Monday 30th December, 2013

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Vol. 12 No. 65

Monday, December 30, 2013

..

. putting the people first

Safar 28, 1435 AH

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Anambra: PDP How bandits IPMAN, NARTO recants, backs Nwoye killed 6 in Birnin blame PEF for fuel on litigation >> Pg 2 Gwari >> Pg 4 price hike >> Pg 19

Jonathan: Nigeria is not a mistake

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday pointedly disagreed with some citizens who frequently argue that the amalgamation of Northern and Southern parts of the country in 1914 was a mistake by the colonial masters.

Jonathan, while speaking at the Apostolic Faith Church in Abuja, admitted that the nation

has had its challenges, but insisted that amalgamation of the country was ordained by God. Yes, Nigeria was amalgamated by our colonial masters in 1914. By 1st January next year, Nigeria as a state will be 100 years old. But I totally agree with our man of God that it was not by chance, it was ordained

by God. If God didn’t will it at that point, the North and South would not have come together.

“The details of the North and South coming together makes Nigeria a very great country. I use to say that Nigeria is great not because of oil; we have countries that produce more oil than Nigeria but nobody talks about them.

“We have countries that have multi billion dollars in reserve because of their wealth and nobody talks about them. But the biggest to the smallest country

talks about Nigeria. Why? Because of the diversity from the North to the South, the human and natural resources, the potentials and the population that we have.

“So, Nigeria is a country that has a special blessing from God. It is left for us to appreciate God and continue to pray for God’s intervention and this country will continue to be great.

While acknowledging fur-

ther the challenges that have impeded the growth and development of Nigeria, Jonathan raised hopes of future generations, assuring that his administration is striving hard to make the country better.

“As you are getting closer, you meet more obstacles and thank God for the sermon we heard and of course the songs showed that the greatest probContd. on Page 2

Benue killings: Suswam absolves Fulani herdsmen G

L-R: Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, in a handshake with Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, during the vice-president’s visit to the emir, yesterday in Kano.

overnor Gabriel Suswam of Benue, yesterday, said some yet to be identified criminals, under the guise of Fulani herdsmen have been attacking and killing Tiv indigenes in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Contd. on Page 2

Panic as Aero aircraft lands with ruptured tyre

>> Pg 6

News PAGE 2

CONTENTS News 2-10 Editorial 12 Op.Ed 13 Letters 14 Opinion 15 Metro 16,18 Business 19-22 Stockwatch 23 S/Report 24,25 Education 27,28 Health 29,30

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Anambra: PDP recants, backs Nwoye on litigation

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday recanted on its earlier resolve not to support its candidate in the Anambra governorship election, Comrade Tony Nwoye, who had challenged the result of the election won by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)’s candidate, Chief Willy Obiano.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, described the action of the candidate as a “step in the right direction and an ac-

ceptance of the directive of the National Working Committee earlier communicated to him to pursue the mandate in accordance with established democratic procedures and rules.

“The PDP is totally committed to democracy and electoral processes as stipulated by the constitution and laws of our land.

This explains why we remained steadfast to the processes outlined for the Anambra governorship election and the reason for our earlier stand and directive to our candidate and members to participate in the Supplementary Election as directed by INEC.

“As a party committed to strengthening the institution of democracy, we believe that due process must be followed at all times to allow the laws and electoral rules run their full courses without any interruption. It is in this regard that we commend our candidate for conforming with the ideals of our great party in seeking redress at the right time and through the appropriate democratic channel”, the statement said.

Expressing optimism that “justice will prevail at the end of the day”, the statement said the PDP “remains impressed

by Nwoye’s credible outing, resilience and grass root appeal which brought him to the forefront in the race despite having only two weeks to campaign”. It therefore charged all PDP members close ranks and remain focused in supporting the party and the candidate.”

The statement also urged the people of Anambra state to “continue to resist attempts by the APC to turn the state into a theatre of violence and bloodshed typical of desperate politicians and bad losers who do not have the interest of the people at heart”.

Benue killings: Suswam absolves Fulani herdsmen Contd. from Page 1 there were killings in Guma, Gwer West and Makurdi local government areas by men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

However, Governor Suswam, while briefing journalists at the end of a security meeting held at the new banquet hall in Makurdi, said “some criminals are the ones attacking Benue communities, not Fulani herdsmen.

“We called a meeting after the communal clashes between the Fulani herdsmen and the

Tiv farmers.

“This situation is applicable to other areas in the state like Agatu but it is more pronounced in these councils.

“We called all the prominent people of Minda extraction for a roundtable to discuss possible ways of solving the problem once and for all and we discovered that criminals are the ones attacking Benue communities, not Fulani herdsmen”, Suswam emphasised.

The governor added that the security meeting became nec-

essary following the continued attack and killing of innocent Benue citizens in Guma, Gwer West and Makurdi.

Suswam said a committee had been raised, chaired by a Retired Permanent Secretary, Mr. Moses Anagende, and 11 members to recommend ways of arresting the criminals. He said the committee has one week to submit its report.

The security meeting was attended by the Tor-Tiv, Chief Alfred Akawe Tokula, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and

Investment, Samuel Ortom, commissioners and governorship aspirants, among others.

Seven persons were reported dead last week following a clash between suspected herdsmen and Tiv farmers at Agasha in Guma local government area of the state, as property and farmlands worth millions of naira were destroyed.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Benue, DSP Daniel Ezeala, had earlier confirmed the death of the seven persons in the clash. (NAN)

Contd. from Page 1 lem we have is love and unity”, he said.

The president however said: “I promise our children that we are totally committed to make sure that they meet a different Nigeria.

“We will collectively work hard to overcome these barriers, these feelings of oh that I am Christian, I am a Muslim, I am Hausa, I am Ijaw. Immediately we cross that barrier and we begin to believe that we are all Nigerians and we are committed to the development of this country, our children will surely meet a better Nigeria. We will try our best but this is not the time to reel out what we are doing or what we are not doing, otherwise they will think I am here to cam-

paign.

“But I assure you, this congregation and indeed all Nigerians that by the will of God and your support, I am here today from nowhere. Any child of Nigeria can be where I am. I come from the smallest state in this country, even within the state, one of the smallest communities in Bayelsa state. Even within the community, one of the smallest families, but I am here today by the grace of God. That is the type of Nigeria we want to create, a Nigeria where you can get what you want if you work hard; it’s not because you know somebody who know somebody that will talk to somebody. A Nigeria that our children, if they work hard will get whatever they want just like in other free societies

like America and so on. We will work with you to help you to get to wherever you want to go,” he further assured.

In the meantime, the Senior Special Assistant to the president on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has described the out-going year 2013 as one of unprecedented policy decisions taken and major projects executed for the good of Nigerians in spite of pockets of distractions.

“It is an incontrovertible fact that Nigeria under Jonathan has reduced its food imports by about forty percent and increased its local production of rice, cassava, sorghum, cotton and cocoa in percentages ranging from 25 to 56 in the last two years. For the first time since independence, the Nigerian agricultural sector

is attracting unprecedented Foreign Direct Investment.

“Over the past two years, the sector has attracted $ 4 billion in private sector executed letters of commitment to invest in agricultural value chains, from food crops, to export crops, fisheries and livestock. The number of private sector seed companies grew from 10 to 70 within one year. Over $ 7 billion of investments from Nigerian businesses have been made to develop new fertilizer manufacturing plants, which will make Nigeria the largest producer and exporter of fertilizers in Africa. It is also noteworthy that agricultural lending as a share of total bank lending has risen from two percent to six percent in two years”, the statement said.

Jonathan: Nigeria is not a mistake Sokoto govt sponsors 200 students to study in Cyprus, Pakistan –Page 7

Int’l

31-34

S/World

35

Digest 36 Politics 37-38 Newsxtra

39

Sports 41 Columnist 48

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FG spends N600m on old ABUTH renovation, says VP Sambo

V

ice-President Namadi Sambo yesterday said the Federal Government had spent N600 million on renovating the old Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) premises at Tudun Wada, Zaria.

The vice-president said this in Zaria, Kaduna state during the second Annual General Meeting/ Launching of Zazzau Emirate Development Association (ZEMDA).

Represented by Alhaji Tahir Umar-Tahir, Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Islamic Affairs and overseer of Aso Rock Mosque, Sambo said the renovation had reached an ad-

vanced stage.

“The work included the renovation of wards, laboratories and restoration of some facilities, among others,’’ he said.

The vice-president said a substantial part of the 2014 budget proposals was for enhanced health care services across the country to demonstrate government’s commitment to the sector.

Sambo, therefore, appealed for “the support and co-operation of all Nigerians to enable the present administration deliver dividends of democracy to their doorsteps’’.

In his speech, Gov. Mukhtar

Yero of Kaduna State said the state government had made adequate arrangements for a total overhauling of secondary schools in the state.

Yero, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Kaduna Government House, Alhaji Yahaya Aminu, said the overhauling was aimed at ensuring a conducive teaching and learning environment.

Earlier, the National President, ZEMDA, Dr Isa Abdullahi-Shika, said the focus of the association since inception had been the promotion and protection of the social and political aspiration of “Zagezagis”.

He identified some of the association’s achievements in the outgoing year to include general security of lives and property with particular focus on Zaria and Sabongari Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Abdullahi-Shika said the association had in the last 10 years been able to help in eliminating some social vices from their local community.

“These include hooliganism, also known as “Sara-Suka”, and robberies, among other social vices by young people under the influence of hard drugs,’’ he said.

(NAN)

News

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

PAGE 3

Lagos disburses N1bn to 400 graduate farmers

T

he Lagos State Government said it had spent N1billion to support no fewer than 400 graduate farmers to set up their own farms.

Mr Gbolahan Lawal, Commissioner for Agriculture and Co-operatives, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday that the beneficiaries were those trained under the state's Agricultural Youths Empowerment Scheme (AGRIC-YES). ``The support is to give them a head start in their farming businesses. We are currently operating a modern farm settlement scheme in Araga, Epe area of Lagos, where graduates are trained in different areas of agriculture under our AGRIC-YES

programme. ``No fewer than 400 graduates, divided into four groups, are being exposed to practical and sustainable ways of practising aquaculture, poultry and crop cultivation, among others, using modern, fully automated equipment,'' he said.

The commissioner said the essence of the programme was to create a generation of modern farmers, while creating job opportunities and promoting food security. ``In the last one year, the state government has spent more than N1billion in form of inputs, tractors, cash and other essentials, to enable the graduates set up their own farms," he said.

Lawal said the programme was fully residential, adding that the government only recently inaugurated 200 units of twobedroom apartments at the programme site, to improve the living standards of participants.

He said the state government was committed to the food security of the state, saying that AGRIC YES was one of the efforts of government to demonstrate that.

Lawal noted that Lagos was a top producer of poultry and that the government was assisting farmers to boost poultry production. ``Maize is one of the major ingredients used in poultry feed mill and in order to ensure that farmers have all year supply of this

ingredient for their animals, the government sells directly to them at subsidised prices. ``We have a poultry estate in Erikorodo in Ikorodu and the government is upgrading facilities and even providing more to boost production,'' he said.

Lawal said government was also assisting fishermen in coastal communities of Ojo, Badagry and other parts, with boats and other inputs needed in their fishing business.

The Commissioner added that the state government had recently acquired land in Osun and Abuja for livestock and crop production.

(NAN)

President Goodluck Jonathan (middle), Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (2nd right), and some leaders of Apostolic Faith Church, during last Sunday of the year church service, yesterday at Apostolic Faith Church, Regional Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Jonathan okays establishment of institute in Uromi

By Evelyn Okakwu

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has approved the establishment of a National Institute of Construction Technology in Uromi, Delta State.

This was announced by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo at the St Anthony’s Catholic Ca-

thedral, Uromi, during a special thanksgiving mass to mark the 80th birthday of Chief Tony Anenih, PDP Board of Trustees Chairman.

As stated by the Vice President; the establishment of the institute in Uromi; the home town of Anenih, was a move by the Federal government in appreciation

of the invaluable contributions of Anenih to the socio-political and economic development of the nation.

Describing him as “an elder statesman, father and mentor,” the vice president said Anenih is committed to the service of God and humanity.

The Vice president recalled

Anenih’s political exploits from the defunct Second Republic through his leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the defunct Third Republic to the formation and growth of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he (Anenih) currently chairs its Board of Trustees.

Nigerian Muslims hold prayer session in Lagos

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

M

uslims in Nigeria will on the 5th of January hold a special prayer session for Nigeria, where they will collectively address issues as it affects Muslims and Nigeria at large.

At the prayer session which will take place at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, participants will also forge the essential unity in the interest of the people and to make Nigeria a better place.

A statement by organisers of the special prayer session said Muslims constitute not less than 50 per cent of the population, regretting that, like their counterparts worldwide, they are finding it more difficult to live as Muslims in Nigeria.

According to the statement, “On the pretext of the actions of some misguided Muslims, there has been an increase in anti-Islamic sentiments worldwide, which has had adverse effects on the innocent majority, those who are themselves victims of these evil atrocities.

“More disturbing are some emerging government policies in Nigeria which appear less oblivious of the peculiar needs of Muslims, thereby fashioning laws which deny Muslims their right to be Muslims and practice their religion even in their own communities”, the statement said.

It further said Muslims in Lagos have from the origin of the state, been major contributors to the development and peaceful co-existence of the state, adding that Islam is peace and by its tenets emphasises the peaceful co-existence of human beings irrespective of race and beliefs.

“As stakeholders, we shall continue to support all efforts through individuals, organisations and as a collective unit in all matters of concern” the organisers said.

FG creates 2 million jobs, rolls out agenda for North-East economic support

By Evelyn Okakwu

T

he Minister of Information Labaran Maku said the federal government has succeeded in creating two million jobs through expansion in agriculture and industries in the year 2013.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the information minister, Joseph Nutah said Nigeria’s stock market Index has risen by 71% since 2012 while Stock Market Capitalisation increased by 66% since 2012 to N11.8 trillion.

“In the last three years of the

present leadership, we have recorded 7% GDP growth. This is the highest we have recorded in the last 20 years", the statement said.

The Minister who noted that the exchange rate has remained stable, while foreign reserve grew to over $45 billion added that domestic production; particularly in agriculture and industries increased while inflation decreased from 12% to 8% in 2013 as a result of stable macro-economic management.

In another development; the minister said stamping out insur-

gency remains the topmost priority of the Federal Government.

The minister, who was speaking during a phone-in programme on Radio Nigeria, said the massive deployment of men and materiel through the establishment of the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri had stemmed the tide of attacks by insurgents in the North East.

Maku who is also the Supervising Minister of Defence, said due to the huge investments required to set up an Army Division, government had prioritised the provision of funds to construct

military barracks and other formations and infrastructure, training of personnel and the provision of the necessary equipment to wipe out the activities of insurgents operating in the North East.

The minister noted that the country is working to secure the support of Cameroun in order to prevent the infiltration of the country by insurgents from the Cameroun border.

He described insurgency as a form of urban and rural guerrilla whose warfare could not be eradicated overnight through military intervention as experienced in

other countries with similar challenges.

The Minister added that the Federal Government is intervening in the economic recovery of the North East following the devastation and socio-economic setback suffered by the sub-region due to the insurgency.

"The President in the Economic Forum on the North East, unfolded a new agenda for the economic support of the North East. From this year's budget, some provision is now being made to really give the North East support, he said.

News PAGE 4

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Cleric urges Nigerians to resolve differences ahead 2014

T

he Catholic Priest of St. John of the Cross Parish, Mararaba in Nasarawa State, Rev. Raymond Hickey, has advised Nigerians to resolve their differences and reunite as the New Year approaches.

Hickey gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The cleric quoted Pope Francis as saying in his Christmas message that peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation should be embraced by people of the whole world.

“The Pope’s message is a special blessing to the world and it also calls for prayers.

“The prayers of the Pope and that of many other adherents of the Christian faith across the globe were the greatest efforts that could bring about the reconciliation, forgiveness, and peace which the whole world and Nigeria need,’’ he said.

Hickey urged Nigerians to join the faithful to pray for forgiveness, reconciliation, humility and peace, because ``without humility, there will be no forgiveness’’.

He then prayed for all Nigerians to have the spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness, and for Nigeria and the world to have peace in 2014.

(NAN)

Daurawa calls on Muslims to unite From Ado Abuakar Musa, Jos

T

he Kano State Commander General of Hisba, Sheik Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, yesterday called on the Muslims across Nigeria, irrespective of their group affiliation to unite themselves to move Islamic religion forward.

Daurawa said this at the closing ceremony of the 27th Annual Qur’anic Recitation Competition of Jos North Local Government Area , held in Jos, the Plateau State capital, at the Jama’atu Nasirul Islam Central Mosque.

Sheik Daurawa who stressed the need for unity among the Muslims also called on Islamic clerics to intensify their efforts towards the progress of Islam and its faithful.

“For Islam to achieve its desired goals, Muslims must unite themselves and forget their differences and for that to succeeded, religious leaders have to come together as a single entity, “he said.

Earlier in his address, the Hisba commander encouraged the Muslims to increase their efforts and commitment to Qur’anic memorization.

“I urged you to read and commit the Holy Qur’an into your memory and put it into practice. If you do so the Almighty Allah would reward you abundantly. One of the purposes of reading the Qur’an is to understand its meaning and put it into practice. The Book (Qur’an) is the best medicine to all diseases” he added.

R-L: Yobe state Governor, Malam Ibrahim Gaidam, in a handshake with Vice-Chancellor, Yobe state University, Professor Musa Alabe, during the governor’s condole visit to the vice-chancellor over death of his mother, Hadjiya Khadijah, who died at the age of 94, yesterday in Damaturu.

Bandits kill six people in Birnin Gwari

From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

T

here was pandemonium at Ingade village at Damari town few kilometers to Dogon Dawa village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna last week when a total of six people were killed by armed bandits in the area.

According to reports from the area, the incidents occurred when some people believed to be armed robbers clashed with some of the villagers.

It was gathered that during the clash both parties suffered casualties but the community loses six people.

Confirming the incident, Birnin Gwari Local Government Chairman, Idris Musa Alhassan in a telephone interview said they

didn’t know the casualties suffered by the bandits.

“Recently there was an attack at a village called Ingade a Damari district few kilometers to Dogon Dawa. Some people were killed during the Ingade attack in which about six people lost their lives in a clash with the robbers.

“We actually don’t know the casualty suffered by the attackers.

But Such attacks where armed robbers go into villages to rob innocent villagers has become rampant,” he said.

The chairman further explained that the armed robbery attack along Birnin Gwari to Funtua high way has become rampant.

“Actually there are reports of armed robbery cases around Birnin Gwari to Funtua highway and Birnin Gwari to Kaduna but

that of Birnin Gwari to Funtua is more rampant because of its closeness to a bush which we believe those armed robbers do hide there.

“The fact remains that virtually every week, we do have reports of such attacks along highways in villages,” he added.

On the issue of women being raped by the suspected bandits the chairman said “yes there are incident like that in villages. Each time they carry out their attacks they sometimes rape women after robbing their husbands of their belongings,” he said.

The chairman also pointed out that the state government is doing its best to alert security agencies on the issues, saying the council too is doing its best because their local vigilante are doing their best to monitor the situation alongside

the police.

He stressed that they are also sensitizing their people to always report suspicious movement to the authority and that they have also resulted to praying for Allah’s protection.

Investigation has revealed that most of the armed robbery attacks occurred on Market days in surrounding villages of Birnin Gwari town.

Contacted, the State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Aminu Lawan confirmed there was a clash between the community and suspected armed robbers but said he was not sure of the casualty figure as he promised to call back after he finds out the actual number of victims from the Divisional Officer in the area but he didn’t called back at the time of filling this reports.

ercise were on ground.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 34 local governments in the state were being managed by caretaker committees.

This was as a result of the expiration of the tenure of elected council officials early in 2011.

“The elections will take place next year, God willing, because everything has been put in place,’’ Shema said.

The governor called on PDP supporters to come out en mass

during the elections to vote for the party’s candidates.

On the defection from the party to APC by some members, Shema said “most of such people are not original PDP members. Now, they have joined the group they belong to’’.

He, however, admitted that the party was facing challenges.

“We all know that PDP is facing some challenges and anyone trying to say otherwise is deceiving himself.

“But we have been able to identify those challenges. By identifying the problem itself, it means half of the challenges facing us as a party have been solved,’’ the governor said.

Shema however said PDP in the state would continue with the zoning and consensus principle.

He also called on party members to woo to the party’s fold other people that would help PDP in achieving its political objectives. (NAN)

Katsina to conduct LG polls early 2014, says Shema

G

overnor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State yesterday said the state’s Local Government elections would be conducted in the first quarter of 2014.

Shema who disclosed this in Katsina at a state PDP zonal meeting said the elections date would be announced in January for the political parties to begin preparations The governor, who was represented by Sen. Umar Tsauri, said all the materials needed for the ex-

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

PAGE 5

Photos Splash

Children welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan to the last Sunday of the year church service, yesterday at Apostolic Faith Church, Regional Headquarters, at Jabi, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

L-R: Ekiti state Commissioner for Labour, Productivity and Human Capital Development, Mr. Oluwole Ariyo, Chairman, Timbers Association, Chief Adebayo Francis, General Manager, Radio Nigeria (Progress FM), Ado Ekiti, Pastor Dare Olorunfemi, Ekiti state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and Chairman, Nigeria Automobile Technical Association (NATA), Mr. Olubodun Olaseinde, during the presentation of buses to the various organizations, last in Friday Ado Ekiti.

Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun (3rd left), presenting Best Governor in Nigeria (2013) Award to Osun state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left), during the 2013 Osogbo Oroki Honours and Awards, on Saturday in Osogbo. With them are the state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (left), President, Osogbo Progressive Union (OPU), Ambassador Rasaq Shiyanbola (2nd right), former OPU President, Alhaji Ajadi Badmus (right).

L-R: Kano state Governor, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, during wedding of Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki, recently at Bayero University old site Central Mosque, in Kano.

Travellers waiting for commercial vehicles, last Friday at Gwagwalada on the Abuja-Lokoja Road.

Photo: NAN

News

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

PAGE 6

Kaduna govt. evacuates old tyres from major streets, check points From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

K

aduna State Environment Protection Agency (KEPA) in collaboration with security agencies have commenced the removal of tyres used as barricade from the major streets in the capital.

This followed the recent order given by Governor Muktar Ramallan Yero, that all tyres mounted at security check points and other location within the metropolis be dismantled and evacuated.

KEPA in the early hours of yesterday had rolled out its men and trucks to carry out the exercise. The men were accompanied by personnel from Kaduna state security outfit ‘Operation Yaki’.

The team was able to remove about 30 trailer size tyres from the Total filling station located at the popular Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS) roundabout in southern part of the state.

Meanwhile, the Manager of the filling station, Usman Bello, said he was not aware of the order and pleaded for more time to remove the tyres.

“We use these tyres to control movement and control the indiscriminating packing of vehicles in front of our station and I don’t think it posed any security threat to the state, but the Governor is the chief Security

Dakingari urges farmers to utilise good road networks for income generation From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

G

overnor Usman Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State yesterday urged the farmers to utilize the opportunity of good road networks constructed across the state to improve their income.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Ma’azu Dakingari, said the Governor gave the advice while inspecting Sabiyal- Kashin zama road project and a bridge being handled by an indigenous contractor, Tawor Nigeria Limited.

“The Governor believes that farmer have an ample opportunity to embark on all year round farming, irrigation and wet season, through cultivation of food and cash crops.

“It will be recalled that Kebbi State Government decided to embark on massive roads construction to pave-way for accelerated development though interstate and inter local government road network.

“The Five kilometres a SabiyalKashin Zama road is to cost Kebbi State Government (N390 million) including the bridge under construction,” the statement said.

Officer in the State and he knows better. My only pain is that we spent a lot of money to purchase those tyres,” Bello said.

At the Union Bank office along the very busy Ahmadu Bello Way, some private security guards attached to the bank were seen hurriedly removing the tyres into the bank premises before the arrival of KEPA team.

A vulcanizer at the NNPC Mega station along Ali Akilu road whose tyres were forcibly removed said the tyres are fairly

used and on displayed for sale not to barricade as all his plead fell on deaf ear.

The exercise however turns violent when the team attempted to remove tyres used as barricades in front of a building opposite Abakpa Junction but were confronted by a man who stopped them.

The security agents attached to the team did not take this lightly and voices were raised which led to the exchange of blows between the young man

and the security men who are from the Civil Defense Corps.

The young man whom it was later discovered to be military personnel ran into the compound for re-enforcement and three of his colleagues in uniform came out and it became a free for all fight creating a scenario where the civilians had to run for lives.

The situation was controlled by a military officer who happens to be a passerby as he stopped to intervene asking the two sides to sheath their sword while

assuring the task force that the tyres will be evacuated.

It would be recalled that Kaduna state Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero gave the order after the state Security Council meeting held in Kaduna last week. He said the measure was to clean up the city and remove unnecessary barricade to ensure free flow of traffic.

Governor Yero added that any tyre used by the military or police should be painted in their colour.

R-L: Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki, and Kano state Deputy Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje , during the commissioning the of Dala Local Government, Yalwa Ward Madaki Clinic Hospital, recently in Kano.

Fear grips passengers as Aero aircraft landed with ruptured tyre

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

P

assengers on board of an aircraft belonging to Aero contractors yesterday landed at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, amidst panic when they realized the plane had landed with one of its tyres ripped apart.

Officials observed that the Boeing 737-500, No 5N-BLC aircraft which had a total of104 passengers and crew members on

board, landed safely for the pilot’s dexterity.

According to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the agency said the aircraft has since been towed to the apron while the Accident Investigation Prevention Bureau, AIPB has commenced investigation into the incident.

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai who was among the passengers on the flight later

tweeted affirming that “upon landing in Lagos, our Aero aircraft lost a tyre.

The pilot did a great job of breaking to a halt. My phones flew under seat.”

A Director of the airline confirmed the incident and said the damaged tyre was replaced immediately by the engineers of the airline saying the airline will wait for the approval of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority,

NCAA before the aircraft is allowed to return to operations.

However, FAAN maintained that it was a minor incident and which is normal in aircraft operations, “We wish to assure all air travelers of their safety and caution against magnifying a manageable incident out of proportion” a statement by the Corporate Communication General Manager Mr. Yakubu Dati explained.

Restore Specialist status of Obangede General Hospital, Wada urged From Omale Adama, Lokoja

T

he Chairman of Asmau Foundation, Sanusi Abubakar, has appealed to the Kogi state governor, Captain Idris Wada, to revert the Obangede General Hospital in Okehi area council to its specialist status.

Abubakar, who made the appeal over the weekend during the flag-off of the 7th edition of free Eye Healthcare medical intervention, said governor

Wada and the Asmau Foundation shared the developmental vision hence stressed the need for collaboration.

“Let me use this opportunity to remind the Governor of his genuine promise in August this year, to revert the Obangede General Hospital to its specialist status saying we are anxious and hoping that this approval would be your end of year gift to Kogi central,” he said.

While enumerating the achievements of the Asmau

Foundation since 2006, Abubakar noted that the general hospital, Okene, was given full rehabilitation by the foundation, in collaboration with the state government.

According to him the governor, more than any other governor, has been in the forefront of initiating and implementing poverty alleviation programmes and providing free medical services to the citizenry, just like the Asmau Foundation.

The chairman stressed the need for corporate organizations

and private individuals to support the state government by providing interventions of qualitative healthcare delivery.

Also speaking, leader of the medical team, Dr. Taoheed Abdullahi, said the foundation’s eye care outreach has so far treated a total of 12,000 patients of different eye conditions.

He commended the foresight of the chairman of the foundation, describing the turnout at any of the foundation’s eye care treatment as impressive.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Sokoto govt sponsors 200 students to study in Cyprus, Pakistan

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he Sokoto government yesterday announced plans to sponsor 200 students to pursue various degree programmes in Cyprus and Pakistan.

Governor Aliyu Wamakko disclosed this at the Yabo local government area of the state when he inaugurated some projects executed by the Old Boys’ Association of the Sarkin Kabi Shehu Model Primary School, Yabo.

Wamakko said that the students were expected to depart Sokoto for Cyprus and Pakistan in January 2014.

According to him, ``the gesture is in addition to the over 1,000 students currently being sponsored by the state government in some universities within and outside the country.

“The gesture is part of our modest efforts to boost the human resources of the state. This is also in the bid to further enhance the development of the state and that of Nigeria, by extension.

“We will continue to accord priority to the education sector and provide equal opportunities for all indigenes to acquire quality education, within and outside the country,’’ the governor said.

He commended the members of the association for executing the projects and appealed to others to emulate them.

Wamakko stressed the need for all and sundry to complement the government’s efforts in providing a conducive atmosphere for effective teaching and learning.

Alhaji Shehu Shagari, a former president, challenged wealthy individuals to complement government efforts by providing infrastructure in their former schools.

“The responsibility of developing education is not that

of the government alone. Hence, the need for people to contribute their quota to the development of the society,” he added.

Shagari, who is also a member of the association, commended his colleagues for providing infrastructure for the school.

The elder statesman also urged other well-to-do individuals in the state to emulate the gesture by the association.

