Wednesday, January 20, 2016. Edition.

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Wednesday, January 20, 2016/ Rabiu’l Al-Thani 10, 1437 AH

UAE to repatriate Nigeria’s stolen funds pAGE 3

2016 budget:

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Court grants Metuh N400m bail pAGE 3

Vol. 21 No. 97 N150

World’s oldest man dies at 112 in Japan >> pg 3

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Dogara, PDP Reps bicker over president’s letter page 2

l As Senate begins debate on corrected version today

National Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Olisa Metuh (middle), arraigned on allegation of N400 million arms deal with National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), yesterday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Prosecution of corrupt judges to begin -AGF 646 Days after

Will the abducted Chibok schoolgirls ever be rescued?

Zaria clash: Soldiers acted on rules of engagement, Buratai tells panel page 6

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

I

n a bid apparently to purge the judiciary of corrupt elements, the Federal Government has launched a manhunt for judges with itchy hands.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, SAN, Tuesday gave indication that there will be no sacred cows in

Contd on Page 2

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

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2016 budget: Dogara, PDP Reps bicker over President’s letter •As Senate begins debate on corrected version today

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the House of Representatives yesterday bickered over the letter from President Mohammadu Buhari, in which he called their attention to the corrected version of the 2016 Appropriation Bill.

And the Senate will today commence debate on the Appropriation Bill submitted to it by the President, as the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, confirmed yesterday during the commencement of the plenary session.

Reading the President’s letter dated January 15, 2016 and titled “2016 budget proposals”, Speaker Yakubu Dogara told his colleagues that the President said corrections have been made to the details of the budget as presented on December 22, 2015.

After reading the letter, a point of order was raised by the Minority Leader of the House, Rep Leo Ogor, (PDP, Delta) who cited Sections 81 and 84 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), arguing that the provisions of

the law did not give the President powers to amend budget.

He added that such powers lie with the legislature, and consequently called on the House to disregard Buhari’s letter. owever, Speaker Dogara rose in defence of the President, submitting that there was nowhere in the letter that Buhari said the budget was amended, adding that it is only the President that has powers to make corrections to the budget if he observes any error.

Dogara’s explanation however drew the ire of PDP lawmakers, who started chanting “no, no!”, preventing the Speaker from making his point for some minutes.

The protest from the opposition lawmakers did not however stop the Speaker, who insisted on making his point as he hinged his argument on the fact that there was nowhere the President mentioned the word amendment; rather he used the word correction.

In a related development, the senate yesterday resolved to commence today the debate on the corrected version of the appropriation bill sent to it by the President last weekend.

This was sequel to a letter written to that effect to the Senate

H

by President Muhammadu Buhari and read by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

President Buhari implored the Senate it in the letter to work with the corrected version.

He said: “It will be recalled that on Tuesday 22nd December, 2016, I presented my 2016 budget proposals to the joint sitting of the National Assembly. I submitted a draft bill accompanied by a schedule of details. At the time of submission, we indicated that because the details had just been produced we would have had to check to ensure that there were no errors in the detailed breakdown contained in the schedule.

“That had since been completed and I understand that the corrections have been submitted. The National Assembly would therefore have the details as submitted on the 22nd and a copy containing the corrections submitted last week appears to have led to some confusion.

“In this regard, please find attached the corrected version.

This is the version the Assembly should work with as my 2016 budget estimates.

The draft bill remains the same and there are no changes in any of

the figures”.

Accordingly, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, after reading the letter, directed senators to liaise with the office of the clerk to the Senate Committee on Appropriation for copies of the corrected version in preparation for commencement of general debate on it today. eanwhile the Senate after receipt of the president’s letter went into closed door session with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele over dwindling of the nation’s economy and in particular, continuous depreciation of the Naira which presently exchanges for 300 to a dollar at the Foreign Exchange Market.

Briefing journalists after the closed door meeting with the CBN Governor, which lasted for about two hours, the Senate spokesman, Aliyu Sabi ( APC Niger North), said though these are indeed difficult times all over the world, but having carefully considered the policies of the CBN in addressing the trying times, there no cause for alarm for Nigeria.

“The analysis by the CBN governor shows that Nigeria is not doing badly in many macroeconomic indices, when compared to its peers”, he said.

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Prosecution of corrupt judges to begin -AGF Contd from Cover page the fight against corruption.

Malami spoke as Special Guest at the presentation of the report titled : “Go Home And Sin No More: Corrupt Judges Escaping from Justice in Nigeria”.He said that considering the central ole Judges play in the administration of justice, it is important to ensure that they live above board.

Represented by Senior Special Assistant,(White Collar Crimes) Abiodun Aikomo, the AGF noted that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari will actively promote and ensure that corrupt judges are prosecuted and their illegally acquired assets are returned to the State.

He said gone were the days when corrupt judges escaped from justice in Nigeria.

“I can assure you today that in line with the cardinal agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation shall ensure that every appearance of corruption in the judiciary is dealt with among other measures through criminal prosecution and forfeiture to the State of illegally acquired assets,” he said.

“Acts of judicial impunity will also not be condoned, so that

our Judges can be judicially accountable at all times in a corruption-free judiciary which is both independent and impartial.

“All these, shall be achieved, (together with partners like SERAP), without violating the fundamental human rights of the persons involved, and in line with rule of law and international best practices. That would be this administration’s own way of saying: Go and sin no more…,” he added.

According to him, only mandate of the judiciary, “should be to deliver justice without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. The world over, the rule of law, and separation of powers which are inseparable components of a democratic government, presupposes the existence of an independent and impartial judiciary.

“Unfortunately the trust reposed in the Nigerian Judiciary is often betrayed on the altar of corruption or other conducts incompatible with the exalted office of a Judge.

Though, there have been cases of removal of some judges for acts unbecoming of judicial officers, often times upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)

(1999 Constitution) which empowers the President to remove a judicial officer from office on the recommendation of NJC. “Nevertheless, in reality, on a comparison between the widely reported cases of corruption in the Judiciary vis-à-vis the records of judicial officers who have actually been punished therefore, it would appear as if Nigerian judges enjoy total immunity from prosecution for corruption (and allied offences), whereas judges are not immune from discipline for any misdeed let alone for corruption.” He added.

The Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade said both the Bar and Bench have the duty and collective responsibilities towards dispensation of justice and corrupt free society.

Represented by Magistrate Busola Okunuga, deputy chief registrar, the CJ noted, there are several mechanism put in place by the judiciary to checkmate corruption and corrupt practices in the judiciary.

SERAP executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni said : “Corrupt judges are more dangerous to the society than corrupt politicians because a corrupt judiciary denies both victims of corruption and those accused of corruption access to

an independent, impartial and fair adjudication process.

He disclosed that SERAP looks forward to working with the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure the full implementation of the recommendations contained in their report.

The report among other thing is calling for: the prosecution of corrupt judges; referral by the Chief Justice of the Federation and the National Judicial Council of all cases of judicial corruption to appropriate anticorruption agencies; publication and auditing of spending by the judiciary; public and periodic disclosure of assets by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and all other judges; retired judges should be allowed to lead the National Judicial Council to improve its independence; and urgent investigation of allegations of age falsification among judges by the National Judicial Council.

The report also calls on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to proactively and robustly use their statutory powers to investigate and prosecute judicial corruption and to request from the National Judicial Council files on cases of corrupt judges for prosecution.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

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News

AG News Editor, Ese Awhotu

EFCC docks ex-AMAC manager for N5m land fraud

By Joy Baba Yesufu

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday arraigned one Muhammed Ishaq, a former Zonal Land Manager, Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, before Justice Bello Kawu of the FCT High Court, sitting in Kubwa, Abuja on an 11-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, forgery, obtaining money by false pretence and abuse of office to the tune of N5m ( Five Million Naira).

Ishaq, who is the principal suspect in the alleged fraud had, in 2015, approached one Ifeanyi

Eke, claiming that he owns some plots of land- MF 45, E 296, E 293, E 295, E294- situated at Apo Extension 111, for which he was paid N5m by Eke. One of the charges reads: ‘‘That you Mohammed Ishaq sometime in 2009 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did make a false document titled ‘‘Offer of the Terms of Grant/ Conveyance of Approval’’ dated 16th August, 2006 in respect of plot No E 296 with reference number OG 44398 situate at Apo Extension 111 purportedly awarded by Abuja Municipal Area Council

in the name of Abiola Adekunle, which you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary Section 363 Penal Code Law Cap. 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990, and punishable under section 364 of the same law.’’

The accused person, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Yetunde Alabi, urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

However, the defence counsel, Shaibu Yahaya, prayed the court to grant the accused person bail.

The prosecution counsel did not object to the motion for bail moved by the defence counsel on the grounds that the accused person had not jumped the administrative bail granted him by the Commission.

Consequently, Justice Kawu granted the accused person bail in the sum of N10m (Ten Million Naira) with one surety in like sum.

The surety must be a civil servant not below the level of a deputy director; he must also have a landed property within Abuja and must produce two recent passport photographs.

The case was adjourned to February 17, 2016 for commencement of trial.

President Muhammadu Buhari (2nd left), and Crown Prince of UAE, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Al Nah Yan (2nd right), witnessing the signing of finance agreements between Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun (left), and UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, H.E. Obaid Ahayad (right), yesterday in Abu Dhabi.

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A

Six of such agreements were signed and these included the one signed by the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates, Sultan Bin Saeed Albadi. Both Justice Ministers signed the Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters, which includes the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth.

The signing of the agreements on trade, finance and judicial

matters was witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and the UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Obaid Attayar signed the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, while the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah signed the Agreement on Trade Promotion and Protection with the UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs.

At a reception after the signing

of the agreements, President Buhari reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption and restoring Nigeria’s dignity in the comity of nations.

The President also urged all Islamic countries to support the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and denounce the atrocities of Boko Haram as un-Islamic and against the teachings of the Holy Prophet.

In his remarks, Crown Prince Zayed Al Nahyan said that the relationship between Nigeria and the UAE will be strengthened by President Buhari’s visit and the signing of the agreements.

FG’s social protection program won’t be politicized-Presidency

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Presidency has assured that its social protection program will not be politicized as beneficiaries would be considered not on the basis of their political affiliations.

Senior Special Assistant to

A

Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday granted the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, bail in the sum of N400 million.

The Court however, ordered that Metuh remains in prison until he fulfills the bail conditions.

The PDP chieftain who was brought to court in handcuff for the bail hearing on Tuesday, was consequently driven off in a prison pick-up van from the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja, The presiding judge, Justice Okon Abang,had in his ruling after Metuh’s bail application was argued granted Metuh bail in the sum of N400m with two sureties in the sum of N200m each.

The judge also ordered that the two sureties must own property in Maitama, Abuja and also produce the certificates of occupancy of the property which must be verified by the Chief Registrar of the court and confirmed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Justice Abang also ordered that Metuh must deposit his traveling documents with the court pending the period of his trial, also ordered the EFCC to verify the residences of the sureties who must be resident in Abuja.

By Umar Muhammad Puma

…Sign pact on extradition, prisoners’ swap resident Muhammadu Buhari has, on behalf of Nigeria, signed a bilateral agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on extradition, transfer of sentenced persons, mutual legal assistance on criminal and commercial matters, including the repatriation of stolen funds.

This disclosure was made in a statement made available to newsmen by his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, yesterday.

By Ahmed Abubakar

2m Nigerians die from contaminated food annually -Rep

UAE to repatriate Nigeria’s stolen funds

By Lawrence Olaoye

Court grants Metuh N400m bail

the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, gave the assurance in an interaction with State House correspondents yesterday in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Presidential spokesperson remarked that President Muhammadu Buhari has the mandate of the whole country

and not only that of the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), his party.

He gave that assurance that Buhari’s administration would ensure fairness in the selection process since the government promised Nigerians change.

While saying that beneficiaries

would be selected per state, he said the selection could not be based on politician consideration since the APC does not control all the states.

Akande said, “The President is the President of the nation and not of a particular political party only.”

n estimate of about two million Nigerians die from eating contaminated food annually, a lawmaker of the House of Representatives, Rep Abubakar Yunusa Ahmad (APC Gombe), has said.

Leading the debate on a bill that seeks to establish the Nigeria Agro-Processing and Food Safety Commission, sponsored by him, the lawmaker said contaminated foods also account for about 200 diseases in Nigeria.

According to him, “unsafe food is linked to deaths of an estimated 2 million people annually, including many children. Food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances is responsible for more than 200 diseases, ranging from diarrhea to cancer.

“This proposed legislation seeks for economic diversification of our dear country through standardization of staple crops processing zones and units considering the increasing technical barriers in the world of food trade by creating favorable environment for quality and safe food management in the production, processing, preservation, packaging, storage, transportation, marketing and catering services.

“This bill seeks to provide for the establishment of the Nigeria Agro-Processing and Food Safety Service Commission charged with the responsibility for among other things, establishing and managing of agro-processing centres preventing and fighting against all food and waterborne diseases in Nigeria,” he said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Page 4 Report

Lassa fever: Curbing the spread of deadly disease A

By Ochiaka Ugwu

ccording to World Health Organization, “Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses. It said to be transmitted to humans from contacts with food or household items contaminated with rodent excreta. The disease is endemic in the rodent population in parts of West Africa.

It was last November that the case of Lassa fever was reported to the chagrin of Nigerians who not long ago fought off Ebola another deadly disease that kills in a twinkling of an eye. In fairness to the previous administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Ebola was given a bloody nose by its concerted efforts coordinated by the then Minister of Health, Proff. Onyebuchi Chukwu.

Their untiring efforts saw Ebola out of the shores of the nation after being brought in by a Liberian emigrant, Patrick Sawyer who later died in a Lagos hospital.

The apprehension that greeted the resurgence of the deadly disease was no doubt too big to bear especially for a country that is going through economic hardship and insurgency that is threatening to tear it apart. This fear was compounded by the death rate it recorded within a short period of time. As at present, the Minister of Health, Proff Isaac Adewole has reported 43 deaths as against Ebola’s nine last two years. The present figures reveals why Nigerians are very apprehensive. To many, it is more deadly than Ebola given the number of death it has claimed within a short while and the way it is spreading with the speed of light. Having spread to seven states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the reality has made Adewole a sad man given the fact that he is being confronted by a deadly epidemic barely seven months in office as Nigeria’s health minister.

To compound his fears was the recent alarm raised by Trade Union Congress (TUC) Rivers State chapter in Port Harcourt that alleged poor attitude of Federal Government and Rivers government to Lassa fever outbreak. The union decried the seeming poor response of the Federal and Rivers State governments to contain the spread of Lassa fever that has killed a medical doctor and two others in the state within one month.

This was raised by the Chairman of the body, Mr Chuka Onuegbu who described Lassa fever as even more deadly than the dreaded Ebola that was effectively contained in the country. He tasked the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to tackle the menace, stressing that adequate sensitization of residents on the dreaded disease should be done.

Adewole who was visibly troubled

Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole

by the current epidemic told newsmen recently that about 10 states have been affected by the virus. As a way of rekindling the hope of Nigerians in the ability of the present administration to tackle the problem head on, he maintained that Nigerians have nothing to fear or panic about assuring that government and its partners were working tirelessly to stop the spread of the disease.

He revealed the states affected as Bauchi, Nassarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo. He also said that total number of cases so far reported is 81

“

and 43deaths, with a mortality rate of 43.2 per cent. Speaking more on the disease, he said laboratories have confirmed 17 cases, indicative of a new round trip of Lassa fever outbreak.

Curiously, the first case of the current outbreak was reported from Bauchi in November last year. This was followed by cases reported by Kano State and subsequently the other states mentioned by Adewole.

While reeling out plans on how to curb the menace, Adewole says that the ministry has taken proactive steps to manage the situation which includes: release of adequate quantities of

But beyond this, what is more important in stamping out this menace is awareness and sensitization of Nigerians that will prevent them from contracting the disease. As the old saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure”.

This will evolve a strong mechanism that will see that every Nigerian irrespective of his educational background or where he resides, whether in rural area or urban area gets first hand information on how to prevent the disease and the right place to report in case of new infection.

ribavirin, the specific antiviral drug for Lassa fever to all the affected states for prompt and adequate treatment of cases; deployed rapid response teams to all the affected states to assist in investigating and verifying the cases as well as tracing of contacts immediately the outbreaks were reported. He also reiterated other proactive measures taken by his ministry to ensure the disease outbreak is brought to a halt.

But beyond this, what is more important in stamping out this menace is awareness and sensitization of Nigerians that will prevent them from contracting the disease. As the old saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure”. This will evolve a strong mechanism that will see that every Nigerian irrespective of his educational background or where he resides, whether in rural area or urban area gets first hand information on how to prevent the disease and the right place to report in case of new infection.

This message should be transmitted to local language that will be engraved on peoples’ consciousness towards ending this menace that is threatening the health being of the nation. Again, clinicians and relevant healthcare workers should be sensitised and mobilised in areas of patient management and care in the affected states. They should be encouraged to intensify awareness creation on the signs and symptoms, including preventive measures, such as general hygiene which is the first approach.

It is a good thing that we have the capability to diagnose Lassa fever as all the cases reported so far were confirmed by our laboratories.

The fact that we can discern it from early stage is a step forward. This will ensure that we apply fire brigade approach in nipping it on the bud.

Health educational materials which should be translated to local languages should be distributed to all states, particularly the affected areas, for effective health promotion to enhance good “community hygiene” including food hygiene and food protection practices.

The main prevention tactics which is to ensure that they avoid contact with rodents/rats, as well as food/objects contaminated with rats’ secretions/excretions should be given high priority. Even the traditional leaders should be involved in disseminating this all important information that if properly handled will see to the end of Lassa fever.

Locals should stop drying food in the open and along the roadside which is a common practice in our rural communities. We should also cover all food to prevent rodents’ contamination, while reporting all suspected cases promptly will enable early treatment that would stop unnecessary spread.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

News

2016 budget to deal with poverty, says Osinbajo

By Lawrence Olaoye

V

ice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the main thrust of the 2016 appropriation bill currently awaiting passage into law at the National Assembly was to frontally confront poverty in the country.

Osinbajo made this disclosure when a delegation of Reckitt Benckiser West Africa, a household care products’ company lead by its West Africa Managing Director, Mr. Rahul Murgai and the Chairman in Nigeria, Chief Olu Falomo, paid him a courtesy visits yesterday at the Presidential Villa.

The company had earlier discussed with the VP its Safe the Children Initiative, a Corporate Social Responsibility programme designed to curb the deaths of Nigerian children caused by Diarrhea.

The Vice President said “We are dealing with the issues of poverty with the 2016 Budget that is currently being debated,” the Vice President says noting that in a country where more than 110 million Nigerians are extremely poor, we are bound to have such health challenges as having about 110,000 deaths yearly from Diarrhea.

While welcoming the initiative, Prof. Osinbajo explained that a lot has to be done in the country to confront poverty and its impacts on Nigerians.

According to him, “when you have the number of extremely poor Nigerians that we have in this country we are bound to have these kinds of health problems, “adding however that the 2016 Budget proposals will deal with the overall problem of poverty.

He said for the first time in the nation’s history about half a trillion naira is being provided for the six social investment programmes-(as listed above).

The Vice President commended the company for its intervention saying “this is the sort of thing we expect from those who have the resources.”

Speaking earlier, Mr. Murgai said Reckitt Benckiser which has been doing business in Nigeria for several decades wants to ensure that the people of Nigeria are healthier and happier. He said the company is worried about Diarrhea deaths and has set aside about N1.2 billion to fight the situation in Nigeria.

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Buhari to telecom coys: Don’t place profit above our security needs

By Lawrence Olaoye

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has warned the telecommunications companies operating in the country not to place their desires for huge profits above the security needs of the country.

According to a statement made available to Villa correspondents by his Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari gave the warning in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday.

According to the President, the war against terrorism can only be won with collective effort and a

...cautions Nigerians against spending on luxuries

commitment by all stakeholders to work in unison to halt the scourge.

Remarking that the registration of all mobile phone users without exception will help the security agencies to pre-empt terrorist attacks, the President said that telecommunication companies operating in Nigeria must adhere to the rules and guidelines of the Nigerian Communications Commission in this regard.

Buhari assured the gathering that his administration will deal decisively with the seeming resurgence of oil theft, vandalisation of pipelines and insecurity in the

Niger Delta.

Declaring that the Nigerian Armed Forces had already dealt “deadly blows” on Boko Haram, the President said that the activities of oil thieves and vandals will soon be brought to an end.

“The oil thieves and abductors are a less problematic target. We will re-organise and deal with them,” he said.

The President assured Nigerians at the interactive session that his administration’s war against corruption will continue to be vigorously pursued.

He pledged that more persons

who have abused the public trust will be exposed and brought to justice soon .

He appealed for more patience and understanding from Nigerians as his administration takes steps to safeguard the economy from the shock of falling oil prices.

“In the face of our new economic reality of dwindling oil prices, there are a number of things we can really do without to preserve our economy. We must develop the capacity to feed ourselves and we should be spending our resources on real development projects, not luxuries”, he said.

L-R: Katsina state Governor, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, in a handshake with Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, during the governor’s visit to the minister, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Lassa fever: FG inaugurates 17 man c’ttee, declares disease national emergency

By Doyin Ojosipoe

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ollowing the spread of the hemorrhagic fever also known as Lassa fever to about 17 states of the federation including 62 local governments, the Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated a 17 man committee to work closely with the states and ensure that adequate attention is given towards containing the disease in Nigeria.

Speaking at the emergency session of the National Council of Health on the outbreak of the disease, the Minister of Health Prof Isaac Adewole , declared the fight against the disease a national emergency, adding that the Federal Government is doing all it could to ensure that adequate

support is learnt to the affected sates.

In his words, “We are doing more than palliative measures, we are putting in place drugs; WHO has just informed me that more drugs are on the way, so in terms of drugs, we will be on top of the situation, Nigerians should stay calm, we will look after their interest.”

The Minister who was disturbed about the number of deaths recorded in the country said, while the federal government sent out its fact finding committee to find and report peculiar cases, it was discovered that there seem to be a conspiracy of silence as some cases were left unreported until now, adding that some states did not intimate the ministry at the initial

stage.

“The situation in Niger was unusual as there was a myth that people should die after a new market and that whoever reports should also die, so until 17b people died, nobody was reporting the cases; We were also able to pick about 5 unreported states in Ebonyi, that’s why we say, there is conspiracy of silence, people want to rejoice n the fact that we don’t have it,” he said.

The Director, Centre for Disease Control(CDC), Prof Abdullsalami Nassidi, speaking in an interview with journalists expressed fear that Nigeria may be dealing with another virus as over an average of the suspected cases did not prove positive to Lassa fever infection.

According to him, “above

56% of the cases that have the symptoms like Lassa are negative for the virus, so that means, it may be possible that there are other viruses that are actually causing this hemorrhagic fever, the suspected cases have proven negative to Lassa, Ebola, Yellow fever, they prove negative to all the hemorrhagic fevers we know, so they will have to be subjected to another test again to ensure that we do not have new viruses circulating.”

He added that for now there are adequate drugs to treat any strain of Lassa fever but in case there is a new virus on board, then preparation must be made to deal with that as well.

The Director also warned Nigerians who take rat as delicacy

to be careful in processing the bush meat or rather steer clear of its consumption for now.

Similarly, foremost Virologist, Prof Oyewale Tomori who is also the head of the newly inaugurated 17 man committee in the fight against Lassa fever has said that the disease cannot be fully eradicated but could be controlled as the presence of the vector that transmits the disease will not make it possible.

Speaking with journalists at the event, he said, “I think we need to get it clear, we cannot eradicate Lassa, so the committee should actually be Lassa fever control, the reason why you can’t eradicate Lassa like Polio and small pox is that there is a vector that transmits the disease,”

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

PAGE 6

News R-L: Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright, during the envoy’s visit to the governor, yesterday at the Government House, in Kano.

Dogara mourns late social media activist, Azare

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara, has expressed condolence to the family of a foremost social media activist, critic and

blogger, Aminu Abdu Azare, who died after a protracted illness recently.

In a statement issued by his special adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, the Speaker expressed sadness that one of Nigeria’s

most vocal and active critic has been lost, saying his antecedents will always speak for him, even in death.

“Azare will be remembered for his constructive and fearless criticism and his contribution to the banking

sector.

I pray God grants his soul eternal rest”, he stated.

He also prayed God to comfort the family and friends of the deceased The late Azare attended Government College, Kazaure,

Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Bayero University, Kano, and spent years working in the banking sector and Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

He is survived by a wife and three children.

Army, Shiite clash: Military acted on rules of Flu: Hundred engagement, Buratai tells probe panel

By Albert Akota

T

he panel set up by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) commenced hearing yesterday in Abuja at its headquarters following the clash between the Nigerian Army and members of the Shiite sect in Zaria, Kaduna state on December 2015.

Declaring the panel open, the Executive Secretary of the commission Prof. Bem Angwe said the move was required by the petition submitted to the commission by Nigeria Army and

members of the Shiite sect.

Prof Bem Angwen said the panel was inaugurated to investigate the clash that took place between the Nigerian Army and the Shiite group which took place in Zaria on the 12th of December last year stressing that all the parties involved will be given equal opportunity to be heard.

Speaking earlier, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai said that the Nigerian Army acted on military rules of engagements during the clash between the Shiites group last year in Zaria,

Kaduna state.

He said the duty of the military was to ensure peace in the country and ensure that the laws of the country were properly maintained adding that “no group will be allowed to become lawless.

Buratai however, confirmed that he was involved in the clash and the acts of the soldiers were only based on the rules of engagements to ensure the peace and safety of the citizens.

According to him, Army was trained to kill the enemy adding that the Army was an organised body and wouldn’t go ahead to

kill anybody or group without an appropriate reason or intention to sustain peace.

Buratai said the Army was already facing the challenge of trying to put an end to the insurgency in the North-Eastern part of the country and therefore doesn’t expect any other group or persons to distract it or create more crises.

He said the Army has submitted its presentation to the investigation panel and hopes that the commission looks at it and administer justice at the end of the investigation process.

US backs UNIBEN workshop to mentor scholars From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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3-day United States of America Education College regional fulbright workshop and exchange programme to identify and mentor university scholars in the University of Benin, Benin City, has begun.

The workshop is designed to strengthen and provide the

opportunity for academics and international development among some Nigerian private and public University dons and Post graduate students, while potential beneficiaries would be drawn from the pool of wellrounded scholarly ideas and sound academic background.

Speaking yesterday at the opening ceremony at Ugbowo Campus of University of Benin, Ambassador James Entwistle,

said Professors at faculty levels to carryout research work, but do not have the resources to fund it, would get would have the privilege of accessing information to carry out their task.

The US Envoy who was represented by the Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate General, Lagos, said a total of 310, 000 scholars have benefitted from the US flagship programme which begun in 1946.

According to him, “people can spend sometimes in the United States of America to do research and very important programmes.

I understand that there are academics that have come here outside Edo state as well.

Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Faraday Orumwense, assured that the workshop would acquaint academics and scholars the rudiments of how to access Fulbright grants.

Benue clashes: Gov. Ortom appeals against reprisal attacks From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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orried by imminent reprisal attack by aggrieved herdsmen as a result of the death of more than 30 persons in Loko local government area of Nasarawa State by suspected Agatu farmers from Benue State, Governor Samuel Ortom has passionately appealed to the herdsmen not to

embark on a reprisal attack.

Ortom lamented over the recent escalation of hostilities between the two (2) groups, maintaining that it is happening at a time, government is making frantic efforts to nip any crisis in the bud.

While harping on the need for both groups to live in peace and within the ambit of the law, he assured that government

will meet with his Nasarawa State counterpart Alhaji Tanko Almakura to ensure that there is no further escalation of the crisis.

Leader of Fulani community in Agatu, Ardo Adamu Bori accused the Agatu people of conniving with their brothers to cross over to Loko and kill his people.

According to him, the Agatu people attacked 2 persons, killed and beheaded another, adding

that several cows were also, killed..

But Mr. Akpa Idu who spoke on behalf of the Agatu people, out rightly denied the accusation, insisting that they are a peace and hospitable people who have cohabited with the Fulani people for a long time. He advocated for constitution of a Joint military/ Police Force to monitor both borders.

of Birds killed in Adamawa

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disease suspected to be Avian Influenza has been discovered in Toungo Local Government Area of Adamawa killing hundreds of birds Reports from the area indicated that the disease has already wiped out some poultry farms in the area.

According to the investigation, in 2009 the disease was first recorded in Lavundu village in Girei local government area of the state.

When contacted over the situation, the Adamawa state Commissioner for Livestock, Alhaji Isa Salihu on Monday confirmed that there was suspected Bird Flu case in the state.

Salihu told newsmen in Yola that the disease was reported at one poultry farm in Toungo Local Government Area of the state.

He said that a combined team of veterinary experts were deployed to the area to investigate and latter reported back that it was suspected Bird flu disease.

“The Ministry last week received a report from a Poultry farm belonging to one Alhaji Yusuf Toung that a huge number of birds in the farm are dying.

“The sample of the death birds from the poultry was taken to the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom in Plateau state for further investigation.”Salihu said.

He said that the state government had already taken quarantine measures including surveillance in the affected areas to contain the disease.

Salihu appealed to the people of the area not to panic and report any suspicious disease to the nearest Local Government Divisional Veterinary Officer for prompt action.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

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News

NDSDC trains private guards on insurgency mitigation in North East From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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he Nigeria Security and Defence Corps, Bauchi State Command NSDC has assured to continue training and retraining of private guards to curb insurgency in the North-East part of the country.

The State Commandant of NSDC, Mr Donatus Ikemefuna stated this yesterday during a two days workshop on the roles of private guards in curbing insecurity at the conference hall,

federal Secretariat in Bauchi.

He said that the nation was at the verge of routing out insurgents in the northeast, hence no stone must be left unturned at ensuring that such ugly development does not resurface.

