Thursday, July 23, 2015. Edition.

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Thursday, July 23, 2015/ Shawal 7, 1436 AH

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Troops clear Borno roads of militants, mines << pAGE 9>>

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Money laundering: EFCC invites Saraki’s wife, Yar’Adua’s daughter << pAGE 3 >>

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Vol. 16 No. 69 N150

Pastor nabbed with 18 teenagers

>> pg 3

<< pAGE 7 >>

Oil theft

Buhari vows to go after ex-ministers, others l Disappoints Obama on gay marriage

<< pAGE 2>>

Youth protesting at the Plateau state House of Assembly over the dissolution of all the council chairmen, yesterday in Jos.

Photo: NAN

NASS crisis: APC loyalists dump H Gbajabiamila, back Dogara

By Umar Muhammad Puma ouse of Representatives members loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC), have accepted to go along with Speaker Yakubu Dogara regarding the appointment of principal officers.

Contd on Page 2

465 Days after Abacha’s SGF, Aminu Saleh Will the abducted Chibok schoolgirls ever be rescued?

laid to rest

>> pages 6

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

News CONTENTS News 2-11 Editorial 13 Op.Ed 14 Letters 15 Politics 16-18 Business Stockwatch

19-22 23

S/Report 24-25 M/Earth 27 Update 28 Feature 30

NASS crisis: APC loyalists dump Gbajabiamila, back Dogara Contd from Cover page This is a major turnaround for Dogara who has come under tremendous pressure by the APC leadership to accept its nominees for those principal offices.

The APC lawmakers, who had earlier supported the party’s choice of Rep Gbajabiamila for the position of House Leader, said the letter to the national chairman of APC by Rep Sani Zangon Daura (APC, Katsina), should not be read as the position of the loyalist group, as according to them, no meeting was held to arrive at a decision on the matter.

“While we categorically reaffirm our membership of the Loyalist Group and our unflinching allegiance to the supremacy of the party, we wish to make public that the said letter did not emanate from any formal or collective meeting of

the group,” they said.

“We want to use this medium to dissociate ourselves from the letter by Rep Nasiru Zangon Daura to the leadership of the party, which to us is his personal views; we remain resolute in the conflict resolution mechanism embarked by the leadership of the party through the APC Governors Forum.

“We still maintain our spirit of give and take through negotiations with the Consolidation Group, in the same vein, we salute and commend the Speaker, House of Representatives Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara’s posture of his magnanimity and compromise disposition, by conceding two major principal positions to the Loyalist Group all in a bid to promote peace and stability in the green chamber.

“We therefore urge the All Progressive Party (APC)

leadership to throw sentiments aside and accept the olive branch extended by the Speaker, so as to achieve amicable resolution of this lingering impasse in the House of Representatives as this will ensure peace, stability and progress for the onerous national assignment and expectations bestowed on all of us.

Dogara had in a letter to the National Chairman of the APC explained that he could not honour the request of the party to appoint Gbajabiamila as House leader, saying it would be against the spirit of federal character since the South West region where Gbajabiamila comes from had already produced the Deputy Speaker.

The Speaker said while he was willing to allow the position go to the group loyal to the party, the position of House leader should be zoned to the north-

west, and deputy leader to north central.

But after the Dogara faction offered key members of the Gbajabiamila group positions, two members loyal to the APC, Rep Mukhtari Dandutse (APC, Katsina), and Rep Tijjani Jobe (APC, Kano), issued a counter statement on Wednesday distancing themselves and the loyalist group from the position taken by Daura.

The two lawmakers said the last time the loyalist group met was shortly after the maiden meeting of the National Executive Committee NEC of the APC which held in Abuja July 3, 2015.

They said the NEC proposed and members accepted to engage the immediate past Speaker of the House and Governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal’s led Reconciliation Committee.

and let the accounts be taken to Nigeria.”

The President added, “We will ask for the cooperation of those countries to return those monies to the federation account and we will use those documents to arrest those people and prosecute them. This, I promise Nigerians.”

He frowned at the way and manner the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation was mismanaged, saying his administration would check the excesses of the state oil monopoly.

On the controversial fuel subsidy, Buhari said his government was “carefully studying” it, noting, however, that he would not take any decisions that would further impoverish Nigerians in the name of removing subsidy.

“When people ask you to remove subsidy, ask them to define it. Who is subsidizing whom? Let me make it clear.

Some people are gleefully saying ‘remove subsidy’. They want petrol to cost N500 per litre. If you are working and subsidy is removed, you can’t control market women, neither the cost of food nor the cost of transport.

“If you are earning N20,000 per day and you are living in Lagos or Ibadan, the cost of transport to work and back, the cost of food, you cannot control these.”

However, he said if it became absolutely necessary the subsidy, “I’ll study it. With my experience, I will see what I can do. But I’m

thinking more than half the population of Nigeria virtually cannot afford to live (without subsidy). Where will they get the money to go to work? How can they feed their families? How can they pay rent?”

On the appointment of ministers, Buhari dismissed those accusing his administration of being too slow in taking crucial decisions relating to governance and appointment of political office holders.

He cited the immediate past PDP government, which he said spent more than two months to settle down during its 16-year rule. “In some quarters they are now calling me `Baba Go Slow’.

I’m going to go slow and steady.”

On the Diaspora Bill, Buhari said he would study it with a view to signing it into law as requested by the Nigerians in the Diaspora.

He advised Nigerians living abroad and searching for government jobs back home not to expect much as the nation’s economy “is in a bad shape”. The President, however, promised that some of the job seekers would be engaged as consultants to enable them contribute their quota to the nation’s development.

The Nigerians who spoke at the interactive expressed their readiness to assist the administration of Buhari to achieve its campaign promises for the benefit of Nigerians. eanwhile, the Presidency on Wednesday admitted that the issue of gay

marriage came up in Buhari’s discussions with his American hosts. It said the President, however, rejected the idea point blank.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, disclosed this on his Twitter handle on Wednesday. He said the issue of gay marriage was raised in one of the meetings the President attended in Washington DC on Tuesday.

The Presidential spokesman said when the issue came up, Buhari made it clear that sodomy was against the law of Nigeria and abhorrent to her culture.

“The issue of gay marriage came up here yesterday (Tuesday).

PMB (President Buhari) was point blank. Sodomy is against the law in Nigeria, and abhorrent to our culture,” Adesina posted on his Twitter handle.

That Tuesday Buhari had met with the US Secretary of State John Kerry and Nigerians resident in the US. The fear among citizens back home ahead of Buhari’s US trip was that he could succumb to the US authorities’ pressure on gay rights. Former President Goodluck Jonathan on January 13, 2014, signed Nigeria’s antigay marriage law. The law prohibits gay marriage and same-sex relationships and prescribes 14 years prison terms for offenders.

Jonathan had defied western governments’ pressure urging Nigeria to respect gay and lesbian rights.

Oil theft: Buhari vows to go after ex-ministers, others

By A’isha Biola Raji

Petroleum marketers threaten to shutdown filling stations.

– Page 19

Metro

32

Int’l 39 S/World

39

Digest 40 Sports 41 Columnist 48

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said his government was investigating evidence linking some immediate past ministers other public officials to oil theft with a view to prosecuting them.

He, however, did not name them.

The President spoke in a session with Nigerians in the Diaspora at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington D.C as he wrapped up his 4-day visit to the United States.

While hoping that the battered Nigerian economy could be turned around in 18 months, Buhari, however, lamented that some of the affected officials were involved in illegal sale and diversion of crude oil monies that should have come to Federal Government coffer to multiple private accounts abroad.

He said, “We are now looking for evidence of shipping some of our crude, the destinations, which accounts they were paid into and in which country.

“The amount of money is mind-bugling but we have started getting documents. We have started getting documents where some of the senior people in government, former ministers, some of them had as many as five accounts and were moving about one million barrels per day on their own.

“When we get as much as we can get as soon as possible, we will approach those countries to freeze those accounts and go to court, prosecute those people

M

PAGE 3

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

News

APC dissolves Delta north exco, warns against anti-party

From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

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n interim executive has been appointed to run the affairs of All Progressive Congress (APC), in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State Those appointed are Mr. Stephen Ochendo Onwudike as Chairman, Mr. Simeon Modebe as Secretary and Mr. Morgan Agetue as Adviser.

According to the Publicity/ Public Relations Officer of APC in the area, Mr. Mcvin Edeni, the appointment of the trio followed the vote of no confidence passed on the executive led by Deacon Peter Umerah and subsequent suspension of the entire executive.

Mr. Edeni in a statement said that the action was the outcome of a general meeting of members of the party in the area who alleged that Deacon Umerah together with the Senatorial candidate for Delta north, Mr. Kelvin Njideaka and Chris Ugoh were involved in anti-party activities.

The statement indicated that the new officers will run the affairs of the party in the area until a proper congress is held, even as it directed the suspended executive members to hand over all party document in their possession to interim committee members.

Mr. Edeni however warned party members who have been indulged in anti-party activities to steer clear off as the party will not hesitate to show them the way out when they are found wanting with proofs of evidence.

PDP govs want military to stepup fight against Boko Haram

By Ahmed Abubakar

T

he state governors under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have charged the Nigeria military to step-up their fight against the outlawed Boko Haram sect in the North-East part of the country.

The governor of Akwa Ibom state, Udom Emmanuel who spoke to the press yesterday after their meeting at around 10 pm, said they have deliberated on several issues, “however what we feel should be known to the press is our stance on the insurgency issue which we felt shouldn’t be happening”.

The governor said, “Despite the new strategy adopted to fight.

The insurgents it seems they re still formidable enough to also renew their attacks especially on Gombe people of recent”.

He said, “We are asking the military to redouble their effort and re-strategise in their fight against the Boko Haram sect”.

L-R: National Treasurer, National Road Transport Workers Union (NRTWU), Chief Ibikunle Isma, NRTWU General Secretary, Mr. Clement Wetkur, NRTWU Deputy President, Chief Elijah Umemokpo, NRTWU National President Dr. Najeem Usman Yashim, and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, during the union executives’ visit to the vice-president, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Money laundering: EFCC invites Saraki’s wife, Yar’Adua’s daughter

By Joy Baba Yesufu

I

ndications emerged yesterday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has extended an invitation to the daughter of former President Umaru Yar’ Adua and wife of former Kebbi State Governor, Saidu Dakingari, Zainab Dakingari,

over alleged fraud to the tune of N2billion perpetrated during her husband’s tenure as governor.

The EFCC is said to have also invited Toyin Saraki, wife of the Senate President and former governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki. for questioning for alleged money laundering.

Peoples Daily checks

revealed that Mrs Saraki, who is to be grilled on July 28, 2015 is wanted in relation to questionable inflow of funds into companies where she has interest.

Sources said that Mrs. Dakingari is to explain expected how huge sums of money flowed into her companies, while she was first lady of Kebbi State.

When contacted for confirmation, EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said that it is not impossible that Mrs Saraki and Yar’ Adua’s daughter were among those invited”, adding that, “I’m aware that a new set of suspects were recently invited,” “There is really nothing to say beyond this”, he said.

the state.

According to him, even though no authentic figure to ascertain the level of casualties during the blast but Dadin Kowa motor park is one of the busiest park in the state that attract travelers within and outside the state.

The explosion is coming six days now when a twin bomb explosion killed over 50 people at Gombe main market.

The source who did not want his name mentioned in pint, said the twin bomb explosion that was reported to have hit the motor park was due to negligence of the people who failed to handle the insecurity properly even as he said that most of the places in the city center are not screened before allowing people to perform their civic responsibilities.

He said the bomb exploded

few hours when the Inspector General of Police Mr Solomon Arase visited Gombe state to commiserate with the families of the affected victims who lost their lives during the bomb explosion last Thursday.

Effort to contact the Police Public Relations Officer DSP Fwaje Attajiri for comment proved abortive as his phone was not reachable.

Again, twin explosions hit Gombe motor park From David Hassan, Gombe

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bomb explosion was reported to have hit Dadin Kowa Motor Park in Gombe metropolis.

An eyewitness in Gombe yesterday told our correspondent that the twin bomb explosion hit the motor park at exactly 6:30pm when passengers were trying to board vehicles to some parts of

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ov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has called on donor agencies to assist the state in caring for the needs of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

Dankwambo made the call on Wednesday when he received the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase.

He said that Gombe, being in the centre of states affected by insurgency, had accommodated a lot of IDPs. “I call on the agencies that are supporting IDPs to look at other kinds of models to see how we can

IDPs: Gov. Dankwambo solicits assistance of donor agencies integrate the IDPs. “Our approach to IDPs is different from what they do around the country; I do not consider camp as a suitable way to cater for your fellow human beings,’’ he said.

The governor said that there was the need to integrate them into society so that they could be

monitored.

He also said that one of the biggest problems facing the state was youth restiveness, as some of them were being misled by some politicians.

Dankwambo said the state was doing its best to address the situation, but urged the I-G to put in place appropriate measures to

tackle the problem.

Earlier, the I-G described Dankwambo as one of the friendly governors in the country offering support to the police to discharge their duties effectively.

Arase assured the people of adequate security and urged them to give information to the police.

(NAN)

PAGE 4

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Page 4 Report “Allegations of human rights inhibiting fight against Boko Haram”

By Lawrence Olaoye & Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has identified unproven allegation of human rights violations leveled against the Nigerian Armed Forces by the United States of America (USA) as a limiting factor against the success of the nation’s troops fighting the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents.

The President in a speech delivered at the US Institute for Peace in Washington DC yesterday lamented that the allegation had made the American authorities to deny the country of the opportunity to procure necessary military equipments required in prosecuting the war against terrorism in Nigeria.

Buhari said, “Regrettably, the blanket application of the Leahy Law by the United States on the grounds of unproven allegations of human rights violations leveled against our forces has denied us access to appropriate strategic weapons to prosecute the war against the insurgents. In the face of abduction of innocent school girls from their hostels, indiscriminate bombings of civilians in markets and places of worship, our forces have remained largely impotent because they do not possess the appropriate weapons and technology which they could have had, had the so called human rights violations not been an obstacle.

“Unwittingly, and I dare say, unintentionally, the application of the Leahy law amendment by the U.S. Government has aided and abated the Boko Haram terrorist group in the prosecution of its extremist ideology and hate, the indiscriminate killings and maiming of civilians, in raping of women and girls, and in their other heinous crimes. I believe this is not the spirit of the Leahy Laws. I know the American people cannot support any group engaged in these crimes.

I therefore strongly appeal to both the Executive Arm and the US Congress to examine how the US Government can provide us with far more substantial counter-terrorism assistance with minimal strings. The longer we delay, the deadlier the Boko Haram gets. At all events, we have re-written the rules of engagement protecting the rights of combatants and in particular safeguarding civilians in theatres of conflict.”

The President however pointed out that the nation would need to expand its economic opportunities and create jobs for the teeming young population for it to win the war against terror convincingly.

He added “We must also improve the quality of governance; ensure that governments at all levels are

Relations of victims affected by the Boko Haram insurgency responsive, inclusive, transparent and accountable, and that public institutions deliver services in a timely and efficient manner. We must win and sustain the trust of the people we govern.”

The President observed that most positions taken by Americans on happenings in Nigeria were premised on wrong perceptions because those armed chair analysts do not have relevant facts.

He said “Naturally, being far removed from the arena of action, and not being participants in the events you analyze on a regular basis, has its own pitfalls, the most common being arm-chair analysts. Let me illustrate with just one example. In the months leading up to the recent general elections in Nigeria, very few in the mass media and the policy community here in Washington gave Nigeria as little as half a chance to pull through. All over this city, the common view held and frequently expressed was of Nigeria on the brink.

“As far as the critics and doomsday merchants were concerned, Nigeria’s end was the 2015 general elections. Nigeria was not expected to make it.

The general perception was that Nigeria would be undone by violent and disputed elections riven with deep ethnic and religious divisions.

You all know what happened.

Nigeria confounded the pessimists and its critics. All those who predicted the worst possible post-election scenarios for Nigeria missed the mark by very wide margins, because the premises upon which their narratives were based were simply wrong.”

Buhari however gave credit to his predecessor, former President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting the pace for Africa. “His conduct and outlook in the aftermath of the elections have further proven that the African electoral system is gaining strength and maturity,” he noted.

He promised to work with the National Assembly to further strengthen the nation’s electoral laws in order to improve electoral transparency and integrity.

Buhari also stressed that the challenge of fixing the problems facing Nigeria lies with Nigerians themselves just as he restated his resolve to frontally fight corruption and lead from the front.

He said “Fixing Nigeria’s problems, as formidable as they are, is the responsibility of Nigerians.

The international community can only assist, but the hard work belongs to Nigerians and their government.

I will as President, lead from the front, but all Nigerians, including the opposition parties,

civil society, business and religious leaders, public servants, labour unions, the youth and professional associations all have important roles to play to get our country back on a sound economic footing.”

Meanwhile, in a separate forum Buhari said that the immediate past Administration of former president Jonathan did not make serious effort and commitment to fight against insurgent Boko Haram group which had been staging deadly attacks in the county. President Muhammadu Buhari who is currently in America alleged.

According to Buhari, there were no evidential measures provided by Jonathan’s administration to deal with the situation before getting to its worst, leading to the whole thing becoming very difficult.

Buhari who made the allegation yesterday during an exclusive interview with the Hausa Service of Voice of America in Washington DC monitored in Jos said his administration would do all it could to end the activities of Boko Haram.

Asked on how America would help Nigeria to fight Boko Haram since America itself couldn’t win the war in Iraq and Afghanistan that have similar cases like Nigeria, the president said, “ our problem is a bit different from that of Afghanistan and

Iraq because in our case there are neighbouring counties which are part of the fight. Their participation in the war would yield positive result and apart from that, they would also serve as barricades to all leakages that the insurgents might be using to strengthen their activities.

“America in the fight against insurgents would help to training our troops in war front and police who in turn applied the received skills and training to fight the bedeviled insurgency in the country, “ he added.

On strategies to be employed by his administration different from that of Jonathan’s, he said, “ one of them is that the new government would be more committed to deal with the problem compare to the past administration. We will take the matter with all seriousness to eliminate the activities of the group.”

Asking if he would investigate the colossal amount of money spent by Jonathan’s administration to purchase war equipment to fight the insurgency, he responded that, “we will investigate the money spent to see what has happened.”

On the leadership crisis in NASS, he said, “I maintain that the party members should follow party directives. The party is more supreme than all of us in the party.”

PAGE 5

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

News NAFDAC DG refutes corruption allegation, says ‘my hands are clean’

By Doyin Ojosipe & Stanley Onyekwere

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irector General of the Nigerian Agency For Food and Drug Administration ( NAFDAC ), Dr. Paul Orhii, has refuted allegations of corrupt practices leveled against him by a

Insurgents attack Burutai town, kill 2 From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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oko Haram terrorists have invaded Buratai town of Biu local government area of Borno state, the home town of the Chief of Army Staff Major General Tukur Yusuf Buratai killing two people, while several houses were burnt, including that of the General Buratai and the former Borno state commissioner of education Barrister Isa Buratai.

A resident of Buratai who fled to Biu town told our correspondent on phone yesterday that the insurgents who came in large numbers invaded the village at about 3:30am on Tuesday and started shooting sporadically killing two people and burnt down the remaining houses that were still standing after their first attack on the town.

He said, “You know they attacked our town sometimes ago and burnt some houses but this time around they burnt the remaining houses in the town including the house of the General and Hon Isa Buratai” A native of the town, resident in Maiduguri, Mohammed Garba also told our correspondent on phone that he was called by his brother who fled Buratai and informed him the terrorist attacked Buratai in the early hours of Tuesday 21st July 2015, killing two persons and burnt down the whole village including the houses of the Chief of Army Staff and that of former commissioner in Borno, Barrister Isa Buratai.

“Yes it is true they attacked Buratai, I received a call from my brother early this morning informing me that the insurgents have again invaded our home town and kill two people before razing the remaining structures in the town including that of COAS and Hon Buratai, he stated.

Confirming the incident, a security source from Biu who does not want his name in print because he is not authorized to speak to the press said that “yes they attacked Buratai early this morning killing two people and set ablaze several houses including the houses prominent sons of the town.

group.

Briefing newsmen yesterday, the DG who was obviously surprised said, “first and foremost, I want to tell you that all the allegations are false, and I am going to talk on them one by one.

“I want to say that when I came to NAFDAC, I met an internal revenue generation of N2.5b, as at last year, we have been able to generate about N8b, I think that should be a credit to me because I plod the loop holes, I even blocked the leakages and I made sure our revenue generation improved to a good extent and for the director of finance to say we made over N9b a year is not only mischievous but wicked,” he added.

Orhii also refuted allegations that due process was not followed in the agency’s dealings with contractors adding that contractors who have been dealing with the organization before his arrival remained same as he never had reasons to suspect them.

Recall that a group known as

whistle blowers have petitioned the president alleging that the DG had dabbled into corrupt practices including fraud and therefore called for his sack.

However, a coalition of 14 civil societies has warned against what it termed petitions from promoters of false allegations and fifth columnists against the Director General of the Nigerian Agency For Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii.

The Civil Societies, under the aegis of African Arise for Change Network, who condemned the recent allegations leveled on the DG of NAFDAC, said their decision to support the anti-corruption fight of the present administration has thus spurred them to raise the alarm over fifth columnists who are already positioning to truncate the gains of the change.

Speaking for the CSOs, the Secretary General, Samson Bello lamented that unfortunately, the plan of such groups are couched to mislead Nigerians into thinking

such individuals behind them are against corruption while the reverse is the case.

The anti-corruption crusaders said their investigation into the matter revealed that the petitioners’ plank rests on the petition by a whistle blower who only started his crusade of righteousness after an internal re-organisation moved him from his erstwhile juicy position in the agency.

“Chief, among their strategy is to use disgruntled elements within government offices, agencies and parastatals to pose as whistle blowers to media house and consequently send operatives of anti-corruption agencies on wild goose chase.

“The re-organisation was in turn the product of when staff realized that the celebrated whistleblower has an agenda to amass wealth for himself while the DG was been busy working round the clock to improve on the high standard he met at NAFDAC.

“Our greater worry is however about the impact that such frivolous petition would have on the ability of Nigerians firms to export their produce at a time the nation is looking to diversifying its revenue base.

“The stories online about the petition have been dispersed in cyberspace and any search about made in Nigeria goods will return results that will suggest that the regulatory framework is corrupt contrary to the reality on ground.

The allegation also have the potential to distract the anticorruption crusade as the relevant agencies could soon become wary of chasing shadows when they found out that many of the petitions and demands by agitating groups are unfounded.

“There is also the ugly aspect of national productivity plummeting as jobbers and conmen use anti graft agencies to harass and distract well-meaning chief executive officers of government agencies”. They lamented further.

R-L: Plateau state Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Professor Suleiman Bogoro, and TETFUND Director Corporate Planning and Development, Malam Aliyu Naiya, during the governor’s visit to the TETFUND headquarters, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Korea spends 27m dollars on development in Nigeria

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he South Korea Government on Wednesday in Abuja said it had earmarked 27 million dollars (about N5.3 billion) for some development programmes in Nigeria.

The Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Noh Kyu-duk, stated this at a pre-departure orientation programme for Nigerians awarded Masters Degree scholarship to study in Korean universities.

Kyu-duk said that the programmes were being executed by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

He said that disbursement of

the fund on various programmes began in 2013 and would terminate in 2018.

He said that under the programme, no fewer than 1,500 officials of governments in Nigeria had been trained.

Kyu-duk explained that Nigeria and Korea had common history, having come from being underdeveloped countries to developing economies.

“KOICA shall establish model junior and senior secondary schools in Abuja with a budget of 15 million dollars (about N3 billion) between 2013 and 2018

in partnership with Federal Capital Territory Administration and Universal Basic Education Commission.

“The capacity building of Nigeria e-Government Project is 8.56 million dollars (about N1.7 billion) between 2013 and 2018 in partnership with Federal Ministry of Communication Technology.

“It has also established NigeriaKorea Institute of Vocational and Advanced Technology in Kogi, with a budget of 3.5 million dollars (about N700 million) between 2010 and 2015, in partnership with Kogi Government,” he said.

He explained that the agency provided assistance through aid projects, invitational training in Korea and equipment provision such as relief aid.

According to the envoy, KOICA programmes focus on such sectors as education and human resources development, vocational training, governance, agriculture and healthcare.

Also speaking, KOICA Country Director in Nigeria, Mr Jung Sang-hoon, said the agency had sponsored no fewer than 42 Nigerian students under the scholarship programme.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

News Former SGF, Aminu Saleh laid to rest From Ahmed Kaigama , Bauchi

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onetime Secretary to the Federal Government of and Elder Statesman, Aminu Saleh died at Aged 87 years after a protracted illness .

He died at the Federal Medical Centre Azare, in Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi state

on Wednesday morning after a protracted illness.

He was buried yesterday according to Islamic rites.

Aminu Saleh until his death was the traditional title holder of Wamban Katagum, he was Born in 1933 in Azare, Katagum LG, Bauchi State.

Attended elementary school

in Azare 1941-44, Bauchi middle school 1944-49, attended clerical training college Zaria, 1950-51 attended institute of administration Zaria for diploma in accounting 1956-57.

He was on an evening university degree course in University of Lagos 1963-67, he had attended post graduate course

in management in University of Wisconsin in USA. He is survived by 1 wife, 13 children and grandchildren.

Among the children are Engineer Kabiru Aminu Saleh, eldest son and the immediate past deputy Governor of Bauchi state, Sagir Aminu Saleh Aminu had since been

buried according to islamic rite in Azare city of Katagum Local Government Area.

Among the dignitaries that attended the burial prayers includes former Head of Service to the Federation Alhaji Yahyale Ahmed, Dr Musa Babayo , Ambassador Adamu Aliyu among others.

According to a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, the Vice President gave the charge yesterday while receiving the delegation of the union who came to congratulate him for his victory at the Presidential polls.

Osinbajo stressed the that his boss, President Muhammadu

Buhari had given his words on his determination to crush the insurgents.

He said “I believe we would see the end of Boko Haram, because we hold ourselves responsible to ensure that the insurgency does not continue.” He urged NURTW members to remain vigilant, because “those who are being used for the attacks, the children, are

conveyed from place to place.”

Continuing he said “these are children who don’t even know what they are doing. We can’t call them suicide bombers. They don’t know they are bombing themselves.”

He added “we can educate our people, drivers, people involved in transportation, to spread the message that we have to be careful about carrying goods we can’t

identify, and to report suspicious moves to the authorities.”

He disclosed that government will provide access to members of the union in order to pass on useful information, adding “we must defeat this wrong doing. And the only way to do so is for us all to work together.”

The Vice President also stressed that the Buhari’s administration would uphold the rule of law.

According to him, “good economies are run by men not spirits. Men and women like you and I, flesh and blood. There is no reason why our country cannot be well run.” The key the VP noted, is the rule of law.

“We insist that the rule of the law be maintained, that no one is above the law. Nobody is above the law-it is the first rule, the President has committed himself to this. He said it yesterday again in the US, that nobody is above the law.

If somebody is held according to law, we must support that. Let us support what is good and right for the country,” he said.

In his address on behalf of the NURTW at the courtesy visit, Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, the president of the union, said the leaders came to “personally congratulate,” the president and the vice president on their “overwhelming and well-deserved victory.” He praised the Buhari presidency for “adopting various strategies aimed at addressing corruption and security challenges facing the country.

The NURTW leader added that the union has implicit confidence in the Buhari Presidency’s “ability to meet the challenges ahead, and transform Nigeria beyond our expectations.”

Boko Haram: Be vigilant, Osinbajo cautions NURTW

By Lawrence Olaoye

V

ice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has cautioned members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to be vigilant while moving passengers from one location to the other so as to be able to detect members of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents.

Security men at the entrance of the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), as workers’ protest over poor welfare packages enters the second day, yesterday in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

Food security: FAO urges FG to pass revised Seed Act

T

he Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to ensure the passage of the revised Seed Act without delay.

FAO’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms Louise Lobisa, gave the advice at a stakeholders consultative workshop in Abuja.

Lobisa said that the passage of the revised Seed Act would help develop the private sector and the community-based seed systems and by extension guarantee food security in the country.

“We now have what we have labelled as the Seed Act. It is now with the Federal Ministry of Justice.

“We hope that when the new ministers come in they would also

try to speed that up to make sure the Seed Act is attended to and become operational.

“The main problem that we sometimes face is that we go into all these processes of reviewing the legislation, the policy updating and they stay for several years without being approved and made operational.”

