Peoples Daily, Thursday, August 18, 2016. Edition.

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Thursday, August 18, 2016/ Zul-Qaadah 15, 1437 AH

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Vol. 23 No. 72 N150

57m children targeted for polio vaccination

We’re ready to dialogue with FG - Niger Delta Avengers pAGE 17

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L-R: Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas; representative of the Minister of Defence, Amb. Danjuma Sheni; and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, at the launching of boats and commissioning of vehicles, yesterday in Lagos

Contracts: FG to arrest impostors using Buhari’s name page 5

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

FG sites grazing reserve in Gombe

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSday, AUGUST 18, 2016

News

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

19-22 23

S/Report 24-25 Feature 26 Defence 27 Agric 29

Canada laments high rate of female illiteracy in northern Nigeria From Mohammad Kaduna

Ibrahim,

C

anadian High Commission in Nigeria representative, Miss Nancy said Northern Nigeria, has highest rate of female illiteracy in the country and account for negative health outcomes which include, the highest Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and infant mortality as well as the highest rate of early marriage.

She stated this in Kaduna yesterday at the launching of Adolescent Girl Initiative in Northern Nigeria spear-headed by the UNFPA and CIDA in response to improved safety for school girls, delayed marriage and female empowerment through access to education.

According to her, Adolescent Girls Initiative in Northern Nigeria, is a UNFPA-supported

programme that teaches vulnerable girls about their rights, their bodies and health.

“The goal of the Initiative is to improve the social, economic and health wellbeing of rural and lowincome urban adolescent girls and secure their future through increased access to education (make them stay in school), sexual reproductive health information/services and lifeskills that will positively impact on health choices,” she said.

The representative also pledged the commitment of the Canadian Government to the girl child education project in Nigeria.

In his remarks, the State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai said adolescents who constitute 31.7 per cent of the Nigerian population must be given quality education to avoid future tragedy for the country.

El-Rufai said, “According to the Nigerian Population Commission, adolescents constitute 31.7% of our population; this percentage is divided in nearly equal proportions of 50.1% male and 49.9% female. Interestingly, of Nigeria’s youthful population, 44.5% are less than 15 years of age while 16.4% are young people aged 15-24 years and 49% are 1024 years. “ This underscores the importance of investing and developing our young population to the extent that they contribute effectively to National development. It is an opportunity if we are able to make this demographic healthy and educated thereby enabling it to contribute to social and economic development.

“It becomes a tragedy when they grow to adulthood unhealthy

Tackling Nigeria’s rising inequality gap 4

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

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L-R: Former Minister of Finance, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji and Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, during the Sesame Industry Investment Conference, yesterday in Sokoto

Nigerians consume 3.2m tonnes of fish annually-Official

N

igeria requires about 3.2 million metric tons of fish for consumption annually in the country.

The Director-General, National Biotechnology Development Agency, NABDA, Lucy Ogbadu, disclosed this at the graduation ceremony of 38 females who received training on fish spawning and breeding in Kano on Wednesday.

The training was conducted by the agency in collaboration with the Bayero University Centre for Dryland Agriculture.

The director-general was

represented by the Kano State Coordinator of NABDA, Kabiru Yusuf.

She said the country currently produced a total of 1.1 million metric tons of fish, leaving a huge gap of two million tons in the supply of fish and fish products.

“In 2014 alone, Nigeria imported 8,000 metric tons of fish thereby employing foreign producers to feed Nigerians thus depleting our hard-earned resources and foreign exchange.

“The gap in the supply of fish in the country is enormous, “Ogbadu said.

She said the training was designed to build capacity of the beneficiaries in fish spawning, breeding and entrepreneurship.

She called on them to make the best use of the training so as to contribute in feeding the country with fresh and clean fish.

In his remarks, a lecturer at the Department of Dryland Agriculture, Sunusi Gaya, said that the department would continue to partner with groups and individuals who were ready to learn skills on agriculture.

(NAN)

or ignorant or both. This tragedy even gets worse as according to estimates, this figure is expected to grow to 2 billion young people by 2050,” he said.

He said, his government has identified the dearth of quality and free basic education as an impediment to its continued growth and has demonstrated a commitment to addressing it through provision of bursaries and scholarships, a free 9 year education policy which covers tuition, uniform and all associated costs from primary 1 to JSS 3 in addition to its School Feeding Program that ensures that nearly 1.8 million pupils gets at least one meal a day in the schools. “in spite of these measures, we know that there is still much to be done: we must support policies that address retention in secondary schools to the extent that the large dropout rates and high levels of illiteracy are reduced drastically. “ This is why we seek to expand our education policy to include senior secondary schools, and as soon as we can marginally increase our internally generated revenues, we will ensure that education is free and compulsory at the primary and secondary levels,” the governor said.

El-Rufai reiterated that, the large number of school-aged children currently engaged in street hawking or begging and other inhumane practices is appalling at best and they were taking measures to arrest it.

“We have enacted the Street Begging and Hawking (Prohibition) Law that will come into effect next month to ensure that every child above the age of 6 in Kaduna goes to school.

“We are pleased with the pilot of the adolescent girls’ initiative in Northern Nigeria spearheaded by the UNFPA and CIDA in response to improved safety for school girls, delayed marriage and female empowerment through access to education took off in Zaria.

“This collaborative event with the Ahmadu Bello University’s Population and Reproductive Health Initiative, and the Bixby Center for Population, Health & Sustainability at the University of California, Berkeley is a commendable and timely response which so far, has benefitted 425 of Kaduna’s adolescent girls.

“We thank the Government of Canada for their belief in the future of the adolescent Nigerian girl with the additional funding they are providing to scale-up the Adolescent Girl Initiative to an estimated reach of 9,250 more girls both here and in several other Northern States,” El-Rufai said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSday, AUGUST 18, 2016

News

Ag News Editor Ese Awhotu

57m children targeted for polio vaccination - Minister

By Mashe Gwamna

T

he Minister of Health,Prof Isaac Adewole has said that over 56,million children will be vaccinated, between October and November 2016 in the country In his words, “For the subnational campaigns, 31,540,054 children are targeted to be vaccinated each round with oral polio vaccines across States in the North-East, North-West and North-Central zones

of the country. For the nationwide response, 56,363,618 children will be vaccinated between in October and November 20.”

He also revealed that intending Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia would be included in the vaccination exercise in order to be consistent with the International Health Regulations.

He said, “So far we have, commenced vaccination of children in accessible areas of Gwoza, Jere, Maiduguri Municipal Council

(MMC), Bama, Mafa (1 ward) LGAs concurrently with active case search. Relatedly, we are working closely with the Ministry of Defence to provide security for the Health Workers during the house to house immunization and also to provide timely information on security and accessibility situations in Borno State and its environs.

“Also, plans are underway to reinforce and intensify immunization of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

To this end, adequate supplies of vaccines have been provided at different International Port Health locations and airports. This is consistent with the international Health Regulations (IHR), “ he added.

Briefing Newsmen in Abuja, Adewole said the Federal Government has also approved a Wild Polio outbreak plan which was designed by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency(NPHCDA) and

• Commissioner of police bauchi state, haliru gwandu (middle), briefing newsmen on security challenges, yesterday in bauchi. Photo: nan

partners.

He further called on Nigerians to be proactive by allowing their children to be vaccinated as the possibility of the virus spreading is very high.

“For Nigeria, while the timely response in the affected local government areas and environs is critical, the country needs to be proactive to ensure all eligible children are vaccinated within the shortest time feasible so as to limit the spread of the virus beyond the affected areas and borders of the country. “ There remains a high risk of further spread of the virus due to population movement within and around the State,” he added.

PDP convention: Police held Taraba, Ekiti govs hostageFayose’s aide From Ayodele Samuel,Lagos

T NHRC summons CP over alleged harassment of Wuye traders

By Albert Akota

T

he National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), yesterday, summoned the Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Mr. Manzah Anjugurin over alleged violation of the rights of traders at the controversial Wuye market in the city.

The directive by the commission to the police commissioner was sequel to a petition it received yesterday from the traders under the auspices of Association of Wuye Ultra-Modern Market Allottees (AWUMMA), over continued

harassment, intimidation, detention of shop owners by officers and men of the FCT police command in collusion with the management of a firm, All Purpose Shelters.

It will be recalled that the market had been enmeshed in crisis despite a subsisting judgment by the FCT High Court demanding that traders take possession of their shops.

All Purpose Shelters is owned by the Wife of immediate past Governor of Benue State, Mrs Yemisi Suswan.

Receiving the complaint from the aggrieved traders, yesterday, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe vowed to

investigate the petition with a view to doing justice to all concerned.

Consequently, Angwe ordered Anjugurin to appear before the commission today to give his own side of the matter.

“We will investigate this petition and take appropriate action.

I commend you for being lawabiding citizens by coming to the commission to vent your grievances.

“Let me assure you that we will study your petition, and if your allegations prove to be true, we will enforce the law.We shall go to Wuye market for an on-the-spotassessment.

“I hereby order the police

Commissioner to report to the NHRC to show cause why the complaint by the traders should not be enforced. We will do a diligent work. We will visit the police station and see whether the traders are truly being held,” Angwe said.

Earlier, the traders thronged the commission with placards demanding for justice over the recent harassment and torture of their colleagues by armed police men from the FCT. While submitting the petition, the solicitor to the embattled traders, Mr. Sepiribo Peters lamented the use of force the police on his clients.

EFCC re-arrests, detains ex-Imo Gov, Achike Udenwa

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday re-arrested former governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa, in connection with alleged campaign scandal at the last presidential election, an online report said yesterday.

Udenwa, as a state co-ordinator for The Presidential Campaign Organisation in Imo State, was said to have collected N350million from the former former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman.

The suspect, in his statement

to the commission admitted receiving the money via Diamond Bank account No.0058805692 and 005950791 respectively on the 14th and 28th of January 2015 in three separate installments.

He added that the money came from a company named Joint Trust Dimension Limited. This same company was charged alongside Mrs Nenadi Usman and the Media Director of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Femi FaniKayode before a Federal High Court, Lagos, on a similar allegation.

Investigation by the EFCC however revealed that Udenwa and Viola Onwuliri, a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, who was his deputy at the Presidential Campaign Organization, were the two signatories to the Diamond Bank account that received the money.

Upon his arrest, Udenwa was immediately granted administrative bail by the commission with condition that he should be reporting to the commission at an appointed time.

The report said that , while enjoying his administrative bail, Udenwa chose to deliberately skip reporting, thereby compelling the commission to revoke his administrative bail pending his arraignment soon.

Udenwa was governor of Imo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party between 1999 and 2007.

He became minister of commerce and industry between 2008 and 2010 under the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

he Ekiti State and Taraba States Governors, Ayo Fayose and Darius Ishaku, were on Wednesday held hostage by the police in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Fayose spokesperson, Lere Olayinka has said.

Olayinka said that Fayose and Ishaku were in Port Harcourt to attend the National Convention of their party, the Peoples Democratic Party.

According Olayinka in a statement yesterday, said both governors were however, held hostage among other prominent politicians inside the Old Presidential Lodge where they were accommodated by the Rivers State Government when the police decided to stop the National Convention.

“No one could go in or leave the Old Presidential Lodge until after the policemen and Armoured Personnel Carrier deployed to seal Convention venue and other places were removed,” Olayinka said.

Olayinka said he left both his boss and Ishaku at the Old Presidential Lodge at about pm on Tuesday.

He said by the time he returned to the place at about 5am on Wednesday, he was not allowed in and so also were those who were inside the Lodge not allowed out.

He described the step as “tyrannical”.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSday, AUGUST 18, 2016

Page 4 Report

Jubilation as investors unveil plan to build $100m cassava company In Kwara

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nvestors from the United States of America and their partners in Nigeria have indicated resolve to invest the sum of $100 million in cassava production in Kwara state.

The investors disclosed this after paying a visit to an agrarian community of Edidi in Isin local government area of the state.

Residents of the community could not hide their joy as they went into celebration when the investors disclosed that they were bringing to the community.

The two American based investors, Ecotech-rab and Tranfeed Group along with their Nigerian partner, Satco Global Group promised to, in the next 18 months, establish cassava production and processing factories in the community.

The factories are expected to gulp the sum of $100 million.

The factories when completed, will create about 2,500 jobs, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Satco Global Group, Femi Philips disclosed.

Philips said: “We are the sponsors of this project and it is going to cost us about $100 million. We intend to complete it in the next 18 months. The project is expected to gulp about 5000 hectares of land.

The first phase will be about two streams of 120 tons per day and there will be an upgrade of 48 tons per day; giving us about 168 tons per day for a stream.

“We are going to bring our expertise into planting cassava in a manner that will allow for optimum yield. So we are bringing our species from outside Nigeria and blend with the local species in Nigeria. We are looking at working with IITA in this area.

“We are going to be producing starch powder, ethanol and production of feeds for livestock and others. It is an agrobusiness kind of” he added assuring that concerted efforts are being made to ensure quick take-off of the company so as to support the economic growth and development of both the community and the state at large.

Also speaking President, Ecotech-rab Jorge de la Torre said “we are coming together with other partners to establish agro-industrial project in this community in order to improve the living condition and create employment for people. We intend to start these two plants before the end of 2017. Wewill work very hard for the successful completion of this project. This is our target and this is what we want.”

On his part, President of Transeed Group, Dr. Tim Dumah said that “the good news is that we are going to train people to

have new skills. For that reason I think it is a win-win situation for the community and us.

“Agriculture is the in thing in Nigeria; we want to put this community on the world map through creation of jobs by the project.”

The visit of the investors to

the community was greeted with fun and fanfare as the residents who are visibly impressed with the visit and the seeming turn around in their fortunes, converged to give the investors a rousing welcome.

On arrival at the monarch’s palace for a courtesy call, the

expatriate among the investors jumped into the dancing arena wriggling his waist and dancing to the rhythm of the talking drums.

Receiving the visitors, Oba Aboyeji assured that the investors would not regret investing in his domain, adding “there will be no

hindrance of any form.

“I urge you therefore to consider first indigenes of the community as soon as the project kicks-off. We are assuring you of our cooperation as the community is peaceful.”

• R-L: Chief representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (jica), Mr Hirotaka Nakamura, presenting a certificate of attendance to the best performed student of 2016 Abe Initiative Scholarship Recipients, Mr Okechukwu Nonso, during the send-forth for the qualified candidates of 2016 scholarship, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: nan

Netherlands offers €5.3m assistance for IDPs welfare In Nigeria

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oordinator of the Nigerian Joint Response, a humanitarian program in the North-East Nigeria, Hanna Van Schie, has disclosed that government of the Netherlands has earmarked the sum 5.3 million Euros to carter for the need of 176000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North –East.

Van Schie told a workshop on the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in Yola Thursday that with support from the Dutch government 4 NGOs in a consortium comprising Save the Children (lead), Oxfam Novib,

Stichting Vluchteling/IRC and Tearfund implementing the Nigeria Joint Response (NJR), have supported Nigeria to overcome the humanitarian needs and hardships The aide to Nigeria, she added is to assist on improving the standard of living in areas of food, security and protection in host communities and in IDPs camps.

The Coordinator who is working for Save the Children in the Netherlands explained that since the inception of Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East in 2009, over 14.8 million people

have been affected while 7 million are in need of assistance.

Quoting the 2016 Humanitarian Needs Overview, she said only 8 per cent of IDPs are living in the formal camps, leaving the remaining 92 per cent in host communities supported with the limited and stretched resources of their hosts.

She added that Nigeria government capacity to meet the need of all (IDPs) is being stretched, with limited humanitarian assistance only enough to reach the IDPs living in official camps

She stressed that the crisis in the sub-region is slowly coming to the agenda of the donor communities.

Adamawa State Commissioner for Border Integration, Abubakar Magaji who represented Governor Mohammed Jibrilla at the workshop lauded the efforts of NGOs in the state and North -Eastern region in providing relief assistance to IDPs. Magaji re-iterated the state government determination to work hard to ensure IDPs return to the homes as soon as possible to start a new life.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSday, AUGUST 18, 2016

News

We’re ready for dialogue with FG-N’Delta Avengers

By Paul Efiong with agency report

T

he Niger Delta Avengers have agreed to hold talks with the Federal Government to resolve the lingering crisis in the Niger Delta region.

The spokesman for the Dialogue Group, Mr. Ballantyne Agiri, said this in a statement in Abuja yesterday.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, report yesterday, Agiri said that the NDA had constituted a contact and dialogue group to engage the Federal Government in meaningful

dialogue as part of the initiatives to resolve the crisis.

He added that the group was determined to come out with results that would yield lasting peace, equity, justice and harmony among all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.

“The body has collectively and willingly agreed to heed the clarion call of eminent Nigerians and international community to dialogue with the Federal Government,’’ he said.

He urged Nigerians and the international community to follow developments on the issue closely and watch out for which side would

violate the terms, rules and spirit of the dialogue.

“The Federal Government should from the inception of the dialogue rule out from the agenda any monthly monetary inducement or stipend for the NDA. “The Federal Government should be ready for structural changes that should be human and development-oriented.

“Members of the avengers’ group (who will participate in the dialogue) have already been selected, each based on his integrity, forthrightness, honesty and life track records.

“The names of members of the group for now shall not be made public for personal reasons until they begin functioning in few days ahead,’’ the spokesman said.

However, another report said that the Niger Delta Avengers yesterday refuted the statement

by Dialogue Group spokesman, Ballantyne Agiri that it has agreed to dialogue with the Federal Government saying there was no iota of truth in Agiri’s claim The spokesman for the Niger Delta Avengers, Mudoch Agbinibo, reportedly dismissed Agiri’s statement.

•L-R: Global Director of Trade Arla Foods,Kasper Thromod Nielsen; Head of Arla Foods, Sub Saharan Africa, Mr.Steen Hadsbjerc, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shehu Ahmed, during the Signing of Mou between Arla Foods and Ministry of Agriculture, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Hajj 2016: Kaduna airlifts 3,157 pilgrims to Saudi From Mohammad Kaduna

Ibrahim,

K

aduna State has so far airlifted a total of 3,157 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s hajj exercise since it commenced airlifting of its pilgrims last week.

It was gathered that State has

a total of 5,649 pilgrims from all the 23 local government area of the state that will perform the hajj this year.

The State Pilgrims Welfare Board’s Public Relations Officer, Yunusa Mohammed said that Med-view airline leave early hours of Sunday with 374 intending pilgrims on board to the holy

land from Kaduna international Airport.

He said, the Sunday flight was the 8th flight since the commencement of the operation from kaduna .

According to him, more than half of kaduna intending pilgrims are already in holy land “The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare

Board said it is yet to dropped anybody either pregnant women from the list of intending pilgrims to Mecca.

“The board has taken measures for all intending pilgrims to undergo series of medical screen but no any reported case for now for anybody to be dropped,” he said.

Lagos to deploy 13,000 CCTV

T

he Lagos State Government said on Wednesday that it would deploy 13,000 closed circuit television, CCTV cameras across the state.

Officials also said the state will construct a flyover at Pen Cinema located at the Agege axis of the state.

Ganiyu Johnson, the state’s Commissioner for Works, said this at a news conference addressed jointly

by Steve Ayorinde, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, and other commissioners in Ikeja.

Mr. Johnson said that the construction of the bridge would last for between 18 and 24 months.

“The Pen-Cinema flyover has been a recurring decimal in this state to solve the gridlock there.

“This flyover will bring to three

the number of flyover undertaken by this government after the AbuleEgba and Ajah flyovers which are on course.”

The commissioner said that the flyover would be constructed from Oba Ogunji via Ijaiye Road into Agunbiade.

He said that the bridge would be 700 metres long with some junction improvement at Pen Cinema.

“The project will also accommodate a generous walkway, similar to the Ikorodu Expressway and the bridge will have a free flow all the way to Agunbiade,” Mr. Johnson said.

Also speaking, Mr. Ayorinde said that the state government had decided to deploy 13,000 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, and

security sensors for surveillance and crime prevention.

He said that with this, the government had declared its readiness to activate a multi-faceted project designed to improve living standards and revenue generation in the state.

Similarly, Olufemi Odubiyi, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, said that the deployment of the cameras would start in September.

Odubiyi said that it would take between 16 to 18 months before the cameras could be evenly deployed across the state.

“There will be equitable distribution across the state and it will have a multiplier effect on business opportunities in the state as it continues to move toward a 24-hour economy.

The commissioner said additional 6,000 streetlights would also be provided to support the state’s “Light Up” initiative.

“What the state is trying to achieve at the end of the day is ensuring that e-government services are fully implemented so that citizens could enjoy the delivery of the objectives of the government,” he said.

In a remark, Anofiu Elegushi, the Special Adviser to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Transportation, said that the traffic on the Lekki-Epe Expressway would be decongested through the removal of the three roundabouts.

Mr. Elegushi, however, said that the roundabouts would be replaced by traffic lights.(NAN)

Contracts: FG to arrest impostors using Buhari’s name

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he Federal Government has warned fraudsters using the name of President Muhammadu Buhari and those of his family members and senior government officials to solicit favour or contracts from Ministries and other government establishments to desist from the criminal act or face the wrath of the law.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the government is aware that some opportunists have been going from one government organization to another with notes purportedly recommending them for contracts and other patronage, using the names of the President, his family members and senior government officials to intimidate those organisations.

The Minister said the President didn’t authorize any government official to write notes recommending anyone for contracts or any form of patronage, and warned those involved in such fraudulent activities to stop immediately or face possible arrest and prosecution by security agents.

He also warned government officials who may be working in collusion with these con men to desist from the act or face dire disciplinary action and prosecution for fraud.

NAFDAC advises staff on accountability

By Mashe Gwamna

T

he National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has embarked on a three day re-orientation workshop across the six geo-political zones in the country.

A statement issued by the agency, stated that its Acting Director- General Mrs. Yetunde Oni who flagged off the programme, maintained that there was need to re-align and remind staff on transparency, accountability and dedication to duty.

In her words, this is to “re-orientate staff towards these core values in the bid to reposition NAFDAC.” She also said that, no reform process will be credible or sustainable without demonstrable service.

The Acting DG appealed to all Regulatory Officers at the re-orientation workshop to imbibe the culture of hardwork, honesty and efficient service delivery so that they can be part of the change agenda of Mohammadu Buhari administration.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

PAGE 6

News

Edo 2016: Benin Crown Prince warns against violence From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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rown Prince of Benin and the Edaiken of Uselu, Amb. Eheneden Erediauwa has warned principal actors involved in

the 10th September 2016 governorship election in Edo state to shun violence in the election.

Just as he tasked security personnel on election duty and the Independent National Electoral Commission to provide a level playing

field for Contestants for the election.

The Edaiken dropped the hint yesterday while playing host to the AIG in charge of Zone 5, Mr. Adeyinka Kolawole Shodipo at his palace at Uselu, Benin City, yesterday in Benin City, the Edo state Capital.

He tasked his visitor to put necessary machinery in place to forestall occurrence of violence which he claimed had being bandid around the nook and crannies of the state ahead of the election.

He however said the palace were

praying earnestly to God and their ancestors to let peace and tranquility reign before The AIG Mr. Adeyinka Kolawole had told the royal father that he was in his palace to solicit his blessings and cooperations to succeed in the state.

Economy: Hospitality practitioners harp on innovation, minimizing wastage

By Paul Efiong

C

L-R: Executive secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Hamid Bobboyi, Deputy Executive Secretary, (services) UBEC, Alh. Yakubu Gambo and the Dean of Chairmen, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB),and Chairman Edo SUBEB, Chief Stven Alao, during the SUBEB Chairmen meeting with the new Executive Secretary, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

T

APC wants PDP dead – Fayose

he Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) wants the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dead because the APC does not want a virile opposition to challenge its obnoxious policies and inability to tackle the problems confronting the country.

Speaking in Port Harcourt on Wednesday on the sideline of the national convention of the PDP, Mr.

Fayose said such a development would not, however, be in the interest of the country and Nigerians at large.

In a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor was quoted as saying that a virile opposition was a vital ingredient for democracy and necessary to make democracy thrive.

Mr. Fayose, who could not attend the convention owing to the blockade of the road leading to the

Old Presidential Lodge of the Rivers State government house where he was accommodated, said the condoning off of the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt by the police on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, had the input of the APC-led Federal Government. He said the police only acted the script written by the APC-led government.

“I witnessed what the police did early today in Port Harcourt, it is

most unfortunate. It has shown that we are indeed in a perilous time in the country. The APC is desperate to kill opposition and silence others because they are afraid that their inability to properly govern the country and tackle the challenges facing us as a nation would be exposed by a virile PDP. The governor wondered what would have happened if the PDP acted like the APC and refused to hand over to the APC last year.

hefs in Nigeria have been advised to be innovative in their chosen profession and learn to manage and maximize usage of ingredients in order to avoid wastage in view of the ongoing economic recession.

They were equally advised to adopt the principle of purchasing according to the rhythm of what they need and what the customers wanted.

This advice was given by the Head of Department of Hospitality at the Nigeria Institute of Hospitality and Tourism, Mrs. Flora Goka during the fourth Annual Chefs Workshop organized by the Association of Professional Chefs in Nigeria yesterday.

Goka who delivered a paper on Wastage Management and Cost Control explained that cost control is important in the kitchen production system as it disclosed that net profit and information are necessary for production.

Goka also admonished chefs to be cautious of wastages at every level of production and delivery emphasized that “the way we manage our production goes a long way to affect our gain”.

In another development, The National President of the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria, Chef Pauline Okon told Peoples Daily that the workshop was planned on the need to remind Nigerian Chefs on the important of improving on their choice career to avoid wastages.

He noted that Chef profession is crucial to public health as the food intake and the content determine the level of wellness of Nigerians. He advised Nigerians to employ Nigerian professional chef as they are as capable as their foreign counterparts and conversant with local and continental cuisines.

Adesina, Shehu, family extol virtues of Abuah

By Lawrence Olaoye

S

pecial Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina has said that the death of the State House Information Director, Justin Abuah, was a big loss to the seat of power.

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, similarly has described him as a pillar of support, an icon of emulation and a unique individual who served seven presidents.

Abuah died on Sunday, August 14th. Adesina who led the Media Department, Press Corps and Protocol Department of the State House to visit his widow, Loretta and three children (Chinedum, Chike and Amaechi) as well as other family

members, said OJ, as he was popularly called, was very competent and excellent in his job.

He said, “Words failed me to actually described him (Abuah), when he passed the first thing that came to mind was that a competent man has gone.

He related well with many people.

“He was an excellent man and did his job excellently.

“His passage is trauma to us. We realize it’s a road all mortals must pass through but we would have felt better if it didn’t happen now. When we come and go, we are in the hands of God. At 57 he was not an old man; he lived a very quality life. We urge you to keep his memory alive. Be comforted and be consoled”.

Adesina said the State House would love to be fully involved in Abuah’s burial plans.

Shehu in his remarks said they were just beginning to learn from a man whose uniqueness led to his serving seven presidents.

The Presidential Media aide who said they were initially angry that his ill-health was not known to them until his passage, noted that he was one who did not like to bother others about his pain.

He said, “We feel a sense of loss over a man who has served seven Presidents with dedication.

We lost a pillar of support, an icon of emulation.

We were just learning about him, we felt angry we were not in the know of his ill-health but we found out that he is a man who did not like to bother anybody with his pains”.

