Thursday, October 29, 2015

Thursday, October 29, 2015/ Muharram 16, 1437 AH

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

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Vol. 21 No. 48 N150

Emir Sanusi removes Ado Bayero’s son as Ciroman Kano page 8

Boko Haram:

Army declares Shekau, 99 others wanted page 2

l As troops rescue 338 hostages L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari, and India Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, during a bilateral meeting between the two leaders, yesterday at the Hyderabad House, in New Delhi, India.

President Buhari is on a four-day official visit to attend the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit, in New Delhi, India.

We’ll prosecute looters to P stop corruption- Buhari

By Lawrence Olaoye

l Says policies for economic recovery

resident Muhammadu Buhari has said that his loot recover drive and determination to prosecute corrupt government officials were meant to serve as deterrent to those politicians and bureaucrats who would only offer to serve so as to enrich themselves.

He also said his administration’s economic policy may hurt operations of some businesses in the country in the short run; it still remains the best for the country considering the nation’s fiscal realities.

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Ministers: Reps query CBN over NASS wants N64 bn Abuja airport runway contract Amaechi, 17 others BVN policy know fate today probed pAGE 3

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PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

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

19-22 23

S/Report 24-25 M/Earth 27 E /Update Feature

28 29 -30

House of Reps new rules’ll bring sanity – Kwara Speaker Page 17

Metro

32

Int’l 39 S/World

39

Digest 40 Sports 41 Columnist 48

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We’ll prosecute looters to stop corruption-Buhari Contd from Cover page

T

he President, who is currently on official visit to India, in a statements made available to newsmen by his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, gave the assurance that his administration would vigorously pursue the recovery of stolen funds and prosecute the culprits to serve as deterrents to others who would want to indulge in corrupt practices.

He restated his administration’s resolute commitment to curbing corruption, plugging all loopholes in public sector accounting and deploying available resources for the good of all Nigerians.

Addressing members of the Nigerian community in India, Buhari declared that the recovery of stolen funds and prosecution of persons who have been indicted for corrupt practices will also continue to be vigorously pursued.

The President said that he expected the ongoing recoveries and prosecutions to serve as a deterrent to others who nurse the ambition of seeking public office solely for illegal personal gain.

The President assured the gathering that his administration fully recognized the devastating consequences of the illegal diversion of public resources meant for national development into private bank accounts, and was doing all within its powers to

stop such diversions.

“The anti-corruption campaign will be on-going for many years. We are committed to the enthronement of good governance that plugs the loopholes in public sector accounting, and the use of scarce resources for public good.

“We are determined to demonstrate exemplary leadership that will make our citizens to change their ways in a manner that lays a solid foundation for reconstruction and development. am confident that our approach to fighting corruption through value re-orientation, improved internal processes and systems and the rule of law, as well as enhancing the capacity of the various anti-corruption agencies and institutions will prove more enduring in addressing this evil.

“In the meantime, we will continue to prosecute those who have been indicted for corrupt practices and ensure that stolen funds are recovered, to serve as deterrence to others who nurse the ambition of seeking public office solely for illegal personal gain,” Buhari said.

He told the Nigerian community that he was fully aware of the expectations of Nigerians who elected him on the platform of change, integrity, probity and accountability, and was therefore doing his utmost best to meet those expectations.

“I wish to assure you that

we shall do our best to fix the economy, create jobs for the teeming population of our youths and make the home environment safe, secure and more attractive to Nigerians outside the country like your good selves.

“On the economy, our aim is to address the challenge of infrastructure in all its ramifications, especially power and transportation. We are seeking to create jobs through agriculture, mining, industrial value-addition and the promotion of small scale enterprises.

In another statement, Buhari also told the Nigerian community in that country Buhari said his administration remains committed to maintaining macroeconomic stability and improving investor confidence in the country despite the downward trend of crude price at the international market.

According to him, the President at an interactive session with Chief Executives of Indian companies with interests in Nigeria, expressed the belief that with its abundance of human and material resources, the nation’s economy do not have to suffer unduly from low oil prices, despite its severe impact on government revenues.

Buhari said “What is required of us, to which we are strongly committed, is the implementation of tight expenditure controls, effective fiscal and monetary

policies, including the husbandry of scarce resources which our introduction of the Single Treasury Account has began to address.

We are aware some of these measures may hurt operations of some businesses in the short term, but we believe they are right for a sustainable economy.”

While noting that India has been a dependable ally and friend of Nigeria, Buhari urged the Chief Executives to expand their companies’ investments in Nigeria “so that we can, together, turn our engagements into a win-win situation for our two countries”.

“We can increase and diversify the current volume of our bilateral trade beyond US$16.36 billion, and diversify to other critical sectors such as agriculture; green technologies in power generation; infrastructure; information and communications technologies; the services sector; education; industry, especially textiles and solid minerals among others,” the President told them.

Buhari also urged the Indian business executives with interests in Nigeria to accept the changes in policy being introduced by his administration and observe all extant Nigerian laws in running their business in the country.

He warned, particularly, that his administration will not tolerate the importation of sub-standard goods, especially foods and medicines, into Nigeria.

Boko Haram: Army declares Shekau, 99 others wanted

By Joy Baba Yesufu, Abuja and Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

T

he Nigerian Army yesterday declared the purported leader of the Boko Harm sect, Abubakar Shekau that has been terrorisng the country and 99 other members of the gang wanted.

The Army in Maiduguri displayed posters of 100 suspected insurgents and declared them wanted.

The army has equally made a clarion call on the general public to assist security operatives with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the insurgents so that another major victory against counter-insurgency operations could be achieved.

Our correspondent reports that the large posters, with inscriptions written in English, Hausa and Kanuri languages also contained phone numbers which the public could easily call or text to indicate which of the characters in the numbered photographs they know or have information of.

Chief of Army Staff, (COAS) Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai launched the circulation of large posters carrying photographs of the wanted terrorists including the supposed leader of the insurgents, Abubakar Shekau.

Speaking while declaring

closed, the Directorate of Army Public elations Third Quarter Study Period workshop held at the headquarters of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, Buratai said security agents alone could not win the ongoing war against insurgents without active support of the public.

“The ongoing counterinsurgency operations should not be seen as a pure military affair, rather the public have their own role to play through furnishing the relevant security agencies with credible information on their hideouts and movements so that the military on their side can swing into action to flush them out”, he urged.

He observed that the military has unveiled effective mechanisms to strengthen civil-military relations so that the public could have confidence to summon courage and offer intelligence reports on the activities of the insurgents.

The army chief used the opportunity to inform Nigerians that the Presidential deadline on Boko Haram was not directed at the military alone but to all Nigerians.

He also charged journalists to support the military in the war against Boko Haram through fairness and objectivity in their reportage.

“The media should lead the campaign for a positive attitude towards the military and be guided by the consciousness of operational

security in war reporting to enhance national security. The media should ensure credibility of the institution in war reporting”, he appealed.

Meanwhile, troops of 28 Task Force Brigade Nigerian Army deployed at Bitta and Pridang have carried out a successful raid on suspected Boko Haram terrorists camps at Bulajilin and Manawashe villages along Bita and Damboa road at the fringes of Sambisa forest on Tuesday.

The troops were said to have killed 30 Boko Haram terrorists and rescued rescued 338 persons that were held captive by the terrorists in the enclaves.

A statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col Sani Usman said the rescued persons which comprised of male 8, female 138 and children 192, have since been evacuated to Mubi adding that arms and ammunitions which include 1 General Purpose Machine Gun and 2 Dane Guns, 150 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO), 6 boxes of 7.62mm (NATO) and 3 cutlasses were also recovered during the raid.

Usman also said In a related development, troops based on a tip off, ambushed and killed 4 suspected Boko Haram terrorists on a suicide bombing mission to Gubula, Madagali Local Government Area, Adamawa State.

He further said apart from 2 AK-47 rifles recovered, the troops also recovered some Unexploded

Ordinances (UXOs), mortar bombs and cash sum of N153,385k was retrieved.

“It is worthy to note that the raid operation on the Boko Haram Terrorists enclave coincided with the Chief of Army Staff’s operational visit to the Brigade Headquarters in Mubi. The successful clearance operations and ambushing of the terrorists has further degraded them and saved the lives of so many innocent victims of their suicide bombings.

“Having appealed and given the terrorists final warning, we would like to state that from now on troops within bounds of respect for human rights and rules of engagement, we shall continue to decisively deal with Boko Haram terrorists until they are defeated. “ Therefore, we are appealing for continued vigilance, security consciousness and above all cooperation with the military and security agencies to enable us successfully defeat the terrorists” the statement added.

In a related development, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has decorated 2,903 gallant soldiers currently fighting the Boko Haram terrorists with medals in Mubi, Adamawa.

Buratai told the soldiers at the 28 Task Force Brigade Headquarters, Mubi that the decoration was part of the military tradition to motivate its personnel at the warfront.

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

News

Reps query CBN over BVN policy

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he House of Representatives yesterday summoned the Central Bank Governor (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele to appear before its committee on Banking and Currency to explain why there is a directive by the CBN for Nigerians to disclose their Bank Verification Number (BVN) to every Bureau de Change upon transaction.

The House summon followed a motion entitled “motion against proliferation of Bank Verification Numbers” raised as an urgent matter of public importance and sponsored by Hon. Danburam Nuhu.

He noted that the effort of the CBN to stabilise foreign exchange market by making it compulsory for all Bureau de Change to have the BVN of all customers in the bid to stem money laundering will make financial records easily accessible to dubious people.

“All customers desiring foreign exchange through any channel would be forced to give their BVN to those with whom they are doing transactions (with).

“In this era of internet fraud, this will endanger our people’s hard earned money and cause even more problems than it was meant to solve, “the law maker said.

The House adopted the motion after it was put to a voice vote and was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yusuff Lasun.

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Ag News Editor Ese Awhotu

Navy hands over oil vessels to NSCDC

By Joy Baba Yesufu

T

he Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu has said that five impounded vessels used for illegal oil bunkering by the Nigerian Navy have been handed over to the Corps for necessary legal action as the lead Agency in-charge of Protection of Critical Infrastructure and National Assets in Nigeria.

Gana made this disclosure when he received the Commander Naval Unit, Commodore Ngolmo Poyilma Aliyu in his office at the Corps National Headquarters, Abuja.

A statement signed by Head

of Public Relations, NSCDC Emmanuel Okeh said The NSCDC boss acknowledged the existing collaborations and enviable synergy between the Corps and the Nigerian Navy, especially in the fight against illegal bunkering, oil theft and vandalism.

Gana said “the Navy as one of the stakeholders has arrested suspects and impounded their vessels and ship which have always being handed over to the Corps for investigation and prosecution in line with our mandate.”

He also said that the Corps which is in charge of the registration, regulation, monitoring of the Private Guards industry, is working towards ensuring

that criminal elements are not recruited as private guards saying that he is poised to transform the private guard industry to an enviable position that could attract qualified and able Nigerians into the profession.

According to him: “this is to ensure that as the Third Tier of Security, the Private Guards companies play complementary role to the regular Security Agencies of Government in line with the UN Charter which which emphasises the need for one policeman to 400 people for effecive policing of the society.”

In the area of Disaster Management, he said the Corps as one of the critical stakeholder

have put in place lots of mechanism for timely intervention during emergency situations, rescue operations, early warning alert signal and mitigation.

In his response, Commodore Aliyu said his visit is to call for synergy and collaboration in fighting crime within the Federal Capital Territory and environs asserting that the Nigerian Navy is one of the organization that believe in synergy and respects the function of other Agencies of Government.

He pointed out that, instead of unhealthy rivalry, partnership in fighting crime is more desirable appealing for collaboration in tackling the hydra headed crime, as well as fighting insurgency.

L-R: Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, receiving a plaque from Sokoto state Governor, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, during a visit by the NOA management team to the governor, yesterday at the Government House, in Sokoto.

Tribunal sacks Taraba Speaker, Abel Diah

By Saratu Ibrahim

T

he Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jalingo has nullified the election of the Speaker of the Taraba state House of Assembly, Abel Diah, of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The tribunal which gave the

ruling yesterday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to set aside a Certificate of Return earlier issued to the speaker.

Recall that INEC in Taraba state had declared Mr. Diah, the winner of the April eleven elections for Mbamga Constituency in the state House

of Assembly.

Dissatisfied with INEC’s declaration, the All Progressives Congress Candidate in the constituency, Emmanuel Bongo, went to the elections tribunal challenging the victory of the Speaker.

Bomgo argued that elections conducted in nine polling

units in Mbamga constituency were marred by enormous irregularities.

In its judgment, the National and Houses of Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal ruled that elections in eight out of the nine polling units, challenged by the petitioner, were conducted against the provision of the 2010

Electoral Act. The tribunal said that elections conducted in the eight polling units were null and void even as it declared the elections inconclusive and ordered INEC to conduct fresh polls within 90 days beginning from Wednesday in the eight affected polling units.

responding to questions yesterday from the senators, gave a roadmap through which the Nigeria’s economy can be made to grow above seven per cent annually.

Those screened yesterday without confirmation were Okechukwu Enyinna (Abia), Adamu Adamu (Bauchi), Aisha Abubakar (Sokoto), Mohammed Bello (Adamawa), and Anwuka Anthony Gozie (Imo).

Recall that those screened day before yesterday were without confirmation were Adewole Isaac Folorunso (Osun), Bawa Bwari (Niger), Geoffrey Onyeama (Enugu), Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna), Usani Usani Uguru (Cross River)

and Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali. Others that are also yet to be confirmed are Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, from Rivers state, Heineken Lokpobiri from Ba yelsa State, Professor Cladius Omoleye Daramola from Ondo State, Baba Shehuri Mustapha from Borno, and Barrister Ocholi Enojo James from Kogi state.

Others are Hon Khadijat Bukar Abba Ibrahim from Yobe State and Barrister Adebayo Shittu from Oyo state, who were earlier screened and not confirmed by the Senate two weeks ago.

Recall that the Senate had earlier screened and confirmed half of the ministerial nominees,

whose names were forwarded to the upper legislative chambers by President Mohammadu Buhari.

Those earlier confirmed were Ibe Emmanuel Kachikwu, Chris Ngige, Hadi Sirika, Aisha Alhassan, Babatunde Fashola, Abubakar Malami, Solomon Dalong, Kemi Adeosun.

Others were Udo Udoma, Ogbonnaya Onu, Kayode Fayemi, Lai Mohammed, Ehanare Osagie, Abdulraman Danbazzau, Amina Ibrahim Mohammed, Usman Jibril and Adamu Suleiman.

However, there are speculations that the adjournment of the confirmation to today was to enable the senate leadership lobby

and appease the PDP senators, who are aggrieved by the screening of Amaechi and Usani Uguru, whose screening did not go down well with the PDP senators.

However, one of the PDP senators, Samuel Anyanwu, who spoke to our reporter, said no nominee is more important than the other.

He said the time the senate finished the screening was late, and they needed to differ the confirmation to today, just as he added that since the process of screening has finished, the senate will now agree on the modality to adopt in confirming then, whether it will be in batches or not.

Ministers: Amaechi, 17 others know fate today

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

S

enate will today confirm former Rivers Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, alongside sixteen other ministerial nominees from President Mohammadu Buhari, as the red chambers yesterday concluded the screening of the remaining nominees.

There is also an indication that the Senate may confirm the nominees in batches, one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators has revealed.

This is even as one of the ministerial nominees, Okechukwu Enyinna, from Abia state, while

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PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

News

NASS wants Buhari to probe N63.7bn Abuja airport runway

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he Senate yesterday passed a resolution urging President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the reported inflation in the review and re-award of the second runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, which is reportedly inflated beyond proportion.

This is just as the House of Representatives yesterday mandated its committee on aviation to undertake an investigation to find out the factors that lead to the embarrassing report by CNN rating 3

of Nigeria’s airports amongst the 10 worst in the world and report back to the House within 2 weeks.

The House has also directed the committee to investigate how N400billion appropriated for airports remodelling was carried out and what was the result.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent matters of urgent importance entitled “urgent need to investigate the factors that lead to the damnable rating of our airports” sponsored by Hon. Garba Datti.

On the the second runway contract, it was was said to have been originally awarded at N64 billion by the Federal Executive Council during

the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan, and also ratified then by the Bureau of Public Procurement, but was reduced downwards after an alarm was raised in the House of Representative.

However, it was reportedly reviewed and re-awarded at about N63.5 billion presently, even after a substantial work had been done on the project since it was awarded by former President Jonathan.

Leading debate on the motion, Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi), said the proposed cost to construct the second runway is about four times higher than the cost of constructing a brand new Airport in Nigeria.

“The new terminal 5 in Heathrow Airport with four lanes of 4km runway cost less than N25 billion, and constructing a 3.8km one lane runway for N63.5 billion will be a waste of fund considering Nigeria’s present economic situation”, he said.

In his remarks, Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia) said the problem with the inflation is not partisan, but an indication that there are resident agents in the contract chain who are bent on defrauding Nigerians.

While concluding the debate on the motion, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said the second runway is an important project, but warned that it should not be used

Boko Haram: NAF conducts 1448 air sorties in 4 months

By Joy Baba Yesufu

T

he Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said that between July and October 2015 it conducted a total of 1448 air sorties in support of the ongoing counter insurgency operation in the north east and also deployed over 300 ground troops from its special forces to fight along with the Army in the field.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar disclosed this on Wednesday when he received in audience officials of the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) led by the Executive Director, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (Rtd) who paid him courtesy visit in his office. The Air Force, he said, is doing everything possible to see how peace can be restored in the troubled areas as soon as possible.

According to him, the air component is fully integrated in the counter insurgency operation plans and as such, NAF is using different aircrafts in its arsenal including F-7NI, Alpha Jet, C-130 AC, Augusta 109 LUH, Mi-35, Mi24, Mi-17, Supa Puma Helicopters, among others to carryout logistics support, reconnaissance and combat operations.

“Where ever the army is going in the battle field, we give them the air support, provide intelligence and clear the ground for them to operate optimally.

There are challenges no doubt but God willing, we will meet the expectations of the people and the deadline given by the Commanderin-Chief as the government is giving us necessary supports and encouragements”, he stated.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Centre for Crisis Communication, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (Rtd) briefed the Chief of Air Staff on the mandates of the Centre and congratulated NAF for the good work it is doing in the north east while condoling it on the death of a number of its officers in a couple air crashes in the course of the operations. .

R-L: Kaduna state Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, and Director, Amir Chand Institute, Dr Savita Chandra, during the Kaduna state 2nd Health Care Summit, yesterday in Kaduna.

Photo: NAN

as an avenue to defraud Nigeria’s resources.

He charged the relevant committees, when constituted, to intensify their oversight functions, to ensure that such contract inflation and scam does not surface again in other government and private agencies.

Bamanga, Wanbai, bag fellowship awards

By Patience Paul

I

t was phenomenal when intellectual capacity building and high profile recognition were jointly celebrated at the Institute of Corporate Administration in its 4th quarterly lecture and Investiture for this year, organized recently in Abuja during which fellowship awards were conferred on two eminent personalities, Alhaji Mohammed Bamanga, the immediate past General Manager of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC on National Assembly Liaison now retired and Alhaji Aminu Yakubu Wambai, a serving Senior Accountant in the NNPC amongst others The event which took place at the prestigious hall of Merit House, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama district of the Federal Capital Territory FCT was attended by eminent personalities, captains of industry, policy makers and cram de la crème of the society.

While many attended to tap from the resourceful lecture that dominated the duration of the activities, others came to witness the occasion and to express solidarity with the award recipients.

In the Lecture entitled “Talent management strategies in the service economy- managing the Challenges” the resource person, Dr G. C. Onyekwere who is also the Chief Learning Officer of the knowledge-growing organization took the audience deep into the world of intellectualism justifying the opportunity cost of every attendant.

Contractors step up work on new Lagos -Ibadan expressway

T

he tempo of construction works on the Lagos - Ibadan express road is soon to increase with the completion of the “new enhanced design” of the road and re-dedication of all stakeholders to its completion on schedule.

Giving this assurance while speaking with newsmen today in Lagos, Mr. Hakeem Olopade, a director of Motorways Asset Limited, the project company partnering with the Federal Ministry of Works for the delivery of a fully enhanced Lagos -Ibadan Express Road, said that the need for due process, enhancements to earlier design and nature had largely been responsible for the slow pace of work

on “the novel PPP-structured road.”

Mr. Olopade, who is also the Executive Director (Projects) at The Infrastructure Bank (TIB), the federal government’s Fund Arrangers for the N167 Billion road project, said that the road remained the most crucial highway in the Nigerian transport sector and could not be abandoned by the government.

The executive director said that TIB had successfully raised the “Tranche I” of the financing of the project in line with the expectations of the federal government and other stakeholders while the “Tranche II” is currently being arranged.

He added that the stakeholders

would maximize efficiency gains in the construction phases of the project to ensure its completion to time and budget.

The executive director disclosed that financial obligations and commitments are being kept to keep the contractors on site while the stakeholders finalize the new designs and geometric drawings whilst necessary development studies are also being finalised in good time ahead of full construction work resumption soon.

He, however, admitted that arrangement of funds for the project was “slightly slowed down by legal conundrum” occasioned by the 2012 termination of the former

concessionaire agreements on the road.

Mr. Olopade also said that “the rains have also recently affected full blown construction activities as some asphalt works have to be suspended till the dry season.”

He assured that all the lost construction grounds would be covered by the two construction giants - Julius Berger Plc and Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) - once the rains are over.

Julius Berger Plc handles the six-lane Shagamu Interchange and Lagos end of the road while RCC handles the 84-kilometer Shagamu - Ibadan (Ojoo interchange) part of the road.

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

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PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

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News

Army cadets allege unlawful withdrawal from NDA

By Osby Isibor, Abuja and Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

S

ome officer cadets, who were enlisted in the recent Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) and Short Service Combatant (SSC) Course 43 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), have accused the authorities of an alleged unlawful and unjustifiable withdrawal from the NDA, after undergoing the mandatory training.

Narrating their ordeals to Peoples Daily in Abuja, one of the affected officer cadets, who declined to disclose his name said the last

SSC Course 43 members that just past out of the NDA had 10 cadets ‘unlawfully’ withdrawn after about five months into the training, even as 16 others were also withdrawn a night before their passing out on the 11th of September 2015.

According to him, the authorities claimed that they didn’t pass map reading.

They pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari and the military authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter with a view to ascertaining the true position of things and reabsorb them into the army, as according to them, their ‘unlawful withdrawal’ is a time

bomb really waiting to explode.

“The Nigerian Army published application for Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) and Short Service Combatant (SSC) Course 43 by mid 2014 and so many willing Nigerians applied, and names of successful candidates for screening for each state were published and were eventually screened at both Jaji for the DSSC and NDA for the SSC candidates respectively.

“On our arrival at the NDA, we were also screened for Ebola and the first point of screening was the credential screening for each candidate. The next screening was comprehensive as it entails and

covers the whole test to ascertain the well being of each candidate and those found wanting in any area were sent packing at each stages of the screening. The screening includes but not limited to ECG, Hepatitis, full blood test, eye test, weight, height, flat foot, x-ray, blood pressure, scan, urine test, heart rate and any other medical test to ascertain the wellness of each candidate.

“After the medical, comes the 3.2km race in 18 minutes, then obstacle crossing. It is after this rigorous screening exercise that those that passed will wait and be hopeful for the final enlistment into

L-R: Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute, and President, Cancer Education and Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CEAFON), Professor Francis DurosinmiEtti, during the opening of Cancer Summit 2015, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Dilapidated roads: Isiwele begs NURTW against strike

By Patience Paul and Saratu Ibrahim

T

he National President, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, Alhaji Musa Shehu Isiwele, has advised his counterparts in the transport sector to sheath their sword, over their threat to withdraw their services, should the federal government fail to fix the nation’s road within 14 days.

In his reaction to the threat by the National Association of Road

Transport Organizations, NARTO, Petroleum Tankers Drivers, PTD, and National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Isiwele cautioned that they should have a rethink, since this government has barely spent five months in office.

In a press statement circulated amongst journalists in Abuja on Tuesday signed by its Media Adviser, Ambrose Inusa Sule, RTEAN Boss said that though the leadership of RTEAN was not invited when the ultimatum to the Federal Government was taken, he believed

that they should have waited for a new minister of transport to be appointed.

Isiwele agreed that there is need for prompt intervention on road construction and the rehabilitation of old ones, in order to curtail the carnage on our roads. In his words, “We, as members of RTEAN, are equally worried for the frequent loss of lives and property, vehicles breakdown and incidents on the roads on daily basis”, he said.

According to him, the threat was ill- timed and too hasty a decision by

his counterparts to withdraw all types of vehicles, tanks, trucks, trailers, Lorries and commercial buses from the roads should the Federal government failed to construct and rehabilitate nation’s road within the next 14 days.

It could be recalled that last week ,at a press conference in Abuja by the leadership of NARTO, PTD and NURTW gave the Federal government 14 days ultimatum to fix the nation’s roads or face unservouring consequences, mostly Mokwa- Jebba- Bode roads.

NHIS will improve health standard-Commissioner

From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

D

elta state government says the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as an agency of its own will prop up the standard of quality health care delivery and engender a better health

care coverage for all citizens at affordable costs.

The State Health Commissioner, Dr. Nicholas Azinge told journalists on Tuesday in Asaba while answering questions on the NHIS that the bill seeking to make NHIS agency was

currently at the third reading stage of the National Assembly, saying that the scheme is legally allowed to operate as an agency, will expedite all processes aimed at implementing its benefits across the country.

According to him “Health establishments and facilities

would be requested to attain self standards before they can become active participants in the scheme” noting that they would be much improvements in the health sector, just as there will be reduction in the cost of efficient health care delivery that will be enjoyed by citizens.

the Nigerian Army. The final names were published and those that passed were to resume at the NDA

by September 2014 which was later postponed to January 3rd, 2015.

“Few weeks into the training we were tested and those that tested positive to drugs were withdrawn.

Subsequently, we noticed this propaganda that some cadets were having high blood pressure and others were said to be having color vision problem but these same cadets were tested and passed through the screening.

“Four to Five months into the training when these cadets have gone for camp initial, drill square test, oath taking ceremony, novices boxing and even attended bush camps coupled with being grounded in weapon training and handling, tactics, map reading and other courses making up to 23, there were withdrawn that they were medically unfit, without any fair hearing and with hatred, malice and injustice in a conspiracy and lie oriented medical report by both the CO Medical And Co Ashanti Battalion. The commandant and his deputy never took time to grant the cadets fair hearing and just worked on the report from the Medical CO. “On leaving the academy, the cadets went to do a thorough check up and discovered nothing was wrong with them all effort to fight for their rights and get someone to listen to their cries proved abortive as it is said that that is the normal trend.

“This war on insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping and more will not stop if the Nigerian Army through the Nigerian Defence Academy keeps training officers for 5 to 9 months and unlawfully withdraw them. These cadets have been well trained on weapon training, tactics, and map reading just to mention a few. They are equipped and have mastered and known in and out of the military operations. I indeed fear the effect on the country”, he stated.

When contacted, the Adjutant Ashanti Battalion, Capt. Lezuya, declined comment on the matter, saying he was no longer the Adjutant as he has been moved to Jaji. He, however, directed our correspondent to speak to the NDA authorities for further enquiries.

When our correspondent contacted the NDA, the spokesperson of the Academy was said to be away on a seminar, but a source at the institution who will not want his name on print said the cadets withdrawn from the institution must have breached rules and regulations of the Academy, adding that even an hour before the Passing Out Parade, a cadet can still be withdrawn.

There is another thinking that the withdrawal might not be unconnected with the recent presidential directive that the institution must ensure that only gallant officers were commissioned into the military.

Investigation further revealed that all cases of withdrawal pass through the Academy disciplinary board headed by deputy commandant and two members of the selection board.

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

PAGE 7

News

Woman stabs ‘native doctor’ to death in Edo

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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ragedy struck, last Friday in Benin City, the Edo state capital when a lover reportedly stabbed a ‘native doctor’ to death.

The 44-year-old victim identified simply as Mr. Owie,

was allegedly stabbed in the chest by a lady during a domestic brawl in his residence, opposite Useh Market Road Junction, Upper Siluko Road, in the state Capital.

The late ‘native doctor was a husband to three women including the suspected murder, now in police net.

It was gathered tha t trouble

started when the diseased returned home from his enstraged lover’s house where he passed the night and demanded for the whereabouts of the second wife who was not at home.

When the second wife returned home, the angry native doctor who had passed the previous night at another lover at

undisclosed location, demanded explanation from the woman who claimed to have left her husband’s house for shopping at King square in Benin City, leading to a scuffle between the duo.

The Public Relations Officer for Edo Police Command DSP Stephen Onwochei who

Teenage girl disappears from police custody in Delta

NYSC 2015 Batch ‘B’ corps members waiting for screening, clearance and accreditation at the NYSC Orientation Camp, yesterday in Kubwa, Abuja.

Photo: NAN

From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

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Police foil kidnap operation, arrest 2 From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

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peratives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Ogwashi-Uku Police Division near Asaba, Delta State, on Monday foiled kidnap operation in the area and arrested two suspected kidnappers of a five man kidnap gang.

It was reliably gathered that the SARS operatives rescued victims from the suspects who were identified as Mrs. Ifeoma

Favour Anwuzia, wife of Aniocha South Local Government Council Boss and her two daughters during the operation.

Confirming the arrest of the suspects, the Acting Police Public Relations Officer in the state DSP Charles Muka said “The divisional police officer in Ogwashi-Uku police division on the 26th October, 2015 received a distress call that five unidentified gunmen had invaded the residence of Aniocha South Local Government Council boss,

Hon. Isaac Anwuzia in Agidisei quarters, Ogwashi-Uku and kidnapped his wife, Ifeoma Favour Anwuzia and two of her daughters” disclosing that the hoodlums forced the victims into the complainant’s Toyota Corolla car parked in the compound and drove them to an unknown destination.

DSP Muka said that on receipt of the report, the divisional patrol team of SARS pursued the hoodlums towards Edo-OgwashiUku road where the hoodlums

on sighting them abandoned the victims and the vehicle and escaped into the bush adding that the victims were rescued unhurt and the vehicle recovered.

DSP Muka said “SARS operatives combed the bush and arrested one Paschal Kure, 26 years old of DDPA Estate Asaba and Chinedu Obianzu of Umuneze quarters, Idumeze Asaba, while the rest three escaped, adding that investigation was ongoing with a view to arrest the fleeing hoodlums.

