Tuesday 27th May, 2014 Edition

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 13 No. 71

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

..

. putting the people first

>>> page 2

NLC to NASS: Probe N130bn security allocation

>>> page 3

Niger teachers without promotion in 7 years

Eagles celebrate return of Yobo, Osaze >>Pg 41

Rajab 28, 1435 AH

N150

KANO LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION Saturday - 17/5/2014 CHAIRMANSHIP

APC - 44 with 2, 370,889 VOTES PDP - 0 with 200,687

COUNCILLORSHIP APC - 484 Seats PDP - 0

Fresh trouble for Gov Nyako

>>Pg 2

R-L: Kano state Governor, Engineer Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, being welcomed

by Adamawa state Governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd), yesterday at the Yola International Airport, in Yola.

Chibok: How FG bungled rescue effort l We know where abducted girls are, says Badeh

By Lawrence Olaoye with agency reports

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deal for the release of some of the over 200 girls abducted from Govern-

ment Girls Secondary Schools, Chibok, Borno state, was close to being secured with the Boko Haram Insurgents when President Goodluck Jonathan called it off, a BBC has revealed.

This is coming as the Nigerian military said it knows where the abducted schoolgirls are being held by the insurgents.

According to a report on the BBC, some of the girls were set

to be freed in exchange for imprisoned members of the sect but for the disruption of the sudden disruption of the deal.

The BBC reported a source as revealing to it that government

officials had held talks with Boko Haram to secure the release of the schoolgirls.

An intermediary met Boko Haram leaders earlier this month Contd on Page 2

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014

PAGE 2

News

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

29

Fresh trouble for Gov Nyako From Umar Dankano, Yola

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here are indications that there is no respite for the embattled Adamawa state governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako, as the state House of Assembly yesterday ordered him to urgently refund the deductions allegedly made by government from this month's salaries of the workers in the state on or before Friday, May 30, 2014.

All members of the 25-member Adamawa Assembly are now in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with the defection last week Thursday of the only three All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers to the PDP. The lawmakers were reported at the weekend to be plotting to impeach Governor Nyako, a scheme alleged to have been hatched in Abuja by the Presidency.

The Adamawa governor has had a running battle with the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency over a memo he recently circulated to his colleagues in the Northern States Governors' Forum (NSGF), in which he accused the central administration of promoting genocide against northerners

through the seeming intractable Boko Haram insurgency.

The Adamawa Assembly lawmakers, allegedly worried by what they described as "indiscriminate deductions" from the workers' salaries by the Nyako government, had summoned the state Commissioner of Finance, Hon. Ibrahim Buba Yokna and the Accountant General of the state, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed, to appear before them yesterday, to defend the deductions.

This was part of an earlier resolution passed by the lawmakers, who queried the governor, demanding to know why workers' salaries would be deducted without cogent reasons and prior notification to the civil servants. They also demanded to know whether the state had declared a new tax regime.

After an interaction with the state executive officials yesterday, the Assembly directed the executive arm of government to refund the deductions.

It also directed that the pending salaries of new teachers employed in the last 19 months should be paid by end of this month, failure of which could lead to "drastic action" against the gov-

ernor.

The lawmakers accused the state government of making the alleged indiscriminate deductions to the workers' salaries in the name of tax, by implementing an unacceptable tax regime that the entire Adamawa workforce was not aware of.

The House also faulted the state government for not keeping up to its promises to the workers.

In the meantime, there are speculations that some of Governor Nyako's colleagues in the APC have moved in to help stop the rumoured plot to impeach him by the state Assembly members.

Kano state governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, was in Yola, the state capital, yesterday and held a meetiing with Nyako, the state Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru, some members of the state legislature as well as other critical stakeholders in the state at the Presidential Villa in the state.

Our correspondent learnt that the Sokoto state governor, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda, was also billed to be part of the meeting but did not because his jet could not land at the Yola Airport due to bad weather.

Source close to the meeting told our correspondent that the parley, which was held behind closed doors for over two hours, tried to assuage the lawmakers who are now fully in the opposition PDP. But when approached for comments by newsmen at the end of the meeting, on his mission to Yola, the Kano state governor said he was in Adamawa to discuss issues of mutual interest between Adamawa and Kano states, with his "brother", Governor Nyako.

Gov. Nyako

Probe N130bn security allocation, NLC tells NASS

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Insecurity: Jonathan holds political parties summit June 12 – Page 37

Int’l 31 S/World 35 Digest 36 Politics 37 Newsxtra

39

Sports 41 Columnist 48

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igeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the National Assembly to probe the N130 billion allegedly spent on security by the federal government in three months period.

In a statement issued in Abuja by the National President of the labour union, Abdulwaheed Omar, the union doubted the claim, wondering why there is still

morale and dearth of operational facility for the fight against insurgents in Nigeria.

To this end, the union urged the federal government to declare a total state of emergency on security in Nigeria, pointing out that imposing emergency on few states where the attacks by the insurgents have become more dreadful would not solve the security crisis in Nigeria.

While lamenting that bomb

attacks across the northern states have resulted in untimely death of innocent Nigerians, the union regretted that the target has been on soft target which are usually helpless and defenceless.

It also emphasised the need to audit the entire sector of the Nigeria's security system, saying this will help to detect those who are shortchanging the security agencies by collaborating with the

insurgents to unleash mayhem on Nigerians.

Meanwhile, it sympathised with officers in the security services who have lost their lives, saying "Despite the obvious dearth of appropriate modern equipment, they are still able to confront the prevailing security challenges in circumstances where the attackers operate with superior and sophisticated equipment".

Chibok: How FG bungled rescue effort Contd from Front Page and visited the location in Northeast Nigeria where the girls were being held, says the BBC's Will Ross, in Abuja.

The report said the deal was almost reached to set some of the girls free in exchange for the release of 100 Boko Haram members being held in detention, but the government cancelled the planned agreement shortly before the swap was due to take place.

"The reasons for the withdrawal are unclear", the BBC report said.

It came just after Jonathan attended a meeting in Paris hosted

by President Francois Hollande of France where leaders said they had agreed a "global and regional action plan" against Boko Haram.

The government had previously insisted that it would not agree to free Boko Haram members in return for the abducted girls.

But the information ministry had earlier said all options were on the table, after the group re-

leased a video of the girls earlier this month and suggested a swap.

The video showed 136 girls, and was interspersed with Abubakar Shekau explaining that they had "converted" to Islam.

But in a swift reaction to yesterday's report by the BBC, Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Coordinator of the government's Information Management Centre, Mr. Mike Omeri, denied the story.

When contacted by our reporter for reaction, he said he did not know the source of the BBC report because the sect has yet to appoint anyone to negotiate with the government on its behalf.

"We made a promise to give information to the masses on any development on the issue and so far, nobody has come forward to say he has been appointed to negotiate on their behalf.

"Since they have not appointed anyone to speak on their behalf, who will the government negotiate with? They have not approached the government for

negotiation but as soon as they come forward, we will let Nigerians know," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, has said the security leadership in the country has located where the Boko Haram sect is holding the abducted girls.

Badeh also said the military would not use force to release the girls because of the need to prevent the insurgents from killing them.

The military chief spoke while receiving a solidarity rally organized by the Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness, led by its National Coordinator, Mr. Chidi Omeze, outside the Defence headquarters, yesterday in Abuja.

Badeh said the military had the capacity to bring back the abducted girls but would not use force for the crucial assignment.

He stressed that the military knew what it was doing and should be allowed to continue with its work.

The CDS said the military

would not go and get the girls killed in the guise of bringing them back.

"We want our girls back; we want our girls back; we can do it, our military can do it but where they are held, can we go with force?

"If we go with force, what will happen? (they will kill them). So nobody should come and say the Nigerian military does not know what it is doing. We know what we are doing, we can't go and kill our girls in the name of trying to get them back. So we are working.

"The good news for the girls is that we know where they are but we cannot tell you, we cannot come and tell you military secrets here.

Just leave us alone, we are working, we would get the girls back", he added.

The CDS was silent on the meaning of his declaration that the military would not use force to release the abducted girls when prodded by journalists.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014

News Niger teachers without promotion for 7 years ... It is a lie - SUBEB boss From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

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rimary school teachers in Niger state have never had it so bad, as for the past 7 years they say they have had no promotion according to their grade levels, or steps, even as the Primary School Management Board remained silence over the issue, resulting in their massive exodus from the state.

Investigation revealed that since 2006, when teachers in the state had their last promotions, even evaluation form has never been given to them in order to effect any promotion, leaving them to wallow in poverty without con-

cern from the government that they served.

It was reliably ascertained that their salary emoluments have continued to diminish instead of improving in the last seven years since Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu came into power in 2007.

One of the primary school teachers who spoke to our reporter, but preferred anonymity, said, "To God, my last promotion was in 2006; even my step has stagnated since then while other staff of the local government enjoyed their steady promotion; I have been making efforts to leave; many of my colleagues have left the unrecognized and unappreciated pro-

fession for greener pastures, most especially in Niger state".

However, the Niger SUBEB Chairman, Alhaji Hassan Uba Kuta denied the allegations, saying that the delay in promotion was as a result of various verification exercise embarked on by the state government to ascertain the authentic number of teachers in the state even as, according to him, it has carried out promotion three times by the present administration.

"We realized a lot of ghost teachers during and after various verification exercise were conducted by the state government, including promotion of ghost teachers in

the past, we need to fish them out to know who are the real teachers."

Uba stressed that promotion were not automatic, stating that it is earned after interview and examinations and noted that the present government of Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu inherited a backlog of 2005 and 2006 which was cleared in 2008 as that of 2007-9 were cleared that the board was left with 2010 to date from levels 13 -16 while levels 13 down to 10 scheduled for June.

He assured that all other levels due for promotion would be a thing of the past by the end of June this year as it will be concluded.

Maintained that "for anybody to say that for the past 7 years primary teachers were not promoted in Niger state is lying; we have done three promotions" he stated.

Village head dies after assault by subject in Bauchi From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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5-year old village head, Sama’ila Magaji, of Barmo Gwaram in Misau local government area of Bauchi state, was hit on the head during a misunderstanding that ensued between him and one of his subjects and subsequently died in the hospital while receiving treatment.

According to a statement made available to news men in Bauchi yesterday by the Bauchi State Police Command's Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Haruna Mohammed, a misunderstanding occurred between the village head and one Musa Dantata, of the same village, at about 6a.m. at the weekend, shortly after the early morning prayer.

The statement added that, "As a result, the village head was hit in the head and later died in the hospital while receiving treatment."

Mohammed, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), informed that a mob subsequently beat Dantata to a state of stupor, saying that he was currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Misau, the headquarters of the local government area.

He added that the police were currently investigating the case with a view to preventing a recurrence of the incident in the state.

Plateau state Commissioner OF Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe (4th left), briefing newsmen on the bomb devices recovered, yesterday in Jos. With him are, Unit Commander, Police Anti-Bomb Squad, Mr. Abel Mbibi (left), Police Area Commander, Metro, Mr. Charles Ezeala (2nd left), Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Hussein (right) and other police officers. Photo: NAN

Conference retains Land Use Act, accepts Resource Democracy

By Patrick Andrew

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elegates to the National Conference yesterday overwhelmingly rejected the recommendation of the Committee on Environment for the removal of the Land Use Act from the constitution, instead gave nod to resource democracy.

The Land Use Act had generated heated debated and had to be deferred last week following strong opposition from Northern delegates, who saw the recommendation “capitalist” intended to deprive people of access to land.

When the matter was resurrected for final consideration, delegates insisted on retention of the Act in the constitution because “Its removal would lead to money bags buying off lands at will”.

However, they accepted the rec-

ommendation for the resource democracy, which they described as the right by the people to own and manage their resources by prospecting for and developing such resources in their territories.

Chairman of the committee, Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, had while presenting the report said every recommendation was taken after exhaustive consultation, researched and deliberation stressing that the resource for democracy was borne of lapses in the present compensatory laws.

Further, delegates applauded the contributions of experts and views and suggestions of professional environmentalists were reflected in the recommendations.

Accordingly, the committee’s recommendation that compensation be paid directly to the host communities instead of the federation government in the case of royalties and states in

the case of oil spillage and other accruable was overwhelmingly accepted.

Notably contributions at plenary came from Ledum Mitee and Chief Edwin Clark who pointed out factual errors and inconclusive analysis in specific areas, but the delegates accepted the recommendations without much amendments.

Chief Edwin Clark, in particular, said there was nothing new about most of the recommendations of the committee; explaining that what was lacking was the political will on the part of the leaders to accept suggestions and have them implemented.

“We in the riverine areas, live on top of water but we have no water to drink. We cannot farm. We cannot do fishing. The vegetation has changed,” adding that pipelines that were laid in 1956 have grown old but remain unchanged.

PAGE 3

Military, vigilante repel attack, kill several insurgents in Borno From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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oldiers and youth vigilante, popularly known as Civilian JTF, yesterday repelled an attack launched by suspected Boko Haram gunmen in Borno state, killing several insurgents.

Though the military declined comment on the incident, however credible sources told newsmen that scores of gunmen had stormed Kawuri village, Konduga local government area of the state in the afternoon, but met stiff resistance from combined efforts of federal troops deployed to the area and the civilian JTF. Our correspondent reported that Kawuri, which had witnessed series of deadly attacks in the past, has a direct linkage to the major hide-out of the Boko Haram in Sambisa forest.

The area, which is about 60 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital, has suffered deadly attack early this year, which claimed over 100 lives.

It was gathered that the latest failed onslaught occurred when dozens of militants, armed with assault rifles and explosives invaded the area at about 1am and started firing sporadic shots.

The attackers invaded the village in three Hilux vehicles and several motorcycles and attempted to wreak havoc on innocent community.

The gunmen were said to have been engaged by civilian JTF and some military troops deployed to guard the village, leading to a gun-duel.

A vigilante youth who actively took part in the repelled attack, Mamman Yakubu told newsmen that scores of the terrorists were killed in the failed attack.

"We were able to kill many of the terrorists who invaded our community yesterday night, at about 1a.m.; they came in droves, but with the assistance of the security operatives and residents, we repelled the attack.

He added: “The attackers were very sharp in picking dead bodies of their colleagues on the streets; even this morning, there are three dead bodies of the attackers recovered while many died in the bush when we pursued them through the Sambisa forest.

There was no casualty recorded from the sides of the villager, soldiers and the vigilant. Similarly, no single house or structure was destroyed by the terrorists because we had already got information of the planned attack and prepared well for them".

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesDAY, may 27, 2014

PAGE 4

News

FCC certifies appointment of Njodi as Unimaid VC

By Maryam Garba Hassan

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he Federal Character Commission (FCC) has approved the appointment of Prof.

Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi as the new Vice Chancellor of University of Maiduguri.

The Commission conveyed to the University the Certificate of Compliance for the appointment of Prof. Njodi through a certificate of Compliance with Ref FCC/099/ S.5E/19/11/267 dated 23rd May 2014.

The certificate reads “as authority to issue letter of appointment to Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi as the Vice-Chancellor, University of Maiduguri.’’

According to the Certificate, “on no account shall the name of the approved candidate be substituted/replaced/altered without prior written consent of the Commission.’’

Meanwhile, the university has said the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University Council, Alhaji Lawan Bukar Marguba, has no powers to unilaterally cancel any decision of the Governing Council

that was duly made in line with the extant laws, regulations and due process of the University.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Chief Information Officer of the University, Mal. Mohammed T. Ahmed.

According to him, the constitution and functions of the University and its constituent bodies including the Governing Council are contained in the University of Maiduguri Act CAP U10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The statement said the clearance became necessary due to the purported unilateral cancellation of the appointment of Prof. Njodi as the new Vice-Chancellor of the University as approved by the Governing Council at its Special Meeting of Council held on 20th of May, 2014, in Abuja by the Pro-Chancellor Alhaji Lawan Bukar Marguba.

It would be recalled that the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council Lawan Bukar Marguba, in a statement issued at the weekend in Abuja, dissociated himself from the choice of Njodi, describing the selection by some

members of his Council as “totally wrong and unacceptable”.

According to Marguba, he and some members of the Council had objected to consideration of report of the selection board, which had recommended the appointment of Njodi as VC due to police order and absence of the University’s Registrar input to the report.

He said the Borno state Police Command had written to them demanding that the process of selecting a new VC be halted as the Police was investigating allegations of illegal promotion of Prof. Njodi.

“As a law-abiding citizen, I had no option but to comply with the Police order and instructed an earlier panel set up by the Council to investigate the allegation to stay action in the interest of peace and tranquillity.

“However, the panel refused to comply with my directive and went ahead with their activities and submitted their report to Special Meeting of the Council held on May 26, 2014”, Marguba said.

Youths ground Benin airport over NDDC appointment From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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ctivities at Benin airport was yesterday temporarily grounded by protesting youths from the oil producing communities in Edo state, over the delay in the appointment of Edo state Commissioner into the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),

by President Goodluck Jonathan.

This followed the expiration of 21-day ultimatum earlier given President Goodluck to act, or shut down all oil wells in the state if the President failed to appoint a Commissioner in the next one week.

The youths blocked the exit gates and disallowed passengers’ entry into airport during the protest, creating tension along the busy Airport Road.

They however dispersed at about 11 am, following the intervention of the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo who appealed to them to allow people’ movement into the Airport.

One of the leaders of the youths, Iyamu Osaro Culture, who spoke to journalists, said the protest followed the expiration of the 21 days ultimatum issued to the President to appoint

an NDDC Commissioner in the state.

“Mr. President has allowed politics to becloud his sense of reasoning. He has remained a confused man on the issue of NDDC Commissioner in Edo state. We are urging him to disregard those issues militating against the appointment of NDDC Commissioner in Edo state.

“We are protesting because the situation is affecting youth development in Edo state. As we speak, the NDDC has resolved to empower youths in all the nine Niger Delta states. And with the non- appointment of Edo state NDDC Commissioner, Edo youths might not benefit from that. Apart from that, projects have been put on hold due to the non- appointment of a Commissioner.

“We are urging Mr. President to take responsibility and act as President, by appointing a substantive Commissioner from any quarter as long as the person is from the oil producing community. They should not use their political interest to sabotage the future of our youths and the people of the oil producing communities. Failure to do so we might resort to shut down all oil wells in Edo state”, he warned.

Court to commence hearing of Saraki’s suit against IGP July 3

By Edoamaowo Udeme

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Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro (middle), receiving plaque from Team Leader, Royal College of United Kingdom, Major-General Simon Porter (rtd) (right), during a visit by members of the Royal College to the Ministry of Defence headquarters, yesterday in Abuja. With them is Director, Finance and Account, Ministry of Defence, Alhaji Babayo Shehu (left).

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Aviation ministry to appeal for special intervention fund-Minister

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he Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr Samuel Ortom, has said that the ministry plans to appeal to the federal government for special intervention fund to clear some outstanding debts.

Ortom made the disclosure yesterday while presenting the summary of the 2013 appropriation to the Senate Committee on Aviation during its oversight visit to the ministry in Abuja.

He said the ministry had incurred some outstanding debts in its three phases of contracts awarded so far in the past years.

Ortom said in order to come up with strategy of debts repayment, the Aviation and Finance Ministry

were setting up an inter-ministerial committee to review the budget to offset debts.

The supervising minister said N42. 2 billion was appropriated to the aviation ministry in 2013, adding that only N25.7 billion was actually released to the ministry, representing about 61per cent.

He added that a statement of projects performance captured from 2011 to May 2014 showed that the ministry awarded contracts in phase one of the aviation roadmap worth N10.1 billion.

The contracts awarded under phase two were worth N57.7 and N63.1 billion contratcs were awarded under phase three, he said.

The supervising minister said

that the total contracts awarded so far amounted to N217.5 billion and over N100 billion was still outstanding.

“We will see where we can at least for now suspend some of the projects that are yet to take off so that we can put the figures down and work toward finishing the ongoing projects.

“We are working on establishing airports development levy with international best practice and with the support of the Senate and House of Representatives.

“We are also working to see where we can have special intervention funds to be able to clear some of the outstanding debts”, he added. (NAN)

Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday slated July 3, 2014 to commence hearing in the suit brought before it by the former Kwara state Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, against the Inspector-General of Police.

When the matter came up yesterday, Saraki’s counsel, Mahmoud Magaji(SAN), moved an application seeking an extension of time to enable him file further affidavit.

Consequently, the trial Judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed adjourned till July 3 to commence hearing in the suit.

At the last sitting on the matter, Magaji had complained of undue police harassment and intimidation, and sought for enforcement and protection of the fundamental human rights of his client.

Saraki said the police had been intimidating him over an invitation to appear before the Force Special Fraud Unit over a N4 billion loan suit which he won two years ago.

At that sitting, Magaji announced appearance for Saraki but the police were absent

in court and neither were they represented nor offered any explanation for the development.

Magaji, therefore, asked for an adjournment in order to give the defendants fair-hearing and to enable them to appear in court to defend the suit against them.

The former governor sought for court order to quash the invitation on the ground that he had two years ago appeared before the same unit and was cleared of any wrong doing in the matter.

The police had, in a letter dated February 19, 2014, with reference no: CR.3000/X/ SFU/ADM/BFC/Vol.17/2014, invited Saraki to the Abuja Special Fraud Unit.

Saraki had in response, instituted the suit seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents or their agents from harassing him, his family members and business associates.

In his ruling, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, ordered that a fresh hearing notice be issued and served on the police to appear in court, and adjourned till yesterday for hearing.

News

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesDAY, may 27, 2014

PAGE 5

Probe: CACOL decries Madueke’s refusal to honour NASS invitation

By Evelyn Okakwu with agency report

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he Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has decried the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke over her continued refusal to honour the invitation to an investigation by the House of Representatives over an allegation that she spent N10bn on a chartered aircraft.

Alison-Madueke, who said that the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts lacked the power to summon her to appear before it, claimed that the NASS cannot investigate her without first obtaining the consent of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking on behalf of the Coalition, its Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran said that it is preposterous that political office holders would prevent an over-sighting arm of government from performing its constitutional duty.

He said, “It is so un-

fortunate that Nigeria has not been blessed with a good crop of leaders since the coming of democracy in 1999. It is preposterous that political office holders would prevent an oversighting arm of government from performing its duty.

“The level of impunity in this present regime is so high that one wonders if the executive actually understands the principle of checks and balances. The claim that the President would have to endorse the invitation before the Petroleum Minister attends the probe is not only ridiculous but antithetical to the spirit of true democracy.

It is like Mrs. Madueke has forgotten that the National Assembly comprises of the elected representatives of the entire Nigerian citizenry who hold the sovereignty of this country on behalf of the people.

“Investigation of this nature makes it possible for the parliament to restraint the excesses of other arms of government. It is only corrupt officials that will

be searching for avenues to circumvent such probe.

“What does it take out of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, as a public official, to honour the invitation to an investigation that will vindicate her from all suspicions if there are no skeletons in her cupboard? Her refusal to honour the NASS’ invitation is a clear indication that she is as guilty as accused. The truth is that majority of government officials are corrupt, so they can never be happy honouring invitation that will expose them the more.”

The anti-corruption crusader however urged the House of Representatives to issue a warrant of arrest against the minister.

“It behoves the National Assembly to wield the authority the constitution bestows on it to issue a warrant of arrest against the Petroleum Minister. She should be made to realise that her refusal to answer the elected representatives of the people is a slap on the face of every citizen of this country,” Adeniran said.

Court nullifies executive control of judiciary funds

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n Abuja Federal High Court yesterday declared as unconstitutional, null and void, the control and disbursement of funds meant for the judiciary by the executive arm of government.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed ordered that money belonging to the judiciary in the consolidated revenue of the federation must be fully paid directly to the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Mohammed was delivering judgment in the case brought against the executive by Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Agbakoba, a constitutional lawyer, had sued the Federal Government over the practice of passing judiciary funds through the executive.

Children’s Day: Nigerians to dress in red for Chibok girls

By Evelyn Okakwu

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s the world marks International Children’s day, Nigerians have been enjoined to dress in red, as sign of empathy for the pains of the girls abducted last month in Chibok community, Maiduguri State.

The girls who were kidnapped from their burden secondary school on the 14th of April this year have been held by their captures, the Boko Haram terrorists group for over a month.

Since the abduction of over 200 girls by the group, a number of rallies have been held to reiterate the need for government to ensure the safe return of all the girls.

The group which abhors western education had insisted that the federal government swap the girls with its men held in the government’s custody.

The leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan has received support from national and international bodies to facilitate the successful return of these girls However a recent attempt to swap some of the girls with Boko Haram members was called off by the Federal government for reasons yet unclear.

Agbakoba had argued that the practice was in breach of Sections 81 (2) (3) (c) and 84 (2) (7) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Judicial Council and the National Assembly were joined in the suit as co-defendants.

In the judgment, Mohammed said, “the NJC shall prepare the judiciary’s budget as charged upon the Consolidated Revenue and submit it to the AccountantGeneral of the Federation to transfer to NJC. “A consequential order restraining the 1st defendant (FG) and 3rd defendant (National Assembly) from appropriating the funds for the judiciary in the Annual Appropriation Act, is hereby granted.

“The present practice of judiciary funding by the defendants, which makes the judiciary dependent on the Executive Arm in budgeting and release of funds, violates Sections 81 (2) (3) (c) and 84 (2) (7) of the Consti-

tution.

“It is, therefore, unconstitutional, null and void’’, he said.

The judge further declared that Section 81 of the constitution guarantees financial autonomy of the judiciary.

The NJC, he said, ought not to send its annual budget to the budget office of the executive arm of government or any other executive authority as was practiced.

He ordered NJC to instead send its budget directly to the National Assembly for appropriation.

Mohammed also declared that the dependence of the judiciary on the executive arm for its budgeting and funding by warrants was directly responsible for the under-funding of the judiciary.

“This is also responsible for the poor and inadequate judicial infrastructure, low morale among judicial personnel, alleged corruption in the judiciary, delays in administration of justice and judicial services’’, he said. (NAN)

‘Nigeria needs N4.8tr for gas utilisation’

• Flares 1.4bn cubic feet daily

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Senate Committee on Gas has said Nigeria needs $30 (N 4.8trillion) to effectively utilise about four billion cubic feet of gas per day by 2015, even as it disclosed that the country flares 1.4 billion cubic feet of gas daily.

Speaking yesterday during the 2014 National Gas Conference, held in Abuja, the chairman of the Committee, Nkechi Nwogu, who made this known to journalists, also said Nigeria has a gas reserves of 187 trillion cubic feet.

She also said the $30 billion would be used to put needed infrastructures in place for the purpose of gas intimidation, even as she pointed out that Nigeria has a potential reserves of 600 trillion cubic feet.

She said this makes Nigeria to be the 6th largest producer of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the world and the largest on the African continent.

According to her, Nigeria has a paradoxical situation of occupying the topmost position in gas reserves, but last position in gas utilisation amongst other naturally endowed countries of the world.

To this end, she said such an investment cannot be avoided by Nigeria in view of the fact that the future of her energy is gas.

“The future of Nigeria’s energy is gas with a proven gas reserves of 187 trillion cubic feet and a potential reserves of 600 trillion cubic feet which make Nigeria to be the 6th largest producer of LPG in the world and the largest on the African continent but the low utilization of natural gas in the country has made ours to be a paradoxical situation.

Meanwhile, a submission by the Senate President, David Mark’s urged all the stakeholders in the sector to use the current gas revolution for betterment of lives of people and not just limiting it to the natural hydrocarbons and wealth.

According to Mark, represented by the Senate Minority Whip, Abu Ibrahim, “the gas revolution which has come upon the country is not just about hydrocarbons and wealth, but also about human beings as regards betterment of their lives in various ways.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesDAY, MAY 27, 2014

News

Children’s Day: Mrs. Yero calls for prayers

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

A

s the world marks the International Children Day today, the wife of Kaduna state Governor, Mrs. Fatima Ramalan Yero, has called on parents and their wards to pray for peace and security to reign in the state and the country at large, as well as the release of the abducted Chibok girls.

She stated this in a press release signed by Chief Press Secretary, Hajiya Aisha Junaidu and made available to newsmen in Kaduna yesterday, said, the mood in which the country find

itself today calls for sober reflection and divine intervention in order to get back on track.

“We cannot be celebrating International Children Day, while some people are holding our girls captive. These girls, are our children, and as mother, we call on those who are holding our daughters captive to see reason and release them unharmed,” she said.

The statement further added that while the Kaduna State First Lady wishes Nigerian children happy Children Day, she however called on them to be vigilant and security conscious.

SMEDAN to collaborate with BOA on SMEs development

T

he Small Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) yesterday, in Kaduna, expressed willingness to collaborate with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) in the areas of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) development, with the aim of creating employment opportunities for the teaming unemployed persons across the country.

The Director-General, SMEDAN Alhaji Bature Umar Masari stated this when he led other management team of the agency on a courtesy call on the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Santuraki at the Kaduna Head Office.

Alhaji Masari, in his address, disclosed that, as part of the desire of the agency in the implementation of the national development enterprise programme, the government intends to create about 3.5 million jobs between last year, when the implementation started, and the end of 2015.

He said the agency intends to

T

he Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 5, Benin, Mr. Hashimu Salihu Argungu, has begun campaign to review relevant laws establishing Community Development Associations(CDAs) regarding lands ownership in Edo state.

Speaking at a workshop on: ‘Capacity Building to Enhance Efficiency and Effectiveness in Criminal Investigation/Prosecution within Zone 5 Command’ yesterday, in Benin City, where he appealed to the state government and the state House of Assembly to enact a law prohibiting CDA in the state.

“We have discovered that most of the problems we are encountering in Edo state are land issues.

CDAs have taken over the role of State and Local Governments by assuming ownership of lands.

