Friday, Januaryu 30, 2015. Edition. by Peoples Media Limited

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Friday, January 30, 2015 Rabi Al-Thani 10, 1436 AH

242-member election tribunal set up >> page 3

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Why APC, Buhari’ll boycott election debates – Campaign spokesman

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N150 Vol. 15 No. 46

No Jonathan, No Nigeria, Tompolo insists

>> page 3

Jonathan, PDP plot state of emergency, APC alleges l INEC, opposition plan to rig in Lagos – PDP l Bad choice recipe for disaster – Kano emir >> page 2

Nigerian refugees in the Republic of Niger, during presentation of relief materials to them by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Wednesday in Diffa Region. Photo: NAN

FG uncovers Boko Haram’s new bombing tactics l Says beware of cobblers, domestic animals >> page 2 291 Days after Will the abducted Chibok schoolgirls ever be rescued?

Fire outbreak destroys 300 homes in Adamawa town >> page 3

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

News CONTENTS News 2-11 Editorial 13 Op.Ed 14 Letters 15 Politics 16-18 Business 19-22 Stockwatch 23 S/Report 24-25 Int’l 27-31

FG uncovers Boko Haram’s new bombing tactics From Umar Dankano, Yola & Joy Baba Yesufu

he Federal Government yesterday alerted Nigerians to new bombing tactics being devised by Boko Haram. The Federal Government announced that it has uncovered plans by insurgents to use cobblers, otherwise called shoe shiners, and livestock to bomb public places. Mr Mike Omeri, the Coordinator of the National Information Centre disclosed this Thursday at a news conference in Abuja to give an update on security situation in the country. According to Omeri, “The insurgents plan to hide explosives in the tool

boxes of the cobblers and detonate them at markets, political rallies, ATM points, restaurant and places of worship. He said that there is also indication of a plan to use livestock such as goats, cows, donkey and camels laden with explosives to attack chosen targets. “In view of this, the general public, including persons operating within and around the aforementioned places, are advised to be vigilant”, Omeri said. He also urged Nigerians to be mindful of suspicious activities in their environment. The coordinator confirmed the release of some persons abducted by the insurgents in Yobe, saying that they were

currently being counseled by the military. He said that they would be released to their families after the counseling. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has announced the liberation of Michika local Government Area in Adamawa State from the enclave of Boko Haram insurgents yesterday, Thursday. Goodluck gave the breaking news at his presidential campaign rally held at the famous Muhammadu Ribadu square Yola, the Adamawa State capital promising Nigerians of his government’s commitment to providing security to all. “I am glad to announce here that the Nigerian troops have just liberated Michika

local Government from the occupation of Boko Haram today and Madagali will soon be liberated too”. He also used the gathering to deny the allegation that, his government is behind the terrorists group (Boko Haram) stressing that, no reasonable leader can ever be behind such ungodly and inhuman act of killing and destroying properties of his people in his own father land just for selfish political reasons. “There is no reasonable leader in the globe who can convene with terrorists to kill his people for political gains or reasons and those peddling such rumor (allegation) against us (presidency), I pray that may God Almighty forgive them.’ He stated

Jonathan, PDP plot state of emergency, APC alleges From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos, Edwin Olofu, Kano & Ahmed Abubakar

Jonathan can’t deal with Boko Haram – APC campaign – Page 31

Vogue 32-33 Feature 34 Digest 36 Metro 37 Newsxtra

Sports 41 Columnist 48

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he All Progressives Congress yesterday accused President Goodluck Jonathan and his party of intensifying plots to scuttle the 2015 general elections next month. Addressing a press conference in Lagos, National Publicity Secretary, APC Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the stopBuhari-at-all-cost campaign is being pursued simultaneously with the push to postpone next month elections, ostensibly because of the low level of PVC distribution but in the real sense an implementation of the stated mindset of the presidency never to hand over to Gen. Buhari, and then set up an interim government. “We call on the international community to take note of the multi-faceted campaign to stop Gen. Buhari at all cost and scuttle next month’s elections to pave the way for an interim government that will benefit no one but the PDP, the Jonathan Administration and its cronies. “We ask those who are mortally afraid of Gen. Buhari to douse their fears and meet us at the polls next month,” Lai Mohammed said. He explained that with just a little over two weeks to next month’s general election, a number of court cases have been instituted in an unrelenting effort to stop our presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari. “At the last count, at least four cases have been filed by those who are undoubtedly fronting for the PDP and the Presidency, and all are working towards the same goal: Stop Buhari, Scuttle

next month’s elections. We expect more cases to be filed in pursuit of this ignominious objective,” he said. He added that the StopBuhari-At-All-Cost campaigners engaged in scandal mongering, that Buhari is not qualified to run because he did not have the prerequisite qualification. “In fact, they so much believed their own lies that they swore to have found a fool-proof way to stop Gen. Buhari. Then their house of lies collapsed when it was proven beyond doubt that our candidate sat for and passed his Cambridge Examination. “Not knowing what to do next, they procured a forged medical certificate from the ‘Ahmadu Bello University hospital’ of their warped imagination, that our candidate is suffering from prostate cancer, but their 419 certificate had barely been unveiled before it was disowned by the authentic Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital. Again, the web of lies woven by the PDP and the Presidency unraveled before their very eyes. “A regime that has nothing to hide or fear will not hesitate to allow international coverage of what is undoubtedly one of the most important elections in the world this year! Information reaching us indicates that most of the foreign journalists who applied for visas to travel to Nigeria, from different parts of the world, for the elections have been kept in abeyance under the guise of security clearance. This is totally unacceptable, and it is another indication that this administration has a lot of skeletons in its cupboard as far as the forthcoming election is concerned. We ask local and international observers to take

note of this, and to immediately take the Administration to task with a view to ameliorating the situation.” Also yesterday the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sunusi II called on the electorate to make a credible choice in the forthcoming elections warning that making a bad choice would be a recipe for disaster. Sunusi II who was speaking yesterday in his palace in Kano when the Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM gubernatorial flag bearer in Kano, Engr. Bashir Ishaq paid him a courtesy visit said the issue of leadership deserve a great deal of commitment and sacrifice, stressing that although one is at a liberty to vote for a candidate of his choice voting for the right person is important. According to him, the Kano Emirate Council is a non partisan traditional institution that was never known to be partisan. “You should make sure that you did not allow your votes to fall into the hands of persecutors. You should not concede your votes to those you know would oppress you” he said. The monarch who spoke at length on the need for avoiding violence in the name of politics also advised the political elites to begin to accommodate the views of one another without prejudice. Meanwhile, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it has noted a deliberate attempt by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disenfranchise its members and supporters in Lagos state by refusing to release their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) to them. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh in a

statement on Thursday said the party has observed that officials of INEC are working hand in gloves with the APC in the state to frustrate the distribution of the PVCs in PDP strongholds as well as to non-indigenes in the state. The PDP described the development as “unacceptable, illegal and part of the criminal plot by the APC to hold on to power in the face of its dwindling popularity among the people who are now eager to vote enmasse for the PDP and end APC’s dictatorial rule in the state. “While we restate our commitment to peaceful and credible elections come February 14th 2015, we will not accept any attempt to scheme us out in any state or states controlled by the APC”, the PDP noted. The PDP said the APC has been jittery over the increasing popularity of President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Olujimi Agbaje and now seeks to compromise the electoral process by manipulating the distribution of the PVCs. Stating that INEC has refused to check the trend despite repeated concerns raised by its state chapter and other well meaning Nigerians, the PDP said the onus now lies on the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega and the leadership of the commission to prove their innocence by immediately intervening and ensuring that all eligible voters in the state received their PVCs accordingly. The PDP also demanded that INEC thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that all those involved are sanctioned in order to restore confidence in the electoral process in the state.

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

News

PDP lifts suspension on Bamanga Tukur From Umar Dankano,Yola

he Peoples Democratic Party yesterday said it has lifted the suspension on a former Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, announced the lifting of the suspension at the

party’s presidential rally held in Yola Thursday in the Adamawa State capital. Recall that Tukur was suspended in December last year for approaching the court in an effort to retake the chairmanship of the party, where he was forced to resign in January last year.

242-member election tribunal set up By Doyin Ojosipe & A’isha Biola Raji

he Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, is set to swear in about 242 judges who have been appointed to form the election petition tribunal in the 36 states of Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) come 2015. As indicated in a statement issued yesterday by the Media Aide to the CJN, Mr Ahurakah Isah, the list of the appointed judges has not yet been made public. In a separate event, the chief Justice of Nigeria has urged the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to do proper

investigations, before presenting any case in the court in order not to turn the court into a waiting room adding that the commission was fond of presenting too many cases against suspects without the will to conclude it. According to him, the scenario had pitched the judiciary in bad light, as the public may think it was calculated to deny the weak of justice. “To reiterate, if for any reason the prosecution is not ready to proceed with the case, then the matter should not be brought to court at all rather than leaving the public with the impression that the judiciary is not performing its role in curbing corrupt practices in Nigeria,” he added.

Jonathan must win for Nigeria to remain- Tompolo By Doyin Ojosipe

ormer Niger Delta militant Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, has expressed dissatisfaction over the political violence meted at the president’s convoy during his political campaign in some northern parts of Nigeria. According to him, the APC presidential Aspirant was in no time attacked in the south, but was allowed to do his campaign in peace. The former militant has also emphasized that the incumbent President, Dr.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan must win the election for Nigeria to remain Mr Ekpemupolo, who replied former defense minister, Gen. T.Y Danjuma, for calling for his arrest over inflammatory statements made on the reelection of the president, had asked the former defense minister to avoid being biased as he was yet to call for the arrest of the APC presidential Aspirant when he made inflammatory comments with regards to the well being of Nigerian as an entity.

Soludo: You are illmannered, Ezekwesili tells Okonjo-Iweala By Sunday Etuka

he disagreement between the Minister of Financed Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Charles Soludo took a new dimension yesterday as a former World Bank Vice president, African region and one time minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili described the Finance minister as an ill mannered person Ezekwesili who spoke via her tweeter page advised the Minister

of Finance to channel her energies towards confronting the issues that have ruined the country’s economy rather than declare war on critics. The former minister of Education condemned in strong terms the tone of Mrs. OkonjoIweala’s response to Mr. Soludo’s article exposing the failures of the Nigerian economy. She said more than ever the article provided the justification for calls for urgent national debate on the economy.

L-R: All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Chief Bisi Akande, APC Vice Presidential Candidate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, APC Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, and Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, during the party presidential campaign rally, yesterday at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City.

APC, Buhari will boycott election debates-Campaign spokesman By Muhammed Puma

he All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will not participate in the ongoing public debates on national television and radio stations organised by the Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG). This is contained in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday and signed by Malam Garba Shehu, the Director Media and Publicity of the APC Campaign Organisation. The statement said it’s decision

to boycot the debates ”is because of the unhidden bias and campaign of calumny by some key organisers of the programme against the corporate political interest of the party and its candidates”. It alleged that the Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG), co-ordinating the debate, was fraught with fundamental errors from the outset. The statement said the NEDG was wearing the toga of government and composed mainly of agencies and allies of the incumbent PDP -led administration.”

A salutary inspection of the composition of the NEGD brings into focus the BON, NTA, FRCN and AIT, (owned by a PDP chieftain” “The boycott by the APC should not be seen as disrespect to Nigerian voters, or an alibi for the party to dodge public scrutiny.”It must be viewed as an honourable right not to consent to any activity that could distract, demean, denigrate or derail the fast-moving train of the party.“ the APC said.

Fire outbreak destroys over 300 homes in Guyuk From Umar Dankano, Yola

ire of large proportion has destroyed a whole settlement leaving more than 300 people homeless and property worth millions of Naira destroyed. The fire from unknown source was said to have started around 11:30pm Wednesdayin Rawe a suburb of Guyuk Town in Guyuk Local Government destroyed animals, food item, clothing a and other valuable items in its wake Residents were said to have

heard a distress call in the neighborhood where the fire was said to have started. Aided by the harmattan wind and lack of water to fight the inferno, it spread fast enough since most of the thatched houses were built close enough. A visit to the area showed residents sitting outside as their houses have been destroyed in the inferno. Worst still are women and children, with no immediate basic necessities of life. One wonders how these vulnerable people will cope with the biting harmattan

wind in the night and the heat of the sun in the day. Speaking on behalf of the affected residents Mallam Magaji Yakubu one of the victims called National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Adamawa State Management Agency ADSEMA and Guyuk Local Government to come to their aid. “Our plight is made worse by lack of water, which would have been used to quench the raging flames”. He pleaded

the attacks was the conscription and deployment of child-soldiers, teenage-female suicide bombers and animals to frustrate troops. Senior mi l i t a r y o f f i c e r s knowledgeable about military tactics and operations concerning plans to launch the “wipe off” attack on terrorists infested locations in the north east told PRNigeria that the attacks on the three towns

could be a further confirmation of allegations that there were Boko Haram moles in high places. According to a source, weekend’s multiple strike by the insurgents was meant to slow down or even prevent and divert the attention of the military from commencing the determined operation against them.

Attack on Monguno desperate, diversationery - Military From Mustapha Isa, Borno

he multiple attacks by Boko Haram on Maiduguri, Konduga and Monguno in Borno State early in the week was a desperate and diversionary attempt to both pre-empt a massive onslaught and create avenue for escape for insurgent commanders. But the most callous aspect of

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

News

FG approves N30bn for power transmission, distribution in Taraba – Sambo

ice President Namadi Sambo said on Thursday the Federal Government had approved N30 billion for the transmission of power from the Kashimbila dam and onward distribution to consumers in Taraba. The vice president said this at the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Campaign Rally in Jalingo, Taraba. According to Sambo, President Goodluck Jonathan will be in Taraba soon to inaugurate the multipurpose dam project expected to boost agriculture, water supply and energy across the state.

“Mr President has fully funded the Kashambila Dam. Kashimbila dam is a reality; this project is on the verge of completion and Mr President will come within the next few months to commission that project. “I will to inform that Kashimbilla is a multi-purpose Dam project. It has a 10,000 irrigation scheme, it has an agricultural training institute, it has a 40-megawatt hydro-power plant. “Mr President has just approved the sum of N30 billion to transmit and distribute the power to the good people of Taraba. “Mr President, we are very

grateful.” Sambo also dismissed a pledge by the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari that he would revive the Mambilla hydro-power plant, saying that the plant was not an abandoned project. He stated that President Jonathan had approved $1.5 billion for the construction of the 3,050megawatts Mambilla power plant. “I want to seize this opportunity to make a (comment); I will start by not taking the advantage of the ignorance of the presidential candidate of APC, yesterday,

when he said that he is going to revive the Mambilla “That is not true. Karya ne, Already, Mr President has approved the contract for the construction of the 3,050megawatts Mambilla power plant. “And not only approval, he has provided the sum of $1.5 billion to begin the project. “So, I’m sorry there’s no Mambilla to revive, already Mambilla is being developed and work is progressing.” Sambo said Jonathan was transforming Taraba just as the PDP-led Federal Government had embarked on the dredging

Nigerians suffered for 16 years under PDP-Buhari

R-L: President Goodluck Jonathan, and Taraba state Governor, Mr. Danbaba Suntai, during Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign rally, yesterday in Jalingo.

From Seyi Ojelade, Ibadan

he Presidential Candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC) General Mohammad Buhari on Thursday described the 16 years of ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as nasty experience which all Nigerians are feeling its negative effect. General Buhari said this in Ibadan the capital of Oyo State while speaking at the APC Presidential Election Campaign Rally held at Mapo Hall, he lamented that “We are all living witnesses of this nasty moment where our dear nation turned upside”. “Most of our youths are not employed and corruption has brought great suffering to the good people of Nigeria”. He said the only way out of this nasty experience is to vote PDP out come February 14 adding that ball is in our court. In his address, the Director General of Buhari Campaigh Organization and the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amechi said age comes with experience and that is the reason Nigerians need an experienced man to govern us. “If a man of 56 years old misruled the nation to this extent of decadence then we must vote for change and vote Buhari come February 14” He disclosed that President Jonathan has created one million jobs since he assume power six years ago asking how he intend to create two million jobs?. While speaking at the event the National Leader of APC and former Governor of Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said Jonathan has destroyed Nigeria system where there suffering is the other of the day. Tinubu specifically commended Nigerians for enduring this season of suffering across the nation which is been orchestrated by Jonathan administration.

of the River Benue to enable ships and bigger boats to berth in Taraba. “I have good news; Mr President has approved the dredging of River Benue. Very soon you will see ships and boats coming to Jalingo. “Mr President is transforming Taraba state, Mr President is transforming Nigeria. He, therefore, called on the people of Taraba to reelect Jonathan to enable him to complete the good works he had begun nationwide. He also charged them to vote for all PDP candidates in all the elections. (NAN)

Zaria Killings: Nigerian students press for justice From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

he leadership of Islamic Movement of Nigeria has commended courage and steadfastness of students from various tertiary institutions across the country that converged in Abuja recently to demand for justice over the brutal killing of 34 people, mostly students, by Nigerian soldiers during Quds day procession in Zaria on July 25, last year. The spokesperson of the movement Ibrahim Usman made the commendation while speaking to the media in Kaduna yesterday. According to Usman, the protest was organized by the Academic Forum of the Movement .The students carrying placards with different inscriptions peacefully marched to the Headquarters of National Human Right Commission (NHRC) where they presented complaint of delayed justice six months on. While at the the premises

of the NHRC, the statement further stated that the students were received by the Commission’s Director of Protection and Investigation, Abdurrahman Yakubu, who addressed newsmen on the stand of the NHRC on the issue. It would be recalled that the NHRC had pledged to ensure justice was done over the brutal killings of the 34 people, which

included 3 of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky’s biological children. Chairman of the Commission, Professor made the pledge when he paid a condolence visit on Sheikh Zakzay at his residence in Gyellesu, Zaria. A press statement issued during the rally, signed by the Coordinator of the Academic Forum of the Islamic Movement

in Nigeria, Shua’ibu I. Ahmad said: “Academic Forum strongly condemn this barbaric and wicked murder of the three children and the followers of his Eminence Shaikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) by the Nigerian Military. It is six months after the 25th July 2014 massacre in Zaria; the world awaits justice to be done.”

Fire destroys over 300 houses, properties in Adamawa From Umar Dankano, Yola

assive fire has razed a whole settlement in Adamawa village leaving more than 300 people homeless and property worth millions of naira destroyed. The fire from unknown source was said to have started around 11:30pm Wednesday in Rawe a suburb of Guyuk town in Guyuk local government area destroying animals, food item, clothing a and other valuable items in its wake Residents were said to have

heard a distress call in the neighborhood where the fire was said to have started. Aided by the harmattan wind and lack of water to fight the inferno, it spread fast enough since most of the thatched houses were built close enough. A visit to the area showed residents sitting outside as their houses have been destroyed in the inferno. Worst still are women and children, with no immediate basic necessities of life. Speaking on behalf of the affected residents, Mallam Magaji Yakubu one of the victims called

National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Adamawa State Management Agency ADSEMA and Guyuk Local Government to come to their aid. “Our plight is made worse by lack of water, which would have been used to quench the raging flames”. He pleaded He therefore called on the Adamawa State Government to as a matter of urgency provide a borehole to save the lives of the people. In the meantime sympathizes have been trooping to the area to commiserate with the victims.

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

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News Elections will hold in Borno-Shettima From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

overnor Kashim Shettima of Borno on Thursday condemned the agitation for the postponement of the forthcoming general elections in the state and expressed optimism that the polls will hold as scheduled.

Governor Shettima gave the indication while swearing the newly appointed 50 special advisers and seven honorary special advisers at the Government House in Maiduguri. The governor argued that Borno is safe for elections and that those calling for the postponement were only

dreaming. “I wish to say without fears of contradiction that elections will hold in Borno .We shall hold election in the state by the grace of God,’’ Shettima said. If election can hold in Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Palestine, and other volatile countries. I see no reason why it cannot hold in the state.

Those calling for the postponement are doing so because they are afraid of facing the electorate”, he declared. Shettima said those anticipating the appointment of sole administrator in the state in the event the elections are shifted were just dreaming and should have a re-think. “Those calling for the

appointment of a military sole administrator to head the state are only dreaming as the 1999 Constitution does not make provision for the appointment of a sole administrator. The worst that can happen is to extend our tenure rather that appoint a sole administrator to run the state,’’ he further added.

Buhari thanks Nigerians for confidence in him By Muhammed Puma

L-R: Director, All Progressives Congress (APC) Field Operation Directorate, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, Deputy Director, APC Presidential Campaign, Senator Olorunmibe Mamora, and Osun state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, during the inaugural meeting of APC state Coordinators, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Jonathan will not attend AU’s Boko Haram talks-Report

From Ayodele Samuel with agency report

igerian president Goodluck Jonathan will not be attending this week’s African Union summit, his office has confirmed, even though discussions on terrorist group Boko Haram feature high on the agenda. Nigeria will be represented by foreign minister Aminu Wali, City Press reported on Thursday. Jonathan is currently touring

Nigeria to campaign ahead of that country’s elections, which are due to take place on 14 February. Analysts say this is one of the country’s most hotlycontested elections. The big race is between Jonathan, from the People’s Democratic Party, and the newly-formed AllProgressive People’s Congress, with former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate. The elections is one of 19 elections taking place across the

African continent this year. It is not clear whether it is one of the 12 elections an AU commissioner said were of concern to the AU, but the Institute for Security Studies has ranked the elections as “high risk” due to the fact that it is highly contested, but also because of the increased Boko Haram attacks and the divide between the Muslim north and Christian south. Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Wednesday said that South Africa had not deployed any soldiers to help

Feb Poll: Court turns down deployment of military in Sokoto From Raji Bello, Sokoto

Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto state, has said that it is unconstitutional for the Nigerian military to be deployed during the forthcoming general elections r the forthcoming general elections purpose in the state. Justice Mohammed Rilwan

who delivered the judgement noted that other than for the purposes of protecting the Nigeria’s territorial integrity, there is no constitutional provision that allows for the deployment of the military for elections. The suit challenging the deployment of military for election duties in the state was instituted by

the Deputy Speaker of the Sokoto state House of Assembly, who also represents Goronyo constituency, Barrister Bello Goronyo of All Progress Congress (APC). The Judge, however maintained that the federal government to do so, it must have recourse to the National Assembly, which would enact such law.

Nigeria. She threatened to arrest on return South African ex-soldiers who went there to help train Nigerian soldiers to fight back aganst Boko Haram, branding them “mercenaries”.

Jonathan’s convoy pelted in Yola

ngry protesters chanting anti-Jonathan songs yesterday in Yola stoned the convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan, The protesters were said to be angry over Jonathan’s, failure to flush out the Boko Haram sect. They reportedly destroyed cars and other valuables before security brought the situation under control. The President was was in Adamawa in continuation of his presidential campaign.

he presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) General Muhammadu Buhari has thanked Nigerians for having confidence in him to right the several wrongs bedeviling the country. General Buhari, who spoke through a press statement signed by the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO), Mallam Garba Shehu on Thursday, said the huge reception his campaign trails have received in all the states visited across the country thus far indicates how desperately Nigerians are yearning for change. The statement reads: “This is to appreciate the people of this great country for the wide acceptance to vote for change in the coming election. “The issues of corruption, insecurity, lies, weak economy among several atrocities and damage that have been done to the country are enough reasons for change. “The saying that you can fool the people sometime, but you can’t fool the people all the time is applicable here. “After nearly 16 years of democracy, what we have today is unacceptable: our youths are roaming the streets with no job and poverty visible everywhere; the missing $20 billion oil money, the missing Chibok girls, the ill-equipped military to fight insurgency, corruption in high places, lack of vision and clueless regime of governance are not acceptable to Nigerians. These are more than enough reasons to fire up the vortex of change in the minds of our people. “I appreciate the trust and confidence on me. Our country shall move forward again. The country is tired of try and error leadership that is imbued with absolute corruption. Let your vote count because it is the only instrument we have to fight for the change we so earnestly desire.”

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News

Katsina FMC director urges health workers to end strike From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

he Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Katsina, Dr. Umar Faruq Abdulmajid has appealed to Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU to end their three month old strike action so as to save the lives of those who could not patronize private hospitals. Addressing a press conference, yesterday in Katsina, the medical director lamented that the strike action had led to the loss of many innocent lives. Abdulmajid disclosed that the Federal Government had set-up a committee under a former head of service of the federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed to look into the striking workers grievances. ‘The committee set-up by the government has gone far in addressing most of the issues raised by the workers. Certain issues require time as some require budgetary provisions while others require some bureaucratic due process that requires time to implement” he added. The Medical Director therefore praised the courage of JOHESU Katsina state chapter for suspending the strike action in Katsina hospitals, calling on their counterpart working with the centre to borrow a leaf from the state workers and return to work. He noted that as at now it was only medical doctors that were providing services especially emergency services at the hospital, adding that they had to scale their services to cope with the teeming patients that required attention.

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Insurgency caused by proliferation of small arms, says presidential committee From Ahmed Kaigama , Bauchi

residential Committee on Small Arms and Light weapons has attributed the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons,SALWs, in Nigeria to the incessant violence and conflicts which has resulted to loss of lives and properties. The Chairman of PRESCOM, Amb Emmanuel Imohe stated thus at a 2 day stakeholders sensitization forum held at Zaranda hotel Bauchi on Thursday with theme “ Ballot without bullets”.

He said “Nuclear weapons may be a big threat in Europe, Middle East or other parts of the World. In Africa, the threat is clear, the danger is known. The weapon of destruction that continues to fuel conflicts, wars, violence, and wanton bloodletting with severe losses of lives and wasted economic opportunities is Small arms and light weapons. According to Amb Emmanuel the aims of the committee is to contribute to the reduction of electoral violence in Nigeria come February 2015 general elections and beyond by sensitizing

Nigerians on the necessity for a ballot without bullets. He said “In the run up to the 2015 general elections, the potential negative role which SALWs can play cannot be over emphasized, so this programme seeks to create awareness on the negative socio economic impact illicit small arms and light weapons profile ration in Nigeria. “ We will also harness stakeholders opinion on how best to ensure public private partnership in combating the profile ration of SALWs as in Nigeria and ensure a sustainable violence free electoral

L-R: President, Guardian of the Nation International (GOTNI), Mr. Linus Okorie, Founder, Wellness Business School (WBS), Karu, Abuja, Mr. Nwankwo Prince Ozioma, and Team Leader, Corporate Communications of GOTNI, Jennifer Chesom Opara, during a Leadership Forum organised by GOTNI, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Rivers confirm another case of bird flu

By Doyin Ojosipe with agency report he Rivers Government said on ThursdaythattheAvianInfluenza, also called bird flu, had spread to another poultry farm in Port Harcourt. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the latest incident is coming two weeks after the first case was recorded. Dr Nnanna Onyekwere, the Director of Public Health in the state Ministry of Health, told NAN in Port Harcourt that hundreds of birds in the farm had been eliminated. He said government had received information about the outbreak in a private farm and sent samples for analysis at the National Veterinary Institute in Jos for confirmation. Onyekwere said the affected farm had been quarantined and decontaminated. “There is no report of human infection. Government officials are working with the staff of the farm to instruct them on necessary steps to take. “The officials have been guarding the farm workers on what to do if they notice more infection,’’ he said. The director said experts from the ministries of agriculture and health were on top of the situation and working hard to ensure that they curtailed the spread.

culture as well as sensitize the Nigerian populace on the proposed comprehensive SALWs survey in Nigeria. He therefore called for support of all stakeholders to build an electoral culture that is violence free. In his address, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state called for holistic and pragmatic approach to address security challenges in north-east saying the ease which arms and ammunition are acquired and used to kill innocent people is a matter of serious concern to the government

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Call LASU VC to order, Kaduna ASUU tells Fashola From Femi Oyelola,Kaduna

he Kano zonal coordinator of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Rabiu Nasiru has called on the visitor of Lagos state University (LASU), Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola to investigate the excesses of the Vice Chancellor, Professor John Oladapo Bafunwa, who the union accused of mischief and deliberate attempt to plunge the

institution into serious, though avoidable, crisis and call him to order.. The Union stated this in a statement signed by Dr. Rabiu and made available to the media in kaduna yesterday, accused the Vice Chancellor of highhandedness, impunity, belligerence, unscholarly and unpopular policies that have continued to constitute serious threat to scholarship and industrial

harmony in the university. “The attempt of the Vice Chancellor to unwittingly withdraw the Ph.D certificate ASUU LASU branch chairperson, which the Vice Chancellor does not have himself, clearly portrays his mundane sentimental posture in administering of the university and his strong animosity for a degree which he does not know how difficult it is to obtain”, Dr Nasiru revealed.

