PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2016. EDITION.

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Thurssday, June 16, 2016 / Ramadan 12, 1437 AH

Violation of IDPs right: ECOWAS court dismisses suit against FG

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Vol. 23 No. 12 N150

Stop bombing Again, Saraki seeks CCT pipelines, Reps plead chair disqualification in with militants court >> pg 3

FG opts for foreign loans to reflate economy pAGE 2

pAGE

7

pAGE 9

page 5

• As CBN adopts single Forex market

Protesters seal off PDP secretariat, hand over key to BoT chair l Action misguided

-Sheriff

S Traders and sympathizers at the scene of a fire incident which gutted Mararaba market on Tuesdya in Nasarawa

Senate probes $5.9bn oil industry leakages page 3

everal hours of drama ensued at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday as two set of different groups of protesting youths invaded the national secretariat.

The two groups came at different times, each supporting Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff or Sen. Ahmed Makarfi as the party national chairman.

Contd on Page 5

793 Days after

Will the abducted Chibok schoolgirls ever be rescued?

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News CONTENTS News 2-10 Editorial 11 Op.Ed 12 Letters 13 Politics 15-18 Business Stockwatch

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Violation of IDPs rights: ECOWAS Court dismisses suit against FG

J

ustice Micah Wrights of ECOWAS Community Court on Wednesday in Abuja, dismissed the suit against the Federal Government over the violation of the rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The plaintiff, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Projects (SERAP), in suit no ECW/CCJ/APP/31/15, asked the court to hold the Federal Government responsible for the violation of the human rights of IDPs. According to the plaintiff, an NGO, over three million IDPs affected by the ongoing

campaign against Boko Haram, have been neglected and unprotected.

The plaintiff alleged that government attitude contributed to the increase in the plight of the IDPs. Delivering his judgment, Wrights said that under Article 1 to 5 of the African Charter, the state is under obligation to ensure the full protection of the rights of its citizens.

However, Wrights said that the plaintiff failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt his allegation against the Government of Nigeria.

The defendant, the Federal Government

of Nigeria, represented by Abubakar Musa, presented before the court part of government’s programme of activities aimed at protecting the IDPs. The Judge, therefore, dismissed the case, saying that the plaintiff lacked the necessary records to prove its case.

Later in his reaction, Musa expressed satisfaction with the Judgment, describing it as a civil and in-depth judgment given in the best interest of Nigeria.

He, however, expressed disappointment that plaintiff was absent from court. (NAN)

S/Report 24-25 M/Earth Emergency Feature

26-27 28 29- 30

Reps probe Jonathan’s centenary city project Page 6

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

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L-R: Governor Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Deputy Governor Economic Policy, Mrs. Sarah Alade and Deputy Governor Operations, Alhaji Suleiman Barau , during the press briefing to unveil the Guidelines on the new flexible exchange rate Market, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Residents urge Al-Makura to clean up Mararaba, Masaka

R

esidents of Mararaba and Masaka in Nasarawa State have called on Gov. Tanko Al-Makura to clean up the areas as the raining season sets in.

The residents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Wednesday, decried the ugly state of the environment in the areas.

Mr Clement Adamu, a resident said that the residents had tried their best to clean up the environment but the populations of both areas were far too high for the little infrastructure in place. ``See the whole place is covered with dirty, you cannot even identify a gutter because it had been blocked by rubbish. ``The local government people are not helping matters; they

are only interested in collecting revenue and nothing else. ``See how people come and dump refuse in the waterway, now the raining season has set in all the roads will be blocked. ``We are begging the governor to come to our aid in Mararaba, especially as government makes a lot of revenue here but it hardly cares for the environment, ‘’ Adamu said. Another respondent of Mararaba, Mrs Rebecca Chukwu complained about the scavengers that scatter the dirt all over the place in the process of looking for items. ``All these boys that are going about picking things from the dump sites scatter them all over the place and cause more problems for residents.

``If only the government can convert this refuse issue to an opportunity to create jobs and revenue for the state by converting the waste to wealth, it will be better for us all. ``We are really suffering in this part of the state though I know that other places in the state are also neglected. ``The government is not utilising the proximity of the state to the federal capital to its advantage at all; the government of Al-Makura should wake up and do the needful,’’ she said.

Alhaji Mubarak Danladi, a resident of Masaka also in the State said that the residents had lost the value of cleanliness by neglecting their environment. ``Sometimes you see a grown

man squatting at the road side defecating, some just stand by the road and urinate. ``It is all a degradation of our value system, it is a general sickness, so it is not only to do with the government, we as individuals should change our ways, and we will see it reflected in our surroundings. ``People should learn to be responsible citizens; we should first do our parts as a people before calling for government’s intervention. ``Because even if government cleans up the refuse and people come and litter again, it is not sustainable. ``If everyone plays his or her role then a clean environment can be achieved and sustained,’’ he said. (NAN)\

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

News N20m court ruling: Visually impaired man seeks AGF, IGP assistance

From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

A

victim of police brutality, Mr. Adebayo Olaide has appealed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase to ensure then enforcement of a twenty million naira court judgement awarded to him against the Nigeria Police Force.

Olaide said he got the judgement from Oyo State High Court on January 22, 2013 and that it was upheld by Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division on April 15, 2014.

He stated that he had been able to receive only N313,000 out of the N20m.

The victim, said during a media conference in llorin, that he was brutalized by the police on June 25, 2009 along Oyo Road, Alagbayun village near Odo Oba, close to Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area of Oyo State which led l to his current visual impairment.

The now visually impaired, said he was currently undergoing excruciating poverty adding that he faces ejection because of unpaid rents and that his children had been driven away from school because of his inability to foot their school bills.

According to him: “The AGF and IGP should please kindly help me and pay the money quickly because I have suffered.

Only my wife’s family and my friends have been helping me.I am married to a wife with two children, Jethro (six years) and Praise (three years). Now they have sent my children away from schools and they have not been going to school again because of my inability to pay their school fees. My pastor, an old man at Ogbomosho called Okanlawon, who was a retired police officer, but he died at 94, and one of my friends, have been helping me.”

R-L: Acting President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SGF Engr. Babachir David Lawal, Chef of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari and Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita as Act-

NEITI: Senate probes $5.9b leakages in oil industry

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Senate yesterday constituted a nine-man ad hoc committee to probe the report by the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI), which had alleged that from 2013 to 2016, Nigeria lost the total sum of $5.9 billion due to the leakages in the oil industry.

The committee included Barau Jibril as the chairman, while senators Andy Uba, Bassey Akpan, Kabiru Marafa, John Enoh, Chukwuka Utazi, Bukar Mustapha, Solomon Adeola, Donald Alosoudara are members.

This was the resolution of the senate yesterday after their debate on the report of the NEITI. The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Waziri Adio, while briefing the Senate on the report yesterday, said his agency let out the information to push for reforms in the oil sector.

“We publish audit report every year because we have a mandate to promote accountability and transparency in the management of resources from oil, gas and mining.

“I have 10 major points from oil and gas audit and a few on

the solid minerals sector. In 2013 the country produced 800.3 million barrels and out of that the country made 58.07bn dollar and that represents an 8 percent reduction on the 62.9bn dollars that the country made in 2012. The second issue is that there are some monies that were withheld, lost or underpaid for different reasons.

“These monies are in three tranches. The first is in the category of the unremitted, and the unremitted amounted to 3.8bn dollars and 358 million naira”, he stated.

According to him, “The second category is the category of losses, because of some inefficient practices and theft among other things, the country lost 5.9bn dollars and 20bn naira due to the fact that NNPC did not obey the “Under the category of the under-accessed the country lost 599.8 million dollars when we look at the unremitted, 1.7bn dollars is still being owed the federation for OMLS. Also, N1.29bn dollars from the NLNG dividends and 351bn naira from unpaid domestic crude debt N2.17 billion from cash calls refunds”, he said.

He explained that all the funds were expected to be lodged in federation account, but were yet

to be lodged, adding “Those are the monies we have established that should have been paid to the federation and were not paid.

“The second category of losses

by NNPC and its subsidiaries. Out of the 5.9 billion dollars that we lost 4.7bn was lost to theft and vandalism. 20bn naira was lost because the NNPC did not observe the 90 days credit grace and when you look at the time value of money, if you calculate at 12 percent interest the country lost 20bn naira.

“Some of the issues in the report.

The first is about the assets divested

by NNPC to NPDC.NNPC between 2010 and 2011 divested eight assets that belong to the federation to its upstream subsidiary NPDC. So NNPC divested 55 percent of the shares being held on behalf of the federation to the NPDC. “These eight OMLS are valued at 1.8 billion dollars

by DPR. NPDC paid only 100 million out of the 1.8bn dollars meaning there is an outstanding of 1.7bn dollars and even that 100 million was paid two years after”.

He disclosed that “what this means is that NNPC lifted oil on behalf of NPDC not on behalf the federation despite the fact that NPDC has not fully paid for

those assets”.

He also said the other issue that came out of the audit was “NLNG in 2013 paid1.28 bn dollars but the money was not remitted to the federation account.

“Beyond this, between 2005 and 2013 NLNG paid 12.9billion dollars to NNPC and NNPC acknowledged receiving it but the money was not remitted to the federation account.

“Another is the losses incurred from swap and OBA. This is the arrangement where NNPC exchanges crude for product and the country lost 518 million dollars due to the inefficiency of the swap and OBA. “211 million dollars was lost to product swap and 306 million dollars was lost to OBA. 1.3 trn was posted for petroleum subsidy in 2013. It was 30 percent higher than the total for budget education, health, water and SURE-P “We found out that we have infrastructural deficit and the country can only say what it exports and cannot say authoritatively what it produces. This has always been an issue and the audit confirms that we still don’t have meters where we should have them”.

He regretted that “This lack of metering has serious implication for revenue and national security”.

Buhari condoles with Ghanaian President on loss of mother

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with President John Mahama of Ghana on the passing on of his mother, Hajia Abiba Nnaba.

A statement issued in

Abuja on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina said Buhari spoke to President Mahama, via telephone, to offer his heartfelt condolences to the Mahama’s

family. ``In a telephone call on Wednesday, President Buhari prayed that Almighty Allah will grant the soul of Hajia Nnaba eternal rest and comfort all who mourn her.’’

The president told the Ghanaian leader that his personal thoughts and prayers as well as those of Nigerians are with him as he mourns the passage on of a beloved mother,’’ the statement said.

The president further prayed that ``the loving memory and virtues which Hajia Abiba Nnaba lived for will continue to inspire all who knew her and generations to come.’’(NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

PAGE 4 REPORT

Cattle Ranches: Problems and Prospects M

By Ephraims Sheyin

inister of Agriculture and Rural Development Audu Ogbeh recently said that 11 states had provided 55,000 hectares of land for the establishment of ranches to curb clash between farmers and pastoralists in their states.

He listed the states to include Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Katsina, Taraba, Niger, Adamawa, Jigawa, Sokoto and the FCT. He also stressed the need to improve livestock and dairy industry in the country, observing that the country had more than 19 million cattle, 41 million sheep and 72 million goats as at 2011. ``The way forward is to strive to attain self-sufficiency in animal protein by checking constant exposure of our cows to long distance trekking in search of pasture which affects their productivity. ``This administration has therefore set out to establish ranches to be planted with high quality improved tropical grass and legume species. ``We shall provide irrigation for all year commercial fodder production to enhance settlement of pastoralist and ensure cattle, sheep and goat improvement through an expanded breeding programme that would use artificial insemination,’’ he explained.

Analysts note that the Federal Government must have reason for keeping the pastoralists in established nets, preventing them from one point to another in search of green pastures.

They also observe that it is safer to curtail the movement of the cattle since such movement often results in the destruction of crops and clashes between the herdsmen and the farmers.

In spite of this, Dr Mohammed Ahmed, immediate pass Chief Executive Officer of the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, said a successful bid for ranches must involve mass investments from governments and other stakeholders. ``Ranches are capital intennsive; government must ensure that there is enough water and all-year-round grass for grazing. ``The Fulani herdsmen must also be encouraged to cut grass in the rainy season and store same for use during the dry season in addition to being educated on how to manage limited space. ``I am not sure that the typical Fulani man in Nigeria will happily embrace a ranch, but with the current realities, settling them in one place is the best way out, especially if they can have what they want where they are settled,’’ he said.

In his view, Dr Sylvester Akut,

Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh a specialist in livestock medicine, said the regional body such as ECOWAS must encourage other West African nations to establish their grazing fields or ranches.

According to him, this will control the movement of cows and sheep from in and out of Nigeria, especially since herdsmen from neigbouring nations have often been accused of causing conflicts with local Nigerian farmers. ``It also means that the Nigeria Immigration Service must come in to check herdsmen’s illegal entries into Nigeria because one nation cannot carry the whole burden. ``It is true that some of these countries are very dry, but their governments must be supported to establish ranches or grazing reserves using the River Niger that passed through their nations. ``From experience, the herdsmen/farmers clash is a bit complicated and requires all hands on deck. ``I will suggest that

“

government must ban night grazing immediately the ranches are established because that is common among foreign herdsmen. ``Such night grazing is usually dangerous because the cows and the herdsmen cannot different between the grass and the crops,’’ he said.

Analysts have however observed that while government is working towards establishing ranches, the herdsmen have kicked against it. ``The herdsmen will not accept ranches; we shall prefer to explore our traditional grazing routes/reserves,’’ Alhaji Sale Bayeri, the spokesman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the umbrella body of the Fulani herdsmen, said recently.

MACBAN reaffirmed Bayeri’s position during the public hearing

on perennial clashes between herdsmen and farmers organised by the Senate Joint Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, National Security and Intelligence.

In a presentation by its National Legal Adviser, Mohammed Bello Tukur, MACBAN suggested that stakeholders should rather demarcate routes and cattle resting points with support from technical and financial partners. ``MACBAN rejects the setting up of ranches and support the establishment of grazing reserves; we want government to create a ministry of livestock development to ease the establishment of the reserves,’’ he stated.

On his part, Sen. Jerry Useini, who represents Plateau South, where the ranch for Plateau is to be established, said that he was opposed to its establishment because there was no consultation

No human policy or plan can be perfect, but we want those with reservations about the ranches to suggest something better because it is not enough to just oppose what is being worked out since what we are doing is in the interest of peace,’’ he said.

before the decision was taken. ``We just woke up and heard that cattle ranches will be established in parts of Plateau.

Such decision cannot be popular because no one was consulted and neither was any wide enlightenment carried out,’’ he said.

Mr Timothy Golu, who represents Pankshin/Kanke/ Kanam in the House of Representatives, agreed that ranches were better options but insisted that some issues ought to be addressed. ``Ranches are far better than grazing reserves if we are to check incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen, but we must be able to listen to what the ordinary farmers feel about what is being worked out. ``We must carry the farmers and traditional rulers along in carving out the affected areas.

We must carefully work out and ensure payment of compensations, otherwise we shall only be breeding another recipe for even worse crises,’’ he said.

Malam Adamu Palna, a farmer in Mangu, shared Golu’s fears, saying: ``decisions are taken at the top with the real farmers and owners of the land only getting to know at the point of execution. ``If we want these schemes to succeed, we must involve the very local farmer because it is he that knows where the shoe pinches.’’

On his part, Prof. Obadiah Mailafia, political economist, argued that that the first step towards the success of the ranches would be to conduct a census of herdsmen and their cattle. ``We must take a census of the herdsmen and their cattle. Those of them that are not Nigerians should be repatriated to respective nations. ``Ghana did that recently and repatriated 50,000 herdsmen and their cattle. Nigeria may have to do that if the step will bring peace to our nation,’’ he said.

In his response, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau said that much pain was taken to examine all options before the ranches option was agreed upon and solicited stakeholders’ support on the decision. ``No human policy or plan can be perfect, but we want those with reservations about the ranches to suggest something better because it is not enough to just oppose what is being worked out since what we are doing is in the interest of peace,’’ he said.

Also, Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue said ``the ranches remain the generally acceptable practice and will serve as the permanent solution to the unending clashes between the herdsmen and farmers.’’

By and large, analysts agree that although the option may have its shortcomings, it remains the best method of curbing clashes among farmers and herdsmen.

(NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

News

FG opts for foreign loans to reflate economy

By Lawrence Sunday Etuka

Olaoye

and

T

he Federal Government has resolved to access foreign loans in order to reflate the nation’s ailing economy from this year till 2016.

The is just as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday announced a new framework

on Forex market operations in the country, making it more competitive by floating the naira.

Briefing State House Correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday, Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, said the council approved the Debt Management

Strategy for years 2016-2019.

According to her, the government resolved to access foreign loans because the interest rates are cheaper, the tenor longer and gives room for local banks to lend to private sector, especially to the small and medium scales enterprises (SMEs).

Adeosun said “Today I presented a memo to the FEC

which was approved for the debt management strategy for the years 2016-2019. Nigeria started producing debt management strategy in the year 2012 and three years debt management Programme and the previous ones had expired December 2015 and there was a need for a new one.

“There was a need for a new

Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara (middle), Chairman, House Committee on Maritime safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago (left ) and Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Sen. Ahmed Yerima (right ), during a Public hearing on Revenue leakages and Operational Deficiencies in the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA ), at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Protesters seal off PDP secretariat, hand over key to BoT chair Contd from one

T

he two groups came at different times, each supporting Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff or Sen. Ahmed Makarfi as the party national chairman.

One of the group, the PDP National Rebirth Group led by Comrade Franklyne Edede, alleged that Sheriff ‎was an agent hired to destroy the PDP. The group later sealed the national secretariat and declared that it would hand over the keys to the Board of Trustees (BoT) to keep until a new chairman of the party emerges through a national convention to be conducted soon‎.

The insisted that Sheriff must leave two hours after, handed over the new keys with which they had locked the doors and gate of the secretariat to the chairman of the BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin‎.

They warned that no other person should be given the keys, except the proper person recognised by the party constitution.

In a brief remark, Jibril promised that the entire BoT would review the situation and take appropriate decision.

Members of the group arrived at the secretariat as early as 10 am

yesterday, carried different placards with inscriptions‎ such as “Sheriff is not a PDP member, Sheriff Must Go, Enough is Enough: Makarfi is real” As the youths numbering over two hundred got to the gate, there was no resistance from the policemen and so they easily entered.

They took some hours searching for Sheriff around the premises, but Sheriff did not step into the secretariat throughout yesterday.

And former PDP National Secretary, Wale Oladipo, and the PDP National Auditor, Adewole Adeyanju, who had entered into the secretariat a few minutes before the protesters arrived, were trapped inside their former offices, even as the youths beat drums and danced around the secretariat.

Some of the youths suggested that the two former members of the party’s National Working Committee should be dealt with for collaborating with Sheriff to destroy the party while others pleaded that they should be allowed to go on condition that he would not come close to the PDP secretariat in future.

At a point, some security men formerly attached to the secretariat resorted to begging the youths to allow Oladipo and Adeyanju to leave peacefully.

At 1.40 pm, someone summoned courage and managed to sneak out Oladipo’s vehicle through the back entrance.

Moments later, bare footed Prof. Oladipo and Adeyanju were smuggled out of the national secretariat premises to an unknown location.

The former National Auditor of the party, Adeyanju had to scale the fence of the secretariat and in the process abandon his blue Toyota Camry with registration number Lagos APP 767CK‎ at the national secretariat of the party.

Before the pro-Makarfi group arrived‎, another group of protesters called Guardian of Democracy, had staged a solidarity protest to the secretariat insisting that Sheriff was the authentic leader of the PDP However, the acclaimed National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff condemn as shameful acts of hooliganism and brigandage being employed by the illegal caretaker committee led

by senator Ahmed makarfi.

In a statement issued by Sen. Sheriff’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Inuwa Bwala said, “he views the sack of the secretariat of the party yesterday by hoodlums under the directive of the so called Caretaker Committee as a sad reminder of the days of lawlessness, impunity and brigandage for which sponsors of the Caretaker Committee have been known over the years”.

While calling on his supporters to remain calm and law abiding in the face of the various provocations, by allowing the law to take its course, Senator Sheriff implored security agencies to stop taking sides in political matters, as demonstrated by some policemen deployed to secure the PDP secretariat. “ The National Chairman views the acts of desperation on the part of the so-called Caretaker Committee to confer a semblance of legitimacy on Senator Ahmed Makarfi and his co travelers as unfortunate, seeing that they have resorted to blatant lies and blackmail of the person of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff,” the

one for two reasons: one was that the previous one had expired but two given the current economic challenges and then the economic circus of this government to reflate and diversify the economy.

We felt there was a need for a new debt strategy so the debt strategy to be used is based on medium term expenditure framework as you know was prepared and presented by the ministry of budget and national planning and that MTEF assumed that we would reduce our domestic debt from 1% of GDP to 0.7 percent by 2019. Reason for this is that the government recognizes that for the next 3 years to really stimulate this economy and to provide the infrastructure that we need, we would need to be borrowing.

We need to borrow at the most cost effective rate and at the most cost effective and beneficial terms. And also the government recognizes that there is a need to stimulate the private sector, for the private sector to really grow banks must lend to the private sector so we don’t want government borrowing crowding out the private sector.”

She added that the cabinet gave the approval after a robust arguments with a caveat that the government should focus more on exports, especially non oil in order to attract foreign exchange.

The minister added that identified bottlenecks I accustoms and other quarantine agencies would be removed to create foreign exchange earnings so that these borrowings which are in dollars when they need to be repaid we would have dollar revenues to pay them.

On CBN, under this new arrangement, exchange rate is to be determined by market ‎forces as part of flexible foreign exchange regime of CBN aimed at reducing the pressure on the Naira.

Also by this arrangement, ‎the Apex Bank has stopped the allocation and sale of Foreign Exchange for purposes of payment of school fees and settlement of medical bills overseas. No more preferential treatment.

The CBN Governor, ‎Mr Godwin Emefiele who announced the framework at a press conference in Abuja said, “having consulted widely and prepared carefully, the committee of Governors of the CBN is delighted to unveil to relevant stakeholders and the general public, the broad framework and guidelines of the Flexible Exchange Rate Interbank Market, which we alluded to at the end of that MPC Meeting. ”We all know by now that Nigeria has been dealing with the effects of three significant and simultaneous global shocks, which began around the third quarter of 2014. These include: the over 70 percent drop in the price of crude oil, which contributes the largest share of our Foreign Exchange Reserves; Global growth slowdown and geopolitical tensions along critical trading routes in the world; and Normalization of Monetary Policy by the United States’ Federal Reserve.”

“I therefore urge market participants to assist us in ensuring that this new system enables the CBN to pursue its mandate in a more effective and efficient manner, which guarantees preservation of our scarce commonwealth, stability of our financial system, and growth of our economy to the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

PAGE 6

News

National Youth Service Corps Members Participating in Tug-of-War during the Inauguration Oof the NYSC 2016 Batch ‘A’ stream two orientation course, yesterday in Jos. Photo NAN

Reps probe Jonathan’s centenary city project

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he House of Representatives yesterday mandated it’s committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to investigate the Centenary City project and to determine if it was done according to the extant laws.

The Centenary City project was initiated to mark the 100

year anniversary of Nigeria by the Goodluck Jonathan administration on January 1, 2014 which is to be funded by the private-sector.

The resolution by the House was sequel to motion entitled “call for investigation of alleged irregularities surrounding the centenary city project” sponsored

by Hon. Timothy Golu.

While moving the motion

on the floor of the House, the lawmaker alleged that the centenary city project was marred with irregularities which may have cost the Federal Government and the Federal Capital Development (FCDA) billions of Naira and loss of thousands of hectares of land.

“It was to showcase Abuja as a modern city. Government was not supposed to be part of it.

“People were meant to be

compensated; there is restiveness as there has been no compensation given. With these irregularities, i want this House to investigate it, “Golu said.

The House adopted the motion after it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.

The committee is to report back to the House within a month from today for further legislative action.

Abia Gov wants NYSC’s involvement in agric revolution

By Albert Akota

T

he Governor of Abia State Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has advocated the engagement of the National Youth Service Corps to drive the Federal Government’s policy on agricultural rejuvenation.

He was speaking yesterday, when the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Suleman Kazaure, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Umuahia.

He pointed out that one of the ways to maximize the country’s

potentials in agriculture was to channel the energy of the youths towards the sector.

Governor Ikpeazu averred that the level of education of Corps members would make them have better understanding of issues and practices in agriculture.

The Governor, who spoke of the state’s Senatorial multi-skills centre in Aba, with more to come on stream in other Senatorial zones, assured that the state government would give Corps members opportunity to learn vocational skills in the centres.

He lauded the contributions of the NYSC to national unity and

development and, especially, its role in the successful conduct of the 2015 general elections.

Ikpeazu also used the occasion to preach peace and unity among Nigerians.

“We should reflect on those things that unite us rather than what divides us,” he said.

He assured that the state government would intervene in the various challenges confronting the NYSC Scheme in the state.

Earlier, the NYSC DirectorGeneral, Brigadier General Suleman Kazaure had enumerated pressing needs of the Scheme in the state to include

control of erosion problem, total renovation of female hostels and provision of additional boreholes in the orientation camp as well as payment of state subvention to the NYSC State Secretariat.

Kazaure, however, acknowledged the renovation works already carried out in the camp and the planned renovation of the State Coordinator’s residence.

He thanked the state government for its support to the NYSC while also calling for the strengthening of the existing cordial relationship between them.

FRSC Corps Marshal alerts public

T

he Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi, on Wednesday advised Nigerians to disregard the information that the Corps was recruiting or doing staff replacement.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Bisi Kazeem, Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, Abuja.

The statement quoted the Corps Marshal as advising the public to be wary of the activities of fraudsters parading themselves

as agents to extort money from innocent job-seekers. ``Contrary to reports making rounds that the FRSC is conducting a fresh recruitment and replacement exercises, and has dispatched recruitment forms to the states for interested candidates to apply. ``This is not true; so, I call on Nigerians to disregard the information that the Corps is recruiting or doing a replacement. ``I urge you to be wary of the activities of fraudsters who are parading themselves as agents to

extort money from innocent jobseekers,’’ he said.