“These people will sell land and resell to another person and collect money and the next thing all the parties will start fighting and killing people.

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) has slammed the Federal Government over its plan to engage the services of foreign consultants for its reputational challenges.

The association, in a statement however, advised that rather than white-washing Nigeria before the international community and its media, the Federal Government should look inward in search of local image managers that have the expertise to handle its communication and image problems.

In a statement, signed by its President, Chido Nwakanma, VicePresident, John Ehiguese, and

Secretary-General, Muyiwa Akintunde, the association implored the Federal Government to discontinue the needless expedition, look inwards and engage appropriate competencies grounded in local knowledge and global expertise to tackle its reputation challenges.

“The search also misunderstands modern communication and public relations. Public Relations is based on the RACE principle - Research, Action, Communication and Evaluation- that demands strategic insight and action as the basis for engagement (communication) with stakeholders. The current run of bad press arises from a failure to set the agenda through right actions for positive media coverage of the

Federal Government,” it said.

“We believe that 50 years into independence and some weeks after the World Economic Summit for Africa in Nigeria, our Government should be promoting indigenous expertise and be concerned with its standing with its internal stakeholders over and above other considerations. The Federal Government of Nigeria must desist from actions such as the recent listing requirements rolled out by the Securities and Exchange Commission for ratings agencies and this move to hire foreign publicists that says it has no faith in Nigerian professionals because that undermines the basis for its own existence,” the statement concluded.

achieve such expectations by sensitizing Nigerians and forming them into cooperative bodies and also encourage individuals to key into the government’s enterprise creation programmes, as encapsulated in the enterprise development.

According to the SMEDAN DG, “If the program is properly managed, it can take care of all the unemployment problems the country is suffering from, that is why we are here in our efforts to reach out to financial institutions to enable Nigerians access funding available for agriculture.

Responding, the BOA Managing Director, who said the collaboration being sought by SMEDAN was a welcomed development, also informed that the BOA is willing to collaborate with SMEDAN particularly in the Grow and Earn More (GEM) programme targeted at women in agriculture with a loan up to 1 million naira, and the Youth in Agricultural Revolution in Nigeria (YARN) programme.

AIG begins campaign to review laws establishing Community Devt Associations From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

PRCAN slams FG over high rate of foreign consultants

“This is the only place, I stand to be corrected, that you pay for land before building, you pay again when you start developing it, you pay when it gets to lintel level, you pay when it gets to roofing due to the activities of these people and that is rubbish. The Edo state Government and the state House of Assembly should pass a law to check the excesses of these people because they have taken over the powers of state and Local Governments” he said.

According to Mr. Argungu, who lamented that their activities was causing a breach of the law and order in the state, however told the officers on the need for thorough investigation of cases.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo had commended the state government for the support to the police in the state in the fight against crime through the purchase of communication gadgets and vehicles, adding that the command since he assumed office in the state in 2013, had embarked on capacity building among its men.

Minister of State for Power, Hon. Mohammed Wakil (middle), welcoming Chairman, Super Solar Nigeria, Professor Jerry Gana (right), during a visit to the minister, yesterday in Abuja. With them is President, Dacc Alternative Energy Company, USA, Mr. Melon Douglas (left).

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

NBA president urges Nigerians to unite against terrorism

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam with agency report

T

he President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Okey Wali (SAN), yesterday called on Nigerians to unite and join hands with the federal government in the fight against terrorism.

Wali, who spoke yesterday at the Eight Annual Business Law Conference of the NBA Section on Business Law, (NBA-SBL), in Lagos, was confident that the collective efforts of Nigerians could help win the war.

At the conference, with the theme: “Exemplary Governance: Enhancing Economic Development in Nigeria,” Wali said that

the fight against terrorism was multi-faceted and shouldn’t be left to the Federal Government alone.

According to him; “It is a battle that must be won and we must all be involved.

“We hereby appeal to the abductors of the over 200 girls, to please, in the name of God and all that they hold holy, release those children and let them go home to their families unhurt.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, the NBA president said that a good and exemplary leadership could only be achieved in a country where democratic institutions were strong and independent.

He said only a society with the rule of law, gives its citizen

the best that is required.

Wali further said that a country with a well-funded judiciary, which was self-accounting and independent, also indicated good governance.

On her part, the Chief Judge of Lagos state, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, represented by Justice lufumilayo Atilade, said that exemplary governance was critical for economic development.

She stressed that economic development hinged on strict observance of the rule of law, as well as an efficient and independent judiciary.

Phillips said: “Good governance entails a system which encourages transparency and accountability.

PAGE 7

Peoples Daily, tuesday, may 27, 2014

News Court fixes July 2 to hear N130m defilement suit against 3 men A

Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday fixed July 2 to hear a suit filed by one Mrs. Ngozi Ugwu claiming N130 million as damages on behalf of her niece over alleged rape.

The suit, which was earlier slated for hearing yesterday, suffered another adjournment due to the absence of the judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, who is said to be away on official assignment.

A new date, July 2, was therefore fixed to hear the suit.

Ugwu filed the suit on April 23, 2013 seeking a declaration that the defilement of her sevenyear-old niece amounted to a breach of her right to dignity of human person.

Joined as first to third respondents in the suit are: Kazeem Mohammed, 40, Tobi Daramola, 19, and James Anieskin, 19.

The fourth to sixth respondents are CSP Lucy Abimbola (Area Crime Officer, Idimu Police Command), Miss Antonia (Prosecutor of court 6, Ikeja Magistrates’ court) and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos state.

The applicant is claiming the sum of N100 million each against the first to third respondents as aggravated and exemplary damages for violating the infant’s right to dignity of human person and freedom as well as torture.

She is also claiming the sum of N20 million against the first respondent, five million naira against the second respondent and five million naira against the third respondent, as general damages.

In the originating motion, the applicant averred that the respondents were her neighbours at Greenland Estate, LASU-Isheri

Road, Alimosho, Lagos, where she also resided with her husband, her two kids and her niece (the infant).

She averred that sometimes in January, 2013, she noticed blood stains on one of the infant’s under-pant and on interrogation, the infant confessed that the first to third respondents had been defying her.

According to Ugwu, the infant said that while she (Ugwu) was away in Abuja during the period, the first to third respondents paid frequent visits to their home whenever they discovered that her husband had gone to work.

She averred that the respondents would threaten the infant with a knife in order to have their way and would warn her never to reveal the incident to anyone.

After interrogating her niece, she said that the respondents

come to put their “wee-wee” in her “bum-bum” each time my husband was away and would buy her Five Alive juice and Gala beef roll.

“I immediately reported the incident to the Ikotun police station, which swung into action and arrested the third respondent, but the first and second respondents had already absconded.

“To my surprise, while the Ikotun police were still making frantic efforts to arrest the other respondents who were at large, a signal came from the Area ‘M’ Idimu command, for the case to be transferred there.

“The respondents were later arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, after which the prosecutor, one Miss Antonia, applied that the infant be remanded at the Girls Correctional Centre, Idi-Araba.

Car dealer faces N2.7m fraud charge

Court orders continued remand of 2 over drug trafficking

A

A

56-year-old car dealer, Vincent Omelebele, was on Friday charged with N2.7million fraud at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Omelebele, of 71, Palm Ave., Mushin, Lagos state, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretenses and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp.

Stephen Molo, told the court that Omelebele committed the offences alongside others who were at large sometime in December 2011 at Aguda, Suru Lere, Lagos.

Molo said the accused obtained a N2.7million grey 2008 Toyota Camry Car, with chassis number: ATIBE46K88U224319, belonging to one Ms. Maria Nobei.

He said that the accused obtained the car from the complainant on the pretext of selling it and remitting its proceeds to her.

According to Molo, the accused, rather than fulfill his business obligation to the complainant, converted the proceeds from the sale of the car to his own use.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2011.

Omelebele, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The magistrate, Mrs. Joy Ugbomoiko, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till June 10 for mention. (NAN)

“I was later informed that on their way to the centre, the prosecutor threatened the infant to change her story or be locked up in a room for five days, without seeing her family,” Ugwu said.

The applicant therefore sought an order directing the sixth respondent (Commissioner of police) to restrain the fifth respondent (prosecutor) from taking part in the prosecution of the first to third respondents.

She also is seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the fourth respondent (Idimu Area Crime Officer) from taking part in investigating the first to third respondents. (NAN)

Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (left), addressing Nigerians United Against Terrorism group, during a protest over the abduction of Chibok school girls by Boko Haram, yesterday at Defence headquarters, in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Trader, 63, arraigned over alleged assault on police officer

A

63-year-old trader, Willy Udemba, who allegedly assaulted a policeman on lawful duty, yesterday appeared before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Udemba, who lives on Ogundele Road, Oja-Oba, is being tried on a two-count charge of assaulting a police officer and causing the officer bodily harm.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Lucky

Ilevare, representing Sgt. Paul Inedu, told the court that the offences were committed on April 18 at about 6:00 a.m. at Idimu, Lagos.

He said that Udem assaulted one Cpl. Josiah Ameh and also pushed him into the gutter.

The prosecutor added that the accused broke the leg of the officer, as a result of the pushing. He said that the offences

contravened Sections 172 and 244 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

However, Udemba pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

The Magistrate, Mrs. M.B. Folami, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Folami adjourned the case till June 4, for further hearing. (NAN)

Driver docked for theft of company’s N4m vehicle

A

driver, Taiwo Kuforiji, was yesterday brought before a Suru Lere Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing a Toyota Hilux pick-up valued at N4 million, property of his employer.

The accused, 34, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and failure to park in a safe place.

He, however, pleaded innocence of the offences.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Jimah Iseghede, told the court that the accused had on May 17 stolen a Toyota Hilux pick-up belonging to Welfielf Pyrodynamics Nigeria Ltd. He alleged that the driver failed to park the vehicle at the designated and secured place to

prevent it from being stolen.

Iseghede said the offences contravened Sections 285, 408 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Adenike Adeeyo, granted the driver bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case to June 3 for mention. (NAN)

Federal High Court in Lagos, on Friday, ordered the continued remand of two suspected drug traffickers, Innocent Okafor, 31, and Roseline Nnamani, 38, at the Ikoyi Prisons.

Okafor and Nnamani are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and drug trafficking.

Justice Musa Kurya ordered the continued remand of the accused, following the prosecution’s objection to their bail applications.

Kurya, subsequently, adjourned the case to June 6, to rule on the bail application.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspects were first arraigned on May 6 but pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded in custody.

At their arraignment, the Prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Dec. 24, 2013, at NIPOST Office in Jos, Plateau state.

Ibrahim said that the accused were arrested in possession of 1.8kg of cocaine.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 14 (b) and 19 of the NDLEA Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

At the resumed hearing, Counsel to the accused, Mr. Benson Ndakara, urged the court to admit his clients to bail.

He told the court that the accused had been in detention for six months which had affected their health.

However, the prosecutor opposed each of the bail applications with a 12-paragraph counter-affidavit.

NAN reports that the offence of drug trafficking could attract life imprisonment, if convicted.

(NAN)

PAGE 8

Photo Splash

Peoples Daily, tuesday, may 27, 2014

L-R: Assistant to the wife of Kankara local government Transition Council Chairman, Hajiya Abu Hamza, measuring corn with the wife of the Chairman, Hajiya Maryam Abdulhadi, during the distribution of food stuffs to 800 less privileged families, yesterday at Danmarabu village, in Katsina state. Photo: NAN

Representative of Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Azeez Afolayan (2nd right), presenting mosquito treated net to a beneficiary, during the medical rhapsody to commemorate 58th anniversary of Nigerian Navy, yesterday at Mpape in Abuja.

With him is Sarkin Mpape, Alhaji Abubakar Gambi (right).

Photo: NAN

R-L: Plateau state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs. Olivia Dazyam, presenting the contract signing documents to Chairman, Pinnacle Communications Limited, Mr. Babatunde Omoluwa, during the signing of contract for digitization of Plateau Radio and Television Corporation, yesterday in Jos. Photo: NAN

A vehicle that skipped off the road, yesterday at Idi-Iroko on Ikorodu Road, in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

R-L: Acting Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Alhaji Hassan Abubakar, handing over to the newly appointed ES of the NIPC, Mrs Salamatu Umar, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Peoples Daily, tuesday, may 27, 2014

PAGE 9

All CCTV stations installed nationwide are working - FCT Minister

F

CT Minister Bala Mohammed, on Monday, says all the 600 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) stations installed across the country are working.

The minister made the disclosure when he spoke as guest speaker at a leadership forum organised by Nigerian Newsworld and Nigerian Pilot Newspapers in Abuja.

However, the minister said, some areas were not captured in the original plan of the device.

He said the bombs that exploded recently in Nyanya, Abuja, could not be detected

because the area was not captured in the original plan of the device. ``I wanted to carry out procurement for 500 CCTV units for the FCT but the Federal Government offered 1,000 units to be distributed to FCT, Lagos and several other cities. ``Now, we have more than 600 stations all over the country but Nyanya was not taken into consideration in the original plan but we are trying to provide the device in all the points of activities in FCT now. ``We are doing so much on security in collaboration with

security agencies; the CCTV units are working in Abuja and they have been helping us to ensure that criminals are captured on time.’’

Mohammed noted that the Federal Government would not abandon any victim of bomb attacks and appealed to the public to be security conscious.

Speaking on the efforts of the Federal Capital Territory Administration at boosting the economy, he said the administration had so far attracted foreign investments to the tune of 2.5 billion dollars.

He said the administration

was also working toward an Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of between N500 billion and N600 billion annually. ``We are indebted to the tune of N470 billion; we are looking at ways of having a revenue board so that we can have property tax, land premium and development control charges. ``These are the institutions that will raise our IGR, which can aid our ability to pay our debts; we have to develop a financial system such as what you have in Dubai,’’ he said.

(NAN)

National Conference delegate, Ambassador Adamu Aliyu, delivering his speech, during the debate on Environment Committee’s report, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Re-brand your speeches - Int’l group tells Nigerian leaders

By Evelyn Okakwu

N

igerian leaders have been tasked to rise up to the present challenges in the country by re-branding their manner of public speaking.

Addressing a team of press men in Abuja yesterday, a non-profit organisation, the International President of Toastmasters, George Yen stated that: “Our world is becoming more

complex and more in need of leadership.”

He added that all leaders had a task of using their communicative strength to mould the society around them.

‘Public speaking is only a tool, which can be used for good or the not so good. It’s all about leadership.

At toastmasters, we evolve leaders with the core values of leadership which is trust and integrity.

Speaking also at the event,

the national leader of the group, Governor, District 94P –West Africa) Dr. Mike Omotosho said there are over 50 armed conflicts across the world resulting from poor communication.

“People will go to war for a single disagreement, forgetting 9 areas of agreement. If you can communicate your ideas better, people will learn where you are coming from and follow you”, he said.

According to the District

advisor of the group, Jorie Wu Toastmasters club which is a personal development club focuses on community training for public communication.

The group, which has worked with the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to develop the communication skills of Nigerian undergraduates, says there is a growing need for leadership communication and Nigerians should tap from the advantages of its existence in the country.

Abdulfatah Ahmed wins ‘HOG’ governor of the year award From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

G

overnor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state, at the weekend, in Lagos, won the 2014 edition of the Hall of Grace(HOG) Governor of the Year award.

The award certificate and plaque were presented to the governor by former Information minister and Grand Custodian of the HOG Awards, Chief Akinyele at a colourful ceremony held at the

Summit Centre, Ikeja.

Chief Akinyele described the HOG Awards as “ a huge platform upon which deserving Nigerians are celebrated.” He congratulated Gov. Ahmed for being the “proud winner” of this year’s edition.

Editor and Managing Custodian of the HOG Awards, Mr. Rupert Ojenuwa, said the Kwara state chief executive bested his colleagues to win the 2014 Governor of the Year because of his exceptional focus on human capital development.

According to Ojenuwa:”His Excellency, the Governor of Kwara state has put smiles on the faces of countless Kwarans by his developmental strides, his unparalleled contribution to health, education and most of all to the development and employment of human capital.”

Receiving the award on behalf of Gov. Ahmed, his Special Adviser on Communication Strategy, Alh. Abdulraheem Adedoyin conveyed the appreciation of the governor

and the people of Kwara state to the organizers for the honour.

“This Award will definitely spur the governor to continue to put smiles on the faces of his adoring people” Adedoyin told guests at the ceremony.

HOG Awards was instituted in 2011 and past winners of its Governor of the Year award were Governors Babatunde Fashola, Gabriel Suswam and Olusegun Mimiko of Lagos, Benue and Ondo states respectively.

News Regional experts urge ECOWAS member states to develop national security strategies

By Edoamaowo Udeme

I

n the wake of increasing security threats in West Africa, a two-day Intergovernmental experts meeting on the Validation of the ECOWAS Regional Policy Framework on Security Sector Reform and Governance (SSSR/G) ended in Banjul, The Gambia on Friday, May 23, with an urgent call on Member States to develop National Security Strategies with developmental objectives where they do not currently exist.

In its 17-point report the meeting equally urged “ECOWAS to define strategies, priorities, timelines, success indicators or shortcomings on the implementation” of the reforms.

Member States were also called upon to “take into cognizance the need to consistently improve the remunerations/welfare packages of Law Enforcement Agents/Security providers as a prerequisite for effective implementation of SSRG processes as stated in Article 74(a) of the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework of 2008.”

In addition, the experts called for exchange of best practices among Member States on Security Sector Reform.

In her address to the opening of the meeting, read by the Head of Division, Regional Security, Col. Abdourahmane Dieng, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mrs. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman said, “The role of ECOWAS has become crucial to assist our Member States to prevent, anticipate, prepare and respond better and faster to issues that could challenge security and stability of our region.”

Sam Amuka loses mum

By Doyin Ojosipe

T

he death has been announced of Madam Teshoma AmukaPemu, mother of Vanguard publisher, Mr. Sam Amuka.

Madam Teshoma died in Lagos last week, at the grand old age of 109 years.

She’s survived by four children, Sam, Godfrey, Israel Amuka and Chuko Aminaghan.

Funeral arrangement will be announced in due course.

Peoples Daily, tuesday, may 27, 2014

PAGE 10

News

AON frowns at calls to have aircraft inspected within Nigeria

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

he Executive Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria ( AON), Captain Nogie Meggison has faulted the proposal calling on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), to carry out inspection of aircraft within the country after they have been flow into Nigeria.

Meggison said such bogus proposal may affect the safety and development of the aviation sector, as aircrafts that do not fit into the NCAA specifications in terms of airworthiness could be flown in.

He said the usual practice whereby aircraft safety inspectors from the NCAA, travel to the

maintenance facility or the manufacturer’s facility or country of sale to carry out the necessary check on the aircraft before being flown into Nigeria is better today.

He said defects or faults found by NCAA inspectors on any aircrafts requiring rectification could be carried out at the seller’s or ‘C’ Check Maintenance Repair Organization (MRO), before such planes are flown into Nigeria.

He also said, allowing NCAA inspectors to travel to the place where the aircraft is originating from would not only give the inspectors technical exposure on the job, but would allow them carry out detailed checks on the

air plane before it is brought into Nigeria.

The AON chairman stated that the AON, has not been officially notified by the so called operators or individuals “who are pushing for aircraft to be inspected locally, saying that such call may not mean well for the industry . He said allowing such proposal to see the light of day may have adverse consequences on the safety and standard of aviation in Nigeria.

Meggison observed that though the heavy cost borne by airline operators for aircraft inspection by NCAA could be reduced through buying of economy seat tickets for the officials, as opposed to the current

arrangement when the airlines are expected to provide a business class ticket, this traveling cost should be reduced.

Captain Meggison said, as airlines are already paying 5% fees on all ticket sales to NCAA, the authority should subsidize or pay for inspection fees from this funds as this would encourage airlines to bring in more aircraft, which will increase capacity in the industry and give the regulatory agency an opportunity to earn more revenue from airlines.

Such significant reduction in inspection fees, Meggison said, would reduce the financial burden of airlines, who are currently operating in a high costs environment .

L-R: National Secretary, Integrated Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (IYEEP), Barrister Jack Tilley-Gyado, IYEEP National Coordinator , Comrade Nwoke Obinna, and Youth Trainer, Mr. Richard Kent, during the practical demonstration of equipment for sustainable empowerment of Nigerian youth, yesterday In Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Children’s Day: Governor Yero assures children of safety From Muhammad Kaduna

Ibrahim,

A

s Nigerians celebrate Children’s Day today, Governor of Kaduna state, Muktar Ramalan Yero has assured all children in the state of their safety while on their way to school and on their way back from the school.

He called on all children to use the period of the Children’s Day celebration to pray for peace in the state and the entire country.

In a statement signed by his Director-General, Media and Publicity, Ahmed Maiyaki, the Governor extended warm felicitation to all children in Kaduna state, promising them that “better days are ahead”.

“We are committed to

ensuring that our children are given their rightful spaces in schools; because education is not a privilege, it is the right of every child.”

Governor Yero said, it is in order to increase opportunity for the younger generation to acquire functional education that the present administration is set to establish four (4) new Science Secondary Schools this year.

He also said the administration is committed towards the implementation of a Compulsory Basic Education policy that will increase child enrollment rate, with special focus on girl-child enrollment into basic education level in the state.

The Governor also promised children of his administration’s readiness to provide standard health care for children.

Niger govt spends N399m on 291 women groups, empowerment From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

A

rrangements have been concluded for the training and empowerment of 291 women co-operative groups by the Niger state government, in collaboration with the Directorate of Special Projects, under Subsidy Re-investment Programme (SURE-P) at the sum of over N399

million.

Niger state Commissioner for Gender affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Hassana Adamu made this known at IBB Pen House, in Minna yesterday, saying that 2,910 women are to benefit from the programme as one in each of the political wards of the state were targeted.

Hassan noted that at the end

of the training the government would distribute equipment and a total amount of N250,000 to each of the co-operative groups even as he said supervision and monitoring teams are in place for the success and judicious use of the funds and materials.

She disclosed that the cooperatives were properly screened to ascertain the authenticity of the

benefiting groups as Niger state government and local governments shall finance the programme with 40% and 60% respectively.

The commissioner stated that they would embark on fishfarming, food processing, poultry farming and animal rearing, saying this was aimed at curbing gender disparity, fight poverty and create jobs.

Kwara monarch cries out over bad roads in his domain From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he traditional ruler of SapatiIle in Asa local government area of Kwara state, Alhaji AbdulRahman Suleiman-Ajadi has cried out against the poor condition of roads leading to the community.

The monarch, who spoke with journalists yesterday at his palace, appealed to the state government to come to their aid.

Alhaji Ajadi said the major road leading to the town from Ganmo has been washed away by erosion, thereby making it impassable.

He noted that another road from

the Sapati International School was so bad that it gets flooded any time it rains, lamenting that the community has been cut-off from the outside world.

He said that no commercial activity takes place in the town as a result of the bad roads, while the socio-economic life of the

community has been paralyzed due to the damage to the main road over by rainfall.

“Because of the deplorable condition of the road, it has been difficult for my people to sell their farm produce, because the only market in the town has stopped functioning”.

“Cultural disintegration, cause of insecurity in Nigeria” From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

T

he present insecurity bedeviling Nigeria has been attributed to the long and gradual cultural disintegration among its citizens.

The Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, disclosed this at a two day National Conference on “Culture, Peace and National Security: The Role of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria’s Democracy”, organised in collaboration with UNESCO, in Kaduna yesterday.

The NICO chief added that culture is an essential and peculiar way of life that embodies the thought process, the belief and the norms of the people saying culture is the nexus of the ability to store, use and re-use society’s knowledge and wisdom from the past to the present and the future.

Mr. Ayakoroma said that, in order to come out of this present insecurity, there is the need for sustained sensitization and public enlightenment campaign to change the negative perception of Nigerians as regards their culture.

According to him with hard work, discipline, selfishness, patriotism and dedication, the Nigerian ship of state will continue to sail and anchor safely to the surprise of cynics and detractors.

In his own remarks, the Vice President, Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo,said traditional rulers as custodians of culture and repositories of wisdom, are critical to the sustenance of Nigeria’s democracy, therefore it becomes a matter of serious concern when royal fathers who are supposed to be non-partisan become active players in the political arena. This he says draws a big question; where should our royal fathers belong - between the throne and politics?

The vice-president, who was represented by Kaduna state Deputy Governor, Ambassador Nuhu Audu Bajoga said the current security challenges are clearly the effects of the breakdown or abandonment of wellcherished cultural values of honesty, hard work, respect for elders and constituted authority as well as respect for the sanctity of human life.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 27, 2014

Page 11

Money Sense

Job interview: How to stand out from the rest

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very interview requires a sales pitch, and you’re the hot commodity up for grabs.

If you want to land the sale, you must stand out from all the other products on the market. Sure, you could take the Billy Mays approach and proclaim your problem-solving prowess in a loud, impassioned manner. You could also drape yourself in blinglike one of hip-hop’s brashest rappers. Neither approach is likely to garner the result you desire. Instead, consider the following ways in which successful candidates set themselves apart.

1. Know who you are dealing with A successful candidate spends time preparing for an interview by learning everything possible about the hiring company.

Visiting the company website is a great place to start. Peruse the products and services. Review the mission statement. Check out the executive bio pages and read everything posted in the “press” or “recent news” sections. Seek out the company’s Facebook page and Twitter feed as well.

2. Ask thoughtful, informed questions Now that you know everything you can about the company, formulate a list of questions that illustrate you’ve done your research. There will come a point in every interview when you are asked, “Do you have any questions for us?” This is when you spring your list. Include relevant facts about the company within each question and your interviewer

is bound to be impressed. For example, “I read that the company is planning to expand into five new markets this year. How will that expansion affect your department?”

3. Tell them a story Everyone loves a good story.

Interviewers love stories that illustrate past behavior in a similar role or situation. When you’re asked a question pertaining

to a past job-related experience, how you behaved in a challenging situation or a time when you had a conflict with a coworker perhaps, don’t respond with a one-sentence answer – tell the story instead.

Begin by describing the situation, then move on to your actions, and follow up with the results.

4. Prove your worth Explain exactly why you are the right person for the job.

Of course, this requires taking time to understand the job first. When preparing for your interview, carefully review the job listing. If you can acquire an official job description for the position beforehand, that is even better. Make a list of the skills they’re seeking, and then prepare answers to possible interview questions that prove you not only meet, but exceed

that only their mother wants to listen to (enough to make their interviewer beg to keep their eyes open, wondering when it will be over, or maybe when their next manicure will be… you get the drift, the story is boring and far too lengthy).

Your intro statement (or 30 second commercial as it is referred to in the biz) needs to be peppered with what helps you stand out from the competition, matches up with the needs of the position, and what makes you interestingly unique (aka: your personal brand).

Make sure it is not an all about me answer; instead mix it up and be sure you pepper it with some all about the employer information. If you practice your intro statement enough times it will come off very natural and succinct and not leave your interviewer wondering what nail polish color she is going to choose.

2. Help Me Help You: Ok, I know that’s totally “Jerry Maguire” (thank you Tom Cruise!) but that line is so fitting here. Recruiters are trying to find candidates that fit and hiring managers want to find the same. So – tell them what they want to hear: how you fit their needs. Give them answers that pertain to the position and describe how your experience will be the solution to their needs. Talk

about examples in your experience that match up with the position requirements. You don’t need to tell them about your entire life in an interview, practice your interview answers by coming up with examples around how you meet the employer’s needs (based on their job description) and information you gather in your research… which brings me to point #3.

3. Research, Research, and Research: Just when you think you are done with homework for life, you’re back at it. It is critical that you research the company that you will be interviewing with. Turn yourself into a private-eye and dig, dig, dig. Talk to your friends about the company, review everything about them on the internet (press releases, LinkedIn company pages, Facebook pages, Twitter, Google, etc.). Review the website in-depth, find the team members – Google them, look them up on LinkedIn, know about the team. Uncover the company competitors. Learn about the past, current and future product introductions. Get in the trenches around what’s going on with the company you are entertaining a relationship with!

In today’s marketplace with so much information available it is unacceptable to an employer

for you to be unaware of their business, products and mission.

4. Gear up. Yep, you don’t get to just dust off the old suit any longer and think you’re dressing for success. It may very well be that doing that will put you in the “no thanks” pile before you even get to speak your first words. In today’s marketplace you will want to be fashion forward. I don’t mean you need to be looking all Hollywood, but you do need to make yourself aware of the company’s culture and how they dress. You should dress a level above the company’s norm for your interview (based on your research.) In other words, if you’re going to interview with a start-up and all the employees are working in jeans, t-shirts and hoodies, you’ll be sorely out of place showing up in a full-on suit but, you also don’t want to show up in a hoodie (you haven’t been given the nod of approval yet.) So, less than a suit, but a level above jeans… I think you get it. On the other hand if you’re going to an interview in the finance industry for a large accounting firm, a suit may be very appropriate – make sure it’s not from ‘back-in-the-day’ though, something that is current and in style now should be your focus.

Posted on Personal Branding Blog by Robin Ogden

…and how to avoid interview blunders

I

nterviews can be a nightmare!

Ok, there are probably some of you out there that may be thinking, “What’s she talking about, I love interviewing!” But you are few and far between, if that’s you, read no further.

But, if you’re within the norm, like most of us, we are usually running scared when interview time approaches. Interviewing can easily be like going through a haunted house you have no idea what’s going to pop up next and whether you’re going to scream and run! So, here are some tips to help you combat those scary interview-demons!

1. Practice Your Intro! I have coached a zillion people (ok, thousands, but who’s counting!) and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come across someone who thinks they are the quintessential interviewee and are just going to wing it because they believe they come across more naturally when they are unpracticed. So, ok – I’m good with that, let’s get started.