The zonal coordinator said ASUU views the lingering crisis in the university which the Vice Chancellor has mischievously caused by engaging in abusing promotion procedures in other to favour his cronies in complete disregard to academic culture and standards, as deliberate attempts to sabotage the hard earned credit the visitor has toiled to achieve and would want to leave as a legacy in the university.

Sokoto PDP chieftain condemns attack on Jonathan’s convoy From Raji Bello, Sokoto

chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto state, Alhaji Nasiru Gidankanawa, has described the recent attack on President Goodluck Jonathan’s convoy as the handiwork of selfish politicians, who were afraid of the level of support and political goodwill of the President. Gidankanawa, who is the PDP

youth leader in Sokoto state spoke at the commencement of the Goodluck Jonathan Volunteers Vanguard in Wamakko local government area of Sokoto yesterday. He also noted that violence of any kind in politics is capable of destroying the image and popularity of the politicians. He noted with dismay the rates of violence and political thuggery in the state and some parts of the

country, as the handiwork of selfish politicians, who were afraid of the level of support and political goodwill of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in the country The PDP chieftain said the party would continue to remain the same in spite of provocative statements being made by hired political mercenaries and opposition parties in order to cast Jonathan

bad light and however cautioned politicians, especially those using religion and ethnicity against the party’s presidential candidate to desist forthwith. In a remark, the leader of the youths in the area, Alhaji Umar Sifawa, described President Jonathan as the only candidate who is reliable, committed to ensuring peace, unity and cohesion in the country.

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

KANO STATE GOVERNMENT

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

News Minna: Federal varsity chancellor decries poor state of accommodation From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

he Chancellor Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Professor Musbau Akanji said, despite the N2 billion it got from the 2014/2015 NEEDS Assessment Programme of the Federal Government for hostel intervention, the fund cannot adequately address accommodation challenges of the institution. The Vice Chancellor in an interview shortly after matriculating 4,250 students admitted for the 2014/2015 academic session at the permanent site at Gidan Kwano, Professor Musbau Akanji said, hence the university is seeking to partner with development under the Build, Occupy and Transfer (BOT) and Public Private Partnership (PPP) to tackle the situation. He expressed regret that out of the 15, 000 population of students,

Don’t allow politicians use you as thugs, IGP tells youth

By Joy Baba Yesufu

he Inspector-General of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba, has charged Nigerian youths not to allow politicians use them as political thugs saying that the youths are leaders of tomorrow of our great nation, hence they should distance themselves from all acts capable of impacting negatively on their personality and that of the country. The IGP made these remarks while receiving the executive of Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) led by its National President, Mr. Gambo Gujungu who paid him a courtesy call at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. A statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. CP Emmanuel Ojukwu said the AYF National President expressed determination of its members to work towards violence-free general elections thereafter decorated the IGP with the “Exemplary Leadership Award”. The statement also said the IGP charged the executive to sensitize other youths in the country on the need to fully participate in community policing activities in their areas. “He gave the Nigerian youths assurance of his support for every peace initiative on National development they may embark on, just as he reiterated that the strategies put in place by the Police to ensure violence-free general elections in February 2015 are being implemented” the statement added.

only 2,250 are accommodated by the FUT, while the remaining 12, 750 live off campus. “ We are hoping that, if this programme works out, it will substantially address the issue of accommodation of students. We have about 15, 000 students, but currently, we are only able to

accommodate 2,250 students.” When asked on how the number of admission could be increased from the current total of 400, 000 out of the 1.6 million that sat for JAMB exams across the nation, “ With increase funding from the government, more number of students can be

admitted by universities,” Akanji said. The VC noted that about 10, 000 students applied for admission for 2014/2015 session to FUT Minna, 6,650 sat for its Post-UTME, 4,743 applicants were offer admission of which, 4,250 students finally scaled

through. He advised the students to shun all acts contrary to the rules and regulations of the institution, such as examination malpractice, fraud of all kinds, financial racketeering, cultism, fighting, theft, assault, rumour mongering and illicit drug dealing.

L-R: Representative of the Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Director, Admin/Human Resources, Mr. Ado Solomon, Director, Political and Civic Education, Mrs. Ngosi Ekeoba, and Project Manager, Mr. John Abbah, addressing participants at a one day training workshop on voter education for NOA 36 directorates funded by EU through Democratic Governance for Development II, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

FG allays security concerns over February polls By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

inister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, yesterday assured that the February Presidential elections and other elections in the country would be free fair and credible. Moro, gave the assurance at the headquarters of the ministry in Abuja while briefing news men on the readiness of the federal By A’isha Biola Raji

n a bid to eliminate violence in the society, an expert has called on the Senate chamber of the National Assembly to hasten the passage of VAPP bill. Barr. Hauwa Shekarau, National president of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) said this in Abuja at a sensitization workshop on Violence against Persons Prohibited (VAPP) bill for members of Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) in collaboration with Ipas. According to Barr Hauwa, the bill is a brain child of 50 Nongovernmental Organisations (NGOs) which is aimed at

government to secure lives and property of citizens before during and after the elections. “It is necessary to address the panic by some Nigerians and to let them know that the government is prepared and ready to provide adequate security for Nigerians to exercise their franchise. “In spite of the anxiety, Nigerians have no cost to fear. The anxiety as to whether peace will prevail is unwarranted. Nigerians

should be law abiding and conduct themselves peacefully. Elections and leaders will come and go but the country will remain. It is a day of love and all of us should show that love. He said various security officers have been “sufficiently oriented to ensure civil tranquillity before during and after the elections. The minister also called on all the candidates to accept defeat if they lose.

“The choice of Nigerians will be respected. And if the President loses, he will accept the will of the people”. On foreigner’s interference, the minister said the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) will ensure that the border corps collaborates with other security agencies to increase surveylace so as to secure the borders.

proffering a lasting solution to rape, incest, physical assault and marital rape. “Rape is not only peculiar to women hence the change in the name of the bill from VAW (Violence against Women) to VAPP”, she pointed. She said the bill which was initiated in 2002 was passed by the lower chamber of the House in 2013 but is still waiting for the Senate to concur up to this moment. She listed the advantages of bill including setting up of funds

for victims of violence aside from the appropriate punishment of offenders. “Women during this campaign period should ask the crucial question of what politicians are going to do for them when elected with emphasis on VAPP bill”, she advised. In his presentation, Sheik Nurudeen Lemu, Islamic Education Trust Fund, Da’wah Institute of Nigeria said the VAPP bill should be passed without looking at its origin but its value and what the society stands to

gain from it. The Ipas country Director, Mrs Lola Mabogunje said the bill is being frustrated because the owners of the bill are not aware of its existence hence the sensitisation program. In her welcome remark, the FOMWAN Ameera, Abuja chapter, Hajia Raliat Akinbobola urged law makers to hasten the passage of the bill as it will improve both social and economic development of the country.

Senate not paying attention to bill on prohibited persons –experts

Bauchi govt. bans over-one passenger on motorcycle

From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

he Bauchi State government has banned carrying two or more passengers by private and commercial motorcycle. A press statement , issued by the Chief Press Secretary to

the Governor, Ishola Michael Adeyemi and made available to newsmen in Bauchi,said that the state government has observed with dismay the practice of some operators of commercial and private motorcycles carrying two or more passengers. It said the ban followed the prevailing security situation in

the country and traffic hazards of the practice. The statement read in parts “Motorcyclists have been banned from carrying more than one passenger. There should always be two people on a bike, consisting of the rider and one other passenger” “The government is calling on

the general public to comply with the ban which is in the general interest of the public. Security agents have been directed to enforce the ban and deal decisively with violators” The government reiterated its determination to ensure protection of lives and properties of law abiding citizens of the state.

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

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TAX CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (TCC), DUE DATES FOR FILING RETURNS… • Tax Evasion: - This is a deliberate and illegal act by the taxpayer not to pay the correct tax.

Over the years, questions have been raised on issues regarding Tax Clearance Certificates (TCC), due dates for filing returns, accounting year, accounting period and other tax related issues. The following questions and answers seek to shed some light on these matters.

Question 11 What is accounting year and accounting period? Answer • Accounting Year: - This is a twelve (12) month period over which an entity`s financial accounts are made-up. • Accounting Period: - This simply means the period with reference to which financial accounts of an entity are prepared.

Question 1 If someone lives in Kaduna and pays his tax there, can he obtain his TCC in Abuja? Answer No, one can only obtain his/her TCC from the tax authority where the person is registered for tax purposes and has been paying his taxes in compliance with the rule of residence as contained in the tax law.

Question 12 Is inclusion of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) on a contractor’s quotation necessary? Answer Yes it is mandatory. Question 13 What is the meaning of due date?

Question 2 Why does it take more than two weeks to issue a TCC even if the taxpayer pays tax in cash? Answer A TCC can only be issued only after all taxes payable by the taxpayer for the past three preceding years have been paid. The statutory standard of issuing a TCC within two weeks is still in force. However, the two weeks start to count only after all taxes have been paid and from the day the taxpayer files an application for a TCC with the tax office and not from the date of payment of taxes to the banks. Question 3 Why does FIRS still refuse to issue TCC after PAYE has been deducted from the staff salary? Answer FIRSdoes not deny issuance of TCC to any taxpayer who has paid his tax liability in full. However, a TCC request is rejected where the taxpayer still has an outstanding liability to pay. Question 4 On what basis will an application for TCC be rejected after two weeks and still be under processing? Answer TCC can be rejected on the following grounds: a. Where taxes have not been paid. ii Where penalties or interest is still outstanding. iii. Where outstanding returns have not been filed iv. Where there are outstanding issues arising from tax queries, audit or investigation. v. Where the case is with the Tax Appeal Tribunal for hearing and part of the tax has not been paid as required. TCC application once rejected cannot be said to be still under processing, but it is kept on hold until outstanding issues have been resolved or sorted out by the taxpayer with the relevant office. Question 5 Is installment payment no longer allowed for selfassessment filers? Answer The tax law still recognizes the granting of installment payment to self-assessment filers. However, this can only be granted on application by the taxpayer to the tax office. Question 6

KABIR MASHI Acting Chairman of FIRS If a taxpayer gives a cheque to a banker in his office without going to the bank, how can the taxpayer know whether payment has been made to FIRS account? Answer The taxpayer should insist on the bank delivering the e-ticket to him which will indicate the date and time payment was captured into FIRS’ account by the bank. Question 7 Is medical allowance taxed? Answer Yes. If it is paid directly to the hospital, Withholding Tax (WHT) should be deducted and if it is given to an employee in the form of allowance, it is taxed under PAYE. Question 8 Can a taxpayer pay to any collecting bank branch? Answer Yes. There are no designated bank branches for any tax offices or tax types. All approved lead/collecting banks can collect for all offices and tax types. Question 9 What is the process involved in getting back tax payment erroneously credited in the name of the depositor instead of the taxpayer? Answer Any tax paid in error can be reversed by the collecting bank within 24 hours if the bank is put on notice within the period. However, if the error was not detected on time, refund can be made by FIRS on request through e-payment platform with the option to use it to off-set future tax. Question 10 What is tax avoidance and tax evasion? Answer • Tax Avoidance: - This is a way of identifying loopholes in the tax law and then taking advantage of such loopholes to reduce the tax payable.

Answer Due date is the date prescribed by law for filing of tax returns and making of tax payments by taxpayers. All tax types have their different due dates as provided by the relevant tax laws. Due dates for other tax types are as shown below: DUE DATES OF FILING TAX RETURNS S/N TYPES OF TAX RETURNS DUE DATES 1. Company`s Income Tax (CIT) Filing Date a)For old companies, six (6) months after the end of the company`s accounting year. b)For new companies, eighteen (18) months from the date of incorporation or six (6) months after the end of the company`s first accounting period whichever is earlier. 2. Education Tax (EDT) a) For old companies, six (6) months after the end of the company`s accounting year. b) For new companies, eighteen (18) months from the date of incorporation or six (6) months after the end of the company`s first accounting period whichever is earlier. 3. National Information and Technology Development Levy (NITDL) (for applicable companies only) a) For old companies, six (6) months after the end of the company`s accounting year. b) For new companies, eighteen (18) months from the date of incorporation or six (6) months after the end of the company`s first accounting period whichever is earlier. 4. Estimated Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) Returns Two (2) months after the commencement of the company`s accounting period 5. Final PPT Returns 6. Personal Income Tax (PIT) Returns should be filed not later than 31st of March 7. Annual Returns of Pay As You Earn (PAYE) (By Employers) Returns should be filed not later than 31st of March 8. PAYE Returns (By Employers) Returns should be filed not later than 10th of every month 9. Withholding Tax (WHT)Returns Returns should be filed not later than 21st of every month 10. Value Added Tax (VAT)Returns Returns should be filed not later than 21st of every month

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News Don’t mix religion with politics, Niger monarch urges politicians By Usman Shuaibu

he village head of Rafinsenyi in Suleja Local Government area of Niger state, Chief Zakari Madaki, has called on the politicians who are contesting for the political positions not to put to the front burner the issue of religion in the forthcoming general elections in the state. Madaki, who made the call in an interview with peoples Daily yesterday in Rafinsenyi, also urged the politicians against using abusive and foul language during their electioneering campaigns. He said that politics of religion and ethnicity would not augur well for the country’s democracy, calling on the politicians to always focus on the issue based campaigns. He appealed to the entire youths of the state against being used by so-called politicians to ferment trouble during and after the election, while advising them to shun all forms of social vices during the elections. He urged traditional rulers in the state to mobilize their subjects to come out en masse to vote for the candidates of their choice. While commenting on the state of basic amenities in Rafinsenyi, Madaki said that anybody who emerged as the Governor of Niger state and Chairman of Suleja Local Government to deem it necessary to focus on the provision of basic necessities of life such as transformers, potable drinking water as well as construction of roads in order to boost socio-economic growth of the area.

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Child spacing: ARFH laments low awareness campaign in Zamfara From Ibrahim Sidi Muh'd, Gusau

he Association of Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) has identified that inadequate capacity and advocacy mobilisation were the liable factors to the low patronage of child spacing programmes in Zamfara state. This came in a statement by the Programme Manager (PM) of the association, Aliyu Guraguri at the end of stakeholders meeting on child survival and child spacing in Maradun town, the headquarters of

wenty two ships laden with foods, petroleum products and other goods have arrived Lagos ports, waiting to berth. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) made the disclosure on Thursday in its daily publication, `Shipping Position’ made available to newsmen in Lagos. The document showed that seven of the ships were waiting to berth with petrol; two with kerosene and two others would berth with diesel and bulk gas. It stated that the remaining 11 ships would sail in with bulk rice, bulk fertiliser, containers, gyp-

ability to support the needed mobilisation for child spacing programmes in the state. “During the program, our team discovered that stakeholders from the Ministry of health and the LGAs health department have inadequate capacity to conduct child spacing communications for Advocacy and also for mobilisation of communities”, AFRH said. In his speech, Emir of Maradun, Alhaji Garba Tambari urged traditional and religious leaders to embark on massive sensitisation of their people, especially, husbands

on the need to allow their wives to seek medical advice on child spacing. Tambari therefore, directed district heads and opinion leaders in the emirate to support the sensitization campaigns with a view to ensure proper sensitization of the teeming targeted husbands. Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Lawal Bungudu, expressed satisfaction with partners especially ARFH for the contributions and the support they provided towards the success of the programme.

L-R: Chief Imam Nawair-UdDeen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdul Mojeed Ayinla, member, Conference of Islamic Organisation, Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafiy, and Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West, Professor Dawud Noibi, during prayer for the nation, yesterday in Ibadan. Photo: NAN

Warri: Federal petroleum varsity students protest charges increment From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

tudents of the Federal University of Petroleum Effurun (FUPRE), Delta State on Monday, took to the streets and barricaded East West road from the Warri axis, protesting over the increment in the institution’s student charges. The protest which started peacefully in the institution’s premises later snowballed into

22 ships laden with foods, petroleum products arrive Lagos From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos with agency report

Maradun local government area in Zamfara state. The statement further said that, necessary discussions would be conducted with the state Resident Health Coordinator in an effort to build the capacity of their relevant staff on Family Planning communications, so that the goal of increasing knowledge and awareness of the communities would not be defeated. The stakeholder noted that, if the problems surrounding the efforts were not addressed, it could eventually affect the stakeholders’

sum and soya bean. News Agency of Nigeria reports that the publication noted that 33 other ships were expected to sail into the ports from Jan. 29 to Feb. 26, up from 36 ships expected on Wednesday. The expected ships contain fresh fish, general cargo, containers, bulk rice, containers, buckwheat, sugar, bulk rice, steel products, crude palm oil, bulk salt and petroleum products. The publication indicated that 17 ships were currently discharging buckwheat, bulk rice, containers, bulk charcoal, bulk gypsum, general cargo, bulk fertiliser, fresh fish and petroleum products.

blockage of the ever busy road after the management and the student’s representative dialogue ended deadlock. The student carried placards with various inscriptions like: this is FUPRE 1st in Africa not 1st in Warri, they want to spoil your government, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GEJ.” “There is APC in our school”, Goodluck come and help,” “Jonathan you increase our school fees among others.

Mr. Valentine Ekanem, vice President of the FUPRE student Union Government (SUG) told newsmen that they would continue to barricade the road until the student charges were reduced. According to him, the old students were to pay N55,000 as against N26,400 they were paying before, adding that new student charges was increased from 46,000 to N90,000. “We cannot afford this astro-

Sokoto: NDE graduates 20 on solar installation skills From Raji Bello, Sokoto

o fewer than 20 youths were trained on maintenance and installation of solar energy system in Sokoto State, by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), through its Special Public Works Department. Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Sokoto, the NDE Director-General Mallam Abubakar Mohammed explained that the scheme was one of the renewable energy training designed by the NDE to generate employment for employed graduates in order to explore new areas of job creation. He disclosed that about 700 unemployed graduates across the federation were trained in the areas of design, procurement, installation as well as maintenance of solar energy equipment, noted that it was another ways explored to harvest solar energy for electricity generation in the country.

nomical increase in the student charges. They also increase the acceptance fee for the new students from N7,000 to N30,000, hostel fee from N10,000 to N50,000. The management said they want to use the money to develop the institution,” he said. Ekanem urged the Federal Government to prevail on the management of the institution with a view to reducing charges to N15,000.

Zamfara commends FG over kerosene initiative

he Zamfara Government on Thursday commended the Federal Government Kerosene Correct Project aimed at making the product available at N50 per litre. The Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Commerce, Alhaji Bala Gusau, gave the commendation while supervising the kerosene sale points at the NNPC Mega station in Gusau. Gusau said making the commodity available to the end users at N50 per litre would go a long way in reducing the suffering of the masses while checking deforestation. "When I heard about the price, I couldn't believe it. But now that it has been launched, we are grateful over the development,’’ Gusau said. He urged members of the public to be orderly as they troop out to benefit from the government gesture.(NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

News

Witness links exKogi gov. Audu with inflated contracts By Joy Baba Yesufu

he trial of former governor of Kogi State, Abubakar Audu and Alfa Ibn Mustapha, former Director General, Directorate of Rural Development in his administration continued on Wednesday before Justice A.O Adeniyi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja. The accused persons are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for offences bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N10,965,837,040 (Ten billion Nine Hundred and Sixty Seven Thousand and Forty Naira). A statement signed by the commission's Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren said at the resumed hearing of the case, the first prosecution witness, PW1, Lewechi Terry Ozoemenam, managing director of Leoflench Nigeria Limited who was lead in evidence by counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, told the court that his company executed most of the water projects of the Directorate of Rural Development from 1999-2003. The statement said Ozoemenam stated that the contracts executed by his company were about seven and that, each was valued less than N18m (eighteen million naira). The projects include: drilling of boreholes in Abjukolo Egwe and Odolo; Ogbonicha, Olla water borehole water; Ajanojo, Omabave Ajakwu and Olubojo Ojuwo Uferene; Oyidi School and Ogbonicha. The witnes said the total costs of the said projects were not up to N53m (fifty three million). According to the statement "When shown exhibit P10- “a document containing a voucher, receipt and cheque for construction of borehole in Ogbonicha valued N49, 649,000.00 (forty nine million six hundred and twenty thousand naira), Ozoemenam denied ever executing such project, nor collecting such money." He said the receipt was forged as the signature was not his. “I have never handled any contract up to N18m (eighteen million naira) let alone signing a project worth N49m (forty nine million naira)”, Ozoemenam told the court.

Man bags 10yrs imprisonment for contract scam By Joy Baba Yesufu

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) recorded its first conviction for 2015 on Wednesday January 28, as Justice A. Ongetenu of the Federal High Court Abakaliki, Ebonyi State convicted and sentenced one Monday Agha to 10years imprisonment for offences bordering on conspiracy, impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence. Agha, who was arraigned on July 20, 2013, allegedly fraudulently opened several accounts in different banks using fictitious names with which he conspired

with one Moses, to defraud some unsuspecting victims. A statement signed by the Commission's Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren said after diligent prosecution, Justice Ongetenu convicted the accused on six of the eight count charge preferred against him and sentenced him to 10years imprisonment. The statement said the convict was also ordered to pay N2,730,000 (two million, seven hundred and thirty thousand naira) in restitution to the complainant. "One of the charge reads: “that you Agha Monday (a.k.a Nwa-

chukwu Peter Elom), Elder Emmanuel Elom, (at large) Obinna Chijioke (at large) Agatha Chigbata Munachi (at large) Anthonia C. Nwigwe (at large) Hon. P. A. Odonio (at large) sometime between December 2010 and April 2011 in Ebonyi State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abakaliki with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of five hundred and fifteen thousand naira (N515,000.00) from Chinyere Bright through Oceanic Bank (now Eco Bank) account number 0190001034503 by false pretence that the said Chinyere Bright has been awarded a contract for the printing and supply of 25,000

pieces of polo shirts by the Government of Ebonyi State and the said money is for mobilisation and processing of the said contract, which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of Advance Fee Fraud and other fraud Related Offences Act,2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”, the statement further said. Uwujaren said the convict had previously been convicted by a Federal High Court, Enugu and sentenced to 7 years in prison for defrauding a University don of N805,000.

L-R: Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Port Harcourt, Professor Keniye Ebeku, Chairman, Rivers state PDP Governorship Blueprint Committee, Mr. Isaac Okemiri and retired Senior Lecturer, Nigerian Law School, Mrs. Onimim Jack, during a news conference on the allegation of plagiarism, yesterday in Port Harcourt. Photo: NAN

Man in court for allegedly securing a job with stolen certificate

he police on Thursday arraigned one Jacob Adeola in a Gudu Upper Area Court in the FCT, for allegedly securing a job with a stolen certificate. Adeola a resident of No. 6, G.R.A., Abeokuta, Ogun is standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal trespass, theft and cheating by impersonation. The prosecutor, Cpl. Israel Nongo told the court that one Dr Afuye Samuel of Ode-Ekiti, Ekiti State reported the matter at the Apo Police Station on Jan. 7. He further said that the accused person trespassed into the complainant’s house and stole the complainant’s certificates in July, 2014. Nongo listed the certificates as a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of surgery of University of Lagos, NYSC discharge certificate, certificate of local government of origin and WAEC certificate. He listed others stolen items as First School Leaving Certificate and Primary School Testimonial,

certificate of annual practicing licence and certificate of provisional registration as a medical practitioner, among others. Nongo added that the accused person ran to Abuja from Ekiti State and used the said certificates to secure a job at Luna Hospital, Gwarinpa as a medical practitioner. The accused also claimed the nominal complainant’s full names as it appeared on the certificates and took the complainant’s license to Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for renewal, “he said. He said that the offences committed contravened sections 348, 288 and 324 of the penal code. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko granted the accused bail in the sum of N300, 000 with a surety that must reside within the court’s jurisdiction. He adjourned the case to Feb 13 for hearing. (NAN)

Crisis rock Delta police over alleged N50,000 bribe to set homosexual free

By Osakhare Erese, Asaba

llegation of bribe taking in the sum of N50,000 to set free homosexual suspect, is currently rocking the Delta State Police Command. Reports said that a homosexual suspect was allegedly set free after a N50, 000 bribe was allegedly from him by the Police at the state CID department. It was reliably gathered that the suspect (name withheld) was alleged to have been involved in homosexual practice, teaches in one of the private schools in Okpanam community near Asaba and was arrested when he sexually abused a 7 year old primary 2 student. Sources said the parents of the male student upon the sad news took him before the headmaster of the school (names withheld) where he identified the teacher

suspect. As it were, the suspect allegedly took the victim away from the classroom during school hours to a lonely place where he asked him to pull his clothes down before he began to abuse him via anus. But the police public relations officer in the state, DSP Celestine kalu, who denied the N50,000 bribe taking from the suspect, confirmed that the suspect was arrested at the school premises when the parents of the victim petitioned the police. DSP Kalu said that based on the information supplied by the parents of the victim, the police swung into action and arrested the suspect, adding that upon interrogation the suspect confessed to the crime. She explained that since the offence was bail able, the suspect was released on bail, while investigation continues in the matter.

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Money Sense

Small business trends: 4 top money-making ideas

t doesn’t matter whether you’re a want-to-be entrepreneur looking for just the right business to start or you’re the owner of a growing business with an eye on expanding your line-up, you can always benefit from hearing about trends and money-making opportunities. You should know that these are not definitive in any way. They’re not ranked or sorted: they are just 4 great business ideas for business owners.

1. Health, fitness, and lifestyle solutions: People are busy. They rush to work, rush home, gobble down

their food, and rush to take kids to piano lessons and soccer practice. Then it’s time to rush home, watch American Idol and Law & Order then rush to bed for a rushed sleep. All this rushing around can cause serious health problems: people don’t sleep well, they don’t eat well, they are not able to handle stress as well, and their health and quality of living suffers as a result. Your business can help them find a calm moment in life to unwind. Your business can help them make healthy choices -- either in the integration of exercise or diet into their busy schedules. For example, healthy

meals that can be packed into an executive’s briefcase as a lunch alternative or exercise equipment that is easy to use and portable. Another idea includes a day spa or retreat for busy moms or executives who are traveling. 2. Small business solutions: Everyone wants to live the American Dream, but few people know how to get there. They flounder around; they know it may have something to do with the Internet and they wonder if their own skills could somehow help others while helping them make money, but implementing an idea is vastly different from

dreaming one up. You can create a business that allows people to set up their own business. Although many people have tried and failed at multi-level marketing (MLM) businesses, these types of businesses offer a “white label” type of branding. There are other white label types of companies available online, including web host reselling. There are other turnkey businesses in existence already, like cafepress.com or getestore.com, which allow people to create a business without the fuss and muss of inventory and warehouses. 3.