“Officers and men of this corps are determined more than ever to ensure that the citizens of Nigeria as well as their properties are well protected and we are ready to carry all the stakeholders along in this task of having a safer Nigeria” “Nigerians should support the

government in this critical period by cooperating with the security agencies in maintaining law and order” The Commandant said He disclosed that the state command will soon come up with a programme that inculcate security consciousness in children of school age, adding that the measure was to encourage and imbibe safety culture in the public via “ catch-them-young” approach.

In a paper presentation, the head of department of private

guard company in Bauchi, Chief Supritendent Garpiya Nwalga said the essence of the training of private guards of NSCDC was to place a demand on intelligence information gathering to combat insurgency in the nation.

He said private guards should always be vigilant by ensuring 24 hours surveillance duties in and around target areas such as buildings, market places, assembly halls, mosques and Churches that will discourage attackers.

Police partner ministry to check cult activities in Enugu schools

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he Enugu State Police Command said it would partner with the state Ministry of Education to check the rising cases of cult activities among students in the area.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Ebere Amaraizu, said the command’s continuous programme to eliminate cult activities would focus on post-primary and tertiary institutions.

Amaraizu said the command had segmented schools in order to carry out effective sensitisation to the need for students to shun cult activities and face their studies squarely. ``The Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) is going to be a major programme to be executed by the command this year. `` We have started reaching out to the State Ministry of Education as well as school principals and various administrators of tertiary institutions in the state. ``And we believe with continuous sensitisation, the menace of cultism would be reduced and even eliminated in the state,’’ he said. (NAN)

Court dissolves 9-year-old marriage over frequent fighting

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L-R: Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva, Maud De Boer-Buquicchio, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Binta Bello, and another Special Rapporteur of the United Nations, Dainius Puras, during the visit of the special rapporteurs to the Ministry of Women Affairs, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Police recover 32 sophisticated guns in Edo - CP

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he Edo Police Command has recovered more than 32 sophisticated guns with several ammunition from suspected criminals in the last five months.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Chris Ezike, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Benin.

Ezike said that the command

also arrested 100 suspected criminals - kidnappers, rapists, armed robbers and cultistswithin the period in review.

He said the feat was recorded following the renewed efforts of the command at ensuring safety and security of lives and property.

Ezike also attributed the achievements to the cooperation of traditional rulers and working

synergy with the local vigilance groups. ``We identified that hunters and vigilance groups are critical stakeholders in our quest to rid the state of criminal elements. ``As soon as we established that understanding, we took the fight straight to the den of these criminals. ``The success recorded at the Igarra bank raid was an icing

on the cake. ``Our renewed efforts accounted for the calm the state witnessed during the yuletide,’’ he said.

On the forthcoming governorship election in the state, the commissioner said that the Police would work in synergy with political parties and other stakeholders to achieve hitch free poll. (NAN)

Trader in court over alleged theft of neighbour’s generator

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he Police on Tuesday arraigned a 29-year-old trader, Agbo Michael, in a Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, over the alleged theft of his neighbour’s generator.

The accused, who resides behind the Catholic Church, Aso, Mararaba, is standing trial on a two-count charge of house breaking and theft.

According to the Prosecutor,

Cpl. Friday Adaji, one Itodo Leonard of same address with the accused reported the matter at the Aso Pada Police station on Jan. 18.

Adaji said on the same date at about 2 p.m., the accused broke into the complainant’s house and stole the generator, valued at N31, 000. ``The accused also stole the sum of N10, 000 which the

complainant left at home, when he went to work. ``The generator was found in the possession of the accused during investigation,’’ the prosecutor said, adding that the offence contravene Sections 354 and 288 of the Penal Code.

The accused, however, pleaded `not guilty’ to the twocount charge preferred against him.

The Presiding Judge, Mr Albert Maga, admitted him to bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Maga said that the surety, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, must be a civil servant on at least Grade Level 07, with a verified address.

The judge adjourned hearing in the matter to Jan. 28. (NAN)

n Ojo Customary Court in Lagos on Tuesday dissolved a 9-year-old marriage between Adewale Adeniran and his wife, Zainab over frequent fighting and threat to life.

The President of the court, Mrs Veronica Willoughby, gave the dissolution order in a judgment delivered in a petition filed by Zainab on Aug.17, 2015. ``This petition borders on frequent fighting, threat to life, lack of care, stubbornness, among other allegations leveled against the respondent. ``The petitioner accused her husband of frequently beating her up, not caring for her welfare and that of her only son and not giving her a listening ear because of his stubbornness. ``The petitioner also said she could no longer bear the agony she was passing through because there was no longer love existing in the marriage. ``The court has taken steps to settle the dispute considering the future of the only child, but failed. ``It is obvious that the marriage is already broken down and it is hereby dissolved with immediate effect. ``The petitioner should take custody of the boy, including the welfare, medicals and education of the child. ``Both parties must maintain peace within 12 months of this judgment,’’ she held.

Willoughby said any party that was not pleased with the aspect of the judgment should appeal to a superior court. (NAN)

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News

EU, FAO, ACP inaugurate 21m euros action against desertification in Africa

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he European Union (EU), the African, Carribean, Pacific (ACP) states and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have inaugurated a 41 million euros Action Against Desertification in Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plan is aimed at combating desertification in six African countries, namely: Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Gambia, and Ethiopia.

Speaking at a three day West Africa Regional Great Green Wall Technical workshop on restoration in Abuja on Tuesday, the FAO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Louise Setshwaelo, said that the project was aimed at restoring degraded land in Africa.

Setshwaelo, who was represented by Dr Rabe Mani, the Assistant FAO Representative in Nigeria, said that the programme, was also aimed at turning degraded lands into productive lands to reduce poverty, ensure food security and mitigating the effects of climate

change in Africa.

“The project `Action Against Desertification’ is contributing to the implementation of the Great Green Wall National Action plan in six countries plans that were developed with the support of the EU, African Union Commission, FAO and the Global mechanism of the UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification).

“The project is about upscaling good agricultural, farming, livestock, agro-forestry and forestry practices through better cooperation among stakeholders with communities at the heart to the action.

“It focuses on conservation interventions, capacity development at (the) local, national, regional, and inter-regional levels, raising awareness, and communication.’’

In an address of welcome, the Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibril, called for community participation in the implementation of the programme.

He assured that the Federal Government would continue to

involve local communities in all intervention programmes.

Jibril expressed regret that out of the 22,000 square km of water in Lake Chad, about 20,000 square km had dried up.

He called on all stakeholders in the environment sector to assist the agency responsible for the Great Green Wall project in achieving its mandate.

“Most of the West African countries have a common problem as far as desertification is concerned; but Nigeria, being the biggest country in this region (and with) the largest population, has even greater problems.

“Therefore, it is our responsibility to ensure that we set the pace and lead in such a way that all of us in the West African sub-region will stand to benefit from this programme.’’

Dr Ahmed Goni, the Director General, National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), said that the workshop was a followup to the just concluded climate change conference in Paris.

According to him, the programme will be implemented in the 11 frontline states of

Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara, which are affected by desertification.

“This is a follow-up to the climate change conference that took place in Paris.

“We are going to develop a skill acquisition centre, where we are now going to interact, find out from them what their own expectation is, (and) what they want government to come in and do.

“After getting some information from them, we (will) design a training programme that will now empower them to understand the implications of where they are living and how they will improve their environment for the betterment of their own livelihood.’’

Also speaking, Mr Moussa Leko, the Principal Programme Officer (Forestry), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said that the sub-regional body was committed to developing strategies to fight desertification in the region.

Forest He said that ECOWAS had also

L-R: DirectorGeneral, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Malam Muhammad SaniSidi, welcoming Leader of a Three-Man Turkish Delegation, Mr. Yusuf Selcuk, during their visit to discuss issues regarding humanitarian and aid development, at NEMA headquarters, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Nigerians need enlightenment on population census, says Commissioner From David Hassan, Gombe

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he Federal Commissioner of National Population Commission (NPC) in Gombe state, Alhaji Bala Magaji has said there is need for enlightenment for the public concerning population census in the country.

The commissioner made this known yesterday in an interview with newsmen in Gombe, also

said the aim of the commission is to ensure that citizens in the country are recorded in order to ascertain the population of nationals.

According to him, the commission is mandated to carry out the exercise after ten years to ensure that every citizen is counted to enable government know the population of its people.

The commissioner who explained that lack of adequate

funding in order to carry out the exercise has affected the planning.

He said the exercise started from 1963, 1973, 1991 and 2006, adding that there is need for the country to embark on another census in order to know the actual figure of the people even as he said by now there is indication that the population of Nigeria has grown to 170 million people.

Speaking further, the commissioner appealed to government not to hesitate in funding the commission in order to account the number of its citizens.

According to him, the commission would operate a bio-metric policy which he said thumb print of individuals would be captured including their photographs to avoid double registration during the exercise.

developed a forestry conservation management and afforestation programme to fight climate change in the region.

NAN reports that representatives from Niger, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Gambia, and Ethiopia attended the workshop. (NAN)

NBTE boss begs ASUP not to embark on strike From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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ational Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr Mas’udu Adamu Kazaure yesterday begged the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, Kaduna Polytechnic chapter against embarking on strike.

According to him, the strike will greatly affect students of the institution if allowed to hold.

Speaking to the new executive of Nigeria Union of Journalists Kaduna State Council in his office when they paid him a courtesy call, Dr Kazaure said the board and Kaduna Polytechnic management are discussing to bring out mechanism to stop address the problems.

He told the union to wait a little for the 2016 budget implementation before taken any action.

“Let me use this opportunity through you the journalists to appeal to ASUP not to embark on the strike. They should wait for this year’s budget implementation before taken action.

“We are trying to discuss with the management of Kadpoly to see reason to pipe down a little and see what the government has for them. Strike will only add to the suffering of their students and parents of the students,” he said.

The Executive Secretary also lamented that the Technical Vocational Education suffered neglect not only by the government but parents too.

“There is massive unemployment across the country that we believe if TVE training gets more attention it will reduce unemployment,” he said.

He expressed readiness to support media practitioners in the state with regards to training of their members on entrepreneurship.

Earlier, Kaduna NUJ Chairman, Comrade Garba Muhammed said their aim was to find a way NBTE can assist journalists on entrepreneurship training so that they can earn more income.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

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News

Adamawa-German Centre treats 14, 000 patients in 3 years From Umar Dankano, Yola

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he Administrator in charge of the Adamawa-German Medical Centre (AGMC), Hajiya Fadimatu Yakubu has said the hospital has come to stay for good by treating over 14,000 patients since it was established

in 2012.

Yakubu gave the assertion in an interview with the media in Yola saying that the centre has at December 2015 attended to 13,284 out-patients and 673 inpatients.

“Within the period under review, this centre which is

rendering world class service carried out 220 surgeries, 107 mammography, 309 CT scan and 88 MRI among others.

“A total of 8345 patients had undergone various tests from March 2012 to December 2015.

Our laboratory is fully equipped to carry out all kinds of medical

test.” Yakubu said.

She noted that the centre which is still under construction by a German firm was solely owned by Adamawa Government in partnership with the Germans as part of measure to provide a first class hospital that would check medical tourism abroad by

National Assembly staff off-loading the original copies of the 2016 Budget, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Islamic scholar opposes adoption of Malaysia hajj system in Nigeria From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, and leader of the Tijjaniyya Movement in Nigeria has opposed the call for the adoption of Malaysia hajj system by some stakeholders to stop funding pilgrimage in the country.

Dahiru Bauchi stated this while briefing newsmen at his residence in Bauchi yesterday.

Saying, “We as Muslims don\’t agree and we will never agree with this policy.

According to him, government has responsibilities to all citizens home and abroad, so I see no reason why government should start talking about non funding of pilgrims or adoption of Malaysia hajj operations.

He said, “if government is not is capable of taken all the responsibilities of hajj operations should reduce some of its burdens, but calling for the removal of sponsorship of hajj is not a good policy for the country, remember that government had sponsored many activities within and outside

the country such as football etc, yet we don\’t complain about that, then why Pilgrimage and at this particular time.”

Bauchi added that, if government has withdrawn sponsorship of hajj definitely things will not go well with pilgrims with the funding how challenges and sets backs involved, we have to be careful with the types called made, this particular one is not healthy for the Muslims and the country at large.

The Islamic scholar however,

commended the present government for its effort to curb the security challenges and the anti graft crusade on corruption and corrupt official, adding that things are getting better in the country we seen many and witness a lot.

It could be recalled that stakeholders on Wednesday in Abuja proposed that the National Hajj Commission should adopt the Malaysian system of Hajj of operations as the Federal Government would no longer fund pilgrimages in the country.

•••As JIBWIS urges group’s new committee to be sincere From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

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ational Chairman Council of Ulama of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir has admonished the newly constituted national and states leadership of the group to be; “sincere and Allah’s fearing.”

The cleric admonished the national and state executives

yesterday at the end of the group 3-day working retreat held in Jos at the JIBWIS College for Islamic Studies.

He said the series of lectures at the retreat has strengthen knowledge on the executives and therefore they should be seen making good use of it by putting it into practice.

“Sincerity and fear of Allah should be your guiding principles in the discharge of your duties as leaders in

your respective positions,” he admonished.

The cleric also called on the new executives to always open their doors and ears for constructive observations from members of the organization.

“The burden of working hard to educate the youth and women is also a thing that you must pursue to inculcate in them good moral values,” he added.

Sheikh Jingir further called on them to be self reliance and

engage themselves into farming and rearing of animals.

The cleric also appreciated the role been played by the media in educating and enlightening the people, stressed that; “the media should continue to partner in the education and enlightenment of the people.”

The retreat featured paper presentations on various skills and method of administrative work, from both the Islamic and circular points of view.

providing effective and affordable medical services to Nigerians particularly in the North East sub region.

“This centre which is 95 per cent completed is being constructed and equipped by a foreign company, Munchener Medzin Mechanic (MMM Group), based in German.

“Work has so far stopped due to the insurgency which forced many of the Germans to leave.”

Yakubu said.

She noted that the centre which was expected to also serve as referral centre is so far attending to all medical cases with the exception of maternity due to non completion of its maternity and delivery ward.

The administrator added that the maternity ward when completed would be a major source of revenue earner for the centre.

Yakubu said the 100 bed capacity bed centre services are affordable when compared to similar services abroad or in some private hospitals in Nigeria.

She said the hospital which has sufficient drugs from reputable companies to cater for its patients charged only N1,000 to open folder for a patient to see a doctor.

Also speaking on the viability of the centre to the people and government of Adamawa, Dr Samuel Laba and Pharmacist Salihu Sani Hassan, said the centre was very strategic and deserves priority attention from government to performed at its maximum capacity.

They noted that when fully completed and equipped with the needed manpower, the centre would not only save many patients the cost of getting quality medical service abroad but also provide revenue to the state and training opportunities for growing doctors in the state.

“We have a lot of facilities. We stock branded drugs, our drugs are standard; the best you can get anywhere”, said Hassan who is in charge of the pharmaceutical department of the centre.

World’s oldest man dies at 112 years in Japan

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asutaro Koide, a Japanese, aged 112 years, who is officially recognized as the oldest living man by Guinness World Records is dead.

A report from Tokyo said that Koide, who was hospitalised in the central city of Nagoya, died from chronic heart failure.

He was born in 1903, the year the Wright Brothers built the first successful aeroplane, and worked as tailor in the western Japanese city of Tsuruga.

The report said that in 2015, the number of centenarians surpassed 60,000 for the first time in Japan, one of the world’s top countries for longevity. (dpa/ NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

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News

Zamfara UBE fraud: Group urges gov Yari to sack chairman

L-R: National President, Federal Government College Warri Old students Association (FEGOCOWOSA), Chief Chyna Iwuanyanwu, National Adviser of the Association, Mr. keneth Monwuba, FEGCOWOSA Chairman, Abuja branch, Mr. Peter Iliya, and Chairman Management Committee, Pankshin LGC, Mr. Stephen Jings, during the launch of the association’s Golden Jubilee logo, yesterday in Abuja.

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

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Photo: Justin ImoOwo

CBN urged to extend anchor borrowers to onion farmers From Ahmed Idris Birnin, Kebbi

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he Central Bank of Nigeria has been called upon to extend its anchor borrowers scheme to cover onion farmers in the country.

This was stated yesterday by the chairman of Aliero International Onions Market in Aliero Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Alh Garba Mai Buhu Aliero, while speaking with newsmen in an interview in Aliero.

Aliero who was commenting on the current onions market trends in the country, said that the onions farmers equally contribute to the nation’s quest for food security,

empowerment and sustainable income The chairman said that the fluctuations of prices have negatively affected the farmers as it has now fallen from the initial cost of twenty thousand at the beginning of the season to six thousand naira currently.

He pointed out that most of the farmers have toiled a lot under serious shortfall of services especially the cost of fuel and fertilisers added to the cost of production which has affected their projected net gains, calling on governments to provide incentives for them to augment their shortfalls.

At the time of the visit, the business activities were going on across the market which has swallowed the main trunk A road that passes through Aliero.

Buyers from across Nigeria and other parts of West Africa were seen busy trying to load trailers to various destinations.

“These developments necessitated the need to expand the Market with befitting structures and ultra modern storage facilities to assist the farmers store the commodity all year round” He added.

He also regretted that the idea to bring in foreign investors to set up Onions Rehydration Company

suffered setback with the departure of Senator Adamu Aliero as his successor decided to abandon the project without any explanation.

The Chairman called on the present administration of Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu to revisit the matter with a view to hastening the setting up of the Rehydration Company as a measure of adding value to the business which employs thousands of people.

The Aliero International Onions Market in Kebbi State has become synonymous with Onions farming and has created a positive reputation for the State as one of the major food baskets of the Nation.

Buhari calls for global cooperation to avert climate change disaster

By Lawrence Olaoye

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abu Dhabi called for greater global cooperation against the devastating effects of climate change to avert disaster for the human race in the 21st century.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, made available to newsmen, the President made the appeal at the opening of the 2016 World Future Energy Summit Buhari reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work with the United Arab Emirates and the rest of the world in a collective effort to mitigate

the effects of climate change.

“Africa is already suffering from the consequences of climate change, which include recurrent drought and floods. In Nigeria, the drastic drying up of the Lake Chad to just about 10% of its original size, has negatively impacted on the livelihood of millions of people, and contributed in making the region a hot bed of insurgency.

“Desert encroachment in Niger, our northern neighbour and in far northern Nigeria, at the rate of several hundred meters per annum, has impacted on the existence of man, animal and vegetation, threatening to alter the whole ecological balance of the sub-region.

“In the middle and southern part of Nigeria, land erosion threatens farming, forestry, town and village peripheries and in some areas major highways.

“Constant and abrupt alteration between floods and droughts prove that climate change is real and therefore a global approach and cooperation to combat its effects are vital if the human race is not to face disaster in the 21st century,” President Buhari told participants at the summit.

Noting that the summit was taking place soon after the United Nations Conference on Climate Change held in Paris late last year,

President Buhari praised the United Arab Emirates for consistently supporting international action on climate change.

“We see Abu Dhabi as a dependable partner in the collective effort to manage climate risks including the attainment of the sustainable development goals by 2030.

“Thank you, Abu Dhabi, for consistently continuing to support international action in this sphere.

“We appreciate your immense contributions worth hundreds of millions of dollars in Energy aid to developing countries,” the President said.

he Zamfara state chapter of the Northern Youths Assembly (NYA) has called on Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar to with immediate effect terminate the re-appointment of Murtala Adamu Jangebe as Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) who was on last Monday granted bail by the federal high court (III) sitting in Gusau presided over by Justice Nasiru Gummi.

In a statement by the NYA chairman, Malam Muneer Haidara Kaura said, this is following investigation report by the state House of Assembly compiled by the Committee on Education which indicted the board chairman of misappropriation of public funds doubled by his recent prosecution on same by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“The action of Governor Yari of re-appointing Malam Jangebe in spite of the report of his indictment by the state House of Assembly is unfortunate, the board under the embattled chairman is run like a private enterprise as there are allegations of gross violation of due process and lack of respect for the rules of law”, Haidara has challenged.

The statement further challenged that, the House of Assembly had approved zero budget for ZSUBEB in the 2014 budget, but the governor went ahead to release over 4 billion naira for the board to cover its capital expenditure as testified during his 2015 budget speech before the same House of Assembly, adding that, there was no supplementary budget presented to the house in the 2014 fiscal year for the same board.

It threatened to file in petition to the national headquarters of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Abuja with the provision of a copy of report compiled by the House Committee on Education, urging it to withhold any intervention for Zamfara UBE until the embattled chairman is relief of his appointment.

“Governor Yari should comply with our demand for it is the only option to vindicate himself of the allegations against the board Chairman, otherwise thoughts would believe that, all the alleged corrupt practices were committed with his consent”, Haidara challenged.

Land encroachment: Basakun residents of Bida want gov. Bello’s intervention From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna

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he residents of Basakun community in Bida, Bida local government of Niger State has appealed to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello as a private company

is erecting a three storey building in the area obstructing drainage system, free flow of people and goods.

In a letter written to the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello dated 13th January, 2016

and made available to the media in Minna yesterday, said the youths in the area recently protested, expressed their disapproval of the erection on the 30 by 20 metres of land.

The letter which was signed by

their Union Chairman, Alhaji Isah Dangana stated that Basakun area Bida along Fatima Lolo Road was known for its notorious flood disaster annually as the construction will compound the menace in the area.

The company Bleron Fpharm

Medicine & Dispensary insisted and had laid foundation despite the agitation but the residents disclosed that they will never allowed the construction to continued but some steps would be taken before physical rejection.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Page 11

EDITORIAL

Save our roads from truck crashes the influence of alcohol and other drugs, there is the problem of lack of maintenance of the trucks by their owners. Very shocking is a recent

“

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igeria of late has recorded several oil tanker crashes, resulting in hundreds of deaths and destruction of buildings, roads and bridges. In June 2015 alone, we had almost 10 tanker fires all over the country. The first occurred in Anambra state’s commercial hub Onitsha. A tanker laden with petrol crashed spilling its content. The fire started by the spilled fuel killed over 100 people.

A Few days later, another oil tanker fell off a bridge in Lagos, starting a fire that razed down buildings and destroyed several vehicles; there were no reports of death in that incident. Following immediately afterwards was the crash in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos.

Reports said 34 houses and 70 shops were destroyed by fire from a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of diesel.

The Governor of Lagos state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode blamed the frequent tanker accidents in the state on indiscipline on the part of truck drivers.

This indiscipline manifests in truck drivers’ indiscriminate conduct on the road, without regard to traffic regulations. Long stretches of highways have been turned to parking lots. They have even ignored facilities built for them by the government off the highways.

Often where the authorities move against them, their union protests violently, blocking highways for hours and even days.

Apart from the indiscipline of tanker drivers, most of them drive under

FERMA whose job it is to keep federal roads in good order is unable to do maybe because of paucity of funds.

It is even worse in the case of state roads revelation by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) that over 80 percent of the trucks that ply the highways are not roadworthy. If so, why are they not pulled off? FRSC says it cannot do much without help from the states.

Unfortunately, apart from Lagos and Ogun, all the other 34 states do not have the mechanism for testing vehicles for roadworthiness. This is another shock. What has happened to the vehicle inspections offices in the

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

states in those years of the military?

We appeal strongly to those states to quickly set up this mechanism to stem the carnage that poorly maintained trucks cause.

Then there is the problem of our poor road network. Almost all federal and interstate roads in the country are derelict. Some have remained unrepaired 20 years after they were constructed. FERMA whose job it is to keep federal roads in good order is unable to do maybe because of paucity of funds. It is even worse in the case of state roads. No wonder the rate of accidents on our roads is on the rise. How, under this circumstance, would one explain the recent naming of FRSC as Africa’s most successful road safety organisation? It is simply inexplicable.

How do we curb the tanker crashes?

Two ways: firstly, the Buhari-led federal government should pursue vigorously the rail rehabilitation started by its immediate predecessor. A functional rail system should replace tankers as a means of moving flammable fuels from one part of the country to another. It will also increase the durability of the roads. Secondly, the nation’s refineries which have fallen into disuse should be rehabilitated. Because they are not working, the nation has resorted to importing fuel. And the result has been a high fuel price and an import cabal that the government is unable to control. We believe that working refineries will bring down the fuel price, destroy this cabal and take many of the tankers carrying death in their bowels off the highways.

OUR PEOPLE

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

Editor, Daily

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Acting Deputy Manager, Production Aminu Jibril Mohammed Acting Head, Lagos Bureau Ayodele Samuel

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

PAGE 12

Opinion

Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello in the eyes of a school boy, 1966 Simon Shango

We had arrived back to school after the Christmas holidays in the morning of that day, January 15,1966, everything looked normal like any other day. Our school, Government College Kaduna shared the fence with Kaduna North Railway Station, all one had to do was to crossover to the school compound from the railway station.

We cleared up our dormitories, I was in Akiga House. The other houses were named after Bayajida, Elkanem and Oduduwa. After that we all went to sleep.

Late in the night we heard loud shootings of guns. Our school was situated between Abakpa village and the Ungwar Sarkin Muslumi where the residence of the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello was located. Kaduna had not developed much at that time. For instance the vast land between our school and the Nigerian Defence Academy was fallow. There were no houses at all between our school and the Armed Forces Hospital. It was therefore easy to hear that kind of sound all around our school as if the shooting was taking place right there. Nobody could think of any reason nor suggest that there could be any shootings around the Premier’s residence.

Early in the morning the following day our Principal Mr. Chris Pollock called all the students to the assembly hall

and announced to the bewildered students that the Premier was assassinated in a coup d’ tat. The word coup d’tat was completely foreign and unknown to everybody. We reached for our dictionary as soon as we got to our dormitories to learn of the meaning of this strange word.

The news was unthinkable, indeed unbelievable.

By this time I was twenty years old and was beginning to understand the politics of northern Nigeria and indeed Nigeria more than I had learnt back home. Government College Kaduna, one of the three colleges in the northern region at that time was indeed more populated by students form Benue, Plateau, Kabba, Ilorin, Niger provinces which were predominantly Christian than the farther northern states which were predominantly Muslim, I had now been converted from my earlier beliefs about the Sardauna which I had learnt back home that his main interest was to convert the whole north into Islam.

Indeed, I was completely filled with fear of converting when I was going to Government College in the first year. I had clutched my Bible very closely and when it was time to sleep I would lodge it firmly under my pillow.

Indeed my suspicion was heightened the first day I arrived when instead of a shirt we were given a jumper and a pair of shorts, a caftan and a cap. We

were told that the caftan was to be used for outings to the town with strict instructions. The new student was not allowed to leave the school compound without wearing the caftan and cap.

Where I come from this could not have been a truer explanation of becoming a Muslim than wearing these outfits.

My fear was short lived as the following day the class time table was given to us and Christian Religious Knowledge was included among the subjects and when the time for the subject came, a fully dressed gentleman in a Pastor’s collar introduced himself to the class as Reverend Page of Sudan Interior mission.

To truly endorse myself as an unmistakable Christian I joined the Fellowship of Christian Students which was officially practiced as one of the college clubs.

Activities of this club were sponsored by the school as for instance in the course of my membership of FCS, I attended leadership courses at Igbaja, Gindiri and Mkar fully sponsored by the school.

I have gone to this length to explain my early contact with the administration of the northern Nigeria headed by the Sardauna to erase the erroneous impressions that the Sardauna’s main task was to Islamize the north.

Even as young men we took note of the development in the north then. The weekly pocket money and travel allowances

we received at the school, free uniform, exercise books and other school materials we were given, the existence of all sporting facilities and pitches such as Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Table Tennis, Fives and Cricket for granted. We did not know that 50 years later it will be impossible for the federal government not to talk of state governments to construct a stadium comparable with the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna where annual inter secondary school sports competition were held annually.

When I finally left school and could not proceed to another school immediately, I worked into the New Nigeria newspapers, another legacy of the Sardauna and was employed as a trainee reporter together with my classmate, late Yakubu Abdulazeez from Kwara state.

As I began to report around it became clear to me that the late Sir Ahmadu Bello had an ambition to transform the north into a fully developed and industrialized region.

I visited the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, went to the main campus in Samaru and the Institute of Administration in the city (Kongo Campus) and marveled. I saw the Kaduna Polytechnic and the College of Administrative Studies where I later took a course and I want to observe now that even at that time the infrastructure was far better than the ones that exist in our present universities. I was a

regular visitor to the Hamdala hotel particularly on Saturdays where my friends like Idi Farouk and myself danced every weekend to the music of Bongos Ikwue.

I will also mention the sprawling Costaine and Marafa estates which housed the bulk of junior and middle staff of northern Nigeria. I need not to add that every senior civil servant was housed in Kaduna GRA spreading from Ungwuar Rimi to Malali.

The Sardauna of Sokoto took industrialization very seriously.

Kaduna south or Kakuri housed the textile mills that employed thousands of primary school leavers and also offered temporary employment to secondary school leavers before they moved to higher institution.

Am aware that Comrade Adams Oshiomole, present Edo state Governor found his first job at Arewa Textiles Industries .These developments did not only exist in kaduna but was repeated in all the provincial and divisional headquarters in the north in such areas as construction of schools, hospitals, housing estates and construction of roads.

These are the legacies of Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna and late premier of Northern Nigeria which should be emulated by our present crop of governors.

Simon Shango a pioneer staff of New Nigeria newspapers writes from Makurdi.

Boko Haram: The end of an epoch

By Salim Umar Ibrahim

B

oko Haram: a terror group that has wane and destabilizes the northeastern part of Nigeria for practically seven years has been an epitome of destruction in their still unknown interest, thus it has been in existence since 2002, Boko Haram’s increasing radicalization led to a violent uprising in July 2009 in which its leader was summarily executed. Its unexpected resurgence, following a mass prison break in September 2010, was accompanied by increasingly sophisticated attacks, initially against soft targets, and progressing in 2011 to include suicide bombings of police buildings and the United Nations office in Abuja. The government’s establishment of a state of

emergency at the beginning of 2012, extended in the following year to cover the entire northeast of Nigeria, resulted in a marked increase in both security force abuses and militant attacks. Boko Haram killed more than 13,000 civilians between 2009 and 2015, including around 10,000 in 2014, in attacks occurring mainly in northeast Nigeria. Boko Haram’s predicamenthas been predicted in a very extensive opinion by many in the country and beyond.