The Chairman State House Press Corps, Kehinde Amodu, said the corp will miss a man of

integrity whose yes was yes and no was no, saying a man of his calibre will be difficult to replace.

“He was a senior colleague. His yes was yes and his no was no. He was firmed and truthful and a man of integrity. He was a quiet and private person but he knew everyone individually. We are 109 journalists in the State House and he knew everyone individually. We will miss him. I don’t think he can be replaced”.

Responding on behalf the family, Arnold Abuah, a retired commissioner of police and medical doctor, described his brother as a man of integrity.

He said the illness that eventually took his brother’s life was only known to himself, OJ, his wife and his son.

He thanked the delegation for coming.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

News

Bauchi: Police parades 50 suspected criminals, rescue 49 captives From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

he Bauchi State Police command has arrested and paraded over 50 suspects involved in banditry kidnapping, rustling and other related offenses in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Haliru Abubakar Gwandu disclosed this while parading the suspects before newsmen in Bauchi on Wednesday saying 49 people taken hostages by the kidnappers were rescued by the police.

According to the CP the 50 suspects arrested are 35 suspected kidnappers, 12 armed robbery suspects, 5 cattle rustlers and one police impersonator, adding that 45 suspects have been charge to court while 23 others are under investigations.

“Arms and ammunition recovered from the suspects includes three Ak 47 rifles, one Ak 49 rifle, ten fabricated guns, six pistols, one toy pistol, 303 round of live ammunition of 7.62mm, six rounds of 7.5m live ammunition and seven cartridges” He said “Other exhibits recovered are 4 vehicles, 8 Bajaj Motorcycles , one Jincheng robber motorcycle, 171 cow, 133 sheep and goats, N176,770 cash, fabricated master keys, 11 handsets, police warrant card and complete set of police uniform” Haliru lamented that the state is confronted with numerous security challenges such as threat of insurgency, kidnapping, armed banditry, cattle rustling, rape as well as other manifestation of violent crimes noting that “the location of Balmo Forest in Darazo LGA, Buzum Forest in Ganjuwa LG, Yuga Forest in Toro LG and Yankari Games Reserve in Alkaleri LG provided a cover for criminal elements who perpetrate heinous crimes.

He added “ Recently there has been upsurge in kidnappings of local in those areas for ransom after which suspects hide inside the above mentioned forests which make it difficult for the law enforcement agencies to apprehend them due to difficult terrain, poor communication network and scattered settlements”.

The Command CP assured members of the public of the command readiness to ensure safety and security In the state despite the challenges.

He said “the command has put in place crime prevention measures which are mainly proactive based on application of crime mapping considering different terrain and topography of the area. These strategies include, visibility policing, community partnership, constant raid of black spots, moping of arms and ammunition from vandals, bandits and political thugs, Regular foot and vulnerable areas, stop and search duties, creation of pin down points, manning of KPs and VPs and guarding of critical infrastructures.

“The whole idea is to nip in the bud these emergent trends of crime presently bedeviling the state due to influx of suspected cattle rustlers, kidnappers and insurgents and other misguided elements as a result of military operations on going neighboring North Western States,” Haruna said.

2 Unilag students docked for alleged robbery

T

wo University of Lagos students, Kunle Shakiru (26) and Moses Olowe (23), were on Wednesday brought before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged robbery and belonging to an unlawful society.

The duo faced a twocount charge of belonging to an unlawful group and stealing, while armed with dangerous weapons.

The Prosecutor, Gbemileke Agoi, explained that the offences were committed on August 5, at the

University of Lagos.

He said the accused, armed with a short gun, robbed some people of their various valuables valued at N35,700.

The offences, Mr. Agoi noted, contravened Section 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos

State of Nigeria, 2011.

It also contravenes Section (2) (a) (b) of the Robbery and Fire arms (Special Provisions Act), Cap 398, Vol. XXII, Laws of the Federation, 2003 as amended.

The accused had pleaded not guilty to the

charges preferred against them.

The Magistrate, A.O. Ajibade, granted them bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till September 20, for advice and mention.(NAN)

Gov.Yahaya Bello of Kogi State (Middle), Barrister Boss Mustapha Managing Director, National Inland Ways Water Authority, NIWA and the Contractors explaining some points to Governor Bello, during an inspection visit to Lokoja Port on Tuesday in Kogi.

EFCC quizzes VC for alleged corruption

T

he Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Olusola Oyewole, has been invited for questioning by the anti-graft commission, EFCC. Mr. Oyewole and the institution’s bursar, Moses Ilesanmi, were invited for questioning based on allegations of corruption levelled against them.

The duo are to appear at the EFCC’s Zonal Office in Ibadan on August 17 by 10:00 a.m., according to an invitation letter signed by Akaninyewa Ezima.

“The office is currently investigating an alleged case of corruption and abuse of office involving your institution,” the EFCC invitation letter obtained by an online medium reads.

The university officials were told to come along with certified true

copies of documents including those of capital projects executed in their tenure.

While Mr. Oyewole, a Professor of Food Science and Technology, was appointed in 2012, Mr. Ilesanmi was appointed in September 2011 and is scheduled to leave office in a month.

The EFCC is also investigating payments made by the university to the governing council of the institution led by a former senator, Adeseye Ogunlewe.

The invited officials were asked to come with records of all payments made to Mr. Ogunlewe and other members of the governing council since their appointment in 2013.

Mr. Ogunlewe, who represented Lagos State in the Senate, was appointed pro-chancellor of the university by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Man docked for allegedly stealing N214,000 tithes in church A 23-year-old church member, Elochukwu Nnoruga, on Wednesday appeared in a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for alleged theft of N214,000 from church tithe box.

Nnoruga no fixed address is facing a one-count charge of theft.

Prosecutor Ben Ekundayo told the court that the accused committed the offence on Aug. 14 at about 2 p.m., at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Idumaigbo, Lagos.

Ekundayo said that the accused, a church member, stole N214, 000 from the tithe box after church service.

He said the offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Nnoruga pleaded guilty to the

charge.

The Magistrate, Mr Ade Adefulire, adjourned the case till Aug. 23 for facts and sentencing.NAN

Ibrahim Magu, EFCC Chairman

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

News

Sokoto sets up taskforce on FG jobs

From Raji Bello, Sokoto

G

L-R: President of Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mrs Nike Akande; Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shitu; and Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, at the Communication Services Tax Stakeholders Meeting Organised by the LCCI, yesterday in Lagos.

FG creates grazing reserve in Gombe From David Hassan, Gombe

F

ederal government yesterday said arrangement has been concluded to create grazing reserve for cattle rearing at Wawa Renge in Dukku local government area of Gombe state.

The leader of the delegation Mr. Mahmud Ibrahim spoke on behalf of the federal government made the pronouncement when the team paid

courtesy call on the Emir of Dukku Alhaji Haruna Abdulkadir Rasheed.

He said government will not rest until the lingering crisis between farmers and herdsmen is put to an halt.

According to him, the project which is been carried out by the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture is in conjunction with Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in

order to curtail the menace that affect the peace among farmers and herdsmen in the country.

He said ten states in northern part of the country already have been mandated for the creation of the grazing reserve.

Also speaking chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria Mr. Baba Usman Ngajama who spoke in (Hausa) appreciated the effort made by the federal

government and said that the project will go along way in sensitizing both farmers and herdsmen.

He called on them to shun violence and embrace one another even as he said there would be no meaningful development without peace among people.

The chairman enjoin both the two parties as matter of urgency to liase and report any suspicious movement to security agencies within the area.

CISLAC urges CSOs to rise against malnutrition in Nigeria From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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he Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) has charged Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to rise against the alarming rate of malnutrition among Nigeria Children and women of reproductive age.

The Programme Officer of CISLAC Chioma Kanu made the charge at one day round table meeting with CSOs on malnutrition advocacy held at Destination Hotel Bauchi yesterday, Kanu said “CSOs should take with seriousness the challenges of malnutrition in our communities

which they have responsibilities of engaging the policies makers and all necessary stakeholders to implement policies.”

According to her, we charge the CSOs to engage in advocacy on malnutrition in our communities which Government did not contribute significantly to the reduction of under nutrition at the rate needed to meet the national development goal.

She urged the CSOs to advocates towards scaling up nutrition, through advocacy and communication which policy changes are influenced and communities are sensitised.

Kanu stressed advocacy targeted

at high-level decision-makers can lead to government commitments that have the potential to improve nutrition programming and accountability.

“Through strategic lobbying, increased resources (financial and otherwise) are allocated to nutrition interventions. For nutrition interventions to be properly planned and implemented” the Programme Officer said.

“There must be a good understanding of nutrition among political players, policymakers, policy implementers and the general public”.

“Advocacy and communication play the unique role of creating demand and building consciousness about the importance of nutrition at all levels and among all key stakeholders in nutrition development,” Chioma stressed She also pointed out that sensitisation and demand-creation are key components of the story of change that has seen community mobilisation around nutrition progress, thereby creating a symbiotic relationship between the population and its leaders and fostering accountability and involvement”

overnor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, has set up a task force that would mobilize Sokoto’s unemployed graduates to ensure full participation in Federal Government social intervention programmes.

The task force is expected to develop strategies on how the state could participate and benefit from the various employment plans introduced by the Federal Government.

Among such schemes include the 500,000 teachers to be recruited into the civil service, the 100,000 extension workers to be employed to boost the agricultural sector in the country, among others.

The task force, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, is headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Bashir Garba, while Alhaji Lawal Zagi Kebbe will serve as the Secretary.

Other members include the state commissioners of Justice, Usman Sulaiman; Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Bala Kokani; Finance, Saidu Umar; Health, Dr. Balarabe Kakale and Women Affairs, Hajiya Kulu Sifawa.

Also to serve in the task force are commissioners of Agriculture, Umar Nagwari; Basic and Secondary Education, Jabbi Kilgori; Information, Jeli Abdulqadir Abubakar, Local Government and Community Development; Mannir Dan Iya and Environment Alhaji Bello Sifawa.

The rest include Secretary of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Farouk Shehu, representative of the state office of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), businessman Alhaji Buhari Dasuki, Malam Nasiru Daniyan, Mr. Fabian Okoye and Alhaji Bashir Gidado.

The statement said considering the fact that closing date for many of the FG programmes is approaching, the task force should immediately get to work to ensure no qualified and interested Sokoto indigene is left out of the noble idea.

Adamawa human rights coalition gets new exco From Umar Dankano,Yola.

T

he newly constituted Coalition of Human Rights Monitors and Advocates of Adamawa, CHRMAA has elected its first state Executive members to hold the leadership mantle for the next three consecutive years as enshrined in the coalition’s constitution.

During the Election held at N.U.J press centre Tuesday Alhaji Umar Dankano of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ was elected as state Chairman after pulling 14 votes to defeat his opponent,Mr. James Ujulu

of String of Hope civil organization who scored 7 votes.

Alhaji Abdulkadeer Musa Iliyasu of Luther Care civil organization Numan was returned as the Vice Chairman While Barrister Fatima Bello Raji of the International Federation of Women Lawyers,F.I.D.A,Adamawa state chapter was elected Secretary General of the coalition unopposed.

Other executives returned unopposed were Barrister Humchi Benjamin of F.I.D.A as Treasurer, Miss Sandra Alex of Adamawa Development Agency as Assistant Secretary.

The positions of Financial Secretary and Public Relations Officer,PRO of the coalition went to Miss Rebecca Luka of Spring of Hope Civil Organization and Mr. Jimmy A lot of Guilt of Actors Organization in Adamawa respectively.

Administrating oath of Office to the new officials of the coalition, Barrister Aminu Murtala Aminu of the Nigeria Bar Association in the state charged the team to work assiduously for the success of the coalition with special emphasis to addressing human right abuses in the state.

Responding on behalf of the elected officials, the Chairman of the coalition,Mr.Umar Dankano assured the teeming members of an all inclusive administration which will carry and listen to contributions from members in every circumstances.

Mr. Dankano said the coalition which include active members of civil society organizations and Nongovernmental organizations came under one umbrella to checkmate human right abuses being perpetrated by state actors like law enforcement Agencies and political class in Position of authority in the

state.

“We thank you all for the trust of mandate vested on us today and we will work as a team in pursuing reduction of human right abuses in three thematic areas of security Harrasment,Sexual Abuses and Environmental pollution in the state in the next two years for a start.

“Not forgetting our mother body, search for common Ground for bringing this wonderful and historic coalition for us as a group to contribute our modest quota in serving humanity. We will not disappoint God willing,” he pledged.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Page 9

News

A Soldier attached to 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi State suspected to be leader of a four man gang involved in armed robbery in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Imo State and other criminals paraded by Imo State Police Command on Tuesday in Owerri. Photo: Nan

Sokoto procures N20m orthopedic equipment, implants for hospital From Raji Bello, Sokoto

S

okoto State Government has purchased assorted equipment and implants worth over N20 million for its 50bed capacity Orthopedic Hospital.

The Chief Medical Director, Dr Nuradeen Altine disclosed this on Wednesday in an interview.

He said the facilities included those for common fracture fixation and joint replacement.

Others were the facilities

for the treatment of common orthopedic problems like arthritis, bone infections and other congenital bone problems, among others.

Altine said: “Due to the availability of these facilities and

others like an X-ray machine in the theater, there is an influx of patients from within and outside the state and even from Niger republic.

“These facilities are really helping as we averagely 45-60

patients daily at the clinic, while we conduct an average of four surgical operations daily.’’

The CMD further said that, the state government had also renovated and upgraded the clinic, wards and the theatre.

Lokoja River Port must be completed this year- Gov Bello tells contractor From Ayodele Samuel,Lagos

K

ogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has urged the Contractors handling the Lokoja River Port to expedite work in order to deliver the project before the end of the year.

The Governor who stated this yesterday at Project site during an assessment tour which was conducted by the Acting Managing Director of National Inland Water Ways Authority, Barrister Boss Mustapha and his management team.

Bello told NIWA officials that kogi state government is very keen to see to the realization of the River Port which if completed would open up the state and the entire Northern part of the country to economic emancipation, pointing out that Kogi state is blessed with a lot of resources that are capable of improving the economy of the entire nation.

The Governor who commended President Muhammadu Buhari for reawarding the contract in view of its importance to the economic development of the country stressed that the quick response to revive the abandoned project was a sign of concern for the well being of the people of the state.

He lauded the efforts of the acting Managing Director,

Barrister Boss Mustapha for his diligence and commitment to the realization of the project.

Earlier, the Acting Managing

Director of NIWA, Barrister Boss Mustapha thanked the Governor for his visit.

He said that the project was

conceived long time ago and the contract was awarded 2012 then terminated in 2013 due to litigation as the contractors

abandoned work at the initial site of the project adding that the project will completed within the shortest time.

Dwindling economy worries NBA

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed worry over the nation’s troubled economy and its impact on the populace.

The body has therefore called on experts locally and internationally to suggest ways to revive the ailing economy and ensure that democracy works for the people.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oladejo Lamikanra,who spoke for the association, in Abuja said NBA was planning a gathering to give experts, both lawyers and non-legal practitioners, the opportunity to engage in critical assessment of the economy and suggest ways out of the current situation.

According to him, Nigerians including lawyers are suffering under the present economic situation.

He explained that lawyers had decided not to sit down and fold their hands while ‎workers continued to lose their purchasing powers and had decided to examine some of the critical

economic issues facing the country.

He said: “This is why we have chosen as our central theme for our national conference, ‘Democracy and Economic Development. We want to discuss the economy in the context of democracy. How can democracy make the economy grow better? The economy is quite challenging presently.

“There is a concern on how democracy constitutes a heavy burden on our Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

We want to explore how democracy can be used to further grow the economy.

The average Nigerian is feeling the pinch; he is feeling the crunch. We have been dependent on oil alone.

How do we diversify? The practice of democracy should improve the economy. Democracy and economy are not mutually exclusive.

“We want to see the economy grow.

We want to see Nigerians live better.

That informs our choice of the theme.

How can we make sure our economy sustain our population growth. We need actions now.”

Lamikanra, who is the Alternate

Chair, NBA technical committee on conference planning, said this year’s edition to be held in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State between August 19 and 26 would examine how institutions could foster economic growth in a democracy.

He explained that the conference, to be attended by about 13,000 lawyers both from and outside the country, would feature Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, who is expected to share the country’s success experience with Nigerians.

He said that the decision to invite Kigame was informed that the economy of his country has continued to grow despite the challenges facing the world economy.

He said the Minister for Solid Mineral and other government officials will be at the conference to share with Nigerians information on what the government wasdoing to revive the economy and diversify it to ensure multiple streams of income for the country as against the current over dependence on oil.

“What informed the conference

theme is that there are more economic challenges in the country today than last year. The conference will address, among others, how democracy can deliver on an improved management of our economic affairs.

“This year’s conference will feature 28 sessions in all, including three showcase sections. Communique will be issued at the end of the event, which will contain summary of all that transpired.

“Some of the resource persons being expected include the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), former NBA President Olisa Agbakoba and Yunus Usman (SAN),” Lamikanra said.

He added that the conference will also witness the inauguration of the executive of the NBA and the swearingin of officials elected at the association’s last elections.

Lamikanra said the new NBA President would utilise the conference to enunciate on his programmes and plans of his administration and how he hopes to improve the association.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

News

Boko Haram: Group accuses Salkida of seeking cheap popularity

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

civil society group, Stand Up Nigeria (SUN) has accused the three persons declared wanted by the Nigerian army in connection with the missing Chibok girls, Ahmed Salkida, (Ambassador) Ahmed U. Bolori and Aisha Wakil as seeking cheap popularity by creating public outrage against the military in the hope that this could be used to blackmail their way out.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, SUN Executive Director of Communication, Arubi Justina said such antics must be condemned by professional bodies which any of the trio is claiming affiliation to.

She said even if they had genuinely started out as professional journalist, negotiators, activists or any other occupation, they have since crossed the

threshold of professionalism to become terrorists’ sympathisers who revel in supporting killers while making money out of their missions.

She said from their antecedents, Saljida has overstepped his journalistic boundaries, saying if he has no affiliation with the Insurgents, he would have as a matter of national security divulge the information available to him to security agencies.

According to her, these wanted persons were behind the series of Boko Haram negotiation scams that costed Nigerians billions of naira under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

She said, “Since they were declared wanted, these Boko Haram collaborators have taken to the media in their usual fashion in attempts to create public outrage against the military in the hope that this could be

used to blackmail their way out having to give accounts for their relationship with the world’s most despicable terror group. They have immediately embarked on a media campaign to the effect that they are ready to appear before the army; that they have contributed and made so much sacrifices towards containing Boko Haram or securing the release of the girls; or that they are being persecuted.

“Similarly, their fellow members in the intellectual wing of Boko Haram had desperately tried to paint the trio as victims; paint Salkida as a journalists being vilified for his doggedness and the other two as genuine negotiators.

“Stand Up Nigeria therefore call on Nigerians, human rights activist, journalists and online community to shun any extension of solidarity to the trio of wanted Boko Haram sympathisers. Salkida, Wakili and

Bolori have at different times confessed to knowing more than the ordinarily in terms of her association with Boko Haram.”

She urged the Nigerian Army not to be distracted from their conventional military business, saying they are trying to use negative media to blackmail the Army and the Federal Government in a ploy that is as despicable as their association with Boko Haram.

She said, “We urge the Army not to relax the wanted notice issued on these people as their claims of readiness to turn themselves in remains mere theatrics until they actualise it. Authorities must also take steps to contain the propaganda value that these individuals would try to make out of when they surrender or are eventually arrested. It must be clearly spelt out that these are not activists neither are they heroes that should inspire anyone.”

Adamawa Police arrest doctor for alleged removal of patient kidney From Umar Dankano,Yola

T

he embattled medical doctor,Yakubu Hassan who conducted a surgery allegedly removing the kidneys of a young man has been arrested for questioning by the police in Adamawa state.

It would be recalled that Doctor Hassan of Jimeta Clinic based in the state capital has been accused by the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe of unprofessional gross misconduct through the controversial operation that rendered his patient(Isah Hamma) without any kidney and now receiving attention at Federal Medical Centre Yola.

Command Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Othman Abubakar who confirmed the arrest in Yola said the doctor has been picked by the police.

“We have arrested him; he is now in our custody”, Abubakar said.

L-R: Kebbi State Governor, Sen. Atiku Bagudu with Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, during the Governor’s visit to UBEC, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Niger partners NIPOST on tourism dev’t- Vatsa From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna.

T

he Niger state government has said that it will partner with the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) to promote

tourism and showcase the tourism sites in the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Jonathan Tsado Vatsa disclosed this at the EMS/Parcel

Ganduje appoints Accountant General From Edwin Olofu, Kano

K

ano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has approved the appointment of Mrs Aisha Bello Muhammad as the new Accountant General.

A statement signed by Commissioner of Information, Youth and Culture Malam Muhammad Garba made available to newsmen in kano yesterday, stated that before her appointment, Mrs Bello was the Commissioner of

Planning and Budget in the state.

The statement added that Bello is a graduate of Financial Management and Accounting, And has held several managerial positions in the banking sector including Manager, Kaduna South, First Bank Nigeria Limited, Operation Manager, Minna branch, Head of Credit Risk, and Manager, Area office, Abuja all with Habib Nigeria Bank Limited.

It would be recalled that governor Ganduje relieved the

former Accountant General Danjuma Adamu his position, following complain by the state House Assembly that he is unfit to hold the position.

Mrs Bello Muhammad was born in 1965 and is married with children.

Garba said the appointment is with immediate effect.

The erstwhile Acting Accountant General, Ibrahim A. M. Kura, retains his position as Director Treasury.

Nigeria Managers Conference in Minna stated that the government is looking to see if the courier service of NIPOST can have the emblems of its tourist sites and brand their buses with pictures of tourists’ sites in the state.

“NIPOST Courier service is worldwide and we are looking to see if we can have the emblem of our tourist sites on most of their stamps and also brand their trucks and buses that carry these parcels with a tourist site in the state.

“This will promote tourism because they reach the unreached area and it will give the state an opportunity for us to showcase our tourist sites” he stated.

He explained that the state will also partner with the postal service on improved service delivery and security of their goods within the state, “if all these loopholes are blocked and

the state can partner with them, the internally generated revenue of the organization will go up and the state will enjoy fast message delivery.”

In his address, the Post Master General and CEO of the Nigeria Postal Service, Barrister Bisi Adegbuyi said that there are opportunities, potentials and possibilities in NIPOST stating that the service needs a little push in the area of motivation and psychological re-orientation to transform EMS/Parcel service into a world class courier outfit.

He however stressed on his desire to reposition the organization to be money spinning disclosing that the revenue of EMS has risen from N532.8 million in 2015 to N678.8 million in 2016 while its Parcels service have improved by N43.9 million during the same period.

Page 11

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. mohammed idris 2. karimatu ajuji mohammed 3. thurayya mohammed idris 4. abdulmalik abubakar muye 5. mubarak abubakar labo THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. to support orphanage and charity homes 2. to support emergencies, disasters and internally displaced persons 3. to support girl-child education 4. to support almajiri school system 5. to support the less privileged 6. to support people with disabilities etc ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: m.t Kachina Esq

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PUBLIC NOTICE THE TWELVE APOSTOLIC AND PROPHETIC MINISTRY

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Samuel Sunday Shirgtsa, 2. Progress Abraham Whom, 3. Tertsegha Josiah Hundega, 4. Tarmtswen Samuel Terkuma, 5. Benjamin Terna Adura.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.To propagate Christianity and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. To foster unity among members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: Gbev Sonia Erdoo,Attorney.

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

The Unretired General: Tribute to IBB at 75

By Mahmud Abdullahi “Because there is so much work left undone, we doubt whether any of us can afford to be in retirement, in the real sense.

For as long as our people are held hostage by ancient fears and avoidable calamities, we cannot afford to be indifferent.”

- General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida

N

o one can accuse General Ibrahim Badamsi Babangida of being indifferent. He said once that as a soldier, one must try to dominate his environment. Well, no one has dominated the Nigerian political landscape like the grin toothy General.

Years ago when he announced that he was no longer interested in contesting elections, some people said the man has reached his limits. They were quick to write his political obituary. Those armchair critics cackled about clipping the wings of the eagle, and celebrated what some publications called the end of an era.

They celebrated too soon. They made all the wrong assumptions. They assumed that IBB must be in power in order to matter. They forgot that he had been out of office for decades and yet his influence continued to grow. They also assumed that when a man like Babangidawithdraws from a contest like that it must only be because he knew it was all over for him. They forgot that a well-trained armoured General may sometimes make tactical withdrawals. It is not fighting every battle that ennobles a warrior. It is winning the war. Life is a marathon afterall, not the hundred metre dash.

One of the reasons why the general has

dominated our polity and psyche for so long is because he does not fight the battles the press or anyone chooses for him. He is so completely self-assured and in such control of his own mind that he alone, eventually decides what is worth fighting for and what is not. He is nobody’s foot-soldier.

A word of advice for anyone who wants to analyse IBB: he does not take your bait.

He is not a gambler. I know that it is corny to say that of a man who has participated in more coups in Nigeria than anyone living, but there it is. He is a very meticulous, methodical and cerebral person and he does not rush into anything. If a man knows how to weigh his options, then Babangida is the man.

People get confused sometimes and say the man was not straight-forward and that is why they call him Maradona.

The truth is that everyone expects IBB to look at things their own way and he is too polite to tell them otherwise. He understands how important it is for people to ventilate themselves as proof of their own importance. The problem is too often, they mistake a polite smile, a listening ear and a few chuckles for acquiescence.

Someone once said ‘the child is the father of the man’ well, you can’t understand Babangida, the man, if you don’t know Ibrahim, the child. He became an orphan so early that he grew up too quickly. In 1954 when he was a mere child about to begin elementary school, his father told him he (Ibrahim) would be very popular. He never forgot that, perhaps because barely a year later the man died.

At a very young age therefore, he had to make survival his watchword. And nowhere do you get survival training like the Army.

Although he wanted to be an engineer, the stories of his seniors like Mohammed Inuwa Wushishiwho had joined the Army earlier right after school captivated him. So when Ibrahim TakoGaladima an indigene of Niger State and the Minister for the Army came to recruit soldiers, Ibrahim Babangida was quick to sign up for the Officer Cadets Training Programme at the Nigerian Military Training College, Kaduna. Later he trained in india and the Royal AmouredCentre Bovington, UK. He was so good that they called him back for the instructor’s course in armoured vehicle driving and maintenance. His love for the Armoured Corps was solidified and in February, 1976 this love was to bring him lasting fame when he took an armoured vehicle to Radio House to quash the Dimka coup.

IBB has phenomenal memory.

He remembers nearly everything and everybody. Little, unimportant incidents stick to his mind like tick and he picks them up when he needs them. Professor Jibril Aminu who was a Minister in his cabinet confessed; “I am always amazed at the number of people he knows and the number of people who know him well. I always got surprise when I had appointments to make and made some recommendations. He picks up very odd names from the corner that I think he would not know and he will say; “Oh! That one! What is he doing now?”

And I will ask “why now?” And he will say “he was doing so, so and so.”

Babangida knew so many people because all his life he has been opening social window with people. He studied them, honoured them, helped them, taught them, led them and some haveeven

said, used them. He was an expert in the psychology of the Nigerian. He understood how people think, and the bizarre conclusions that sometimes attend such thoughts. In the past, he had been heard to lament the intellectual laziness of his fellow countrymen.

