Friday, October 9th, 2015 Edition

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Vol. 21 No. 32 N150

Saraki to ministerial nominees:

No asset declaration certificate, no clearance <<<< pAGE 2>>>>

L-R: Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, United Kingdom Chief of Defence Staff, General Nicholas Houghton, new British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright, President Muhammadu Buhari, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Alhaji Ismaila Aliyu, and National Security Adviser to the President, Major-General Babagana Mongunu (rtd), during Nigeria and United Kingdom security meeting, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

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

Court stops Diezani from leaving UK till 2016 <<<< pAGE 2>>>>

Find documents of how INEC allegedly forged Sarakiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s election result on pages 34,35,36

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News CONTENTS News 2-11 Editorial 13 Op.Ed 14 Letters 15 Politics 15-18 Business 19-22 Stockwatch 23 S/Report 24-25 Int’l 27-30

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Court stops Diezani from leaving UK till 2016

By Ibrahim Saratu with agency report

I

ndications emerged yesterday that Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been stopped from leaving the United Kingdom (UK) until April, 2016 when the investigations into allegations against her are expected to have been concluded.

She is expected to be arraigned before the magistrate for alleged money laundering and bribery, Mrs Alison-Madueke was arrested last week along with four others by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA).She was granted bail. Her international passport was, however, seized.

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Metro 31-33 Money Sense 34 Strange World 35 Digest 36 Vogue 39-40 Sports 41 Columnist 48

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She had previously denied any wrongdoing when it was alleged that $20b of oil money had gone missing when she was in office between 2010 and 2015 The NCA, which leads the UK law enforcement’s fight to cut serious and organised crime, is working in league with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the probe of the former minister.

Last Friday when Mrs AlisonMadueke was arrested in London, her Abuja home was raided by the EFCC. The NCA has national and international reach and the mandate and powers to work in partnership with other law enforcement organisations to bring

the full weight of the law to bear on serious and organised criminals.

The Proceeds of Crime Act says: “The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (“POCA”) sets out the legislative scheme for the recovery of criminal assets with criminal confiscation being the most commonly used power.

“Confiscation occurs after a conviction has taken place. Other means of recovering the proceeds of crime, which do not require a conviction, are provided for in the Act, namely civil recovery, cash seizure and taxation powers.

“The aim of the asset recovery schemes in POCA is to deny criminals the use of their assets, recover the proceeds of crime and disrupt and deter criminality.”

Saraki to ministerial nominees: No asset declaration, no clearance

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Dr. Garba Buwai: Tribute to a crusader par excellence Page 17

On Monday, the London Westminster Magistrate’s Court on Marylebone Road approved the holding of the £27,000 cash seized from her, following an application brought by the NCA under the Proceeds of Crime Act in the UK. The court also ruled that the cash can be held for six months – till April, next year when she is expected to be arraigned after investigations.

It was learnt yesterday that the court also granted the order that she should remain in London while investigations last.

Reports said that Mrs AlisonMadueke will only be able to travel after an application has been brought before the court and approved.

ndication emerged yesterday that the Senator President Bukola Saraki and other senators have reached a consensus to place stiffer measures for the ministerial nominees recently forwarded to it by President Muhammadu Buhari for screening.

This is sequel to the decision of the upper legislative chamber, after about two hours closed doors meeting yesterday morning, to stipulate tough screening measures which included asset declaration to be adopted in the screening of nominees to serve as ministers in the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

This has therefore generated tension among the political cycles over imminent squabbles between the executive and the legislative arms of government, as the executive is expected to react in no small measures to this development.

Spokesman of the Senate, Dino Melaye, who briefed journalists shortly after a two hours closed door meeting held yesterday morning, confirmed that the essence of the closed door meeting was to develop and adopt stringent and consensus procedures for the screening of the ministerial nominees forwarded to it by President Buhari, which will commence next week Tuesday.

Melaye, while ruling out the chances of relaxing the guidelines in the screening process, specifically pointed out that the Senate will predicate the screening of the ministerial nominees on the relevant sections of the constitution, just as he emphasised that all the constitutional provisions of the 1999 constitution

would be strictly complied with.

Speaking further, he said that the extant rules of the Senate (Senate Standing Rule) will also be complied with, which implies that the ex members of the National Assembly would not be subjected to the grilling by senators, but would be allowed to ‘take a bow and go’.

He emphasized that the Senate will uphold a controversial section 120 of the Senate Standing Order, which demands that for a ministerial nominee to scale through the Senate screening, a minimum of two senators from his state must concur to his nomination as a minister.

Melaye said the Senate will ensure that section 147 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is strictly complied with in the screening of the nominees. This section states thus “there shall be such offices of ministers of the government of the federation as may be established by the president.

“Any appointment to the office of the minister of the government of the federation shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the senate, be made by the president.

Subsection (5) of this section says “no person shall be appointed as a minister of the government of the federation unless he is qualified for election as member of the House of Representatives.

Another section which the Senate insists it will apply is section 149 of the 1999 Constitution, which borders on asset declaration by the ministerial nominees. This section says “A minister of the government of the federation shall not enter upon the duties of his office, unless he has declared his assets

and liabilities as prescribed in this Constitution and has subsequently taken and subscribed the oath of allegiance and the oath for the due execution of the duties of his office prescribed in the seventh schedule to this Constitution”.

To the above, senator Melaye said the Senate will request for the evidence and will consider such evidence before clearing any nominee to become a minister.

The Senate further said it will ensure that the section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution is complied with in the screening. This section says “the composition of the government of the federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies”.

Given these requirements, there is the likelihood that ministerial nominees from Rivers, Anambra, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, among others, will have their nominations rejected by the senate considering that the states have their three senators from a different political party, which is the PDP, except for strong lobby. n a related development, with few days to the commencement of the screening exercise, more petitions have continued to flood the National Assembly, kicking against the appointments of most of the ministers.

Yesterday, Southern Kaduna Coalition, through a petition

brought by Senator Danjuma La’ah (PDP Kaduna South), rejected the proposed appointment of Amina Ibrahim Mohammed, saying she is not an indigene of Kaduna state.

The petition said “We strongly object to the nomination of the Ministerial nominee for Kaduna State, Amina Ibrahim Mohammed.

Our objection is predicated on the fact that we have reasons to believe that she is not an indigene of Kaduna State but Gombe State.

Recall that yesterday, similar petition was brought before the Senate by senator Gorge Sekkibo, from Rivers state, which is challenging the nomination of former Governor of Rovers State, Chibuike Amaechi, for minister of the federal republic of Nigeria.

Confirming that Senate has received more potions against the nominees, Melaye told journalists yesterday that “We have received a number of petitions, and those petitions are going to be looked into, and the veracity of those petitions will also guide our proceedings during the screening exercise”.

He added that the veracity of petitions being received by the Senate against some of the ministerial nominees would definitely decide the fate of those affected.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki had after the Senate received a petition from Southern Kaduna Coalition against Amina Ibrahim Mohammed as a ministerial nominee from the state, directed the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions, senator Sam Anyanwu ( PDP Imo East), to forward reports of the committee’s findings on all petitions against ministerial nominees to the Senate before Tuesday next week.

process, he does not have any basis to challenge the outcome of the election under scrutiny, “ he argued.

“The petitioner failed to prove the “unlawful exclusion” from the exercise as he claimed in the election process. Since he failed to prove his case, the petition is hereby dismissed, “ Justice Akintayo ruled.

According to him Kwankwaso’s victory was valid as a duly elected Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial district.

On his part, the leading counsel to the petitioner, Barrister A. T.

Falola said he would report back the judgement to his client and wait for the next line of action.

When asked whether they would appeal the judgement, Falola maintained that, “Ours is to communicate to the client. And matters go from one stage to another.

If they wish to appeal that is their constitutional right.”

However, the ruling was followed by wild jubilation by hundreds of supporters of Kwankwaso, who stormed the court premises to witness the trial.

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Tribunal dismisses case against Kwankwaso

From Edwin Olofu,Kano

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n election tribunal sitting in Kano has dismissed a case filed against the former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on the premise that the petitioner lacks locus standi to challenge senator Rabiu Muss Kwankwaso’s victory.

Kwankwaso’s triumph in the last general elections where he emerged winner of the Kano Central senatorial district was challenged by Mega Progressives People’s Party (MPPP)

at the election tribunal, arguing that the election was marred by corrupt practices and other irregularities.

But in his verdict, the Presiding Judge, who is also the Chairman of Election Tribunal, Justice Colonius Ilorin Akintayo, leading other two judges during the sitting argued that, the petitioner, MPPP did not have basis for challenging Kwankwaso’s victory.

“Since the petitioner did not participate in the said election, he could not participate because he was lawfully excluded from the

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

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News Ag News Editor Ese Awhotu

National security remains our priority- Buhari

By Lawrence Olaoye

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration would focus on improvement of national security because other socioeconomic initiatives cannot be successfully implemented without adequate security in the country.

In a statement made available to Villa Correspondents by his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, yesterday, Buhari made the declaration while speaking

at an audience with Britain’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Houghton, President Buhari reaffirmed his administration’s determination to end the Boko Haram insurgency as quickly as possible.

“For a country to be efficiently administered, it must first be well secured because other social and economic initiatives cannot thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity.

“An environment has to be secured before it can be rehabilitated. Nigeria currently has about 1.5 million internally

displaced persons and they need to be returned to their homes and brought out of trauma.

“Their schools, hospitals, churches, mosques, farms and livelihoods have been destroyed by insurgents. If they are not catered for, the country may lose their loyalty.

“When Boko Haram is pushed out and the environment secured, normal life will be restored. That is what we are determined to do. Other things like farming, economic activities and social life will then return. Nigerians are quite enterprising,” Buhari told

the British Defence Chief.

The President said that Nigeria appreciated Britain’s support for the retraining of its Armed Forces and asked for more assistance in other areas such as logistics, equipment and intelligence.

He also called for more international support for regional efforts to improve security in the Gulf of Guinea through which crude oil stolen from Nigeria is shipped.

In his remarks, General Houghton said that the Buhari Presidency was a huge

Electricity tariff: Again, FG warns against overbilling customers

Families and relatives of the victims of 2014 Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment exercise, during a peaceful protest over negligent by former President Goodluck Jonathan administration, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

Photo: Mahmud Isa

10 quarantined over Ebola scare in Calabar

By Patience Paul

E

bola scare yesterday rocked Calabar, the capital of Cross Rivers state as the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH quarantined ten persons arising from the death of a patient in the hospital on Wednesday with symptoms suspected to be Ebola virus.

Chairman of Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital, Dr. Queeneth Kalu who disclosed this

opportunity for Nigeria to make progress.

Houghton said that he was very impressed with the progress Nigeria has made in the war against terrorism under President Buhari and assured the President that Britain will continue to support the Federal Government’s efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

“We will also help to ensure that the causes of insurgency are removed. Beyond the military dimension, we are also interested in the stabilization dimension,” he said.

yesterday at a press briefing said those quarantined are principally nurses who attended to the patient and those who came in contact with him before his death.

Kalu explained that “On Wednesday, 7th October, 2015, we managed a patient who presented with symptoms mimicking viral hemorrhage (Ebola Virus) and have decided to take the necessary measures”.

She said blood samples have been sent to the Ebola Diagnosing

Centre in Benin Edo State, while the National Centre for Disease Control, Federal Ministry of Health, The Cross River State Government, Calabar Municipality, and the Department of State Security Services, DSS have been informed.

But the Cross River Government said yesterday that it was awaiting results of blood samples of a patient, who died at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) with symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fever.

Dr Sunday Omini, Director of Public Health in the state Ministry of Health, said this on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.

Omini was reacting to media reports that a suspected Ebola patient died in UCTH on Wednesday.

“We are aware of the situation and we have got preliminary reports from the hospital, and we are all awaiting the result of the blood samples.”, he said.

he Federal Government has again warned against overbilling, warning that “Until there is stability in the power sector, electricity tariffs cannot remain at the levels they are currently”, according to Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. Speaking yesterday afternoon at the Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, the Vice President who represented President Muhammadu Buhari as the Special Guest of Honor said truth of the matter regarding electricity tariffs is that “at this point, if we wanted to have a cost effective tariff, the only way is to service that core value chain, the only way is to ensure that we are paying and compensating the value chain -from generation down to distribution- a cost effective tariff.”

In a similar vein, the Vice President also made it clear at the meeting that a review of the CBN restrictions on foreign currency is not imminent.

His words: “I want to make it absolutely clear that the position is not that a review of the CBN restrictions on foreign exchange is imminent. It is a short term measure, not a policy, and as things improve, we will have a discussion about what to do.

But certainly not that a review is about to take place.”

Corruption: National Assembly can’t grant themselves immunity-SERAP

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna with agency report

T

he Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the leadership of the National Assembly to immediately end the ongoing process aimed at changing the constitution to shield the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and others from prosecution for corruption as this is tantamount to breaking the law.

In a statement Thursday by SERAP’s Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the group said it is a huge setback for transparency and accountability and the rule of law that the same privileged and powerful leaders of parliament that regularly make laws that consigned ordinary, powerless Nigerians to prison for even trivial offences yet again want to establish elite immunity to protect themselves from any consequences for serious crimes of corruption and money laundering: that is the Nigerian justice system in a nutshell.

“SERAP notes that this initiative by the leaders of the National Assembly is coming at a time countries like Guatemala has voted unanimously to strip their president of immunity from prosecution for corruption. The message the leadership of the National Assembly is sending to us is clear: in Nigeria, powerful and influential actors must not be and are not subject to the rule of law. It’s simply not proper for lawmakers to be the chief advocates of immunity for corruption,” the group said.

SERAP added: “It’s a clear

breach of public trust and a form of political corruption for the parliamentarians to abuse their legislative powers, intended for use in the general public interest but instead for personal advantage. This is an unacceptable proposition as it gives the impression that both the Senate President and the Speaker of the House and others are above the law. “If the leaders of the National Assembly should have their way, this will shield lawbreaking and corrupt Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives from any legal accountability and rob

millions of Nigerians of their rights to accountable government.”

The group said that public officials, who are genuinely committed to the well-being of the state and its people, and to the establishment of an effective and functioning system of administration of justice, should have absolutely nothing to fear.

The group also said that it “will work with other members of the civil society to vigorously challenge this gift of immunity against corruption and blatant breach of public trust by the National Assembly.”

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News Kano govt approves N342m for water treatment

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

K

ano State Executive Council has approved the sum of N342 million for procurement of Aluminum Sulphate and Polymer for water treatment to enhance portable water supply in the state.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Environment, Dr. Ali Haruna Makoda, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state’s council meeting, presided over by the Deputy Governor, Professor Hafizu Abubakar, at the government house yesterday.

According to Makoda, the State Executive council has approved the commitment of the sum of N760 million for the execution of some projects and programmes in the state, adding that the council has also approved N296 million for the purchase of 16 tipper trucks for Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB), as well as N24M for construction of filling stations for the agency.

He said “This is in line with the government’s effort to enhance sanitation exercise in the state.”

Police disburse N52m to relatives of 15 dead officers

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he Zone 8 Command of Nigeria Police in Lokoja has disbursed N52 million to relatives of 15 policemen who lost their lives in the course of service Presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries on Thursday in Lokoja, the AIG in charge of the zone, Mr Tanko Lawal, said that the money was being paid under the Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme for men and officers.

He said that the money was to provide immediate relief to the dependants of the dead policemen.

Lawal said that six other policemen that sustained varying degrees of injuries in the course of duty were also pad N100, 000 each for treatment.

The AIG advised the beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the money, while other benefits accruing to them were being worked out.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Victor Maji, commended the management of the Nigeria Police Force for coming to their aid, saying that the gesture was timely. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Army repels Boko Haram attack, loses 3 men in Giadam

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

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he Nigerian Army yesterday said that it repelled a Boko Haram attack Sector 1 of 27 Task Force Brigade located at Gaidam, Yobe State.

The Army said the attack took place Wednesday evening and it was successfully repelled by the troops and the reinforcement sent.

“The troops killed most of the attacking terrorists and destroying their weapons and equipment.”. a statement by Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations said in Abuja.

However and regretfully too, the Army said it lost 3 soldiers

and some equipment during the encounter.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai who was on operational visit to North East, personally visited the troops location, assessed the damage done.

He warned the officers of the unit that such ugly incident should not be allowed to happen again.

The COAS also drove into the town and further assessed damage by the terrorists and gave further directives to the troops for the defence and improved security of the general area. He also met with some of the community leaders and Idris Aloma Polytechnic staff

where he assure them of their safety and improved security.

The Army said the situation in Geidam is now calm and people are going about their normal businesses.

The Chief of Army Staff was received at Geidam by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General Hassan Umaru and Acting Commander 27 Task Force Brigade who led the reinforcement team last night.

The COAS was accompanied on the visit by the Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Yusha’u Abubakar, the Chief of Training and Operations (Army), Major General Fatai Alli,

as well as Acting Director of Military Intelligence, Acting Provost Marshall and Director of Campaign Planning, as well as the Acting Director Army Public Relations and the Liaison Officer of the Multinational Joint Taskforce.

The Army assured the public that this isolated incident would not be allowed to repeat itself, reaffirming its determination and commitment to route out the Boko Haram terrorists in all their enclaves before the end of this year.

The Chief of Army has continued his operational visit to other formations and units within the theatre of war against the Boko Haram terrorists.

Residents OF Ogbenogbo, Ogbegbuya and Goodwill/Trade Fair communities protesting at the Benin Electricity Distribution Company’s headquarters, yesterday in Benin, Edo state, over alleged persistent blackout in their communities for over two years.

Photo: NAN

NUT to create one million jobs for tailors From:Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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igeria Union of Tailors ( NUT) said it is working out a partnership that will create one million jobs annually for tailors in the country.

The National President of the Union, Comrade Otunba Wasiu Jayeola Taiwo disclosed this at the inauguration of the newly elected officers of Kaduna state chapter of the union held in Kaduna yesterday.

Comrade Taiwo said out of

Rotary distributes free drugs, mosquito nets in Kaduna From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

the two million jobs the federal government promised to generate one million annually if the Union can generated one million because everybody need the services of tailor in as much as they will not go naked.

In view of the above the NUT President added that the National Executive Council of the Union is putting in place objectives to institutionalize the tailoring industry and one of the ways is the Identity Card joint venture with Skye Bank PLC.

s part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, the Rotary club has distributed free drugs, mosquito nets and others medical equipments worth 10 million naira to the needy in Kaduna.

President of Kawo-Kaduna Rotary club, Rotary Fasasi Akintunde Gbenga disclosed this to newsmen yesterday while

administering the drugs on persons at the Kabala Doki government hospital, Kaduna.

Akintunde said the free medical care and service has become a tradition of the rotary which is been carried out every year on families.

He said the free medical care is to run for three days as it is also conducting high blood pressure check, blood sugar check, HIV test and family counseling.

recent statistics indicate that no fewer than 23 million Nigerians are infected with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) making the country most infected in the world.

“Hepatitis B is a major global health problem and experts are bemoaning the fact that the HBV infection causes chronic liver disease, it has received little or no attention in Nigeria, thereby making it a major public health hazard in the country.

“The hepatitis B can be an

epidemic is a disease which can infect and inhabit in people for many years without any clear manifestation or symptom, “she said.

According to her, the disease can be an epidemic in nature as those infected are often unaware of their health condition and could unknowingly pass the virus to others through blood and bodily fluids.

She added that hepatitis B if undetected could progress to long

term disease such as chronic liver and severe scarring of the liver adding that the B and C variants are the most common forms in Nigeria.

The motion which was unanimously agreed upon by the House and presided over by the Speaker also urged the Federal Government to create public awareness on Hepatitis and integrate the Hepatitis B vaccine into the National Immunisation Programmes.

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Reps urge FG to create policy on Hepatitis B

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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he House of Representatives yesterday urged the Federal Government to create a policy on Hepatitis akin to the policy on HIV to aid efforts in reducing the burden of the disease.

In a motion entitled “Need to develop a national plan for the prevention, control and treatment of hepatitis” sponsored by Hon. Aishatu Dukku noted that the

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

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News

Kwara community tasks govt on infrastructure

Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Malam Muhammad Sani Sidi (middle), presenting relief materials to victims of the recent flood disasters in Sokoto to the state Governor, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (left), yesterday in Sokoto.

By Patience Paul

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he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it has approved maximum purchase of 1,000 dollars as Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) at an exchange rate of N160 per dollar to Christian pilgrims.

The bank disclosed this in a circular to all authorised dealers and the public from its Trade and Exchange Department which was posted on its website on Thursday.

The CBN said the Federal Government approved a maximum purchase of 1, 000 dollars PTA to each pilgrim in respect of the 2015 Christian pilgrimage to Israel, Rome or

Greece.

It said that the Federal Government had approved the purchase of a maximum at a concessionary exchange rate of N160 to the dollar by each intending pilgrim.

It also said that the Chairman or Secretary of each state pilgrim’s board would be allowed to sign and collect the PTA on behalf of the intending pilgrims.

The bank said that this would only be after due identification such as presentation of the approval list and valid passports of the pilgrims listed against the state.

``Consequently, each pilgrim travelling to Israel is entitled to maximum of 750 dollars, while those going to Israel/Rome or Greece are entitled to maximum of 1,000 dollars. ``No pilgrim should be denied the travel allowance on the ground that he/she has no Tax Clearance Certificate. ``In view of the time constraint associated with the pilgrimage, the chairman or the secretary of each state pilgrims’ board after due identification, may be allowed to sign for and collect the PTA. ``This is on the behalf of the intending pilgrim in each state on

presentation of the approval list and valid passports of the pilgrims listed against the state. ``In accordance with Israeli and Italian Governments’ policies, visa shall only be issued to the pilgrims at the point of entry, that is, at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, Israel and Fumichino Airport, Rome, Italy, on arrival.

It added that the air tickets and visa requirements for the purpose of procuring the stipulated PTA had been waived.

The bank, however, added that an endorsed copy of each pilgrim’s passport should be retained by bank for record purposes. (NAN)

he People of Patigi local government area of Kwara State have appealed to the state government to rehabilitate Patigi-Gbugbu road to boost socio-economic activities of the areas.

They made the appeal recently during the meeting of Patigi Emirate Development Union (PEDU) held in Patigi.

A statement by the Public Secretary of the association, Muhammadu Saidu said motorists in the area had suffered untold hardship due to deplorable nature of the road for years without proper attention by the state government.

The community also appealed to the Federal Government to complete Nupeko-Bida road as well as construct bridge across the confluence of Niger and Kaduna Rivers to reduce rate of accidents on Bida-Mokwa road and Abuja-Lokoja road due to congestion.

“The completion of the Nupeko-Bida road and the construction of the bridge will also ease transportation of agricultural products and improve economic activities of the area,” the statement said.

The community appealed to federal government to complete NTA community station whose construction was abandoned 12 years ago.

By Maryam Hassan Garba

Child Education” is chosen as a deliberate plan in the pursuit of programmes to enhance the quality of the contributions of Nigerian Women to national development.

Director General of NCWD, Lady Onyeka Onwenu (MFR) who spoke to newsmen Wednesday in Abuja said the Summit is hinged on the United Nations Declaration of 11th December 2011, which instituted the International Day of the Girl-Child.

She noted that the Declaration

was to bring to the fore, the challenges faced by the Girl-Child and other issues, such as genderbased violence.

Areas to be covered in this year’s summit include, but not limited to developing strong Girl-Child Education Policy, streamlining economic empowerment programmes for women and girls, preventing Gender based violence, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) and empowerment and training for Rehabilitation.

The key objectives of the

summit according to Lady Onwenu are to develop a platform for high level discourse on current issues affecting girl-child education in Nigeria, creating avenue for economic empowerment for marginalized women and girls, by focusing on education, violence and security apart from formulating and proposing gender focused programmes for Women and Girls, through a well-established and sustainable mechanism for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of their impact.

She said in view of emerging trends in advocating for Women and Girls concerns in Nigeria, the 2015 Summit is expected to draw the attention of policy makers to the critical issues affecting Women and Girls, as well as create a platform for high level discourse and strategic interventions on current issues affecting Women and Girls in Nigeria, adding that the Centre’s advocacy on these issues with the various authorities will be relentlessly pursued, even after the Summit is concluded.

CBN approves $1,000 as PTA to Christian pilgrim T

Women, girls’ summit holds in Abuja A

s part of efforts to consolidate on the successes recorded in the 2014 edition of the Women and Girls summit, the National Centre for Women Development,(NCWD) is convening the 2015 edition which will hold on October 15, 2015 at the headquarters of the NCWD in Abuja.

This year’s edition with the theme: “Empowerment and Training: Innovating for Girl-

FG promises speedy action on Nekede gully erosion

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he Federal Ministry of Environment has promised that the erosion menace in Nekede Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo will soon be addressed.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Nana-Fatima Mede, made the pledge when she inspected the erosion site.

Mede said the Federal Government had channelled a lot of resources to control

erosion in the area but stressed that the remaining aspect would be completed soon.

She directed Mr Ernest Mbie, the Zonal Controller of Environment in the Southeast, to liaise with the ministry in Abuja to come up with a comprehensive situation report on Nekede erosion for immediate action.

“The present situation of Nekede Road is not benefiting anyone.

``The whole road was devastated by gully erosion but the Federal Government had intervened and Imo Government has also promised to be of assistance,” Mede said.

She said that plans were underway for the ministry and all its parastatal agencies to come up with “Water Harvest” plan to tackle the issue of flooding in all parts of the country.

The permanent secretary advised the people to ensure

that they cleared their drains, saying that improper drainage could lead to flooding.

In his remarks, Dr Lawrence Anukam, the Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), urged individuals, companies and industries to comply with the environmental rules and regulations.

Anukam said that proper compliance would lead

to effective solid waste management and healthy living.

He said that the 2015 World Environment Day with the theme: “Healthy Environment: Our Collective Responsibility” was aimed at creating more awareness on the need for a cleaner environment.

The director-general said that it was also to educate the populace on the need for regular clean-up aside the monthly environmental exercise. (NAN)

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News

22 children kidnapped in Benue

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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ot less than 22 children within the ages of four(4) and seven(7) have been kidnapped in various parts of Benue state in the last few weeks.

This is even as the State Governor, Samuel Ortom worried by the ugly development, promised that the state government would collaborate with security agencies to tackle the rising spate of kidnapping in the state.

Some mothers of the kidnapped children who addressed newsmen in Makurdi yesterday at the NUJ Secretariat, narrated stories of how their children went missing

without any trace so far.

One of them, Mrs. Ngodoo Amiaser aged 30, a mother of three children said her 4 year old son, Tersoo Paul Amiaser who is a pupil of Joel Model school, Gboko road, Makurdi went missing since August 29, this year.

Ngodoo, a trader at Wurukum market said the young boy who had gone to the market with her on that fateful day and decided to go and play somewhere within the market when he was abducted.

