Monday, November 24th, 2014 Edition

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Monday, November 24, 2014 Safar 2, 1436 AH

. . . putting the people first

Stop Boko Haram killings now, JNI tells FG >> page 6

pmlonline

Impeachment: Reps signatures against Jonathan rise to 168

peoplesdailyng

N150 Vol. 14 No. 99

Why we raided APC office,

by SSS >> page 5

>> page 3

Troops withdrawn from emergency states l As NASS fails to renew extension l Insurgents kill 48 in Borno

>> page 2

L-R: Gov. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State and APC Presidential Aspirant presenting a plaque to another APC Presidential aspirant and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Turakin Adamawa, when he visited Kano yesterday, Sunday, to confer with delegates for APC presidential primary election.

Tax evasion: FIRS T quizzes 15 firms in Kano

By Mustapha Adamu with agency report he Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), yesterday said it had queried top officials of 15 companies operating in Kano for failing to file their tax

returns, remit tax revenue and offset their outstanding tax liabilities.

The service said this in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director, Communications and Liaison Department, FIRS, Mr Emmanuel Obeta.

Contd on Page 2

224 Days after Jonathan better than Obasanjo, Will the abducted Chibok >> page 5 says Okupe schoolgirls ever be rescued?

PAGE 2

News

CONTENTS News 2-10 Editorial 12 Op.Ed 13 Letters 14 Opinion 15 Politics 16-18 Business 19-22 Stockwatch 23 S/Report 24-25 Feature 26 Education

28

Health 30

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Tax evasion: FIRS quizzes 15 firms in Kano Contd from Cover Page The statement said the companies with outstanding tax liabilities were queried by the FIRS joint team of Medium Tax Office and the Special Enforcement and Investigation Unit.

The firms are Crown Continental Ltd, Mentholatum Nigeria Ltd, Rumbu Sacks Ltd, Terrytex Nigeria Ltd, Klysat Concepts Ltd and Digibit Control Nigeria Ltd. The six companies are owing outstanding tax liabilities of N39.8m in Companies Income Tax, Education Tax, Withholding Tax and Value Added Tax. Others who have failed to file their tax returns as stipulated by the relevant statutes include Lungun Fulani Nigeria Ltd,

Auwalu Musa and Co. Nig. Ltd, GeeDee Enterprises Ltd, Kimpex Engineering and Construction Ltd and Nako Ltd. Rano Oil and Gas Ltd, S. Roda and Sons Ltd, Edmarck Nigeria Ltd, F.K. Construction and Co Ltd, Nigerian Road Construction Ltd and Omni B. Holdings Ltd also belong to the categories of non-filers of tax returns.

The Executive Chairman of FIRS, Alh Kabir Mashi, had in September directed all field offices across the country to commence full- scale enforcement exercise against corporate bodies and individuals who have not filed tax returns nor voluntarily fulfilled their tax obligations.

The tax law requires

companies, with December 31 as their end of year accounting date, to file their tax returns on or before the end of June of every year, while payments of taxes were expected to be made not later than end of August.

The week-long tax drive exercise in Kano, according to the statement, was jointly led by the Tax Controller MTO, Mr Pam Davou and Mr. MasamaHaruna of the Special Enforcement and Investigation Unit.

Davou said the exercise became necessary following the companies’ refusal to respond to several notices and letters of reminders asking them to fulfil their tax obligations.

He said the exercise was aimed at recovering arrears of taxes

accruing to government from CIT, Education tax, withholding tax, and Value Added Tax as well as compelling the companies to file their annual tax returns.

Davou said “The Nigeria tax laws are very liberal because this exercise is the last option after we have sent series of letters, notices and even paid visits to the affected companies to remind them of their obligations.

“We all have obligations to pay taxes and more importantly, comply with the relevant tax laws of the country.

“The top officials of these companies were made to sign an undertaking with the FIRS, specifying the period within which they would fulfill their tax obligations.”

From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos, Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri and Joy Baba with agency report

re-introduced the state of emergency, but that the House of Representatives have fallen into the trap as they opposed the state of emergency, pointing out that the president can deploy the military to any part of the country without declaring any state of emergency.

Meanwhile, 48 fish vendors were gruesomely murdered last Thursday, AFP reported yesterday.

“Scores of Boko Haram fighters blocked a route linking Nigeria with Chad near the fishing village of Doron Baga on the shores of Lake Chad on Thursday and killed a group of 48 fish traders, who were on their way to Chad to buy fish,” one Abubakar Gamandi has said.

He said the insurgents set up a barricade at Dogon Fili, 15 kilometres from Doron Baga, and stopped a convoy of fish vendors around midday, slaughtering some of them and drowning others in the lake.

“The Boko Haram gunmen slit the throats of some of the men and tied the hands and legs of the others before throwing them into the lake to drown,” Gamandi told AFP by telephone from Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Doron Baga, 180 kilometres from Maiduguri, is the base of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), comprising troops from Nigeria, Chad and Niger fighting the insurgents.

Gamandi claimed the assailants killed all of their victims without using their guns.

“The attackers killed their victims silently without the use of the gun to avoid attracting attention from the multinational troops,” Gamandi said.

A military officer in Maiduguri confirmed the attack but said details were sketchy.”We heard of the attack near Doron Baga but we don’t have any details because the area falls under the operational jurisdiction of the MNJTF,” the military officer said.

Incessant Boko Haram attacks have disrupted fishing and farming along the shores of Lake Chad and fishermen from Doron Baga were forced to abandon fishing and turned to importing dried fish from neighbouring Chad. Gamandi said the Dogon Fili route provided the safest passage for traders from Doron Baga to Chad as other routes are infested with Boko Haram gunmen who rob and kill travellers.

However, the Defence spokesperson, Major-General Chris Olukolade, has appealed to the international community to be more objective by showing understanding for the peculiarity of Nigeria’s current security situation.

He particularly criticised the hard stance of some western countries over perceived negative human rights record of Nigerian military saying it was ill informed and based on wrong mindset.

Olukolade, who spoke while receiving the prestigious Alfred Daniel King Foundation award as a distinguished Military Information Expert, in Atlanta Georgia, United States of America noted that the Nigerian Armed Forces have always strived to operate in line with the global professional best practices.

Urging the world to recall that Nigeria had survived a civil

war, social and political unrests, and several religious upheavals in the last 100 years of its existence as a nation, Olukolade dismissed certain notions that the raging terrorists in the North East of the country have overwhelmed the military as not only ridiculous but utterly baseless and conspiratorial in nature.

According to him, it is important for critics to realize that the war against the terrorists is not conventional but purely a guerilla warfare where terrorists fight sporadically and melt back into the social system.

Unfortunately, he noted, some international interests are desperate to portray Nigeria as a failed state; show the world that democratic governance is not good for Nigeria; ridicule the Nigerian armed forces and make them seem incapable of safeguarding the sovereignty of the Nigerian state.

The Defence spokesman said “if, with the sophistication of global coalition, money and military resources so far deployed to fighting the Islamic State (IS), western powers are yet to dislodge ISIS from Iraq and Syria, then it is imperative they should show more understanding in respect of Boko Haram war in Nigeria.”

He emphasized that the insurgency was a passing phase in the history of Nigeria as very soon, with the concerted efforts of the Nigerian military, the support from the Nigerian government, more understanding from the international community and more importantly, with the support of the Nigerian people, Boko Haram will be defeated.

Troops withdrawn from emergency states S

NASS invasion: Is Nigeria’s democracy in trouble?

– Page 4

Metro

32

Int’l 27-30 S/World

35

Sports 41 Columnist 48

We want to hear from you The Peoples Daily wants to hear from you with any news and pictures you think we should publish.

You can send your news and pictures to: adverts@peoplesdailyng.com pictures@peoplesdailyng.com contact@peoplesdailyng.com

Phones for News: 08142929046 08024432099

trong indications have emerged that Nigerian troops are being withdrawn from the state of emergency states in the aftermath of the failure of the National Assembly last week to approve President Jonathan’s request for an extension of the state of emergency in the three northeastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

This is coming just as the insurgents killed 48 fish vendors in Borno State, near the border with Chad on Thursday.

Although, Peoples Daily could not independently confirm the development as at the time of filing this report, a very reliable source who spoke to our reporter, on condition of anonymity, said yesterday that over 20 military vehicles left Yola, the Adamawa state capital.

Efforts to get the reaction of the military authorities was not successful, as the Defence spokesman, MajorGeneral Chris Olukolade did not respond to calls and text messages sent to his mobile phone.

President Goodluck Jonathan had last Tuesday sent a request letter to the National Assembly to extend the emergency rule in the three northeast states over the constant Boko Haram brutality in the areas.

Many stakeholders are of the view that Boko Haram will now have a field day in those states as soldiers leave.

The source said the President

News Impeachment: Reps signatures against Jonathan rise to 168

PAGE 3

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

By Umar Muhammad Puma

F

eelers from the House of Representatives indicate that the plot to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan has continued to gather momentum, as the number of the lawmakers who have appended their signatures on the impeachment notice has risen to 168 yesterday.

People’s Daily had Thursday reported that 120 lawmakers had signed to support the plot to oust President Jonathan, but a source revealed that as at yesterday, the number had significantly increased to 168.

The plot to impeach the President started as a reaction to the alleged growing impunity by the Federal Government, with the recent incident that took place at the National Assembly, where lawmakers were tear gassed by the police who barred the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal from entering the chambers.

Checks also indicated that the plot has now spread to the Senate, and that growing number of Senators are said to be enthusiastic to team up with the Reps to get the

President removed..

The source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the President has breached and violated the 1999 constitution and is therefore liable to be impeached under section 143 of the constitution. “I want to hereby submit that, come December 3 we will begin to invoke and draw up articles of impeachment of Mr. President”, he declared Asked why the House decided to impeach the President now, when he was alleged to have committed impeachable offenses in the past.

The lawmaker said, the House has long before the issue of Tambuwal came up, been collecting signatures, but it was only heightened because of what transpired at the House.

“I want to assure you that we are committed this time around and no amount of blackmail or intimidation would cow us to abdicate our constitutional responsibility, which we signed with our employers the (Nigerian people) to stand firm and protect their interest, what is more interesting is that majority of the lawmakers that signed the impeachment notice are members of the PDP.”

Another source said the leaders have been meeting to plan how to convince and win other senators to buy into and support the proimpeachment lawmakers. He further disclosed that things will get clearer by Tuesday 25 November, 2014, when the Senate is expected to resume plenary.

Reacting, House Deputy Minority Leader, Rep Leo Ogor (PDP Delta) explained that the issue of impeachment in respect of this subject matter is totally inconsequential. “I don’t think Mr. President has anything to do with what happened. I believe that the president should be totally isolated from this matter.

“If for any reason anybody wants to talk about impeachment, that person should come out and address the issue. But I can tell you categorically that an attempt to raise the issue of impeachment in respect of the House, it’s going be a very difficult one, because the President has not committed any offence against anybody in that House, neither has he violated any constitutional provision.

“The issue of impeachment is inconsequential because he who

is alleging must be ready to prove.

You can’t just come and say you want to impeach without having anything to prove against the President. As far as I’m concerned, it’s inconsequential; it has nothing to do under the subject matter.

On the alleged plot to impeach the Speaker by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, Rep Ogor said “this issue of impeachment, I’ve always looked at it from a constitutional point of view.

To impeach a speaker, you will need 2/3 majority of the House.

But beyond that is the issue of moral burden. And I’ve told you categorically that the issue will be discussed internally.

“We will use the mechanism of the House to discuss it. Clearly as you know, PDP voted for the Speaker. He was a PDP man when he became the Speaker. It is already a known norm that the Speaker is always produced by the Party with the majority in the House at any given time. We have to handle the issue and definitely, we will address to the satisfaction of every Nigerian.

“Section 143 (1) of the constitution stipulates that the President or Vice President may be

Borno state governor, Alhjai Kashim Shettima, (right), inspecting feeding facilities, at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, during a routine visit, yesterday in Maiduguri.

Ceasefire talk still on-going - FG insists From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

T

he president Goodluck J o n a t h a n - l e d administration has, despite the controversy over the ceasefire deal between it and the Boko Haram sect yesterday, insisted that the said agreement of the ceasefire between the parties involved was still on-going.

In a report by the Hausa Service of the BBC, monitored in Jos, Minister for Special Duty and Chairman, Presidential Committee on Dialogue and

Peaceful Resolutions of Security Challenges in the North, Alhaji Aminu Tanimu Turaki (SAN), said the dialogue with the sect has not broken down as being variously speculated in some quarters.

According to him, in every ceasefire deal, not all members of a given group always unanimously understand and agree with an issue. He explained that if Shekau alone has denied the existence of any negotiation with his group, that does not mean that the whole deal had been truncated.

He added that the fact that

Shekau had disagreed with the deal does not mean that that the government would not continue the discussion with those members of the sect who are willing and ready for peace negotiations.

Turaki said, “the Federal Government is still discussing with Boko Haram on the ceasefire deal. Shekau was quoted to have denied the deal between government and his group . If Shekau alone refuses to agree, that does not mean that the talk is no longer possible.

“We are still discussing with the group and Shekau alone cannot stop our efforts. We are still dealing with those members who are still interested in the deal and Shekau cannot stop them,” he added.

Turaki further disclosed that there are currently two committees, one in Chad and the other in Nigeria, handling the negotiations. He said he belonged to the one in the country even as he assured that the government was committed to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the Nigeria.

removed from office in accordance with the provision of this section (2), whenever a notice of any allegation in writing by not less than one-third of the members of the National Assembly is presented to the President of the Senate, stating that the holder of the office of President or Vice President is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office. Detailed particulars shall be specified.” Ogor explained.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Presidency was not successful, as calls and text messages sent to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe’s mobile phone were not responded.

NSA denies order for Tambuwal’s arrest

By Joy Baba Yesufu

T

he Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has denied reports making the round that it has ordered for the arrest of the Speaker of the House of Representative, Hon Aminu Tambuwal.

A statement signed by the Director of Special Duties of the ONSA, Col Bello Fadile, (rtd) said there is no iota of truth in the allegations being peddled by mischief makers who are hell bent to tarnish the ONSA and the Presidency.

The statement also said that while the laws must be allowed to take its natural cause, the NSA will not abdicate its foremost responsibility of advising the President and CommanderIn-Chief of the Armed Force appropriately on how to effectively maintain and sustain peace, as well as our territorial integrity.

“The ONSA will also want to advise the general public to be very vigilant and not be hoodwinked by propaganda of desperate politicians who are willing to sacrifice the security, unity, peace and stability of the country in the alter of selfish political gains.”

The ONSA warned that it will not tolerate inflammatory, unguarded utterances capable of jeopardizing the peaceful conduct of the 2015 general elections.

Our Error: Engineer Daniel Kadzai is Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Youth chairman, NorthCentral zone and not the deputy chairman, as we earlier reported on Thursday, November 20. The error is regretted.

– Editor

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Page 4 Report

NASS invasion: Is Nigeria’s democracy in trouble?

By Ochiaka Ugwu

T

here is no gainsaying that Nigeria’s democracy isn’t looking too good these days.

Not only is violent crime rampant, high insecurity and corruption in the upper echelons of government, but pure executive recklessness has become the order of the day.

Growing insecurity and scorching poverty remain a fact of life for many in Nigerians and the government seem not to care about it. Many country folks are just existing and no longer living.

Nigerians no longer matter and has even ceased to exist while patriotism has crouched to the floor.

The truth of the matter is that Nigeria’s young democracy is starting to look crude just fifteen years after the introduction of democratic principle in the system. And it appears that the ruling party is desperate to remain in power after almost 16 years of sitting in the saddle without anything to show for it.

But it is not only the persistence of insecurity and the pervasive spread of corruption that is most bedevilling; stifling of opposition has become the main trust of the ruling party in a bid to perpetuate itself in power against the wishes of Nigerians.

The viciousness of the corruption, an inevitable consequence of the decades of brutality under the previous administration, is reflected in one of the highest in the world’s corruption index.

Perhaps worse though is the involvement of senior members of government and officials of the ruling PDP in significant business deals linked to the state which has created the perception of a new elite benefiting inappropriately from political patronage.

Studies have shown that because of “endemic corruption” and conflicts of interest proliferating in public life, citizens “feel betrayed, regarding corruption as a negation of democratic gains after a long period of struggle to return the country to civil rule. Today, up to 90 percent of Nigerians think their leaders are dishonest.

This brings us to the main issue at hand. Last week, executive recklessness was demonstrated with the locking out of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal whose only sin was that he expressed his constitutional right of freedom of association by defecting to the opposition All Progressives’ Congress (APC).

It all started when Tambuwal left Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to pitch tent with APC which did not go down well with the PDP the party under its platform he won election to the

Senate President David Mark house and subsequently elected speaker in 2011 in a keenly contested election.

However, to the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan, Tambuwal has committed a great atrocity and must suffer the consequences. He has committed an abominable act that was never heard of and for going contrary to their dictates he has incurred their wrath in which he must pay dearly for it.

To stifle him, his security details were withdrawn by Nigeria Police and Department of State Security Services. The two security agencies redeployed their officers and men attached to him for his personal security.

The Police speaking through their spokesman, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu hinged their action on section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

“

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal As if this was not enough, the police went on to block him from entering his office claiming that they are acting on intelligence report that has it that Tambuwal was planning to bring in tugs to disrupt activities in the legislative house. From all estimation, this singular act of locking out the number four citizen of the country out of his office and stopping him from engaging in his constitutional duty is the highest level of rascality and a clear abuse of power from any quarter it is coming from.

This act of brashness which made most lawmakers of APC extraction to scale the fence in the most disgraceful way just to perform their constitutional duty of legislating for our democracy was better imagined than told. It is a clarion call on legislators to rise up to the challenge of curbing “executive recklessness” of the

nation’s political leaders and if the lawmakers fail to take urgent steps to stop the excesses of the executive arm of government, democracy might be in danger.

The drama that played out shows there is no real separation of powers between the executive and the legislature, hence there is need for complete autonomy of legislature.

It is a well known fact that the role of the legislators world over is to protect the sanctity of the constitution. What we have right now is democracy in a dangerous environment. Our legislators must therefore rise up and check executive recklessness; we still have executive recklessness featuring prominently in our nascent democracy. The parliament must check these excesses now before it derail our hard won democracy by ensuring their complete autonomy

It is a well known fact that the role of the legislators world over is to protect the sanctity of the constitution. What we have right now is democracy in a dangerous environment. Our legislators must therefore rise up and check executive recklessness; we still have executive recklessness featuring prominently in our nascent democracy.

embedded in clear checks and balances as enunciated by the French Political thinker, Baron De-Montesquieu.

This should not end with national parliament, but taken down the line, to the Houses of Assembly, Local governments to remove the straggle hold of governors and chairmen who regard the house of assembly as an extension of the executive arm and not an independent organ that should serve as a check to their excesses. A case in point is Ekiti State, where seven PDP lawmakers in the most undemocratic way impeached the speaker and Deputy in a 26 member house. Even when common sense dictates that quorum is 2/3 which translates to 16 members meaning they are nine members short of forming a quorum that will enable them sit, let alone of impeaching the speaker. Unfortunately, this act of disgrace has been welcomed by the governor when he confirmed in a national television that he has not only being briefed of the development but has started working with the new speaker.

The autonomy of the legislature as an arm of government in democratic setup must be protected. It is better for us to build institutions; those are the pillars of democracy; not cannibalise or decapitate them because of disagreement with any personality. Nigeria as a nation is bigger than any individual or group. Lawmakers on their own should ensure that the struggle of those who elected them to power, they must hold dear the tenets of service to the people.

I am not against those who are raising the bar higher in legislature-executive relationship, but it should only exist when it is done for general good of the people and for the growth of our democracy. More importantly, the lawmakers should not to shy away from holding the executive accountable to the people as it is the statutory duty of legislators to make sure people did not lose confidence in democratic process by being their voices.

There is every need not to take democracy for granted at the peoples own peril. The lawmakers must work and let the people see the proof of democracy by improving in their standard of living, better security, job, food and so on. The commitment of the lawmakers to uphold the tenets of the constitution and continue to ensure that the chamber remained sacred must be done and this can only be achieved through an independent parliament that will not be under undue influence from any establishment or another arm like executive.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

PAGE 5

News

Kano govt set to ban street hawking - Kwankwaso From Edwin Olofu, Kano

P

lans are afoot for Kano state government to ban street hawking across the metropolis, kano state Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has revealed.

Kwankwaso made this known this during a presentation of training certificates and grants of N30, 000 each to 952 street hawkers at Kano Government House over the weekend.

He stated that the aim was to sanitize the streets, ensure safety of the hawkers and formalize their trades in line with global best practices.

Kwankwaso explained that when the ban on street hawking comes into force, any apprehended hawker will be charged to court, pointing out that the measure will help in discouraging obstinate street vendors.

He said In this regard, the training of the selected 952 street hawkers was carried out by Industrial Training Fund through

Why we raided APC office - DSS

By Joy Baba Yesufu

T

he Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday said that the raid on No. 10 Bola Ajibola street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos was based on a petition it got alleging that some fraudulent activities were going on in the said building.

The Service further said that those behind the activities were cloning INEC permanent voters’ card, with the intention of hacking into INEC data base, corrupting it and replacing them with their own data.

A statement signed by the Spokes Person of the DSS, Ms Marilyn Ogar said the building was put on surveillance based on the above information and having been convinced that some unwholesome activities were going on there, it undertook a raid of the premises.

According to the statement: “In the process, some persons were arrested while a Server, 3 hard drives and 31 ‘Ghana-mustgo’ bags of hard copy documents were recovered and taken away for further investigation.

“It must be noted that the said location had no sign post indicating whether it was a private or government office”.

It could be recalled that operatives of the DSS and soldiers attached to the security unit, code-named Operation MESA, were reported to have on Saturday stormed the All Progressives Congress (APC) data centre in Lagos and arrested 25 data agents and three security guards.

According to the report, the security agents also ransacked the Duplex located on Ajibola Street, off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, and confiscated computer hardware, which contained the data of APC members in several parts of the country.

the Office of Special Adviser to the governor on Metropolitan Affairs, even as about 170 places were selected and designated as business points for the trainees.

Kwankwaso said the state

government had spent N266, 858,000 on training and empowering the hawkers, who are mostly youth, adding that taking them off the streets was a measure of protecting their lives

from imminent danger.

In his speech, the ITFDirector General, represented by Mrs Juliet C. Onaeko, said the hawkers were trained on GSM fault

tracing/maintenance and CD production/marketing, saying this indicated the commitment of Kwankwaso government in human development and poverty eradication.

R-L: Out-going Chairman, Karu Metropolis Muslim Ummah Association, Alhaji Kabir Muhammad Yari, New Chairman of the Association, Alhaji Saeed M. Umar and Representative of the pioneer chairman, Alhaji Yakubu Said, during the inauguration of the new executive committee of Karu Metropolis Muslim Ummah Association, held at Hayatul Islam International Academy Karu, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Jonathan better than Obasanjo - Okupe

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said his performance is better than those of his predecessors in office.

This was in response to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who at the weekend described Jonathan’s performance in office as below average.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr.

Doyin Okupe in Abuja, described Obasanjo’s assessment of his boss’ performance as “untrue, misleading and clearly do not tally with the facts on the ground.”

The statement said the Presidency wished to assert “without equivocation, that in terms of performance and achievements, no administration since 1960 when Nigeria gained independence from Britain, has done as much as that of President

Jonathan.”

“Every discerning and unbiased Nigerian will definitely attest to this fact as the evidence stare all of us in the face,” he stated.

Okupe continued : “We will show here that contrary to Chief Obasanjo’s position, the Federal Government under President Jonathan has performed excellently given the prevailing circumstances and resources available.

“An assessment of key sectors

of national life under the Jonathan administration will definitely controvert Chief Obasanjo’s argument that President Jonathan has not performed well. ““We therefore wish to assert without equivocation that in terms of performance and achievements, no administration since 1960 when Nigeria gained independence from Britain has done as much as that of President Jonathane”, he stated.

Ebola: Association urges FG to immortalize fallen colleagues From David Hassan, Gombe

F

ollowing the contributions of their fallen colleagues in containing the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Health Institutions Sector, has called on the Federal Government to immortalize its members that died in the course of duty.

A communiqué signed by Nana Taka and Dr. Ngozi Osunde, Chairman and Secretary respectively, issued at the end of its 29th Annual Scientific Conference and made available to newsmen by its PRO, Comrade Gambo Danfulani, the association commended President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Health, for their giant strides in containing the Ebola outbreak in the country.

They however want the Federal Government to train, equip and involve nurses in all strata of disaster management in order to ensure swift response in case of disaster emergencies.

The association also called on the Chief Executives of all Federal Health Institutions to ensure establishment of Disaster Response Teams in the irrespective establishments.

According to the Communiqué, the Congress in session condemned in total, the reluctance of Government and Federal Ministry of Health in meeting the agreed demands of HOHESU members who are presently on strike.

It therefore called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, meet all their demands in order to restore industrial harmony in the health sector.

Earlier, during his speech at the opening ceremony of the conference, National chairman of the association, Nana Takai said this year’s theme: “Current Trends in the Management of Health Emergencies, The Role of the Nurse”, could not have come

at a better time than now, when the country is faced with varied emergency health challenges arising from man-made and natural causes.

He particularly commended nurses and other JOHESU members who were on ground doing their best during the Ebola crises to ensure infected patients received the best care, adding that “even when the hospitals were disserted by the doctors in hunt for money”.

Mu’azu condoles Jim Nwobodo over son’s death

By Ahmed Abubakar

T

he National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu has described the former Governor of the old Anambra state, Senator Jim Nwobodo as a leading Father of the party and one of the pillars that have made the party very great in the annals of Nigerian political party history.

The Chairman made the remarks when he led a powerful delegation of the party on a condolence visit

to the senator who lost his son, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo after a short illness in Enugu, a fortnight ago.

“We received the news of the death of your son with shock, and on behalf of the National Working Committee of our great party, we pray that God who knows and determines our collective fate will give you the strength and courage to bear the loss”, Mu’azu told the Senator at his Maitama, Abuja residence.

Accompanied by the Deputy National Chairman, Uche Secondus, his Chief Adviser and former FCT

Minister, Dr. Umar Modibbo and Principal Secretary, Ambassador Sani Bala, Mu’azu told the Senator that “God who knows everything will make him feel better after going through this agonizing period of your life”.

The Deputy National Chairman prayed that the Senator and his wife Mrs. Patricia Nwobodo “will be relieved and May the Soul of Ifeanyi rest in the bosom of the Lord”.

The late Dr. Ifeanyi Nwobodo will be buried on December 5, 2015.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

News Stop Boko Haram killings now, JNI tells FG From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) has challenged the Nigeria government to bring to a stop the incessant killings and maiming of innocent people by the Boko Haram insurgents.

The group stated this in a statement, signed by its Secretary General Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, and asked the federal government to wake up to its fundamental and obligatory responsibility of protecting lives and properties of Nigerians, especially the north east where the insurgency is endemic.

The statement stated further:

“The government should act fast and stop wallowing in diatribe, as human lives are sacred and must be seen to be treated as so” The group said the sovereignty of the country has been threatened as a so called ‘Islamic caliphate’ has been curved out of her by the insurgents. “ it is worrisome and embarrassing how Nigeria soldiers took to their heels and abandoned their bases, arms, ammunition and other military hardware on the approach of the insurgents and that is unfortunate that the Nigeria military only resurfaces after the insurgents might have struck and left a heavy casualties.” The group further

expressed shocked over the brutal murder of young children in their school premises in Potiskum, the murder of a prominent Islamic cleric and his associates in Nafada and indeed the over eight deadly attacks in seven towns within two weeks.

“The town of Mubi was under attack on October 30, Gombe motor park attack on October 31, Potiskum town on November 3, Nafada town on the 4th of November, Ashaka explosives depot on 5th of November, Maiha town, Potiskum and Kontagora town all came under attack in recent time .“ the statement said.

JNI also condemned the attack

on the Emir of Lafia who is a vice president of the group by the Ombatse militia which led to lost of lives and property and destabilized economic activities in the state.

They called on all Muslims to repent and persistently sought Allah’s forgiveness, partake in prescribed Qunut in all Mosques and continue to pray for the restoration of peace and security in Nigeria.

The group extended their profound condolences to the families of the affected victims, the people and government of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Kano, Niger, and Yobe states as well as all Nigerians on these sad and unfortunate events.

Children with the priests, during the christ the king celebration at the sacred heart catholic church Gwagwalada, yesterday In Abuja

FG evolves strategy to eliminate gender violence

By Maryam Garba Hassan

W

orried by the rising cases of Gender-Based Violence in the country, the Federal Government in collaboration with development partners and civil society organization is set to produce and coordinate a national strategy to stem the tide in Nigeria.

A statement, issued at the weekend in Abuja, by the Director

Press, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Saghir El Mohammed, said the plan is in recognition of the fact that Gender Based Violence, most especially violence against women and girls is a subject of Human Rights and Liberties, which have taken centre stage in global discourse with significant determination to end it.

The statement further said the Nigerian Government will

celebrate this year’s International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women with 16 Days of Activism, which will begin on Tuesday 25th November, 2014.

The 16 Days campaign runs from November 25, International Day of Violence Against Women to December 10, International Human Rights Day to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation

of human rights, the statement added.

The International Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed globally on the 25th of November each year, which kicks off the campaign on the 16 Days of Activism.

The theme for this year’s event is: “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World”: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Gender-Based Violence”.

Akintola condemns IGP over NASS invasion

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

A

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Adeniyi Akintola, has condemned the action of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba on the last Thursday’s invasion of the National Assembly by armed Policemen.

Akintola, who stated this while speaking with Journalists in Ijagbo, Oyun local government area of Kwara state on Sunday said that the National Council of State should take the blames for using what he referred to as “fire brigade approach” in ratifying the appointment of Abba as substantive IGP. He noted that the IGP was not matured enough to head the Force stressing that the commotion at the National Assembly and the way the Police handled it, would endanger the nation’s nascent democracy .

Akintola stated that there are sensitive positions that would require the government to subject those that would be manning them to psychological and psychiatric test to ascertain the state of their mental capability.

He said, though the IGP might be acting under instruction, he ought to have been guided by the nation’s constitution and the Police act.

He added that the policemen’s action was an assault on the foundation of democracy, which should not be tolerated by all lovers of democracy.