The stabilization and recovery being witnessed nowadays in some of the affected areas is something worth celebrating from a kind heart which had known what the victims of the northeastern region of the country had experienced. I will never forget the day several bombs

rocked the ancient city of Kano, in which I witnessed couple of the explosions with my naked eyes.

It leaves speculations on my mind when I heard of the re-strategy of the Nigerian military and its headquarters’ relocation to Borno state shortly after swearing-in of the new service chiefs. I kind of wonder how far this will go. But to more confusion, I heard him the president on July 2015 claiming Boko Haram ‘is losing’ in an opinion article published by Washington post.

Elsewhere in the article, Buhari expressed his resolve to tackle the perennial problems confronting the country.

He specifically reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption. He also pledged to instill good governance.

“My determination should not be underestimated in other matters. This includes instilling good governance and tackling the scourge of corruption that has held Nigeria back for too long.”

Now I see, because, it’s no doubt Nigeria is now in a proper and hopeful outfit in terms of development and re-engineering of its nearly-decayed state, as many thought of the incumbent president as a man of his words, someone who would saw through the fulfillment of his campaign promises and beside all, worth depending on.

In my own personal opinion, I extend my accolade to the Nigerian army chief, Colonel T.Y Burutai, who in my own view is qualified and will continue to get recognition all around the world for sawing off the predicament that has been on

all media around the world a hit and trending story that makes uncountable headlines in history, especially in Nigerian media houses.

No place on earth will ever be in peace if terrorism exists in that place. This, a northern Nigerian citizen could stirringly tell in the case of Boko Haram erstwhile existence.

The development and recovery of our economic and social welfare are now in progress as markets are now filled and crowded, visitors storms in and refugees from the affected areas begin to return to rebuild their homes and get on with life. People now roam with less fear as earlier instilled on their minds. Surely, peace has begun to return to the land.

Salim Umar Ibrahim is a freelance writer.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

PAGE 13

Comment

Mark’s experience and the Benue South re-run election

By Michael Okwori

I

am not a prophet but I can make an intelligent guess. I do not claim to see tomorrow like Nostradamus, but I can see why the “great” David Mark will lose to the young, brave Comrade Daniel Onjeh in the fast-approaching re-run election of February 13, 2016 which will determine who represents the people of Benue South otherwise known as Zone C in the Nigerian Senate. For many voters, Senator David Mark has simply overstayed his welcome in the red chamber, having served as Senator for 16 years (eight of which saw him as Senate President) and a change of representation is needed.

The Idoma nation and indeed Benue state as a whole cannot deny the fact that Senator David Mark is a great man. Mark is a great man by many standards.

He was Senate President for eight years and under his leadership, Senators could truly be called “distinguished” for at least not fighting like thugs on the floor of the chamber, as we saw under past leaderships. He provided a stable leadership in the senate.

His critics said he found a way to ensure that there was equitable distribution of ‘legislative largesse’ among all members and that kept them quiet. I celebrated his leadership qualities in the maiden edition of my magazine, Leaders and Legends and also on a radio broadcast session.

If you measure greatness

by wealth acquisition, Mark is truly great. In fact, he is said to be one of the richest men in Nigeria today. Unfortunately, his senatorial district – Benue South or Zone C – remains one of the poorest and most marginalised regions in Nigeria. This is a fact and a single visit to Otukpo, the seat of the Och’Idoma and headquarters of the Idoma nation will convince you that the region is indeed marginalised. When Nigerians who were not familiar with the region diverted from the flooded Lokoja-Abuja route to pass through Otukpo, two years ago, they found it difficult to believe they were passing through the home town of the powerful Senator Mark. Young men in dirty rags roasted yams by the highway and ran to make sales to travelers who struggled to drive through the pot-hole-infested roads.

George Onmonya Daniel, a journalist, wrote on Facebook about the state of toilets in a public hospital in Otukpo last year when he visited his sick father: “These are (sic) some of the toilets at General Hospital, Oturkpo, Benue State. I was so embarrassed today when I went to visit my dad at Ward 1. This is simply unacceptable. This is not right. How much will it cost to build decent toilets for sick people.

I am telling you I am already sick.

This is so unfair. I have confirmed that nurses have not been paid for over 6 months, doctors as well, so you obviously don’t expect anything serious. I am going to

write about this matter, but I am so tired right now and so angry”.

(I have deliberated omitted the disgusting pictures of the dirty pit toilets he uploaded but anyone can see them online by doing a simple Google search for ‘Otukpo toilets.’)

If Otukpo, where the family house of Senator Mark is located, can have the sort of look depicted above, then one can easily imagine how the other parts of Zone C look like. The writer did not say Mark was responsible for the decay in infrastructure or the unpaid salaries but he wondered why the power and wealth of the Senator did not translate to a better situation in his hometown.

Apart from the fact that Senator Mark has spent a whole 16 years in the Senate and change is strongly desired, there are other reasons why he is being rejected.

The campaign strength and strategy of Senator Mark has always centred on the creation of Apa State and the advice to the electorate in Zone C never to join the opposition.

It is no secret that the Idoma have never produced a Governor in Benue State, despite being the second largest nationality in the state, with many eminently qualified sons and daughters to do the job.

Rather than pushing for zoning, the Idoma have over the years come to fantasise about Apa State creation like it is all that is needed to solve human problems. David Mark was seen as the man who would deliver Apa State to the Idoma on a platter of gold, and he never failed to use Apa State creation to his political

advantage, always reassuring Idoma delegates to his home and office that he was working hard on it.

The Apa State campaign strategy worked for him so well that anyone who voiced interest in contesting for the Zone C senatorial seat against Mark was seen as an enemy of the Apa State creation and the entire Idoma nation. Today, the Idoma are angry with Mark over Apa. They have not gotten Apa State. They also have not gotten the development or governorship seat that the dreams of Apa State prevented them from seeking.

In fact, it was calculated that former President Goodluck Jonathan would “hand over” power to Mark in 2019 after winning the 2015 presidential election.

However, state creation is not what one Senator – or even a Senate President – can create without recourse to the Constitution. The calculation that Jonathan would win turned out as a wrong one after all. Today, the Apa State campaign strategy cannot fly and PDP has also become the opposition party.

If the Apa State and “always be with the winning party” strategies could not fly for Mark, then a new story needs to be sold. The new story is about the alleged “closeness” of Comrade Daniel Onjeh and Senator George Akume, the perceived APC leader in Benue State. The campaigners in support of Mark say when the election that took Mark to the Senate was annulled by a Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi and a re-run ordered, Tiv citizens celebrated the

annulment more than the Idomas.

Supporters of Mark exaggerated this celebration of election annulment and turned it into a campaign strategy. “The Tiv do not want our progress,” they said. “The only man strong enough for them is Mark. They want to install Onjeh as their puppet.”

The campaign strategy has also been exaggerated to the point where it has been discarded because people have been asking how Senator Akume could truly support a full-blooded Idoma from a part of Idomaland where the spiritual force of Alekwu is feared to go against its own people.

People have wondered how Akume and the Tiv nation tied the hands of the great and powerful Mark from developing Idomaland with the development allowances for the Zone. People have been asking why Mark could not find any Idoma journalist to work with him in a key position but preferred – and still prefers – Paul Mumeh from the Delta and Kola Ologbondiyan from Kogi State.

Or whether the Tiv and Akume made him sack an Idoma man as his Chief of Staff only to appoint Senator Manzo from Taraba State as replacement. It is good to want to appear nationalistic but a man who buys beer and pepper soup for strangers in beer parlours while his family has nothing to eat will eventually lose the support and respect of his family. This is the situation today.

What is the hope of the Nigerian Child from this region, where even before the emergence of Boko Haramtheir education did not receive serious attention from their leaders?

Truth be told, as much as the resettlement of IDPs is a national issue, the aphorism behind “charity begins at home” behooves eminent northerners to convene a forum that would pull resources together and brainstorm on how to actively partner with the federal government in rebuilding the North-East, and the rehabilitation and resettlement of our brothers and sisters who have been rendered homeless.

Kudus to all corporate, private organisations and individual donors who have lent a hand in making provisions for the IDPs. But, at this juncture, the slogan of Kano State that says “ko de mai ka zo an fi ka” meaning, (In whatever you bring up, we are better) resonates. Mind you, I am not taunting.

This slogan might be exclusive to Kano State but at this crucial stage it should be a basis to ask some eminent northerners important questions, like: where are the ex-presidents, elites, top military officers, ex and present governors, former and present lawmakers, business tycoons, religious and traditional leaders of northern descent? Where are

they and what are their plans and contributions towards rebuilding the North-East and resettling its people? Do they realise that the burden of IDPs is a reflection of their failures as people of northern origin? Are they not mindful of the danger inherent in neglecting them? Would they be happy to see them join the street beggars who are already a burden to the region?

Amongst these eminent northerners are the 83 percent Nigerian oil block owners, as claimed recently by Senator Enang, and If we are to go by the popular believe that Hausa’s are cheerful givers, then we should be able to say that the active participation of the aforementioned stratum in fund raising, ensuring accountability and transparency in disbursement of funds towards rebuilding north east, rehabilitation and resettlement of IDP’s in the zone cannot be overemphasized.

After all, they often convene to promote common political interest so, doing likewise in mobilising resources to support this cause should not be out of place. If they don’t care for the IDP’s, who else?

Now, to the Nigerian Church.

Sincerely, appreciation must go to churches that have contributed to to the welfare of the IDPs in the North-East.

They have done well. However, comparing the wealth of Nigerian churches and their clerics to the donations done so far by churches would reveal that the church under one umbrella could do better.

I am in no way taking the various contributions given by churches for granted but looking at the number of jets, gigantic auditoriums, schools and estates owned by Nigerian churches would give us an insight of what the Nigerian church could garner in terms of funds and support for rebuilding the North-East and resettling its people. Without fear of contradiction, Nigerian churches and their clerics are influential and wealthy enough to mobilise significant support towards this project and it would not bore holes in their pockets.

We could start with all churches in Nigeria donating sunday offerings and tithes for the next three months in one single account towards this cause. This cannot make Nigerian churches bankrupt and I am sure we the members would support it. Likewise, voluntary donations from clerics and donors who are allegedly financing the purchase of jets and other projects executed by churches would go a long way to restore hope to the IDPs. Let’s also consider how many

of the children in the IDPs camps could be given a bright future through scholarships in churchowned primary and secondary schools. Who knows if the next generation’s Dangotes and Jelanis are there in those IDPs camps? Nigerian churches have preached sacrificial and bountiful seed sowing, therefore, taking a practical step to sow their long time harvest by coming together as Nigerian Church without denominational differences to rescue the IDPs would be exemplary.

The story of the Good Samaritan who gave his time and resources to save the life of an armed robber victim, who was ignored by a priest and a levite, leaves us with a strong moral lesson in this regard.

I will not fail to say that this is no serious advocacy to support northerners, Muslims or Christians. It is a call to support human beings; our brothers who deserve the best from us all if we must avoid the danger in neglecting them as postulated, by Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, who said “a society that leave too many of its citizens behind, is sowing a seed of self implosion”.

Michael Okwori, an OAP, writes from Abuja.

Helping our internally displaced brothers and sisters T

By Ahmed Oluwasanjo

he reports coming from the camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria, these days, are unpleasant. Unfortunately, many of us are fixated on politics and its intrigues to the extent that we are less moved by their agonies.

Sadly, while IDPs eke out livelihoods in different camps, their miseries have been on the increase. Epidemic outbreaks threaten their survival as Boko Haram militias still lurk around to launch more devastating attacks on them. The agonies of life cannot be more.

These were folks who once had homes, businesses, farms and means of livelihoods, until the emergence of blood thirty insurgents who have not relented in their efforts to destroy NorthEast Nigeria completely.

Nigeria now has the highest number of Internally Displaced Persons globally, numbering 1.5 million, according to United Nations Resident Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Dauda Toure.

Also, it was reported that before this year runs out a total number of 60,000 births are expected.

Adding the number of children among the 1.5 million IDPs to the 10.5million out-of-school children, with the majority of them from northern states would make the news more depressing.

Ahmed Oluwasanjo writes from Abuja and can be reached on ahmedoluwasajo@gmail. com

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

News

Rights commission threatens to sanction Enugu waste management authority

By Albert Akota

T

he National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has vehemently warned the Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA) to appear before it commission or face it constitutional power.

The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe who gave this warning yesterday in Abuja during open session of the investigating panel on military and Shiites clash, warned the ESWAMA not put the commission to invoked it act.

Contrary to the suggestion in Daily Trust publication that the ESWAMA has snubbed the commission, “My commission’s mandate is to protect human rights and we will not allow any body or authority to dehumanized Nigerians, let’s me tell you,

they can’t shun us and they can’t hide from us, if it warrant the commission to invoke it international power to fish they out we will do it, “he vowed.

United Nations had earlier petitioned the NHRC sometime last year that the ESWAMA officials operation in Nigeria was the worst human rights abuse they have ever recorded in modern day Nigeria while carrying out its environmental fees collection in the state.

The report further said that ESWAMA was seen in broad daylight using shovels and heavy iron rods to break and shatter the ankles and knee cap bones of Nigerians and render them incapacitated.

According to the report submitted to Human Rights Commission, “We (UN) have written severally to the governor of the state that the mode of

operation of this agency is not only barbaric but dangerous to healthy survival of any descent democratic society, but the government looked the other way just because it believes that revenue collection for the state was imperative irrespective of the mode of collection overriding the entrenched fundamental rights of the citizens of the state.

The officials of the agency had on Friday 23rd October 2015, went on the revenue drive to No. 23, Mbaukwu Street, independence Layout, Enugu.

When they reached the entrance of the estate they met Messrs Mohammed Koma and Haruna Koma, who are the gatemen at the estate. They asked for evidence of the payment of sanitation fees but the duo told them that their boss was not around but they entered the estate and went to each of the apartments to ask the same

questions.

Mohammed’s ankle bone was broken while Haruna was unlucky as knee cap of the one of his leg was broken and ankle of the leg shattered, UN which frowned on this barbarity, said in a society where there is a government in place but the governor continues to protect and pamper these hoodlums despite the fact they are terror to the society.

The attackers later went to independence layout police station to report that some people attacked them at Mbaukwu Street, independence layout. The leader of the team that carried out this dastardly act wrote his name as Nnamdi Ugborgu while making the report at independence layout police station.

Report said that no common man in the state has not in one way or the other suffered in the hands of the agency of government

which operates with impunity.

Common man and the middle class in the society groan daily due to the assault on their rights by the agency. It would be recalled that two years ago officials of ESWAMA murdered a 17 years old young man at Abakpa, Enugu state, during their revenue drive.

However, UN has demanded immediate intervention of the state government to stop these atrocities of it agents, failure of which, the UN shall lay complaint before both national and international human rights institution to compel the state government to immediately disband it killer squad known as ESWAMA. The UN also demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the managing director of ESWAMA, Mr. Prosper Nnamani and Nnamani Ugbrgu who led the team of thugs who incapacitated Mohammed and Haruna.

Flood as a result of the first rainfall, yesterdy at Iyana Oworo, in Lagos.

Kebbi school of nursing to employ qualified teachers, upgrade facilities From Ahmed Kebbi

T

Idris

Birnin

he Director Kebbi State School of Nurses and Midwifery, Mohammed Salisu Abdullhai Jega, has pledged to upgrade the school by employing qualified teachers in order to produce qualified nurses.

He stated this yesterday in his office in Birnin Kebbi while interacting with newsmen, adding that the school which is to train medical personal would not be allowed to be under developed.

“I will not allow my students who are going to handled human’s

life to be embarrassed, I must leave a good legacy behind and put the school in standard”, he added.

The director who further emphasized that his administration would not compromise any brotherly hood, promised to operate open door policy.

He stressed the need for parents to caution their female students in terms of enrollment on education most especially on the science course.

He also expressed satisfaction with the present administration on the measures in promoting health sector in the state.

Photo: NAN

Adamawa community petitions AIG over arrest, torture by police From Umar Dankano,Yola

G

erio fishing community in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa have petitioned the Adamawa Zone 3 command over alleged arrest and torture of its people by policemen.

In a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of zone 3 signed by 51 members of the community, the community accused policemen from the Jambutu Police outpost in the area of carrying out the arrest and torture.

They claimed that the harassment by the police was over the piece of land they procured from the Adamawa Emirate in 1961.

“The crux of the issue was sometimes in 1961 the present place we are occupying was sold to us by the ancestral land owners, then satisfied by the late Lamido of Adamawa of blessed memory, Dr Aliyu Mustapha.

“We have been there carrying out our businesses, but to our greatest surprise, the men of the Nigeria Police have been terrorizing us arresting both the old, young and women and also beating us up

and the end arresting people at the end they will collect five thousand each from us for bail.

“In light of this, we write to request for your kind intervention between the community and the members of Nigeria police Jambutu, as we don’t want to carry the law into our hands.” parts of the petition said.

When contacted, the newly appointed Public Relations Officer of Zone 3, Mr Yusuf Adamu Mohammed, said he needed time to confirmed receipt of the said petition by the zonal command before he comment on it.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

PAGE 15

Court orders Nasarawa APC to pay N92.7m debt owed legal team

N

L-R: Some Senators representing Adamawa state, Binta Garba and Mohammed Yidi, APC National Auditor, Chief George Moghalu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir David Lawal, and APC National Secretary, Mr. Mai Mala Buni, during a condolence visit to the family of the late Chairman of APC in Adamawa state, Alhaji Shuaibu Yamusa, on Monday in Numan. Photo: NAN

Saraki: NASS not for big MDs alone

By Ali Abare Abubakar and Ikechukwu Okaforadi

S

enate President, Bukola Saraki yesterday said that the National Assembly is not for Managing Directors and heads of big corporations alone but for all Nigerians irrespective of their status in life.

Saraki who stated this when ace musician/artiste, Mr. Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, alias Patoranking, visited him at the National Assembly also expressed satisfaction in the works of Nigerian artistes and urged them to remain good ambassadors of the country.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, Saraki pledged the support of the legislature to help Nigerian

artistes boost their performance and to inspire upcoming artistes and the younger generation.

Saraki said: “It is a great pleasure also for us spending this time with you and let you appreciate that we recognize the good things that you are doing.

I want to let you know that this National Assembly is not only for Managing Directors of big parastatals, we are here for all Nigerians.

“We want to encourage you to be a good ambassador not only for the youths but the entire country at this moment in time. We believe the best is in this country because we have a lot of talents out there and that it is our responsibility to get all that talent out - those who are already doing well, to get them to do better and place Nigeria as No. 1 in everything that we are do.

“A lot of us are proud of what you guys are doing in the entertainment, music and the film industry. You have already put this country out there. I was saying to my own kids that in our time, all we listened to were foreign music, now they don’t even listen to foreign music, they listen more to local music.

“I mean, that is a great transformation and we must commend your generation for the fantastic work you guys are doing to change this country. You have changed Nigeria for good and I think this is what we should all be proud of.

“On our part, we will continue to support, in our own way, to encourage, promote and give you recognition so that many people watching you and those coming behind you will be inspired,”

Saraki said.

Earlier, Patoranking appreciated Saraki and the leadership of the Senate for the warm reception and said he was proud of the opportunity which is one of the ways of bridging the gap between Nigerian leaders and the youths.

He said: “This is actually the biggest thing that has ever happened to my career. I am going to take my time to say this like an award speech. This is actually big and I know my colleagues out there will be proud of this moment. There is nothing as important as bridging gaps between our leaders and we the youths.”

Son of the Adamawa State Governor, Farouk Bindowo, accompanied Patoranking on the visit.

asarawa state High court sitting in Lafia yesterday, ordered the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to pay a team of six lawyers the sum of N92.7 million being balance of professional fees for defending the party at the 2014 local government election petitions tribunal.

Justice Suleiman Dikko, the state Chief Judge, while delivering judgement on the matter, noted that the case was initiated under the undefended list procedure in line with order 15 rule 4 of the state High court civil procedures rules 2010.

He explained that the defendants (APC) were served with all the necessary courts processes and they failed to respond accordingly by serving a notice accompanied with an affidavit to state their defense.

Justice Dikko also granted the plaintiff relief for the defendant to pay 10 per cent interest on the judgement sum from the date of delivery till the sum is fully liquidated.

Shikammah Sheltu, lead counsel to the lawyers expressed satisfaction with the judgement saying that justice has prevailed.

Barr. Mohammed Elegu, APC state legal adviser decline comment over the judgement.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the APC lawyers led

by Barr. Shikammah Sheltu had dragged the party before the state High Court on December 3, 2015 for failure to pay the balance of their professional fee to the tune of N92.7 million.

Sheltu had told newsmen that the party agreed to pay the lawyers the sum of N100 million, out of which only N7.3million was paid.

He said all efforts to get the party to pay the balance failed which forced the lawyers to take legal action. (NAN)

FG, APC sympathize with Adamawa over death of party chairman From Umar Dankano,Yola

T

he National secretariat of the All progressives Congress, APC, and the Federal Government have condoled the members of the party, immediate family and the

people of Adamawa state over the sudden dead of APC state chairman, Alhaji Muhammadu Shuaibu Yamusa.

Recall that the deceased died on Monday in Kano while attending a wedding ceremony and has since been buried in

Numan cemetery according to Islamic rites The delegation led by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr David Lawal and the National Secretary of APC, Alhaji Mallah Buni, who where in Numan to condole the

family of the bereaved described the dead of Yamusa as a sad loss and prayed for the reposed of the deceased.

They described the deceased as a humble man who has contributed greatly to the success of APC in the state.

Also speaking on the deceased who passed away Sunday in Kano after a brief illness, Sen AbdulAziz Nyako and Sen Binta Garba described Yamusa as a team player that would be remembered by the people of Adamawa for his contribution to nation building.

Senate to conduct public hearing on North East Development Commission bill – Sen Nyako From Umar Dankano,Yola

S

enator AbdulAziz Nyako, Chairman Senate Committee on Special Duties, has said that plans have reached advanced stage for the conduct of public hearing

on North East Development Commission.

Speaking to newsmen in Yola, Nyako said that the bill which has passed second reading in both the Senate and House of Representatives was now at committee level where it would

be consolidated with a similar one sponsored by Sen Kabiru Gaya of Kano.

“As it is now, the bill is on my desk; the matter was referred to the Committee on Special Duties that I am the chairman after the second reading” Nyako said.

Nyako said all things being equal, sponsors of the bill and members of the committee would meet to look at the consolidated bill before the public hearing.

He said the bill was meant to address the devastation and socio-economic problem in the

North East.

The lawmaker lauded the successes so far recorded by the military in degrading Boko Haram insurgents and called for sustained support for security agencies to accomplish the task.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Politics

Bauchi Court adjourns suit against Gov Abubakar over 4bn loan From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

A

L-R: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Industry, Hon. Abubakar Husseini Muri, members of the Committee, Hon. Aminu Suleman, and Hon. Babangida Ibrahim, during the committee’s interactive session with the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Ex-Gov Aliyu lavished N800bn in 8 years – APC chair From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna

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ormer governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger state under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lavished N800 billion available to the state in eight years, state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engineer Mohammed Imam Jibrin has alleged yesterday Jibrin said this while speaking with journalists at the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) headquarters in Minna after the commission issued certificate of return to the newly elected local governments chairmen in the just concluded election last Saturday.

He dismissed the claims by the opposition that the election was rigged by the ruling APC, adding that PDP as a party had long became very unpopular for its abysmal performance in the 16 years it government the state.

“The PDP has just become the opposition. We have been in the opposition for the past 16 years. We know what it is to be in opposition. Opposition does not mean just making reckless statements. What projects have they done to think that they can stage a comeback? I give you a simple fact; N800 billion was received in Niger state. Where is the sign of N800 billion in Niger state? There is no water, no health facilities and no development”, he

said.

The APC Chairman lamented that in the eight years of former governor Aliyu, only the sum of N400m was released to the education sector while the administration failed to pay counterpart fund for Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for three years from 2013 to 2015.

Jibrin further disclosed that the past administration also left behind lots of problems and debts, adding that when we came on board we met empty treasury and so many uncompleted projects.

He said that the people have realized that there was light in the tunnel if they vote for APC and thanked the electorate for the

confidence reposed on his party.

The Commission Chairman and Chief Returning Officer, Alhaji Mohammed Danlami Abubakar who presented certificate of return to the elected chairmen urged them to justified the confidence reposed on them by providing dividend of democracy to the electorates.

He told them that all the electoral processes was diligently followed for them to emerge in their various local governments, warning them to be accountable, fair and just to their people.

All the 24 local governments’ chairmen that won the election on the platform of the APC received certificate of return from the commission.

Bauchi state High Court has adjourned to 8 February 2016 for hearing in the suit against Governor Mohammed Abubakar for allegedly collecting N4bn loan from the United Bank for Africa UBA. It could be recalled that a citizen of the state and tax payer in Bauchi, Alhaji Nasiru Ibrahim Darazo has dragged the governor before the Bauchi State High Court No 4 in a suit number BA/258/15 that sought for the determination whether the governor has the power within the provisions of Section 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution as amended to source for collect and utilize the N4bn on behalf of the state government without the approval of the state House of Assembly.

The presiding judge who is also the State Acting Chief Judge, Justice Hamidu N Kunaza after listening to the counsels of both the plaintiff and defendants had adjourned the case to 8th February 2015 for hearing Counsel to the complainant, Barrister Sadiq Umar Sarki filed the suit with number BA/258/15 yesterday seeking for the determination whether the governor has the power within the provisions of Section 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution as amended to source for loans.

Counsel to the complainant, Barrister Sadig Umaru Sarki has told journalist shortly after the court session that the counsel to the defendant had filed a notice of preliminary objection regarding the competency of the high court to hear the case against its client “In this development, it becomes imperative to seek the court blessing to adjourn the case to 8th February, 2016” he said.

In the same vein, Barrister Nura Ibrahim Zarudeen said the “matter came up in the court for the first mention and we took 8th Februaryfor preliminary objection filed by the defendants for the court’s convenience”.

Benue South rerun: Mark tasks his people to be steadfast •••Says I will not fail you

By Ali Abare Abubakar

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ormer President of the Senate Senator David Mark has asked his Benue South constituents of Benue State to be steadfast just as he promised not to disappoint them no matter the circumstances.

Senator Mark told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Women group who visited him at his Abuja residence yesterday ahead of the forthcoming rerun election that

he is irrevocably committed to the development of Idoma land and Nigeria at large.

He said the Appeal Court which annulled his election was a surprise but he respects the sanctity of the rule of law and would do all within the ambits of the law to reclaim his mandate.

Senator Mark said he is encouraged by the plethora of solidarity visits to him since the annulment which he believed “is a clear testimony that my people

truly desire my services”.

“I am encouraged by your visit and support far. I can assure you that I will always do my best to promote development, peace and unity of our people. Whatever I can do to make our society a better place, I will not hesitate to do that “, Senator Mark stated.

On the forthcoming rerun, the former Senate President urged the people to remain focused and unperturbed in spite unwarranted provocation, pointing out that only

the Idoma people would vote to determine who should represent them at the National Assembly without external interference .

Earlier, the leader the PDP women in Benue state Mrs. Abeje Egwa pleaded with Senator Mark not to abandon the ship because a lot of people rely on him for socio political direction.

Mrs. Egwa pointedly told Mark not to be discouraged by the litany of betrayals and blackmailers in the polity, saying “those who are

with you are far more than the few that are opposed to you.”

He stated: “We have decided to stay with you and vote for you like we did before. We are prepared to defend the mandate we gave you in the first instance. Any time, any day, we shall vote for you.

“We are comfortable with your leadership and representation. We have no reason to shift the goal post, because we believe that our people have more to gain in your leadership”.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

PAGE 17

Politics

Dogara advocates review of NASS security

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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peaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, yesterday canvassed a review of the legal framework on security in parliaments across Africa, warning that the present situation where the security has been left in the hands of the sergeant- at-arms and a multiplicity of other security agencies cannot guarantee security.

Dogara, who launched this advocacy at a pan- African conference on parliamentary security held in Abuja, lamented that though the sergeant- at- arms was the recognised security in parliaments across the world, the

system has not created enough legal powers that would enhance the performance of their duties.

The conference brought together Clerks and Sergeant at Arms from the National and State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria, as well as their counterparts from across 17 other African countries including Liberia, Uganda and Kenya.

Further speaking at the event, the Speaker said that given the wave of terrorism and frequent attacks on parliaments across the world, there was an urgent need to strengthen the laws to give the traditional police of the parliament enough powers to take care of security within the precincts of the parliament.

“In Libya’s post-Gaddafi, internal tensions escalated catastrophically in mid-2014, as Gunmen launched an attack on the parliament in the capital Tripoli and demanded its suspension.

Hours before the parliamentary suspension, members of an armed group backed by truck-mounted anti-aircraft guns, mortars and rocket fire attacked parliament, sending politicians fleeing for their lives as gunmen ransacked the legislature.

The Boko Haram insurgency in northeast Nigeria and attacks carried out by the group on the United Nations compound, Police Headquarters and other targets in Abuja have fueled fears of attacks on

soft targets like parliament”, he said.

Note that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, only talks about Sergeant at Arms by inference, saying “Section 89 (1) and (2) of the Constitution empowers the National Assembly for the purposes of any investigation under Section 88 of the Constitution to among other powers, summon any person in Nigeria to give evidence at any place or produce any document; and to also issue a warrant to compel the attendance of any person who, after having be summoned to attend, fails, refuses or neglects to do so.

It further provides that “a summons or warrant issued under this section may be served or

executed by any member of the Nigeria Police Force or by any person authorised in that behalf by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may require”.

Apparently not satisfied with these provisions, Dogara urged the conference to make appropriate recommendations on resolving the legal relationship between all the security agencies.

