Peoples Daily, Thursday, July 28, 2016. Edition. by Peoples Media Limited

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Thursday, July 28, 2016 / Shawwal 24, 1437 AH

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Budget padding: Kwankwasiyya plots SERAP drags House to disrupt Minjibir to UN, Reps demand bye-election, KNSG alleges probe pAGE 8, 5

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Vol. 23 No. 52 N150

Nigerian businessman, 35, killed in S’ Africa >> pg 3

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CBN orders banks to review foreign currency loans page 5

...In bid to boost forex market

• Free medical screening organized by Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (swan) Lagos chapter to mark Lagos swan week, yesterday in Lagos. Photo: nan

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

No alternative to current economic policies-FG page 5

Army launches ‘operation crocodile smile’ in Niger Delta

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

News CONTENTS News 2-10

L-R: Chief of Staff to Niger State Governor, Mr Mikhail Bmitosahi; Gov Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos; Gov Sani Bello of Niger State and Niger State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe During Gov Bello’s visit to his Lagos State counterpart, yesterday in Lagos. Photo: NAN

Editorial 11 Op.Ed 12 Letters 13 Politics 15-18 Business Stockwatch

19-22 23

S/Report 24-25 Property 27 Motoring 28 Arts

Metro

S/World

Digest

Sports

Columnist 48

Is the end to Nigeria’s tomato nightmare in sight?

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Military force won’t work in resolving N/Delta crisis, says Bayelsa Gov By Lawrence Olaoye

ayelsa state governor, Henry Seriake-Dickson, has counseled the Federal Government against the use military force in the handling of the crisis in the oil rich Niger Delta region. This is coming as the governor commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his neutrality in the conduct of the December 5th governorship election in his state. Dickson, while responding to questions from the State House Correspondents on how to handle the crisis in the Niger Delta, after a private audience with President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday maintained that the terrain of the region and historic nature of the ongoing agitations by the militants make the adoption of military force unsuitable. The Chief of army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, had recently declared that the government will adopt military option should the ongoing dialogue with the Niger Delta militants fails. He said “I have said that the issues in the Niger Delta, the terrain, the historic nature of the issues and challenges are such that military solution may not be the way forward. “For us who are products of

political system who are at this level, we have a duty to mobilise communal and local leadership; we have a duty to support the work of intelligence and security agencies are doing; we have a duty to ensure that issues are better appreciated and that we fill the communication gap. And where there are issues those issues need to be addressed and it is also our duty to network, like I’m doing, to ensure that problems that are identified as the root cause of some of these challenges are looked into. The military solutions as I have always maintained is not the right option. We are hopeful that the ongoing discussions will yield the desired result. I have always been in support of negotiations, of dialogue as the sustainable way forward. Dialogue will bring out the issues and then we will all unite around these common issues to move our country forward.” On Buhari’s neutrality in the conduct of Bayelsa governorship election, Dickson said “I also want to use this opportunity to appreciate Mr. President for his non-interference in the political processes that played out in Bayelsa in the last governorship elections. And as you are also aware, yesterday (Tuesday) the Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja delivered judgement upholding my

election and affirming my emergence as a true product of the democratic exercise of rights of our people in the December 5th and January 9th. “Again, I want to use this opportunity to appreciate Mr. President for his non-interference contrary to the propaganda and the name dropping that some politicians back home and even in Abuja embarked upon. There is no name they didn’t call; there is no claim that they didn’t make but I’m telling Nigerians, I’m telling Bayelsans to disregard all that propaganda. The President never had anything to do by way of negatively influencing of the last general elections in Bayelsa and also the outcome of the Tribunal proceedings. “That is important because if our nation must move forward, if our democracy must be strengthened, if our nation must be stable, then institutions must be allowed to grow. I want to use this opportunity to call on my opponent, brother and friend and fellow citizen of Bayelsa and all others to join hands with us so that we can render service to our people and build a stronger, more stable and prosperous Bayelsa.” The governor equally called on leaders across political divides to unite in order to address the current challenges facing the country. On his discussion with the

President, he said “Of course, as you know, Bayelsa is central to the maintenance of law and order and stability in our country particularly in the Niger Delta region. Bayelsa is the epicenter of the issues that has to do with the Niger Delta. And we had fruitful discussions on the need for political leaders, governmental and political leaders to work together to support the work of the security agencies and foster better understanding of even people who have grievances and that we are committed to do together.” On how to address the leadership crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dickson said “There is no doubt that our nation needs a political party in opposition, strong, organised opposition. Opposition that plays by the rules; that knows that there comes a time when people across divides must unite for the sake of our country. And we are working hard to ensure that some of the issues and disputes in the party are resolved. You expect to see those types of issues and disputes in any political party and we are working hard to address them. And we believe that the convention will come and go and we will have a virile, credible opposition party that will work for our democracy and our Nigerian nation.”

Nasarawa Polytechnic closed indefinitely after students unrest

asarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia, has been closed down indefinitely following students’ unrest. Joseph Labani, the Registrar of the polytechnic, said the decision was due to the violence that followed the death of a student knocked down on Tuesday by a hit-and-run driver. Mr. Labani told journalists that the student, who was knocked down by the campus gate, died as a result of injuries he sustained.

He said the polytechnic management had appealed to the students to remain calm, but to no avail. “However, to our surprise the students failed to heed to our plea and embarked on the protest and you can see the devastating outcome,’’ Mr. Labani said. According to him, the authorities had to invite security operatives when the protest turned violent, to avert total breakdown of law and order.

He the shutting down of the institution was to avoid the escalation of the crisis, and safeguard lives and property. Meanwhile, Jafaru Habibu, spokesman of the Students Union Government, said the incident was not the first, as many students had died in such manner. “This particular one was so pathetic and sparked a lot of reactions from students and we decided to embark on a peaceful protest.

“We are always paying all the fees the institution asks us to pay so they should also meet our demands. “Government has continued to pay deaf ears to our plea of constructing speed breakers along the school road,’’ Habibu said. He appealed to the authorities to put safety measures, including speed breakers on the highway, to check the excesses of careless drivers.(NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

News

Nigeria deports 3 Koreans for immigration offences By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

he federal government yesterday said it deported three Koreans for Immigration related offences. A statement issued yesterday by the spokesman of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Ekpedeme King, said the deportation

which took place on the 20th of July, affected three Korea nationals which include: Lee Yoo Song, Lee Byeung Woo and Moon Een. The statement said Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahaman Dambazzau “in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by sections 45(2) and (3) and 44( 1e) of the Immigration Act 2015 signed the Deportation Order.”

“With the deportation order in force, the three (3) Koreans will not be eligible to enter Nigeria again through any port in the next ten years. “Without prejudice to the Foreign Investment Drive of Government, the Comptroller – General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede, wishes to use this

opportunity to caution all expatriates and their employers in Nigeria to respect the laws of the country as the Nigeria Immigration Service is determined to implement all aspect of immigration laws in public interest. “However expatriates resident in Nigeria with correct documentation are assured of the protection of their rights and dignity.”

Kwankwasiyya plots to disrupt Minjibir bye-election-Kano govt

he kano state government said it has uncovered plan by political pressure group Kwankwassiya led by former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso that have allegedly hired thugs to disrupt next Saturday’s state House of Assembly by-election in Minjibir. State Commissioner of Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba who made the revelation in a terse statement distributed to newsmen Wednesday in kano,

said supporters of Kwankwasiyya group have orchestrated plans to unleashed mayhem during the rescheduled election. Garba further alleged that information at the state government disposal suggested that “Kwankwasiyya group has hired thugs from neighboring country of Niger Republic and states of Katsina and Jigawa state to unleash Mayhem on Inocent and law abiding electorates, with the aim of scuttling the entire process for his selfish

reasons.” Speaking further Garba revealed “we have received credible information that the Kwankwasiyya group, knowing fully that their anti- party intention will fail has resorted to hiring of thugs from the republic of Niger and neighboring states of Katsina and Jigawa state. We have learnt on good authority that the thugs imported are armed to the teeth. “ we want to warn that as a responsible

government we will not sit down and fold our hands for some disgruntle elements to cause chaos in the state and destroyed the relative peace in state. “ we have informed the security agencies of this nefarious plan, we will support them to protect lives and property of law abiding citizens. As a responsible government we will not be party to any process that is undemocratic and unlawful.” The statement warned. L-R: Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar receiving Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi , during the Governor’s visit to former Vice President, yesterday in Abuja

N20m alleged fraud tears Edo teachers apart By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

ublic secondary school teachers in Edo, appear to be on warpath, following the alleged misappropriation of Twenty Million Naira( N20m) belonging to members of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools Teachers, ASUSS. The money was said to have been realised during the leadership of the former chairman of ASUSS, Comrade, Ifaluyi Isibor, who ceased to lead the union about two years ago; has sparked controversy among members of the union, leading to the emergence of two factions. In the meantime, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of ASUSS, Comrade Samuel Akhabue, has raised alarm about the alleged disappearance the sum of four hundred thousand (N400, 000.00) on public relations, without obtaining necessary approval from members of union. At an emergency meeting held in Benin City, yesterday, demanded for explanation on how the previous administration, allegedly squandered the money, which was part of the N500m monthly dues paid by members of the union under the watch of the chairman, Mrs. Bridgette Asemota. But, the embattled chairman of the union, Mrs. Bridgette Asemota, denied allegations of embezzlement of the union’s money. Asemota, said her over one year old leadership has recorded witnessed progress, including a befitting the union permanent Secretariat at Ikpoba Hill by Temboga junction, where they have held several meetings since May 2016. She said her refusal to connive with disgruntled people who led the union in the past and were yet to come to come to terms with the reality, was the reason for the rebellion against her leadership. “Those disgruntled people want me to share the members’ monthly contributions with them. They want to be getting double salaries even when they have left”, are according to her. Asemota, who described a meetings held by the factional leader of Comrade Samuel Akhabue led group as illegal and null and void, stressing that she remains the authentic chairman. “I am not aware of any meeting. I remain the authentic chairman; the other group parading themselves is illegal. Former President of ASUSS, Comrade Ifaluyi Isibor (now a Permanent Secretary) in the state Public service, in a telephone interview, said his decision to intervene in the crises, was to salvage the union from the financial recklessness.

Chlorine gas leak: Lalong compensates victims with N20m From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

ollowing last year’s chlorine gas leak from a government water treatment plant along Murtala Mohammed Way, Jos in Plateau State, the Plateau State Government has paid N2.5m as compensation to each of the relatives of the eight victims. Recall that last year, eight people in Dakum community were reportedly

killed while about 100 persons were hospitalised when they inhaled chlorine gas released from wrongly placed cylinders stored in the State government’s water treatment plant on the 25th of July 2015. Eng. David Jafaru Wuyep who is the Plateau State Commissioner of Water Resources, yesterday, said the state government had commiserated with the families of the victim and given out

the sum of N20 million to the families of victims as relief. According to the commissioner, the report of the investigation on the gas leak indicated that there an allegation of sabotage which resulted to the incident but that the report had been submitted to the police for further investigation because It was gathered that the cylinders were not kept properly by those responsible for doing so.

Emir of Mubi lauds synergy among security agencies From Umar Dankano,Yola

igerian security operatives have been charged to ensure more cooperation between themselves with a view to maintaining conducive atmosphere for legitimate activities by citizenry in Mubi and country at large. Emir of Mubi in Adamawa, Alhaji Abubakar Isa Ahmadu, said the existing synergy among security agencies in his domain is assisting in tackling challenges ahead of time. Ahmadu made the disclosure, Wednesday, while receiving the newly posted Adamawa state Command Controller of Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr Suleiman Wunti, who paid him a courtesy call in his palace. Ahmadu said that the synergy between the agencies and civilian populace has also helped in promoting peace in the emirate. He lauded the contribution of security agencies to the relative

peace in the emirate and assured continuous support for security from the traditional institution in the area. Speaking earlier, the controller, Suleiman Wunti, said he was in Mubi as part of familiarization tour of the service formations in the state. Wunti urged for more support from the traditional institution to facilitate the job of security agencies particularly in the border area. While in Mubi, Wunti also visited the Brigade Commander of 28 Task Force Brigade, Brig. Gen. F.O Omuigui, who assured him of the military support in policing the porous border with Cameroun. The controller was also at the Sahuda Control Post, the major international border with Cameroun where he was informed that 790 refugee returnees had so far been registered following the recent opening of the route by Cameroonian authorities.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

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P ag e 4 R e p o rt

Is the end to Nigeria’s tomato nightmare in sight?

By Chidinma Agu and Itohan Abara-Laserian

our months ago, in fact, from April to late June this year, most Nigerian families found it difficult to make their stew or cook other delicacies with fresh tomatoes. The simple reason is that scarcity of the produce hit the markets. The development led many to seek alternatives such as cooking stew with palm nut juice which in Igboland is popularly called ``Ofe akwu’’. In Delta it is called ``Banga Soup’’ and many others yet adopted the use of only tomato puree and dried tomatoes. Also people blended fresh carrots and pepper to have their stew for rice and other foods. Be that as it may, it is the effect of tomato scarcity. The scarcity, agriculturists say is caused by the pest `` Tuta Absoluta’’, locally named ``Tomato Ebola’’, that destroyed virtually all the tomato farms in the northern part of Nigeria. It is the specie of moth in the scientific family of Gelechiidae known by the common names tomato leafminer and South American tomato moth. The pest, between March and April ravaged tomato farms across the country, badly affecting farms in Kaduna and Abuja environs and beyond. This development shot up the prices of tomatoes in the market and put it out of reach of ordinary Nigerian. The development led many traders to start importing the produce from Ghana, Republic of Benin and Cameroon. Their imports are majorly, the specie called ``Derica’’ believed to be of high quality. Derica now sells for four or five lobes for N200 as against N500 between February and June. But now, tomatoes are gradually coming into the markets because the local specie is now being harvested with the hope that the Derica will by August flood the markets. Mr Bola Oyeleke, the Chairman, Tomatoes and Orchard Producers Association of Nigeria (TOPAN), says the pest invasion is the result of not preparing farm lands for six months before actual planting. ``Farmers do not take time to clear, fumigate and ensure that disease-causing pests are eradicated before planting. ``This is partly the result of nonavailability of chemicals needed to fumigate farmlands to eradicate the disease causing pests and weed control chemicals,’’ he said. Mr Adeniyi Sola-Bunmi, the National Co-ordinator, Youth in Agric Business Development and Innovation, Nigeria (YABDI), blamed the pest invasion on obsolete approach of old generation farmers to farming. According to him, old farmers do not recognise the symptoms of the disease. ``There is need to sensitise farmers about happenings globally as well as need for farmers to use best practices to approach whatever they are doing. ``Farmers need now more of the presence of Extension Officers so that things like the pest invasion can be attended to proactively,’’ he said. Sola-Bunmi says the pronounced symptoms of brownish leaves are one of the ways Tuta Absoluta can be identified.

Audu Ogbe, Minister of Agriculture He notes that the resultant scarcity of tomatoes was a clarion call for every Nigerian to invest in family farming.

``Farmers need now more of the presence of Extension Officers so that things like the pest invasion can be attended to proactively,’’ he said. Sola-Bunmi says the pronounced symptoms of brownish leaves are one of the ways Tuta Absoluta can be identified. He notes that the resultant scarcity of tomatoes was a clarion call for every Nigerian to invest in family farming. ``If we have gardens in our compounds, the effect of the scarcity would not have been much,’’

``If we have gardens in our compounds, the effect of the scarcity would not have been much,’’ he said. For Alhaji Haruna Mohammed, Chairman, Mile 12 Market Perishable Goods Association, the pest, Tuta Absoluta invasion of tomato farms is due to the prolonged dry season. According to him, farmers have planted new tomatoes and they will be available in the markets by August and September. ``The insects come out and are very active during extreme sunshine. ``The insects always attack in dry season and harmattan periods. ``This is not the first time the insects are disturbing tomato farms but this year’s is severe. The insects are not active during rainy period. ``The farmers have planted another set of tomatoes and by September there will be tomatoes as the rain is falling now,’’ he said. Mohammed says that tomato periods are always from August to early February of every year. He notes that tomatoes are not available from middle of February to March as these months are not tomato producing periods. ``Tomato buyers and sellers are not feeling fine at all with this situation. It has affected us seriously,’’ he said. According to him, the traders are buying tomatoes from Cameroon and Ghana to make up until they start harvesting the new ones planted to replace those ravaged by insects. ``It costs between N500, 000 and N600, 000 to bring tomatoes to Lagos from Cameroon and Ghana.

``This is the reason tomatoes are scarce and costly when seen in the market. ``This is a nightmare and tomato traders are praying for August to come so that the nightmare will be over. According to him, this period is not good for both the sellers, buyers and consumers as everybody is complaining the scarcity and the attendant high price. Prof. Clement Akoshile, President, Nigerian Meteorological Society (NMetS), says that some of the things that destroy tomatoes and any other produce are the insects that lay caterpillars on them. Akoshile adds that if farmers are able to follow Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) predictions on weather and rainfall patterns in different parts of the country they will minimise their losses. Dr John Olaoye, Senior Lecturer, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Ilorin, says the particular species of insects that invade tomato farms are the type that multiply rapidly. Olaoye is of the opinion that the best way to approach it is to ensure that if there is a manifestation of the disease on a particular crop, that plant should be removed. He says this way, one is sure that if another set of crops are planted, they will not likely be infested. Alhaji Lawal Adam, the Secretary of Mile 12 Market Tomato Section, says that no pest problem has been recorded in tomato farms after the fumigation and new ones planted. He says that harvesting good varieties known as Derica will start soon. ``Since the pest saga, the farmers, states Ministries of Agriculture and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture as well as other stakeholders are working hard to check a recurrence. ``We hope to start harvesting tomatoes soon and then the importation will stop. ``The price of tomatoes has improved from what it was as the local varieties are in the market now. ``However, a basket that sells for N4,000 before now goes for between N15, 000 and N18,000,’’ he said, expressing the hope that the development will crash the prices. In all, the impact of the scarcity was felt because of the absence of storage facilities, low local processing capacity and the lack of a culture of preservation through local and orthodox methods. Dangote Tomato Processing Plants at Kadawa, Kano State worth N2.5 billion and has a capacity of 120 ton per day has suspended production due to lack of fresh tomatoes to process. However, Erisco Foods Ltd., with a 450,000 tons processing capacity in Lagos is producing but it is not sufficient to satisfy the needs of the country. But the factories are not enough to save the country the foreign exchange it wastes on the importation of tomato pastes to meet local consumption demands, especially at periods when diseases strike the crop. To make sure that the domestic consumption needs are met, the government should encourage more farmers to engage in tomato cultivation with modern technology and pest-resistant seeds.(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

News CBN orders banks to review foreign currency loans

… In bid to boost forex market By Paul Efiong with agency report

n a bid to boost the country’s foreign exchange market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday directed banks to review foreign currency denominated loans in line with the Prudential Guidelines for nation’s Deposit Money Banks. The CBN gave the directive in a statement signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Mrs Tokunbo

Martins. In the statement posted on its website, the apex bank, recalled that the CBN issued the Revised Guidelines for the Operations of the Nigerian interbank foreign exchange market on June 15 to enhance efficiency in the market. “ In continuation of its efforts to enhance efficiency, facilitate liquidity and transparency in the foreign exchange market, the CBN issued the Revised Guidelines for

the Operations of the Nigerian Interbank forex market’’. “One of the effects of the guidelines which liberalised the foreign exchange market, is the increase in balances on foreign currency-denominated loans and advances in the books of banks. It said the exercise included facilities that had been fully provided for under the previous exchange rate regime, but were yet to be written off per extant

regulation under Section 3.21(a) of the Prudential Guidelines. The CBN consequently directed banks to ensure adequate and proper provisioning. It said this was required to ensure that the unprovisioned portion on all such facilities was fully provided for immediately in the income statements. It added that evidence of the additional provisions be forwarded to the Director of Banking Supervision within a week of the issuance of the circular.

L-R: Secretary, Presidential Advisory Committee, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye; EFCC Prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN); former Attorney-General of the Federation, Justice Akinolu Olujimi; representative of the CJN, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, and the Coordinator, Rule of Law Development Foundation, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN) at a seminar on ‘The Remit of Criminal Courts and the Role of Legal Practitioners in Relation to Corruption Cases under Existing Law’,yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

No alternative to current economic policy — FG

he Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is on the right track and there is no alternative to what it is doing. The minister stated this at a meeting with the members of staff of the Nigerian Embassy in Madrid, Spain. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was during the minister’s two-day official visit to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). “I believe that we are on the right track, there will be some pains, but there is no alternative to what we are doing,’’ he said.

Mr. Mohammed said the administration had fulfilled its campaign promises to address insecurity, fix the economy and fight corruption. In the area of security, the minister said that when Mr. Buhari came on board, 14 of the 20 Local Government Areas of Borno, four in Adamawa and three in Yobe were under the sovereign authority of Boko Haram. He said that with proactive measures and soft diplomacy with neighbouring African countries, the U.S., France and the G-8 had helped the country to “decisively deal with Book Haram’’. “Today, all the major highways leading to Maiduguri are opened and about two months ago, the

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) played a league match in Maiduguri stadium,’’ he said. On the renewed agitations in the Niger-Delta region and parts of the South-East, the minister reassured that the government would not marginalise any part of the country, and assured that economic development would go round to everyone. According to the minister, the present administration is implementing fiscal discipline and other measures to address the messed up economy it inherited from its predecessors. He said with the temporarily painful measures, the government would turn around the adversity to gains and ensure that never again

would the nation run a corrupt, clueless and an oil-dependent economy. The minister said the administration had been unfairly accused of placing too much emphasis on the fight against corruption at the expense of addressing fundamental economic issues. He stressed that no amount of economic reforms put in place could work unless the “monster of corruption is successfully dealt with’’. Mr. Mohammed said the administration’s fight against corruption was not selective, and that the government was not probing the 2015 elections campaign funds of the Peoples Democratic Party.

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Army to launch operation ‘Crocodile Smile’ in Niger Delta From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

orried by the incessant spate of crime activities in the south-south states, the Nigerian Army, said yesterday that will launch operation ‘Crocodile Smile’ in the region in order to checkmate the situation. Chief of Army Staff, (COAS) Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai disclosed this while speaking to newsmen shortly after declaring close, the Nigerian Army 2016 Combat Support Arms Training week held at the headquarters of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri. According to Lt. Gen. Buratai, the operation which is expected to commence this week, will involve the deployment of military special troop forces and other hardwares so as to restore peace and normalcy in the region. He said the Combat Support Arms Training is an annual event designed to keep troops updated on the ethical and professional conduct of combat support to meet up with current and future challenges. He noted that the current training activities have been going on in formations and units of the Nigerian Army. The COAS therefore urge troops to be loyal to the constituted authorities and continue offering selfless serives in the fight against insurgency and maintenance of internal security. He further explained that he army headquarters will continue to provide the necessary direction and resources to its troops to ensure that the combat arms perform optimally.

Budget padding: Reps demand independent investigation By Umar Muhammad Puma

roup of lawmakers under the aegis of ‘Transparency Group has called for an independent investigation into the allegation of padding of the 2016 Budget allegedly committed by four principal officers of the House. Rep Jibrin had on Sunday alleged that the Dogara, Lasun, Doguwa and Ogor padded the 2016 budget with N284 billion using 10 of the 96 Standing Committees in the House. The lawmakers allegedly fingered in the scam are; the Speaker of the

House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, his Deputy, Sulaiman Lasun chief whiff, Rep Alhassan Ado Doguwa, and the minority leader of the House, Rep Leo Ogor. Speaking on behalf of the Transparency Group , Musa Soba (APC Kaduna), claimed that about 113 signatures had been collected from lawmakers from the six geopolitical zones and across party lines before the Sallah break with the view of compelling the Speaker to explain noticed discrepancies in the budget. Other lawmakers at the briefing who identified themselves as the publicity

committee of the new group, include: Abubakar Chika (Niger-APC), Baballe Bashir (Kano-APC), Bala Ikora (Kaduna-APC) and Lawal Yahaha (Bauchi-APC). “We call for an external investigation into the matter with the view of us finding out if our principal officers are guilty or not. For this group, we say the budget was padded and as such, the budget being a document that belongs to all Nigerians, it is no longer an internal affair”, Sabo said. The group challenged the spokesman of the House Rep

Abdulrazak Namdas, which they said has no mandate of the entire House to speak on its behalf over the allegations against the speaker and three other principal officers. Soba said that those lawmakers who are at the centre of the controversy should answer to the allegations made against them individually and collectively in line with Legislative and our criminal justice system. He also said that they condemn the padding and consider it an abuse of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as it relates to chapter 2 under

fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy. He said “ we condemn the padding of the budget in its entirety.We will continue to consult on how best to bring sanity into the green chamber” Fielding questions from newsmen Hon.Lawal Yahaya Gumau Bauchi,APC) said that what happened by in the 2016 Budget by all definition is padding. He also said that his group is not comfortable with the generalization of the issues by the public whereas only a few lawmakers are being fingered in the allegation.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

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News Nigerian businessman killed in South Africa

he Nigeria Union in South Africa on Wednesday confirmed the killing of a Nigerian businessman in Limpopo Province of South Africa on Tuesday. Collins Mgbo, Secretary of the Union`s chapter in Limpopo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Polokwane, Limpopo Province, that Ikejiaku Chinedu, 35, was

killed by guards of a private security firm at about 8.00p.m. He said that the deceased was an indigene of Ogwa, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo and married with three children. “One of our members here, Ikejiaku Chinedu, was killed at the outskirts of Polokwane, Limpopo Province of South Africa. “Information available to us

showed that guards of the security company chased and arrested him, he was beaten. “The autopsy result we have showed that there were bruises all over his body, showing that he was beaten to death or suffocated,” he said. Mgbo said the union had reported the incident to the South African police for investigation.

“The South African police assured us of thorough investigation to ensure that justice is done. “We have also reported this incident to the national secretariat of our union in Pretoria,” he said. The president of the Union, Ikechukwu Anyene, said it had received report of the incident. “We have received report of

Mrs. Okowa identifies consistent prayers as solutions to domestic problems From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

he wife of Delta State Governor, and founder, 05 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa, yesterday identified consistent prayers as key solutions to domestic problems. Mrs. Okowa while playing host to the People’s Democratic Party woman leaders is 25 local government areas in the state, who paid a courtesy visit, emphasized

that no man or woman can succeed without God, and urged them to an altar of God in each of their local government areas. Noting that women are known for managerial skills, Dame Okowa said that Delta women have proven themselves to be dependable in all shares and called on women in the country to be unwavering and maintain integrity in spite of the opposing circumstances.

She said: “We need more prayers for the state, the country as Nigeria is passing through difficult times at this era of dwindling economy”, stressing that the faze will soon be over. According to her, “In this midst of challenges in the country now, Delta State will stand out, let us keep praying for the state and the country, at the end of this dispensation, we will thank God”.

She advised the women leaders to avoid whatsoever will bring quarrela mong them, pointing out that no union can succeed in division and acrimony, unless with unity. Earlier, the state women leader, Mrs. Kanwulia Omoko commended the Governor’s wife for supporting the women folk, adding that their visit was to seek her counsels and prayers to enable them succeed.