It has been said that no Nigerian leader had ever prepared for the job with the same devotion, the same single minded attention like General Babangida. He didn’t just want the job, he worked for it. By his own admission, he had been involved in every coup in this country since he got involved in the planning and execution of the 1975 coup that ousted General Gowon.

As he rose in the Army, he trained his mind. He read books on politics, government, economics,psychology, philosophy, history, mythodology, biographies, tactics, revolutions, diplomacy, and even foreign relations.

According to Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi “Babangida may, perhaps be the first Nigerian George Marshall that we have as Head of State; the intellectual-soldier.

Over the eight years before becoming Head of State, he made several speeches with foreign policy implications. He is a man who has his own image of the World and where Nigeria fits in.”

On Tuesday, August 27,1985, General Ibrahim Babangida took over the reign of power from General Muhammadu Buhari and set out to re-engineer the country according to his image.

Mahmud Abdullahi, a Public Policy Analyst writes in from Minna.

Inter religious harmony for national development

Inter religious harmony for national development

By Tufa Arasu

W

ith the economic downturn, infrastructural malaise and other challenges facing the country at this material time, religious disharmony has remained a difficult hurdle holding us back from collectively and constructively forging a path out of our unfortunate predicaments. Nigeria’s need for a religious rebirth should thus be seen as a goldmine that must be given the seriousness it deserves.

Building a religiously intelligible society where religion shall not be used by those who see it as a potent tool for divide and rule is one of the effective answers to some of the maladies being experienced in this country. Though it may seem unattainable given the present realities, however, reverse is the case since once upon a time it was practiced in this country.

At this writer’s present age of above 40, there was a time in this country when religion was practiced for the sake of harmony. Back then, the two major religions co-existed with mutual respect in a national brotherhood where the prestige of an individual was weighed against how industrious and well-mannered they were within their communities. What did our fathers do right to have enjoyed this feat in national integration?

Let me here give a brief insight to what I mean by religious harmony and national integration during my childhood years. This writer recollects that as we were growing up, the only difference we knew that existed between Christians and Muslims in my community was that on Sundays, we must leave our Muslim friends for some hours in order to attend Church service while they eagerly await our return. Whereas on the part of our Muslims friends, they must proceed to their makarantan allo (today referred to as Islamiyya school) in the evenings thus making us suspend play time.

I recall that whenever we went to church and to Sunday school, our Muslim friends became time

keepers, monitoring by the minute; awaiting our arrival. As for us Christians, sometimes even their Qur’anic school does not keep us apart because of its informal setting and we would hang around waiting for them to take their lessons so that we all rush home to continue playing together. It got to an extent that some of us could recite some Qur’anic verses simply from accompanying them and our parents were not scared of our being Islamized.

I also recall with nostalgia how during Christmas and the Eids, a stranger in our community will not be able to differentiate a Muslim child from a Christian’s among us. They used to wear their newest cloths and we would all go out for Christmas outings jumping and playing innocently. It was the same during Sallah festivals.

In fact, we used to await religious festivities with an eagerness in order to wear new cloths and planning on where next to go for the celebrations.

Our advantage was that we had more religious festivals to enjoy and our parents did not stop us. Ramadan was one time we cherished because of the customary tashe that we used to engage in from the 10th of Ramadan. It is a night-time entertainment concert carried out mostly by children and few adults who visit people’s homes singing and dancing in return for cash. At the end of the tashe period, we would break our piggy bank and share out whatever amount we were able to raise.

How did we allow all this to change? How did we end up depriving our children the kind of childhood our parents allowed us to enjoy and instead raised them with fear, insecurity and mutual suspicion? Our societies have been torn apart by marauders wearing the garb of religious custodians. Unfortunately, many Nigerians fail to see them for what they really are; wicked opportunists; instead rush gullibly to their defense in the name of religious solidarity. We have turned the concept of religion into a rivalry and

competition where the winner takes the glory. The question is, has there been a winner so far or losers with unquantifiable losses of lives and properties?

Is this what religion is supposed to represent?

From my modest understanding of logic of religion, it is supposed to be like a personal philosophy guiding adherents to a higher moral pedestal of existence such that, even in primitiveness, man shall enjoy self and community well-being; against beastly inclinations. Religion should be a fundamental ground for moral decency and national growth where man should be able to lift his fellow man up when he is down and not the other way round. This, in fact, is similar to that style of living we enjoyed during our childhood. This was the kind of religious teaching we received in the past because this is what the Prophets taught. And nothing has changed from the messages the Prophets bequeathed to the world except for the crooked misinterpretations by some of their misguided preachers who turned this doctrine on its head by promoting the direct opposite.

Truth is, most of our new generation preachers are nothing but shrewd communal politicians and business men who disguise as clerics to misguide and misuse the ignorant poor and desperate among their followers for the clerics’ egotistic ends. By politicians here, I do not mean those who stand on the podium seeking for our votes.

Politicians here refer to those cowardly community leaders who mobilize irate youth to settle their personal, ethnic or commercial scores for them in the name of religion. Unfortunately, it is these same poor followers of theirs that suffer the most in the face of any form of violence. But for naivety of most of these followers, how many times have the families of these so called clerics suffered in the face of communal conflicts? Unless the poor and ignorant flocks among the people begin to search for the truth on their own instead of waiting to be fed with all sorts of gospel and da’awah from their

politically disguised clerics, Nigeria may yet enjoy the benefits of a religiously harmonious society.

Government on its part should not fold its arm and leave religious practices without regulations.

This is foolhardy bearing in mind the level of damage this stance has caused the country so far. Indeed, government must step up effort to monitor and regulate religious activities including preaching, purchases, locations of physical structures and what are stored therein. While surfing the internet, I stumbled on an Indonesian religious regulatory document and found it both interesting and worth emulating.

The Indonesian constitutionally recognized religious regulation declaration took off with the establishment of a ministry of religious affairs way back in 1947 whose responsibility was to promote religious harmony in diversity. Since then, its boundaries have grown to include monitoring and restricting any volatile religious activity capable of inciting rivalry not to talk of violence. Some major steps taken to ensure this include a bill in 1965 on prevention of religious abuse or desecration.

This was followed by a directive from the office of the then head of government stipulating that invitations to join any religion should be extended only to those who were not already adherents of any particular religion be it Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism etc. To that effect and for the sake of national stability, government banned coaxing into conversion from one religion to another whether through distribution of pamphlets, money, clothes and newsletters whether on the streets or house to house of religious faithfuls with the intention of persuading religious conversion. Foreign aids to religious bodies were also regulated while government worked in tandem with NGOs in implementing its policies.

Arasu is Dean, Collective of Patriots (CoP), writing from Abuja

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Comment

AMCON: Building investor confidence to retool economy

By Richard Owolabi

L

ast week President Buhari convened the meeting of his economic think tank, the Economic Management Team (EMT), chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. Top on the team’s agenda was how to bring out the economy out of recession and promptly restore growth.

Some of the key suggestions made by the body of experts include massive infrastructural spending, with active participation of the private sector and increase in supply of foreign exchange (Forex) to the market.

The massive participation of the private sector in infrastructural development ultimately means more borrowing from banks and other financial institutions to finance the capital projects. On the other hand, supplying of more Forex will attract more foreign investments. In both cases, Nigeria needs to prove that it has the requisite institutions and frameworks to safeguard investors’ funds. In other words, we need to make the point that Nigeria is a place to invest in.

In searching for ways to breed such investor confidence, Nigeria is looking in the directions of two institutions and their operational frameworks --the Debt Management Office (DMO) and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). The two have offered innovative ideas to the federal government on how to address its debt profile.

With the establishment of the DMO in 2000, government’s public debt management functions have been streamlined into a single, semi-autonomous agency with responsibilities of keeping accurate record of the public debt, servicing and advising government on new borrowings among others.

On the other hand, AMCON was created in 2010 to be a stabilizing and re-vitalizing tool to revive the financial system suffering

from the loan risk exposure of some of our banks. AMCON’s acquisition of about 13,774 Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) worth N3.6 trillion from 22 commercial banks saved our banks from systemic collapse, while its provision of financial accommodation of N 2.2billion protected about N 4.7trillion of depositors’ funds and interbank takings as well as saved approximately 14,000 jobs.

These interventions have indeed assured depositors and shareholders/ investors of the Federal Government’s determination to save their deposits and protect their investments.

AMCON is trying to build confidence in investors that in Nigeria, to the extent that no one will work into bank, take loan and just walk away without repaying. The point is that some people invested their money through taking share of the banks to pool the resources that are available for borrowing by those in need of capital financing.

Overcoming Nigeria’s economic malady requires measures that will stimulate growth once again. Stimulating growth means reversing the consistent negative growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It means reducing the level of nonperforming loans (NPLs) among the banks.

All of these will only happen if we are able to attract investors back into the country.

And for investors to come back they need assurances expressed not by word of mouth but by clearer and sustained policies, robust institutions and frameworks that are there to guarantee their investment.

Investors are still interested in bountiful return on investment once the enabling environment improves. One investment manager has this to say about Nigeria’s market: “Where else do you get a population and habit of people who spend? Nigerians naturally spend even in scarcity and will not require government incentive to spend.”

What AMCON is doing is quite reassuring to investors. It is debt management in action.

And good debt management is essential, in

modern times, to economic development.

Some of the milestones that AMCON has achieved in building investor confidence include bond issuance and redemption, takeover/management of bridged banks and full divestment from two of the banks (Enterprise and Mainstreet). Others are value enhanced exit strategy through seeking partnerships with investors to revive failing companies within AMCON’s portfolio, including the AMCON/Duet Equity partnership for a USD$600million fund for financing FMCG companies in Nigeria.

Similarly, AMCON’s intervention in Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN), a leading automobile manufacturer in the country, also saved a lot of jobs and guaranteed business continuity. AMCON also stabilized the aviation sector through key strategic interventions in some of them that were experiencing distress. These measures are what build investor confidence in a country. AMCON is not only building investor confidence in our economy it is also demonstrating further that the idea of AMCON is working. We can discern this from its ability to repay coupon on Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) totaling N241.7 billion ($1.2 billion) and also repaid interest on CBN debenture totaling N15billion ($76.3 million).

All these achievements are happening under the present AMCON management led by its amiable MD/CEO, Ahmed Kuru. The humility he brought to bear on the conduct of his business of debt recovery endears him to both the obligors and the people working with him to bring about these fantastic results. Debtors who come forward to negotiate their terms of settlement can attest to this singular act of respect and courteous disposition. This is not surprising for a chief executive who believes he is there to support businesses to succeed so that they can be able to meet their obligations.

He is guided by the notion that AMCON was neither set up to make profit within

a 10-year lifespan, nor to kill businesses, but to deliver a social benefit of saving the economy and businesses from bad debts.

Only recently, Mr. Kuru revealed that AMCON has successfully settled over 56 percent of the total N3.7 trillion (about N2.072 trillion) bad debts it had to manage from various individuals, groups and organisations in the country. He further revealed that the agency also succeeded in recovering over N644 billion. Even though the MD clarified that the settled cases did not translate into actual money in the government’s purse, it was sufficient pointer that AMCON was already on its way to meeting its objective of protecting the country’s economy and removing bad debts in the financial system.

Beyond Nigeria, AMCON is on its way to becoming a role model for other African nations with similar problems of NPLs. AMCON, in the last few years, has demonstrated fiscal discipline and expertise in debt accounting and loan auditing, the kinds of skills needed to manage debt profile that many African countries can leverage.

While AMCON is striving to demonstrate vigilance on debt recovery, Ahmed Kuru and his team must not lose sight of the fact that that debt recovery takes time, especially in the context of a weak and debilitating economic environment, such as Nigeria is currently passing through.

The race for debt recovery must be seen as a marathon not sprint dash.

Complete success on debt recovery will be achieved faster and with fewer hassles when Government introduces policies that support growth and measures that reflate the economy, including those that improve the value ofour local currency and address inflationary trends.

This is a piece of advice that the EMT experts must offer the government.

Owolabi contributed this piece from Lagos.

Say no to Nuclear Energy in Nigeria

By Arese Carrington

I

read an article on April 26, 2016, in a Nigerian newspaper, entitled, “Nuclear power not safe for Nigeria” authored by Senator Shehu Sani. I hope his voice will not be a lone voice on this issue while the citizens he is trying to protect look on. Although I don’t live in Nigeria, it is my native land and I love my native land, the people are my people and thus their predicament my concern.

Despite the efficiency of the Japanese government and its people, their advancement in technology and history of excellent disaster management preparedness, the nuclear disaster in Japan is proving to be one of the worst nuclear disasters, since Chernobyl.

History is the study of the present and the past to project into the future.

Nigeria’s history of disaster management or maintenance culture in the past and the present leaves much to be desired of, so how can it want to project into a future of nuclear energy with all the attendant risk?

It does not take an expert in nuclear energy to be able to state basic obvious facts that are glaring. Any major accident involving radiation leaks from nuclear energy can lead to a disaster of catastrophic proportion that could lead to thousands of death, long term health problems, spikes in cancer incidents and birth defects. The devastation of a nuclear disaster in a highly populated country like Nigeria will send shock waves around the world. A breach in the nuclear containers of a nuclear reactor or a nuclear meltdown will

release nuclear materials into the atmosphere and ground and could literally obliterate parts of the country and turn them into waste lands and “ghost lands”.

No matter how prepared even the extremely prepared and efficient countries are, in a case of a nuclear disaster, they can only try to mitigate the damage, so what chance would Nigeria have if a nuclear meltdown were to occur in the country? Even if the argument is that the likelihood of a nuclear disaster is minuscule, should Nigeria of today, the way it is, subject its people to that risk? The risk outweighs the benefit.

Thirty years on, the Chernobyl disaster is still vivid in our minds and the impacts of the damaging effects are still being felt. Was it not in Koko, Delta State that someone shipped in containers of nuclear waste some years ago?

Countries try to get rid of their radioactive waste, yet a Nigerian shipped it into his country and dumped it amongst his people. The community, struggling under their daily routine for survival, did not sense the imminent danger and instead opened up the containers, used them to collect water and for other domestic use.

By the time the government brought it to public knowledge, the people in the affected area of Koko had been exposed to radiation.

When scientists came with Geiger counters to measure the amount of radiation in the area and also on the people, a lot of them did not understand what was going on and had little understanding of the dangers of

nuclear radiation. Have the people of Koko been followed? Have longitudinal studies been done on their health status? Were children born in that area since the episode monitored? Is the soil in that area still being tested regularly or have the people of Koko been forgotten? These are but a few of the questions.

It took about 400 children to die before something was done about the lead poisoning saga in a rural community of Zamfara State.

Sadly, the Chibok girls are still missing. All they wanted was to get an education so they could carve out a better future for themselves and yet their country could not protect them.

Their safety could not be guaranteed against Boko Haram. What is the guarantee that these nuclear plants can be adequately protected?

The people deserve constant electricity but do not deserve to die for it. Which state and whose “backyard” are the nuclear power plants going to be built in? The people need to understand the imminent danger of a nuclear power plant being built in their “backyard”.

Constant electricity supply is important for economic development. The N2bn that has been allocated for nuclear plants in the 2016 budget should be used for safer methods of electricity generation.

Nigeria is blessed with sunshine; it can invest in solar energy. It has vast areas of empty flat land so it can invest in wind energy by using turbines. It has valleys and lakes thus, it can invest in hydro electric power by building dams. Kainji dam is one of the longest dams in the world. Was the dam

ever maintained? Are all the hydroelectric turbines working? Even if the dam is drying up, additional new hydroelectric dams can be built. Hydroelectric power stations if properly maintained can be a relative inexpensive source of power supply. There are a lot of hydroelectric power stations around the world today. Sun, wind and water, these are all safer renewable sources of energy.

Nuclear power is not a child’s play and even the developed and prepared countries have seen that.

The birth of a child is a time of great rejoicing, yet what type of country are we bringing that child into? Is the planet being sustained for future generations?

As a country, do we plan a future for that child? No matter their socio-economic status, is the child assured of basic human rights such as health, education and shelter? Will they be able to get a job or have the ability to generate income when they grow up? It seems that sayings like “A good name is better than riches” and “honesty is the best policy” have gone down the drain in Nigeria. The country needs good governance, accountability, honest people that are truly vested in the people. The future of the country must not be discounted. What have we chosen to do with the truth? As a nation and as individual, we must begin to speak the truth because the truth shall set the nation free.

Dr Carrington is an international public health consultant based in the United States of America.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

PAGE 14

News

Edo 2016: Widows get N1m from me monthly - Obaseki

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

C

andidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 10th governorship election in Edo state, Godwin Obaseki said 100 widows on his monthly payroll got N10, 000.00 each.

He said the adopted widows

were paid by him and his wife as their contribution towards reducing poverty level of vulnerable people in the state.

Obaseki, dropped the hint while responding to questions at an interactive session with members of Edo based Civil society groups yesterday in Benin City, the state Capital.

“The issue of widow is very disturbing to me and my wife.

We had decided to adopt a 100 of them we had to give 1,000. 00 per month”, pledging that he would introduce better palliative to support women folk, if elected to govern the state.

He also promised to initiate policies that would help to

discourage trafficking in persons and illegal migration and encourge them to participate in the governance structure.

Rev. David Ugolor who spoke on behalf of members of Civil society organisations, urged the Candidate to that will be no love lost between his government and the people.

Prof Iornem licensed to begin varsity in Benin Republic

By Hauwa Yusuf Musa

A

Nigerian Varsity don, Prof.

David Iornem, said he received a license from the Government of Benin Republic to establish a Private University.

Iornem gave the revelation yesterday in Abuja, during a chat with journalists.

He said the University which will begin in October is fully accredited by the Benin Republic Commission for Private Universities to run degree programmes in Business Administration.

Speaking on the choice of Benin for his institution, the varsity don said the country

made it conducive for private individuals to establish higher institutions.

“This is a common practice in Ghana, UK and other countries to reduce the number of people waiting for admission in universities.

“It is embarrassing for students who have university

entry qualification and cannot have a place to study”.

He blamed corruption for the problems in Nigeria’s education sector.

The former Senator, urged president Muhammadu Buhari to solve the problem in the education sector so as to make it easy for people to go to school.

L-R: Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Australian High Commissioner, Mr. Paul Lehmann; with Second Secretary and Consul, Mr. Kayzad Namdarian; during a visit to the Minister’s office, yesterday in Abuja

ITF trains 74,000 youths under NISDP, says DG From Umar Dankano, Yola

T

he Industrial Training Fund(ITF) said it is addressing the problem of youth unemployment in the country and has trained over 74,000 youths through its National Skills De-

velopment Programme(NISDP).

Acting Director General the organization, Dickson Onuoha,made the development known on Monday in Yola,Adamawa state capital while addressing 500 youths enrolled under the 5th phase of the NISDP three months

training programme in the state.

Onuoha who urged for more support for the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari for its commitment to rapid industrialization and economic diversification said the 5th phase of the training was

going on in 18 states including Adamawa.

He said that the trainees in Adamawa state would under go three months training in aluminum doors and windows construction, beads making and domestic electrification.

BEDC cautions consumers on alleged transformers’ overload, illegal connection From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

T

he authorities of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Asaba, Delta State yesterday cautioned consumers against frequent over load of transformers and illegal connection, saying that steps were ongoing to curb the act.

Mrs. Esther Okolie, Head of Public Relations of the company who spoke to journalists, urged consumers to pay their bills regularly to ensure steady power supply.

Her words: “Many transformers in town are over loaded through illegal connections by consumers, many of our installations are vandalized, many refused to pay up their bills and we need money to maintain the lines, consumers are not co-operating, they keep on shouting without reporting their challenges to our office”.

She identified persons with single face metres connecting three faces to their metres as major challenge, adding that such act puts pressure on the transformers and subsequently reduce the panels to damage and called on residents of Asaba and its environs to co-operate with BEDC to ensure sustained power supply.

She said: “We are looking at all issues particularly that of over billing and others affecting the supply of power, but I must appeal that while that is on electricity consumers should endeavor to pay something out of their bills so that it will be lighter for them to pay when necessary”.

While calling on BEDC to also provide consumers with pre-paid metres, the spokesman for Asaba residents, Mr. Michael Agwe, said for a long time, Asaba could not boast of regular power supply, adding some parts of the state have been groping in the dark.

In another development, the state has signed MoU with Bastanchury power stations Nigeria Limited for the establishment of 8.5 megawatts embedded power plant in Asaba to power state owned facilities and infrastructures.

Mr. Newworld Safagha, the Commissioner for Energy who told journalists yesterday in Asaba, expressed joy over the projects, adding that it will reduce serious challenges power generation in Asaba.

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

By Ahmed Abubakar

F

ollowing the imbroglio arising from divergent Federal High Court judgments on whether to hold or not the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention earlier scheduled to take place in Port Harcourt has been postponed for a year long.

The party which held an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting yesterday declared that it has Postponed election of officers to various national offices of the party.

PDP convention postponed till 2017 Care Taker C’mte tenure extended for a year This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary,

Prince Dayo Adeyeye that the NEC has also extended the tenure of the National Caretaker Committee till another National Convention

which is to be convened within the next 12 months.

It also approved the expansion

IBB remains significant in Nigeria politics -Saraki

l-r: former Governor of Abia, Sen. Theodore Orji;gov.

Nyesom Wike of Rivers and a member of the Publicity Committee on the PDP national convention,Mr Okey Aroh at a news conference, yesterday in Port Harcourt

By Ali Abare Abubakar

S

enate President, Bukola Saraki yesterday described former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, as one of the issues that continue to define the Nigerian polity, even at the age of 75 and 23 years after he left office.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, Saraki stated that the contributions of Babangida to the socio-economic development of the country remains legendary and are obvious across the landscape.

“From the political engineering that his administration introduced into the country which encouraged many young people, particularly, professionals, those in the private sector and Nigerians in the Diaspora, to join politics, to the two-party system which sought to eliminate ethnicity in politics and encourage manageable political platforms with national spread, the foot-prints of General Babangida remain visible everywhere.

“As a war hero who also participated in most of the military administrations that we had since independence and then transformed to a man who played a major role in the return of democracy in 1999 and the emergence of the first post-1999 Presidency for the purpose of forging national unity and healing past wounds, General Babangida remains a statesman and a visible decimal in the making of today’s Nigeria”, Saraki stated.

He added that Babangida will also be remembered by history as the one whose administration helped to realise the dreams of the Murtala/Obasanjo regime in moving the nation’s capital to Abuja.

“General Babangida remains a fascinating figure to me in his ability to build bridges across the country. His name continues to evoke support across the country among his numerous supporters while those who also do not like the policies of his government remain vociferous in their opposition to him.

of membership of the National Caretaker Committee from 7 to 13 members while the Repeat National Convention affirmed that all members of the National Caretaker Committee shall not contest or aspire for any national office in the next National Convention of the party.

The statement wished all delegates and other members journey mercies to their various destinations and urged members to continue working together with the National Caretaker Committee till a new National Convention holds in the next one year.

Don’t blame APC for PDP’s failed convention- Okupe From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

A

former Senior Special Assistant to former President, Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe has said that the ruling party is not be blamed over the inability of the PDP to hold its national convention.

Okupe made this statement via his official Facebook page yesterday, where he stated that the APC cannot and should not be blamed on the PDP political adversaries.

According to Okupe, “The failed

PDP convention cannot and should not be blamed on our political adversaries.

Rather the blame should rest squarely on the failure of internal conflict resolution machinery of the PDP, the surprising naivety and desperation of many to seize power and control the party, and the gullibility of majority of the followership, who have become entrenched in the cesspool of pervasive impunity of our leadership over the years.

“However it is commendable that the NEC threw sentiments aside and extended the tenure of the controversial

caretaker commuter by one year and allowed for future expansion of the membership of the committee.

“The import of this is that the party has now officially jettisoned the ‘Microwave strategy’, hitherto, employed by the leadership, and allowed for ample time to address all issues. By allowing for new inclusions into the members of the caretaker committee, the leadership obviously has made room for possible reasonable negotiation with the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff‘s group, which is inevitable and a political imperative, if the party must

remain united.

“Again, this is neither the time for victory songs nor a season for political vendetta. This is time for seeking lasting and honest peace, time to rebuild from current ashes of flames of the inferno, of political opportunism, greed, selfishness and blatant brigandage and impunity.

There may just be another chance to do it again especially now that our adversaries are burning their political access card,” Okupe said.

Zamfara assembly debunks corrupt allegations

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

T

he Zamfara state House of Assembly has dismissed allegations that Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar offered the 24 members the sum of 5.5 million naira each to have compromised their struggles in a bid to save democracy in the state.

Speaking with newsmen at the state complex of the assembly on Tuesday, the House Leader, Honourable Isa Abdulmumini while disputing the speculations said the recently mediation between the two arms of the government were meant to put corrections towards

enduring democracy in the state.

He further contended that, “The money been allocated to the Assembly which people were spreading baseless speculations upon, were the two months outstanding cash allocations owed by the state government legitimately to be used in running the affairs of the state House of Assembly”.

The House Leader informed that the mediation meeting which was eventually held recently between the legislative and executive arms which witnessed the intervention of esteemed politicians and traditional rulers from within and outside the state, agreed to entertain 17 conditions given to the governor

including frequent trips outside the state among others.

“It is pertinent for our people to remember that only one out of seventeen conditions given was in the interest of the members of the house of assembly, but all the sixteen demands were in obviously meant to protect the interest of the state”, the legislator stressed.

He further noted that, among other important issues were the governor’s refusal to entertain the order passed by the members of the House on the need to remove the SUBEB Chairman who currently is under trial by the court over misappropriation of public funds as filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission (EFCC).

The House Leader said it is quiet a convincing that all the seventeen conditions could not be solved over night, stressing further that, some of them have already started especially Cash Allocations to the MDA’s in the state, the development which was suspended for two years now.

“It is also important to inform the good people of the state that even members of the Judicial Service Commission were screened by the House after the receipt of approval for the exercise by the state governor, and this is also among the itching matters that raised the dust in the state”.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Politics

Senator representing Kaduna Central, Sen. Shehu Sani (M) speaking on NAN Forum. with him are panelists Mohammed Tola (l) and Olisanyem Ifeajika on wednesday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

PDP will not die before 2019- Makarfi, Agbaje From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

S

takeholders and party faithful of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Party lead by its Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of Peoples Democratic Party, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, have vowed to ensure the party survives its current political turbulence before the 2019 general election.

Speaking in Port Harcourt yesterday while declaring open a “non-elective convention” of the party, Makarfi, whose committee’s tenure was extended by 12 months at the “convention” held at PDP’s Aba Road Secretariat, alleged that some members of the ruling party in the country were bent on seeing the fall of PDP before 2019.

“Our democracy is under a huge threat; I urge the APC-led government to concentrate on governance and delivering of good service to the nation.

“The country already has enough problems facing it; politicians should not add to the country’s problems by pursuing their selfish intentions,” he said.

He urged politicians in the country to indulge in activities that would protect the nation’s democracy.

He said politicians would have failed the country if they refused to support

institutions that would strengthen its democracy.

The “non-elective convention” held at the party secretariat was in place of a full national convention scheduled to hold at the Sharks Stadium but was truncated.

The police had earlier sealed the venue of the convention and blocked all entrances to the stadium in the early hours of Wednesday, citing compliance with court order stopping the event as reason for the action.

Delegates, including governors, member of Board of Trustees (BoT) and other top members of the party, were denied access to the venue.