According to him, the activities of the fraudsters are being investigated by relevant authorities, and that the Corps Marshal is concerned about this worrisome development. ``Hence, using this medium to clarify that FRSC is not conducting any form of recruitment or replacement exercise, and will make it public knowledge whenever such recruitment is approved by the Federal Government. ``No government agency

recruits without due approval; it is equally a standard practice for recruitment exercises to be advertised on radio, television, and through the print media,” he said.

Oyeyemi said that proper screening was part of the procedure for recruitment or replacement, and would not be bypassed during such exercises.

According to him, when the Corps is recruiting, information on such is readily made available through the following official platforms www.frsc.gov.ng, www. fb.com/federalroadsafetycorps or

Shettima distributes 8 trucks of food to Bama IDPs From Mustapha Kwaru,Maiduguri

B

orno state Governor, Kashim Shettima yesterday distributed eight trucks of assorted foodstuff for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in Bama town in order to address humanitarian crisis at the camp.

Governor Shettima who led a group of nongovernmental organisations to the IDPs camp in Bama local government area of Borno state, said that the foodstuff would tackle the hardship of the IDPs. “We have come with eight trucks of assorted food items to address the you are facing. There will be a symbolic distribution of the foodstuffs to 100 while 2,500 would be given within the week.

About 2,500 out the 28,000 IDPs selected from various households would so far benefit from the items,” Shettima said.

The governor, also directed that nursing mothers whose children have severe cases of child killer diseases be transported back to Maiduguri for proper medical attention.

Also speaking, Satomi Ahmed, the chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA) said that his agency had concluded all arrangement to kick off the distribution.

Ahmed explained that a total of 2241 households have been identified but only 50 households would benefit from today flagged off by the Gov. Kashim Shettima Similarly, Head of Sub office International Organistion Migrant (IOM) Ms. Emmy Khakula,who was also in Bama said about 2,500 women and children with severe cases would be given healthcare attention.

“We are here to support the people in Bama. I think this is why We are here to support and provide basic assistance, “she said.

@FRSCNigeria on Twitter.

He said that the Corps could be reached through a toll-free line 122 or 070022553772, 08077690055 and 08077690397 for any confirmation or clarification on recruitment and other matters concerning the organisation.

The corps marshal assured Nigerians that the FRSC, in collaboration with security agencies, was on the trail of these criminal elements, who were out to swindle Nigerians under the guise that the establishment was recruiting. (NAN)

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

News Money laundering: Court adjourns Goje’s case to October 4th and 5th From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

A

L-R: Focal Officer, Servicom Unit, Office of The Vice Chancellor, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Dr Abubakar Dutse; Vice Chancellor Of The University, Prof. Saminu Abdulrahman and Chairman Of Servicom, Prof. Oyeyiga David, during the 2016 2nd quarter meeting of the Servicom Committee of parastatals of thE National Universities Commission (Nuc), at ATBU, yesterday in Bauchi

Stop bombing pipelines, Reps plead with militants

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he House of Representatives has urged the militants to embrace peace and discontinue the bombing of oil installations in the region.

The House also urged the Federal Government to formulate a sustainable plan to end militancy rather than the confrontational approaches so far adopted.

The resolutions by the House were sequel to a motion entitled “need for an improved funding for the amnesty programme and suitable strategic plan end militancy in the Niger Delta” sponsored by Hon. Ekpenyong Ayi and 30 others.

Ayi while moving the motion on the floor of the House noted that the administration of late President Umaru Yar’Adua introduced the amnesty programme which led to higher oil revenues for the country.

He worried that N20bn proposed by the Federal Government is inadequate to sustain the payment of stipends of N25,000 to ex agitators, pay in training allowances, tuition fees and other commitments.

“The incessant attacks on oil facilities has led to Nigeria losing its place as Africa’s largest oil producer because it’s oil output has fallen to a 22 year low of 1.4 million barrels per day against the budgetary target of 2.2mbpd.

“This massive cut from the proposed

N55bn of the amnesty office has threatened the sustainability of the Amnesty programme.

“This has led to a resurgence of militancy, as the militants are being owed arrears of stipends which has in turned to slump in oil production, “the law maker said.

Ayi noted that the attacks have negatively impacted on electricity output in the form of thermal power stations that are reliant on gas to power the turbines.

The House further urged its leadership to interface with the Federal Government to make available funds for the short fall.

The House adopted the motion after it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.

Police arrest hoodlums over night attack in From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

P

olice in Plateau state yesterday evening launched a mass arrest of hoodlums popularly known as (Yandaba) belonging to two rival groups that have been at a logger heads with each other for a long time in Unguwan Rogo - Unguwan Rimi area of Jos north local government area of the state.

The mass arrest came following attack and counter attack between members of two rival

groups.

DSP Emmanuel Abu who is Police Public Relation Officer in the state confirmed the arrest, saying that nine people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

It was gathered that one of the group which comprises members from different communities of Jos stormed Unguwan Rogo - Unguwan Rimi communities to attack a strong member of the other rival group who resides in Unguwan Rimi area.

However, when those members who stormed Unguwan Rogo community to attack the targeted person found him absent, they started destroying and smashing cars belonging to the members of the said community where the targeted guy is residing in an attempt to transferred their anger .

The incident which generated serious tension left over 50 cars destroyed by the hoodlums.

Mother of slain driver demands justice

By Osby Isibor

M

rs. Cecilia Oghene, the aged mother of Peter Oghene who allegedly died in the hands of Police authority and local vigilantes has cried out to the authority to release her son’s corpse to the family for proper burial after more than one year of her son’s death.

Mrs. Cecilia Oghene who lamented the suffering the family is going through since the death of their son whom she claimed was the breadwinner of the family, called for government’s assistance.

Peter Oghene, a taxi driver, was said to have been arrested alongside some Lesbian, Gay,

Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) members in Badagry, a Lagos suburb in March 2015 on the accusation that they were organizing LGBT group.

He was said to have died in the custody, but Police authority has denied the accusation that Peter died in their custody, suggesting that he may have died out of jungle justice by some Nigerians or civilian vigilantes who were against gays, but the family had insisted that Peter died in their custody.

The family also denied the accusation of their late son been a gay or belonging to any outlaw organisation because of his Christian upbringing. They also alleged that Peter Oghene’s best friend, Samson Obi whom they

accused of been Peter’s lover was also arrested.

Speaking to PEOPLES DAILY, one of the family members and a community leader, Elder Johnson Esemota, said Samson’s apartment in one of the estates in Lagos was raided by security operatives March last year, but he was said to have escaped to Lokoja where he was later arrested in May last year.

He said Samson was yet to be heard from since he was arrested; raising the suspicion that he might have died also in the custody.

It could be recalled that former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan had in 2014 signed into law a bill banning pretty much everything gay, including support for gays. All of it will get you ten years in prison.

Federal High Court in Jos has yesterday adjourned hearing to 4th and 5th of 0ctober this year on the alleged transactions of N1.4bn against the former Governor of Gombe state, Senator Danjuma Goje and 4 others.

The alleged transactions were said be on the supply of food items to the State Government House as well as supply of books and dictionaries to the state public primary and secondary schools.

Senator Goje and four other accused; Alhaji Sambo Mohammed Tumu, Alhaji Aliyu El-Nafaty, S. M Dakoro and M. Dakoro Gombe.

According to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), the accused persons are faced with an 18- count charge totaling N25bn before the Federal High Court.

During the two days hearing , the prosecution counsel to EFCC, Wahab Shittu, submitted documents to prove the allegation levelled against the accused persons which indicated the supply of food items to the Government House, and supply of books to schools in the state through via SUBEB. At the sitting of the court on Tuesday, the EFCC witness PW5 who was a store keeper during Goje’s administration tendered two conflicting documents tagged as exhibits J and CCC with N1.4bn and N1.3bn respectively on the supply of food.

The counsel to the accused, Adeniyi Adebola said the document presented by the witness was purported and should not be accepted.

According to him, there was a disparity in figure between documents tendered by EFCC as exhibit J and the document as exhibit CCC tendered by the witness PW5, adding that the signatures on the document were fake.

He further said that the PW5 statement on the first accused person, Sen Danjuma Goje on alleged money laundering and misappropriation of funds main for the supply of foodstuffs to the total sum of N1.4bn and N1.3bn were not signed by senator Goje.

But in the cross examination, the prosecuting counsel to the EFCC, Bar Wahap Shittu insisted that the witness should give verbal evidence on exhibit J and CCC. However, Justice Babatunde Quadri who is the presiding judge over the matter had after hearing from the all parties involved adjourned the case to October 4th and 5th for pending application for the compilation of more facts on the lack of due process on the contract.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

News

Kado community urges elected AMAC officials to fulfill campaign promises

By Paul Efiong

T

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, assisted by Sultan Muhammad Saad Abubakar, present a bag of fertilizer to a farmer, Mamman Abubakar, during the flag off of fertiliser sales for the 2016 wet season farming in Silame LGA of Sokoto on Tuesday in Sokoto State.

Widow, 92, withdraws suit seeking return of Lagos schools A

92-year-old widow, Mrs Roseline Ololo, on Wednesday discontinued a suit before a Federal High Court in Lagos seeking return two schools - Metropolitan College and Isolo Secondary School, Lagos, to her.

The applicant had filed the suit through her lawyer, Chief Malcom Omirhobo, praying the court for an order directing the government to return the schools to her.

When the case was called on Wednesday, counsel to the applicant informed the court of a motion on notice to discontinue the suit.

Omirhobo prayed the court to withdraw the action in its entirety against all persons sued as respondents in accordance with the rules of court.

In a short ruling, Justice Rabiu Shagari struck out the suit with no order as to cost.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ololo had sued for herself and her company, Akaix West Africa Ltd. The respondents in the suit were the Attorney General of the Federation, the Minister of Education, Lagos State Government, Lagos State Attorney General, and The Lagos State Commissioner for Education.

The applicant had prayed the court for a declaration that the refusal by the Lagos State Government to return her schools was unjust, unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful.

In her affidavit, she averred that in 1952, she and her late husband

incorporated a company, Akaix Africa Ltd, in which name they established Metropolitan College.

She averred that they were granted permission by the Federal Ministry of Education to establish Metropolitan College of Commerce.

Ololo averred that in 1966, before the Nigerian Civil war, they had purchased over 8.17 hectares of land at the Itire-akari, Isolo area of Lagos for siting of their school.

According to the applicant, the Military Government of Lagos State, in 1976, took over 48 private secondary schools from their owners, including Metropolitan College.

She said that in the process, Isolo Secondary School was carved out of Metropolitan College on the same expanse of land hosting the

college.

She averred that however, in 2001, the then administration repealed the law and returned the said 48 private schools to their owners, but Metropolitan College was curiously not returned to its owners.

The applicant, had, therefore, prayed the court for a declaration that the refusal of the respondents to return her schools violated her constitutional rights to acquire and own landed properties.

Ololo had also sought a court order restraining the respondents from further infringing on her fundamental right, as well as an order returning her properties to her.

(NAN)

Anti-corruption: Group advocates Yobe earmarks N1.4bn for independent commission in Nigeria upgrading of 3 general hospitals

By Paul Efiong

A

Non-Governmental Organization known as Association Of Anti-Fraud Advocate Of Nigeria(AAFAN) has advocated for an Independent National Audit Commission in Nigeria which might help in curtailing sharp practices in the country.

Speaking in at news conference in Abuja yesterday, the National President of the group, His Royal Highness,Dr. Samuel Ezekwo explained that the commission when created will help to institutionalize anti-corruption war in the country claiming, that as at present: “External Auditors after auditing

Government Organization and presented his report to the Organization, most often the organization will mandate the External Auditors to remove or delete the aspect of such report that indicts the organization or be sacked”.

To address such loop sided and politically motivated tendency, the president observed that an Independent National Audit Commission when created will appoint an Independent External Auditors to audit government establishments that spend public funds both at Federal,State and Local Government as well as report their observations to the commission for necessary actions.

From Uche Uche, Damaturu

Y

obe state government has approved the sum of N1.36 billion for the rehabilitation, renovation and expansion of three general hospitals in the state.

The general hospitals are Gashau’a, Geidam, and Potiskum respectively.

The state Commissioner of Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Alh. Aji Yerima Bularafa disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the Yobe state Executive Council Meeting held yesterday at the

chambers of the Government House Damaturu, which was presided over by the State Governor, Alh. Ibrahim Gaidam..

He also said the sum of N59.13 million would be spent for the construction of walkway and landscaping at the newly completed wards and units at the Sani Abatcha Specialist hospital Damaturu.

He pointed out that the funds for these projects were derived from the federal government bailout funds dedicated to completions of ongoing capital projects across the states.

he leadership of Abuja Municipal Area Area Council(AMAC) has been reminded of a need to fulfilling its campaign promises to the people through which they were elected to office.

Speaking in an interview, the Village Head of Kado/Life Camp, Chief Dalami Audu emphasized the important of fulfilling promises made to the people stressing that his community is lacking behind in areas such as schools, provision of portable water etc.

“We want the new leadership in AMAC to come to our rescue because we are lacking seriously behind in different areas of social basic amenities”.

“My people buy drinking water here every day because the taps are not rushing, we have to put other security measures in place within ourselves as if there is no government here, we are leaving in our ancestral home therefore let the government come in here and assist us.

On the ongoing fasting, Chief Audu calls on the Muslim faithful within his community to pray hard for peace and progress of everybody disclosing that current economic realities has impacted negatively on him as he could not support them materially this time around.

As a traditional leader, the chief explained that his hands are tied as he could not help in providing numbers of transformers needed for some parts of his community which has been in darkness for some years now.

Death toll in southern Ghana city flood rises to 10

T

he death toll in the flood in the southern Ghana city of Cape Coast has increased from five to 10, an official of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) said Sandy Amartey, the Regional Coordinator of NADMO, said the flood followed four days of torrential rains which wreaked havoc in the coastal city, about 144 km west of the capital.

He said some of the victims were swept away by the strong running water, while others were electrocuted, while the rest were hit accidentally by broken walls.

He added that ``the bodies have been deposited at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. ``Officials of NADMO are still continuing with their assistance of the affected persons.’’

Ghana’s coastal and middle belts have been experiencing continuous rains since last week. (Xinhua/ NAN) IAA/HA

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Page 9

News

Again, Saraki seeks CCT chair disqualification in court

By Paschal Chukwuemeka

E

mbattled President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki has filed yet another application asking the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar to disqualify himself from his ongoing trial.

Specifically, Saraki brought the application in protest of a statement credited to the CCT Chairman at the last sitting, insisting that the threat by Umar was biased and cannot accord him a fair trial.

Umar had told Saraki that he would incur the full wrath of the law over charges of alleged false declaration of assets filed against him by the Federal Government despite the alleged delayed trial tactics.

“I am not happy at the delay tactics by the defence counsel. And I must say this thing out that this delay tactics will not reduce the consequences the defendant will meet from this tribunal at the end of the trial” the tribunal chairman warned.

Danladi was reacting to the allegation of delay tactics levelled against Saraki’s counsel

by the prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs SAN. He therefore threatened that the consequences of the trial and the charges will in no way be reduced on the accused person by the tribunal.

In the new application filed by his counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi SAN, Saraki claimed that Umar’s threat was a clear indication that the tribunal had made up its mind to convict him at all cost irrespective of the evidences at the trial.

The fresh motion was filed pursuant to Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.

Going by the statement, Saraki insisted that the Tribunal Chairman was in a hurry to convict him without giving him a fair hearing and a fair opportunity to defend himself.

The application was based on eight grounds, wherein Saraki stated that the threat of consequences issued by Umar has caused him to lose confidence in the impartiality of the chairman and that he is no longer confident that he can get justice from the tribunal if the chairman continues to

participate in the hearing and determination of the case against him.

“The defendant is deeply worried and lives in perpetual fear since the statement was made by the chairman of the Tribunal and no longer believes that justice can be done in the trial”.

In an affidavit of 26 paragraphs deposed to by one Olufemi Balogun in support of the motion, Saraki was said to be currently facing trial before the CCT on a 16 charge bordering on violation of the provisions of the Code of Conduct for public officers and that one witness Mr. Michael Wetkas called by the prosecution has given evidence and undergoing cross examination.

The affidavit averred that on June 7, 2016 during continuation of trial, one of Saraki’s lawyers Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), had sought leave of the tribunal to give a recap of the last proceeding on the last sitting and that the chairman in response openly accused the defense team of employing delay tactics in the following words.

“I am not happy at the delay by the defense

counsel and I must say this thing out that this delay tactics will not reduce the consequences the defendant will meet in this tribunal at the end of the trial”.

More so, the affidavit indicated that the statement of the chairman did not go down well with defence lead counsel Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), who immediately expressed worries about prejudice as evident from the statement threatening consequences even before all the evidence was in.

However, when Agabi informed the tribunal of the pendency of the motion and the need for the tribunal to determine the motion first because of the fundamental issues it raised.

However, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Pius Akuta Ukeyima told the tribunal that the motion was not ripe for hearing and therefore urged the tribunal to proceed with continuation of trial.

Agabi raised objectiom to the continuation of the trial because of the fundamental issue raised in the motion.

Consequently, the chairman had to

NYSC wants Zamfara govt to expand facilities From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

T

Ongoing emergency repairs of Barliet-Ilasa section of Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, yesterday in Lagos

UNICEF urges Bauchi govt to set up functional health centers From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

U

nited Nations International Children Education Fund UNICEF has urged the Bauchi state government to commence the implementation of functional primary health care centers in its 323 wards to meet up with the requirements of National Health Act. By 2017.

The Chief of UNICEF field office Bauchi, Dr Abdoulayi Kai Kai made the urge at a one day sensitization meeting on the National Health Act

in Bauchi yesterday, organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the state ministry of health.

Dr Kai Kai said the National Health Act provides a frame work for the establishment of systems to support the far reaching reforms in the health sector. Adding that functional health centers would reduce the rate of Maternal and child death.

He said, “according to the act the Federal Government will contribute fifty percent while stare and local governments are to

contribute twenty five percent” In her remark the state commissioner of health Dr Halima Mukaddas said the State government is ready to provide all necessary health care facilities towards achieving the desired objective of national health act.

“The state government will soon established health care’s centers in the 323 wards across the state to achieved the said goals and objectives and also reduce maintain maternal and child health care in the state”

Dr Halima stressed that state government has since embraced the Federal government reform system of providing primary health care center per ward.

Also speaking, the chairman House Committee on Health, Hon Yunusa Ahmed reaffirmed the commitment of the legislature, saying “the legislature would do everything within its power to ensure that proper implementation of the health act and provision of functional health care facilities across the state.”

he Zamfara state Coordinator, National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Ballama Bello has for the sake of development of the Tsafe NYSC orientation camp, made a plea to the state government to expand the available facilities in the camp.

Ballama, who spoke to newsmen yesterday in his Tsafe office shortly after the swearing-In Ceremony of the 2016 Batch A stream II said, the camp is in desperate demand of 3 to 4 additional hostels, total renovation and construction of staff quarters and other necessary facilities across the camp.

“We would appreciate any state government’s step towards assuring rapid development of the camp. The fast increasing number of corps members deployed to the state without rapid increase in the number of available facilities is quite challenging.” Ballama has warned.

He however said, unlike previous times, 1,700 corps members were currently deployed for the 2016 camping in the state and would be accommodated hitch free through the provision and utilisation of the available resources.

“We made it integral of the scheme that the prospective corps members are sensitize on entrepreneurship for them to become self-reliant after completion of their mandatory service, as we learnt that white collar jobs have become the mirage of nowadays”, Ballama stressed.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

News

Special Marshal to Niger Delta Avengers: Stop attacking oil installations From Matthew Omonigho, Delta

A

Representative Of United Nations High Commission For Refugees (UNHCR) to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Angele Dikongue (4Th-L); Acting Federal Commissioner, National Commission For Refugees, Migrants And Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Margaret Essien (5Th-L); Head Of Government And Community Relations, Etisalat Network, Mohammed Sule-Yusuf and some participants after a quiz competition to commeserate the 2016 World Refugees Day organised

by UNHCR and NCFRMI, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Niger Gov kicks against scrapping of NYSC scheme From Yakubu Minna

Mustapha,

T

he Niger state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has kicked against the call by some Nigerians for the scrapping of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), hence the primary objective of the programme is very relevant in the nation.

Governor Bello made his

position known at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Batch ‘A’ (Stream Two) orientation course and swearing in ceremony of Corps members deployed to Niger state.

Bello who said that NYSC still remains an enduring vehicle for national unity asked the federal government to reinvigorate the scheme rather than scrapping it.

“The NYSC established

43 years ago still remain an enduring vehicle for national unity and integration in the country. In my opinion, the primary objective of the scheme is to develop common ties among Nigerian youths and to promote national unity and integration and I feel this is still very relevant.

“However, in the implementation processes, we need to be more innovative and we need to reinvigorate the

programme by giving the youths the opportunity to learn higher ideas and prepare them for the reality of life after death”.

He added that the scheme helps in inculcating discipline, instilling the tradition of industry at work, patriotism and loyalty to the unity of the nation in every situation and helps the youths to acquire skills for self reliance that will further aid the economy.

NAHCON advises intending pilgrims to get polio, CSM immunisation

T

he National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has advised intending pilgrims for the 2016 Hajj to ensure they received Oral Polio and Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis (CSM) immunisation before their departure.

The Commission gave the advice in a statement signed by

its Head of Media, Alhaji Uba Mana on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mana said that ``in line with Saudi Arabian Medical Guidelines for intending pilgrims, all pilgrims for the 2016 Hajj are advised to ensure that they are immunised against Oral Polio and Cebro-Spinal Meningitis.’’

He gave the assurance that adequate doses of vaccines had been secured and deposited in all state capitals by the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

He explained that intending pilgrims were expected to be fully immunised at least 10 days before

their travel date, in consonance with the International Health Regulations (IHR).

He then urged all states’ Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies, Commissions and licenced tour operators to ensure that all intending pilgrims acquired the genuine yellow card from state health offices. (NAN)

Special Marshal (FRSC) has appealed to members of the new militant group, Niger Delta Avengers to have respite for the vandalization of oil and gas pipelines as well as other oil installations in the Niger Delta for the success of the nation’s economy.

Delta State Coordinator of the Special Marshal (FRSC) Mr. Dickson Amromawhe made the appeal yesterday at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), a Subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation during the formal handing over of gadgets to FRSC (Special Marshal) engaged in traffic control along Shaguolo/ Jeddo-Ubeji road in Warri.

While noting that militants have continued to blow up pipelines, Mr. Amromawhe commended the Nigerian Gas Company for sustaining the Nigerian Economy especially the Electricity Sector in the Country.

Mr. Amromawhe said, Our appeal to the Niger Delta Militants is that they should have respite of the gas lines so that we can have success in all we are doing. In-spite of the activities of Niger Delta Avengers NGC is pushing out Gas to the Country and I commend them for that.. “Mr. Amromawhe also appealed to the Management of Nigerian Gas Company to grant its Health

Safety & Environment Department, HSE Unit the permission to carry out “periodic checks” on Official vehicles as well as that of Staff stressing that “the use of expired tyres should be taken seriously”.

While noting that accessing Nigerian Gas Company is “ difficult” Mr. Amromahwe promised to ensure that the Delta State Government give prominence to companies within the Shaguolo/Jeddo-Ubeji road axis of Warri.

He appreciated the Nigerian Gas Company for the formal handing over of gadgets to FRSC (Special Marshal) engaged in traffic control along Shaguolo-Jeddo-Ubeji road stressing the need for the Special Marshal to go beyond its present level.

Earlier in his remarks, the Managing Director of Nigerian Gas Company, NGC Mr. Babatunde Bakare urged the Special Marshal to continue making efforts to wipe out “premature” and “ unwarranted” death from Nigerian roads.

Mr. Bakare who was represented by a top Management Staff of NGC , Mrs. Comfort. O. Adepoju said, “ Please continue to make more efforts so that premature or unwarranted deaths can be completely wiped out from our roads. We see FRSC as one of our stakeholders in business. We place priority and premium to safety and we also like to have conducive environment to thrive.

FRSC ensure safety on our roads as we partner in progress.”

Insurgency: FG releases 1,470 tonnes of grains to Adamawa

T

he Federal Government on Wednesday presented 1,470 tonnes of grains to farmers across the 21 Local Government Areas of Adamawa to cushion the effect of the Boko Haram attacks in the state.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr David Babachir, presented the food items to representatives of the Local Government Areas on Wednesday in Yola.

He said that the gesture was to cushion the hardship occasioned by the attacks on the people of the state by Boko Haram insurgents.

“For the past two years, thousands of farmers and their families were not been able to farm due to Boko Haram attacks.

“The development has caused a lot of adversity to the people in the state.

“The food items donated is aimed at reducing the difficulties, especially those in the worst hit seven local government areas in the state,” Babachir said.

Babachir was represented by Mr Ibrahim Bapatel, a Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Affairs.

The SGF said that the exercise was part of Federal Government’s effort in assisting communities of six states in the NorthEastern region affected by Boko Haram attacks.

He said that the seven worst hit areas of the state which include Madagali, Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South, Maiha, Hong and

Gombi would be given special consideration in the distribution of the food items.

Responding, Mr Martins Babale, the Deputy Gov. of Adamawa, thanked the Federal Government for the gesture.

Babale said that the state government would continue to partner with the Federal Government in the rehabilitation, reconstruction and maintainance of peace in the state in particular and the region in general.

Similarly, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it had distributed clothes to over 7,000 Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) in Adamawa.

Mr Sa’ad Bello, the Agency’s state Coordinator made this known in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria

(NAN) in Yola.

Bello said that the clothing materials were distributed early enough in preparation to the Eid- Fitr Sallah festival.

He said that the agency had also distributed food items worth millions of naira to Daware and Malkohi IDPs’ camps and Yolde Pate host community in Girei and Yola South LGAs respectively.