Wife of the late former Chief Judge of Plateau State, Mrs Agness Oluko and other members of the family during a condolence visit of the north central judges to Late Justice George Uloko residence, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

this sad incident. We call on the South African police to investigate this matter and bring the culprits to book,” he said. Anyene said that 15 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa since the beginning of the year. Anyene said the union would send the report to the Nigerian Consulate for necessary action. (NAN)

Group condemn appointment of Benue agric varsity registrar From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

group known as Opiotoha K’ Idoma has raised objection to the appointment of Mrs. Helen Nyitse as Registrar of the University of Agriculture by the Governing Council of the institution. The group in a press statement made available to Peoples Daily yesterday in Makurdi, said the appointment was an abuse of the principle of federal character. They averred that Mrs. Nyitse apart from being a Tiv person, hails from the same Guma local government area of Benue State as the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Kucha, adding that the other principal officers including the Deputy Vice Chancellor (administration) as well as the Bursar are all of Tiv extraction. “It is unfortunate that the VC is peddling his influence around council members to ensure that Mrs. Nyitse is appointed Registrar against all advices from within and outside the university community. He is boasting around that he would not have or work with an Idoma person as Registrar of the institution which is Federal owned. “If we may ask, what has an Idoma person done to Prof. Kucha to amount to such level of hatred? The immediate past registrar was an Idoma woman and Prof. Kucha hated her with levity and contempt”, the group decried. The Idoma umbrella body also accused the VC of inciting students to protest if an Idoma person is appointed, lamenting that the institution is now caught in a tribal web. They therefore, appealed to the Minister of Education and the Federal Character Commission to wade into the matter and stop the appointment of Mrs. Nyitse for the sake of due process and fairness.

Lagos, Niger begin talks on Agric partnership deal From Ayodele Samuel,Lagos

he Lagos State Government yesterday kickstarted discussions on partnership for the development of agricultural commodity value chain with Niger State aimed at ensuring food security and job creation for the two States and the country at large. The partnership, which is the second of its kind that the Lagos State Government under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is entering, was said to be directed at considerably boosting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of not just the two

States, but the country. Addressing journalists after paying a courtesy visit on Governor Ambode at the Lagos House in Ikeja, Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, said the discussion basically centered on how to explore the comparative advantage of the two States to the benefit of Lagos and Nigeria. He said: “It was a private discussion. It was just to say hello to him (Governor Ambode) and we did not discuss much. Part of our conversation, we discussed agriculture and we specifically discussed how we can partner with Lagos State to support agriculture to the benefit of Lagos State

and Nigeria at large.” It was gathered that discussion on the partnership is still at the preliminary stage, while more would be revealed on modalities as to how things will pan out as regard the partnership going forward. Governor Ambode had earlier entered into partnership with Kebbi State also on development of agricultural commodity value chain. The agreement, aside being aimed at the production of 70 per cent of Nigeria’s rice requirements annually, also principally centres on boosting the production of wheat, ground nut, maize, millet,

sorghum, sugar cane, cows among others. He said: “This relationship is visionary and it is also a pointer to the fact that the two states have decided to openly support the vision of Mr. President, President Muhammadu Buhari. “The change mantra which President Buhari has been preaching is what this whole relationship is all about that we must look inward. We must start to reintegrate our economy in such a manner that we must not continue to import what we can produce and we must create a value chain where we have comparative advantage to do so,” Governor Ambode had said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

News

Supreme Court affirms death sentence on notorious armed robber, Freeborn rom Osakhare Erese, Asaba

he Supreme Court yesterday upheld the death sentence passed on one Freeborn Okiemute by a Delta High Court sitting at Ozoro for the offence of armed robbery. In a unanimous judgement of the Apex Court, the Appellant’s seven grounds of appeal as contained in the brief of arguments settled by his lead Counsel, Ayo Asala Esq were dismissed. While upholding the concurrent judgments of both the trial Court and the Court of Appeal, Justice Suleiman Galadima who delivered the lead Judgment, agreed with the submission of the Respondent ably represented

by the Learned Delta State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpor Esq who argued that the Court of Appeal was eminently right when it upheld the conviction and sentence of the Appellant to death by the High Court of Ozoro, Delta State in case No.HC2/13C/2008 on the 14th day of July, 2010. On the 17th day of November, 2006 at Ozoro within the Ozoro Judicial Division, the Appellant, Freeborn Okiemute and others now at large robbed one Mathilda Egbamuno (f) of the cash sum of N500, 000. 00, jewelries, wrappers and other personal belongings while armed with gun. The Appellant was convicted by Justice Marshal Umukoro of Ozoro

High Court, now the Chief Judge of Delta State on count I and V of a five count charge (conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery) and sentenced him to death by hanging while he was discharged and acquitted in respect of the other four counts. Dissatisfied with the judgment of the trial court, the appellant filed a notice a notice of appeal to the Court of Appeal, Benin Division challenging the Judgment on the High Court. On the 15th day of November, 2012 the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and affirmed the Judgment of the lower Court that convicted the Appellant. In affirming the concurrent judgments of the trial Court and that of

the Court of Appeal, Justice Galadima held that the Prosecution did prove its case against the Appellant beyond reasonable doubt and dismissed the appeal for lack of merit. “It is on the above comments of mine and comprehensive reasons adumbrated in the lead judgment that I am in agreement that this appeal lacks merit and an order of dismissal is inevitable. Appeal is accordingly dismissed” Justice John Okoro concurred in his ruling Meanwhile, a notorious kingpin of a five man kidnap gang, Kennedy Itoje who has been on the wanted list of law enforcement agencies have been sentenced to 13 years in jail with hard Labour by a Delta State High Court for the kidnap

of a Nurse and demanding the sum of N20million as ransom. Kennedy Itoje was convicted by an Asaba High Court (Warrant Matter) on a two count charge of Conspiracy to commit a felony to wit; kidnapping punishable under section 516 and kidnapping punishable under section 364(2) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C21, Volume 1, Laws of Delta State, 2006. He was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment on the count of conspiracy and 8 years in jail for kidnapping with hard labour. Itoje was the leader of the armed gang that abducted one Mrs. Kate Okogu, a Nurse on the 13th of September, 2012 at Ughelli and took her inside the forest where she was held captive until she was rescued by Security agents. Two members of the gang, who were arrested at the place where the victim was kept, have since been convicted andsentenced to jail by an Asaba High Court while the Itoje was on the run.

Monarch’s murder: Northern traditional rulers console with family, Plateau govt From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

he Northern Traditional Ruler’s Council (NTRC) has commiserated with the family members, Bokkos citizens as well as Plateau state government over the recent murder of the Saf Ron Kulere, Lazarus Agai who was killed alongside his aids and family members by unknown gunmen last week on his way back home from farm. Dr. Muhammad Sambo Haruna who is the Emir of Wase and Coordinator of North Central NTRC, gave the condolence yesterday in a press statement which made available to journalists in Jos. According to the statement, the NTRC under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar had received the “gruesome murder” of one of its members with shock. The statement described the late paramount ruler as a man who dedicated his entire life to the peace, unity and progress of his people and Plateau State. The Emir said, “the criminal act by yet to be identified assailants is a set back for the peace being enjoyed in the state which witnessed years of ethnic conflicts that cost several lives, for which the northern traditional rulers council had joined hands with government to restore peace and reconcile the people.” The statement further called on the entire people of the state to remain in peace and harmony as security agents were working hard to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book.

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Director-General, Centre for Management Development, Dr Kabir Usman; Chief Executive Officer, Diaspora Innovation Institute (DII), Mr Akinwale Ojomo, and Chairman, Wi-Pay Technologies Ltd, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, during a seminar on Diaspora Active Engagement in creating disruptive sector to support entrepreneurship for national development, organized by CMD and DII, yesterday in Abuja

Delta Police arrest 15 robbery, cult suspects From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

he police detectives attached to the Delta State Police Command, Asaba, have arrested six robbery suspects, and nine suspected cultists in the last one-week. In press release signed by the police image maker in the state, Mrs. Celestina Kalu, a copy made available to our correspondent, stated that the police detectives on a stop and search duty around Okere

roundabout, Warri, intercepted a tricycle with registration number AKA 231 QV with two occupants, one of them, identified as Boye Agofore 25 years old. Accordingly, the statement added that Bore Agofore, a resident of Morogun by Odusaphien Street Effurun, and Lucky Efe 30 years old, also resident at 5, Okunbo Street Effurun were arrested, and when they were searched, the police detectives recovered assorted

handsets and the sum of 340,000 suspected to have been stolen. The statement further revealed that upon investigation, the suspects had earlier robbed one Agbhoghoubia Rukevwie of No. 4 Aghoghohoubia Street, Warri, including one Ifeanyi Agim of No. 26 London OPI Street, Warri of their valuables adding that the victims were contacted and have identified the suspects including the exhibits as properties robbed for them. Also, the police in Asaba while

acting on a distress call on cult clash between cultists in Ogbolu community, near Asaba, nine suspected cultists whose names were given as: Paul Ogbeme, Chukwuma Udeze, Unata Tochukwu, Monday John, Aduba Solomon, Nwoku Emmanuel, Alex Ekemeso, Onyeka Samuel and Okechukwu Alaka. The police image maker confirmed that the suspects upon interrogation, confessed to the crime, adding that they have been charged to court.

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News Home grown school feeding means of fighting corruption-Gov. Amosun From James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

gun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has said that the “Home Grown School Feeding Programme” initiative will, apart from making the children healthy and very attentive to their studies, help to create wealth as well as boost agricultural production in the state and the nation at large. Governor Amosun made this known in Abeokuta while declaring open the two day workshop of the Ogun State Home Grown School Feeding programme assuring that all agricultural produce to be used for the programme would be sourced locally. The programme, according to the governor would see to it that pupils from primary one to three in all the 1554 public primary schools in the state enjoy a hot nutritionally balanced meal free of charge daily, saying this would also lead to increase in enrolment figures in primary schools. “The two day workshop will help to develop implementation strategies for the Ogun State Home Grown School feeding programme model in line with the Federal government framework”, Governor Amosun affirmed.

L-R: British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arlwright, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Hon. Abubakar Bwari, during the envoy paid a visit to the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja

Shiite urges transparency in handling cases over clash with army From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna Islamic Nigeria Shiites

Academic Forum mostly students of tertiary institution in the country said the recent indictment of One Division Mechanized Nigerian Army General Commanding Officer (GOC) for killings of shiites

in Zaria was done to make the GOC a sacrificial lamb. According to them, there was no way the GOC would take the drastic decision of killing hundreds of Shiites during the incident

between their members and soldiers without receiving orders from the above. They youths while addressing newsmen in Kaduna through their Leader Shuaibu Isa

ocio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the House of Representatives to the United Nations, UN, to seek an explanation from the House on allegations of budget padding against some principal officers, including the Speaker, Hon Dogara. SERAP said it has sent an urgent appeal to Philip Alston, UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights urging him to “use your good offices and position to urgently request the leadership of the House of Representatives of Nigeria to explain the alleged deliberate padding of the 2016 budget with N481 billion (Nigerian Naira), removal of critical projects and replacement of such projects with constituency projects, which have not only undermined the fight against corruption in the country but also exacerbated extreme poverty and violations of internationally recognized human rights.” The petition dated 27 July 2016 and signed by SERAP Executive Director,

Adetokunbo Mumuni states that, “SERAP considers the alleged budget padding, diversion of public funds and abuse of office by the leadership of the House of Representatives as amounting to a deliberate retrogressive action, which cannot be justified by reference to the totality of internationally recognized human rights, and in the context of the obligation to fully use the maximum available resources to fulfill and ensure the enjoyment of those rights.” The petition copied to Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption and the InterParliamentary Union, also states that, “We are concerned that the alleged corrupt budget process in the House of Representatives in the context of an economy already weakened by years of large scale corruption will jeopardise sustainable development and hurt ordinary Nigerians who rely on the government to provide basic necessities of life such as water, good roads and electricity.”

The petition reads in part: SERAP is concerned that the longstanding practice of constituency projects by the National Assembly of Nigeria and the corresponding alleged diversion of public funds have continued to systematically drain the country’s “maximum available resources”, precipitating poverty, and economic crisis which inevitably magnify dispossession, hunger, disease, illiteracy, and insecurity.” SERAP in a press release yesterday said that it believes that the allegations that the leadership of the House of Representatives worked to abuse the budget process to benefit themselves at the expense of the majority of Nigerians is a fundamental breach of constitutional oath and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to which Nigeria is a state party, which requires states to use their maximum available resources to promote and secure the enjoyment of basic economic and social rights such as the rights to food, to healthcare, to access to quality education and adequate standards of

living. SERAP therefore urged the Special Rapporteur to publicly express concerns about the allegations of budget padding and diversion of public funds and abuse of office by the leadership of the House of Representatives, thereby exacerbating extreme poverty and violations of human rights as well as put pressure on the leadership of the House of Representatives to allow for independent and transparent investigation of the allegations of budget padding, diversion of public funds and abuse of office, and not to victimize Mr Jubrin for blowing the whistle on the allegations of corruption in the House. Recall that the immediate past Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmunin Jibrin, and available documents that Speaker Yakubu Dogara and three other principal officers of the House of the Representatives padded the 2016 budget to the tune of N481 billion and included N100 billion on constituency projects, contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

embers of Movement in known as

Budget padding: SERAP drags House of Reps to UN By Ese Awhoto

Ahmad urged the international community, particularly human rights organizations to pressurize Nigerian government to punish all those who participated in the killings of about 1000 shiites in Zaria. He said based on their records many tertiary institution students were brutally massacred and buried in mass graves while others are still under detention. “ 1000 plus innocent citizens were brutally killed, 887 families were affected, not less than 472 women became widows, 100 born to widows since the brutal killings, 191 are still in prison custody. 68 of those in prison are students, two died in prison due to lack of medical attention. “About 347 that included women and children were killed and dumped in a single mass grave in Mando outskirts of Kaduna State. Over 300 were hospitalized with various degrees of injuries. Many were burnt to death. “How can you then think the One Machanized Division GOC acted alone. Somebody most have given him orders from the above. He was just being used as sacrificial lamb. We are only calling on all Nigerians and international community to join us and stand for the truth, justice and fairness. “All we are demanding is the release of our leader Shaikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, his wife and the rest of the 191 innocent citizens in detention unconditionally. We are deeply concerned and worried about the present health of the Shaikh. This means he needs Doctor to check on him,” he said. The Forum also called for the unity of Muslims in the country.

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News

Mike Okiro, Kaoje urge youths to be agents of change By Hauwa Yusuf Musa

he Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro and a former Minister of Youth, Bala Kaoje, yesterday charged youths in the country to be agents of change. The two duo gave this charge in Abuja during a programme, “Change the mindset unity task team unveiling”,

Organised by a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) Salute Nigeria Initiative (SNI). Specifically, Kaoje said Nigerians should unite and contribute to the growth and development of the economy. “Nigeria is our country and we all must contribute to make it better. We cannot expect people from elsewhere to come and do it for us.

He called on youths in the country to shun cultism and other vices so as to be agents of positive change in the society. Kaoje commended SNI for organising a task team led by Danjuma Tanze, which he said would help reform youths in the country. On his part, Okiro, said “with the current economic recession, there is need for the youths to come together

and contribute their quota. He said the waves of violence in the country should be replaced by good deeds so so as to turn the country for the better. The former minister who was represented by his press secretary, Koyode Ibtomi, said Nigerians should focus on promoting nationality and not ethnicity. Okiro said the country has

potentials but the projection of ethnicity has relegated such achievements to the background. He urged Nigerians to focus and respect constituted authorities so as to give the country a good name. On his part, leader of the task team, Tanze promised to champion the “change the mindset” campaign and work towards ensuring unity amongst Nigerians.

Agency highlights measures to mitigate flood menace

he Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) on Tuesday in Abuja highlighted some measures to mitigate flooding situations in the country. The Director-General of the agency, Dr Moses Beckley, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He called for the enhancement of systems for flood monitoring, flood forecasting and flood early warning, construction of new dykes, floodwalls, buffer dams and water retaining structures to control flood in Nigeria. NAN reports that the agency released this year`s flood forecast to Nigerians so as to be prepare them to devise ways of cushioning the effects of the environmental problem. According to Beckley, with the general outlook of the flood situation, provided in the 2016 forecast, it has become necessary that an early warning system and mitigation measures be put in place. He said this would reduce likely flood hazards in all the identified – High Risk and Moderate Risk Flood areas of the country. He advised that refuse, weeds, water hyacinths, and floats on water channels and on all avenues for river run-offs should be removed. He opined that prompt sensitisation of the public on information in the 2016 flood outlook publication as a flood early warning, and flood disaster would serve as preventive measures to mitigate natural disasters. Beckley, therefore, urged the federal, state and local governments to consider the dredging and clearing of drains and canals, and to embark on projects for enhancing hydraulic conveyance of surface run-offs during peak flows. ``Improvement of organisation system at different levels to combat flood disaster from the federal to state to local government and to community levels will go a long way to tackle flood issues in Nigeria. ``Effective and efficient operation and maintenance of hydraulic structures such as dams, reservoirs and water-related infrastructure across the country should also be considered an important task by the government at all levels, `` he said. He, however, advised that people living along the water ways and those who are having socio-economic activities on the flood plains be relocated by the government.

Ambassadorial Nominee, Inyang Udo-Inyang, briefing other nominees after his screening by the senate committee on foreign affairs at the national assembly, yesterday in Abuja with him is the senior special adviser to president on national assembly matters (senate), Sen. Ita Enag.

Educationists advocate reintroduction of corporal punishment in school

wo educationists have advocated reintroduction of corporal punishment in schools so as to instill discipline. They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday. Mrs Gladys Grimmes, the proprietor of Gladys and Grimmes Educational Services, said that discipline should be integrated into education for the desired quality to be achieved. Grimmes said that corporal punishment was ``a corrective measure

that instils discipline in students which is a major part of our culture in training students’’. She noted that the result of an undisciplined person could be disastrous and that as such, children should be oriented on the importance of discipline. ``From day one, when a child enters school, you let them know teachers are in control and if they should harass the teachers, it will lead them to rustication. ``Besides we teach them morals and let them know the consequences

of their action if they should break the rules,’’ Grimmes said. She said that any student who violets the rules and regulations and harass any teacher should be expelled to serve as an example to other students. Also, Mrs Dorcas Olubodun, the Principal of the school, said that any student who failed to adhere to the rules and regulations of the school to the extent of harassing teachers should be expelled. Olubodun said that education without good moral would yield no dividend and as such ``it is important

to instil discipline and introduce punishment where necessary. According to her, the moment students gain admission, orientation exercise is usually organised for the students to educate them on the rules and regulation of the school. ``We let them know that harassment of teacher or signs of indiscipline, after several warning, erring student will be expelled. ``An SS2 student was recently expelled because he pushed a teacher, who tried correcting him,’’ the principal said. (NAN)

Security operatives arrest cattle rustler with 110 cows, 25 sheep in Kebbi From Ahmed Idris Birnin Kebbi

he Security Operatives attached to Fakkai Local Government Area in Kebbi State has apprehended a cattle rustler with one hundred and ten cows and twenty five sheep. Briefing newsmen shortly after the local government security meeting held at the Mahuta, the Sole Administrator of the area, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammad said that it is

obvious for the security personnel to bugle up since President Muhammadu Buhari launched the Nigeria Army day celebration in Dansod in Zamfara state which shared borders with Fakkai local government of kebbi state. He further revealed that the culprits will usual take advantage of the proximity and spill over to the local government as their hideouts which eventually will not be well for the people.

The sole administrator explained further that the aimed of the meeting is to foster how to find lasting solution to the menace adding that for the quite long time the area have been enjoyed peace and harmony with the communities while urge them to continue to maintain peace with one another. He then directed the Traditional title order as well as the village heads to e vigilant in accommodate unknown person, urge them to do

through investigation. In his remarked, the National President Meyyith Allah Cattle Breeders, Alhaji Muhamadu Kiruwa who was represented by the Secretary of the Association Alhaji Garba Bala commended the sole administrator for his effort intensify towards ensuring peace in the area. Those in attendance are the commissioner of environment, traditional order and other relevant security agencies.

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News NATA ends 2yrs crisis, elects new exco in Minna Yakubu Mustapha,Minna.

he National Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) Niger State branch has finally put to rest its over two years leadership tussle and litigation after electing the new Exco to over see its affairs for the next four years. Announcing the results, Comrade Olubo Ayuba emerged the state Chairman of NATA with 79 votes against the incumbent Nageem Bello Salaudeen with 76 votes out of 157 accredited votes with 2 invalid votes. Others who emerged at the election includes Vincent Billy as the deputy chairman, Shuaibu Mohammad vice chairman, Tunde Olaruwaju general secretary, Jibril Mohammed Treasurer, Dauda Abdul assistant secretary and other positions while three position were unopposed. The Chairman electoral committee and Vice President of North Central zone Comrade Philemon Eleija, who announced the results at Abdulsalami Youth Center in Minna, appreciated the the peaceful conduct of the members throughout the electioneering campaigns. The newly elected chairman, Comrade Ayuba in his acceptance remarks appreciated the transparent nature of the election described it as the first in history of the state hence his victory was for all assured not to led members down called for constructive criticism and will also ensured truth to prevail in any circumstances. He stated that the unity of members to be his priority to ensured development of the association, regretted the long period of litigation but should appreciate for overcoming the the situation in the state.

R-L: Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Abdalla Adamu, Lecturer / President, the Commonwealth of Learning, Prof. Asha Kanwar and Director, Open and Distance Education, National Universities Commission, Dr. Olamide Esther Adesina, during the 1st NOUN Public Lecture on Can ODL Reach the Unreached? Lessons from the Commonwealth, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Kebbi NLC removes chairman Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

he Kebbi State Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) has impeached its State chairman, Comrade Murtala Usman and replaced him with Comrade umar Halidu Alhssan. His removal was followed by a resolution reached by the State Executive Council (SEC) of the union

yesterday of which majority of the members of the SEC were in support of his removal. Addressing newsmen on the development, the vice-chairman of the union, Comrade Tasiu Lawal stated that the removed Chairman has since be sack from work since July last year by his employer, ‘The Kaduna Electric’ Adding that based on this he

(Usman) ought to have resigned his Chairmanship of the Labour and vacate his Office for his vice in council. In a swift reaction to his removal, the State Treasurer of NLC, Comrade Muhammad Salisu Umar told newsmen that the removal of comrade Murtala Usman was biased and lack proper procedure of removing an incumbent Chairman. Umar who is also the State

Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) explained that the vice Chairman has no moral or constitutional right of the Union to conveyed a meeting that would unseat his Chairman. He therefore declared the so called impeachment as null and void, adding that Murtala Usman still remain the choice of majority of members of the Labour movement in the State.

…As concerned Nasarawa elders call for an end to labour strike From Gamba Ahmed Lafia

he concerned Nasarawa elders yesterday called on the labour leaders in the state to as a matter of fact resolve their crisis by considering the majority interest of the people by taking into cognizance the present financial reality of the country and call off the strike for the development of the state. Addressing journalists at the Nurses House Bukan Sidi Lafia the capital, the spokesman of the concerned elders Alhaji Yahaya Bello expressed concern that if the strike continued, it would have a serious adverse effect on the workforce. He continued that “Government is faced with dwindling finances which

it chooses to adjust workers salary rather than the less palatable option of retrenchment. We urged labour union in the state to give due consideration to the situation at the federal and state levels and call-off the strike. We call on the labour and the state government to understand in the good interest of the people. Both sides should understand that wage reviews and negotiations are continuous processes. Bello regretted that “The workforce in the state will remain unproductive compared to its counterparts in other states. Government machinery cannot operate maximally. Education facilities will fall far below standards and social service delivery will depreciate to an abysmal level. He added that, right from the

assumption of office of governor Almakura in 2011, he decided to implement 18,000 minimum wage policy of the federal government for the workers in Nasarawa State; stressing that governor Almakura also provided dividends of democracy to the people compared to previous administrations as according to him” if not because of the economic crunch in the country that has affected all sectors the issue of strike would have not occurred and called on labour to reason with the present predicament . “Almakura has performed greatly in the spheres of social amenities. He has also settled all the liabilities he inherited from the previous governments since the creation of the state. Today there is no outstanding

loan from any bank against the state government. This he has been doing amidst dwindling financial resources” he noted. The concerned elders however called on the people of the state to avoid unguarded comment on the current situation as according to him “What constrained the concerned elders in the state to comment on the situation is as a result of unguarded, self -centred and unpatriotic statement being made by some enemies of progress and some politicians on the crisis. According to elders “we call on labour to have a rethink and call off the strike for the interest of the younger generation. We also appeal to labour to embrace dialogue as soon as the economic improves.”

Kaduna govt distributes Napier seedlings in Kachia grazing reserve From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

aduna State government has yesterday officially launched distribution of Tinapiar grass in Laduga grazing reserve, Kachia local government area of the state. Commissioner for Agriculture Dr. Daniel Manzo who officially flagged the distribution of the Napier seedling grass said, “the Napier

grass is the most promising and high yielding grass fodder which is also nutritious, it has shown as demonstrated, its increase milk production from 1litre to 3.5litres that is even using the old system,” he said. He further explained that Imagine a system where all lapteting Cows will not go out to graze they will be kept in one place to conserve their energy and channel it to milk production it will end up producing up to 5 to 6litres per day.”

According to him, the essence of the Flagging-off of the Napier seedling is to empower key stake holders and key players in the rural economy, because the rural economy constitute 80 percent of GDP of Kaduna State.” Dr. Manzo maintain that agriculture is the key driver of the Kaduna State economy and the sector is characterized by small holders, he however describe the people of Laduga as the key engine room of the Kaduna State economy

who cannot be ignored. He said. He further maintained that the State government is committed toward empowering them. He disclosed that the State is kick starting a fuel livestock development centres to turn them into models then subsequently, once we exposed them to animal husbandry we’ll encourage investors to come and work with them. He concluded.