Speaking on the 2015 general elections, Akintola appealed to politicians to safeguard the nation’s democracy, stressing that any attempt to derail the system would spell doom for them.

“Politicians should safeguard this democracy. Many of us were detained. I was detained five times under General Sanni Abacha’s regime. Many of the politicians of today never knew the geography of any detention camp. They have never been detained, they didn’t fight for it (democracy), they were not on the street. So they will not appreciate what many of us went through. By their conduct, they should not derail this democratic experiment. If they do, they will regret it”, he stated.

Niger: Gov. Aliyu, APC trade words over appointment of perm secs

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

T

he All Progressive Congress (APC) in Niger state has said no matter the level of intimidation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it will not keep silent and watch the state grinded to a halt; as Governor of Niger state, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has used the appointment of permanent secretaries as a political patronage.

This was contained in a statement issued in Minna yesterday by the APC Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa even as the APC considered the exalted office of a permanent secretary not a job for the boys that it’s a position where qualified career civil servants are appointed to occupy through considerations of competence, competitiveness, and experience.

Vatsa noted that the recent

appointment of thirteen permanent secretaries is lacking in all these process, it is job for political loyalist and Jobbers, we believe that for the state to move forward appointment of unqualified people to such positions should be condemned and totally rejected as it was a deliberate move to destroy the civil service.

The Chief Press Secretary to Niger state Governor, Israel A. Ebije reacting to the position of the APC on the recent appointment, described as

antics of the rudderless opposition to sustain its nuisance value.

Ebije expressed concern over the reasoning of the state opposition, adding that they lack the administrative competence to understand the importance of the action.

He said the opposition couldn’t direct the ruling party on how to govern, adding that the decision of the state governor to appoint permanent secretaries is to

reinvigorate the civil service and promote service delivery.

“It is indeed ironical to find the opposition suddenly disturbed at government decision to reposition the civil service. It only shows that the government of Dr. Aliyu is in the right direction. I would have been disturbed if they drummed support for such laudable decision. They are table tippers and nothing good can come from them.”

PAGE 7

News

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

New Women Affairs Perm-Sec urges staff to uphold service ethics

L-R: Chairman, Irepodun Local Government of Kwara, Alhaji Luqman Owolewa, managing director, Infrastructure Bank, Abuja, Chief Adekunle Oyinloye and the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, at the presentation of trophy, at the 2014 Omu-Aran festival, at the weekend In Kwara

By Maryam Garba Hassan

F

2015: We have defeated opponents of zoning – Gov Aliyu From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

T

he Niger state governor Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has said that those working against zoning arrangement in the state have conceded to superior arguments, adding that they are already working with Zone C for the 2015 governorship race.

Aliyu, who made statement in his address, when 14 female aspirants, canvassing for elective positions, paid a courtesy visit to him at his residence in Minna yesterday.

He said he was delighted women in Niger state have braved all odds to seek for elective positions, saying they must however observe the zoning arrangements which affects all elective positions in the state.

“I am an advocate of zoning formula in Niger state. If not for the zoning arrangement, maybe I wouldn’t be governor today. We have defeated most of the opponents of the existing zoning arrangement in the state but some are still against it but I am happy they are yielding already. Whatever position you are looking for, we must stick with thezoning

arrangement.”

He expressed happiness that women are participating in politics, adding that there was the need for women to continue to vie for elective position adding that it will promote girl child education, ensure gender balance and reduce negative impression against women in politics.

Governor Aliyu noted that women have done very well in his administration since 2007, that those who have served as ministers since he assumed office as governor have made the state proud. He also applauded the achievements of women in his cabinet.

The governor therefore expressed optimism that the 14 women will compete favorably well in the primaries and at the polls saying they are qualified academically and administratively to occupy elective positions of their choice.

In her remarks, the leader of the 14 female aspirants, Hajiya Hauwa Usman, thanked the governor, for assisting women in the state to actualized their ambitions in the state., noting that the present administration has recorded the highest number of women in sensitive positions since the inception of Niger state.

Kano 2015: My election bid not do-or-die, says Takai From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

K

ano State gubernatorial aspirant, under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Malam Salihu Sagir Takai, claimed that his reelection bid is not a do-or-die affair, so he is not desperate to become the state’s governor.

Takai, who made this known when he formerly declared his intention to contest for the gubernatorial election in the state in 2015, yes-

terday in Kano, also said “There is nothing like desperation to become the governor of this state in the 2015 elections. I have reiterated in my address that is not a do-or-die affair, as such, there is nothing like desperation.”

Takai, who lost the guber race in 2011 against the incumbent governor, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, noted that, instead of using foul means to achieve his political desires, he would do his best for PDP in the state to nominate him as its can-

didate for the forthcoming elections. “ It would not be a do-or-die affair; where foul means are used to achieve the desired ends. Instead, we would do our best to convince our party to justify its confidence to put us forward as its gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming elections.” He said.

The gubernatorial hopeful, who expressed hoped that the PDP may not need to go into primaries among the many contestants, revealed that the party has commenced the pro-

cess of reconciliation amongst them to come out with a single consensus candidate.

The former commissioner for Local Government during the former governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau’s administration, vowed to work towards development of economy, security and education in the state.

He however appealed to his supporters to be of good conduct and remain peaceful, by avoiding foul language against opponents during campaigns.

such a despicable acts should be perpetrated by those who are supposed to provide cover and protection to members of the national assembly.

He stressed that the nation’s democracy is almost on the brink at a time when the constitution of the country is supposed to be safeguarded by all.

According to him, the law makers, as representatives of the people, have the constitutional right to discharge the responsibil-

ity bestowed on them, lamenting that the Police institution had allowed itself to be used as a tool to suppress a popular will.

He however stated that attacks of this magnitude have become a recurrent decimal under the present political dispensation in the country, adding that the NUJ, is deeply irked by the decimal turn of events.

On the agitation for the extension of the state of emergency in the northeastern region of the

country, national president further revealed that, the whole issue has been politicised.

He however stressed that the issue of security is sacrosanct to the nation’s development, and that it must not be premised on the altar of primordial sentiment.

He counselled politicians in the country to play their game according to the rules, adding that no one would ever be safe in a situation where politicians chose to thread the path of dishonour.

NASS siege: NUJ condemns Police action From Edwin Olofu, Kano

T

he national president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), comrade Muhammad Garba, has described the onslaught on the national assembly by the Police as threat to democracy, and that the action has given a bad name to Nigeria in the comity of nations.

Speaking to journalists at the NUJ press centre in Kano State, yesterday, Garba wondered why

ollowing the announcement by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, of posting and redeployment of Federal Permanent Secretaries as approved by President Goodluck Jonathan, the new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi, has assumed office, tasking staff of the Ministry to maintain the ethics of Federal Civil Service with professionalism and discipline.

Oyemomi who was redeployed from the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development took over from Dr. Habiba Lawal who now moves to the Special Service Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, also emphasized the need for collective efforts towards the success of the Transformation Agenda in the Social Sub-Sector.

Speaking at a brief handing over ceremony in Abuja, Dr. Oyemomi said officials of the Ministry have been doing a great job going by the general progress recorded by the Ministry and the impact its programmes and policies have imparted on vulnerable Nigerians.

He said his posting to the Ministry is a privilege, pointing out that the Ministry is one whose policies affect positively on the nation and the lives of its people including those living with disabilities.

He acknowledged the efforts of the out-going Permanent Secretary, Dr. Habiba Lawal in bringing the Ministry and its various laudable programmes to the front burner of national development.

While calling for the full support of staff of the Ministry, he encouraged them to uphold the ethics of the Civil Service through hard work, discipline and respect for superiors no matter the challenges they may encounter in the course of discharging their duties.

Earlier in her speech, the outgoing Permanent Secretary, Dr. Habiba Lawal called on the Directors of the Ministry to extend their experiences and cooperation to the new Permanent Secretary so that they could both make the mandates of the Ministry to be more successful.

Lawal said in the last one and a half years, the cooperation, dedication and loyalty of the Directors and staff has enabled the Ministry to progress better than she met it.

“We have been able to raise the mandate of this Ministry to greater heights in the last twenty months when I came in here. This could be attributed to the loyalty, dedication and hard work of the Directors and Staff,” she noted.

Page 8

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

News

FCT Muslim Pilgrims’ Board boss bags award of excellence

By Maryam Garba Hassan

P

Members and supporters of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi state calling for the removal of Bauchi state APC chairman, yesterday in Bauchi.

PHOTO: NAN

Don’t impose candidates on us, aspirants warn PDP govs From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he Conference of Gubernatorial Aspirants of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), North-west zone, had warned the sitting party governors in the zone not to impose or anoint any candidate on them, for the peace and unity of the party.

The Conference stated this in a communiqué released after the emergency meeting of the aspirant held in Kaduna yesterday.

The communiqué which was jointly signed by Ibrahim Aliyu of Kebbi, Senator Ibrahim Ida, Katsina, Hon Felix Hyat, Kaduna and Honourable Abba Anas Adamu from Jigawa state, said it has become imperative to draw the attention of national leadership of the party and general public to a need to ensure a level playing ground for all

aspirants so that free and fair primaries could be conducted at all primaries and results will be accepted by the party teaming supporters.

The Conference further disclosed that sitting governors in Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna and Kebbi states were trying to impose themselves or anointed candidates on the people, an action that party faithful viewed as a calculated attempt to frustrate and deliberately compromise the party’s bright chances in the 2015 general elections.

“It is our earnest believes that flag bearers of the party at all levels should emerge through a clear and transparent processes in accordance with provision of the party constitution, rules, regulations and guidance.”

The conference however commended the national headquarters of the party for sending able and competent committee

to screen the aspirants, adding that the action of some of the governors who were bent on anointing their choice candidates against the preferred people’s choice, was dangerous to the party.

“The North-west zone, given its historical politics influences, voting strength and the increasing ferocity of the opposition is very critical to the fortune of our party.

“Most regretfully, however, we are constrained to say that the actions of our respective governors in flagrant violation of our party constitution and guidelines, is sure to destroy internal democracy within the Party.

“It is no longer a hidden fact that the Governors have designed and perfected an imposition agenda, by anointing unpopular candidates especially in Jigawa, Katsina and Kebbi states; a move that will be rejected by all party faithful”, it noted.

Minister organizes free medical care programme in Plateau state

By Mohammed Usman

A

s part of her efforts to provide medical care to the less privilege people of Plateau state, the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe has kicked start this year’s edition of her pet project tagged ‘Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) Free Medical Outreach’ in Langtang North and South of Plateau state.

Declaring the programme open at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) Comprehensive Health Centre in Zamko Langtang North Local Government Area, the minister disclosed that the project was the fourth edition following similar exercises in Zaron, Barkin

Ladi Local Government Area, Heipang State Polytechnic and Pankshin LGA of Plateau State .

In a statement, signed by Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, Akinola Boade, Ochekpe who expressed great satisfaction as the project got patronage in the three other places said that she was motivated to extend the same to Langtang-North and South LGA. She explained that one of the objectives of taking free medical outreach to the doorsteps of the people is to complement the President Goodluck Jonathan who is also doing well in the health sector.

A total number of five hundred and ten (510) patients with various health challenges

were attended at the opening ceremony of the Programme.

Out of this figure, 53 laboratory tests were conducted, 304 patients were attended to by general Consultants and a total number of 9 general surgeries were carried out successfully.

In her goodwill message, the Deputy Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Joyce Lohya commended Mrs. Ochekpe for taking the free medical care to the people of Plateau state.

She stated that, just as the people had seen and described her as Ambassador of President Goodluck Jonathan, Mrs. Ochekpe should also be seen and described as a good ambassador of the state.

ublic servants who receive awards of excellence have been advised to see it as a challenge to improve on their services.

The call was made by the Director of the Federal Capital Territory Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Malam Bashir Muhammad, when he received award of excellence services from two Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), in Abuja.

Malam Bashir said awardees of any kind should continue to strive harder to be celebrated while alive or after death and above all receive reward from the almighty.

The Director said the two awards would go a long way in gingering him to add value to what he meet on ground wherever he find himself in the service to humanity.

Presenting one of the awards, representative of the Nigerian Advancement Award Committee, Mr. Benson Uwheru, said Malam Muhammad was among the twelve notable Nigerians who won the award of excellence in Public Service by the NGO this year.

Benson explained that the award was in recognition of his excellent and exceptional contribution to the advancement of Nigeria as a country and humanity as whole.

In another development, the director also received another award from Legacy International Centre based in Accra, Ghana.

Presenting the award on behalf of the NGO, Mr. Ekene Sunday, said the award was in recognition of Malam Bashir’s immense contribution to the development of African nation through humanitarian services.

FG committed to infrastructural devt in Gombe – Dankwambo From David Hassan, Gombe

G

ombe State Governor, Alh. Ibrahim Dankwambo has reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to the provision of infrastructural developments in Gombe state and the North-East in general.

Dankwambo spoke when top management of National Mirror newspapers, led by the company’s group managing director, Alhaja KaflatOgbara, paid him a courtesy call in Gombe.

The governor, who lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for supporting the state government effort at providing infrastructural

amenities for the people, said his administration had continued to lay emphasis on projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state.

After inspecting numerous projects embarked upon by the present administration in the state, the visiting team lauded the efforts of Governor, saying he was bequeathing a lasting legacy to the state.

Alhaja Ogbara advised the governor not to rest on his oars, as it was clear he was bringing a different and unique style of leadership that was having direct impact on the lives of Gombe people.

Jigawa people are behind my ambition - Ringim From Edwin Olofu, Dutse

C

ontrary to widely held view, a governorship aspirant under the platform of the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa Alhaji Aminu Ringim has said he enjoys the support of the people of Jigawa state.

Speaking to reporters in Dutse he faulted the notion that he is the anointed candidate of the incumbent Governor, Sule Lamido.

Ringim, who just returned from the North West Zonal screeningby his party in Kaduna said he has the requisite experience to administer Jigawa state if elected in the 2015 poll.

“I think, in view of my experience, who served in the heart of power as Chief of Staff to former Governor Saminu Turaki

for five years and Sule Lamido for about eight years, is enough for me to consolidate on such gains and continue from where my principals stopped” He said that he was never anointed by anybody, saying instead, it is the people of Jigawa that anointed him.

“After all, there are four of us contesting; Idon’t think there is any one of us that was anointed by the Governor. If you say anointment, you can go and ask the peoplethat question and not me; because they are the ones thatanoint, not the governor”, he said.

Ringim said that his decision to join the gubernatorial race on the platform of the PDP in Jigawa followed wide consultations with critical stake holders and close associates’ friends and wellwishers.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Page 9

PAGE 10

News

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Moro bans telephone usage, indecent dressing in prisons

L-R Minister of Science and Technology Alhaji Abdul Bulama , the State House Counsel Barrister Jamilu Arabi and Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar during the FEC meeting at the State House Abuja

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

M

inister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, has banned Nigerian Prison officials from the use of telephones in prisons.

Moro, who gave the order at the weekend in Abuja, during an interactive meeting with the senior officers of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), also ordered the prison authorities tore cover all telephones from the prisoners across the prison formations in the country within thirty days.

The order also decried indecent dressing by the inmates, saying henceforth, no inmate should be allowed to wear their choice of clothes or shoe, no matter how highly placed the inmate are.

“I have visited some prisons in other country as the Minister of the federal republic of Nigeria, Nobody, no matter how highly placed is allowed to come to prison with his phones, not even the minister of Interior or the supervising minister of the prisons.

So, why are you an exception?

“Henceforth, no matter who you are, including myself, nobody goes into prison with telephones.

And so,as you are going from here, create a meeting platform where all the officers that work in the prisons submit their phones and collect them when they close.

“Secondly, it means that you have one month to recover all the phones in the custody of inmates across the prison formations.

“Within one month, all prison formation must recover all telephones from inmates. Don’t forget that I will know if you fail to do this because we have various agencies in Nigeriathat tracks telephone calls.

Commenting on the recent attack on Koton-Karfe prison in Kogi state, the Minister wondered the failure of the prisons intelligence unit and the armed squad which he said has led to the two attacks within two years.

“A situation whereby It is established that a prison officer connived with external forces to take a sizeable number of AK47 into the prison and the only sanctions you can give to such officer is to transfer him, and so Acting CG I want you to investigate that matter and report back to me within two weeks.”

He warned the officers to” either demonstrate your capacity or honourably resign because there are many Nigerians looking for job, just say that you are no longer capable of doing this job and get out and we will get committed Nigerians to fill the vacancies, and I mean everything I am saying.”

Photo Joe Oroye

Bauchi Ulamas pray for peaceful co-existence N From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

ot less than 400 hundred Ulamas held special prayers for the peaceful co-existence and the socio-economic development of the country in Bauchi state.

The special prayers was held at the conference hall of Bauchi central Mosque at the weekend, organized by the Center for Improvement of Traditional Quranic Schools In Nigeria to observed new year of Islamic calendar and swore-in new

executives of the center. The Ulamas, who recited the Quran over and over at the beginning of the session, they were drawn from the 21 local government areas of Bauchi state for equal representation of people in the state The guest speaker at the occasion, Malam Balarabe urged Ulamas to follow the doctrine of Quran for effective learning.

He prayed and asked God to bring to an end soonest, the atmosphere of insecurity in country.

Balarabe admonished all Muslims to eschew tribal and religious differences in their dealings with each other, saying that will encourage peaceful core- existence Also speaking the Chairman Bauchi state Shariah Commission, Alhaji Mustapha Baba Ilellah cautioned the Ulamas against partisan politics, “you are religious teachers not politicians everybody is looking on to you to better his faith ‘Mustapha enjoined Muslims to use the new year to reflect on their lives and rededicate

them selves to serving God and promoting peace and love among humanity in Nigeria and wherever they found themselves.

In his remark, the Director General Tsangaya Schools Bauchi State, Sheik Sayyidi Ali Dahiru Bauchi said Yuguda administration is doing everything possible to uplift the standard of living of the Ulamas in the stat Sayyidi Ali called on the Ulamas to remain resolute in their activities and to continue praying for the peaceful co-existence of the state and the nation.

Cleric warns security agencies against partisan politics From Ahmed Idris Birnin Kebbi

T

he National Chairman of Nigeria Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa‘Iqamatis Sunnah, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau has called on the Nigerian security agencies not to allow politicians to use them and burn this country.

He made this call yesterday, at the closing ceremony of threeday national campaign and

seminar on ‘Unity, Security and Development’, held at the Birnin Kebbi stadium, adding that the persistence of government, using the Nigeria security in killing and harassing innocent people, is too alarmists.

He further pointed out that the securities that were supposed to protect the image of the masses were been used by the government and some aggrieve politicians to destroy the peace and harmony

been enjoyed in Nigeria. ‘’Can’t you see how government is using police and soldiers to kill people and embarrass people, it is barbaric and a way of destroying the two religion’’ he added.

Lau who explained that the Boko Haram members were not a Muslims, because the religion did not preach that they should kill their fellow brothers, urged the federal government to do everything possible to curtail this menace.

He admonished all the northern traditional Muslim rulers tost and up and fight this cause and ensure peace in the north. At the occasion were the chairman kebbi state traditional rulers council and Emir of Gwandu, Maj. Gen. Eyali Bashir (rtd), Emir of Arugungu and the Speaker, Federal House of Representative and other prominent religious leaders from Mali, Niger Republic, Ghana and other African countries.

harmful” to public health of the society.

A statement, issued and signed by the pastor, indicated that the United Nation reported that there are over 2.5 billion people in both rural and urban areas in the world without access to proper toilets.

Buru said the research by United Nations showed that more people in the world have mobile phone sthan toilets, saying out of the world’s seven billion people, six billion have mobile phones.

He said only 4.5 billion have access to toilet or latrines, while

he suggested that the provision of proper toilet at markets, car park garages, mosques and churches, football fields and schools could save thousands of lives.

“Countries where open defecation is most widely practiced are the same countries with the highest numbers of under-five child deaths, high level of under nutrition and poverty and large wealth disparities.

“Over one billion people defecate in an open place due to shortage of toilet facilities. We call on philanthropist, governments

at all levels, NGOs and health stakeholders to embark on sensitizing the public on the importance of hand-washing after using toilet and for government to revisit the activities of health public inspectors in the communities,” he said.

The cleric said if such is done, more Nigerians lives would be saved from dangers of open air defecation.

It could be recalled that November 19 is celebrated worldwide as International Toilet Day.

Group laments shortage of public toilets

From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

A

s the world celebrated world International Toilet Day, founder of Peace Revival and Reconciliation of Nigeria, Pastor Yuhana Buru have expressed dissatisfaction over the increasing shortage of toilets in both ruraland urban areas in the country.

According to him, lack of enough public toilets can lead to many people contacting various diseases due to open defecation. He said defecating openly is “extremely

Page 11

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Money Sense

The 6 words that are holding you back I t’s no secret that words have power. For example, you probably wouldn’t say to a potential vendor, “I’m not hiring you because your product sucks.” Instead, you might say, “I don’t think your offering is the right fit for us at this time.” There is a big difference in how the recipient of that information hears the first one over how he hears the second, and, as professionals and decent human beings, we are sensitive to that.

So it’s curious why we use damaging words when we’re talking about our own ability or about our willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve our goals. When talking about ourselves, we tend to use words that diminish our ability and our belief in our capability. The impact these words have on the confidence others have in us is bad enough. It is worse that they affect the decisions we make and the actions we take.

The words we use, even if only in our head, say a

lot about our attitude, and attitude is everything. In business, there are some things that are seemingly out of our control, like waiting for a potential client to pull the trigger for hiring us or for our bosses to finally deliver on that well deserved promotion.

But we can control the words we use, both spoken and unspoken, and in turn control our attitude. If your attitude about a situation is negative, then the words you use about the situation will also be and the likelihood of your actions and decision making around that situation will be in kind. And if the words you use have a negative or limiting connotation, even if our attitude is positive, those negative words can actually change our attitude in an adverse way.

Watch out for these: Should, Shouldn’t: People are always telling us what we should or shouldn’t do and we actually do the same thing

to ourselves. The reality is, there is nothing you should or shouldn’t do.

Have to: Let’s get one thing straight right now.

There are very few things you HAVE TO do in life and breathing is one of them.

Can, can’t: You can?

Great but the question is, will you? The word ‘can’ is seemingly innocuous, but actually has a negative connotation. Think about it. Pick something you say you can do. Perhaps that’s “I can land that client” or “I can get funding for my business.” Now change the word from “can” to “will.”

Some say this is semantics but there is a big difference in how you think about the situation when you say you will versus saying you can.

Can is not a definite but instead a possibility without action. There is nothing in can that says you will.

“Can’t,” on the other hand, is a copout. When you say you can’t, you are saying there is no way or that you’re not capable.

Wrong. What you’re really saying when you say “I

can’t” is “I won’t.” Own that, and stop saying you can’t do something because, in truth, you CAN do anything you want to, and you WILL do what you want to do.

Impossible: And

speaking of “can’t,” can you imagine if the Wright Brothers said flying was impossible? (Well, the Wright Brothers weren’t the first to fly, it was actually German-born, Gustave

Whitehead.) But no matter who is credited, someone had to believe it was possible for it to be done.

Once you convince yourself that something is possible, the rest is about finding

…and how to buy and sell gold coins

By Jean Pierre Honla

I

f you have some spare cash, rather than leave it to lie fallow in your bank account, you can invest it into buying and selling of gold coins online. This is a very lucrative business, especially since gold coins have better liquidity than bars.

How to make money buying and selling gold coins online 1. Take your time to compare prices: Don’t be surprised that you will see the same coins going for various prices in different markets.

2. If you are buying rare coins (otherwise called numismatic coins), try to research the historical value of each coin to determine if it has been a solid long term investment.

3. Before buying any coin, consider the resale market. While rare coins are usually highly valued, you may find it very hard to sell them.

4. Because commissions are typically higher for numismatic coins, many coin dealers attempt to force them down the throat of industry newcomers. Don’t fall for this gimmick. Only buy numismatic coins if you have full understanding of what you are purchasing.

5. Before investing, consider the current prices of gold, but don’t let substantial swings (up or down) influence your decisions. Human nature is to buy when prices are going up and sell when prices are going down.

6. Connect with a local coin dealer in order to

learn more about the gold coin market. Aside being ready to answer your most provocative questions, coin dealers with whom you have established a relationship will provide you with discounted prices and early access to new inventory.

They will also typically offer you a premium over their standard buying rates when the time comes to sell your coins.

How to identify counterfeit gold coins Due to the current high prices of gold, producers of counterfeit gold coins have entered the market in large numbers with coins made of relatively worthless metals, such as copper and tungsten. To avoid the expensive mistake of buying counterfeit gold coins, start by researching the coin dealer you plan to buy gold coins from. Other tips to avoid this mistake are as follows: • Invest in a reliable scale.

Purchase a weighing scale that measures tenths, if not hundredths of a gram.

Specified weights for all types of gold coins can be found online. Weigh any gold coin and compare its weight with the specified weight. Any difference should raise your scam detector.

• Purchase a caliper A caliper measures the length, breadth, and thickness of an item.

Calipers are more accurate than rulers and tape measures. Gold coins are produced in line with strict dimension specifications.

Measure any gold coin you plan to buy, and compare

its dimensions with the standard.

• Use a rare earth magnet. Gold is not magnetic. So, use a magnet to test the authenticity of any coin before you buy it.

If a magnet attracts it, it’s not gold.

Where to buy gold coins Aside buying from individual dealers, there are other sources where you can buy high quality gold coins at cheap prices. Examples include the following: • The government: government-issued coins usually come with a reliable guarantee of gold content, weight, and purity.

• Online auction sites: Examples include Ebay.com. Most sellers are cash-strapped and are willing to sell for cheap prices.

• Public: If you want to buy coins at rates that fall well below market value, like the dealers do, learn how to buy coins from the public.

How to sell your gold coins Sell your gold when the price is at all time high, when the demand is high, when the sentiment is generally bullish, and when you are sitting on a sizable profit.

In conclusion, you must keep in mind that this article is not meant to give all the information you need to get started. Consult other online resources as well as experts in gold coin trading to learn more about the technicalities of the business before you take a plunge. www.africanplan.com

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

EDITORIAL

ast year, President Goodluck Jonathan promised to “sanitise” the process that produces the annual national honours awards after that year’s nominations were condemned by most Nigerians because of the choices he made and their number. It was expected that the sanitization would begin with this year’s list. Alas!

When it was announced, it was very much of the same sham.

To be fair, the President did try to give the list a veneer of respectability by putting a driver, a traffic warden and a cook on it. They were Solomon Dauda, a taxi-cab driver who returned N18 million a passenger forgot in his cab; Onuh Michael, a cook in the Presidency and Imeh Usuah, a driver in the Nigerian High Commission in Canada. Apart from these four cosmetic changes, the rest 301 awardees were men and women faithfully serving Jonathan, not the nation. To that extent, the phrase National Honours is a misnomer.

We begin with the President’s 5 military chiefs who he decorated with the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) medal: Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh; Chief of Army Staff, Kenneth Minimah; the Chief of Naval Staff, Usman Jibrin; the Chief of Air Staff, Adesola Amosu; and Director of the National

Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke. These are the men “prosecuting” the government’s campaign to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east that has lasted over 4 years and consumed thousands of lives, this year alone. The military’s effort has

“

L

We can do it better

Mr. President, you can restore respectability to the awards. been largely ineffectual and nothing headlines this dismal role more than the failure of the security forces to rescue over 200 schoolgirls seized by Boko Haram since April. What then did the President reward them for? Incompetence or loyalty or both?

As if to show that political partisanship was not a factor in the choices the President made, he picked the National Chairman of the opposition All Progressives Congress APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun for the award of Commander of the Niger (CON). But then, he rewarded Chief Tom Ikimi who jumped out of the President’s PDP into the newly formed and registered APC , only to

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

jump back in after he lost the APC chairmanship to OdigieOyegun, with CON. Not only that, Jonathan chose to give Deputy Governor of Kano state, Dr. Umar Ganduje, Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) but ignored his boss, Dr. Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso. It is obvious that this was a reward to Ganduje for remaining loyal to PDP unlike the governor who left for APC and has been a thorn in the President’s flesh ever since. Eight other PDP governors made the CON list.

They were Chief Theodre Orji (Abia); Mallam Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); Mr. Sullivan Chime (Enugu); AlhajiSa’idu Dakingari (Kebbi); Senator IbikunleAmosun (Ogun); Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo).

The latter only recently left his old Labour Party for PDP. His exit has left the LP without a single state in its charge.

Clearly, the President has let slip through his fingers an opportunity to redeem an honours nomination process scandalized in the past by rejections from respectable Nigerians, including world renowned author, the late Prof. Chinua Achebe, the late human rights activist and constitutional lawyer Gani Fawehinmi and Nobel laureate, Pro. Wole Soyinka.

Mr. President, you can restore respectability to the awards.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

Chairman Malam Wada Maida, Oon, Fnge Director/Editor-in-Chief Rufa’i Ibrahim Managing Editor Abdul-Azeez Abdullahi

Chief Operating Officer Ali M. Ali

Deputy Manager, Production Abdul-Rauf Musa

Editor, Daily Hameed M. Bello

Manager, administration Hassan Hammanyaji

Head, Lagos Bureau Adesoji Oyinlola

Acting Editor, Weekend Lawal Sabo Ibrahim

“To be a reputable, profitable, innovative and technologically reliant media company offering world class services and products”

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Opinion

Siege on National Assembly is Sacrilegious

By George Akume

F

or President Jonathan, impunity has become a second nature. On Wednesday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) staged a “Salvation Rally”, deprecating the Presidents’ many acts of impunity. The siege on the National Assembly on Thursday marks the latest addition to President Jonathan’s long litany of assaults on democracy.

The deployment of thousands of police and security personnel to barricade the gates of the National Assembly in their desperate attempt to prevent Speaker Tambuwal’s access to the House of Representatives over which he presides, is sacrilegious.

