Peoples Daily Newspaper, Friday 16, November, 2012

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 9 No. 70 Friday, November 16, 2012 Al-Muharram 2, 1434 AH N150 . . . putting the people first

JTF killsGen. Shuwa’s

‘killer’

Reps ordersuspension of N3.7bn

ecological projects>> PAGE 2 >> PAGE 3

Jonathan sets upwhitepaper c’tteeon Ribadu report>> PAGE 8

BUYING SELLING

$ 154.74 155.74£ 247.259 248.857EURO 197.94 199.222CFA 0.2885 0.3085RIYAL 41.267 41.5

BUYING SELLING

EURO 206 208£ 257 258RIYAL 40 42$ 157 158

CBN RATES

PD INDEX 14th Nov., 2012

PARALLEL RATES

Family of six burntin midnight attackFrom Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

Mark backsstate creationas Ekweremadubacktracks

Contd on Page 2

Nasarawa state Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura celebrated his 60th birthdayyesterday with students of Science School Lafia by eating with them at the school.

The police in Kaduna havelaunched an investigationinto the killing of six

members of a family during a

midnight attack on a village inZangon-Kataf area of Kadunastate.

Eyewitness accounts saidthat unidentified gunmeninvaded the Madauchi

community in that area at about11.30 pm on Wednesday andstarted shooting sporadicallyafter which they surrounded thehouse of one Yakubu Kiyat andset it ablaze, roasting the family

of six to death.Confirming the incident,

Zangon-Kataf local governmentChairman, Gambo DominicYahaya, said that, “an attacktook place at Madauchi, near

Zonkwa, early this morningduring which six people wereshot and killed.

“A building was set ablazeand five members of one family

Against an earlierstatement attributed tothe Deputy President of

the Senate, and Chairman of theSenate Committee on Review of1999 constitution, IkeEkweremadu, that statecreation may not be possible, theSenate President, David Mark,yesterday, supported the call forthe creation of new states inNigeria, arguing that it wouldprotect healthy competition aswell as bring governance closerto the people.

Mark who stated thisyesterday in Makurdi, BenueState, at the Senate Publichearing on the amendment of the1999 Constitution for the North-Central zone, maintained thatthe creation of states has becomeimperative at this time in thehistory of the country.

He emphasised that thestates that are to be created were

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi, Abuja& Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Contd on Page 2

yet unknown, but warned thatthe National Assembly wouldneither be intimidated in theamendment process nor allowthe exercise to be hijacked byany clique.

“We would not yield to anyform of manipulation. We willbe firm and just to ensure unityof the country”, he said.

While observing that theConstitution review is acontinuous process, he

CONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSNews 2-11

Editorial 12

Op.Ed 13

Letters 14

Opinion 15

Metro 16-18

Business 19-22

S/Exchange 23

S/Report 24

Religion 26

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Over dependence onMali, Senegal’s textiles

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Int’l 31-32

Digest 36

Politics 37-39

Woman 40

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Columnist 48

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012PAGE 2

Reps order suspension ofN3.7bn ecological projects

Contd from Page 1

Mark backs states creation as Ekweremadu backtracks

By Lawrence Olaoye

Contd from Page 1

Family of six burnt in midnight attack

The House ofR e p r e s e n t a t i v e syesterday passed a

resolution urging immediatesuspension of work on 17ecological projects across thecountry worth N3.7 billion.

Following a motionsponsored by Sekonte Davis(PDP, Rivers State), the Houseresolved to direct the Secretaryto the Government of theFederation (SGF), FederalMinistry of Environment andthe Ecological Fund Office tosuspend all actions and re-advertise those projects in line

with the Procurement Act of2007.

It also mandated the HouseCommittee on Environment toensure compliance andevaluate the state of theseenvironmental problems inline with the current realitiesand report back to the House infour (4) weeks.”

The projects affectedinclude those located in Akwa-Ibom (N1.31 billion); Zamfara(N412 million); Lagos(N258.46 million); Gombe(N383.75 million); Borno(N289.76 million); Delta(N308.49 million).

Presenting the motion,

Davis informed his colleaguesthat “ seventeen (17)Ecological Fund Officeprojects for whichprocurement processesstarted in 2006/2007 arestill undergoing variousprocesses of procurement aslate as year 2012 contrary toprovisions of the ProcurementAct of 2007”.

He lamented that about sixyears after these projects wereadvertised, they are stillawaiting ministerial approval.“Some of these projects haverecently found their way to theOffice of the SGF and theMinister of Environment for

signing preparatory forexecution.” Davis noted.

The lawmaker argued that“These procurement processeshave been time bared havingbeen moribund for thosenumber of years, becauseecological problems are timerelated and progress withchanging years and weather.”

“The projects, if allowed tocommence now, would bedeficient in current status ofthe extent of the ecologicalproblem and will therefore addto the number of abandonedprojects in the country,” hesubmitted.

were burnt beyond recognition.One other person was alsobrought out dead but his bodywas not burnt.”

He noted that the invadersnumbering about 10disappeared into the bush afterthe attack.

A resident of the area,Emmanuel Danboyi, said that,“in the day time, we saw atrailer parked but at about11pm when we had gone to bed,we began to hear gun shots forseveral minutes.

“I had to evacuate myfamily to a safer place and wediscovered later that all thepeople in the house had beenburnt even beyondrecognition.”

Some other residents notedfurther that the attackersoperated for about 30 minutes

and that there was no responsefrom security personnelmanning a checkpoint close tothe scene of the incident.

A cross section of youthfrom the area matched to thestreets yesterday morningprotesting the killing anddemanded immediatewithdrawal of soldiers from thearea.

They contended that if thesoldiers cannot interveneduring such attacks, then therewas no need for their continuedpresence.

One of the protesters, BalaSamaila, said, “the militaryhave no business being here ifthey cannot protect us. Theyshould go. We can protectourselves.”

Police Public RelationsOfficer, DSP Aminu Lawan,said that, “yes, we are aware of

the incident at Maduachivillage and investigation is on-going.”

In his reaction, GovernorPatrick Ibrahim Yakowadescribed the attack and killingas barbaric.

A statement by Yakowa’sSpecial Adviser (Media),Reuben Buhari, said that, “HisExcellency, the ExecutiveGovernor of Kaduna State istruly saddened by the goryincident of Wednesday 14th2011 in Madauchi, ZangonKataf local government.

“More saddening is the factthat this incident came whenmore concerted effort by thisgovernment, through thePeace and ReconciliationCommittee, is being made toentrench lasting andsustainable peace in Kadunastate.

“But even in the face of suchunwarranted and deliberateattempt to incite and createchaos, the state governmentwill not be deterred in its questof ensuring a secured andunited Kaduna state.

“Government, while totallycondemning the killing as anact of barbarism, sympathizeswith the families of thedeparted, His Highness, theAgwam Bajju, Mallam NuhuBature, the local governmentcouncil and the entire people ofthe state.

“I urge us all to take comfortand strength from the fact thatthis loss is shared by many whotruly care for them and maythat give us the courage to faceour tomorrow with the hopethat peace will find apermanent abode within ourstate soonest.”

condemned the 1999Constitution contending that itwas not only hastily done but itis ambiguous and as such has notachieved its aim.

In a related development,Deputy Senate President, IkeEkweremadu has refuted reportsin the media which claimed thatthe National Assembly hasforeclosed state creation in theongoing constitutionamendment, saying that statescan still be created.

Debunking the reportsyesterday in Enugu,Ekweremadu clarified thatthough the processes leading tothe creation of new states areconstitutionally cumbersome, itcan however scale through byaggressive lobby and politicalnegotiation.

He made the clarification atthe opening of the South EastZonal public hearing on thereview of the 1999 Constitutionin the Chambers of the Enugu

State House of Assembly.The Deputy Senate President

therefore promised that theNational Assembly will ensurethat every request is treated onits merit, noting thatconstitutional requirements,good governance, justice, andnational development will betaken into account in amendingthe 1999 constitution.

According to him, “Nigeriansneed to understand that theprocesses for state creation areslightly different from that ofconventional constitutionamendment. While statecreation under the military wasan event as states were decreedinto existence by fiat, statecreation in a democracy,especially going by theprovisions of Section 8 (1) is along and cumbersome processrequiring the inputs of everypart of Nigeria and is thereforenot an entirely NationalAssembly affair.”

While noting that state

creation is a process that isdriven by the people, localgovernment councils, membersof the State Assemblies, andmembers of the NationalAssembly who come from theareas seeking new states, headvised those concerned to notonly focus on the NationalAssembly, but to reach out toother parts of Nigeria to elicitsupport for their aspirations.

“The role of NationalAssembly is to provideleadership, moderate theprocess, and ensure compliancewith legislative due process.Among the thematic areasdrawn by the Committee fromsubmissions of Nigerians wasthe amendment of theconstitutional provisions onstate creation on state creationand boundary adjustment toaddress gray areas and makethem less cumbersome,”According to him.

Speaking further, heinsisted that neither the

Committee nor members of theNational Assembly had anyhidden agenda with regards tothe constitution amendment,

“Those who seek to makeNigerians believe that thereare predetermined outcomes orhidden agenda are onlydesperate attention-seekerswho do not have the overallinterest, health, peace, unity,and prosperity of this nation atheart. Their intents are topollute the minds of Nigerians,discredit and possibly scuttle theprocess.

“Again, I say to them that weare not and we will never beintimidated or distracted. Suchelements should therefore beignored, but their misleadingpropaganda opposed withbroadminded and higher force ofpatriotic ideas because no oneperson or group is greater thanthe overall interest of this greatnation as we are committed todoing that which will stand thetest of time.”

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012 PAGE 3

The Joint Military Task Force,(JTF), said yesterday thatits operatives and a team of

personnel of other security outfitsconducted a joint operation whichled to the killing of a top BokoHaram commander, who was alsobelieved to be responsible for themurder of a civil war veteran,Gen. Muhammadu Shuwa.

Late Shuwa was gunned downby unknown gunmen in broadday light at his residence inGwange ward of Maidugurimetropolis, two weeks ago.

JTF kills Shuwa’s ‘killer’From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri Since then, there had been

controversy over who was behindthe incident as one Ibn Abdul’Aziz,who claimed to be the newspokesman of the Boko Haramsect, in a tele-conference withnewsmen in Maiduguri, hadexonerated the group from thekilling.

Spokesman of the JTF, Lt-Col.Sagir Musa, in a statement issuedto newsmen, claimed that one IbnSaleh Ibrahim, who was amongtop commanders of theinsurgents, was confirmed tohave killed Gen. Shuwa, underthe order of the Boko Haram

leader, Muhammad Shekau.“In a sustained follow up

operation this afternoon(yesterday morning), thecombined troops of the JTF, 333Air Defence Regiment, theDepartment of State SecurityService (SSS), supported byarmoured personnel carriersand helicopters conducted amajor offensive operationsagainst the insurgents terroristsat Ngarnam, Bulabulin andBayan Quarters areas ofMaiduguri metropolis.

“During the offensive and ina counter attack, a major

commander of the Boko Haramterrorists sect commanding thenorthwest and the northeast, IbnSaleh Ibrahim with some of hiscommanders and foot soldierswere killed by our operationtroops.

“The operation is still ongoingand late Ibn Saleh was confirmedto be responsible for the recentassassination of Civil War hero,the late General MuhammaduShuwa through the orders of theleader of the Boko Haramterrorists, Abubakar Shekau”,Lt- Col. Musa said in thestatement.