Lobisa said that the workshop was aimed at designing a draft strategy to strengthen private and community seed systems in the country with the intent to strengthen the national seed system.

She said: “The workshop today is to review the draft strategy on how we can support and try to develop the private sector in seed systems and also the community-

based seed systems.

“Over and above that, the people that we are producing the seed for particular the farmers need to know what the benefits are and how they can work more closely with the private sector and with government institutions to create a national seed system in the country.`` She further said that FAO was interested in building the capacity of government institutions with seed certification, seed quality, upgrading skills as well as strengthening agro-based laboratories.

“We need to make sure the private sector is playing its roles in the seed system in Nigeria.

“Not only do we need to make sure that the seed is made

available, but also those, who are providing the seed are in it as a business and they need to make profit and make a living out of it,’’ she said.

In his lecture titled: `Draft Strategy to Strengthen Private Sector and Community Seed Systems`, Dr Okelola Oluwole, an FAO Consultant and agriculture economist, said that the country had witnessed the collapse of many seed companies.

“We’ve witnessed collapse of many seed companies as far as 1984, but the number increased from 36 in 2011 to 164 in 2014.

“Certified seed production rose from 6,109 tons in 2012 to 149,844 tons in 2013.

“Access to credit by seed companies increased from N1.8

billion in 2012 to N6.02 billion in 2014.

“Seed distribution by companies also rose from 9,455 tons in 2011 to 59,000 tons in 2013.

“In tackling seed problems, you have to know from the roots, the potential pod yield in Nigeria.

To know that the country is doing well, the farmer must attain 80 to 85 per cent of potential yield.

“If we are talking agri-business and we want to introduce this business to many of our children and graduates, we must start from here.”

NAN reports that the workshop was attended by participants from both the public and private sectors.

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

News

Police arrest pastor for kidnapping 18 teenagers in Taraba

From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

T

he Taraba state Police Command has arrested a pastor for allegedly kidnapping 18 teenagers in Ibi local government area of Taraba state following a tip off by some residents of the area.

Joseph Kwaji who is the spokesperson of Taraba state police command confirmed the arrest yesterday to the Hausa Service of the BBC monitored in Jos, adding that the accused was said to be an indigene of Plateau.

When contacted on the incident, the chairman of Ibi local

government, Iliya Adibo said the man was seen along Plateau Taraba boarder with 18 teenagers claiming that the teenagers were orphans and was taking them to school in Plateau.

The chairman added that the suspicion against the pastor came when some of the children started

crying that they wanted to go home, saying that such crying made them to understand that the man was not sincere. He also said the answers given by the children differed from each other during interrogation.

The police however said that investigation is being carried on the matter.

NGO backs IGP to end extra judicial killings From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Asaba

A

non Governmental Organisation, Youth Awareness on Migration, Immigration, Development and Reintegration (IYAMIDR), has declared support for the Nigerian Police Force, aimed at ending human rights abuses including torture during investigations, often leading to extra - judicial killings and increasing number of litigations in courts in the country.

This charge was given during a solidarity visit on the Police boss in Abuja, according to a statement by President, IYAMIDR, which bemoaned the increasing rate of youth unemployment and migration from Nigeria and other African countries to Europe and America in search of greener pasture.

The statement advocated tougher sanction on those found culpable officers and men in the Force infraction of human rights of Nigerians, aimed at repositioning the institution a destination to resolve complex problems.

It commended the prompt intervention in reducing violent crimes including cultism in Edo State which according to him, has yielded remarkable and positive results.

“IGP Arase is a police reformist whose policing vision is premised on the engagement of intelligence-led policing strategies, community partnership, application of cutting-edge technology to policing functions at all levels, prevention of abuse of pre-trial detention powers”.

In his goodwill message which was delivered by Mr. Austin Iwah the principal staff officer (PSO) to IGP, said the leadership of the Police Force is already finetuning arrangement on how to end alleged infraction of human rights of Nigerians, which according to him has led to the award of monetary cost against the Agency in the past.

Police officers and men, waiting for the arrival of Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase at Gombe state Police Command, yesterday in Gombe. Photo: NAN

Boko Haram leaders can help reclaim Chibok girls - Buhari

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resident Muhammadu Buhari said on Wednesday in Washington that the leaders of Boko Haram could help the Federal Government reclaim the abducted Chibok girls through negotiations.

Buhari, however, said that the government would have to establish, who the real leaders of the sect were before it could enter into negotiations with the group.

The President, who was answering questions from members of Nigerians in Diaspora in Washington, described the situation as ``very sensitive`` and said that the government would need to find out the condition the girls were in view of reports that some of them had been ``sold and married off``.

“There are people who are claiming to be leaders of Boko Haram. They will help us to recover the Chibok girls.

“But, this is a very sensitive situation. Firstly, government has to establish that those they are claiming to be leaders of Boko Haram are indeed the leaders of Boko Haram. How do we do it – it is quite difficult.

“In what conditions are they?

Are they alive? Have they been kept as students? - because they are between the ages of 14 and 18.

“They are 220 (in number) and they have been in captivity for 18 months. There are rumours that some of them have been sold and married off.

“There are rumours that the leadership of Boko Haram had

married some of them and they have already had children with them.

“But, the objective of the Federal Government is clear.

“We want them back, alive so that we can return them to their parents; rehabilitate them psychologically and if possible facilitate their continuing education. This is the objective of the Federal Government.

“And if we can get a confirmed Boko Haram leadership, we will negotiate with them.`` According to the President, the sect is plotting to exchange some of their leaders currently being held by the government in different security prisons in the country.

Cultists on rampage, kill one, burn properties in Delta From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

P

andemonium broke out on Tuesday in Ovwian community, Udu Local Government Area, Delta State following clashes between two secret cult groups, Baga and Dominion which resulted to the destruction of three cars, community town hall and the death of a middle aged man identified as Mr. Erhuvwum Kebe.

Sources who do not want their names in the print told our correspondent that it was members of the dominion cult group led by one Mr. Righteous Sabuke that attacked the leader of the Baga cult group, identified as Whayenkufia Kebe but did not meet him at home, but on his way back, they met his younger brother, Mr. Erhuvum Kebe at NBTC junction in Ovwian and clubbed him to death with dangerous weapons.

Irked by the killing of his younger brother despite the presence of the local vigilante outfit, Mr. Whayenkufia Kebe, leader of the Baga group in collaboration with his cult members and family relations stormed the Ovwian town hall, which also serves as office of the community vigilante outfit and burnt three cars, vandalize all the windows, doors, chairs and carted away with some valuable electronics belonging to the community.

In their related speeches, Engr. Paul Odiete, President general and Hon. Alfred Urhukpe, Oghwuvwie General of Ovwian community stated that as a result of the destruction of the town hall and the burning of the three cars, “We mobilized our boys and apprehended 13 boys in connection with the incident before handing them over to the Police at Ovwian Police station.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu said she has not been briefed about the incident but a Police source at the Ovwian/Aladja Police Station confirmed the story, saying that the police is on the haunt for other suspects in connection with the incident.

Police: We’ll release report of Senate rules forgery after investigation

T

he Nigeria Police Force in Abuja on Wednesday said it would release report on alleged forgery of Senate Rules by some principal officers of the Senate as soon as investigation was concluded.

The police had promised

to release the report of their investigation into the forgery allegation this week.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

It would be recalled that Ojukwu said that the police had talked to all the people involved in the case and would make the findings public.

The Senate Unity Forum, which petitioned the police on the forgery, had expressed concern

over the slow pace of investigation into the forgery allegations.

The forum alleged that the Senate Rules Book was amended without the input of senators to favour the emergence of Sen. Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President. (NAN)

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

News

Buhari urged to restructure river basin authorities

L-R: New President, Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Omobolanle Olonisakin, and her predecessor, Mrs. Mary Badeh, during the handover ceremony, yesterday in Abuja.

By Usman Shuaibu

A

Photo: NAN

Prophetess urges Nigerians to support Buhari’s govt with prayer From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he Overseer of the Terbanacle Prophetic Missionary, Kaduna Prophetess Mercy Odoom has called for the cooperation of all Nigerians to support and pray

for the present government to succeed in the task of building an egalitarian society.

Speaking during presentation of material to orphage homes in Kaduna to mark the end of the church revival, Prophetess Odoom said that God has revealed that, the

present federal government will carry the nation to the Promised Land, but all hands must be on deck to support the programmes of the administration.

According to her, the mission of the administration can only be achieved with the prayer and

support of everyone irrespective of religion or tribe.

“This nation belongs to all of us and unless and until we regard ourselves as brother’s keepers and live together in peace the country may not move forward”, she added.

NUJ election: Candidate promises to introduce health insurance scheme From Umar Dankano, Yola

A

Presidential hopeful in the forth coming National Delegate Conference of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Comrade Odusile Abdulwaheed has pledged to introduce health insurance scheme to practicing members of the union if given the mandate.

Abdulwaheed dropped the

hint yesterday at the NUJ Press center Yola in Adamawa State when his campaign train went calling, stressing that the need is paramount considering the nature of the job of journalism where members are brain drain intellectually in national development.

He promised to expand the life insurance programme introduced by out-going president,

Mohammed Garba, saying when elected it will cover health so that journalists with health problem could have access to treatment.

Abdulwaheed also promised to fight for the actualization of Media Salary Scale to enhance the welfare of journalist.

He said as someone who worked closely with the outgoing president, he would consolidate and improve on it.

Also speaking, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi, the candidate for National Financial Secretary, said he would ensure accountability and financial upliftment of professionals.

Ajayi said as an economic journalist, accounting-inclined, with two and half decades of experience, he would not disappoint journalists when elected

n environmental expert, Alhaji Mohammed Guwa Lamorde, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to deem it necessary to restructure the river basin authorities across the country in order to generate jobs for the young graduates as well as youths in the society.

Lamorde, who made the call in an interview with newsmen in his office in Kuje, said that the Buhari-led government would bring the needed transformation in agriculture sector, because when he was a military head of state he was able to give priority attention to agriculture.

He also pointed out that when Buhari was a military head of state he was able to revive Nigeria economy for better, saying that he is optimistic that the president will do same in this present democratic dispensation.

He called on Nigerians to be patient with the Buhari-led administration, as according to him, people will feel the impact of the present government if they are patient enough.

He expressed hope that Nigeria will witness tremendous changes under the administration of Buhari in terms of infrastructural development and employment, while urging Nigerians to always give maximum support and cooperation to Buhari’s government to achieve his dreams for Nigerians.

Lamorde who was a retired civil servant in the FCT Area Council Service Commission, however, appealed to the elected politicians as well as politicians to join hands with the president to transform the country to its former position, and advised them to shun politics of sentiments and work for the progress of the nation.

First class graduates to serve in varsities, says NYSC From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

D

irector-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi yesterday at Kaduna disclosed that prospective corps members with first class degree and their counterparts who graduated with distinction from the polytechnics, would henceforth be posted to the universities for their primary assignment.

Gen. Olawumi while speaking at the flag-off of the 2015 Batch ‘B’ Pre-Orientation workshop, rolled out far-reaching reforms aimed at improving service delivery and efficiency by the NYSC, stressing that if fully implemented, the NYSC programme would go through a seamless process and add value to young Nigerian graduates.

In addition, Nigerian universities have been banned from offering post-graduate

…As FG bans corps members from post graduate studies

admission to serving corps members as doing so have been in violation of the NYSC Act and bring in unwarranted distraction to their service programme.

At the Pre-Mobilization Workshop tagged “ICT and NYSC Mobilization Process: Towards Eliminating Identified Challenges”, the NYSC boss emphasised that henceforth, “all first class graduates will be posted to the universities for their primary assignments” and appealed to the Vice-Chancellors to retain them after their NYSC programme.

Gen. Olawumi equally promised to introduce further innovative ideas into the NYSC operations, adding that the gains arising from the 2015 Batch ‘A’ Pre-Mobilisation workshop led to the full implementation of the use of ICT in registration of prospective corps members.

He added that problems associated with the use of wrong JAMB numbers so as to reduce the stress encountered while correcting such.

He pointed out that the use of ICT in that regard eliminated registration by proxy, reduced costs, curbed avoidable accidents, fast-tracked the payment of corps members on relocation and made deployment and relocation easier and faster, among several other gains.

Also speaking, the Director of Corps Mobilization, Mr. Ani further expatiated that the current pre-mobilization workshop would enable the NYSC also critically resolve issues arising from poor data entry for Senate Approved List of prospective corps members.

“The workshop would equally review the list of approved CorpsProducing Institutions and

list of accredited courses of such institutions and resolve issues and identified discrepancies arising in the process.

“The workshop would also revisit problems associated with JAMB numbers, wrong entry of date of birth of prospective corps members vis-a-vis admissions into our higher institutions as well as issues of outright manipulation of data sent to the NYSC by the Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs)”.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Kaduna state, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe Musa, who represented Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, the Kaduna state governor, stressed the need for positive re-orientation of Nigerians, pointing out that there cannot be peace, harmony and progress among Nigerians which the NYSC should assist to actualise.

He applauded the decision to post first class graduate corps members to tertiary institutions, adding that with the paucity of lecturers in such institutions, it was an encouraging decision of the NYSC to do so. el-Rufai equally applauded the attitude of corps members engaged in conducting national elections and census, stressing that their level of patriotism and sacrifices have elicited the support of his administration.

On the decision by NYSC to use ICT to drive its mobilization process, the governor explained that for the desired change in the polity to come about, Nigerians must embrace ICT in order to move the country forward and charged all the stakeholders to embrace the innovation.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Page 9

News

Insurgency: IGP offers scholarship to slain police officers children From Ahmed Kaigama,Bauchi

T

he Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase has offered scholarship to children of slain police officers who lost their lives while fighting insurgency even as he assured that the officers will be promoted post humously.

Arase made the promise at the State Police headquarters in Bauchi during a one day working visit to officers of the command Bauchi Yesterday, he also hampered on community policing, pointing out that police public partnership is one of the most effective ways to combat crime in the society.

He said: “ Public partnership is one of the most effective ways to combat crime in the society .The total number of police in the state cannot be adequate for security,so the police must rely on public partnership to be successful in crime prevention” “I have spoken to the Police Public Relation department to go schools, motor parks, market places and other non state actors and talk about issues such as cultism, drug abuse and other social vices. When you begin to connect with the society in this manner, they will become nice to you and give relevant information that will make your jobs easy” The IG assured that the welfare of police officers will be paramount on his priorities, saying that they are the front-line soldiers who sacrifice their lives for the nation.

“I am passionate about your welfare because you are the frontline soldiers of the nation. Your welfare should be paramount and as such, you should be treated nicely” The IG promised to foot the bills of 36,000 officers attending promotion training course in the nation and cater for other expenses in the course of their training, adding that police officers tends to be corrupt because of fear of the unknown.

“Corruption is born out of the fear of the unknown .When you are not sure of the future, the tendency to be corrupt is very high, so after retiring from the force, you will be given a befitting accommodation.

In his address, the State commissioner of police, Mohammed K. Mohammed requested for adequate manpower in the state, saying that 273 policemen have been transferred out of the state while 16 were posted into the command.

He commended the Inspector General of Police on his emphasis on professional ethics by members of the force in the discharge of their duties.

FHA contractors fault MD comment on house value

By Ochiaka Ugwu

T

he contractors under the aegis of FHA Contractors Union have condemned in totality the statement credited to Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Prof.

Mohammed Al-Amin describing it as falsehood, blackmail and a figment of the MD’s imagination.

The MD was reported to have said that many contractors working for the nation’s housing authority were fraudulent in the contract they did which has made it difficult for the houses to be sold.

In a statement in Abuja, jointly signed by the union’s

Chairman and Vice-Chairman, Messrs Innocent Odika and Mohammed Mudashiru Lawal respectively, said there was no truth in what the FHA boss said, because all the contracts values to build houses for the authority passed through due process before being given out, adding that with this process it was very difficult for any contractor to collaborate with anybody to over bloat the contracts values.

While regretting the statement coming at a time when the authority was heavily indebted to many contractors, the union challenged Al-Amin to disclose names of alleged fraudulent contractors and their collaborators; otherwise

he should stop blackmailing the contractors and find a way of paying them what the authority owed.

The union, however, wondered how it has become the responsibility of the contractors to determine viable or unviable locations when it comes to award of contracts.

“We consider it necessary to make a response to the allegation of Prof. Al-Amin in some newspapers, because our integrity and credibility are at stake, we cannot accept somebody to come up with a sweeping statement that many of us are fraudulent in our dealings” the statement read in part.

He noted that contrary to the

claims of the FHA boss that the houses could not be sold for the reason he adduced, “as we speak now, most of the houses we built across the country have been sold”.

“For instance, a 3-bedroom terrace duplex awarded at N84.5 million was sold at N180 million and a 4-bedroom semi-detached duplex which was awarded at N60.8 million also sold at N140 million, while a 4-bedroom detached duplex and 5-bedroom duplex awarded at N33.8 million and N60.7 million were sold at N90 million and N110 million respectively”.

He said their houses in Lagos were sold more than double of its cost.

Troops clear Biu-Sabon-Gari-Damboa road for commuters

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he Nigeria troops in the 3and 7 Division of the Nigeria Army has cleared an additional road for the use of commuters in Biu-Sabon-gariDamboa of Borno state.

A statement signed by its

Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman , the opening of the roads came sequel to the directive by the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Yusufu Buratai on the need to be more proactive in the fight against terrorism and

insurgency.

The statement said, “in compliance with the directive the road linking Biu–Sabon Gari Damboa in Borno State is now cleared of mines and insurgents for public usage. The public are encouraged to use the road as adequate security

measures have been put in place for their safety.”

It also stated that efforts are on for the clearance and reopening of other roads in Borno and Yobe States. “ You are please requested to disseminate this information to the public through your medium.”

L-R: Head of Department, Mass Transit, Alhaji Suleiman Musa, National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Salisu Dan Iya, and National Coordinator, Head Truck, Alhaji Suleiman Danzaki, during their meeting with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Kaduna: NGO conducts free hepatitis test for 200 primary school pupils From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

A

Kaduna state based Non Governmental Organisation, Peace Good Health and Agricultural Initiative has conducted free hepatitis test for two hundred primary school pupils in kaduna.

In his remarks during the exercise which took place at Unguwan Muazu primary school

premises in Kaduna South yesterday, the state chairman of the organization, Mr. Christopher Yahaya Audu said the group is conducting the exercise in order to complement the effort of the administration of state Governor Malam Ahmed Nasir El-Rufai towards improvement of the health care centre in the state.

“We are here today to

conduct free hepatitis test for 200 primary school pupils of Unguwan Muazu.”

“Governments alone at all levels do progress as a result of individual or group contributions especially in the area of health care delivery, that is way most of the developed world’s are ahead of the other African countries in terms of health care delivery.” He pointed out.

“we are doing this so that to contribute our quota so that to arrest the prevalence of hepatitis aliment in our society because we cannot just fold our arms especially considering it cost implication that is way we taxed ourselves to how we can assist and this exercise is our first outing and we have chosen the Unguwan Muazu primary school for the flag off of the exercise.”, he said

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

News

SSS releases Jonathan’s CSO

By Joy Baba Yesusfu

T

he State Security Services on Tuesday night released Gordon Obua, the Chief Security Officer to the former President, Goodluck Jonathan.

Obua was released a few hours after he was presented to the media following rumours of his death in the custody of the SSS. PRNigeria, an organisation

that releases press statements for Nigerian security agencies, said the former Chief Security Officer was allowed to go home to his family on Tuesday night.

It said Obua was released at 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

“Competent security sources informed PRNigeria that Obuah slept in his house Tuesday night along with his family after a comprehensive de-briefing by

operatives of the Department,” PRNigeria stated.

Following rumours of his death, the DSS presented Obua to the public on Tuesday afternoon at a press conference.

Obua told journalists he was hale and hearty, and that he was treated with dignity by the management and staff of SSS. “I thank Nigerians and members of my family who have

expressed very serious concern about my wellbeing in the last six days,” he said. “I want to use this medium to tell Nigerians and members of my family that I am hale and hearty.”

He also said, “As a serving officer of DSS and having completed my duty tour with the last President, the service felt that I should give a briefing of my stewardship.”

Unilorin gets $2m from NLNG for capital projects From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin,Ilorin,Professor Abdulganiy Ambali has disclosed that the institution had received $2million from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG).

Ambali who also commended

the management of the NLNG for giving the University the money for the construction and equipping of a world-class engineering research centre.

The Vice-chancellor who disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Ilorin, said that the money has gone a long way in strengthening the relationship between the town and gown.

Ambali disclosed that about 20 projects would be commissioned during the forthcoming 40th anniversary of the University.

He noted that the University was able to execute many high impact projects because of prudent and judicious management of available resources, stressing that more projects would be embarked

upon by the University very soon.

Prof. Ambali explained that the University of Ilorin is the most preferred university in Nigeria because of its uninterrupted academic calendar.

He assured Nigerians that more students will be given admission this year because of the expansion of some Faculties and Departments.

Yobe govt. employs 92 nurses to boost healthcare delivery

Y

obe Government on Wednesday said it had employed 92 nurses under the ‘state of emergency programme’ declared on the health sector to boost healthcare delivery.

Dr Bello Kawuwa, Senior

Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, disclosed this while declaring open an induction course for the newly recruited nurses.

“In spite of the financial crisis faced by State Government, it decided to employ the nurses

to boost personnel in the health institutions.

“Government places special premium on quality healthcare delivery.

“The Damaturu Specialist Hospital will in the next few days be upgraded from a 150-

bed to 400-bed hospital as work has reached advanced stage of completion.

“Similarly, work on the Damaturu tertiary health institution has reached 95 per cent completion and it is currently undergoing equipping.

Faculty of Education constructed by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) at Cross River State University of Science and Technology, during the Independent Monitoring Media Group for TETFUND Special Intervention, recently in Cross River state. Photo: Mahmud Isa

UniAbuja received N2.5b TETFund grant in 4 years – VC

U

niversity of Abuja (UniAbuja) received more than N2.5 billion grant from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in the last four years, its Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Michael Adikwu, said.

Adikwu told a Forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the grant was for infrastructure development, research and staff development, among other things.

He said that ``between 2010 and 2013, TETFund was not being accessed, but money was allocated. So when I came in, we

went and got the cumulative sum which was about N1.6 billion; we have accessed that.

“In 2014, we got N912 million that is a gamut of things put together and not just for infrastructure - you have publications, research grant, staff development and conferences plus infrastructure; we got N912 million.

So we are doing badly in that area.

“Bidding have been done; people have submitted their bids and we sent the documents to TETFund and they said we needed clearance from the Ministry - what is called ministerial tenders board -

that also we have done.’’

The vice chancellor said that part of the grant would be spent on such projects as students’ hostels, institute of education building, and provision of other structures needed at the university’s permanent site.

Adikwu added that the institution’s permanent site was a massive land of about 11,000sqm that would take some time to be developed.

He said the permanent site needed structures such as -students’ hostels, lecture theatres and staff offices, noting that the university authorities would focus

on providing structures needed at the permanent site even though lack of funds had been a major challenge.

According to him, the lack of funds has made the institution to see the grants from TETFund as a lifeline.

He said: “we need money to pay our staff salaries; initially, TETFund was an interventionist kind of fund, but now they are taking over everything.

“So, we do not have money coming in from government anymore; we are depending solely on TETFund.

But the lawyer to the former CSO’s, Andrew Itsekiri, had earlier asked the Director General, DSS, Lawan Duara, to either release his client or charge him to court without further delay.

He said the continued detention of the former CSO placed life-threatening strain on Obua’s health.

He said . Obua, who is diabetic and has a serious case of high blood pressure is being “sadistically” denied water, food and life sustaining medications.

IGP urges Gombe citizens to report suspicious movement to security agencies From David Hassan, Gombe

T

he Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase has said that, the Police and other security agencies cannot put insecurity to a halt in the country unless through supportive action by the general public.

According to him, the police cannot achieve adequate security unless the public feed them with vital information to enable them perform their legitimate function effectively.

Speaking to journalists in an interview yesterday in Gombe, the police boss urged the general public to give useful information to the police in other to achieve success in curbing insurgency that has bedeviled the northeast part of the country for long.

“The main strength of the Nigerian Police Force across the country is not sufficient to guarantee adequate security, we rely on community partnership, and that is the trend in international and national policing.” He stated.

The police IG who was in Gombe to commiserate with government and the people of the state over the Sallah eve market bomb blast that destroyed many lives and properties also took his time to visit Gombe Emir’s palace, and Government House Gombe where he emphasized on the need for police and public relationship.

During his courtesy visit to Gombe State Executive Governor, the IG called on government and other top government officials in the state to use their offices and sensitize the people on the need and importance of providing information to the security agencies.

While welcoming the IG to the state, Governor Dankwambo also thanked him for the quick response by the men of the Nigerian Police Force during the ugly incident that occurred in the state, even as he expressed readiness of the state government to invest in re-energising the security agencies in the state.

Page 11

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

EDITORIAL

Tambuwal’s welcome move

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ew Sokoto state and religious. However, while place are just teenagers who governor Aminu the political establishment has have not been captured in the Tambuwal has welcomed western education formal school system. made a move in the and even tried to integrate the So far, Sokoto and the rest of right direction. two systems, the other sector the North-west have been He has decided to criminalize of the society is still averse to spared the Boko Haram the unwillingness of parents formal education. scourge. But the governments in the state to educate their Gov.Tambuwalisbentonrestoring in the geopolitical zone children. Only two months in Sokoto’s primacy in education must not wait for the office, and in his first term, the and scholarship. In this respect, killings and destruction former House Speaker told to start here before taking visiting religious, traditional action. This said, we must and political leaders on the caution Tambuwal to thread occasion of Eid el-fitr that carefully on this matter. an executive bill was already While it is important that before the state’s House of his government take steps to Assembly. Its aim would be to raise child school enrolment, penalize parents who refuse it is just as important that once to let their children acquire in class the child stays there. formal education.

One contradiction about The governor’s address was change is that everybody more of a dressing down wants it but most do not want than an appeal. And he a revolutionary change that was right. If for whatever will erode completely their reason, people are holding familiar way of life and make back the state’s educational them insecure. progress, the governor, he deserves the support of To prevent this, there is a more than anyone, should be need for the government all. Apart from nostalgia, the concerned. Sokoto, the seat of to consult widely with governor is acutely aware of the the former Caliphate, under the clergy, the traditional security danger that a pool of Sheikh Othman dan Fodio institution and political uneducated youths poses to the and his successors, was a establishment.

The state larger society. The Boko Haram preeminent centre of Islamic House of Assembly should, insurgency, in its sixth year, in scholarship.

Regrettably, before passing the executive the North-east, has lasted this this reputation has waned bill, hold public hearings to long because the misguided over the decades. One of the canvass broad-based support leadership of the fringe Islamist reasons is historical: the for the intended legislation. sect Boko Haram is using coming of British colonialism It is important the ordinary unlearned young men and in Nigeria and with it western people see it as their own law women as foot soldiers. The education. Resistance to this rather than one imposed by suicide bombers it is using development was both cultural the government. to cause mayhem all over the

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It is important the ordinary people see it as their own law rather than one imposed by the government.

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PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Opinion

Polio eradication: Nigeria set to make history

By Mohammed Galadima

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igeria is set to make history by completely eradicating the polio disease in the country.

Polio disease, which is caused by the wild polio virus, has plagued Nigeria for decades, deforming children and even leading to deaths in extreme cases.

July 24, 2015 will mark exactly one year since the last polio case was recorded in this country.

The last incident was recorded on July 24 2014 in Sumaila Local Government Area (LGA) in Kano.

Since that time, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) supported by state government agencies and international development partners has carefully monitored the situation across the country.

Thankfully, to this day, not a single case has been recorded afterwards.

Although, it will take three years from date of the last incident for the country to be said to have completely eradicated polio, July 24 this year will mark the day that Nigeria interrupts the disease for a complete year.

Stakeholders in the industry will then continue to watch out for another two years, after which the country will be declared polio free, if a new case is not recorded. With the situation on ground today, it can almost be concluded that Nigeria is on its way to achieving that feat. So how did Nigeria get here?

The road to a polio-free Nigeria has been very long and

torturous. The wild polio virus has been in Nigeria for decades.

Efforts to eradicate the disease started in 1976 when the federal government set up the National Programme on Immunisation (NPI). This effort failed. In 1979, it was reorganised, leading to the emergence of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation. But decades after, the programme was still not effective in tackling polio.

So in 1992 all legacy immunisation programmes in Nigeria were brought under the newly established National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA). Significant progress was made over the next 20 years.