NAN reports that the projects inaugurated by Wamakko included a block of two classrooms, as well as the provision of teaching and learning materials. (NAN)

...to expand, rehabilitate water facilities with N7.6bn

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he Sokoto State Government says it has earmarked more than N 7.6 billion for the expansion and rehabilitation of some water schemes in the Sokoto metropolis and its environs in the 2014 budget.

The Commissioner for Water

Niger: VIO appeals for operation vehicles

Resources, Alhaji Shehu Dalhatu, told the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Sokoto yesterday, that the projects included the expansion of the existing 20-million gallons of water per day, Asare water project.

The commissioner explained that the expansion was aimed at doubling its capacity to 40 millions gallons of water, per day.

“The project entails the sinking of eight ground boreholes, with all the accessories, including overhead tanks and reticulation”,

he said.

Dalhatu added that the contracts for the projects would soon be awarded by the state government.

According to him, the combined capacity of the water facilities in the city, including the Asare water works, now stands at more than 52 million gallons of water, per day.

“Expectedly, when the expansion project is completed, their combined capacities is expected to rise to more than 92

million gallons per day.

“This will happily be above the current water demand of the city which averages at about 80 million gallons, per day,” he said.

The commissioner explained said that government had also earmarked N1.9 billion for the rehabilitation of some water treatment plants in the Sokoto metropolis.

He listed them to include the old water works, the Bi-water project, a new extension treatment plant and a new water scheme.

(NAN)

By Usman Shuaibu

Kano state Governor, Engineer Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso (right), in handshake with Kaduna state Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero (middle), after the wedding fatiha of the children of Bauchi state Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, on Saturday at Kano Government House, in Kano.

APC sweeps Yobe council polls From Uche Uche, Damaturu.

R

esults of the local government elections held on Saturday in Yobe state shows that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won all the chairmanship seats in the state.

Announcing the results yesterday at the office of the State

Nupe group tasks sons in Diaspora on dev

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

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he need for the Nupe in Diaspora to remained united, steadfast in order to curb the under developmental challenges confronting Nupe land has been advocated.

Chairman of the umbrella body of Nupe Association, General Idris Garba rtd, made the call at the inaugural summit of Community Association for Grassroots Transformation (CAGRAT), at the weekend in Bida.

General Garba said the association has three major objectives, which were cultural awakening, economic development and political awareness, and assured that the leadership would guide the people to escape from poverty.

The CAGRAT Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Dagaci Etsu Agaie called on the people of Nupe land to form cooperative societies in order to improve their living standard as an organized association will foster unity, growth and development of entire Nupe land.

Number of Nigerians studying in Canada impressive-Envoy

C

T

he zonal commander in charge of the Directorate of Road Traffic Service (DRTS) in Suleja local government area of Niger State, Mr. Mohammed Sani Tukur, has appealed to the Niger state government to, as a matter of urgency to provide vehicles for the smooth operations of the directorate in the area.

Tukur, who made the appeal in an interview with our correspondent in Suleja, further said if the vehicles are being provided, it would ginger officials of the directorate to track down the road traffic violators.

He pointed out that the directorate was incapacitated in terms of equipment, saying however, that his leadership would continue to parley with other security agencies to safeguard lives and property in the area.

The Suleja DRTS zonal commander advised the VIO to impound any vehicle that is not road worthy.

News PAGE 7

Independent Electoral Commission, Chairman of the commission, Engr.

Abdu Jauro said the peaceful conduct of the election was an indication that peace has returned to the state against claims by some politicians, including INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, that elections cannot hold due to insecurity in the state.

He said the total number of votes cast were 999,700 while the total number of registered voters in the state was 1.2 million, pointing out however that invalid votes could not be made ready immediately because of the urgency of the time as the winners are to be sworn-in the next day.

He said the party also won

the entire councillorship seats contested for. The electoral body chairman said the commission did not receive any complaints from any quarters on the conduct of the elections.

He commended the efforts of security men who worked round the clock to ensure the success of the elections, pointing out that nowhere in the state and the electoral wards witnessed any violence or the breach of peace during and even after the exercise.

anadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Perry Calderwood, yesterday described the number of Nigerians studying in Canada as “impressive”.

Calderwood told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that at least 4,000 young Nigerians were studying in different public and private Canadian universities and colleges.

He said his home government planned to provide more opportunities for Nigerians to study in Canadian higher institutions in 2014.

“In 2014, many more Nigerians will be given opportunities to study in Canada on scholarships and self-sponsorship”, the High Commissioner said.

The envoy also said there was a “growing number of contacts” between Canadian and Nigerian institutions of higher learning.

He expressed optimism that the relationship would promote transfer of knowledge between both countries.

Calderwood said that there were colleges for technical training in Canada waiting to be explored by young Nigerians.

The high commissioner disclosed that the Canadian government planned to hold an Education Fair in Lagos and Abuja in January 2014.

He said no fewer than 50 Canadian universities and colleges would participate in the fair.(NAN)

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. Accordingly, the general public may easily Contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, and Illegal/Wrong Parking to kindly Call KAROTA through the following number – 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754 and 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on – 07051246833 and 08191778888.

129th KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

ICT facilities installed at the Ministry include Server, Routers, Pilot e _ government facilities, high speed modems, etc. Such require reliable supply of electric power for twenty four (24) hours.

As such, the Ministry of Science and Technology, as endorsed by the Secretary to the State Government, requested Council to approve the release of the sum of N6,235,000.00 to enable the provision of reliable back – up to supply electric power for twenty-four (24) hours to ensure operation of the installed ICT Gadgets after typical working hours and weekend days.

Council considered the request relevant as approval was granted for the release of the requested sum of N6,235,000.00 to the Ministry of Science and Technology to enable the provision of the required back – up for electricity supply at the Ministry. f) Request for Funds to Enable the Payment of Sitting Allowances to the Executive Council Committee on Technical Schools:The 2 – Member Committee on Technical Schools requested, as endorsed by the Secretary to the State Government, for the release of the aggregate sum of N740,000.00 to cater to the following: i. Allowances for four (4) months for the 2 – Members = N240,000.00 ii. Operational funds = N500,000.00 Total = N740,000.00 Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N740,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to facilitate the stated payment.

T

he Year 2014 was tagged as the period of consolidation within which all the initiated Capital Projects by the administration are to be completed to their 100% respective envisaged levels. This was the celebrated consensus reached during the 4th Retreat held at Hamdala Hotel Kaduna.

Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE of Kano State emphatically emphasized this when presenting the 2014 Budget Estimates to the State Honourable House of Assembly for the hearing of all and sundry as proceedings were aired live by Media Organizations. The size and structure of the 2014 Budget were presented. Thus: • Size The size of the 2014 Budget was presented as N219,281,273,487.00 comprising N70,621,425,720.00 or 32% Recurrent Expenditure and N148,659,847,767.00 or 68% Capital Expenditure, while the expected revenues from all sources for funding the Budget add up to the same amount of money as follows: i. Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) = N45,860,422,861.00. ii. Statutory Allocation = N55,200,000,000.00. iii. Value Added Tax (VAT) = N12,600,000,000.00. iv. Other Receipts = N13,300,000,000.00. v. Total Capital Receipt plus Opening Balance= N92,320,850,626.00 Grand Total = N219,281,273,487.00.

• Structure The expenditure components of the budget were presented as follows: i. Personnel Cost = N44,710,158,720.00. ii. Overhead Cost = N25,911,267,000.00. iii. Capital Development Fund = N148,659,847,767.00.

Grand Total = N219,281,273,487.00.

Reflectively, the 2014 Budget provides Capital Development Fund 8% or N19,223,655,532.00 less than that of 2013 and concurrently provides for the additional personnel cost of the newly employed 1003, 1004, 1005 and 1006 youths in Kano State, as well as the 10% and 5% increase in the Salary of Tertiary Institutions and Health Workers respectively.

Cognizant of the proceeding, the Kano State Executive Council held its one hundred and twenty ninth (129th) Sitting today Friday 27th December, 2013 (24th Safar, 1435 AH) and last in the year, under the Chairmanship of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Fourteen (14) MDAs submitted forty-six (46) memoranda for deliberation by Council of which twenty-one (21) were approved for execution with an expenditure of One Billion, Eight Hundred and Eight Million, Five Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Eight Naira, Eighty Seven Kobo (N1,808,578,208.87) covering nineteen (19) projects as follows: 1. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT This Office submitted twenty two (22) memoranda on behalf of the Chairman and some MDAs for deliberation by Council among which six (6) were approved for execution. Thus: a) Presentation of Request for Approval in Respect of Transfer of 197 Kano State Indigenous Students Sponsored for Studies Abroad:The Secretary to the State Government submitted the cited request, on behalf of the State Ministry of Science and Technology, for deliberation by Council. Already, the Kano State Executive Council granted approval for the sponsorship of 197 Kano State Indigenous candidates to undergo a 1 – Year Top – Up ICT Training Programme at a University in Ghana for the award of first (1st) Degree in Business and Information Technology after their successful graduation from the Kano/Jigawa Informatics Institutes at the total cost of N279,424,800.00. The selection of Ghana rather than Mauritius and Singapore was based upon the cost charged. Mauritius and Singapore Universities charged N502,350,000.00 and N1,242,045,600.00 respectively for the same course.

However, as preparation was going on, the Ministry of Science and Technology was notified of a change in the Course Curriculum in Ghana, which leads to a composition modification in the duration of the studies from two (2) to four (4) Semesters.

Details were presented to Council for consideration along with the financial implications. Based on this, the Ministry of Science and Technology contacted Mauritius Island and Uganda Institutes to ascertain their respective position regarding the new Curriculum for a 2 – Year (four (4) Semesters) Degree Programme. The following cost implications were presented to Council for consideration.

Country Ghana Cost (N) 460,211,700.00

Mauritius 502,350,000.00

Uganda 278,491,020.00

As such, the Secretary to the State Government endorsed the request from the Ministry of Science and Transport for Council to consider and approve transferring the training of the 197 Students from the University in Ghana to Uganda at no additional cost.

Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation and granted approval for the transfer of the 197 Kano State Indigenous sponsored Students from Ghana to Uganda at no additional cost. b) Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Support to the Bereaved Family of Late Musa Ibrahim (Baker):-

Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso Late Musa Ibrahim (Baker) was a Journalist of repute and Publisher of the popular Community Tabloid titled “Kano Newsday” known for showcasing Kano State to the entire World. The deceased left behind six (6) dependents comprising one (1) wife and five (5) children.

The Secretary to the State Government endorsed the plausible reasons forwarded for consideration by Council so as to approve the release of the sum of N500,000.00 as support to the bereaved family of Late Musa Ibrahim (Baker).

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N500,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for onward release to the family of the deceased as the State Government’s support. Council commiserated with the bereaved family and prayed for the mercy of the Almighty Allah to Grant Jannatul – Fir – Dausi and eternal bliss to the deceased. c) Request for Funds for the Upward Review of Monthly Overhead and Other Funds to Meet Basic Operational Requirements of the Northwest University, Kano:The Governing Council of the Northwest University, Kano requested for special grant for the improvement of academic activities in the University, which was endorsed by the Secretary to the State Government and presented to Council for consideration and approval as follows: • Upward review of monthly overhead from N6,666,666.67 to N10,000,000.00.

• Release of the aggregate sum of N713,207,547.00 to address twelve (12) issues details of which were presented for consideration.

Council appraised the details presented and approved the release of the sum of N50,220,000.00 in the interimfor the most essential needs to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for onward payment to the Authorities at the Northwest University, Kano for the stated purpose(s). d) Request for the Release of Operational Funds to Visitation Panel of Kano State Polytechnic:The Secretary to the State Government tacitly reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum, of the inauguration of the Visitation Panel of Kano State Polytechnic on 13th November, 2013 at the Executive Council Chamber. The Panel requested for the release of the aggregate sum of N3,791,000.00 by Council to cater for the following: i.

3 – Day Retreat N1,956,000.00 ii.

Visit to NBTE Office Kaduna N65,000.00 iii.

Secretariat Expenses N700,000.00 iv.

Sitting Allowances N970,000.00 v.

Contingencies

N100,000.00 Total = N3,791,000.00 The details presented were considered relevant as Council approved the release of the requested sum of N3,791,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to enable the Visitation Panel of Kano State Polytechnic undertake the purposes. e) Request for Funds to Provide Back – Up Electric Power Facility for Information Technology Infrastructure Installed at the Ministry of Science and Technology:The Kano State Ministry of Science and Technology is the Official Custodian of Information Communication Technology in the State.

2. MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT Eight (8) of the nine (9) memoranda submitted for deliberation

by Council from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of Request for Funds for the Payment of Painting of 100 Buses and 199 Golf Taxis:The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport applauded the laudable policy of the present administration in Kano State under the capable leadership of the second (2nd) incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE for the introduction of the Amana Buses and Taxis Scheme as part of its empowerment policy.

1000 Golf Taxis and 500 Buses were earmarked for the Scheme. Painting of the vehicles to Commercial Colours was effected by Messrs. S.M Chinade Universal Motors Ltd. The Company was owed the sum of N14,505,000.00 for the painting of 299 buses and Taxis.

As such, the Secretary to the State Government endorsed the request submitted by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport for Council to approve the release of the sum of N14,505,000.00 to enable the payment to Messrs. S.M Chinade Universal Motors Ltd. b) Request for Funds to Enable the Payment of Additional Works Executed at the Parking Area in Front of Government House, Kano:The contents of this memorandum, submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, substantiated an area of 2731M was tiled with Garden Interlock Tiles to provide for Parking Space at the Frontage of Government House, Kano.

The scope of works executed were presented for consideration by Council along with the financial implications to the tune of N51,979,084.68, which was requested for release.

Council acknowledged and appraised the request and approved the release of the trimmed down sum of N51,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the payment for the already executed work on providing Interlock Tiling at the Frontage of Government House, Kano for Parking. c) Request for Funds for the Installation of New Street Lights at Gwale Extension (1.3KM):The Taskforce for the Installation/Repairs/Reactivation of Street and Traffic Control Lights identified the site slated for the installation of Streetlights for a distance of 1.3KM. This was cognizant of the resolve of the present administration to provide qualitative infrastructure for wellbeing of the citizenry in the State as well as security to life and property.

The sum of N21,745,048.00 was the estimated cost for the provision of the streetlights on Gwale Extension.

Congruence of the project to the laudable Urban Beautification policy of the present administration prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N21,745,048.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the Taskforce Committee on Installation/Repairs/ Reactivation of Street and Traffic Control Lights execute the stated project. d) Request for Funds for the Establishment of Integrated Rural/ Community Development Information Center at the Ministry of Rural and Community Development:The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport politely reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum, of its directive issued via Executive Council Extract No SSCA/CA/EX/4/I/1781 to his Ministry on the cited issue.

The directive issued to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport was to study, appraise and assess the presented bill of materials for the stated purpose.

The assignment was professionally carried out but still the initially submitted and requested sum of N4,992,050.00 was presented for consideration and approval for release by Council for the stated purpose.

Contd on Page 9

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013 Council considered the relevance of the project to the modern day requirement for Data/Information Storage and Processing, as approval was granted for the release of the sum of N4,992,050.00 to enable the establishment of an Integrated Rural/Community Development Information Center at the Ministry of Rural and Community Development. e) Presentation of Request for Additional Funds for Fabrication, Supply and Installation of Overhead Gantry Sign Boards Along Dual Carriage Gateways into Kano and Additional Five (5) Junctions:Council was politely reminded, through the contents of this memorandum of its approval granted for the release of the sum of N40,485,789.05 for the cited purpose.

However, in the course of executing the work additional scope were encountered and assessed to the tune of N18,683,532.00, which was requested for release to cover provision of the following: • Coat of Arms • Kano State Logo • Complete Utilization of the Signage Board, etc.

Council noted the details provided and approved the release of the additional requested sum of N18,683,532.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to cover the stated additional works. f) Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Office Furniture and Equipment to Thirty (30) Shari’a Courts:Thirty (30) Shari’a Courts were identified as requiring the supply of befitting Office Furniture and Equipment. Such are spread across the State. However, the entire project was segmented into two (2) lots in accordance to due process as follows: • Lot I – furnishing of twenty (20) Courts = N54,952,800.00.

• Lot II – furnishing of ten (10) Courts = N27,474,400.00.

Total = N82,427,200.00.

This was the in – house estimates prepared by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, which was requested for release by Council to enable the execution of the entire project by two (2) different Contractors.

Council acknowledged the details presented for consideration and approved the release of the requested aggregate sum of N82,427,200.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the provision of Office Furniture and Equipment to thirty (30) Shari’a Courts. g) Request for Funds to Enable the Construction of Perimeter Wall Fence With Two (2) Gates and Security Posts at Amana and Bandirawo Cities:The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport tacitly notified Council, through the contents of this memorandum that, construction works for the emerging Amana and Bandirawo Cities are nearing completion. This necessitates the need for the provision of required fortification and protection to the occupants of the two (2) respective Cities.

Construction of befitting perimeter wall fence, gates and Security Posts were considered paramount by the State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, which presented an in – house prepared estimate for the entire project to the tune of N114,655,598.01, which was requested for release by Council for the purpose.

The details presented to Council for consideration were acknowledged and appraised as approval was granted for the release of the requested sum of N114,655,598.01 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the execution of the stated project as follows: i. Amana City = N60,176,780.38 ii. Bandirawo City = N54,478,817.63 Total = N114,655,598.01. h) Presentation of Request for Funds for the Provision of Minimum Requirements for the Full Take – Off of Development Journalism Institute (Temporary Site):The Development Journalism Institute is among the twenty-two (22) Institutions established by the present administration for youths training and self-reliance. The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport assessed and prepared estimates for the full take – off of the Development Journalism Institute at its temporary site to the tune of N30,682,336.86, which was requested for release by Council.

Congruence of the project to the empowerment policy of the present administration, prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N30,682,336.86 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the provision of the minimum requirements for the full take – off of the Development Journalism Institute at its temporary site.

3. MINISTRY OF HEALTH Both memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Health were approved for execution. Thus: a) Request for Funds to Enable the Conduct of Breast Cancer Prevention Campaign – ALGON Initiative:The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Health notified Council, through the contents of this memorandum that, there is a gradual shift in the incidence/pattern of diseases from communicable to non – communicable diseases (NCDS). These include Cancer, Hypertension, Diabetes, Sickle Cell Disease, etc. some of which have recently been adequately addressed, courtesy of the present administration through the efforts of the Kwankwasiyya Medical Outreach Mobile Ambulance Services and the distribution of drugs free of charge to sickle cell patients.

Noteworthy, is the fact that incidence of breast cancer rate in Nigeria had attained 33% (14,550 cases) with a mortality rate of 23% (9,659 deaths). This was considered as grossly alarming by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

Determined to eradicate breast cancer amongst women in Nigeria and prevent untimely deaths resulting from breast cancer, ALGON donated the total number of 98,332 breast cancer kits to Kano State for distribution to the Local Governments.

The State Ministry of Health in collaboration with relevant Stakeholders has a roll out plan for the implementation of the programme for the benefit of patients within the State. This explains the request for the release of the sum of N4,980,155.00 to facilitate the following: • Conduct of massive enlightenment campaign • Conduct of training for Health Workers • Conduct of training for Village Health Volunteers • Distribution of breast Self – Examination Kits • Provision of allowances to participants • Provision of allowances to facilitators • Supervision on conduct of the entire programme Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N4,980,155.00 to the Ministry of Health for the stated purposes. b) Request for Funds to Enable the Printing and Distribution of

PAGE 9 the National Health Management Information System (NHMIS) Data Tools to all Health Facilitators in Kano State:The cited request was earlier presented but Council directed for its re – submission along with quotations from reputable Printers for the award of the Contract. The Ministry of Health complied with the directive and re – presented the request along with quotations from three (3) reputable Printers. Council appraised the quotations from the contractors for the printing job and approved the execution of the contract at the sum of N7,431,150.00.

4. MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT Request for Funds for the Sustainable Management of 200KM Lengths of Forest Shelterbelt by the Kano State Afforestation Programme (KNAP):The contents of this memorandum informed Council that, desertification continues to be the single and significant ecological problem that affects/limit agricultural production, energy supply for domestic use, supply of fodder/food for animals as well as causing environmental degradation.

As such, the Ministry of Environment considered it imperative to provide for the stabilization of the ecological system as well as maintaining its balance to ensure maximum utilization of forest for economic and conservational benefits.

Relatedly, KNAP intended to undertake Sustainable Management of 200KM Forest Shelterbelt across the State. The cost implications for the implementation of the exercise was presented to the tune of N14,000,000.00.

Council acknowledged the details presented and approved the release of N10,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Environment to enable KNAP undertake the Sustainable Management of 200KM Forest Shelterbelt across Kano State for its economic and conservational benefits.

5. OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR/HONOURABLE COMMISSSIONER, MINISTRY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS One (1) of the two (2) memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from this Office was approved for execution as follows: Presentation of Progress Report on the Performance of 5KM Roads Projects Across the 44 LGCAs:Council recalled the award of 5KM roads in the 44 Local Governments and the Executive Council directive to the Office of the Deputy Governor/ Honourable Commissioner, Ministry for Local Governments tosubmit progress report on the performance of the respective project across the 44 LGCAs of the State. Viz: • Project Site Performance Site identified with high performance comprised Madobi, T/Wada, Bichi, Dambatta, D/Kudu and Kibiya while those rated average in performance include D/Tofa, Doguwa, Garko, Minjibir, Makoda, Rano, Rimin Gado, Gezawa and Gwarzo. Sites identified with low performance included Fagge, Gaya, Kunchi, Rogo, Kura and Albasu LGCAs. • RETC Issue Sites identified with pending RETC cases were Albasu, D/Kudu, Gwarzo, Rogo, Tsanyawa, Tofa and Shanono.

• Change of Initial Project Scope Site identified as requiring final assessment of project scope to allow for works to progress included Albasu, D/Kudu, Fagge, Kabo, Minjibir, Gabasawa, Kura and Kumbotso.

• Relocation of Public Utilities/Compensation This was observed to be a common problem with all project sites except Garun Malam and Kumbotso due to non – commencement of the project.

• Non Payment of Interim Certificate/PC Project sites with the problem of non – payment of Certificates raised included Garko, Kibiya, Makoda, Shanono, Wudil, Bichi, Ungogo, Warawa, Kunchi, Minjibir, Rano, Rimin Gado, Sumaila and Takai.

• Abandoned Project Sites Abandoned project sites included Bichi, Bunkure, Gaya and Bebeji.

• Sites yet to Commence the Project Such site included Kumbotso and Garun Malam.

In this vein, the meeting convened with Stakeholders articulated ways in which the challenges could be handled which included: i. Issuance of directives to IMOs to fasten the process of opening Bank Accounts by beneficiaries in their respective domains to ensure prompt payment of compensation so as to allow for demolishing of structures within the right of ways for Contractors to make progress. ii. The Authorities at the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning were instructed to facilitate payment of outstanding Certificates as well as that of compensation on which money factors depend for the progress of work.

Relatedly, it was resolved that; • The Stakeholders meeting held monthly on the progress of work on the 5KM Road Project will henceforth be held promptly every last Saturday of the month to address issues regarding the progress of the project.

• A ten (10) – Member Committee on Problem Solving was enacted.

Details on the composition of Members were presented to Council for consideration.

• That the constant monitoring of project sites shall be intensified while proper report on physical progress of works will be issued.

Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation.

6. MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING Both memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning were approved for execution.

The two (2) memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council were on request for release funds to enable the payment of compensation as follows: a) Funds to Enable Payment of Compensation for Title/ Structure Revoked at Fagge (Plaza Cinema) = N62,261,943.00 Council acknowledged the need to establish more additional Health Centers within the metropolis to decongest the existing ones for the improvement of health services delivery in the State. This led to the proposal and approval for the conversion of Plaza Cinema, to a modern hospital in Fagge Local Government Area. This project when completed will decongest Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital and provide healthcare to the densely populated area of the metropolis. Consequent upon this, the title of the structure (Plaza Cinema) was valued in the sum of N62,261,943.00 for compensation. Council deliberated on the significance of the project and approved the release of the sum of N62,261,943.00 to

the owner as compensation for the property acquired in public interest. b) Funds to Enable Payment of Compensation for Properties Affected by the Construction of 5KM Roads in Six (6) LGCAs. Council noted the ongoing construction of 5Kilometer roads in the 44 Local Government Areas in the State, which is in line with the Administration’s policy for socio-economic development of the State through the provision of road infrastructure thereby bringing the much needed development closer to the grassroots. However, in the process of executing this project some structures have to give way to the roads being constructed. This led to the valuation of the affected structures in compliance with the Government’s new scope to construct dual carriage ways instead of the earlier envisaged single carriage ways. In this regard, compensation valuation survey was carried out and six (6) Local Governments have been completed and certified for payment. This is the basis for the submission of this memorandum. The structures to be affected in the six (6) Local Governments were valued in the sum of N1,318,946,245.00, viz: i.

Kura LGCA N327,706,890.00 ii.

Tofa N264,384,560.00 iii.

Garun Malam N216,067,180.00 iv.

Bagwai N215,242,535.00 v.

Shanono N202,721,060.00 vi.

Ungogo N92,824,020.00 Total = N1,318,946,245.00.

Council acknowledged the requests and approved the release of the respective sums of money to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable the payment of the stated compensations to the owners of the properties.

7. MINISTRY OF STATE AFFAIRS Request for Funds to Enable the Payment for Diesel (AGO) in Respect of Emergency Supply:Council appraised a submission for the release of the sum of N10,890,000.00 for the supply of 49,500 Litres of diesel (AGO) for official usage. Authenticity of the request prompted Council to approve the release of the aggregate sum of N10,890,000.00 to enable the payment for the diesel supplied.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 129TH EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SITTING 1. MARRIAGE WALIMA IN RESPECT OF 1111 ZAWARAWA & SPINSTERS AND GRADUATION & EMPOWERMENT OF 3 CATEGORIES OF WOMEN Council acknowledged the successful conduct of a walima at the Government House on Thursday 19th December, 2013 in respect of 1111 Zawarawa/Spinsters marriage across the State. Similarly, Council noted the graduation ceremony of 4400 women trained under the State Ministry of Women & Social Development’s Special Family Orientation Programme where each is empowered with a grant of N10,000.00.

Accordingly, Council noted another graduation and empowerment of 220 women trained on Television Production & Media Coverage where each received working materials to the tune of N130,000.00. However, Council noted the handing over of twenty (20) renovated Cottage Industries to Women Cooperative Groups in 20 Local Government Areas.

2.

SIGNING OF A BILL ON STREET BEGGING Council acknowledged the successful signing of a Bill on the prohibition of street begging and ‘Almajiranchi’ within the State.

Government has planned to support those physically challenged with N10,000.00 monthly to sustain themselves and discourage them from begging.

3.

FIFTY NINE (59) KANO STATE INDIGENOUS CITIZENS DEPORTED TO KANO FROM SAUDI ARABIA Council observed the unfortunate deportation of over 500 Nigerians from Saudi Arabia last week as eighty (80) were from Kano State and Government received them through the HISBAH Board, The deportees were urged to feel at home taking into cognizance the current human and capital programmes/projects development across the State.

4.

CONDEMNATION ON THE ARREST OF THE SPEAKER OF THE KANO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, PRINCIPAL OFFICERS AND CLERK OF THE HOUSE BY EFCC ON MONDAY 23RD DECEMBER, 2013 TO ABUJA Council condemned the recent arrest of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Gambo Sallau, Principal Officers and Clerk of the House by the EFCC, which is connected with the budget amendment of 2013 of the State Government, which was already signed into law by the State Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. The legislators are exercising their constitutional responsibilities of ensuring that budgets are properly articulated, to ensure probity and accountability in public expenditure for the citizens to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Council noted that this action is obviously to intimidate and cow them into submission for choosing to move to the progressive fold, which is capable of igniting crisis in the polity, thereby breaching the relative peace enjoyed in the State.

5.AWARD TO THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR/HON. COMMISSIONER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Council acknowledged and congratulated the Deputy Governor/ Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments for the awards he received at the 2nd African Local Government Leadership Award 2013, organized by the Africa Events Management Limited in collaboration with the African Sister Cities International Network, Zambia and the support of the House of Representatives Committee on States and Local Government Affairs, Nigeria. Two awards were given to the Deputy Governor namely; the Certificates of Honor for the overall best Commissioner for Local Governments in Nigeria and the African Grand Award for immense contribution to the development of Local Governments in Nigeria with particular reference to the publication of the book titled: Democracy in Local Government Administration in Nigeria.

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture, Kano State

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

News

Ombatse: IG donates food items to widows of murdered officers in Nasarawa From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

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he Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar, on Friday, donated food items to widows of the over 100 security operatives gruesomely murdered by the outlawed Ombatse militia on May 7, at Alakyo, Lafia East development area of Nasarawa state.

Donating the items on behalf of the IGP, Commissioner of Police-in-Charge of Welfare at the Force headquarters in Abuja, Yakubu Usman, in a brief ceremony at the Makurdi road state police command,

listed the items donated to include 65 bags of rice, 15 cartons of vegetable oil and two cows.

The IGP said it has become imperative for the families of the slain officers, especially their children to realize that the police authorities have not neglected them.

“The Inspector of General of Police has directed me to present to you these items and to reassure you that he has not forgotten and he can never forget you and that you should count on his assistance anytime any day”, CP Yakubu said.