Mercilessly teargasing the Speaker, his colleagues, staff and visitors in and out of their hallowed chambers amounts to travesty of the sanctity and brazen desecration of the hallowed nature of the parliamentary institution. As a critical part of the tripod upon which constitutional democracy rests, the Presidents assault on the parliament amounts to gross

misconduct and constitutional breach of the sacrosanct doctrine of the separation of powers. Mr. Presidents’ insistence on the unlawful removal of Speaker Tambuwal in spite of the courts order for maintenance of status quo is further violation of an extant, valid and subsisting order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

It is particularly sad that whereas, the Hon. Speaker patriotically responded to the Presidents’ call to National duty by summoning his colleagues from recess to consider an executive request for an extension of emergency rule in the North East of Nigeria, the President had as his primary but private objective, the removal of Mr. Speaker by subterfuge and deceit. This is yet another proof that combating the Boko Haram insurgency was not, has not been, is not and will likely never be President Jonathan’s priority. This is in spite of his government primary duty to secure the Nigerian State. Mr. Presidents’ only priority is to retain the title of Commander-in-Chief without

doing the job the title entails! Is it any wonder that Mr. President declared a unilateral cease-fire and pulled out our military, only for the insurgents to capture more territory and slaughter more of our defenseless compatriots. Is it any wonder that when our local hunters chased out the insurgents out of Mubi, the Nigerian security agents arrested the leader of the hunter for daring to blow open PDP’s grand design to allow Boko Haram seize more territory and make holding elections impossible in the North East where opinion polls reveal the President’s outright rejection.

The police excused their siege on the National Assembly on alleged security report of imminent invasion of the National Assembly by thugs. This claim is not only a laughable tissue of lie, but it was directly contradicted by clear television visual account which showed the police preventing the Speaker and other Honourable members of the House accompanying him from gaining entrance into their ordinary place of business. Is it the Speaker or the

Honourable members that have become thugs? Did the police share their information with the National Assembly leadership?

Could they not identify the Speaker when he called out to them to open the gate?

The fact remains that by allowing Deputy Speaker Hon. Emeka Ihedioha access to the chambers and preventing Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, the police wanted to give the Speaker the Ekiti treatment where 7 members of the House were selectively allowed to go into the Chambers and impeach the Speaker of the State House of Assembly. Besides, the police account sharply conflicts with that of Dr. Doyin Okupe who claimed that the Police IG was merely implementing earlier court decisions, which held that defectors are no longer members of the parliament. He did not however explain why the implementation was selectively restrictive.

While the IGP withdrew the security of Hon. Tambuwal on grounds that he had lost membership of the House because he decamped from the PDP, he did

not do the same to the Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly and some members of the Assembly who decamped from Labour Party to the PDP. As Parliamentary Opposition Leader and elder statesman, I am a major stakeholder in the Nigerian political enterprise.

I will never stop warning Mr. President to look back at history.

When you directed the police to withdraw the Speaker’s security details, I drew your attention to events in the First Republic where the parliamentary crisis in the Western region precipitated the Major Nzeogu military adventure, which eventually led to the Nigerian civil war. Here again, let me warn that your siege on the National Assembly is akin to a death wish. You are either inviting an impeachment from the same Parliament or inviting adventurists to throw out the bath water and the baby. Whatever your motive Mr. President, I appeal to you to spare Nigeria for future generations.

Senator George Akume is the Senate Minority Leader

Riding the tiger by the tail

By Babayola M. Toungo

T

he macho in our security men only come to the fore when they are confronting ‘bloody civilians’ and only when they are on an errand for Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP. Those who are unfortunate to pass through the various checkpoints and roadblocks that are ubiquitous in the north can attest to the humiliation and harassment they go through in the course of undertaking their daily chores. While terrorists are running amok in the northeast killing and maiming without let or hindrance, our security men are content in molesting law abiding simple folks instead of confronting the killers marauding the northeast. They are more noted for running away when faced by the terrorists than for their display of gallantry. A government that many believed are complicit in the mayhem tearing apart the country inch by bloody inch condones the behaviour of the security men.

Our military men appear to be untouchable when “dealing” with us civilians – they behave as if they are not governed by any code of conduct or any rule of engagement.

This display of impunity has now being taken to the hallowed precinct of the National Assembly, the citadel of democracy, where the government deployed massive force in order to deny the Speaker of the House of Representatives entering his office and reconvening the House to debate the president’s request for an unending state of emergency imposed on three states of the

northeast for the past eighteen months. In an effort to stop an unyielding Speaker and his supporters (those who stood for democracy) from entering the National Assembly, the security operatives tear gassed the members of the House. These are the representatives of the people, for God’s sake! And this is supposed to be a democracy with all the so-called doctrine of separation of powers – where the National Assembly is not supposed to be an appendage of the executive arm of government.

With such behaviour, Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP are pushing Nigeria on to the path of anarchy just to make sure that good governance does not derail their inordinate ambition.

Or may be they are rushing to see who will fulfil the prediction by the Americans that the country will breakup into pieces by the 2015. If that is not the case, how do you explain the continuous loss of Nigerian territory to terrorists while our security men watch from a safe distance? The same security operatives who lack the liver to confront Boko Haram killers are the ones tear-gassing

“

hapless legislators. Is Goodluck Jonathan becoming so desperate that he is ready to plunge the country into chaos if he is denied the chance to continue as the president of Nigeria? Is he ready to be the last president of Nigeria, as we know it today? Are the advocates of a “Greater South” getting the upper hand over moderates? And what are other Nigerians, particularly those from “Shariyaland” doing about it? Are they going to fold their arms and wait for Armageddon to reach their doorsteps before they recognise it?

Most people, the legislators at the receiving end of the government’s high-handedness inclusive, stood aloof while these same security men were tormenting Nigerians. Now that the imperiousness of the government has reached their doorsteps, will they act or remain indifferent like goats waiting to be slaughtered? This time it is just bullets, we pray there won’t be ‘accidental discharge’ later.

The members of the national assembly have been cuddling Jonathan for long to the detriment of the nation and its

citizens. They weren’t overly concerned when insurgents overran their constituencies and killed, maimed and sent away others into lives of uncertainty; they were willing to accede to all of his demands as long as they are not personally affected; they were willing to forgo the safety and peace of those they claim to represent as long as that makes Jonathan happy; they were always eager to overlook all the impeachable offences committed

by Jonathan as long as he keeps greasing their slimy hands; they are agreeable to play ostrich to all the misdemeanours and constitutional breaches done by the president as long as they are assured of an “automatic” ticket by the PDP. Today, the tiger has bared its fangs on them.

Though one may find it difficult to sympathise with the members of the House of Representatives for what happened to them today, one might not be seen to be condoning brigandage and unconstitutionality. Much as the members might have gotten their just desserts, we are aghast at how our country is being pushed

The people of Nigeria are fed up with the divisive tactics of Jonathan and his group of provincial politicians whose only objective is to lord it over others while claiming to be the victims. While majority of Nigerians are bidding their time for February 2015, our lawmakers are struggling to get in bed with our tormentor-in-chief. It is a good sign to us that the two are now quarrelling in the open. It may be a sign of good things to come. Next may be the governors

over a cliff by a clique that has no interest of the country at heart.

Nigerians have to wake up to the reality that a group of militants are at the helm of our affairs – a group that has a horizon limited by their provinciality.

Our security agencies lack the manpower and equipment to confront terrorists wrecking havoc on our brethren in the northeast, but have the manpower and bravery to tackle lawmakers in Abuja. They also have enough manpower and firepower to spare 200 soldiers, led by a full Colonel, to provide security cover to Ali Madu Sherriff, an alleged Boko Haram Sponsor. While all these imperiousness is going on, our lawmakers, who have been saddled with the responsibility of checking the excesses of the executive and a president that has gone out of control, were rushing to be identified with him.

The people of Nigeria are fed up with the divisive tactics of Jonathan and his group of provincial politicians whose only objective is to lord it over others while claiming to be the victims.

While majority of Nigerians are bidding their time for February 2015, our lawmakers are struggling to get in bed with our tormentor-in-chief. It is a good sign to us that the two are now quarrelling in the open. It may be a sign of good things to come.

Next may be the governors.

Tambuwal and all those opposed t0o Jonathan’s style of government may be well advised to seek out our local hunters for their personal safety and security.

Babayola M. Toungo via babayolatoungo@gmail. com

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

PAGE 14

Opinion

Exciting hysterical dark places in the heart

By Hussaina Ishaya Audu

O

n August 5 2013, two Canadian brothers, Noah and Connor Barthe, aged 4 and 6 respectively, were spending the night with a friend whose father owned an exotic pet store. Housed in a large glass enclosure in the same apartment was the father’s pet of 10 years: an African rock python. While Noah and Connor slept peacefully, the pet python slithered its way out of its cage into the ceiling and moved through the ventilation system which collapsed under the weight of the 45kg reptile, landing in the living room where the brothers were sound asleep. When the pet owner went into the living room the following morning he discovered the lifeless bodies of the two brothers. How awfully tragic!

Jean Claud Savoie, the pet owner, told a news station: ‘I

can’t believe this is real.’

What I find hard to believe is his shock. What is so surprising about being natural, performing those acts which are intrinsic to one’s nature? According to a herpetologist at the Florida Museum of Natural History: ‘Africa‘s largest snake, the … African rock python can’t be easily tamed like other snakes… They’re so ill-tempered that “they come out of the egg striking.” (http://news. nationalgeographic.com/ news/2013/08/130806-africanrock-python-snakes-canadakilled-boys-world/). ‘Like all pythons, the African rock python is non-venomous and kills its prey by constriction. After gripping the prey, the snake coils around it, tightening its coils every time the victim breathes out.’ (http://www.arkive.org/ african-rock-python/pythonsebae/).

Why should it be a surprise

that any snake, and most especially this one, would, given an opportunity (a whole in the ceiling), squeeze its way out of an enclosure and sneak off in search of adventure? What should surprise us rather is man’s tendency to trivialise logical outcomes which are potentially lethal for personal satisfaction or gain – whether it is keeping a killer pet or stoking the fervour of an already impassioned mob in order to score points in an election campaign.

In his book, An Ordinary Man: The True Story behind Hotel Rwanda, Paul Rusesabagina spoke about evil words that fanned ‘the old resentments, exciting the hysterical dark places in the heart.’ It occurred to me as I read that, caged within the hidden recesses of the human heart lies a lethal creature, dormant and passive. What

is required to awaken this creature is simple: words.

Skillfully crafted words, spoken at opportune moments, slide through the labyrinths of the heart to locate and rouse The Dormant Killer and provoke him to strike.

Paul Rusesabagina writes: ‘Those commands that weren’t direct were phrased in code language that everybody understood: “Cut the tall trees.

Clean your neighborhood.

Do your duty.”’ Crush the cockroaches. I have watched Governor Shema’s call to his followers to ‘crush’ political opponents. I have read his claim that his words were taken out of context. If that is so, Shema should supply a video footage of the same event which supports his claim. Otherwise, we are justified to view his claims and counter accusations as lies. In which case we can safely assume that like the simple pet owner,

The drift toward a police state

By Kingsley Amaku

I

think the gloves are now off and the knuckles are out. No one should be left in doubt as to what we face today. The show of shame has taken another dimension. I could not imagine that what happened at the National Assembly yesterday, where the police without hesitation raped our democracy and desecrated the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly by teargasing and locking out members of the National Assembly from the National Assembly complex would or could happen in my lifetime.

But it happened. They had only one thing in mind; to show the speaker of the National Assembly “Who is the boss”. As if the idea to lockout the head of an arm of the legislature was not heinous enough, they teargased him and all the members of the National Assembly who sought peaceable entry into the National Assembly to perform their constitutional duty to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation.

The crime of the speaker against PDP has been legion but the deepest cut it would appear is his audacity to defect from PDP to APC recently. The police have since his defection acquired remarkable agility in dispatching law enforcement; first they striped him of his security (as they are wont to do these days), in order to terrorize his mind and expose him to harm no matter how irreparable. Secondly, they teargassed him in the hope that he has a health precondition so that like Oyi, the Former Senate President Chuba Okigbo he could die from the teargas.

This makes one wonder, has this become a new state policy, a grand scheme of intimidation, using the police and the SSS

paid by the Nigerian people to brutalize, demonize, humble and eventually destroy anyone who dares to disagree with the President? Could this be the new but systematic way of dethroning democracy and the entrenchment of the police state? Because, this is not a happenstance, this looked very choreographed. The punch had on the 31st of October reported that the PDP had in a meeting after the defection of the Speaker of the House declared that he would not be allowed into the National Assembly again. Many including myself discountenanced the report as being at best mischievous. How naïve I was, this new show of shame by police at the National Assembly has fully and surely established the report as accurate and factual.

But beyond the police action we must begin to search deeper where we are taking Nigeria? Can we see the cliff, the precipice we are tilting the country towards?

We are gradually destroying the country in the name of politics and heating up the place in a manner that undermine the country?

Every state you go to, the police a critical institution of state have fully sustained this idea that it is in

“

reality the armed wing of the PDP. This trend is unconscionable and is emerging the biggest threat to our democracy. The action of the police completely undermines the democratic state; it undermines the judiciary and the legislature and threatens the rights of our people to live in liberty and freedom.

For those who are in doubt on the legal remit of power under the constitution, the 1999 Constitution clearly spells out the Cardinal Principles governing how power and authority is exercised amongst the three tiers of Government.

In Ezeoke v. Markafi (1982) 3 NCLR 663 at 669 the Court of Appeal referring to the 1979 Constitution observed. “I do not think that there is any dispute as to the fact under our present constitution; we operate a system of government, which consists of three constitutional departments, namely, the legislature, the executive and the Judiciary.

Each of these departments derive their powers and authority from the Constitution; these powers subject to other provisions of the Constitution are spelt out in section 4 in respect of the legislature, section 5 in respect of the Executive and section 6 in

the case of the Judicial powers. It is one of the cardinal principles of the constitution we operate in this country that each department is sovereign within its sphere of authority and can exercise its powers without let or hindrance from any other department or any other authority or person as long as it operates within the constitution and the law.

The court further enunciated that our Constitution which is based not only on the American system of Government but also on the old system we operated under the Constitution of the Federation of 1963 and the earlier Constitutions it replaced that it is the National Assembly by itself that can regulate its own procedures and privileges. The court pointed out that these Constitutions had their origin in the Westminster type of democracy. The Constitution of the Federation of Nigeria of 1960 (the Independence Constitution) enacted by the Nigeria (Constitution) Order in Council 1960 (1960 No. 1652) in its section 60 had given each House of Parliament - the Senate and House of Representatives - powers to regulate their work.

In the light of the above it is safe to say that all our

. Each of these departments derive their powers and authority from the Constitution; these powers subject to other provisions of the Constitution are spelt out in section 4 in respect of the legislature, section 5 in respect of the Executive and section 6 in the case of the Judicial powers. It is one of the cardinal principles of the constitution we operate in this country that each department is sovereign within its sphere of authority and can exercise its powers without let or hindrance from any other department or any other authority or person as long as it operates within the constitution and the law.

he underestimated the possible consequence of his behaviour, or, that he fully intended for his speech to provoke undesirable consequences. To me, his denials suggest the latter.

What ever the case, both INEC and PDP should thoroughly investigate this episode. It must not be swept under the rug and allowed to die a natural death. We have seen the consequences from such inflammatory calls in other places and politicians cannot be allowed to stir up hordes of followers to violence and not be held accountable. A friend from Katsina State suggested to me that Shema’s was not a call to violence. It was a call to crush the opposition at the polls.

Doublethink.

Ms. Ishaya Audu, a lawyer and school administrator, is a member of the Premium Times editorial board.

Constitutions from 1960 to date have vested in the National Assembly or Parliament power to Legislate in respect of the powers or privileges of the Houses and of members thereof. In our parliamentary practice prior to 1979 the powers and privileges of parliament and of members of Parliament in this country are similar to the powers and privileges of parliament in the United Kingdom..

The police have not come up with any position showing that any of these conditions have been met or anyone has alleged that any of these conditions have occurred before this latest attempt it has made which is tantamount to an overthrow of government in violation of section 1(3) of the Constitution. I have not seen neither have I heard of any law enforce in Nigeria giving the police powers to determine who is speaker or member of the National Assembly. What is even worrying is the growth of this new police power as it spreads across the country from Rivers state to Edo State, from Ekiti State to Adamawa State, from Nasarawa state to Abuja. Police now determines who seats at the legislature and which faction is worthy of its protection.

It is hard to imagine and should not be imagined that the President is not aware of this situation. It is also hard to imagine and cannot meet logical deduction of fact that the IG has in all of this including this most recent attempt that smacks more of a coup acted alone without the ordering or authority of his Commander in Chief. If this is deduced then one must ask if this is the return of Abacha? Then I pity Nigeria.

Kingsley Amaku is a Senior Legislative Assistant to Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki

Comment

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Between PDP and APC in 2015: May the better party lose

By Bolaji Eletta

I

have a confession concerning 2015. I have been praying for a loser, yes! A good looser! I have been praying that between PDP and APC may the party that loves Nigeria the more be the party to lose the 2015 election. The political landscape towards 2015 general election is wearing a vibrant outlook and this should excite every student of Political Science.

The recent cross carpeting being witnessed across both sides of our political divide is all that is to be expected in an election year in Nigeria. It is the season again. But students of political history in Nigeria will agree with me that the excitement of politicking at the critical moments approaching the electioneering season also comes with a lot of apprehension. Right from the first republic up until recently in 2011, elections have been accompanied by some form of bloodshed or the other. In other climes, politics is played according to the books. But in Nigeria things do not go with the books. Our politics has no science in it. Even the art has neither shape nor form.

All previous elections qualify as excellent case study. At no time in the history of elections in Nigeria have I developed as much fear as I do now. The fear of what will be the turn of events when Attahiru Jega declares the winner of the Presidential election come February 2015 is nauseating.

We had a chance as a nation at making history when we developed a political formular called Option A4 under the enigmatic NECO Chairman Humphrey Nwosu, but all that was allowed to disintegrate in a power game that only

the players could decipher.

The deaths recorded under the misadventure of 1992 are still fresh. What we are doing right now bears semblance of a blind man groping in the dark.

My stomach churns when I remember the events of 2011.

The killings and the reprisals are all too graphic and fit only for horror movies. The scars of 2011 election and the violence that went with it are still very fresh. The aftermath of it all may be part of what we are witnessing with the security brouhaha being witnessed currently in the Northeast.

The subtle innuendos of how 2015 elections will be like is gradually turning into shrieks again and no one is taking them seriously. All the fundamental and technical indicators are glaring for all to see. The recent cases of Olympians in high-jump and pole-vaulting in the National

“

Assembly are nothing but dress rehearsals. You definitely cannot deny the metaphor of the cockroaches in Katsina, the blood of the dogs and baboons, the Judge whose face was redesigned in Ekiti, what about the Kung Fu in River State House of Assembly?

Surely you couldn’t have easily forgotten the beast in the white dress and his mastery at converting the hallowed Maze into a weapon of mass destruction? Go to Kogi State House of Assembly and ask all the lawmakers to count their teeth. I can tell you with all authority that some have less the number of teeth they were elected with. You can’t deny not hearing the voices in the market place of threats and bravado from Prof. Ango Abdullahi, JP Clark, Mujahid Asari Dokubo, Olisah Metu, Lai Mohammed, Reuben Abati, Doyin Okupe, and Nasir Ahmed

El-Rufai, Rotimi Amechi and Gov. Shema among many others.

Recent elections in Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Niger and others have changed the real meaning of free, fair, and credible elections as well as how to define an election as rigged.

The definitions clearly depends on which party won and which party lost. I need no prophet to tell me that either APC or PDP will definitely loose in the February 2015 election. I know that as it concerns the 2015 election, the coin will not stand on its edge. It is either head or tail…PDP or APC, umbrella or broom.

Considering the fact that only the winning party considers an election to be free, fair and credible and the losing party always consider an election to be rigged, one can then say that February 2015 election will be free, fair,

We had a chance as a nation at making history when we developed a political formular called Option A4 under the enigmatic NECO Chairman Humphrey Nwosu, but all that was allowed to disintegrate in a power game that only the players could decipher.

The deaths recorded under the misadventure of 1992 are still fresh. What we are doing right now bears semblance of a blind man groping in the dark. My stomach churns when I remember the events of 2011. The killings and the reprisals are all too graphic and fit only for horror movies. The scars of 2011 election and the violence that went with it are still very fresh. The aftermath of it all may be part of what we are witnessing with the security brouhaha being witnessed currently in the Northeast

credible and rigged!

The US government once issued a warning about the state of our union in 2015 but we merely waived it aside as impossible insha allahu, in Jesus’ name. The reality of the warning is getting real each passing day and we are not bothered. That is why I have resulted into prayers! I am praying that may the party who fears more for the unity of Nigeria be the one to loose in the general election. For, if they lose, they will not revert to post-election reactions, after the order of rat and the soya beans. For the rat will not mind scattering the soya beans if denied access. I pray that the party that have deeper understanding of the essence of democracy loose. For, if they lose, they will form a better and more robust opposition that will keep the ruling government on their toes for effective governance and performance.

May the party that loves the youth of this country the more loose in the next election. For, if they lose, they will not result into mobilizing the youth with sticks and guns in order to cause mayhem.

I pray that the party that fears more for the future of our country loose in the next general election. For, if they lose, they will seek redress within constitutional means.

I pray that the more sincere and serious party loose the next election. For, if they lose, will merely examine critically what they didn’t do well during the campaigns and review their strategies for future elections rather than claim victory where they had none. Amen, somebody!

Dr. Bolaji Eletta, an academic, public commentator, wrote in from Kaduna

Leadership, order and rule of aw

By Taiwo Odukoya

I

n about 380BC, the Greek philosopher Plato penned his now popular treatise called The Republic. In it, Plato argued that the ideal society was one that was subjected to the rule of the best men, idealized philosopher kings who possessed the wisdom to lead, had absolute power, and lived above the law. But in seeking to apply his theory, Plato happened upon an experience that shifted his thinking.

In 367-366 B.C.E., Plato was invited by his friend Dion to visit Sicily and advise Dion’s uncle, Dionysius, a wise ruler who had suddenly become the tyrant of Syracuse. Dionysius, as it turned out, was more comfortable acting despotically

than adhering to Plato’s advice and the experiment turned out disastrous. Plato was subsequently arrested and Dion assassinated. In a letter to the friends of Dion, a sober Plato concluded, “Do not subject Sicily, or any other state to the despotism of men, but to the rule of law.”

Laws are systems of agreeable terms that instill discipline and regulate the behavior of everyone within a given community or system. In defining leadership within the system therefore, leaders must come from the ranks of those who demonstrate and model these things.

Discipline therefore becomes a primary criterion for leadership.

And ensuring adherence to the collective values of the people, which the law espouses, becomes

the mandate and responsibility of all, particularly the leaders.

Let us not forget that the position of leadership comes with a lot of privileges and sometimes, the tendency is for leaders to push these privileges too far that it begins to border on abuse. “Let everyone be subject to the governing authority,” the Bible says. What this also means is that the Bible expects those in leadership to be custodians of the system of laws that sustain the society. But when those designated to uphold and promote the laws begin to abuse it, it degenerates into a free fall. It was the notable Ameican lawyer and journalist, Glen Grenenwald that said, “An elite class that is free to operate without limits – whether limits imposed by the rule of law or fear of the

responses from those harmed by their behavior – is an elite class that will plunder, degrade, and cheat at will, and act endlessly to fortify its own power.”

We see a good example of this in the case of Rehoboam.

The young king who had taken over from his father Solomon did not only put himself above the law, he allowed his friends and cronies run amok, and this led to a schism that spilt the kingdom of Israel. The truth is, if the people get any hint that the law does not apply in certain quarters, what is likely to follow is a gradual descent into irredeemable chaos.

It will be good reminder at this point for all who aspire for a greater Nigeria to demonstrate and model the discipline required to sustain the shared and codified values of the system, by keeping

the rule of law and defending the constitution, and to bear this in mind when choosing and endorsing a candidate in the forthcoming election. Our long term survival depends on us going one step further to ensure the preservation of rules and laws that allow for orderly conduct and create a level playing field for all, even as we march toward another election cycle. The long standing tradition of Impunity must be put behind us. We would do well to hold the words of Dwight Eisenhower to heart: “The clearest way to show what the rule of law means to us in everyday life is to recall what has happened when there was no rule of law.” Nigeria has a great future!

Taiwo Odukoya wrote in from Lagos

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Nasarawa PDP wants NJC to sanction appeal tribunal judge

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

Plateau state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Abubakar Mohammed (2nd right), during inspection of INEC continuous voters’ registration, recenlty in Jos. Photo: NAN

Bauchi APC women, youth in peaceful protest, want APC state Chairman removed From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) women and youth from Bauchi Local Government Area staged a peaceful protest at the state secretariat of the APC along Ahmadu Bello Way Bauchi, calling for the removal of the state chairman of the party, Alhaji Uba Ahmed Nana for not implementing the appeal panel report in the state.

It could be recalled that last two weeks, supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi local government area have pleaded with the state executives of the party to implement the appeal committee report sent by the National Secretariat of the party over the conduct of the last Local

Government congress in the state.

While addressing newsmen at the APC secretariat, women leader of APC Bauchi LGA, Aisha Namadi, and the APC Youth, Bauchi LGA, Bello Usama Bauchi respectively said, they staged the peaceful protest to kick against the mis-rule of Uba Nana lead executive in the state.

“We are not happy with the way and manner the state executive of the party kept silence on the implementation of the party’s national appeal committee with a view to swear-in the newly elected Bauchi chapter of the APC officials which were arbitrary substituted in favour of their agents even when they did not contest elections” Aisha said.

The protesters had said, Uba

Nana had created serious confusion in the party, regretting that the political crises is coming at a time when primary election is at hand ahead of the 2015 elections.

“There is no room for Uba Nana to continue to stay in office as we have already commenced the process of his impeachment from all the 20 local government areas of the state because he seemed to be dancing the tune of the PDP which is a monster in the development of the country” said Aisha.

While responding, the Bauchi State APC chairman, Hon. Uba Ahmed Nana, described the protesters as a faceless group and bunch of failure who were sponsored to carry out mob action against the executive.

He said there was no way the group could impeach him from office because he was duly elected from all the 20 local government chapters of the state and assured that APC will win elections come 2015.

“Let me tell you, this group protesting against me was the same that betrayed the opposition before the PDP in 2011 elections because they needed money and I have come to work the party’s political victory” said Nana.

The chairman urged the protesters to go to the APC national headquarters to request for the report of the appeal committee with a view to implement same explaining that the party still remain focus against detractors.

he opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Keffi, Nasarawa State has called on the National Judicial Commission (NJC), to sanction justice Aisha Ahmed of the state election appeal tribunal.

Addressing reporters over the weekend, the party’s secretary, Alhaji Sani Mohammed faulted the judgment delivered on Keffi local government chairmanship petition by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), that upturned the victory of the PDP candidate and declared the APC candidate winner.

“We had doubt in the submission of the presiding judge for her utterances before the judgment at the court premises and her utter disregard for the rule of law because we believe her refusal to honor a court order urging her to exercise restrain over the same matter involving Keana local government, but still went ahead and deliver judgment in favor of APC. “As a law abiding party and democrats, we took the verdict in good fate but wishes to register our regret that the presiding officer, Justice Aisha has not only destroyed the hope of the common man but regrettably destroyed the cause of justice and set a bad precedence.

Mohammed said this singular act has created doubt in the mind of many and has raised questions as to whether the judge has not derailed in her duty as the Chief Judge of the appeal tribunal.

“We want to use this medium to call on the National Judicial Commission NJC to sanction Justice Aisha Ahmed to serve as a lesson before she continues to cause more harm than good and damage the cause of justice in the country.

2015: Clearance is sign of confidence in me, says Ngilari From Umar Dankano, Yola

G

overnor Bala James Ngilari of Adamawa state, has said that the clearance granted him to contest the 2015 governorship primaries by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a sign of confidence in his capacity to lead the party to victory in the 2015 general elections.

Ngilari, who stated this while reacting to the latest position of the national leadership of the party on Adamawa State chapter of the party, said the development would further assist him to deliver the dividends of democracy to “the long suffering people of the state.”

The governor told journalists

that his clearance is a victory for the party, saying the PDP would go into the primaries united and come out stronger as opposed to the earlier position of those who wish the party “ill luck”.

According to him: “If the party had stopped me, there would have been a backlash that would have affected the fortunes of the party in the 2015 general elections. And that was what has been averted by the party by its matured handling of the issue.”

There were doubts over the screening of Ngilari by the party following the controversial zoning of the governorship position to the Central Senatorial District of the state as it was followed by the sudden sack

of the state Executive Committee of the party. The move was believed to be targeted at Governor Ngilari.

But following strong “protests by some traditional rulers, PDP Governors’ Forum, Chief Tony Anenih and Gen T.Y. Danjuma, Governor Ngilari was granted the “Right of First Refusal” that was accorded governors of Bayelsa, Kaduna, and Gombe just as the Adamawa State sacked PDP executive was also recalled, even though the chairman and secretary were suspended for one month.

Ngilari said the party’s decision is a vindication of his position that a governor must govern with the fair of God and be just to all, stressing that the overwhelming support he has

received from people of all walks of life, faith has further confirmed to him that he must continue to govern with fear of a God. He further said: “Many Muslims from within and outside the state and Christians took up my matter because they saw an injustice about being meted out to me. The only way I can repay everyone is to be fair, and ensure justice to all.”

On his plans for the state if elected, he said his programme of “Restorative” will cover all areas – that would include education, health, infrastructure and security, adding that his administration shall give legal backing to the activities of the vigilantes.

He said: “A bill would soon be forwarded to the State House of Assembly. The bill is in the draft stage and it is an issue that is dear to me. So, in the next few days, it will be ready for the consideration of the House. The state working with the military, would soon chase out the insurgents.

“The state and the military working together, have made substantial gains.

I appeal to members of the National Assembly to approve the state of emergency extension as requested by President Goodluck Jonathan”, he further said.

Your screen elements are hidden from view. Press Esc or move pointer to the center of the screen to return to Mail.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Politics

I am not a violent man - Obanikoro From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

A

governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro at the weekend said that he was not a violent man as being labeled by his detractors.

Obanikoro, the immediate past Minister of State for Defence, addressing supporters and members of the Lagos PDP state executives, expressed optimism that with his grass root connections and the love and support from Lagosians, he will win the primaries and also be declared winner in the forthcoming election.

He added that only unity will help the party win the forthcoming governorship election and not rancours and conspiracies.

The former Ambassador, who stormed the party’s state secretariat with thousands of his supporters, went there to declare his intention to seek the party’s ticket for the 2015 governorship polls in the state.