But polio was still around with us as at 2012.

In the last quarter of 2011, Dr. Ado Muhammad was appointed to head the NPHCDA. At that time, there were still as many as 123 cases of the disease in Nigeria. The wild polio virus just won’t go away.

A new way of thinking began, as existing systems were strengthened while other tactics were developed to enhance the new strategy that government began to implement under the new leadership at NPHCDA. Government used a lot of tactics under the new strategy. These include: health camps, engagement of Polio Survivor Groups, Volunteer Community Mobilizers, Religious Leaders, Community Clowns and Entertainers, and the use of local theatres and attractive pluses such as whistles for children.

The new management of NPHCDA also went a step further

to introduce a surveillance system that ensured that polio cases were quickly recorded and treated with dispatch. The agency built a network that includes patent medicine sellers, bone setters, traditional birth attendants, doctors and regular medical and primary healthcare centers.

All of these agents continued to supply timely information to the center, thereby ensuring effective monitoring and control of the disease.

By 2013 the number of cases dropped to 53 and in 2014 only 6 new cases were recorded. Since July 24, 2014 when the last case was recorded in Kano, no child in Nigeria has contracted polio so far.

This is so far the longest period in the last half a century or more that Nigeria recorded zero case of polio. Innovations, restructuring and enhanced accountability has started to pay off in the renewed fight against the mean disease.

Nigeria finally started overcoming the sickness in 2012 when a new strategy was deployed to tackle the disease. However,

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poor funding from the federal government continued to pose a threat to successful eradication.

As recently as 2014, the federal government could not come up with the $500million needed to fund polio immunisation in that year. Nigeria has had to rely on the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI) based in Geneva, which has been paying for 60% of Nigeria’s vaccine cost for the past decade. Now that the Nigerian economy has been rebased, it can no longer qualify for such international donation. In 2015, Nigeria was supposed to raise $285 million to fund vaccination costs. Though we are no longer qualified for the free money, GAVI paid over 50% of that cost.

Nigeria was expected to come up with $105 million, but it failed to do so. The World Bank, out of fear that Nigeria, and maybe the world, may be taken backwards if children in this country are not immunised, came up with the rest of the money. This indeed is one of the biggest challenges that NPHCDA has had to surmount to

By 2013 the number of cases dropped to 53 and in 2014 only 6 new cases were recorded.

Since July 24, 2014 when the last case was recorded in Kano, no child in Nigeria has contracted polio so far.

NASS elections, APC crisis

By Muhammad Al-Ghazali

S

omewhere in the creeks of Otueke, a certain Dr.Goo dluckEbeleAzikiweMaina sara Jonathan is probably sitting under the cold morning breeze nursing a drink as most locals from the Niger Delta are wont to do as part of a well established culture and tradition, in an area where drinks are never ever in short. And in between sips, the percentages are high that Jonathan would be indulging in the occasional throaty laughter brought about by a sense of intense relief and satisfaction.

The occasional phone call from the erstwhile Senate President David Mark and Senator Ike Ikwerenmadu is sure to have lifted his mood even further. From the intermittent bouts of laughter, Jonathan now breaks into a break-dance that defied his age. He was swiftly joined by Dame Patience, who, soon after being updated by her husband, also breaks into her own version of Ozonto dance singing “I feel good”. And why not!

But the first couple will for sure not be the only people who are currently celebrating the fractious crisis in the APC over the choice of leaders for the National Assembly which is set to be inaugurated

today. We can also add the open sore of the Southwest Ayo Fayose, OlusegunMimiko, Femi FaniKayode, DoyinOkupe, and of course, David Mark, along with legions of the other well-known PDP hordes and their cronies in the private sector.

Despite his public proclamation that the PDP has no ambition to field a candidate for the senate presidency in the current dispensation, should the current crises in the APC over the selection of leaders for the NASS in the current dispensation reaches a crescendo like many have predicted today, one of the first beneficiaries is sure to be David Mark! All he requires to be re-elected as Senate President is for the PDP senators to vote enbloc and for those from the APC supporting BukolaSaraki who are disgruntled to vote along with them and the deed will be done!

And when that happens we can be sure that the party in Otueke would erupt with fanfare.

When the APC trounced the PDP in the general elections a little over two months ago, nobody saw this coming. And the biggest irony is that if the APC play into the hands of the PDP today as they seem condemned doing, and David Mark gets re-elected, the process would have met every

requirements of democracy.

It cannot be flawed. And with the tussle over who emerges as the next Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives continuing to ravage the party, the prognosis are that the PDP is likely to be the greatest beneficiaries of the status-quo.

Even as I write this, in a move so eerily reminiscent of the serial plots to bar President Buhari from the last election, news just reached me that a faction of the APC reps have sued Femi Gbajabiamila - one of the candidates for the Speaker of the House at an Abuja Federal High Court, seeking to disqualify him from contesting altogether. The scenario is now certain to compel the millions of Nigerians who supported the party during the elections to start asking if this is

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the change they voted for with sufficient justification.

And unfortunately for the party, the crisis is set to reach a climax when its leader and moral compass is far away in Bavaria to seek the support of the G-7 for the changes he promised to impact on Nigeria. But even if the President were to be in Abuja I don’t honestly see how much difference he can make when the various gladiators are so well dug-in and unwilling to shift their positions.

Besides, I sincerely agree with the former Vice-President AtikuAbubakar that President Buhari is essentially a leader and not a politician in the strict sense of the word.

It is not an abuse. It is a compliment. It is a measure of PMBs leadership credentials that he has balked at supporting any particular candidate for any of the

And unfortunately for the party, the crisis is set to reach a climax when its leader and moral compass is far away in Bavaria to seek the support of the G-7 for the changes he promised to impact on Nigeria.

get to this stage. So, that Nigeria is on the verge of making history in this area, is indeed a huge achievement for NPHCDA’s Dr. Ado Muhammad and other stakeholders.

Another one of the most trying times in the fight against polio in Nigeria was a day in February 2013 when 13 vaccinators were killed in Kano and another 3 in Maiduguri by the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists. Following these incidents, health workers were no longer willing to go out and vaccinate children, especially in Kano and Maiduguri. It took the NPHCDA six months to convince the vaccinators to continue their work, after assuring them that security agencies were available to cover them along their routes.

So the NPHCDA had to work with the armed forces to schedule immunisation rounds, plan the routes and timing etc.

There is no doubt that change has come in the area of polio in Nigeria and this change must be made to endure. It must also be made to happen in other areas such as measles eradication. The new government must rekindle hope in Nigerians by making available adequate funding for all immunization programmes. For this change to endure, political leaders across the three tiers of government and indeed all stakeholders in society need to play their part. This change must go on.

Mohammed Galadima wrote from Suleja in Niger State

positions. He demands only that such candidates must be credible and be free from allegations of graft. In his position, he cannot risk allegations of partisanship.

That is precisely why I feel that other APC heavyweights like AtikuAbubakar and Bola Tinubu must step up to the plate. They cannot afford to do otherwise.

To be effective Tinubu must be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice in the interest of the nation and the collective progress of the party.

Like him or hate him, AtikuAbubakar is a consummate politician to the core. He is also highly resilient and influential.

Without the slightest doubt, if any leader from the party is capable of breaking the impasse the APC presently finds itself in over the choice of leaders for the NASS that person is AtikuAbubakar..

Nigerians who voted for change, not crisis. The elections that brought the APC to power were concluded more than two months ago. The party has had over two months to put its house in order and should not have waited until the eleventh hour to determine its candidates for leadership positions in the NASS. Today is certain to be a crucial day for the party in its quest to change Nigeria for the better. It cannot afford to get it wrong the first time of asking.

Muhammad Al-Ghazalghazalism@gmail.com

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Comment

Journalism and the threat to national security

By Mike Abiola

I

t is often said that for Africa to fully embrace democracy then must be freedom of expression, respect for the rights and reputations of others, and protection of national security. But at what point can someone be guilty of crossing the boundary and becoming a threat to national security?

In the UK, the term national security is not defined in order to retain the flexibility necessary to ensure that it can adapt to changing circumstances. National security is referred to as the security and well-being of the United Kingdom as a whole, and it extends to its citizens where they may be across the world.The issue of national security is an unavoidable discourse that will always come to fore in developing democracies in Africa as governments attempt to place limits on the excesses of the free press or control constructive criticisms.

A disturbing trend is already rearing its head among African journalists, especially in Nigeria where it manifested heavily during the recently concluded General Election. At times it became difficult for followers of news reports emanating from Nigeria to identify reliable sources of breaking news or which newspaper to believe.

Now that the elections are over and the task of nation building has commenced, it is important to highlight the critical role of journalism as one of the factors that determines how Africa is portrayed to the outside world. Apart from the role of governments.

Africa is portrayed to outsiders mainly by news reporting, especially from a local press that forms a substantial new s- feed into the

international media.

In countries like Nigeria with a vibrant and free press, news is easily disseminated by the internet and social media. Stories circulate very quickly and get syndicated wide across the world. A news story that is subsequently found to be untrue is capable of causing unimaginable damage that may prove difficult to remedy. If such a story pertains to a nation’s very stability, it is easy to see how the media can be view as detrimental to national security. Even though there is no clear definition of what constitutes national security, international courts define national security as a threat to the “existence of the nation or its territorial integrity or political independence.” This is different from reporting localized violence or ordinary criminal activity. But where such reporting becomes over sensationalized or skirts the borders of fiction, it is clear that national security could be breached.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that should be forfeited which national security is infringed upon, such as when military codes are divulged

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or troop movements are revealed in wartime. The role of journalists as watchdogs of government and the conscience of the people makes the profession an enviable one and attractive to many as it provides the conscientious a platform to be of genuine service to the society. A journalist must therefore maintain maximum transparency and impartiality in news reporting to avoid misleading the people.

Their important role in national development makes journalists - members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm – more respectable than a person who is professionally involved in politics.

The media has a far-reaching impact on the lives of the citizenry.

News reports form part of the criteria for investment flow to certain destinations. Investors and analysts monitor news as a matter of course and travel advice is compiled mostly from news reports.

Damaging reports Two fallacious stories from Nigeria made headline news in the United Kingdom recently. Even though the two stones were retracted, some damage was inevitably already

In countries like Nigeria with a vibrant and free press, news is easily disseminated by the internet and social media. Stories circulate very quickly and get syndicated wide across the world. A news story that is subsequently found to be untrue is capable of causing unimaginable damage that may prove difficult to remedy.

done and it is for this reason media practitioners and all stakeholders must take their responsibilities more seriously. The stakeholders in this instance arc government departments, functionaries, spokespersons etc.

These stakeholders must be on top of their game and ensure quick responses to news concerning them.

The first was the conflicting report that ‘Nigeria Recalled Ambassadors’. Three days later, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson denied the recall of any ambassadors. There followed counter-claims that confirmed the recall of non-career ambassadors.

This story coincided with the address by Dr. Dalhatu Tafida.

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK to a gathering of policymakers at the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House in London.

This address by the Nigerian representative of to the Court of St James was seen by many analysts as a high point in his diplomatic career.

The news story had the effect of side-lining the important response that would have c been accorded the address by the host country.

The second article was ‘Embassy in Saudi Arabia, said to have snubbed President Buhari’s family. The story involves President Buhari’s family during a lesser haji in Saudi Arabia.

The news reverberated among readers in the UK not just because it involves the nation’s number I family, but also because of the reputation of Ambassador Ahmed Umar, Nigeria’s Consul General in charge of the mission in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, who is well known to Nigerians in the UK Ambassador Ahmed Umar is a seasoned career diplomat, who is highly regarded amongst Nigerians in the UK for his outstanding

services to the nation. He won the country valuable friends during his service period as the Head of Chancery at the mission in the UK. Ambassador Umar is a gentlemen officer who should be a pride of the nation for his exemplary service. Many can recall his period of service in the UK. Where he operated an open door policy and engineered the Nigeria @50 celebrations, a collaboration between the embassy and the Nigerian community in the UK. His tenure witnessed an unprecedented period of cooperation between the Embassy and Nigerian professionals in the UK. Many could see the good attributes of a refined diplomat in him.

The news report was an obviously damaging false story about an overseas mission and a disservice to the whole country, not just to an individual civil servant. The story gave the impression that Nigeria has a bunch of politicized Foreign Service Officers at its mission in Saudi Arabia. This could pose a significant threat to national security. The unbalanced news report presented the entire Nigeria embassy staff in Saudi Arabia in a bad light. The newspaper that earned this news report later carried a rejoinder in a not too prominent page to correct the story. At a time when Nigeria should be making headlines for good reasons, it was distressing to read this manipulative story, which was capable of causing irreparable damage.

This is a clarion call to journalists and media executives to avoid bringing the respectable profession into disrepute.

Mike Abiola is the publisher of the African Voice Newspaper based in the UK.

Boko Haram: Prospects of a negotiated solution

By Abubakar Alkali

I

t is heart-warming to catch up with the news this morning that President MuhammaduBuhari has expressed willingness to negotiate with Boko haram in order to bring an end to the current wave of senseless killings going on in North East Nigeria. The authenticity of this news is more so when juxtaposed with the fact that it is coming from no less a person than the President’s senior special assistant on media Femi Adesina.

About a fortnight ago, I wrote an article titled, Boko Haram: The carrot and stick approach for a lasting solution where I recommended the formulation and implementation of a mixed menu based on the carrot (dialogue) and stick (use of force where dialogue fails). The key aspect of this strategy is to make dialogue and negotiation the basis of a constructive engagement with Boko haram while force is applied only where there is a breach of the results/terms of dialogue. There is one very important consideration regarding the efficacy of dialogue which is that today in Nigeria we have a President whose sincerity and honesty is beyond doubt.

The import of these rare qualities (honesty and sincerity) of Buhari is that he can be trusted because he stands by his word.

He will certainly stand by any agreement that he reaches with anyone including Boko Haram. By his antecedents, everyone knows that President Buhari will not say one thing and turn around to do something different. It behoves on all of us lovers of peace in Nigeria to support Mr President and his government to stop these senseless killings in our dear country and bring about an end to Boko Haram before it becomes a way of life for our unemployed youths and reaches a point of

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being irredeemable.

The President’s readiness to talk with “credible leaders” of Boko Haram is the right step in the right direction. What is requireis a concerted effort to lay a solid foundation towards genuine dialogue with Boko haram while keeping the military option on standby. The fact remains that our gallant soldiers on the frontline have performed excellently against Boko haram. Our soldiers are heroes who have stood to defend their country and in the process laid their lives in defence of their fatherland. All Nigerians owe it a duty to pay a tribute to our soldiers in the fight against Boko haram

This calls for the need to balance military force with some form of persuasive engagement, dialogue and negotiation. This is because anytime Boko haram is pushed to the cleaners, they find a way to bounce back in even more devastating and deadly passion.

because if not for the work that our soldiers have done over the last 6 years against Boko haram even when they were refused the right weapons to fight, the story would have been different. Boko haram would indeed have overwhelmed Nigeria if not for the work of our gallant soldiers on the frontline.

After 6 years of the use of military force alone against Boko haram, it is clear that the problem has refused to go away or even subside. This calls for the need to balance military force with some form of persuasive engagement, dialogue and negotiation. This is because anytime Boko haram is pushed to the cleaners, they find a way to bounce back in even more devastating and deadly passion.

Boko haram has demonstrated that they have a way to bounce back whenever they are pushed away. After the onslaught last year on Boko haram by the multinational forces from Nigeria, Chad and Niger, one would have thought that Boko haram has been permanently crippled.

However, the killings in the last 4 weeks have shown otherwise.

In one instance a few days ago, Boko haram killed over 150 people in 3 separate attacks. They

move literally unchallenged in 3 villages where they perpetrated these atrocities. Within the last 4 weeks, several suicide attacks have been carried out allegedly by Boko Haram. In fact, Boko haram now has the highest number of fatalities compared to any other terror group in the world.

Several attacks perpetrated by Boko haram are through suicide bombings and other forms of guerrilla warfare. This is one critical issue that promotes dialogue with Boko haram because it is realistically impossible to find a solution to suicide bombings because a suicide bomber is not identifiable. Recall that the war between the U.S on one hand and al Qaeda, ISIS and the Taliban on the other is still very much on despite the enormous resources and military force deployed by the U.S against these insurgent groups.

Although the U.S is fighting external terror, these insurgent groups would have long been decimated if indeed military force can defeat ideological terror. For one, the insurgent believes that they are going straight to heaven if they are killed in the process and have got nothing to lose.

Abubakar Alkali via alkalizai@yahoo.com

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

PAGE 14

News

Buhari talks tough on Boko Haram From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has yesterday reiterated his commitment in the fight against the dreaded Boko Haram group in the country, saying necessary preparations were being put in place to stage

a massive attack on the hideouts of the group, particularly in the three affected states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa .

The president who is on four days visit to America disclosed this yesterday on an English Service of the Voice of America monitored in Jos. While reaffirming his

commitment to fight Nigerian insurgency, Buhari explained that Nigeria would lead the Multinational Joint Task Force, including soldiers from Nigeria,Cameroon, Chad and Niger to launch a massive attack on the six years insuregency bedeviling north east Nigeria.

He emphasised that the

soldiers of the Multinational Joint Task Force with headquarters in N’Djamena have been well trained to fight to the expectation, hoping that the trained personnel would soon dealt with Boko Haram, adding that so far the Nigerian Security was making positive impact in the fight against Boko Haram.

Candidates seeking admission into the University of Lagos, protest over the university’s request for candidates to score two hundred and fifty (250) grades and above in Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), against jamb’s cut-off mark of one hundred and eighty (180), to be considered for admission, yesterday in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

Edo lawmaker expresses shock over dead UNIBEN students

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

H

ouse of Representatives member representating Ovia Federal Constituency in Edo state, Lady Omosede Igbinedion, has expressed regret over the two female students of the University of Benin who died on Tuesday.

The students identified as Rita, Awele, and Efe were returning from the Catholic chaplaincy, located within Ugborough Campus of the school, were killed on Sunday morning when a patrol van belonging to the Nigerian Army knocked them down.

The victims, who were both 200 level students of the Department of Philosophy, died in spite of efforts to provide them with medical attention.

Also, 20-year-old Rita died few hours after the fatal accident, while Efe was said to have died on Monday evening, at the Central Hospital on Sapele road in Benin City, the Edo state Capital.

Thee unfortunate development which sparked - off protest by the students on Tuesday morning, thereby

subjecting Commuters and other road users to a harrowing experience.

Omosede who wrote on her Facebook page on Tuesday night, vowed to raise the ill-fated crash on the floor of tye House of Representatives at a date which was not mentioned and expressed her condolences to the dead and wished the injured students a quick recovery.

The Legislator in her reply to Marvin to Iyamu believed to be a student of the University message on her Facebook wall which also featured the photograph of one of the diseased, Rita.

“I express my sincere condolences to the students of UNIBEN and wish to lend my voice to their demands. This is an issue I will raise on the floor of the house. May the soul of the departed rest in perfect peace and may other students involved have a speedy recovery in Jess name”.

He words of encouragement comment, appears to have become a soothing relief by friends and relatives of the diseased who demanded for an independent probe to among others establish the alleged culpability of the part

of the driver of the van.

The Nigeria Army Public Relations Officer in charge of 4- Brigade, Captain Jonah Unuakhalu, had in a swift reaction, said the command had commenced an investigation to ascertain the “actual cause of the accident”, while efforts were being made to reach the families of the victims.

“On Sunday morning at about 8.30am there was a road traffic accident involving Operation Pulo Shield Vehicle driven by a soldier that knocked down two females who were confirmed to be students of University of Benin.

They were, however evaluated to a nearby hospital where one was confirmed dead, while the other student is responding to treatment.

“Efforts are being made by the command to reach the university authority and families of the two students involved in the accident and also to further dialogue with the Students Union Government to avert the protest but the students insisted on speaking with government officials. It is advisable that the students should keep calm as the command is

looking into the issue,” according to him.

Spokesperson for the university, Michael Osasuyi, who confirmed that the school had made contacts with the army, said: “The management is talking to them now to remain calm and abide by the rules and regulations and channel their grievances appropriately so as not to disrupt the peace. They are calling on the Federal government to provide a fly-over so that students are not knocked down on the highway.

“When it (accident) happened, the military personnel took responsibility. One of the students is responding to treatment. The military displayed a high level of responsibility to ensure that the situation is brought under control; management still appeals to students to keep calm and allow peace to reign.”

Meanwhile, some persons suspected to be students of the University of Benin, have resorted to self help by constructing speed-breakers in front of the school gate, apparently to prevent further road carnage.

Police recovers six unexploded bombs in Yobe From Uche Uche, Damaturu.

Y

obe police revealed the recovery of six unexploded bombs, which includes four 81 millimeter caliber and two improvised ones in the carcasses of a Toyota highlander jeep with registration number KTG 116 FK (Bauchi).

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Markus Danladi disclosed this while speaking to journalists in his office at the police state headquarters in Damaturu, as the recovered items were displayed in front of the office.

He pointed out that although it could not easily be determined were their destination would have been with the bombs, the effects of the bombs would have been very devastating and commended the officers for their gallantry.

He said the vehicle had earlier on the 20th of July caused the death of nine people with several others injured when the driver exploded some explosive devises inside the jeep when the vehicle was stopped and he was ordered to open the booth.

According to him on that 20th July, a Sharon bus with registration No. 232108 RN was flagged down for search by the police patrol team along Damaturu Maiduguri road at about 1140 hours and the passengers were asked to alight from the vehicle when the Toyota highlander which emerged from Maiduguri and heading to Damaturu was flagged down also for search.

He said when the driver exploded the device, it killed all the passengers from the Sharon bus including 2 police officers while 3 others who sustained various degrees of injuries were rushed to the hospital along with other survivors.

He stated that it was then on the 21st of July,2015 when a team of investigators from the state area command office with officers of the EOD went to the scene that the unexploded bombs were discovered in the trunk of the vehicle neatly concealed and they were later diffused.

He also revealed that a woman who was one of the occupants of the Toyota highlander jeep was seen laid down and yelling after the blast calling for assistance but was concealing six unexploded bombs in her hijab which was diffused and removed from her bag by the bomb experts of the police command.

He added that the police in Bara also recovered 1 general purpose machine gun, 2 AK 47 riffle with ammunitions when the insurgents attacked the police outpost, killing many of the insurgents.

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

We have not shelved demand for payment of our salaries, says NULGE in Ebonyi

L-R: Bauchi state Governor, Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar, receiving budget report from the Chairman, Budget Review Committee and the state Head of Civil Service, Mr. Abdon Gin, on Tuesday in Bauchi.

Photo: NAN

By Ali Abare Abubakar with agency report

T

he Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), in Ebonyi, said it had not shelved demand for payment of salaries and related increments by government to the workers.

This is contained in a statement

by Chairman of NULGE in the State, Mr Leonard Nkah, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki yesterday.

The statement said ``NULGE believes that local government areas have enough funds to cater for the needs and development of its people if the state government fulfills its constitutional role towards them.’’

The statement made it clear that it did not sign a document from the Special Committee on Salary Resolution set up by Ebonyi government.

The union urged its members to remain law abiding as it was doing all it can to ensure that their salaries for May and June were paid.

NAN recalls that the committee was set up by government on Tuesday to mediate in the faceoff between it and the organized labour over the non-payment of workers arrears of salaries.

The committee, yesterday, said NULGE had agreed to shelve the demand for the payment of salaries and related increments until the rot in the state’s local government system was cleared.

Reps crisis: Northern youth drum support for Ado Doguwa

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

s the storm raised over the appointment of principal officers of the House of Representatives in the 8th National Assembly is yet to settle, some Northern youth are rooting for the nomination of Hon Alhassan Ado Doguwa, for the position of Majority Leader of the House.

The youth under the Coalition of Northern Youth Association (CNYA), expressed confidence in the capacity of Ado Doguwa, who

represents Tudun Wada/Doguwa Federal Constituency is surely the best man for the job.

They described Ado Doguwa as a democrat of no mean repute in the politics of the House of Representatives, who was the first member that led a caucus to pay a solidarity visit to the current, Speaker after his election, despite being a staunch supporter of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

The Youth Group, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Abubakar Muhammed, opined that

it would only be just and equitable for the position of the House leader to be allotted to the North West Zone.

“Our resolution is borne out of the fact that by every consideration, North West Zone deserves to present the next House Leader to consolidate on the gains so far achieved by the party (All Progressives Congress, APC).

“He is a fourth termer and has cognitive experience in the House of Representatives; and has chaired sensitive committees in the house

and made impressive marks as the Chairman of the MDG committee.

“His track record in the House is legendary as such we strongly believe that his leading the majority party in the house would ensure the change agenda of the present government would yield dividend.

“We want to reiterate that his political background coupled with his vast legislative experience and intellectual pedigree stands him out over many old and new members from the North West geo political zone,” the group stressed.

Retain SGF in South east, Igbo group urges Buhari

By Ali Abare Abubakar

A

n Igbo socio-political group under the aegis of Igbo in Diaspora Initiative for Buhari has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to retain the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in the South-East geopolitical zone.

The national coordinator of Igbos in Diaspora Initiative for Buhari, Hon. David Ezedinma, made the call in Lafia, yesterday, in a press conference organised to drum support for the inclusion of Igbo people in Buhari’s yet-to-be constituted cabinet.

Hon. Ezedinma refuted reported insinuation that the position of the SGF would go to

the South-South geo-political zone after the emergence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the deputy president of the senate.

He also refuted claims that Igbo people did little to ensure the emergence of Buhari as President, stressing that the Igbo in Diaspora group delivered millions of votes to the APC in the last general elections across the federation.

The former special adviser to Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura on National Integration further stated that relegating the Igbo community to the background in sensitive government appointments will further alienate them from keying into the ranks of the party which is still in need of followership in order to consolidate on its gains.

“President Buhari should maintain the office of the SGF in the South-East geo-political zone and guard against people pitching him against the Igbo nation. He is now the President of Nigeria and not APC president, besides the emergence of Senator Ekweremadu does not in any way reflect the aspirations of the Igbo nation,” he stated.

Lawmaker’s name in Roll Call sheet – witness

By Ahmed Abubakar

I

n a case filed by Ali Yakubu and the All Progressives Congress, against Honourable Sabo Garba, Peoples Democratic Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission for the Potiskum/ Nangere Federal Constituency, the Yobe House of Representatives Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting

in the FCT had heard a statement by the 2nd witness, Malam Adamu Musa called by the 1st and 2nd respondents.

The second witness, Mr Adamu Musa, Principal Executive Officer, National Teachers Institute, Kaduna testified during yesterday’s sitting in Abuja.

Musa during cross examination by counsel to the 3rd Respondent,

Yusuf Alhassan testified that the first Respondent, Hon. Sabo Garba’s name was in the roll call sheet tendered by the petitioner and marked as Exhibit M by the tribunal.

Musa went further to tell the tribunal that Sabo’s name appeared with the number, 0159 in the Roll call sheet.

Meanwhile, during cross examination, the first respondents’

witness, ASP Kennedy Egwuoke told the tribunal that he was subpoenaed by the first petitioner but when the time came for evidence he dropped him.

Recall should be made that the petitioners had alleged that the lawmaker did not attend the schools he claimed to have attended in the INEC forms he filled.

The petitioners alleged that the

lawmaker averred in the affidavit in support of Personal Particulars INEC forms CF 001 `that he attended Teachers College Bama, Borno State, from 1979 to 1984, but there is no record from the school and National Teachers Institute, showing that he attended such institution` The tribunal however adjourned till July 27, for continuation of the defence.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Politics

I will work hard to sustain public goodwill – Buhari assures

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said that he would work very hard to sustain the current goodwill his government had received at home and abroad.

The President, who was reacting to a question after his address at the United States Institute for Peace, in Washington DC on how he intended to leverage on the enormous goodwill being enjoyed by his administration and meet the huge expectations of the people, said despite his perceived slowness and the reality of lack of resources, he would work very

hard “so that people will see and believe that we are trying and can deliver and hopefully become less critical.”

President Buhari, while acknowledging the huge challenges confronting his administration such as the crash in the price of crude oil, its theft, pipeline vandalisation in the Niger Delta, hostage taking and insecurity in the North East, restated his determination to sustain the goodwill by working very hard. “And I believe I will succeed,” he declared emphatically.

In his main speech to the distinguished audience, the President also reaffirmed that,

“despite our current challenges, Nigeria’s commitment to good governance, anti-corruption, democracy and security of lives and property remains firm.

Similarly, I must reaffirm that despite the current challenges that we face domestically, we are ready and willing to face our duties…Fixing Nigeria’s problems as formidable as they are is the responsibility of Nigerians.