Bello said that the food presentation was part of the routine donation aimed at assisting the IDPs’ families living in the settlement camps across the state.

He urged the IDPs not to sell the commodity, saying that the Federal Government was working round the clock to ensure steady supply of relief materials to them. (NAN)

Page 11

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

nasiru

I, formerly known as muhammad ashiru now wish to be known and addressed as nasiru ashiru. All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

adamu

I, formerly known as adamu iguda now wish to be known and addressed as adamu haruna iguda. my date of birth remain 1st oct. 1972. All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

aisha

I, formerly known as aisha ibrahim now wish to be known and addressed as aisha isma’il All former documents remain valid. GTBankAll and the general public should please take note.

Mrs ezinne

I, formerly known as obasi ezinne esther now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs ezinne esther godwin. All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

marvis

I, formerly known as onyema marvis now wish to be known and addressed as njoku marvis. All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

njoku

I, formerly known as njoku nfeayi now wish to be known and addressed as njoku john. All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

ade

I, formerly known as olaniyi moshood sahid now wish to be known and addressed as ade mohammed said. All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Hijab, CAN and religious tolerance

By Dauda Ayanda

O

n September 11, 2003, two teachers at the Franklin Science Academy in Muskogee, Oklahoma, were discussing the terrorist attacks that had occurred exactly two years earlier, when they spotted a sixth grader, Nashala Hearn, wearing a Muslim headscarf. The school’s dress code prohibited students from wearing “hats, caps, bandanas, plastic caps, or hoods on jackets inside the building.” One of the teachers sent Nashala to the principal, who warned and later suspended the eleven-year-old when she continued to wear the scarf.

The school attorney said, “You treat religious items the same as you would any other item, no better or worse. Our dress code prohibits headgear, period.” The school was willing to articulate the Establishment Clause argument against its initial antagonist, the Rutherford Institute, a Christian civil liberties foundation that assisted the Hearns in filing their complaint in a federal court. When the US Justice Department intervened by filing additional briefs against the school in the spring of 2004, however, the school quickly caved in.

Under a settlement agreement, the school agreed to change the dress code so as to include an accommodation, or exception, for religious headgear (hijab). The school also paid an undisclosed sum of monetary damages to the Hearn family. In response, Assistant Attorney General Alexander Acosta issued a public statementthat “This settlement reaffirms the principle

that public schools cannot require students to check their faith at the schoolhouse door.”

It is this constitutional position of law that underlines the judgment delivered by Justice Jide Falola of the state High Court in Osun State on Friday June 3, 2016 in favour of a case instituted by Osun State Muslim Community against the state government on the right of female Muslim students in public schools in the state to use hijab on their school uniforms. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), its chairman and others later joined voluntarily as respondents.

In his judgment, Justice Falola traced the history of religion and observed that religion was introduced to the case when CAN and others joined the suit, noting that he decided to deliver the judgment after all plea to settle the matter amicably has proved futile. Premising his judgment on Section 38 of the Nigeria Constitution and Article 8 of the 2004 policy published by the state Ministry of Education, Justice Falola held that female Muslim students were not exempted from the freedom of religion, conscience and thought.

The judgment re-echoed the position of Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General, addressed to the Department of Public Information (DPI) seminar on “Confronting Islamophobia: Education for Tolerance and Understanding” in New York, 2004 where he identified unlearning intolerance in part as a matter of legal protection. The right to freedom of religion – and to be free from discrimination based on religion – is long enshrined in

international law, from the UN Charter to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other instruments. Such standards have been incorporated into the laws of many countries.

Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. It is fostered by knowledge, openness, communication, and freedom of thought, conscience and belief. Tolerance is harmony in difference. It is not only a moral duty, it is also a political and legal requirement. Tolerance, the virtue that makes peace possible, contributes to the replacement of the culture of war by a culture of peace as enshrined in Article 1.1 of the Declaration on Principles of Tolerance, proclaimed and signed by the Member States of UNESCO on 16 November 1995.

Article 26 (2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the international community in 1948, states that “Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.”

It is on the basis of using education as a tool in promoting tolerance that prompted Vernon Hills High School in USA to stage “Walk a Mile in Her Hijab” event in 2015 designed to allow

Christians and other non-Muslim female students the opportunity to wear hijab and gain a better understanding of the Muslim faith. In the same vein, Dr Larycia Hawkins, a Christian and a Wheaton College Political Science Professor, posted photos of herself on Facebook and Twitter wearing a hijab to show solidarity with Muslim women in America and inviting other women to join her.

Saheela Ibraheem, a native of Ede in Osun State with her full-grown hijab was accepted to Harvard College at age ahead of her time. At 16, she was named to a list of “The World’s 50 Smartest Teenagers,” which got the attention of the White House. She was invited to Washington D.C. in early March 2015 where she introduced the president and first lady at a reception to kick off Black History Month.

Acknowledging her exceptional nature, Obama said, “We are so proud of your accomplishments and all that lies ahead of you, and you reflect our history. Young people like this inspire our future.” At no point in her career has she been denied wearing hijab.

It is on this basis of freedom of religion that Barack Obama stated at Cairo University in 2009 that “Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one’s religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state in our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That’s why the United States government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab and to punish those who would deny it.”

Reinforcing this assertion,

Michelle Obama paid a visit to Mulberry School for Girls in Tower Hamlets, United Kingdom in 2015 to inspire hundreds of young people where majority of teenage students cover their heads with hijab.

Speaking to the crowd of hijab-clad girls, Mrs. Obama said, “When I look out at all these young women, I see myself. In so many ways your story is my story. I’m here because of you.

Because girls like you inspire and impress me, every day.’ She couldn’t have chosen a more fantastically multicultural school – only a handful of hijab-free heads in the entire place – or a more impressive one, against the odds. More than 70 per cent of the students are on free school meals, but four-fifths go on to university.

Obviously, we live in one world as reiterated by Kofi Annan. We need to understand and respect each other, live peacefully together and live up to the best of our respective traditions. That is not as easy as we might like it to be. But that is all the more reason to try harder, with all our tools and all our will.

It is time to unlearn intolerance and accept hijab as a divinely endowed honoursworn by blessed Eve wife of Adam, Sarah wife of Abraham, Mary mother of Jesus and Khadijah wife of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah be pleased with them all) as a symbol of purity and humility.

Engr. Dauda Ayanda (MNSE); former Executive Member, Nigerian Society of Engineers (Ibadan Branch) and IEEE P1903 Working Group Consultant (USA) writes from Durban, South Africa.

Of Campaign promises and the social safety net Programme

By Gerald Adewole

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari took over the mantle of leadership of Nigeria on May 29, 2015, with a clear agenda to curb corruption, fight insecurity, reposition the economy and tackle the pervasive poverty in the land.

These critical issues were central and dominant in his campaign promises as well as his compact with all Nigerians when he took the oath of office a little over a year ago.

In keeping with his determination to immediately tackle the menace of insurgency and restore law and order in the North-Eastern Nigeria, he ordered the immediate relocation of the command and control centre of the Nigerian military to Maiduguri.

Today, Boko Haram insurgency has continued to suffer a crushing defeat in the hands of our gallant military. This is evident in the recovery of all territories hitherto captured by the insurgent group, including the Sambisa Forest, the epicenter of the battle. Also of triumphant significance is the liberation of thousands of victims that were held hostage by the insurgents, including AminaAli, one of the over 200 Chibok School Girls abducted in 2014. The freedom of Amina is a symbolic indication that all the abducted schools girls and others in the captivity of Boko Harm are on their journey to freedom. From all sides, the Boko Haram walls are falling.

On the fight against corruption, it is now clear to all that the fear of Buhari is the beginning of wisdom. The anti-

corruption search-light is uncovering all rots and previous cans of worms, with the high and the mighty scurrying for cover. With presidential courage, commitment and consistency, some rotten eggs are being hurled into the dragnet, while many more are surrendering the national loot with sobering trepidation. Thanks to Mr. President, the anti-corruption czar.

At the economic front, the battle is no less fierce. From the background of decades of economic misdirection, made worse by a social system that institutionalizedcorruption and riddled our common wealth in the vault of oil, the Buhari administration has ignited a conflagration in all directions.

The plummeting prices of petroleum products at the international market, with the crippling effects on our foreign exchange earnings, have made economic diversification a national imperative.

Here again, Mr. President is brazing the trail in Agriculture, Agro-allied Industries, Solid Minerals, Mining and Mineral prospecting, Culture and Tourism and several other sectors. The productive base of the economy has been unlocked to ventilate the economy and provide entry visa for Nigerian made products into the international market.

While working hard to reposition Nigeria for accelerated growth and development, this administration is not unaware of the challenges of poverty and unemployment in the land and the need to evolve measures to cushion the effects of the social squalor of the vast majority of our people. Accordingly,

the Federal Governmenthas rolled out a comprehensive Social Safety Net Programme, to address unemployment and better the condition of living of the extremely poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

It is pertinent to point out that the sum of Five Hundred Billion Naira has already been approved in the 2016 Appropriation Act to finance this social intervention programme. Specific schemes under this programme include the creation of Five Hundred Thousand teaching assistance for qualified teachers for a period of 12 to 24 months in the first instance; the training of one hundred thousand artisans and the provision of soft loans for them to commence business activities; and conditional cash transfer which is intended to pay the sum of N5,000.00 to one million Nigerians across the country. Others are micro credit scheme for more than 1.5 million Nigerians and N50,000 education support grant for 100,000 students in tertiary institutions who are undergoing courses in Science Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Education.

Another key component of this programme is the National Home Grown SchoolFeeding Scheme targeted at 24 Million pupils in eighteen pilot states in 2016. The food for the programme, which will run till 2020 would be sourced from local farmers and prepared by qualified caterers within the host communities. This is to benefit the pupils, the farmers and the local communities alike. It is projected that this scheme would create 1.4 million jobs for community caterers, support

caterersand small house-hold farmers across Nigeria.

The overall objectives of this programme are to reduce poverty and unemployment, empower the people economically, encourage school enrolment, build capacity, equip the less educated people with the skills to be self-employed and promote scholarship in the areas of science Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Education.

Indeed, there is no doubt that these policy measures would go a long way in making life more tolerable to ordinary Nigerians who constitute a larger percentage of the population. For the first time, the less privileged Nigerians at the grassroots shall begin to feel the impact of governance directly.

As the Federal Government commences full implementation of this programme, all hands must be on deck to ensure that it meets the desired objective of empoweringthe indigent members of our society. The programme must be massively publicized to raise public awareness on its various components so that the targeted Nigerians can benefit from it.

The process of enrolment into these schemes should be open, transparent and not subjected to the manipulation of some unscrupulous members of our society.Accordingly, government should note that those who have criticized this project as a white elephant programme and have sentenced it to death even before arrivalwould do everything possible to scuttle it. All measures must be deployed to counter their devices.

The political class must ensure that this programme is not hijacked for political patronage or to fill personal pockets. It is a programme meant for the poor and those who would sit on the welfare of the poor shall certainly have their judgment.

The masses must police the implementation of this programme to ensure that due process is followed. This is why the idea of Grievance Redress System is a welcome innovation that would facilitate speedy report and redress on issues that may violate due process in the implementation of the scheme. This is where the grassroots reach and capacity of the National Orientation Agency are very critical.

The Agency should be empowered and strengthened to mount intensive public education campaign on the programme, as well as drive its implementation at the grassroots, to ensure that it is carried out to specification.

The freedom of Information Act empowers all Nigerians to ask questions or demand explanation on issues that appear hazy to them. Nigerians must rely on the provisions of this Act to keep under close watch, the activities of all those that are saddled with the implementation of this programme. It is by so doing that the laudable vision and intentions of government in embarking on this programme are not subverted by a few self-serving Nigerians.

Dr. Gerald Adewole is the Director, Public Education and Mass Mobilization at the National Orientation Agency, Abuja.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Comment

A Leaping year for sporting world

By Israel A Ebije

T

he myth about ‘leap years’ may have beamed its lugubrious searchlight from its dark haven on the sporting world. The leap year is a creation of Julius Caesar. It occurs every for years where an additional day is added to the month of February. Instead of ending 28 days, it becomes 29 days instead.

Caesar introduced the leap year to simplify the calendar, and make up for that additional revolution of the planet. He did not however realize that his ruling will breed superstitions that has survive many generations after him until today. The scariest party of the leap year myth is its grim reaper scare. It is believed the sprit of death is unleashed.

It is believed the leap year causes a surge in global deaths.

There is no scientific explanation to that but a quick role call of holly wood deaths, of Kuya Germs, David Bowie, Harper Lee, Umberto Eco, Alan Rickman, Celine Dion’s husband all died in the first two months of 2016 is a reminder that the myth might just have some truth about it.

In the sporting world, Mohammed Ali, the undisputed greatest boxing icon succumbed to Parkinson disease. While

the world was yet to come to terms with his demise, our own Stephen Okechukwu Keshi died mysteriously. Keshi is still in the morgue when the news of Shuaibu Amodu hit the newsstand. Within a week the sporting world lost some of it’s finest.

Other notable sports deaths of 2016 include the followings; Gordie Howe, hockey player; Brooks Thompson, basketball coach; Ruben Quevedo, baseball player; Sean Rooks, basketball player; Kimbo Slice and Donny Everett, baseball player.

The death of our sport icons is indeed a sad reminder that life is transient. Its even scarier for growing sports personalities over a bleak future that awaits them in Nigeria. Most of our sport icons died without getting the best out of a country they sweated for in their youthful days.

While we morn the deceased, we must ask questions why players and coaches are either paid peanuts or owed when they are supposed to get their entitlements. The most marginalized are the coaches. It is possible to pay a foreign coach who earns many times more than a Nigerian coach. Sadly our Nigerian coaches are paid less and owed more.

Coach Amodu’s relatives revealed the man died trying to access monies owed him by Edo

state government and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). They even intimated he died in penury, lamenting over a frustrating condition bestowed on him by lack of regard for Nigerian sports icons, an odoriferous disrespect that emanates from those managing the only unifying event in Nigeria – football.

The leap year myth, the poor or completely absent remuneration of coaches salaries may be a child’s play to alleged spiritual warfare among prominent sporting personalities and managers of Nigerian sports federation. The grim reality of plausible spiritual attacks in the glass house was made public by former Supper Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh.

Oliseh thinks some diabolical attacks were targeted at him while he was saddled with the leadership of the national team.

The Delta State born tactician was quoted to have warned those fond of putting hands in their pockets before shaking him to desist as he feared they touch objects concealed in their pockets before offering to shake him.

Mystery surrounds the death of Rashidi Yekini. It is being speculated that he was killed through diabolic means. It is also instructive to intimate that he died poor, mentally insane and totally lived a frustrated life. After serving Nigeria meritoriously, our

sporting icons ended up in a life sustained with immense regrets.

Another case is that of our own boxing legend Bash Ali. Ali is alive but a frustrated man who begged to be funded for an all time fight.

He lived a life of a destitute in Abuja unheeded.

A bitter message is being sent out to those who might take sporting as a profession. It is important to remember that not every human brain is conditioned to understanding learned education in the classroom. A game that would earn fame and “financial infamy” is indeed disheartening and socially disastrous. Once youths cant find cover in a pastime like football to make a living, we can be assured they will take steps towards the wrong direction.

Beside the back turn of having street misfits on account of poor management of our sporting personalities, a lot can be achieved positively if they are properly managed and taken care of. Now people can see reason why our football players seek better opportunities outside the country. they’d rather play for another country than theirs on account of established negative treatment unleashed on loyal sporting icons.

Mohammed Ali is dubbed the greatest because he wasn’t only a boxer, but a civil right activist, philanthropist, a mentor

and a moralist. He couldn’t have achieved the mileage he is renown for if his country treated him shabbily. He was indeed a hero who got as much as he gave to his country.

Nigeria can indeed harness greatly from our sport icons. The country can use them to advocate for peace, dissipate tension and push for a collective aspiration that will grow our economy and evolve the spirit of camaraderie.

They can go through the length and breadth of the country on advocacy missions. The love people have for them will make their messages pass through even the thickest heart more easily than guns and threats would.

If John F. Kennedys postulation on “it is not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” is correct, then once you are done doing for your country, it is expected that the country should do for you too. If these people are preserved properly, perhaps Nigeria would be reaping bountifully from their change advocacy against terrorism, armed banditry. Sadly, we are burying them when we need them most.

Ebije can be reached via: ebijeo5@gmail.com or @ ebijeisrael

Hunger, not war, can end the world

By Owei Lakemfa

W

e live in a highly insecure world. However, the greatest source of global insecurity is not ISIS, Trumpism or the nuclear arms race; it is hunger, powered by, perhaps, the most devastating but virtually unreported drought in living memory. As this reality dawned on me, I thought about children going to bed hungry; how do they sleep?Adolescents going to school on empty stomaches; what can they learn? What do you tell a hungry populace; how can they listen?

In 2013, I went to Namibia; the crops had failed that May and the government had declared a state of emergency. I was unaware of the devastation nor of UNICEF’s findings that one third of the population was either severely or moderately food insecure. It was the worst drought in thirty years and the world seemed oblivious.

Namibian President, Hifikepunye Pohamba had cried out: “It has now been established that climate change is here to stay and humanity must find ways and means of mitigating its effect.” It did some seem that the world listened.

Today, the situation is worse with the large Kunene Province experiencing no rain in the last two years. Rather than starve to death, some of the inhabitants are selling their livestock and moving to the cities where there are no jobs. The Namibian government is now running drought relief programmes with a new one planned to begin in

June.

That same year, I was in Zimbabwe and travelled the countryside from Harare to Masvingo, some three hours drive.

Laying prostrate before my eyes were vast farms that seemed empty except for cattle. I thought it was the result of the land seizures, but was shocked to find that rain had deserted large parts of the country for many years. Now, about four million Zimbabweans need food aid to survive the drought. Of course it is not just the humans, but also the ten national wildlife parks are at risk. On May 3, 2016, the Parks Management issued a statement stating: “In the light of the drought … Parks and Wildlife Management Authority intends to destock its parks estates through selling some of the wildlife.”

While Zimbabwe experienced drought, its neigbour, Mozambique was under severe floods, but not anymore; in 2015, drought set in, now the United Nations (UN) says the country needs $100 million for humanitarian aid to check hunger occasioned by drought and internal conflicts. With 28 million people in Southern Africa facing hunger, the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, Elhadj As Sy is launching a $150 million appeal fund to begin a roll back.

Ethiopia had experienced severe famine, especially in the 1970s; now it is experiencing a similar tragedy.

In 2015, the crops failed and today, 10 million of its 99 million population are facing starvation.

Six million of the starving are children, with 435,000 of them, according to UNICEF, experiencing acute malnutrition.

South Sudan is a tragedy, with its self-inflicted wounds which have aggravated hunger in the country with 2.5 million people needing food aid. Somalia is, of course, a worse tragedy having experienced two famines and an unending, fractious civil war which began as skirmishes in 1988. Hunger struts the land, but given the endless conflicts, statistics are hard to come by.

Drought and famine have long planted themselves in the Lake Chad Basin which serves Niger, Chad, Cameroun and Nigeria. The Basin Commission and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ) revealed in a study that Lake Chad shrunk from 25,000 Square Kilometres in the 1960s, to 4,800 Square Kilometres in 2014 while the multi-ethnic population rose from 17 million in 2005 to 38 million in 2016. This is an explosive mix that has led to hunger, armed conflicts, a terrorist recruitment ground, and a relentless population push southwards into Nigeria.

The World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Ertharin Cousin situates the problem: “Climate change is impacting subSaharan Africa. Erratic rains have become more of a reality across the entire continent… Over 95 percent of all agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa is rain-fed today. As long as that is the case, we know that when

the rains don’t come, the crops will fail and people will go hungry.”

Asia is not in a better shape; 330 million Indians are affected by drought. The country’s Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti on May 16, 2016 told the BBC that transferring water, including from major rivers like the Brahmaputra and the Ganges, to drought-prone areas is now her government’s top priority. The RELIEF WEB gave an alarming summary of drought in South East Asia. Vietnam is witnessing its most severe drought in ninety years with 39 of its 63 Provinces in need of urgent food.

The drought in Indonesia began in August 2015 and now, 1.2 million Indonesians need food aid. The Philippines is experiencing its worst drought since 1950; nine of Thailand’s Provinces are droughtstricken; 300 villages in Myanmar are suffering from drought while that in Malaysia continues. The drought in Cambodia began in June, 2015, its worst in fifty years.

Now it has enveloped 18 of its 25 Provinces.

Latin America and the Caribbean are also experiencing hunger.

Haiti had a fifty percent drop in agricultural production from July– December, 2015. Three million Haitians are experiencing food insecurity with 560,000 in urgent need of food assistance. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that in 2016, 3.5 million people are experiencing drought in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Colombia and Venezuela

are also experiencing drought.

Europe is in a far better shape than Africa, Asia and Latin America, but it is also in the danger zone. The worst heat waves since 2005 hit large parts with drought affecting parts of Germany, Czech and France. In 2015, there was a rainfall deficit of 50-60 percent in Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Ukraine and Czech. Below the normal rainfall has been witnessed in the southern parts of Spain and Portugal, and the Baltic States. Countries like Netherlands, Belgium and Belarus are experiencing unpredictable temperature.

Severe to extreme drought has affected three percent of the United States with the country witnessing, in February 2016, its driest February since 1895. From 1996, Australia has experienced dry conditions called the Millennium Drought with cities like Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney having “persistent or periodic drought experiences.”

From 2010-2011, it had below normal rainfall in large parts.

The UN is putting together in Istanbul, Turkey, a World Humanitarian Summit in June 2016; the hope is that humanity will begin to seriously address drought and hunger and divert energy and resources to them, rather than to wars and the arms race.

Owei Lakemfa, a former Secretary General of African Workers, is a Human Rights activist, journalist and author.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

PAGE 14

News

Don’t negotiate with Avengers, Cmdr Bibi tells FG

By Ochiaka Ugwu

T

he Commandant General of the Riverine Security otherwise known as the Coast Guard of the Federation, Commander Bibi Oduku has asked Federal Government not to negotiate with Niger Delta Avengers saying that it will amount to weakness on the part of the government as their activities were ill conceived.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Cmdr Oduku informed that it will be a shame for the government to descend so low to

negotiate with the group, noting that the problem of Niger Delta has been solved through the amnesty package of Late President Umar Yar’Adua.

His words, “If Nigeria as a nation and as a great country called the giant of Africa that want to dialogue with avengers. It simply means a shame to Nigeria as a country. One, when these young men started on a militant platform, the federal government gave them the opportunity of amnesty. What is the meaning of amnesty? It means they are dropping their arms and it

means they will never get involved in any criminal activities. If the federal government settles with avengers, tomorrow too other groups will also come up”.

Bibi said that the best solution was to plant a particular platform that will go against them and hold them responsible for the nefarious activities.

Speaking more on the Riverine Security (Coast Guard of the Federation) which was his brain child, Bibi stressed that the concept was hinged on the conviction that the business of securing lives and

property is not complete until the local people are involved.

He expressed optimism that security in the region will make sense if the communities are totally involved in the protection a good number of oil and gas facilities located in their vicinities which he is doing right now in his security outfit.

He therefore, called for the support of all critical stakeholders in making Riverine Security (Coast Guard of the Federation) a security outfit that will stand out in protecting the region and the facilities therein.

Gov. Kashim S h e t t i m a Of Borno addressing the 697 malnourished children and adults that were on monday moved from Bama to a special care unit in Maiduguri

Dankwambo inaugurates Gombe varsity Governing Council From David Hassan, Gombe

G

ombe state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has inaugurated the Governing Council of the Gombe state university with a view to providing the desired leadership through honesty, diligence and transparency.

The governor while Inaugurating newly Governing Council of

Gombe state university yesterday in Gombe urged members of the Council to shun discrimination, gender or political persuasion while discharging their responsibility.

While commending the newly inaugurated Governing Council, Governor Dankwambo said there was urgent need for them to provide conduct research in all fields of learning and economic need to the people of the state.

He implored them to control policy finances and property of the university and its public relations and called on them to ensure that proper account of the university are kept and that the university account are audited annually by auditors in line with guidelines given by the Auditor-General of the state noting that an annual report should be published by the university together with certified copies of audited

accounts.

He stated that following the financial constraints caused by the economic down turn, there was need to generate revenue for the university so that the university would not be dependent on Government alone.

He thanked the immediate past Governing council chaired by Prof.

Idris Mohammed for their selfless service and commitment to duty.

Insurgency: NGO to rehabilitate 2,000 IDPs in Yobe, Gombe

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Peace Rehabilitation and Reconciliation Initiative (PRRI),is set to flag off the second phase of its rehabilitation programme for returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) whose homes were ravaged by the Boko Harem insurgency soon.

The second phase of the programme expected to last between 19th to 30th of June is to cover Yobe and Gombe returning IDPS and is targeted at empowering 2,000 farming families, the group said.

According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) Yusuf Msheliza, he said PRRI will be helping to return 1,000 IDPs in each of the two states back to their various settlements across the two states.

It will be recalled that the group has visited several Borno communities where it made donations of over N40 million to over 1000 returning IDPs According to the PRO, the board at its 6th Executive meeting has approved the commencement of the second phase of the program to be carried out in conjunction with the state emergency management agencies in the two states as a way of helping those whose communities have been totally liberated from terrorists by the Nigerian Military operations in the north east.

He said the essence of providing relieve materials to the IDPs is to carry on with normal farming activities that was their primary occupation before the Boko Haram insurgency.

He said, “We are also looking at some special assistance to those who are not farmers like providing basic financial incentives to help them go back to their businesses and carry on with life again.

Kwara House orders demolition of 6 illegal filling stations

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he Kwara State House of Assembly has directed that six ongoing and completed Filling Stations be demolished within one month by a task force headed by the State Town Planning and Development Authority.