A Federal High Court in Abujawas yesterday told howformer Minister of Works,

Dr. Hassan Lawal and somemultinational companiesmisappropriated the sum of N6.4billion equity contribution by theFederal Government, Nasarawaand Kogi state governments for the

construction of the Guto-Bagana Bridge.

the Swede Control IntertekLimited, been the concessionaire,on the other hand.

A prosecution witness, Mr.Chike Nwibe, a member of theteam that investigated theallegations of conspiracy, criminalbreach of trust, fraud, abuse ofoffice, misappropriation andcriminal conversion of public fundleveled against the formerminister and his co-accusedpersons, disclosed this whiletestifying before the courtyesterday.

The witness, who is a deputySuperintendent of Police secondedto the EFCC, told the court whilebeing led in evidence by theprosecution counsel, WahabShittu, that investigation showsthat the public partners (FG andthe government of Nasarawa andKogi states) in the bridge contractpaid their equity contribution ofN6.4 billion while the privatepartner (Swede Control IntertekLimited) made zero contribution.

N75.5bnfraud: Witnesstells courthow accusedmisappropriatedN6.4bnBy Sunday Ejike Benjamin

L-R: Elder statesman, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, Senator Bukola Saraki and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, duringa condolence visit to the family of late Dr. Olusola Saraki, yesterday in Ilorin. Photo: NAN

Subsidy scam: ANPP condemns plea bargain for Tukur, Alao othersBy Umar Muhammad Puma

The All Nigeria PeoplesParty (ANPP), hasdescribed the bid by the

Economic and Financial CrimesCommission (EFCC), to secure aplea bargain with MahmudTukur, son of the PDP national

chairman, Bamanga Tukur,alongside Abdullahi Alao, son ofbusiness tycoon, Arisekola Alao,and Alex Ochonogor – over theirrole in the fuel subsidy scam, asanti people.

The party in a statementissued by its National PublicitySecretary, Hon. Emma

Eneukwu, said the suspectedcompany, Eternal Oil and GasPlc, allegedly obtainedN1.9billion from the PetroleumSupport Fund for a purportedimportation of 80.3million litresof petrol.

“In as much as our greatparty believes in the sanctity of

the law of the land, and itsinstrument and processes, we arestrongly convinced thatentering into a plea bargain withsuspects in the opprobrious fuelsubsidy scam is tantamount toanother daylight robbery of theNigerian people”, the party said.

Jonathan approves N50m grant to NIPSSBy Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

President Goodluck Jonathanhas ordered the release ofN50 million to the National

Institute for Policy and StrategicStudies (NIPSS), to address itsimmediate challenges.

The President gave theapproval when the graduatingstudents of Senior ExecutiveCourse 34, 2012 of the Institutepresented their reports to him atthe State House, yesterday.

He acknowledged theimportance of the institution topolicy formulation andunderscored the need for adequatefunding.

The President saidgovernment would address theissue of inadequate funding raisedby the management of theinstitution.

While submitting the report,the participants called on thePresident to intensify efforts aimedat tackling the spate of insecuritybeing witnessed in many parts ofthe country. They described the“precarious security situation’’ asa disincentive to business.

The participants alsoidentified unemployment asanother cause of insecurity andcalled on the government toaddress the situation.

They also called on thegovernment to take cue fromCanada on the challenges of crude

oil and petroleum resourcesmanagement.

Specifically, they said Canadahas 16 refineries working in fullcapacity whereas Nigeria withthe abundance of crude oilresources has four operating at 30percent capacity.

PIB passes second reading in Reps

The Petroleum IndustryBill (PIB) yesterdaypasses through second

round of debate on the floor of theHouse of Representatives. Thebill seeks to establish a legal,fiscal and regulatory frameworkfor the petroleum industry.

Continuing debate on the bill,the Deputy Leader, Rep. LeoOgor, (PDP-Delta), urged the

House to consider the bill, sayingthat the passage of the PIB wouldimprove operations of the oilsector. “Let us give Nigerians abill that will improve on the oilsector”.

Rep. Farouk Lawan (PDP-Kano) said that the PIB was onebill that would “have farreaching implication on theNigeria economy. “The PIBwould ensure that business isconcluded based on

international best practices.The PIB deserves to passthrough the second reading”,Lawan said. There was nodissenting voice and the billsailed through the secondreading after being put to voteby the Speaker, Rep. AminuTambuwal. Tambuwal said itwas important for Nigerians tonote that there was “no singlenay” opposing the second readingof the bill.

NACOMYO wantsFG to investigateJTF activities inNorth-eastFrom Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

Following the incriminatingreports against members ofthe Joint Task Force (JTF) by

Amnesty International, on itsalleged human rights abuses, theNational Council for Muslim YouthOrganisation. NACOMYO),Nasarawa state chapter, has calledon the Federal Government toinvestigate activities of the JTF inthe troubled North-east.

In a release issued by SalisuMusa Akaki, state president ofNACOMYO in Lafia, the groupstated that having criticallystudied the AI report, it concludedthat the international organisationmade a fair, reasonable andcomprehensive investigation intothe security challenges in thetrouble spots and as such must betaken seriously.

The statement added that theAI report has exposed the veracityof human rights abuses that hasbeen perpetrated by Nigeriansecurity agencies on the civilianpopulation in the country, whichaccording to the group, has neverbeen articulated and reported bythe media and government.

By Umar Muhammad Puma


ABU founding fathers meantit for all Nigerians – NITEL MD

How would you sayyour Alma Mata,ABU has fared as it

clocks 50I can say that I am really very

proud to be a member of thefamily of ABU. It is a family thatis one and truly national. It is afamily that is truly Nigerian andwe have gone through it when itwas good and in a very goodshape. That ABU has fared verywell is beyond debate as can beseen from its alumni who havealways been on pole position indeciding the affairs of the nation.

Given the currentsituation Nigeriauniversities have foundthemselves, would you saythat the dreams of thefounding fathers of ABUhave come to pass?

There is no doubt about that.Take a roll call of the nation’s whois who in the last forty years or soyears and you will discover thatmost of those on the list are ABUalumni. But along the wayhowever, things started to go offtangent. Probably as we areexpanding universities in thecountry we should have gottenmore infrastructures. It is not onlywith the universities though; it iswith everything. As the populationis growing bigger we are supposedto go on increasing and improvingthe infrastructure. Sadly, that hasnot been the case. They now haveovercrowded lecture halls andstudents’ rooms, and these canaffect the quality of education. Thesmaller you are in a class, thebetter attention you get from thelecturer. Therefore, it has affectedthe quality of learning, which isobviously not what the foundingfathers had in mind.

How will you thencompare the ABU of todayand that of 50 years ago?

I think it is a bit bad becausethe way we were taught in theuniversity back then and even inthe secondary schools we attendedat that time in Nigeria, you willthink that some of us attendeduniversities outside the country.Probably because the populationhas gone up, but really, the qualityof ABU of three decades agocannot be compared with what wehave today. The standard hassadly gone down. Well-meaningNigerians and those of us whoattended this great institutionwhich is still the pride of Nigeriaand the North despite thechallenges facing the universityneed to sit up and save it fromtotal collapse.

Having identified some ofthe problems the universityis facing, how do you thinkthey can be addressed?

When I see the list ofsuccessful leaders and successfulbusiness men and women theABU has produced, I know thatthe problems the university isfacing will Insha Allah become athing of the past if we all cometogether and contribute inwhatever way we can towardssolving such problems. Now thatthe institution’s Golden Jubileeanniversary is on, we are doing alot inform of alumni meetings.Perhaps we should have beenmore active in that kind of thingbecause that is the only way youcan assist your university if youcome together. So, I believe the

effort that is being made now is astep in the right direction, weneed to intensify it. We shouldhave more meetings and moreprogrammes to see that theuniversity picked up once again.

If the founding fatherswere alive today, what doyou think their reactionmight be to what becomes oftheir brainchild given that itused to rank as one of thebest universities in theworld but today is not evenranked among the top inAfrica?

I can say everything havechanged in Nigeria. I am sure the

days of our founding fathers werenot the same as today.Everything has changed not onlyin the education sector. So, ifthey were alive today I don’t

know what they would have donedifferently. I wouldn’t know whatis in their minds, but I think thekind of boom we have had inNigeria should have been

directed in so many directions.Our founding fathers would haveprobably gotten better ideas thanwe have. They would havetailored our development towardanother direction which is morethan what we have today. Youhave to manage success wellbecause if you don’t manage itwell it can become a disaster.

Can you tell us the rolethe university has played inthe socio economic andpolitical development of thiscountry?

As I said earlier, we have a lotof ABU products in all sectors ofNigeria who are making thecountry proud and ABU is auniversity that is truly national.It has educated people from allover the country.

In what way do you thinkthe educational system ofthe country can beredeemed?

You have to look at itholistically. You have to look athow the whole system is beingrun, because education is onlyone part of it. So, if we have toaddress the education sector inthe country, we have to do itcorrectly so that it will impact onother aspects. Probably if we startfrom the primary school level wemay be able to make a remarkableimprovement in the next 20 yearsor so. It should be a long termplan because it is not somethingthat can happen overnight.

ABU is believed to beestablished primarily toserve the north. Do youthink the establishment ofthe institution has served itspurpose?

I can say yes it has served itspurpose because ABU is aninternational university. I believethe founding fathers did notestablish it for the north alonebut for all Nigerians. Thefounding fathers were nottribalistic in any way. Rather,they were bridge-builders whowanted everything good for allNigerians. So if you look at ABUproducts you will find out thatthey were given good educationand they are in good places. Iknow Sir Ahmadu Bello,Abubakar Tafawa Balewa andtheir like did a lot for the benefitof the North. The setting up ofNNDC, Bank of the North and theNew Nigerian Newspaper weredecidedly for the exclusive goodof the north. If these institutionshave been maintained the northwouldn’t be where it is todaybecause its economy would havebeen at par or even better thanthose in the other regions.

Hajiya Zainab Ilyasu Sa’ab

Hajiya Zainab Ilyasu Sa’ab is an alumnus of ABU Zaria and presently the Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL).In this interview with Maryam Garba Hassan tocommemorate the 50th anniversary of the university, she talks about the present condition of theinstitution, the challenges facing it and how the alumni can help in arresting the rot and turningback the clock to the good old heydays of their Alma Mata, among other issues of topicality.

“ABU founding fathers did not establish it forthe north alone but for all Nigerians. Thefounding fathers were not tribalistic in any

way. Rather, they were bridge-builders whowanted everything good for all Nigerians

ABU @ 50

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012

L-R: Romanian President Rosen Plevneliev exchanging pleasantries with Ambassador Abba AbdullahiTijjani after the former presented his Letter of Credence in Sofia, as Nigerian Ambassador Extraordinaryand Plenipotentiary to the Republics of Romania and Bulgaria

Youths in Lau localgovernment area ofTaraba state have decried

the persistent theft of parts ofelectricity transformer in the area.

The youth numbering in theirhundreds, registered theirdispleasure by staging a peacefulprotest.

Speaking on the matter, theinformation officer of Lau localgovernment area, Aggrey Zailani,said the protest followed attemptsby hoodlums to remove thetransformer at night when a goodSamaritan spotted them and

raised alarm.Zailani explained that the

thieves abandoned their vehicle,a set of hand gloves, spanners andescaped.