The international community can only assist, but the hard work belongs to Nigerians and their government.

I will as President, lead from the front, but all Nigerians, including the opposition parties, civil society, business and

religious leaders, public servants, labour unions, the youth and professional associations all have important roles to play to get our country back on a sound economic footing.”

On the required external support in the anti-insurgency and terrorism campaign, he expressed regret that, “the blanket application of the Leahy Law by the United States on the grounds of unproven allegations of human rights violations levelled against our forces has denied us access to appropriate strategic weapons to prosecute the war against the insurgents.”

He noted that in “the face of abduction of innocent school girls

L-R: All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, APC chieftain, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, former Edo state Deputy Governor, Chief Mike Ogiadomen, former Abia state Governor, Dr. Uzor Orji Kalu, and former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Anaekwe, during an evening of Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onayekan with Catholic politicians, on Tuesday at the Catholic Church, in Asokoro, Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

from their hostels, indiscriminate bombings of civilians in markets and places of worship, our forces have remained largely impotent because they do not possess the appropriate weapons and technology which they could have had, had the so called human rights violations not been an obstacle.”

According to President Buhari, “Unwittingly, and I dare say, unintentionally, the application of the Leahy law amendment by the U. S. Government has aided and abated the Boko Haram terrorist group in the prosecution of its extremist ideology and hate, the indiscriminate killings and maiming of civilians, in raping of women and girls, and in their other heinous crimes. I believe this is not the spirit of the Leahy Laws. I know the American people cannot support any group engaged in these crimes.

I therefore strongly appeal to both the Executive Arm and the US Congress to examine how the US Government can provide us with far more substantial counter-terrorism assistance with minimal strings. The longer we delay, the deadlier the Boko Haram gets. At all events, we have re-written the rules of engagement protecting the rights of combatants and in particular safeguarding civilians in theatres of conflict.”

A statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) Yesterday said that before the President’s address at the last programme of his four-day visit, the former United States Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Johnnie Carson, who moderated the interactive session, had described President Buhari as a “very humble and strong personality with enormous integrity and commitment to good governance and uplifting the lives of the citizenry.”

I won’t step down for Audu-Senator Ugbane From Ahmad Ibrahim, Lokoja

A

former member of the upper chamber of the National Assembly and governorship aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Nicholas Ugbane has vowed not to step down for his erstwhile boss or any other aspirant ahead of the party primaries.

Ugbane who represented the eastern flank at the red

chamber for eight years headed four different ministries as commissioner under the administration of Prince Abubakar Audu between 1999 and 2003.

Speaking in an interview with newsmen in his country home at Egume in Dekina local goverment area of the state, Senator Ugbane said he has the pedigree to effectively pilot the affairs of the state if given the opportunity to serve.

He pointed out that his experience and exposure would be brought to bear in the daunting task of transforming the state, promising to unite the various segment of the state, as well as mobilize them for development.

On why he abruptly left the ceremony to receive the decampees into the fold of APC, the governorship aspirant said he was invited to the occasion by the state chairman of the party, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo, saying

he decided to leave when he discovered that Prince Audu had hijacked it.

He added that if he knew that Prince Audu would turn the ceremony as an arena to sell himself to the electorates, he would have completely avoided the occasion so as not to send wrong signal to his teeming supporters.

The former lawmaker therefore assured his loyalists that he would pursue his ambition

to the logical conclusion, despite the large number of aspirants, stressing that at the appropriate time water would find its level.

Senator Ugbane further expressed confidence in the ability of the national leadership of the party to conduct transparent, free and fair primaries, noting that after a superlative performance that led to the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari, he is not expecting anything below that.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Politics Saraki mourns Aminu Saleh

Sokoto state Governor, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (middle), with members of the League of Imams and Alfa during their visit to the governor, on Tuesday in Sokoto.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

P

Photo: NAN

Group appeals to Buhari to establish corruption tribunals From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

A

civil society group called Citizens Voice Against Corruption (CIVAC), has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to establish a special corruption tribunals across Nigeria.

An executive member of the group, Abbati Bako, made the call during a press conference held at Mambayya House in Kano State yesterday.

Bako, who is the Chief Executive Officer, International Political Resource Centre, described corruption as the worst element

that contributed to the deterioration of Nigeria, noting that the problem requires proactive measures to be addressed.

According to him, unless the government is given special consideration to the problem; the menace of corruption would continue to be pushing the country backwards, appealing to the president to establish special tribunals across the country where only corruption cases would be charged.

He said “Let me use this opportunity to appeal to Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, to establish corruption tribunals where

corruption charges will be tried. The level of corruption in this country is worrisome to the extent that it is the worst element that contributed to nation’s deterioration. “ He maintained that developed countries like China, Brazil and Saudi Arabia had eradicated corruption long ago through proactive and sincere measures, calling on the Nigerian government to follow suit.

However, CIVAC thanked President Buhari for his response to a letter dated 6th July, 2015 and sent to his office with respect to corruption scandals in the country.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Abdulrazak Alkali, CIVAC expressed gratitude to the president for acting on the many issues raised in the letter, noting that Buhari’s administration was the only to openly and directly fight corruption.

The group also expressed appreciation to Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for its quick response to the letter of protest it sent to the anti graft body on pension scam, saying that the group would remain resolute in to help the president achieve political will.

Court reverses tenure of council bosses to two years in Nasarawa

By Ali Abare Abubakar

N

asarawa State High Court sitting in Lafia, has nullified a law enacted by the previous Nasarawa State House of Assembly (NSHA) reducing the tenure of office of local government council officials from two years to one.

The state High Court, presided over by Justice Aisha Ahmed, had on July 15, 2015 pronounced the law as

unconstitutional and ruled that the tenure of council chairmen remains for a period of two years.

This was disclosed to journalists in Lafia at a press briefing by the lead counsel to the Nasarawa State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Barrister Mary Onyeka.

She said: “As you are all aware that the tenure of local government chairmen of Nasarawa State was

reduced from two years to one by the state house of assembly, this position led the chairmen to engage our service and we went to court challenging this law reducing their tenure.”

“We were able to look at the said law that reduced their tenure and we discovered that the constitutional provisions were not followed, which was part of what we presented to the court, and we duly challenged

the constitutionality of the said law, especially as the assembly did not follow the laid down procedure”.

Barrister Onyeka stated that the ALGON legal team hoped that government would abide by the judgement, even as she was quick to add that if such people fail in that responsibility, their clients would follow due process to ensure the full implementation of the court verdict.

Imo guber: Ihedioha’s petition suffers setback in tribunal

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi with agency report

T

he petition filed at the Imo state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Owerri by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2015 elections, Emeka Ihedioha, challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Rochas Okorocha, has suffered a setback, as the tribunal yesterday struck out the petition on grounds that it was filed out of time.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had after the April polls, returned the APC candidate, Rochas Okorocha, as the duly elected candidate in the election, thus prompting the PDP candidate to challenge the victory at the tribunal.

The tribunal Chairman, Justice David Wyon, after consideration of the arguments by both counsel to PDP and APC, held that the petition

by Ihedioha was filed out of time, and therefore struck out the petition for being time barred.

The Okorocha’s Counsel, Akintola Adeniyi (SAN), had in a motion challenged that the petition was filed out of time.

Adeniyi had argued that the petitioner failed to pay his necessary fees on the day he approached the tribunal, which amounted to making the petition time barred.

He said the petition was filed on June 23, while the fees were paid after the stipulated time.

Adeniyi submitted that since the filing was out of time and the fees paid after stipulated time, the panel

had no right to hear the petition.

He, therefore, urged the panel to strike out the petition based on the issues he had raised before the panel.

The counsel to the petitioner, Mike Ahamba (SAN), argued that the petition was not out of time and that the fees were paid as at when due.

Ahamba urged the panel to disregard the motion challenging the petition, adding that the respondent’s counsel was only trying to buy time.

resident of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki has expressed sadness over the demise of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Aminu Saleh.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Sanni Onogu in Abuja, Saraki described late Saleh as an exemplary public officer who contributed immensely to the growth and development of the country.

He said: “Late Saleh was one public officer who was very diligent and patriotic in the discharge of his duties to the fatherland.”

He commiserated with the Government, immediate family and people of Bauchi State, and prayed the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest.

South Africa based PDP chieftain sues for peace in Anambra

S

outh Africa- based PDP chieftain, Chief Frank Anagu, on Wednesday called on the people of Anambra to settle the rift between the former governor, Peter Obi, and his successor, Willie Obiano.

Anagu, a businessman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg that there was no need for the rift between the former governor and the incumbent governor.

He said that prominent Anambra indigenes should could call for a reconciliatory meeting to settle the disagreements between the two politicians.

“As an Anambra indigene, I am not comfortable with the rift between the former governor, Peter Obi, and his successor, Willie Obiano.

“The rift needs to be settled because the people are feeling the effect. It is therefore, imperative that this problem should be settled.

“This misunderstanding between the two gentlemen is dividing the state the more daily,`` he said.

Anagu, however, commended Obiano for the developmental initiatives of his administration.

He said the new Millennium City embarked on by the state government was a step in the right direction.

“The Millennium City project is commendable because it will create employment and wealth as well as great opportunities for the people,`` he said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Politics

How Nigerlites will remember former Gov Aliyu Analysis From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

T

he immediate past governor of Niger State, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, who was first sworn into office on 29th May, 2007, has finally left the mantle of power having exhausted the two tenures provided by the constitution.

It remains however for the people to now reflect back on his eight years stewardship under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Many are of the believe that former governor Aliyu rode into power without the consent of any godfather but left as one through the alleged imposition of candidate of his choice for the PDP during the last guber election in the person of Alhaji Umar Mohammed Nasko, which pundits say led to the disastrous performance by the once united, strong PDP now in disarray.

Recall that when governor Aliyu came onboard, the PDP had three senators from the senatorial zones of the state, six House of Representatives as against three from opposition parties, as well as fourteen state assembly members, leaving 11 for the opposition political parties.

However, the guber seat has been taken away by the erstwhile opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), with the PDP losing almost the entire elective positions in the state except for two state assembly seats.

Most significantly, Aliyu will be remembered for the manner in which people of the state bid farewell to him after 8 years holding the reins of power, particularly as it unfolded at the Bako Kontagora stadium venue of inauguration, when the large crowd that turned up to witness his handing over, booed Aliyu as he took his exit from the Minna Government House.

Shouts of “Barawo”, “thief”, “ole” rented the air when the former governor mounted the podium to greet the mammoth crowd who were present at the venue of the inauguration.

Obviously disappointed by the level of debt Aliyu incurred for the incoming government which was alleged to be to tune of about N56 billion coupled with the perceived non performance as well as the mountain of unfulfilled promises, Nigerlites were left with no option than to chant, “Change has come!”

The newly elected Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has asked top functionaries of the previous

administration to return back to the government some of the money they misappropriated.

This was contained in a statement by his chief press secretary, Dr. Ibraheem Dooba issued in Minna, where the governor told the officials in the past government to return a whooping N2.9 billion.

“They took this loan on the eve of their departure. And as was customary with that administration, they did nothing with the money,” Dooba alleged.

“You can’t collect a loan on behalf of the people and share it among yourselves. That’s literally what they did. They simply raised a list and allocated money to those on the list.

“The office of the SSG for example, was given 600 million naira. What he would do with the money, the records did not say. Well, we want our money back.

However, former Secretary to the Niger State Government, Hon. Saidu Ndako Idris Kpaki has described report in the media that the past administration secured N2.9 billion loan and his office received N600 million on the eve of it departure as untrue, baseless and a figment of the imagination of its author.

This was also contained in a statement signed by his Media Assistant, Musa Umar Bologi saying that the past administration neither approached any financial institution for loan nor secured any at the last minute has alleged by the present administration.

Kpaki wondered how the new government didn’t know of a federal government circular which placed embargo on granting of loans to states, emphasizing that Governor Abubakar Sanni Bello’s spokesman must have made the allegation out of ignorance.

The former scribe said the fact that the APC government is not able to produce the list of the purported beneficiaries of the loan goes to show that the government was only out to blackmail the immediate past administration.

On the allegation of N600 million given to the SSG’s office, Kapki said there was no way such money could be given to his office at that time when the state was battling to pay workers’ salaries.

Although there were large number of security men present, the aggrieved crowd mostly youths kept booing Aliyu chanting “Barawo” (Thief) while hailing the Governor-elect then, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello shouting “Sai Lolo” who they expected to usher in the positive change.

Former Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu The police had to use teargas to dispatch people when the crowd became uncontrollable while some shot in the air to protect Aliyu from been attacked by the angry youths as he was leaving the venue of the inauguration.

Security agents were forced to provide cover for the outgoing governor when stones, bottle and shoes started flying on air toward his direction that prompted many observers to quit the venue even before the end of the event for fear of being victims.

Governor Abu Lolo had to follow Aliyu to his residence at Tunga to ensure he got home with his wife safely without been

lynched by the angry youths who were stationed in various streets of Minna in strategic points brandishing catapults ready to use it on the former governor.

Still, many said former governor Aliyu will be remembered for relocating the Minna Central Market to the new structure built by his predecessor (Kure).

He will equally be remembered for consistently paying civil servants salaries in which his predecessors did same during their tenures.

Also governor Aliyu will be remembered for banning of commercial motorcycle riders which has in no small measure reduced to the minimal accidents

“

Many said the Chief Servant is a visionary leader whose ideas couldn’t see the light of the day, whose administration is consistently known for various project reviews in the name of improved standard and quality but which allegedly ended up in the pockets of few

on the township roads which should be sustained by the APC government in the state.

But offenders who were arrested and their motor cycles seized which were later auctioned to an individual businessman from the southern part of the country at the sum of alleged over N50 million was not accounted for as many of them told our reporter that they will never forgive the case still ongoing at a High Curt in Minna.

Political observers said governor Aliyu brought the PDP to the old dark days of ridicule and turned the party into a laughing stock after eight years of leading the state as number one citizen, a technocrat who feel he knows everything and who has led Northern State Governors Forum throughout as well as leader of G-7, who refused to defect with his progressive governors because of fear of federal might that has finally collapsed.

The revelations made by former governor Rabiu Musa Kwonkwoso of Kano State said it all about the two G7 governors and their result at polls, they led the group of G7 but with the fear of almighty EFCC and ICPC belonging to federal might, they couldn’t break away with the progressive hero’s like the Rochas, Ameachi, Kwankwoso, DanKwambo’s. He will be remembered for the roles he played and subsequent failure of his party at the polls.

He shall be remembered for building many houses at the state capital Minna and the three major towns of Suleja, Bida and Kontagora in which many have been occupied but sold at exorbitant prices to the people.

The former governor will also be remembered for his inability to complete the 5-star hotel opposite Government House Minna, for abandoning the Minna City Centre, the three arms zone and 10 kilometres roads of 25 LGA’s several months before elections that abruptly ended his political career in the state.

Many said the Chief Servant is a visionary leader whose ideas couldn’t see the light of the day, whose administration is consistently known for various project reviews in the name of improved standard and quality but which allegedly ended up in the pockets of few.

Senator David Umaru has variouly described Aliyu’s administration in the state as “the worse in the history of the state creation in 1976, it has been characterized by ineptitude, corruption, incompetence and misappropriation of public funds and very high level of impunity, his government is deceitful and eloquently clueless.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Dogara laments trade imbalance between Nigeria, Germany

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has lamented the lopsided trade relations between Nigeria and Germany.

Speaking when he received in audience the German Ambassador to Nigeria in his

office on yesterday, dogara, said German business men should come and establish manufacturing industry in Nigeria.

The Speaker told the German envoy to invite the business class to make them see the vast opportunities of investment in Nigeria.

Dogara also challenged the international community to help rebuild the violence ravaged North East region.

He said Nigeria deserved much more help especially from West in the fight againts Boko Haram insurgents having sacrificed and contributed alot in peace keeping across the

world.

“In the peace keeping role of Nigeria in Africa has been unprecedented and hence she has earned the right to be supported in her time of need, and anything short is a scar on the conscience of any fair thinking ally.”

He also assured that Nigeria will honour all treaties enetered

into by previous governments so long as they are in the best interest of Nigerians.

Speaking earlier, the German Ambassador Mr. Michael Zenner,Stressed the importance of the bilateral relations between Germany and Nigeria especially in the fight against extremists and economic development.

R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari, and World Bank President, Mr. Jim Yong-Kim, during their meeting, on Tuesday at the Blair House, in Washington DC, United States of America.

Petroleum marketers threaten to shutdown filling stations From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

I

ndependent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has threatened that if harassment and intimidation of their National leadership didn’t stop they will order for total shutdown of all filling stations in the country.

The group alleged that some individuals have been harassing

and intimidating its National President, Mr Lawson Obasi and 3 others over vandalization of its National Secretariat which they said was not true.

The group said it would strongly oppose any witch-hunting and blackmail of their leaders by any individual in the country.

Public Relations Secretary of the group, Alhaji Sani Yusha’u Sal-Sabil disclosed this at a news briefing on their position

on the current Prosecution of its substantive President and 3 others. “ We are using this medium to call the attention of government and general public to that fact that it goes contrary to natural reasoning for a National President to vandalize his own secretariat of which he has total dominion over. “ The said break-in, theft and vandalization cannot be said to be true when the secretariat is their

official place of work and they can access it at their convenience,” he said.

The group threw their support behind Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to sanitize government and other agencies in the country.

The group also said it support effort by government in thwarting any criminal tendencies in government.

“ We are sincerely in support of federal government’s effort of trying to bring sanity to the governance and administration of not only government affairs but all facets of our collective endeavors,” he said.

They called on their members to cooperate with any agency or institution of this government in their investigations and trials in order to achieve a healthy and prosperous society.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Business Analysis Okonjo-Iweala vs Oshiomhole: In need of professional accountants?

By Etuka Sunday

T

he current verbal altercation between the former Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole over $1billion misappropriation is one that needs the services of professional accountants within and outside the country to reconcile.

The reconciliation is necessary to douse the bristling fire between these two Nigerians who have served and are still serving the country in various capacities. Again, the reconciliation will put an end to this current display of professional prowess, leading to public shame before the mass of Nigerians.

It’s certain, that once the blame game continues unresolved, the alleged amount will remain unaccounted for. To avoid such in this critical time that the economy of the country is in a bleeding state, greater attention should be given to how the account of the country would be properly reconciled and the truth brought to public domain.

Edo State Governor, Adams Shiomhole accused the former Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala of misappropriating a sum of $1 billion from the Federation Account.

Oshiomhole alleged that the said amount of money was illegally withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to fund the March 28 reelection bid of former President Goodluck Jonathan-an allegation that was vehemently denied by OkonjoIweala.

The Governor who spoke at a seminar in Benin City, the Edo State Capital, challenged Okonjo-Iweala to publicly elucidate how the Excess Crude Account was reduced to $4.1 billion from the recorded $10 billion since there was no approval by the National Economic Council (NEC) for any withdrawals.

He faulted the inconsistencies in Okonjo-Iweala’s statements on the issue and advised that a forensic audit be conducted to truly determine how much was illegally spent from the Federation Account under her watch as Minister of Finance.

Nevertheless, most public analysts described him as

someone suffering from numerical diarrhea and memory loss since he has not come up with concrete evidence to back-up his claims. Others are criticizing him for assuming the position of the information minister, while neglecting the huge developmental challenges facing his state.

Whether the Comrade Governor is right or wrong will be determined at the end of the recommended forensic audit. That is the only way to settle the dust that was raised by him. Although diminutive, Oshiomhole is an astute leader who is full of confidence and always ready to challenge anybody to public scrutiny.

Although that is not to speak in his defense since anybody could be wrong.

However, there may be some element of truth in this whole faceoff.

Consequently, finding solution around the issue would not only clear the air but would also help straighten the financial record of the country.

Expectedly, the former minister of finance is not resting on the issue as she recently faulted the claims by the Edo State Governor that she spent billions from ECA as lacking credibility.

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in a statement on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, accused Adams of repeatedly trying to damage her reputation within the last few months by seeking explanation to how monies related to the ECA were spent.

According to the former minister, Governor Oshiomhole’s publications contain falsehoods which include statements that the she and state commissioners approved the spending of 2.1 billion dollars out of the ECA, adding that the commissioners had disowned the statement.

She said that her ministry

Adams-Oshiomhole

regularly published details of revenue allocations from the ECA in national media, so Governor Oshiomhole’s calculations are mere political numbers conjured to achieve a political purpose.

Commenting on Oshiomhole’s latest statement, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said that an impression is being created that the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), which involves the federal government and the 36 states is a personal monopoly of Dr. OkonjoIweala, she said, “FAAC is a long standing national platform for allocating revenues chaired by the Minister of state for Finance and the governors insistence on pushing this fictional narrati ve underscores his desperation.”

Nevertheless, Oshiomhole told the former minister that no amount of blackmail would exonerate her of the allegations leveled against her.

The governor was quoted to

“

Okonjo-Iweala

have made the comments in a statement released on Thursday, July 16, 2015.

According to the statement, Oshiomhole said, “It is instructive at this point in time to state categorically without equivocation that there is nothing “personal” between Okonjo-Iweala and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in terms of the request by the Edo Governor that Okonjo-Iweala should come clean on the issue of revenue that accrued to the Excess Crude Account.”

“As much as her Spokesman tries to dramatize his response in defence of his boss, he has shown a manifest uninformed disposition to issues of simple economics of naira and kobo.” what happened to the $2.1b ECA funds?”

“How come the Minister unilaterally dipped her hand into the Excess Crude Account to spend money in

Here is a former Minister who has changed her position four times in the last forty days; each position exposing her dubiety of facts and inherent contradictions in the concocted tales she has been weaving on one simple issue:

defiance of the constitution and the laws of the land?”

Meanwhile, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, in Edo State, Sani Usman in a swift reaction told the Comrade Governor to stop finding fault with the activities of the former Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

According to him, his comments against the former minister were unbecoming of a Chief Executive of a state.

He said, “If Governor Oshiomhole admitted to have a vast knowledge and workings of government, he should know that the erstwhile Finance Minister cannot withdraw any money without due approval by the National Economic Council.”

“The Okonjo-Iweala that we all know is a renowned economist who through hard work and diligence rose to the pinnacle of her career in the World Bank.”

“It was in deference to the call by well-meaning Nigerians that she jettisoned her prime job to serve her fatherland. To in turn compensate her in this form is to say the least unjust and uncharitable.”

However, it’s unfortunate that politics has entered, consequently, has diverted the attention of Nigerians to properly follow the issue to a successful end. But as a serious government in power, there are high hopes that proper investigation would be carried out and professional accountants used to settle the dust once and for all.

Page 21

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Business USTDA partners with Nigerian renewable energy company on solar power project

T

he U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has provided a grant to Quaint Global Energy Solutions for a solar power project it is developing in northern Nigeria, a statement said.

The statement was issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the U.S. embassy to Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday.

It said the USTDA Director Mr Leocadia I. Zak, signed the grant agreement with Quaint’s President, Mr Mobolaji Durodola, during President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the U.S. “This project is a great example of how the U.S. and Nigeria are working together to increase electricity access under President Obama’s Power Africa initiative.

“By working together on projects like this one, we can ensure that more Nigerians have access to renewable energy,” the statement quoted the USTDA director as saying.

It also quoted Durodola as saying that “USTDA’s support was a step in the right direction for the development of much-needed clean and renewable energy capacity for Nigeria and subSaharan Africa.

“Quaint is happy to receive this

grant and is committed to adding value, talent and energy into the Nigerian power sector,” Durodola said.

It explained that Quaint was a Nigerian company, specifically organised to develop renewable power projects. ``They are working with a U.S. energy project developer, Tetra Tech ES, Inc. (Pasadena, California), on a feasibility study to determine the best technical configurations for the project.

``This effort will bring 50 megawatts of much-needed clean, affordable energy to Kaduna State.

It also has the potential to leverage over 160 million dollars in public and private capital,” it stated.

The statement added that the USTDA-sponsored feasibility study would include the development of initial costing for the project’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC).

It added that it would include the preparation of an operations

and maintenance scope and budget.

According to the statement, Tetra Tech will provide training for Quaint employees to support the company’s capacity to develop and operate the project.

It stated that USTDA’s partnership with Quaint supported the goals of Power Africa, a U.S. government-led initiative to increase electricity access across sub-Saharan Africa.

(NAN)

Why NNPC, PPMC revoked lifting licenses of 3 oil marketers

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its mid-stream subsidiary, the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), on Tuesday revoked lifting licenses of 3 oil marketers over products diversion.

NNPC said the action was necessary in a bid to sanitize the fuel distribution and supply system and eliminate the queues at filling stations across some cities in Nigeria.

The Corporation threatened to henceforth revoke the Bulk Purchase Agreement of any oil marketer found to be involved in products diversion.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Ohi Alegbe.

The warning was issued in the face of persistent tightness of supply being experienced in the country despite huge load-outs from PPMC Depots by both major and independent marketers, a situation that has been traced to diversion.

Meanwhile, PPMC has revoked the lifting license (Bulk Purchase Agreement) of three independent marketers for engaging in products diversion and sundry infractions.

The affected marketers are Funo Alfa, Organizer West Africa, and Rich Oil. The sanction is with immediate effect.

It warned marketers to desist from products diversion, hoarding, and any other form of sharp practices as it would not hesitate to wield the big stick against any marketer found wanting, adding that it is closely monitoring the market and that the withdrawal of lifting licenses of erring marketers is a continuous exercise.

Lagos state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (4th right), Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello (2nd right), Managing Director, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria, Mr. Boyi Ibrahim (3rd right), Chairman, Executive Group, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan (3rd left), Executive Director, Finance, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria, Mr. Alli Jumad (4th left), MD/CEO, Infinity Group, Mr. Johnson Sehinde (5th left), Head of Sales, Auto Nation, Mrs. Cladius Ojinmah (5th right), Showroom Manager, Auto Nation, Mr. Mishra Navendu (right), Director, Transportation Engineering Department, Lagos state Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Frederick Olofin (left), and his Finance & Administration counterpart, Ministry of Transportation, Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo(2nd left), during the visit by representatives of Peugeot Automobile Nigeria to the governor, yesterday in Lagos.

CCECC construction workers protest sack, poor wage

W

orkers at the China Civil Engineering C o n s t r u c t i o n Corporation (CCECC) on Wednesday continued their protest over what they said was unlawful sack and poor wage by the management of the company.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 100 workers barricaded the Iganmu office of the company in Lagos to protest their sack by the CCECC management.

Some of the workers who spoke to NAN at the office located inside the national Theatre Complex said they were disenchanted with the manner which the management disengaged them.

Mr Simon Uje, one of the workers said that they were aggrieved because they were sacked without notice by the company handling the Lagos State Government rail project. ``We came to work on Monday and today we resumed for duty only to be told that our services are no longer needed. ``A worker will resume and

work by 8 a.m. and close at 12 p.m. and the person will be sacked without pay and no prior information. This is sad,’’ Uje said.

Another worker, Mr Rufus Adebayo said that they worked every day for a month without an off day and received between N30,000 and N35,000. ``The workers have no free day. Some of us have worked with the company for four to five years but there is no condition of service and no letter of appointment,’’ Adebayo said.

Another, Mr Bello Yusuf, said that the workers do not have basic welfare package such as a health scheme to protect them because of the hazards of the job.

Yusuf said that monthly, N600 was being deducted from their salary as union due, but the workers’ rights are not well represented.

He appealed to the CCECC management to properly remunerate and provide better work environment for them.

However, an official, who did not disclose his name before

he was hurriedly invited to a management meeting told NAN that the company was not owing the workers.

The source said the management had the right to sack workers and re-employ them on contract as was applicable globally.

Mr Babatunde Liadi, General Secretary, National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers, told NAN that they had not been informed of the crisis in the company.

Liadi gave an assurance that officials from the state council of the union would visit the CCECC office to intervene in the matter.

NAN learnt that the Lagos State Chairman of the construction workers union, who was simply identified as Mr Joshua, was already having a dialogue with the management of the company.

NAN recalls that in 2012, the workers also protested over poor pay, sack and poor conditions of service.

In 2013, there was another

protest when one of the workers had his hand chopped off while working with a machine on one of the bridges.

Meanwhile, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), owner of the rail project, has said it only awarded contracts to the company and monitors the progress of the job.

LAMATA’s External Relations Specialist, Mr Kolawole Ojelabi, told NAN that the agency was not involved in the payment of the labourers’ wages or oversees their employment. ``We have given the job to the Chinese company; if there is any issue between the workers and the company, I think its management should resolve it with them.

