Friday, February 10, 2017 Edition

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Friday, February 10, 2017 / Jimada Awwal 12, 1438 AH

Buhari replaces Army bodyguards with DSS

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Buhari called me to discuss food security - Dogara pAGE 2

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>> pg 3

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page 5

As president meets Tinubu, Akande in London

President Muhammadu Buhari receives apc Chieftains, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande, at Abuja House, yesterday in London. Photo: State House

1033 Days after

page 5

Osinbajo to NLC: Our suffering’ll soon be over

page 4

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

High food prices: Army, Police, Customs have questions to answer - Ogbeh

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, February 10, 2017

News

CONTENTS News 2-10 Editorial 11 Op.Ed 12 Letters 13 Politics 15-17 Business Stockwatch

19-20 18

Buhari replaces army bodyguards with DSS

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the immediate replacement of his Nigerian Army bodyguards with men of the Department of Security Services (DSS).

Checks revealed that the removal of the soldiers was approved by the President shortly before embarking on an annual vacation to London, United Kingdom (UK).

A reliable source at the DSS headquarters who confirmed the development disclosed that the battle between the two security agencies on which of them will provide protection to the President started soon after Buhari moved into his official residence in Aso Rock in 2015.

The source said there had been a running battle between the former Chief Security Officer (CSO)

Abdulraman Mani and the Aide de Camp (ADC) to the President, Colonel Lawal Abubakar on which of the agencies should provide close protection to the President.

While Mani insisted on allowing men and officers of the DSS to protect the President in the inner circle, the ADC rooted for soldiers to serve as body guards. The battle between the duo resulted into the removal of the former CSO by the President.

Reports indicate that Mani in a memo dated Friday, June 26th 2016 countered the ADC insisting that the DSS officials should disregard the ADC’s directive as it was a misrepresentation of the President’s order.

While quoting relevant sections of the constitution which empowers the DSS to carry out such security functions, Mani who copied the National Security Adviser, the Chief

of Defence Staff and the Director -General of the DSS said the various security agencies at the villa would be educated on the their responsibilities.

The memo read in part, “In fact, the issues raised in the aforementioned (ADC’s) circular tend to suggest that the author may have ventured into a not-too-familiar terrain.

“The extant practice, the world over, is that VIP protection, which is a specialised field, is usually handled by the Secret Service, under whatever nomenclature.

“They usually constitute the inner core security ring around every principal. The Police and the military by training and mandate are often required to provide secondary and tertiary security cordons around venues and routes.

“However, all other security agencies, including the army, the police and others, also have their

Return Hajj Commission to Foreign Affairs Ministry — Minister urges lawmakers Page 8

Int’l 23-24 Metro

21-22

Feture 26 Sports 27-28 Columnist 32

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• L-R: National President, Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN); Dr. Aaron Nuhu; Representative of Lagos State Governor; Mr Obafela Bankolemon; Chairman of the occasion, Mr Ayo Opadokun and General Secretary, BSN; Mr. Richard Ajiboye, at the 9th Founders Day of the Bible Society of Nigeria and Annual Lecture/Award Ceremony, yesterday in Lagos. Photo: NAN

roles to play. It is on this note that heads of all security agencies currently in the Presidential Villa and their subordinates are enjoined to key into the existing command and control structure. They are to work in harmony with each other in full and strict compliance with the demands of their statutorily prescribed responsibilities.

“Meanwhile, joint training programmes and other incentives will be worked out in the days ahead to ensure that all security personnel at the Presidential Villa are properly educated to understand their statutory roles and responsibilities.

“This is with a view to avoiding obvious grandstanding, overzealousness, limited knowledge or outright display of ignorance in future,” the document added.

The President himself, it was learnt, was more inclined to working with the soldiers than officials of the DSS because of the manner in which the agency treated him during the 2015 presidential election.

The sack of the soldiers this time, our correspondent gathered followed series of complaints from the current CSO, Bashir Abubakar, who has not been comfortable with the arrangement of having soldiers as first security aides of the Commander-InChief.

President Buhari on assumption of duty on 29 May, 2015 dislodged the SSS as first ring security around him and replaced them with soldiers.

According to the source, “protection of the President by body Guards is actually the work of the DSS but Mr. President did not have confidence in the service because of the way they treated him during the campaigns.

“The soldiers were moved into the inner circle of the security network while SSS operated at the periphery.

This has not gone down well with both services. Mr. President was convinced to reverse this order,” he said.

Officials of the DSS have finally taken positions previously manned by the soldiers.

Gunmen kill 3 in fresh Zamfara fresh

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

T

hree members of the Vigilante Group were reported to have been killed by armed bandits on Wednesday in an ambush the deep forest in ‘Yan Ware village under Tsafe local government council of Zamfara state.

The incidence, according to a source which did not want to be identified in print, followed

a directive by the village head of ‘Yan Ware to leaders of the vigilante group to physically meet with the representatives of the armed bandits for peace talks down the bush after satisfactory arrangements.

However, unknowing to the vigilante members, the armed bandits had planned a fierce ambush few kilometres away from their camp on the village team for

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”

the peace talks.

The village team of vigilantes included the leader of the vigilante group alongside his two lieutenants.

The source informed that which they were violently attacked by the armed bandits who opened fire on them thereby killing three.

The source also said, villagers became furious upon hearing of the vigilantes death, as they took to the

OUR PEOPLE Chairman Malam Wada Maida, OON, Fnge Chief Operating Officer Ali M. Ali Editor, Daily Hameed M. Bello Manager, administration Hassan Hammanyaji

streets attempting to set the village head’s house ablaze.

He said, the timely arrival of the Police derailed the negative intention.

Confirming the incidence, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Shaba Alkali said, normalcy has returned in the affected village.

He called on the community to remain law abiding, and allow peace to reign in the state.

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, February 10, 2017

News

Ag News Editor Ese Awhotu

FG files asset falsification charges against Justices Ngwuta, Ademola

T

he Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Justice Danladi Umar, on Thursday approved the filing of cases against Justice Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta of Supreme Court and Justice Adeniyi Ademola of Federal High Court, Abuja.

The tribunal’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Ibraheem ALHassan, said this in a statement Thursday.

Both judges are already standing trials at Federal and FCT High Court, respectively, on fraud allegations.

On Thursday, Adeogun Phillips, the prosecution counsel in the lawsuit against Mr. Ngwuta, stepped down from the case.

Mr. Phillips withdrew from the case at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the News Agency Nigeria reported. It was not immediately

clear why he took the decision.

Mr. Al-Hassan said the CCT chairman received the new charges separately on Wednesday, from the office of Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

He said the charges which ranged from non-declaration of assets to false asset declaration preferred against the two Judges, were signed by Hajara Yusuf, the

Principal State Counsel.

Mr. Al-Hassan said Mr. Ngwuta was charged with 10-count charge bordering on false asset declaration and Mr. Ademola, twocount charge on non-declaration of assets.

He said both offences were contrary to Section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap C15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, adding that they

were offences punishable under Section 23 (2) of the same Act. “Details of the counts are contained in the charge sheets.

This is to confirm the receipt and subsequent approval of the charges by the Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal.

“The tribunal would in due course communicate dates fixe for the arraignment of the Judges,’’ he said.

JNI cautions Nigerians against false rumours From Mohammad Kaduna

Ibrahim,

J

ama’atu Nasril Islam yesterday (JNI) cautioned Nigerians against spreading inaccurate information about President Muhammadu Buhari’s health.

The religious group equally called on Muslims to be cautioned not to join the bandwagon of rumor mongers, saying already some

unpatriotic elements are wishing that the President is dead.

In a statement signed by JNI Secretary General Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu made available to newsmen in Kaduna said JNI is indeed perturbed over the series of rumors making rounds on the state of President Muhammadu Buhari’s health.

He therefore, noted that as with every mortal, illness is inevitable,

likewise life and death. “ JNI is very concerned about the pandemonium generated as a result of the rumored illness of the President and the dimension it is unfortunately taking. Does that mean, he can no longer get ill? Agreed that reports from the presidency stated that, President Muhammadu Buhari is currently undergoing cycle of tests as recommended by his doctors, hence the extension of his leave.

“We must as patriots, be cautioned on spreading inaccurate information.

More so, Muslims should be cautioned not to join the bandwagon of rumor mongers. This is so because already some unpatriotic elements are wishing that the President is dead. Interestingly, those who wish him death will certainly not leave till eternity. Aren’t we supposed to wish each other good well being? Let alone, the President of the country?

“Therefore, following the unnecessary excitement in the President’s delayed return to Nigeria, we implore all and sundry, particularly the Muslims to persistently supplicate on daily basis for President Muhammadu Buhari’s safe return, restoration of good health and the ability to continue with the task of piloting Nigeria to greater heights with his team.

Union uncovers 6,753 fake health workers in Zamfara From Ibrahim Gusau

Sidi

Muh’d,

T

he Medical Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) Zamfara state chapter has alerted of possible risk of high rate of deaths in the hands 6,753 fake health workers which it has uncovered if urgent attention is not taken.

This was announced by the state chairman of MHWUN, Alhaji Isyaku Sabo Tsafe in an interview with newsmen Tuesday who lamented that, there were many self acclaimed fake health workers who jump over the wall into the profession with only secondary school certificate, others with NCE, and another large number holding degree certificates on irrelevant disciplines that were not in any way related to health services.

Comrade Tsafe said, the qualified number of health workers in both primary and secondary health facilities in the state were just 1247 while “more than 8000 names are reflected on government payroll receiving the health workers implemented special salary structure”.

He decried that, out of the fabricated number of health workers only 1,247 personnel have obtained health related certificates, while over 6,753 have not even attended any health related disciplines as required.

“As health professionals union, one of our major responsibilities is to draw the attention of government at all levels to any issue affecting the health sector, and the health security of the society”, he said.

The chairman said his union has formally been complaining of these issues to both state and local governments, following which the state ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs set up a committee to conduct a verification exercise, to thresh out unqualified health workers.

L-R: Deputy NLC president, Comrade Isa Aremu, Minister of Petroleum, Mr. Ibe Kachukwu, Minister of Labour and Employment, Senetor Chris Ngige, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, NLC president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba,and TUC president, Mr. Baba Gaigama with others, during the interactive with the Ag President, at the State House, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: State House

Osinbajo meets with IG, anti-graft agencies

By Lawrence Olaoye

A

cting President, Yemi Osinbajo yesterday met with heads of security and anti-graft agencies behind closed.

Those at the meeting include the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, the Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related

Offences Commission (ICPC),Ekpo Nta, the Department of State Services (DSS), Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Mangu and the DG Nigeria Processing Zone Authority (NIPZA).

The agenda of the meeting which last for over two hours was not known as at the time of filing this report.

The heads of the anti-graft agencies had earlier met with the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari before moving to continue the meeting with Osinbajo.

Kyari had also separately met with the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele and the Minister of Trade and Investment Okechukwu Enelamah.

Mangu in a brief chat with State House correspondents after a closed door meeting blamed corruption for the current recession the country was facing.

Mangu said “I’m asking all Nigerians to join in the fight against corruption. Adults, children, men, women and including you journalists.

Corruption is the greatest menace we are facing in the country. Corruption is responsible for the recession we are witnessing today. So all Nigerians must join in the fight against”.

Nigeria slipped into recession in June, when the growth figures showed the economy contracted by 2.06 per cent.

The country had now seen two consecutive quarters of declining growth before the federal government announced that the country was officially in recession.

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, February 10, 2017

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News

Osinbajo to NLC: Our suffering will soon be over

By Lawrence Olaoye

A

cting President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the pains Nigerians are currently passing through were necessary to get the country out of recession and place it on the pedestal of sustainable development.

Osinbajo, who met the leadership of the protesting organised labour in the Presidential Villa yesterday said there will be no gains without pains and that there won’t be omelets without breaking of eggs.

The protesting labour movement was led by Ayuba Wabba and Bobboi Kaigama of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union

Congress (TUC) respectively.

Wabba who spoke on behalf of the 18 union leaders said the labour was concerned about issue of good governance and corruption.

He urged the government to address the issue accountability and adherence to the rule of law pointing out that the challenge in Nigeria was not about resources but about prudent management of available resources. He pointed out that corruption is systemic in the country.

The TUC President said every Nigerian should join hands with the government in fighting corruption even as he pointed out that corruption must not be viewed only in terms of Naira and Kobo but also in ensuring equity among the

populace.

Responding, the Acting President said “We commend you for taking this laudable campaign to the Villa on behalf of the Nigerian people. For a democratically elected government, we must constantly report to the people and we must show that we are accountable to the people. That is why positions like yours have to be received properly and we must find ways to positive take action on the many demands that were raised.

“Every time you fight corruption the way we are trying to fight corruption, there is a major fight back, because corruption in this country is wealthy, powerful, influential and it is in every aspect of our lives. It is in practically all institutions including

religious institutions. The social media campaign of bring back corruption is an orchestrated one.

Nobody that is suffering can say bring back corruption.

“The government is committed to ensuring due process and rule of law.’The President is a process driven person that accounts for the steps he has taken so far.

“There is no gain without some pain, there is no way you will eat an omelet without breaking an egg. There is so much we can do with the Nigerian economy; we are going to be consulting with the labour union and civil societies on our economic recovery and growth plan which we intend to launch this month.

Peace Forum raises concern on internal security, safety of children

By Ochiaka Ugwu

T

Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Morteza Rahimi Zarchi (4th,left); Representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Muhammad Sulaiman (middle); Ambassador of Quatar to Nigeria, Abdulaziz Bin Mubarak Al-muhannadi (4thright); High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria, Amb. Ibrahim Salaudeen (3rd rigth), and other Diplomats at the Republic of Iran National Day Celebration, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

UFUK Dialogue holds int’l conference in Kaduna, Abuja, Lagos

By Paul Efiong

U

FUK Dialogue Initiative, a non-governmental organisation based in Abuja, Nigeria with the aim of promoting dialogue, a culture of coexistence and mutual understanding is set to hold its annual Love and Tolerance Conference in Kaduna, Abuja and Lagos states.

This much was made public by the President of UFUK Dialogue, Mr. KamilKemanchi in a press statement released to journalists.

“This year, we decided to make it big by taking the

message of love and tolerance to three states namely Kaduna, Abuja, and Lagos,” he said. “the theme of this year’s conference is Countering Extremism Through Peace Education and Love” he further added.

According to Mr. Kemanchi, “the primary objective of the conference is to create a platform for discussion among participants pointing out the necessity of personal introspection and social dialogue as well as interfaith or inter-ethnic dialogue for mutual understanding. It will also encourage people to see dialogue as a first option and strive to

understand the concept and relevance of love, tolerance, and acceptance.”

Mr. Kemanchi stated that the conference would hold in Kaduna on 14th February, in Abuja on 16th February, and in Lagos on 18th February 2017. And it has as partners, The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, (IPCR), The Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP), and The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Some of the speakers for the conference are Professor Sophia Pandya, an expert on women,

religion, and globalization from the California State Universitylong Beach United States, ProfessorOshitaOshita, Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution Abuja, Professor Ahmed Adam Okene, Dean, Post Graduate School, Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna and Dr Khalid AliyuAbubakar, Secretary General of Jama’atuNasril Islam.

The Love and Tolerance Conference is an annual event organized by UFUK Dialogue Initiative since 2013.

he first bi-monthly Peace and Security Forum (PSF) for the year 2017 has been convened to deliberate on conflict and security matters relating to field operational error, militarization of internal security and the safety of school children in Nigeria.

This was contained in statement released Abuja yesterday by Media Aide to Director General of Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Mr. Michael Abu. The forum which was presided over by the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Professor Oshita O. Oshita along with his co-chairman, Dr. Jaiye Gaskiya in Abuja was convened by the IPCR in collaboration with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) with the support of the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP).

While reviewing issues discussed at earlier meetings, the forum observed that the total number of prison inmates increased from 65,000 to 72,000 within a space of 2 months.

The forum therefore cautioned the federal government to take urgent actions, and enjoined state governments to support efforts of the federal government by providing necessary logistic support to the Nigeria Prisons Service. The size of the inmates according to the forum is worrisome and there is the need for speedy adjudication to avert any crises that such may induce.

The forum resolved to join hand with the Kaduna State Government in finding lasting peace in the state especially in the brewing insecurity in the southern part of the state.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the forum, Professor Oshita commended the Nigerian Military and other security agencies for their sacrifices.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Friday, FEBRUARY 10, 2017

News

Buhari called me to discuss food security – Dogara

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi, Christiana Ekpa and Umar Muhammad Puma

S

peaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has said that President Muhammadu Buhari called him on Wednesday evening to discuss food security in the country.

The speaker stated this on his personal twitter handle, @ YakubDogara yesterday, saying that the president talked about what the Executive/ Legislature must do to ensure food security for all Nigerians He said: “@MBuhari called me yesterday evening. He talked about what the executive/ legislature must do to ensure food security for all Nigerians.

“He said he was pained by the suffering endured by most Nigerians last year and his is resolved not to let events of 2016 repeat themselves.”

“He also asked me to extend his best wishes to all Hon Members”, Dogara tweeted.

This is just as the National leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande met with President Buhari at the Abuja House, London, a news portal the Daily Nigerian has reported.

This confirms earlier report that the president is not in a critical condition or in a hospital as claimed by the opposition.

Several reports have claimed the president may return to the country this Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, yesterday said he has spoken with President Mohammadu Buhari, who is on medical leave in London, saying that the President is hale and hearty, contrary to speculations in the media that he is critically ill.

In a tweet he sent regarding the issue, Saraki said at 11.35 on Wednesday night that he spoke with the president and he was not only in

•As president meets Tinubu, Akande in London good spirit but also cracked a joke with him about his attitude of working very late into the night.

“Happy to have spoken with @ NGRPresident @MBuhari tonight. He was in good spirit and joked about my working late into the night, as usual”, the Senate President @Bukolasaraki on twitter Wednesday 8th of February 2017, 11:35pm.”, according to his official twitter handle.

This comes on the heels of the insistence by top All Progressives Congress (APC) politicians, including the Acting Senate President, Yemi Osinbajo, that the president was hale and hearty, despite claims in various quarters that all is not well with the President.

Recall that the Acting President had, while answering questions from newsmen on the health status of Buhari in Abuja, said he spoke with him and he was hale and hearty, just as he told journalists that he was not under any pressure to resign as a result of the president’s health status.

“I am not under no pressure to resign. I was voted for by the people of this nation, myself and Mr President and so the people of this nation have not asked us to resign. I am absolutely not under any pressure whatsoever.

The truth is that there has been no pressure from any source asking me to resign.

“The President is hale and hearty. I spoke to the President just

this afternoon and we had a long conversation. He was interested in knowing about the budget process and how far we have gone and the meeting today with the private sector and the economic recovery growth plan and I informed him about the protest march and feedback about what people are saying about the economy.

“He is in good shape. Just like he said in his letter to the National Assembly, he needs to go for a cycle of tests and once he sees the test results and gets medical advice, we expect him very soon.

“I think that the health status of Mr President is an issue that only Mr President would discuss at the appropriate time. Again he is running

test and all of that, before you will be able to determine your health status, you must be able to say this is my health status, do the test my doctors have advised me to do and will wait for the outcome of the tests and know my status.”, Osinbajo said.

President Mohammadu Buhari had in a letter to the National Assembly notified the parliament of his plan to take a ten say medical leave, which expired last Sunday, but in another letter to the Senate President last sunday, the President modified the lawmakers that he has extended his medical leave, but did not give specific date of return.

He said this is because he needed to complete his rounds of medical tests which his doctors recommended for him, adding that his return will depend on when the tests are completed.

L-R: President of the Women Arise and Centre for Change, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin; Mrs Bola Salt EssienNelson, a sister to late Shola Gaska; Executive Director, Cee Hope, Mrs Betty Abah, at a News Conference on Wednesday in Lagos on a petition titled: #JusticeforSholaGaska, over Shola’s alleged mysterious death, unlawful cremation and burial by her husband, Mr Jakub Gaska, in Poland.

Photo: NAN

High food prices: Army, police, customs have questions to answer - Ogbeh

By Christiana Ekpa Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

and

he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, yesterday attributed extortions of truck drivers conveying farm produce to various urban centres by men of the Nigeria Police Force, Army and the Nigeria Customs Service as a major reason for unending high cost of food items in the country.

He equally told the National Assembly joint committee, that farmers across the country are already kicking against move by the government to effect reduction in the prices of food items.

Ogbeh, who spoke at the Senate and House

of Representatives Joint Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development at the National Assembly, said the budget of the ministry for 2017 is N76.2 billion.

“The daily unbearable extortions men of the Nigeria Police, their counterpart in the Army and Customs Service visited on truck drivers conveying farm produce from the hinterland to urban centres under the guise of carrying out security checks is one of the factors responsible for high cost of food prices in the country”.