Receiving the items on behalf of the widows, the Nasarawa Commissioner of Police, Umar

BUK directs students to resume Jan 1

A

uthorities of the Bayero University Kano (BUK) has directed students of the institution to return to school on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014.

The university’s Deputy Registrar, Public Relations and Protocol, Alhaji Mustapha Zaharaddeen, gave the directive during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano yesterday.

Zaharaddeen said the university fixed the date for the resumption of all students after the Senate had reviewed the academic

Shehu, promised to ensure equal distribution among the widows.

He assured the widows that the command would not let them down and will ensure that they

didn’t suffer after the demise of their spouses.

Responding on behalf of widows, Mrs. Helen Joseph appreciated the IGP for

identifying with them during their trying period, but pleaded with him not to relent by ensuring that their children do not suffer.

various stages.

He added that the projects executed by the interventionist agency in the 18 local government areas of the state included electricity, water and schools.

The managing director noted that 87 of the 703 communities that applied benefitted from the projects, executed during the first phase of the programme.

He, however, said that the problem of lack of fund hindered the agency’s ability to execute

many other projects the people yearned for.

He said other communities would, however, benefit from the second phase of the community and social development projects of the agency.

Daodu pointed out that 25 projects were initiated this year, 18 of which had been completed, while others were on-going.

“We had a community where a secondary school never existed but the CSDP established one there. (NAN)

Agency executes 160 community projects in Edo

T

he Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), a World Bankassisted agency, executed 160 projects in Edo from 2009 to date, its Managing Director, Dr Gbenga Daodu, has said.

Daodu, who made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin, said the projects were worth N850 million.

He said 120 of the projects had been completed and were already in use, while 40 were at

calendar of the institution.

He said the students were expected to resume on the stated date unfailingly because academic activities would commence immediately.

According to him, first semester examinations will commence after two weeks of resumption.

He added that “the first semester examination for all students will commence in two weeks time after resumption”.

He advised the students to ensure strict compliance with the resumption date. (NAN)

Kwara council discovers 339 ghost workers

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hairman of Irepodun local government council in Kwara state, Alhaji Luqman Owolewa, said yesterday that the council discovered 339 “ghost workers” on its monthly pay roll.

Owolewa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in OmuAran, headquarters of the council, that an audit committee would soon be set up to scrutinise the council’s pay system.

He said the audit committee became necessary in order to fish out more “ghost workers” and correct other anomalies in the council’s pay process.

The chairman said that the result of his assessment of the workers few weeks after assumption of duty showed that out of the 839 workers on the council’s pay roll, only 500 were genuine staff members.

He added that “when I assumed duty in November, I was surprised at the few number of workers reporting for duty and this prompted my undertaking a personal assessment to know what was wrong.

“I immediately ordered the stoppage of the salaries of those workers we could not identify physically.

“It was there that we discovered lots of discrepancies in the council’s past employment processes and we found out that only 500 of the 839 workers of the council were genuine staff members.’’

Owolewa said N2.5 million was now saved monthly following the process embarked upon to regularise the pay system.

He noted that the council had embarked on the execution of some community-based projects with direct impact on the lives of the people in the area.

He listed some of the projects to include the rehabilitation of township roads, boreholes, culverts and drains to enhance human and vehicular movement.

He urged unemployed youths in the area to register with the council for an opportunity to get a job as the state government was in the process of employing no fewer than 800 youths. (NAN)

L-R: Gombe state Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Samuel Bulus, presenting firewood cooking stove to Mrs. Bintu Kombo, during the 8th Pissi Tangle Cultural Festival, on Saturday at Billiri Local Government Area of the state.

Photo: NAN

Nasarawa deputy gov advocates culture as tool for unity From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

N

asarawa state Deputy Governor, Dameshi Barau Luka, has advocated for cultural synergy among the diverse ethnic groups in the state with a view to promoting unity, mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence.

Luka made the call recently at the maiden edition of the Wamba Cultural Carnival 2013, which held in Wamba local government area of the state.

He said the call became imperative considering the significance of culture to human existence.

While appreciating the organizers of the cultural carnival for their foresight, the Nasarawa deputy governor however lamented that some cultures are fast going into extinction, and as such, there was need to revive them for the sake of younger generations.

Luka also pledged government support for the carnival, urging the organizers to

extend invitation in subsequent editions of the programme, to other tribal cultural groups, in order to promote peace, unity and harmony among the diverse ethnic groups in the state.

Earlier in a welcome address, the organizer of the carnival, who is also the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Innocent Lagi, said the carnival was intended to help revive the culture of the Wamba people, as according to him, most African cultures have gone extinct due to negligence.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

PAGE 11

Money Sense

Top 10 reasons you should

5

. You Can Challenge Yourself

Some people thrive on the routine of their job – performing the same tasks day after day. As an entrepreneur, you can bet that each day will be filled with new opportunities to challenge yourself, be creative and learn something new. “The great thing about owning a small business is I rarely experience the same day twice,” says Michael Wilson, co-founder of Mad Dancer Media, a web design and brand management firm in Franklin, Tennessee. “Because every day, I learn something new about the act of owning a business. Whether its something about taxes, about accounting, or the plethora of other things that go into running a company, I am always fascinated by the parts and pieces of knowledge that I learn every day just to keep the business on track.”

6. You Can Follow Your Passion Many entrepreneurs say the long hours they invest in growing their business doesn’t feel like work because they’re actually having fun in what they’re doing.

“For me, it was a very conscious choice to make a living doing what I love,” says Trish Breslin Miller, who started her craft retail store This Little Gallery in 1989 at the age of 27. “I figured I’d spend more hours of my life working than anything else I’d ever do, so why not make it my passion? I enjoy the satisfaction of promoting and supporting something I truly believe in; American crafts handmade in the USA.”

says Darren Robbins, who owns a screen-printing business in Austin called Big D Custom T-Shirts.

“The best that most can do is react quicker than the other big companies when the wave comes at them. My company, on the other hand has the flexibility to be proactive, to run new things up the flagpole and be at the forefront of new products, techniques, or promotional strategies. Never underestimate the ability to truly be proactive.”

8. You Can Connect With Your Clients There are few things that get entrepreneurs as excited as when they get to interact with their customers. Rather than hiding behind a series of automated greetings, small business owners thrive on dealing one-on-one with their best clients – or making the decision to get rid of those customers they don’t like. “You don’t have to deal with customers who are jerks - you can even fire them,” says Brett Owens, whose software company Chrometa makes timetracking applications. Seriously, we did this once. Back when I did customer service related stuff for larger companies, I had to abide

by the mantra of, ‘The customer is always right’ and there are some rare instances where that is complete BS!” 9. You Can Give Back to Your Community Many entrepreneurs love the idea that in building their business, they can give back to the community or communities they operate in the form of the products and services they offer, by donating to charities and especially the ability to create jobs, which is particularly important these days. “I take great pride in knowing that I’m solving a problem others have and creating opportunities for people to have jobs that they love,” says Chris Brusznicki, founder of a sports vacation rental business called GamedayHousing.

“There’s nothing more American than that.”

10. You Feel Pride in Building Something of Your Own One of the biggest differences in owning your own company as opposed to working for someone else is the sense of pride you establish in building something of your own. “There

is nothing like being successful through your own leadership, abilities, ideas and efforts,” says Peter Leeds, who coaches investors through his business, the Penny Stock Professional.

Not only are there benefits from such self-actualization – you also get to brag about what you do. “One really cool thing

about owning a small business is that people are interested in you and your story,” says Steve Silberberg, who owns a weightloss backpacking adventure firm called Fatpacking. “Not that I have some egomaniacal need to talk about the business or myself all the time, but it’s still nice that people are interested.”

…and 9 most common start-up mistakes

7. You Can Get Things Done – Faster Entrepreneurs as a whole seem to have an allergy to red tape.

Rather than wait for approval – or for the guidebook to be written about how to do something – small business owners salivate at the chance to get things done.

“Most large companies are too busy being big to be proactive,”

Money Tip: Keep track of exactly how much money you have and where it is kept and also remember -Don’t keep or have the same passwords and login details for all of your accounts, don’t make it easy for people to get hold of you information.

Quote

This planet has, or rather had a problem, which was this, most of the people living on it were unhappy for pretty much of the time. Many solutions were suggested for this problem, but most of these were largely concerned with the movements of small green pieces of paper, which is odd because on the whole it wasn’t the small green pieces of paper that were unhappy – Douglas Adams

5

. Assume perfection is required. Trying to create a product that meets every conceivable customer need?

Sooner is almost always better than later, so do a Tim Gunn and make it work. Get to market and then start refining your products or services based on actual customer feedback.

6.

Underestimate the money required.

It’s easy to underestimate cost when you let hope creep into your calculations. A start-up, no matter how bootstrapped, always has

unforeseen costs. Just because you really want something to work out doesn’t mean it will magically cost less.

Apply sensitivities and create plans in case your estimates are wrong. Just like your time estimates, they will be.

7. Give up too soon. Success rhymes with excess for good reason: Entrepreneurs who succeed do so because they work harder and longer. Before you give up, take a step back and decide whether additional effort is all that’s required to overcome

roadblocks or hurdles.

Sometimes it’s not the business or the market.

Sometimes it’s you. Never quit until you’re sure it’s not you.

8. Stop acting silly. If you’re like me your favorite childhood stories involve something stupid you did. (How else would I know the right mixture of sulfur and saltpeter will burn hot enough to turn a Tonka truck into a glop of metal?)

Business is serious enough. Every once in awhile, do something silly. Silly is

memorable. Silly makes you feel like a kid again. Laughing at yourself will make the toughest day a lot easier.

9. Adopt expectations. We are all influenced to some extent by what other people think about us. But what do you want? What really matters to you? Live your life based on the opinions of others and you live their lives, not your own.

What matters most is what matters most to you. Always be sure you’re living your life. It’s the only one you get.

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

EDITORIAL

Honour your agreements, please and world class health infrastructure in Nigeria and put an end to medical tourism.

In a statement ending the warning strike, Dr. Enabulele said his members had first issued a 21-day ultimatum on September 2, 2013.

He said the union was ordering the resumption in line with an earlier promise to give consideration to the yuletide season and to give another opportunity for the government to

“

T

he recent strike action by members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is another sad reminder that all is not well in the nation’s health sector. It is also another pointer to the fact that the relationship between the federal government and workers in various sectors is at an all time low with several workers unions threatening to embark on strike actions to press home their demands for the government to honour agreements entered into with the unions.

At its delegates meeting in Minna, Niger state, on December 15, the NMA President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, had said that his members would embark on a three-day warning strike after which if the federal government failed to meet its demands, it would begin a full blown strike after the yuletide festivities in January.

The three days warning strike has ended and NMA members have returned to work but not before the devastating effect of the action which patients and other Nigerians have had to bear. As expected, all public hospitals across the country were shut and patients turned away. Those already on admission were unable to continue receiving treatment thereby worsening their situation.

Among their demands, the medical workers are asking the federal government to halt the abysmal six per cent health coverage of Nigerians and insisting that the federal government urgently invest in a Universal Health Fund that would cater for the health needs of Nigerians. The NMA is also drawing attention to the need for a federal government sponsored Hospital Development and Intervention Fund (HDIF) in the health industry to drive the development of modern

We are at a loss as to why the federal governemnt would be dragging its feet when it comes to implementing agreements it willing signed with the various unions. concretely resolve all the outstanding demands. “We also wish to use this opportunity to remind government that Nigerian doctors shall not hesitate to commence a full blown strike from 8a.m. on Monday, January 6, 2014, if government does not satisfactorily resolve the demands of the Nigerian Medical Association”. It is just one week left before the new ultimatum expires and it is hoped that the federal government will engage the members of the association in a meaningful discussion that will avert another strike action and another round of agony for patients across the country.

As mentioned earlier, the federal government seems to be at odds with many unions; university lecturers only just recently called off a five-

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

month old strike which completely paralysed the education system.

Before them, polytechnic lecturers also put down tools to demand better conditions of service. Two months ago, resident doctors also went on strike demanding implementation of agreements signed with the government.

We are perturbed by this ugly trend which on the surface may seem as an attempt by workers to subvert the government as its spokespersons are wont to argue. However, we believe that it is symptomatic of the rather lackadaisical manner in which the present administration approaches national issues. We are at a loss as to why the federal governemnt would be dragging its feet when it comes to implementing agreements it willing signed with the various unions. The worn out excuse that such agreements cannot be upheld due to inadequacy of funds is not tenable when one considers the monumental waste of resources that abounds in government.

The sickening revelations about some of the provisions in the 2014 budget which show that huge sums of monies have been budgeted for needless renovations in the presidential villa, purchase of another presidential jet and purchase of generators for foreign missions among others are clear imdications that the priorities of this government are not in consonance with that of Nigerians. It is time the governemnt refocuses its attention to the needs of Nigerians as presented by the various workers unions. As representatives of workers, the unions are the backbone of the economy; continuous disruption in their services is without doubt detrimental to the well being of the nation as we have all come to painfully realise with every strike action in the country.

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OUR VISION

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Head, Advert/Marketing Hussaini Abdulrahman, Cna

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Head, Lagos Bureau Adesoji Oyinlola

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Where is Mr. Fix it?

By Abdullahi Musa

T

his was the heading of a column by a Columnist in one of the national dailies.

By Mr. Fix It, the writer was referring to Chief Tony Anenih, the Chairman Board of Trustees of Nigeria’s ruling party, the PDP. Without imputing motives to the columnist, one may however deduce that he has sympathy for PDP, and reverence for Tony Anenih: he said many love him, and few hate him. Was there any opinion poll conducted on the issue?

If I remember correctly, the title Mr. Fix it, is not an honourable one to start with. It was used to describe the ability of a former police chief to manipulate political outcomes in favour of his paymasters. It was not a diplomatic skill nor was it a statesmanship. It was just a shade above Adedebu’s

amala politics.

But the columnist is entitled to his choice of party and Saviour.

A ruling party, following the trend of the columnist’s thought should not be in disarray. Why? Obviously if it is in disarray it cannot continue to rule.

Taking a cue from the columnist, without resort to opinion polls, we venture to say millions of us do not want PDP to continue to rule.

But what is the columnist’s grouse? That Obasanjo and Jonathan are feuding in the public, and even the CBN Governor seems to be on the side of the opposition by writing to the President on alleged missing oil proceeds!

This is Nigeria, where loyalty demands that even when the nation is bleeding to death everybody should keep quite so that the ruling party continues to rule. But since disarray has set in, then Tony Anenih should

be invited to fix it!

To fix what? To make PDP whole again, to regain its position as a political behemoth, to loot, to plunder with impunity.

Why did PDP crisis erupt? It erupted because some members saw in the body language of their national Chairman, Bamanga Tukur that President Jonathan is going to have automatic ticket. Not only that, they alleged that there was an agreement that Jonathan was to

“

PAGE 13

Opinion serve only one term.

In one of their parleys at Aso Rock, the same Mr. Fix it, was recorded as saying they stand

by Mr. President, and they hoped to gather there again, to celebrate again in 2015.

So if fixing it were to charitably be considered as arbitration, how can one trust an arbitrator who has taken sides?

Power is sweet. Power in Nigeria is sweeter because it has no checks; you become an

the issue is not about fixing the PDP. It is about deciding how Nigeria is to be governed. We have seen the style of Jonathan: it is called impunity. A nation cannot survive on it”

Oduah or Oteh, but you dey kampe.

Powershift came into our political landscape after Babangida’s fiasco: the two regions should rule by turns.

The mischief of Obasanjo brought us to current state by imposing a terminally ill Yar’ Adua, paving way for Jonathan.

So the issue is not about fixing the PDP. It is about deciding how Nigeria is to be governed. We have seen the style of Jonathan: it is called impunity. A nation cannot survive on it.

The hope was that journalists, being conscience of the nation would not support impunity even though committed by their kinsmen.

But the wolf learned the benefit of being in sheep’s clothing.

Abdullahi Musa, kigongabas@ gmail.com

Diaspora gazing and Jonathan’s administration

By Adeolu Ademoyo

D

iaspora imposes a burden and enables a privilege – the critical evaluative privilege. The privilege is that of an intellectual and moral distance from one’s original country. This allows you to see the affairs of your country in a different manner. Call this Diaspora Gazing.

But the state of Diaspora gazing is also a political and social burden because you the Diaspora gazer are your original country’s “passport” in your Diaspora environment.

Anywhere you go in the Diaspora you are like a local “embassy” that reminds your Diaspora environment of the moral dirt of a country.

Thus, we simply gaze on with private profound peace and critical silence. For some of us with a deep historical emotional, non-chauvinistic, non-exhibitionistic, nonopportunistic, investment in the country it is an internal injury, to witness the near moral collapse of a country that we thought once held the biggest hope for Africa.

This is why as the year comes to an end we must put on record two things that will define the fate of the country in 2014 and beyond. They are ethics and the misuse of the ethnic-the moral question and the distortion of the national question. Nigerians will be caught in between these two.

The way the two are resolved or used to resolve relevant questions will create and deepen Nigeria’s bourgeoning Imperial presidency under President Jonathan as its impunity continues to constitute a threat to the security and fate of the country.

I will be succinct in isolating the issues to refresh Nigerians’ legendary short memory. It may help those who hold different opinion to self examine if they wish.

Boko Haram. The very symbol of evil in contemporary Nigeria.

Any moral agent knows what you do with evil. But for political reasons Boko Haram will continue to be useful tool in the hands of Nigerian politicians on both sides of the divide.

President Jonathan, Boko Haram and MEND October 1 2010 bombing. President Jonathan once said Boko Haram has infiltrated his government.

“

On October 1, 2010, Nigeria’s independence celebration in Abuja was bombed. President Jonathan on record absolved MEND. On the other hand, MEND claimed responsibility.

This is an “ambiguity” too close to be ignored. This “ambiguity” means that President Jonathan and Nigerian politicians use terror and violence as negotiating tools.

Asari Dokubo. His commitment to violence and his rescue from the Republic of Benin by the Nigerian government. DokuboAsari put it on record that he, together with his comrades will unleash terror and violence on Nigeria if Mr. Goodluck Jonathan loses the election in 2015.

Today, we do not know the offence Dokubo-Asari committed in Republic of Benin when he was detained and hurriedly procured by Nigerian authorities under the watch of

This is an “ambiguity” too close to be ignored. This “ambiguity” means that President Jonathan and Nigerian politicians use terror and violence as negotiating tools”.

President Jonathan. Mr. Egon of the ministry of foreign affairs of Benin Republic confirmed this to Reuters News Agency.

Mr. Egon is a live human being.

He breadths. He exists and made this statement. Reuters exists. Human beings run Reuters. They breadth. They exist. Fortunately, Reuters is not a Nigerian news media that could be accused of “ethnic” bias. The Nigerian government has stealthily kept quiet about this report but the Nigerian government owes Nigerians the obligation of public disclosure.

Some Nigerians have read ethnicity to the call that President Jonathan owes Nigerians and the world- who are concerned with increased terrorism and threat to security in Nigeria -an explanation on Mr. Egon’s claim that Nigerian government put pressure on Benin Republic to release Dokubo-Asari , a disciple of violence and terror.

On this, I wish to put myself on the spot just so that this is clear to those who wonder why this is an issue. I believe that if today I commit a crime in the U.S. and I am detained, and if the Nigerian authority procured my release, the authority must inform and put on record explicitly the nature of my offence. And the United States government must and will also inform her own citizens the nature of my offence that (i) warrant police action and (ii) hurried procurement

by Nigeria if U.S. government

grants such request. The case of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the failed 2009 Christmas Day underwear bomber, who was arrested in the U.S., is a good example.

Public disclosure is basic, standard and straightforward in a democracy. But this has not happened in the case of Dokubo-Asari. Such hushed act by President Jonathan is a violation and a breach of Nigerian security. No amount of Christmas platitude for “peace”

by Nigerian politicians should be allowed to brush this threat to security away.

Sadly any call on President Jonathan and the Nigerian government in this regard to publicly disclose what they know about Mr. Egon’s statement is tagged “ethnic”.

The silence and support of some Nigerians for this high level secrecy, and the reading of ethnicity to a call for openness on this issue is an equal threat to security and part of what is promoting an imperial presidency in the country – a recipe for the continuous wreckage of the country.

As we round off the old year and begin the New Year, I wish Nigerians profound peace as we beckon onto the New Year with peaceful foreboding.

Adeolu Ademoyo (aaa54@ cornell.edu) is of Africana Studies And Research Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

PAGE 14

Opinion

The peril and cost of ignoring Obasanjo

By Chido Nwangwu

T

o fully make sense of Obasanjo’s December 2, 2013 letter to Jonathan, you should follow the key point of my analytical deduction, which I refer to as Obasanjo’s unspoken historical burden. They are, namely, for the three times when he exercised partisan power and influence in Nigeria’s presidential election history, he has faced unpleasant twists, as well as unexpected and unsatisfactory outcomes: in 1979 (he supported Alhaji Shehu Shagari, NPN, removed in a military coup in 1983) In 2007 (he personally picked an ill Alhaji Umar Yar’Adua, PDP, who died after 3 years of ineffective presidency as the 13th Head of State on May 5, 2010) and he also picked Yar’Adua’s VP, Goodluck Jonathan who became acting President on May 6.

Based on Obasanjo’s military antecedents, power attitude and drawing from my reading of his history as a leader, he will Not — for lack of a better word — “forgive” Jonathan despite his references to God and Christ, and to the great Nelson Mandela the same week as a forgiving leader. To be sure, Obasanjo does not have the forgiving spirit of Mandela. I am not surprised at Obasanjo’s militaristic strategy of maximum assault and attack to severely damage his target.

No matter how finely presented the speeches he makes in the name of democracy, he’s a dyedin-the-wool soldier for whom the opposition to his set goals no longer require philosophical exegesis and debates but the whiz-bang of ear-shattering confrontation fit for

enemy combatants.

Hence, I believe that Obasanjo’s caustic, open letter was calibrated to belittle the credibility of the Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and severely advertise his lack of personal respect for the same Nigerian leader Dr. Jonathan. And, he makes it clear that he does not have to

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respect the man or his presidency!

As a student of politics Nigeriana and analyst of the various emanations and power plays by Obasanjo I’m not surprised that he’s going for Jonathan’s jugular.

Obasanjo fights to the finish! The good thing about his fighting you in politics is that you will know. But, somehow, Jonathan’s handlers and strategists are yet to show an effective, better, grasp of the unfolding events and, realistically and without sentiments, “engage” Obasanjo & Co. Otherwise, the man who has the most to lose, the President Jonathan, should, operationally, awaken to the unfolding strategic goal of the letter from former President Obasanjo: a forced, embarrassing, end to the Jonathan presidency!

There are, mainly, three sets of reaction to the harsh, condescending, caustic and in some cases brutally frank letter of December 2, 2013, to Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan from his “political godfather”, former President retired

General Olusegun Obasanjo.

The First group of Nigerians dismisses everything said and written

by Obasanjo as utter “nonsense”, total “bunkum”, and possibly good advice coming from the “wrong source” and, lest we forget, from “a shameless hypocrite.” Worse things and poisonous adjectival arrows have been deployed by the trumpeters for Jonathan to aim at the medulla oblongata of the former army officer who, himself, categorizes politics in the language of war and martial brutality led by garrison commanders!

The Second group are the

“

Nigerians who insist that Obasanjo hit the nail on the head; they added, he has done President Jonathan a wake up favour by running a laundry list of Jonathan’s failings and alleged inadequacies.

They said

that Obasanjo deserves another level of respect for speaking up and sharing with Nigerians what he now, really, thinks about the man he hand-picked as Nigeria’s vice President and that he is accurate in assessing Jonathan’s presidency as a failure which should get out of the way for peace and security to emerge.

The Third group of Nigerians — who might be the majority — point out there are some reasonable deductions from the two previous groups/positions.

They argue that Jonathan is doing his best, yet he is complacent

They said that Obasanjo deserves another level of respect for speaking up and sharing with Nigerians what he now, really, thinks about the man he handpicked as Nigeria’s vice President”

and should do more especially on corruption. Consequently, I think that Jonathan should digest Obasanjo’s letter and harness the meaningful aspects of his message and discard the boatload of serial insults, unusual condescension to a sitting president and the slap on Ijaw peoples’ right to rally around their first son.

Although, some of the spokespersons for Ijaw interests use the language of power politics in vernacular and without adequate discretion, Jonathan should call a very small meeting of effective men and women (from within and outside government) with one request: how do I save my presidency to make Nigeria better for all? He should demand optimal performance from all his ministers, set a firm deadline for verifiable results — in the same way Lagos Governor Fashola’s results are evident — or such minister(s) get sacked before May 2014.

Besides Obasanjo’s open warfare, the opposition is gaining major grounds against Jonathan. Especially, taking cognizance of their December 17, 2013, over-turning of Jonathan’s ruling PDP majority in Nigeria’s House of Representatives into the APC’s advantage via defections.

On balance, the trillion dollar question is simple: is it too late to rescue the Jonathan presidency from the combined onslaught of the Obasanjo squad and the assorted maneuvers of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC)?

The answer is blowing in the wind…

Dr. Chido Nwangwu is Publisher of Houstonbased USAfrica multimedia networks, feed him back via Chido247@Gmail.com

Budget rituals and presidential responsibilities

By Nasiru Suwaid

W

hen it happened, many an American citizen situated it as an innocuous mistake or even an innocent misrepresentation, where during the first inauguration ceremony of President Barack Obama, on the 20th of January 2009, Chief Justice John G. Roberts incorrectly ‘garbed’ or rather ‘mangled’ some wordings in the constitutionally sacred deed of swearing an oath of office, but most specifically, the particular section that was caused to be mumbled inaudibly was the word ‘faithfully’.

Upon realizing the dangerous precedent about to be set, the head of the American judiciary had to call for repeat of the oath swearing for the next day, which is the 21st of January precisely, to guard against the eventuality of some individuals questioning the legality of the oath taken by Obama and the legitimacy of the government formed with such a defectively sworn vow.

Unfortunately for the concerned parties in the swearing ceremony imbroglio, the tenure of the outgoing incumbent President George W. Bush ended on the 12 noon of the 20th January 2009, while President-

elect Barack Obama was to be affirmatively re-sworn on the early noon of the 21st of January.

The question that arose was whether the expiration of Bush’s tenure and the non assumption of office of his successor via a validly accepted oath, has not created a constitutional crisis, with its implication for a presumed vacancy in the White House. After all, is the practical act of swearing an oath not the beginning of the tenure of any elected political office holder?

Fortunately, the assumptive, and need I say, the presumptive benevolence of political conventions, aided in settling a likely fatalistic legal lacuna, with the view that the moment one administration’s tenure ended, the elected successor immediately assumes its place, with or without the validating swearing-in ceremony. Indeed, the 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution affirmed the Convention, where it states; “The term of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January…; and the term of the successor shall begin.”

Thus, what the American example is telling us, apart from the fact that we operate a similar federal and

presidential constitution, is that even established legal norms could be overridden by conventional wisdom.

This is what appears to have come to the rescue with respect to the legality of having the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance present the 2014 Budget Proposal before the National Assembly. Otherwise, under strict reading of the law, Section 67(2) of the 1999 Constitution offered a minister only narrow latitude to do no more than to defend a ministerial portfolio, when invited to the National Assembly.

In fact, the other authorizing Section 148(1) of the same document only expresses the discretionary power of Nigerian president to delegate responsibility. Strictly speaking therefore, the only appropriate portion of the constitution, Section 81(1), cited to justify the budget laying exercise and which emanated from the Powers and Control over Public Fund, mentioned only the president as the sole authority to triger the preparation, and laying to the National Assembly, the revenue and expenditure profile of the succeeding year.

Yet, we cannot lose sight of the inherent dangers to the democratic

health of the nation that this excise of civic delegation connotes. The truth is that it is democratically, and need I say constitutionally, inappropriate to merely employ the mechanism of the law, to throw a non-elected official before a parliament to perform a task that is strictly demanded of an elected official. Cutting it all to chase, this is a threat to the long held democratic norms and ethos of accountable governance, indirectly a disrespect to the people’s parliament, but directly a snub to the people through their elected representatives and most importantly, a sacrilege in a democracy.

There are those who might argue that it is not unique to Nigeria, and that in a country like the United Kingdom, it is Secretary of Her Majesty’s Treasury, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who traditionally lays the budget in the British House of Commons. It is pertinent to note though, such a government minister, unlike the one heading the finance ministry in Nigeria is an elected member of the parliament and that he or she is always accompanied

to the legislature, to perform the sacred constitutional duty of budget presentation by the British Prime Minister.

It is most important and noteworthy to observe that budget presentation is more than the projection of fiscal financial expenditure profile of the incoming year, or even an agreement on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework of the succeeding years.

It is not a ritual platform to lay meaningless financial figures or economic indices that are hardly implemented. Rather, it is deeply sober and reflective performance, on the future financial requirement of a nation, most especially, it is a platform and an avenue to reassure the country and its citizens on the social, physical, environmental, security and general challenges confronting the polity, which certainly cannot be undertaken successfully, nor performed adequately by a mere appointed public official. To be sure, this is at the very least, a monumental shirking of presidential responsibility akin to a constitutional gross misconduct.

Suwaid is a constitutional lawyer, and a community activist based in Kano

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Is APC the new PDP?