I throw out the first common interview question (typical to begin an interview), “So, tell me about yourself,” and we usually just ski downhill from there. They start with where they grew up and went to high school and basically deliver a “what they want to do when they grow up” type of answer

their needs.

5. Show some enthusiasm Better yet, show lots of enthusiasm. Whether it’s your first interview or your thirteenth, you must appear enthusiastic about the opportunity. Smile, laugh (though not nervously), shake hands with gusto. And when the interview is over, don’t neglect to ask about next steps.

This will show you’re eager to continue with the hiring process.

The job market may be tough, with fierce competition in most industries, but a successful interview candidate embraces the challenge. Like a good salesperson, take steps to blow your competitors out of the water – you may even seal the deal. www.targetjobs .com

Money Tip

I

t is that time of the year again when we are at the heights of optimism and are confident that we can turn over a new leaf and better ourselves. Sadly, after just a little time, most of us find that we simply don’t have the willpower, energy, or resources to stick to our goals. Most of us simply quit at this point, but this year, let us break our past patterns, and as a nation, stick to our financial resolutions.

Quote

There is some magic in wealth, which can thus make persons pay their court to it, when it does not even benefit them. How strange it is, that a fool or knave, with riches, should be treated with more respect by the world, than a good man, or a wise man in poverty! – Ann Radcliffe

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesDAY, may 27, 2014

EDITORIAL

India’s new government and the burden on Mr. Modi A in the parliament of the 543 total, that would afford it a comfortable majority to go it alone. But Mr. Modi, said at a victory speech, that he would seek a broad coalition, even though voters have given him mandate to rule alone. We commend his broad view of leadership, but we clearly worry about his background especially with

“

fter a five-week marathon election festival in which over 500 million voters thumbed in the ballot from about 840 million registered voters, India yesterday inaugurated a new government formed mainly by the victorious Bharatiya Jannata Party (BJP). The party’s mercurial and charismatic leader, Mr. Narendra Modi, former chief minister of the state of Gujarat, was sworn in as Prime Minister. He replaced the economist and Congress Party former Prime Minister, Mr. Manmohan Singh, famous for his Silkh turban and quiet mien.

After 10 years in office, Mr. Singh has managed to put the largest liberal democracy on the world spot and filling in most of the structural dot lines in her economy. For all his explicit work of refocusing the Indian economy, on the core fundamentals of industrialization and manufacturing, his critics say very volubly that he didn’t do enough. And that is where Mr. Modi, even with his extremist Hindu baggage came to the fore.

He reputedly built up his state of Gujarat, where he was chief minister for 13 years to a business hub, his supporters, who like to compare him with Mr. Deng Xiaoping, the Chinese charismatic reformer who propelled its modernization and inspired the world’s most celebrated economic success, hope that he can replicate the Gujarat miracle on a national scale. He has very strong mandate, far more than the polls predicted.

The BJP won a record 282 seats

As for the extremist Hindu rhetoric that occasionally pop up in Mr. Modi’s outings, we hope that the burden of leadership will blight any such prospect of pursuing a sectarian agenda. the Hindu nationalist group, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which still wants to build a Hindu temple on top of the demolished Muslim Mosque in Ayodhya in Utta Pradesh, and also wants the Muslim-majority Kashmir to lose its special constitutional status. Though, cleared by a Supreme Court panel of complicity in the extremist Hindu masterminded violence in Gurajat under his watch that killed about 1,000 Muslims, Mr. Modi is viewed with suspicion in non-

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”

Hindu communities in India and even abroad.

However, his campaign focus on economic issues and raising the quality of lives for all Indians, seemed to have made an impression with roaring victory, secured only in 1984 by Prime Minister Rajiv Ghandi and his Congress, following the assassination of his mother, Indira Ghandi and the outpouring of national emotions and sympathy.

We hope that Mr. Modi will use his strong mandate to bring the fruits of economic growth to all Indians. His foreign policy will be closely watched but we hope, he would continue the de-escalation of conflict with Pakistan, a neigbour that India has shared a very uneasy relationship for most times. As for the extremist Hindu rhetoric that occasionally pop up in Mr. Modi’s outings, we hope that the burden of leadership will blight any such prospect of pursuing a sectarian agenda. Overall, India has offered a lasting lesson to all struggling liberal democracies, especially in Africa -that a ruling party with a solid pedigree like the Congress Party of India could bow to the people’s wish without tapping any instrument of state power to manipulate the wishes of the people.

The Congress Party scooped an appalling 44 parliamentary seats, the worst ever in its history but its dignity in bowing to the wishes of the people tells more about the strength of India’s democracy than the ephemeral election victory of any party.

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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

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, May 27, 2014

Opinion

PAGE 13

And now, the ecumenical city of Jos? (II)

By Wole Soyinka

E

ven those whose culpability in the present predicament is no longer matter for speculation – active or merely complaisant at the onset – now stand under threat of a common fate: to be consumed by the sightless scourge they brought into being. Thus we have no choice but to pull together.

Only let no one dare deny that there were stern warnings of the consequences of dining with the devil, or sleeping soundly while the devil came swaggering down the streets in cloven, iron-clad hooves! “Boko Haram has been here and gone – yes indeed” I admonished close to two years ago, “this is what we would all want to believe. The reality – and recollection of historic antecedents – demonstrates however that this is self-delusion.

Boko Haram has been here, obviously, but it is anything but gone. To understand why, and before we proceed further, let us clarify in our minds exactly what is the essence of Boko Haram? What does it represent?

How did it originate? What are the immediate triggers to the eruption of such phenomena, and what the long-receded causes?

Confronting such questions, even within the context of the ritual, often sterile ‘commissions of enquiries’ requires self-caution against an easy and cosseting predisposition to accepted theories.

Text-book theories are especially attractive to intellectuals, they are our meat and drink, nonetheless, they often constitute a real and present danger in the form of wilful blindness to material life as we experience it. This is where it is necessary to repudiate a misplacement of emphasis by those who are inclined to submerge the violence of religious movements under class incantations.

“The class implication is only a fraction, admittedly a significant fraction, of the totality of causative factors, but it is extremely dangerous for society to concede to it an exclusive role. It sounds nicely radical, but it merely indulges such aberrant movements and their wilfully enclosed mental armoury with analytical devices that they, in turn, despise. To state less, is to concede too much.

We know that stirring claims have been made, and that the highlighted social ills are justly excoriated – corruption, neglect, ostentatious living juxtaposed

By Yahaya Abdullahi

T

he hue and cry over the presence of a small detachment of America's Special Forces on a special and defined mission is largely misinformed and taken out of context. The comparison with Afghanistan and Iraq an error in judgment and unfair indeed.

In both countries the Americans and their allies were an invading force with a mandate to forestall a threat to their homeland security. Whether such a mission that was costing 50 billion US dollars a day in Iraq alone was right or wrong is today an exercise in academics! A handful of American and British experts are here on a special mission to search and rescue the estimated two hundred and thirty one abducted school girls from the grip of psychopathic and ruthless insurgents at the invitation of the Federal Government. They are our guests who deserve a cheer and not castigation.

The scenario in American, British, French and Chinese experts should be viewed a rare

with abject impoverishment, marginalization – all that is not to be denied. Evocation of such social anomalies is an enabling cry that is as old as history, and thus, while we take note of them, we dare not be blinded by them, not if we call ourselves holistic analysts of any social disorder.

To address the most obvious feature of a dream of contradictions – here is a supposed corrective manifesto against an exploitative order that nonetheless ‘de-classifies’ half of humanity – the women – that is, designates that half as subservient, excluded from social opportunity, theologized as mere disposable objects for the other half – and empowers its followers to kill and maim them in order to preserve a decadent status quo. This, in my dictionary, and going by the history of the world, does not constitute a radical, or revolutionary manifesto, but a deep immersion in the pool of retrogression. It manifests itself in policies of exclusion, in human division. To order, for example, two hundred buses in order to enforce the segregation of men and women in public transportation, as the governor of Zamfara state has just done, is Boko Haramism in creed and deed – let us state this reality with brutal frankness.” End of quote.

From a splurge of two hundred buses for the enforcement of human division to the abduction of two hundred female students into a forest fastness is one easy and predictable slide into the abyss.

The same mentality is at work.

We could and should go further, but right now, the priority of the nation is to survive physically so as to be able to address questions of the mind. A National Dialogue that sits in session at this same time must not avoid such rigorous questions, otherwise it has taken the side of the right of abduction – and enslavement – of one division of our humanity, and approved the right of arbitrary decimation of dissenting humanity in any form.

The word is: dictatorship.

Priority, for now, however, is survival, the recovery of the abducted, and destruction of the enemies of humanity. Over and over we have stated that the boundaries of insulation have long been erased, and every soul in the nation is exposed. At that same lecture in King’s College Lagos, I warned: “The agents of Boko Haram, their promulgators both in evangelical and practical forms, are everywhere. Even

here, right here in this throbbing commercial city of Lagos, there are, in all probability, what are known as ‘sleepers’ waiting for the word to be given. If that word were given this moment, those sleepers would swarm over the walls of this compound and inundate us here as primary targets, for we are gathered in celebration of a structure of education that they detest – a philosophy of education that says the mind must be open, not closed, a principle that subjects all claims of human discovery or certitudes to empirical scrutiny and establishes in the mind of the young the foundation of equity under one law as the sine qua non of civilized society and the creation of social man and woman”.

Let there be no mistake, this is the primal cause that animates the destroyers called Boko Haram, and that is why all humanity must rally across national borders and terminate their existence wherever they rear their heads. The resolve of West African states to reinforce the Nigerian war of containment with their troops has been urged from the beginning, it is so belated that it hurts. All over widening swathes of the Northern part of the nation, and right in the heart of Abuja, ever since Somalia, and most lately Mali, the early and obvious signs of anti-humanistic rampage of an extreme minority have been fulfilled again and again, and in such a gory manner that the mind nearly refuses to function.

Our youths – the female most especially – have been brutalized beyond imagining, and remain abnormally exposed as front-line victims. There is danger however in thinking that the ambitions of this perverted sect are limited to any one corner of the nation.

Never was watchfulness more than a mere watchword. We are borne on an evil tide must be contained, and staunched at source – but not merely through force of arms.

When we say a nation is at war, when we call on a nation to thereby mobilize, we do no more than urge that the various arms of warfare must be activated – among them, the psychological.

The girls of Chibok are scattered in the forest of Sambisa, inhibiting frontal assault in parts and aerial bombardment generally. But what inhibits bombardment with leaflets, undermining the will of some members within that sect, some of them unwilling recruits, others teetering on the edge of conviction, and yet others with a deep hatred for their captors. After

all, there is hardly anyone who does not know of several escapees, and the testimonies of coercion and brutality that have left a deep hatred in the hearts of many.

Leaflets of aggressive detoxification that weakens the perverted reading of Islam by these apostates should be dropped in likely occupied zones, denunciations of all Boko Haram followers as defilers of the very faith of Islam and the laudable ends, and practices of genuine faith. This is the time to put to positive use the often sweeping and opportunistic evocation of the fatwa – this time collectively pronounced against Boko Haram by authoritative Islamic prelates and scholars, rather than against easy prey who may have offended their often contrived theocratic sensibilities. Preachers across all faiths should sign and jointly issue calls to the mixed bag of insurgents to abandon a damnable cause, itemizing the common grounds that bind all faiths together and isolating Boko Haram as outside those basic tenets, and therefore fit only for the company of the mindless brutes whose habitation they have intruded upon. Let the forest of Sambisa – and whatever areas they have left their mark be inundated with such tracts – Boko Haram is – Haram – in all relevant languages, including the Arabic.

If ever there was a time for a call to jihad, this is such a time, and Boko Haram is the self-proclaimed enemy of all faiths.

There is now, inevitably, a recruitment drive by the army. I have myself made that call, not for front-line action necessarily, but for the performance of backup tasks for an overstretched military – overstretched, no matter how large such an army is – since this is not what is referred to as classic or orthodox warfare but a conflict whose frontline potentially stretches in a meandering manner across a nation and beyond, is fluid, its battles erupt suddenly and are directed at civilians. But now let me call attention to a more generalized battle going on outside this nation – in Europe and America especially – where that oft marginalized sector of society – the women – are fighting for the right to serve, even in combat. There is something psychologically intriguing about the primary designation of this group as front-line adversaries by Boko Haram and allied deviants, this phobia that is obsessively directed at womanhood. It is a loathing that is worth exploring.

In fairness to our allies

luck and the inviting party which is the Federal Government of Nigeria should be supported. An anatomy of America's, British, French and Chinese positions in Nigeria may go a long way in dousing the fire criticisms.

Britain was a colonial power and the founder of the Nigerian Nation. Her influence to date cannot be wished away by emotions. The noble role it played during the Biafran secession is still fresh in our memory and commendable.

The then United States Government was at a point during the war contemplating total support for the Biafrans if not for the timely intervention of Britain who prevailed upon the US not to do so! Britain has had a brush with terror she has her interests here just as Nigeria has her interests in Britain. She is therefore a stakeholder here. The status of Britain as a permanent member of the Security Council makes her a key player in

international affairs since 1945.

The US is our largest trading partner, a terror victim, a member of the Security Council, a super power and a key player in the affairs of the world. Nations like humans are all a mixture of good and evil. No nation is either completely good or evil.

If America chooses like in our case to project her good over her evil she deserves a cheer and a commendation for just that. Her mission is to guide with expertise and technology while the bulk of the fighting will be done by the Nigerian Military. America also has a stake here. Petro-dollars from America is the bulwark of the Nigerian economy. The French as at the time of the Late General Sani Abacha had the largest western investment in Nigeria. French companies and business stakes abound in Nigeria. The stakes are too high for the French to sit back and watch Nigeria going down the terror drain. France like the US

and Britain is also a permanent member of the security council and a key player in the affairs of the world.

China is today emerging the best of Africa's allies. Her Prime Minister was the only world leader to grace the World Economic Forum on Africa recently held in Abuja. He made an unprecedented pledge of a stupendous sum of Thirty Billion US precious dollars to support the donor-laden economies of African countries over the years.

China as a nation that battles with terror threat of its own also promised intelligence and technical support to crush the evil in Sambisa. Whenever our dear allies are to our rescue and at our prompting, we should do well to rally round in an unflinching support to put an end to a five year insurgency which extinguished the lives of about ten thousand Nigerians and a loss of billions of Naira in collateral. On our part both

The Nigerian army of course already admits women in its ranks, but I believe that this should now be made an open, declared policy, one of the many ways of taking the battle to such an enemy. It can only diminish them in their own self-conceiving as super-beings, compelling them to engage their worst, despised humanity in combat – even if only sporadically.

Let me go even further: create a special unit of women fighters to confront their tormentors.

Ideally, such a force should have an international character, though centred on the West African subregion in its formation.

The women have borne the brunt of Boko Haram hatred, disdain, dehumanization and primordial viciousness. Survivors of their onslaught, and even those who have not undergone any baptism of fire, but have the “fire in their belly” should be encouraged to teach Boko Haram some gender-free truths of human commitment at the war front and the even more primordial call of human liberation, even at the risk of life. Africa, and especially West Africa is not without a tradition of women warriors – Dahomey with her so-called ‘Amazons’. Even the late Qaddafi refused to trust his most intimate safety net to any but a female praetorian guard.

Nor should we forget that female combatants were recorded on both sides during the Nigerian civil war.

Nigeria is awash today with the equivalents of the so-called “white widows” whose internal motivation is, alas, part of the lethal assets of global “Boko Haram”. Nothing unique therefore is proposed here, and of course we are speaking of strict volunteering only, not conscription. The door should be cast open even wider to the gender peers of those whose very presence within the army, even in auxiliary roles, already punctures the warped theology of Boko Haram.

We denounce the perpetrators of the ongoing crimes against our humanity – it is both just and humane to take arms against them.

The only betrayal would be to do this half-heartedly, desultorily, with less that total commitment.

We mourn with the stricken, and condole with our soldiers and their families for their losses. At such a time, in such a cause, the army deserves a people’s moral, practical and material support. If the army fails, we fall.

Wole Soyinka is professor of literature and Nobel laureate.

the Government and opposition must unite to face a common enemy whose strength and daredevil exploits grow by the day.

Trading accusations and counter accusations only helps the enemies of Nigeria to strengthen their resolve to destroy us.

In crisis, the government needs all the support it can muster from all Nigerians. To continue to castigate it will compound an already perplexing scenario of terror.

Members of the National Assembly could embark on a campaign of enlightenment for their constituents regarding the role being played by our allies in order to put to rest the misinformation making the rounds about their presence.

Those who cry wolf over the presence of our allies should instead proffer an alternative to their expertise and technology on how to tackle an insurgency whose sound and fury is signifying a real threat to our National Security and peaceful co-existence.

Yahaya Abdullahi is reachable at P.O Box 907, Katsina.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, May 27, 2014

PAGE 14

Opinion

Still on Shema, Lado and opposition parties in Katsina

By Muhammad Lawal Dutsinma

L

ately, I noticed an ensuing media battle between supporters/ promoters of Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina state and a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC. I found both arguments interesting because, the on-going debate reminds me of the 2011 electioneering campaign and the subsequent outcome of the polls in Katsina state.

But for the recent write up newspapers, one wouldn’t have joined issues with some writers.

However, as a proud member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Katsina and someone who is in the know of some of the events that took place in the build up to the 2011 elections in the state, I found it necessary to set certain records straights in order to avoid the wrath of posterity.

As a matter of fact, the most astonishing part of one article was the deliberate and unsuccessful effort by the writer in support of Shema to twist facts of history on how the governor rode on the back of opposition in Katsina to win his re-election. More so, I don’t blame the writer for the failed effort, because he resides in Zuba, Abuja and not Katsina where the subject of discussion took place. However, you were wrongly briefed by your pay

attempt to re masters and write history you may wish was in an to charge them article in for attempting support of to subject you to Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, Shema, which public ridicule. text messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All writwas a futile Also I am not ten contributions should be concise. Word limits: argument. sure the governor Letters - 150 words, Articles - 750 words. Please The writer was fully briefed tried to state or he was aware of include your name and a valid location. Letters to the that Shema the content of that Editor should be addressed to: didn’t attack article, because he General knows in the build The Editor, Buhari, I beg up to the 2011 Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, to disagree. elections, series 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

May, I of meetings and refer you to consultations with Email: opinion@peoplesdailyng.com page 19 of the Lado group SMS: 08134607052 THISDAY were held both in newspaper Katsina and Abuja of Tuesday, essentially to get relevance from governor Shema April 29, 2014 paragraph 18-25 the support of the group which is to let sleeping dog lie so as not where the governor dismissed they graciously offered. to force him (Lado) to open up PDM and CPC and argues that In any case, if Senator on what transpired between him not even the involvement of Lado didn’t contribute to the and governor Shema in the build one of the APC leaders, General success of Barrister Shema as up to the 2011 elections.

Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) the gubernatorial candidate of Lest we forget, our tough who hails from the state would PDP, how on earth could he journey in 2011 where the mere change the political equation (Lado) have been appointed as mention of Lado’s name sent of the state during next general member of the juicy Niger Delta jitters into the PDP camp, this election referring to 2015 polls.

Development Commission, reminds me of the Kama shi As a loyal member of PDP, NDDC. This is in addition to Lado slogan.

I want to use this medium to some key appointments given It’s a known fact that appeal to His Excellency not to the members of his group without the support of to allow such ‘uninformed’ including four cabinet positions the opposition and more authors to comment on what in the state. Remember, this is specifically that of the Senator they know nothing about Nigeria where winner takes all.

Lado group, Shema wouldn’t or what they were wrongly As for the argument that have return to the Katsina told, otherwise such so Lado sponsored that article, I government house. This was called supporters will only have my doubts, because he is echoed during the inauguration succeed in compounding known as a practicable strategist of the governors second term our problems. We should who talks less but act more. My on May 29, 2011. concentrate on consolidating appeal to those scampering for Another unsuccessful

WRITE TO US

our strength than to appear arguing foolishly on the pages of newspapers. That reminds me of another argument that the PDM is not in existence in Katsina, whoever key in to such arguments is only being unrealistic, and those of us who are on ground and grassroots politicians too know the reality.

It is a known fact that those of us in the PDP and PDM members are competing for the spaces of walls on residential buildings to display our party symbols. As I said the said author resides in Zuba, hence know nothing or little about what is going on in Katsina.

It is my candid opinion that all which was said in the earlier article which was published in LEADERSHIP Sunday of May, 11, 2014 was to say the least correct. As I said we should discourage such futile and embarrassing responses in future so as not to appear on the defensive. It is my view that those writing to promote the governor and attack opposition elements in the states are mere political jobbers who are nothing but arm chair analysts that can only compound our problems that solve them. Such people cannot be anywhere when the going gets tough. A word is enough for the wise.

Muhammad Lawal Dutsinma wrote in from Dutsinma, Katsina state.

Sharia trial of Iranian billionaire

By Yushau A. Shuaib

H

onestly and sincerely I never believed there is endemic corruption in developed countries including United States of America, especially in politics and corporate world, until I read thousands of comments after the execution of Iranian billionaire, Mahafarid Amir Khosravi, over N2.6billion bank fraud. The execution came after Iran's Supreme Court upheld death sentence on the billionaire based on Sharia Law. The media had reported that Khosravi, the billionaire businessman was executed at Evin Prison, North of Tehran for involving in a $2.6 billion state bank scam, the largest fraud case since the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Also known as Amir Mansour Aria, the billionaire’s fraud involved using forged documents to get credit at one of Iran's top financial institutions, Bank Saderat, to purchase assets including state-owned companies like major steel producer Khuzestan Steel Co. His business empire included more than 40 companies from mineral water production to a football club and meat imports from Brazil.

There are many defendants that were also convicted on the same case. Four received death sentences, two got life sentences and the rest received sentences of up to 25 years in prison.

The trial and execution raised

questions about corruption at high levels in various countries.

Surprisingly many comments and likes on the story on Social Media, especially in Yahoo platforms where from Americans, Britons and other Europeans who wish such harsh punishment could be applied in their nations to deter corrupt politicians and businessmen.

The comments show complicity of political and judicial systems for the rot in the financial system where many CEOs became overnight millionaire and billionaire, not by dint of hard work but by being acting above the law.

Some of the suggestions that received thousands of likes include a remark by a Briton that “CountryWide, Merrill-Lynch & a few other former CEO's should be sent to Iran for what they lied about... Frauds like theirs would stop overnight... instead, they get bonuses."

Another post states that "This is how we, in the USA, should have handled all of the scams that the banks did that caused our recession. Instead, Congress voted for a bill to bail those criminals out, and 'We the People' have to pay that bill (along with our children and grandchildren), all the while the top brass in those companies got bonuses, while a handful of them chose "patsie" to serve a little time in some golf resort community prison (not too bad since they all know that their big money awaits them upon their release for 'good behaviour').

Yup, if we could do the right thing and hang all of those criminals and the ones who support them (Congress), I bet we could get the USA back on track and out of debt. For once, I'm actually a fan of Iran."

Another American wrote that "Too bad we do not do that in the USA. In the USA the

crooks are in with the politicians and a lot of the times they are the politicians. I think a death penalty for fraud is a just penalty.

I wish they would have executed the wall street scammers and the pyramid schemers and the heads of companies that cook the books to defraud their employees of rightful retirement. Bernie Madoof should be hung along with any other convicted of fraud. The banking system in the USA defrauds innocent people every day and the government overlooks it. I do not agree with Iran's politics but I do believe in the justice carried out in this instance."

Back home in Nigeria. Few years ago, crooked bankers and capital market operators in connivance with some regulatory bodies destroyed thousands of people's lives when they crashed the capital market. They ruined the entire investments of growing up companies, pensioners,

The Iranian sharia system that has harsh punishment that could serve as major deterrent to corruption, cannot succeed in many countries because politicians and judges in existing political and legal system are deeply entrenched in the illicit practices and could therefore not make such system see the light of the day.

retirees and entrepreneurs. Many of their victims are yet to recover from the shock while thousand others who were reluctant to commit suicide died of heart attacks. Those that survive the devastating effect of the market have to start their businesses all over again from exorbitant interests on loans from shylock and corrupt financiers.

The Iranian sharia system that has harsh punishment that could serve as major deterrent to corruption, cannot succeed in many countries because politicians and judges in existing political and legal system are deeply entrenched in the illicit practices and could therefore not make such system see the light of the day.

If executions should be carried out on the basis of corruption in high places, we may end up not having officials at Federal, State and Local government levels. In fact traditional rulers, religious leaders, human right activists and even some school operators would have gone to heaven not to talk of contractors and politicians. I believe white collar crimes that ruin others’ lives require, at least, strict prison time and not any monetary fine that the perpetrators can easily offer and return to the old habit.

This should also include locals and international collaborators who deliberately trigger conflicts to benefit from the crises.

Yushau A. Shuaib via yashuaib@yahoo.com

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, May 27, 2014

Comment

PAGE 15

An array of ‘peace’ initiatives

By Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele

A

s globalization increases the movement of people, culture and ideas, managing diversity, ethnicity, religions, and security, social, political and gender mainstreaming will be the foremost challenge of any developing nation. It requires a positive vision of how plural societies thrive for harmonious co-existence. As the nation basks in the euphoria of the centenary celebration, it is a time of stocktaking, a time to reflect on how far the nation has come, a time to re-assess those reasons that held us together as a nation and those that divide us as a people. The global spate of terrorism across the world entered into our clime with kidnapping, rape, militancy, and most rudely, Boko Haram insurgency.

As President Jonathan said, “It is not about the next election, but about the next generation,” which happens to be the youths.

As for the mother of the nation, negative or positive issues of the nation rest more on her shoulders, and she feels the pinch more, even beyond our shores, as the President of African First Ladies Peace Mission. Knowing full well, that during wars, the attendant ravages of the fabric of the society, is brought to bear more on the women, Dame Jonathan deems it necessary and wise at this time of our national life and history to re-orientate, re-enact our cultural values and history, including the love for one another which will be bequeathed on the next generation of Nigerians.

The first lady, in conjunction with the Office of the SSA on Youths to Mr. President, came together in their drive to proactively engage the youths in a convivial and informal environment, irrespective of religions, party affiliations, and

tribes on the need to embrace peace. She is merely emphasizing that it is only through peace that the nation will reap the dividends of democracy and grow to become one of the foremost nations in Africa. This is pointing out our collective responsibility to engage, enlighten and inform the next generation of Nigerians what really went wrong and where we have failed, so as to reorientate, re-evaluate their mindsets, change their perceptions and build a new moral “CAN DO” mentality amongst our youths.

As a focal organ, AFLPM, has been in the business of advocating peace in the African continent, it behoves the First Lady to take a critical look and heed the saying, “charity begins at home,” to see how the gospel of peace can be spread in the country, so as to bring us closer more than ever before. That was why the concept of the National Youth Peace Concert, was a well thought out idea that not only preached and advocated peace, but also informed, educated and sensitized the youths on the dangers of vices, war and the negativity of being used as political thugs and puppets in the hands of mischief makers,

fifth columnists and political gladiators.

The Peace Summit with the theme; ‘Peace, Unity and Love for National Development,’ had in attendance an array of personalities and eminent Nigerians, who gave their lives to Nigeria in various fields and shared their life experiences with the youths on the importance of peace and harmony. General Gowon, topped the list with Pastor Enoch Adeboye, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, Sheik Abdulrahman Ahmad, (National Missioner of Ansarudeen), Chief Imam of Abuja Mosque, (Ustaz Musa Mohammed) and Imam Musa Olaofe (Imam Ansarudeen Central Mosque Abuja).

It was indeed a momentous event, when the General Gowon narrated and highlighted why he did everything possible to keep Nigeria one, in spite of the challenges and the desire by a few to split the country, which was also corroborated by the Christians and Muslims leaders.

They all agreed that the coming together of Nigeria was ordained by the Almighty God and that the youths should be drivers and builders of modern

day Nigeria, devoid of acrimony, strife and senseless bloodbath.

They all preached peace, amicable co-existence and charged the Nigerian youths to collectively work for the overall development of Nigeria, saying their future was in their hands.

The peaceful advocacy and razzmatazz was spiced up by notable musicians who were also present at the occasion as part of the youths, conscious of the fact that the youths can easily grasp the values taught through musical rhythms, accentuate with moral messages.

The First Lady in her speech, reeled out our rich history which captured time and time again, the value and contributions of our industrious, committed youths to the development of our dear country, saying that for the first time in Nigeria, we are strategically engaging and working with the youths, “because we believe they are the leaders of tomorrow.”

To drive the nation forward, she said that we must work handin-hand with the youths, so as to send the message and gospel of peace to other Nigerians and the grassroots.

Echoing that the success

The Peace Summit with the theme; ‘Peace, Unity and Love for National Development,’ had in attendance an array of personalities and eminent Nigerians, who gave their lives to Nigeria in various fields and shared their life experiences with the youths on the importance of peace and harmony.

General Gowon, topped the list with Pastor Enoch Adeboye, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, Sheik Abdulrahman Ahmad, (National Missioner of Ansarudeen), Chief Imam of Abuja Mosque, (Ustaz Musa Mohammed) and Imam Musa Olaofe (Imam Ansarudeen Central Mosque Abuja).

of the event bears an eloquent testimony to the importance the youths placed on this auspicious occasion, she praised their great commitment to the course of the Nigerian nation. Emphasizing it is our collective belief that real and durable democracy can only be achieved through the installation of basic democratic structures and the recognition of roles, which everyone has to play in promoting democracy and peace, she charged the Peace Ambassadors to be role models and to see themselves as change agents that will unite the country by loving one another and having respect for one other. She also highlighted the value orientation, the “Can-Do mentality” and the attitude that will rekindle the desired hope, yearnings, and aspiration of our founding fathers in irrespective of our differences in ideology.