“These truck drivers based on raw lamentations made to the Ministry in recent time, alleged that at every check points, they are always forced to part with reasonable amount

of money by any group of the security agencies, which they said, made farmers to have no option than to factor cost of the extortion into prices of the food items”, he added.

The minister explained further to the committee members that based on the complaints by the truck drivers, his ministry wrote the InspectorGeneral of Police, Ibrahim Idris and heads of the other security agencies to dissuade their operatives from the act but daily reports available to the ministry still show that such motorists are still being extorted.

He also cited high cost of diesel which now sells for N300 per litre as another factor responsible for the skyrocketing prices of food items in the

country since according to him; trucks conveying farm produce are powered by diesel.

Though the minister assured the committee members that the federal government would soon see to reduction in prices of the food items going by the committee set up to that effect but said farmers are already kicking against the move.

According to him, farmers are angry with him over the move because they see the situation on ground as very favourable economically to them.

He said: “The situation on ground as far as high prices of food items are concerned is one of a dilemma to me because while the city dwellers are unhappy with us, farmers

are very happy and seriously kicking against any move to tamper with their happiness by cutting down the high price of farm produce for now”.

The minister, however, added in the ministry’s 2017 budget defence before the joint committee submitted that the implementation of the budget would be driven by the need for food security in the country.

In his remarks, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Hon. Mohammed Mongunu emphasized the need for training and empowerment of youth and women in agriculture if the government is really serious in diversifying the nation`s economy through the important sector.

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, February 10, 2017

PAGE 6

News

Buhari’s sister urges Nigerians to pray for President

R

akiya Adamu, the only surviving sister of President Muhammadu Buhari, has appealed to Nigerians to pray for the President, instead of spreading rumours about his health.

She made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Daura, Katsina State, on Wednesday.

The 84-year-old said the president needed the prayers of every Nigerian for him to succeed in the task of addressing the problems facing the nation.

She said that President Buhari being a mortal was bound to fall ill or even die “at any time his creator wishes.”

According to her, she speaks with the president daily since his departure to London on annual leave and he is in high spirit.

She added that “I just returned from the lesser Hajj and even while in Saudi Arabia, I was communicating with him daily.’’

The president’s sister, popularly called Amadodo, told NAN that while in Saudi Arabia, she communicated with Buhari

every 10 hours.

“We were 28 from our mother, late Hajiya Zulaihatu, who died in 1992, but Buhari was her last born,” she said.

A cross section of people in Daura, President Buhari’s hometown in Katsina State, expressed dismay over how some Nigerians spread rumours about the president’s health.

Abdulrahman Daura, the Northwest Organising Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), described the rumoured death and state of health of

the president as baseless and unfounded.

Mr. Daura said “Buhari is in good health and is only conducting routine medical checkup in the United Kingdom.”

He advised those spreading rumours to always be constructive and avoid campaign of hate and calumny, adding that “it is only God that gives health and takes life.”

Similarly, Aminu Na-Dari, a close ally of the president, said he had also been in constant touch with Mr. Buhari since his

departure and their conversation did not in any way indicate that he was having health challenge.

He said the current economic hardship was not caused by the present administration and the Buhari-led government had been working hard to remedy the situation.

A group of students of the School of Health Technology, Daura, described the rumour as unfortunate and asked the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to issue a statement condemning it. (NAN)

Nigerian military symbol of national unity - DHQ

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he Defence Headquarters has said that the Nigerian Military will always remain a symbol of national unity .

The Defence Headquarters in a statement signed by the Acting Director Defence ,General Brigadier Rabe Abubakar said that, “its attention has been draw to a misleading, baseless and concocted online story that Nigerian military is out to exterminate adherents of a particular religion in a particular region using surrendered Boko Haram terrorists.

President Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, Mrs Betty Akeredolu (right) demonstrating before school children self examination of breast cancer at the World Cancer on Wednesday in Ibadan. Photo: NAN

18 students graduates with first-class in Dutse Varsity From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

N

o fewer than eighteen student from Federal University Dutse were confirmed graduated with firstclass honours degree on various disciplines from the University.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Fatima Batul Mukhtar dropped the hint

yesterday while briefing newsmen on the second convocation of the university scheduled to take place tomorrow at convocation ground in the University.

The VC explained that, during the convocation a total of two hundred and ninety four (294) students are graduating with first degree in different disciplines.

She said, out of this number,

eighteen have made first-class, while one hundred and thirty nine (139) obtained secondclass upper division, while one hundred and thirty seven students got second class lower division.

According to her, as the main convocation will comes-up on next Saturday, the graduants shall take oath as alumni of the

university.

Professor Mukhtar added that, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Former head of service of the federation will be a guest lecturers at the convocation.

She then assured to continue work with everybody and ensure the success of the University.

We’ll ensure preservation of national heritage - Lai Mohammed

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Minister of Information, Culture and National Orientation, Alh. Lai Mohammed disclosed that, the ministry is working assiduously to preserve the country’s national heritage by recapturing archival materials kept in various agencies.

Lai Mohamm disclosed this while defending the ministry’s budget before the Senate

Committee on Information yesterday.

He said the ministry was already liaising with Google, the German Government and other international organisations to help preserve the materials.

“If nothing is done in that regard, the country might lose is heritage, making it difficult for future generation to know about the country’s heritage.

“We are looking outside government to see how we

could preserve these valuable materials. We are recently sent one our staff to the German Government to reinstate a particular film and exhibit it.

We are also in the process of looking for other philanthropists who will help us to ensure that all these delicate and sensitive materials are put in digital form.

We are in touch with international organisations to help us preserve these materials

but we have not arrived at a conclusion yet.We are aware of the need to keep our heritage safe.

Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Sen. Suleiman Adokwe, called on the minister called for the urgent need to recapture the materials in order not to lose them.

According to him, most materials that ought to be used for reference purposes are being manhandled.

“This story, to say the least, is mischievous, mendacious and calculated attempt to cause apprehension in the country and create division in the military.

Nigerians of all tribes and religious affiliation. It is therefore callous and outrageous for anybody to think of the military taking side with one religious group against another “Everybody knows that Boko Haram is enemy to all Nigerians, therefore, to think of using them against our people is indeed senseless. Religion and politics should not meddled with security affairs.”

The statement further explained that the Nigerian Armed Forces is a symbol of national unity and cohesion and should not be a subject of smear campaign by unpatriotic, idle and ill-meaning elements hiding under unanimity of social media platforms.

“The Nigerian military will not be distracted from carrying out its constitutional responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of our great nation and our citizens.

Members of the public are therefore advised to be wary of such toxic message which clearly is an ill wind that blows no one any good, therefore should be discountenanced.

Those behind such ungodly dissemination of falsehood, hate and divisive messages online are advised to desist forthwith in the best interest of national peace, security and unity as effort is underway to track them,” the army stated.

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, February 10, 2017

News

Coalition of Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and Civil Societies, during the Good Governance Rally, yesterday in Abuja . Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Shi’ite lobbies Osinbajo for Zakzaky’s release From Femi Oyelola, kaduna

T

he Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, has called on Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to set a good precedence by obeying court order and set the leader of the movement, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky free in his position as a professor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN. The group’s spokesperson, Abdulhamid Bello stated this during a protest in Kaduna yesterday.

According to him, “it is not an understatement that they are the most oppressed community in recent Nigerian history, following facts: Within 48 hours the Nigerian army massacred over 1000 unarmed civilians in Zaria in December, 2015. Something that has never happened in annals of Nigerian history.”

He added that the atrocities committed by the army are the first of its kind by any national and supposedly well-trained army.

“Where in the world are

Customs donate seized items to IDPs in Adamawa From Umar Dankano,Yola.

T

he Nigerian Customs Service has again donated seized assorted food items and second hand clothes as directed by the president to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Adamawa state.

The distribution of the items took place at the Malkohi IDP’s camp in Yola Thursday.

Chairman of National Logistics Committee on Internally Displaced Persons, Assistant Controller General of Customs, Mr. Abdulkadir Azarema, said the donation was the third so far to the state.

“Today, the National Logistics Committee o Distribution of Relief Items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) is handing over items that we strongly believe will boost the ongoing efforts to resettle IDPs in their ancestral homes,” Azarema said.

He lauded Adamawa Government for paying the bills for transporting the items from

warehouse across the country.

“We also commend the efforts of Local Organizing Committee for collaborating with National Committee and the State Government to ensure smooth distribution of the relief materials.”

Azarema tasked all those involved in distributing the assistance to ensure transparency.

Speaking at the occasion, the Deputy Governor of Adamawa, Mr Martins Babale who is also the chairman of Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, lauded the gesture which he said would go a long way in assisting the IDPs. Babale assured that the state government would judicious utilization of the donation for the purpose intended.

Items presented included 15, 210 bags of rice, 7, 540 Jerry cans of vegetable oil, 1, 240 bales of cloths, 1,096 pairs of shoes, 1,240 cartons of soap and 1,383 cartons of spaghetti.

soldiers seen burning people alive? But they burnt the senior Sister to Sheikh Zakzaky and several others alive. Where in the world are soldiers video-taped pouring petrol on corpses and burning them? “ They burnt hundreds in Zaria, which is why probably the Kaduna state government was only able to document the death of 347 people at the hands of the Nigerian Army. Where in the world are soldiers involved in burying hundreds of people in a mass grave in the middle of the night, if not in Mando, Kaduna under the full consent of the state Governor?

“To date, over 200 members of the Islamic Movement are known to be languishing in jail, some with various degrees of gunshots, yet the perpetrators of the violence against them are moving about freely as if nothing

untoward has happened. And there are some hundreds still believed to be in secret detention centres of the security services, since they have gone missing after the Zaria massacre.

“Not only that, he Kaduna Sate Governor has the temerity to even declare that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria as an unlawful society, after all the constitutional rights of freedom of assembly and freedom of religion and association. Now under such an obnoxious state order dozens are in jail simply because they were arrested in a black attire, allegedly worn only by the Shias.

“The most intriguing aspect of the oppression visited upon us is the continued detention of our leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife, even after a Federal High Court order to release them.

Where in the world is a democratic government contemptuous

of its courts if not the present administration in Nigeria?

“The above reasons and many more that space will not allow us to mention will definitely make us pour on to the streets peacefully to demand for justice. This is our right, and nobody will deny us this right. We call on the general public and the international community to bear witness to this calamitous oppression against us as a community. Zaria massacre and its after effects in other states can’t be pushed under the carpet, because there are many thousands living witnesses to it.

“We therefore will like to draw the attention of the present acting President to the court order on the release of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife. As a Professor of law, we hope he will use his good office to terminate the flagrant disregard to the court order displayed by the President, “ he said

Kwara NSCDC parades 3 suspected house burglars

By Isiaka Lamidi,Ilorin

K

wara state Command of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps ,NSCDC has paraded three suspected house burglars with 25 stolen Plasma Television sets in Ilorin.

The suspects, Fatai Owolabi, AbdulRasheed Aladi and Ruben Okwenreni were nabbed following a report by one Yunus Aluko that he saw his two stolen Plasma TV sets in their shop.

Parading the suspect before

journalists in Ilorin, the NSCDC State Commandant, Ideba Pedro, said that the victim went to one of the suspects’ shop to buy another Plasma Television and discovered that his two TV sets were among the displayed Television sets for sales.

“The man came to our command to report and our men was sent to that place to invite the suspect and his subordinates for inquiries on the Plasma Television, “he added.

He said that the suspect claimed that he bought the two Plasma TV

sets, which belonged to the victim from one Dayo who is now at large.

Pedro explained further that , investigation shows that all the 23 Plasma Televisions in the suspect’s shop didn’t have receipt, adding that all the TV sets in his shop were suspected to be stolen.

The Commandant called the members of the public whose house or shops had been burgled and lost their Plasma Television sets to come to the command to claim their property with proper identification.

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, February 10, 2017

News

NLC to picket media houses owing workers salaries

T

he Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has threatened to picket media houses that have outstanding salaries to pay their workers.

Ayuba Wabba, NLC President said this in interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr. Wabba also condemned the recent police raid on Premium Times that led to the arrest of two journalists who were later released without charge.

Mr. Wabba said that the nonpayment of salaries by the media organisations was hindering the flow of credible information for the benefit of the country.

“Particularly, the NUJ president is concerned about the state of affairs in some of our media houses where the

journalists are not being paid by their media practitioners.

“And we thought that it is something that must be given priority; we have written to some of those media houses to try to see how those issues can be resolved.

“In essence if that is not done, we are also going to visit some of these media houses because a worker deserves his wages, particularly this important arm of our society that needs to actually disseminate credible information for the benefit of our country because we need an independent press to be able to add value to the process of development.

“We will picket them; we have written to some of them; some of them have had an agreement which they have

not respected.

“We have also written them urging them to respect such an agreement.’’

According to the NLC president, journalists constitute an important arm of the society that needs to actually disseminate creditable information for the benefit of the country and the entire world.

Mr. Wabba said that NLC would work with NUJ to ensure that no worker in the industry was owed or denied their salaries.

He criticised the recent attack on the media organisations such as the Premium Times and National Trail.

He said that in spite of a court order on the release of the publisher of National Trail, he was still being held in

detention.

“I am not sure this is the dividend of democracy; we would always canvass for the rule of law.

“So citizens, particularly journalists, must be treated with fairness in accordance with the principles of the law.

“NUJ has written officially and we have also been communicated and we thought we should lend our voice and not allow a situation where those that will give very creditable information to the public are at the receiving end.

“As NLC, we want to say that journalists must continue to be respected and must be allowed to do their work freely without harassment and intimidation,” he said.

L-R: Director Research and Development Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Malam Aliyu Na’Iya, Vice Chancellor Bayero University, Kano (BUK) Professor Mohammed Yahuza Bello, Tetfund Director of finance Alhaji Saidu Idris , Executive Secretary TETFUND, Dr. Abdullahi B. Baffa , North Zonal Coordinator tetfund, Alhaji Umar Bukar and Provost College of medicine BUK, Professor Alhassan, during the commissioning of TETFUND projects at Bayero University Kano on Wednesday in Kano

FG urged on more funding for NTDC

By Abba-Eku Onyeka.

A

yo Olowoporoku of Hotel Supports Organisation has urged the Federal Government to adequately fund Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).

He said that he has noted that should the Corporation be funded properly, it would contribute immensely to the economy as was obtainable in countries like South Africa and Kenya, among others.

He said that Kenya and South Africa had benefitted a lot from

tourism.

This was contained in a release from the Corporation made out of an interactive session the Acting Director-General (Ag DG) of the Corporation, Mrs Mariel RaeOmoh had with stakeholders recently in Lagos.

In an address, the Ag DG promised to work with stakeholders in tourism industry in order to sell the country as a destination of choice. She said that her major goal was to sell the country’s tourism potential to the world so as to boost its economy

through the industry.

Rae-Omoh went further to say that the goals can only be achieved when experts in the industry join their voices and ideas with them in NTDC, adding that they will set the goals to be met and come out with a practicable blueprint to achieve the set objectives. She described stakeholders as key in any development, just as she added that they must be embraced so as to succeed.

Still lamenting on the need to move the industry to the world, she however added that they

in the industry needed a lot of workable advice, suggestions and challenges from those in the field so that the industry can become an economic hold for the country, saying that boosting the morale of the staff as the engine behind the success of any organization would further accelerate the mission of boosting the industry.

The stakeholders at the interactive section promised to support and collaborate with the NTDC boss to achieve her lofty goal for the industry.

Ortom flags off 33 rural projects From Uche Makurdi

B

Nnorom,

enue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday flagged off the commencement of work on one of the 33 rural projects being executed by the Bureau for Rural Development and Cooperatives in the state.

The ceremony took place at Tse-Abi in Guma local government area.

He stated that the 51.5 kilometer road would link several communities adding that with its completion rural dwellers in the area would experience a new lease of life socially and economically.

The governor stated that “32 other rural projects awarded by the administration domiciled at the Bureau of Rural Development and Cooperatives are at various stages of completion.”

“These projects cut across

the three Senatorial Zones and I, urge the good people of the state where they are located to demonstrate patriotism by owning them and ensuring that they are protected from vandals.”

Governor Ortom said the projects include rural roads and bridges as well as electrification, adding that the Bureau had completed several projects inherited from previous administrations while work was ongoing on others.

He expressed appreciation to the Special Adviser on Rural Development and Cooperatives, Dr. Adzer Abya, and his staff for working tirelessly and assiduously towards ensuring that the projects were executed.

Governor Ortom announced the takeover of the electricity project embarked upon by a former House of Reps Member for Makurdi-Guma Hon. Emmanuel Jime constituency in Saghev was to ensure its completion.

Return Hajj Commission to Foreign Affairs Ministry — Minister urges lawmakers

T

he Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Khadija Abba-Ibrahim, on Tuesday appealed to the National Assembly to return control of Hajj Commission to the ministry for proper coordination.

The minister made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja when members of the committee on Nigeria-Saudi Arabia Parliamentary Friendship and Hajj Affairs, led by its chairman Abdulahi Balarabe-Salame, visited her.

She explained that Hajj Commission used to be under the control of the ministry before it was taken to the presidency.

She said that the commission was now domiciled in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF. Ms. Abba-Ibrahim said: “by tradition in diplomatic cycle, a country does not relate with suborgan of government but the state through Foreign Affairs Ministry.

“Hajj office domiciled in the office of the SGF will not be able to operate effectively because Saudi Government will not have any direct dealing with the office of the SGF. “That explains the reason we always communicate with them through diplomatic channels of communication of Note Verbal.”

The minister pointed out that since the commission was still domiciled in the office of the SGF, the ministry was not involved in its activities.

“So we are appealing to you; if there is anything in the legislation you can use to bring back Hajj Commission to the ministry, we are seeking your assistance to help us.

“There is no point in us doing all the policies; if the affairs of the commission are not domiciled in the ministry; it is worrisome,’’ she said.

The minister urged the committee to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, saying the two countries had areas they could explore for their mutual benefits.

Ms. Abba-Ibrahim said that when President Muhammadu Buhari visited Saudi Arabia, he reiterated the need to revive the Joint Commission between the two countries.

Earlier in his remarks, the committee chairman, Mr. Balarabe-Salame, called on the ministry to facilitate multiple entry visas for the members of the committee wishing to visit Saudi Arabia.

He also stressed the need to convene the 3rd Saudi ArabiaNigeria joint commission which was held in 2013.(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2017

Page 9

News

Senate decries N51bn budgetary allocation to health

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Lanre Tejuosho yesterday decried the disproportionate budgetary allocation to the health sector, as it had continued to “show no break in gloomy pattern over the years”.

He equally disclosed that, the 2017 Federal Capital Budget of N2.24 trillion, the health sector was allocated N51 billion (representing 2.78per cent)”.

Tejuosho disclosed this while

briefing news men at the National Assembly complex over non access to quality health care and improve health facilities in the country.

He informed that, Nigeria is spending over 1$ billion dollars (N305.250 billion) annually on medical treatment abroad noting that such an external expenditure is not good for the nation’s economy.

As at mid October 2016, the minister of state for Health Dr Osagie Ehanire informed us that , Nigeria was spending over $1 billion annually on medical treatment abroad” According to him, “ every single

day, Nigeria loses about 2, 300 children under 5 and 145 women of child bearing age . This makes the country second largest contributor to the under five and maternal mortality rate in the world” He said that despite being a signatory to the 2001 African Union Abuja Declaration, Nigeria had not met with the minimum requirement of allocating 15 per cent of the total annual budget to health.

“Shedding the toga of the past, 2017 budget presents a unique opportunity for us to enhance and develop our health sector,” he said.

The chairman noted that the 8th Senate was committed to improving health conditions, health standards and service delivery through realistic appropriation and judicious utilization driven by legislative oversight.

Tejuosho also decried the high poverty rate as well as infant and maternal mortality rates in the country.

He noted that the government considered the reduction of maternal and child mortality to the barest very important.

“With the situation in the

A police Dog arresting a suspect during inspection of K9 Dog Trailers Deployment newly acquired for trouble Zones in the Country on Wednesday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

country, a practical way to walk our way out of the economic recession is by boosting investment in human capital which will in turn stimulate growth.

The chairman while also decrying the non-implementation of the National Health Act and provisions of the Consolidated Revenue Fund called for an emergency intervention to the health sector.

It is a sector we must champion a revolution through the right appropriation and diligent oversight to ensure judicious use of resources for optimum results,” he said.

Okowa charges contractors on firm delivery of projects From Asaba

D FG set to establish ICT varsity, National ICT Park

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu yesterday disclosed, that the Nigeria will establish ICT University and ICT National Park in order to boost the nation’s economy.