By Chido Onumah

I

have refrained from commenting on the pact between the All Progressives Alliance (APC) and the “new PDP” because, to some extent, I am involved. While the merger process of Nigeria’s main opposition parties – which led to the formation of the APC – lasted, I had reason to engage some of my comrades, colleagues and friends on whether the APC was necessarily a progressive move in the quest to reclaim Nigeria.

Even with all the misgivings and the seemingly lack of direction of the proposed party, some of us held out hope, partly because of the pedigree of certain individuals in the party and the fact that it afforded a broad-based platform and an opportunity for many Nigerians who were looking for a formidable panNigerian opposition party.

At the risk of being dismissed as opportunists, some of us took the stand that the APC should be given the benefit of the doubt; that within the context of bourgeois democracy, the APC looked like a minimum agenda for change and therefore should be supported by all, including left and radical elements; that as a minimal

strategy, genuine democrats and progressives could actually work in the APC to break the stranglehold of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on power and begin the urgent task of national reconstruction.

I am not sure I hold the same view today. This piece is not a repudiation of my former position but a review that has become necessary in light of the current reality.

The general direction of the APC has not been that of a party that understands the mood of the people and the anger in the country against a profligate ruling class that has used party politics as a channel to loot the national treasury and impoverish Nigerians. That anger manifests each time APC leaders cozy up to the same people Nigerians hold responsible for the current

“

crisis.

It started with visits to former military president, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) and former head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar, but it didn’t stop there. Of course, we know IBB and what he stands for.

I have been asking myself, since the pilgrimage began, the purpose and the end result. Regrettably, the leadership of the APC has failed to explain the rationale for this unholy alliance and the benefit, if any, to its bewildered rank and file.

For me, the last straw was the image that made headlines during the week; the image of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, a man so violently consumed by self-interest, standing shoulder to shoulder with the leaders of the APC. Obasanjo needed

PAGE 15

Comment

that photo opportunity to save face after a scathing public rebuke by his daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo. But for the APC it was a new low for a party still struggling to make an impression on Nigerians. I believe every party worth its salt must have basic beliefs and values that it must uphold at all times.

It was bad enough that Nigerians expecting a change in the political landscape witnessed APC leaders pandering to Chief Obasanjo; the reasons adduced for the visit left a bad taste in people’s mouth. “You have come out of tribulation and held the highest position in this country. We are here because of your courage.

Nobody can claim that he has information more than you,” Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the

The general direction of the APC has not been that of a party that understands the mood of the people and the anger in the country against a profligate ruling class that has used party politics as a channel to loot the national treasury”.

APC said of Chief Obasanjo.

“You have surmounted a number of crises. Nigeria is divided (now), more than before. To realise a stable Nigeria we want to encourage you to continue to speak the truth. We’re resolved and determined to rescue Nigeria.

We want you as navigator.”

Asiwaju Tinubu noted that the visit was not necessarily to get Chief Obasanjo to join the APC but “just to draw from the experience of an elder statesman.” What is Obasanjo’s experience?

What readily come to mind are coups, a legacy of corruption, abuse of human rights, criminal impunity, undermining the rule of law and, of course, a dysfunctional family.

Is the APC agenda about removing President Jonathan or rescuing Nigeria? If it is the former, then a revolutionary third force or in the minimum a coalition of small but progressive and massoriented parties is the only alternative!

The body language of APC leadership is that this is our party, our business, and we can damn well do anything we want with it. If that is the case, then voters have little or no choice as we head into the election of 2015. conumah@hotmail.com; Twitter: @conumah

No, thank you, Mr President Cont from backpage

could have built schools and trained teachers towards providing relief and assistance to victims because they felt an obligation not to wait for federal government assistance. Perhaps they had hoped that one day, the federal government will tally all these expenditure and make efforts to share their burden. Or they may have acted instinctively, conscious of the fact that the insurgency is a home -grown disaster which needs local efforts and resources to deal with, at least before external help came.

The federal government was never an external factor in the manner the JASLIWAS insurgency started, developed and is currently manifested.

It has been involved in every stage, and the fight against this insurgency has been its own, with little input from the community. At a stage, in fact, much of the commu-

nity felt that it was a double victim: not safe from federal security agencies, and helpless against the insurgency.

It is inevitable that the years of fighting an enemy which uses the community as shield will leave many scars on that community. This enemy will either submit eventually, suffer final defeat or dig in for the long haul without making any restitution for damage. But the federal government cannot do that.

The nation will be reminded of the President’s pledge to provide support to victims when he received the Report of the Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North. Although some mischief was attempted around his refusal to use the word compensation to suggest that victims will be abandoned to their fates, most Nigerians understood that the President meant that communities,

families and individuals who suffered one type of deprivation or the other as victims will receive some relief. Two weeks ago, the United States government urged the federal government to expedite action towards providing substantial economic relief to the region.

The last North East Investment Forum drew attention to the need for States in the region to improve spending in agriculture, education and infrastructure, while urging the federal government to honour its pledge to contribute to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of economy and society in the region.

People who thought the federal government was taking its time since it received the Dialogue Committee Report to roll out a major economic initiative will be among those who will be disappointed by plans to spend N2b in the region. Many thought the federal government will create

a Ministry for the region, akin to the Niger Delta Ministry.

Others thought the federal and relevant state government will collaborate in an elaborate plan that should last the decade, to invest in social and economic infrastructure. Virtually everyone familiar with the genesis and development of the JASLIWAJ insurgency knows that its ultimate defeat will not be accomplished by a military option. The poverty which feeds dislocating social values and structures has to be comprehensively tackled by all governments, but particularly by the federal government. The longer non-military options such as the fight against poverty are delayed, the longer it will take to defeat this insurgency.

It is difficult to imagine what N2b will accomplish under current circumstances.

The plan by President Jonathan to spend N2b in the North East, under whatever guise, should be rejected. Nige-

rians should raise their voices against this outrage, and if he insists on this level of funding, the nation should tell the President to keep his N2b. Beyond this, since this issue is way beyond the personal whims of President Jonathan, Nigerians will expect the National Assembly and all other Nigerians with influence to work towards substantially increasing the planned spending by the federal and state governments from the region for the next 10 years. It is not unreasonable to ask that N200b is spent in the region most affected by the insurgency every year for the next five years; and this should be reviewed after an impact assessment for continuation. If President Jonathan will not accept to substantially review his planned spending in the North east, he should be told by all major stakeholders to keep his N2b, and leave the community at the mercy of poverty and the insurgency.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Aduda harps on peaceful co-existence

By Stanley Onyekwere and Usman Shuaibu

T

he senator representing Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Nigerian Senate, Sen. Phillip Aduda has urged residents of the Territory to remain peaceful and supportive government Programmes, to attain significant progress in the FCT. Aduda gave the charge at the weekend, during his installation and ‘turbaning’ ceremony as the.

“Katukan” of Abaji Area Council.

According to the Senator, there is the need for people irrespective their differences to be peaceful and remain law abiding as well as

support the FCT Administration and President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s transformation Agenda, so as to bring about sustainable progress.

On his conferment as “Katukan” of Abaji, Aduda said: “This is a call for more duty, and it will spur me to do more for my people.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Ona of Abaji, Alh. Adamu Baba Yunusa, said the coronation was in recognition of those who are a shining examples in their endeavours and have contributed immensely to the development of Abaji people and entire FCT. The first class chief in the FCT,

who also called on citizens to join hands with security agencies to maintain peace and orderliness in the FCT and the country at large, also urged all and sundry to intensify prayers against lingering security threats facing the nation.

He also charged other royal fathers in the nation’s capital and across the country on the need to deter their subjects from engaging in anti-social vices in the society.

The Royal father therefore called on the Senator and other distinguished illustrious sons of the Area recognised during the ceremony not to rest in their effort towards making FCT the best place to live in.

Also speaking to newsmen at the occasion, the Walin of Abaji, Alhaji Yahaya Sidi Ali, said the coronation of two persons by the Ona of Abaji was a step in the right direction.

He pointed out that the two illustrious sons were conferred with the traditional titles based on their contributions towards the development of Abaji chiefdom and the society at large.

Ali, however, said he would partner with the two newly turbaned traditional title holders to move the chiefdom to the next level.

On their separate responses, the commissioner in charge of

L-R: Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu baba Yunusa with the new Katukan Abaji, Senator Philip Aduda, during installation of Senator Aduda as the Katukan sAbaji, on Saturday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin ImoOwo

Yuletide: Passengers shun luxury buses

Operators of luxury buses in Abuja at the weekend expressed concern over passengers’ preference for mini-buses to convey them to their various destinations during the Yuletide.

Some of the operators, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), attributed the development to the smaller seating capacity and faster movement of the mini-buses.

One of the operators, Mr Nze Enoch, who is the Assistant Manager of Uche God Multibiz Transport Company, said the mini-buses ``convey smaller number of passengers and get filled up faster.’’

According to him, passengers are always conscious of time as they will often want to get to their destinations early.

“Once people get to motor parks, they want to board a bus that will leave the next minute; the mini-buses convey between 14 passengers and 18 passengers.

“But the luxury buses will convey between 50 persons and 51 persons and people think it will

take some time to get that number of people on board.

“So, they don’t bother about their convenience, safety and cargo; they are forced to squeeze into mini-buses,’’ he said.

Also, the Manager of Chukwudubem and Ebube Motors, Mr Benjamin Ukapi, however argued that many passengers are unaware that luxury buses are safer.

He recalled that passengers were attracted to mini-buses when the concerned authorities

of luxury buses started warning passengers against night journeys.

“Certainly, many people now prefer to travel with minibuses but they don’t realise that travelling with luxury buses is more comfortable.

“The buses have enough legroom and the drivers are better trained; all the same, we still have some patronage,’’ he said.

But a manager of an Abuja based transport company, Mr Sunday Nzute, said the stiff competition with mini-

buses forced luxury buses to concentrate on night trips.

Nzute, who noted that night trips were better for the durability of the vehicles, added:@Minibuses get to their destinations faster and can meander in difficult roads but in terms of overall comfort, luxury buses are better.’’

NAN reports that passengers had moved into the parks of mini-buses in droves since the Yuletide started, abandoning luxury buses. (NAN)

marred Christmas celebrations in Abuja last year as many filling stations had no fuel while the few ones that sold had to content with long queues.

A property consultant, Mr. Emeka Orakwe, told NAN that the development was a sign of committed leadership, aimed at alleviating the suffering of the masses.

He said that it was unusual for the yuletide to come without

experiencing acute fuel scarcity.

“We all know how it used to be; people create artificial scarcity to either enrich themselves or to spite the government.

“Of course, the common man is always at the receiving end; and the government really needs commendation for blocking all loopholes that could lead to scarcity of fuel in this period.’’

(NAN)

…as Kubwa residents hail FG over availability of fuel

R

esidents of Kubwa have commended the Federal Government for ensuring adequate fuel supply during the Christmas celebrations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents who monitored the fuel situations in the town, reports that the residents have been buying fuel freely without any queue at the filling stations.

NAN recalls that fuel scarcity

Abuja, Niger and Nasarrawa states in the Federal Character Commission (FCC) Abuja, Dr. Alhassan Usman Sokodabo, who was conferred with the traditional title of Sardauna of Abaji alongside the Etsu of Gupa of Abaji, Alhaji Ali Sokodabo, said the conferment of chieftaincy titles would ginger them to contribute more to the progress of Abaji Chiefdom.

Cleric warns against delay in payment of retirees’ benefits

By Usman Shuaibu

F

ormer Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rev. Julius Abiola Ayotunde, has stressed the need for government to ensure that the benefits of retirees in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and across the country were paid as at when due.

Ayotunde, who is also the pastor in charge of the First Baptist Church Gwagwalada, also urged government to be more aggressive and proactive in fighting corruption, so as to deter public officers from diverting the money meant for the retirees for personal use.

The Cleric, who made the call in an interview with People Daily during the celebration of Christmas in Gwagwalada, further said the society would be good for all for us if the corrupt leaders were punished by the government of the day.

He called on both all stakeholders including religious leaders to at all the times remain committed to the development and progress of the society.

The cleric, however, advised Christians to follow the footstep of Jesus Christ, while urging clergymen to always preach His gospel to their followers as contained in the Holy Bible.

Similarly, the pastor in charge of ECWA Church Gwagwalada, Rev. Samuel Nadabo, said that the Christians celebrate Christmas every year in order to remember the work of salvation being accomplished by the birth of Jesus Christ.

Nadabo warned people to shun corruption in anywhere they found themselves, adding that people should have the fear of God at the heart in whatever they were doing in the society.

Not left out, the National President of Heavenly Kingdom Church International, Gwagwalada, Archbishop John Lai Balogun, urged Christians to live in peace with one another irrespective of their different denominations.

Metro

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Side view of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tafawa Balewa House), near Federal Secretariat, in Abuja.

Young man hawking plantain chips, at Maitama, in Abuja,recently.

Orange and carbage sellers waiting for patronage, yesterday at Mararaba in Nasarawa state.

A man pushing his cart loaded with planks, at the weekend, in Mararaba.

A woman waiting for alms, yesterday at pedestrian Bridge in Nyanya, Abuja.

Photos: Mahmud Isa

PAGE 18

Metro INSIDE FCT COURTS

Bizman arraigned for alleged fraud

T

he police have arraigned a 24-year old businessman, Abubakar Mohammed, in an FCT Senior Magistrates’ court in Karu, for alleged criminal conspiracy and cheating by impersonation.

The accused is alleged to have posed as the personal assistant to the Minister of FCT, Mr. Bala Mohammed, to defraud the ControllerGeneral of Immigration of N700, 000.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Atteh Effiong, told the court that the accused was arrested on December 4 on the instruction of the minister who wanted the police to carry out a thorough investigation into the matter.

The prosecutor said that the offences of criminal conspiracy and cheating by impersonation contravened sections 97 and 322 of the Penal code respectively.

Effiong said N350, 000 was recovered from the accused.

Mohammed however pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Counsel to the accused Alex Etim made an oral application for bail of his client, saying the accused had been in police custody for 15 days before he was finally arraigned.

Senior Magistrate Bashir Alkali Alkali granted the application of the counsel by admitting the accused to bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.

He said that the sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and that one of the sureties must be a Federal Civil Servant not below Grade Level 10.

He then adjourned the case to February 11, 2014. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

2 brothers bag 2 years’ imprisonment for resisting arrest

A

Kubwa Upper Area court, Abuja has sentenced two brothers, Daniel Lucien, 29, and Bruno Lucien, 24, to two years in prison each for resisting arrest.

The Presiding Judge, Alhaji Lawal Munir, sentenced Daniel and Bruno after they pleaded guilty to the four-count charge of resisting arrest, wrongful restraint, mischief and assault.

The offences contravened the provisions of section 172, 256, 265, and 327 of the Panel code respectively.

Munir, however, gave the convicts an option to pay a fine of N8, 000 each.

“In sentencing you, the court puts into consideration the plea of the convicts, based on the fact that you do not have any criminal record.

“As first-time offenders, who admitted committing the offence, the court will be lenient,” Munir said.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl Danjuma Abdullahi, told the court that on March 22, Mr Aho Jolin of Kubwa Bazango, lodged a report in the Kubwa Police Station.

Abdullahi said the complainant reported that the

2 brothers bag 2 years’ imprisonment for resisting arrest

A cleaner carting away wastes generated during Christmas holidays from the Millennium Park, in Abuja, recently.

T

Photo: NAN

Applicant docked for snatching handbags

P

olice have arraigned an applicant, Ocheme Ifeanyi, in a Grade 2 Area Court, Kado, Abuja, for alleged joint act and extortion.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Christopher Roko, told the court that the accused and five others, now at large, formed a common intention and attacked four women at the Berger junction at 9.30 p.m. on December 13.

Roko alleged that they

snatched handbags, wallets and mobile phones belonging to Gloria Chidi, 25; Oluchi Nwanze, 20; Uchenna Jude, 24, and Duruibe Desmond, 30, all of Life Camp Mpape, Karamajiji, Abuja, He told the court that the women lodged a report against the accused at the Utako Police Station on December 13.

The prosecutor said the accused and the others, armed

with knives, bottles, sticks and cutlasses, snatched the complainants’ handbags as they were waiting to board vehicle home.

Roko said the police arrested the accused while he was trying to flee the scene of the crime.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 79 and 292 of the Penal code respectively, which prescribes a maximum of five

Herbalist docked over alleged homosexual affair he police have arraigned an herbalist, Atahiru Obey, 45, at a Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrates’ court, Abuja, for allegedly having unlawful carnal knowledge of two boys.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Atteh

convicts went to his building site in Dawaki and blocked him from driving out in his car.

The prosecutor said that when the police was called to the site to invite the convicts to the police outpost in Kubwa, they resisted arrest.

He said that the convicts also threw objects at the policemen in their efforts to resist arrest.

(NAN)

Effiong told the court that the offence was reported at the Life Camp Police Station on November 26, by the mother of one of the boys.

He said that the case was, however, transferred to the

State Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, on December 6.

Effiong said that the mother alleged that the herbalist, living in Jabi Dakibiyu, Abuja, had been having sexual intercourse with

her son and another boy, both aged 13 since 2012.

The prosecutor told the court that Obey had during the period had sexual intercourse with the boys eight times.

Effiong said the offence

years.

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

The presiding judge, Mr Ahmed Ado, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N50, 000 and two sureties in like sum who must be above Grade level 7.

Ado adjourned the case to March 3, 2014 for further hearing. (NAN) contravened Section 284 of the Penal code.

When the charge was read to him, Obey pleaded not guilty, and the Chief Magistrate, Mr. Anthony Ogboyi, granted him bail in the sum of N200, 000 with one reliable surety in like sum.

Ogboyi said the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court, and together with the accused, deposit their passport photographs to the court’s registry.

He adjourned the case to February 7, 2014 for hearing proper. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

INSIDE

Isa_abdulwahab@yahoo.com, Isaabdulwahab@gmail.com 08033045613

Cross Rivers Govt lauds Dangote over Youth empowerment, development

- Pg 22

L-R: Principal Partner, Paul Osoro and Co., Mr. Paul Osoro, Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Chairman, Board of Commissioners, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Engineer Igho Peter, and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, during the maiden edition of NCC Telecom Stakeholders’ Summit, recently in Lagos.

Keystone Union urges FG to review new import policies on rice, vehicles fires senior management he Maritime Workers of neighbouring countries during markets as they were not controlled. infrastructure’’, MWUN said The workers said that inferior Union of Nigeria (MWUN) the festive season due to the The union contended that the workers rice was not fit for human policy, if reviewed, would enhance has advised the Federal announcement.

T

Government to review its planned policy on importation of rice.

This advice is contained in a letter dated Dec. 27 and addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan.

The letter, signed by the union’s President General, Mr Anthony Nted and the General Secretary, Mr Aham Ubani, said the review would also reduce smuggling of the commodity.

NAN reports that the Government recently announced plan to stop the importation of rice by 2015 as part of efforts to ensure sufficiency in local production.

The union said that many vessels conveying rice to Nigerian ports had been diverted to ports

``The policy on importation of rice has made it difficult for genuine rice importers to bring in their products through our ports. ``The effect is that revenue accruing to the nation is lost to neighbouring countries and some Nigerians who genuinely work in the ports are also denied their livelihood’’, MWUN said.

The workers said that they were excited by the Federal Government’s desire to make the country self-sufficient and less import-dependent but stressed that adequate plan must be put in place.

The union said that due to the announcement, smuggling had increased and poor quality of rice had found their way into the

consumption because of its health implication and effects on the economy.

The union said the new tariff and levies on vehicles were too hasty as they would have negative implication on jobs and revenue.

The workers said that 95 per cent of Nigerians who worked in Roll On/Roll Off (RORO) terminal were specifically meant to handle imports and exports of vehicles.

The union advised government to create the enabling environment for vehicles to either be manufactured or assembled in Nigeria. ``There should be local production of vehicles spare parts, steady power supply and necessary

PMAN, NARTO blame PEF for hike in fuel pump price From : Ahmed Idris Brnin, Kebbi

T

he Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) and National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) have attributed the current increase in the petroleum pump price in filling stations in some northern part of the country to Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF).

The bodies attributed increase in pump prices to pay cut from N5018, 000 to N3088, 000 by PEF. IPMAN North-West zonal Vice Chairman Alh. Mohammadu Dan Tila Jega made the assertion in Birnin

Kebbi while fielding questions by newsmen He said the petroleum Equalization Fund, an agency responsible for handling payment of transporting fuel products across the country decided to cut the payment without giving any logical explanation to IPMAN members, a development he said compelled members to also increase their fares in order to make up for the lost.

He appealed to authorities at PEF to address the imbalance in the payment so as to stabilize the fuel price and save the masses the agony of paying higher for fuel.

Also speaking, Secretary of National Association of Road

Transport Owners (NARTO), Umar Mohammed Gulumbe said the disparity or imbalance in payment caused PEF has forced some transport owners to either suspend or abandon the business because of the huge gap in payment. ‘’ The unfortunate situation has forced some of our members to have a second thought about the business of transporting fuel across the country because we are running at a loss if we continue to receive N3088, 000 instead of the agreed N5018, 000.

So you can see the disparity between what we are supposed to collect as agreed between us and what they have resorted to paying us now ‘’, he said

vehicle clearance at the ports and create jobs for maritime workers.

The Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) added its voice, urging the Federal Government to review the policy on rice imports in the interest of the nation’s economy.

The spokesman for STOAN, Mr Bolaji Akinola, said Nigeria was losing N1billion daily to the subsisting policy on rice importation and the attendant high level smuggling. ``Before Jan. 2013, rice importers paid 60 per cent duty, but when duty was increased to 110 per cent, importers shuned Nigerian ports for neighbouring countries’’’, Akinola said.

He said that vessels bearing rice had been going to neighouring ports where they were paying far less duty and the smugglers ended up bringing the same rice into the country illegally, Akinola said the announcement had affected the revenue of the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

(NAN)

-Pg 20

Mutual Benefit records 18.3% gross premium, signs MOU with FICAN -Pg 21 Exchange Rates

CBN as at 23rd December, 2013 Buying

Selling

$

154.7

155.7

€

252.99 254.63

£

211.69 213.05

Riyal

41.24

41.51

YEN

1.48

1.49

CFA

0.303

0.323

MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY For innovation, invest in two kinds of education

A

n ever-increasing number of suppliers provide products and services to help companies be more creative, collaborative, and inventive.

But the roots of a company’s innovation capacity are simple: its talent pool and its commitment to building knowledge and competencies. Managers must invest in two kinds of education to make this work. First, they need to ensure that the professionals they employ are current in their fields.

Every discipline is experiencing accelerated development —

the downside of which is rapid knowledge obsolescence. Second, organizations should train their people specifically in the innovation skills needed to bring potentially valuable ideas to fruition. This competency is not innate, but can be learned. Developing innovation skills requires mastering some fundamentals through repetition.

Such training is rarely available in science and technology programs, so educate your talent pool accordingly.

Source: Harvard Business Review

Money market

PAGE 20

K

eystone Bank Limited, one of the three nationalised banks has laid off undisclosed number of its senior management staff.

The recent laid off the bank says was a continuation of rightsizing exercise embarked last month by the bank.

The bridged bank also said the exercise was in continuation of the lender’s recently instituted performance-based appraisal system.

A statement by the bank’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Mohammed Ciroma, confirmed the latest job cut.

It stated that the move was in tune with the extant human capital development policy and guidelines of the company.

According to Ciroma, the development is aimed at repositioning the lender to adequately meet the challenges of the new financial year.

The spokesman said the management of the bank had held a meeting with the executive members of the Association

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Keystone fires senior management workers of Senior Staff of Banks & Other Financial Institutions, adding that a consensus, which holistically accommodated all payments accruable to the affected staff members in line with the 2012 ASSBIFI Staff Settlement Agreement, had also been reached.

Ciroma stated that the bank was committed to the ideals of due process and proper separation of service between its employees and the institution.

He added that the bank

“remains focused on achieving credible business performance that would enhance the brand value while safeguarding the welfare of its employees and the investment of shareholders, the banking public and other stakeholders.”

Declining profits, which characterised the nine-month results of a number of banks, may have ignited a wave of job cuts in the banking sector.

Some banks have sacked workers a few months after the Central Bank of Nigeria

introduced a stiffer monetary measure, asking the Deposit Money Banks to keep 50 per cent of public sector deposits with the CBN. In the last two months, at least four banks have sacked some of their workers.

They are Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Enterprise Bank Limited, Unity Bank Plc and Keystone Bank Limited.

Union Bank and Unity Bank had disengaged some of their personnel.

Enterprise Bank also reportedly sacked over 150 workers. Enterprise, one of the three nationalised banks, confirmed the development but declined to mention the number of staff members affected.

Analysts are of the opinion that in the coming months, more banks are expected to ‘right-size,’ in line with the tight monetary stance of the CBN and in a bid to rein in on inflation, which the CBN has succeeded in keeping at a single digit in the last six months.

IFC to invest $2bn in China’s Bond Market

From Ngozi Onyeakusi , Lagos

T

he International Finance Corporation (IFC) has said it will invest about $2 billion in China’s interbank bond market.

According to the IFC, it supports the development of China’s financial sector by working with the government to create a regulatory and legal environment that supports the growth of financial services, promote the microfinance industry, strengthen China’s commercial banks, and develop the country’s financial markets.

The Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IFC’s Jin-Yong Cai, said that the agreement will significantly expand the corporation’s ability to offer localcurrency financing to support private sector development in China.

“It complements our ongoing efforts to deepen China’s domestic capital markets, a strategic priority for IFC.” Jin-Yong Cai said.

This is as a result of the agreement between the IFC and People’s Bank of China which enables IFC to expand its financial assets and enhance liquidity management, while increasing the ability to offer renminbidenominated loans for private sector development in China “Under the agreement, IFC will invest 12 billion Yuan in fixed income instruments in China’s interbank bond market.”

People buying clothes, recently at Marina, in Lagos.

China Development Bank gets approval to issue bonds

T

he Shanghai Securities News reported has reported that the China Development Bank has been given an initial quota to offer 30 billion Yuan of exchangetraded bonds on the Shanghai exchange.

With this development, CDB automatically becomes the first Chinese lender to issue exchange-traded bonds and it

marks a major step by Chinese regulators to boost the country’s fledging fixed incomemarket.

According to Reuters the CDB would issue bonds on the exchange for the first time on December 27, a move aimed at building China’s bond market and helping to integrate the interbank market, which is closed to direct participation by ordinary investors.

“The CDB will issue financial bonds on a trial basis as arranged by the People’s Bank of China and the China Securities Regulatory Commission,” the exchange said in a statement published on itswebsite, www. sse.com.cn, late on Tuesday, without giving details of the issuance.

Banking sources have told Reuters that the bank could issue

the bonds in batches, and that it would publish a prospectus for the first issue on Wednesday.

In another boost for the bond market, Chinese regulators have moved to ease restrictions on corporate debt issuance to reduce dependence on bank loans, and to reduce the net market impact of new rules cracking down on practices intended to evade lending restrictions.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

PAGE 21

Capital market

Mutual Benefit records 18.3% gross premium, signs MOU with FICAN

M

utual Benefit Assurance Plc. has reported gross premium written increase of 18.3 per cent as it recorded N7.944 billion in the 2012 financial year December, 31st compared to N6.716 billion declared in the comparable period of 2011.

The firm however recorded a loss after tax of N609 million for the period of 2012 showing a 737 per cent depreciation when compared with a loss after tax of N72.814 million reported in the preceding period of 2011; The company audited report submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) revealed that it recorded recorded a loss before

tax (PBT) of N290.607 million in 2012 end compared to a loss before tax of N238.931 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2011; indicating a 222 per cent depreciation in the period under review The Company recently got approval for its financial account early this month from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

Mutual Benefit last week signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the journalists covering money market across the country, under their umbrella body, Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) for a group

accident life policy.

With this agreement, which attracts N2, 500 premium per individual, this group is insured for one year against accident that may arise in the course of discharging their duties.

Speaking during official signing of the agreement in Lagos, the Managing Director, Mutual Benefit, Mr Akin Ogunbiyi stated the firm is focused on settling genuine claims arising from every cover obtained by the insured from the company.

He assured the group that the firm will always live up to its responsibilities regarding to genuine claims prompt settlement whenever there is need for that.

He however warned that there is need for the insured to understand the scope of insurance cover for which he or she is paying premium for, to avoid feeling denied of claims when risks not covered in the policy are brought up for claim settlement.

One of the journalists covered by the policy, MrBabajide Komolafe urged the company never to disappoint the group by not living up to its responsibilities of prompt claims settlement.

He however stated that before now, he did not believe that insurance works in Nigeria adding all he knows was that insurance companies do not pay claims.

L-R: Representative of Kogi Governor, Mr. Yusuf Daniel, Country Director, World Bank, Marie-Francoise Marie-Nally, and Coordinator, Community and Social Development Project, Mr. Chudi Onuoha, during the review meeting of World Bank Assisted Community and Social Development Project, recently in Abuja. Photo: NAN

NSE: Equity transaction grows by 1.69% From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

D

riven by activities in the financial services sector, transaction on the floor of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) last week recorded maximum appreciation as the NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalization increased significantlly by 1.69% to close on Friday at 40,231.68 and N12.875 trillion respectively.