While pointing at his two sons that attended the event, Obanikoro said, “I have been happily married for 34 years. Is there anywhere in the world where a thug has been married for that long?

“Look at my children; do they look like products of a violent upbringing?

“My sons are God-fearing, gentle, humble, kind, thoughtful and intelligent, a thug cannot raise such kids” Obanikoro said.

He told the party that he was the only person among the aspirants that could wrest power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.

“It is time to liberate Lagos. This state has been ruled by one man for the past 16 years,” he said.

The former minister told members of the party that it was time for all of them to be united and understand that their mission is to win the 2015 elections.

He said that only a person who had experience in governance could improve the fortunes of the state.

Obanikoro, who has served as a local government chairman, a senator, a High Commissioner and a minister, urged members of the party to vote at the primaries based on experience and not sentiments.

“Experience can never be purchased. I can tell you that only those who have served in government can make meaningful change.

“Those who don’t have experience cannot make meaningful change, they will only go there to start learning governance and we don’t need an apprentice governor in Lagos” he said.

He pointed out that he had never been found wanting ever since he joined active partisan politics.

In his remarks, Lagos State Chairman of the PDP, Capt Tunji Shelle (rtd.), promised that the primaries would be free and fair and extolled the virtues of Obanikoro as a man who can be trusted and relied upon.

L-R Minister of State FCT Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga, Minister of State Education Prof. Viola Onwuleri and former Minister of State Defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro during the appreciation Dinner held at the State House Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

2015 Presidency: 92 Taraba APC delegates endorse Atiku

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

A

s the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries draw closer nationwide, 92 out 102 Delegates from Taraba State have endorsed the candidature of former Vice President, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, describing him as a son of the soil and the only presidential aspirant from the north eastern part of the country.

This was part of the resolutions reached at a steering committee meeting between Taraba Atiku

Abubakar 2015, APC presidential delegates and Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign team from Adamawa State.

Briefing journalists on the stand of the delegates, shortly after the meeting which took place at Senator Aisha Jummai Unity hall, Jalingo, the Chairman, APC in Taraba State, Alh. Hassan Jika Ardo said, “The decision of the Delegates as you can see, we have moved the adoption of Alh. Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the party in Taraba State”.

Jika Ardo, who described APC delegates as the people saddled with the responsibility of selecting who should be the flag bearer of the party in the 2015 general election noted every candidate in the country is seeking for the support of delegates.

The APC boss, who also emphasized the effectiveness of APC in the state, stressed that the party is solidly on ground to face any challenge which according to him might arise from any political quarters. “APC is prepared to take over government in 2015”, he

said.

According to Mallam Jika, the main reason why APC an opposition party is advocating for change in Taraba State and Nigeria is insecurity, adding that the principal function of government is to provide security for lives and property of the citizenry.

“People of the state and the nation have on their own started looking for ways to protect and guide themselves from the bloodshed of insurgents as if there is no government in the state and nation at large”, he said.

APGA Northern Chairmen re-affirms confidence in Victor Umeh From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

T

he Northern States Chairmen’s Forum of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has re-affirmed its confidence in the leadership of the party’s National Chairman, Sir Victor Umeh and Secretary, Dr Sani

Abdullahi Shinkafi.

This was contained in a communique issued yesterday in Minna after its inaugural meeting at the IBB Pen House which was attended by eighteen (18) chairmen led by the forum’s chairman, Sardauna Yaro who is also the APGA Chairman of Jigawa State.

The communique congratulated the Governor of Anambra State, Dr Willy Obiano for his appointment as the National leader and Chairman Board of Trustee of APGA even as the forum agreed with the last National Executive Council NEC held on 3rd November, 2014 in Abuja as resolved.

The forum further called on the party leadership to adopt democratic system of electing its National Executives as stipulated in the party constitution and in the National Electoral Act 2010 as amended in the forth coming convention scheduled for December 17, 2014.

2015: My mission is to make positive impact on Plateau - Pwajok From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

A

Plateau State gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. JNS Pwajok has said that his purpose of vying for governorship position in the state was to make a positive impact that would enhance the living standard of people of the state.

The aspiring Pwajok who was making this pledge yesterday in Jos in an interview with newsmen also reminded that part of his mission was to address other issues that had not been addressed by the previous administrations in the state.

Pwajok further appealed to the people of the state to desist from attaching religion and ethnicity to politics, suggesting that people should forget those things that

would divide them and approach things that would bind them.

“I am calling on all people in Plateau State to shun religious and ethnic politics. Let us embrace one another as one and shy away from anything that is capable of dividing us as a family, he said.

On the issue of zoning in the state, Pwajok however called on those agitating for zoning to realize that the principle of zoning did not

deny any individual from the state the right to contest, noting that that was why the aspirants on the platform of the PDP in the state cut across the three geo-political zones in the state, saying that that senario was in line with the equity and justice of PDP constitution.

He therefore called on all sons and daughters of Plateau State to vote regardless of religion or other differences come 2015 election.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Politics

Sokoto 2015: Education will be my top prioty – PDP Guber Aspirant INTERVIEW

Y

ou have just returned the gubernatorial form to the PDP National secretariat. What is your blueprint for the people of Sokoto State?

Every government is geared towards making peoples’ lives better. My priority would, first of all, be on education because for me to develop the society, education will be on top on my to-do list if elected as a governor. We begin with the child education from the primary school level because that is where you build the foundation for your pupils in terms of what they are going to be in the society.

Once you do not shape the psyche and the mentality of the youth from primary school; it will become difficult to control them even at higher levels. One of the major flaws of educational system in Nigeria today is we have a scarcity of a qualified teachers in our primary and secondary schools. So, you are left with hundreds that goes to school without being educated.

They are without the necessary skills, training and education that are expected of them at that level.

That exposes them to threats at that level to the society, because once you leave school and you are thrown into the society where you are not caged, because school years are like you caged - the school environment provides protection for the child and that is why the child must be properly and adequately trained at that level, so that by the time he move out of that caged into the real society to discern what is right and wrong, he will do well.

Once that basic is missing from the start, then you expose the child to the menace of the society without being properly trained. This is the beginning.

Secondly, the teachers must be properly trained so that they can impact the pupils positively. So, there has to be a continuous training and retraining of teachers. Then when you come to the economy, every state like all nations have their comparative advantages in terms of what should be grown or should be produced in that community or society. In Sokoto state, I can say that I am privilege to have worked with state government, I left the state as Director of Industries and I was Sokoto state director of Industrial Development for almost ten years. And that has gave me the knowledge of the various industries both agro allied, manufacturing, micro and small medium scale enterprises that needs to be established in each of the 23 local governments of the state. I have the knowledge of the comparative advantage of each LGA in terms of agricultural inputs, what we need to improve agricultural production and in terms of the natural resources available, capability and capacity of each LGA. If you pick

Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman was a former Minister of Transport and now an aspirant for Governor of Sokoto State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with select journalists, he spoke about his blueprint for the masses, reiterating that he is not at loggerhead with Bafarawa and Mukhtari Shagari. Ali Abare Abubakar was there. Excerpts: any LGA in Sokoto, I will tell you the kind of crop that is grown in that area and the kind of mineral resources that occur in the area, because I developed state industrial development for almost ten years.

So, I have that knowledge and skill. These are the reasons that spur me to seek for the office of the governor, because I have what it takes to move the state to greater heights and encourage economic development that is viable and sustainable for our people.

There are some policies and programmes that the present Wamakko administration is implementing such as the dolling out stipends to some category of people like physical challenged persons, Imams and scholars, some jobless youth called ‘yan sandan Alu and rest of them.

Do you intend to go along with them?

You know governance is not a unilateral decision. When you come into office as a governor, you must first of all establish the kind of government you are going to run, whether you going to run a government based on economic policies or social policies. If you are running it based on social policies that mean you move towards the social system whether you bring out stipend and handouts. That is a system structure that you choose. If you want to run an economic system like what I intend to do, rather than get one thousands beggars, ulamas; youth and give them N10,000, N5000 in a month respectively, I would rather, in the inception of my administration, acquire, process plan, get and make land available at least 1000 hectares of farmland in each of the 23 LGAs. I will acquire and provide tools and equipment to service these 1000 hectares of land in those areas, look for 1000 able bodied youth in each LGA and give them one hectare per person.

By the time you give them the tools and implements and all they need, you will see that they would be able to cultivate these farmlands twothree times in a year in modern mechanized farming, and will generate at least three million naira per hectare for each of them.

So rather than giving N5000 in a month, I will make you productive to earn three million naira in a year.

Now tell me which is better for you.

By the time you earn 3 million naira per annum per hectare of land, if you have 1000 of them in one LGA, it means you have earn 3 billion naira additional income in that LGA that government cannot provide for them, that has become added value to economy of Sokoto state.

Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman You mentioned the solid minerals potentials in all the 23 local government areas....

In my preamble, I said I know the solid mineral potentials and deposits in Sokoto state. The preponderance of solid minerals is basically gypsum, limestone, phosphate, iron ore, copper, and kaolin in various LGAs. These are the basics that occur. We utilize limestone and gypsum along the Sokoto Rima basin axis; you get limestone in Kalambaina down through Dundaye. That’s where the Cement Company of Northern Nigeria is situated in Sokoto and there are still enough raw materials to establish another cement industry. I was the key to the exploration of the gypsum that occurs around Dange-Shuni formation; that was when I was the state director of industry. It was during our time we partnered with the Cement Company of Northern Nigeria; and it was our cement in the whole of this country as at that time that achieved 100 percent local materials contain.

It was the only cement company in this country that was sourcing their gypsum from local market, from the Dange-Shuni formation in Sokoto state. I was the state director of industries when we partnered with Raw Material Research and Development Council to start the Phosphate Beneficiation plant in Sokoto, which will have spurred the emergence of multiple phosphate processing plants in the state and the country for fertilizer production.

I don’t know what happened

to the programme. It is going to be one of the key areas I will look into and make sure that we revive that process and phosphate is properly harnessed for economic development of not only Sokoto state, but Nigeria as a whole.

Kaolin- we will also look into that.

If you go to Kebbe LGA, they have the best copper formation in the world. And through appropriate cooperation and partnership with responsible corporate bodies, you can begin to process and use that for development of not just the LGA, but the nation as a whole. These are areas that when government focus on, with my experience and background, I can assure you that it would be easy for me to sit down and talk to the professionals, and make sure that we harness this resources for the betterment of our economy.

The Chairman PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih was in Sokoto state to reconcile differences that might occur during the forthcoming gubernatorial primaries so that the party could regain its mandate lost to defection to the APC. What are the outcomes of this meeting?

Let me clear the misconception that has gone viral in Sokoto since the visit of the PDP family in state. Chief Anenih is one of the most respected politicians in Nigeria today. We all respect him even across party lines.

I am sure he enjoins equal respect among the opposition as he does in PDP because he is a true nationalist.

He came to Sokoto to visit the PDP

family, patronize with them, and talk to us on how to ensure victory of the PDP in 2015 elections. That was what he came to do. He did not come to field a consensus candidate among gubernatorial candidates.

His visit is basically to consolidate on the existing relationship and unity within the party, and assure us of national support. To go out, look for the people to ensure our party becomes elected support so that we recover the mandate given to PDP in 2012 that has now been surreptitiously taken to APC. Because it was the PDP that the populace voted for in 2012, so we want to make sure the mandate will go back to the PDP. And we can only achieve that through unity of purpose by going out to show ourselves as a strong united family.

But it is confirmed that the former governor, Attahiru Bafarawa who defected into the PDP is not comfortable with your governorship aspiration. His supporters are fighting hard to undermine your political ambition. How true is this?

These are speculations.

They are pedestrian talks and discussions that you cannot stop people from spreading. Former governor, Attahiru Bafarawa is my brother. I am the only person of all the gubernatorial aspirants that come from the same LGA with him. So obviously, we have a direct relationship even before politics and even before there was PDP. We are brothers and we will continue to be brothers. And it has nothing to do with my aspiration. Of course, in politics like any other interactions with people, there are interests and influences. Governor Attahiru Bafarawa who served the state as a governor for eight consecutive years obviously has his own followership.

As at today, he is not the candidate, I am the candidate. I am the one seeking an election not Bafarawa.

I am the one that has an obligation and responsibility to go out and sell myself to the people, and that is exactly what I am doing. And I must not be derailed and distracted with pedestrian talks which one cannot stop. As at today, if you to go Sokoto and ask 80 percent of the people across all parties, they will tell you Yusuf Suleiman is the candidate to beat. All the parties know that. It is not because I am Yusuf Suleiman. It is how Almighty Allah in his infinite mercy has blessed me with. These are blessings that come from God which no man can confer on anyone.

And if I pick the PDP gubernatorial ticket today, nothing will stop me from winning the general elections.

It is as good as a walkover, insha Allah.

Page 19

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

business@peoplesdailyng.com 08142929046

Illumination professionals seek FG, power distribution companies’ partnership on energy efficient lighting

By Miriam Humbe

T

he Association of Illumination Professionals, AIP, rose from their twoday conference which held in Abuja with a seven-point communiqué stating among other things, the need for the

power distribution companies and the federal government to partner in order to encourage the use of energy efficient lighting systems by providing incentives such as rebates and lower tariff to the consuming public.

President of the association, Engineer Ajadi Abdulwahab

who read the communiqué to Journalists during the weekend, also urged the Millennium Development Agencies, MDAs and Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, to partner with the association to provide proper awareness to the public on the use of energy efficient

lighting systems.

He urged the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, to sustain the drive for policies that encourage the use of energy efficient technologies, systems and devices pertaining to energy efficient lights.

The communiqué also called on the National Assembly, NASS, to speedily pass into law, the national energy master plan and policy draft bill currently before it to enable the immediate implementation of the national efficiency policies contained therein.

Two stolen crude laden trucks set ablaze by troops of the joint task force in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo shield in Eleme local government area, at the weekend in Rivers.

Falling inflation worries Europe, world E uropean Central Bank President Mario Draghi has moved closer to launching sovereign debt purchases and data this week will show just how dangerously low inflation has fallen in the $13 trillion euro zone economy.

A sickly Europe has held back global economic growth for years, and now it is contributing significantly to powerful forces already dragging down inflation

across the globe.

A spectacular drop in crude oil prices over the past month will be the center of discussion when ministers from the world’s top oil exporters meets in Vienna on Friday.

The key question there is whether Saudi Arabia, which signaled last month it was comfortable with lower oil prices, accelerating a plunge in the price of crude to a third

since June, will stick to that view.

But rapidly-increasing U.S. oil production, coinciding with shaky demand from China and Europe, is likely to keep a lid on the price no matter what the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) decides.

The latest Reuters poll suggests euro zone inflation relapsed to 0.3 percent in

Access Bank moves for greater stakes in Nigeria’s mobile money market >>Pg 20

November, far from the ECB target of just below 2 percent.

“It is essential to bring back inflation to target and without delay,” Draghi said on Friday.

“Monetary policy can and will do its part to achieve this.

But it is also clear that, as monetary policy works on the demand side of the economy, other policies can assist in this process – or at least not counteract it.”

SEC tasks shareholders on future of companies >>Pg 22

After many years of austerity, Draghi and others have come around to the idea of loosening fiscal policy to invest in infrastructure. But Germany, which could best afford it, is focused on balancing its books for the first time since 1969.

CBN Exchange Rates

as at 20th November, 2014 Buying

$ € £ Riyal YEN CFA

157.41 246.86 197.32 41.95 1.33 0.27

158.41 248.43 198.58 42.22 1.34 0.29

Page 20

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Economy

E-banking to push out traditional by 2025-Expert

G

iving the advent of e-payment and rising growth of technological companies involved in electronic transactions in the Nigerian, Information and Communications Technology experts have predicted that traditional banking will be pushed out of business by 2025 or 2030.

Banks are therefore urged to embrace technology and redefine their operation models to meet the emerging demographic and social change or lose relevance, as more core banking services would be delivered outside the regulated banking industry.

These ICT experts who spoke at a conference in Lagos agreed that banks in Nigeria need to invest heavily in technology in order to continue to be relevant, reassert their roles in society and connect with millennial generation aspirations.

According to a communiqué issued after the conference, the current shape of the banking industry in Africa and particularly in Nigeria is inevitably going to change.

“The sheer scope and speed of evolution in customer behaviour, technology, changing market dynamics and aggressive non-bank competitors such as telecommunications companies and technology companies mean banking in the future cannot simply be a continuation of banking as it has been,” the communiqué read.

The ICT experts noted that central banks across Africa required a radical orientation, pointing out that there was the need for central bankers to change their mindset and approach.

According to the communiqué, banking regulators appear “to be currently focused on tactical responses and their strategic objectives for the future of banks and banking are clouded by political expediency and the ‘too big to fail’ debate.”

The communiqué quoted the Chief Executive Officer, Innovectives, an e-payment company, Mr. Emmanuel Agha, who presented the lead paper, as saying banks were facing rapid and irreversible changes that current models could no longer sustain.

AMCON calls for guarantee scheme for private equity investment

F

ederal Government of Nigeria has been urged to make available guarantee scheme to encourage private equity firms improved investments into the nations economy.

The Managing Director/ CEO, AMCON, Mustafa ChikeObi, who lamented over the low public debt to GDP which presently stood between 10 and 12 percent, stated that the country can experience growth through massive investment from both

within and outside the country.

Speaking in Lagos at the CBO Capital Partners’ 4th annual investors’ conference, ChikeObi noted the provision of the guarantee would encourage the private equity firms to come and invest in the economy, noting that the establishment of a federal guarantee agency that would decide how the scheme works would fast track the pace of development.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria must engage massively

on a guarantee scheme. I suggest there must be a federal guarantee agency and that when the government decides its priorities, that agency should decide how the guarantee will work”, he said.

According to him, the need for right projects and the right people for private equity in Nigeria to assume its proper role and size.

“I think we need to support private equity to create a more suitable environment for companies to have a guarantee scheme for the debt. It will

encourage and make private equity more comfortable in lending,” he added.

He pointed out that the US has public debt to equity of about 60 percent while the guarantees of US to 37 different agencies amount to 90 percent of their GDP. He further said that adding the guarantees and actual debt of the US, their public debt would be about 150 percent and that will develop the country in the area of critical infrastructure.

L-R: Vice President, Global Sales, Nihilent Technologies, Mr. Ravi Teja, Regional Manager West Africa, Nihilent Technologies, Mr. Shohel Noor, Programme Director NITDA- Nihilent e-Gov Award, Mr. Dipyoman Banerjee, and Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Peter Jack, during e-Nigeria 2014, theme “Creating Market Opportunities for Indigenous ICT Products and Services” recently in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Access Bank moves for greater stakes in Nigeria’s mobile money market From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

A

ccess Bank is making move for greater stakes in Africa’s mobile money market with the launch of an innovative payment service which rides on Airtel’s telecommunications network.

This new service dubbed, ‘Access Money’, allows customers to perform simple, secure and instant financial transactions using their mobile phones.

With this innovative service, customers on the mobile network can send and receive money, make deposits and withdrawals,

pay their utility bills and buy airtime for their lines.

The country has a potential market size expected to reach N1.1 trillion by 2015, and market observers say the bank looks set to take a huge chunk of the pie.

According to the bank, partnering with Airtel, the fourth largest operator in the world, to build perhaps one of the largest agent networks aimed at pushing the adoption of mobile money services across the country.

The banks Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe, while at the launch of the product in Lagos said financial inclusion is a

critical part of the business.

According to him, Access Bank and Airtel agreed to introduce Access Money into Nigeria’s financial landscape in line with the financial inclusion initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) even as it serves as a platform to bring more of the under-banked and unbanked into the world of banking.

“By partnering with Airtel, we can come to the forefront of financial inclusion. We are not the first bank to start offering mobile money service. But many banks have not paid attention to how to offer the service

properly”, he also added.

Wigwe noted that the bank chose to collaborate with Airtel because both firms complement each other. “We found that Airtel is not just an innovative firm but it fully understands the regulatory environment”, he added.

Wogwe stated that through Access Money, Wigwe said both firms will be providing financial access to more people and small businesses, “creating an easier channel for the of financial aid; and also making it easier for government to receive taxes and deliver welfare payments”.

Page 21

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Capital Market

NSE: Indicators close flat From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

ransaction on the floor of the Nigeria Stock Exchange last week closed on a bearish trend as indicators ended flat.

Specifically, the Market Capitalization of listed equities dropped by 4.11% to close Friday at N11.241 trillion against N11.718 trillion it opened with while the NSE All-Share Index as well dropped by 4.11 per cent to close at 33,926.18 basis point from 35,381.02 basis points recorded the precious week.

Similarly, all indices depreciated during the week with the exception of the NSE Banking index that rose by 0.34% and NSE ASEM Index by 5.78%.

The NSE 30 index fell by 56.76 basis points to 1,527.82, NSE Insurance Index 37.04 points to 144.18 points, NSE Consumer Goods index declined by 37.04 basis points to 846.10 points, NSE Oil/Gas index went down by 17.58 to 390.28, NSE Lotus II 140.55 basis points to 2,124.64, NSE Industrial Good index dropped by 129.62 basis points to 2,054.21.

Meanwhile, a turnover of 1.359 billion shares worth N14.565 billion in 20,844 deals were traded this week by investors in contrast to a total of 1.850 billion shares valued at N30.863 billion that exchanged hands in 27,397 deals the previous week.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.056 billion shares valued at N7.186 billion traded in 10,962 deals; thus contributing 77.70% and 49.34% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Conglomerates Industry followed with a turnover of 111.742 million shares worth N618.169 million in 1,465 deals.

The third place was occupied by the Oil and Gas Industry with 65.489 million shares worth N2.046 billion in 2,420 deals.

Trading in the Top Three Equities namely- FBN Holdings Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (measured by volume)

accounted for 409.470 million shares worth N2.464 billion in 4,421 deals, contributing 30.14% and 16.92% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Nineteen (19) equities appreciated in price during the week lower than Fifty-one (51) equities of the preceding week.

Fifty (50) equities depreciated in price higher than twenty-eight (28) equities of the preceding week, while one hundred and thirty-two (132) equities remained unchanged higher than one hundred and twentytwo equities (122) recorded in the preceding week.

Champion Breweries led gainers table in percentage terms growing by 18.39 per cent or N1.53 kobo to close at N9.85 kobo, R.T Briscoe Nigeria Plc followed with a gain of 17.39 per cent or N0.12 kobo to close at N0.81 kobo while Cutix Plc appreciated by 14.18 per cent or N0.19 kobo to close at N1.53 kobo.

Other companies appreciated in price were Omoluabi Savings and Loans Plc 13.56 per cent, West Africa Provincial Insurance 13.11 per cent, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc 9.02 per cent, Anino International Plc 4.17 per cent, Costain West Africa Plc 3.70 per cent, AIICO Insurance 3.66 per

cent, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc 3.47 per cent Flour Mills Nigeria Plc topped losers chart, dropping by 20.93 per cent or N10.99 kobo to close at N41.51 kobo, NEM Insurance Co Nigeria Plc trailed with a loss 19.74 per cent or N0.15 kobo to close at N0.61 kobo while Livestock Feeds Plc declined by 14.89 per cent or N0.35 kobo to close at N2.00 .

Other stocks that recorded price depreciation were Caverton Offshore Support GRP Plc 13.35 per cent, National Salt Company Nigeria Plc 13.04 per cent, UBA Capital Plc 10.56 per cent, Diamond Bank Plc 9.84 per cent, the Okomu oil Palm Company Plc 9.83 per cent, Ashaka Cement Plc 9.81 per cent and Mobile Oil Nigeria Plc 9.75 per cent.

Also traded during the week were a total of 384,740 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N7.858 million executed in 22 deals compared with a total of 1.043 million units valued at N13.747 million transacted last week in 45 deals Similarly, a total of 700 units of FGN bonds valued at N753,213.28 were executed 4 in deals compared with a total of 2,950 units valued at N3.271 million transacted last week in 6 deals.

Nigeria total contribution to CIS stands at $1bn out of $30trn world wide

L-R Minister of State FCT Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga, Minister of State Education Prof. Viola Onwuleri and former Minister of State Defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro during the appreciation Dinner held at the State House Abuja.

Photo Joe Oroye.

Oando set to raise $300m shares

O

ando, Oando Plc, one of Nigeria’s indigenous oil and gas producers listed on both the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) and Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has concluded plans to raise $300 million via a rights issue come from November 24.

Oando, with stock listings in Johannesburg and Toronto, said in a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange shareholders would be able to subscribe to one new share for every four already held as at July 25.

The firm has posted a 43 per cent growth in profit after tax for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014.

Turnover however dipped from N386.151 billion in 2013 to N338.105 billion in 2014 amounting to a decrease of 14 per cent.

Oando had recorded a 103 per cent growth in pre-tax profit during the half year ended, 2014.

The company in a filing with the

Nigerian Stock Exchange posted a profit before tax of N12.532 billion during the first half of the year as against N6.155 billion, indicating a growth of 103 per cent.

Net earnings grew by 110 per cent from N8.980 billion during the first half of 2014 as against N4.271 billion in 2013 while revenue dropped to N194.55 billion compared with N280.32 billion.

The chairman of the company, Oba Michael Gbadebo had at the 37th Annual General Meeting (AGM) while highlighting on the impact of Oando’s $1.5 billion acquisition of ConocoPhillips Nigeria which has transformed the company into Nigeria’s largest indigenous oil and gas producer, assured shareholders of further improvements in the company’s performance.

Gbadebo noted that the acquisition is set to increase daily oil production exponentially by 600 per cent equivalent to 45,000 boe/d, annual revenue of over US$600 million, and annual free

cash flows of $150 million.

“Oando continues on its path to deliver profitable growth and return on investment to its shareholders; H1 2014 has seen the business achieve several important milestones, including the successful acquisition of ConocoPhillips, the largest acquisition by an indigenous player in Africa, the upstream OML 125 production increased by 17 per cent to 651,000 bbls, while OML 56 production increased by 30 per cent to 171,000bbls compared to prior comparative period, and 4 years of continuous operations without a Lost Time Incident (LTI) on the “OES Teamwork” swamp drilling rig,” he said.

Gbadebo said also that the midstream Oando Gas and Power is extending its natural gas distribution network by 8km from Ijora to the Marina business district in Lagos state, positioning the company to benefit from the growing demand for gas and power infrastructure in the country.

T

he Deputy Managing Director of ARM Investment Mangers, Mrs Jumoke Ogundare has said that out of the $30 trillion total Collective Investment Scheme(CIS) contributions across the globe, Nigeria’s total asset under the scheme accounted for only $1billion.

Lamenting on the low level of CIS penetration in Nigeria, Ogundare stressed the need for the country to increase its stake on the scheme to measure with the contribution made by its counterparts in other jurisdictions.

According to him, the increased contributions recorded in other countries has helped alleviate poverty in those countries, as well as improved their standard of living.

Ogundare explained that investing through CIS enables investors maximize its opportunity to diversify their portfolio.

She added that the scheme is managed under a well articulated governance structure which enables investors to access their reports and evaluate their investments periodically in a transparent manner.

“Nigeria is coming behind in this scheme and we have $1 billion which is small compared $30trillion generated all over the

world. CIS reduces investment risk through diversification and reduces transaction cost in the other hand. It also enables less sophisticated investors obtain the opportunity of high returns by having a registered professional mange their investments.”

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Management Limited , Olumide Oyetan, total asset under management currently stands at around N186 billion which is an increase of 300 per cent compared to a decade ago.

He stated that that there are 45 collective investment scheme in Nigeria, compared to over 3000 and 130 mutual funds in India and Pakistan respectively; countries that have comparable GDP per capita to Nigeria.

“Nigeria still have an abysmally low penetration of mutual funds which we believe is largely linked to the overall poor level of financial literacy in the economy.

Weak intermediation is largely a function of volatile macro-economic conditions (especially high inflation) which discourages capital formation, underdeveloped capital market, embryonic institutional investment industry and weak incentives within the Nigerian banking system to offer relatively high yielding savings products,” he said.

Page 22

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Economy

SEC tasks shareholders on future of companies

By Aminu Imam & Ngozi Onyeakusi, Abuja

S

hareholders have been urged to show more interest in the affairs of their companies rather than being concerned on returns on investment made into the organization.

Shareholders, who are the real owners of companies were expected to take active part in decisions of affairs of their companies in order to safeguard the future of their companies.

“Shareholders should pay more attention to monitoring how

their companies are managed .

The shareholders’ association should be more responsive to ensuring accountability and effective management of their company”, said the Director and Secretary to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr Edosa Aigbekan while presenting a paper titled, The Corporate Governance Framework in Nigeria at the 2014 Journalist Academy organized by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Abuja.

He noted that there was every tendency for companies with dominant passive shareholders to

be ineffective and badly managed by board of directors.

According him, corporate governance, a set of relations between a company’s management, board, shareholders and other stakeholders that provides structure through which the objectives of the company were set and means of attaining those objectives must be strictly adhered to save organizations from collapse.

He noted that since there was no law in place to determine Directors and management’s remuneration, shareholders are permitted to set up independent remuneration

committee to determine through voting amount paid as remuneration to directors and top management of companies.

He noted that enforcement of corporate varies from country to country adding that Nigeria’s code of corporate government for capital market is regulator’s driven.

“Corporate framework differs from country to country.

The United States of America’s approach to corporate governance can be characterised as a regulatorled system predominalty enforced through SEC regulations, stock

Exchange listing rules and state laws. The Us does not have a code of corporate governance similar to that of Nigeria or United kingdom, given the federal nature of its constitution”.

“In Nigeria, the framework for corporate governance is the regulator-led approach. The SEC had, in the early 200s realised that good corporate governance can reduce the risk of financial crisis which can have devastating economic and social cost and that good corporate governance helps to underpin market confidence and financial stability” , he said.

NAHCO mediates in Customs, Agents face-off

By Etuka Sunday

T

A man arranges his fruits for customers’ patronage at water melon market, at the weekend in Bauchi

China ready to cut rates again on fears of deflation - sources

C

hina’s leadership and central bank are ready to cut interest rates again and also loosen lending restrictions, concerned that falling prices could trigger a surge in debt defaults, business failures and job losses, said sources involved in policymaking.

Friday’s surprise cut in rates, the first in more than two years, reflects a change of course by Beijing and the central bank, which had persisted with modest stimulus measures before finally deciding last week that a bold monetary policy step was required to stabilize the world’s secondlargest economy.