Highlighting advantages inherent in establishing an Information and Communication

Technology Park at this time by the nation, the minister explained that it shall serve as a hub where ICT experts from across the world would gather.

Shittu who gave the revelations during the ministry 2017 budget defence at the National Assembly complex, said the ICT programs will pull Nigeria out of the recent He said the Ministry of

Communications was aware of economic challenges the nation was passing through, noting that the only way out of economic challenges was not to get stuck in it, but to keep investing.

“One will wonder the possibility of executing these two projects amidst economic recession, but I want to tell you that the best option available now is to keep investing”, he insisted.

He added that Nigeria is a big market in ICT where Facebook experts and others would like to patronize.

He further noted that the proposed ICT University will use Digital Bridge infrastructure which spread across the six geopolitical zones.

…As FCT Minister calls for digitisation of education system

By Maryam Garba Hassan

M

inister of Federal Capital Territory ( FCT), Bello Muhammed has called for digitisation of education system in the country.

Bello made the call yesterday in Abuja, while declaring open the 2nd local workshop for the

teachers of Abuja model school.

Represented by FCT Director of UBE Adamu Noma, the minister lamented that the education system in the country is faced with myriad of challenges ranging from inadequate facilities and poor funding.

He assured that the current administration will not relent on

its oars to equip the system.

While applauding the partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Bello said the partnership has assisted on building the education sector in the country.

Speaking earlier, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to

Nigeria, H.E. Noh Kyu-duk, noted ,”Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari is on the right track to advance beyond African continent. And as a friend, Korea is more willing to share our experience and assist in your noble endeavour”.

Gbagyi elder proffers solution to herdsmen, farmers clash From Yakubu Minna.

T

Mustapha,

he former National Assembly member representing Shiroro, Munya and Rafi federal constituency, Hon. Adamu Bala Kuta has called for planting of grazing grasses for the feeding of cattle to restrict animal in a

particular place for healthy meat and avert dangers of grazing.

Kuta gave the charge while speaking to some newsmen in Munna, saying that this would bring a lasting solution to the continued clashes between the farmers and Fulani herdsmen in the country.

He added that as the nation

witnessed expansion and development Nigeria needed to emulate of countries experiencing peaceful coexistence between their farmers and herdsmen.

The Gbagy elder and APC stalwart advocated for government urgency in organizing a forum for the both sides on the need for peaceful coexistence and educate

them on the dangers of grazing as well as the advantage of rearing animals in a particular place.

He, however, commended the efforts of governments and security agencies in ensuring peace in various communities hence more effort and commitment was required with the support of the citizens.

Osakhare

Erese,

elta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday inspected various road projects within Asaba Capital Territory with a charge on contractorS to increase the pace of work on infrastructural projects in the state.

Governor Okowa inspected the Okpanam road and drain projects; the 4.4km Joseph Ebolo and Madonna road and drains project; the 1.6km Ojife Street, Nduka Iloba and Casaloba Street. Other road projects were the 700meters Isioma Onyeobi link road from sand beach through Rapu road to Cable road and the 510 meters Stadium and Cap Wire roads off Nnebisi road in the Asaba Metropolis.

The governor who said his government was determined to take development to the people of the state despite the economic recession, disclosed that a lot of roads and other projects are either on-going or ready for commissioning in April.

According to him, “We have about 398 km roads all through the state and so many projects are ready for commissioning now, from the month of April through May we will be commissioning a lot of road and school projects”.

While commending the construction firms handling the road projects on the quality and standard of work, Governor Okowa charged them to speed up work so as to meet the time schedule.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2017

News • L-R: Representative Of Director-General, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Abubakar Aliu, Panel Discussant, Dr Heiner Lehr And UNIDO Lead Technical Adviser, Dr Shaukat Malik, at the Technical Session of the First Nigeria Food Safety and Investment Forum, yesterday in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

Civil Defence reads riot act to job racketeers

By Abba-Eku Onyeka

W

orried by the incessant online recruitment portal by fraudsters, to defraud desperate job seekers, the Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, has directed the intelligence, Anti-Fraud and ACTU units of the Corps to re-strategise and redouble their intelligence network in clamping down on

employment racketeers.

This latest development was contained in a release from the paramilitary organisation signed

by Emma Token, the head, public relations of the organisation.

This, according to the release was necessitated by the proliferation of the social media platform where desperate applicants are deceived into filing forms online and some were made to pay money.

The CG, however, cautioned

that the employment website, www. nscdc.gov.ng among others are fake, just as he advised applicants to be wary of devices of 419ers alerting them of recruitment and underground replacement exercise of 10,000 as stated by them .

Abdulahi Ghana Muhammad vehemently warned that the Corps would no longer condone any advert made on its behalf via the social media platform to defraud applicants, even as he explained that modalities have been put in

place to clamp down on all those using the social media platform for fraudulent activities, calling on all those who choose to patronise the online platform for the purported recruitment to desist henceforth, informing that Corps recruitment pattern is neither through social media nor through any consultant.

He said that at appropriate time the Corps would advertise for recruitment through reputable electronic and print media when the approval is given.

Kebbi govt pays UNICEF, others 331,500 euro on health services From Ahmed Idris Birnin Kebbi

K

ebbi State Government has paid its counterpart fund of 331,500 euro to the EU,UNICEF and other donor agencies on maternal health and others.

Briefing newsmen at the ongoing ministerial press briefing organized by the State Council of NUJ, the State Commissioner of Health, Alhaji Usman Umar

Kambaza said that the payment is part of the government commitment in promoting and providing good health service delivery to its people.

He explained further that the state government has also selected about 17 secondary health facility for renovation and the renovation of some primary health institutions across the state.

“The government effort is to

bring health institutions back to its past glory, the governor recruited some health personal such as 17 medical Doctors, 33 Nurses and others “225 primary facilities were identify and they would also be renovated across the 21 local government areas while some renovations have being completed, such as Maternal unit in Arugungu General hospital, Bunza and others have being

completed” he explained.

Kambaza further stated that about 12 students were sponsored to Sudan for medical studies and have returned back to the state, while more than 20 students are still undergoing their course in India.

He assured the people of the state that the present administration was ready to provide good health to its teeming population.

Adamawa govt appoints 15 new magistrates From Umar Dankano,Yola.

I

n an effort to ensure speedy judicial delivery system and address inadequate manpower especially judges, the Adamawa Government has appointed 15 new magistrates in the state.

The occasion of the swearing at the High court Yola premises saw the mammoth crowd by the new judges ,their families and well wishers.

Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ishaya Banu, while administering oath of office and allegiance said the development was necessitated by dearth of magistrates in the state due to retirement of some magistrates.

Banu who said that the appointment was based on merit, warned the appointees not to betray the trust and confidence reposed in them.

“As can be observed all those appointed are already serving

legal officers in the judiciary.

This is rather deliberate as by doing so we did not have to seek for waiver from the executive and also for their salaries to be approved.

“I urge the new Magistrates to be dedicated to their duties and to shun corruption in all it’s ramifications as anyone found wanting will not spared.”

The Chief Judge who observed that a good magistrate was one who is up to date with the law

and always seeking knowledge, advised the appointees to study more and engage less in idleness.

“You should always comport yourselves with decorum in and out of office,” Banu said.

Most of the magistrates interviewed expressed happiness over their new elevation pledging to be upright and professional in their new assignment for the development of humanity in their societies and country at large.

Poverty alleviation: Jigawa empowers women with N25, 000 each From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

I

n an effort to eradicate poverty, the Jigawa state government has empowered 133 women with N25,000 each to start self reliance businesses.

The state Commissioner Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Ladi Dansure dropped the hint yesterday while flagging-off a five days training of 133 women on leather work and poultry farming held at women multipurpose centre in Dutse.

She explained that, this is a first category and the beneficiaries are selected carefully from 27 local government areas to ensure every women benefited from the empowerment programmes.

According to her, the state government spent over twelve million on the programme for both training and the takeoff fund to the beneficiaries.

Dansure maintained that, each women will be trained on one skills acquisition and will be given the sum of N25,000 with relevant equipments on what she was trained on.

The Commissioner further explained that this is part of governor Badaru’s administration effort on poverty alleviation through women empowerment in the state.

She said, Badaru’s administration give priority to women affairs adding that women as mothers in any society have a vital role to play in reviving the economy from the grassroots level.

Hajiya Dansure urged the beneficiaries to utilize the skills they acquired during the training by expanding it to other women at their various communities.

Page 11

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2017

PUBLIC NOTICE

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THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

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PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2017

Examining Ganduje’s intervention in education sector

By Hassan Musa K/Mata

O

n the threshold of Golden jubilee of statehood, Kano, known for its pioneering stance on many developmental issues, has introduced the maiden Kano Basic Education Week to be celebrated every year. One recalls with nostalgia that the former governor of old Kano state, Dr. Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi of blessed memory, pioneered the creation of developmentoriented intervention agencies and programmes to include the adult and mass literacy programme, code named Agency for Mass Education, Science and Technical Schools Board, Primary Education Board, Environmental Protection Board, Rural Electrification Board and declaration of May 1 as a day to celebrate workers’, which were mostly replicated by other states and the federal government.

One is not surprised at this, because Ganduje is an astute politician and a Rimi loyalist.

The Kano Basic Education Week, conceptualised by the Administration of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has been planned to assess the critical importance of basic education not only as the pillar of all levels of education, but also stress the need for community participation, considering the vast challenges in the education sector and the limitation of resources at the disposal of the government.

Over the years, our education system has not kept with its rapidly growing school-age population, with the quality of basic education becoming extremely poor, leading

to low demand and unacceptably low academic performance. The state of our education sector is so bad that student population soared, while the number of schools and the volume of infrastructure for education remained stagnant, sometimes shrinking due to rot and decay. In virtually all public educational institution, be they primary secondary or tertiary levels, the classes are overcrowded. Basic amenities are lacking and where they exist, have practically gone out of fashion. Amenities like laboratories and school libraries have become luxuries. There are no adequate recreational facilities. The collapse in education also goes beyond amenities, to teachers’ welfare, which over the years has also nosedived.

While painting the gloomy picture of the situation, Governor Ganduje, who addressed what he described prime movers in the delivery of qualitative education at the foundation level that included 1, 000 selected head teachers, education secretaries, zonal directors, Parents Teachers Associations and School Based Management Committees, enumerated some of the challenges his administration inherited upon assumption of office: ‘’As at 29th May, 2015, there were only 25,000 habitable classrooms out of the 30,000 available whereas the total requirement in our 3,000, 000 public primary schools is 45, 000 classrooms. Similarly, there were only 18, 000 toilets as against the total requirement of 35, 000, while 3-seater pupils’ desks were only 198, 832 as against the need of 914, 000. In addition to all these, instructional materials were

inadequate while staff morale was at its lowest ebb and as a matter of fact about 50 per cent of the teachers were unqualified’’.

This pathetic situation prompted the Ganduje Administration to act swiftly by introducing far-reaching measures to reverse the ugly trend.

The Administration reached out to the federal government by ensuring that it accesses the counterpart funding to the tune of about two billion naira. This enabled the rehabilitation of classroom blocks to replace the decrepit ones that previously dignified places where roaming animals are reared, building of libraries, sinking of boreholes, provision of over 15,000 pupils’ furniture and instructional materials etc.

The fortune in the education sector was dwindling because only government has been saddled with the responsibility of providing resources for public education and sole policy development, despite the limited resources. Governor Ganduje, who sum up this, affirmed the need for community participation in the spirit of ‘’Education for All; Responsibility For All’’, the central theme of the Basic Education Week.

To start with, the Administration established the Education Promotion Committee (EPC) both at the state level and in all the 44 local government areas and provided them with a takeoff grant of N440, 000, 000 million, that is, N10, 000, 000 for every local government. The committee was able to use the fund to rehabilitate 490 blocks consisting of 981 classrooms, one block of two classrooms, provided 7,915 3-seater

desks and various instructional materials.

Apart from project execution in the basic education sector, the Ganduje Administration also remains committed to raising the morale of teachers through prompt payment of salaries and capacity building. Evidence points to the fact that the measure has been yielding positive result. As part of activities marking the Kano Basic Education Week, was the graduation ceremony of 2, 000 in-service trained teachers in 3 programmes; Nigeria Certificate in Education NCE, Professional Diploma in Education PDE and Bachelor in Education B.Ed. Before the intervention to sponsor these teachers, Kano had the highest number of unqualified teachers in the country. There are currently 25,000 undergoing similar training and will graduate next year.

This is in addition to other interventions by the state government like the summer camp for female students which has trained over 10,000 all of whom have passed their common entrance examinations, making the programme a huge success. Other interventions include promotion of teachers which has not been done for over a decade. Already, the committee set up to look into the issue has submitted its report and is receiving government’s attention and consideration for implementation in due course.

There is no gain saying that it is on the bases of Governor Ganduje’s grand commitment to educational development that led to the spiral increases in school enrolment and pupil’s improved performance as

other interventions by the state government like the Summer Camp for female students which has trained over 10,000 all of whom have passed their common entrance examinations.

The maiden edition of the Kano Basic education Week convene by the state government brought together relevant stakeholders to rob minds on how to face squarely the challenges inherent in the education sector and what the government is currently doing to address these challenges and also look onwards into the future on what needs to be done for the promotion of the Education in the state. One hopes that this dynamic initiative should be institutionalised and made one of the annual observances. It should not be allowed to die down At this material time when human capital asset remains the most important means of generating economic development, we cannot afford to allow our vibrant and future leaders to be an army of uneducated people and a liability to our society.

If people were not properly educated and especially basic education, they would become socio-economic liabilities to the society.

At a time we are all agreed that the situation in the basic education system call for collective effort, I will say it is also a time to emulate Dr. Ganduje who has an avowed commitment for educational development of Kano people with a view to making them intellectual assets.

Hassan Musa K/Mata is the PA to the Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Kano State.

Feminism: A wrong perception of equality

By Uchegbu Ndubuisi

W

ith every big, historical movement comes the danger that we will swing too far to the other extreme, tipping the balance unhealthily in the other direction, says Anya Briggs, an essayist.

Feminism is a movement that has over the years been introduced and widely adopted in Nigeria and the world at large as a mechanism that seeks justice for women and end sexism in all forms. In many of its contexts, feminism seems to involve at least two claims, one normative and the other descriptive.

The normative claim concerns how women ought (or ought not) to be viewed and treated and draws on a background conception of justice or broad moral position.

The descriptive claim concerns how women are, as a matter of fact, viewed and treated, alleging that they are not being treated in accordance with the standards of justice or morality invoked in the normative claim.

Together, the two claims provide reasons for working to change the way things are; hence, feminism is not just an intellectual but also a political movement. This movement has been propagated by so many illustrious personalities all over Africa such as Ghanaian-British documentary filmmaker, producer, and writer, Yaba Badoe; Liberian

peace activist, women’s rights advocate and Nobel Peace Laureate, Leymah Gbowee; and Nigeria’s acclaimed author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; who have all identified themselves as feminists and have written and given speeches on various current topics relating to women’s issues in Africa and beyond.

In a personal, eloquently-argued essay adapted from her muchadmired TED talk on “we should all be feminist” and sampled by Beyonce in her track, “Flawless”, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie defined a feminist as a “person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.”

Does this definition reflect its true meaning? This question continues to be a boggler while observing the situation of things currently faced by men in the society. Whenever gender inequality is mentioned, our focus is usually on women; that women should receive equal respect, opportunities, and payment as men, and have the right to choose what happens to their bodies. These are terrible problems that women face to some degree in most countries around the world. However, gender inequality is an issue that affects men too. According to Emma Watson, an actress and Goodwill Ambassador for United Nations, in a speech at the UN General Assembly, “fighting for women’s rights has become synonymous with

man-hating”. I may be wrong, but feminism has been so over flogged that women in some countries are now seen as superior beings entitled to some privileges when compared to men, thus losing the true essence of equality between sexes.

For recruitment in a banking sector, statistics have shown that banks prefer attractive women (and in few cases, attractive men) for posts which involve direct interactions with medium to highprofile clients. I have never been to a bank and seen more men than women on the counter accepting money and paying cheques given by the customers. I agree that this may be uncomfortable for some attractive women in question especially those who are not aware of the hidden purpose for their recruitment. But even among those who are aware, many are offended.

Only few are concerned. On one side, the banks are not necessarily at fault for being capitalistic and business minded, but it is discrimination nevertheless because there are male graduates who are good at sales and communication but left to roam the streets with their certificates all because they are not women.

Face the facts: Nowadays, women are paid more, given more second chances, sided more and are gaining too much of advantage over men. A skinny guy can be ridiculed by girls, called a wimp, unmanly,

womanly and every other thing you can imagine but if he dares open his mouth and point out a fat girl eating McDonalds, he will be flamed to high hell. When relationships fail, it’s a fact that men get tragically overlooked when it comes to getting custody of their children. According to statistics, women receive custody of children 92% of the time in cases of divorce and illegitimacy. People will argue that the children needs to stay close to their mothers but this astoundingly high number means that men are being denied the opportunity to become positive role models in their children’s lives.

Consider as well that the average child support payment due from women is half the amount due from men. And despite this fact, women are twice as likely as men to default on child support payments.

Unlike women, society prevents men from showing emotions and vulnerabilities. While it’s perfectly permissible for women to be aggressive, the moment men let down their guard and cry they are accused of being effeminate.

They have real feelings as well, but unlike women, they don’t have the freedom to express them openly without having their masculinity and even their sexuality fall under question. Women have been in space, fought in wars and have served as heads of state, so why is it that men are termed the bad guy if they fail to hold a door open

for a woman? Has it ever occurred to you that the guy who devised the “ladies first” policy may have created it just to check out his girlfriend’s ass? When it comes to equal treatment and equal rights for equal pay, women make more noise than a backfiring Bulldog.

So why is it that when it comes to picking up a dinner bill, these same women suddenly become mute?

Ladies can’t have it both ways. Being equal means assuming equal duties.

With great paychecks come great responsibilities.

Even in television series, men are mostly depicted as grossly incompetent. From Family Guy to the Simpsons to King of Queens.

According to Marge, Homer “chews with his mouth open, hangs out at a seedy bar with bums and lowlifes, blows his nose in towels and puts them back, and scratches himself with his keys”. Similarly, Family Guy’s Peter Griffin is a lovable oaf who “isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind; usually the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time”. The women in these same series, meanwhile, project an almost saintly glow as long-suffering wives and dedicated mothers. It’s a sad fact that we’re living in a world where unsubstantiated statements can be made about men, when these same claims would never be tolerated if they were directed at women.

Uchegbu Ndubuisi is a Public Affairs Analyst

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2017

PAGE 13

Comment

Rethinking the street children phenomenon

By Rasak Musbau

T

hroughout the world, there are children whose habitation is on the streets and since they domicile in the streets, they are generally referred to as street children. Children are supposed to enjoy love, care and overall protection from parents, but this is not the case with the street children. These children are denied their basic rights and are exposed to physical, sexual and all sorts of harm and abuses and also live in inhumane and deleterious conditions.

The United Nations Children Education Fund distinguishes between two different groups of street children based on their family situations but both have a common characteristic in that they spend their lives on the streets. The first category is of children “on” the streets.

These are children who work and maintain regular relationships with their families.

The second category is of children who are “of” the streets and consider the street their home. The streets are where they eat, sleep, play and make friends. Children in both of the categories have much in common; they have unstable emotional relationships with the adult world, a negative self image, social stigma, violence, exploitation and uncertain futures.

The street children have historically been labelled and considered as delinquents, vagrants, juveniles exposed to delinquency, street urchins, Almajiris.

Some of these children are neglected and abandoned to fend for themselves and learn to survive. Some missed their way and couldn’t find their way back home; some were driven from home because of maltreatment by mothers, step mothers, fathers, and step fathers, as a result of death of either of their parents or as a

result of broken homes. Some left home due to harsh situations at home or due to misunderstanding with parents or peer influence. The main activities of these vulnerable children are selling goods on the streets, hawking in markets, motor parks, under bridges and some even loiter the streets or motor parks, doing odd jobs, fighting, playing, stealing and pickpocketing. It has also been established that juvenile delinquency and violence is a mirror reflection of what happens in the life of street children from their mistreatment at home and how they are abused by their peers on the streets.

In Nigeria, the prevalence of street children in urban centres has been a growing concern as rehabilitation efforts by government agencies and nongovernmental organisations evidently have not achieved much. In the light of this reality and the general insecurity in the country, it has become necessary to tackle this problem from the family angle to prevent children from coming out or running away from homes in the first place. One would be happy to see the recent national security summit held in the country yield a positive result. But the reality is that without institutional framework and commitment to eliminate those factors that predispose children to leave home for the streets, government efforts might amount to throwing money into the ocean.