“Except if there is any damage on the infrastructure by any worker, then LAMATA can come in. ``We give them job and we pay them, labour laws do not stipulate that if you give somebody a contract, you are to pay his or her staff,’’ Ojelabi said.

Page 22

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Business Microsoft Apple gives weak forecast, shares fall nearly 7% posts record pple Inc (AAPL.O) shares 40 stores there over the next 12 iPhone and the Chinese market’s launched are already 10 months growing importance to the old. slumped nearly 7 percent months. loss as it writes Apple had a troubled day, Without disclosing specific company. in after-hours trading “Where are you going to with its App Store, Apple Music, as its fourth-quarter revenue figures, Maestri said sales of the down Nokia forecast fell short of estimates Apple Watch beat the company’s find growth in the world?” he iTunes Store and some other

A

M

icrosoft Corp (MSFT.O) reported a $3.2 billion quarterly net loss, its biggest ever, as the company wrote down its Nokia phone business and demand fell for its Windows operating system.

The company took a charge of $7.5 billion in the fourth quarter related to the restructuring of its Nokia handset business, which it bought last year. (http://bit. ly/1Ovkhp3) Microsoft’s shares fell 4 percent to $45.38 in extended trading on Tuesday.

Under Chief Executive Satya Nadella, the company has been shifting its focus to software and cloud services as demand for its once-popular Windows operating system slows.

Sales of Windows to computer manufacturers to install on new PCs fell 22 percent in the quarter.

The company is scheduled to roll out Windows 10 on July 29, a much-awaited launch after a lackluster response to Windows 8.

Microsoft wants to generate revenue by building search and gaming into the Windows 10 interface, Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood said in April.

Bing, the company’s online search engine, will be profitable in the year ending June 2016, Hood said on Tuesday.

Sales of Windows to businesses fell 21 percent from the year-earlier quarter, when demand for the operating system had surged after Microsoft discontinued support for Windows XP. Revenue from Microsoft’s commercial cloud business, which includes offerings such as Office 365 and Azure, rose 96 percent, excluding the impact of a strong dollar.

Microsoft said it added 3 million subscribers for Office 365 in the quarter, taking the total number of subscribers for the product to 15.2 million at the end of June.

The company said this month that it would cut 7,800 jobs, or nearly 7 percent of its workforce, mainly in the phone hardware business.

Microsoft reported a net loss of 40 cents per share for the quarter ended June 30. The company had posted net income of $4.61 billion, or 55 cents per share, a year earlier.

Microsoft also took a charge of $940 million related to job cuts announced this month and last year.

Excluding items, the company earned 62 cents per share.

Revenue fell 5 percent to $22.18 billion. (Reuters)

and it missed some targets for iPhone sales.

The shares dropped to $121 after the company released its results on Tuesday, from $130.75 at the close.

The forecast overshadowed Apple’s strong sales in China, which more than doubled to $13.23 billion from a year earlier.

Apple Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri said in an interview the results in China were “spectacular” during the quarter and noted plans to open

expectations. He noted that in the nine weeks since its launch in late April, the device has sold better than either iPhones or iPads over a similar period after their launch.

Apple said on Tuesday it sold 47.5 million iPhones in the third quarter, up 35 percent from a year ago. But some analysts had expected around 49 million.

Colin Gillis, an analyst for BGC Partners, said the results highlighted the vulnerability of Apple’s dependence on the

said. “You’ve done an amazing job sucking all the smartphone profits into your balance sheet, but smartphone sales are slowing.

What’s going to happen when the industry matures, just like PCs did?”

The company forecast revenue of $49 billion to $51 billion, missing analysts’ average estimate of $51.13 billion according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. The company’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, which shattered iPhone sales records when they were

services suffering disruption for more than three hours before results were released.

The company said net income rose to $10.68 billion, or $1.85 per share, from $7.75 billion, or $1.28 per share, a year earlier.

Analysts had expected earnings of $1.81 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Revenue rose 32.5 percent to $49.61 billion from a year earlier, beating Wall Street’s expectations of $49.43 billion. (Reuters)

L-R: Director of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria, Tope Omage, President/ Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Dr. Nelson Uwaga, and NIM Deputy President, Professor Manzali Jibril, during the NIM Women in Management and Leadership Conference, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Coke’s second-quarter profit, sales beat estimates

C

oca-Cola Coy on Wednesday reported higher-than-expected quarterly earnings and revenue as it raised prices and boosted sales volumes in North America, where it has struggled to grow as consumers ditch soda for healthier options.

Coke has called 2015 a transition year as it tries to cut costs and boost sales of its mainstay carbonated soft drinks.

Global sales volumes of its sodas rose 1 percent in the second quarter, helped by growing demand for Coke Zero, Sprite and Fanta.

Sales volumes of still beverages were up 5 percent,

with increases in ready-todrink tea and packaged water offsetting declines in juice and juice drinks.

For the second straight quarter, sales rose in North America, which accounts for nearly half of the total. Prices there increased 4 percent in the quarter, while volume was up 2 percent.

Coke effectively raised prices by switching to smallersized packaging, and it boosted ad spending for its brands.

Expanded distribution of energy drink maker Monster Beverage Corp’s products (MNST.O) in North America contributed to the increase.

The company bought a stake

in Monster last year as a way to diversify into faster-growing beverage categories.

Coke’s net revenue fell 3 percent to $12.16 billion, but it would have increased 4 percent without the impact of the strong dollar, acquisitions and divestitures. Analysts on average were expecting $12.06 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Net income attributable to shareholders rose nearly 20 percent to $3.11 billion, or 71 cents per share.

The company said it would buy back shares worth up to $2.0 billion to $2.5 billion this year. Earlier, it had earmarked $2 billion to $3 billion.

“We looked at where we were for the first half of the year, and we looked at cash, particularly because of the currency getting worse in the back half and just tightened the range,” Chief Financial Officer Kathy Waller said on a conference call.

Cowen and Co analyst Vivien Azer said in a note that the tighter range seemed “consistent with the share repurchase revision that we saw last October, where the company narrowed their outlook for buybacks.”

Coke’s shares were up 0.7 percent at $41.46 in morning trading. At Tuesday’s close, they had fallen 2.5 percent this year. (Reuters)

PAGE 23

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Stock Watch:

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

PAGE 25

Peoples Daily, Thursday, July 23 , 2015

PAGE 24

Special Report

Where is my daughter? Searching for Kenya’s last Garissa victim

M

r Mutisya is a slight man with a delicate frame but he has an inner strength that only a restless father would acquire.

Nearly four months after the Garissa university attack, he is still searching for his missing daughter.

While most families and parents have managed to lay to rest their sons and daughters killed in the Garissa attack, 23-year-old Risper is yet to be found - dead or alive.

The family mourns the child they are yet to see or bury. Risper’s mother has sleepless nights.

Mr Mutisya has worked tirelessly to find her because, “When I sleep, I see her coming towards me, sometimes she extends her hands towards me, but when I reach out she disappears these dreams haunt me a lot.”

“This will continue until I know the whereabouts of my daughter,” he says.

Since the attack, the 51-year-old maths teacher has been to Nairobi more than seven times, making the sixhour round-trip from Kitui, a town approximately 180km

“

Isaac Mutisya is a Kenyan father on a mission to find his daughter Risper, who’s been missing since the attack on her university in Garissa. She was on the campus on 2 April when militants from the Islamist group al-Shabab attacked, killing 148 people. Her body has never been found.

(110 miles) east of Nairobi, by matatu (minibus). He is searching for answers, asking questions, waiting for any information about his beloved daughter.

He exudes pride when he talks about his daughter, who joined Garissa University in 2013 to study business management.

“Risper grew up a very disciplined girl, she was very good in maths and I must say that she took after me, because I’m a maths teacher.

“She was also very beautiful, and I feel very hurt that I don’t know where she is.

“Risper told me that after her studies in business management, she wanted to become a business consultant, and I’m very sure that, had she finished her course, she would be somebody in Kenya in the future.”

There is a deep sadness, a deep pain, hidden behind this father’s pride - while he talks about his daughter, he looks lovingly at the photographs he’s brought.

Mr Mutisya has documented everything. He carries a suitcase with him, from where he pulls out the many photographs of Risper.

He goes back to his bag again and carefully lifts out sheets of paperwork from a plastic bag, showing us written details of all the documents he has put together.

When he speaks he is determined, but concerned that his interest in finding Risper will not upset the Kenyan government who, he feels, haven’t done enough to help him find the answers he is looking for.

“I don’t believe they are doing their best,” he says.

Morgue workers drive the bodies of suspected Garissa University College attackers

Before Mr Mutisya agreed to this interview, he told us he would like the Kenyan government to respond to his questions. We approached the Ministry of Interior who declined this specific request and instead sent this reply: “Please ask Mutisya to report the matter to the National Police Service where he can get assistance because as far as I know, that matter has not been reported to the police. I have no doubt that reporting to the police will be more helpful to him than media interviews.”

But Mr Mutisya is angry and shakes his head, he pulls out yet another document showing evidence that the matter was reported at the police station in Garissa.

He insists he has also told government officials who visited him at his home about

While most families and parents have managed to lay to rest their sons and daughters killed in the Garissa attack, 23-year-old Risper is yet to be found - dead or alive. The family mourns the child they are yet to see or bury. Risper’s mother has sleepless nights.

Mr Mutisya has worked tirelessly to find her because, “When I sleep, I see her coming towards me, sometimes she extends her hands towards me, but when I reach out she disappears - these dreams haunt me a lot.”

“This will continue until I know the whereabouts of my daughter,” he says.

23-year-old Risper is still missed by his father

the police report. “They have a copy of this,” he says.

A day after the attack, Mr Mutisya heard that there were injured students at the Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, and he made his way to the city. “I was waiting to meet her alive,” he says. But to his disappointment, he did not find Risper there.

He was then asked to go to down to the Chiromo

Will she ever return?

mortuary, also in Nairobi.

Here he joined hundreds of “wailing” parents looking for their children.

The mortuary contained most of the 142 students who were killed in the attack.

Doctors and mortuary workers helped to turn over the already decomposing bodies so they could be identified.

“On the second day, there were about 119 bodies

all on the ground, and it was such a fearful sight. It was very traumatising, very overwhelming,” he says.

Mr Mutisya’s search at the mortuary lasted a week. At one stage he had identified a body “resembling Risper” but his hopes were dashed when another family had marked and identified this as their own child.

During this process, Mr Mutisya claims there was no

proper identification.

“Bodies were just being given to people,” he says.

“Finger-printing or proper identification only took place on 7 April, five days after the attack, when bodies were too decomposed to identify.”

Mr Mutisya thinks that in the days before a more formal process began, a mix-up could have occurred.

The government denies that the identification of

victims was badly handled.

In a statement to the BBC they said “all the victims were properly identified and the government took the extra step of assisting families in burial arrangements, counselling and other posttrauma support.”

There was another glimmer of hope - not long after the initial search, he was told there were three bodies of female victims left at the mortuary, but by the time he got there, two of them had been identified and taken away by their respective families, this time using DNA. Mr Mutisya and his wife

Bereaved father displaying the picture of his daughter

offered saliva swabs with the hope that the last remaining body was that of Risper’s.

Days later they were told the tests were negative.

That body is still believed to be at the mortuary, yet to be identified by the family that might have claimed the wrong one.

Mr Mutisya says he knows it would be a big task for the government to exhume the bodies, but they haven’t told him if they are going to go ahead with this procedure.

“They have kept me in the dark and I am not getting any official communication from the government about what

they are doing to find my daughter - dead or alive,” he says.

Mr Mutisya has been to the Kenyan parliament, where on 16 June he spoke to MPs. He was told that the government had been unable to locate Risper’s body.

“I was told to wait and they said they are trying their best, I am still waiting.”

Mr Mutisya is quiet for a moment and says he hopes this search is not seen negatively by the Kenyan government, but points out that if he had found his daughter he would not be talking about it today.

All he is looking for is closure.

“If I had got my daughter and buried her I would not be talking today - I would be a very settled person - but now, three-and-a-half months on, I’ve never heard from my daughter or seen her.

“Very little is being done to help me get her back - dead or alive.”

The family still grieve for their daughter, their sister, their child.

“Until I find the body of my daughter I will not rest, I will not keep quiet, I will keep on talking and asking - friends, organisations, the government - how I will be able to find my daughter.”

“I am not looking for a goat or a hen - I am looking for a human being.”

Source: BBC

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Mother Earth

Vandals, community members clogging our efforts to clean environs’, shell cries out

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna with Agency report

S

hell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) said the delays being experienced

in the cleaning of oil spill response at its Adibawa oil fields in Edagberi Community in River state is regrettable.

A statement signed by the SPDC spokesman Mr. Joseph Obari, said the leakage at

Adibawa-well-8 in the Eastern Niger Delta, was attributed to the activities of vandals, It also alleged that members of its host community were thwarting the efforts of the oil firm to contain the leakage and remediate the

polluted environment.

Lamenting that SPDC received reports of the incident on July 12 and took containment measures, including the construction of dykes, pits and the deployment of booms to prevent further impact

Federal Fire Service saves N26.4bn property in 6 months in Lagos

M

The statement quoted that “The leadership of the Edagbiri Betterland Community prevented the representatives of industry regulatory agencies, the Rivers Ministry of Environment and SPDC from accessing the site for containment and crude oil recovery operations.

“Without the JIV, SPDC cannot carry out needed repairs or proceed to clean up and remediate the site” SPDC stated that it was concerned that leaving the contained crude in the environment, created avoidable danger of fire and seepage further into the ground”, Obari added.

It also stated the SPDC’s General Manager, External Relations, Mr Igo Weli, said it was a timely access to the spill site was fundamental to an effective spill response.

“The quicker we can recover the exposed crude oil, the safer for the community and all other stakeholders”.

The Traditional Ruler of Edagberi Community, Chief Sunny Ubele, emphasized the allegation that the community denied SPDC access was false.

Ubele said the community cooperated with officials of the oil firm but expressed reservations when Shell officials attempted to manipulate the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) procedure.

Bali airport shuts down as volcanic activity increases

Volcano eruption in Indonesiaa

r Theophilus Aderemi, the Commanding Officer, Federal Fire Service, Lagos, on Wednesday said the service saved properties estimated at about N26.4 billion within the first six months of this year.

Aderemi, who made the disclosure in Lagos at a news conference on the activities and challenges of the service, said that about N10.7 billion was lost within the same period.

He said the estimated figures were based on information supplied by property owners, who either had their property saved or lost to fire incidents in different parts of the state.

Aderemi said the service

on the environment.

The leakage was stopped on July 15 but attempts to conduct the statutory Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) on July 16 and July 17 to determine the cause and extent of the leakage was unsuccessful.

responded to 106 fire incidents, while three lives were lost during the period.

The commanding officer, who expressed sadness and worry over the state of their facilities, noted that the service only maintained one fire truck in the 15 fire stations it operated.

Aderemi said the lack of equipment had hampered their operations, and appealed to the federal and state governments as well as corporate organisations for urgent assistance.

“I have personally attended to some fire incidents at the Naval Base, Kotangora House and FESTAC Town among others.

“And we discovered that we have to declare a state of

emergency in Federal Fire Service due to challenges which are enormous.

“We are handicapped as virtually all the fire trucks, salvage tenders, ambulances and communication gadgets are over 30 years old without replacement.

“They are all obsolete. The lack of equipment has equally exposed my men to frequent attack by the public during emergencies,’’ he said.

“Hoodlums had many times vandalised our rickety trucks due to slow response.

“I, therefore, appeal to Mr President and Commander in Chief, Vice President, the Controller General of Federal Fire Service, Corporate organisations

and philanthropists to save the service from going moribund,’’ Aderemi said.

The fire service boss said there was an urgent need to have a fire station in each of the council’s areas, noting that this would save more lives and property as the state moves into a mega-city.

He also appealed to members of the public to stop attacking men and facilities of the fire service, adding that they had well trained men for firefighting but lacked equipment to work with.

Aderemi commended the state fire service, Nigerian Ports Authority, UBA, Union Bank, Julius Berger and others for their efforts in saving lives and property in Lagos. (NAN)

I

ndonesia’s aviation authority on Wednesday announced the closure of the airport on the resort island of Bali again after increased volcanic activity of Mount Raung in the neighboring province of East Java.

Airport Operator, Angkasa Pura, said the airport was expected to remain closed up until at least 6 a.m. on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, said it had cancelled all flights to and from Bali and two other smaller East Java towns of Jember and Banyuwangi.

The most recent airport closures come as holidaymakers return to big cities in the country after spending the week-long Eid holiday in their hometowns.

Mount Raung has been erupting since June, prompting the periodic closure of several airports in Bali and East Java to avoid the risk volcanic ash poses to aircraft. (dpa/NAN)

P A G E

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Mother Earth

Still on the cactus opuntia

I

n 2013, there was an unprecedented case of the trial and sentencing of six scientists to jail over the L’Aquila earthquake of 2009 in Italy, with the global scientists’ community watching in disbelieve.

They were jailed simply for not been able to predict the 2009 deadly earthquake that killed 309 people before it occurred.

But world leading scientists said it was unheard of, claiming that till date, there is no instrument to predict major earthquakes before they occurred. So, why were theseismologists and geological experts convicted, if that is true?

I must say that the onus of this case was not lost on the people of Italy. The reason would have been to ensure that in the nearest future, people entrusted with public responsibilities should be thorough in their assigned duties, especially, when it concerns the people and the environment.

If it were in Nigeria, the trial and sentencing of these imminent scientists would have been given different interpretations. Some people would have called it political persecution, either for not supporting the government in power, or for other superfluous reasons. But this happened in Italy, a very prominent and a democratic country in Europe.

My preamble here is about the issue of Cactus Opuntia plantation being established in some northern states to fight desertification that has become an all time fraud.

If it were in China, by now many heads would have been chopped off over this monumental fraud.

But this is Nigeria; those involved are still prowling the streets with exotic cars; building houses in choice areas of the country.

If it were in other developed countries, panel of enquiries would have been set up to investigate this matter, not caring whose ox is gored. But this is Nigeria, anything goes.

It is quite obvious that officials of the Ministry of Environment and the Ecological Fund Office are aware of this, but choose to look the other way, while millions of Nigerians who live in that harsh environment have continued to be suffering from the monumental impacts of desertification and other ecological problems.

And who knows how many people would have died and livestock perished in the process; which would have also created internally displaced persons.

And we do know that the Sahel and the Sudan savannah regions of Nigeria are characterized by a hostile environment of erratic rainfall, high temperatures, low humidity, abnormally low precipitation, all culminating into a poor and degraded environment devoid of productive forests.

Some notable foresters have been palpably angry that the proponents of the establishment of Cactus Opuntia plantation program did not have the benefit of taking a basic course in forestry sciences. If they did, they simply choose to ignore the advice of

experts and foresters, and went ahead with the program, obviously for pecuniary reasons.

Some prominent foresters have called for the investigation of the case of the Cactus opuntia as a species to check desert encroachment. They claim that for a species to be qualified or considered for checking desert encroachment, the said species must have three basic attributes.

First, the species must have dense foliage to act as wind break thereby protecting the arable lands. The foliage does not only protect the top soil from the Northeast hostile wind, but also ensures that the heavily force of rain drops are physically broken prior to hitting the soil. This cushioning effect of rain drops protects the soil against water erosion to which arid lands are very vulnerable. The plant species in question, Cactus opuntia does not meet this natural silvicultural requirement.

The second requirement is that the species should possess the natural attributes of allowing undergrowth vegetation imperative for checking both water and wind erosion. Scientific research on Cactus opuntia reveals that the species is negatively allelopathic, secreting poisonous exudates that discourage the growth of lower vegetations around the plant. This unwanted attribute definitely disqualifies Cactus Opuntia as a choice species for checking desert encroachment.

The third attribute to be scientifically and silviculturally considered here is the root

Cactus opuntia

structure of a species for obstructing desertification. The tap root must be deeply rooted at least one-half the height of the tree to resist high wind velocity and also to tap water from lower aquifers.

The horizontal spread of the root must also be considered, this attractive necessary to hold the soil texture firmly for the protection of the soil against erosion of all types. This cactus opuntia is totally devoid of this natural and important attribute for checking desert environment.

Against this advice, in 2010, the Federal Ministry of Environment placed advertisement in several national newspapers for qualified contractors to apply and bid for the establishment of cactus plantations in northern states.

At the end of the day, powerful politicians, qualified or not were the beneficiaries. Some of them brought in Lebanese to help them run the project.

The contracts running to billions of Naira were to be completed within six months, but till today, most of the contracts have either been abandoned or haphazardly done.

From all indications, the only notable work done by the contractors was the importation of miserable and implantable cactus plants, dumped and rotten away at different locations, while officials of the federal ministry of environment looked the other way.

It is quite unfortunate that officials of the Ministry of Environment and the Ecological

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

“

It is quite obvious that officials of the Ministry of Environment and the Ecological Fund Office are aware of this, but choose to look the other way, while millions of Nigerians who live in that harsh environment have continued to be suffering from the monumental impacts of desertification and other ecological problems.

Fund Office had not deemed it fit to carry out an inspection of the sites and the plants to ensure compliance.

The federal government must not fail to investigate this matter, knowing it’s proclaimed zero tolerance for corruption?

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Feature

Page 29

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

From pulpit to IDPs camp: A pastor’s heart of human kindness

P

astor Yakubu Samaila Bauchi of the Alpha and Omega Fire Ministry International, Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi state is known for his expansive philanthropic endeavors. His heart of milk of human kindness has even transcended beyond his pulpit and even extended to those in the other religion.

Recently, he shocked congregations at his ministry when it was revealed that he has taken up the responsibility in sponsoring 30 pupils from primary to secondary schools and five others already studying law in the higher institution.

According to the man of God, “I was raised from a family that I don’t have the opportunity or privilege to attend higher institution with my peers , I struggled to attain the level of education I have know, so I will not like to see those children coming up to have same experience.

“I want to see children become the future leaders. Without the required education how can you become the leader? That is why I took it open myself to see that anytime I have the resources I will continue to sponsor the less privileged to school. This should be a continue process because education is the bedrock of any type of development and achievement” Pastor Yakubu said.

He noted that most of the children and the beneficiaries came from the less privileged families while some are orphans and children from the internally displaced persons.

According to Yakubu, the reward of raising up such young people to become leaders of tomorrow in every field of expertise is immeasurable in monetary or material terms.

“What you do for others, God will do for you. You are raised to raise others” he maintained.

Pastor Yakubu exhorted the crowd, counseling them to consider the future of their own children and what they were doing with their lives.

He informed the gathering that plans have reached an advanced stage for the ministry to establish primary/Nursery boarding school to cater for less privileged, while indigent women are to enjoy free empowerment programmes explaining that God has raised him to rescue Tafawa-Balewa community that has excessively bedevil by security challenges.

Pastor Yakubu Samaila had told newsmen in Tafawa-Balewa, the birth place of the first and only Prime Minister of Nigeria, the late Sir, Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa where the Ministry is located that, his decision to become pastor was masterminded by a spiritual calling from God even as he tried to dodge after repeated visions, but finally accepted the call in

Women IDPs in their good faith and hence commenced the ministry in Jos, later relocated to Tafawa-Balewa LGA of Bauchi state determined to impacted positively to people of the area ravaged by poverty, intimidation as well as needed God blessings in the wake of recurrent security challenges.

Yakubu had express satisfaction that, barely two years in operation, Alpha and Omega fire Ministries had spiritually and positively impacted in the Christian life not limited from Nigeria, but, from Ghana, Cameroon and other countries through healing and deliverance from all kinds of diseases and did not intent to blow his trumpets unlike what is obtainable through some medium of communication where some churches and ministries exhibit, saying he believe God can blow the trumpets on his behalf.

The philanthropic Pastor had added that his secret of success come from divine act of God and purposefulness especially to have decided to involve indigent women, children and victims of insurgency including those ravaged by poverty and security challenges in the area as beneficiaries that brought to the idea of distributing to the needy food items and household products to women.

The distribution exercise was carried out in a grand style occasion and attracted Christian clerics, personalities and the beneficiaries from all walks of life thereby forcing activities in Tafawa-Balewa to stand still as people troop to see things for themselves with women and children sitting with rapt

attention apparently to feed their eyes at the historic gathering.

The food items distributed to victims of the insurgency, Pastor Yakubu stressed is amounting to over N1 million ranging from bags of maize, rice birth kits including other household materials determined to cushion the effect of poverty among the needy saying as a man of God, there is no how, the people will listen where poverty is the order of the day as God himself, gave to the needy while preaching the gospel and this is done to demonstrate the will of God. “My God directed me through the spirit to come to the aid of victims of the insurgency, deliver and heal those with spiritual bondage as well as to put smile on the faces of those women that have not enjoyed the fruits of their womb since marriage and those that are in dear need of God’s presence in their life” said Pastor

“

Yakubu.

The Pastor had reiterated that, if a person is not a cheerful giver, he will not witness God’s blessings regretting that those linking his gestures to blood money are ignorant of God abundant blessing and miracles desperate to save life through Alpha and Omega fire Ministries which had recently stood out to be an outfit to positively impact spiritually to the community at large and urges Christians not to relent in their efforts to embrace the love of God in their dealings.

The Guest speaker, Bishop (Dr) Charles Yohanna, General over-seer Faith Revival Ministry, Bauchi had said, God had raised Yakubu Samaila as a turning point to Tafawa-Balewa in solution to their political, ethnic and economic domination, yet the development has resulted to the elections of one of its son Hon. Barrsiter Yakubu Dogara as the

number four citizen in Nigeria in spite of old odds.

The Ministry, he added is a means to rescue the people who had suffered various intimidation, harassment and persecution in stand for Christ as their personal saviour and today we are witnessing a historic occasion where victims of insurgency including those delivered from their spiritual bondage are to enjoy a gesture from the Ministry apparently to cushion the effect of poverty among them.

Hundred of victims of insurgency benefited from the distribution of the food items.

However, one of the beneficiaries Shalom Haruna had on behalf of the beneficiaries expressed satisfaction for the gesture and charged government and politicians to copy from the Ministry’s effort for the yearning and aspirations of people enveloped by abject poverty.

The Ministry, he added is a means to rescue the people who had suffered various intimidation, harassment and persecution in stand for Christ as their personal saviour and today we are witnessing a historic occasion where victims of insurgency including those delivered from their spiritual bondage are to enjoy a gesture from the Ministry apparently to cushion the effect of poverty among them.

Feature

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Page 30

Africa: Where black is not really beautiful

A

recent study by the University of Cape Town suggests that one woman in three in South Africa bleaches her skin. The reasons for this are as varied as the cultures in this country but most people say they use skin-lighteners because they want “white skin”.

Local musician Nomasonto “Mshoza” Mnisi, now several shades lighter, says her new skin makes her feel more beautiful and confident.

She has been widely criticised in the local media and social networking sites for her appearance but the 30-year-old says skin-bleaching is a personal choice, no different from breast implants or a having nose job.

“I’ve been black and darkskinned for many years, I wanted to see the other side. I wanted to see what it would be like to be white and I’m happy,” she says candidly.

Over the past couple of years Ms Mnisi has had several treatments. Each session can cost around 5,000 rand (£360; $590), she tells the BBC. Unlike many in the country, she uses high-end products which are believed to be safer than the creams sold on the black market but they are by no means riskfree, doctors say.

An ad campaign for a skinwhitening cream that promises results in 15 days has ignited fierce debates on Senegalese social networks since September.

“Khess Petch” - loosely translated from the local Wolof as “All White” or “All Light”- printed on huge placards all around town portray a woman “before” and “after” she’d used the cream - she is seen black and then fair white.

Nearly 2,000 people signed an online petition to bring the adverts down, and soon after, a counter-campaign “Nuul Kuuk” was set up defending Black skin pride.

Doctors at the main dermatology hospital service in Dakar say they receive an average of 200 women per week in cases related to the use of skinwhitening products.

Reports have been broadcast on television about the risks of using whitening creams following the huge controversy.

Many women with bad skin damage have sought to encourage others to stop using these products.

“I bitterly regret having done that to myself,” a 51-year-old woman told me. “But girls and women with fairer skin would always seduce more men,” she said.

She wears a scarf to hide a long stain and spots that the products left on her skin. “It is ugly and it itches,” she says.

The health minister eventually met with Nuul Kuuk activists who were told that current laws couldn’t forbid ads campaign for these products, which are labelled as cosmetics.

The ads for Khess Petch are now down, but other creams have just started their own campaign.