“When politicians make the growth of democracy their concern, then, the nation’s democracy will begin to yield positive results.

“What we have is a situation where politicians are making efforts to destroy institutions of democracy for selfish interests,” Makarfi said.

Also a candidate for the party`s national chairman position, in the aborted convention, Mr Jimi Agbaje, added that the party would remain alive in spite of internal problems.

“The PDP is definitely not going to die.

The PDP is going to fight for its staying

alive,” he said.

According to him, “You can see that what has happened here today has the hand of the ruling party, APC. The ruling party does not want opposition in the country.

“Our party, maintained democracy in Nigeria but as you can see today, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not interested in democracy” Agbaje noted.

Agbaje, a governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos for the 2015 election, also said that he was optimistic that before the end of the year, the party would bounce back stronger and more united.

“I’m sure that within the year, we will be very much stronger,” he said.

Agbaje said that members would keep the party alive, being the main platform for the opposition in the country.

He said the decision of delegates to extend the tenure of the Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee was a good option aimed at keeping the party stronger.

“It is obvious that from the situation we found ourselves, we must keep the PDP alive. It is the still the veritable platform for the opposition.

“So, the best option is what we have taken, which is to extend the life of the caretaker committee, to expand it as we

have decided and to give room for whatever litigation,” he said.

According to him, members believe that at the end of the day, the truth will prevail because the majority will have their way.

In his contribution, Minority Leader of the Senate, Chief Goodwill Akpabio, assured the party of the support of its members in the senate.

“In the senate, we are together in one voice, and we are in support of this convention; this is because we have a goal and target of producing the president in 2019.

“Our party will remain strong not minding the efforts of some enemies to stop the convention; the party will continue to move forward,” he said.

On his part, Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Mr Leo Ogor, said that the holding of the convention became necessary in order to uphold the tenets of democracy.

He said the PDP caucus in the National Assembly would do everything within its powers to ensure a united and vibrant party.

“I assure you that our members in the national assembly are solidly behind this convention and the decisions from it,” he said.

Port Harcourt PDP convention, NEC meetings are void-Sheriff

By Ahmed Abubakar

T

he embattled former National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has described the purported NEC meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said to have taken place in Port Harcourt as illegal, null and void.

Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff who spoke through his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Inuwa Bwala declared the said

meeting as having breached section 31 sub section 4 of the PDP constitution.

The section provides that it is only the National Chairman who can convene a NEC, after giving two weeks’ notice to INEC. Even in an emergency situation, one week notice must be given to the National Chairman, who has the sole responsibility to convene the NEC. It is sad, Sheriff said, that, in the face of obvious

disregard to court orders, which halted the convention, some individuals are bent on perpetrating impunity by taking steps to install another contraption on the PDP. Sheriff stated that the rule of law and constitutionality must prevail in all circumstances, as such whatever decisions arrived at, is not binding and cannot stand in law.

He also described as illegal the purported extension of the tenure of the Ahmed Makarfi led Caretaker Committee.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

A

s the leadership tussle of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lingers, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday reaffirmed the removal of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the chairman of the party.

The court, which was presided over by Justice Nwamaka Ogbonnaya, reaffirmed the sack on the ground that the judgment of Justice Valentine Ashi, which nullified his appointment on June 29 has not been set aside or vacated and is therefore subsisting.

The court further held that all actions taken by Sen Sheriff are null, void and of no effect since the earlier order of Justice Ashi

Politics

Court affirms Sheriff’s removal as PDP National Chairman remains binding.

The court restrained Sen. Sheriff from further parading himself as the National Chairman of the PDP. Justice Ashi had in his judgment nullified the 2014 PDP Constitution amendment upon which Senator Sheriff is said to have been appointed as PDP Chairman.

The court described the

amendment of the party’s constitution as illegal and a violation of the Electoral Act and, therefore, declared all actions carried out with the document including anybody parading himself or herself as officer of the party as illegal.

The leadership of the party has been faced with series of court orders after the controversial Port Harcourt National Convention

which gave birth to the Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee.

Senator Sheriff had challenged the legality of the Caretaker Committee, insisting he is the rightful leader of the party.

However, the court voided the said amendment on the basis that there was no compliance with mandatory provisions of Article 66 (2) and (3) of the PDP constitution.

“By reason of the above, the

purported amendments introduced to the constitution on the aforesaid dates, are hereby set-aside.

“All persons, individuals, servants or agents of PDP parading themselves as national officers of the PDP pursuant to the purported amendment which has now been nullified are hereby restrained from further parading themselves in these capacities “, Justice Ashi said.

l-r: Aidonogie of South Ibie, Aliyu Danesi, praying for the goverorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Godwin Obaseki, during the visit of the candidate to his palace on Tuesday in Ibie Edo State

Edo Guber: Court joins PDP in case filed by Ize-Iyamu

A

n Abuja High Court has joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a defendant in a suit filed by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, an Edo State PDP governorship aspirant.

Ize-Iyamu is the candidate chosen by a faction of the PDP led

by Sen Ahmed Makarfi to contest in the Sept 10 governorship election.

He had earlier filed a suit

challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) alleged attempt to substitute him with another candidate.

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, the presiding judge granted IzeIyamu’s application by joining PDP as the defendant in the suit.

Adeniyi said that there was merit in the application that requested that PDP be joined in

the suit.

He ordered Ize-Iyamu’s Counsel, Mr Chidi Aninwoya, to include the PDP in his briefs as the 2nd defendant in the suit.

Adeniyi adjourned till Aug. 17 to rule on the application by Mr Matthew Iduoriyekemwen’s, who was chosen by the Ali Sherif’s faction of the party, seeking to be joined in the suit.

Aninwoya, earlier urged the

court to refuse Iduoriyekemwem’s application seeking to be joined in the suit.

He said that Iduoriyekemwem was not a necessary applicant in the suit as presently constituted.

Mr Ajibola Oluyede, Counsel to Iduoriyekemwem, told the court that it was important that his client be brought into the matter because they could be affected later on.

Oluyede told the court that IzeIyamu had conceded that there are disputes in the reliefs sought in his originating summons.

“They conceded that there is something to fight over,’’ Oluyede said.

The INEC’s counsel, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, did not oppose the application that joined PDP in the suit. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Politics

No history of inconclusive poll in Edo - Oshiomhole

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

E

do state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole yesterday urged Principal actors involved in the conduct of September 10th 2016 election in the state, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission not to avoid inconclusive election.

Peoples Democratic Party had challenged the alleged lackluster of security agencies and INEC under the present leadership in some states, resulting to inconclusive elections.

Oshiomhole made the assertion yesterday during a visit to him by the Assistant InspectorGeneral in charge of Zone 5, Benin City, Mr. Adeyinka Sodipo in Benin City, the state

Capital.

He charged the police to provide a levelplaying field for all parties to ensure a credible electoral exercise, alleging that PDP may have concluded plans to bring suspected thugs from neighbouring states to cause violence during the poll.

“The state has had no history of inconclusive

election since 1999, insisting that the statement credited to the opposition party is indicative of their plan to disrupt the exercise and make it inconclusive.

In his address, the AIG Zone 5, Mr Sodipo, admitted that the tasked ahead of him, was enormous, especially in the Niger Delta and the State.

Edo Guber: Sheriff’s candidate set to flag off campaign

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

P

ro-Ali-Modu Sheriff candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the September 10 governorship election in Edo state, Matthew Iduorikemwen, yesterday disclosed plans to flag off campaign.

He however brushed aside the exclusion of his name on the Independent National Electoral Commission which recognised Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as PDP Candidate in the forthcoming election.

Addressing party supporters in Benin City, Iduoriyekemwen, accused the leadership of

INEC for glaringly displaying partisanship roles ahead of the election which is been contested by 19 political parties.

“We are going to have a rally very soon whether INEC choose to use the wrong candidate on their list, it is left for them.

“I want to say that the PDP as a political party is campaigning. I am campaigning. I believe in the Yoruba style of campaign which is door-todoor”, he said.

The former Majority Leader of Edo state assembly and former Commissioner representing the state on the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission, cited relevant

sections in the electoral laws (as amended), which stripped INEC the statutory powers to participate in the conduct of political parties primaries.

He blamed the dwindling fortunes of the party in the state on the waning popularity ratings of Osagie Ize-Iyamu, which he claimed accounted for the recent gale of defection of prominent members of PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state.

He also paid tribute to the tenacity of AliModu Sheriff for standing on the side of the people and for not allowing impunity to rein in PDP, debunking claims which suggest “that the PDP has fallen apart”.

He further threatened to seek further redress in court if INEC fails to do the right thing before the election and appealed to eligible voters in the state not to be deterred by the antics of “desperate people who want to be in government without putting into consideration the welfare of the people”.

According to him, “when the people are not satisfied with the roles they are playing, I believe the judiciary would intervene”.

It was learnt that as at the time of filing this report, Matthew Iduorikemwen had proceeded on a meeting with members of his campaign organisation at an undisclosed location in Benin.

Edo Guber: My certificates on transit from America - Obaseki From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

T

he controversy surrounding the alleged missing original certificate of candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the September 10 governorship election in Edo state, Godwin Obaseki, appears to have been laid to rest.

This followed the disclosure by Obaseki yesterday that his missing certificates have been found by his cousin in the United States of America whom he claimed had equally been directed to send them to him.

He made the revelation while responding to questions at an interactive session with members of Edo based civil society groups yesterday in Benin City, the state capital.

The theme of the programme was “need for governorship Candidates to effectively promote their programme to Edo people”.

The APC candidate expressed surprise why his political opponents had to make a campaign issue out of his missing documents which he claimed were kept in a suit case in the US. The state chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, Dan Orbih had on Monday raised the red flag, accusing the APC candidate, Godwin Obaseki in the forthcoming election of negligence and unfit to manage the affairs of the state.

According to him, “the good news is that I found my certificates. Unfortunately, I have not make use of them to apply for any job in the last 20 years. So my certificates were locked up somewhere in a box.

“So, when this whole controversy started raging, my Cousin in US, called me and said he read about it and said your documents are here and I told him, please send them to me”, he said.

Peoples Daily recalls that Mr. Greg Ogiogua, Deputy Director, Communication, Media and Publicity to Godwin Obaseki Campaign Organisation, in a response, confirmed that the candidate deposed to affidavit before an Abuja High Court.

The executive director, African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Rev. David Ugolor, earlier in an address, said the purpose of the forum was not to endorse any candidate for the election.

Member of the House ofRepresentatives’ Committee on the Internally Displaced Persons IDPs Hajiya Aishatu Dukku (2nd left) and some Displayed Persons, during her working visit to Damboa Camp, yesterday in Borno

AMAC creates skill acquisition entre

By Paul Efiong

D

espite the ongoing economic crises in the country, the Abuja Municipal Area Council(AMAC) says its has created several Skills and Vocational Training, Empowerment Centre for the less privileged and the

unemployed graduates in some selected Constituencies within the council.

Speaking with this medium yesterday in an exclusive interview, the Secretary of the Council, Honorable Adamu Halidu explained that though the council is having a rough time because cash crush, it has managed to initiate and

complete several people oriented projects that is bill for commission during hundred days in office celebration.

The council according to the secretary has also cleared backlog of salary owed workers by the previous PDPled administration stating that the first thing they did as new government upon assumption

of office was to forfeit their one month salary for the council staff.

While calling for patients and understanding among the electorates also reminded them of the need for prayers on behalf of leaders in the council in order for them to deliver basic democracy dividend all in AMAC

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

L-R; Special Assistant on Creative Arts to the Governor of Kaduna State, Hajiya Halima Idris (middle), during a tour of Panteka Market with her is an executive of the market’s association, yesterday in Kaduna.

Photo: BASHIR BELLO

By Etuka Sunday

C

entral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday debunked the rumour making rounds that it has liquidated Skye Bank.

The apex bank therefore, urged customers of Skye bank to disregard such rumour, saying there was no time it took any decision to liquidate Skye Bank or any other Deposit Money Bank in the country.

A statement by the Ag. Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Isaac Okorafor said, “the attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to the content of a malicious message urging customers of Skye Bank to withdraw their deposits or transfer them to other banks based on the vile allegation that Skye Bank has been liquidated by the CBN. “The CBN wishes to state, and emphatically so, that it has not liquidated Skye Bank or any other Deposit Money Bank for that matter.

“The Bank also wishes to reiterate its earlier assurance that Skye Bank is not in distress and remains a healthy bank in the Nigerian banking system.

Skye Bank is neither distressed nor liquidated-CBN “Indeed, the health of the Nigerian banking system remains strong, all banks in Nigeria are safe and depositors have no cause to fear over their deposits.

“While it will be recalled that Skye Bank

had corporate governance challenges, the CBN has since taken proactive steps to resolve the issues identified.

“Indeed, the CBN is satisfied with the efforts of the new Management to reposition

Skye Bank for effective service delivery.

“Accordingly, customers of Skye Bank and other stakeholders are advised to disregard any message purporting a liquidation of the bank,” the statement said.

PTDF to establish National Coordination Centre for Biofuels, Renewable Energies

By Etuka Sunday

P

etroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) yesterday disclosed its plans to establish a National Coordination Centre for Research and Development on Biofuels and other Alternative Energy Sources to be domiciled at the National Institute of Petroleum Policy and Strategy (NIPPS), Kaduna.

The Executive Secretary, PTDF, Aminu Ahmed Galadima made the disclosure on the occasion of the Peer Review Programme for the 2014/2015 Cycle on Annual Oil and Gas Research Grant Competition held at the Fund’s Towers in Abuja.

Galadima said, in response to the global drive for environmentfriendly source of energy, the Fund will sponsor more research on the production of biofuels and biogas from non-edible fruits.

“The recent discovery of oil in Lagos and Chad. Basin has brightened prospects of oil discovery in the Nigerian sedimentary basins.

This has potential to boost the Nation’s oil reserve. In response to the global drive for environment-friendly source of energy, the Fund will sponsor more research on the production of biofuels and biogas from non-edible fruits. Resources have been committed in this area

and I am glad to inform you that the result has been positive and encouraging although more work needs to be done.

“I am reliably informed that efforts are being intensified to have this biofuel production on a commercial scale in the next research cycle. Talking about Renewable Energies and Biofuels production, let me seize this opportunity to reveal our plans to establish a National Coordination Centre for Research and Development on Biofuels and other Alternative Energy Sources to be domiciled at the National Institute of Petroleum Policy and Strategy (NIPPS), Kaduna,” he said.

He therefore, appealed to all National and International Oil companies to kindly cooperate with Nigerian Researchers by providing them with relevant data, monetary and material assistance and platforms to showcase the products of research for sustainable growth and development of the Nigerian economy. This, he said, would empower and encourage them to contribute more towards solving specific industry problems and thus promote spin-off of industries for rapid job creation and knowledge transfer in-country.

The PTDF boss said, the Annual Oil and Gas Research Grant Competition was aimed at fulfilling the mandate of the Fund to develop indigenous manpower and domicile oil and gas technology in

Nigeria through effective engagement of local researchers in solving petroleum industry problems. This he said had proved to be the appropriate solution to the challenges of the industry,adding, that useful research results with high potentials for gaining intellectual property rights and patents are key performance indicators of the program.

He said, “this year’s close-out session is a celebration of excellence and success stories. Six (6) outstanding researchers are being peer reviewed, while two others will be concluded in this exercise.

These researchers are commercially viable and good candidates for patenting. The Fund has put in place actions to file for intellectual property rights and patency at the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investments.

“The various research teams have really done excellent works and I will like to seize this opportunity to commend their tireless efforts and exceptional display of high sense of duty and professionalism in the midst of various challenges experienced in the course of the projects. We are determined to improve on our previous achievements as adequate mechanisms have been put in place for the award of the 2015/2016 research grant.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Business Nigeria’s Power, Finance and Energy Investors to meet, October in Abuja

By Etuka Sunday with agency report

L

eading development finance institutions and heads of Nigeria’s most accomplished energy companies will meet with national government at EnergyNet’s Powering Africa: Nigeria Investment Summit, taking place in Abuja from 12-14 October 2016.

Over 50 public and private sector decision makers will address 300 power developers and investors to discuss the

driving factors behind power development in Nigeria.

The investment summit will underpin Nigeria as a hub for regional gas development as well as an important market for clean and renewable energy.

Key themes of the conference include how to diversify Nigeria’s energy mix, regulation policy to promote international investment in renewables, and examining Nigeria’s off grid energy marketpromoting energy access for everyone.

This meeting follows

EnergyNet’s recently concluded 18th Africa Energy Forum (AEF) in London this June, which welcomed 2,200 vetted investors from the Americas, Europe and Asia, and government representatives from 30 African countries.

Major deals were signed at the meeting including a merger between Harith General Partners and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), KFW’s US$150 million 15 year loan facility to AFC, Access Power’s US$7 million award to three renewable developers,

Mainstream’s US$117.5 million Africa Clean Energy Equity Funding and DFID’s two Compacts in Kenya and Sierra Leone, to name a few.

“For 24 years EnergyNet has supported governments across the continent playing an advisory role helping policy makers meet the very best private sector investors.

Our role is not unique; however our approach is as individual as a thumbprint, highlighted by the trust the World Bank, Power Africa, IFC, FMO, Proparco, DFID, AfDB and many more who

place their trust in EnergyNet, which supports our position as a market-shaper when it comes to global energy development,” says Simon Gosling, Managing Director of EnergyNet. The meeting is officially endorsed by the Energy Commission of Nigeria, the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria. It has the official support of the UK’s DFIDfunded Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility, of Germany’s GIZ and of the European Union.

L-R: Mr. Segun Adeniyi, Senior Special Assistant to president on Job Creation, Mr. Afolabi Imoukhuede and Campaign Director, Nigeria, power For All, Mrs. Ifeoma Malo, during the media roundtable on renewable energy, yesterday in Abuja, Photo: Justin ImoOwo

‘Niger Govt partners NIPOST on Tourism’ From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna.

T

he Niger state government has said that it will partner with the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) in a view to promote tourism and showcase the tourism sites in the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Jonathan Tsado Vatsa disclosed this at the EMS/Parcel Nigeria Managers Conference in Minna stated that the government is looking to see if the courier service of NIPOST can have the emblems of its tourist sites and brand their buses with pictures of tourists sites in the state.

“NIPOST Courier service is world wide and we are looking to see if we can have the emblem of our tourist sites on most of their stamps and also brand their trucks and buses that carry these parcels with a tourist site in the state.

“This will promote tourism because they reach the unreached area and it will give the state an opportunity for us to showcase our

tourist sites” he stated.

He explained that the state will also partner with the postal service on improved service delivery and securitu of their goods within the state,”if all these loopholes are blocked and the state can partner with them, the internally generated revenue of the organization will go up and the state will enjoy fast message delivery.”

In his address, the PostMaster General and CEO of the Nigeria Postal Service, Barrister Bisi Adegbuyi said that there are opportunities, potentials and possibilities in NIPOST stating that the service needs a little push in the area of motivation and psychological re-orientation to transform EMS/Parcel service into a world class courier outfit.

He however stressed on his desire to reposition the organization to be money spinning disclosing that the revenue of EMS has risen from N532.8 million in 2015 to N678.8 million in 2016 while its Parcels service have improved by N43.9 million during the same period.

‘Cisco to lay off about 14,000 employees’

C

isco Systems Inc is laying off about 14,000 employees, representing nearly 20 percent of the network equipment maker’s global workforce, technology news site CRN reported, citing sources close to the company.

Cisco, which is due to report fourth-quarter results later on Wednesday, is expected to announce the cuts within the next few weeks, the report said. (bit.ly/2bEQfa3) “We think it’s true,” Jefferies analysts wrote in a client note, referring to the report.

“As we’ve met with investors in recent weeks, we’ve picked up on concerns that Cisco may be looking to reduce headcount in the not-too-distant future.”

If confirmed, it would be the second big tech industry layoff of a similar scale announced this year. Intel Corp said in April that it would slash up to 12,000 jobs globally, or 11 percent of its workforce.

San Jose-based Cisco is facing sluggish

spending by telecom carriers and enterprises on network switches and routers, its main business. In response, the company has been beefing up its wireless security and datacenter businesses.

Cisco, which had more than 70,000 employees as of April 30, declined to comment.

The company has already offered many early retirement packages to employees, the CRN report said.

Cisco’s shares were down 2 percent at $30.50 in early trading on Wednesday on the Nasdaq.

Jefferies raised its price target on the stock to $35 from $30.72 and maintained its “buy” rating.

Up to Tuesday’s close, Cisco’s stock had risen about 15 percent this year, compared with a 10.5 percent increase in the Dow Jones U.S. Technology Hardware & Equipment index. (Reuters)

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Business L-r: General Manager, Strategic Planning, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Mr Jide Adebulehin; Acting Executive Secretary of PTDF, Alhaji Ahmed Aminu; General Manager, Nigerian Content Department, PTDF, Jacqueline Buyil; Head of Legal, PTDF, Muh’d Tanimu Ahmed; and Head of Finance and accounts, PTDF, Mr Armiyau Baba, launching the “2015 PTDF Compendium of Oil and Gas Research” during the Annual Oil and Gas Research grant peer review exercise on 2014/15 research cycle, yesterday in Abuja

Power: NERC urges Gombe to seek investors’ partnership for improvement

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has urged the Gombe State Government to partner with private investors in order to improve the electricity supply in the state.

This, NERC advised could be achieved using electricity generation potentials in the state.

The acting Chairman of NERC, Dr. Anthony Akah, gave this advice during a courtesy call on the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. James Pisagi, who stood in for the State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwanbo.

He said that the Commission’s

regulations on Embedded Generation, Independent Electricity Distribution Network and Investment in Distribution Electricity Network would assist states and local governments to partner with electricity distribution companies in increasing power supply to their residents.

In a statement by the Head, Public Affairs Department, NERC, Dr. Usman Abba Arabi, Dr. Akah said some of the small hydro potentials in Gombe State that could be developed for small hydro power plants include the Dadinkowa and Balanga dams.

This is in addition to the solar energy and coal potentials available in the

state.

Akah at the Forum Office commissioning said, “The Commission observes with great concern the poor electricity infrastructural network in this environment, which poses great danger to lives and properties of indigenes of the state.”

He frowned at the quality of service being rendered by Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO) when he said that incidences of five injuries, four fatalities and over 400 complaints from electricity customers recorded within the first half of 2016 was not a good record for the utility company.

“These are unacceptable

statistics. It is hoped and expected that with the establishment of this Customer Complaint Forum Office in Gombe, electricity customers who are dissatisfied with Jos Electricity Distribution Company can seek further solace in the existence of the Forum Office,” Akah said.

He enjoined members of the Forum to be dispassionate in the discharge of their responsibilities even as he encouraged electricity customers in the state to make use of the redress mechanism rather resort to the cumbersome and expensive judicial process or take the laws into their hands when dealing with staff of JEDCO. Meanwhile, Pisagi expressed

enthusiasm on the advice from the Commission for the state to seek private sector collaboration in developing renewable energy sources in the state even as he promised to give adequate report to the State Governor on his return.

He said that the state would appreciate proper guidance and assistance from the Commission to tap into electricity potentials in the state.

The Executive Director, Marketing, JEDC, Mr. Ver Jibo said that the company would scale up its operations to meet expectations of the customers within its coverage areas which include Benue, Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau States.

FG prepares grounds for National Parks commercialisation

By Etuka Sunday

F

ederal Government has begun preparation for the commercialisation of the Country’s National Parks with a call for a clear defined role for host communities.

The Minster of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed made this know while receiving a delegation from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), led by its Acting Director General, Dr. Vincent Onome Akpotaire, which paid her a visit to brief her on the planned commercialisation of the seven National Parks in the country.

The Minister also urged the Bureau to focus attention on commercializing three out of the seven parks at the first instance.

The National Parks are; Kamuku, Kainji lake, Okomu, Cross River, Old Oyo, Chad Basin and Gashaka Gumti.

Mrs. Mohammed, who acknowledged the efforts to reposition the National Parks as contained in the National Parks Policy document presented by the BPE, said this would provide a long term plan on which successive administration would build on. She said though “privatization and commercialization may not totally get rid of issue of corruption; it brings about good governance structure.”

She said rather than pay compensation to host communities and ask them to relocate; they should be allowed to be part of the habitation and could be engaged to compliment the security infrastructure for the national parks as measure against poaching.

The Minister, who noted that Nigerians are not adventurous to explore tourism resources available in Nigeria, decried the long neglect and lack of investments in the national parks and stated that her Ministry is on

the drawing board to reverse the trend; adding that the context for the parks has to be reviewed “because even the best parks in the world today are failing because of context”.

The Minister said that in the envisaged reform, the role of the National Park Commission must also be clearly defined, noting that as at present, the Commission does not interface effectively with the Ministry; and that the relationship between states where the parks are situated and the Federal Government must also be defined.

She said the security of Rangers must also be given paramount attention as against the present situation where they are not recognized when they die in active service.

The Minister also canvassed for the setting up of a Trust Fund for the country’s Zoos and National Parks to take care of feeding the animals.

Earlier, the Acting Director General of the BPE, Dr. Vincent Onome Akpotaire highlighted the problems inhibiting the effective operations of the National Parks. These include; lack of appropriate policy, legal and regulatory framework, host communities issues, security, lack of grazing reserves, lack of infrastructure and lack of capacity-building for staff; among others.

Consequently, the Acting DG said it has become paramount for the National Parks to be given priority by way of reforms; including a complete revision of existing policies that would attract private sector participation to ensure sustainable funding to improve infrastructure and make Nigeria a global tourist destination.

According to him, the National Parks needed to be part of the drive to modernize and diversify the economy from sole sponsorship of

projects by the Federal Government to commercialization and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) option; and that themajor thrust for commercialisation of National Parks is to achieve effective conservation and protection of the rich Nigerian bio-diversity and cultural heritage by providing support infrastructure through restructuring of the parks administration as well as private sector investment in the tourism sector.

In a statement by the Head, Public Communications, Alex E. Okoh, Akpotaire noted that Commercialization of the National Parks “is desirable and should be actively pursued since this is in line with the government’s change agenda that places emphasis on utilising our areas of comparative advantage for the growth and development of the country. The National Parks reform is a critical component of this programme”.

Page 22

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Business

Kaduna Disco to roll out 50, 000 pre-paid meters

From Raji Bello, Sokoto As part of efforts to improve on its customer service delivery, as well as, to avoid outrageous and underestimate billings, the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO) says it has secured 50,000 pre-paid meters for onward distribution to its customers.

The company’s Managing Director/CEO, Engr.

Garba Haruna disclosed this in Sokoto, when he led management team on inspection tour to some of its

facilities located across the state.

Haruna said the move was aimed to discourage unwarranted disagreements over outrageous billing claims between its staff and some electricity consumers within the franchise states.

Haruna said it also meant to improve in customer services drive, added that three categories of meters namely; Maxi phase, 3-phase, and single phase would be available for distribution.

He further explained that the pay-as-you-go method was well designed to meet customer

demand in term of effective and efficient services.

The MD revealed that the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola is scheduled to officially flag off the distribution exercise in Sokoto, with 10, 000 meters to its Sokoto consumers.

According to him, “The 50, 000 prepaid meters will be distributed to KAEDCO franchise states that include, Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto.

“Our target in this exercise are those consuming electricity

without meter, I mean those that did not have meters at all.

We are also targeting Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). All these categories will be metered unsolicited.