It is important while striving to free our nation from the menace of street children to understand where we are coming from and what we are currently doing so as to be viably armed with possible solutions to the street children phenomenon. Unlike in the past, parental roles in child upbringing have nose-dived. Common mistake in many homes today is that of dysfunctional

relationships between parents and children. Our value system has been traded away. Parents expect schools to do it all alone for them. The strong point here is that most of the problems we expect governments and others to solve for us will never be solved if at the home front we refuse to buckle-up.

On the government side, employment opportunities as pledged in manifestos should be created so as to overcome poverty. At all tiers of government it must be seen to be committed to the enforcement of the Child Rights Act and the provision of social welfare that guaranteed the protection and safety of every child, particularly the rights of the vulnerable, such as street children, trafficked children and children living with disabilities.

A lot of NGOs are already working in the area of returning the street children back home. We need more of these efforts rather than labelling and tagging of the children. We should know that some of these are innocent and vulnerable children who need love, affection and care. These children are supposed to be reached and given special attention.

They are children, who have parents or guardians, and did not fall from the sky.

Unfortunately, it is generally assumed that they are bad children, who absconded from home because they don’t want to be useful to themselves or as a result of bad peer association and that they make their parents to go through heartache and pain. This is not always true. These children are pushed to the streets due to varied reasons. Some of them want to join the armed forces so as to defend our dear country; while others want to be footballers, TV/Radio presenter and producers, studio manager, accountants,

lawyers, bankers, doctors, actors, artists and many more. These children if not rescued from the streets will tomorrow haunt the country.

Our collective efforts should be geared towards rehabilitating them and making them better citizens. Building relationships between street children, the police and the community may be a way forward towards alleviating the grievances each group has with the other and thus the society will not view the street children as social misfits and the children will feel they are part of the community that is protected by the police.

In this country, the mass media has been a powerful voice of the oppressed and downtrodden. But the institution has focused more on the political scene. The mass media must be used effectively in order to bring about sustained assistance for those children presently on the streets, as well as to convey prevention messages targeting children contemplating going to the streets.

The problem of street children has to be collectively addressed by the family, policy makers, religious leaders, educators and social scientists, individuals, governmental and non-governmental organisations. One will, therefore, conclude with the words of Wilmot: “Like other peoples of the world, Nigerians have the right to life, liberty and happiness. But they also need jobs, food, housing, health care, education, stability, a secure future for their children”. How apt! If these things are not put in place, such children will develop into future armed robbers, political thugs and other desperadoes that will make Nigeria hell on earth.

Rasak Musbau is a Public Affairs Analyst.

The need for insurgency, terrorism and violence study centre

By John Egbeazien Oshodi

F

or far too long, Nigeria has faced and continues to face direct and indirect forms of terrorist psychology resulting in an environment of imminent danger to our lives and properties.

General insecurity and threats of violence have implanted fear into the minds of Nigerians, and travel warnings and alerts by foreign countries to their citizens are continuously issued about safety issues in Nigeria.

Given the unfolding events surrounding the matter of insecurity in Nigeria, it is not premature or inappropriate to ask for the establishment of a research and realistic center(s) to help study backgrounds, motivations, behaviors and other factors responsible for terror and related behaviors.

To this day, the most basic fact is that in Nigeria we have yet to build a recognized interdisciplinary center for the study of the ongoing emerging and pressing questions of global insurgency, continental terrorism and radical violence—from the perspective of Nigeria.

With the multiple numbers of academics which include lecturers and professors in Nigerian universities and other higher institutions, there is a great

need to access research grants internationally and nationally for the purpose of studying the fundamental problem of insecurity.

Nigeria, as part of sub-Saharan Africa, now finds itself at the center of terrorism discussions among terrorism experts, and very often, those who would-be interested, including “real” terrorism researchers in Nigeria, are not involved in these discussions.

Given the overwhelming complexity of insecurity problems in Nigeria, which include terrorist, ethnic and religious violent acts, let us spend time to seriously study these problems, especially now that we have the Buhari presidency who has told the world of its desire to engage matters of insecurity and violence in the nation.

We need a serious center of interdisciplinary minds and hearts where pettiness, infighting and power struggles do not prevail, but are instead replaced by joining and depending on each other to rise up as one to meet the insecurity challenges for the development of our country.

The focus of such a center could include bringing classrooms discussions to the center, utilizing field investigations, and generating outcomes of meetings between academics and the government on

these issues.

The Nigerian government which includes Federal/State executive and legislative arms should be educated that it need not be calling on a Euro/ American or “Oyibo” expert to come to Nigeria to help them address the problem of recurring terrorist attacks, ethnic and religious violence in our villages, towns and cities, as we have our own indigene academics to work out these issues.

Again, we as Nigerian- born academics must show our seriousness and up-to-date knowledge in order to gain the trust of the Nigerian community.

Any future center for the study of insecurity, uprising, terrorist behaviors and rebellious acts should cultivate the understanding that there is no overall profile characteristic that somehow binds all terrorists or extremists from all groups; as such factors like upbringing, circumstances, characteristics, experiences and grievances flowing from various ethnic and religious sectors in the society should be studied.

Finally, the center should look at and study government responses— military and law enforcement-wise, judicial/prison approaches, criminal convictions in the past, histories of mental illness of terrorists, and any other social or economic isolative

behaviors.

The center should help society better understand terrorists, fanatics, kidnappers, and extremists-based motivations, and the social and behavioral qualities associated with different kinds of terrorists, and offer straight forward explanations and answers to these problems for the Nigerian government and the larger global community.

We realize that the nation is always in search of the best weaponry to fight against extremist behaviors, whether coming from the Niger Delta militants, Southwest Vigilantes, Eastern based secessionist movements or Northern insurgents. But if we are to get a little closer to finding a modest formula to drastically lessen or stem the increase in the activities of foreign, ethnic or regional militia, vigilantes, and other extremist groups, then it is an absolute necessity that our academics and researchers (with the aid of local and intercontinental grants) erect a center that will improve our economic, political and security environments in Nigeria.

Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi is a Florida-based Forensic/ Clinical Psychologist and can be reached at Jos5930458@aol.com, drjohneoshodi.com

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2017

PAGE 14

News

Kaduna bars FRSC from mounting checkpoints From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

K

aduna State Security Council barred personnel of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) from erecting checkpoints in Kaduna metropolis and other urban centres in the state.

The Security Council also prohibited

FRSC personnel from indiscriminately stopping vehicles for inspection in Kaduna town, a situation which has been responsible for avoidable traffic congestion and accidents. FRSC personnel were advised to concentrate their energies in ensuring safe travel on highways such as the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.

This was contained in a statement

signed by spokesperson to the Governor Samuel Aruwan made available to newsmen in Kaduna.

The council acted following complaints that FRSC officials were acting in ways reminiscent of the VIO that was dissolved by the state government following widespread unease at their acts of disrespect for the public and penchant

for extortion.

In 2016, the Federal Government acceded to requests from the Kaduna State Government and redesignated the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway (the Western Bye-pass) and Ahmadu Bello Road as state roads. Residents complain that FRSC officials create needless traffic bottleneck on these state roads.

L-R: Secretary of EFCC, Mr. Emmanuel Aromu, Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu and Head of Finance & Account, Mr. J.M Mani, during the committee on EFCC budget defence, at National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

FG urged end poly, varsity certificate dichotomy From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna.

T

he Rector of Federal Polytechnic Bida, Dr Abubakar Abdul Dzukogi has appealed to the federal government to improve funding for Nigerian polytechnic education that drives the economy and end the certificate dichotomy between it and university.

Dzukogi in an interview with journalists at Bida in Niger State who decried inadequate funding of education in Nigeria as a major challenge especially the polytechnics, called on government to give a required attention by allocating 26%

of the total budget to education to fast track technological advancement of the country.

He charged government to give more priority for the technical education in the country just as the developed countries concentrate more on its technical institutions for a progressive economy hence be emulated.

He added that his led administration has been able to record tremendous successes within the limited resources available to the institution which includes: hundred percent accreditation by NBTE, improved security system, increased

enrollment and sanitation facilities.

The Rector emphasized that many projects were completed within the period under review like Entrepreneurship Centre, Office Technological Management Complex, Convocation Square while others were ongoing.

The renovation of some existing structures also includes: School of Apply Art/ Science Complex, Chemical Engineering Complex and others while Twin Centre completed and hand over to the school by the contractor sequel to adequate supervision assuring that the Micro Finance Bank would soon be

commission.

He reiterated the proactive measures by the “eagle eye invigilators” put in place in curbing the activities of cultism and exam malpractices which is at acceptable level urging students to concentrate in their studies rather than socialization and negative tendencies.

He attributed the peaceful coexistence and mutual relationship between the management and staff as well as the students to the policy of carrying everybody along in the school affairs hence to avoid major crisis in the institution.

Delta community raises fear over alleged river pollution with chemicals From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

R

esidents of Ugbolu community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have raised the fear of the unknown over the recent introduction of suspected poisonous substance called Gamalin to their only source of drinking water, River Iyi-Ocha stream

which allegedly killed fish.

While the residents had also alleged that 162 fish were recovered on Tuesday to have been killed through the chemical.

Investigation revealed that the chemical substances; which include Gamalin and Dynamite to kill fish in the community’s river, had in the past three weeks created tension in the

area as many of the residents feared that if they drink the water, they might die.

The direct impact of the chemical apart from the harmful substance allegedly resulted in the death of many fish.

Further investigation revealed that the unidentified perpetrators after their successful act, had left

the stream with a few adulterated fish, while the rampaging impact of the substance spread, killing and damaging the natural marine habitat.

But in a swift reaction, Chief Omokhua John, Illushi community leader said it was untrue, adding that the allegation is spurious and unfounded.

NTDC, stakeholders to develop tourist sites in Abuja, other states

By Abba-Eku Onyeka

T

he Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and other key stakeholders in the industry have kick-started moves to develop tourist sites in Nigeria, with Abuja as a pilot scheme.

To ensure this, the stakeholders plan to develop Children’s Park and Zoo; Wild Life Park and Zoological Garden; and Jabi Lake all in Abuja.

This was contained in a release from NTDC, signed by Adamma Afanga, its head of Public Relations.

The stakeholders comprising of both the public and the private sectors met at the NTDC headquarters, Abuja to brainstorm on the way forward for the development and promotion of Nigerian tourism sector.

Acting Director-General (Ag DG) of NTDC, Mrs. Mariel RaeOmoh reaffirmed her commitment to working with stakeholders in the industry to move the industry forward, saying that “it is best to work with stakeholders because they are the ones driving the industry.”

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2017

2015 election in Nigeria sets new standard for African countries - Saraki

By Christiana Ekpa

S

enate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki yesterday told the visiting European Union (EU) delegation that 2015 general elections in Nigeria, has set new standards for other African countries to emulate.

He equally stressed that the National Assembly is working on some legislations aimed at propelling Nigeria out of the current economic recession.

He commended the EU for monitoring the 2015 general elections in Nigeria, which he said has “set new standards for other African countries to emulate.”

Saraki, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Print Media, Chuks Okocha, told the EU delegation on Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group led by Mr. Santiago Fisas, that the legislators know without good economy that can sustain improved standard of living of the ordinary citizens, the legislature would not be seen to have succeeded.

He said the Senate, for example, had identified 11 economic recovery bills which can help to create a veritable environment for private investment to thrive, jobs to be created, infrastructure to improve and the national Gross Domestic Product to rise.

“We are focusing on the economy. We are working on how to continue to improve on economy. We are making all efforts to get us out of recession. We have our economy recovery plan. We are also looking at some priority Bills, infrastructure sector that will help to enable private sector participation which will bring more money for government in the social services sector, like education and health.

“For the first time, we have been able to transfer power from one party to the other and in a peaceful manner. I think it has sent signal all over Africa. There was a peaceful transition in Ghana as well. It was almost done in Gambia, but I don’t know what happened but we finally did it.”

According to the Senate President, “It is clear that whatever we have done well in Nigeria, it has an effect all over the continent. I hope that is the beginning of smooth transition.

I want the EU to continue with the role you played and we thank God that it went well, I commend you and hope that it will encourage you to come back when next needed.”

“Let me also thank EU for picking our member in the National Assembly here as one of your partners , I know that in achieving that, Nigeria see it as a positive move, and that you recognise us as important partner.

“I discussed widely with some of our

colleagues in the House of Representatives.

They talked about democracy and election issues and as a government, I am sure they might have mentioned it to you, we are at the final stage of reviewing some of the existing laws that guide our elections.

“We have learnt some lessons from the 2015 elections and we would see how we can improve on existing laws and see that new amendments when passed, will strengthen our democracy. Our focus is on the humanitarian crisis in the North East. We are also making an attempt on parliamentary actions on what we can do on gender issues.

“There has been stop and start but I know we will get there. We are addressing that also.

So, in the area of partnership, I hope you have been discussing with some of our colleagues on framework with the area of focus we can look at, where there can be partnership and can also be support for legislators. I think that will help us because we are going towards a period of time where we are looking at some of our laws that have been existing for more than two three, four decades with a view to review them. Now and we have time to review someone them.

“With what is going on now, it is time we brought those laws in line with today’s economy. So, this will help you determine the kind of support the legislators needs to help

them address the challenges ahead for the country,” Saraki explained.

Earlier, leader of the EU delegation, Fisas said their visit was to explore better ways of enhancing the partnership between the European Union and the Nigerian Parliament, particularly on how to deepen democracy, Human Rights, poverty alleviation, gender parity, Civil Society and Media interaction and how to find solutions emanating thereof.

“We believe that relationship between states and the parliaments are important for the growth and development of democracy and development”, said Fisas who added that already the EU Parliament has entered into similar partnership with other countries like Ukraine, Georgia, Honduras, among others.

He said the EU knew the importance of Nigeria in Africa and that fact informed the extension of its hands of fellowship to Nigeria’s parliament.

Also speaking during the meeting, Senator Kabiru Gaya who was recently elected Vice President of the Inter Parliamentary Union of the African Group said the delegation had already met with the speaker of the House of Representatives and other officials of the National Assembly.

Conference of Speakers decries closure of Ondo Assembly

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria, has described the closure of Ondo State House of assembly by the police as threat to good governance in the states.

The conference called on relevant authorities to immediately open the Ondo State House of Assembly.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday and signed by the administrative secretary Busari Sarafadeen, said the closing the state assembly by the police after a leadership crisis was a threat to good governance.

“Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria calls on the relevant authorities to immediately reverse the continuing closure of the Ondo State House of Assembly,” the statement said.

The speakers added that, “The ugly trend of shutting down the legislative at the second tier of government in the federation, like in ours, endlessly should not be condoned henceforth, lest it becomes norm in our society. Any system of government devoid of a constituted body of representatives of the citizenry cannot be called a democracy.”

“While the Conference is not opposed to the timely intervention by the police in order to forestall the breakdown of law and order in the Parliament, the conference frowns at the trend of making the legislative arm a pawn by shutting it down endlessly. The continuing closure of the House of Assembly signals a great danger and constitutes a threat to good governance in the state.

“To avoid this, the Conference therefore, equally appeals to both groups in the Ondo State House of Assembly to sheath their swords in the overall interest of the state,” they said.

L-R: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Maritime, Hon. Mohammed umar Bago, Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Abubakar Kanike, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Toby Okechukwu and a member of the committee, Hon. Ahmed Babakaita, during a pre-Budget defence at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Withdraw your false statement on NASS - Senate rebukes Amaechi

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Senate has directed Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi to withdraw the statement he made in Ilorin on Monday during the North Central Town Hall meeting organized by the Federal Government in which he claimed that the refusal of the National Assembly to approve the request of the government for foreign loan that will be used for counterpart funding was frustrating the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan and Ibadan-Ilorin-Minna -Kano rail lines.

The Senate in a statement by its spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the statement was not only false, misrepresenting and contradictory to available facts but that it also portrayed the Minister as not in tune with the

position of the government in which he is serving.

“As at today, the only request for approval from the Executive for loan was the one dated January 27, 2017 and signed by Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo seeking a “resolution of the National Assembly For the Issuance of USD 1 Billion EuroBond in the International Capital Market for the funding of the 2016 Budget Deficit” and we immediately granted the approval.

“Also, in the letter quoted above, the Government mentioned the two rail lines cited by the minister as part of the projects for which the EuroBond will be utilised. So, we cannot understand what the grouse of Mr. Amaechi is.

“We view that statement based on false and misinformed premise strongly as a mere attempt to incite the people against the National Assembly.

The Minister should therefore withdraw that

statement. Furthermore, the National Assembly will take up the matter with the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

“As a former Speaker of a state House of Assembly, we believe that a minister like Amaechi should always check his facts and refrain from making unguarded and inciting remarks against the legislature.

“What Nigeria needs at this point is for all arms of government to work together and create the synergy necessary to take Nigeria out of the present economic crisis we have found ourselves.

Comments designed to infuriate one arm of government or incite the people against another arm of the government will do no one any good and we do not expect such statements from a Minister in the present government”, Abdullahi stated.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2017

Politics

2019 election: Accord Party denies purported alliance with PDP

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Accord Party (AP) has denied the report in the media that the party has formed political alliance with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the chairman

of the party, Mohammad Nalado, said there was never a time such meeting held anywhere, adding that even if there was a meeting where such idea was discussed between PDP and other opposition parties, Accord Party was never present.

He warned those who are peddling the rumors to be careful of baseless insinuation, adding that the National Working Committee of Accord Party does

not contemplate any alliance of merger with any party as being insinuated in the purported media report.

Hon. Nalado emphasized that Accord Party is committed to providing leadership to Nigerians, adding that it will continue to play its role of a responsible opposition party in Nigeria, which will offer constructive criticism to the ruling APC on policies that affects the people of Nigeria.

In a related development, Nalado, who is also the chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has called on the National Assembly to make laws that would uphold party supremacy, especially as it commences the amendment of the Constitution and the Electoral Act preparatory to the 2019 general elections.

He argued that upholding party supremacy is the only way to ensure that those elected on

platforms of various parties implement the manifestos for which the electorates voted them into political offices.

He regretted that most of the political leaders elected on the platforms of various political parties are disconnected with the manifestos of their parties, even as he challenged them to be aware that implementing their party manifesto is the covenant they had with the voters that elected them.

Ministers at the Federal Executive Council Meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.

Nigeria’s laws frustrate anti corruption war - Saraki

By Christiana Okaforadi

S

Ekpa

and

Ikechukwu

enate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday identified corruption as a major factor why Nigeria`s growth and development have remained stagnant over the years, just as he noted that the fight against the vice has been painstakingly cumbersome because of the inadequacies in some of the nation`s core anti-corruption laws.

Saraki, while declaring open a public hearing jointly organized by the Senate Joint Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters; AntiCorruption & Financial Crimes; and the Foreign Affairs, lamented that “crime is now established on an international scale”, stressing the need for collaboration between various countries in the world in a quest to help reduce crime.

The hearing was organized by the joint committees to critically examine and collate inputs on two priority Bills, the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, 2016 (SB. 224); and the Small Claims Courts (Establishment Bill, 2016(SB.44) of the 8th Senate.

The Senate president said: “While it is generally admitted that as a nation our development and growth has stagnated as a result of the menace of corruption, it is also telling that the fight against corruption has been painstakingly cumbersome because of the inadequacies in some of our core anti-corruption laws.

“As a parliament, we fully understand our role in carrying the constitutional responsibility and obligation of ensuring our laws are constantly reviewed and updated according to modern realities and exigencies”.

He explained that the essence of the first bill, the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill is to help facilitate and establish strong

partnerships between Nigeria and foreign governments in combating criminal activities that transcend geographical borders and assume international dimensions, irrespective of whether they originate from Nigeria.

Saraki commended the Executive for sponsoring the bill, but maintained that “fighting and extinguishing corrupt practices can only be successful where the appropriate framework exists”.

“Too many times we have seen stalled cases and investigations because of legal technicalities and loopholes in existing laws”, he added.

According to him, the bill is a positive step in bringing an end to the many setbacks we may have experienced and would go a long way in providing the legal framework to bring about clarity in gathering and transmission of evidence or any other information between Nigeria and foreign government agencies in investigations of ongoing criminal matters.

On the Small Claims Court Establishment Bill, he said it has the potential to address a very pertinent issue that has beleaguered the Judiciary for many years: incessant delays in adjudication of minor cases.

Saraki said: “Justice delayed is equivalent to justice denied and correcting this anomaly is at the very soul of the Small Claims Court Establishment Bill.

“With the establishment of such courts, the burden on regular courts will be drastically reduced thereby creating a more efficient and effective adjudicative process across all cadres of courts in the country.

“As obtained in developed democracies like the USA where all States have small claims court, the rules that govern them emphasize informality and timely resolution of dispute”.