The legislature took the decision in its sitting, following the presentation of report by the ad-hoc committee on checking indiscriminate construction of petrol stations in Ilorin Metropolis raised by a member representing Ilorin North West Constituency Hon Abdul Rahman Abdul Rafiu

Reading the resolutions of the House, the Speaker, Dr. Ali Ahmad explained that the directive for the removal of the 6 illegal filling stations became necessary in view of the fact that the affected Stations were cited in densely populated residential areas thereby making the lives and valuable properties around the affected 6 Petrol Stations vulnerable to fire outbreak.

The Petrol Stations are Muniat Integrated Services, Ile Alawo Okelele, Olufield Resources, Kuntu Ilorin, a Filling Station under construction immediately after Shifau Alake Mosque Ero- Omo,

kilanko street ,another Filling stations along Oko- Erin road,just before Saw Mill junction in ilorin ,jofaru before Taoheed road bridge and petrol station under construction at Toaheed/Basin road junction all in Ilorin.

The House which directed the State Town Planning and Development Authority to report actions taken on the affected Petrol Stations to the House within one month equally, mandated the State Town Planning and Development Authority to enforce stringent safety measures on a Filling Station opposite Kwara Chemical along Oko- Erin road and should also be

made to pay double penalties, to check flagrant disobedience to the laws of the lands.

The State House of Assembly also directed that another 23 unapproved on going petrol stations though not located in residential areas to be made to face double penalties from the TPDA before approved is finally granted by the authority to serve as deterrent to others.

It equally enjoined the State government to immediately set up Town Planning Tribunal to handle town planning related matters as well as strengthen the TPDA to make it perform its statutory

functions effectively and enforce the existing laws to the letter.

The Legislature which warned the TPDA against indiscriminate approval of building plans without prior inspection of the site, urged the Authority to always adhere strictly to the power conferred on it, by law to restore sanity in its operations.

The State House of Assembly also urged the State Governor, Alhaji Abdul Fatah Ahmed to produce Master and Regional Plans for Urban settlements in the State, to ensure that urban settlements in the State conform with universal best practices.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

INEC advocates for more women participation in politics

By Ahmed Abubakar

C

hairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has advocated for improved participation of women in the electoral process and in occupying elective positions.

He argued that: “We share in the concern about the growing imbalance in the percentage of women representation in elective positions of authority at all levels mainly because it undermines the true essence of representative democracy”.

Professor Yakubu made the call yesterday, at an INEC engagement with Political Parties on Women Participation in the Electoral Process, with support from International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), USAID, UKAID and International Republican Institute (IRI), held at Rockview Royale Hotel, Abuja.

Represented by National Commissioner, Anthonia Okoosi-Simbine, the INEC Chairman explained that the Commission’s concern is rooted in the fact that gender imbalance logically impinges on our claim

of free and fair elections when the result shows glaring marginalization along gender lines.

Professor Yakubu reiterated INECs resolve to foster gender responsive electoral system in the country through effective mainstreaming of gender in its plans, processes and programmes and the development of the INEC Gender Policy to articulate an institutionalized approach to gender mainstreaming in the management of the electoral process.

He lamented that despite efforts by the Commission to improve women participation in the electoral process, the outcome of the 2015 elections showed a decline in the percentage of female candidates who clinched elective seats, giving an example of the recently held FCT Local Council elections, where out of a total of 68 elective positions, no female candidate was produced.

The INEC Chairman however averred that “the Commission is of the believe that a lot can be achieved if Political Parties showed greater political will by supporting and considering women to enable them emerge as candidates in electoral contests and in the party structure”.

Senate Committee Chairman on INEC, Abubakar Kyari, represented by Senator Olushola Adeyeye, hailed the contribution of women to national development, he said: “The Nigerian woman has always demonstrated zeal and enthusiasm in the electoral process since independence. Their support and loyalty to party and candidate has never been in doubt”.

He observed that: “politics in Nigeria has always been seen as a game of the muscular gender, women politicians in Nigeria have suffered what I can describe as psychological backlash, where they are to be seen and not to be taken seriously in matters of leadership positions especially when it comes to elected positions at various political levels”.

“The time has come in this millennium that the political parties should not suffocate the women but rather boost trust and confidence in them. In my candid opinion, for women to be effectively and efficiently represented in Nigerian politics, the need to first initiate a deliberate policy or even make laws that will allow them to occupy some sensitive positions in our political parties,” He said.

Senator Kyari, called on INEC to come

up with an institutional framework in form of deliberate policies to create true playing ground for our women politicians.

National Commissioner in charge of Outreach and Partnership Committee, Professor, Anthonia Okoosi-Simbine, represented by the Commissions Director of Voter Education and Publicity, pointed out that “statistics on Human Development showed clearly that the level of a country’s human development more often than not, goes pari passuwith the percentage of women in parliament being an indicator of the status of women in a country and their participation and contribution to the development process of their countries”.

She called on Political Parties to consider implementing a gender quota system in distributing party tickets to candidates contesting elections on their platform, urging them to identify and eliminate all known obstacles working against women’s political aspirations.

The National Commissioner also encouraged them to effect necessary policy adjustments to reflect gender sensitivity and equity in their internal processes, structure and power sharing.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara receiving his National e Identity Card from the Director General, National Identity Management Commission, Alhaji Aliyu Aziz Abubakar while the Chairman, House Committee on National Population Commission, Hon. Mahmud Abdulkadir Agaie (left), at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

I was not chased away from PDP National Secretariat -Oladipo

By Ahmed Abubakar

T

he National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP), Prof Wale Oladipo has refuted claims that he was chased out of the national secretariat of the party on Wednesday.

Oladipo in a statement he personally signed yesterday said he actually resumed duty at the party secretariat in the morning alongside the National Auditor of the party, Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju.

According to him, he witnessed the activities of some

“miscreants” who invaded the party secretariat to cause trouble over nothing.

He insisted that he voluntarily left the office after he was done with his work.

“The news that I was chased out of office is a lie. No one touched me, nor was I in anyway

compelled to vacate office.

“I left office when I was through with all I needed to do, same with the National Auditor who came to my office before he took his leave.

“I wish to advice all PDP members to discountenance the fake news peddled by the enemies

of our Party,surely we shall soon get over the get over the internal schism in our party””. “” I also want to appeal to all parties to this conflict to sheath their sword and refrain from all acts of lawlessness and embrace the rule of law as the only panacea to moving our Party forward”

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Politics

Edo 2016: 930 delegates rally Obaseki From Osaigbovo Benin

Iguobaro,

9

Supporters of Ahmed Makafri protesting the vacation of Ali Modu Sheriff as the Chairman Peoples Democratic Party at the Party Secretariat, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Uphold my election, Gov. Abubakar tells court From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

T

he Bauchi State Governor, Barrister Muhammad Abubakar has yesterday asked the court of appeal Jos division to dismissed the appeal of Abdullahi Muhammad challenging his emergence as the governor of the state.

The appeal case which was last week adjourned to allow defence counsel regularised the process, came up yesterday with the respective counsels adopting their final written addresses.

The plaintiff appellant Muhammad is challenging the returned of Abubakar as

the eligible winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governorship primary election of the party, alleging; “over voting, substitution of party officials sent for the conduct of the primary, violation of the APC guidelines,” among others.

Counsel to the plaintiff Barr.

Herbert Nnbuenyi had told the court that contrary to the judgement of the lower court which declined jurisdiction and dismissed the case, the national assembly true the electoral act has in section 87 sub-section 9; “granted additional jurisdiction on party primary.”

He urged the court to grant their relief sought and declare the

plaintiff as the APC candidate in the last Governorship election.

However, defence counsel Barr.

Ageola Adedipo urged the court to dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.

Also joined in the case were the APC as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), being 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively, seeking for the outright annulment of Abubakar’s returned and subsequent declaration of the plaintiff as the eligible winner of the primary and also be declared as the Governor of Bauchi State by the court.

As at yesterday’s proceeding

the defendants filed another application which the court said was not explicitly clear and therefore directing the counsel to regularise the process.

The three panel of judges lead

by Justice Adzira Gana Mshelia ordered that the matter is adjourned and; “judgement is reserves for a date to be communicated.”

Counsel to the plaintiff Barr.

Herbert Nnbuenyi, had told journalists that the APC had also violated the provisions of article 20 of its constitution which allows for concensus, “that had produced Abdullahi Muhammad, as the pary candidate just the party to submit Abubakar’s name to INEC.”

30 delegates to Saturday All Progressives Congress (APC) party primaries yesterday repeated assertion that Mr. Godwin Obaseki remains their preferred candidate of the party.

Members of “Edo in Safe Hands” led by the state Commissioner of Works, Barr.

Osarodion Ogie, gave the indication at a carnival like rally held yesterday in honour of the 2016 APC Governorship aspirant and the chairman of the state economic team, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

The motion for Obaseki’s endorsement, was sequel to the motion by Dickson Osaretin on behalf of other delegates which cut across the 192 wards in the state.

The chairman of the group, Washington Osifo in a remark, said they acknowledged the fact that all the aspirants contesting on the APC were eminently qualified, however, Obaseki has the best credential to continue the good works of the state Governor Adams Oshiomhole who has set a standard for development.

According to him, “ at a time like this, taking into cognizance the dwindling resources accruing to our dear state, we need a seasoned economist, manager, and technocrat with proven economic managerial ability.

“This is coupled with the required political exposure to effectively steer the ship of our dear state, so as to sustain, improve and build on the legacies of Comrade Oshiomhole’s administration.

Other leaders of the group present includes the member representing Etsako Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Philip Shuaibu and members of the state Executive council

Residents urge Al-Makura to clean up Mararaba, Masaka

R

esidents of Mararaba and Masaka in Nasarawa State have called on Gov. Tanko Al-Makura to clean up the areas as the raining season sets in.

The residents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Wednesday, decried the ugly state of the environment in the areas.

Mr Clement Adamu, a resident said that the residents had tried their best to clean up the environment but the populations of both areas were far too high for the little infrastructure in place.

``See the whole place is covered with dirty, you cannot even identify a gutter because it had been blocked by rubbish. ``The local government people are not helping matters; they are only interested in collecting revenue and nothing else. ``See how people come and dump refuse in the waterway, now the raining season has set in all the roads will be blocked. ``We are begging the governor to come to our aid in Mararaba, especially as government makes a lot of revenue here but it hardly cares for the environment, ‘’ Adamu

said.

Another respondent of Mararaba, Mrs Rebecca Chukwu complained about the scavengers that scatter the dirt all over the place in the process of looking for items. ``All these boys that are going about picking things from the dump sites scatter them all over the place and cause more problems for residents. ``If only the government can convert this refuse issue to an opportunity to create jobs and revenue for the state by converting the waste to wealth, it will be better for us all. ``We are really suffering

in this part of the state though I know that other places in the state are also neglected. ``The government is not utilising the proximity of the state to the federal capital to its advantage at all; the government of Al-Makura should wake up and do the needful,’’ she said.

Alhaji Mubarak Danladi, a resident of Masaka also in the State said that the residents had lost the value of cleanliness by neglecting their environment. ``Sometimes you see a grown man squatting at the road side defecating, some just stand by the road and urinate. ``It is all a degradation of

our value system, it is a general sickness, so it is not only to do with the government, we as individuals should change our ways, and we will see it reflected in our surroundings. ``People should learn to be responsible citizens; we should first do our parts as a people before calling for government’s intervention. ``Because even if government cleans up the refuse and people come and litter again, it is not sustainable. ``If everyone plays his or her role then a clean environment can be achieved and sustained,’’ he said. (NAN)\

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Collect money, vote your conscience, CRPP tells Edo APC delegates From Osaigbovo Benin

T

Iguobaro,

he Coalition of Registered political parties (CRPP), has tasked delegates to Saturday All Progressives Congress (APC), party primaries not to reject any monetary inducement, urging them to vote their conscience.

Edo state chairman of CRPP, Dr. Samson Isibor who made the submission while responding to questions at a Media briefing on Wednesdayin Benin City, said such cash “some annointed aspirants” are dangling to sway delegates votes were either the tax-payers money or stolen funds.

“Take their money and vote against them”. The money statched into private pockets they are sharing are stolen funds”, he said.

He called on the coalition of the willing without bias or prejudice to support the Candidacy of the state deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu who had flatly refuted to bulge, as a worthy successor of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, to foster the pace of development across the state.

Isibor, remark was part of the outcome of consultation by the leaders of CRPP, an organisation of 15 political parties ahead of the 10th Sepetmeber 2016 Governorship election in Edo state.

He urgee the economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant security agencies to beam their searchlight on allegations of sales and mopping up of Permanent Voters Cards (PVC’s) by some faceless actors ahead of Saturday APC primaries, with a view to bring the Culprits to book.

According to him, “we have heard that they have sponsored aspirants from above. They are not popular. Politicians are going about in desperation to to buy PVC’s. It is unfortunate and sad.

We are calling on the EFCC to come and checkmate them over the source of their money they are using to buy sport utility vehicles (SUV)”.

He also appealed to the leadership of the APC under the leadership of Chief John Odigie Oyegun to remain upright and impartial by focusing unusual attention on the process leading to the primary for any aspirant not to have a legitimate cause to reject the outcome of the election.

Politics

ECOWAS says single currency by 2020 is on course

E

COWAS on Friday said notable progress has been made in its plan to establish a single currency by 2020 and the adoption of a single biometric identity card for member states.

The Liberian Ambassador to Nigeria, Prof. Al-Hassan Conteh, stated this in Abuja, while speaking on behalf of the Permanent Representatives of Member States to ECOWAS at the 41st Anniversary of the Commission.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ECOWAS had fixed January 2015 for the implementation of the common currency project in West Africa but was later shifted to 2020 because member states were not able to satisfy criteria for it.

Conteh who was not categorical on the progress, expressed satisfaction on the the level of achievement made so far by the Commission on the common currency for the region.

He however said that the Commission had also achieved notable feats in other areas of strategic planning and cooperation. ``Since ECOWAS launched vision 2020 to transform ECOWAS from ECOWAS of States to ECOWAS of people, our Community has accomplished meaningful targets and objectives in strategic planning. ``Among these is the adoption of a common passport for the movement for the free movement of community citizens in member states. ``Progress has also been made in trade liberalisation, customs union, favourable industrial policy, mines development, agriculture and environment, infrastructuretransport, telecommunications and energy,’’ he said.

According to him, the organisation has put in place a coordinated capacity for organising efficient regional response against epidemiological challenges,

including the Ebola Virus disease.

He said that the Commission was working relentlessly on the implementation of its vision 2020, to create a borderless, peaceful, prosperous and cohesive region.

He said that the Commission was also poised to build on governance where people have the capacity to access and harness its enormous resources through the creation of opportunities for sustainable development and environmental preservation.

He assured that the permanent representatives of members states were ready to play their part in moving the community’s agenda forward.

The envoy commended Nigeria and other development partners for providing support for the commission to meet its development objectives.

Professor Amadu Sesay, from University of Ilorin who presented a paper entitled ``ECOWAS and peace support operations in West

Africa: opportunities, challenges and threats’’ urged the leaders to rise up to the task.

The professor of International relations said that creation of ECOWAS had brought about some opportunities, but the leaders should work towards exploring them for the development of the region.

Sesay, said that the peace enjoyed in the region was part of the achievement of the Commission and the leaders should leverage on it for the benefit of the citizens.

Dr Tony Elumelu, who represented ECOWAS staff at the event, said that the staff were determined to form a formidable workforce that will weather all storm and remain strong.

Elumelu , while appreciating the financial predicament that confronted the Commission, called on member states to assist in providing necessary funds to achieve its mandate (NAN)

L-R: Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Sen. Yusuf Abubakar; Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other financial institutions, Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim and Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign and Local Debt, Sen. Shehu Sani, during their visit to the Minister of Information and Culture, yesterday in Abuja

Gabon’s presidential polls set for Aug. 27, 2016

L

ibreville, June 8, 2016 (Xinhua/NAN) Gabon’s National Autonomous and Permanent Electoral Commission (CENAP) announced that the country’s presidential elections would be held on Aug. 27, 2016.

Rene Ella, the Commission President said on Wednesday after a plenary session of the commission, in Libreville that the presidential elections would be held on Aug. 27, 2016.

He said the deadline for submission of nomination

documents would be in July 12 at 6 p.m.

Ella said each candidate would have to pay a fee of 33,000 dollars which should be paid while submitting the nomination papers.

He said over 10 people have

declared their candidature, including incumbent President Ali-Bongo Ondimba, Jean Ping, former African Union Commission Chairman, Guy Nzouba-Ndama, ex-Speaker of Parliament and exPrime Minister, Casimir Oye Mba. (Xinhua/NAN)

Ex President Jonathan’s aide, Dudafa, arraigned for money laundering

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna with agency report

F

ormer President Goodluck Jonathan’s Senior Special Assistant on Domek6stic Affairs , WaripamoOwei Dudafa, and a bank official, Iwejuo Nna, (aka. Taiwo A. Ebenezer and Olugbenga Isaiah) were yesterday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission, EFCC, before Justice M.B. Idris of the Federal High Court Lagos on 23-counts of concealment, retention of proceeds of crime and failing to furnish information.

An online report said that. Dudafa is alleged to have laundered over N1. 67 billion while performing his duties as top aide to the former president, through the accounts of four companies – Ebiwise

Resources Limited, Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited, Rotato Inter-Link Services Limited and Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited.

The report said, he allegedly received the assistance of the second defendant, Mr. Nna, a bank manager who was in charge of the accounts.

When the charges were read to the defendants, they pleaded not guilty.

Counsel to the defendants, Aboyega Oyewole and Sunday Abumere, informed the court of their applications for bail dated June 10 which was filed on June 13, 2016, and urged the court to grant the accused bail.

Justice Idris adjourned the case till June 16, 2016 for hearing on the bail applications, while ordering the defendants to be remanded in prison custody

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

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Page 19

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

FEC approves new debt management strategy

T

he Federal Executive Council (FEC), on Wednesday, approved a new debt management strategy for 2016 to 2019.

The approval was sequel to a memo presented to the council by the Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun, following the expiration of the previous debt management strategy in 2015.

Adeosun, who spoke with the State House correspondents in Abuja, said that there was the need for a new strategy.

The minister explained that ``there is the need for a new strategy for two reasons: one,

the previous one had expired. ``Two, the new strategy becomes necessary given the current economic challenges and the economic focus of this government to reposition and diversify the economy’’.

She said that the debt strategy used as its basis, the medium term expenditure framework (MTEF), which was prepared and presented by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

Adeosun said that the MTEF assumed that the country would reduce its domestic debt as a percentage of GDP from one per cent to 0.7 per cent by 2019.

The reason, according to her, the administration recognises the need to stimulate the economy in the next three years and provide the basic infrastructure government need to be borrowing. ``We need to borrow at the most cost effective rate and to the cost effective and beneficial terms.’’

The minister added that the administration also recorgnised that there was the need to stimulate the private sector for it to grow with lending from the banks. ``So we don’t want

government borrowing crowding out the private sector. ``So government has taken a strategic decision that where possible, we will borrow more externally, that is external debt, on dollars and other currencies. ``Because the interest rates are cheaper, the tenures are longer and thirdly it means that there is more room for banks to lend to the private sector, especially small and medium size enterprises’’.

She added that after approving the strategy, FEC issued the guidelines such that as the country would move its

L-R: Director of Compliance, Certification and Monitoring, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr Ishaq Yahaya; Director of Energy Infrastructure Department, Mr Babatunde Kuye and Head of Finance And Management Services Department, Alhaji Sule Habu, at the advanced training programme for staff of BPP on procurement processes, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

LAWMA says scavengers must pay levies to govt.

T

he Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) on Wednesday said that waste scavengers were stealing government’s raw materials and would begin to pay levies to the state government.

The Executive Chairman of LAWMA, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejokun, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that wastes were resources for the state, which scavengers stole daily. ``Scavengers must pay to the government purse because they make money from whatever they collect across dump sites. ``What we call waste is no more waste, they are raw materials.

Papers, plastic, iron, nylon and other things scavengers gather across the state must attract levies. ``So, all these scavengers must

register to make revenue for the government.

“They are stealing government’s raw materials. Every scavenger must pay. We must generate money for government,” he said.

According to him, authority is guided by 3Rs-Reuse, Recycle and Reduce in the management of wastes, and it will not relent in its efforts to manage wastes in the state. ``If we don’t reduce the amount of waste we generate, one day, there will be problem. But if we recycle and reuse, we will ask for more waste,” he said.

The LAWMA chief said that the management had brought in innovations into the system such as waste categorisation and separation, for easy waste collection by PSP operators.

The chairman, who said that the government was on the top of managing waste to create jobs and ensure cleaner environment, said that more recyclers were springing up in the state.

Adejokun said that dumping refuse on water drains had serious health and environmental dangers for residents, and urged residents to package their waste well for LAWMA. ``Our Advocacy Teams have not relented going from a market to another, from one area to another, sensitising Lagosians to manage their wastes properly.

Don’t throw waste anywhere. ``There is no way we will have wastes on waterways that it will not affect us. Don’t throw waste anyhow. Government spends a

lot to clear canals,” he said.

Adejokun urged residents to change their orientation and shun indiscriminate throwing of waste in the environment or giving waste to cart-pushers.

The official said that the authority was up to the task, urging residents to always sort solid wastes from liquid, for easy collection by waste collectors.

Adejokun said that LAWMA had made concerted efforts to meet the challenges of wastes generated in the rainy seasons, saying that residents would commend the authority at the end of the season.

He said that the authority would put more efforts on mechanised marine waste management, as opposed to the manual approach, by the marine waste collectors. (NAN

debts to dollar, it would need to focus more on non-oil exports.

She said that the discussion focused on how to make exports easier through reforms in the customs and other ministries.

The minister noted that there was demand for solid minerals and agriculture produce but that some of the customs and other quarantine regulations needed to be removed. ``If we do this, it will create foreign exchange earnings, so that when these borrowings that are in dollars are mature for repayment, there will be dollar revenues to pay them.’’

The minister also said that the FEC addressed the issue of multi-lateral loans from such agencies as the World Bank, AfDB and others.

According to her, there are concerns that some of the previous agreements that Nigeria entered into are not optimal.

She said that FEC agreed that since they were not grants but loans, the country should be confident enough to negotiate with the lenders to ensure that the loans are favourable to Nigeria.

FEC, she added, agreed to put new structures in the domestic market ``particularly Skunk bonds, infrastructure bonds and inflation mint bonds to deepen the domestic market and create greater opportunity’’. ``This is a strategy that will determine how we manage our borrowings for the next three years and the polices that will follow. ``The FEC made it clear that we must make sure that our costs are low and that we should manage the risks, especially foreign exchange risks. ``We agreed that it is cheaper to borrow externally but we must hedge, using appropriate instruments as well as driving exports in the non-oil goods. ``It was recognised that there is real demand for Nigerian goods and we need to make it easier for people to export, so that we earn foreign exchange to help the country’s foreign exchange balance’’.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said the debt strategy ``is a strategy that aligns with the medium term expenditure framework’’.

She stressed the need to move away from short to long term borrowing and to shift government borrowing from the domestic market as much as possible to cheaper external loans. ``The purpose of that is to ensure that the financial system here will have more resources to lend to the real sector and the productive sector,” she added.

Ahmed said that MTEF had a plan to reduce the level of debt from the 2016 status to 25 per cent in the next three years, adding that it was a good plan, which had the support of FEC. (NAN)

Page 20

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Business AIB asks FG for foreign training embargo exemption, advocates increase in TSC

F

ederal Government’s embargo of foreign training and international travels

by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), may have adversely affected the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), according to the Bureau’s commissioner, Dr. Felix Abali who is appealing for an exemption of its technical personnel from the current embargo placed on foreign training since 2015.

Abali also advocated for the increase of the 3 per cent of the ticket sales charge to 10 per cent, stressing that paucity of funds had prevented the agency from carrying out its duties as a responsible accident investigator.

The commissioner made this known today at the bureau’s headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos during the visit of the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Non-

Oil Revenue and Remittances where he explained that accident investigation was a specialised area that required special training that are only obtainable overseas.

According to him, the AIB needed to urgently meet the need for qualified personnel to take-over from the crop of ageing technical personnel who he said were currently on contract, stressing that huge fund was required for manpower development, majority of which is done overseas.

Recall government had said that embargo on training and international travels was one of the cost-saving measures introduced following recent developments in the international oil market, which has affected the revenue stream of government.

Since the directive, which was announced by the Head of Service, Mr. Danladi kifasi

in February 2015, technical personnel in the nation’s aviation industry had not been able to embark on foreign training to boost their technical knowledge.

Abali who called for the increase of the 3 per cent of the ticket sales charge to 10 per cent, stressing that paucity of funds had prevented the agency from carrying out its responsibilities adding that AIB as parts of its succession plan required special funding to operate and hoped that the committee would use its good office to push for the upward review of the ticket sales charge for the agency.

He said, “For emergency and high profile accidents, AIB requires an emergency or special account to meet this need.

Malaysia MH 370 and TWA 800 accidents, among others are apt examples. Stakeholders and public awareness campaign requires

adequate funding. We request for support in this area.

“Accident investigation bodies are not expected to charge for their services and so the opportunity to generate independent revenue is almost nil. Based on Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Manual, there should be special fund dedicated to cater for any major accidents. It has been very difficult to provide and keep this fund since every unspent money goes back to the Federal Treasury by 31st December of every financial year.”

He mentioned the upgrade of flight safety laboratory and flight data monitoring device, equipping of wreckage hangar and establishment of two regional offices in Kano and Enugu as some of the ongoing projects of AIB. In his response, the Chairman of the committee, Hon. Chike

Okafor promised to assist the bureau in resolving some of its challenges.

Okafor noted that the essence of the committee was to look at other avenues by which the Federal Government could make more revenues apart from oil, which he noted had been dwindling in recent time.

He posited that part of its assignment was to see how the committee could help the government to shore up its revenues apart from oil.

