.”

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Saturday 8,- sunday 9, november, 2014

Osman gets contract extension at Everton

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verton midfielder Leon Osman has agreed a one-year contract extension.

The 33-yearold, who came through the club’s academy and had his testimonial in August, will remain at Goodison Park until at least the summer of 2016.

Osman made his professional debut while on loan at Carlisle in the 2002-03 season and made

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FIFA congratulates Pillars

his senior Everton bow later that same campaign. He has gone on to make almost 400 appearances for the club, scoring 54 goals, and has won two England caps.

Osman made his international debut against Sweden in November 2012 and last featured for the national side in a World Cup qualifier against San Marino in March 2013.

Blatter ewly crowned Nigeria League champions, Kano Pillars have received a congratulatory message from the world football governing body, FIFA. Pillars who sealed their third successive League title on Sunday after an emphatic 4-0 win over Nembe City were said to have been commended by world football boss Joseph Sepp Blatter.

“I know that behind this success are the belief and effort of everyone involved. This is a true team victory, and all of you deserve to share in the accolades: the players and coach of course, but also the technical and medical staff, and not least, the loyal fans. The dynamism and commitment of the Kano Pillars team have enabled them to win this title for the 3rd time in succession.

“Football is proving more than ever that it can

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Osman

transcend traditional boundaries to become a real driver of development. It enables players at all levels to develop their individual skills, tactical understanding and personal dynamism, all the while strengthening team spirit.

“Football is truly a school for life and I am convinced that everyone, and in particular the young people of today, can benefit from playing football on both a social and personal level. That is why I urge them all in Kano Pillars to continue their work, leading the way on this path of success. Football is helping to build a better future and I wish to thank Kano Pillars for playing a part in this.” A letter addressed to NFF President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick and personally signed

by FIFA President, Mr. Joseph S. Blatter was said to have read.

UEFA investigates Dortmund, Galatasaray

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uropean football’s governing body Uefa on Thursday announced they have started an investigation into crowd trouble which marred Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League win over Galatasaray.

Dortmund’s 4-1 win on Tuesday had to be halted twice in the second-half after away fans hurled fireworks onto the pitch, then threw a firework into a block of home fans.

Both clubs are being investigated for crowd disturbances with Dortmund coming under scrutiny for failing to prevent the fireworks being thrown on the pitch and “a lack of organisation”.

Galatasaray, who have already been fined €50 000 by Uefa after

their fans lit flares in their defeat at Arsenal last month, now face heavier sanctions.

Dortmund police announced on Wednesday that two officers were injured, 21 fans were arrested and 700 people were being investigated for a range of charges from attempted manslaughter, breach of the peace and possession of explosives.

A total of 55 used fireworks were later found on the terraces in Dortmund and had been smuggled in by supporters despite strict security measures.

According to the German club, Turkish fans destroyed around 250 seats at their Westfalenstadion ground which will cost the club €30 000 to replace.

Wolves CEO, Davidson Owumi

EPL fixtures

Liverpool

Saturday v

Chelsea -14:45

W/Ham Utd v Aston Villa-17:00 Burnley

v

Hull City - 17:00

Man U

v

C/Palace -17:00

S/hampton v

L/City

-17:00

Q/P Rangers v Man City -19:30

Sunday

Sunderland v Everton - 15:30 Tott/Hotspur v S/City - 15:30 UEFA President, Míchel Platini

W/B Albion v

Wolves threaten to boycott Nasarawa game

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EPL fixtures

lo Nigeria Premier League side Warri Wolves are threatening to boycott their last game of the season against fellow continental hopefuls, Nasarawa United.

The planned boycott decision was reached after the management of the Delta State team met to discuss issues bothering on the league especially the last match against Nasarawa.

A statement from Moses Etu, the Media officer for Wolves was emphatic that unless the LMC steps in to make sure Nasarwa United played its outstanding game against Giwa FC, they wil not honour thoer Week 38 fixture.

“Management of Warri Wolves has declared emphatically that unless Nasarawa United honour their match with Giwa Football Club,

the Warri based team will not honour their last match with Nasarawa United in Lafia” a part of the press statement read.