Abuja: 16-year old boy arraigned for sexually abusing toddler

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he police on Wednesday arraigned a 16-year-old boy at the chambers of the Gudu Upper Area Court, for allegedly abusing a toddler sexually.

The accused (name with-held) of Kuje, Abuja, is standing trial on a charge of gross indecency.

The prosecutor, Asp. Adama Musa, said one Samuel Zakka of

confirmed the report, said full scale investigation has commenced.

Onwochei disclosed that the alleged attacker turned herself to the police after the dastardly act.

The shrine of the deceased native doctor was deserted when our reporter visited the scene.

Pegi village, Kuje, Abuja reported the matter at the FCT command, Abuja on Sep. 22.

According to him, the accused deceived and took the complainant’s two and a half year old daughter to a nearby uncompleted building and abused her sexually.

He said that the accused

dipped his finger into the private part of the little girl.

Musa said that during police investigations into the matter, the girl was taken to the hospital and it was revealed that she was abused sexually.

He said that the offence contravened Section 285 of the penal code of the Laws of the

Federation.

The accused however pleaded not guilty.

The judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000, with one surety that must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

He adjourned the case to Dec. 17 for hearing. (NAN).

ontroversy is at present brewing in Warri Police ‘B’ Division, Delta State following the alleged disappearance of a 15 year old girl Oluchukwu Maryjane Nzenwukwu from the police custody.

Oluchukwu was said to have been accused of stealing a laptop belonging to a neighbour in the same compound one Okoyo Patrick around Sam Biddy street Nelson Williams quarters Warri and was arrested by the police at the ‘B’ Division Police Station.

Her father Joseph Nzenwukwu was said to have visited the police station on the fateful last Thursday where his daughter was arrested and subsequently detained but met with the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) and investigating officer who told him that his daughter was in their custody adding that they were investigating the matter.

Mr. Nzenwukwu told our correspondent “I left and proceeded to the counter to make further enquires, fortunately I sighted my daughter kept in one of the cells at the police station but could not speak with her as I was prevented in doing so, I went back to the DCO to ask for her bail and was turn down as the DCO said until the investigations are concluded, she will not be granted bail”.

But anxiety was heightened the following day (Friday) at about 7.30am when five policemen from the same ‘B’ Division where Oluchi was kept in custody came asking the father the whereabouts of his daughter saying she had escaped from the cell.

Efforts to speak with the Divisional Police Officer of the Station as at the time of this report proved abortive as he was said to have travelled out of Warri, but the state police commissioner Alkali Baba Usman said investigation into the disappearance of the girl was ongoing, adding that some persons within her family including some policemen are presently undergoing interrogation.

Housekeeper remanded for allegedly stealing employer’s property worth N800, 000

A

n Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Wednesday ordered the remand of a housekeeper, Friday Ugboma, 20, at the Kirikiri Prisons, Apapa.

The accused whose address was not disclosed in court , was arraigned for allegedly stealing his employer’s property worth N800,000.

The Magistrate, Mr O.A. AkaBashorun, ordered that Ugboma

be remanded after he admitted stealing his employer’s property.

Bashorun adjourned the case to Nov.11 for facts and sentencing.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Kehinde Olatunde, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 27 at Adealake St., off Adetola Street, Ojokoro, Lagos.

Olatunde said that the accused broke into the apartment of Mr and Mrs Dim Chizoba, the

complainants in the case, and carted away property valued at N800,000. ``The accused stole two ipads, two blackberry phones, two golden watches and two gold necklaces and N50,000 cash ,’’ he told the court.

Olatunde said that the accused also falsely presented himself as Kenneth to the complainants who needed a housekeeper.

``The complainants and the accused went to church together and a few minutes later, the accused disappeared and all efforts to locate his whereabouts by the complainants proved abortive. ``When the complainants got home, they discovered that their bedroom had been burgled and the accused had bolted away with their property.

``He was arrested a month after his disappearance through his guarantors,’’ the prosecutor said.

Olatunde said that the offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 stipulates that the accused is liable to three years imprisonment if convicted. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

PAGE 8

News Renovation of Zaria prison gulped N24mController

R-L: Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, and Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonathan Richardson, during the envoy’s visit to the vice-president, yesterday at the State House in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

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to provide adequate security in the schools environment for the benefit of the students.

He also charged the teachers to make the learning environments conducive for the students/pupils always, while urging them to treat the students as their own children.

He pleaded with the parents as well as guardians to be security conscious of their children at all times, noting that waging war against insecurity is a collective responsibility.

Akume who is also the associate Professor of counseling psychology at the Benue State University, however, frowned

at the high level of killing, kidnapping, looting as well as adoption in the country, as according to him, all these criminal acts were not good for our society.

Speaking earlier, the provost of the FCT College of Education Zuba commended the authority of the society for choosing a good topic for the conference as the country was going through the security challenges at this present democratic dispensation.

Presenting a key note address entitled “Psychology Perspective of Insecurity in the Nigerian Schools Environment”, the Director in charge of Guidance

and Counseling at the Nasarawa state university, Dr. Fati Shuaibu, called on the governmental organizations, policy makers as well as Nigerians to come together to put a stop to insecurity, terrorism as well as bullying in our learning environment.

She said: “Security challenges in schools are a complex and global issue which schools suffer or face at different times and dimensions”.

This, according to her, whether at home or abroad, the school environment should be secured for adequate learning, development of the individuals and the nation at large.

aduna State Government spent over 24 million naira to renovate and reopen the Zaria town prison which was destroyed by inmates in May, 2015.

State Controller of Prison, Abubakar Garba Talba made the declaration yesterday at the commissioning of the prison in Zaria town.

It could be recalled that early this year some of the inmates in Zaria prison while attempting a jail break destroyed parts of the prison.

Controller Abubakar said two committees were set up to renovate the prison after the state governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai came to their rescue by releasing the money for the renovation of the vandalized parts of the prison. “ The Governor requested for the cost estimates which were worked out by a team of engineers from state headquarters office.

The sum of 24,381,650:00 was earmarked for the renovation exercise,” he said.

According to him, the renovation was not the only assistance El-Rufai rendered to the prison command, adding that the governor also donated hospital equipment worth million of naira to the state convict prison.

Earlier in his remarks, the state governor Malam Nasir ElRufai said the inmates who were relocated from the Zaria prison over the incidents would be brought back.

Represented by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Amina Dorris Sijuwade, El-Rufai expressed his administration’s commitment to improve the standard of prison in the state.

especially in the North East Geopolitical Zone of the Country.

“We are all aware of what is happening in the Northeast, and since the insurgency started both the army and the air force have expanded their deployments in order to effectively take care of the threats” he said.

Air Vice Marshal Iya revealed that the Air Force has within the last two years established four operating bases that include Mubi, Monguno, Bama, as Bauchi was also in the force projection.

These establishments, he stated, is for the force to effectively carry out its mandate for providing air support to ground forces and ensuring that it maintain peace and security. u can see that from Kano which is the nearest base from here, and then from here to Maiduguri and Yola, so we need to close these gaps by establishing another AOB so that we can effectively cover the entire

Northeast”.

Air vice marshal Iya while thanking the Bauchi state government for the land provision and its pledge to assist NAF in establishing the force base by providing logistic support, assured that the Military will do everything possible to return peace and security in the Northest.

Governor Mohammed AbdullahiAbubakar had while responding noted with delight the new vigor with which the Nigerian Airforce is being led by example under the leadership of Air Marshal Sadeeq Abubakar.

“For the first time you have the Chief of Air Staff going to the peak of the battle and participating in the battle, I think it is very rare which needs to be commended”. Governor Abubakar Said.

Abubakar also commended the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force for considering Bauchi state for the establishment of the force operation

base. is not a surprise to me, I have been working quietly with some of us in the Nigerian Air Force who are good sons of Bauchi state, who have been working quietly and assiduously towards seeing to the establishment of force operation base in Bauchi state’, he stated.

Governor Mohammed Abdullahji Abubakar assured the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force that the Government and people of Bauchi state are ready to welcome NAF for the establishment of the force operation base.

‘I have pledged on behalf of the Government and good people to render all assistance that is possible within the meagre resources of the state to quickly set the machinery in motion in determining and providing for adequate land to NAF for the establishment of the base”.

He said if there is the need by NAF for immediate rudimentary accommodations, the state has

some little offices particularly within the Bauchi International Airport that could be used by the force.

Included in the Air Marshal SadeeqAbubakar’s team to Bauchi for the visit are Air Commodore Adamu who is the Director of works at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Sadeeq- Director Logistics, Wing Commander Bature, and Air Commodore Ahmed Mohammed-Commander NAF Kaduna Base.

Governors of the All Progressive Congress APC are today meeting in Yankari Resort and Safari in Bauchi state.

The routine meeting of the APC Governors is being hosted by the Bauchi state government.

Efforts by the Trumpeter to get agenda of the routine meeting are not possible but competent source said it might not be unconnected governance in conformity with APC manifestos

Educational psychologists brainstorm on insecurity

By Usman Shuaibu

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he leadership of Nigerian Society for Educational Psychologists (NISEP) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) College of Education Zuba Chapter has brainstormed on the state of the nation’s insecurity in the Nigerian school environment.

Speaking to Peoples Daily during the opening ceremony of the society’s annual national conference tagged “Psychological Perspective of Insecurity in the Nigerian school Environment” on Tuesday in Zuba, the President of NISEP, Dr. Gabriel T. Akume, urged the government of the day

Air Force to establish new base in Bauchi From Ahmed Kaigama

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he Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the establishment of a new force operational base in Bauchi, the state capital.

Making the announcement yesterday, the Chief of Training of the Nigerian Air force, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Iya told Governor M. A.Abubakar at the Government House during a courtesy call that they were in Bauchi to inspect a piece of land allocated to them, to be used for force operating base.

The NAF training and operation’s chief said that no sooner has the force inspected the allocated land, it will immediately put processes in motion towards the operations base realization in Bauchi.

He explained that the establishment of military formations is purely based on threat analysis following insurgency devastation

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

PAGE 9

News

Zamfara set to electrify 87 towns, villages From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

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he Zamfara state government in collaboration with 14 local government councils of the state has announced its readiness and obtained the total sum of 8.5 billion naira to embark upon electrification project that would benefit 87 towns and villages across the state.

Speaking with newsmen yesterday while on inspection visit to some projects sites in Bukkuyum local government council, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Muttaka Rini said, the state government has determined to ensure that all towns and villages in the state are connected to the national grid.

Muttaka Rini further informed that, the state government would contribute fifty percent of the said amount as the fourteen local government councils of the state would provide the remaining fifty percent.

He added that, the work contains the upgrading of both high and lower tension lines which would serve as additional to the provision of transformers and extension live wires to be installed in new areas in the local government headquarters.

The Special Adviser called on the Alliance Trading company which is handling the project, to expedite the completion of the forty percent of the total sum of the money that has already been paid as the state government would not tolerate delay or substandard job.

Giving assurance for meeting the needs of the state government, the representative of the awarded company, Alhaji Abubakar Gwandu said, the job would done qualitative and timely.

No coordinating minister of economy in Buhari’s govt, says Osinbajo

By Lawrence Olaoye

V

ice President Yemi Osinbajo has declared that none of the members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet would be designated the coordinating minister of the economy.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo made the declaration yesterday while receiving the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonathan Richardson, in his office.

It would be recalled that the former minister of Finance, Dr.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala combined the portfolio of the Coordinating Minister of the Economy in the last administration of ex President Good luck Jonathan.

He said ‘’ we are not going to have a system like where there was a coordinating minister. No, there would not be anything like that.’’

He said as Vice President his role is ‘’ to ensure that everyone that is involved in economic activities, that there is a way by which the President is fully apprised of what everyone is doing such that we are all on same page and to make it easier for the President to make decisions.’’

Osinbajo also expressed

the willingness of the Federal Government to deepen the existing bilateral relations especially in the area of economic cooperation with the Government of Australia, in mining, agriculture, shipping and transport sectors as well as in the area of infrastructure development.

Explaining the reason for Nigeria’s interest in the deepening of economic cooperation between the two countries, Osinbajo said ‘’the Federal Government would be interested in exploring deeper relationship on economic cooperation as it is a major area in diversifying our economy’’.

He lauded Nigeria’s excellent

bilateral relations with Australia and commended the Australian government for the various capacity building initiatives in Nigeria and its investments in some key sectors of the economy.

The High Commissioner of Australia to Nigeria, Mr. Jonathan Richardson noted that his country’s bilateral relations with Nigeria had grown over the years.

He disclosed that his country is seeking to enhance relations with Nigeria in areas of commercial development and is ready to offer technical assistance in some sectors to which the country has given priority.

Chief of Army Staff , Lt.-General Tukur Burutai (sitting middle), and other top ranking Army officers in a group picture with gallant soldiers from the 28 Task Force Brigade, during the Chief of Army Staff’s visit to the unit’s headquarters, yesterday in Mubi, Adamawa state.

Photo: NAN

Aisha Buhari calls for consumption of healthy foods

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he Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has urged nurses to educate mothers on the need to consume healthy foods to prevent diseases.

Mrs Buhari made the call at 27th Annual National Scientific Conference and General Meeting of the Professional Association of Public Health Nursing Officers of Nigeria (PAPHNON), in Abuja on

Tuesday.

Aisha, represented by the wife of Nasarawa State Governor, Mairo Al-Makura, said it had become necessary to create public awareness on healthy foods to promote good health.

The President’s wife said the theme of the conference: Public Health Nursing Practice; Promoting Nutrition and Food

Safety in Nigeria, was apt. ``The theme is apt, especially at this time when the family unit, more ever than before, should be aware and conscious of what its members consume. ``We are particularly in an era when food nutrients are being lost through various methods of processing, storage and eating of junk foods as a result of the

presence of many fast food outlets.’’

According to her, these processes have deprived people, especially women and children, of the required nutrients for the maintenance of good health.

She urged the nurses to collaborate with stakeholders in the health sector to add value to the health care delivery system of the country.

Gaidam seeks FG’s nod for increased police officers welfare From Uche Uche, Damaturu.

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obe state governor, Alh. (Dr.) Ibrahim Gaidam has urged the federal government and the office of the Inspector-General of Police, Abuja to consid boosting the morale of police officers, by way of enhanced welfare packages, who are sacrificing their lives in the fight against insurgents in the state.

He made the plea yesterday when the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 12 Bauchi, Tunde Ogunsaphina, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Damaturu.

He pointed out that from the

commencement of the insurgency in the state, the morale of the police was very low and has affected their productivity.

He said it was in consideration of this, and noting that this policemen are in the state to protect the lives and properties of the people that the state government stepped in with the provision of logistic support by providing the command with Hilux vehicles to enhance their operations in addition to payment of, unsolicited, allowances to the command.

He said to this, the state government is giving N1 million financial assistance to the families of men who die in battle as

well as N500,000 to those who sustains injuring to enable them get necessary medical treatment, this apart from what he state government gives to the Joint Task force in the state.

While commending the new state commissioner of police, Zanna Ibrahim Mohammed for displaying honesty and a sense of professionalism in the discharge of his duty, he urged the command on the need for the police to ensure that, both at the local government headquarters and at the state headquarters, there is enhanced patrol, where possible, 24 hours per day so they could contain and eliminate criminals out of the state

at any material time.

Earlier speaking, the AIG zone 12 Bauchi, told the governor that his visit was inform by the critical time existing when he assumed office particularly the menace in insurgency and criminals within the zone.

For this reason, he said, he wants to embark of wide consultation with relevant stakeholders to rob mind and find the way out towards resolving the problems bedeviling the states under his command that would include community leaders, groups, established institutions, traditional, religious and opinion group leaders.

He used the visit to warn all

criminals in the state to have a change of mind as there would be no hiding place for any criminal and any form of criminality, not only in Yobe but all the states under his command that comprises, Yobe, Borno and Bauchi states.

He called on people of the state to about their normal legitimate business, and also urged them to be vigilant and report any suspicious person or persons to the police for necessary intervention and action, while pledging to remain accessible to people of the state and would receive any suggestion, opinion that would help him and his commands do their job effectively and efficiently.

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

PAGE 10

News

SubNews Magazine petitions IGP over harassment by NEPZA

By Osby Isibor

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he Editor-in-Chief of the SubNews Magazine, Mr. Tony Christian has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, over the use of Police to harass and intimidate members of staff of SubNews Magazine by the Managing Director of Nigeria

Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Mr. Gbenga Kuye.

In a letter of petition written to the IGP dated 26th October, 2015 and made available to Peoples Daily yesterday in Abuja, Tony Christian said they are been harassed by Gbenga Kuye over the magazine’s investigation into his alleged involvement in Five Hundred Million Naira Calabar

Free Trade Zone contract scam.

He said the action of the NEPZA boss was ultimately to suppress the investigation into an alleged misappropriation of the internally generated revenue collected from General Electric by the agency.

“While I am demanding for a written apology over my arrest of 2nd October, 2015, by the agency

in the course of discharging my constitutional duty as journalist, I wish to bring to your notice an alleged standing order issued by the MD to arrest and detain any member of staff of SubNews Magazine who is found in or around the premises of NEPZA. “In addition to this, I wish to commend the Divisional Police Officer of Maitama Police Division,

where I was taken, for exhibiting highest level of professionalism in refusing to succumb to a premeditated attempt by the MD and his cohort Mr. Richard Obianu, a senior manager (MDO), of the agency to use their position to suppress the media, circumvent probity, accountability and transparency in the agency”, he stated.

NCNE trains 140 nomadic teachers in Zamfara From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

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Members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos state chapter, protesting over non-payment of 25 months salary arrears of Daily Independent Newspapers workers, yesterday in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

Ebola: Expert tasks Nigerians on hygiene

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r Chinwe Abama, the General Manager, Medical Department, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has advised Nigerians to embrace hygiene in order to avoid the Ebola virus.

Abama told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that the recent apprehension generated over the assumed resurgence of Ebola in Cross River State had given cause to the public to be at alert “Sanitary hygiene, we need hand washing, very critical, your sanitation very critical.

“Make sure that you eat the right things, wash your vegetables, wash your food and cook the food “And if you have any kind of infections like that, be it fever or some kind of headache, you go and report to the doctor.

“You don’t go back home and start using agbo (herbs) or self medicating; you must go to the hospital and be treated.

“The bush animals are reservoirs of this infection of Ebola virus.

“It is important, however, if people have to eat bush meat, they must wash and cook it properly; roast properly.

“Not the one that you cut and see blood, no, but the one that is roasted and cooked very well before it is eaten.’’

Labour threatens strike over bailout funds in Benue From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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he organized labor in Benue State has directed that the ongoing biometric screening of workers by the State government be stopped forthwith.

In a communiqué issued by the organized labor consisting of Nigerian Labor Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC and Joint Public Service Negotiation Council, JPSNC, threatened that if government fails to unconditionally pay workers their salary arrears on or before Friday 30th October, 2015, they will not guarantee any industrial harmony and tranquility in the State.

The unions said they are not against any biometric screening

initiated by government but questioned the competence of the contractor handling the exercise, noting that the same contractor handled a similar exercise during the immediate past administration in the State without any tangible result and calls for immediate termination of the contract.

“The ongoing biometric screening should be stopped forthwith as it should not be a prerequisite for payment of salary arrears owed workers. Hence, Benue workers should be not be subjected to the untold hardships they are currently experiencing especially that it could lead to loss of lives as a result of mass movement of workers”, the communiqué read in part.

The also resolved that the State

House of Assembly put on hold its ongoing screening exercise as part of its oversight function until there is a formal consultation with the organized labor.

The resolution which was signed

by Comrade Godwin Anya for NLC, Comrade Ordue Tartenger, TUC and Comrade Philip Ter Nongo for JPSNC appreciated the State Government for assessing the “bailout” funds to settle arrears of salaries owed the workers and the prompt payment of salaries since inception, reminding government that the funds was assessed based on the vouchers of the months in arrears, therefore, the funds is the representation of the financial implication of salary arrears owed the State workers.

Road accident: Kogi NURTW advises drivers on safety

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he National Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW) in Kogi has appealed to drivers to drive cautiously during this ember period.

The NURTW Acting Chairman, Mr Garba Suleiman, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on Wednesday.

Suleiman urged commercial drivers to be patient while driving

during this Ember period because impatience and carelessness could cause loss of lives.

He noted that some roads across the nation were bad, and therefore, needs adequate focus and careful driving.

The NURTW chairman also advised passengers to be watchful anytime they were traveling and avoid some drivers who drink alcohol.

He prayed God to guide and

protect Nigerians from danger during this period, and noted that lives were more precious than money.

Suleiman said that the union had gone round motor parks in the state to sensitise the drivers on how they should conduct themselves while driving.

He expressed optimism that the sensitisation would impact on the drivers and minimise road crashes this season. (NAN)

he National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE) has vowed to train 140 nomadic school teachers across the north-west states through judicious use of curriculum guides, guidance and counseling record keeping and multi-grade teaching technique for better teaching.

At the opening ceremony of the 5-day workshop held on Monday in Gusau, the state capital, which was aimed at preparing nomadic teachers in acquiring knowledge and competences to achieve conducive atmosphere for learning in nomadic schools.

The executive Secretary of the NCNE, Professor Rashid A. Aderinoye said, the Commission has committed to build the capacity of head teachers on the concepts and techniques of multi-grade teaching techniques with a view to secure required delivery of quality education to the targeted groups across the benefiting zone.

Professor Aderinoye further informed that, it is also part of the list of objectives designed by the Commission to equip the head teachers with the techniques of proper record keeping and to train them on how best they could prepare schemes of work, lesson plan and lesson note in different subject areas.

“May I assure you that this is going to be continuous process to ensure regular training and retraining of our school teachers to enable them improve on their skills and competence for the provision of quality tuition for the achievement of education for all and the Sustainable Development Goals as provided for in the education sector strategic development plan”, Mr Aderinoye stated.

Also speaking, the national director Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), Mr Ochapa Ogenyi said, the training workshop is timely and could not have come at a more opportune time as Nigeria is fully engaged in transiting with the rest of the world to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which was recently adopted by heads of states at the 70th session of the UN general assembly.

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Page 11

EDITORIAL

Of politics without bitterness council election penultimate weekend.

The result announced by the SIEC showed that the ruling PDP won all the positions. However, the result in the Offa LG rerun election became controversial after it was alleged that it did not come from the collation centres in the various

“

I

n September 2013, a little-known politician in Offa local government area of Kwara state did the unimaginable in Nigerian politics when he rejected the purported victory handed him on a platter by the state’s Independent Electoral Commission in the councillorship election in the state. In denouncing the result, Jimoh Olawale of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) admitted losing the election to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate. “I did not win that election.

In all the eight polling units, APC won convincingly; we didn’t win. I’m a loyal member of the PDP, but first and foremost, I’m a Muslim and as a person I won’t allow anyone to take what belongs to me neither will I take what belongs to another person”, Olawale said.

In a country where winning elections has become a do or die affair with politicians staking everything to gain victory, Olawale’s admission of losing the vote and in the process all the benefits - both material and otherwise - that he stood to gain as councillor is indeed a breath of fresh air and, therefore, worthy of commendation.

It is the first time since the dawn of the new democratic dispensation that such honesty has been displayed and the fact that it was just for a lowly councillorship position does not make it any less significant. If only other politicians will show such candour and less desperation going into elections, our democracy will surely be better for it.

Olawale’s denunciation of the result that gave him victory was the culmination of days of tension that had gripped Kwara state after local

Firstly, elections in a democracy should never be regarded as a matter of life and death as has often been demonstrated by our politicians who in a determined effort to win at all costs even arm hoodlums and thugs to ensure their victory. wards but was declared in a Radio Kwara broadcast by the chairman of the electoral commission, Dr. Uthman Ojidagba. This, as expected, prompted the opposition party and its supporters to reject the results. They poured onto the streets in a peaceful protest but that did not stop the state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, from swearing in the newly elected chairman.

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

Peoples Daily believes there are important lessons to be drawn from Olawale’s action. Firstly, elections in a democracy should never be regarded as a matter of life and death as has often been demonstrated by our politicians who in a determined effort to win at all costs even arm hoodlums and thugs to ensure their victory. The idea of election is to allow the people pick a candidate of their choice as their representative in government; any effort that hampers this not only subverts democracy but denies people their right to choose who presides over their affairs.

Secondly, it also brings into sharp focus the role of the election ombudsman, particularly at the state level, in ensuring free and fair elections or otherwise. That a candidate who lost an election would be declared winner by the electoral body clearly indicates that it did not do its job well. Thirdly, it is of great concern to us that state governors have developed a penchant for ensuring that their parties sweep all positions in local government elections.

This is not healthy for our democracy; in most cases, they are only able to achieve this through intimidation and outright malfeasance.

Despite what may have gone wrong with the election in Offa local government, we commend the people for their orderly protest and for not allowing it to degenerate into violence. The sad events that followed the 2011 presidential elections in some parts of the country where people felt their mandates were stolen and the resultant violence should not be allowed to repeat itself.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

PAGE 12

Opinion

Is it the end of the era of impunity after electoral fraud?

By Jibrin Ibrahim

O

ne of our electoral legacies has been that for incumbents who abuse their power to rig themselves to continue in office, the reward is that they continue their incumbency.

When found guilty by an electoral tribunal, new elections are usually called for. The incumbent stays on their seats, use state resources to recruit top Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to fight their case in court and when re-elections are called for, use state resources to contest and win again. It was to counter this terrible legacy that the Uwais Electoral Reform Committee proposed that electoral fraud should be clearly criminalised and those found guilty of involvement in electoral fraud should be banned from politics for at least a decade. Most of the excellent recommendations from the Uwais Committee were never implemented and I believe that with a Change Agenda Government in power today and the likely emergence of a new Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC) after the Senate clearing this week, the time has come to return to the agenda of comprehensive electoral reform.

Over the past three weeks, many election tribunal judgements have emerged and they remind us that

even if the 2015 general elections were a great improvement on previous elections, the fact of the matter was that electoral fraud was massive in many parts of the country. Last week, the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal sacked Nyesom Wike as governor of Rivers State and ordered for new elections. The tribunal, headed by Suleiman Ambrosa, faulted Wike’s counsel’s argument that the non-usage of card readers could not be grounds for nullifying the election. The APC candidate had argued in line with numerous observer reports that intimidation of voters, non-availability of result sheets, snatching of electoral materials, non-collation of results at ward and local government levels marred the election. In other words, it was a classic case of massive electoral fraud.

Also in the same week, the election tribunal for Akwa Ibom State invalidated the gubernatorial election results in 18 out of 31 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the State. The ruling means that the Governor no longer has 25 percent of the vote in 21 local governments and was therefore not duly elected. In Taraba State, the National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal nullified the election of Bashir Marafa of the Peoples Democratic Party to Senate and ordered that INEC issues the Certificate of Return to the All Progressives Congress’

candidate, Yusuf Abubakar, who was the one who scored the majority of lawful votes during the polls. Other Senators elected such as Gilbert Nnaji of Enugu State, Buriji Kashamu of Ogun State, Murtala Badaru of Niger State and Abariba of Abia State also lost their seats at the various election tribunals.

The problem with rigging in Nigeria is that it is usually done with the connivance of state agencies. We first learnt this fact on the basis of judicial authority when the Babalakin Commission of inquiry into the Ondo State 1983 gubernatorial election revealed that the rigging was done

by Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), the Nigerian Police Force and the then National Security Organisation (NSO).

When state organs are used to falsify outcomes of elections, it is a serious crime against all that the state stands for. Justice Babalakin had declared at that time that if the state does not learn to punish its officers who break the electoral law, the content of democracy would continue to be compromised in the country.

In the various tribunal judgements that overthrew electoral outcomes over the past few weeks, the judges disbelieved INEC officials who swore under oath that the elections took place and were free and fair. Credible evidence had also been laid before

the courts that once again, police and even military officers were used to rig the elections. My question today is that would the impunity continue and would officials who rig elections be allowed to get away with it after a court of competent jurisdiction has shown that they lied under oath. In a normal regime of the rule of law, wouldn’t all the INEC officials who lied under oath that these elections were free and fair, while they had been rigged be sent to jail at least for perjury. In addition, shouldn’t the leadership of INEC immediately dismiss these officials for breaching their professional integrity and bringing the name of an important State institution into disrepute?

I challenge Professor Mahmoud Yakubu and his team in the new Electoral Commission to immediately take up these issues.

There were news reports that the Nigerian army has decided to show leadership by investigating its officers who were alleged to have played a role in organising electoral fraud in last year’s Ekiti and Osun governorship elections. I believe that other State institutions should take a cue from what the army has apparently decided to do. Election tribunals should also learn to punish those who come to lie under oath.

In 2005, we carried out a research project on Nigeria’s electoral geography and the key

finding was that electoral realities were very different as you move from zone to zone in the country.

In some zones, there has been a strong tradition of defending the electoral mandate and people insisting on exercising their franchise and raising hell when their electoral mandate is stolen.

It was in that context that all hell broke loose in Ondo State when FEDECO threw away the genuine electoral result and invented and announced completely false results. In some other zones of the country, we found out people had never ever voted in elections and results were simply written in favour of incumbent governments. It is impossible to deepen democracy when electoral traditions vary so profoundly.

What is emerging from the election tribunals is clear evidence that while the elections in most parts of the country were free and fair in the 2015 general elections, there are still strongholds of antidemocratic forces that continue to deny many Nigerians the franchise that the Constitution provides.

Moving forward and consolidating democracy requires that impunity in the commitment of electoral crimes must stop.

Jibrin Ibrahim, a political and development theorist and expert, is Chairman of the Editorial Board of Premium Times.

Postponement of Niger LGC poll and matters arising

By Ahmed Haruna

N

iger state Local government election was to hold by November 7, but after consultations and series of the meeting by the state electoral commission with the stakeholders, it was agreed unanimously that the election should be postponed.

The election was postponed due to lack of fund and availability of some logistics materials which are meant to make the election successful and hitch free.

It was shocking and surprise to read a statement credited to the members of the main opposition party in the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where they allegedly accused Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of influencing the postponement in order to favour the ruling All Progressives’ Congress (APC). Indeed, findings by political pundits and those following events in Niger State revealed there is no iota of truth in this allegation.

The Governor, a man who stick to the rule of law, has zero tolerance for corruption of any kind, would never indulge in any kind of game play to thwart democratic process in the state. It should be know that the Governor never or did not favour any candidate during APC local government primaries, this

he did to give everybody a level playing ground and this has being his nature. The reason why he never interferes with the running of the state electoral commission was just to maintain neutrality which he is known for. Whatever decision the commission took was in the best interest of the electorates and was based on their own wisdom.