He urged Nigerians to have faith in the Federal Government efforts to improve on power situation across the country, adding that “customers must also ensure to pay their bills as expected.”

On the Sokoto State Independent Power Project (IPP), Haruna said the KAEDCO is

working with the state government to see possibility of distribute the 38-megawatts power capacity for Sokoto customers.

“I want to assure you that the IPP is a reality. I have visit the site and base on my assessment, the project is almost 90 percent completion.” Haruna explained.

The MD was accompanied by the Chairman, Board of Directors, Alhaji Yusuf Hamisu Mairago, Chief Engineering and Technical Services, Engr. Bello Musa, Chief Marketing and Customer Officer, Murtala Bello, among others.

L-R: Head of Finance and Accounts, National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Bayelsa, Mr Aham Osuchukwu; Head of Administration, Bayelsa State Micro Finance/ Enterprise Development Agency, Mr Fiekuma Moses-Gombo; Representative of the Acting Director-General of Nde, Mr Sundayapakasa; and Mr Philip Momoh of the Public Works Department, Nde, at Inauguration of Environmental Beautification Training Scheme for Unemployed School Leavers, Yesterday in Yenagoa

Anger as Customs shut export warehouses at Lagos Airport From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

he Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) has draw the ire of exporters of perishable goods at the cargo export section of the Murtala Muhammad Airport in Lagos over the shutting down of warehouses of goods meant for export.

The Customs said it is investigating reports following a tip-off of plans by some Chinese attempting to airlift stolen donkey skin through Emirates Airline to the far east.

The shut export warehouses were said to belong to the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and the Sky way Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL).

Exporters at the cargo wing expressed disappointment over the activities of the Federal Operations Unit of the NSC for shutting down the entire storage facilities

just to carry out investigation on a single item.

About three months ago, the NSC arrested two Chinese nationals attempting to smuggle 678 pieces of elephant tusks and other prohibited items out of Nigeria through the Lagos.

The Donkey skins report said were stolen from the east African nation of Kenya and were been prepared for export to China.

The Chinese, it was gathered, had brought the items into Nigeria from Kenya, but needed some Nigerian freight forwarders to finally help them in shipping the items to their country.

So far, two Chinese have been arrested in connection with the seized items.

Officials of both ground handling firms has deny the company culpability but said the Customs are free to carry investigations

on any suspicious items.

Exporters who spoke to our correspondent Tuesday evening called on the federal authority to call the Customs tpo order.

They affirmed that perishable items are feeling the impact of the shut down and urged government to consider their products and not let the acts of a few affect growing businesses and described the shutdown as anti-economic development.

The Chief Executive Official of ABX World, Captain John Okakpu described the exporters’ frustrations and claimed his business have already lost millions of Naira following the Customs action.

He said that Customs ought to have carried out thorough investigation before shutting down all export businesses at the Lagos Airport.

Capt. John said the action negates Federal Government’s agricultural road map which was even launched by the Vice President Professor Yemi Osibanjo on Monday.

He said, “We have even contacted the export promotion Council, and they are outraged. This is counter productive.

You don’t shut down the whole export unit because some people are suspected to be engaged in illegal business. What happens to the perishable items that ought to be exported since Monday? Who pays for millions lost? Is this how to promote economic development in the country?”

Capt. Okakpu further said “We are telling the whole country to know that Customs has done something very anti-agric and economic growth”.

PAGE 23

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Stock Watch: Tuesday, August 16, 2016 Company

7UP

Previous Closing Price

185.06

184.5

Opening Price

184.5

High

Low

184.5

Close

184.5

Change

Trades

-0.56 25

Volume

Value

Company

Previous Closing Price

Opening Price

High

Low

Close

Change

Trades

Volume

Value

233,796

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

ABBEYBDS 1.25 - - - 1.25 0 - -

MBENEFIT 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

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

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

ACADEMY 0.59 - - - 0.59 0 - ACCESS

4.46

4.46

4.64

4.46

4.5

0.04 321

28,060,764

126,589,999.78

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

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

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

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

AFRPAINTS 2.59 - - - 2.59 0 - -

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

AGLEVENT 1.02 0.97 -

-

1.02

8 48,971 46,330.44

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

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

126,800 124,264.00

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

822.99 822.99 822.99 822.99 8.99 73

115,282 94,401,035.72

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

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

NNFM 8.99 - - - 8.99 0 - -

AUSTINLAZ 2.09 - - - 2.09 0 - -

NPFMCRFBK

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

0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0

6

174,000 170,510.00

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

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

PREMBREW 2.95 - - - 2.95 0 - -

CAPOIL 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

PREMPAINTS 10.93 - - - 10.93 0 - -

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

-

8.73

7 51,560 458,087.60

CHAMPION 4.17 4.17 -

-

4.17

11 146,282 587,170.36

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

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

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

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

CONOIL 27.41 26.04 -

ROADS 6.6 - - - 6.6 0 - -

-

27.41

8

13,350 330,799.00

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

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

SCOA 4.16 - - - 4.16 0 - -

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

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

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

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

MBENEFIT 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

DANGSUGAR

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

DEAPCAP 0.58 - - - 0.58 0 - -

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

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

JOSBREW 1.51 - - - 1.51 0 - -

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

JULI 1.75 - - - 1.75 0 - -

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

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

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

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

NCR 11.02 - - - 11.02 0 - -

LEARNAFRCA

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

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

-

2.62

8 37,850 99,859.50

Top Gainers Company

Previous Closing Price

Opening Price

High

NEIMETH 1.03 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 -0.05 6

126,800 124,264.00

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

822.99 822.99 822.99 822.99 8.99 73

115,282 94,401,035.72

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

Top Losers Low

Close

Change

Trades

Volume

Value

Company

Previous Closing Price

Opening Price

High

Low

Close

Change

Trades

Volume

Value

ALUMACO 7.75 - - - 7.75 1 200 1,474.00

MULTITREX 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

FORTISMFB 5.42 - - - 5.42 0 - -

NNFM 8.99 - - - 8.99 0 - -

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

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

INFINITY 1.42 - - - 1.42 0 - -

UTC 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

OMOSAVBNK 0.92 - - - 0.92 0 - -

UNIONDICON 11.84 - - - 11.84 0 - -

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

MANDRID 5.35 - - - 5.35 0 - -

ASOSAVINGS 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

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

ABBEYBDS 1.25 - - - 1.25 0 - -

JULI 1.75 - - - 1.75 0 - -

PAGE 25

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2016

PAGE 24

Special Report

The girl who said ‘no’ to early marriage Balkissa Chaibou dreamed of becoming a doctor, but when she was 12 she was shocked to learn she had been promised as a bride to her cousin. She decided to fight for her rights - even if that meant taking her own family to court.

I

came from school at around 18:00, and Mum called me,” Balkissa Chaibou recalls.

“She pointed to a group of visitors and said of one of them, ‘He is the one who will marry you.’

“I thought she was joking.

And she told me, ‘Go unbraid, and wash your hair.’ That is when I realised she was serious.”

The young girl from Niger had always been ambitious.

“When I was little, I was dreaming of becoming a doctor.

Take care of people, wear the white coat. Help people,” she says.

Marriage to her cousin, who had arrived with his father from neighbouring Nigeria, would make this impossible.

“They said if you marry him you won’t be able to study any more. For me my passion is studying. I really like to study.

That’s when I realised that my relationship with him wouldn’t work well.”

Niger’s tradition of marrying its girls young - it has the highest rate of child marriage in the world - is partly rooted in its grinding poverty.

Percentage of women married as children

Married by 15 Married by 18 Niger 36% 75% Chad 29% 68% Central African Republic

29% 68% Bangladesh 3 2 % 66% Guinea 20% 63% Mozambique 2 1 % 56% Mali 15% 55% Burkina Faso 10% 52% South Sudan 9% 52% Malawi 12% 50% Source: Unicef, the State of the World’s Children, 2013

“The dynamic works in this way: I have lots of children, and if I can marry off one child that is one child less that I have to feed,” explains Monique Clesca, the United Nations Population Fund’s representative in Niger.

Balkissa Chaibou’s parents had five daughters, so from their perspective marrying her to her cousin may have made economic sense.

But another reason for the tradition of early marriage in Niger is the belief that it reduces the risk of pregnancy outside wedlock.

“Nowadays some children are not well brought up,” says Hadiza Almahamoud, Chaibou’s mother. “If they are not married off at an early age, they can bring shame to the family.”

Chaibou continued to work hard at school, waking at 03:00 to study, but as she got older the looming marriage with her cousin became a distraction.

Then, one day when she was 16, the bride price, suitcases and a wedding outfit arrived.

“I felt pain inside of me, it really broke my heart,” says Chaibou. “Because I see that I am fighting to fulfil myself, and

Balkissa Chaibou

these people will be an obstacle to my evolution.”

She plucked up the courage to try to get out of the marriage after getting her junior high school diploma. “I told myself that I can try to pull myself together, see how I can escape this situation.”

Her mother understood her objection to the marriage but didn’t have the status, as a woman, to help her.

So Chaibou approached her father, suggesting that as a compromise she could marry but only see her husband in the holidays until she had completed her Baccalaureate.

But the tradition of the Tuareg - the ethnic group to which Chaibou belongs - is that the older brother has power over the children of his younger siblings.

Since Chaibou’s uncle - the father of her fiance - was older, her father dared not go against his wishes and preparations for a wedding continued.

In desperation Chaibou asked her school principal, Moumouni Harouna, for help.

He referred her to an NGO called the Centre for Judicial Assistance and Civic Action, which took legal action against her father and uncle for forcing

her into a marriage she did not want.

Once in court, Chaibou’s uncle denied the accusation, she says, and claimed it had all been a misunderstanding, so the case was dropped.

But once she got home, her uncle threatened to kill her.

“He said that even if he had to wrap me up - even if he had to wrap me up in a body bag I would go [to Nigeria],” says Chaibou.

She was forced to take refuge in a women’s shelter.

“The first night spent here I didn’t sleep well,” she says. “I was thinking too much about my parents, about the situation they were in, especially with the anger of my uncle. I was sure he would insult them and threaten them, so I didn’t have a clear mind.”

If a girl grows up she can choose her husband. We can’t do it.Hadiza Almahamoud, Balkissa Chaibou’s mother

Niger’s chronic poverty is one reason for its tradition of early marriage

But faced with the threat of jail, the wedding party returned to Nigeria and after a week Chaibou was able to go home.

“When I put on my school uniform... I felt like my life was renewed. As if it was a new beginning,” she says, describing the day she started college.

Her mother says that she and her husband have now changed their views on forced marriage.

“We are finished with [it] in this family. We are scared of it,” she says. “If a girl grows up she can choose her husband.

We can’t do it.”

Mariama Moussa president of the shelter Chaibou took refuge in - says domestic violence is a serious problem in Niger and that forced marriage is one of the

root causes.

“When you force them, as a result there is a succession of violence that they can suffer in their home,” she says.

“There is physical violence, psychological violence... When the husband cannot tolerate her any more, he can hit her, or make her leave, even in pregnancy.”

Chaibou is aware that now she has won her freedom it is

important for her to succeed in her studies and repay her family’s sacrifice.

“I know my family’s hope is on my shoulders. Everyone counts on me. Everyone has their eyes on me,” she says.

Now 19, she campaigns for other girls to follow her example and say “no” to forced marriage. She visits schools and has spoken to tribal chiefs about the issue.

She has also spoken at a UN

summit on reducing maternal mortality, a phenomenon linked to early marriage.

The advice I have for you is to fight - study with all your mightBalkissa Chaibou, Student and campaigner “Before [the age of] 15 the body is not ready to have a child,” says Clesca.

“About 34% of adolescent deaths in Niger are maternal mortality, which gives you a sense of the problem.

“It is important for the Balkissas of this world to stand up because it shows the other girls that ‘Hey, I can do this.’

“And yes we have seen a ripple effect. One girl says no and others are crowding around her [saying] ‘What did you do? I mean, why did you say no?’”

Balkissa Chaibou is getting closer to becoming a doctor.

She passed her International Baccalaureate and is currently

at medical school.

“I’m not saying don’t marry,” she tells one group of schoolgirls.

“But choose the right moment to do so. The advice I have for you is to fight - study with all your might. I know studying isn’t easy but you must force yourself because those studies are your only hope.”

“

Chaibou, pictured here with her sister, says that she loves to study

Then, one day when she was 16, the bride price, suitcases and a wedding outfit arrived.

“I felt pain inside of me, it really broke my heart,” says Chaibou.

Her school principal put her in touch with an NGO that could advise her

Balkissa Chaibou now feels a sense of responsibility to her family

Source: BBC

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Environment NESREA trains police on environmental protection in kaduna

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he Nigeria Environmental Standard Regulation Agency (NESERA) , has trained the Nigerian Police formation on the importance of environmental protection.

The Training programme which took off on Thursday, June 30th at the Premier Police College in Kaduna State,was targeted for all Nigerian police formations across the country.

The Training was designed to equip the Nigeria Police on issues that pertain to environmental governance, compliance monitoring and enforcement in the country.

Speaking at the training programme, the Director-General/ CEO NESREA, Dr. Lawrence Chidi Anukam said the training has become necessary to strengthen the capacity of

Police Personnel and enable them to contribute effectively and professionally in order to protect the environment.

Dr. Anukam stated that the environment is increasingly under threat, as a result of the uncontrolled exploration, exploitation of natural resources and other unsustainable activities that contaminate and affect the air, water and soil.

“This training is therefore aimed at engaging the Police more meaningfully in environmental compliance monitoring and enforcement activities towards addressing these and many other environmental crisis”.

He said “with the commencement of this Environmental Training Programme, the Nigeria Police would be better informed about the environment”.

He urged participants to develop proper zeal to learn and achieve the

desired objective.

“When the environment is preserved, the whole nation is safe”.

Dr. Anukam pointed out that it was a unique opportunity to make a tangible contribution to improve environmental governance in Nigeria.

The NESERA boss expressed gratitude to the IGP for sanctioning Police participation in the Environmental Programme noting that the action was a clear testimony of the importance that the Police attached to environmental issues.

The Director General told the audience of Senior Police Officers including the Commissioners of Police, Kaduna State, Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim, Alkaki B. Usman of FCT Command, Barrister Lawrence Alobi, Commissioner of Police (Rtd.), that “securing our environment has become necessary because of the environment

changing due to climate change”.

While declaring the one day training programme open, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Idris K. Ibrahim represented by the Acting Commandant of the Premier College, DCP Abdulrahman Ahmed described the environmental training programme for the Nigeria Police as very important, especially now that the environment is highly threatened.

In his word : “There is no environment without man, just as there is no man without the environment”, he noted.

The IGP said caution must be adopted if we are to preserve and protect the environment.

Meanwhile, in a paper presentation titled “An Overview of the Role of the Police in Enforcing Environmental Laws and Regulations” Compol (Barr.) Lawrence E. Alobi (Rtd.),

recommended that there is a need to establish Environmental Laws and Enforcement Police Unit.

He said the Unit of the Police will collaborate, support and work shoulder-to-shoulder with NESREA in the enforcement of environmental laws with a view to combating environmental crimes thereby protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development in the country.

According to him the idea will go a long way in make the environment safer and secured.

He also called for the integration of environmental laws and regulations in the Curricular of all Training Institute of the Force.

“We are all vulnerable but we can be less vulnerable if we cooperate and work together”, he said quoting Bill Clinton, former President of the United States of America”.

Climate urgency: we’ve locked in more global warming than people realize

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oday’s carbon pollution will have climate consequences for centuries to come. We’re in the midst of a critical decade While most people accept the reality of human-caused global warming, we tend not to view it as an urgent issue or high priority. That lack of immediate concern may in part stem from a lack of understanding that today’s pollution will heat the planet for centuries to come, as explained in this Denial101x lecture: So far humans have caused about 1°C warming of global surface temperatures, but if we were to freeze the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide at today’s levels, the planet would continue warming. Over the coming decades, we’d see about another 0.5°C warming, largely due to what’s called the “thermal inertia” of the oceans (think of the long amount of time it takes to boil a kettle of water). The Earth’s surface would keep warming about another 1.5°C over the ensuing centuries as ice continued to melt, decreasing the planet’s reflectivity.

To put this in context, the international community agreed in last year’s Paris climate accords that we should limit climate change risks by keeping global warming below 2°C, and preferably closer to 1.5°C. Yet from the carbon pollution we’ve already put into the atmosphere, we’re committed to 1.5–3°C warming over the coming decades and centuries, and we continue to pump out over 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide every year.

The importance of reaching zero or negative emissions We can solve this problem if, rather than holding the amount of atmospheric carbon

dioxide steady, it falls over time. As discussed in the above video, Earth naturally absorbs more carbon than it releases, so if we reduce human emissions to zero, the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide will slowly decline. Humans can also help the process by finding ways to pull carbon out of the atmosphere and sequester it.

Scientists are researching various technologies to accomplish this, but we’ve already put over 500 billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Pulling a significant amount of that carbon out of the atmosphere and storing it safely will be a tremendous challenge, and we won’t be able to reduce the amount in the atmosphere until we first get our emissions close to zero.

There are an infinite number of potential carbon emissions pathways, but the 2014 IPCC report considered four possible paths that they called RCPs. In one of these (called RCP 2.6 or RCP3-PD), we take immediate, aggressive, global action to cut carbon pollution, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels peak at 443 ppm in 2050, and by 2100 they’ve fallen back down to today’s level of 400 ppm. In two others (RCPs 4.5 and 6.0) we act more slowly, and atmospheric levels don’t peak until the year 2150, then they remain steady, and in the last (RCP8.5) carbon dioxide levels keep rising until 2250.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels in the four IPCC RCP scenarios. Illustration: Dana Nuccitelli

As the figure below shows, in the first scenario, global warming peaks at 2°C and then temperatures start to fall toward the 1.5°C level, meeting our Paris climate targets. In the other scenarios, temperatures keep rising centuries into the future.

Global annual mean surface air temperature anomalies (relative to 1986–2005) from CMIP5 climate model runs. Discontinuities at 2100 are due to different numbers of models performing the extension runs beyond the 21st century and have no physical meaning. No ranges are given for the RCP6.0 projections beyond 2100, as only two models are available. Illustration: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change This is the critical decade We don’t know what technologies will be available in the future, but we do know that the more carbon pollution we pump into the atmosphere today, the longer it will take and more difficult it will be to reach zero emissions and stabilize the climate. We’ll also have to pull that much more carbon out of the atmosphere.

It’s possible that as in three of the IPCC scenarios, we’ll never get all the way down to zero or negative carbon emissions, in which case today’s pollution will keep heating the planet for centuries to come. Today’s carbon pollution will leave a legacy of climate change consequences

that future generations may struggle with for the next thousand years.

Five years ago, the Australian government established a Climate Commission, which published a report discussing why we’re in the midst of the ‘critical decade’ on climate change: The risks of future climate change – to our economy, society and environment – are serious, and grow rapidly with each degree of further temperature rise. Minimising these risks requires rapid, deep and ongoing reductions to global greenhouse gas emissions. We must begin now if we are to decarbonise our economy and move to clean energy sources by 2050. This decade is the critical decade.

Our is the first generation to understand the problems our carbon pollution is causing, and the last that can take the necessary action to prevent them from causing a climate destabilization. In addition to the Australian Climate Commission, 31 major scientific organizations recently warned policymakers that: To reduce the risk of the most severe impacts of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions must be substantially reduced.

We have no excuse for inaction or complacency; the experts have clearly warned us.

If we refuse to urgently act on this information, future generations will suffer the consequences of our failures today.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Environment

Environment experts to empower youths on ecosystem

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

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nvironment experts said they are working towards empowering youths in areas of ecosystem in the country.

This was disclosed by the Nigeria Environmental Society (NES), yesterday in Abuja, that the society is ready host its first ever International Environmental Student Summit (IESS) in Nigeria which would strategically position the youth

to promote green exercise for Nigeria and the future of Africa as a whole.

The summit which would bring together students all across African and beyond has the theme “ Green the economy”, is schedule to take place on the 18th -20th of August 2016 at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs(NIIA) in Lagos .

A statement signed by the Management said “the summit will provide platforms where

opportunities are developed and also creating awareness on life style consequences of current unattainable consumption and stimulate capacity building for emerging green economy”.

The society is geared towards promoting “Green Economy” where the vital linkages between the economy, society and environment are taken together to transform production and consumption that would lead to efficiency use of resource”.

“The Nigeria Environmental Society is the premier Environmental Organisation that is advocating and enhancing the leadership role in helping Nigeria and African transit to a sustainable development path”.

The experts revealed some highlight at the summit includes: examination of Green Economy Framework, Green Consumption, the launching of the Institute of Environmental Management (IEMA) certifies course, NES

Young Environmentalist Scheme (YES) and excursion to the green park initiative.

During the summit there will be undergraduate Easy Competition with a take home price of (#75,000), NES is collaborating with four international institutions in ensuring the green economy come to stay in the Nigeria environment.

NEMA, NAMA to up grade search-rescue equipment for emergency response

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

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Speaking on brown vest, the chief executive officer of Connected Development (CODE), Hamzat Lawal, engaging with community representatives of Shikira, Rafi Local Government Area (LGA), Niger State during an advocacy visit to take assessment of the environmental and socio-economic impact of the 2015 lead poison outbreak on the small rural mining community. With him on yellow shirt is the Monitoring & Evaluation expert to (CODE), Oludotun Babayemi, who listens while he hinted the gathering on the activities of CODE as well as the objective of their visit - Photo credit: -

he National Emergency Management Emergency (NEMA) said the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has begun to install modern equipment at the Agency .

The two agencies partnering to further increase efficiency in response to emergency situations in the country.

A statement signed by the Press Officer Manzo Ezekiel, said the new equipment which is based on the latest technology in Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN) would upgrade the COSPAS-SARSAT facility in Nigerian Mission Control Centre operated by NEMA in Abuja for precision in identifying location of distress alerts from carrier of 405MHz beacons and enable efficient emergency responses.

The Director General of NEMA Sani Sidi and his counterpart acting Managing Director of NAMA Mr. Emmanuel Onyemaechi Anasi, during the meeting expressed delight that the partnership

between the two agencies have continued to yield positive impacts in improving on air safety and emergency management in the country.

In his remark, the acting Managing Director of NAMA Mr. Anasi said the new equipment, which is in-built with automated message handling system, when activated would enable the operators in NEMA to interface directly with airports in Nigeria in tracking alerts from distressed airplane with precision on location for rescue. He said under the partnership, NAMA and the contractors handling the installation would also provide basic training to the operators in NEMA. The Nigerian Mission Control Centre located in the headquarters of NEMA is a computer based satellite technology that uses the COSPAS-SARSAT hi-tech facility.

It is design to assist in Search and Rescue, using space-tech and ground facilities to detect and locate signals of a distress beacons operating on 406 MHz in aircrafts or ship.

Ethiopia, South Korea collaborate on forestry, climate change

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ith the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the UN-REDD Programme, UNDP Seoul Policy Centre and the UNDP Country Office in Ethiopia, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change embarked on a high level visit to Republic of Korea (1st to 9th March 2016) to share experience and design roadmap for the forest sector development program that can serve as a master plan for the

coming 10 years. The visit created an opportunity to share knowledge and design a joint cooperation engagement framework between the two countries.

The collaboration hopes to contribute to the implementation of sustainable forest management in both nations as well as the implementation of the CRGE strategy and the National REDD+ strategy in Ethiopia Ethiopia and Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding

(MOU) on June 26, 2016 extending over a period of five years. The MOU highlights defined areas of cooperation whereby South Korea commits to supporting Ethiopia in building the country’s institutional capacity in the forestry sector through: 1. technical cooperation, training, research and technological support that will contribute to the implementation of the country’s overarching Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy;

2. facilitation of exchanges of best practices and knowledge between the two countries for realising their common vision of green growth through large scale reforestation and sustainable forest management; 3. designing a workable resultsbased finance systems and payments systems for emissions reduction under the CRGE/REDD+ strategy; 4. supporting efforts in installing forest products standardisation and urban forestry through the

introduction of technologies and urban forest management systems; 5. encouraging investment promotion, and organisation of investor roundtables; and, 6. Supporting Ethiopia in their efforts to build the technical and technological capacity of the country to undertake spatial planning including land use planning.

The MOU is designed to provide a framework of cooperation and facilitate collaboration between Ethiopia

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Feature

The village of 14, 000 where only 18 people remain

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t’s a year since an agreement was signed in Minsk that was supposed to end the fighting in eastern Ukraine. But the fighting continues - and civilians continue to suffer. The BBC’s Fergal Keane went back to the village of Pisky to talk to a couple determined to stay in their home, come what may.

I woke to the snowy fields.

Drifts rose on either side of the track. We had been moving east since dawn. The bridges were blown, the land braided with tank traps and mines. Nowadays it is easiest to travel by train to the front lines of east Ukraine.

My journey back to Pisky took place in deep winter. But I will always remember the steppe in the last days before the escalation of war when we stopped once to admire the ripening corn and sunflowers and workers moved along the furrows, a murmuring progress through the heat of the afternoon.

Now the war is two years old.

It is hunched in the trenches of the land between the Dnieper and the Sea of Azov. It squats in basements and crumbling apartment blocks, and stamps its feet in food queues on snowbound mornings.

At Kramatorsk - where I once saw rebels pledge to fight to the death - we disembarked with soldiers from the government army which now holds the town, and we continued by road. Soon the traffic thinned out and then vanished. We entered a zone of emptiness. At Karlivka below the gleaming dome of the Church of the Holy Epiphany, the reservoir was frozen solid.

A handful of men were fishing on the ice, hunched above small holes; they heard, but were by now indifferent, to the rumble of fighting another five kilometres up the road at Pisky.

The old route into Pisky, across the rough track that led directly to the home of Anatoly and Svetlana, my friend the beekeeper and his wife, has now been mined by the Ukrainians.

To reach the couple we were forced down unfamiliar lanes past rows of abandoned and destroyed houses.

Pisky is trapped in a dystopian nightmare. There are 18 people left from a prewar population of 4,000.

The remaining residents are marooned inside concentric circles of devastation. The able bodied are gone. Only the old and sick remain.

The wind blew snow into our faces. This is the “wind from the age of stone”, so vividly named by the poet Anna Akhmatova.

It carried with it the mutter of guns from the ruined factory at the far end of the lane. The fighting is about 700m away.

It goes on intermittently, halfheartedly, a series of reflexive gestures from cold and bored men.

The ruins of a house in Pisky

Anatoly and Svetlana’s neighbour, Sonya Tolmachova

• From Our Own Correspondent provides insight and analysis from BBC journalists, correspondents and writers from around the world • Listen on iPlayer, get the podcast or listen on the BBC World Service or on Radio 4 on Thursdays at 11:00 and Saturdays at 11:30 I first came last May when Anatoly was busy with his bee hives and Svetlana brought baskets of vegetables from the garden for our supper. They hosted us generously. They spoke of better lives in the years before the war, and they sat outside with us watching the tracer bullets arc across the sky like a shower of malign stars.

When Svetlana opened the door and saw us huddled outside she cried out a joyous welcome and came forward to embrace me and then Daryna, my guide in the world of the east. She bundled us into the warmth of her sitting room. Anatoly came in and his laughter banished all thoughts of the guns stuttering at the other end of Pisky.