“My son went to play close by within the market. He left my shop at about 4pm, but by 5pm when he would usually come back, I didn’t see him. So, I went looking for him

and in the process, a young girl said she saw him with a woman who claimed to be her sister taking the child to buy bobo” The narration of Mrs. Wandoo Hemkya, Mrs. Charity Otumala and Doosuur Aer are not different as their children were taken away by unidentified persons at different locations in Benue.

Hemkya who spoke amidst tears, said she left her son, Saaondo with her sister to attend a burial program in the village but on return, she was told that somebody who introduced himself as an ‘uncle’ took him away on the claim that he was going to buy Bobo for him.

Otumala and Doosuur who live within the same neighborhood in Wadata area of Makurdi lost their sons same day after an unidentified person picked them away from where they were playing.

The women whose husbands were mostly commercial bus drivers said they had reported the matter to the police and appealed to members of the public to pray along with them and avail the police information of how they could find the children.

Benue State Police Command spokesman ASP Austin Ezeani confirmed the incidence of child kidnapping, stating that most of the abducted children are either

sold or used to demand for ransom by the kidnappers.

He advised parents to be protect their children especially from strangers and even relations as most of the incidence could be done by family members, Ezeani however, assured that frantic efforts are been made to recover the kidnapped children.

Benue: Governor Ortom grants pardon to 112 prison inmates From:Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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Mothers display pictures of their children who were kidnapped at different instances, yesterday in Makurdi, Benue state.

Photo: NAN

Vigilante leader tasks NURTW on security at motor parks

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lhaji Rilwan Hussein, the Head of Vigilance Group in Osun, on Thursday, called on the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to be vigilant at the motor parks.

Hussein made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Ede, Osun.

He said the measure was necessary in order to protect lives and property at the parks.

He advised the union to mount speed breakers at the entrance of the parks to limit the speed of vehicles and allow for thorough checks on vehicles and people entering the parks.

“There is urgent need to secure our motor parks and prevent

avoidable deaths of innocent citizens.

“Obstacles must be mounted at every entrance of our parks, to safeguard our parks against insurgency.

“The union must also be vigilant at all times and challenge any suspicious movement at the motor parks.

“We must all work together to salvage our country from insurgency, “ he said.(NAN) 2 men docked for beating up man over property in Lagos Two men -- Aminu Dagogo and Bashiru Ibrahim -- were on Thursday charged before a Surulere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly assaulting a

man, Musa Usman.

The accused -- Dagogo, 28, and Ibrahim, 22 – both residents of No. 20, Orowumi St., OrileIganmu, Lagos, are facing a twocount charge of conspiracy and assault.

The duo pleaded not guilty to the offences.

But the prosecutor, Insp.

Ekundayo Gabriel, told the court that the accused with others still at large committed the offences at Orile-Iganmu Bus Stop on Oct. 5.

He said the complainant, Usman, brought the two accused to the police station on Oct. 2 for allegedly stealing his property at his residence. ``After the suspects were

bailed at the police station on Oct.5, they beat up the complainant and threatened to kill him.”

The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 170 and 410 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Ruling on the bail application of the accused, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Dan-Oni granted them bail in the sum of N50, 000 each with one surety each in like sum.

She said the surety should provide evidence of tax payment as part of the bail condition.

The magistrate adjourned the case till Nov. 18 for hearing.

(NAN)

enue State Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday granted clemency to over 112 prison inmates of the Medium Prisons in Makurdi.

The governor explained that the gesture is part of the amnesty program of his administration, adding that it is in exercise of section 212 of the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria that gives him the right to do so.

Governor Ortom said 38 convicts were granted amnesty out of which 16 were released from prison custody, 8 had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment and 14 also, had their sentences reduced to various terms of imprisonment.

He also, paid fines for 74 inmates including those in Kaduna and Jos, Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo prisons who could not pay options of fines, disclosing that over 2 million naira was expended for this purpose.

Ortom lamented that the prison is overcrowded with over 700 inmates, noting that a cell which is supposed to accommodate 20 inmates, takes more than 120 inmates.

While urging the freed prisoners to turn a new leaf and be productive to growth and development of the society, he equally appealed to Benue indigenes to accept and assist them in their period of reformation, rehabilitation and resettlement.

He announced the construction of 3 motorized boreholes, a Toyota bus as well as a Hilux vehicle to ease the transportation problem of the prison, assuring that government will continue to support the Prisons in its reformation drive.

The State Prisons Controller Oyigocho Ogbole appreciated the efforts of the Governor in reducing crime wave in the State through the amnesty program that is yielding positive fruit.

Mr. Ogbole requested amongst other things; vehicles, renovation of the old dilapidated Prison in Wadata area of Makurdi as well as the re-invigoration of the moribund Advisory Council of Prerogative of Mercy Committee.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

PAGE 9

News

Provide credit facilities to farmers, gov Okowa urges financial institutions

Resident Muhammadu Buhari (7th right), Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (8th right), Senate President Bukola Saraki (6th right), Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara (9th right), Deputy Speaker, Hon. Suleiman Lasu (5th right), Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, and other principal officers of the National Assembly, after a meeting with President Buhari, on Wednesday night, at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

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Hajj tragedy: Gov Yari condoles Buhari, Sultan

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

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overnor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar of Zamfara State and Chairman Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) has condoled the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar (III), President Muhammadu Buhari and the entire families from across the country who lost their loved ones

during the just concluded hajj exercise.

In a statement by the State Chief of Staff, Engineer Abdulkarim Abdullahi Tsafe said, it has become necessary to as the Governor of the state and NGF Chairman express concern on the painful demise of brothers and sisters while at the holy land for worshipping.

The noted that, the nation

was in deep state of mourning having lost such a large number of its citizens who died in the twin accidents caused by construction and stampede in Saudi Arabia during the 2015 hajj performance.

He said, “Although such an accidents were natural but, the Saudi authority could strive to ensure preventive measures were adequately put in place in the

system of further constructions in effort to avoid re-occurrence”.

Yari, who further called for intensified prayers from across the Muslim communities in the state and the country for Almighty God to grant the deceased pilgrims Jannatul Firdaus, urged concerned governments to ensure full compensations to the directly affected families.

Zamfara SUBEB vows to promote teaching, learning qualities From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

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he Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (ZSUBEB) has embarked upon statewide inspection and administrative record tour in effort to promote the quality of teaching and learning to all the 14 local education authority headquarters in the state.

The development was heralded by the Acting Executive Chairman of the board, Sidi Yakubu Bakura, when he paid an inspection visit to Gusau Local Education Authority

(LEA) headquarters Yesterday in Gusau, the state capital.

Sidi Bakura has emphasised that, the main objective of the visit was to encourage proper records keeping across the 14 LEAs offices in the state for adequate utilisation, planning, organisation and implementation of Basic Education Program in the state.

Bakura who described administrative as an integral policy organ for the government stated that, the SUBEB had shortlisted all administrative facilities that virtually need to be maintained

by administrative officers in their respective LGEA offices.

He said the board has identified a total of 118 staff on course out of 717 teaching staff, 153 public schools as well as 77 registered private schools under Gusau local government council of the state.

He further decried a total negligence in record keeping by some Local Education Authority Managers as factors bedeviled SUBEB to fully implement its program successfully in the state, “hence the needs to draw “Our visit will help us to

ascertain the comprehensive list of our staff on courses, posting and transfer lists, staff attendance register, school data among others” Bakura has informed.

He cautioned all the quality assurance officers of the board responsible for the regular supervision in all the Primary and post primary schools in the state on the need to re-dedicate their primary responsibility in order to attain successful implementation of the federal government’s Universal Basic Education Program in the State.

statement by Wilson Uwujaren Head, Media & Publicity that the 448 travelers’ Cheques recovered from Isikwei were discovered to purportedly belong to four banks in America, Europe and Canada.

The Banks and the traveller’s Cheques are: Gun Nebo Inc. (Bank of Nova Scotia)- 117 pieces, Postbank Frankfurt -258 pieces, Safe Federal Credit Union -41 pieces and RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) -32 pieces.

All the travellers’ cheques were signed, with some having monetary value written on them.

Among the Cheques belonging to Safe Federal Credit Union, 27 pieces were blank while 14 pieces of the Cheques have monetary value worth 322,800 US Dollars.

According to the EFCC, twenty seven pieces of the travellers’ Cheques belonging to Gun Nebo Canada Inc. were blank while 90 pieces of the cheques have monetary value worth 354,300 Canadian Dollars.

The suspect who claims he exports dried fish from Nigeria to Belgium, told investigators that he collected the parcel for onward delivery to a friend without any knowledge of the content.

In a related development, the EFCC is investigating the activities of one Pascal Onuora Udeh. The 34-year-old was arrested for being in possession of 108 pieces of Automated Teller Machine (ATM)/Debit cards.

The suspect who claims to be

a trader and an undergraduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, is a native of Umudim Village of Obibi, Ochasi Ato, in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State. He was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos by the Operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during the outward clearance of passengers on a Qatar Airline flight to China.

The suspect alleged that the Debit cards were given to him by his business associates to use in China to purchase men’s wears.

The EFCC said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

EFCC arraigns man for illegal possession of 448 travelers’ cheques

By Mashr Umau Gwamna

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign one Jonathan Odu Isikwei for unlawful possession of 448 travelers Cheques.

Isikwei 51, a native of Igbodo in Aniocha Local Government Area of Delta State, was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos by the Operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during the outward clearance of passengers on a Belgium- bound flight. The case was transferred to the EFCC for further investigation.

The EFCC said yesterday in a

elta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has challenged financial institutions to make the diversification of Nigerian economy a reality by introducing robust credit policies on agriculture.

The governor made the call when he gave out more than 25 tractors and implements to farmers and about thirty million naira to cooperative societies.

The occasion was the inauguration of the Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP) under the job and wealth creation scheme of his administration.

According to the Governor, “despite the acknowledgement that agriculture plays a crucial role in driving economic development, inadequate funding has, inexplicably, continued to be recurring decimal as the bulk of our small-scale farmers regrettably do not have access to credit finance and are therefore unable to invest in basic farming inputs such as implements, seedlings and fertilizers.”

While noting that due to the challenges of financing, “farm yields have remained abysmally low, leading to widespread poverty and stunted economic growth,” the Governor emphasised, “our financial institutions must rise up to the challenge of agricultural financing if we are serious about economic diversification and selfreliance”.

“The banking sector must come up with robust credit policies in agriculture that will address credit turnaround time, the recruitment and training of specialist bankers who understand the dynamics of agriculture and agribusiness, especially the fact that they are time and season bound.” He added.

The Governor observed that Delta State has not tapped the abundant natural resources, very favourable climatic condition, vast arable land and fertile soil in agribusiness for economic growth, employment creation, import substitution and sustainable development.

He also disclosed that the PPSP was conceived “to help overcome the problems of resource scarcity, poor technology and infrastructure

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

PAGE 10

News

Subvention: VC IBB varsity urges Niger govt on timely release

L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Leader of the Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura) of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince (Dr) Khalid Bin Abdullah al-Saud, during a visit by the Saudi delegation to the speaker’s, on Wednesday at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna

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he Vice Chancellor, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Muhammed Nasir Maiturare has urged the Niger State government for the timely release of the monthly subvention so as to facilitate the institution’s statutory functions.

Maiturare while leading the management of the institution on a visit to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, said that the appeal has become necessary due to impact the delay might have on the morale of the staff.

The VC intimated that untimely release of the subvention was impacting negatively on the university, adding that the situation was counter-productive.

He noted that the staff of the institution was last to be paid their monthly entitlement owing to the anomaly that would affect the morale and productivity of the staff.

Represented by his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammad Kesto who received the management team reassured the government’s determination towards providing every necessary support and assistance to the institution so as to enable it achieve its vision.

Ketso assured the management of the institution that ministries and department agencies of the state government would be encouraged to partner with the institution to boost its human capital and socio-economic needs.

He further applauded the research and other intellectual efforts of the university promised to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure that the philosophy behind the establishment of the institution is enhanced.

While he promised that the state government would respond to some teething challenges of the institution without further delay, just as he underscored the importance of education to the development of every society which the present administration was determined to give adequate attention it required.

Kenya trains Nigeria’s Mathematics, science teachers From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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entre for Mathematics and Science Technology Education in Africa ( CEMASTIA) based in Nairobi Kenya has been training Nigerian science and mathematics teachers since 2004.

The centre said they have trained large number of teachers from Nigeria alongside their colleagues from other African countries.

Coordinator Inter-Country Quality Node on Mathematics

and Science Education under CEMASTIA, Mr Parick Kogallo disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen at National Teachers Institute NTI headquarters in Kaduna.

According to him, every year about 19 teachers from Nigeria are sent to his country for training.

“Presently we have about 10 teachers training in Kenya, this we have been doing since 2004. Every year about 10 countries send their teachers to acquire more training on Mathematics and Science subjects,” he said.

He said the centre served 35

countries where they train teachers from those countries.

Mr Kogollo added that Nigeria has done well in the area of Strengthening Mathematics and Science Teachers in the country.

He explained that five countries were selected by the centre after training their teachers for visit and Nigeria is one of the countries.

Kogolla added that education is the best means of moving any country forward.

In his remarks, NTI Director General, Dr Aminu Ladan Sharehu said his dreams and desires is for the institute’s Centre for

Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE) a regional centre in west Africa.

According to him, even though SMASE project have been sustained in Nigeria it has not reach where it should be.

Sharehu expressed commitment and readiness of NTI to continue partnering with CEMASTIA in improving Teachers training on Mathematics and Science education.

He commended the visitors for their interest in improving mathematics and science education in the whole of African continent.

Ortom unveils blueprint at stakeholders meeting From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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enue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has disclosed that his administration would unveil its blueprint at a stakeholders meeting billed for next week.

Governor Ortom who disclosed this during an interactive session with Journalists in Makurdi, said the meeting would cut across party line, averring that opportunity

would be given to all stakeholders to make input into the document.

On the nagging issue of the bailout fund, the governor said the state was yet to access the N28 billion for workers and appealed to them to be patient as necessary documentation had been completed with the Central Bank.

He disclosed that N12.5 billion meant for state government workers would be accessed through the United Bank for

Africa, UBA while N15.5 billion for local government staff will be gotten through Fidelity Bank.

The governor explained that the dwindling allocation from the federation account is responsible for the delay in payment of September salaries, adding that the development is posing a big challenge in the prompt payment of salary to workers.

He said government would involve relevant bodies like

NULGE and NUT in joint account meetings as well as the payment of bailout to workers.

On the expiration of the deadline for the amnesty programme for those in possession of arms, the governor promised to organise retreat for those who surrendered arms, including the payment of stipends, warning that government would go after those who have failed to surrender their arms.

Doctors strike helped curtail Ebola spread, says Guild’s president

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r Tony Phillips, National President, Guild of Medical Directors, says that the doctors’ strike during the Ebola outbreak in 2014 helped to curtail its spread in Nigeria.

Phillips made the assertion during a visit on Wednesday to First Consultant Hospital, Obalende, Lagos, as part of the activities to mark the 25th National Annual General Meeting of the guild.

He said that the visit to the hospital was significant because of the role the hospital played in curtailing the spread of Ebola in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Guild of Medical Directors is a body of private medical practitioners.

NAN also recalls that the first Ebola patient in Nigeria, Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian, died at the hospital leading to the death of Dr

Stella Adadevoh. ``Ebola is one disease that has kept the world on its toes, especially Nigeria and what Nigeria did with regards to curtailing its spread was significant. ``I have said it before that the doctors’ strike that time was divine and if not for the intervention of First Consultant Hospital, it would have been worse. ``Ebola would have been all over the place because Patrick

Sawyer wouldn’t have travelled all the way from airport to this hospital. ``What if he went to a general hospital like the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and met with out-patients? It could have been a fatal spread. ``This hospital lost many of its staff and resources as a result of this incident and this necessitated the honour of visiting the hospital,’’ he said.

Phillips said that most Nigerians still entertained the fear of going to the hospital, but advised that the facility was safe for people as the government had certified it so.

He said the significance of the guild’s conference with the theme, ``Combating Burden of NonCommunicable Diseases in Nigeria through Lifestyle Changes’’, was to help young doctors in the guild to grapple with the conditions.

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

EDITORIAL

Now that jailed Al Jazeera journalists are free...

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party,” he said. “I will continue fighting for wo Al Jazeera journalists jailed press freedom.” in Egypt since December 2013 for broadcasting false news We at Peoples Daily welcome the release of the two journalists; it is a victory not were released last Wednesday. only for Al Jazeera, the digital satellite They are Mohammed Fahmy, TV channel based in Doha, UAE, but a Canadian, and Baher Mohamed, an journalism practice all over the world.

Egyptian. The two, according to reports, Just as their persecution was condemned were among a number of prisoners whose release was ordered by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. A third person from the case was also pardoned, but it is not clear if this is Peter Greste, an Australian, who was deported in February.About 100 prisoners were affected by the presidential pardons, given ahead of the Islamic festival of Eidal Adha (Eid el Kabir) and a day before alSisi travelledto New York to address the UN General Assembly.

Reporting ‘false news’, according to prosecutors, meant collaboration with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in 2013.The journalists denied the allegation, saying they were simply reporting the news. Legal experts believed the charges were politically motivated.They were arrested at a hotel used by Al Jazeera English to report from Cairo after its bureau was raided by police.

The journalists were initially convicted in June 2014 after a trial that was widely condemned. Greste and Fahmy were sentenced to seven years in prison, while Mohamed was given a 10-year sentence after also being found guilty of possessing a spent bullet casing.In January, Egypt’s worldwide, so is the celebration of their Court of Cassation ordered a retrial freedom. However, this is not the end of after ruling that the original court had the matter. We demand that all chargesand been “hasty in pronouncing its verdict”. sentences brought against the two and After their release, the two journalists their 7 colleagues sentenced in absentia were dropped off in a Cairo suburb be dropped altogether. After all, they had still wearing their prison uniforms. not committed any crime under known Fahmy described their experience as a Egyptian law. Besides, the two journalists “nightmare” and was happy that it was released last week deserve an apology from over. “We’re going to travel the world, the Egyptian government for disgracing we’re going to celebrate, we’re going to

“

Al Jazeera said in a report on its website that it “continues to demand all charges and sentences against its journalists are dropped”, noting that Greste and six other employees had been convicted in absentia.

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

them even in freedom. Dumping them in a Cairo suburb in their prison uniform was indecent.

We commend the management of Al Jazeera for standing with their journalists all the way, without wavering. This is as it should be in all decent societies. They even launched a global social media campaign for their release tagged FREEAJSTAFF. The campaign was very successful; world leaders and NGOs participated in protests and individuals tweeted.

As AJ management did acknowledge, “campaigning works” and in the case of their journalists jailed in Egypt it worked very well.

‘Long nightmare ends’ A statement from President Sisi’s office issued on Wednesday said Fahmy and Mohamed were named on a decree pardoning 100 young people “who had received final court sentences, having been convicted on the grounds of violating the anti-protest law and assaulting police forces”.

“Other prisoners were pardoned due to their health conditions and on humanitarian grounds,” it added.

Also named were the prominent activists YaraSallam and SanaaSeif, who were jailed in 2014 for taking part in an “illegal protest”.

“The whole nightmare is over,” said Mr Mohamed.

Al Jazeera said in a report on its website that it “continues to demand all charges and sentences against its journalists are dropped”, noting that Greste and six other employees had been convicted in absentia.

He had said he would be willing to pardon the Al Jazeera journalists once the judicial process had ended.

Fahmy, who renounced his Egyptian citizenship to qualify for deportation in February, is expected to leave for Canada following his release.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

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

Editor, Daily

Chief Operating Officer Ali M. Ali

Acting Editor, Weekend Lawal Sabo Ibrahim

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

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Opinion

Diezani et al: Let the investigations begin

By Jibrin Ibrahim

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n Friday, PREMIUM TIMES broke the story of the arrest of Diezani Alison-Madueke, former minister of petroleum. She was arrested in London by the UK National Crime Agency on suspicion of bribery and money laundering.

The event reminded me of our only encounter where she was chastising me for my incapacity to understand the anti-corruption stance of their government. In September 2012, I received a call that the permanent secretary of the foreign ministry wanted to see me immediately. I went to the office to meet the urbane gentleman, Martin Uhomoibhi who as always was decked in a suit and elegant bow tie. He told me that President Kuffour had been invited to the 2012 Independence Lecture that month and he would like me to provide a Nigerian perspective but would want an assurance that I would not attack the government. I told him that if he had researched my background he would have known that I was no praise singer and advised him to search out the large bevy of praise singers available in the country. He gave his sweet smile and told me he had done his due diligence on my background and I was not invited by accident. He said he has a doctorate degree from Oxford and was a lecturer in the University of Ibadan with massive respect for academic freedom so he would not dream of censoring me. There would be enough accolades in President Kuffor’s lecture and it would be more balanced if there were a few critical thoughts expressed he explained.

However, as it was a prestigious event with the entire cabinet and diplomatic corps in attendance, an attack on the Government would not be suitable. We agreed and I turned up on 18th September to participate in the event. After my presentation, President Jonathan responded with fury and anger, an approach that is not in his usual cool and friendly manner. What irritated him were the comments I made on the fuel subsidy

By Jibril Nasir

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ne of the last bills to be assented to by former President Goodluck Jonathan was the much-awaited Tobacco Control Bill. Signed just barely 24 hours to his last day in office, the Act is the formal domestication of the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 2003, which Nigeria signed in 2004 and ratified in 2005.The Tobacco Control Act provides the enabling legislation that will be the foundation of the nexus between democracy, public health and economy.

It also provides the basis for setting up the National Tobacco Control Committee, which will oversee the effective implementation of the tobacco regulation. The Act will regulate the production, manufacture, sales, labeling, advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products in Nigeria.

The core demand reduction provisions in the WHO FCTC contained in Articles 6-14 is the implementation of price and tax measures to reduce the demand for tobacco. An attempt to enforce the demand side of the FCTC provision will in an ideal circumstance – assuming tax administration systems are functioning optimally and relevant security measure are adequate to

demonstrations reproduced below: “In January this year, I was one of the thousands of Nigerians in the streets demonstrating against the removal of fuel subsidy by my beloved President Goodluck Jonathan. The leading intellectuals of the regime came out to criticise us for our lack of understanding of basic economics.

We were told that the evidence is clear that the subsidy is unsustainable.

We were dismissed as enemies of the transformation agenda who did not realise that the money for the transformation agenda was going into fuel subsidy rather than economic development so we were saboteurs.

We stood our ground. We said there was nothing wrong is subsidising the people but the problem was that people were not being subsidised, the money was being stolen. Today, the jury is out. It was not a subsidy regime; it was a regime of mega looting. Without our demonstrations and protests, President Jonathan would have never understood that the spin he was given about abstract subsidy was the narratives of the mega thieves and not the patriots. All ministers genuinely committed to the transformation agenda are therefore invited to join the next demonstration to be organised by occupy Nigeria.”

In his response to my comments, President Jonathan insisted that the demonstrations were an indication of manipulation. In his own words: “During the demonstration in Lagos, people were given bottled water that people in my village don’t have access

“

to, people were given expensive food that the ordinary people in Lagos cannot eat. So even going to eat free food alone attracts people. They go and hire the best musician to come and play and the best comedian to come and entertain; is that demonstration? Are you telling me that that is a demonstration from ordinary masses in Nigeria who want to communicate something to government? For me, if I see somebody is manipulating anything I don’t listen to you but when I see people genuinely talking about issues I listen. I am hardly intimidated by anybody who wants to push any issue he has. I believe that that protest in Lagos was manipulated by a class in Lagos and was not from the ordinary people.”

He then directed Madam Diezani Alison to respond to what he called the charges I made against his Government. She gave a long-winded speech about the strategy of President Jonathan to destroy the corrupt fuel subsidy cabal and described my position as being in tandem with the corrupt cabal that did not want corruption to end. I was not given a right of reply so I had to keep my anger to myself about demonstrating for free food and bottled water and for doing the handiwork of the corrupt cabal. I suppose we will soon see evidence of Diezani’s commitment to anti-corruption in the British courts.

At the end of the event, I asked two of my former students who were then directors in the Foreign Ministry

about my honorarium. They were more interested in getting me out of the place. They explained that the normal interpretation that would be given was that the permanent secretary had invited a speaker to embarrass the President and that at that moment I was not the most loved person in the Foreign Ministry. They escorted me to my car and I went off and thank God the permanent secretary survived the indiscretion of inviting me to an event where criticism was not allowed. The new permanent secretary should find out who chopped my honorarium and prosecute the person.

In my paper, I had questioned the assumption of President Jonathan and his Government that national transformation is about what presidents do, on their own. I argued that positive transformation is what has been on-going in Nigeria for the past three decades and the motive force of the transformation has been the role of trade unions, professional associations, citizens and civil society in putting up barricades to confront many decades of military dictatorship and fight against tyranny at a very high cost to their lives and liberties. The result has the return of democracy as an outcome of popular struggles. I agreed that there was indeed a transformation agenda in the country but added that those in power had been stumbling blocks rather than partners in the positive transformation of Nigeria. In the 1980s, our ruling classes took the

He then directed Madam Diezani Alison to respond to what he called the charges I made against his Government. She gave a long-winded speech about the strategy of President Jonathan to destroy the corrupt fuel subsidy cabal and described my position as being in tandem with the corrupt cabal that did not want corruption to end.

side of the multilateral agencies, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. They told Nigerians a narrative about how we have lived above our means in a context in which our production was not at pace our consumption so they must impose discipline and austerity on us. It was in that context that SAP was imposed.

There were cuts in public employment, massive devaluation of the naira and inflation, the withdrawal of the state from social provisioning and so on. Nigerians decided they must transform that reality. My concern at that time was that there was a need for a real debate on national transformation but when the concept is reduced to what a serving president says he is doing, the debate dies before it even takes off. It is clearer to all today that the regime of President Jonathan was the stumbling block to national transformation and was indeed steering the country towards national destruction.

Maybe it is not surprising that President Jonathan would continue to believe that the hundreds of thousands of Nigerians in dozens of cities all over the country were on the barricades campaigning against fuel subsidy because opposition politicians were manipulating them.

It’s the reflection of an attitude that sees the people as those who should just accept what they are told because it is their government that is talking and that government, as he said, was elected by a wide margin. The vision of national transformation that was being articulated was one that conceived of social and political change as something presidents and their ministers say they were doing.

Almost every Nigerian knew that all the Government was doing was mega looting, and yet the praise singers spoke of national transformation. The current regime has a responsibility to unmask the charade that was described as national transformation and lay bare the reality of looting. Yes indeed, let the trials begin.

Jibrin Ibrahim is a Public Policy Analyst.