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Opinion Change to reverse in forward motion By Bukar Dikwa

he Zamfara State political imbroglio between the Governor and his estranged members of the House of Assembly reminds me so much of my first driving lesson as a teenager growing up in the emerging cosmopolitan town of Maiduguri and specifically the constant warning from my driving instructor Malam Shehu, “Kada ka taba canza giya zuwa ribas in mota na tafiya!” which translates to never to attempt engaging reverse gear when the vehicle is in forward motion. He said it so often that one day I summoned the guts to ask him “why?” From the look he gave me, I was certain, had I not been behind the wheel on that busy stretch of road, his answer would have been registered physically on some part of my anatomy but he managed to reply as calmly as the situation required: “Because the engine will knock!” Somehow this phrase has become engraved in my mind and subsequently it has become a sort of guiding principle that I have adopted to deal with situations. Obviously from the unfolding drama, it is safe to assume the Zamfara State lawmakers didn’t have a good instructor like mine. They have certainly done the

unthinkable…a reverse gear in this state of plausible motion is certainly a recipe for disaster. Just how long her engine can hold remains to be seen, but for now the State is gasping for breath from a vice-like political grip that is threatening its jugular. How else can one explain the action of the lawmakers against the Governor in the face unparalleled transformation which he championed and that has been widely acclaimed as unprecedented since the creation of the State in 1996? Why now? Why did the legislators have to wait 5 years? So many questions begging for answers...! The man at the center of the storm, Hon (Dr) Abdulazeez Yari Abubakar is certainly no stranger to controversy for so many reasons but most of all for daring to run his administration on developmental goals rather political largess in total contrast to that of his erstwhile mentor Sen Ahmed Sani as well as his predecessor Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi. In fact by the dawn of the his tenure in 2015, there was really no love lost between political jobbers whose major preoccupation was living off the State purse and the Governor who they openly blame for their lack. Truth be told, Shehi, as the Governor is popularly called, has always been a marked man as far as Zamfara State politics is concerned. In as

much as he himself wouldn’t want to admit, for reasons best known to him, there is a strong correlation between his constant travels and this precarious situation he is confronted with in the State. I recall an interview where he claimed to have spent N700, 000 Million on frivolous Party members’ expenses for a month’s stay in Zamfara. The Chairmanship of the Governors Forum must have been quite a relief as he busied himself with its activities while jumbling affairs on the home front. An equally credible story making rounds as being a contributory factor for the current faceoff between the Governor and the legislators is the preparation against the 2019 polls which at this rate looks heavily tilted against the interests of the incumbent Senator of Zamfara West Sen Ahmed Sani Yarima. Sen Yarima, a twoterm Governor and presently a second term Senator who hails from the same constituency with the incumbent Governor, Abdulazeez Yari Abubakar. Observers are already foreseeing a major political dual between the two political heavyweights over this senatorial seat in 2019. With his rising political profile both within and outside the State, many developmental projects to his credit as well as the tremendous goodwill he enjoys from the President

and the National leadership of the APC, wrestling the senatorial seat away from Yarima will be as easy as snatching a candy from a child! One of Shehi’s weaknesses that fuelled the chain of events leading to the impeachment threat by the lawmakers, has been attributed to his inability to assemble his own team of core loyalists but rather opted to remain wholly dependent on the political machinery of former Governor Sen Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura who Shehi still refer to as his mentor and political godfather. No thanks to Shehi’s loyalty, Yarima being the general overseer of Zamfara politics, still remains the key towards resolving or indeed escalation of this crisis. Rightly or wrongly, they have finally cornered Shehi exactly where they wanted him in the first place. Whether he will budge to their requests is another thing entirely. One thing is for sure, he is not likely to go down without a fight. There will be casualties but the biggest of them is the fortune of this bustling young agrarian State that an unnecessary political turmoil is set to change to reverse in forward motion! Dikwa is a lecturer at the University of Maiduguri

Abdulmumin Jibrin: How not to be dishonourable By Kosa Onyemere

he recent outbursts by Abdulmumin Jibrin, Member of The House of Representatives, representing Kiru/ Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, against the leadership of the House and by extension the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, should come as no surprise to discerning observers who are familiar with his antecedents. For a man who has repeatedly managed to put himself in the eye of the storm of political brouhahas in recent times, taking on the leadership of the House and the Institution to which he belongs to as a whole in a Political battle, surely seemed easy and straight forward, perhaps even winnable; only that this time around, he has bitten more than he can chew, and has no moral standing ground. Those who come to equity must do so with clean hands, and Jibrin’s hands are far from clean. In the lead up to the emergence of the 8th Assembly, Jibrin was a very visible and vocal member of the House, and one of the first to publicly rebel against his party, the APC’s Zoning Formula for the House of Reps Principal Positions. Jibrin was the spokesman of the Consolidation Group, a group of like-minded Members who revolted against APC’s Zoning Formula and wholly threw their weight behind the candidature of the current Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara. It was a move that earned the group and its members the respect and admiration of a section of the Nigerian public, who saw it as germane and healthy for our democracy. Thus, it came as no surprise to many when he was made the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation after the emergence of Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara as the Honourable Speaker, House of Representatives. The battle had been fought and won, and all was set to be rosy and cordial, except that Jibrin had other intentions. Posing as a champion of the public good, Jibrin was quick in lathering up to President Muhammadu Buhari - despite having

previously opposed his candidacy. During a press conference to announce the resolution of the crisis that erupted in the House over the sharing of Principal Positions between the Dogara and Gbajabiamila Camps, he had this to say: “let me reiterate our resolve that President Buhari is going to enjoy the maximum and unprecedented support of the APC caucus in the House in order for him to achieve all the laudable programmes of this government.” He would later make rubbish of this statement, and prove his Janus faced approach to salient issues by padding the 2016 Appropriation Budget of President Muhammadu Buhari. In what has now become public knowledge, Jibrin is accused of using his position and privilege as the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation to pad the 2016 Budget and sneak in projects to the tune of four billion Naira for his constituency, while some lawmakers had no projects in their own constituencies. To make matters worse, Jibrin introduced a N250 million project into the budget for the construction of an International Tourism Market in Argungu, Kebbi state, his wife’s constituency. This padded project was smuggled into the budget for the National Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC). This self-serving act of betrayal and sabotage became one of the major reasons why President Buhari withheld assent and refused to sign the Budget at the first instance, citing the slipping in of additional items of expenditure, an anomaly that must be corrected before he signs. This consequently lead to the late passage of the Budget, and the attendant hardship and suffering that ensued. This is not to mention the alleged infamous N4.1 billion that he shamelessly to his Constituency of Babeji/Kiru and not to talk of the so-called Muhammadu Buhari Film Village he single-handedly inserted in the budget and cited it in his village without the consent or knowledge of the President which was vehemently rejected by people of Kano state. This made other Members very unhappy

with Jibrin over his role in the fiasco, especially his hoarding of information on the details of the 6.06 Trillion Budget. Speaker Dogara therefore, was faced with two choices. Either back an ally and strong supporter who used his privileged position as Chairman of a very powerful committee to engage in untoward activities, or to honour his vow and oath of carrying out his duties as Speaker without fear or favour, and protect the nation at large. The first option was a no go area for the Speaker. In that regard, Dogara held series of meetings with President Buhari, where he pleaded and promised to handle the situation. The Speaker, after exhaustive consultations, consequently informed Jibrin of his removal as Chair, House Committee on Appropriation. This decision was taken a long time ago, when the Speaker was presented with overwhelming details of Jibrin’s many infractions. The monumental scandal Jibrin is facing certainly calls to question his credibility and trustworthiness, and it is even worse that he is trying to drag the whole Institution and the Speaker down with him, typical of someone drowning and clutching at every straw, both real and imagined. For him to be so unapologetic and unremorseful over this shameful conduct, but rather seeking to pull others down with him, indicates his acceptance of culpability. It is also rather ironic that Jibrin, fraud-ex-gov-akwe-doma-six-others-tobe-re-arraigned) now has the audacity to level allegations of fraud against Dogara. Dogara’s tenure as Chairman of the House Services was marked with not a single allegation of wrong doing and his stellar record from the 6th and 7th assemblies was why those who so passionately supported his speakership bid, did. Records show that Dogara has never been involved in a case of fraud or any other financial crime, but the same cannot be said for Jibrin. Jibrin also opposed Buhari’s candidacy in 2014 and granted several interviews to that effect, in which he described Buhari as “too old” for the presidency

and advised him against contesting. Is it not then curious that he, all of a sudden, claims to love Buhari more than others who supported him? It is pertinent to note that when Dogara left PDP for APC, his state (Bauchi) was under PDP-control and he had no guarantee whatsoever of successfully returning to the House as a legislator following that decision. The film village that Jibrin also snuck into the budget for his constituency has been rejected by the people of Kano state, despite his fraudulent attempt to name it after the President in order to appease both President Buhari and the people. What a strange character! It should be clear and evident to all discerning minds that Abdulmumin Jibrin is a man drowning in his own pool of sins, and will surely do/say everything he can to drag someone down with him. The bigger that fellow casualty is, the better for him and in the House, it doesn’t get bigger than the Speaker himself. Jibrin has released several documents which supposedly prove Dogara’s complicity in some crime, but not one of the many pieces of paper he has released so far would stand up to scrutiny in a court of law. Jibrin has also successfully muddied the waters by refusing to explain to his audience that there is a statutory allocation for constituency projects and that Members recommending these is neither a crime, nor is it padding, as attracting federal attention to their constituencies is one of their duties as lawmakers. The evil that men do, lives after them and those who come to equity must do so with squeaky clean hands. One also wonders if Jibrin’s latest 21 questions cost two million Naira each. It would be wise for Jibrin to realize that this is a battle he cannot win, as Nigerians are aware of his antecedents of double dealing and Budgetary sabotage. Kosa Onyemere is a public affairs analyst and social commentator, wrote in from Lagos.

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Comment

AMCON, debt recovery and national interest By Bashir Ibrahim Hassan

ebt recovery is as daunting a task as anything. Ask anyone with banking experience he/she will tell you how staff in debt recovery departments are loathed by bank debtors. This is what we are witnessing today, the loathing of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) by some recalcitrant debtors in the wake of its heightened activities in debt recovery. It is tempting in Nigeria to side with a debtor narrating his ordeal at the hands of debt collectors because of the picture such encounter evokes in our minds due to the experience we all share of the bad reputation rent collectors acquired in our communities due to the manner they employed to recover their debt including subjective use of law enforcement agents. It is even more tempting to believe when such narratives are told in our news media with a measure of sophistry. But reading between the lines will show a strenuous effort to stand truth on its head. But the reality is over the years, there has been developed a body of laws to ensure fair dealings in debt collection in Nigeria and globally. So, that portrayal of the debt collector as reprehensible villain out to wreck lives of a struggling debtor— either as an individual or a business concern— belongs to the past or in the warped imagination of the portrayer. Therefore, before a statutory body in the league of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), established and operating with the purview of Law and under a regime committed to laid-down rules, is seen in open dispute with a debtor, all amicable options must have been exhausted. This aside, if truth must be told, no company or individual is forced to borrow money in the first place. Ultimately, if companies owe a debt, it’s because they chose to borrow money. Their lenders made that loan, or offered the credit line, contingent upon a documented pledge to pay it back. This means creditors do have a right to their money, and a debt collector is

simply trying to reclaim what is legally and ethically owed by the debtor. I once argued that the world economy is supported by debt. This means that we are operating a debt-dependent economy. In essence, therefore, debt in itself is not always a bad thing. The problem of debt arises when there is default. So the question is how do we avoid defaults, and if they eventually happen, how do we manage the crisis that follows? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to these questions. Every nation studies its economic peculiarities and adopts the best approach that will mitigate the potential for a catastrophe. We all can recall that Nigeria has had its own fair share of the impact of the 2008 global financial meltdown on its banking sector. And we adopted some innovative measures to prevent systemic collapse of our banking system. Three prominent ones stand out -- bailout, bridge banking and, perhaps the most significant of all, the establishment of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in 2010. Lest we forget, AMCON was created to be a key stabilizing and re-vitalizing tool to revive the financial system. It went ahead to efficiently resolve the non-performing loans (NPL) assets of the banks in the Nigerian economy. Its objective include: assist eligible financial institutions to efficiently dispose of eligible bank assets; efficiently manage and dispose of eligible bank assets acquired by it; and obtain the best achievable financial returns on eligible bank assets or other assets acquired by it. So far AMCON has acquired about 13,774 Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) worth N3.6 trillion from 22 commercial banks in Nigeria and provided financial accommodation of N2.2billion, a protected N4.7trillion of depositors’ funds and interbank takings as well as saved approximately 14,000 jobs. This was done in pure national interest. No one can deny the fact that, through AMCON’s intervention, the Federal Government successfully managed our debt crisies and saved our banking system from imminent systemic collapse. But this achievement will

not be complete until and unless it recovers those bad debts, which it uses tax payers’ money to purchase. Lest we also forget, the debtors AMCON is dealing with now have passed through all the three stages of a normal debt recovery process. They have failed to settle their debts with their initial creditor’s internal collectors (bank loan recovery teams) referred to as first-party agency, which is the first stage in the process. The second stage is when a third party is introduced to play the role of debt collector. The third stage is for the original creditor to write off the debt and sell it, which is where AMCON came in. AMCON has acquired the Non-Performing Loans of the banks using tax payers’ money; so it is in the national interest that it recovers these loans from the debtors and to do so in order to turn a profit on its purchase.To do otherwise is to short-change toiling Nigerian tax payers. To help it in this recovery task, AMCON has recently inducted successful firms that qualified as its Asset Management Partners (AMPs). The AMPs are consortiums with specialist skills required to ensure recovery and debt resolution from banking, legal, valuation and accounting backgrounds. The move is AMCON’s strategy to resolve over six thousand accounts with loan balances of N100 million and below. I believe these AMPs are familiar with all the provisions of the Nigerian Laws and withglobal best practices that advocate for fair treatment of debtors. Perhaps they are aware or even belong to professional associations such as ACA International, the world’s largest nonprofit trade group representing collection agencies, creditors, debt buyers, collection attorneys and other industry service providers. The ACA requires its members to abide by all laws and regulations, as well as its own codes of ethics and operations. For example, the ACA requires its members to “treat consumers with consideration and respect” and “communicate with consumers with honesty and integrity.” It also prohibits collectors from engaging in “dishonorable,

unethical or unprofessional conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or harm a consumer.” Indeed, debtors are in safe hands with the current Managing Director/CEO of AMCON Ahmed Lawan Kuru. His vast experience as a risk management expert is widely acknowledged. He knew his onions well, having played at the top echelon of the defunct Bank PHB as executive Director overseeing critical areas like Risk Management, Compliance, Commercial Banking, Northern Operations, Public Sector, Multilateral Agencies and the West Coast, East and Central Africa expansion programme of the bank. Before assuming his current position of MD/CEO at AMCON, Ahmed was the MD/CEO of Enterprise Bank Limited. He was also Executive Vice Chairman, Emeritus Capital Limited, a financial service firm with speciality in international business development focusing in sub-Saharan Africa. Surely, he is the type of Chief Executive who knows that loans are the engine of progress of modern economy; so he will never see debtors as enemies as insinuated in some quarters. On the contrary, he is committed to supporting businesses with a view to enhancing their productivity. And, more than that, he wants to help them transform their NPLs to RPLs (Reperforming loans). Doing this, Ahmed believes, will provide liquidity to the banks, which will help them meet their own obligations as well. So he knows how to balance his act between giving a breather to debtors to meet their obligations and the need for AMCON to realise its own mandate. So what we are seeing today in heightened AMCON activities is nothing short of adoption of an aggressive recovery strategy that has led to increased repayment from hitherto recalcitrant obligors. As said earlier, AMCON is simply trying to reclaim what is legally and ethically owed by the debtor. Period. There is no room for any sentiments here. It is business, pure and simple. Hassan is a business and financial analyst.

Buhari’s model community policing approach By Sam Ode

o matter what hardship Nigerians may face presently, what must be acknowledged is that the days that Boko Haram fighters operated as a parallel state to Nigeria is over. This feat of containing the insurgent depended largely on the will to look inwards while not being totally dismissive of international partners. The quality and effectiveness of his choice of leadership for the military services have been adequately articulated by other writers. The additional icing on the cake is Mr President’s implementation of what almost amounted to community policing in the fight against terror. This refers to the training and induction of over 250 ex-Civilian JTF members into the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services (DSS). Their absorption into the security bodies would offer the advantages derivable from community policing. Members of the Civilian JTF being from the northeast are familiar with and understand the terrain and would automatically be able to give the military the added advantage needed to give Boko Haram a final blow. A country like Afghanistan offers a graphic example of the danger of allowing members of a militia that fought terrorists to go unaddressed. In the course of time they stand the risk of

themselves becoming a small scale terror franchise or in other instances they simply go ahead to declare the areas they have liberated from extremists as being independent of the larger state thereby provoking another round of crisis. This perhaps accounts for the positive reception of the absorption of the 250 former Civilian JTF members into the Nigerian Army. After all, these are young men who have experienced battles without being formally trained as fighters and now being paid as soldiers would definitely boost their morale to more stiffly defend their homelands and by extension the whole of Nigeria as expected of soldiers. The role of the Nigerian Army in the adoption of these youths is not lost however. It had made good use of the support they provided. Fighting Boko Haram alone, the civilian JTF wouldn’t have amounted to much if Mr President had not tweaked the leadership of the military services to turn the tide against the terrorists. The reality, however, is that there are still several members of the vigilante group that are still out of the system. It is imperative they are brought into the system as a safeguard to ensuring that there is no replication of the Afghanistan scenario in the north east or a situation where the youths resort to crimes out

of desperation. This is bearing in mind that there is not much of jobs they can return to in an area whose economy has been wiped out of existence. A recent interview granted by the Borno State Coordinator of the Civilian Joint Task Force, Abba Aji Kalli, captured the many of the challenges the youths that joined the group face now that the war is winding down. They need employment and are broke after years of abandoning their occupations to take on marauding extremists . They need assurances that relations of their fallen colleagues would not suffer deprivation. The latter need can be taken care of by special government programmes and NGOs like the Peace, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation Initiatives (PPRI) and other groups working with persons left vulnerable by the Boko Haram crisis. The issue of employment should however fall to the Army. But since the institution may not be in a position to take in all the youths that have been part of fighting the terrorists, Mr President should mandate the other security and para-military organisations to absorb their own share of the numbers. This would of course be after a database has been created by the Army of all those that are members of the body to ensure questionable characters do not hide under the cover of the initiative to sneak into security agencies.

But even before these necessary next steps are taken, it is befitting to recognise and appreciate President Buhari’s ingenuity in adopting this strategy of community policing in the present phase of the anti-terror fight. The approach he has adopted to addressing the joblessness that is beginning to confront the members of the Civilian JTF will definitely save Nigeria from having to deal with the Afghanistan kind of situation. It is further a proof that Nigeria can solve Nigeria’s problems without undue recourse to outside assistance. In return, every single one of those that have been integrated into the Army must be mindful of their conducts to ensure there will no basis to discontinue the approach on account of bad behaviour from anyone. Of course, going by the way they conducted themselves as an informal fighting force there is not much fear that they would live up to expectations. The task left now is for Nigerians to support the government, military and those still in the civilian JTF tosucceed in smoking out the remaining terrorists from wherever they are hiding so that the rebuilding of the northeast can begin in earnest and displaced persons able to return home. Dr. Sam Ode is former Minister, Niger Delta Affairs ( State) and sent in this piece from Abuja.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

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News

UNICEF certifies 276 communities open defecation free in Nigeria From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna.

he United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) has said that about 276 communities in Nigeria have been certified open defecation free. UNICEF Chief of Field Officer, Kaduna Mr Utpal Moitra made this in known yesterday n Minna at a midyear review of 2016 UNICEF state plan for Niger State. Moitra said that about 97, 000 people consisting of 38, 800 males and 58, 200 females have gained access to

safe drinking water leading to reduced prevalence of hygiene and water related diseases. He maintained that though the country accounts for 11 per cent of the global burden of under 5 infant mortality, there have been concerted efforts by states in collaboration with UNICEF to arrest the trend. The UNICEF officer applauded the Niger government for its giant strides in Maternal and Child Health care over the past few years, adding that UNICEF was keen on more areas of cooperation with the state.

”We have had an excellent journey with the state so far and we are quite impressed with the way the state and UNICEF has worked. He intimated that the review affords the state and UNICEF the opportunity to work out improved ways of planning and implementing UNICEF supported programs in the state and improving its indices in the areas of water and sanitation and school enrollment. “Also, we will be looking into 2017 plans, because this is also the time that the state prepare their 2017 budget, with the objective that unicef program

and plans are integrated into the state’s planning and budget process,’’ he said. Speaking to reporters the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Budget and Planning, Alhaji Mohammed Mustapha, reiterated the state government’s commitment towards implementation of donor agency projects in the state. He said the UNICEF works in collaboration with Niger state particularly in the area of children and maternal well being and others like education, health, water and sanitation and communication.

South Korean Ambassador, Noh Kyu-duk, in a photo shot with the winners of the 2016 K-Pop finals, yesterday in Abuja

Telecoms Industry has grown Nigeria’s economy -Shittu By Paschal Chukwuemeka

he Minister of Communications, Barr. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Shittu has said that with the upsurge in telephone density cutting across the technology platforms, the telecoms industry has enabled other industries and growth strategies to the Nigerian economy and society. He said, ICT is the only sector that has recorded a positive growth of about 10 percent in the first quarter of this year and it has become a major contributor to the nation’s GDP. Delivering a keynote address on the theme, “Mobility, Technology and the Nigerian Economy” at the 2016 Information Communication Technology & Telecommunication Expo (2016 ICTEL EXPO) organized by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Eko Hotel & Suites, yesterday, the Minister said, the Smart Digital Nigeria project is suitable ICT platform for diversification of the Nigerian economy. According to a statement by

the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Victor Oluwadamilare, Barr. Shittu said that the mobile ecosystem currently contributes over $10 billion in value add to the Nigeria economy and that mobile services have the potential to enable Nigerians benefit from the exchange of information for business and social needs for increase productivity. Barr. Shittu said the global quest for ICT for development is enormous to both developed and developing countries because ICT skills are critical to the success of enhancing national development in a globalised era. “In this regard, our government is focused on creating opportunities for citizenship participation in ICT training, knowledge and skills acquisition, and general application and usage of ICT tools to solve problems, promote their wellbeing and enhance national growth”, he added. “No doubt, with the dwindling revenue from the Oil and Gas sector, the Federal Government has realized more than ever before that Telecommunication and ICT are

amongst the main drivers for the social and economic development of Nigeria and play a vital role in enhancing access to basic services in all sectors of our national life”. Charging the organisers of the event, the minister said, “I want to enjoin the President of LCCI, our tireless and quintessential Mother- Dr. (Mrs) Nike Akande, to continue to connect businesses and create opportunities for Nigerians in the ICT sector as the nation strives to diversify its economy from the non oil sector”. He stressed that the theme for the Expo is apt as the platform will encourage conversations and the sharing of opinions on innovations and trends as well as providing an excellent networking opportunity for business decision makers, innovation managers, start-ups, ICT academics, OEMs, venture capitalists, and other players in the Nigeria ICT sector. Barr. Shittu assured that the government will provide the needed enabling environment for the ICT and telecommunication sector to thrive through enactment of

relevant legislations, saying ”With the e-Government Masterplan implementation, government’s attention on e-Governance as the nucleus to drive other automation and IT agenda is assured under my very watch. I want to also charge you to continue to connect businesses and create businesses and opportunities for Nigerians in the ICT sector”. “The Change Mantra of this administration comes in different colourations. We in the ICT sector have a responsibility to put the nation on the path of growth. This can be easily achieved when partners like LCCI key into the SMART Digital initiative. “There is no doubt in my mind that this ICTEL Expo 2016, will further offer a platform for corporate organisations seeking to build partnerships for enhanced profitability in the sector. It is also a veritable opportunity for government and private sector operators to meet and articulate policies that would boost the productivity of ICT sector in Nigeria and create more jobs

FG to encourage production of selected crops for export -Minister

he Federal Government said on Tuesday that it would continue to encourage the production of some selected crops in the country for export. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, made the pledge at a North-West Business Summit and Exhibition in Kano. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit was organised by the Daily Trust Newspapers in collaboration with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC). The Minister, who was represented by the Managing Director, Bank of Agriculture, Prof. Danbala Danju, said the measure was in line with the government’s effort to diversify the economy for the nation`s sustainable development. ``We will prioritise for export markets, the production of the following crops and activities,`` he said. He listed the crops to include: cowpeas, cocoa, cashew, cassava, ginger, sesame, oil palm, yams, fruits and vegetables as well as beef and cotton. He said the ministry would also work with investors, farmers, processors and other stakeholders to deepen the supporting infrastructure to ensure that quality was defined and maintained across the value chain. According to him, the ministry will also ensure that farmers and investors are working in a market that is safe, competitive, and capable of enabling wealth creation in the country. ``The ministry is engaging many stakeholders, including the Nigerian Agribusiness Group (NABG), being led by a Kano state indigene, Alhaji Sani Dangote, to facilitate trade and investment, `` he added. He said the government would continue to support value chains through adequate provision of specialised fertilisers and protection of chemicals, as well as high-yielding seeds to boost food production. Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, who was represented by the State’s Commissioner of Information, Malam Mohammed Garba, said the state government had initiated a number of programmes aimed at promoting agricultural production in the state. NAN reports that the summit which has as its theme: ``Unlocking the Agriculture and Solid Minerals Potentials of the Zone, `` was attended by various stakeholders from across the Northwest geo-political zone. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

L-R: Deputy Chairman, Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Lagos Chapter, Chief Ola Apena; Chairman of the chapter, Mr Moshood Salvador and Secretary, Chief Taiwo Kuye, at a news conference on the forth-coming PDP national convention and the adoption of chief Olabode George as the preferred candidate for the post of the national chairman of the party, yesterday in Lagos. Photo: NAN

Alleged N40bn scandal:

Dogara threatens to sue Jibril By Umar Muhammad Puma

*I stand by my allegations – Jibril

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has gaven a seven day ultimatum to the embattled former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, to tender an apology and retract all his allegations or face legal action. However, Hon. Jibril has replied the Speaker, saying he firmly stands by all his allegations and will neither tender any apology nor withdraw any of his allegations. In a statement by Turaki Hassan, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Speaker Dogara said the demands for retraction of allegations and apology was contained in a letter addressed to Jibrin by Joash Ojo Amupitan, counsel to the

speaker. “We act as solicitors to Rt Hon. Yakubu Dogara, speaker of House of Representatives of three arm zone National Assembly complex, Abuja herein, after referred to as our client and on whose instructions we write this letter to you. “The attention of our client has been drawn to a libelous press statement you issued on Monday 25th July 2016 which was made available to members of the press titled “THE CORRUPT SPEAKER YAKUBU DOGARA AND HIS 3-MAN CABAL.” “The personal references are obviously directed at our client, and amount to a very

serious libel. “By the said publication and without putting to the public any shred of evidence, our client is portrayed as a criminal, corrupt, dishonest, fraudulent, dishonourable and unfit to hold the position of Speaker of House of Representatives. “Our client’s reputation has further been brought down in the estimation of right thinking members of the society and he has been thrown into public opprobrium, odium, scorn and ridicule. “Consequently, we consider your publication on the matter as not only libellous but made in bad faith; an act of vendetta owing to your

recent removal as the chairman of house committee on appropriation. “The said publication is also aimed at causing disaffection between Nigerians and members of the house of representatives. “Sequel to the above, we have to request you to submit immediately to us a clear and unqualified apology and retraction of the publication in an equally conspicuous position in all the print and electronic media where the publication appeared. “Take notice that in the event of your failure/ refusal to comply with the above mentioned demands within seven days of your receipt of this letter, we have further instructions to institute a suit against you in a court of law. If we have to pursue this course, we shall be claiming aggravated and exemplary damages.”

Kwara PDP urges Sheriff to cooperate with Makarfi C’ttee From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

he chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)in Kwara state, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, has urged Senator Ali Modu Sherif to join hands with the Ahmed Makarfi- led caretaker committee to move the party forward. Fagbemi stated this in an interview with journalists on Wednesday, when he was answering question on the leadership crisis rocking the PDP at the national level. The Kwara State Chairman of the party said Sheriff’s cooperation

with Makarfi’s committee is necessary since the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has recognised the latter as the authentic national leadership of

the party. It would be recalled that the Fagbemi- led executive of Kwara PDP had at a recent news conference in Ilorin pledged its allegiance to Ma-

karfi’s caretaker committee. He said the state chapter of the PDP will participate actively in the August 17 national convention of the party in PortHarcourt, Rivers

state. He said the list of delegates that will participate in the convention has been forwarded to PDP’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Turkey coup: UFUK dialogue absolves Hizmet movement, Fethullah Gulen of complicity By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

he UFUK dialogue, which promotes Hizmet Movement across the world, has dismissed the accusation made against the Movement and its founder, Fethullah Gulen, by the Turkish government, as being the brain behind the failed military coup in Tur-

key. In a statement issued in Abuja by the President of the association, Kamil Kemanci, the group said the attempted military coup to overthrow the Turkish government was an act of military aggression and injustice. He said UFUK dialogue promotes Hizmet movement philosophy, which

has advocated for and demonstrated commitment to peace and democracy across the world for more than forty years, saying “we have consistently denounced military intervention in domestic politics”. Kamil further said the association had always supported the development of Turkey’s democracy despite the increasing

anti-democratic practices in recent years by the government of President Erdogan. Against this background, he said UFUK dialogue views as insulting the efforts by the Turkish government to accuse Fethullah Gulen and the Hizmet Movement of having any link to such coup attempt, adding that the Movement categorically denies such accusation.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

Page 16

Politics

2019: I will lead PDP to Aso Rock - Dokpesi Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

Indigenes of Oraukwu community in Idemili North Council Area, protesting over alleged state government’s plan to install unpopular traditional ruler in Oraukwu, yesterday in Anambra state.