Their generosity was unchanged: out came the honey from their winter stores and the pickled cabbage and potato

Now the war is two years old. It is hunched in the trenches of the land between the Dnieper and the Sea of Azov. It squats in basements and crumbling apartment blocks, and stamps its feet in food queues on snowbound mornings.

cakes and omelettes. But the couple looked reduced to me, more careworn. Nothing at all had changed for the better in Pisky. The peace agreement between the rebels and the government simply ensured that the front lines stayed where they were. But so too did the two million displaced. And so did Anatoly and Svetlana. He complained about the failure of the politicians. Svetlana chipped in that perhaps they would find a solution. But neither of them had much faith in that happening.

I worry for them in that place.

But they will not leave. In a few months it will be their golden wedding anniversary - 50 years together. They invited me to the celebrations. I promised I would be there.

Having met the uprooted who live on the charity of others, or crowded into the flats of relatives, in the safer areas of the east, I understood what kept Anatoly and Svetlana in Pisky. They were each of them 70 years of age and had lived here all of their adult lives. Home was this: the place where the stove kept them warm when the temperatures dived at night; the place where the garden would blossom in a couple of months, and where Anatoly would step out each each summer morning to walk past his vines and the chicken coop to the hives where his bees would be working... and where, in the evening, he and Svetlana would listen to music on the radio as they had done through the long years of their married life. It was about the survival in their lives of the idea of belonging, to a place and to each other.

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Feature

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

What are Hong Kong’s localists angry about?

The clashes in Hong Kong earlier this week may on the surface have been about unlicensed food stalls, but were fuelled by a growing “localist” sentiment.

Hong Kong Indigenous is one of the main localist groups in the city

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ocalists champion greater autonomy for Hong Kong, and protection against what they see as the dilution of the city’s identity amid growing social and political influence from mainland China.

But what is it that has made them so angry?

The localist movement is driven primarily by two loose groups - Hong Kong Indigenous and Civic Passion - which grew in strength in the aftermath of the 2014 pro-democracy protests, staging demonstrations and fielding candidates in political races.

Though Hong Kong has many prodemocracy groups, localists and their supporters are known for favouring direct action and not shying away from confrontation with authorities.

Growing income inequality Sing Ming, a politics professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, says localists tend to be young people who cherish their Hong Kong identities, as well as those who face economic difficulties.

Government figures show that about 960,000 out of Hong Kong’s population of 7.2 million live below the poverty line, making it the 12th most unequal place in the world.

There is a sense among localists that the government has failed to address the needs

of the poor.

Mr Sing says some localists are “extremely dissatisfied” with the government’s handling of this, and “may even think that the policies are the results of collusion between government and business”.

Itinerant street hawkers, in particular, are seen as one symbol of the income gap as their trade has traditionally been seen as a way out of poverty.

But the government stopped issuing new licences in 1970s, and has conducted increasingly strict crackdowns on illegal hawking due to food safety and obstruction concerns, as was the case in Mong Kok. Some localists believe these moves happened because of political pressure from property developers, who regard hawkers as a nuisance and eyesore.

Meanwhile, shop rents have grown increasingly expensive, which means food vending is now a dying trade. Many people believe the poor are being deprived of one legitimate means of income.

But some also see the clearances of illegal hawkers, as happened in Mong Kok, as a failure by the government to recognise how integral they are to local culture, and a sign that the government has grown out of touch with ordinary Hong Kongers’ desire to preserve their unique identity and freedoms.

Stinky tofu (pictured) and fishballs are among some of the more popular street food items sold by Hong Kong hawkers.

Protesters lit fires on the roads during the Mong Kok clashes Hong Kong Polytechnic University lecturer Leung Chi-yuen, who has been studying hawkers for a decade, says the

Sing Ming, a politics professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, says localists tend to be young people who cherish their Hong Kong identities, as well as those who face economic difficulties. Government figures show that about 960,000 out of Hong Kong’s population of 7.2 million live below the poverty line, making it the 12th most unequal place in the world.

There is a sense among localists that the government has failed to address the needs of the poor. Mr Sing says some localists are “extremely dissatisfied” with the government’s handling of this, and “may even think that the policies are the results of collusion between government and business”.

issue has become a “powder keg” in Hong Kong in recent years.

“The government has underestimated the socio-political environment,” he says, and if it decides to further crack down “it will bring unforeseeable consequences”.

‘Out of touch’ government Politically, the current government, under Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, is widely seen as pro-Beijing, a view that was reinforced by the crackdown on the 2014 pro-democracy protests.

Incidents such as the disappearance of five Hong Kong booksellers associated with a shop known for selling books critical of the mainland have only enhanced the perception that the city’s freedoms are being eroded.

Former head of the civil service, Joseph Wong Wing-ping, notes that the government has been dismissive of its unpopularity and has pressed on with controversial decisions, such as its appointment of a pro-Beijing figure to chair a local university despite fervent opposition.

What happened in Mong Kok “may just be the beginning” of more violence to come, he says.

‘Failed’ Umbrella Movement The perception of many localists is that after the collapse of the peaceful Umbrella Movement, more direct action is needed.

Two of the founders of key localist group Hong Kong Indigenous, Edward Leung and Ray Wong, told BBC Chinese last year that they regarded the Umbrella Movement as a “complete and utter” failure.

Mr Wong said that during the 2014 protests, “I saw with my own eyes the police inflicting unacceptable violence on unarmed citizens, releasing tear gas.”

He added that the “use of force to prevent violence [from police]” was justified in order for protesters to protect themselves and others.

Both were at the protests in Mong Kok. Mr Leung has already been charged with rioting and in a Facebook post on Thursday, Mr Wong said he expected to be arrested soon.

“Once Hong Kong was the land of the Hongkongers, but as I grew older, I noticed that it is no longer the case,” he said, saying he had gone to Mong Kok to protect the market.

“There are going to be more protests.

But I urge you, my fellow Hongkongers, to persist.”

Source: BBC

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSday, AUGUST 18, 2016

Healthcare: AMAC begins assessment tour of PHCs Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

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n a bid to enhance healthcare delivery to the people of Abuja Municipal Area Council

(AMAC), of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the council leadership through its Department of Health has commenced intensive assessment tour of available

Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the various wards of the council.

Leading officials of the council to tour of some PHCs in Karshi, Orozo, Jikwoyi and

Karu, on Monday, the AMAC Vice Chairman, Lawrence Onuchukwu, said the essence of exercise was to get first-hand information on the true state of the facilities, with a view of

Young men dressing chickens for their clients, at Dutsen Alhaji Junction, yesterday in Abuja

Diko urges traders at Dutse market to help keep Bwari safe, clean

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he chairman Bwari area council, of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Musa Diko has called on residents of the council, particularly traders at the Dutse Alhaji market to be security conscious and keep their environment clean.

The Council boss made this call at a recent intensive public sensitisation campaign tagged “Operation keep Bwari Clean”, in the area.

According to him, “The people of Dutse Alhaji market and its residents should make sure that the market is kept clean and nobody should sell by the road side.

“And those who sell by path ways should vacant them and move to the open market area.”

To this end, Diko instructed the Supervisory councilor on Environment, Shekolo Haruna and his team to ensure compliance with the directive to make the market tidied up.

Commenting on the alleged illegal collection of N500 by officials of the council, upon which they allow traders to stay and transact on pathways along the market, the chairman said he has not heard of any such report; and urged the public to make only legitimate payment with receipts issued at the end of such payment.

Furthermore, the chairman warned that no vehicle should be parked by the roadside either by traders or customers.

He also stressed that residents should desist from the habit of parking vehicles

by the roadside as such could serve as hideouts for miscreants as well as cause traffic jam on the road.

Similarly, to ensure strict adherence to this directive, the chairman then ordered the vehicle inspection Office to impound any vehicle that defaults the order.

Responding, the Vice Chairman of Traders Union at the Dutse Market, Mr. Eugene Ufo told the Bwari chairman they have been having issues with shop developers, who claim to have right of the market because they bought the land and developed it with their personal money.

He however thanked the chairman for the exercise and showing interest to look into these issues with the view of

resolving them at once and promised strict compliance to the directive by members of his union.

Not left out, the Hakimi Dutse Alhaji, Abubakar Bako decided the exercise as a welcome development in the area, adding that “before now, we have been experiencing traffic jam along Dutse market occasioned by illegally parked vehicles, hawkers and other roadside traders, who daily obstruct vehicular and human movement in the area.

He however noted that, the market does not have enough parking space, and therefore called on the government to accelerate efforts toward creating enough parks and parking lots for customers and traders in the market.

strengthening them.

He disclosed that there are about forty PHCs in AMAC, which the team intends to visit each of them, in order to know exactly what their problems are, so as to ensure they hand headon, for the benefit of the people.

While noting that the challenges bedeviling the PHCs are enormous, the Vice Chairman observed that the common challenges range from shortage of staff, drugs, electricity, finance to lack of boreholes and perimeter fencing respectively.

On the action plan to improve the state of the PHCs, he said: “as you can see, we have taken note of their problems, and we are going to go back to the drawing board, and come up with measures to improved them.

“This is in fulfillment of some of our promises to the people during the electioneering campaign, that when we come in, that we will look after their healthcare.”

He continued: “So having taken over the mantle of leadership of the council, we met almost dilapidated healthcare centres. So as a new government, it is important for us to go round and get first-hand information on the true state of the facilities.

“This will enable us know how we can serve our people more, in terms of providing primary healthcare services to them. We are doing this, because we are the government of the people, for the people, and by the people. So our priority is the people especially those in the rural areas- the poorest of the poor.

“I can assure you that by the time we get to the council, we will sit down with the executive chairman, and look at finding the best way out of the problems.”

Similarly, Head of Dept of Health, AMAC, Dr. (Mrs).

Modupe Adeyinka, noted that if most of the challenges facing the PHCs are addressed, it will attract more patronage to the clinics, thereby improving the welfare of the people.

“We manage the clinics from the council headquarters; we have senior officers that supervise them. For instance, each of wards has ward focal person that oversees many of these clinics, and reports to the Health dept.

“And we from the Department from time to time also go round to supervise the clinics. We give supportive supervision; we correct and train the staff on the spot,” she said.

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Photo Splash

Two young men hawking Plantain chips, at Kugbo hill, yesterday in Abuja

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSday, AUGUST 18, 2016

A young man hawking in traffic jam yesterday at Nyanya, in Abuja

Sachets water sellers waiting for customers, yesterday at Dutsen Alhaji, in Abuja

Business activities going on at Madalla Market, recently in Abuja

A young man hawking children’s wears, yesterday at Nyanya, in Abuja.

Photos: Mahmud Isa

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSday, AUGUST 18, 2016

Metro

Flooding: Agency alerts residents in 3 Area councils

Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

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he Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has putted residents in three area councils in the Territory as they stands the risk of experiencing flooding, from probable backlash from neighbouring states.

This warning is comming as the nation upped efforts toward effective flood management from early warning signals.

According to the FCTemergency agency boss, Alhaji Abbas Idris even though the FCT

was not mentioned among the likely states to be affected, past experience suggests that spill over from neighbouring states like Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa and Plateau,it was apt to raise the alarm.

He spoke at an emergency humanitarian stakeholders forum on the impending flood alert in FCT. He said the probable backlash from flood situation in FCT neighbouring states coupled with unwholesome environmental practices, especially indiscriminate waste

disposal and blockade of water ways could put the FCT on the same danger spot with others.

In particular, Idris that communities in Kuje, Bwari and Gwagalada area councils should be on red alert as they are “sending strong signals to dwellers within the flood plains to relocate immediately to safer and higher grounds.”

He therefore urged stakeholders to immediately activate emergency response plans in readiness and do all within the limits of resources to ensure that the FCT is not

overwhelmed by direct or indirect impact of the impending flood.

In the same vein, Engr.

Umar Bashir of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA ) of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources stressed that communities in Kuje and Bwari could be flooded as rivers in Kogi and Nasarawa states get overwhelmed.

He noted that Kubwa in Bwari Area Council would be prone to flooding because of indiscriminate dumping of refuse on water ways and building on

water ways due to improper planning.

He enjoined the FCT Administration to replicate the ‘Jabi Lake’ initiative in other area councils as it helps to take volumes of water spill over from other rivers that overflow into the FCT and help mitigate flooding, apart from agricultural purposes.

PeoplesDaily several emergency coordinating agencies, security operatives, para military organisations,and public health service providers among other critical stakeholders were present at the meeting.

• Commuters waiting for commercial bus after close of work near Transcorp Hilton Hotel, yesterday in Abuja

Take advantage of Abuja to develop your communities - Bello charges states

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he FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has charged states sharing boundary with the FCT to take advantage of their proximity with Abuja to develop neighboring towns.

The Minister gave this this challenge when the Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Usman Yamusa led an high powered delegation of the Keffi Traditional Council to visit him in his office in Abuja.

Bello urged the states to use the direct exchange of persons

and businesses between these communities to ensure rapid economic and infrastructural development of the neighboring towns.

The Minister noted that Keffi as an emirate and as a city has served to ease the pressure on Abuja by providing accommodation and hospitality to the numerous staff of government and private organizations who commune from those areas to Abuja City Centre every morning and return in the

evening.

Bello reiterated that Keffi and other neighboring towns or cities should enjoy tremendous benefits from those exchanges, which definitely can be translated into economic and social benefits.

He said the history of the FCT Administration would not be complete without mentioning a number of persons who have worked and continued to work for the Administration from these states; adding that FCTA will support the

Nasarawa State government and other bordering communities very near to the city based on available resources, to ease some of the pressures on them.

“Your Emirate has provided food for the capital city through the various activities of agriculture in your domain.

“I’m raising all these as means of encouragement to you to know that people usually bring about development.

“So, if you continue with your

open door policy and you make people within your Emirate feeling that they are at home, by the grace of God, they will provide you development and communal expansion,” he stressed.

Responding, the Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Usman Yamusa assured the Minister of the continued support of the people and Keffi Emirate Council.

He said: “at anytime, we are there for you and we hope you will also be there for us.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Money Sense How the 50-20-30 rule will stop YOU from ever being out of pocket again

By Bianca London

W

hether saving for a first home or a new pair of shoes, everybody has budgeted for something at some point in their life - and knows the pitfalls of failing to stick to it.

So what if there was a simple hack that ensured you always kept to your budget and saved exactly the correct amount of money every month?

According to Career Girl Daily there is. The site claims that the 50-20-30 rule is one that can be applied to every budget and will help you gain control of your money.

So how does it work? As Hannah Lutterbach explains, 50 per cent of everything you earn each month should be spent on essentials.

These 'needs' include your rent, bills, food shop and travel cards (plus car insurance and petrol if you drive).

If you're struggling to work out exactly which expenditures come under this section, it's the ones you pay without fail every single month that are mostly unchanging.

The 20 part of the rule calls for you to put 20 per cent of every single month's pay check into your savings pot.

'The money you save will be beneficial for your retirement contributions or to pay off debts you might have like college or car loans,' explains Hannah, who recommends having a separate bank account for this segment of your money.

The third and final part of the rule is the 30 per cent part, which is dubbed the 'wants' and can be spent on the fun things you want to do or things you want to buy like new clothes.

50-20-30 RULE • Spend 50 per cent on essentials • Put 20 per cent in savings • Spend 30 per cent on things you want Hannah explains that as long as you’ve followed steps one and two, the third step allows you to have some fun with your money.

She concluded: 'It can be tempting to spend more than 30 per cent on your “wants” but try to honest and strict with yourself and don’t even start to cheat.'

Discussing the technique, Jamie Smith-Thompson,

managing director of Portafina (pensions and ISA advice specialists), said: 'Categorising your income like this is a great way to think about your money, and will also get you into the habit of paying yourself first, which is crucial for financial success. It’s similar to the thrift box system from years ago, so is a tried and tested method.

'There’s no doubt this would be particularly useful for people who don’t pay much attention to their money, and can start them on the road of improving their finances.

'With that said, it’s a false claim that these percentages apply to every budget. If you’ve got a mountain of debt and no savings, then spending more money than you save is not recommended. With debt, a good idea is to give yourself a deadline to pay it off by.

From there, you can work out monthly payments to hit your target. This is more effective than thinking purely about percentages, and once the debt is cleared you can put the extra money into your savings every month.'

Kris Brewster, Head of Products at Skipton Building Society, does, however, believe that when it comes to managing finances, everyone is different and there’s no such thing as a one size fits all approach. So, he says, it’s important to identify what’s realistic for you and your family.

'Look at your finances and identify your disposable income. Make a list of your essentials, such as living and transport costs, then do the same for things like going out, shopping or leisure activities.

Try to get into the habit of saving a proportion of your income regularly each week or month: it can often be worth putting goals or incentives in place to help you stay motivated in the longer term.

'There are always times when you may need to be flexible with your finances – some recent research conducted

by Skipton Building Society reveals that one in ten people dip into their savings on a monthly basis. The important thing to keep in mind is that putting money away on a regular basis will pay off in the long run, even if it’s only bit by bit. It’s never too late to make a start.'

George Charles, spokesperson for VoucherCodesPro.

A simple saving rule called the 50-20-30 helps you to sort out your finances and stop you from overspending your paycheck each month

co.uk, added: 'Whilst the 5020-30 rule is great in principle, this isn’t always going to be possible; every now and then there will be additional costs, such as school uniforms, car maintenance and so on.

As you approach a summer holiday, for instance, you may not be able to save so much as you might be paying off the

holiday – that doesn’t mean that you are not handling your finances well.

'Equally, if you get a payrise or promotion, you might be able to save a little more than normal. It really depends on your priorities at that specific time.

'That being said, it is a great rule for saving and

spending. Most people would be very surprised if they tried to stick to this rule, as the majority of us spend more than we realise on frivolous items, socialising and things we want. It’s surprising how quickly the savings can mount up when you keep a closer eye on your finances.'

Source: Dailymail.com

The 20 part of the rule calls for you to put 20 per cent of every single month’s pay check into your savings pot and experts say you should set up a separate bank account for these funds

world news

Page 35

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSday, AUGUST 18, 2016

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Open letter to the international community analysis

By Taha ÖZHAN Distinguished International Community, In the evening of July 15, Turkey faced a coup attempt and a terrorist attack perpetrated by the militarywing of an illegal organization known in the country as the ‘Parallel State Organization’. The attempt was definitely outside of the chain of command.

The attempt targeted the country as a whole, the people of Turkey, political parties, the elected President of Turkey, the Government of Turkey, state institutions and public administrators, the Turkish Armed Farces in particular, and most importantly the rule of law and democracy. Rather than a military coup attempt, in the public perception, it is received as the largest and the most organized terrorist attack that the country has ever seen.

The country witnessed the bloodiest and the most violent attack. The attack was averted in less than 24 hours by collective efforts of the people of Turkey and the Security (Police) Forces.

Fighter jets, helicopters, tanks and snipers randomly targeted common people who had taken to the streets against the vicious assault against their freedom and democracy. The perpetrators targeted the hotel where President Erdoğan and his family were on vacation; bombed several telecommunication sites and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey while the people’s representatives of all parties were inside at work to denounce the attempt. They attacked the major institutions of the military, police and intelligence. Many civilians, soldiers and police were taken hostage and some of them were viciously murdered by the perpetrators. The attackers occupied the state-run Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) and the private CNN Turk, assaulted media members, and closed critical highways, several main arteries and the two bridges over the Bosphorus.

They posed a threat to NATO bases, and put the security of Turkey and NATO at risk. About 300 people, mostly civilians, were killed and nearly 1,500 were wounded by the perpetrators.

The Terrorist Organization and its members are institutionalized worldwide under the name of the ‘Service Movement’, similar to the DEASH, exercises messianic faith in a direction to capture or enslave the whole world. It has a network active in more than 100 countries.

The organization has been

functioning since 1964. It is known by its activities under the guise of ‘moderate Islam’, and ‘interfaith dialogue’. It is particularly involved in educational activities. The organization has opened almost 2,000 private schools of all levels, 700 of which are in Turkey. These schools have been the backbone of their recruitment although other qualified recruits were allowed in after a strict observation, adaptation, and dedication period.

It has been illegally nested within state institutions by the human capital raised in their own schools and other educational institutions, where the network members were placed in via nepotist schemes.

Thus, it managed to penetrate into state institutions through their disciples who were subject to religious and ideological teaching from the very early years of their education in celllike formations. The disciples were raised as soldiers, police, prosecutors, judges, intelligence officers and teachers by illegally obtaining questions, answersprovided, before taking the specific ‘entrance exams’ to qualify for degree-specific University/ College/Academy programs or before taking the specific selection/ placement exams’ for employment in state and public institutions. In this way, they have been eagerly organized within politics, judiciary, education, bureaucracy, media, and business, whichever are relevant in the countries where they are active, without ever forgetting their loyalty to their roots and the spiritual leader, and their duty to pay back the organization and their ideology on a continual basis or on occasions or someday in the future when they are called to do so. They also have gained substantial lobbying power via webs of connections, donations and charity organizations. All the genuinely recognized adherents and associates of the network whether individual or corporate chip in a part of their revenue to the expenses of the network. The organization, managing to boost its human capital and consolidate its institutional structure, has reached a 25 billion dollar annual turnover. Moreover, it has carried out joint activities with many legal and illegal intelligence agencies, terrorist organizations, and has been invoked in illegal tapping and tracing. All these were to pressure, threaten and blackmail compliant and noncompliant people and adherents, communities and institutions to donate resources in cash and/or service in order to reach the ultimate goal of the Network. Thereby, they have been free to engage in soft and hard ways and means, manipulations, and attacks to gain voluntary and involuntary cooperation from

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Mr. Taha ÖZHAN whomever they deal with, to serve their interests and vision.

Known for many assassinations, bloodsheds, attacks and mysterious killings, particularly the Hrant Dink assassination and the Uludere attack during which 34 people were killed by the bombs of fighter jets; the organization has escalated social tension in the recent history of Turkey. The very same organization has also committed many attacks to intimidate its political and bureaucratic rivals, some by outright blackmails. The very same organization illegally eavesdropping thousands of politicians, including the President and the Prime Minister of Turkey, state administrators, journalists, academics and businessmen, has wiretapped four million people in total. It has pressured, threatened and blackmailed many of them to have access to political arena and other arenas via secret video recordings as well, also not shying away from infringing upon their privacy.

In its first overt soft action, the organization directly targeted

the governing AK Party Leader Erdoğan on February /, 2017 in an attempt to arrest the Chief of the National Intelligence (MIT) by the collaboration of the police, prosecutors and judges who were members of the organization. In its nature, this was also a vendetta by the Network for Erdoğan’s not appointing a member of the group, the head of the security (police) intelligence, to the post as the Chief of MIT. On December 17-25, 2013, the organization, in another soft coup attempt via the judiciary, was involved in thousands of illegal tapping and tracing activities directly targeting the then PM Mr. Erdoğan and AK Party government; by doing so, they were trying to design the domestic politics to take down the Government by both schemed legality and in the eyes of the people. However, the people of Turkey, in return, have increased their support to the governing party and its members in the local and general elections, and prevented the organization to reach its goal to overthrow the Government.

To assume the power,

“

Against all terrorist attacks in Turkey, starting with the events of July 15 and onwards, we are grateful to all of our allies and friendly countries for expressing their rejection of the coup attempt and condemnation of the terrorist attacks

Organization this time carried out its biggest illegal and vicious attack against Turkey on July 15, 2016 via its disciples nested in the military. However, thepeople of Turkey have taken to the streets at the cost of their lives, shielded against fighter jets, tanks all kinds of heavy weapons, and victoriously protected their homeland, freedom and democracy. Together with the people, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Government of Turkey, all opposition parties, the Police and the majority of the Military have sternly resisted against the gravest and most organized terrorist attack in the history of Modern Turkey. Turkey thwarted the Gulenist terrorist attack also being well aware of the fact that her own stability and security is also an extension of the stability and security of all NATO members.

After the coup attempt was prevented, a vigorous legal course was initiated within the rule of law across the country against the members of the Network and those who had share in the coup attacks. In order to prevent a probable second coup attempt, and to ensure public safety, to protect democracy and maintain stability, the Constitutional status of “state of emergency” was declared, which is planned to last for 30 or 45 days.

Against all terrorist attacks in Turkey, starting with the events of July 15 and onwards, we are grateful to all of our allies and friendly countries for expressing their rejection of the coup attempt and condemnation of the terrorist attacks, and taking side with the people of Turkey, their State, their Law and Democracy. The attacks by the apparently-legal but Illegal Organization demonstrated once more that the whole humanity, legitimate politics, law and democracy itself are the targets of terrorism. The entire humanity, which has been the target of terrorism for decades, must now take up a global fight as a whole against all kinds of terrorism at the highest level of cooperation, must appose terrorism regardless of its perpetrators and origin, and unify in power and coordinator against it. Turkey will continue to fight against terrorism and all kinds of terrorist groups resolutely, which includes, the DEASH and PKK in the forefront. As we reiterate our belief that our allies and other friendly countries will rot leave us alone in this fight, we hope that they all will continue to cooperate and join in capabilities at the highest levels.

Mr. Taha ÖZHAN, is the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Page 36

News From Africa Egypt state TV orders female hosts to lose weight

E

gypt’s state broadcaster has suspended eight of its female TV presenters and told them to go on a diet, sparking uproar among women’s rights groups.

The Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU) has given the women one month to slim down before they can appear on air again with an “appropriate appearance”, the Al-Yawm al-Sabi website reports. The ERTU has a female director, Safaa Hegazy, a former state TV anchor herself.

The announcement prompted an outcry among the affected presenters. Khadija Khattab, a host on Egypt’s Channel 2, told the paper that she wants people to watch her most recent TV appearances and judge for themselves if she is really “fat”, and whether she deserves to be prevented from working. Another presenter said the situation had upset their families and should have been dealt with internally.

The Women’s Centre for Guidance and Legal Awareness condemned the move, saying it “violates the constitution” and is a form of violence against women. It’s called on the ERTU to backtrack. Despite the criticism, ERTU sources told the Veto news website that the decision won’t be reversed, but that the women won’t have their pay and benefits docked.

Egyptian media commentators are debating whether the suspensions were justified. At the state-owned Al-Ahram daily, journalist Fatma al-Sharawi says she thinks the policy should be applied across local TV stations.

But author and academic Waheed Abdul Majid thinks the channel should focus on improving its content rather than the appearance of the presenters.

On social media, some users voiced support for the women, but others called them “bakabouzas”, a term Egyptians use to describe overweight girls. One female Twitter user described ERTU head Safaa Hegazy as a “strong woman” for making the decision.

The presenters have been defended in parliament, though, with male MP and journalist Sayyid Hegazy asking: “Who is an ideal weight in Egypt?” He told the Sada al-Balad news site that a presenter “might be a little overweight, but she is eloquent”.

Zambia arrests 133 protesters after contested election

Z

ambian police have arrested 133 people protesting against the re-election of President Edgar Lungu after his main opponent HakaindeHichilema said the vote was rigged, a senior police officer said.

Lungu, leader of the Patriotic Front (PF), won 50.35 percent of the vote, against 47.67 percent for Hichilema, of the United Party for National Development (UPND), according to the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

The opposition party quickly rejected that result, saying that the electoral commission had colluded to rig the result in favour of Lungu.

“They targeted perceived supporters of the ruling party, destroying their property,” GodwinPhiri, a Southern province police chief, told the Reuters news agency on Tuesday, referring to those arrested.