Tobacco: Need for an anti-smuggling task force control smuggling – boost government revenue. This is a highly desirable outcome especially as the nation considers viable revenue alternatives to boost its coffers.

However, it is very evident that it is how the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration effectively deals with the supply side of the core provisions that will really determine the effect the legislation is going to have in the short and long terms.

Curbing illicit trade in tobacco remains a serious problem for governments on two fronts: Revenue loss and public health. Because smuggled brands evade tax, government loses muchneeded revenue. In addition, by evading tax, they are able to pass their products into the market at far cheaper costs, ensuring they remain attractive to a larger section of the population who has limited income and fuelling consumption of these smuggled brands which are mostly produced under unsupervised conditions which increase health risks.

On the supply side therefore, the legislation is supposed to actively create and enforce laws against illicit trade in tobacco products as well as sales to and by minors who constitute a frightening statistic. According to the World Health

Organisation data on Nigeria, as of December 31, 2012, approximately 18 per cent of teenagers between the ages of 13 and 15 have smoked a cigarette before. Such vulnerable groups can be protected by introduction of stiffer laws, having more effective enforcement actions and prosecution of offenders.

The sale of tobacco products to minors is clearly prohibited by the National Tobacco Control Act. The law clearly states in Part II Section 3 (1) that, “No person below the age of eighteen years (18 years) shall sell or be sold tobacco or tobacco products,” and prescribes both pecuniary and jail time punishments for offenders.

A key way the Act intends to address this is through restrictions on how cigarettes are to be sold i.e a ban on single sticks sales which are easier and more affordable for minors to access and which will not carry prescribed formats of health warnings. The Act in Part II Section 4 (7-8) clearly declares it an “offence for any person carrying on business to sell cigarettes to any person other than in pre-packed quantities” of the “sealed and unbroken wrap or package in which the cigarettes were supplied for the purpose of retail sale by the manufacturer or importer.”

What has yet to be seen and which will be highly recommended is for the National Tobacco Control Committee to liaise with law enforcement agencies and consider the setting up an interagency task force comprising personnel from the Customs, Nigeria Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and even the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

This can draw its mandate from Article 15, Section 6 of the FCTC, which compels parties to, “…as appropriate and in accordance with national law, promote co-operation between national agencies, as well as relevant regional and international intergovernmental organisations as it relates to investigations, prosecutions and proceedings, with a view to eliminating illicit trade in tobacco products. Special emphasis shall be placed on cooperation at regional and sub-regional levels to combat illicit trade of tobacco.”

This task force will be the interface between the various Nigerian law enforcement agencies, NATOCC and the law enforcement agencies of other neighbouring countries from where smuggled tobacco products are freighted into the Nigerian market.

Without such a practical “boots on

the ground” approach, the activities of cross border traffickers and traders in illicit tobacco products will only continue to rise without any increase in taxes, thereby depriving the government of the financial and public health successes.

A well-coordinated specific task force will be a very effective approach to fight against the growing illicit trade in the tobacco Industry. If NATOCC expects the diverse agencies to somehow re-calibrate their operations to have the required specific focus on tackling the menace, it will find itself grappling with enforcement…and with little or no success to show for it.

Proper enforcement that encompasses both the wholesale and the retail channels of the smuggled tobacco products will create the desired effect to reduce illicit trade. Increased monitoring at border posts notorious for being used as entry points by smugglers as well as an efficient task force that ensures all the stipulations contained in the Act are enforced by retail vendors within the nation’s borders can be the solution.

Nasir, a public health specialist, wrote in from Abuja.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

PAGE 13

Comment

Malnutrition and child mortality in Nigeria

By Tayo Ogunbiyi

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alnutrition, which is simply a state of being undernourished, is usually associated with people living under severe circumstances. It often occurs as a result of natural disasters, wars, or from living in underdeveloped parts of the world. During the Great Depression, malnutrition was of the leading health issues. Victims of malnutrition are easily vulnerable to ill-health.

It is important to stress that malnutrition is not actually the same thing as hunger. It is a condition that arises from insufficient calories or nutrients intake. Child nutrition and malnutrition could be a major threat to the population of any society as well as to the much-needed intellectual competence in major disciplines which are existing and potential motivating forces for speedy and sustainable socio-economic growth. Its symptoms include weight loss, tiredness, dizziness, brittle nails, constant diarrhea, slow wound healing, bone or joint pain and confusion. Children may become extremely thin, have stunted growth or have a swollen gut.

In Nigeria, the malnutrition situation, especially among children, is quite alarming. According to a UNICEF 2015 report, about 1.7 million severely underfed children are in ominous need of treatment in Nigeria.

Experts have, indeed, revealed that malnutrition is a principal cause of death among children in the country.

The problem with malnutrition in children is that it leads to diarrhea-

related problems which make most children to lose immunity thereby making them vulnerable to any disease attack. Generally, when a child loses immunity, the possibility of losing such a child is high.

It is this state of affairs that is partly responsible for the high infant mortality rate in Nigeria. A recent Federal Government study affirms that a great proportion of Nigerian children experience defective growth as a result of malnutrition. Similarly, a data from the Summary of Findings of National Nutrition and Health Survey conducted from February 9 to May 5, 2014, showed that Nigeria has a stunting incidence of 32 per cent among children that are under five years and about 21 per cent underweight. Another report says that the proportion of children, who are wasted, or too thin for their height in the country, has progressively increased in recent years.

Experts have equally revealed that about four out of five Nigerian children fall below the WHO’s approval for exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, while 70 per cent of children ages six to 23 months are not receiving the minimum suitable diet. According to a UNICEF data, 1.1million Nigerian children are in danger of adverse malnutrition. Another report has revealed that chronic malnutrition is rampant among children in the northern parts of the country. This, of course, has adverse effects on the learning ability of the children.

Having been established that poor nutrition negatively affects the mental development and intellectual

capacity of children, it should not be startling that we presently have poor educational culture in the country.

As previously stressed, malnutrition occurs as a result of too little food or a diet lacking in nutrients, but it could also be caused by a variety of other factors which could be physical, social or psychological. Naturally, aged people often have health challenges that often lead to declined appetite.

Some crucial phases of life like infancy, childhood, adolescence, pregnancy and old age require additional nourishment than others, and people in these groups might be at a higher risk. Surgery, trauma, infections, burns and chronic diseases can equally affect nutritional needs and increase the chance of malnutrition.

Other crucial causes of malnutrition could be a chronic illness, use of definite medications, difficulty swallowing or absorbing nutrients, a recent hospitalisation, or a weakened sense of taste or smell. Equally, dietary restrictions such as limits on salt, fat, protein or sugar intake, tough could help manage certain medical conditions, but might also contribute to malnutrition. Grief, loneliness, failing health, too much alcohol may contribute to depression leading to a loss of appetite.

For anyone having issues with malnutrition, the first rational thing to do is to go for blood tests. One of the tests is a test of blood sugar. It is, however, essential to state that, perhaps, the most important thing to do is to identify and restore lost nutrients. A good balanced diet would ensure that the body does not, in any way, suffer from malnutrition.

Good nutrition is critical to the overall health and well-being of every human being. And unlike what many erroneously believe, it does not actually cost so much to imbibe a consistent balanced diet culture.

What is really essential is for everyone to, first and foremost, appreciate the necessity for a balanced diet.

Therefore, it is imperative for all and sundry to have a modest knowledge of why we eat what we eat, knowing the health benefits that various foods possess, how they affect our bodies, and how our bodies react when these types of foods become insufficient.

Malnourishment is not about the quantity of food a person eats, but actually about the nutritional quality of what he eats. A person can eat relentlessly, be obese, and still be malnourished, because the idea of proper nourishment is really about giving the body what it requires to function appropriately. Consequently, a malnourished person may need to steadily boost calories intake through numerous little meals at regular intervals during the day. Additionally, dietary supplements, or liquid nutrition, may be needed, depending on the level of the malnutrition. In severe cases, hospitalisation could be necessary.

One measure to stop malnutrition is by giving micronutrient supplements and de-worming as well as behavioural changes such as cleanliness, immunisation and complementary feeding. Perhaps, more importantly, especially in view of the magnitude of the challenge posed by malnutrition in the country, the Federal Government through its relevant MDAs must

continue to collaborate with all major stakeholders in order to effectively deal with the problem of malnutrition.

This could involve strategic use of communication for development as a vehicle to drive public enlightenment campaigns and achieve expected behavioural change. Equally, the Health and Information organs of all state and local governments in the country need to come up with the required enlightenment strategies that could speedily stem the tide of malnourishment in the country.

It is key to commend the recent partnership between UNICEF and the Federal Government which gave birth to a community-based management of acute malnourishment for severely malnourished children in 11 northern states. It is, however, essential that the necessary funding that is needed to properly drive the initiative is adequately provided. This is particularly necessary in view of the not too exciting reports that that two out of every three children in the 11 northern states presently getting CMAM have yet to receive the treatment because of lack of funds. It would, however, not be out of place for corporate bodies and other well-meaning individuals come up with such similar initiatives.

The Bill Gates polio initiative is a pointer to the fact that nothing should be spared in upholding the sanctity of life. This is the only investment that endures forever.

Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

Africa: ‘Decisive moment for democracy’

By John Kerry

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ast May, I shared in an extraordinary moment. I had the privilege, together with many leaders from across Africa, of bearing witness to the first peaceful, democratic transition of power between two parties in Nigeria.

I traveled to Lagos earlier this year to emphasize that for the United States, Nigeria is an increasingly important strategic partner with a critical role to play in the security and prosperity of the region. I also said that it was imperative that these elections set a new standard for democracy across the continent.

There is no question that this is a decisive moment for democracy in Africa. Later this month, four countries – Guinea, Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Central African Republic – are scheduled to hold presidential elections, and soon after we hope to see elections in Burkina Faso. People across Africa must seize this opportunity to make their voices heard; and leaders across the continent must listen.

The challenges are real. For decades, poverty, famine, war, and authoritarian leadership have held back an era of African prosperity and stability.

These and other challenges should not be underestimated, but neither should we ignore the gains that are being made.

In Africa, as elsewhere, there is a deep hunger for governments that are legitimate, honest, and effective. We should have no doubt that progress in democratic governance will lead to gains in every other field about which we are concerned.

In Burkina Faso, brave and determined citizens twice asserted their will in successfully opposing efforts to curtail the democratic process: last year, when the former president sought to alter term limits and extend his 27 years in office; and again last month, when Burkinabes rallied against a failed attempt to seize power by elements of the Presidential Security Regiment.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we have seen citizens speak out, sometimes at great personal risk,

“

to push for transparent, timely, and credible elections.

And we have seen that same hunger for democracy outside of Africa. Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Panama all recently held inclusive, well-organized elections that brought new leaders to power and strengthened democratic institutions.

The challenge in Africa’s upcoming elections is to meet this demand for democracy and live up to the standards that Africans expect and deserve.

The countries scheduled to go to the polls vary widely in their history and circumstances, but each has an opportunity to enhance its democratic credentials and advance economic growth and shared prosperity.

Côte d’Ivoire can put a difficult and violent election in 2010 firmly in

its past and resume its position as a regional leader.

Tanzania is preparing for its fourth transition of power between elected Presidents since independence. By respecting the Tanzanian constitution’s two-term limit and stepping down from office, President Jakaya Kikwete is creating a dynamic and healthy competition among potential successors.

Guinea is emerging from the scourge of Ebola, but its citizens are also calling for an electoral process that allows their voices to be heard.

Meanwhile, the transitional government in Burkina Faso is working towards cementing its commitment to democracy through timely and transparent elections.

Elections are vitally important, but

The challenge in Africa’s upcoming elections is to meet this demand for democracy and live up to the standards that Africans expect and deserve. The countries scheduled to go to the polls vary widely in their history and circumstances, but each has an opportunity to enhance its democratic credentials and advance economic growth and shared prosperity.

make no mistake: elections cannot be the only moment for citizens to shape their future. People must be able to engage with their government and with their fellow citizens in political discussion and debate not just on Election Day, but every day.

Just as important is respect for term limits. No democracy is served when its leaders alter national constitutions for personal or political gain. Furthermore, a losing candidate owes it to his or her country to accept the outcome and play a constructive role in finding and implementing solutions to shared challenges.

A free, fair and peaceful presidential election does not guarantee a successful democracy, but it is one of the most important measuring sticks for progress in any developing nation.

The countries soon holding elections have an opportunity to bolster their democratic credentials and to bring an entire continent closer to realizing the firmly held – and eminently justifiable – aspirations of its people to have their voices heard.

The United States remains committed to helping make those aspirations a reality.

John Kerry, a former U.S. Senator from Massachusetts who chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been the U.S. Secretary of State since 2013.

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY,FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

News

Tompolo threatens legal action against journalists over defrrmation

By Ibrahim Saratu

E

x-freedom fighter,High Chief Oweizide Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a, Tompolo has threatened court action against journalists defaming his character if the

Why we trained directorates on planning, researchGombe govt

unprofessional act is not stopped.

High Chief Ekpemupolo who was reacting to recent publication by a national daily, not Peoples Daily handed down the threat in a statement released through his media consultant, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo to newsmen.

High Chief Ekpemupolo warned journalists using his name in false news stories to desist from the unprofessional practice which he christened “wicked practice” stressing that it will do them no good.

High Chief Ekpemupolo stated that that if the unprofessional

practice of journalism is not stopped forthwith, he will be forced to seek redress in the court.

While pledging his resolve to continue working with journalists in Nigeria through advocacy for better living condition, High Chief Ekpemupolo said, he does not wish them evil and such they should not wish him evil.

The Ijaw Chief claimed that his name has been often fused falsely in news stories by journalists especially by Bolaji Ogundele of the Nation Newspaper in a recent publication that, “that boys loyal to High chief Ekpemupolo

allegedly shot at JAD Nigeria Ltd workers,who are carrying out a clearing job at the Itsekiri end of the EPZ site.

There is no iota of truth in that story. It is simply mischievous,frivolous and sensational. He is aware of the evil tendency of some journalists to incite the Itsekiris against him,and also to sell their newspapers. Let such journalists know that he is at peace with the Itsekiri people which was evident in his visit to leaders of the the Itsekiri Nation some time ago.”

High Chief Ekpemupolo

noted that “he has nothing to do in the EPZ site as he has no contract or job to do in the EPZ site. This can be confirmed from the owners of the project. The only interest he has in the EPZ project is the protection of what rightly belongs to the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom, and that is Gbaramatu deep sea port,which land belongs to the people of Gbaramatu kingdom, and has been so designated by the Federal Government of Nigeria during the grand breaking ceremony on March 26, 2015.”

From David Hassan, Gombe

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inistry of Economic Planning in Gombe state has said that Gombe state government trained directorates with a view to develop themselves in planning, research and statistics.

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Economic Planning, Alhaji Aliyu Bappah made this known in Gombe during the opening ceremony of a 5 day retreat and training for the directorates of Planning, Research and Statistics (DPRs) organized by the Gombe state government in collaboration with UNDP, on the use of Gombe state monitoring and evaluation framework and manual and the role of DPRs in the development process held at the Hauwa Memorial Hall Tumfure While emphasizing the gesture made by governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, the Permanent Secretary commended him for providing the people with socioeconomic infrastructure in the state.

The Permanent Secretary also said after taking the mantle of leadership in May, 2011 left no one in doubt which he said Gombe citizens has witnessed tremendous progress in its developmental processes.

According to him, the present administration has extended hand of fellowship in order to assist in developing the state particularly the role played by the UNDP and other UN agencies in partnering with the state is highly commendable.

Describing the development planning as systematic tool for holistic development and socioeconomic transformation, the permanent secretary thanked the government for the creation of Ministry of Economic Planning since its assumption into office in 2011 to ensure that Monitoring and Evaluation and Technical assistance are sustained.

He urged the participants at the retreat to take the programme seriously which according to him will help inform government and stakeholders on the impact of development efforts of the present administration.

The training came out with a communiqué with recommendations which the participants recommended the conduct of sensitization for the policy makers and the role of legislatures and monitoring and evaluation

L-R: Chief of Staff, Bauchi state Government House, Alhaji Abdu Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi state Deputy Governor, Mr. Nuhu Gidado, and Acting Rector, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi, Mr. Suleiman Lame, during the 55th Zonal Executive Council meeting of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi chapter, yesterday in Bauchi.

Photo: NAN

Kogi to export gari, releases N375m start-up grant

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he Kogi State Government said that it had trained over 4, 000 women and youths on cassava processing to meet international standards.

Dr. (Mrs) Temitope Sinkaiye, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Women and Youth Development, disclosed this on Thursday in Lokoja.

She said that 1, 500 of the trainees had successfully keyed into the government cassava value chain development programme.

Sinkaiye said that government had released N375 million to them as startup capital with each of them receiving N250, 000.

Sinkaiye spoke at a one-day mini exhibition of the products of the beneficiaries.

She said that the beneficiaries

were selected from the agroentrepreneurial component of the Women and Youth Advancement and Development Programme (YAD4KOGI) initiated by the government in 2012.

According to her, the training programme, carried out in conjunction with a private firm, FLO-MULVINA Nig. Ltd., had made the state to become a major exporter of cassava products, especially gari.

Sinkaiye said that the efforts of the government had received a boost from the Nigeria Standards Organisation (SON) which recently conferred a certificate of quality on gari products being produced by the trainees.

She said that government had concluded arrangements to

introduce some of the trainees to the Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN) and Bank of Industry for more financial assistance to scale up their businesses.

The special adviser said that her department was encouraged to stage the mini exhibition by the success recorded by the women and youths at the Arise and Shine Africa Trade Exhibition organised by the SON and the just concluded Abuja International Trade Fair.

The State Gov. Idris Wada expressed delight that the programme had achieved its objectives of being a platform to reduce unemployment and create jobs for women and youths.

He promised to empower more women and youths in the

state, but asked the private sector and well-meaning individuals in the state to complement the efforts of the government.

Wada, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, congratulated the exhibitors and commended them for not disappointing him, urging them to join government in creating jobs .

The wife of the governor, Hajia Halima Wada, who was the special guest of honour, said that the programme had helped in consolidating the state’s position as the number one producer of cassava in the country.

She urged the exhibitors to show more courage and perseverance so that they could continue to excel in all their areas of endeavour. (NAN)

Peoples Daily, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

PAGE 15

Niger PDP big wigs allegedly threatened with EFCC ahead LG elections From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

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he ongoing sitting of Finance Management Committee set up by the Niger state government that has not finished its work, have allegedly released names of some people to be investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, source told our reporter in Minna yesterday that the decision to release the names may jeopardize the outcome of the committee report just as the names released has political colourations considering the fact that the names were being released few weeks to the scheduled local government elections.

It was reliably gathered that all the chairmen of PDP under the government of former governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu were included among those to be investigated by the EFCC. This development has been observed by the opposition PDP as a threat ahead of the forthcoming local government elections in the state which the party had earlier announced was fully prepared to capture most local governments.

Consequently, the sub committees of the committee set up to investigate the finances of the previous administration were yet to submit their report for final position of the committee but submitted hurriedly names that were observed as politically motivated.

The source stated that the committee was pressured to release an interim report with the names of those PDP big wigs

following the observation about the state government by the PDP deputy Chairman, Barrister Tanko Beji who recently said that the Niger state government has not take off, a comment that was believed to be giving PDP popularity despite not in power.

The source an expert in finance said “the committee has not finished its work but we are surprised that names were shortlisted for offences of N7 million, N18 million, N20 million cash withdrawals

that were actually meant for security.

“Government talked about how certain contracts running to billions of naira were awarded, yet it is coming out with money meant for security, if they want to go into that, that in itself may be a security threat, you know Niger state has many generals and they are part of the security strategy of the state going into that will expose the state security wise” the source added.

When contacted on his

reaction when asked the hurry in bringing in EFCC, the Chief Press Secretary to the Niger state governor, Dr Ibraheem Dooba stated that the state can work with preliminary report and that the state government was discussing with EFCC to recover money misappropriated.

On whether the move was informed by political motives the governor’s spokesman stated that “how can following the laid down procedure amount to being political intimidation.

Senate President Bukola Saraki (middle), answering questions from journalists after President Muhammadu Buhari’s meeting with the leadership of National Assembly, on Wednesday night, at the State House, in Abuja. With him are Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara (right), and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Suleiman Lasu (left).

Photo: Joe Oroye

PDP raises campaign committees For Kogi, Bayelsa gubernatorial elections

By Ahmed Abubakar

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he National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up national campaign committees for the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states, scheduled for November 21 and December 5, 2015 respectively.

The Kogi state campaign committee has Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu as Chairman; PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Secretary, Senator Walid Jibril as Deputy Chairman, while the National Legal Adviser of the party, Barr. Victor Kwon serves as Secretary.

The Kogi committee also has the former Senate President, Senator David Mark, seven PDP state governors and other key stakeholders as members.

In the same vein, the Bayelsa state campaign committee has Acting BoT Chairman,Dr.BelloHaliruMohammed as Chairman, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha as Deputy Chairman, while the Deputy National Secretary of the party, Barr. Onwe Solomon Onwe serves as Secretary.

Also on the Bayelsa committee are Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, House Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, four PDP state governors and other critical stakeholders The NWC also approved that all state chairmen, senators and members of the House of Representatives from the respective zones of the two states are automatic members of the committees.

The party said date for the national flag-off the gubernatorial campaigns in the two states will be announced in due course.

Senator Hunkuyi sets up cm’ttee on security, education, sponsors over 200 students

By Ali Abare Abubakar

S

enator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi representing Kaduna North Senatorial District has setup a committee on security and education with a view to address the problems of the sectors in his zone.

Speaking on his recent activities as a senator representing Kaduna Zone A (Kaduna North Senatorial District), Hunkuyi said pressing need of security and education informed his decision.

While explaining further on the recent activities of Senator Hunkuyi since he assumed office on June 9, 2015, Alhaji Abubakar Yerima Bomo, Director General in charge of Hunkuyi’s Constituency Office also said the need to

address the issue of security as well as youth development led to the constitution of committees on security and education.

On security, Yerima Bomo said Senator Hunkuyi decided to setup a committee on security with the aim of collaborating with the various security agencies in the zone in order to address the challenges of security in Kaduna Zone A. He said “When Senator Hunkuyi assumed office, the first thing he did was to create constituency office in Zaria. This office consists of the Director General, Administrative Secretary, Receptionist, Confidential Secretary among others.

“To address the issue of security challenges, Senator Hunkuyi setup a security committee. The

committee is collaborating with the various security agencies particularly, Nigerian Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.” He said local vigilantes are also being encouraged to tackle the issue of insecurity in the zone.

According to him, nine (9) Gulf Cars, forty (40) Boxer Motorcycles as well as different kinds of security gadgets have been purchased and distributed for security purpose in Kaduna Zone A. Speaking on the education and youth empowerment, he said the importance of education in growth and development of the society informed the decision of Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi to setup a committee on education.

He said “When a Committee

on Education was setup, the less privileged people, particularly students from poor background were considered for sponsorship at various tertiary institutions.

“For this year, 182 students were considered for sponsorship throughout their academic programme.”

He said the number of the students were drawn from the eight (8) local government areas in the zone. These include Zaria, Sabon-Gari, Kudan, Makarfi, Soba, Ikara, Kubau and Lere, Local Government Areas.

According to him, Joint Admission and Matriculations Board, JAMB’s forms for entry examinations were purchased for the selected students.

He said Senator Hunkuyi will take care of their school

fees throughout their academic programme.

Yerima Bomo said “Having realized that we lack female doctors, Senator Hunkuyi decided to sponsor some female students overseas to study medicine.

He noted that ten (10) female students have been selected to study medicine in the Islamic University of Uganda.

He revealed that Hunkuyi is also collaborating with various institutions in Kaduna Zone A to consider the youths from the zone for admission and employment where necessary.

He further said there is a plan

by Hunkuyi to establish a skills acquisition programme where several youths and women will be trained in various fields and given assistance to start their business.

PAGE 16

Peoples Daily, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Politics

Delta tribunal upholds speaker’s election From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

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he Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, Delta State has dismissed the petition of Chief Felix Anirah of All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the election victory of the Speaker of the

State House of Assembly and member representing Sapele Constituency, Hon. Monday Igbuya.

Hon. Igbuya of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a swift reaction to the judgment described the judiciary as the hope of the common man and urged his

opponents to join hands with him to move the constituency forward.

The tribunal had declared Hon. Igbuya the winner of the state assembly election and duly elected representative of Sapele Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly.

Chairman of the tribunal,

Justice David Bamjoko Wednesday said the petitioner lacked the locus standi to institute the case as all his allegations against the speaker were baseless.

The tribunal held that the petitioner was unable to prove beyond reasonable doubt as

We didn’t freeze LGs accounts -Gov Ahmed

Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (middle), families and relatives of the victims of 2014 Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment exercise, during a peaceful protest over negligence by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja. With him are House Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor (left), and Hon. Sani Zoro (right).

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he Kwara state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has denied insinuation in some quarters that the state government has frozen accounts of Local Government Councils in the state.

The governor attributed the delay in his administration’s plan to create additional local government areas to financial constraints.

Governor Ahmed who stated this while speaking during his monthly media chat in Ilorin said that with backlog of salary owed workers by the local governments, the creation of additional local governments would be put on hold.

He said: “We have not cancelled our desire to create new local governments. It’s still in the pipeline but it heavily relies on resources. If we have challenges with the existing 16 local governments, I don’t think it’s going to be expedient to begin to create new ones. But they are still in the pipeline. We will still create additional local governments”, he said.

Ahmed, who debunked the speculation that the state government had frozen accounts of local governments in the state, explained that certain money that was overpaid to them and that was what was withdrawn.

“Nobody freezes anybody’s account. People just misunderstand how things work. We have executive chairmen. And they are responsible for their accounts. We are to supervise them how they share their money under the joint allocation system. Once this has been done, they carry on their business.

“What you think you’ve heard about frozen account is that part of the money that was paid to local governments; we found out that there were over payments. There were payments where the LG did not need the money. But because, we were in a hurry and money were paid through banks, so accounts were quickly credited. But, as we were reconciling, we began to see that there were over payment.

That’s why we began to bring back that money. Not that account were frozen”, he said.

The governor also called on people to join hands with the government and law enforcement agents to curb violence and political crisis in the state, blaming members of the opposition for the last Sallah day mayhem in Ilorin.

required by law, the allegations of over voting, non-compliance with electoral act and fraud, the alleged petition that took place during the election.

Justice Bamjoko said “The petitioner could not substantiate his claim; the petition is baseless and is dismissed as incompetent.”

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Respect Local Government autonomy – ACF tells state governors From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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he Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Board of Trustees under the Chairmanship of Mallam Adamu M. Fika, (Wazirin Fika) yesterday urged state governors across the country to respect the constitutional autonomy of the local government councils in the country.