All the other NSE indices excerpt the NSE ASeM (which remained unchanged) appreciated during the week: NSE 30 by 1.85% to close at 1,848.46 , NSE Consumer Goods by 0.43% to close at 1,086.58, NSE Banking by 2.63% to close at 422.11, NSE Insurance by 1.28% to close at 149.89. Also, the NSE Oil/Gas Index increased by 6.67% to close at 325.40, NSE Lotus Islamic Index by 1.37% to close at 2,824.29 and NSE Industrial Goods Index by 1.63% to close at 2,501.21 It was a brief trading week, the stock market opened for three days as Wednesday and Thursday were declared

Public Holidays to celebrate the Christmas and Boxing Day. A turnover of 1.278 billion shares worth N6.897 billion in 10,761 deals were traded during the week by investors in contrast to a total of 2.726 billion shares valued at N18.777 billion that exchanged hands in 22,228 deals the previous week.

Review of the market showed that the Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 749.658 million shares valued at N3.216 billion traded in 5,541 deals; thus contributing 58.68% and 46.62% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The ICT Industry followed with a turnover of 270.481 million shares worth N137.141 million in 99 deals. The third place was occupied by the Conglomerates Industry with 124.842 million shares worth N626.895 million in 1,041 deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely, MassTelecommunication Innovations Nigeria Plc, Unity Bank Plc and Transnational

Corporation of Nigeria Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 601.665 million shares worth N775.880 million in 1,341 deals, contributing 47.09% and 11.25% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Fifty eight (58) equities appreciated in prices during the week higher than Forty three (43) equities of the preceding week.

Eleven (11) equities depreciated in prices lower than Thirty four (34) equities of the preceding week, while one hundred and twenty nine (129) equities remained unchanged higher than one hundred and twenty one (121) equities in the previous week.

009.60 OandoPlc led the gainers table in percentage terms, appreciating by 21.62 per cent or N3.55 kobo to close at N19.97 kobo, FCMB group followed with a gain of 19.06 per cent or N0.61 to close at N3.81 kobo while Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc appreciated by 16.41 per cent or N0.65 kobo to close at N4.61 kobo. Other stocks that appreciated in price were Fidson

Health Care Plc 13.73 per cent, NEM Insurance Co (Nigeria) Plc13.33 per cent, Costain WA) Plc12.87 per cent, UTC Nigeria Plc 12.70 per cent, African Prudential Registrars Plc 11.63 per cent, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated 9.93 per cent and GlaxoSmithkline Consumer Nigeria Plc 9.60 per cent.

Champion Breweries Plc topped losers chart, dropping by 4.95 per cent or N0.88 kobo to close at N16.91 kobo, Vono Products Plc trailed with a loss of 4.95 per cent or N0.09 kobo to close at N1.73 kobo while E-Tranzact International Plc declined by 4.81 kobo or N0.13 kobo to close at N2.56 kobo. Other companies that depreciated in price during the week were IPWA 3.95 per cent, Airline Service and LongisticsPlc 3.61 per cent, International Breweries Plc 3.03 per cent, Guinness Nigeria Plc 2.92 per cent, Cadbury Nigeria Plc 2.56 per cent, Dangote Sugar RefinaryPlc 1.41 kobo and Mansard Insurance Plc 1.22 per cent.

Diversify your economy to create more jobs, group tells state govt

By Albert Akota

N

igerian Youths Under the Aegis of the Nigerian Unemployed Youths Vanguard have called for the diversification of economy at the state and local levels to create more jobs for the people.

The group in a statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Com. Solomon Adodo and Publicity Secretary Com. Danesi Momoh in Abuja said it was imperative for other tiers of government to complement the efforts being put in place by the federal government to reduce youth restiveness.

The group said it had developed partnership with the government at the centre “and the results remain evident for all to see as more openings have been assessed in agriculture, mining, micro/small enterprises, and information and communication technology amongst others.”

It further expressed its readiness to extend this arm of partnership to the various state and local government leaderships to tow the productive precedence set by the federal government and play their part to meaningfully engage the remaining unemployed youths, who still idle away in their respective domains.”

The statement said, “As we turn a new slate for planning and implementation in our national life with another calendar year, it is imperative that we sound this note of responsibility clear to these other tiers of government that the federal government cannot be left alone with the task of national development.

“The states and local governments have their respective roles to play and this they should do in good time, and in this light we shall beam more of our searchlight on the activities or otherwise of the governors and local government chairmen to create jobs.

“As we seek to create more jobs and boost national productivity, we call on the governors of the 36 states in our nation to diverse means of generation revenues by innovatively exploring the treasures within their respective domains.”

PAGE 22

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Business

Completion of on-going projects, a top priority -NDDC

From Adewinle Adegoke, Akure

T

he Niger Delta D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m i s s i o n (NDDC) at the weekend said the completion of all on-going projects of the Commission in Ondo State would be its priority.

The newly appointed representative of the State on the Governing Council of NDDC, Barr Amuwa Benson who disclosed this at a reception organized for him by his friends and political associates in Ilaje

local government at the weekend also warned contractors handling the commission’s projects to avoid shoddy jobs.

Barr. Amuwa said all projects of the commission embarked upon by his predecessors in the state would be given necessary support and attention and ensure that they serve their purposes to the benefitting communities.

The NDDC commissioner promised to operate and open door administration and execute projects that will enhance the social and economic lives of the people in the region

Amuwa however, explained that ninety per cent of the projects of the commission that will come to the state, will be cited in the mandate area during his tenure but called on the stakeholders to always remember him in prayer and make useful suggestions that would make him excel He said the era in which contractors disappear after collecting mobilization fees for the jobs awarded to them by the commission had gone warning that any contractor who does so will be dealt with accordingly

Amuwa who was full of praises at the occasion, promised to review cases of abandoned projects in the state and address them accordingly.

He said he would soon embark on familiarization tour of the coastal area of the state particularly the oil producing communities in other to identify the problems facing the people and as well proffer appropriate solutions While thanking Governor Olusegun Mimiko and President Goodluck Jonathan for his appointment, Amuwa, however promised not to betray the confidence

reposed in him by the state g o v e r n m e n t .

“I am here to serve you all. I am here to work for the development of this region. I want to leave NDDC in the state and the coastal area of this state better than I met them through life impacting programmes and projects. I want to make my impacts felt by you all and that is why I am soliciting for you supports. A tree cannot make a forest. I will operate an open door policy and make the completion of all ongoing projects of the commission in this state as directed by President Goodluck Jonathan my priority”. Amuwa said The Olugbo of Ugbo Oba Frederick Akinruntan, the Olubo of Obenla, Oba Kolawole Ikuesan, the Odoka of Ogbaro, Oba Olufemi Ogbaro, Primate Samuel Ayodele of Zion Church Igbokoda and other dignitaries who spoke at the occasion described Amuwa’s appointment as divine.

Henkel CEO dampens prospects for acquisitions

L-R: Senator Ita Giwa; GM,Corporate Communications, Dangote Group, Esan Sunday; Wife of Cross Rivers State Governor, Barrister Obioma Imoke at the tape cutting to declare the Calabar Children Carnival open, weekend

Cross Rivers Govt lauds Dangote over Youth empowerment, development

D

angote Group has been described the best corporate body with best form of approach for youths empowerment and development in the country.

The wife of Cross state Governor, Barrister Obioma Imoke, who represented the Governor at the tape cutting to declare the Calabar Children carnival opened, said Dangote over the years has been consistent in giving back to the society, empowering the youth and serving as a good and positive role model to the youth.

“Aliko Dangote has been a good and positive role models to our youth. He has shown enormous interest in youth development and empowerment and we wish other notable Nigerians can take a cue from him and use their organisations to support

the youth, who are obviously the leaders of the tomorrow.”

President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote however assured of more strategic investments in the nation’s economy with focus on youth development by partnering with state governments.

Dangote, represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Esan Sunday, gave the assurance during the flag off of the Children carnival .

He said all hands should be on deck to develop the children to become useful for themselves and the nation.

He said it was against this background that the Group has been sponsoring the Children segment of the carnival. The group, according to Dangote also runs an academy which is targetted at youth development academically.

The colouful procession of

children from age three to 16 numbering over 10, 000 started from the popular botanical garden through to the Stadium.

And witnessed by top government officials led by the wife of the state governor, Obioma Imoke.

The Governor’s wife urged other organisations to emulate the good gestures of Dangote Group and helped in the development of the country.

Mrs Imoke told the children that the state government is committed to policies and programmes that will assist the children and youths realize their potentials. She urged the youths to see potentials and not limitations in their aspirations to become the best in the future.

No fewer than 10 thousand children participated in the carnival and the Dangote group as the sponsors provided branded shirts for

all of them and their bands.

It also provided same for the officials in addition to thousands of cartons of variety of its Dansa fruit drinks and water were made available for the children and officials.

Visibly impressed by the gesture from the Group, Mrs. Imoke described Dangote group as a worthy partner towards helping children discover their talents and skills. According to her, the group in providing all the refreshments for both the dry run and Children carnival proper has shown its interest in the welfare of the Nigerian child.

Earlier, there was a dry run of the children carnival.

The dry run gave residents of Calabar a glimpse of what the children carnival was to look like with hundreds of children clad in Dangote-branded T-shirt parading the streets.

G

erman consumer goods group Henkel (HNKG_p.

DE) dampened expectations it was looking at acquisitions soon, saying the market currently offers few takeover opportunities, Handelsblatt reported, citing Chief Executive Kasper Rorsted.

Rorsted’s comments contrast with remarks made by Henkel’s supervisory board chairwoman, Simone Bagel-Trah, who was quoted three weeks ago as saying that the time had come to focus on takeovers again.

“With the low interest rates, hardly anyone wants to swap businesses for money,” the Handelsblatt business daily quoted Rorsted as saying in an interview to be published on Monday.

“Opportunities will yet emerge over the coming three years,” the CEO said.

Last month, Rorsted himself said the group was looking at takeover opportunities if they were a good strategic fit and that it had a 4 billion euro ($5.5 billion) war chest for purchases.

In its last major acquisition, Henkel bought National Starch in 2008 for 3.7 billion euros to expand its adhesives division. ($1 = 0.7258 euros) (Reuters)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Stock Watch

Report as at Friday, December 27, 2013

PAGE 23

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Special Report PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Nigerian Capital Market:

Emerging from the challenges of global meltdown

F

ive years after the meltdown of the Nigerian capital market, some investors and operators appear to have shaken off their investment shocks by describing 2013 as the year of recovery and consolidation.

The stakeholders say that their new enthusiasm about the nation’s portfolio climate stems from the rebound of high rate of securities transactions, the recovery of the national economy and the rising public confidence in government and governance.

In the first week of December 2013, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) overall transactions grew from a loss position, recorded during the downturn in 2008, to a level which is widely considered as one of the best in the frontier market today.

The stakeholders say that the major drivers of the market growth developed from the strict adherence to corporate governance and zero-tolerance to aberrations by the regulators in the year under review.

Other key growth indicators of the market are regulatory reforms and initiatives, as well as strong financial fundamentals posted by publicly quoted companies.

Apart from the licensing of market makers

by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2012, the introduction of securities lending, short selling and consistent monetary policies contributed to the market stability.

Specifically, the stability of the exchange rate at N157 to a dollar throughout the better part of 2013 encouraged more foreign investors to remain in the capital market, while stemming capital flights and encouraging foreign investments in local debt papers.

Available securities transactions at the NSE as at Dec. 9, 2013 showed that the equity market grew by 37.96 per cent year-to-date.

The visible market growth made the Nigerian bourse to be rated the best investment destination in sub-Saharan Africa.

The All-Share Index of the Exchange in the period under review appreciated by 37.96 per cent year-to-date to close trading at 38,738.15 points, as against the opening index of 28,078.81 points.

The Index, a measure of the market direction, grew by 34.5 per cent in 2012.

The market capitalisation, which opened trading for the year at N8.98 trillion, grew

by N3.41 trillion to close trading on Dec. 9 at

Traders on the floor of the stock exchange N12.39 trillion, reflecting a growth of 37.97 per cent.

In spite of the market growth, the NSE witnessed only the listing of Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) and Infinity Trust Mortgage (ITM).

Providing an insight into the market performance in the period under review, MsArunmaOteh, the Director-General of the SEC, attributed the growth to some factors.

She said that the factors included the concerted efforts of operators and regulators as well as the Federal Government’s reforms and initiatives, aimed at boosting activities in the market.

Oteh debunked claims in some quarters that the recent growth in the market would soon fizzle out, saying: `The capital market is not driven by euphoria but by fundamentals of different sectors of the economy represented on the exchange.”

She said that the financial sector had recorded appreciable growth. ``The banking sector is leading because globally, everybody recognises the bold steps which Nigeria took to address the challenges facing the financial sector. ``Besides, many people recognise that Nigeria is, indeed, the preferred investment destination in spite of the challenges,” she

said.

Oteh said that SEC was monitoring the current reforms in the nation’s economy, including the government’s privatisationprogramme, so as to ensure that privatised companies were encouraged to get listed on the local bourse.

She also said that efforts were underway to create an enabling environment for energy companies operating in the upstream and downstream sectors, as well as telecommunications companies to also get listed on the stock exchange.

MrOkechukwuUnegbu, the former President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), said that the market’s growth could also be attributed to the activities of market makers and the impressive financial results by listed companies.

He, however, said that the Federal Government must make the national economy investor-friendly by reviewing the nation’s business laws.

Unegbu also called for a reduction in the nation’s domestic debt and the effective implementation of the 2014 budget with a considerable emphasis placed on infrastructural development.

On his part, Mr David Adonri, the Chief Executive Officer, Lambeth Trust Investment, noted that the stock market growth this year had surpassed the performance of 2012.

He said that increasing investors’ confidence and internal reforms, especially the commencement of market, had affected the market positively this year.

He pointed out that the stability and growth of the capital market would be sustained if the regulatory framework remained effective.

Adonri , however, underscored the need for the Federal Government to pursue sound fiscal and monetary policies that would be market-friendly in the years ahead.

He stressed that the regulatory initiatives could only be meaningful if local investors took due advantage of new and dynamic frameworks, current market trends and improved companies’ results to increase their stakes in the bourse.

Nevertheless, DrDoyin Salami of the Lagos Business School expressed reservations about the gains so far recorded in the market.

Salami, an economist, expatiated that his queries about the much-touted market growth were due to the dominance of the activities at the NSE by foreign portfolio investors.

He said that as at Dec. 5, 2013 foreign portfolio investment profile in the nation’s bourse amounted to about N13 billion dollars.

Salami solicited the encouragement of domestic retail investors, even though he welcomed new foreign investments in the nation’s economy, particularly in the equities market. ``Capital market regulators need to show more concern on how to improve the participation local investors in the market so as to avoid another round of meltdown in the event of investment outflow by foreign investors,” he said.

Salami said that the regulators must evolve strategies and create pragmatic policies aimed at increasing local investors’ participation in the nation bourse.

He said that the active engagement of domestic investors in the nation’s portfolio investment would only be visible and sustainable if concerted efforts were made to make ongoing reforms investor-friendly.

He, nonetheless, described the current situation in which emphasis was placed on market automation to the detriment of local investors as a dangerous trend.

In spite of the optimism and misgivings about the growth of the country’s capital market in 2013, Salami said that tangible efforts should be made to address the waning confidence of local investors in the market come 2014.

He blamed the limited confidence of local investors in the market on their alleged alienation by the government in efforts to mitigate investors’ losses after the 2008 meltdown.

Market analysts underscore the need for regulators to quickly embark on another round of investors’ awareness campaign nationwide.

They say that such awareness campaigns would be handy in efforts to assuage the fears of investors and provide the much-needed technical knowledge on the dynamics of the capital market.

The analysts also urge the Federal Government to honour its earlier pledge to remove market-based taxes for the system.

The elimination of stamp duties and Value Added Tax (VAT), among other levies, as promised by government in December 2012, would aid efforts to create the much-needed market liquidity, they add.

The analysts also urge market regulators to strengthen the Investor Protection Fund (IPF), while resolving the recurring menace Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of unclaimed dividends. (NANFeatures)

The Nigeria Stock exchange building

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Nasarawa: Lar’s Death And The Need To Ponder

BY RAYYANU BALA Late Baba Solomon Lar was described variously by many, especially after his death, as somebody who represented many things to many people. To some, Baba Lar was an emancipator, a dogged fighter of the downtrodden and the oppressed people of Plateau and Nasarawa and the country as a whole, while to some Baba Lar and Walin Langtang was a bridge builder, a great statesman and as well an icon, and still to others, Baba Lar was a father, a leader, a role model, a mentor and a shining example of man of vision and mission. To us in Nasarawa state, Baba Lar represented more than all these high sounding words. To us, Baba Lar came to represent a man who even after his death, he served as bitterness destroyer and unity organizer. Perhaps nothing captured these descriptions more apt than how his lying in state at city hall Lafia on Tuesday 10 December, 2013, brought people of Nasarawa state and of various shades and opinions together and to embrace each other to the admiration of all the people of the state.

to dig out the rot. A chieftain of PDP in the state and former Nigerian Ambassador to Thailand, Ambassador Umar Sulaiman Azores acknowledged this much when he, in recent interview with an Abuja base paper, pointedly accused opponents of Al-makura as been the beneficiary of past rot in the state. But being a man of compassion, Al-makura merely chose to draw a line and chart a more enduring and progressive cause towards moving the state forward, regardless of what has transpired in the past, because as some pundits are saying, digging the past will constitute not only a waste of time and resources but will certainly constitute a distraction. And for a government that has much to accomplish such as that of Al-makura all form of distraction are unnecessary.

We must, at this point in time realize the fact that for us to move forward, there are certain issues that we must put them behind us or else we could just be moving akin to one step forward and two steps backward without realizing anything meaningful and tangible at end. Al-makura having realized these, has since he set his foot at Government House always seen people not from where they are, but rather from their level of thinking and contribution on how to move the state to the next level of development. Indeed, it was against this background that some misconstrue this position to mean government is too soft on the opposition, while some even misconstrue the position to mean weakness on the part of government. A point must be made clear at this juncture that being in the opposition is not a crime; in fact democratic governance would be meaningless without opposition. It is the opposition that makes democracy strives anywhere in the world. Therefore it has become a thing of joy and happiness to both the opposition party and the ruling APC in the state when both Al-makura and Aliyu Doma met and hugged each other at the lying in state of remains of Baba Lar in Lafia.

While it is indeed, a truism that bitterness and pettiness are part of human nature, but forgiveness and strives for unity are what made human progresses in life. And just like what Roberth H. Schuller once observed: ‘Success doesn’t come from where you are, but from the way you think’ of course, from our experience during lying in state of Baba Lar at Lafia city hall, it would be difficult and hard for any discerning mind, not to conclude that Governor Al-makura always thinks more about our state than about political party differences and affiliations. Nothing of course, captured this more graphically and succinctly than how he (Al-makura) lowered himself before former Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma in greetings, in the spirit of being an elder brother. Governor Al-makura’s action before Aliyu Akwe Doma has vividly showed or simply gave Almakura away as a well disciplined person whose great respect for And as highlighted elsewhere here, we believe the coming elders has no bound and as a person who is well groomed in art together of Al-makura and Aliyu Doma and other opposition of optimism as against pessimism. figures in Nasarawa state at city hall Lafia, were signs of good omen to come in the political scenery of Nasarawa state, as the On the other hand however, former Governor Aliyu Akwe development have vividly demonstrated the fact that our politicians Doma, by warmly acknowledging Al-makura’s greetings through are capable of coming together in pursuance of common interest a wide but long embrace, has indeed demonstrated in a way what affecting the state irrespective of political party inclination. Just late Waziri Ibrahim could describe as politics without bitterness. as the Daughter of Baba Lar, Dr. Chale Lar stressed in a vote of Indeed, the compliments of both Al-makura and Aliyu Doma thanks she gave in Lafia on behalf of Lar’s family, the death of exchanged at Lafia city hall were a demonstration of the fact that Baba Lar has tremendously re-created the bond of understanding both have one thing in common which is peace and unity in our among politicians in both Nasarawa and Plateau states. Indeed, dear Nasarawa state. Before the death and subsequent lying in the lesson of Baba Lar’s death, which revolves around unity and state of Baba Lar at city hall Lafia, no one could think even through understanding, must be sustained as that should be the only thing, wild imagination, that Aliyu Doma could acknowledge Al-makura’s we must do to continue honoring Baba. compliment considering how the struggle for the Shendam Road Government House unfolded back in 2011. To be fair, Aliyu Doma As we say good bye to 2013 and usher in 2014 which is a year has good reason(s) to be irritated, for dispossessing one of power of election campaigning, we must exercise caution not to injure however remote and insignificant such power appears, is of this unity and understanding which the death of Baba Lar has course devastating, talk less of office of the executive governor. brought to us in Nasarawa state. Of course, Al-makura has set the Verily Al-makura also demonstrated enormous compassion and a pace, what is left, is for us to key-in, in the interest of the people large heartedness in handling the business of governance of the of Nasarawa state. There is no amount of sacrifice that will be too state thus far, for the rot in the system he inherited, which from great or too small for the progress and development of our state. all intent and purposes were disheartening and irritating as well.

If not however for Al-makura’s robustness, sky could only be the Rayyanu Bala writes from Lafia, Nasarawa state. limit to which his administration could go so long as he continue

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

PAGE 27

Education

wallybabe2010@gmail.com, 08050639900

NTI: Enhancing teachers’ capacity, quality through annual retraining

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By Maryam Garba Hassan

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he quality of teachers and teaching of every nation determines the future of that nation, since education is the fulcrum upon which development rotates and the quality of teachers is the most important factor that influences students’ achievements in the school system.

Therefore, there is no way effective teaching and learning can take place without the teacher having a deep understanding of subject matter, the confidence, as well as the aptitude to effectively teach the subject to students.

Worried by the embarrassment the country is facing as a result of its low quality of teachers and poor quality of teaching given to students in both private and public schools, which reflects on the performance of students in the national examinations, particularly in the two core subjects; Mathematics and English language, the MDGs through the National Teacher’s Institute (NTI) initiated the annual nationwide capacity building workshops for primary school teachers.

The retraining progamme which commenced last year aimed at addressing the challenges by way of boosting and enhancing teachers’ capacity through effective training.

Reports of the monitoring of Learning Achievement Studies conducted by the federal ministry of education for primary and secondary school students clearly shows that there is a very low performance of school children and their teachers in basic areas of numeracy, literacy and life skills.

The retraining of the teachers is apt, as presently, Nigeria is not only short of qualified teachers in the school system, and the few qualified ones also lack opportunities to update themselves in both knowledge and pedagogy.

More reports have also shown that the majority of teachers in the school system have not received any form of in-service training since they graduated from school.

This development is undermining the country’s quest for producing well rounded students and leaders who can creatively and independently contribute to national development, as teachers are no longer current with innovations in instructional strategies and other research based developments in teaching and learning.

The retraining workshops will also assist teachers to deepen their content knowledge of what they teach and equip them with innovative pedagogical skills suited to the specific or special

L-R: Chairman, National Teachers’ Institute Governing Council, Ali Sa’adu Birnin-Kudu, DirectorGeneral NTI, Dr. Aminu Ladan Sharehu, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry Of Education, Dr Macjohn Nwaobiala, during the opening ceremony of the nationawide capacity building workshops for primary school teachers in Abuja.

Photo: NAN needs of their students in the subjects they teach.

In December 2012, the Federal Government and the institute (NTI) flagged off the first phase of capacity building workshops for primary school teachers in 109 centres, under the Millennium Development Goals project.

The workshops were however split into two and designed to target 40,000 teachers across the federation.

While flagging off the programme, Supervising Minister for Education, Nyesom Wike, said the workshops will boost capacity of teachers to effectively teach the students, particularly as in the last 14 years teachers have not gone for training.

He said the programme is like a build up to what the government has been doing over the years to boost the capacity of its teachers; nationwide.

To underscore the importance attached to the workshops, the Minister directed that facilitators be sent to monitor and supervise the

workshops to ensure quality and also engage the services of senior academics to serve as quality assurance assessors of the various programmes, to ensure that quality and standard are adequately maintained.

The second phase of the programme which is also the 7th edition, was flagged off in Abuja this month and targeted 5,032 teachers; which is the lowest number since the commencement of the programme.

According to the Director General and Chief Executive of the institute, Dr. Aminu Ladan Sharehu, this year’s edition of the programme is a unique one as it is fraught with many challenges which hinge on paucity of funds and the payment of outstanding allowances owed the 2011 participants.

He said the fund released to the institute for this year’s training was not enough to get qualitative training for teachers as only one training a year is not enough to make the teachers qualitative.

He said to achieve the desired

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result; Nigeria’s teachers need to be trained at least four times a year.

The DG further explained that; to ensure all-inclusiveness in the process, the areas of national emerging issues have been introduced in the retraining programme such as, element of Faith Based HIV/ AIDS and special Education Needs and Disabilities and that inadequate fund released for this year’s workshop did not enable the issues to feature in the programme.

Sharehu further explained that teachers are to be retrained on the four focal areas identified, to address their skills gaps at that level and to enable them acquire new skills for quality training.

So far, the institute has trained over 700 teachers of primary schools nationwide under the programme.

He said the workshops aim to re-train the teachers and equip them with skills and knowlege to enable them impact quality teaching on the Nigerian child.

He appealed to federal government to increase the fund

Reports of the monitoring of Learning Achievement Studies conducted by the federal ministry of education for primary and secondary school students clearly shows that there is a very low performance of school children and their teachers in basic areas of numeracy, literacy and life skills.

The retraining of the teachers is apt, as presently, Nigeria is not only short of qualified teachers in the school system, and the few qualified ones also lack opportunities to update themselves in both knowledge and pedagogy. in 2014 to enable the institute conduct a larger training programme for all categories of teachers targeted for the workshops as in previous years.

He said the institute has taken time to select resourceful persons that are most competent and qualified from the stream of applicants to facilitate the programme in their respective subject areas and urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity to avail themselves with more skills.

He said the institute has established 10 computer centres in 10 of the 36 states of the federation adding that the remaining states will soon get their own centres.

He said so far, the institute has re- trained 700,000 teachers through the programme.

To make the programme have the desired impact on our teachers, it should be sustained and a teacher should attend the programme at least twice a year as recommended by experts.

Government should also endeavor to renew or extend the programme beyond the 2015 terminal deadline.

Equal opportunities should be given to all teachers, as according to the institute, one of the challenges it is facing in the course of carrying out the programme over the years is repeated nominations of teachers that have taken part in previous workshops and delay in the release of funds which result in wrong timing of workshops.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

PAGE 28

Education

University to make Igbo language compulsory course for all students

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rof. Ihechukwu Madubuike, Director, Igbo Renaissance at the Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), Abia, said on Saturday that the university would soon introduce the Igbo language as a compulsory course in the second year.

Madubuike announced this at Uturu during the 6th edition of the Igbo (Uturu) Cultural Carnival, which held at the university.

“By the next two years, the university plans to introduce the Igbo language as a compulsory subject for all students in the second year.

“Whether you are Yoruba, Hausa or Efik, you must take Igbo as a compulsory subject, in spite of your area of specialisation,’’ he said.

Madubuike described the Igbo language as the ‘’soul of the culture of Ndigbo,’’ adding that the disappearance of the language would mean the ultimate death of the culture.

Earlier, the traditional ruler of

Oko in Anambra state, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, called for concerted efforts by people of the South-East to save the Igbo language from going extinct.

Ekwueme, who was the chairman of the carnival, expressed regret that the Igbo language was under serious threat, due to the decline in its usage as a means of communication in various families.

He noted that many families of Igbo origin preferred to communicate in foreign languages, especially the English language, with their children.

“More often, nowadays, you find many parents communicating with their children and relations in the English language, rather than the Igbo language,’’ he said.

Ekwueme regretted that the development was capable of endangering the Igbo language, if not promptly checked.

The monarch, who was a former Minister of Education, commended the Chancellor of

the University, Dr. Greg Ibe, for initiating the carnival.

“Anything that is done to encourage the sustenance of the Igbo language and culture would be encouraged,” he said.

Ekwueme noted that the event would add value to similar efforts designed to re-establish and reinforce the Igbo culture.

He urged governors in the zone to rally support toward the sustenance of the culture and the language of Ndigbo by identifying with the carnival.

Prof.

Barth Chukwuezi, a director in the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, expressed delight that the Igbo cultural heritage and artefacts could be found in abundance in Uturu.

Chukwuezi, who is the Head, Educational Services and Training, said that the commission often encouraged the people to communicate in their native languages during its outreach

programmes.

He noted that the Igbo language ranked among the few native languages in the country facing serious threats of possible extinction and called for urgent steps to stem the tide.

“Once a people’s language and culture go extinct, then the people literally cease to exist,” Chukwuezi said.

He advised parents to encourage the use of the Igbo language in their homes, as a major means of communication with their

offspring, to save the language from dying.

The initiator and sponsor of the carnival said that the objective of the yearly event was to provide a platform for the transmission of Igbo culture from one generation to another, among others.

He said that the theme of this year’s carnival: ‘’Ibu anyi danda’’ (meaning ‘’resilience and the indomitable spirit”) of Ndigbo, underscored the numerous challenges and struggles faced by the Igbo man. (NAN)

ASUU strike: Ebonyi varsity promises normal academic calendar

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he Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, says it will not embark on a rush of academic activities inspite of the interruption caused by the strike of university lecturers in the country.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Francis Idike, said this on Saturday in Ikwo when he led the institution’s management on a visit to Gov. Martin Elechi.