Economic growth has slowed to 7.3 percent in the third quarter and policymakers feared it was on the verge of dipping below 7

percent - a rate not seen since the global financial crisis. Producer prices, charged at the factory gate, have been falling for almost three years, piling pressure on manufacturers, and consumer inflation is also weak.

“Top leaders have changed their views,” said a senior economist at a government think-tank involved in internal policy discussions.

The economist, who declined to be named, said the People’s Bank of China had shifted its focus toward broad-based stimulus and were open to more rate cuts as well as a cut to the banking industry’s reserve requirement ratio (RRR), which effectively restricts the amount of capital available to fund loans.

China cut the RRR for some banks this year but has not announced a banking-wide reduction in the ratio since May 2012.

“Further interest rate cuts should be in the pipeline as we have entered into a ratecut cycle and RRR cuts are also likely,” the think-tank’s economist said.

Friday’s move, which cut oneyear benchmark lending rates by 40 basis points to 5.6 percent, also arose from concerns that local governments are struggling to manage high debt burdens amidst reforms to their funding arrangements, the sources said.

Top leaders had been resisting a rate cut, fearing it could fuel debt and property bubbles and dent their reformist

credentials, but were eventually swayed by signs of deteriorating growth as the property sector cooled.

Until then, they had persisted with targeted policy steps, such as cuts in reserve ratios for selected banks and liquidity injections into the banking system. But these failed to bring down borrowing costs for the corporate sector.

“Increasing liquidity by the central bank has failed to lower borrowing costs for the real economy,” said a former central bank researcher who now works for the government.

“Employment still holds up, but corporate profits have been squeezed as producer price deflation bites, and it’s unreasonable for banks to have hefty profits.” (Reuters)

he Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (nahco aviance) has called for a truce in the face-off between the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and licenced customs clearing agents which led to a fracas at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport yesterday (Wednesday).

Saying the incident was unfortunate, the frontline aviation handling company pointed out that both NCS and clearing agents are very important in the Cargo processing system.

Officers and men of Nigerian Customs Service had reportedly chased the agents out of the area after it was alleged that some agents became unruly and shoved the Customs Area Comptroller, Mr. Tajudeen Olanrewaju.

The NCS men who came in patrol vans and Armoured Personnel Carriers reportedly flushed out all agents within the sprawling complex.

In the statement by the Company, nahco aviance’ Assistant General Manager, Corporate Services, Mr. Ahmed Gulma, explained that the two feuding parties are critical stakeholders of the Company.

He said NCS regulates the operations of NAHCO Ultramodern Warehouse while on the other hand, clearing agents are nahco aviance clients.

Gulma said the Company is doing all it can to bring the issue to a resolution that is acceptable to all parties.

According to him, “We are determined to put measures in place to forestall future occurrence of the ugly incident.”

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Stock Watch

Report as at Friday, November 21 2014

PAGE 23

PAGE 25

Peoples Daily, Monday, NOVEMber 24, 2014

PAGE 24

Special Report

When Kaduna governor granted amnesty to people ‘behind the wall’

From Mohammed Ibrahim, Kaduna

P

rison congestion arises when the number of inmates at a given period of time exceeds the actual capacity originally meant for that prison thereby over stretching the facilities available at that given time. The number of awaiting trial male (A.T.M) and awaiting trial female (A.T.F) varies from day to day dependent from social, legal and constitutional problems. It is even growing out of hands as many prisons across the country are begging for refurbishment given the number of inmates they are housing.

However, prisons all over the world are setup to serve as correctional centre for social deviants, to punish them as well as to reform them to be good, loyal and responsible citizens of the society.

Most inmates in developed countries are trained in different

skill acquisitions and some after serving their prison terms end up becoming useful to their communities and country by putting some of the skills acquired while serving their terms into use to help themselves and their countries. They end up turning a new leaf and contribute favorably to the development of the country and humanity in general.

Moreover, the idea behind imprisonment all over the world, is meant for positive purpose and not for the purpose of victimization or incarcerating somebody for no just reason as the law is interested in the culprit changing for the better.

But it could be argued that in developing countries like Nigeria, those released from prisons don’t usually exhibit traits of being reformed, rather end up getting mixed up with particular characters, found amongst prisoners making them to get more involved in crime after

Gov. Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State

they completed their jailed terms.

Apart from that, most of the prisons in the country are over populated or rather congested with inmates some harden criminals while some are not and they end up in same cells.

In fact, the issue of over congestion of Nigerian prisons has dominated pages of newspapers with the government doing

very little about it to decongest the prisons.

I n v e s t i g a t i o n by various media organization for the past few years have showed how bad the situation is.

It was even gathered from different individuals who served various jailed terms how bad the situation is in different part of the country.

It was learn that up to 50 inmates most times share a single room in

“

some of the prisons and their condition of living so bad that they end up contacting various skin diseases while in the jail.

The situation is bad to the extent that human rights organizations talk on the need to decongest some of the prisons since majority of the inmates are even people awaiting trials and those who committed minor offences such as stealing tuber(s) of yam,

There are also those inmates facing capital punishment who were kept in the prison for many years without been executed and the government continued to feed them. In fact, the painful aspect of it all is the fact that some of these prisons were built during colonial era and are still in use in this 21 century

Comrade Abba Patrick Moro, Minister of Internal Affairs

mobile phone, sheep among others. It was Senator representing Borno South in the nation’s upper legislative chamber, Senator Ali Ndume that once said that is unfurtunate that some one who stole chicken will be reminded in prison for 10 years There are also those inmates facing capital punishment who were kept in the prison for many years without been executed and the government continued to feed them. In fact, the painful aspect of it all is the fact that some of these prisons were built during colonial era and are still in use in this 21 century.

In view of these glaring testimonies, Kaduna State Government under the leadership of Alhaji Muktar Ramalan Yero seemed to have risen to the challenge of trying to decongest the state prisons by releasing a total number of 547 inmates, among them one life imprisonment but

Comptroller General of Prisons, Zakari Ibrahim

was released on health ground.

It was gathered that the issue of high rates of awaiting trial inmates in various prisons within Kaduna state alone posed various security challenges to the government and society which was why the government discussed the issue at several security council meetings.

It was at the state security council that the governor directed the Attorney-General to work out modalities towards solving the menace of the high number of awaiting trial inmates.

To fast track the release process, a committee was formed with the Attorney- General and commissioner for justice, Barrister Garba Uba Shehu as chairman. State Controller of Prisons, Alhaji Abubakar Garba as member, Justice Ministry representative Justice D-H Khobo member.

Others are ASP Bawa representing the State Police Command, member and Daris Bayero from Ministry of Justice who served as Secretary of the committee.

The committee visited all prisons and satellite prisons across the state from January to September,2014 where a total of 547 awaiting trials inmates with minor offences were released while over 600 cases terminated including those who were granted bail but who by nature of their cases ought not to be in the prison in the first place.

As for those serving capital punishment, the Attorney-General sought and obtained the approval of the governor that the ministry of

Inmates in a congested Nigerian prison

justice shall engage the services of private legal Practitioners to defend those whose charges are to be filed in high court of justice.

This according to him, it will make the accused persons to have access to lawyers which ordinarily they would not have had and they will have the charges against them expeditiously tried and their fate determined.

Apart from that, the committee liaised with police to have a comprehensive list of those to benefit from the government largesse and were selected according to the severity of their offences and character of evidence.

It is clear that section 212 of the constitution

gave the state governor the power to grant any person concerned with or convicted of any offence created by any law of the state pardon either free or subject to lawful conditions.

It was in its compliance with section 212(1) and after due consultation with state committee on prerogative of Mercy, that the governor granted Amnesty to four inmates who were convicted and sentenced to 3 years imprisonment and above with six months recently.

Some who were ordered to be released having attained the age of 60 years and above whose conduct are found to have changed for the better are Nuhu Yusuf, Danjuma Adamu, Hardo

Barau, Abdullahi Adamu, Aliyu Muhammad, Muntari Hassana, Ali Hassan, Lawal Alhaji Bature and Salisu Ya’u.

While Abdullahi Ibrahim and Chukwuma Eze who were convicted and sentenced to 21 years and served 12 years and 12 years and 7 months respectively regained their freedom for good conduct. Usman Salahuddeen who was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging has his sentence reduced to life imprisonment.

There are also nine inmates who were released on age ground and another inmate with the name Aminu Adamu who was convicted for life imprisonment was released on health

ground as well.

All the inmates that regained their freedom from the amnesty given to them by the state governor were cautioned against committing any offense that will make them return to prison as they all felt happy walking out of the four walls of the prison having spent years with no hope of being freed.

However, government at all levels were called upon to rise up to the challenge by not only decongesting the prisons but also to reconstruct them to international standards so that they serve the purpose they were built and not to serve as centre for breeding criminals and dehumanizing inmates.

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Feature

Still searching for a cure for Libya

By James Robbins

D

iplomatic correspondent When is the cure worse than the disease?

Diplomats tend to be professional optimists. Most believe that a good outcome from almost any crisis is, at least in theory, possible. They probably have to feel that way to keep going.

Talking to them about the collapse of Libya, however, tests even their diplomatic sangfroid severely.

Whenever, for instance, the British can find some crumb of comfort, some tiny sign of progress amid apparent disaster, they usually speak of “progress in the right direction”.

No-one is using that phrase about present-day Libya. Instead the travel advice issued by the British Foreign Office - current in mid-November - leaves no room for doubt.

“The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Libya due to the ongoing fighting and greater instability throughout the country.

“British nationals in Libya are strongly urged to leave immediately by commercial means. “ Th e B r i t i s h E m b a s s y i n Tripoli has temporarily closed, and is no longer able to provide consular assistance.”

The advice was followed by the United Nations Security Council this week announcing sanctions against two Libyan Islamist groups both thought to have links to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Britain doesn’t quite say that Libya is in total meltdown, but analysts are more outspoken.

Rebel forces The think tank, Menas, points to the extraordinary ruling on 11 November by Libya’s Supreme Court that the country’s House of Representatives is unconstitutional.

“This ruling was especially shocking for the House,” says Menas, “given that the court’s decision was meant to be about whether or not the holding of its sessions in Tobruk was legal.

“The ruling that the House’s very existence (rather than just its location) was illegal therefore came as a major blow to the parliament.

“The court also ruled that its decision could not be appealed, and that all decisions made by the House were to be considered null and void.

“The Islamists and Misratans

It’s an unanswerable question, but when the disease was Gaddafi’s brutal tyranny in Libya, when the cure was a revolution actively supported by international air strikes and when the outcome is now a failed state offering a new launch-pad for Islamist extremists, it’s a question which has - at least - to be examined.

Islamist and tribal militias in a severely splintered and massively over-armed country.

The House of Representatives, pushed into internal exile, clings on in the city of Tobruk right on Libya’s eastern border, shoved - literally - to the margins.

The Islamists have their own alternative legislature in Tripoli, the General National Council.

Efforts dashed

Former Libya’s leader, Muammar Qaddafi who form the bulk of Operation Libya Dawn forces, and who back the National Salvation Government in Tripoli as a rival to the House, welcomed the news.”

So what has happened to the country “liberated” in 2011 from Col Gaddafi’s decades of dictatorship by a combination of rebel forces and air strikes including British and French

“

aircraft? Well, the breakdown (forecast by many experts) of an ultra-fragile unity of convenience among the rebels has spectacularly come to pass.

In June 2014, Libya held its second national elections since Col Gaddafi’s overthrow, but within months of being elected, the new parliament had been forced to flee the capital, Tripoli, driven out by

Analysts point out that, as well as the disastrous effect on Libyans themselves of this fundamental internal breakdown, civil war is proving all but fatal to prospects of vital foreign investment in Libya.

Who should investors deal with? Is there anywhere in the country that remains safe for them to invest in? And now Britain’s most practical effort at nationbuilding is in ruins.

What happened at Bassingbourn Barracks, in Cambridgeshire, looks like a metaphor for the lawlessness in Libya itself - efforts to train young militia soldiers from Libya to become responsible and disciplined members of a national army at the service of their government and people completely broke down.

Two of the Libyans face trial on charges of rape. In an unrelated case, three others are accused of sexual assault. Britain has sent all the remaining Libyans home and abandoned the entire training

Analysts point out that, as well as the disastrous effect on Libyans themselves of this fundamental internal breakdown, civil war is proving all but fatal to prospects of vital foreign investment in Libya.

programme.

Extremist infiltration So is there any hope of a cure for Libya as a whole?

The US has been forced out of the country. Its embassy is now based in Malta, stripped of most of its influence. Britain’s diplomats work from the embassy in Tunis.

The UN is trying to mediate between the rival factions, but so far without any success.

That’s not wholly surprising, when you consider that there are estimated to be over 1,700 different groups scattered across the country contesting power.

Western intelligence tends to confirm the increasing infiltration of Islamic extremists, the emergence in Libya of groups either actively involved with so-called “Islamic State” or at least sympathetic to the idea of a caliphate conquering as much as possible of North Africa as well as the Middle East.

Libya can make the grotesque situation in Syria look relatively simple. None of which is to say that Libya was better off under Gaddafi.

It was precisely the absolute control, masquerading as an ideology, he and his family imposed that destroyed any remaining foundation for representative government.

Anybody who interviewed Col Gaddafi came away with a powerful personal impression.

After my own thoroughly tense encounter in 2007, the memory I took away was the absolute terror felt by even his innermost circle.

The Libyan officials with us in the room seemed to press themselves against the walls, as if to appear invisible.

And that was at a time when Western governments were cosying up to the colonel, in their eyes a useful penitent - at least over the export of terrorism - who wanted to come in from the cold.

His legacy is awful to behold.

The Gaddafi disease was terrible.

The cure has not been found.

Source: BBC

P A G E

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Education

BUK elevates Mass Communication department to Faculty From Edwin Olofu, Kano

T

he authorities of Bayero University Kano, has elevated its Mass Communication department to a full-fledged faculty.

Head of Mass Communication Department of the university, Dr. Balarabe Mai’kaba, who announced the development in a welcome speech he delivered during the

Mock Annual General Meeting of MACLEV 3 Communication PLC, said the new faculty has been christened Faculty of Communication and Media Studies.

‘The institution during its last management meeting has approved the upgrading of Mass Communication department to a full –fledged faculty”, the Head of Department announced.

Dr. Mai’kaba said the new faculty

would kick off with 3 Departments next year.

He listed the new departments as Journalism, Marketing Communication and Visual Art respectively.

He said the University management has awarded the construction of a new complex for the faculty, adding that contract for the construction of the ultramodern studio for the new faculty has also

been awarded.

Mai’kaba said the field of Mass Communication remains an engine room of democracy, stressing that “without the media, there would be no democracy”.

He stated that the development is line with the resolve to make the field ‘mother of excellence’ for it to confront the emerging challenges on the field of Communication and Media studies.

L-R: Principal, Government Secondary School, Gwoza, Mr Shettima Bello, Receiving The Safe School Kits From The Principal, Government Secondary School Chibok, Hajiya Asabe Kwambula, During The Distribution Of Safe School Kits To Schools In Adamawa, Borno And Yobe States, At The Weekend In Abuja

NCNC Cooperative Society donates 10,000 textbooks to nomadic children From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he multi-purpose cooperative society of the Nigerian Commission of Nomadic Education (NCNC), at the weekend donated 10,000 textbooks, covering basic subjects, to nomadic children in Kaduna.

Presenting the books, President of the cooperative society, Dr. Abdul Umar Ardo, said the cooperative society decided

to task its members to raise the sum of N600,000 to purchase the books to support the Commission’s objective of providing education to the children of nomads.

Dr. Ardo said educating the children of nomads was a duty for all Nigerians because it was through education that they will be enlightened and live a profitable life.

“Training nomads’ children from our experience as staff of the Commission are very expensive

and should not be left for the government alone. Their trade moves them from one location to the other which means that, there must be continual mobile teachers and classrooms for them. If government can provide these, we now feel it is our own responsibility to assist in buying the books for onward distribution to nomads children,” he said.

Receiving the books, the Executive Secretary of the Commission,

Professor Rashid Ademinoye, said the staff through their act have demonstrated that they are not only staff of the commission, but concerns partners in providing education for nomads children.

He assured that the book would be distributed to the pupils they were meant for.

He however called on other organizations to follow suit by donating to the education of the nomadic children.

ANEW: Tai solarin Varsity of Education emerges winner of ‘Ideas Contest’

By Maryam Garba Hassan

T

a solarin University of Education, Ijagun, has emerged winner of this year’s Ideas Contest, one of the two categories of the just concluded Annual Entrepreneurship Week (ANEW) organised by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders in the education and business sectors to promote entrepreneur in Nigerian universities.

Announcing the results at a dinner organisd by the NUC in honor of the participants on Friday in Abuja, the Commission’s Executive Secretary Prof. Julius Okojie, represented by the Director, students Services, Mal. Ibrahim Dan Iya, Okojie said the objective of ANEW is to

promote entrepreneur in Nigerian universities and to enrich its curriculum.

Speaking earlier, ANEW project consultant Dr. Shola Aliu, who commended the participating students, said their ideas will be complied and published.

He said 12 of the projects presented by the participating universities will form the pond ion which will be sent to all the universities in the country adding that the projects by the students is their contribution to solving the problem of youth restiveness in the country.

He said the nine projects that made it to the finals have only six months to be put into practice by the teams.

He said the winners of this year’s projects had fractional edge over one another and the competition was a clean one.

He said one of the challenges faced by this year’s contest was the inability of the competition to take place at zonal level which also hindered its rehearsals.

He urged coordinators representing schools to stop interfering during the project contest by asking their students direct questions.

Aliu expressed optimism that the future of Nigeria is bright from the enthusiasm and commitment showed by the students during the contest and if used the right way.

Tai solarin University of education winner of the ideas contest was presented with cash prize of N500,000, a trophy, a certificate of participation and a signed plague by the ES of NUC Prof. Julius Okojie, in recognition of their outstanding performance in first runner up, while N250,00 was given to 2nd position,

N100,000 to 3rd position and consolation prizes of N50,000 to each of the 6 participants.

Members of the winning teams were also presented with medals.

Second runner up at the Ideas Contest category is team A, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ekiti state university came 3rd, 4th position goes to Benue State University Makurdi team A. On the second category which is the “Make Your Mark”, University of Uyo took first position, followed by Bankok University, 2nd, Godwin Okoye University , 3rd, Ekiti State University 4th, University of Lagos 5th, Micheal Okpara University 6th, Tai solarin University 7th , Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta 8th and University of Port Harcourt 9th.

Education still eludes Nigerian women, says Kaduna First Lady From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

W

ife of Kaduna State Governor Hajiya Fatima Muhktar Ramalan Yero, has said good and qualitative education still eludes the Nigeria women, especially in the Northern region hence limiting their competitiveness and ability to keep pace with their male counterparts.

The First Lady made the assertion while speaking at the flagging off of women empowerment project organized for women in the state by the Federation for Urban Poor (FEDUP).

According to her, it has not been easy for women to get higher education that can help them to compete in the fast growing world.

She attributed this to some cultural, social and religious beliefs and commended the training centres which made it possible for the trainee women and other less privilege in the society to believe that they too can lead an independent and secure life.

“Although women are trying to keep pace with men, and are becoming more independent today than any period in the world history, it has not been easy for them to get higher education that can help them compete with the fast growing world.

“Obviously, with an increase in population and the economic challenges being faced today, more and more women are finding it hard to make it through the day.

However, I would say we are grateful to training centres like this one.

“As you are aware, a good financial condition of a family helps in many ways, one can easily survive any difficulty with the help of capital, where it is needed. Indeed the present administration is deeply concerned about the plight of the less privilege members of our society.

It is committed to improving the lives and well- being of the people in whatever way possible, that is why government made available lands for local, national and international organizations who have the foresight, sincerity of purpose and capacity to train, support and empower the less privilege.

“I can assure you that more plan aimed at creating opportunities for our people, especially women and the youth are under way.

It is my belief that a financially strong woman is more equipped to take care of her family if she gets extra attention and feels more independent and secure even as she gets the proper respect by her family members and the society as a whole,” she said.

She called on well meaning individuals and citizens to join hands with government aimed at improving the lives of the less privilege in the society while she admonished the trainees chosen out of the thousands of other young women, to make use of the opportunity to better their lives and that of their families.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Education

Poverty, high tuition fees impeding education for all by 2015 – Prof. Osagie From Osa Eresoyen, Asaba

V

ice Chancellor, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osagie, has stated that education for all school age children has not been achieved because the generality of the people are still poor, while education was still expensive because the tuition is high, especially in the private institutions, from nursery to university.

He stated this in response to a question on the way out of the quagmire in the sector.

He said governments at all levels in the country needed to intensify efforts to employ enough manpower for the sector, train and re-train teachers and provide infrastructure to make access to quality education achievable.

In his words, “With the resources we have, education is realizable, but not in 2015, which is just by the corner, he said.

Earlier, another Professor of History at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Prof. Olutayo Adesina, said “Education is still a mirage.

We neither have the commitment nor the infrastructure. It is a mere clime”.

Also speaking on the subject, the Parish Priest of St. Michael Catholic Church, Oko, in Oshimili South Local Government Area, Delta State, said “education for all is still a mirage, because the level of corruption has affected all strata of government.

He said another reason education for all is still a mirage in Nigeria is that the implementation of government policies was politically-inclined and most times used in favour of their political class who don’t take into consideration the real need of the people they are supposed to serve.

He added “Secondly because of corruption, contracts ought to be executed with little amount of money is being inflated to settle political allies, explaining that Oko Mixed Secondary School, OkoOgbele, is case study.

The Executive Secretary of the Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Asaba, the Rev. Paul Anyansi, also disclosed that education for all in 2015 may not be a reality per Se, but a strong process of actualization few years after should take a prime place in our agenda.

Reconstruction of educational infrastructure across the states is very encouraging. But to achieve education for all, everyone involved in providing education must ensure strict compliance. While the masses are advised to encourage government to sustain what is already in place.

Varsities intake to increase from 400,000 to one million, says Jonathan From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

P

resident Good Luck Jonathan has promised to increase access to quality education by increasing admission into universities from 400,000 to over one million.

Represented by the Minister of Education Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, the President made the disclosure at the 37th convocation ceremony of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, at the weekend.

The President also said entrepreneurial development is a critical tool for national growth and must be pursued diligently, hence the need for Nigerian universities to develop sustainable strategies for entrepreneurial development.

He said his government would continue to address the issue of employment for the teeming

youths and for rapid economic growth.

The President urged the graduating students to make the best use of their training to make them relevant in the competitive labour market and entrepreneurial space that the growing economy provides.

Jonathan also urged Nigerian universities to always pursue goals that would facilitate unity, growth and corporate existence of Nigeria.

“As graduates, you should apply your knowledge, skills and creativity, and avail yourselves of the opportunities created by several policies of this administration, aimed at empowering young people and others to succeed on their own,” he said.

He called on the graduating students to apply the knowledge

and skills acquired in the development of the society in particular and the nation at large.

He described ABU as an embodiment of peace, unity and excellent service in view of its strive toward bringing people together irrespective of tribe, region, religion and ethnic affiliation.

The president charged both the Council and management of the university to sustain the training of young Nigerians who would in turn use their youthful agility to contribute to national growth and development.

In his speech, Vice-Chancellor of the University , Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, said the graduands included 33 first class, 1,273 second class upper, 5,064 second class lower 2,287 third class, 183 pass, 2,136 Post Graduate Diploma, 2339 masters degree

and 360 PhDs. He reminded the graduating students that by the conferment of higher degrees and diplomas they are now members of the over 500,000 strong alumni the university had produced in the last 50 years.

“I implore you to conduct yourself on the basis of solid character defined by humanity, honesty, dedication, respect, tolerance, moderation and sacrifice for the sake of others and the society.

“I also urge you to use the skills, knowledge and the good character you have acquired in ABU for the service of society and humanity.

“I am confident that the university has trained you to face greater challenges to secure a respectable life,” he advised.

Sultan Of Sokoto, Dr. Sa’ad Abubakar And Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, Minister of Educaton During A Procession At The 37Th Convocation Of Ahmadu Bello University, At The Weekend In Zaria.

Photo: Nan

Kano spends N12b on overseas scholarships - Kwankwaso

By Maryam Garba Hassan

K

ano state government has within three years, spent about N12 billion to sponsor 2,600 students from the state to study abroad, the state governor, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has disclosed.

A statement issued yesterday by the Governor’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Halilu Ibrahim Dantiye, Kwankwaso gave the indication while sending forth additional 566 students to some foreign universities for undergraduate and post graduate courses, under his administration’s special overseas scholarship scheme, held in the state Government House at the weekend.

The governor noted that each state government can do so if it can appropriately and prudently manage its income, explaining that his government was able to archive much in the sector of education and other competing sectors because of careful planning, the statement added.

On the 566 foreign students, he said N1, 820,789,550 billion was allocated for their tuition fees, accommodation and allowances, explaining that out of the 566 students going for further studies under batch 505 of the government’s scholarship scheme, 181 are going to International University of East Africa, Uganda for degree in computer science and

information technology.

According to him, 135 students would proceed to at Al-Mansurah University, Egypt to pursue degree programmes in Anesthetic Nursing and Operative Nursing while 250 students secured admission for masters’ degrees in various foreign universities.

The statement further said Kwankwaso reassured Kano students presently on foreign scholarships that all their schools and personal entitlements would be settled before the expiration of his tenure, hinting that the five year course fees of 82 medical students and four year bills for pharmacy students in India were paid in order not to have their studies interrupted.

The governor urged

beneficiaries of the scholarships to be good ambassadors for Nigeria, Kano and Kwankwasiyya movement, noting with delight that of all the Kano indigenes sent abroad, no one was accused of misbehaving by their respective schools authorities.

He disclosed that one of the students sponsored to train as pilots in Jordan has set an exceptional record of scoring high grades in the final examination, while in the International University of East Africa, Kampala, over 50 students got first class degrees.

He urged other recipients of government’s scholarship to emulate their counterparts that passed their examinations with flying colors to justify the huge expenditure in their education.

Page 29

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Healthy Living

Food poisoning

F

ood poisoning is an illness caused by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with viruses, bacteria, toxins, parasites, or chemicals. It’s different from Gastroenteritis (stomach flu) which is defined as an infection or irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, especially the stomach or intestines. It is a slightly more specific term that can describe a type of food poisoning.

Despite food safety measures, the threat of foodborne illness remains in meat and produce and some types of illness are on the rise.About 48 million people contract some form of food poisoning each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Salmonella remained the top cause of foodborne illness, The second most common cause of illness was Campylobacter.

Campylobacter lives on live chickens and can taint meat during slaughter; it can also be found in raw, unpasteurized milk.

Chicken and ground beef top a list of “risky meat” published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Researchers from this advocacy group examined data from foodborne illness outbreaks over a 12-year period and found between 1998 and 2010, meat and poultry products were linked to “at least 1,714 outbreaks involving 33,372 illnesses.”That estimate may only be the tip of the iceberg, the group said, as people may not seek medical attention for food poisoning and cases go unrecorded.

In April, the Environmental Working Group published an analysis of existing data on antibiotic-resistant bacteria contained in meat sold in supermarkets.

Eighty-one percent of ground chicken, 69% of pork chops, 55% of ground beef and 39% of chicken were found to contain the bacteria, the organization reported, citing data from a February Food and Drug Administration report.

Antibiotic resistance reduces doctors’ options to treat you if you become ill.

Every year the Environmental Working Group publishes its “dirty dozen” fruits and vegetables. The advocacy group describes it as a consumer shoppers’ guide to determine which types of produce pose the highest threat of pesticides.

Although pesticides are not a cause of foodborne illness, produce can be a source of food poisoning. In 2012, cantaloupes, spinach and spring mix salad and mangoes were linked to outbreaks.Improving food

safety begins before the products ever reach the consumer, at the slaughterhouse and in the fields.

What Causes Food Poisining?

Viruses and bacteria Viruses and bacteria’s are the most frequent cause of food poisoning. About 31 viral and bacterial pathogens are responsible for almost 9.4 million diagnosed food poisoning illnesses per year; about 39 million food poisoning cases are unspecified (undiagnosed).

The most common pathogens that cause food poisoning and the approximate number of people with food poisoning are: 1. Norovirus 2. Salmonella 3. C l o s t r i d i u m perfringens 4.

Campylobacter 5.

Staphylococcus aureus The most common pathogens that caused hospitalizations: 1. Salmonella 2. Norovirus 3.

Campylobacter 4. Toxoplasma gondii 5. Escherichia coli (E. coli) Infectious agents comprise the largest category of food poisoning, but as seen from the above top categories, viral infections comprise the bulk of infected patients but are far less likely to cause hospitalizations and deaths than Salmonella bacteria.

Toxins There are many toxins that can cause food poisoning.

Some are produced by bacteria on or in food and others are produced by plants and animals/fish or other organisms that are ingested. There are many plants and animals/fish that can be poisonous under certain conditions but they are encountered infrequently or under special conditions.

Some general toxin types, various toxins and their sources: Bacteria Plants Animals/fish/ other Enterotoxins Mushroom toxins Scombroid toxin Exotoxins Belladona Ciguatera toxin Cytotoxins Ricin Sasitoxin Neurotoxins Hemlock Tetrodotoxin Even though there are many bacterial, plant, and other toxins that can be ingested with food and water, they are usually limited to relatively small outbreaks.

Parasites Most parasites are ingested

with contaminated food or water. Some of the parasites ingested include: Giardia Amoeba Trichinella Taeniasolium Chemicals Certain chemicals are considered toxins that can cause food poisoning. While most do not enter into foods, some do and cause food poisoning.

An example of such a chemical is mercury, found in drinking water and in fish such as tuna and marlin. Other examples of chemicals that can be toxic if enough contaminates food and water are pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and lead.

The causes of food and water poisoning are numerous. This brief listing of causes should suffice as a framework to begin more detailed studies of food poisoning What are the Symptoms and Signs?

The most common signs and symptoms of food poisoning are abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

However, symptoms can get worse; blood in the stool and dehydration can occur.

Symptoms of food poisoning sometimes depend on which organ system the poison effects; for example, the neurological system may be altered by neurotoxins like pesticides and botulinum toxin. Other signs and symptoms may be fever, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pains, dehydration, bloating, and hepatic (liver) and renal problems. These symptoms often indicate a more severe disease.