The group also appealed to state governments to directly channel federal allocations to the local government councils to enable them executes projects that have direct bearing on the welfare and development of the people.

According to them, use of joint accounts between states and local government areas has in most cases been a conduit pipe for misapplication and abuse of funds.

This was disclosed in a communique issued after the BOT’s meeting in the Kaduna and issued

by ACF National Publicity Secretary, Mohammad Ibrahim to newsmen.

He said the meeting also called upon all tiers of government to address the issue of payment of backlog of domestic debts especially local contractors bills, workers and pensioners emoluments which will equally revive the economic

•••urges states to release FG allocations to LGs chairs activities and make it to thrive.

ACF further lauded the efforts of the Nigerian soldiers in the fight against insurgents in North Eastern part of the country.

The group also noted with dismay recent embarrassing and divisive statements from some elder statesmen which are capable of causing disaffection among the various components of Nigeria and called on such elements to employ civility and caution in their utterances for peace and harmony to prevail in our fledgling democracy.

“The meeting was unhappy with the activities of MASSOB and other ethnic agitators who are fond of calling for disintegration of the country after 55 years of independence.

“ACF reaffirmed its belief in one Nigeria and the need for all hands to be on deck to move the nation forward. That the effort of the Federal Government in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency through the joint multinational military task force of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, global counter terrorism support by the international community and the gallantry of our military

and other security agencies is most highly commended.

“It particularly salutes the Military for repelling the recent attack on our troops at Goniri in Yobe state on Tuesday 6th October, 2015 where many terrorists were killed and dangerous weapons recovered.

“It noted that the success being recorded by the military and other security agencies in combating insurgency in the northeast must have been as a result of the support and encouragement from the Federal Government and the determination of the field commanders to end the insurgency within the time frame given by Mr. President.

“The meeting also condemned the rampant kidnapping and ritual killings of innocent people and urged the security agencies to not only track down perpetrators of such crime but ensure that they are brought to book.

“That the steps taken by the Federal Government to investigate, prosecute, perpetrators and repatriate stolen public are not only appropriate and timely but will also sanitize the system and revive prudence and discipline in the

conduct of public officers.

“The meeting therefore applauded the international cooperation and support the Federal Government is receiving in the effort to recover and repatriate all stolen funds.

“That to boost economic activities and generate employment opportunities, the meeting appealed to the state governments to directly channel federal allocations to the Local Government Councils to enable them executes projects that have direct bearing on the welfare and development of the people.

“Rather than the use of joint accounts that has in most cases been a conduit pipe for misapplication and abuse of state funds. It urged State governments to respect the constitutional autonomy of the local government councils for grassroots development. “ The meeting also called upon all tiers of government to address the issue of payment of back log of domestic debts especially local contractors bills, workers and pensioners emoluments which will equally revive the economic activities and make it to thrive,” the statement reads.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

PAGE 17

Tribute

Dr. Garba Buwai: Tribute to a crusader par excellence

By Ali Abare Abubakar

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very soul shall taste death.”Qur’an 29:57. For Dr. Garba Baba Buwai, former permanent secretary and chairman of a non voluntary Islamic organization, the Abuja Centre for Islamic Propagation (ACIP) death came calling penultimate Sunday, when Garba known for his strict adherence to the dictates of his religion, bid farewell to world having involved in an accident while on his way back home from the mosque after Isha.

For many that knew the late Dr. Garba Buwai, born in Gusau, capital of present day Zamfara State, painful as his passing on to the great beyond could be, family members, friends, colleagues as well as associates were however consoled by his exemplary character, devotion to Allah (SWT) and his penchant for reforms. He was known for his passion for reforms, commitment and forthrightness in all his dealings, particularly his penchant for spreading the light of Islam as well as the strict compliance to due diligence while he served in the federal civil service.

Commenting on the personality of the late Garba Buwai, his childhood friend and long time associate, Dr. Rabiu Umar Muhammad, recounted how they grew up with the deceased, throwing more light on the exceptional qualities Garba demonstrated even while they were kids.

Rabiu and Garba both entered the Native Authority Township Primary School in Gusau in 1959 were they became friends right from their very first class.

“I am his childhood friend from Gusau, Zamfara State, were we started school with the deceased. We went to primary school in 1959; we were in the same class at the primary school, NA Township Primary School, Gusau, the first school to be established in Gusau.

“The school was close to their house and as God will have it, we became friends in school from class one. We became so close that during break time, we used to go to their house to eat, his mother Hajiya Ige knows me very well.

“We will be together even into the night, we will first eat dinner in their house and then proceed to our house to eat.

God created him and imbued him with the love of Islam. I could remember there used to

“

Dr. Garba Buwai be a Friday mosque close to their house and we frequently visit the mosque to pray, insisting on joining the front rows.

“All these things we have been doing together as grown-ups, he has been doing same since childhood. Anyone that knows him will testify to his love for Islam. Whenever you want to see him, go to the mosque and he will be there. Even now, he was on his way home from the mosque when he met his death. He has a tradition of visiting the mosque”.

Highlighting on the late Garba’s commitment to spreading Islam even among none believers, Dr. Rabiu has this to say: “We have an organization that we run together, the ACIP that propagates Islam within and around Abuja. We stayed together with him in Lagos when he was with the NUC. At that time, we were always together, because there was the mosque at the 1004 flats in Victoria Island.

Every civil servant with the love of religion frequents the mosque and the deceased is always there.

Up till the time when he relocated to Abuja, leaving us behind in Lagos.

“When I later rejoined him in Abuja, I saw they have floated ACIP and he was the chairman. I was disturbed that I left behind a thriving Muslim association in Lagos, even though I was relieved having to come back home. So I was surprised when I received an invitation written by him on behalf of ACIP, requesting me to join them considering my past experience while I was in Lagos.

I joined the group with him as

chairman. We worked together until I was made the chairman of the building committee of ACIP and later member of the board of trustees.

“Every person that knows Garba will testify to his love of Islam. He has no other business that takes his time more than his religion; at anything you will see him with his rosary, supplicating to the Almighty Allah. Even while he was a permanent secretary, before then, he was a director at the NUC before he later went to NIPSS, Kuru.

“We both attended NIPSS though I was there before him.

After the demise of Mainsara Sada, Garba was nominated to replace him and he became a permanent secretary. He was permanent secretary in various ministries; he was in health, mineral resources and police affairs. During all these years, you hardly find anyone

who will complain on Garba, he is such a person, eliciting respect mostly because of his attitude which he based on the teachings and principles of Islam. He has no other major pre-occupation than religion.

“Aside of propagating Islam, ACIP, having recognized the peculiarity of Abuja, with people who lack actual knowledge of Islam, we go out every month to identify such villages and build mosques where none exists, we build schools were there are no schools. If you go round surrounding villages in Abuja you hardly see a village where you will not see the activities of ACIP, and we carried all these activities with Garba in attendance.”

Also commenting, Dr. Saleh Abdullahi, Secretary General of ACIP and Head of Department, Computer Science at the Turkish Nile University said it’s the wish of every man for others to give good testimony on his conduct and for a Muslim, it’s the desire for others to testify to ones attachment to his religion and in this Garba is not to be found wanting.

“Dr. Garba happened to be the chairman of ACIP. It’s an organization they founded in 1994, since when they moved from Lagos to Abuja. He alongside his colleagues, Sen. U. K Umar, presently the Vice Chairman I and former Registrar General of the CAC, U.F Abdullahi who’s the second Vice Chairman.

“They started this since before the coming of the national mosque. They used to meet in the Area I mosque, even during the Imamship of the late Musa Muhammad. So they were meeting in Area I before they moved to the national mosque.

They meet every Tuesday.

“The main objective of the organization is how to spread and propagate Islam. They use to go on Da’awah activities and when people accept Islam, we

“

Dr. Saleh described the late Garba as “a simple person, very religious and conscious of his duties to Allah (SWT). Whatever he wanted to do, he was guided by the principles of Islam.

He has worked in the civil service and many other places, in NUC, Mineral Resources, the last place he worked was Permanent Secretary, Police Service Commission. And all those who have worked with him bear the testimony that he’s guided by the principles of Islam in all his activities

built mosque for them, we take some of their children and send them to school, there are people that graduated from universities; we sent some to ABU Zaria and one graduated from University of Jos. A number also finished secondary school. The idea is that we take them and mostly send them to Jos and then to Tafizul Qur’an in Kibiya, where they learn both Islamic studies and western education. They will come back to the local community and use their dialect to also teach Islam.

“He has played significant roles since we started in Area I and coming to the time we moved to the national mosque. We have unfailingly met every Tuesday between Magrib and Isha. Our secretariat is at the national mosque and it’s a non voluntary organization and all the activities that I mentioned we carried out, apart from building mosques and schools, sending people to schools, we also visit prisons like the one in Kuje, we visit the orphanage in Karu; we have a nanny there and a teacher.

“In all of these places we employ an Islamic teacher who teaches inmates and in the villages too, we have teachers. So all these, how we pay the teachers and every other activity, we contribute money every month.

When a project comes and we need to build a mosque, we also contribute among ourselves, we also sell the idea to individuals who can finance it. We used to go out with him to the villages for Da’awah and monitoring of those projects. The last meeting we held before the Ed-el-Kabir, he chaired it. He was at that meeting and that was his last”.

On his type of person, Dr. Saleh described the late Garba as “a simple person, very religious and conscious of his duties to Allah (SWT). Whatever he wanted to do, he was guided by the principles of Islam. He has worked in the civil service and many other places, in NUC, Mineral Resources, the last place he worked was Permanent Secretary, Police Service Commission. And all those who have worked with him bear the testimony that he’s guided by the principles of Islam in all his activities. For us that worked with him, whatever you asked him to do, if it’s right he will tell you, if it’s wrong, he will tell you”.

The late Dr. Garba Baba Buwai (May Allah rest his soul) left behind a wife and several children, with most of them already following on the footsteps of their father and contributing to national development.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

PAGE 18

Politics

From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

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pressure group, “Delta Solidarity Group” one of the formidable groups known for its critical evaluations across Delta State, yesterday threatened mass mobilisation protest against the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to press home alleged apathy, disillusionment and lopsided appointments if he fails to retrace his steps within 21 days.

The group in a full page advert placed in one of the national dailies, a copy made available to journalists in Asaba and signed by one Comrade George Ugbelaka and Simeon Obegwara, Chairman and Secretary of the group respectively, alleged that the average Deltan is presently enveloped in dark cloud of apathy, disillusionment and grief via the present administration of policies and program shrouded in secrecy.

The group further alleged that

Group battles Okowa over alleged lopsided appointments, payments of failed contractors the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa recently made payments to failed contractors in Asaba Airport and Ughelli-Asaba 147km dualisation project, saying that the governor had also paid off the political contractors from the state funds who allegedly supported him with $4,000 each to delegates in the last PDP governorship primaries held December 5, 2014 were he emerged as the governorship flag bearer.

While the group explained that the governor had allegedly tampered with moral and economic fibre of the oil bearing communities, DESOPADEC and reduced it to a miniscule, he stated that a few weeks later it became clear that Dr Ifeanyi Okowa led PDP governor was a continuation of the 16 years rot in

the state.

Rather than assuage the feelings of Deltans, the group said that the governor allegedly went ahead to reward his cronies with hundreds of appointments in a bid to further plunder the common patrimony in the state, saying that over 300 appointments revealing the buffoonery and grotesque inequality that have been the hallmark of PDP administration in the state since 1999 was cherished.

For instance, the group stated “The government that takes care of only civil servants and political appointees is pandering to the needs of only one percent of the entire populace, rather than create the enabling environment for commerce to thrive; the state government is

allegedly spending huge sums of money to ‘upgrade’ the Asaba Airport and encourage failed contractors with further mobilisation when they had not accounted for the huge sums of money they have collected without executing the project”.

It further stated “All the disinherited PDP Abuja politicians of Delta State extraction have run back to the state to further heat up the economic climate and Dr Okowa is given them palliative appointments thereby creating confusion in the state”.

But in a swift reaction, the state commissioner for information, Mr. Patrick Ukah described the group allegations as frivolous and calculated attempt to derail the working system of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa.

Kebbi ALGON chair tasks district heads on peace From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

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he chairman Birnin Kebbi local government council who doubles as the state ALGON chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed Ambursa has called on the District Heads across the Gwandu Emirate to educate herdsmen and farmers on the need for leaving in peace and harmony with one another in the society.

He made this call yesterday when the Association of District Heads in Gwandu Emirate paid him Sallah homage in his office, adding that it’s the responsibility of the village heads to maintain peace in their domain.

He further described his appointment as the Birnin Kebbi Sole Administrator as a destined from God while urging them to support this present administration in the state and Nigeria as a whole.

“Leadership was given to me but not only me alone because I can’t do without your support” he added.

In his response, the Secretary of the district heads association in Gwandu Emirate and also the District Head of Bayankara Sabowa, Alhaji Mohammed Gida thanked the newly appointed Birnin Kebbi sole administrator for his support and cooperation throughout the Sallah festivity.

Group employs strategies to reposition PDP in Benue From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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L-R: Member of House of Representatives, Hon. Agunsoye Rotimi, Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Pally Iriase, and Hon. Ajibola Famurewa, after the plenary, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Rivers governorship poll: PDP presents defence

By Sarah Ibrahim with agency report

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he Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday started the presentation of its defense to prove that its candidate, Nyesom Wike won the April 11 governorship election.

Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), Counsel to the PDP in Abuja started by tendering incident and oath of neutrality forms of all INEC officials who participated in the election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident form is the form used when the card reader machine failed to recognise the finger print during the process

of accreditation.

The party came to prove that manual accreditation actually took place, where the card reader could not performed its function.

Adedipe told the tribunal that the incident form that was tendered was only for Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

He told the tribunal that the oath of neutrality and affirmation forms tendered was for 18 local government areas in the state.

He mentioned the local government as Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Eleme, Gokana, Khana, Gokana, Okirika, Ogu/ Bolo, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Tai, and Ikwere.

Others are Abua/Odual,

Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Bonny, Ogba/Egbema, Ndoni and Oyigbo lcal government, respectively.

According Adedipe, the documents were tendered to fault the allegations by the state All Progressive Congress (APC) and its candidate for the election, Mr Dakuku Peterside neutrality form was not administered on.

Adedipe said that the forms were not administered on by the ad-hoc staff of the INEC, who conducted the election.

He added that the state APC had also alleged that the incident forms were not used during the governorship election, hence the need for the PDP to tender it and counter the APC allegation.

He said that the PDP was committed to assisting the tribunal to reach its decision through the relevant documents.

According to Adedipe, more documents will be tendered by the party on Friday, in addition to the witnesses it will be presenting to prove its case.

Reacting to the tendering of the documents, Counsel to the APC, Mr Akinlolu Olujimi (SAN), objected to the admissibility but stated that he would give his reasons at the final written addresses.

Meanwhile, the tribunal Chairman, Justice Suleiman Ambursa admitted all the documents and marked them as exhibits.

group known as Benue Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-like minds has employed strategies to reposition the party in the state.

Leader of the group, Mr. Tavershima Ayangalu represented by his deputy, Hon. Alobo Ode during a courtesy visit to the state PDP chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Agbo, charged members of the group to be steadfast, expressing confidence that the party would regain power soon.

Mr. Ayangalu also advised members to be united, noting that it is only in so doing, can it gain political support.

Other members of the group who spoke at the meeting including Atsagye David from zone B, Sam Kave and Ben Odeh stressed the need to engage the present administration in meaningful criticisms so as to bring about change which is constant.

They also, encourage members to revive all characteristics which make a party an opposition party and fight back to, gain leadership positions, adding that campaigns should be taken to the villages so as to gain back support.

The party chairman represented by his secretary, Hon. Bem Dzoho charged the members not to let the defeat experienced during the last election weaken the party, averring that those who defected from the party in search of stomach democracy cannot be loyal even where they are presently.

Page 19

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

L-R: Member, West Coast Economic Summit Group, Dorothy Robutti, President, Nigeria-USA Export and Investment Group, Funsho Abiri, and Country Economic Trade Liaison for the Group, Maureen Chukura, during a news conference on the 2015 global economic summit, yesterday in Abuja. The summit to attract investors to Nigeria in manufacturing, mines and minerals, hi-technology, health, agriculture, education, tourism, oil and gas, energy and infrastructure, holds in San Francisco, California from Nov. 11 TO 15, 2015. Photo: NAN

Electricity: Saraki seeks sanctions against defaulting Discos

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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enate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday advocated sanctions against electricity distribution companies (Discos) who fail to live up to the terms of agreements they reached with the Federal Government before commencing operations.

Saraki made the call when the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, led other members of the Commission on a courtesy visit to the Senate President in Abuja.

He said the National Assembly was eager to see Nigerians enjoy power supply and at the cheapest cost possible.

He said the Senate would

ensure that all acts of impunity by Discos are eradicated.

Saraki said: “More importantly, from our own point of view is that how do we ensure that majority of the owners of the Discos keep to some of the agreements or the commitments they made at the time of purchase. Some of them by the time they were buying these assets have committed to certain investments that were going to be done. The question is, are they on schedule and what is the time frame you see for most of these investments to be in place?

“We are both on the same side which is to ensure that the consumers get value for their money. You are those that work directly with them and it is important you bring to our

attention what is necessary to ensure that at the end of the day the consumers, the Nigerian people get the best benefit. The aim at the end of the day is to ensure that every Nigerian get the power and they get it at the cheapest possible cost and those who are responsible for running these units keep to the agreement.

“What we don’t want to see is the impunity where people believe that they can make commitments but not necessarily be held to those commitments and at the end of the day, it is our own people that suffer. Definitely we are going to stamp that out and we are not going to accept that and it is your responsibility to bring that to our notice so that we can be able to address that.

“The most important thing again, which I will keep emphasizing is that we must be able to have sanctions for companies that have made commitments and they are not honouring those commitments. They must be held responsible because generally in our private sector businesses, they always try and cut corners and see what they can get away from and I think that is your own responsibility to ensure that that does not happen”, he said.

Earlier, Amadi told the Senate President, that the Commission was doing all it can to eliminate fixed electricity charges. He also added that one of the factors militating against increased power supply is the weak infrastructure in the country.

Amadi said: “We have mandated Discos to find a way to restructure the fixed charge in a way that they also receive their revenue but in a manner that does not unfairly inconvenience or exploit the consumers.

“Recently in some newspapers, some Discos like Eko have indicated that they are not going to levy fixed charge. Some like Ikeja have said that they are going to cut it by 50 per cent in response to Senate’s concern and the instruction we have given them in that respect.

“Our commitment is to try as much as possible to ensure that any form of pricing is fair to consumers and such that to help us to sustain the improvement in the sector”, the NERC Chief said.

NSE to publish National Infrastructure Scorecard on power, oil and gas

By Miriam Humbe

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igerian Society of Engineers, (NSE), has said that it is set to make public, the National Infrastructure Scorecard for Nigeria on key areas of the economy such as power, communications, and oil and gas

in the month of November.

President of NSE, Engineer Isaac Ademola Olorunfemi said this during the 25th edition of the October lecture series of the NSE at the Yar’Adua centre in Abuja yesterday.

Engineer Olorunfemi who bemoaned the non-existence of a

national infrastructure scorecard, said the scorecard availed by the NSE will be released during the opening ceremony of the 2015 National Engineering Conference scheduled to hold in Akure, the Ondo state capital between November 16-20, this year. past president of NSE,

Engineer Olumuyiwa Alade Ajibola in a lecture themed: Creativity in the application of Nigerian engineering rresources for effective economic development: A national policy imperative, emphasized the economic value in infrastructure development.

“It is a well known fact that the level of construction activities in a country is indicative of its rate of economic growth. It must be noted that the employment potential of the infrastructure sector is enormous and can only be ignored to our economic peril”, he said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Business

Connectivity, NAPTIN partner on Technical Training for Nigeria’s Power Sector ...Says Professionalism minimises technical loses

By Etuka Sunday

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E Connectivity (TE), a global leader in connectivity yesterday signed a strategic pact with the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) with a view to building capacity for the Power Sector.

The partnership according to TE was necessary since the Power Sector has experienced setbacks due to inadequate infrastructure and poor energy efficiency.

It said, as a global leader in providing reliable and cost-

effective products and solutions for the electrical power industry, it is partnering with NAPTIN to develop solutions to the challenges facing the sector through the training and development of local talent in that regard.

“TE experts will work with NAPTIN’s trainers and provide technical training on the connectivity required to enable powers. The training will be based on TE’s high-quality products and solutions including the industryleading Raychem product line.

Once complete, NAPTIN will organise training sessions at its facilities for local installers.”

The Head of TE Energy Project in Nigeria, Ronnie Fotheringham, while speaking at a Press Conference in Abuja said,” as the government of Nigeria invests in Upgrading and expanding the power network, the

country also needs to invest in its people, developing the skills and expertise required to develop and maintain that network.”

Fotheringham said, “the partnership with NAPTIN is a significant step in that direction.

It furthers the mission by bringing the proven solutions, technical know-how and broad application experience to NAPTIN and those being trained. We view this partnership as beneficial to the Nigerian power vision and to TE, building deeper connections throughout the country.”

Also speaking at the event, the Director General, NAPTIN, Engr.

Reuben Okeke said, “the power sector needs skilled technicians, and this partnership with TE is meant to help achieve sufficiency in power supply, which is one of the steps taken to encourage industrialisation and as well

improve the economy. This is very important at this time, as the sectoe needs to develop its talent base to enable the operating and maintenance of the electricity supply in Nigeria.”

Okeke said that the ongoing NIPPS project in Nigeria is 80% completed and would require the services of trained professional technicians like installers, cable jonters and others, therefore, the partnership with TE would help in that regard.

He said, “every equipment needs to be connected. If it is not connected, it cannot work with others. From generation, distribution and transmission.

All the equipments need to be connected and if they are going to be connected, they must be connected professionally. And when you do that, there is easy flow of electricity for a very long

time without any collapse.

“If the joint of connection, either the wire, cable is not done well, off course within few months or even few years, you have a collapse, and once there is collapse, there is interruption in the supply so, the partnership is to ensure that NAPTIN turns out those who can make this connection and make it professionally, so it can last 30, 40 years,” he said.

The DG, NAPTIN said, commercial loses are customer made inform of power theft and others, while technical loses are loses that come from equipments, joints and others.

He said, all joints that are not properly made or well connected causes technical loses. But however, assures that with the training, there would be minimal technical loses.

L-R Sales Manager, West African Region, TC Connectivity, Engr. Sulaimon Lawal. The Director General, NAPTIN, Engr.

Reuben Okeke, and Head, TE Energy Project in Nigeria, Ronnie Fotheringham at TE Connectivity/ NAPTIN Partnership Launch/Press Conference yesterday in Abuja.

Dangote, others top Nigerian Society of Engineers’ honorary fellowship list

By Miriam Humbe

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he Council of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has approved conferment of Honorary Fellowship of the Society on business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and three other eminent Nigerians, who include, Dr. Olusegun Rahman Mimiko, Aare Afe Babalola, and

Dr. Innocent Chukwuma.

President and Chairman of Council of NSE, Engr. Ademola Isaac Olorunfemi, said these illustrious Nigerians were considered worthy of the honour by virtue of their respective dispositions as advocates of engineering advancement in the country.

A statement from NSE’s Head

of Media and Publications, Alhaji Abdulkadir Aliyu said the NSE President is expected to confer the awards on the new Honorary Fellows at the opening ceremony of the NSE Annual Engineering Conference/AGM scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at the International Culture and Events Centre (The Dome), Akure.

Theme of the 2015 Engineering Conference slated to span from Monday, November 16 to Friday, November 20, 2015, tagged Sunshine 2015 is “National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) 2014 – Strategies for Implementation”.

Since inception in 1958, the Nigerian Society of Engineers has

confirmed 1,800 of its members on the Fellows cadre, 20 of whom are Honorary Fellows. Amongst the list of the 20 Honorary Fellows are distinguished names as President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Mutiu Sumonu, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Prince Bola Ajibola, Sir Mobolaji Bank Anthony, Chief M. K. O. Abiola (late), amongst others.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Page 21

Business

Nigerian Ports Authority Advocates for Improved Port Infrastructure to Facilitate Export

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he Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Mallam Habib Abdulahi has advocated for the provision of adequate port infrastructure by the Federal Government and the private sector to facilitate export activities through the nation’s seaports.

He however pointed out that other factors which might be extraneous to the Authority are also critical towards achieving enhanced export activities in the nation’s seaports.

Stressing that the provision of appropriate port infrastructure was necessary to enhance trade in the economy, Malam Habib assures

that the Authority would encourage any effort designed to change the trade orientation of the nation from import dependent to export.

The Managing Director was speaking through the General Manager Capital Project, Engr.

Rufai Mohammed in a paper titled “Providing Enabling Port Infrastructure to Enhance Trade” at the just concluded two day International Seatrade and Investment Convention (ISIC) 2015, under the theme “Exploring New Trade Frontiers”.

He reiterated that as globally accepted seaports accounts for over 80 per cent by volume of International trade and

commerce, emphasising that for a seaport to be competitive, it must have a robust infrastructural base amongst other requirements.

He argued that with the major infrastructural improvements embarked upon by the Authority in its ports and harbour in all its four pilotage districts, coupled with the impending 25 year port master plan which has reached an advanced stage, the Organisation is being positioned to properly meet the demand of all categories of port users for both imports and exports.

Malam Habib explained that mindful of the Federal Government determination of

delivering an efficient port system for the overall good of the nation’s economy, the Authority was consolidating and entrenching the gains of the port reform by facilitating and synergizing the activities of the Private Terminal Operators, Shipping Lines, Freight Forwarders and other stakeholders, as well as improving the existing port infrastructure.

The Managing Director who enumerated a number of completed and on-going capital projects embarked upon by the Authority explained that the projects were meant to add efficiency to the nation’s seaports as well as to make the system

competitive, effective and user friendly.

“Sustained efforts at providing the enabling port infrastructure has impacted on the overall port operational efficiency”, he added.

In his goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the convention, the Managing Director had commended the conveyors of the event, being the first of its kind in nation’s maritime industry for their fore-sight and said the event would not have come at a better than now “as the nation strives to promote export trade, in that way changing the orientation of our nations sea trade which is import dependent”. (APO)

Cross River state Governor, Professor Ben Ayade (middle), exchanging pleasantries with Managing Director, Calvenco Investment, Barcelona, Spain, Natalia Tennis (2nd left), and members of her team, during an investment meeting with the governor, recently in Calabar. With them is Investment Consultant, Mr. Afangide Idopise Robert (right).

Blackout: Youths shut BEDC office in Edo

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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ome angry youths, including women and Students on Thursday morning temporarily shut Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) headquarters on Akpakpava Road in Benin City, the Edo state Capital.