“It is like this was well planned and they were just waiting for the winner to be declared. Calm has now returned following the arrests.”

Hichilema’s United Party for National Development (UPND) said it will appeal the result at the Constitutional Court, accusing election officials of fraud during the count which began after voting ended last Thursday.

“The PF has effected a coup on Zambia’s democratic process,” Hichilema said in a statement late on Monday.

Supporters of Edgar Lungu celebrated in the streets after he narrowly won re-election [Jean Serge/Reuters]

“We submitted evidence before the declaration of the results regarding the gross irregularities that have taken place.

That is why we will not accept the result.”

Al Jazeera’s Tania Page, reporting from the capital Lusaka, said the opposition was also trying to block the presidential inauguration to protest “leaving it up to the country’s courts to

settle the differences between Zambia’s fierce political rivals”.

The EU also supported Hichilema’s view that police had acted with politically at times, and had also cracked down “quite harshly” on some of his political gatherings, Page said.

The ruling party and the electoral commission have rejected the UPND’s

accusations.

Zambia has been one of Africa’s most stable democracies although there were skirmishes during campaigning.

Lungu, who can only be inaugurated 7 days after being proclaimed victor, was due to hold a celebratory rally on Tuesday. His re-election secures him another five-year term.

Mauritania anti-slavery activists ‘tortured in custody’

T

hirteen anti-slavery activists in Mauritania on trial for “rebellion and use of violence” told a court on Monday that they had been tortured during their detention, their lawyer said.

They were arrested last month after a protest in a Nouakchott slum community that was being forcibly relocated as the West African country prepared for an Arab League summit.

“One by one, the 13 spoke out against the forms of torture they had been subjected to in custody”, according to lawyer BrahimOuldEbetty, representing the members of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement.

He added that the campaigners demanded that “proceedings be brought against the torturers they have mentioned by name”.

The 13 are accused of rebellion, use of violence, attack against public authority, armed assembly and membership of an unrecognised organisation, which carries a potential fine and a jail term of up to two years.

The Nouakchott slum was home to many so-called Haratin - a “slave caste” under a hereditary system

Despite a ban on slavery, many still work in Mauritania without receiving pay [Schalk Van Zuydam/AP]

of servitude whose members are forced to work without pay as cattle herders and domestic servants.

About 10 police officers

were injured during the protest, according to local officials.

Hereditary systems of slavery still exist in Mauritania despite an

official ban, where those belonging to “slave castes” are forced to work as cattle herders and domestic servants without pay.

Page 37

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Israeli settlement expansion ‘a war on the mind’

T

he illegal Israeli settlement of HarGilo towers over the only remaining entrance to alWalaja, a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank.

Through the entrance on the southern edge of the village, away from the prisonlike fences and barbed wire that surround the illegal Israeli settlement, rolling hills and fields of olive trees tell of the traditional lifestyle still led by the residents of this small agricultural community.

Walaja is a quiet village, apart from the rumblings and bangings of the much larger Gilo settlement expanding on its eastern side - disruptions that are expected to intensify after Israel’s announcement to build 770 new settler units.

As parts of both the HarGilo and Gilo settlements are built on Walaja’s land, residents believe that their further expansion solidifies the confiscation of land that previously belonged to the village, removing any hope that residents could one day get their land back.

For the past six years, Walaja resident Omar Halajay has been fighting for his right to keep the home and land passed down to him from his father.

Halajay’s home, which lies on the eastern edge of the village, is the sole house on the edge of a mount overlooking the Gilo settlement.

“I have a front-row seat to the expansion,” Halajay told Al Jazeera as he sat outside on his large patio, with his chair facing directly towards Gilo.

Since 2013, Halajay’s home has been isolated by various Israeli barriers that have also cut off nearly a third of Walaja’s land. The Israeli government has tried to confiscate Halajay’s land and home on several occasions, but he took the orders to court and won the right to remain.

“I’ve been allowed to stay in my home, but that means an electric fence and settlement on one side, a wall on the other, a closed military zone behind us, and the only way to access my home is through a tunnel under a settler-only road,” Halajay said. “I’m not sure it is winning, but I still have my home and my family.”

Across from Halajay’s home, expansion of the Gilo settlement has already begun on the side of the mountain, creeping down to the edge of the valley that separates it from Walaja.

Asia&Middle-east

Five killed in fresh Kashmir clashes A

t least five people have been killed and over 20 injured as fresh clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in the India-administered part of Kashmir, police said.

The latest deaths have taken the toll to 63 in demonstrations in towns and villages across the disputed region, which were sparked last month by the killing of a young opposition leader, BurhanWani.

The Kashmir Valley has been under a strict curfew, but protesters continue to take to the streets shouting anti-India slogans, some of them hurling stones at security forces who try to disperse them with force.

In Beerwah area of Budgam district, paramilitary forces fired at a group of stone-throwers on Tuesday as the protesters broke through barricades. Four were killed and at least 10 injured, a local police official said.

In neighbouring Anantnag district, another person was killed after security forces began firing at a mob throwing projectiles in

A

Massive demonstrations were sparked last month by the killing of a Kashmiri opposition leader [EPA]

Larkipora village, police said.

Kashmir is divided into two parts, one administered by India and the other by Pakistan.

India claims Pakistan has been supporting a violent secessionist movement in Kashmir. Islamabad has consistently denied this charge.

It calls Kashmiri rebels freedom

fighters.

Seven fighters were killed by security forces on Monday. Five had been trying to sneak across the border with Pakistan and two had attacked security forces in Jammu and the Kashmiri capital Srinagar, killing a paramilitary officer, police said.

Russian Warplanes Use Iranian Airbase to Stage Syrian Airstrikes

R

ussia said Tuesday a group of its warplanes took off from an airbase in Iran to carry out airstrikes against militants in Syria.

Russian forces have been conducting airstrikes supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government since late September of last year. Tuesday marks the first time that effort has expanded outside of Syria with the Russian long-range bombers using Syrian ally Iran as a base.

Russia’s defense ministry said the strikes targeted Islamic State fighters as well as JabhatFateh alSham, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, in Aleppo, Deir el-Zour and Idlib.

Iranian state media quoted the head of the country’s National Security Council Ali Shamkhani saying Iran and Russia have strategic cooperation in fighting terrorism in Syria and are sharing their facilities in that mission.

Russia has insisted its air

In this frame grab from video provided by the FILE Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, Russian long range bomber Tu-22M3 flies during a strike above an undisclosed location in Syria.

campaign is focused on terrorists and not the rebels who oppose Assad, but has faced criticism from Western governments and rights groups who say that has not been the case.

The Syrian conflict began in March 2011 as peaceful protests

against Assad and quickly spiraled into a civil war that the United Nations estimates has killed more than 400,000 people. Nearly 5 million people have fled the country and another 6.6 million are internally displaced, according to U.N. data.

Killing them slowly: Diabetes in Palestine

Y

atta, occupied West Bank - A mobile clinic with specialised doctors, nurses, nutritionists and podiatrists recently made a stop in Yatta, the main market town of the South Hebron Hills in the occupied West Bank.

The clinic - a large truck stocked with free treatment options - is at the forefront of thebattle against

North Korean diplomat at London embassy ‘defects to another country’

diabetes, which has now become the leading indirect cause of death in Palestine as the main risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease, according to the World Health Organization.

“The mobile clinic is our only alternative for diabetes treatment. We live a life of poverty,” Abu Abdullah, a man in his late fifties, told Al Jazeera.

One among tens of Palestinian patients waiting outside the clinic on a recent day, Abu Abdullah said he moved to the outskirts of Yatta three decades ago, after the Israeli army forced him off his land in the South Hebron Hills. Since the move, it has been hard for him to earn enough money to provide for his wife and seven children.

diplomat at the North Korean embassy in London has defected to another country, BBC News understands.

The diplomat left the embassy earlier this month for a “third country”, reports in the South Korean media say.

The Foreign Office has not commented on the alleged defection but has indicated it is trying to verify the reports.

The diplomat reportedly lived in the UK for 10 years with his wife and family, the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent James Robbins said.

Calls about the issue have not been answered at the Embassy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) - which is the North Korean embassy’s official title - in Ealing, west London.

“A DPRK diplomat in London is going through procedures to seek asylum in a third country,” a report in the South Korean daily newspaper JoongAngIlbo said.

“The DPRK Embassy made belated attempts to figure out the diplomat’s whereabouts, but has failed,” the paper’s report added, citing an anonymous source.

The paper said that in this context “a third country” means one which is not either North or South Korea.

“A high-level defection, if confirmed, will be deeply embarrassing for the regime,” said John Nilsson-Wright, an expert on Asian affairs at the London-based Chatham House think tank.

“London has always been an important diplomatic priority for the DPRK given the amount of personnel stationed there and the considerable resources devoted by the regime to maintaining its presence there,” he added.

“The intelligence benefits to the UK and its allies from such a deflection are likely to prove valuable.”

North Korea has an embassy in west London. The diplomats there can be charming, particularly over curry at their favourite curry house. Their children are in nearby state schools and one is a stalwart of the local tennis club.

The other side of their lives, though, involves keeping tabs on North Korean defectors who often settle in New Malden in southwest London.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Page 38

Europe & Americas

Turkey coup inquiry: Police raid companies and target CEOs T

Third town in France bans the ‘burkini’

A

Corsican seaside resort on Monday became the third French town to ban fullbody swimsuits worn by some Muslim women after weekend scuffles on the beach.

The cities of Cannes and Villeneuve-Loubet have also banned the swimsuit - which leaves only the face, hands and feet exposed - arguing that it violates French laws on secularism.

Socialist mayor Ange-Pierre Vivoni of Sisco, on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica, told BFM Television that wearing it was not acceptable in the town.

“People here feel provoked by things like that,” he said.

He said he was not targeting Muslims but he wanted to get rid of what he called “Islamist fundamentalists” on the island.

“These people have no business here,” he said.

On France Info radio, Vivoni denied media reports saying that a scuffle on Sisco beach on Saturday night had been sparked by a tourist taking pictures of Muslim women bathing in the swimsuits.

“The brawl was not due to a burkini. Young Corsicans were defending tourists who were peacefully taking pictures of the landscape,” he said.

He said the ban on the “burkini” - the word is a combination of burqa and bikini - aimed to protect both people of North African descent as well as others in the community.

urkish police have raided 44 companies and are seeking the arrest of 120 company executives, as part of the investigation into last month’s failed coup, state media report.

The companies in Istanbul targeted by prosecutors are suspected of channelling funds to the movement of US-based cleric FethullahGulen.

The cleric is accused of organising the botched coup.

His followers are alleged to have set up a parallel state.

The co-ordinated raids, backed up by riot police, took place in the Uskudar and Umraniye districts of eastern Istanbul, Anadolu news agency said.

Some 240 people died resisting the coup on 15 and 16 July, as rebel parts of the military tried to seize control of Turkey, sending tanks into Ankara and Istanbul.

Since then Turks have witnessed a purge of the military and public services. An estimated 26,000 people have been detained and 82,000 dismissed or suspended. On Monday, police raided three Istanbul court houses searching for 173 judicial officials.

President RecepTayyipErdogan vowed earlier this month to root out businesses, schools and charities linked to FethullahGulen, which he labelled “nests of terrorism”. But, he said, it was in the business world that the roots of Gulenism were strongest.

“We will cut off all business links, all revenues of Gulen-linked

Police on Monday raided courthouses in Istanbul with warrants for the arrest of 173 justice officials

business. We are not going to show anyone any mercy,” he said.

“It was a night of horror - but we weren’t scared for our lives, we

were scared for our nation,” says RavzaKavakciKan, an MP with the governing AK Party, as we tour the destruction in parliament.

Austria Police Say No Terror Link in Train Stabbing

A

ustrian police say there are no signs of terrorism links after a “mentally ill” man launched into a stabbing rampage on a train in western Austria Tuesday.

According to police, the man, identified as a 60-year-old German national, appeared mentally unstable as he attacked two people on the train near the village of Sulz.

“The man did not have a migration background. He is by all accounts mentally ill and we are largely excluding a terrorist act,” police spokesman Horst Spitzhofer told the French news agency, AFP. The attacker was headed to the

city of Bregenz when he frantically began stabbing two teenagers. The first, a 19-year-old was stabbed in the stomach and back, while the other, a 17-year-old had his throat slashed.

The attacker was eventually subdued after a brief struggle with police when the train pulled into a station.

Police said both the victims had been taken to the hospital.

On Saturday, a similar knife attack on a train in Switzerland left one person dead and five more injured. Police said they had ruled Austrian policemen arrest a suspect on August 16, 2016 at the train staout any connection between the two tion Sulz-Röthis in Vorarlberg, Austria, after he had attacked two train passengers with a knife. incidents.

Austria Police Say No Terror Link in Train Stabbing

F

ifteen Guantanamo Bay prisoners have been transferred to the United Arab Emirates, leaving 61 detainees at the notorious US militaryrun jail.

The Pentagon said on Monday that 12 Yemenis and three Afghans, some of whom had been held for more than 14 years without charge, would settle in the UAE in the largest single transfer of Guantanamo detainees during President Barack Obama’s

administration.

Full List Of Detainee Transfers: Abd al-MuhsinAbd al-RabSalih al-Busi Abd al-RahmanSulayman Mohammed NasirYahiKhussrofKazaz Abdul Muhammad Ahmad Nassar al-Muhajari Muhammad Ahmad Said al-Adahi Abdel Qadir al-Mudafari Mahmud Abd Al Aziz al-Mujahid Saeed Ahmed Mohammed Abdullah SaremJarabh

Mohammed Kamin Zahar Omar Hamis bin Hamdoun Hamid al-Razak Majid Mahmud Abdu Ahmed AyubMurshid Ali Salih Obaidullah Bashir Nasir Ali al-Marwalah “The United States is grateful to the government of the United Arab Emirates for its humanitarian gesture and willingness to support ongoing US efforts to close Guantanamo,” the

Pentagon said in a statement.

Congress was notified of the transfers as required under US law, the Pentagon added.

Since the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York, about 780 inmates have been kept at Guantanamo.

Amnesty International USA, a rights group, welcomed the announcement as a sign that US President Barack Obama was serious about closing the controversial jail before he leaves office.

“But this was the day we would defend our democracy. It brought the Turkish people together in solidarity.

It was our liberation war.”

Nicaragua opposition urges boycott of presidential poll

A

coalition of opposition parties in Nicaragua has called on voters to boycott November’s presidential poll.

A spokeswoman for the National Coalition for Democracy called it “fraudulent” and “a farce”.

The opposition accuses incumbent President Daniel Ortega of trying to create a “dynastic dictatorship”.

Polls suggest Mr Ortega is likely to win as the main opposition candidates have been barred from standing by the Supreme Court.

At a news conference, National Coalition for Democracy spokeswoman VioletaGranera said: “We herewith declare the absolute invalidity of these fraudulent elections and demand real elections.”

She asked voters to abstain from voting altogether or to cast a blank vote.

She also accused Mr Ortega of wanting to create a family dynasty after he announced that he had chosen his wife Rosario Murillo as his running mate.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Page 39

Strange

world

Horrific images show 21-year-old ‘burned alive’ after suffering massive allergic reaction to medication he WASN’T prescribed

By Madlen Davies

A

young man was left fighting for his life after suffering a severe allergic reaction to prescription medication.

Christopher Wooll, 21, said he nearly ‘burned alive’ when his body erupted in blisters after just 10 days of taking mood-stabilising drug lamotrigine.

Mr Wooll was not prescribed the drug - which is used to treat bipolar disorder and epilepsy - but decided to self-medicate.

Skin rashes are a well-documented side-effect of lamotrigine - and doctors usually start patients on a low dose as a result.

He was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), a rare but life-threatening skin condition usually triggered by a reaction to medication or an infection.

His organs began to fail and doctors at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital had to battle a series of complications - at one point Mr Wooll stopped breathing.

Mr Wooll said he felt as though he was ‘burning from the inside out’ as doctors battled to save his life. But he pulled through and survived - and is now recovering at home They managed to save his life, and he is finally recovering at his home in Bidford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire.

Mr Wooll’s father Andrew, a start-up company director, and his mother Jazmin, an accountant, drove his son to Warwick Hospital A&E after his face erupted in blisters after work.

He said: ‘When we realised what it was I was straight on the internet and we started to realise it was life threatening.

‘We broke down when the doctors took us aside and told us he might not survive. It was just awful.

‘And then we had to go back into the room and put a brave face on for Chris.

‘By then he had blisters and burns all over his body, his eyes were swollen up and he was in pain.

‘He had to be wrapped up in bandages and have his hair shaved off.

‘It was a real life horror story.’

The Wooll family had been living in George, South Africa, but had moved to the UK in mid-April.

Mr Wooll had trained and qualified as a chef in South Africa, and after arriving in Bidford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, soon began working for a local restaurant.

The family were settling in well but, on 28 June, Mr Wooll began complaining of flu symptoms.

He said: ‘I did not really think anything of it at first, but the next day at work my face and eyes began to swell up.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome - A Potentially Fatal Reaction Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare condition arising from ‘over-reaction’ of the immune system to a trigger such as a mild infection or a medicine.

It leads to blistering and peeling of the skin and surfaces of the eyes, mouth and throat - and can be fatal.

It was named after two US paediatricians who first described it in 1922.

The most common triggers for Stevens-Johnson syndrome in children are infections, usually viral.

Common infectious triggers include herpes, mumps, flu and the Epstein Barr virus.

In adults, reactions to medicines, such as pain killers and antibiotics, are more common. In many cases, the trigger cannot be identified.

SJS begins with flu-like symptoms. These are followed by a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and blisters - and then the top layer of the affected skin dies and sheds.

Possible complications include permanent blindness and lung damage.

Once diagnosed doctors will immediately stop the patient taking the offending drug.

Treatment includes IV fluids and high calorie formulas to promote healing.

Antibiotics are given when necessary to prevent secondary infections such as sepsis.

Pain medications such as morphine can make the patient more comfortable.

‘When I got in the car to go home I had blood blisters in my mouth and on my lips. It was pretty scary.’

It emerged he had begun taking lamotrigine, which is used to treat depression in bipolar disorder.

Stevens-Jonson syndrome is a known side-effect of the medication.

The next day Mr Wooll’s body continued to blister so the family went to Warwick’s A&E department twice, before Mr Wooll began to feel increasingly unwell and was admitted to hospital.

A rash was spreading across his body and he was losing his vision.

On 2 July, he was transferred by ambulance to Queen Elizabeth hospital’s intensive care unit.

His father said: ‘When he got to Birmingham he had 40 per cent burns on his body.

‘But this got worse and worse until it was 100 per cent.’

Doctors battled to keep him alive, but the burns were spreading and his organs began to fail.

He was put into an induced coma but stopped breathing and had a tube put down his throat.

It was then the family were told the devastating news he may not survive, as doctors battled to save him.

His father said: ‘His skin peeling was like being flayed alive.

‘I’ve never experienced such pain and utter helplessness.

‘It was extremely difficult for us. We only have one car at the moment, so I had to drive my wife to work, then drive to see Chris, and go and see my parents.

‘I was probably driving about five hours a day.’

The skin on Mr Wooll’s entire body peeled off, and he suffered multiple organ failure, corneal defects, two episodes of blood poisoning, low blood pressure, and he lost a total of 3.9st (25kg).

But he managed pulled through, and, though scarred, is now facing a long recovery.

He is currently on a strict regime of 10 separate medications, a combination of creams, lotion, tablets, eye drops and mouthwashes he has to take a number of times each day.

Mr Wooll said: ‘It’s a little like my life is governed by my meds at the moment, but it’s not that bad.

Christopher Wooll, 21, was left fighting for his life after suffering an allergic reaction to medication he wasn’t prescribed. It caused the skin on his body to blister and burn Mr Wooll, pictured before his illness, suffered the reaction after taking the mood-stabilising drug lamotrigine for just 10 days. His reaction began when he suffered flu symptoms ‘When I was in hospital I was quite often sedated so it wasn’t too painful.

‘It was really scary when I started to lose my sight. It was perfect up until then.

‘Fortunately the doctors are really pleased with my progress.

He added he feels ‘really lucky’ to be alive.

He said: ‘Most people who have SJS as badly as I had it don’t survive.

DailyMail on Facebook

He was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), a rare but life-threatening skin condition triggered by an allergic reaction - and now has to take a cocktail of drugs, creams and ointments for the horrific burns he suffered

Doctors put him into a medically induced coma as his organs began to fail. He lost the skin on nearly all of his body and his parents were told he may not survive

Page 40

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Digest

Sorry, but you do need to floss: Dentist warns not doing so can lead to diabetes and even death

By JULIE REZK

W

e all know that brushing out teeth at least twice a day is vital to keeping strong teeth and disease-free gums.

But whether to floss or not has become a hot topic for debate.

When health officials in the US effectively branded it a waste of time, others hit back saying the recommended twice-daily ritual is as vital as brushing.

Julie Rezk, a professor of dentistry at Vanderbilt University, says most dentists still recommend it.

Writing for The Conversation, she explains why the practice is not only important for dental hygiene but can also help to stave off other health problems. TO FLOSS OR NOT TO FLOSS? ‘The question has become a big question in the past week.

News reports have conflicted, leading to confusion.

First came a story the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services had dropped recommendations for flossing because no studies provided evidence that flossing actually promotes oral health. Then came a joint announcement from HHS and the American Dental Association.

The ADA said that ‘the bottom line for dentists and patients is that a lack of strong evidence doesn’t equate to a lack of effectiveness.’

And HHS said in a statement to the dental group that flossing is ‘an important oral hygiene practice.’ As with many questions related to health and medicine, experts may not always agree.

As a hospital dentist practising in an academic setting, I have personally observed the detrimental health effects of poor flossing habits.

While there may not be studies yet that substantiate the health benefits of flossing, I see the benefits every day.

Brushing Up On The Basics Let’s start with dental basics.

Flossing reduces plaque, the sticky film that collects at the gumline as a result of eating.

This plaque layer harbours lots of bacteria.

The ADA estimates that more than 500 species of bacteria can thrive in this plaque. Some are good, but some are bad.

An overgrowth of bacteria

The effectiveness of flossing has been debated ever since the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services said there was no evidence it improved oral health can be responsible for common problems such as gingival inflammation, bleeding, tenderness, and bad breath. Flossing, if practiced consistently and correctly, can help prevent some of these consequences.

I believe it prevents the development of gingivitis and subsequent periodontitis.

Gingivitis is the inflammation that develops at the gumline when plaque accumulates around the tooth.

If left undertreated, it can progress to periodontitis, or gum disease with associated bone loss.

Without flossing and regular dental cleaning visits, periodontal disease may cause early tooth loss. It is also directly linked to chronic systemic illnesses such as low birth weight babies, diabetes and heart disease.

Treatment for these types of periodontal diseases can be painful, time-consuming and financially draining.

No one wants this, trust me.

Gingivitis leads to tooth loss, and tooth loss leads to poor health.

Why You Should Your Dentist

Trust

Based on my clinical experience, I believe flossing helps to prevent decay. How? Decay that may occur between your teeth starts just below your contact point, where neighbouring teeth meet.

Flossing helps to mechanically disrupt the plaque that may build between teeth.

If there is no disruption, the bacteria will break down the tooth surface to cause a cavity.

The link between periodontal disease and heart disease has only become more obvious within the last two decades.

This does not mean that bacteria in your mouth causes heart disease; it means that some studies have suggested a

link.

What is that possible link?

Your mouth has lots of bacteria and your gums have lots of blood vessels.

Any disruption or accumulation of plaque may cause bacteria to enter your circulatory system.

Bacteria can then travel anywhere, such as to the valves of your heart, or even to your brain.

Gum disease has been linked to chronic disease such as heart disease and diabetes Gum disease has been linked to chronic disease such as heart disease and diabetes Ultimately, an endocarditis or encephalitis could develop,

“

The link between periodontal disease and heart disease has only become more obvious within the last two decades

causing risk to your health.

The inflammatory reaction caused by bacteria is the ultimate link between gum disease and these chronic conditions.

A visual inspection can tell your story. Your dentist and hygienist can tell if you have been compliant with your daily brushing and flossing.

Patients who are not compliant with flossing usually have obvious redness and tenderness during probing and manipulation of the gumline.

This can make a routine dentist visit more painful and uncomfortable than it should be.

Good oral hygiene practices of brushing and flossing keep your gums healthy and in turn keeps you healthy.

Always brush and floss every day. Otherwise, be prepared for the cavities, gum disease, and the possible progression into diabetes and other chronic conditions.

So, if you are at the bathroom sink tonight talking yourself out of flossing because there is no evidence, talk yourself into it instead.

Pick up the floss, make your dentist proud.

PEOPLES DAILY

Sports

WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Page

41

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

Giwa FC

LMC reinstates Giwa FC to Nigeria Professional Football League

T

he League Management Company of Nigeria (LMC), has yesterday recalled Giwa FC back into the Nigeria Football Professional League after they were expelled some months ago.

The decision came after a court in Jos ruled in favour of the Chris Giwa led team on Tuesday who have been challenging the LMC for discharging the team from participating in the league for missing three consecutive away games; which spells automatic expulsion.

An interim order from the court in Jos, Plateau state Nigeria, also directed the LMC to reschedule matches concerning the Jos side, which the league body confirmed that the process is presently been worked out.

Furthermore, players of Giwa FC who

were allowed to join other clubs on a free transfer have all been directed by the LMC to return back to the team, while clubs that signed them have been warned not to feature them.

An official statement by the company on its official website yesterday read in part that it will “approach the court and have the interim order set aside and the suit dismissed by the court for being frivolous and without merits whatsoever.”

However, as a law abiding corporate entity, LMC has taken immediate steps to effect compliance with the directives of the Court, as contained in the Order, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice. To this end, kindly be advised that: a. Giwa FC has been restored to the

CCB boss bags FEPSGA Icon of sports, goodwill ambassador

>>Pg 42

NPFL Table, while further processes are being activated to reschedule the matches concerning the Club, in accordance with the NPFL Framework and Rules, 2015/2016 Season; b. No club shall henceforth feature any player whose registration it acquired on the basis of the expulsion of Giwa FC, as all such registrations are withdrawn.

In a circular signed by chairman Shehu Dikko, the LMC took the decision going having being served with an interim court order issued by the High Court of Justice of Plateau State, sitting in Jos. “Sequel to our earlier Circular No. 10/2016, dated 20th May 2016 and titled “Expulsion of Giwa FC from the Nigeria Professional Football League”, we have on Tuesday, 16th August, 2016 been served

with an interim court order issued by the High Court of Justice of Plateau State, sitting at Jos,” the statement read.

“The order was made in a suit filed by a certain Mustaphar Abubakar claiming for be acting for himself and on behalf of Giwa FC - who is praying the court to compel LMC to restore Giwa FC to the NPFL, reschedule all matches of the club which previously had been duly cancelled, and direct to return to the club all players who departed the club and registered for other clubs upon its expulsion.

“The order was made ex parte (i.e. without the Court having heard the LMC) and on an interim nature, with the return date of 23rd August, 2016, when the case would be heard.”

Milan sign midfielder Sosa from Besiktas

>>Pg 43

PAGE 42

Sport

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

CCB boss bags FEPSGA Icon of sports, goodwill ambassador

By Albert Akota

T

he Federation Public Service Games (FEPSGA) yesterday in Abuja honoured the chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) Sam Saba Icon of sports and goodwill Ambassador of the association.