“Nigeria is about 80 per cent dependent on oil, which has crashed in recent time in the international market. Nigeria is in comatose and we all have to save the country from total collapse.

He however commended AIB for its total cooperation with its advance team, which crosschecked its books for over a week.

Nema officials Distributing clothing materials to children of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in preparation for the Eid El Fitr festival, at Damare IDPs camp, yesterday in Yola

NYCN wants FG to reverse decision on Niger Delta Power Holding

N

orthern Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has called on all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, political affiliation or religion to stand up against injustice being perpetrated in the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) as the Federal Government announced the dissolution of the executive management of the company.

Report says that notice of dissolution was contained in a statement issued by Mr Babachir Lawal, the Secretary to the

Government of the Federation (SGF) in Abuja for the effect.

Comrade Mujaid Musa Zaitawa, president of NYCN said that the development was unacceptable and must be resisted by all Nigerians that are on the side of justice. He further said that a situation where the Managing Director of the company, Mr. James Olotu, will be directed to handover to his personal assistant, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, was unjust Comrade Mujaid Musa

Zaitawa said that at this time that there numerous challenges confronting the nation with myriad of complaints from citizens, it was best that a seasoned technocrat man the Niger Delta Power Holding Company to complement the effort of the government in addressing the challenges particularly as power supply constitute one of the major challenges.

The NYCN president further advised the government to always listen to the voice of season as it strives to rewrite the battered

story of the country. He however said Nigerians will remember this government in the wrong side of history if it fails to reverse itself. All well meaning people are looking forward to a new Nigeria where equity and justice will reign, he said.

The northern youths argued that when the Nigeria Integrated Power Project (NIPP) that metamorphosed to Niger Delta Power Holding Company started, the first ten projects embarked upon where sited in the southern part of the country. They

explained that the sacked board of the NDPHC had promised to construct ten hydro projects in the northern part compensatory for the anomaly by appointing a Northerner to consolidate the set targets, the north is therefore saying that if the sack of the former MD and as well as the dissolution of the former board members of the NDPHC is not reversed, and a competent person appointed as the MD, the north will withdraw its counterpart funding from the entire system, the NYCN president further said.

Page 21

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Business L-R: Vice Chairman, Enugu Coalition of business and Professional Associations (Ecobpa), Ozo Ramsey Onyia; Chairman of Ecobpa, Rev. Ugochukwu Chime and Secretary of the Association, Sir Emeka Okereke, during ecobpa’s News conference, yesterday in Enugu

Elumelu vandals of AEDC power installations Foundation releases documentary of TEEP’s First Year NSCDC nabs two suspected

T

he Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has announced an arrest of two suspects, Mansur shehu and Innocent Joseph, for allegedly vandalising and stealing an armoured cables belonging to Abuja Electricity Distribution Company(AEDC).

The Commandant of NSCDC, FCT Division, Mr Patric Ukpan while addressing newsmen in Abuja disclosed that the suspects were arrested in Life camp area of Abuja by members of the vigilante in the community.

Mr Ukpan said, ``We have in our custody two suspected vandals of AEDC cables, they were caught at Life camp area of Abuja. ``Where they went to vandalise the armored cable that connect electricity from the transformers to the users.

According to him, he said that the arrest of the suspected vandals was based on the tip off by the members of the community that apprehended the them. ``They were actually caught by the vigilantes and theresidents in that area,they made us to understand that they had some suspect intheir custody. ``But before we got there, they were beaten up by the residence of the place.`` So we rescued them from the place and we had to give themfirst aid treatment and will prosecute them in court``.

Ukpan said that the two other persons who connived with the suspects were still at large, noting that frantic efforts were been made to apprehend them.

He said that further investigation on the matter wouldreveal other accomplices involved in the vandalism of electrical installationsin the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

`` For those in connivance , investigation is on, what wehave gathered from them will lead us nowto be on the tail on two other suspect that are at large.``And I can assure you within the shortest possible time weare going to apprehend them. `Those are the people behind them and once we get them, wewill still let you know and we are going to prosecute them ``.

He called on those involved in patronising stolen electrical cables to desist from suchacts as NSCDC was on the trail for suchpeople. `` So we are going togo after them last week we paraded some of the them that we caught, this week, we are paradingthis one’s again . `` Our men are everywhere to ensure that vandalism ofcritical infrastructures and national assets is eradicated ``.

Reacting to their arrest, one of the suspect Mansur Shehu a welder said they were contacted by one Nura toembark on the nefarious act of vandalism and stealing of cables.

Mansur said that the money to be realised from the sale ofthe cable would be used to take care of their needs.

He said it was their first time of committing such a crime noting that efforts to get Nura their principal proved abortive.

The Head of Public Relations Officer and Media of AEDC, MrAhmed Shakarau said that , the vandalised armored were cables connected tothe transformers.He said the cables were designed to step-down electricity toits numerous customers in the life camp area.

He said that replacing and reconnecting the damaged cableswould cost over N6 million.He explained that the strong collaboration of AEDC withNSCDC in the area of protection of electrical installations was also

designedto ensure that its customers get uninterrupted power supply.

He however expressed dismay over the activities of vandals,noting that their act constitutes a major sabotage in the electricity industry.This he said was frustrating AEDC efforts at distributingelectricity to its customers. ``However because of the activities of these kind ofvandals, you can see that no matter the effort we are making, some other peopleare there trying to sabotage our effort``.

He said that relationship with NSCDC was recording a lot ofprogress in the area of cubing criminal activities in the electricity industry.Shakarau called onthe members of the public to hand over all suspects to the security agenciesfor proper prosecution, instead of taking laws into their hands. ``Through our sensitisation, we told the community that once they suspect suspicious movement around those installations. ``They should quickly draw the attention of the NSCDC and those people will be charge to court. ``The beating might be because of the frustration that these vandals put the customers into. ``But we don’t encourage that communities take laws intotheir hands, we always advice, that once you arrest the suspect, hand them overto the security agents and they know how to handle them.

He said that it was the responsibility of the general publicto build a good society that would be beneficial all. ``Our advice to the public is that, even if you are notresidence in that community and you notice any suspicious movement aroundfacilities that delivers service to the public. `` Your are duty bound to draw the attention of the security services to do what is required``.(NAN)

T

he Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) announces the digital release of the documentary film Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs: Transforming Africa.

The film tells the story of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP), the Foundation’s decade-long commitment of $100 million to empower 10,000 entrepreneurs from all of Africa, to create jobs and generate wealth.

TEF Founder, Tony O. Elumelu, CON, commented: “I am deeply proud of what we accomplished in TEEP’s first year. We funded entrepreneurs, established networks and helped extraordinary people take control of their destinies and we did it on an incredible scale. This film is a depiction of Africans telling our own stories as we spur innovative and economic development on the continent.”

According to Parminder Vir OBE, Foundation’s CEO, “Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs: Transforming Africa is a documentary that tells the story of one man’s vision to harness the ingenuity and creativity of Africa’s entrepreneurs and once refined, unleash it as an engine of growth on the continent.”

This year, over 45,000 entrepreneurs from 54 African countries applied for the second round of TEEP, more than doubling the number of applications received in 2015. Subsequent films in the series will explore the impact of these entrepreneurs in creating jobs and innovation that is solving key issues.

Page 22

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Business

L-R: Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enalema with The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, arriving for the Federal executive council meeting, iesterday in Abuja.

Economy: Foreign firm pledges collaboration with Adamawa govt From Umar Dankano,Yola

S

equel to the dwindling fortune of crude oil,Nigeria’s major foreign earner, a United States of America based Company BTP Swiss Enterprises has extended a hand of cooperation to assist President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration in diversifying the economic of the

country.

The development was made known Tuesday at Government House Yola during a courtesy call on the Acting Governor of Adamawa state, Engineer Martins Babale by a delegation of the firm led by American Nigeria, professor Akin Afolobi Professor Afolabi said that the company specializes in harnessing

Mineral Resources for creating better opportunity if given the chance.

He stated that,their home coming was informed by the clariour call by country President Muhammed Buhari that Nigeria citizens living abroad to come home and contribute their quota in moving the nation forawrd.

He explained that Adamawa is

rich in Uranium and thiorium solid menerals and other undiscover noting that they visited the state to discuss possible way of diversing the economy of the State instead of it relying on the federal government monthly startutary allocation.

The Acting Governor of the state Engnear Martins Babale who received the delegation on behalf of his boss said that he was

delighted on the proposal by the company noting that the state is ready to partner with them if they can provide concrete facts on their operation.

He told the delegation that the state is blessed with abundant mineral resources that if properly harnessed can turn the economic of the state into developed and more result oriented venture.

of the minister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola with operators of the power sector in the state yesterday.

The operators stated in the communique that they recognised the need for the DISCOs to reinvigorate their efforts to replace obsolete transformers and deploy new ones where necessary.

They also maintained that the distribution companies should deploy the transformers so

that the communities were not required to provide transformers at their own expense in order to get the services they prepared to pay for.

They however revealed that Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has completed 20 projects in Gwagwalada, Kaduna, Afam, Apo, Lekki and Omotosho, adding that the projects would improve power distribution in Abuja and Lagos State. “ TCN also stated its intention

to make public announcements of the upcoming maintenance projects which might negatively impact power supply. The hydroelectric power supply stations in Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro agreed to work with TCN to boost output during a two-week outage period for the repair of a tower at Okpai that caused power outage to minimize the effect of the outage.” the communique stated.

The meeting also

acknowledged the need to put in place a more robust mechanism on information sharing between the federal ministry of power, works and housing, the Generating Companies and the DISCOs. The meeting also sympathised with the victims of electrocution under Abuja Distribution Company (AEDC) and commanded the company for prompt compensation to the victims.

Power Outage: DISCOs pledge to provide transformers to Nigerian communities From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

N

igerian electricity D i s t r i b u t i o n Companies (DISCOs) have pledged to provide transformers to communities where required , saying the effort was to improve power supply in the country.

This was contained in a communique issued to journalists in Kano State at the end of the 6th monthly meeting

PAGE 23

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Stock Watch: Wednesday, June 15, 2016 Company

7UP

Previous Closing Price

185.06

184.5

Opening Price High

184.5

Low

184.5

Close

184.5

Change Trades

-0.56 25

Volume

Value

233,796

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

Company

Previous Closing Price

Opening Price High

Low

Close

Change Trades

Volume

Value

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 - -

- - - 1.2 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 DEAPCAP 0.58 - - - 0.58 0 - MORISON 1.73 - - - 1.73 DIAMONDBNK 2.87 2.8 2.8 2.74 2.74 -0.13 43 1,315,800 3,645,250.00 MRS 49.66 - - - 49.66 IPWA 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - MTECH 0.91 - - - 0.91 JAPAULOIL 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 10,000 5,000.00 MTI 0.5 - - - 0.5 JBERGER 39.5 - - - 39.5 4 1,180 44,879.00 MULTITREX 0.5 - - - 0.5 DANGSUGAR

JOHNHOLT 0.96 - - - 0.96 0 - -

5 154,383 176,896.62 20 6,378 854,115.18 0 - 1 500 23,590.00 0 - 0 - 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

ALUMACO 7.75 - - - 7.75 1 200 1,474.00

Company

Previous Closing Price

Opening Price High

Low

Close

Change Trades

Volume

Value

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 - -

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2016

Special Report

How British let one million Indians die in famine Photograph of the 1900 famine in India

Antique print of Indian famine victims, 1885

I

t has been a difficult summer for India.

Drought and a searing heat wave have affected an astonishing 330 million people across the country.

But this summer also marks the 150th anniversary of a far more terrible and catastrophic climatic event: the Orissa famine of 1866.

Hardly anyone today knows about this famine. It elicits little mention in even the densest tomes on Indian history.

There will be few, if any, solemn commemorations.

Yet the Orissa famine killed over a million people in eastern India.

In modern-day Orissa state, the worst hit region, one out of every three people perished, a mortality rate far more staggering than that caused by the Irish Potato

Famine.

The Orissa famine also became an important turning point in India’s political development, stimulating nationalist discussions on Indian poverty. Faint echoes of these debates still resonate today amid drought-relief efforts.

‘No relief was the best relief’ Famine, while no stranger to the subcontinent, increased in frequency and deadliness with the advent of British colonial rule.

The East India Company helped kill off India’s oncerobust textile industries, pushing more and more people into agriculture.

This, in turn, made the Indian economy much more dependent on the whims of seasonal monsoons.

One hundred and fifty years ago, as is the case with

today’s drought, a weak monsoon appeared as the first ill omen.

“It can, we fear, no longer be concealed that we are on the eve of a period of general scarcity,” announced the Englishman, a Calcutta newspaper, in late 1865.

The Indian and British press carried reports of rising prices, dwindling grain reserves, and the desperation of peasants no longer able to afford rice.

All of this did little to stir the colonial administration into action. In the mid-19th Century, it was common economic wisdom that government intervention in famines was unnecessary and even harmful. The market would restore a proper balance. Any excess deaths, according to Malthusian principles, were nature’s way of responding to

Undated picture of Indian famine victims

Famine in India, 1900

overpopulation.

This logic had been used with devastating effect two decades beforehand in Ireland, where the government in Britain had, for the most part, decided that no relief was the best relief.

On a flying visit to Orissa in February 1866, Cecil Beadon, the colonial governor of Bengal (which then included Orissa), staked out a similar position. “Such visitations of providence as these no government can do much either to prevent or alleviate,” he pronounced.

‘Too late, too rotten’ Regulating the skyrocketing grain prices would risk tampering with the natural laws of economics. “If I were to attempt to do this,” the governor said, “I should consider myself no better than a dacoit or thief.” With that, Mr Beadon deserted his emaciated subjects in Orissa and returned to Kolkata (Calcutta) and busied himself with quashing privately funded relief efforts.

In May 1866, it was no longer easy to ignore the mounting catastrophe in Orissa. British administrators

in Cuttack found their troops and police officers starving.

The remaining inhabitants of Puri were carving out trenches in which to pile the dead. “For miles round you heard their yell for food,” commented one observer.

As more chilling accounts trickled into Calcutta and London, Mr Beadon made a belated attempt to import rice into Orissa. It was, with cruel irony, hindered by an overabundant monsoon and flooding. Relief was too little, too late, too rotten. Orissans paid with their lives for bureaucratic foot-dragging.

For years, a rising generation of westerneducated Indians had alleged that British rule was grossly impoverishing India. The Orissa famine served as eye-popping proof of this thesis. It prompted one early nationalist, Dadabhai Naoroji, to begin his lifelong investigations into Indian poverty.

As the famine abated in early 1867, Mr Naoroji sketched out the earliest version of his “drain theory”— the idea that Britain was enriching itself by literally sucking the lifeblood out of

India.

“Security of life and property we have better in these times, no doubt,” he conceded. “But the destruction of a million and a half lives in one famine is a strange illustration of the worth of the life and property thus secured.”

Indifferent response His point was simple. India had enough food supplies to feed the starving - why had the government instead let them die? While Orissans perished in droves in 1866, Mr Naoroji noted that India had actually exported over 200m

pounds of rice to Britain. He discovered a similar pattern of mass exportation during other famine years. “Good God,” Mr Naoroji declared, “when will this end?”

It did not end anytime soon. Famines recurred in 1869 and 1874. Between 1876 and 1878, during the Madras famine, anywhere from four to five million people perished after the viceroy, Lord Lytton, adopted a hands-off approach similar to that employed in Ireland and Orissa.

By 1901, Romesh Chunder Dutt, another leading nationalist, enumerated 10

Undated picture of an Indian village in a famine-affected district

mass famines since the 1860s, setting the total death toll at a whopping 15 million. Indians were now so poor - and the government so indifferent in its response - that, he stated, “every year of drought was a year of famine.”

A wealthier, less agriculturally dependent India is now able to ensure that this does not happen.

Significant problems remain: the Indian Supreme Court recently upbraided some state governments for their “ostrich-like attitude” towards the current drought.

For such reasons, it is

all the more important to remember the Orissa Famine today. This humanitarian disaster, and the others that followed, galvanized Indians into fighting against British colonial rule.

Framing and implementing a robust national drought policy, as the Supreme Court has ordered, will be a fitting way to commemorate the million Indians who perished 150 years ago.

Source: BBC

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Mother Earth

NESREA, NCC collaborates to Protect the environment

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Impact Statement (EIS) are complied with and also to sanction companies that did not carry out EIA before commencement of projects.

“By working together and sharing information and ideas as well as keeping all communication lines open NESREA and NCC can forge a common front towards achieving environmental protection,” he stated .

Meanwhile, Professor Umar Garuba Dambatta who responded to the visit said he agreed with the views expressed by the Director-General of NESREA, saying that NESRE has done a good job striving for effective environmental compliance monitoring and enforcement, while his Commission wants to ensure quality of service for Nigerian subscribers.

The statement said Prof.

Dambatta called for a vibrant relationship between the two regulatory Agencies and improvement in exchange of ideas and communication.

He said that it was necessary for members of the public to know that the Federal Government meant business in the quest to protect human lives and to make Nigerian subscribers happy.

Prof.Dambatta for security concerns, pleaded with NESREA to work with NCC to resolve any grey areas taking cognizance of the need to keep the emission levels at Base Stations at acceptable levels.

He welcomed the collaboration which he admitted would grow from strength to strength to enhance effective environmental compliance, monitoring and enforcement, the statement said.

T

he National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) ,have pledged to work together to ensure environmental protection and sustainable development in the Telecom sector.

The pledge was made known recently , when the Director General/CEO of NESREA Dr. Lawrence Chidi Anukam , paid a courtesy call to the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Professor Umar Garuba Dambatta in his office in Abuja.

The NESREA boss who expressed appreciation for the reception given to him and his team , saying that as two sister regulatory Agencies, there was need to develop a synergy, work together and collaborate to achieve better results.

It was contained in a statement signed by NESREA Chief Press Secretary Sule Oyofo , said that Dr. Anukam,acknowledged the growth in the telecommunication industry in Nigeria and has attain positive impact on wealth creation and employment opportunities.

The statement however stated that there was need for activities in the sector to have a human face.

He expressed deep concern about the likely negative environmental and safety impacts of telecom operations , if the environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) was not properly carried out before the citing of Base Stations.

The Director emphasised that before NESREA closes any base station for environmental violations,due processes are always followed , which involves mandatory notices and warning letters for environmental compliance.

The stated further stated that it was necessary for every telecom facility to follow due process and ensure that proper site specific EIA is carried out before new base stations and telecom masts are constructed.

The statement also informed that it was the responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Environment to oversea the conduct of an EIA process by a proponent, including the issuance of an Environmental Impact Certificate or Statement, while it is the statutory responsibility of NESREA to ensure that the elements/issues identified in the Environmental

NESREA Dr. Lawrence Chidi Anukam

FG to enforce proper waste control through EPR programme – DG NESREA

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he Federal Government said it is committed to ensure full implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme in line with the provisions of the various National Environmental Regulations aimed at achieving sustainable development in Nigeria.

This was revealed by the Director General/CEO National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr Lawrence Chidi Anukam, He made this statement while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) led by Sade Morgan, Director Legal, Public Affairs and

Communication accompanied by Jelena Trminic from Coca-Cola Hellenic Group representing the global partners who paid him a courtesy call in his office in Abuja recently.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary Sule Oyofo said that the DG/CEO disclosed that the implementing the EPR programme is for the good of the Nation as it will facilitate the use of the 5Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recover and Recycling, thereby taking away litters from our streets and reducing the environmental/ carbon footprints of products.

“It will also facilitate the use of recoverable materials during manufacturing of products as it will assist in their end-of-life

management”.

The DG charged NBC and the food and beverage industries to consider using biodegradable plastics and paper packaging materials which are more environment friendly to achieve sustainable development.

The statement Harping on environment friendly products, Dr Anukam who expressed delight that the Nigerian Bottling Company is taking reasonable steps to reduce their environmental footprints by eliminating the use of Ozone depleting substances especially in their refrigeration process.

He commended NBC for being active member of the Beverage Alliance and charged other sectors to come on board the process in ensuring the success of the

programme.

In his words “whatever you do must balance with the environment and manufacturers must take responsibility for their products from production to end-of-life stage”.

The statement when further to explained that globally, EPR is a collaborative venture and there is need for the players to join hands with Government to make the programme successful.

Specifically, he enjoined them to commence with the publicity and creation of awareness components of the programme as agreed in previous meetings.

The statement also revealed the Agency’s plan to award compliant industries as incentive to do more.

“If a company has a brand name

overseas, the level of compliance should be the same here as the one outside”, he told his guests.

He emphasized that “the essence of environmental regulation is not to stifle businesses, but rather to help industries improve their environmental performances in achieving sustainable development”.

The statement also advised that Coca Cola should continue to support local communities with clean water supplies, renovation of schools, in enriching their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) profile.

He explained that the Agency is poised to enforce all environmental laws in achieving the Change Agenda of Mr. President in the sector.

P A G E

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Mother Earth

Unchecked Eco -terrorism in our forests

T

he diversity of life in tropical forests is often likened to a living library, but it is one in which most of the “books” are yet to be opened.

What makes this environmental loss especially sad is that tropical rain forests are often destroyed for little permanent benefit.

What hope is there for the rain forests and their teeming wildlife considering the forces of international commerce, overpopulation, trappers for the pet trade, and illegal hunters and loggers?

Researchers are constantly deriving useful products from tropical forests. A large proportion of the medicines now in use, for example, were developed from tropical plants.

Experts claim that “forests provided almost a third of the world’s population with food, fuel or medicine, as well as acting as a “safety net in natural disasters”.

Today, an unchecked terrorism has taken the form of arson, sabotage in a way of illegal logging, trappers of endangered species for pet trade and illegal hunters.

Their destructive acts have been called “Eco-terrorism”. At least hundreds major acts of this type occurred almost on daily basis unnoticed in this country.

Such acts are considered terrorist acts because they involve violence and illegality.

Eco-terrorists often frustrate forest guards if they still exist at all, by hitting remote targets, often at night and leaving little evidence, but charred ruins.

Until recently, crimes in the name of ecology has limited, local impact and drew little attention.

But targets have grown larger in recent years. To worsen the situation, official corruption has written death warrants for many eco-problems across the country.

For a bribe, some dishonest officials have known to give short term concessions to companies that plunder the timber with no regard for conservation.

While criminals damage forests, illegal loggers

“

clandestinely cut valuable trees even those in national parks.

Sometimes they saw logs in planks right there in the forest – a wasteful and illegal practice. Local people are paid to carry them on bicycles or even on their heads.

Then to avoid checkpoints, trucks take them away on quiet roads after dark. Deforestation and loss of wildlife are not the inevitable result of increasing population. They are often the result of mismanagement, greedy commerce, crime, and corrupt

Ambrose Inusa Sule environment watch globenviron@yahoo.com 0703-441-4410 (sms only)

government officials.

That being so, what hope is there for conserving the immense diversity of life that is found in tropical rain forests like ours.

It is amazing that we have never heard of anybody that has been convicted on environmental crime in this country, except when street hawkers’ wares are confiscated or fined.

It is no gainsaying the fact that collusive corruption and fraud in the forestry sector undermines the rule of law and significantly

Eco-terrorists often frustrate forest guards if they still exist at all, by hitting remote targets, often at night and leaving little evidence, but charred ruins.

hampers efforts to tackle poverty in this country.

It’s sufficed to say that capacity building, good governance and increased international co-operation are necessary in order to secure sustainable forest management. Forests that are sustainably managed are becoming an important part of the solution for global climate change and poverty alleviation.

In view of the ever increasing eco-terrorism, Interpol and the United Nations have called on all nations to join forces to launch an initiative to tackle global forest crime.

Project Leaf, as it is called by the UN, is meant to target criminals involved in illegal logging and timber trafficking and the scheme will also provide support to enforcement agencies in countries with the biggest problems.

The project is said to ensure these global laws are supported by global enforcement and that the criminals responsible are brought to justice - no matter their location, movements or resources.

Project leaf (Law Enforcement Assistance for Forests) is a partnership between the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Interpol, with funding provided by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation for effective force against criminal activity.

This should be a wake-up call for the federal government to join in the effort to tackle this global forest crime, as illegal logging was no longer an issue that is restricted by national boundaries.

PAGE 28

Emergency Update

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Nigeria, Cameroon ,UNHCR signs agreement for return of 80, 000 IDPs

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he Federal Government has signed a tripartite agreement with the United Nations High Commission for Refuge (UNHCR) and the Republic of Cameroun for the return of Nigerian refugees who had fled for safety and are currently taking refuge in the Cameroun, voluntarily and in a dignified manner.

The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Muhammad Sani Sidi, revealed this when an African Union Humanitarian Mission led

by Dr. Aisha Laraba Abdullahi, Commissioner Political Affairs, visited the Headquarters of the Agency during the weekend.

He said there were about eighty thousand (80,000) displaced Nigerians currently taking refuge in Cameroun and that the federal government has been making efforts to cater for all their basic needs.

He said the Federal Government and governments of states affected by the insurgency, United Nations Organisations, International Non-Governmental Organisations and the private sector had done a lot in the past four years to manage large numbers of internally displaced persons in the North East, “we have moved from the emergency response stage to recovery and resettlement of the IDPs.�

He urged the visiting Commissioner to use her good offices as Commissioner Political Affairs of the African Union to seek for more assistance and support for

Typical Internal Display Persons

Typical Internal Display Persons

the affected persons and the states.

Si d i t h a n k e d a l l t h e development partners, UN agencies, Civil Societies for working tirelessly in supporting the IDPs and Government of Nigeria.

Earlier, the Commissioner said they were in Nigeria to assess the situation of IDPs and to discuss areas of possible support.

She said that displaced Nigerians were of concern to the African Union, as records available to AU indicate that there were about

13 million displaced persons and 3 million refugees on the continent.

Abdullahi commended the efforts of the Nigerian government and the military for degrading and minimizing the activities of the insurgents in the northeast.

Adding that , with the large number of displaced persons living in the camps, the AU will continue to give more attention to the issues of displacement through interaction and focus on addressing the root causes of conflict in Africa.