Busy-ness solutions:

People are busy. That leads to health problems (see item #1). But it also leads to productivity problems. People are simply not able to get things done anymore because everything else is grabbing away at their time. As people prioritize, the essentials take a backseat: grocery shopping, dry cleaning, theater tickets. This is a perfect local business for someone to provide concierge services. If you have a car and some time on your hands, a concierge service can help busy people - both professionals and parents - make the most of their valuable time by turning over the de-prioritized essentials to you. There are online concierge services, but you may find a local market to be the best place to start. 4. Inflation solutions: Prices are rising and people are not able to keep up. Their paycheck disappears faster and people have to fight to spend less. Also, people are becoming better, more informed consumers because of the Internet and information found in Consumer Report guides and similar publications. They want good quality products and services for low prices and with great customer service. This means that you can find a product or service currently in your market (either locally or online) and simply do it better... for less. Find something that is currently done at a moderate price and get creative to think of how you can become the lowcost provider

...Marketing in a recession: 5 ideas to win sales

iven below are 5 effective and affordable marketing ideas that will help you win sales during a recession.

1. Follow-up on old leads: Bring out every old business card, brochure or any other lead that you may have and start calling your contacts. You will need perseverance, because you might not strike gold in your first or even your second try. But keep on following those leads, since you don’t have anything to lose - and lots to gain if you can pull it off. Take out any old inquiries that had not been converted into orders and follow up on every single one of them.

Your existing clients are what keep your business running during lean times. You will need to take special care of them, since your competitors will no doubt have their eyes on your clients. Remember, they are also facing rough economic weather as well. Keep in regular touch with all of your customers, even those that have only purchased from your business once. Tell them how you appreciate their support over such a trying period without mentioning the word ‘recession’. You can also reward them by offering them special discounts or gifts as a token of your appreciation. Let them know that you appreciate their business and their loyalty.

2. Take extra care of your existing clients:

3. Take the road traveled to find new clients:

less

If you have rigid views on taking in odd or small clients, then you should become more flexible. If you have not previously entertained clients with different needs, such as smaller orders or staggered deliveries, now is the time to do so. Keep an open mind and bend your rules a little to accommodate them, since they could not only pull you out of the recession, but over time could bring in new clients. The best part is that if their business grows quickly, then their order values could quickly come into your regular scope of business. There is no financial harm in servicing smaller clients or those with special needs, as long as it doesn’t eat into your profits. You

can start by taking a few trial orders before deciding if this route suits you or not.

4. Increase your level of service: In times when competitors are trying to undercut each other on price, let your service level be a notch higher than the others. Satisfied clients are sure to bring in new clients for your business. Your clients should be convinced that they are getting much more than they were expecting. You might have to bend over backwards to achieve this level of client satisfaction, but as long as you do not sprain your back, this move is sure to pay off. Your staff should also be made to realize that the customer is truly King in these trying times and it will also ensure their job

security if they perform well in their jobs.

5. Give your clients something more: If possible, provide additional services to your clients by providing them with additional warranty on your products and services. Offer onsite service or telephone support. This will not drain your pocket to a large extent, but will go a long way in pleasing potential and existing clients. It is during tough times that you need to alter your marketing strategy to survive to sell another day. The above marketing strategies are not very costly to implement, but can pay you rich dividends - both during and after the recession. www.morebusiness.com

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

EDITORIAL

End of Borno blackout, at last

ministry of power. A statement ome 48 hours after on the military to increase its from the office of the minister of the minister of state presence around the facilities as state for power, Mohammed Wakil, for power, Alhaji well as ensure that staff of TCN apologized for the long blackout of Mohammed Wakil, are not ambushed and beaten Borno. “I apologise to our people disbanded a technical up, as had been the case since for the long delay in reconnecting committee charged with the the upsurge of insurgency in the the state…The Federal Ministry responsibility of reconnecting North-east. Rather than politicise of Power has repeatedly moved to Borno state to the national grid the marathon blackout or engage reconnect Maiduguri to the national for poor performance, the state in a blame game to score political grid but insurgency and sabotage “shone bright” again last week. points, the federal government delayed the realisation of that goal,” It had been in darknessfor seven should ensure that power months as a result of a Boko supply is regular, sustained, and Haram attack on Damboa power affordable. sub-station, Sabotage of power transmission We recall that the July 4th, 2014 and distribution facilities is a the destructionof the 132 KV Biuweapon the Boko Haram has used Damboa-Maiduguri power line effectively. It makes intelligence supplying power to most parts of gathering by the military difficult Borno compounded an already because locals are unable make epileptic power supply. Prior contact with security personnel to that, even the more reliable through cell phones on the industrial 33kv power line that movement of the Boko Haram served highbrow areas was terrorists. For that reason, the reportedly sabotaged just as were latter move effortlessly and attacks efforts to procure electricity from are reported only after they occur. neighbouring Niger Republic that, It was a mistake when the government ironically, gets electricity from once ordered the closure of GSM Nigeria a gratis. providers’ facilities in the state he explained. Reconnection to the power grid “In the last seven months when the in the erroneous belief that Boko had been impossible due to the Haram was taking advantage of power lines and sub-station at lingering insecurity in Borno them. As it turned out, the sect Damboa were attacked, the ministry whereby staff of Transmission operated a communication system through the Transmission Company Company of Nigeria (TCN) were that bypassed the GSM networks. of Nigeria made at least seven routinely assaulted, harassed That realization caused a policy attempts to rectify the problem and even killed by insurgents and rethink by the government. but on each occasion the officials the military constantly subjected were attacked.” The ministerial In the same way, keeping Borno in them to questioning.The situation the dark for all of seven months aide said that two other attempts was not helped by counter claims also played into the hands of were successfully accomplished in by both the military and TCN staff the murderous sect. It is a huge spite of the security and sabotage over who was responsible for the relief that this mistake has been challenges facing the state, a feat vandalisation of power supply corrected. Restoration of power that has ensured that some parts of facilities. will not only help the war effort but Maiduguri are enjoying electricity.” All that is history now, it will We commend this bold step to restore also will make social and economic appear, according to the federal life more bearable. power supply to the state and call

“

Restoration of power will not only help the war effort but also will make social and economic life more bearable.

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

PAGE 14

Opinion

2015: The Nigerian dilemma

By Bode Omojola

he image of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the opposition APC has changed rather dramatically from a scary overture to an enchanting leitmotif. It is significant that Mr. Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, the southwestbased Action Congress, AC, and many disgruntled political “caterpillars and juggernauts” from the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, were able to work together to form a new, much stronger opposition party – the All Progressives Congress, APC. It is also significant that Mr. Buhari managed to beat all the contenders, including the politically sagacious Atiku Abubakar, a former vice-president, to emerge the presidential candidate of the new party. His dramatic win speaks to the fragility of the Nigerian democratic system, notably, the amorphous identity of political parties and the money and powerdriven pragmatic vista of Nigerian politicians. Social media platforms have played a significant role in perpetuating the Buhari nostalgia. They are inundated with comments, both sponsored and unsponsored, debunking the alleged misdeeds of the retired general; distancing him from nepotism, the 2011 post-election killings, and the saga of the missing 53 cash-filled suitcases; defending him against the allegation that he awarded a disproportionate portion of the Petroleum Trust

Fund, PTF, budget to the advantage of a particular segment of the country; and explaining that he had nothing to do with the alleged disappearance of N2.8 billion from the coffers of the NNPC, the government-owned oil company, during his tenure as petroleum minister. His alleged fanatical support for sharia and his ostensive fundamentalist leanings are also dismissed as specious accusations arising from the inability, or a vindictive refusal, of critics to properly contextualize and objectively appraise actions and statements emanating from the general’s past. On the other hand, Buhari is now often credited with a record of a disciplined fiscal management and the capability to protect and maintain the territorial integrity of the country. He is portrayed as someone with the required strategy and courage to end the Boko Haram insurgency. These comments are in dramatic contrast to the anti-Buhari sentiment that pervaded the political space just over four years ago. The Buhari nostalgia now seems unstoppable. In analyzing the basis for the new Buhari wave, it is tempting, but would be e rrone ous, to suggest that Nigerians are rather too gullible or that public memory in the country is extremely short. The Buhari nostalgia has less to do with the past deeds (good or bad) of the former military dictator than with the pervading air of gloom that currently envelopes the country. It is important to highlight certain key events of the past

six years and assess the state of the nation as a precondition for exploring the best options for the future of the country. I will try to do this in as few words as possible. The inability of the Nigerian armed forces to effectively quell the Boko Haram insurgency is seen as a symptom of the failure of governance rather than a reflection of the ability of the men and women of the military. Many people believe that key military commands have not been provided with the weaponry that they need to fight Boko Haram. This in spite of the millions of dollars that the government claims to have been spending on procuring military hardware to fight the insurgency. The general thinking is that monies meant to prosecute the war have been siphoned into private bank accounts, lining the pockets of corrupt politicians. Indeed, there are some high profile cases of alleged graft involving key personalities of the Jonathan administration that have yet to be satisfactorily investigated or resolved. These include the alleged disappearance of $20 billion from the coffers of the petroleum ministry (again!), and mismanagement of funds in the aviation ministry. While the aviation minister involved was eventually sacked after much public outcry, I am not aware that that case has been properly investigated. The minister of petroleum still keeps her position though and does not seem to have responded sufficiently to the call by the national assembly

Politics of fuel price cut By Boniface Chizea

n what should be regarded as going against the trend, an announcement was made by the Minister for Petroleum Resources and current President of OPEC January 18, 2015 (a Sunday of all days) that President Goodluck Jonathan has approved a reduction in the pump price of PMS from N 97 per litre to N87, a drop of 10 Naira, representing a reduction of about 10.3 per cent. It must be stated here clearly that most compatriots were long in expectation of this reduction in pump price as reductions have taken place in almost all other countries across the globe in reaction to the cascading fall in fuel price. If therefore there were any matters arising therefrom it was the fact that the reduction came a bit late in the day and as some have argued that considering the extent of fall in price of crude oil of about 50 per cent over the period commencing from June, 2014 when the fall started till now;

that a commensurate reduction in pump price was expected. But as has been explained severally such sentiments have not taken fully into account the implication of the subsidy on imported petroleum products. And therefore what the drop in price first impacted was essentially a reduction in the amount of subsidy which this country had borne against wise counsel in this regard. This development, therefore, gives the rationale for a massively reduced provision in the 2015 budget of 200 billion for the payment of subsidy. Following the announcement it was indicated by the relevant authority that a subsidy of N 2.84 per liter was still being sustained and you cannot put wonder what sort of rationale informed this level of reduction. It was generally felt that an opportunity should have been seized of this development to eliminate the subsidy which had attained scandalous levels of about one trillion Naira per annum; several billion Naira in

excess of the capital budget. It has since been announced that subsidy of up to N 3. 64 per liter is still being retained after the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) suddenly removed its pricing template from its website to replace it with a not so detailed template which had the effect of making the whole process less transparent than it had been hitherto. As should be expected, marketers have taken their time in responding to this cut in price as most filling stations still displayed the old price justifying such a stance with the selfish logic that they will comply only when the existing products have been sold. But the increase would have been automatic if the price adjustment had been upwards as it had been the case lately underscoring the selfish mindset of our businessmen. The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has had to wield the big stick by taking the drastic step of sealing up some of the stations that were

to explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged missing fund. One of the most sensational cases of graft came to light in the country three years ago when a top contractor alleged that Farouk Lawan, a prominent member of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Petroleum Subsidy, demanded a bribe from him. The contractor, in his own explanation, played along by “paying” the bribe while he secretly recorded the process of payment. That case remains unresolved. To add insult to injury, Mr. Jonathan pardoned the ex-Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was jailed for embezzling public funds. That presidential absolution has cleared the way for Mr. Alamieyeseigha to vie for the Senate in the next election. Unabated corruption provides the context for understanding the persistence of other big problems like chronic unemployment, an underfunded and a dysfunctional educational sector, a collapsing healthcare system (college professors and hospital workers go on strike regularly—at times for up to six months—to press for improved funding), and a weak supply or the lack of certain basic necessities. Electricity generation is for example at a disgracefully low level (in spite of the billions of dollars that government says it has spent on that sector), paralyzing industrial growth. There are reports that many manufacturing companies have moved out of the country to Ghana where the state of power generation is

much better. Overlaying all these problems is the Boko Haram menace that I mentioned earlier, which epitomizes the woeful performance of the Jonathan presidency. Wole Soyinka, Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in literature, recently condemned President Jonathan’s reign of impunity, likening it to the era of the biblical Nebuchadnezzar. In the same vein, Mr. Soyinka, in an article written much earlier and titled, The Nigerian Nation against Buhari, reminded Nigerians about the anti-democratic antecedents of Buhari. These negative verdicts on the two main presidential contestants throw into sharp relief the challenge that Nigerians face as the February 14 presidential election draws nearer. Yet, a choice—a difficult one indeed— has to be made on that date. In engaging the challenge of this quandary, I would like to offer a few closing remarks as follows: Of Jonathan, I should state that his tenure has been a painful and fruitless process of hoping that things would get better. The lacklustre and business-as-usual approach of his administration in the past six years offers little or no basis for a hopeful future. As a popular Yoruba adage goes, the sharpness of the blade of a hoe must match the toughness of the soil to be tilled. The political darkness enveloping the nation right now seems rather too overwhelming for President Jonathan. Professor Bode Omojola teaches at Mount Holyoke College in the United States.

in default thereby effectively stopping such stations from dispensing PMS to customers. One only hopes that DPR will intensify its monitoring efforts to guarantee compliance by all concerned marketers and to checkmate attempts to manipulate the meter to take advantage of the customer and unethically continue to earn unmerited high profit. We cannot decry enough the shame of the fact that Nigeria which is probably the eight largest exporter of crude petroleum in the world still goes ahead to import refined products for domestic consumption because of utter mismanagement of the petroleum sector in the country. The four refineries in the country are notorious for operating well below installed capacity despite routine huge turnaround maintenance expenditure. One is also at a loss to rationalize why the Kaduna Refinery had been configured to refine imported heavy version of crude which the country

does not produce! What is even more is the fact that the country proceeded to allow the public sector to import refined products in a manner that is rife with all manner of scams and malpractice in the process doing considerable damage to the unflattering image of a corrupt nation which has been tagged to this country. But all Economist are unanimous of the view that subsidy is not advisable as it represents a veritable misallocation of resources and what is a very important consideration is the common knowledge that such subsidy payments never get to the intended beneficiaries as could be attested to from the experience of the country in all sectors in which subsidy had been extended be it to Agriculture or petroleum products or for that matter any other areas where subsidies, waivers and discounts have been allowed. Dr. Boniface Chizea, CEO, BIC Consultancy, wrote in from Lagos

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Comment

Much ado about first lady’s office (II) By McPatrick Michael Linus

n the last few years we have witness a lot of programs, campaigns and road shows across the country under the guise of encouragement for women to go into active politics even when it is obvious that such campaigns is aim at legitimizing or justifying the large budget for such office or directed to indirectly win the heart of men to back the reelection of her spouse as the case is with the incumbent president. The controversy over the issue is quite unnecessary if you ask me. The time spends to condemn its scrap by Nigerians especially our women could have been put to better use. If I was in their shoe, I would take it as a challenge and work hard to occupy an elective post come Feb. 2015 instead of waiting for the imaginary 30% affirmative action allocation. Of late we have seen our women try to compete with the men folks in politics thereby

arrogate their chores to maids. On one hand we hear them talk of men giving them a chance in the polity on another forum they say ‘what a man can do women do better’ what a paradox! I often ask how long women would continue to sideline or undermine their God given potentials and wait for men to relinquish power to them. In the past we saw the activities of the likes of Fumilayo RamsomKuti, Margret Ekpo, Gambo, etc. even in our contemporary time Hon. Patricia Eteh, late Prof. Dora Akunguli, Sen. Zainab Kure, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu just to mention but a few who got the support of their husbands and gave their male counterparts a run for their money during election. So far the closer a Nigeria woman came is a deputy governor and maybe an accidental governor like Mrs. VergiEteaba of Anambra state during the ‘nightmare’ of Governor Peter Obi. Our women could achieve a lot both in short and long run if only

they’ll unite and support their own as seen in other parts of the world. In Germany for example, a woman is a Chancellor, President in Brazil, once a Prime minister in Britain and the last secretary of state in The US was a woman. Across countries of the world we have seen women occupy sensitive post and leaving their foot print in the sand of time not forgetting here in Africa, countries like Liberia and Malawi have women as president. Before now no one would ever believe women could aspire to such offices let alone occupy it because it was solely reserve for men who continue to enjoy monopoly at their expense. Inasmuch as religion and some obnoxious traditional practices mostly here in Africa have impeded our women from aspiring to any level of their choice in life, another factor that continues to pose a challenge is lack of unity among them. It is not surprising these days to see our women

wear ‘Aso-ebi’(local attire), happily singing and throbbing out in large numbers across the country to drum support for their male counterpart during campaign rather than pull their resources together to support one of their own. I believe Sarah Jibrin’s melodrama at the Eagle square during the 2011 PDP primary election is still fresh in our memory. It is common today to see posters of women who are vying for the post of women leader in various political parties flooding our streets in contrast to those running for let say, State/ Federal house of representative or senatorial post. Let alone talk of taking a shot at the highest post in the land. It’s high time our women wake up from their slumber and actualize their dream instead of relying on affirmative action or better still wait for men to relinquish power to them. If this is the case; I can confidently say, it won’t happen anytime soon

perhaps in the nearest future. Nonetheless, the point must be made clear, that the role of a woman is complementary and not competitive as some thinks. I’ll spare you the temptation of a voyage around religious, ethno and traditional beliefs across different African cultures since that’s not the focus of this article. What I’m simply saying is that, the whole notion of a woman trying to compete with a man is a myth and an aberration. Rather than grumble or demand for the head of the general for considering scrapping what most of us consider an illegality, they should instead welcome and support the idea and consider it a blessing in disguise. This may just be an opportunity for our women to take up the challenge to run and win the next general election into the office of the president who knows. Concluded McPatrick Michael Linus wrote in from Abuja

How about a taxi-driver President? By Mamman Nasarawa

am old enough to remember the promises made by Nigerian politicians from the First Republic to date. The promises and manner of presentation remained the same: “free education” which later changed to “qualitative education”; “free health-care”, which is now coming in a slightly more user- friendly mantra, “affordable health-care”; “tarred roads”, now repackaged as “motorable roads”, etc. However, in some cases, the politicians don’t even bother coming up with a new slogan, even after failing to deliver the deliverables, like “housing for all”; “full employment”; “subsidized loans”, among the Eldorado promised to Nigerian electorates. You will realise that I refused to mention about the numerous promises to end our power black-out, and this is because I no longer have the appetite or strength to even mention it. Honestly, I think this is a battle that my son should take up, probably when I am unable to maintain the diesel-run generator on which I spent half of my retirement benefit. In a country where more than 90% of the citizens live on less than $1.5 a day, and a high percentage of the population are not educated, one can see the ease with which the fallacious politicians keep manipulating the intelligence of the people through all sorts of electoral promises. Since they are neither intelligent nor honest enough to answer my question, why should they expect me to leave all I am doing and queue up to vote for them? In all fairness to them, none of them even bothered coming to solicit

for my vote in the last election, and I am not sure if I had seen any manifesto. I usually don’t go into the issue of how badly they treat voters after robbing them of their votes because I have always known our fate in the hands of our elected officials. For example, it is only in Nigeria, I understand, that the President of the Senate does not use the commercial airport or aircrafts, even on his private trips. Next time I see his motorcade on the way to the airport I shall follow him until I confirm this statement. You are free to ask me if I am getting crazy, but I am beginning to believe that Nigeria would not be worse off if it had no President, Minister of Finance or Governor of Central Bank, Inspector-General of Police, Minister of Works, etc. After all, Nigerians are used to providing themselves with basic public services like electricity, water, security, roads, schools, etc. because governments at all levels have woefully failed in providing these services! Recently, my son told me that his teacher said the number of churches and mosques in Nigeria is 10 times the number of schools and hospitals in the country. “So, what do you want me to do”, I fired back angrily. Realizing how uninterested I was in the subject, he changed the topic. “Daddy, they said there is a hunter, who is now leading the police in the hunt for armed robbers in the country”. Instead of taking up my frustration on the innocent lad, I realized that it was better for me to understand the import of the child’s message: things are not working well in the country, which is traceable mainly to lack of dedicated and focussed leadership. Of course, you don’t engage a minor in

this type of high-level political discussion. However, recently after listening to a radio programme on leadership qualities, I came to realize that no other profession prepares its practitioners for the presidency of Nigeria more than taxi driving. To begin with, membership of this profession is unquestionably one of the most liberal in Nigeria. Its members can excel to their elastic limits depending on their hard work and God-given talent. It’s not like the ‘bureau de change”, where entrance and upward mobility is monopolized by the Hausa, or the spare-parts business, where you have to be an Igbo to survive the rough and tumble of the profession, or the legal profession where the average Yoruba has placed his destiny in it in Nigeria. It is also, perhaps the only profession that has succeeded in breaking the North-South divide, without being enshrined in our Constitution. Furthermore, taxi driving in Nigeria is not a profession for the lily-livered; crisscrossing the country needs an undaunted mind, which will be an asset for the highest political office in the country. By virtue of his profession, an average Nigerian taxi driver is likely to speak at least two or three languages, an attribute that would make the taxi-driver-president feel at home in every part of Nigeria. Being a true nationalist, our taxi-driver-president would not be identified with any particular hat – the ethnic trademark of Nigerian politicians! The taxi-driver-president would be an action man, using the same instincts with which he used in picking up passengers

with a just wink from them. Taxi drivers are not only eagle-eyed, they also have an incredible memory. Imagine how our taxi drivers navigate through our narrow streets, often without numbers, to drop and pick up passengers – without the use of GPS! With this kind of computer memory, our taxi-driverpresident would remember every project site for which money has been allocated in the budget. This means the end of collecting money for non-performing projects, or even worse, nonexisting ones. National Security, is no doubt, one of the areas that the taxidriver-president will perform very well, in other words, the most crippling psychological wound inflicted on the psyche of Nigerians right now. For sure, his taxi driving experience equips him with incredible wherewithal for intelligence gathering. Every Nigerian speaks loud and the higher the position in government the louder. Those in the National Assembly are special bread; and that is why even when there is a black-out, they don’t miss the public address system. While our big men are good at talking aloud, our taxi drivers are even better in the art of snooping. However, to the average Nigerian when you talk of national security, what comes to mind is the issue of Boko Haram (BH), MEND and MOSSOP in that order and in another category the armed robbers, kidnappers and their marauding small cousins, the burglars. Since these terrorists and miscreants use taxis quite a lot in their strategic planning, the taxi-driver-president will use his skills, experience and considerable goodwill from his constituency to win the fight

against them. As for BH, the taxi-driverpresident would tell the whole world that this is a local problem, so the Americans should rest in peace. In Africa, when there is a fight in a family, distant neighbours are not called to intervene. Anyway, the option of using “Babalawos” to catch the head of the BH has not even been tried, and these “Babalawos” if you don’t look for them, they don’t offer themselves. One of the main complaints against our politicians is their inability to sit down and work. Some argue that if they were to sit down and work for long hours, what time would they have to spend the stupendous amount of money they make? Probably this is where our taxi-driver-president doesn’t need any orientation, because by his previous job has trained him to sit and work at least 12 hours a day, seven-day week. His dedication to duty is such that even without a brake he will still drive! Just before completing this piece, there was breaking news that the price of fuel has been increased by more than 100%, in spite of all the hues and cries by the Nigerian public. The “Gang of Three” is prepared to suck more blood than the children of the Burmese vampire generals who couldn’t increase the price of fuel in their country by more than 34%! So, I will continue with my dream that one day, our nation, Nigeria, would get a taxi-driverpresident. And then we shall all be taxiing off to cover the distance we have lost in more than 50 years! Mamman Nasarawa resides in Abuja, FCT.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Endorsement: SDP sets up committee on Jonathan, Buhari

Senator Kabiru Gaya acknowledging cheers from All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters, during the party’s Zonal rally, yesterday at Tudun Wada Local Government Area of Kano state.

By Patrick Andrew

he Social Democratic Party (SDP) has constituted a 7-man committee to deliberate on who between Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan the party should adopt as its presidential candidate in the forthcoming February 14 presidential polls. This was contained in a communiqué issued yesterday after the meeting between the party’s leadership and its gubernatorial and senatorial candidates in Abuja, where it was resolved that the party should adopt a candidate since it was unable to field one for the election. According to the National Chairman of the party and the former presidential candidate of the APP in the 1999 presidential contest, Chief Olu Falae, it resorted to adopt a candidate since none of the party’s presidential aspirants was able to meet the required guidelines within the time stipulated by the INEC for the forthcoming elections. “We have, therefore, decided to set up a committee to advise the party on which, if any, of the presidential candidates the party should adopt based on the following stipulated considerations” he said.

Communities cry out over abandoned promises by politicians From Ahmed Idris, Brinin Kebbi

ommunities of Raha in Bunza local government area of Kebbi State have called on all politicians seeking elective position in the state not to abandon the electorate if elected into offices after the 2015 general election. This called was made yesterday at Raha Town when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate for Birnin Kebbi/Kalgo/Bunza Federal Constituency, Alhaji Musa Dan-Illela took his campaign train to the area. The spokesman of the communities, Mallam Muhamma Raha said that the call was necessary because government has neglected them for so long. He bemoaned the bad attitude of some politicians especially those vying for elective positions that would just come and made promises that would not be fulfilled on the long run after given them the needed support. “We are going to support you but please if you succeed try and remember us because we lack water, schools, transformers and roads” he added.

Campaign in north-east, a home coming for Buhari – Support group From Uche Uche, Damaturu

s the long awaited visit of General Muhammadu Buhari for his presidential campaign in Yobe draws closer, the Buhari Support Organization (BSO) is living no stone unturned to ensure a peaceful campaign rally and a peaceful election in both Yobe and Borno. A member representing Bade/ Jakusko Federal Constituency in Yobe, Hassan El-Badawi disclosed this why briefing journalists on the activities of the BSO in preparation to receive the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress,

Muhammadu Buhari in Yobe for his 2015 election campaign. He said the Buhari Support Organisation was established in Abuja with branches in all the 36 states and the federal capital territory Abuja, adding that in Yobe State, coordinating offices have been established at the wards, local and state levels. He stated that having served as a governor in the northeast, General Buhari will be coming to his home rather that coming as a stranger during his campaign visit to Yobe State. He disclosed that the organization in Yobe has been active in making

adequate arrangement for the visit to ensure a peaceful rally through sensitization of the grassroots, especially the youths so they could conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the 2015 general election. He said the group is also mobilizing support for General Buhari from ward, local and state level and has acquired an office where the work of coordinating the activities are carried out. He said the situation in Nigeria now required a man with a military heart who can tackle the various problems bedeviling the country, from corruption to insurgency and

revamping Nigeria’s ailing economy, pointing out that the country is blessed with natural resources that could be tapped for economic benefit of the nation. He stressed that Buhari does not need marketing because his legacy is selling him to people and thus the general support he has been receiving everywhere he carried his campaign to even in the south where such success would have been in doubt previously. He therefore called on the people to come out en masse to receive the dream president of Nigeria whenever he arrives and give him their one hundred supports.