By Ali Abare Abubakar

he youth wing of the party however vowed to resist the alleged plot by Senator Sheriff, even as the youths petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria, over the alleged plot to drag the court into PDP leadership tussle. The PDP youths who staged a protest at the Federal High Court in Abuja , alleged that the former Governor of Borno state and his cohorts are plotting to truncate the forthcoming convention using the court. According to the youths, the factional chairman has filed a suit in the Federal High Court Abuja in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/464/2016 as plantiff and procured lawyers for PDP as defendants with the aim of the plaintiff and defendant colluding to halt the National Convention of the party. The protesters flooded the court with various inscriptions like “Judges

ne of the chairmanship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Raymond Dokpesi, has vowed to rebuild and reposition the party and lead it to power in 2019 if elected at the party’s National Convention billed for August 17 in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital. Dokpesi gave the assurance when he took his campaign to Akwa Ibom state. He said his records as a pioneer of successful projects in the past rightly positioned him as the right man to lead the rebuilding process of the PDP. Dokpesis said “PDP remains the party that was founded for all Nigerians. We started well but we missed it at a point. We abandoned zoning principle and were far from the electorates; we paid for it in 2015. “It is proper to right the wrongs and start from the foundation to restore the lost glory of the party. I have come to solicit for your prayer, support and endorsement. My record puts me in the right perspective to rebuild this party. I am a pioneer at building and rebuilding. I pioneered the first shipping line in Africa with the African Ocean line; we started private radio broadcast with Raypower and you are all witness to what we have achieved with AIT”, he said. He said the transformation of Akwa Ibom state by successive governments in the state is a testament of what PDP is known for, describing the state as a reference point of good governance in Nigeria. The PDP state chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo, who described him as an illustrious son of Nigeria, especially the South South, assured him of their support and prayer, noting that the delegates will decide the outcome of the convention.

PDP youth group uncovers plot by Sheriff to stop Port Harcurt convention should not be used to settle Political scores”, “The Court should not be used to destroy PDP”, “Plot by Sheriff to use the FHC to stop convention high of Judicial rascality”, “August 17, Convention must hold”, “The chief Judge call sheriff allies in Judiciary to order”. In a petition submitted by the group to Chief Justice of Nigeria, and signed by National Director, Ohazuruike Tochukwu, they said from the totality of three Judgements already delivered, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff ceased to be the Chairman of the party.

The letter reads,” Multiple cases were instituted by several parties in various of the Federal High Court and also the FCT High Court in a scramble for the leadership of People’s Democratic Party. “So far, of all cases, FCT High Court has given judgement in suit No. FHC/ PH/524/16 wherein the court validated the dissolution of the PDP National working committee by the National Convention and also held that the holding of the convention on 21 May, 2016 did not violate any order of court. From a totality of three judgements

already delivered, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff ceased be the Chairman of the party. “However, while these cases were pending, both the Federal High Court Abuja and Lagos division at varrious times before the judgement of the judgement of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court in favour of Alhaji Modu Sheriff. “Believing in the sanctity of the Courts to dispense justice, parties submitted to judicial process. The worrying part of the judicial processes emerged when Ali Modu Sheriff and his

allies periodically to celebrate judicial victories even before ruling were handed down. Comment like “he is our Judge” became popular among the members of the sheriff camp. “The forum shopping Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff has become legendary. After judgement was delivered in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1443/16, Alhaji Modu Sheriff filed a notice of Appeal and later filed a motion on notice seeking for full enforcement of the same judgement. Now it is acting as both Plantiff and Defendant before a judge he has claimed to be “our judge.”

Rep members solidly behind Dogara – Hon. Kurfi Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

he member representing Dutsinma/Kurfi Federal Constituency of Katsina State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Danlami Muhammad Kurfi, has urged Nigerians to discard the allegations of the former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, against some principal officers of the lower chamber, saying members of the House are

solidly with its leadership. Speaking with newsmen yesterday, Kurfi described Hon Jibrin as an attention seeker, who should not be taken serious. He said Jibrin’s allegations were an afterthought aimed at covering up his misdeeds and incompetence as the chairman of the Appropriation Committee, adding that the removal was in the best interest of the House and Nigeria at large. “To start with, why didn’t he say all

these rubbish before he was sacked as Appropriation committee chairman? He wants to present himself as a good guy but he didn’t know that he is giving the impression that someone can collude with him to destroy Nigeria to get what he wants to get. “He is trying to deceive Nigerians with all his allegations against the House and some of its presiding officers. He should have spoken up since if he is indeed a good person that he is trying to make us believe,

of which he is not. All these so-called evidence of constituency projects he is presenting now are just an afterthought”, he said. While absolving the Hon Yakubu Dogara-led principal officers of any wrongdoing, Kurfi, who is the Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives committee on Downstream said, “the house or its leadership is not guilty whatsoever of anything. There was nothing illegal about constituency project,

the ousted Appropriation Committee was only looking for an excuse for his incompetence, inordinate ambition and questionable character. He said “We are stoutly behind our leaders because they haven’t done anything wrong, neither have they deviated from the rules of the House. If Jubril have evidence, he should take them to the EFCC. He can’t scribble some illogical and irrelevant stuff on pieces of paper and force them down our throats.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

Politics

Adamawa: Gov. Jibrilla signs LG council tenure reduction bill into law

From Umar Dankano, Yola

head of Saturday’s Local Government councils election in Adamawa state,Govovernor MuhammaduUmaru Jibrilla has Ayodele Samuel,Lagos

he leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Rivers state has described High Chief Raymond Dokpesi as a first class candidate among those seeking the national chairmanship position of the party. Felix Obuah, the chairman of the party in the state disclosed this at the party’s secretariat, yesterday, when Chief Dokpesi and his team visited Rivers state during his campaign tour. “Democracy is practice at its fullness in Rivers state. We have respect for constituted authority. The leaders listen to the followers and the followers listen to the leaders. I am almost tempted by your credentials to say why are you bothering yourself coming to us

signed into law the bill reducing the tenure of elected council chairmen from two and half years to two years which was passed by the state Assembly on Tuesday. The bill was sponsored by Alhaji

Suleiman Alkali (APC-Yola North) and was passed at the plenary of state House of Assembly. A statement issued Wednesday by the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mallam AhmadSajoh, said

because we are your sons. You are a first class candidate. Your name rings bell in the heart of everybody because of your credentials. With your establishment, you gave a voice to the masses. You are a supporter of the youths and a champion of democracy,” Obuah said. The PDP chairman who praised the leader of the party in the state, Barrister NyesomeWike, for policies which have restored the glory of Rivers state, assured Chief Dokpesi that delegates from the state will support him after

due consultation between the leaders and the followers. “You mentioned two things while talking, that we should pray for you and endorse you. I can assure you that we will pray for you that God grant your heart desires because power belong to God. On the day of the convention, we will all go as one and if you are adopted, we will all vote for you, no single delegate will fail you. The decision of adoption will be taken by the leaders of the party in the state and with your

that the governor has signed the bill into law. “The Executive Governor of Adamawa State has signed Adamawa State House of Assembly Bill No. 5 of 2016 into Law.

“The bill is now to be known as Adamawa State Law No. 5 of 2016 which amends Adamawa State Local Governments System Administration Law No. 4 of 2000, “ the statement said.

Dokpesi is a first-class candidate for PDP chairmanship – Rivers PDP credentials, there is nothing to fear,” he added. Chief Dokpesi during his speech pledged to return power to the peoples when elected as the chairman of the party, adding that the party needed a leader that will serve as an umbrella for Nigerians. He said he is ready to lead a strong, united and credible PDP that will win elections in 2019 and ensure Nigerians have the dividends of democracy. He praised Gov. Wike, Obuah and

PDP members in the state for ensuring that Rivers state remains a PDP state, stating that the party will win any election conducted in the state. Chief Dokpesi and his team, made up of eminent Nigerians, including the former Chief whip of the Senate, Victor KassimOyofo, have visited Edo, Delta, Anambra, Imo and Bayelsa, with a promise to tour all the states of the federation before the August 17 National Convention.

One year of APC’s Administration, no project to commission except Jonathan’s railway - PDP By Ahmed Abubakar

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lambasted President MuhammaduBuhari and the All Progressive Congress (APC) for claiming the Abuja - Kaduna Standard Gauge Rail Line Project which was conceptualized, awarded and constructed by the PDP’s administrations. The Party in a Statement by its Spokesman, Prince DayoAdeyeye, said the rail project was conceptualized by the Obasanjo Administration and successive PDP administrations of President UmaruYar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, commenced work and built the Project to 99% completion, saying that the only work done by President MuhammaduBuhari on the project was thecommissioning. The party said the usual rhetoric of the APC had always been that the 16 years of PDP’s rule were years of waste asking if the Railway Project was also a waste? “The truth which history will bear out is that the PDP in its 16 years of rule successfully completed numerous projects that substantively changed the infrastructural landscape of Nigeria. Everyone of those 16 years were years of great productivity with remarkable landmark achievements. This is very much unlike the APC which has already wasted one full year without even scratching one square meter of ground anywhere in the Country”, Prince Adeyeye said. The PDP Spokesman concluded that ‘if morning truly shows the day, then we can say that Nigeria is now really in the era of waste and stagnation’.

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Sen. Dino Malaye and Sen. Tilley Gyado chatting at a book launch title “Standardization and Quality Regulation in Africa”, on Tuesdayin Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

CITAD to politicians: Don’t make Minjibirbye-election avenue for chaos From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

entre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has cautioned politicians in Kano State to desist from creating chaos capable of scuttling the upcoming bye-election of the Minjibir Local Government State House of Assembly constituency. The position has remained vacant following the death of the member representing the constituency, late TahirHamisuGurjiya early this year and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) slated April for a rerun election to fill the position but

later declared it inconclusive after it was disrupted by fierce violence. Hence, the electoral body had rescheduled the bye-election to be conducted on Saturday, 30th July, 2016, the situation that drew the attention of government, security agencies, civil society groups and NGOs towards ensuring a violence-free poll. Therefore, CITAD at a press conference in Kano yesterday, called on the politicians in the state not to make the election an avenue for revenge on their grievances, advising them to preach free and fair electoral participation to their supporters.

Addressing the press, IsahGarba, CITAD’s programme officer (peace and conflicts) urged the politicians from all political parties to accept defeat and throw their weight on the back of the winner, noting that violence would not augur well to the nascent democracy the country and the state are enjoying. He said “ with respect to our immediate environment there is repeated use of intimidated phrases ahead of the Minjibir constituency byeelection such as “mu hadu a Minjibir”, “ danhalakkafasa” etc. These are threats of violence as different political factions prepare for the bye-election.”

He added that “ the security operatives in the state should be more vigilant and have their ears to the ground to snipe any possible violence and address early warning signs to avoid recurrence of violence in the election.” He also appealed to the INEC to ensure free and fair conduct of the election, calling on the general public, especially those in the constituency to learn from the experience of the cancelled election and fear the possibility of them not having a representative in the State House of Assembly till the ened of this tenure.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

Page 18

Politics

AMAC-IPDC gets managing director By Osby Isibor

ormer secretary, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and House of Representatives candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) in 2011, Hon Yakubu Adamu has been appointed the managing director of the newly created Abuja Municipal Area Council Investment and Property Development Company (AMAC-IPDC). Hon Yakubu Adamu while commending the AMAC chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido for appointing him the MD, said he is fully

prepared with his team to ensure that they achieve the objectives of setting up the company. He said he will be looking into housing estates, market development, agriculture, mining and other vital areas towards boosting the revenue base of the area council. Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido while inaugurating the Board of Directors of the company in Abuja yesterday said he wants to see meaningful development for the good people of AMAC. According to Hon. Candido, the new company

is expected to explore avenues for generating funds and boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base of the council, adding that they will go into areas such as property, mining, quarry, agriculture, transportation and others. “This is the first board of directors meeting signaling the commencement of activities of Abuja Municipal Area Council Investment and Property Development Company (AMAC-IPDC). “This is a new concept, an idea that is targeted at exploring other avenues for getting resources for the area council so that we can advance the course of development

of our people. We cannot completely rely on monthly federal government’s subvention and allocations, especially now that we are facing recession economically. “We believe that the exploration of AMAC investment or coming into being of AMAC Investment, that will further empower the council so that we can reach out to other development partners and business bodies. The idea is for us to make money for the area council. The main objective is just to have money so that we can further advance the course of development. That is just the simple idea”.

Governors of All Progressive Congress, during the meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, Presidential Viller, yesterday in Abuja. Photo State House

Nigeria needs a review of her foreign policy--ambassadorial nominee *As Senate screens 34 nominees From Chukwu David, Abuja

n ambassadorial nominee, Ngozi Ukaeje yesterday, advocated the need for Nigeria to review it’s foreign policy in order for the country to attain a more rapid development. She made this advocacy while answering questions during her screening by the Senate committee on Foreign Affairs in the National Assembly, Abuja. Mrs Ukaeje, who hails from Imo state, said that Nigeria needed to review her foreign policies in view of the enormous role she was playing to other countries in the continent of Africa. She also stated that, although President Muhammadu Buhari had a strong agenda on how to make the country better, there were still other matters that needed to be put in place to catalase the nation’s developmental efforts. Ukaeje said, “as a developing country, we tend to be playing a big role in Africa, our foreign policy has always been to take care of other African countries. Knowing full well the national interest it takes to achieve that. “There should be a review of our foreign policy. Even with

the ongoing agenda of the president to fight corruption, develop the economy and tackle insecurity. With this three, I will advise the foreign minister to do a memo to the president because the country has lost a lot. “The main focus should be to review our foreign policy to enable government look more inwards to prioritize and tackle our internal challenges. This will help to develop our country”. Some of the nominees however, complained about poor funding of Nigerian embassies and high commissions abroad, pointing out that they had difficulties in discharging their responsibilities effectively to Nigerians in such countries in times of need. Some of them disclosed that the had not been paid two months salaries, calling for greater funding to enable them meet up their obligations. Meanwhile, the Senate committee on Foreign Affairs has screened 34 ambassadorial nominees. The Committee had screened 15 on Tuesday and 19 yesterday. The 19 nominees that were screened include: Sunday Itegboye from Edo state; Iliyasu . A. Paragalda from Adamawa

state, Iyang Udoh-Inyang from Akwa-Ibom state; Obinna Chukwuemeka Agbugba from Abia state, and Martins Nyong Cobham from Cross river state. Others are: Ngozi Ukaeje from Imo state; Rahmatu Dunama from Taraba state, Nonye Esther Udo from Anambra state; Munir Liman from Bauchi state, Odeka Janet Bisong from Cross river state; Umaru Zainab-Salisu from Kebbi state, Momoh Saidu Omeiza from Kogi state; and Kabiru Bala from Zamfara state. Also screened are: Queen Nworlu from Edo state; Abibat Sonaike from Ogun state, Michael Femi Abikoye from Kwarra state; Musa Saban Maman from Yobe state, Bello Kazaure from Jigawa state; and Adesesan Olatunde from Ekiti state. The screening of the remaining 13 nominees will be continued today. The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, expressed appreciation to the Committee members for their commitment and sacrifice, in screening the nominees during their annual recess period

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

L-R: Member House of Representatives committee on privatization, Hon Sunday Marshal; Deputy Chairman of the committee, Hon. Shodimu Mutiu and the committee chairman, Hon. Ahamed Yerima, during an investigative hearing on the element of petrochemical company (EPCL) privatization transaction processes and performance of the fertilizer plant, at the national Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

NSE Market Indices appreciate further by 0.94% T

ransactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for the second consecutive day on Wednesday sustained an upward rally. This is in spite of the Monetary Policy Rate (MPC) hike with the market indices appreciating by 0.94 per cent. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the All-Share Index which opened at 27,945.02 grew by 263.60 points or 0.94 per cent to close at 28,208.62 due to gains by some blue chips. Also, the market capitalisation rose

by N90 billion or 0.94 per cent to close at N9.687 trillion, compared with N9.597 trillion achieved on Tuesday. NAN reports that the market growth was contrary to operators’ expectations that investors would react negatively to hike in the interest rate from 12 per cent to 14 per cent. Mr Ambrose Omordion, Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Ltd., attributed the rally to investors’ reaction to half year results released by some quoted banks. A breakdown of the gainers’ table

showed that Dangote Cement recorded the highest, appreciating by N5.06 to close at N180.06 per share. MRS followed with N3.26 to close at N35.19 and Okomu Oil appreciated by N3.22 to close at N34.73 per share. Unilever Nigeria gained N1.65 to close at N34.65 and CAP increased by N1.50 to close at N37.50 per share. Conversely, Nigerian Breweries topped the losers’ chart, dropping by N6.54 to close at N140 per share. Lafarge Africa trailed with N1 to close at

N58 and 7UP Bottling also lost N1 to close at N133 per share. Guinness dropped by 90k to close at N94 and Forte Oil shed 41k to close at N175.50 per share. Also, the volume of shares traded closed higher with an exchange of 488.89 million shares worth N4.85 billion transacted in 4,713 deals. This is in contrast with 286.72 million shares valued at N2.34 billion achieved in 4,316 deals on Tuesday. United Bank for Africa emerged the most traded in volume terms, trading 127.33 million shares worth N584.83 million. It was trailed by Access Bank having accounted for 111.84 million shares valued at N626.55 million and FBN Holdings exchanged 62.87 million shares worth N223.215 million. Guaranty Trust Bank sold 42.43 million shares valued at N992.64 million and Sterling Bank traded 19.51 million shares worth N24.38 million. (NAN)

W’Bank predicts oil prices to rise to $43pb on supply outages

he World Bank says it is raising its 2016 forecast for crude oil prices to $43 per barrel from $41 per barrel due to supply outages and robust demand in the second quarter. Oil prices jumped 37 percent in the second quarter of 2016 due to disruptions to supply, particularly wildfires in Canada and sabotage of oil infrastructure in Nigeria. The revised forecast appears in the World Bank’s latest Commodities Markets Outlook and takes into account a recent softening of demand and the recovery of some disrupted supply. “We expect slightly higher oil prices for the second half of 2016 as oil mar-

ket oversupply diminishes,” said John Baffes, Senior Economist and lead author of the Commodities Markets Outlook. “However, inventories remain very large and will take some time to be drawn down.” Despite the recovery of oil and many other commodity prices in the second quarter of 2016, most commodity indexes tracked by the World Bank are expected to decline this year. This trend is due to persistently elevated supplies, and in the case of industrial commodities – which include energy, metals, and agricultural raw materials — weak growth prospects in emerging market and developing econo-

mies. However, most of the declines are projected to be smaller than expected in the April outlook. Energy prices, which include oil, natural gas and coal, are due to fall 16.4 percent in 2016, a more gradual decline than the 19.3 percent drop anticipated in April. Non-energy commodities, such as metals and minerals, agriculture, and fertilisers, are expected to ease 3.7 percent this year, a more moderate contraction than the 5.1 percent retrenchment forecast in the previous outlook. Metals prices are projected to fall 11 percent in the coming year, a sharper de-

cline than the 8.2 percent drop forecast in April, reflecting weak demand prospects and new capacity coming on line. Agriculture prices are forecast to fall less than projected in April as a result of reduced harvests in South America and plateauing demand for biofuels. The bank says it will release a separate report, Whither Oil Prices? on July 28, which would examine the fundamental changes in the behaviour of market players and whether the oil market will rebalance over the long term. The report will also address whether the prospect of sustained, low oil prices will lead to a new social contract in the Middle East and North Africa region.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

Page 20

Business Nigeria must take advantage of global demand for pilots, technicians-Experts From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

xperts has advised that Nigeria must urgently began the process of preparing the jobless pilots and technicians in the country to compete for jobs globally as reports indicates demand for such jobs is on the rise around the world. A leading aircraft manufacturer in the world, Boeing recently predicted that Africa will need 22,000 new Pilots in 20 years as a result of development in infrastructure in aviation and increase in passenger traffic. Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) Captain Nogie Meggison posits that Nigeria must take the leading role in the quest to reposition Africa aviation. According to him, it is

unacceptable that over a thousand pilots and technicians are currently roaming the street in Nigeria due to lack of job. Meggison affirmed that government must create enabling environment for domestic airline to grow in order to create room employment of such personnel in the industry. Boeing also predicted that nearly 1.5 million New Pilots (NP) and New Technicians (NT) would be in demand during the same period. The giant aircraft manufacturer made the forecast in its 2016 Pilot and Technician Outlook at EAA Air Venture. In its seventh year, the outlook is a respected industry study which forecasts the 20 year demand for crews to support the world’s growing commercial

airplane fleet. This year it takes a look at cabin crew demand where it forecasted that between 2016 and 2035, the world’s commercial aviation industry will require approximately 617,000 new commercial airline pilots, 679,000 new commercial airline maintenance technicians and 814,000 new cabin crew. The 2016 outlook shows a growth of 10.5 per cent for pilots over the 2015 outlook and 11.3 per cent for maintenance technicians. Also, a former engineer with defunct Nigeria Airways, Engineer Sheri Kyari has charge the federal government to provide domestic airline with fairly stable fuel availability to enable them remain in business. He said government must

create rooms that will allow Nigerian pilots acquire necessary global licenses that will make them better competitors on the global scale. He specifically said “ our pilots must acquire the European Airspace and Administration (EASA) and the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licenses to become better competitors” Kyari said the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology NCAT in Zaria should also add either of FAA and EASA curriculum in the college course of study so as to steam capital flight in the form of tuition fees among others. Boeing said that new pilot demand is primarily driven by new airplane deliveries and fleet mix, while new technician demand is primarily driven by

fleet growth. According to the Vice President, Boeing Flight Services, Sherry Carbary, “The Pilot and Technician Outlook has become a resource for the industry to determine demand for successful airline operations. Cabin crew are an integral part of operating an airline, and while Boeing does not train cabin crew like pilots and technicians, we believe the industry can use these numbers for planning purposes.” According to the airplane manufacturing company the outlook represents a global requirement for about 31,000 new pilots, 35,000 new technicians and 40,000 cabin crew annually. Projected demand for new pilots, technicians and cabin crew by global region for the next 20 years is approximately.

Chief executive officer of Lee engineering and construction co. Ltd, Chief Leemon Ikpea explaining a point to the Chairman of the House of Representatives committee on local content, Hon. Emmanuel Ekon and other members of the committee during the committee’s facility visit to the company in Warri, recently Delta State.

Australian govt trains Adamawa IDPs on production of clean stove

he Australian Government has commenced training of some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Adamawa on the production of clean cook stove. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training is being handled by International

Centre for Energy, Environment and Development (ICEED). Speaking at the occasion on Wednesday in Yola, Mrs Folake Salawu, ICEED gender specialist, said that 40 out of the 100 IDPs selected for the training had been trained.

She said that training was not only aimed at empowering the beneficiaries earn revenue, but also aimed at addressing deforestation. In their separate remarks, Mr Ukechukwu Ugwu and Haruna Abdullahi, who would handle the

training, commended the trainees for their commitment and interest in the training. They said that ICEED had made contact with some marketers in Yola who are expected to buy the stoves. Some of the trainees who spoke

during the occasion commended the Australian government for organizing the training. They promised to teach others and urged the media to enlighten the public on the economic benefits of using the environment friendly stove. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

Business

3 ships laden with petrol waiting to discharge in Lagos ports

Wife of the Governor of Oyo State, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi; wife of the Local Government Caretaker Chairman, Mrs Aderonke Afuye, at the distribution of Ajumose Food Bank to women in Ibadan North-East Local Government are, yesterday Oyo State

hree out of six ships waiting to berth in Lagos ports would discharge Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said on Tuesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the document noted that the remaining three ships would berth with kerosene, bulk fertiliser and bulk gas. Thirty eight ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected to arrive Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports in Lagos from July 26 to Aug. 13. NPA explained that the expected ships contained buck wheat, bulk sugar, containers, base oil, bulk salt, steel products, aviation fuel, soya bean, diesel, empty containers and petrol. NAN reports that 16 ships are at the ports discharging general cargoes, buck wheat, fertiliser, bulk charcoal, empty container, containers and petrol. (NAN)

KEDCO begins installation of smart meters in Dutse From Edwin Olofu,Kano

ano Electricity Distribution Plc (KEDCO) has commenced the installation of pre-paid meters at the premises of Jigawa state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) within Dutse, the state capital and its environs. A statement signed by its spokesperson Mohammed Kandi

distributed to newsmen in kano stated that the exercise followed an agreement reached yesterday during a meeting between Jigawa state government and KEDCO’s management at the office of the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia. He said Hadejia, explained that the meter installation was necessary for accurate energy accounting,

informed that the state government would continue to support the company towards improved power supply. On the state’s debts owed KEDCO, the Deputy Governor said though most of the debts had accrued over the years by successive governments, he instructed the constituted committee comprising KEDCO and state government

officials to speed up the reconciliation of the outstanding debts before payment is made. According Hadejia, “we must not allow issues of debts undermine our long standing relationship, all we need is to cross-check in order to ascertain the actual amount in debt.” Earlier, the Chief Operating Officer at KEDCO, Mr Rahul Singh

commended the state government for convening the meeting saying the company had a mandate to collect all its debts. He said the company was experiencing shortfalls in its revenue collections due nonpayment of debts by customers, calling on all power users to offset their debts to keep the DISCOs in business.

British Airways partners Airtel for customers’ ticket discounts

ritish Airways has entered into a strategic agreement with telecommunications giant, Airtel, in a deal that will see customers of both organisations enjoy substantial discounts off tickets purchased in the next few months. Speaking at the signing

of the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) in Lagos, British Airways’ Regional Commercial Manager for West Africa, Mr .Kola Olayinka, said both companies operated in similar markets and placed a premium on customer service. According to him, “This

partnership is a way in which we are able to offer benefits to our joint customers. If you already have an Airtel number, more details on our partnership will be shared with you, if you do not have an Airtel number, this would be a good time to get one, so you

can enjoy the discounts we are offering.” Airtel’s Chief Commercial officer, Ahmad Mokhles, who signed on behalf of his organisation, expressed his delight at the opportunity to team up with British Airways. Discounts to Airtel

customers will be available to worldwide destinations, in the UK, United States, Canada, Europe and parts of Asia. Customers can choose and pick their preferred destinations for summer or even plan, prepare and book early for Christmas.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

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Business

The identity crisis that led to Yahoo’s demise

By Sunday Etuka with Agency Report

hen senior Yahoo executives gathered at a San Jose hotel for a management retreat in the spring of 2006, there was no outward sign of a company in crisis. The internet pioneer, not yet a teenager, had just finished the prior year with $1.9 billion in profits on $5.3 billion in revenue. The tough days of the dot-com bust were a distant memory, and Yahoo Inc, flush with lucrative advertising deals from the world’s biggest brands, was enjoying its run as one of the top dogs in the world’s hottest industry. But for one retreat exercise, everyone was asked to say what word came to mind when a company name was mentioned. They went through the list: eBay: auctions. Google: search. Intel: microprocessors. Microsoft: Windows. Then they were asked to write down their answer for Yahoo. “It was all over the map,” recalled Brad Garlinghouse, then a Yahoo senior vice president and now COO of payment settlement start-up Ripple Labs. “Some people said mail. Some people said news. Some people said search.” MORE FROM REUTERS * Porsche to create more than 1,400 jobs for electric car * Vatican and Bank of Italy sign key agreement after years of mistrust * Daimler’s mytaxi to merge with Hailo to take on Uber While some executives said this was a useful management exercise that took place multiple times over the years, it proved an ominous portent of the business troubles to come. Indeed, the demise of Yahoo, which culminated in an agreement this week to sell the company’s core assets to Verizon Communications Inc, has been more than a decade in the making. Many of the more than two dozen

former Yahoo managers interviewed by Reuters over the past two weeks -- who now occupy executives suites elsewhere in Silicon Valley -- agree that the company’s downfall can be traced to choices made by both the executive leadership and the board of directors during the company’s heyday in the mid-2000s. Some of the missed opportunities are obvious: a failed bid to buy Facebook Inc for $1 billion in 2006. A 2002 dalliance with Google similarly came to naught. A chance to acquire YouTube came and went. Skype was snapped up by eBay Inc. And Microsoft Corp’s nearly $45 billion takeover bid for all of Yahoo in 2008 was blocked by Yahoo’s leadership. Just as damaging as the missed deals, though, was a company culture that ultimately became too bureaucratic and too focused on traditional brand advertising to prosper in a fast-moving tech business, according to some of the former Yahoo managers Reuters spoke with. “It became very difficult to get both investment and alignment” around new product initiatives, said Greg Cohn, a former senior product director at Yahoo and now CEO of the mobile phone app company Burner. “If you built a new product and the home page didn’t want to feature it, you were hosed.” Worst of all, once Alphabet Inc’s Google had displaced it as peoples’ first stop for finding something on the internet, Yahoo was never able to decide on exactly what it wanted to be. Yahoo today has more than 1 billion users and has focused on mobile under chief executive Marissa Mayer, who told Reuters in an interview Monday that she still saw a “path to growth” for Yahoo, which the Verizon merger accelerated. Yahoo will continue to operate as a holding company for its large stakes in Alibaba and Yahoo Japan, which are worth far more than the core business. Yahoo declined to comment for this story.