According to him, in spite of the interruption of the 2012/ 2013 academic schedule by the strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), the university will run a normal academic calendar.

“Rushing academic activities would only worsen the situation but we would offer quality

tutorials to cushion the effect of the strike,’’ he said.

The Vice Chancellor noted that the institution would conclude the 2012/13 second semester in March 2014 and would start the 2013/2014 academic session immediately.

“We hope to conclude the new session by November 2014 if no further disruptions are recorded during the session.

“Everybody must cooperate to achieve this goal as the only thing it would cost the students is to forgo their normal holidays,’’ he said.

In his response, Elechi congratulated the university authority over various development projects and urged the management to ensure that the lost period caused by the strike was covered.

Kaduna to establish 4 new science secondary schools

T Members of the Rotary Club Gwarinpa, with the children of the Divine Wounds of Jesus Christ Orphanage, Kubwa, during the club’s visit and donation items to the orphanage as part of the Christmas celebration, at the weekend in Abuja.

Maida makes case for education development

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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hairman Peoples Media Limited, Malam Wada Maida, has disclosed that it is only through sound and qualitative education that a society could move forward and secure the future of its younger generation.

Maida the disclosed Saturday in Katsina at a ceremony organised by ‘Yar’adua Education Foundation, YEF to honour some 69 selected heroes of the state with over 50, 000 copies of exercise books bearing their pictures.

Maida who was also the patron of the foundation, observed that apart from exposing the younger ones to their heroes, the effort

according to him, would assist in reducing poverty and illiteracy in the society.

Earlier, speaking at the ceremony, the Director-General of the foundation, Muhammad Kabir Ahmad, said the initiative was aimed at assisting children in the state schools with writing materials and opportunity to know their heroes past and present.

Ahmad said the foundation was collaborating with government and nongovernmental organisations to organize workshops, especially for fathers to expose them to modern farming techniques.

He said the foundation organized computer literacy classes for secondary school

teachers while scholarship has been given to 10 students studying in various tertiary institutions from within and outside the state.

Also his remark, a former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, Engr.

Muttaqa Rabe Darma, said the initiative would assist in the education development of the state.

Some of those honoured with the exercise book distribution scheme of the foundation include former head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari, Late President Umaru Musa ‘Yar’adua, Katsina state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema, former first lady Hajiya Turai Umar ‘Yar’adua among others.

he Kaduna State Government at the weekend said it would establish four new Science Secondary Schools in 2014 to enhance the study of science-related courses.

The State Governor, Alhaji Muktar Yero, disclosed this at the 21st Annual General Meeting of the Zaria Education Development Association (ZEDA) in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Yero, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Kaduna Government House, Alhaji Yahaya Aminu, said the schools would be located in different parts of the state.

He said that the Teachers’ Service Board in the state had recently recruited 1,800 science teachers to improve the quality of teaching and learning in secondary schools.

The governor said that about N1 billion was set aside from the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) fund for foreign sponsorship of eligible students to pursue their educational carriers across the world.

According to him, the State Executive Council has recently approved contracts worth N3.7 billion for the construction and renovation of educational facilities in the state.

“The money will cover construction of examination halls,

laboratories, construction and renovation of classrooms; painting and supply of furniture; and science laboratory equipment,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Gov. Idris Wada of Kogi, lauded the efforts of the association for embarking on educational programmes that had given the less-privileged persons the opportunity to acquire Western education.

Wada, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bedi Idris, described education as a leading light and a tool for self-actualisation.

“I must stand bold to say that your efforts is laudable, commendable and worthy of emulation by all emirates and chiefdoms across Nigeria,’’ he said.

The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, said that it was a collective responsibility to ensure that children receive the best education.

He said that such education would make them responsive to the rapidly increasing challenges of the modern society.

The Emir, who was represented

by Sardaunan Zazzau, Dr. Muhammadu Jumare, called on both state and local governments to continue to partner with the association to promote education and peaceful co-existence among the people of the state.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

PAGE 29

Healthy Living

Expert calls for establishment of stroke units in Nigeria

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he Director, Stroke Action Nigeria, and a neurologist, Dr. Biodun Ogungbo has on Friday in Lagos urged governments and well meaning Nigerians to establish stroke care centres across the country to reduce the burden of stroke.

The expert told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in an interviews that stroke was an economic, medical and social problem that required urgent attention.

Dr. Ogungbo, said that stroke

was an acute neurological deficit caused by interruption of blood supply to the brain.

Ogungbo told NAN that the deficit could lead to Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), also known as mild stroke, before a major stroke.

He said that TIA could also be an indication of impending death, adding that, blurred vision, speech impairment, difficulty in walking and weakness of a hand or a leg were possible pointers to major stroke.

Ogungbo said that cases of stroke were in the increase worldwide, saying that stroke was the second leading cause of death among adults aged 65 and above in most industrialised countries.

According to him, stroke is preventable and treatable, but its management in Nigeria is subsubstandard due to lack of care units.

“Currently, there are limited resources, shortage of manpower, lack of organised stroke units,

poor neuro-imaging facilities and lack of ambulance services”, he said.

He added that, “There is poor education of the populace and general practitioners on stroke.

Neuro-imaging centres are very few, and access is limited by cost and distance.

“We need to do something about these”.

Ogungbo said that there was the need for Nigerian leaders to do more to address stroke and related problems. (NAN)

Health workers mass sack: FG asks Zamfara to reverse decision From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

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inister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, has described the decision to terminate the appointment of health workers

by Zamfara State government as shocking and called on the governor to reverse the decision for the interest of the generality of the people of the state.

The minister who made the disclosure through the Coordinator, National Centre for Disease Control, Professor Abdulsalam Nasidi, during assessment visit to state own deserted hospitals in Gusau, saying, even federal government cannot allow total closure of health sector simply for lingering issues that are resolvable.

Professor Nasidi, who went round some of the state hospitals alongside some members of the delegation to witness things for themselves, added that, “It is unfortunate to cause the teeming populace across the state to suffer the total absence of health services because of just one pressing matter, this should be revisited and rethink”.

On the termination of the appointment of the aggrieved state health workers, he maintained that “The decision is the greatest mistake of Zamfara State government, because even if fresh workers are recruited to fill in the vacuum, what about the resolvable problems with the experienced, such decision cannot hold”.

While urging the two parties to come to the table for the interest of the people of the state, he called on the government to reverse the decision and past track action to ensure that public hospitals in the state are reopenend.

He assured people of the state, that federal government will do everything possible to make sure the lingering issues between the state government and health workers are resolve within the shortest possible time.

Women receiving lectures recently at a VVF centre in Yola

FG to distribute N41m treated nets in 2014, says Minister

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he Federal Government on Monday said it would distribute 41 million insecticides-treated nets in 16 states in 2014.

Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, said this in Bodinga, headquarters of Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The minister was represented by the Director, Public Health in the ministry, Dry Abdu Bala, during the launching of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), campaign.

He said the launching signified the series of activities that had resulted in the distribution of more than 2.5 million nets to all communities in the 23 local councils of Sokoto State.

Chukwu said 57.7 million nets had been distributed in the

last four years across Nigeria, representing 82 per cent of the national overall coverage target, adding that the coverage represented a huge success in the collective efforts to scale up the intervention.

Governor Aliyu Wamakko said his administration had constructed primary health care centres in each of the 244 wards and new general hospitals in all the councils.

He listed others to include an Orthopaedic hospital in Wamakko, headquarter of Wamakko Local Government and Murtala General Hospital in Sokoto.

“All these efforts are part of our commitment to provide effective healthcare to the people of the state. We are also fully committed to the malaria burden,

which has become a major health challenge in Nigeria,” Wamakko said.

The governor called on the people to ensure proper personal and environmental hygiene, as an antidote to malaria and its menace.

The Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, lamented that malaria constituted more than 67 per cent of the yearly hospital admissions nationwide.

“It also constitutes 25 per cent of infant mortality, 30 per cent childhood mortality and associated with 11 maternal deaths,” Aliyu added.

He acknowledged that the trend was a major concern to the people and government of the state and appealed for all hands to be on deck to fight the menace.

NAN

Foster mothers must screen for HIV, hepatitis – Gynaecologist

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Gynaecologist with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Dr. Nathaniel Adewole has advised that foster mothers who intend to breast feed should screen for HIV and hepatitis.

Adewole told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, on Thursday, that women who had never been pregnant could

breastfeed, adding that it had no effect on the baby.

According to him, if a breast nipple is sucked vigorously, it will stimulate some hormones, which stimulate the production of milk no matter if there is pregnancy or not”.

An online free dictionary, defined foster mother as a woman who looks after or brings up a child or children as a mother, in

place of the natural mother.

“A woman that has never been pregnant that is not currently pregnant can breastfeed because it is what we call wet nursing.

“The principle of breast milk is simple, it’s what we call sucking reflex, when the nipple is sucked vigorously, it stimulates some hormones which stimulate the production of milk whether there is pregnancy or not. (NAN)

Gombe votes N2.6bn for healthcare delivery

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he Gombe state government, on Friday, said it would spend N2.6 billion on quality healthcare delivery in 2014.

Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo stated this while presenting the 2014 budget proposal of N107.4 billion to the State House of Assembly in Gombe.

Dankwambo said the state government would continue to reposition the health sector through the provision of the needed infrastructure and services.

“This is in pursuance of our belief that a healthy population is the best asset that any nation can have, because of its direct link to socio-economic and technological development,” he said.

The governor however said the quality of services rendered in the 484 public health facilities in the state had improved.

He listed ongoing projects to include the construction of a Women and Children Hospital at Gombe, and the renovation of the School of Health Technology at Kaltungo.

“Others are the construction of a new College of Nursing and Midwifery at Dukku and the expansion of the Snake Bite Hospital at Kaltungo,’’ Dankwambo said.

He listed other efforts in the provision of quality services to include the sustenance of the drug revolving scheme, and supply and installation of equipment in the state hospitals.

“There is also the construction of a kidney dialysis centre at the Specialist Hospital in Gombe, and the supply of high density mattresses to some hospitals across the state,’’ the governor said.

Dankwambo further said the government’s in-service health training scheme had helped in bridging the manpower gap through the sponsorship of medical and health professionals.

“So far a total of 355 students, studying Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, Density Radiography and Physiotherapy Care are on the state government’s pay roll.

“Also, we are among the states which implemented 100 per cent the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers in the state,’’ he said.

The governor said numerous intervention efforts in the state had also resulted in recording 80 per cent routine immunisation coverage in 2013.

“This was achieved because 384 out of the state’s 484 health facilities, which is 81 per cent, are providing immunisation services.

“The state has also taken a bold step in establishing the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, in order to attain the MDGs Goals 2 and 3 by 2015,’’ he said. (NAN)

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Healthy Living

Beware! Cooking maggi noodles in wrong way is very dangerous for health

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any of us can’t live without “Maggi” especially when one is away from home, in a foreign land. Here is a piece of information to share so that we can remove the potential health hazard of consuming Maggi.

Maybe you should print this e-mail to keep as a reminder, pin it up in the kitchen or dining room as reminder or in your purse if you are always traveling.

Do not ignore this ... Especially those fond of Maggi...

Correct Way of Cooking Noodles The correct way to cook instant noodles without harming our bodies and health: Normally, how we cook the instant noodles is to put the noodles into a pot with water,

throw in the powder and let it cook for around 3 minutes and then it’s ready to eat. This is the WRONG way and dangerous method of cooking the instant noodles like Maggi. By doing this, when we actually boil the ingredients in the powder, normally with MSG, it will change the molecular structure of the MSG, causing it to be toxic. The other thing that you may or may not realize is that, the noodles are coated with wax and it will take around 4 to 5 days for the body to excrete the wax after you have eaten the noodles.

Correct method: 1. Boil the noodles in a pot of water.

2. Once the noodles are cooked, take out the noodles, and throw away the water which

contains wax.

3. Boil another pot of water, add the cooked noodles into the hot boiling water and then turn off the stove.

4. Only at this stage when the stove is off, and while the water is very hot, add the flavouring powder into the water, to make noodle soup.

5. However, if you need dry noodles, remove the noodles and add the flavoring powder and toss it to get dry noodles.

Note that packaged noodles are not healthy when consumed regularly in large amounts.

Instead, cooking plain noodles and eating them with a well balanced sauce is the best way to provide carbohydrates and other important nutrients to our body.

Heart attack warning signs

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ow can your jaw and other parts of your body tell you if you have just experienced a heart attack? *Note: symptoms of a heart attack generally appear/occur on the left side of your body.

If you experience a dull, vague

pain on the lower left side of your jaw which increases and decreases over the course of a few minutes, and moves around, this is known as “referred pain”.

This pain is associated with a heart attack.

This sensation occurs when the nerves surrounding the heart become agitated, sending pain through the nerves in the spine to other locations in the body, specifically the left jaw, shoulder and arm.

If your jaw pain happens in the morning, this serves as a warning sign that you’re at risk for a heart attack. Your blood is thicker at this time of the day, which causes blood pressure to surge, increasing heart attack risk.

Pain brought on by physical activity can manifest in several areas including the chest, jaw, left arm and shoulder, a scenario that typically indicates you’re having a heart attack.

Shortness of breath, a common heart attack symptom in women, may also occur. You may also get additional classic heart attack signs such as dizziness or nausea. In this case, see a doctor immediately.

Natural home remedies for diabetes

Do you know disposable paper cups causes upset stomach?

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arun, an IT professional working in Techno Park, was finding himself with an upset stomach every night.

While normal medical checks revealed nothing wrong in him, deeper probes revealed the reason – his stomach was collecting significant amounts of wax. And doctors identified the villain – the ordinary disposable paper cups he used for drinking his tea at his office pantry.

Disposable paper cups have become quite popular in office pantries due to the convenience it offers. What many overlook is the fact that these paper cups are coated with a tiny layer of wax, which is essential to prevent water from seeping into the paper.

When very hot liquids are pour over this cup, the paper cups wax may disintegrate and a little may come off, which will promptly be sent along with the drink into our stomachs! While our body can discard minor amounts, over the long-term, it

A

woman (65) was diabetic for the last 20+ years and was taking insulin twice a

does become a problem.

So what can be done about it? You can try to bring your own glass cups. Glass is one of the least reactive materials in the world (remember acids are stored in glass vessels, blood samples are collected in glass plates – these are for a good

reason). But glass does have the problem of breaking easily, so it requires good care. Ceramic cups are probably the best bet.

Of course, you can also use your ordinary stainless steel glass, but never use plastic ones – they are harmful, and its dangers are even worse than wax !

day.

She used the enclosed homemade medicine for a fortnight and now she is absolutely free of diabetes and taking all her food as normal including sweets.

The doctors have advised her to stop insulin and any other blood sugar controlling drugs.

Dr. Tony Almeida, Bombay Kidney Specialty expert made the extensive experiments with perseverance and patience and discovered a successful treatment for diabetes. Nowadays, a lot of people, old men and women in particular suffer a lot due to Diabetes.

Ingredients: 1 – Wheat 100 gm 2 – Gum(of tree) (gondh) 100

gm

3 – Barley 100 gm 4 – Black Seeds (kalunji) 100

gm Method of Preparation : Put all the above ingredients in 5 cups of water.

Boil it for 10 minutes and put off the fire.

Allow it to cool down by itself.

When it has become cold, filter out the seeds and preserve water in a glass jug or bottle.

How to use it?

Take one small cup of this water every day early morning when your stomach is empty.

Continue this for 7 days.

Next week, repeat the same but on alternate days. With these 2 weeks of treatment you will wonder to see that you have become normal and can eat normal food without problem.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

I

ANALYSIS

n what looks like a perfect political storm, the vessel called Turkey is now in uncharted waters, increasingly adrift. During the last ten days that shook the country - following a police operation linked to a massive graft probe which involved four government ministers, an Iranian businessman and the CEO of a public bank, Halkbank, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government and the judiciary are now at what can be described as a full-scale war.

The developing story has two layers. At the top, there are allegations of bribery, moneylaundering, racketeering, and organised crime of immense proportions. If the accusations have ground, the suspects - two of the detained are the sons of government ministers - have received bribes that surpass $120m.

In a so-called “second wave” graft probe, which was blocked by a stunning row between the government and the judiciary, one of the suspects is Bilal, son of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

As the corruption inquiries seem to engulf Erdogan’s family, the confrontation between the executive and the judiciary has - perhaps expectedly - turned into an existential battle for the separation of powers, threatening the stability of Turkey.

In the second layer, there is open warfare between two men, who, in their own way, have defined the course of the country, and its national brand of Islam - Erdogan representing its vertically political and Gulen its horizontally social side.

Erdogan, who had accused an array of enemies - the interest rate lobby, Israel, international media, and business circles in Istanbul - as the real culprits behind the early summer’s Gezi Park protests and general urban unrest, has now added Fethullah Gulen and his followers as the top player to oust him from power, claiming that “the gang” associated with Gulen’s Hizmet Movement, has operated within the state, plotting against his rule.

Gulen is a 72-year old reclusive cleric, writer and preacher, who lives in selfimposed exile in Pennsylvania, US, after being persecuted by the Turkish military’s top brass in the 1990s. The old, ultra-secular establishment regarded him as a dangerously subversive leader; however, he is loved by millions of followers in and outside of Turkey for his staunch advocacy of a moderate, tolerant, modern brand of Islam, and peace and interfaith dialogue.

Gulen preaches that education is vital in promoting a new version of Islam, and endorses a global movement to

PAGE 31

International

Erdogan v Gulen: Zero sum game?

Anti- government demonstrators hold posters of Erdogan

operate schools - now active in more than 140 countries.

His followers in various business sectors - often small and mid-scale - have become key players, spreading around the world - comparable to Calvinists - to be part of the trade globalisation.

In Turkey, Gulen encouraged massive social engagement, on a voluntary basis, for the support of democratisation and diversity.

His pious civilian movement called “Hizmet”(Service), is present in media, academia, education, and the bureaucracy - security and judiciary.

But it is the latter which has been at the focus of controversy - now at full display after the graft probe. Erdogan, who since Gezi Park tends to see enemies in every corner, openly targets those whom he believes are Gulenists among the police, prosecutors and judges.

He seems so convinced that he reportedly threatened Hizmet, by saying, in private conversations, that it may be charged as a “terrorist organisation”. Among his public accusations: There is a “parallel state” and those in the

police and media are involved in “spying”.

This is Erdogan’s well-known pattern that after such a long time in power, and unchallenged by opposition, he - reminiscent of Margaret Thatcher or Helmut Kohl - targets all the dissenters, and creates imaginary enemies to antagonise them in order to boost his popularity.

Yet, although it partly and correctly explains it, there are deeper reasons behind the fallout between Erdogan and Gulen.

After all, these two popular figures were allies in dismantling much of Turkey’s ultra-secular state structure, which ruled for eight decades with the military the master sponsor.

Erdogan had the backing of the Hizmet Movement in consecutive elections, in the trials of attempted coup leaders, and in a referendum that led to a patchy, but crucial constitutional reform, which radically changed the structure of the judiciary.

But, for insiders, the fact of the matter is, the friction started to develop between the two men in 2010. And it has always had to do with two clashing

“

views within the sphere of Islam stemming from the old traditions of Turkey.

The first element had to with Erdogan’s deviation away from Turkey’s European Union membership aspiration.

When Gulen, who has been vocal in supporting a civilian constitution, saw delays in the process, his patience grew thin.

When the Gaza Flotilla episode in May 2010, ended with a tragedy, it was Gulen who, in a surprise move, criticised the violence. His blunt criticism, it was re porte d, was ne ve r “forgiven” by Erdogan.

First, a deep division emerged on Erdogan’s choice to conduct the so-called “Kurdish Peace Process”. Erdogan’s methodology was to negotiate directly with the PKK, both with its leader Abdullah Ocalan, and its “military command” in Iraq’s Qandil Mountains.

But, Gulenists, who see the PKK as the main adversary in the mainly Kurdish regions - as the PKK considers them - were discreetly dismayed.

They argued reasonably, that Erdogan could and should focus

Reducing all that to ideology is a lazy cop-out, a blind insistence on the crass “us against themFirst, a deep division emerged on Erdogan’s choice to conduct the so-called “Kurdish Peace Process”. ” false binary of the war on terror.

on broader political reform, push for a civilian constitution and grant all the rights the Kurds of Turkey demand, such as recognition of ethnic identity, education in their mother tongue, and endorsement of local governments - without talking to the PKK. This approach, Hizmet’s supporters argued, would weaken the PKK, because it would “disarm” the armed movement from all the reasons it continued to wage guerrilla warfare. The AKP and the Gulen Movement have never recovered from this difference of opinion.

Finally, a series of developments brought the rift to new heights. Gulen never had sympathy for Hakan Fidan, the head of Turkey’s Intelligence Service (MIT), whom he suspected secretly profiled his followers.

When Fidan was summoned for interrogation in the probe of the PKK-related Kurdish Communities Union (KCK) network in February 2012, and when some bugs were later found in Erdogan’s offices, the mistrust became visible. Hizmet started to see itself as the next target for Erdogan’s action for submission.

The last straw came months ago, when Erdogan declared that he would terminate all the private prep schools in the country, more than half of which were owned by Hizmet affiliates.

And when he insisted on passing a law for their closure, all the remaining bridges were burned.

The estrangement is now irreversible. The two lines are now on separate paths, and a historic bond, which previously broke down much of Turkey’s rigid system, is broken.

Is it a zero sum game? It’s hard to tell. Yet, it would be simplistic to claim that it is a power struggle between the two lines. Gulenists are not in power, in the police or the judiciary: Both contain a wide blend of people. Thus, Erdogan will have a hard time to do a convincing “cleansing”, considering that he is already facing accusations of a Mc Carthyesque witch-hunt. He will end up as a leader whose hunger for control knows no limits.

Will the fallout effect the local elections scheduled for March 30, 2014? Two pollsters, who wish to remain anonymous, told Al Jazeera that unless dramatic changes occur in the economy, and unless Erdogan continues with his erratic behaviour, the AKP may end up winning, with a possible loss of 4 to 7 points. But, the 2014 elections in Istanbul demand attention: This is where anything can happen. Both AKP and CHP have strong candidates and if the AKP loses there, it may signal very bad news for Erdogan indeed.

Source: Al Jazeera

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

International

Pressure mounts for South Sudan ceasefire

Peace brokers from East Africa and the Horn of Africa have set a December 31 deadline for President Salva Kiir and de facto rebel leader Riek Machar, the country’s former vice-president, to begin face-to-face talks.

“We, government, are ready to meet even before that,” South Sudan’s vice-president, James WaniIgga, told reporters. “It’s now up to Machar to accept the ceasefire.”

Meanwhile, the estimated 25,000 youths from the Lou Nuer sub-clan - the same tribe Machar is from were marching on Bor, armed with light weapons and heavy machine guns, Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth said.

The White Army gets its name from the white ash fighters put on their skin as protection from insects. “[Machar] has decided to mobilise

the youth in the name of his tribe,” Lueth said, noting the estimate of 25,000 came from intelligence inside the group itself. “We are monitoring.”

A spokesman for the rebels, however, denied Machar was mobilising his tribe, saying the young people were regular soldiers turning their back on the government.

Seeking an end to the nearly twoweek crisis in which an estimated 1,000 people have been killed, leaders from across East Africa announced on Friday that South Sudan had agreed to a “cessation of hostilities” against forces loyal to Machar, who stands accused by the government of leading a coup attempt on December 15.

But Machar, who denies the coup allegations, told the BBC that any ceasefire must be negotiated by delegations from both sides, prompting condemnation from the government.

“Dr Riek Machar has put obstacles to this genuine call by issuing preconditions that a ceasefire cannot be reached unless a negotiation is conducted,” Igga said. “This is complete intransigence and obstinacy because the main issue now is to stop violence.”

Meanwhile, state-run Ahram website quoted a military source as saying that an explosive device planted in the backyard of the military compound in Belbeis district caused the blast.

No death was reported so far, but the TV said two of the injured are in serious conditions.

“Sunday’s blast had partially destroyed the back wall of the building,” army spokesman Ahmed Ali said, adding “the blast is the

continuation of a series of coward terrorist operations committed by the black terrorism and the strife group against the Egyptian people, the military institution and the state’s vital objectives. “ This is the second explosion in a few days hitting a security headquarters in Nile Delta cities. At least 16 people were killed and more than 100 injured in Daqahliya’s Mansoura city on Tuesday.

Following Tuesday’s attack, the

government declared the Muslim Brotherhood, from which ousted president Mohamed Morsi hails, as a terrorist organization, despite the Brotherhood’s condemnation against the accident. Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, a Sinai-based jihadist group, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The army-installed government’s decision stirred violent protests on Friday that killed five people. Xinhua

Protesters gather at Libyan ministries demanding PM quit

P

rotesters gathered outside ministries and major institutions across Libya’s capital yesterday, state news agency Lana reported, and those at the foreign ministry said they wanted Prime Minister Ali Zeidan to quit.

Zeidan’s government is struggling to assert control over the North African country, which is in turmoil and has been awash with arms since the 2011 uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi.

A witness said that dozens of unarmed protesters, who placed a cement block in front of the foreign ministry’s gate in central Tripoli and attached banners accusing Zeidan and his government of failure, were preventing staff from entering.

“They don’t let us in the building,” said a senior ministry official, standing outside.

Lana also reported protests at the entrances of Zeidan’s office, the oil, finance, transport and justice ministries as well as the central bank and supreme court.

The protests comes days after an armed militia blocked the entrance to the central bank for some hours to demand that Zeidan quit.

Many Libyans are unhappy that the government seems unable to provide better public services or end frequent power cuts.

The government blames political opponents in parliament for blocking budget payments needed to upgrade infrastructure.

Western powers worry that Libya will slide further into instability as Zeidan’s government struggles to rein in militias and tribesmen who helped topple Gaddafi but kept their guns.

The country’s oil production has fallen to 250,000 barrels a day from 1.4 million bpd in July due to seizures of ports and oilfields by tribes, militias and minorities pressing for financial and political concessions.

Zeidan

The Kenya and Ethiopia delegations during a crisis meeting in Juba

I

nternational pressure is bearing down on the two sides in South Sudan’s bloody conflict to launch peace talks, in an effort to keep the young nation from sliding into civil war.

The push comes as 25,000 young men comprising a tribal armed group known as the White Army were reportedly marching on Saturday towards a contested state capital, dimming hopes for a ceasefire.

Blast near intelligence hq in Egypt injures 4

A

t least four soldiers were wounded in a huge car bomb explosion near the military intelligence headquarters in Egypt’s Sharqiya governorate, state TV reported yesterday.

The front walls of the building have been smashed, the report said, adding that the injured have been taken to the nearest hospital, and an explosion team has arrived at the scene to defuse possible other bombs.

CAR conflict: Thousands of Chadians evacuated

T

he royal family to which Nelson Mandela belonged has called on his family not to intimidate or undermine his widow Graca Machel.

It follows unconfirmed reports that some members of the Mandela family want Mrs Machel to leave the home she had shared with him in Johannesburg.

Mrs Machel should not be subjected to abusive language or threats, the AbaThembu royal family spokesman said.

Mr Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, died on 5 December.

He was buried on 15 December at his village, Qunu, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province.

Mr Mandela was revered across the world for his role in fighting white minority rule, and promoting reconciliation after becoming president in 1994.

He spent 27 years in prison,

before being released in 1990.

While Mr Mandela was seriously ill earlier this year, some of his children and grandchildren became embroiled in disputes for control of his legacy and estate.

On Sunday, South Africa’s City Press newspaper reported that Mrs Machel, 68, had endured rejection and abuse from her husband’s family for the past six months.

It said it had learned from six sources inside and outside the Mandela household that Mrs Machel had been told to leave the house in Johannesburg’s upmarket Houghton suburb as soon as Mr Mandela died.

In a statement on Tuesday, Aba Thembu royal family spokesman Daludumo Mtirara said that Mrs Machel was currently in mourning and should be shown respect.

Mr Mandela’s death did not

Chadians have been fleeing Bangui by air and land

“terminate his commitment” to her, he added.

“Nkosikazi Nosizwe Graca Machel remains the umbrella of the Mandela family and members of the family who do not respect her must

refrain from that trend because it is a disgrace that undermines our custom,” Mr Mtirara said.

“We do not doubt her contribution in the later years of the world icon,” he added.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

PAGE 33

International

Lebanon rocket fire draws Saudi royal faces death Israeli artillery strike penalty for murder: R newspaper Asia & Middle East

ockets launched from south Lebanon struck northern Israel yesterday and Israel responded with artillery shells across a border that has been largely quiet since a war in 2006.

The cross-border fire, which caused no injuries on either side, coincided with heightened political tension in Beirut following the assassination on Friday of a former Lebanese government minister.

It was not immediately clear who fired the rockets.

Israeli authorities said five rockets were launched from Lebanon but only one or two struck inside Israel, near the border town of Kiryat Shmona.

A U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon, urging restraint, said it was working with the Lebanese Army to obtain further details of the attack.