He stated that most of theequipment at Lau TomatoesIndustry has been stolen byunknown people.

The information officer whocommended the youth for beingconcerned about governmentinstallations in the area, urgedgovernment to take step towardsstemming the rate of theft in thearea.

In another development, aJalingo Upper area Court has

Youth protest theft of transformerparts in Taraba communityFrom Yush’u Alhassan, Jalingo

In recognition of children’scontribution to curbing themenace of fake drugs in the

society, National Agency for Foodand Drug Administration andControl (NAFDAC), has presentedawards to students who won theNAFDAC Consumer Safety Club(NCSC) Annual Quiz Competition.

The awards which are the10th edition since inception of theagency, covering both junior andsenior category of students, werepresented in Abuja yesterday bythe NAFDAC Director General, Dr.Paul Orhii, India HighCommissioner to Nigeria, MaheshSachdev and other top dignitariesrepresenting concernedstakeholders.

In his welcome remarks, Dr.Orhii pledged to continue to fightthe manufacture of fake drugs,through cutting-edge technology,mobile authentication andthrough children hence theirinvolvement through the

organisation of NCSC with the goalof “catching them young”.

He however called on schoolsthat are yet to participate, to keyinto the club programme therebyqualifying for the competition. “Forschools that have not participated,they should endeavor to do so andbecome great ambassadors of theagency”, he called.

School that won the award atjunior category include, GracelandInternational School PortHarcourt; Saint John SecondarySchool Awka; Saint Paul’sComprehensive College, Bauchi;Regina Pacis College Abuja;Airforce Comprehensive SchoolIbadan; and Nigeria TurkishInternational College Kano.

Schools at senior categoryinclude, Loyola Jesuit College,Abuja; Hallmark SecondarySchool, Ondo; Ruby SpringefieldCollege, Maiduguri; AirforceComprehensive Secondary School,Enugu; Federal GovernmentCollege, Port-Harcourt; and PanafSchool Barnawa, Kaduna.

NAFDAC presents prizes to quiz winnersBy A’isha Biola Raji

sentenced a 30-year-old man,Gambo Mohammed of Iware Ardo-Kola local government area of thestate to five years imprisonmentwith hard labour without optionof fine.

Mohammed was sentenced forstealing a Peugeot pick-up vanworth over N200, 000.

The presiding judge, DaudaNijane Buba, also awarded N102,825 to be paid as compensation toCelestine Uchenna, the owner ofthe vehicle, in accordance withsection 78 of the Penal Code.

The judge said the convict hasa right of appeal within 30 days ofthe judgment.

Worried by the hugeamount of moneyaccrueing to the

Federal Government as proceedsfrom subsidy removal, the Houseof Representatives hasmandated it’s Committees onPetroleum Resources,(downstream), Finance and Stateand Local Governments tocritically examine and

investigate the implementation ofthe Subsidy Reinvestment andEmpowerment Programme(SURE-P).

In a motion filed in by Rep.Haruna Manu (PDP Taraba), theSURE-P was not aimed at causinghardship on Nigerians, butopening up the sector for growthand investment in the economy.

Haruna confirmed that so far,the total sum of N105billion hasaccumulated as Federal

Reps demand fullimplementation of SURE- P By Umar Muhammad Puma Government’s share from the

proceeds of subsidy removal as atAugust 2012.

The SURE-P committeeheaded by Dr. Christopher Kolade,had released the sum of N17.8billion, out of which N8.9 billionwas released to InfrastructureBank of Nigeria for acquisition ofbuses for transporters, N5billionfor intervention in the railwaysector, and N3.9billion on youthempowerment.

Al-Habibiyah IslamicSociety, on Wednesday,publicly distributed goods

and materials worth N3millionto 40 less privileged onesincluding two Christianbeneficiaries.

The disbursement of theZakat funds in Abuja was chairedby Chief Imam of the society,Imam Abubakar Faud and RearAdmiral Nasiru Ibrahim Dirisu(rtd), who besought those blessedwith material things to help the

needy.Imam Faud said the

importance of Zakat in Islamcannot be over-emphasised,adding that it makes good life andenhances faith.

The items included deeprefrigerators, generators, grindingmachines amongst others.

The public distribution whichwas made at Al-HabibiyahMosque, Guzape, AsokoroExtension, Abuja, attractedeminent dignitaries includingformer Inspector General of Police,Aliyu Attah.

Al-Habibiyah donatesN3m to less privilegedBy Lambert Tyem

The Kaduna Refining andPetrochemical Company(KRPC), said it is supplying

an average of 1.5 million litres offuel daily, enough to serve theneeds of marketers in Kaduna andits environs.

The Executive Director ofOperations, Dr. Banfred Enjugu,who made the disclosure to

newsmen in Kaduna onWednesday night, said there wasno reason for the lingering fuelqueues in the area, adding thatthe management of the companywas working hard to ensurecontinued flow of the product.

“We are producing steadily.The management does not seeany reason why, with that levelof production and release of theproduct, there should be queuesin Kaduna”.

Scarcity: KRPC supplies 1.5mlitres of fuel daily to KadunaBy Muhammad Nasir, withagency reports

An association of 22documented ex-NigerDelta militant leaders

have called on President GoodluckJonathan to sack his SpecialAdviser on the Niger Delta, Mr.Kingsley Kuku accusing him ofdenying them of their amnestyentitlements.

The militants also alleged thatKuku has been harassing andthreatening their lives over theletter they wrote to the Presidenton the matter.

In the letter signed by the

leader of the association, AndrewJoel Azazi, read: “It is regrettableto note that the currenthappenings from the office of theSpecial Adviser to the Presidenton Niger Delta are deliberatelycalculated to truncate theamnesty programme.

“Sir, the amnesty programmeneeds urgent attention. It is timeto bring in new people with newideas and commitment in solvingthe Niger Delta problems. Mr.Kuku has forgotten the real reasonfor his office and needs to bechanged in the interest of peacein the Niger Delta…”

Ex-militants want Kuku sackedover denial of entitlementsBy Adeola Tukuru

With less than fourweeks to this year’sChristmas, the

Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), has raised concern overincreasing cases of road crashesassociated with excessivespeeding, and warnedmotorists to be careful sayingthe corps will not treat thosewho flaunt its orders with kidgloves.

This is coming on the heelsof the Corps’ road crash data forweeks 42, 43, 44 and otherprevious reports whichindicated that speed limitviolation ranked highestamong other factors such as lossof control, route violation,overloading and dangerousdriving associated with roadcrashes for the month ofOctober and 1st week ofNovember, 2012.

A statement issued by the

‘Ember’ months: FRSCcautions on speed violationBy Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Corps Public Education Officer,Jonas Agwu, indicated that thecorps has initiated somestrategies towards mitigatingroad crashes such as the recentinjection of 15 additionaloperational vehicles with 17units of speed cameras, 1,250units of breathalyzers, 45 unitsof radar guns, 44 units ofwalkie-talkies which has beendeployed for intensive patroland strict enforcement oftraffic rules and regulationsalong critical corridors in theFederal Capital Territory aspilot programme for a specialpatrol tagged “ OperationOctopus”.


CBN partners Borno govt on agric transformation

Court orders police to arraign Masalla over alleged forgery

A High Court of the FederalCapital Territory (FCT) hasordered the police to arraign

the self acclaimed factional nationalchairman of the All ProgressivesGrand Alliance (APGA), AlhajiSadeeq Masalla, on a one-countcharge of forging the signatures of somemembers of the National WorkingCommittee of the party.

The court presided over by JusticePeter Kekemeke on Wednesday, grantedthe order after listening to an applicationbrought by police prosecutor, Frances

The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), is to partner withthe Borno state government

in massive agriculturaltransformation through strategicvalue chain crops with a view tocreating jobs for poverty alleviation,in order to address securitychallenges facing the state.

Speaking at an interactivesession with CBN officials,agricultural transformation teamand other stakeholders at theGovernment House Maiduguri,yesterday, Governor kashimShettima said the partnership withCBN is born out of theadministration's determination todevelop the agricultural sector.

He said the interactive forumwas organised for extensive

deliberation to map out effectivestrategies for the frame work inorder to realise fruitful resultswithin shortest possible time,adding that the currentinsecurity has compelled

Irabor, in charge number CR/36/12between the Inspector-General of Police(IGP) versus Alhaji Sadeeq IbrahimMasalla and fixed November 21st for hisarraignment.

Irabor had in his application for leaveto prefer a criminal charge withoutholding preliminary inquiry broughtunder Section 185(b) of the CPC andpursuant to Rule 3 of the criminalprocedure (application for leave toprefer a charge in the High CourtRules 1970) and under theinherent jurisdiction of the court.

The application according toIrabor is supported by a copy of

the charge in respect of whichleave was sought, a copy of theproof of evidence which will berelied on during trial, a copy ofthe list of witnesses, a copy of thelist of exhibits, affidavit in supportof the application and photocopiesof statement of witnesses and theaccused person.

Some of the charges read:"That you Alhaji Sadeeq IbrahimMasalla "M" 60 years No. 8 BauchiRoad, Jos, Plateau state on or aboutthe 6th day of June 2012 in Abujawithin the jurisdiction of thishonourable court, forged the signature

of one Hon. Jolly. Ngbor (a member ofthe National Working Committee of theAll Progressives Grand Alliance) on theresolution paper purporting thesignature to have been appended by thesaid Hon. Jolly B. Ngbor which you knewto be false and you thereby committedan offense punishable under Section 364of the Penal Code Law.

It would e recalled that the leadershipof APGA under Chief Victor Umeh hadon June 21, 2012 suspended its deputynational chairman (North), SadeeqMassalla and national vice chairman,South-east, Morgan Anyalechi fromthe party over anti-party activities.

L-R: Chairman,RevenueMobilisationAllocation andFiscalCommission(RMAFC), Mr.Elias Mbam,FederalCommissioner,RMAFC, Mr.NnamdiEkweogwu andrepresentativeof the SenatePresident,SenatorAnthonyManzo, at anationalSeminar onNon-Oil Sectorof the NigerianEconomy,yesterday, inAbuja.

Photo:Mahmud Isa

Grandfather bags first class in UIA grandfather, Mr. Aderemi

Alli, was among the 21first class graduates

produced by the University ofIbadan (UI) at its convocationyesterday in Ibadan. Theuniversity graduated a total of1,582 students for the 2011/2012

academic session with 243graduating in second class (UpperDivision) and 920, second class(Lower Division). A total of 135 ofthe students graduated with thirdclass and 203 pass.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Alli, 57, was

among the three first classgraduates produced by theinstitution's Faculty of Law. He hadhad a first degree in economicseducation 31 years ago. Alli,whose last child is studyingelectrical engineering in UI, toldjournalists at the ceremony that

he was motivated to study lawbecause many of his schoolmateshad become Senior Advocates.

"I feel I can still participate inthe society in spite of my age. I amusing this medium to advise othersthat they can do it, If I can do it", hesaid. (NAN)

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

government to adoptaggressive agriculturaltransformation.

Earlier in his speech, thechairman AgriculturalTransformation Committee,

Engineer Ibrahim Ali said the sessionhas accorded them the opportunityto arrive at some value chain cropsthat will be used to fight poverty,unemployment and social illsamong youths.

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru,Maiduguri

Borno employs 300 youthsIn its effort to tackle insecurity

and unemployment amongthe youths, Borno state

government has employed 300youths across the 15 wards ofMaiduguri metropolitan council(MMC), for interlock-tiles makingand laying to beautify the majorstreets of Maiduguri, the statecapital.