Jonathan campaign accuses Buhari, INEC of smuggling results By Ahmed Abubakar

he All Progressives Congress (APC), Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhar has again been accused by President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign directorate of complicity with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to smuggle his certificate to the fold of the commission. Making the disclosure, Director Media of the PDP presidential Campaign, Chief Femi FanniKayode, told journalists that, “on Tuesday, Buhari made a shocking and belated disclosure that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has his documents”. Fani-Kayode said though

Buhari was not being exact on what documents are with the commission “but it is very clear that this is yet another squalid attempt to give the Nigerian people the impression that INEC has his certificate. If this is true, it represents a somersault from his original position which was that INEC has his affidavit and it once again reveals General Buhari for what he is”. “With this latest antic, General Buhari is obviously trying to smuggle a newly acquired certificate into INEC through the backdoor. If this is true and if INEC allows such a thing to happen, it would put a serious question mark on its impartiality and credibility. It would mean that it has collected his newly-acquired certificate, 40 days outside the stipulation of the law”,

he warned. “We say this because Section 31(3) of the Electoral Act says INEC “shall within 7 days of the receipt of the receipt of the personal particulars of the candidate, publish same in the constituency...” He argued that the renewed vigour in Buhari’s arrogance attest to the fact that there is a seeming collaboration between him and INEC when he said, “this is the first time, INEC by law has got those documents and they said they have got them. So anybody who has different view should go to court. So let them remain there”. “The Electoral body must come clean on this matter; otherwise we will be compelled to pass a no-confidence vote in it. If INEC is complicit in the desperate and

despicable attempt to extricate General Buhari, without compliance with the provisions of the law, from this lingering embarrassment, we will have no other choice than to harbour the suspicion and fear that the electoral body is already compromised and can lend itself to the ungodly agenda of truncating our victory when our candidate wins. “We also want the election observers to keep watch of the unfolding events regarding General Buhari’s qualification or otherwise. In other countries, it is about obeying the rule of law and not about protecting the political interest of an individual, especially since a free, fair and credible election is not about the day of voting alone but also the processes leading up to it” he stated.

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Sokoto PDP youth leader preaches peace From Raji Bello, Sokoto

S L-R: Former NNPC GMD, Engineer Andrew Yakubu, Kaduna state PDP Chairman, Chief Abubakar G. Haruna, Kaduna state Governor and PDP governorship candidate, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, and his Deputy Governor, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga, during the governor’s campaign rally for reelection, on Wednesday in Jaba Local Government of the state. Photo: Bashir Bello

Youth ambassador cautions against election violence By Ali Abare Abubakar

ormer national captain of the Super Eagles and Youth Ambassador, Joseph Yobo yesterday called on Nigerians to shun violence as a means of protesting results of the upcoming general elections. Mr. Yobo who is also the brand Ambassador of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ward to Ward Initiative, called on Nigerian youth to resist the temptation to be used as political thugs while also cautioning politicians against making inciting remarks which are capable of fostering hatred and an attendant breakdown of law and order. In a statement circulated in Abuja, the youth ambassador observed that the current inflammatory utterances by

some politicians as we approach the upcoming elections may not augur well with the need to promote national unity and a subsistent electoral process. MR. Yobo also expressed his gratitude to community and religious leaders who have publicly proclaimed the need to shun violence before, during and after the elections, urging them to continue in their good efforts. “The youth are the building block of any society. We therefore have to stand up firmly against all forms of electoral violence and instead concentrate on productive pursuits and constructive nation building,” he said. He also pointed out that the recent signing of a peace pact by President Goodluck Jonathan and the other

presidential candidates is not only encouraging but also an indication of good statesmanship on their party. Yobo reminded the youth that those politicians who incite them to violence and at the same time use them as human shields usually have their children and family members tucked away overseas in safe havens and far from any source of harm. He commended President Jonathan for recently urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that all eligible Nigerians are given the opportunity to exercise their franchise by making the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) available to them. He also called on the public to engage more in constructive public debates ABOUT THE ELECTION PROCESS and TO

DESIST from ethno- religious ARGUMENTS WHICH CAUSE FURTHER FRICTION. He said he can be seen as a living testimony of the possibility of utilizing opportunities available to every Nigerian citizen and which could equally be tapped by every Nigerian youth without necessarily resorting to violence. “My story is an example of the magnitude of accomplishments and success that one can attain in our country today because of the tremendous opportunities for growth that is available to all Nigerian youth in Nigeria today irrespective of their tribes or background. However, we cannot achieve any meaningful individual or collective progress in a nation plagued by violence”, he said.

APC youth leader urges youth to vote for Buhari, others By Umar Muhammad Puma

he national youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo Waziri has charged Nigerians especially the youths to support and vote for the party’s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 general elections. Dasuki stated this yesterday at a rally organised by the youth wing of the Buhari Campaign Directorate in Abuja yesterday. He said that the road show is to sensitise and inform people about their candidate and canvass more votes for him as the election is just days away.

“We are actually canvassing for votes for our presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and other candidates of the party in the country for the 2015 elections. He said that Nigerians have since 1999 been shortchanged as the government has failed to address the nation’s major problems like insecurity, corruption and unemployment which has subjected them to untold hardship and affected their lives. Jalo maintained that Nigerians especially the youths who were the most affected must use their votes to effect the

change by voting for Buhari and all the other candidates of the party so that the country will be better for generations to come. “Nigerians deserve change out of their present predicaments. The youth are the drivers of this change. Our presidential candidate have promised us jobs, he promised to tackle insecurity, corruption and other challenges which we believe we have every reason to support them,” he said. The APC youth leader promised that all the youth and other Nigerians will be mobilised to vote for the party in the elections, adding that the party will defeat the PDP with a landslide to win the election.

He noted that the party’s candidate has gained acceptance in all the parts of the country because of his excellent past records as a man of integrity and impeccable character which he has proven everywhere he held position from being the Head of State to all the other positions he held in the country. He said the sensitisation programme by the APC and other Nigerian youths will be carried out in other parts of the country in the coming days. “We intend to replicate this road show in the zones to mobilise people to vote for the candidates for the party,”Jalo said.

okoto state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Leader, Alhaji Nasiru Gidan Kanawa has described violence of any kind in politics as old fashioned, stressing that violence is capable of destroying the image and political popularity of politicians. Alhaji Gidan Kanawa made the assertion in Wamakko at the flag-off rally of the Goodluck Jonathan Volunteers Vanguard (GEJ Volunteers) organised by the PDP Wamakko local government Youth Forum in Wamakko which consist of hundreds of the youths across the eleven wards of the local government as volunteers of President Goodluck Jonathan reelection campaign. Kanawa noted that political violence is another way of exhibiting lack of political maturity and recognition from the people by those who have failed in politics. He described the level of reported violence and political thuggery in Sokoto State and other places across the country as the handiwork of some enemies of progress within the state, who were either demoralized or afraid with the level of support and political goodwill of President Jonathan’s administration across the country. The youth Leader assured that Sokoto State is a peaceful place, and will continue to remain the same in spite of provoked statements carried in the media by some hired political mercenaries, who are hiding under the names of human rights or opposition parties to brand the leader in bad image. He cautioned politicians, especially those peddling rumours and lies about religious or ethnicity on the party’s flag bearer, as they should learn to live with truth and peace as those who lived in the glass houses need not to be throwing stone. He stated that PDP supporters in Sokoto State are peace loving and no matter what, they will not be engaged in violence. “We shall never engage our youths or sponsor anybody to engage in violence, we are peace lovers and it is our firm belief that, without peace nothing could be achieved” Kanawa said. He therefore called on the PDP supporters, especially, youths not to be provoked by the shout and destruction of their offices or bill boards as reason of determining the political supremacy between them.

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I am determined to restore the glory of Yobe State – Adamu Waziri Interview

ou have just formally launched your campaign for governorship of Yobe. Can you tell us your plans and worries? As you are aware, I just flagged off my gubernatorial campaign in Yobe State capital here in Damaturu, a few days to first elections; we have deliberately decided to make the flag-off secondary and used the high-profile decampees as our star attraction to send a message to friends and folks alike that the PDP in Yobe which has undergone serious internal crisis has become cohesive such that it would attract serving key members of the APC administration in Yobe State and high profile former members of the government into our fold. This is a clear manifestation that the wind of change which we are aspiring for, which is eminent, is very realistic come 2015 elections. It is said that everything that has a beginning has an end and it is our wish and determination that the 2015 elections could bring an end to the mere dominance of the political landscape of opposition parties to PDP in Yobe and it is my rare privilege that I will once again lead this campaign and restore good governance by overthrowing the APP/ANPP/ APC administration in Yobe. The party had undergone severe mutations which has made it to lose its value, its direction and its responsibility to the citizens of the state and we have allempirical statistics that have been gathered by international and national agencies from the United Nations (UN), UNDP, DFID, National Bureau of Statistics, National Universities Commission (NUC), West African Examination Council (WAEC), State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); all show Yobe scoring the least in various areas ranging from the health care delivery system, water and sanitation, education, to employment opportunities, and in terms of filling our quotas in the various vacancies in the leadership position of this country. I am determined like my boss, Chief (Gen) Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd). When he came on board in 1999 as president, Nigeria was a pariah state. Then, we were suffering international disdain and condemnation; within four years, he was able to restore the glory of our country to take its rightful place in the comity of nations. I pray very hard that God will give me the opportunity to take Yobe from the least position in Nigeria to the best position in the North East in four years and move it to

Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, former Police Affairs Minister, is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Yobe State. In this interview with journalists in Damaturu, Yobe State capital, he unveils his plans for the state if elected governor in the February 28 polls. He also chides the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration in the state over its failure to meet the needs of the people. Uche Uche, was there. the group of first 12 states in all human endeavors in Nigeria. This is my mission and I hope God and the people of Yobe State will give me the opportunity to achieve this ambition and offer Yobe good leadership and good governance. What can you say on the dwindling oil revenue in the country? Yes, it is true that the country is suffering dwindling oil revenue such that the various components of the country are also going to experience low revenue to run governments. I have said without mincing words that Nigeria and Yobe were in similar situation in 1999; path to forceful leadership restored good governance and global economy improved. The most important thing we want to remember is that even if Yobe has 50 per cent revenue, it cannot run the affairs of the state. There is so much corruption, there are so many leakages, there is so much wastage in government of Yobe State and my reputation for zero tolerance is going to reduce corruption, leakages, and wastages. It will now make available resources that are being siphoned for economic development; that is first, and secondly, it is in a situation of lazy leadership for Yobe to rely almost 98 per cent on federal allocation to run the government machinery, Yobe has got available resources but they can’t be exploited through partnership with local and international businesses that is going to improve the revenue base of the state. Let me give you an example, in Yobe we have gypsum mineral that is being mined manually and this gypsum is being transported to Ewekoro Cement Factory, Benue Cement Factory, Ashaka Cement Factory and even to Sokoto Cement Factory. The tools being used are shovels and diggers; no leadership in

Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri Yobe has recognised the revenue potentiality of that single mineral resource. It is going to transform, first, the lives of the people where the mineral resource is located and the overall economy of the state. Go to northern part of Yobe, we have potash. The way it is being mined now is the same way it was mined 500 years ago. If you go to the outskirts of Yusufari, you will see abandoned potassium plant for which a lot of money was expended to import the machinery. The shells of the building are there; nobody, no leadership in this state deem it necessary to recognise the enormous revenue that can be derived from modernised potassium mining, nobody recognised the impact of modernisation for the benefit of the local populace and this potassium is transported to all parts of this country and is used by pharmaceutical industries.

“

I said they are in safe hands with me because the fact that you have been politicized, that is why you are not working. If you elect me you will be civil servants because I will come with policies and you will be machinery to implement it; that is your job. They said ‘yes’ because they are also tired

All these they do, not anybody from the mars does it. All that is needed is a committed, patriotic leadership that will do things better and there is no better time than when you are suffering from severe economic crunch, because they say, “when you are challenged the best of you comes out”. That answers part of your questions. The remaining one will be answered when we reach the bridge. How would you overcome the problem of insecurity in the state? I am determined to succeed if voted into power. But for me to succeed there must be peace; there must be security of lives and properties; for that to happen, the people that are aggrieved must have peace and the leader believes, yes, he can bring a change and these people that are aggrieved know me, some by name, some by face. The problem is that I do not know them but I will know them if I am sold. It is my responsibility to bring peace to my domain and they know that over the years, I do not say what I will not do. I only say what I can do and I have had leadership position where, compared to many others, I have come out clean. So the first thing is internal dissatisfaction by the led. It is for the led to believe that they have chosen a leadership that was given the mandate and they can predict what the leadership can do. Secondly, I do not believe that the leadership in Yobe wants to bring about improved peace and security of lives and properties. I do not believe so because few days ago, I went to General Hospital,

Potiskum, the oldest hospital in Yobe built in 1968, to visit victims of bomb blast. It was a sorry sight. It is part of the public pronouncement that the relatives of the victims are the ones buying the drugs. I even showed members of my entourage the room I was admitted in 1970 where I spent ten days in that hospital. I have eaten the food of that hospital, what we see in Yobe is our leaders visiting and condoling people who have lost their fathers and mothers. This is what we see but that is not where people should see their leader. People should see their leader in bringing water, good health care delivery system. There is a hospital commenced by late Senator Mamman Ali in 2007. Is still uncompleted and it is not in any remote village but in Damaturu; the water situation in the state has not improved from Bukar Abba Ibrahim’s time to date; our educational system has fallen; there is no reason why every indigene of Yobe who is in Polytechnic, College of Education and University is not enjoying free education. How many are we producing? The numbers are too small. There is no reason why our students should be the last and failing. I finished from Government Secondary School, Potiskum in 1971. We were the first. Our set has the best result. The first key to insecurity is for the people to believe that this leadership will bring change. People should not be denied their basic needs. Work for them! When they elect me, they have imprisoned me because I would be sworn-in with my Holy Book to be a just and fair leader. Some have been sworn-in on the same book but they have not been just and fair and that is why we have insecurity and that is why there have been killings. It is the job of the leader to find out: ‘Why are they against me? Who are those against me? What do I need to do to bring about sanity in my own territory that I’m leading?’ I had a meeting with some top Civil Servants who pledged their loyalty and they told me in the course of discussing, innocently, that all governments in Yobe use them to rig elections, that they have been highly politicized. I said they are in safe hands with me because the fact that you have been politicized, that is why you are not working. If you elect me you will be civil servants because I will come with policies and you will be machinery to implement it; that is your job. They said ‘yes’ because they are also tired.

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NCC to sanction telecom operators sending unsolicited SMS to subscribers

L-R: Divisional Director, Large Scale Enterprising, Mr. Joseph Olatunde, Director General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Engineer Umar Bindir, Managing Director/CEO, Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, and Executive Director, Large Scale Enterprises, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, during a working visit by the management Bank of Industry to the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

NERC licenced Trombay to generate power in Gombe

By Etuka Sunday

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday licenced Trombay Power Generation Limited to operate a 500 MegaWatts power plant, a statement by the commission has disclosed. Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi commended the company’s Group President, Jitendes Kumar Sachdeva for the painstaking

process he was subjected to in the course of the application for the coal- powered plant. The 500MW power plant is located at Wajari Village along Dadinkowa Road, Yamaltu local government area of Gombe state. “I commend your patience and perseverance to follow through your application. Coal power plant is becoming important the effort to in diversify our fuel source’’

“I hope you will follow through your timelines in constructing your power plant with the same dedication you displayed in the course of this application.’’ Amadi said. The Commissioner, Legal Licensing and Enforcement, Dr Steven Andzenge in his response to the commendation by the Chairman said ‘’ this is a milestone in the sense that it is in line with NERC’s objective of diversifying our fuel source’’

In his response, the Group President of Trombay Power Generation Limited, Jitendes Kumar Sachdeva described the exercise as most welcoming. He commended the Commission for its transparency and commitment in processing the application. “I am glad to receive this licence,” said the Group President, “the Commission is a truly transparent and smart regulatory agency. You people are very smart.”

share, an increase of US$0.02 on the equivalent US dollar dividend for the same quarter last year. The Board expects that the first quarter 2015 interim dividend will be US$0.47, equal to the US dollar dividend for the same quarter in the previous year. The first quarter 2015 interim dividend is scheduled

to be announced on April 30, 2015. Details relating to the fourth quarter 2014 interim dividend It is expected that cash dividends on the B Shares will be paid via the Dividend Access Mechanism from UK-sourced income of the Shell Group. Cash dividends on A Shares

will be paid, by default, in euro, although holders of A Shares will be able to elect to receive dividends in pounds sterling. Cash dividends on B Shares will be paid, by default, in pounds sterling, although holders of B Shares will be able to elect to receive dividends in Euro.

Shell announces $0.47 interim dividend for Q4 2014 By Etuka Sunday with agency report

he Board of Royal Dutch Shell Plc on Thursday announced an interim dividend in respect of the fourth quarter of 2014 of US$0.47 per A ordinary share and B ordinary

he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it would not hesitate to penalise network providers that failed to keep its regulation on unsolicited messages to subscribers. The Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Tony Ojobo, made the statement on Wednesday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). “The issue of unsolicited messages has posed a challenge which the commission has been contending with till today. “An unsolicited text message gives a subscriber no choice to receive or not, so the commission had to intervene within the limits of its enabling laws and regulation. “We have had series of meeting with the stakeholders and telecom operators on this issue; we cannot deny the fact that we had received series of complaints from subscribers; we are quite aware of it. “We are in the process of Vast Technical Frame Work to keep track of those sending this unsolicited messages and to see that they are properly sanctioned,’’ Ojobo said. He said that the commission would sanction network providers appropriately once they were able to identify the source of such unsolicited messages. He added that some of the sources were untraceable for now because they were being sent through the internet. “To protect the interest of the subscribers, the NCC in the past, has been able to protect and stop unsolicited messages whose sources we were able to identify. “Those issues I believe will be resolved very soon with the series of meetings we are having with the telecom providers. He said that the commission would not fail to also penalise any erring Value Added Service provider (VAS) that failed to comply with the commission’s guideline on unsolicited Short Messaging Services (SMS) to subscribers. (NAN)

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Business Lagos lauds OPS over 96 percent tax compliance From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

he Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) on Wednesday commended the organised private sector (OPS) in state for achieving 96 percent voluntary tax compliance as it gave award to Access Bank and other companies and individual in the state. The Chief Executive Officer of LIRS, Mr. Tunde Fowler, disclosed this in his welcome address at the Eighth Annual Lagos State Taxation Stakeholders’ Conference. He said without resorting to law suits, companies in the state are performing their civic duty of ensuring tax compliance. His words: “We are so happy with the organised private sector for not giving us problems. This is not to say that we were not faced with some challenges, but these were amicably addressed without legal tussles and this is highly commended”. In his address, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, who was attending the conference for the last time as Governor, said the government is happy at the achievements recorded by LIRS by ensuring that there is high-level compliance among the people. “When we started this journey, I promised that it is going to be interesting and looking back now, I am convinced that we have built something that works, which is a model of public finance,” the Governor stated. His Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Abimbola Shodipo, while speaking on the awardees, said the LIRS has established the tradition of compensating goodness of taxpayers annually. “In the last eight years, God has allowed us to appreciate tax payers and we have grown in the amount of money we collect and the number of tax payers. This is good news for us and we have to thank the governor for giving us the opportunity to do this. We are also thanking him for also using the money collected judiciously,” Shodipo declared. While receiving the award on behalf of the Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, the Chief Financial Officer Mr. Seyi Kumapayi said: “Access Bank is grateful to be so recognized as a tax compliant institution. We know of only one way to conduct our business and that’s the socially responsible way.

L-R: 1st Deputy President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Rev. Ugochukwu Chime, representative of Enugu state Government, Dr Paul Akubuilo, ECCIMA President, Dr Ifeanyi Okoye and Comptroller of Customs, South-East, Mr. Ajiya Kashim, during the 41st annual general meeting of ECCIMA, yesterday in Enugu. Photo: NAN

EFCC records 126 convictions in 2014 By Joy Baba-Yesufu

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recorded 126 convictions in 2014 an improvement over the 117 convictions the Commission recorded in 2013, according to the Commission’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren. Speaking on Tuesday at a media briefing in Enugu, Uwujaren pledged the EFCC’s determination to sustain the momentum with a view to achieving more convictions this year. Uwujaren equally reiterated the Commission’s determination to vigorously prosecute all pending cases in court. “As many of you are aware, the Commission currently has many cases at various stages of prosecutions in

court. In deed space and time will not permit me to list all the cases. But suffice is to say that the Commission remains committed to seeing these matters to logical conclusion,” he said. He announced that the Commission eagerly looks forward to the Federal High Court, Benin ruling in the N25 billion case involving Michael Igbinedion, the younger brother to former Edo State governor, Lucky Igbinedion, fixed for January 30. The EFCC spokesman also emphasized the support the agency has been receiving from international law enforcement agencies and other partners in the fight against organized crime and corruption. He disclosed that the EFCC has signed over 12 Memoranda of Understanding with various law enforcement

organizations covering the areas of training, intelligence sharing and joint operation. Among the agencies are Australia Federal Police, The Global Fund, United States Federal Trade Commission, The World Bank, African Development Bank, West Australian Police, Higher Authority against Corruption and Related Offences (HALCIA) Niger Republic, British Serious Fraud Office, Economic Crimes Network (New Zealand) and the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Uwujaren equally said that the agency, in addition to its law enforcement activities, has lately stepped up public enlightenment campaign to mobilize the people to embrace the anti- graft war. He disclosed that the Commission recently launched

an Interfaith Anticorruption Preaching/Teaching Manuals. The Manuals are well researched publication that are to be used for teaching and preaching against corruption in churches and mosques nationwide. In addition, he stated that the former Anti- Corruption Revolution Campaign, ANCOR, has been repackaged and relaunched. It is now known as the Anticorruption and Economic and Financial Crimes Support Network (ACE-Network). The Head of Operations, Enugu zone, Mr. David Iloyanomon, in a welcome remark, charged the media to go a step further in educating the public on the efforts of the Commission in combating economic and financial crimes, and sensitize the people on the dangers of cyber crimes.

NERC hears case on alleged illegal power trading By Etuka Sunday

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Wednesday, the 28th of January, 2015 held a hearing of a petition filed before it by Samuel Aremu accusing Samuel Ukpong, 1004 Estate Limited and Eko Electricity Distribution Company of illegal

trading in electricity. A statement by the Commission said, the petitioner, Aremu, alleged that the first respondent, Samuel Ukpong, deprived him of access to other amenities in the estate following their disagreement over allegation of illegal trading in electricity. He accused the 3rd

respondent, EKEDC of complicity for not following due process in disconnecting him from power supply in contravention of section 7 (4) of the business rule governing both parties. Aremu had in his petition explained that disagreement over electricity supply should not be used to abridge his right

Sovereign credit rating: Russia downgraded to ‘Junk’ status

ussia’s sovereign credit rating has been downgraded to ‘junk’ status with its currency, the ruble, strengthening and Moscow-listed shares broadly steady, Bloomberg reports. Rating agency S&P cut Russia’s rating from BBB- to BB+, citing Russia’s weakened economic growth prospects, hit

by low oil prices and Western sanctions over the Ukraine crisis. Two other major ratings agencies, Moody’s and Fitch, are yet to downgrade Russia to below investment grade. Nigeria is dangerously following a familiar pattern already displayed by Russia - however with less external reserves and little room to wiggle.

A junk rating for Nigeria will be very bad, considering the fact that Federal Government will probably do some borrowing to finance 2015 Budget deficits. If Nigeria is thrown to junk status, bond yields will rise higher, sending lending rates even higher than it currently is. Depreciation of the Naira will likely follow. (Bloomberg)

to use other facilities in the estate. He further prayed the panel for two weeks adjournment as he was just receiving response to his petition from the respondents in the Hearing Room of the Commission and that he will require time to read through and prepare his reply. Aremu’s earlier prayer to include additional parties on the respondents list was opposed by the respondents who claimed new inclusion cannot be parties to the petition since they were not mentioned in the original petition. The panel, however, upheld the request for adjournment following the willingness of the respondents to accede to the plea. The hearing was subsequently adjourned till February 10, 2015 for resumed hearing.

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Busines From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with other stakeholders in the market as a means to taking the market to greater heights. Acting Director-General of SEC Nigeria, Mounir Gwarzo said this when he received members of the Council of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) in his office in Abuja. Gwarzo said the current management of the Commission is willing and open to discussions on issues that will move the market forward in the interest of Nigerians and Economic Development. According to him “We realize that the Exchange is very important in our quest to move the market to a new level and SEC is keen on exploring areas of

SEC expresses readiness to collaborate with NSE

collaboration with stakeholders. “Some of us have been in this market for some time and we have seen a lot that transpired over the period. We are keen on having close collaboration with people” He also stated that in the light of this collaboration SEC Nigeria is set to launch a new Complaints Management System, which will allow issues to be resolved from the bottom. ”The management is working to empower SROs and trade organizations to enable them handle some complaints and deal with them with dispatch

adding that the strategy of the management is not to create committees but to focus on prescriptions and ensuring that they are executed within reasonable time frames. “We have finished the rules on complaints management framework and very soon, it will be exposed. One of the highlights is to allow complaints to be managed at the lower level”, he said. On the issue of recapitalisation, Gwarzo expressed delight that the Commission has had a good collaboration with all stakeholders stating that the Commission will

Busy Yam Market, on Wednesday in Bauchi.

return to the exercise in the next five months. Speaking earlier, Chairman of Council of the NSE, Aigboje Aig, Imokhuede said markets in other jurisdictions have benefitted significantly from collaborations between the regulators and the regulated adding, that he was optimistic that the market in Nigeria would also benefit from the partnership. He said, “We feel that the market here will benefit from this type of partnership and we will be keen on that. We would like to see this visit as the beginning

of strong collaboration between NSE and SEC. This does not in any way cross the line between the regulators and the regulated and we will respect our regulator in every way”. Also in his comments, Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Oscar Onyema said the visit is an opportunity to rekindle relations and make it stronger and that is why the management of the NSE decided to visit the Commission adding that they believe that in so doing they are able to build the capital market that Nigerians desire.

Photo: NAN

Nigeria to become Africa’s Residents oppose FG’s Chevron announces sale of Transit Village in $1.07 quarterly largest fertiliser producer by Lagos From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos dividend 2018 – Official By Aminu Imam with agency report

he Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. David Ige, has said that the full implementation of the gas master plan may position Nigeria as the largest producer of fertilizer in Africa by 2018. Ige told journalists, in Abuja, that the Nigerian Gas Master Plan would increase the country’s earning from gas resources. Besides, Nigeria has grown its gas supply market from 300 million to 2 billion cubic feet per day (cfpd). Ige attributed the increase in gas supply to successful implementation of the gas master

plan and described the plan as a policy document that has basically outlined government’s aspiration for the commodity. According to him, the implementation has already positioned Nigeria to be the largest producer of fertiliser by 2018 on the continent. He noted that the policy has impacted positively on the sector and that everything that is outlined in it is being implemented to the letter. “Basically today, we have an outlay of many fertiliser plants already positioning Nigeria to be the largest producer of fertiliser by 2018 in this continent. Those are the aspirations of the gas master plan; the master plan talks about regional export which had started in West Africa,” he added.

ome Federal Government workers, who are residents of the Transit Village, Victoria Island, Lagos, have opposed the move to offer for sale, the about 109 housing units occupied by them in the area. The residents consequently approached the Federal High Court in Lagos, asking it to stop the FG. The plaintiffs, numbering about 800 with their family members, have asked the court in Lagos to invalidate the sale and restrain their proposed ejection from the properties. The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/201/2009, was filed before Justice Ibrahim Buba. The plaintiffs, who sued for themselves and on behalf of other residents, are Mrs. Chinwe Abara, Mr. Leonard Agbibama, Malam Ibrahim Abdul, Mr. Samuel Obi, Alhaji Halliru Gandu and Barrister Clifford Atakere. Joined as the defendants are the Minister of Environment, the Chairman, Implementation Committee on Alienation of Federal Government Landed Properties and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice.