South Africa is marketed to the world as Mandela’s rainbow nation, where everyone is proud of their race and heritage. But for some black South Africans there is such a thing as being too black. with 35%; and Mali at 25%.

Skin lightening creams are popular in many parts of Africa “Yes, part of it is a self-esteem issue and I have addressed that and I am happy now. I’m not white inside, I’m not really fluent in English, I have black kids. I’m a township girl, I’ve just changed the way I look on the outside,” she says.

The dangers associated with the use of some of these creams include blood cancers such as leukaemia and cancers of the liver and kidneys, as well as a severe

skin condition called ochronosis, a form of hyper-pigmentation which causes the skin to turn a dark purple shade, according to senior researcher at the University of Cape Town, Dr Lester Davids.

“Very few people in South Africa and Africa know the concentration of the toxic compounds that are contained in the products on the black market and that is concerning. We need to do more to educate people

Studies have found that men are also beginning to bleach their skin

“

about these dangerous products,” says Dr Davids.

He says over the past six years there has been a significant increase in the number of skin lighteners flooding local markets, some of them legal and some illegal. This is what prompted their research.

Local dermatologists say they are seeing more and more patients whose skin has been damaged by years of bleaching - most of the time irreversibly.

“I’m getting patients from all over Africa needing help with treating their ochronosis. There is very little we can do to reverse the damage and yet people are still in denial about the side-effects of these products,” says Dr Noora Moti-Joosub.

In many parts of Africa and Asia, lighter-skinned woman are considered more beautiful, are believed to be more successful and more likely to find marriage.

The origin of this belief in Africa is not clear, but researchers have linked it to Africa’s colonial history where white skin was the epitome of beauty.

Some have also suggested that people from “brown nations” around the world tended to look down upon dark-skinned people.

‘I don’t like black skin’ The World Health Organization has reported that Nigerians are the highest users of such products: 77% of Nigerian women use the products on a regular basis. They are followed

by Togo with 59%; South Africa

A recent study by the University of Cape Town suggests that one woman in three in South Africa bleaches her skin. The reasons for this are as varied as the cultures in this country but most people say they use skin-lighteners because they want “white skin

South Africa banned products containing more than 2% of hydroquinone - the most common active ingredient in in the 1980s.

But it is easy to see creams and lotions containing the chemical on the stalls here. Some creams contain harmful steroids and others mercury.

While skin-lightening creams have been used by some South Africans for many years, they have become more common recently with the influx of people from countries such as Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo, where they are even more widespread.

In a bustling African market in the centre of Yeoville in Johannesburg, it is skin lighteners galore.

Walking through this community is like walking through a mini-Africa: you can find someone from any part of the continent here.

I notice that many of the women have uncharacteristically light skin faces while the rest of their bodies are darker.

Some even have scabby burns on their cheeks from the harmful chemicals used to strip the skin of pigmentation.

They don’t want to speak openly about why they bleach their skin, or even have their pictures taken.

Psychologists say there are also underlying reasons why people bleach their skin - but low self-esteem and, to some degree self-hate, are a common thread.

But skin-lightening is not just a fascination and obsession of women. Congolese hair stylist Jackson Marcelle says he has been using special injections to bleach his skin for the past 10 years. Each injection lasts for six months.

“I pray every day and I ask God, ‘God why did you make me black?’ I don’t like being black. I don’t like black skin,” he tells me.

Mr Marcelle - known in this busy community as Africa’s Michael Jackson - says his mother used to apply creams on him when he was young in order to make him appear “less black”.

“I like white people. Black people are seen as dangerous; that’s why I don’t like being black. People treat me better now because I look like I’m white,” he adds.

Entrenched in the minds of many Africans from a young age is the adage “if it’s white, it’s all right”, a belief that has chipped away at the self-esteem of millions.

Until these changes, no amount of official bans or public information campaigns will stop people risking serious damage to their health in the pursuit of what they think is beauty.

Source: BBC

PAGE 31

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Security checks around the worship centre, during Eid-El-Fitr celebration, last Friday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Environmentalist chides Councilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; chairmen over poor waste mgt

By Usman shuaibu

A

n environmentalist and retired civil servant from the Department of Agriculture in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Mohammed Lamorde, has accused the six area councils chairmen of failing to

clean their respective areas as at when due.

Lamorde, who made the accusation in an interview with newsmen in Kuje, alleged that the chairmen were no longer cleaning their environments, because they are saving their money, in order to make use of it for the upcoming campaign for the 2016 Area

Councils chairmanship election in FCT. He expressed dismay over the manner in which tons of refuse are being dumped along the roadside all over the area councils, as according to him, this is a big disgrace to the chairmen.

He also expressed displeasure on the way in which the refuse

were dumped in the market places, noting that the councilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; chairmen were not living up to their constitutional responsibilities to the people.

He further alleged that some of area councils being taken over by the refuse mostly are Kuje and Gwagwalada area councils, saying that the attitude of these

chairmen towards environmental cleanliness was not impressive enough.

Lamorde, however, admonished the chairmen to always deem it necessary to give priority attention to the sanitation of their environments, so as to avoid outbreak of the diseases.

Don makes case for promotion of Igbo language

By Ochiaka Ugwu

W

orried by the threat facing the Igbo language which is capable of making it extinct, well-meaning individuals have been called upon to ensure that Igbo language is introduced as a means of transmitting news and programmes on international media organisations like the British Broadcasting Corporations (BBC), Voice of America (VOA), amongst others.

This measure, according to a lecturer at the Federal College of Education, Zuba, Mazi Marcel

Ezea, would stop the language said to be fast declining, from going into extinction.

Ezea who spoke at a seminar organised by Centre for Igbo Art and Culture (CIAC), yesterday in Abuja further note that it would prevent the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) from carrying out their threat to delete the language from the curricular due to the low turnout of students for the Igbo subject during examinations.

Other resource persons at the programme blamed parents for inability of the children to

speak Igbo language, decrying the failure of parents especially the mothers to speak and teach the language to their children in their infancy but rather prefer to communicate with them in English.

Another lecturer, Mrs. Anthonia Opara traced the decline of Igbo from the colonial period when English was used as a language of teaching and learning in schools while the mother tongue universally recommended as the first means of teaching a child was relegated to the background.

While regretting that

individuals and government has failed in their roles towards promoting the indigenous languages, she noted that the mother tongue not only contributes to the psychological wellbeing of the child but also leads to his growth and development.

Similarly, in her own lecture, Lady Ngozi Okoye, stated that the only way a language can be killed is when the owners of the language stop speaking it noting that it is common knowledge that Igbo language is at the verge of extinction as the owners have stopped speaking it.

Okoye however urged the Igbo race to desist from acts capable of killing the language noting that anyone who is not grounded in his mother tongue cannot boast of knowing the culture and traditions as they are embedded in the language.

She described mother tongue as a veritable means of consultations and passing secrets to children when speakers of other languages are present and as a means transmitting folklores to young people which are richly laden with wise sayings and proverbs that cannot necessarily be translated in English language.

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Photo Splash

Chinese couple taking pictures of children having nice time, during the Eid-El-Fitr holidays, on Monday at Asokoro Children Park, in Abuja.

Local musicians entertaining picnickers during the Eid-El-Fitr holidays, on Monday at Asokoro Children Park, in Abuja.

Banex Junction during the Sallah holidays, on Monday in Abuja.

Cab driver taking nap, yesterday at Area 8, in Abuja.

Children having fun, during Eid-El-Fitr celebration, last Friday in Abuja.

Photos: Justin Imo-Owo

PAGE 33

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Metro

The scene of accident involving two vehicles, on Tuesday at Mabushi Bus Stop, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Again, FCTA vows to relaunch Park & Pay scheme

By Stanley Onyekwere

F

or the umpteenth time, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reiterated its readiness to re-introduce the suspended controversial Park and Pay scheme, in order to ensure sanity in the Territory.

According to the Director, Traffic Management Department of the FCTA, Vincent Igberaese, who dropped this hint yesterday,

at a media parley with some Heads of departments and agencies under the FCTA, stated that the scheme has been repackaged for re-launching very soon.

Although, the Director was not specific as to when the controversial Park and Pay system would make the anticipated return, but he insists: “that arrangement has been concluded, and the scheme is about to come on stream very soon.

“This is because, all that

needed to be done have been carried out, to ensure its smooth re-introduction.

On the rationale behind the FCTA’s insistence on returning the Scheme, he said: “when it was operative, the city was very decent, but since its suspension, the city has been a bit chaotic, as there is steady rise in reckless parking in the nation’s capital.

“That’s why Park and Pay Scheme will be back very soon, so as to restore sanity amongst the

motoring public in the city.”

Peoples Daily recalls that a judge of the FCT High court sitting in Apo, the nation’s capital, Justice Peter Affen, had on April 14, 2014 declared the park and pay policy illegal, which should be stopped forthwith.

In his ruling, Affen, said there was no enabling law backing the policy, after a private savings and loans firm in the in the Abuja sued the FCTA. Following the court’s

declaration, there was a wide jubilation among residents over the suspension of the scheme, as many saw it as deep relief from the operators’ purported arbitrary charges and high handedness against innocent people in the city.

But according to the FCT administration, had repeatedly maintained its plans to fulfill the legal requirements needed to reintroduce a modified policy, which would be acceptable to all.

Tribunal hinges operational failure on paucity of fund

T

he Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) sitting in Abuja, has blamed its inability to adjudicate on cases before it from outside Abuja on acute shortage of fund.

The Chief Registrar of CCT, Mr. Abdulmalik Shuaibu, stated this in Abuja, in a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NAN reports that the tribunal had not been able to hear cases brought before it in past two years from outside Abuja.

Shuaibu also blamed failure of the tribunal to sit in January and February on a scheduled trip outside the country involving its chairman and other government functionaries.

“It was only in June again that we could not hold session because we had scheduled an antennary sessions in Enugu and Akwa Ibom. “ By this, we had planned to move the tribunal physically to other parts of the country but due to irregular releases of fund

by the government, our activities were hampered.

“The issue of moving the tribunal from Abuja to these states involves payment of our core staff, judges and then fuelling and maintenance of vehicles,” he said.

Shuaibu said that the tribunal had adopted a strategy of hearing cases of suspects in states, who could afford to come to Abuja.

“What we now devised to get out of this problem of lack of

finance was to scrutinise the list of accused persons before us.

“Identify individuals, like Permanent Secretaries, Directors and others that can afford trip to Abuja and summon them to Abuja for trial.

“The remaining people on the list who are mainly civil servants and councillors cannot be classified as awaiting trials because they have not been arraigned in the first place,” he added.

According to him, their

names are only on the list of defaulters sent to the tribunal by the bureau which involve either failure to submit or late submission of assets declaration forms.

He said that the core mandate of the tribunal was to take justice closer to the people through antennary sessions in different parts of the country.

Shuaibu, however, noted that the session would resume as soon as funds were made available to the tribunal. (NAN)

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Money Sense

By Marianna Zanetti

T

he first thing I am going to say about wealth is that many authors who write about prosperity and wealth make it clear: A job will not make you rich.

If you want to be wealthy, at some moment of your life, you will have to create a source of income other than your salary. This is an evident and crushing reality: If you sell your time to others, you will quickly reach a limit in your capacity to generate income.

In his book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” Robert Kiyosaki said that the rich do not work for money; they generate assets that work for them. If you want to learn how to work for money, go to school.

If you want to learn how to work even harder, you should get an MBA. OK, some top managers earn millions (and they are therefore millionaires).

Some people still think they can get to those positions with an MBA — as if the Businessweek study, which found an MBA does not have a causal relationship with professional success, was not convincing enough.

Do you want some more proof that an MBA will not get you there? If you look at the degrees of CEOs of the CAC 40 (the main stock exchange index in France), you will see that the MBA is nothing but an “optional” degree.

In some companies, it is still desirable to climb the corporate ladder.

These companies represent a very low percentage of the companies in the market, and

If you want to be rich, don’t get an MBA you do not need an MBA if your biggest ambition in life is to climb to a top management position.

But let’s go back to the topic that interests you: how to be rich.

If you want to be rich, you must be an entrepreneur, investor, or both. By a simple matter of statistics, your probability of becoming a rock star, sports star, or Standard & Poor’s CEO are very low (and believe me, the MBA will not increase your probability of becoming a Standard & Poor’s CEO).

The richest men in the world are entrepreneurs and do not have MBAs. Many of them have no degree at all or quit college when they realized that it was only teaching them to be employees and to obey.

Today these people hire the ones who have degrees. Consider the cases of Mark Zuckerberg with Facebook, Bill Gates with Microsoft, Steve Jobs with Apple, Amancio Ortega with Zara– Inditex, Richard Branson with Virgin, or Ingvar Kamprad with Ikea.

And there are a lot of anonymous rich men and women who have never sat in a college classroom to learn how to be corporate slaves.

…and 15 businesses you can start with N1million or less (1) A

re you serious about starting a business, but lack the big bucks? Before you take out a bank loan, consider that you can start a number of businesses for as little as several hundred dollars. We’ve compiled a list of 15 proven businesses that you can start for N1,000,000 or less in overhead. Some require little outlay, but lots of time; others require more energy; still others don’t require much at all.

One of the business ideas below might just be your next big thing.

Virtual assisting: Virtual assistants help clients with a variety of projects from their home offices. Tasks may be administrative, but can also relate to marketing, Web design, IT, and other tasks. Virtual assistants communicate with their clients via Internet, phone, or fax.

Overhead: Your computer, phone system, and Internet connection are your lifeblood in this industry. If you already own the relevant machines, make sure you have the means to pay for good connections on a monthly basis.

Many virtual assistants come

from a non-virtual (on-the-job) background.

Recurring expenses: A good Internet and phone connection.

Subscription fees for job-finding services such as ELance.

Time/energy requirement: You will need a solid business plan, marketing strategy, and training. At the beginning, you may work between 14-18 hours per day.

Income potential: Most virtual assistants make money per hour, according to this survey.

App development Apps are taking over the world! If you have a propensity for Web development, enough skill to work in various platforms (iPhone, iPad, Droid, etc.), it’s time to mine the app craze.

Overhead: N500,000 – N1,000,000 Many companies now exist that will take your amazing Smartphone application idea and develop it into a real, sellable app for download. Upfront costs include a development period where they will work with you to best design the application. Most

of these companies charge from N200,000 – 400,000 and many keep partial ownership of the application as the developer. But you are also gaining entry into a highly technical marketplace.

Recurring expenses: Ongoing marketing and spreading the news about your app will be your greatest time and money expenditure. You might consider hiring PR or marketing company familiar with getting new apps reviewed. Make sure that your app is included on the relevant blogs and news outlets who report on new apps.

Time/energy requirement: Not very much if you have the next killer app idea. Filling out some forms and conceptualizing how the app will work is the hard part. Making sure the build does what you envisioned will be the second. Outside of that, the marketing effort and telling everyone you know about your app will be imperative.

Income potential: Varies wildly. But, if you have an app priced at $1.99 and 10,000 people download it, you can always spend the N500,000 and start another one. However, even joke apps have sold hundreds of thousands, so it is worth the shot.

Page 35

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

International Ukrainians struggling as their economy shrinks international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

ANALYSIS

By David Stern

M

any Ukrainians are feeling the effects of their country’s severe recession. Fuelled partly by the debilitating war in the east with Russian-supported militants, Ukraine’s economy is shrinking.

The country may also be on the verge of defaulting on some of its international debts.

This week, Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, has been in the United States to reassure Washington that the government is making progress in tackling the troubled economy, cracking down on corruption and dealing with the shaky cease-fire with the insurgents.

But for many ordinary Ukrainians, life is hard. On the outskirts of Kiev husband and wife team Andrei and Yulia Burda run a speech therapy centre, a nonprofit organization they founded for children with special needs.

It’s a modest operation occupying just two small rooms in the corner of a school, and Andrei and Yulia make do with contributions from the 20 families whose children they help.

With this they pay the rent and buy some basic, inexpensive items to assist them in their work - as well as a Bassett Hound puppy named Bobby.

At home they are equally frugal. With their two daughters and Andrei’s mother, they rent a small one-bedroom flat near Kiev’s centre. Together they make plaster of Paris figures and cloth dolls that they sell at a local art fair. Andrei also provides a dog grooming service for Yorkshire terriers.

But for all this penny-pinching, Yulia says they’re just getting by.

“We can’t afford to go to places with our children - to the shopping mall, the zoo or the circus - because it’s so expensive,” she says.

With the collapse in the value of the national currency, the hryvnia, after the central bank signalled it would no longer intervene to support it, and rocketing inflation - Yulia says they face tough choices over what to buy.

“We can’t afford medicines that we need. Because if we buy medicine, then for a period of time we can’t buy food.

“Whenever you go into a store or to the market, you can’t believe your eyes. Because what you paid for sausage or cheese for one kilogramme before, now buys 100 grams.”

Default risk The difficulties Yulia and her family are experiencing are mirrored across Ukraine, the economy is in the grip of a severe recession.

Gross domestic product is predicted to drop by 10% this year, after a 7.5% fall in 2014. Inflation is running at 57%, the world’s third highest by some estimates after Venezuela and South Sudan.

On top of this, Ukraine is facing a day of reckoning with international creditors in just a few days - earning it comparisons with the situation in Greece.

24 July is the deadline for

“What you paid for sausage or cheese for one kilogramme before, now buys 100 grams,” says Yulia

Andrei and Yulia earn a little extra by selling homemade dolls and figurines at a local craft fair.

President Petro Poroshenko’s government to pay an interest payment of $120m on its international loans. If officials fail to do this, Ukraine will default.

Kiev is currently in negotiations with a consortium of international lenders who hold some $9bn out of Ukraine’s outstanding debts of $19bn.

Ukraine is proposing a 40% reduction or “haircut” on this amount. The consortium, led by the US-based Franklin Templeton, is resisting any discount, and instead is offering to prolong the period of re-payment.

While the $120m sum is not huge, Ukraine would prefer not to pay it to avoid any depletion of its already precipitously low hard currency reserves, and so not to show any weakness in the negotiations.

To this end, Ukraine’s parliament voted in May to give the government authorisation to impose a “moratorium” on all international payments, if

necessary.

What will happen if Ukraine defaults on its loans is unclear.

Natalie Jaresko, Ukraine’s Finance Minister, says the impact on the economy would be minimal, and could in fact help the debt talks.

“It’s my belief that if we were to use this tool, that it would be temporary, and that it would only be used to continue and accelerate the discussions, and not for any other reasons,” she says.

Ms Jaresko also plays down any

comparisons to Greece.

“I’m glad we’re not Greece. I’m glad our situation is completely different. In Greece it has more to do with their rejection of reforms.”

Indeed, Ukraine’s parliament passed a series of laws last week that the International Monetary Fund required, before it would release a $1.7bn tranche of a $17bn bail-out programme.

‘The economy is falling apart’ But with a deteriorating economy, there is rising anger among the population. A recent opinion poll by one of Ukraine’s leading research companies suggests that discontent with President Petro Poroshenko and his prime minister has sharply increased.

Ms Jaresko says she recognizes the difficulties that many people are experiencing and the pain some of the reforms are causing - such as raising the price of utilities - but she maintains this is temporary.

“When the average citizen says typically that they don’t see the effect of these reforms, that’s not untrue.

But it’s not unexpected. The result from the reforms will show up in their pocketbooks six, nine, twelve months from now.”

But for some, three months is a long time.

Yulia Nogina is the director at Uke-Pol a Kiev company that produces flavoured gelatin. Because of the economic situation demand for some of its products has dropped by 70% - and for others, disappeared completely.

In their place her team has come up with cheaper products, which have so far filled the gap. But if prices continue to rise - forcing customers to focus more on purchasing the basics and stop buying even its less expensive products - then the company would be forced to close, she says.

“We’re hoping that all these huge jumps and changes will be for the better, but right now I’m not happy because there’s a war in the country, the economy is falling apart,” says Yulia.

“So far, there’s nothing good happening.”

Source: BBC

A recent opinion poll suggests discontent with President Petro Poroshenko (centre) and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk (right) has sharply increased

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Page 36

International

Somalia’s al-Shabab loses key Bardere stronghold

S Ghana’s fishermen embroiled in shark fin supply chain

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hana’s fishermen are targeting sharks for their fins, which are then exported to Asia.

Shark fin soup has been a culinary controversy for years, with most of the international attention directed at China and wider Asia.

But the supply chain can be traced back to Ghana, where fishermen are targeting sharks for slaughter.

The country’s conservationists say that the fishing of sharks and dolphins could threaten marine biodiversity.

omali forces backed by African Union troops have retaken one of the last remaining strongholds of Islamist militant group al-Shabab.

Kenyan and Somali government soldiers entered south-western Bardere town, which has been under al-Shabab control since 2008, backed by heavy weapons and air support, residents told the BBC. A Somali army commander told the BBC troops took the town without a fight.

Pro-al-Shabab media have also confirmed the loss of the town.

The al-Qaeda-linked group is battling Somalia’s government for control of the country.

A drone strike in the same town last

week killed two al-Shabab commanders, residents said.

Thousands of soldiers from Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia have been advancing on Bardere over the past few days.

“We did not meet any resistance.

There were only small skirmishes. This is not a force that the extremists can resist,” Somali Col Abbaas Ibrahim Gurey told the BBC’s Somali Service.

Residents who remained in the town told the BBC by phone that some fighting had taken place outside Bardere.

The loss of the town, which is near the Juba River about 460km (285 miles) west of the capital Mogadishu, will be a big blow to the group, BBC Somalia

analyst Mohammed Mohammed says.

It will lose the financial benefits brought by controlling an area rich in agriculture and will also lose access to roads that link to other parts of the country and to neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia, he says.

African Union (AU) troops have been in the country since 2007 helping various UN-backed governments fight al-Shabab - and there is now a force of more than 21,000 in the country.

Kenyan soldiers joined the AU mission after 2011 when al-Shabab fighters crossed the long, porous border and kidnapped several people, including tourists.

Al-Shabab has staged several attacks in Kenya in retaliation, including the

Burundi election: Votes counted as Pierre Nkurunziza seeks third term

V

Kenya to close airspace for Obama’s visit

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enya will close its airspace for a 50-minute window ahead of US President Barack Obama’s arrival in the capital Nairobi on Friday, the country’s civil aviation authority (KCAA) says.

A ban on planes flying lower than 20,000 feet will remain in place in Nairobi for the duration of Mr Obama’s three-day visit, it says.

Some US media have criticised the KCAA for revealing Mr Obama’s travel plans.

The US issued a travel warning for Kenya in July ahead of the visit.

The global entrepreneurship summit in Nairobi this weekend, w hic h Mr O bam a i s d ue t o address, could provide “a target for terrorists”, the US State Department said in a statement.

Kenyans are preparing for significant disruption after police announced major road closures in Nairobi from Friday.

Kenyan airspace will also be closed for a further 40 minutes on Sunday when President Obama leaves for neighbouring Ethiopia.

Somali Islamist group alShabab has staged repeated attacks on Kenya in recent years.

In April, it killed 148 people at a university in the north and in 2013, at least 67 people died when the al-Qaeda-linked group attacked Westgate shopping centre in Nairobi.

Last month, the UK lifted its warning against travelling to part of Kenya’s coast, including Mombasa.

siege of a university campus in Garissa in April and an attack on the Westgate shopping centre in Nairobi in 2013.

The AU and Somali military have recently been stepping up their operations in the Gedo region in order to recapture Bardere.

Over the last four years, the militants have been driven from most of the key towns they once held but they still control rural areas in the south.

Somalia has seen clan-based warlords, rival politicians and Islamist militants battle for control since the fall of long-serving ruler Siad Barre in 1991.

The militants left Bardere overnight, allowing the town to be re-taken without a fight.

CAR court says refugees can vote in upcoming election

C

ourt overturns parliament ruling to exclude Central African refugees in neighbouring nations from voting for president.

The Central African Republic’s highest court has overturned a decision by the transitional parliament that would have barred tens of thousands of refugees who had fled to neighbouring countries from voting in October’s presidential election.

The court, in a decision made public on state radio on Tuesday, said parliament’s June 30 decision to exclude refugees violated the 2013 constitution which gives every adult citizen the right to vote.

The UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, says there are about 460,000 Central African refugees who fled the religious violence that erupted after the mostly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power in early 2013.

About 80 to 90 percent of the refugees are believed to be Muslims who fled a backlash against Seleka’s 10-month rule by Christian rebels, known as the ‘anti-balaka’.

“The issue of technical and

material organisation should not allow us to deny to Central African citizens who fear for their lives, their right to vote,” said the ruling by the Constitution Court.

The UNHCR and other UN humanitarian bodies had voiced concern about the transitional assembly’s decision.

Ongoing insecurity The refugees represent the majority of Muslims from a Christiandominated population of about 4.5 million people.

Ongoing insecurity prevents many Muslims from going home, rights groups say.

Members of the transitional assembly had argued that allowing refugees to vote could lead to electoral fraud as they said Seleka had distributed Central African identity documents to foreigners.

A common refrain in the ‘antibalaka’-led reprisals against Muslims was that they were foreigners who had no place in the Central African Republic.

Interim President Catherine

Samba Panza, who is due to step down at the elections scheduled for October 18, had opposed the decision by the transitional assembly and requested the court’s opinion.

The court noted that, under the country’s transitional charter, there is no appeal against its decisions.

An electoral census is under way in Bangui, the capital, and has been extended until July 27. No census of refugee populations have been undertaken in neighbouring countries.

In a sign of the violence still simmering in the country, the deputy prefect and the mayor of the western town of Baboua - on the main road from Cameroon - were kidnapped on Sunday by armed men, state radio said.

MINUSCA, a UN mission, said the rebel Democratic Front of the Central African People (FDPC) - a splinter group from Seleka led by Abdoulaye Miskine - was responsible for an increase in attacks in the region.

It said the driver of a UN food truck was shot dead in an ambush on Saturday.

otes are being counted in Burundi, where there is tension over President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to stand for a third consecutive term.

Just under three-quarters of the country’s 3.8m eligible voters turned out on Tuesday after a night of gunfire and explosions that claimed two lives.

The US State Department has joined critics saying the election lacks credibility.

The government accuses the opposition of provoking violent protests.

President Nkurunziza is running for a third term despite a limit of two terms in the constitution.

Results are expected on Thursday.

Two policemen were shot dead in the capital Bujumbura on Monday night, said Willy Nyamitwe, the president’s chief communications adviser.

The body of an opposition official was found earlier on a road.

The president’s office described the latest protests as terrorist acts intended to disrupt the election.

In opposition areas of the capital, among the few who voted, many tried to wipe off the indelible ink on their fingers, fearing reprisals from opposition supporters.

The African Union (AU) did not send observers - the first time it has taken such a stance against a member state.

The US State Department and the European Union expressed concern that the elections were not free and fair.

At least 70 people have been killed in protests since Mr Nkurunziza announced in April that he was running for a third term.

In May, army generals opposed to his continuing rule failed to overthrow him in a coup.

Tensions between Burundi’s ethnic Hutu majority - comprising some 85% of the 10.5 million population - and the country’s Tutsi minority have flared up regularly since independence from Belgium in 1962.

Mr Nkurunziza led a Hutu rebel group fighting the Tutsi-dominated army until a peace deal led to him becoming president in 2005.

The Constitutional Court backed his argument that his first term in office did not count towards the two-term limit, as he was elected by MPs.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Page 37

International Asia & Middle East

Committee chairman Yasukazu Hamada (centre) was mobbed by protesting opposition lawmakers

Deadly motorcycle bomb rips through Afghan market

T

Syria conflict: US strike ‘kills Khorasan group leader’ T

he United States says it has killed a senior al-Qaeda militant in an air strike in north-western Syria.

A Pentagon statement said Muhsin al-Fadhli was targeted two weeks ago while travelling in a vehicle near Sarmada.

It described Fadhli as the leader of a network of veteran al-Qaeda operatives, known as the “Khorasan Group”, who were allegedly plotting external attacks against the US and its allies.

The Kuwaiti was also reported to have been killed in a US strike last year.

Fadhli was a confidant of Osama Bin Laden and one of the few alQaeda members to receive advanced warning of the 11 September 2001 attacks, according to the US. Reward Shortly before the US began air strikes on Islamic State (IS) across Syria in September, cruise missiles struck two areas near the northern city of Aleppo. The targets were not IS positions, but buildings allegedly

used by the Khorasan Group.

US officials said the shadowy organisation was made up of about 50 veteran militants from Afghanistan and Pakistan, which jihadists refer to as Khorasan, as well as North Africa and Chechnya.