He further emphasized that the bill is one which targets the affairs of the working class

How to make democracy benefit poor Nigerians - IPAC *Cautions over inciting comments on Buhari’s health

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Nigeria has called on the National Assembly to make laws that would uphold party supremacy, especially as it commences the amendment of the Constitution and the Electoral Act preparatory to the 2019 general elections.

The national chairman of IPAC, Muhammad Nalado, who stated this yesterday in a statement he issued in Abuja, argued that upholding party supremacy is the only way to ensure that those elected on platforms of various parties implement the manifestos for which the electorates voted them into political offices.

He regretted that most of the political leaders elected on the platforms of various political parties are disconnected with the manifestos of their parties, even as he challenged them to be aware that implementing their party manifesto is the covenant they had with the voters that elected them.

Hon. Nalado, who doubles as the chairman of the Accord Party, also urged elected political leaders to always submit to the leadership of their parties, adding that leadership of political parties are in better positions to ensure that those elected on their party platforms works based on the manifestos of the party.

He urged elected party politicians to obey their party leaders, describing party leaders as the conscience of their various parties. He commended at this point the political party chairmen in Nigeria for their contributions and efforts to stabilize Nigeria’s democracy.

Reacting also to the crisis over the medical leave recently embarked on by President Mohammadu Buhari, which had generated speculations among Nigerian, the IPAC chairman

advised Nigerians against making unguarded comments over the matter, saying that all hands should be on deck to ensure that the current peace in the country is sustained.

He said every human being is bound to fall sick at one point or the other, adding that there is nothing for Nigerians to be worried about over the medical leave of the President, pointing out that the President should be commended for following the constitutional process of seeking medical leave and extension of the leave than taking the law into his own hands.

Hon. Nalado, who emphasized that the President will return in due time after he has been cleared by his medical doctors in London, charged Nigerians to pray for his quick recovery rather than politicizing the President’s constitutional entitlement to a medical leave.

He further cautioned politicians against seeking to capitalize on the issue to create political crisis and confusion in the country, just as he reminded them that such unnecessary insinuations about the President’s health are capable of throwing the country into confusion and anarchy.

The IPAC boss however enjoined the Nigerian politicians to rally round the President in this trying time to ensure that Nigeria’s democracy is not put at dangers, adding that the President Buhari is working hard to put measures in place to ensure that sustainable legacies are built in the country’s economic and political sectors.

Meanwhile, the IPAC chairman had also warned those protesting both in support and against the present government to do so within the ambit of the law, pointing out that any reckless and violent action can degenerate into full blown political crisis which will not serve the interest of both the government and opposition.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2016

Politics

Oba of Lagos visits Osinbajo, advocates constructive criticisms

By Lawrence Olaoye

O

ba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has called on Nigerians to criticize the President Muhammadu Buhari administration constructively and not destructively.

The Lagos monarch gave the charge at an interaction with State House Correspondents after a brief meeting with the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa yesterday.

Akiolu, who called on Nigerians to be patient with Buhari administration, also

prayed that the President would return to the country from his vacation in the United Kingdom hale and hearty.

He said Osinbajo should be grateful to God for having attained the position of the Vice President considering his humble background.

Asked why he came to see the Acting President, Akiolu said “I have found time to see my former law lecturer, and once more to convey to him the wishes and prayers of Lagos; so that by the grace of God, the Almighty Allah, that our President will return to us hale and hearty - and all will

be well with in this country, provided all of us are sincere and we cooperate with the government, and tell the government what we feel by constructive and not destructive criticisms.

We have to be absolutely patient and provide useful suggestions to move the country forward. It’s very funny. Prophet Ayub was sick to the extent that maggots were coming out of all of his body and Allah brought him back, not to talk of somebody who is not like that. Insha Allah, by the grace of Almighty, our President will be back to all of us.”

On Osinbajo, the monarch said, “As I told the Acting President now, God blessed him more than how he expected. He was a law teacher; very quiet, easy going and he is always with his bible; and see what God has done for him. He is not interested in any political thing, but God had destined that he will be the number two man. All of us should pray for the two of them and for Nigeria to be very successful, provided we are and close to God and very absolutely honest in everything we are doing. All will be well with us.”

Edo guber: Anxiety high as tribunal orders recounting of ballot

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

E

do State governorship election petition, yesterday commenced the recounting of ballot papers used in the last September 28th 2016 governorship election in the state.

The three-man panel led by Justice Ahmed Bademasi had on Thursday morning granted the application made by the Petitioner, Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu and the Peoples Democratic Party to recount the ballot papers used in four Local Government Areas during the election.

The Local Government Areas are Egor, Akoko-Edo, Etsako West and Etsako East.

Already, the court ruling has heightened anxiety among the parties involved in the suit, particularly members of the All Progressives Congress.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu and the PDP are challenging the victory of Governor Godwin Obaseki who polled 319,483 votes.

Counsels to APC, Mr Godwin Obaseki Akintola Niyi (SAN) and Ken Mozia had objected to the request to recount the ballot papers. The second respondent (Godwin Obaseki) did not oppose the recounting of the ballot papers.

Earlier in his ruling, Justice Ahmed Badamasi said the petitioners made it clear in the petition that they would order for the production of the ballot papers to be counted in open court.

The tribunal equally ruled that the recounting be done under its watchful eye, as against the pleadings of the PDP Counsel Yusuf Alli ( SAN) that the counting should take place in a different room within the court premises.

L-=R: Former Governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido, Chairman, PDP Strategy Review and Inter- Party Affairs Committee, Professor Jerry Gana, Chairman. PDP Board of Trustees, Sen Wakil Jibrin and Chairman, Forum of PDP States Chairmen, Mr. Paul Ekpo, during the Presentation of the Report of the Party Strategy Review Committee on Wednesday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Kogi: Group lambasts Melaye over verbal attacks on Gov. Bello From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

A

group known as National Youth Front, NYF has expressed disappointment with the comments made by Sen. Dino Melaye against the Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, noting that it is capable of polarizing the State polity.

Addressing newsmen in Makurdi, the group President Patriot Olu David described as ‘falsehood’ claims by the senator of unpaid salaries in the State and assertion of assembling some legislators who are dissatisfied with Governor Bello as ‘laughable’.

NYF also, noted that Melaye’s actions are unfortunate as he has failed to set a good example that can initiate the CHANGE that the All Progressive Congress, APC stands for,

alleging that he falls in the class of the few elements that constitute a spanner in the wheel of progress of the change mantra.

“Considering the antecedents of greed and dishonesty displayed by Melaye during his days as student leader and activist, the deception that marked his activities as a social crusader, we are rather not surprised that he has remained a wolf in sheep’s clothing as we are informed that all his antics are aimed at paving the political route of entering the Lugard House at all cost, a dream that is dead on arrival”, they said.

While observing that Kogi is blessed with a young and vibrant governor, the group said it is expected that any sane person will be seen playing a pivotal role in supporting and advocating for the Governor’s success and stability rather than cheapen himself to be a

distraction to the ‘new direction’.

“We hereby declare Sen. Melaye a generational enemy of young Nigerians and a political disaster. We advise all young Nigerians to totally avoid this deviant and retract from following him as his ideologies are anti people and deceptive.

“We urge Melaye to desist from this campaign of calumny and join hands with the Governor towards development of the State before it is too late bearing in mind that he will reap what he sows”.

“We urge the Governor not to be distracted but concentrate on improving the lives of Kogi people as wailers like Sen. Melaye only bark to attract attention for financial gains”, National Youth Front stated.

LG election: Internal tussle rocks Jigawa APC From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

A

s the local government election in Jigawa State is coming closer, the internal tussle rocks Jigawa state chapter of All Progressives Congress APC over the selection of the party’s flag bearer.

It was gathered that one person was shot on the leg while several others sustained various degrees of injuries during a meeting for consensus at many local government level in the state.

Findings by our correspondent revealed that the trouble started when people of the area kicked against the zoning of the local council

chairmanship candidate to the Miga town stating that the two representatives all come from the same area.

It was revealed that the disagreement persisted when localities outside Miga town, which is also the headquarters of Miga LGA, ganged up demanding that the candidate must come from outside Miga town.

One of the party’s faithful, who sought for anonymity, told newsmen that the people of Miga town insisted that the council’s candidate must come from Miga, while communities from the surrounding environment argued that all other elective positions were domiciled in Miga; and

that council’s candidate must come from them.

He added that the present Member of House of Representatives, member state House of Assembly and council’s party chairman were all from Miga, saying, based on that the Chairman should come from somewhere else and not Miga.

Speaking to Peoples Daily, the Jigawa State APC chairman, Alhaji Ado Sani Kiri, who confirmed that there is misunderstanding among party’s member but nobody was killed or injured said what happened “Is normal in every political contest of this nature”.

He, however, stated that he is only aware of the leadership tussle amongst party stalwarts

from Miga area that insist on their various candidates for the chairmanship of the council but said, “I’m just learning from you that a person was shot in the area. I’ve not seen nor heard about the incidence,” he claimed.

The APC state chairman stated, “That is the beauty of democracy. You cannot stop people from venting their anger or views on such issues, but we would resolve it by God’s grace before the coming election,” he said.

Checks by our reporter revealed that the state APC Chairman, the House of Representatives member and the state deputy governor had a closed door meeting over the issue.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2017

Stock Watch: Thursday, January 9, 2017 Company

7UP

Previous Closing Price

185.06

184.5

Opening Price

184.5

High

Low

184.5

Close

184.5

Change

Trades

-0.56 25

Volume

Value

Company

Previous Closing Price

Opening Price

High

Low

Close

Change

Trades

Volume

Value

233,796

43,137,315.02 MAYBAKER 1.26 - - - 1.26 5 26,078 32,955.18

ABBEYBDS 1.25 - - - 1.25 0 - -

MBENEFIT 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

ABCTRANS 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 4 505,000 252,500.00

MCNICHOLS 1.2 - - - 1.2 5 154,383 176,896.62

ACADEMY 0.59 - - - 0.59 0 - ACCESS

4.46

4.46

4.64

4.46

4.5

0.04 321

28,060,764

126,589,999.78

ADSWITCH 1.63 - - - 1.63 0 - AFRIK 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - AFRINSURE 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

MOBIL 138.99 - - - 138.99 20 6,378 854,115.18 MORISON 1.73 - - - 1.73 0 - MRS 49.66 - - - 49.66 1 500 23,590.00 MTECH 0.91 - - - 0.91 0 - MTI 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - MULTITREX 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

AFRIPRUD 2.65 2.7 2.7 2.61 2.61 -0.04 35 553,581 1,479,349.55 MULTIVERSE 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 10,000 5,000.00 AFROMEDIA 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 1 550,000 275,000.00

NAHCO 4.38 4.17 4.17 4.17 4.17 -0.21 19 203,175 850,145.97

AFRPAINTS 2.59 - - - 2.59 0 - -

NASCON 7.18 7.5 7.3 7.16 7.3 0.12 26 1,031,170 7,479,398.60

AGLEVENT 1.02 0.97 -

-

1.02

8 48,971 46,330.44

AIICO 0.9 0.91 0.91 0.91 0.91 0.01 18 983,972 898,207.23 AIRSERVICE 1.91 - - - 1.91 3 1,505 2,918.35 ALEX 9.84 - - - 9.84 0 - ALUMACO 7.75 - - - 7.75 1 200 1,474.00 ANINO 0.25 - - - 0.25 0 - ARBICO 5.04 - - - 5.04 0 - -

NB 135 135.2 135.2 129.51 129.51 -5.49 105 1,220,085 161,842,702.19 NCR 11.02 - - - 11.02 0 - NEIMETH 1.03 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 -0.05 6

126,800 124,264.00

NEM 0.69 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.01 16 1,774,600 1,241,859.00 NESF 552.2 - - - 552.2 0 - NESTLE 814

822.99 822.99 822.99 822.99 8.99 73

115,282 94,401,035.72

NIG-GERMAN 4.91 - - - 4.91 0 - NIGERINS 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

ASHAKACEM 22.5 - - - 22.5 16 55,698 1,233,876.58 NIGROPES 7.46 - - - 7.46 0 - ASOSAVINGS 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

NNFM 8.99 - - - 8.99 0 - -

AUSTINLAZ 2.09 - - - 2.09 0 - -

NPFMCRFBK

AVONCROWN 1.52 - - - 1.52 0 - BECOPETRO 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - BERGER 9.6 9.61 9.61 9.61 9.61 0.01 9 379,696 3,674,398.56 BETAGLAS 48.51 - - - 48.51 0 - -

0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0

6

174,000 170,510.00

NSLTECH 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - OANDO 8.5 8.92 8.92 8.48 8.48 -0.02 364 7,671,197 65,761,034.51 OKOMUOIL 28.82 - - - 28.82 21 108,772 3,056,214.60 OMATEK 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - OMOSAVBNK 0.92 - - - 0.92 0 - -

BOCGAS 4.18 - - - 4.18 0 - PAINTCOM 1.14 - - - 1.14 0 - CADBURY 20.1 - - - 20.1 15 82,240 1,655,764.64 PHARMDEKO 2.14 - - - 2.14 1 5,000 10,850.00 CAP 38 39 39 39 39 1 16 166,666 6,492,031.87 PORTPAINT 3.53 - - - 3.53 0 - CAPHOTEL 4.07 - - - 4.07 0 - -

PREMBREW 2.95 - - - 2.95 0 - -

CAPOIL 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

PREMPAINTS 10.93 - - - 10.93 0 - -

CAVERTON 2.63 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 -0.13 7 145,913 366,122.50 CCNN 8.73 9.16 -

-

8.73

7 51,560 458,087.60

CHAMPION 4.17 4.17 -

-

4.17

11 146,282 587,170.36

CHAMS 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - CHELLARAM 3.76 - - - 3.76 0 - -

PRESCO 30.5 - - - 30.5 6 32,910 1,045,950.40 PRESTIGE 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - PZ 25.5 25 25 25 25 -0.5 33 567,539 14,195,538.05 RAKUNITY 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - REDSTAREX 4.2 - - - 4.2 2 19,785 83,097.00 REGALINS 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

CILEASING 0.5 - - - 0.5 2 4,000 2,000.00

RESORTSAL 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 1 100,000 50,000.00

CONOIL 27.41 26.04 -

ROADS 6.6 - - - 6.6 0 - -

-

27.41

8

13,350 330,799.00

0.6 - - - 0.6 0 - 1.06 1.01 1.06 1.01 1.06 0 11 3,520,635 3,661,166.09 ROKANA ROYALEX 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - CORNERST 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - RTBRISCOE 0.5 - - - 0.5 3 78,164 39,082.00 COSTAIN 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 5,000 2,500.00 CONTINSURE

COURTVILLE 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - CUSTODYINS 4.1 - - - 4.1 6 16,101 64,845.03 CUTIX 1.45 - - - 1.45 1 26,666 38,665.70 CWG 2.67 - - - 2.67 0 - DAARCOMM 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 4,000 2,000.00

SCOA 4.16 - - - 4.16 0 - -

SEPLAT 230.04 225 225 225 225 -5.04 20 77,862 17,490,790.00 SIMCAPVAL 103.24 - - - 103.24 0 - SKYEBANK 1.9 1.9 1.99 1.9 1.99 0.09 75 2,020,105 3,920,083.45 SKYESHELT 100 - - - 100 0 - SMURFIT 0.98 - - - 0.98 0 - -MAY-

DANGCEM 162 163 163 163 163 1 33 156,759 25,532,904.96

BAKER 1.26 - - - 1.26 5 26,078 32,955.18

DANGFLOUR 2.31 - - - 2.31 16 31,484 75,328.68

MBENEFIT 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

DANGSUGAR

- - - 1.2 5 154,383 176,896.62 6.52 6.32 6.51 6.32 6.51 -0.01 26 343,221 2,210,542.55 MCNICHOLS 1.2 MOBIL 138.99 - - - 138.99 20 6,378 854,115.18

DEAPCAP 0.58 - - - 0.58 0 - -

DIAMONDBNK 2.87 2.8 2.8 2.74 2.74 -0.13 43 1,315,800 3,645,250.00 IPWA 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - JAPAULOIL 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 10,000 5,000.00 JBERGER 39.5 - - - 39.5 4 1,180 44,879.00 JOHNHOLT 0.96 - - - 0.96 0 - -

MORISON 1.73 - - - 1.73 0 - MRS 49.66 - - - 49.66 1 500 23,590.00 MTECH 0.91 - - - 0.91 0 - MTI 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - MULTITREX 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - MULTIVERSE 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 10,000 5,000.00

JOSBREW 1.51 - - - 1.51 0 - -

NAHCO 4.38 4.17 4.17 4.17 4.17 -0.21 19 203,175 850,145.97

JULI 1.75 - - - 1.75 0 - -

NASCON 7.18 7.5 7.3 7.16 7.3 0.12 26 1,031,170 7,479,398.60

LASACO 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 1 300,000 150,000.00

NB 135 135.2 135.2 129.51 129.51 -5.49 105 1,220,085 161,842,702.19

LAWUNION 0.54 0.53 0.53 0.52 0.52 -0.02 14 910,610 481,548.30

NCR 11.02 - - - 11.02 0 - -

LEARNAFRCA

0.68 0.65 0.65 0.65 0.65 -0.03 10 1,074,871 699,416.15

LENNARDS 3.15 - - - 3.15 0 - LINKASSURE 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - LIVESTOCK 1.4 1.41 1.41 1.41 1.41 0.01 9 134,400 192,410.51 MANDRID 5.35 - - - 5.35 0 - MANSARD 2.62 2.55 -

-

2.62

8 37,850 99,859.50

Top Gainers Company

Previous Closing Price

Opening Price

High

NEIMETH 1.03 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 -0.05 6

126,800 124,264.00

NEM 0.69 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.01 16 1,774,600 1,241,859.00 NESF 552.2 - - - 552.2 0 - NESTLE 814

822.99 822.99 822.99 822.99 8.99 73

115,282 94,401,035.72

NIG-GERMAN 4.91 - - - 4.91 0 - NIGERINS 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - NIGROPES 7.46 - - - 7.46 0 - -

Top Losers Low

Close

Change

Trades

Volume

Value

Company

Previous Closing Price

Opening Price

High

Low

Close

Change

Trades

Volume

Value

ALUMACO 7.75 - - - 7.75 1 200 1,474.00

MULTITREX 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

FORTISMFB 5.42 - - - 5.42 0 - -

NNFM 8.99 - - - 8.99 0 - -

UNHOMES 5.23 - - - 5.23 1 3,750 18,637.50

MCNICHOLS 1.2 - - - 1.2 5 154,383 176,896.62

INFINITY 1.42 - - - 1.42 0 - -

UTC 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

OMOSAVBNK 0.92 - - - 0.92 0 - -

UNIONDICON 11.84 - - - 11.84 0 - -

MULTIVERSE 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 10,000 5,000.00

MANDRID 5.35 - - - 5.35 0 - -

ASOSAVINGS 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

CADBURY 20.1 - - - 20.1 15 82,240 1,655,764.64

ABBEYBDS 1.25 - - - 1.25 0 - -

JULI 1.75 - - - 1.75 0 - -

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2017

Hundreds escape death as Qatar aircraft tyre burst upon take off From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

H

undreds of passengers were left in utter shock yesterday in Lagos a Qatar airline aircraft, a Boeing 767 they were travelling in suddenly had a burst tyre while attempting to initiate a takeoff on the runway 18 Right of the international wing of the Murtala Muhammad Airport in Lagos.

The incident happened at exactly 2.59. p.m after the Captain of the aircraft has gotten clearance for takeoff. The aircraft was already about to gather speed for takeoff when suddenly one of the tyre burst with a loud sound.

The pilots later stopped briefly before deciding to taxi the aircraft back to the terminal where it has earlier departed.

A passenger, who does not her name in print disclosed that prayers rent the air upon hearing the loud sound as they were stricken with fear, “we are held in fear for some time.

We thank God that the plane has not gathered the full speed for takeoff, we would have been saying something else.”

As at the time of filling this report, the plane was still parked at one of the hanger of the international airport for repair and certification before it return to the air.

The aircraft was on its way to the United Arab Emirate.

L-R: Minister of Power, works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Minister of works, Engr. Abubakar Magaji and Director, Finance and Accounting, Ministry of Minister of works, Mr. Ibrahim Tumsa, during a pre-Budget defence, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

NNPC Refinery loses N2bn to Illegal Tappers

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited (KRPC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), loses an average of 2.2 billion naira annually to illegal tapping of its raw water pipeline that runs from Kaduna River.

The Water generates power for the running of the refinery, serves as coolants for its equipment and is also deployed to combating fire outbreaks.

Sequel to the series of tapping, the refinery now spends more on diesel and other material inputs in the maintenance of its generators and other equipment.