According to the convener, Dame Patience Jonathan, the reasons for the concert is to convince the youths that the greatest resources are in the youth population and that through their active and full participation in governance, the country can surmount the challenges that lie ahead.

However, encouraging the youths and various stakeholders to embrace progress and recognize the various efforts made by government to address the economic, social, security, educational, cultural and spiritual needs of everybody, she said that “this interaction today, will empower the youths, carry all major stakeholders and actors along government policies, thereby bringing government closer to the people by providing access to information, so that they can take their rightful places as active agents in decision making and peace building mechanisms.

Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, is the Media Adviser to Nigeria’s First Lady.

Jajere Foundation: Reviving the lost sights

By Muhammad Al-Ameen

F

or decades, the people of Nyakire and zoto communities in Damagum local government area of Yobe state had lived with the superstitious belief that evil spirits were associated with the loss of sight in the communities.

Some of the villagers resort to herbs and orthodox medicine negating conventional treatment, others simply lost hope and waited for the ultimate end that is, loss of sight.

It was obvious that the people had suffered long ignorance arising from their traditional belief and so, that ignorance caused them a huge loss of this important and precious organ.

After such a long generational suffering, the end to this revered belief is obviously nearing an

end. These communities have now been scientifically diagnosed with infection of severe glaucoma and trachoma, courtesy of the free eye treatment sponsored by the Senator Abdulkadir Alkali Jajere foundation, in whose constituency these communities are situated.

It is amazing that in 21st century, it took so long for these communities to be relieved from this pathetic situation and, to have their sight treated and saved. According to Dr. Salman Rabiu, team leader of the specialists providing treatment to the communities, the dry weather, sandy winds and untreated water used by the people have been responsible for the twin diseases suffered by the villagers.

Dr Rabiu, regretted that many victims who lost their sights

years back would have been saved because, the cases were preventable and treatable when detected at early stage.

Dr Rabiu said "It costs about N50, 000 to treat one eye and, I believe with support from the Jajere foundation and other local and international NonGovernmental Organisations, a lot of people would have their eyes restored and saved from going blind" Although 1,200 people have recovered their eyes hundred others were out there waiting for another opportunity to save them from losing their sights.

In Damagum, it was a long queue, just as it was in Potiskum, Fika and Nangere with the patients receiving drugs, eye glasses while others were referred to General Hospital Potiskum for surgery sponsored by the

foundation. As it treats 1,200 patients at the four centres simultaneously for two days, it is necessary that other politicians who also benefitted from the people's mandate should emulate this gesture and pay the society back. The mass turn-out of people clearly demonstrates the people's determination to move away from the old tradition of using herbs and other forms of traditional treatment to embrace the conventional treatment provided by the foundation.

It is exciting to see old men and women discarding their walking sticks for a new productive life that is beneficial to them as individuals and the society at large. Similarly, school aged children who spend better parts of their lives as guide to their parents will have the opportunity to attend schools

for a prosperous future. It is therefore pertinent that other politicians and NGOs to come to the aid of these communities to stamp out this scourge, to give the communities a new lease of life and prosperous future.

Intervention from individuals such as this, will definitely compliment government efforts in meeting the needs and aspirations of the citizenry and, especially restoring the critical human organ such as the eyes.

Certainly, we can do more to save these people from their present predicament to give them a life full of hope and opportunities for the betterment of their Ives, the nation and humanity.

Muhammed AlAmeen can be reached on muhammedalameen437@ gmail.com

Peoples Daily, TUesday, MAy 27, 2014

PAGE 16

Foundation to disburse loans to support youths

‘AEPB’s revenue improves with EPDRIO’s support against quackery’

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

T

he acting director of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Mrs. Aishat Adebayo, has commended the Environmental Preservation Development and Restoration International Organisation(EPDRIO), for its impacts on the Board’s work, especially in the area of fight against quackery, which has improved its revenue generation capacity.

“Our revenue generation has improved and hotels are also making sure that their environment is properly sanitised,” Adebayo was quoted in a statement signed by the Board’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Samuel Musa.

According to the statement, she disclosed this when EPDRIO officials paid a courtesy visit to the Management of the Board.

It added that on the issue of quackery, the AEPB boss lamented that people don’t know the right chemical to buy or the quantity to use for fumigation.

“I charge the department of environmental health and safety to go out and make sure they remove quacks from the business and let us ensure that the people that do this work are registered and professionals that can deliver the services needed in that area,” she stressed.

It added that the Chairman of EPDRIO, Prince Sam Gbadebo, had earlier asked the Board to pay more attention to the issue of fumigation and pest control, in order to ensure environmental sustainability.

According to him, some people parade themselves as officials of AEPB, offering to carry out fumigation and pest control services for individual and corporate entities at ridiculous prices.

“We crave the indulgence of the board’s leadership to look into this for healthy partnership with the association,” he said.

Gbadebo however decried that members of the organisation are harassed by members of the public health department of the FCT Administration, insisting on regulating them and their activities in the area fumigation and pest control.

He added that the association would collaborate with the office of the FCT minister on Roll- back Malaria programme and other similar health issues by offering free fumigation of drainages in about four designated areas of Abuja.

A cross section of participants at the 2014 Teenz Global cultural competition for school children, at the weekend, in Abuja.

312 students participate in Teenz Global cultural competition

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

bout 312 secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), took part in a cultural completion organized by an Abuja based non-governmental organization, Teenz Global Foundation (TGF), aimed at promoting indigenous cultures and values among teenagers in the country.

The students, who were drawn from fourteen secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), took part in drama, cultural, dance presentation and quiz contests.

Students from: Junior Secondary School (JSS), Gwarinpa; JSS Asokoro, Divine Medicine Secondary School, Promise Child Secondary School, and Anglican Girls Grammar

School, all in Abuja, actively participated in the competition.

Speaking at the event, TGF founder, IjeomaIdika-Chima said the foundation is committed towards engendering love, peace, respect and harmony among Nigerian teens.

She decried that the influence of Western cultures are eroding the core values of Nigeria’s culture especially among the youths, who are the future leaders of the society.

According to her; “We want to promote indigenous languages among Nigerian teenagers; motivating schools and encouraging the teaching and learning of our local languages.

“Sensitizing parents on their role to ensure children speak and understand their mother tongues and celebrating the Nigerian languages as the symbol of our

cultural heritage.

“This is because a river that forgets its source would certainly dry up. This is what might become of us if we allow our culture to fizzle out while proffering other cultures.

“The Teenz Nigeria project is therefore a catalyst to changing the negative trend.”

One of the participants, Jayeola Emanuel, 15, from JSS Gwarinpa, said programmes like the TGF cultural competition for teens would help to preserve indigenous Nigeria cultures and values.

“Our culture is gradually being eroded. But I hope our local languages, cultures and traditions will be added to our curriculum like the French and English Language; so that we can learn more about our values as Nigerians,” the student stressed.

Mass transit: FCTA unveils 100 buses today

By Stanley Onyekwere

I

n a bid to enhance and drive home its transportation policy targeted at improving efficient transport system for the residents of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has concluded arrangements to launch additional 100 new Abuja Mass Transit Buses for the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO) today.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad

Sule, the commissioning of the additional high capacity buses is one of the key strides of the Transformation Agenda through the FCTA. It would be recalled that the FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, had sometime in March assured the residents of the Territory that his Administration would deliver 100 buses of the AUMTCO last April, 2014.

The minister reiterated that these additional 100 buses are also intended to improve its capacity and service delivery in

consonance with the dictates of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to him, the Abuja commuters are in for a new deal, as the commissioning of these new buses would further improve the transportation network of the entire 8,000 square kilometres of the Territory.

The statement added that remarked that these buses are being made available through the FCT SURE-P but driven by the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL).

non-governmental organisation, Taylors Foundation, said yesterday it had concluded plans to give loans to support youth entrepreneurship.

The founder of the organisation, Mr Winston Taylor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the loan was aimed at assisting youths affected by disasters and other societal problems to set up small scale businesses.

He said that the initiative was to help promote harmonious coexistence in communities plagued by poverty and other forms of injustices.

“We assist families who can take in a child or children into their family. We provide financial support and regular check and monitoring on all looked-after children’s education and progress.

“We also help to integrate ex-offenders back into the communities; we provide information on money and resources management,” he said.

Taylor said the foundation was working on giving youths skills to succeed through training and short courses in different areas of endeavour.

He said the foundation was working globally to build a future for the less privileged in the society; tackling issues affecting vulnerable children in society and promoting education and equality.

He also said the foundation, in collaboration with local communities, was tackling child slavery and victims of injustice and poverty.

“Beyond financial support, education grants and skills acquisition, the foundation facilitates collaboration with corporate bodies to achieve its objectives.’’

Taylor said the foundation was created out of strong desire to change the world for the better by providing humanitarian, legal and financial aid to victims of injustice and poverty.

“We protect lives, educate children and adults, provide resources and care; we provide stability and small loans for new beginnings,” he said. (NAN)

Peoples Daily, TUesday, MAy 27, 2014

PAGE 17

Metro

A wheelbarrow pusher on his way to eke out a living, yesterday at Apo, in Abuja

Isn’t this child abuse? An underaged girl hawking clothes, on Saturday at Waru village, in Abuja.

A Gbagyi woman carrying load in a traditional way, on Saturday at Waru village, in Abuja.

A young man hawking mangoes, on Saturday at Apo, in Abuja.

A local drummer entertaining guests during the commissioning of a Primary Health Care Centre, on Saturday at Waru village, in Abuja.

Photos: Mahmud Isa

PAGE 18

Peoples Daily, TUesday, MAy 27, 2014

Metro

Police arraign man for forgery

T

he police have arraigned a businessman, YamiKuru, 59, in a Senior Magistrate’ Court in Mararaba, for allegedly forging a letter-headed paper with the logo of the PDP. Kuru, who resides in No: 7, Johnson Street, Aso, Mararaba, is charged with forgery and cheating.

The prosecutor, PC Ibrahim Oloyede, told the court that Ms Grace David of Clown Grace School Mararaba, lodgeda report against the accused at the `A’ Division Police Station, Mararaba on May 13.

Oloyede said that the accused introduced himself as a PDP coordinator for transformation and dishonestly collected N175, 000 from the complainant.

The prosecutor said that the offence was punishable under sections 321 and 364 of the Penal Code.

The offence is punishable with imprisonment for a term of 14 years or with fine.

The accused however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Magistrate Jeremiah Danladi granted him bail for N200,000 with two sureties.

He ordered that the surety must be a civil servant not below GL 10 and must have traceable address within the court’sjurisdiction.

Danladi adjourned the casetill June 2 for continuation of hearing (NAN)

Vagrant bags 8 months’ imprisonment for stealing generator

A

n Abuja Grade 1 Area court, in Kado, Abuja, has sentenced a vagrant, Babangida Ahmadu, 37, to eight months imprisonment for stealing a generator.

Ahmadu of Mabushi, Abuja, was arraigned on a count charge of theft.

The Presiding Officer, Alhaji Mohammed Sadiq, however, gave the convict an option of N15,000 fine after he pleaded guilty.

“The punishment is to make him change his lifestyle from that of crime to being a good citizen,” he said.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Simon Ibrahim, told the court that the convict entered the complainant’s place of work and stole a Thermo Cool generator valued at N70,000; and during police investigation, the generator was recovered from Ahmadu.

Ibrahim said that one Ambrose Paul of Kaduna Road, Abuja, reported the matter at the Utako Police Station on April 28.

He also told the court that the convict was a first-time offender with no previous criminal record.

After the convict’s plea, the prosecutor urged the court to summarily sentence him under the Criminal Procedures Code.(NAN)

A woman frying chicken, yesterday at Gudu mechanic village, in Abuja.

Photo Joe Oroye

Bizman gets 6 months’ jail term for attempting to rape minor A n Upper Area Court, in Gwagwalada, Abuja, has sentenced a 35-year old businessman, Dantani Ibrahim, to six months in prison for attempting to rape a 12- year-old girl.

Ibrahim of Angwan Gede in Gwagwalada, was arraigned on a count charge of attempt to commit indecent assault.

The Judge, Alhaji Alhassan

Kusherki, who sentenced Ibrahim after he pleaded guilty to the offence, however, gave him an option to pay N30, 000 as fine.

Kusherki advised the convict to seek forgiveness from God. The Prosecutor, Insp. Martha Paul, had earlier told the court that the matter was reported at the Gwagwalada Police Station on May 10 by one Asabe Moses,

of Angwan Shanu.

Paul said the convict took the girl to the back of the nominal complainant’s house in an uncompleted building and wanted to have sexual intercourse with her.

She said that as soon as the convict saw Moses approaching his direction, he took to his heels and left the girl in the uncompleted building.

The prosecutor urged the court to try Ibrahim summarily under Section 157 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, since he had admitted committing the offence.

She said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 285 of the Penal code.

The convicthowever pleaded guilty to the charge and begged for leniency. (NAN)

Bizman docked for breaking into friend’s house

A

businessman, Luben John, 29, has appeared in a Grade 1 Area court, in Kado, Abuja, for allegedly breaking into his friend’s house and stealing.

John, 29, who resides in Gwazunu village, Suleja, Niger, is charged with two counts of housebreaking and theft.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Idi, told the court that on March 5, one Alhaji Yusuf Musa of No 1, 64 Crescent, off 69 Road, Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja, lodged a complaint against the accused at the Gwarimpa Police Station.

He said that the complainant reported that sometime between October and November 2013, he travelled abroad and returned in April, only to discover that the accused had broken into his house.

Idi told the court that the accused broke into the complainants two houses in Gwarimpa Estate and Citec Estate, in Life Camp area of Abuja.

The prosecutor alleged that the accused stole a 6.5 KV generator unit, five beds, four Samsung television sets, two over-head water tanks, four refrigerators, six

rugs and an Italian made set of chairs.

He said other items stolen by the accused were one unit of Samsung gas cylinder, a pumping machine, a pressure machine and 23 sets of shoes.

Idi told the court that during investigation, an HP desktop computer, a pumping machine, a complete car pot, burglary proof, a satellite dish and a set of home theatre were recovered from the accused.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the Penal Code;

adding that if found guilty, the accused is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than a year or an option of fine.

After the charges were read to John, he pleaded not guilty.

The judge, Malam Abubakar Sadiq, granted the accused with a reliable public servant not below GL 12 as a surety.

He ordered that the person must have a Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property in Abuja.

Sadiq adjourned the case to June 10, for further hearing. (NAN)

Theft: Kerosene seller facing trial over missing N22,200

A

kerosene seller, Bartholomew Almoda, is facing trialat an Upper Area court, in Karu, Abuja, for allegedly stealing N22,200 from his neighbour.

The prosecutor, Insp. Silas Nanpan, told the court that the accused’s neighbour, Malam Adamu Illiyasu, had lodged a report against the accused at the Nyanya Police Station on May 19.

Nanpan said the complainant reported that on the same day, he hid N22,200, being proceeds realised from his sales for the day, before going to the mosque.

“Before leaving for the mosque, the complainant who is a tomato seller covered his wares and told the accused that he was going for prayers.

“But when the complainant returned, and checked under

his mat, where he had kept the money, it was gone and the accused was nowhere to be seen,’’ he said.

The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to Section 288 of the Penal code.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Almoda, if convicted, is liable to seven years in prison or the option of paying a fine.

After listening to the charges, the accused who is charged with theft pleaded not guilty.

The presiding judge, Malam Hassan Ishaq, admitted him to bail in the sum of N20,000 and one surety in like sum.

He ordered that the surety must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 06, or a businessman.

Ishaq adjourned the case until June 19 for hearing proper.(NAN)

Page 19

Peoples Daily, TUESday, may 27, 2014

INSIDE

business@peoplesdailyng.com 08142929046/etuka2012@gmail.com/08066605655

Airtel Nigeria appoints northern regional operations director -Pg 21

L-R: Principal Partner, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, Chief Anthony Idigbe, Lagos state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Okey Wali, Acting Director General, National Pension Commission, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, and Keynote Speaker, Mr. Lord Mallock Brown, during the opening ceremony of the 8th Annual Business Law Conference of the NBA Section on Business Law (SBL), yesterday in Lagos.

Nigeria must embrace clean alternative energy–Tambuwal

By Umar Muhammad Puma

S

peaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has stresss the need for Nigeria to source for a clean, affordable and efficient energy for the development of the nation’s economy Tambuwal made the call yesterday while unveiling some eco-friendly transport and power generating products in Abuja.

The products which are a creation of BrightVue, a US based manufacturing firm, according to the Speaker are the ideal solutions to the current inadequacies been

suffered by Nigerians in areas of mobility and power generation. “what I’ve learnt from the company CEO is that it’s a clean energy, environment friendly and very affordable. And from the explanations he has offered, I believe we should have many more of these companies coming to Nigeria to address our search for energy. This will go a long way in supporting the efforts of the government in providing sustainably electricity to Nigerians”.

Earlier, in his remaks, Chairman, House Committee on Narcotics, Money Laundering

and Anti Corruption, Rep Jagaba Adams Jagaba, (PDP, Kaduna) told the gathering that the event was to herald a change in the nation’s quest to create a better life for the citizenry.

“This is an event I personally believe can change the course and lives of Nigeria and Nigerians. You are here to see the change that’s coming to Nigeria from across the borders of the United State”, he opined.

President of the company, Dr. Emmanuel Topson told the audience of efforts made by his team to reach out to the Federal Government in an attempt to fully

New boss vows to make NIPC gold standard, meet global best practices

By Clem Khena-Ogbena

T

he newly appointed Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Saratu Umar, declared yesterday that she was determined to make the Commission the gold standard of excellence and also meet global best practices in Africa and the world at large.

She stated this during her maiden interaction with members of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN), FCT-Abuja chapter, at the Commission’s corporate headquarters, in Abuja.

Umar added that full commitment to excellence and professionalism as well as collaboration and spirit of team work could help drive her new vision for the agency, Umar stressed, “I am fully

committed to excellence and professionalism. I believe in collaboration and team work.

My vision is to make NIPC the gold standard of excellence and international best practice on the continent and a world class investment promotion agency, comparable to any in the world”.

She noted that with NIPC saddled with the mandate to promote, coordinate and monitor all investments in Nigeria, the commision is strategic and relevant in the economic development of the country, stating, “This mandate is key to promoting economic growth, creating jobs and generating wealth for Nigerians”. She added that the commission must remain focused, while defining strategies for the greater achievements of the agency’s objectives.

The new NIPC boss reeled off

the pillars of her vision to include, among others: Sound Corporate Governance Practices, Effective Risk Management Framework, Appropriate Best-in-class IT Infrastructre, Enterprise -wide Performance Management System, Standardised Processes and Policies, An organised culture of “international best practices”and a high level of professionalism, Certification by the Internationl Standards Organisation (ISO) to attain process maturity and enhance NIPC’s service delivery, reliability and efficiency.

She further said while implementing its mandate, NIPC would support the National Industrial Revolution Plan, launched recently by President Goodluck Jonathan, adding, “We expect a massive rise in Nigeria’s measured GDP to increase the economy’s appeal to investors”.

domesticate the technology, he said would be the first of its kind in Africa.

“We have already submitted a proposal to the federal government to deploy 10 recharge/refill stations in every local government Area of the country. Apart from significantly improving rural energy access and improving the environment, this move will also provide at least 8,000 direct jobs in the recharge stations alone, another 200 jobs in the manufacturing plant, and an estimated two million jobs in downstream opportunities”, he said.

The products cut across mobility and power generation.

The electric motorcycle and bicycles are powered by rechargeable batteries that can also double as power generators, lasting seven days per single charge for the household. While the motorcycle is noiseless and faster than its counterparts using fuel, the bicycle can also be ridden using either manual pedaling system, or battery powered motion of 45 kilometers per hour, and a total capacity of over 200 kilometer life span per a single charge.

Remediation Issues: NEITI calls for speedy passage of PIB -Pg 20

Infrastructure: Bank hands over 65 mass transit buses to beneficiaries in Lagos -Pg 22 Exchange Rates

CBN as at 18th MAY, 2014 Buying

Selling

$

154.7

155.74

€

258.89

260.56

£

214.76

216.15

Riyal

41.26

41.52

YEN

1.52

1.53

CFA

0.30

0.32

Management Tip of the Day Limit constant communication to get more done

Y

ou might be surprised to hear that some successful executives deliberately limit their phone and email use. It’s not easy to manage a team by phone — though phone conversations are a fine way to broadcast simple information, thoughtful listening while on the phone can be challenging.

If you need to exchange and analyze ideas, you’re better off meeting in person, so try

holding your most important conversations face-to-face.

Also consider that some cognitive processes happen only when you step away from the frenetic responsiveness of email — and that your 24-hour availability might hamper your team’s initiative.

Weaker team members may rely on your responses, but you and your team will get more done if they work more autonomously.

Page 20

Peoples Daily, TUESday, may 27, 2014

Energy

Remediation Issues: NEITI calls for speedy passage of PIB

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Nigeria Extractive Transparency Initiative (NEITI) yesterday called on the National Assembly to intensify efforts towards the passage of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to permanently address the remediation issues in the oil and gas industry.

The Chairman, NEITI, Ledum Mitee who made the call at the Roundtable Meeting on the Remediation Issues in the Oil and Gas Industry Audit Reports said, the delay in the passage of the PIB was the major obstacle to the desired reforms in the oil and gas sector. “I therefore called on the National Assembly to expedite actions on the passage of the PIB as

well as recommend the participants at the Roundtable to work out a common approach towards refocusing attention on the need to pass the Bill.”

Mitee said, “We may, for instance, consider the option of calling for the unbundling of the PIB into separate Bills to ensure measurable progress in the passage of the needed reform legislations in the industry.”

He said, “for us at NEITI, we are convinced that implementation of this remediation plans is very critical to fixing the problems in our oil and gas sector. This is the reasons we are committed to the implementation of this remediation plan. We shall continue to work with all the relevant government agencies and other important

stakeholders to ensure that the remediation plan is fully implemented.”

The NEITI boss said, since Nigeria signed up to the global EITI initiative, NEITI has conducted and published four cycles of audit reports with profound revelations, identified government lapses and provided appropriate recommendations on how to fix the problems in the sector.

“Outstanding as these reports have been, the major challenge has not been with publishing audit reports but more on addressing remediation issues and implementation of findings and recommendations of these audit reports…our reports must attract the needed implementation backing,” he said.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, NEITI, Mrs Zainab Ahmed said, “this roundtable meeting was organised specifically to conduct a comprehensive review of key findings and recommendations of NEITI’s audit reports and other reports emanating from several committees and probes panels set up by the Federal Government in the oil and gas sector. This is with a view to examine salient issues in these reports, harmonise their similarities, and define a sound roadmap for necessary actions on their recommendations.”

The event was organised by NEITI in collaboration with the Revenue Watch Institute (RWI), Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and FOSTER/ DFID.

L-R: National Secretary, Integrated Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (IYEEP), Barrister Jack Tilley-Gyado, IYEEP National Coordinator, Comrade Nwoke Obinna, and Youth Trainer, Mr. Richard Kent, during the practical demonstration of equipment for sustainable empowerment of Nigerian youth, yesterday In Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

PHCN investors promise improved electricity service in Sokoto, Kebbi From Raji Bello, Sokoto

T

he company buying Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC) of PHCN, the Northwest Power Consortium has promised to improve in the service of power distribution to its customers.

Speaking in Sokoto while

conducting the new investors round the PHCN facilities, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of KEDC, Malam Idris Mohammed also tasked the staff to be committed in discharging their responsibilities until the firm is formally handover.

He promised that the taking over of PHCN by the new investors

would not doubt enhance transformation in electricity service deliver to the people of the states under the organisation.

Mohammed explained that the Northwest Power Consortium who won the bidding for KEDC has been able 25 per cent, adding that “the Kaduna PHCN unit however have put everything in readiness

to the period they would complete the remaining 75 per cent of payment.”

Also speaking, the representative of the North West Power Consortium, Barrister Abba Ahmad said their visit was to inspect the PHCN facilities in Sokoto and Kebbi states with a view to improving on them.

DPR arrests manager, 2 others over illegal engine oil manufacturing

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Abuja, announced it has uncovered and sealed an illegal engine oil manufacturing factory in Usubu village, near Kontagora in Niger state.

DPR discovered the factory during a routine inspection and monitoring led by its Zonal Public Relations Officer (PRO), Muhammed Saidu accompanied by security operatives.

The Security Operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Abuja led by ASP Ademola Oyasola, arrested the Manager and two other persons from the factory.

A statement by the Public

Relation Manager, DPR, Mohammed Saidu said the company was operating without approval from DPR as well as operating in an unsafe environment.

He explained that before anybody could engage in petroleum product business in Nigeria, he must be licensed by the DPR in accordance with petroleum industry law.

According to DPR’s spokesperson, the company was endangering the lives of the 38 women and children who it was exposing to dangerous chemicals without any form of protection.

Saidu said that the products of the company could not be anything of standard since its operations was illegal and not in line with industry

best practices.

He stated that DPR would put the products to its laboratory test to ascertain its composition and standard.

He however took time to educate the community of the health implication and environmental effects on the workers and the community at large as the product was likely to contaminate their source of drinking water.

“This factory remain sealed while investigation will be carried out to ascertain the source of their raw materials.

“The company produces two types of engine oil called Ribcon auto oil and zikon super engine multigrade oil.

“The activities of this company is illegal and it is also dangerous

to health of these innocent women and children it engaged,” he said.

The factory manager, while answering question from newsmen said that the company got approval from the standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Ambi also said that the company did not have licence from the DPR, saying that his boss, who was not in town applied for a licence.

The team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) led by an Assistant Superintendent, Mr Ademola Oyasola, arrested three persons from the factory.

The three persons arrested are the General Manager of the company, Mr Philip Ambi, the Sales Representative, Emeka Anatusi and Company Secretary, Mrs Grace Asilonu.

PTDF adopts new policy on payment of scholars’ allowances

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) yesterday said it has adopted a new system for the payment of the allowances of scholars who are studying in foreign Universities.

PTDF said it has about 605 scholars under its Overseas Scholarship, comprising undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels in various Universities abroad.

In a statement by its Head of Press and External Relations, Kalu Otisi, PTDF said, under the new policy, payment of scholar’s allowances which has been in foreign currency shall henceforth be made in Naira.

This became imperative as a result of difficulties experienced by PTDF in accessing foreign exchange due to its scarcity, and the high cost of processing foreign exchange. All these contributed to delays in the remittance of the scholar’s allowances.

The Executive Secretary, Dr Oluwole Oluleye who disclosed this during a monitoring visit to beneficiaries of PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme studying in the United Kingdom, said that effective immediately, payment of the quarterly allowances of PTDF overseas scholars shall henceforth be made via Naira Master card Accounts that will be prepared in the individual scholars name. He said the policy will affect ongoing and new scholars. “Please note that although the MasterCard is in Naira, you will be able to spend the pounds equivalent of your allowances in the UK at the government approved exchange rate”, he said.

He promised that the Fund will continue to do its best to provide the necessary incentives under the scholarship scheme for them to excel in their studies and return to Nigeria and contribute to the development of the various strata of the oil and gas industry. Already, he said the Fund has developed an initiative aimed at utilizing the potentials of its ex-PhD scholars in some of the activities of the Fund.

“This year, six of our exbeneficiaries took part in the PhD selection interview, while a number of them were also involved in the research grant competition as well as our previous induction programmes.”

Peoples Daily, TUESday, may 27, 2014

Page 21

ICT

Airtel Nigeria appoints northern regional operations director Stories by Chris Alu

A

irtel Nigeria, has announced the appointment of Mr Wole Abu as Regional Operations Director for its Northern Regions, in line with its commitment to develop local talents as well as create leadership opportunities for exceptional Nigerians.

He will be responsible for ensuring market leadership, driving brand engagement and preference as well as providing leadership for the sales force in

the Northern operations.

Abu comes into his new role with over 23 years of working experience, with skills built across various functions spanning Human Resource and Administration, Networks, Operations, Legal & Regulatory and Sales & Marketing.

He joined Econet Wireless Nigeria (now Airtel Nigeria) in 2002 as Facilities Manager in the Human Resources and Administration Department from where he was transferred into the role of Project Manager: Network

Implementation in the Networks Department.

As part of his attributes of taking new challenges, he was promoted and transferred into the role of Head of Division, Business Support and Regional Sales Manager in Celtel Nigeria and Zain Nigeria, respectively.

Abu has also played the role of Zonal Business Manager in both South and Lagos Regions of Airtel Nigeria.

Speaking on the new appointments, Segun Ogunsanya, chief executive officer and

managing director of Airtel Nigeria, said the appointments underline Airtel’s commitment to developing top Nigerian talents and also providing huge platforms for exceptional Nigerians.

“As an employer of choice in Nigeria, Airtel will continue to provide unique opportunities for top local talents to realize their full potentials. We are glad that some of the best local talents are driving the Airtel dream in Nigeria and across other Airtel operations in Africa.

The World-wide ICT infrastructure. the Internet is currently the most important driving force behind the transition from IT to ICT .

NIRA appoints Udeagu as COO

T

he Board of Directors of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) has named Mrs Edith Udeagu as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Secretary to the Board.

Mrs Mary Uduma, president of NIRA, said that Mrs Udeagu takes over from the acting COO, Mr Akinbo Cornerstone, who was seconded from the Board since July 2013, following the resignation of the erstwhile COO, Mr Opeoluwa Odusan.

Mrs Udeagu, have worked in various capacities and several committees in IT Department of CBN from April 30, 1990 till June 30, 2011 when she retired as Acting Deputy Director, Security Management Division, Information Technology Department.