He expressed concern that under emergency situations at the parliament, the sergeant - at- arms was often handicapped, particularly when the other security agencies might not be favourably disposed to taking orders from him.

Count us out of your woes - APC tells PDP

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed surprise on how the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to blame everyone but itself for its self-inflicted problems which has led to the sorry state the PDP finds itself.

This was contained in a statement issued yesterday signed by the National Secretary of the party, Malam Mai Mala Buni.

“In monitored media report, PDP’s National Secretary, Wale Oladipo was quoted as saying that some PDP members were being ‘used by the APC, to draw political capital from the present challenges facing our party (PDP)’. What could be funnier than such silly and unfounded allegation?

“The PDP now sounds like a broken record with its daily conspiracy theories blaming external forces and unseen hands for its electoral misfortunes, in-fighting and mind-boggling corruption charges and on-going probe of some PDP leaders and the immediate-past PDP-led administration.

“The question begging for answers is: Why does the PDP choose to grope in the dark while reality stares it in the face? Did the PDP not know that it will one day pay for the impunity, recklessness and shocking mis-management of the country’s common wealth perpetuated under its watch for 16 years?

“For the record, the APC has no hand in the in-fighting and resultant implosion being witnessed in PDP’s hierarchy.

Perhaps the wind of Change has blown through the PDP camp and many PDP members realise the need to embrace and enforce change.

“The APC reiterates that PDP members who are genuinely inspired by the APC-led administration are welcome to the APC fold. It is their right to abandon a sinking ship and join one that is smooth-sailing”.

National Chairman, Democratic Progressive Movement (PDM), Rev. Collins Edebiri, with members of the party, during the 2016 rally on anti-corruption, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Nigerlites charged to support Gov Bello to succeed From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna

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he Niger state Commissioner of information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Jonathan Tsado Vatsa has charged Nigerlites to give maximum support to Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello’s administration so as to curb corruption and block areas of leakages for the overall development of the state.

This was contained in a statement issued yesterday in Minna, with the commissioner noting that the anti corruption stance of the government is now known to the people and the people have keyed into the agenda as the basis for the change they voted for.

He stated that rather than

taking the path of cosmetics in recovering stolen funds, the government has taken practical steps aimed at recovering stolen funds and blocking leakages and set a standard for a quintessential procedure in doing government businesses.

Mr Vatsa stated that it was a known fact that by the budget recently presented to the House, for the first time since 1999 in the state, capital allocation was almost at par with recurrent expenditures showing that government will not create avenue for wastages.

The commissioner stated that the government has practically demonstrated as a matter of policy to focus on areas of direct impact on the people through education, health, youth and women empowerment as well as

Agriculture as contained in the budget recently presented to the House of assembly.

He said that on this premise, the government has resolved not to embark on Jamboree but people oriented programmes and projects which are tailored towards ensuring that the people get value for the lean finances of government.

“The Governor has said severally that he will fight corruption with all it takes procedurally , without being dramatic about it, and will show example by managing the lean resources of the state with the most deserving dexterity for the best of the people who massively voted him to power” he added He stated further that “I am appealing to all Nigerlites to

support us in this task because we need their cooperation to tackle this hydra headed cankerworm call corruption that has deter our development collectively and individually over the years, we should disregard those who may want to drag the effort of government to curb corruption to disrepute, we are not unaware that they will want to fight back in whatever form but at the end of the day the truth will always prevail”.

The commissioner said that in this direction the government will constantly engage the people by adequately informing them of the government programmes and policy direction which are in conformity with the direct principle of good governance and rule of law.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Politics INEC: 2015 recorded highest number of annulled elections

By Ahmed Abubakar

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he Chairman, Independent National Election Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmoud Yakubu has disclosed that 2015 recorded the highest number of annulled elections in the country.

The chairman disclosed this yesterday during a meeting with states Residents Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the INEC headquarters.

The INEC Chairman noted that no fewer than 96 elections have suffered annulment in 2015, adding that last week, the High Court

sitting nationwide have annulled a total of 81 elections - senatorial, House of Representatives and two governorship elections that will proceed to the Supreme Court which is more than the two previous elections put together”, he declared.

“But in addition to the nullified elections, some elections were upturned and the court ordered for the issue of certificate of return. As at the end of last week, there were 15 of such cases, which we have duly complied. So if you add the upturned elections and nullified elections so far, the number is 96”, he explained.

In 2007, after the general elections in that year, a total of 20 elections were nullified; in 2011, 34 elections were nullified, making a total of 54 elections for a period between 2007 and 2011. But for the 2015 elections so far, 81 elections have been nullified, which is more than the two previous elections put together.

This is the first meeting between the new INEC boss and members of the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

“Since our inauguration on November 19 we were faced with elections. We were just 10 days before

the governorship election in Kogi State, followed by bye-election in Plateau, followed by election in Bayelsa and the conclusion of governorship election in Kogi State, followed by another bye-election in Katisna followed by another supplementary election.

“So because of these elections, we could not have our regular consultative meetings. This is the first of the consultative meetings we will hold this week, so we have to start with the Resident Electoral Commissioners.

“This meeting is called because we have a number of issues to be

discuss, assessment of the elections conducted so far, the continuous voters registration, distribution of PVCs yet to be distributed before the 2015 general elections, bye-elections, and a number of issues, including the one very dear to the commission, the welfare of our staff.

“But we thought we can hold this meeting, immediately in response of the cases arising from the last general elections. A number of elections was upturned at the court of appeal and ordered that a certificate of returns to the issued to rightful winners” the chairman said.

BASNEC, RTI / LEAD train stakeholders on 2016 budget process, effective implementation From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

B L-R: Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Salisu Maikasuwa, Senator Victor Attah, and Dr. Ladi Hamalai, during a three-day retreat of Sergeant-at-Arms and parliamentary security in Africa organised by National Institute for Legislative studies (NILS), yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

PDP NWC cautions against fifth columnists ....Says its organs remain united

By Ahmed Abubakar

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alerted its members against the antics of what the party termed “certain external forces bent at causing confusion in our great party.”

In a statement yesterday signed by its National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo the PDP alerted on the desperation of some opportunistic and selfish individuals, including those being used by the APC, to draw political capital from the present challenges facing the party.

Part of the statement reads: “The attention of the national leadership of the PDP has been drawn to reports in the media credited to some members of the party regarding the on-going ordeal of some of our leaders with the EFCC as well as issues relating to the position of the National Chairman of our great party.

“Indeed, we understand the concerns of our members especially since the unfortunate electoral setback, its attendant trauma and

disagreements within the party as well as the recent development leading to the probing of some of our leaders and of course our campaign funding by the APC-led government.

“However, whereas the PDP remains a platform for all Nigerians to aspire, we note that that our constitution is clear on the mode of election, tenure, succession in the case of vacancy, and removal from office of our officers at all levels.

Also the constitution and laws of our country provide that an individual remains innocent until otherwise proven by a court of competent jurisdiction.

“While we await the judicial determination of the cases involving some of our leaders at the EFCC, it is important that all party members show commitment to our rebuilding effort by ensuring utterances that encourage and unite rather than further discourage and divide our

members. Anything contrary to this would be playing into the very hands of those who want to decimate our party, destroy our common destiny as a people and install a one-party state in our country.

“Our earnest attention for now is our on-going rebuilding efforts, the amendment of our party’s constitution and our scheduled National Convention in March this year to produce new leaders in line with the statutory requirements of our great party. All the statutory organs are aware of the laid out plans by the NWC, which would soon be presented to them appropriately and accordingly.

“Moreover, any person or group which in any way feels aggrieved by any issue regarding our party should, as responsible party members channel such through the appropriate internal mechanisms instead of resorting to dragging our

party in the mud in the media. Such, only portrays pursuit of personal ambition and interest instead of the collective good of our great party at a critical time as this.

“We therefore urge all loyal and dedicated members of the PDP to be at alert and wary of antics of certain external forces bent at causing confusion in our great party, all with the aim of ensuing that we do not unite as a formidable opposition and a government in waiting.

“The public and the media are by this made aware of the fact that the PDP remains a big family despite our temporary electoral setback. Also, our leadership and statutory organs, the NEC, NWC, Caucus, Board of Trustee, forum of Governors and caucuses of various legislative houses, are all united in the common effort to rebuild and reposition the party, especially with preparations for our National Convention in March”.

auchi State Network for Civil Society Organizations, BASNEC, in collaboration with RTI/LEAD have trained stakeholders from 8 Local Government Areas of Bauchi state on budget process, monitoring and public expenditure tracking, advocacy for effective implementation of the 2016 budget.

The training workshop was organized by RTI/LEAD in collaboration with the Bauchi State Network For Civil Society Organizations BASNEC with much attention focused on the breakdown of the 2016 budget of the state as allocated to MDAs. The participants comprises of local government budget officers , schools based management and development committees as well as community based organizations were drawn from the eight RTI/ LEAD pilot local government areas in Azare headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area. The LGAs include Bauchi, Ningi, Dass, Katagum, Ganjuwa, Kirfi, Alkaleri.

The progaramme officer of BASNEC, Mr Kanen Caleph stated that what informed their decision to organize the workshop is to provide knowledge to stakeholders on budget monitoring, process and effective implementation of the 2016 budget that will provide effective development to the grass roots.

The RTI/LEAD budget specialist, Malam Haruna Hassan in his presentation, identified lack of political will as a factor responsible for non implementation of budgets, calling on the participants to closely monitor the implementation of the 2016 budget on the key areas like health, education as well as constructions and infrastructure development.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Crude oil swap: Nigeria losses over N1 Billion from tax evasion - FIRS

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS has said that Nigeria has lost over N1 trillion from the non payment of taxes by companies that have partnered with NNPC on crude oil swap.

The Chairman of the revenue generating agency Mr. Babatunde Fowler disclosed this when he appeared before the House ashoc committee investing refined product exchange agreement/ crude oil swap, saying he was unaware of the transactions until he was communicated by the

investigative committee.

He said that he would be working closely with consultants to carry out an internal audit of the Ministries Department and Agencies, MDAs to get up to date records on taxes paid by companies.

Companies owing taxes as presented by Fowler are as follows.

Iieto Nigeria limited owes N518 million and has only paid N262 million. Ontario owes N524 million and has N513 million.

According to him, Duke Oil which is a not registered company in Nigeria but a subsidiary of the NNPC, between August 2013 and

2014 has only paid N26.5 million adding that Transfigura since its operation in the country has not filed any tax returns.

Earlier, Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee, Zakari Muhammed said that revenues from the nation’s extractive industries should be transparently managed in accordance with global best practice to enhance Nigeria’s revenue and economic fortunes.

On his part, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, advocated for a more efficient management of the crude oil sector in the bid to reposition it and make its dealings transparent

in the face of dwindling oil prices.

“This is with a view to revitalising the sector and to make it more efficient and transparency driven. The issue of transparency in the management of the oil sector considering its significance to the economy of Nigeria is at the very heart of our Nation’s development challenge.

“Especially at this time of dwindling revenue resulting from the continued drop in oil prices.

You don’t have to be an economist to observe that if we do not improve on the management of available resources and effective utilisation of oil/petroleum

resources to drive the economy, our developmental aspirations will continue to emaciate.

“It is in recognition of this pivotal role which the oil sector plays in aiding development that the present House of Representatives decided to place enormous emphasis on the improvement of the sector especially.

“And to insist on the transparent, professional, and efficient management of all resources. This is the only way the Change of Agenda of this administration can be actualized,’’ Dogara said.

R-L: Special Adviser to President on NationalAssembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele with other CBN Directors, during CBN governor’s appearance in Senate to explain the persistent rising of dollar, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Power Challenges: Nigeria to re-focus on Renewable Energy – Kachikwu

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has said there was need Nigeria gives serious consideration to renewable energy as the solution to its energy challenges.

Dr Kachikwu who double as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum

Corporation (NNPC), spoke in an interview on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit currently in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The Minister acknowledged that crude oil and gas are exhaustible resources, noting that the way to make energy accessible to Nigerians in every nook and cranny of the country is to exploit renewable energy

sources.

“We need to refocus a lot more effectively on alternative energy resources, particularly solar energy. There is really no reason why a country like Nigeria should not have more of its power supply from solar. President Buhari is very focused on this. This is something we are going to apply a lot more energy to in the days ahead”, Dr. Kachikwu stated.

In a statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Ohi Alegbe, he said he did not believe that the exploration of renewable energy would pose a competition to the petroleum industry but rather would complement it as petroleum alone could not meet the huge energy need of the country, more so when the crude oil and gas would get exhausted

someday.

“We can produce crude and fire gas, but ultimately, the only way to sustainably reach every nook and cranny and every citizen of our country with some level of power supply is to look towards natural sources such as solar, wind, and water resources.

Solar used to be very expensive but the cost is dramatically coming down”, he said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Aviation

No arbitrary increase of charges without approval, NCAA warns airlines

R-L: Katsina state Governor, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, and Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, during the governor’s visit to the Ministry of Transport, yesterday in Abuja.

T

he Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed airline operators in the country to file any proposed add-on charges, surcharges or other miscellaneous charges with the regulatory authority for approval before it becomes operational.

This is just as it also warned operators to desist from arbitrarily increasing miscellaneous charges on ticket payment content without the authority’s approval.

Adurogboye explained that in the process of filing same, all justifiable reasons for increment must be adduced in accordance with Parts 18.14.3.1 and 18.14.3.2.(i-iii) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) which relates to the approval of charges on all flights within Nigeria or originating from Nigeria to international routes.

The General Manager stated that Part of 18.14.3.1 of NCARs says that, ”In requesting for approval of any add-on charges or surcharge, an air carrier is required to provide justifiable basis for the proposed increment with a consideration of all relevant factors including a new linear rationalisation for the specific aggregated costs sought to be recovered and consumer interests.”

According to the NCAA mage maker said that in addition, Part 18.14.3.2 also says that, “when approving any application for an add-on charge or surcharge related to fuel, the authority shall: take into account changes in prices of aviation fuel, the relevant hedging policies of the air carrier, the justifications provided by the air carrier and other relevant factors.

Other provisions of Part 18 of NCARs includes to ensure that the revenue so generated would not exceed the additional fuel costs borne by the airline operators during the corresponding period and approve on a short term basis, not exceeding a period of two months in each instance.

Adurogboye reminded airline operators that any addon charge, surcharge or any other miscellaneous added on passenger tickets without regulatory approval should cease forthwith, adding that any further breach would attract the appropriate sanctions.

AIB urges agencies to upgrade services at apron

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ollowing a series of incidents last year involving aircraft on ground at some airports, the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, has released the final report on the serious incident involving flight UAE 782, Boeing 777-200LR with the registration number A6EWD of Emirates and Hak Air’s B737-400 with the registration number 5NBOU, which occurred at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos last July.

The bureau in its safety recommendations ordered the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, to immediately make the lighting at the General Aviation Apron parking area

adequate and serviceable. It also recommended to the airport landlord to make more ‘Follow-me’ vehicles available during closures/ work on runways to further enhance safety.

AIB urged FAAN to endeavour to plan its schedule to enable other stakeholders enough time to plan by sending out Notice To Airmen, NOTAM, add regularly make adequate information available to crewmembers. It added, “FAAN should immediately make the Western Taxiway (central taxiway runway 18l/36R leading to the holding point 18LLink 1 available to traffic from the international wing of the airport.

“FAAN should make apron marking at the General Aviation Apron area legible, more meaningful and enforce good parking culture.”

Apart from FAAN, the agency also recommended that the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, should provide more information to crew as it relates to runway- in-use, lighting, parking advice and markings among others, adding that Air Traffic Controllers, ATC, must be assertive on issues that affected safety at all times.

On the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, it recommended that the regulatory agency should

increase its oversight functions on stakeholders and other users of the country’s airports.

AIB in its findings observed that the Emirates aircraft was cleared with a caution on the eastern taxiway without a ‘Follow-Me’ involved in the taxi.

The agency findings revealed that the lighting at the General Aviation parking was poor and inadequate at the time of the incident, adding that there were incoherent marking in place at the parking apron.

It further stated that the Western Taxiway (central taxiway runway 18l/36R) of the runway did not lead to the holding point 18L Link 1 due to closure of the runway

aspect of air safety, not only because the most critical phases of flight operations occur within the runway strip, but because of the multiplicity of sensitive activities that take place within the airside.

Abdulsalam, listed these activities to include takeoff and landing of aircraft, surface movement of aircraft, movement of operational vehicles, security personnel, Jet A1 vehicles, construction vehicles, airfield lighting maintenance personnel, navigational aids maintenance personnel, aerodrome rescue and fire fighting vehicles, Air Traffic Control vehicles on runway inspection, wildlife, vegetation and bird control, search and rescue vehicles, as well as various other stakeholders operating therein.

According to the NAMA boss, the implementation of Runway Safety Teams is of strategic importance to the agency as its primary responsibility is that of preventing collision between aircraft in flight, between aircraft on the ground, as well as between aircraft, vehicles, obstacles or persons on ground.

He pointed out that the

Runway Safety Workshop leading to the establishment of Runway Safety Teams had become inevitable following the Abuja Ministerial Declaration of 2012 which recommended the implementation of appropriate measures to reduce the rate of fatal accidents within the African continent by not less than 50% in order to bring it down to the global rate, even as he said the declaration was necessitated by the fact that “while the African continent accounts for the least volume of flight and passenger movement as compared to other continents of the world, Africa nevertheless accounts for the highest rate of fatal aircraft accidents globally.”

In his remarks at the event, the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), represented by the Director of Operations, Capt. Abdulahi Sidi stated that as a regulatory authority of the industry, the NCAA has put in place legal frameworks regarding runway safety and effort was being made to ensure full compliance that bring about zero accidents and incidents at the runways in the

country.

Also in his remarks, the Director of Airport Operations, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Henry Omeagwu who represented FAAN MD stated that his agency places premium on operational safety standards at the airports with special emphasis on runways, taxiways and aprons just as he assured that FAAN was working assiduously to mitigate incidences of runway incursion, excursion and confusion at the nation’s airports.

The FAAN boss therefore called on all stakeholders to support the Runway Safety initiative. Organized by NAMA in collaboration with other aviation agencies, the Runway Safety Workshop being conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airport Council International (ACI) is expected to drag till 20th of January, 2016 with the setup of runway safety teams for the four international airports and a field inspection by visiting international aviation experts.

NAMA to install safety radar equipment on runways

P

lans are underway to install radar equipment that will aid effective surveillance and control of movement of persons, vehicles and aircraft along runways of airports in Nigeria, the airspace regulatory authority has disclosed.

At the opening of a two days Runway Safety workshop in Lagos, Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam said top on the agenda of the Runway Safety Teams is the prevention of collision between aircraft in flight, those on grounds and between aircraft, vehicles, obstacles or persons along the runway.

He explained that the development and implementation of a Runway Safety Action Plan will further enhance navigation in the country’s airspace while the agency in collaboration with others will carry out regular training for it personnel on the use of the Runway Safety Tool Kits.

The initiative is necessary for safety, efficiency and economy of flight operations within terminal areas and associated facilities at the airports, adding that runway safety remains the most critical

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Pension/Insurance

Page

Insurance business: NAICOM canvasses need for government patronage

Stories from Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

he need to increase governments patronage of insurance business across the country has continued to be accorded with priority.

This is as true as operators believed that government which is supposed to be the highest patronizer of the sector should be ready to identify with it.

The Commissioner for

Insurance, Mohammed Kari, has recently called for improvement in the government’s general attitude to insurance even as he advocated for expertise representation of insurance sector in the civil service.

Kari, who made the observation said proper and optimal representation of the sector with insurance professionals in government scheme of things would go a long to assist it internally handling affairs of the sector.

“There was an apparent lack

of insurance expertise in the civil service, which was making the government not to be properly guided internally as it ventured to deal with the industry.

The position of insurance practitioners was virtually nonexistent in the civil service’s scheme of service, for the few insurance professionals in the service were not placed properly to play their role”, he said.

On governments apathy to insurance, Kari stated “There is

low patronage of insurance by government and its agencies and lack of effort to protect public assets. Even when it does, the funding is haphazard,” he noted.

According to him, it is common knowledge that the ability of the government to replace damaged or lost assets is not as sound as it used to be; as such, insurance is the best alternative to having no protection at all.

“Employees, especially our gallant members of the armed

forces fighting insurgents, need to have the comfort of insurance protection as they carry out their duties,” he said.

He equally pointed out that the industry had been yearning for a review of the insurance laws in the country, adding that a bill had been drafted and submitted to the Ministry of Finance with the full involvement of all stakeholders.

He, however, noted that almost five years later, nothing had been heard of the bill.

Mutual Benefits partners Cool World for improved services

M

utual Benefits Assurance Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cool World, a subsidiary of PZ Cussons for provision of cover all products of Cool World sold in Nigeria.

Going by this partnership, all products bought by customers of Cool World within Nigeria would be insured for all form of household damage ranging from fire, material and theft.

Speaking at the official signing of the agreement in Lagos, the Group Managing Director, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Mr Akin Ogunbiyi assured that the rationale behind the partnership was to enhance the value of product and services being offer by Cool world through Insurance.

The partnership Ogunbiyi said, the both parties were optimistic of extending to other parts of West Africa.

Commenting on the agreement, the Managing Director, Mutual Benefit General Insurance, Segun Omosehin, said the partnership Latest Mobilesto redefine the was designed landscape of insurance in such a way that it would be beneficiary to the common man.

According to him, the partnership remained a well thought out plan and effort aimed at spreading insurance to all parts of the country adding that such collaboration was needed for insurance to get to its target that is the grassroots.

Speaking further, the Commercial Director Cool World a subsidiary of PZ Cussons, Mr Olugbenga Kolawole, said that the partnership would bring radical changes to the retail business in Nigeria.

He said that customers don’t have to worry of any household or material damage suffered by Cool world products bought in Nigeria, adding that all products are fully insured by Mutual Benefits a trust and reliable insurance company in the country.

R-L: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Alhaji Aminu Aliyu, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar, and Director of Finance and Accounting, Salman Saminu Faskari, during the minister’s interactive session with House of Representatives Committee on Industry, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja. ` Photo: Mahmud Isa

2015 Global Insurance Pay Out Losses records $35bn

I

nsurance industry, in 2015 paid out $35 billion of losses for natural disasters across the world.

The figure is 31 percent below when compared with the 15-year average of $51 billion, according to reports by Impact Forecasting, Aon Benfield’s catastrophe model development team.

This low figure which was the lowest annual loss since 2009 was in line with $123 billion of global economic losses from natural catastrophes in 2015, 30 percent below the 15-year average of $175 billion, according to Impact Forecasting’s Annual

Global Climate Catastrophe Report that was released last week.

Global insured cat losses were 28 percent of economic losses in 2015, in-line with the 10-year average of 29 percent.

The report reveals that 300 separate global natural disasters occurred in 2015, compared to a 15-year average of 269 events.

It also revealed that last year replaced 2014 as the warmest since global land and ocean temperatures were first recorded in 1880.

The costliest event for insurers was a February winter storm that impacted much of

the eastern US and resulted in public and private insurance payouts of more than $2.1bn.

Additional notable insured loss events were December’s severe thunderstorms and flooding in the US, windstorms Mike and Niklas that impacted Europe in March and April, December flooding in the UK and August’s Typhoon Goni that struck Japan.

Seven of the top ten insured loss events occurred in the US. It incurred 60 percent of all global insured losses.

No region of the world sustained aggregate insured losses above its 15-year average

in 2015.

The most costly insured peril of 2015 was severe weather, or thunderstorms, at $14bn, followed by flooding at $7bn and winter weather at $4bn.

2015 was the first time since 2009 that no individual peril recorded insured losses over $15bn.

“Of our top five economic losses, four occurred outside the United States and yet none of these was a top 10 insured loss owing to low insurance penetration in the affected countries,” said Stephen Mildenhall, Chairman of Aon Analytics.

Page 22

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Business

Fuel scarcity: Gombe Task Force committee on petroleum promises to regulate on govt directives From David Hassan, Gombe

T

he Task Force Committee on Petroleum Product Monitoring in Gombe State has assured to continue monitoring to ensure that all filling stations are complied with Government Directives by selling the product at official price of N86.50 per liter.

Mr. Haruna Karama, who is the Chairman of the committee, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Gombe on Monday shortly after their indoor meeting with state government

and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on the scarcity of the petroleum in the state.

He said that the committee would ensure it operate base on terms of reference given by the state government to solve the problem face by the people in the state.

“The Task Force will continue with it work of monitoring, in getting the manifest where each truck is going to make sure that the filling stations have available product”, he said.

According to him,

immediately after the inauguration of the committee on Thursday the committee had identify many filling station with the products without selling to the public while some selling above the government price.

“Base on the terms of reference presented to us we went round we found large quantity of petroleum product in their stock which they were not selling to the public.

“And its contrary to the terms of reference given to the committee there we decided to celled-off the filling stations, some were also selling above

the approve official price by the government”, he said.

He said as the result of that association in the petroleum industry decided to shutdown their filling stations including the NNPC Mega station.

“Base on that we reported the matter to the state government for further action which leads for a meeting that now resulted to come to the end of the problem”, he said.

Also the state Chairman Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Alhaji Aminu Adamu assured that they would

comply with the government directive to sales at the official price According to him, before they were buying the product from the private deport in which the price is different from government price. He said the main problem was because of communication gap between the government the Association for not informing them about the committee where the devil coming.

He said they now resolved the problem and promised each other they would work for the interest of people in the state to develop.

General Counsel, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Dr Adesegun Akin-Olugbade (left), in a handshake with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (right), during a visit to the vice-president by AFC executives, recently at the State House, in Abuja. With them is President, African Finance Corporation, Mr. Andrew Alli (middle).

Photo: Joe Oroye

Kano Disco begins installation of new smart meters

By Etuka Sunday

O

fficials of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) yesterday embarked on massive installation of the newly procured pre-paid meters to customers in Kano, as part of efforts to bridge the metering gaps in its franchise area.

The MD/CEO of KEDCO, Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna

represented by Engr. Mohammed Aliyu Gana, Head Energy Metering said at the closing of a three day training for staff, that the effort was geared towards earning more customer confidence and bringing to an end the estimated billing system.

A statement by the KEDCO, spokesperson, Mohamed Kandi quoted Gana, who led participants on installation exercise to various customer locations, to have

expressed confidence in the trainees and informed that the new meters have been certified and proven to be excellent in performance.

“With the deployment of these new meters, while our customers may not have any reason to complain of high bills anymore, the company will be able to secure its revenue collecting using the smart meters,” Gana stated.

On the installation timeline,

Gana assured that his team could mount the new meters before the end of first quota of 2016.

“All things being equal, we should be able to complete the installations of these first sets of pre-paid meters in less than three months,” Gana said.

“The analysis is simple— about 75 staff drawn from all the Business units and the Head Office are expected to receive this training; each trainee will install

an average of 16 single and three phase meter daily, bringing the total number of installed meters to 28, 800 in a month,” he explained.

Speaking on behalf of participants, Ahmed Jibrin said although most participants had received similar training in the past, the three day exercise provided more insights, knowledge and perspectives to their experiences.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

PAGE 23

Stock Watch: Tuesday, January 19, 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 - -

Peoples Daily, Wednesday, January 20, 2016

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Special Report

Manus Island: Australia’s Guantanamo?

Head to Australia by boat. End up in a place like Papua New Guinea.

“

Up until 2013 thousands of asylum seekers were trying to make the perilous journey to Australia by boat. Hundreds died in the process. Two years later, the number attempting the journey has been reduced to virtually zero. Australia’s navy has engaged in a policy of forcibly turning boats back.

And now the Prime Minister Tony Abbott has refused to deny reports that Australian officials had even resorted to paying people smugglers tens of thousands of dollars to abort their journeys. Some might say that’s a bit like paying a bank robber, not to rob banks.

T

hat in essence is the message at the heart of Australia’s asylum seeker policy.

You might be seeking a new life in one of the world’s richest countries but you’ll wash up in one of the world’s poorest.

Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island is a place Australia does not want the world to see.

Dubbed by some “the Guantanamo of the Pacific”, it is home to one of Australia’s offshore detention centres, where around a thousand asylum seekers are locked up.

It is extremely difficult for journalists to get visas to go there.

So we travelled undercover, posing as tourists.

We managed to smuggle our camera past Australian officials and reach the camp.

We found asylum seekers, their faces pressed against the fences, some of whom have been stuck in Manus for almost two years.

Many have fled the misery of the world’s war zones - such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan - but now find themselves imprisoned, seemingly indefinitely.

Riots Manus Island is far from the Promised Land.

Over the past year the detention centre has been at boiling point.

There have been riots in which one Iranian asylum seeker was killed.

Hundreds have been on

Around a thousand asylum seekers are locked up on Manus Island hunger strike.

Some even stitched their lips together in protest.

One man reportedly swallowed razor blades in desperation.

People on Manus are scared to talk.

But we managed to speak to one Middle Eastern man, Ahmed (not his real name), who spent 18 months locked up inside the detention centre before being moved to a more open prison on Manus.

“My situation in detention

Papua New Guinea is a poor country

was very, very, very terrible,” Ahmed told us.

“We were living in one room two metres squared, four people.

It’s unfair.

“The Australian government broke the majority of our human rights. They don’t have any plan for us.”

Ahmed told me he fled his home country, having tried to expose corruption inside the business where he was working.

He also said he has publicly renounced Islam, something which could see him facing the

death penalty back home.

“They will kill me if I go back,” Ahmed said.

He left his family behind but says he had no option.

“I have just one sister and I really love her. I love my parents and it is very hard to tolerate this situation without my family. But I don’t have any choice.

“I am trying to start my life my real life.”

Ahmed is one of around two dozen asylum seekers who have agreed to be resettled on Manus Island as a refugee.

Ahmed described his situation in detention as “terrible” It meant he was able to leave the detention centre, but his situation has only marginally improved.

He now lives in a heavily guarded “resettlement centre.”

Ahmed is allowed out and about in the day time; many of the refugees can be seen jogging or cycling along the roadside to pass the time.

But he is not allowed to work, and he has to stick to a strict curfew between 6pm and 6am.