The actions by the youths, paralysed from Ogbenogbo, Ogbegbuya and Goodwill/Trade Fair communities in Benin.

They also accused the Electricity company of meddling in carrying out its services to its

consumers in the last two years.

The slughtering of two goats used to prepare lauch at entrance gates of the company by some women who accompanied the protesters, attracted the some pedestrians who queued-up to be served, while armed security personnel attached to the company 2 at he’d helplessly.

Spokesman of the group, Mr. Aduku Monday, said the three communities has not enjoy electricity supply ever since the company took over from PHCN. “We have not enjoyed power supply ever since BEDC took over from PHCN. The best we

have is very epileptic. All forms of business activities in the two communities that depend on electricity have all been paralysed.

“Formally, we were supplied electricity from the feeder piller in GRA. But when BEDC took over, they transfered us to Evbuotubu, because, as we heard, an Indian company gave them money to retain the transformers. Secondly, Evbotubu is already overloaded,” he said.

Another member of the communities, Curtis Obaghiagbon, said members of the three communities have depended on electricity

generators to power their homes.

“There are 2688 houses in the three communities and they all pay fixed charges. You can imagine how much they are making from us every month.

“I came from Austria where I am based last week. Ever since I arrived, I’ve been buying petrol to run my generator every day. If I can afford it, not everybody can afford it. This is not sustainable.

It has to stop,” Mr. Obaghiagbon said.

“We will come here tomorrow, all of us in black dresses to complete the burial ceremony of BEDC and Osibodu,” another one

said.

Commenting on the issue, the General Manager (Public Affairs) of BEDC, Curtis Nwadei, said the communities are heavily indebted to the company and yet, they are demanding more than they presently get and also want to decide from where they are served electricity.

“The issue is that they want more than they are presently getting and they want to decide where they get power from even when they are not paying. And we say give us money to serve you better. If they pay their bills, we will give them power,” he said.

Page 22

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Business

Men patronizing ‘fairly used clothes’ at a market, recently in Bauchi.

Photo: NAN

C/River governor, Ayade, kicks against privatization

By Lawrence Olaoye

C

ross River state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has kicked against the privatization policy of the government saying such has negatively impacted on people’s welfare.

Ayade, who spoke with Villa Correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari expressed the hope that the President would look into the policy and make amends.

He said “it is important to emphasize that privatization, which has characterized the Nigerian economy for a long period, is totally unacceptable; where government takes public asset and sell into the

hand of few people. That is why I am very proud of Mr. President.

Our President understands this very well and I’m sure that in the course of time, we will understand what he is doing. And when the results of his actions begin to manifest, Nigerians will know that he has come prepared and committed to take us to the path of glory.”

Asked why the official groundbreaking of the CalabarKastina-Ala Super Highway project ceremony scheduled to be undertaken by the President last month was postponed, Ayade explained that the postponement had nothing to do with politics as being variously insinuated.

He said the postponement was

as a result of environmental issues being looked into by the appropriate authorities.

He said “There were wrong speculations in the press linking the shift in the visit to politics, linking the shift to so many other considerations other than what was real. Basically, what happened was that there was environmental issues, which was dully raised by the Ministry of Environment. And all those issues and concerns that were expressed have been addressed.

Basically, there was a misconception that the purpose of a super-highway was criss crossing through the national park, which is the greatest habitation for our biodiversity in Africa. Therefore,

from the perspective of the environment concerns, it was totally impossible for Mr. President that we know for his high level of integrity and morality to come and do the ground-breaking if the project had such kind of stress.

The national conservation participated with us and now with Ministry of Environment getting involved and ensuring that the route is indeed so designed that it will not have any impact on the communities, no impact on the national forest. So, it is against that background that the President asked that let us wait for all of those bits and pieces to be tidied up before he can come. It has no link with politics, it has no connectivity with

the issues concerning funding. It was basically a technical issue that needed to be resolved and it has been resolved and I am happy to announce that the discussion with Mr. President this morning, it is obvious that very soon a new date will be communicated.”

Commenting on his style of leadership, Ayade said his administration is focused on how to impact on the lives of the poor.

He said his administration would exempt the poor from payment of taxes.

He said government is supposed to make life easy for the vulnerable and as such his administration is embarking on social housing for the low income earners in the state.

Okowa Urges Financial Institutions To Provide Credit Facilities To Farmers

By Osakhare Erese, Asaba

D

ELTA State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has challenged financial institutions to make the diversification of Nigerian economy a reality by introducing robust credit policies on agriculture.

The Governor made the call on when he gave out more than 25 tractors and implements to farmers and about thirty million naira to cooperative societies.

Theoccasionwastheinauguration of the Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP) under the job and wealth creation scheme of his administration.

According to the Governor,

“despite the acknowledgement that agriculture plays a crucial role in driving economic development, inadequate funding has, inexplicably, continued to be recurring decimal as the bulk of our small-scale farmers regrettably do not have access to credit finance and are therefore unable to invest in basic farming inputs such as implements, seedlings and fertilizers.”

While noting that due to the challenges of financing, “farm yields have remained abysmally low, leading to widespread poverty and stunted economic growth,” the Governor emphasised, “our financial institutions must rise up to the challenge of agricultural financing if we are serious about

economic diversification and selfreliance”.

“The banking sector must come up with robust credit policies in agriculture that will address credit turnaround time, the recruitment and training of specialist bankers who understand the dynamics of agriculture and agribusiness, especially the fact that they are time and season bound.” He added.

The Governor observed that Delta State has not tapped the abundant natural resources, very favourable climatic condition, vast arable land and fertile soil in agribusiness for economic growth, employment creation, import substitution and sustainable development.

He also disclosed that the PPSP was conceived “to help overcome the problems of resource scarcity, poor technology and infrastructure deficit.”

He added that his administration is determined to ensure that Delta State is not only able to feed herself but feed the nation as well.

“We will be failing ourselves and the generation coming after us if we are unable to harness the abundant natural resources God has blessed us with and convert it to prosperity for our people.” He observed.

The Governor charged the first set of beneficiaries of the PPSP to apply themselves diligently to their business noting that the fortunes of many other people and small-scale

businesses are inextricably tied to their success in their business.

Earlier, the Chief Job Creation Officer in the state, Prof. Eric Eboh had in an address said the PPSP would facilitate the inputs, equipment, technologies, microcredit and technical assistance to farmers, agroprocessors and agricultural value chain operators to increase outputs, productivity and incomes, “thereby creating jobs and wealth, towards prosperity for all Deltans.”

High point of the occasion was the presentation of cheques ranging from two million naira to cooperative societies, and presentation of tractors and other farm implements to beneficiaries.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Stock Watch:

Thursday, October 8, 2015

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Peoples Daily, Friday, OCTOber 9, 2015

PAGE 24

Special Report

Which jobs could a 100-year-old do?

T

oday’s children could live to 120 and work until they’re 100, it’s been claimed. But which occupations might they take on?

Imagine you went to a football stadium and the steward who showed you to your seat was 93 years old.

Today, most people might find such a sight surprising. But Rohit Talwar thinks that, within a century, this kind of work could be done just as easily by a nonagenarian as a twenty something.

“If you go to a football match the stewards are usually young guys who get abuse from the fans, who don’t worry about upsetting them,” he says. “But if someone’s in their 90s, they might be more wary of getting physical with them.”

He or she might also go on to be a counsellor, a classroom assistant, a building instructor or a chef - after a later career change.

Talwar, a futurologist, has made headlines by telling the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference that many of today’s 10 or 11-year-olds will live to at least 120 and a sizeable proportion will keep working until they reach 100. But how might this work?

Scientific advances, such as replacement limbs made by 3D printers, powered exoskeletons and memory-preserving drugs will allow today’s children easily to outlive their parents and keep active, Talwar says.

“They might not want to continue at quite the same pace

Dr F William Sunderman (photographed in 1999) worked as a pathologist in the US state of Pennsylvania until his death at the age of 104 in 2003

Silicon Valley’s 91-year-old designer

An old woman working a bakery after decades in the workplace,” he says. “But they will be able to make work fit in with their lifestyles.”

There will still be lots of roles requiring human beings, in which experience comes at a premium, Talwar argues.

“But more and more of the physical tasks of work will be done by robots. They can carry and fetch and work 24 hours a day,” he says.

The calm and wisdom of age could be useful assets in the

Most old people are working for passion

classroom, Talwar says. A large number of people aged 80 to 100 working here would be a major change, as, according to the latest figures for England, just over 2% of state school teachersare 60 or older. There aren’t equivalent statistics for classroom assistants.

With such long working lives, Talwar predicts that workers will adopt a “portfolio” approach to employment, meaning they could have as many as 10 different, shorter

careers, including 40 different jobs. People could do more than one job in a day, he says - perhaps driving an Uber cab in the morning and delivering Amazon parcels in the afternoon.

There will be a more “sharing economy”, where the line is blurred between employment and other moneymaking activities, such as renting out spare bedrooms and driveways using services such as Airbnb, he adds.

Demographics are edging towards Talwar’s predictions.

The UK population is ageing, as is that of its main competitor economies. The number of people over the age of 90 was more than half a million last year, according to the Office Included in this category were 14,450 centenarians. And the number of people living to 105 or older was 780 - double the figure of a decade earlier.

But even should these trends continue, will a standard

retirement age of 100 really be possible by the year 2100?

Will people be in good enough mental and physical condition to work for up to 80 years?

“We are entering a new era of longevity in terms of life expectancy. But it seems we’re also entering a transformational time in terms of the way work happens,” says Sarah Harper, director of the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing.

“Just compare now to what happened 100 years ago or so.

Then, many women died in their 40s because of having to give birth many times. Lots of people died young.”

Harper predicts that most jobs as we know them will no longer exist when today’s children reach 100. Robots will work alongside humans, making physically demanding tasks obsolete, while working patterns will be less regimented, instead fitting around lifestyles and family time, she adds.

“There’s not a lot in the

modern workplace that many 70-year-olds couldn’t cope with today,” says Harper. “Eightyyear-olds may be more variable in their capacity, but that will change.

“By then, many 100-yearolds could be able to do the same as 65-year-olds, or even 50-year-olds, today. And, if you look at it like that, what is there that a 50-year-old can’t do in most workplaces that 30 or 40-year-olds can?”

But not everyone’s as

Sydney Prior (photographed aged 95 in 2009) worked at B&Q until shortly before his death in 2012

optimistic.

“None of the evidence we have shows people being able to go on working until they’re 100 years old,” says Neil Duncan-Jordan, national officer for the National Pensioners Convention.

“We can keep people alive until then, but that’s a completely different argument to saying they should be able to drive a bus. I think the whole idea’s a bit sci-fi. It’s nonsense.”

People should be able to retire in their 60s, expecting “20 years of decent living”, he says.

The number of over-65s in some form of paid work is 1.14 million, according to the latest ONS figures, equating to 10.2% of that age group.

The phenomenon is touched on the recently released comedy film The Intern, starring Robert De Niro as a 70-year-

old widower who grows bored of retirement and lands work experience at a fashion website.

Initially out of place among the otherwise youthful workforce, he becomes a friend and mentor to this colleagues.

That role is office-based, but a “surprising” portion of working over-65s do physical jobs such as bricklaying, says Chris Brooks, head of employment and skills policy at the charity Age UK, while many others do “demanding” work in the retail sector, which includes tasks like shelf-stacking and moving stock.

He finds it “difficult to name specific” jobs that a 100-yearold might be able to do in the future, should predictions of increased longevity come true, but adds: “If people want to work and they are able, there should be no barrier to them

doing that. For some people it’s important to their selfesteem and provides a social network.”

People will have to spend more time in education well into adulthood, Talwar says, as they re-skill to deal with an altering jobs market.

“After all, who would ever have thought until recently that you’d need social workers specially trained to deal with the traumas caused by social media?” says Talwar. “Things change.”

Imagine doing your dream job at the age of 91 - that’s what Barbara KnickerbockerBeskind, a designer in Silicon Valley, is doing. She talks about her lifelong passion for inventing.

Source: BBC

100-year-old dancer Eileen Kramer performing in Sydney earlier this year

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Islam

Good Signs of an Accepted Hajj

The Messenger of Allah said: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Pr ophet was asked, “Which is the best deed?” He said, “To believe in Allah and His Apostle.” He was then asked, “Which is the next (in goodness)?” He said, “To participate in Jihad in Allah’s Cause.” He was then asked, “Which is the next?” He said, “To perform Hajj-Mabrur.”

[Bukhari :: Book 2 :: Volume 26 :: Hadith 594]

I

n the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All Praise is due to Allah! We praise Him and we seek help from Him. We ask forgiveness from Him. We repent to Him; and we seek refuge in Him from our evils and bad deeds.

Anyone who is guided by Allah is indeed guided; and anyone who has been left astray, will find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, the Only One without any partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and final messenger to mankind.

May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon His last and final Apostle, his Household, his companions and all his followers till the end of time.

I would like to use this medium to start welcoming back home some of our pilgrims to their families safe and hearty, despite the unfortunate incident, though avoidable. The incident left hundreds of our pilgrims dead on the Sallah day on their way to stoning the big Satan. They were chanting cheerfully and joyfully the most loved words to Allah: Allahu akbar! Allahu akbar! Wa lilahil hamd! Not knowing they were chanting and rehearsing was the final celebration of their streaming into paradise; al-Jannatul Firdaus! They were rejoicing their entrance into the endless bliss of the great beyond! They joyfully died and left over 1.5 billion Muslims mourning!

To those who directly lost their loved ones, I register my sincere condolence and those of my teaming readers, and ask Allah to grant all of them eternal forgiveness and mercy!

I remember vividly when we prayed for their safe journeys to and from Makkah with acceptable hajj; that which has no reward other than Jannah!

The Prophet of Islam was reported to have said, ‘An acceptable hajj has no reward other than paradise’. The prophet (SAW) also established the importance of Hajj when he says, “Alternate between Hajj

and Umrah (regularly), for these two remove poverty and sins just as the blacksmith’s bellows remove all impurities from metals like iron, gold and silver. The reward for Hajj Mabrur (an acceptable hajj) is nothing short of paradise” Tirimidhi.

Certainly it is only Allah Who knows the accurate accepted hajj from the wrong ones. But in His infinite wisdom, He has left signs for the intelligent to discern the differences and can even go further to making his observations public with some precision. Thus, it is not completely a hidden knowledge to separate the two from each other. Here are some basic signs to know if one’s hajj was accepted or rejected. The following tips can serve as good clues: 1. A complete change of behaviours and attitudes from the bad ones prior to the commencement of the pilgrimage, through the hajj period and upon return. Thus, if one is known of having any awful routine or social paucity that has been disturbing him, such as illicit sexual indulgence, alcohol consumption or drug addiction, he should try as much as possible to effect a positive transformation and complete departure from such.

Such changes signify one’s acceptance of repentance.

2. A s q u a b b l e a n d wrangle free hajj is a good indication of faultless pilgrimage. But, pilgrims who constitute nuisances, afflictions and obstructions to either fellow pilgrims or any official in discharging their duties at any point in the holy land, such are counted out from

The Ka’aba

islam explained

By Husain Zakariyya Yawale

+234-8052952900 (sms only) islamexplained35@yahoo.com those that Allah is pleased with their visit to His House. Nay, they are condemned by Allah in both worlds except if they unequivocally and earnestly repent, and amend. The Qur’an says in Chapter 22: 25 ‘As to those who have rejected ((Allah)), and would keep back (men) from the way of Allah, and from the sacred Mosque, which we have made (open) to (all) men equal is the dweller there and the visitor from the country and any whose purpose therein is profanity or wrong-doing - them will we cause to taste of a Most grievous penalty’.

3. If someone becomes proactive in the performance of his five daily prayers on their appointed times on their return, and especially in congregation is a very good evidence of rightness of one’s hajj. This type of attitude is more appreciated if such individuals were not constant in their religious duties.

4. F u l f i l m e n t o f pledges and obligations as against empty promises and unfulfilled commitment prior to one’s hajj. After a successful hajj, there should not be deliberate uttering of ‘white lies’ by politicians to their

subordinates and followers.

Continuous deliberate of breaches of promises and assurances connotes to fault ridden pilgrimage.

5. Cheating of all sorts is forbidden at any moment of one’s life. Thus, when a returnee from hajj stills swindles, defrauds and bamboozles, that signifies the hajj was defective.

That is to say an accepted hajj leaves no blames in one’s attitude.

6. Hypocrisy has never for once been any part of a believer’s traits. Its cocktail of social detestable attitudes includes insistence lies, customary dishonesty, habitual betrayal of trusts and regular confrontation even when amicable resolution has been achieved. When any of these despicable behaviours ceases to characterize returnee pilgrim’s daily attributes, then such a person deserves from fellow Muslims re-admission into fold of believers again!

7. D e d i c a t i o n a n d commitment to the performance of one’s routine religious duties in their various degrees of importance and magnitude are positive signs of acceptable

hajj. Similarly, taking over religious enthusiasm of the once restrained and disinterest in religious activities, is a good sign of acceptable hajj.

8. Establishment and sustenance of compassionate relationship with siblings by helping the weak and sick among them as well as reconciling the aggrieved ones.

While this deed is a vital means of acquiring and winning the mercy of Allah in both worlds, it is goes further to tell us that one’s hajj was accepted or not.

9. P o s i t i v e a c t i v e participation in communal religious and social advancement for collective benefits without waiting for praise from the community.

Sharing both the gains and pains of your immediate neighbourhood, in an effort to promote mutual trusts, intra-harmony and reciprocal obligations counts in after hajj result.

10. A m o n g t h e m o s t credible indications of an acceptable hajj is the sensation of the sweetness and lovability of credence and the consciousness of inner contentment during and after performing any act of worship rightly or putting forward of any sacrifice aimed at attainment of Allah’s gratification. The feeling of gratification and happiness emanating from the heart, despite one’s worldly worries and uncertainties, serve as confirmation of acceptable hajj.

Finally, we can now understand that hajj is not only one of the best deeds through which a Muslim can draw closer to Almighty Allah, and his sins completely forgiven, but it is also an act which one adjudges the degree of his level and strength of faith right here on earth before the next.

Abu Hurairah narrated: “the prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was once asked: what are the best deeds in Islam? The prophet replied: to believe in Allah and His Messenger, then the prophet was asked again: what is else? The prophet replied: the acceptable hajj’.

May Allah make our belief in Him stronger by the day, accept our deeds and forgive all our sins and shortcomings!

Amin!

Written by: Husain Zakariyya Yawale, 2015, October, 9 Islamexplained35@yahoo. com +2348052952900 (text only)

Page 27

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

International

Is U.S. bombing of Afghan hospital a war crime?

ANALYSIS

By Mairi Mackay, CNN

A

fter U.S. bombing of Afghan Doctors without Borders hospital, aid group demands war crimes investigation Lawyer: Hospitals have special protection in conflicts, but they lose it if they are used for military purposes Armed forces forbidden from indiscriminate attacks, but laws recognize that mistakes are made in the “fog of war” (CNN)The bombing by U.S. forces of a Doctors without Borders hospital in the Afghan city of Kunduz, which left at least 22 people dead, has caused outrage and raised questions around the world.

The United States says it is conducting a “full investigation,” but the medical aid group, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF -- which lost 12 staff members in the attack -- has called for an independent inquiry “under the clear presumption that a war crime has been committed.”

Doctors without Borders is asking for an investigation to be carried out by a never-before-used commission: the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission.

It’s an open question as to whether an inquiry could be initiated, as the commission’s website says it requires the consent of the parties involved, and neither the United States, Afghanistan, nor France recognizes the commission.

CNN asked Steven Kay, who defended Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta against charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court, and Anthony Dworkin, co-editor of “Crimes of War: What the Public Should Know,” about the case.

What constitutes a war crime?

Doctors Without Borders hospital attacked in Afghanistan 5 photos: Doctors Without Borders hospital attacked in Afghanistan In general terms, a war crime may be committed when there is an attack on a civilian population during an armed conflict, Kay says.

There is an extensive body of law that regulates military action during conflict.

The aim, says Dworkin, is to draw a balance between what armed forces are justified to do out of military necessity -- which includes causing collateral damage to civilians -- and the principles of humanity.

“Hospitals enjoy a special protected status under international

Doctors without Borders says the hospital was bombed for more than half an hour after it notified NATO and U.S. officials that the facility was under attack humanitarian law. So, to attack a hospital or medical facility, whether it is a civilian or military installation, is a crime,” says Kay. However, if the hospital is used to support military operations for nonmedical purposes, then it loses its special protection status and it can be attacked by the opposition forces.

But the law requires that the attack be proportionate to the threat and risk involved.

Can the hospital bombing be considered a war crime?

Doctors without Borders says the hospital was bombed for more than half an hour after it notified NATO and U.S. officials that the facility was under attack.

In this case, according to Kay, the hospital bombing would be justified, and not considered a war crime, only if there was a clear, imminent or ongoing attack at the hospital.

Kay notes that there have been instances of medical installations being used as cover for forces to launch attacks.

Kay cites examples including allegations that during the last three decades of the Sri Lankan civil war, the separatist Tamil Tigers based fighters and used force at protected sites like civil hospitals. A U.N. panel found credible allegations of war crimes committed by both sides during the final stages of the country’s civil war.

Dworkin makes the point that hospitals can be attacked by mistake.

In comments Monday, Gen. John Campbell, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, described the hospital deaths as an error, saying “several innocent civilians were accidentally struck” in an operation targeting Taliban fighters.

Dworkin says he believes that in this case, the United States would not be found guilty of committing a war crime because although armies are forbidden from conducting indiscriminate attacks, “the laws do recognize that mistakes happen in the fog of war.”

But it would come down to a matter of evidence and establishing exactly what happened.

Collateral damage: A brief history of mistakes at war

•

What proof is required to prosecute a war crime?

‘Doctors without Borders’ airstrike a war crime? 04:08 “Beyond reasonable doubt -the criminal standard of proof,” says Kay. He adds that cases like this are generally quite easy because state military operation are often well documented.

“Satellite photographs, drones ... all this is recorded in live time,” he says. “Military operations don’t happen in a garden shed. Hundreds of people (are) involved in planning an operation and monitoring, because they are monitoring a plane flying in the sky that is worth $100 million.”

What happens next?

Armed forces have a duty to investigate the conduct of their own members because if there has been breach of humanitarian law, they have the first responsibility to punish those responsible, says Kay. It doesn’t automatically escalate to the international level, but there is a duty on the state involved to investigate and discipline, he says. Failure to investigate and discipline adequately would then bring scrutiny at a higher level, he adds.

Can the U.S. be prosecuted at the ICC for war crimes?

The International Criminal Court is the first permanent court established to bring to justice to those who commit the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.

The ICC prosecutes individuals, not countries, and in theory the person who gives the command can be held responsible for the crime, just as the subordinate who executed the order can be, says Dworkin.

However, the jurisdiction of the ICC extends only to states that have ratified the treaty that created the court. The United States is not a state party to the ICC treaty, or so-called Rome Statute, its citizens cannot be tried at the International Criminal Court.

In this particular case, says Dworkin, Afghanistan is a signatory to the ICC, so the court would have jurisdiction over any crimes committed on its territory.

CNN

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Page 28

International

Kenya MPs furious after parliament’s power supply cut

14 elephants killed by cyanide in Zimbabwe

11 elephants were poisoned in Hwange National Park and three in Matusadona National Park, officials say Authorities say five suspects have been arrested The elephants were poisoned deliberately, a source says, and some had their tusks removed Nairobi, Kenya (CNN) Zimbabwean national park officials have confirmed that 11 elephants have been poisoned by cyanide in Hwange National Park, the same park where an American dentist killed Cecil the Lion in July, sparking international outrage.

Three other elephants were found poisoned in Matusadona National Park in western Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and Zimbabwean police told CNN they have arrested five suspects.

A source in the national parks office says the elephants in Matusadona were poisoned deliberately, probably with orange peels laced with cyanide. Those in Hwange were poisoned using a salt lick spiked with the same poison.

While four elephants were found with their tusks removed, others were found with the tusks attached, leading rangers to believe the poachers had been disrupted before the tusks could be removed, the parks office said.

Several of the poached elephants were too young to have tusks; the youngest was 3 months old, the office said.

“It is a horrible way to die,” Carel Verhoef, a longtime professional African guide, told CNN from Cape Town, South Africa.

Cyanide affects breathing and functionality, and elephants ultimately die of suffocation.

“If the salt licks were poisoned, then other animals would have died, so it would affect the whole ecosystem,” he said.

Vultures and impalas were also found dead at the scene, also poisoned by cyanide, the parks office source said.

This is not the first time that poachers have used cyanide. In 2013, around 300 elephants were poisoned in Hwange National Park in a single incident, the victims of poachers fulfilling a global demand for illegally trafficked ivory.

Kenya’s MPs are among the highest paid in the world

M

Ps in Kenya have reacted furiously after the electricity supply to parliament was cut for three days apparently because of an unpaid bill of $97,000 (£63,000).

The opposition blamed the government, but MPs of the

governing coalition rallied to its defence.

MPs also said they had not received their allowances and some parliamentary staff had not been paid.

The government and parliamentary officials have not

yet commented.

Kenya MPs are among the highest paid in the world, and the chaotic state of the parliamentary building is embarrassing to them, says the BBC’s Abdullahi Abdi in the capital, Nairobi.

There is growing concern that

the government is facing a cash crunch, and MPs from parliament’s finance committee are now holding a crisis meeting to discuss the issue, he adds.

During a parliamentary debate, opposition MP Adan Keynan said the power supply to parliament was cut from Friday to Monday.

“The power guys came and disconnected power... It has never happened [before],” he added.

Another opposition MP Chris Wamalwa said the water supply had also been cut.

“The other day I was here, I could not even visit the toilet because the toilet was closed. There was no water, no electricity,” he said.

Cecily Mbarire, an MP from the governing coalition, said the electricity bill amounted to $97,000.

Our correspondent says opposition and ruling coalition MPs agreed that there was a financial crisis, but disagreed over who was responsible.

Ruling coalition MPs blamed the treasury officials, while the opposition felt the government should take the blame, he adds.

Rwanda court backs scrapping presidential term limits

M

r Kagame’s critics say he leads a repressive regime took power after 1994 genocide ended ‘I saw armed gang murder my family’ Mysterious death of a Rwandan exile Rwanda’s highest court has ruled in favour of changing the constitution to allow President Paul Kagame to stand for a third seven-year term in 2017.

It would be undemocratic to deny people the right to “choose how they are governed”, the court said.

Rwanda plans to hold a referendum to see whether the public supports a constitutional amendment to lift the current twoterm limit on presidents.

Third-term presidential campaigns have caused unrest in other African states.

In neighbouring Burundi, at least 70 people were killed after President Pierre Nkurunziza announced in April that he was running for a third term.