Addressing the youths at theflagging off of the programme atthe Government HouseMaiduguri, Governor KashimShettima said it is just a beginning

as government plans to recruit1,500 youths in the MMC alone.

He said "we are engaging youin interlock making and laying tobeautify the major streets of themetropolis, you are going to startwork tomorrow with the sum ofN10, 000 set aside as your monthlystipends", Shettima told thebeneficiaries.

The governor stated thatgovernment would do everythingpossible to create more jobs for youths,adding that very soon the exercise willbe extended to all the 27 local

government councils of the state.He urged the youths to take their

jobs with all seriousness andcontribute to the government'sdevelopment drive and pledgedgovernment's determination totransform the state to an enviableposition.

Responding on behalf of theyouths, Bukar Adam thanked thegovernor for considering them fit forthe jobs, assuring that they will behis foot soldiers to realise thegovernment's aspiration to move thestate forward.

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru,Maiduguri

Kogi can’tbe ruledfrom Abuja,says Wada’saide

The Special Adviser to theGovernor of kogi State onMedia, Mr. Jacob Edi has

reacted to the SOS made byelders of the state to the FederalGovernment to rescue the statewhich they described as beingadrift.

In an interview withpressmen in Lokoja yesterday,Edi described the elders'complaints as a "campaign byfailed politicians trying tooverheat the polity on the crisisin Kogi House of Assembly";calling on the elders to leave thegovernor out of the Assemblymatter.

Edi also said 'whoever wantsto rule Kogi should come downto Kogi state', adding that the"elders gathering in Abuja is agathering of 'formers' whothought they could shout inAbuja and people will shiver inKogi".

"Those whom their peoplecould not trust to give themoffice of responsibility shouldnot seat in Abuja to causedisaffection within the polity,if their people had seen themworthy of office ofresponsibility, they wouldhave given them", he alleged.

From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

Airportpolicecommandarrests,prosecutes20 suspects

The Commissioner of PoliceAirport Command inLagos, Mr. James

Olatunji Caulcrick, has said nofewer than 20 miscreants havebeen arrested and prosecuted inthe last three months by thecommand for various offences.

Speaking with reporters inhis office yesterday, Caulcrickexplained that the commandwas taking the issue ofmiscreants very seriously toensure that the airport was freeof such elements to ensure thesafety of passengers at theairport.

He said the Command hasdoubled its efforts to deal withmiscreants by carrying outregular raids adding that ataskforce was already in placeto address the menace ofmotorcyclists popularlyknown as okada within theairport vicinity.

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos


Olusola Saraki (1933-2012)Saraki: More tributes flow asMark, Ekweremadu mournPresident of the Senate, David

Mark has lamented thedeath of Second Republic

Senate Leader, Dr. OlusolaSaraki, describing him as apolitical giant and shining starof the Nigerian politics.

In a statement issued by hisSpecial Adviser on Media andPublicity, Kola Ologbondiyan,Mark said the late Saraki was a

political tactician and engineerwho navigated the politicalenvironment like a colossus.

He noted the politicalsagacity of late Saraki innurturing the modern dayNigerian politics, saying“Saraki was a political leaderwho stood to be counted when itmattered.

Similarly, the Deputy SenatePresident, Ike Ekweremmadu, ina statement signed by his Special

Adviser on Media and Publicity,Uche Anichukwu, described thedeath of Sakari as a grave loss tothe nation and exit of a people’sdemocrat.

Ekweremadu, who condoledwith the people of Kwara stateand the Sakari family, said thelate politician would be foreverremembered in the annals ofNigerian politics for promotingthe philosophy of people’s welfareas the crux of politics.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

…He was a North-South bridge – Senator Adamu

Senator Abdullahi Adamuhas described the death ofDr. Olusola Saraki as a

huge loss not only to Kwara statebut to Nigeria as a whole.Reacting to the demise of Sarakion Wednesday, the Senatorrepresenting Nasarawa WestSenatorial District saidyesterday in Abuja that the lateSenate Majority Leader was oneof the most successful

brokers of peace and “a

bridge” between the northernand southern parts of Nigeria.

He recalled that when hewas majority leader, the NPNhad a slim majority that madeit impossible for it to carry outits agenda but late Saraki’spolitical sagacity made himfind a way for the ruling partyto always have its way in thesenate. He said it was to hiscredit that he held firmly toKwara state and was able to notonly provide adequateleadership for the people but also

used it as a springboard formeaningful contributions tonational politics.

According to SenatorAdamu, “the exceptional touchof Baba Oloye with thegrassroots was one of the majorsources of his political relevanceand something other Nigeriansshould emulate”.

He commiserated with theSaraki family and urged theKwara state government toimmortalise “Baba Oloye” as thedeceased was fondly called.

From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

The Action Congress ofNigeria (ACN) hasexpressed shock and

sadness at the death of Dr. OlusolaSaraki, just Senator DavidDafinone joined severaldignitaries across Nigeria tomourn the late senator whom hedescribed as his colleague andfriend.

In a condolence message to thefamily, Senator Dafinonedescribed Saraki’s death aspainful, especially at a time when

…ACN, Dafinone mournFrom Ayodele Samuel, Lagos the country is in a state of flux.

Dafinone lauded Saraki’sgreat concern for the unity ofNigeria and the growth ofdemocracy, as he prayedAlmighty Allah grant the souleternal rest and the family thestrength to bear the loss.

In a statement issued in Lagoson Wednesday by its nationalpublicity secretary, Alhaji LaiMohammed, the CAN haddescribed late Saraki as a colossuswho possessed efficient politicalmachinery that he usedeffectively to rally the people.

The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) national vicechairman (South-west),

Chief Segun Oni, has describedthe late strongman of Kwarapolitics, Dr. Olusola Saraki as anoutstanding professional,grassroots man and leader.

Oni, who reacted to Saraki’s

…He was anoutstanding leader – Oni

death through his Chief PressSecretary, Mr. Lere Olayinka,said Kwara state people,Nigerians and in particular, thePDP will miss him dearly.

“Baba was truly a politicaltimber, a colossus of widediameter and a wonderfulpolitical strategist”, Oni elogised.

Asiwaju Ahmad Tinubu,national leader of theAction Congress of Nigeria

has described the death of OlusolaSaraki as a monumental loss notonly to Kwara state but thecountry at large.

“Saraki remains one of thebuilders of modern Nigeria. Hewas a political tactician whoplayed pivotal role in the politicaladvancement of his people andthat of Nigeria”, Tinubu said.

Tinubu recalled that Sarakiwas one of the brains behind theformation of the National Partyof Nigeria, NPN, and a party thatwent on to win the presidency.

The former Lagos State

…Nigeria has lost a statesmanand political tactician – Tinubu

governor and national leader ofthe Action Congress of Nigeriafurther asserted that story of thatepochal era in our democraticdevelopment will not be completewithout recognising the gravitasSaraki brought to politicking andthe maturity he brought toparty politics.

“Saraki was not just the issue,he was the main issue in Kwarapolitics and now that he is nomore, Kwara politics will neverbe the same again”.

Asiwaju Tinubu condoleswith the Saraki family and thepeople of Kwara State and praysthat the soul of the departed willrest in peace.

Governor AdamsOshiomhole of Edo statehas described the late

Senate Leader, Abubakar OlusolaSaraki as a friend of the masses.

In a condolence message to thefamily, Governor Oshiomholesaid: “I received with shock, newsof the passing of your belovedfather and patriarch of the Saraki

… He was friend of the masses – Oshiomhole

family, distinguished SenatorAbubakar Olusola Saraki. I wishto convey to you the deepestcondolence of the people andgovernment of Edo state as wellas my personal commiseration…

“However, much as wemourn, he will be celebratedeven in death, in full complementof a worthy life of service tohumanity”, Oshiomhole said.

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives, HonAminu Waziri Tambuwal,

has described late Dr. AbubakarOlusola Saraki as a quintessentialpolitician and father-figure whogave his all for the developmentof the country.

In a message of condolenceissued by his Special Adviser onMedia and Public Affairs, MalamTambuwal said Saraki has

… A quintessential politicianand father-figure - Tambuwal

earned his place as one ofNigeria’s most consistentadvocates of democracy.

He said Saraki will be bestremembered for his pioneeringrole in the formation of leadingpolitical parties in the countryespecially during the SecondRepublic which led to theestablishment of the thenNational Party of Nigeria (NPN)and in the present dispensation,the All Peoples Party, now ANPP.

By Umar Mohammed Puma

…A committed democrat with convictions

The All Nigeria PeoplesParty (ANPP) hasdescribed Sen. Olusola

Saraki as a committed democratof outstanding convictions.

In a condolence messageissued by the national chairmanof the party, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onudescribed Saraki as a consensusbuilder whose warm dispositionto all, advanced peace andharmony among members of theparty.

“It is with a heavy heart, thaton behalf of our great party, I

mourn the transition to eternalglory of one of our distinguishedfounding leaders, the late Senator(Dr) Olusola Saraki, WazirinIlorin”.

Onu said in the formativestages of the party, he played aresilient pioneering role whichhelped to build a great party.

“I urge the members of hisfamily and indeed the people ofKwara state to take heart for thegood deeds of the late WazirinIlorin did not die. Surely, they willremain ever green in the heartsof our people”.

In the same vein, the party’s

presidential candidate in the2011 elections, and former Kanostate governor, Malam IbrahimShekarau also condoled with thefamily of Late Abubakar SolaSaraki.

In a statement issued by hisspecial assistant on Media andPublic Relations, Malam Sule YauSule, Shekarau extolled thevirtue of the late Senate Leaderin the Second Republic thus:“Saraki is a very rare politician,a gentleman, philantrophist, acommunity whose absence hascreated a vacuum difficult tofill”.

By Lawrence Olaoye

Sympathisers surrounding the casket of the lat Waziri of Ilorin and Second Republic Senate Leader, Dr.Olusola Saraki who died on Wednesday


Special Task Force and theGovernance and Controls SpecialTask Force.

According to released signedby the presidential adviser onMedia and Publicity, Dr.Reuben Abati, the committeesare to study the reports, reviewthe issues raised and preparedraft White Papers for theconsideration of the FederalExecutive Council within twoweeks.

The release further stated:“The White Paper Committee onthe Petroleum Revenue SpecialTask Force Report will be chairedby the Minister of Labour, ChiefEmeka Wogu, with the Minister

Jonathan sets up White PaperC’ttees on Ribadu Report, othersPresident Goodluck

Jonathan yesterdayestablished three

committees to prepare draftWhite Papers on the reports of thePetroleum Revenue Special TaskForce, the National Refineries

of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro,Minister of State, FCT, OloyeJumoke Akinjide, and theMinister of State for ForeignAffairs II: Dr. NurudeenMohammed as members.

“The White PaperCommittee on the report of theGovernance and Controls SpecialTask Force will be chaired by theMinister of Lands, Housing andUrban Development, Ms. AmaPepple. Other members of thecommittee are Minister of State,Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada,Minister of Transport, SenatorIdris Umar, and Minister of Statefor Agriculture and RuralDevelopment, Mallam Bukar

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

A middle-aged man waskilled, while some otherssustained varying degrees

of injury, following a multipleautomobile crash whichoccurred yesterday along theOwerri-Umuahia road.