Skills

Like many of the asylum seekers he is well educated, with a degree and a professional qualification.

“There are doctors, teachers, engineers, carpet makers. They are intelligent people. We could use their skills,” one of the security guards on Manus told us.

He didn’t want to give his name for fear of losing his job.

“I feel sorry for them. They’re human beings. They want their freedom.”

But to get that freedom, they might have to agree to make Papua New Guinea their home.

Deterrence In 2013, under the Labor government of Kevin Rudd, Australia did a deal with PNG, agreeing to pay the impoverished Pacific nation around AU$400m (US$300m; £200m) in aid if it agreed not only to house the detention centre but also to resettle refugees.

The message was clear: asylum seekers trying to reach

The BBC travelled under cover to Manus Island as it is hard for journalists to gain access

Australia’s shores by boat, no matter how desperate, would not be resettled there.

The Australian government defended the decision, saying the aim was deterrence, to stop desperate asylum seekers drowning at sea.

It worked.

Up until 2013 thousands of asylum seekers were trying to make the perilous journey to Australia by boat.

Hundreds died in the process.

Two years later, the number

attempting the journey has been reduced to virtually zero.

Australia’s navy has engaged in a policy of forcibly turning boats back.

And now the Prime Minister Tony Abbott has refused to deny reports that Australian officials had even resorted to paying people smugglers tens of thousands of dollars to abort their journeys.

Some might say that’s a bit like paying a bank robber, not to rob banks.

But Mr Abbott said his government was using all manner of “creative strategies” to stop the boats, including methods that he described as “by hook or by crook.”

‘Boomerang aid’ On Manus Island reaction to Australia’s policies is mixed.

On the one hand the detention centre has provided hundreds of jobs for local people who work as security guards.

But in terms of the AU$400m of aid promised for Papua New Guinea as part of the deal, many local people say they’ve seen little of that money.

“It is like boomerang aid,” says Nahau Rooney, a community leader on Manus.

“They bring the money but Manus is getting maybe 1%, maybe 10%. But most of the major contracts are going to Australian companies.”

Australia’s so-called Pacific solution has worked and is

Australia is paying aid to PNG in return for resettling refugees there

probably supported by the majority of Australians.

It has stopped the boats.

Reputation Tony Abbott has said Europe should be following Australia’s example in tackling the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean.

But the problem Europe is facing and the numbers involved are on a far, far greater scale.

And Australia’s policies have come at a cost to the country’s reputation as a welcoming nation.

Human rights groups have branded Australia’s methods cruel and inhumane.

The United Nations even said the treatment inside places like Manus Island was tantamount to torture.

For the thousand or so asylum seekers stuck on Manus their future is bleak.

They are the world’s unwanted.

Australia and asylum • Asylum seekers mainly from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Iraq and Iran - travel to Australia’s Christmas Island by boat from Indonesia • The number of boats rose sharply in 2012 and early 2013. Scores of people have died making the journey • To stop the influx, the government has adopted hardline measures intended as a deterrent • Everyone who arrives is detained. Under a new policy, they are processed in Nauru and Papua New Guinea. Those found to be refugees will be resettled in PNG, Nauru or Cambodia • Tony Abbot’s government has also adopted a policy of tow-backs, or turning boats around • Rights groups and the UN have voiced serious concerns about the policies and accuse Australia of shirking international obligations Source: BBC

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Property

Environmental Degradation is killing us” Delta Community Landlords/ landladies cry out From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

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Elegant property to behold

DELSU student ’ union body raises alarm over illegal land encroachment ... Monarch sets measures to investigate

From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

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he Students Union Body of the Delta State University (DELSU) Asaba campus yesterday raised the alarm following alleged indiscriminate encroachment on the lands of the school.

DELSU Asaba campus lands in the last few years had been taken over some unscrupulous persons

who allegedly sold same to top shots businessmen presently erecting buildings.

But the Students’ Union President, Comrade Dickson Okotete had in a rotest letter to Asaba Monarch, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien, a copy made available to our correspondent, said the school lands were taken over by unscrupulous persons who same had allegedly sold to top shots businessmen in neighbouring

states.

Oketete, while soliciting for the Royal Father’s support, also enumerated other problems facing the school to include: unsteady power supply and a hall where students could stay before lectures commence adding that the Students’ Union was doing everything possible to eradicate cultism and radicalism among students.

In his reaction, the Asagba of

Asaba Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien said positive works were being worked to put a stop to the indiscriminate encroachment on the lands of the school and warned those been involved in the act to steer clear off.

The Asagba said he is interested in the University’s growth and development, disclosed that he and his Chiefs were meeting with the leaders of Umuagu and Ugbomanta to ensure that there are no further encroachment on the lands.

he association of landlords and landladies of Obi road Quarters Agbor town, in Ika South Local government area of Delta State, are appealing to Governor of the state Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to look in to the persistent environmental degradation in the area.

The landlords and landladies made the called, while speaking to our correspondent; said it has become necessary for government to save them from the environmental degradation menace including ecological disaster by rehabilitating the deplorable Dein motor way.

Mr. Gabriel Ekwuazon who spoke on behalf of members of the Association of landlords/landladies of the street, pleaded that the governor should come to their rescue.

“We the residents of the area have over the years been suffering from monumental neglect occasioned by lack of basic infrastructural development noting that with over 9,850 residents, the menace might portend more disasters if urgent steps are not taken to curb it”.

According to him, the menace of the gully erosion had evolved life threatening to residents of the area and had crippled socioeconomic activities in the affected communities, especially as the residents presently finds it difficult to access their houses whenever it rains.

Mr. Ekwuazom said “Dein motorway which start from the palace of the Dein of Agbor down to Delta line motor park located at Uromi Junction in a deplorable State, the erosion had swept away our houses and economic values” expressing possibility that Governor Okowa would come to their aid.

Firm unveils technology for mass housing

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he BTG Group Nigeria Limited has entered into a contract with Weiler GMBH Germany to set up a large scale Precast Factory in Nigeria for the provision of affordable mass housing to bridge the lingering housing deficit gap put at 17 million units.

Weiler GMBH is a Germany based, leading engineering and manufacturing company for the precast concrete industry.

While First Bank of Nigeria Plc is partnering with the group on the project for the provision of mortgage finance for the off takers, another company, Geelhoed group has sealed a deal with Anambra State Government to adopt the new technology for the provision of 1,000 units of housing for the

…Flags off 1,000 prototype units in Anambra ordinary people in the state.

Speaking while unveiling the new housing solutions in Abuja, the Chairman BTG Group Nigeria Limited, Dr. Arodiogbu Ijeomah, said the initiative would aid production of large scale modern real estate solutions for Nigerians at affordable prices with best quality and with fast delivery timeline.

According to him, the new technology would be deployed to support the social housing policy of government with a view to bridging the huge housing deficit gaps in the country.

He said the group had concluded plans to set up factories that would be producing the precast concrete products in the six geopolitical

zones of the country.

On the uniqueness of the precast housing solutions, he stated, “Our precast products have several advantages which include being strong and extremely durable, can be shaped in nearly any design, have high factory made constant quality, have very high fire resistance.

Our precast concrete buildings are earthquake and hurricaneproof, are based on natural raw materials,], and most importantly can be used for any construction application.”

Speaking further, he maintained that, “The Group is committed and feels privilege to be investing in the future of Nigeria real estate sector

and most especially introducing innovative solution on a very large scale to bridge the huge gap within the affordable homes provision to Nigerians, because in these tough economic times, Nigeria need smart organizations, like BTG Group Nigeria Limited, that have Nigeria’s interest at heart to support government and its MDAs in their quest to uplift Nigeria’s home ownership drive through provision of investment funds and excellent large scale affordable homes production mechanism coupled with excellent project management services more than ever.”

A ls o sp e a k i n g , t h e Sa l e s Director, Weiler GmbH Mr.

Christoph Mueller-Bernhardt, it is not only Nigeria that is confronting the increasing demands qualitative, affordable, high-quality as a result of population explosion, saying that the best way to confront the challenge is to think outside the box solutions.

According to him, ”Weiler GmbH is more than happy that our global leading precast technologies, machines and services have been core to this unique business partnership with BTG Group Nigeria Limited with sole objective of providing high quality affordable homes and buildings on a very large scale in Nigeria for the huge population of Nigeria with a very short timeframe.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Property

Nigeria, SA top continent’s real estate investments T he new Africa’s Report 2015 released by an international real estate firm, Knight Frank, has disclosed that Africa’s population would quadruple to over four billion by the year 2100, with about one billion of the people coming from Nigeria alone.

This expectation had already spurred international investors, who are investigating the

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opportunities in the continent’s real estate markets.

The report noted that the single most important demographic trend that would shape the world would be that by the year 2100; about 40 percent of the world’s population will live in Africa, with large majority of them, being in the continent’s fast growing cities. Nigeria is currently the largest economy in Africa with

the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, estimated at $594.3 billion, followed by South Africa at $341.2 billion.

The overall Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the world’s most rapidly developing economic regions, and it is projected that 13 of 20 fastest growing global economies over the next five years would be in Africa.

According to the report, Luanda in Angola has one of the highest

prime office rents in the world at $150 per square meter per month, driven by demand from the oil and gas sector, and an extreme lack of availability.

Luanda’s population is forecast to increase by more than 70 percent from 2010 to 2025 period while Dares Salaam, Kampala and Lusaka are expected to double.

‘Allied to strong economic growth, this is creating increased demand

Property Titbites of the week

hen renting an apartment there se e m to be some misunderstanding as to what precisely a “selfcontained” apartment and a “mini flat” is. The purpose of this is to clarify the ambiguity surrounding the aforementioned notions.

Self Contained Flats Simply put, a “self-contained” apartment or room is a single room that has all the facilities such as toilet, bathroom and most

probably a kitchen end suite.

That is to say that the room is ‘independent’ in and of itself. It appears the term self-contained is commonly used in Nigeria whereas in other climes such as in Europe and America, it is commonly called a “studio flat” or a “self-catering” flat. Another way of describing a self-contained Apartment is to liken it to an “all-purpose” room.

This type of apartment is mostly popular amongst people who abhor sharing facilities with other tenants hence the idea is to have

Self Contained Flat Floor Plan everything they need within the confines of their abode.

Self-contained apartments are increasing becoming popular in Nigeria as more and more people try to avoid quarrels, backbiting, inherent in the socalled “face-me-I-slap-you” type of accommodation in Nigeria.

Mini-flats On the other hand, a “mini flat” is an apartment that consists of 1bedroom and a sitting room,

Mini-flat Floor Plan

kitchen, bathroom and toilet.

A Mini-flat is akin to a typical “room and parlour”, the difference been that all the aforementioned facilities are en suite in a mini flat. That is to say that kitchen, bathroom, toilet are enclosed within the mini flat apartment.

Sure guess that has been cleared up. As they say, a single picture is worth a thousand words; here are pictures of a self-contained apartment and a mini flat.

for good quality real estate of all types,’ the report says.

It also pointed out that the retail sector has seen a huge increase in activity as a result of the rise of the urban middle class and the expansion of South African retailers such as Shoprite and Pick n Pay into the rest of Africa.

Modern shopping malls are a relatively new concept in much of Africa, but a spate of new malls has been developed in key cities such as Accra and Nairobi.

‘The growth of Africa’s cities and economies will do much to define the global socio-economic landscape over the coming decades,’ said Matthew Colbourne, Knight Frank international research associate.

‘These major long term trends are driving the construction of high quality real estate across the continent. The most visible demonstration of this is the rise of the modern shopping centre concept in cities such as Nairobi, Lagos and Accra, but there are development opportunities in all property sectors,’ he explained.

‘Large volumes of good quality commercial and residential property are needed to support the continuing African growth story, presenting excellent opportunities for global funds looking to diversify or enter into African markets,’ he added.

The report also points out that Africa’s growth potential has led to a notable increase in activity involving overseas investors and South African funds over the last two years.

For example, Chinese investors’ involvement in large scale development and infrastructure projects across Africa has been particularly eyecatching.

However, the Knight Frank report also identifies nine South African based funds that have raised significant volumes of capital to invest in real estate projects across the Sub-Saharan region.

These investors will develop a wave of modern investable assets that will do much to improve the size and maturity of African property investment markets over the next few years.

LASG to encourage residents to plant trees within their premises, says LAWMA MD

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r Ola Oresanya, the Managing Director, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), on Tuesday said that residents would soon be directed to plant trees in their premises.

Oresanya said this while speaking at a ceremony to mark the 8th State Tree Planting Campaign held at LAWMA Recovery Material Facility, Solous in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ceremony has as its theme ``Tree: the Lungs of the Earth.’’

Oresanya said that it was part of the state government’s plan to put in the law, a provision that would make it compulsory for the residents to have a space to plant a tree within their homes. ``Very soon, the state government may pass the resolution

or regulation that will make sure those occupants of every building plant not less than four trees there. ``We expect that even in an hectare of land, a minimum of 20 trees and a maximum of 50 trees are planted. ``So, when you are doing your developmental projects, probably before you get an approval, you need to show the compliance with the tree planting policy of the state

government. ``The Ministry of Physical Planning or the building control people must see that the trees are planted within or around building premises,’’ he said.

Oresanya who also represented Gov. Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State at the event, enjoined residents of the state to embrace the tree-planting policy as a way of life in order to restore the dignity

of the earth. ``We need to desist from indiscriminate felling of trees; and for every tree that must be removed, at least, one must be planted,’’ the governor said.

NAN recalls that the tree planting campaign began in Lagos in 2008 to stem the tide of environmental degradation and inordinate exploitation of the earth’s resources. (NAN)

Motoring

Page 28

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Ford Edge owes its popularity to sleek styling

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hen it comes right down to it, shopping for a new crossover SUV is a lot like trying on clothes. Three-row, sevenpassenger models can feel way too big, while compact crossovers may seem a little too confining. That brings us to the 2014 Ford Edge, a five-passenger midsize crossover that splits the difference between these two extremes in a way that could make it a comfortable fit for you.

Besides its right-size dimensions, the Edge owes its popularity to its sleek styling and a comfortable interior filled with a long list of appealing high-tech options.

These run the gamut from handy conveniences like the Sync system’s voice control to important safety features like rear crosstraffic alert and forward collision warning systems, both of which are designed to help avert potential crashes. The Edge also offers a likable driving experience, with confident handling and a quiet and smooth ride. The standard 3.5-liter V6 delivers a level of performance most buyers will find satisfactory, but Ford offers two other engines as well: an available turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder for greater fuel economy or a slightly more powerful V6 in the Sport trim.

The Edge does have a few drawbacks, m o s t notably t h e available MyFord Touch system, which has a less than intuitive m e n u structure and can be sluggish t o p r o c e s s commands.

Accordingly, we’d encourage you to take a look at some of the Ford’s similarly sized and priced competitors. Topping the list is the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is equally comfortable in everyday driving, yet can be fitted to be more off-road-worthy. The Jeep also comes with available diesel or V8 power. Other desirable models include the well-equipped Nissan Murano, the Volkswagen Touareg and the likable Toyota Venza.

Ultimately, though, the 2014 Ford

Edge has found a nice middle ground between its larger and smaller competitors, and many crossover shoppers are likely to find that it meets most, if not all of their needs.

The 2014 Ford Edge is a midsize crossover SUV that seats five passengers. It’s offered in four trim levels: SE, SEL, Limited and Sport.

The entry-level SE comes standard with a V6 engine, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, airconditioning, cloth upholstery, 60/40-split-folding and reclining rear seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, a 4.2-inch display screen and a sixspeaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio input jack. The optional Convenience package adds automatic headlights, keypad entry, rear parking sensors, a subfloor cargo organizer and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

The optional Equipment Group 101A bundles automatic headlights, keypad entry, rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, satellite radio, the Sync voice command interface, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a USB/iPod interface.

Moving up to the SEL model gets you the

above options as standard plus 18-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, dualzone automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver seat (includes power lumbar), an “EasyFold” second-row seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The SEL’s Equipment Group 204A includes a rearview camera, leather upholstery, heated front seats and a six-way power front passenger seat (manual recline) with fold-flat capability. The 205A group has those optional features plus the

MyFord Touch electronics interface with an 8-inch central touchscreen, a configurable gauge cluster, enhanced steering wheel controls, enhanced Ford Sync features and a second USB port for audio devices.

The SEL appearance package adds 20-inch wheels, specific headlight and taillight treatments, a bodycolored grille and unique leather/ simulated suede seating.

The Sport model comes with all of the SEL’s standard equipment, the contents of the

204A and 205A groups, a 12-speaker Sony sound system, HD radio, a more powerful V6 engine, 22-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and special exterior styling.

The upscale Limited also starts with a majority of the SEL’s optional features as standard and then adds 18-inch chrome-finish alloy wheels, an eight-way power front passenger seat and the 12-speaker Sony sound system with HD radio.

The Equipment Group 301A option adds a panoramic sunroof, xenon headlights, keyless ignition and entry, remote start, a power liftgate and a navigation system. The 302A group has those features plus rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts. Also optional are 20-inch alloy wheels and adaptive cruise control with a collision warning system.

A few of the Limited’s extra features, such as the sunroof, navigation system and blind-spot monitoring, are also available for the SEL and

Sport. A rear-seat entertainment system with dual headrest displays is also optional for every Edge, except the SE. Under the hood, most 2014 Ford Edge models get a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 253 poundfeet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission and frontwheel drive are standard; all-wheel drive is available as an option. EPA estimated fuel economy is 22 mpg combined (19 city/27 highway) with front-wheel drive and 21 combined (18/25) with all-wheel drive.

Optional on all but the Sport model is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder e n g i n e (called the

EcoBoost) t h a t generates 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive are standard; all-wheel drive is not available with this engine.

In Edmunds performance testing, an Edge with the fourcylinder went from zero to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds: slower than average, but not unreasonably so. More importantly, the EPA’s fuel economy estimate for this powertrain is an impressive 24 mpg combined (21 city/30 highway).

The Sport model is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 rated at 305 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission (with shift paddles) and front-wheel drive are standard, with all-wheel drive offered as an option. In Edmunds performance testing, an all-wheeldrive Edge Sport went from zero to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds -- a good time for the segment. Official EPA fuel economy stands at 22 mpg combined (19/26) with frontwheel drive and 19 mpg combined (17/23) with all-wheel drive.

Source: Edmunds.com

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Arts & Culture

Artist urges govt. to explore potentials in arts

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German-based Nigerian artist, Jimmy Nwanne, urged all tiers of government to explore the potentials inherent in arts for the overall development of the country.

Nwanne, who is in Nigeria on holiday, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that if government supported the arts sector, it would generate revenue.

According to him, putting facilities in place by government will scale up arts recognition, both locally and internationally,

and will also promote the practitioners and create employment.

The artist said that for arts to get bigger sponsors, government must pave the way ``When Nigerian movie industry started, it was not so easy for the actors but they kept on and it grew bigger. ``They managed the next-tonothing facilities till they got to where they are today. ``Government support will help to promote arts quicker; it has been a very rough time for

the arts sector,” he said.

Nwanne said that if there were funding for the sector, galleries, museums, offices, streets and parks would be adorned with a lot of arts works from various artists. ``Art is something that beautifies our society and documents our cultural heritage. ``Arts freeze time. It helps to capture things and refresh our memories for remembrance always. I use my art to respond to contemporary issues,” he added.

(NAN)

The house of art collector Cornelius Gurlitt is pictured in Salzburg November 6, 2013.

Reuters/Dominic Ebenbichler

Five works from Gurlitt art trove were looted by Nazis, task force finds

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task force set up by the German government to determine the ownership history of more than 1,500 artworks discovered in 2012 has found that only five were wrongfully taken from Jews, drawing criticism from Jewish groups.

German tax inspectors discovered the art collection, which included works by Matisse and Picasso, during a raid on the Munich home of Cornelius Gurlitt. Hi father, an art dealer, had sold what Hitler dismissed as “degenerate” art.

After two years of research, the head of the task force, Ingeborg Berggreen-Merkel, presented the final report on Thursday.

She said that only five pieces had been confirmed as

stolen Nazi art, although 499 were determined to have a questionable history. Of the five, four were returned to heirs of their owners, including Max Liebermann’s “Two Riders on a Beach” and Henri Matisse’s “Seated Woman”.

The announcement drew sharp criticism from Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress. He issued a statement on Thursday calling the results “meager and not satisfactory”.

Lauder said he “expected Germany to do better, given that time is running out”, and accused the task force of poor management of its work.

Jewish groups have been pressing the German government to move quickly, since many of the heirs of the Nazi victims are

advanced in age.

Accused of carrying out her work without sufficient transparency, Berggreen-Merkel said a dispute over the validity of the will of Gurlitt, who died in May 2014 at the age of 81, had made it difficult for the task force to be more forthcoming.

In the will, Gurlitt designated the Bern Art Museum in Switzerland as sole heir to his collection. A cousin is challenging that claim, arguing that Gurlitt wasn’t in good psychological health when he wrote his will. A court decision on the validity of the will is due in February.

Culture Minister Monika Gruetters has announced Germany is setting up a Lost Art Foundation in the eastern city of Magdeburg, which will continue research into Gurlitt’s artwork.

FROM THE LIVE STAGE with Patrick-Jude Oteh 0803 700 0496, 0805 953 5215 (SMS only)

THE STAR

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t goes beyond saying these days that all that one needs to be a ‘star’ in Nigeria is being seen on television once or appearing in one ‘D’ rated movie that does not have a 2,000 circulation mark even by Nigerian standards and the person becomes a star with all the ill-meaning definitions that go with being a star.

The moment you meet such a person, he/she goes to great pains to remind or tell you about the film or television show that he/she participated in or as some of them do these days, they simply hold the poster along if they are lucky enough to have their face appear in it or the CD of the television advert imploring you to watch it all costs or in the current fad it is in their phone. With glee they proceed to play it. The person might not have worked for the past ten months but the footages are enough to feed the ego.

In most instances they are empty. Empty of knowledge, empty of decency, empty of anything that can sustain a discussion beyond the mere civilities of greetings. But they know all the gossip in the industry. Who did what and who is dating who. Who is looking for a babymama or who is gay or who is lesbian. Who is on drugs and who will likely be on drugs. The list goes on and on. These are people who have not read a book in five years except the newsheets that pass off as papers and they are only interested in the gossip columns. We are also dealing with a bunch of people who have absolutely no interest in self development yet when you offer them a job they reel out how busy they are and how you might not be able to afford them.

We went through a case recently. We were in rehearsals for a performance and we wanted a particular person to play a certain role. We called him and he agreed for us to meet but for the next two weeks, he kept avoiding a meeting. We went ahead to make other arrangements which turned out better than if he had played the role. I was very convinced of this.

Eventually he turns up four days to opening and the first word that comes out of his mouth is ‘let’s do it’. I replied ‘do what?’. ‘The play’ he replies and proceeds that he gets lines fast and he is good to go and if the worse case comes he will know the outline and he will improvise. Improvise on somebody’s work?. I told him to forget it and we will work the next time. The next thing I saw was a post somewhere that I had no respect for his status!

We are beginning to see this scenario. Someone will not come for rehearsals but because he/she is a ‘star’ the director tolerates and tolerates and on the day of performance it is a fiasco –the characters keeps blacking out and the audience is short-changed. But they only realize it after when the thoughts of the play keep recurring. Some are so cheated that they vow not to go near the venue of any stage play again, some think and believe that the Nigerian theatre cannot be better than that. Added to this now is the fad of personal assistants! God, how do we always get to these pitiable situations? You invite someone to work for which you are going to pay and he tells you that he/she does not go anywhere except with his/her personal assistant and if you are flying him in ditto for the personal assistant. In seven cases out of ten, the personal assistant is female in the case of the males and in front of everyone they make this pitiable showing of her always answering his calls and bringing the phone for him to continue the conversation.

How do you also know that he/she is a star? They carry four or five phones simply to continue to keep the air that they are very busy and they are important.

I have a friend whom I used to call fairly regularly. Until the moment his work was beginning to spike upwards. The next time I call, it is a female voice that answers and asks me to hold on. I held on for almost two minutes before he comes on the line. In 2016, I have vowed, any ‘star’ that I am going to work with if he/she cannot come for rehearsals, he/she will not step on that stage. It is going to be as simple as that until the situation improves.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Arts & Culture

FEATURE

Igbu Ewu Ukwu celebration in Aboh Mbaise

Igbu Ewu Ukwu celebration

By Alika Ngozi Cecilia

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mong the Africans, child bearing brings great joy and happiness and different traditional festivities go with it. For example, the birth of a tenth child of a woman among the people of Aboh Mbaise in Imo State, calls for a greater celebration of fruitfulness traditionally called Igbu Ewu Ukwu.

The words, Igbu Ewu Ukwu literally mean killing of goat or goat killing for the waist. It is as old as the people and it is believed that the essence of the practice is to appease or calm the waist of the woman, viewed as a goddess of some sort for the disturbances it has suffered as a result of harbouring several pregnancies.

It is also done in order to thank the Almighty God for the gift of children and for seeing the woman through many pregnancies and their attendant problems. So, while God gives children, the waist harbours them until they are delivered and nurtured by the woman.

Failure to perform Igbu Ewu Ukwu is believed to cause some indescribable ailments, which may affect a woman after her tenth pregnancy. And so, keeping accurate record is so important in order not to incur the wrath of the waist which may even result in untimely death.

Items needed for Igbu Ewu Ukwu.

There are four basic items needed for Igbu Ewu Ukwu. They are: • A she-goat • A special Kitchen stool known as Ekwere • A hen and • Native chalk or Nzu Prelude to Igbu Ewu Ukwu.

Before a woman qualifies for this ceremony, she must have given birth to 10(Ten) children

or more. Before this time also, she is expected to have notified a group of women (i.e Ndom gburu ewu) who have had Igbu Ewu Ukwu, of her intention to become a member. This she does by presenting the group with palm wine and specially prepared oil bean salad.

Early in the morning of the agreed day, this group of women gathers at the would-be member’s house for the occasion. No man is allowed there because the woman to be initiated or admitted will almost be naked with just her under wear on. In fact, this part of the ceremony is carried out in the woman’s inner room.

The oldest among the initiated women performs the ritual. She starts by rubbing the woman’s waist with chalk or nzu made into powder. She taps the waist with the hen, while saying words of appeasement and praise thus.

“We thank you oh beautiful fruitful waist that has given us noble sons and daughters. May you never be weary of giving us more!”.The other women from time to time give shouts of excitement. The woman being admitted intermittently sits on the special kitchen stool until the end of the procedure.

With the ritual over, a shegoat is killed and skinned by the woman’s husband and his kinsmen. The goatskin is allowed to dry in the sun. The waist of the goat is carefully cut out, cooked and reserved for the women while the remainder is added to the meat to be used for the occasion.

From midday, friends and relations are to start taking their seat under thatch booths made in front of the family house. The high point of the occasion is when the celebrant, splendidly dressed, is ushered into the arena by some members of her group amid shouts of excitement and praise. As the woman dances

to traditional music which mainly sings her praises, friends, relations and her husband spray money on her. After the dance, the woman is led to her new group where she is officially welcomed with shouts of excitement before she finally takes her seat among these “accomplished women’’.

Cannon guns could be sounded at this point to add colour to the occasion.

Various kinds of delicacies are served at this ceremony. They include fufu, pounded cocoyam, to go with specially prepared melon, oha, okazi and bitter leaf soup containing sizeable pieces of stockfish, beef etc. Oil bean salad (ugba) and palm wine are never in short supply. Special kind of melon cakes known as “mgbam” is also served. Members of the woman’s group are served specially as theirs come in large quantities which they in turn share among themselves and even take away.

One significant item, the waist of the goat is cut into pieces and shared by members of the group.

Absent members’ shares are taken to them at home. This is believed to be a bond of unity among the women. From this time on, the woman has every right to attend the group’s meetings, being a bona fide member.

The dried goatskin serves as one of the major symbols of the woman’s new status. For example she gracefully ties or hangs it in on her arms as she attends functions.

She may even use it in covering her wares in a basket when going to the market. Anybody that sees her, immediately recognizes it and praises and accords her due respect. Another symbol of the woman’s new status is the special kitchen stool, Ekwere which she sat on during the initiation. This stool is reserved for her. No other person seats on it. The woman may decide to bequeath this stool to her favourite daughter

or daughter in-law as she grows older. The tenth child or the child whose birth led to Igbu Ewu Ukwu is often pampered and referred to as Nwa a Muru gbuo ewu that is the fortunate one whose birth has brought about goat killing in the family. Favours could easily be curried from this “fortunate” child once he or she is praised or flattered as such.

Every woman in Aboh Mbaise looks forward to recording a tenth pregnancy or child, which ultimately translates to Igbu Ewu Ukwu. It is always a grand occasion especially if the husband is rich. Not only does the celebrant receives numerous gifts from friends and relations, her husbands also spoils her with gift items which must include special new wrappers and other paraphernalia that will compliment her dressing for the great occasion in which her fruitfulness is being celebrated.

In thanking the Almighty God for His mercies on the woman and her family, a church thanksgiving is held in her honour on the Sunday after the occasion or any other Sunday as may be chosen by her family.

Igbu Ewu Ukwu celebration is fast going into extinction as it is only being practiced now by some die-hard custodians of the tradition and not too educated members of the community.

Bearing as many as 10(ten) children is no longer fashionable considering education and economic situation in the country as major reasons. Modernity and Christianity have combined to take their toll on the practice as Christians now prefer only church thanksgiving irrespective of the number of children.