Mr Kagame criticised Mr Nkurunziza’s decision to seek reelection, but has said Rwandans will decide his future.

Rwanda’s parliament has approved changing the constitution after more than 3.7 million people had signed a petition asking for the two-term limit to be scrapped, according to officials.

Supporters of Rwandan President Paul Kagame in 2010Image copyrightAFP Image caption The president’s supporters say he offers stability and progress The small opposition Democratic Green Party, which brought the court case, said it would launch a nationwide

campaign to urge voters to reject the constitutional amendment.

The party said it would also consider launching legal action in regional and pan-African courts to block changes to the constitution.

Mr Kagame has been in power in Rwanda since the end of the genocide in 1994.

He has been a staunch ally of the UK and US, who are among Rwanda’s major donors.

His supporters say he has helped achieved stability and economic growth. His critics say he has presided over a repressive regime which stifles dissent.

Ebola countries record first week with no new cases

T

he three West African countries at the heart of the Ebola epidemic recorded their first week with no new cases since the outbreak began in March 2014.

The outbreak has so far killed more than 11,000 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

New cases have fallen sharply in 2015, but the WHO has warned that the disease could break out again.

The epidemic is the worst known occurrence of Ebola in history.

More than 500 people believed to have had dangerous contact with an Ebola patient remain under

follow-up in Guinea, the WHO said in a report.

It also said several “high-risk” people linked to recent patients in Guinea and Sierra Leone had been lost track of.

Liberia has already been declared free of Ebola transmission after 42 days without a new case. It is the second time the country received the declaration, following a flare-up in June.

Sierra Leone released its last known Ebola patients on 28 September and must now wait to be declared free of Ebola transmission.

Guinea’s most recent cases were recorded on 27 September.

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has killed more than 11,000 people Ebola crisis

Page 29

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

International

Obama apologises to MSF and Afghans for Kunduz strike U S President Barack Obama called the head of medical charity Doctors without Borders (MSF) and the Afghan president to apologise for the US air strike that hit a hospital in the provincial capital of Kunduz.

Obama called President Ashraf Ghani and MSF President Joanne Liu on Wednesday to express regret for the loss of life in the attack that killed 22 people and injured 37 others.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama offered his condolences to the aid group’s staff and assured that there would be a thorough and objective accounting of the facts.

Earnest said Obama told the group that the US, if necessary, would make changes so such incidents are less likely to happen again.

The White House said Obama also pledged to keep working closely with Ghani’s government.

Earlier on Wednesday, MSF called for an independent international commission to investigate the attack,

which it deems a war crime.

The medical charity said that the inquiry would gather facts and evidence from the US, NATO and Afghanistan, as well as testimonies from MSF staff and patients who survived Saturday’s attack.

Only then would MSF consider whether to bring criminal charges for loss of life and partial destruction of its trauma hospital, which has left tens of thousands of Afghans without access to healthcare, it said.

“If we let this go, as if [this] was a non-event, we are basically giving a blank cheque to any countries who are at war,” Liu said in a news briefing.

“If we don’t safeguard that medical space for us to do our activities, then it is impossible to work in other contexts like Syria, South Sudan, like Yemen.”

In New York, Jason Cone, executive director of MSF in the US, called for the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission to be activated for the first time since its 1991 creation

Barack Obama

under the Geneva Conventions.

Cone urged Obama to consent to the commission. “Doing so will send a powerful signal of the US government’s commitment to and respect for international humanitarian law under rules of war,” Cone said at a news conference.

Liu spoke of the chaos as the bombs fell for an hour.

“Our patients burned in their beds, MSF doctors, nurses and other staff were killed as they worked. Our colleagues had to operate on each other,” she said.

The US military took responsibility on Tuesday for the air strike.

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter, speaking to reporters in Rome on Wednesday, said: “We are conducting a full and transparent investigation and will make the findings of that investigation known as they are found and will hold accountable anyone responsible for conduct that was improper.”

The US had launched air strikes on Kunduz as Afghan security forces battled to retake the city from the Taliban.

The Afghan Ministry of Defence said on Sunday that Taliban fighters had attacked the hospital and were using the building “as a human shield”, which the medical group denied, while pointing out it would be a war crime not to treat the wounded.

Indonesia’s Joko Widodo seeks forest fire help

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ndonesia’s president has asked for international assistance to put out forest fires that have sent a thick haze over the region.

After refusing offers of help from Singapore, Joko Widodo said he had now accepted.

He said he also wanted help from Russia, Malaysia and Japan.

The forest fires are the result of annual slash-and-burn practices by companies clearing land for palm oil and pulp wood plantations.

They are burning mainly on Sumatra island and Indonesia’s part of Borneo island, known as Kalimantan, both above ground

and underneath the peat-rich soil.

The haze has pushed air quality to dangerous, and sometimes hazardous, levels across parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and southern Thailand.

On the worst days, schools have been closed and some flights affected.

In a statement on the cabinet secretary website, Mr Widodo confirmed Indonesia had asked for and received help from Singapore.

“We hope this will speed up the process because fires on peat land is different from regular forest fires,” he said.

“What we need now are planes that can carry 12-15 tonnes of water, not like the 2-3 tonnes we have now,” he said.

Singapore’s foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on Wednesday night that his country was offering Indonesia military equipment and personnel, satellite pictures, and fire hotspot coordinates.

It has also requested the names of companies suspected of involvement in causing the haze, who can be punished under Singapore laws. Indonesia has previously pointed out that some

palm oil, paper and pulp companies which operate in its territory have Singapore and Malaysian stakeholders.

Meanwhile Islamic authorities in Malaysia have called on Muslims to hold special prayer sessions for the haze to end.

Othman Mustapha, head of the government’s department of Islamic Development, said in a Facebook post that the haze “has created fear and concern among the people due to its health impact... the aim is to pray that the haze that we are facing will end quickly”.

Israeli forces accused of shooting at the press

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or Palestinian television correspondent Muhammad Sayyad, 27, attacks by Israeli police officers and soldiers are a routine part of the job.

“This isn’t new for us, but the violence [against journalists] has increased lately,” Sayyad, who works for the local Ma’an News Agency, told Al Jazeera.

“It has gotten a lot worse here since problems became more frequent at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem.”

The Palestinian Centre for Media Freedom and Development (MADA) has documented seven press violations committed by Israeli forces since the beginning of the month.

“Israeli occupation forces are both directly and indirectly targeting journalists,” Mousa Rimawi, director

Muhammad Sayyad (green) was hit repeatedly by a pair of Israeli police officers while reporting at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound last week [File: photo courtesy of Muhammad Sayyad]

of MADA, told Al Jazeera.

“Some have been deliberately beaten by soldiers, some were shot and others were [injured] while

covering the clashes when the soldiers fired [stun grenades and gas bombs] indiscriminately.”

Clashes between Israeli military

forces and Palestinian demonstrators have engulfed much of the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since the killing of two Israeli settlers near Nablus last Thursday.Israeli settlers have also increased attackson Palestinian communities in recent days.

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, more than 600 Palestinians have been injured as Israeli forces attack protesters with stun grenades, gas bombs, rubbercoated steel bullets and, in some cases, live ammunition. Journalists are no exception.

Sayyad was injured as a result of being beaten by Israeli security forces outside the compound last week. “We went there to cover the events,” he recalled, “but they wouldn’t actually allow us to go in the compound.”

Asia & Middle East

Yemen conflict: ‘Deadly attack’ on wedding party

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t least 13 people have been killed an explosion at a wedding in a rebel-held village in Yemen, medics say.

Residents of Sanban, about 80km (50 miles) south of the capital Sanaa, said a missile had struck a house where three brothers were getting married.

They said the missile was fired by an aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition that has conducted air strikes against the rebel Houthi movement since March.

But the coalition denied responsibility and blamed rebel propaganda.

It also again rejected claims that it bombed a wedding reception on Yemen’s Red Sea Coast on 28 September, killing as many as 130 people.

The UN says almost 4,900 people, including 2,355 civilians, have been killed in air strikes and fighting between progovernment and rebel forces in the last six months.

The explosion in Sanban, in Dhamar province, occurred just as the brides arrived at the house to marry the brothers in a joint ceremony, their cousin Tawfiq al-Sanabani told the New York Times.

“I saw bodies lying in the yard, decapitated, charred,” he said.

Local medics said at least 13 people were killed, including the brothers, and 38 others wounded.

But Safwan al-Ansi, the chief of the emergency department told the New York Times that 23 people had died and that more bodies were believed to be buried under the rubble of the house.

Mr Sanabani and other residents said the cause of the blast was an air strike.

Pro-rebel al-Masirah television also blamed “aggression warplanes”, a reference to the coalition.

But coalition spokesman Brig Gen Ahmed al-Asiri told the AFP news agency: “We did not conduct any operation in Dhamar... No strikes there, definitely.”

He accused the Houthis of employing a “new media strategy” after losing territory to pro-government militiamen and coalition troops, who have been advancing towards Sanaa since regaining control of the southern port city of Aden in July.

Page 30

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

International

Kosovo MPs stage tear gas protest in parliament

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pposition MPs in Kosovo have let off tear gas in the national parliament chamber in a noisy protest over a government deal with Serbia.

The gas disrupted the session and made two MPs faint. There were also loud whistles and insults from the opposition, Kosovapress news reported.

The EU-brokered deal grants more powers to the mainly Serb areas of Kosovo.

Kosovo’s ethnic Albanians broke away from Serbia in an armed revolt in 1999, then declared independence in 2008.

The new deal - to establish an “Association/Community of Serb majority municipalities” endangers Kosovo’s territorial integrity, opposition MPs argue.

Both Serbia and Kosovo have begun negotiations aimed at eventual EU membership, though Serbia has made more progress on that path.

Kosovo’s government denounced the opposition’s actions, blamed on opposition party leader

T

The gas caused a big commotion in the parliament chamber in Pristina

Albin Kurti, as beyond “the bounds of institutional and democratic behaviour”.

Ramush Haradinaj, head of the

opposition Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), warned of “even bigger actions than throwing tear gas... in the assembly chamber”.

“It is not a big deal that two MPs passed out, compared to what future actions are going to be,” he said, quoted by Kosovapress.

refugee crisis,” Merkel said.

Merkel went on to call existing EU rules on asylum “obsolete”, as they place a burden on EU states where people arrive first to process claims for refugee status.

The German leader spoke after France’s Hollande, who told EU leaders they risked the “end of Europe” if member states failed to remain united to tackle the refugee, euro currency and other crises.

“We need not less Europe but more Europe. Europe must affirm itself, otherwise we will see the end

of Europe - our demise,” Hollande said.

The president added the EU had made mistakes in dealing with the refugee crisis, telling EU parliamentarians that the organisation was slow to recognise the crisis developing.

“I recognise it willingly, Europe was slow to understand that the tragedies in the Middle East or in Africa could not be without consequences for it. Europe did not measure the hope it arouses and that it will long arouse in the face of distress,” he said, according

to the DPA news agency.

“Europe did not dispense enough help to countries who were welcoming in camps ever larger populations. So it’s in an urgent fashion that it had to organise, Europe, to be worthy of its asylum tradition.”

Hollande said it will “probably” be 600,000 migrants and refugees who will arrive in Europe this year. But he also argued that “it’s in Turkey that refugees have to be welcomed as much as possible,” calling for closer cooperation with Ankara.

Rupert Murdoch implies Obama not ‘real black president’

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edia mogul Rupert Murdoch has sent a tweet suggesting President Barack Obama is not a “real black president”.

In tweets praising Republican candidate Ben Carson, Mr Murdoch wrote: “Ben and Candy Carson terrific. What about a real black President who can properly address the racial divide?”

He also recommended a New York magazine article for “minority community disappointment” with the president.

Mr Murdoch, 84, is founder of the global News Corporation empire.

His company owns Fox News Channel and The New York Post and The Wall Street Journal in the US, and Sky News and The Sun and Times newspapers in the UK, among others.

He is ranked as one of the world’s most powerful people.

Mr Murdoch has previously

Brazil’s Rousseff faces impeachment threat

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Germany and France call for united EU front on refugees

he German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande have urged fellow EU leaders to unite to resolve the ongoing refugee crisis.

Merkel warned leaders of the dangers of succumbing to nationalism at a meeting of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

“In the refugee crisis, we must not succumb to the temptation of falling back into acting in nationalistic terms ... national solo efforts are no solution to the

Europe and Americas

Barack Obama tweeted his admiration for Mr Carson, a 63-year-old retired neurosurgeon who is one of 15 hopefuls vying to become the Republican candidate for the US

Rupert Murdoch presidency in 2016.

A few days ago, he tweeted: “Everywhere pundits keep underestimating Ben Carson. But public understand humility as

admirable, listen to the multifaceted strong message.”

Previously, he has said of him: “Maybe the one to beat.

Irreproachable on background, achievements, character, vision.”

He took to Twitter again on Wednesday.

Shortly after, he tweeted again: President Obama, throughout his presidency, has tended to be cautious about race, leaving others to attach racial meaning to his presidency, the BBC’s Nick Bryant in New York has written.

This week’s New York magazine quotes members of the AfricanAmerican community as saying they wish he had done more to tackle racial problems.

Mr Carson caused controversy last month when he said a Muslim should not run for president because Islam was inconsistent with the US constitution.

razil’s President Dilma Rousseff has suffered a major new setback, with a court ruling that her government’s accounting practices were illegal, paving the way for her opponents to try to impeach her.

Wednesday’s decision by the Federal Accounts Court was the latest blow to Rousseff, less than a year into her second term.

The court said that her government’s accounting practices in 2014, including taking what amounted to unauthorised loans from state-owned banks to make up for budget shortfalls, broke the law.

“The accounts are not a condition where they can be approved. We recommend their rejection,” the lead judge, Augusto Nardes, said after the court’s panel voted unanimously.

The government says it did nothing illegal and that it was merely juggling funds in line with previous practices.

The court’s ruling, which next goes to Congress, was likely to give powerful impetus to Rousseff’s congressional opponents, led by the scandal-plagued speaker of the lower house, Eduardo Cunha, who has repeatedly threatened to push for impeachment.

Late on Tuesday, another judicial body, the electoral court, or TSE, ruled in favour of probing alleged illegalities in Rousseff’s 2014 reelection campaign.

That ruling will not immediately lead to sanctions, instead opening the door to a legal and political battle that in theory could result in Rousseff’s narrow 2014 victory being declared invalid - and new elections being organised.

Especially worryingly for Rousseff was that one of the allegations in the complaint brought to the TSE by the opposition PSDB party was that some donations to the president’s re-election coffers were linked in part

Rousseff is now facing two legal assaults and a steep recession [Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters]

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

PAGE 31

Land Swap: Reps order probe of alleged malpractice

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he House of Representatives has ordered for investigation into the implementation of the Land Swap Policy initiated by the immediate past Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Muhammad.

The move followed a motion by Rep. Yunusa Abubakar (GombeAPC) representing Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency of Gombe State.

Abubakar in his motion

stressed the need to investigate the abandoned capital projects and alleged malpractice associated with the land swap deals in the FCT. He expressed dismay that most infrastructure-based projects in the FCT had been abandoned, after the administration initiated them and made adequate provisions for such in its budgets.

He said that the immediate past administration of Dr.

Goodluck Jonathan allegedly approved variations in the contract values of some of the projects without due process.

The representative said that in a bid to source funds as additional revenue, the FCTA embarked on land swap policy.

He added that in the policy, green lands were granted to estate developers to build roads, install electricity, potable water, drainages and sewage lines.

He further said that investigation was needed, following widespread allegations that the selection of investors was tainted with fraudulent practices and undue favoritism.

“The beneficiaries of the Land Swap Policy have resorted to selling the lands to the public at exorbitant prices in utter disregard for the principles of the land swap deals,’’ he said.

The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara,

who presided over the plenary, mandated the Committee on the FCT, when constituted, to carry out the investigation.

The Committee is also to unravel the cause or causes of frequent contract variations and abandonment of capital projects by the Administration.

It will report back to the House its findings with appropriate recommendations to checkmate further breaches, if any. (NAN)

NURTW scribe urges Bwari Council to fix Motor Park

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Sachet water sellers attending to a customer at Nyanya, in Abuja.

Kwali Council boss restates commitment to provision of developmental projects

By Usman Shuaibu

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he executive chairman of Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Ibrahim Daniel, has said his administration would remain committed to initiating and implementing developmental projects in Kwali and its environs.

Daniel, who stated this, while speaking with newsmen in his office in Kwali, on Tuesday, said his leadership had carried out good number of projects at the grassroots level ranging from

roads rehabilitation, construction of culverts as well as provision of transformers among others.

The chairman emphasised that he was elected to provide essential services for the people; vowed to continue providing basic amenities for the people of the Council and its environs in order to alleviate their suffering.

In particular, Council boss disclosed that his administration had rehabilitated as well as upgraded some roads such as Yangoji-Dafa road, Anguwan cashew road in Kwali as well as Bako-Dabi-Bobota road among

others.

He added that various culverts were constructed in Chukuku Tsoho, leleyi and Lokoda communities, in order to make the roads motor-able for the residents living there.

Also, he pointed out that his leadership had drilled boreholes in some communities in Kwali to boost potable drinking water.

On education, he said that his administration had provided buses for junior secondary schools in the area, adding that scholarship was awarded to some students studying in the higher

institutions across the country to encourage them in their studies.

He further said that his administration had placed a greater emphasis on the provision of farming inputs for the farmers to carry out their farming operations every year in the area.

Meanwhile, commenting on the recent bomb blasts in Nyanya and Kuje towns of FCT, Daniel who condemned the act perpetrated by the Boko Haram, advising the people of Kwali to be security conscious at their various domains.

ecretary, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Bwari branch, Mr. Abdullahi Idris, has appealed to the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to repair the motor park in the area.

Idris, who made the appeal in a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that lack of functional Motor Park hindered the union’s operations.

He expressed displeasure over the deplorable condition of the existing motor park, adding that the deplorable condition of the park made it difficult for motorists and pedestrians to carry out their day to day activities.

He, therefore, appealed to the council to intervene in order to assuage the sufferings of of the motorists.

“Our garage is not in good condition; when it rains, when you come to the garage it seems you are in where you plant rice, because everywhere is full with water.

“We are just seeking for government to assist us; we cannot bear of putting it in good condition.

“We don’t have the financial capacity to do it; we are seeking for assistance, so that we can put this garage into good condition; that’s we are appealing to them to assist us,” he explained.

According to him, the union has been pursuing the issue for a very long time, we met the area council authority several occasions, but they only promise they will do it, but nothing has been done yet.

He adds:“Even the road leading to the garage is bad; if government can help us to repair it that will ameliorate our sufferings.

“The tasks of repairing damages on our vehicle jumping gallops affect us economically.

“We need a good road in Bwari; we appeal to the council authority to also take necessary steps to address this problem for us.” (NAN)

PAGE 32

Photo Splash

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Scavenger searching for valuables, yesterday at Lugbe Bus Stop, in Abuja.

An articulated vehicle loaded with passengers and scraps along Federal Housing Authority, in Abuja.

A young man relaxing on a motorbike at Zone 4, Lugbe, in Abuja.

A scene of accident along Airport Road, recently, in Abuja.

A vehicle loaded with goods along Airport Road, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Peoples Daily, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

PAGE 33

Money Sense

Save money by reducing paper consumption in your office

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here are many easy ways for businesses and organizations to reduce their paper use and costs. Reductions of 20 percent or more are possible in most offices.

Here are practical tips to help your company implement a cost-saving, paper reduction program: 1 Think before you print It is simply too easy to push the printbutton. For example, much paper is wasted by printing out single line emails or printing out unnecessary copies of documents.

Departments should carefully assess their needs before ordering bulk print copies of information materials, like annual reports or brochures. In many cases hundreds if not thousands of un-used copies end up in storage rooms clogging up storage space.

The golden rule of saving paper: Think twice if you really need to print – if it is necessary to print make sure you print on both sides (duplex). This is a really easy way to reduce paper consumption by half.

Easy ways to reduce wasteful paper use: a) Post in-house reminders near the copy machine or at individual desktops.

Use catchy slogans, for example: “Do you really need to print that?” or “Do you know how many sheets of paper you used last month?” b) Track the personal printing footprint in your office. Create systems that allow staff to measure how many print copies they are personally responsible for each month.

Most people are shocked to find out their individual cumulative number of copies.

This knowledge will motivate people to reduce their personal paper footprint.

Create a checklist for those departments which order informational materials. The checklist should include question such as: Please identify the target group for the brochure. Verify the number of required recipients and the number of back-up copies needed.

Are you sure these target groups will need a hard copy of the report or is it enough to point them to a website?

Do they need to be proactively sent the hard copy or is it sufficient to make it available upon request? Do you need inhouse copies for all staff or can copies be held in communal areas/on notice boards?

How many reserve copies do you require and why - for what events or purposes? Who will distribute or oversee the distribution of the reserve copies?

Simply by addressing these questions, it is highly likely that the quantity of future print runs will be more realistic. d) Review distribution lists frequently.

Eliminate outdated or unnecessary recipients.

See if destinations with many recipients can make do with fewer copies. e) Conduct paper-less meetings When you hold a meeting, do you really need to have hard copies of preparatory materials available for each participant?

Encourage people to use their computers for reviewing documents and note-making Make sure meeting participants have electronic access to all the materials beforehand; encourage those using computers not to print out copies. If you must supply additional materials at the meeting, consider burning CDs for all participants.

Make copies “as needed” rather than in large batches at one time. Frequently, extra copies of important internal documents become outdated quickly and only end up being discarded. Making copies as needed can reduce this problem significantly.

2) Use paper more efficiently Duplexing (copying images onto both sides of a sheet of paper), can save up to 50% of paper costs. Duplexing saves money on paper purchasing, as well as on storage and mailing. Duplex copies are also easier to fold and staple. While some prints and copies need to be single-sided, most do not. a) Set defaults on computers: Set defaults to double sided - select one-sided printing only when really needed. Print double-sided

for bills, applications, licenses, and other paper-intensive activities.

5) Use less paper by effectively using computers and other technology

3) Use thinner paper

Today’s information and communication technologies provide many opportunities for businesses to function with far less paper. Electronic mail, Intranets, Internet and document scanners can radically reduce paper use, while also saving time and money.

Use electronic means to communicate with customers, for press release/media relations, use e-mail instead of memos and faxes for inter-office memos, announcing meetings, and targeted communications.

Use group e-mail lists to “broadcast” important messages efficiently and inexpensively.

For editing and reviewing of larger documents, transfer documents on disk or by e-mail rather than sending a printed copy.

Use electronic communications for directories, forms, bulletins, manuals, reports, and storage when possible (don’t print them unless absolutely necessary); Store documents in electronic archives using data compression software this saves on filing cabinets and floor space Employ office intranet solutions that allow open or password-protected access to important documents, presentations, or databases Use electronic data interchange (EDI) technologies like web-based secure credit card transfers and order forms to reduce the need for cumbersome paper invoices, transaction records, and confirmation letters Use Revision Features in Word Processing Software. Take advantage of onscreen editing features when making changes to draft documents, and then send the new draft electronically.

Have several people edit the same copy of a document using different colored inks, or edit computer documents on-screen using different fonts, or learn to use the commentary function in word.

The thickness of paper we use makes a big difference both in terms of cost as well as the amount of paper used. You can find the reference to the thickness of paper on the package, mostly ranging from 60 gsm or g/m2 (grams per square meter) to 100 gsm. a) Use lower grammage paper for your printing, copying etc.

Obviously heavier weight sheets use more fiber, cost more per sheet and cost more to post.

Most printers work well with 70 and 80 gsm. Using thinner paper most often does not change the performance and can save money for you too.

4) Reuse paper a) Put adequate paper collection systems in place. Provide clearly labeled recycling bins near copiers, shipping and receiving areas, and in employee eating areas to collect white paper, mixed paper, newspaper, magazines, cardboard as well as non-paper products (glass, aluminum, plastic, etc).

Provide desktop recycling containers for employees. Advise your cleaning staff on where to place collected paper without polluting it through contact with other waste.

Estimate how much waste paper your office produces and arrange to have it picked up by your waste hauler or a recycler.

If your office is small, consider combining your recyclables with other small offices nearby. b) Encourage staff to reuse papers Use the blank sides of unneeded singlesided copies for printing drafts.

Use outdated letterhead for in-house memos.

Designate a printer for draft printing, and use only used paper in its paper tray.

Page 34

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Strange World

World’s smallest man, who died last month aged 75, is returned to his native Nepal so people can pay their last respects to the 21½inch-tall record-holder

Mr Dangi travelled to London in November 2014 for Guinness World Record Day, ten years after the event was first set up when it became the world’s best-selling copyright book.

Smiling outside the Houses of Parliament, Mr Dangi shook hands with the world’s tallest man Sultan Kösen, who stands at 8ft 1in.

Mr Kösen, 32, from Ankara, Turkey, became the world’s tallest living man in 2009, when he took the title from 63-year-old Xi Shun, from China, who measured 7ft 8.95in 2005.

He also has the record for the largest hands at 11.2ins.

By Simon Tomlinson

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ife’s too short: World’s smallest man, who died last month aged 75, is returned to his native Nepal so people can pay their last respects to the 21½inch-tall record-holder • Chandra Dangi died of pneumonia on tour of American Samoa last month • He was flown back to Nepal in tiny box marked ‘handle with extreme care’ • Popular dwarf placed in an open casket for memorial in Kathmandu today • Mr Dangi used his worldwide fame to earn money for his village in Nepal He may have been the world’s smallest man, but Chandra Dangi has left a giant hole in people’s hearts.

The popular dwarf, who stood just 21.5ins tall, died at the age of 75 on a tour of American Samoa last month after contracting pneumonia.

He was flown back to his native Nepal in a tiny box marked ‘handle with extreme care’ before being placed in an open casket for a memorial in Kathmandu today so mourners could pay their final respects.

Mr Dangi passed away at the Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center in Pago Pago in American Samoa in the Pacific on September 3 following a brief illness.

Speaking at the time, family friend Sujit Dilip, owner of India’s well-known Rambo Circus, based in Pune, said: ‘Today, our circus is flooded with tears at the loss of the world’s smallest man... whom we lovingly called Prince Chandra.’

Mr Dangi, who was just 21.5ins (54.6cm), broke the record in 2012 when he was crowned

by Guinness World Records in Kathmandu.

A spokeswoman at the hospital said he died of an undisclosed

DailyMail on Facebook

Diminutive figure with a giant stature: Mourners gather around the body of the world’s shortest man Chandra Dangi during a memorial service organised for the public to pay their last respects in Kathmandu, Nepal disease but it was believed he had been suffering from pneumonia, as reported by the Kathmandu Post.

He was being treated in Nepal but travelled the 7,500 miles to American Samoa for a tour and had to be rushed to hospital after his symptoms worsened.