Feature

Page 29

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

T

he city in Nigeria’s far north is a long way from the oilfields of the south but that has not cushioned it from the fall in the country’s main source of income.

“I came to buy a dress,” says Halima Sani, a civil servant who drops into a boutique late one afternoon.

“If you could buy two or three formerly, now you cannot even afford one.”

The prices at Alhayat Global Synergy women’s fashion house in the Sky Memorial Complex have gone up because the Nigerian currency, the naira, has lost 20% of its value in the last three months, as a consequence of the oil crisis.

Ms Sani, wearing a print outfit with matching head wrap, has come to pay the balance on the dress she had previously chosen.

When she first went to the shop, she thought she had enough money, only to find the price had increased.

“So I needed to go and come back today with the extra money - about 8,000 naira ($40; £26) it’s on the high side,” she says.

She admits she is a regular at the shop but stops short of calling herself a shopaholic: “These days you need to get things for your home before thinking of clothes.”

The boutique’s owner, Aminu Tanko Kyaure, caters for the city’s middle-class fashionistas, importing most of his products from Dubai.

The rolls of material, lace, dresses, jackets, handbags, shoes and jewellery come in containers that take 45 days to arrive from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“Before the naira fell, Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), we were making very good business,” he says.

But now the shipping costs from the UAE to Lagos and then 995km (618 miles) by road to Kano have shot up.

“They [the customers] bitterly complain about the prices because last week I bought new products and I had to increase them because I had to include the expenses.”

He says he is considering

How oil prices have upset Nigeria’s glamorous women

The drop in world oil prices is hitting the fashion-conscious women of Kano hard. cancelling his forthcoming trip to Dubai because of the currency fluctuations.

Bintu Usman, who owns the Peep and Shop on nearby Maiduguri Road, says she has done just that.

“I usually travel to Dubai and India but I’m unable to travel because of the high dollar business is down,” she says.

“I don’t have much stock now as I was unable to travel - for the past three months I have not travelled.”

She used to go every six weeks or two months to stock up on clothes, bag and shoes.

Her customers are also unhappy about the escalating prices.

“It’s really affecting the business because even right now people aren’t coming for the products.

“Something like a bag you were selling at 8,000 naira before

“

is now 12,000 - they can’t afford it,” she says.

‘Online disappointment’ Mr Kyaure says he could order his goods online, which would cut out some of the cost being passed onto the customer.

However, he says it is not an ideal solution.

“At times you need to go and feel and touch what you want - it will enable you to know the quality of products you want to buy, because at times when you buy online, when the goods arrive you are disappointed.”

As the heat goes out of the afternoon, the small shop fills up with more women chatting and trying on different glamorous outfits.

Nigeria’s government receives more than 75% of its revenues from oil exports - and in the last six months prices on global markets have more than halved.

“My suggestion to government

The prices at a popular women’s fashion house in Kano city have gone up because the Nigerian currency, the naira, has lost 20% of its value in the last three months, as a consequence of the oil crisis.

Aminu Tanko Kyaure says the government needs to diversify so it is not so dependent on revenues from oil Aminu Tanko Kyaure says the government needs to diversify so it is not so dependent on revenues from oil

Imported bags have also been big sellers

is that it needs to diversify its source of income and do away with a monoculture economy,” says Mr Kyaure before answering a query about a price.

“It affects the entire society because we solely rely on oil and a slight change of oil price on the international market invariably affects society.”

Sadiqa Yakub, a microbiology student, agrees as she arrives with a friend to join the browsing customers.

“I’m finding it very difficult,” she says.

“For example, yesterday I went to the market to buy a

chicken - before, it was about 700 naira and now it’s 1200 naira.

“We haven’t come here for quite a while,” she admits, though she would love to get some new shoes.

“Your budget has to be scheduled again. You have to come up with another plan to manage.”

On the fashion front, the devaluation of the naira means you sometimes have to make do with second best, she says.

And for the fashionable shoppers of Kano, second best is just not good enough.

Source: BBC

Feature Page 30

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Water mafia: Buying water on the black market

R

ows of men and women are gathered in its narrow lanes, some sitting on their haunches.

Large plastic drums are placed strategically in front of them.

Suddenly a cry goes up: “It’s here, it’s here.”

A water tanker backs into the lane, and the place descends into chaos.

Young men charge towards the truck, clambering onto the top with pipes, which are then lowered into the tank. Others push the drums in place - there’s a mad scramble to fill them up with clean water.

Fights break out as some people are pushed out of the way.

“It’s always like this,” Jainisha Khatoon says. “People push and pull. We get abused. That’s when I step back.”

In 15 minutes, the water runs out and the tanker drives away, leaving many desperate people behind.

“It only comes once every 10 days or so,” says Rupa Jha, another resident.

“How do you expect it to last?

We have to buy water from private suppliers. Water’s always available but at a price.”

About 20% of Delhi’s population have no access to piped water and have to be supplied by water tankers. But the difference between demand and supply is more than 750 million litres a day.

So they have to rely on the black market - water supplied by private contractors, or “the water

Often there’s a mad scramble to fill up drums with the clean water that’s being provided by tankers mafia”, as it has come to be known.

“It’s always existed here. A network of people who steal water and then supply it to those who need it,” says Anuj Porwal, a social activist from Sangam Vihar.

“They have the backing of the police and local politicians. That’s why no one can stop them,” he alleges.

The allegations have always been denied.

It costs about $10 (£6) to buy

Delhi’s poorest are forced to pay a price for a resource that’s meant to be freely available

About 20% of Delhi’s population have no access to piped water

200 litres of water from the mafia.

In contrast, water provided by the city government is free, when available.

“I make about $80 a month.

So you can imagine how hard it is for us to come up with that kind of cash,” says Bimla, another resident of the area.

Under the cover of darkness, the mafia works to bridge the gap between supply and demand.

It is 04:00 at Balla, a sandy enclave by the banks of the Yamuna river that flows through

In the congested Delhi neighbourhood Sangam Vihar, home to 500,000 people, the air is fraught with anticipation.

Delhi.

The single street, with a few shops and houses on either side, is deserted save for a few stray dogs.

It’s also dark - most of the streetlights are switched off or are missing.

A row of tankers sneaked through the street and then pull into one of several alleys. Men jump out and quickly haul thick pipes which are then rigged into the tanks.

The other end of the pipes are attached to borewells sunk deep into the ground. With a low hum, thousands of litres of water are pumped into the trucks.

It takes less than half an hour to fill up a truck. As one leaves, another takes its place. Details are entered into a logbook.

It’s a well organised operation that is conducted swiftly and stealthily.

“No one really challenges them because they can be dangerous,” one local resident warns us.

The men themselves are reluctant to talk.

When one does, he offers this by way of explanation: “We only supply water to those areas that need it.”

The immediate fallout of this informal, but shadowy, syndicate is that many of Delhi’s residents especially its poorest - are paying a price for a resource that’s meant to be freely available.

But there’s a long-term impact too.

The mafia is drawing out water from India’s groundwater, which is slowly being critically depleted.

If unchecked it could lead to a potentially devastating social and economic cost.

Source: BBC

“

Under the cover of darkness, the mafia works to bridge the gap between supply and demand. It is 04:00 at Balla, a sandy enclave by the banks of the Yamuna river that flows through Delhi. The single street, with a few shops and houses on either side, is deserted save for a few stray dogs. It’s also dark - most of the streetlights are switched off or are missing. A row of tankers sneaked through the street and then pull into one of several alleys. Men jump out and quickly haul thick pipes which are then rigged into the tanks.The other end of the pipes are attached to borewells sunk deep into the ground. With a low hum, thousands of litres of water are pumped into the trucks.

Many have to wake up at dawn to catch the water tankers

PAGE 31

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Candido unveils c’tees on youth empowerment initiatives

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

s part of its strategy for the actualization of its youth empower initiatives, the Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido-led Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has constituted two steering committees on establishment of Skills and Vocational Centres as well as School for the Gifted in the Council.

According to the administration, it plans to establish special school for the gifted, to carter for children who are highly talented but lack the necessary support to maximize such; while the vocational centres will focus on empowering unskilled

youth across the twelve wards of the council with various entrepreneurial competencies.

While inaugurating the committees yesterday, the AMAC chairman, said the unveiling of the committees on the two initiatives are concepts that were part of his vision for AMAC even while he was still outside the corridors of power.

He said both committees will undertake feasibility studies on how the ideas can be realized within the shortest period, so that the structures will come on stream.

He added that part of terms of reference include to interface with relevant stakeholders; to

ascertain the appropriate location, size, take off and otherwise of the empowerment initiatives.

According to Candido, “The society will suffer if the potentials of many gifted children in the country are overlooked; the basic component of any child’s development is education.

“And promotion of skills and vocational capacities is a priority of this administration.

“It is a vision which we want to actualize and at the end of the day, it will become a mission accomplished.”

In their separate responses, the chairmen of the committees,

Alhaji Abdulwahab Musa (Skills and Vocational Centres and Usman Haliru (School for the Gifted) appreciated the AMAC chair, for the laudable initiatives, saying it takes a leader with clear vision to come with such.

They therefore promised to look beyond their respective terms of reference, and advice the council appropriately.

Peoples Daily reports that the committees comprising of politicians, serving and retired civil servants, technocrats as well as businessmen, have up until July 7, 2016 to turn in their reports.

Scene of an accident at Durumi Junction Apo, recently in Abuja.

Bello tasks promoted Aides on dedication

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has charged his Aide-deCamp (ADC), Mr. Saidu Bala who has just been promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police to re-dedicate himself to the service of the fatherland.

The Minister gave this charge on Tuesday while decorating the officer with his new rank in his office, Garki I District, Abuja.

Bello who was assisted during the decoration by a Deputy Commissioner of Police,

Veterinary Department, Force Headquarters, Dr. Aishatu Abubakar, observed that the duty of the Police should be professionalized.

This, he reiterated, should help fight crimes and criminalities in the Nigerian society and also help promote a better Nigeria.

Other Police aides also decorated at the occasion were Escort Commander, Mr. Umar Mani, promoted from Inspector to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police; while Mr. Muhammad Usman from Corporal to Sergeant. Bello admonished the promoted officers

to maintain high degree of discipline and loyalty to the nation; stressing that to ‘whom much is given, much is expected’.

The Minister thanked the Nigeria Police authorities for finding these young officers worthy of the elevation and urged them to put in their best to justify the promotion.

He remarked that the promotion was in recognition of their good work and dedication to service; adding, “it would motivate them to do much more than what they’ve been doing in the past.”

The Minister, who recalled that the Police Command promoted

quite a fair number of officers assigned to his office during the last promotion exercise, assured that the FCT Administration will continue to partner closely with the Police authorities to make Abuja a very safe place.

Earlier in her remarks, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Veterinary Department, Force Headquarters said that the officers were deserving of their promotions having worked hard in the discharge of their duties; adding that the promotions will motivate the officers to discharge their duties most effectively.

Alleged dangerous driving: Court slams N.5m bail on lawyer

A

Gudu Upper Area Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has admitted a 28-year-old lawyer, Nnadubem Moghalu, to bail in the sum of N500,000 for alleged dangerous driving.

Moghalu of No. 14, Aguata Close, Garki 2, FCT, pleaded not guilty to a two-count charges of causing accident by dangerous driving and driving without due care.

The presiding officer, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, in his ruling, ordered the defendant to produce reliable sureties in like sum.

Kagarko said that the sureties must reside within the jurisdiction of the court, and adjourned the case till July 26 for hearing.

Prosecutor Urom Otu told the court that the defendant drove without care and attention, thereby hitting Peace Matthew of Masaka, Nassarawa State, on May 17.

Otu said Matthew sustained degrees of injuries and had been in a coma at the National Hospital.

He said that the vehicle was badly damaged and cost of repair was unknown. The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 28 and 21 of the Road Traffic Act. (NAN)

PAGE 32

Photo Splash

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Groundnuts hawkers at the central area recently in Abuja

Physically challenged riding his motorcycle at Area 1, yesterday in Abuja.

A mobile trader out for business in Nyanya Abuja

Scavengers looking for the valuable use, at Mapol junction Nyanya, at the yesterday in Abuja

Young boy hawking on the street, yesterday in Mararaba, Photo: Mahmud Isa

PAGE 33

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Metro Cleric launches book on marriage

By Paul Efiong

P

Hawkers at bus stop, yesterday in Mararaba.

CSOs urged to promote cultural heritage

G

eneral Secretary of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Abuja chapter, Salamatu Sule, has urged Vivil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the country at large to promote cultural heritage.

In a presentation entitled: ``Civil Society as Agent of Mobilisation in the Promotion of our Cultural Heritage”, at a recent workshop on Intangible Cultural Heritage in Abuja, Sule noted that

civil society served as a mediatory realm between the individual and the state.

“The civil society has the ability to trigger action toward social solution to social problems; they also have the ability to sensitise and mobilise members of the society to achieve certain socio-cultural benefits.

“Civil societies in the country should partner with the different cultures toward improved global cultural development among the

various cultures within Nigeria and other parts of the world,” she said.

Sule explained that civil societies should promote Nigeria as a brand and place the country in a global cultural space.

According to her, they should also create awareness and programmes which enhances cultural relation for tourists and bring other culture under a specific platform such as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. ``Civil societies in the country

should help in the promotion of indigenous languages as well as documentation. ``They should bring state actors from various parts of the country and the world to identify cultural sites and festivals in the effort to expose the different cultures to the world. ``Writers are the mirror of the society and will continue to do so for the growth of our sociocultural and political revolution,” she said.

(NAN)

Security guard in soup over alleged theft of employer’s N6m

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Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrates’ Court will today resume hearing of the case against a security guard, Isah Jubrin, accused of bolting with his employer’s N6 million.

Jubrin, who is facing a twocount charge of criminal trespass and theft, has been cooling his heels at an Abuja prison, after his arraignment at the court.

He, however, pleaded not guilty.

Thereafter, the Senior Magistrate, Mr. Teribo Jim, adjourned the case to June 16 (today) for proper hearing.

Prosecutor Christopher Johnson told the court that the complainant, Mr Tajudeen Ahmed of Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, reported the incident at Wuse Police Station on May 26.

Johnson said the complainant

and his wife discovered that their security guard had entered their room illegally after returning from a trip.

According to him, “The guard took the key to the room from where it was kept, entered the room and stole N6 million cash.

“The money was kept in the room for the ongoing construction of additional duplex in the compound.’’

The prosecutor said the accused had confessed during investigation that he stole the money and handed it over to a man, whose name was given as Daniel Shina of Maitama , Abuja.

The offences contravened Sections 289 and 348 of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation respectively.

(NAN)

erturbed by the increasing cases of broken marriages coupled with the gradual nose-diving of moral values in the society as well the misconception of about the parish pastoral council in the Catholic Church, a prolific writer and counselor Fr. Christopher Nnubia, has come up with a practical guide, following the launch of his two books on the .

The books namely; Christian Marriage; Before, During and After Its Celebration and Understanding Parish Council and Finance Committee, “were launched recently in Abuja.

Reviewing one of the books (on marriage), Prof. Epihany Azinge (SAN), while commending the author for a job well done, noted that the book is coming at a time when the challenge of broken homes has become recurrent decimal in the society, even as he urged parents to be mindful of the over bearing influence they have on their (married) children.

Expressing gratitude to God for the gift of Fr. Nnubia, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan ably represented by Monsignor Enang, stated that the Catholic Church holds the sacrament of marriage to a high esteem adding that the author’s latest book will a go long way in helping youths preparing to go into the sacred institution and equally give a sense of direction to the married.

Speaking with newsmen, Fr. Nnubia noted that the inspiration to write the first book (on marriage) was “borne out of the marriage courses I instructed as a priest for the past nine years as well as papers presented at various marriage seminars and workshops.”

Similarly, the author stated that what necessitated the writing of the second book, “Understanding Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Committee was borne out of the seminar/workshops organized for some parishes on parish councils as well as the difficulty encountered by some parish priests he had worked with.

He used the occasion to beckon on intending couples to ensure that they are properly guided before embarking on a marital bliss, adding that the betterment of any society starts from the home.

Among the litany of guests that graced the event were; the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Wilson Inalegwu, Senator Naomi Akwadiki, Senator John Danboyi, long list of Priests, Religious, members of Knight of St. Mulumba, among others.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Money Sense

How to start a gym business in Nigeria

By Marie Sana

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here are many in Nigeria who go to the gym everyday to work out and keep physically fit. This rising trend has many advantages, particularly when you think about the concept of starting a fitness and health business.

Nigerians are aware that they have to flex and also stretch out their muscles regularly. So, investing as well as starting a fitness business can certainly be a good option. If you don’t have an understanding of the business plan, below are several business ideas to help you.

1. Choose a good location for your business Selecting a good place to build a gym business is very important.

This is to make sure you have a place accessible to those who want to work out and use fitness equipment. Typically densely populated business centres – targeting the growing middle class. They have and understand the need to keep fit and can afford the fees.

You would find this possible to put your gym business in locations that are accessible and noticeable to the target market like close to the shopping malls and also schools. Having the ability to select a good place can help you

get a lot of clients that will make use of your fitness facilities.

2. Choose high quality gym facilities and better services There are currently a lot of gym businesses that can be found and

provide similar services you have.

Therefore, it is beneficial for you if you’re able to stay ahead of them by providing your customers modern and superior gym equipment as well as facilities.

Some of the equipments you should use in your gym are as follows; • bike • elliptical machine • stepper

• treadmill machine • home gym • Multi function trainer • rubberized flooring • weight benches You can visit the internet about the latest gym equipment to find out if the facilities that you’re planning to purchase are in demand to the needs of your customers. Furthermore, you can also consider to give more services that can target the needs and interest of your customers.

For example, offer your customers stress management as well as job program classes that they might be interested to take part. You can also give them the alternative to request for pop or perhaps rock music to play while exercising.

3. Offer promos and packages The good thing to step up your gym business would be to attract people to exercise in your gym. It will be helpful to provide special packages, promos, giveaways and also fitness business cards to make them more interested to exercise. Offering your customers big discounts for recommending other gym enthusiasts, for instance, might help in increasing the number of customers that will patronize your business.

Exercise keeps your body healthy and better in order to face life with a better aptitude. With this kind of business, many Nigerians will be benefitted about its result.

So, when it comes to fitness equipment, contact Speed Cargo Service GMBH.

news world A defeated sanctions vote in

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

ANALYSIS

By Rami G Khouri

M

ainstream US civil society institutions now routinely debate Israeli oppressive policies towards Palestine.

Sometimes a slim defeat is also a step on the road to victory. This may be the case with the razor-thin defeat last week of an American Anthropological Association motion to sanction and boycott Israeli academic institutions that subjugate or exploit Palestinians.

While the motion to boycott complicit Israeli institutions lost by a vote of 2,423 to 2,384, in the larger struggle for Palestinian rights this probably marks a turning point, according to discussions I have held in the United States this week with some AAA members.

The AAA vote and the three-year process that preceded it included a detailed study by an appointed task force of its members that concluded: “We find that the policies and practices of the Israeli government place significant limitations on academic freedom and have led to substantial deprivations in the health and welfare of Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, as well as within Israel itself.”

It recommended a range of possible actions, including sanctions, reflecting the continuing historic shift in global responses to Israel’s occupation policies.

The single biggest change is that mainstream American civil society institutions now routinely and publicly debate Israeli oppressive policies towards Palestine, and discuss motions to sanction Israel for those policies, while aiming to promote justice for both Palestinians and Israelis.

Hardline Israelis Central to today’s activism is the decade-old Palestinian civil society initiative called the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel that seeks its compliance with international law and Palestinian rights.

Hardline Israelis rightly worry that such moves increasingly echo the 1980s anti-Apartheid movement that challenged White supremacy in South Africa.

More troubling for Israel are the political demographics that were so evident in this AAA vote and others like it among mainstream US churches, unions, and academic associations: the younger, more ethnically diverse, and more active and progressive members mostly support sanctioning Israel for its subjugation of Palestinians, while pro-Israeli support increasingly is confined largely to older, predominantly white Americans who tend to follow Israel’s lead on such issues.

Time is with justice for the Palestinians and equal rights for both peoples. A majority of Americans, polls confirm, share this desire for their government to be even-handed in the IsraeliPalestinian conflict.

A dozen mainstream American churches, unions, and academic associations in the past four years have voted for boycotts and

the US should worry Israel

A protester holds a handmade sign at a rally, demanding an end to US support for Israel [Getty] sanctions of Israeli institutions that subjugate Palestinians. In the previous half century, even discussing the Palestine rights issue in public was virtually impossible.

“The pattern has become clear,” one university professor who is active in BDS initiatives told me on Monday. “At first an organisation’s members refuse even to discuss Israeli policies and their impact on Palestinians. Then the matter is discussed by the membership, but voted down. And after two or three years of more public discussion by all sides, it is voted on again, and approved. We expect the same thing to happen with the AAA vote and other academic associations that raise this issue.”

Public debate

Seven American academic associations have supported BDS actions, and others are debating the matter. The lesson, activists say, is that Israel ultimately loses when the public debates the facts about Palestine-Israel.

That public debate now occurs regularly, mainly because during the past 68 years the world has seen the facts of Israeli statehood and settler-colonisation, and Palestinian disenfranchisement, exile, or occupation.

Israel’s days of expecting automatic mass support for its position in the US seem to be coming to an end. Israeli policies today are openly debated, mainstream organisations support BDS, and even a serious presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, has

“

That public debate now occurs regularly, mainly because during the past 68 years the world has seen the facts of Israeli statehood and settler-colonisation, and Palestinian disenfranchisement, exile, or occupation.

called for a more even-handed US policy on Israel-Palestine.

The AAA and other associations use boycotts to express their opposition to unethical or illegal behaviour by corporations (Coca Cola) or even states (Arizona, Illinois, Georgia).

The US government and individual states sanction and boycott other nations (Russia, Iran, Cuba, Sudan) for their political behaviour.

So people increasingly ask why Israel should be exempt from public discussion of its behaviour towards the Palestinians.

Ironically, even some politicians who wholeheartedly support Israel may see their decisions backfire on them, and promote greater, rather than less, debate about Israeli policies. New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order last week saying the state would boycott any institution that boycotted Israel.

Free speech Seven states have already legislated laws prohibiting a boycott of Israel, and others are considering such moves. Cuomo’s decision sparked widespread media debate about whether it violated the constitutional guarantee of free speech, including a New York Times op-ed by a Jewish American who opposed Cuomo’s move as being hypocritical, constitutionally suspect and inappropriate.

The United Church of Christ also quickly criticised Cuomo’s move for infringing the Constitution’s First Amendment guarantee of free speech, noting that it and other churches have often, “actively supported human rights campaigns, sometimes through consumer boycotts and even divestment of companies that have profited from injustice …”

Last summer, the United Church of Christ called for divestment and boycott of firms that profit from Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.

Like the anti-Apartheid movement in the 1980s, the struggle to counter Israeli subjugation of Palestinians through boycotts and sanctions is steadily picking up steam, and has moved from the fringes towards the mainstream of American public politics. If I were Israeli, I would be worried, too.

Rami G Khouri is a senior public policy fellow at the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut and a non-resident senior fellow at Harward University Kennedy School.

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

Source: Al Jazeera

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Page 36

News From Africa

Ugandans ‘horrified’ by Orlando gay club shootings

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he biggest problem facing the LGBT community in Uganda is not anti-gay laws, but rather homophobic public altitude against same sex relations, which local politicians are using to vilify gay people, a human rights lawyer said Tuesday.

Nicholas Opiyo of the human rights group Chapter Four Uganda said while anti-gay groups in Uganda could not have carried out the Orlando, Florida gay nightclub shooting, still gay people in Uganda cannot openly express themselves.

Opiyo told VOA while most Ugandans are horrified by the Orlando, Florida massacre, anti-gay government officials are using such violence to justify the ill-treatment

of gays in Uganda.

“Not so many people follow cable news to understand the extent of the horror at the Orlando club. But the few people who watch cable news are shocked at the utter brutality of some people in the U.S. And in terms of our leadership, they have used that type of violence to justify violence against our own people here in Uganda,” he said.

Uganda is one of the few African countries, including Nigeria, Mauritania, Somalia and Sudan, where the general public does not accept same sex relations or behavior. In some of these countries homosexuality is even punishable by death.

“While we may not take guns and shoot people the way people in

Orlando have done, but here we do not see any possibility of gay people freely expressing themselves, even in private in disco halls, let alone walking in the middle of town holding hands. If that happens, they will be beaten, they will be chased; they would be stoned,” Opiyo said.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed a draconian AntiHomosexuality Bill in February 2015.

The legislation stipulated repeat offenders should be sentenced to 14 years in prison.

But a constitutional court struck down the law, noting that the parliament speaker acted illegally by going ahead with a vote on the bill despite at least three lawmakers objecting to a lack of quorum.

Late last year, Museveni announced he would no longer pursue further anti-gay legislation in Uganda.

Opiyo said the Ugandan president probably backed down due to intense international criticism, including the United States announcing sanctions against Uganda.

“Well, the president understood the foreign policy implications of enacting a law that targets gay people in Uganda. And I think that the foreign policy implications were suspension of funding from several development partners, more difficult relationship with the U.S. So the international pressure on President Museveni has come to bear on him,” Opiyo said.

EgyptAir crash: Wreckage found in Mediterranean

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reckage of the EgyptAir flight that went missing over the Mediterranean last month has been found, Egyptian investigators say.

A statement said “several main locations of the wreckage” had been identified.

There were 66 people on board the Airbus A320 when it crashed on 19 May while flying from Paris to Cairo.

It vanished from Greek and Egyptian radar screens, apparently without having sent a distress call.

The Egyptian investigation committee said that investigators on board a search vessel in the area would now draw up a map of the wreckage distribution spots.

The cause of the crash remains a mystery.

Earlier this month, search teams said signals from one of the “black box” flight recorders had been detected.