ALIKA Ngozi Cecilia is a staff of the National Commission for Museums

POEM OF THE WEEK MEMO TO MY SPOUSE Your green leaves have caught me on your trees To leave you no more but to offer pure greenery Like the ointments brewed out of the olive trees Planted in the solitary orchard in my heartbeats I doff my heart and my hat like the panting harts I am the wandering clown singing on the crowns Upon the doves cooing colourfully in your lawns I remain the raw material for their golden beaks I am the lonely weaver bird weaving birthrights Scripted solidly on the Holy Scripture from ages Where faith crowns worn on the purified hearts Accentuated by sanctuary of morals’ tranquillity The innumerable multitudes of seasoned smiles On your face like the suns celebrating an energy Uploaded on the colourful rainbows in the skies To drown on the celebratory ocean floors’ flaws When joint account of love is jointly overdrawn And the cheques of knitted hearts are signed out Under the signatures of our compound interests You vetted my drafts and voted for an adventure Love is elusive, exclusive, inclusive, conclusively I shrink not from my beliefs your heart my relief Your love has prosecuted me times with seasons I remain the inmate in the template of your arms

THE DEATH LIQUOR Death liquors fume in the garden Within the criminal communities The tendermost hearts to harden Subduing their moral immunities Death liquors fume in restaurants In the shadowy base of savageries Energising men like the elephants Crowning airs with foul imageries Under the helmets from insanities Damaging petrified moral ovaries Their immorally glorified vanities Loom largely aboard foul avarices Death liquors make legendary lips Their windows the worlds to peep With their souls’ lost flagged ships Sinking down the depth born deep

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

PAGE 31

A hawker relaxing at car wash spot, recently at Airport Road, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

SDS tasked on curbing drug addiction among youth, others

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he management of the Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has been advised to partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to effectively address increasing cases of drug abuse and addiction among youth and vulnerable persons in the Territory.

According to the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad

Bello, who made this point yesterday, while receiving brief from the FCT-SDS athis official residence, in Gwarinpa District of the Territory.

Bello added that the Secretariat should brainstorm and find best ways of rehabilitating some of the addicts; as social issues must be approached with the seriousness it deserves “because one social problem has multiplier negative effects on the entire society.”

“You also have to brainstorm on how to efficiently tackle the

knotty problems of street beggars, commercial sex workers as well as street hawking.

“You all have enormous responsibilities with serious financial challenges which deserve proactive steps to effectively tackle them,” he stressed.

Furthermore, Bello urged the Secretariat to sit down as a team to generate database for tourism facilities because such facilities would not only provide areas of recreation and sightseeing in and around Abuja, but would equally

serve as avenues of generating funds to the government.

The Minister noted that though there are problems of Master Plan abuse that has taken over plots earmarked for sporting facilities in FCT neighbourhoods, saying something urgent must be done about it.

Also speaking during the briefing, the FCT Permanent Secretariat, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, asked Directors of the SDS to take drastic measures

as the professionals they are, to think outside the box to move the Secretariat to enviable heights.

He warned that it’s not business as usual, so all officers must sit up to deliver quality services that would positively impact on the lives of the residents of the Territory.

The Acting Secretary of the SDS, Alhaji Salisu Kallamu, revealed that there are 17 Orphanages in the FCT with only one directly managed by the Secretariat.

AMAC chair urged to boost amenities in Gosa community

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he village head of Gosa I community in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),

Chief Micah Wakili, has called on the chairman of the council, Micah Jiba, to ensure the provision of social amenities, lacking in the community, so as toimprove the wellbeing of the people.

Wakili, who made the call in a recent interview with Peoples Daily in Gosa, specifically urged the chairman to provide potable drinkingwater and standard clinic for the people in the community.

He further pleaded with the council chairman to rehabilitate thedilapidated road- linking the community with Airport road in Lugbe, to enable the people plying the road, to do so with ease.

He stressed the need for the FCT Administration as well as AMAC tojoin hands, to build both junior and senior secondary schools at GosaI, to enable their children (students) to complete their secondaryeducation there.

Police arraign 3 for conspiracy, intimidation

T

he police have arraigned three persons – Ajuma Emmanuel, 28; Monica Emmanuel, 26; and John Emmanuel, 24, in a Mararaba Upper Area court, for alleged criminal conspiracy, intimidation and defamation

ofcharacter.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Hemen Donald, told the court that the matter wasreported by one Helen Ogbonna of the same address with the accusedpersons, at the ‘A’ Division Police Station.

He said that the accused persons of Kabayi, Mararaba, conspired and threatened to kill the complainant.

Donald said that they also accused Ogbonna of instigating one Ochie Stephen and two others to beat up one John Emmanuel,

an allegationthat was denied by Stephen.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 97, 397 and392 of the Penal code respectively.

The accused persons, however,

pleaded not guilty to the allegations levelled against them.

The Judge, Mr. Vincent Gwehemba, granted the accused persons bail inthe sum of N50, 000 each, with one surety each in like sum. (NAN)

PAGE 32

Photo Splash

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

People fetching water, yesterday at Airport Road, in Abuja.

Good Samaritans lending helping hands to push a broken down car, yesterday at Lugbe, in Abuja.

A man hawking local mats, recently at Federal Housing, in Lugbe, Abuja.

Scavenger on the move along National Mosque, yesterday in Abuja.

A woman preparing pounded yam, recently at Zone 4, in Abuja. Photos: Joe Oroye

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

PAGE 33

metro

Truck pusher out to earn a living, yesterday in Mararaba.

Karu community makes case for General Hospital T

he residents of Karu area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday called on the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, to provide them with a general hospital.

The Sarkin Hausawa of Karu, Alhaji Suleiman Musa, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Musa explained that a tertiary medical facility was initiated by former FCT minister Nasir ElRufai for the community, but suffered neglect by his successors.

According to him, the structure put in place by El-Rufai was eventually handed over to an Indian firm under a PublicPrivate-Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

“However, the exorbitant

services being offered by the Indians are beyond our means and as such most residents do not patronise the hospital.

“If this project is actually designed for the benefit of poor Karu community, the APC change government should urgently address the situation,’’ said the traditional ruler.

Musa explained that the original design of the hospital was supposed to be superior to the facilities in Asokoro and Maitama districts because of “our densely populated area”.

An investigation by NAN, however, revealed that the hospital, owned by the FCT Administration, which was originally billed to provide general medical and healthcare services to the rural populace, now offers only behavioural (Psychiatry)

medicine services.

Patients with psychiatry cases were seen being attended to base on the degree of their challenges.

NAN also gathered that the hospital charge N14, 000 and N16, 000, respectively, as admission and accommodation fees.

NAN recalls that the FCT Minister, last week directed for the immediate opening of Zuba Cottage Hospital for public use.

In particular, the minister ordered the management of the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat to ensure immediate commencement of medical services to patients at the Zuba facility.

He wondered why the hospital, whose structures had since been completed, would remain unutilised while the people were yearning for such

important services, especially with daily influx of people into Abuja.

According to him, there is the need to give priority attention to the Zuba Cottage Hospital to make it operational and accessible to FCT residents. ``It is waste of public funds to build such an important hospital in that kind of location that is highly populated and refuse to open it to provide medical services to the people,” Bello said.

He said the facility was one of the few ways the FCT Administration could provide quality healthcare services in the FCT. “This is especially to those in the rural areas thereby reducing pressure on the existing healthcare facilities in the territory,’’ he said.

Bello further directed that

all Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) under construction must be completed and immediately opened to provide medical services.

He insisted that the PHCs in the FCT must also be adequately staffed to provide efficient services that they were designed for. ``If we are able to look at our overheads and some of the expenditures and be more prudent, a lot of these funds could be deployed to primary healthcare. ``This is what will impact meaningfully on the people,” he added.

He called for synergy among healthcare practitioners in the FCT in order to deliver quality services; saying that they must work for the general good of residents. (NAN)

Zuba Spare parts Market union begs for transformer

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he chairman of Motor Spare Parts Market, Zuba, in Gwagwalada Area Council of the (FCT), Mr. Nnamdi Okoli, has appealed to

the chairman of the area council, Abubakar Jibrin Giri to provide a transformer, in order to address the problem of electricity in the market.

He also called on the council leadership to rehabilitate the

dilapidated access roads in the market.

Okoli, who made the appeal in a recent interview with Peoples Daily in Zuba, decried how the traders in the market were being neglected, terms of

social amenities.

He explained that despite the huge revenue the market is adding to pulse of the council, no structure was put in place in the market.

While urging the council

leadership to restructure the Motor Spare Parts market for better, the chairman also assured the traders commitment to co-operate with the council for the upliftment of the entire council.

Page 34

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Money Sense

How to start a cleaning business A

nd that’s why few industries can claim the variety and depth of opportunities that professional cleaning can.

The cleaning industry has two primary market groups: consumer and commercial. The consumer arena consists primarily of residential maid services, along with carpet cleaners, window cleaners and a variety of other cleaning services required on a less-frequent basis. The commercial arena is dominated by janitorial services, which typically provide a wider range of services than maid services, along with other cleaning companies, such as carpet and window cleaners that target businesses rather than individual consumers.

While it’s recommended that you decide on a niche and concentrate on building a business that will serve your chosen market, it’s entirely realistic to expect to be able to serve multiple markets successfully.

Before you leap into the cleaning business, it’s important to look at it with 20/20 vision.

Though technology has certainly had an impact on cleaning services, this is not a high-tech business. Nor is there any glitz to it. And there will be times when you’ll have as much trouble as Rodney Dangerfield getting respect.

But the upside is that you can build an extremely profitable business that will generate revenue very quickly. Most cleaning service businesses can be operated on either a part-time or

If it can get dirty, chances are someone will be willing to pay you to clean it. full-time basis, either from home or from a commercial location.

That flexibility gives this industry a strong appeal to a wide range of people with a variety of goals.

Another positive aspect of the industry is that within each category of cleaning businesses are market niches and operating styles that vary tremendously.

Salt Lake City janitorial service owner Michael R. says, “We offer a wide range of services to a very limited clientele. We have refined our customer base to a group that we feel we can best serve in a way that will allow us to maintain those customers permanently.”

This means you can build a company that suits your

individual style and talents. If you like doing the work yourself, you can stay small and do so. If your skills are more administrative in nature, you can build and manage teams to do the work. For people who like working outside, the opportunities in service areas such as window cleaning and pressure washing are abundant.

Residential maid services offer fairly predictable hours; disaster restoration and cleanup can mean calls at all hours of the day or night.

Few industries offer this tremendous range of choices and opportunities, and the need for general and niche cleaning is expected to increase in the future.

manage your time efficiently, and you must be able to build relationships with your employees and your customers.

a drawback. The advantage is that you can do things your way.

The drawback is that you have no guidelines to follow. Everything you do, from defining your market to cleaning a bathtub, is a result of trial and error. As an independent owner, you must research every aspect of the business, both before and during your business’s lifetime, so you’ll start right and adapt to market changes.

too, at your personal line of credit.

Many a successful business has been started with credit cards.

Friends and family: The next logical step after gathering your own resources is to approach friends and relatives who believe in you and want to help you succeed. Be cautious with these arrangements; no matter how close you are, present yourself professionally, put everything in writing, and be sure the individuals you approach can afford to take the risk of investing in your business. Never ask a friend or family member to invest or loan you money they can’t afford to lose.

Partners: Using the “strength in numbers” principle, look around for someone who may want to team up with you in your venture. You may choose someone who has financial resources and wants to work side-by-side with you in the business. Or you may find someone who has money to invest but no interest in doing the actual work. Be sure to create a written partnership agreement that clearly defines your respective responsibilities and obligations.

Government programs: Take advantage of the abundance of local, state and federal programs designed to support small businesses. Make your first

stop the U.S. Small Business Administration; then investigate various other programs. Women, minorities and veterans should check out niche financing possibilities designed to help these groups get into business.

The business section of your local library is a good place to begin your research.

One of the hottest business trends today is to be home based, and cleaning services are excellent candidates for this type of setup.

After all, your customers will likely never come to your facility since all your work is done on their premises. But that’s not the only issue influencing your decision to operate from a home based office or a commercial location.

Many municipalities have ordinances that limit the nature and volume of commercial activities that can occur in residential areas. Some outright prohibit the establishment of home based businesses. Others may allow such enterprises but place restrictions regarding issues such as signage, traffic, employees, commercially marked vehicles and noise. Before you apply for your business license, find out what ordinances govern home based businesses; you may need to adjust your plan to be in compliance.

…Do you have what it takes?

T he necessary qualifications depend, of course, on the type of cleaning service you decide to start. But for any type of service business, you need a determination to make the business work, a willingness to please the customer and the dedication to provide a thorough cleaning job.

Another critical requirement for the owner and the employees of any type of cleaning service is honesty. “Clients must have total trust in the people who come to clean their homes,” says Fenna O, who owns a maid service in Orlando, Florida. This is important whether they’re cleaning bathrooms every week or carpets twice a year--or dusting and vacuuming an office at night.

A maid service is probably the simplest business in terms of necessary cleaning skills.

Janitorial services, carpet cleaning businesses and other niche cleaning operations often require the use of special equipment and/ or cleaning solutions for which you must be trained.

Beyond actually being able to do the work, a cleaning service operator needs some basic business skills. You need to understand the administrative requirements of running a company, you should be able to

Franchise or independent operation: That franchises will work closely with you as you start your business and take it to the point where it is running smoothly and profitability is an advantage, especially in the beginning. But you may find that once you become established and are financially secure, a franchise agreement is a decided disadvantage.

For people who want to own their own business but would rather choose an opportunity that has proven successful for many others rather than gambling on developing their own system, a franchise is the way to go.

Also, most franchises provide a degree of marketing support-particularly in the area of national advertising and name recognition; that’s extremely difficult for individuals to match.

In the long run, you’ll likely invest far less money operating as an independent service than as part of a franchise. Also, as an independent, you’re not tied to any pre-established formulas for concept, name, services offered, etc. That’s both an advantage and

Target market: Most of the cleaning service operators we spoke with used personal savings to start their businesses, and then reinvested their early profits to fund growth.

If you need to purchase equipment, you should be able to find financing, especially if you can show that you’ve put some of your own cash into the business. Beyond traditional financing, you have a range of options when it comes to raising money. Some suggestions: Your own resources: Do a thorough inventory of your assets.

People generally have more assets than they immediately realize. This could include savings accounts, equity in real estate, retirement accounts, vehicles, recreation equipment, collections and other investments. You may opt to sell assets for cash or use them as collateral for a loan. Take a look,

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

world news

Page 35

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Blood and minerals: Who profits from conflict in DRC? analysis

W

hen Papa Mukendi started his business in 2002, the Democratic Republic of Congo was experiencing one of the bloodiest peaks of its more than twodecade-long war.

“There have been moments when the work has multiplied, and we’ve had to hire more staff,” he says.

For this country’s misfortune is his fortune. After all, if there is an industry that prospers in Goma, it is death. And Mukendi’s speciality is coloured coffins.

When business is good, Mukendi sells three a week. When the conflict calms down, days can pass without a sale.

He used to make more money, he says, when he was the only one to envelop the dead in felt and wood.

But as the conflict drew on, many carpenters reinvented themselves as coffin makers. For in this land soaked with the blood of the more than 5.4 million killed since 1998, coffins, not furniture, are the luxury on which people will spend their limited money.

“When there’s conflict or a plane crashes, I sell a lot more. I don’t like war, but if it comes I take advantage.

It is work, and I welcome it,” laughs Mukendi.

The flesh aida lives near Mukendi’s workshop. A mother of two, she prostitutes herself to the soldiers who frequent a local club called Apollo in order to provide for her sons.

For war not only demands wood for Papa Mukendi’s coffins, it also needs fresh flesh to entertain the troops. Before this conflict, Faida took care of her children and sold traditional crafts to tourists. But since her husband joined an armed group and left her, selling her body has been the only means by which she has been able to support her family.

But the money she earns rarely makes it back home to them.

“We don’t have money to pay for a motor taxi, so we have to walk home,” she explains. “On the way, street kids steal what little we earn, and they rape us.”

When asked whether she has ever been raped, Faida responds: “Many times … many.”

She presides over an association for female prostitutes in Goma. It has 7,500 affiliates.

“It’s tough for us to survive because we are excluded,” she explains. “That’s why we created this association, to protect and advise ourselves. Many women have no schooling, [they] don’t know the dangers they face and the diseases they could contract if they don’t take precautions.”

Prostitution is a prosperous

F

Furaha, who was raped by five soldiers, attends a MSF clinic in the Mugunga III IDP camp in Goma [Alberto Rojas] industry thanks to the war. With more than 30 armed groups in the region, there is a growing market of men seeking sex. But with little money, plenty of weapons and ample alcohol, the soldiers often rape and threaten the women.

The investors ndian troops who are part of the UN’s MONUSCO mission in the DRC go on night patrol in Goma [Alberto Rojas/Al Jazeera] War is a profitable activity, with many investors - both internally and externally.

The United Nations, for example, sent 19,815 blue helmets to the country through its United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO), the second-largest mission in the world.

For the home countries of those troops - Pakistan, India, Uruguay, Tanzania, South Africa and Malawi - the mission can be extremely profitable: the UN pays them four times the cost of the deployment.

And the troops are not the only foreigners present. More than 80 humanitarian organisations also ply their trade in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or DRC, as part of an arguably self-sustaining business.

One NGO mission chief, who asked not to be named, confessed: “I don’t know what we’re doing here.

Our presence raises the price of food and rent, we stop people from moving on, from taking their own decisions and demanding their government

I

take responsibility. We should have left Congo years ago.”

The miners nother booming industry that thrives off the bullets is the trafficking in blood minerals, for nothing serves this illicit trade better than a failed and unstable state that is incapable of collecting taxes and stopping neighbouring countries from looting its riches through strongman proxies.

Rubaya in the province of Masisi is three hours’ drive from Goma and the epicentre of the blood minerals war.

Our guide, a 16-year-old miner called Inocence, must walk for an hour to reach his post at the largest coltan mine in the country.

“Sometimes the mountain caves in,” he tells us. “The miners are buried for ever and people forget about them.”

As we approach, the sound of thousands of moving souls emerges from the mist. “Do you hear that?”

Inocence asks. “That’s the murmur of the mine. It’s close.”

Our path traverses steep hills browned by mud and as we climb higher we encounter our first victim of the day. Several men carry the body of a miner on a makeshift stretcher covered with plastic. “Tell of what happens here. Let it be known,” says one of the group.

In our pockets we carry a sample of what they risk their lives for: a small bag of green powder called

A

manganese, a gold nugget and small dark rocks called columbite and tantalite but better known as coltan, the material the dark heart of this mountain is made of. It is a fistful of sand to die for.

Some tech lobbies, perhaps wishing to wash their hands of any responsibility for the exploitation of blood minerals, recently insisted that coltan is no longer used in the making of mobile phones, tablets, consoles or cameras, and that the mines were closing. But in truth, demand for the mineral is still much greater than its supply. Around 80 percent of the world’s supply resides under Congolese soil.

So around 5,000 miners, many of them children and teenagers, continue to toil in a state of quasi slavery in DRC, at first under the open sky and then, when there is no more of the mineral left on the surface, in deep tunnels where they eat, sleep and work from dawn until dusk, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Sixteen-year-old miner Inocence must walk for an hour to reach his post at the Rubaya coltan mine.

“Sometimes the mountain caves in.

The miners are buried for ever and people forget about them,” he says [Raquel Villaécija/Al Jazeera] Several women follow behind us with boxes of soda and sacks of grain tied to their heads. Once inside the mine, they set up their little torchlit market so that the miners may buy their wares without abandoning their work.

In worn boots, Inocence moves at military pace. He is much faster than us as we clumsily navigate the mountain that threatens to crumble beneath our feet.

As we arrive at the entrance to the mine, a legion of men turn to examine us with suspicion, some visibly surprised to see whites at the summit. Many work nearly nude, without helmets or protective gear, and some are even barefoot. Others wear fake Real Madrid or Barcelona shirts. The luckiest have rain boots.

“To enter the tunnels you must first ask permission from the mine chief,” Inocence explains, pointing out one of the Congolese foremen.

The same rules that govern the base also seem to apply at the summit: no one prohibits access, but neither do they allow it.

The mines are particularly dangerous during the rainy season, when the damp earth can crumble, leaving miners at the mercy of carbonic gas or crushed inside underground caverns.

“Sometimes we’ve found labourers’ skeletons trapped since who knows when,” explains Francois, one of the foremen.

No one knows for sure how many people die in this mine. One NGO has committed to counting the dead, but so far the number remains a mystery.

“There are days when 30 or 40 people fall,” says Francois. Someone will scratch their names off a list, then hire their replacements.

Source: Al Jazeera

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Page

News From Africa Most of 2.6 million stillbirths are ‘preventable’

Burkina Faso attack: ‘Three suspects at large’

O

ver 3,000 lives are lost to stillbirth a day across the world - most of which are preventable, according to studies published by The Lancet.

Two-thirds of last year’s 2.6 million stillbirths were in Africa.

Half of stillbirths happen during labour as a result of preventable conditions, notably syphilis and malaria, they add.

The studies argue stillbirths are preventable through highquality antenatal care.

The studies say there is a widespread belief that stillbirths are due to birth defects and are unavoidable.

However, it points out that this only accounts for 7.3% of stillbirths after 28 weeks.

They ranked the three countries with the highest rates of still births as Pakistan, followed

by Nigeria and Chad.

A notable exception is Rwanda, which the studies point out was able to reduce the number of stillbirths.

More than 40 million women give birth unattended at home each year At present rates of progress, it will be 160 years until a woman in Africa will have the same chance of her baby being born alive as a woman in a high-income country.

H The hotel attacked in Ouagadougou was popular with foreigners

T

hree people involved in last week’s Islamist attack in Burkina Faso are still at large, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has said.

The assault on a hotel in the capital, Ouagadougou, was claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

The death toll has risen to

30 after a French-Moroccan photographer died from her injuries.

Three gunmen were killed in Friday’s operation, Mr Valls said.

AQIM on Monday released their photos and names.

Six gunmen opened fire on unarmed patrons at the Cappucino cafe before taking refuge at the

nearby Splendid Hotel where they held several hostages, the French PM told parliament.

Both places were popular with UN workers and foreign residents.

“Three were killed and three others were being sought,” Mr Valls said.

Among the 30 killed were three French nationals, he added.

Libya’s unity government nominated

Leila Alaoui, Amnesty photographer, dies

F

rench-Moroccan photographer Leila Alaoui has died from injuries sustained in the Burkina Faso hotel attack, taking the death toll to 30.

Ms Alaoui was taken to hospital but suffered a heart attack, human rights group Amnesty International said.

She was carrying out work “focusing on women’s rights” for the group.

The assault at a hotel in the capital, Ouagadougou, was claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

In a statement. Amnesty said Ms Alaoui had been shot twice in the attack, in the leg and thorax, and was believed to have been in a stable condition following an operation in hospital.

Mahamadi Ouedraogo, a driver working for Amnesty, was also killed in Friday’s attack.

Both were parked outside the Cappucino cafe, opposite the luxury Splendid Hotel, one of the militants’ targets, the group said.

Apple, Samsung and Sony face child labour claims

Some groups still oppose the proposed agreement

M

embers of Libya’s proposed national unity government have been named under a UN-brokered deal aimed at uniting the country’s warring factions.

The 32 names will be sent to the internationally recognised parliament in the eastern city of Tobruk for approval.

But only seven members of the Tunis-based Presidency Council have signed the document.

Libya has been in chaos since the 2011 overthrow of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

The country has two rival parliaments, and the UN is urging them both to endorse the proposed unity government.

Both parliaments are backed by different armed groups and there is still substantial opposition towards the new administration.

The Presidency Council was agreed in December following UNbacked talks. It is made up of the prime minister, his five deputies and three ministers of state.

A source close to Deputy Prime Minister Ali Algetrani told the BBC that the proposed cabinet was “illegitimate” because it had not been unanimously agreed by the council.

Members of the council are still based in Tunisia because of the instability in Libya.

Libyan security forces inspect damaged cars at the site of a suicide

truck bombing on a police school in the coastal city of Zliten.Image copyrightGetty Images Western nations hope the formation of the new government will help bring stability and tackle the growing threat of the so-called Islamic State group (IS).

IS militants have taken advantage of the political vacuum to expand their presence in the country.

Analysis: Rana Jawad, BBC North Africa correspondent, Tunis At this stage, it appears as though the cabinet was proposed for the sake of meeting deadlines, and out of fear of losing political momentum that could make Libya’s new leaders irrelevant.

uman rights organisation Amnesty has accused Apple, Samsung and Sony, among others, of failing to do basic checks to ensure minerals used in their products are not mined by children.

In a report into cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it found children as young as seven working in dangerous conditions.

Cobalt is a a vital component of lithium-ion batteries.

The firms said that they had a zero tolerance policy towards child labour.

Women waiting near a mine in DRCImage copyrightGetty Images The DRC produces at least 50% of the world’s cobalt.

Miners working in the area face long-term health problems and the risk of fatal accidents, according to Amnesty.

It claimed that at least 80 miners had died underground in southern DRC between September 2014 and December 2015.

It also collected the testimonies of children who allegedly work in the mines.

Paul, a 14-year-old orphan, started mining when he was 12 and told researchers: “I would spend 24 hours down in the tunnels. I arrived in the morning and would leave the following morning ... I had to relieve myself down in the tunnels … My foster mother planned to send me to school, but my foster father was against it, he exploited me by making me work in the mine.”

UNICEF estimates that there are approximately 40,000 children working in mines across southern DRC. In response to the report, Apple said: “Underage labour is never tolerated in our supply chain and we are proud to have led the industry in pioneering new safeguards.”

It said that it conducts rigorous audits on its supply chain and any supplier found hiring underage workers is forced to: On cobalt specifically it added: “We are currently evaluating dozens of different materials, including cobalt, in order to identify labour and environmental risks as well as opportunities for Apple to bring about effective, scalable and sustainable change.”

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

South Korea toughens aviation laws after ‘nut rage’ incident

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outh Korea has enacted tougher laws against unruly air passengers, after the socalled nut rage scandal which saw a top Korean Air executive jailed Under the new rules, passengers will pay a higher fine if they disturb the pilot. Transport officials say they revised laws because of public demand.

Heather Cho was convicted last February after ordering a taxiing plane back to offload a steward who served the nuts in a way she deemed inappropriate.

The case attracted global attention.

But in South Korea it reopened a national debate about elitism and the Korean business system, which is dominated by family firms known as chaebols.

Besides being the vicepresident at Korean Air at that time, Ms Cho - also known as Cho Hyun-ah - is the daughter of the airline’s chairman.

Former Korean Airlines Vice President Cho Hyun-Ah (C), leaves the Seoul western prosecutors’ office as she is transferred to a detention house on 30 December 2014 in Seoul, South KoreaImage copyrightGetty Images During the incident she was angered that she was given macadamia nuts which she did not ask for, and was offended that they were served in a bag, not in a bowl.

After confronting flight staff, she ordered the plane which was taxiing at New York’s JFK Airport to turn back and offload the chief steward.

Under the new law, passed by parliamentarians last year, anyone who disturbs the pilot during a flight could face up to five years in prison or a 50 million won ($41,200; £28,900) fine.

Previously the same offence did not have a jail term and only had a 5 million won fine. Crew members are also now compelled to hand over unruly passengers to the police, or risk a 10 million won fine.

“The amended law reflects mounting public demand for enhanced aviation safety and the prevention of unruly behaviour during flight following the Korean Air nut rage incident,” the transport ministry said in a press statement.

Ms Cho was convicted of violating airline safety. She served five months in jail before she was freed in May after an appeals court overturned the ruling saying she did not cause a change in flight path. Another conviction of using violence against flight attendants still stands.

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Asia&Middleast

Afghanistan turns US military base into rehab centre

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fghanistan’s government has turned Kabul’s largest US military camp into a centre to treat drug addicts.

The country is the world’s biggest supplier of heroin, and illegal drugs are cheap to buy.

The former military camp is now the largest rehabilitation centre in the country, serving mostly homeless addicts. There are usually around 600 patients in the centre.

As well as receiving medicine and counselling, they receive three

meals a day, new clothes and haircuts.

Sayyid Walid, a patient, told Al Jazeera: “I have been using drugs for 22 years. I am tired of this dark life. I want to start a new one.”

Another, Mohammed Assad, said: “When I compare my previous life with my current one, I feel I’m human.”

Doctors say the programme starts with a 45-day detoxification.

Daruish Osmani, who works at the centre, told Al Jazeera: “After

45 days, we will continue with our treatment including physical activity and teaching them a career such as carpentry ... We won’t leave them.”

Afghanistan is the world’s biggest opium producer. Last year, the country produced some 3,300 tonnes The ministry of counter narcotics says there are up to 2.4 million adult drug users in Afghanistan, but only 123 treatment centres.

Rohith Vemula: The student who died for Dalit rights

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n his death, Rohith Vemula has emerged as a symbol of protest against injustice and indignity.

The 26-year-old PhD student killed himself on Sunday inside the campus of Hyderabad Central University.

Mr Vemula was a member of the Ambedkar Students’ Association, which fights for the rights of Dalit (formerly known as untouchable) students on the campus.

He was one of five Dalit students who were protesting against their expulsion from the university’s housing facility.

The five faced allegations last year that they attacked a member of the

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) - the student wing of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

They all denied the charge and the university cleared them in an initial inquiry, but reversed its decision in December.

P Vijay, a close friend of Mr Vemula, described him as a “hardworking and a brilliant student and a kind-hearted soul”.

Mr Vijay added that “he used to spend most of his time in the university’s library”.

“I cannot believe what has happened. He was a source of inspiration for others. But he was also very sensitive and was depressed over

what was happening around him.”

Mr Vemula was studying for his PhD in sociology. A keen reader of revolutionary literature, he aspired to become a writer.

Students of Hyderabad Central University protesting over Rohith Vemula’s deathImage copyrightSnapsIndia Image caption Students of Hyderabad Central University want justice for Rohith Vemula “I always looked at the stars and wanted to be a writer, a writer of science like Carl Sagan. But in the end, this is the only letter I am going to write,” he said in a suicide note.

Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen prepares for power amid Chinese warnings

The bomber rode his motorbike into the checkpoint then detonated his explosives

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t least 10 people have been killed by a suicide bomber riding a motorbike close to a police checkpoint in north-western Pakistan, police say.

About 20 people were also wounded in the blast, which took place in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) on the outskirts of Peshawar.