We had all witnessed in the past of postponement of elections by INEC, the postponements were done to get the commission prepared for the task ahead, same thing Niger state electoral commission did, so why are these people cry wolf where there is none. Have we all not been clamouring for a credible election

“

before now? Can this be achieved without fund and proper planning?

Certainly, No. Abubakar Sani Bello government is still young and it’s still cleaning the mess left by the previous government. The government has started on a strong note that it has succeeded in putting confidence to the people. The government has made them know that, it meant well and ready to deliver on her electoral promises.

Is there any reason why the government of ASB should be afraid of conducting election now, when it has the support of the masses behind it. The government has shown people that it’s a government

that listens to the yearning of the masses, a government that has held the opinion of the people high, consulting with the people every day. No wonder, this government has been described in many quarters as the most listening and friendly government Niger state has ever had.

In the few months, Abulolo has been Governor, he has touched every sector of the economy, constructed roads, renovated of schools and hospitals, work on the major water works in the state.

The state government has also reorganized and restructure the state civil service. A reform that has started yielding fruits and these civil

Only unpopular government is afraid of conducting election, the speculation that the election was postponed due to the fear of the ruling party of loosing election is a figment of the imagination of the opposition parties led by PDP, it should be noted that the opposition is in desperate attempt to pitch the people against Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and already it has failed on arrival because the people still love the Governor and the government of APC

servants are happy for as they now collect their salaries when due. They are now entitled to loans, with a very minimal interest.

With this I have highlighted and others not mentioned here, one will find it difficult to believe the governor is not ready to conduct election because of the fear of being defeated by other parties, what more does the government want?

All it need are the people and the people are solidly with the ruling party APC. Only unpopular government is afraid of conducting election, the speculation that the election was postponed due to the fear of the ruling party of loosing election is a figment of the imagination of the opposition parties led by PDP, it should be noted that the opposition is in desperate attempt to pitch the people against Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and already it has failed on arrival because the people still love the Governor and the government of APC. It’s my candid advice to the people of Niger state to be calm, as the Governor is leaving no stone unturned in order for us to have a credible, free and fair election.

Ahmed Haruna writes in from Minna, Niger state.

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

PAGE 13

Comment

Re: Saraki, Marafa and the ethical question

By Hauwa’u Sule Zurmi

I

wish to refer to the article published by this esteemed newspaper on Thursday, October 22nd instant, and commend the writer for a job well done.

The issues, however, go far deeper than the ones enunciated in that piece, obviously because of space limitation associated with newspaper articles. But for those of us that hail from Zamfara, some of who are constituents of Senator Marafa, we bear witness to how strong-willed and principled he could be when the matter has to do with principle. Marafa is one person who will never sell his soul for a pot of porridge, or even a pot of gold, because he believes that at the end of it all, what will cling to your name is the name one builds on the side of justice and the truth.

At a time, he offered to resign his post as a commissioner, rather than compromising to do what some powerful elements in the state wanted, and which he knew not to be in the interest of the good people of Zamfara state.

The issue between him and Senator Bukola Saraki, the senate

president, definitely goes beyond the personal. It remains a fact that if Marafa had wanted, he could simply have joined the proSaraki senators to ensure endless inflow of goodies to himself. But as someone that is bothered about legacy and building a good name, Marafa is even more concerned with the reputation of the senate president, who he believes, has come a long way in politics, and should not allow anything, not even the lure of political office, to tarnish his good name.

It is the reason he always emphasises on point of order during senate sessions, to draw attention to lots of anomalies, which if corrected, will play to the good image of the institution and particularly the senate president, who is the presiding officer. It is easily deducible from the senator’s actions that he cherishes his colleagues, senators, and believes they must, as role models to millions of young Nigerians, strive to always do right, so that posterity would record them positively.

As that article correctly captured, it is alien to African culture for a son to disown his mother.

But politically and

morally speaking, that is exactly what Senator Saraki did, going against the best wishes of the political party on whose platform he rose to power, conniving with the opposition PDP, which has ensured misery for Nigerians, to come to power. Anyone that loves Saraki will feel bad that the man has, in a seeming desperation, elevated personal interest above the collective. It is that personal, selfish interest, that has pushed the senate president to last week, postponed a sitting of the senate to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, at a great cost to the nation.

For the first time in Nigeria’s history, there is a thriving argument as to whether President Muhammadu Buhari should simply go ahead and swear-in his ministerial nominees if by end of this month, the senate fails to clear them, as constitutionally demanded. The institution of the senate has wasted a lot of time playing politics with the nominations, such that an affair that should last at most two weeks, is being dragged and postponed, as if it were a child’s play.

For a senate president that hails from a noble political home,

whose father was one of the decent politicians that Nigeria has produced, what should matter to him is building a credible legacy, one which will protect and defend that name, even if with the last drop of his blood. Fortunately, it isn’t too late for Saraki to rediscover himself, even if the hangers-on benefitting from him would hardly allow him do what is right by making difficult sacrifice.

It is high time the senators - or majority of them - stop ridiculing themselves by supporting the senate president at every ridiculous turn, just to spite President Buhari and the APC, the political party that brought them to power. The issues before the nation are too fundamental to play politics with. And Nigerians did not vote for change, to have the status quo maintained.

Presently, the economy is in dire straits, occasioned by the rot the incumbents inherited from the PDP, whose misrule lasted the whole of 16 years. Nigerians are suffering, and are very desirous of better life. Simplistically, it could be said that it is the responsibility of the executive to bring about the needed change. But we are running a presidential system of

government in which the three arms compliment one another.

In other words, without the senate and the entire legislature making good laws directed at prosperity, the executive would remain helpless to bring about the promised change. And we, ordinary Nigerians will the worse for it.

Even if, therefore, Saraki must continue as senate president, he must ensure that henceforth, speaking at plenary is not restricted mainly to those that give him blind support. It isn’t a privilege but the right of every senator to speak on the floor of the senate, especially on issues that have to do with point of order. This is well enshrined in the nation’s constitution, and captured in the rules governing the senate, the infringement of which can, and shall, lead to impeachment of the presiding officer. Nigerians are watching. So also the international community. One-tenth of the four year period is already gone.

We can’t afford continuous postponement of senate sittings to satisfy the personal interest of one man, however powerful.

Zurmi wrote from Rest House, Old GRA, Gusau.

Use tax evasion to round the corrupt up!

By Bámidélé Adémólá-Olátéjú

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hat is stopping the arraignment and prosecution of Nigeria’s economic saboteurs and thieves?

How long do we have to wait before prosecuting those who brought Nigeria to its knees economically? It is hard to trace stolen money because our special brand of thieves have perfected the art of offshoring their loot and domestically, they use fronts to cover their tracks. The recovery work is made harder by the very informal economy. The cash heavy nature of internal transactions and the existence of so much money outside the banking structures has been and milked to their utmost advantage by having cash only transactions leaving little or no paper trail. Even after the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) cashless policy, they have a way of colluding with bank staff who are in need of deposits and easy cash, to circumvent the system.

Given the loopholes involved in proving cases of corruption and the vulnerabilities in the judicial system, there is an easier way out. Round them up under tax evasion and tax fraud charges! How many rich Nigerians pay taxes? From the major league saboteurs and embezzlers like Sambo Dasuki, Diezani Allison-Madueke to the collaborating directors in Federal ministries and agencies, they all use illegal means to avoid paying taxes. It is easy to nab them because tax evasion is a felony resulting from an individual or corporation misrepresenting their income to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Tax evasion as a subset of tax fraud is a criminal offence, in violation of Section 40 of the FIRS

Es­tablishment Act 2007. It entails a deliberate act of misrepresentation of taxable income to the FIRS. We know those who have helped themselves to our money cannot defend their income as reflected by their bank accounts and assets. Based on traceable cash deposits, fixed deposits, stocks, dividends, bonds and houses. Most importantly, their taxes does not reflect their assets. They are only good at showing liabilities.

Tax evasion in Nigeria is easy to prosecute because malicious intent can easily be proven. Section 40 of the FIRS Es­tablishment Act 2007 provides that, “Any person who being obliged to deduct any tax un­der this act or the laws listed in the First Schedule to this Act, but fails to deduct, or having deducted, fails to pay to the Service within 30 days from the date the amount was deducted or the time the duty to deduct arose, commits an offence and shall, upon conviction, be liable to pay the tax withheld or not re­mitted in addition to a penalty of 10 percent of the tax withheld or not remitted per annum and interest at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria minimum re-discount rate and imprisonment for period of not more than three years”.

Under this act, concealing income is considered fraudulent. A lot of Nigerians do not even file taxes except when they need tax clearance to process official documents. Many are guilty of deliberately under-reporting or omitting income in their filling.

Many business owner’s do not report over 60 percent of their receipts. Most of Nigeria’s well connected thieves are landlords because a huge chunk of their investments are in real estate as a store of value. Do they report

rent payments? Most of them, if not all, are business owners or directors in corporations. In their businesses, they often keep two sets of books: one for them and one for the FIRS men.

They make false entries in their books and records in form of accounting irregularities, such as a failure to keep good records, or a mismatch between what is reported on their company’s return and what is on the financial statements. This kind of shoddy record keeping generally demonstrate fraudulent intent. Granted that the veil of corporations may not be pierced but the same thing obtains in their personal finances. Without a solid identity scheme, many of them claim false or overstated deductions in their tax filling, if they ever file.

Instances abound where civil servants claim oversized deductions that they are not entitled to. Many corporations connive to put most of their directors (mostly politically exposed persons) earnings as allowances so they are not taxed.

Most often, these allowances as in the case of the National Assembly often outstrip their salaries many times over. Many of these people list their children and spouse as employees for which salaries are being paid. This means they are using their family as pass-through entities and paying their children or spouse for work that they did not perform. In a nation with cloudy ethical markers, these big time frauds pass off personal expenses as business expenses to their respective ministries and agencies and that is malicious. Of course we are very much aware that most of them have hidden or transferred their assets and or income to fronts and cronies. These are very good

grounds for prosecutorial success.

Tax fraud can take a variety of forms.

It can be as simple as concealment of funds in a bank account or as sham transactions where they label a transaction differently to avoid income tax liability. Many of these folks are skilled at using nebulous means to conceal offshoring of funds to tax havens by using shell companies.

Since they are avid consumers of luxury goods and foreign products, they also fall into the trap of fraudulent evasion of excise duty on imported goods? Has anyone asked what they paid on all the bullet proof and exotic cars in their garage?

In a country where most taxes are derived from Pay As You Earn (PAYEE) system and a very subterranean informal economy, willful attempt to hide information in order to avoid paying taxes is not difficult to prove. According to the FIRS act, tax evasion is a serious crime and a felony. A successful conviction requires that the prosecution prove that unpaid tax liability does exist, the defendant took specific actions to evade, or in an attempt to evade paying tax, the defendant had specific intent to evade his legal obligation of paying tax to the state.

Apart from tax evasion, the charge of cheating the pubic revenue is a common law offence. Cheating the public revenue is a conduct offence, the prosecutor does not need to prove that the defendant caused any actual loss. Why are we not dragging dishonourable public officers into the net under these offences? To prove tax evasion, there must be proof of intent to evade an unpaid tax liability. In a country where most taxes are derived from Pay As You Earn (PAYEE)

system and a very subterranean informal economy, willful attempt to hide information in order to avoid paying taxes is not difficult to prove.

According to the FIRS act, tax evasion is a serious crime and a felony. A successful conviction requires that the prosecution prove that unpaid tax liability does exist, the defendant took specific actions to evade, or in an attempt to evade paying tax, the defendant had specific intent to evade his legal obligation of paying tax to the state.

As it is often said, the story of the hunt glorifies the hunter. The punishment of three years and a fine of N200,000.00 under the FIRS ACT is a sham. We seem to write our laws for the poor alone. What is N200,000.00 to these thieves when there are cognacs with higher price tags that they drink without giving the price a thought? Tax evasion is a serious offence and a crime that is easy to prove. It can be used to haul our traducers in jail while the case against embezzlement, conversion and outright theft is being prepared. This is because those who are involved in illegal enterprises often engage in tax evasion. They do so because reporting their real incomes would serve as an admission of guilt and could result in criminal charges. They understand they cannot report these earnings as coming from a legitimate source lest they face money laundering charges. There are many ways to catch economic saboteurs. This is one of them. Let those in authority act now!

Bámidélé Adémólá-Olátéjú is a member of Premium Times Editorial Board. Twitter @ olufunmilayo

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

News Apapa gridlock: Senate wants FG to expand access roads

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Senate yesterday passed a resolution urging Federal Government to immediately consider long term plans for technical re-design and expansion of the Apapa-Ijora-Orile-Mile 2 access trunks, and the Apapa/Tin Can-Mile 2-Oshodi corridor in Lagos State.

This resolution was arrived at after the lawmakers debated a motion sponsored to that effect

by Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC Lagos Central) and 106 other senators.

The upper legislative chamber also called on the Nigerian Port Authority to immediately reactivate the railway link from the port to the outer parts for easy evacuation of petroleum products, adding that the Lagos State government should collaborate with federal government agencies for short and long term solutions to the gridlock.

Similarly, it directed its Committee on Marine Transport, when constituted, to invite the management/leadership of NPA; Nigerian Shippers Council; Federal Ministries of Works and Transport; the Western Naval Command; National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW; Association of Maritime Truck Owners, AMATO and the Nigerian Police, among others to dialogue on the way forward.

Tinubu in the motion titled

“The Apapa Port Gridlock”, noted that 75 per cent of Nigeria’s trade is ship-borne and shipped through the Apapa Port where cargo and petroleum products bearing trucks regularly cause gridlock on Papa-Mile 2 and Apapa-Oshodi corridors.

She also expressed concern that “this perennial logjam on all access roads in the Apapa maritime corridor has resulted in telling consequences on the nation’s economy”.

Land use charge: Court orders Edo to cease 60 properties of defaulters From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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do State Government has obtained a High Court order to seize the properties of sixty defaulters of the land use charge law, pending when the charges on the properties are paid.

Besides, the government has resolved to clamp down on any landlord who hides under banner of the Land Use Charge to increase rents arbitrarily, but the Government did not disclose the measures it has put in place to check supposed act of impunity.

Addressing the press after the State Executive Council meeting in Benin City, Tuesday, on the level of compliance with the land use charge law which came into effect in 2012, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Francis Evbuomwan said: “the Edo State Government through its agency, the Board of Internal Revenue has successfully got a court order enforcing the Land Use Charge against 60 properties.

According to him, “this is just the first tranche of court orders and more are still in the pipeline. In the coming days, we will be publishing the full list of 60 defaulters of the land use charge with the addresses of the properties that the court has given Edo State Government the power and the rights to distrait those properties until they recover the land use charge dues.

“Edo State Government will now take full advantage of the court order to place these properties under distrainment until all the outstanding land use charge fees are redeemed.

“Let me continue to encourage our people not to wait for this before they step forward and redeem their land use charges. It is obvious that it is a lawful tax backed by both state and federal government laws and now, the court has been able to give us judgment against properties that are in default”, the Commissioner said.

A Corps Member, Anyam Serumun Solomon, standing before a borehole he donated to Kauyen Makera of Tsohon Gari Ward in Tudun Wada Local Government Area of Kano state.

Urhobo kingship tussle: Okumagba drags DPO, others to court, demands N5m From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

T

he Kingship tussle currently brewing in Okere Urhobo Kingdom, Warri South Local Government Area Delta State, last Monday took a twist with Chief Victor Okumagba dragging the divisional police officer (DPO) ‘B’ Division Warri Mr. Anietie Eyoh to a Federal High Court over unlawful arrest, molestation and detention.

Chief Victor Okumagba is also asking for the sum of N5m as general as special damages in a suit No. FHC/W/CS/118/2015, the claimant averred that on the 15th of August 2015, the DPO ordered his men to arrest him, saying that in the process he was molested and manhandled.

Chief Okumagba further claimed that in the process of being dragged behind the counter the sum of N85, 000 one Nokia E90 phone, a blackberry classic phone and medicated glasses where collected from him by the policemen.

The claimant therefore asked the court to compel the defendant to return all the items forcefully removed from him and tender an unreserved apology for the violation of a fundamental human rights and pay him N5m as general as special damages.

Chief Okumagba said, “I have taken the DPO and others to court and am asking for N5m cost for damages and return of my items they forcefully removed from me, when I went to the police station to seek the release of my two brothers.

Counsel to the claimant, Oghenejabor Ikami said the defendants in the suit include: Mr. Anietie Eyoh, Nigeria Police force, Nigeria Police Service Commission and Inspector General of Police (IGP) saying that no date has been fixed for hearing in the writ of summons dated 18th September 2015 assign by the court registrar.

Chief Victor Okumagba had petitioned the Chairman of the police Service Commission, alleging unprofessional misconduct and flagrant abuse of office by Mr. Anietie Eyoh the Divisional Police Office of ‘B’ Division Warri.

El- Rufai lauds commercial agriculture development project From: Femi Oyelola. Kaduna

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aduna State Governor Malam Nasir El- Rufai, has commend the efforts of Commercial Agriculture Development Project for a laudable initiative that will address unemployment, food security and availability of employment to the populace.

He stated this during certificate awarding ceremony was for participants of a workshop conducted at National Animal Production Research Institute NAPRI SHIKA Zaria yesterday The governor who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Manzo Daniel Maigari,

expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the participants and the effort by the institutions in roviding the necessary skills and training that will enable the youth and women in Kaduna State to stand on their own.

He called on youths and women in the state to come forward and take advantage of the project initiative.

El Rufai assured the participants of his government’s commitment to agriculture and support to the flight of youths and women in Kaduna State which he says education is the backbone of any countries growth and development.

In his goodwill message at the occasion the national project coordinator of State Commercial

Agricultural development office SCADO Dr Amin Baband charged participants to consider themselves lucky disclosing that Commercial Agriculture Development Project, which is a World Bank Assisted is presently in only five states in the country of which Kaduna State is among “There are many youths and women outside there looking for such opportunities, he therefore advised the participants to utilized the knowledge, opportunity and advantage for a single reason that there are some looking for an opportunity like that, reminding them that employment opportunity or white collar jobs are not on ground.”, he said The Director National Animal

Production Research Institute NAPRI Shika zaria, PROFESSOR C.A.M LAKPINI, in his welcome address thanked Kaduna State government and the Commercial Agriculture Development Project for collaborating with the institutions and also assured them of the services at all times.

Professor Lakpini further said NAPRI, as a home of shika brown egg laying chickens developed in Nigeria by has conducted many training and skill acquisitions programs for various organizations at home and abroad that gave many state governments a chance to yielded positive results where there is proper monitoring and evaluation of participants.

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

PAGE 15

Gombe Guber: APC candidate heads to Appeal Court

By Saratu Ibrahim

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate in Gombe State in the April 11 gubernatorial election in the state, Alhaji Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya has dragged the state Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo to the Court of Appeal to challenge the judgment of the state election petition tribunal.

The tribunal dismissed the election of Yahaya and his party and declared that Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo was duly elected as the state governor.

Others joined as respondents in the appeal are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In the appeal filed by Alhaji Yahaya’s counsel, Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, the appellants raised 22 grounds of appeal.

Akintola said in the appeal that Chairman and members of the Tribunal erred in law when they resolved issue 1 against the Appellants and held that the Appellants failed to adduce evidence to establish that the Petitioners, rather than the 1st and 2nd Respondents scored the majority of lawful votes cast in the Governorship election held in Gombe State after the Appellants led cogent and credible evidence to prove that the 1st and 2nd Respondents did not score the majority of lawful votes cast in the Governorship Election held on April 11th , 2015 in Gombe State.

He also said that the chairman and members of the Tribunal erred in law when they placed no reliance on the chart drawn by the Appellants and held that there is no scintilla of statistical analysis, mathematical calculation or evidential explanation of how the final figures stated in the chart were arrived at.

He also said that the Tribunal erred in law when their lordships further resolved issue one against the petitioners and held that the net result of the analysis and legal expositions purportedly done by their lordships is that, the petitioners failed to prove by credible evidence that they scored the majority of lawful votes cast of the Governorship election held in Gombe State on 11th April, 2015.The Chairman and the members of the Tribunal erred in law by expunging exhibit AN (the Card Reader P.U.

by P.U. Accreditation Report) from the record, on the ground that the document was tendered from the bar and no foundation was laid for its admissibility.

Ministerial Nominee, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar, answering questions from senators during the screening, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Ministerial Nominee, Malam Adamu Adamu, answering questions from senators during the screening, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Photos: Mahmud Isa

Buhari congratulates Ouattara on reelection as Ivorian President

By Lawrence Olaoye

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire on his re-election for a second term in office.

In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba

Shehu, Buhari also commended the people of Cote d’Ivoire for putting the unity, stability and progress of their country above all other interests.

He applauded the peaceful conduct of the election, which Ouattara won with almost 84% of the votes.

Buhari believed that the

relatively high turnout of voters, despite calls for a boycott, was a clear testimony of the commitment of the people of Cote d’Ivoire to peace, unity, stability and progress in their country.

The President expressed the optimism that the Ivorian President in his second term will continue to do his best to foster

national unity and faster socioeconomic development for the benefit of all Ivorians.

He looked forward to continuing to work with Ouattara to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire, and accelerate the pace of economic integration in the West African Sub-region.

Niger Gov sacks CPS after assembly resolution From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

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he Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has sacked his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Dooba following directive from the State House of Assembly over unguarded utterances on legislative functions and incompetence.

The lawmakers on Monday in a resolution ordered the governor to sack his spokesman

after some national dailies (not Peoples Daily) had attributed a story to Dooba in which he alleged that Bello had submitted 15 commissioner nominees to the House of Assembly for confirmation which turned out to be false.

Investigation revealed that he was given options to either resign or be fired just as he took to resign.

Confirming the report to our reporter, a reliable source in the state House of assembly said the

former Press Secretary did not write any apology letter but has voluntarily resigned according.

Recall that last week the Niger State Correspondents Chapel of Nigerian Union of journalists, NUJ, Niger State Council called on Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to remove his Chief Press Secretary CPS, Ibrahim Dooba to safeguard the state image as they have lost confidence in him.

According to the union, the call became necessary following

the “overbearing actions and misdemeanor of the CPS, Dr Ibraheem Dooba against members of the Correspondents Chapel of NUJ in the state”.

The CPS who holds Phd in ICT from Malaysia University has been not been finding it easy to study the terrain since he assumed office in the last four months just as the state government was left with no option rather than to sack him in order to safeguard the image of state.

Nigerians cautioned against misguided petitions on public officers

By Osby Isibor

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he Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Transparency and Good Governance (CCSGTGG) has cautioned Nigerians over what it called unguarded and misguided writing of petitions based on very fictitious charges and accusations against honest and reputable public officers.

A press statement issued yesterday in Abuja, jointly signed by the coalition’s National Coordinator, Comrade Ali Abacha, Deputy National Coordinator, Alhaji Bello Danfulani, and National Secretary, Mr. Ijewa Zeb Obioma, described the petition war

which has been raging in the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) for some time now, as nothing short of blackmail and bad blood.

The group advised the members of staff of the council to be dutiful and focused on service delivery as against engaging in unrewarding acts and behaviour capable of negating the promises which their careers hold for them.

While applauding the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Prof. Anthony Emeribe, for his efforts in completing the National Headquarters of the council within a very short period, it urged them to

shun inordinate ambition.

The press release reads in part, “It could be recalled that a couple of disgruntled staff of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria had recently taken to unguarded and misguided writing of petitions based on very fictitious charges and accusations against the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Prof. Anthony Emeribe.

“Penultimate week, the above mentioned civil society organisation received series of petitions with frivolous allegations against the leadership of that department. The petitioners did not spare even the Board members of the council who

they accused of having received some financial gratification for renewing the Registrar’s tenure.

“Upon investigation by select members of the Coalition, it was discovered that the petitioners had acted out of ambitiousness. One of the petitioners currently on interdiction has terrible record of official recklessness, behaviour disorder and unstable challenges.

“More so, it was discovered that the successful relocation of the Council from Lagos to its Abuja national headquarters did not go down well with some staff that had found personal homes in Lagos, and were, thus, averse to the movement to Abuja”.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Politics

N9.2 bn Bailout: Adamawa assembly summons Bindow for explanation From Umar Dankano, Yola

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L-R: Senator Ahmed Sani, Senator Ahmed Lawal, and Senator Kabiru Gaya, during the screening of final ministerial nominees, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Civil society coalition frowns at Sanusi over call for Naira devaluation

By Albert Akota

A

coalition of civil society groups yesterday chided the Emir of Kano and former CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido over his recent call for naira devaluation and removal of fuel subsidy.

It called on the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to maintain and sustain the newly introduced monetary policy in the interest of the public.

President of the group, Etuk Bassey in a statement issued in Abuja said the call for the devaluation of the naira will only further impoverish the already dwindling economy of

the country.

According to him, the newly introduced monetary policy may not be yielding required result, but the country’s economy will bounce back if the policy is duly sustained.

He stated that the emir’s devaluation theory is uncalled for and should be rejected by all well-meaning Nigerians.

The statement reads in part;”We vehemently reject in its entirety the call for the devaluation of naira. We urge the CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele and his team to remain focus and to ensure that the newly introduced monetary policy is sustained for the

interest of the Nigerian masses.

“The devaluation of naira will further increase poverty and suffering in the land. This unwanted and anti-people policy can only be preached by likes of Sanusi and the rest because he failed in all spheres as the CBN Governor when he was in office.

“How can a Sanusi see anything good in what the CBN is doing when as Governor of the same CBN he was unceremoniously removed from the office?

“Should the naira be devalued then it is a big slap on the face of millions of Nigerians that voted for a true change at

the 2015 Presidential elections.

Though we do not expect a quick miracle in the face of our dwindling economy but we appreciate the measures already taking by the CBN to ensure that we bounce back on time.

The former CBN Governor had recently suggested that Nigeria will have to devalue the naira and loosen monetary policy to stimulate Africa’s biggest economy hit by a plunge in oil prices.

Sanusi, who is now the Emir of Kano, also criticised foreign currency restrictions imposed by the Central Bank, which have frustrated local firms struggling to get dollars.

seeking to direct state electoral body to hold the election as presently scheduled.

Deputy Chairman of the PDP, Barrister Tanko Beji made the disclosure while addressing the party stakeholders including all the 25 local government chairmanship candidates and their Vice as well the 274 councillorship aspirants of the party in the state.

Beji stated that the postponement will afford the party the opportunity to embark on vigorous campaign and urged its members and supporters not

be deterred by taking advantage of the postponement.

The state PDP Chairman, Hon. Musa Maali expressed dismay over the postponement despite the assurance from the INEC that theNovember 7th was sacrosanct.

Maali intimated that the meeting was basically to inform their members on the activities of the state electoral organ towards the political parties in the state just as he urged them to be calm and be law abiding citizens.

He further reassured

party supporters that with determination and sacrifice, the party will surely come out victorious in all the 25 local government chairmanship and the councillorship elections as scheduled.

The state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello in an interview stated that the postponement was due to shortage of logistics on the part of the Commission assuring to meet with them in due course so as to actualize the rescheduled date by providing all the necessary support to that effect.

Niger PDP sues Gov. Bello over LG elections postponement From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna

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he Niger State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has filed a suit against the state government seeking to bar it from constituting local government Transition Implementation Committee, TIC, directing Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to provide all necessary logistics for the January 16th council’s election.

The party made its stand known yesterday in Minna, saying that the suit is also

he Adamawa State House of Assembly has passed a resolution directing the executive to avail the House vivid account on how the Federal Government’s N9.2 billion bailout monies was disbursed to civil servants in the state.

Legislators arrived at the decision at their yesterday’s plenary session through a motion moved by member representing Mubi North constituency, Mr. Abdulrahman Isah Abubakar informing the House that it was a matter of urgent public importance for the people in the state to know much about the expenditure of the monies.

Seconding the motion, member representing Hong constituency and chairman House Committee on Information, Hassan Mamman Barguma explained that for the House to ensure checks and balances in the financial transaction of government the move is an the right track.

Collaborating on the resolution, Deputy Speaker and member representing Guyuk constituency added that, the framework of the disbursement and balance out the payments should be ascertained for accountability.

However, the members representing Demsa and Uba-Gaya constituencies; Mr. Lumsa Dilli and Mr. Muhammadu Atiku observed that, the House has approved other loan facilities to Governor Bindow’s administration worth over N20 billion which they opined should be included in the pending explanation by the executive so that the electorate will be dully informed on how the government is spending the monies.

“For accountability and transparency, other loans facilities approved to the state government by this honorable House worth over N20 billion naira should be included for thorough explanation” the lawmakers argued.

Thereafter, the Speaker, Mr. Kabiru Mijinyawa directed the clerk of the House to communicate the state government the resolution of the House inviting the Commissioner of Finance to make appearance before the House with immediate effect.

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

PAGE 17

Politics

Why it’s time for Kebbi people to forgo Argungu/ Augie Federal Constituency tussle Feature

By Chris Alu

I

t all started when politicians began to warm up to contest for the various elective offices for the 2015 general elections in the country. Hon Bello Dantani who also indicated interest to vie for the House of Representatives seat for Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency of Kebbi state, was not left out but was then in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Unfortunately, he was denied the ticket by the PDP, a party he helped found in his state and had always supported for a decade and half, both morally and financially. The then governor, Saidu Dakingari favoured Alhaji Garba Umaru Birnin Tudu in the contest, as such; Dantani and others were forced to look elsewhere. Having endured the pains and frustration in the then ruling party, Dantani felt it was time to move on and he decamped to the All Progressives Congress to challenge PDP’s main challenger Garba in the 2015 general elections.

For those who know Dantani very well, it was not an easy decision for the astute politician, having to leave the political party he has known for the best part of his political life, but destiny beckoned on him to serve his people.

Aware of his political sagacity and considering the political capital he would bring to the then opposition APC, the party had no qualms presenting him as their flag bearer for the Argungu/ Augie Federal Constituency to fly.

APC considered him so as to lock horns with the governor’s anointed candidate, Garba Umaru , Even though there were other candidates in APC that also indicated interest such as Maniru Usman Mohammed, Bashar Matawalle and Dr. Ismael Ahmed , but none was considered as having the muscle to challenge the governor’s anointed candidate Umaru in the political ring.