As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Mrs. Udeagu promises to eagerly contribute her quota in reengineering the .NG registry to

boost the update by keeping to the best global industry standards in her new position as NIRA Chief Operating Officer and Secretary to the Executive Board, in addition to moving the brand higher in the near future with her wealth of experience in the IT industry.

A member of Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), ISACA, PMI and Ikoyi Club 1938; the Board is pleased to have Mrs. Udeagu head its Secretariat to move NIRA to next level of the organisation’s mandate.

There is too much Duplication in ICT skills, EntrepreneurshipExpert Prof.

Kenneth Adekalu, Director, Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has said that the major problem in ICT is that most technologies coming into the country are duplications or resemblance of things already

existing.

He stated this at the EduNet Conference hosted by Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Adekalu warned that Nigeria may not realize her Vision 20:2020; and transformation agenda if the policy instrument is not rejigged “There are no indigenous technologies to challenge the influx of the duplications. That is why we are harping on a situation that will give room for people to come up with indigenous technologies and build businesses around them, which is the best way to industrialize a nation,” Adekalu said.

Also speaking, Professor Francis Adesina, Director, OAU Institute for Entrepreneurship and Development Studies said that there are enormous challenges in Nigeria.

He said that “Things are not working the way they ought to.

For instance, Nigeria and Africa at large must learn from China

which in the ‘30s opened its doors to different markets, exposing the people to developmental models for the future.

“I am an advocate that we must get the policies right and build them towards the right directions. That is the primary way to support drives towards technology entrepreneurship.

Policies are not supposed to be static; rather they should be dynamic and responsive to contemporary issues.” He added.

Speaking on the Conference theme: “Fostering Technology Entrepreneurship in Nigerian Universities”, Professor Adeshola Aderounmu, director ICT centre of Obafemi Awolowo University, represented by Temitope Aladesanmi, head Internet Services at the ICT centre, called for building technology entrepreneurship ecosystem within the Nigerian University Community with key examples from the Israel Technology and Innovation Ecosystem.

ITU, ICTA collaborate to fight cyber attacks

I

n t e r n a t i o n a l Telecommunication Union and the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA), have collaborated with the aim of strengthening international cyber security preparedness.

The International Cyber Shield Exercise (ICSE) aims to bring together national Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) practitioners, senior government officials, cyber security experts, industry players and other stakeholder groups from ICT across the world under one roof.

ICSE 2014 primarily provided a platform for information sharing on key aspects pertaining to cyber security with particular emphasis on effective incident handling and international cooperation among the various stakeholders.

The cyber security expert’s workshops on Forensic Science and Investigation, Mobile Security and Standardization in Cyber security, and Child Online Protection (COP), participating national CIRTs engaged in a series of real-life cyber threat simulations to assess their incident handling capability.

“We are living in a hyper connected world where we remain as strong as our weakest link,” said Hamadoun I. Touré, ITU secretary-general.

“We will continue to work towards building a global movement for global cyber security. In order to meet this goal, we need the right tools and measures not only to protect ourselves but also to test the effectiveness of our cyber security armour.”

“The cyber drill in Turkey provided a specialized platform for technical experts from CIRTs to acquire more knowhow and to test the capabilities attributed to their CIRTs through simulation-of-attack scenarios,” said Brahima Sanou, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau.

“Attack simulations aim to assist countries in developing and implementing operational procedures in response to various cyber incidents, and to identify future planning and process improvements.”

“Bringing together national CIRTs, key cyber security stakeholders and industry experts at the same venue allows countries to grasp the importance of publicprivate partnership as an integral part of the international network in the fight against cyber threats,” said Datuk Mohd Noor Amin.

Peoples Daily, TUESday, may 27, 2014

Page 22

Business

Infrastructure: Bank hands over 65 mass transit buses to beneficiaries in Lagos

By A’isha Biola Raji

F

ormerly known as Urban Development Bank of Nigeria Plc, The Infrastructure Bank Plc has presented to beneficiaries in Lagos, 65 buses, aimed at easing the transportation challenge.

The bank was established in 1992 under decree No. 51 of the 1992 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Infrastructure Bank Plc is Nigeria’s dedicated infrastructure bank providing financial solutions to support key long term infrastructure projects, including transportation infrastructure, municipal common services, mass housing and district development, solid waste management and water provision, and power and renewable energy projects.

With a unique ownership structure, the Infrastructure Bank Plc is majority owned by the private sector but also has the Federal Government, State Governments and Local Governments as well as the Nigeria Labour Congress as shareholders. The Bank is thus a government sponsored but private sector led development finance institution.

At the presentation ceremony of the vehicles, the bank said it has recovered 95 per cent of the N10.5 billion loans it granted under the first phase of the Public Mass Transit Revolving Fund (PMTF).

Mr Adekunle Oyinloye, the Managing Director, disclosed this at the official hand-over ceremony of 65 the mass transit buses worth N800 million to beneficiaries in Lagos at the weekend.

He said that the recovery of the loans had grown the mass transit revolving loans base to N15 billion.

Oyinloye said that the bank was already working on ways to recover the remaining five per cent through effective risk management system.

He said that the bank, as the fund manager of the PMTF Scheme Two, was working in collaboration with Subsidy Re-investment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), the financier of the Scheme Two. Oyinloye admonished beneficiaries of the Scheme Two not to regard the buses

From left: Executive Director, Infrastructure Bank plc. Mr. Hakeem Olopade, member SURE-P committee, Col. Abdulmumini Aminu (rtd), Managing Director, Infrastructure Bank plc Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye, Deputy Chairman, SURE-P Mrs. Tanwa Olusi at the presentation of mass transit buses to beneficiaries by SURE-P and Infrastructure Bank plc in Lagos

Some of the 65 mass transit buses donated to beneficiaries by sure-p and Infrastructure Bank plc in Lagos

as “political largess”.

He said that the government had to change the five per cent interest rate per annum under the Scheme One to zero per cent interest under Scheme Two. According to him, the bank expects beneficiaries under the Scheme Two to pay on time because of the zero interest rate.

The bank chief said that the buses were to be fully paid for in order to sustain the scheme, which he described as “laudable and people-oriented”.

Oyinloye stressed that it was only through prompt repayment that more Nigerian road transporters could

benefit, warning that the bank would not tolerate any default by beneficiaries.

He said that under the Scheme Two, every beneficiary had to collaterise their loans to ensure recovery of the facilities.

“There is a risk management framework around the scheme, so every beneficiary has to collaterise what he has taken one way or another.

“If we morally persuade them and it does not work on time, we will consider the next step to get our money back because the money belongs to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“It is meant for the

masses because for other beneficiaries to benefit, previous beneficiaries must pay back,” Oyinloye said.

He that the aim of PMTF was to enhance national transport services through the Federal Government resources under the SURE-P. “I can tell you that from the offices of LAMATA, Transport Ministry to LAGBUS, everybody is indeed happy with the presence of our buses on the streets.

“I wnt the public to know that this is not the first time Lagos is benefiting from the scheme. Since 2010 when the first scheme started, a lot of our buses ply Lagos

roads.

Oyinloye said that under the SURE –P initiative in 2012, a bulk of the 680 buses came to Lagos through a partnership with Lagos Ministry of Transport.

He also said that each of the buses would provide employment to at least four people through shift operations.

Dr Fatima Adamu, the SURE-P Convener for Mass Transit Sub-Committee, said that the buses were brought to Lagos because of the significance of Lagos to the nation’s economy.

Adamu said that the success level of the scheme in Lagos would provide sustainable framework for its implementation across the country.

She also said that in addition to the activities of PMTF, SURE-P was deploying efforts in road development and maintainace in Lagos.

“Of course, the whole SURE-P is not about bus projects, but other things are in the offering for Lagos.

“Every Nigerian is expected to benefit from SURE-P, irrespective of the politically affiliation because the SURE-P money belongs to Nigerians,” she said.

Adamu said that under SURE-P initiative, government had earmarked N15 billion for mass transit programme.

According to her, SURE-P also has plans to purchase 5,000 buses to be distributed to all the states.

She said that the government employed private-public partnership to safeguard the money in the delivery of the services embarked upon.

The convener said that The Infrastructure Bank had not relented in its efforts to make sure that the loans were recovered from beneficiaries.

She said that the current regime understood the importance of Lagos to the development of the nation, adding that this was reason government considered the state.

Three corporate beneficiaries under Phase Two of the PMTF Scheme are to run the buses under the LAGBUS franchise.

The beneficiaries are Safetrip, Safexkways and the Green Line Company.

Peoples Daily, tuesDAY, may 27, 2014

Stock Watch

Report as at Monday, May 26, 2014

PAGE 23

Peoples Daily, Tuesday, May 27, 2014

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Special Report

Saving mothers’ lives through ante-natal counselling From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

A

ccording to Safe M o t h e r h o o d website, most often in developing countries, a woman dies from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth on a rate of one woman per minute. That translates to 515,000 women, at a minimum, dying every year.

The Website added that nearly all maternal deaths (99 percent) occur in the developing world, making maternal mortality the health statistic with the largest disparity between developed and developing countries.

New Born babies are also under going this terrible fate, anencephalic babies that suffer from this die days or weeks after birth.

For every woman who dies, 30 to 50 women suffer injury, infection, or disease. Pregnancy related complications are among the leading causes of death and disability for women age 15 to 49 in developing countries.

When a mother dies, children lose their primary caregiver, communities are denied her paid and unpaid labour, and countries forego her contributions to economic and social development.

A woman’s death is

more than a personal tragedy.

It represents an enormous cost to her nation, her community, and her family. Any social and economic investment that has been made in her life is lost. Her family loses her love, her nurturing, and her productivity inside and outside the home.

More than a decade of research has shown that small and affordable measures can significantly reduce the health risks that women face when they become pregnant. Most maternal deaths could be prevented if women had access to appropriate health care during pregnancy, childbirth, and immediately afterwards.

The report by the same website said approximately 4 million newborn infants die during the first month of life, and an additional 4 million are stillborn. Most of these deaths are due to infection, asphyxia and birth injuries, and complications of premature birth.

It stated that Low birth weight contributes to newborn death in about 40 to 80% of cases. Nearly all of these newborn deaths occur in developing countries, and most of these deaths can be prevented if good quality is available.

With the rising survival rate of premature babies, it becomes increasingly important for mothers to consider all options.

A nurse administering drugs to women at a Primary Health Care Centre in Kaduna.

Some pregnant women under-going medical check-up

The report by the website showed why United Nations set aside a 22 May of every year to celebrate mothers worldwide. This very important day was tagged “Safe motherhood day” which means a day set aside globally to ensure

that all women receive the care they need to be safe and healthy throughout pregnancy and childbirth period.

Nigeria too joined the world to celebrate the safe motherhood week where, as part of the activities of the day, pregnant and nursing

mothers attended hospitals for free Ante-Natal care and child spacing counseling. Drugs were also given to patients free of charge, particularly in Kaduna State.

National Urban Reproductive Health Initiative NURHI in

“

their rights, which is why I do give them the drugs to use. I also have some women from a particular tribe who said they are not allowed to do child spacing but they still come to collect their cards and hide it from their husband A cross section of nursing mothers at a Primary Health Care Centre, Unguwar Rimi, Kaduna

collaboration with Kaduna State Ministry of Health organized such at primary health care in the state metropolis.

As Unguwar Rimi Primary Health care in Kaduna North Local Government Area of the state Pregnant women were seen in large number attending ante-natal and child Spacing counseling.

Nurses were seen busy educating the mothers on what they are expected to do during the pregnant period.

Mrs Bathsheba Halid, Reproductive Health Coordinator safe motherhood for the Federal Ministry of Health in the state spoke at length about the day, saying it is a date set aside to commemorate motherhood care in the state by creating awareness on what the government is doing with regards to protecting women lives, particularly mothers.

According to her, many women died during child birth therefore the day emerged in a meeting in Cairo in 1987 due to the global trend of women that

are dying.

She added that the day was set aside to educate women and the people on what to do to safe pregnant women from dying and what government can do in that regards. .

On what they intend to achieve by celebrating the day , Mrs Bathsheba said at the end of the exercise they intend to achieve massive awareness by educating general public, especially women on the importance of attending ante-natal and how to take good care of their children.

“We also intend to talk about child spacing because it is important for the woman to rest atfer each pregnancy so as to remain healthy enough to take another pregnancy.

In Kaduna state alone they said one in every 12 women die during pregnancy complications which is quite a big number. We have one of the highest rates in the country.

“Kaduna has the highest rates of maternal mortality in North West.

We also have drugs which we give to the woman to mark this year event free of charge,” he said.

Ladi Haruna Metro in charged of Primary Health Care Unguwar Rimi described the day as a special day because free Ante-Natal service and Child Spacing counseling were given to pregnant women.

According to her, every month during antenatal the clinic used to have about 400 pregnant women but that had increased on the day of safe motherhood week.

She attributed the inability of pregnant women to go for antenatal to personal reasons, saying some men were responsible because they always tell their wives that ante-natal is not important which is not true.

“Part of the method used to sensitize such pregnant women was home visit. We do counsel as well as advice the women to always come to the clinic during their pregnancy period and for child spacing counseling too.

“The child spacing help the women to rest before taking in again at least the space should start from two years. We always have good turn up from unguwar Rimi residents

and from neighbouring villages of Chikun Local government area.

“When a woman takes in with a little child in her hand she cannot take care of the home properly, neither wilkl she be able to take care of her husband nor herself. So child spacing is very important for the whole family,” she advised.

Also Staff Nurse Hassana Baba Nok; a Family Planning Provider trained by National Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) on Child Spacing shared same view with the nurse Ladi.

She stated that at the beginning she lacked full knowledge of child spacing until when NURHI took her for training where she was taught on important of Child Spacing such as how to counsel her clients and the new method.

The new method she explained include in plant, saying “ Child spacing help women to give space among their children, it makes the women very healthy before the next pregnancy and it will also give her the strength to take care of other children. So it’s very important for her and the

entire family members,” she said.

On the challenges encountered, if any, she said “We don’t have much challenges because the drugs were given to us by NURHI free of charge.

Some of the challenges we have come from the men who are always against their wives going for child spacing.

“So as women they do have their rights, which is why I do give them the drugs to use. I also have some women from a particular tribe who said they are not allowed to do child spacing but they still come to collect their cards and hide it from their husbands.

“Some of them do bring their husbands along for counseling and we counsel them very well because the backbone of child spacing is counseling. So that they have information for them to make a good choice.

“This is important because they have misconceptions about child spacing, there has been romour about child spacing but when you give them proper counseling it will clear the romour and conceptions they have in their heads.

“There are also some men who complained that they are interested in child spacing but their wives are not. So all these are challenges we faced. NURHI has really intervened because they assisted me in providing all necessary support for such a people,” she said.

On the side effect of the drugs, she said it depends on the individual taking it because some women after using the drugs may have irregular menstruation while some don’t have.

“Those that complain of the drug making them to increase size I told them it’s not the drug but rather it is the rest of mind they have of not getting pregnant that is responsible for their increase in size.

A housewife who didn’t want her name mentioned said child spacing is good because it gives women chance to rest before the next pregnancy, adding that It help a woman health wise.

“The situation in the country led to child spacing.

When you have few children you will be able to train them better but when the children are much it will be difficult to take good care of them.

“I have three children and there are gaps between them, my first child has six years, the second four years and the third three years gaps, respectively. We have a very good understanding with my husband. As you can see I am very healthy. I am 47 years old but people hardly believe me when I told them,” she said.

Another housewife who also spoke on condition of anonymity said child spacing is very important, particularly help wise.

“It’s important because it help us health wise. I do counsel my husband on its importance too. Sometimes we do counsel our men on the importance of child spacing,” she said.

She said the drugs have no effect on her as she enjoy taken them. No doubt, the intervention of NURHI has contributed so much towards creating awareness on the importance of antenatal and child spacing in Nigeria, Kaduna in particular.

Peoples Daily, tuesday, may 27, 2014

Page 26

Feature

Housing the Nigerian worker in Abuja

By Okachikwu Dibia

I

t was in a national daily that I saw an advertisement titled: “OWN A HOUSE WITH YOUR RENT” published by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) through the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in collaboration with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). On inquiry I was told that the FGN will be building, in the next one year, five bedroom duplex, four bedroom duplex detached, four bedroom duplex semi-detached, three and two bedroom flats to be acquired by public and private sectors workers resident especially in Abuja for N46m, N38m, N34m, N12.42m and N10.44m respectively.

Interested workers would make a down payment of 30% for the N46m, N38m and N34m category and 10% for the N12.42m and N10.44m category. It is also required that the worker must be contributing to the Pension Fund ( recall that the Bureau of Public Enterprises had reformed the pension sector through the Pension Reform Act of 2004 and the sector since then has accumulated over N3 trillion as at December 2013).

As a public servant living in Abuja, I know that the following corresponding staff categories to these houses are the Minister, Permanent Secretary or Director General for the N46m; Directors, Deputy and Assistant Directors for N38m and N34; Senior staff for N12.42m and Junior staff for N10.44m.

While I agree that it is a good policy intervention on the part of the FGN especially now that election is around the corner, I seriously contemplate its success at reaching the target. The first and most crucial issue is how a normal public servant can make the required down payment given his/her meager salary. Using myself as an example, as a Deputy Director with about ten years to retirement, it is near impossible for me to raise either N11.4m for the down payment of a house costing N38m or N10.2m for the N34m house because my entire annual salary which includes rent is less than either of these down payments. Truth is that I need the house because I do not have any and I am qualified to have one. But the crucial problem is: payment of 30% or 10% down payment to acquire a house in Abuja based on the “OWN A HOUSE WITH YOUR RENT” intervention. So from where do I raise the almighty down payment? Except staffers who earn other forms of money outside their salaries (and this is one reason public servants take seriously the issue of travelling and travelling allowances, it is a do-or-die matter in public institutions in Nigeria), I bet the government that no public servant who decently and sincerely rely on his/her salary can afford the down payment and that is the end of the

Mpape slum in Abuja matter for him/her. Policy finish!

Another issue with this type of intervention is that most times government do them in a hurry.

As far as I am concerned, most housing policies over the years failed because policy makers have not been patient enough to find out why the past housing policies failed and guide against that in the coming one.

Also, what about the prices for the houses: are they not too high given the salary package of the Nigerian public servant?

The house prices should be in tandem with the salaries that would fetch them, otherwise it may not succeed. The argument that social houses do not befit Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city does not gel because in advanced countries social houses are of better quality compared to the houses lived today in Abuja and Lagos by Nigeria’s rich class. But the private developer will not agree because he wants to make surplus and exorbitant profit.

Government should have checked this if it holds strongly the idea of high quality social houses for Nigerian workers.

As a corollary, let me also say that the prices are so high so that the average public servant would be frustrated from having access to the houses, and as such, the National Assembly members who have thousands of millions would simply buy them up as they have done and are still doing in several such interventions by the Federal Housing Authority within Abuja metropolis. That socially intended houses are bought over by the so called rich in Abuja negates one of the essential reasons for government as enshrined in section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

How could the instant intervention take care of the

repayment period? It gives 1520 years period to repay the balance after down payment. So it may be drastically difficult for public servants who have less than 15 years to retirement to access the facility. This is surely discriminatory and would force people to belong by all means im/ possible. If it must be based on rent, my annual rent, for example, cannot repay the balance of the cost of the house in 10 years.

For this nice-on-paper intervention to succeed, the FGN should quickly suspend this show and seek for a detailed study, in three months time that could determine why the previous housing interventions failed in Abuja in the last 10 years. The study should also capture staff who are yet to have a house of their own through any government housing policy or intervention.

Government should refocus the idea around social responsibility instead of business. This is true because government has a lot of business in social responsibility and no business in business.

It needs to target building of quality houses financed by government that should recover at most 50% of its cost. Sources of finance: government should close at least 10% of all avenues through which billions of Naira are stolen daily ( unaccountable crude oil sales, crude oil theft, fuel subsidy theft, contract inflation, National Assembly’s too high and unrealistic remuneration, defense budget that hardly defend Nigerians etc).

Government should also divorce this intervention from the 2015 elections so that its focus and implementation would not be encumbered with political pressures.

It has been a common

Public servants can’t afford houses in the City of Abuja knowledge that the contributory pension fund has accumulated over N3 trillion in the accounts of the primary mortgage institutions. A good portion of this amount should be used to support the critical yet difficult down payment requirement. This down payment requirement is the crux of the matter.

What is government doing with the monthly contribution by public servants to the National Housing Fund (NHF)? Over 1,107,000 public servants (see Malam El-Rufai, 1st October 2011 at www.nigerianvillagesquare. com) work in Federal Civil Service contributing a monthly average of at least N500 to the NHF. This gives about N7 billion annual contributions.

What has the NHF done with this money? Nigeria’s housing deficit is still estimated at about 17 million houses to cost N56.9

trillion according to the World Bank. So to what extent, on yearly basis has NHF been able to reduce this colossal deficit? I have been contributing since I joined the public service in 2007, yet I do not have any house of my own; because I cannot pay any 10% or 20% or 30% down payment to any of the private developers trouping to my office to market their houses. This NHF contribution should be available for the almighty down payment and indeed the balance and thereby gradually reduce the housing deficit. Not doing anything about it and merely waiting for foreign investors to provide the funds to eliminate the deficit is a wild dream.

Okachikwu Dibia contributed this piece from Abuja, okachikwudibia@ yahoo.com

Peoples Daily, tuesday, MAY 27, 2014

Page 27

Feature

Eradicating polio through local women in India

By Vikas Pandey

A

few years ago, India accounted for half the world’s cases of polio.

Today it is officially clear of the disease. This remarkable feat is largely down to an army of women who, one step at a time, have crisscrossed the country on foot to give the under-fives polio vaccines.

Sita Devi is one of India’s “polio aunties”. The 57-year-old often walks miles in the searing heat to find children in remote villages and communities who need vaccinating.

She is one of the hundreds of thousands of women working in Aanganwadis - health care centres - in India which provide free basic services to those who cannot afford to pay.

They are part of the Pulse Polio Initiative that was started in 1995 with the aim of eradicating the disease from the country.

Since then, 12.1 billion doses of polio vaccine have been administered here.

In 2006 India still accounted for half of all global cases of polio - but earlier this year it recorded three years without a new reported case.

This achievement allowed the World Health Organization (WHO) to finally declare its entire South East Asia region polio-free.

But now Ms Devi is worried.

She doesn’t know if she can persuade the families she works with in the rural areas around Allahabad in northern India to have their children immunised again.

She airs her concern at a morning meeting of Aanganwadi workers in one of Allahabad’s regional health offices.

It’s 45C (113F) outside and a rusty fan isn’t doing much to cool the room down.

Ms Devi’s worry is partly down to the success of the eradication programme - the next round of immunisations is due in June but many families do not see the logic in repeated vaccinations now that India is polio-free.

“This is a new problem. We must deal with it carefully so that people understand why we are giving the anti-polio drops,” she tells Rajesh Singh, the regional health officer.

As a chorus of similar worries erupts, Mr Singh encourages the Aanganwadi workers to tell the families regular immunisation is important to keep the disease away.

He has to speak loudly to be heard among the debate and the creaking of the fan.

But his pep talk seems to work as the women enthusiastically

Aanganwadi workers play a crucial role in India’s fight against polio prepare to leave for their respective areas.

“These women often cover more than 500 houses a day and they walk for miles. It’s not money that drives them. These women work tirelessly because they feel committed to the cause,” Mr Singh explains.

After the meeting Ms Devi steps out into the heat of the day and walks to the main road to find a public bus.

As we move slowly through the traffic towards a slum area, she says she mostly works in poorer areas to educate families about polio.

I immediately signed up because I had seen how this disease destroys life” Money was never her motivation, she says.

Aanganwadi workers earn less than a pound on every visit to a field area, in addition to a

monthly salary of just 4,000 rupees (£40).

But she has seen the impact of polio first-hand. She watched her own nephew grow up with the disease, unable to walk or manage basic activities.

“In 1998, I heard about the Polio programme and asked the local health centre if they could treat my nephew. But they told me that the immunisation would only prevent the disease,” she recalls.

It was a terrible disappointment that they couldn’t help him, but it made her decide to join the fight against polio.

“I immediately signed up because I had seen how this disease destroys life. One family member always had to be with my nephew and we could never go out as a family.

“He has grown up now but still faces difficulty in moving around because India is not a disability-

India’s Pulse Polio Initiative started in 1995 and in 2014 India recorded three years without a

friendly country,” she says.

‘Polio aunty’ When we reach our destination, Ms Devi points out the lack of basic facilities like sanitation, electricity and even drinking water - typical of many Indian villages.

As she moves from house to house, I started to understand how the programme succeeded in the daunting task of eliminating the disease in a country of more than a billion people.

Her friendly nature helps villagers open up about their lives and problems “It is easier for people to trust me once they have shared some details about themselves with me.

“After speaking about their lives for a while, I can explain how they can protect their children against polio, which would be an additional burden to them,” she explains.

As she walks through the slum, the children run barefoot after her, calling out to “polio aunty” for more sweets.

The high corruption levels in India make it difficult for people to trust government initiatives but Ms Devi insists that the Polio programme is different.

One family is not keen on immunising its young ones, so she brings out the vaccination kit and explains how the drops are safe from contamination in the cool box.

She gives the children chocolates before she carries on.

“I often get tired walking for eight to 10km [four to six miles] in

the blistering heat to reach them.

“But I will continue to work as long as my health allows,” says Ms Devi, smiling as she watches me wipe the sweat off my brow.

Her story is typical of many Aanganwadi workers who travel for miles to reach the areas they work in.

One of her colleagues, Ritu Tripathi, works 70 kilometres (41 miles) from home and stays away during the week.

She only sees her two young children on weekends, with her mother taking care of them in her absence.

It w o u l d be nic e if t he government pays us more for our efforts, but even if they do not, I will continue to work.”

“I cannot afford to travel by train very often and would rather invest my energy in the anti-polio campaign and other welfare programmes run by the government.”

Poor wages are a real problem for the workers, and earlier this year there were Aanganwadi strikes in parts of India - but it was business as usual in her area.

By late afternoon I was exhausted from following Ms Devi as she works, and can barely imagine maintaining this routine every day for years.

But she is determined not to give up.

“We have fought hard to beat polio. But we cannot afford to rest if we want to remain free from the disease.”, says Devi.

BBC.com

PEOPLES DAILY, Tuesday, may 27, 2014

Page 28

Agriculture

Jigawa constructs 50 windmills

T

he Jigawa Government has said that it had constructed 50 windmills to facilitate the provision of water at grazing reserves in the state in the last seven years.

Alhaji Rabiu Isa, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, said this while fielding questions with newsmen in Dutse.

Isa said the facilities were constructed at various grazing reserves across the 27 local government areas of the state.

The commissioner said the project was aimed at curtailing the rate of conflicts between herdsmen and farmers over grazing lands.

According to him, the state government will also provide additional 30 windmills in other locations for herdsmen.

“Jigawa is the only state in the federation that has provided such facilities.’’

He said the gesture would boost livestock production as herdsmen could now feed and water their animals with ease.

(NAN) Windmill power project

T

Results show Africa can eradicate Striga – ISMA

I

mproved technologies being promoted by the Integrated Striga Management for Africa (ISMA) project have shown promise that Striga—a parasitic weed that destroys cereal and legume fields—can be eradicated from Africa.

Infesting up to 4 million hectares of land under maize production in sub-Saharan Africa, Striga causes farmers yield losses of up to 80% representing about US$1.2 billion, and affects approximately 100 million people in the continent.

In the last three years, the ISMA project has deployed an integrated approach for managing Striga while improving soil fertility and reducing the Striga seed bank for sustainable increases in crop yields in some selected communities in Nigeria and Kenya. Specifically, these included cultural practices such as intercropping maize with legumes (soybean and groundnut); crop rotation of maize with soybean; a “pushpull” technology that involves intercropping cereals with Strigasuppressing Desmodium forage legume; using Striga-resistant maize and cowpea varieties; using maize varieties resistant to Imazapyr (IR)—a BASF herbicide (StrigAway®) which is coated on the maize seeds and which kills the Striga; and adopting Striga biocontrol technologies which uses a Striga host-specific fungal pathogen.

Dr David Chikoye, IITA Director for Southern Africa, said results from the project showed that the battle against Striga could be won.

‘We will eradicate Striga in Africa just as America did,” he said at the Annual Review and

Maize farm damaged by Striga Planning Meeting of ISMA in Abuja held 21-23 May. IITA Deputy Director General for Research, Dr Ylva Hillbur, in her opening remarks called for concerted efforts from partners to tackle the Striga challenge.

Over 70 stakeholders gathered in Abuja for the 3-day annual event which sought to evaluate the successes, challenges, and opportunities of the project, identify gaps, and plan how to implement the decisions to successfully scale out Striga management technologies to rural farmers in the next coming year.

Dr Mel Olouch, ISMA Project Manager, said “We have established partners and stakeholder capacity in Kenya and Nigeria and installed Striga seed processing facilities in Kenya;

Agriculturist urges FG to provide facilities to encourage private investments

awareness is high. Already, registration of the herbicide has been achieved in both countries and we expect to release two IR maize varieties in Nigeria in 2014.’’

He said that some of the scaling up approaches that need to be adopted include the use of volunteer farmers to reduce costs and increase ownership, and use of complementary inputs and empowerment of stakeholders to give farmers the best technologies.

The Senior Program Officer for Agriculture Development of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr Yilma Kebede, in his address, looked at future plans for the project while expressing that the project is close to reaching farmers and addressing their concerns/problems due to

Striga. He emphasized that there needs to be concerted efforts to profile the farmers reached such that the take-home message will be sustainable for them in the long run.

“Demonstrations need to be focused and there is greater need to engage a wide range of stakeholders in controlling Striga.