THE PURPLE CARPET The appointment of Terry Semel, who had completed a highly successful run as chairman of the Warner Bros. movie studio, as CEO in 2001 seemed to answer a question that bedeviled many early internet firms: was it a tech company, or a media company? Semel could not be reached for comment on his Yahoo tenure. But the focus on media proved lucrative in the short term as big advertisers, desperate to get on board with the next big thing, flocked to one of the largest properties on the web. Revenue soared from $717 million in 2001 to nearly $7 billion by 2007. Indeed, Semel and the media executives he brought in by all accounts turned a scrappy young internet startup into a highly profitable company that brought old-line advertising to a new medium. “From our perspective, we were a media company,” said Dan Rosensweig, Yahoo’s COO from 2002 to 2007 and now CEO of online education company Chegg Inc. “It didn’t feel at the time that there was a strong likelihood we would beat Google at search... Nobody could argue that we weren’t the largest front page on the internet.” Yahoo placed its signature purple everywhere then -- on cookies and cupcakes, on the carpets, and even in the martinis. “When Coca Cola came to campus, we rolled out the purple carpet,” recalled Wenda Harris Millard, Yahoo’s chief sales officer from 2001 to 2007 and now president and COO of business development firm MediaLink. Millard said all the major advertisers, from Coke to General Motors, wanted to come to Yahoo’s campus at least once a year. THE MONEY TRAP But the excitement, and the revenue, associated with the big advertising deals ten years ago turned out to be a trap in many ways. Like its

brethren in the print media business, who continued to rely on selling ad pages long after it was clear that it was a dying business, Yahoo couldn’t help but to focus on where the big money was, even though that wasn’t where the future was. “The worst consequence of trying to be a media company was that they didn’t take programming seriously enough,” wrote Paul Graham, co-founder of the Y-Combinator tech incubator who sold a startup to Yahoo, in a 2010 blog post about the company’s woes. “Microsoft (back in the day), Google, and Facebook have all had hacker-centric cultures. But Yahoo treated programming as a commodity.” The downside of the media orientation became more clear as the 2000s wore on. In 2003, Yahoo acquired Overture, the company that essentially invented the ad-search technology that made Google rich. But Yahoo never succeeded in creating a strong competitor to Google’s AdWords and AdSense systems. A subsequent, hugely expensive effort to rebuild its search and advertising technology, dubbed Panama, similarly bore little fruit. Meanwhile, market-leading products like Yahoo Mail, and early social media efforts like Yahoo Groups, were neglected as managers wrestled over which products would get priority on the hugely valuable Yahoo home page, according to three former executives. Promising acquisitions, including photo-sharing site Flickr and social bookmarking service Delicious, withered on the vine. Former staffers say they were consumed with endless internal meetings and shifting priorities. Former senior product director Cohn recalls how efforts to make Yahoo an open platform -- with nifty third-party applications around specific content areas such as travel -- foundered in the face of opposition from managers in charge of Yahoo’s in-house products. Too often, the end result was money

spread too thinly across too many marginal initiatives, as Garlinghouse famously pointed out in a leaked internal document known as the Peanut Butter Manifesto. TURMOIL AT THE TOP By 2007, it was becoming clear that Yahoo was losing ground fast on the product side as Google solidified its hold on search. New players like Facebook and Netflix Inc continued to arrive and steal Yahoo’s thunder. Semel left that year in favor of co-founder Jerry Yang. Whatever plans Yang may have had were quickly disrupted by the unsolicited Microsoft takeover bid in early 2008. The offer split the management team, Garlinghouse and others say, and those divisions persisted even after Microsoft’s offer was beaten back. Yang, who championed the resistance to Microsoft, stepped down again in 2008. Three other CEOs followed before Mayer was appointed in 2014. The leadership turmoil “made for a difficult existence for a board, a management team, and a general employee population to get committed to the same goal,” said Rosensweig. Yang did not respond to requests for comment. By the time Mayer arrived, Yahoo was already seen in Silicon Valley as a company from another era. It had lots of cash but few strategic advantages as it fought far larger competitors. Many analysts and shareholder say Mayer exacerbated the troubles with acquisitions and key hires that proved misguided. Mayer put a brave face on the deal Monday, saying the scale that will result from the Verizon combination will enable it to continue its efforts to catch up in mobile, social and advertising technology. But the history of the tech business, where companies rarely dominate from one generation to the next, suggests that any such revival is a tall order. (Reuters)

PAGE 23

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

Stock Watch: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 Company

Previous Closing Price

Opening Price High

Low

Change Trades

Volume

Value

Company

Previous Closing Price

Opening Price High

Low

Change Trades

Volume

Value

7UP 170 170 170 170 170 6 151,035 25,675,959.95

MBENEFIT 0.5 - - - - 0 - -

ABBEYBDS 1.25 - - - - 0 - -

MCNICHOLS

ABCTRANS 0.5 - - - - 0 - -

MOBIL 150 - - - - 17 10,350 1,521,554.60

ACADEMY 0.55 - - - - 0 - ACCESS 4.05 4.11 4.1 4.06 4.06 0.01 59 1,887,248 7,709,066.30 ADSWITCH 1.63 - - - - 0 - AFRIK 0.5 - - - - 0 - AFRINSURE 0.5 - - - - 0 - -

1.18 1.21 1.21 1.21 0.03 2

270,464 327,261.44

MORISON 1.73 - - - - 0 - MRS 49.66 - - - - 0 - MTECH 0.91 - - - - 0 - MTI 0.5 - - - - 0 - MULTITREX 0.5 - - - - 0 - MULTIVERSE 0.5 - - - 0 - -

AFRIPRUD 2.58 2.46 2.46 2.46 2.46 -0.12 26 979,264 2,412,030.84 NAHCO 4.02 4 4 4 4 -0.02 22 251,094 1,001,583.80 AFRPAINTS 2.59 - - - - 0 - -

NASCON 6.86 - - - - 9 80,100 560,610.00

AGLEVENT 0.77 - - - - 2 5,500 4,165.00

NB 99.99 99.94 99.94 98.5 99.9

AIICO 0.8 - - - - 6 62,998 50,338.15 AIRSERVICE 2.29 - - - - 1 4,588 10,001.84 ALEX 9.84 - - - - 0 - ALUMACO 7.75 - - - - 0 - ANINO 0.25 - - - - 0 - -

-0.09 68

293,234 29,196,308.21

NCR 11.02 - - - - 0 - NEIMETH 0.72 0.69 0.69 0.69 0.69 -0.03 5

518,000 357,600.00

NEM 0.73 - - - - 6 134,441 99,520.75 NESF 552.2 - - - - 0 - NESTLE 700 715.5 700 700 700 41 75,818 52,951,924.47

ARBICO 5.04 - - - - 0 - NIG-GERMAN 4.91 - - - 0 - ASHAKACEM 24 - - - 15 109,227 2,671,023.97 NIGERINS 0.5 - - - - 0 - ASOSAVINGS 0.5 - - - - 0 - -DUN-

NIGROPES 7.46 - - - - 0 - -

LOP 0.5 - - - - 0 - -

NNFM 6.65 - - - - 1 433 2,736.56

EKOCORP 3.72 - - - - 0 - ELLAHLAKES 4.26 - - - 0 - ENAMELWA 29.78 - - - - 0 - EQUITYASUR 0.5 - - - 0 - ETERNA 1.76 1.84 1.84 1.84 1.84 0.08 6 97,300 177,432.00

NPFMCRFBK 1.08 - - - 1 4,760 4,950.40 NSLTECH 0.5 - - - - 0 - OANDO 3.48 3.65 3.49 3.47 3.47 84 3,565,310 12,378,579.44 OKOMUOIL 30 - - - - 5 12,300 364,216.00 OMATEK 0.5 - - - - 0 - OMOSAVBNK 0.92 - - - 0 - -

ETI 15.6 - - - - 14 177,450 2,635,288.67 PAINTCOM 1.04 - - - - 0 - -

ETRANZACT 3.1 - - - - 0 - -

PHARMDEKO 2.14 - - - 0 - -

EVANSMED 0.5 - - - - 0 - -

PORTPAINT 3.36 - - - - 0 - -

FBNH 3.79 3.93 3.86 3.8 3.8 184 5,055,956 19,275,492.20

PREMBREW 2.95 - - - - 0 - -

FCMB 0.87 0.84 0.87 0.84 0.85 90 29,249,726 24,926,812.18

PREMPAINTS 10.93 - - - 0 - -

FIDELITYBK 1.21 1.22 1.22 1.22 1.22 0.01 12 128,900 157,724.34 FIDSON 2.69 - - - - 27 614,065 1,572,223.05 FIRSTALUM 0.5 - - - - 0 - -

PRESCO 34 35.7 - - - 5 11,400 412,350.00 PRESTIGE 0.5 - - - - 0 - PZ 21.9 - - - - 12 36,726 816,355.90 RAKUNITY 0.5 - - - - 0 - -

FLOURMILL 18.4 18.99 18.99 18.99 18.99 0.59 27 197,247 3,727,672.78 REDSTAREX 3.8 - - - - 3 12,500 49,875.00 FO 342 - - - - 6 15,200 4,938,480.00 REGALINS 0.5 - - - - 0 - FORTISMFB 5.15 - - - - 0 - RESORTSAL 0.5 - - - - 0 - FTNCOCOA 0.5 - - - - 0 - ROADS 6.6 - - - - 0 - GCAPPA 14.46 - - - - 0 - -

ROKANA 0.6 - - - - 0 - -

GLAXOSMITH

ROYALEX 0.5 - - - - 0 - -

24.17 25.37 25.37 24.99 29 501,798 12,648,111.26

GNI 0.5 - - - - 0 - GOLDBREW 0.97 - - - - 0 - GOLDINSURE 0.53 - - - 0 - GUARANTY 16.87 17.45 17.45 16.59 16.66 149 3,576,744 59,751,776.00

RTBRISCOE 0.5 - - - - 1 941 470.50 SCOA 3.96 - - - - 0 - SEPLAT 302.48 317.6 318 318 318 15.52 30

388,650 123,626,470.56

SIMCAPVAL 103.24 - - - - 0 - -

GUINEAINS 0.5 - - - - 0 - -GUINSKYEBANK 1.08 1.12 1.08 1.07 1.07 -0.01 39 1,959,858 2,104,852.11 NESS 118 - - - - 10 15,500 1,818,000.00 SKYESHELT 100 - - - - 0 - HMARKINS 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 2 5,004,000 2,502,000.00 SMURFIT 1.02 - - - - 0 - HONYFLOUR 1.37 - - - 4 20,000 27,916.00

SOVRENINS 0.5 - - - - 0 -

IAINSURE 0.5 - - - - 0 - -

-STACO 0.5 - - - - 0 - -

IKEJAHOTEL 2.89 - - - - 0 - INFINITY 1.42 - - - - 0 - INTBKPREF 13.5 - - - - 0 - INTBREW 20 20 - - - 6 14,700 284,197.00 INTENEGINS 0.5 - - - - 0 - INTERLINK 4.21 - - - - 0 - -

STANBIC 14.15 - - - - 5 37,001 523,343.90 STDINSURE 0.5 - - - - 0 - STERLNBANK

1.73 1.73 1.73 1.73

1.73

1,104,932 1,911,701.10

STUDPRESS 2.19 - - - - 0 - TANTALIZER 0.5 - - - 0 - THOMASWY 0.61 - - - 0 - -

IPWA 0.5 - - - - 0 - -

TIGERBRANDS 1.26 1.25 1.26 1.21 25 3,285,439,119 4,073,967,894.07

JAPAULOIL 0.5 - - - - 2 24,262 12,131.00

TOTAL 145 - - - - 3 3,296 480,630.96

3.51 - - - - 0 - JBERGER 41.5 42.73 - - - 12 31,470 1,386,784.78 TOURIST TRANSCOHOT 5.51 - - - 0 - JOHNHOLT 0.88 - - - - 0 - JOSBREW 1.51 - - - - 0 - JULI 1.75 - - - - 0 - LASACO 0.5 - - - - 0 - LAWUNION 0.67 - - - - 0 - LEARNAFRCA

0.81 0.85 0.89 0.85 0.08 12 610,400 526,304.00

LENNARDS 3 - - - - 0 - -

Top Gainers Company

Previous Closing Price

Opening Price High

1.15 1.18 1.18 1.13 -0.02 57 6,563,730 7,435,456.87

TRIPPLEG 1.69 - - - - 1 500 805.00 UAC-PROP 5.2 - - - - 3 20,251 110,165.44 UACN 20.47 21.44 - - - 13 65,995 1,344,425.15 UBA 3 3 3 2.9 2.9 121 6,406,693 18,969,767.92 UBN 5.3 - - - - 8 24,412 126,491.00

Top Losers Low

Change Trades

Volume

Value

SEPLAT 302.48 317.6 318 318 318 30 388,650 123,626,470.56 GLAXOSMITH

TRANSCORP

TRANSEXPR 1.21 - - - - 0 - -

24.17 25.37 25.37 24.99 29

501,798 12,648,111.26

FLOURMILL 18.4 18.99 18.99 18.99 18.99 0.59 207,732 3,926,887.78

Company

Previous Closing Price

Opening Price High

Low

Change Trades

Volume

Value

AFROMEDIA 0.5 - - - - 0 - LENNARDS 3 - - - - 0 - RTBRISCOE 0.5 - - - - 1 941 470.50

WAPCO 80 80.5 80.5 80.5 80.5 19 14,337,554 1,154,154,991.51

DUNLOP 0.5 - - - - 0 - -

DANGSUGAR

ETI 15.6 - - - - 14 177,450 2,635,288.67

5.44 5.36 5.6 5.36 44 2,017,332 11,033,075.32

ETERNA 1.76 1.84 1.84 1.84 1.84 0.08 97,300 177,432.00

INTBKPREF 13.5 - - - - 0 - -

LEARNAFRCA 0.81 0.85 0.89 0.85 0.08 610,400 526,304.00

UBN 5.3 - - - - 8 24,412 126,491.00

UNITYBNK 0.6 0.63 0.63 0.63 0.63 0.03 501,617 316,018.71

PREMBREW 2.95 - - - - 0 - -

PAGE 25

Peoples Daily, thursday, July 28, 2016

PAGE 24

Special Report

Why visa rejections do not halt Nigerian migrants E

ven the official route for Africans wishing to visit the West is paved with indignity. I still have vivid memories of my first visit to the British High Commission in Lagos a little over a decade ago. The swarm of sweaty applicants in the unending queue, many of whom had arrived as early as 04:00. The battalion of whispering men who besieged me as soon as I arrived, offering to manufacture whatever document I required, be it bank statements or medical reports. The fiery brouhaha that ensued from time-to-time over a newcomer’s attempt to sneak into the front of the line. Sometimes, it was simply an enterprising tout giving room to the person who had hired him to save a place. Not every Nigerian was cut out for the strain of standing in the open for several hours. Lashed with whips Finally, at noon, a pot-bellied security man relieved us of our misery and opened the doors to the visaprocessing section. “No rushing,” he barked. Those behind kept elbowing those in front. The strong continued pushing the weak aside. Seeing their superior so blatantly ignored, the scrawnier security

men lashed out with their short whips without caring which of us might be pregnant or too frail for that kind of physical abuse. Yelps, wails, screams erupted from the crowd. And yet, we continued to push our way in for a chance to get interviewed for a visa. It did not matter whether you only wanted to visit the UK or if you intended to settle. The torturous process was the same. All this was nothing compared to the commotion at the American Embassy just down the road, which had probably quadruple the number of applicants the British did. But oh the joy when someone succeeded in getting a visa to Europe or America. Oh the outbursts of exhilaration in families. S o m e t i m e s , successful applicants stood in front of their congregations during “testimony time” at church, to declare God’s miraculous goodness in granting them a visa. “The devil tried to stand in my way but I kept trusting that the same God who parted the Red Sea would do it for me,” they said. Inspired shouts of “Praise the Lord!” sprang up from the congregation. Many of these people

In our series of letters from African journalists, novelist and writer Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani considers why Nigerians put their lives at risk and opt for dangerous routes to Europe when they fail to get visas.

Many youth want to leave the country for greener pasture

the West has the ability to radically transform the quality and status of one’s life, family and community. To many who fail to get visas, it is still worth every danger to emulate this. They have seen migrants’ relatives riding sleek cars and erecting mansions. Family homes getting a constructed borehole in the backyard with neighbours allowed from time-to-time to come in with containers and fetch drinking water. Those who stayed home have struggled to complete their first degrees in Nigerian universities where strikes by the lecturers often ground education to a halt, while their former classmates - the visa migrants - amass advanced degrees from foreign schools.

And whenever these exceedingly educated migrants finally amass the courage to return to Nigeria, they are accorded greater respect and position than those with a local education. Risk takers Those who queued There was great thanksgiving in church when someone managed to get a visa up at embassies usually felt reasonably qualified country as the economy in droves. had not been granted Check Out’ As we say in Nigeria, to meet the stringent In the 1980s, the steadily got worse. an immigrant visa, The “Andrew, Don’t “Who no like better visa requirements. only a visitor’s visa Nigerian government But there were those through a Check Out” adverts thing?” that would expire in tried, who would never be People have come months. Yet they had series of adverts on became quite popular, able to meet these no plans of returning national television, to but I do not know that to believe that living in conditions, yet who discourage its citizens they helped to forestall anytime soon. ‘Andrew, Don’t from abandoning their Nigerians checking out

desperately desired to, like others, graze where the grass was greener - and someone would tell them about a route through Libya. For every applicant who fails to hoodwink embassy staff with tall tales and fake documents, there are others who succeed. For every boat that sinks in the Mediterranean, there are those that make it across. These success stories continue to motivate aspiring immigrants. Of course, there are those stories of migrants who end up making a living from wiping bottoms in old people’s homes. But the folks back home do not really care as long as the foreign exchange continues to arrive - currencies superlatively muscular against the increasingly weak Nigerian naira. Many embassies in Nigeria, unable to cope directly with the influx at their gates, now contract out the collection of visa application documents. African governments did not care when their people were being whipped into order at embassies right on their own soil. Now they are not pretending to care about those drowning in the deep, blue Mediterranean.

“

People have come to believe that living in the West has the ability to radically transform the quality and status of one’s life, family and community. To many who fail to get visas, it is still worth every danger to emulate this. They have seen migrants’ relatives riding sleek cars and erecting mansions. Family homes getting a constructed borehole in the backyard with neighbours allowed from time-to-time to come in with containers and fetch drinking water. Stories of migrants who do make it across the Mediterranean inspire others to risk their lives

Mother Earth

Agency highlights ways to mitigate flood menace By Mashe Umaru Gwamna with agency report

he Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) said the agency has

highlighted ways to mitigating flooding situations in the country. The Director-General of the agency, Dr Moses Beckley, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He called for the enhancement of systems for flood monitoring, flood forecasting and flood early warning, construction of new dykes, flood-walls, buffer dams and water retaining structures to

control flood in Nigeria. NAN reports that the agency released this year`s flood forecast to Nigerians so as to be prepare them to devise ways of cushioning the effects of the environmental

How is your area in Lagos when it rain?

problem. According to Beckley, with the general outlook of the flood situation, provided in the 2016 forecast, it has become necessary that an early warning system and mitigation measures be put in place. He said this would reduce likely flood hazards in all the identified High Risk and Moderate Risk Flood areas of the country. He advised that refuse, weeds, water hyacinths, and floats on water channels and on all avenues for river run-offs should be removed. The DG, opined that prompt sensitisation of the public on information in the 2016 flood outlook publication as a flood early warning, and flood disaster would serve as preventive measures to mitigate natural disasters. Beckley, therefore, urged the federal, state and local governments to consider the dredging and clearing of drains and canals, and to embark on projects for enhancing hydraulic conveyance of surface run-offs during peak flows. ``Improvement of organisation system at different levels to combat flood disaster from the federal to state to local government and to community levels will go a long way to tackle flood issues in Nigeria. ``Effective and efficient operation and maintenance of hydraulic structures such as dams, reservoirs and water-related infrastructure across the country should also be considered an important task by the government at all levels, `` he said. He, however, advised that people living along the water ways and those who are having socio-economic activities on the flood plains be relocated by the government. NAN also reports that NIHSA had during its 2016 Annual Flood Outlook listed Niger, Benue, Sokoto-Rima, AnambraImo, Cross River, Niger Delta, Komadougu-Yobe, Ogun-Osun and several other sub-basins as flood prone areas.

Lagos Wastewater managers caution residents against pollution By Mashe Umaru Gwamna,with agency report

oordinator, Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) Mr. Adeniyi Abdul, has urged residents against channeling their waste water into the highway or major roads in the metropolis. He the appeal in an interview

with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, stating that such act could lead to serious pollution of the environment. Abdul made advised to house owners to construct septic tank in their premises and not to create channel for the waste water into the drains or roads, to avoid prosecution. The official said that such

property would be sealed off, if the environment was found to be degraded by such water. “Our Monitoring Enforcement Compliance Unit is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that septic tanks and soak away is not full; and that channeling defaulters are adequately sanctioned if found guilty. ``It is an infraction on the

environment and such practice pollutes the environment. “Each house is expected to provide its septic tank and a soak away inside each compound. ``When it is full, occupants will have to call the dislodging trucks to dispose off at the designated points,” Abdul said. The coordinator said there are four septic disposal points located

at Oregun Road, Ojota, Lekki and Amuwo Odofin. “Hopefully, before the end of the year, we will have another one at Abesan,Tolu, in Ajegunle where people can dispose septic legally. “Any other point except these points, are illegal, and the penalty will be decided at the Magistrates’ court.’’

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

Mother Earth

Borno State 244,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition - UNICEF By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

he United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) said that Borno State alone has about 244,000 children who are suffering from severe acute malnutrition and one in five risks death this year if they are not treated. This was revealed in a recent UNICEF report that 134 children dying each day from a preventable condition, saying we have to stop this, we can with will, with money, with urgency and with coordination The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien made the statement to the Security Council on the Humanitarian Situation in the Lake Chad Basin that, across the Lake Chad Basin, spanning parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, the UN estimates that over nine million people need humanitarian assistance. About 2.8 million of these people have been displaced, fleeing violent attacks in their towns and villages, like 52 year old grandfather Mustafa, newly relocated into a 7ftx7ft wood and sheeting shelter, after having fled from his torched lifetime house in Bama 11 months before, when Boko Haram brutes ransacked his village – bravely holding his shard of mirror to tell me he was still trying to be the barber he had always been – but his stoicism couldn’t hold back the tears of his fears and his plea for our help. Many are in camps; where living conditions are grim, but the vast majority is living with host communities, who are themselves among the world’s poorest and most vulnerable He said the mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. He emphasized that Children are particularly vulnerable, especially the 1.7 million children who have been displaced across the Lake Chad Basin. Children risk being abducted and forcibly recruited by Boko Haram to take part in the violence including acting as suicide bombers. From January to June 2016, more than 50 children have been coerced to carry out suicide bombings across the four countries. Gender-based violence and sexual exploitation are widespread, and women and girls are at great risk of forced abduction into sexual slavery. ‘’Nigeria is bearing the brunt of the crisis, despite the significant

Hundreds of children in Borno could die of starvation warns Unicef

efforts undertaken by the federal and local authorities to address this burgeoning catastrophe. Seven million of the nine million people in need across the Lake Chad Basin are in Nigeria. As the Nigerian army has progressively regained control of a number of towns and villages in Borno State up in its North East centred round Maiduguri, aid agencies have gradually been able to access new areas. What we have uncovered and assessed is deeply, distressingly alarming, even for those of us who have witnessed such depths of humanitarian need before. ‘’Last month, the Nigerian authorities rightly declared a nutrition emergency for Borno State. Direct reports from the field indicate that affected communities are rapidly running out of food. We have no time to lose: the lean season, which puts millions in this region at real risk of hunger and malnutrition each year across the Lake Chad Basin, has already started. If we do not act now, the human suffering will only get more extreme’’. He also emphasized that the mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with

national and international actors. two families of 11 people in all, sharing her diminishing staple food supplies and her very modest home. ‘’Humanitarian actors have been scaling up their assistance, despite a dangerous operating environment. Since January 2016, the Humanitarian Country Team has been able to reach two million people with primary health care out-patient services in North-East Nigeria, including close to 91,500 people in the areas of Borno State where the state has re-established a presence. As of the end of June, WFP had provided 54,000 children at risk of malnutrition with supplementary food, and the agency is targeting one million people for food assistance this year’’ . Meanwhile, the UNICEF

“

Under-Secretary-General emphasized that in the first half of 2016, 148,000 girls and boys were reached with psychosocial support through child-friendly spaces across the four affected countries. However, as is clear, considerably more needs to be done, and needs to be done now. Humanitarian agencies are taking a regional approach. Last week, the Humanitarian Country Teams in Cameroon and Nigeria partnered to provide vital, crossborder assistance to people in Banki, Nigeria, where up to 20,000 IDPs have been cut off from aid since last year. The food and relief items were transported by road from Cameroon and then distributed by WFP staff from Nigeria, in close cooperation with national authorities in both countries.

‘’Protection must be at the core of the humanitarian response, particularly for women and children, who are at severe risk of exploitation and abuse’’. He said the mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. O’Brien said the deployment of additional UN staff, establishing operational hubs, mobilizing relief supplies, and the deployment of international NGOs, which are central to the response. Agencies such as UNICEF, WFP and IOM, as well as their NGO partners, have ambitious scale-up plans which require urgent resources to implement.

O’Brien said the deployment of additional UN staff, establishing operational hubs, mobilizing relief supplies, and the deployment of international NGOs, which are central to the response. Agencies such as UNICEF, WFP and IOM, as well as their NGO partners, have ambitious scale-up plans which require urgent resources to implement

Emergency Update

UNICEF certifies 276 communities in Nigeria open defecation-free

he United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) said 276 communities across the country have been certified open defecation-free. UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Kaduna, Utpal Moitra made this known in Minna at a mid-year review of 2016 UNICEF State plan for Niger. Moitra said that about 97, 000 people consisting of 38, 800 males and 58, 200 females have gained access to safe drinking water leading to reduced prevalence of hygiene and water related diseases. He maintained that though the

country accounts for 11 per cent of the global burden of under five infant mortality, there have been concerted efforts by states in collaboration with UNICEF to arrest the trend. The UNICEF officer commended the Niger government for its strides in Maternal and Child Health care over the past few years, adding that UNICEF was keen on more areas of cooperation with the state. “We have had an excellent journey with the state so far and we are quite impressed with the way the state and UNICEF has worked. “We are happy with the kind of

changes that have happened and we have been able to deliver together and we are looking forward to more areas of working together”, he added. He urged the state government to do more toward improving its indices in the areas of water and sanitation and school enrollment. He noted that the review affords the state and UNICEF the opportunity to work out improved ways of planning and implementing UNICEF supported programs in the state. “We will be looking into states 2017 budget, with the objective that unicef program and plans are integrated into

them”, he said. Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Budget and Planning, Mohammed Mustapha reiterated government’s commitment toward implementation of donor agency projects. Mustapha lauded UNICEF and other stakeholders for their unflinching support to the state, particularly in the area of children and maternal well being. NAN reports that UNICEF works in the areas of education, health, water and sanitation and communication in Niger state. (NAN)

UNICEF certifies 276 communities in Nigeria ‘open defecation-free’

African water minister adopts Dar es Salaam roadmap on water security, sanitation

frican countries have adopted a roadmap to achieve sustainable and universal access to safe water and sanitation on the continent. The adoption followed the Africa Water Week which just ended in Tanzania. A communiqué signed by the President of the African Ministers Council of Water Resources, Mr Gerson Lwenge, said the roadmap recognised the role of innovative financing and budgetary prioritisation

for the water sector, sanitation and monitoring. The communiqué released on Monday said the adoption was in line with the efforts to realise the African Agenda 2063. It expressed the belief that by increasing transparency and accountability in the sector, governments across Africa would be able to account for financial contributions on water security and sanitation.