KRPC Managing Director, Malam Idi Mukhtar said in Kaduna, that the consumption of raw water from the tapped pipes by settlers who encroach KRPC premises was an unnecessary additional burden to the refinery industrial requirements, which must be resolved urgently by relevant state government agencies.

Other form of the losses due to the act of illegal tapping of the refinery raw water pipeline is that it slows down the build-up rate of water in the reserve tanks which endangers the refinery, as the plant is expected to maintain a minimum level of water requirement that is considered safe for operations, the Managing Director explained.

A statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Ndu Ughamadu said the illegal acts are committed mostly in Janruwa, Kamazo, Namaigero and Mahuta areas of Kaduna metropolis, which are the communities along the raw water intake pipeline Right of Way. Mukhtar said: “We require a particular amount of water sufficient enough to generate steam and other industrial consumption needs, but because of the incidents of illegal tapping of our water pipeline, we need to put more effort to meet our industrial requirements as well as satisfy appetite of illegal tappers.”

Malam Mukhtar said he was pleased that

the Kaduna State Government had promised to look into the issue with a view to finding a lasting solution to the challenge.

He explained that Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) and Kaduna State Water Board had been contacted to address the issues of land encroachment on KRPC Right of Way. The Chief Executive advised illegal tappers of the refinery’s raw water pipeline to desist from the act, warning that the raw water was not fit for human consumption because it was untreated.

KRPC’s Executive Director Operations, Alhaji Shehu Malami, who also spoke on the menace of illegal raw water tappers of KRPC pipelines, expressed the fear that if the challenge was not attended to urgently, a time would come when the plant would not be able to run some of its critical units.

Alhaji Malami said that the refinery was currently operating at 65 per cent capacity, producing 1.7 million litres of petrol, 1.7 million

litres of diesel and 700, 000 litres of kerosene, daily.

“The daily rate of loading is massive, even on Sundays products are being loaded to meet the growing demands in the Country,” Malami stated.

Shedding more light on the issue of encroachment, the Executive Director Services, Mallam Abdullahi Idris, said the encroachment on KRPC’s land would not affect the NNPC’s plan of co-location of refineries.

Mallam Abdullahi said the refinery had carried out a lot of community projects such as youth empowerment programmes, electrification of some communities, provision of hospitals, drugs, toilets, classrooms and furniture, to ensure KRPC operate smoothly.

Corroborating Mallam Abdullahi’s claim, the District Head of Kamazu, one of the KRPC’s host communities, Malam Auta Makama stated that he was a direct beneficiary of KRPC’s Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, interventions.

Arik to challenge takeover by AMCON in court From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

N

igeria carrier, Arik Air management yesterday disclosed that the airline will challenge it takeover by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON. Earlier on Thursday, it emerged that AMCON has taken over the airline, but speaking in Lagos yesterday, deputy managing director of Arik Air, captain Ado Sanusi at a media briefing told correspondents the airline is heading to head.

Capt. Sanusi stated that Arik has agreed to comply with the court order directing AMCON to take over the management of the airline, but that the airline will challenge the decision to the highest order in the land.

He said the airline might disagree with the court order, but agreed to the takeover so that the airline operations will continue and not paralysed.

In his words: “We were served with the court order this morning, Arik Air will comply with the order. The airline has the right to challenge the order and will challenge the court order. We might disagree on certain issues, but we have agreed that Air operations should continue and not be paralysed. We will make our position known to our various stakeholders and partners; we will challenge this order to the highest level”.

Speaking earlier, the receiver manager, Mr. Oluseye Opasanya, SAN stated that the management of AMCON having consulted

widely with the government authorities has decided to appoint him the receiver manager to superintendent over the affairs of Arik Air to sustain, and improve its services.

He said AMCON will ensure that it support the airline with people of great knowledge and experience to improve the fortunes of the airline.

Opasanya said he has addressed the workers earlier on the new development and the need to keep the airline flying and relevant to the industry as there are many Nigerians under employment of Arik Air. He said Arik Air plays a pivotal role in the airline industry in the country.

The receiver manager noted that AMCON is willing to support the operations of Arik Air together with the support of the government to

meet the essential needs of the company.

He said AMCON will reach-out to other creditors of the airline, both foreign and local in order to secure their co-operation and commitment.

Opasanya said the mission now is not to talk about the airline’s huge indebtedness, as the airline owes huge sums of money, but how to rescue the airline from total collapse.

Speaking also, Capt. Roy Ukpebo Ilegbodu, the technical consultant to the receiver manager stated that their mission in Arik Air is to bring efficiency to the airline.

He said there are lots of works to be done to stabilise Arik Air, to ensure safety and bring flight operations of the airline to normal.

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2017

Page 20

Business

Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Sharon Ikeazor (right) supervising the Data capturing system, at the on-going pension verification exercise on Wednesday in Uyo. Photo: NAN

Nigeria achieved 6500MW power generation in short period - Fashola

By Christiana Ekpa

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he Minister of Power, works and Housing Babatunde Fashola yesterday disclosed that Nigeria achieved 6500 megawatts electricity generation and targets to achieve 7,000 megawatts of generation within a short period

The minister said this while defending 2017 budget before the Senate Committee on Power.

The Senate Committee on Power to urge the Minister to endeavor to separate budgets of the three ministries under his supervision before the committees.

The Committee Chairman, Enyinnaya Abaribe said that some of the projects

where repeated in the budget summary of the ministry budget Responding questions, Fashola said that substantial effort has been made in the areas of rural electrification, generation and education intervention program.

He said that the nation has attained 6,500 Megawatts of power generation and awaits distribution.

The Minister further said that the ministry has initiated education intervention program with a view of deploying the program in 37 Universities.

It is on record that, Federal government promised to step up power generation from 5000 megawatts to 7000 megawatts.

BEDC embarks on N6bn massive Metering in Edo, Others From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

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he Benin Electricity Distributed Company (BEDC) has embarked on massive metering of its customers in Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti States to cost N6bn as measures to providing quality service delivery for its customers.

While the authorities of the BEDC said defaulted consumers may shut out of the new service arraignment, the Head, BEDC, Delta State, Mr. Ernest Edgar told journalists yesterday in Asaba after the BEDC customers’ public forum, that in spite of the challenges faced by the needed service delivery, many of the BEDC customers’ have not been paying their bills and warned against all forms of “illegal deals” with some corrupt BEDC staff.

The BEDC boss lamented the high rate of theft allegedly carried out at BEDC equipment by vandals who added, had made it very difficult for

BEDC to perform maximally.

His words: “I also want to emphasis on this issue of vandalisation and violence, the level of violence and vandalization in Delta State is on the increase, this year 2017 alone, I know that three people have been jailed for vandalizing BEDC transformers” and urged customers to always pay all their outstanding debts on shortage of power supply.

Mr. Edgar explained that many factors which include gas pipeline vandalism and theft of BEDC equipment had been major problems responsible for the shortage, adding that the Nigerian Electricity Commission (NEC) had directed all distribution companies in the country to stop collecting money from customers who want to buy meter as henceforth maters will be given to customers free of charge.

He said that the distribution of the meters that will be the responsibility of the BEDC had started as meters

will be distributed to all its customers within three to four years, adding that machinery have been put in place to ensure that government ministries and agencies who owe BEDC pay up their debts to ensure a smooth running of the company.

In another development, the Delta State government has said that it will do everything humanly possible to ensure that victims of fire and other natural disasters in the state are provided with assistance to pick up their lives again.

The Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Hon. Chika Ossai gave the assurance yesterday when he led a team of officials of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to inspect the fire disaster in Amukpe Market and Chude Girls’ Modern School in Sapele.

Hon. Ossai, who expressed joy to the inferno, sympathized with the victims and assured them of government assistance. He described the fire disaster at Chude Girls’ Modern

School as a high magnitude one, as no pin was saved from the inferno and commended good Deltans, who have been donating writing materials and clothes to the students of the school.

The commissioner said that from October 2016 till date, his office has continued to receive distress calls on a daily basis about fire outbreaks across the state and appealed to residents of t he state to be conscious of fire outbreak.

Hon. Ossai charged members of the public to endervour to have fire services numbers, so as to be able to reach fire fighters on time in case of any fire outbreak in their neighbourhood.

Responded, the Principal of Chude Girls’ Modern School, Sapele, Mrs. Adeline Ominibohs traced the cause of the fire to power surge and thanked God that all the 94 students in the hostel came out unhurt and commended the state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his prompt response.

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2017

Why FCTA won’t demolish, revoke uncompleted buildings in Abuja – AMMC boss

By Stanley Onyekwere

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he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in the meantime may not consider either demolishing abandoned uncompleted buildings or revoking approvals given for the development of such structures in the nation’s capital, according to the Acting Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Hajiya Safiya Umar.

Though the AMMC boss decried that the menace of

uncompleted buildings in the FCT has become reoccurring problem to every FCT Administration, but she said the authorities are still considering giving owners the prerogative of seeing whether they could go and complete their buildings.

According to her, the existence of these uncompleted buildings in the city, the Council and the FCT Administration as well as the security operatives knows that these places are the hideout of criminals.

“But the issue of either

demolishing or revoking them, there are so many committees that have sat on it, and had made several recommendations. The Council is not in a position to tell you exactly the present position since it is being worked on by the powers that be.

“So I cannot actually tell when they (the uncompleted buildings) will be demolished or even whether it will actually be demolished. But equity and good conscience have made the FCT Administration to kind of reach out to the owners of these

structures, through newspaper advertisement in the recent past.

“I think we are still considering giving them the prerogative of seeing whether they could come in and complete their buildings, before the powers that be decide on next line of action,” she affirmed while answering questions from newsmen, during a press briefing at the Council.

In the same vein, Acting Director, Development Control Department under the Council, Mukhtar Usman Galadima, who putted the total figure of such

A medical doctor of Nigeria Turkish International Colleges Foundation (NTIC), Behlul Fatih Basaran attends to pupils, during the NTIC foundation humanitarian health services at LEA Primary school Aleita, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

structures at over 500, disclosed that the department compiled the list of all abandoned structures in the city.

He said the Department forwarded the list to the Department of Land Administration, which gave it the addresses of the owners, and with the approval of FCTA, the AMMC published the names of these individuals, given the timeframe within which to comply, failure of which the Administration will decide appropriately.

Commenting on the recent judgment of a High Court, sitting in Abuja stopping the planned demolition of illegal structures in Mpape, until the needful is done, the director said the Department is still discussing with its Head of Legal team for the possibility of appealing the judgment.

“But the good thing about the said judgment is that due process was not followed. So if we were to follow due process in serving all relevant notices, and getting necessary approvals and orders, we can go ahead and do the demolition.

“There is also a judgment before this (the latest court verdict) which says that he who has no title over land, we don’t need to serve him or her notice, because it is considered as illegal development.

“But all the same, we are prepared to serve all the relevant notices and follow due process, to make sure that all the holes and leakages are blocked. Then we will go and do the needful (carry out the demolition exercise).

When pressed to state exactly when the Department will embarked on the planned demolition of the suburb, he insists: I cannot precisely say how soon it will be, as it depends on the outcome of the appeal against the current judgment; and we have 30-day window to file an appeal. “I’m not saying that Mpape must go, but due process will be followed.

Gwagwalada chair tasked on prompt execution of projects

By Usman Shuaibu

S

ome residents of Gwagwalada Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have called on the chairman of the Area Council; Hon. Adamu Mustapha Danze to focus on the prompt projects execution, following the recent judgment of the FCT election petition tribunal sitting at the

Federal High Court Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, that upheld his election.

In particular, they complained that since the chairman took over the mantle leadership of the Area Council, he did not carry out meaningful projects in the area.

A resident, Yahaya Isah, urged the chairman to deem it necessary to repair the dilapidated roads in Gwagwalada in the interest of motorcyclists/ motorists in the area.

“We are worried living in Gwagwalada, when we cannot boast of access roads in the area, and this is why government of the Area Council should arrest the issue as soon as possible,” Isah said.

Another resident, Mr. Suleiman Ahmed living in abattoir community in Gwagwalada, appealed to the Chairman to complete the abandoned culvert project to

enable the people to have access road to the community.

On his part, Mr. Shuaibu Ismaila from Yimi Community in Zuba ward of the Area Council also asked the council chairman to expedite action to complete the abandoned electrification project in the community.

Shuaibu further called on the chairman to rehabilitate the roads within the community so as to enable the people to travel

out to the neighbouring villages with much ease.

Not left out, a politician who spoke on condition of anonymity, pleaded with the chairman to provide potable drinking water for the people at the grassroots level.

The politician equally charged the chairman to carry the electorate along in the scheme or things, instead of displaying tribal sentiments among them.

world news

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2017

Page 22

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

EU should invest in development, not security in Africa analysis

By Nassim Majidi

O

ne year ago, 22-year-old Patrick left Douala, the largest city in Cameroon, to become a football star in Europe.

A talented midfielder and an ambitious young man, Patrick felt compelled to reach Europe to help him to realise his dreams. But, as he passed through Agadez in Niger, which has become a major transit hub for migrants taking the Central Mediterranean route, reality proved to be grimmer than he had anticipated.

Patrick and two of his male relatives, also travelling from Douala, were beaten, robbed and held captive by organised predatory groups. Finally, their tumultuous journey came to an end in Algeria, where they were put in jail by the local police.

They were then sent back to Niger through a return programme funded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Patrick was distraught. “We don’t know what to tell people in Douala. They all saved some money for our trip and we all failed,” he explained to us.

He is one among 350,000 migrants, mostly from West Africa, who travelled through Agadez in 2016 on their way to Libya or Algeria. In response to the influxes, the European Union recently negotiated a bilateral compact with Niger as part of its Migration Partnership Framework “to curb the flow of irregular migrants” (PDF).

Solutions to ‘migratory pressures’ ver a year after the 2015 summit in Malta’s capital city Valetta, European leaders met again in the Maltese capital, on February 3, 2017, to address the “root causes of migration flows” along the Central Mediterranean route and to find “solutions to migratory pressures” into Europe.

In their latest bid to purportedly thwart “human trafficking and illegal migration”, the Italian government pledged $215m to Niger, Libya and Tunis, ahead of the meeting.

These transit countries will be expected to patrol borders and prevent migrants from reaching European shores.

This year’s meeting ended with the Malta Declaration, which

O

calls for “supporting the Libyan national coastguard” to reduce “illegal flows into the EU”, an approach deemed “delusional” by Doctors Without Borders (known by its French initials, MSF), in a country where migrants face abuse, violence and exploitation.

The current reactive measures have shaped the EU’s strategy on migration, especially with partners in West Africa. Our latest research in Niger suggests that they are also based on flawed assumptions.

Migration as an ‘anomaly’ irst, it is not the poorest of the poor who move. Many, like Patrick, are educated and forked out a sum that was worth a year’s average salary in Cameroon for his journey.

Purely economic approaches to decreasing migration by reducing poverty and creating jobs will not solve the equation in both the short and long term, unless other drivers are included.

Second, the decision to migrate is not exclusively driven by cost-benefit choices. The lure of “the possible” played a significant role in shaping Patrick’s and his family’s decisions, regardless of the available information, associated risks, restrictions and obstacles.

So e x p la n a ti o ns o f s uch once-in-a-lifetime decisions based on purely rational choices miss the intangible reasons such as individual aspirations, social exclusion, and cultural background - that together contribute to the decision to migrate.

The ability to move is not only at the core of survival for most subsistence communities in the region but also a key cultural, social and economic driver, despite the drawing of borders.

Finally, donors and states tend to understand development purely within the context of borders and nation-states.

Through this lens, migration is perceived as an anomaly that needs to be corrected to restore the status quo ante.

Closing the migration cycle becomes the main tool in such a one-way perspective on development, where northern countries devise what they call “solutions”, and implement them in southern countries.

But what if migration were a norm, as opposed to a deviation from the norm? And what if it were also a possible solution to today’s so-called migration crisis? We must think more critically in order to carry out our

F

Migrants sit in the back of a truck at a local immigration transit centre in the desert town of Agadez, Niger [Akintunde Akinleye/Reuters]

responsibilities with effect.

The circulatory movement of people, livestock and goods has historically been at the heart of the socioeconomic structures of sub-Saharan Africa.

The ability to move is not only at the core of survival for most subsistence communities in the region but also a key cultural, social and economic driver, despite the drawing of borders.

Similarly, migration through Agadez is nothing new. The city, historically known for its transSaharan trade, has always served as a crossroads between SubSaharan Africa, Niger and North Africa, regardless of political borders.

The cemetery of unknown refugees from the Mediterranean hat is new is European countries exerting control over legal migration channels, reshaping regional dynamics through power and economic influence, and in the process devastating the local economic

W

eco-systems.

The EU’s approach to mobility seems to have a one-way relationship with development, based on the assumption that development should and will stop unwanted migration.

So what is the alternative? t must espouse a transnational approach and lead transformative interventions with a clear development agenda that replaces its current security agenda.

A donor we interviewed for our research in Agadez made a compelling - and counterintuitive - case: “They [African countries] should spend European taxpayers’ money on roads and infrastructures.

Building a highway in the desert may not be popular in Europe, but that is probably the best way to develop the zone, favour crossborder economic exchanges, and mitigate the risk of endless tragedies in the desert or the Mediterranean”.

I

“

Similarly, migration through Agadez is nothing new. The city, historically known for its trans-Saharan trade, has always served as a crossroads between SubSaharan Africa, Niger and North Africa, regardless of political borders

UN refugees and migrants summit - All talk, no action n such a scenario, young men such as Patrick would not lose a full year of earnings or face life-threatening dangers while on the road. Such an investment will yield more natural and safer migration among Sub-Saharan African countries and to their northern neighbours in the continent, as has been the case throughout history.

T h i s a rt i c l e i s b a s e d o n the authors’ participation in a webinar with the Migration Policy Institute on EU partnerships with third countries on migration and a forthcoming Samuel Hall report for IOM Selling sand in the desert, funded by the EU. Nassim Majidi is the founder and co-director at Samuel Hall, an affiliate researcher at Sciences Po’s CERI, and a Research Associate at the African Centre for Migration and Society University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

Herve Nicolle is the founder, co-director and chief economist at Samuel Hall, focusing on education, health and skills/ employment.

Pauline Vidal also contributed to this article.

She is a research assistant at Samuel Hall, focusing on migration in the Horn of Africa.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial policy.

I

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2017

Page 23

News From Africa

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he High Court in Kenya has blocked the government’s bid to close the largest refugee camp in the world.

A directive to shut the Dadaab camp and forcibly repatriate about 260,000 Somali refugees living there was issued last year.

The deadline for its closure had been extended until May, but a high court judge ruled the decision was tantamount to an act of group persecution.

The government had argued it was an issue of security.

It said that attacks on its soil by the Somalia-based al-Shabab group had been planned in the camp.

Dadaab was set up in 1991 to house families fleeing conflict in Somalia, and some people have been living there for more than 20 years.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and lobby group Kituo Cha Sheria challenged the decision in court, saying it was discriminative and contrary to international law.

Media captionInside Dadaab - the world’s biggest refugee camp “The government’s decision specifically targeting Somali refugees is act of group persecution, illegal discriminatory and therefore unconstitutional,” Judge John Mativo said.

The orders are excessive, arbitrary

Equatorial Guinea government moves to new city in rainforest

Kenyan closure of Dadaab refugee camp blocked by high court

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Consisting of five camps, Dadaab is the world’s largest refugee camp. It is home to more than 200,000 refugees [File: Reuters] and disproportionate, he said.

The BBC’s Nancy Kacungira in the capital, Nairobi, says the government could still appeal against the court’s decision, but the ruling means it has

to start putting in place mechanisms that will restore regular operations at the camp.

Kenya’s refugee department had already been shut, which meant that

new-born babies were not being registered as refugees, Said Abuka, a community leader and refugee in Nairobi, told the Associated Press news agency.

Ghana presidential fleet ‘missing 200 cars’

T

he government of Equatorial Guinea has moved its headquarters from the coastal capital of Malabo to an unfinished city deep in the rainforest.

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema aims to use the country’s oil wealth to make Djibloho a “city of the future”.

Security, and safety from any attempt to overthrow the government was also a factor in the move.

It is understood that MPs will stay there initially for three months.

Chairing his first meeting in Djibloho, also known as Oyala, Prime Minister Francisco Pascual Obama Asue warned MPs not to treat the move as a holiday.

“Your relocation here does not mean that you are engaging in tourism,” said Mr Obama Asue.

Djibloho is surrounded by several national parks and is not far from the eastern border with Gabon.

The city, which has been several years in the making, includes a fivestar hotel, a championship golf course, a conference centre and a university.

When the project was first announced, President Obiang said security was also a reason for moving the capital.

He has been the target of attempted coups in the past, most famously by the British mercenary Simon Mann in 2004.