The various institutions involved should synergize to promote the project and scale out to farmers because no one partner will be responsible for the success of the technologies in the end,’’ he said.

Project partners include CIMMYT, AATF, icipe, Bayero University, KNARDA, BSADP, seed and chemical companies, extension workers, Scientists and the private sector.

Source: IITA

he Director of Joval Processors, Ibadan, Mr Sanni Ganiyu, on Monday urged the Federal Government to ensure that necessary facilities that would enhance agricultural production were put in place.

Ganiyu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that with adequate infrastructure the the private investors in agriculture would operate effectively and contribute to the nation’s food security.

He said that for now, inadequate infrastructure was a major challenge facing agrobusiness.

The Director of the company that engaged in general agricultural except livestock said that government should provide basic infrastructure to ease production and movement of farm produce. ``Government should intensify efforts aimed at providing basic amenities needed to promote agro-business. ``Crops can be grown commercially with the aid of equipment and these equipment cannot function without electricity. ``Also, by providing basic facilities, it will attract more private investors to venture into the agriculture business,” Ganiyu said.

According to Ganiyu, electricity and access roads should be given urgent attention to help the sector.

He said that private sector investment in agriculture could enjoy a boost with availability or developed infrastructure such as silos and electricity supply to enable storage.

He added that development of access roads from the rural areas to urban centres where most farm produce were demanded could also increase private participation in agriculture development nationwide. (NAN)

Agric Minister, Akinwumi Adesina

PEOPLES DAILY, Tuesday, may 27, 2014

Page 29

Agriculture

Boosting cotton production in Nigeria

By Huseyn Mbar

T

he Federal Government in September 2012 released N54 billion to boost mass production of cotton in the country.

A stakeholders’ workshop was also held in Kaduna, where experts brainstormed on how to revive moribund textile industries in the country.

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the workshop, said that 200,000 hectares would be acquired for the cultivation of cotton.

The president also directed that improved cotton seeds should be distributed to farmers.

To further demonstrate its commitment to improve cotton production, the Federal Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the West African Cotton Company (WACOT) on plans to revive cotton production in the country.

Adesina, who spoke at the signing of the MoU, recalled that in the 1980s, Nigeria earned over 8.9 billion U.S. dollars from cotton.

He said that the amount then represented more than 25 per cent of the nation’s GDP, adding that the country’s earnings from cotton had dwindled to mere 300 million U.S. dollars.

The minister also said that the contribution of cotton to Nigeria’s GDP dropped significantly from 25 per cent in 1980, to only five per cent at present.

He noted that out of 51 ginneries, which were in operation across the country in the 1980s, only 10 were currently operating at low capacity.

Adesina said that the agreement with WACOT was aimed at enhancing the productivity of the ginneries from 150kg to 450kg of lint, while increasing the production of cotton seeds from 120,000 tonnes to 760,000 tonnes by the year 2015.

“A major component of the plan is to multiply and distribute quality seeds, while raising the quality of local lint through the use of appropriate packaging and cotton grading,’’ he said.

Mr Tembe Ravi, the Chief Executive Officer of WACOT, gave

the assurance that his company would focus on how to enhance the yield per hectare of cotton farms, while ensuring competitive prices for cotton.

In order to maximise the benefits of the Federal Government’s initiatives, the Bauchi State Government inaugurated a Cotton Implementation Committee, headed by the state’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh.

Gov. Isa Yuguda, who inaugurated the committee, identified cotton as a valuable cash crop with enormous potential.

“For more than two decades after Nigeria’s independence, cotton contributed largely to the country’s local and foreign earnings, employment generation and value-added services.

“The present administration intends to evolve a strategy that is aimed at transforming the cotton value-chain into workable and profitable ventures, which can create jobs, wealth and reduce poverty,” Yuguda said.

As a pilot scheme, the committee identified and registered 1,020 cotton farmers in 13 local government areas in the state for the 2012 cropping season.

Each of the farmers was given a N10, 000 grant to cultivate a minimum of one hectare of cotton.

In addition, each of the registered farmers was given 20kg of improved seeds, five bags of assorted fertiliser, 12 litres of insecticides and free extension services.

Impressed by the performance of the committee, Yuguda announced the establishment of the Bauchi State Cotton Sector Development Programme.

Yuguda directed the chairmen of all the local government councils to appoint Cotton Desk Officers who would work with the committee.

However, statistics obtained from the Bauchi State Ministry of Agriculture indicated that each participating farmer harvested 800kg of cotton, as against the anticipated 1.3 metric tonnes per hectare.

Analysts, however, blamed the poor harvest on bad weather and other natural phenomena which occurred in most parts of the country.

“In a normal agronomy practice, each farmer was

expected to harvest two metric tonnes (2,000kg) per hectare,’’ a document from the ministry stated.

It said that the state government had directed that apart from the 10,000 smallscale farmers that would be registered for the 2013 season; 5,000 large-scale farmers should be identified to participate in the programme.

However, in the 2012 cropping season, over 3,000 youths were engaged in cotton production, apart from the 1,020 registered farmers.

Besides, the document stated that negotiations had reached an advanced stage between the Bauchi State Government and a Chinese company for the establishment of a ginnery in the state.

Nevertheless, Alhaji Babab Abubakar, the Chairman of the Bauchi State chapter of National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN), attributed the poor cotton yield in 2012 to excessive rainfall and intermittent dry spells that occurred in the year.

“Initially, the rain was too much and suddenly, it ceased for some time before resurfacing again.

“I cultivated 10,000 hectares of cotton and harvested 100,000kg.

Although the government gave us free seeds, insecticides and N10,000 cash

government for training the farmers as well as provision of fertiliser and seedlings to farmers that were trained by IFAD in conjunction with USAID. The project manager gave the assurance that there would be an increase in production of rice due to the training and provision of farming inputs.

Dakingari, who visited the farmers on training as part of his

inspection of ongoing projects, reiterated the determination of his administration to boost commercial rice production and encourage farming activities.

A cross section of the trainees expressed their resolve to engage in large scale rice production after the training, and called for support from state and international organisations.

(NAN)

IFAD reiterates commitment to train Kebbi rice farmers

T

he Kebbi Project Manager, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Mr Joel Aiki, said the IFAD would continue to train farmers in the state on modern rice farming.

Aiki made this known when, Gov. Saidu Dakingari, visited farmers on training in Suru Local Government Area on Tuesday.

He commended the state

each, we got these items late and we, therefore, commenced cultivation late.

“We are appealing to the government to henceforth make available such incentives in good time,” he added.

Malam Musa Maigoro, a cotton farmer in Zabi town who was forced to switch over to another crop, said that the decline in cotton cultivation was due to the low patronage of cotton and its poor pricing, forcing most farmers to migrate to other crops.

However, Malam Umaru Waju, who still cultivates the crop, said that the situation had improved lately, as buyers now offered reasonable prices for cotton.

Analysts, however, urge cottonproducing states to emulate Bauchi State in efforts to boost cotton production.

They stress that enhanced cotton production will enable the states to boost their internally generated revenue, while aiding their efforts to create employment. NAN

Yobe records increase in livestock trade

T

he Yobe Pilot Livestock Development Programme said on Monday that the state had recorded an increase in the volume of livestock trade in the last one year.

Dr Mustapha Gaidam, the Programme Manager, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu.

The manager said the volume of traders from all over the country visiting Bayamari, Potiskum, Gaidam, Yusufari, Garin Alkali, Gashua and Nguru livestock markets had increased significantly.

He explained that the state government had provided the necessary facilities, including yearly vaccination, drugs, development of fodder banks, stock routes and water points to improve livestock farming in the state.

“The inter town roads constructed by the state government have facilitated easy movement to these areas with large concentration of goats, sheep and cattle.

“There are livestock farmers in every household in all the 17 local government areas of the state.

“Naturally, our people have the passion for livestock farming and we have been supporting them with drugs, food supplement and

adequate water to improve the capacity of the farmers.”

Mustapha said the programme also trained farmers on animal health and fattening.

“These improved the quality and value of livestock with good returns to the farmers.

“We have also recorded improvement in meat and dairy production. Yobe is definitely moving away from subsistence farming to commercial livestock farming.”

The manager said the demarcation of stock routes across the state had eliminated farmer/grazer conflicts “with the six game reserves providing more feeds to the animals”. NAN

Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe state

Peoples Daily, tuesday, may 27, 2014

Page 30

Feature Containing oil spills in Bayelsa

By Nathan Nwakamma

T

he negative impact of oil spills on the environment is well known, and has been with Nigerian oil producing communities since thecommencement of exploitation of oil in commercial quantities in Oloibiri, Bayelsa.

Bayelsa, which hosts the first oil well drilled by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) from 1956, also hosts the operations of Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Chevron Nigeria Limited, in both onshore and offshore locations.

Stakeholders agree that oil spills are integral part of oil exploration and production, and that it is imperative to keep the spills within acceptable limits.

Mr Peter Idabor, Director General, National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), said during a recent visit to oil spill sites in Bayelsa, that the state had the highest frequency of oil spills in the Niger Delta.

According to Idabor, Bayelsa records an average of 40 oil spill incidents every month.

Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, who decried the high incidents of oil spills in the state, called for stiffer laws to protect the environment.

Dickson, who spoke during a visit by officials of NOSDRA, said that the adverse health implications arising from environmental pollution required scientific studies to quantify the magnitude of the problems facing the people.

“When you look at all of these and particularly spill statistics, which I believe is only a tip of the iceberg; one is really left with no other conclusion than to say that we are actually facing a case of environmental terrorism.

“What has been going on in the Niger Delta since the discovery of oil is a situation where more than one spill takes place in Bayelsa every day going by what NOSDRA’s statistics is telling us, and all these sites are treated with reckless abandon.

“The environment is left to fend for itself; the livelihood and in fact the lives of the people and the ecosystem are not attended to.

What then is more of terrorist action than this?” However, Mr Jame Ekio, an oil services expert, faulted the scenario created by the governor, noting that heaping the

Agip oil leak blames on the doorsteps of the oil companies was unfair.

“The three tiers of government are the greatest beneficiaries of oil revenues; remember the government holds majority stake of 60 per cent, while the oil companies own 40 per cent or less.

“The oil producing states get a derivation fund of 13 per cent of the volume of oil produced from its territory.

“What stops them from using part of the proceeds from oil to remediate and protect the areas, rather than use oil funds to develop the oil communities, they channel such funds into fancy projects restricted to the state capitals to the detriment of the oil bearing areas,” he said.

SPDC one of the dominant operators in Bayelsa, blamed vandals for incessant spills, adding that more than 80 per cent of spill incidents within its operations were traceable to sabotage by third parties.

Mr Joseph Obari, SPDC’s spokesman says that the OkordiaIkarama area in Bayelsa is a hotbed of pipeline sabotage activities.

Obari regretted that even the few reported cases of spills caused by equipment failure were remotely

“

linked to sabotage as such spots were often compromised previously by vandals.

According to him, the oil firm is committed to prompt clean up and remediation of spill impacted sites within its operations irrespective of the cause of the spill.

“The perpetrators’ personal gains are the driving force of the illegal activities; a total of 21 spills have been recorded in the area between 2009 and now.

“Of the number, 17 were due to deliberate cutting of SPDC pipelines and manifold. The four spills caused by equipment failure occurred at previously clamped sabotage points, already weakened by repeated cuts.

“SPDC Oil Spill Response and Remediation team is currently cleaning up the site of a spill that occurred in January 2014, and remediation of the 2013 spill sites that could not be remediated because of last year’s flood in the area,” Obari stated.

Ikarama, an oil rich community in Yenagoa Local Government Area also hosts oil fields operated

by NAOC. Chief Daniel Francos, Paramount Ruler of Ikarama, regretted

When you look at all of these and particularly spill statistics, which I believe is only a tip of the iceberg; one is really left with no other conclusion than to say that we are actually facing a case of environmental terrorism.

Minister for Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Allison Madueke that efforts to combat the frequent spills in the community were yielding limited results as the oil firms worked at cross purposes The incessant spills from Agip’s oil fields in Bayelsa compelled the House of Representatives to order a probe into the operations of the company.

The House of Representatives Committee on Environment, headed by Mrs Uche Ekwunife is expected to commence investigations soon.

Mr Alagoa Morris, an environmentalist, said the committee should hold an all inclusive investigation involving the govern-

ment, oil firms, environmentalists, oil communities and media in order to find an enduring solution to frequent spills in Bayelsa.

While oil communities see spills as damage to the environment and an opportunity to agitate for compensation, applicable legislation absolves operators from paying compensation when the cause is sabotage or third party interference.

Stakeholders want the government to upscale enlightenment campaigns on the dangers of pipeline vandalism and other acts capable of causing oil spills.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014

Page 31

International Militancy, energy and economy: Abdel Fatah al-Sisi’s intray ANALYSIS

Egypt’s next president has a lot of problems – and not much time to solve them hen the imprisoned Mohamed Moursi found out Abdel Fatah al-Sisi sought higher office, he asked his lawyer in bemusement: “He actually wants to be president?”

Here’s why: Egypt is still stuck in the same economic and bureaucratic quagmires that brought millions to the street against Hosni Mubarak, and which have worsened since.

Whatever his current popularity, Sisi – like Morsi – may find he has only a short time to solve them.

Egypt’s economy has been in freefall since Mubarak was overthrown in 2011. For the time being, Sisi’s government will be buttressed by billions in aid from sympathetic Gulf states, but in the medium term he faces the same dire problems that contributed to Morsi’s overthrow. Egypt’s foreign currency reserves are less than half what they were in 2011, hurting its ability to import fuel and food – a crisis in a country that is experiencing huge fuel shortages and which is the world’s largest wheat importer.

Sisi took until the week of the election to produce an economic plan, prompting critics to fear that he is uncertain of what action to take. In interviews, he said he expected ordinary Egyptians to make further personal sacrifices to see themselves through the coming period. (He seems likely to dismantle the energy subsidy system that sucks up about a quarter of the state’s budget.)

He also wants an end to protests and strikes in order to lure back frightened investors and tourists.

But whether a population that has already suffered so much, and which is now accustomed to doing away with tin-eared presidents, will stand for either measure remains to be seen.

Since removing Morsi, the state has enforced a brutal crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, the fathers of political Islam. Under a Sisi presidency that strategy seems likely to continue. “There will be nothing called the Muslim Brotherhood during my tenure,” says the former field marshal.”

Though Sisi is devout, and clearly believes that Islamic ideals should play a role in government, he wants the Brotherhood crushed because he believes its ideology makes it incapable of loyalty to the state. His position is helped by Egypt’s new constitution, which bans religious parties. Whether it is a viable policy is unclear: the Brotherhood still has hundreds

W

Pix: Egypt’s presidential candidate and former army chief Abdel Fatah al-Sisi during an election campaign interview. Photograph: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

of thousands of members at large who appear unwilling to abandon street protest and who will not merely disappear. Meanwhile, the Nour party, an ultraconservative Islamist group, has backed Sisi since July and surely expects political breathing space in return.

Since Sisi ousted Morsi last July, jihadist militants have waged a bloody insurgency against the army and the police, first in the Sinai peninsula and then on the Egyptian mainland. Foreigners and ordinary citizens have not been the focus of the attacks, but the insurgency has killed hundreds of troops, successfully targeted police headquarters in Cairo, and the northern city of Mansoura, and unsuccessfully taken aim at Sisi himself. The response so far has been to fight fire with fire – a scorched-earth counter-insurgency in Sinai, the

militants’ main base, and a brutal crackdown on the group the government claims is encouraging the terrorists: the Brotherhood. In recent weeks, the pace of attacks seems to have dropped, but in general the counter-insurgency seems far from won. The return of tourism and foreign investment, and ultimately Sisi’s own life, may all depend on its swift success.

Sisi is the establishment’s candidate. He enjoys the explicit backing of most media networks, many businessmen, and army high command. But cracks have emerged. Sisi’s former boss, the retired general Sami Anan, wanted to run a rival campaign, and Mubarak’s last prime minister, Ahmed Shafik, was recorded criticising him. He has the loyalty of top serving generals, but according to the military analyst Robert Springborg, among

“

junior officers “there would be sharper differences about what the military should be doing, how the economy should be managed, what the counter-terrorism programme should look like”.

And it remains to be seen how long the lower ranks of the poorly paid police force will put up with bearing the brunt of the violent backlash against Sisi’s crackdown on dissent. “If it goes on for a protracted period, then [the police force] is going to face all sorts of problems – keeping the troops loyal, and getting them out on the streets to begin with,” Springborg says.

Sisi has made it clear that he sees protests and strikes as unpatriotic at a time when the wheels of production need to turn faster than ever. His only sop to revolutionary demands is his backing for a minimum wage.

But the foreign companies with the means to extract it are already owed billions in backpayments by the government and are wary of further involvement for no compensation

In the short term, the general public may not mind – part of his popularity is down to a desire for stability and a lack of faith in what the revolution has achieved.

But if the economy continues to decline, it could prove hard for Sisi to survive if he has nothing to offer Egyptians – particularly the 60% under 30 – apart from oppression. According to surveys by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), 80% of those who endorsed Morsi’s ouster would also rise again if their aspirations aren’t met. Widespread workers’ strikes will probably continue.

Further democratic and structural reforms may ultimately be the only means of placating them.

Frequent power cuts and diesel shortages were among the last straws for the Morsi government – and Sisi’s first few months may witness something similar. Egypt cannot produce enough fuel to meet domestic demand and as its foreign currency reserves are so low, it can’t buy enough from overseas to fill the gap. Slashing fuel subsidies might help save money and cut demand but risks sparking unrest if the cuts are not made in a way that cushions the poorest. There is more fuel to be mined within Egypt. But the foreign companies with the means to extract it are already owed billions in backpayments by the government and are wary of further involvement for no compensation.

Source: Guardian.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014

Page 32

International Ebola outbreak: Sierra Leone confirms first deaths

Libyan journalist, Meftah Buzeid, shot dead in Benghazi

P

rominent Libyan journalist Meftah Buzeid, known for his fierce criticism of Islamist militias, has been shot dead in the city of Benghazi.

He was the editor of the Burniq newspaper and had regularly appeared on television challenging the rise of such groups since the 2011 revolution.

Earlier this month he supported of a military campaign of a renegade general to crush Islamist militias.

Benghazi has been plagued by violence since Muammar Gaddafi was ousted.

Libya has been struggling to control and disarm the numerous armed groups and militias that took part in the civil war that ended Gaddafi’s 42-year rule.

Benghazi was the cradle of the uprising but has since been a focal point for attacks on public institutions, army and police personnel.

In August 2013, a TV presenter was killed in Benghazi and there have since been several failed assassination attempts of other journalists, the BBC’s Rana Jawad in the capital, Tripoli, says.

Elsewhere in the country, journalists are often kidnapped by various armed groups and released days later, our reporter adds.

Gen Khalifa Haftar’s assault against militant groups in Benghazi on 16 May has led to new concerns over Libya’s future.

Parliamentary elections are due to be held next month.

Our correspondent says Mr Buzeid last appeared on television on Sunday night, discussing this latest political impasse.

Meftah Buzeid

F

our people have died of Ebola in Sierra Leone, the first confirmed cases in the country following an outbreak in Guinea, the health ministry has said.

They died in the eastern Kailahun district, which borders southern Guinea where the outbreak started in March and has killed more than 145 people.

There is no cure or vaccine for Ebola - one of the world’s deadliest viruses.

But people have a better chance of surviving if it is identified early and they get supportive medical care.

Ebola can kill up to 90% of those infected and is passed on through contact with the fluids of infected people or animals, such as urine, sweat and blood.

Dr Amara Jambai, the director of disease prevention and control at Sierra Leone’s health ministry, said a health worker was among the four people who had died of Ebola.

The deaths had occurred over the last three to four days, he said.

People who developed a fever should immediately report a medical facility and an emergency medical team has been deployed to the remote area, Dr Jambai said.

The UN World Health

Organization said it has been informed about the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone and would help deploy essential supplies.

It said it had received information from the field that there had been six deaths - one of which had been laboratory confirmed as Ebola.

Freetown-based journalist Alpha Kamara told the BBC’s Focus on Africa radio programme that many people in Kailahun district were staying indoors for fear of catching the virus.

A local chief in the area told him that there had been 11 suspicious deaths between Thursday and

Sunday.

In Guinea, there have been a total of 258 suspect and confirmed cases of Ebola, including 174 deaths - 146 of which have been laboratoryconfirmed positive.

In Liberia there have been 12 suspected cases, with nine deaths.

L-R National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, and former Vice-President and chieftain of APC Atiku Abubakar being welcomed by Zuma on their arrival for the inauguration of the South African President, at the weekend in Pretoria.

Egypt elects new leader to steer country out of crisis

P

olls have closed on the first day of voting in Egypt’s presidential election, its second in two years.

A huge security operation has been mounted by police and the military, amid fear of attacks by militants seeking to disrupt the polls.

Former army chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, who deposed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi last year, is standing against left-wing candidate Hamdeen Sabahi.

Mr Sisi is forecast to win by a comfortable margin.

The elections are being held across two days, with unofficial results expected hours after polls close on Tuesday.

Shortly after polls opened, Mr Sisi cast his vote at a polling station in Heliopolis, Cairo, amid a throng of reporters and spectators.

“The Egyptians are coming out to write their history and chart their future,” said the 59-year-old, dressed in a dark suit and tie.

Mr Sisi appeals to Egyptians who crave stability after years of political upheaval and anything else than an easy win for him would be a source of astonishment, says the BBC’s Kevin Connolly in Cairo.

The scale of turnout will be seen

as an indication of the strength of endorsement of the winning candidate.

In Cairo, voters were queuing to cast their ballots almost an hour before polling stations opened, as military helicopters hovered overhead.

“We want security first, then everything else will follow,” Manal Mohammed, a voter in the district of Imbabah, told the Associated Press.

More than 250,000 members of the security forces are on duty at polling stations across the country, according to the interior ministry.

The tight security drums home a familiar message from the militarybacked interim authorities - that the dangers of Islamist militants are ever present, our correspondent says.

Militants have killed hundreds of security personnel since the army overthrew the president last July following mass opposition protests.

The militants say they have stepped up attacks in response to the state’s subsequent crackdown on Mr Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, in which more than 1,400 people have been killed and 16,000 detained.

Mr Morsi is currently standing

trial on a raft of charges. He strongly denies any wrongdoing.

Islamists and some secular activists are boycotting the polls in protest at the clampdown and repression of dissent.

In his election campaign, Mr Sisi set out plans to develop agriculture, housing, education, impoverished areas and employment.

He is backed by several big businessmen as well as a broad range

of political parties from the Islamist right to the moderate left.

Hamdeen Sabahi, who came third in presidential elections in 2012, offers an alternative to young voters who favour a civilian candidate over a former military one.

He promises to combat corruption and incompetence while promoting civil rights.

Both candidates say they will not relegalise the Muslim Brotherhood.

Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, one of two candidates, is expected to easily win

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014

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International

Jordan expels Syrian envoy over ‘insults’ J

ordan has given the Syrian Ambassador to Amman, Bahjat Suleiman, 24 hours to leave the country for insulting the kingdom.

Sabbah Rafei, a spokeswoman for the Jordanian foreign ministry, told Al Jazeera yesterday that Jordan has expelled the ambassador for having “crossed the lines in diplomatic rules”.

“The ministry of foreign affairs sent a memorandum to the Syrian embassy stating that Bahjat Suleiman is an undesired person in Jordan,” Rafei said in a statement published by state news agency, Petra.

The decision came after Suleiman had “repeatedly insulted Jordan via interviews with media outlets and social media sites”, the statement added.

Petra quoted Rafei as saying that Suleiman had “attacked Jordan, and [the] Jordanian people, and its leaders and political figures”.

The statement also alleged that the ambassador used his assignment in Jordan to insult other Arab

countries, an indirect reference to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The AFP news agency reported Syrian state TV as saying that Syria would expel Jordan’s charge d’affaires.

A week ago, Suleiman invited Syrians in Jordan to vote in the upcoming Syrian presidential elections from Amman.

Nasser Judeh, the Jordanian

foreign minister, said in May that Jordan was still considering whether it would allow Syrians to vote at their embassy. The Syrian elections are scheduled for June 3.

Expelled Syrian Ambassador to Jordan, Bahjat Suleiman

Uncertainty as Iraq’s election results are released

I

raq’s incumbent Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s apparent victory in parliamentary elections at the end of April has given him a leading role in forming the next government, but it will not necessarily secure him a third term in office.

On Monday, Iraq’s electoral results were published in national newspapers. The tally was accompanied by a warning that only three days remain to lodge electoral disputes. The results will be considered final when the Iraqi High Electoral Commission, and the country’s High Court, have addressed the accusations of impropriety.

“The period to receive the appeals of election results has

started,” said an IHEC official, who declined to be named. “All these procedures are expected take 20-30 days, so the final results are expected to be announced by the end of June or the beginning of July,” the official added.

Meanwhile, political manoeuvering began as political parties will seek to form a large enough coalition bloc to form a government. Possible court rulings that would adjust the election results are not expected to affect the alliances.

Based on the IHEC results published on Monday, Maliki’s State of Law coalition won 92 seats in the newly elected parliament.

Smaller parties headed by State of Law members who ran under

separate electoral lists secured another eight seats, allowing Maliki to claim that he seized at least 100 of the 328 seat parliament.

The Islah party, led by Ibrahim al-Jaafari, one of Maliki’s prominent allies, secured six additional seats. The Fadhila party, another State of Law ally, won a further six seats. If they were to form a political alliance, State of Law and other Shia parties could create a 170-180 seat bloc.

In Baghdad, more than 700,000 people voted for Maliki’s State of Law list. On Friday, the party nominated him as their only candidate for prime minister.

Shia Muslim parties, including al-Islah and al-Fadhilah, are in talks with Maliki’s State of Law coalition

to revive the “National Alliance” that formed the 2010 administration.

Under constitutional rules, this would create a big enough bloc to nominate a prime minister and form a new government.

“The priority now is to revive and strengthen the Shia National Alliance and reunite all Shia factions in one bloc to be the biggest in the next parliament,” a senior Shia leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity and is familiar with the talks, said.

“If Shia blocs are unified, the next parliament and government will be strong and the ceiling of Kurdish and Sunni demands will be lower,” Abdulwahid Tuama, an independent political analyst, told Al Jazeera.

Pope visits Jerusalem holy sites on last day in Middle East

P

ope Francis has visited the most important holy sites for Muslims and Jews in Jerusalem’s Old City on the final day of his Middle East tour.

At the al-Aqsa mosque compound, the Pope urged people of all religions to “work together for justice and peace”.

He then prayed at the Western Wall, which lies just beneath it, bowing his head as he touched the stones.

The pontiff has been feted by Israel and the Palestinians, and has invited their presidents to the Vatican.

Both Israel’s Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Mahmoud

Abbas have given a positive response.

Pope Francis began the third day of his trip by visiting the compound, considered the third holiest site in Islam.

Known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and Jews as the Temple Mount, the status of the site is one of the most contentious issues in the Israel-Palestinian conflict .

Pope Francis took off his shoes to enter the Dome of the Rock, from where Islamic tradition says the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. The Pope then walked to the nearby al-Aqsa Mosque.

Speaking to the Grand Mufti

of Jerusalem, the Pope deviated from his prepared remarks to call on Christians, Jews and Muslims to “love one another as brothers and sisters”.

“May we learn to understand the suffering of others. May no-one abuse the name of God through violence,” he said.

Afterwards, he headed to the Western Wall, one of the holiest sites in Judaism. It is part of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount dating back to a time when a Jewish temple stood there.

The Pope spent a few minutes praying at the wall, as he did on Sunday at the controversial Israeli security barrier that separates the

biblical town of Bethlehem in the West Bank from Jerusalem.

He also left a written prayer in a crack in the Western Wall’s ancient stones, before embracing two close friends from his native Argentina - an imam and a rabbi - who have been travelling with him.

The Pope then went to Mount Herzl cemetery, where he lay a wreath at the tomb of the founder of modern Zionism, Theodor Herzl.

The BBC’s Yolande Knell in Jerusalem says the visit is now part of the protocol for official visitors, but is nevertheless an act of symbolic importance.

Asia & Middle East

Modi takes oath as India’s prime minister

N

arendra Modi has taken the oath of office as India’s prime minister at the start of a new era hailed by his Pakistani counterpart as an opportunity to end decades of regional instability.

Pranab Mukherjee, the president, administered the oath of office yesterday in front of heads of state from around the world, including the leaders of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Maldives, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

“I, Narendra Damodardas Modi, swear in the name of God that I will maintain the integrity of India,” Modi said in Hindi at the ceremony.

“I will work without fear, anger or hatred and will do justice to all as per the codes of the constitution.”

“It is a great moment and a great opportunity,” said Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistani prime minister who was a guest at the ceremony.

“This is a chance to reach out to each other. Both governments have a strong mandate,” Sharif told India’s NDTV network, according to a transcript provided by the Pakistan High Commission.

“Both countries should rid the region of instability and security that has plagued us for decades.”

The 63-year-old Modi is expected to steer India firmly to the right after a decade of Congress party rule.

“Keeping our commitment to ‘minimum government, maximum governance’ we have made an unprecedented and positive change in ministry formation,” he also said on Twitter.

“Team Modi” would have 23 full-rank cabinet ministers, down from his predecessor Manmohan Singh’s 28, while the number of junior ministers would be cut to 22, the reports said.

A new website for the prime minister stated that “together we will script a glorious future for India”.

Al Jazeera’s Sohail Rahman, reporting from New Delhi, said that during the ceremony it was expected that the country would come to a standstill.

“And indeed it was very quiet, people were glued to their television sets,” he said.

The BJP secured the first majority since 1984 at the election, trouncing the scandal-plagued Congress on a promise of reviving manufacturing and investment to create millions of jobs.