By Etuka Sunday with agency report

he Board of Directors of Chevron Corporation on Wednesday declared a quarterly dividend of one dollar and seven cents ($1.07) per share, payable March 10, 2015 , to holders of common stock as shown on the transfer records of the Corporation at the close of business on February 17, 2015 . Moreover, Chevron Corporation in another statement announced that Inge G. Thulin has been elected to Chevron’s board of directors effective Jan. 28, 2015 . He will serve on the company’s Board Nominating and Governance Committee and Management Compensation Committee. John Watson , chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Chevron , said, “Mr. Thulin’s wellestablished business leadership and his extensive international experience will be an asset to the board. We look forward to the important perspective he will offer.” Thulin, 61, is chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of 3M Company . He has held this position since 2012.

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Business

Twitter introduces group messaging and video features

fter sticking to the strategy of doing one thing well for a long time, Twitter is announcing changes to its service thick and fast. The latest features to be announced by the social network are group messaging and video. As promised in November, Twitter is now allowing users to

direct message up to 20 people at once. Users will also be able to film, edit and share video clips of up to 30 seconds in length. The announcement will be seen as an attempt to boost the amount of time people spend on Twitter. (AFP)

FG unveils successful bidders for agric equipment centres

he Federal Government on Tuesday unveiled 80 bid winners for its agricultural equipment hiring centres, which are to be deployed in 29 states across the country. It said the average cost of each of the agricultural equipment enterprise centre was N35m, and added that centres would provide affordable mechanised services to farmers in Nigeria. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said the government also facilitated credit facilities for the successful bidders at seven per cent interest rate. He spoke at a stakeholders meeting with the bidders in Abuja. Adesina said, “Today, gathered here are the successful bid winners for the 80 agricultural equipment hiring centres to be deployed to the 29 states, as a first phase of the programme. I wish to state that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has facilitated the access of each of these service

operators to a credit facility of N26m each. “This is to demonstrate the seriousness with which we take this programme. Each of the private sector service operators will only need to provide 20 per cent of the cost as equity, while the balance will be spread over 48 months with seven per cent interest and two years moratorium.” Last year, President Goodluck Jonathan approved the inauguration of the Agricultural Equipment Mechanisation Enterprises, which were private sector-driven service providers. Their operations include leasing/hiring out of various types of agricultural equipment for land preparation, harvesting and post harvest operations, repair and maintenance of such equipment. The government approved N50bn agricultural mechanisation fund and stated that in the next three years, a total of 1,200 agricultural equipment-hiring enterprises will be established. (NAN)

BoI urges local entrepreneurs to patronise Made-in-Nigeria goods From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

he Bank of Industry (BoI) has urged local entrepreneurs to patronise goods made by Nigerian research centres to create jobs, at the same time help fund the institutions for further research in contribution to nation building. The Managing Director of the bank, Rasheed Olaoluwa, made the appeal during a visit to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) said that the key objective was to promote active linkage between centres like NASENI and Bank of Industry (BoI) customers. He said, “The whole idea is to encourage BoI customers patronize products developed by research institutes. My visit to all this institutions are deliberate, I want to know the prototypes available.

“Again, for every unit of product sold, NASENI gets some percentage. That way they can generate revenues to run the organization. Technology is very important in all sectors of the economy. The organisations and people at the forefront of technology run the world. “With the way NASENI is going, it is obvious that we are not far from meeting up with other developed nations, all we need do is recognising what we have, develop them and patronize them. “BoI is fully prepared to support Small and Medium Enterprise agencies that would want to adopt some of the technologies NASENI already has”. The Executive Vice-Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, NASENI, Mohammed Haruna lamented that patronage of products in the research institute had been limited, stating that partnership with BoI was a good idea.

L-R: Country Director, United Nations Development Programme, Mr. Lamin Beyai, Deputy Head of Mission, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Vibeke Soegaard, and Plateau PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, Senator Gyang Pwajok, during the graduation of students in various skills, on Wednesday in Jos. Photo: NAN

Glo emerges one of Africa’s six most admired brands From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

ational telecoms carrier, Globacom, has been named one of the six most admired brands in Africa. This is the outcome of a continental survey conducted by African Business, one of the world’s most authoritative magazines on African businesses. The report was published in the latest edition of the Londonbased magazine. It said Globacom polled a total Admiration Score of 345, pushing it up on the scale as one of the six most valued brands on the continent, ahead of many multinationals. Indeed, it is the only company in the top-most ladder that has its root in Nigeria. A statement released by the organizers of the annual brand rankings added that the results

were arrived at after a rigorous, comprehensive exercise. The statement, signed by Rupert Kemp, Valuation Director, Brand Finance Africa, and Karin Du Chenne of TNS, the magazine’s partners on the project, said the process integrated consumer research and financial valuation. According to the magazine, “In the research phase, Brand Africa’s partner, TNS Global, the world’s largest information research firm, in partnership with Geopoll, the leading mobile survey platform with a database of nearly 200 million users in emerging markets, set out to identify the most admired local and global brands in Africa.” They further explained that representative samples of eight countries, covering the major sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) regions, were selected for the survey. These

included Ghana, and Nigeria for West Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda for East Africa, DR Congo for Central Africa, and Mozambique and South Africa for Southern Africa. “Collectively, these countries represent 51 percent (477 million) of Sub-Saharan Africa population and 67 percent ($1.065 trillion) of Africa’s GDP…Using Geopoll’s sophisticated mobile SMS technology for data collection, individuals aged 18 and older in these countries were asked to rank their top three ‘most admired global or local brands’ in order of first to third,” the organizers said. According to the magazine, subsequent analysis of the coded data and calculation of the scores of each brand by TNS provided the list of the top 100 most admired brands in Africa.

Nigeria holds great prospects for investors – Chidoka From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

igeria holds great opportunities for her citizens who wish to invest in the recent projections that the economy would continue to grow at the rate of over 6 per cent for the next 20 years, Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, has said. He made this known when he delivered the 44th Convocation Lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) entitled: “Rebuilding the Nigerian Dream: Mapping the Building Blocks.” Chidoka said there was no need for citizens to be disillusioned but urged them to look inward as the abundant human and natural resources make the country a big

market for goods and services, the two key areas that would serve as stimulant for growing the economy. Chidoka said that Nigerians are fastidious and therefore, have the tendency to criticise their country even when it is unnecessary, adding that although that attitude is seemingly wrong but it spurs the citizens and government to do things better. “The most virulent critics of Nigeria are Nigerians. A few years ago Nigerians celebrated one year of no blackouts in Ghana. Even though no such celebration took place in Ghana,” he lamented. He noted that Nigerians have inherent elements to succeed in every endeavour and those elements include superiority

complex, hard work and the readiness to sacrifice today for better tomorrow. “Why are Nigerians so successful? Because of the way we raise our children. According to the authors, we Nigerians possess the three traits that breed success: a superiority complex – an idea that we are special in some way; insecurity – the fear that if we don’t work hard we will fail; and impulse control – the ability to delay gratification in the short term for better outcomes in the future. “Even if you had never attended this institution, but by the virtue of being raised as a Nigerian, you already have the tools for success,” the Minister said.

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Stock Watch

Report as at Thursday, January 29 2015

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Peoples Daily, Friday, January 30, 2014

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Special Report

South Sudan children swapping guns for books By Ed Thomas

round 300 child rebel soldiers in South Sudan sit proudly with their uniforms and rifles as they listen to their commander speak. There is a sense of excitement because soon they will be released into the care of the United Nations. “I haven’t seen my mother and father since last summer,” says Silva, one of the youngest there - aged 11. All the identities of the children are being protected at the official ceremony to mark their release after years of war so Silva is not his real name. “I’ve seen many people killed when I was on missions,” he says. “I had an AK-47. It was heavy. I was fighting to protect my family and village.” Final battle cry The ceremony is led by Lt Gen Khalid Butrus Bura, one of Silva’s commanders in the South Sudan Democratic Army Cobra Faction. It is the powerful militia in Pibor county in Jonglei state and has been at war with government forces for more than three years - one of numerous conflicts to hit the world’s newest nation since it gained independence from Sudan in 2011. But now there is calm in Pibor and a peace deal has been

The South Sudan Democratic Army Cobra Faction was a powerful militia group in Jonglei state

Some child soldiers disarming signed by their leader David Yau Yau, who said he took up arms to win greater rights for his Murle ethnic group, and the government. Before their release into a specially made UN compound in the village of Gumuruk, the children chant his name “Yau Yau” - their final battle cry. Now for the first time in his short life Silva has ambition for his future. “I want to go to school and learn. I don’t want to fight anymore; I was scared,” he says. ‘Sisters murdered’

Sitting next to him is 12-year-old Abraham (also not his real name). He may be a child but he carries the weight of a war veteran. “I was scared for my life; I felt like I had to fight,” says Abraham. “Two of my sisters were murdered. I too went on missions and watched as people dropped down around me. “I’d like to go to school now and be an administrator for Pibor county.” The fighting in Pibor

Hopes were high when the new country was born three years ago

is separate from the wider rebellion that erupted in South Sudan in December 2013 in which more than 50,000 have so far died.

The UN believes thousands of children have been forced to fight in that conflict on both sides. ‘Sign of hope’

The UN’s children’s agency says the children being demobilised today will be offered education and psychological support before

“

More than 100,000 of the 1.5 million people displaced by fighting are living in UN peacekeeping bases, cowed into confinement by marauding countrymen in a new civil war that has split the nation along ethnic lines, although the catalyst was purely political

David Yau Yau was a feared rebel leader who struck a peace deal with the government

the slow process of trying to reunite them with their families can begin. Jonathan Veitch from Unicef says the ceremony was a significant moment and in total 3,000 child fighters will be released. “It’s the first release of its kind and considering there is a large amount of forced recruitment of children in South Sudan’s civil war, the fact we can demonstrate we can get young boys out of uniform and into school is a real sign of hope for the future of this country.” The future of these young boys, many of them said they were only protecting their villages and families from government attacks, depends on the commanders who too easily send them to war. I asked Lt Gen Butrus Bura, who led the children into war

Many villages were burnt in cattle raids during the unrest in Pibor county in Jonglei but he also negotiated their release, if he promised not to use them again. “Yes. I promise. We want the children to have an education,” he said. “We no longer want them in war. They only fought because it was a particular moment in our history. They will never fight again.” Before we left Pibor county we spotted a young former soldier sitting alone outside a UN tent. He had taken his combat uniform off and told me he was 15. Peter, as we are calling him, looked years younger but was one of the few here who spoke English. “I am no longer afraid,”

he said. “I want to go school, become a pastor and help my village and family.” Despite the brutality and violence they have experienced, the children of Pibor county now have the chance to begin again. But beneath the cosmetics of state building, a nation born just three years ago is crumbling back to a dark past where death, famine and disease rule and making new generations of bush fighters and refugees. Just a few hundred metres from the stadium where a fractured elite will hold South Sudan’s third birthday celebrations, John Wirol’s family are living like refugees in their own city, under tarpaulin

Guns and uniforms were handed in by the child soldiers who demobilised

and practically underwater when it rains. “We thought that if we get this country, then everyone will enjoy life. Then as for this third birthday, well I am not even celebrating.” More than 100,000 of the 1.5 million people displaced by fighting are living in UN peacekeeping bases, cowed into confinement by marauding countrymen in a new civil war that has split the nation along ethnic lines, although the catalyst was purely political. Shrugging off accusations of war crimes and a man-made famine that could affect a third of the population, the country’s leaders are determined to celebrate. “If you have a birthday happening tomorrow for example, will you stop this birthday because this and that has happened? You will continue to celebrate in spite of the good and bad,” South Sudan’s Vice-President James Wani Igga told the BBC. After five decades of fighting Sudan for its freedom, the rush to a referendum on independence and declaration three years ago was heady. The cries that went up across a battle-scarred land as more than nine million South Sudanese finally found a place to call home were heartfelt. Stitching together more than 60 ethnic groups after a civil war that killed two million people, united most against the north but turned many communities against one

another, was always going to take more than flag-hoisting. South Sudan - Timeline of trouble 1962-2005: Mainly Christian and animist South Sudanese fight mostly Muslim, Arabic-speaking northerners 2011: South Sudan gains independence; hundreds of thousands of refugees go home One of world’s least developed countries Numerous rebellions Governed by former rebel group SPLA 2013: President Salva Kiir sacks Vice-President Riek Machar and accuses him of plotting a coup Machar denies charges but heads a rebellion Fighting takes on ethnic dimension between Kiir’s Dinka community and Machar’s Nuers Thousands killed, about a million forced from their homes But after stumbling from divorce to civility with Khartoum in the first two years of nationhood, South Sudan then turned on itself. Political squabbling between President Salva Kiir and former Vice-President Riek Machar quickly spilled onto the streets and into massacres. Ceasefire commitments brokered over weeks at luxury Ethiopian hotels have been broken within hours and talks cancelled due to petty grievances and pride. Source: BBC

PAGE 26

Islam a.

Background:

he Almajiri system of education was the creation of the colonialists due to phobia of Western educational system. Prior to the arrival of the white man, the educational system of the Northern part of what is today Nigeria was similar to the Arabian nations, including the Arabian Peninsula. The system was based on pupil-teacher relationship on daily basis akin to what is now obtainable in day primary and secondary school systems. Children go to schools in the morning and evening from their homes and back home. However, journeys in search of advance learning are only allowed when the pupil has exhausted all the scholarship available in his immediate locality, when he must have attained adulthood and can fend for himself. b. Almajiri system: The almajirci syndrome from what is obtainable nowadays in which the Almajrai completely live on begging in tattered dress malnutrition, and dotted all over major roads leading to major cities and towns is completely unislamic. It is totally against the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah which they say they are learning. The Islamic culture is abhorrent of begging and asking people to attend to your personal duties and responsibilities in the name of Allah or Islam. Islam extols and rewards hard work and struggles for survival. It frowns at parasitism and effortless earnings and amassing wealth. Therefore, the present attitudes and appearance are all foreign to the true teachings of Islam. Both the structures and procedures are entirely unprecedented in the history of Islamic system of formal and informal scholarships. Islamic learning encompassed all aspects of human endeavour-the spirituals and the temporal. The curriculum of the Islamic education was not only Qur’anic route learning as is obtained nowadays; it was an all inclusive subjects of Islamic science, poetry, history, language, philosophy, jurisprudence and geography. Unfortunately, the colonialists bastardized the entire system to only Qur’anic route learning thereby making its importance declined. The central objective of building societies through education was reduced to almost nothingness, and learning of practical Islam and the medium of understanding further or advance subject matters were completely buried. Western system of education was introduced in place of the quality Islamic educational system through the use of foreign language by teachers who were not Muslims and whose mode of dress reflected an alien culture. The writing system was changed from right to left as is in Arabic language, to left to right! The entire episode seemed to them as changing of one’s faith; from Islam to Christianity. Prayers before the start of learning were performed with eyes closed. No, no, this is dirty trick for conversion to a white man religion. This was completely abhorrent to the communities. Unfortunately, there were no sensitization programs for the Northerners as to accept changes. Parents were forced to flee with their wards into remote villages away from the dishonest city life. Those who desired to remain in the cities with their children refused

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Boko-phobia and the Almajiri plights: Profering solutions islam explained By Husain Zakariyya Yawale +234-8052952900 (sms only) islamexplained35@yahoo.com them to be enrolled in the western elementary schools. Chorus were invented to scare other parents from sending their children to western education system. The South-West Yoruba Muslims suffered stark discrimination in the only available missionary schools; leading to many of them forced into Whitman religion. Up in the north children continued singing their songs of evasion from western education, thus: ‘’‘Yan makarantar bokoko Ba karatu ba salla Sai yawan zagin malam Da baya da baya suke salla” Meaning: Children of western schools, they do not learn how to read the Qur’an, they are passionate of abusing Islamic teachers, and they say their prayers in a backward posture. This chorale has done a lot of havoc in refraining children from enrolling into elementary schools. Boko-phobia was instilled in the tender psyche of average HausaFulani child. It was a fact that even the emirs and traditional title holders were coerced to sending their wards to western schools. The children that were fled with to remote areas were handed over to unqualified or half baked Islamic teachers who mastered nothing in Islamic sciences; hence the roaming from one village to the other pretending to the parents that their pupils are gathering experiences and mastery in Islamic education. Thus, the Almajiris were left at mercy of the ‘teachers’ without any system of check and balances, formal system of learning measurement or graduation

period and certification. They taught usually some portions of the Qur’an in an unrefined mode devoid of knowing the meanings or relevance in their day to day lives. This short coming made them vulnerable to series of vices and getting involved easily into anything sinister that can win them daily bread. This Almajiri system is very exploitative both in nature and orientation. The system swoops and shanghais away children from their parents at a very tender and delicate age; the age in which the parental love and care have never been so needed by both, into a system that destroys the child morally, educationally and emotionally. Almajiri system robs the society of its healthy and promising potential – a future with full of hopes, egalitarianism and safe for all. It is a system in which the society sees its future being tempered in the name of religion while it si basically the opposite. c. Way forward: The British colonials were the only invaders who interfered with both the cultures and religions of their colonies. They meddled with Indo-Pakistan Muslims cultural and religious affairs, but the people quickly opposed the scheme by holding fast to their traditional system of learning and agreed to incorporate the colonial sciences in it. Unlike the Northerners, their Ajami system of communication and documentations were dumped for good. Not because of diminished interest, but due to the missionary infiltrations

Almajiri mendicants stretching hands to collect sweet as Sadaka

and hunting of converts in predominantly Muslims towns and cities to white man’s way of life. This tricky method made the Muslims to drop the Ajami system of writing without a generally acceptable substitute. The Indo-Pakistani Muslims insisted on teaching all the western sciences with their Arabic Urdu inscriptions; their Ajami type of medium of communication. Arithmetic, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology were taught and learned by the Urdu scripts. Now this people were able to reach nuclear technology! The Hausa-Fulanis are still roaming the streets of towns and cities in search of ...nothingness in the name of learning the Qur’an. Many of them end up into cultism, armed robbery, or panderers and whore-masters in prostitution industry. Others are trafficked out of our shores as slaves and many of them end up in pepper soup pots in various p’soup sports. These children are not only vulnerable but are calamitous waiting to ravage us hard. Another very affrighting phenomena is the training of the child soldier by the dreaded Boko Haram inn the name of ‘islamic jihad’ must be faced on head-on to quickly find ways of averting it. No amount of effort will be too much most especially by the Federal government! d. Making literature available: The success of this project largely depends on making learning books and teaching aids not only available, but attractive. A committee of translators to render the teaching and learning books into Ajami scripts should be set up. This is necessary because the parents of these kids are antagonistic to the Latin scripts rather than the contents of the education. Indian and Pakistani Muslims as well as Iranians have achieved this feat into nuclear technology today and are still using it to advance their course. The Chinese are in process of becoming the future super powers through the medium of their

exclusive scripts. We too also can do it. Many Hausa-Fulani Muslims despise western education because of the English scripts as the medium of communication. However, if the medium will be changed to Arabic-Ajami scripts, they will return their wards to formal system of education. Objectives. The need to establish a commission to tackle the perennial problems of almajirci particularly in northern Nigeria and to achieve the following objectives cannot be shield away. When it is set up, it will strive and: • categorize states to work in stages where western education will be coordinated/incorporated into their system • Identify ways to incorporate issues of basic hygiene, HIV/AIDS and other RH issues to conform to the Islamic teachings. • Develop strategies of reducing/stopping street begging, drugs peddling, ritualists’ easy prey, trafficking and use as sex vending, etc • Strategize ways and methods of skills acquisitions for the Almajirai and their teachers Sensitization: The need for vigorous sensitization in order to achieve these objectives and more cannot be over emphasized for success to be recorded at the end of the project. Emirs and traditional title holders must be involved because the poor families of these boys still recognize their leadership. Thus, in line with the agitation of the traditional title holders to apportion them constitutional role play will come very handy here. For education to succeed, no amount of efforts or sacrifice is big. This administration has set up a whole Ministry has been set up to cater for the threat of Niger Delta insurgency in order to move Nigeria forward. In addition, amenity deal was reached with massive financial commitments involved. Also some years ago nomadic education commission was established to cater for education of the children fishermen in the south and Fulani cowboys in the north. Thus setting up another commission to curtail the social and security threats associated with the Almajiri menace in the north will definitely be a worthwhile venture in the history of modern Nigeria. Finally, establishment of Islamic education is not only the responsibility of the educationists, curriculum or educational policymakers, given the enormity of the importance of a moral based system of education, but, also that of the government of the day. It is also the responsibility of every member of the society; the parents, teachers, learners, the politicians, with a common front to come up with schools, institutions and universities that teach education relevant to the learners in line with their faith and belief, as well as the purpose for which Allah, the Supreme has set for all mankind. Everyone therefore, needs to make a contribution towards building a purposeful society that remains relevant to the whole world.

P A G E

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

International

How Russia outfoxes its enemies ANALYSIS

By Lucy Ash

ussia’s annexation of Crimea last year caught almost everyone off guard. The Russian military disguised its actions, and denied them - but those “little green men” who popped up in the Black Sea peninsula were a textbook case of the Russian practice of military deception - or maskirovka. At a cadet school in the southern suburbs of Moscow, Maj Gen Alexander Vladimirov heaves two enormous red volumes off his bookcase and slams them down on the table. “My Theory and Science of Warfare,” he says, beaming. “It’s three times longer than Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace!” Vladimirov, vice-president of Russia’s Collegium of Military Experts, is an authority on maskirovka - the hallmark of Russian warfare and a word which translates as “something masked” or “a little masquerade”. “As soon as man was born, he began to fight,” he says. “When he began hunting, he had to paint himself different colours to avoid being eaten by a tiger. From that point on maskirovka was a part of his life. All human history can be portrayed as the history of deception.” Vladimirov quotes liberally from the Roman general Frontinus and the ancient Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu who described war as an eternal path of cunning. But it’s Russia, he tells me, with unmistakable pride, that has over the centuries really honed these techniques to perfection. One of the most famous examples is the Battle of Kulikovo Field in 1380, when the young Muscovite, Prince Dmitry Donskoy, and 50,000 Russian warriors fought against 150,000 Tatar-Mongolian soldiers led by Khan Mamai. It was the first time the Slavs were fighting as a united army - Russia against the Golden Horde. “The fighting was very tough, but we eventually triumphed thanks to one regiment hiding in the forest,” says Vladimirov. “They attacked ferociously and unexpectedly and the ambushed Tatars ran away.” But that was just a start. Vladimirov reels off some more recent legendary battles in which Russia outfoxed its enemies, with flair and cunning. There was the Jassy-Kishinev operation of August 1944, which featured dozens of dummy tanks as well as whole Red Army divisions sent in false directions to throw the Germans off the scent. And that came just after Operation Bagration in Belorussia had dealt Hitler’s troops a devastating blow. “It was clear the military skill of Soviet leaders outclassed the Germans,” Vladimirov says. “Our generals decided not to go the easy way along the road but through the

One of the “little green men” - Russian soldiers without insignia spearheading the 2014 annexation of Crimea. swamps! That way they attacked the rear of the German forces. That’s mastery for you! All throughout Bagration, there were colossal examples of maskirovka involving thousands of tanks and troops. After that the war was practically over.” Out of 117 divisions and six brigades, half were destroyed and the rest suffered 50% losses - half a million Germans died there. Surprise is a key ingredient in maskirovka and the clandestine forces which occupied Crimea last February certainly delivered that. PyotrShelomovskiy, a Russian photojournalist, was there as they arrived. He had rushed down to Crimea expecting tensions to arise after Ukraine’s Russian-backed president, Viktor Yanukovych, fled the country - and on 24 February he watched local pro-Russian activists building a small barricade on the square outside parliament. “They started brewing tea and distributing drinks. Some journalists,

myself included, were allowed to take pictures,” says Shelomovskiy, “and that was it for the night.” Or so he thought. But in the small hours, unmarked military trucks drove up filled with heavily armed men. “They ordered those demonstrators to lie face down on the ground - until they realised they were on the same side,” says Shelomovskiy. Then they made them carry ammunition into the parliament. He was told this story by the activists the next morning. “They didn’t really understand themselves what was going on,” he says. The troops which had arrived in the dark, as if by magic, with no insignia on their olive-coloured uniforms, were soon nicknamed “little green men”. “We know now these guys were Russian special forces,” says Shelomovskiy. “But no-one said so at the time.”

“

Denial is another vital component in maskirovka. At a press conference a few days later Vladimir Putin coolly batted away awkward questions about where the troops came from. “There are many military uniforms. Go into any shop and you can find one,” he said. But were they Russian soldiers? Poker-faced, the president said the men were local self-defence units. Five weeks later, once the annexation had been rubber-stamped by the Parliament in Moscow, Putin admitted Russian troops had been deployed in Crimea after all. But the lie had served its purpose. Maskirovka is used to wrong-foot your enemies, to keep them guessing. Maj Gen Gordon ‘Skip’ Davis, in charge of operations and intelligence at Nato’s military HQ in Belgium, admits it took him and his colleagues some time to figure out the “size and the scale” of the troop reinforcement which was “continuously denied by the Russians”.

“They ordered those demonstrators to lie face down on the ground - until they realised they were on the same side,” says Shelomovskiy. Then they made them carry ammunition into the parliament.