There has been fierce fighting in the region between security forces and the Pakistani Taliban.

No-one has yet said they carried out the attack.

TV footage of the latest attack showed vehicles parked near the blast site on fire after the explosion.

A Pakistani journalist comforts a colleague after the death of local journalist at the site of a suicide bomb attack on the outskirts of Peshawar (19 January 2016)Image copyrightAFP Pakistani security personnel patrol at the site of a suicide bomb attack on the outskirts of Peshawar (19 January 2016)Image copyrightAFP A Pakistani security official looks at a damaged wall after a suicide

bomb attack on the outskirts of Peshawar (19 January 2016)Image copyrightAFP At least five policemen are among the dead. Their vehicle was targeted by the bomber, officials said. Several civilians were also killed, including a child and a local journalist.

The bomb went off near Peshawar’s Karkhano Market, The Express Tribune reported.

A suspected suicide attack at a government office in north-western Pakistan killed at least 26 people last month.

Israel spraying toxins over Palestinian crops in Gaza

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han Younis, Gaza Strip- On January 7, a low-flying agricultural aircraft sprayed herbicides on to Palestinian farmlands along the eastern border, eradicating or damaging up to 162 hectares of crops and farmland along the Israeli border fence.

“Herbicides are sprayed in high concentrations. Thus, they remain embedded in the soil, and then find their way to the water basin. This constitutes a real hazard for the population,” said Anwar Abu Assi, manager of the chemical laboratory at the Ministry of Agriculture.

The sprayed areas belong to Israel’s unilaterally imposed and poorly delineated “buffer” or “no-go zone”.

The zone, which amounts to an estimated 17 percent of the entire territory of the Gaza Strip and a third of its agricultural lands, erodes into the Strip’s most vital and fertile soils.

Yousef Shahin, 40, was having enough trouble sustaining his farmland when, last week, an Israeli raid targeted the water tank that supplied his farm and neighbouring farms in the alFaraheen area east of Khan Younis.

The tank and collection system had cost Shahin and his neighbours some $15,000.

Shahin said governmental support was lacking.”Without support, we can never reconstruct the system again.

We don’t have running water for irrigation; I think we lost this season.”

The Israeli army’s move had added another element to the suffering of Shahin and his fellow farmers.

With the Strip being merely five kilometres wide in some areas, a few hundred metres prove essential to the Strip’s food security. Over the past few months, Israeli soldiers have killed at least 16 Palestinians who entered the zone, most of them protesters who were shot at by snipers while participating in demonstrations near the fence.

Furthermore, scores of casualties have been reported among farmers who were merely tending to or approaching their lands. “We had to jeopardise our lives daily growing these crops; now all our efforts are in vain,” said Shahin while examining a new implant of spinach.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

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Europe &

Somali Colombia’s President Santos children’s enacts tougher law on acid attacks magazine aims to boost integration

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orthern Europe’s first children’s magazine that caters to Somalis has been launched in Sweden.

The first issue was published last week, and the editor, Musa Isse, hopes that the initiative will lead to better integration and help children to build strong identities.

“We want to encourage their interest in reading and writing while strengthening their cultural identity,” Isse told Al Jazeera.

The title of the magazine, Carruurteenna, means “our children”. Copies will be available in libraries and schools, as well as in bookstores.

“We want the children to learn the Somali language. This will strengthen the communication bond between parents and children to reinforce relations across generations,” Isse added.

Somalis constitute one of the largest immigrant groups in Sweden, with up to 100,000 Somali speakers. Many of them fled the Somali civil war in the early 1990s.

Contributors to the magazine include writers, artists and librarians of both Swedish and Somali background. While most texts are in Somali, some are in Swedish or English.

Isse said that the magazine’s founders want to support young people who want to read in Somali, about Somali culture and news relating to children and young people.

The magazine is published by the Somali Nordic Culture, a nonprofit organisation comprising of students, writers, storytellers, librarians, journalists and artists.

It will be published four times a year, and targets children between the ages of 7 and 14.

Some sections will focus on historic Somalia, to educate the children about the country before the war.

“In order for the children to build strong identities and the ability to integrate in their new home country they must learn about their roots and history,” said Isse.

Traditional Somali children’s stories will also be featured. And a special character, Dalmar “the traveller”, has been created.

It mirrors a popular Swedish cartoon bear, Bamse, who travels on adventures around the country.

Since Isse believes it is crucial for children to have role models, the magazine will also feature people who have built successful careers in Sweden.

In the first issue, a medical doctor who grew up in Stockholm was profiled.

olombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos has signed a law that imposes tougher sentences on the perpetrators of acid attacks.

Anyone convicted of such crimes will now serve between 12 and 50 years in jail.

Acid attacks have become a major concern in Colombia over the past decade.

About 100 people - most of them women - are estimated to be targeted every year.

The attackers can be male or female, ranging from disgruntled neighbours to jealous partners.

The law had been approved by the Senate in November.

The enacting ceremony at the presidential palace in Bogota was attended by several victims of acid attacks.

Among them was Natalia Ponce de Leon, after whom the new law was named.

She became a high profile campaigner after having her face and other parts of her body disfigured by sulphuric acid in March 2014.

She was targeted by a neighbour, Jonathan Vega, who had become obsessed with her and got angry after having his advances rejected.

“The new law helps remedy a big legal loophole and will help prevent the absurd attacks that so many of us have suffered,” said Ms Ponce.

Natalia Ponce de Leon and President Juan Manuel SantosImage copyrightEPA A woman survivor of an acid

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Natalia Ponce de Leon showed her face for the first time at the signing, after undergoing at least 20 operations

attack participates in the event Image copyrightEPA Mr Santos praised the fight of the victims for their rights and for new legislation.

“We don’t want to see more people destroyed,” he said at the ceremony.

Under the new law, those who “use any type of chemical agent” to hurt someone will be jailed for

between 12 and 20 years, but the sentence can increase to up to 50 years in prison for those who permanently disfigure their victim.

Previously, acid attacks fell under the category of physical aggression, such as beatings, and sentences were relatively short.

Until now, very few people have been convicted for such attacks.

Why Western attempts to moderate Islam are dangerous

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ess than 2 percent of all politically motivated acts of violence committed in Europe are carried out by Muslims. Yet, the media narrative of a crisis with “radical Islam” and “radicalised Muslims” reaches new heights after each major attack in a Western country.

Meanwhile, rational analysis of what constitutes Muslim “radicalism” fails to inform public discourse, which is instead driven largely by sloppy presuppositions connecting religiosity or conservatism to a propensity for violence - despite any credible evidence linking the two.

Promoted by networks of wellfunded Islamophobic hate groups, the hazy logic underlying this understanding of extremism is at the centre of Western efforts to moderate Islam.

It is pervasive in government policies and, critics say, it is actively undermining the ability of Muslim communities to confront radicalism

Swedish Wallstrom inquiry opens into foreign minister’s flat

by stifling their freedom to openly participate in the democratic processes of civic life, including free expression of political opinions.

The profiles of the vast majority of documented attackers, including the September 11 hijackers and those involved in the recent Paris attacks, clearly diverge from mainstream Muslim communities, with lifestyles - featuring the use of illicit drugs, sex, and alcohol - that would be considered anathema by conservative Muslims.

In spite of the lack of a clear connection with violent extremism, Muslims who adopt conservative or traditional perspectives - on gender roles, styles of dress, and even the permissibility of music and alcohol - are now considered by some governments to be on the path toward violence.

Following the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris last January, the French government released a flyer that pointed out the supposed signs of Muslim “radicalisation”, including

a Muslim who stops listening to music, stops participating in organised sports activities, or changes the way he or she dresses.

It was reminiscent of the American writer Asra Nomani’s claim that a Muslim saying “inshallah”, an Arabic phrase commonly used by Muslims and non-Muslims alike and meaning “God willing”, is a “red flag”.

However, even prominent global news agencies sometimes fall into the trap of equating Islamic piety with a propensity for violence.

Recently, the AFP casually described one Saudi billionaire as a “devout but moderate Muslim”, explicitly implying that one’s piety is normally at odds with one’s “moderation”.

Of course, these are just a few examples of how adhering to even the most basic Islamic beliefs and practices can spur suspicions of violent radicalisation.

Hence, a “good Muslim” becomes one who is least identifiable as Muslim.

weden’s anti-corruption prosecutor has launched an investigation into a union flat in Stockholm rented by Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom.

He said he had to decide whether the rental contract was a bribe and a crime had been committed.

There are long waiting lists for flats in Stockholm and reports suggested the minister had special treatment.

One of Sweden’s most outspoken figures, Ms Wallstrom has been at the centre of spats with Israel and Morocco.

She said she had nothing to hide about the rental agreement and said “it is good that this will be resolved”.

Flats in Husby, in Stockholm (file pic)Image copyrightReuters Municipal workers’ union Kommunal owns a number of properties in Stockholm and Swedish media have reported that Ms Wallstrom was offered a rental contract tied to her period in office.

Last week she said the union had assured her it had followed the rules and she was not jumping any queue when she took on the flat. “They lied to me about this,” she told TT news agency.

Chief prosecutor Alf Johannson made clear there were no suspects at this point.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (file pic)Image copyrightReuters Stockholm has a widely known rental crisis. Waiting lists can last up to 13 years in the centre of the city and nine years in other districts.

Ms Wallstrom has become a high-profile but controversial political figure in Sweden.

Last year, she was accused by Saudi Arabia of “blatant interference” in its internal affairs after she criticised its human rights record.

She cancelled a trip to Israel last week after infuriating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when she called for an inquiry into whether Palestinian knife attackers had fallen victim to extrajudicial executions.

Margot Wallstrom has been outspoken as foreign minister but has run into diplomatic difficulties

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Strange

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world

Nightmare neighbours are evicted for the second time in 12 months – after 300 complaints, 12 injunctions and three jail terms

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‘neighbours from hell’ family 8. who have racked up 300 Asbo She said: ‘There have been threats complaints, 12 court injunctions of violence and an instance of the and three prison sentences in less than next door neighbour’s property being a decade have been booted out of their broken into. They are causing chaos council house for the second time in across the city.’ a year.

She said a garage which the family The Birch clanfrom Podsmead, had been offered to live in had been set Gloucester, are living in an abandoned on fire and Jane had been refusing to warehouse after making local leave Michael’s side after a recent stay residents’ lives a misery by smashing in hospital. windows, keeping unruly pets and The court also heard their abuse by constantly fighting, shouting and some family members had continued swearing. despite them being homeless.

Father Michael, 69, partner Jane Colleague Charlotte Newman Beard, 52, and daughters Trudie, 28, added: ‘The situation has escalated and Ellen, 22, were evicted from their since eviction. first home at the beginning of last year.

‘They are coming to the attention They said their neighbours were of various members of the public due just ‘petty’ and that the only fights they to having no fixed abode. had were between themselves.

They are becoming a massive But their appalling disregard for problem across the city their community continued, forcing Charlotte Newman, Gloucester their fed-up council to kick them out of City Homes their second home just months later.

‘They are becoming a massive The brazen louts - who at one problem across the city.’ point owned three snakes, five bearded Several homeless charities are dragons, six cats, a budgie and some alleged to have made complaints about goldfish - are now demanding they be the behaviour of family members at The Birch family (pictured) from Podsmead, Gloucester, are living in an abandoned rehomed at the taxpayers’ expense as soup kitchens and lunch clubs - with warehouse after making local residents’ lives a misery by smashing windows, keeping they ‘never hurt nobody’.

Mr Birch said to have threatened to unruly pets and constantly fighting, shouting and swearing. They agreed to be photographed ‘snap the leg of a homeless man’s dog,’ Despite their appalling history, as long as the daughter’s boyfriends’ faces were hidden the shameless foursome are begging Ms Newman said.

They were also evicted from their for one last chance in a ‘warm’ council Judge David Hebblethwaite because we were accused of shouting, they were caught shouting, causing a home. insisted the extended order was nuisance or making rude gestures they new home. loud music, slamming doors and Ms Beard said: ‘We were at court Mrs Beard said: ‘I’ve never hurt needed to protect the public. having the TV loud, and the boys would be arrested again. nobody and I’m really sorry it got to He said: ‘It is in the interests of fighting all the time. this stage. I would really like another the citizens of Gloucester. Anyone ‘The antisocial behaviour has only chance to correct it all.’ could be affected by their ongoing ever been between ourselves.’

Daughter Trudie added: ‘I want behaviour.’

Mr Birch, Trudie and Ellen have the council to find a warm place to The family and their pet all previously served jail sentences for live.’

Staffordshire bull terrier Jacko are their behaviour. Ms Beard was once The troublesome family first now living in an empty building in given a suspended prison sentence. moved into a housing association Gloucester city centre, but have been The latest ruling, granted by home in Podsmead in 2008. told by police they need to move on.

Gloucester County Court is the latest A court issued them with a joint Mr Birch and his daughters will be in a string of actions taken against ASBI - an anti social behaviour sentenced for breaching the previous the family, which also included 12 injunction - in January last year after interim order on February 3. injunctions. neighbours accused them of window The family will be back in court to At the hearing on Thursday, smashing, keeping problem pets, using on February 10 to contest the original Victoria Fennell, of Gloucester City foul language and fighting. terms of the injunction.

Homes said the interim order only Under its terms, the Trudie and covered their previous home, which Ellen’s boyfriends, Robert Edward, DailyMail on Facebook they were forced out of on December 26, and Jonathan Ward, 25, were also banned from the flat.

It was the first time the injunction - a rare type of ASBO aimed at housing tenants - had been issued in Britain for five years.

The Birch’s claimed their neighbours were just being ‘petty’ - but only months later they found themselves falling foul of the law once again, losing their home as a result.

They upped sticks and relocated to a home two miles away, closer to Gloucester city centre.

But their terrible behaviour continued. In October 2015, the court was forced to slap them with another interim ASBI in the hope of protecting their new neighbours from being repeatedly shouted and sworn at.

Within two months, however, a court found Mr Birch and his two The Birch’s claimed their neighbours were just being ‘petty’ daughters guilty of breaching it.

Mr Birch, Trudie (left) and Ellen (right) have all previously - but only months later they found themselves falling foul of As a punishment, the trio had served jail sentences for their behaviour. Ms Beard was once the law once again, losing their home as a result their ASBI orders extended to cover given a suspended prison sentence the entire city. They were also told if

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Page 40

Digest

Is this the surprise reason you’re always tired

By Catherine Ostler

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s a mother to three children under 12, I expect to feel totally exhausted at the end of the day. What I didn’t realise, though, was that a lack of an essential vitamin could be to blame for my paltry physical stamina.

A while ago, during a series of blood tests for some imaginary ailment (no doubt tiredness related), my levels of vitamin D - essential for the absorption of calcium - were found to be very low.

The doctor didn’t seem to think this was significant but, as my mother, aged 78, has osteoporosis, I thought perhaps I should take a supplement. The condition, where bones become brittle, has been linked to a lack of vitamin D, although there are strong genetic factors as well.

I’d probably have thought little more of it, but last month, I read about intriguing research which found boosting vitamin D intake can raise energy levels and lower blood pressure.

In the study, by a medical team in Edinburgh, volunteers were asked to cycle for 20 minutes. They were then given either a placebo or vitamin D and, two weeks later, were asked to cycle for 20 minutes again.

Those who’d taken the vitamin D were able to ‘cycle longer with less effort’ and showed diminished levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can also cause raised blood pressure as it narrows blood vessels.

Research was recently released that said that boosting vitamin D intake can raise energy levels Vitamin D deficiency is a peculiarly contemporary phenomenon. The most efficient way of absorbing what is an essential vitamin is through sunlight directly on the skin.

But, ironically, in our bid to avoid sun damage - a contributory cause of both skin cancer and premature ageing - many of us just don’t get enough.

Indeed, some ten million

people in the UK are estimated to have low levels of Vitamin D. Though the Scottish study only had 13 participants, its lead author, Dr Emad Al-Dujaili, of Queen Margaret University, is convinced of its importance.

‘Vitamin D deficiency is a silent syndrome linked to insulin resistance, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and a higher risk for certain cancers,’ he says.

The sunscreen in women’s skin cream can contribute to a vitamin D deficiency, affecting cardio health

It all sounds so convincing I decide to conduct my own experiment to see if boosting my vitamin D levels would have a similar effect. First, I arrange for blood tests through online service Medichecks. My baseline reading for vitamin D comes back as 53 nmol/L, which is just within the ‘normal’ range this time.

The truth is, experts don’t agree on where the optimal range, or even ‘normal’, is, though 25 is considered severely deficient. Nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville (marilynglenville.com) says: ‘Some laboratories define more than 75 as normal and 80 to 100 as optimal.’

She, too, believes Vitamin D deficiency is one of the health stories of our age. ‘Research shows vitamin D can be antiinflammatory and that, aside from osteoporosis, its levels affect cardio health, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, joint pains, allergies, fertility and immune function,’ she says.

‘The trouble is, we have so taken on the skin cancer message - plus sunscreen is in women’s skin creams, so we tend to be worse off than men - that we are even seeing the return of rickets.’

Rickets is childhood bone malformation caused by a lack of vitamin D and cereals were fortified to try to see it off.

My blood tests also record a mid-range level of cortisol, the fight or flight ‘stress’ hormone, again implicated in inflammation.

My blood pressure, meanwhile, is fine.

The next step in my experiment is the bike test, which I do in my gym. I manage 10.1

km in 20 minutes and feel pretty tired when I come off. Then, for the next two weeks, I take a daily vitamin D supplement with food. Vitamin D3 is the best sort to raise vitamin D levels.

It’s important to get the right amount so do consult a doctor or nutritionist. Too much vitamin D can be toxic so, as I am under eight stone, I go for 1000 iu which is the maximum the NHS advises people to take without specific medical advice; that will still give me twice the recommended daily amount.

A few days in, I begin to think - imagine? - I feel perkier in the mornings and less manic at bedtime. Ten days in, and I even have enough energy to go for a short run, much to the children’s amazement. By the end of the two weeks, I’m not exactly bouncing out of bed but I do feel more focused and somehow, stronger, like the voltage has been turned up.

The results of new blood tests show my vitamin D levels have risen and although my resting heart rate is the same, my blood pressure has gone down slightly and so have my cortisol levels.

The moment of truth, though, is on the bike. I cycle again for 20 minutes and this time I cycle 11km - a boost of 0.9km - and I could easily have carried on.

Grand claims are made for Vitamin D these days, but I will say this: I am going to carry on taking these supplements wholeheartedly because they really do make me feel better. And that is pure, unadulterated sunshine.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

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Sports

WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

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sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

Eagles

Eagles return to training ahead of Tunisia clash

By Albert Akota

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igeria’s home-based Super Eagles returned to training yesterday ahead of their second Group C clash against Tunisia on Friday in the ongoing Rwanda 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The match against the champions of the second edition of the competition in Sudan five years ago will hold at the same Stade Regional de Nyamirambo.

The home-based Eagles started their campaign in the CHAN on a winning note as they walloped the Mena du Niger 4-1 in their first group match Monday evening in Kigali.

Kolanut Boy, Chisom Chakatara’s hattrick and Osas Moses Okoro’s goals ensured that the Nigerian team secured three points from

the match against Niger.

Chief Coach Sunday Oliseh returned the team to training immediately after Monday’s match with a scheduled session at 3p.m. (local time) on Tuesday at Mumena Stadium, Nyamirambo.

The twitter handle of the Super Eagles says the team are back in serious training for Tunisia who played 2-2 draw against Guniea in their match on Monday.

To Coach Oliseh, a good start in the tournament does not mean they should not take other matches with seriousness. “It is better for us to get a good winning start in the tournament,” he said. .

The former Nigerian international told the players before Tuesday’s training that “we must keep our commitment and hardwork

Chikatara, Usman, Kalu earn Eagles starts against Tunisia

>>Pg 42

levels high for Tunisia.”

Team Coordinator, Patrick Pascal said that after Monday’s victory over the Mena, attention immediately shifted to Tunisia as the team plan to have winning streaks to the next round of the competition.

Already, Nigeria are leading Group C with three points, while Tunisia and Guinea who played 2-2, have a point each. Niger have no point for now.

“The team are back in training as attention is now shifted to Tunisia who we believe are equally a good team,” Pascal said.

Nigeria will play their third group match in Gisenyi against Guinea at the Rubavu Stadium on Tuesday, 26 January.

He commended the presence of Dalung, whom he described as a good-luck charm.

“I have to thank the minister for coming

Toure open to City exit, says agent >>Pg 43

because it is always nice and I have to admit that his coming was good for the team as we scored four goals for the first time [under his stewardship].

“And this “Gbalamu” [the $10,000 handout] will go a long way [at this point, the Eagles joined with resounding claps and hoots] to helping my boys sleep well tonight.

“Because they have really been toiling and it is good for them to feel that okay they are appreciated,” Oliseh said.

Oliseh, however added that he wouldn’t let the players spend the money in Rwanda.

“Like I have told you, we will not leave this tournament without a fight and I can say on behalf of them [the players] that it is just the beginning because when they settle in, I know that we can actually do better.”

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

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Sport

Supreme Court FC retain 14, recruit 16 players ahead new season

By Albert Akota

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s the kickoff of 2016/17 league season draw near, Nigeria National League campaigners Supreme Court FC of Abuja have concluded arrangement to retain no fewer than 14 players among those with the outfit last year.

In place of released players, about 16 new ones have been penciled as addition to the team.

Disclosing this in Abuja, Gen-

eral Manger of the club, Tolulope Oguntimehin said apart from measures taken to beef up the squad expected to do battle coming season, the management has expressed their readiness to adopt various means in ensuring swift operation amidst current economic realities.

He also revealed that plans are on to beef up the technical crew of the team led by Joachim Osuji to keep premier league pursuit alive.

Last season, the club fondly

known as Apex Boys missed out on promotion ticket with only few points standing in between table toppers.

According to Oguntimehin; “While we hope to strengthen the technical crew and reach the target of playing in the premier league, the Chief Registrar and chairman of the club Barr Gambo Saleh wants the best despite the harsh economic situation of the country.

“He believes the opportunity provided by Supreme Court will

help in curbing Youths restiveness and provide jobs in line with Federal government plan.”

Already, screening has begun and new talents discovered have been exposed to several friendly matches ahead of pre-season tournament scheduled for Ijebu Ode, Ogun state towards the end of this month.

In Ijebu, Apex Boys are expected to lock horns with the likes of premier league sides Shooting Stars, Sunshine and fellow NNL team Crown fc among others.

Chikatara, Usman, Kalu earn Eagles starts against Tunisia

LMC splashes $10,000 on Eagles after Niger Republic win Chisom Chikatara

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Eagles

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hairman of the League Management Company, Shehu Dikko has rewarded the Super Eagles with a bonus of $10,000 for defeating Niger Republic.

We tried our best against NigeriaNiger coach admits

Nigeria pegged the Menas in a five-goal thriller with Osas Okoro, Zakari Adebayor, and Chisom Chikatara getting the goals at the Stade Regional Nyamirambo.

And in his bid to encourage them to do better in their upcoming games, Dikko announced the windfall for Sunday Oliseh’s men.

Nigeria have received a lot of

N

iger coach Francois Zahoui admitted that the Super Eagles of Nigeria were the better side during their 2016 African Championship Nations (CHAN) Group C opener on Monday evening.

The Super Eagles hammered the Menas of Niger 4-1 at the Stade Regional de Nyamirambo Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.

Zahoui also blamed loss of concentration for their defeat to the African powerhouse when speaking to the media after the game.

“Nigeria is a very good side you could all see how they came back in the second half strongly and with determination.

We kind of lost concentration immediately the second half begun and that is what finished us,” Zahoui said.

“We are in a very tough group but what we can do is to generously accept the defeat and start work on our next game because we tried our best against Nigeria but they proved to be too good,” he added.

Niger’s next Group C match is against Guinea at the Stade Regional Nyamirambo on Friday evening.

Koudizé Issiakou

backing to win the tournament as the sports minister, Solomon Dalung as well as the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick are in Kigali to cheer the team to victory.

at-trick hero Chisom Chikatara, midfielder Usman Mohammed and defender Orji Kalu have pushed for starting shirts with Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the CHAN on the strength of their displays against Niger, officials have disclosed.

Chikatara came off the bench in the 58th minute to replace the hugely ineffective Tunde Adeniji and he showed his class with three welltaken goals and could even have scored more against Mena.

He has done more than enough to lead the Eagles strike force against Tunisia on Friday afternoon.

Usman Mohammed did more in the 20 minutes he was on the pitch than the older and more experienced Bartholomew ‘Mosquito’ Ibenegbu produced in 70 minutes. “‘Mosquito’ was far apart from the two defensive midfielders, Paul Onobi and Ifeanyi Matthew. He could not thread a through pass to the attack, he did not follow the tactical instructions,” said one official.

Jamiu Alimi was outstanding in the team’s training camp in South Africa, but he was a nervous wreck in the heart of the defence against Niger on Monday so much so that he bagged a booking after a late reaction and he was promptly hauled off after just 16 minutes.

And his replacement Orji Kalu came in to post a solid display in central defence, a position he plays for his club Enugu Rangers, even though the Eagles have used him in right back.

With the return from suspension of Austin Obaroakpo, it is left to be seen whether coach Sunday Oliseh will stick with the new central defence pairing of Kalu and Stephen Eze or get Obaroakpo back in the deep end right away against Tunisia on Friday.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Page 43

Sport

Werder Bremen confirm talks over Chelsea’s Djilobodji

W

erder Bremen has confirmed they are in talks to bring Papy Djilobodji to the Bundesliga and end his nightmare Chelsea spells.

The Senegal international has made just one appearance for the Premier League champions since joining from Nantes, when he came on as a 93rdminute substitute in the 4-1 League Cup win over Walsall in September.

Djilobodji had been linked with a return to Ligue 1 with Marseille, while Stuttgart and Espanyol have also been

Toure open to City exit, says agent

Y

aya Toure will listen to any offers for a move away from Manchester City at the end of the season, according to his agent Dimitri Seluk.

Toure’s time at the Etihad Stadium has been turbulent on occasion in recent years, and reports of a departure have never been too far away.

In 2014, he was linked to an exit after admitting to feeling “disrespected” by the club for not receiving a celebratory cake on his birthday.

Last season, the Ivory Coast star was believed to be a target for Inter, where he would have been reunited with former City coach Roberto Mancini, but Seluk claimed the club pleaded with him to stay.

However, Toure has since faced criticism for a perceived dip in form this term, something he vehemently denied by stating people “spoke a lot of b*******” about him.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini has stood by the 32-year-old, who produced another outlandish outburst after being beaten to the 2015 CAF Player of the Year award by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The saga over Toure’s future has now been reignited, with his representative claiming the he could finally be set to call time on his City career after the completion of the current campaign.

Toure

rumoured admirers, but Werder sporting director Thomas Eichin has confirmed talks are underway.

It is claimed in German reports that Chelsea will only sanction a loan deal to Viktor Skrypnyk’s side, who will pay a €400,000 fee.

Former Blues boss Jose Mourinho stated earlier this season that Djilobodji was not his first-choice target during the previous transfer window.

The 27-year-old had been linked with a loan move to Besiktas late last month, though a deal never materialised.

Senegal international Papy Djilobodji

Mrs. Kande

I formerly known and address as Kande Musa/ Catherine Musa henceforth wish to be known and address as Mrs. Kande Catherine Arigu.

All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

Magdaline

I formerly known and address as Ramatu Paul Abonu henceforth wish to be known and address as Magdaline Paul Ahmadu. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

Chukwuma

I formerly known and address as Cornelius kenneth osita henceforth wish to be known and address as Chukwuma Kenneth Osita.

Fistbank. All former documents remain valid.

General Public should please take note.

SUNDAY

I formerly known and address as SUNDAY USMAN SHALANGWA. henceforth wish to be known and address as SUNDAY USMAN LIMA. Fistbank. All former documents remain valid.

General Public should please take note.

macaulay

I formerly known and address as macaulay stephen. henceforth wish to be known and address as macaulay stephen esimaje. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

JOSEPH I formerly known and address as ISINWA VICTOR SATURDAY and JOSEPH CHIBUZOR are one and same person. henceforth wish to be known and address as JOSEPH CHIBUZOR IFURU. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to notify the general public of the loss of the original letter of allocation with REF NO FHA/EST/FCT/GWA-CT/EBY 20, the original receipts of payment and other relevant documents to my property at House 29, 44 Crescent, Gwarimpa 11 Estate, Abuja, F.C.T. Belonging to LUCKIE OGBEIFUN. All efforts made to trace the said document prove abortive. If found, please contact the nearest police station. The Federal Housing Authority and the general public should please take note.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

PUBLIC NOTICE

MARRIETTA AIDS RELIEF FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ACHU ETTA TAKIM - CHAIRMAN 2.ACHU MARY USHIE - MEMBER 3.ACHU RUTH TAKIM - MEMBER 4.ACHU NAZARETH ETTA-TECHER - SECRETARY 5.GODWIN ENU OJONU - MEMBER 6.EJOH OJONU - MEMBER 7.ENGR. ENU TAKIM - MEMBER 8.ENU BOFA OSOWO - MEMBER 9.REUBEN EBUYA BOJOR - MEMBER 10.OKIEMUTE JOSEPHINE OMO - MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO ASSIST IN THE PROVISION AND PROMOTION OF PROGRAMME OF PREVENTING HEALTHCARE AND MEDICAL SUPPORT AND PARAMEDICAL SERVICES TO RURAL AND SEMI-URBAN DWELLERS, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARDS TO HIV/AIDs, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA AS WELL AS OTHER EMERGING AND RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF REPRODUCTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ORIGIN. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISION 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: ROBERT WABIDA LENUS ESQ

PUBLIC NOTICE

KINGDOM PROOF PRAYER ASSEMBLY

This is to inform the general public that the above named Assembly has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ROYAL AMPLE HERITAGE INT’L CLUB

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1)Emmanuel Olisa Christian - Chairman 2)James Chinweuba - Vice Chairman 3) Nwosu Henry Chidozie -Secretary 4)UKakogu Casmir Ebere - Financial Secretary 5)Simon John Chukwu - Treasurer

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris. Crescent Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Signed Gideon Solomon Esq

PUBLIC NOTICE

PASH RECREATION SPORT CLUB

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B 198, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED PST. JOHN OMOGHAGHARE ENAIBRE

SIGNED secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FACTS FIGHT AGAINST CHILD TRAFFICKING INITIATIVE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Jenna Treen 2. Nazir kurfi 3. Douglas igben AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To eradicate child trafficking cases in Nigeria.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION AT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT ,OFF Aguiyi –IRONSI ST. PMB 198 MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Signed: SECRETARY

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OYEM UGOCHUKWU LUCKY 2. OYEM AUGUSTINA

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISION 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B 198, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight 28 days from the date of this publication.