Modi’s pledge to overhaul the flagging economy won support, along with his rags-to-riches story and reputation as a clean and efficient chief minister of prosperous western Gujarat state.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014

Page 34

International Europe and Americas

Zuluaga wins first round of Colombia election

B

ogota, Colombia - Oscar Zuluaga, a far-right candidate who opposes peace talks with leftist rebels, has won the first round of Colombia’s presidential election with more than 29 percent of the vote.

He will face current President Juan Manuel Santos, who took 25 percent of Sunday’s vote, in a run-off election on June 15 as neither of the rightist candidates was able to secure a majority in the first round.

Thirty-three million Colombians were registered to vote and turnout was low, less than 41 percent.

International observers from UNASUR, the Union of South American Nations, said the vote was “well organised” and security had “been guaranteed”.

Zuluaga and Santos share the same ideas on economic policy, but disagree sharply on the prospect of peace with FARC rebels. Negotiations came to be the defining issue of a campaign marked by scandals from both leading camps.

Santos has been negotiating with the guerrillas in Cuba to end Colombia’s long-running civil conflict which has claimed more than 215,000 lives. Zuluaga, following in the footsteps of his key backer, former hard-line President Alvaro Uribe, doesn’t believe in the talks, favouring a military solution instead.

“We have the opportunity to create a different Colombia,” Zuluaga posted on Twitter, thanking voters for their support.

Lena Sanchez Rodriguez, who cast her ballot in Bogota’s main square, said she wasn’t happy with Santos’ record on security. “The office of the president has gotten weaker in the last four years,” she told Al Jazeera. “Santos doesn’t have a strong enough hand to deal with delinquents.

Security has gotten worse in Bogota and I don’t believe in the peace process.”

Mariana Giraldo, an accountant voting in a working class district of the capital, said she supported Santos because she believes a peace deal with FARC guerrillas is possible.

“My life has gotten better economically in the last five years,” she told Al Jazeera. “If there was a peace deal, we would have more diplomatic agreements with other countries and it would be easier to travel.”

Two months ago, pollsters predicted an easy victory for Santos, as Colombia’s economy has grown quickly. Zuluaga was a relative unknown before Uribe’s support thrust him into the national spotlight.

Ukraine troops attack Donetsk airport rebels

U

kraine has launched air raids and a ground assault against rebels who seized Donetsk’s international airport, as the country’s new president promised to reassert control in the east and refused to negotiate with “terrorists”.

Attack helicopters and jets fired on rebel positions in Monday’s operation, while Ukrainian troops were also sent in for a ground offensive. Ukrainian troops blocked access to the site as huge plumes of smoke were seen coming from the area.

The mayor of Donetsk urged residents to stay indoors, while

Russia called on Ukraine to halt what it called a military attack on its own people.

The operation came a day after Ukrainians voted in Petro Poroshenko as their new president, and hours after pro-Russian rebels stormed the airport, demanding Ukrainian troops leave.

The airport serves a city of one million people, which the rebels have proclaimed capital of an independent “people’s republic”, and where they succeeded in blocking all voting in Sunday’s presidential election.

The attempt to seize the airport

may have been intended to prevent Poroshenko from travelling there, as he has said his first trip in office would be to visit the restive east.

Poroshenko promised to talk with those in the east who have grievances, but not to those who have taken up weapons.

“They want to preserve a bandit state which is held in place by force of arms,” he said. “These are simply bandits. Nobody in any civilised state will hold negotiations with terrorists.”

Ukraine’s election commission said on Monday that Poroshenko won the presidential election in the first round with 54.22 percent

of the vote, although a result would not be declared officially until all paperwork was received by Kiev.

Poroshenko made clear his most urgent task is finding a common ground with Russia.

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, who last month described eastern Ukraine as “New Russia”, has made more accommodating statements in recent days.

He promised at the weekend that Moscow would respect the will of Ukrainians, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov repeated that promise on Monday, saying Russia was ready for dialogue with Poroshenko.

Wives of jailed Venezuelan opposition mayors win in polls

T

he wives of two jailed opposition mayors in Venezuela have won elections to replace them.

The two women, whose husbands were sentenced earlier this year over their failure to contain opposition protests, won by a landslide.

Venezuela has been disrupted by mass anti-government protests since early February.

Talks between the government and the opposition to resolve the crisis are currently stalled.

Patricia Gutierrez won 73% of the vote in the western city of San Cristobal, while Rosa Brandonisio won in the central city of San Diego with 88%.

Their husbands, Daniel Ceballos and Vicencio Scarano, were sentenced to 12 and 10 months in prison respectively for their refusal to remove street barricades set up by protesters.

San Cristobal and San Diego are opposition strongholds and the women’s victory came as no surprise.

But analysts say that the wide margin of their win over the governing PSUV party will still be seen as a boost

to the opposition.

“The result of these elections has shown that power and abuse have

received a big lesson,” the opposition MUD, for which both women stood, said in a statement.

Rosa Brandonisio (centre) will become the new mayor of San Diego after winning 88% of the vote

Eurosceptics surge in ‘earthquake’ EU polls

F

ar-right and anti-EU parties have made sweeping gains in the European Parliament elections, with the socialist French prime minister Manuel Valls describing the results “an earthquake”.

Eurosceptic parties came first in France, the UK and Denmark, among others. The European Parliament’s predictions on Monday showed that there would be about 140 anti-EU and far-right members of the 751-seat assembly.

The European People’s Party, the centre-right bloc in the parliament, is expected to win 212 seats, while the European Socialists are predicted to secure 186 seats.

The turnout was 43.1 percent, according to the preliminary results, compared to 43 percent in 2009.

Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull talks to

Senior Europe Analyst Stephanie Hare in London Nathalie Tocci, from the Institute of International Affairs in Rome, specialises in EU politics. “The European Parliament elections are an expression of the EU lacking legitimacy in the eyes of EU citizens, both due to the handling of the [eurozone] crisis and the perceived disconnect between decision-makers and publics,” she told Al Jazeera.

She said that the sting would be taken away if economic conditions improved, adding that the EU also needed to increase its public accountability.

According to preliminary results, France’s anti-immigration and antiEU National Front party, which is seen as the most significant victor in the elections, got almost 25 percent

of the vote.

It took 24 of France’s 74 seats in the European Parliament. It had previously held three.

Marine Le Pen, the party’s leader, said: “The people have spoken loud and clear. They no longer want to be led by those outside our borders, by EU commissioners and technocrats who are unelected.”

Manuel Valls, France’s Socialist prime minister, described the election results as “an earthquake” and called for a European response.

“Europe has disappointed,” Valls said. “Europe needs to give hope again.

We need a Europe that is stronger, with more solidarity, more fairness.”

He was brought in by the president, Francois Hollande, barely two months ago after the Socialist Party suffered a similar rout in local elections.

Kinga Krzeminski, an unemployed 32-year-old French from Lyon, said she did not think there was a rise in far-right feeling in France, but only farright voters go to the polls, resulting in the current situation.

“People think the EU has no effect in their lives but it actually has. I voted because I want my representatives in the European Parliament. The EU should put more effort into engaging Europeans, not only make laws, as it seems Eurosceptics are keener to vote,” she told Al Jazeera.

There was also victory for Ukip in the UK. Nigel Farage, the party’s leader called the election “the most extraordinary result in British politics for 100 years”.

Nigel Farage calls the outcome “the most extraordinary result in British politics for 100 years” [AP]

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014

Page 35

PAGE 36

Peoples Daily, TuesDAY, may 27, 2014

Digest

Horrific video shows what smoking really does to the lungs after just 60 cigarettes

By Emma Innes

E

very smoker knows their habit is not doing their health any favours.

But many make themselves feel better by convincing themselves they are just light, social smokers.

Now, there is bad news for these people - a shocking new video has revealed the

horrific damage just 60 cigarettes can do to a person’s lungs.

Ryan Au made the video, which he posted on YouTube, as a way of showing young people how damaging the habit is.

It shows an air pump inflating two sets of pigs’ lungs as though they are breathing.

Both pairs of lungs are completely healthy at the start of the experiment.

A horrifying new video shows what smoking just 60 cigarettes can do to the lungs. Image shows a set of healthy lungs (left) and (right) a pair of lungs that have smoked just 60 normal cigarettes

However, one set is allowed to ‘breathe’ clean air, while the other ‘smokes’ 60 cigarettes.

At the end of the experiment, Mr Au compares the two sets of lungs.

It is obvious to the naked eye that the lungs exposed to cigarette smoke have become seriously discoloured.

Indeed, while the non-smoking lungs

remain a healthy pink colour, the smoking ones have taken on a yellowish-brown hue.

In the film, Mr Au also dissects the pigs’ windpipes and reveals that the nonsmoking lungs have a healthy, pale pink trachea while the smoking lungs’ windpipe is clogged and stained a dark shade of brown.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

A teacher at Yan Chai Hospital Tung Chi Ying Memorial School, in Hong Kong, made the video after becoming concerned about the number of secondary school The video also shows that after just 60 cigarettes the windpipe has been stained brown students taking up the habit.

Younger siblings are more likely to commit suicide – Scientists

By Lizzie Parry

Y

ounger siblings are more likely to take their own lives than their older brothers or sisters, a new study has today found.

The study, carried out at Stockholm University, estimated that more than 20 per cent of suicides could be influenced by birth order and a mother’s age at child birth.

For each increase in a person’s birth order, from eldest to youngest child, the suicide risk in adulthood went up 18 per cent, according to the study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Study leader Mikael Rostila, of the university’s Centre for Health Equity Studies, told Live Science: ‘Our findings are important, since they highlight that birth order

should be considered an earlylife circumstance that determines mental health across the life course.’

The report said: ‘Recent studies have indicated that birth order is associated with suicide risk, with later-born children experiencing an increased risk of suicide.

‘It has been estimated that more than 20 per cent of suicides might be attributable to the combined effects of maternal age at child birth and birth order.’

Researchers say they still do not understand why younger siblings may be at a higher risk of committing suicide.

It means there is little information researchers can pass on to family’s to help protect youngest siblings.

The study also found that younger siblings were more likely to die from an accidents.

A study carried out at the University of Stockholm found younger siblings are more likely to commit suicide

It suggests those with a higher birth order are more impulsive or risk-prone, which could contribute to suicide, researchers said.

It raises the possibility that younger brothers and sisters are more risk-prone or impulsive in general, which could contribute to suicide, the researchers said.

Several past studies have found birth order has an affected on a person’s health.

A study in February found eldest siblings may have a higher risk of diabetes and heart disease, linked to a metabolic patterns in the womb.

But differences between families and parenting makes the affects difficult to judge.

Another study of 1.7 million people carried out in Norway found that for each increase in birth order, suicide risk went up 46 per cent, according to results published

in the journal last year.

The new study replicated the findings from the research done in Norway.

Rostila and his team examined births and deaths of everyone born in Sweden between 1931 and 1980.

They then recorded deaths from 1981 to 2002.

Their findings found the later a person’s birth order was, the higher their risk for suicide was.

And the team found the link between birth order and suicide remained even when other factors, including the age difference between siblings, the number of siblings, their marital status and socioeconomic status was taken into account.

Rostilla said the reasons are not clear, but suggested bullying by older siblings, and the fact parents rarely lavish as much attention on later-borns as they did their first

child, could play a part.

‘Lower levels of attachment to parents because of restrictions in quality time could give rise to emotional and behavioral problems, separation stress and psychiatric disorders, thereby contributing to a higher suicide risk among later-born siblings,’ Rostila said.

Another possibility is that the risk is linked to a biological explanation.

Greater stress during later pregnancies could lead to the unborn child being exposed to higher levels of the hormone cortisol, which affects brain development.

The World Health Organisation’s latest statistics, for 2011, show Sweden’s suicide rate is 11.1 suicides per 100,000 people.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Researchers say bullying by older siblings, the fact youngest children can be more impulsive and a lack of attention from parents could be reasons. File picture

Peoples Daily, Tuesday, MAy 27, 2014

PAGE 37

2015: M/Belt Forum endorses Jonathan

By Mohammed Umar-Puma

M

iddle Belt Consensus Forum (MBCF) has endorsed the candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 Presidential election.

The forum also warned Jonathan to stop pandering to the wishes of the ‘core’ insisting that the region would never accept his candidature.

The MBCF, at its strategic meeting in Abuja at the weekend, noted that the strategy of appeasing the core North has failed to achieve any result, just as it stressed that in spite of the olive branch extended to some key political figures in the North by the President, it is clear that they will never accept him.

A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Bitrus Maisamari, stressed that from every indication, the core Northern political elements are only interested in their avowed mission

of defeating President Jonathan without minding the consequences such moves could have on the nation.

The communiqué noted that Jonathan’s only crime was that being eligible, he contested the 2011 elections and is still eligible to contest the 2015 elections.

The MBCF said: “Mr. President, as a true son of Nigeria, we call on you to stop pandering to real minority. We are equal stakeholders in Nigeria. The era of people being treated as second-class citizens as a result of their religion or tribe is gone for good.

“We make bold to state here that no Northern leader has performed better than President Jonathan and considering the very difficult challenges he has faced from a section of the country that vowed to make Nigeria ungovernable, we give him a 70 percent pass mark and hereby declare our support for him to run in 2015 presidential elections,” the forum added.

We’ll participate in Assembly by-election - CNPP From Uche Uche, Damaturu

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he Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has assured of its participation in the coming by-election for Nangere constituency in the state House of Assembly.

Chairman of the conference, Alh. Umar Mohammed Kukuri, who revealed this to reporter in his office in Damaturu, said the conference has made all necessary arrangements to contest the seat with any other party.

He said the conference decided to participate in the election in order to among other things, convince the world that peace has returned to Yobe state.

Kukuri, who is also the chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), has therefore urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide level playing ground for all the political parties to partake in the election.

He also called on security agents to provide adequate security cover during the election to ensure a free election and on the youths to avoid any act that would marr the conduct of the election.

Peoples Daily recalled that the seat of the Nangere constituency has remained vacant following the assassination of the former member representing the zone, Alh. Adamu Degubi by gunmen, two years ago.

L-R: Interim National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, Ekiti state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Chairmanof EFCC, Malam Nuhu Rubadu, and Interim APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during an endorsement meeting and their visit to Fayemi, ahead of the June 21 governorship election, recently in Ado-Ekiti.

APC distracting Jonathan with criticisms, PDP alleges

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday alleged that the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is detracting President Goodluck Jonathan with its constant criticisms of his policies and strategies against the insurgents in the country.

The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, alleged that the opposition’s ‘sustained insults, vituperations, lies and unending schemes’ were laid out plots to cause confusion and ultimately truncate the nation’s democracy.

The PDP said “in continuously hauling insults against a democratically elected President, upon whose shoulders lies the sacred mandate freely given by the Nigerian people, the APC is directly insulting Nigerians and showing their disdain for the institution of democracy.

“The National Chairman and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP find it very disturbing that the APC leadership made up of elderly persons who ordinary should have a sense of self respect and decorum, could condescend so low and resort to the use of uncouth language against the office and person of the President out of sheer frustration, bitterness and envy.

“They have continued to show themselves as extremely unpatriotic elements blinded by narrow pursuit of power for very ignoble reasons for which they have contracted foreigners to undermine the government of their own nation using negative paid write-ups and advertorials to dish out lies and vituperations against the Federal Government.

“Having realized that they shall never be elected into the Presidency, these ill-bred and uncultured elements are now using every means to denigrate and desecrate the

presidency, bring it to public ridicule, poison the minds of the people and incite them against the government and set the ground for confusion and mayhem ahead of the 2015 elections.

“In constantly criticizing every strategy adopted by the President in the war against terrorism, the APC has not only confirmed its preference for insurgency but also exposed its underlining design to distract the government and frustrate the over-all anti-terrorism efforts.

“We therefore invite Nigerians to note that the APC remains a party which has nothing to offer than to attack well-meaning individuals and institutions of governments and sowing seeds of discord among peace loving people in our country.

Theirs is clearly a question of the evil drummer who drums under the cover of the bush only to to jump unto the footpath and mount enquiry regarding where the drumbeats came from,” the party stated.

Insecurity: Jonathan holds political parties summit June 12

By Lawrence Olaoye

A

ll the Nigeria political parties in the country, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and others, have endorsed June 12, 2014 for a stakeholders summit to address salient issues in the nation political system.

The summit, which is jointly convened by the office of the National Security Adviser to the President and the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, will highlight the negative consequences of the politics of bitterness, rancour, mud-slinging and unnecessary

bellicosity to the political, economic and social well-being of the nation.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday on the preparations for the summit to be chaired by the former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Special Adviser to President on inter-party Affairs, Sen. Ben Obi, said that the summit will help to consolidate the nation’s democracy.

He said “The summit will help to determine and strengthen the institutions and other basis of collaboration among Nigerian political parties and politicians, reinforce the key ingredients in the code of conduct of political behaviour and re-commit Nigerian

political parties to its salient norms.

“In addition, it will help to emphasise the role of political parties in enabling the condition for social stability, national security and democratic consolidation. The summit intends to mainstream the idea that Nigerian political parties are key national patriotic stakeholders, either in government or in opposition, who are genuinely committed to the success of the Nigerian project, and serve as a platform for wide deliberation on an action plan that will lead to free, fair, transparent and violence-free general elections in 2015.”

He highlighted Boko Haram as one of the forces working against

the nation’s unbroken democracy, adding, “if the collaboration between existing political parties is sufficiently reinforced, the national political climate will wear a positive outlook; social stability will be guaranteed, national security will be deepened and democratic consolidation will be effectuated.

“However, the current national political outlook with regard to inter-party collaboration is less than salutary. Indeed, the conduct, behaviour and utterances of leading politician, at home and abroad, are rapidly spreading unnecessary tension in the country, stoking the embers of discord, bitterness and

rancour, and obviously playing into the hands of extremist elements that are waging a vicious terror war against the Nigerian state.

“If these enemies perceive the political class to be in disarray, it will further embolden them in the crimes they are daily committing against the Nigerian people.

“It is thus in recognition of the great historic challenge facing Nigeria’s political parties and the need to close ranks to safeguard the nation’s democratic infrastructure even as they pursue their separate governance vision and compete for power in a healthy, decent and civilised manner, that this summit is being put together.”

Peoples Daily, Tuesday, MAy 27, 2014

PAGE 38

Politics

Nass Clerk harps on training for meaningful legislation

By Lawrence Olaoye

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L-R: National Chairman, Labour Party (LP), Chief Dan Nwayanwu, LP running mate to governorship candidate, Alhaja Maryam Ogunlade, LP governorship candidate, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele and Ondo state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, during a Labour Party mega rally, on Sunday at Ikere-Ekiti, in Ekiti state.

Photo: NAN

Election observers fault Kano LG election

•We don’t submit to blackmail, Kwankwaso replies

By Lawrence Olaoye

A

coalition of election observer groups, comprising 10 civil society groups, yesterday picked holes in the recently concluded local government elections in Kano State.

This is coming as the Kano state governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, in a reply through his Director of Press, Baba Dantiye, declared that his government does not submit to blackmails.

The group noted that it was not a good representation of democratic process and as such should be cancelled and declared a nullity.

In a communique by the civil society groups, jointly signed by Comrade Victor Onyedikachi and Comrade Emeh Eleojo in Abuja, the group observed that while the election witnessed high and encouraging turnout of anxious voters which shows their seriousness towards the election, it

was marred by late arrival or non availability of election materials and personnel.

The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) had conducted local government election on May, 17 2014. The All Progressives Congress (APC) swept the polls.

The civil society organisations kicking against he poll include: African. Initiative for Sustainable and Positive; Righteous Life Initiative; Patrotic Women Foundation; International Noble Initiative Club; Centre for Grassroot Development and Crime Prevention; Global Development Center for Rescue Mission; Center for Strategy Ethics and Value; Building Peace for Democracy; Leadership And Society and Initiative; Ebila Youth Development Initiative for Africa.

However the communique, observed that voters were unable to cast their vote due to

clashes between different party supporters/Agents immediately the election materials arrive their units like Shanono, Kura, Tsanyawa, Warawa LGAs. They also observed that there were no election materials in many Local Government Areas the visited. Examples are: Kiru, Karaye, Makoda, Bagwai, Shanono, Kunchi, Bebeji, etc.

While submitting that elections never held in these areas, the communique read “However, results were announced to the surprise of many which led us to believe that there was a stage-managed exercise for media coverage.”

The communique further state “it is our firm believe that majority of the voters in Kano were unable to exercise their franchise and cast their votes freely and democratically as provided for in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

he Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA),Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, yesterday insisted that legislative aides must be well trained for here to be meaningful legislation tailored for good governance in the country.

The CNA who made this observation during the opening ceremony of legislative aides training workshop in Abuja explained that without good knowledge of legislative process, lawmakers would not be able to perform optimally.

Maikasuwa, who was spoke through the Director of Personnel Management, Dr. Isdhaya Habu, stated that the role of the Legislative Aides in assisting the legislators in delivering the expectations of people, consolidating democracy and in the overall process of the national development cannot be over emphasized.

The National Assembly said that the training programme is being held in ten centres across Abuja for various categories of Legislative aides namely Senior Legislative Aides, Legislative Aides, Personal Assistants, legislative assistants and Secretaries.

He noted, “Today the world is increasingly integrating especially by regions, in response to the growing challenges and opportunities engaged by the process of globalization.

“We talk of regional parliaments,[eg ECOWAS Parliament, European Parliament etc] today making laws for good governance of countries in their horizons”, he added.

“It is within this broad context that Legislative Aides need to broden their horizons and functions not only at the national level, but also within a broader context of super national lawmaking”, he said.

“Today lawmaking is increasingly moving away from the traditional representatives lawmaking to the fast evolving practice of participatory lawmaking. Thanks to the revolution in information and communication technology [ICT]”, he said.

He stated that it was in the light of this that Legislative aides needed to acquire and develop additional competencies and skills for the effective discharge of their roles in the ever dynamic and changing context of law making in the Nigerian Legislature.

PVC collection: Yuguda launches house-to-house campaign in Zamfara From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

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inister of State for Works, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, has flagged-off a house-to-house enlightenment campaign for people to acquire permanent voters card (PVC) in Gusau, Zamfara state capital.

Speaking shortly after collection of his permanent voters card at his constituency in Gusau, the minister appealed to the electorates to come out en-masse and have their permanent voting cards.

He advised people to keep their permanent voters card after

collection, stressing that their votes are their weapons for electing credible leadership that would move the country to the greater height.

“You can only vote and be voted for when you have your permanent voters card. This would allow you to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan for the continuation of lucrative transformation agenda in this country.”

Yuguda who is also the minister overseeing the National Planning ministry, disclosed that the present administration would be better off in 2015 saying “multitude number of developmental projects are still underway.”

2015: Nasarawa-Eggon APGA chairman, 500 others defect to APC From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

C

hairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in NasarawaEggon local government area, Godwin Alaku alongside 500 party supporters have defected to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

Receiving the defectors at the APC secretariat in NasarawaEggon at the weekend, Aliyu Bello, state secretary of the party, while appreciating their courage to join them promised the defectors a

level playing field.

Both Minister for Information, Mr Labaran Maku and Senator Solomon Ewuga (PDP, NasarawaNorth) hail from NasarawaEggon local government area with either of them expected to challenge Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura in the 2015 general elections.

Bello reiterated the focus of the party to embark on more people oriented projects that would benefit all, saying that the Al-makura’s administration would embark on the construction of

more rural roads to better the lives of the rural dwellers.

“I’m happy and the party is also happy for your courage to defect from your party to the APC in the state and I’m assuring you of a level playing ground for the development of the party in the state and at the national level” he stated.

The state APC secretary called on the people of the state to support Governor Al-makura’s administration to enable him succeed in delivering more dividends of democracy to the

people in order to reduce the plight of women, children, and other vulnerable groups in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Alaku, the former chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the area said that their decision to join the party was informed by the leadership style of Governor Al-makura, considering his developmental strides.

According to him, Governor Al-makura has done a lot and has impacted on the lives of the people

of the state positively especially in the area of road construction, free education, construction of classrooms, and construction of modern hospitals across the state among others.

While assuring the APC leadership of their loyalty ahead of 2015 elections, the former APGA boss said “We also observed that Al-makura is carrying everybody along irrespective of tribal, religious and political inclinations, which formed the basis of our decision to join the APC government in the state.”

Peoples Daily, Tuesday, MAy 27, 2014

PAGE 39

News Extra

Katsina SUBEB distributes N400m instructional materials

L-R: Executive Director/CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Muhammad, Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Ryuidi Shoji, Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute, during the official signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the loan aid for polio eradication in Nigeria provided by the Japanese government, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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Gen. Bamaiyi tasks governors to discharge their civic responsibilities From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

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he Chief of Army Staff in the late General Sani Abacha’s administration, General Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd), has called on governors, who serve as chief security officers of their respective states, to be extra-vigilant when discharging their official responsibilities.

He made this call in his country home while fielding

questions from newsmen recently, lamenting that it is unfortunate that governors, officers would resort to traveling abroad and spending weeks without knowing the security situations in their states.

“We should go back to the grassroots and find out who were the actual people perpetrating this violence; we are all human beings, not spirits, we should stop killing innocent souls,’’ he added.

The general, therefore,

expressed dismay over the insecurity of the country, describing it as unfortunate, condemning the governments and politicians for allowing it to escalate to this level while he urged for an emergency intervention towards curtailing it.

Bamaiyi further explained that the three states’ emergency rule affected have failed to stop the insurgents for operating in their states, saying “the federal

government should suspend them so that the military will take full responsibility of restoring law and order in the affected states. ‘’Imposing state of emergency in the affected states suggests that the governors have failed and as such, they should give way for full emergency rule in the areas’’ he stated.

He then called on the Nigerians, especially parents, to be vigilant and to also caution their children.

Cyber security: Stakeholders set to brainstorm in Lagos June 18

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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orried by the nature of cyber security in Nigeria, critical stakeholders would gather at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on June 18 and 19, to harness their input into the policy framework on cyber security.

This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Special Assistant, Media and Publicity in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Adekunle Karounwi.

It said stakeholders expected

at the forum are captains of industry & corporate decision-makers, civil society organisations, press and media industry, academia, law makers, lawyers and state governments.

Others include: Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, Federal Ministry of Information, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Communication Satellite (NigComsat), Galaxy Backbone, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Space Research &

Development Agency, Nigeria Police headquarters, Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal Ministry of Trade & Investment, Defence Headquarters, Federal Ministry of Education, National Orientation Agency, Economic & Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), State Security Service (SSS) and Ministry of Youth Development.

Meanwhile, the statement said, during the conference, participants will also build a national consensus on National Cyber security Roadmap and also facilitate a unified e-security

foundation for Digital Nigeria through a coordinated effort.

“Specifically, the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki will attempt to secure the cooperation, understanding and the support of other critical government agencies and stakeholders, which will help to prevent disjointed policy document, as well as achieving a coherent and all-inclusive strategy in which all other similar cyber security undertaken in the country will be infused into the overall framework of the National Cyber security Policy “, the statement said.

PTD crisis: Former boss lauds Judiciary over victory From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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he Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) union chairman in Kaduna, Comrade Nuhu Intelligent, has lauded the Nigerian Judiciary for the victory accorded to him and for ordering the leadership of the union to return his membership card and to allow him contest the next election of the union.

He described the Judiciary as truly a place where masses can go

to seek redress for injustice done to them.

Our correspondent learnt that the former PTD boss, alongside 15 others, sued the immediate past chairman and longtime rival, Comrade Gambo Tuge to court, demanding him to release their membership cards and to also allow them to be screened like any other aspirants in the next election of the union.

Addressing newsmen in Kaduna , Comrade Nuhu commended the courage of Judge N. M. Osoye,

of the Industrial Court sitting in Abuja, who, on May 19, 2014 passed judgment by ordering the leadership of the union to return their membership cards and screen them for the forthcoming election.

“I am overwhelmed, because of the victory accorded to us and I am grateful to Allah for the victory. Right from the beginning, it was injustice to deny me my membership card and I tried all peaceful means to make them see reason to return it to me, but they refused.

“So I reported to our national leadership, but there was no positive result. I reported to police but nothing was done. I sued them to a magistrate court, still no result; then I decided to head to an Industrial Court, in Abuja, where I got justice after a long wait of one year. I am happy God has answered our prayers,” he said.

He added that with the victory on his side he intends to carry everybody along, including his opponents, because, according to him, most of them were his boys.

he executive chairman of Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board, Alhaji Aminu Danbaba, has disclosed that the state government had purchased and distributed infrastructural materials worth N400 million to the state’s primary schools.

Danbaba made the disclosure yesterday, while speaking at the launching and distribution of instructional materials and school bags procured by the state government and commissioning of Fatima Shema Girls Science Model Primary School, in Katsina.

The chairman further disclosed that the model school was part of the China Assisted School development programme which, according to him, includes three states of AkwaIbom, Abuja and Katsina.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the National Universal Basic Education Board, Alhaji Dikko Suleiman noted that Katsina state is one of the few states supporting primary education in the country.

In his remark, the state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema enumerated the many achievements recorded by his administration in the area of education, which he said include free education policy, paying for NECO, WAEC, NABTEP fees for secondary school students in the state.

Unemployment: Institute urges FG to do more on human development

By Doyin Ojosipe

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he Chartered Institute of Human Capital Development (CIHCDN) has urged the federal government and stakeholders to help develop the nation through labour and education.

According to the Institute’s Chairman and Board of trustee, Mr. Cyril Ogboli, said that Nigeria’s growing population should not just end in words but “should translate into improved living standards, improvement in the level of selfesteem needs and well-being of the populace.”