But if Nato was taken by surprise, the historian and journalist Anne Applebaum was not. “I knew immediately what it was because it reminded me of 1945. It looked so familiar,” she says. “With Crimea I got a bizarre sense of deja vu, because bringing in soldiers who weren’t really soldiers - that was what the NKVD did in Poland after the war. They also created fake political entities which nobody had seen before, with fake ideologies already attached to them… It’s a game of smoke and mirrors.” After Crimea came the war in eastern Ukraine. Officially there are no Russian troops or little green men fighting there either - only patriotic volunteers who have gone to the region on holiday. But there is growing evidence of Moscow’s intervention in the separatist conflict including a mounting toll of Russian soldiers killed in action. In August Russian TV showed footage of water and baby food being loaded on to lorries heading for Ukraine’s war zone. The Russian government called this humanitarian aid but many were more than a little suspicious. Nato already had plenty of intelligence about Russian air defence and artillery forces moving into Ukraine. Maj Gen Davis calls the first convoy “a wonderful example of maskirovka” because it created something of a media storm. TV crews breathlessly followed the convoy, trying to find out what was really inside the green army trucks which had been hastily repainted white. Was this a classic Trojan horse operation to smuggle weapons to rebel militias? And would the Ukrainian authorities allow the convoy in? “All the while at other border crossing points controlled by the Russians - not by the Ukrainians equipment, personnel and troops were passing into Eastern Ukraine,” says Davis. He sees the convoy as a clever “diversion or distraction”. “The fog of war isn’t something which just happens - it’s something which can be manufactured. In this case the Western media were bamboozled, but the compliant Russian media has also worked hard to generate fog”, says Peter Pomerantsev, Russian film-maker But what about the false information that propelled Britain and the US into war with Iraq? Few would now deny that the facts on WMD were massaged in a maskirovka-type way. The word Davis keeps coming back to is “mindset”. He insists maskirovka has become a modus operandi for Russia itself. “I think that there is an alignment between what probably started out as military doctrine, but now is much more a part of state policy and there’s an alignment between the strategic down to the tactical level in terms of the mindset of maskirovka.” This perception is nothing new for Russia’s neighbours. A decade ago Andrei Kurkov predicted recent events in Ukraine in his book, The President’s Last Love. He writes in Russian and most of his books are on sale there but this one was stopped at the border. “Putin is one of the main characters,” he says. “In this book he promises the Ukrainian president that he will annex Crimea and cut the gas supply and lots of other things that later became reality - this is the reason why the book is banned.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

International

Boko Haram crisis: Chad ‘captures Nigerian town from militants’

WHO Focus on Ebola shifts to ending outbreak

he World Health Organization said Thursday that efforts to slow the worst-ever outbreak of Ebola have shifted to a focus on ending the epidemic, after the number of new cases fell to its lowest weekly level since the end of June. A total of 99 new cases were reported last week in the most affected countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, according to WHO figures. Sierra Leone saw a huge reduction with 65 new cases last week, compared to 117 the week before and 184 three weeks ago. In Liberia, where the Ebola outbreak peaked much earlier, there were four new cases last week, down from a high of 300 per week in August and September. The WHO said in the new “second phase” of their response, officials will stop working to rapidly build facilities and focus instead on efforts to find infected people, manage their cases, engage with communities and ensure proper burials. While the Ebola epidemic is decreasing, U.N. Ebola coordinator David Nabarro warned Thursday that the disease is still present in a third of the areas of the three worst affected west African nations. “The number of cases is decreasing week by week and getting to zero in many places ... but we still see occasional flareups and we still see some surprises with new cases out of our contact lists,” Nabarro told the French news agency AFP. “That means that the epidemic is not contained yet,” he said, adding that the upcoming rainy season is cause for concern. ‘Dangerous situation’ Dr. Bruce Aylward, who is leading WHO’s Ebola response, sounded a similar warning. “This is like being in bed with two cobras, and one of them is dead,” Aylward told The Associated Press. “You still have an incredibly dangerous situation.” He added that Ebola outbreaks often come in waves. Speaking at a WHO Ebola meeting last Sunday, Jerome Oberreit, secretary general of Doctors Without Borders, said there is virtually no sharing of Ebola information about the risks of cases crossing the borders among the three countries in West Africa. Oberreit said surveillance teams lack even basic resources to track down Ebola patients and blamed “international negligence” for the inability to contain the outbreak.

had’s army has driven Boko Haram militants out of Malumfatori town in northeastern Nigeria, a senior official from Niger has told the BBC. The reported capture of the town, which lies near the borders of Chad and Niger, follows two days of fighting. Both ground and air forces are reported to have been used in the assault. Niger officials said Chadian ground forces moved into the town after crossing Lake Chad. It is not known if the operation was approved by Nigeria. Boko Haram insurgents have carried out a number of cross-border attacks on Nigeria’s neighbours in recent months, attacking villages and military bases. The Islamist group has seized dozens of people and taken them back to north-east Nigeria, where it controls a swathe of territory. Action plan The Nigerian authorities say they are doing all they can to tackle the militants but neighbours, including Niger and Cameroon, have said more must be done. Chad has already sent troops to Cameroon to help it counter Boko Haram incursions and last week Nigeria said the Chadian army would be fighting on its territory.

However, it was not immediately clear if the authorities in Abuja had prior knowledge of, or any role in, the operation in Malumfatori. People who fled the area told the BBC they had seen military planes bombing the town, which is on the shores of Lake Chad. Some of those who left the town during the fighting are

reported to have crossed into Niger. Meanwhile, reports from the area say fighting has now spread to a nearby town, Abadam. Nigerian officials have made little public comment. They said they were investigating the reports of fighting in the north-east. African Union heads of state

are due to discuss the crisis over Boko Haram at their summit beginning on Friday. Ghanaian President John Mahama has said the leaders must produce a “specific plan of action” to “deal permanently” with Boko Haram. Thousands have died and many more have been displaced because of the group’s six-year insurgency.

Earlier this month, Chadian soldiers deployed to Cameroon’s border with Nigeria

South Sudan’s President Kiir at summit after falling ill

outh Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has shown up at a regional leaders’ summit in Ethiopia’s capital, after earlier concerns about

his health. Mr Kiir, 63, looked well, reports the BBC’s Emmanuel Igunza from the summit. He was treated on

Salva Kiir became the first president of independent South Sudan in 2011

Wednesday after suffering from nose bleeds, an official said, delaying the summit’s start. The summit will focus on hammering out a peace deal between Mr Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar to end the civil war in South Sudan. About 1.5 million people have been displaced by the conflict. Mr Kiir’s aides denied earlier reports that he had been taken hospital on Wednesday night. Mr Machar is also at the summit, which is being chaired by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. Mr Kiir and Mr Machar met on Wednesday in Addis

Ababa, in talks brokered by the regional body, InterGovernmental Authority on Development (Igad). The two sides agreed in previous talks to form a unity government, but remain deadlocked over the powers of a new prime minister, our reporter says. President Kiir sacked Mr Machar as South Sudan’s deputy president in 2013 and later accused him of plotting a coup. Mr Machar denied the allegation, but then raised a rebel force to fight government troops. MrKiir has led South Sudan, the world’s newest state, since its independence from Sudan in 2011.

Ivorian police unit to investigate suspected ritual killings

olice in Ivory Coast have set up a special unit to investigate a series of suspected ritual killings of children. More than 20 children have been kidnapped and killed across the country in recent weeks and most of the bodies have shown signs of mutilation. Police said 1,500 officers and soldiers would be patrolling “known danger spots” in the main city, Abidjan, including areas around schools. Unicef has criticised what it says is a culture of impunity in Ivory Coast.

The UN children’s agency says there has been a repeated failure to investigate crimes against children and it has called on the government to address “a general sense of scare in the population” about the attacks. Police say they are involving the UN agency in their investigation. The mother of one of the victims, who was found with no head and with several other body parts missing, told the BBC: “I think it could be a ritual crime. I’m asking the authorities to do something about what is happening. “I lost my child but I do not want to just cross my arms because this can

happen to other people.” Election link? Local media reports have suggested the perpetrators may believe they gain power from ritual killings. “These are mystical and occult practices,” Didier Kobenan, an electrician in Abidjan, told the Reuters news agency. “This is about black magic and they need these human sacrifices to get money and power.” The BBC’s Tamasin Ford in Abidjan says there was a similar

spate of suspected ritual killings in Ivory Coast in the run-up to elections in 2006 and 2010. The next presidential election is due to take place late this year although the Ivorian authorities have rejected suggestions of a link with the latest killings. Interior Minister Hamed Bakayoko said: “There is still no proof that any of these crimes are linked. “We have these ritual crimes and we know very well the type of criminal who commits them in other countries. They do it to get power and money.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

International

HRW: security measures erode human rights worldwide

A blindfolded man suspected of passing on military information to the Syrian government waits to be interrogated after being arrested by Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters, inside an FSA-run prison in Aleppo

he international organization Human Rights Watch says world governments make a serious mistake when they sacrifice human rights in the name of tightening security measures. In its annual review of global human rights released Thursday,

the group said Nigeria, Iraq, Syria, Israel and the United States are among the nations using security concerns to justify the violation of human rights. According to Executive Director Kenneth Roth, tightening security can be “counterproductive” by eroding trust and aggravating

tensions among groups. “Some governments make the mistake of seeing human rights as a luxury for less trying times, instead of an essential compass for political action,” he said. “Rather than treating human rights as a chafing restraint, policymakers worldwide would do better to recognize them

as moral guides offering a path out of crisis and chaos.” Blame Syria, Iraq The report blamed Iraq and Syria for “sectarian and abusive” policies that fueled the rise of Islamic State extremism. It said Syrian use of violence on civilians and the Iraqi government’s isolation of Sunni Muslim communities gave the Islamic State an opportunity to recruit support from those groups. Human Rights Watch also said Nigeria and Israel have allowed their military personnel to be abusive as they struggle to contain the militant groups Boko Haram and Hamas. And the group said President Barack Obama has refused to investigate or prosecute those responsible for alleged torture by the CIA, which was detailed in a recent U.S. Senate probe. “That abdication of his legal duty makes it more likely,” said the documents, “that future presidents will treat torture as a policy option instead of a crime.” The report said meeting security challenges demands not only containing dangerous elements, but also, “rebuilding a moral fabric that underpins the social and political order.”

IS hostages: Japan analyses new voice recording

apan says it is investigating a purported new voice recording of hostage Kenji Goto, who is being held by Islamic State (IS) militants. The person in the recording says a Jordanian pilot held by IS will be killed unless an Iraqi prisoner held by Jordan is freed by sunset on Thursday. Jordan has offered to free

Sajida al-Rishawi in exchange for the pilot. But it has said it wants co nfi rm a t i o n t hat Moaz alKasasbeh is safe, and has made no mention of MrGoto’s release. The BBC’s Rupert WingfieldHayes in Tokyo says it appears from the latest message that IS is not ready to accept that offer. The Japanese government

appears to have become a spectator in this drama, as the life of its citizen hangs in the balance, our correspondent says. Jordan is part of the US-led coalition which is carrying out air strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq. ‘Border by sunset’ On Sunday, IS said it had killed another Japanese hostage, Haruna Yukawa, after demanding a $200m

(£130m). Then on Tuesday, a video was released in which a voice claiming to be that of MrGoto said Jordan had 24 hours to free Iraqi al-Qaeda militant Sajida al-Rishawi. There was no mention of a ransom. She was sentenced to death in Jordan in relation to bomb attacks in the capital, Amman, in 2005, which killed 60 people.

Malaysia flight 370 disappearance ruled accident

alaysia declared on Thursday the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 an accident, clearing the way for the airline to pay compensation to victims’ relatives while the search for the plane goes on. The Boeing 777 aircraft disappeared on March 8 last year, carrying 239 passengers and crew shortly after taking off from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, bound for Beijing. Months of searches have failed to turn up any trace. Malaysia civil aviation chief Azharuddin Abdul Rahman made the televised announcement Thursday, saying the decision was made “with the heaviest heart and deepest sorrow.” Rahman also said the airline is ready to proceed with compensation claims immediately. China called on Malaysia to compensate families. “We call on the Malaysian side to

honor the promise made when they declared the flight to have been lost and earnestly fulfill their compensation responsibilities,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesw o m a n H u a Chunying said in a statement. Most of the passengers on the plane were from China. Investigation continues International investigators are looking into why the Boeing jet veered thousands of miles off course from its scheduled route before eventually plunging into the Indian Ocean. The search in the Indian Ocean is still going on and Malaysia is also conducting a criminal investigation, Azharuddin said. “Both investigations are limited by the lack of physical evidence at this time, particularly the flight recorders,” he said. “Therefore, at this juncture, there is no evidence to substantiate any speculations as to the cause of the accident.”

The DCA plans to release an interim report on the investigation into the missing jetliner on March 7, a day before the first anniversary of the disappearance, a minister said on Wednesday. “This declaration is by no means the end,” said Azharuddin, adding that

it will continue with the search for the missing plane with assistance from China and Australia. Malaysia airline’s crisis worsened on July 17 when its Flight MH17, on a flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board.

A Malaysia Airlines staff walks up to a flight prior to departure at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang.

Asia & Middle East

AirAsia 8501 ascended, then Stalled before crash

viation officials in Indonesia say an AirAsia Flight 8501 that crashed into the Java Sea last month ascended steeply, then stalled and hurtled toward the sea, with the co-pilot at the controls. In a news conference Thursday, investigators from Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee said the plane’s voice recorder indicated that the Airbus A-320’s “stall” warning came on during the plane’s ascent and continued until it made impact with the water. It also indicated that co-pilot French national Remit Emmanuel Plesel, who has about 6,000 flight hours, was at the controls when the plane went down. Indonesian pilot Iryanto with some 20,000 flight hours, was monitoring the flight. All 162 people aboard the plane died when it crashed on December 28. Divers have recovered 70 bodies from the wreckage. The flight was en route from Surabaya, Indonesia’s secondlargest city, to Singapore when it went down. Rescue and recovery operations were hampered by rough seas and poor visibility. The plane’s flight date recorders, or “black boxes,” were located two weeks ago.

Women rally in Cairo to demand probe Into protester deaths

emale protesters gathered in downtown Cairo on Thursday demanding an investigation into the deaths of activist Shaimaa Sabbagh and others they say were killed by Egyptian security forces around the anniversary of the 2011 uprising. Sabbagh was killed during a march on the eve of the January 25 anniversary and another 25 - men and women - were killed on Sunday in demonstrations commemorating the onset of the popular revolt that toppled veteran autocrat Hosni Mubarak. The protesters assembled at the site of Sabbagh’s death near Cairo’s Tahrir Square, chanting “The interior ministry are thugs!” and holding signs with the word “Murderer” scrawled over Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim’s face. About 100 had gathered at the time the demonstration was meant to start at 2.00 pm local time, and protesters appeared to be avoiding blocking the streets by staying on sidewalks. A number of men stood across the street alongside police officers, making lewd hand gestures and calling the protesters “dogs” and other profanities. One of the rally’s organizers said they had called for only women to attend because they feared the protests being infiltrated by plainclothes security agents.

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Page 30

International Hagel lauds US service members in farewell speech

utgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Wednesday thanked

the men and women of the armed forces for what he said was their unequaled service and sacrifice as he gave a

farewell address at a military facility outside Washington. Hagel, who announced in November that he would be

From left, outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey listen to the national anthem during a tribute to Hagel at Fort Myer in Arlington.

leaving his position after two years, told those in the service that they had his deepest gratitude. “The things I have most respected and admired are your dignity, your courage and your dedication,” he said. Hagel said the men and women who devote their lives to America’s security were the architects of the 21st-century world. President Barack Obama attended the tribute. He called Hagel a “true American patriot” and thanked his defense chief for his friendship, counsel, character and integrity. Hagel will stay on the job until the U.S. Senate confirms his replacement Obama nominated former deputy defense secretary Ashton Carter to take over for Hagel.

US to enlist Pope Francis’ help on climate change

n a bid to bolster the Obama administration’s “moral” case for combating climate change, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency will meet senior Vatican officials Friday to enlist papal support for its policies. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said Pope Francis, who has become a vocal climate advocate since his 2013 election, can be an ally for President Barack Obama’s Climate Action Plan. “As one of the world’s most respected and influential leaders, Pope Francis, and those who advise him, will play a crucial part in advancing climate change [action] domestically and overseas,’’ McCarthy, a Roman Catholic, said in an e-mail. This marks the second time the administration has sought the Vatican’s help on a controversial issue. The pope helped mediate the

effort by the United States and Cuba to reopen diplomatic relations. Francis has become an emerging voice on climate change, saying on a recent trip to the typhoon-vulnerable Philippines that “man has gone too far damaging the environment.” The EPA is finalizing a series of regulations targeting carbon emissions and air pollution amid strong resistance from the Republicanled Congress and industry. To counter that, McCarthy has done extensive public outreach to win support for EPA proposals, touting their economic and public health benefits. She said the pope could help make her case. “Focusing our attention on the communities that need it most is at the core of EPA’s mission to protect public health and the environment, and there is no voice more credible than the church’s to speak to our moral obligation as stewards of our

planet,’’ McCarthy said. In June, the pope is expected to issue an encyclical on environmental degradation and its effects on millions of people, especially the world’s poorest. The encyclical is aimed at

pressuring world leaders to secure a United Nations climate agreement in Paris next December that would require rich and poor countries to halt, slow or slash their carbon emissions.

Pope Francis, shown in a rain poncho during a Mass near the Tacloban airport, said during his trip this month to the typhoonvulnerable Philippines that “man has gone too far damaging the environment.

US nuclear scientist jailed for trying to sell secrets

former scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the US has been sentenced to five years in jail for attempting to pass nuclear bomb-making secrets to Venezuela. Pedro Leonardo Mascheroni pleaded guilty in 2013 to delivering secrets to an undercover FBI agent, who he thought was a Venezuelan official. Pedro Mascheroni, who is 79, is originally from Argentina. His wife was also sentenced to one year in prison. Mascheroni was under investigation for about a year before he was charged. The US intelligence agency, the FBI, seized computers, letters, photographs and book from his home.

Undercover agent According to court documents, Mr Mascheroni told the undercover FBI agent that he could help Venezuela develop a nuclear bomb within 10 years. He said the country would be able to set up a secret underground nuclear reactor to produce and enrich plutonium. Venezuela would also be able to build a plant to produce nuclear energy, he said. Mr Mascheroni worked for around a decade in a nuclear weapons design division at the Los Alamos laboratory where the the first atomic bomb was developed. He was laid off in 1988. His wife was a technical writer there. In an interview with Associated

Press, he said he had approached other countries after his ideas on cleaner nuclear power were rejected by the laboratory and later by congressional officials.

Mascheroni said he approached Venezuela after the United Sates rejected his theories that a hydrogenfluoride laser could produce nuclear energy.

Mr Mascheroni said the US government wrongly targeted him as a spy

Europe and Americas

Greek government faces ‘straight talking’ from EU’s Schulz

uropean Parliament President Martin Schulz say he will use “straight talking” in his first meeting with Greece’s new left-wingled government. Mr Schulz’s visit to Athens comes amid concerns over steps by PM Alexis Tsipras to halt austerity measures. Greek bank stocks edged back up on Thursday a day after dipping sharply as the government shelved privatisation schemes required under bailout terms. European leaders have insisted Greece must meet its debt obligations. MrTsipras has said he wants to renegotiate the terms - but insisted there will be no Greek default, which is feared may push Greece out of the eurozone. Greece has endured tough budget cuts in return for its €240bn (£179bn; $270bn) bailout, negotiated in 2010 with the “troika” - the EU, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Central Bank (ECB). Its economy has shrunk drastically since the 2008 global financial crisis, and high unemployment has thrown many Greeks into poverty. ‘Burden’ Ahead of his visit, the European Parliament president told Germany’s Bild newspaper he would encourage the Syriza leader to clamp down on tax evasion in Greece. But he said he would focus on “straight talking” and had “no desire” to debate fiscal plans. Germany’s vice-chancellor also reiterated the need for Greece to respect the terms of its bailout on Thursday. Speaking in the German parliament, Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said the new Greek government could not expect the rest of Europe to carry what he called their “burden”. “People must respect the democratic decision of voters and a newly-elected government’s right to decide its course but the rest of Europe’s citizens should not have to expect changes in Greek politics to burden them,” he said. Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the president of the Eurogroup club of eurozone finance ministers, will visit Athens on Friday. Ahead of the dignitaries’ trips, the president of the European Commission reiterated that cancelling Greece’s huge debt was not an option. “Greece must comply with Europe,” Jean-Claude Juncker said in an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro on Thursday, stressing that “there is no question of cancelling the debt”. “Arrangements are possible, but they will not fundamentally alter what is in place.” In his first cabinet meeting since Sunday’s election victory, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras insisted that his country would not default on its debts and vowed to negotiate with creditors over the bailout.

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Presidential Poll: Group predicts Jonathan’s victory By Ochiaka Ugwu

group of clergymen known as the Mastered Pentecostal and Evangelical College of Bishops and Ministries Network has predicted that President Goodluck Jonathan will emerge victorious in the February presidential poll. The group which was made up of clergies from different parts of the country said their action was necessitated by the revelation they got after their prayers in 16 states of the country which they said God assured them of the President’s success in the poll. “We have also prayed over all prediction and prophesy about 2015 elections before and now. We came out with God’s verdict. God have assured us that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will win the election come 2015. And that Nigeria will be more united and peaceful after the election”. In a press briefing in Abuja, the international/national President of the association, His Grace Dr. Emma David Okafoagu informed that President Jonathan is a bridge between war and peace in Nigeria and should be supported since majority of countrymen wouldn’t want another civil war. While describing Jonathan as the bridge between religious tolerances in Nigeria, Archbishop Okafoagu noted that God wouldn’t want Nigerians or Nigeria to go back to the past. He revealed that God will cause a great wind to blow over the nation which will automatically transform to victory for Mr. President.

INEC commences screening of ad-hoc staff in Delta From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday embarked on the nationwide screening of its ad-hoc staff for next month’s general election, with the exercise also taking place in the 25 local government areas INEC branch offices in Delta State. Our correspondent who

monitored the exercise in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area INEC branch office, reported that the exercise was orderly. Applicants including NSYC members, graduates and Civil Servants who applied for the exercise took their turn to check their names on the INEC notice board. Although there was massive rush to the venue of the exercise

by applicants on day one; one of the applicants who gave his name as Mr. Pascal Umeh said he received a text message from INEC to appear on the said venue, saying he could not find his name on the list pasted on the notice board. The complaints was the same for Mr. Harriet Azuh, Mr. Victor Asifor and Mr. Martins Atali who also waited effortlessly to be screened; saying they duly

he All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organization (APCPCO) has stated that President Jonathan lacked the competence, capacity and training to deal with the Boko Haram menace ravaging many parts of the North east region of the country and therefore cannot be taken seriously when he claims that he will deal with the terrorists. A statement by Mallam Garba Shehu, Director of Media and Publicity of the campaign organization, said that the claim by President Jonathan during his campaign visit to Maiduguri, capital of Borno State and hotbed of the insurgency that he would deal with the menace of the terrorists looks more like a joke

… As DSIEC sensitizes electorate

All Progressives Congress youths in a sensitisation rally on collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), non violent election, vote for APC Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Jonathan can’t deal with Boko Haram - APC campaign By Umar Muhammad Puma

applied for the exercise, but could not trace their names on the notice board. According to them, the names of those that did not receive text messages appeared on the INEC notice board including some that received text messages.

or mere talk designed for the occasion of the campaign event. The statement reads:“President Jonathan has been at the helm of affairs in Nigeria for more than five years. During this time, the Boko Haram has transformed from a group of armed delinquents to an active fighting group or movement without the government headed by President Jonathan able to contain it. It is childish for the same person to say that he would deal with a group that became a monster under his watch. “President Jonathan is advised to stop the careless talk about dealing with Boko Haram because he clearly has shown little appreciation and leadership in the area of national security. Rather, he should join eager and long-suffering Boko Haram victims across the nation and other well-meaning Nigerians to

ensure that General Muhammadu Buhari emerges victorious in the February 14 poll to deal with Boko Haram, as well as unemployment and widespread official corruption, two other vices ravaging our nation under his watch. “If President Jonathan and his party want to be true to Nigerians, it is for them to acknowledge that to deal with Boko Haram, and the wider national security issues it has thrown up over the years is within the scope of his opponent, General Buhari, because the latter has travelled similar road in the past with distinction when the nation’s security and wellbeing was endangered as it has been in the last four years since Boko Haram became a national security and regional security menace while Jonathan fiddled. “The Boko Haram terrorists are no longer a group that

President Jonathan and those who work with him can handle. A new and committed leader is needed. This is made more necessary because the terrorists have been holding more than 200 Nigerian school girls hostage for several months and has taken over chunks of the nation’s territory, without a whimper from the “happy-golucky” government of President Goodluck Jonathan. “If in the past five years, the Boko Haram has transformed while Jonathan made empty promises, pray, how can such a leader make any difference in another four years? The most likely scenario if Jonathan is given another four years in office is that the terrorists would effortlessly take over the entire country” the statement concluded.

he Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DISEC) has charged the electorate to examine manifestoes and demand accountability from their local governments as it is their legal right so enshrined in the constitution. The Chairman, Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC), Mr. Moses Ogbe, gave the charge at a just concluded sensitization workshop for CSOs/CBOs on good governance at the local government level, in Asaba. According to the DSIEC boss, the programme organized in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which is meant to sen sitize the electorate on the principles of good governance, is a machinery to enable the people follow the activities of the incumbent local government and ensure that the purpose of the election is achieved. “I think Deltans are satisfied with the results. We must be determined to do what is right. I call on Nigerians to support good governance” he said. In his lecture titled, ‘Delta State Local Government and Good Governance,’ Director, OJA Development Consult, Mr. Jide Ojo explained that the very essence of the program is to enlighten the people at the communities in Delta State about the concept of democracy, election and good governance, educate the people about the benefits of democracy and sensitize the people about the benefits of democracy. While extolling the benefits of democracy at all sphere of the government but most especially at the local or grassroots level, Mr. Ojo enumerated ways to attain good governance which includes, advocacy visits, letter writing/ petitions, press conference, press release, letter to the editor of newspapers, newspaper articles and use of new media such as Facebook, Twitter among others. Reiterating the importance of peace towards good governance and development, Mr. Ojo explained that program was not in any way to negate the activities of the government but to build matured minds to work with the government in achieving societal needs.

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Hawkers of beverages and drugs waiting for patronage, at the Central Area, in Abuja.

Kpakuru community cries out over dearth of portable water

By Usman Shuaibu

he palace secretary to the village Head of Kpakuru community in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Musa Haruna, has called on the chairman of the area Council, Hon. Abubakar Jibirin Giri, to as a matter of urgency to drill boreholes in the

community to boost potable water supply in the area. Haruna, who made the call in an interview with Peoples Daily on behalf of the village head, Chief Usman Aliyu, in the community recently, pointed out that the only borehole in the community constructed by the area council, was no longer functioning. The community appealed to the

leadership of FCT Administration as well as Gwagwalada area council to join hands to build Junior/ senior secondary schools in the community, to enable the children to have access to education. He further begged the council chairman to provide transformers to boost power supply for the people of the community. He also called on the chairman

to build a health care centre in the community to enhance proper medical treatment in the area, while urging the Giri led administration to gear up to provide the needed facilities for the hospital constructed by the leadership of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Anguwa Liman, for the benefit of the inhabitants. He therefore pleaded with the

government of the area council to expedite action towards fixing the dilapidated road which links ZubaSuleja expressway in the area. Commenting on the forthcoming general elections, Haruna advised youth to shun political violence during and after the elections, and urged them to continue to live in peace with one another in the Territory.

Governance: Yam sellers advocate free, fair elections By Usman Shuaibu

ome yam sellers in Dei-Dei community in Bwari area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have stressed the need for transparent, free, fair and credible elections as the only

antidote for good governance in the country. Making this point known on behalf of yam Sellers in an interview with Peoples Daily, yesterday in Dei-Dei, the chairman of Dei-Dei branch of Yam Sellers Association, Alhaji Dauda Saleh, also urged the

leadership of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections in next month’s polls for the benefit of the FCT residents and the country at large. Specially, Saleh called on the religious leaders to educate their

followers on the need to conduct themselves peacefully during and after the forthcoming general elections. Also, he appealed to the entire yam sellers in the Federal Capital Territory to come out en masse to cast their votes for the candidates of

their choice. Commenting on the security challenges facing the FCT and country as a whole, Saleh stressed the need for anybody who emerged as the president of Nigeria to deem it necessary to place more emphasis on the security of the citizenry.