It was stated that after the meeting, exinternational, Davidson Owumi who is the Chief Executive Officer of Warri Wolves said they have had enough of the rubbish going on in the league especially the last four matches and will no longer fold their hands and allow that to continue.

According to him, any Club who want to be a champion should work for it and not scheme to get free points and as a result of that, Nasarawa should go and slug it out with Giwa FC rather than scheming to get free points.

‘If you look at the last few weeks, you will be wondering whether this is the way they

Swan/City

New/U - 15:30

v Arsenal - 18:00

run football in other countries. The whole thing looks disgusting and come to think of it, Nasarawa United said they will not honour their match with Giwa FC. We have resolved not to go to Lafia for our last match if they fail to play against Giwa FC. We have had enough of this nonsense and we can no longer keep quiet. Any Club that wishes to be true Champion should work for it and not scheme to get free points.” said Owumi.

The former Super Eagles striker who was once in charge of the League advised that referees should be up and doing in these crucial stages of the league while also charging journalists to be unbiased in their reportage to aid the growth of the League.

BIG PUNCH As frustrating as the Tambuwal Problem might be to PDP and the Presidency, resorting to self-help will not only violate fundamental constitutional principles about separation of powers and the rule of law but could also set in motion a series of actions that might put the entire system at risk.

-Waziri Adio, ThisDay columnist on the imbroglio surrounding Speaker Tambuwal’s defection to the APC

SATURDAY — SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8-9, 2014

Saturday Column By

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Premium Times

he High Court in the United Kingdom has lifted a secrecy order imposed on a 2013 legal challenge

by The Corner House of a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) not to freeze some $215 million in alleged proceeds of crime from a corrupt Nigerian oil deal.

The funds arose from the sale of one of Nigeria’s largest offshore oil concessions, known as OPL 245, to subsidiaries of oil multinationals Royal Dutch Shell and ENI. Police in the UK and magistrates in Italy are now formally investigating the deal. Both companies deny any illegal conduct.

The OPL 245 concession was originally awarded in 1998 by the then Nigerian oil minister, Dan Etete, to Malabu Oil and Gas, a company that he set up and owns – in effect Etete awarded one of Nigeria’s most lucrative oil blocks to himself.

In 2011, Shell and ENI paid $1.1 billion, plus a signature bonus of $200 million, to the Nigerian government for the concession. In a back-to-back deal negotiated by the Attorney General of Nigeria, the Nigerian government then undertook to transfer $1.1 billion to Etete’s company, Malabu.

The deal effectively converted into money an asset that had been acquired by Malabu Oil and Gas in highly suspicious, possibly illegal, circumstances. Shell and ENI deny paying any money to Malabu Oil and Gas. But they were aware and in agreement that the deal was for the benefit of Malabu.

In 2011, a middleman acting for Malabu sued the company in the UK Commercial Court for fees he claimed he was owed for services rendered to Malabu in the sale of OPL 245. Pending the outcome of the case, the Court froze some $215 million from the proceeds of the oil concession sale.

The Corner House, together with anti-corruption watchdog Global Witness and Re:Common, an Italian nongovernmental organisation, and Dotun Oloko, a Nigerian anticorruption campaigner, wrote to this Court raising concerns that the frozen funds were proceeds of crime.

The group also requested the London Metropolitan Police’s Proceeds of Corruption Unit (POCU) and the Italian authorities to investigate.

Although the police sought action under the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) declined to initiate proceedings. The Corner House therefore sought a Advert: business: news: lagos:

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judicial review of the CPS’s decision, arguing that: · The OPL 245 deal was corrupt and illegal under both Nigerian and UK law; · It was likely, on the available evidence, that a substantial part of the monies paid to Malabu had been used to pay bribes; and · The CPS’s failure to act was unlawful.

The application for permission to bring a judicial review of the CPS failure to act was held in secret, at the request of the CPS, because of the danger of “tipping off” those being investigated by the police.

In March 2014, the High Court refused permission to bring a judicial review because the CPS had assured the Court that it was still considering taking action.

In July 2014, however, following the commercial court ruling in favour of the middleman, more than $110 million of the suspect funds left the UK for Switzerland.

The CPS did nothing to prevent the movement of this money.