In a paper delivered at the 2nd induction ceremony for new members and conferment of fellowships, Friday, lead guest speaker, Professor Sam Leonard decried the underdeveloped state of the nation despite her rich population and multiple but unharnessed resources.

He knocked the past and present government for not doing the needful which could have developed the nation’s workforce and create vacancy for the expanding populace of Nigerian youths.

PAGE 40

Photo Splash

Peoples Daily, Tuesday, MAy 27, 2014

Nigerians United Against Terrorism group protesting over the abduction of Chibok school girls by Boko Haram, yesterday at Defence headquarters, in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

L-R: Kaduna state Deputy Governor, Amb. Nuhu Bajoga, representative of the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Alhaji Yusuf Abdallah, and Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr Barclays Ayakoroma, during the 2nd National Conference on Culture, Peace Security, yesterday in Kaduna.

Photo: NAN

A portion of Gombe-Bauchi High Way washed away by erosion, yesterday at Tashan Ganji-Wuro Dole village, Akko local government area of Gombe state.

Photo: NAN

Some Bauchi state civil servants cashing their April salary, yesterday in Bauchi.

Photo: NAN

Members of Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness, at a rally in support of Nigerian military, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

SporT 41 Page

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 27, 2014

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046, 08036258222, albertakota@yahoo.com

AYC: Team Nigeria clinch 9 gold, 2 bronze medals on Day 6

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eam Nigeria continued from where it stopped on Sunday afternoon as the country won four more gold medals and another bronze medal to make seven (9) gold and two (2) bronze as at the time of filing this report.

Nigeria benefitted from international rules which tripled the two gold medals won in the weightlifting event on Sunday and make it six and added with the other three won in Judo, Badminton and Table Tennis has increased the gold medal haul to nine (9) instead of five (5).

A top official of the National Sports Commission clarified, “yes we supposed to have won two gold in weightlifting according International weightlifting body, but in the African Youth Games the gold medal is counted three so the two gold Nigeria won in the weightlifting boys and girls category counted six in Nigeria’s favour.

So the total gold medal won is

nine (9). Three other gold medals were won in Judo where Esther Etim made Nigeria proud.

Others include the one won

by Team Badminton and Table Tennis gold won by Oginni Olasunkanmi”, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye disclosed.

Team Nigeria also won another gold medal in Cycling Team Time Trial Girls.

Nigeria had won three gold medals on Sunday which included the two from weightlifting which have been increased to six and table tennis girls’ event.

The young athletes have been fired up by the presence of the Honourable Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo and the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye who have been encouraging the athletes to put up their best in their respective sports in the ongoing Gaborone 2014 African Youth Games.

Envoy predicts Eagles World Cup win

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igeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, has predicted that African champions, Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be the surprise package come the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Speaking when he hosted the team at the Nigerian House in London yesterday afternoon, Tafida, said his prediction is based on the team’s pedigree, the sound technical bench and the support of the NFF and that of

Keshi

• As NFF, Keshi pray against injuries President Goodluck Jonathan to the team.

He assured the team that himself and 170million Nigerians will be praying daily for the team and pray for luck to be on the side of the team.

“I know President Jonathan will reward you excellently and I will also be in Abuja, when a huge reception is organized for the team after the World Cup and I am very sure the president will not fail to say thank you, just play your part and leave the rest to him”, he said.

Head Coach Stephen Keshi said he is working in tandem with NFF to ensure that the team is devoid of injuries in the runup to the World Cup but noted that friendlies must be played to keep the team in shape both physically, mentally and socially because the players have not been together for sometimes and there is need to ensure that all of them are on the same page.

The reception ended with the players enjoying Nigerian delicacies at the High Commission, with Dr Tafida thanking the NFF for ensuring that a Nigerian will be at the helm of affairs at the Mundial.

“Other Africans have white coaches and they are envious of Nigeria and a few others I am sure you will daze the world in Brazil”.

Yobo, Enyeama and Odemwengie share a moment at the hotel lobby of the Super Eagles yesterday morning.

Eagles celebrate Yobo, Osaze return; Mba, Oduamadi in flight hitches Stories by Albert Akota

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he Super Eagles are taking nothing to chance as preparations effectively commence yesterday night in London with the team’s first training session ahead of the World Cup in Brazil next month. The team will train at the Fulham FC training ground.

All the 30 invited players invited except for Brescia of Italy midfielder, Nnamdi Oduamadi and France based star, Sunday Mba, were in camp and attended the team’s training session on Monday evening.

Team Scribe, Dayo Enebi Achor, explained that the duo had

hitches with their travelling documents and were scheduled to make it to the team’s camp any time from now, a development Head Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi frowned at.

However, the technical crew was happy with the entire squad response to arrival in camp and the comradierie that existed among all the players.

“It’s one big family here and this is the spirit we should carry to the World Cup,” declared Lille of France goalie Vincent Enyeama.

There are also no injury worries with the team as all the players have been visiting the gym to maintain fitness before training

starts on Monday evening.

The players were also very happy with the recall of team captain Joseph Tambarin Yobo and Osaze Odemwengie.

Yobo, himself declared during breakfast on Monday that he was overwhelmed by the shower of love by his team mates. “I am humbled and I pray that I will justify the confidence reposed in me”, he said.

Osaze spoke in a similar vein, adding that it was a family reunion that is bound to affect the fortunes of the team at the World Cup. “We will do our best in Brazil to justify this unity that we have in camp”.

PEOPLES DAILY, monDAY, may 26, 2014

Page 42

Sports

Akwa United 1-0 Lobi Stars Akwa United defeated Lobi Stars 1-0 at the Uyo Township Stadium on Sunday through a 67th minute strike from Kufre Ebong.

The visitors held the Promise Keeper for most part of the game before Kufre scored a rebound off Namso Edo’s free kick that rattled the crossbar.

The hosts made a promising start to the season but they are fast losing their quest for a continental slot with some poor results at home and their free fall away from home.

They have 22 points from 15 matches with Lobi Stars boasting of 22 points from 16 games.

Akwa United

Warri Wolves 1-1 Sharks Kano T Pillars 2-1 El Kanemi he Blue Angels took their unbeaten streak to nine matches in the league this season after an awesome draw at the den of title challengers Warri Wolves on Sunday. Tayo Fabiyi who came on in the second half leveled scores for Gbenga Ogunbote’s team after Gbolahan Salami had put the hosts ahead early in the game.

Warri Wolves are on 21 points from 15 matches while Sharks are with 27 points from same number of matches.

T

he Blue Angels extended their unbeaten streak to nine games with a valuable away point at Warri Wolves while Gombe United secured their first away point in three years

FC Taraba 1-0 Heartland

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he Jalingo boys claimed a big win by piping Heartland at the Jolly Nyame Stadium on Sunday.

FC Taraba’s head coach Ndubuisi Nduka and Esom Tochukwu had scores to settle with Heartland before the match as they were both sacked from the Naze Millionaires under cloudy circumstances last season.

Former Naze Millionaires’ midfielder, Tochukwu came back to haunt his former team with a nice header in the 65th minute to the excitement of the visitors who are yet to win a single game in their last three games.

FC Taraba are on 22 points from 15 matches while Heartland are on 18 points from same number of matches.

T Warri Wolves

Enugu Rangers 3-3 Gombe United

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Gombe United secures first away point in 3 years as Giwa FC wallop Kaduna United 4-0

he Sai Masugida launched their new bus with a close 2-1 win over El Kanemi Warriors in Kaduna’s Ahmadu Bello Stadium where they were banished to due to crowd violence.

Adamu Hassan’s 55th minute strike was the match-winner for the Kano based football outfit.

Pillars are on 21 points from 14 matches while El Kanemi have 17 points from 15 games.

t was a six goal thriller at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium Enugu as Gombe United came from 3-1 down to pick their first away point in about three seasons.

Osagona Ighodaro fired Rangers to a sensational 3-1 lead but Ibrahim Abdullahi’s opener and two goals from Adamu Mohammed shifted attention to the Desert Scorpions towards the end of the match.

Rangers are on 18 points from 15 matches with Gombe United boasting of 16 points.

Gambo

FC Taraba

Enyimba Abia Warriors 3-0 Crown FC 3-0 Nembe T City

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Rangers

he People’s Elephant’s strikers did their job creditably after they scored the three goals that returned Nembe to their home ground empty handed.

Abdulrahman Bashir put the Aba Millionaires in the driver’s seat in the second minute before Mfon Udoh added two more goals to make the day safe for the home team.

Nembe are at the bottom of the table with 13 points from 13 games while Enyimba are gradually gaining momentum with 22 points from 15 encounters.

Crown FC

he Umuahia side walloped the Ajilete Boys 3-0 at home to stretch their unbeaten run to five matches starting from their home duel with Akwa United.

Bishop Onyeudo got Abia Warriors’ curtain raiser in the closing stages of the first half while Peter Onyekachi and Ndifreke Effiong added to the misery of the visitors in the second half. Crown has lost all their away games this season.

Abia Warriors are on 21 points from 14 matches while Crown are on 20 points with a game more.

Peoples Daily, tuesday, may 27, 2014

Sports

Rodgers signs new Liverpool long-term deal

PAGE 43

No plans to move Olympic General Assembly from Bangkok, ANOC says

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he General Assembly, Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), yesterday said that there were no plans to move the assembly from Bangkok later this year in spite of the coup d’état in Thailand.

“Inside Games,’’ an online publication for upcoming Games and events, has said that Bangkok capital, Thai, was due to host the assembly from Nov. 5 to Nov. 11.

The publication added that the assembly would coincide with the first ever ANOC Gala awards.

The publication quoted Gunilla Lindberg, ANOC Secretary-General, as saying that several major events had already

Liverpool finished seventh with 61 points, winning 16 league matches, losing nine and scoring 71 goals.

Gunilla Lindberg

Griffiths wants to impress in Nigeria friendly ahead of Euro 2016

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L

iverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has signed a new long-term contract with the Premier League runners-up.

Rodgers, who was appointed as Kenny Dalglish’s successor in 2012, has led the Reds back into the Champions League following a four-year absence.

This season they have finished second, with 23 points more, winning 26 matches, losing six and scoring 101 goals.

“I am both humbled and privileged to be offered the chance to extend my stay at this great club,” said the 41-year-old Northern Irishman.

Liverpool finished two points behind champions Manchester City this season.

The 18-time English champions had been strong contenders to win their first top-flight title since 1990, before a 2-0 home defeat against Chelsea allowed City to take control.

Liverpool had been five points clear at the summit when they hosted Jose Mourinho’s side on 27 April, but the loss disrupted their momentum and City went on to win all their remaining games to finish top.

Despite their failure to clinch the title, former Swansea boss Rodgers was named the League Managers’ Association manager of the year.

Henry completed his £300m takeover of Liverpool from fellow American Tom Hicks and US hedge fund Mill Financial in October 2010.

been cancelled in Thailand as a result of the unstable political situation after the coup.

Lindberg, according to the publication, however, told the 35th European Olympic Committees (EOC) that she was ``100 per cent’’ certain that the event would not be moved.

“I think you are all aware of what is happening in Thailand at the moment.

“But I am going there tonight and we will have a meeting with the authorities and try to get some answers.

Lindberg according to the publication added that ``but so far, they say there will be no problem with the Congress’’.

Leigh Griffiths

cotland striker Leigh Griffiths says he wants to use yomorrow’s international friendly with the Super Eagles to cement a place in Gordon Strachan’s side as the qualifiers for Euro 2016 approach.

Griffiths, who got his international baptism against Croatia last summer, is also looking forward to add more caps after impressive displays against Belgium and England at Wembley.

The Celtic striker will making only his fourth international appearance when the Tartan Army meet Nigeria at Craven Cottage on May 28th and the striker says it will be a good springboard for him to stake a claim for a starting berth when they meet Germany in September.

“My aim is to make myself

a part of the manager’s plans going into the qualifying campaign and I’ll be looking to make an impact if I get the chance to play against Nigeria,”he told the Scottish Football Association website “It’s the last match before the qualifiers start and we all want to end the season on a high, and keep the good run of results, and performances, going into the competitive matches.

“I hear there are a good few thousand Scotland fans coming down. The supporters always travel in numbers and we’ll be looking to thank them by putting on a good performance.”

Scotland go into Wednesday’s game with Nigeria on the back of an impressive win over Poland in Warsaw and Griffiths feels this will be a tonic for the team as they meet the Super Eagles.

AYC qualifiers: Flying Eagles face Lesotho after Tanzania demolition

By Albert Akota

T

he Flying Eagles will take on Lesotho in the third and final round of the 2015 African Youth Championship (AYC) qualifiers in August after the southern Africans eliminated Angola.

Lesotho completed the double over Angola on Sunday in Luanda when they beat the home team 1-0 to go through to the next round on a 4-1 aggregate.

Lesotho had won the home first leg game in Maseru two weeks earlier 3-1.

The Flying Eagles had earlier last week in Kaduna beaten Tanzania 4-1 for a 6-1 aggregate to qualify for the final round of the qualifiers.

The Flying Eagles will now host Lesotho on Aug. 16, while the return leg will hold a fortnight later.

The overall winners will advance to the 2015 AYC to be hosted by Senegal in March.

Lesotho made their AYC debut at the 2005 tournament staged by Benin Republic.

They lost 0-2 to Morocco, upset Angola 1-0 before they crumbled 1-4 to Egypt.

Lesotho recorded only a point at the 2011 AYC, which the Flying Eagles won in South Africa.

They lost 0-2 to Egypt, 1-2 to hosts South Africa, before they forced Mali to a 1-1 draw to finish bottom of their first round group.

Flying Eagles

Peoples Daily, tuesday, may 27, 2014

PAGE 44

Sports

Kenya set new records at World Relays

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enya’s men and women both claimed new world records in the 4x1500m at the IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas.

The men’s time of 14 minutes 22.22 seconds bettered by 14secs a 2009 Kenyan record, while the women beat the previous mark by over half a minute.

Yohan Blake led Jamaica to victory in the 4x100m relay, with Great Britain taking the bronze medal.

The quartet finished seventh at the inaugural championships and 400m world champion Christine Ohuruogu, who came into the team for the final, admitted: “That was my first opener and it wasn’t a very good run.

Shortly after the women’s triumph, the men’s 4x100m team of Richard Kilty, Harry AikinesAryeetey, James Ellington and Danny Talbot finished third in 38.19 seconds.

The Kenya men’s recordbreaking team included Asbel Kiprop, the 1500m world champion.

Despite the absence of six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt through injury, Jamaica men’s sprint quartet - led by Blake broke a 20-year-old 4x200m world record on Saturday.

McIlroy returns to sixth in world after Wentworth win

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ory McIlroy has risen to sixth in the world rankings after winning the PGA Championship at Wentworth.

The double-major winner, 25, came from seven shots behind 54-hole leader Thomas Bjorn to card a six-under-par 66 and beat Shane Lowry by one on Sunday.

The victory lifted the former world number one from Northern Ireland up four places in the rankings.

Australian Adam Scott, 33, retained his place as world number one by winning the Crowne Plaza Invitational.

McIlroy, who won the Australian Open last December, has targeted more major titles after his surprise victory at Wentworth. This latest win boosted his confidence ahead of the year’s second major, the US Open, at Pinehurst from 12-15 June.

“There are still three majors to play this year...So even though we’re nearly halfway through the season, I feel like mine’s just beginning” With 14-time major winner Tiger Woods absent through injury, McIlroy said earlier this season that golf was waiting for a “dominant player” to stamp authority on the game as Woods did in his prime.

Scott could argue he is that player after extending his stay as world number one just hours after McIlroy’s win at Wentworth, but McIlroy hopes he can answer his own rallying cry.

Kenyans

Contract talks threaten Froch may hurt Groves Froome’s Team Sky career in Wembley rematch

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our de France champion Chris Froome has revealed he considered leaving Team Sky in the year before he helped Sir Bradley Wiggins win the race.

Froome was offered a new contract by Sky team principal, Sir David Brailsford, in September 2011.

But Froome, 29, claims the proposed deal failed to recognise his potential as a future winner of the Tour.

“I wanted a contract that reflected being a leader, rather than a domestique,” said the Kenyan-born Brit.

“It was getting stressful and I sent Dave a long and quite strong message saying there would be no more going back and forth. I also said that that was the final offer, I was going elsewhere.

Froome eventually signed a three-year contract with Sky in the week after he finished second at the Vuelta a Espana in 2011 and Wiggins finished third. Froome then committed to a new three-year deal in December 2013.

In the years between, he supported Wiggins in his 2012 Tour de France victory then stormed to the yellow jersey himself last July while Wiggins was injured and unable to take part.

Wiggins and Froome could again find themselves riding for Sky in this year’s race, which starts in Yorkshire on 5 July.

Froome claims that Brailsford’s apparent unwillingness to choose him over Wiggins as team leader ahead of the 2012 Tour made him doubt his future with Sky. Froome has also insisted Sky had initially failed to match financial packages being offered by other teams and claims the deal for him to stay was eventually only agreed after he sent Brailsford a message outlining his stance.

Chris Froome

Carl Froch and George Groves

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arl Froch has sent a warning to George Groves before their rematch at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, telling his rival he “could get hurt”.

Nottingham fighter Froch, 36, defends his IBF and WBA supermiddleweight titles against Londoner Groves, 26, in front of a record 80,000 crowd.

Froch won the first bout last November via a contentious ninthround stoppage.

Groves has vowed to take the fight to Froch and believes the contest will resemble the legendary ‘war’ between Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns in 1985, which Hagler won via a third-round stoppage.

Groves made a sensational start to his first meeting with Froch, knocking the champion down in the opening round with a thunderous right hand.

The challenger dominated the first half of the fight but Froch came roaring back in round nine, when referee Howard Foster stopped the fight, prematurely in the eyes of most observers.

Groves, who has 19 wins (including 15 knockouts) and one defeat from 20 professional fights, is the underdog with the bookmakers but supremely confident of victory.

Froch, who has 32 wins (23 KOs) and two defeats from 34 professional fights, claims he took Groves too lightly before their first encounter but says he will be back to his best second time around.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesDAY, may 27, 2014

Page 43

Sports

P-i-c-t-o-r-i-a-l 1 1. Bloggers bring you all the latest from the 32 teams that will be at the World Cup. 2. Kenya’s men and women claim world records in the 4x1500m at the World Relays, while GB earns a silver and bronze.

3. Real Madrid has already made La Undecima an 11th European Cup their next priority 4. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy rises to sixth in the world rankings after winning the PGA Championship at Wentworth.

5. Seeded Tommy Robredo levels his match against Britain’s James Ward at one set all

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 27, 2014

Page 46

Sports

No Suarez in Brazil may be a loss for countries Brazil could provide another opportunity to revive a reputation.

Suarez was the undoubted villain of the 2010 finals in South Africa. His handball denied Ghana victory in the dying moments of their quarterfinal match; the locals were behind the Black Stars as one, and Suarez’s craftiness denied a continent its greatest achievement yet in the World Cup. For some, it was an understandable act of selfsacrifice, though his cackling celebration of Asamoah Gyan’s penalty miss was wholly Machiavellian.

By any means necessary is always the Suarez way, though he would enter this tournament as one of the world’s very best players.

South Africa, where he was already one of the best in show, was a breakout for him, but a finals held on his own continent is an ideal opportunity to continue the augmentation of his reputation.

Four years ago, Uruguay arrived in the finals through the back door of an intercontinental playoff with Costa Rica, but marked themselves as a thrilling attacking force.

Journalists voted for Diego Forlan as the player of the tournament, but it was the perpetual motion of Suarez that usually caught the eye, in the style most fans eventually became accustomed to.

If he can’t get fit, Forlan, currently seeing out his playing days in Japan, may need to be recommissioned, while a burden might now fall on Edinson Cavani, who is unsettled in Paris and is rarely granted the central role

Suarez

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he implications of Luis Suarez missing the World Cup are myriad. It would be bad luck for fans of football to lose Suarez for this tournament; whether the Uruguay international is playing the role of bad guy or brilliant match-winner, he is never less than watchable.

The tournament needs him, and he needs this tournament. It is to be hoped that his optimism after his “successful” knee surgery is met with a speedy return.

This is a player who has looked almost indestructible ever since he arrived in English football with Liverpool.

Consider the leg-wrecking challenge from Kevin Mirallas in last season’s 3-3 Merseyside derby from which Suarez picked himself up and dazzled, or perhaps the resurrection shuffle he performed at Norwich City.

For him to succumb to a common and gardenvariety training injury seems almost unthinkable, though reports that he tried to play through the pain are entirely typical.

Suarez is a player who complains when he has to sit out an FA Cup visit to Oldham Athletic.

In the light of his double collection of English footballer of the year awards and the accompanying narrative of redemption,

he craves for either club or country.

Although Suarez is positive about his return, the finals could miss a shining star; if that happens, Suarez himself will feel that May 2014 has been perhaps the cruelest month of his career.

A shirt pulled over his head at Selhurst Park could not hide his desolation as Liverpool threw away the title; shaking shoulders gave away his grief.

Injury could deny the ultimate competitor a chance to play in the ultimate competition.

How that affects his club future may yet be pertinent.

This was supposed to be the summer that Real Madrid finally made their move.

The denial of a World Cup may cause him to look for new horizons beyond Liverpool, even if he is set to play in the Champions League for them.

At 27, he is in his peak years, which makes it a further shame that he might be absent from Brazil.

Meanwhile, there remains the possibility that he will make a quick recovery. The likelihood is that Suarez will make every effort to come back quickly, which may have residual effects beyond the here and now.

Nagging knee problems are the bane of a footballer’s life, and Liverpool would surely prefer that a full rehabilitation takes place, rather than a rush job, even if all those at the club know just how important it is to Suarez to play for his country.

Officials already know that Suarez is not somebody to be crossed, so Liverpool can only look on and hope their precious cargo returns to Anfield in one piece.

PAGE 47

Peoples Daily, tuesDAY, may 27, 2014

Leisure

3

Some Interesting Facts

9. Three hundred million cells die in the human body every minute.

40. Like fingerprints, every individual has an unique tongue print that can be used for identification.

41. A human head remains conscious for about 15 to 20 seconds after it is been decapitated.

42. It takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 to frown.

43. Humans can make do longer without food than sleep.

Provided there is water, the average human could survive a month to two months without food depending on their body fat and other factors. Sleep deprived people, however, start experiencing radical personality and psychological changes after only a few sleepless days. The longest recorded time anyone has ever gone without sleep is 11 days, at the end of which the experimenter was awake, but stumbled over words, hallucinated and frequently forgot what he was doing.

44. The most common blood type in the world is Type O.The rarest blood type, A-H or Bombay blood, due to the location of its discovery, has been found in less than hundred people since it was discovered 45. Every human spent about half an hour after being conceived, as a single cell. Shortly afterward, the cells begin rapidly dividing and begin forming the components of a tiny embryo.

46. Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people do. This is largely due to the fact that a majority of the machines and tools we use on a daily basis are designed for those who are right handed, making them somewhat dangerous for

lefties to use and resulting in thousands of accidents and deaths each year.

47. Your ears secrete more earwax when you are afraid than when you aren’t.

48. Koalas and primates are the only animals with unique fingerprints.

49. Humans are the only animals to produce emotional tears.

50. The human heart creates enough pressure to squirt blood 30 feet in the air.

Say what?

SUDOKU

SUDOKU EASY 87

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Mrs Shumilova said: ‘I get inspired mainly by desire to express something I feel, though I usually cannot tell exactly what that is until I have taken the shot’.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

www.peoplesdailyng.com

tuesday, may 27, 2014

SPORTS latest

Mark urges Eagles to bring glory to Nigeria

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

S

enate President, David Mark has urged the Super Eagles of Nigeria to do the nation proud at the forthcoming Brazil 2014 FIFA world cup fiesta.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Muneh, Mark reminded them that Nigerians are solidly behind them in the quest for glory.

“With team spirit and total commitment, there is no team in the World you cannot conquer.

I am hopeful that you will do us proud in Brazil.

“As reigning African Champions, the huge responsibility is on us to prove a point that Africans have come of age in the global football tournament. I am optimistic that you know the huge responsibility and be ready to defend your fatherland and indeed the continent”, the statement reads.

He counselled the authorities of the Nigeria Footbal l Fe d e r a ti o n ( N F F ) and the ministry of sports not to leave anything to chance in order to ensure that the players and officials have no hitches in the prosecution of the championship.

He noted that sports, especially football remain potential ingredient for all Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation, religion or ethnic leanings to achieve peace and unity.

According to Mark, “It is instructive to note that any time Nigeria is playing. All of us forget our differences. No religion. No politics and no ethnic consideration. Every one speaks with one tongue; Nigeria, Nigeria and Nigeria. So, if sports would bring the much needed peace and unity, it is only logical that we focus more on sports in all ramifications “.

He praised the Management and officials of the NFF, including the Director-General of the Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye , the Chairman of NFF Aminu Maigari, as well as Coach Stephen Keshi and his crew and reiterated the need for cooperation in order to achieve more.

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. . . putting the people first

QUOTABLE QUOTE You are fighting enemies with no boundary.

Terrorists are everywhere. They are among us but we don’t know them…The person sitting next to you might be one of those terrorists. You don’t know.

– Alh. Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto.

Backstopping the naira A

bout a year ago (May 22, 2013) Ben Bernanke, then Chair of the US Federal Reserve System, spooked the markets. In his address to the US Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, he indicated that depending on emerging data, the US’ central bank could commence unwinding (over the next two Federal Open Market Committee – FOMC – meetings) the unconventional monetary policies it had put in place to keep the economy ticking through the Great Recession. Almost immediately after this testimony, we had a fair idea of what it means to integrate our economy into the global market place.

Policy makers in advanced economies had responded to the last recession by lowering policy rates, and aggressively purchasing of bonds (especially in the US), as part of arrangements to support recovery in domestic demand.

On the other hand, idiosyncratic conditions in most emerging and developing economies meant that available policy options had to be relatively less accommodative.

In our case, increasingly loose public expenditure management practices, which fed into liquidity in the banking system, and from there threatened domestic consumer prices, especially the exchange rate, was the elephant in the room.

In response, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continued to tighten policy, including maintaining the policy rate at 12% over the last year-and-ahalf, despite inflation remaining “comfortably” within the single digit range. With real returns that are much higher in emerging and developing economies than in their advanced country counterparts, portfolio investors beat a path through the bureaucratic and regulatory thicket to invest in

“ 100 689 292 327 454

Tuesday Column Ifeanyi Uddin

Ag CBN gov, Sarah Alade Nigerian bonds, treasury bills, and equities. The naira’s exchange rate was the main beneficiary from so much “hot” dollars chasing after naira assets.

All of this changed as soon as the markets interpreted Bernanke’s testimony as indicative of tightening in the US. The yield on 10-year treasuries in the US moved up, and investors packed their overnight briefcases and started to flee places like here. The CBN had to resort to unconventional monetary policies of its own (destroying banks’ public sector businesses in the process) to cushion the negative consequences of this outflow.

Fortunately, the US Fed managed the tapering of the quantitative easing programme without putting up the policy rate.

In addition, it let the markets know that there is to be no tightening of

monetary conditions until clear signs of heating began to show up on the back of the current economic recovery. The spread on US treasuries narrowed. And fixed income securities in emerging and developed economies have become fashionable once more.

Arguably, domestic monetary policymaking has not been helped by any of this. True, the demand pressure on the naira has eased considerably. However, the ease with which the portfolio investors exited after May 22 last year does call for a medium to long-term response to the vulnerability of the economy to this new risk source. This has not happened over the last 12 months; and only recently has conversation around the appropriate mechanism for this been initiated.

This need for an arrangement to backstop the naira in the event of a sudden spike in domestic

In response, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continued to tighten policy, including maintaining the policy rate at 12% over the last year-and-a-half, despite inflation remaining “comfortably” within the single digit range. With real returns that much higher in emerging and developing economies than in their advanced country counterparts, portfolio investors beat a path through the bureaucratic and regulatory thicket to invest in Nigerian bonds, treasury bills, and equities.

The naira’s exchange rate was the main beneficiary from so much “hot” dollars chasing after naira assets.

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demand, as portfolio investors seek to convert their investments on their way out, is especially so, when it would seem that headwinds are building up as we move towards the general elections next year. In the near-term, the CBN’s best shot is to put together a stopgap plan that ensures that whatever the eventual stimuli is to portfolio funds outflow, it can match investors’ request for dollars whenever this is made.

It is not enough in this case, I am told, to point to robust external reserves; recall that these reserves were in place when the previous near-crisis occurred. It would appear, instead, that it is necessary, first for the apex bank to estimate the value at risk from portfolio investors’ activity in the economy. In essence, how much these category of economic actors have sunk into the fixed income securities and equity markets; and consequently how much dollars they would asking for when they need to leave. Currently this is estimated at between US$12bn and US$20bn. This, putatively, is the amount that would flee the economy if there were a shock that investors found disagreeable.

It is unimportant what this shock could possibly be. What matters is that having estimated how much would be needed to accommodate fleeing investors, the apex bank then sets this sum apart. It might be necessary as part of the process of reassuring the markets to add a firm third party guarantee to this, by for instance locking this sum up in an escrow account with any of the big global financial players.

Having set this money aside, governance arrangements are no less important. Our history means that we often conflate “governance” with the need to ensure process transparency. Important though the latter is, the other need here is to define the bureaucracy around this contingency fund in a way that allows flexible access to and use of it. It would be counterproductive to have so many layers of authorisation if the immediate need is to assure portfolio investors of its availability as and when required.

This way, we get to ensure that the next shock to the economy will not be as disruptive of money market operations as the last one was. Still, it is but a near-term palliative. It cannot substitute for the structural reforms that are needed if domestic macroeconomic policies are to benefit more of our people.

Ifeanyi Uddin is an economic historian and finance expert.

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