After serious deliberations and consultations with APC stakeholders and the national working committee at the

national level, the party gave Dantani its weight, dexterity, endurance and the good will to slug it out with the PDP candidate.

Because having served the state in various capacities, he had large followership and the benevolence of the people.

First, he served as former deputy speaker, former deputy governor and former chairman of local government service commission in the state. And his greatest attribute has been his gentle and kind-hearted mien, which attract all kinds of people close to him. Needless to say that while he held these positions, he operated an open door policy as well as reach out to the people in every area of their needs.

Moreover, Dantani was generally accepted by the people and it was on this account that when he jumped the sinking PDP ship to the sailing APC, it was not a difficult decision to give him the ticket even though Maniru was the leading aspirant for the ticket. For reasons best known to the APC, Maniru was not seen as a march to Umaru, maybe it was because of the general perception that he was a self-serving politician and so did not, and could not effectively and convincingly preach the gospel of change that spread from one corner of Nigeria to another like a wildfire in dry season. The party had its game plan, and even though people like Maniru would feel the sense of injustice when he was prevailed upon to step down for Dantani, all that mattered to

Hon Bello Dantani the APC was to get candidates on board, who would cruise the party to victory.

It was rather sad that Maniru felt so puffed-up that he could rebuff all entreaties from APC stakeholders in the state and at the national level for the need to concede the ticket and rally round Dantani.

The other three aspirants

“

So it remains to be seen if Maniru will put his interest above that of the people of Kebbi or join hands with other stakeholders in developing the state

accepted their fate and agreed to abide by the decision of the party.

Political pundits viewed Maniru’s action as a threat to the party’s success but all that is history now as events had taken dramatic turns since.

First, Maniru and Dantani slugged it out at the APC primaries held on December 8th 2014 and Dantani won all the 410 valid votes cast.

Consequently Dantani flew the flag of the APC in the 2015 general elections and defeated PDP’s Umaru.

But somehow, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) behaved in a disingenuous manner by returning Maniru Usman Mohammed who did not contest the general election for the Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency in the first place.

Dantani had no option than to go to court and in June this year, a Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to issue certificate of return to the former deputy Governor of Kebbi state, as the duly elected member, representing Argungu/Augie

federal constituency.

Deservedly, the political maestro reclaimed his mandate and justice seemed to have been served but not for Maniru who headed straight to the Appeal Court.

It will be intriguing to see on what grounds Maniru will be arguing his case. Perhaps, he would rely on his father’s judicial influence, having served as a senior official of the Supreme Court.

Politicians in the state, however, believe that the aggrieved Maniru has no case and should withdraw it so as to create a congenial atmosphere for the party to savour its victory in the 2015 general elections and to begin to work to deliver on its campaign promises to the masses, and most importantly for the party, to consolidate on its status as the ruling party in the world’s most populous black country.

For most constituents, Dantani has already kick started the provision of dividends of democracy to his people. At least he has donated 20 cars and about 100 motorcycles to alleviate the suffering of his people.

According to him, the donation was aimed at empowering the youths who are jobless. Since he believes strongly in the old adage that an “idle mind is the devils workshop”, he feels that engaging the youths would reduce unemployment and also prevent crime as most crimes are caused by idle youths.

In the future, Dantani is looking at collaborating with Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu in giving the Kebbi people the change they voted for, and understandably deserve.

He expressed confidence in the governor, saying he (governor) will perform very well as the good work he has started doing will continue.

So it remains to be seen if Maniru will put his interest above that of the people of Kebbi or join hands with other stakeholders in developing the state.

For others like Bashar Matawalle who believe in one Kebbi, has since been compensated with a caretaker chairman of Argungu local government.

Miango Old Student Association calls for prayers for restoration of peace in North-East

By Saratu Ibrahim with agency report

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he Miango Old Student Association (MIOSA), has appealed to Nigerians to embark on ceaseless prayers for restoration of peace to the North-East and the country at large This s contained in a statement signed by the association’s National President, Manaseh Atosehi and

the Publicity Secretary, Hajiya Saphia Ahmad-Muhammad in Lafia yesterday.

The statement said that MIOSA officials had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Adamawa State, Muhammad Umar-Jibrilla at the Government House, Yola.

The statement said that MIOSA officials were in Yola to congratulate the governor, who is a member of MIOSA, on his electoral victory.

The association described the governor, an old student of Government Secondary School, Miango, Basa Local Government Area of Plateau State as a highly respected, disciplined old boy of the institution.

Members of the association resolved to remember one of their own in prayers as well as wish him well as he pilots the affairs of the state.

They also stressed the need for increased prayers for the North-

East now more than before, to give the governors of the region the much needed peace to transform their states.

“Ceaseless prayer from all and sundry will give Gov. UmarJibrilla and other governors in the region the breathing space to deliver the much needed dividends of democracy to the people. .“Prayers by both Muslims and Christians have now become imperative more than before, so that God almighty will assist the

Nigerian Army and other security agents to win the war on Boko Haram,” the statement said.

The statement also urged Nigerians to continue to tolerate and live in peace with one another, irrespective of religious, cultural and ethnic differences.

It described peace and unity as veritable tools for national development, adding that Nigerians must strive to maintain them for the nation to move forward. (NAN)

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Politics

Niger exlawmaker applauds Buhari over ministerial nominee From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

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Oyo state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi (right), acknowledging cheers from his supporters during their felicitation visit after the Governorship Election Tribunal upheld his victory, yesterday in Ibadan.

Photo: NAN

House of Reps new rules’ll bring sanity – Kwara Speaker From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad has described the introduction of new rules into the House of Representatives Standing Orders which henceforth ban mace-snatching by members as a good move that would bring sanity to the House.

Ahmad noted that anything that challenges the symbol of authority of the House or for the Speaker to control the House must always be met with maximum disciplinary measure to serve as deterrent to others.

Ali while reacting to the new rules introduced by the

Reps to ban mace-snatching and discourage members’ bad conduct, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Shuaib Abdulkadir, the Speaker who represented Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency at the 7th Assembly, noted that the move would put a stop to such practice.

“It is a good move and it is something that must be supported.

Snatching the mace or breaking it is unparliamentarily and anything that challenges the symbol of authority of the House must be met with maximum disciplinary measure. It is something other House of assemblies should emulate because it will bring sanity to the House.

“Situations where if there is any little disagreement or commotion people rush to snatch the mace or destroy it, am sure this step will put a stop to such act permanently.

You can disagree on issues but the authority of the House or for the Speaker to control the House must not be impeded.”

He stated that Kwara State House of Assembly has never witnessed such situations before, but revealed that it would look into domesticating the rules so as to prevent possible occurrence in the future.

The speaker also urged other House of assemblies in the federation to follow suit in order to prevent rowdiness in their respective

Houses and ensure effective discharge of their legislative duties.

“I urged all other House of Assemblies to also do the same and definitely Kwara State House of Assembly will soon look into it”.

It would be recalled that the House of Representatives had recently introduced new rules against bad conduct by members in its renewed move to instill discipline and curb rowdiness in the House.

With the introduction of the new rules, any House member who seizes or break the mace henceforth would be suspended for six months with new rules giving the Speaker power to extend such suspension for as long as he wishes.

Prominent Deltans react to Okowa’s victory From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

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he Senior Political Adviser to the government of Delta State, Chief Festus Ochonogor, the first Majority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Aneke Ifemeni, the Executive Assistant to Governor Okowa on Political Matters, Hon. Jery Eruvbedede, other Deltans have reacted to the victory of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at

the tribunal.

Chief Ochonogor described the tribunal judgement as “a consolidating victory for Governor Okowa and Deltans” while Hon. Ifemeni stated that the tribunal judgement did not come as a surprise as “Governor Okowa emerged from the grassroots from the primaries to the general elections, he is a true democrat who knows almost all Deltans by name, we are happy with

the victory.”

To Hon. Eruvbedede, “we thank God; we prayed and worked for his electoral victory, Deltans are happy with the tribunal judgement.”

The Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Chief Ifeanyi Obi described the verdict of the tribunal as “victory for democracy, it was a popular judgement that Deltans are happy with and we hope that it will unite

Deltans because we want everybody to work for the growth of the state.”

Chairman, Utagba-Uno Progress Forum (UPF), Okwa Stephen Ebinum said, “we are happy with this judgement, we have supported the Governor from beginning and we will continue to support his administration, we hope that the opponents will no longer see themselves as opponents but partners in progress.”

resident Muhammadu Buhari has been applauded for his honesty, fairness and justice for the immediate replacement of the Niger State Ministerial nominee, describing him as a leader with listening ears and a real democrat.

The former member of House of Representatives, Bala Adamu Kuta made the appreciation on behave of the people of Niger East yesterday in Minna while speaking with press saying that he has listened to the yearning and aspirations of the people.

Kuta who has been in opposition all his life expressed happiness for now taking over the mantle of power at the center with a credible leader in charge of affairs, added that it was because of that the electorates from the zone gave the President the highest votes in Niger state.

He pledged his loyalty to the federal and Niger State governments just as he said he will make himself available at any given time to contribute his quota for the success of the present administration at any level.

The former lawmaker who was bitter over the marginalization of Niger East in the state especially in the area of appointments and permanent secretaries’ rationalization reform of the civil service called for a balanced representation.

He further reassured that his people are peace loving people while urging them to be calm, patient and radical but should not be violent but ensured they follow issues peacefully and democratically.

Consequently, he told the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello to sit tight and desist from all kinds of advice that could derail him, advising him to assess properly before giving appointments to only genuine and committed people that deserve such.

He expressed worries over the ways the All Progressives Congress, APC, is being operated at the state level, stressing that a situation where stakeholders are not consulted or contacted for meetings will not ego well even as he demanded for adjustment for the sustainable success of the party in providing dividend of democracy to the electorates.

Fayose congratulates Ogunwusi on selection as Ooni

From Tope Musowo, Ado-Ekiti

E

kiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has congratulated the Ooni-elect, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on his selection and appointment as the Ooni of IleIfe, Osun State, and prayed that his reign will witness tremendous

development and peace in the ancient town.

In a message in Ado-Ekiti yesterday through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor said the new Ooni should be courageous, firm and see his appointment as a call to service and to unite the Yoruba race.

According to him,” Yoruba traditional institutions are sacred and under no circumstance should they be denigrated and I am delighted that the people of Ile-Ife have shown a great example by the peaceful manner the new Ooni emerged.

“Though our new Kabiyesi Ooni

Ogunwusi is a young man, I pray that God will give him the wisdom of Solomon to pilot the affairs of IleIfe well and that the town will live up to expectations as the source of the Yoruba race.

“When the late Ooni Adesoji Aderemi passed on, it was as if it would take centuries before Ile-Ife

would get another great monarch.

But the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade came and took t he town to a higher level, it is my belief and prayer that God will help Ooni Ogunwusi to further raised the bar of growth and development in Ile-Ife. Oba Ogunwusi, may your reign be long and peaceful,” the governor said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Unregistered Sim Cards: Reps probe compliance by NCC, telecom operators

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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he House of Representatives yesterday mandated its committee on telecommunications to investigate the extent of compliance by all telecommunication companies operating in the country.

On this note, the committee will query the Nigeria Communications Commission’s (NCC) role in allowing MTN and other operators

to disregard a directive which will complement efforts to keep the nation safe and secure.

This resolution by the House followed a motion entitled “motion for the investigation of the non compliance of telecommunications companies with directives to deactivate unregistered sim cards on their network and allegation of allied abuses of good cooperate governance by the telecommunication companies

operating” raised as a matter of urgent public importance and sponsored by Hon. Busayo Oke The law maker who worried that 45 percent of Sim cards on the various networks were found to be unregistered said in a break down that MTN has 18.6 million, Airtel has 7.4 million, Glo has 2.33 million and Etisalat has 9.46 million unregistered sim cards respectively.

“The operators have selectively

complied with the directive of the regulator thereby compromising the cardinal objective for the introduction of the exercise and of particular concern is the case of MTN. “But for reasons of seeming cooperate arrogance refused to the directive of the regulator, “Oke told the House.

He said that the inability of the security agencies to tackle cases of the insurgency and kidnapping

maybe attributable to the non deactivation of lines still held by perpetrators adding that the condition may prevent the achievement of the deadline to tackle insurgency in the country.

The motion was unanimously adopted by the House when it was put to voice vote presided by the Deputy Speaker, Yusuff Lasun and urged that the committee to report back to the House within 3 weeks.

L-R: Nigeria Acting High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, President Muhammadu Buhari, and Mr. Sumit Mazumder, during President Buhari’s meeting with CEOs of Indian companies, yesterday at the Leela Palace Hotel, during his four-day official visit to New Delhi India to attend the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit.

Dangote Cement African projects revenue hits N365.5bn in Q3

By Etuka Sunday

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angote Cements has disclosed that its aggressive African expansion projects have started yielding positive fruits as the company for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 recorded a turnover of N365.5 billion, a 17.8 per cent increase over its corresponding year’s figure.

The company in a statement said, it exported 3.7 million metric tones of cement in the same period to neighboring countries. The export underscores the fact that Nigeria is now self-sufficient in cement production.

The Chief Executive of the company, Onne Van der Weijde

said: “I am pleased to report that sales from outside Nigeria have contributed nearly 29 per cent of volumes so far this year and 39 per cent in the third quarter, which demonstrates that we are diversifying successfully and quickly gaining market shares in new countries.”

While revealing that the company has just acquired 2,000 new trucks to help improve its logistics capabilities that will enable it enhance its export of cement to neighbouring countries, he said: “Our key arget will be Ghana, where we already have an import terminal that is at present supplied from outside the ECOWAS region.”

The nine months unaudited results released on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that the cement giants’ earnings per share rose by 18.6 percent to N9.80.

Profit before tax at N166.9 billion for the nine months ended 30th September 2015 represents an increase of 8.4 percent compared to N154 billion in the 2014 corresponding period.

A breakdown of the results indicated that the cement group posted an operating profit of N173.5 billion, 6.8 percent higher than N162.5 billion generated in 2014.

Nigerian operations accounted for N162.7 billion, West & Central

Africa N2.9 billion, while South & East Africa did N7.4 billion.

Revenue rose by 17.8 percent to N365.5 billion following strong performance of non-Nigerian factories while gross profit grew by 13.5 percent to N226.8 billion.

Onne van der Weijde further said: “Our new operations have made strong starts right across Africa and this has helped to offset the impact of a subdued economy in Nigeria. We remain optimistic that our home market of Nigeria will recover and this will restore growth and improve overall profitability.

“We hope our new pricing strategy will contribute to the country’s economic recovery and particularly urge the Government

to begin building more robust roads using concrete instead of imported asphalt.”

Dangote Cement is Africa’s leading cement producer with three plants in Nigeria and recently opened factories in Ethiopia, Zambia, South Africa, Senegal and Cameroon. It is a fully integrated quarry-to-customer producer with production capacity of 29.25Mta in Nigeria.

Our Obajana plant in Kogi state, Nigeria, is the largest in Africa with 13.25Mta of capacity across four lines. The Ibese plant in Ogun State has four cement lines with a combined installed capacity of 12Mta. The Gboko plant in Benue state has 4Mta.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Business

Fuel scarcity: NNPC increases supply to Gusau, Katsina, Kano, Others

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday announced it has taken practical steps to eliminate the noticeable fuel queues in some major cities in the Northern

axis caused by tales of an impending fuel scarcity.

The Corporation in a release stated that within the last 48 hours petrol products truck-out to most major cities across the country especially in the Northern part of the country has been increase

considerably to accommodate some noticeable shock in the system as a result of the growing panic demand for petroleum products in the affected cities. `` We can confirm that an additional daily supply of 306 trucks of PMS which is the equivalent of

over 10 million litres of petrol has been injected to provide extra daily supply to Kano, Minna, Suleja/ Abuja, Gusau, Katsina as well as Kaduna,’’ the NNPC stated.

The NNPC also noted that similar steps have been taken to consolidate the prevailing stable

fuel supply situation in the Gombe, Bauchi, Jos, Yola and Maiduguri axis.

The Corporation advised members of the public to refrain from panic purchase of petroleum products noting that there is enough products in store to satisfy demand.

Financial accounts: NAICOM approves 44 insurance firms From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

B

L-R: Managing Director/CEO Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, Cross River state Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu, Paramount Ruler, Calabar Municipality, HRM Ndidem Patrick Inok, and BOI Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, during the commissioning of Calabar office of Bank of Industry, yesterday in Calabar.

Sterling Bank lends a hand to Lagos fashion design week From Ngozi Onyeakusi Lagos

S

terling Bank Plc has announced its support for the 2015 Lagos Fashion Design Week (LFDW).

The support is in line with its policy toward growing the Small, Medium Enterprise (SME) sector which is considered the catalyst for economic growth and development.

The event which commenced yesterday in Lagos is regarded as one of the leading fashion events on the African Fashion calendar and has succeeded in repositioning the fashion sub sector as a useful tool for commerce and creativity in the country.

The multiday fashion event serves as an avenue where fashion professionals, buyers, consumers, enthusiasts and media operators come together

to appreciate the current collections of African designers in the fashion capital of Lagos.

Runway shows and presentations featuring new season collections from designers in the African fashion industry alongside showrooms featuring fashion products, textiles and accessories are expected to be the order of the day during the four day programme.

Other highlights of the fifth edition of the Fashion Week are the Fashion Business Series and the Fashion Focus session.

The Business series seeks to facilitate conversations with key players from the Nigerian and Pan African fashion industry as a useful tool for exchanging ideas, networking and developing the fashion industry.

Fashion focus on the other hand concentrates on

opportunities for emerging talents and how to harness their skills to sustain a global presence to a wider audience.

Explaining the reason for the Bank’s support, Sterling Bank’s Executive Director Mr. Abubakar Suleiman explained “with the abundant talent in the fashion industry and the opportunity that abounds to upport the local economy, the subsector operators must be adequately supported”.

Suileman who disclosed that the Bank has also concluded plans to launch the next edition of its fashion competition, Sketch-a-mania at the event said the Bank would continue to support any initiatives aimed at ensuring the growth of the SMEs in the country.

According to him, Last year the Bank sponsored a workshop for operators in the SMEs segment of the country sector in

the country to update them on developments in the sector. Just recently, the Bank came up with the MSME Academy where we invited successful operators in the sector to speak with them.

We will continue to support the growth of SMEs as part of our contribution to the growth of the economy.

We acknowledge that there are various aspects to the Small and Medium Enterprise and the fashion business is an important part of the whole.

Fashion as a lifestyle and as a business is gradually pervading everywhere. Ranging from the increased interest in the consumption of ‘Made in Nigeria’ wears to the influx of various international fashion brands into the Nigerian market, fashion is undoubtedly something that must be taken seriously.

arely months to the end of 2015, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) said it has approved 2014 financial accounts of 44 insurance Firms.

According to a notice posted on the Commission official website the companies were; Wapic Life Assurance Ltd; Wapic Insurance Plc; Custodian & Allied Ins. Ltd; Custodian Life Assurance Ltd; Law Union & Rock Insurance Company Plc; Mansard Ins PLc; FBN Insurance Ltd; Oasis Insurance Plc; Consolidated Hallmark Insurance ; UBA Metropolitan Life Ins. Company; Zenith Life Assurance Company Ltd and Zenith General Insurance Company Limited.

Others include Royal Exchange Prudential Life Plc; Royal Exchange General Insurance Ltd; AIICO Insurance Plc; Cornerstone Insurance Plc; Prestige Assurance Plc; Continental Reinsurance ; NSIA Insurance; NEM insurance Plc; Leadway Assurance Plc; Equity Assurance Plc; Unity Kapital Assurance Plc; Lasaco Assurance Plc; Regency Alliance Plc; ARM Life Insurance ; Niger Insurance ; Staco Insurance Plc ; Union Assurance Plc ; Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc ; KBL Insurance Ltd ; Unitrust Insurance Plc ; Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc; Mutual Benefits Life Assurance Plc; Linkage Assurance Plc ; Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation; Sterling Assurance Plc; Anchor Insurance ; Old Mutual Nigeria General Insurance; Old Mutual Life Assurance ; Standard Alliance insurance Plc; Standard Alliance Life Assurance Plc; Capital Express Assurance Ltd and Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation.

While Guinea Insurance Plc ; Goldlink Insurance Plc ; African Alliance Insurance Plc ;Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) plc and Fin Insurance Plc are either under review or queried and are awaiting response.

The notice also said that International Energy Insurance (IEI) for 2013 has been approved and the 2014 is still outstanding, while Unic Insurance Plc and Nicon Insurance 2013 financial accounts have been ueried awaiting response.

The commission further noted that Springlife insurance financial accounts since 2008 to 2012 were under review by the commission.

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Page

Business

Kerosene: We’ve complied with FG’s directiveAzman oil From Edwin Olofu, Kano

A

zman Oil and Gas company, has said it had fully complied with the federal government directive on the sales of kerosene to consumers at subsidized rate of N50.

A press statement signed by its commercial manager Alhaji Abdullahi Tanko Ahamad made available to newsmen in Kano state stated that Azman would never run foul of the law as far as the issue of disposing the commodity to the public at the subsidized rate.

According to him with the sales of the commodity almost taking shape at all the Azman filling Stations all over the country individual consumer was only entitled to 20 litres.

He however stated that Azman was fully guided by the federal government directive to be compassionate to the masses bearing the brunt of purchasing the commodity with tears in the past, affirming that with Azman setting the ball rolling other filling stations would equally follow suite.

He further revealed that no filling station belonging to Azman Oil and Gas company had flouted the directive on the sales of kerosene at he subsidized rate stressing however that since the initiative was conceived to cushion to the negative effect of the scaring price of the commodity the company would not be left behind in supporting the crusade.

FBN Holdings grows by 16.9% From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

F

BN Holdings Plc.yesterday announced gross earnings worth N390.0 billion for the financial period ended 30th September, 2015, showing a 16.9 per cent growth when compared to 2014 figure of N333.6 billion.

The lenders unaudited result indicated that its Profit after tax went down by 9.7 per cent from N55.6 billion recorded in 2014 to N50.2 billion in the period under review while Profit before tax equally drop by 19.2 per cent from N73.7 billion in 2014 to

N59.6 billion in the same period of 2015.

However, Operating income soared to N275.4 billion from N248.7 billion achieved in the same period 2014, thus showing increase of 10.8 per cent while Operating expenses stood at N169.2 billion representing a growth rate of 4.4 per cent when compared with N162.2 billion recorded in the same period of 2015.

Commenting on the results, the Group CEO FBN Holdings Bello Maccido, said: “This has been a challenging year so far, with

economy slowing down and credit conditions remaining adverse thereby impacting the Group’s operating performance.

We are managing the cost of risk by strengthening our risk management processes while leveraging our assets, adjusting pricing to higher default risks associated with a contracting economy; and nowhere has this process been more pronounced than in the oil and gas sector. To ensure we build a more efficient group structure that will benefit the Group’s need to deploy systems which increase profitability and

efficiency while expanding revenue generation, we are confident we have made the right choices in selecting the Managing Director and the Deputy Managing Director for our principal subsidiary, FirstBank, as we were particularly mindful to identify outstanding and top notch professionals with complementary and mutually reinforcing skill sets.

The major leadership changes across the Group also points to the renewed focus in driving stronger performance towards delivering sustainable returns and restoring shareholder value”, he said.

Sitting from left: Food Security and Tenure Specialist, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Mr. Brad Jose Paterson, F.A.O Country Representative, Dr Louise Setshwaelo, representative of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Margaret Okolo-Ebube, Chairman, Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform, Prof. Peter Adeniyi, and participants, during a stakeholders workshop on Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance OF Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security in Nigeria, on Monday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

FAAN dismisses PH airport rating, says facility undergoing repairs From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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ast week rating of airports across the world by a travel website SleepInAirports. net in conjuction Cable News Network (CNN) in which the survey outcome rated the Port Harcourt airport as the worst facility in Africa has been described as untrue taking cognizance the fact that the airport is a beehive of remodelling works.

The federal government faulted the widely published rating and explained that as one of the top three busiest entry points into Nigeria, it goes to show that the facility will constantly receive attention hence the rating firm fail to take into account efforts by the development agency FAAN in the past three years to reconstruct the terminal.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said the controversial ranking

is untrue as the airport environment is not expected to have the semblance of a perfect surrounding with on-going work a daily activity at the facility that has become a cynosure of most foreign carriers flying into Nigeria. “we sincerely believe that operations at such an airport, where construction work is going on simultaneously with normal flight and related operations, cannot be as conducive as those in airports where there are no on-going construction projects.

Neither can environments as such different scenarios be equally “clean”. FAAN said in a statement.

General Manager, Public Affairs of FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati told journalists in Lagos that “ the authority is aware of the enormous challenges posed by the peculiar operational situation at the Port Harcourt International Airport and that is

why it has taken several measures to alleviate the difficulties faced by passengers and other airport users at the airport.”

He said “one of such measures included closing down one of the tents and moving operations there to some sections of the remodeled terminal, even when work in those sections were not fully completed.”

The agency’s image maker said FAAN stand is that the said ranking was unfounded as it did not take cognisance of the fact that the PHA was still undergoing remodelling with some of its terminal operations still conducted in a temporary structure. “ Apart from the on-going remodelling of the existing domestic terminal, from which both international and local flight operations are conducted, construction work is also in progress at the site of the new international terminal, among

other projects at the airport” Dati explained.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Bina Bello had equally faulted the claim that also labelled Nigerian airports as bad and rife with so many challenges.

Speaking on the sideline of the 21st Annual League of Airports and Aviation Correspondent (LAAC) Seminar with theme “Achieving a Win-Win Aviation Sector in Nigeria” she said. there are ongoing works in and around some of the airports and everything would be in proper shape once the works around the airports are done.

Hajia Binta explained that ”It is up to the leaders to agree or to disagree on the rating. When I saw the rating, the question I asked is that: do we still have touts at the airports? Are our airports dirty?

Are we corrupt? Do we agree with all those questions?”

“It is something that I cannot categorically say yes we are corrupt, our airports are not clean, our airports are congested, and so on. I am sure you can actually say if these airports are actually dirty, if this airports are full of touts, if these airports are chaotic, this morning I flew in from Abuja airport about five airlines were boarding at the same time I did not see any chaos there, it was a smooth peration, passengers were going into their various aircraft of the various airlines operators and the whole operations was very smooth so I cannot accept that the airports are dirty.

“I cannot accept that the airports are congested, if we have a temporary challenge, it is because of the constructions that is going on at our airports, In Abuja for instance, we have work going on there and when all these are done, all will be in proper shape.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Business

Expert calls for pension fund investment Stories from Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

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ollowing the growth of pension fund assets which presently stood at N5 trillion, the Managing Director, Risk Guard Africa, Dr

Yemi Soladoye has urged the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to make haste and invest the fund in infrastructure for national growth and development.

Soladoye who made the call while in an interview with

PEOPLES DAILY in Lagos maintained that allowing such huge fund lying idle will in no way be beneficial to both the contributors and entire country at large.

Regretting that the N5 trillion which was ought to be

invested five years ago, was still under consideration, he called for quick investment of the fund to ensure maximum returns to contributors and the nation.

According to him, “Such funds like pension funds, insurance funds are actually meant to stimulate the active growth of other sectors of the economy and to contribute to the growth of national development of which infrastructure, possibly mortgage are prominent.

“The essential thing that PenCom is supposed to do, it

has done it, number one to make sure that security of the fund is not jeopardized and going into aspect of infrastructure and mortgage in order to achieve a goal of diversification in the investment of the pension fund.

Huge is the important of such investment, the issue security is here, issue of diversification is there and not allowing N5 trillion sitting down there and nothing is working in the country. So it is a right step in the right direction”, he assured.

European shares rise alongside stronger energy stocks

E Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha (left), in a handshake with Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, Mr. Elias Mbam (middle), during the visit of members of the commission to Government House, on Monday in Owerri. With them are members of the commission.

Photo: NAN

STI elevates Soyinka, Odemelam to ED From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

S

overeign Trust Insurance Plc yesterday announced the elevation of two its erstwhile General Managers to the position of Executive Directors respectively.

The duo who by their recent elevation will automatically become Board Members of the company are Mr. Olaotan Soyinka and Mrs. Ugochi Odemelam.

Soyinka before now was the General Manager/Divisional Head, Technical while Ugochi took charge of Marketing/Business Development for the organization in the capacity of a General Manager/Divisional Head.

The two appointments were recently ratified by the Board of Directors and both have assumed their new roles since September 14, 2015.

Mr. Segun Bankole spokesperson of the company said the Board and Management of the company have so much confidence in the two newly elevated Directors and it is expected that they will bring to bear their consummate wealth of experience in galvanizing the organization to the next level of its growth stage.

He enjoined staff and management to give all the needed support to the new Directors in achieving the overall objective of the company as a leading Brand in the Insurance Industry and a profitable one at that.

The Managing Director/CEO of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mr. Wale Onaolapo, in his congratulatory message to the two Directors emphasized Management’s commitment to succession plan in the organization and also stressed that “the elevation is expected to further strengthen the Board and empower Top Management Team of the company in ensuring that the medium and long term strategic goals of the company are accomplished”.

He equally thanked both of them for their immense contributions to the development and growth of the company in time past and charged them to do more than ever before as the organization forges ahead in the years to come.

Mr. Olaotan Soyinka is an erudite and well-grounded Underwriter with over 20 years cognate experience. He is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria.

He is a Graduate of Insurance

from University of Lagos and also holds a Masters of Science degree in Marketing from the same university.

He joined Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc in March 1998.

Soyinka is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School having successfully completed the Senior Management Programme of the Institution.

Ugochi Odemelam on the other hand, graduated from the Federal Polytechnic, Nassarawa. She holds an MBA from ESUT Business School.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), a registered member of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) and Chartered Insurance Institute of London (CII London).

She is an Alumnus of the Lagos Business School having successfully completed the Senior Management Programme (SMP), and the Advanced Management Programme (AMP), of the Institution respectively.

She joined Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc in 1995. Her cognate 20 years working experience in Sovereign Trust cut across the three main Divisions of Finance and Administration, Technical and Marketing.

uropean shares ended higher on Wednesday as energy stocks rose on the back of a crude oil price rally, though many investors stayed cautious ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve decision on interest rates.

The FTSEurofirst 300 closed up 1 percent, recouping entirely Tuesday’s decline. The euro zone’s blue-chip Euro STOXX 50 index rose 1.19 percent.