A terror attack has not been ruled out but no extremist group has claimed the downing of the plane.

Analysts say human or technical error is also a possibility. Flight data revealed that smoke detectors went off in the toilet and the aircraft’s electrics, minutes before the plane’s signal was lost.

Burundi schools probed after president’s photos defaced

N People holding rainbow flags take part in the Gay Pride parade in Entebbe, Aug. 8, 2015.

‘Spike in aid worker attacks’ in South Sudan

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id workers have suffered an increase in attacks in South Sudan in recent weeks, with three killed in May since the formation of a unity government, the UN has said, AFP news agency reports.

“Violent incidents - including shooting, ambushes, assaults, harassment and robberies - increased during May,” said a statement by the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha).

The three aid workers were killed in the Central and Eastern Equatoria regions.

At least 74 aid agency compounds or offices were looted in South Sudan this year, and 29 aid worker vehicles were stopped and robbed, the UN added.

US worried about EritreaEthiopia clashes

T

he US government says it is “gravely concerned” about the clashes on the Ethiopia-Eritrea border on Sunday and Monday.

“As both Ethiopia and Eritrea are party to the 2000 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and there cannot be a military solution, Both sides should exercise restraint and engage in political dialogue, State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

We reported at the time that it is not clear why fighting erupted.

But there has been an impasse since a peace agreement in 2000 over the disputed town of Badme.

Nairobi governor ‘fended off blow’

T

he governor of Kenya’s capital Nairobi, Evans Kidero, has denied that senator Mike Sonko’s punch landed on him, during their altercation earlier today at a meeting of the Senate’s public accounts committee.

“He never hit me. I just blocked his hand,” Mr Kidero told journalists.

He also denied that he had been rushed to hospital - something that his spokesman Beryl Okundi had said.

Finally, Mr Kidero denied the murder allegations that Mr Sonko levelled against him, saying they were “frivolous”.

‘Rats’ to be used in Kenyan protest

D

emonstrators plan to use 200 live rats in a protest in Nyeri city in central Kenya, reports the Kenyan newspaper the Star.

The Star quotes organising coordinator John Wamagata as saying “we shall bring 200 rats and take them round the town”.

The newspaper adds that the protest, planned for next week, is against a proposal by the county assembly to spend 75 million Kenyan shillings ($740,000; £510,000) to build a health club.

The Nyeri County Assembly Health Club will have a gym, steam bath, massage parlour, swimming pool and sauna, according to the Star.

ine schools are being investigated in eastern Burundi after photos of the president were defaced in text books.

More than 230 pupils were suspended on Monday for refusing to own up to the defacement of 27 books at their school.

Eleven students in other provinces are already being prosecuted for insulting the president by defacing his photo, punishable by five to 10 years in jail.

Burundi has experienced unrest over the last year triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s third term in office.

His decision to stand for another five-year term and his subsequent re-election sparked protests from opposition supporters who said the move was unconstitutional.

The BBC’s Prime Ndikumagenge in the capital, Bujumbura, says the 234 pupils at Gahinga Secondary School in Ruyigi province were also prevented from sitting their end-of-year exams on Tuesday because they would not tell the authorities who had scrawled on the President Nkurunziza’s photo.

The students were asked to write down the names of those who had defaced the books and the names of those who had encouraged them to do it.

“But they gave us blank sheets,” local government official Aloys Ngenzirabona told the AFP news agency.

The picture of Burundi’s president is alongside those of two former monarchs in books on human sciences for grades eight and nine, our reporter says.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Asia & Middle East Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe resigns over spending scandal

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Jammu curfew over temple ‘desecration’ Mobile internet services have been suspended and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has appealed for calm

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olice in Indian-administered Kashmir have imposed a curfew in parts of Jammu after clashes with protesters over the alleged desecration of a Hindu temple.

Protesters say a Muslim man accused of throwing stones at the temple was arrested. A policeman also slapped the temple priest,

they said.

Police told BBC Urdu that protesters had damaged property and thrown stones.

Mobile internet services were suspended and state Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti appealed for calm.

Police said the accused man had been identified as 25-year-old

Mohammed Yasir who was seen throwing stones at windows and desecrating property at the Aap Shamboo temple.

His brother Tanvir Ahmad told police that Mr Yasir was mentally ill and had run away from a nearby psychiatric clinic.

A crowd which gathered at the spot was provoked further

after news spread that police had slapped the priest before arresting Mr Yasir and his brother.

BBC Urdu’s Riyaz Masroor says the authorities have taken action against the police officer who slapped the priest.

A case has been registered against “unknown persons” for rioting.

Report accuses UN of loss of impartiality in Syria

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report released by rights group The Syria Campaign accuses the United Nations of delivering 99 percent of its aid to government-controlled territories, and calls on the UN to “restore its impartiality”.

The report, based on interviews with aid workers, including current and former UN staff, finds the UN in Syria in breach of its humanitarian principles and at risk of fuelling the conflict.

Entitled Taking Sides: The United Nations’ loss of impartiality, independence and neutrality

in Syria, the report documents how from the beginning of the conflict in Syria, the UN provided the Syrian government “with an effective veto over aid deliveries to areas outside of government control, enabling its use of siege as a weapon of war”.

The organisation’s fear of having visas revoked or being asked to leave Damascus has led to far-reaching and unnecessary capitulations to the Syrian government by the UN, the reports states, describing “a culture of compliance” among agencies in

Damascus.

The UN’s failure to set red lines for its operation has weakened its negotiating power with the Syrian government and allowed humanitarian aid to become party to the conflict in Syria, according to The Syria Campaign.

The report stated that “the UN has allowed the Syrian government to direct aid from Damascus almost exclusively into its territories.

“In April 2016, 88 percent of food aid delivered from inside Syria went into government-controlled territory. Twelve percent went

into territories outside the government’s control.”

The reported added that “in August 2015, the government directed over 99 percent of UN aid from inside the country to its territories”.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, told Al Jazeera that “to describe the UN humanitarian work in Syria as not being impartial or not being fair, discredits the amazing work of our colleagues, mostly Syrians, are doing every day to try to deliver aid to the Syrian people”.

he governor of Tokyo has said he is standing down amid a spending scandal, Japanese media report.

Yoichi Masuzoe has faced fierce criticism over allegations he used official funds to pay for holidays, art and comic books for his children.

He had been expected to lose a no-confidence vote in the Japanese capital’s assembly later on Wednesday.

The scandal, which threatened to embarrass the 2020 Olympic host city, comes ahead of upper house elections.

It is being seen as potentially damaging to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) chances in the 10 July vote.

Mr Masuzoe, who won election promising a scandal-free administration, has denied breaking the law, but admitted to ethical lapses around his lavish spending.

In April, it was revealed that Mr Masuzoe was using his official car to be driven to a weekend cottage south of Tokyo.

Further allegations later emerged of excessive spending on official trips, accommodation in high-end spas, lavish family outings and expensive clothing.

He said many of the items, including Chinese silk shirts, were research or work-related materials.

He also initially said reservations had been made by his assistants and that his accountant may have erroneously booked some personal expenses as work-related.

He was quoted in Japanese media as saying it was important for him to visit his holiday home regularly as it had a bigger bath, enabling him to stretch out his legs and keep him refreshed.

The governor later said he would return money that he admitted had been wrongly claimed and promised to rein in spending.

His predecessor, Naoki Inose also quit over a funding scandal in 2013, soon after Tokyo won the right to host the Olympics - a project that has itself been hit by scandal, overspend and other administrative fumbles.

Mr Masuzoe’s resignation means a stand-in governor is likely to accept the Olympic flag for Tokyo at the end of the Rio Olympics in August.

US charges Chinese ex-IBM worker with espionage

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S authorities have charged Chinese national Xu Jiaqiang with three counts of economic espionage for allegedly stealing valuable source code from his former employer in the US. The Department of Justice did not name the employer, but it is widely reported to be software developer IBM. Mr Xu intended to sell the code for his own profit and for the benefit of the Chinese government, authorities said.

The source code has been

described as “a product of decades of work”.

The US Attorney’s office said Mr Xu had worked as a developer for “a particular US company” from November 2010 to May 2014.

IBM’s website, however, has a Xu Jiaqiang still listed as a developer. The company has not commented.

On Tuesday, the DOJ said Mr Xu planned to share the valuable source code with the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s

Republic of China.

The source code in question was a clustered file system - or one that helps a computer’s performance “by coordinating work among multiple servers”.

China and the US have both flung accusations at each other over state-backed hacking and theft of secrets.

However, China has said in the past that it does not engage in theft of commercial secrets in any form.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said last year that Beijing does

not encourage or support such practices in any way.

Mr Xu was first arrested in December for alleged theft of a trade secret from his former employer.

Each of the three counts of espionage carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. The three counts of theft of a trade secret each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Mr Xu’s is set to answer the charges in the US on Thursday 16 June.

Mr Masuzoe had been facing growing pressure to resign his position

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Page 38

Europe & Americas

Argentina ex-minister arrested over cash bags at monastery A

n ex-government minister in Argentina has been arrested after he was allegedly seen trying to hide millions of dollars in cash in a monastery.

Officials said the police were called after nuns working at the religious community near Buenos Aires saw a man throw plastic bags over a wall.

Jose Lopez was the public works minister in the former government of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Judges have been investigating several former officials for moneylaundering.

Mr Lopez was initially detained at the Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima religious community around 55km (35 miles) west of the capital Buenos Aires for illegal possession of a .22 calibre rifle.

Police then discovered wads of cash in several currencies as well as watches in packages inside the bags.

Local media say around $7m

were found in dollars, yen, euros and other currencies.

More money was found by the police in the car in which Mr Lopez had been travelling.

The Buenos Aires provincial security chief, Cristian Ritondo, said Mr Lopez was now being investigated for money laundering.

“He was caught red-handed with six bags, a suitcase, a weapon and he was later identified as a Public Works Minister, Jose Lopez, from the previous government,” said Mr Ritondo.

“This person was arrested, in principle, for carrying a weapon.

Now he is being detained for possible money laundering or suspected money laundering.”

After being questioned at a police station in Buenos Aires, Mr Lopez was pictured being taken away under armed guard, wearing a helmet and a bulletproof vest.

Correspondents say since Cristina Fernandez ended her term in December, the administration

EU referendum: Osborne warns of Brexit budget cuts

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eorge Osborne says he will have to slash public spending and increase taxes in an emergency Budget to tackle a £30bn “black hole” if the UK votes to leave the European Union.

The chancellor will say this could include raising income and inheritance taxes and cutting the NHS budget.

But 57 Tory MPs have said his position would be “untenable” if he tries to cut NHS, police and school spending.

And Vote Leave criticised Remain’s “hysterical prophecies of doom”.

The UK votes on whether to remain in the EU or to leave on 23 June.

These include a 2p rise in the basic rate of income tax and a 3p rise in the higher rate, while they will also say spending on the police, transport and local government could take a 5% cut.

They will also say the ring-fenced NHS budget could be “slashed”, along with education, defence and policing.

Mr Osborne and Lord Darling will say the measures - £15bn of tax rises and £15bn of cuts - are based on the Institute for Fiscal Studies’ predictions about the economic impact of a vote to leave from

lower trade, investment, and tax receipts.

The IFS has said such an outcome could trigger between an extra one to two years of austerity measures.

Writing in The Times ahead of their speech, Mr Osborne and Lord Darling say that leaving the EU would lead to a “profound economic shock that would hit the economy and could tip Britain back into recession”.

“We know all too well what happens when Britain loses control of its public finances,” they wrote. “We’re agreed that a vote to leave risks doing the same thing to Britain all over again.”

Mr Osborne told Radio 4’s Today that leaving the EU would be an “irreversible” step that would cause “financial instability” and leave the UK “with no economic plan”, demanding an immediate response from government.

“There would have to be increases in tax and cuts in public spending to fill the black hole,” he said.

The UK, he suggested, would not be able to “afford the size of the public services that we have at the moment” outside the European Union and would have to “cut its cloth accordingly”.

Jose Lopez, centre, was taken from a police station under armed guard, wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest to protect him from possible attacks by anyone wanting to target him of President Mauricio Macri has promised to root out corruption.

“It’s almost out of a movie,’’

said Marcos Pena, President Macri’s Cabinet chief.

“We’re shocked because it’s

not a minor official. He led public works... where we saw so much daily corruption.’’

Brazil’s Eduardo Cunha faces loss of seat in Congress

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razil’s suspended lower house Speaker Eduardo Cunha has been dealt a major blow after a committee voted in favour of stripping him of his seat.

Mr Cunha is widely regarded as the architect of the impeachment process of President Dilma Rousseff.

He has been accused of lying about undeclared Swiss bank accounts but strongly denies any wrongdoing.

If the full lower house approve the move, he faces losing his partial immunity from prosecution.

He could then be arrested and prosecuted on corruption charges.

Brazil’s suspended lower house Speaker Eduardo Cunha has been dealt a major blow after a committee voted in favour of stripping him of his seat.

Mr Cunha is widely regarded as the architect of the impeachment process of President Dilma Rousseff.

He has been accused of lying about undeclared Swiss bank accounts but strongly denies any wrongdoing.

If the full lower house approve the move, he faces losing his partial immunity from prosecution.

He could then be arrested and prosecuted on corruption charges.

Orlando gunman’s wife, Noor Salman, ‘may face charges’

T

he wife of the gunman who killed 49 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando could face charges in connection with the attack, according to reports.

Prosecutors have convened a grand jury to investigate Noor Salman, wife of gunman Omar Mateen, sources quoted by Fox News and Reuters say.

She is reported to have told police she tried to talk her husband out of attacking the Pulse nightclub.

The attack in Florida was the worst mass shooting in recent US history.

Fifty-three people were wounded and six remain in a critical condition.

Prosecutors quoted by Fox News said they were seeking to charge Noor Salman as an accessory to 49 counts of murder and 53 counts of attempted murder, as well as with failure to warn authorities about the impending attack.

It was possible that Mateen had called his wife from inside the club while the killings were taking place, Fox quoted a source as saying.

Although Ms Salman has been questioned since the attack early on

Sunday, she has not been arrested.

US Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee which received a briefing on the investigation, told CNN that “it appears she had some knowledge of what was going on”.

“She definitely is, I guess you would say, a person of interest right now and appears to be cooperating and can provide us with some important information,” he added.

On Tuesday, US media reported that Noor Salman had gone with Omar Mateen to buy ammunition and had also driven him to the Pulse nightclub on a previous occasion because he had wanted to survey it.

However, she said she had tried to talk her husband out of carrying out the attack, sources quoted by NBC News said.

Mateen’s father, Seddique Mateen, said on Tuesday that Ms Salman - his son’s second wife had returned to the couple’s flat on Monday to pick up some clothes. He said she and the couple’s young son were still in Florida but declined to say where.

Brazil’s suspended lower house Speaker Eduardo Cunha has been dealt a major blow after a committee voted in favour of stripping him of his seat.

Mr Cunha is widely regarded as the architect of the impeachment process of President Dilma Rousseff.

He has been accused of lying about undeclared Swiss bank accounts but strongly denies any wrongdoing.

If the full lower house approve the move, he faces losing his partial immunity from prosecution.

He could then be arrested and prosecuted on corruption charges.

Alligator drags boy into water near Orlando Disney resort

F

lorida police are searching for a two-yearold boy who was dragged into water by an alligator near a Disney resort.

The boy was on the shoreline of the Seven Seas Lagoon by the Disney Grand Floridian Resort and Spa in Orlando when he was dragged away late on Tuesday, officials said.

The boy’s father entered the water and tried in vain to grab him from the alligator, Sheriff Jerry Demings said.

Fifty police and wildlife experts were searching for the boy, he said.

The family with three children from the state of Nebraska were relaxing near the shore of the lagoon when the incident happened at 21:16 local time (01:16 GMT), the sheriff said.

The Grand Floridian is a luxury resort owned

by Disney and is located near Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park.

A Disney spokeswoman said the company was “devastated” by the incident.

Alligators live across Florida and are a “fundamental part” of its wetlands, swamps, rivers and lakes, state wildlife officials say.

Twenty-two people have been killed by alligators in Florida since 1948, they say.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

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world

Strange The bloodless bullfights that earn Gulf owners big money

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here’s no matador, no betting and no blood when the animals lock horns.

But in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah, bull fighting is a hugely popular sport with owners making huge amounts of money from the practice.

Bullfights are a weekly event at a ring close to a beach on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates.

Organisers admit the sport is rough, but insist it is animal-friendly as they ensure the bull is never killed.

It is believed the practice first came to Fujairah in the 16th century, when Portuguese invaders introduced bullfighting to the Gulf.

But their version of the sport pits two bulls against each other rather than against a matador.

And unlike the bull-on-bull tournaments in southeast Asia, spectators don’t place bets as Islamic tradition and Emirati law forbids it.

A fight lasts just minutes, ending when one of the bulls gives up or is pushed back by its rival to the roar of a commentator’s voice over loudspeakers.

Upon his word, more than a dozen barefooted handlers use ropes to pull the bulls apart before the next bout kicks off.

Despite soaring temperatures, local families and tourists gather around the fenced bull-ring with some sitting atop SUVs, cracking seeds and sipping juice.

Around 80 bulls take part in the hours-long contest and the winning bull in each round is decided by a committee of judges formed of eight local elders.

There are no cash prizes for the owners. But the value of a winning bull can shoot up in price, attracting offers by traders, some of whom drive in from nearby Oman where the sport is even more popular.

Hamad al-Matrushi, an elderly

committee member and bull owner, explained: ‘When a bull is always distinct - winning against other bulls - its price can reach 600,000 dirhams ($163,000).

‘But the price of a bull which sometimes performs well and other times not so well would go down to around 120,000 ($32,700) or 80,000 dirhams ($21,800).’

This form of bullfighting, known in Arabic as munatahat al-thiran (bullbutting), has its own set of traditions.

The brightly-coloured clothing that distinguishes Spanish matadors is replaced by the traditional white robe worn by Bedouins, known locally as the dishdasha.

Mr Matrushi pointed to another difference with the Spanish version.

‘There, they could mistreat the animal or torture it. Here we are merciful towards it. We provide it with medical treatment, we take care of it and feed it properly.’

Meanwhile Mohammed Abdullah, a 30-year-old government employee who himself owns 15 bulls, agreed.

‘We give them food and nourishment from the best types of proteins and vitamins,’ he said.

He estimated that feeding his bulls costs him 10,000 dirhams ($2,700) a month.

There is no system of weight classes for the bulls, which can fight from the age of two until they retire to the fields or are given away as gifts.

Fujairah’s champion is named Reyla, a massive black hulk of flesh.

It always wins, attracting fans who cross the border from Oman to watch it fight.

From an early age, owners can tell if a calf will grow up to be successful in the ring.

Potential fighters are trained by walking them in the sea to strengthen the legs, before they are taken to the mountains to build up chest muscles.

Mr Matrushi said a farmer can

Two bulls are pitted against each other during a fight in a ring in the Gulf emirati state of Fujairah often ‘provide the bulls with more attention than that he gives to his own children.’

But Mimi Bekhechi, director of the animal rights organisation PETA UK, remains unimpressed.

‘This ridiculous and inhumane form of human entertainment can only be distressing to bulls, who will be agitated by the noise of the crowd and from being manhandled,’ she said.

‘These days, we should be past such barbarism.’

While Ethiopian tourist Kidani agreed. ‘It’s not right, because they hurt each other,’ he said.

The organisers ‘make the animals very angry’.

MAILONLINE

Unlike the bull-on-bull tournaments in southeast Asia, spectators don’t place bets as Islamic tradition and Emirati law forbids it

“

There is no system of weight classes for the bulls, which can fight from the age of two until they retire to the fields or are given away as gifts.

Two of the bulls lock horns after being pitted against each other during a bull fight in the gulf state of Fujairah

Page 40

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Digest

Eat fat to stay slim: Sceptical? So was Sarah Vine until she tried a diet revolution that she’s kept up for over a year (III)

By Sarah Vine

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he first four ‘pretox’ days are all about preparing your body for a change in diet - fewer carbs, increased fat.

If you’re used to low-fat foods and sugar, a sudden increase in richness and low blood-sugar will be a shock to your system and could make you feel sick.

High-fat foods such as oily fish, avocado, nuts and cream cheese will gradually be increased. Feel free to have cream in your coffee and to use herbs and spices to flavour food, even vinaigrette-based salad dressings, but avoid balsamic vinegar and ketchup, as they are too high in sugar. On the first two days, you can also snack on 25g hard cheese or 25g nuts. Welcome to your menu: DAY 1 Breakfast: 1-2 eggs poached, boiled or scrambled, with a quarter avocado and 50g to 60g spinach.

Lunch: 100g to 120g chicken breast served with crudites from any of your favourite vegetables, dipped into 25g creme fraiche mixed with chopped spring onions or guacamole (without tomatoes).

Dinner: 140g to 180g salmon steak, grilled, served with 100g mashed beans or minted peas and 50g to 60g broccoli.

DAY 2 Breakfast: 30g smoked salmon served with grilled mushrooms and 30g cheese.

Lunch: 100g to 120g roast beef (precooked), sliced, served with a small green salad and half an avocado, sliced Lunch: 100g to 120g roast beef (precooked), sliced, served with a small green salad and half an avocado, sliced Lunch: 100g to 120g roast beef (precooked), sliced, served with a small green salad and half an avocado, sliced.

Dinner: 140g to 180g pork chop, grilled - serve plain, or rub with ½ tsp Chinese five-spice. Serve with a stir-fry of up to 120g green vegetables with a clove of garlic and a pinch of ginger and chilli, topped with 25g pine nuts or cashews.

DAY 3 Breakfast: 150g Greek yoghurt and 25g any nuts or seeds, with 30g to 40g of your favourite berries.

Lunch: Half an avocado topped with 100g to 120g prawns (grilled or precooked) mixed with 1 tbsp mayonnaise or creme fraiche. Serve with cucumber and spinach or rocket.

Dinner: Skewer cubes of 80g to 100g lamb, 60g to 80g halloumi and 3 to 4 mushrooms and grill. Serve with quarter avocado mashed with 15g cream cheese or creme fraiche.

DAY 4

Breakfast: Omelette made with two eggs, 10g butter and 50g Boursin cheese. You may add two to three mushrooms and a slice of Emmental cheese.

Lunch: 100g to 120g canned tuna in oil, served with 50g to 60g rocket. Add 45g mixed nuts and seeds mixed with half a chopped spring onion.

Dinner: 80g to 100g chicken and 60g to 80g chorizo, pan-fried with 50g spinach or 50g buttered green beans.

Half an avocado.

TEN-DAY PROGRAMME This is where the hard work really starts - with carefully calculated rations of fat, protein and carbohydrate - and you must stick to these.

If following a specific meal plan isn’t for you, then you can create your own. Just follow the exact measurements listed below and make sure you combine protein with fat at every meal - sticking to foods only on the list.

If you are finding the meals too big, you can reduce the portions, but make sure you decrease each food group by the same proportion. Also, remember no sugar or alcohol at this stage otherwise the plan won’t be as effective.

BREAKFAST: 40g of protein, 65g to 75g of fat - you can mix the fats as long as they add up to a minimum of 65g.

LUNCH: 80g to 100g of protein, two handfuls of green salad or green vegetables, 70g to 80g of fat.

DINNER: 140g to 200g of protein, 60g to 70g of vegetables, 70g to 80g of fat.

What you can eat: Fat options include butter, sour, clotted or double cream, creme fraiche, full-fat cream cheese, mascarpone and avocado What you can eat: Fat options include butter, sour, clotted or double cream, creme fraiche, full-fat cream cheese, mascarpone and avocado AND HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN EAT FAT OPTIONS: Butter, sour, clotted or double cream, creme fraiche, full-fat cream cheese, mascarpone, avocado, unsweetened coconut-based yoghurt, macadamia or pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, coconut oil, homemade mayonnaise, nut oils, olive oil.

PROTEIN OPTIONS: Minced beef, steaks; full-fat cheese, oily fish such as fresh salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel and smoked salmon. Pork, including streaky bacon, chicken (with the skin on), eggs, lamb, shellfish, white fish, offal, duck, turkey, venison.

VEGETABLE OPTIONS: Lettuce, artichokes, asparagus, aubergine, beansprouts, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, celery, leeks, courgette, cucumber, fennel, green beans, chilli peppers, green pepper, runner beans, jalapeno chilli peppers, mushrooms, kale, rocket, savoy cabbage, seaweed, spinach, spring greens, Swiss chard, watercress and white cabbage.

Dailymail.com

High-fat foods such as oily fish, avocado, nuts and cream cheese will gradually be increased

What you can eat, Fat options include butter, sour, clotted or double cream, creme fraiche, full fat cream cheese, mascarpone and avocado

PEOPLES DAILY

Sports

Page

41

I have not seen dad’s corpse, Keshi’s son says T thursday, june 16, 2016

By Albert Akota

he first son of late Nigeria captain and head coach Stephen Keshi has expressed surprise that people have been putting a date forward for his father’s burial rites without the knowledge and consent of his children.

Stephen Keshi Jnr, 27, arrived at the NFF Secretariat yesterday morning and met with the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

He was in company with US-based chemist and friend of late Keshi, Victor Ugoh, and former Super Eagles star Obinna Nsofor.

“I just came into Nigeria on Tuesday night, and we read in the papers today that somebody has fixed a date for the burial,” Keshi Jnr was quoted in an NFF release.

“I’m shocked like my sisters and my brothers. Since our father died, nobody has spoken to us about how he died, and we have not even seen his corpse. Yet, someone is fixing a date for his burial!”

Thenff.com was reliably informed that Keshi’s daughter Ifeyinwa and husband, who are based in North Carolina, USA also flew into Nigeria on Tuesday.

Keshi Jnr, an events producer in Atlanta, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the National Assembly, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Nigeria Football Federation, the governments of Edo and Delta States, ex-internationals and countless corporate bodies and individuals for all the kind words show-

Chelsea ace Moses may miss Rio Olympics >>Pg 42

ered on his father since he passed on.