When a group of individuals experiences similar symptoms after eating or drinking similar foods, food poisoning may be suspected.

Food Poisoning Home Remedies Home care for mild to moderate bacterial and viral food poisoning is mainly preventing dehydration. Oral intake that approximates the volume of diarrhea by using a combination of water and electrolyte solutions like Oral Rehydration Solution is usually enough to avoid dehydration. Infrequent or rare causes of food poisoning should be treated by a doctor or a specialist; this should also be done in severe viral and bacterial food poisonings.

In the majority of individuals with mild to moderate symptoms of food poisoning (viral and bacterial), symptoms resolve in about 24

Health Matters Dr. Longwap AbdulAziz Saleh

e-mail: longwapabdul@yahoo.com, Text: 08039537913

to 48 hours and no specific medical treatment is needed.

However, if there are any signs of dehydration (decreased or no urination, dry mouth, increased thirst, dizziness and weakness), blood in the stools, fever, vomiting or diarrhea longer than 72 hours, medical care should be sought. If there is any reason to suspect that a more rare cause of food poisoning is causing symptoms described above, see a doctor.

Food Poisoning Treatment Treatment of food poisoning is mainly done with fluids to avoid dehydration, especially in children and the elderly.

Some patients may benefit from medication to reduce nausea and vomiting. The use of medications like loperamide (Imodium) to treat diarrhea is often not advised as it may prolong symptoms or cause additional problems; patients are advised to check with their doctor before using the medication. Antibiotics are not used to treat viral and most bacterial causes of food poisoning but may be used in certain circumstances.

Severe bacterial infections and pregnant women with listeriosis will get antibiotics; some other pathogens such as certain parasites may be treated with antiparasitic medications.

Other relatively rare causes of food poisoning may require special medications.

Food Poisoning Diagnosis The diagnosis usually begins with the patient’s recent history of eating foods or exposure to contaminated water, travel history, and questions about friends or relatives with similar symptoms. The physical exam will focus on signs of dehydration while blood tests, if necessary, may be used to help rule out other problems. Stool samples may be useful to detect blood in the stool, culture for pathogens, microscopically examine for parasites and to detect certain toxins. In addition, there are immunological tests for some toxins (for example, Shiga toxin). Depending on the suspected cause, in rare cases biopsy samples may be taken.

Definitive diagnosis depends on identification of the pathogen or toxic material found in the individual.

Although tests are available, in mild to moderate cases of

viral and most bacterial food poisoning, tests are not usually done because of the expense and the likelihood that symptoms will resolve before the tests are completed.

Food Poisoning Prevention Prevention of food poisoning is possible.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published ways to prevent food poisoning;

CLEAN: Wash your hands and surfaces often.

Germs can survive in many places around your kitchen, including your hands, utensils, and cutting boards.

Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water and always follow the rules of food safety .

SEPARATE: Don’t crosscontaminate. Even after you’ve cleaned your hands and surfaces thoroughly, raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs can still spread germs to ready-to-eat foods - unless you keep them separate.

COOK: Cook to the right temperature.

While many people think they can tell when food is “done” simply by checking its color and texture, there’s no way to be sure it’s safe without following a few important but simple steps.

Use a food thermometer to ensure that foods are cooked to a safe internal temperature: 145 F (62.77 C) for whole meats (allowing the meat to rest for 3 minutes before carving or consuming), 160 F (71.11 C) for ground meats, and 165 F (73.89 C) for all poultry.

CHILL: Keep your refrigerator below 40 F (4.44 C) and refrigerate foods properly.

Germs can grow in many foods within 2 hours unless you refrigerate them. (During the summer heat, cut that time down to 1 hour.)

In conclusion, when travelling in foreign countries, it is best to eat only well-cooked foods and drink from cans or bottles that you open. Salads, ice, and fruit, unless known to be safe, should be avoided.

Harmful bacteria can start growing at room temperature, so any leftovers should go into the fridge or freezer within two hours of cooking.Storage times for the fridge and freezer can vary depending on the food. Remember the first aid to give to people that are in need because most cases starts at night after dinner in public places.

Page 30

Healthy Living

F

ew situations are as stressful for new parents as caring for a new baby who will not settle and fall asleep. Although most new parents expect to get less sleep than they did before their baby’s arrival, a baby who stays up all night long can try the patience of even the calmest and most dedicated parents. Maintaining realistic expectations about infant sleep—and sharing night-time parenting with your partner— can help your household cope with a sleepless and restless baby.

Significance Sleeping too long or too deeply is not generally healthy or desirable for new babies, who usually need to eat every few hours in order to grow and develop properly. As babies grow older, gain weight and eat more at each feeding, they will naturally begin to sleep better and go longer between feedings, suggests Kids Health. Although you might not be able to change newborn sleep patterns, establishing consistent sleep routines can help your baby sleep better as he grows older.

Identification Watch your baby for signs of sleepiness, such as eye-rubbing, faint circles under his eyes or pulling on his ear, and put him to bed as soon as you notice that he is tired. Over-tired, exhausted babies often fight sleep and might be difficult to settle down. By watching your baby’s cues, you can create a sleep routine based upon his patterns. Try to put him down for naps and night-time sleep at the same time each day and start the proceedings with a

O

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

World Diabetes Day: What to do for a restless, sleepless baby waiting a few minutes to see if your baby will settle back down before responding to her at night. If she continues to cry after five minutes--or if the crying escalates or sounds urgent--you should check on her and help her re-settle.

Solution Creating the right sleep environment for your baby can help improve her sleep

consistent routine, perhaps including a bath and stories or songs before bedtime. considerations Some new babies might need help differentiating between night-time and day-time sleep. Although babies usually adjust their sleep and wake patterns on their own within a few weeks of birth, Stanford pediatrician Alan Greene suggests that you can speed up the adjustment process by altering the environmental stimuli surrounding your baby. Keep the house brightly

lit during the day and play with her frequently. At night, talk in soft voices and keep your interactions with your baby low-key and minimal. Change her diaper and feed her without making eye contact or turning on bright lights.

Misconceptions Many new parents expect their baby to sleep quietly and peacefully throughout the night, but in reality, most babies toss and turn, cry out from time to time and wriggle in their sleep. The University of Illinois Extension suggests

1 the diabetic patients are not expected to eat any starchy food because of the belief that it raises blood sugar level; so the fearful patient stay completely stay away from starchy foods, which is suppose to supply energy to the body in order to prepare one for the day’s activities. Dieticians have however advised that everyone needs some carbohydrate giving

foods every day to supply strength or energy to the body.

2 Another, is that they should cut down on their calories immediately; which the body system may find difficult to adjust to as it is done so abruptly, meanwhile experts have advised that one way to stop the body from responding negatively is to eat at the appropriate time, “the best way to deal with food cravings is to try to prevent them by following a healthy eating plan,” they said.

3 There is also the believe that the diabetic should eat differently from the rest of the family, which makes them feel alone. However, experts have said the diabetic patient could eat same meal with the family, they said the ideal thing is every one is meant to eat healthy not forgetting to add more of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein foods.

4 Another common myth says the diabetic should not take sodium diets and salt; the dietician said diabetic patients could could consume sodium diet but in small quantity as much intake of it, including salt could lead to high blood pressure, which in turn leads to heart disease as diabetic patients are at high risk

patterns. Use a white noise machine or fan in her room to muffle household noises and voices. Install light-blocking shades on her windows so that she will not wake at the first hint of sunlight. For your baby’s safety, keep soft objects and loose items out of the crib, this includes blankets, pillows, bumper pads and toys.

HealthyChildren.org

Myths about diabetic diets

ver the years, there’s been upcoming myths about the diabetic and what kind of food he should eat. Those myths have made if difficult for healthy feeding which has equally affected his well being.

Of such myths are:

of such disease.

5 one other faulty belief is that people with diabetes could consumed as much fats as possible as it does not raise their blood glucose level; but again, nutritionists have warned that

too much fats intake could slow down digestion and resist the effects of insulin, leading to high blood glucose level, while much fats in the body has been recorded to increase risk of heart attack or stroke.

PAGE 31

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Politics Extra

Amaechi’s out to ruin our democracy, alleges Youth group

R-L: Gov Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state,

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

Security will be my main focus, says Ribadu

From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

F

ormer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Nuhu Ribadu has said that he was prompted by insecurity problems bedeviling his state and northeast geo-political zone to join the race for the Adamawa state governorship in 2015 elections.

To this end, Ribadu said that he will work hard to ensure his victory in the forthcoming PDP Adamawa governorship primaries and the subsequent February 2015 elections so as to on assumption

to office join hands with his colleagues in the zone to bring to an end the insecurity problems bedeviling the sub-region.

Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu explained that on assumption of the mantle of leadership in Adamawa state, his administration will accord security the priority it deserves, stressing that without security to lives and property no meaning development could be achieved.

“My administration will accord greater priority to security issues for development purposes, security will be the cardinal principle of my

administration come 2015. What is happening today in our zone should be condemned by every well-meaning citizen”, Ribadu frowned.

The former EFCC Chairman who was fielding journalists’ questions amidst his cheerful supporters shortly after he has been screened by the PDP zonal office in Bauchi weekend, expressed dismay that innocent lives are being massacred and property destroyed on daily basis with no end to the insurgency in sight in the zone.

Ribadu while acknowledging

accolades from supporters at the Bauchi PDP zonal office, expressed optimism that he will carry the Adamawa PDP gubernatorial flag after the forthcoming party primaries and subsequently win the elections to be sworn-in as the duly elected Governor of Adamawa State comes May, 2015.

“Let’s wait and see the PDP primaries in Adamawa state, people will be surprised with the outcome of the election, I will by the grace of God top all the other gubernatorial aspirants”, Ribadu said.

2015: Kwara PDP will not be divided, says aspirant From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

O

ne of the Kwara State gubernatorial aspirants under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mallam Akeem Lawal has said that the party would not be divided because of its many gubernatorial aspirants.

The eldest son of the late Governor Muhammed Alabi Lawal noted that all the aspirants have been told to go back to their respective wards and work with their people who will elect them, stressing that

there would not be imposition of candidate in the 2015 general election in the PDP. Lawal who stated this while speaking with journalists in Ilorin at the weekend said the alleged imposition of candidate in PDP, Kwara State chapter, was a mere allegation that has no proof, stressing that the National Chairman of the party had told all aspirants in the state to work hard and have good relationship with people who will decide their governorship candidate.

Lawal explained that PDP gubernatorial aspirants have

resolved to work for the party and whoever emerged as gubernatorial candidate of the party,adding that the era of godfatherism would end in the state after the PDP primary.

“Our National Chairman has told us to go home and work with our people because they will decide our fate. I am a party man; everybody is contributing to the party and builds it up. So, it’s not a one man show. If we succeed at the end of the day, the era of godfatherism will be a thing of the past”.

The PDP gubernatorial aspirant added PDP has a lot of programmes

that would empower people of the state if voted into power in 2015 general election stressing that water scarcity, unemployment, job insecurity as well as poor salary of Civil Servants would be solved in the state by the PDP. He added that Kwara state need a governor who would be sincere to the electorates, utilise allocations from federal government on infrastructure facilities without derail.

On the proposed extension of the rule in the trouble areas by President Goodluck Jonathan, Lawal said it was in the good interest of the country.

s controversy continues to trail comments by Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi threatening anarchy if the All Progressives Congress (APC), does not win elections in 2015, the Nigerian Youth Arise for Positive Change has demanded that he tenders an unreserved apology for saying so.

Recall that Governor Ameachi, at the redemption rally held in Abuja last week, threatened that there would be violence and anarchy if the All Progressives Congress (APC) losses next year’s polls.

Condemning the call, the National President, Comrade Charles Ubani, in a press conference, said Amaechi’s statement was provocative and undemocratic.

He noted that the governor had exhibited the highest level of anti democracy by calling for war, if his will wasn’t to be done.

According to Ubani, the outgoing governor was an ingrate as he is trying to destroy democracy which made him what he is today.

The leader of the association said Amaechi who got his right to lead the Rivers people through a democratic process should be the first in line for the defence of a process that made him.

He adds: “I make bold to state here that Amaechi is an ingrate.

How can he render such statement capable of truncating a democracy he has enjoyed first hand?

“This is a governor who was made governor by a court ruling which is the paramount dividend of democracy, how can he say such provocative declaration?”

The group however, called on the governor to tender unreserved apology to the nation for trying to stir up violence.

He further asked that per chance Amaechi failed to tender apologies, law enforcement agents should take note and watch closely his actions.

Comr. Ubani further called on all Nigerian youth to shun the call to violence by Amaechi but instead support the current government in her efforts to deepen democracy and its tenets.

He advised the youth to rather than avail themselves for use as thugs by undeserving politicians, should concentrate on their education.

Kwara PDP governorship aspirant denies stepping down for consensus candidate By chris Alu

S

on to former Kwara state governor Hon. Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal who is a governorship aspirant with the people’s Democratic party PDP , has denied the news that, he step down for a consensus candidate

nor PDP endorsing a candidate in the state , describing it as baseless rumour meant to tarnish his political career .

Speaking to journalist in Abuja, Hakeem said at no point he was confronted by anybody to step down for a consensus candidate neither PDP itself raised that kind of issue

for discuss. According to him, it was the direct hand work of mischief makers who are jealous of his raising political profile, saying that the way he get many supporters in the party, since he declared his ambition was a source of worry to politicians.

The aspirant said he is very much in the race and called on his

supporters to ignore the rumour.

“I tell you nobody has approached me regarding such issue and the party has not endorsed any consensus candidate for the 2015 governorship race in kwara state”, He stated.

He said if elected he would restore the wrongs of the present

administration and would as well bring out a three point agenda which include, agriculture, water supply and build industries as well as provide affordable housing to the people. He said he would create job opportunities to the teaming youths which to him is one among their major problem in the state.

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Firm fetes orphans, widows in Bwari

A

A Gbagyi woman returning from farm with firewood, at Gwagwalad recently in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Redecoration order: Mobile court begins trial of defaulters at Kigoma Street Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

A

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mobile court has commenced the trial of some occupants of clusters of blocks of flats at Kigoma street, in Wuse zone 7, Abuja, for allegedly failing to redecorate and beautiful their homes/environment, within the prescribed specific designs and condition as well as original plan.

This is coming on the heels of ongoing reinvigorated drive by the Department of Development Control, of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), towards redecoration of dilapidated buildings within the Federal Capital City (FCC).

Peoples Daily reports that a total of twenty-four occupants of three blocks of flats (block 2, 5 and 7 respectively), in the area, were summoned before the Mobile court presided over by Magistrate Bashir Alkali, for offences bordering on nature of premises.

The affected occupants, who were arraigned in the court, by officials of the Department of Development Control, at the weekend, for purported outright refusal to redecorate their

dilapidated buildings, even after they were allegedly notified by the Department, l on February 10.

The Principal state counsel with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Arome Tokula, told the court that the Development Control had in some time in February this year, issued relevant notices regarding the poor condition of their blocks of flats, but till date they have done nothing about it.

“The Development Control had severally instructed the accused (the occupants) to redecorate their houses, upon discovery of the dilapidated state of the buildings where they are living in, yet they refused to comply with the directive.

“The notice was served them sometime in early February, and till now they have not done so; this shows outright disregard for the said order, which the Department is empowered to enforce”, he pointed out.

The Prosecutor added that the offence, was in contravention of section 35 (1) e of AEPB Act, which stipulates that residents within the Federal Capital city (FCC) are required to keep their buildings within the prescribed specific

designs and condition as well as original plan, which should be done in compliance with provisions of the regulations of the Development Control and the AEPB. He therefore urged the court to issue an order to make them (accused) comply accordingly with the directive of the authorities.

On their part, most of the accused persons (residents) who admitted that they had received the said notice on the said date, told the court that they had started a process towards complying with the order.

They however, argued that they because most of them are civil servants, they had no enough financial power to immediately comply with the said order, shortly after they received it.

On the other hand, the occupants of block 2, who claimed ignorance of the said notice, said as at the time when the purported notice was served on the property, the Landlord had not acquired it, and consequently they had not packed in.

In his ruling, after listening to the accused persons (residents) in clusters of flats in block 5 and 7, the Magistrate, who found them guilty of failure to comply with the

authorities, however ordered them to pay fine of N30, 000 each.

He also gave them two weeks, within which to comply accordingly.

For the occupants of cluster of flats in block 2, the Magistrate urged to comply with the said order within 21 days to comply, as there was no evidence to show that they were served with the purported notice.

Furthermore, he issued a bench warrant (order of arrest) against some of the accused persons, who did not appear before the court, with the exception of those, who informed the court about their failure to be in court, before adjourning the court’s sitting till two weeks’ time, for continuation of hearing.

Speaking to newsmen, at the end of court sitting, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Development Control, Kalu Emetu, reiterated that residents are expected to redecorate or renovate their buildings, at least once in four years, failure of which they may be forced to do so.

He noted that owing to the effectiveness of the enforcement of redecoration of buildings through the use of the Mobile courts, there is noticeable change of aesthetics outlook of neighbourhoods, where the court had held its sittings.

property and interior development firm based in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has fete over 1, 000 orphans and widows, in Bwari Area Council of the Territory, as part of its social cooperate responsibility to their host community.

The event which took place last Saturday, in Bwari witnessed a large turnout of widows and orphans drawn from various villages within the Council.

Speaking shortly after the event, the Executive Director of OD Interior/DO Properties, Ovie Jessy Odafe, stressed the need for companies operating in the nation’s capital to always put smiles on the faces of the less privileged in their host communities, stressing that there are a lot of the less privileged who desire to change the society if given the opportunity.

“As a matter of fact, there are a lot people out there who have no school fees, those who are desirous of learning a trade such as tailoring, hair dressing and other vocational skills.

“We are here to impact positively on their lives and show them that somebody cares and share their pains; even though, it’s not everybody we can reach out to, but we will continue to do our best as part of social cooperate responsibility,” he said.

He however assured that another reach-out programme for the less privileged will be staged by the firm next month to mark the yuletide season, adding that God remains the pillar and the source of funding the programme.

Odafe also disclosed that the firm has put mechanism in place to monitor the growth of the beneficiaries of the reachout programme with a view to ensuring that the beneficiaries do not waste the opportunity given to them.

One of the beneficiaries, a 13-year old orphan, Emmanuel James, who expressed his gratitude to the firm for the gesture, however tasked other firms to emulate their steps.

Peoples Daily reports that the highpoint of the event was the distribution of food items and educational materials to all the widows and orphans that graced the occasion.

57,609 tons of wastes evacuated in Abuja within 60 days, Bala reveals

M

inister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has said that the administration is committed to keeping the Abuja environment clean and healthy, as it evacuates a total 57,609.2 tons of solid waste to designated

disposal sites in the Territory, between the months of September and October 2014.

The Minister, who disclosed this at the weekend, said the FCT Administration has established temporal dumpsite at Bwari to ease pressure on existing but,

inaccessible dumpsites at Gossa and Ajata.

According to him, his Administration is more than ever determined to continuously keep the Abuja sanitary condition on the high pedestal, as that would proactively contribute to

well-being of the residents of the Territory.

His words: “The implementation of the policy on self-serving of housing estates by respective owners/Resident Associations has commenced after three successful stakeholders meetings.”

Mohammed maintained that the sound health and the well-being of the residents of the Territory couldn’t be compromised because it is of paramount importance to his Administration and the way of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

PAGE 33

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Photo Splash

Some workers struggle to board an unpainted taxi during rush hour, at the Federal Secretariat, recently in Abuja.

An okada rider with his passengers on the move, yesterday in Mararaba.

Scene of an accident, at the Central Area, recently in Abuja.

Business activities at the Federal Secretariat, in Abuja, recently.

Some labourers waiting for patronage in Mabushi, at the weekend in Abuja.

Photos: Mahmud Isa

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Metro

Bala explains planned relocation of Nyanya to Gidan Daya

T

Keke NAPEP over loaded with goods, yesterday at, Garki, Market, Abuja.

Karu Muslim Ummah gets new leadership

Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

In his acceptance speech, Chairman of the new executive council of the Association, Alhaji Sa’eed Omar, who thanked the Council members for the achievements recorded during their time, noted that the new executives are stepping into the huge shoes left behind.

He therefore called on the members of the new council to join hands with him and one another, so as to work with sincerity and honesty as a team, in order to ensure a smooth and continuous development of Karu Muslim Ummah.

Earlier, the outgoing chairman, Kabir Muhammad Yari, urged the new CWC to give special attention to devising innovative programmes of improving the standard of HIIA, in order to provide younger Muslims with adequate opportunities for good

education and technical skills for self-reliance.

He disclosed that the election process of the new executives took a long time, in an all-inclusive process involving every Muslim community within Karu and its environs.

He said the election process was conducted by the 7-member Shura committee headed by Malam Abubakar Haruna Argungu.

Highpoints of the event was the handover of official documents of the Association and presentation of letters of appointment to all members of the new CWC. Peoples Daily gathered that the Association was established in 1994, to promote Islam with a view to promoting its understanding and practice in Karu, the FCT and the country at large, amongst other cardinal objectives.

he Karu Metropolis Muslim Ummah Association, formerly known as the Karu Residents Muslim Community Forum, Abuja, at the weekend inaugurated its newly expanded 21 executive council member of its Central Working Committee (CWC), to manage the affairs of the association.

Peoples Daily reports that the CWC, which was expanded from its previous 14 offices in the immediate past executive council to 21, was inaugurated at a formal handing over ceremony that took place at the Hayatul Islam International Academy (HIIA), in Karu, FCT. Members of the new executive council are: Alh. Sa’eed M Omar( Chairman), Engr.

Abubakar Mohammed (deputy chairman

1), Alh. Ibrahim Zuru (Deputy Chairman 2), Alh. Suleman Uthman (General Secretary), Salman Moh’d Umar ( Assistant General Secretary), Salisu Bello (Financial secretary), Ibrahim Adam (Assistant Financial Secretary), Moh’d Salisu Musa (Treasurer) and Muazu Ahmad (Assistant Treasurer).

Others are: Alh. Umar Lapai (Internal Auditor 1), Musa Hasan (Internal Auditor 2), Nuhu Muhamma (Internal Auditor 3) Aminu Sadauki (Legal adviser 1 ) , Ibrahim M. Abdulsalam (Legal Adviser 2), Hassaini A. Yahaya ( Legal Adviser 3), Ishaq S. Nguru (Legal Adviser 4), Abdullahi Shaba (Legal Adviser 5), Moh’d S Alhassan ( Organizing Secretary), Ja’far Muhammad (Assistant Organising Secretary), Alh. Umar S. Yelwa (PRO) and Mallam Usman Haruna (PRO 2).

T

FCTA reiterates commitment towards qualitative healthcare services for residents

T

he Secretary, Health and Human Service Secretariat (HHSS) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to continue providing qualitative health care services that is based on quality, equality and sustainability.

According to him, the FCT health sector witnessed a radical change even with ever decreasing budgetary allocation with the provision of additional infrastructure in all its hospitals, additional hospital equipment as well as expansion of services.

The Secretary added that the FCT health has also improved health indices with decrease in maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate, increase in immunization coverage and family planning and

also massive reduction in polio outbreak.

He further disclosed that the FCTA has already awarded the building and equipping of three 60 bedded cottage hospitals in Gwagwalad, Karshi and shere with the aim of decongesting the city hospitals, and are all at various level of completion.

A statement by Head, Public Relations Unit of HHSS, Badaru Yakasai, said Dr. Onakomaiya made this assertion when he received the Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development (DFATD) of the Canadian High Commission, who paid him a visit in his office,

recently.

Earlier, in her remark, the leader of the delegation, Emily Alexander said DFATD through the UNH4+ (United Nations Health 4) project has supported the FCT implementing activities through World Health Organization (WHO), UNFPA, UNICEF and UNAIDS and World Bank that are delivering maternal and child health program as one.

She said the team came to conduct monitoring visit to facilities they support in the FCT and also monitor the activities of the maternal newborn and child health week which is presently on going in the territory.

Similarly, Dr. Andrew Mbere from

WHO, said the Organization indicated areas UNH4+ support FCT and other states which includes the review of policies that have bearing on health, development of training materials, distribution of commodities, public awareness of key household practices, capacity building and support of the maternal newborn and child health week.

He added that the UNH4+ project is founded by the Canadian Government and is a catalytic fund to support stats with strategic planning and also look at the areas of human development challenges. In addition help with health financing and analysis.

he Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed has said that the recent decision to relocate the Nyanya Labour Camp is to ensure environmental and security standards as well as make way for the provision of decent housing for the residents of area.

The Nyanya Camp, which is today one of FCT’s most popular slums located less than 10 kilometers from the Abuja city centre, was built about 30 years ago for early construction workers involved in the building of the new Federal Capital City.

The Minister, who was speaking during an interactive session with some newsmen at the weekend in his office, said that the present condition of Nyanya was an eyesore and unbefitting. He said that the builders of the camp planned it as a temporary camp, hence the kind of structures that were erected there.

Mohammed stated that the current security challenges in the country, especially insurgency, have made the relocation of the Camp even more compelling.

According to him, the FCT Administration has taken several measures recently such as demolition of some buildings to enhance security and environmental sanity in Nyanya but added the situation can be salvaged without relocation.

The Minister said that Gidan Daya, the chosen relocation site for Nyanya is a new district located within the same Abuja Municipal Area Council on the Karshi axis.

He restated the commitment of his Administration to the provision of affordable and decent housing for Nigerian workers stressing that the gesture was behind the recent flag off of the construction of 40,000 housing units for workers in Abuja, a gigantic project which covers two districts in Apo Tafyi and Lugbe extension respectively.

He said the land swap policy which he introduced in FCT about two years ago has helped to accelerate development via triggering of the process for the opening of over 10 districts within the next four years.

He further explained that he embarked on the globally acceptable programme to catalyze infrastructural development and generate funds for the FCT as a response to dwindling budgetary allocations from the Federation Account.

Beside acceleration of physical development, he listed other benefits of the land swap initiative to include the curtailing of sharp practices in land transactions, creation of jobs and employment opportunities for thousands of youths, solving of resettlement and compensation challenges and elimination of the problem of land freezing among others.

Page 35

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

International international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Western Sanctions and rise of Sino-Russian trade relations ANALYSIS

By Lawal Sale

T

he annexation and subsequent reunification of Crimea by Russia and the Kremlin’s alleged support for the separatists in the Donbass region of Eastern Ukraine marked the end of the ``cold war honeymoon” between Russia and the West.

The development gave birth to multiple sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union (EU) and the United States which included ban on transfer of technology, energy, finance and agricultural products.

This compelled Russia to tilt towards Asia in general, and China in particular, in search of a new partner in trade and investments.

Analysts observe that even before the present strained relations between the two blocs, Russia had for decades been mulling plans to strengthen ties with its Asian neighbours.

China appears to be the major beneficiary of the souring relations between the West and Russia, even though Kremlin is also shoring up its bargaining ties with South Korea which like China, refused to impose sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine stand-off.

Russia is also leaning towards Japan whose sanctions against it are largely ``symbolic” despite the Kuril Island issues.

Similarly, Russia’s decision to establish close industrial cooperation with China is not only the consequence of the sanctions but it is also due to the need for the Russian industry to toe that path.

However, the peculiarities of the Chinese market and the fact that Russia already had long-standing ties with Europe weakened its willingness to change.

China, like Russia is a member of many regional and economic organizations such as APEC, ASEAN, G8, G20, BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and it is also a former ally during the hey days of Communism.

This put China in a vantage position to harness the new opportunities opened by the Western sanctions against Russia as many of its businessmen and its ever-energy-hungry industries are warming up for big- time business.

Russia is the second-largest producer of oil and natural gas, while China is one of the biggest consumers of energy; so, the two nations can immensely benefit each other in trade and investment.

In his address at the annual

President Vladimir Putin

gathering of the Valdai Club, a group of international Russian experts in October in Sochi, President Vladimir Putin affirmed that ``Asia is playing an everincreasing role in the world, in the economy and in politics, and there is no way we can afford to overlook these developments.”

Putin said: ``Everyone is doing this, and we will do so, too; all the more so as large part of our country (Russia) is geographically in Asia.”

Just as the Russian public approval of China had risen to alltime high of 77 per cent, the overall Russia-China trade investment value was put at $59.3 billion in 2010, and this figure rose to $89.2 billion in 2013 with the expectation that it will surpass $200 billion by the year 2020.

On gas supply, the two countries have signed a 30-yeardeal in May 2014 in Shanghai by which Moscow is to supply gas worth $400 billion to Beijing, and

Russia is set to deliver up to 38 billion cubic meters of gas annually to China after the construction of the pipeline that will go through western Siberia.

The agreement, which is between the state-controlled ventures, Gazprom, and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), is said to be the biggest in the history of oil and gas sector of the former USSR. The project which will be the biggest construction project in the world will be financed by Russia with about $55 billion, while China will invest at least $20 billion.

Rosneft, the Russia’s biggest oil producing company was reported to have given China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) an equity stake in an oil field in eastern Siberia.

There are also over 30 other deals and projects lined up by Chinese firms, and once the gas deal is done, China will shift its focus to

“

areas such as telecommunications and transportation, particularly the construction of high-speed railway.

Cooperation on military hardware, training and drills are also ongoing. In September, 2014, the Russia-China Investment Cooperation Committee, a governmental partnership led by Chinese Vice-President Zheng Gaoli, and Russian First Deputy Prime Minister, Igor Shuvalov, held its first meeting in Beijing.

During the meeting, it was agreed that cooperation between the two nations on various fields including infrastructure development will be expanded. The committee was launched based on the consensus between the presidents of the two countries in Beijing early in 2014.

And, recently in an effort to cushion the effects of western economic sanctions, Russia struck a pact with China by which Ruble

Rosneft, the Russia’s biggest oil producing company was reported to have given China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) an equity stake in an oil field in eastern Siberia.

and Yuan would be used in bilateral trade, thereby reducing the use of dollar in international trade.

This ``de-dollarisation’’ effort will also enable Russian banks open accounts with Chinese banks and make provisions for Russian companies to seek loans from Chinese firms.

The “gang-up” to limit the dollar-dominance in the international market became necessary and more urgent for Moscow this year when the heat became too much as a result of the numerous sanctions slammed on it by the US and EU. For China, curtailing the dollarinfluence fits well with its ambition to increase the clout of the Yuan and turn it into global reserve currency in future.