The Fed, which is expected to leave rates unchanged, will announce its decision at 1800 GMT. It may struggle to convince sceptical investors it can tighten monetary policy before the end of the year in the face of slowing U.S. and global economies.

“I doubt (Fed chair Janet) Yellen would want to sound particularly aggressive. The latest data have been mediocre ... and more time is needed to evaluate how far China and emerging markets have stabilised,” said Anthilia Capital Partners fund manager Giuseppe Sersale.

Energy stocks were the top sectoral gainer with a rise of 1.8 percent.

Oil futures were up about 5 percent after the United States reported a crude inventory build that reversed bearish market expectations, extending gains from an earlier rally traders said was triggered by a big algorithmic trade.

Among standouts, Belgian pharmaceutical firm UCB rose 6 percent, the biggest gainer in the FTSEurofirst, after well-received results.

Brewer Heineken rose 4 percent after reporting sales in Europe and the Americas above expectations.

Carmaker Volkswagen rose 3.9 percent after announcing its first quarterly loss in at least 15 years, with traders expressing relief that the results were not worse after it

was hit by an emissions test scandal.

“Investors are glad this is out of the way, which is why shares turned higher. Volkswagen’s sales figures are holding up quite well, but we need to wait a couple of months to see the real fallout,” Peregrine & Black sales trader Markus Huber said.

GlaxoSmithKline rose 3.8 percent after reporting betterthan-expected earnings, helped by strong demand for HIV drugs and flu vaccines, which offset a further slide in sales of respiratory medicine.

Shares in Fiat Chrysler fell 2.2 percent after the carmaker unexpectedly booked pre-tax charges of 761 million euros for possible future recalls.

A quarter of STOXX Europe 600 companies have reported results, and 59 percent of those have beaten or met expectations, Thomson Reuters Starmine data showed.

On the STOXX Europe 600, Saipem rose 11 percent after it announced a cash call to help it to weather the oil service recession.

Dialog rebounded from declines this week after announcing disappointing figures on Monday.

It provides chips for Apple, whose results beat expectations.

Sweden said it would expand its bond-buying programme, spurring an initial outperformance in Swedish blue chips . They later pared gains to end up 0.85 percent.

Expectations that the European Central Bank will expand its asset purchases in December, combined with a rate cut in China, helped the FTSEurofirst 300 to two-month highs at the end of last week.

Among losers, Meggitt fell 20 percent after a profit warning and British bank Lloyds dropped 4.4 percent after it took a further charge for mis-selling insurance and profits missed expectations.

(Reuters)

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Stock Watch:

thursDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

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Peoples Daily, Thursday, October 29, 2015

PAGE 24

Fr Jack told BBC Arabic what happened.

F

r Jack remembers how he and Botros Hanna were blindfolded and had their hands tied, before the car they were forced into sped away to an unknown destination “in the mountains around al-Qaryatain”.

After four days, the two men were blindfolded and handcuffed again, before being forced on a much longer journey.

They ended up in a cell somewhere in Raqqa, IS’ stronghold, where they were kept for 84 days.

The captives were well-fed, given medical treatment and never tortured, Fr Jack explained.

What stood out, he said, was the verbal abuse.

Fr Jack and Botros Hannah were repeatedly called “infidels” and told that they had strayed from the true religion of “Islam” - in particular, “Islamic State’s interpretation of Islam”.

Intriguingly, Fr Jack says his captors all seemed curious about his Christian beliefs.

“They would ask about

Special Report

The Syrian Catholic priest who escaped IS captivity A Syrian priest who was held by Islamic State (IS) militants for nearly three months and threatened with execution has for the first time spoken about his ordeal. Fr Jack Murad was abducted from the central Syrian town of alQaryatain in May along with Botros Hanna, a volunteer at the ancient Mar [Saint] Elian Monastery. my theology - God, the Holy Trinity, Christ, and the Crucifixion,” he said.

He thought it pointless trying to answer.

“

“What’s the point of debating with someone who’s put you in prison and pointing their rifle at you?” Fr Jack asked

Fr Jack remembers how he and Botros Hanna were blindfolded and had their hands tied, before the car they were forced into sped away to an unknown destination “in the mountains around al-Qaryatain”.

After four days, the two men were blindfolded and handcuffed again, before being forced on a much longer journey. They ended up in a cell somewhere in Raqqa, IS’ stronghold, where they were kept for 84 days.

The captives were well-fed, given medical treatment and never tortured, Fr Jack explained. What stood out, he said, was the verbal abuse. Fr Jack and Botros Hannah were repeatedly called “infidels” and told that they had strayed from the true religion of “Islam” - in particular, “Islamic State’s interpretation of Islam”.

???

PAGE 25

???

rhetorically.

“When I was forced to respond, I’d say ‘I’m not prepared to change my religion’.”

Death threat The militants he met would scare prisoners, telling them they would be killed if they refused to convert.

‘For them, my fate for refusing to convert

???

to Islam was death. To frighten us, they would even tell us in detail how we would die. They are truly gifted at using words and imagery to terrorise,” Fr Jack recalled.

The priest said the experience only strengthened his faith, although at the time he expected to be beheaded.

“On Day 84, the last

day, an emir arrived, telling us ‘the Christians of al-Qaryatain have been pestering us about you and want you back, so come on, move.’

‘We went past Palmyra and Sawwaneh, then the car disappeared into a tunnel. We were taken out of the car, and the emir took me by the hand towards a large iron door.

???

He opened it, and I saw two guys from my parish standing there.”

They hugged and then Fr Jack looked up to find an astonishing scene.

“All the Christians of al-Qaryatain, my whole parish, my children were

there. I was in shock. They were surprised and happy.

They all came to embrace me.”

During his captivity, the town of al-Qaryatain had been captured by IS. All of them were held captive another 20 days.

Finally, on the 31 August, Fr Jack was summoned before several IS clerics.

They wanted to convey what IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had decided about the fate of the Christians of al-Qaryatain.

Various options were on the table, including killing the men and enslaving the women.

Instead the IS leader chose to give the Christians the “right to live as citizens in territory held

by Islamic State”, which meant returning their land, homes, and money in return for conditional IS protection.

‘Land of blasphemy’ Fr Jack told them everything he was asked about the churches and the monastery in al-Qaryatain, but omitted to mention Saint Elian’s grave, hoping he could spare it from destruction.

But it was difficult to fool the IS militants.

“They know everything, every detail. We tend to think of them as uncultured Bedouins. The opposite is true. They’re clever, educated, with university

degrees, and meticulous in their planning,” Fr Jack said.

During his captivity the monastery had been confiscated by IS as a spoil of war during the battle for al-Qaryatain and was destroyed.

The IS clerics read out to him the terms of an agreement between the Christians of al-Qaryatain and Islamic State.

Under the deal, they could travel anywhere inside IS territory as far away as Mosul, but not to Homs or Mahin (which are closer, but outside IS control), “because to them, this is the land of blasphemy.”

Still, Fr Jack managed to leave the IS-held territory. Botros Hanna, the volunteer, also escaped with him.

“The area is a battlefield.

On the one hand, the air force is shelling. On the other, we are not safe staying in al-Qaryatain. I felt that as long as I was there, the people would stay. So I felt I had to leave to encourage others to do the same.”

But not many more followed him afterwards.

“In fact many want to stay because they have nowhere else to go. Some can’t accept the idea of being displaced and would rather die at home.

Others are convinced the Islamic State, with which they have a contract, will protect them.’

Fr Jack says 160 or so Christians are left in alQaryatain.

“They have stayed because they want to.

We ask God to protect them because our town is a dangerous battlefield.

There is no shelter, nowhere is safe.’

Source: BBC

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

PAGE 33

Metro

Director of Establishment and Training, FCTA, Salihu Hawat Mohammed (2ND from right); Director, Arts, British Council, Ojoma Ochai and other officials of the two organizations in a group photograph during a meeting to discuss arts programme between Nigeria and the United Kingdom in Abuja, on Wednesday.

FCTA partners Int’l donors to improve services

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reiterated its resolve to continue partnering with international donor agencies, in order to improve the quality of lives of the ordinary residents of the Territory.

The FCT Permanent Secretary, John Obinna Chukwu, gave this assurance yesterday, while receiving some officials of the British Council that were in his office to discuss the UK/Nigeria 2015-16 Arts Programme.

Chukwu, who was represented

at the meeting by the FCT Director of Establishment and Training, Mr. Salihu Muhammad, further assured that anything that would impact positively on the lives of the people of the Territory would obviously be supported by the Administration.

According to him, “The FCT Administration would continue to partner and strengthen collaborations with international donors, particularly if their programmes are directed in uplifting the lives of the ordinary people.”

Chukwu appreciated that the British Council’s Arts programme

focused on the women and girl child, which no doubt, would go along way in ameliorating their living standard.

Speaking earlier, the Director of Arts, British Council in Abuja, Mrs. Ojomo Ochai said that the British Council since 1943 has been assiduously working with Nigeria and 109 other countries around the globe.

Mrs. Ochai revealed that the UK/Nigeria 2015-16 is a major season of art works in Nigeria aimed at building new audiences, creating new collaborations and strengthening relationships between Nigeria and the UK.

According to her, the programme features trainings, workshops and showcases in art, fashion, design, theatre, dance, music, literature and film.

“Partnerships between Nigeria and British artists, institutions and organizations will be at the heart of the season, aiming to develop skills and capacity across the Nigerian creative industries,” she reiterated.

The Director noted that the project would culminate in the wrapping of a public building with woven textiles inspired by the textile art workshop held with 35 women in Abuja.

Bwari Council urged to fix Motor Park

S

ecretary, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Bwari branch, Mr. Abdullahi Idris, has appealed to the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to repair the major Motor park in the area.

Idris, who made the appeal in a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that lack of functional Motor Park hindered the union’s operations.

He expressed displeasure over

the deplorable condition of the existing motor park, adding that the deplorable condition of the park made it difficult for motorists and pedestrians to carry out their day to day activities.

He, therefore, appealed to the council to intervene in order to assuage the sufferings of the motorists.

“Our garage is not in good condition; when it rains, when you come to the garage it seems you are in where you plant rice, because

everywhere is full with water.

“We are just seeking for government to assist us; we cannot bear of putting it in good condition.

“We don’t have the financial capacity to do it; we are seeking for assistance, so that we can put this garage into good condition; that’s we are appealing to them to assist us,” he explained.

According to him, the union has been pursuing the issue for a very long time, we met the area council authority several occasions, but

they only promise they will do it, but nothing has been done yet.

He adds:“Even the road leading to the garage is bad; if government can help us to repair it that will ameliorate our sufferings.

“The tasks of repairing damages on our vehicle jumping gallops affect us economically.

“We need a good road in Bwari; we appeal to the council authority to also take necessary steps to address this problem for us.”

(NAN)

Cheating: Bizman in soup for defrauding partner

A

businessman, Uzor Oke, 37, has appeared before a Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court in Abuja, for allegedly defrauding his business partner of one million naira.

Oke, who lives at Aso Estate on Airport Road, Abuja, is facing a twocount charge of criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Adamu Abdullahi, told the court that one Michael Uche on July 23 complained at the Wuse Police Station, Abuja that he gave the accused some items to sell.

“The complainant entrusted the accused with clothing materials, shoes and perfumes he brought from Dubai to sell and remit the money.’’

He said the accused sold the items but refused to remit the money to the complainant and converted the proceeds to his personal use.

Suleiman said that the offences contravened Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code, respectively.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Senior Magistrate, Khadijat Mustapha, granted the accuse bail in the sum of 100,000 with two reasonable sureties in like sum.

Mustapha ordered that the sureties must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the case till November 10 for hearing proper. (NAN)

Page 34

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Money Sense

Start lucrative business of bin cleaning service

By Lanre Sobande

T

here is nothing we can do without generating waste.

Bin cleaning business will always thrive at home, offices, factory, hotels and wherever human activities take place. We keep bins close to the house to keep and maintain hygiene. For maximum benefit it has to be well managed to avoid creation of unpleasant situation.

If you are looking for a home based business to make cool cash on daily basis, search no further. Just around your corner, near your residence there are numerous ways to transform anything into services thereby changing your financial situation.

One of such services you quickly render to make way for financial independence is to be engaged in bin cleaning service. You get the bin empty

for maximum benefit of the owner.

No serious minded person wants to keep trash. On daily basis, as we generate them, we pack them in bin. But we equally hate the pungent odour we perceive each time we open them up to throw in another, because of the decaying processes they undergo.

Refuse bins that are kept outside usually undergo different weather conditions.

It is part of their properties to withstand weather harshness, retain spoilt left-over food and remnants but we can’t keep them in the house, because of the foul odour.

As a refuse been collector, you have to be conversant with the nature of refuse.

Left-over foods and general organic materials create foul odours. You have be prepared to withstand this. In fact, this

is where your money is and be ready to face this challenge.

The business is lucrative as many home makers don’t like to dare the smell of filled refuse bin. A readymade business opportunity. There will always be business for you especially at the Government Reserved Areas of the town. At the first class estates and everywhere.

Among the high, middle and low income earners, you will always have enough business to do.

You can start this business small. Create credibility for yourself and let your charges be minimal at least for a start.

Once you can successfully satisfy two or three customers, you will enjoy referrer opportunities.

Advertise with the use of low cost advertisement.

Print handbills to be distributed in your locality. Mouth to mouth

advert can as well pay off. you can also visit residents from door to door to register your business with them.

Once your price is okay, you are prompt at disposing their refuse and your business presentations are good, you will sure get more customers.

All you need to start the business is a little cash.

Manually you can pack and empty refuse with manual equipments. Your rake, brooms and brushes are all available at a minimal price. Your truck can be locally fabricated for the start. As you grow the business, engine truck can be employed (that also depends on your financial stand).

As the business grows, with more customers and available cash, you can employ more hands in the real job while you coordinate and manage the business. You can put in

place, a better van and grant more incentives like providing polythene, do extra cleaning of the bin and spraying the floor with germicides, where refuse splits on the floor.

With these, you are creating good customer relationship and before you know it, your bin cleaning business will turn out into a corporate business. You can also enter franchise with the state or federal government.

They will supply you all you need and the management is solely by you.

For now, you can start small on part time. Keep things simple with quality service to your first set of customers. These are your first contacts and first impression will last long. Your business is to keep peoples’ bins clean and fresh. A service that put much money into your pocket which you can rely on as a solid source of income.

world news

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

ANALYSIS

By Daoud Kuttab

T

he status of the mosque was the spark that ignited the violence, but the situation in all Jerusalem cannot be ignored.

United States Secretary of State John Kerry’s attempts to restore calm to Jerusalem correctly identifies the need to honour the right of Muslims to worship at al-Haram al-Sharif while allowing non-Muslims to visit the mosque.

However, without returning to the status quo - especially with regards the MughrabiGate - suspicion will remain. The controversial gate has been monopolised by the Israeli security and the suspicion will linger no matter how many additional cameras are added.

Visitors to al-Haram al-Sharif, like visitors to any shrine around the world, need to follow the regulations of the custodians - in this case, Jordan’s Ministry of Religious Endowments (or Awqaf). Tourists - whether Jewish, Christian or agnostic - wishing to visit must purchase a ticket from Jerusalem’s Awqaf Department (which is under Jordan’s Awqaf ministry) and enter from the designated gate. This was the practise prior to 2000, as per the status quo.

This violation of the status quo occurred shortly after the outbreak of the second Intifada in 2000. It is time for Israel to allow the Awqaf ministry to reclaim jurisdiction over the Mughrabi Gate in allowing visitors.

In October 2000, after the controversial visit by Ariel Sharon to al-Haram al-Sharif, Israel ordered the Islamic Waqf guard stationed at the Mughrabi Gate to leave.

The violence we are witnessing today is the result of Israel’s tampering with centuries-old agreements (generally referred to as status quo).

The status quo doesn’t only apply to Islamic sites in Jerusalem but also applies to Christian holy places, which have also seen violent clashes over such a simple problem as who has the right to clean or who can use a ladder.

The tensions between the competing Christian denominations lead all parties to accept that the keys to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are entrusted to a Muslim Palestinian family that has daily opened the church for centuries.

Knowing Jerusalem’s history and its sensitivities is exactly why the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and the Jordanian monarch King Abdullah II have repeatedly warned about the dangers of a religious war. In its attempts to restore order, Jordan is calling for the return of the management of al-Haram al-Sharif to the pre-October 2000 arrangement.

Since then, Israel has attempted to bring in Jewish visitors without the permission of the mosque’s guardians.

Jordan, accepted by all parties as the legitimate guardian of the mosque, now insists that all tourists, including Jewish tourists, must abide by the regulations that all tourists to the holy shrine must abide by and has suggested placing 24/7 cameras on site to ensure compliance.

Restrictions While the status of the mosque was the spark that ignited the current - as well as the previous - rounds of violence, the situation in all of East Jerusalem

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international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

The secret to peace in Palestine

A general view shows the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam’s third holiest site, in the Old City of Jerusalem [AFP] and its people must not be ignored.

Restrictions on issues of residency, work, housing and movement has pushed Palestinians against the cement wall that Israel has built and contributed to the explosion we are seeing.

Housing permits are routinely denied because they are not part of a discriminatory zoning plan that ignores East Jerusalem’s Arab neighbourhoods while quickly approving settlement housing complexes in the occupied side of Jerusalem.

The fact that Arab neighbourhoods are purposely not planned has meant that local communities are forced to build illegally. In response, many such homeowners suffer regular house demolitions for violating city laws. All this while Israel builds settlements in East Jerusalem in violation of international law.

Meanwhile, a nine-storey building named Jonathan House, built illegally (according to Israeli law) in Silwan, a predominantly Arab neighbourhood outside the Old City, continues to house rowdy Jewish settlers without any attempt to execute equal justice.

In 1978, the Israeli High Court denied a Palestinian, Mohammad Burqan, the right to repurchase his own house in the Mughrabi Quarter, adjacent to the Jewish quarter, because the now expanded Jewish Quarter has “special historical significance” to Jews, and this “supersedes all other claims by non-Jews”, said the court in its clearly discriminatory decision.

Of course, Jews now live not only in the Jewish Quarter but in all quarters of the Old City and in Palestinian neighbourhoods outside the walls. And it was exactly in one of those homes that Ariel Sharon had bought in the al-Wad neighbourhood just outside Al-Aqsa Mosque that the initial stabbing took place on September 13.

While Israel regularly denies it, these Judaisation attempts are synchronised by the Israeli government, police, courts, Jewish settlers, radical groups and Knesset members, with each group doing its part.

Israel and its supporters (sometimes using US-tax exempt foundations) use the carrot and stick to take over Palestinian homes through dodgy deals,

turning the lives of those who refuse to sell into hell, while vigilante settlers and their supporters are constantly protected.

Politically, Israel’s obsession to cut off East Jerusalem from the rest of Palestine has meant that the Palestinian leadership has no leverage on fellow Palestinians.

Palestinian institutions like the Orient House and the Chamber of Commerce have been ordered closed by the minister of internal security since 2001, despite the international community’s opposition.

Symbolic leadership The few Palestinians holding any sort of symbolic leadership position - such as members of the Palestinian

“

The key to bringing back calm to Jerusalem begins by restoring the status of the city’s holy sites to their pre-2000 status, and politically empowering Jerusalem’s Palestinians to participate in the political process by allowing them to reconnect in both directions with their legitimate leadership in the rest of the occupied territories.

Legislative Council, nationalist leaders, heads of civil societies or religious leaders - are regularly hauled to the Israeli police station for questioning, short-term arrests and are sometimes forbidden from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque. Four Jerusalemites elected to the Palestinian legislature have been fighting for years for their right to remain in Jerusalem.

As a result of this systematic Israeli effort to deny Palestinians any form of recognised local leadership, various forms of alternative, often unknown, groups have sprouted to fill the vacuum due to the absence of genuine leaders, often along tribal or family structures.

The key to bringing back calm to Jerusalem begins by restoring the status of the city’s holy sites to their pre-2000 status, and politically empowering Jerusalem’s Palestinians to participate in the political process by allowing them to reconnect in both directions with their legitimate leadership in the rest of the occupied territories.

By giving priority to Jerusalem and its holy sites, it would be possible to begin the difficult road to restoring a sense of normalcy to the city and the rest of the Palestinian areas.

Daoud Kuttab, an awardwinning Palestinian journalist, is a former Ferris professor of journalism at Princeton University.

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News From Africa

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Rape and cannibalism in South Sudan, African Union says T

he African Union (AU) has accused government and rebel forces in South Sudan of extreme violence since the conflict erupted at the end of 2013 .

A commission of inquiry found evidence of killings, torture, mutilations and rape, mostly against civilians, as well as episodes of forced cannibalism.

However, it specified that genocide had not been committed during the conflict.

Tensions remain, with a peace deal agreed between the government and rebels in August repeatedly broken.

Tens of thousands of people have died and another two million people have been forced from their homes since the civil war began nearly two years ago.

In its report, the AU said the commission, formed last year under the chairmanship of Nigeria’s exPresident Olusegun Obasanjo, had identified perpetrators of violence from both sides.

It documented details of brutal killings, abductions of woman and sexual violence among other abuses, mostly committed against civilians who were not taking part in the fighting.

“The commission believes that war

The AU report details horrific crimes said to have been committed by both sides of the conflict crimes were committed in Juba, Bor, Bentiu and Malakal,” the report said in reference to the key conflict towns.

Some witnesses in the capital, Juba,

told commission members that they had seen people forced to drink the blood and eat the flesh of people who had just been killed.

They spoke of seeing the perpetrators “draining human blood from people who had just been killed and forcing others from one ethnic community to drink the

blood or eat burnt human flesh”.

The report also said that mass graves had been discovered by AU investigators.

The commission is urging an internationally backed, African-led court to bring to justice those responsible for the violence.

Despite the seeming ethnic nature of the conflict, the commission said it found no reasonable evidence to prove that genocide had been committed.

The United Nations has already accused the government and rebel fighters of atrocities and “crimes against humanity”, and says the situation has only worsened since a peace deal was signed in August.

The conflict was triggered by a political power struggle in December 2013 between the President, Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and his rival and former Vice-President, Riek Machar, a Nuer.

But it quickly took on a bloody multi-ethnic dimension right across the country.

The AU report seemed to dismiss claims that there had been a coup attempt by Mr Machar, instead finding that the unrest began after governmentorganised killings of ethnic Nuer civilians and soldiers.

Tanzania election: Zanzibar Ivory Coast election: Alassane vote annulled over ‘violations’ Ouattara wins second term

E

lections on Tanzania’s semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar have been annulled for not being free and fair, the chairman of the islands’ electoral commission has announced.

Jecha Salum Jecha said youths had invaded polling stations, votes had been tampered with and electoral commissioners had exchanged blows.

The majority of criticisms were levelled at the vote on Pemba Island.

Zanzibaris voted in local

and national elections on Sunday.

The elections in Tanzania are the most competitive in the country’s history, with four opposition parties forming the Ukawa coalition.

Previous elections have turned violent on Zanzibar, which is made up of the islands of Unguja and Pemba and is a popular with tourists.

The BBC’s Sammy Awami in Zanzibar says tension has been rising on the islands over the last few days.

On Monday, Ukawa

candidate Seif Sharif Hamad declared himself the winner of the Zanzibari presidential poll.

This attracted a sharp rebuke from ruling CCM party officials, who said the declaration was illegal and risked the islands’ stability, our reporter says.

In his statement, Mr Jecha accused electoral commissioners of being partisan.

He said they did not know each other and their many differences had led to physical fights.

I

vory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara has won a second five-year term with nearly 84% of the vote, electoral commission officials say.

Mr Ouattara won a total of 2,118,229 votes, or 83.66% of votes cast, the commission said.

Turnout was 54.63%.

Several opposition candidates pulled out of the campaign, complaining that it was not free and fair.

The last vote in 2010 was bitterly contested and resulted in a civil war in which 3,000 people lost their lives.

Mr Ouattara required more than 50% of the vote to avoid a run-off. His closest opposition rival, Pascal Affi N’Guessan, got just 9%.

In the 2010 vote Mr Ouattara defeated thenPresident Laurent Gbagbo, whose refusal to step down triggered months of violence in which thousands of people were killed.

Mr Ouattara’s campaign this year centred around his economic programme. Critics accused him of failing to foster reconciliation or reduce

poverty.

The 54% turnout was down from the 2010 first-round turnout of about 80%.

Ouattara

Lion populations in Africa ‘could halve in 20 years’

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Zanzibar maintains a political union with Tanzania, but has its own parliament and president

he number of lions in Africa is rapidly dropping, except in highly-managed areas in the south of the continent, a study has found.

It suggests that lion populations in unprotected areas could be cut in half over the next two decades.

The paper’s authors say lions should now be upgraded to an endangered species in Central and West Africa.

The loss of habitat, hunting, and a demand for traditional medicine have all contributed to population decline.

Lions are currently considered “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, but endangered status means they would be considered at “a very high risk of extinction in the wild”.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, says “many lion populations are either now gone or expected to disappear within the next few decades”.

African lion populations are declining everywhere on the continent, with the exception of Botswana,

Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, which are having success with what the paper calls “small, fenced, intensively managed, and funded reserves”.

There is a 67% chance that lions in West and Central Africa will decline by half within 20 years, while East African populations have a 37% chance of being halved in the same time.

Those predictions are based on trends in 47 lion populations, containing more than 8,200 animals.

The decline could lead to a reversal of previous trends, making the protected, managed populations of southern Africa more viable than the East African savannah.

A reduction in lion numbers could also change the local ecosystems, “with the lion no longer playing a pivotal role as apex predator”, the study says.

The authors also warned that the African lion could come to rely on the small, managed reserves, “and may no longer be a flagship species of the once vast natural ecosystems across the rest of the continent.”

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

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Asia & Middle East

Afghanistan-Pakistan quake: Cold puts homeless at risk A id workers have warned that some Afghans and Pakistanis made homeless by Monday’s earthquake could die from exposure.

There is an urgent need for tents and blankets for those forced to spend a second night outdoors, they said.

Children are especially at risk of succumbing to the extreme cold.

Thousands spent Tuesday night in near-freezing temperatures, reluctant to go back inside for fear of aftershocks, Pakistani media reported.

At least 360 people are known to have died in both countries, but officials are warning the number will rise, particularly in Afghanistan.

The UN children’s fund said a combination of intense cold and insecurity were cutting off some communities.

Remote and mountainous quakeaffected areas have been hit by heavy rain and snow for the past two days, according to a Unicef statement.

“Communication is poor and access difficult due to the tough terrain and security operations,” the statement says.

Unicef’s regional director for South Asia, Karin Hulshof, said concern was mounting for the safety and wellbeing of children.

“They are in danger of succumbing to the elements as temperatures plummet,” she said.

The epicentre of the earthquake was in the Afghan province of Badakhshan, where it damaged many of the province’s scarce roads, officials say.

Providing aid by air will be one of the most effective ways of reaching those in dire need, they say, but such operations are unlikely to start for

Thousands of Afghan homes were destroyed many days - until survey teams on foot picturesque Swat Valley and areas around are able to visit the affected areas and Dir, Malakand and Shangla towns in report on the damage. the mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The Pakistani town closest to the province. epicentre is Chitral, but it also shook Though relief is getting through buildings in the capital, Islamabad, and to displaced people, Pakistani media in Peshawar. reported that at least 5,000 villagers The quake lasted for up to 45 seconds in the remote Kalash Valley remained early on Monday afternoon, creating homeless and charities could not reach cracks in walls across a wide region and them. leading to electricity blackouts.

Many people remain trapped under Officials say more than 1,600 people piles of rubble, Dawn reported, with in Pakistan were injured in Monday’s officials warning that the death toll was quake, and more than 4,000 homes set to rise. destroyed.

In Afghanistan, the quake destroyed The worst-hit area was the more than 7,600 homes, a statement

from President Ashraf Ghani’s office said. He has ordered the military to make themselves available for the relief effort.

Taliban rebels urged Afghans “not to hold back in providing shelter, food and medical supplies’” to quake victims and said their fighters would help the relief effort.

In 2005, a magnitude-7.6 quake in Pakistan-administered Kashmir left more than 75,000 people dead.

In April this year, Nepal suffered its worst earthquake on record, with 9,000 people killed and about 900,000 homes damaged or destroyed.

US signals shift in Syria-Iraq campaign against Islamic State

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he US has indicated a shift in its campaign against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq and Syria, including the use of direct ground raids.

Defence Secretary Ash Carter said there would also be more air strikes against “high-value targets”.

Observers say his comments reflect acknowledgment of the lack of progress in defeating the militant group.

Separately, the US says Iran is being invited for the first time to international talks over Syria’s war.

Mr Carter’s comments, made to the Senate Armed Services Committee, come a week after US-Iraqi forces rescued dozens of hostages held by IS in Iraq.

“We won’t hold back from supporting capable partners in opportunistic attacks against ISIL or conducting such missions directly, whether by strikes from the

air or direct action on the ground,” Mr Carter said, using an alternative acronym for IS. “We expect to intensify our air campaign, including with additional US and coalition aircraft, to target ISIL with a higher and heavier rate of strikes,” he said.

“This will include more strikes against ISIL high-value targets as our intelligence improves.”

A US-led coalition began air strikes against IS positions in Iraq and Syria last year. President Barack Obama said the objective was to “degrade and ultimately destroy” IS. Although President Obama has not committed ground forces to Iraq, the US has about 3,500 troops in the country who have been helping to train Iraqi forces and also have a limited combat role.

Russia started its own air strikes in Syria at the end of last month, saying it wants to help President Bashar al-Assad defeat IS and other extremists.

But Washington has strongly criticised the Russian campaign, arguing that it has been focused on rebel opposition fighters and that it will only fuel more extremism.

Mr Carter said the fight against IS would now concentrate mostly on Raqqa, the militants’ declared capital in Syria, and Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province in western Iraq.

He did not divulge the circumstances under which the US might carry out operations on the ground on its own. “[But] once we locate them, no target is beyond our reach,” he said.

Meanwhile, US state department spokesman John Kirby said it was unclear if Iran’s leaders would attend talks

starting in Vienna this week.

Top envoys from the US, Russia, Arab and European nations are taking part.

Iran is an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and is believed to have spent billions of dollars over the past four years to prop up his government, providing military advisers and subsidised weapons, as well as lines of credit and oil.

It is also thought to have been influential in the decision of Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement to send fighters to Syria to assist pro-Assad forces.

Syria’s Western-backed opposition and the US’s Gulf Arab allies have long opposed Iran’s role in the Syrian war.

BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins says that while Washington is certainly not welcoming Iran to the Syria talks, it will now tolerate Tehran’s involvement.

Iran to attend Syria talks in Vienna

I

ranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will attend international talks on the Syrian crisis being held in Vienna this week, a government spokeswoman has said.

It will be the first time that Iran - an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - has attended such talks.

Earlier, the US said an invitation to the meeting had been extended to Iran.

The talks will include foreign ministers from the US, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Officials from Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon could also be involved, Russian diplomatic sources said.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called for a “widening of the dialogue” on Syria, when he spoke to reporters.

Iran is believed to have spent billions of dollars over the past four years propping up President Assad’s government, providing military advisers and subsidising weapons.

However, Syria’s political opposition has warned that Iran’s involvement will only complicate the meeting in Vienna.

Both Iran and Russia another ally of President Assad - have recently stepped up their military role in the Syrian conflict.

Rouhani

Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg: India crucial to ‘next billion

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Mr Zuckerberg visited the Taj Mahal on Tuesday

acebook boss Mark Zuckerberg has said India will be crucial to getting “the next billion online” and helping to combat poverty.

Speaking to college students in Delhi, Mr Zuckerberg said expanding Internet access was key to economic growth.

Reports say some 900 students turned out for the session at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

Last month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the headquarters of Facebook in California.

With more than 130 million users, India is Facebook’s largest market outside the United States.

“If you really have a mission of connecting every person in the world you can’t do that without connecting people in India,” Mr Zuckerberg told the students.

“We have the second biggest community in India and we want the next billion to come online.”

Mr Zuckerberg said Internet access helped create

jobs and lift people out of poverty.

Last month, Mr Modi hailed the political power of social media during his visit to the Facebook headquarters.

Mr Modi has said he wants to connect all India’s villages to the internet - around a billion Indians currently lack internet access.

Facebook says its internet.org project, which offers free access to a bundle of mobile phone web apps, can help get the developing world online.

But it has drawn criticism in India, accused of favouring Facebook over local services.

“We have a moral responsibility to look out for people who do not have the Internet... and make sure the rules don’t get twisted to hurt people who don’t have a voice,” the Facebook CEO said on Wednesday.

Mr Zuckerberg visited the Taj Mahal on Tuesday.

“It is even more stunning than I expected. It’s incredible what people can build - and what love can motivate us to build,” he wrote on Facebook.

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

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Europe & Americas

US vows to repeat sail-by at China-claimed islands

Dominican Republic demands French pilots’ extradition

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T

he United States has vowed to continue sailing more naval warships near disputed islands in the South China Sea, risking escalating tension with China, which has claimed a vast territory in the area.

“We will do it again. We sail in international waters at a time and place of our choosing,” a US official said in an interview with the AFP news agency on Tuesday.

The USS Lassen, a guided-missile destroyer, sailed within 22km of at least one of the man-made land formations claimed by China on Tuesday.

The patrol came within the internationally accepted limit of a nation’s territorial claim, according to the US. The US and other Southeast Asian countries, with competing claims to the area, say these are international waters open to anybody.

Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the 22km (12 nautical miles) limit cannot be set around man-made islands built on previously submerged reefs.

The US official, who spoke to AFP on the condition of anonymity, said the “freedom-of-navigation” patrols were expected to become more frequent.

The move prompted Beijing to summon the American ambassador and denounce what it called “coercive actions that seeks to militarise” the disputed waters.

China’s Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui told US Ambassador Max Baucus, that the patrol was “extremely irresponsible”.

Earlier, Beijing sent a guidedmissile destroyer and a naval patrol ship to shadow and give warnings to

Washington worries that China has built up its outposts with the aim of extending its military reach in the region. the US warship “according to law”, China’s defence ministry said.

Beijing said that the warship illegally entered Chinese territory and threatened its “sovereignty”.

Foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Washington should “correct the mistake immediately” to avoid “further harm” to Chinese-US relations In Washington, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter confirmed that the warship passed within 22km of a Chinese artificial island.

US state department spokesman John Kirby told a regular briefing that setting the dispute aside, “the USChina relationship is vitally important and one we want to see continue to

improve and to grow for the benefit of both our countries, not to mention the region”.

The Philippines, which has filed an arbitration case with the United Nations questioning China’s sweeping claims over the sea, led US allies in the region in hailing the warship’s passage through the disputed waters.

“I think everybody would welcome a balance of power anywhere in the world,” Philippine President Benigno Aquino said.

A l Ja ze e ra ’s Ro b M c Bri d e , reporting from Beijing, said there is also a widespread regional support among China’s neighbours for American action.

China has been on a reclamation and construction spree in the disputed South China Sea despite objections by other claimants, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, a key shipping lane, with overlapping claims to the sea’s potentially rich mineral resources.

S e c u ri t y e x p e rt s h a ve s a i d Washington’s freedom-of-navigation patrols would have to be regular to be effective, given Chinese ambitions to project power deep into maritime Southeast Asia and beyond.

EU referendum: PM Cameron makes reform case in Iceland

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avid Cameron will continue to push his case for changes to the UK’s relationship with the EU when he meets other leaders in Iceland later.

Iceland and Norway are outside the European Union but are part of the European Economic Area, which allows them to trade in the single market.

But Mr Cameron is expected to say that arrangement will not work for the UK. A Number 10 source said Norway accepts some EU rules with little say in the decisions made in Brussels.

Oslo also pays about 600m euros (£432m) a year to the EU. “Unlike the UK, Norway has no veto in

the European Council, no votes in the EU’s council of ministers, no MEPs or votes in the European Parliament, and no European commissioner to help,” the source said.

Norway is also signed up to Europe’s free movement rules, the source said, so a similar arrangement for the UK would do little to reduce the number of EU migrants heading to Britain.

Some British Eurosceptics look to Norway’s position as a model for the UK if it were to leave the EU. BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said: “This summit in Iceland will mark a change in David Cameron’s tone and pace.

“Until now he has avoided saying too

Mr Cameron will meet the prime ministers of Iceland and Norway during his trip

much about the campaigns to stay and leave - as he tries to get a better deal for the UK inside the EU, and retain the option of leaving if he can’t.”

The UK will hold an in/out referendum on EU membership by the end of 2017.

Dominic Cummings, director of the Vote Leave campaign, said his group did not support the “Norway option” for the UK if the public backed severing ties with Brussels in the in/out referendum promised by Mr Cameron.

“After we vote leave, we will negotiate a new UK-EU deal based on free trade and friendly co-operation,” Mr Cummings said.

“We will end the supremacy of EU law.

“We will bring back control including over trade deals and migration.

“This is safer than voting to remain which means giving more power and money to Brussels every year.”

Mr Cameron is expected to have talks with the leaders of both Iceland and Norway at the Northern Future Forum, a grouping which also includes EU members Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden.

The prime minister’s official spokeswoman said the meeting in Iceland was an opportunity for Mr Cameron to have discussions with EU leaders about the UK re-negotiation.

“That is what the PM is focused on,” she said.

“He has been clear that he thinks there are reforms we can secure to address the concerns of the British people and that it is the UK’s interest to be in a reformed EU.”

he Dominican Republic says it will seek the extradition of two French pilots who fled the country after being convicted of drug trafficking.

Arrested in 2013, the pilots were sentenced to 20 years in prison after police found 26 suitcases on their plane stuffed with 680kg (1,500lb) of cocaine.

They fled the country after being released from prison while on appeal.

Speaking in Paris, their lawyer denied they were fleeing justice.

But Dominican Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito said his office was in contact with the French authorities “to determine how they escaped the country, and their accomplices”.

He also said that state prosecutors had opposed the decision to allow the pilots to be released under judicial supervision while their appeal was processed.

“It doesn’t make the slightest sense that a foreigner accused of drug trafficking should be granted a relaxed form of restrictions,” he said.

“We are proceeding with a request for an international arrest warrant for the pilots involved.”

The French government has stressed that it had nothing to do with their escape.

“The decision of Pascal Fauret and Bruno Odos to return to France was a decision individual to them, “ said a statement issued by the French embassy in Santo Domingo.

In a media conference in Paris on Tuesday, Mr Fauret insisted that the pilots were innocent.

He said the Dominican authorities had “condemned us to 20 years in prison for the sole reason that we were French”.

The pilots’ lawyers say they have contacted the French magistrate in charge of their case and are keen to clear their name.

“They are in France not to flee justice but to seek justice,” their lawyer Jean Reinhart told the AFP news agency.

Slovenia to build fence if EU fails to help over migrants

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lovenia has threatened to erect a fence along its border with Croatia if an EU plan agreed on Sunday is not implemented.

Some 85,000 refugees have poured into the tiny nation in the last 10 days, after Hungary closed its Croatia border.

To Hungary’s north, Austria has also been beefing up barriers at its border crossings to control large crowds.

The approach of winter has so far done little to slow the flow.

The UN estimates more than 700,000 migrants have crossed to Europe by boat so far this year - mainly from war-ravaged Syria.

Most have been making their way to northern Europe. Some transit countries have been seeking to limit the influx, leading to bottlenecks and tensions with neighbours.

On Tuesday, European Council President Donald Tusk warned that crisis could create “tectonic changes in the European political landscape” - and “not changes for the better”.

On Sunday, 11 EU states and three non-EU countries agreed to set up reception centres with another 50,000 spaces in Balkan countries, and send 400 guards to assist Slovenia within a week.

But EU members have previously been slow to deliver on pledges of such assistance. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker complained on Wednesday that fewer than half of the 775 border guards pledged to the Frontex border agency over the past month had been provided.

He also said that promises of financial support had not been kept.

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Page 39

Strange

world

World’s heaviest man who weighs almost 1000 pounds transported from his bed by Seven people using special stretcher for a gastric bypass

T

he world’s heaviest man - who weighs in at a staggering 960 lbs - is going for fat reduction surgery tomorrow.

A team of seven staff had to help hoist Andres Moreno out of bed and onto a special reinforced stretcher to transport him from his home in Obregon City to a Guadalajara hospital for the gastric bypass on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old had become bed bound over recent years due to his weight and also suffers from a variety of serious illnesses.

Medics will remove the majority of Moreno’s stomach, around 70 per cent, and re-route a lengthy portion of his small intestine at the Mexico Gastric Bypass unit in the Arboledas Hospital.

The procedure is used in morbidly obese patients to reduce meal quantities and the absorption of calories from food in a bid to make them lose weight.

But the surgery poses a real risk to Moreno’s life as doctors have rarely carried out such an operation, which must be done under anesthetic, on someone of his size.

Surgeon Jose Castañeda admitted his weight even posed a difficulty to equipment such as the operating table which had never carried so much before.

But, just a few hours before he was due to go under the knife, Moreno was optimistic about his chances and was hopeful for a ‘second chance’ at a normal life.

‘I start a journey that must carry me to a new phase of life, a new chapter and I hope to a new book altogether, different and far from the prison that my own body has become,’ Fox News Latino reported.

Moreno said he had always been on the large side.

He was born weighing a hefty 13 lbs and by the age of ten was already tipping the scales at 264.5 lbs. A healthy ten-year-old typically weighs anywhere between 57-100

lbs.

Moreno added that he now just wanted to overcome the surgery to ‘be someone with a normal body.’

The Director of Mexico Gastric Bypass board, Judith Tavares, added: ‘Andres is like a vase that has suffered several blows and we do not know at what point it can shatter.’

Moreno is the second Mexican to claim the title of fattest man after the Guinness World Record awarded Manuel Uribe with the title of heaviest man alive in 2006.

At his biggest, Uribe, from Monterrey, weighed a shocking 1,230 pounds (560 kilograms) and had been bed ridden since 2002.

But after a television appeal for help, he began receiving medical assistance and slowly started to lose weight.

By the following year, he had lost almost 400 lbs to slim down to 840 lbs.

Sadly, despite his incredible weight loss, he was still morbidly obese and was never able to stand up on his own again.

That didn’t stop him marrying Claudia Solis in 2008 - one of the few occasions he left his home during the past decade.

He passed away last year aged only 48.

He proceeded to put weight back on; in December 2009 he weighed 416 kg (917 lb; 65.51 stone) and in March 2012 444.6 kg (980 lb; 70 stone).

Mexico has one of the world’s fattest populations, with 70 per cent of people overweight and a third of them are obese, causing a range of serious health problems.

The country also suffers one of the worst rates of diabetes which kills more than 80,000 Mexicans every year.

Once reserved for special occasions, many Mexicans with sedentary jobs are now indulging daily in fat-heavy tacos, tamales and quesadillas, as well as American fast food.

Mexico may still be battling mal-

Mexican Andres Moreno, the world’s heaviest man, is going for fat reduction surgery tomorrow

Heavy: Uribe, pictured in 2006, had to be taken to the hospital with a crane by emergency and civil defense workers

Moreno’s friend holds up a pair of his huge trousers as the 37-year-old prepares to go into hospital for weight loss surgery

nutrition and hunger among some of its poor but now it is also managing to claim the largest number of overweight people, according to a UN report.

The fat epidemic is most prominent among the poor and the young - many of whom also suffer from malnourishment because of poor diet.

Experts say four fifths of overweight children will remain so their entire lives.

Abelardo Avila from Mexico’s National Nutrition Institute said: ‘The worst thing is the children are becoming programmed for obesity.’

The United Nations Food and

Agricultural Organization (FAO) announced two years ago that the national weight gain had reached emergency levels, but it has proved difficult for the authorities to tackle.

Part of the difficulty is that the crisis has taken hold rapidly - In 1989, fewer than 10 percent of Mexican adults had any weight problems.

Studies show that Mexicans are eating more processed foods than ever before and fewer whole grains and vegetables.

However, it’s the U.S. that still holds the dubious honor as being home to the heaviest person in medical history.

Jon Brower Minnoch, who suf-

fered from obesity since childhood, weighed more than 1,400 lbs when he visited University Hospital, Seattle in 1976.

It had taken a dozen firefighters to get him to the hospital where two beds had to be tied together for him to lie down. It took another 13 medical staff just to roll him over.

Minnoch was put on a strict diet of 1,200 calories a day and had begun to lose weight before his death in 1983, aged 41, from a massive edema.

When he died he still weighed more than 798 lbs.

Dailymail

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Page 40

Digest

Could the Mediterranean diet make your brain five years younger?

By Colin Fernandez

A

Mediterranean diet could help to stop our brains shrinking as we age, researchers say.

A study of people with an average age of 80 showed that those who had followed the diet, which is rich in vegetables, fruit and olive oil, had bigger brains.

It suggests that people could prevent their brains shrinking simply by changing their diet.

Eating more fish and less meat was also associated with less brain shrinkage, the US study of 674 people found.

Lead scientist Dr Yian Gu, of Columbia University in New York, said: ‘These results are exciting, as they raise the possibility that people may potentially prevent brain shrinking and the effects of ageing on the brain simply by following a healthy diet.’

‘The magnitude of the association with brain measures was relatively small, but when you consider that eating at least five of the recommended Mediterranean diet components has an association comparable to five years of ageing, that is substantial.’

Dr James Pickett, of the Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘There is an increasing amount of evidence that eating a healthy diet, rich in

fish, vegetables, legumes and nuts, is good for your brain.’

However, he insisted that this study, which was published in the journal Neurology, ‘does not prove that a Mediterranean-style diet can stop your brain from shrinking as you age’.

He added: ‘Other key ways to keep your brain healthy is to take as much physical exercise as you can, stop smoking and keep your blood pressure in check.’

Brain shrinkage is seen in patients with dementia.

But Dr Laura Phipps, from

Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: ‘While this study suggests there is an association between eating a Mediterranean diet and brain volume in healthy older people, we don’t know whether these particular food choices alter dementia risk.

‘It’s hard to know from this study what the underlying reason for the link between diet and brain volume might be, and what other factors may be involved.’

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Findings: Researchers say a Mediterranean diet could help A study of people with an average age of 80 showed that to stop our brains shrinking as we age (file photo) those who had followed the diet, which is rich in vegetables, fruit and olive oil, had bigger brains. Brain shrinkage is seen in patients with dementia (file photo)

Is banana skin the new ‘superfood’?

By Lizzie Parry

T

hey are traditionally tossed aside, consigned to the rubbish and long forgotten.

But, rather than deserve their reputation as a slippery hazard, the butt of cartoon jokes, banana skins are, in fact, good for us.

Whether you’re partial to a green, yellow or browning fruit, the peel is packed with nutrients that can prove beneficial to the body, While it may strike you as an alien concept to use banana skin in your daily diet, in many parts of the world, notably India and the Caribbean, the peel is used to add flavour and substance to dishes.

And, there is now a growing consensus, which suggests the nutrients, compounds and minerals hidden away within the skin could help aid weight loss, and boost your mood.

Nutritionist Ella Allred told Daily Mail Online while ‘at first the peel may seem like an odd choice of food, investigate further and we realise there are nutritional benefits’.

She said: ‘The extra fibre in banana skins will certainly help with bowel regularity.

‘The nutrition profile of magnesium, potassium, vitamin C and B6 is not something to be sniffed at.’

Laura Flores, a San Diego-based nutritionist agrees.

She told LiveScience: ‘It contains high amounts of vitamin B6 and B12, as well as magnesium and potassium, and some fibre and protein.’

Furthermore, according to a 2011 article in the journal of Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, banana peels also contain ‘various bioactive compounds like polyphenols, carotenoids and others’.

The skins are packed with vitamin A, which aids in healthy teeth, bones and soft

tissue.

While B6 aids the body’s immune system, promoting brain and heart health. It also regulates blood sugar levels, and so can help boost your mood.

And B12, also helps the brain and nervous system. Furthermore, B vitamins and the antioxidants lurking in the skin help stoke the metabolism and can therefore prove useful for those trying to lose weight.

And when it comes to being diet friendly, the peel adds no calories to your daily diet, only extra sustenance.

Vitamin C aids the body in healing, growing new tissue and ligaments, while fibre can help you feel fuller for longer, making the skin diet-friendly.

The peel is also high in the mood-boosting hormone serotonin - a neurotransmitter derived from tryptophan.

As well as helping to give you a life, tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is often prescribed to help treat sleep problems.

Past research has found fibre helps to lower cholesterol, in turn protecting against heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.

High levels of lutein contained within the peel can help protect your night vision.

The compound has also been found to play a role in preventing cataracts and macular degeneration - one of the leading causes of blindness.

Ms Allred said while banana peel is ‘perfectly edible’, they are often heavily sprayed with pesticides.

‘So if banana skin is going to be your new food, ensure that you buy only organic, and scrub them well,’ she told Daily Mail Online.

She added: ‘I can’t imagine that eating a raw banana peel is particularly pleasant, easy to digest or widely socially accepted.

‘If we look at our primate ancestors, they too leave the banana skin, as though it is not normal or natural to consume them.’

So, how best can we benefit from the nutrients and minerals in banana skin?

Ms Allred advises: ‘It’s best to leave the skins for fermentation, dips and other beneficial uses such as whitening teeth, soothing insect bites and stings.’

Typically, banana peels are served cooked, boiled or fried.

They can be added to the blender to add extra fibre to a smoothie, but they are not as sweet as the fruit’s flesh, though the riper the banana, the sweeter its skin.

Furthermore, she added, the banana is not alone in having hidden benefits lying within its peel.

‘The skins of fruits such as oranges and limes are not really easy to digest, but can be beneficial.

Rather than deserve their reputation as a slippery hazard, the butt of cartoon jokes, banana skins are, in fact, good for us.

Nutritionist Ella Allred told Daily Mail Online while ‘at first the peel may seem like an odd choice of food, investigate further and we realise there are nutritional benefits’ ‘They’re perfectly edible, and in small amounts digestible. The thick peels will need to be blended if consumed in large amounts, though it can leave a bitter taste.

The skins of apples, pears, that are traditionally eaten are full of fibre, and just under the skin is the area of most nutrition.

‘If you removed the skin, you also remove the valuable nutrition.’

And it’s not just apples, pears, and citrus fruits that join bananas in offering added benefits in their skins.

Ms Allred said ‘it is a shame’ that the skins of kiwi fruits are not often eaten by people.

‘It is high in fibre, and eating kiwi skins will boost your nutrient intake,’ she added.

‘Ensure that you always buy organic however, the little hairs are perfect for trapping pesticides.

‘It is also far more convenient and easy to eat the kiwi whole, instead of bothering with a knife and spoon.’

However, some experts are skeptical of the fruit peel’s ‘superfood’ qualities.

David Levitsky, a professor of nutrition and psychology at Cornell University told NBC News: ‘People are always looking for a magical food.

‘This carries with it the idea that the root of all happiness lies in food.

‘Food is essential, but it’s not the magic answer to any problem.’

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Adding the peel of your banana to a smoothie is a good way to enjoy its benefits, adding fibre to the drink and helping you feel fuller for longer

Page 26

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Mother Earth

Anxiety in Anambra communities

R

ight now, in many riverine communities in Anambra State, the fear of flooding is the beginning of wisdom.

And you cannot blame the people.

According to an Igbo proverb, when the tsetse fly stings a child for the first time, whenever the child sees a big butterfly he runs for cover.

The flooding currently ravaging many states in Nigeria has woken the inhabitants to the realities of thei terrible experience of 2012.

From Nzam, Olumbanasa, Umueze Anam, Mmiata Anam, Umudora Anam, Oroma-Etiti Anam, Onono, to Ogbaru, Osamalla, Oduche all in Anambra State and many adjourning communities in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states.

The fear of floods haunts both the young and the old. Their apprehension follows the flood disaster that submerged their communities three years ago following the release of water by Cameroon.

Since that incident happened in 2012 till now, many of the affected communities have not recovered

…As fear of flooding grips residents

from their losses. The flood did not only turn them to dependants; it destroyed their farmlands, economic trees and houses. The flood wrecked virtually everything that they had laboured to build in the distant past.

The communities were submerged beyond measure by the enormous weight of the flooding. It left their once bubbling land desolate.

The people lost their entire means of livelihood. It was unimaginable that people who for many years lived in their homes and supplied food to others were forced to live in refugee camps and depended on other peoples’ benevolence to survive.

Indeed, their future appeared bleak, until good spirited individuals came to their rescue. No doubt, the state and federal governments tried their best; but it would have been better if the government had heeded the warning by Cameroon to take precautionary measures to curtail the disaster.

Ordinarily, flooding is a yearly occurrence in most of these places.

Ironically, the flooding could be beneficial to the people who are predominantly farmers and fishermen, as their farmlands become more alluvial and fertile after the flooding. It also enriches their canals and ponds with fishes. But the one of 2012 was unprecedented in the peoples’ history.

Meanwhile, after the 2012 disaster, Nigeria and Cameroon agreed that Cameroon would subsequently issue early warning.

This year, Cameroon informed Nigeria on time that there would be gradual release of excess water from the Lagdo Dam in that country. And they warned that it would result in massive flooding across the affected areas.

In addition to Cameroun’s warning, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency made predictions that the rain would come late, adding that when it does, it would be massive and could be disastrous in terms of environmental impact such as flooding, with its attendant

consequences of loss of lives, property, livelihoods, outbreak of diseases and disruptions of socioeconomic activities.

Also, the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency presented the 2015 Annual Flood Outlook for the country and it also confirms that there was every possibility of flooding.

Stating their preparedness for eventualities, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Nana Mede, said that the government was deeply concerned about the likely loss of lives and property as well as other negative environmental consequences that the floods would bring.

She said that it had become pertinent for citizens living along flood plains to prepare for relocation to areas considered to be safe and remain at alert. According to her, the states that would likely be affected are Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Benue, Kogi, Sokoto, Niger, Benue, Anambra, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Lagos.

A Farmer using pesticide in the farm

Board inaugurates committee to promote safe pesticides use

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Mr Shehu Lawan, has inaugurated a committee which will take charged of promoting awareness on the safe use of pesticides in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Lawan who said this recently in Abuja, that the pesticides could be useful and productive, if used according to the stipulated guidelines and could also harm the environment and cause damage to the lives of people, when not properly used.

The Director expressed concern

that several banned chemicals were still use in spite of the hazards that cause, which necessitated their ban. ``The committee will create awareness to enlighten FCT residents; it’s high time those companies harbouring such banned chemicals stopped and engaged in what will promote our country. ``We are already collaborating with the relevant regulatory organisations in the enlightenment campaign, to fight the evil acts we are facing around our environment. ``Those banned chemicals can cause dangerous diseases and sicknesses that can easily damage the lives of people.’’

He urged other relevant stakeholders to work as a team with AEPB to promote the safe use of chemicals in the environment.

He explained that the aim of the inauguration of the committee was to ensure that people are educated on the handling and usage of chemicals.

He warned that AEPB would arrest companies or individuals found using banned chemicals.

Also speaking, Mr Martins Awofisayo, the Managing Director of Harvest Field Industries Limited, said that the committee would help to identify people using banned chemicals and ensure that such users were punished.

Awofisayo, who is also the committee Chairman,said the committee would work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the exercise was strengthened not only in the FCT, but also across the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee members include representatives of the NAFDAC, Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Others are Abuja Parks and Recreation, Harvest Field Industries Limited, among others while AEPB is the coordinator of the committee.

She explained that the various flooding types to be experienced include river flooding, coastal flooding and flash flooding.

Moreover, she said that flash floods could be experienced in some urban locations such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Birnin Kebbi, Ibadan and other towns along the country’s coastline.

The government urged people living in the outlined areas to immediately clear their drainages, culverts and canals. Emphatically, the ministry appealed to states, local governments, non-governmental organisations, churches, mosques, traditional rulers and communitybased organisations to take immediate steps to sensitize the people and communities as well as ensure that all the necessary things are done to avoid unnecessary loss of lives and property.

In extreme cases, she said, the state governments and local authorities should prepare to evacuate residents. Public places should be designated and prepared for any eventuality. She said that the ministry had already called for emergency meeting of stakeholders to discuss on elaborate strategies for tackling the impending flood.

In Anambra State particularly, the local government areas prone to danger are Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Ogbaru, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Idemili South, Awka North, as well as Ekwusigo and Ihiala.

What would be the permanent solution to this yearly problem?

The reporter sought out the representative of Anambra East/ West Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Peter Mmadubueze.

He said that there was no cause for alarm, noting that all the stakeholders were committed to ensuring that the disaster was contained and palliative measures made available.

He also reminded by the reporter that he pledged during his campaign to make the ecological problem a priority, the lawmaker assured that the needful was being put in place and would be made public very soon.

Similarly, the chairman of Anambra West Local Government Area, Hon. Simon Onuora said that Anambra State Government had taken charge of the problem but he did not give specific details of what had been done.

However, before now, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said that it had taken necessary proactive measures to minimize the envisaged adverse effects.

The executive secretary of SEMA, Chief Paul Odenigbo had already begun a sensitization tour of ten flood-prone local government areas of the state to prepare the minds of the people on the impending disaster. He said that the state government had procured enough speedboats and other basic logistical needs of potential victims of the flood disaster in the Internally Displaced Persons’ camps that had been set up.

Page 27

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Mother Earth

Unending story of Lead poisoning in Nigeria

Ambrose Inusa Sule environment watch globenviron@yahoo.com 0703-441-4410 (sms only)

T

he recent out-break of lead poisoning that has killed over 28 children in Angwan Maijero and Angwan Karo, Madaka District in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, following the activities of illegal miners, is another reminder of the Zamfara lead poisoning that claimed over 1000 lives in 2009.

The problem of lead poisoning debacle in Nigeria has become like a recurring decimal. When it happened in Zamfara in 2009, we had to wait for an agency like Medecins Sans Frontieres (MS) to tell us what to do to remediate the contaminated areas. Only God knows how many people would have died before we were told what to do.

Again, it took some of us to cry out for the federal government to embark on the sanitization of the affected areas before more children were affected.

Within the same period, MSF also cried out that the situation in Zamfara was far from over, as the water supply in the areas become polluted and called on the federal government to do more to deal with the deadly outbreak of this unfortunate lead poisoning.

MSF actually discovered that the situation was under-estimated because many lead-related deaths were never reported, and in many cases, these communities attribute them to other factors or deny them altogether.

It could be recalled that it was during the annual immunization program, that MSF visiting doctors realized children in the region were dying in unusually large numbers. In several villages they saw there were virtually no children.

Villagers said the children had died of malaria and it was only when an MSF took blood

tests from local people that the high concentrations of lead were discovered.

It was later discovered that it was more extensive than anyone ever thought as there were more villages involved, and the lead levels were higher, and the number of children infected was higher than anyone first estimated.

When the incident was first reported, subsequent

“

tests by experts show the areas contaminated was 11,000 parts per million of lead. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency it was at an alarming rate, as the safe level of lead is 400 parts per million.

It could be recalled that in March 2009, an estimated 1000 children were reported to have died, and 30,000 others poisoned in Zamfara state, in the world’s worst recorded outbreak of lead

poisoning. But the sad news was that the problem of lead poisoning in the state persists in the face of several calls both from local and international organizations for the federal government to remediate the affected area as a matter of urgency.

The inaction of Zamfara State government after the alleged warning by the Federal Ministry of Mines about the danger of the illegal mining before it occurred, elicited public condemnation considering the number of people that died and those that were hospitalized.

The blame game between Zamfara State Government and the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development continued, until we had to wait for the United Nations to tell us that, “The lead pollution and intoxication crisis in Zamfara state is far from over.”

The source of the outbreak began after the price of gold shot up and villagers realised they could make more money from exploiting local gold deposits than from farming, as young men began to dig metal ore from nearby mines and process it in their homes in the search for gold.

But they were unknowingly mining lead, and the dust from the processing contaminated their

It could be recalled that it was during the annual immunization program, that MSF visiting doctors realized children in the region were dying in unusually large numbers. In several villages they saw there were virtually no children.

houses. As children play in the dust around water wells, ignorant of the danger around them were contaminated.

To extract gold, deadly amounts of lead were released and soil containing lead deposits was dumped in water sources and in places where children played.

They were actually poisoned by dust released by gold miners breaking open rocks near their homes. Contaminated soil was also dumped in water sources and there were fears that rain had further spread pollutants.

Though, ignorance is not an excuse, but do we have to blame the communities who didn’t know the health implications of their mining activity?

It is possible to do the environmental remediation and also to do safer mining as we need not die in search of livelihood as it can be done safely with education and enlightenment campaign.

The particular activity that gave rise to this out-break of lead poisoning, as in other cases in the past, has been as a result of the informal mining which involves the adoption of unsafe mining practices, giving little or no regards to personal health, that of the general public and the environment.