He added: “I cannot thank everyone enough. We have only heard good and great words about our father since his death. I am going to Benin City now.

The family will sit down and come up with a date for the funeral, but we also appreciate that he was a national figure and will harmonize our plans with that of the Government and the NFF. “Our father was a loving family man and we will miss him greatly. Our joy is that he left a worthy legacy for Nigeria football and for his family.”

Meanwhile, the executive council of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, FCT chapter, on Wednesday paid a condolence visit to the NFF on the deaths of Keshi and Amodu.

Led by the chairman, Mr. Kayode Adeniyi, the body expressed deep grief over the passing of the highly successful coaches, saying this period calls for sober reflection.

In his response, NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, reflected that Nigeria has lost two great men whose watchwords were hardwork, dedication, diligence and forthrightness.

The Gambia Football Federation, in a letter signed by its president Lamine Kaba Bajo, wrote on the death of Amodu.

“This sad incident which came a few days after the passing away of another Nigerian and African football icon and legend, Stephen Keshi has no doubt increased the sorrow and sadness not only in the NFF and Nigeria but African football family as a whole.”

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

The late Keshi

Brazil sacks Dunga over COPA America disaster >>Pg 43

PAGE 42

Sport

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Chelsea ace Moses may miss Rio Olympics

C

helsea forward Victor Moses could be excluded from Nigeria squad to the Rio Olympics as “a corrective measure” after he opted out of the country’s recent friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg last month.

Moses is now one of the over-aged players on Samson Siasia’s provisional list for the summer games, but as reported by this website when he pulled out of the friendly games last month, he incurred the wrath of the NFF, who could now be set to exclude him from the final list of players who will travel to Brazil.

“It is as I said before, his withdrawal

Amuneke short Flying Eagles holiday for Sudan clash

N

igeria U-20s coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has ordered his players back in camp to kick- start preparations for the final round of the Africa U-20 Nations Cup qualifier against Sudan.

The Flying Eagles who defeated Burundi 2-1 last weekend to secure their passage in to the next round on a 3-1 aggregate scoreline were earlier scheduled to embark on a 10day break, but have been ordered to resume camping yesterday (today) by Amuneke.

“We have been ordered back to camp to start preparations for the game against Sudan,” a member of the squad revealed.

“After the game against Burundi, we were told to embark on a 10- day break, but the coach has decided to change his mind.

“We will begin preparations for the game against Sudan today and we hope to make it to Zambia.”

Sudan will host the first leg of the qualifier on July 8, while the return fixture will be played in Nigeria a fortnight later.

The Flying Eagles who have won seven African U-20 titles in the past won the last edition of the competition in Senegal.

Zambia will host the next edition of the competition in 2017.

Amuneke

from those games (against Mali and Luxembourg) made us unhappy and it wasn’t the first time he was doing it,” a top official told AfricanFootball.com “And now his name is on the Olympic Games list, but I’m not sure he will make it because we need to take some corrective measures for these players to understand the importance of playing for Nigeria.”

Head coach of Nigeria’s U23 team Samson Siasia is yet to make any proclamations on this, and it remains to be seen if he will insist on having the Chelsea winger on his team should he be available for Rio Olympics.

Victor Moses

Dream Team fly out to Rio Olympics July 29

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igeria Olympic football team, Dream Team VI, will depart for the Rio Olympics from Miami, USA, on July 29, officialssaid.

The team will set up camp in Atlanta, also in the USA, from June 29 and will then fly out to Brazil a month later.

They are slated to play three warm-up matches in the US with fellow Rio-bound Mexico and Honduras chosen as their opponents.

African U23 champions Nigeria are drawn with European champions Sweden, Asian champions Japan as well as Colombia in the first round of the Olympic tournament in August.

Nigeria U23 ace Godwin Saviour (right)

CAF CL Afelokhai eyes win against Egyptian giants

Enyimba goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai has said he hopes his team starts their Champions League Group B campaign with a win this weekend.

The Nigerian champions host five-time African champions Zamalek on Sunday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt and Afelokhai has been bullish ahead of the game.

“We hope to start the competition well by winning, but we also understand we have a good team as opponents,” he said.

“They have won the competition several times and they will be coming with a lot of confidence and experience and we must be ready for that.”

Enyimba FC

Sport

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Leicester City to begin title defence at Hull

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hampions Leicester City will begin their Premier League title defence with a trip to newly-promoted Hull City and Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United reign kicks off at Bournemouth.

The release of the fixtures yesterday threw up some meaty first-day tussles with last season’s runners-up Arsenal hosting Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool.

The 2016-17 season kicks off earlier than usual on August 13.

Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester, who stunned the football world by claiming the Premier League title last season at pre-season odds of 5000-1, have a testing opening six weeks with Arsenal visiting them before away trips to Liverpool and Manchester United.

Leicester is listed as 25-1 seventh favourites to retain the title.

Pep Guardiola will make his

league debut as Manchester City manager when his team, already marked out as favourites for the title, host Sunderland.

Mourinho, who replaced Louis van Gaal as United manager last month, will be aiming to maintain his record of never having lost any of his seven opening-day fixtures in England.

He will not have to wait long to renew his old rivalry with Guardiola either, with the first Manchester derby being held at Old Trafford on September 10.

The drastic managerial shake-up in the Premier League means Chelsea also ventures into a new era with Antonio Conte, currently in charge of Italy at Euro 2016, at the helm.

His first assignment in English football will be a feisty London derby against West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.

West Ham’s first match at their new Olympic Stadium

home is against Bournemouth on August 20.

Mourinho will return to his old stomping ground when Chelsea host Manchester United on October 22, a week after the Portuguese’s former club host Leicester City.

Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur, who pushed Leicester for the title before finishing third, begin at Everton, who named Ronald Koeman as their manager on Tuesday.

Arsenal will host Tottenham in the first north London derby on November 5 while the other eagerly anticipated derby clash, between Merseyside clubs Liverpool and Everton, takes place at Goodison Park on December 17.

Burnley mark their return to England’s top-flight by welcoming Swansea City, while Middlesbrough, who were also promoted, host Stoke City.

Leicester City

Argentina stroll, Chile advance at Copa

A

Argentina

rgentina maintained their 100 percent start to the Copa America Centenario with an easy win over Bolivia, as holders Chile booked their place in the quarterfinals.

The tournament favourites, already assured of a quarterfinal berth after wins over Chile and Panama, wrapped up their Group D campaign with one-sided win at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field.

The victory sees Argentina reach the last eight as group winners, handing them what in theory should be a straightforward assignment against Venezuela in Foxborough on Saturday.

The two-time world champions are determined to end a 23-year wait for a major title after suffering agonising defeats in the finals of the 2014 World Cup and last year’s Copa America.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino elected to rest captain Lionel Messi after his devastating hat-trick performance against Panama.

But the Argentines were still far too strong for a feeble Bolivian team who were overwhelmed in a devastating opening period.

The match was effectively settled within the first quarter of an hour, with Tottenham Hotspur winger Erik Lamela opening the scoring with a deflected free-kick in the 13th minute.

Two minutes later China-based forward Ezequiel Lavezzi marked his comeback from injury with a goal, volleying home from close range after Gonzalo Higuain’s downward header.

Central defender Victor Cuesta made it 3-0 just after the halfhour, diverting home Lavezzi’s low cross in the 32nd minute.

With Messi coming on as a substitute at halftime, the game became a question of when or if the Barcelona superstar could grab a 54th international goal to equal Gabriel Batistuta’s longstanding scoring record.

However despite Argentina’s dominance of possession – which reached 87 percent at one point – Messi was unable to add to his tally.

Brazil sacks Dunga over COPA America disaster

D

unga has been sacked as head of the Brazilian national football team after a disastrous showing at the Copa America Centenario taking place in the United States.

The coach was summoned to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) headquarters on Tuesday, along with coordinator Gilmar Rinaldi.

The CBF, after a meeting announced that Dunga, Rinaldi and the rest of their coaching team have been sacked from their posts.

“The Brazilian Football Confederation informs that it has decided this Tuesday to dissolve the coaching staff of the Brazilian national football team. Coordinator

Gilmar Rinaldi, coach Dunga and all their team will leave their positions.

“The decision was made in mutual agreement in this afternoon’s meeting and the CBF will now start its selection process for a new Brazil coaching staff. The CBF thanks the dedication, professionalism and commitment of the team in its work,” it said.

Dunga was the captain of the Brazilian national team when the country won the world cup in 1994 and later led the nation to win one COPA America trophy and failed to win the 2010 World Cup in South Africa for Brazil as coach.

Dunga

Wales more than just Bale - Rooney

Gareth Bale

T

he Manchester United striker remains an admirer of the Real Madrid winger but insists that he and his team-mates will not focus solely on nullifying his threat Wayne Rooney insists England must not focus solely on Gareth Bale when they face Wales in their pivotal Euro 2016 Group B clash in Lens today.

Real Madrid star Bale is Wales’ most high-profile player and scored the opener in the 2-1 defeat of Slovakia on Saturday.

And while Rooney is an admirer of the former Tottenham winger, he is wary of focusing all his attention on one man.

“He’s a fantastic player, but Wales have a lot of good players in the team,” he said. “It’s not England versus Gareth Bale, it’s England versus Wales and we have to stop a few of their players if we want to win the game.”

England go into the match third in Group B, following a 1-1 draw with Russia on Saturday, but Roy Hodgson’s men know that a win would take them top.

“We’ll have the same mentality as we had for Russia [a 1-1 draw on Saturday],” Manchester United’s Rooney added

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Page 44

Sport Bolt to compete in 200m at London Anniversary Games

Spieth to play at Rio Olympics despite Zika virus concerns

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orld number two Jordan Spieth says he will play at the Rio Olympics, despite the concerns over the Zika virus.

Australians Marc Leishman and Adam Scott will not attend because of the infection, which is linked to brain deformities in newborn babies.

However, Rory McIlroy’s fears have eased and US Open champion Spieth, 22, said he was “pretty confident” over information received from the PGA Tour.

“Do I think being an Olympian outweighs any significant health threat? No. If I thought that the threat was significant, I certainly would not go,” added Spieth, who will defend his US Open title at Oakmont this week.

“But based on what’s come to my knowledge at this point, it seems like it’s going to be an extremely memorable experience and I look forward to trying to win a gold for the United States.”

Bolt ran 9.88

D

ouble Olympic champion Usain Bolt has confirmed he will run in the London Anniversary Games 200m on 22 July.

The 29-year-old Jamaican, who holds the world 200m record with 19.19 seconds, will line up against Britain’s European 200m champion Adam Gemili.

Britain’s Zharnel Hughes, fifth in last year’s World Championship 200m, also runs in the event, which

serves as the London leg of the Diamond League.

Bolt holds the London Grand Prix record (19.76), set at Crystal Palace in 2008.

Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, 22, the second fastest Briton of all time with a personal best of 19.95, is also expected to compete.

It will be Bolt’s eighth appearance at the London leg - he first appeared in the former Golden League in 2005, aged 18.

He has twice competed in the 100m under the floodlights on the Friday night of the London Anniversary Games, winning in both 2013 and 2015 with times of 9.85 and 9.87 respectively.

Bolt said: “The London Anniversary Games will be one of my last races before Rio and running in the 200m will hopefully set me up for a successful Olympic Games.”

Sharapova files appeal to Court of

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aria Sharapova has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) after being banned from tennis for two years for using a prohibited drug.

Sharapova, who tested positive for meldonium at January’s Australian Open, was last week suspended by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

The 29-year-old, a five-time Grand Slam winner, said in her appeal her ban should be “eliminated” or reduced.

Cas said it would rule on the Russian’s case by 18 July.

It added she was given an “unfairly harsh

suspension because she is such a famous athlete and they wanted to make an example out of her”.

Sharapova says she has been taking meldonium, a heart disease drug, since 2006 for health issues.

It became a banned substance on 1 January 2016.

She has admitted she continued taking the substance past that date, saying she was unaware it had been added to the banned list as she knew it by another name - mildronate.

The ITF tribunal ruling said Sharapova tested positive for meldonium in an out-of-competition test on 2 February, as well as in the aftermath of her Australian Open quarter-final defeat by Serena Williams on 26 January.

Former world number one Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam winner

Spieth has won twice on the PGA Tour this season

Crolla to face Linares at Manchester Arena

B

ritain’s Anthony Crolla will defend his WBA lightweight title against Jorge Linares at the Manchester Arena on 24 September.

In the first defence of his WBA title in Manchester last month, Crolla stopped previously unbeaten Venezuelan Ismael Barroso in the seventh round.

The 29-year-old Mancunian has now won 31 of his 38 professional bouts.

Ex-WBC champion Linares, 30, also from Venezuela, has won 40 of 43 bouts, most recently

against Ivan Cano in October.

He has fought in Britain once before, when he stopped Britain’s Kevin Mitchell in the 10th round at 02 Arena in May last year.

Crolla and Linares will fight for the WBA, WBC ‘diamond’ and Ring Magazine world lightweight titles.

Linares was stripped of the WBC belt - since claimed by Dejan Zlaticanin - in February, and the winner of September’s bout is set to challenge the Montenegrin for that title.

Crolla saw off southpaw Barroso in Manchester last month

Page 45

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Sport

P-i-c-t-o-r-i-a-l

Oscar Pistorius removes his prosthetic limbs and hobbles around the courtroom at his sentencing hearing, to show the extent of his disability.

Britain’s Kyle Edmund earns the best win of his career as he beats eighth seed Gilles Simon in the first round at Queen’s Club.

Terry Flanagan accuses fellow Mancunian and lightweight world champion Anthony Crolla of ducking him.

Ex-Cameroon international and former Barcelona and Chelsea striker, Samuel Eto’o on Tuesday got married to his long-term girlfriend, Georgette Tra Lou at a church in Stezzano, Italy.

New Everton manager Ronald Koeman wants to make Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul his first signing at Goodison Park while he is also weighing up a move for Zenit midfielder Axel Witsel.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Page 46

Sport

Five Nigeria players on parade at Euro 2016 With as much 323 players registered for the ongoing Euro 2016 Championships, we takes a look at five players of Nigerian descent in France with their ‘adopted’ countries. The players are joined by compatriots of African heritage to make up close to 14% of the total players in France for this year’s Euro championships. The Democratic Republic of Congo, with 9 players, has the highest representation, with the bulk of this group playing for former colonial masters, Belgium.

A

Dele Alli (England) lli was born and raised in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, to a Yoruba Nigerian father Kenny and English mother Denise.

Nigeria football officials with help from former Wimbledon star John Fashanu made frantic efforts to get the midfielder play for the Super Eagles but that chase ended when the Spurs star made his England debut in 2015.

Before then, Alli played for England’s U17, U18 and U19 teams. The 20-year-old starred in the Three Lions 1-1 draw against Russia in Marseille.

Hal Robson-Kanu (Wales) Robson-Kanu confirms he indeed has Nigerian heritage but has never regretted his decision to pledge his allegiance to Wales even ahead of his country of birth England which he played for in the U-19 and U-20 category.

Robson-Kanu switched allegiance to Wales, the country of his grandmother, playing for the under-21 side before his debut for the senior team against Croatia on 23 May that year.

He scored his first senior international goal against Scotland in March 2013 and has also opened his account in Euro 2016, scoring the winner against Slovakia.

David Alaba (Austria) Alaba is seen as the poster boy for Austrian football. He was born in Vienna to the family of George and Gino Alaba.

His father is a DJ and rapper in Austria who is

amazingly a prince from Ogere, Ogun State, South West Nigeria. The father also doubled as his manager, while his mother is from Philippines.

Presently doing great with German giants, Bayern Munich, Alaba claimed he was never looked at by Nigerian officials when he coveted playing for the Super Eagles.

Rubin Okotie (Austria) Already with a substitute appearance at the Euro 216, Okotie was born in Pakistan to a Nigerian father and an Austrian mother.

Okotie spent the first four years of his life in the Spanish city of Barcelona.

As a result of his multinational background he was eligible to represent three countries at national level, namely Austria, Nigeria and Pakistan but he settled for Austria and at the moment has made 10 appearances.

Dele Alli (England)

Angelo Ogbonna (Italy) Ogbonna is not a super regular for the Italian national side but a very reliable talent that also had a very successful club year with West Ham in the English premier league.

The 28-year-old defender was born to Nigerian parents who hail from Owerri West in Imo State but immigrated to Italy from Nigeria in 1983, settling in the city of Cassino in the central part of the country.

Ogbonna managed to obtain Italian citizenship only after his 18th birthday and according to close family sources, he wanted to play for Nigeria but was not given the chance back then.

Hal Robson-Kanu (Wales)

Rubin Okotie (Austria)

Angelo Ogbonna (Italy)

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, june 16, 2016

Some Interesting Facts 1. Your nose can remember 50,000 different scents.

2. Nails and hair do not continue to grow after we die. They do appear longer when we die, however, as the skin dehydrates and pulls back from the nail beds and scalp.

3. By the age of 60, most people will have lost about half their taste buds. Perhaps you shouldn’t trust your grandma’s cooking as much as you do.

4. Your eyes are always the same size from birth but your nose and ears never stop growing.

5. By 60 years of age, 60-percent of men and 40-percent of women will snore.

6. Monday is the day of the week when the risk of heart attack is greatest. A ten year study in Scotland found that 20% more people die of heart attacks on Mondays than any other day of the

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puzzle 37

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Leisure

week. Researchers theorize that it’s a combination of too much fun over the weekend with the stress of going back to work that causes the increase.

7. Provided there is water, the average human could survive a month to two months without food depending on their body fat and other factors.

8. Over 90% of diseases are caused or complicated by stress.

9. A human head remains conscious for about 15 to 20 seconds after it is been decapitated. While it might be gross to think about, the blood in the head may be enough to keep someone alive and conscious for a few seconds after the head has been separated from the body, though reports as to the accuracy of this are widely varying.

10. Babies are born with 300 bones, but by adulthood the number is reduced to 206.

11. We are about 1 cm taller in the morning than in the evening.

12. It takes twice as long to lose new muscle if you stop working out than it did to gain it. Lazy people out there shouldn’t use this as motivation to not work out, however. It’s relatively easy to build new muscle tissue and get your muscles in shape, so if anything, this fact should be motivation to get off the couch and get moving.

Say what?

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Wild and hypnotic: A cheetah cub with dazzling eyes, looks dosily into the lens.

Pictured by Andrei Duman in Northern Territory, Namibia. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

www.peoplesdailyng.com

THURsday, JUNE 16, 2016

SPORTS latest

Pistorius walks out of court to avoid jail

O

scar Pistorius shuffled without his prosthetic legs through a Pretoria court on Wednesday to demonstrate how vulnerable he is without his artificial limbs.

The 29-year-old Paralympian gold medalist displayed it in an attempt by his defence team to avoid a long jail sentence for murder.

The embattled athlete faces a minimum 15-year jail term for the 2013 killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, for which state prosecutors say he has shown no remorse.

Pistorius sat with his head in his hands during the third day of sentencing hearings.

He told the court that he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder when he fired four shots through a locked toilet door in his Pretoria home, killing her almost instantly.

The lower part of the athlete’s legs were amputated when he was a baby, and he is known as “Blade Runner” for the carbon-fibre prosthetics he wore when racing.

Pistorius lawyer Barry Roux asked his client to walk in the court on his stumps to show the difficulty he faced while dealing with the threat of an intruder.

His body shaking with emotion, Pistorius then removed his prosthetics and stood on his stumps for five minutes in front of the court television camera, wiping tears from his face with a tissue.

“The accused was vulnerable because of his disability,” Roux said, asking for a non-custodial sentence that included community service.

In response, prosecutor Gerrie Nel asked the court to display photos of Steenkamp’s bloodied head and torso after the shooting.

The victim’s father Barry Steenkamp had said on Tuesday Pistorius must pay for his crime and asked the court to show pictures of his daughter’s body as a deterrent to would-be killers.

Oscar Pistorius

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QUOTABLE QUOTE Nigeria and UNODC enjoy cordial relationship since almost three decades. Nigeria has ratified the three UN Conventions on Drugs, 15 out of the 19 international legal instruments on terrorism.

— Mr Sylvester Atere, Outreach and Communications Officer, UNODC

Northeast governors should sue MTN for N500bn

I

s it true that instead of the original fine of N1.04tn, the now reached agreement between NCC and MTN is N330bn? Is it also true that instead of a single payment window, the now reached agreement is a multiple three year payment period?

Should it be also true that notwithstanding that this South African telecoms giant’s creditworthiness, including the ease to raise billions of dollars in corporate bond, not to mention its record annual profits, which in 2015 alone hit $955mn (N267.4bn) in its Nigerian profit after tax, NCC goes as far as allowing MTN three years for the payment of the N330bn token?

Finally, as the news has it, did NCC also agree not to impose the appropriate interest on the N330bn in respect of present value of money? If all these are true, then, it only confirms Nigeria as a “fantastically corrupt country.”

It is unbelievable how some hired media are rolling out drums in celebration that “MTN has announced that it has finally agreed with Nigerian authorities to pay the fine of N330bn instead of N1.04tn.”

The question these celebrants have refused to answer is: why should Nigeria the loser, be the one celebrating instead of MTN? In fact, having successfully called all the shots, while Nigeria’s amateurish NCC short-changed Nigerians, MTN should be the real celebrant.

Okay, maybe those in charge of NCC might insist that they were constrained by the forces of geopolitics. In fact, NCC may even go to the extent of adding ‘geoeconomics’ if it can.

But whatever might have been their constraints, the bottom-line is that those who negotiated on our behalf didn’t do a thorough job in this case, because national interest should have dwarfed other interests, including socalled geopolitical interests. This is because since nation-states are always driven by realpolitik, there is no justification for NCC to act as Mother Theresa during the negotiation with MTN. It is for these reasons that we should not accept the outcome of the N1.04tn fine negotiation.

First, in most negotiations of fine settlements, the authorities that slammed the fine hardly give up to 50%. In most cases, it’s between 20% and 30%. So, accepting N330bn instead of N1.04tn means that the Federal Government by accepting mere 32% has unbelievably given up 68%, which is a fraction of the original amount it fined MTN. Giving away the whopping sum of N710bn is not acceptable; especially given the magnitude of offence committed by MTN; and

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Thursday Column

By Odilim Enwegbara

Communications Minister Shittu also given the very fact that all these years instead of MTN being a good corporate guest of Nigeria it has always taken advantage the situation including exploiting all the weaknesses and institutional corruption inherent in Nigeria.

Acting as a company with imperial intentions, MTN has been exporting all its profits out of Nigeria with nothing being left behind.

Whatever made those government negotiators to have accepted 32% that should be made public at a joint Senate-House hearing where these negotiators should have to be drilled to tell Nigerians why their actions should not be seen to have short-changed Nigeria! It’s after hearing that at the National Assembly, that the country’s apex lawmakers would then okay or block the agreement’s implementation.

One of the reasons why I believe NASS would eventually block the purported agreement is the fact that besides the government negotiators strangely accepting N330bn, acting as if Mother Theresa, they went further to accept a three year payment period as though they never appreciated the time value of money.

Because government has agreed on a-three-year stream of payments, rather than single payment, government negotiators seem to have actually accepted on our behalf to collect from MTN not N330bn but about N260bn.

This is because collecting N330bn upfront is far more than spreading the payment to a period of three years especially without insisting

that MTN also pays the necessary interest given the Present Value (PV) vs the Future Value (FV) of the N330bn fine.

Given that the Present Value = Future Value/(1 + i)^n, where i is the interest rate and n is the number of time periods, calculated, from N330bn/(1 + .13)^3 the only justification here is that MTN accepts to also be ready to pay interest accruing.

Alternatively, since we have decided to be a Mother Theresa in this negotiation with MTN, at least let MTN pay the N330bn this year instead of N330bn between 2016 and 2019 since we all know that “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”

Since most Nigerian people are yet to be convinced that the country’s apex legislators have ever lived up to their constitutional responsibilities, particularly as the custodians of our commonwealth, this presents an opportunity to prove those Nigerian people wrong.

Therefore, as the custodian of our commonwealth, NASS should urgently summon NCC, Ministry of Telecommunications, the Attorney General, and MTN to appear before a Special Joint Senate-House Committee to fully investigate the purported agreement. What the special committee should be looking out for is not how to make MTN happy or sad, but purely how best to fully maximize our national interests.

Finally, this is the right time for the six state governors in the Northeast of Nigeria to jointly sue MTN for N500bn compensations.

The lawsuit should insist that the compensation is for the families of the thousands of Boko Haram victims who would not have died did MTN register all its sim cards.

Were the sim cards used by Boko Haram terrorists registered, their users would have been easily identified and easily apprehended before detonating their bombs in crowded public places or before carrying their suicide bombings.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, MTN should be held responsible for helping Boko Haram unleashed mayhem on the Northeast people and the economy because of MTN’s noncompliance with the NCC’s simple directive of registering all its sim cards.

We should not be moralistic about it. Like citizens, corporate bodies (both local and foreign) should— henceforth thank God this is a new era where the rule of law not the rule of man should be supreme—take responsibility for their mistakes, and the punishment should be commensurate with the mistake.

Because excessive leniency encourages the rule of man, most nations built on the rule of law ensuring the full weight of the law have always punished blindly so that the offenders never repeat their offences.

By feeling the full financial consequences of this offence that caused thousands of families to lose their breadwinners and six Northeast states to see their critical infrastructure damaged beyond repair, MTN, no doubt, will do everything never to repeat this costly offence.

But to win the almighty MTN, my advice to the Northeast governors is for them to work together. With the help of both international and local leading civil society and hiring some of the best lawyers money can afford in Nigeria, surely the lawsuit against MTN in Nigerian court is a won deal.

Enwegbara can be reached at:basil_enwegbara@yahoo. com

DAN GAYE

APC using Sheriff to destroy PDP —Makarfi

Na wetin you sow you go reap

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