Mr Obiang said rebels had plotted a seaborne assault on his palace in the current capital, Malabo.

Dual US-Somali Citizen is Somalia’s New President-elect

More than 50 of the government’s Toyota Prados could not be found

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hana’s new government is trying to track down more than 200 cars missing from the president’s office, a government spokesman has said.

The ruling party counted the cars a month after taking power following victory in December’s elections.

After previous transfers of power, state-owned cars have been seized from officials who did not return them.

A minister in the former government said the implied allegation of wrongdoing by his

colleagues was false.

Former Communication Minister Omane Boamah told the BBC’s Thomas Naadi that this was “a convenient way for the new government to justify the purchase of new vehicles”.

Presidential spokesman Eugene Arhin told the press that officials could only find: 74 of the presidency’s 196 Toyota Land Cruisers 20 of the 73 Toyota Land Cruiser Prados 11 of the 24 Mercedes two of the 28 Toyota Avalons

two of the six BMWs. Ghanaian radio station Citi FM reported that the president has been “forced to use a 10-year-old BMW” as a result.

In making the statement Mr Arhin revealed the president’s office was meant to have more than 300 cars but he did not divulge the purpose of these vehicles.

Nana Akufo-Addo from the the New Patriotic Party won the Ghanaian presidential election at the beginning of December, taking power from John Mahama, of the National Democratic Congress.

omali lawmakers elected a new president Wednesday, choosing a former prime minister who is a dual U.S.-Somali citizen.

Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, better known as “Farmajo,” was declared the winner after two rounds of voting by the Somali parliament in Mogadishu.

Farmajo won the largest share of votes in the second round, far outdistancing incumbent leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and former president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

Mohamud conceded defeat after the vote count, and the crowd inside a venue at Mogadishu’s international airport erupted into cheers.

Witnesses tell VOA’s Somali service that celebrations -- and celebratory gunfire -- have broken out in the streets of the Somali capital.

The new president was quickly sworn in and pledged to improve security, fight corruption and assist the poor.

Farmajo, 54, has spent much of his adult life in the city of Buffalo, New York, where he raised a family and held various jobs in the the New York state government.

But he maintained contact with Somali politics and served eight months as Somali prime minister during 2010 and 2011, at the height of the insurgency

by Islamist militant group alShabab.

Al-Shabab threatened to disrupt the voting Wednesday but the election went off peacefully. African Union peacekeepers and government forces imposed tight security, sealing off all roads to the airport. All flights to and from the airport were canceled.

Ahead of the vote, candidates allegedly paid lawmakers millions of dollars in cash and gifts in an effort t o w i n s u p p ort . E l e ct i on organizers had lawmakers drop their ballots in a transparent box, then counted the votes in front of the crowd to head off any charges of trickery.

Farmajo faces the task of eliminating al-Shabab and stabilizing a country that has seen almost continuous conflict since the early 1990s.

Al-Shabab has repeatedly sent suicide bombers into Mogadishu hotels where lawmakers, diplomats and businessmen gather, in an effort to destabilize the fragile government.

In addition, aid agencies have warned of a possible famine affecting hundreds of thousands of Somalis due to violence and renewed drought.

Page 24

British Court to Rule on Saudi Arms Sales, Amid Accusations of Yemen War Crimes

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ctivists have launched a court action to try to stop the British government from selling arms to Saudi Arabia. Critics accuse the Saudi-led coalition of violating international law through its bombing of civilian areas as it battles Houthi rebels in Yemen.

In October last year, 13-year-old Zuhair and his family were attending the funeral of a local sheikh in Sana’a.

More than 1,000 people were packed in the community hall when warplanes fired two missiles at the building. More than 140 people were killed and 500 injured.

Zuhair recalls the moments after the explosions.

“My uncle carried me away,” he said. “I was burnt, my face, hands and my feet were very burnt. Then we took a taxi home. My clothes were burnt, all of me was burnt.”

Zuhair’s family was unable to pay for treatment and he did not receive any medical attention for two weeks, until workers from the charity Save the Children took him to a local hospital.

Today, bright pink scars that have only recently healed cover much of Zuhair’s body.

Human Rights Watch says forensic evidence from the bomb site shows the missiles came from Saudi jets, though Riyadh has denied responsibility.

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, february 10, 2017

Asia&Middle-east

Malaysian ship with aid for Rohingya docks in Myanmar

A

Malaysian ship carrying 2,300 tonnes of aid for tens of thousands of persecuted Rohingya Muslims arrived in Yangon where it was met by Buddhist protesters.

Health workers and activists crowded onto the deck of the Nautical Aliya as it docked at Thilawa port near Myanmar’s commercial capital on Thursday carrying food, medical aid, and clothing.

Myanmar’s social welfare minister was among a delegation meeting the ship, which has been at the centre of a rare diplomatic spat with fellow ASEAN member Malaysia.

Outside the docking area, dozens of Buddhist monks and demonstrators waited waving national flags and signs reading: “No Rohingya”.

“We want to let them know that we have no Rohingya here,” a Buddhist monk named Thuseitta, from the Yangon chapter of the Patriotic Myanmar Monks Union, told AFP news agency.

Myanmar denies citizenship to the million-strong Rohingya, despite many of them living on its soil for generations.

Buddhist nationalist groups are e s p e ciall y st rong in t he ir vitriol, rejecting Rohingya as illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh.

Hundreds of Rohingya have reportedly been killed in a brutal campaign launched by security forces in October, which the United Nations

T Rohingya refugee women sit inside their home at a refugee camp in Bangladesh [Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters] says may amount to ethnic cleansing.

The violence started after a series of attacks by armed men on border posts killed nine policemen.

Tens of thousands of Rohingya have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, bringing harrowing tales of murder and sexual assault.

“We’ve document atrocities, serious crimes that have been committed by Myanmar’s security forces,” Matthew Smith, executive director of the group Fortify Rights, told Al Jazeera.

“We’re documenting killings, we’re documenting mass rape … throats being slit, bodies being thrown into fires, villages burned to the ground.”

Myanmar’s treatment of the Rohingya has sparked criticism from

Muslim-majority Malaysia in a rare spat between the Southeast Asian neighbours.

Myanmar initially refused to allow the aid ship into its waters and has barred it from sailing to Rakhine’s state capital, Sittwe.

People protest as an aid ship carrying emergency supplies for Rohingya Muslims arrives at the port in Yangon [Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters] Al Jazeera’s Yaara Bou Melhem, reporting from Yangon, said the aid will be unloaded and distributed by the government from there.

“What we know is that a plane from here in Yangon will take the aid to Sittwe, which is nearest to the conflict zone ... to distribute the aid among both Rohingya and Buddists,” she said.

Supreme Court Nominee Calls Trump Criticism of Judiciary ‘Demoralizing’

U

.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Neil Gorsuch, has called the president’s sharp criticism of the judiciary “demoralizing” and “disheartening.”

Gorsuch made his comments while meeting privately Wednesday with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal. Gorsuch’s remarks were conveyed publicly

by Senator Blumenthal. The essence of Gorsuch’s remarks were confirmed by the Supreme Court nominee’s office.

President Trump reacted to Gorsuch’s remarks Thursday on Twitter by apparently questioning the integrity of Senator Blumenthal.

Sen.Richard Blumenthal, who never fought in Vietnam when he said for years he had (major lie),now misrepresents what Judge Gorsuch told him?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2017 Gorsuch was asked to react to Trump’s Twitter message calling District Judge James Robart, who on Friday put a hold on Trump’s executive order temporarily banning travel from seven Muslim-majority countries, a “so-called judge.”

The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017 Because the ban was lifted by a judge, many very bad and dangerous people may be pouring into our country.

A terrible decision — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017 Trump told the American people to blame Robart and the court system if “something happens,” alluding to a terrorist attack on the United States.

The president also criticized the three-judge panel

Afghanistan killings: Red Cross halts aid after attack

of the appeals court in San Francisco that is considering whether Robart had the legal grounds to suspend the executive order from being enforced while legal challenges to it continue.

“I don’t ever want to call a court biased, so I won’t call it biased,” Trump said. “The courts seem to be so political and it would be so great for our justice system if they would be able to read a statement and do what’s right.”

An independent judiciary is spelled out in the U.S. Constitution, and such harsh criticism from a president about the federal court system is rare.

Earlier Wednesday, Trump told a gathering of law enforcement officials in Washington that he acted solely to protect the country when he temporarily banned entry to people from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Sudan.

“Believe me, I’ve learned a lot in the last two weeks, and terrorism is a far greater threat than the people of our country understand,” he said.

He even said a “bad high school student” would be able to understand that he had the authority to take the executive action.

The appeals court in San Francisco heard arguments both for and against Robart’s ruling, and said it will make its decision as soon as possible.

The Department of Justice, in arguing in favor of keeping the ban in place, took the position that Trump has the authority to determine who is allowed in the country.

States challenging the ban — Washington and Minnesota — said it separated families, stranded students overseas, and left people in doubt about whether they should travel because of the uncertainty of whether they could come back.

All sides expect the issue to wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said

he International Committee of the Red Cross is halting work in Afghanistan following an attack on its staff which the aid agency said was despicable.

Six workers were killed in an ambush of their convoy on Wednesday by suspected militants. Two others are missing.

The Red Cross said they needed to temporarily suspend aid activity to understand what had happened.

One official warned that attacks on aid workers in conflict zones could become the norm.

Police believe the ambush in the northern province of Jowzjan was carried out by militants from so-called Islamic State.

A team of three drivers and five field officers had been on its way to deliver livestock materials when their convoy was deliberately attacked, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a statement.

“Nothing can justify the murder of our colleagues and dear friends,” it said.

Delhi Uphaar cinema fire: One year in jail for owner Gopal Ansal

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President Trump last week the countries listed in the ban lack the kind of law enforcement and record keeping necessary to convincingly describe the backgrounds of their citizens, and that the U.S. will be working with them and other nations to “tighten up on their procedures.”

Leon Fresco, the former deputy assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Office of Immigration Litigation under President Barack Obama, said there is some merit to concerns about countries not sharing all of their criminal data.

he owner of a cinema hall in the Indian capital Delhi has been sentenced to one year in prison in connection with a fire which killed 59 people.

The fire in the Uphaar hall on 13 June 1997 also wounded more than 100 people.

A court in 2007 had found Gopal Ansal and his brother Sushil guilty of causing death due to negligence.

The Supreme Court fined them 300m rupees ($4m;£3.5m) in November 2015, but India’s main investigation agency appealed against the “lenient” verdict.

The judges gave Gopal Ansal four weeks to hand himself in to the authorities and go to prison.

India cinema owners found guilty His brother Sushil Ansal will not be jailed because of his age, reports said.

Fire broke out in the Uphaar cinema hall of south Delhi while people were watching the Bollywood hit, Border, on 13 June 1997.

PAGE 25

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, February 10, 2017

Digest

You really can feel another person’s pain

By Lisa Ryan

M

any of us flinch when we see someone get injured.

Whether they cut their finger while chopping vegetables or accidentally stub their food – it’s common to grimace at the mere sight of their pain.

Most of us assume that we are just having an emotional response – not feeling pain ourselves.

But, scientists have revealed that the same brain structures – the anterior insula and cingulate cortex – are activated, whether the pain is personally experienced or empathetic.

And so, even if a person doesn’t experience the injury themselves, they still experience similar symptoms to the person actually going through the pain, according to experts from Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences.

Dr Anita Tusche, a neuroscientist at Max Planck, said: ‘The fact that our brain processes pain and other unpleasant events simultaneously for the most part, no matter if they are experienced by us or someone else, is very important for social interactions because it helps to us understand what others are experiencing.’

Researchers compared brain activation patterns during both personally experienced and empathetic pain.

When a person, for instance, hammers their own finger, they experience physical distress.

They then focus their attention on the injured finger and take steps to not repeat the event.

But, if a person were to see a friend injure himself in the same way, they would feel empathetic pain.

Although they haven’t sustained any injury, they would feel similar symptoms to the person in physical pain.

The empathetic friend would feel anxiety, put distance between themselves and the source of the pain, and store the information so as to avoid that pain in the future.

Previous studies showed that the anterior insula and cingulate cortex are activated for both personal and empathetic pain – but there was a lack of research as to how the two forms of pain were similar.

Dr Taina Singer, director

Many people recoil when they see someone injure themselves, as if they were also feeling the same pain. Now, scientists revealed there isn’t much of a difference between personally experienced and empathetic pain of Max Planck, said: ‘We need to get away from this either-or question, whether the pain is genuine or not.’

The scientists instead proposed that a complex interaction of multiple elements – including sensory

and emotional processes – form the experience of ‘pain.’

Dr Singer said: ‘The decisive point is that the individual

Both personal and empathetic pain activate the same areas of the brain - the anterior insula and cingulate cortex - and store the information for later, in order to avoid similar pain from occurring again, experts found

processes can also play a role in other experiences, albeit in a different activation pattern.’

The scientists demonstrated for the first time that during painful experiences, the anterior insula region and cingulate cortex process both general components and specific pain information.

Those components also occur during other negative experiences, such as disgust or indignation.

They signal that an experience is actually unpleasant – and not joyful.

And, the specific pain information tells the brain that pain is involved – whether it’s explained by the person or someone else.

Dr Tusche said: ‘Both the nonspecific and the specific information are processed in parallel in the brain structures responsible for pain, but the activation patterns are different.’

And so, the brain can process various unpleasant experiences in a time-efficient, energy-saving manner.

However, the brain can also register detailed information quickly, so that a person knows exactly what kind of unpleasant event has occurred – whether or not it affects them directly.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, February 10, 2017

PEOPLES DAILY

Sports

friday, FEBRUARY 10, 2017

Page

27

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

Dalung urges NFF to promote peace with stakeholders

By Albert Akota

T

he Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung has urged executive board members of the Nigeria Football Federation to embrace peace, unity with stakeholders and see football as a unifying factor in Nigeria.

Speaking when the Amaju Pinnick led executive board paid him a condolence visit in Abuja on Tuesday following the demise of his wife, Dalung tasked all members to continue working hard, show love, team work and respect each other in their quest to change the course of football history.

“Together, we shall work and succeed as a team. Success can never be too product of one man’s effort. It is collective and so is failure. The blame will go to everybody.

“Knowing this, we must then work together to succeed, promote peace and unity with football as the tool for achieving that.”

Dalung expressed gratitude for their visit which he described as a show of love and support at his moment of grief.

He used the opportunity to pray for peace, unity and better understanding among Nigerians especially as a country in this period of nation building.

He applauded the federation for their efforts so far since they took over the running of football affairs in Nigeria but said due to the insatiable thirst of football loving Nigerians who always crave for more achievements, the NFF must continue to work round the clock The minister used the occasion to reiterate his earlier call on the need for renewed vigor for grassroots sports development which he described as the sure solution to a sustainable development of the National teams’ structures and curb youthful restiveness.

“I have appealed earlier when the Secretary General led a delegation of the federation to pay me a condolence visit earlier, that the federation should try to create football competitions even at the village level.

It will engage the youths more. It is not expensive. If you have local competitions going on in villages, nobody will have time to think evil or think of picking arms to cause mayhem.

The power of sports in promoting unity is great, let us utilize it.”

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Committee and management of the Nigeria Football Federation, Pinnick said their visit was another opportunity to pay their heartfelt condolence to the bereaved and also thank him for his continuous support for the federation.

“We pray that she continues to rest in

Ahmed Musa the bosom of the Lord and we take solace in the fact that we are alive. We will learn from her death that every day we should be more appreciative to God,” Pinnick said.

On his part, the NFF Secretary General, Dr Mohamed Sanusi thanked the minister for

his fatherly support and advice as he prayed to God to continue to give him the wisdom to pilot the affairs of sports in Nigeria.

He revealed that in line with the advice of the minister, an annual grassroots football event will commence in earnest after due

consultation with the Plateau state Football Association in honor of the deceased.

“I have been mandated by the President on behalf of the board to liase with the Plateau State FA to organize a women’s competition in honor of our late mother.”

>>Pg 28

Enyimba fire late winners to beat ABS FC at home

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, February 10, 2017

Page 28

Sport

Enyimba fire late winNigeria ners to beat ABS FC at will beat Bafana, Cameroon - Rohr vows

S

uper Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has said he expects his team to go past South Africa at home in June on their way to qualifying for AFCON 2019 and also edge past Cameroon in World Cup qualifiers beginning in August.

Rohr’s Eagles are drawn against South Africa, Libya and Seychelles for a place at the 2019 AFCON in Cameroon.

Nigeria welcomes Bafana Bafana in June to get the AFCON qualifiers going.

“Nigeria cannot miss the AFCON again because it’s a big tournament to celebrate African football. I hope we will be there at the next tournament,” he said.

“But to do that we have to eliminate South Africa, who are a good team.

“We need a good preparation and organisation. We will have two friendly games next month and we have the possibility to test some new players and be together.”

He also spoke on the World Cup double header against Cameroon billed for August 28 in Uyo and September 2 in Limbe.

“The AFCON was a good tournament in Gabon and there were some good teams. The best team won the competition. We are interested in this team because we play them in the World Cup qualifiers,” he said.

“We’re happy for Cameroon, but we have to beat the African champions.

“But our game will only be in six months and a lot of things could happen during that time.”

Enyimba skipper Mfon Udoh

B

oth Enyimba and ABS waited late before they will see off visiting Akwa United and MFM FC, respectively yesterday.

Skipper Mfon Udoh’s volley from 20 yards on 82 minutes stopped Akwa United in Calabar, while a 74th minute penalty tucked away by Samuel Oyedeji handed ABS a crucial home win over MFM FC. ABS are now third on the NPFL table with 13 points from seven matches, while Enyimba moved to fourth also on 13 points.

Despite the loss in Ilorin, MFM remain second in the standings on 13 points and a superior goals difference.

74th minute penalty tucked away

by Samuel Oyedeji handed ABS a crucial home win over MFM FC. ABS is now third on the NPFL table with 13 points from seven matches, while Enyimba moved to fourth also on 13 points.

Despite the loss in Ilorin, MFM remain second in the standings on 13 points and a superior goals difference.

Pasalic open to Chelsea return after Milan heroics

O

n-loan AC Milan midfielder Mario Pasalic would be open to a return to parent club Chelsea next season if the circumstances suited him.

The 22-year-old signed for Chelsea from Hajduk Split in 2014 before being sent on loan to Elche, Monaco and most recently to Milan, leaving his long-term future at Stamford Bridge uncertain.

Pasalic has spent the 2016-17 campaign at the San Siro, making 13 Serie A appearances, and scored the club’s winning goal in Milan’s 1-0 victory at Bologna on Tuesday.

Talk of a permanent switch to the Italian capital for the Croatia international has been mooted, though Pasalic understands the final decision may be out of his hands.

Mario Pasalic

Amokachi signs endorsement deal with Dakinda’s Sports Merchandise

By Albert Akota

F

ormer Nigeria international, Daniel Amokachi has joined his former team mate, Nwankwo Kanu in the Dakinda’s family as he signed an endorsement deal with Dakinda’s Sports Merchandise yesterday.

The former Super Eagles assistant coach who was at the Dakinda’s head office in Abuja said he was happy to be part of the phenomenon, adding that he has been a fan of the Dakinda Penalty Game since the inception, before he was brought officially to the family.

“I had just signed a contract with the Dakinda Football for Every Home today (yesterday), but I have been a fan of Dakinda Penalty Game right from day one. Dakinda came at the right time that the country is looking for new ideas to improve the lives of her citizens.”

‘Da Bull’ said, the quality of the kits are second to none therefore, he called on clubs in Nigeria and Africa at large as well as Nations to patronise Dakinda sports kits for their national teams.“God has blessed Mr. Emmanuel Akpakwu with a vision that will benefit the entire Africa. Nigeria has a population of over 170m and has been doing well in her fashion industry, so why can’t we have, an indigenous company that can produce sports kits within? Dakinda Merchandise is most welcome. Let me use this opportunity also to call on schools, clubs and nations across Africa to patronise the Dakinda Sports Kits because this company has come to bridge the gap created by our inability to have set up such companies before now.”

Anybody who knows about Sports Kits (Jersey, tracksuit, balls, boots etc.) will testify that Dakinda’s kits are of international standard. I can boldly say this because everything I do is football; I play football, coach football and live football therefore, if I say ‘this is this’ in football it means ‘that is that,” he concluded.

It could be recalled that, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung during the official launch of the Dakinda Penalty Game on January 12, had pleaded with the management of the Dakinda Football For Every Home, to include all the exinternationals who have made the nation proud in the game just like Nwankwo Kanu has been made the ambassador in order to give the young once hope that there is reward after service to the nation.

However, Amokachi endorsement’s deal was in response to Dalung’s plea, meanwhile the management of Dakinda has planned to bring more ex-internationals on board considering their regions because lots of youths would prefer to wear their favourite players’ jersey among others.