The communiqué called for the allocation of necessary finances as well as better governance through increased transparency and accountability. ``Member states must step up efforts to realise the African Agenda 2063 on the ‘Africa we want’ because water is key to reducing poverty in Africa. ``There is need for us to put in place sound policies, legal and regulatory frameworks to support investments from various sources

in water, sanitation and hygiene,’’ it added. The roadmap was titled `the Dar es Salaam Roadmap for Achieving the N’gor Commitments on Water Security and Sanitation in Africa’. The Sixth Africa Water Week represented a political commitment at the highest level for creating platform to discuss and collectively seek solutions to Africa’s water and sanitation challenges. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

Feature

The ice-cream parlour that survived war and missiles

irst time in Gaza?” said the tall, suited man who caught up with us as we heaved our body armour onto the motorbike trailer, and began to wheel the rest along the concrete walkway towards the entry checkpoint. Ashraf Abushaban then tagged along. His holdall was full, he said, of small denomination shekel coins for his shop. He had just been on a course in Tel Aviv about making Italian ice cream. He was in fact the owner and manager of the celebrated Kazem Ice Cafe, purveyor to Gaza, for more than half a century, of ice creams, sundaes, and slush of the most lurid colours and extravagant flavours you’ve ever seen. The children are so used to war, gelato and the beach are maybe the only way to express their feelings Ashraf Abushaban, ice-cream maker It’s hard to give you a sense of quite how odd that seems. Ice cream, to me, is about happy days in the sunshine, holidays, beaches and laughing children. It is, above all, about safe normality. There isn’t a lot of that right now in Gaza. Of course there are lots and lots of children. The beaches are certainly long and golden, and in fact Ashraf has just opened a new branch by the beach in Gaza City. And, despite the apocalyptic destruction in parts of the city from last year’s war, you do also see a lot of giggling, playing children among the ruins. And every last one of them knows about Kazem’s ice cream. The group of five we found sitting on a pile of rubble with small empty tubs, shrieked in approval when we asked if Kazem’s was the place to go for such treats. “They’re so used to war,” Ashraf says. “Gelato and the beach are maybe the only way to express their feelings.” But of course it all costs money. Not much - a couple of shekels, about 20p, for a small pot. But at the end of each month, Ashraf waits to see if the civil servants get paid by the Palestinian Authority business will be tight, he knows, if they don’t. We got to know Ashraf a bit

“

In the heart of Gaza city, one man is making and selling ice cream that is famous among Israelis and Palestinians alike.

better in the few days we spent in Gaza. He’s a quietly spoken, slim businessman, with a passion for the trade he inherited from his father, and many friends on both sides of the border. He proudly showed us the shiny Italian gelato machines installed in the back rooms of his cafe building. When he was trying to import them, it was hard to convince the Israelis apparently that there wasn’t some other, more threatening purpose for the tall chrome boxes with pipes and chutes and nozzles. It’s likely at least some of the machines were hauled through the tunnels under the border with Egypt, until that smuggling operation was closed down a few months back. Now that’s a strange image: young men in pitch darkness, sweating to drag huge boxes through rickety holes in the sand, and all so that Gazans could eat fine ice cream. Ashraf has every right to be

proud of the cafe he has built above the street front shop just a couple of blocks up from the sea in Gaza City. It’s a kind of 50s diner with coloured upholstery almost as garish as the ice cream he’s serving. But grey and grim reality is never far away. Almost directly opposite, across the road, is the wreckage of an apartment block demolished by an Israeli missile last August. “Took out all our windows,” Ashraf says. But the cafe and shop reopened within weeks of the end of the fighting. He draws some comfort from the fact that the Israelis do know

who he is and what he is doing. During the August war, at one point their military spokesman apparently said if Israeli troops launched a ground invasion, they would be “eating ice cream in Kazem’s in half an hour”. And what about Hamas - the hardline Islamists who run the Gaza Strip? In a place where they put up big posters discouraging young men from wearing lowslung jeans, how do they take to that other staple of American influenced youth culture - a cup of multi-flavoured ice slush? “Very nice,” said Ghazi Hamed, the deputy foreign minister for

Hamas. “Everyone here knows Kazem’s.” And now so do I. The question you’re asking - how good is it? Well I, of course, chose the most over the top confection I could find on Kazem’s laminated menu. It was, let’s say, colourful and the ice cream was pistachio, mango and raspberry I think. And I have to say - and this is one of the oddest things - from the decrepit heart of a half-destroyed city in a besieged and blockaded enclave, sometimes described as the biggest open air prison in the world, comes the best ice cream I have ever tasted. Source: BBC

Of course there are lots and lots of children. The beaches are certainly long and golden, and in fact Ashraf has just opened a new branch by the beach in Gaza City. And, despite the apocalyptic destruction in parts of the city from last year’s war, you do also see a lot of giggling, playing children among the ruins. And every last one of them knows about Kazem’s ice cream Children queue at an ice-cream parlour during the hot weather in Gaza City, May 2015

Feature

My plans for Lions Club Int’l - Muotolum

ion (Chief) Paul Muotolum PMJF, NLCF, JP is the Governor, District 404A2 NIG, of the International Association of Lions Clubs which comprises of 20 states and the FCT with a population of over 90 million people. Apart from leading Lions Club, Muotolum is also a Director in Hope House Initiative and President-General, Umudioka community in Neni. The CEO of PADEL International LTD and a philanthropist of note spoke to Peoples Daily Mashe Umaru Gwamna on his plans take Loins Club to a greater height and his desire to do more for God and humanity. Excerpts -

What is Lions Club International all about? It is a global leader in humanitarian services. It is a service organization founded in 1917 by legendry Insurance Broker, Melvin Jones in Chicago. Over the years, we have been rendering support services to the less privileges, communities, youth and most importantly to those that are having sight related problems. I mean those that are vision impaired. We try as much as possible to give sight and correct the impairment. We treat cases like River Blindness, Cocoma, ulclesachiasis, and cataract surgery. We have done a lot of conia transplant and established a lot eye care hospital. We have equally done a lot of screening and distribution of eye glasses to aid visual. Why do you people concentrate on eye problems? Because way back in 1925, a woman named Ellyn Keller at one of our conventions when she was invited charged Lions to become nights of the blind. Since then, the Lions Club International took up the challenges and over the years we have done quite a lot in the area of vision challenges. So, in addition to other things we do, we have started the centenary year. The Club will be 100 years next year 2017. So, our Lions’ each year starts in July 1. So, July 1 to 30th of June next year is a Lions’ circle and year. This one runs into the centenary celebration. I am a centenary Governor and being a district governor of Lions Club, my area covers 20 states and the FCT with a population of over 90 million people. It is a huge task which we have already started. I know I can’t do it alone. We started with thanksgiving and dedication service, thanking God for what he has done, dedicating the year of service to him to take charge. You are in charge of over 90 million people, how do you intend to manage this huge task? Before you ascend to the position of district governor, you must have undergone many years of sacrifice, training and adding value to yourself. Like now, Barack Obama is only 56 years and is the president of America and even by extension the whole world. So why can’t I do it? All you need is proper planning. Of course, you can’t attend to everything, but I have able and dedicated people who are helping me to succeed. The most important thing about service is that you must do it with dedication, commitment and proper planning. We have started well; so far we have paid courtesy call to three state governors. I was with the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corp, by tomorrow, I will be meeting those in Parks and Recreation of the FCT to see how we can do a signature project in Abuja. Again, we are also preparing for my presentation in August 6th in Abuja. What are we expecting during the presentation activity? It is like a fund raising ceremony that

Lion (Chief) Paul Muotolum will enable you open your agenda for the public. We get money from the public and put it back to the community. That is why the presentation is very important and we also pray that God will touch peoples’ heart to give generously. Please can you let us into some of your plans as Governor? My plans are not much given the fact that I have only one year which have already started running. So, we have plans to impact our youth, construct an eye care hospital in the South East. This is because there is no such in that part of the country. The closest one is in Calabar. Others go to Lagos, Kano and Kaduna when the need arises. Ours is to partner with state government in an existing tertiary institution to construct an eye care hospital which we hope to deliver to the community. We also need to work for special need children. Any money we generate from fund raising, part of it will go to funding activities of special need children. These are children for no fault of theirs found themselves in certain condition that made them special children. I am talking of children with “Down Syndrome”, Speech Disorder, Low learning difficulties, etc. We are also looking at feeding the hungry. You can see that in most communities, people are hungry. We are not just giving them food, but we are looking at a programme that will make them fend for themselves. We are also doing some projects that will impact on our environment. We need to beautify a lot of places and plant trees to make our environment better. We also want to give skill acquisition

to 50 graduates and live support that will empower them. These and other service projects are part of the things we have articulated to Nigerian public. As we do that, it makes our activities more visible as a service organization. We are also appealing to the media to help us publicize our activities for the good of humanity. How do you combine the arduous task of a district governor, director of Hope House Initiative and also running your private businesses? It is all about planning, you need to plan your day very well. You must take away distractions from your activities. I am the President General of my community, Umudioka community in Neni. I thank God that I have able bodied men and women who are in charge of certain things. Mine is to oversee how some of these things are being run. Your life has revolved around helping humanity, what informed it? First, I want to go to heaven, reason being that whatever you do to the least of your brethren you are doing it for God. Any responsibility you have undertaken to do, whether you are paid or not, just know that you are doing it for God. If you are doing it for God, you must do it very well. In Mathew Chapter 25, verse 3146, it said on the last day, the king will gather people from all nations. He will separate them into two, some to the left and some to the right. Those on the right are people that visited me when I was sick, gave me food when I was hungry,

sheltered me when I was homeless, gave me sight when I was blind, weak and you made me to be strong, jobless and you provided job for me, hopeless you gave me hope and courage. He said come and rejoice with me, you are the ones my father has prepared a place for. These are the lions that are what we do. Anyone that does this is a lion and all lions will go to heaven because we are doing what God said we should do. And those who are not lions are those on the left and they will perish with the devil. Before I even joined Lion, I have Paul Muoh Foundation. I remove a certain percentage from any money or salary I get to support this foundation. To cater for the orphans, widows, sick and indigent children who could not go to school for lack of funds. We also buy holy books and distribute it in hotels and make sure that people come closer to God. My life revolves around selfless service. In Hope House Initiative, since we started it 11 years ago. We have not received one Kobo from it. It is pure service to humanity. All we do is to give hope to children who have one deficiency or the other. We also give hope to parents who think that all is lost. So, service is my life and part of me. I believe that anything you do for God you get the reward. I thank God for my life today because the more I give the more I receive. I keep on asking, can I thank God enough? I can never thank him enough. Every day I ask myself, what can I do to make my fellow man happy? Every activity comes with its own challenges, what are the challenges you are facing in this your humanitarian activity? Time is my greatest challenge. How I wish we have about 48 hours in a day. You would want to do so much, but time will not permit. Another thing is money; not having money to do all you have to do is a major problem. We also want to take Hope House Foundation School to permanent site as we spend N5 million on rents alone every year, but there is no money. What qualifies one to be a Lion? We don’t have special qualification, but you must have a visible means of livelihood. You must realize that you are better than some people and your little contribution will go a long way in helping other people. That I know that one broom will sweep good, but when put together will sweep very well. Our little contributions can help our communities greatly. As a Lion, you must be ready to offer service to humanity in your own little way. We don’t segregate, discriminate, classify. Be you a Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Pagan, Professor, Carpenter, Business man or woman you are welcome. All we want is heart of service that comes with commitment. Sir, what will stop you from doing good in this world? Death, until I stop breathing.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

Unity dance troupe entertaining guests, during during a public function, recently in Abuja

FCTA mulls rebirth of sporting activities in Abuja By Stanley Onyekwere

he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will soon take steps to revive sportingactivities in the Territory, to enable sports take itsrightful position in the socio-economic development of the Territory. According to the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, who dropped this hint onMonday in Abuja, while receiving a delegation of the Nigerian HockeyFederation led by

its President, Senator Abdul Ningi that paid him aworking visit, sportsremains a very important avenue to engage theyouths as it also serves as employment opportunity. He said the FCT Administration under his watch would turn aroundsporting activities, even as he acknowledged the assistance the FCThas been receiving from the Nigeria Hockey Federation. Bello therefore reiterated that the FCT Administration would partner andsupport Sport

Federations to take sporting activities to greaterheights in the Territory. “The current FCT Administration would do everythingpossible to revive sporting activities in the Federal CapitalTerritory particularly hockey, because it also goes a long way inimproving the health status of the people,” he stressed. The Minister also emphasized that the Federal Capital Territory has aninternational standard hockey pitch and therefore urged

the NigeriaHockey Federation to take advantage of the facility to entrench thegame in all the nooks and crannies of the Territory. Bello noted that his Administration would leverage on theexperiences of the President as well as the Board members in engagingthe FCT youths. He assured that the FCT Administration would be represented at theclosing ceremony of the on-going super league competition in Abuja asrequested by the Federation.

Speaking earlier, the President of the Nigerian Hockey Federation,Senator Abdul Ningi disclosed that the Federation is expecting somesports facilities from the International Hockey Federation and thatwould benefit. The President remarked that the Nigerian Hockey Federation will beattending the African Hockey Federation meeting in Accra, Ghana inSeptember 2016 and therefore solicited for the FCT Administration’ssupport.

Bello reiterates commitment towards improving health services in FCT By Stanley Onyekwere

he Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCTA),Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has reiterated the determination of the FCT Administration to always give health issues a top priority, because it occupies a high placement is the scheme of things in the plans of the FCT. Bello made this point during the official handing over of some medical equipment donated by Japanese government to Bwari general hospital, according to a

statement by the Head, Public Relations Unit in the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS), BadaruYakasai. The Minister, who was represented by the Acting Secretary FCT-HHSS, Mrs. Alice Odey-Achu said the donation will go along away in helping the hospital because a large number of people from part of Niger and Kaduna do come to FCT hospitals to access medical care. He commended the Japanese government for the donation of the equipment and enjoined the staff and management of the

hospital to make judicious use of the equipment and ensure that they are kept in good working condition. Bello also commended the effort of the management of Bwari general hospital for creating the enabling environment for the partnership between the Japanese government and FCT Administration. Presenting the donation the Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr. Sadanobu Karaoke said the Japanese government has been trying to be helpful to Nigeria in their pursuit of the nation’s over-

all economic development as well as improvement in its quality of life, through the scheme ‘Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project’ He revealed that the Embassy has implemented a total of 152 project since 1998 in various areas such as primary health, primary education and agriculture with the total amount of grants of over 10.4 million US Dollars so far. Karaoke added that the project for procurement of Medical Equipment for Bwari General Hospital, the embassy handed over 25 types of

equipment and tools that will surely contribute to better access to medical services in Bwari Area Council of the FCT. He further added that the Japanese government has also cooperated with Nigeria to develop different sectors including infrastructure, urban environment, inclusive growth, peace building and tackling terrorism. The items donated include hospital beds for wards, equipment for labour ward, ultra sound scan machines among others.

Photo Splash

A woman selling roasted yam, yesterday at Area 1, in Abuja

Commercial motorcyclists waiting for customers, yesterday at Area 3 Junction, in Abuja

Welders doing what they know best, yesterday at Area 1, in Abuja

Two women hawking groundnut and plantain chips, yesterday at Area 3, in Abuja

Orange sellers waiting for patronage, yesterday at Area 1, in Abuja

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

Metro

Govt urged to tackle drought of basic amenities in Gwarimpa community By Paul Efiong

he Treasurer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),Prince UmaruBayaro has called on government at all levels to ensure the provision of basic social infrastructures in Gwarimpa Community. He decried the seemingly non-presence of government in the community, claiming that few existing basic social amenities such as pipe borne

water, health centers as well as road networks, in the community are as a result of individual and communal efforts. Speaking in an interview recently,Prince Umaru, a former Chairman of National Youth Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said his community (Gwarimpa) despite its contributions to the government has been marginalised by every successive administration in the country. He said, “This Gwarimpa Community has existed for a very long time without any tangible

benefit from the government. It’s as if we have been marginalized for no just reason, even though we are among the biggest Wards in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).” He however commended the electorates for trusting the APC in the FCT with their mandate, stressing that with the realization of such long expectations in the territory, people’s yearnings shall be fulfilled for the common good of all. Bayaro therefore reminded the elected officials in AMAC of the need to rise above board,

in order to fulfill electioneering promises to the electorates through which they were voted for. He specifically urged the Councilor representing Gwarimpa Ward to put in place projects that will positively affect his people. He also observed with pleasure some economic benefits that might arise from Gwarimpa Market if properly structured and manage by the council. According to him, “Let me use this medium to make a passionate special appeal

to the leadership of AMAC as it pertains to provision of democratic dividends to the people, who voted them into office, they should try their best to carter for the masses who elected them. “All the councilors representing various wards in the council along with the Chairman were elected because of the failure of the past PDPled government to deliver on their campaign promises, so the government in place now should be able to live up to their expectations.”

Director pleads with striking FCTA cleaners to be patient over their Unpaid salaries By Stanley Onyekwere

triking cleaners charged with the responsibility of cleaning the office complex of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and its other Agencies and Departments have been urged to be patient as the administration working assiduously to pay them their unpaid three-month salaries. PeoplesDaily recalls that many aggrieved cleaners, mostly widows and orphans on

Monday, once again down tools, and staged a protest over nonpayment of salary arrears owned them by the Administration. However, the Director, Information and Communication at the FCTA, Mrs. Stella Ojeme, yesterday during an interview, described the strike action as unfortunate, as the Administration was actually working on resolving the issue, before they (the cleaners) decided that they were going on strike.

Attributing the delay in payment of May, June and July salaries respectively to the striking cleaners to the Treasury Single Account (TSA) regime, the Director noted that their cadres as well as that of the secretaries and the directors were affected by the federal government monetary policy. The Director, told PeoplesDaily that the Acting Permanent Secretary, AlhajiSalisu Mohammed, on Monday, had a meeting with

Plateau traditional troupe show casing their rich culture, during a public function, recently in Abuja

them (the striking cleaners), where he assured them that their salaries will be paid fully. According to her, because the striking cleaners came in as casual staff, the FCTA authorities are trying to do some proper alignment (paper work), in line with TSA regime. Mrs. Ojeme adds: “Some of them just submitted their Bank Verification Number (BVN), so they had to put everything together to be sure that there is no ghost worker among them,

and start to pay them. He (acting permanent secretary) has promised them that they would be paid their May, June and July salaries. I was there with him, when he sent for the relevant files, and started processing it. Unfortunately, the cleaners were not patient. “The FCTA 2016 budget had just been passed by the National Assembly, and we are still awaiting the assent of President MuhammaduBuhari, before it becomes law. Then, there would be available funds to pay them their outstanding salaries. “They were being paid all this while before the month of May, but right now, the acting Permanent Secretary is asking for their patience and understanding. “Am not saying that we should owe them, it’s not what had been planned, but the fund was not available. However, I can assure they would be paid soon. My message to them is that they should be patient as this issue will be resolved very soon.” Asked how the FCTA officials within are coping with the situation, she said: “Like my own office, my staff helps in cleaning the place, but for some officials who don’t feel that they need to have their offices cleaned are managing to stay in it like that pending when the striking cleaners will resume work there. “Meanwhile, it was gathered that the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, on return from yesterday’s commissioning of the Abuja-Kaduna railway transport service by President MuhammaduBuhari, issued a directive for the immediate payment of the three-month salary arrears owned the cleaners.

Money Sense

Ways to increase your income

here are many means to the same end, and many roads to financial independence. Here are several ways to increase your income. Wouldn’t it be a great feeling to finally realize you’re financially independent? I know I would be, but to get to that point, we all need to build up enough of a nest egg that would be substantial enough for us to live on for the rest of our lives. In the absence of such a boon, we continue to rely on our own labor to keep us going from day to day. I look around me and find that lots of people are taking their destinies into their own hands. A couple of co-workers have begun investing in real estate. Someone I know “day trades” during his spare time (at his own risk) well, he actually does “night trading”, since he does it after work and into the wee hours of the morning. What’s great is that there are many ways to make a living and to earn an income. I’ve always functioned with the thought that if I find myself “stuck” in any one position without progressing or moving forward in some way after a bit of time, then I need to evaluate where I’m at and see if there’s any way I can break the monotony of my situation. If you’ve ever asked yourself “is this all I’m cracked up to be?” or if financial and economic progress is important to you, while you find yourself scraping by, then you may want to look into some ways to change your situation. Here are a few approaches that you can take to growing professionally, creatively and financially. You can also consider these as ways to increase your income, improve your cash flow and build your wealth: Get skills: If you have any of these things: talent, skill, knowledge, energy then you are employable. I know too many folks who are worried they won’t be able to find a job that they enjoy. If you’re one such person who demonstrates these personal assets, then there is always work out there that fits your capacities. If you feel that you don’t have such skills, you may either be underestimating yourself or your ability to gain these skills. Consider upgrading what you already have in order to qualify for better opportunities. Become a career or corporate worker with an eye towards job advancement: If you are happy with your line of work, and see that you have a solid path for advancement in your company, then investing

your time, energy and talent at your company may help reward you with a better position after sometime. Can you see yourself becoming a leader and do you enjoy working in a team? Can you manage people? If so, you may be a fit for management. In reality, with dedication and solid performance records, very good worker bees can find themselves promoted to higher levels whether or not they have the management skills but like anything else, management ability can be learned, provided that you like working with people to begin with. Don’t waste another moment, start investing: The one thing that we shouldn’t waste is another moment not being invested in the market. If your financial house is in order, with your savings accumulating steadily, expenses under control and debt on its way out, then you can work towards the goal of having your money eventually building up enough so that it can do most of the work for you (instead of you having to work for it). Sign up to automatic investing programs at your investment institutions. This way, you will be able to begin investing early. All these years being in the market has paid off as the returns generated by the stock market behave as its own income stream, supplementing any job income you’ve pulled in. How about job hop till you drop: What do you seek when looking for a job? You probably have many things you’re looking for: good position, lucrative pay, benefits, great

commute, interesting work, great bunch of people to work with, stability. You name it but one thing you cannot predict is how things will turn out after the “honeymoon” is over that period of time after which you’ve settled in and figured out how things work at your new company. Unfortunately, you may realize that reality doesn’t match your ideal picture after sometime and the question then haunts you: do you “settle” for the job you have at the moment or take the risk and take flight for the seemingly greener grass on the other side? I’ve seen it work both ways: when job hopping yields higher incomes and better matched positions, but I’ve also seen regret from employees who left a decent job for something less appealing. Again, no guts, no glory. Moonlight, with dual jobs and quadruple incomes: Many families make things work

by taking on multiple jobs amongst the breadwinners of the household. I’ve even heard of households where both parents maintain two jobs each. This must be the toughest way to try to get ahead, but people do it for several reasons, including: preparing for a career change by testing the waters before making any job switch, to make more money (or just to make ends meet), or to pursue work they actually enjoy. A second job can offer the opportunity for someone to decide which work is worth pursuing in the long run, as well as the chance to acquire new skills but it can also burn you out, and cause high stress when you find that all your time is spent juggling work obligations. This may not be a good idea in the long term but could work out if you can take on secondary work.

Having a primary, stable job and combining it with some freelancing could be a more feasible combination. Are you a budding entrepreneur? Consider building alternative incomes with side businesses: Here’s a thought; why not build a side business instead of working a side job? If you have a hobby you are passionate about, it may not take much to turn it into a business, especially if you’re in the creative field. There could be a market for something you’re doing and it’s just a matter of discovering and responding to that demand. Many of us are “accidental entrepreneurs”, people who never knew that a fun diversion actually can pay. In fact, lots of incredibly successful businesses simply started that way, as somebody’s part-time project; an experiment that turned into a lucrative venture.