South Lebanon is a stronghold of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, a Shi’ite Muslim group that battled Israel seven years ago and is engaged in Syria’s civil war in

S

A Lebanese army personnel inspects the remains of a shell that was launched from Lebanon to Israel

support of President Bashar alAssad. But Palestinian factions are also in the area.

The strike, to which Israel said it responded with a barrage of shelling, came two days after

a bomb blast in Beirut killed Mohamad Chatah, a former minister and leading adviser to Sunni Muslim former prime minister Saad al-Hariri.

Hariri has suggested Hezbollah

was behind the assassination, drawing parallels with the 2005 explosion which killed his father Rafik al-Hariri. Hezbollah condemned Chatah’s killing as a “horrible crime”.

have gathered to demand longserving Prime Minister Hun Sen step down and call an election.

The garment workers have in

recent days joined the opposition protests to press their demand that the government raise the minimum wage to $160 a month from $95, as recommended earlier this week.

“Hun Sen and his illegal government can hear us, they can’t ignore us, the people show their will for change,” Sam Rainsy, leader of the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, told the rally in a Phnom Penh park yesterday.

“We demand that Hun Sen steps down and a new election,” the former finance minister told the crowd, some of whom have been camping out in the park since December 15.

Hun Sen’s long-dominant

Cambodian People’s Party won a July election but with a reduced majority. It has rejected opposition complaints of vote-rigging.

Hun Sen, who has been in power for 28 years, has ignored opposition demands for an investigation into the election and says that he will not resign or call a new election.

Under Hun Sen, Cambodia has been transformed from a backwater scarred by the “Killing Fields” rule of the Khmer Rouge, into one of Southeast Asia’s fastest growing economies, helped by a burgeoning garment industry and growing political and investment ties with China.

Thousands of Cambodians call on PM to quit

T

ens of thousands of Cambodian opposition supporters, backed by striking garment-factory workers,

Cambodia antigovernment protesters

Protester killed during clashes in Bangladesh

B

angladesh police fired water cannon and shotguns at opposition protesters in the capital, killing one person, at the start of a banned mass march aimed at thwarting next month’s general election.

Hundreds of demonstrators, some throwing home-made bombs, battled police yesterday as they tried to gather at the opposition’s headquarters and other places throughout Dhaka for the so-called “March for Democracy”.

The opposition says an election scheduled for January 5 must be held under a neutral caretaker government, as in the past, to prevent ballot-rigging.

BNP leader Khaleda Zia, a

two-time former prime minister and Hasina’s arch-rival, has urged supporters to defy the ban on Sunday’s march and converge on the capital.

In Rampura neighbourhood, more than 200 demonstrators threw small bombs at police who responded with shotgun blasts during clashes there that left one person dead, a senior officer said.

Police have banned the socalled “March for Democracy” amid fears that the rally would become a focal point for more unrest after what has already been the deadliest year of political violence in the country’s history.

Police have detained more

than 750 opposition supporters as a “preventive measure”, while authorities have suspended Dhaka-

bound bus, ferry and train services, virtually cutting off the city from the rest of the country.

Lawyers loyal to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-E-Islami shout slogans as policemen use water cannons

audi prince who murdered a fellow Saudi may be executed, a newspaper reported yesterday, in a rare example of a member of the kingdom’s ruling family facing the death penalty.

The English-language Arab News did not name the prince or his victim, but said a senior member of the family and government, Crown Prince Salman, had “cleared the way for the possible execution of a prince convicted of murdering a Saudi citizen”.

In a message about the case to Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, Prince Salman said: “Sharia (Islamic law) shall be applied to all without exception”, the daily reported.

Prince Salman’s message followed a statement from the victim’s father that he was not ready to pardon the killer and he was not happy with the amount offered as blood money.

The families of murder victims are encouraged by authorities to accept blood money instead of insisting on execution.

The paper quoted Crown Prince Salman’s message as saying: “There is no difference between big and small, rich and poor ... Nobody is allowed to interfere with the judiciary’s decision. This is the tradition of this state. We are committed to following the sharia.”

Reuters was unable to reach an Interior Ministry spokesman for comment.

The Arab News is part of a media group chaired by a son of Crown Prince Salman, who is also deputy prime minister and minister of defense.

The kingdom, which follows a strict version of sharia has been criticized in the West for its high number of executions, inconsistencies in the application of the law, and its use of public beheading to carry out death sentences.

Members of the ruling family are only rarely known to be executed. One of the most prominent cases was Faisal bin Musaid al Saud, who assassinated his uncle, King Faisal, in 1975.

The family is estimated to number several thousand.

While members receive monthly stipends, and the most senior princes command great wealth and political power, only a few in the family hold nationally important government posts.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

PAGE 34

International Europe and Female suicide bomber kills Americas Cuba eases restrictions on at least 13 at Russian station loans to small businesses

T

he Cuban government has eased restrictions on loans to private borrowers in the latest measure aimed at boosting the island’s troubled economy.

Individuals and small businesses can now borrow smaller amounts and have more time to pay back the government.

President Raul Castro had launched the programme two years ago as part of measures to reform Cuban socialism.

The minimum lending has been reduced from 3,000 to 1,000 pesos (£41; $67).

The measure was published in the official gazette.

People will also be allowed to use their houses or jewellery to guarantee their loans.

The maximum period of the loans has been extended from five to 10 years.

Earlier this month, the Cuban government lifted restrictions on private individuals buying new and second-hand cars.

Any Cuban citizen or foreigner with enough money will now be allowed to import the vehicles through an official agency.

Previously, official permits were required and they were often issued to government officials, doctors and other people with access to the authorities, such as sports stars.

The main aim of the reforms introduced in the last few years is to keep the economy afloat, says the BBC’s Sarah Rainsford in Cuba.

Our correspondent says the latest announcement appears aimed at promoting the culture of credit, which remains a novel concept on the island.

Although Cubans have been able to request bank credits since 2011, barely 500 are reported to have borrowed money.

The government wants to boost that figure as part of its efforts to encourage 1.5 million people to switch from the state payroll to the new private sector.

Some 440,000 people, or about 9% of the Cuban workforce, are now self-employed.

But analysts point out that the new businesses face a big problem they all chase a very limited number of Cubans with cash to spend.

Castro

A

female suicide bomber blew herself up in the entrance hall of a Russian train station yesterday, killing at least 13 people in the second deadly attack in the space of three days as the country prepares to host the Winter Olympics.

The state Investigative Committee said the bomber detonated her explosives in front of a metal detector just inside the main entrance of Volgograd station. Footage shown on TV showed a massive orange fireball filling the hall and smoke billowing out through shattered windows.

“People were lying on the ground, screaming and asking for help,” a witness, Alexander Koblyakov, told Rossiya-24 TV. A spokesman for Russian investigators said at least 13 people died, although the regional governor put the toll at 15.

President Vladimir Putin ordered law enforcement agencies to take all necessary measures to ensure security, RIA news agency quoted his spokesman as saying. A federal police spokesman, Vladimir Kolesnikov, said security would be stepped up at train stations and airports.

Russian Heath Ministry spokesman Oleg Salagai said 42 people were wounded and that some would be flown to Moscow for treatment.

Volgograd is a city of around 1 million people, about 430 miles northeast of Sochi, where the Winter

Olympics - a major prestige project for Putin - will open on February 7.

Formerly known as Stalingrad, it lies close to Russia’s North Caucasus, a strip of mostly Muslim provinces plagued by near-daily violence in a long-running Islamist insurgency.

Insurgent leader Doku Umarov, a Chechen warlord, urged militants in a video posted online in July to use “maximum force” to prevent Putin

staging the Olympics.

An attack by a female suicide bomber killed seven people in Volgograd on October 21. On Friday, a car bomb killed three people in the southern Russian city of Pyatigorsk, 270 km (170 miles) east of Sochi.

The station was busier than usual, with people travelling home for the New Year holidays. TV footage

showed emergency services carrying out victims, with at least one body lying motionless on the ground.

Another witness, Vladimir, said: “I saw melted, twisted bits of metal, broken glass and bodies lying on the street.”

Yesterday’s attack was the deadliest to strike Russia’s heartland since January 2011, when Islamist insurgents killed 37 people at a Moscow airport.

Investigators work at the site of an explosion at the entrance to a train station in Volgograd

Turkey PM vows to fight on amid corruption row

T

urkishPMRecepTayyipErdogan says he will not step down amid corruption allegations that have forced the resignations of three ministers.

The ministers’ sons were among dozens of people detained as part of a wide-ranging corruption probe.

Turkey’s army has said it does not want to get involved in political

Erdogan

arguments, in response to rumours of a coup plot.

On Friday police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to break up protests in Istanbul’s Taksim Square.

Protests were also held in the capital Ankara and the third-largest city Izmir.

Protesters had chanted “catch the thief” and called for MrErdogan’s resignation.

Police are investigating allegations of illicit money transfers to Iran and bribery for construction projects.

The scandal has caused Turkey’s lira to fall to a new low against the dollar.

At a rally outside at Istanbul’s main airport, MrErdogan pledged to fight on in what is seen as the biggest challenge to his government in his 11 years in office.

He called the investigation into corruption a “smear campaign” and

urged thousands of supporters to vote for his party in local elections next month.

“Those who call it a corruption inquiry are corrupt themselves,” he said.

Turkey has a history of military takeovers but its power has been curbed during Mr Erdogan’s decade in power.

The country’s top administrative court has blocked a government decree, introduced last week, ordering police to inform their superiors before launching investigations.

The Council of State’s ruling on Friday,blockingtheregulation,isseenas thelatestsetbackinMrErdogan’sefforts to stop the political fallout from the scandal: Three politicians resigned from the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) over the row.

of the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel were found with all the bodies.

The gang, which operates in the neighbouring state of Jalisco, is engaged in a heated turf battle with the Knights Templar cartel, which has dominated Michoacan’s drug trade in recent years.

Michoacan’s murder rate rose in 2013 compared to declines in most states.

Last month, dozens of mutilated

corpses were found buried in mass graves in an area on the border between the states of Michoacan and Jalisco.

The extortion and murders committed by the Knights Templar prompted several towns to form vigilante armed groups in February.

Authorities say some of the self-styled “self-defense” units are supported by the Jalisco drug cartel, a charge the vigilantes deny.

Five decapitated bodies found in Mexico drug war

A

uthorities have found five decapitated bodies in western Mexico, with letters left with the corpses purportedly signed by a drug cartel, officials have said.

The bodies, with their heads laying nearby, were found shortly before dawn on Saturday in two different locations in Michoacan state, a region struggling with gang turf wars.

Three of the corpses were found on display on a bridge’s traffic circle

in Tarimbaro, a suburb of Morelia, the state’s capital, said Michoacan chief prosecutor Marco Vinicio Aguilera.

“A knife that may have been used to cut the heads was found in the area,” he told the AFP news agency.

About an hour later, two more were found in a Morelia public square, with the heads on a pavement a little further away, Aguilera said.

A letter signed with the initials

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

PAGE 35

Strange World

In South Korea people pay to watch others gorging on food

I

’m not sure why, but some of the strangest trends seem to emerge from South Korea. The latest one is dinner porn – people watching other people stuffing themselves with food.

The Korean term for it is ‘mokbang’, which roughly translates as ‘dinner broadcast’.

The dinner porn stars of South Korea film themselves eating copious amounts of food. They also provide moaning noises and a running commentary of their meals. The entire event is livestreamed and the protagonists end up making serious money.

Mok-bang isn’t about people eating a plate or two of food.

We’re talking about humongous portions here. Like this one ‘broadcast jockey’ who calls herself The Diva. Consultant by day and food-porn star by night, this beautiful glutton wolfs down two medium pizzas, or 30 fried eggs and a box of crab legs, or five packets of instant noodles in one go. One night, she ate 12 beef patties, 12 fried eggs, three servings of spicy pork kimchi soup and a salad.

The Diva’s live videos begin between 8pm and 9pm, and

“The diva”

go on for hours. In case you’re wondering, she says that she has no eating disorders, is perfectly healthy, and does not regurgitate her meals.

Although she spends about

$3,000 a month on food, she covers it up comfortably by making thousands of dollars from her broadcasts. She’s even put on 21 pounds with her new profession, but she doesn’t seem

Sweater displays wearer’s emotions via integrated LED lights

I

f you’ve always struggled to express your emotions, then you should seriously consider getting the Mood Sweater to do it for you.

Sensoree, a San Francisco-based company, has created a new line of high-tech sweaters that display the wearer’s moods.

Along with the sweater, you need to wear a sensor on your hand.

Information about your emotions are transmitted to the collar, embedded with LED lights that glow in a variety of colors. The wide turtleneck is white when unused, but glows in various

colors, according to the wearer’s mood, when worn.

The emotive display is color coded: green for tranquil, Zen; blue for calm, relaxed; purple for ruffled, aroused or excited; red for nervous, in love; yellow for nirvana, ecstatic, blissful. The technology in the sweater is similar to that used in some lie detectors – it gathers information from the wearer’s sweat glands.

Sensoree’s founder and lead designer, Kristin Neidlinger, said that they were aiming to create sensitive technology, instead of an intelligent

to mind. Others in the same profession make about 30 times the average salary. One of the most popular broadcast jockeys is reported to have earned $1,000 from a single video.

Another star, BJ Lebi, consumes large plates of food while answering questions from her fans – about how much she can eat and how often she uses the toilet.

Woman surgically modifies her ears to look like fairy

one. The sweaters, she said, are “intuitive, responsive and illuminate the senses.”

The futuristically designed sweaters are based on a specific type of lie detector technology – the Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) system. This method measures the level of moisture on a person’s body, and analyzes their levels of arousal.

GSR is used in e-meter devices, also called the Hubbard Electrometer. It is used widely by Scientologists in religious auditing sessions, to measure devotees’ levels of enlightenment.

Melynda

M

Sensoree sweaters

elynda Moon, a 23-yearold Canadian model, has put herself through one of the most bizarre cosmetic surgeries I’ve heard of. While most people ask their surgeons to make their nose smaller or lips fuller, Moon aimed at making her ears pointier. Why? Because she wanted to look like an elf.

“I have always had fantasies about what it would be like to be something other than human,” Moon said. “So I decided to change my appearance to look supernatural.” In August 2011, she spent $400 on a painful surgery to have her ears

modified.

To achieve the desired result, the tops of Moon’s ear cartilage were skinned. Pieces were cut from the tips to form points. Her ears were almost ‘carved’ into a triangular shape, reminiscent of the Elves from the Lord of the Rings The two-hour long treatment was by no means easy for her.

She has confessed that her ears “were really swollen and sore with a slight burning sensation.” The stitches stayed in for a couple of weeks – that’s how long it took for the skin to heal into their new ‘elven’ shape.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Digest

2,000 steps to a healthier heart

By Jenny Hope Medical Correspondent

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aking just 2,000 extra steps a day could help people prone to heart attacks and stroke cut their risk by eight per cent, claim researchers.

The exercise is equivalent to walking 20 minutes a day at a moderate pace, says a study in The Lancet medical journal (must credit).

The health benefits are gained by anyone doing 2,000 extra steps for a year on top of their normal levels of activity.

But doing 4,000 extra steps - 40 minutes of additional daily walking - matches the benefits from taking a statin, says study leader Dr Thomas Yates, of the Diabetes Research Unit at Leicester University.

He said ‘Doing 4,000 extra steps a day reduces your cardiovascular risk by about 16-20 per cent, which is the equivalent of taking a statin.

‘However, a statin has side effects and only reduces cholesterol, whereas walking has a much bigger range of health benefits.’

The study looked at 9,306 adults from 40 countries who had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), which can lead to diabetes, or other heart disease risk factors.

Using a pedometer, researchers recorded usual walking activity in terms of average number of steps taken per day over a week, both at the start of the study and again 12 months later.

The researchers analysed the relationship between the number of steps taken per day and the risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease after taking account of a

wide range of factors such as bodymass index, smoking status, diet, clinical history, and medication use.

Altogether 531 cardiovascular events such as heart attacks were recorded.

The study showed those people with greater levels of activity at the start of the study had lower levels of risk, and that doing more walking during the year-long study cut the risk still further.

It found that every additional 2000 steps taken a day over one year-roughly equivalent to 20 min a day of moderately-paced walkingreduces the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke by eight per cent.

Dr Yates said one in eight people is affected by poor blood sugar control, putting them at risk of heart-related events.

Pacing: Using a pedometer, researchers recorded usual walking activity in terms of average number of steps taken per day over a week

Healthy: Taking just 2,000 extra steps a day could help people prone to heart attacks and stroke cut their risk by eight per cent, claim researchers

He said ‘This is the first study to specifically quantify the extent to which change in walking behaviour can modify the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular-related deaths.

‘Our results provide novel evidence that changing physical activity levels through simply increasing the number of steps taken can substantially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke.

‘Importantly, these benefits are seen regardless of bodyweight status or the starting level of activity.

‘These novel findings provide the strongest evidence yet for the importance of physical activity in high risk populations and will inform diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention programmes worldwide.’

Dr Richard Elliot, research communications officer at Diabetes UK charity, said ‘This study adds to the wealth of evidence that regular physical activity can help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems such as stroke and heart disease in people at high risk of Type 2 diabetes.

‘Though the study was limited by missing data and doesn’t explain why this is happening, it is encouraging to see that simple, easy-to-make changes - such as an extra 20 minutes of walking a day - were linked to such a significant impact on health, and that these benefits appeared to grow as activity increased.

‘Further trials looking at the direct impact of physical activity are now needed to back up these results.’

Julie Ward, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said ‘Getting plenty

of exercise has many health benefits and helps to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.

This is particularly important for people with diabetes as they are already at greater risk of heart attacks and stroke.

‘We should all aim for 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week. This means any activity which makes you feel warmer, breathe harder and makes your heart beat faster than normal.

‘If 150 minutes sounds intimidating, remember it can be broken up into smaller chunks.

After all, the 2,000 steps in this study equates to roughly 20 minutes of moderately-paced walking, so even a brisk walk in your lunch break will count.’

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Now your iPhone can even work as a thermometer

By Amanda Williams

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new iPhone thermometer app can tell worried parents if their child’s temperature is too high, and guide them through a list of symptoms.

The technology uses a thermometer which plugs into the phone’s jack to read temperatures.

It then displays the temperature on the screen, alongside a chart of possible symptoms for users to selfdiagnose.

The thermometer app also keeps records of health issues, and gives users an ‘illness forecast’ estimating when they will get better and how contagious they might be.

Users living near each other can also compare symptoms to see ‘what’s

The device then displays the temperature on the screen, alongside a chart of possible symptoms for users to self-diagnose

A new iPhone thermometer app can tell worried parents if their child’s temperature is too high, and guide them through a list of symptoms. The technology uses a thermometer which plugs into the phone’s jack to read temperatures

going around’ in the local area.

The Kinsa Smart Thermometer, as it is known, has been specially designed for children.

The device’s founder, Inder Singh, struck upon the idea of developing the technology when he fell ill with a lung infection.

He said after searching for clues about his mysterious symptoms, he found the internet ‘void’ of helpful information.

‘Fever is an early sign of illness and I wanted to revolutionise the world’s most common medical device.’

He believes that by collecting

data on the time and location of a fever breakout, whole populations can benefit.

‘We wanted to engage people who had just fallen ill in a conversation… to give them the information they needed to get better faster and to collect information to map health,’ he told the website eWeek.

‘By using mobile devices intelligently, we are creating simpler, smarter, connected devices that will be available at or below the current cost of these product.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

PAGE 37

Kwara is unfortunate with leaders, governors, says Prof Oba From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he Chairman of Federal Character Commission (FCC), Prof Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem has said that Kwara state in the last ten years was unfortunate to have bad leaders and governors who never cared about the plights of the people but only about themselves.

Abdulraheem, who stated this while speaking with journalists after addressing members of PDP in Ajikobi Central Ward at the weekend, said the defection of PDP members to APC would not affect the ruling party’s victory in the polls.

"Kwara state has been quite unfortunate by the quality of leadership it has been saddled with in the past decade. We have people at the helms of affairs who are so far removed from the reality of the community. That they live in the skies of their own.

"You never find our governor in Omu Aran-Kaaba road; you never see our Speaker going to Jebba by road; they all go with our money in chartered flight. If you put together all the money they have spent chartering flights all over the place, it is enough to build the community. What we are asking for is return to sanity; a return to government for the people, by the people.

"Those who are elected to deliver democracy have betrayed the people. They have spent all the time feathering their own nest at the expense of the people.

Instead what you get is pittance being given to the people and you get people dying for nothing. So, if for 10 years, they have been in power and they cannot deliver, is it not the time for us to change?

Now, they have gone because they are resisting change. People are asking that governance should be done differently. They are uncomfortable with that, that is why they are no longer with us. They want to go elsewhere to go and align and associate with people who think like them, who live like them but not certainly people like us."

The former Vice-Chancellor

of university of Ilorin while urging the people of the state to remain calm and support PDP said violence would not help Nigerians.

"So in politics there should not be any reason for violence.

We already have enough violence in this country. We must not, by any means, whether by our action, or by our utterances encourage anything that is going to increase the tension and to increase the feeling of insecurity in any place. We, as a people in Ilorin, hold it an obligation to this nation as a peaceful people historically to show by example that we can practice politics without bitterness, that we can do politics without violence."

While speaking on defection

of G5, the Chairman of FCC said it was part of the democratic processes that people will align and realign, merge and disengage.

“But we say in this country, in a context, it is very beautiful thing for democracy. In fact, I as Chairman, Federal Character Commission applaud it as a welcome decision. As you can see, every party has something of the other parts of the country within its own fold. So, the issue and the pillar of the integration of the nation towards national understanding through a dialogue is already taking place.

"If all Nigerians of all shades and colours are in PDP and go on the other side my uncle is there, your aunty is there, then we are now building a very stable

polity. We are now practising democracy in the spirit in which the founding fathers of our country have actually envisaged.

This new configuration is likely to strengthen the inclusiveness and sense of belonging that Nigerians have always hoped for. "

Large turn-out of voters recorded in Yobe LG polls

V

oters across Yobe at the weekend turned out in large numbers to cast their votes to elect Chairmen and Councillors of the 17 Local Government Councils in the state.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited some polling booths in the capital Damaturu as well as some local government areas reports that scores of people lined up at the various polling booths as ealy as 7 a.m. to accredit and cast their votes.

NAN correspondent, who also visited Bamari, Kalalawa, Ajeri, Gaidam and Bukarti towns, also reported large turnout of voters.

There was, however, heavy security presence in all the polling booths as well as major streets in Damaturu with combine team of soldiers, police, civil defence corps and immigration officers watching over.

Shops and other businesses were closed while restriction on movement was imposed throughout the state from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Reports from other parts of the state also spoke of security build

up to forestall any unforeseen circumstances.

NAN reports that only 10 parties participated in the polls while the major opposition party in the state, the PDP, boycotted the election.

Speaking to journalists after casting his vote, the state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, said the conduct of the election had proved sceptics wrong on the security situation in the state.

He blamed ``mischievous politicians’’ for raising false alarm of a possible breakdown of law of order in the state.

Yobe is one of the three states under emergency rule following the activities of insurgent groups ``We know what is going on here because we are here on the ground. We know the security situation in our state that is why we went ahead to conduct the lection.’’

The governor said that from the reports he received, eligible voters were casting their votes peacefully in all the 17 local government areas in the state.

(NAN)

Yobe state Governor, Malam Ibrahim Gaidam (left), casting his vote, during the local government election in his hometown of Bukarti, on Saturday in Yobe state.

2014 budget’ll be treated on its merit, says Rep

By Lawrence Olaoye

C

hairman of the House Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Rep Solomon Adeola Olamilekan has assured that the 2014 appropriation budget sent to the National Assembly by the President Goodluck Jonathan would be treated on its merit for the betterment of all Nigerians.

Olamilekan, representing Alimosho Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives gave the

assurance at the weekend while addressing his constituents during the end of the year party he organised for them during which he gave his score card to the people of the area.

According to him, “as law makers, we will always be at the side of the people who voted us into office. We have received the 2014 appropriation Bill from the Mr President; though it came rather too late but I can assure you that immediately we resume from our break, we will start to work on it. We will treat it on its merit for

the betterment of our people; we are not going to delay it at. That I can say because we have been waiting for it long before now".

On the controversial Service Wide Vote where the Presidency had expended over N4trillion between 2004 and 2012, Olamilekan said that his Committee was already investigating the over 352 Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs of the Federal Governments that were said to have benefited from the account that was meant for emergency

cases.

"We are already investigating all the 352 MDAs claimed to have benefited from the fund; our findings so far are revealing.

We are alarmed by the way the account is being managed. It is reckless; imagine a whopping sum of N250 billion was expended on the up-keep of the former Liberian President, Charles Taylor within a year, we cannot continue like that”, he said Olamilekan hinted that the Committee would do all things possible to ensure that all the

heads of the MDAs appear before it to defend the various amount of money claimed to have collected from and would not hesitate to issue bench warrant of arrest against any head of the affected MDAs that fails to appear before it from January next year.

He said that the outcome of the finding of the Committee would determine whether to scrap the account outright or to reduce the amount being allocated to the account annually to five percent in the overall interest of the entire populace.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Politics

2015: PDP not dead in South-West –Nat, Auditor

By Lawrence Olaoye

N

ational Auditor of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju, at the weekend debunked a statement credited to a former member of the Party, Chief Alani Akinde, that the PDP was dead in the Zone and that the alternative to it was the Labour Party.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja at the weekend, Adeyanju dismissed the claim saying that," the statement is not only false

but misleading and capable of sending a wrong signal to teeming members of the party in the zone and the entire country in general now that the preparations for the 2014 governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti States and the 2015 general elections are in top gear".

According to him," I think he made the statement out of ignorance, that was exactly what they did in 2011 when they rushed out of the PDP to float the Peoples Party Nigeria, (PPN), along with their master, what happened?

They failed woefully; they shamelessly returned to the PDP. This time around again, they are embarking on the same venture, they have gone to the Labour Party with their master. Let us wait and see, they will fail again and again!!!".

"Let me tell Chief Akinde and his co-travellers that PDP is alive in all the states in the Zone; we are waxing stronger on daily basis.

The party will spring surprises in coming elections starting with 2014 governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti States and the

2015 General elections, with the of all and sundry, we will deliver the zone to PDP hundred per cent. Nothing will stop us; our leaders are on the field embarking on a total reconciliation of the aggrieved members and the reports reaching us at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja are very encouraging", Adeyanju enthused.

According to him, “if truly the PDP is dead in the South-West as he claimed, why is that we keep receiving defectors from other parties, including their so called

PDP has failed,says Baraje From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he former Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje has said that the party has failed Nigerians in all aspects of life.

Baraje stated this while speaking to newsmen in Ilorin during the annual dinner of Klob 27, an Ilorin-based elite group.

He said, "And let me tell you every politician, either in Nigeria, Africa and in America have one thing in common- aspiration and expectation. Once your aspirations and expectations are not being met, which largely

may be responsible as a result of difference in ideology, you don’t have a business being in any group that is not adequately representing your ideology, your belief which may transcend into your aspiration.

"Therefore, if PDP is no longer satisfying the interest and aspiration of people that are there, who are largely politicians, it is normal to change to go and fuse into other group where they think their aspiration and ideology will work, not only for themselves but for the betterment of the entire public and the population of the country. So this is exactly what has happened.

"PDP has failed the people and I make bold to say that. The PDP that I know, that I chairmaned, that I was the National Secretary is no longer the PDP that was when I was there, when many of us were there".

Asked at what point the party derailed, he added, "It derailed because it has failed to fulfil the promises in its manifestoes. We told the people who voted us into power that we are going to give them economic freedom, we are going to give them employment, we are going to give electricity, we are going to give qualitative education, we are going to give food in abundance, you and I can

answer to these whether we have been able to do these".

"The PDP has the right to say what they like but the law of the land overtakes anybody’s opinion. There is a law that guides declaring seats vacant. So people should go back to the law but if PDP is saying they are the law, they are the alpha and omega, that is part of not satisfying the aspiration of people, impunity, lawlessness, disorderliness, people just sitting down and saying that you are declaring seats vacant, it is not done, we are not in a Banana Republic".

L-R: Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, presenting the 2014 Appropriation BILL (Budget) to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Inuwa Garba, last Friday in Gombe.

Photo: NAN

Labour Party on daily basis?

Where was he during the recent Mega Rally I organised in Ogun state during which we received over 5,000 new and old members into the PDP? Similar rallies have been going on Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos and Oyo states. Our aspirants are on the field right now in Osun and Ekiti states where we have governorship elections for next year for campaigns, only a blind or a deaf person will claim ignorant of all these positive things in our Party".

APC lawmaker defects to PDP in Benue From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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member of the Benue State House of Assembly representing Gboko East State Constituency, Hon. Dehiin Dzuayi was among hundreds of other members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who at the weekend defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The decampees were received into the party by Governor Gabriel Suswam and he lauded them for taking the right step in abandoning the APC, noting that the party has little or nothing to offer them.

Suswam maintained that the PDP is the only party that can guarantee the wellbeing of the people, boasting that Nigeria and Benue State will continue be under the umbrella in 2015 .

While assuring the decampees that the party would not discriminate against them, he promised to construct a road linking Gboko LGA to Gwer LGA. "We will treat you equally.

The party will never abandon you", Suswam pledged.

He also said the people yearn and desire free and fair elections in 2015 and urged aspirants to conduct their campaigns in a peaceful manner .