Daniel Amokachi

Page 29

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, February 10, 2017

Entertaiment

Instead of Oscars Party, Hollywood Talent Agency Supporting Rights, Refugee Groups

A

top Hollywood talent agency has scrapped plans for a party celebrating the Oscar awards and is instead planning a rally to benefit the American Civil Liberties Union and the International Rescue Committee.

United Talent Agency announced the move Wednesday, saying it will give $250,000 to the groups that promote civil rights and aid refugees. Its charitable arm has also organized an online crowdfunding effort to allow people to add their donations.

The IRC thanked UTA for its support in a Twitter message.

An honor to receive your support at this critical time, @UTAFoundation.

Thank you. #UnitedVoices https://t.co/ w4dh1KdZFR — IRC Intl Rescue Comm (@theIRC) February 8, 2017 The February 24 rally will be in Los Angeles two days before the Oscar awards. UTA said the “United Voices” rally welcomes anyone who wants to express support for artistic freedom and “their concern with growing anti-immigrant sentiment in our country and its potential chilling effect around the world.”

“This is a moment that demands our generosity, awareness and restlessness,” said Jeremy Zimmer, the chief executive of UTA, in a memo to his staff. “Our world is a better place for the free exchange of artists, ideas and creative expression. If our nation ceases to be the place where artists the world over can come to express themselves freely, then we cease, in my opinion, to be America.”

One of the agency’s clients is Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, who is nominated in the Best Foreign Language category for his film The Salesman. He won a 2012 Oscar in the same category, but will not be attending this year’s awards.

Iran is one of the seven countries listed in an executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump banning entry for 90 days.

“I hereby express my condemnation of the unjust conditions forced upon some of my compatriots and the citizens of the other six countries trying to legally enter the United States of America and hope that the current situation will not give rise to further divide between nations,” Farhadi said in a statement.

He further criticized hardliners, including those in Iran, who he said work to foster an “us and them” mentality.

Actress Taraneh Alidoosti during a photo call for the film “Forushande” (The Salesman) at the 69th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, May 21, 2016.

An Oscar statue is on display in Los Angeles, March 2, 2104.

Share “For years on both sides of the ocean, groups of hardliners have tried to present to their people unrealistic and fearful images of various nations and cultures in order to turn their differences into disagreements, their disagreements into enmities and their enmities into fears,” he said. “Instilling fear in the people is an important tool used to justify extremist and fanatic behavior by narrow-minded individuals.”

UTA said Farhadi felt “honored and in tears” when he heard about the agency’s announcement.

Iranian actress Taraneh Alidoosti, who stars in The Salesman, has also said she will not attend the awards ceremony in protest of the executive order.

“Trump’s visa ban for Iranians is racist,” she said on Twitter.

Trump says the ban is necessary to uphold his duty to protect American citizens. During his campaign for president, he frequently cited the need to better investigate those who come to the U.S. to ensure they do not post a terrorist threat.

The administration of President Barack Obama defended the existing policies as extensive, and said refugees seeking to come to the U.S. often needed two years to make it through the screening process.

Another top talent agency, WME-IMG also announced plans this

week to form a Political Action Committee, which raises money to support or oppose political candidates, ballot measures or legislation.

“This company’s greatest asset is the diversity of our backgrounds and beliefs,” the agency’s heads said in an email to their staff. “Please know that we will do everything in our power to support and protect this diversity now and in the months and years ahead.”

WME-IMG’s co-CEO is Ari Emanuel, who formerly represented Trump. He is also the brother of Rahm Emanuel, the current Democratic mayor of Chicago and Obama’s first White House chief of staff.

Beyonce Faces $20M Copyright Suit from YouTube Star’s Estate Beyonce Knowles arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden, in New York.

T

Iranian film director Asghar Farhadi and his wife, Parisa, pose after he was awarded the Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters medal, at the French Ministry of Culture, in Paris, France, Feb. 27, 2014.

he estate of a late New Orleans YouTube star has filed a $20 million copyright infringement lawsuit against Beyonce over the use of his voice in her song “Formation.’’

The estate of Anthony Barre, who went by the name Messy Mya on YouTube, claims in the lawsuit filed in New Orleans federal court Monday that Barre’s voice is featured in the introduction to “Formation.’’ The complaint alleges Barre’s estate has received no payment or acknowledgment.

Barre was fatally shot in 2010.

Barre’s estate is demanding at least $20 million in damages, royalties.

In addition to Beyonce, the suit names several songwriters, the video’s director and companies owned by Warner Music Group. Representatives for Beyonce and WMG didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, February 10, 2017

Page 30

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THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To promote love, unity and progress of Ifitedunu community.

2. To empower the youth of Ifitedunu.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THOMPSON JEFFERSON DIRECTOR

LAWSON IGOLUKUMO DIRECTOR

PUBLIC NOTICE

A’ALAMUL HUDA 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. Yusuf Hashim Garba (Chairman).

2. Ibrahim Adam Wushishi (Secretary) 3. Amina Ibrahim (Treasurer) 4. Sale AbdulHamid (member) 5. Abdullahi Abdulhamid (member) 6. Husain Yahaya (member) 7. Aminu Abubakar (member).

The aim and objective: 1. To protect the interest of members.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

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WINDING UP

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. MEMBERS RESOLUTION ON “VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) OF AM PROSPECT GLOBAL AND INVESTMENT LIMITED. RC NO : 71135 NO 8, ORIMOLADE CRESCENT OFF ADENIYI JONES AVENUE, IKEJA, LAGOS. RESOLUTION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A LIQUIDATOR 1.THAT MRS CHIOMA EGEDEUZU-OKEREKE A LEGAL PRACTITIONER OF NO.11, ISHERI ROAD, OPPOSITE FIDELITY BANK, AGUDA OGBA IKEJA-LAGOS STATE IS HEREBY APPOINTED AS THE COMPANY LIQUIDATOR. 2.THAT THE NECESSARY STEPS BE TAKEN AS TO THE DOCUMENTATIONS AND FILING OF THIS RESOLUTION AT THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS IN ABUJA IN LINE WITH THE STATUTORY PROVISIONS SO AS GIVE EFFORT TO THIS VOLUNTARY WINDING UP. SIGNED : DIRECTORS

SIGNED : KELVIN NNAMDI MBAOKORO ESQ

SIGNED : SECRETARY

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FAMILY SERVANTS OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE ORGANISATION

ST. AUGUSTINE’S COLLEGE, IBUSACLASS OF 1991

NE-ESAN HAMEN FORUM THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PROFESSOR MATTHEW OMO-OJUGO 2.PROFESSOR RAYMOND ALUEDE 3.PROFESSOR JOHN OSEMEIKHIAN 4.CHIEF ALBERT OGBEJIELE 5.DR. MATTHEW AZIEGBEMHIN IZIBILI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO PROMOTE AND ENGENDER THE WELFARE AND PROGRESS OF ITS MEMBERS. 2.TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE,GOOD NEIGHBORLINESS, UNITY, PEACE AND ENGENDER PROGRESS AMONGST ITS MEMBERS. 3.TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL VALUES; INTEGRATION OF THE ESAN PEOPLE AND THEIR LANGUAGE.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rev Sister Enelichi Stella Chinye 2. Mrs Rosemary Awele Onwudili THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To assist the less privileged ones in the society.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY

SIGNED : SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Osedo Onyinye Alexander.

2. Arukusin Samuel Efe. 3. Okobi Chidi Leonard.

4. Oyana Patricia Onyelukachi.

5. Kenneth Okeze.

6. Monyei Peter THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote the welfare of Members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

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ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH RECORDS PRACTITIONERS OF NIGERIA

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THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 7.MR. JOHN ESEIRE 1.DANIEL OLA AKANJI 8.KINGSLEY AGINA NWANGWU 2.IBRAHIM JIBRIN SOKOTO 3.MR. PIUS ERHUNMWONSERE OGBEWE 9.ADO MOHAMMED BAUCHI 4.MOHAMMED SHEMAH 10.MR. MADU PAM GYANG 5.HASSAN NAHANTSI KURYA 11.ELDER KOLA ATINSOLA 6.MR. FELIX AMADI 12.BABAGANA MUSTAPHA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRACTICE OF HEALTH RECORDS AND HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA. 2.TO ADVANCE THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT STANDARDS. 3.TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ON HEALTH MANAGEMENT EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : BARR (MRS) RACHAEL R. ADEJO-ANDREW SOLICITOR 08033265920 AND 08059633953

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College of Medicine University of Nigeria Class 86 Foundation

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Dr. Anthea Edu Nwandu - Chairman.

2. Dr. Etuk Cordilia Ifeanyichukwu - Sec. 3. Dr. Abali Ckuku.

4. Dr Juliana Chizomam Agwu.

5. Dr. Chukwuemeka Fredrick Umeh.

6. Dr. Jude Ifeanyi Umeh.

7. Dr. Chuba Cyprian Chigbo.

8. Dr. Charles Okorie.

9. Dr. John Okechukwu Ike THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To promote and support various models of medical education in collaborating with college of medicine.

2. To creat a forum to provide supports to alumini/alma.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1). JOSEPH AWOLOWO ILIYA president (2). PRINCE RENSHAMMAH AWOLOWO ILIYA RINI (3). TAYLOR WUNENO MBI (4). MATHIAS OKEKE (5). GRACE AWOLOWO ILIYA (secretary).

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

SIGNED : Nnamdi iwuagwu esq, suite 003 Transpharm plaza have district Abuja

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MIRACLE HOPE OF GOD CHURCH INT’L

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) Prophet Victor Isaiah 2)Mrs faith victor 3)Elder Emoikhhare Sunday Ijewemen.

4)Elder Ali Ugwu Theophilus 5)Elder Asunomeh John THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : BARR. IDOWU SAMUEL OLOLA

OYO ANGLICAN DIOCESE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF LOSS OF ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY NO. 4845 IN RESPECT OF PLOT NO. 306 AREA COUNCIL KUJE WITH NEW FILE NO. AK 40344 BEARING MR. V.E. ASUQUO. GOT MISSING. ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE THE SAID DOCUMENTS PROVE ABORTIVE. IF FOUND RETURN TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE. 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

Mohammed

SIGNED : GBOLAHAN OGUNMOLA,ESQ. PROFEZIA ATTORNEYS ABUJA. 08034458921.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS Mohammed Lawal Zuru. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Mohammed Lawal. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

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LifeGivers World Christian Centre

RIJIYAR LEMO TIMBER TRADERS ASSOCIATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Hosea Chukwuemeka Daniel - President 2. Davou Grace Chundung- Secretary, 3. Chukwu Augusta Obiajulu, 4. Wachukwu Uchenna Joyce THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ , to preach the gospel via printed and electronic means.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

confirmation OF NAME THIS IS TO CONFIRM THAT OLUBUNMI TUROTI AND BUNMI TUROTI REFERS TO SAME PERSON AND NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSD AS BUNMI TUROTI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID.FBN, GTbank, AND OTHER BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. RT REV DR ALADEKUGBE WILLIAMS OLUWAROTIMI -CHAIRMAN. 2. HON JUSTICE AFONJA SIDNEY A. ADEYEMO. 3. VERY REV. ADELEKE ADEYEMI I. KAYODE - SECRETARY.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS Ocheme Gladys.

NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Chukwuemeka Gladys. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

PUBLIC NOTICE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

Chukwuemeka

The general public is hereby notified that the above named association. Has applied to the cooperate affairs commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of companies and allied matters. Act, 1990.

Trustees are: 1.ALH. BALARABE IDRIS 2.ALH. SANI BAKATOSHI 3.ALH. SALE MAHOGANY 4.ALH. LAWAN ADO 5.SANI ISA DANHABU 6.ALH. SALISU ABDULLAHI GWAMMAJA 7.UMAR ABUBAKAR 8.ALH. AUWALU DAN WARURE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.TO IMPROVE WOOD SELLING IN KANO STATE. 2.TO MOTIVATE OUR MEMBER TO BE SELF RELIANCE. 3.TO CREATE MORE JOBS FOR OUR PEOPLE. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar General cooperate affairs commission at 420. Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi street, PMB, 198 Maitama Abuja within 28 days from this publication.

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“While it is generally admitted that as a nation our development and growth has stagnated as a result of the menace of corruption, it is also telling that the fight against corruption has been painstakingly cumbersome because of the inadequacies in some of our core anti-corruption laws.”

—Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki

SPORTS Where Oyedepo, Suleiman got it wrong (I) latest

Ifeanyi Ubah sets sell top stars to China club

O

wner of NPFL side FC Ifeanyiubah, Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, has revealed he is currently in talks with two Chinese clubs to sell top Nigerian talents to them.

Business mogul Ifeanyi Ubah said he is in football for business and he has identified the Chinese Super league as the biggest outlet for emerging world talents.

“We don’t want to be left out of this revolution in world football. We want to sell our players to clubs who find them good enough to play in the Chinese Super League,” he said.

Only last year Ifeanyi Ubah sealed a massive partnership deal with top English Premier League side West Ham United.

The deal which will among other things see the North London club establish a top football academy in Nigeria and take some players of FC Ifeanyiubah on trials.

This has already started yielding fruits according to oil magnate FC Ifeanyiubah are fast emerging as one of the top guns in Nigeria after they won the Federation Cup last year and will feature in the CAF Confederation Cup. On Sunday afternoon in Nnewi, the club will tackle Al Masry of Egypt in the first round, first leg of the Confederation Cup.

Taye Taiwo and Oduamadi

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T

he Qur’an admonishes Muslims not to argue with the People of the Scriptures (Jews and Christians), unless in a way that is better. That is to say with good words and in a good manner as stated in Qur’an 29:46. But if they opt for injustice, then they should not be allowed to get away with it.

Certainly, the call for incitement to commit murder, it is not one that we sit down look like lambs for the slaughter houses. There is nothing wrong with an eye for an eye. Because one believes in Jesus as God or any other thing, is not a license for him/ her to think he can transgress like the Fir’auna or Pharaoh. Jesus (Peace and blessings of Allah be on him), revered by practicing Muslims, did not do what he liked in his days in Jerusalem.

Then we ask, has any so-called follower given a license “in Jesus name” to be lawless? The fact remains that Jesus was a Prophet of God albeit with limited Authority as far as Muslims are concerned. Imagine with two Gods in charge. There will be commotion like two in a boxing ring each trying to outdo the other.

Some religious leaders because they are seen to “preach” Gods words under estimate the essence and the Personality of Allah (SWT) or God. They become extremists to believe they can say anything and can get away with it. More so, if Muslims are involved. This underestimation is revealed in Qur’an 6:91 and 22:74.

They are so reckless as to wake up one morning to call themselves Prophets, Apostles or Revered like a drunkard who says anything in a senseless mood. So they give themselves authority to even sanction blue murder.

There are crooks in the name of Allah or God in all religions.

They devour the wealth of mankind through falsehood and mislead men to commit crimes based on mischief and hate. This is highlighted in Qur’an 9:34. They are more of desperate sales men selling religion by distorting Scriptures. The motivation is no more than to accumulate money so as to ride jeeps and now compete to fly in airplanes. Many use the opportunity to snatch other people’s wives or impregnate sisters dressed like prostitutes with show my breast dresses in religious houses.

The Christian Bishops and Apostles are more sophisticated as they advertise on bill boards and in government offices. Many Muslim fortune tellers operate underground.

There is nothing difficult for to sit and read the Qur’an or Bible to grasp the Messages. If one can spend years to understand advanced calculus and physics what is difficult. This includes engineering, medicine, journalism, accounting, law, biology, chemistry, English language, food and confectionery, hair styles and fashion. In politics there are experts

0806 564 8620 0704 385 9705 0814 292 9046 08074420617

FRIDAY Column WITH Engr. Abubakar A Fari mofari@hotmail.com in rigging elections.

In the public service the budget padding by Nigerian so-called Muslims and Christians is legend. If we are that professionals, all it takes is spending little time to make sense out of them with additional lessons from Islamic or Bible Schools. Armed with that one can challenge these fraudsters with facts when they under estimate God. One can dialogue face to face and tell a fraudulent preacher the real facts in the Qur’an and the Bible. But the Nigerian elites with the same desire to accumulate ill-gotten wealth accept to be misled willingly for a commission. So these “in the name of” are in reality commission agents for ignorant desperados.

Dr Zaik Naik chief promoter of PEACE TV knows very well the Scriptures. He has memorized the Qur’an and virtually the Bible and the Hindu Scriptures. He knows the Bible better than Oyedepo and Johnson and Mathew Kukah. He will argue with beautiful words with any world re-known Christians and Hindus on comparative religion. He has pointed out the many scientific errors of the Bible that Dr Campbell a world top Christian evangelist could not disagree. Michael H Hart author of the 100 Most Influential People in History places the Prophet of Mercy Muhammad as the number 1.

Jesus (PBUH) as no. 3 behind Isaac Newton.

That none of the exact sayings and teachings of Jesus has survived.

What Christians preach are mainly interpolations that St. Paul dreamt and others. So what Oyedepo’s are expert in is to spread interpolations and the dreams of Paul which are not the exact words of Jesus. Hart is not a Muslim. Many Hindu say it is from Zaik that they even know what their Book says. Let these Bishop and Apostles and any serious Christian or Hindu that wishes to understand comparative religion keep a date with him. In Nigeria the CAN is an amalgam of incompatible local tribal

champions.

With over 200 minority tribes, the only umbrella they can challenge the three major tribes is for their elites or war lords to amalgamate as “vanguards” of Christianity. The haven is the Christian Association of Nigeria with acronym CAN. With a corrupt or cowardly leader he easily settles them. Obasanjo was courageous enough to condemn irresponsible Apostles during his administration openly even if it was laden with gimmickry, he is known for. When they cannot get their way they relapse to religious bigotry to pursue futility. Any southerner like Ekiti governor and pressure groups like Afenifere, Ohaneze, Avengers with middle belt in collaboration with the southern dominated Christian media plant falsehood stories. It is a chance to demonize Muslims. So kill Fulani is nothing but a disguise to say kill Muslims. When EFCC charges a member for corruption he forgets in the name of Jesus but takes refuge with CAN for protection. Does the Bible or any divine Book accept protecting a crook and a looter of public treasury?

In Kaduna, for example, a Christian living in Kawo will only go to church to pray in Sabuwar Tasha or Gonin Gora and vise versa. One travels 30 kilometers away from his home, despite the multiplicity of churches all supposedly standing in the name of Jesus. The whole earth is a mosque for the Muslim and he can pray by the any road side mosque constructed by the known and the unknown person. There are of course relatively fewer Muslims also in these confusion but it is much more clear with Christianity. One sees adverts in the Federal Secretariat marketing seeking people to patronise churches like one advertises products to attend their churches.

If not under estimating God, it would appear the same “believers” in unison attacking Islam or birds of the same feather not flying together?

“

So what Oyedepo’s are expert in is to spread interpolations and the dreams of Paul which are not the exact words of Jesus. Hart is not a Muslim

Is it not sensible that some Christian governors talking about imposing taxes on churches? Why in the name of Virgin Mary, Bishops and Apostles not expelling any woman dressed like a prostitute away from the church?

Does the Bible allow such indecent and socially engineered moral decay of the West be identified with a supposedly religious houses? What one does behind closed doors is between him and his lord. But if one commits a crime in front of a policeman won’t he be arrested?

Fulani Muslims believe in Jesus but not as a God. Qur’an 5: 7, 112 tells us that Jesus is not God but son of Mary. Indeed, there are also Fulani Christians and so no southerner or middle belter can claim the monopoly of Christianity. In fact why is CAN not resting day and night to convert the Fulani to Christianity? Yet some murderers are busy in their church saying kill Fulani or Muslims in disguise. Again and again no Nigerian has monopoly of Christianity. More so true Messages of Jesus not an adulterated one. If any, we can only pinpoint the numerous ancestral ways of worships they live with.

These include witchcraft, worship of snakes, daggers, rivers, stones, handmade idols, dogmas inherited from old, mountains and weird things in the name of ancestors. On the other hand the Jews in Israel that Nigerian Christians are fanatical about do not believe in Jesus.

Like the Muslims, the Jews believe categorically that Jesus is not God. In fact Jews ascribe the worst case scenario for Jesus than the Fulani or any practicing Muslims. In Qur’an 4: 156-8, the Jews are known for uttering a grave false charge that Jesus was born out of illegal sexual misconduct by his mother Mary. Further, they said they killed Messiah Isa (Jesus). The Qur’an revealed they killed him not, nor crucified him, but it appeared so to them. That Allah raised him up unto himself. That is why it is illogical to have two Gods.

DAN GAYE Kaduna refinery loses N2bn annually to vandalism - News

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