…and if you’re a risk taker, become a full-time entrepreneur

inally, there are those who have entrepreneurship in their blood. They don’t crave stability, and money isn’t necessarily their primary goal. What they care about most is the nurturing of an idea that has consumed their waking moments and that they’re convinced will “change the world” in some way. Who cares about a steady paycheck? They don’t. They’re aiming for the sky and nurturing grander dreams. There are also

those who’ve decided to strike it out on their own because they love the independence of working for themselves, of being in control of their own plight and who have decided that the only way they can work is if they’re their own boss. It’s a question we’ve all pondered over; what else can we do to get further ahead? Some try to specialize and concentrate on one avenue for increasing their income say, through career ad-

vancement, where they pour all their energies into getting that promotion or big raise. Others diversify and try out multiple ventures to develop various income streams and reduce the risk of income loss from any one channel. How about you? I’d love to hear what other things you’re doing to get closer to your personal and financial goals and what other schemes you’re implementing to propel yourself forward.

world news Turkey:

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Africa’s friend, compatriot and partner analysis

By RecepTayyipErdogan

ver the next days, Turkey’s political and business leaders will embark on a historic visit to Uganda, Kenya and Somalia. We will seek to promote closer cooperation with our regional allies, develop solutions to shared challenges and explore mutually beneficial opportunities. Many people in the world associate the African continent with extreme poverty, violent conflict and a general state of hopelessness. The people of Turkey have a different view. We believe that Africa deserves better. Africa has three core advantages First, the continent has a young and vibrant population at a time when Europe and other parts of the world are rapidly ageing. If the world cooperates with local and national governments in the region, we can create avenues for young people to make a positive impact on their communities. African women, likewise, have the potential to become more active players in economic and social life. Moreover, Africa is a continent blessed with vast natural resources. Uganda and Kenya, among others, have not only large oil reserves but also plenty of fertile land and regular rainfall. To be clear, the rest of Africa is no different, even though years of colonial rule and exploitation stripped local communities of what rightfully belongs to them. If the world stops acting out of greed and focuses on helping the African people to help themselves, the continent could become an economic powerhouse. Finally, the people of Africa have an entrepreneurial spirit that could potentially turn the continent around. Despite decades of exploitation and various challenges, the continent has always found a way to survive through innovation. As Africa assumes a more prominent role in the international arena, this spirit of entrepreneurialism will help to build a safer future for the next generation. Turkey’s efforts Since 2002, the government of Turkey has been working hard to help African nations to discover their potential and take steps in the right direction. In an effort to reinvigorate our long-neglected ties with the continent, Turkey in 2005 launched an African initiative to cooperate more closely with our friends and allies in the region. Over the next years, we proceeded to hold two Turkey-Africa partnership summits in Istanbul, Turkey and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The events were not only our way of thanking the people of Africa for their

RecepTayyipErdogan, centre left, stands beside the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, centre right, upon his arrival in Mogadishu, Somalia, on January 25, 2015. [EPA] warm welcome but also reiterating our commitment to a long-term partnership. Indeed, the summits marked a turning point in Turkey’s relations with Africa. At the same time, Turkish officials and non-governmental organisations have been working with local communities to address pressing problems. Over the years, Turkey’s development-centred humanitarian aid model helped millions of people, including thousands in droughtstruck Somalia, to get back on their feet. Since 2011, Somalia has been one of the top three recipients of Turkey’s development aid. Our efforts continued with the completion of the Turkish-Somalian Education and Research Hospital, East Africa’s largest medical facility, last year. As a sign of Turkey’s continued commitment to the future of Somalia, I will inaugurate the new Turkish embassy in Mogadishu, which is Turkey’s largest diplomatic mission, during my forthcoming visit. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, or TIKA, remains active across the continent and implements hundreds of

humanitarian and development projects to provide better healthcare, promote agriculture, protect the environment and facilitate commerce. Meanwhile, more than 4,500 African students continue their education in Turkey’s prestigious universities on government and NGO scholarships. What sets the Turkish development and humanitarian aid model is our focus on mutual respect. Deeper partnership In recent years, Turkey’s bilateral relations with African nations have also been improving. A record number of official visits by Turkish and African leaders helped us to build stronger ties with the continent, promote partnerships of equals and serve the interests of both parties. Since assuming the Turkish presidency in August 2014, I had the pleasure of visiting nine African countries and hosting a large number of African leaders on the occasion of bilateral visits and international summits. Our cooperation with Africa has not been limited to official visits. Over the past decade, Turkey signed a number of treaties and launched joint projects across the continent to

“

Finally, Turkey will take necessary steps to promote entrepreneurialism, which has had a positive influence on the Turkish economy over the past decade.

challenge the traditional hierarchy between the exploiter and the exploited. As a sign of our faith in Africa, Turkish Airlines took a bold decision to enter the African market and quickly expanded its network to 48 destinations in 32 countries. Since 2000, Turkey’s trade with Sub-Saharan Africa grew eightfold to reach $6bn as the number of Turkish embassies across the continent reached 34 - a fivefold increase. Turkey’s cooperation with Africa isn’t limited to diplomacy and trade either. In the international arena, we are committed to furthering the interests of African nations. Having hosted the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in 2011, Istanbul set the stage for the first ever World Humanitarian Summit last week. As representatives from 173 countries, including 32 Sub-Saharan nations, joined forces to reform the international humanitarian system along with NGOs, volunteers and survivors of humanitarian crises, the summit gave hope to millions of people in Africa and elsewhere. Compatriot of Africa Turkey looks forward to working more closely with our African friends and allies in a range of areas. Many African nations, including Uganda, Kenya and Somalia, remain on the frontlines in the war against human suffering as Western nations devote their resources to building taller walls, ramping up security and tightening travel restrictions. Having spent more than $10bn to provide humanitarian relief to three million Syrians within our borders,

the Turkish government will continue raising awareness about the efforts of African nations. The people of Turkey and Africa are also united in their experiences with terrorism. As a country facing crucial challenges including terrorism, regional instability and the refugee crisis, we can relate to the predicament in which our partners such as Uganda and Kenya find themselves. Moving forward, we pledge to work with our African allies and friends more closely on counterterrorism, among other issues. Finally, Turkey will take necessary steps to promote entrepreneurialism, which has had a positive influence on the Turkish economy over the past decade. The African Handicraft Market and Culture House, which was launched in the Turkish capital of Ankara with the support of Turkey’s First Lady EmineErdogan, represents a concrete step to generate income for Africa’s female entrepreneurs. Moving forward, we hope to share our entrepreneurial experiences with the people of Africa. The growing cooperation between Turkey and Africa shows that a lot can be accomplished by engaging our partners genuinely and finding solutions that serve the interests of both sides. It also sends a strong message about Africa’s true potential to the world. One of my favourite African proverbs goes: True poverty is the lack of friends. Today and for ever, Turkey will be a friend, a compatriot and a partner of Africa. Source: Al Jazeera

News From Africa RiekMachar: Appointment of new S Sudan VP is ‘illegal’

outh Sudan’s former vice president and prominent opposition leader RiekMachar has told Al Jazeera that his replacement by President SalvaKiir is “illegal”. In an exclusive phone interview on Wednesday, Machar said: “I’m still the first vice president of the republic of South Sudan. The appointment made yesterday by President SalvaKiir is illegal. “It has no basis because the peace agreement does not give him the powers to appoint a first vice president under the current circumstances.” Kiir replaced Machar on Monday with General Taban Deng Gai, after a sharp surge in violence earlier this month between government and opposition fighters threatened to send the world’s youngest country back to all-out civil war. Machar fled the capital, Juba, last week and has been in hiding ever since. ‘I’m around Juba’ Machar told Al Jazeera that he is currently “around Juba”, adding, however, that he will only return to the capital when an outside force intervenes. “I’m around Juba,” he told Al Jazeera’s Sami Zeidan. “I am waiting for the international community and regional body to say they will deploy troops to Juba and once they do that, I will return to implement the [peace] agreement.” But, Machar said, that if the international community failed to intervene, he might order his followers to make a move to march towards Juba in the future. “As long as the international community and the regional third party force are being waited to deploy, we will not disrupt that,” he said. “But if they fail, this will be an indication that the whole agreement is forsaken by the international community and the regional body that brokered the peace agreement.” ‘South Sudan is better off with Taban’ On Thursday, Machar was given a Saturday afternoon deadline by Kiir to return to Juba and work together towards rebuilding peace. But, with Machar missing, his party convened on Saturday in Juba and came up with a resolution to replace him with Taban. On Tuesday, the UN warned Kiir that any political appointments must be consistent with last August’s peace deal that ended nearly two years of civil war - under the agreement, the vice president must be chosen by the South Sudan Armed Opposition.

Terror Group Claims Ex-Lawmaker Conducted Somali Suicide Bombing

former member of Somalia’s parliament who joined the Al-Shabab terror organization in 2010 was the man behind a suicide bombing that killed 13 people in Mogadishu Tuesday, according to the group. “Salah Nuh Ismail known as Salah Badbado was among the braves who have carried out the attack on Halane military base,” Al-Shabab said in statement on its Andalus radio station. The bombing took place at the main entrance of Mogadishu’s airport during morning rush hour Tuesday. The entrance targeted in the bombing is regularly used by employees who work at the airport and is located near U.N. and African Union (AU) buildings that connect to the airport. A spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, Ned Price, said Tuesday that the United States “stands squarely with Somalia and our partners in the fight against despicable acts of terrorism that seek to destabilize Somalia.” He said the United States remains “committed to helping Somalia progress along a path towards peace and prosperity and the defeat of terrorist groups.” Residents in the area reported hearing two massive explosions

Somali soldiers check the wreckage of a car bomb outside the UN’s office in Mogadishu, Somalia on July 26, 2016.

just around 9 a.m. local time. According to reports from the residents, a suicide bomber tried to drive a car packed with explosives through a Somali security check point and then detonated the explosives causing casualties. Seconds later another car arrived and this time the suicide

bomber detonated the car close to security forces and nearby African Union forces. A security source told VOA that private security guards charged with protecting U.N. personnel outside the AU compound were also at the checkpoint at the time of the attack. It’s not yet known if any U.N.

officials were preparing to leave the airport at the time of the attack. The private security detail escorts U.N. officials and vehicles outside the airport perimeter. Security sources say attackers did not breach the perimeter of the airport which partially hosts the main Headquarters of the AU as well as foreign embassies.

Zimbabwe President Mugabe warns dissenting war veterans

imbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has threatened to punish those war veterans who last week said they were withdrawing their backing for him. At a rally of his Zanu-PF party supporters and veterans who remain loyal to him, Mr Mugabe also urged the veterans to choose new leaders. He blamed the West for splits in the veterans’ association. The association, one of Mr Mugabe’s key backers, last week accused him of dictatorial tendencies. In a statement, it also blamed the 92-year-old president for the rapidly deteriorating economic situation in the country. It was not immediately clear if all of the veterans of the 1970s war against white minority rule agreed with the text. Pressure on Mr Mugabe is growing, with factions in the governing Zanu-PF openly fighting to succeed him and protests about the failing economy. But he has said he plans to run for president again in 2018 and rule until he dies. Addressing Wednesday’s rally in the capital, Harare, Mr Mugabe said: “Once we find out who wrote

Robert Mugabe, 92, says he plans to run for president again in 2018 and rule until he dies

that statement, the party will punish them. “During the war we had rebels who we punished... some by detaining them underground, feeding them there”.

He also warned that “the enemy is trying to divide us”, blaming the West - in particular the British and US embassies - for the divisions. The president also threatened protesters with jail, saying the

country did not want violence. The war veterans spearheaded the invasion of white-owned farms starting in 2000 and have been accused of using election violence to keep Mr Mugabe in power.

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Key Islamic State leader SaadEmarati ‘killed in Afghanistan’

Asia&Middle-east

Afghanistan Alleges Former Leader of Car Bomb Hits LeT Behind IS Attacks

Damascus, Wounds Several

key commander with the Islamic State militant group has been killed in a military operation in Nangarhar, Afghan security forces say. SaadEmarati was one of the founders of the IS group’s Afghanistan-Pakistan branch, and led several attacks against the Taliban and the government. Afghan officials say he was one of about 120 suspected militants killed in an operation in Kot district. It comes days after a bomb attack in Kabul claimed by IS killed 80 people. Emarati was formerly a Taliban commander, but switched allegiance to IS following the death of Mullah Omar, the Taliban founder. Analysts say he was one of the most important leaders of IS in the region, and that his death, if confirmed, would be a serious setback to the group’s ability to operate in eastern Afghanistan. Afghan officials have released photos following the overnight raid in Kot, showing IS courts and recruitment centres seized by the military.

Hafiz Saeed, leader of a Pakistani religious group, center, waves during an anti-Indian rally in Lahore, July 19, 2016. Afghanistan has alleged for the first time that Saeed is overseeing attacks by Islamic State fighters in the war-torn country.

fghanistan has alleged for the first time that the former leader of an outlawed Pakistani militant group, who is wanted in the United States and India, is overseeing attacks by Islamic State fighters in the war-torn country. During a meeting between Afghan and Pakistani military officials in Kabul Tuesday, Afghan officials said “currently former leader of Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT), Hafiz Saeed, is managing activities” of IS in Afghanistan, according to an Afghan

defense ministry statement. Saeed is the founder of LeT and is wanted in India for allegedly plotting terrorist attacks on its soil, including the 2008 Mumbai raids that killed 166 people. The United States has a $10 million bounty for information leading to Saeed’s arrest and says he has ties to al-Qaida. Pakistani authorities and the Islamist cleric have rejected the U.S. and Indian allegations against him as unfounded. Pakistan has not yet responded to the Afghan allegations

implicating Saeed in IS terrorist attacks. Saeed currently lives in Lahore in a fortified compound. Pakistani authorities have refused to detain him over his alleged terrorist ties. The Afghan defense ministry’s assertions about Saeed created confusion all day Wednesday in Pakistan, as reporters and Pakistani officials tried to determine whether Afghan officials were confusing the internationallywanted militant leader with an IS commander who shares his same name.

Peaceful Japan Shocked by Mass Killing of Disabled

he brutal mass killings committed at a facility for the disabled in Japan illustrates the difficulties that even nations with low crime rates, strict gun control and restrictive immigration policies face in trying to prevent attacks from seemingly deranged individuals. Japanese authorities say they are investigating the motive of the lone knife-wielding attacker who broke into the TsukuiYamayuri-En facility for disabled people early Tuesday, killing 19 residents and wounding dozens more.But they have ruled out terrorism as the cause. “We received information from the police that there is no evidence of the attacker being related to Islamic State,” said YoshihideSuga, the Japanese government’s spokesman and Chief Cabinet Secretary. Police in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, about 40 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, have arrested Satoshi Uematsu, a 26-year-old former employee at the facility, Japanese media reported. Uematsu, wearing a black tee shirt reportedly turned himself into the police and the Asahi Shimbun newspaper said he told police, “I want to get rid of the disabled from this world.” The Japanese

Journalists gather in front of TsukuiYamayuri-en, a facility for the handicapped where a number of people were killed and dozens injured in a knife attack in Sagamihara, outside Tokyo Tuesday, July 26, 2016.

state broadcaster NHK reported that police recovered a bag with several knives, at least one stained with blood. News of the mass killings has shocked the nation. The facility cares for more than 150 people with a range of disabilities.”I just want to know why this happened, the cause of it. It is something that could happen anywhere, and these cases always have to do with human relationships,” said Naomi Takano,

who lives nearby. Japan has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the developed world. Gun related homicides in particular are rare due to the country’s strict regulations that limit gun ownership, and require gun permit applicants to undergo extensive training, criminal background checks and mental health screenings. Japan banned possession of

double-edged knives longer than 5.5 centimeters after a mass killing in 2008 when a man stabbed shoppers in Tokyo after he drove a rental truck into a crowd and killed seven people and injured 10 others. Tokyo’s restrictive immigration policies, especially when it comes to refugees from conflict areas of the Middle East, have also isolated the country from some of the terrorism related violence affecting Europe and the U.S.

car bomb exploded in a heavily policed area of Syria’s capital, causing several injuries as well as damage to government buildings, according to Syria’s state media. The explosion took place Monday in the Kafr Sousa neighborhood of Damascus, which houses many security installations. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the violence in Syria, said the blast was near an Iranian school and caused causalities, but did not give further details. Car bombings in the central part of Damascus are relatively rare. In another development Monday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government helicopter gunships dropped barrel bombs on residential neighborhoods in Aleppo, killing at least 12 people. Also Monday, the Israeli military said it struck a target in Syria in response to mortar fire that hit the Israelioccupied Golan Heights. Syria’s military said the Israeli missiles caused only material damage. In Washington, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said any military cooperation between the Untied States and Russia to strike targets in Syria would be transactional and not based on trust. At a news conference at the Pentagon, Carter and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford said any cooperation with Russia would include measures to ensure U.S. operation security. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has proposed trying to establish closer military cooperation and intelligence-sharing with Russia to fight extremist groups in Syria. Following a meeting with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Kerry responded to comments made by Carter and Dunford by saying that he still has some concerns about whether Russia is really prepared to step up and work with U.S. forces in Syria. That’s why, Kerry said, he didn’t publicly announce any kind of cooperation with Russia.

Europe & Americas Brazil’s DilmaRousseff to skip Rio Olympics ceremony

razil’s suspended President DilmaRousseff has announced through an aide she will not attend the torch ceremony opening the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Tuesday’s announcement came a day after Rousseff said in an interview she would not play second fiddle to Michel Temer, the interim president. Rousseff, who is facing an impeachment trial that could confirm Temer as her successor one month from now, was invited to attend the ceremony in Rio’s Maracana stadium, where Temer will declare the Games open on August 5. “She is not going,” the Rousseff aide told Reuters news agency. Rousseff said in an interview with Radio France Internationale broadcast on Monday that she did not intend to take part in the Olympics in a “secondary position”. A spokesperson for Temer, Rousseff’s former vice president who is now running Brazil, said she was welcome to attend the launch of the Games, but not at Temer’s side in the VIP balcony. “She will be in the stands below him,” Marcio de Freitas, the spokesperson, said in a message to Reuters. The presence of both leaders at the ceremony would have been awkward for foreign dignitaries, diplomats said. Rousseff believes that, impeachment or no impeachment, she deserved to be there. She told RFI that her government and that of LuizInacio Lula da Silva , her mentor and Workers Party leader, had done most of the work to win the Olympics for Rio de Janeiro and build the infrastructure for the global sports event. The faulty, unfinished apartments for athletes at the Olympic village were the responsibility of the Rio city government and private builders it contracted, not the federal government, she said in the interview.

All remaining charges dropped over Freddie Gray

rosecutors in Baltimore have dropped all remaining charges against police in the death of Freddie Gray, an African American man whose fatal injury in police custody last year triggered riots in the US city and stoked a national debate about police brutality against minorities. Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Michael Schatzow told the judge on Wednesday that prosecutors were dropping the charges against Officer Garrett Miller and the rest of the officers. Miller had faced assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment charges. AP news agency quoted prosecutors as saying that they stand by their finding that Gray’s death was “a homicide”. Freddie Gray Sr., the father of the victim, told reporters his family was “pissed at the decision”. The action, taken by the Baltimore state’s attorney in a pretrial hearing on Wednesday, comes after the acquittal of three of six Baltimore police officers charged in the case. Last week, the prosecutors failed for the fourth time to secure a conviction against a police officer in the case, and Baltimore’s police union called on prosecutors to drop the charges against three officers still

Gray’s death was one of several which sparked the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement in the US [Reuters] awaiting trial. In May, a US court cleared a police officer of assault and other charges relating to Gray’s death. Gray suffered a severe neck injury after his arrest on April 2015, apparently while being transported in the back of a police van. He complained about breathing difficulties, fell into a coma and died one week later. The 25-year-old had been taken into custody for carrying an illegal switchblade.

According to an autopsy, Gray suffered a “high-energy injury” that was most likely caused when the police van he was riding in suddenly slowed down. Gray’s death was one of several recent killings of African American men by police officers that touched off demonstrations in the United States. The incident also sparked the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement in the US.

French church attack: Faith leaders call for more security

Representatives from France’s major faith groups were at the Elysee Palace meeting

F Rousseff’s critics blame her for leading Brazil’s economy into a recession [UesleiMarcelino/Reuters]

rench religious leaders have called for more security at places of worship following the murder of an elderly priest in Normandy on Tuesday. Representatives of Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist faiths spoke after meeting President Hollande. On Wednesday evening Mr Hollande went on to attend a mass for the priest in Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral. Fr Jacques Hamel died while

Pilgrims in Poland Readying to Welcome Pope Francis

conducting a service in his church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, a suburb of Rouen. The killing came 12 days after the attack in Nice in which 84 people died. Only one of the two attackers has been named. Adel Kermiche, 19, had twice tried to reach Syria to fight with the self-styled Islamic State group (IS). Muslim leader DalilBoubakeur, rector of Paris’s Grand Mosque, said the leaders “deeply desire that our

places of worship are the subject of greater [security] focus, a sustained focus”, as even “the most humble place of worship” can be subject to an attack. Mr Boubakeur expressed “profound sorrow” on behalf of French Muslims at the attack, which he described as a “blasphemous sacrilege”. The Archbishop of Paris, Andre Vingt-Trois, praised the harmonious relations between France’s religions.

ecurity was high Wednesday as groups of cheerful young pilgrims from around the globe gathered in the streets of Krakow, in southern Poland, just hours before Pope Francis arrives to join World Youth Day, a major gathering of Catholics. A shadow was cast on the celebrations by the brutal slaying a day earlier of a priest in France, adding to security fears already high due to a string of violent attacks in France and Germany. Polish officials said they have deployed tens of thousands of security officials to cover the event, which runs through Sunday. “It shocked me because it seems they waited for the time of World Youth Day to attack us Catholics,’’ said NounellaBlanchedent, 22, from the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. “They chose the time of such a mass event to gather more attention to what they do. It’s a pity because all that we want to do is to be together, sing and praise God. And they want to disturb that. It’s a disaster.’’ She was one of the volunteers helping with security and logistics at the packed St. Casimir Church, where a Mass was being held in French for pilgrims from France, Belgium and other countries. Relics of St. Mary Magdalene came to the church from France, for the duration of World Youth Day, and were displayed in a case by the altar. “Their presence helps us concentrate on our prayers and brings us closer to God,’’ a smiling Blanchedent said. Francis is arriving on his first visit to Poland, a predominantly Catholic country that is still proud of the late pontiff, St. John Paul II, who served as priest and archbishop in Krakow before becoming pope. The sense of expectation was apparent in sunny Krakow on Wednesday with papal white-andyellow flags and images of Francis and John Paul II decorating the streets. Stages were put up at many locations for concerts and other activities that are being held by and for the pilgrims in Krakow. There was a heavy presence of police and other security forces across the city, as crowds were increasing everywhere. “I have never seen so many people in Krakow, it’s difficult to move around even though offices have closed [for the event] and many people have left the city,’’ said Anna Gazda, 43, owner of a souvenir shop. The weather forecast for Krakow said rainstorms were possible later in the day.

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Strange

world

Are these the best Snapchats ever? Hilarious photos that should definitely NOT be erased forever sweep the web By KATE SAMUELSON

t’s a real shame that Snapchats don’t last longer than just a few seconds. And looking at this brilliant list, curated by Bored Panda, it’s clear that many deserve to remain in existence for a long, long time. From witty word play to creative use of the drawing tool, these silly snaps are guaranteed to brighten your day. One funny image shows two snaps - a before and after. In the before, someone has taken a photo of a long, impressivelooking ice cream captioned ‘This is amazing’. The second snap, captioned ‘I really want to kill myself now’ shows the same ice cream on the ground. In another Snapchat, the fold of a girl’s yearbook photo directly covers her face, which is why she’s shared a picture of it with the caption ‘This literally explains my life’. Someone shared a photo of their washing machine completely on fire, with the caption ‘Today was the first time I did my laundry. It did not go well’. In another picture, the hedges next to a sign reading ‘Canal Museum’ are so long that they’ve covered up the A - making it look slightly rude. A brilliant three-part Snapchat shows a ‘hot guy’ at the office then goes on to say ‘Oh God the flash was on’. The final snap reads ‘Abort Mission Abort Mission’ One sneaky Snapchatter took an amusing photo of an elderly man walking his dog - seemingly completely unaware that the cheeky pet had taken a dip in the river parallel to them. They captioned their candid picture: ‘Should I tell him?’ And another Snapchat shows a woman with the name Sue Yu sitting in what looks like a lecture hall. The snap is captioned: ‘This girl better go to law school’. One student Snapchatter compares her teacher wearing pink and black to her pink and black highlighter in this funny image. And an American snap compares a tracksuit-wearing senior student to a freshman donning high heels, showing the huge difference in smartness between the two at frat parties. The snap is captioned: ‘Senior vs freshmen girls at frat parties’.

One boy shows what happens when your mum adds you as a friend on Snapchat. He sends her snaps of himself ‘ready to begin class and learn’, ‘singing to Jesus’ with friends and going to bed at the respectable time of 9.13pm. However, it’s unlikely that these photos are entirely truthful... One man has made full use of the Snapchats emojis by recreating the classic corridor scene from The Shining - with the twin girl emojis replacing the terrifying twin girls from the film. Another Snapchat shows a ‘duck’ (although more likely a swan) hanging out with a group of pink flamingos, captioned ‘This duck thinks he’s a flamingo’. ‘I live in a pretty rough neighbourhood’, wrote one Snapchatter, who posted a photo of a red kid’s tricycle unnecessarily attached to a metal bar with a bicycle lock. Another Snapchatter posted a photo of the windscreen of their car covered with multicoloured filth, with the caption: ‘OH DEAR GOD I JUST HIT A UNICORN’. And a four-part Snapchat shows a balloon stuffed in a hoodie, resembling a student having a cheeky nap. The captions on the photos explains that the Snapchatter tricked their teacher into thinking it was an actual student - who proceeded to give him a worksheet to do. The final snap reads: ‘What is wrong with this school?’. that body.’ Some were more direct with their puns, such as one Snapchatter, who posted a picture of Professor Snape, alongside the caption: ‘Snapechat’. And another posted a picture of some money draped in their guitar, along with the message: ‘Found a dollar in my G-string.’ Others stuck with the musical theme - although they were a little more poetic with their work. stated: ‘He goeth down’. To this they added some Pitbull magic, with the imput of ‘I yelleth timber’. Meanwhile others where just happy to look at the funny side of life by turning everything from maths equations to salads into a witty display. Some even tried to mask embarrassing or low points in their lives with funny photos. Another documented how

Looking at this brilliant list of Snapchats, curated by Bored Panda , it’s clear that many deserve to remain in existence for a long, long time.

The fold of this girl’s yearbook photo directly covers her face, which is why she’s Snapchatted a picture of it with the caption ‘This literally explains my life’ themselves into Disney princesses. Aladin. he was named ‘Cark’ on a coffee Whereas another Snapchatter This was shown in one popular cup, after telling his barista that image where an unsuspecting man seized the opportunity to draw his name was spelled ‘Marc with himself as the Little Mermaid, had fallen asleep on the sofa. a “c”’. with the apt caption: ‘Unda da He then used his impressive And when all else failed, some sea’. DailyMail on Facebook art skills to give him a cuddle with snappers simply transformed

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

Page 40

Digest

The top 10 stroke triggers, from obesity to high blood pressure By MIA DE GRAAF

trokes are a leading cause of death and disability across the world. And yet, 90 per cent of attacks are brought on by preventable triggers, a new study claims. Experts at McMaster University in Ontario have identified the 10 most common triggers. By making basic lifestyle changes to avoid these health concerns, nine in 10 people could dramatically reduce their risk of a potentially fatal attack, they said. The study involved collaborating researchers from 32 countries to map out the main causes of stroke in different countries, different generations, and different genders. Compiling the data, they found these to be the most significant triggers: More than three million Americans are diagnosed with hypertension every year, if their blood pressure is above 140/90. The chronic condition forces blood against the artery walls in a way that places crippling pressure. But it is treatable. Medics recommend a diet low in salt and more exercise. According to the study, eliminating hypertension in patients would practically cut their stroke risk in half (48 per cent). The risk of having a stroke would be trimmed by more than a third (36 per cent) if people were more physically active, the study concluded. For general cardiovascular health, the AHA recommends at least 30 minutes a day of moderate-intensity walking for five days a week, or 25 minutes a day of vigorous-intensity walking for three days a week. In addition, everyone should fit in some muscle or strength training two days a week. Ideally, the AHA advises, people should take up jogging, swimming, cycling, or another sport to lower the risk of a heart attack or a stroke. However, research shows many don’t even walk that much per day. A better diet would cut the risk of a stroke by almost a fifth (19 per cent), the study says. Health experts recommend eating more fiber, legumes and lean meat than red meat, fatty foods, and sugary foods to improve cardiovascular health. Last week, the USDA came under fire for not advising Americans to reduce their red meat intake. The WHO recognizes that there is an obesity epidemic, which has devastating impacts on the cardiovascular health of millions. Around 2.1 billion people are obese, according to official estimates. A recent study even warned that we may be miscalculating that figure, missing out thousands of people due to an imprecise reliance on body mass index as a barometer. Echoing the oft-repeated warnings, the study authors say watching one’s weight would save millions of lives. The two major types of stroke include ischemic stroke caused by blood clots, which accounts for 85 per cent of strokes. Hemorrhagic stroke or bleeding into the brain accounts for 15 per cent of

Few people exercise enough - driving up their stroke risk by a third, the study says strokes. A healthy heart is key to abating these triggers, and could reduce the risk of a stroke by nine per cent, the study authors claim. Many heart conditions like atrial fibrillation - a kind of irregular heartbeat - are driven by obesity, diabetes, smoking, a poor diet, stress, and a lack of exercise. Twenty-nine million Americans have diabetes. In the UK, 3.9 million people have the disease - more than triple the amount 10 years ago. That figure is expected to leap up to five million by 2025. People with diabetes are at a much higher risk of developing blood clots, which are a leading cause of strokes. Cutting out diabetes would cut the risk of a stroke by four per cent, the study says. Since high blood pressure has been shown to cause strokes, alcohol can be a major driver. Too much alcohol drives up one’s blood pressure significantly over time. It also contributes to other major triggers, such as increasing the risk of getting diabetes, hypertension, or atrial fibrillation. Reducing one’s alcohol intake cuts their risk of a stroke by six per cent, the study says. studies have shown that depression, stress, and anxiety greatly increase the risk of a stroke - particularly in older people. In many cases this could be because stress leads to bad lifestyle habits, such as smoking, inactivity, and drinking. Reducing stress levels, the study authors claim, cuts the risk of stroke by six per cent. High levels of cholesterol in the blood can leading to dyslipidaemia, blocking arteries, restricting blood flow to and from the heart, and prompting a stroke. Many of these risk factors are known to also be associated with each other, such

as obesity and diabetes. Specifically, the study looked at apolipoproteins, which were found to be a better predictor of stroke than total cholesterol. of these so-called ‘bad cholesterol’ proteins is affected by alcohol intake, a fatty diet, and hormones. By making some diet changes, one can cut their risk of a stroke by 27 per cent, the study says. combined together, the total for all 10 risk factors was 91 per cent. That figure barely different between regions, age groups and genders. However, the importance of some risk factors appeared to vary by region. For example, the importance of hypertension ranged from practically 40 per cent in Western Europe, North America, and Australia to 60 per cent in Southeast Asia. The risk of alcohol was lowest in Western Europe, North America and Australia but highest in Africa and south Asia, while the potential impact of

physical inactivity was highest in China. An irregular heart rhythm, or atrial fibrillation, was significantly associated with ischaemic stroke in all regions, but was of greater importance in Western Europe, North America and Australia, than in China or South Asia. However, when all 10 risk factors were included together, their collective importance was similar in all regions. ‘Our findings will inform the development of global population-level interventions to reduce stroke, and how such programs may be tailored to individual regions,’ said Yusuf, a professor of medicine of McMaster’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and director of the PHRI. ‘This includes better health education, more affordable healthy food, avoidance of tobacco and more affordable medication for hypertension and dyslipidaemia.’ DailyMail on Facebook

According to the study, eliminating hypertension in patients would practically cut their stroke risk in half

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Keshi begins final journey home today

Stephen Keshi By Albert Akota and Osakhare Erese, Asaba

he final journey home for the late Super Eagles Chief Coach and renowned football tactician, Stephen Keshi, will begin today with series of activities lined up to herald his interment in Illah, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, tomorrow. When journalists visited his Ukpologwu Quarters home in Illah, on Tuesday, the entire compound was wearing a new look after renovation works in readiness for his burial. Work on the tomb, where his remains will rest, had been completed as at the time of the visit. All was also set at the St. John the

Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, preparatory to the service of songs/ vigil mass that will hold today, as well as the requiem mass tomorrow and the thanksgiving mass on Sunday. As a titled chief in Illah, his body will stop briefly at the palace of the traditional ruler of the town tomorrow for traditional rites. At the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, finishing touches were being put in place to receive the numerous persons that will come to pay their last respect to the fallen hero during the lying in state ceremony today. Late Coach Stephen Keshi died on June 7, 2016 in Benin City, Edo State, at the age of 54. Meanwhile, final journey of Nigeria football legend Stephen Okechukwu

Akwa United, Wikki Tourist crash out of Fed Cup

>>Pg 42

Keshi will begin in Benin City, Edo State today. The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that the final rites would now be confined to Edo and Delta States. The NFF delegation to the final rites will be led by the President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, and will include, among others, Mr. Frank Ilaboya (Chairman of the Edo State Football Association), Mr. Neville Bekederemo (Chairman of NPFL side Warri Wolves FC) and Mr. Edema Fuludu (Chairman of Delta State League Management Company). Keshi, one of only two men to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as player and as coach, died in Benin City on Wednesday, 8th June at the age of 54. The charismatic libero captained

the Senior National Team for 11 years, winning the Africa Cup of Nations gold, silver and bronze. In 2013, as Coach of the Super Eagles, Keshi lifted the Cup of Nations again after Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final at Soccercity in Johannesburg. In a 44 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;month spell as head strategist of the Super Eagles, Keshi also took the team to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup, led the team to the FIFA Confederations Cup and qualified Nigeria for the African Nations Championship for the first time, winning bronze at the competition. Family sources have also confirmed that the remains of the legend will be interred at his hometown, Illah, on Friday.