KOLLECTIVES ELITES AND SOCIAL CLUB

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for the registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 of the Federation of Nigeria.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To preach the Gospel 2. To reconcile men to God etc

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. 2. TO ORGANISE PRAYER SESSIONS AND CRUSADE.

This is to inform the general public that the above named Assembly 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. MR AYOOLA OLUGBOYEGA JOSEPH 2. MR OBIASANYA KEMI OLULANU 3. MR AYODELE RICHARD ALUKO- OLUKUN 4. MR ADEKOYA OLUFEMI FOLARIN 5. MRS AKINOLA ABOSEDE MODUPE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To foster the spirit of friendship, fellowship and togetherness among all members.

2. To support all philanthropic activities which include extending the hand of fellowship to needy members of Christ Church (Anglican) Agege..

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B 198, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED GBENGA ADESINA ESQ. 08056014326

EBENEZER INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CENTER

Aim and Objectives: 1) To help the needy and cater for the members welfare.

This is to inform the general public that the above named Assembly 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. JOEL LOMAK - CHAIRMAN 2. MR ZANG EZIKIEL 3. MR SANKEY YUSUF SHABANYAN 4. NCHEWI PRECIOUS ISONG - SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. Develop friendship through sporting activities 2. Create atmosphere for sports and recreational activities.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PST. JOHN OMOGHAGHARE ENAIBRE 2. MRS TESSY EBI ENAIBRE 3. OCHUKO JOHNBULL SAKPAIDE (JP)

PUBLIC NOTICE

GREEN HABITAT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

This is to inform the general public that the above named Assembly 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. SADIQ ABUBAKAR GULMA 2. SADA HARUNA 3. ABDULMUMIN TANKO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To foster the spirit of friendship, fellowship and 1.

TO PROMOTE THE ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE POLICIES AND FRAMEWORKS IN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B 198, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED NASIR SA’IDU 08035185399

PUBLIC NOTICE

MERCY FOR ALL GLOBAL MISSION

PUBLIC NOTICE

HEROES OF NICOHO DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named Assembly 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 ESIAKPOYERE - CHAIRMAN 2. AMINU MOHAMMED - SECRETARY 3. SHERIFF ABIBU 4. MABEL ABDUL-OMAGI 5. AYOMI OJISUA-AGHEDO 6. ERIC IYERE 7. ADE YAKUBU 8. AKUT IBRAHIM 9. ISTIFANUS SILAS 10. PHILIP EMOKPARE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To protect the interest of its members.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B 198, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

CENTRE FOR AFRICAN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. John Obianjulu Ifediora 2. Uzoamaka Michelle Ijeomah AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To cater for the welfare of its members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION AT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT ,OFF Aguiyi –IRONSI ST. PMB 198 MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Signed: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

GOD’S HERITAGE BIBLE CHURCH

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Prof. Edwards Senuoke 2. John Ogunkorode Esq 3. Engineer Segun Agboola 4. Mr. Kehinde Oyeleke 5. Mrs Monisola Fatinikun AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Jeje Rotimi Michael - Chairman 2. Pastor Mrs. Jeje Oluwaseun Timilehin - Secretary 3. Pastor Olusanmi Awotunde - Member AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. To win souls for Christ.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION AT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT ,OFF Aguiyi –IRONSI ST. PMB 198 MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Signed: SECRETARY

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Agunyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within twenty eight (28) days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

Page 45

abubakar

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

zeenat

This is to inform the general public of the loss of original Statutory Right of Occupancy (R of O) in respect of plot No. 1134 measuring about 2382.79sqm located at Dakibiyu B10 FCT Abuja with File No. KD20193 dated 27/06/2005 belonging to Suleiman Garba Gora. All efforts to trace the document proved abortive.

If found kindly return to the nearest Police Station. General public should please take note.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT THE ORIGINAL RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY (R OF O) BELONGING TO CHIEF OLUWOLE OLUWALE ADEBAYO BEARING THE NAME ON IT OLUWOLE OLUWALE ADEBAYO WITH OLD FILE NUMBER FCT/ABU/OG 2474, FOR PLOT 3070 AT CADASTRAL ZONE AO4, ASOKORO DISTRICT OF ABUJA IS MISSING. ALL EFFORT TO TRACE THE DOCUMENT PROVED ABORTIVE. IF FOUND PLEASE CONTACT AGIS OR THE NEAREST POLICE STATION.

mrs anyiam

MRS ONWUJIOGU

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

SARAH

This is to inform the general public of the loss of original offer of land document in respect of plot No. 5398, KUBWA FO1, measuring of about 450.31m2. Belonging to Mr. Victor Chukwudi Anohu. All efforts made to trace the said Documents proved abortive. if found, kindly return to the nearest police station or AGIS. General public should please take note.

ladong - I Formerly Known As, nangwom j. ladong. Wish To Be Known As, abubakar j. ladong. All Former Document Remain Valid, concerned authorities and General Public Should Take Note.

I, formerly Known as, esther friday now wish to be Known and Addresses as zeenat onete esther oseni All former documents remain valid, university of benin and the general public should please note.

I Formerly Known As, miss anyiam esther chidinma. Wish To Be Known As, mrs anyiam esther chidinma samuel. All Former Document Remain Valid, nysc, access bank and General Public Should Take Note.

MRS BLESSING I FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS BLESSING ONYINYECHI UGWU. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MRS BLESSING ONYINYECHI MARTINS UGWU-OKE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN Valid. ALL OTHER AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

OLALEYE

I formerly known and called MISS EZEA RUTH NKECHIKA henceforth wish to be known and called MRS ONWUJIOGU RUTH NKECHIKA all former document remain valid AND general publicshould please take note.

I formerly known and called SARAH ALEXANDER henceforth wish to be known and called SARAH EMMANUEL all former document remain valid AND general publicshould please take note.

OTUNLA

I FORMERLY KNOWN AS KARIMU ABAYOMI VICTOR. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS OLALEYE ABAYOMI VICTOR. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN Valid. ALL OTHER AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

I formerly known and called OYENUGA ATINUKE MARY henceforth wish to be knownand called OTUNLA ATINUKE MARY all former document remain valid AND generalpublic should please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

CHINWE

IDI

This is to inform the general public of the loss of original APPLICATION FOR GRANT/RE-GRANT of a STATUTORY RIGHTS OF OCCUPANCY ACKNOWLEDGMENT WITH FILE NO. EB 20617in respect of plot No.1284 CADASTRAL ZONE AO9. Bearing Mr. Ucha Julius Ali. All efforts made to trace the missing documents proved abortive. if found, kindly return to the nearest police station or AGIS. General public should please take note.

I FORMALLY KNOWN AS OKEH NKOLIKA MARTHA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS CHINWE NKOLIKA MARTHA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC BAUCHI, NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS (NYSC) AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

UMAR

I formerly known and called IDRIS NAIBI MAMBA henceforth wish to be known and called IDI TANKO MALL all former document remain valid AND general public shouldplease take note.

I, formerly Known as, UMAR ABDULLAHI BIKI now wish to be Known and Addresses as UMAR ABDULLAHI All former documents remain valid, and the general public should please note.

I formerly known and called CYRIL IFEANYI EZEMA henceforth wish to be known and called CYRIL FRANCIS PAUL all former document remain valid AND general publicshould please take note.

CYRIL

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

HALIDU

KHALIFA

This is to notify the general public of the loss of original certificate of occupancy with No. 245w-14cof-6601dree984-10, in respect of plot No. 1284, and file No. EB20617 CADASTRAL ZONE AO9 GUZAPE DISTRICT FCT ABUJA. BELONGING TO MR. UCHA JULIUS ALI. ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE THE SAID DOCUMENTS PROVED ABORTIVE. IF FOUND, KINDLY RETURN TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION OR AGIS. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MRS. FRANCISCA

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

I, formerly Known as, USMAN MOHAMMADU now wish to be Known and Addresses as HALIDU BASHIR All former documents remain valid, and the general public should please note.

ABDULLAHI

I formerly known and called AHMED KHALIFA henceforth wish to be known and called KHALIFA TIJANI all former document remain valid AND general public should pleasetake note.

I, formerly Known as, LIMAN BABANGIDA KAOJE now wish to be Known and Addresses as ABDULLAHI ABDULLAHI All former documents remain valid, and the general public should please note.

I formerly known and called MISS FRANCISCA OKORO henceforth wish to be knownand called MRS. FRANCISCA EZELILO all former document remain valid AND generalpublic should please take note.

MUHAMMAD

CHRISTIANA

I, formerly Known as, AUWALU ABDULLAHI GARBA now wish to be Known and Addresses as MUHAMMAD ABDU ABUBAKAR All former documents remain valid, and the general public should please note.

MARYAM

I, formerly Known as, MARYAM BELLO now wish to be Known and Addresses as MARYAM BELLO UMAR All former documents remain valid, and the general public should please note.

MAHMUD

I, formerly Known as, ABDULRAHMAN LAWAL MAHMUD now wish to be Known and Addresses as MAHMUD LAWAL MAHMUD All former documents remain valid, and the general public should please note.

I formerly known and called CHRISTIANA ISAINT henceforth wish to be known andcalled CHRISTIANA OKORIE all former document remain valid AND general publicshould please take note.

longinus

I, formerly Known as, chukwuezi chinemerem now wish to be Known and Addresses as longinus miracle chinemerem All former documents remain valid, and the general public should please note.

mrs rita

I, formerly Known as, miss rita okafor now wish to be Known and Addresses as mrs rita chime All former documents remain valid, and the general public should please note.

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF ORIGINAL RE-CERTIFICATION AND RE-ISSUANCE OF C OF O. FILE NO. EN 10362.PLOT NO 1554 CADASTRAL ZONE BO8 JAHI DISTRICT ABUJA. ISSUED TO MATTHEW AKHAURE AND WAS BOUGHT OVER BY KENE TAHILL OCHI THE SAID DOCUMENT GOT MISSING IN THE POSSESSION OF CHINWE EMEDO CONSULTING ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE THE SAID DOCUMENT PROVED ABORTIVE IF FOUND PLEASE CONTACT 09096268221, 09096268222, 09096268223,09096268224 09096268225 OR THE NEAREST POLICE STATION.

CORRECTION of CHANGE OF NAME: I, formerly known as Cecilia Enyia N Obum, Obum Cecilia N., Obum Cecilia Enyia N., Obum Cecilia Amaka, Obun Cecilia , Tabugbo Cecilia Amaka Obum, are all one person.

Now want to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tabugbo Cecilia Amaka All former documents remain valid.

Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI) and the general public should please take note.

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

PUBLIC NOTICE

SMILE AGAIN AFRICAN INITIATIVE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named INITIATIVE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE (1 Mr. Sunday Wajilda Wabba (2) Tabitha Sunday Wabba (3)Arc. Ibrahim Musa Gadzama (4)Wadiam Samuel Thliza (5) Ladi Jacob Gadzama (6) Mr. Noel Filibus Pukma AIM AND OBJECTIVE 1. To empower women, youth and children through skills acquisition and education.

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 : DANIEL MACHAR ESQ

PUBLIC NOTICE

MICHAEL AGBONIFO SHOE A CHILD FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.MRS OSHIOLENE AGBONIFO 2.MRS GLADYS AGBONIFO THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PROVIDE FREE SCHOOL SHOES FOR CHILDREN IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS. 2.TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOL CHILDREN. 3.TO PROVIDE BASIC AMENITIES FOR CHILDREN.

PUBLIC NOTICE

OBA AKINYELE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL OLD STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above Named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, of 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Abiodun Dada Awoleye (HON.) 2. Atilola Banji Mabamiduola 3. Dr. Folasade Racheal Airebamen 4. Oni Eniola Lydia 5. Alli Akintunde Mufutau 6. Osunlana Adebowale Babajide 7. Faleti Adebiyi Fabiyi 8. Babayanju Lateef Adebanji 9. Medupin Opeyemi Oyebisi 10. Suleiman Adewale Misbaudeen Aims And Objective: 1. To foster unity and progress among members.

2. To protect the interest of 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 : Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE Vox POPULI FOUNDATION FOR LEADERSHIP IT/RC/NO: 50694

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR CERTIFIED TRUE COPY (CTC) TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES REMAINS THE SAME. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAINS THE SAME.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISION 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISION 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: EVBU IGBINEDION 8, MICHAEL AGBONIFO AVENUE, AMAGBA, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE. 09099660456

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

SOLUTION TO THE DEPRIVED ORGANIZATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANISATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ELECHI JERRY OGBONNAYA 2.EGBOKHARE JOEL OHIOZE 3.MRS ELECHI FUNMILAYO MODUPE THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO ASSIST MEMBERS IN IDENTIFYING AND DEVELOPING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURE, CRAFT, PETTY TRADING, COOPERATIVE VENTURES, MANUFACTURING AND FOOD PROCESSING. 2.TO PROMOTE SELF-HELP, SELF EMPLOYMENT IN SMALL SCALE IN COME GENERATING ACTIVITIES AMONGST NIGERIAS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISION 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED:SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

United Butchers Association Calabar

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Prince Charles Etim Ekpo 2.kanu kanu umah 3.Hon Okon Edem Ita 4.Edet Effiong Udo 5.Henry Asuquo Ekeng 6.Prince Robson Udoh 7.Elder Ita Asuquo Idiong 8. Friday Friday Udo 9.Ededem Okon Ayito 10. Ekpo Oyo Ekpo THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: To cater for the welfare of members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISION 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: Ekpo Oyo Ekpo

OGE WOMEN, CHILDREN AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. SR. PATRICIA EBEGBULEM 2.OGECHI P. ADIUKWU 3.MRS. OGECHI IKECHUKWU THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To improve and enhance the current condition of the less privileged.

2. To encourage them to develop their abilities 3. To establish opportunities that would enhance and develop their existing abilities.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISION 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED:SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

OBIENE DEVELOPMENT UNION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.OKAFOR IHEANYICHINEKE JOSEPH 2.ONOH ONOH NWANKWO 3.KANU NWABUEZE ANDERSON 4.AZUMA KALU OKEKE 5.AZUMA OKEKE OKORE 6.NWABUAKU JOHNSON OKEKE 7.NTA OKAFOR BASSEY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO WORK TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF OBIENE AS A VILLAGE. 2.TO CONTRIBUTE MEANINGFULLY TO THE WELFARE OF OBIENE PEOPLE. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISION 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

IKALE HUNTERS ASSOCIATION OKITIPUPA, ONDO STATE

NAPOLEON HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.CHIEF AKINMUSAYO SUNDAY 2.AKINNEHIN AGBOOLA 3.OLUSHOLA OLATUYI 4.ADELEGAN OJUEROMI 5.TUNDE SOLA 6.BABATUNDE AKINBO 7.ORIMISAN AYENOGUN THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO TAKE CARE OF THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS AND CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR COMMUNITY IN ONDO STATE. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISION 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: CHAIRMAN 08138447457

PUBLIC NOTICE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Dr Akpugbe Voke Harriet - Chairman 2- Dr Obiodhe Blessing - Secretary 3- Akpugbe Ochuko Hildana -Treasurer 4. Dr.Tobin west - Member 5- Dr.Gbujie Daniel Chidubem - Member THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO OFFER FREE MEDICAL SERVICES TO PEOPLE LIVING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. 2.TO OFFER HEALTH EDUCATION ON BASIC ILLNESSES AND TREATMENT. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISION 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

GODENZ OBIOMA CARE FOUNDATION

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 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 OKAFOR OBIAKU EDWIN (CHAIRMAN) 2.NWAEZE IJEOMA EUGINIA (SECRETARY).

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To provide healthcare and preventive care underprivileged Children.

PUBLIC NOTICE

SUNSHINE YOUTH ENLIGHTENMENT FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATIONhas applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Adesesan Agbede 2. Adedayo Agbede.

to

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To support & enlighten youths in Nigeria.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED : IORTYER AFA NELLY

SIGNED : PRINCE A. O AGBEDE ESQ

PAGE 47

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, january 20, 2016

PUBLIC NOTICE

ABUJA BOATS CLUB

The General public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Registration under Part “C” of the Companies and allied Matters Act No. of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. William Toyin Akanle Mni - Chairman 2. Chief Emmanuel Awodu - Secretary 3. Olusegun Agbaje Mni - Member AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To encourage and promote water sports in Abuja.

2. To provide and promote water recreation and social activities including but not limited to boat sailing and racing in Abuja.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, CAC, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

This is notify the general public that the above named has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission, under the part ”C” of the Company’s and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Dr. Augustine Osa Enofe - Chairman 2. Mr. Osayi Emmanuel Osamede - Secretary 3. Mr. Godfrey Ajayi AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. Promoting economic and financial literacy in under-served communites by offering its youths a rigorous course that uses tours of local firms to teach principle of economics.

2. To train and develop the less privilege in Nigeria on how to be self employed.

3. To promote and encourage good economic initiatives through economic lectures series, seminars and workshops.

Any objection(s) to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama Abuja, Within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE PATRIMONIAL HERITAGE CENTRE

PUBLIC NOTICE

GOOD WINE INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN OUTREACH

The general public is hereby notified that the above-named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Oliseyenum Obianuwe Peter Omede 2. Pastor (Mrs) Tessy Uzochukwu Olise-Omede AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. Preaching the gospel of salvation and the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ.

2. Providing primary, secondary and tertiary education and educational facilities to communities, towns and cities around the world.

3. Provision of health services through facilities like medical laboratories, maternities, clinics or hospitals.

4. Giving back to the society by engaging in non profit services in the form of leadership training adn conferences, discipleship, mentoring, prayer conferences, youth empowerment and skill acquisition, entrepreneurship training, CSR, welfare, scholarship, building sport and recreation centres, engaging in sporting activities, books and magazine publications, libraries, etc.

Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: IKANI SIMEON O. ESQ IKANI, AFOLABI & CO. LEGAL PRACTITIONERS AND CONSULTANTS 08023129774, 199, IGBOSERE ROAD, LAGOS

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

LAGOS STATE MODEL COLLEGE, MEIRAN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 2001 SET

The General public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Registration under Part “C” of the Companies and allied Matters Act No. of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Jayeola Ismail Odunewu 2. Opeyemi Misturat Emmanuel 3. Damilare Lawal 4. Olatunde Oladapo Elujoba AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To serve as medium through which members can collectively assist the school in identified areas of need.

2. To create a sense of cooperation, mutual harmony and affection amongst the members of the association.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, CAC, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: TEMITOPE GAJI 07061144834

PUBLIC NOTICE

COAL CITY LITERARY FOUNDATION

TOYIN RITA FOUNDATION

This is notify the general public that the above named has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission, under the part ”C” of the Company’s and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rev. Fr. Prof. Christian Anieke - Chairperson 2. Prof. Anezionwu Okoro 3. Sir. Victor Atuonwu 4. Mrs. Adaobi Nwoye - Secretary 5. Mr. Dele Maxwell Ugwanyi 6. Mrs. Maureen Atuonwu 7. Barr. Juliet Ifeyinwa Anwadike AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote a sustainable reading culture in Enugu State in particular and Nigeria in general.

2. To sharpen the writing skills of aspiring young writers and get them published.

Any objection(s) to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama Abuja, Within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

This is notify the general public that the above named has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission, under the part ”C” of the Company’s and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

PUBLIC NOTICE

AJIRI-AFO-NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Magbagbeola Oluwatoyin Rita - Chairman 2. Bernard Etominyama 3. Magbagbeola Olusola Akintayo - Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To empower and support the less privileged children in the society.

2. To cater for the general welfare of its members and the society.

Any objection(s) to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama Abuja, Within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

WOMEN OF PRAISE AND POWER FELLOWSHIP INT.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Jude Ezeobi Esq 2. Tope Adebutu 3. Bilikisu Katagum 4. Tobi Kusamotu 5. Buchi Nwodo Esq 6. Tivdoo Tilley-Gyado Esq 7. Muhammad Sambo 8. Shehu Idris Esq AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To promote and preserve the legacy of the legal luminaries.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B 198 maitama Abuja within Twenty Eight (28) days from the date of the publication.

Signed: BARR PASCHAL NNAJI

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Engr. Aminu Suleiman - Chairman 2. Isah Uwailo Haruna - Vice Chairman 3. El-Jibrin Ajima Usman 4. Umar Isah Edego 5. Wakil Muhammed Agbawu 6. Ibrahimsani Sani Bala 7. Danlami James Uwailo 8. Ibrahim Ahmadu 9. Umaru Suleiman 10. Muhammed Isa Uwailo AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To cater for the welfare of the members.

2. To promote peace, love and unity among members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION AT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT ,OFF Aguiyi –IRONSI ST. PMB 198 MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Signed: SECRETARY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Dr. Modupe Kate Ajayi 2. Miss Oluwa Pecurai Faith Soniram AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To raise end time generals for the kingdom of God through praise and worship.

2. To provide counselling and support to people in conditions of need.

3. To support and validate women through confidence building, leadership and communication training as well as sponsorship to participate in organised events.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMIMISSION AT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT ,OFF Aguiyi –IRONSI ST. PMB 198 MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

PUBLIC NOTICE IMPORTERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA-IMAN

PUBLIC NOTICE LEAGUE OF ULAMA’U AND A’IMMAH

PUBLIC NOTICE GLOBAL AMBASSADORS FOR PEACE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for change of its trustees under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Chief Gilbert Ebelechukwu Obi - Retained 2. Chief Onuchukwu James Clark - Removed 3. Chief Emmanuel Osita Okereke - Removed 4. Alhaji Dr. Bature Abdulaziz (MON) - Retained 5. Hon. Kingsley Chikezie - Retained 6. Chief Patrick Johnson Udoh (HRH) - Retained 7. Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed Yar’adua - Retained 8. Princess Oluwatoyin George-Taylor - Removed THE NEW TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Amb Dr. Ralph John JP D.D. 2. Chief Jackson Bent 3. Chief Anthony Emeka Ani AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION AT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT ,OFF Aguiyi –IRONSI ST. PMB 198 MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Ibrahim Umar Bayawa 2. Sirajo Usman Kamba 3. Yusuf Abubakar Suru 4. Faruku Muhammad Auwal Karaye 5. Adam Zubairu Utono 6. Sani Haruna Zuru 7. Bello Abdullahi Zuru 8. Muhammadu Akula 9. Sanusi Sama’ila 10. Ibrahim Dantani B/Kebbi AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To strive for the uniformity of Islamic scholars.

2. Promote the techniques of Islamic Da’awa.

3. Organize lecutures/seminars for disseminating the good interpretation of Islamic principles.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMIMISSION AT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT ,OFF Aguiyi –IRONSI ST. PMB 198 MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

Signed: BARR. AIWANEHI MATILDA IBHAZE; 08072287772

Signed: BARR. BABA-NGARI UMAR BELLO, 08060302061

Signed: OYINKOLU AYLAPE ESQ 0817621368

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CHIBUIKE JUDE NWABUEZE 2. CHARLES UWADIEGWU NWABUEZE. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To cater for the welfare of its members.

2. To provide for the less privilege ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION AT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT ,OFF Aguiyi –IRONSI ST. PMB 198 MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Signed: EZINWA B. UKOHA ESQ; 08033577077

www.peoplesdailyng.com

QUOTABLE QUOTE The school feeding programme is directly creating 17,000 jobs for catering vendors, each of whom will need to employ workers to help them deliver

. . . putting the people first

WEDNEsday, january 20, 2016

SPORTS latest

Super 4 champions to emerge after 2nd round at Uyo - LMC

C

hampions of the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League Super 4 tournament will emerge at the end of the second round of the tournament in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Chairman of the League Management Committee (LMC), Shehu Dikko disclosed this and explained that the team that accumulates the highest number of points across the two rounds will be declared champions.

“Having introduced the two rounds of the Super 4 tournament, we cannot crown a champion in Kaduna and another in Uyo but will add points won by each team to determine the team with the highest points and crown them winners,” Dikko explained before departing to Rwanda to cheer the Super Eagles team at the CHAN made up of players from the NPFL. Last year, the two junior national teams, the Olympic team and the Flying Eagles were invited to play alongside the four NPFL clubs that qualified for the tournament which held in Abuja.

NPFL champions for the 20 14 /15 s e a s o n , E n y i m b a International, first and second runners-up, Warri Wolves and Nasarawa United and Federation Cup champions, Akwa United are the teams for the 2016 Super4.

The first round starts in Kaduna on January 20 and will end on the 24th while the second round will hold in Uyo from February 1 to 5.

All four clubs are representing Nigeria in the 2016 CAF club competitions, namely the Orange Champions League and the Orange Confederation Cup which starts on the weekend of February 12-14.

League players in action

Advert: business: news: lagos:

—Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai

The Meaning of Change and Value of Corruption

I

t is indeed 50 years after the demise of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Premier of Northern Nigeria in a botched coup masterminded by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, others in 1966. Sardauna of Sokoto was killed and so was other prominent Nigerians from the North and a few spread across the country by the mutineers.

The coupists who were mostly from the Igbo extraction, thought they wanted to change the political landscape for the better, but they ended abruptly a process of decorum, they opened a new chapter of counter-military reactions based on cleavages and prebendal orientation which completely changed the history of Nigeria forever.

The coup was premised on wrong ideas peddled by misguided politicians on account of political heat at that time. Interestingly, Nigerians and indeed the world was soon to realize the foolery and absolute drivel borne out of buffoonery supporting the unnecessary bloodbath, targeted at select leaders. Most of the victims died without money or properties. The reprisals that subsequently followed is however played up and the sentiments that influenced the coup almost forgotten.

Without bordering readers on the narratives, the resultant implication culminated in reprisals and indeed the macabre civil war that lasted three nasty years, killing more than a million hapless men, women and children. Yet those who have flimsy historical knowledge of what transpired are stirring the hornets nest for another human carnage 50 years after under the codename “Biafra” agitation.

The modern day Nigeria may be a product of a continuous process propagated by founding fathers, but the chequered history of our nationhood has indeed battered the nation, mutated the ideals envisaged by our great leaders and indeed birthed a hybrid which promotes high octane volatile citizenry, where cleavages undermines national agenda, where self overrides patriotism.

It is therefore instructive to intimate that 50 years after, Nigerians have learnt a lot.

Nigerians have learnt to be self based, regional champions, corrupt, have less value for sanctity of human lives and hatters of their own leaders. It

0806 564 8620 0704 385 9705 0814 292 9046 08074420617

Wednesday Column

By Israel A. Ebije

Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu is indeed educative to highlight that most Nigerians assume leadership positions with afore mentioned underpinning, they unleash all the negative values, then become hated and thereby continuing a vicious circle of bad leadership borne out of bad leadership orientation and recruitment system based once again on above mentioned facts.

Our founding fathers may not be perfect but they peacefully changed the minds of colonialists for a smooth independence – at our own dictate. They may not be perfect, but they set the stage for today Nigeria socially, politically and economically. They may not be perfect but they maintained regional governments without undermining the weaker government at the center. They were sent to their early graves and the Aguyi Ironsi unitary government , though with best of intentions, set the stage for a stronger and richer center, weaker poorer region/ states.

It is indeed instructive to note that overtime, the stronger and richer center attracted political plunderers like insects before

light. Hence the feeding frenzy at the center where the winner in a political contest and party platforms takes it all. Suddenly Nigeria with great potentials fit enough to rank among progressive nations in the world, crashed belly-first in corruption, its people in abject poverty, its resources plundered and impunity became a status symbol.

President Muhammadu Buhari may not be perfect, but he is arguably on the right path towards rebutting Nigeria from where our founding fathers roles were truncated. Obliterating indigene/ settler dichotomy, making political offices unpalatable for plunderers, repatriating stolen funds, reducing corruption and impunity is indeed the change needed 50 years after Nigeria was bludgeoned off its aspirations towards being a great nation and giant of Africa.

The value of corruption is however the expected war against change. Even the politicians within the system are not totally committed to the new mantra.

Overtime, politics has become business where winners pocket

the commonwealth of the entire country. The battle against the hydra headed monster called corruption is being won in piecemeal, but the war is certainly not over.

The posers worth pondering upon are; are Nigerian politicians paying lip-services for change, is Buhari having enough lieutenants to rebut the system for good, will the National Assembly cooperate with him, will the change end with him, will the value of corruption change for probity, accountability among leaders and followers?

We must therefore continue to pay tribute to those cut down by the coup plotters; the Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the country’s first Minister of Finance and Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh; killed the Premier of the Northern Region and Sarduana of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello; and killed the Premier of the Western Region, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola.

Other notable persons that were killed included Brig-Gen. Samuel Ademulegun and his wife, BrigGen. Zakariya Maimalari, Col. Kur Mohammed, Col. Shodeinde and Lt.-Col. Abogo Largema.

The best tribute Nigerians can offer to those who sacrificed their lives for their country many years ago is to work genuinely towards making the country settle on the mandate of oneness, accountability, probity, justice, peace geared towards common developmental aspiration.

Ebije can be reached via; ebijeo5@gmail.com, @ ebijeirael

DAN GAYE

How govs, ministers stole N1.34 trn in 7 years –Lai Mohammed

Thanks to democracy!

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234 814 292 9046. Cell: +234 802 443 2099; 803 7007 759. e-mail: contact@peoplesdailyng.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141