Mr Dangi was popular in his area after his title enabled him to travel abroad and earn money for Reemkholi, the Nepalese village where he lived some 335 miles southwest of Kathmandu.

Before that he made placemats and head straps for villagers carrying heavy loads.

The tiny man, who was a primordial dwarf, was the same size as six cans of baked beans stacked on top of each other.

He beat the benchmark set by Gul Mohammed, from New Delhi, India, who measured 22.5ins and

Standing tall: Chandra Dangi meets Jyoti Amge, the shortest woman in the world, for the launch of the new edition of Guinness Book of Records in 2013

died at the age of 40 in 1997.

Three of Mr Dangi’s five brothers were less than four feet tall, while his two sisters and two other brothers are of average height.

A Guinness World Records spokesman released a tribute to the ‘extraordinary’ dwarf last month.

Superstar welcome: Since achieving new-found Dangi is often greeted by legions of fans who chant his name It read: ‘Guinness World Records (GWR), the global authority in record breaking achievements, is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Chandra Dangi, who held the title of shortest man in the world.

‘GWR would like to express its sincere and heartfelt condolences to Mr Dangi’s family in this difficult time.

‘He will be remembered forever as an iconic and extraordinary record holder.’

Mr Dangi’s nephew Dolakh Dangi (centre) places the Nepalese flag on his uncle’s casket during the memorial

How low? A nurse crouches to the left and an official to the right as Chandra measures up when he was officially declared the world’s shortest man by Guinness World Records in 2012

Fragile: He was flown back to his native Nepal in a tiny box marked ‘handle with extreme care’

The long and the short of it: Mr Dangi meets Sultan Kosen, who at 8ft 3in is the world’s tallest man, at a photocall to celebrate the 10th annual Guinness World Records Day in London

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Page 35

How INEC allegedly forged Saraki’s election result

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he embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki, no doubt, is once again in the eye of the storm.

Against the backdrop of his travails stemming from the alleged false declaration of assets in 2003 which culminated into 13-count corruption charge by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, and the current election result forgery allegation, it remains to be seen what the political future holds for Saraki.

Bukola Saraki came under fresh controversy amid revelation that the Kwara Central Senatorial District election results which declared him winner last March might have been forged by INEC, according to INEC’s own election papers tendered at the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The two documents, admitted in evidence as “Exhibit D1” and “Exhibit D2” by the Justice Joshua Majebi-led election tribunal, were tendered by Alhaji Ladi Hassan.

Ironically, Hassan is a longstanding friend of Senator Saraki, and once served as chief of staff to Saraki as then governor of Kwara State. In addition to that, Hassan represented both the senator and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a party agent during the March 28, 2015 elections.

The documents submitted to the tribunal alleged that Saraki declared himself winner on the 28th of March, when counting of ballots was yet to be concluded. The queation is since collation of result ended on the 3rd of March, why was Saraki declared winner as showed in exhibit D1? This is contrary to the electoral guidelines as stipulated by the Independent National

Some of the exhibits tendered by party agents at the Tribunal

Kwara Central, 2015 Senatorial Election Collation at LG

Kwara Central Senatorial Collation Results at LG Level

Electoral Commission (INEC).

Laying credence to that fact was a statement on Senator Saraki’s Facebook page, when he wrote, “STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI (CON), ON THE MARCH 28, 2015 ELECTIONS IN KWARA CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT, KWARA STATE. “Today marks the beginning of a new dawn in Kwara and Nigeria. Having been re-elected as Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, I commend all those who turned out to cast their votes. It is indeed the highest civil responsibility a citizen is called upon to do for his or her country. Whilst all gratitude belongs to…..

To declare oneself a winner in an election is a serious electoral offence, according to our electoral act.

The petition against Saraki was mainly anchored on six grounds involving alleged widespread noncompliance with various provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), and INEC’s election regulations and procedures. There were also various claims of election irregularities.

The credibility of the March 28 final return is further eroded by the fact that nowhere throughout Nigeria did INEC announce any final senatorial election return that day.

It could be recalled that, on March 30, 2015, Kwara INEC’s spokesman, Jacob Ayanda, said that the previous day that the election results would not be formally known until the next day, adding “only the results from Isin and Oke-Ero out of the 16 local governments had arrived at the Commission’s headquarters as at about 3 p.m.” on March 29, 2015.

Saraki was the first person to reveal the results of the Kwara Central Senatorial election on his Facebook page on the morning of March 30, accompanied with a picture of himself holding for the camera what appears to be the election’s result sheet.

Level (Form EC 8D 1), 28 March 2015

(Form EC 8B 1) and Summary, 28-29 March 2015

Page

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

[9] Kwara Central Senatorial Collation Results at LG Level (Form EC 8B 1) and Summary, 28-29 March 2015

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Page

INEC Forged Sarakiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Poll Results, 25 Sept 2015

Kwara Central, 2015 Senatorial Final Election Results (Form EC 8E 1), 28 March 2015

Kwara Central Senatorial Collation Results at LG Level (Form EC 8B 1) and Summary, 28-29 March 2015

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Feature

Page

The man who survived a Taliban roadblock

A

bdul (not his full name) suffered a hand injury.

He says he escaped after a young Taliban fighter his own age intervened on his behalf.

The Taliban have been accused by human rights group Amnesty International of killings and abuses following their capture of Kunduz, the northern city they held for several days last week before Afghan security forces moved in to drive them out.

Abdul was on his way home to the northern province of Takhar, after spending his Eid holiday in Kabul.

He wanted to return to his studies and ignored warnings the journey would be too dangerous, saying the authorities suggested they were back in control in Kunduz.

The route from Kabul to Takhar goes through Kunduz and thousands of people have been stranded in the wake of the fighting.

Abdul set off on Sunday, a week after Taliban insurgents took over Kunduz. It was the first time the group had captured a provincial capital since they were ousted from power in 2001.

“When I took a car, the driver told me not to worry because he knew people with the Taliban,” Abdul told the BBC in the interview in Takhar.

“Throughout the journey, the driver was talking to people who seemed to be Taliban on the phone and assured me that nothing would happen.”

Abdul still appeared to be traumatised as he recounted what happened next, clutching his arm with his thumb in a thick bandage.

He says that when the car entered Kunduz, he saw the Afghan flag on a roundabout but there was no one from the Afghan government in sight, The driver was supposed to take his passengers directly to Takhar - but instead dropped them off on the northern outskirts of the city, where they had to find another vehicle.

It was on the way out of the city when Abdul got really worried as the area appeared to be under

“

An Afghan student has told the BBC how he narrowly escaped with his life after being stopped and threatened at a Taliban roadblock near Kunduz.

Abdul says he saw evidence of a killing ground Taliban control.

“From then onwards on the road to Takhar there were Talibs everywhere,” he recounted. “I saw dead bodies along the roadside.

They smelled bad. Many looked no more than 20 years old.”

After passing two roadblocks, the car was stopped and Taliban

insurgents began to question the passengers.

“They asked us what we were doing here, and I said I had been in Kabul for treatment because I was not feeling well.”

‘Killing ground’ The passengers were taken to a nearby hotel which the Taliban

had made their base and where the questioning continued.

Abdul, whose account cannot be independently verified, says he was kicked in the back twice and accused of working for the government.

“I told them I wasn’t, but however much I cried and shouted, they would not let me go.”

He said there was a stream outside where the insurgent group appeared to have a killing ground.

He says a man had been beheaded there.

Such testimony chimes with a report by Amnesty International last week which spoke of “mass murder, gang rapes and houseto-house searches by Taliban

death squads” in Kunduz, based on civilian accounts collected by the human rights watchdog from people fleeing the city.

The Taliban by contrast sent out messages of reassurance, saying that civilians and their property would be respected and there was nothing to fear.

Abdul’s story contradicts this.

He says he himself was then taken outside.

“They dropped me there and put a knife to my neck. I tried to grab the knife and they cut my finger.”

Abdul recounts how his friend started crying as soon as the Taliban produced the knife and shouted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is great”).

It was then that one of the insurgents, a young man roughly Abdul’s age, started to become emotional himself and intervened.

“He asked me whether I had done anything wrong,” Abdul says.

“I said: ‘No.’ I told them that I’d do whatever they wanted, that I would even join them because I was so scared.”

For whatever reason, Abdul was spared and “told to go and not look back”. He says his hand bled all the way to Takhar, where a doctor treated the wound with 10 stitches.

“Whenever I see a knife now I feel faint,” he says.

Abdul accuses the authorities of not telling the truth about the security situation in Kunduz.

“My only advice to the government is: Don’t lie, because people will misunderstand and think Kunduz is under control, and that could cost lives.”

Source: BBC

Government forces say they are back in control - inside Kunduz at least.

The passengers were taken to a nearby hotel which the Taliban had made their base and where the questioning continued. Abdul, whose account cannot be independently verified, says he was kicked in the back twice and accused of working for the government.

“I told them I wasn’t, but however much I cried and shouted, they would not let me go.”

He said there was a stream outside where the insurgent group appeared to have a killing ground. He says a man had been beheaded there. Such testimony chimes with a report by Amnesty International last week which spoke of “mass murder, gang rapes and house-to-house searches

by Taliban death squads” in Kunduz, based on civilian accounts collected by the human rights watchdog from people fleeing the city.

But people were still fleeing sporadic fighting in the city on Tuesday

The Taliban were in control of the city for several days - and still control nearby areas

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Page 39

Weekend Revue

With Tobias Lengnan Dapam lovelengz@yahoo.com

Diamond hitz top 5 A

t no 2 is the Diva herself, PAPA with the song ‘PAULINA’.

The song is currently trending on Radio and social media network.

T

o p p i n g the chart is Mekoyo featuring Vector with the song ‘KPAKAM’ . The song is making huge waves round the city and also getting enough downloads on social media.

A

t no 3 is the duo twin group ADDICTION, with the song ‘FAAJI’. The song has been a bang bang for a lot of music audience in the FCT and social media.

A

A

t no 4 is Jazz master, M i k e Wonder with ‘PRAY FOR YOU’. The song is a cover song rendition of Nosa, currently trending on Diamond Hitz Platforms t no 5 is Swagger P with the song ‘ANGELINA’. The song is a dancehall tune which is trending on radio and social media.

Peoples Daily, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Page 40

Daniel Craig says he’d rather “slash his wrists” than do another James Bond movie

Weekend Revue Stevie Wonder is officially divorced

T Daniel Craig

D

aniel Craig would rather kill himself than do another James Bond movie.

The actor, who stars in upcoming Bond movie Spectre, was rumoured to be starring in another two movies.

But judging by his latest comments it looks far from likely.

In an interview with Time Out, the 47-year-old spoke candidly about the role and its future, saying of the next Bond: “Look, I don’t give a f**k. Good luck to them.”

He continued: “All I care about is that if I stop doing these things we’ve left it in a good place and people pick it up and make it better.”

While talking about doing another 007 film, he continued: “Now? I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists.

“No, not at the moment. Not at all. That’s fine. I’m over it at the moment. We’re done. All I want to do is move on.”

Craig went on to say that if he were to decide to go ahead with another Bond movie that “it would only be for the money.”

Whenever he does choose to hang up the Aston Martin keys, Craig did say that he would have one bit of advice for his successor.

“Don’t be s**t,” Craig said.

“You’ve got to step up. People do not make movies like this any more. This is really rare now. So don’t be s**t.”

he ‘Lately’ hitmaker split from second wife Kai Millard Morris in 2009 after eight years of marriage, but their union has now been officially dissolved.

According to TMZ, under the terms of their settlement, the 65-year-old singer - who filed for divorce in 2012 - has agreed to pay $25,000 a month in child support for their children Kailand, 14, and 10-year-old Mandla.

The former couple will share joint custody of the boys and have agreed that Stevie can take them

on the road when he tours on a limited basis.

The blind singer used his thumbprint instead of a signature to sign off on the settlement.

It was previously claimed Stevie - whose girlfriend Tomeeka Robyn Bracy gave birth to his ninth child, daughter Nia, last December - thinks he is a better father now he is older.

The legendary crooner - who has children with five different women - is said to have told friends he hasn’t always been available for his kids when they

needed him, but as he has grown older, he has developed closer bonds with his brood, who range in age from one to 39 years old.

A source said: “Aisha [his oldest] enjoys her dad quite a bit, they get together and eat and joke.

“He’s been helping [his son] Mumtaz with some of Mumtaz’s music and he always talks about how talented his son is.

“He knows that being a father is a full-time job and now that he’s a little older, he feels like he’s up to the task and he doesn’t want to let any of them down.”

Weze set to release ‘Lord help me’ in December

A

buja upcoming gospel artist, Daniel Weze said he will release his new song, ‘Lord help me’ in December.

The young artist, who revealed this to Weekend Revue, said is aimed at praising God for the talent given to him.

He added that the song will also seek the intervention of the

Daniel Weze

Almighty on the lives of orphans, widows, sick and other people suffering various challenges.

“We need to put our hope and trust God. He is the only one who will care for us. I wonder why some people when facing trials instead of praying to God will prefer to reach out to the agents of the Devil”.

Stevie Wonder

Will Smith teases Bad Boys 3 for 2016 release

A

fter years of limbo, Will Smith has given fans hope that the elusive Bad Boys 3 movie is on its way. It is believed the Hollywood actor’s sidekick Martin Lawrence has already been confirmed for the third instalment of the action franchise.

During his appearance on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 Radio show on 5 October, Smith, 47, was cornered and pressed on when fans can expect the third film to hit cinemas and he delivered nothing but good news. The former Fresh Prince Of Bel Air star said: “There is a very, very, very strong possibility that you will be seeing a Bad Boys within the next 12 to 16 months.”

He added of his secretive nature surrounding the movie: “I’ve gotta keep a stash, I’m trying to always hold on to something.

You’ve got to have a surprise, you’ve got to be able to spring stuff.”

Bad Boys was released in 1995 and saw Smith and Lawrence star as police officers Mike Lowrey

Martins Lawrence and Will Smith and Marcus Burnett who try to protect a murder witness while investigating a case of stolen heroin.

The sequel, which was released in 2003, saw the duo reprise their roles alongside Gabrielle Union.

The third film has been loosely scheduled for release in 2017 on IMBD although the director’s chair may still be vacant. In June, it was reported that producer Jerry

Bruckheimer wanted Michael Bay to return to the franchise but this is yet to be confirmed. Bruckheimer said: “We’d love to get Michael Bay [but] he’s very busy right now. Hopefully we can twist his arm and get him in there.” He added: “[Screenwriter David Guggenheim is] working on an outline right now. Hopefully we’ll get him started on a screenplay shortly.”

PEOPLES DAILY

Sports

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Page

41

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

Mixed reactions trail Enyeama’s resignation M

Vincent Enyeama

ixed reactions have trailed the resignation of Nigeria’s long serving captain of the Super Eagles, Vincent Enyeama.

Enyeama announced his decision to quit the national team after an altercation with Coach Sunday Oliseh at the team’s camp in Belgium.

Consequently, the coach stripped him of his captaincy and appointed striker Ahmed Musa to replace him.

Joe Erico, an ex-international and former assistant coach of the Super Eagles, expressed shock on the premature manner Enyeama’s threw in the towel when the nation still needed his service.

“Enyeama should understand that he is serving the country and not his coach, Sunday Oliseh.

“So whatsoever might have happened between him and Oliseh should not have forced his resignation in this premature manner.

“It is indeed not to the best interest of the nation in which Enyeama had served for many years,’’ Erico said.

Christian Chukwu, a former coach of the Super Eagles, decried the manner in which Enyeama was replaced as captain, saying it “was embarrassing and insulting of him’’.

Chukwu, who was also a captain of Nigeria’s national team, said that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should have allowed Enyeama to finish the two friendly matches before replacing him.

Adokiye Amiesamaka, also a former Eagles player, said that Enyeama had served the country meritoriously for many years, and that the nation owed him a befitting farewell.

“I do not know the true fact and don’t want to dabble into that, so if he believes it is the right time to leave, then we must wish him well,’’ Amiesamaka said.

Henry Nwosu, another national team player, said that it was a good decision on the part of Enyeama to resign in view of the development between him and Oliseh.

“It is a very good decision; I am fully in support of his decision to resign given the development with Oliseh.

“He was treated unfairly and if he should continue with the team he could be used as a scapegoat in a situation where he makes a mistake in action for the country.

“Enyeama would always be remembered for his level headed character, and while on duty he always gave his best over the years when he wore the national colours,’’ Nwosu said.

Erstwhile coach, Paul Hamilton said that it was unfortunate that after 13 years of service, the former captain decided to opt out in the manner he did.

According to him, the disagreement should not have ended in this fashion.

“Sincerely I was hoping all things in camp will be restored, but it is quite unfortunate the end result that came out from the situation in Belgium.

“I wish him the best in life,’’ he added.

Tayo Balogun, a sports analyst said that Enyeama should not have left in such a manner, even though he was close to retirement.

He said that the usual altercations in camp should not have pushed him to take such hasty decision.

The pundit also faulted the coach for been hasty in his decisions.

“Sincerely it is a sad development, and a possible solution is to have a template on how everyone should behave in camp towards one another,’’ Balogun said.

Enyeama’s individual honours include CAF Champions League Player of the Year 2004, Footballer of the Year in Israel 2009, UNFP Player of the Month October 2013.

Others are UNFP Player of the Month November 2013, Marc Vivien Foe Award winner 2014 and King of The Pitch Award 2014.

Ishaku moves to recue Taraba FC

pg42

Liverpool set to announce Klopp appointment pg43

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Page 42

PUBLIC NOTICE FINANCE CORRESPONDENTS ASSOCIATION OF

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 TRUSTEES: 1. SIMEON OGOEGBULEM 2. HAWA NORO ALI 3. EMMA NJOKU 4. HENRY IBEZIMAKO 5. FRED IDEHAI 6. ISAAC ANUMIHE 7. AYOADE OLATOKEWA

-CHAIRMAN -VICE CHAIRMAN -SECRETARY -ASST. SECRETARY -FINANCIAL SECRETARY -TREASURER -AUDITOR

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF FINANCIAL JOURNALIST 2.

TO PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR MUTUAL CORPORATION AND ASSISTANCE IN THE PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIVES OF FINANCIAL JOURNALIST.

PUBLIC NOTICE Oaks Leadership Initiative

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The trustees are: I. OBO EFFANGA II. GABRIEL AGWU III. EMRYS OLUKOREDE IJAOLA IV. EMMANUEL ONONOKPONO V. DR. ENIANG NKANG VI. ANTHONIA OKOLI VII. BASSEY UDO VIII. BLESSING TIMIDI DIGHA IX. NURUDDEEN TIJANI

PUBLIC NOTICE SAMUEL AKINOLA DADA MIRACLE OUTREACH

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Outreach has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under part c’ of companies and allied matter act of 1990.

The trustees are: 1. BISHOP SAMUEL AKINOLA DADA 2. REV. DR. MRS SEUN DADA FEMI 3. AYODEJI ABIMBOLA 4. BARR. AKINTOLA OLALEKAN

The Aims and Objectives: 1. To enhance and instill leadership qualities in the citizens.

Aims and objectives: 1. To Preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

2. To make disciples for Christ.

Any objection to this registration should be forward to the registrar-general corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent,off aguiyi Ironsi street, maitama, garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28THDAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION

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Signed: Jimmy & Jimmy Associates

Signed Barr. Kayode lawani 08095336644

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COVENANT CITY INT’L CHAPEL

ETITINABO COMMUNITY UNUBI PROGRESSIVE ABUJA BRANCH

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Chapel has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under part c’ of companies and allied matter act of 1990.

The trustees are: 1. PST JERRY NNABUIHE - PRESIDENT 2. PST DANIEL OGBONNAYA EKE 3. OKOROAFOR KELECHI GLORY 4. KALU PRINCESS CHINYERE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

SEYI AKINWUNMI CHARITY FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mrs Olajumoke Akinwunmi 2. Miss Adebanke Akinwunmi 3. Mr Olatunde Busari, SAN 4. Mr Olujide Kuti 5. Mr Adedotun Coker 6. Mr Oladapo Ajayi AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To carter for the welfare and interest of the members.

Any objection to this registration should be forward to the registrar-general corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent,off aguiyi Ironsi street, maitama, garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

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Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within twenty Eight (28) days of the date of this publication.

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PUBLIC NOTICE HIGHERWAY OF HOLINESS WORSHIP CENTER

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. GODBLESS NNACHETAM EZEANOSIKE 2. AYALOGU CHIADIKAOBI CECELIA 3. TAIWO ADETOLA SODIPE 4. NWOSU CHIBUIKE JOSHUA 5. LILIAN EZEANOSIKE OBIAGELI (NEE NWOSU) 6. UDOH OFONMBUK ETIM AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

OWO HOME CLUB

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The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Signed: SECRETARY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1). DOJUMO JIMOH (2). ALE OJO THEOPHILUS (3). AFOLABI LAWRENCE ADEBAYO (4). SULAIMAN TAIRU BABATUNDE (5). FILANI VICTOR OLAFIMIHAN (6). ALE FELIX OMOTOSHO (7). MIBIOLA AKINOLA EDWARD (8). ANAUN THOMAS OLAJIDE (9). ADEJORO FOLUSO OKUMOLAFIMIHAN AIM AND OBJECTIVE: (1). TO PROTECT THE INTREST OF MEMBERS. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within twenty Eight (28) days of the date of this publication.

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JESUS FAVOUR ANOINTING BREAKTHROUGH MINISTRY

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THE PACESETTERS ORGANIZATION OF ITAM

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Apostle Michael Saturday Sam Toby 2. Dcns Mabel Saturday James Sam Toby 3. Evang. James Satur Day Sam Toby 4. Dcns Patricia Michael Sam Toby

(President)

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To preach Jesus Christ to all creation.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within twenty Eight (28) days of the date of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Nelson Utip 2. Mr. Joe Mbuk 3. Mr. Emmanuel Eno 4. Mr. Joseph Akpan AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To encourage the spirit of togetherness, love and understanding among youths of Itam, Itu Loal Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

2. As mush as possible, encourage one another, care for another, and strengthen one another to good works and to strive for excellence in our individual endeavours.

3. To reach out through philanthropic services tot he less privileged members in our society.

4. To cater for the welfare of members and youth generally.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within twenty Eight (28) days of the date of this publication.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama - Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama - Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Halliru Aminu - Chairman 2. Nasiru Umar Usman - Secretary 3. Abdulrahman Garba Tagwai 4. Inuwa Tanimu Muhammad 5. Shehu Abdulwahab 6. Garba Aliyu Ishaq THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote Islamic propagation, humanitarian services community assistance.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Goodness Ikechuwku Eze - President 2. Eze Ikechukwu - Vice President 3. Etoh Angelina Nwaobiara - Secretary THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus into the utter most part of the earth.

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VICTORY RESTORATION BIBLE CHURCH

FOUNDATION FOR NATION PEACE ADN EMPOWERMENT OF THE PEOPLE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Signed: HOPE NWAOGWUGWU C.N CALVARY HOPE & ASSOCIATES, ABUJA

The general public is hereby notified that the above-named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Eze Anthony 2. Mr. Nwakor Wilfred Nwoye 3. Mr. Azubuike Daniel Adizue 4. Oney Hyginus AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To promote peace among the various communities in the nation.

2. To bring about peaceful co-existence among members.

3. To cater for the welfare of members.

4. To empower people in the rural areas.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, CAC, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: OGWUCHE EMMANUEL ESQ

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Imafidon Joseph 2. Oamen Omonigho Mary 3. Nkanta Emkay 4. Osemeke Thomas 5. Ibraheem Abbey Shoetan THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

The General public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Johnson Abbah Ochube - President 2. Ajehi Abbah 3. Sunday Oguche 4. Adama Isaac Sabo 5. Itodo James Philip 6. Daniel Abah - Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach and propagate the gospel of our Jesus Christ.

2. To win souls for the kingdom of God. 3. To establish local branches for the propagation of the gospel worldwide.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE ALI ABDULRAHMAN EDUCATION FOUNDATION

This is to notify the general public that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under Part ‘’C’’of the Companies And Allied Matters ActNo.1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Joel Oladele 2. Mrs. Grace Opeyemi Oladele 3. Engr. Daniel Jokotade 4. Even. Oluwaseyi Isaac 5. Elder Samuel Adebisi Ajiboye 6. Mrs. Iyabo Oyeyemi 7. Mrs. Deborah Adegeye AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To preach and propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. To pursue the spiritual and moral emancipation of its members.

3. To undertake charitable causes for the benefit of its disadvantage members.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General ,Corporate Affair Commission, Plot 240, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama-Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED: AYODEJI SANYA AJE ESQ

PUBLIC NOTICE GLORY OF ZION RESTORATION MISSION

PUBLIC NOTICE BEYOND MENTORS SUPPORT FOUNDATION The General public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Mohammed Adamu - Chairman 2. Amb. Engr. Muhammed Ibn Ahmad 3. Mrs. Khadijah Abdullahi-Iya 4. Mrs. Bature Zainab 5. Prince Aminu Adobayero 6. Mr. Efosa Idemudia 7. Mrs. Rashidat Odumade - Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To help promote financial literacy among the youths in the society.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

CHANGE OF NAME

1. I formerly know and address as AISHA SAHABI ALIYU and now wish to be address and called MRs. AISHA SAHABI ALIYU. all former document remain valid. General public and NYSC should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I,FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS EDIDIONG ENE UWAK. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MRS EDIDIONG ETETE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAINS VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

I,FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS KELECHI NNEOMA NKANGINIEME. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MRS KELECHI ALAYINGI OWEI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAINS VALID.ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as miss adeyanju morenike adesola now wish to be known and addressed as mrs alabi morenike adesola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

This is to notify the general public that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under Part ‘’C’’of the Companies And Allied Matters ActNo.1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above-named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mrs. Halima Mohammed 2. Malam Sani Ibrahim 3. Barrister Sola Ajekigbe 4. Mrs. Hafsat Abdulrahman 5. Bashir Abdulrahman AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To provide board, tuition and other assistance necessary for the education of qualified descendants of Ali Abdulrahman.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Prophetess Idara Edem - Chairman/Founder 2. Apostle Asuquo Edem - Secretary 3. Oto Paul Edem THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. To win souls for the kingdom of God. 3. To establish local branches for the propagation of the gospel worldwide.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General ,Corporate Affair Commission, Plot 240, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama-Abuja within 28 days of this publication

Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: AYODEJI SANYA AJE ESQ

Signed: SECRETARY

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as Wala Maureen Singkat now wish to be known and addressed as Maureen Singkat Domtau.