FCT-NDE graduates 100 youths in vocational skills By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

he Federal Capital Territory’s National Directorate of employment (NDE) says it graduated no fewer than 100 youths in various vocational skills, in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan. All the youths went through six months intensive training in plumbing, catering, fashion

design, metal fabrication, electrical Installation, GSM handsets repairs and computer skills. Peoples Daily gathered that the youths went through the intensive training held at the NDE modern boarding multipurpose skills acquisition centre, located at Kurudu Village, in Bwari. According to the Director General National of the NDE, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed,

who disclosed yesterday, during the graduation ceremony for the youths, the essence of the training is to empower and keep them out of the unemployment market as they will now be able to explore t1heir competence in the skills acquired for self-reliance. In a statement by the FCT-NDE Information and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Abdulrahman Mohammed, said Mallam

Mohammed who was represented by Coordinator of FCT NDE, Mrs. Edna Ofordile, notes that “The NDE is using this very good rare opportunity to reduce the number of unemployed youths in the Federal Capital Territory.” The statement reiterated that FCT NDE operation within the mainstream of the economic restructuring of the current administration’s reform policies by reducing poverty through

skills acquisition, productive activities that will advance the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the transformation agenda of the Federal Government. “The graduating technicians were drawn from all the six Area Councils of the Territory to equip and empower of the youths within the FCT, with advance skills for self reliance, job and wealth creation,” the statement stressed.

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Photo Splash

Picnickers playing game at the Millennium Park, recently in Abuja.

People assisting a driver to push his broken down pick up van, yesterday at Gudu Mechanic Village, in Abuja. A vulcanizer on duty, yesterday at Area 1, in Abuja.

A man hawking car spare parts, yesterday at Gudu Mechanic Village, in Abuja.

A woman drying maize, yesterday at Utako District of Abuja. Photos: Joe Oroye

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Metro

Abuja original inhabitants want special recognition in administering FCTA By Usman Shuaibu

he Abuja original inhabitants, comprising of Gade, Ganagana, Amwamwa, Bassa, Egbira, Gbagyi, Gbari, Gwandara and Koro in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are demanding for effective inclusion of all original inhabitants of Abuja, in the scheme of things in the FCT Administration. Barrister George Koce, who made the call while delivering

a lecture entitled: “Negotiating the Destiny of Unborn original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja”, as a Guest speaker during the occasion of the 3rd heritage day organized by the Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja (OIDA), recently, in Kuje. Koce frowned at the manner in which the farmlands of the Abuja inhabitants were being seized by the government without any compensation package. In particular, he called on

the FCT Administration to give priority attention to the education of Abuja inhabitants by providing the scholarship for their youths, so as to enable them to further their education. He further urged the FCT Administration to give special treatment to the Abuja inhabitants in the area of job opportunities, in order to enable them feel truly as the original inhabitants of the FCT. The Guest speaker, however, advised the OIDA, most especially

the highly placed individuals to come together to fight for justice so that the unborn generation would not suffer in the FCT. On his remark, the Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, who is also the Chairman, Council of Chiefs in the FCT, said that his leadership would continue to parley with the OIDA for good in the territory. The Monarch, appealed to the entire residents of the FCT, to always contribute their quotas towards the development and

progress of their respective communities or area councils. Earlier, in his speech, the President of the OIDA, Pastor Danladi Jeji, said that his administration would not hesitate to fight for the needs of the association in the territory. He called on both executives and members to work towards the progress of the association, noting that the association is established to arrest some pending issues affecting the original inhabitants of Abuja. Jeji therefore, pleaded with the members of the House of Representatives and the Senator representing the FCT at the National Assembly to enact laws that will have direct bearing to the Abuja residents. Giving their separate goodwill messages, the special Guest of Honour, Dr. Sarah Jibrin and the Gomo of Kuje (second class chief), Alhaji Haruna Tanko Jibrin, urged FCT residents to embrace peace at all times. Peoples Daily reports that the occasion which featured the launching of N200million education endowment fund for the Abuja inhabitants was deserted by the six Area Council Chairmen, the FCT members of the House of Representatives and the senator representing the FCT, Hon. Philip Tanimu Aduda.

Rural community tasked on healthy living practices By Stanley Onyekwere

Accident scene at Federal Housing Bus Stop on Airport Road, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

FCT residents happy with decentralisation of PVC collection centres

cross section of registered voters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the decentralisation of the Permanent Voters’Cards (PVC) collection centres. Some of the voters in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja also expressed delight over the extension of the time of collection from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. every day. A resident of Apo Resettlement Centre, Mr. Razak Adakoya, who came to the Junior Science Secondary School, Area 10, GarkiAbuja collection centre, described the commission’s action as a welcome development. Adekoya said the decision was

very good and appreciated, saying, ``It took me less than 10 minutes to collect my voter card.’’ He said the decentralisation should have been done before now. Another resident of Central Area, Mr. Peter Tefat, said that the nature of his job did not allow him to go to his centre in Karu, before the decentralization, to obtain his PVC. “Before, I was told to go to Karu but I cannot go there during the working hours, due to the nature of my job except on weekends. “Thank God, I now got my PVC without much stress,’’ Tefat told NAN. Miss Kudirat Adenike said the decentralisation of collection centres had made the exercise easy

and less stressful. ``I say Kudos to INEC for the decision.’’ Adenike said. Not left out, one Mr. Friday Emeka, who was at the Wuse 1 Primary School, Zone 2 collection centre, said he had tried many times to collect his PVC to no avail until today. ``It is commendable that INEC has decentralised the collection centres, this will make it easier for people to collect their cards,’’Emeka said. He said that the development would afford more Nigerians, who would have been disenfranchised, the opportunity to collect their PVCs. NAN recalls that INEC ordered the decentralisation of the distribution of PVCs to Ward levels, in order to enhance access

for eligible voters, who were yet to collect their cards. A statement signed by Mr. Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Atahiru Jega, said the commission resolved at its meeting on January 8 that the period for the distribution of the cards should be extended from 8.30a.m to 5.30 p.m. daily. “Registered voters who are yet to collect their cards can now do so from 8. 30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., daily. “Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, said Resident Electoral Commissioners have been mandated to set up effective monitoring strategies and ensure that the specified hours are strictly complied with by relevant INEC staff,’’ the statement further added. (NAN)

n a bid to adequately educate rural dwellers on the importance of good environment and food for a good health and living, officials of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Health Insurance Scheme has embarked on sensitization tour of communities in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). Addressing a cross section of residents of Kabusa community, who were at his palace to partake of the awareness campaign, were encouraged by His Royal Highness, Yohanna Koche, to key into the scheme. According to the monarch who described the initiative as imperative, “With periodic health sensitization programmes such as this, many minor diseases and sickness that people at the grassroot level suffer as a result of ignorance will be tackled headon.” The traditional ruler however thanked the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed and the Executive Secretary, FCT Human and Health Secretary (HHSS), Dr. Demola Onakomaiya, for demonstrating great commitment towards improving the health of the people, especially rural dwellers in the FCT.

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Strange World

Author launches $300,000 book that self-destructs in 24 hours

ave you ever read a book so engaging that you just couldn’t put it down, fearing that it might explode if you did? Well, bestselling author James Patterson decided to turn that fear into a reality with a selfdestructing book that literally explodes 24 hours after it’s been opened. The self-destructing book is actually a marketing scheme to promote Patterson’s newly released novel, Private Vegas. The unique book comes with a hefty price tag of $294,038, but includes a first-class ticket to an undisclosed location, two nights’ stay in a luxury hotel, 14-karat gold-plated binoculars and a fivecourse dinner with the author. The promotional video for this one-of-a-kind book is really quite hilarious. “Welcome to an experience that will blow your mind,” its protagonist says. “Hopefully not literally.” It describes the feeling of reading

the book as ‘the most thrilling experience money can buy, created by James Patterson’. Although it doesn’t clarify exactly how the book will explode once the time is up, the experience will involve a bomb squad for safety purposes. If you don’t have $294,038 to spare, don’t despair. You can settle for one of the 1,000 free downloads of thePrivate Vegas app. These digitally self-destructing e-books will delete themselves within 24 hours of opening the file. Panicked e-readers will be able to track each other’s progress and ‘steal time’ from others. According to the publishers, the app is designed to ‘bring the thrill of James Patterson’s book to unprecedented heights’. “The brilliant ad agency, Mother, came up with the outrageous idea of the selfdestructing book,” Patterson said. “I don’t know if my books qualify as treasures, but they are very fast, exciting reads. They are meant to

be read in 24 hours, or less.” Patterson, whose books have sold over 300 million copies worldwide, is one of the highest paid authors today. It has been speculated that his attentiongrabbing promotion might be an indicator of dwindling sales, but Mother managing director Susan Holden disagreed. “He likes to market,” she explained. “He’s an ex ad guy. He believes in advertising and he believes that’s a significant reason why his books have been so successful.” Who would burn a small fortune on a self-destructing book, you ask? “He said to me that he wouldn’t be surprised if one in his circle of friends might be interested,” Susan Holden told the press. “He’s a super downto-earth guy, but he runs with a billion-dollar crowd, so for some person that’s a huge Patterson fan, this could be chump change and could be funny.”

Luxury company guarantees good weather on your wedding day for $150,000

uxury travel company Oliver’s Travels is offering its wealthy clients an innovative wedding service – a sky clean up. For a hefty fee of over $150,000, they actually offer to pop clouds and induce rain up to a week before their wedding, in order to ensure clear blue skies on the day of the ceremony. It might sound ridiculous, but cloud seeding is actually a legit scientific technique. It involves the firing of rockets filled with silver iodide crystals into rain clouds from a light aircraft, or from the ground. The icy silver particles freeze the water droplets in the clouds so that they continue to grow in size and eventually fall out of the cloud as snow, turning into rain just before hitting the ground. Cloud-seeding isn’t exactly new; it was developed in Russia in the 1940s, to prevent unexpected rainfall from disturbing Soviet rallies. Since then, the technique caught on quite well and has been used extensively all over the world to prevent fog in airports, boost snowfall at ski resorts, and stop hail-damage in cities. In China, cloud-seeding is used before public holidays to induce rain, disperse pollution and ensure clear skies. The technique was even used at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding in 2011. Oliver’s Travels has now extended the technology to the mainstream wedding planning industry. “We pride ourselves on our quirky approach, and are thrilled to be able to offer such an unusual, unique service to our customers, to ensure their

wedding is the talk of the town,” said co-founder Oliver Bell. The company is primarily into organising destination weddings at castles and stately homes in England, Italy and France, and beach weddings in the Caribbean.

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Page 36

Some Interesting Facts

Religious material. Average life span of a he state of Florida is bigger than major league baseball is England. 7 pitches. on average, adults watch double the The United States has amount of TV as teenagers do. the highest minimum The U.S. has a $10,000 bill with the head drinking age in the world. of Salomon Chase, a U.S. Senator on the front. Having sex at least The sun shrinks five feet every hour. Dueling is legal in Paraguay as long as both parties are registered blood donors. On average, a 4-year-old child asks 437 questions a day. The Queen of England has two birthdays. A scientist who weighed people immediately before and after death concluded that the soul weighs 41 gms. In Georgia, movie houses that want to show films on Sunday must reserve one showing a month for

Leisure

once per week can lower a manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s risk of heart disease by 30%, stroke by 50%, and diabetes by 40%. It has also been shown that men with an active sex life are more likely to live past 80 years. Silly Putty was discovered as the residue left behind after the first latex condoms were produced. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not widely publicized for obvious reasons.

Say what?

SUDOKU SUDOKU EASY 234

PHOTO OF THE DAY

A photo of Amelia when she was a child cuddling up to a primate.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Page 37

Parent-Child Relations

Addressing common challenges and pitfalls in childbearing

N THE LAST few chapters we have tried to convey the ethos of a good, comprehensive parenting plan and outlined some key measures of putting this into effect. We have also stressed the importance of using one’s natural parenting instincts, in conjunction with the plan, as a guide to raising good children. The approach we have used is flexible enough to allow parents to create their own foundation and make their own choices in raising their families, with the overall objective being to raise children who are pious, responsible, and socially skilled. We have also stressed that raising a good child has wider repercussions than simply our own peace of mind and a happy home life; it is a major building block of society and civilization itself. However, a good plan, although it makes the difficult enough task of parenting that much easier, is not complete unless it can guide one through some of the potential challenges and pitfalls of parenting. In this chapter we will be focusing on some of the difficulties of parenting, and providing some common-sense solutions. First we will look at some of the major challenges and then, in the following chapter, at some of the major pitfalls. Although we have touched on aspects of these in earlier chapters, it is hoped that seeing them as a coherent whole will allow parents to become more aware of the world that both they and their child live in and some of the hard issues they will face. Major Challenges Facing Parents Our life is a series of difficult tests, and raisin children is one of the most challenging. Nevertheless, the reward for passing the test parenting is priceless. It is helpful for parent to know the real scale of the challenges facing them so that they do not overestimate or underestimate the task ahead. If they think parenting is too easy, they will not feel the need to prepare themselves for it. If they think it too difficult, they may despair and give up. We will try to identify the difficulties, and hope that parents will experience some relief and satisfaction to discover that they are not alone in the struggle. It is enriching to discuss these difficulties with other parents, and many parents will be surprised at how much they have in common. Here are some examples of the many challenges facing parents: LACK OF EXPERIENCE This is a major challenge when the first child arrives. Neither parent knows what to do in many situations. Although they may have learned some theories, they lack practical experience. Asking other parents can hell greatly; it is onthe-job training without supervisors. DAY-TO-DAY PRESSURES

Parents often come under pressure resulting from a genderbased division of labor. Man mothers spend the day at home while father work outside the home. In the evening, mothers like to go out, whereas fathers prefer to stay at home. This can lead to friction if parents do not empathize with each other. As we grow older, we must realize that being a great father is not just providing food and; roof over our children’s heads. THE DAILY GRIND: ACCEPTING THAT THE PARENTING TASK IS 24/7 There are no office hours for parenting and we might as well accept and embrace the fact that the parenting task is twenty-four hours; day, seven days a week,

“

and fifty-two weeks; year, with no vacation. There is no such thin; as “divorce” from one’s children. Once a parent commitment is made for the rest of one’s life and nothing should stand in the way of this commitment. PARENTING IS AN INFLEXIBLE TASK Once the child is born, parenthood cannot be postponed, rescheduled or neglected. Children have their own biological clocks, and parents should understand their development. Parents cannot slow down a child’s growth, nor can they accelerate it. If they try to interfere, they will have a disaster on their hands. The world is in a hurry, but children are not. It is wise to adopt the pace of nature: its secret is patience. PARENTS ARE ONLY ONE

OF MANY INFLUENCES ON THEIR CHILDREN Parents need to be aware of the world in which their children are growing up (which is constantly changing). Developments in technology for instance have thrown up ever greater challenges (in the form of television, internet, cell-phones, online chat rooms, digital music, DVDs, and computer games). Movie and pop star adulation has only mushroomed. If not plugged in to some device or other, children are surrounded by distractions galore. Parents are not fully free in raising their children and face competition from television actors, the Internet, and peers. There are many positive and negative influences on children. Although par-

This is a major challenge when the first child arrives. Neither parent knows what to do in many situations. Although they may have learned some theories, they lack practical experience. Asking other parents can hell greatly; it is on-thejob training without supervisors.

. . . A guide to raising children ents often take the credit - and the blame - for the way their children turn out, they are only one among many influences on child development. From a macro (societal) perspective, well-intentioned and committed parents still cannot make the Internet less filthy, the street gangs less violent, and the media less vulgar. Although parents are the first significant influence; peer influence becomes increasingly important for children as they grow older, and remains so into the college years. During this time, children are likely to mirror the values and behavior of their friends. Teenagers often become attached to their peer groups, and may distance themselves from their parents. Siblings also have an important and sometimes lasting effect on one another’s development; they are social mirrors and models (depending on the age) for one another. They may also be sources of competition and jealousy. Environmental variables also influence children, like geographic location, family size, the family’s social class, the dominant religion, and race relations. BABIES ARE UNABLE TO SPEAK Just imagine how difficult it is to communicate with animals, and then think of babies. They are not fully able to speak, so it is hard to know their needs, feelings, and thoughts. We have to guess correctly. A child is not a small adult, and an adult is not a big child. Our advice is to read to babies and recite Qur’an to them, because babies remember words before they are able to speak. PARENTING IS INTERDISCIPLINARY Parenting requires a complex set of skills (many of which we are unconscious of). Parenting involves several specialties, such as psychology, sociology, economics, medicine, biology, management, and art. Parenting is both an art and a science. As the world around us changes and throws ever more complex challenges in our direction good parenting skills become more needed. Having the highest degrees (whether in the sciences or the arts) does not necessarily produce a happy and contented family. Communication remains an essential component of good and effective parenting. FATHER AND MOTHER SHOULD ACT AS A TEAM Teamwork is not easy and is a major challenge for parents. Spouses have to be compatible to work well together. The spouse you choose is not only a wife or a husband, but also a future mother or father. How many of us think this way before getting married? Working as a team requires more than love and sincerity: it requires knowledge, skills, and the right attitude. It is important that parents do not play the blame game when things go wrong, each accusing the other of having caused the problem or not done enough. Their son or daughter is constantly changing, and a successful transition from childhood into adulthood re-quires a great deal of cooperation between the parents.

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Page 38

Feature

Fighting for the spoils of Libya’s revolution By Ian Pannell

he head of the foreign media department beamed reassuringly: “We urge investors to come back. We believe in transparency, truth and professionalism - we’re ready to answer all questions.” We had been invited to watch the graduation of a new cohort of spin-doctors for the self-proclaimed government in Tripoli. Not the most scintillating of occasions but one designed to send a message of business as usual. If the ruling coalition in the west of the country is to be believed, all is well in the new Libyan state. Over a lunch of chicken and rice one of the graduates introduced herself. Sabah Abul-Ez had been living in exile with her family in Manchester in England but she moved back to help rebuild the country after the overthrow of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. For more than two years the country prospered but the hopes and dreams of those who joined the revolution have gone awry. Ms Abul-Ez has still to learn the alchemy of spin doctoring. She told me she is thinking of returning to Manchester with her child because of the state of the country. Her husband wants to stay. “If he doesn’t want to go back, I’ll divorce him,” she said. I think she was joking. Restaurants packed The last time I was in Libya was towards the end of the war which resulted in Gaddafi’s downfall. The picture seemed clear then. What used to be called The Arab Spring was in full bloom and an uprising in the name of freedom and democracy was about to overthrow a brutal fourdecade-long dictatorship. Three-and-a-half years on and dreams of a brave new world in the Middle East are in tatters. Today even getting into Libya

Libya is open, Libya is safe”. With a fixed grin revealing a tightly clenched set of teeth, Jamal Zubia welcomed us to Tripoli.

Talks to find a solution to the fighting are taking place in Geneva and partial ceasefires have been agreed

“

Three-and-a-half years on and dreams of a brave new world in the Middle East are in tatters. Today even getting into Libya is a challenge.

is a challenge. The roads from the borders are unsafe for Westerners who used to be welcomed with open arms, passenger ferries have stopped running, foreign airlines have cancelled flights to Libya, most

embassies have shut and foreign workers fled. So we joined a small band of pensive passengers on a charter flight into the last airport to remain open in the west - now in the hands of an Islamist militia. What we saw was quite unexpected. Libya’s rival power bases: • Tripoli: government appointed by the old parliament that challenged the legitimacy of last year’s elections • Tobruk: internationally recognised government that was ousted from the capital not long after the 2014 election • Both backed by a loose alliance of militias focused on local interests • Benghazi: the second city and headquarters of the 2011 Revolution, is largely in the hands

of Islamist fighters, some with links to al-Qaeda • Misrata: the third city and main port, is also loyal to the Tripoli authorities. Its militias keep them in power. On a warm Friday evening on the Tripoli seafront we watched parents photographing their kids playing at a candy coloured funfair. Groups of young men in a nearby park performed tricks on motorbikes in front of a crowd of excited onlookers. Restaurants were busy, the streets jammed with traffic and shop shelves full. We drove for hours out of Tripoli to the east and the west. The only remarkable things were how bad the roads were and how poor the people for such an oilrich nation.

There were no Kalashnikovwielding, balaclava-clad bandits or wild-eyed jihadists waiting to nab us on the road. No smoke, few guns and frankly, it felt safe to travel unaccompanied. We even stopped for a while at the magnificent Roman ruins of Leptis Magna for some sightseeing, where families wandered between marble columns looking for a nice spot for a picnic. ‘Everyone has guns’ But as events in the capital this week show, this seeming normality is perilously thin and frequently punctuated by bouts of violence. I met a young engineering student at a packed cafe near the main mosque. Mohammed did not want to give his full name and he did not want to be filmed. But he told me that by nine at night people head to their homes, afraid of the militias and criminals that control their streets. He told stories of death and displacement. Prices have gone up and some salaries are not being paid. I asked him about the growing influence of some hard-line Islamist elements. “Everyone has guns now,” he said. “It’s like a magnet for extremism, because whenever they have guns they have the power to control you in the same way Gadaffi did.” Many are deeply offended by the idea that they are seen as religious hardliners. When we drove to Libya’s economic and business heartland in Misrata, a young man from the local council greeted us. He introduced himself and immediately asked if I thought he was al-Qaeda. The chaos that has descended on the country has allowed some extremists to prosper mainstream Islamists too. But crucially, what really divides people are tribal and regional differences. Too many here feel they are the rightful heirs of the revolution and they are willing to fight to the death to claim its spoils. Libyans try to go about their daily lives, desperate for some normality, but few expect it anytime soon. Source: BBC

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Weekend Revue

Page 39

With Tobias Lengnan Dapam lovelengz@yahoo.com 07036990957

I once nearly killed my son- Toyin Lawani N

igerian fashion star, Toyin Lawani, who is famous for making celebrities look fabulous on the red carpets, said she has been faced with criticisms that almost made her to abort her baby. In one of her recent posts, Toyin confessed that when she was pregnant with the baby boy, she almost got rid of the pregnancy fearing what people would say getting pregnant for a younger lover. Toyin, who had a daughter from her previous relationship, confessed that she no more cares about what people think about her. “Remember when I got pregnant, I was so scared to let the world know. No one had a clue until they saw me on the runway at Africa Fashion Week in London. I was almost eight months then. I used to worry a lot about what people would say if I had a baby for someone younger, but my boo would beg me endlessly and say, ‘my love, care not, I’m by your side’. “His parents were so amazing and supportive. I was so shocked because I didn’t expect that kind of love and support, I almost didn’t want to go through with it, but severally I would change my mind. I will sit in the hospital thinking endlessly ‘should I or should I not’ and my doctor will say, ‘Toyin, it’s just nine months and a positive voice constantly kept telling me, ‘my love, when you meet this bundle of joy in your stomach, you will not care. And a lot of negative voices kept begging me to take it out that it was a bad idea. “Well, imagine if I had listened to the world or if I was too scared to carry on cause of what people will say, I would have missed out on this beautiful blessing. My son is the most handsome boy I’ve ever seen and so is my beautiful daughter. “Happy Sunday you all, don’t let voices of others make you kill your blessings. Believe in yourself, and ask God for help because he is the only man than can get you there. Too many ‘kill joy’ in this so called Nigeria, but I’m sorry to burst your bubble, I don’t give a sh*t about what the society think. “I came to this world alone and I will be going alone. Live your life to the fullest because one day you, will look back and realize you missed out on all the things you could have done for yourself just because you cared too much about what the society would say or think about you. “Anytime I feel down, I look at my kids and all I do is smile went through. “Even my so-called best friend told me ah Toyin, if you leave your ex, you will suffer oo and I told her hey dear don’t forget I have my talent and handwork, I will just suffer for a while, I thank God that I don’t look like what I’ve been through. I thank God for his continuous blessings on my life and family,” she narrated.

Toyin Lawani

Diamond top 5

In this week’s exclusive, Weekend Revue discovered 5 most rated music making the waves under the Diamond hitz.

The label known for grooming young artistes, led this week with ‘My Mummy’ by Lil Jessica. The song is fast gaining recognition on the social media network. Jessica is the youngest member of Diamond music entertainment and she dedicates the song to mothers all over the world.

However, Julietta, queen of pop, maintained her no 2 from last week with ‘Scatter body’. The song which is a club banger featured Jayfeel of Nigerian idol season 3.

At no 3 is MB Dat Megabouy, with ‘Nice Girl’. The renowned producer from Enugu state featured Maxsteel the Metal Guitar in the fantastic slow rock music.

Meanwhile, Will~P ocupies no 4 with ‘Noh Noh’. The wonderful lyrical music is fast gaining recognition among music audiences.

Page 40

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Weekend Revue

Indiana Jones: Disney eyeing Chris Pratt for new film

David Oyelowo

ndiana Jones 5 might not have Harrison Ford in the title role after all - Disney is reportedly looking to Chris Pratt to take it on. “Well, if a Fantastic Four trailer didn’t set the internet alight today (although it clearly did), this should ice the proverbial cake. Disney is apparently looking to bring back the Indiana Jones franchise, and it’s eyeing up Chris Pratt to be its leading man”, sources have said. Pratt, who looks pretty Indiana Jones-ish in the Jurassic World publicity shots to date is a man in demand, thanks to the huge success of The LEGO Movie and Guardians of the Galaxy this year. And Deadline is now reporting that Disney is looking to him as “the swashbuckling archaeologist they hope to build the new franchise around”. Deadline adds that he’d be taking on “the role made famous by Harrison Ford, and from that, we presume we’re supposed to take that Pratt will be taking over the role. This doesn’t sound like a passing of the mantle, as Shia LaBeouf’s casting in the not-very-good Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull looked like it was being set up to be (the hat moment still makes us sob). It’s very early days on this, and we’re strictly in rumour territory thus far”, producers have said. But with the first of the new Star Wars films less than a year away, Disney might just be turning its attention to the other major franchise it picked up from Lucas film, and subsequently Paramount.

Kunle Afolayan’s ‘October Benedict Cumberbatch apologises for 1’ gets Netflix big money calling Chiwetel Ejiofor ‘coloured’ distribution deal

ew York Film Academy graduate, Kunle Afolayan, has joined the latest set of acts to be blessed as his new film, ‘October 1’ has been on a distribution deal with one of the largest online media streaming providers, Netflix. Afolayan, excited about the development, confirmed at his Ikeja office that the deal includes the rights to subtitle the movie into 10 other languages. “I am happy and delighted to announce that ‘October 1’ has gotten a deal with Netflix. Netflix covers the whole of Europe and America. That means the film will be exposed to the word”. “It is a distribution deal. Netflix is an SVOD platform, an online platform that you can watch on your television. Their application is everywhere. They are one of the most recognised SVOD platforms

around the word.” He revealed that the film, October 1, will be joining the films to be screened at 23rd Pan-African Film Festival in February at Los Angeles. Afolayan also informed that it has also been selected for the Luxor Film Festival in Egypt. October 1 is a film that received one of the highest nominations (13) Africa Magic Viewrs’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) in the top categories that include the Best Movie (Drama), Best Movie of 2014, Best Art Director, Best Actress and Best Cinematographer. It also won at the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Best Feature Film, Best Actor and Best Screen Play categories. The film featured veteran broadcaster, Sadiq Daba, actress Kehinde Bankole, Kanayo O. Kanayo and Kunle Afolayan and other A-list acts.

ritish actor, Benedict Cumberbatch has apologized for addressing British Nigerian actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor as ‘colored’ on Tavis Smiley’s show. “I’m devastated to have caused offense by using this outmoded terminology. I offer my sincere apologies. I make no excuse for my being an idiot and know the damage

is done. I can only hope this incident will highlight the need for correct usage of terminology that is accurate and inoffensive. The most shaming aspect of this for me is that I was talking about racial inequality in the performing arts in the U.K. and the need for rapid improvements in our industry when I used the term.”