Though China-Russia ties are still under a full-scale union, the two nations’ reliance on the west to modernize their economies with advanced technologies will evaporate with time, and in the end, China, which is in the imaginary triangle of three - with Russia and the US, will eventually benefit more while the two continue to bicker. [END] In the long run, the dragon and the bear are expected to have a real big time business partnership that will benefit their citizenry and the world in general.

Lawal Sale is a Foreign Affairs Analyst and he writes from Abuja.

He can be reached on: lawalmaida1@yahoo.com

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Page 36

International Tunisia holds first postrevolution presidential poll

Kenya bus attack: Military ‘kills 100 Shabab militants’

T

he Kenyan military has killed more than 100 al-Shabab militants linked to a deadly attack on a bus, Kenya’s deputy president says.

William Ruto said the armed forces had carried out two operations in Somalia, destroying equipment and a camp from which the bus attack was planned.

In Saturday’s attack, gunmen pulled non-Muslims passengers from a bus in northern Kenya, killing 28 of them.

A local governor said a total security overhaul was needed.

Al-Shabab has carried out a series of attacks in Kenya since 2011, the year that Kenya sent troops into Somalia to help battle the Islamist group.

Mr Ruto gave details of the military operation after attending a Sunday service at a church in Nyahururu.

“I can assure you that those behind the attack did not even take their supper,” he was quoted as saying by the Standard newspaper.

“They were killed by our officers who we sent out immediately after the attack. They did not find time to celebrate their heinous crime.”

He said security officials were in “full control” and urged other leaders to co-operate with the government rather than criticise it.

In Saturday’s attack in Mandera county, close to the Somali border, witnesses described how passengers were asked to recite passages from the Koran and those who failed were made to lie on the ground before being shot in the head.

Afterwards, at least one local official said that pleas for extra security in the area had gone unanswered.

On Sunday, Mandera Governor Ali Roba called on the government to “reshuffle” its entire security team in the region, saying that officers did not follow up on cases and that a state of insecurity was considered normal.

“Many suspects who are apprehended are released from cells under unknown circumstances, even when there is evidence of their involvement in crime,” Mr Roba told Kenya’s Daily Nation.

Somalia-based al-Shabab said it had carried out Saturday’s attack in retaliation for a government crackdown on mosques in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa that were allegedly used by extremists. Security forces seized weapons during the raids.

Mr Ruto said such police operations would not stop.

“We will not allow our praying places to be used as armoury,” he said.

“This operation is going to happen no matter what.”

T

unisians are voting in the country’s first presidential election since the 2011 “Arab Spring” that triggered uprisings across the region.

More than 25 candidates are in the race, but incumbent Moncef Marzouki and anti-Islamist leader Beji Caid Essebsi are widely seen as the favourites.

The poll forms part of a political transition after the revolution that ousted Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. A parliamentary vote was held in October.

Tunisia - seen as the birthplace of the Arab Spring - is considered to have had the most successful outcome, with relatively low levels of violence.

‘Security threats’ Sunday’s election will deliver the country’s first directly elected leader since the removal of Mr Ben Ali. Most polling stations were opening at 08:00 (07:00 GMT) and due to close 10 hours later.

If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, a run-off round will be held on 31 December.

“We were the first to enter this cycle of change which they have called the Arab Spring,” Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa was quoted as saying on the eve of the poll.

“We will be the first [to make the transition] but others will follow,” he added.

Mr Essebsi, from the Nidaa Tounes (Tunisia’s Call) party, is the

frontrunner after his party came first in the parliamentary election.

But critics say Mr Essebsi, an 87-year-old who served in the governments of post-independence leader Habib Bourguiba as well as Mr Ben Ali, represents the past.

“Tunisians will have their say and I will accept their choice to consolidate Tunisia’s transition,” Mr Essebsi told reporters after voting in Tunis.

Correspondents say the main

opposition to Mr Essebsi comes from Mr Marzouki, the interim president and a human rights campaigner who has cast himself as a guardian of the spirit of the revolution.

Among the other candidates are parliamentary Speaker Mustapha Ben Jaafar, Republican Party leader Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, female magistrate Kalthoum Kannou and businessman Slim Riahi.

The Islamist party Ennahda,

which led Tunisia’s last government but was beaten by Nidaa Tounes in October’s parliamentary election, did not field a candidate.

A statement from Ennahda leader Rachid Ghannouchi spoke of wanting “to avoid deepening polarisation or dividing the country”. Ennahda’s rise had led to concerns among more secularminded Tunisians that Islamists would dominate politics.

Tunisians hope the election will strengthen post-revolutionary changes in the country

Bombs uncovered on Egypt railway tracks

A

A bomb attack last week targeted a train in northern Cairo

charred body has been found near a train station in southern Egypt after a bomb exploded, as police uncovered three unexploded devices planted on railway tracks in the region.

The blast took place on Saturday night in the town of Al-Wasta, in the province of Beni Suef, south of Cairo. The interior ministry said in a statement that the body probably belonged to the person who had planted the bomb.

The unexploded bombs were found on railway lines linking Cairo to the far southern city of Aswan, the ministry said.

Egypt has been hit by a wave of bombings and shootings since the military ousted President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.

Assaila n t s h a v e s t e p p e d up attacks targeting public transport, including a bomb last week on a train north of Cairo that killed two policemen and two passengers.

On Thursday, four people were hurt in a stampede at the capital’s Ramses station after a blast inside a compartment of a train that pulled in from the Nile Delta, security officials said. The blast was caused by a sound bomb, they said.

Robbers steal ‘Ebola blood samples’ in Guinea

R

obbers in Guinea have stolen blood samples believed to be infected with Ebola, the Red Cross in the West African nation has said.

The samples, stored in tightly wrapped vials tucked into a cooler bag, were in the care of a Red Cross courier who was among nine passengers sharing a taxi when three men on a motorbike robbed the vehicle and took the samples, said Saa Mamady Leno of the Red Cross in Gueckedou.

The robbers forced the passengers out of the vehicle on Wednesday, stole mobile phones, cash and jewelry, and fired into the air as they demanded the handover of the cooler bag, Leno said.

The courier was taking the blood samples on a 265km journey along winding rural roads from central Kankan prefecture to a test site in southern Gueckedou.

Faya Etienne Tolno, a spokesman for the Guinea Red Cross, said the aid group had a shortage of vehicles for

transport, which explains why a taxi was used. No one was injured in the incident, which took place on a road known for banditry.

“We don’t understand why they stole the blood sample. Perhaps they thought there was cash hidden in the flask,” Tolno said.

Dr Barry Moumie, who heads patient care for the national Ebola response coordination committee, told the Associated Press news agency: “We have informed the security services. If these thieves handle this

blood, it will be dangerous.”

Authorities publicly appealed on national radio on Friday to the unidentified robbers to hand over the samples.

Ebola, which has killed more than 5,000 people in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, is spread primarily by contact with infected bodily fluids including blood, faeces and vomit.

The virus emerged in Guinea at the start of the year and has infected around 1,900 Guineans, killing almost 1,200.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Page 37

International Asia & Volleyball woman Ghoncheh Middle East Ghavami out of Iran prison

Hundreds of thousands have signed a petition calling for Ms Ghavami’s release

B

ritish-Iranian Ghoncheh Ghavami, who was jailed after watching a volleyball game in Iran,

has been freed on bail, her family says.

Ms Ghavami, 25, was part of a group of women arrested after

trying to watch a volleyball match on 20 June.

Iranian prosecutors have since accused her of having links

to the opposition.

Ms Ghavami has staged hunger strikes against her detention, while hundreds of thousands of people have signed a petition calling for her release.

Ms Ghavami and the other women were arrested and allegedly beaten after attempting to watch Iran play Italy in a volleyball match.

They were later freed, but Ms Ghavami was rearrested later and subsequently put on trial.

On 2 November, her lawyer said he had been shown court documents that said Ms Ghavami was found guilty of spreading anti-regime propaganda.

However, prosecutors also told Isna news agency that Ms Ghavami’s case had been put under review.

Prosecutors said that she had been charged for taking part in opposition protests abroad, not for attempting to watch the match.

Iran to allow access to Marivan nuclear site: official

I

ran is ready to allow UN nuclear inspectors to access the Marivan nuclear site, a facility suspected of being used to develop explosive weapons, the spokesman for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Behrouz Kamalvandi, was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency on Saturday.

“We are ready to provide a controlled access to the Marivan site to prove the peaceful nature

of Iran’s nuclear activity,” Kamalvandi told IRNA, as the country’s nuclear negotiators are engaged in intensive talks with the powers in Vienna of Austria to break the impasse in a run up for a nuclear deal ahead of Monday’s deadline.

The Marivan site, close to the Iraqi border, was referred to in a 2011 report by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran’s alleged pursuit

of nuclear weapons. However, Kamalvandi said that the report was based on “false information and unfortunately the Agency insists on that.”

Besides Marivan, the UN nuclear watchdog has also been suspecting that Iran’s Parchin military base could be used for similar nuclear test, but Iran has so far denied access to Parchin.

As the Iranian nuclear talks entered the final days in Vienna,

top diplomats from Iran and the West were trying to seize the best opportunity they have had in the past years to clinch a historic deal to put an end to the lasting marathon of Iran’s nuclear issue.

In July, Iran and the P5+1 group, including the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, decided to postpone the resolution deadline to Nov. 24 to find a solution to Iran’s nuclear debate.

N/Korea furious over UN human rights ruling

N

orth Korea’s top military body has warned of “catastrophic consequences” for supporters of the latest United Nations censure on its human rights record, as state media reported leader Kim Jong-Un presided over fresh military drills.

A resolution asking the UN Security Council to refer North Korea’s leadership to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for possible charges of “crimes against humanity” passed by a resounding vote of 111 to 19 with 55 abstentions in a General Assembly human rights committee last week.

Introduced by Japan and the European Union and co-sponsored by some 60 nations, the resolution drew heavily on the work of a UN inquiry which concluded in February that the North was committing human rights abuses “without parallel in the contemporary world”.

The US and its followers will be wholly accountable for the unimaginable and catastrophic consequences to be entailed by the frantic ‘human rights’ racket against the (North).

Statement from North Korea’s National Defence Commission The North since then has repeatedly slammed the bill as a political “fraud” and warned that it was being pushed into conducting a fresh nuclear test.

‘War declaration’ The National Defence Commission (NDC), chaired by Kim, said on Sunday the bill amounted to a “war declaration” taking issue with the North’s leader, Kim Jong-Un. The resolution makes no mention of Kim but notes the UN inquiry finding that the “highest level of the state” holds responsibility for the rights abuses.

The dignity of its leader “cannot be bartered for anything,” NDC said in a statement, adding Japan as well as South Korea and the US - co-sponsors of the UN bill - were Pyongyang’s “primary target”.

“The US and its followers will be wholly accountable for the unimaginable and catastrophic consequences to be entailed by the frantic ‘human rights’ racket against the (North),” it said.

The NDC also said that Seoul’s leader Park Geun-Hye would not be

safe “if a nuclear war breaks out” on the Korean peninsula, and its attacks could make Japan “disappear from the world map for good”.

As Pyongyang ramped up angry threats, Kim guided a large military drill involving maritime transport and amphibious landing, the state-run KCNA said.

The isolated and nuclear-armed state has staged three atomic tests most recently in 2013, which was its most powerful test to date.

South Korea said last week its military was on stand-by, and the US said on Thursday that the renewed threat of a nuclear test in the North was a “great concern”.

State media reported that Kim Jong-Un presided over military drills

India tea workers kill owner in West Bengal pay dispute

W

orkers at a tea plantation in eastern India have killed the owner during negotiations over a pay dispute.

The owner of the Sonali tea estate in West Bengal was dragged out of talks on Saturday. He died after being beaten up and stabbed by a crowd.

Police say Rajesh Agarwal had gone to pacify the workers who had reportedly not been paid for two or three months. Two men and five women have been held.

Many workers in India’s tea plantations are malnourished and poorly paid.

Several incidents of attacks on tea executives by workers have been reported in recent years.

In 2012 a tea plantation owner and his wife were burned to death in the neighbouring state of Assam.

Indian is the world’s secondlargest tea producer after China.

Bomber ‘kills 45’ at Afghan volleyball match

A

suicide bomber has killed at least 45 people at a volleyball tournament in eastern Afghanistan, officials say.

A spokesman for the governor of Paktika province told the BBC that the attacker had detonated the bomb amid a crowd of people gathering for a game.

About 60 people were also wounded in the bombing in Yahyakhail district.

It came after Afghan MPs approved security deals allowing Nato and US soldiers to remain after the withdrawal of most foreign troops next month.

The total number of soldiers in the new Nato force will be about 12,000. Their mission has been defined as training, advising and assisting the Afghan security forces.

There will also be a separate USled force dealing with the remnants of al-Qaeda.

It emerged on Saturday, however, that President Barack Obama has approved guidelines to allow US troops to fight the Taliban and provide air support for Afghan missions.

Sunday’s bombing occurred when a crowd of people were preparing to watch the final of a regional volleyball tournament. All the casualties were civilians.

Provincial spokesman Mokhis Afghan said: “There were too many people gathered in the one place to watch the game. Dozens of others are wounded and we have reports that many of them are in critical condition.”

The Taliban have stepped up attacks on both Western and Afghan targets across the country this year.

The agreements with Nato and the US still need to be ratified by the Afghan upper house.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Page 38

International Europe and Americas Arrest of Portugal’s ex-PM takes country by surprise UK terror threat: ‘Up to five’ plots stopped in 2014

F

our or five terror plots have been stopped this year, the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has said.

Police have previously prevented on average one plot a year, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe told the BBC. He said there had been a “change to the frequency and the seriousness” of the plots seen, and there was also “growing concern” over so-called “lone-wolf” attacks that required less planning.

The terror threat level was raised from “substantial” to “severe” in August.

It moved to the second highest of five possible levels in response to conflicts in Iraq and Syria.

Sir Bernard’s comments come on the eve of the launch of a nationwide terrorism awareness campaign.

‘Change to drumbeat’ Asked on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show about potential terror plots, Sir Bernard said: “We’ve said on average over the last few years it’s been about one a year. But this year alone we think four or five.

“Over the last few months, again you will have seen in the press we have made some significant arrests, and [they] have all been followed by charges.”

He said in the past year police had seen “a change to momentum”.

“I’ve said in the past that we’ve seen a change to the drumbeat, now we’ve seen a change to the frequency and the seriousness of the types of plots we’re looking at.”

As Met commissioner, Sir Bernard is responsible for both London policing and wider national security issues such as counterterrorism.

He highlighted a police estimate that 500 people have left the UK to Iraq or Syria to fight.

“They’re going to have been militarised. They will have a complex web of people that they know and of course they will have learned tactics that they may want to use here,” he said.

Labour MP Khalid Mahmood earlier told the Sunday Telegraph he believed the number was closer to 2,000.

Two British men were reportedly killed on Saturday while fighting alongside Islamic State militants in Syria.

In total, about 27 Britons are understood to have died after joining IS. Back in the UK, Sir Bernard suggested that using “locally-based community policing” was the best chance to tackle radicalisation.

He said lone attacks had become an increasing concern in recent months.

He said: “It doesn’t take a lot of organising... There’s no great complexity to it. So what that means is we have a very short time to interdict...

“That is causing real pressure on us in terms of resources and in terms of judgement making, which is a very difficult thing for all involved.”

P

ortugal’s attorney general said on Saturday that former Prime Minister Jose Socrates was arrested for alleged corruption, money-laundering and tax fraud and the case has taken the country by surprise.

Former Socialist leader Socrates, 57, who was in power from 2005 to 2011, was arrested on a flight back to Lisbon from Paris late Friday night

and was taken to an investigation judge on Saturday evening.

The attorney general said the detention of Socrates had nothing to do with the Monte Branco corruption case which began in 2011, centering on Portuguese and Swiss bankers and involving Ricardo Salgado, former chief executive of the bank Banco Espirito Santo (BES).

Socrates’ government’s

credibility was tainted especially in 2012 when officials linked to him were charged with graft, moneylaundering and influence peddling, in a case known as the Hidden Face scandal.

And prosecutors tried to reopen a case involving Socrates known as the 2002 Freeport scandal, when he and other two plaintiffs allegedly accepted bribes for the construction

Jose Socrates

of a shopping mall on the outskirts of Lisbon.

But despite Socrates’ reputation gravely weakened throughout these years, his detention on Friday took Portugal by surprise, Jose Manuel Fernandes, a political analyst and publisher of the Observador newspaper, told Xinhua.

“It really took Portugal by surprise, even though there have been cases involving the prime minister before,” Manuel Fernandes said.

“He had been suspected on several occasions for eventual interference in companies and he had been investigated, but never had it got to the point that he has to undergo a police interrogation,” he said, adding that the exact reason for his detention were unknown.

The report released by the attorney general’s office points out that under Portuguese judicial secret law no details can be revealed on the investigation taking place.

Joao Soares, a socialist MP, reacted to the news of the detention by saying the process was “an attempt of humiliation” directed at the former prime minister, in a post published on his Facebook profile.

And it has been referred to as a “political disaster” for the Socialist Party, as political analyst Ricardo Costa told the Financial Times.

Putin dismisses risk of Iron Curtain comeback

R

ussian President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow will not be isolated on the international scene and has dismissed the risk of “catastrophic consequences” for the Russian economy of Western sanctions over the crisis in Ukraine.

Putin told the state-run TASS news agency that Russia was aware of the fatality of a new ‘Iron Curtain’, referring to the ideological and physical boundary that divided Europe from the end of World War II until the end of the Cold War. Earlier the West warned Moscow over Ukraine.

“We will not go down this [Iron Curtain] path in of “catastrophic consequences” any case and no one will build a wall around us. That is impossible!” said Putin.

His comments came a day after Russian foreign minister accused the West of seeking “regime change” in Moscow.

Sergei Lavrov spoke out against Western sanctions on Russia after US Vice President Joe Biden hinted on Friday at possible further measures over Moscow’s “unacceptable” role in the former Soviet republic.

“The West is showing unambiguously that they do not want to force (Russia) to change policy. They want to achieve a change of regime,” Lavrov said.

“Now public figures in Western countries are saying that it’s necessary to introduce sanctions that would destroy the economy and rouse public protests.”

Western sanctions The United States and European

Union have imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow over Ukraine, targeting the key energy, defence and finance sectors.

Russian council on foreign and defense policy.

“The work is underway and it has become a part of the diplomacy.

I am sure that we will come to the point, which is now called ‘the integration of integrations’,” Lavrov said.

German Foreign Minister FrankWalter Steinmeier supported the idea of establishing dialogues between the EU and the EEU, according to

Lavrov.

“It is time after all to arrange dialogue between the EEU and the EU. The EEU will be a very important element to build the bridge between Europe and the Asia-Pacific region,” Lavrov was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying.

The idea of setting up the EEU, an EU-style alliance, was proposed and agreed in May when the three heads of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia

As a result, the rouble has lost just under a third of its value against the euro since the start of the year.

At least 4,300 people have died in Ukraine since pro-Russia rebels rose up against Kiev in March

Russia to push for free trade zone between EU, EEU

R

ussia calls for a free trade zone between the European Union (EU) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Saturday.

The suggestion will be brought up at a ministerial council meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in December in Basel, Switzerland, Lavrov said at the assembly of the

met at a summit in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.

The Russian foreign minister said the EU is Russia’s major collective partner, and “nobody is going to shoot itself in the foot and reject cooperation with Europe.”

“Our economy is of course damaged by the sanctions, but so are the economies of the countries which had introduced them,” Lavrov said.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Page 39

Strange World

Woman opens professional cuddling shop, struggles to keep up with demand

T

his Oregon woman is paying her bills by cuddling with people all day. It might not sound like much of a career choice, but believe it or not, Samantha Hess is making a decent living out of hugging.

Within a week of opening her store – ‘Cuddle Up To Me’ – she has already gotten requests from a whopping 10,000 customers!

Samantha charges her clients (who must be above 18 years of

age) $1 per minute of cuddling in one of four themed rooms at her store. She also provides remote services by travelling to locations of her clients’ choice.

She calls it a method of selftaught therapy through which she helps people feel loved and get comfortable with the physical touch. The snuggles are strictly platonic, of course, and she signs an agreement with her customers to be clean, courteous and to keep their clothes on at all times.

“There are no upgrades, no additional services,” the 30-yearold insisted. “I’m not interested in that. It’s about making people feel worthy of who they are today.

I love knowing that people know that they are accepted, and they aren’t going to be alone anymore.”

A typical cuddling session with Samantha lasts one hour, but clients are welcome to book appointments as short as 15 minutes, and up to a maximum of five hours. There are four to six

Cuddle up to me

different positions to choose from, either on a bed or a couch.

She said that the couch helps people who are aren’t very comfortable with touch and don’t know how to incorporate it into their world. Sometimes, she might not even touch her customer, but just sit close to them and read out loud. “Each person gets to guide their own session in that way,” she explained.

And for safety reasons, all the rooms are equipped with cameras and all the sessions are recorded in case of any misbehavior. She also provides a consultation for new clients before their their cuddling sessions begin.

Although she opened Cuddle Up to Me only a week ago, Samantha has been working as a professional cuddler since June last year. “I’ve done hundreds and hundreds of sessions,” she said. “My clientele varies greatly.

I have clients who are obese, who have ALS, or missing limbs.

Some people just got out of relationships or are divorced. It’s sort of anybody and everybody.”

While some customers talk a lot, others prefer not to utter a word.

To help her out with the growing demand for cuddles, Samantha has hired three other women at the store. She had them undergo a 40-hour cuddle training program that she designed herself, before they started working with clients. “The training program goes over what types of positions are appropriate for this service, how to guide sessions, how to get the right instincts about who the right client is for us,” she explained.

In spite of having help at the store, Samantha has had so many requests that she often works 12hour days. In fact, clients need to call weeks in advance if they hope to get an appointment at Cuddle Up To Me. “It’s been crazy; people absolutely love it,” she said.

This isn’t the first cuddle-based business we’ve written about. A couple of years ago we posted about Japan’s strange cuddle café that gives its customers a chance to sleep (literally) in the arms of young girls. And there was also a

patient they thought might be close to death. But the cat simply ‘charged out’ and went to sit with another patient. His judgement turned out to be correct – the second patient died the same evening, while the first one lived on for two more days.

In his book, Dr. Dosa doesn’t offer any scientific explanations for the cat’s abilities, but he does suggest that Oscar – like dogs

that are reportedly able to smell cancer – might be able to smell ketones, which are distinctly odored biochemicals given off by dying cells.

Dr. Jill Goldman, a certified animal behaviorist in California, has a different theory – that Oscar’s predictions might be a learned behavior. “There has been ample opportunity for him to make an association between ‘that’ smell and death.” And according to animal behaviorist Dr. Daniel Estep, Oscar may only be recognizing the patients’ lack of movement and interpreting it as illness, as cats can often sense when their owners are sick.

Irrespective of the reason, patients and their families at the nursing home find comfort in Oscar’s presence, in the idea that the animal was there and might be there when their loved ones eventually pass. The staff have grown so confident of Oscar’s ESP that they now inform family members when he snuggles up with one of the patients.

“It’s not like he dawdles,” Dr. Dosa wrote. “He’ll slip out for two minutes, grab some kibble and then he’s back at the patient’s side. It’s like he’s literally on a vigil.” And although the nursing home keeps five other cats, none of the others have exhibited similar behavior.

Oscar, the nursing home cat who can sense death coming

M

eet Oscar, a cat with a supernatural ability to feel when people are about to die. In over 50 documented cases, Oscar, who lives in a nursing home , has curled up beside patients in their final hours, seeing them through to the ‘other side’.

His unique story was revealed

by Dr. David Dosa, a geriatrician and assistant professor at Brown University, who claims Oscar’s predictions have rarely been wrong in the past six years. In fact, he has even proved medical staff wrong at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rhode Island, where he was adopted seven years ago as a kitten.

Dr. Dosa first told the world about Oscar’s rare gift in an article in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2007. Since then, the cat has accurately sensed even more deaths, convincing the geriatrician that it wasn’t just a series of coincidences. Dr. Dosa eventually wrote a book about his experiences with Oscar at the nursing home. It’s called ‘Making rounds with Oscar: The extraordinary gift of an ordinary cat’.

The book describes Oscar’s daily routine, how he spends his time pacing from room to room at the nursing home, rarely

spending time with patients who have still got a fighting chance of survival. Instead, he picks out certain patients and cuddles up next to them . These are often the ones who will pass away in a short time. If kept outside the room of a dying patient, he will scratch at the door, trying to get in.

In one instance, Oscar visited a woman who had a very severe

blood clot in her leg, wrapping himself around her cold limb and staying by her side until she passed away. Another time, when the staff believed that Oscar was done with his rounds, he actually returned a few hours later to lay with one particular patient until he died.

In order to test his paranormal gift, the nurses at the nursing home tried placing Oscar on the bed of a

Page 40

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

SporT 41 Page

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

Ladipo ask NFF to sit up

Enyimba are Federation Cup king

By Taofeek Lawal

F

Super Eagles line up

P

resident of the Nigeria football and other sports supporters club, Rafiu Ladipo has expressed grief over the non-qualification of the Super Eagles to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations billed for Equatorial Guinea. Ladipo has tasked the Amaju Pinnick led board to tighten their seat belt following the Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations ouster The supporters club boss said something urgent needs to be done to ensure the country qualify for the next edition of the competition.

“Wednesday was a sad day in the

history of Nigeria football especially the followers of the game in the country. It was a day we had every opportunity to pick the ticket to the Cup of Nations. Unfortunately, our players messed up and threw everybody into mourning,” Ladipo lamented.

“This is not a good development for Nigeria football and I want to say that something drastic has to be done. Drastic in the sense that having failed to qualify, there will be another competition in the next two years and we have to start preparing. Are we going to wait for

Alumona plan big for Nigeria boxing >>>Pg 42

the eleventh hour to start preparing?

Or are we going to wait till when the competition is near to start assembling the best legs?, I think we should start now.

The seasoned football administrator also fingered the Super Eagles players for their lackadaisical attitude against Bafana Bafana which nailed the country’s hopes of featuring in Equatorial Guinea while also advocating that the NFF should start preparing for the nest edition of the championship.

“Those players did not play with commitment. How on earth will a

striker be free with the goalkeeper on three occasions without scoring?, he queried.

“If you create chances without converting them, then how do you win a match? The South Africans had two good chances and they convert them and that was all. For me, the players failed us.

“Also, the technical crew are also culpable because they cannot be exonerated. The way forward is that the Nigeria Football Federation should sit up and start preparing for the next African Cup of Nations, the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

ormer African champions, Enyimba FC of Aba yesterday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Lagos won the Federation Cup for second year running defeating bitter rivals, Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt by 2 goals to one. It was a game where Enyimba’s Mfoh Udoh and Emem Eduok of Dolphins were expected to light with goals. The two strikers however proved their mettle as they both registered a goal each in a game dominated by Dolphin but Enyimba was doing the scoring.

After a goalless first half which witnessed a display of football artistry, Udoh, Nigeria’s newest goal king with 23 goals in the just concluded Nigerian league, in the 51st minutes registered Enyimba’s first goal after collecting a pass from Markson Ojobo. Udoh provided the assist that led to Enyimba’s second goal after he capitalized on a defence error by Dolphin defender, Victor Ezuruike to release Okonkwo Chinonso to chip the ball over Rotimi Sunday in goal for the Port Harcourt side. Eduok reduced the tally for Dolphin when he waltzed through Enyimba defence to register his side only goal of the highly explosive encounter.

Speaking after the game, Coach Kadiri Ikhana of Enyimba while expressing his happiness said he told his boys to win the cup for him and that is what exactly what they did for him. Dolphin’s coach, Stanley Eguma in his own remarks congratulated Enyimba for their feat saying that the Aba-based team utilized the chances that came their way during the match.

It is the first time Dolphin would lose a Federation Cup final after a fifth attempt but the consolation for them is that they will be playing in CAF Confederation Cup competition next season. With the victory, Enyimba have now won the Federation Cup four times in ten years. The Kadiri Ikhana boys return to the CAF Champions League after they emerged as runners-up behind league champions Kano Pillars in the just concluded Nigerian premier league.

I want to be Keshi should a Liverpool not get me wrong – Garba legend Lawal – Sterling >>>Pg 42

>>>Pg 43

Page 42

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Sport

Alumona plan big for Nigeria boxing

T

he GOtv Boxing Night, is a professional boxing event of six fights in different weight categories, which holds at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, today.

The CEO of Flykite Productions promoting the fights Jenkins Alumona, revealed that the notorious infighting within the boxing family that has gone public and stagnated the sport, may also be as a result of inactivity. “If there were many boxing events for the people to take care of, I am sure there won’t be any problem within the boxing family. I am happy all that in-house fighting within the family no longer exist.”

Alumona described his organisation’s involvement in boxing as an intervention necessary

to halt the decline of the sport in the country. He said Nigeria has a rich boxing tradition, which offers a solid foundation on which GOtv Boxing Night seeks to build.

“We have produced great boxing champions like Hogan Bassey and Dick Tiger. Obisia Nwakpa also went very close. Recently, we had Samuel Peters, a World Heavyweight champion. Our performance at the last Commonwealth Games was also very encouraging. I believe we can build on this foundation to provide a platform for professional boxing,” he said.

The decline the sport is experiencing, said Alumona, has not affected its popularity. This, he noted, is evidenced by the existence of over 50 boxing clubs in Lagos and the undiminished attraction of the

Keshi should not get me wrong – Garba Lawal

monthly Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame tournament for amateurs.

Though the Flykite boss is conscious of the mighty effort required to revive the sport, he is positive that the GOtv Boxing Night would ignite a restoration. “With the help of television, the potential of any sport is huge. Until a few years ago when SuperSport came on the scene, football in South Africa was depressed. See where it is today.

I am sure not many people would have believed that the Bafana Bafana would defeat the Super Eagles in Uyo last Wednesday to stop Nigeria from qualifying to the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea.

We have also seen how SuperSport is impacting positively on sport like basketball,” he explained.