Four vehicles were involvedin crash. The lone occupant ofthe Nissan saloon car with

registration number SF 609 KJAdied instantly, while a fewpassengers in the Bournvitabranded Toyota Hiace bus, XC663 WEN, suffered varyingdegrees of injury and wererushed to hospital.

The driver of an ImoTransport Company, ITC, whosevehicle, a Mitsubishi L300 bus,XG 109 PHC, was involved in thecrash, gave a graphic account of

how the accident happened tosome officers of Federal RoadSafety Corps (FRSC).

“The driver of the Nissanvehicle was overtaking theBournvita branded bus as theywere descending the hill andheading towards Mbaise. Sadly,the driver of another redcoloured Japanese car opted toovertake from the right of thebus”, the ITC driver recounted.

Continuing, the driver saidthat the Bournvita branded bus,who was helmed in at the time,brushed the Nissan car and itstarted somersaulting.

“The bus driver equally lostcontrol and crashed into my bus,which I parked neatly and off theroad as soon as I saw what washappening in front of me. Thedriver of the red Japanese carsped away”, the ITC driver said.

Multiple crash claims one, injures manyBy Etuka Sunday with agencies

Nuhu Ribadu

Tijani.“The White Paper Committee

on the report of the NationalRefineries Special Task Force hasMinister of Mines and SteelDevelopment, Arc. MohammedSada as Chairman, and Hon.Minister of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment, Dr. AkinwumiAdesina, Minister of State forHealth, Dr. Muhammad Pate andMinister of State for Education,Mr. Ezenwo Nyeson Wike asmembers.

The statement said the Officeof the Secretary to theGovernment of the Federation isto serve as secretariat for thecommittees.

Fire guts KatsinaLG secretariatFrom Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

A ferocious fire outbreakyesterday razed Katsinalocal government

secretariat in Katsina state to theground.

The fire according toeyewitnesses at the localgovernment secretariat startedaround 7: 30 pm, and it wasbelieved to have started from theConference Room of thesecretariat.

Our correspondent whovisited the secretariat met menof the State Fire Service battlingto put off the ferocious flames.However it was learnt that theylater ran out of water.

As at the time of compilingthis report, the fire had guttedthe conference hall, the office ofthe chairman, theadministration and accountsections.


R-L: Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, former head of interim government Chief Ernest Shonekan, and the Minister of State forFinance, Alh. Yerima Ngama, at the opening of the 4th African Public Private Partnership, held at Transcorp Hilton Abuja yesterday.

Photo: Joe Oroye.

2012 budget: Reps querypresidential adviser on amnesty

Amnesty office could not convincethe committee on how theappropriated funds were utilised.

“I will therefore close thissession and ask the special adviserto go and come back next Tuesdaywith concrete facts”

Earlier, in his presentationbefore the committee, Mr. Kukusaid N63.847 millionappropriated in the 2012 budgetwere yet to be released by the

The House of Representativescommittee on Niger Deltayesterday said President

Goodluck Jonathan’s specialadviser on Niger Delta, Mr.Kingsley Kuku, was unable todefend the implementation of the2012 budget for the amnestyprogramme.

The committee therefore

directed the special adviser toreappear before it next Tuesdaywith cogent documents.

Chairman of the committee,Hon. Warman Ogorimanannounced this at a budget defencesession with the special adviser.

He gave the order after Kukumade a presentation whichmajority members of thecommittee disagreed with.

He said it was clear the

Budget Office. He said so far, hisoffice has received money in fourinstalments only.

He said N20.7 billion wasvoted for stipends and allowancesfor ex-militants, while N3.173billion was for the cost of operationsin the Presidential AmnestyOffice.

According to him, 26,328 ex-militants have been fullydisarmed and demobilised, 2,875undergoing entrepreneurialtraining, while 5,209 have beenplaced in various gainfullyemployed positions. He added that8084 ex-agitators have beensuccessfully placed inrehabilitation centres.

By Umar Muhammad Puma

The Fiscal ResponsibilityCommission (FRC)yesterday interrogated the

Director General, NigerianMaritime and Safety Agency(NIMASA) for failing to submit anaudited account of the agency asstatutorily demanded by the FRCAct of 2007.

Speaking shortly afterreceiving the management ofNIMASA, the ExecutiveChairman of FRC, Jibril Yelwa,said that FRC came into force since2007, adding that the essence ofthe provisions in the FRC Act is toensure the respect andenforcement of fiscal responsibilityby government agencies anddepartments.

He further said that NIMASAis one of the national agencies listedunder the Act to submit theiraccounts and budget to FRC,regretting that NIMASA has notbeen able to comply with thisdemand.

He said that since 2009,NIMASA has not submitted itsaudited account; henceinvestigation has been initiatedagainst the agency with a view tounravel the mystery behind theattitude.

According to him, “The lawrequires that every ministry,department and agency shouldsubmit its medium term revenueand expenditure framework, inaddition to preparing an auditedaccount yearly before the end ofany financial year and also to pay80% of their operating surplus togovernment.”

Against this background, hewarned that failure to plan is planto fail, adding that the law hasequally stated how the goals of FRCwould be achieved.

In his response, the DirectorGeneral of NIMASA, ZiakedeAkpobolokemi, observed that FRCwas a legal entity that must not beignored in carrying out officialassignments.

FRC quizzesNIMASA DGover unauditedaccountsBy Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The general public has beenadvised to identify epilepsyas brain disorders which can

happen to anyone, and should bereferred to hospitals for propertreatment which can only be givenby qualified medical practitioners.

This call was made by a group ofexperts in Abuja yesterday at a one-day epilepsy seminal supported byAngie Epilepsy Foundation.

In his remark, ConsultantNeurosurgeon, CedarcrestHospital, Abuja, Dr. BiodunOgungbo, said epilepsy was not adisease but a treatable disorderwhich can only be provided bymedical experts as it mostlyrequires opening the brain in orderto discover the damage and have ittreated.

According to him, “Epilepsy isnot a disease, but a brain disorder,which is caused by a scar in the

Doctors treat epilepsybetter– ExpertsBy A’isha Biola Raji brain; it is not communicable and

so cannot be contacted by anotherperson.”

He however called ongovernment and pharmacists in thecountry to help the sufferers of thisdisorder by making drugs availableand affordable.

In his presentation, the guestlecturer at the seminar, Dr. YusufZubair said, a child could developepilepsy if the brain did not formproperly. Other causes of epilepsyaccording to him are accident,brain tumor, hormonal activitiesin women, sleep deprivation, noise,low sugar and whatever can causea scar to the brain.

He advised epileptic people toavoid swimming, driving, walkingin areas with height and also avoidplaces with dangerous objects andfire.

Others include avoidance ofalcohol and head trauma and theyshould get adequate sleep.

The Donor Recruiter,National BloodTransfusion service, Mr

Ubarieke Chukwudi, yesterdaycalled for strengthened blooddonation culture in Nigeria toreduce incidences of deathsassociated with bloodtransfusion.

Chukwudi stated this inGwagwalada during a free

medical checkup, laboratorytesting and clinical diagnosisorganized by a National YouthService Corps member, Mr NcheBikwe for staff of Gwagwaladaarea council.

He expressed dismay over theattitude of Nigerians towardsblood donation adding that astrengthened voluntary blooddonation culture would ease thestress of looking for donors duringemergency cases.

According to him, “ourpartnership with Bikwe on thefree medical outreach followedthe fact that the programmewould create an avenue for us to

strengthen awareness on blooddonation”.

“In blood donation, one of thethings we look out for is wherewe can have the people in largenumber like this so that we canaddress them since it is avoluntary thing,” he said.

In his remark, Bikwe said theinitiative followed his interest toimpact on his host communityas well as to strengthen awarenessthat some deadly disease could beprevented.

He said the initiative wasaimed at assisting the publicparticularly those that could notafford medical diagnosis.

According to him, the freemedical programme would covercheckup and diagnosis on sugarlevel, hypertension, hepatitis aswell as voluntary blood donation.

He said the programme wasalso targeted at commemoratingthe World Diabetis Day addingthat the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, likediabetis, hypertension andhepatitis was on the increase.

Bikwe identified obesity,excessive intake of alcohol, lackof exercise, excessive intake ofsugar as well malnutrition asrisk factor to non-communicablediseases.

Expert advocates blood donation culture in NigeriaBy Adeola Tukuru

The Lafia Modern Market onTuesday opened for businesswith the sealing of a Facility

Management Agreementbetween Nasarawa StateGovernment and Abuja MarketsM a n a g e m e n tLimited(AMML),after beingcommissioned earlier this year.

The 1003 shop- capacitymarket which was conceptualizedby the Abdullahi Adamuadministration in 2001, was sixtyper cent done before the presentAdministration in the statecompleted it.

According to the NasarawaState Commissioner ofCommerce, Ahmed Mohammedwho signed on behalf of thegovernment, said mandate to the

Abuja Markets ManagementLimited (AMML) to manage themarket was informed by the needto sustain the public facilitythrough professional facilitymanagement services.

A statement signed by theCorporate Affairs Manager, AbujaMarkets Management LimitedInnocent Amaechina quoted Alh.Ahmed as saying that the AbujaMarkets Management Limitedwas chosen as a result of its track-record in market management inAbuja where it currentlymanages about 15 shoppingfacilities.

The Commerce Commissionertherefore called on the tradersand shoppers in the state to takeadvantage of the modernshopping facility and to also co-operate with the market

managers so as to have the best ofshopping experience as part ofGovernor Umar TankoAlmakura’s democratic benefits tothe people of the State.

In his remark at theMemorandum of Understanding(MOU) signing ceremony, theManaging Director, AbujaMarkets Management Limited,Abubakar Usman Faruk assuredthe people of the state that AMMLwould live up to the confidence theNasarawa State government hasshown in them.

Thanking the Stategovernment for the provision ofthe market, the Chairman ofContactors’ Forum in the state,Ibrahim Mohammed urged thegovernment to resuscitate the“abandoned” Keffi market so as toharness the potentials therein.

Lafia modern market opens for businessBy Adeola Tukuru

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER, 16, 2012PAGE 10

FG revokes Plateau road contractThe Minister of State for

Works, Amb. BashirYuguda has said that the

Federal Governmenthasterminated the road contract forPanyam -Bokkos-Wamba road

Constitution review: Concede VP, deputy governorship to women - NPC

in Plateau state due to poorperformance.

This was disclosed by theMinister during courtesy call onthe Minister of Information Mr.Labaran Maku.

The Minister lamented thatthe road contract which was

Women group wants discriminatory laws nullified

By Adeola Tukuru

As the constitutionamendment processcontinues, Mrs. Cecilia

Dapoet, the only womancommissioner in the NationalPopulation Commission (NPC),has suggested that deputisingroles be conceded to women.

"The constitution shouldmake it compulsory that onlywomen should be qualified to bevice president, deputy governorand deputy chairman of local

government", Dapoet said in Joson Wednesday.

Dapoet was speaking at thejoint public session organised bythe three senatorial districts ofPlateau state to harmonise theirpositions on the issues to beamended in the nation'sConstitution.

"Conceding such positionsautomatically to women is theonly way to give them a sense oftotal belonging; it is the only

way to make them part of polity,especially since their malecounterparts had always out-muscled them in the contest foroffices.