By contrast, at the request of the Italian authorities, the funds were frozen in Switzerland. Only following a mutual legal assistance request from Italy did the UK authorities freeze a further $80 million of the funds remaining in the UK. Nicholas Hildyard of The Corner House says: “The CPS had ample opportunity to restrain the funds. It was invited, requested and challenged to do so but failed to act. The money was restrained only because of the actions of the Italian authorities. If Italy was able to get the funds frozen, what stopped the UK in the first place?”

Key figures in Italian oil multinational ENI are now under formal investigation by magistrates in Milan for alleged corruption relating to the OPL 245 deal. The corporation’s new CEO, Claudio Descalzi; his predecessor Paolo Scaroni; and its chief development, operations and technology officer, Roberto Casula, have all been named as suspects in the bribery investigation.

Jamie Beagent of law firm Leigh Day who acted for Corner House in the judicial review proceedings, said: “We are obviously pleased that the funds have finally been frozen and that an investigation is now taking place into this murky affair.

It is only a shame that the UK authorities ducked their responsibilities in this regard and that it was left to the Italian authorities to pursue this matter with

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Secrecy order lifted in UK on legal challenge to Malabu oil deal

Etete the appropriate rigour.”

The Corner House, Global Witness and Re:Common are writing to the Chair of the UK Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Margaret Hodge MP, informing the Committee of their concerns and requesting that the Committee consider undertaking an inquiry into whether or not the existing UK legislation on restraining proceeds of crime is fit for purpose.

The PAC released in March 2014 a highly critical report on confiscation orders, highlighting the CPS failure to recover assets deemed proceeds of crime.6 A Home Office assessment of current legislation, undertaken by Michael Beloff QC, is widely understood to be critical of it.

The Home Office has refused to release Beloff’s report to The Corner House No investigation in Nigeria The Nigerian government appears unwilling to investigate the deal. Some of those who facilitated it and believed to have received parts of the bribe still work for the administration.

But it has since become clear that more than half of the N171.32 billion ($1.1 billion) paid to Malabu Oil and Gas by Shell and Eni for the procurement of the controversial block, which is one of Nigeria’s richest oil fields, was used to bribe Nigerian politicians and intermediaries who helped to secure the controversial deal.

According to a letter seeking the help of UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to freeze the assets of those involved, Italian prosecutors said some of the N83 billion ($533 million) slush money was used to buy private jets and armoured vehicles.

“We are investigating many money transfers to many people in various countries who received sums that vary from millions of dollars to thousands of dollars,” Reuters claimed the letter reads.

British prosecutors acting on the request have already frozen two accounts with combined sum of N29.5 billion ($190 million) belonging to the chief intermediary, Emeka Obi. Former oil minister, who was convicted for money laundering in France, Dan Etete, owns Malabu Oil and Gas. The company was incorporated five days before the oil block was awarded to it in 1998 during the regime of military dictator, Sani Abacha.

While trying to cover his link with the company, Mr. Etete registered the company with a fictitious director, Kweku Amafegha. The company also listed a fake address in registration documents.

Mr. Etete claimed in a British court in 2013 that former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, demanded a slice of the oil block as bribe.

The Federal Government acted as a conduit for the fund after Shell and Eni raised concerns over transferring the money directly to Malabu due to

Mr Etete’s conviction.

PREMIUM TIMES investigation revealed that after the money was paid to the Federal Government account, it transferred N120 billion ($801 million) to Malabu’s account.

The Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, and Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama, authorized the transfers.

The company subsequently transferred the money to shady companies with fake addresses.

Despite overwhelming evidences showing that Shell and Eni are aware that the money would be paid to a character with a shady background, officials of the companies have denied any wrong doing in the affair.

For instance prosecutors said that a senior official of Shell had a face-to-face meeting with Mr. Etete over expensive “lunch and lots of iced champagne” few moths before the money was transferred to the Nigerian government.

An email presented during the trial also mentioned that the Shell official who feted with Mr Etete would refer to someone in The Hague known as “Peter” over the terms of the deal. Curiously, Shell’s CEO is named Peter Voser.

The Italian prosecutors are investigating the role of Eni’s former CEO, Paola Scaroni and his successor Claudio Descalzi, for alleged international corruption over the scandal.

Premium Times

DAN GAYE

Anti-riot police led troops to flush out insurgents-News

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