Decorating him with the award at the federal secretariat, the president of the FEPSGA, Comrade Dahiru Hassan said the Sam Saba met all the criteria for an award by the association, added that the decision was reached at the executive meeting of FEPSGA. He noted the Saba has contributed immense to the development of sports in the Code of Conduct Bureau sports club, FEPSGA’s sporting activities as well as various sporting association in the country.

“This award is to celebrate integrity, celebrate custodian in public servant who was given Icon of sports and goodwill Ambassador by FEPSGA today

(yesterday), as we all know who much is given, much is expected, we want you to keep your door open to service especially Code of Conduct Bureau sports club.

“We may run to you for moral assistant please don’t hesitate to assist us because you are the second person we are given the huge award, “he said.

Speaking earlier, chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau Sam Saba lauded the management of FEPSGA for finding him worthy to be honoured with Icon of sports and goodwill Ambassador of the association.

Saba who could not hide his feelings promised to supports FEPSGA in all ramifications require of him for the interest of sports development in the country.

The former manager news and current affair NTA assured FEPSGA of attending the forthcoming monthly walking and jogging exercise billed at Abuja national stadium on 27th of this month and annual games coming up in Jos, the Plateau state capital later in the year.

Confident Eaglets depart for Niamey

By Albert Akota

A

fter three days of intensive training session, Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will depart Sokoto today ahead of Saturday’s second round, second leg U17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Junior Menas of Niger Republic in Niamey.

Coach Manu Garba’s wards take a 1-0 lead to their hosts and must at least secure a draw to progress to the third and final round for a place in next year’s continental cadet championship to be held in Madagascar between April 2–16, 2017.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi will lead the delegation. Also on the trip is Assistant Director (Technical), Abdulrafiu Yusuf. Coach Garba and his assistants, as well as backroom staff, will lead a playing personnel of 18 players.

Garba in the meantime, applauded the local football fans in Sokoto State for coming out in large numbers daily to watch the team’s training sessions at the Giginya Memorial Stadium: “Our coming down to Sokoto has helped us to acclimatize with the same weather condition we are likely going to meet in Niamey. We thank the people of Sokoto State for providing us with the conducive environment to train.”

Team coordinator Prince Udofia said the players were in high spirit, explaining the training camp in Sokoto has strengthened the team in several ways: “We have enjoyed our stay here in Sokoto and the players

Mr. Sam Saba

Brume qualifies for Long Jump final as Okagbare falters again

T

eam Nigeria’s Efe Brume is through to the final of the women’s long jump event at the ongoing Rio 2016 Olympics.

Brume, the only African in the final, qualified as the sixth best jumper with a leap of 6.67m. The reigning Commonwealth Champion will hope she can ruffle feathers for a possible podium finish.

The Women’s Long Jump final is fixed for 9.15 p.m. Brazil time, about 1.15 a.m. on Thursday in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, it was another bad day for Blessing Okagbare as she failed to make it beyond the semi finals of the 200m event.

Okagbare, who had also crashed out in the semi final of the 100m, finished 5th in her 200m semi final race and her time of 22.69 could not earn her a final ticket.

The only hope for a medal for Okagbare now lies in the 4x100m where the country faces an uphill task against the likes of Jamaica and USA. There was more disappointment for Nigeria on the tracks where the country’s hope for a place in the men’s 110m hurdles finals evaporated with the last place finish of Antwon Hicks in his semi final race.

Ese Brume

Rio Olympics: Ajagba loses quarterfinal bout

N

igerian boxer Efe Ajagba has failed to make it to the medal’s stage following his loss to Ivan Dychko in a quarterfinal bout of ongoing Rio Olympics.

Ajagba lost by unanimous decision of 28-29, 28-29, 28-29 to Dychko who won bronze at the London 2012 Olympics.

The Nigerian pugilist had a bright chance of progressing to the semi-finals after he outpunched his Trinidad and Tobago’s opponent Nigel Paul, through a knockout in the run-up to his quarterfinals fight.

Ajagba who is the sole boxer representing Nigeria in Rio, lost all three rounds to Dychko as he failed to throw good punches in the last two rounds.

The Nigerian boxer won gold at the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo, Brazaville and a bronze at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Efe Ajagba

Page 43

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Sport

Arsenal, others chasing Mahrez

R

iyad Mahrez, one of the stars of Leicester City’s unlikely Premier League title triumph last season, has hinted that only “two or three” clubs could tempt him to leave the English champions.

Algerian international Mahrez, who was named player of the year in England by his fellow professionals last season after playing a crucial role in Claudio Ranieri’s side’s success, has been linked with a bigmoney move away in the summer.

Arsenal, who travel to Leicester this weekend, have been credited with a strong interest in Mahrez but the Foxes are

Milan sign midfielder Sosa from Besiktas A

desperate to keep hold of the player.

And the 25-year-old indicated that, while he is happy in England, only one of the continent’s very biggest clubs could persuade him to leave the King Power Stadium.

Mahrez, who has also been linked with Barcelona, added that he saw no prospect of Leicester reclaiming their title this season.

Leicester began their defence of the title with a disappointing 2-1 defeat away to Hull City last weekend.

Riyad Mahrez

Hart considers move after being drop by Guardiola

M

C Milan has signed midfielder Jose Ernesto Sosa on a two-year contract from Turkish champions Besiktas, the Italian club said yesterday.

“For its midfield, AC Milan was looking for an experienced, professional player with the will to do well,” they said in a statement. “The club has found these three elements in you.”

The 31-year-old player joined Besiktas, initially on loan, in 2014 from Ukrainian club Metalist Kharkiv. He made 31 league appearances and scored seven goals last season.

Before joining Besiktas, Sosa had a sixmonth spell on loan at Atletico Madrid, during which he helped the Spanish club win the 2013-14 league title.

The Argentina international, capped 19 times, has previous experience in Serie A, having had a one-year stint at Napoli in 2010-11.

AC Milan, who missed out on Europe for the third consecutive season after finishing seventh in the 2015-16 campaign, begin their season at home to Torino on Sunday.

Jose Ernesto Sosa

anchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart is considering a move away from the club after being dropped for the first two games under Pep Guardiola.

Everton and Spanish side Sevilla are interested in taking the England star.

With just two weeks left of the transfer window, Hart, 29, is only interested in a loan move in order to examine his options.

Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Claudio Bravo have been linked with moves to City.

It is understood Guardiola and Hart, who knows he has no future at the club, have not built up any kind of relationship, with Guardiola saying on Friday that Hart does not have the time to

Joe Hart

Mane suffers shoulder injury L iverpool forward Sadio Mane has had a scan on a shoulder injury he suffered during training yesterday.

The 24-year-old sustained the problem during a morning session at Melwood.

Some reports have suggested that Mane might have dislocated his shoulder, although Liverpool is still waiting on the scan results.

Mane signed from Southampton in the summer for £34m and scored on his Liverpool league debut during Sunday’s 4-3 win at Arsenal.

Sadio Mane (right) celebrates scoring his first league goal for Liverpool

become the kind of ‘sweeperkeeper’ he is looking for.

Guardiola opted to start with Argentine Willy Caballero against Sunderland and in City’s 5-0 Champions League qualifier victory over Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday.

Hart has made nearly 350 appearances for City in all competitions since joining them from Shrewsbury in 2006.

He was England’s most senior player at Euro 2016 behind Wayne Rooney with 63 caps, but he had a disappointing campaign with mistakes against Wales and Iceland as England were knocked out in the last 16.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Page 44

Sport

Rudisha retains 800m gold at Rio D avid Rudisha became the first athlete since New Zealand’s Peter Snell in 1964 to retain the men’s 800m Olympic title.

The 27-year-old Kenyan hit the front with about 300m to go after compatriot Alfred Kipketer sprinted clear on the first lap of the race.

Rudisha finished in one minute 42.15 seconds, ahead of Algeria’s Taoufik Makhloufi and fastfinishing American Clayton Murphy.

“I am so excited,” said Rudisha. “It is the greatest moment of my career.”

Makhloufi ran a new national record of one minute 42.61 seconds and Murphy clocked a personal best of one minute 42.93 seconds in a bizarre race.

Kipketer set out fast, going through the first 200m in just 23 seconds.

But the 19-year-old, who had beaten Rudisha in the Kenyan national trials, faded to finish seventh in Rio. “Running 1:42, it’s just fantastic,” added Rudisha. “I had no doubts before. The feeling in my body was good. It is great to win such a big competition.”

David Rudisha

Williams, Rajeev Cavendish in medal contention at Olympics lose to Mattek, men’s omnium event Sock at Rio

U

SA’s Venus Williams was denied a record fifth Olympic tennis gold as she and partner Ram Rajeev lost to compatriots Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock in the mixed doubles final.

Williams, 36, and Rajeev, 32, lost a match tie-break 10-7 after the first two sets finished 6-7 (3-7) 6-1.

Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina won women’s doubles gold.

They beat five-time Grand Slam winner Martina Hingis and Swiss partner Timea Bacsinszky 6-4 6-4.

Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova won an all-Czech bronze-medal match against Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradeck 7-5 6-1.

The mixed doubles bronze was also won by a Czech pair, with Lucie Hradecka and Radek Stepanek beating India’s Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna 6-1 7-5.

Bellew to defence WBC cruiserweight championship with Flores

T

ony Bellew will make the first defence of his WBC cruiserweight title against American BJ Flores at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on 15 October.

Liverpool’s Bellew, 33, won the title with a third-round knockout of Ilunga Makabu in May at Goodison Park.

Flores, 37, has won 32 and drawn one of his 35 fights, but has never lost by knockout in his two defeats.

“I am going to smash BJ Flores to bits and be the first man stop him,” said Bellew, who has 27 wins from 30 fights.

Californian Flores is fighting for his second world title, having lost to Beibut Shumenov for the WBA cruiserweight title last July.

Cavendish is looking to win his first ever Olympic medal

G Venus Williams

reat Britain’s Mark Cavendish is tied for second going into the final two events of the Olympic omnium.

The 31-year-old Manxman was third after three events but fifth place in the time trial lifted him to a share of second overall.

France’s Thomas Boudat is tied with Cavendish after finishing 10th in the time trial.

The flying lap and the points race remain with the first starting.

Having finished sixth in the opening event, the scratch race, he was second fastest in the individual pursuit and seventh in the elimination race.

Cavendish, who has won 30 stages at the Tour de France, is looking to win his first ever Olympic medal in Rio. Italian Elia Viviani remains in the lead by 14 points after finishing third in the time trial.

Everton fan Bellew won the title by knocking out Ilunga

Page 45

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Sport

P-i-c-t-o-r-i-a-l

Former Aston Villa footballer Dalian Atkinson dies after being shot with a Taser by police in Shropshire.

Britain’s Andy Murray becomes the first tennis player to win two Olympic singles titles by beating Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro.

Sophie Hitchon wins Olympic bronze in the women’s hammer as Poland’s Anita Wlodarczyk sets a new world record to win gold.

Muhammad Ali is out of the Olympic flyweight competition after losing in the last 16 to Venezuela’s Yoel Segundo Finol.

LeBron James agrees a $100m (£77.2m) three-year contract with his hometown club the Cleveland Cavaliers.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Page 46

Sport

Administration is the problem of Nigeria football, says Onigbinde Super Eagles coach to the Korea/ Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup, Chief Adegboyega Onigbinde has expressed worry about the present state of Nigerian football.

He called on football authorities to find a lasting solution to the unending drama in the Nigeria Football Federation.

He was also expectant that newly elected President Mohammadu Buhari will give the sports sector the desired attention that would see sports in the country soar in the next four years of his tenure.

The Super Eagles recently played two friendly matches, first against Uganda and against South Africa, what do you make of those games?

I don’t believe that any patriotic Nigerian, who is a football follower, will be happy at those friendly match results. Some excuses have been given, but I don’t accept those excuses. This is because I am very much aware that Nigeria is capable of being at a much higher level in football than we are today.

And that makes it painful. And Uganda coming to beat us at our home ground, that will not definitely be acceptable to anybody and we went to South Africa and we know the history of our friendly and competitive matches between Nigeria and South Africa, so what is happening? I believe that the administrators will sit down and look critically at what has been happening with the view to finding solution to them.

Are you not worried that till date the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has not named any substantive coach for the Super Eagles?

When I say that the major problem with our football is administrative, people get angry, they think that I am running them down.

You have a very strictly technical matter that we have not been able to appoint a coach. It is also purely administrative matter, an issue that could be resolved within a couple of weeks.

But I believe they must have their reasons for delaying it till this time, it’s about eight months now. I will still implore them to sit down and get things straight and again, I have a lot of respect for everybody on that board.

I don’t bloody care much about how you get into a position, but I care much about what you do when you get there.

Just some days ago Nigerians elected a new president in the person of Gen Muhammadu Buhari, now as a sports man and football administrator, what should Nigerians expect from him or what are your expectations from him in terms of sports ?

Firstly, I will like to congratulate him (Gen Buhari) I believe he deserves his victory and I want to also congratulate Nigerians because this system looks like a step forward for our practice of democracy. So I congratulate all of us.

Now coming to his focus on sports, I wouldn’t say football in particular, but sports in general, we have been having a major problem in this country with our sports.

There is no discernable developmental programme for our sports and I hope he will be able to set a body that will look into that area, because without a programme,

Eagles we cannot make it.

And coming down to football, I have been in Nigeria and in football for this long and I am not aware of any developmental programme for our football.

I have written and spoken and some of the times you speak, you make enemies, so I will implore the president to look critically into that, get people who actually know about all these things, not only in football.

Nigeria is only a country where a carpenter will be the chairman of the medical board. It is my hope that the president should look into that area especially in sports.

When you have a pack of people who are only interested in what they are going to get from sports rather than what they will put into it. It’s a big problem.

In the past we have been unlucky to have people without sports background appointed as sports ministers. What is your advice to the incoming administration?

Even some of them who have the background, what is the depth of their background? This is exactly what I am saying.

Sports is not something that should be politicized, that’s why our clubs are not stable, that is why they are not doing well because if you look at it critically, by FIFA regulation we don’t have even one football club in Nigeria.

FIFA regulation says in article 17 that any football club should be able to run its affairs without any interference from a third party and when a government starts funding a club, is that not a third party and not only that, people complain that government is pressurizing them on how the money is spent, why will it not? Now let us get out of FIFA regulation and come to the basics.We all know what a club is.

When people of like minds come together to form a club to pursue their interest, who will appoint chairman for them, who appoints secretary for them. But a situation where the board of every club in Nigeria is appointed by the government,

that doesn’t go well.

That is not in conformity with FIFA regulation and because in most cases club chairmen are politicized as they are appointed by the government that funds them. Well, it’s not funny.

There is another section of the FIFA regulation that says that members of any football body must be democratically elected or appointed by a higher body and must have a registered office. Which club in Nigeria answers that name and that is where the problem starts from.

Summarily, what are your expectations for the incoming president?

Well I have my hope that he will do it well because, I am being sentimental and personal here, in 1998 when I took Nigeria to African Cup of Nations he sent a personal message to me which shows that he wanted something good for football.

That again reminds me that when he gets in there he will do something good for sports development.

Well sports development is not just for competitions and that’s. One major mistake we make in our sports especially football.

We organize competition for the sake of competitions whereas competitions are supposed to be used to assess the level of development in sports.

Now we abandoned development and organizing competitions to assess sports. Competitions in football are like examinations in schools. Why does a teacher set up an examination? He wants to know the level of what the students have learnt in what he has taught them.

That is the purpose of competition in sport.

Even the competitions we re running and taking part in, we don’t even have a system that will allow us to assess how we are performing. There is a difference between performance and result.

And I put it in this form, it’s not every time you worked hard that you achieve the desired result and vice versa, but there must be a system that will allow him to assess their level of assimilation. Well I wish Nigeria the best of luck!

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, AUGUST 17, 2016

Some Interesting Facts 1. Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people do. This is largely due to the fact that a majority of the machines and tools we use on a daily basis are designed for those who are right handed, making them somewhat dangerous for lefties to use and resulting in thousands of accidents and deaths each year.

2. Your ears secrete more earwax when you are afraid than when you aren’t.

3. Koalas and primates are the only animals with unique fingerprints.

hottest puzzle book kakuro 5

puzzle 5

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Leisure

4. Humans are the only animals to produce emotional tears.

5. The human heart creates enough pressure to squirt blood 30 feet in the air.

6. It is impossible to lick your elbow (busted) 7. A crocodile can’t stick it’s tongue out.

8. A shrimp’s heart is in it’s head.

9. People say “Bless you” when you sneeze because when you sneeze,your heart stops for a mili-second.

10. In a study of 200,000 ostriches over a period of 80 years, no one reported a single case where an ostrich buried its head in the sand.

11.It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.

12. A pregnant goldfish is called a twit. (busted?)

13. More than 50% of the people in the world have never made or received a telephone call.

• Rats and horses can’t vomit.

Say what?

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Young boy playing local made sunuker.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

thursday, august 18, 2016

SPORTS latest

Germany defeats Nigeria 2-0, meets Brazil in final

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igeria’s U-23, the Dream Team, on Wednesday failed to progress to the final of the men’s soccer Olympic tournament as they lost o-2 to Germany at the Corinthians Arena.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Lukas Klostermann got an early goal and substitute Nils Petersen added another in the closing minutes of the second half as Germany defeated Nigeria.

The first five minutes were a very lively affair as both sides attempted an early goal.

However, it was the Germans who utilised their very first chance at goal.

Serge Gnabry slipped a clever first-time pass into the path of German’s captain Max Meyer who squared for Klostermann to tap home at the back post after only nine minutes into the game.

Nigeria was presented with an opportunity of theirs a minute later but Sadiq Umar missed a glorious chance to restore parity after the German goalkeeper committed a blunder.

Nigeria enjoyed a foray forward into Germany’s half and Mikel Obi found space in the box and lashed a shot towards goal but the captain was quickly closed down by the German defence.

Germany dominated the game, but Nigeria created a few chances in the final 10 minutes to give their opponents something to think about at the break.

Nigeria began the second half brightly, with Imoh Ezekiel causing problems through some direct running at the German defence, but the Germans were resolute at the back.

However, it was German substitute Petersen who turned a team-mate’s shot into a cross to score at the back post and ended the Dream Team’s hope of a final berth with Brazil.

Brazil which earlier routed Honduras 6-0 in the other semi-final encounter will play Germany in Saturday’s final.

Nigeria will now slug it out with Honduras for a shot at the Bronze medal.

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QUOTABLE QUOTE High ranking public officers who use safe havens and secrecy jurisdictions to breach the fundamental requirements of asset declaration must be sanctioned, named and shamed - SERAP

June 12’s Enemy Judge

L

ike one writhing from the pangs of judicial guilt, in a valedictory about a decade ago marking his retirement from judicial service, Justice Abdullahi Mustapha –one of a few infamous Federal High Court judges who presided over the treason trial of the late MKO- said that the winner of Nigeria’s freest and fairest election would not have died in detention if he had not refused the conditional bail his court had granted him. In fact besides being proverbially an ‘after-death-the-doctor’ kind of selfpraise, this unsolicited piece of irrelevant obiter dictum, merely reversed the agedold saying that ‘the witch cried at night and the baby died at dawn’.

Justice Mustapha should have quietly retired and perhaps devote the rest of his life seeking God’s forgiveness for the despicable role he played not only in that deceptive bail offer, but more despicably so in his siding with the Abacha junta to give Abiola a malevolent trial. But he chose to attempt to re-write history, in which script his odious role was cast in the epic of a ‘benevolent judge-hero’ who offered Abiola the gift –but he spurned it.

Justice Mustapha, like the late Justice Bassey Ikpeme –the ill-foretoken female judge of the Federal High Court who granted the dead-at-night judgment which led to the annulment of June 12was one of those hand-in-glove with the Abacha junta in its desperate efforts to bury the ghost of June 12 by keeping its acclaimed winner under judicial lock and key. If memory serves right, much earlier under the Interim National Government of Ernest Shonekan, the late Uche Chukwumerije who was its Secretary for Information had convinced that Government’s de facto Commander-InChief, General Abacha to sign a Decree outlawing the mention of ‘June 12’ in public places. After toppling Shonekan not a few unconscionable politicians, lawyers and judges were prostrate at the foothill of Abacha jackboots offering advice on how to tame the genie of June 12 to create an imperial presidency fo Abacha.

General Babangida, to secure the trust of Nigerians in his rather unending Transition Program had promulgated a Decree ousting the jurisdiction of courts in any suit seeking to stop the 1993 presidential election. In fact his second in Command the late Admiral Aughostus Aikhomu had made a habit of bragging about the regime’s fidelity with its Transition promise, citing this decree as proof of that fidelity. But behind the scenes the government was working with an inglorious politician, Arthur Nzeribe under a dubious ‘Association for Better Nigeria’ ABN first to decampaign the election and eventually to use the courts to abort the entire process.

Ironically the Judiciary under Babangida which attracted the sympathy of all for operating under the yoke of military decrees and ouster clauses, was only too glad to provide the services of a newly appointed Justice Bassey Ikpeme who ignobly chose to disregard a decree ousting the jurisdiction of courts on the forthcoming elections. It was her order that set the chain of judicial events leading to the annulment.

After the arrest and arraignment of MKO for declaring himself President, Justice Mustapha must have been carefully selected too as the first trial judge who in the course of a long,

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THURSDAY Column WITH Mohammed Adamu (08035892325 sms only)

dankande2@gmail.com tortuous trial neither hid his aversion for the June 12 struggle nor his readiness to compromise the judicial process in the service of the military junta in power.

THE BAIL CIRCUS Why would a judge acting independently suddenly be flown by government in a Presidential jet from his Benin base, to Abuja on a Saturday to grant bail -on a treason charge- to an accused person who previously was not even allowed a leave of court to have access to his personal physician. This bail which could not wait two more days to the next Monday and which had to be given in a court without clerks or bailiffs, many said had more to it than met the eye.

What manner of bail was that at the grant of which neither Abiola’s lead Counsel GOK Ajayi was in court, nor was any members of his immediate family, but some curious-looking Abacha foot soldiers (like the late Adedibu, Ranti Famiyibo and Pascal Bafyau) who presented themselves as ‘representing Abiola interest’. And Justice Mustapha had no qualms admitting them. Yet this was the same judge who, in the early trial days vehemently opposed the idea of admitting Femi Falana as an ‘amicus curae’ (friend of the court) who merely wanted to assist the interest of justice.

And what manner of bail was that which the whole world would immediately know about, but not the intended beneficiary himself who was in the custody of the government? And to think also that there was already a subsisting court order allowing Abiola the use of radio and newspapers even as a prisoner! Abiola did not know about the bail because all through that period and for the expediency of keeping him ignorant of the bail issue, the right granted to him by law of access to news had been withdrawn. If memory serves right it was around this time newspapers reported that Abiola had sprained his ankle in struggle with security personnel who had wrestled him down to seize his transistor radio and some newspapers.

If Justice Mustapha, -claiming to have acted independently- had thought it necessary to convene his court on a Saturday in order to grant a bail that could not wait till Monday, why was it not equally necessary that the accused should be served the bail papers as expeditiously as the bail itself was arranged? –especially considering the fact that since Abiola was hole up somewhere within Abuja, the bailiffs would not require to be flown in a jet -like their ‘lordship’- to serve Abiola.

The Mustapha bail was a ruse -a carefully choreographed subterfuge never intended to be executed. Abacha’s pariah junta needed some breather from the harangues especially of an

international community punishing for the release of MKO. Creating a make-belief bail grant to Abiola and then alleging he had spurned the offer would kill two birds with a single stone: revitalize the worsted image of the junta and most importantly taking the onus of resolution of the June 12 impasse of Abacha.

In retrospect, when it was expedient for Abacha to prove the Diya coup attempt he merely gave a video tape to NTA showing a contrite Diya begging for clemency. If the bail offer was real and Abiola had truly rejected it Nigerians would have been treated to another epic footage revealing a belligerent Abiola refusing it. in actual fact it was six days after the bail grant that Abiola’s lawyer GOK Ajayi was finally allowed to see his client and during which Abiola was to know for the first time all the hullaballoo about the bail issue.

And the proof of this came after the late FRA Williams took over the case from G.O.K and his attempt to perfect the bail was vehemently opposed by the prosecution on the flimsy grounds that the bail documents were ‘forged’.

In fact if memory serves right, it was at this point in the absurdly frivolous debate over the quality of the bail documents that Justice Senlong -newly appointed to the case- went a little out of judicial decorum to accuse the government of ‘executive rascality’.

POSTSCRIPT IN THE HALL OF SALEH’S IMFAMY And now long after the ignoble postretirement orbiter dictum of Justice Mustapha –claiming that Abiola’s refusal of bail was tantamount to a ‘constructive suicide’- came another despicable icing on the cake of familiar judicial infamy. This time it was the post-dismissal bombast -or is it the odium juridicum?- of Justice Dahiru Saleh who admitted recently in an interview that it was he -and not General Babangida- who annulled June 12. And now ‘with the rusty curb of old father antic the law’, it seems all too obvious that our judicial system has degenerated so much that a judge can proudly stake claim even to the confessed ignoble deed of a military dictator! Isn’t that wonderful?

Justice Ikpeme granted an order, in disregard of an outer decree - which she should not have- stopping the conduct of the June 12 election; the electoral Chief Humphrey Nwosu disregarded Ikpeme’s court order –which he was right in the circumstances to doand conducted the election; Justice Saleh granted an order –which like Ikpeme’s, was no less in breach of the ouster decree- stopping further announcement of the election results;

the same Saleh followed with another declaring the election ‘null and void’ – which was in disregard of the Electoral Commission’s pending appeal against Justice Ikpeme’s injunction which stated it all. And then Babangida, -relying on or in disregard of -Justice Saleh’s last declaration, announced on behalf of the ruling Military Council – which by the way, was superior to the courts- that the election stood annulled!

What was very clear in this spaghetti tangle of one judicial wrong dovetailing into another, was not so much who deserved the trophy for annulling the election, as it was that the election was annulled.

The horde of hunters by which the poor rabbit was environed, and the multiple bangs from the anxious hunters’ guns obviated the search for whose bullet hurt the rabbit the most. What does it matter if we prove that babangida, Ikpeme or Saleh annulled June 12? Isn’t it sufficient that a confederacy of all of them did it?

Besides to what end should we disprove especially Saleh’s most recent claim to the infamy of being at the head of that confederacy?

The honorable former Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher said “there is no middle ground and no space on the bench for those adjudged to be unworthy arbiters of truth”. The choice he said “is simple and our resolve is absolute - plata o plomo (gold or lead)” But this one judge, Dahiru Saleh, not surprisingly smarting from an ignoble dismissal from the bench, appears content with the ‘plomo -lead’. Since the praxis is between only ‘gold’ and ‘lead’, writing to disprove Saleh’s claim amounts to insisting that he merits the ‘gold’.

The history of Nigeria’s judicial system is replete with courageous judges who stood up to be counted in the task of confronting military dictatorship to install democracy and the rule of law.

Justice Saleh, for his anti-democratic role, is proudly seeking space in Nigeria’s judicial hall of infamy. Why begrudge him?

In any case a principle of law says ‘allegari non debut quod probatum non relevat’ –meaning ‘what is not relevant when proved, ought not to be alleged’.

DAN GAYE

Rep members solidly behind Dogara – Hon. Kurfi

Hope they have nothing to hide!

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