"Clearly, many women donot have the financial strengthto match the men and have oftenlost the bids for such electiveoffices, so an automatic clauseconceding the deputising roleswill correct that imbalance", shesaid.

awarded on April, 19, 2007 toSTATECO NIGERIA LTD at thecost of N5,338,200,930.90, hasleft much to be desired.

He further stated that to dateafter over 66 months and grantof two extensions of contractperiod, no satisfactory progress

was recorded.Amb. Yuguda said that the

Federal Government had nooption other than to terminatethe contract in line with clause63 of standard conditions ofcontract(Road Works).

"The contactor has been

L-R: Member, House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Yakub Balogun, Chaiman.House of Representatives Committee on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Ben Nwankwo, Chairman, HouseCommittee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nnena Elendu Ukeje and Chairman, House Committee on ICT,Hon. Ibrahim Gusau, during the budget defence by the ministry of foreign affairs before the housecommittee, yesterday at the National Assembly. Photo: Mahmud Isa

reported to the Economic andFinancial Crimes Commission forinvestigation, while the FederalController of Works in Plateaustate has been directed to carryout assessment of the work so fardone so as to determine the finalaccount of the project", he said.

She said, "Women have triedin vain to be elected to the officesof the president, as governors andlocal government councilchairpersons; we cannot justleave out a major segment of thepopulation just because of someartificial hurdles usually placedon their paths", she said.

Dapoet said that such rule, ifinserted in the constitution,would make women moreenthusiastic and supportive of

democracy.The Special Adviser to

Governor Jonah Jang on WomenMobilisation, Mrs. TabithaAruku said that men had alwaysdominated the Nigerian politywithout due regard to thewomenfolk.

"We need an urgent changebecause such domination isdiscriminatory and must becorrected because Nigeriabelongs to all", she said. (NAN)

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A Federal High Court, inLagos has been asked todeclare unconstitutional,

null and void, the lawmandating a married womanto continue to claim her stateof origin for the purpose ofappointment at the federallevel.

A nongovernmentalorganisation, IncorporatedTrustees of WomenEmpowermentand Legal AidInitiative (WELA) whichinstituted the suit named theAttorney General of theFederation (AGF) and Ministerof Justice as the sole defendant.

According to the plaintiff,the fundamental right of everyperson against discriminationhas been guaranteed underSection 42 of the 1999Constitution and Articles 2 and3 of the African Charter on

Human and Peoples' Rights(Ratification and Enforcement)Act (Cap A9) Laws of theFederation of Nigeria, 2004.

WELA told the court thatthe provision that a marriedwoman shall continue toidentify with her state of originfor the purpose ofimplementation of the FederalCharacter Formula at thenational level was contrary tothe provision of Section42(1)(a)(b) of the 1999Constitution.

The NGO noted that in spiteof the unconstitutionality ofsection 2, part II of the federalcharacter commission law, it isbeing applied to deny womenappointments.

The women averred that onNovember 5, 2012, the ChiefJustice of Nigeria (CJN),Justice Mariam Aloma-Muktarrefused to administer oath ofoffice on Justice Ifeoma Jumbo-

Offor on the ground that she hastaken the slot of Abia State, herhusband's state and notAnambra, her own state ofOrigin.

In a 14-paragraph affidavitdeposed to by Funmi Falanafrom Femi Falana (SAN)'schambers, the women groupheld that: "It is the duty andresponsibility of the Respondentto protect every citizen ofNigeria including the Nigerianwomen against any form ofdiscrimination.

"It is our submission that amarried woman who moves toher husband's state and takesresidence there, is entitled toenjoy the rights of all otherindigenes of the state and to thatextent, Section 2 of Part II of theFederal Character CommissionAct is illegal as it has violatedthe obligation of Nigeria underthe African Charter on HumanRights Act", the plaintiff held.

Varsities produce unwantedgraduates -Fashola

Governor Babatunde Fasholaof Lagos State onWednesday said

qualitative higher education is notabout certificates alone butcertificates of knowledge in thecritical area of needs of theeconomy.

Mr. Fashola stated this whiledelivering 2021 ConvocationLecture of the University of Ibadantitled: Framework for Re-inventing Higher Education forNational Development held at theTrenchard Hall of the institution.

In his paper:" We are producingthe same graduates that oureconomy no longer needs, the town(Economy) and the gown (ourhigher institutions) are speakingdifferent languages".

From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan He said nation's priority mustbe how to create a generation ofNigerians that would buildbusinesses rather than managebusinesses built by others and shunproduct of necessity for a consciousnational plan.

The governor said that, sinceour economy has changed, thetraining of our human capitalmust change not only as a responseto the present but also as a strategicplan to control the future.

"All our major cities are rapidlyurbanizing with the attendantproblem of overcrowding andtransport congestion, how manyuniversities are producingtransport engineers and transportplanners.

"Similarly, our tourismeconomy is still underdeveloped",he added.

Give society beyond handouts,Oshiomhole tells multinationals

Governor AdamsOshiomhole of Edo Statehas tasked multinational

companies to do more for thesociety instead of givinghandouts.

He spoke yesterday at thecommissioning of an ICT Centredonated by Shell Explorationand Production Company(SNEPCo) and the NigeriaNational Petroleum Corporationto Edo College, Benin City.

The ICT Centre consists anICT block, 20 units of desktopcomputers withinterconnectivity facilities; 27KVA power Generator, C BandInternet of 512/256 Kbps withthree years subscription.

Speaking at the occasion,Oshiomhole expressedappreciation to Shell and NNPCfor establishing the centre toimprove the student'sknowledge of computer.

According to him "I like toappreciate NNPC and Shell forappreciating that they have a

From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse duty as beneficiaries of publicfunded capital development toalso share their profit to thebaking of that human capital.The human capital that drives ",he remarked.

He however told thecompanies that "as an oilproducing state, Edo Stateshould get a higher share of yourhandout. It can't be the same.Those who live by the river sideshould get more than those towhom the water is passed".

Oshiomhole added "I'd like toappeal to PTA leaders not to besatisfied with variousorganizations giving youcomputers. If there is no school,there would be no place to putthose computers. I am surebetween Shell and NNPC they canmake additional contribution torebuild abandoned projects".

In his remark, the Shellrepresentative Mr. AmaechiOnaiwa said the essence ofestablishing the centre is tostrengthen the education systemand giver children theopportunity to explore.


Whenever an individualor a business decides thatsuccess has beenattained, progress stops.

– Thomas J. Watson

The popcorn you see on thestreets is not made by thesellers, people process

them in quantity and supplyto them, while they sell andmake profit. Pick one of themand you will see the addressesand phone numbers of themaker, that's the business I'mtalking about! You can startprocessing popcorn in largequantity and be supplying tothe retailers (hawkers andsupermarkets) in the city.

One thing that makes thebusiness attractive is becausethe materials involved in theproduction are not costly;anyone can afford them withlittle efforts. The product sellsfast too because people justenjoy eating popcorn for manyreasons.

Popcorn is one my favoritesnack; likewise it is to manypeople. We likes it due to Thecrispy effect in the mouth, thenutritional value, and childrenlikes it a lot so parents buys itfor their children.

Again, the profit potential isquite good and if you can takeit to the next level, you will beassured of making even muchmore sales and profit. If youproduce 10,000 monthly andsell to the retailers at the priceof (maybe) N70, the retailerswill sell for N100 and makeprofit of N30 each.

The cost of producing a packis not more that N40 thereforeyou will be making profit ofN30 each as well. With thisprojection, 10,000 packs willgive you 10,000 x N30 =N300, 000 of pure profit in amonth!

I've gone round anddiscovered that most peoplewho are into this business aredoing it the wrong or old way.In this article, I will try toexplain what you need to do toget yours right and make allthe money for yourselves.

If you can apply mystrategy, I guarantee you willmake more sells that anyone inthe business. If you're ready,here are the requirements youneed to put in place to be inPopcorn business.

Popcorn Machine: Knownas popcorn maker. You will needbigger popcorn machine sinceyou will be producing in largerquantity. Look for nice one inthe market and buy two ormore depending on how manyhands you need in the business.I will encourage you to employhands in this business foreffective production anddistribution.

How to make N300, 000 monthly frompopcorn business in Nigeria (2)

Quote

Handwork in Nigeria you can learn within 2 months (1)making money for yourself.Some of the world's mostsatisfied and accomplishedpeople are people with greathandwork, who have learnedthe art of craftsmanship andrenders quality services.

• Phone RepairNearly 100Million

Nigerians have GSM phoneand these phones needconstant servicing. To learnphone repair, you need abouttwo months or less. People inthe trade confirmed that thework isn't that difficult, thatone can learn it even usingphone manuals.

The cheapest repair you doon your phone will cost younothing less than N1, 000, andyou are guaranteed of plentycustomers on daily basis ifyou're good at your work.

• Graphic DesignThis is one of the highly

sought after services both onand off the net. A good andcreative graphic designer earnvery decent amount from hiswork, and you can be paid inDollars if you work on theInternet too.

• House PaintingHouses are springing up all

over Nigeria on daily basis, that'sthe sign of level of prosperity inour father's land. These housesare to be painted, and to learnhouse painting work will takeyou approximately two weeks.

House painting work is acombination of art andcreativity, if you're a creativeperson, you will surely do wellin this work. Get in touch witha good house painter now andbegin to learn this. Housepainters charge betweenN100, 000 to Millions of Nairato finish a whole housedepending on the extent youwant the painting done andhow big the house is.

Get the type of popcornfrying machine that isnormally used by the eateries.Go for the types that producesalt and sugar popcorn at thesame time; ET-POP6A-D or Funpop 8 oz, it is sold from N62,000. It's bigger and processfaster that the regular one.

If your area doesn't haveelectricity, buy the type ofpopcorn maker that uses gascylinder and electricity so thatyou can switch to both powersources. Prices for popcornmaker start from N20, 000. Goto the seller and negotiate theprice.

If you have enough money,you can go for commercial typelike the one pictured here. Oneof this will be able to pop all thecorn you want in a day.

Sealing Machine: Manualsealing machine cost N10, 000to N15, 000 in the market, findout what the exact prices areand negotiate with the seller.Buy according to the number ofworkers you have -- morehands, more machines, andmore productions.

The manual sealingmachine is powered byelectricity while you control thesealing manually. You justposition the pop corn fillednylon on the machine andpressed the 'handle like'controller on the nylon edge andit will be sealed by the hot rim.You will get better informationon how to operate it from theaccompanying literature!

Branded Nylon: This iswhere the big deal is. To stayahead of competitors in thisbusiness, your strongest sellingpoint should be your brand.Make sure your package nylonis well branded. It's not enoughto just write your businessname and phone number on thenylon, create attractive brandfor your business.

Take a clue from the eateriesand see how their packages areprofessionally branded withgood and quality designedpictures and graphics, completewith professional logo. That'swhat sells in business -- all

Handwork is one of themost reliable means ofincome in today's world

economy. If you have anyquality service you can renderto people, you're sure to bemaking regular income all yearround uninterrupted, as long asyour service is good.

But one thing thatdiscourages people fromlearning handwork is the longperiod of time normallyrequired to completeapprenticeship.

Fortunate to know however,that there are some handworkyou can learn within twomonths and be able to start

popcorn is the same but yourbrand could make yoursdifferent in the eyes ofconsumers.

It doesn't cost much to get aprofessional branding for yourbusiness, employ professionalgraphic designers to do it foryou. Then use the design for allyour nylons and other itemslike the popcorn wrappers ifyou are using wrappingpapers.