All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF NAME

POLYGRAPH ASSOCAITION OF NIGERIA

The general public is hereby notified that the above-named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CP Ibrahim Lamorde 2. Amb. Mohammed Daudu 3. Dcp Wakili Mohmmed 4. Prof. Joseph Ahaneku 5. Dr. Aderemi Alarape 6. P.D.S. Bawa Usman Kaltungo 7. S.D.S. Chinedu Enaenya THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To be the umbrella organization for all polygraph practitioners of Nigeria.

2. Serving the cause of truth with integrity, objectivity and fairness to all persons.

Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

NIGERIA POLICE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above-named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. IGP Solomon Arase NPM, fdc 2. DIG Dan’azumi Job Doma NPM, fwc, psc 3. DIG Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe, NPM, mni 4. DIG Saliu Argungu Hashimu, NPM, mni 5. DIG Kakwe Christopher Katso, NPM, mni 6. DIG Chintua Amajor-Onu, mni 7. DIG Sotonye Leroy Wakama, NPM 8. DIG Jubril Olawale Adeniji NPM, mni 9. DCP Kabiru Mohammed THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To assist children of talented police officers serving and deceased to have quality education.

Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: ACP DAVID IGBODO SECRETARY

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as miss Nwudo Anastesia Obianuju now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chukwuani Anastesia Obianuju. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public please take note.

I formerly known as REBECCA S. KYUNI, now wish to be known as REBECCA BAJU A.IBRAHIM. all former documents remain valid general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as WELLINGTON EBENEZER TAMUNOIBOUMI now wish to be WELLINGTON NEMI. all former documents remain valid first bank and general public take note.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Olatoye Sugar Foundation

ADAUGO CHARITY INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

CITY OF BLISS SALVATION MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

This is to inform the General Public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

Hon. Olatoye Temitope sugar 2.

Mr. toyinbo odun daga 3.

Mr. olatoye Gabriel oladotun

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.MR. OKORIE UKPAI KALU 2.MRS. JULIE NWARIAKU 3.CAPT. CHINYERE KALU THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO ASSIST THE AFRICAN GIRL CHILD TO DEVELOP HER NATURALLY ENDOWED OR ACQUIRED TALENTS. 2.TO FIGHT AGAINST AND ENSURE TOTAL EMANCIPATION OF EVERY AFRICAN GIRL CHILD FROM ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION, ABUSE AND DEPRIVATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

Trustees : 1. HEZEKIAH AMARACHUKWU 2. AMARACHUKWU RUTH 3. EYADE OKEOGHENE SUN DAY 4. OGHONIM. EMMANUEL CHISOM

-chairman -secretary

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: (To Alleviate the sufferings of the less privilege.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SINGED: Johnny agim esq.

Canaan law office

Aims And Objective : To preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BARR. PAUL ASIMIAKPEOKHA

SIGNED: Barr. Lydia

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Association of licensed set top box manufacturers of nigeria

THE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA & KENTUCKY STREETS LOUISANA ESTATE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Sir godfrey nnamdi ohuabunwa 2. Maxwell patrick loko 3. Shittu kabir mohammed THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.To forster cooperation and unity amongst members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: Christy z aguga.

08036497003

PUBLIC NOTICE HILL OF GOD DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR VICTOR ESHIOTSE - CHAIRMAN 2. MAUDLINE SILAS

- SECRETARY 3. JOY ESHIOTSE THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO STIMULATE CHRISTIAN TALENTS AMONG THE MEMBERS 2. TO PROJECT AND UPLIFT THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST BY WAY OF EVANGELISM & ELECTRONIC MEDIA 3. TO ACQUIRE AND RUNNING OF CHRISTIAN BOOKSHOPS, ELIBRARY, CAMP MEETING, CONVENTIONS, AND CONFERENCES. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama - Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE BAFAI COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.BRIG. GEN. SIMON KATUNKU GORA - CHAIRMAN 2.DR. ADAMU AYE LANGZAT 3.MRS. MARY ISAIAH CHAWAI BALAT 4.MR. SILAS LIMAN 5.MR. WOJE MUSA BILLIYOK 6.MRS. MERCY BINTA YAHAYA 7.MR. JONATHAN ISTIFANUS 8.MR BENJAMIN MUSA BILLIYOK 9.MR. BENJAMIN DUNIYA ADAH - SECRETARY 10.ANTHONY GARBA (MWO RTD) THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PROMOTION OF DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH TO THE ENTIRE BAFAI COMMUNITY. 2.THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP, SKILL MANPOWER AND INDUSTRIALIzATION OF AGRICULTURE IN THE COMMUNITY. 3.TO ASSIST, EDUCATE THE LESS PRIVILEGE IN THE COMMUNITY, BY PROVIDING GOOD HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURES IN WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. 4.PARTNERSHIP AND COOPERATION WITH GOVERNMENT, PRIVATE AND NONGOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION WITHIN NIGERIA AND INTERNATIONALLY TO PROMOTE, SUPPORT, AID AND EXECUTE THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COMMUNITY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED:SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.BENEDICT MUSA - PRESIDENT 2.MARCUS NWULU - SECRETARY 3.ERIC UCHENNA DAVID - TREASURE 4.CHUKS AGIDIGBO - P.R.O THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO ENCOURAGE THE GENERAL WELFARE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION. 2.TO ORGANIZE AND SUPERVISE THE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOUISANA ESTATE, PARTICULARLY THE AREA OCCUPIED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY 08037055488

PUBLIC NOTICE

YOUTH POTENT FRIENDS CLUB OF NIGERIA THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.OMEKE TOCHUKWU EUGENE - CHAIRMAN 2.OKEKE ONYEKACHUKWU SAMUEL - SECRETARY 3.OKOYE UCHENNA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO ASSIST, PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE WELFARE AND INTEREST OF MEMBERS. 2.TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF OUR MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

FAITH-FIRE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH

ATUNRASE BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.OSONDU NLEMCHUKWU PATRICK 2.OFORAH BENJAMIN OBIAJULU 3.OKAFOR EKENE SAMUEL 4.LUCY EBERE OSONDU 5.AJUNWA VINCENT EJIKEME 6.EZE IKECHUKWU STEPHEN 7.VITUS CHIKERE ONYEMACHI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 2.TO EVANGELIZE THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO EVERY NOOKS AND CRANNY OF THE WORLD. 3.TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 4.TO PREACH AND PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE HOLY BIBLE, PROMOTE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, BROTHERHOOD, LOVE AND CARE FOR THE NEEDY AND TO RECONCILE MAN TO GOD. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.MR ADEWALE ADELOWO - PRESIDENT 2.MR ANDREW ONWUEMELI 3.MR CHINEDU ASADU 4.MR BAKARE MUBARAQ 5.MR VICTOR OJUMA 6.MR KHALID AKINDURO 7.MR ALEX EYENGHO - SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ATUNRASE BOYS HIGH SCHOOL AND ITS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. 2.TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL AND MATERIAL SUPPORT TO THE SCHOOL. 3.TO ASSIST INDIGENT STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL. 4.TO ENHANCE NETWORKING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT AMONG THE ALUMNI. 5.TO PROMOTE EXCELLENCE BY INCENTIVES SUCH AS AWARDS AND PRIZES TO OUTSTANDING STUDENTS AND ALUMNUS WHO HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY AND BEYOND. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

SIGNED:BY BARR. EREDEYI. I. PIUS

PUBLIC NOTICE

SIGNED: N.A WEYINMI & Co. (08033544839)

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE VULNERABLE AND ABUSED INTERVENTION

ISAIAH BALAT FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

The trustees are: 1. Rev. John Audu Akawu --- Chairman 2. Dr. Mrs. Yosi Apollos Maton --- Secretary 3. Barr. Jocelyn Ngulun 4. Mrs. Esther Dimka 5. Barr. John Apollos Maton The Aims and Objectives: 1. To provide support and advocacy services to the vulnerable and the abused in the society.

THE TRUSTEES REMAIN THE SAME. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME. AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION: THAT THE TRUSTEES SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN TWO (2) AND SHALL NOT BE MORE THAN TEN (10).

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama - Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

Signed: Secretary

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Page 45

Sport

Ishaku moves to recue Taraba FC From Mulega Mkom, Jalingo

T

araba state government under the leadership of Governor Dickson Ishaku has inaugurated a 9 man committee to rescue the state owned Foot Ball team at the Nigerian Glo Premier league.

Foot Club Taraba (FC Taraba.) is currently second to the last on the Glo premier league log with 30 points along side Bayesa United who is the last on the table although with also 30 points.

Inaugurating the 9 man committee at the executive chambers of government house Jalingo, the governor who was represented by the chief of staff Taraba state state government house administration Mr. Rebo Usman said the aim for the inauguration of the 9 man

Governor Dickson Ishaku

committee was to ensure that FC Taraba remain in the Glo premier league without relegation.

Other terms of reference of the committee was to establish the current challenges of the club, review the current structure and rules of engagement and remuneration of technical staff.

Other terms of reference includes to evaluate and report on the management of finances of the club, ascertain the actual number and total monthly allowances of full time government staff on the pay roll of FC Taraba.

To ascertain total funds received from Glo, the company with the sponsorship right of the Glo premier league and how they were applied.

Ascertain current status of players on the pay roll, terms and modalities and engagement.

The committee was given four weeks to submit its report to the state government.

Going by the current arrangement, it was reviewed that the Nigerian Glo premier league was left with six weeks to end.

The players of the club were not paid for over eleven months, a situation which weaken both management and players to the worst performances at the league.

Mr Kelvin Njoku the captain of the team also review to our correspondent that the players were not paid their allowances for over eleven months.

El-Kanemi face six points deduction as LMC ban Sunshine captain

By Albert Akota

T

he League Management Company (LMC) has issued the first order of six points deduction in its bid to secure the welfare of players in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with El-Kanemi Warriors handed a 14-working days ultimatum to pay all outstanding financial entitlement of players and officials failing which the automatic points’ deduction will automatically apply.

In another development, Sunday Abe, the captain of Sunshine Stars has had his remaining two games of a six match ban commuted to a

suspended sentence which binds him to be of good conduct for the remaining games of the season.

The decision on El-Kanemi Warriors was conveyed to the club in a letter dated October 7 and warned that if there was no proof of compliance after October 27, the club will be immediately deducted six points having failed to meet an earlier 60 days notice of Summary Jurisdiction.

While the 60 days notice lasted, the LMC had also written to El-Kanemi demanding full details of the club’s financial position as provided in the Rulebook which was response was not satisfactory.

Leopards inflict first defeat on Oliseh

Eagles

By Albert Akota

T

wo first half goals by the Leopards consigned Sunday Oliseh to his first defeat in charge of the senior national team .

Nigeria bowed 2-0 to DR Congo in an international friendly played at the Stade de la Cité de l’Oie, Visé yesterday evening.

Dieumerci Mbokani and Jordan Nkololo were all the Leopards needed to cage the Eagles who put up a lackadaisical display.

Mbokani turned home Nkolo’s pass after the Super Eagles was breeched with goalkeeper trying in vain to rescue the ball from sailing across the goal line.

Sunday Oliseh’s men reacted quickly reacted well to conceding so early and should have levelled on three occasions as Ahmed Musa and Mikel Obi both missed good chances.

Mikel fired two shots straight at Parfait Mandanda and Musa failed to react to a Odion Ighalo’s pass that had evaded a host of players inside the penalty area.

Florent Ibengé’s side controlled the majority of the half with neat passing and fluid movement, and their efforts resulted to another goal when Nkololo fired past Ikeme having profited from another moment of carelessness from the Eagles’ backline.

Odion Ighalo– who had been

Tornadoes retains 21, drop 16 players

N

o fewer than 21players have been retained and 16 of Niger Tornadoes FC, Minna have been declared surplus to the club’s requirement.

Media officer of the club, George Daniya said that this was part of the report the coaching crew submitted to the club’s management which it studied, deliberated and adopted it.

Among those retained include the general skipper of the club, goalkeeper Mustapha Salihu, Bolaji

Adeyemo, Kayode Agboola, George James, amongst others.

Daniya said that the club believes on the coaching crew decision to declare the 16 players surplus to the club requirement and were not in the position to alter their decisions.

He said that the chairman of the club, Hon. Adamu Aliyu Mohammed has instructed the coaching crew to go for the best players and should go about it without any sort of sentiments.

PUBLIC NOTICE caveat emptor or buyers beware

The following property belonging to Sunmart Progress Nigeria Ltd. located at Enugu State are not for sale.

They are: (1) Residential building located at plot 94A, Independence Layout, in Enugu State (2) A filling station situated and known as No. 42 Presidential Road, Ogui Nike Urban Enugu, Enugu State (3) A filling station located at Enugu Abakaliki High way Obiagu Uzamu Otukume Emene Enugu State.

Whoever that attempts to buy or buys any of the property or does any registration to the title without the company’s approval and knowledge acquires a void title. beware of fraudsters Signed: barr. obinna okereke esq solicitor to the company

quiet in the first half – went close to getting his second international strike with Nigeria’s best sight of goal. His effort was waved away

by Mandanda who had earlier thumped away Ogenyi Onazi’s freekick after Mikel Obi was fouled near the goal area of the Congolese.

Oliseh made a host of changes to the side in the second half, especially handing Alex Iwobi his debut appearance but that did not help matter as the Leopards dominated every department of the game.

Nigeria faces Cameroon on Sunday as they would be seeking for redemption after an awful display in Vise.

Niger Tornadoes FC

Hon. Aliyu said that the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is not a joke, therefore the club has to commence preparations in earnest for the premier league campaign, adding that the club was ready to give full support to the coaching crew.

He added that welfare of both the players and coaches will not be taking likely and as such the club expects maximum output from the players as it will not tolerate indiscipline players.

“We are not going to entertain players who do not command respect for one another, their coaches and employer, therefore we maybe force to show any erring player the exit if he is found wanting”, he said.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to inform the general public of the loss of the original documents: 1. Federal Capital Territory Administration Regularization of Land Titles of Area Councils Acknowledgment, Certificate of Occupancy (Customary) with No. FCT/GAC/RLA/NS/051 in respect of No. 88 at Gwagwalada Area Council and the accompanying schedule.

2. Federal Capital Territory Administration Regularization of Land Titles of Area Councils Acknowledgment, Certificate of Occupancy (Customary) with No. FCT/GAC/RLA/NS/50 in respect of schedule.

3. Sales Agreement 4. Power of Attorney of all the properties.

All efforts to trace the said document proved abortive. If found, kindly return to the nearest police station. General public should please take note.

Signed: Baba Shehu Ahmad & Co., Legal Practitioners & Notary Public (08069585354)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN OF THE LOSS OF TITLE DOCUMENTS CONSISTING OF THREE (3) SETS OF POWER OF ATTORNEY EVIDENCING THE CHANGE OF TITLE FROM ONE PERSON TO THE OTHER IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER: 1.J.C. UDEAGBALA INVESTMENT AND GEOTESS NIGERIA LIMITED. DATED 05-08-2001. 2.ALHAJI MUH. IMAN GIREL (DONOR) AND J.C. UDEAGBALA INVESTMENT LIMITED (DONEE). DATED 2nd/04/2001.

3.SIMBIATU (DONOR) AND ALHAJI MUH. IMAN GIREL (DONEE). DATED 25/03/1992. IF FOUND PLEASE RETURN TO THE OWNER OR THE NEAREST POLICE STATION. SIGNED: DAYO ASHONIBARE ESQ

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Sport

Vertonghen hoping to see Kompany play for Belgium

J

an Vertonghen is hoping to see Vincent Kompany play for Belgium against Israel, despite the national side receiving a warning from Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini.

The central defender has been absent from the Premier League side’s last five matches since injuring his calf during their Champions League game against Juventus on September 15.

Pellegrini was powerless to

prevent Kompany from joining up with Belgium, but said he would not be able to play for his country until he had recovered to play a game for City.

Head coach Marc Wilmots, though, stated the 29-year-old was in contention for the Euro 2016 qualification match with Israel on Tuesday if he continues to recover after sitting of Saturday’s game against Andorra and Vertonghen hopes his team-mate will be able to participate.

Doumbia and Ahmed Musa combined at the weekend to lift CSKA Moscow

Doumbia rejects Roma return I Keita ruled out Man City defender Vincent Kompany

vory Coast striker Seydou Doumbia has effectively ruled out a return to Roma from CSKA Moscow when his loan spell expires in January, saying the clubs must ‘come to an agreement’ over his future.

The 27-year-old explained last month that he hoped to

remain with CSKA and cannot see himself returning to the Italian club, where he scored twice in 14 appearances during a six-month stay.

In addition, Doumbia has added that Roma coach Rudi Garcia is partly to blame for his struggles in the ‘Eternal City’, as

he didn’t give the striker enough of a break following his exertions in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Doumbia, who claimed to have rejected advances from English clubs before signing with Roma, has not given up hope of playing in another of the elite leagues.

Liverpool set to announce Klopp appointment

for five weeks

R

oma have confirmed that midfielder Seydou Keita faces five weeks on the sidelines with a thigh

injury.

The experienced Mali international was forced off in the first half of the 5-1 win against Carpi on September 26.

The Serie A side have stated Keita is making “good progress” on the problem, but have set his recovery period at just over a

Jurgen Klopp

J

urgen Klopp is set to be formally announced as Liverpool manager on Friday after the Premier League side called a news conference “for a major club announcement” The former Borussia Dortmund boss is the front-runner to replace Brendan Rodgers, who was sacked on Sunday, and Klopp was pictured preparing to board a flight from Dortmund to Liverpool.

Reports have suggested he will put pen to paper on a three-

year contract at Anfield before his unveiling on Merseyside.

Klopp garnered a reputation as one of Europe’s best coaches during a seven-year spell at Dortmund, where he challenged the domestic dominance of Bayern Munich.

The 48-year-old won two Bundesliga titles and claimed the DFB-Pokal, while also making it to the Champions League final in 2013 only to lose out to Bayern at Wembley.

Klopp left Dortmund in May

following a difficult final season in which the club flirted with relegation before eventually securing a Europa League spot.

Having initially insisted on taking a sabbatical, Klopp looks set to be in place for Liverpool’s Premier League fixture at Tottenham on Saturday, October 17.

The German is in line to take over a side who have endured a stuttering start to their campaign and sit 10th in the Premier League.

Seydou Keita of Roma

month after diagnosing damage to a tendon in his right thigh.

Keita, who has made six appearances this season, is expected to miss crucial Serie A clashes away to Fiorentina and Inter, as well as Champions League games home and away against Bayer Leverkusen.

The 35-year-old is also unlikely to be fit for the derby match with Lazio on November 8.

PAGE 47

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

Some Interesting Facts 1. Sokoto: Two-story buildings with constructions glazed with tsoluwa, (laterite gravel), 10 mile circumference city walls, some as high as 20 feet, is how 16th century Surame, a Sokoto metropolis created by empire ruler, MuhammaduKantaSarkinKebbi, was. UNESCO describes Surame as “one of the wonders of human history, creativity and ingenuity.”

2. Kano: In 1851, this city, one of the largest in Africa, made 10 million sandal pairs and 5 million hides for export every year.

3. Kebbi: Nigeria’s Sorko Sea lords of Kebbi state, made ships (Kanta) which were used for far away expeditions, including the 1311 AD, 2000 ship, famous voyage of Songhai Empire’s Mansa Abubakari II to the America’s, decades before Columbus.

4. Yobe: The oldest discovered boat in Africa, and 3rd oldest on the world, the 8500 yr old Dufuna canoe was discovered by a Fulani herdsman in

1987 in Dufuna village, Fune LGA. 5. Ondo: Confusing evolution scientists, the 13,000 yr old Iwo-Eleru cave skull, the oldest human fossil remains found in West Africa, has ‘ancient’ (140,000 yr old Laetoli) features, yet lived in more modern times.

6. Benin Kingdom: The high quality and highly sophisticated bronze work of the Benin Kingdom dating as far back as the 13th century is a world wonder.

Great works in iron, wood, ivory, and terra cotta products also highlight the empire’s history.

7. Benin Kingdom: Lourenco Pinto, captain of a ship that carried missionaries to Warri in 1619, described Benin kingdom, ‘Great Benin where the king resides is larger than Lisbon, all the streets run straight and as far as the eyes can see….’

8. Rivers/AkwaIbom: King Jaja of Opobo, (1821–1891) JuboJubogha, an Igbo from Imo state founded Opobo city-state in 1867 and shipped palm oil to Britain independently of British middle men.

9. Ancient Greeks appear to have Nigerian roots as supported by the Benin Haplogroup or Haplogroup 19. According to JideUwechia, ‘The Benin Haplotype (which originates from Nigeria, West Africa) accounts for HbS associated chromosomes in Sicily Northern Greece.’

10. Ilorin’s ‘Oba’ Afonja utilized Fulani warriors to help rebel against the Oyo Empire. The warriors after defeating Oyo took over Ilorin and Sheikh Alimi, their leader became the first Emir.

quick crosswords

CROSSWORD SOLUTION 81

CROSSWORD SOLUTION 80

Leisure

Say what?

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Choices: The women, who are married, could chose to be ‘stolen’ by one of the betterlooking men, leaving their husbands behind.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2015

SPORTS latest

Hayatou turns FIFA president

C

ameroonian football official Issa Hayatou has just released a statement confirming that he is the new Fifa boss, following the suspension of Sepp Blatter.

“A new president will be chosen by the Extraordinary Congress on 26 February 2016.

I myself will not be a candidate for that position.”

“Fifa remains committed to the reform process, which is critical to reclaiming public trust. We will also continue to cooperate fully with authorities and follow the internal investigation wherever it leads,” he added.

“Football has never enjoyed greater support throughout the world, and that is something everyone associated with Fifa should be proud of.”

Hayatou

Blatter reacts to FIFA suspension, denies wrongdoing

F

IFA President, Joseph Blatter, yesterday said he was not given an opportunity to be heard by the organisation’s Ethics Committee before it provisionally suspended him for 90 days.

“Blatter is disappointed the Ethics Committee did not follow the Code of Ethics and Disciplinary Code, both of which provide for an opportunity to be heard,” Blatter’s lawyers, Lorenz Erni and Richard Cullen, said in a written statement.

“The ethics committee based its decision on a misunderstanding of the actions of the Attorney General in Switzerland, which has opened an investigation but brought no charge against the president,” the lawyers added.

They said Swiss prosecutors would be obliged by law to dismiss the case if their investigation, barely two weeks old, did not establish sufficient evidence.

The UEFA President, Michel Platini, and FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, were also handed same length of ban as they were told to stay away from all football matters with immediate effect.

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QUOTABLE QUOTE Our country today is bedevilled by all types of insecurity, from kidnapping to Boko Haram and all sorts of terrorism. This is an issue that should involve every Nigeria. We must all assist the government and security agencies to find solution and the way forward on how to curb this menace.

—Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar

Bishop Kukah brand of politics

W

ho in the Nigerian political and ecclesiastical circles would not know the then Fr. and now Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah?

Lately, he has been in the news. But this should not be news, given that he is often in the news; what is really news is not just the controversial visit he and his team of National Peace Committee paid to President Muhammadu Buhari but also the view the committee expressed to the President in the course of their meeting with him.

Of specific note is the committee’s position on the President’s handling of the long over-due war against corruption in the country. In a recent interview with one John L. Allen, Jr – an American journalist and former Vatican correspondence for the wellknown US-based National Catholic Reporter (NCR) – Bishop Kukah was reported to have expressed the wish for the “progress” Nigeria must make, in his words, to “find its soul” (cf. http://www.cruxnow.com/ church/2015/08/24).

He expatiated the rationale behind their visit to President Buhari with specific reference to the President’s fight against corruption. In the course of that interview, Kukah inadvertently presents his vision or style of ecclesiastical political engagement in the murky waters of Nigerian politics.

Many Nigerians are yet to see through this vision to really understand the interest it truly represents, especially given that these Nigerians have come to accept it uncritically as the correct approach to politics by the Catholic Church in Nigeria. In other words, Kukah presents us the kind of politics, he believes, will bring about the anticipated progress in the country’s search for meaningful socio-political change for “its soul.”

I wish to join Kukah in this search and hopefully lay bare Kukah’s kind of politics for what I think it is and then proceed to present a different vision of politics that, I argue, will more effectively and meaningfully help the country “find its soul.” This is an intellectual exercise whose raison d’etre is NOT dogma or faith-related.

I want to believe that Bishop Kukah will at least tolerate from me a robust 564 385 292 327 454

8620 9705 9046 1969 0344

FRIDAY Column By

Fr Enwerem

Father Kukah

argument against his position and politics as well as agree that we can politically and intellectually disagree and still be adults enough to remain as friends we have been over the years.

My friendship with Bishop Kukah goes as far back as the mid-1980s when both of us were doctoral students in the area of religion and politics. He was in Britain and ahead of me while I was in Canada. Out of his doctoral studies emerged his pioneering work in the field, Religion and Politics in Northern Nigeria since Independence and mine resulted into my first book, A Dangerous Awakening: The Politicization of Religion in Modern Nigeria, which he did me the honour to review at its launching. We both had the passion to see how we can use the idiom of religion to bring about socio-political change in our country.

Then came the most turbulent years of the pro-democracy activism or, better, when military dictatorship

and pro-democracy activism were at their respective heights in our land.

With many activists either silenced, imprisoned, forced into exile or simply killed, the only organized institution that the military could not touch was the Churches, leading to Kukah gathering a number of us at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Lagos, where he was the Secretary-General, as a kind of think-tank.

In our group were Ruben Abati, Femi Falana, Pat Utomi, to name a few of us who would usually meet at night to rub minds towards bringing about the collapse of military dictatorship and the ushering in of democratic governance in Nigeria. Kukah was instrumental in the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria bringing me to the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria as the pioneer Director of its Department of Church and State (2000-2003).

But we began to part ways – of course, on ideological and political

grounds – around 2000 when Kukah got deeply involved with Olusegun Obasanjo who, by this time, had become his bosom friend and the country’s President. The relationship yielded him (Kukah) well-heeled political appointments as well as placing him on the central stage of the murky waters of Nigerian politics.

No time epitomized this better than when he was appointed into the membership of the Oputa Panel as its Secretary. From then on, it was a nogoing back in his close relationship with the then President Obasanjo and his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While the then Fr. Kukah, by this time, could arguably be regarded as a national hero, he definitely had become an icon of sort within the Christian circles and a role model of political activism for the Nigerian Catholic Church hierarchy. In my book, Crossing the Rubicon: A Socio-Political Analysis of Political Catholicism in Nigeria, I had a generous mention of Kukah’s brand of politics.

By this time I had come to see him as exemplifying those activists who believe in working as insiders in order to influence the powers that be to be upright and work for the common good. I disagreed with him on this, believing that while there may be some merit to working from the inside, the merit cannot outweigh the long-term advantage of working from the outside.

DAN GAYE

Reps divided over ban on chiken importation -News

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