They had been sent to Syria by alQaeda’s leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, not to fight the government of President Bashar al-Assad but to “develop external attacks, construct and test improvised explosive devices and recruit Westerners to conduct operations”, the officials claimed.

Fadhli, their alleged leader, was believed to have arrived in Syria in 2013 but kept a low profile.

In 2005, the US treasury department said Fadhli was based in the Gulf and had been providing support to al-Qaeda militants fighting US-led forces in Iraq under Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Seven years later, the state department offered a $7m (£4.5m; €6.4m) reward for information that led to the capture or killing of

Fadhli, saying he had become the leader of al-Qaeda’s network in Iran and was responsible for the movement of money and fighters for its operations in the region.

‘Serious’ blow Reports on social media following September’s missile strikes said Fadhli was among the dozens of militants who were killed, but they were not confirmed by US intelligence agencies.

On Tuesday night, Pentagon spokesman Capt Jeff Davis announced that they were now confident that the 34 year old had been killed “in a kinetic strike” on 8 July near Sarmada, only 7km (4 miles) from Syria’s border with Turkey.

“His death will degrade and disrupt ongoing external operations of al-Qaeda against the United States and its allies and partners,” he added.

Bruce Riedel, a former CIA analyst who is now at the Brookings Institution, meanwhile told the AFP news agency that Fadhli’s death was

a “serious but not fatal” blow to the jihadist network.

Before September’s missile strikes, US intelligence reports indicated that the Khorasan Group was “in the final stages of plans to execute major attacks”.

Classified US assessments said it was collaborating with bomb makers from the Yemen-based al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) to test ways to get explosives past airport security.

However, some opponents of the Syrian government expressed doubts about whether the Khorasan Group actually existed, saying the US created it to justify attacks on al-Qaeda’s local affiliate, al-Nusra Front.

In May, al-Nusra leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani said in a TV interview that he had been ordered by al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri not to use Syria to launch attacks on the West. “There is nothing called Khorasan Group.

The Americans came up with it to deceive the public,” he insisted.

wenty-five people killed in northern Faryab province after a suicide bombing in Alamar district’s main market.

At least 25 people are reported to have been killed and 38 others wounded in a suicide attack in the northern Faryab province of Afghanistan, officials have said.

Dr Naqibullah Fayeq, a prominent member of parliament, said the blast happened in Alamar district’s main market.

The politician said dozens of civilians had been wounded after a suicide bomber using a motorcycle blew his explosives up in the centre of the market.

“Women, children and at least one Afghan army soldier were among those killed,” Faryab’s acting governor Abdul Sattar Barez told AFP news agency.

Alamar district chief Saleh Mohammad Saleh said that some of the wounded were in a critical condition and had been taken to the provincial capital Maimanah.

Al Jazeera’s Jennifer Glasse reporting from the Afghan capital, Kabul, said: “The apparent target of this suicide attack was Afghan security forces but we understand the hospital is full of injured civilians.”

No one has so far claimed responsibility for the bombing, which comes just before another round of peace negotiations between the government and Taliban armed group are due to start.

The attack highlights the heavy toll of such attacks on civilians after 13 years of war.

India, Japan, U.S. plan naval exercises in tightening of ties in Indian Ocean

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apan is set to take part in joint naval exercises with India and the United States in the Indian Ocean in October, military and diplomatic sources said, a drill that so riled China eight years ago that Delhi has not since hosted such a multilateral wargame.

The Indian Ocean has emerged as a new arena of competition between China making inroads and India trying to recover its position as the dominant maritime power in the region.

New Delhi’s decision to expand the “Malabar” exercises that it conducts with the United States each year to include Japan suggests a tightening of military relations between three major maritime powers in Asia, analysts said.

Military officials from India, the U.S. and Japan are meeting at a U.S. navy base in Yokosuka, near Tokyo,

on Wednesday and Thursday to plan the exercises, a navy and a diplomatic source in New Delhi said.

A Japanese government official in Tokyo confirmed the meeting and said representatives from the three navies were discussing Tokyo’s participation in the wargames. He declined to be identified.

The officials will decide the type of warships and planes the navies will deploy for the exercises in the Bay of Bengal in the northeastern Indian Ocean, said one of the sources familiar with the initial planning.

“They are discussing platforms, logistics and interoperability between the three naval forces,” said the source. India and the United States have fielded aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines in previous bilateral exercises.

An Indian defense ministry official declined any comment on Malabar

2015, saying announcements will only be made closer to the event. A spokesman for Japan’s Maritime Self Defense Force said no decision had yet been taken on Japan’s participation.

CLOSER TIES Jeff Smith, a South Asia specialist at the American Foreign Policy Council, said Japan was keen to take part in the exercises this year at a time when it is expanding the role of its military against a more assertive China.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inclusion of Japan after some hesitation was part of a trending pattern of forging close ties with the U.S. and its allies.

India last hosted a multilateral exercise in 2007 when it invited Japan, Australia and Singapore to join its drills with the U.S. navy in the Bay of Bengal, prompting disquiet

in Beijing where some saw it as a U.S.-inspired security grouping in the making along the lines of NATO in Europe.

At the time, Beijing activated diplomatic channels seeking an explanation from the participating nations, said Gurpreet Khurana, Indian navy captain and executive director of the government-funded Maritime Foundation of India.

The exercises held in the Indian Ocean were scaled back in the following years, with India participating in three-way events only when it was away from its shores, such as last year’s drills off Japan’s Nagasaki coast.

AN OCEAN OF RIVALRY But China’s expanding naval footprint in the Indian Ocean including submarines docking in Sri Lanka, just off the toe of India last year, and again in Karachi in May, has

prompted Modi’s administration to accelerate naval modernization as well as shore up ties with maritime nations.

Just as China had overridden India’s concerns about arch-enemy Pakistan and was building ports and roads under a $46 billion economic corridor, New Delhi was free to pursue closer security cooperation with the West and its partners, Mohan said.

The Indian Ocean has become the new global center of trade and energy flows, accounting for half the world’s container traffic and 70 percent of its petroleum shipments.

More than three quarters of China’s oil transits through the Indian Ocean and its choke points such as the Malacca Straits, prompting its search for friendly ports and islands to secure the shipping lanes backed by an expanding Chinese navy, Chinese commentators say.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Page 38

International

Despite animosity, Moscow’s Muslims change the city

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t least 1.5 million Muslims in Russia’s capital form the fastest growing and most ethnically diverse demographic group.

Moscow, Russia - Surrounded by movable metal fences and police, they placed their prayer rugs and shreds of wallpaper on the cold asphalt along the tram tracks.

Then they planted their feet and exhaled “God is great!” They bent, knelt, and prostrated in front of the golden-domed Sobornaya mosque despite the bewildered and scared faces of passersby and baton-wielding police officers around them.

Ferguson names black officer interim police chief

More than 60,000 Muslims gathered at the square and five temporarily blocked streets around Moscow’s main mosque, with an additional 180,000 gathering at five other mosques and three dozen temporary sites in Moscow and the greater Moscow region, to mark the end of this year’s holy month of Ramadan, police said.

Each person had to pass through a metal detector and undergo an identification check.

Some Muslims were indignant about the treatment they faced on one of the year’s holiest days.

“You want to pray at a mosque, you have to enter a cage,” Murad Abdullaev, a full-bearded 29-year-old from Derbent, Russia’s southernmost city in the restive province of Dagestan, told Al Jazeera.

“You pray at work, you get reprimanded, but when your colleagues show up hungover or take long cigarette breaks, it’s OK,” he said describing his colleagues at a construction company in southern Moscow.

Some Muscovites are also unhappy about the inconveniences they face during the celebration of the two major Muslim religious holidays Eid al-Fitr -

the breaking of the fast festival at the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha - the festival of sacrifice.

On days like these, Moscow seems quite a hostile place for the Muslims that now live here and form the fastest growing and most ethnically diverse sector of the population.

With an official population of 12.5 million, Russia’s capital is now home to at least 1.5 million Muslims, according to political analyst Alexei Malashenko.

This is by far more than the Muslim population of any other European city where the local population is not predominantly Muslim.

O

fficials in Ferguson, Missouri, have hired an AfricanAmerican police chief nearly a year after racial tensions rocked the town.

Andre Anderson, who most recently worked in Glendale, Arizona, will serve as chief for six months.

Last August, a white police officer killed an unarmed black teenager there, sparking months of protests and unrest.

The mostly white police department’s aggressive response to the protests came under heavy criticism.

Michael Brown’s death was one of a number of contentious cases in the US in which white officers killed unarmed black men.

A grand jury declined to charge the officer in Brown’s death, but a US justice department investigation found widespread alleged racial bias in the police force.

“The city of Ferguson and our police department have endured a tremendous amount of distrust during the past nine months,” Ferguson Mayor James Knowles said in a statement. “We understand it will take time to once again gain the trust of everyone.”

The 50-year-old Mr Anderson said at a news conference on Wednesday that he would need the community’s help in increasing trust between the police force and the people it serves.

He said he is interested in becoming Ferguson’s permanent police chief.

He mentioned President Barack Obama’s “21st Century Policing” task force and said the department would be focusing on attracting and hiring quality applicants to be officers.

Ferguson interim city manager Ed Beasley, who is also black, said Mr Anderson is “exceptionally known nationally on his ability to lead and his innovation.”

Mr Knowles said that Ferguson, which is two-thirds black, has revamped its municipal court system, hired a new interim judge and that its police force is now equipped with body cameras.

Muslims performed Eid el-Fitr prayers at Moscow’s central mosque as Russian police took security measures around them

Suruc massacre: ‘Turkish student’ was suicide bomber

A

20-year-old Turkish student has been identified as the suicide bomber who killed 32 youth activists in the town of Suruc on Monday, officials say.

The attacker, named by local media as Seyh Abdurrahman Alagoz, was an ethnic Kurd from Turkey’s south-eastern province of Adiyaman and reportedly had links to Islamic State (IS) militants.

Meanwhile, Kurdish militants say they killed two Turkish police officers.

The PKK said it was in revenge for the deaths in Suruc, a mainly Kurdish town.

Turkish officials have blamed the Suruc attack on IS. But many in Turkey feel the government has not done enough to support the Kurds in their fight to combat the threat of IS militants across the border in Syria something denied by Ankara.

There have been rallies in cities across the country, with people condemning the attack and protesting at the government’s policies on Syria.

Access to Twitter was briefly blocked on Wednesday after a court banned the publication of images from the massacre in Suruc.

But some critics have accused the government of trying to stop Twitter users from continuing to organise

further protests.

The claim by the PKK’s military wing that it carried out the killing of two Turkish policemen in Celanpinar is an ominous development, coming as it does two years into a supposed truce between the Kurdish militants and the Turkish security forces.

Hopes for a resolution of Turkey’s long-running dispute with its own Kurds have slowly dimmed since the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan called on Kurdish fighters to pull out of Turkey into bases in northern Iraq.

The deal for the recognition of Kurdish rights in Turkey was never really carried through by President Erdogan, whose AK party failed to retain its majority in recent elections and is now seeking coalition partners.

The suicide bomb attack on a group of youth activists in Suruç on Monday, killing 32, has clearly aggravated tensions, leading to angry demonstrations and clashes between pro-Kurdish protestors and riot police.

The killing of the two policemen in “revenge” for the Suruc bomb will add to the tension.

Turkish authorities said DNA tests had confirmed that the Suruc bomber was a 20-year-old man of Kurdish origin born in Adiyaman.

Seyh Abdurrahman Alagoz’s mother told the newspaper Radikal (in Turkish) that her son was a former student at Adiyaman university who had gone “abroad” six months ago with his brother.

A senior Turkish official told Reuters that he believed the bomber, who he did not name, had travelled to Syria last year with the help of a group linked to IS militants.

Monday’s suicide bombing claimed 32 lives and injured 100 others, making it one of the deadliest attacks in Turkey in recent years.

The activists were mainly university students, who were holding a news conference when an explosion ripped through the Amara Cultural Centre.

They had been planning to travel to Syria to help rebuild the town of Kobane. The youngest victim was Okan Pirinc, who was 18, according to the Turkish media.

On Wednesday, two Turkish police officers were found shot dead in their home in the town of Ceylanpinar, which is in the same province of Suruc and close to the Syrian border.

The military wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) claimed responsibility for the killings in a statement on its website.

Europe and Americas Armadillos blamed for rise in leprosy cases in Florida

H

ealth officials in Florida are warning people to avoid contact with armadillos after a recent rise in leprosy cases linked to the armoured creatures.

Florida officials have reported nine cases of leprosy already this year - double the normal rate.

Armadillos are the only animal to carry leprosy, a bacterial disease that affects the skin and nerves.

The disease can be spread through saliva. The animals sometimes spit when cornered or caged.

While the risk of contracting leprosy from an armadillo is low, health officials advise against touching the animals.

Most of the population is immune to leprosy - also known as Hansen’s disease - and the disease is treatable. However, leprosy can be life threatening if left untreated.

Originally from South America, armadillos are found in many areas in the southeast of America, mostly notably in Texas.

Brazil’s Amazon city of Manaus sees surge in violence

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razilian police in the northern city of Manaus are investigating a wave of 35 killings reported at the weekend.

They began after a police officer was shot dead outside a bank. Several killings happened at almost exactly the same time, suggesting co-ordination.

Officials are investigating whether they may be part of a drug gang war or the result of police officers avenging the death of their colleague.

There are normally between two and three murders a day in the city.

The nature of the shootings has raised suspicions of police involvement.

Local officials say that another possible explanation could be local drug gangs settling scores.

Manaus - the capital of Amazonas state - was one of the host cities for the 2014 World Cup and will host football matches during the 2016 Olympic Games.

Gun crime in the country is at its highest in 35 years, according to a recent UN report.

Using the latest data available, it found that 42,000 people were shot dead in 2012.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Page 39

Strange World

‘I let my boyfriend drink my blood’: Woman offers her body to real life vampires

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or more than a decade, Blut Katzchen, 28, has travelled across the US to satisfy the bloodlust of men and women who are convinced they need to drink blood to survive A young florist whose boyfriend is a self-proclaimed vampire allows herself to be cut with razors so he can drink her blood.

For more than a decade, Blut Katzchen, 28, has travelled across the US to satisfy the bloodlust of men and women who are convinced they need to drink blood to survive.

Her latest admirer is 43-year-old Michael Vachmiel from Houston, Texas, who claims her blood gives him the energy he needs to survive.

The two get together a few times a year to perform the ritual.

Blut, from Shreveport, Louisiana, describes herself as a ‘black swan’ which is the term for someone who willingly offers up her blood to drink.

She said: “I have always been entranced with the whole vampire culture since I was very young. I found a book on vampires in my sister’s collection and became completely entranced with it. It takes a very specific type of mindset to enjoy being a swan - you have to be more submissive and enjoy giving.”

The pair met two years ago at a Vampire Ball in Houston, Texas.

Blut said: “You have to have a very strong connection to the person who is feeding off you. Michael and I have a very intimate relationship and I trust him completely.”

Unlike in the films, where vampires sink sharp teeth into the

necks of struggling victims, Blut insists that the process is very clean, safe, and consensual.

She said: “You have to have a very strong connection to the person who is feeding off you. I have specific tools that draw the blood and Michael will drink it from my body.

“The cuts are about an inch long - it doesn’t take a very deep cut to draw the blood.”

She uses a razor blade to make a cut and then uses a set of suction cups to draw the blood out.

She said: “We’ll sterilise the area with alcohol and he uses mouth wash before drinking, so its very clean. There are some risks involved, but we do everything we

Food source: Blut Katzchen allows herself to be feasted on by vampires

Blood: Michael Vachmiel and Blut Katzchen use suction cups and razors to cut her back so he can drink.

can to keep it as clean as possible.

I’ve been doing this for almost thirteen years and I have never had an STD or blood borne illness scare.

“It’s a release like any other release people seek - if you’re getting something out of it and the drinker is too - then I don’t see a problem with it.

“It’s a spiritual thing for me - to be able to give energy to someone even if it’s a small bit is an extremely liberation feeling.”

After making a cut, Blut lays on her stomach and has the blood drawn from her shoulders or back for a few minutes.

She said: “If you drink too much

sprayed onto a quad bike and I just spelled it out.

“But I had to leave it at least a week before we flew up, so I did it the week before the flight on May 4.

“When Di saw it she started crying, but when she stopped she couldn’t believe it had happened.

Thankfully she said yes!

“It was perfect, exactly what I was hoping for.”

Rick, who met Diana two and a half years ago at a dinner party, runs Newton Lodge farm in Milton Keynes, Bucks., where crops are used to sell flour for Tesco bread.

you do get sick - it doesn’t take much blood for Michael to get his energy.”

Michael, 43, started drinking blood at the young age of 13, and does this type of feeding a few times a year.

He said: “I started drinking blood by accident - it was during an intense sexual act where blood was drawn and touched my lips. At that point it was an awakening. Just like a person has a favorite culinary dish, vampires have a favorite spiritual culinary dish.

“There are many ways to get energy, this is a more intimate way and its a ritual for vampires.

In doing such, we get the energy we need and the donor has their need to submit, so its completely consensual.”

Food source: Blut Katzchen allows herself to be feasted on by vampires

See brilliant proposal concocted by farmer for girlfriend using pesticide, quad bike and plane

R

ick Davies killed off an acre of wheat - worth around £600 - to write ‘DI WILL YOU MARRY ME?’ in huge letters then flew her over the field A charmer farmer popped the question to his girlfriend using weed killer to spell out his proposal in a wheat field.

Rick Davies, 32, sprayed the pesticide from a quad bike as he rode through the crop to carve out his message.

He killed off an acre of wheat - worth around £600 - to write ‘DI WILL YOU MARRY ME?’ in huge letters.

He then took partner Diana Cull over the 20-acre field in a flight won at a charity auction for £50 - and she wept with delight at the surprise and said yes.

Rick was doubly relieved because he carried out the work while his dad was away from the farm - and it meant his handiwork wasn’t totally wasted.

He said: “I was really nervous about whether it was going to have worked. But it worked out even better than I had hoped.

“I used a weed killer that was

Charmer farmer: Rick with fiancee Diana.

He added: “My dad would have been pretty annoyed if she had said no. Hopefully he didn’t mind what I did.

“Looking back I was more nervous doing that than I was when we went up in the plane. If it was a mess I would have been a bit of a laughing stock.

“No-one knew what I was doing, not even the pilot, so it was a big shock and he didn’t

really know what was going on.”

Diana, 33, who works for the fraud department at Barclays Bank, said: “It was the most fantastic moment of my life and it was a big fat yes.

“I only have 51 weeks to wait until he’s my husband. He is very romantic. I am the luckiest lady alive.”

The couple plan to marry in July next year.

Sorted wheat from chaff: Diana has a creative fiance.

Page 40

Digest

By Madlen Davies

D

o you join the gym with much fanfare in January only to cancel your membership by

May? Or are you the type that trains once a week but really wants to squeeze in another session, only to find you opt to watch TV instead?

The trick to regular exercise is to make it a habit that is hard to break, according to new research.

Focusing on cues that make the choice to exercise automatic increases the frequency of physical activity, a study found.

It’s the ‘instigation habit’ – the trigger that makes a person exercise - that increases the amount of physical activity they do, researchers said.

The type of exercise or routine they plan to do - the ‘execution habit’- doesn’t matter, they found.

‘From a health perspective, we

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Here’s how to make your fitness regime stick want people to engage in physical activity frequently, and so instigation habit is the type of habit to promote that to happen,’ Dr Alison Phillips, of Iowa State University, who carried out the research, said.

‘Regardless of the type of exercise you’re going to do on a particular day, if you have an instigation habit, you’ll start exercising without having to think a lot about it or consider the pros and cons.’

As part of the study, Dr Phillips and her colleague Dr Benjamin Gardner, of King’s College London, asked 118 healthy adults to rate the

The cues that trigger a person to exercise can range from an alarm clock, to the end of the day, to internal cues like feeling stiff sitting at a desk. It can take up to a month for the cues to turn into a habit, experts said.

The trick to regularly exercising is to make it a habit that is hard to break. A habit can be formed by developing cues that make the choice to exercise automatic, a study found.

strength of their instigation and execution habit.

Approximately 25 per cent of participants were overweight or obese.

Around 5 per cent reported not exercising, while nearly 50 per cent said they had regularly exercised longer than 12 months.

The study found execution habit had no effect on exercise frequency, after controlling for instigation habit.

Focusing on the instigation habit - the triggers that make people exercise without thinking - increased the amount of physical activity they carried out.

For example, many people exercise after work, with the end of the work day becoming the cue for

them to drive to the gym and work out, instead of driving home, Dr Phillips said.

For others, the cue may be the alarm clock going off in the morning signalling that it is time to go for a run or a bike ride.

Some research suggests that it may take a month or longer of repeated behaviour before a cue reliably and automatically triggers a behaviour.

Sticking with the same time of day might help initially, Dr Phillips said.

Internal cues, such as a feeling that you need to move after sitting for several hours at your desk, form the strongest habits, Dr Phillips said.

But these are harder to train in people and must develop over time.

Dr Phillips stressed the execution habit still may be an effective option for some people starting a new routine.

For anyone who is new to exercise or uncomfortable going to the gym, following the same routine can help build self-confidence at the activity and being active in general.

However, for others the repetitiveness of sticking to a specific routine may be detrimental.

‘This study shows that you don’t have to be afraid of trying new things,’ Dr Philips said.

‘You can have an instigation habit and try new types of exercise without worrying about losing the habit.

‘It might be important for people just starting out to do the same thing until they realize they can do this, but in the long-term there does not seem to be a benefit of doing the same things over and over again.’

Dr Phillips says more research is needed to determine what cues work best.

‘I would caution people to not draw too many personal conclusions from this research because it is so preliminary,’ she said.

‘This doesn’t mean that one way is necessarily bad or this is the way you have to do it. It’s really just the first clue that maybe what we have been doing isn’t right for everyone.

‘And, I think it’s hopeful that the research shows you can keep up an ‘exercise habit’ without having to stick to the same boring activities over time.’

The research was published in the journal Health Psychology.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Is your medication affecting your morals?

By Sophie Freeman

C

ommonly prescribed medications can influence our moral judgment, according to a study.

Antidepressants made people behave more selflessly, while drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease made them more selfish, the researchers found.

For the study, by University College London and Oxford University, a group of healthy volunteers were randomly given either citalopram - an antidepressant which affects levels of the brain chemical serotonin - or a placebo.

Another group of healthy participants were given the Parkinson’s drug levodopa – which boosts levels of the brain chemical dopamine - or a placebo.

The researchers found that citalopram-takers were willing to pay almost twice as much to prevent harm to others than those given placebo drugs in a moral decisionmaking experiment.

In contrast, the levodopa made people more selfish, eliminating an altruistic tendency to prefer harming themselves over others.

The researchers said their study

provides insight into the neural basis of clinical disorders characterised by a lack of concern for others, such as psychopathy.

‘Our findings have implications for potential lines of treatment for antisocial behaviour, as they help us to understand how serotonin and dopamine affect people’s willingness to harm others for personal gain,’ said study author Dr Molly Crockett.

‘We have shown that commonlyprescribed psychiatric drugs influence moral decisions in healthy people, raising important ethical questions about the use of such drugs.

‘It is important to stress, however, that these drugs may have different effects in psychiatric patients compared to healthy people.

‘More research is needed to determine whether these drugs affect moral decisions in people who take them for medical reasons.’

The study, which is published in the journal Current Biology, compared how much pain people were willing to anonymously inflict on themselves or strangers in exchange for money.

A total of 175 healthy adults took part, with 89 taking citalopram or a placebo and 86 taking levodopa or a placebo. None of the participants

Hidden effects: The researchers said their study provides insight into the neural basis of clinical disorders characterised by a lack of concern for others, such as psychopathy (stock image pictured). knew which group they had been allocated to.

Participants were randomly assigned to the roles of decider and receiver and anonymously paired up so that each decider did not know who the receiver was and vice-versa.

All participants were given mildly painful electric shocks matched to their pain threshold so that the intensity was not intolerable.

Deciders were told that shocks to receivers would be at the receiver’s own pain threshold.

Deciders went into a room alone with a computer terminal, and each took part in 170 trials.

For each trial, they had to choose between different amounts of money

for different numbers of shocks, up to a maximum 20 shocks and £20 per trial. For example, they might be offered a choice of seven shocks for £10, or 10 shocks for £15.

Half of the decisions related to shocks for themselves and half to shocks for the receiver, but in all cases the deciders would get the money.

At the end of the session, one of the chosen trial results would be implemented so that the decider or receiver received the shocks and the decider received the profits.

As such, their decisions had real consequences.

Deciders knew that their decisions would be kept secret so that fear of judgment or retaliation would

not skew the results.

On average, people given a placebo were prepared to pay approximately 35p per shock to prevent harm to themselves and 44p per shock to prevent harm to others.

Those on citalopram were far more harm-averse, willing to pay an average 60p per shock to prevent harm to themselves and 73p per shock to prevent harm to others.

Over the course of the experiment, this meant that people taking the antidepressant delivered an average 30 fewer shocks to themselves and 35 fewer shocks to others than those taking a placebo.

People given the Parkinson’s drug levodopa, however, were not willing to pay any more to prevent shocks to others than to prevent shocks to themselves.

On average, they were prepared to pay approximately 35p per shock to prevent harm to themselves or others. This meant that they delivered on average 10 more shocks to others during the experiment than the placebo group.

They were also less hesitant to deliver shocks to others, making the decision faster than those on the placebo.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

SporT 41 Page

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

Nigeria will not qualify for 2016 Olympics– LeRoy believes

By Albert Akota

J

Congo coach, Claude LeRoy with a Congolese

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I’m proud of what I Orlando Magic to play Toronto Rapids achieved in football, says Pires at London’s O2

ubilant Congo coach, Claude LeRoy, said he hopes that his wards can end Nigeria’s dream for a place at the eight team tournament later in the year in Senegal going by the latter’s 2-1 slim victory in Port-Harcourt on Sunday.

“We never contemplated about beating the Nigerian team at home because we are still dreaming to be like Dream Team of Nigeria. On Sunday we lost 2-1 but it was the Nigerian team that created a lot of chances which they wasted. They were better but 2-1 loss is not too bad for my players,” said the veteran Frenchman.

For the Frenchman, the slim loss was only an assurance that the job was half done for his side and believed that victory at home was assured.

For his Nigerian counterpart, Samson Siasia, there were reasons to be optimistic since his charges had shown overtime that they are good travellers, following recent victories away when they dispatched off Gabon (1-4) and Zambia (0-2) in Libreville and Lusaka respectively to seal qualification for the African Games Brazzaville 2015.

“We got carried away (after scoring two goals) instead of concentrating on the match. These are the areas we are going to look at before the second leg. This team is still young. We have a lot of things to put in place. There is a lot of work to do before the second leg in Congo but I’m comfortable with the score line,” Siasia observed.

Nigeria managed a 2-1 win over Congo on Sunday in front of a partisan capacity crowd in Port Harcourt in their third round first leg clash of the African U-23 Championship Senegal 2015 qualifiers.

The encounter could have ended in a convincing win for the hosts after overwhelming the Red Devils in the first half, but the first goal only came on at the 48th minute through Junior Ajayi after Congo goalkeeper, Christoffer Mafoumbi failed to hold on to an acute-angled shot by Godwin Saviour.

Ajayi doubled the lead six minutes later, when he powered home with a brilliant header off a cross from Daniel Etor.

However, Moise Nkonkou’s goal in the 66th minute when he rammed home a rebound from Nigeria’s goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel meant there is still very much to play for in the second leg in Pointe Noire in a fortnight.

The second leg will take place in a fortnight with winners qualifying for the final tournament of the African U-23 Championship scheduled for 28th November to 12th December in Senegal, where the top three teams will represent Africa at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the fourth placed team facing an Asian side in a playoff.

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Balotelli will decide his future - Rodgers

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

PAGE 42

Sport

Ganduje appoints Baita as Kano Pillars chairman

By Albert Akota

G

overnor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has approved the appointment of a new Management Board for Kano Pillars Football Club.

In a statement signed by the Director General, Media and Communications to the Governor Baba Halilu Dantiye said the new Management has Alhaji

Russia can stage greatest World Cup- Eto’o

Kabiru Baita as Chairman with the following as members: Alhaji Abba Dambazau, Alhaji Naziru Aminu Wapa, Alhaji Garba Mohammed (Nawamba) and Alhaji Hassan Abdullahi Garo while Representative of Kano State Sports Council will serve as Secretary.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Yaro Yaro has been appointed the interim coach of the team to replace sacked coach Emordi.