This was in spite of the establishment of a Special Presidential Mines Surveillance Task Force which the Secretary to the Government of the Federation inaugurated in June 2012 as part of the efforts to curtail the situation.

However, the Ministry stated that it had as follow up in mid2013 by dispatching its Ministerial Task Force to Garin Gabas in the same Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State to evacuate illegal miners from sites there.

The illegal miners whose population of over 1, 000 at the site of the outbreak, but as claimed by the authorities, it will not be an easy task to evacuate them because it has been a informal mining site and activities during the colonial period, like Angwan Maijero and Angwan Karo.

This is an excuse that holds no water. It is expected that all relevant stakeholders should cooperate to see that the various intervention activities by both local and international agencies to ameliorate the current situation result in the realization of the desired effect.

Finally, people need to be educated by telling them the high risk involved in illegal mining, and that exposure to high levels of lead can damage the brain and nervous system, and in severe cases cause seizures, coma and death.

Page 28

Emergency Update

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

When floods wreaked havoc in Niger Analysis

From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna

F

lood which has been ravaging most parts of the country annually destroying properties and lives despite efforts from various government agencies at every level, Niger state is not exempted from the annual disaster.

No fewer than 100 villages Niger State have been submerged in flood a resulting from the release of water from the three hydro- electric dams of Shiroro, Jebba, and kainji power stations from the state.

It was gathered that the flood disaster had affected about five local government areas of the state which were Shiroro, Lavun, Mokwa and Lapai LGAs. The Niger state Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr.Lugard Bijimi made the confirmation to our reporter in Minna, said that 70 villages were affected in Lavun local government area, 10 in Lapai, 10 in Mokwa and over 20 villages in Shiroro Local Governments respectively.

Bejimi stated that the Deputy Governor of Niger state, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso’s village Ketso in Makwa local government was among the several villages submerged by the flood.

While he explained that the Agency had visited the affected villages together with the Surveyor General including Journalists for on the spot assessment reports so as to find a palliative measures to be put in place to alleviate the continued plight of the affected people.

“We are in touch with the state Niger state government and we are consulting on the best way to come to the assist the affected people. However we are of the view that relocating the people from the flood disaster prone areas would be the permanent solution to the problem”.

The NEMA boss in the state emphasized that the managements of the hydro dams had sent warning messages to stakeholders of the villages leaving downstream of the dams of imminent release of water early last month, adding that it was obvious that the dams had started spillage in peace mills.

“There is high water level in the dams and they need to release some of the water to avoid danger” he said.

Accordingly, he said that the Agency had embarked on sensitization of communities living in the flood plains of River Niger and River Kaduna so that the people will be in position to avoid calamity when floods come up.

The population of the people of Ketso about 3,000 of the village other affected flood villages were Zhiwu, Old Muregi, Cegama, Ekpegi, Kpoto, Wuci,

A typical flooding area

and Tate who were completely disconnected from each other as all the access roads were taken over by flood forcing them to only canoe as the means of transportation. The devastation by the flood in such areas have affected their farm lands, houses, animals, health hazard eminent due to water borne diseases that may eventually erupt couple with absence of medical workers might worsen the situation of the people in those areas.

In an interview with the village head of Ketso, Alhaji Idris Alhassan who described the plight confronted by the people as beyond the provision of relief materials but as a matter of urgency appealed to the Federal Government, Niger state government and other relevant agencies to find a lasting solutions to the problems facing them especially evacuating them to an eventual re-settlement.

“

One of the youth, Salihu Yunusa expressed their delight over the concern of the state government and NEMA officials for coming to assess the damages done by the flood just as he applauded the leadership of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello for being proactive.

He said that no life was lost in the disaster while advising the people to be alert in response to flood situation at every moment.

Consequently, about thirty three (33) reverie villages in Lapai Local Government area of Niger State have been sacked by flood from River Niger.

Fifteen of the affected villages are currently submerged by the flood, displacing residents of the villages while the access roads to 18 other villages are washed off by the flood.

Inhabitants of the worst hit villages are currently camping at Primary Schools in Arah and

Dere villages under deplorable living condition. Other villages affected too along River Niger includes Gbami, Rigido, Achiba, Pelle, Achiba, Reba, Arah, Ebwa, Apataku, Dere and Muye-Gbako as well a host of many other villages around the area.

Domestic animals and multi million Naira properties which include residential buildings, schools, places of worship and vast farmland have been destroyed and washed away by the flood.

House of Representatives member representing Agaie/ Lapai Federal constituency, Hon. Mohammed Abdulkadir Mahamud and his State House of Assembly counterpart for Lapai constituency, Hon. Adamu Hassan Abugi who paid a fact finding visit to the affected areas last week expressed concern for the victims.

The two legislators who are indigines of the area assured the affected communities of

The devastation by the flood in such areas have affected their farm lands, houses, animals, health hazard eminent due to water borne diseases that may eventually erupt couple with absence of medical workers might worsen the situation of the people in those areas.

state government determination to alleviate their sufferings by relocating them upland of banks of the two major rivers.

Addressing the displaced persons at Dere Primary School, Hon. Mahmud said the state governor; Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has promised to come to the aid of the affected communities following a reliminary report sent to him.

“We have spoken to the governor of the degree of devastation caused by the flood and he (governor) has promised to come to our aid with a view to relocating our people upland. And I know that the governor will not disappoint us,” the lawmaker assured his people.

He also called for the take off of the Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) in order to address the annual flooding of the area.

“It is high time for states under HYPPADEC to come together and ensure the takeoff of the Commission, so that lasting solution could be found to this perennial flooding and protect our people from suffering annually as a result of flood,” Mahmud appealed.

Earlier the village head of Dere, Alhaji Idris Dere who recounted their losses said this year’s flooding was more devastating and called on the three tiers of government to come to their aid.

Page 29

Feature

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Squeezed between two armies in divided Kashmir T he view from the remote village of the surrounding lush green mountains is scenic. But it can be deceptive.

The village happens to be located just a few hundred metres from the heavily militarised Line of Control, the de facto boundary dividing Kashmir between Pakistan and India.

The mountains are dotted with army check posts.

Random violence by triggerhappy troops is a constant threat here.

The most recent death came on 8 August. The victim was a young woman, a mother of a fouryear old child.

The villagers were celebrating a family wedding at night when a sniper bullet shot her dead, says her husband, Tariq Mohammed.

“The fire came from there,” he says pointing to an Indian army post overlooking the village.

“They [the Indians] turned our celebrations into a mourning, and for no reason.”

More than two weeks after the killing, Mr Mohammed is struggling to come to terms with his loss. He feels angry towards India, but also blames Pakistan for failing to protect its people.

“We are squeezed between these two armies and paying the ultimate price,” he says. “They say they are fighting for Kashmir, but neither of them really cares about the Kashmiri people.”

It’s a similar story on the other side of the 740km (460 mile) Line of Control.

The two armies frequently trade heavy gunfire and mortars, violating a ceasefire agreed back in November 2003. Recent violence has left scores of civilians dead on both sides, with each blaming the other for “unprovoked” attacks.

After a 10-minute walk further up the hill, we pass through maize fields and a fresh water stream to arrive at another house.

There, we meet Javed Ahmed, a retired soldier. On a table in front of us, he lays out spent mortar shells and other Indian ammunition he has collected from attacks on his neighbourhood.

“

On a forested hill on the Pakistani side of the disputed region of Kashmir there’s a small village in Nakyal Sector.

Mortar shells have damaged homes near the Line of Control, the boundary dividing Kashmir between Pakistan and India Over the years, he has lost his uncle in cross-border firing. In other attacks, some of his relatives were wounded, livestock lost and property destroyed.

“No one from the state government of Pakistanadministered Kashmir came to check up on us,” he says dejectedly.

“We were never offered any monetary compensation, even though we are ones living on the frontline in Pakistan’s fight with India over Kashmir.”

The fear and intensity of recent cross-border attacks was so unsettling, it forced hundreds of villagers to leave their homes in search of safer surroundings.

Ms Khatoon (centre) is one of many internally displaced people in the region Mr Mohammed says he lost his wife when a sniper bullet killed her on 8 August

The fear and intensity of recent cross-border attacks was so unsettling, it forced hundreds of villagers to leave their homes in search of safer surroundings.

Since mid-August, about 260 families have relocated to the outskirts of Nakyal town, essentially taking over a hilly slope of tall pine trees to set up makeshift camps - mainly on a self-help basis. But in the absence of any government help, the camps make for a miserable existence.

Since mid-August, about 260 families have relocated to the outskirts of Nakyal town, essentially taking over a hilly slope of tall pine trees to set up makeshift camps - mainly on a self-help basis.

But in the absence of any government help, the camps make for a miserable existence.

“My children are terrorised and traumatised by all that mortar shelling. Sometimes, they can’t eat or sleep. I can’t take them back to the village,” says Zulekha Khatoon, a mother of four children.

Tears roll down her cheeks as she adds: “This is no way to bring up children. We feel like we’ve been abandoned by the (Pakistani) authorities.”

This feeling of having been let

down is widely shared in Pakistaniadministered Kashmir today.

One reason it probably goes unreported is because the Pakistani state likes to have a firm grip over its Kashmir narrative. It does this by denying independent journalists access to the region and by making it difficult for them to work there.

Many journalists reporting on Kashmir experience intimidation and harassment from the Pakistani army - something our team was also subjected to while we were there.

It seems the human cost of the Kashmir conflict on this side of the de facto border is greatly underestimated, and frequently hidden from the public eye.

Source: BBC

Feature Page 30

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Australia refugees: Detention centre ‘gag’ angers medics Australian laws forbidding people working in the country’s detention centres from speaking out about what they see have raised grave concerns in the medical community.

W

hen Peter Young was in charge of mental health services at Australia’s refugee detention centres, he says it became increasingly clear that authorities wanted to “keep the lid” on health issues that asylum seekers were experiencing.

The senior Australian psychiatrist says immigration authorities wanted details about the high rates of mental illness among children at the centres to be removed from his official reports.

He was asked to delete clinical opinions that made a direct link between prolonged detention and mental health problems.

Dr Young was director of International Health and Medical Services (IHMS) - a private health service contracted by Australia’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) to provide health care to detention centres - a role he held for three years.

‘Bad behaviour’ Its services covered the country’s controversial offshore facilities on the Pacific island of Nauru and Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island, where all asylum seekers who try to reach Australia by boat are sent - never to be resettled in Australia even if their refugee claims are proven.

In advising on treatment, Dr Young argued with authorities who considered acts of selfharm by detainees as “a type of bad behaviour, rather than a manifestation of people in extreme states of hopelessness”.

He says he was later refused permission to use data he had collected about health issues in detention centres in presentations or publications.

“They made it very clear this type of information should never get into the public domain,” he told the BBC. Now there is fear that health workers could go to prison for such revelations under new Border Force laws that threaten “entrusted people” with up to two years in prison if they reveal protected information about Australia’s detention facilities.

In recent months, hundreds of doctors and nurses have staged public protests in cities across Australia, posing with their hands over their mouths to highlight the risk of being silenced.

Their concerns are shared

by Australia’s 13 peak medical groups, who have accused the government of trying to “gag” health professionals.

The World Medical Association has also warned the laws are “in striking conflict with basic

Refugees burnt their Nauru detention centre housing in 2013

“

In recent months, hundreds of doctors and nurses have staged public protests in cities across Australia, posing with their hands over their mouths to highlight the risk of being silenced. Their concerns are shared by Australia’s 13 peak medical groups, who have accused the government of trying to “gag” health professionals.

The World Medical Association has also warned the laws are “in striking conflict with basic principles of medical ethics”

Some Australians are unhappy with the offshore detention centre system

principles of medical ethics”.

Critics say the gag is the latest act in a “culture of secrecy” around tough Australian policies designed to stop boatloads of asylum seekers from arriving on Australian shores.

The government is unapologetic about its stance on “stopping the boats” It denies it is trying to silence doctors and nurses or that it wants to suppress health information.

The Border Force says the new laws are to protect “operational security” and insists robust internal mechanisms are in place through which medical concerns can be raised and addressed.

The federal Labor opposition agrees. It supported the legislation and says health workers will be protected by ‘whistleblower’ protections under the Commonwealth Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013.

However, legal experts say it is not clear what sort of information would be protected and there are a range of internal hurdles that could delay or deter disclosures.

‘Chilling effect’ That confusion alone may suit the government, says human rights lawyer George Newhouse.

“I think the government is very happy with the uncertainty around the laws and how they are likely to have a ‘chilling effect’ on potential whistleblowers,” he told the BBC. Given very restricted public access to Australian detention centres, health and social workers have been key sources of information about conditions.

Two former medical officers at the Christmas Island detention facility, last year graphically catalogued a range of health concerns in an article in the Medical Journal of Australia, saying, among other things, that “degrading, harmful and inappropriate incidents” had occurred at the centre.

Dr Young believes the risk of being sent to prison will discourage medical staff from speaking out in future, even if no prosecutions are launched.

Other detention centre practices like employing staff from developing countries who are not protected by Australian labour or whistleblower laws also “keep the lid on all information flowing out of the system”, he says.

“My position is that the medical profession is expected to speak out when it comes to issues that harm people’s health.

“There would be no controversy if I was speaking about cigarette smoking or asbestos exposure.

“The evidence is very clear that prolonged detention in such circumstances causes a negative health impact, and keeping those health impacts secret makes the situation worse.”

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

PAGE 31

Staff of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) relaxing after a day job, yesterday at Central Area, in Abuja.

Wuye Market saga: How we got 5, 605 subscribers for 1,600 shops –Developer

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he developer of the controversial Wuye Ultra-Modern market in Abuja,All Purpose Shelters Limited, yesterday revealed how the firm wasgiven a list that contained 5, 605 names to be allocated shops,despite only obtaining approval from the Federal Capital TerritoryAdministration (FCTA), to build only 1, 600 shops in the market.

It attributed the controversy trailing the market for years now, whichremains unresolved at the market stemmed from the dilemma.

The Public Relations Officer

(PRO) of the company, Tosin Adeyanju, disclosed that after winning the bid for the project, the FCTAdministration gave the firm a proviso to sell the shops uponcompletion, to traders on the list handed over to it, containing 5,605 subscribers, who already had provisional allocation letters fromthe administration.

According to him, trouble however started when a group of 707 tradersamong the 5, 605 subscribers whose names were handed over to the firm,came up with a request that they were entitled to the shops free andapproached a court for an order of possession of the shops.

“Immediately after we won

the bid, we moved swiftly to commence theconstruction by approaching three banks for loan to execute theproject which the banks responded positively after all documentationswere verified and the C of O in the name of Abuja Investment Companywas deposited as collateral for the loan and work began immediately.

“However, the project has witnessed a lot of challenges which by graceof God we surmounted until this set of traders tried to politicize it,” he said.

He added that a judgment given by the court on April 29, 2015 wasmisinterpreted by some of the aggrieved traders who he

said broke intothe shops and took possession of the shops until security agents were drafted in.

“The conduct of the plaintiffs has been very ridiculous; the other three markets of Kaura, Garki and Mabushi went through the sameprocess and had concluded sales with the previous allottees and business activities have commenced since.

“All Purpose Shelter Limited had been ready to commence operation forthe past two years with over a thousand traders with same provisionaloffer letter already paid for the shops and keys collected.

“We should look at the professionalism and investment that has beenput into this

project and its multiplier effect in Wuye district when the market opens; as traders need to begin to start earning a living fromtheir investment and few Nigerians should not frustrate the goodintention of government “We should not politicize this business initiative that has beenadjudged the best market in Abuja today with state-of-the art facilities; the developer has put the interest of common traderstopmost in the development of the market.

“If we believe in local content as Nigerians, we must not allow someselfish Nigerians to discourage local investor like this in investingin their fatherland,” he maintained.

Pray for peace, prosperity- Cleric enjoins Muslims

T

he Chief Imam of the Bwari Central Mosque, Alhaji Mohammed Mahe, has enjoined Muslim faithful to pray for the peace and the prosperity of the country, in the new Islamic Year.

Mahe made the call in a

recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Bwari, Abuja.

He noted that as Muslim faithful marked new Islamic year 1437 after Hijra, they should endeavour to pray for God’s help, to uphold peace

and progress in the country.

“Prayer is the only solution to our nation’s diverse problems and challenges; we can only enjoy peace and prosperity by seeking God’s intervention through prayers.

“This is the mere reason I

am enjoining Muslim faithful to pray to God to grant our nation continued peace and progress that we long for.

He further enjoined Muslims to abide by the Islamic teachings and practice of Prophet Muhammad as

enshrined in the Holy Books, which are the Qur’an and the Hadith. ``By doing that, you are obeying spiritual commandment and portraying Islamic religion in good light,’’ he said. (NAN)

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY

Council endorses the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan roads. Accordingly, the general public may easily Contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, and Illegal/Wrong Parking to kindly Call KAROTA through the following numbers on – 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can be contacted on – 07051246833, 08191778888.

17TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING 21ST OCTOBER, 2015 (9TH AL-MUHARRAM, 1437AH) and procurement of some spare parts for the smooth day-to-day operations of the Ministry. Most of the vehicles are grounded due to technical and mechanical problems as well as lack of spare parts thereby seriously undermining the Ministry’s operations and to overcome this formidable challenge, the Council approved the release of the amount for the stated commitments. k) Memorandum on Request for Funds for Financial Assistance to Turath College of Islamic Studies The request is for the sum of N5,000,000:00 as financial assistance to Turath College of Islamic Studies to enable it to settle accreditation fees to the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) as well as the recruitment of two of its senior staff by the Government to work as lecturers for the College. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology assessed/examined the twin requests and found them to be valid. In consideration of this, the Council approved the release of the amount to NCCE as accreditation fees in favour of the College and the recruitment of two teaching staff and their subsequent posting to the college.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 17TH EXCO SITTING

PREPARED BY THE COUNCIL AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, KANO.

T

he esteemed Kano State Executive Council held its 17th meeting on Wednesday 21st October, 2015 corresponding to 9th Al-Muharram, 1437AH under the distinguished chairmanship of His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, MFR during which a number of memoranda were presented for due deliberations, consideration and approvals for the execution of projects and implementation of various programmes geared toward uplifting the living standard of the people of the State.

In his brief opening remarks after welcoming members to the meeting, the Acting Chairman explained the Executive Governor could not preside over today’s meeting because he was in Abuja to attend a crucial meeting of the National Council of State.

During the sitting, the following memoranda were presented before the Council by Ministries, Department and Agencies for consideration and approvals for the release of the total sum of N166,861,675.00 were granted as follows: a) Memorandum on Request for Funds for the Execution of Renovation Works at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Headquarters The memorandum was submitted by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requesting for the sum of N48,367,307:61 for the comprehensive renovation of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development offices which are in serious dilapidated condition. The aim is to provide conducive working atmosphere to the workers for optimum service delivery in line with the policy of the present administration in the state. Toward achieving this noble objective, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport team inspected the office complex and assessed the scope of works as well as prepared a bill of quantities in the above sum.

Quotations were also obtained from three companies in fulfillment of the requirements of due process. The Council, therefore, approved the award of the contract to one of the companies, Messrs Idi Aliko & Sons Enterprises that agreed to execute the works at the in-house sum of N48,367,307:61. b) Memorandum on Request for the Free Distribution of Drugs to Sickle Cell Patients and the Conduct of Sensitization Programme to Enlighten the Public on the Disease.

The request was presented before the esteemed Council by the Ministry of Health for the sum of N5,837,000:00 to enable it procure drugs for free distribution to sickle cell patients. The Council was invited to note that sickle cell disease is one of the public health problems that affects a quarter of the country’s population and that it is hereditary, causing various serious health challenges while costing a lot of money to manage. Equally, the Ministry intends to use part of the money requested to conduct sensitization workshop/media programmes with a view to educating the public on ways of managing and preventing the spread of the disease. Having considered the relevance of the request, the Council approved the release of the fund to the Ministry for the stated purposes. c) Memorandum on Request for Funds for the Sponsorship of Programmes for Airing on NTA Kano titled Government House Diary and Karagar Mulki The request was submitted by the Ministry of Information, Youth and Culture for the sum of N1,500,000:00 for the sponsorship of English and vernacular programmes for two quarters, Government House Diary and Karagar Mulki which was started and broadcast fortnightly during the immediate past administration in the State aimed at enlightening the general public on various government’s programmes, policies and activities to court public support and acceptance as well as generate constructive feedback.

The Council readily approved the release of the money for the renewal of the sponsorship of the programmes for two quarters (June-September and October-December, 2015). d) Memorandum on Request for Funds to Sponsor 3No. High Court Judges to Attend Judicial Case Management Course in the United Kingdom The request is from the State Judiciary routed through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for the sum of N8,178,942:00 for the sponsorship of three High Court Judges nominated by the Hon. Chief Justice of the Federation and Chairman, Board of Governors, National Judicial Institutes to attend Case Management Course organized by the Royal Institute of Public Administration (RIPA) International slated to hold from 23rd to 27th November, 2015 in the UK. This programme is of paramount importance as it is designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of judicial administration as it will afford the participants the opportunity to design a case management regime that meets the needs of their jurisdiction and to meet with thought leaders. The Council graciously approved the release of the amount covering return tickets, estacode, course fees, visa processing, etc to enable the nominated Hon. High Court Judges, namely: Hon. Justice Nuhu Y. Galadanci, Hon. Justice Aisha R.D. Muhammed and Hon. Justice Yusif Ubale Muhammaed to attend the course. e) Memorandum on Request for Funds for the Provision of Vehicles to Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta The request is for the sum of N41,370,000:00 for the procurement

INVESTMENT PROPOSALS TO THE STATE BY SOME FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES Council noted the successful conduct of an investment trip to Abuja by the State Ministry of Commerce. During the visit, the Hon. Commissioner for Commerce met with SMEDAN Management on the construction of an international leather cluster at Tiga and the proposed “One Local Government One Product” as well as the Raw Materials Research and Development Centre (RMRDC) on the issue of the proposed Dry Meat Cluster (Kilishi). Similarly, the State team also visited NEXIM BANK Management on loan facilitation to the State business men.

Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR of brand new utility vehicles that include one Toyota Hilux, one Coaster bus, one KIA Cerato, one Toyota 18-seat bus and one farm tractor with accessories for the purpose of meeting accreditation requirements and the increasing transportation logistics and needs of the Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta especially educational trips by students and lecturers in line with NBTE requirement as well as maintenance of the college’s farm with thousands of different breeds of poultry, sheep, cattle, camel, horses, etc. The Council approved the request. f) Memorandum on Request for Funds for the Supply of Vehicles to Meet the Transportation Needs of Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso College of Advanced and Remedial Studies, Tudun Wada The request is for the sum of N35,200,000:00 for the supply of one unit of Toyota Hilux, one unit of a Coaster bus and one unit of Toyota 18-seat bus for the Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso College of Advanced and Remedial Studies, Tudun Wada, Tudun Wada Local Government Area. The vehicles are to meet the accreditation and logistic requirements which involve educational trips by students and lecturers of the departments of biology, geography, fisheries, geology, etc. having critically considered the request, the Council approved the release of the amount for the stated purposes. g) Memorandum on Request for Funds for the Sponsorship of Labour Delegation to Attend an International Conference in Manchester, England The request is for the sum of N2,198,440:00 for the sponsorship of a delegation from Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso chapter to attend an international workshop on leadership for union leaders titled “The Role of Labour Union Leaders of Academic Institutions in Facilitating Functional Teacher-Education in Line with Global Best Practices in a Developing Nation” scheduled to hold between 16th and 21st November, 2015 at Sheridan Suit, Manchester, England. The amount is to cover registration fees, visa processing, estacode and return tickets for two members of the delegation which the Council approved in view of the immense benefits to be derived and in line with the Government’s policy on manpower development through training and re-training. i) Memorandum on Request for Funds to Enable Government Officials to Attend Special Graduation Ceremony of Students Sponsored

by Kano State At Sharda University, India The request is for the sum of N16,138,835:00 to enable high-ranking government officials to attend the special graduation ceremony of students sponsored by the Kano State Government to study at Sharda University, India scheduled for 7th November, 2015 as well as inspect how other sponsored students are faring in Turkey and United Arab Emirates. The amount is to cover estacode, hotel accommodation, air tickets, visa processing fees, among others. Having considered the relevance of the trip, the Council approved the request. j) Memorandum on Request for Funds for the Repairs of the Operational Vehicles of the Ministry of Environment The request is for the sum of N2,071,150:00 by the Ministry of Environment to undertake the repairs of its 13 grounded operational vehicles

RECEPTION IN HONOUR OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION Council noted the reception ceremony witnessed by the Kano State Governor ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government in honour of the newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir D. Lawal which was held on Saturday 18th October, 2015 at the International Conference Centre Abuja.

FLAGGING-UP OF THE NATIONAL PAYMENT INITIATIVE Council noted the successful flagging-up of the National Payment Initiative on the 7th October, 2015 which is a programme for data capturing and registration of farmers around the State. The State has 130 centres for the programme across the 44 local Government Areas of the State.

STATE DELEGATE CONFERENCE OF THE NATIONAL UNION OF ROAD TRANSPORT WORKERS (NURTW) IN THE STATE Council noted the NURTW State delegates conference on Monday 19th October, 2015 in the State where the Hon. Commissioner for Works represented the Governor and commended the National President of the Union for conducting a free and fair election for both the State and Federal offices. Henceforth, Government will not condone the illegal motor park and the exploitation of passengers by their members while the upgrade of motor parks across the State is surely underway.

FREE EYE CARE PROGRAMME IN THE STATE Council noted the successful conduct of subsequent free eye care programme which was organized by the State Ministry of Health in collaboration with Al-Basar Foundation held from 15th to 20th October, 2015 where 400no. persons were operated on for cataract, 500no. glasses were distributed and 1,895 persons were given drugs.

FLAGGED–OFF OF THE OCTOBER 2015 IPDs (IMMUNIZATION) CAMPAIGN IN THE STATE Council noted the successful flag-off of the October, 2015 Immunization exercise which started from 17th to 20th October, 2015 and was launched by the Governor in Tudun Wada Local Government Area.

COMMISSIONING OF DENTAL, PHYSIOTHERAPHY AND OPHTHALMOLOGY UNITS AT 349 NAF HOSPITAL IN THE STATE Council noted with appreciation the commissioning of the Dental, Physiotheraphy and Ophthalmology units at 349 NAF Hospital by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal SB Abubakar and the Hon. Commissioner for Health who represented the Governor on Tuesday 20th October, 2015.

Signed: Hon. Commissioner of Information, Youth, Sports and Culture Kano State

PEOPLES DAILY

Sports

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28

Page

41

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

Mourinho’s agent contact PSG, Inter in case of sack pg43

Nigeria to begin Olympics preparation in November — NSC

pg42

Dream Team

NFF has abandoned my team, Siasia cries out

By Albert Akota

T

he Chief Coach of Nigeria’s U-23 national team, Samson Siasia, has raised the alarm over Nigeria Football Federation, NFF’s insensitivity to the plight of his team as they prepare for the African U-23 Nations Cup which holds in Senegal next month.

The championship is the African qualifying tournament for the football event of Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Siasia, one time coach of the Super Eagles, said that from all indications, the management of the NFF has abandoned his

team to their fate with no resources at their disposal to prepare very well for Senegal 2015.

“Nobody from the football federation is concerned about our daily welfare in the camp. At times, we fuel vehicles to carry us to training. We have not been paid in the last three months, while we’re being owed allowances.

“The players in camp have not been consistent with the training programme because they have to go back to their clubs to play in the league.

The players’ morale is down as most of them have not been receiving salaries

from their clubs. How can one expect good output from these set of players?” Siasia lamented on a Lagos-based radio early on Wednesday.

Siasia, who played 51 international matches for Nigeria, in which he scored 13 goals, and was part of the team that participated in the 1994 FIFA World Cup and won the 1994 African Nations Cup, disclosed that his efforts to draw the attention of the NFF to the plight of his team yielded no results as response from officials was that the football federation is cash-strapped.

“Unfortunately, NFF keeps telling us

that there is no money without giving reasons for this. To me, Nigerians are liars.

It has gotten to the situation that I won’t just sit down quietly and die, I’m tired of the system.

“I want Nigerians to know at this juncture that I won’t be responsible for any bad result that may come out of our campaign in the African U-23 Nations Cup. I should not be held responsible for whatever happens at the championship,” said Siasia.

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to bring the desired change to turn around Nigerian football and by extension Nigerian sports as a whole.

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Page 42

Sport

Emenike sorry to quit Super Eagles

By Albert Akota

E

Emmanuel Emenike

mmanuel Emenike has apologised to Nigeria fans following his shock retirement from international football.

Emenike quit the Super Eagles after five years of service and the Al Ain striker said it was the right decision for him and has called on the fans to accept it.

“I am aware that my fans and some Eagles fans as well as some football stakeholders are not happy with my decision to quit international football, I am really sorry to have shocked the fans, but it was a right decision. I wanted to do it long ago but I thought things could change,” Emenike stated.

“I owe my fans and Eagles supporter a very huge apology. I might have hurt them due to my decision to quit, but the Super Eagles is bigger than anybody and it’s all about coming and going, so I am happy to take the bow now.”

“As human, we are bound to hurt each other in different ways, my decision might not be right to many people but the few who know me will understand why I did it.”

He added: “Ever since my debut for Eagles, I played with my heart, I fought hard because I love the badge, I love the country and I love the fans.

“I am not a selfish player, I know what it means to represent my country and I can

Nigeria to begin Olympics preparation in November — NSC

By Albert Akota

Keffi Pony emerges African Patrons Cup champs Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency Rt. Hon Aminu Bello Masari (Middle) presenting the 2015 African Patrons Cup to the Patron of Keffi Pony, Hon. Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (right) after the final match between Keffi Pony and Maigari Farms ended 7-4, in favour of the former at Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Club in Kaduna on Sunday.

Photo: Bashir Bello From Bashir Bello, Kaduna

K

effi Pony have emerged c h a m p i o n s of the 2015 African Patrons Cup Polo Tournament, which ended Sunday at the Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Club.

They beat the Maigari Farm team 7-4 in the highly competitive final match watched by several dignitaries including the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari and former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi.

Speaking to newsmen after the presentation to his

team, the Patron of Keffi Pony Hon. Ahmed Aliyu Wadada said that proper planning and coordination gave his team the victory.

Speaking further, he said that his team is preparing for this year’s Kaduna International Polo Tournament, where they would be vying for popular trophies.