Bag of Corn: Your major rawmaterial in this business is corn.Buy enough bags of corndepending on the quantity youwants to produce. You can get asmany bags of corn as you want in

Mile-12 market in Lagos.For corn to pop, There should

be certain amount of moisturewithin the corn, so that whenheated makes it pop from theinside out, when a corn don't getpopped from inside out, it's calleda dud, which means there was notenough moisture in that corn.Look for sweet corn that containenough moisture.

Sugar, Salt, Butter: You needsugar and salt and butter to makeyour popcorn taste great. Theseone are difficult to get, go to anyshop near you and buy as muchas you need.

Note: You need to getadditional training on how to mix

the sugar, butter, and salt and thedesired quantity. You will alsoneed to learn how to pop the corn.

Marketing Tips: Target thestreet hawkers; they sell theproduct faster and in largequantity. If you can get 10hawkers, you will be sure ofsupplying them about 500 dailythat is a whooping 13,000monthly.

Talk to Supermarkets and shopowners, you will be surprised ofthe positive response you willget if your branding isattractive enough.

S o u r c e :Wealthresult.com


General Muhammadu Shuwa(1933-2012)

His exploits during the 30-monthNigerian civil war (1966-1970)were legendary. Those from the

north, old enough to know what the warwas all about, could not forget the warsongs and jingles in Hausa on RadioKaduna, as the Federal RadioCorporation of Nigeria (FRCN) wasthen known, celebrating the heroics ofGeneral Muhammadu Shuwa. In thosewar songs and jingles, the name of thelegendary General always got the mostmention for bravery.

But bravery was not the onlyredeeming attribute of the Borno stateborn commander during the ferociouswar to keep the nation a single entity;General Shuwa also exhibited anuncommon compassion for the“enemy”. For the wartime 1st DivisionCommander, the life of the opponentwas considered no less sacrosanct andprecious. As Commander of the 5thBattalion in Kano in 1966, he was saidto have locked and kept the key to thearmoury during the northern officers’counter-coup of July 1966 so as toprevent a reprisal against the Igboofficers serving there. He was in deedsand comportment the archetypal officerand gentleman.

So sad it was a day indeed thatFriday, a fortnight ago, when the life ofthe gentle General, along with those ofhis orderly and a guest, was snuffed outby the bullets of assassins who stealthilycame calling at his Gwange residence inMaiduguri, the Borno state capital. Thecowards they were, the killers, four innumber, were said to have disguised asguests who came to pay homage to him,as his residence was a Mecca of sorts to

“As we pray for the repose of thesoul of departed General Shuwa,

we urge the federal government todo justice to his memory by doing

all within its powers to bring hiskillers to book as well as bring to anend this vicious, violent and deadly

insurgency

all manner of people. That was themeasure of General Shuwa’s popularityamong his people that even as Gwangeward remained one of the most volatileand deadly areas in Maiduguri in the on-going fierce battle between the Joint TaskForce (JTF) and the insurgent group,Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, better known as Boko Haram, heopted to remain with the people insteadof fleeing to the safety and comfort of faraway Abuja, the Federal Capital, as havedone many of his fellow, but lesshonourable and uncelebrated, elite.

Born in Kala Balge local governmentarea of Borno state in 1933, GeneralShuwa attended the famous BarewaCollege in Zaria along with fellow wartime legend and former Head of state,late General General Murtala Mohamed,Professor Jibril Aminu, the late InteriorMinister Alhaji Ali Baba, the lateProfessor B.D. Musa, Alhaji Lema Jibrilu,former Chief Justice Mohamed LawalUwais and the late Secretary to theGovernment of the Federation and

Wazirin Jama’a, Alhaji Aliyu Mohamed,among a host of other leading Nigerianspast and living.

After a stint in the TreasuryDepartment of Dikwa Native Authority,Shuwa enlisted in the army in 1957 andwas trained at Teshi, Ghana and laterSewnhath Military School in the UnitedKingdom (UK) where he graduated as aSecond Lieutenant in 1961.

He had served first as the FederalCommissioner for Trade and later forWorks from 1975 to 1979. And afterretiring from the army on October 1,1979, the late military icon had lived inMaiduguri since then before his brutalmurder on that fateful Friday,November 2nd. In General Shuwa, thekillers, whoever they may be, as BokoHaram has denied responsibility, haverobbed Nigeria of one of its mostpatriotic, illustrious, compassionate,courageous, disciplined, restrained anddown to earth Generals.

As we pray for the repose of the soulof departed General Shuwa, we urge thefederal government to do justice to hismemory by doing all within its powersto bring his killers to book as well asbring to an end this vicious, violent anddeadly insurgency which has not onlycontinued to decimate the youthpopulation in the north, but is alsothreatening to bring to its knee theentire north, if not the nation.

May Allah (SWT) make AljannatFirdaus the final abode of his soul, andgive the four wives, 25 children,numerous grand and great grandchildren as well as the friends andassociates he left behind, the fortitudeto bear the irreparable national loss.

OUR MISSIONOUR MISSIONOUR MISSIONOUR MISSIONOUR MISSION OUR PEOPLEOUR PEOPLEOUR PEOPLEOUR PEOPLEOUR PEOPLECHAIRMAN

MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

ALI M. ALI

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION

HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

EDITOR, DAILY

ABDULAZEEZ ABDULLAHI

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND

JAMILA NUHU MUSA

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING

HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU

ADESOJI OYINLOLA

“To be the marketplace of ideas and theleading player in the

industry by putting thepeople first, upholdingthe truth, maintaining

the highestprofessional andethical standards

while delivering valueto our stakeholders”

“To be a reputable,profitable,

innovative andtechnologically

reliant mediacompany offering

world classservices and

products”

OUR VISIONOUR VISIONOUR VISIONOUR VISIONOUR VISION

DIRECTOR/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEFRUFA’I IBRAHIM

EDITEDITEDITEDITEDITORIALORIALORIALORIALORIAL


I confess this is the title of a bookwritten some 22 years ago byChief Arthur Nwankwo after he

had an altercation with ChiefOlusegun Obasanjo and felt that hislife was under threat. I picked thistitle for this piece since I wasthreatened with annihilation byunknown gunmen/hoodlums inthe garb of members of theJama’atu ahlus Sunnah lid Da’awatiwal Jihad popularly known as BokoHaram. On the night (around 7.30to 8pm) of Thursday, the 18th ofOctober, 2012, rampaginghoodlums wielding guns scaled thewalls of my house in Potiskum andthreatened my family to open thedoor or get shot. When the door wasopened by my wife, a blessed andgentle soul, they rushed in andmolested my household and askedfor my where about.

On being told I was not in town,they said I was lucky for if I werearound they would have killed me.To prove that their threat was nota fluke, they, all thanks to He whogives and taketh life, brought outmy family and set the house on fire.Nothing was salvaged as the housewas completely razed.Now, somethings baffle me. Those hoodlumsclaimed to be members of Jama’atuahlus Sunnah lid Da’awati wal Jihadbut were they? I doubt and for somany strong reasons.

This group has as its cardinalobjective “the establishment of anIslamic society”. What I know is that

anybody not grounded in Islamicknowledge comprising of Qur’an,traditions, history, jurisprudence,philosophy, etc. cannot be at thevanguard of Islamic reformationnot to talk of revolution. And frommy little knowledge, from what Iam able to gather from a book calledTa’alim Muta ta’alim Tariqatut Ta’alim(Teaching the knowledge seeker[student] ways of gettingknowledge), I know one CANNOTsuccessfully be a revolutionary(Islamic, anyway) without beingta’arifu bilLah wa Ta’arifuz zaman(knowledgeable of Allah andcurrent times [affairs]).

I want to believe Imam Shakauand at least his immediateassociates are well grounded inIslamic knowledge and thereforeknow the history of all Islamicrevolutions and revolutionaries, atleast in black Africa, and theirmethods. I also want to believe thatwith knowledge of the times, theyknow that killing Hassan Gimbawill in no way give mileage to theirobjectives because Hassan Gimba,who has never worked inGovernment either in an electiveor appointive capacity, can in noway impede their march. I want tobelieve they know Islamic historytherefore they know that burningmy house also cannot be an act of

Islam nor can it in anyway helptheir cause because the system doesnot even know me or my house. Inany case, what was unIslamicabout my house?

How can I or my house be in theway of a jihadist? Remove me andmy house and then you areguaranteed an “Islamic Republic”?I do not want to believe thatanybody who knows Islam andancient and contemporary historywill have such a mindset: wastinghis energy and resources on whatwill ultimately not be of benefit tohim and his dreams.

So that most likely leavesShakau and his people out. The nextset is the criminal Boko Harampeopled by hoodlums always highon drugs. Being malcontents, theyare at pains to see one seemingly(or assumedly) contented so theymust destroy one. A lot of good menhave lost their lives in their hands.Women have been widowed andchildren orphaned while parents’wishes to be buried by theirchildren shattered.These hoodlumskill and steal money, gold, handsets,laptops, etc. from their victims inthe name jihad!

Now, like every good Muslim,despite my failings andimperfections, I believe life is sacredand given by Allah (SWT). He gave

Before I die (I)

The recent refusal of the ChiefJustice of Nigeria, JusticeAloma Muktar to administer

judicial oath of office on JusticeIfeoma Jombo-Ofo as Justice of theCourt of Appeal is a draw back onthe much-touted campaign forgender equality and womenempowerment in Nigeria. And tothink that Justice Aloma, whomade history as the first femaleChief Justice of the country couldsuperintend this show because ofsome primordial considerationsleaves so much to be desired inwomen who are at the top alreadyand exposes a fundamental matterNigeria has not been payingattention to and which is seriouslyaffecting our nationhood. JusticeIfeoma and 11 others were supposedto be confirmed as justices of theCourt of Appeal. But as others werebeing sworn into office, petitionswere reportedly filed against thecandidature of Justice Ifeoma forthe position because she was notan indigene of Abia state and henceunfit to fill Abia slot as a judicialpolicy demanded. Findings showthat Justice Ifeoma although bornin Anambra State, was married toan indigene of Abia State and hadsince her marriage transferred herservice and allegiance to Abia.That was some 14 years ago.

I am shocked that JusticeAloma could not make a case forher counterpart on the matterknowing the sensitive nature ofgender-connected controversies.But supposing she was avoiding thesludge of gender bias, what stoppedher Lordship from previouslyconferring with the relevantrecommending authorities so the

matters could be sorted out to avertthe embarrassment that now trailsthe event? The Abia StateGovernment and the AbiaJudiciary decide who representsthem and they never objected toher appointment.

The Presidency and theNational Judicial Council alsoreportedly approved of herappointment and established theworth of her qualifications andcredentials for the office. So, whywould the CJN allow some raucousdissenters put the judiciary in asituation that could lead toinsinuation of another bout ofsubliminal interference in judicialprocesses? And if indeed there is asubsisting judicial policy thatforbids women from ascending tothe height of their career in theirhusband’s state as we are beingtold, what is the position of theconstitution, which is the basis ofall other rules and policies?