Hope Akpan targets more playing time

I

njured Super Eagles midfielder Hope Akpan says he hopes to play more regularly for his English championship side Reading when he returns from the shoulder injury he sustained in Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Congo in Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The 23-year old has been ruled out for three months after his club announced he will

Lawal

F

ormer Super Eagles midfielder Garba Lawal has posited that his criticisms of Stephen Keshi were never personal, but his way of ‘helping’ the embattled Super Eagles coach.

Garba Lawal has also expressed regret at how Keshi took the criticisms personal.

Lawal stated that he only meant well and was always saying the truth to Keshi, as Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations has proven.

“I wasn’t after his job, but I was helping him to change but he took it personal and if he took it personal, that’s his own problem but I know the national team is for all of us. At least I tried to advise from the little

knowledge I have in the game.

“I keep telling people that I’m not criticizing Keshi and I don’t have anything against him, but I was just telling him the truth and he refused to listen and at the end of the day, where are we now?

“It’s sad that the African champions will not be at the Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea next year. It’s sad I tell you, it’s sad,” he said regretfully.

The former Roda JC of Holland midfielder has been one of Keshi’s fiercest critics and it was no surprise that the ‘Big Boss’ kicked against having the former Nigeria international as the Super Eagles team coordinator when he was named by Amaju Pinnick.

Alumona

Akpan

need surgery for the dislocated shoulder.

But the former Everton youth teamer says he hopes to return stronger and play more regularly for Reading and help them push for promotion to the Premier League.

“I haven’t played every game before my injury but hopefully I will play more games when I return from injury,” he told SL10.

ng.

“The season started very well and then the form of the team has been up and down but I will keep trying so that I will play more games when I return.

“It’s still a long way to go before the end of the season and a lot of points to play and we will be fighting for every point and hopefully we’ll be fighting to get a place in the play offs at least.”

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

PUBLIC NOTICE FREIGHT FORWARDERS ASSOCIATION OF ORLU SENATORIAL ZONE

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 6. PRINCE CHINEDU OSIGWE 1. MR YOUNG NWANERI 7. MR GREGORY IBEAWUCHI 2. HON. VICTOR AZUBUIKE OSUOHA 8. EVANG. PHILIP UZOMA 3. CHIEF OLIVER MMIRIKWE 9. MR CYRIL NKEMAKOLAM 4. HON EBERE EKWEM 10. MR OKWUDIRI ONYEAMA 5. CHIEF HYGINUS OLUIGBO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PROMOTE LOVE,UNITY AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE MEMBERS. 2.TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF ALL THE MEMBERS. 3.TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF THE MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED:BARR. VINCENT ODJE 08092423133

PUBLIC NOTICE

PAGE 43

PUBLIC NOTICE STORYTELLERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ANDREW ASUELIME AKHIGBE 2. OLUMUYIWA GAM IKOM AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY AND INTEREST OF MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR.EYEE BLESSING 08032573457

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ILORIN RC 1090

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ILORIN WITH RC NO. 1090 HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION TO OBTAIN THE CERTIFIED TRUE COPY (CTC) OF ITS CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2004. THE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE WAS MISPLACED AND ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE THE CERTIFICATE PROVED ABOTIVE. ANY OBJECTION TO THE ABOVE SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED:SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

ALABA RAGO INTERNATIONAL MARKET ODE REMO DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION:

THRONE OF MERCY FOR ALL PROBLEMS MINISTRY.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

tHE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

The General Public is hereby notify that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with the provision of Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

trustees: 1. ALH DAHIRU WAZARI. 2. MUHAMMAD MUHAMMAD. 3. ABUBAKAR OSHODI. 4. UMAR DAHIRU WAZARI .5. PETER ONOVOH. 6. ISYAKA ABDULLAHI .

7.ABUBAKAR BELLO. 8. IDRIS ALIYU BILAL. 9. ALH SANUSI ABBAS. 10. ABBAS ABDULLALI.

TRUSTEES: 1.PROPHET.EZECHIDERA SAMUEL AYUBA- President 2.pastor Nehemiah Ndanakolo - secretary 3.Mrs. Cordelia Ebere Okafor - member 4.Mrs.Judith Chidera - member.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OSITA J UKEMENAM 2. COMRADE UDE PAUL EJIOFOR 3. LUKU O. MORUN-OGBOR FAMILY 5. AUGUSTINE MORK

Aim and Objective.

To preach the Gospel of our lord jesus christ.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE ABOVE SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION

Aims and objectives.

1. To cater for the welfare of the members. 2. To protect the peace and unity of the members.

Aim and objective: to encourage small scale and large scale business, to promote unity among members ANY OBJECTION TO THE ABOVE SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION

Signed.

Victor Shina Akinlabi Esq. 07036910971

signed :Secretary.

PUBLIC NOTICE ELDERS CLUB OF IKORODU

the General Public is hereby notify that the above named Club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with the provision of Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1.ELDER (ALHAJI) YEKINI OLAWALE SANNI 2.ELDER GANIU OGEDE KOLEJO 3.ELDER BOBBY SAMUEL OLADIMEJI BANJOKO THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.To promote unity among the people of Ikorodu and its environments.

2.To promote the welfare of the members.

3.To work towards social and economic development of our country.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P. M. B 198 Maitama Abuja within twenty eight (28) day from the date of this publication.

PUBLIC NOTICE ASSOCIATION OF TUTORIAL CONSULTANTS IN NIGERIA

The General Public is hereby notify that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with the provision of Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. UZOCHUKWU NWANONYUO (CHAIRMAN) 2. CHUKWUEMEKA KELECHI (SECRETARY) 3. SAMUEL CHIME 4. OBAJI PETER 5. BAZIM WILLIAMS THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P. M. B 198 Maitama Abuja within twenty eight (28) day from the date of this publication.

ANIOCHA NA OSHIMILI COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION.

4.BEN MORDI

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P. M. B 198 Maitama Abuja within twenty eight (28) day from the date of this publication.

Signed: Barr Musa Saleh Ahmed

PUBLIC NOTICE OPUS FIDEI FOUNDATION

The General Public is hereby notify that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with the provision of Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.MOST REV. DR. AUGUSTINE T. UKWUOMA - PRESIDENT 2.REV. Fr. MARTIN KINGSLEY UMELO - SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:

1.To enhance the work evangelization.

2.To consolidate the Catholic faith through concrete gestures.

3.To foster communion among the faithful in Orlu Diocese.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P. M. B 198 Maitama Abuja within twenty eight (28) day from the date of this publication.

Signed :ELDER BOBBY SAMUEL O. BANJOKO 08035346166, 08021236257

Signed : J. O EMELU Esq

Signed : ILOBI UCHENNA AND ASSO. SUITE A14 NEW BANEX PLAZA, ABUJA 08033139828

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

ST. PATRICK’S EDUCATION SPONSORSHIP FOUNDATION

ROUND TABLE FOR THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF POWER INITIATIVE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. FR. DR. BENEDICT NDUBUEZE EJEH 2. REV. FR. VINCENT OKECHUKWU IBEH 3. BARR. EMMANUEL IHEANYICHUKWU IWUANYANWU THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTHS IN THE COMMUNITY. 2. TO ORGANIZE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIGENT BUT BRIGHT AND PROMISING YOUTHS IN THE COMMUNITY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: EMMANUEL IWUANYANWU & ASSOCIATES. SOLICITORS.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ENGR. CHIDI VINCENT IKE - CHAIRMAN 2.ENGR. JOSIAH OLUSOLA OLAYANJU - SECRETARY THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO HELP PROVIDE NIGERIANS WITH MUCH AWARENESS OF THE WORKINGS OF THE POWER SECTOR WITH EMPHASIS ON THEIR RIGHTS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED:BARR. CHIDINMA

GOD IS ABLE DIVINE PRESENCE ASSEMBLY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PROPHETESS KELECHI GLORY OFFOR - CHAIRMAN 2.DANIEL CHIDIEBERE OFORDUM - SECRETARY 3.NZEKWE PRECIOUS IJEOMA 4.FAVOUR UCHENNA OBIEZE THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF THE MIGHTY POWER OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS TO THE WHOLE WORLD. 2.TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP GOD AS THE 24 ELDERS AND THE 4 BEASTS THAT SURROUNDS THE THRONE OF HEAVEN. 3.TO WIN AND LEAD PEOPLE TO THE TRUE VINE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS. 4.TO ENGAGE IN CHRISTIAN EVANGELISM,THEREBY RECLAIMING THE LOST SINNER FROM THE DOMINION OF SATAN AND MAKE THEM DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: GODWIN .I. IMAKHAI Esq. Pp: GODWIN I. IMAKHAI & CO. 08054145214

Page 44

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GHANAIAN COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA

ALPHA HEALTH CARE SUPPORT ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

PALM OIL GROUNDNUT OIL & PALM KANEL SELLERS ASSOCIATION OF JOS

tHIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.DR. OJIE CHUKWUNEKWU VICTORY 2.DR. OKOH IKECHUKWU 3.MR. IKOKO EVERATE EDIKE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ALHAJI SHEHU YAU 2.SULAIMAN BALA SARKI 3.IDOKO IKECHUKWU RICHARD

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO RENDER MEDICAL SERVICES TO LESS PRIVILEGE,RURAL COMMUNITIES,EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE DISPLACED PERSONS/REFUGEES ETC.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PROMOTE UNITY AMONGTS ITS MEMBERS. 2.TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS. 3.TO RENDER ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS IN TIMES OF NEED.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: DR. OJIE CHUKWUNEKWU VICTORY

SIGNED: ALHAJI SHEHU YAU

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

HOUSE OF SALVATION GATE OF PRIASE CHURCH

AL-ASAD EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ADJEI MIKE OBIRI - CHAIRMAN 2.RICHARD MENSAH - SECRETARY 3.ABABIO ASHBERE AYITI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO FOSTER UNITY,LOVE,FRIENDSHIP AND ONENESS AMONG MEMBERS. 2.TO CREATE AND FOSTER CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP AMONG ALL MEMBERS. 3.TO RENDER ALL NECESSARY ASSISTANCE TO ALL MEMBERS AS A SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY. 4.TO USE THE RESOURCES IN THE SOCIETY FOR THE BETTERMENT OF MEMBERS AND THE SOCIETY. 5.TO WATCH, DISCUSS AND SAFEGUARD THE INTEREST AND RIGHT OF MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: GODWIN .I. IMAKHAI Esq. Pp: GODWIN I. IMAKHAI & CO. 08054145214

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mrs Esther joseph 2. Mr Uchechukwu Prince Anthony 3. Apostle John Ogbonnaya Igwe

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. SHEIKH MUNEER JAÁFAR kATSINA 2. SAÉED JAÁFAR 3. ABUBAKAR JAÁFAR 4. RABIU MUSA SAÉED 5. MAHI BELLO MUHAMMAD

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.To preach the gospel of jesus.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: ANYIADOR DOMINIC. House 32 kado Estate Abuja.

08030822775

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE UNICORNS CLUB

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO promote education of learning.

2. To assist the les-privilegd in the society access to education.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE Jesus Hominum Salvator Foundation

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Change Of trustees under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MOSES OBENDA - CHAIRMAN 2. PASCHAL OBAJE - SECRETARY 3. VICTOR ANTHONY 4. CYRIL OKEME 5. PETER ENENCHE

The Old Trusteess Are 1. Rev. FR. Barr. Edmund Emakpor - Retained 2. Barr. Miss. Rosemary Nwamu - Retained 3. Dr. Mrs. Veronica Ogbuagu - Retained 4. Prince Eric Nwachukwu - (out) Resigned 5. Rev, Fr. Christopher Ogaga (out) Resigned

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO PROMOTE AND ACHIEVE A BETTER AND CORDIAL COOPERATION AND RELATIONSHIP AMONG MEMBERS.

The Newly Appointed Trustees Are 1. Mayaki Wilson Ekundayo 2. Jake Edirin Emakpor

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

Aims And Objective Remain The Same Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Signed: Secretary

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE REMOVAL OF TRUSTEE HEAVEN CITIZENS REDEMPTION CHAPEL CAC /IT /NO. 50865

Pastor Godwin Onyenze to be removed as Trustee and Secretary of the Church and to be replaced by another Trustee which is Pastor Mrs. Helen Uche Emmanuel as secretary of the church.

New Trustees 1.REV. GAD CHIGOZIE EMMANUEL

2.PASTOR MRS. EMMANUEL HELEN SECRETARY 3. SIS. EFAGHA CHRISTIANA NKANG 4. SIS. CHARLES MARY CHINENYE

UCHE

UMUABALI DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Chief Dennis Akoma 2. Chief (Barrister) Gideon Atuloma 3. Chief Anab Atuloma 4. Chief Levi I. Nwokeafor 5. Chief Sunday Imebuogu 6. Barrister Nwabueze G.C. Olekanma 7. Mr. Collins Okoroafor 8. Chief K. C. Ehighibe 9. Mr. Okechukwu Ezeala.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To promote unity and cooperation among the citizens of Umuabali and other people.

2. To maintain peace and security in the Umuabali Community.

3. To promote and maintain our cultural heritage and to inculcate these values in our children.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: Chairman

Page 45

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

PUBLIC NOTICE ADVOCACY FOR PROACTIVE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. MRS. VIANNEY STELLA NDIDI 2. AYINDE J. O 3. IZUKANNE AYONDU ELIZABETH 4. BRIGHT SARO IDORNATA 5. IMAOBONG ABIA 6. ZENITH ABUBAKAR AIMS 1.To engage in promoting proactive good leadership and development initiative among youth and aspiring young leaders.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Signed by BARR. WILLIAMS A.

PUBLIC NOTICE

BISHOP ELOMOBOR FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) Bishop Godwin Elomobor - founder (2) Rev. (Dr) Mrs Anthonia Oyebola Elomobor (3) Mrs Ruth Adesuwa Ajulo - Secretary (4) Pastor (Mrs) Biodun Gunwa (5)Pastor Deola Falomo.

PUBLIC NOTICE WAYS OF THE LORD GOSPEL CHURCH

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for Registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act,1of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Obadimu Olamilakan Adunayo - Chairman 2. Okutoro Afusat Rachael - Secretary 3. Olaniyi Florence Ibilola - Fin. Sec. 4. Mr. Kuforiji Oladipo Olakunle- Treasurer 5. Mrs. Obadimu Omodunni Oluwabunmi - Member

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.To enhance general welfare of the citizens of Nigeria.

2. To promote peace, love and harmony.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of Christ to every people.

2. To feed the people with spiritual and physical growth.

3. To establish the light of love in Christ.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Signed: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

NURUL-HUDA ISLAMIYYA, GUMEL

INITIATIVE FOR SUPPORT, EMPOWERMENT & DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIAN WOMEN IN DIASPORA

DIVINE LIBERATION FIRE MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for removal and appointment of new trustees under part C of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Alhaji Haruna Ibrahim - Retained 2. Abdullahi Adamu - Removed 3. Shuaibu Adam - Removed 4. Ahmed Rufa’i - Appointed 5. Hashim Abubakar - Appointed AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN TEH SAME AND UNCHANGED Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off AguiyiIrosi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED BARR. HUSSEIN ABDULRAHMAN KINGS LAW FIRM NO. 11, NOUAKCHOTT STREET, WUSE ZONE 1, ABUJA-FCT; 08060200908

PUBLIC NOTICE TREASURE FORCE MODEL CHURCH

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Initiative has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, Under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Deborah Natufe -President 2. Stella Ohikhemota - VP 3. Winnie Etebe - Secretary 4. Marian Iyalekhue 5. Gloria Ajerey 6. Joyce Obasi 7. Yemisi Ajelifuja

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:1. To cater for the welfare of its members.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: FAVOUR UDOMESSIEN HARLEN CHAMBERS, ABUJA

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

2. To establish local branches for the propagation of the gospel worldwide.

3. To organize outreaches, crusades, seminars, workshops and revival services for the works of the gospel.

AIMS AND OBJECTION: 1. To cater for the welfare of the members.

2. To protect the peace and unity of the members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR – GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET.PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tiger Crescent, off AguiyiIronsi, Maitama, Abuja within twenty eight 28days of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Sign: KELECHI ANYAMA

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

UGWUEME DEVELOPMENT UNION, ABUJA BRANCH

HUMANITARIAN SERVICES FOR GRASSROOTS WOMEN FOUNDATION

SIGNED SECRETARY

CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: E. E. OSEMWEGIE ESQ EFE E. OSEMWEGIE & CO. 17 JAMES WATT ROAD, BENIN-CITY 08037271383, 08028074888

JANADA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION

TRUSTEES ARE: 1 Okoro Chibueze Nkemakolam 2. Ibok Onofiok 3. Nwosu Kingsley Kenechukwu 4. Okafor Ugochukwu 5. Enekwizu Chigozie Arthur 6. Anyama Chimdi Chinweoke 7. Oti Emmanuel Kanu 8. Nwobu Ifeanyi Stanley

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar -General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS

UMUNNA GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Obele Esther 2. Kenechukwu Ndekwu 3. Mrs. Joy Mbiewa Obele 4. Hon. Kingston Nelson Sylvanus 5. John Gbenga Emmnauel

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To cater for the welfare and interest of members.

2. To cater for the less privileged.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. To win souls for our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. To carry out evangelist outreach out reach all over the world.

4. To establish and maintain branches and missions in Nigeria and overseas where converts and interested persons could gather to worship.

5. To organize and hold crusades on guidance and counseling, healing and deliverance for members and the community at large.

6. To organise outreaches and programmes.

PUBLIC NOTICE

This is to informed the general public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Registration under Part “C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act no 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Offor Innocent - Chairman 2. Agullah Moses - Secretary 3. Nwafor Donatus 4. Okereke Damian

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Evangelist Osarenvbiru Joseph Idahosa 2. Mrs. Joyce Osarenvbiru Idahosa

PUBLIC NOTICE

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for Registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act,1of 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named UNION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C.), Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Company and Allied Matter Act 1990.

This general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990.

This general public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rahma Mohammed Kandi - Chairman/President 2. Aminu Mohammed Kandi 3. Hauwau Mohammed Kandi 4. Samira Mohammed Kandi 5. Musa Ali Baba 6. Titus Kolo - Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To support and empower women.

2. To cater for the general welfare of its members and the society.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BARR. USMAN ZAMBUK UMAR 08065945808

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named CENTRE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for Registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act,1of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, Ofr, Mfr, San, Fciarb (Uk)- Chairman 2. Mr. Henry Michael-Ihunde, Aciarb - Member 3. Miss Stephanie Tobi, Aciarb - Member 4. Mr. Madu Joe Gadzama, Aciarb - Secretary AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To comprehensively cover domestic and international arbitration and mediation.

2. Rendering assistance in the conduct of Ad Hoc arbitrations.

3. To encourage the use of arbitration, mediationand conciliation to settle disputes.

4. To provide efficient, flexible and impartial administration of arbitration and other forms of ADR. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar -General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BARR. FATIMA IBRAHIM BUKAR; 08060017835

PUBLIC NOTICE PASSION FOR POSITIVE CHANGE INITIATIVE

This is to notify the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act. of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Comrade Zaye Michael Oshioriamhe 2. Comrade Asemota Peculiar 3. Comrade Harry Omoakhia AIMS/OBJECTIVES: 1. To provide a platform for youth empowerment and capacity building.

2. To help less privileged Nigerian youths realize their potentials.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent, Off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: CHIBUIKE EZEOKWUORA ESQ 7 DAMBA STREET, WUSE ZONE 5 ABUJA 08065288173

Page 46

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to inform the general public of the loss of original land document with the below nos. LKN(RES)(90)1747.

Belonging to ALH. UMAR BABURA with PLOT no 1733 FARAWA TP _ UDB_191.

All efforts made to trace the said document proved abortive. If found, kindly return to the nearest police station. The general public should take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to inform the general public of the loss of original land document with the below nos. LKN(RES)(90)1746 belonging to ALH. UMAR BABURA. And PLOT no1734 FARAWA TB_UDB_191.

All efforts made to trace the said document proved abortive. If found, kindly return to the nearest police station. GENERAL PUBLIC please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN, AS zubairu ibrahim, NOW WISHES TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS zubairu ibrahim nuru. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID,phc kaltungo l.g.a and the GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN, AS SALISU AUDU , NOW WISHES TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ABDULLAHI SALISU.ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, ganjuwa lga and the GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN, AS zainab Habib, NOW WISHES TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS Zainab Ibrahim Gambo.ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN, AS Margaret K. Mamman, NOW WISHES TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS Mrs Margaret K. Tsado. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN, AS RABI’ATU KASSIM, NOW WISHES TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS RABI’ATU BASHIR. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

PAGE 47

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, november 24, 2014

Some Interesting Facts

S

miling releases endorphins in the body, which makes people feel better.

When he was only 13, Johnny Depp lost his virginity to a girl slightly older than him.

On average, a disposable diaper can hold up to 7 pounds of

liquid.

The world’s smallest and oldest republic is San Morino. It’s 25 square miles and is located mostly on top of a mountain entirely surrounded by Italy.

Goats eyes have rectangular pupils.

Over half the U.S. population would rather fold, than wad their toilet paper.

23% of all photocopier faults worldwide are caused by people sitting on them and photocopying their butts.

2,500 left handers die each year using products designed for right handers.

When honey is swallowed, it enters the blood stream within 20 minutes.

Reno, Nevada is west of Los Angeles, California.

Elizabeth Taylor has appeared on the cover of Life magazine more than anyone else.

The Beatles have sold more albums than anyone else with over 1 billion worldwide.

Judy Scheindlin (Judge Judy) has a $25,000,000 salary, while Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has a $190,100 salary.

The Flintstone’s cartoon was the first thirty-minute cartoon to be aired during prime time.

A male moth can smell a female moth from 100 yards away.

Mr. Rogers is an ordained minister.

Our galaxy has approximately 250 billion stars.

An iceberg contains more heat than a lit match.

Pepsi-Cola was originally called ‘Brad’s drink’.

Not only the fur of the tiger is striped but also its skin.

A baboon called Jackie became a private in the South African army in

Leisure

World War I. The first Ford cars had Dodge engines.

Basketball star Wilt Chamberlain holds 56 NBA records.

It is rumored that sucking on a copper penny will cause a breathalyzer to read 0.

Diamonds mined in Brazil are harder than those found in Africa.

During WWII, condoms were used on the ends of rife barrels to protect them from damage and corrosion while swimming to shore.

Muhammad is the most common name in the world.

It is illegal of tourists to enter Mexico with more than 2 CD’s.

The state of Florida is bigger than England.

On average, adults watch double the amount of TV as teenagers do.

The U.S. has a $10,000 bill with the head of Salomon Chase, a U.S. Senator on the front.

The sun shrinks five feet every hour.

Say what?

SUDOKU SUDOKU EASY 190

PHOTO OF THE DAY

A man fixes his fishing net amidst a pile of debris and boat supplies in Qatar. The photo, titled Old Man on His Net. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

monday, november 24, 2014

SPORTS latest

River Angels lift Women Federation Cup

I bear no ill feeling. AbdulMalik (Cheche) is my colleague. I have forgiven him. I believe we can continue to work together in the interest of peace and sustenance of democracy.

– Senate President David Mark on the lawmaker who assaulted him in the House of Representatives on Thursday.

Day I met Justice Mahmoud Mohammed

W

iver Angels of Port Harcourt under the tutelage of Coach Edwin Okon has won the women federation title for the fourth time in a row after dismissing Sunshine Queens of Akure side in the women’s final at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos yesterday. The Port Harcourt side silenced Sunshine Queens 2-0 to lift the 2014 Nigeria Women Federation Cup final Second half strikes from Super Falcons duo of Asisat Oshoala and Stella Mbachu were all the Port Harcourt based outfit that stuffed their starting line up with about 95 percent of Super Falcons players needed to breeze past their opponents from Akure.

Angels began the game on a bright note but had their chances thwarted by outstanding Sunshine Queens goalkeeper, Funke Okewole. Oshoala, Aminat Yakubu and Stella Mbachu took their turns to miss goal scoring opportunities as they couldn’t get past Okewole.

Edwin Okon’s ladies dominated the first twenty minutes of the encounter before Sunshine Queens made their first attacking move through Oyewusi Shola but her efforts was an easy catch for goalkeeper Ibuheleye Whyte.

Aminat failed to get the curtain raiser for her side as her shot hit the woodwork following a well tailored cross from Oshoala. Six minutes later, Okewole rescued her side from going a goal down as she was forced to make a brilliant off Stella Mbachu’s blinder.

In the 38th minute, Aminat was the culprit again as she could not convert a one on one chance against Sunshine Queens shot stopper.

On resumption of the second half, River Queens continued to mount pressure on the opponents and were rewarded accordingly in the 66th minute courtesy Oshoala’s strike.

The 2014 African Women Championship most valuable player converted a rebound off goalkeeper Okewole’s save to give her side the lead.

Stella Mbachu’s cool finish in the 86th minute sealed victory for Edwin Okon’s team as they cruised to their fourth title win in a row.

ay back in 1987, I confronted what was then my toughest assignment in journalism. I had just been appointed as Chief Press Secretary in the Government of David Jang, the military Governor of Gongola State.

One of the first letters I received in that office was from George Izobo my colleague in the News Agency of Nigeria when I was a pupil reporter at the wire service some years back. Now the national President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, he wanted me to help him organize the Gongola chapter of the union which was plagued by intractable internal strife.

I called a meeting of the squabbling factions and tried to sort out their problems. But I was not getting anywhere near a solution. I then enlisted the help of the Permanent Secretary in the State’s Ministry of Information, Mallam Mafindi, a no nonsense administrator and Prince from the ruling family of Muri Emirate.

He arranged a meeting of the feuding journalists and me in his office. The meeting appeared to be getting nowhere. The fact was that many years before now, the journalists had made the mistake of electing one of their own to lead them. This funny chap, I think he was from Gongola State radio equated his office to a traditional title.

Many years after his tenure had expired, he neither called a meeting to organize a fresh election or even discuss union matters. His ambition was to hold the office for life. The Permanent Secretary dissolved his cabinet and instantly appointed me a sole administrator with a mandate to organise fresh elections. I did that in a few weeks and Japhet Wubon from NTA, Yola, emerged as the winner.

But my funny friend from the Radio Gongola was sulking and threatening court action. To cover my tracks I went straight to Justice Buba Ardo, the iconic figure in Nigerian judiciary the only Judge in Nigeria who rejected a seat at the Supreme Court, preferring to be Judge in the Gongola High Court. I tabled my problem before him and he called a Judge who turned out to be Justice Mamoud Mohammed.

He it was who got a junior lawyer in his chambers to perform the swearing in of my new exco. My funny friend was defeated.

The new team took off with

Advert: 0806 business: 0704 news: 0814 lagos: 0805 0803

564 385 292 327 454

R

QUOTABLE QUOTE

8620 9705 9046 1969 0344

Monday Column Emmanuel Yawe royawe@yahoo.com 08024565402

CJN Mamoud Mohammed force, was readmitted into the comity of Nigerian journalists and some journalists from Gongola got fellowships, some in foreign lands to improve their skills.

Justice Mamoud comes to office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria at a time the country including the judiciary is in dire need of repair.

My brief encounter with him in Yola gives me the hope that he can do it. I wish him good luck.

Police men in my house In my column of Nov 3, 2014, I disagreed with the then acting Inspector General of Police Suleiman Abba for withdrawing the security details attached to Speaker Aminu Tambuwal of the Federal House of Representatives. I was still performing my morning chores that same day when my security man came to inform me of some strangers waiting at the gate to see me. The hefty looking men, four in number, introduced themselves as policemen.

“Policemen”, I responded in shock. Has the acting IGP read my column of the day already, I asked silently. “Why should I be honoured with a visit from policemen this morning,” I asked, this time not silently. They

asked if I owned the car parked right in front of my door. I said yes. Then they proceeded to give me a shocker. There is a report that the car is a stolen one and we have come to investigate.”

They wanted to check the chassis and the engine number.

I immediately opened up the car to allow them unhindered access to check whatever they wanted. Meanwhile I went into my bedroom to bring out the original documents of the car – the receipt of its purchase, insurance cover, motor license, certificate of road worthiness, my drivers license, everything.

To be sure, they did not demand for these things. I already had their photocopies in the car anyway. But the allegation or suspicion that I stole a car sent me off balance. I was just willing to bring out everything that would prove my innocence.

They checked all and appeared to be satisfied.

Then they apologized and left.

I must express my admiration for the professional way the four policemen related to me during the unpleasant encounter. They were civil and polite. Still it is cold comfort for a man of my trade to know that he is being trailed. Policemen must have been following me for some time before swooping in on my residence that early morning.

Knowing fully well that the Nigeria police invented the art of “accidental discharge,” this was certainly something to worry about.

Who gave the police information about the location of my house since they came from a police station located over twenty kilometers from where I stay in Abuja?

Shame to whoever gave the police information that I own a stolen car – the big liar. My old banger was bought brand new in 2008 from Dana Motors. I am not a thief and even if I were one, since I live in a country where

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234 814 292 9046. Cell: +234 802 443 2099; 803 7007 759. e-mail: contact@peoplesdailyng.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141

stealing has become an accepted directive principle of state policy, there are better things I can steal than a seven year old banger.

Clement Isaiah Clement Isaiah who died recently was a journalist of the old school. We worked together at the Triumph Newspaper in Kano in the mid eighties. He was Production Manager while I was an Editor in the Triumph Group, a radical and popular set of newspapers owned by the Kano State government.

Clement made a name at the New Nigerian Newspapers in Kaduna before he retired and moved over to the Triumph.

He was a quiet and efficient newspaperman. We all respected his father figure and efficiency.

Triumph was his most significant professional bus stop.

The Benue state government under the leadership of Group Captain David Jang appointed him a General Manager either for Nigeria Voice Newspaper or Radio Benue – I cannot remember exactly what - from Triumph. We gave him a befitting party at the Central Hotel Kano to wash the elevation. But I’m not sure he enjoyed that leg of his career. They just messed him up in Benue.

We met a couple of times since that misadventure and discussed the sad turn of events.

A few weeks back, I met his son Sam Nda Isaiah, the founder of Leadership Newspapers and a Presidential aspirant in the APC. I asked after the old good fellow and the son told me he was in his (Sam’s) house in Kaduna at the time.

I hoped to check on him the next time I was in Kaduna. Then I heard that the old man is gone.

He never gave me the chance to meet him again. How sad.

DAN GAYE

Seven PDP lawmakers ‘sack’ Ekiti Speaker – News

Stomach infrastructure in action