He continues, “I feel the complete fool I am and while I am sorry to have offended people and to learn from my mistakes in such a public manner please be assured I have. I apologize again to anyone who I offended for this thoughtless use of inappropriate language about an issue which affects friends of mine and which I care about deeply.” It would be recalled The ‘Sherlock’ star used the term when he was asked about black British actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and David Oyelewo achieving success with 12 Years a Slave and Selma, respectively “I think as far as colored actors go it gets really different in the U.K., and a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here [in the U.S.] than in the U.K., and that’s something that needs to change,” - He said.

David Oyelowo in negotiations for Hurricane Katrina film

fter working together for a second time on the Oscarnominated Martin Luther King Jr. drama Selma, David Oyelowo and writer/director Ava DuVernay are looking to keep the collaboration going. They’re currently putting together the details for an untitled film set around Hurricane Katrina in 2005. With DuVernay set to write, produce and direct and Oyelowo making a deal to produce and star in the film, the details are limited right now, though according to Variety it’ll combine a murder mystery and a love story with likely some smart things to say about the conflicted racial politics of the storm, the attendant evacuation of the city and the fate of those who

David Oyelowo and Hurricane Katrina had little choice but to stay as the winds and waters raged. “The story we’re interested in will explore the complexities of intimate relationships within times of chaos, while also examining the chaos itself,” says DuVernay. “I’m looking forward to the journey.” This will mark the third time they’ve worked

together, after 2012’s Middle Of Nowhere. There’s no word on when the new film will start shooting. Oyelowo is on screens in A Most Violent Year, with Selma due here on February 6. He’ll also be seen in music biopic Nina, drama Five Nights In Maine and crime thriller Captive.

SporT 41 Page

Garba rules out Flying Eagles complacency

Peoples Daily, PEOPLES DAILY, friday, thursday, January october 30, 2014 2, 2014

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

By Albert Akota

espite winning all their games so far at the ongoing Super 6 tournament and subsequently topping the log, which has put them in firm position to win the mini-tournament, Flying Eagles coach, Manu Garba has ruled out any form of complacency in his team. The U-20 are using the tournament to prepare for the 2015 Africa Youth Championship in Senegal, and have beaten more experienced teams from the Nigerian league like champions, Kano Pillars, former champions, Enyimba, and Warri Wolves. But Manu, however, says the wins notwithstanding, his team will not be getting complacent and will not get carried away now, or when the African Youth Championship starts. “We are not a team that gets complacent, the players forget a victory right in the dressing room and they focus on the next match,” Manu said. “We cannot rule out fatigue because it’s natural but I can tell you that these boys (players) are very competitive even in training and they train and play like it’s a competitive fixture. “So we are not a team that is complacent because the players realize there’s always someone else to take their positions once they start getting relaxed. “I keep saying that we do not have an automatic shirt for any player in our team and that extends to the captain because if he’s not doing well in training, he will not be featured on game day,” Manu reckoned. The flying Eagles now have 9 points from three games in the Super 6, and will play Dolphins today, and then the Dream Team VI on Sunday, in what should be the grand finale.

Ikhana rates Enyimba’s chances high ahead of CAF Champions League

>>>Pg 42

Awoniyi

Enyimba have quality players to win CAF Champions league, says Udoji >>>Pg 43

Ghana favourites to win 2015 AFCON - Tanko >>>Pg 42

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Page 42

Sport

Ikhana rates Enyimba’s chances high ahead of CAF Champions League

nyimba coach, Kadiri Ikhana has boasted that his side will make a significant impact in this year’s CAF Champions League. The People’s Elephants, champions of Africa in 2003 and 2004, have failed to make any reasonable impact since then, and even failed to make the group stage of the competition last season. But Ikhana, the first coach to lead a Nigerian club to CAF Champions League triumph, says Enyimba will be better in this year’s CAF Champions League campaign. “We didn’t do too well last year but we have been working hard to ensure we get better and I know this year will be different because

Ikhana

Ghana favourites to win 2015 AFCON - Tanko

we want to at least get to the group stage of the competition. “This is a competition we have won before, so you can’t really say we are inexperienced but maybe we have not been lucky enough. “We are happy that we have the Super 6 now, at least that should help our preparation, since the league may not have resumed by the time we start our continental campaign but we are hopeful of having a better outing this year,” he said. Enyimba are home to Buffles du Borgou of Benin Republic in the first leg of the first round of the 2015 CAF champions league, and will entertain their guests at the Aba Township Stadium

Ameobi joins Crystal Palace on short term deal

hola Ameobi has joined Crystal Palace on a shortterm deal until the end of the season. The former Newcastle man looked close to joining West Brom a few days ago, but opted to join his former manager Alan Pardew at Palace instead. Ameobi played almost 400 games for Newcastle, scoring 79 goals. The 33-year-old Nigeria international departed England in May 2014 to join Turkish side Gaziantep, but he left Turkey in December. “I’m very excited to be here, I wanted to get back in the Premier League and having worked with the manager before it’s been great to come back and hopefully help us avoid the relegation battle,” Ameobi told the Palace website. “I had a couple of other clubs interested but I think my relationship with Alan [Pardew]

and how much I enjoyed working with him was one of the big factor in my decision. “He instils confidence in players and he always seems to

get the best out of them, certainly he did that at Newcastle and hopefully he can do that for me and the rest of the lads here.”

Ameobi

AFCON: Guinea surges, Mali out after draw

G Ghana celebrate passage to quarter finals

ssistant Cameroon coach Ibrahim Tank has touted Ghana as favourites to win the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations having made it through from a difficult group. The Black Stars recovered from a disastrous start to their campaign in Equatorial Guinea to finish as winners of Group C. Avram Grant’s team await a CAF draw between Guinea and Mali on Thursday to know their quarter final opponent.

Ibrahim Tank0 however believes Ghana stands a good chance of breaking their Nations Cup title drought this term having qualified from a tough group. “Ghana’s performance has improved since the opening defeat to Senegal,” he told Kessben FM. “I think Ghana is a real favourite to win it this time around. The motivation in camp, I reckon is very high.

uinea has reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals at the expense of Mali after the drawing of lots. Michel Dussuyer’s side will face Ghana on Sunday following the draw at a Malabo hotel. Guinea and Mali had finished level in Group D after they drew

all three pool matches 1-1. It is the first time lots have decided a team’s qualification in the tournament since 1988, when Algeria profited at Ivory Coast’s expense. This time, Ivory Coast finished top of Group D in Equatorial Guinea after beating Cameroon 1-0 - the only match

Guineans celebrating

in the group not to finish in a 1-1 drawOne representative from Guinea and Mali took part in yesterday’s draw, which involved selecting balls from a bowl. Mali’s football association president Boubacar Diarra went first and pulled out the ball that placed them third in the group. Amara Dabo, financial director of the Guinea sports ministry, then drew the ball that confirmed his side in second place. Guinea coach Dussuyer and Mali boss Henri Kasperczak had both said before yesterday’s draw that lots were an unfair way of deciding who went through. The Confederation of African Football (Caf), which organises the tournament, said that alternative systems to separate teams would be considered in future.

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Sport

Enyimba have quality players to win CAF Champions league, says Udoji

ith the 2015 Super Six Pre-Season tournament now underway in Abuja and ahead of their engagements in the CAF Champions League and the Nigeria Professional League, Enyimba captain, Chinedu Udoji spoke to SL10.ng about the importance of the Super Six tournament to their quest to win the CAF Champions League and the Nigeria Professional League again. He also talks about being continually snubbed by Super Eagles coaches. Enjoy. Chinedu, the game against the Flying Eagles didn’t go as expected and you have started your defense of the Super Six on a rather poor note, isn’t it? Yes, you’re right, the game against the U20’s didn’t

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Udoji

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go as planned because we wanted to win it and start the tournament on a good note, but it wasn’t to be. Somehow, we also expected it to be tough because the boys (U20) are very good and fit too. Remember they have been in camp for some time now, and we just only resumed, so we’re probably not as fit as they are. We hope to bounce back, however. I don’t know if you see it this way, but it was an embarrassing result for you. No, it wasn’t. They U20 are very good like I said and we knew it would be tough. Yes, we didn’t expect to lose, but we knew they were fitter. We are a bit older and a bit more experienced than they are but we are not embarrassed because we expected them to give us a good fight and they did just that and at the end they won and I am happy for them. You have to understand that we only just started training a few days ago after the off-season, so we still need to get fitter. From your point of view, where would you say you got wrong in that game? I would say we made a lot of mistakes as a team, and we didn’t take our chances. But speaking specifically, I think we made a lot of mistakes in the defense and we have to look at the kinds of goals we conceded and make corrections before the start of the new league season and especially, the Champions League. Speaking of the Champions League, you guys don’t seem to have started preparations in earnest, like Kano Pillars. I really can’t talk about that because they are purely administrative issues that only the administrators of the club can answer. As a player, I can only report to camp when I am called and my duty is to go out there and play whenever the time arises. I wish we had started earlier, but there is nothing I can do about it. You are one of the most respected and revered players in the Nigerian league, do you get

disappointed that Super Eagles keep failing to invite you to the team? No, I don’t. I just keep working hard and focus on my game. I want to play for my country but if I am not called there is nothing I can do about it, I just have to keep working hard and keep my focus. I believe I will get the chance when the time is right. Maybe it isn’t my time yet, so I just have to keep working but I am not disappointed. A lot of your colleagues are sealing moves abroad, any plans for you to also move? If the right offer comes, I will surely move, but I am not desperate. I have proven myself in the league and I have to consider only the right offers because I don’t want to move just because some other players are moving, it has to be the right move for me and I believe I will when the right time comes. Tell us your target for the year. We want to win the Champions League again and also the Nigerian league. We didn’t do too well in the Champions League last season, so we must improve this year. We almost won the league last season, so I am hoping we can get better this year also. Overall, I want us to win the CAF Champions League and the Nigerian league again.

Enyimba Squad

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PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

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SENTINELONC CREATIVE ORGANIZATION This is to inform the general public that the above named ORGANISATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under the part C of companies and allied matters Acts, 1990.

NKWO IHIOMA BUTCHERS AND CATTLE DEALERS ASSOCIATION.

This is to inform the general public that the above named “MINISTRY” has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under the part C of companies and allied matters Acts, 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE:1. PROPHET OSADEME BENSON EMMANUEL 2. OSADEME BUSOLA. 3. OLUWAYEMI SARAH OYEBODE. 4. YINKA OLUYEMISI OYEWOLE. 5. GABRIEL OLOKO.

TRUSTEES: Anwuacha alozie chioma Anwuacha chinyere Bernice

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. To preach the word of God to the lost souls in al Nation. 3. To carry out soul winning evangelism throughout the whole world. 4. To educate its members properly on the doctrines of the Holy Bible. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to Registrar - General, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja, within {28} days of this publication.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to Registrar - General, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja, within {28} days of this publication.

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PROMISE LEGAL AID FOUNDATION

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The trustees are: 1.Maxwell Ozere -President 2.Chimekwa Mpi -Secretary 3.Rev. Fr. Vincent Chimekwa-Member 4.Rufai Abba Dabo -Member 5.Ifeanyi Joseph Ojeh -Member.

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Aims Objectives: 1.Fostering unity in Nigeria through ethnic integration 2. compliment Government efforts in developing the economy through youth’s sensitization and empowerment. 3. contribute to deepening democracy in Nigeria.

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The general public is hereby notified that the above named CENTRE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rev. Saturday Dick Etoketim 2. Mrs. Favour Saturday Etoketim 3. Deacon Kayeobong EdetUdo 4. Deacon Eno-Obong Marcose Ukombo 5. Deacon Aniedi Augustine Ekwere

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AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the of Jesus Christ.

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- Chairman - Secretary - Member - Member - Member - Member

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Prophet Daramola Henry 2. Prophet Godfrey Okohue Peter 3. Pastor Okohue Emmanuel 4. Evangelist Joy Okohue 5. Engineer Christopher Omamegbe 6. Aseghamen James 7. Swokemkwu Tina 8. Evangelist Timothy Emiator

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote community development through enlightenment and development programmes, advocacy of civil responsibilities as provided for by law. 2. To promote agriculture, civic education, women and youth through peace reporting, conflict zone reporting and resolutions, religious, health and environmental enlightenment and art and culture.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To establish and maintain Islamic and religious oriented educational institutions and mosques. 2. To serve as a body for the propagation of Islam. 3. To preach the tenets of Islam in accordance withthe Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Mmuhammad (SAN) in all parts of Nigeria and the world.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: BARR. OLAWUNI G. O; 08033114285

PUBLIC NOTICE

HOLOS WELLNESS FOUNDATION

REIGN OF MERCY ASSEMBLY

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. To establish local branches for the propagation of the gospel worldwide. 3. to organize outreaches, crusades, seminars, workshops and revival services for the works of the gospel. Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

LOVE & HOPE FOR THE CHILD INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

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,1of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Paul Kayode Onifade 2. Yetunde Olayinka Onifade 3. Oladunjoye Olokodana

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Reverend Athanacius Opara Ihesinachi 2. Pastor Cordelia Opara Ego 3. Deacon Abel Koko-Ette 4. Pastor Gloria Odulana 5. Evangelist Opute Ogochukwu 6. Deacon Friday Moses Omenge 7. Evangelist Micheal Adenike Sarah

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Anne Omoso Ifadah 2. Happy Nwachukwu 3. Barr. Annette Osezele Ifadah 4. Christopher O. Ifadah

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote health, physical education and recreation through advocacy and counseling. 2. Empowering individuals through the provision of free legal advice on their rights and responsibilities. Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

- President - Vice President - Secretary

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To promote the welfare of underprivileged children. 2. To provide help and support to families in other to aid the better upbringing of children. 3. To carryout advocacy among community leaders and government officials in the promoting of family values.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR – GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET.PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: FAITH OBIAKOR ESQ

SIGNED: JAKPA EMMANUEL ESQ 07034709534

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

Page 46

PUBLIC NOTICE

FAITHFUL WOMEN AND YOUTHS MISSION FOR PEACE INITIATIVE

Okere urhobo indigenous contractors association

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.COMRADE ALH. UMAR SALEH COACH 2.MR. ABOKI ABIYI FADASON JP 3.MISS IJUDAYE JUDY SHETTIMA 5.SAMSON DIMKA THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.To promote peaceful co-existence amongst women and youths in the society. 2.To assist widows and orphans in Nigeria. 3.To promote vocational training for women and youths in the society. 4.To provide a forum for interaction amongst youths and women toward promotion of peace 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.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Igho okumagba 2. Ojaikre okumagba 3. Roboh okumagba THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.To protect the interest of her 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.

PUBLIC NOTICE HE WORD GLOBAL REVIVAL TEAM MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY 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. SAEED AYOBAMI OLAITAN 2. ADESUNLOYE KIKELADE 3. OWOLABI OLUWABUSAYOMI 4. DELEOLA ATOKEOLAKITAN THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO TEACH AND PREACH CHRIST AND THE HOLY BIBLE TO ALL MANKIND 2. TO PREACH AND PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE HOLY BIBLE, PROMOTE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, BROTHERHOOD AND TO RECONCILE MAN WITH GOD 3. TO SERVE AS AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL PLATFORM FOR PROMOTING COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION AMONGST CHRISTIANS AND BIBLE BELIVERS Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication

SIGNED:SECRETARY

SIGNED: BARR. EUGENE EGU FOR: EQUINOX SOLICITORS, ABUJA. O8O92I45386

SIGNED:SECRETARY C/O SUITE 7 (1ST FLOOR), HILLTOP PLAZA, NO. 13, GWANI STREET, WUSE ZONE4, ABUJA

PUBLIC NOTICE

WIDOWS SUCCOUR MINISTRY

The risen light community development 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.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY 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. MRS GERTRUDE NNEKA ONYEJI 2. DR. MRS ANN EKENE ONYEJI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1) To alleviate the problems of widows and orphans and give them psychological wellbeing. 2) To empower them financially and give them succour in every area. 3) To form/divide them into co operative societies to enable them have access to loan facilities. Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED BARR. VICTOR OGBONNA

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Omobayo Bright Kinnithy 2. Edwin Ogbomo THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.To help the less privilege. 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. EUGENE EGU FOR: EQUINOX SOLICITORS, ABUJA. O8O92I45386.

FALOMO RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Mr kwesi Nona obaseki 2. Mr Victor obaika 3. Mary walker 4.chief Mrs opral Benson 5. Mr patrick ijewere 6. Dr moussaud boulous 7. Mr yinka akinkugbe. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To chart for cause that will be of material benefit to residents 2. To foster ways for the harmonious and peaceful co-existence among residents. 3. To provide and maintain a communal and security service for the entire area under the control of the association. 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

CHRISTIAN REFUGE MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

Indigenous furniture and metal work products manufacturers association of Nigeria THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE DISTINGUISHED LIGHT CHURCH OF GOD INT’L.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY 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. APOSTLE CLEMENT EHIZOJIE ODIANOSE OBOBHAGBA 2. EVANGELIST MRS. GRACE CLEMENT OBOBHAGBA 3. MR. EHIZODE ODALOIGHE NAPOLEON 4. OSIN EHIJIELE MAGNUS 5. MR. OBOBHAGBA PHILIP 6. AGHUPUE ADOLPHUS 7. MRS. ODIA OMONO VERDA 8. ILEOMA OJO FINSLY

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Austin nwosu 2. Felix ezeamama 3. Chike obiefuna 4. Chigbo Chikelu 5. Amode olutoye 6. Umaru zakare 7.Victor Johnson olanrewaju

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 BEBU OPUOYIBO 2. BARRISTER ALABA DIEPRIYE DICK 3.BEBU-OPUOYIBO INA (MRS) 4. BEBU-OPUOYIBO ILATE 5. HARRY ALABOTUBO THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO EVANGELISE AND PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. 2.TO AFFECT COMMUNITIES WITH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. 3.TO RESTORE HOPE TO THE HOPELESS. 4.TO PREPARE THE CHURCH FOR HEAVEN.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To promote indigenous furniture and metal work products 2. To support and guide members in production of quality products. 3.To ensure the welfare of association members are met.

SIGNED: LAWRENTA EHIZODE-08163769356

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public of the loss of original land document with file No.MISC.58736 and plot No.473 of about 1.14Ha located at cadastral zone B13 Gaduwa district, Abuja FCT. Belonging to KONBUL NIGERIA ENTERPRISES. All effort made to trace the said document proved abortive. If found please contact the nearest police station. General public please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public of the loss of the ORIGINAL COPY AKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER in respect of Plot 520 located at Jabi, Abuja belonging to BAKIN KOGI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. All efforts made to trace the said document proved abortive. If found, kindly return to the nearest Police Station or contact Abuja Geographical Information System(AGIS). General public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known as Odey John Ugama now wish to be known and addressed as John Joseph Ugama. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as ANGELA IFEANYI ODEIGAH. now wish to be known as ANGELA IFEANYI ANI. All former documents remain valid.All authorities concerned and the general public to take note

KOBI KOACHMAN FOUNDATION.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Obinna Ugochukwu Kobi Mbagwu 2. Professor (Mrs.) Felicia Onyejiuwa Mbagwu. 3. Dr. Ikenna Nnaemeka Mbagwu. 4. Mrs. Kelechi Jennifer Mbagwu. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To provide humanitarian relief and rehabilitation to Internally disabled persons, as well as victims of Man-made and natural disasters locally and Internationally Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: Mase D. Acho Esq. 07032668504

PEOPLES DAILY, friday, January 30, 2014

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www.peoplesdailyng.com

QUOTABLE QUOTE There is definitely an issue of character with Prof. Charles Soludo and his desperate search for power and relevance in Nigeria.

. . . putting the people first

friday, january 30, 2015

– Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy

SPORTS Femi Fani-Kayode: “Full disclosure” latest

FIFA: Blatter confirms re-election bid

ifa President Sepp Blatter confirmed that he had submitted his bid to run for re-election on Thursday, the deadline day for nominations to be handed in. “Today (yesterday) is a key date in the electoral calendar. I’ve made my submission, now the electoral committee follow a process,” the 78-year-old said on Twitter. Blatter, who has been in charge of soccer’s governing body since 1998, is running for a fifth mandate and is overwhelming favourite to win the election in Zurich on May 29. Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, former Fifa official Jerome Champagne of France, ex-France international David Ginola, former Portugal forward Luis Figo and Dutch FA president Michael van Praag have also said they are running.

Williams to face Sharapova in Australian Open final

erena Williams will face Maria Sharapova in the Australian Open final after the pair won their semi-finals in straight sets in Melbourne. World number two Sharapova won an all-Russian contest against Ekaterina Makarova 6-3 6-2. Williams, the top seed, converted her ninth match point to beat fellow American Madison Keys 7-6 (7-5) 6-2. Williams, 33, capped a fine performance with a dramatic ending as she saw seven match points slip by at 5-1, before converting her ninth with an ace and a scream in the following game. Keys, 19, matched Williams for power but not always control as the 18-time Grand Slam champion edged a tight match over one hour and 24 minutes. The world number one, a five-time champion in Australia, recovered from 3-0 down to force a tie-break and clinched it with a big serve.

Advert: 0806 business: 0704 news: 0814 lagos: 0805 0803

of your psychiatric history please!

esterday the PDP’s Media and Publicity spokesperson, Femi Fani-Kayode questioned the health status of the APC’s presidential candidate, retired General Mohammadu Buhari (“GMB”). He said there were concerns that he had prostate cancer and if true, Nigerians will like to pray for him. He argued and I, unfortunately agreed with him, that Nigerians are entitled to full disclosure on this issue. However, I disagree with his idea of the scope of full disclosure needed or the meaning of full disclosure. Given Femi Fani-Kayode’s position it is clear to every Nigerian that he is doing the bidding of his master, President Goodluck “Dumbo” Jonathan (“GEJ”). Femi FaniKayode Permit me to remind my readers that GEJ was the vice presidential candidate to the then overtly sick late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who was flown to Germany for treatment after collapsing in public. I do not remember GEJ asking the late Yar’Adua make to full disclosure to Nigerians? GEJ was an active and willing participant in that political fraud because it paved the way for him to take over the presidency. Nigerians have been and continue to call for GEJ to release his Ph.d. thesis as a way of settling concerns that he plagiarized as his reasoning and utterances fall well short of a properly educated first degree holder. Fani-Kayode, I guess, does not realize the benefit of full disclosure on this issue. When Patience Jonathan flew to Germany for medical treatment last year at the expense of Nigerians and their resources and returned in a presidential plane, I guess Fani-Kayode was in one of his selfinduced “stupors” and forgot to remind GEJ that Nigerians were entitled to full disclosure of his wife’s medical condition. Patience Jonathan of the “there is God O” infamy may not be an elected official but the nexus between her medical condition and full disclosure to Nigerians is that our resources paid her medical bills – he who pays the piper dictates the tune! When Femi Fani-Kayode became OBJ’s spokesman and later the Minister of Aviation (a ministry that he fleeced for billions and is still on trial for), Nigerians who were familiar with Fani-Kayode’s history of psychiatric imbalance demanded full disclosure of his treatment history. As far as I know we are yet to get the full disclosure. Again, he may have been too “zoned out” to recall. Given the fact that the nightmare and trauma that GEJ

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Friday Column Ilesanmi Omabomi

Femi Fani-Kayode has become to this country is the inevitable concomitant of YarAdua’s refusal to make full disclosure to Nigerians regarding his medical condition, Nigerians are right to be wary of a presidential candidate who looks well on his way to defeat an incumbent president for the first time in the history of this country – a fact that is the actual motivation for FaniKayode’s diatribe rather than any genuine concern for the rights of Nigerians to know. Having said that, I believe GMB, who has publicly declared his assets, will also be willing to release his medical records on the following conditions: GEJ should publicly declare his assets and apologize for not giving “a damn before”; GEJ provides full explanation as to why his wife was charged by the Ribadu led EFCC for money laundering – forget Nuhu Ribadu’s self-serving denial. The court docket number is available and Ribadu only succeeding in making a fool of himself. The connection being that the money came from what GEJ stole from the Bayelsa state coffers; GEJ makes a full disclosure of his medical records, including full disclosure of the treatment for his ogogoro induced liver sclerosis at a London-England clinic; GEJ makes full disclosure of how much it cost Nigerians to treat his wife in Germany; and GEJ discloses the full amount of estacode he earns per night on his foreign trips as a way of settling concerns that the speculated $100,000 per night estacode is the primary motivation

of his frequent and unproductive foreign trips. To digress a bit, I think the reason why GEJ, Fani-Kayode, and other members of his campaign team are still in this game is because the APC, for reasons best known to them, have chosen not to land the final flurry of MikeTyson like blows on a presidential candidate who is clearly on the ropes. GMB and APC need to borrow a leaf from Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. While trying to please the conservatives in his quest for the Republican nomination for the presidency John McCain made the regrettable revelation that he voted with/for the outgoing and unpopular George Bush 100% of the time. The Obama Campaign Team knew they had a game changer. Thereafter in the presidential election campaign, everywhere candidate Obama went he reminded American voters that McCain was the same as the outgoing Bush and a vote for him was a return to the Bush ways which they have rejected. John McCain could not extricate himself from the assault and he went on to lose that election. I believe the above is precisely what GMB and his team need to do to GEJ. GMB needs to tie corruption on GEJ’s neck until he is politically suffocated and maybe directly accuse him of being personally corrupt because that is the fact. At every campaign stop GMB needs to remind Nigerian voters of the following: GEJ’s brutal economic attack on Nigerians through the fuel subsidy removal and his blatant refusal, to date, to hold any of his friends who stole the trillions accountable; GEJ’s stated position that he does not believe in investigating, prosecute and imprisoning those who are convicted for corruption because it is GEJ’s constitutional duty – he does not have a choice; GEJ’s refusal to account for the missing $20 billion of oil proceeds; Stella Oduah’s BMW scandal for which the PDP attempted to reward her with a senatorial seat; GEJ’s allocation of N1 billion naira for his feeding while millions of Nigerians cannot get garri to “soak”; and GEJ’s decision to allocate billions of

Naira for the purchase of a new presidential jet in the 2015 budget at a time when the price of oil has declined by more than 50% and he is asking Nigerians to make sacrifice. GEJ and his friends enjoyed the bounty and they should be the ones making the sacrifice. Mr. Fani-Kayode, notwithstanding the fact that every reasonable Nigerian within and outside the PDP is aware that the reason you are crying more than the bereaved is that GEJ has your balls in a nut crusher over your trial for the billions allegedly stolen from the Aviation Ministry, I hope you will find the above to be factual, assuming you are not in one of those self-induced “stupors”. GEJ is a drowning man politically speaking. You can see it in his body language. You can see it in his uncontrolled outbursts, you can see it in the refusal of PDP governors and other elected officials to stick their net for him, the refusal of his oil subsidy theft billionaires friends to be seen with him. Even the refusal of a formerly straight forward Reuben Abati to engage in defending GEJ speaks volume. My friend Fani-Kayode, since you have forgotten that those who live in glass house should not throw stones and have decided to get high with a mud-slinging rather than issues campaign, you are welcome to the mud fight. GMB maybe too decent for it but because your utterances have the capability of confusing unwary Nigerians voters, it has become the responsibility of every Nigerian who cares about this potentially great country to respond to your tales and set the facts straight. I am hoping to hear from you soon.

DAN GAYE

Fraud, injustice, forced me out of PDP – Maku

In other words, you have been denied stomach infrastructure

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