Pep denies weight issues at Manchester City >>Pg 43

Sport

Akwa United, Wikki Tourist crash out of Fed Cup

kwa United have failed to defend the Federation Cup they won last year after they lost 4-2 on penalties to Nasarawa United after fulltime scores stood at 0-0. Nigeria league leaders Wikki Tourists were also upstaged by lower league side Crown FC 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless draw in regulation time. Crown gave as much as they got against Wikki and then steadied their nerves to also go through to the last four of the cup competition. Nasarawa scorers in the penalty shootout against Akwa United were skipper Emmanuel Makama, Esosa Igbinoba, Thomas Zenke and Seun Sogbeso. Akwa penalty goals were by Ubong Friday and Chigozie Emmanuel. The quarterfinal between Warri Wolves and FC IfeanyiUbah in Ijebu-Ode was abandoned after Wolves walked out in protest after 55 minutes, when what they believed was a deserved equaliser was chalked off for offside. The star quarterfinal between Enyimba and Rivers United, which was rained off today, will resume by 9 am tomorrow after a goalless first half in Ibadan.

Wikki celebration

Obi delights on Olympics appointment

aptain of Team Nigeria to the Rio Olympic Games and member of the Nigeria U23 squad, John Mikel Obi has described his appointment as overwhelming. Speaking from the U23 team’s camp in Atlanta, Georgia, Mikel said “First and foremost, I will say I am overwhelmed with this opportunity to be the captain of Team Nigeria to the Rio Olympics. This is the highest accolade you can ever have as a sportsman and it’s one I am really looking forward to. “I am much pleased and very happy with myself for what I have been able to achieve, and grateful to the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports and the entire country for this opportunity. “My objective is definitely going to be to carry everyone along. I think it’s important that we all work together, it’s important that we all set one goal, and that goal is to be successful, to win medals, to make sure we get gold medals. Our country has not done very well in recent times at the Olympics, so hopefully we can go to Rio and do well.” On the burden his appointment has placed on him, Mikel who is also the

captain of the Super Eagles said: “It’s massive, it’s big, it’s not just the football team. I am the captain of the Super Eagles. Sometimes you look at it and you think that’s a big burden, but this is even much bigger, it’s one that I am looking forward to. “If you look at my track record at Chelsea, I have always played for the team, I have always been a team player, I have never been an individual player, so I think this is something I will be carrying into the Olympics and carry into Team Nigeria to make sure that we are successful.” He called on Nigerians to support the team and wish players and officials well. On this being his first Olympics, the 29 –year old midfielder said: “I don’t think it will be a disadvantage. I think leadership is either you have it or you don’t. Sometimes, people grow into leadership and sometimes people are born with leadership qualities. I think I have always been in that leading role since my U-17 days, even when not wearing the captain’s band, I have always had people looking up to me to carry the team.”

Nikyu calls 30 Flamingoes to camp for Jordan 2016 By Albert Akota

head of the final preparations for the 5th FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, Jordan 2016, has invited to camp 30 players who will arrive in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Sunday. At the head of the pack is team captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who plays for FC Robo Queens in the Nigeria Women Football League. There is also nifty midfielder Peace Efih and the experienced left back Patience Dike and forward Cynthia Aku. Nigeria, quarter finalists at the 2010, 2012 and 2014 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, has been drawn against Korea DPR, Brazil and England at the fifth edition of the competition starting in Jordan on the last day of September 2016. All the invited players have been directed to report at the Agura Hotel, Abuja on Sunday, 31st July with their training kits, birth certificates and international passports. The Flamingoes defeated Sierra Leone, Namibia and South Africa home and away on the route to qualifying for the finals in Jordan.

Coach Bala Nikyu

Sunshine Stars still in title race, says Olorunleke

jo Olorunleke is optimistic that Sunshine Stars can emerge as Nigeria Professional Football League champions. The Owena Waves are sixth in the Nigerian top flight, eight points adrift of Wikki Tourists, played two games less. The former Giwa FC goalkeeper has kept two clean sheets in the three matches for the Akure based outfit, and he believes hard work will help them claw back an eightpoint deficit. “The team has every quality and all it takes to lift the league trophy this season, we’ve got good management, good officials and great players,” Ojo told Goal. “All we just need to do is to keep working hard and face every match with the right attitude and God will help us. “By God’s grace my performance has not been bad because I’ve always put more than 100% in every match I am called upon to play. “I have all the reason to thank God because it is Him that has been helping me as I don’t have the power of my own. I just want to keep working hard and to help my team achieve success at the end of season through the help of God.”

Sunshine Stars

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Sport

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

Pep denies weight issues at Manchester City

anager Pep Guardiola has dismissed reports that a small number of Manchester City players turned up for pre-season training overweight but stressed the importance of keeping players fit ahead of the new Premier League season. Guardiola’s emphasis on fitness was highlighted when left back Gael Clichy revealed that the manager had taken pizzas off the menu at City and imposed strict weight parameters on the squad, with the threat of a ban from training with the first team if they were breached. Guardiola, who is on a pre-season tour in China with City, has previously made use of defensive midfielders, such as Javier Mascherano and Javi Martinez, as centre backs in his first team and

hinted he could do the same with Fernandinho. Guardiola also said he would let the players decide who will lead them in the absence of injury-prone captain Vincent Kompany. Guardiola, who replaced Manuel Pellegrini, has already added four players, including winger Nolito and German midfielder Ilkay Guendogan, to the City ranks hoping to rebuild the squad after the club stumbled to a fourth-place finish last season. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach’s first season in England begins with a home clash against David Moyes’ Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on August 13.

Pep Guardiola

Barcelona insist on Turan Gradel pledges future

arcelona has no intention of selling Arda Turan despite his underwhelming performances in 2016, according to technical secretary Robert Fernandez. The Turkey international joined Barcelona from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth €41 million in July, but he was not allowed to play until January due to a transfer embargo imposed on the Catalan club and has been struggling to live up to high expectations since making his debut at Camp Nou. Recent reports suggested Barcelona could

offload the 29-year-old ahead of the new season, but they have now moved to claim the attacking midfielder is going nowhere. “He has had a difficult season, but we all know that his performances the year before that were very good. We are waiting for the Arda Turan of Atletico Madrid to return. Martin Montoya and Cristian Tello have also both been heavily linked with a move away from Barcelona, having been deemed surplus to requirements by Luis Enrique, and Fernandez has confirmed the duo are on their way out.

to Bournemouth

vory Coast international winger, Max-Alain Gradel, has agreed to stay for an additional four years at English Premier League outfit, AFC Bournemouth after signing a new deal. Gradel explained that the Cherries manager, Eddie Howie, was a major reason in extending his time at the English club describing his gaffer as “fantastic” and a man who he has “a good relationship with.” The former Leicester City man added that he could not turn down the new offer from the club after being “supported” during his six-month injury spell. “I’m very very pleased to sign. I’ve seen the club in different ways, as I was here before. It’s amazing to see how it has changed and the

progression that has been made, it’s going in the right direction. It’s exciting and of course I want to be part of that. Bournemouth chief executive, Neill Blake, expressed delight at extending Gradel’s contract for another four years. “We are delighted to secure Max’s future with us. He is a player we know well and a player that has done great things for this club over the years. “As a club we are constantly looking to strive forward and Max shares that philosophy with us. He’s an exciting player and one that is very much in our long-term plans,” said Blake. The 28-year-old will now stay at the Vitality Stadium until 2020.

Max Gradel

Arda Turan

Aubameyang denies Real Madrid move

ierre-Emerick Aubameyang has denied saying that he would only join Real Madrid from Dortmund. The quotes that emerged on Monday, apparently made by the Gabon striker, suggested that he would

only consider leaving the German club for a move to the Bernabeu. Aubameyang has taken to Twitter to deny making the statements, however, insisting that while it is his dream to one day play for Madrid, he did not state they would be the only

club he would consider. Manchester City made a move for Aubameyang although were told that they would have to pay £65 million to land the prolific forward. And while Thomas Tuchel reiterated on Wednesday that

Dortmund remain convinced their star man will stay put, the former Mainz boss gave a confusing response in a press conference, insisting that the situation could well change.

Sport

Konta wins as Naomi out at Rogers Cup

ritish number one Johanna Konta progressed to the second round of the Rogers Cup with a 6-4 6-2 win over American Shelby Rogers. The 25-year-old, who won her first WTA Tour title on Sunday, claimed victory in one hour and 21 minutes in Montreal. The world number 14 will play American Vania King in the next round. Britain’s Naomi Broady lost to lucky loser Varvara Lepchenko after original opponent Garbine Muguruza pulled out with a gastrointestinal illness. Broady, ranked 84th, was beaten 6-4 3-6 6-3 by the American world number 50. French Open champion Muguruza, the third seed, had received a bye in the first round.

Russian drug cheats will still be at Olympics, say whistleblowers

Johanna Konta

Frampton prepares for career defining fight against Cruz

PUBLIC NOTICE ASSOCIATION OF MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERS OF NIGERIA The general public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2004. THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. Ahmed Salaudeen 2. Adedokun Mutiu 3. Uthman Iyanda Najeem

ussian drug cheats will be competing at next month’s Olympic Games despite efforts to eradicate them, say the whistleblowers who highlighted the country’s state-sponsored doping. The International Olympic Committee has asked governing bodies to ban Russians either implicated in a recent report into doping, or previously sanctioned. But former Russian Anti-Doping Agency official Vitaly Stepanov and his 800m runner wife Yuliya told BBC Sport: “There will be athletes who have used doping from Russia in Rio.” The pair were forced to flee Russia after their evidence put the country’s doping record under intense scrutiny but said they “feel safe” in their new home at a secret location. The Stepanovs gave evidence to a German documentary maker in 2014 that led to an independent report being commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency which found evidence of widespread doping.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES I. To Promote the interest of its Members Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. signed: Secretary

KUNI

I, Formerly known as GUBAL CHRISTIANA BALA now wish to be known and addressed as KUNI CHRISTIANA IBRAHIM. All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT The General public is hereby notified that theoriginal Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) in respect of Plot No 37 measuringabout 1990.964 Square meter (Sqm) in PASALI LAYOUT No.CR42458 KUJE FCT, belonging to ADELINE ARCHIBONG is missing. If found, please contact Land Department, Kuje Area Council, nearest police station, or 08129628004. AGIS, public, please note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

Carl Frampton

C Russian drugs cheats will be in Rio Stepanov

arl Frampton aims to become Northern Ireland’s first twoweight world boxing champion by beating Leo Santa Cruz in the early hours of Sunday morning. The unbeaten 29-year-old from Belfast said the fight in New York could be the defining moment of his career. “I am hoping people will talk about this for a long time. This is a big deal and I’m taking it seriously,” said Frampton before the contest at the Barclay Centre, Brooklyn.

The General public is hereby notified that the original Certificate of Occupancy ( C-of-O) in respect of Plot No 1326 Cadastral zoneA05 Maitama District, with File No: AD 10549 belonging to ABUBAKAR JODA ismissing. If found, please contact Land Administration Department, FCTA, AGIS ornearest police station.

PAGE 45

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

Sport

P-i-c-t-o-r-i-a-l

Manchester City is in talks with Everton over the possible signing of John Stones, who it is thought would cost about £50m.

Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston knows he must balance his golf with new-found fame after becoming a cult hero at The Open.

Swiss tennis great Roger Federer will miss the Olympics and the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Celtic defender Kolo Toure may feature in next week’s return leg against Astana after being registered with Uefa for the Champions League qualifier.

Welsh former world champion Nathan Cleverly believes his world title fight against Juergen Braehmer can be a turning point in his career.

Sport

Why Mikel turn Team Nigeria captain at Olympics M

ikel Obi will be the flag bearer for the Nigerian contingent to the Rio Olympics that officially kicks off on August 5. Obi seems to be the most famous name on the roster and that seems to be the main reason why he has been picked for the post. But some Nigerians have kicked against the choice, saying patriotism and longevity should have been the criteria for this vaunted position. Chika Chukwumerije was the captain of the team to the London Olympics, assisted by Blessing Okagbare. Using that combination, one would tend to the point of the critics, as Okagbare was clearly the more famous of the duo. The oft-mentioned name has been Segun Toriola, who will be appearing at a 7th consecutive Olympic Games. A colleague, Yemi Olus, wrote on Twitter that it is only in Nigeria that such an “injustice” would be perpetrated. “I have nothing personal against Mikel Obi,” Olus stated, but I’m pained Segun Toriola wasn’t made Nigeria’s Team Captain to Rio. “It’s no mean feat qualifying for seven consecutive Olympic Games. That in itself is legendary. “Like Funmilayo Fameso said, had Toriola been born in any other country, a documentary capturing the highlights of his career would have been in the works. But this is Nigeria…” she added. Now this is not to cast aspersion on whoever or which committee made this decision but like in all things all people want to see is that justice and due diligence was followed. What are the criteria used to choose? Why did it have to be Mikel? It is not the onus of the Nigeria Olympic Committee to answer but it would do a great good for the contingent to know that the main reason why Mikel was chosen is not mainly because he plays football and captains the Super Eagles… That would be sending a very wrong and inclement message to the rest of the team that is already under considerable pressure to win any kind of medal for the country after the disaster that was London 2012 Mikel Obi, was named captain of Team Nigeria to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio beginning August 5, 2016. Obi, one of the three over-aged players invited to the national U-23 football team for the games, is making his first appearance at an Olympic Games. Table tennis star Funke Oshonaike is the assistant team captain. This will be Oshonaike’s sixth appearance at the Olympics after she debuted at Atlanta ’96. The Dream Team VI is expected to depart for Rio from Atlanta USA on July 29. Other athletes hopefully, will leave Nigeria on the same day. Mikel Obi and Funke Oshonaike were chosen because of their consistency, patriotism and dedication to national assignments, the sports ministry said. “Mikel is a young, patriotic footballer of international status and we believe he will be a role model to the upcoming athletes while Funke Oshonaike is experienced and is one of the oldest athletes in the team. “We believe that their combined efforts will bring goodwill to TEAM NIGERIA and project the country’s image positively to the world,” a statement from the Sports Minister, stated.

Mikel Obi

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, july 28, 2016

Some Interesting Facts

PAGE 47

Leisure

lightning rod attached to their hats. 65. Sex burns 360 calories per hour. 66. A raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continually from the bottom of the glass to the top. 67. Celery has negative calories! It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery has in it. 68. The average lead pencil will draw a line 35 miles long or write approximately 50,000 English words. More than 2 billion pencils are manufactured each year in the United States. If these were laid end to end they would circle the world nine times. 69. The pop you hear when you crack your knuckles is actually a bubble of gas burning. 70. A literal translation of a standard traffic sign in China: “Give large space to the festive dog that makes sport in the roadway.” 71. You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching TV.

. The human tongue tastes bitter things with the taste buds toward the back. Salty and pungent flavors are tasted in the middle of the tongue, sweet flavors at the tip! 60. The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley’s gum. 61. When you sneeze, air and particles travel through the nostrils at speeds over100 mph. During this time, all bodily functions stop, including your heart, contributing to the impossibility of keeping one’s eyes open during a sneeze. 62. Annual growth of WWW traffic is 314,000% 63. %60 of all people using the Internet, use it for pornography. 72. Larry Lewis ran the 100-yard dash in 17.8 seconds in 1969, thereby 64. In 1778, fashionable women of Paris never setting a new world’s record for runners in the 100-years-or-older went out in blustery weather without a class. He was 101.

hottest puzzle book kakuro 37

puzzle 37

Say what?

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Faces, People, Encounters - Runner-up - Timothy Allen from the UK took this colourful Messy lady: A little girl appears covered in marker as she stands inside a destroyed cardboard box. Photograph: Pacific Press/Barcroft

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SPORTS latest

amson Siasia, U-23 coach, has appealed to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay his salaries and offset the backlog of bonuses and allowances owed him and his players, with just over a week to the start of the Rio Games in Brazil. The former Nigeria international has not been paid for months, which he has now confirmed. He said: “I am appealing to the NFF and the Sports Ministry to pay our salaries,” Siasia said in a radio interview. Siasia also posited that if his salaries were not paid before the Games, they will end up not being paid at all. “After the Olympics, that money will just go on voice mail,” Siasia said, meaning he will not be paid afterwards. The situation is similar to other coaches of various national teams, as Emmanuel Amuneke, the national U-20 coach’s salaries are held. Immediate past Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh is also claiming that he was being owed by the NFF, even though the Glass House has hotly disputed the claim.

Wikki Tourist coach positive on title race

ikki Tourists coach Abdu Maikaba has said the race for this year’s Nigeria league championship will be very close. Wikki are top of the league table with 47 points from 27 matches, ahead of closest rivals Enugu Rangers only by virtue of having a better goals difference. The chances of fourthplaced Kano Pillars with 42 points and champions Enyimba on 40 points can also not be dismissed. “No one can actually predict the winner of the league this season because it is really a very close contest so far,” Maikaba said.

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Obj: The NASS he knows IN THE BEGINING n 1999 after fortune shone on the illfated political ‘prisoner’ who was fated thereafter to be President, General Obasanjo was as greenhorn as political rookies can get when he grappled with the task of shedding the regimentation of garrison life in order to fit into the messy affairs of the ‘democratic process’. And worse still when he faced his baptism of fire at an even messier turf, the ‘legislative arena’. This is the one arena in a democracy that fatalists describe as a mystery ‘machine’ through which members of the executive pass usually as ‘pigs’ but always come out as ‘sausages’. Nor were the fresh, mostly untutored, legislators of that nascent Assembly any less greener themselves, having just been inaugurated into the first parliament of Nigeria’s historic come-back to the comity of democratic nations; -and especially after a long rusty spell of military interregnums, which ironically Obasanjo himself was both a product and beneficiary of. In fact many had warned that with rookies like those as our ‘lawmaking sovereigns’, and with an even rookier soldier-democrat as ‘political sovereign’, the entire democratic experiment was doomed already to be a ‘sausage’ only waiting to be made. They said that the executive-legislature relations of that Republic, inescapably would be marked by the contest of two insanities: the cantankerousness of a soldier transmogrified into a democrat and the avaricious megalomania of political neophytes out more to grab ‘power’, ‘money’ and ‘influence’ than to provide ‘representation’ or to pursue the all-important tasks of ‘legislation’ and the ‘legislative process’. And so with the President in firm control of ‘executive power’ and the public ‘till’, and with lawmakers fantasizing about the theoretical supremacy of ‘legislative power’ over ‘executive power, the contest was to begin almost immediately after inauguration of the National Assembly with senators and rep members fighting ferociously to be both ‘makers of law’ and ‘executors of capital projects’. They insisted that the executive must award to them contracts to furnish their own official houses at the Apo Legislative Quarters, -a duty incontrovertibly the exclusive preserve of the Executive arm, usually through the MFCT. Obasanjo did not! And although they came out of the ‘Furnishing Contract imbroglio’ with a bloodied nose, by 2001members had reenergized like resurgent viruses, this time armed and ready to go for broke in their agitation to be both lawmakers and executors of capital projects. As proof of their seriousness they employed the services of some SANs who had in vain strained both law and logic to prove that such ‘right’ as sought by NASS was consistent with the spirit –if not the letter- of the Constitution. In fact as this wild goose chase also became another conduit for corruption, Speaker Umar Ghali Naabba –the self anointed agent provocateur of that crises-ridden Assembly- claimed that the House had expended several millions in payment of legal fees to lawyers seeking constitutional interpretation on the matter.

Pay my five-month salaries, Siasia begs NFF

QUOTABLE QUOTE

OKADIGBO’S FALL It was this barefaced insistence –for

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THURSDAY Column WITH Mohammed Adamu (08035892325 sms only)

dankande2@gmail.com selfish motives- by both chambers of the NASS to execute capital projects side by side with the supposedly arduous task of lawmaking that prematurely sang the Nunc Dimittis of the Chuba Okadigbo Senate Presidency. He and several other senators and members of the House were indicted by the ‘Senator Idris Kuta Probe Report’ for fraud in the execution of several National Assembly Complex contract projects which they had awarded to themselves. An equally complicit Ghali who was also indicted by the Report was shielded by the House even in disregard of public opinion which had favored his removal. But the indication that removing Chuba was merely a tactical retreat -to assuage public opinion- and not a surrender, was that the Senate thereafter decided, after one of their usual conspiratorial executive session, to dump the Kuta Report by simply passing a mock-heroic kind of resolution, openly at Plenary, claiming that all indicted members had been reprieved and pardoned. What the ‘resolution’ did not say was whether they were to ‘go and sin no more’ or they were to ‘go and sin even more’! And the irony of it was that senator Kuta himself was one of those who were vociferous in lauding the Senate gesture as –listen to them… ‘one of the best things that happened to our democracy’. It can thus be seen that the claim recently by the Saraki Senate that all crimes and misdemeanors of a legislative kind are essentially the internal affairs of the Senate and not subject to the investigative powers of the police or the prosecutorial rights of the Attorney General of the Federation, is a mindset traceable to the permissive precedent already set by this very Senate on the Kuta Report. But even as the legislators again came out of the ‘NASS Contract Scam’ bloodied, their dumping of the Kuta Report even at the risk of incurring the anger of the public was another clear sign of unrepentance and an indication that the skins of lawmakers were only getting all the more numb to the harangues of public opinion whenever the pursuit of their special privileges was concerned. In fact it was on record that Obasanjo publicly issued a riot act to his Ministers warning them against indulging members of the NASS beyond the constitutional duty of cooperating with them in their oversight functions. This was how low the Ghali Assembly had sunk; that Ministers had to be warned not to touch them with a ten feet poll; or that if they ever had to dine with them they must use long spoons. But this again , rather than mitigate the corrupt excesses of our legislators only served to make them bolder and more daring. To hit back at Obasanjo for his

directive, NASS announced an immediate embarkation on oversight function by all Senate and House Committees, claiming that it was on a mission to cleanse the Augean Stable of the Executive. The same who had just rebuffed the Auditor General of the Federation arguing that his office had no constitutional power to look into their account books , were now on a massoversight asking executive agencies to come clean. Soon there were complaints by ministries alleging that lawmakers on so called oversight were using blackmail to demand for contracts or instant monetary gratification. And now that the gloves were finally taken off in the relationship between Obasanjo and his avaricious check mates, the NASS soon again announced that it was placing the entire Executive arm of Government under probe; making the hunter himself becoming the hunted. But to all discerning observers, the goal of the Ghali Assembly was Obasanjo’s executive wind-pipe. If they could not tame him to meet their ‘special interests’, they might as well strangulate him. Which was what they almost did when they slammed him with the allegation of ‘gross misconduct’ – the chief requirement of the Constitution for the impeachment of a President. And Obasanjo being in a way like Buhari –stubborn like the ‘honey berger’refused to ‘buy’ his neck out of the loop of this impeachment blackmail. And since he also hadn’t the immunities of popular support –which Buhari especially enjoys today- Obasanjo was left alone to fight his battle. And you bet this cantankerous ‘executive pig’ fought his way through their roguish ‘legislative machine’, but did not become a ‘sausage’ When he tells you a thing about NASS, -believe it! He has been to their hottest hell, back! POSTSCRIPT THE FIRST BUDGET PADDING During his first term in office President Obasanjo, in response to an exigency over Presidential Air Movements, resolved to put an additional jet plane into what many Presidency staff said was a moribund Presidential Air Fleet. The proposed new addition they said was to service the Vice President, then Atiku Abubakar. And as is the rule –constitutionally- that whenever spending needs arise amid the operations of a subsisting budget, a supplementary budget has to be raised, the Executive presented to the Ghali NASS a one-item supplementary request. And quite unlike in virtually all previous Obasanjo requests which had elicited fierce executivelegislature brickbats, the NASS this time had quietly and even expeditiously passed a whole jet-plane-request without its signature ‘hue and cry’ about a profligate Executive bent on bankrupting the nation. In fact a pleasantly surprised Atiku,

whose offshore official engagements seriously needed this jet-boost, could hardly wait for the President’s green pen to okay the Order. But that excitement was short-lived. Because when the approved bill eventually arrived at the President’s desk, it came with what lawyers call a ‘caveat subscriptor’, -attached as a warning to the President by his Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Aminu Bashir Wali. A ‘caveat emptor’ operates to warn the person ‘buying’ to ‘beware’ what he buys; but a ‘caveat subscriptor’ warns the person ‘signing’ a document to beware what he signs. Aminu Wali was alerting his Principal to something insidiously sordid buried in the budget document he was about to sign. The Ghali Assembly had carefully incorporated more than a couple of billions as ‘Supplementary request’ too for themselves in the very ‘Supplementary request’ of the Executive. It was some kind of ‘supplementary within a supplementary’. In fact it was joked about in legislative parlance then as ‘supplementing the supplement’. But in actual fact it should have been termed ‘padding a budget’. This was the genesis of ‘budget padding’ at the National Assembly. But it operated also as an ‘indecent proposal’ to the President; some kind of whisper into the ear of the president, suggesting: ‘whenever you want to buy your Vice a jet outside the operations of a subsisting budget, all you need do sir is to allow us a few coins in the legislative request, so we can buy ourselves a helicopter each, too!’ Needless to say that not only did Obasanjo not sign that ‘n-a-n-s-e-n-s’, he also fought the NASS to the mud to buy Atiku a jet. RE-DICTATORSHIP AND THE LEGISLATURE You cant plead your way to justice. In criminal matters you must prove your beyond ALL reasonable doubt. Moreover you are ignorant of the 1999 Constitution. The President under this Constitution is a constitutional behemoth –a legislative principality. Go read the document. Again in social science dictatorship in a free society of the people and parliament can never arise. Your conclusions are wrong –A. L. Okafor +2348038504254

DAN GAYE

Rep members solidly behind Dogara – Hon. Kurfi

while u are technically behind him

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