Samuel Eto’o

T Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

Siasia invites Sokari, 4 others for Congo clash

he Preliminary Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia is approaching fast, with final preparations being made for what is one of the biggest events on the 2015 football calendar and which takes place in St Petersburg on Saturday 25 July.

Some 141 national teams from all the confederations bar the AFC, which has already made its draw, are about to discover the route they will have to take in order to qualify for Russia 2018.

Staged at St Petersburg’s Konstantin Palace, the draw ceremony will get under way at 18:00 local time, with a number of leading figures from the football world taking to the stage as Draw Assistants, among them former Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o.

The 34-year-old, who recently announced his retirement from international football, having scored 56 goals in 117 appearances for Cameroon, said he is delighted to be taking part in such a major event and is already looking

Kwara United in disunity over unpaid salaries

K Kingsley Sokar

By Albert Akota

H

ead Coach of the U-23 National Team, Coach Samson Siasia has invited five more players to the team’s camp ahead of the return leg of the African U-23 Championship final qualifying fixture against Congo.

According to Siasia, the invited players were invited to add bite to the team’s attack and solidify the defence as the team intensifies preparations for the potentially -explosive return leg in Pointe Noire on Sunday, August 2.

The invited player’s are

overseas -based Aminu Umar and Abdullahi Shehu, Semiu Liadi of Warri Wolves FC, Ndifreke Effiong of Abia Warriors and Flying Eagles’ midfielder Kingsley Sokari.

The home -based professionals are expected to report to camp immediately while those based overseas are expected in camp by this weekend.

Meanwhile, Coach Siasia has sounded a note of warning to all players given permission to travel after the team’s first leg game against Congo in Port Harcourt to report unfailingly to camp on Wednesday or be axed.

wara United struggled in the first round of the league on account of poor morale caused by the non-payment of three months salaries as well as six match bonuses, AfricanFootball.com has been informed.

An inside source told AfricanFootball.com the players have never experienced going without pay for such a long time.

“The poor performance of Kwara United in the first round of the league is not about the coach

forward to a great World Cup in three years’ time: “I hope it will be the best, because Russia has everything it needs to stage the greatest World Cup ever.”

A veteran of four worldfinals campaigns with the Indomitable Lions between 2002 and 2014 without ever managing to grace the knockout phase, Eto’o also spoke of his most treasured World Cup memory.

“It has to be the world finals in South Africa because they were the first in Africa,” he said. “The only pity is that I wasn’t

IPC Swimming: Britain wins 10 golds at Glasgow

or bad players, but lack of motivation,” said the source.

“The fact is that the players are not motivated, they are being owed three months’ salaries and six match bonuses, their morale is down.

“This never happened at Kwara United and the players can’t get over that as they can no longer pay their bills at home.”

Kwara are 15th on the 20-team league table with 22 points halfway through the championship.

Tully Kearney

B Kwara United players lament no pay

able to live out my dream of taking my country as far as possible. I was very happy all the same because Africa showed that we can do big things.”

Along with fellow stars Ronaldo of Brazil, Uruguay’s Diego Forlan and other football icons, the Cameroonian legend will be a privileged witness as the Preliminary Draw unfolds.

Revealing the fate of the qualifying hopefuls, among them Cameroon, the draw will map out the path they will have to take to make it to the next World Cup.

ritain won three more gold medals to finish on a high at the IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow.

Tully Kearney won her third individual title with gold in the SM9 200m individual medley.

She then teamed up with Alice Tai, Claire Cashmore and Susie Rodgers to win the medley relay.

There was also gold for Jessica-Jane Applegate in the S14 100m backstroke,

beating Russia’s Valeria Shabalina.

It means Britain finish the event in fifth place in the medal table with 32 medals, including 10 golds.

Eighteen-year-old Applegate, from Norwich, had won silver in the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley earlier in the week but put in a superb performance in an event in which she admitted she did not expect to reach the podium.

PAGE 43

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Sport

Roma open talks with Arsenal for Szczesny loan

R Brendan Rodgers admitted last summer that Mario Balotelli was not Liverpool’s first-choice recruit.

Balotelli will decide his future - Rodgers

M

ario Balotelli will have the final decision as to whether he leaves Liverpool this summer, manager Brendan Rodgers says.

Balotelli, 24, appears to have no future at Anfield after being left out of Rodgers’ squad for a preseason tour of the Far East and Australia.

The Reds are set to bring in Christian Benteke

from Aston Villa to add to a strike force that will also include Danny Ings, Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge, with the latter expected to return from hip surgery in October.

Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini have both been told they can leave Anfield while Liverpool are also ready to listen to offers for Balotelli, with his former club Inter reportedly turning down

Stones can’t reject Chelsea offer-Cahill

John Stones

C

helsea defender Gary Cahill has told Blues target John Stones that he cannot afford to turn down the chance to play for the Premier League champions.

Jose Mourinho is preparing a £28 million offer for the Everton centre-back after an initial bid of £20m was rejected, with the Portuguese publically clashing with Roberto Martinez over the approach.

And Cahill, whose place in the Chelsea starting XI could be under threat should Stones arrive, has

urged the 21-year-old to move to Stamford Bridge and begin competing for major honours.

“When a top club comes calling, who you know will be firing on all fronts with competitions and medals, that’s ultimately what you want to be playing for.

It’s hard to turn down of course.

“He will look at the club, look at the players, and look at being involved in a squad like ours. When Chelsea came calling for me, it was an opportunity, it was a chance and looking from the outset you may not be sure how it’s going to go.

the chance of a loan deal.

The Italy international, signed for £16 million from AC Milan last August, scored four goals last season as he struggled to make an impact.

Speaking at a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, where Liverpool will complete their tour by facing a Malaysia XI on Friday, Rodgers indicated that Balotelli’s future was far from decided.

Balotelli, who has remained on Merseyside to continue his pre-season preparations, has two years left on his contract.

The striker was criticised by Liverpool fans on Twitter after posting a message on Tuesday showing support for Raheem Sterling, who scored on his Manchester City debut following a £49m move from Anfield.

oma have opened talks with Arsenal over a loan deal for their Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, a source said.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has publicly expressed his hope that Szczesny and David Ospina would battle it out for a starting spot in his side this season, despite the highprofile arrival of Petr Cech from Chelsea last month.

That always seemed to be an improbable prospect, with Wenger unlikely to be able to keep a trio of international keepers content in the upcoming campaign.

Widespread reports had suggested that Colombian stopper Ospina was the favourite to make his way out of Arsenal just a year after he arrived from Nice, but it is Szczesny who has actively sought to find a new club in recent weeks.

One of the potential deals under discussion between Arsenal and Roma is a season-long loan with

the option to turn the transfer into a permanent move next summer.

Szczesny is believed to be keen to pursue a career at a new club after an oftenturbulent decade at Arsenal.

Wenger has stood by Szczesny and constantly insisted he would develop into a world-class performer amid plenty of criticism from the club’s supporters since the keeper made his way through their youth team ranks before his firstteam breakthrough arrived during the 2010-11 season.

While Wenger has always been eager to back Szczesny, he dropped the keeper for a crucial Champions League game against Bayern Munich in March 2013 after some high-profile errors and the 25-year-old fell out of favour with his manager again last January, as he was fined and dropped once again for smoking in the dressing room showers following a poor performance in a 2-0 defeat at Southampton.

Grosskreutz hints of Borussia Dortmund exit

K

evin Grosskreutz has admitted he could leave B o r u s s i a Dortmund before the start of the 2015-16 campaign after making a longawaited return from injury in a friendly against Luzern.

The 27-year-old had not featured for BVB since February due to thigh and knee problems, but played the last 20 minutes as Thomas Tuchel’s men saw off Luzern.

The Germany international’s contract is

set to expire at the end of the 2015-16 season and, with no new deal on the horizon, his future could lie elsewhere.

Grosskreutz came through the ranks of the Dortmund youth academy, but left for Rot Weiss Ahlen before breaking into the first team.

He eventually returned to BVB in 2009 and has since made over 200 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga side.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

Spurs make £7m offer for Njie

Clinton N’Jie celebrates a goal

E Kevin Grosskreutz

nglish Premier League side T o t t e n h a m Hotspur have made a £7-million bid for Clinton Njie, according to reports in the British media.

The 21-year-old impressed for Olympique Lyon last season by scoring eight goals in 33 Ligue 1 appearances.

His form has caught

the eye of Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, who has now approved a £7-million move for the Cameroon international, according to the Daily Star.

Njie has also six goals in 11 games for the Indomitable Lions, including a goal on his debut against DR Congo in 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying last year.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Sport

Afrobasket: NBBF invites 26-player for D’Tigers

By Albert Akota

N

igeria will be going to Tunisia in search for her first ever Afrobasket crown having suffered a disappointing outing in times past and most recently in quarterfinal to Senegal in Abidjan 2013.

Under the tutelage of new coach, American, William Voigt, the D’Tigers will be hoping to put off the tag of nearly men and rule Africa for the first time in Tunisia come August 19th-30th.

The team will be headlined by NBA Stars Al Farouq Aminu and Ekpe Udoh who will be making his first appearance for Nigeria while the likes of Alfarouq’s older brother Alade, Ike Diogu, Benjamin Uzoh, Stanley Okoye, Andy Ogide, Jamal Olasewere, Stanley Gumut and veteran Olumide

Oyedeji makes a return from Afrobasket 2013 in Abidjan.

Also making a return is Chamberlain Oguchi and Derrick Obasohan who were part of the London 2012 Olympics, and home based stars Abubakar Usman and Yahaya Abdul.

Others are Deji Akindele, Micheal Umeh, Eric Oluwaseun, Obekpa Chris and Ofoegbu Ikechukwu with the likes of Edo Karachi, Akinlolu Akingbala, Ebie Jason, Elonu Chinemelu, Gbinije Micheal,Olaseni Lawal and Talib Zanna get their first taste of the national team.

The team leaves Abuja tonight for Paris, France to participate in an invitational tournament from July 2227. They continue their preparation in Paris and leave for Tunis on August 15 for Afrobasket which begins on August 19 – 30, 2015.

Orlando Magic to play Toronto Rapids at London’s O2

NBA’s players

O

rlando Magic and the Toronto Raptors are to play an NBA fixture at London’s O2 arena at the start of next

Olumide Oyedeji

Tour de France wants Froome to prove his innocent

Chris Froome

T

he French doctor who claimed Chris Froome’s summit victory on stage 10 of the Tour de France was abnormal wants Team Sky to provide more details on their rider to prove he is unique.

Physiologist Pierre Sallet insisted the data he has on Froome is accurate, despite Sky boss Sir Dave Brailsford saying it was “wildly wrong”.

Team Sky released Froome’s performance data to prove their rider’s

innocence.

Sallet, who is head of Athletes for Transparency, a not for profit anti-doping agency, added: “I don’t say Froome is a doping athlete.

If we have more detail, we can easily say it is a unique profile or doping.

“It could be a unique profile, classical doping using haematological drugs, like EPO - or mechanical doping which is using a motor in your bike. People need to know.”

year.

The match on 14 January will be the American basketball league’s sixth regularseason game in the capital.

Crolla ponders Perez’s title rematch

A

nthony Crolla is targeting a second WBA lightweight title fight with Colombia’s Darleys Perez following their controversial draw on Saturday.

Perez retained his title despite having two points deducted for low blows, but the scoring is now set to be reviewed.

Judges scored the fight 116-111 for Crolla, 114-113 for Perez and 113-113.

“I’m yet to come across anyone, whether it be on social media or in person, who actually thought Perez had done enough for the title.”

Saturday’s contest saw

Crolla return to the ring seven months after suffering a fractured skull and broken ankle when he was attacked trying to prevent a burglary.

Having narrowly missed out on a maiden world title belt, the Mancunian is now hopeful of being handed a second opportunity in his home city.

“There’s an enquiry on Tuesday with the WBA, they’re going to review it and hopefully they’ll make a decision in the next few days,” he added.

“I’m hoping that they’re going to order a rematch and that me and Perez will fight again and will bring him back over to Manchester.”

Anthony Crolla and Darleys Perez

Orlando played two pre-season games in London in 2003, while the Raptors played there twice in 2011 as the NBA visited Europe for the first time.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said: “This underscores our commitment to growing basketball in the region.”

Fury wants to end Klitschko resignation

Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko

B

ritish heavyweight Tyson Fury says he wants rid of a boring person like Wladimir Klitschko from boxing.

The pair fights for the Ukrainian’s world heavyweight titles in Dusseldorf, Germany on 24 October.

Fury, 26, is unbeaten in 24 fights while 39-year-old opponent Klitschko has not lost a bout for 11 years.

“You have about as much charisma as my underpants - zero. I’m interested in breaking your face in,” Fury said at a news conference.

Klitschko is WBA, IBF

and WBO champion and last lost in 2004 to Lamon Brewster.

The fight against Fury will be a record-breaking 28th heavyweight title bout for Klitschko and his 19th defence in his second reign as world champion.

The 6ft 9in fighter from Manchester beat Romania’s Christian Hammer in his most recent contest.

Klitschko says Fury is a divisive figure in the sport: “This guy is so entertaining.

He sings, he dances, he is a cool dude. He does different things that people like - or hate.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Sport

PAGE 45

P-i-c-t-o-r-i-a-l

Christian Benteke set Anfield alight in his first Premier League appearance against Liverpool with a brace and an assist in Aston Villaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3-1 win back in 2012

Jordon Ibe hopes to grab his opportunity in the Liverpool first team and show Brendan Rodgers he can fill the void left by Raheem Sterling.

American Zach Johnson is honoured and humbled to win his first Open Championship after victory at St Andrews.

Eight people are arrested after trying to attack the headquarters of Egyptian club Zamalek after they lost to archrivals Al Ahly.

Tennis Australia wants clear the air talks with Bernard Tomic, which could see him return to the Davis Cup squad to face Britain

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

PAGE 46

Sport

I’m proud of what I achieved in football, says Pires

D

efiant to the end, Robert Pires is keeping the France 1998 flame alive all by himself.

The sole member of the hosts’ triumphant FIFA World Cup squad yet to hang up his boots, at 41 he is four years older than Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet, who both retired earlier this year.

Together with those iconic strikers, he tasted further international success at UEFA EURO 2000, while he picked up a number of titles and trophies in a glittering spell at Arsenal between 2000 and 2006.

Pires also represented the likes of Metz, Marseille and Villarreal with distinction, in a career that most players would happily draw a line under once the game’s physical demands became harder to bear.

Not so, Pires. Instead, the man capped 79 times by Les Bleus is training hard in the hope of being offered yet another challenge. He spoke to FIFA.com about his enduring passion for football and some of the greatest moments from his playing days.

and I’m aware of having had a wonderful career.

Right now, I’m guided by my love of football more than anything else.

There are always jealous people who’ll criticise and say that I’m chasing money, but I’ve never heard of any professions that people do for free.

The Indians got in touch with me to use my name and image, so it’s

discovered a beautiful c o u n t r y , fabulous and very welcoming people, and the local cuisine.

No, I’m not frustrated. It’s just part of who I am, and I love football. Beyond that, it’s true that I do have trouble retiring.

What’s certain is that the highest level is behind me now.

But if I can still get to enjoy myself, I won’t hesitate. I have my health for a start, and that’s what’s most important. And former players never stop telling me: “Robert, you’re right.

As long as you can still play, as long as you can still run and as long as you still have the desire to work hard, then keep going.”

They won’t say it, but there are former players who regret having stopped too soon. I won’t give their names, but some of them have told me (laughs).

There’s no problem. I accept all criticism. But I’m sure that if they were in my place, they would do the same thing.

(Laughs) Yes, it’s true. At the moment, I’m waiting to see whether I’ll try one last adventure in India, like last year.

I’m kind of just waiting, as I was last year. I’m working hard to be ready to leave if I get called back.

How would you judge your fitness levels?

Why is it so difficult for players to hang up their boots, even after a career like yours?

I can’t complain. I played at the highest level for 19 seasons,

memorable burst down the left, did you think that was just the start for Les Bleus and yourself?

Yes, and I wanted us to go as far as possible. I started with the senior team in 1996 and finished in 2004. I think I did what was required and it was an honour and pride for me to represent my country.

We did the double with our World Cup and EURO wins, and that’s what’s most important for a top-level athlete. I made 79 appearances in blue and I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved, at club level and especially at international level.

France also won the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, when you were voted player of the tournament. How did you feel during that period?

That cruciate ligament injury came just before the 2002 World Cup, with the English press having voted you player of the year. Were you perhaps the missing piece that France was lacking in Korea/Japan?

I can’t say, I don’t have the answer to that. Unfortunately, there were a lot of injuries – there was Zizou’s [Zinedine Zidane], mine and so on. A lot of changes were made at that time. I think we exploded in full flight. We still had our heads in the clouds to some extent.

Does your desire to keep playing reveal a certain frustration with your career? Does it mean that you feel like you haven’t done enough?

You are the only player from France’s World Cupwinning squad yet to retire.

What are your current thoughts on retirement?

I feel I’m in good shape. I’m pretty happy because the other day I took part in pre-season training at Arsenal, with the club’s internationals.

OK, I’m not going to pretend I didn’t suffer a little because at 41 it’s not the same any more.

But let’s just say that the body is willing, the mind is still ready and, above all, I have no issues with getting back to work.

As for my vision and technique, they’re still there, even if I always have to work on them which are true if you’re 20 or 40.

friends, I’m there. Football is my passion and it’s what I’ve done since I was seven years old. I was 18 when I started making money from football.

Now that I’m 41, there are people offering me the same thing. So, quite simply, I say yes. And I enjoyed India a lot. I learned a lot and came face to face with the poverty there, which is very, very tough.

One thing’s for sure: I no longer have the right to complain about anything.

That’s impossible now. But I

Arsene Wenger said to me at the time: ‘I don’t know what’s happening at the moment, Robert, but I get the impression you’re flying!’ (Laughs) And it’s true that everything I did was coming off all the controls, all the dribbles, all the shots.

There are moments like that when you’re in a state of grace. I wasn’t about to complain; quite simply, that was my best period.

Then, as so often happens in football, I got that injury in 2002.

For me, it wasn’t serious: it was part of the game.

only f a i r that I get paid for that.

But, I ’ l l say it again: I love

Robert Pires

You were a world champion at 24 and European champion at 26.

Looking back, what are your thoughts now on your early taste of glory? football.

I live in London a n d , whenever I get a chance to play a five-a-side g a m e w i t h some

People put their faith in me, that’s all. The first was Aime Jacquet because he believed in me and saw I had qualities that could help the France team.

Above all, there was a very good generation around me.

When France were celebrating becoming European champions on 2 July 2000 thanks to your

Robert Pires, Bixente Lizarazu and Zinedine Zidane with the World Cup

PAGE 47

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 23, 2015

Some Interesting Facts 1. Coca-Cola would be green if the food colorant wasn’t added.

2. During the 17th Century, the Sultan of Turkey ordered his hole harem of women to be drowned and replaced with a new one.

3. Coffins used for cremation are usually made with plastic handles.

4. “Almost” is the longest letter in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order.

5. Human thigh bones are stronger than concrete.

6. Cockroaches can live several weeks with their heads cut off.

7. It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open. We dare you, give it a try!

8. A Ten Gallon Hat will only hold 3/4 of a Gallon.

Leisure

9. Of all the words in the English language, the word “SET” has the most definitions.

10. It is against the law to burp, or sneeze inside a church in Nebraska.

11. In 1386 a pig in France was executed by public hanging for the murder of a child.

12. Earth is the only planet not named after a god.

13. The world’s oldest piece of chewing gum is over 9,000 years old!

14. Scientists have tracked butterflies travelling over 3,000 miles.

15. The silkworm consumes 86,000 times its own weight in 56 days.

16. If removed from the stress of the modern world, the average human would sleep about 10 hours a day.

17. To produce a single pound of honey, a single bee would have to visit 2 million flowers.

18. A colony of 500 bats can eat approximately 250,000 insects in an hour.

19. One in Five adults believe that aliens are hiding in our planet disguised as humans.

20. Travelling masseuses in ancient Japan were required by law to be blind.

quick crosswords

CROSSWORD SOLUTION 14

Say what?

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Beauty: The Wodaabe tribe, who live in the Sahel, come together each year for arguably the most intense beauty pageant in the world.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

thursday, july 23, 2015

QUOTABLE QUOTE We’ve to be careful about the credibility of various Boko Haram groups. You need to be careful that you’re talking to the right group.

– President Muhammadu Buhari

SPORTS Our American frenemies latest

Expect nothing from me, Golden Eaglets coach tells NFF

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olden Eaglets coach Emmanuel Amuneke has advised the Nigeria Football Federation not to expect anything from him at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile as he’s yet to be paid his salaries for several months.

The former Nigeria international was reacting to claims by the NFF that they have paid new Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh three months’ salary upfront, and says it isn’t fair that Oliseh is being paid in advance, while he and other national team coaches are being owed.

“Well nobody should expect anything from me since they haven’t paid me,” Amuneke said.

“The people that paid Oliseh decided to pay Oliseh.“So if they owe other coaches and they pay Oliseh, I think it is not fair,” Amuneke said.

The former Nigeria winger is believed to be earning N1m as monthly salary, compared to Sunday Oliseh’s N5m monthly salary.

Chelsea fans banned over Paris Metro racism

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our Chelsea fans accused of refusing to allow a black man on to the Paris Metro have been banned from attending football matches for up to five years.

Richard Barklie, from Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, and Joshua Parsons and William Simpson, both from Surrey, were banned for five years at Stratford Magistrates’ Court.

Jordan Munday, from Sidcup in Kent, was banned for three years.

They were told they could not attend games at home or abroad.

District Judge Gareth Branston said: “Racist hatred was displayed by Chelsea fans on the Paris Metro that evening.”

Violence flared when Chelsea fans were in the French capital to watch the west London club’s Champions League match against Paris St-Germain on 17 February.

Afterwards video surfaced showing Frenchman Souleymane Sylla pushed off the train amid chants of “we’re racist and that’s the way we like it.

Advert: 0806 business: 0704 news: 0814 lagos: 0805 0803

W

hen the eminent American political scientist James Coleman was about to embark on his doctoral work at Harvard in the 1950s, he sought advice from his tutor Rupert Emerson.

A general in that field, Emerson counselled the young graduate student to focus on Nigeria.

He prophesied that Nigeria is destined to be the most important country in Africa and a world power in the future. Coleman’s mammoth doctoral dissertation was later published as, Nigeria: Background to Nationalism (University of California Press, 1963). It is widely regarded as one of the classic works of political science scholarship.

President Muhammadu Buhari has been in Washington D.C since Monday July 20. He held talks with President Barack Obama and Vice president Joe Biden. Nigeria and America have had a long and complicated relationship spanning decades.

We are purported friends and partners. But we are also rivals on the African continent, if truth be told. Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa made the first ever state visit by a Nigerian leader in July 1961. He and President John Fitzgerald Kennedy seemed to have gotten along rather well.

With the discovery of oil in Nigeria, our commercial relations with America continued to grow from strength to strength. The political crisis that led to the assassination of Balewa and his political colleagues brought the army into the political arena.

Our country was soon plunged into civil war. The United States, Britain and the defunct USSR all joined hands in supporting the Gowon administration to save our union. During the Yom Kippur War of October 1973, when the Arabs imposed a unilateral oil boycott on the United States, Nigeria was the sole Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member to continue supplying the Americans with petroleum. And this on generous terms.

With the intensification of the liberation struggle in Southern Africa, Nigeria became the leader of the “frontline nations”.

The famous speech by General Murtala Mohammed at the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Summit in Addis Ababa in January 1976 changed the course of history. We not only called the bluff of Henry Kissinger, we swayed Africa decisively in favour of the progressive forces of liberation. I would date the roots of the “misunderstanding” between our two nations from that epoch.

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8620 9705 9046 1969 0344

Thursday Column Obadiah Mailafia Murtala Ramat Mohammed was rewarded for his patriotism with an assassin’s bullet. General Olusegun Obasanjo succeeded him from 1976 until his historic hand-over to the democratically elected government of Shehu Shagari in 1979. During the second military interregnum, General Muhammadu Buhari emerged as the head of the High Magistracy from December 1983 until his unceremonial overthrow in August 1985 by the most retrograde drug-baronish forces in Nigerian history. The years 1985 to 1999 witnessed the descent of our country into the status of a corrupt banana republic. The only area where we scored some good points was in the area of regional peacekeeping in the war-torn countries of Liberia and Sierra. Even on that issue, America was not very comfortable. Our repositioning as a country that could call the ultimate shots in military terms on the continent did not sit well with strategic planners in the Pentagon.

Strangely enough, for more than a decade, US policy think tanks have been releasing studies prophesying that Nigeria would disintegrate in 2015. Nefarious shadowy foreign vultures did their damnedest to foment unrest in the Niger Delta to ensure the eventual disintegration of our country. They failed woefully. This House Has Fallen, they said. They created the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) as an instrument for fast and effective military action to ostensibly preempt the consequences of state collapse in countries such as ours.

Washington was incensed when Nigeria rebuffed AFRICOM and ensured they never had a base in West Africa.

The Goodluck Jonathan years marked the lowest ebb in our relations. In 2013 the Americans, partly for strategic reasons and partly on account of their own shale oil, took a unilateral decision to stop buying Nigerian oil while Saudi Arabia, with the same light crude as ours, continues to sell millions of barrels in the US market. America had accounted for a quarter of our total oil exports. Today, it is zero.

Our trade balance with America has plummeted from a surplus of $28 billion in 2011 to a deficit of $3 billion in 2014.

It is a well-known fact that America relates to our country purely on the basis of a naked power calculus and barely concealed contempt. I have been a diligent student of what the Germans call the machstaat. A rising continental power like ours will never be loved by those who regard themselves as the masters of the universe, for whom our beloved Africa has been a backyard and imperial playing field for the better part of a millennium.

“Delenda est Carthago”, as the Roman nobleman and Senator used to proclaim! Throughout Europe and the West where my feet have taken me, I have sensed nothing but schadenfreude towards Nigeria and our Boko Haram predicament. Somebody somewhere wants to bring our great country to its knees. It is a conspiracy of global proportions.

A recent BBC world opinion poll found that 69 percent of Nigerians approve of the United States and its policies. Nigerians – this writer included – feel nothing but love and goodwill towards America. But I doubt if the sentiments are mutual.

Lest we forget: President Jimmy Carter was and is, a good friend of Nigeria; so have been Bill Clinton and the younger Bush.

It is an irony of history that the first Black President, whose election was celebrated with wild euphoria throughout our benighted continent, may go down in history as the worst as far as we are concerned.

Apart from his whirlwind visits to Ghana and Tanzania where he doled out patronising lectures on “good governance” and “democracy”, Africa has benefitted little from Obama’s presidency. The paltry $3 billion he announced to support his Africa Power Initiative is less than what Israel receives annually.

The Obama era has coincided with the emergence of Ebola in West Africa, state collapse in Libya and the Sahel, and Boko Haram in Nigeria. He has put the power of his exalted office behind the ignoble gospel of sodomy and same-sex marriage; an affront to African spirituality and the sacred values of civilisation as handed down to us by our venerable ancestors. In America, racism has increased and black people are being killed by police and bombed in churches as never

before. Obama may have saved American capitalism, but his impact on Africa and the black race has been altogether negative.

From the revelations in the infamous Wikileaks, we would be fools to regard America as a friend.

They have been training hordes of mercenaries in military camps in some of our neighbouring countries for whatever purposes.

Some of the weapons being used

by Boko Haram are American in provenance. Instead of helping, America has been complaining of alleged human rights abuses by the Nigerian army. Some of their most eminent scholars have resorted to Jesuitical casuistry in regard to classification of Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation, an evil band of murderers that have killed more than 20,000 of our people – more than the Taliban, al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda and the Islamic State ever have done in their despicable careers.

When our man in Washington, Ade Adefuye, lamented that we have been “abandoned” by America, he became a de facto diplomatic pariah in Washington.

White House Protocol are insisting that they do not want Ambassador Adefuye in attendance during Buhari’s visit.

I knew Adefuye from the time he was Deputy High Commissioner in London to his time as Senior Political Adviser to SecretaryGeneral Emeka Anyaoku at the Commonwealth Secretariat. He is indubitably one of our brightest and best – a gentleman, scholar and diplomat of distinction. The response to his mild-mannered lament says much about America in the age of Obama.

Obadiah Mailafia can be reached on obmailafia@ gmail.com.

DAN GAYE

Youths shut Otuoke varsity, demand indigenes’ appointment –News

Then who will stay in the creek?

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