“As usual Keffi Pony is well ready to participate in this year’s Kaduna International Polo tournament not only that, we are also ready to compete for the popular trophies‘’.

Commenting on his victory at the Patrons Cup,

the former law maker thanked God for giving his team the victory to win the trophy for the first time after several years of competing.

“I feel fulfilled, accomplished, and also feel complete after years of competing and losing, today God gave us the victory. Let me also thank my teammates on this great job of history. With this victory of today, Keffi Pony have bounced back to challenge any team in the game of Polo.”

The six days tournament started on October 20 and climaxed on October 25.

categorically say it that it was a pleasure for me to sing the national anthem and be proud of the colours.

“I laughed when people talk I was disrespectful because I quit. I have plan for myself as a Super Eagles player, I have seen what happened to the past heroes.

Did they announce their retirement or they were controversially forced out? Maybe 10 out of hundreds.

“So, I am really apologising to the fans because they make the Super Eagles team to be interesting for players.”

The Fenerbahce of Turkey loanee admitted the fans criticisms made him a better player.

“Super Eagles fans are patriotic and they are different from critics and hypocrites,” he said.

“The fans criticised us to lift our game, it helped me. I experienced that before 2013 Nations Cup, I was badly criticised but yet the fans still mobbed me everywhere when I delivered as they expected.

“The fans really motivated and gingered me to up my game in South Africa at AFCON 2013 because I was determined to shed blood and make them happy with me for once. And I think I achieved that after I scored my first goal at the Nations Cup. “I was emotional when I saw a banner in the crowd in South Africa with the fans backing me to get the goals. I am really grateful for their support and I equally felt bad to have gone through such goal drought in the team. I am really sorry!

T

he DirectorG e n e r a l , National Sports Commission, Alhassan Yakmut, said that Team Nigeria’s preparation for the 2016 Olympics would begin on November 21.

Mr. Yakmut made this known while speaking with journalists in Abuja.

He explained that the mode of preparation for the Olympics would be different from the preparation for the All African Games.

“Already ground works have been concluded; right

Alhassan Yakmut

now we are making contact with the various centres where the preparation will be done.

“The preparation for Olympics is not going to be like that of the All Africa Games.

“There is no central point of collection of athletes except the last two weeks to the Olympics where all athletes in all the different sports that Nigeria will be participating in will be in a special camp in Rio and then, a day to the opening of the games village, we shall move.

“But our main strategy is that we are going to be

spotless and we are going to be athlete-based.

“So, it’s possible to have six athletes in six different disciplines in athletics and they may not be camping in the same place.

“It depends on where the technical expertise and high quality of infrastructure and scientific support is.”

He said efforts were being intensified to stage the 2015 National Sports Festival which had now been postponed to 2016.

“2015 is winding-up sports wise and the latest information we have from stakeholders is that the National Council on Sports is been proposed for the last week of November and early December in Akwa Ibom.

“This is to decide the fate of National Sports Festival but it is obvious that the festival is going to be sometime in 2016.

“But the good news is that the NSC and the University of Ilorin have entered into an agreement for the hosting of the 2016/2017 editions of the National Youth Games.

“The plan is for it to take place in the premises of University of Ilorin where the athletes will enjoy facilities and accommodations free of charge.’’

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Page 43

Sport

Ahly coach calls for crowd control

N

ew Al Ahly coach Jose Peseiro has urged the club’s supporters to come back to the field of play and support the Red Devils.

The coach was speaking to Ahram Online after their 2-0 win over Ghazi El-Mahlla on Sunday in their second match of the Egyptian Premier League, saying the fans must be allowed back to the stadium.

Goals by midfielders Abdallah El-Saied and Hossam Ghaly were enough to send the Devils to victory.

Still, the coach’s main focus was to say there must be a solution on crowd bans.

“We need to find a solution for the crowd bans as playing without

Super Eagles

Eagles to confront Sihlangu under floodlights

By Albert Akota

T

he Super Eagles of Nigeria and Sihlangu Semnikati of Swaziland will clash under floodlights at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba, in their 2018 FIFA World Cup African Round 2 first leg tie.

The Swaziland Football Association has fixed the match to start at 7pm Swazi time (6pm Nigeria time) on Friday, November 13 at the 20,000 – capacity Somhlolo Stadium, which is an all –standing arena.

Sihlangu Semnikati (which

means ‘King’s Shield’) famously defeated Guinea’s Syli Nationale 2-1 in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Casablanca last month, and then eliminated Djibouti 8-1 on aggregate in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Africa Round One. Football’s world governing body, FIFA, has appointed Germain Koole of Benin Republic as referee for the big match, with his compatriots Bienvenu Dina, Sena Ulrich Houedin and Gustave Eugene Tohouegnon as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively.

Mohamed Bahou from Morocco will serve as the referee

assessor with Joseph Nkole from Zambia to serve as match commissioner.

The Super Eagles, currently rated 52nd in the world, drew a bye in the Round One as the Sihlangu negotiated past Djibouti easily.

The Sihlangu sit in 135th place in the FIFA ranking.

While Nigeria has won three African titles and played at five previous World Cup finals, Swaziland has never qualified for any continental event, talk less the FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles will resume camping for the match in Abuja on Monday, November 9.

fans is very difficult,” Peseiro said.

“We have to repeat what happened in the Super Cup game in Emirates as that added pleasure to the game.”

The call by the coach comes after football spectators have been banned in Egypt since February 2012 when 72 Ahly fans passed away in the Port Said Stadium disaster.

However, in February 2015, the ban was lifted but immediately re-imposed after 20 Zamalek fans died in a stampede at the Cairo Air Defence Stadium.

Ahly lost the league title to Zamalek last season and have already bagged two wins in the new campaign.

Mourinho’s agent contact PSG, Inter in case of sack

Sunderland rejects unfit Obasi

T

r o u b l e d EPL side Sunderland will not sign Nigeria forward Chinedu Obasi because he could not prove his fitness.

Obasi, who is a free agent after he was released by German Bundesliga side Schalke 04, has been training with Sunderland with a the hope of bagging a deal.

A c c o r d i n g to Mailonline, Sunderland has passed on a chance to sign Obasi after he failed to prove his fitness while they need a player who could walk straight into the team.

The Nigeria international, who holds a German passport, will now seek other options.

Jose Mourinho

J Obasi - No Sunderland deal

ose Mourinho’s camp have already started making contingency plans in case he is sacked by Chelsea, sources said, with the manager’s representatives investigating the possibility of moving to Paris Saint-Germain or returning to Inter Milan.

Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham United on Saturday was their fifth in the Premier League this season, and that has led to the club’s board tentatively discussing the idea of dismissing the Portuguese, according sources.

Although Mourinho has not been given an ultimatum and Chelsea owner Roman

Abramovich still wants to give him time to turn a poor situation around, that has not stopped both sides sounding out alternatives in the preparation for the worst-case scenario.

A move to France would also give Mourinho the opportunity to become just the second manager, after Tomislav Ivic, to win leagues in five different countries.

There has already been contact between intermediaries of both camps, sources say, although it has been the same with Inter, where Mourinho won the Treble in 2010 and is still loved by the fans.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

PUBLIC NOTICE IKURU TOWN MEN ASSOCIATION

PUBLIC NOTICE Borno Gargam Initiative

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

Trustees: 1. Bashir Muktar - Chairman 2. Idris Bukar Mohammad - Secretary 3. Abba Tarima Mustapha - Member 4. Mohammad Mustapha - Member 5. Mohammed Alhaji Yusuf - Member 6. Ali Usman - Member 7. Amma Abba Kura - Member 8. Hafsa Tujjani Usman - Member 9.Falmata Kyari Musa - Member 10. Zara Hussaini Usman Aim and Objective: To assist people of Borno in uplifting their standard of living.

To unite and motivate the Youths of Borno in furtherance of their Education.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama - Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE SEVEN SEATERS BUS OWNERS ANAMBRA STATE

PUBLIC NOTICE OPEN HEAVEN PRAYER INTERCESSORY MINISTRY

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. UBULOM LAWRENCE CORNELIUS 2. PAUL AMAMITONG FRIDAY 3. BENJAMIN WILCOX OTIKOR THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CHIEF BONAVENTURE MIKE’S. 2.NZUBECHUKWU ONYIMA MAUREEN .

3. ANACHUWA NGOZI FELICIA. 4. AGBALA RAYMOND MADUABUCHI. 5. AZUKA ONATE. 6. IZUOBA IGBOANUGO VINCENT THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To protect the interest of members.

2. To foster cordial relationship between the bus owners and drivers..

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE AT THY WORD MISSION MINISTRIES THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR THE CERTIFIED TRUE COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, OF 1990.

AT THY WORD MISSION MINISTRIES. CAC/IT/NO 20961.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR - GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P. M. B. 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. Signed BARR. CHINEDUM AMANAMBA

PUBLIC NOTICE

forward EVER UNITED CLUB

this is to inform the general public of the loss of original certificate of incorporation bearing “forward EVER UNITED CLUB” with the following trustees: 1.) EMEKA NNAJIOFOr 2.) EZEMA COSMAS CHINEDU 3.) UGWU LINUS ONYEKA 4.) LIVINUS DURU. All efforts made to trace the said documents proved abortive, if found, kindly return to the nearest police station or corporate affairs commission.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Signed: BARR. FREDRICK OKONKWO EZEMA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 ONORUESE FAVOUR. GENERAL OVERSEA 2.ONORUESE OGHENEKARO MEMBER. 3.ADUNOLA SUNDAY, SECETARY THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO PREACH THE GOSPEL AND DELIVERANCE OF OUR LORD JESUS IN ALL PARTS OF NIGERIA AND ENTIRE WORLD. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: ONORUESE FAVOUR (GENERAL OVERSEER)

PUBLIC NOTICE Universal Learning Solutions Initiative

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR AMENDMENT OF ITS COSTITUTION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 The Trustees are remain the same The aim and Objectives remain the same ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

GLORY LAND ORPHANAGE CENTRE

The general public is hereby notified that the abovenamed has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rev. Sylvester Oreweme - Chairman 2. Mrs. Tayo Oreweme - Secretary 3. Oreweme Esther Osemudiame 4. Oreweme Dorcas Iyanuoluwa THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To take care of orphans.

2. To organize competitive football and other sports competitions between the centre and other organized bodies and within the centre itself.

Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE THE ROYAL AMBASSAGE LIVING CHURCH INT’L

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

Trustees: 1. PASTOR EZEKIEL ABUTU 2. MR TOM ILE ABUTU -SECRETARY 3. MRS NAOMI ABUTU 4. REV DAVID FARUNA 5. ELDER PAUL AUDU Aim and Objective: 1. TO ADVANCE THE KINGDOM OF GOD THROUGH PREACHING THE WORD OF CHRIST. 2 .TO WIN LOST SOULS BACK TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 3. TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama - Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE IBOM BELIEVERS ASSEMBLY The general public is hereby notified that the above-named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Ernest Awakessien 2. Nathaniel Hanson THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To create a forum through which lives can be better, richer and fuller with opportunity for each according to ability of achievement regardless of class or circumstances of birth.

2. To enlighten members that success and upward social mobility is achievable through hard work.

Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: BARR. NYAKNNO-ABASI ETUK 08060078463

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known as MUSA ISAH NIMATU now wish to be known and addressed as MUSA ISAH OMUYA. ALL former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as HAFSAT ABUBAKAR now wish to be known and addressed as HAMSATU BUKAR. ALL former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS. BUKOLA LATIFAT OLADIMEJI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. BUKOLA LATIFAT BUHARI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known as ONUOHA CHIDINMA PROMISE now wish to be known and addressed as BUSARI CHIDINMA PROMISE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I FORMALLY KNOWN AS SUNDAY OMEBENWABU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS SUNDAY OGBONNA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ZENITH BANK PLC, DIAMOND BANK PLC AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

umar - I formerly known as zainab garba hassan, now wish to be known and addressed as zainab abdulrahaman mohammed. ALL former documents remain valid. UBA PENSIONS CUSTODIAN AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

PUBLIC NOTICE OGBECHIE SAVE A LIFE FOUNDATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR. OKOLIE AKWUADIKA CELESTINE 2. BOLUM ISAAC AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO EMPOWER YOUTH IN THE AREA OF SCHOLARSHIP AND ASSIST WIDOWS BY EMPOWERING THEM WITH RELIEF ITEMS AS WELL ARTISANS. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B 198, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED DR. OKOLIE AKWUADIKA CELESTINE

PUBLIC NOTICE EBUKA OKAFOR FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.CHIEF (SIR) EBUKA OKAFOR - CHAIRMAN/PRESIDENT 2.LADY FRANCISCA AGBSI - MEMBER 3.PHARM. NNABUIKE NNAMANI - MEMBER THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO FACILITATE THE PROCESS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND INTEGRATION OF WIDOWS, THE UNDER-PRIVILEGED AND VULNERABLE PERSONS IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED:ONYEUKWU & Co. LEGAL PRACTITIONER 3 ABIMBOLA SHODIPE STREET, SURULERE, LAGOS.

PUBLIC NOTICE ASSOCIATION OF FAITH WINNERS VICTORY PROPERTIES VICTIMS

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PROFESSOR JOSEPH NAMI UKWEDEH - CHAIRMAN 2.MR. CHUKWUYEM OKOH 3.MR. VINCENT ADEBAYO OYEFESO 4.MRS CHARITY DURKWA LAKKA - SECRETARY 5.MRS ESTHER UZOAMAKA CHIAKOR THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO CREATE A FORUM UPON WHICH THE NUMEROUS VICTIMS OF THE SALE OF PLOTS OF LAND IN AND OUTSIDE ABUJA BY STAFF OF NIGERIA SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS (NSCDC) COULD PURSUE JUSTICE, SEEK REDNESS AND COMPENSATION FOR THEIR LOSS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

Page 45

PUBLIC NOTICE ASSOCIATION OF CHANDLERS AND SHIP SUPPLIERS OF NIGERIA

PUBLIC NOTICE BOUNDLESS CARE AND CHARITY FOUNDATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CHIEF JOSEPH YOMI AKERELE – CHAIRMAN 2. ENGR. GABBY DIMUDE – SECRETARY 3. MR. VICKSON O. AGHANENU 4. MR. ADEMOLA OGUNDARE 6. MR. ALEXANDER OGHARANDUKUN 7. MR. SIKI FIBERESIMA THEAIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote the economic interest of its members, afford them the means of mutual helpfulness, mental and moral improvement, social interaction and a medium to exchange ideas on matters affecting the operations of ship chandlers in Nigeria.

2. To ensure that the relevant laws guiding the operations of ship chandelling and supplies in Nigeria are fully implemented for the benefit of members.

3. To ensure that ships get good services/supplies from our members.

4. To liaise with similar international and local associations for mutual benefits that will enhance the interest of members.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B 198, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight 28 days from the date of this publication. signed Orji godwin o.

08035444684

This is to inform the general public that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

PUBLIC NOTICE QUARRY TIPPER’S OWNERS & DRIVERS ASSOCIATION AKURE

PUBLIC NOTICE LIKE CHRISTIAN MINDS SUPPORT OUTREACH

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ADENEKO EBENEZER-CHAIRMAN 2. APOSTLE AJISAFE OMOBOMI 3. CHIEF RUFUS ADEOYE 4. BOLARINDE AKINLOLU JOSEPH -SECRETARY 5. FESTUS AGBOOLA 6. LASISI BAKARE 7. ABIDAKUN OLUWAFEMI AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote the welfare of members of the Association ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: AGBAMINOJA O. GEORGE 1247, Aminu Kano Crescent Wuse, Abuja 08072268081, 08039715525

PUBLIC NOTICE EYE GATE CHILDREN’S OUTREACH

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ADAOBI TRICIA NWAUBANI - CHAIRMAN 2.ANDREA OGUNBA - SECRETARY THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.ENGHTENING THE MINDS OF RURAL CHILDREN IN NIGEIA THROUGH VISUAL AIDS SUCH AS CHILDREN EDUCATIONAL SHOWS, FILMS AND CARTOONS TO EXPAND THEIR MINDS BEYOND THEIR RURAL COMMUNITIES.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR. UCHECHUKWU CHRISTIAN ALEKE 2. PROPHET SAMUEL IKECHUKWU OKAFOR THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To provide succour to the vulnerable individuals in the society 2. To identify and award scholarship to those in need of educational aid and support.

3. Provide medical assistance to those in need of medical care.

4. To encourage the development of personal and vocational skills.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B 198, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed Orji Godwin O. 08035444684

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PASTOR (MRS) BASSEY OROK KOOFFREH - CHAIRMAN 2.HON. JUSTICE EDEM ITA KOOFFREH - MEMBER 3.MRS THERESA EPHRAIM AKPIEYI - MEMBER 4.MRS MARY EPHRAIM EGBAS - SECRETARY 5.MR KENNETH OVAT EGBAS - MEMBER 6.PROF. MIRANDA IBILOLA DOSUNMU - MEMBER 7.DR. ARIT ESSIEN - MEMBER 8.EVANGELIST ITAM STANLEY UNAH THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To spread the gospel of Christ through crusades and community outreach.

2. To provide health care services to the less privilege in the society through our medic kiosk Initiative.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED:EMEKA IBE, ESQ 08033212755

PUBLIC NOTICE CHURCH OF NIGERIA ANGLICAN COMMUNION DIOCESE OF MINNA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Rt Rev. Daniel Abubakar Yisa 2. Barr Abraham Ndana yisa 3.Rev Canon Daniel Saba Yisa 4.Mrs comfort kolo THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.To propagate the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: ALI AKABA & COMPANY 08035921219

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: BARR. CHINELO N. ANAZODO 08033441339

PUBLIC NOTICE INITIATIVE FOR LEADERSHIP AND ECONOMIC WATCH IN NIGERIA

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF FIRE REVIVAL FAITH CHURCH WORLD WIDE

PUBLIC NOTICE AWka blacksmithing association of Nigeria

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.AMB AGBONKPOLOR SPLENDOR 2.OBANOR UYI ESLEY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PROMOTE GOOD GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP. 2.TO PROMOTE SOCIO-ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR KEMI EGBEOLA 08065271008

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PASTOR Samuel Abel - General Overseer 2. Pastor (Mrs.) Chinelo S. Abel 3. Prophet Frank Ene 4. Elder Solomon Irokanulo- Chairman 5. Elder Cyril Nwosu - Secretary 6. Elder Eze Celestine 7. Hon. Livinus Okwor 8. Anichie Abba THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.To preach the gospel of our Lord.

2.To heal the sick.

3. To administer the gospel of reconciliation in marriages and homes.

4. To promote welfare of members, respect for Human rights, access to justice and care for the needy, destitutes and the broken hearted.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CHIGBATA, OBIOLAH MICHAEL (CHAIRMAN) 2. NWUDE, OKECHUKWU ANTHONY (SECRETARY). 3. OKAFOR, OBIORA .Emmanuel 4. MICHAEL OKPALA 5. IBEGBU, SIMON CHIBUOGWU THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To protect the interest of members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

PUBLIC NOTICE MEDIA RIGHTS WATCH INITIATIVE The general public is hereby notified that the above-named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Kufre Okon 2. Mr. Bassey Etim THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To promote human rights and social justice in Nigeria and the world in general through public campaign.

2. To partner with Government at all levels, private organization and spirited individuals in providing access to justice, awareness of human rights and prison decongestion.

3. To educate citizens on their civil rights through policies and programmes.

Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: BARR. NYAKNNO-ABASI ETUK 08060078463

PUBLIC NOTICE OMOKU COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

PUBLIC NOTICE

G5O FRIENDS CLUB

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. AGBAKOBA CHUKWUEMEKA 2. MMADU DESTINY 3. OZOEMENA IKENNA JUDE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To assist its members who has needs for welfare ( social, events, burial, traditional wedding, child dedication, etc ).

2. To enhance cultural, social values among its members.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

Signed. EMEKA AMADI. & CO Barrister & Solicitors. 08030866444

legal NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE WATINANI FOUNDATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matter Act 1990 TRUSTEES 1. Alh. Goni Baba Gana 2. Alh. Muh’d Sani Haruna 3. Mrs. Halima Idrissa Gambo 4. Mr. Umar Nalado Abubakar

5. Alh. SulemanAji Makinta 6. Alh.Abdullahi Dahiru Bula 7. Alh. Ajiya A. Musa

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote unity, mutual co-existence and understanding among its

members.

2. To provide educational facilities to boost girl-child education, including but not limited to the less privileged and internally displaced persons.

3. To provide skill acquisition and capacity building for women and

youths.

4. To assist persons with disabilities, widows and vulnerable children.

5. To provide water and sanitation facilities.

6. To creative awareness among the youths on the dangers of drug abuse as well as provide referral system for addicts identified.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar- general Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent Maintains, Abuja, Within 28 day this publication Signed: Secretary, 08130656096

legal NOTICE

The general public is hereby notified that the above-named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Louis Ajie

- Chairman 2. Okoroma Nnamdi Sunny 3. Eze Onwusah

- Secretary 4. Ordu Allen Success 5. Ojobah Lawrence Ikechukwu 6. Onwusameka Ogbowuokara 7. Nwachukwu Obi 8. Eze Allen Uche 9. Achonwo John 10. Onwusa Christopher Uche THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To care for the poor and the less privileged in the community.

Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as NAFI’U MAGAJI now wish to be known and addressed as SHAMSU MOHAMMED MAGAJI. All former documents remain valid. general public should take note.

Space for sale Space for sale

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PEOPLES DAILY, thurSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015

Some Interesting Facts 1. Nigeria is not roughly divided between a Muslim north and a Christian South.

The far north, east and far south do have concentrations, but the rest of the nation defies such demarcations.

2. In the Southwest, Osun, Lagos, Ogun and Oyo have a higher population of Muslims than Christians according to counts. Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau in the north have Christian majorities.

3. According to the Senate joint committee, Nigeria’s chief terrorist leader, AbubakarShekau is not a Nigerian; he hails from Niger republic. {Shekau is believed by security services to be deceased.} 4. According to current demographics, after Hausa-Fulani (29%), Yoruba (21%), Igbo (18%) and Ijaw (10%) comes Kanuri (4%) and then Ibibio (3.5%) and Tiv (2.5%).

5. Not really a northern caucus, but it was

Leisure

late M. K. O. Abiola that orchestrated and sponsored the Buhari / Idiagbon coup and then again the Babangida coup overthrow of Buhari. –Shagari memoir, “Beckoned to Serve;” Babangida, “Karl Maier – Midnight in Nigeria.” (Max Siollun) 6. The leading caucus is basically a childhood friendship: President Obasanjo was childhood friends with President Babangida, President Abacha and Commander Danjuma.

7. President Babangida was childhood friends with President Abdulsalam.

8. President Obasanjo graduated Abdulsalam who later became President and went on to hand over power to democratically arranged President Obasanjo.

9. Under the Presidential system, Nigerians have had 7 years total Northern rule and 11+ years Southern rule.

10. Total civilian rule, Parliamentary and Presidential, Nigeria has had 12 years Northern and 11+ years Southern rule.

11. 6 coups is the highest number of any nation in Africa. Nigeria along with Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Uganda and Mauritania are the nations with 6 coups.

12. The Biafra war included a ‘Mid West invasion.’ The Midwest was either a battle field or in Biafra’s sights—Dr.Nowamagbe A. Omoigui relays.

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CROSSWORD SOLUTION 96

CROSSWORD SOLUTION 95

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

Are you awake? These two cats have a rest in their doll beds, lying side by side Source: Dailymail.co.uk

www.peoplesdailyng.com

QUOTABLE QUOTE The issue of conflict between the farmers and Fulani herdsmen is not common to the South West alon. It is not even common to Nigeria. It is all over the sub region.

. . . putting the people first

THURSday, OCTOBER 29, 2015

SPORTS latest

FC IfeanyiUbah, El-Kanemi Warriors to clash next month

An opportunity for Nigerian businesses

I

By Albert Akota

T

he League Management Company (LMC) has fixed Nov. 4 as new date for the replay of a postponed 2014/2015 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) week 33 match.

The match is between FC IfeanyiUbah of Nnewi and ElKanemi Warriors Football Club of Maiduguri.

The postponement came after El-Kanemi Warriors failed to honour the league encounter originally scheduled for Oct. 11 in Nnewi.

The game did not hold as the Maiduguri club failed to turn up, following the refusal of players to travel to honour the game over unpaid wages.

Salihu Abubakar, LMC’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), said that the new date was to give way for NPFL week 35 matches which were rescheduled

I remain at Man City because of Pellegrini - Toure

M

anchester City’s Yaya Toure has revealed that he only stayed at the Manchester City because of his understanding with manager Manuel Pellegrini.

The Cote d’Ivoire international was speaking to London’s Daily Mail in England, saying he stayed because he wanted to remain loyal to the Citizen’s manager.

“I’ve stayed because of Manuel. He always talks to me, giving me some piece of advice.

He has been aware of my life off the pitch,” said the Elephants skipper.

“He has been like a father to me in difficult moments. I have never felt like that with another coach.

“Before this season, all the players had a talk and we promised the boss we would recover our level.

The Citizens were crowned English Premier League winners in the 2013/14 EPL season, however, they failed to defend the title in the next campaign as they were dethroned by Chelsea.

Advert: 0806 business: 0704 news: 0814 lagos: 0805 0803

—Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

n the 2014/15 Global Competitiveness Report which assesses the competitiveness landscape of 144 economies globally, Nigeria is ranked 134 in the area of infrastructure and a further 136 in electricity infrastructure.

Each year, countries are assessed on national competitiveness to determine the level of productivity and in turn prosperity. Access to power is integral to the growth and development of any country. The availability or lack of energy has a direct impact on the socio-economic wellbeing of its people. With an estimated population of 170 million, Nigeria has proven fossil reserves and abundant renewable energy sources to meet its energy needs. In spite of this wealth of resources, Nigeria’s per capita electricity consumption is 168 kWh, well below the sub-Saharan average of 535 kWh. Irregular and epileptic power supplies have ruined commercial ventures in the country as well as affected regular daily activities and business opportunities. The trend shows that the nation is highly dependent on energy as shortfalls in its supply have adversely affected the country’s GDP and business cycles in the financial sector due to economic fluctuations. Industry, commerce and private households are suffering from a severe shortfall in electricity generation.

In its 2015 edition of Doing Business report, the World Bank ranked Nigeria 187 out of 189 countries with regard to the ease of getting electricity. It takes an average of 260 days for a business in Lagos to obtain permanent electricity connection.

Enter captive generation. This is what we have always done at all levels of business in the country. The industrial sector has been heavily dependent on diesel generators with Nigeria being among the top five major importers of generators globally. Bobby the barber has a small generating set, XYZ bank has two heavy duty diesel generators which work almost nonstop during business operations.

In the two instances, captive power generation is in operation, which simply means these businesses have found an alternative source of power which is entirely consumed by them.

“Estimates suggest that between eight and 14 GW of decentralised diesel generator capacity is currently installed in the country. About 86% of the companies in Nigeria own or share a generator and about 48% of their total electricity demand is covered by these private generators” [GIZ; Mar 2015]. Captive generation which is technically off-grid is ridiculously expensive when powered with fossil fuels. It basically threatens the survival of the businesses in Nigeria, no matter the size.

While large businesses and corporates have the ability and

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WEDNESDAY Column By

Habeeb Salawu

resources to easily expand, this may be more challenging for MSMEs as there are other obstacles they need to overcome in order to thrive. In addressing the cost of doing business in the country, captive renewable energy generation must be promoted and developed to meet the energy needs of companies, particularly with solar photovoltaic (PV) technology.

There is a common resistance about this from various quarters.

People often see solar systems as expensive and an unpopular choice for captive power. This is however changing. For many commercial offgrid applications, solar PV is already competitive with small gasoline and diesel generators based on levelised cost of energy (LCOE). In its report on Low Carbon Development Opportunities for Nigeria (2013), the World Bank recommends that off-grid solutions be developed using renewable energy sources, commenting that “PV and hybrid systems are already economically competitive for many off-grid applications. Gasoline and diesel generators produce power at LCOE between US$ 0.23 and $0.42/kWh. The cost of electricity from PV and hybrid PV-wind diesel systems are in the range of $0.30/kWh and $0.22/ kWh, respectively. As the costs of renewables continue down the

learning curve, and fossil fuel prices in Nigeria revert to global market prices (“export parity”), the economic advantages of renewables will become ever greater.”

Renewable energy has been tested and proven to be a reliable source of alternative energy worldwide. We all recall between April and May this year when the shortage of petroleum products nearly shut down this nation. Businesses suffered, banks were shutting down and so were the hospitals too, however with renewable energy this would not have been the case.

Similar challenges of power have affected businesses in India. As a matter of fact, since 2010 there has been an estimated 7% decrease in turnovers from Indian companies because of power shortages. Captive solar systems have come to their rescue however. According to the Energy Alternative India, in July 2013, after solar PV power production was successfully deployed on some level, the LCOE production from small scale captive solar PV power production cost was about Rs8/kWh (N24) including batteries, and after subsidies and incentives had been factored in the calculations. This was against the regular cost of grid supply, which was Rs4-7/kWh (N12.04 – N21.07) and diesel, which was pegged

at Rs13-18/kWh (N39.13 – N54.18).

This doesn’t include O & M and the environmental costs associated with continuous emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Captive generation comes with some distinct advantages for industrial consumers who can generate the power required for their operations and use electrical power optimally since theoretically there are no technical or commercial losses to be dealt with. There should be strong focus supported by policies to stimulate captive renewable energy generation and lower the use of diesel and other fossil fuels in the commercial sector for improved productivity and socio-economic prosperity.

On the prospects of large scale renewable energy installations in Nigeria, I visited the Feldheim Village, a 100% renewable energy community as part of a trade mission in July, 2015. This village has a solar farm with a total of 9844 photovoltaic modules which produces a total power capacity of 25.2 MWp and annual output of 2748 MWh, enough to cover the annual power requirements of around 600 four-person households; as well as a biogas plant that has an installed electric power capacity of 526 kW with annual biomass input consisting of 8,600m3 of manure, 8,700 tonnes of maize and 190 tonnes of cereal wholegrain all produced and supplied by the local agricultural cooperative within the village. With about 1% of its land mass covered with highly efficient PV modules, Nigeria has a potential for electricity production from solar PV in the range of 207,000 GWh per year.

HabeebSalawu is a Consultant on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.

DAN GAYE Tribunal sacks 21 River lawmakers - News

Lawmaking don get kay-leg.

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