Rep warns APC against imposition of candidates

By Umar Muhammad Puma

A

member of the House of Representatives, Ishaq Kana (APC Nasarawa), has warned the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against imposition of party leaders at the state level to avoid the creation of factions in the party.

Kana, who represents Keffi-

Karu-Kokona federal constituency in the House of Representatives gave the warning over the weekend in Abuja insisting that the imposition of party leaders, especially in the north central states by the interim leaders of the party will lead to factions in the party.

The lawmaker accused the North Central vice chairman of the party, Ahmed Aboki, of

working with fifth columnist who decamped from PDP to APC to create confusion and give the PDP a chance to break the ranks of the APC. "He is trying to turn the party to his personal affair by refusing to consult stakeholders in taking decisions. His activities if not checked, will destabilized the party and unless urgent steps are taken to checkmate his activities, there is the likelihood that the

party will crash".

"Sometimes I will only hear certain decision on radio without my input or other stakeholders.

I have complained severally to governor Almakura to call the vice chairman to order but despite the intervention of the governor and his promise to make amends, he still repeat same mistakes" The lawmaker said unless the vice chairman is removed from

office, the situation will lead the party to destruction and cause disaffection among supporters and members.

He also disclosed that several petitions have been written to the national secretariat of the party which prompted him to address the media.

He noted that the APC deserve people with commitment not selfish leaders who will be used to create problem.

PAGE 39

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

News Extra

BRIEFS

Kano govt deploys sanitary inspectors to local councils

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he Kano state government is to deploy sanitary inspectors to all the 44 local government areas of the state.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, made this known on Saturday in an interview with newsmen in Kano.

Abbas, who monitored the monthly sanitation exercise in some parts of the state, expressed dismay over the sanitary condition of some areas.

He specifically indicted owners of some business outfits for operating without regards to basic rules of hygiene.

Abbas also said sanitary inspectors to be deployed to the council areas would be empowered with the necessary skills to ensure the discharge of their duties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that more than 191 people were arrested for violating the law restricting movement during Saturday’s sanitation exercise in Kano. NAN also reported that culprits were made to pay fines. (NAN)

Kaduna state Deputy Governor, Ambassador Nuhu Audu Bajoga (kneeling down) (right), in front of Rev. Fr. Joseph Achira (middle), and Rev. Fr. Ignatius Malwa (left), praying during a church service, recently at St. Fidelis Catholic Church, Sabon Tasha, in Kaduna.

Gombe earmarks N1.9bn for women, youths devt

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he Gombe State Government has allocated N1.9 billion for women and youths development projects in the coming year.

The allocation is contained in the 2014 budget of N107.4 billion presented to the State House of Assembly by Gov Ibrahim Dankwambo on Friday in Gombe.

He said that N1.1 billion would be used to train women through the office of the Hajiya Adama Women Empowerment Programme (HAWEP), the pet project of his wife.

He said the programme had impacted positively on the economic empowerment of women in the state,

promising to sustain the tempo in 2014.

"We will also ensure the domestication of the Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

"Government will also develop a social security scheme for elderly persons and people with disabilities (PWDS)", he said.

According to Dankwambo, N796 million will be spent on youths development and poverty alleviation.

He said his administration had initiated programmes that had helped to reduce youth restiveness and

Youths protest against alleged illegal sale of plots in Awka

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any youths drawn from 20 villages staged a peaceful protest against alleged illegal sale of plots belonging to Ezinano community by land speculators in Awka on Saturday.

The protesters, led by the Chairman of Ezinano Development Forum, Chief Obi Ochijie, moved from Umuogbu village through Zik Avenue to the palace of the traditional ruler, Igwe Gibson Nwosu.

Ochijie told newsmen that some of their plots were sold illegally and that indigenes did not have any place to build their homes.

He said that the protest was aimed at notifying the government and members of the public that Ezinano

land was neither for sale nor for private-publicpartnership development.

“The land comprises 102 plots given to the community as compensation by the government but they are not being shared equally by land speculators who are indigenes of Awka. ”The youths say no; each quarter must get at least 20 plots”, he said.

Ochijie accused the traditional ruler of Awka of complicity in the sale of the land, saying that he ought not to shield the land speculators as he was a father to all.

“We are giving the traditional ruler seven days to react; if he fails, the youths might take laws into their hands”, Ochijie warned. (NAN)

poverty in the state within two years.

"Some of the programmes included the training of 1,200 youths under the Talba Youth Re-orientation and Rehabilitation Programme.

"Others were recruited as traffic, environmental and ward marshals.

"Also 320 youths were trained in six different trades at four skills acquisition centres across the state.

"We also bought 550 tricycles for distribution to youths as poverty alleviation package while 100 youths were trained on renewable solar energy", he said.

The governor added that N820 million would be spent on sports development in 2014. (NAN)

Aregbesola pledges to restore Modakeke’s lost glory

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ov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun on Saturday pledged to restore the lost glory of Modakeke in 2014.

Aregbesola made the promise in a message to the 28th Modakeke Ako-ri-aaye Day Celebration and Launch of N500 million Community Development Fund.

The governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Fatai Kolawole, said more local governments would be created.

He said this issue, which had been before the Osun Assembly, would be actualised and would surely favour the people of Modakeke.

"It is my fervent hope and prayer that the actualisation of this long-standing

aspiration of the community will usher in total peace and progress in Osun and Ife land in particular", he said.

Aregbesola added that Modakeke had not been left behind in the state development projects.

He said that projects undertaken in Modakeke included the construction of 900-capacity middle school and provision of transformers to new areas in the town.

Earlier, the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Francis Adedoyin, called on parents to educate their children and lay good foundation for them so as to have a brighter future.

The National President of Modakeke Progress Union, Mr Tajudeen Oke, said the indigenes had realised that government alone could not provide all their needs. (NAN)

Gov Aliyu: Okada ban in Minna stays From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

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overnor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger state has said that the state government will not rescind its decision to commence the enforcement of the traffic law banning the operations of commercial motorcyclists, popularly referred to as Okada, in Minna, the state capital from Thursday, January, 2, 2014.

A statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, said adequate arrangements have been made to cushion the effect of the ban.

Responding to the call for the repeal of the law by member representing Chanchaga Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Umar Mohammed Bago, the governor said 1000 units of KEKEN TALBA, 8 units of 18-seater buses and 12 units of 100 capacity Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) buses have been put on the roads to ease transportation problems in the state capital.

He warned that government would not succumb to any blackmail in enforcing the law. The statement recalled that several people were either killed or maimed in accidents involving commercial motorcycles.

Army lauds Islamic body’s role in peace building From Umar Dankano, Yola

T

he Islamic Development Centre’s (IDC) contribution in promoting peace and harmony among diverse ethnic and religious groups in Yola has been described as a right step in the right direction considering the tension and apprehension in Nigeria.

The Brigade Commander of the 23rd Amoured Brigade Yola, Major General Fattai O. Alli, made the commendation in Yola, Adamawa state capital over the weekend during the 10th anniversary seminar and book presentation by the IDC. General Alli said the organization is playing a great role in ensuring that the Muslim community complied with the emergency rule through advocacy and sensitization programmes.

The Brigade Commander, who was also the special guest at the event, appealed to all Muslims in particular and other citizens of the state to ensure that they give necessary information to the Nigerian Army in assisting it to tackle the menace of insurgency currently rocking the North-east.

Alli reiterated the determination of the Army to end the insurgency even as he noted that the effort could not get to fruition if well meaning individuals and organizations like the IDC did not play their expected roles.

PAGE 40

Photo Splash

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

L-R: Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih (Iyasele of Esan Land), Miss Ehinomen Peace, Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, and Minister of Works, Architect Mike Onelomenen, during the 80TH thanksgiving service of Chief Tony Anenih, on Saturday at Uromi, Edo state.

Youth from Ezinano community of Awka protesting the alleged sale of their land by land speculators, yesterday in Awka.

Photo: NAN

Coordinator, Aro Foundation Free Healthcare Services, Dr. Musa Bello (left), attending to a patient, during the Bi-Annual Aro Bamgbose Free Healthcare Services, yesterday in Omu-Aran, Kwara state.

Photo: NAN

Bachama traditional dancers in Adamawa state performing, during the 8th Pissi Tangle Cultural Festival, on Saturday in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe state.

Photo: NAN

L-R: Deputy Director, Finance and Accounts, University College Hospital Ibadan, Mrs Oluyemisi Mathew, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Professor Abiodun Otegbayo, and Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Professor Temitope Alonge, during a news conference in reaction to a news conference by the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria on non-payment of their allowances, last Friday in Ibadan.

Photo: NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

PAGE 41

2013 review: Nigeria sports on stable cruise to glory Stories by Albert Akota

T

he successes of sports in Nigeria did not come by chance but through the vision of President Goodluck Jonathan, who called for a retreat in sports in September 2012 to discuss the way forwards after Nigeria’s terrible performance at the London 2012 Olympics.

Part of the reports from the presidential retreat focused mainly youth sports programme in order to catch them young from the grassroots.

One of such was the just concluded National Youth Games (NYG) in Abuja where the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi revealed that a lot of trainable athletes have been discovered that would be nurtured to stardom.

President Goodluck Jonathan collecting the AFCON trophy from Minister of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi in a special reception in Abuja to honour the Super Eagles for winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations while NFF president watches

Blessing Okagbare won Bronze in Long Jump at Moscow, Russian in South Africa broke the nation’s The president vision on sports 19 years trophy jinx, beating started yielding result early 2013 Burkina Faso by a lone goal to lift with a blissful one particularly the AFCON trophy. in football and athletics where Before the championship, the strength of the nation was Nigeria was not even listed proven fantastically and fairly at among the favourites where the international and local levels. Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and the Eagles defending champions, Zambia In February 10, 2013, the topped the list of the favourites, Super Eagles who paraded six but sheer courage, commitment youth players from the domestic and determination on the part of league at the 29th edition of the the players and technical crews Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with President wisdom advised

earned them the glory.

The glory continuous with the doom of the Eagles at the championship and louder under the tutelage of local coach, Stephen Keshi, hence he was given a target to get to the semi finals by his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) In July 2013, Nigeria broke another jinx, this time around in African Nations Championship (CHAN), sealing a historic qualification to feature in the tournament billed for South Africa the first time since its inception in 2009.

However, Nigeria defeated Cote d’Ivoire 4-2 goals aggregate to berth a place for the championship designed purposely for home-based players who of course ply their football trade in the local leagues.

Athletes The success continued between August 11, to August 18, 2013, when Nigeria picked silver and bronze medals in women 200m and Long Jump respectively at the World Athletic Championship hosted in Moscow, Russia through the strength of one athlete, Blessing Okagbare.

Golden Eaglets While Nigerians were still savouring the success of the AFCON, CHAN and World Championship, the Golden Eaglets on Friday, November 8, 2013, conquered the world again in United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), beating Mexico 3-0 to lift the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the fourth time, having won it in 1985 in China (maiden edition),

1993 in Japan and 2007 in South Korea, all in Asia.

To crown the 2013 sports glories, the Super Eagles again under the tutelage of Keshi brushed Ethiopia 2-0 in Calabar with an aggregate of 4-1 to give Nigeria the fifth World Cup ticket tagged, Brazil 2014.

Just at the tail end of the year, the Super Sand Eagles clinched a record three times in Beach soccer tagged: COPA Lagos.

Administrator The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye has thumped high the performance of sports in the outgoing year and called for consolidation in the coming year.

He commended the entire staff of the National Sports

Commission, NFF, states and other stakeholders for making the outgoing year a success.

“We must thank Almighty God for the successes recorded so far in the outgoing year (2013). Also kudos goes to the entire staff of the National Sports Commission under the leadership of the Honourable Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and to all the sports federations and other stakeholders in the country for the successes recorded this year.

“In order to consolidate on what we have achieved so far, we need to develop new talents to replace the aging ones.

“We are happy that the just concluded National Youth Games has produced some of these talents we needed but we will still need to work hard to get more,” the DG said.

The former House of Representative Member however, implored all stakeholders to work harder in 2014 in order to be a better year for Nigerian sports.

“We have already given federation’s free hand to work for the interest of sports, while the NSC will provide enabling environment as well as allowing the country’s sports men and women to rub shoulder with world athletes in international competitions and model facilities.

“Because we want our athletes to compete with the best in the world so that they can have better understanding and the chance to bring more medals to Nigeria, “the former LG chairman said.

President, Goodluck Jonathan lifting the 2013 FIFA World Cup U-17 trophy, won by the Golden Eaglets in a Special Reception to honour the victorious boys in Abuja while Minister of Sports, Vice president and NFF president watch

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Sports

Imenger saves CHAN Eagles from defeat

Benjamin Francis

C

HAN-bound Eagles drew 1-1 with non-league Gokana United courtesy of a Barnabas Imenger first half strike on Saturday.

Lobi Stars striker Imenger, who played in Sweden for Trelleborgs FF until recently, put the Eagles ahead in the first half before Gokana United restored parity.

Sunshine Stars right back Solomon Kwambe said that both teams played their best but the pitch did not allow the Eagles to express themselves very well.

“It was not a bad game for the two sides, but the poor state of the pitch didn’t allow us to give our best, it affected our play,” Kwambe said.

By Albert Akota

In the same vein, Warri Wolves central defender Azubuike Egwekwe said the bad pitch saved the home team.

“The game was okay, but the pitch was so bad that we hardly played a good game. If the pitch were good, we would have won.

“Even the state Governor who watched the match complained about the pitch and said something must be done about it quickly,” Egwuekwe added.

Nyako charges youths to remain focused From Umar Dankano, Yola

H

undreds of Youths who trooped out to watched the epic final match of Adamawa United 2013 in Hong, have been charged to remain committed in their various pursuit goals.

Governor Murtala Nyako gave the charge over the weekend in Hong, Hong Local Government Area of the state during the 2013 Adamawa United Cup final football match.

The governor who represented by the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Nathan Musa commended the local government chairman for organizing such a competition that brought youths from all the wards in the area, stressing that sporting competitions like this will keep youths from anti-social vices which

FIFA picks Mba as AFCON winner

is inimical to any meaningful growth in any giving society.

While commending the youths for conducting themselves lawfully particularly during this state of emergency rule, he reminded them that only committed person makes it in life.

Ex Nigeria International Footballer, Tijani Babangida, who was the special guest of honour at the final match commended the chairman for bringing youths together to exhibit their skills in football despite the enormous challenges facing the state.

He noted that “with what I saw here today I have no doubt that these players will not only make a living from football but will bring glory to Adamawa State and Nigeria if they are encouraged”.

F

IFA has picked Sunday Mba’s winning goal in the final of AFCON 2013 as one of the 13 moments that defined 2013.

The world football governing body on their website rated the goal as one of the unforgettable and memorable moments of 2013.

It was a goal worthy of winning any match, and Sunday Mba’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations-winning strike brought joy and relief to an entire nation.

Nigeria had not won a major trophy in 17 years going into the continental showpiece, but despite the best efforts of debutant finalists Burkina Faso, Mba’s precise volley after flicking the ball over his opponent’s head proved sufficient to secure the African crown.

Mba celebrates his AFCON winner

Egwuekwe hints at dumping CHAN for abroad

Enyimba will outshine Pillars in CAF Champions League Uwadiegwu Uwadiegwu

E

nyimba will represent Nigeria better than Kano Pillars in the 2014 CAF Champions league, according to Ugwu Uwadiegwu.

In October, Pillars edged Enyimba in a tightly-fought title race to win a third Nigeria league championship.

But Enyimba defender Uwadiegwu has insisted Enyimba are the true champions of Nigeria and they will prove this in next year’s Champions League.

“Enyimba will give Nigeria a better representation in the

Champions League next year than Pillars because we are the true champions,” Uwadiegwu noted.

Last season, Enyimba thrashed Pillars 4-0 at home, while the reverse fixture was replayed after the first game in Kano was abandoned.

Pillars won the replay 2-1 in Lokoja, before Enyimba beat them 2-0 in the Charity Cup in Warri in November.

The experienced left back further said that he is staying back at Enyimba because they are primed to win a third Champions League title.

“There were some offers for me to leave but I will stay back because I want to help Enyimba win a third Champions League,” he said.

T

he most consistent domestic league player in the Super Eagles, Azubuike Egwuekwe, has hinted he may not be available for the CHAN. This will be a second major blow to the Nigeria ‘B’ team after the departure of star forward Sunday Mba for French second division side CA Bastia.

Towering central defender Egwuekwe said that he is studying offers from France and Italy that could well rule him out of next

Egwuekwe

month’s CHAN in South Africa.

“I cannot say categorically that I will play in CHAN come January or not. There are offers for me already and I may join a club in France or Italy, but I don’t want to reveal the club’s identity for now,” Egwuekwe said.

The Warri Wolves skipper has deputised for injured Kenneth Omeruo in the heart of the main Super Eagles since the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

At a time, he was an ever-

present in the Super Eagles as coach Stephen Keshi began rebuilding the team following the country’s failure to qualify for the 2012 AFCON in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

The home-based Eagles have also lost Godfrey Oboabona, Izu Azuka and Gomo Onduku to European clubs.

Nigeria will be making their debut at the 2014 CHAN and they are drawn in Group A along with hosts South Africa, Mali and Mozambique.

PAGE 43

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

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PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Sports

10 reasons to remember Woods, McIlroy, Scott in 2013 golf competitions S ince the turn of the century, odd-numbered years have sometimes been the quieter ones on the golfing calendar.

The 9/11 attacks prompted the postponement of the 2001 Ryder Cup, meaning the sport’s most captivating contests are now played in even-numbered years.

But 2013 produced no shortage of intrigue, excitement, drama and controversy. Indeed it will be remembered as a year of huge significance for golf.

Here, in no particular order, are 10 reasons why

of the single-sex issue. It is one that is more significant than the R&A has, so far, been prepared to admit.

The European Tour appointed its first chairman from the world of business rather than professional golf

The decision to ban anchored methods was finally ratified

one to number six in the world during 2013. How much of his loss of form was down to offcourse distractions like his bitter fallout with management company Horizon?

McIlroy is suing his former managers and they are fighting his claims with their own lawsuit against him. As the 24-yearold admits, he has seen enough lawyers’ offices to last a lifetime.

For all parties, a swift, amicable resolution that keeps reputations intact would, surely, top their new year’s resolutions.

The Northern Irishman finally won his first tournament of 2013 in December with a dramatic one-shot triumph over Adam Scott in the Australian Open.

global golfer of the year with four victories including the first major. Scott is articulate, photogenic and the perfect ambassador if golf wants to embrace the 21st century.

Tiger Woods remained at the head of the game

Europe were retaining the Solheim Cup for the first time since it was first played in 1990

Europe had a new number one Tiger Woods

David Williams

Peter Dawson The rule-makers at R&A and USGA pushed through legislation that will outlaw the technique from 2016 despite opposition from the PGA Tour and PGA of America. The move means there will be fewer potential winners of the biggest tournaments, something the professional game badly needs.

Critics claim it will spoil golf for many keen amateurs who rely on broom-handle and belly putters. How many do you know?

The spotlight fell on Muirfield because, at last, Augusta has admitted female members.

Suddenly the Open looked isolated as the only major prepared to stage its events at single-sex clubs.

The R&A mounted a purposeful and logical defence of its policy but it didn’t wash.

Amid the furore, crowds were down despite fine weather and a strong British challenge on a stellar leaderboard.

Chief executive Peter Dawson announced a review

David Williams took over from Neil Coles, who had held the position for 38 years.

Williams joined after significant new deals were signed by chief executive George O’Grady to secure the future of the season-long Race to Dubai which culminates in the World Tour Championship.

O’Grady received plenty of criticism for his unguarded comments around the Sergio Garcia racism row in May. The Tour boss knows he messed up on that occasion, but deserved credit for quietly and significantly bolstering the circuit’s coffers despite difficult economic conditions and the continued rise of the PGA Tour.

Henrik Stenson Henrik Stenson seized the opportunity to become Europe’s number one, putting behind him the debilitating effects of losing millions in the Allen Stanford financial scandal.

The Swede more than made up the deficit, winning money list titles on both sides of the Atlantic. He is already a certainty for a Ryder Cup return at Gleneagles next year.

He slipped from number

Although he again didn’t win a major he was a hugely significant figure. His main moment was victory at the Players’, the biggest tournament outside the big four.

A total of five victories were offset by four rules breaches ensuring a fair dose of controversy for Woods in 2013.

He announced his romance with skier Lindsey Vonn and his life off the course appears settled.

He knows next year is massive, having won at three of the four major venues (Augusta, Hoylake and Valhalla) and has been third and second at Pinehurst where the US Open will be held.

The Solheim Cup produced Europe’s first win on American soil by a massive 18 points to 10.

The scale of the triumph will never receive its proper recognition; it was immense.

Caroline Hedwall made history by winning all five points and Charley Hull had a stunning debut aged 17, thrashing Paula Creamer in the singles.

Most appropriately, the winning point was secured by the always-underestimated Catriona Matthew, of Scotland.

It was a fine matchplay course but such a shame it was played in Colorado with an unsympathetic time difference. This event deserves a far bigger audience.

At last British golf fans were able to see Phil Mickelson in all his glory

Inbee Park

The shot that won the Open for Mickelson Lefty’s Open victory will leave a vivid memory. Who would have thought he would be able to spend Christmas drinking from the Claret Jug after an Open staged in such linksy conditions?

Mickelson is a shot-maker supreme as he proved with his stunning inward half of 32 at Muirfield.

That honour goes to Inbee Park who claimed the first three majors in the women’s game.

By the time the Korean arrived at St Andrews for the British Open she was the talk of the Auld Grey Toon.

Park’s challenge was blown away and Stacey Lewis hit the shot of the year at the 17th to set up a championship-winning birdie.

He left Stenson, Scott, Woods and Lee Westwood trailing in his wake. All this after being pipped to the US Open he so covets by Justin Rose only a month before.

How appropriate it would be for Mickelson to complete a career Grand Slam at Pinehurst next year.

For golf, 2013 was as glorious as it was at times inglorious.

There is plenty of reason to expect more of the same next year.

Woods was not the most dominant golfer of the year

Australia was at last able to celebrate victory at the Masters

Adam Scott Offices have been a less pleasant environment for Rory McIlroy Rory McIlroy came from four behind at the start of the final round to win the Australian Open

The Road Hole is there for such moments and the evidence of that week suggested wild criticism of alterations to the Old Course had been seriously overblown.

It may not have been a Ryder Cup year but the women’s equivalent more than made up for its absence

It could have been Jason Day or Marc Leishman on that final day at Augusta, but ultimately it was Adam Scott yelling a triumphant “C’mon Aussie.”

His play-off victory over Angel Cabrera was great news for the game.

Arguably, he was the

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

Sports

P-i-c-t-o-r-i-a-l 1.Cardiff City saw a 2-0 lead unravel in the final minutes in their first match since Malky Mackay was shown the door as Sunderland’s Jack Colback found an equaliser five minutes into second-half stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw.

2. Edin Dzeko’s strike moves Manchester City to the Premier League summit after an edgy 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

3.Former British and Commonwealth champion David Price names Mike Tyson’s ex-trainer Tommy Brooks as his coach.

4.British number one Laura Robson has pulled out of next week’s ASB Classic in Auckland with a wrist injury.

1

5. Northampton Saints come from behind to beat Bath and bring to an end their five-match winning run in the Premiership.

2

4

3

5

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

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www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2013

QUOTABLE QUOTE Yes, the PDP has the national executive, but we are inching close to having the legislature. Who then would be called the opposition when we have it?

–Gov. Amaechi to PDP

SPORTS No, thank you, Mr President LATEST

Ahead of CHAN: Adedeji, Gambo on medics watch list

M

edically, these are not the best of times for Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, as the zero hour draws near for the naming of the 23-man squad for the CHAN African Nations Tourney starting January 11 in South Africa.

At the last count, four players have had knocks, two serious, two very negligible to the extent that the medics have said if the technical crew picks from there will be no medical issue at CHAN. Those not on the watch list are Solomon ‘Cafu’ Kwambe, who had a good game against Gokana United on Saturday in Rivers State and Umar Zango, the Kano Pillars central defender, who did not make the trip to the Port Harcourt friendly.

On the flip-side, serious worries have emerged over top striker, Gambo Mohammed, who also did not travel for the game in Port Harcourt and Adeyinka Adedeji, who travelled for the game and was listed to start only to cop a hamstring injury while warming up for the start of proceedings.

The medics have however not given up on the two players, who incidentally have a similar case, but chances are 50-50, as the date for the naming of the final squad for the championship draws near.

“We have worries medically but we will wait till the last minute to see if the players can pull through”, Keshi said at the weekend.

The national team will today morning tackle Nigerian league champions, Kano Pillars at the mainbowl of the Abuja National Stadium.

The Eagles have so far played four practice matches against local Nigerian sides, winning three and drawing one against Gokana United due largely to the poor state of the newly built stadium.

Do not put your hand into the lion’s mouth just because he says he does not eat meat anymore.”

Nigerian proverb.

T

here are still a few people in the nation who do not believe that it is true.

They want to see further proof that President Jonathan plans to spend N2b (yes, two billion Naira only) in the northeastern region as the federal government’s contribution to rebuilding socio-economic infrastructure devastated by the insurgency of Jamaatu Ahlil Sunnah Lid Daawati Wal Jihad (JASLIWAJ). Others who believe it because it is in the proposed 2014 spending plans are outraged. A few who did not expect even the N2b are not disappointed. They have long resigned themselves to the possibility that only State Governments and the international community will bother to put in place a major initiative needed to begin the reconstruction of a region on its knees. Whether the approved 2014 appropriation eventually sets aside N2b or N200b will depend largely on public pressure, the manner the National Assembly perceives its responsibility, and the degree to which President Jonathan feels the need to show requisite levels of political sensitivity. At any rate, this is not an issue that should be left to the discretion of the President, or be treated as a matter between the north east communities and the President. It is a matter of national importance, and it is central to success or otherwise of the fight against the insurgency.

It will serve no purpose to compare a planned spending of N2b in the north-east

“

Gambo Mohammed

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FIFTEEN MINUTES with Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed drbabaahmed@yahoo.com

President Jonathan

with budgetted spending in other areas generally considered wasteful. Some commentators have drawn attention to plans to spend more than N4b to host the World Economic Forum, a gimmick that will add nothing to our national economy reflecting two distinct characters. One showcases an enclave economy where returns on investment are very high, while the other is hostile to any investment of real value owing to unstable and insecure environment. The proposed 2014 spending plans include over N100b to be spent in the Niger Delta in spite of the recent lamentation of the President that the Niger Delta Development Corporation (NDDC) has not impacted on the lives of Niger Delta citizens in a manner

that justifies the huge spending through it. It is possible that somewhere in a government office, there are records of the full amount spent on the amnesty programme started by late President Yar’Adua to date; the total funding of the Ministry for Niger Delta; the 13% derivation and the statutory allocations made to States in the Niger Delta in the last ten years. If those records exist, it is doubtful if anyone will be brave enough to publish them today.

The plan to spend N2b in the North East as counterpart fund by the federal government makes people ask awkward questions that are only remotely relevant. How many people have been educated and given skills and jobs for being selfconfessed militants from the Niger Delta? How many phases of the Amnesty Programme have been implemented, and how many ex-militants are still knocking on doors for new phases? Where are the exmilitants who have been trained in Europe, Ghana, South Africa and other parts of the world?

How many ex-militants are tying down multi-billion Naira contracts around oil and gas facilities? What would the Niger Delta look like today if the federal government had not invested so heavily in building basic infrastructure and the

Parallels do not need to be drawn between the Niger Delta problem and the insurgency in the North to make the case that you have to invest in the community and the local economy to address the structural roots of both threats”.

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education and training of people who came forward to claim that they had taken up arms against the nation?

Parallels do not need to be drawn between the Niger Delta problem and the insurgency in the North to make the case that you have to invest in the community and the local economy to address the structural roots of both threats. In the case of the northern part of Nigeria, the case for massive investment in basic infrastructure and the economy is much more compelling. Niger Delta militants substantially targeted oil and gas assets and made huge money kidnapping expatriates. The nation invested heavily in giving them alternatives to a life of crime, and in giving communities greater access to resources from natural assets around and under them. The insurgency in the North locked out any fresh investment, local or foreign. It destroyed a lot of social infrastructure like schools, hospitals and markets. Transport and communication facilities have been badly damaged, abandoned or shut down. Basic economic activities like farming and fishing have suffered major setbacks. Government spending has been largely restricted to providing security. Traders have migrated to safer areas.

Thousands of lives, including breadwinners, have been lost.

Families have been dispersed.

Children have not received education as they should. Rich and influential people who can move out of the zone did so in droves.

Many young people moved out in search of menial jobs, and out of fear of becoming victims, conscripted by the insurgency or being picked up by the security forces on suspicion. The entire economy and social structure has to be rebuilt over the next few years, even as the battle to defeat the insurgency is sustained. If this is left to the States, it wont be done at all.

State governments had, in the last few years, routinely dipped into shallow coffers to provide relief to bereaved families of citizens and security personnel. They repaired damaged homes, schools, hospitals, police stations, military facilities and prisons. They substantially funded security agencies, and paid for ancillary outfits which supported them. Governors rushed to divert funds that Cont on page 15

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