Section 1(3) of the 1999Constitution had established thepre-eminence of the constitutionthus: “If any other law isinconsistent with the provisions ofthis constitution, this constitutionshall prevail, to the extent of theinconsistency, be void”. Inaddressing the matter of JusticeIfeoma, Section 42 (1) under theheading ‘Right to freedom fromDiscrimination’ states, “A citizenof Nigeria of a particularcommunity, ethnic group, place oforigin, sex, religion or politicalopinion shall not, by reason onlythat he is such a person

(a) be subjected eitherexpressly by, or in the practicalapplication of, any law in force inNigeria or any executive oradministrative action of the

government, to disabilities orrestriction to which citizens ofNigeria or other communities,ethnic groups, places of origin, sex,religious or political opinions arenot made subject.”

Justice Muktar Aloma is theChief Justice of Nigeria andcertainly knows better. Asidefrom constitutional protection forthe rights of women, is it notculturally, socially, religiouslyand even legally true that whena woman is married to a man, shebecomes an entity with him?What is then the basis fordiscrepancy? If Aloma couldendorse this shame and evendared the joint resolution of all the108 Senators who ratifiedIfeoma’s appointment, otherNigerian women may have toswallow their pride when someoverbearing men repeat suchhumiliating action in the future.

Conversely, those who haveexpressed sadness over JusticeAloma’s decision have been men,men who have risen beyondparochial sentiments. SenatorDavid Mark in particular felt the

first female justice by her decisionwas weeping more than thebereaved. It will therefore be thepath of honour for Justice Alomato recall Justice Ifeoma for her ritesof office as this is becomingdisgraceful for the nation meritsystem and whatever may be thereason being currently evinced byHer Lordship for the delay cannotbe sufficient at such a momentwhen all matters ought to havebeen concluded. It could onlymean two things. One, thejudiciary is not organized. Two,the NJC and all the public officers,including Mr. President and theSenate President who approve ofJustice Ifeoma’s investiture, lackcredibility and integrity. Theseare too weighty implications andthey have damnableconsequences on us as a people ifvalid.

But beneath this socio-judicialaltercation is another issue,which stocks the blinding smoke.Senator Mark himself spotted itwhen he presented a strong casefor replacement of state of originwith state of residence. It is high

Justice Ifeoma: Why state of origin shouldn’t have mattered

me my life without consultationswith anybody and He will take it atHis appointed time and by themeans He decreed withoutconsultations with anybody. Healone knows when and how and nopowers anywhere, save Him, canharm a strand of my hair anytime,anywhere. If anything happens tome, therefore, it must only be byHis leave, to whom all Glory andPraise belongs.

However, like any concernedobserver in present day Nigeria, Iwonder what happened that led tosuch deterioration in morals andcharacter that youths have noqualms in killing, maiming andarson; that people can take lives ofothers without the fear of God; thatauthority no longer commandsrespect and chaos and anarchy reartheir heads whenever they wish! Ibelieve there is a failure inleadership and therefore a hugedisconnect between the leaders andthe followers. We have been let downby our leaders’ selfishness anddisregard for the welfare and wellbeing of the led. Whatever socialupheavals we are experiencing nowas a nation can be directly traceableto corrupt leadership that pandersjust to its kind as against equitabledistribution of the commonwealthfor the benefit of all.

“I am shocked that Justice Aloma could not make acase for her counterpart on the matter knowing thesensitive nature of gender-connected controversies.But supposing she was avoiding the sludge of gender

bias, what stopped her Lordship from previouslyconferring with the relevant recommending authorities

so the matters could be sorted out to avert theembarrassment that now trails the event?

time we adopted this suggestionso that embarrassingconfrontations like this will stop. Ibelieve with this in place, thelimitation of our ethnic differenceswill be reduced and Nigerians canlive and work in any state of theirchoosing without the fear of anyrepugnant judicial policy orexecutive fiat.

Those who followed events inAbia state in the wake of theminimum wage benchmark willunderstand executive fiat better.Thousands of non-indigenes of Abiastate were summarily dismissedfrom the state civil service and sentpacking because the stategovernment could not afford to payall the workers minimum wage.So, those who had filled other statesof origin in their application formshad to be fired, their tenement rateexpired with executive fiat.

That is how state of origin istearing us apart. Public and privateestablishments require you to fill‘state of origin’ in their forms sothey will know how to deal withyou just in case you don’t belong.Tertiary institutions still talk ofcatchment areas while offeringadmissions, so they can absorbstudents who are not too good butare sons and daughters of the soil.Even the nation, in every sector,still stresses the decimal of federalcharacter at the expense of merit.We have this mental consciousnessof our ethnic bearing and this isaffecting the unity and progress ofthe country. We may never be oneuntil we start removing all theclauses and conditions that widenour differences and accentuate ourweaknesses.Folarin Samson is reachable [email protected].

By Folarin Samson

By Hassan Gimba Ahmed No citizen would want to takeup arms against the state if he knewthat hard work pays and merit isappreciated. What do you call asystem whereby you toil fromdawn to dusk but go home brokenwhile someone takes homeunaccounted millions daily justbecause he is an appointee or an“elected” official? It is a cutthroatsystem in which survival is nolonger for the fittest but for thosewith the hottest godfathers on board:those without formal (considered aswestern) education cannot survivewhile those with, too, are at theirwits end to make ends meet as thereare no jobs just as the so callededucation they were imparted withdid not equip them to be selfdependant.

At this stage of our nationhood,is it not an indictment on theleadership that PhD holders arequeuing up to become drivers? Ourbrightest left to the mercy of killerpotholes and night bandits! In anycase, if as a graduate you cannothave a decent job and there is nosocio-economic policy on ground foryou to own a truck or any propertyfor that matter unless you take overthe “traditional” job of the“uneducated”, then, pray, whathappens to the later group? Withno social welfare package to caterfor them, can Nigeria contain anyfuture social backlash, upheavaland (or) repercussion as a result?Hassan Gimba can becontacted [email protected].


Re - anonymous appeal for intervention at NIA

Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, textmessages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written

contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name anda valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed

to:

The Editor,Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza,

35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.Email: let [email protected]

SMS: 07037756364

WRITE TO US

My attention was capturedby a surprising petitionagainst Ambassador

E.O. Oladeiji, the DirectorGeneral, National IntelligenceAgency (NIA), by anonymouspersons that claimed to be“concerned officers” of theAgency which was published inthe 18th – 24th September, 2012Vol. 147 edition of Desert Herald.

As a voluntarily retiredAssistant Director ‘of the Agency,who has remained actively andkeenly abreast and conversantwith developments within theAgency and is well aware of andinspired by AmbassadorOladeiji’s impeccable andunequalled track record ofprofessional excellence andintegrity, I was shocked by themanner in and extent to whichthe petitioners went to blemishhis character. I was alsoastounded because despite thepetitioners’ acknowledgementthat the current DGNIA is aperfectionist , in the same breath,they questioned the wisdombehind the reforms initiated andimplemented by the DG whichhave undoubtedly raised the

fairly young Agency’s profile.The merits of the reforms and

achievements of AmbassadorOladeiji at the NIA are not indispute at all. One only needs tovisit the Agency’s headquartersand parley with the highlym o t i v a t e d ,spirited anddisciplined andloyal officersand staff. Theimpact is visiblea n dr e s o u n d i n g ,particularly inaspects ofc r i t i c a li m p o r t a n c esuch as thea u t o n o m o u sf i n a n c i a lregime, postinga u t o n o m y ,o p e r a t i o n a lp r o d u c t i v i t y ,strict access control, officeenvironment improvements, staffdiscipline, welfare and morale aswell as retiree welfare.

There is simply no doubt thatthe DG has succeeded inrepositioning the Agency for robust

fulfilment of intelligencerequirements in order that theNation’s current securitychallenges may be surmounted.

The essential secrecy of theAgency’s operations would not letus speak of the harvests of

intelligence and operationalsuccesses since 2010. But, in anutshell, the ultimate testimoniesto the value of AmbassadorOladeiji’s visionary leadership ofthe NIA are the Agency’s increasedlocal and international

intelligence liaison relevanceunder the current global securitychallenges and, moreimportantly, its continuedtimely fulfilment of theGovernment’s numerousintelligence requirement orders.

Of course, with aperfectionist-workaholic incharge of theAgency, no less isexpected.

T h eachievementscited above didnot come as asurprise to thoseof us who hadsince noted, andhad always hadt r e m e n d o u srespect forA m b a s s a d o rO l a d e i j i ’ sresourcefulness,

meticulousness, diligence,unique sense of official obligationand a good sense of direction.

Indeed, even ordinarily, thedemands of working in anexternal intelligenceorganization are comparatively

quite high. The DG’s insistence onperfection and excellence wouldnaturally make things harder forsome officers. But, that offers noexcuse at all for any mischief orthe kind of irresponsibility andwanton disregard for officialsecrecy displayed by thepetitioners.

It is self-evident that thepetition was driven by maliciouspresumptions that went too far.Thus, it is advisable that officers,who feel aggrieved, should seekthe appropriate establishedmeans of redress. It is alsonecessary to draw a line betweenthe DG’s well-intentionedinitiatives and the misguided actsof some of his ill – intentionedAides. The DG urgently needs todo something about such Aidesand also seek new conciliatorymeans of re-establishingwholesome, perfect and enduringpeace in the Agency. The newdangerous attitude of officersgoing to the press with grievances(real or unreal) must not beallowed to become a culture of theNIA.

I. Ibrahim

Sokoto black out: Matters arisingBy Aminu Mohammed

The recent four- day totalpower blackout in Sokototown by electricity workers

in protest against an allegedassault on one of their managershas left many questionsunanswered. Power HoldingCompany of Nigeria (PHCN) mustexplain the real motive behind itsworkers’ undeserved punishmentof innocent Sokoto electricityconsumers.

There is a reason for everyaction taken but the consequencesof some actions have always beennegative as in the case of the PHCNworkers who visited on the entirepeople of Sokoto state the “sins” ofthe state government. It is yet tobe ascertained that the Gwiwabusiness manager of PHCN, MosesOsigwe, was manhandled bysecurity at the residence of thestate governor, Alhaji AliyuMagatakarda Wamakko or thegovernor himself. Until the courtsprove that he was manhandled orassaulted, it is subject to debate.But even if he was assaulted, doesthat warrant the inhuman andunpatriotic action the unionmembers took against the peopleof the state?

Agreed, Wamakko is the chief

security officer of the state as itsgovernor but how fair was theaction of PHCN staff to punishinnocent electricity consumersmost of whom are unjustifiably overbilled every month and yet theynever fail in paying theunnecessary and illegal additionsto their monthly bills? The four-day illegal blackout in Sokoto shouldnot be allowed to go without PHCNpaying heavily for it. The actiontaken by PHCN was inhuman,insensitive and unjustifiable andthere is need for the people of thestate to be compensated. Going backto the reason behind the blackout,the flogging of Osigwe remains anallegation which needs to be provedin a court of law.

Governor Wamakko, fullyaware of his responsibility as a leaderwhen it comes to dealing with fellowhuman beings, will never lose histemper against Osigwe without avery serious reason to do so. Havewe forgotten the public flogging of aserving police officer by PresidentObasanjo in Lokoja, Kogi state at arally? What happened afterwards?Nothing. Again, have we so easilyforgotten how football lovers beat the

hell out of a PHCN manager in Lagoswhich led to his death for failing togive them light to watch a footballmatch involving the Nigeriannational team? Anyway, since thestory of the alleged flogging brokeout both the print and the electronicmedia have been making it look likehara-kiri. As people who reason andnot only reason but appreciate theburden of leadership, fathers do notflog their children for the fun of it,rather they do it to straighten theircharacter or discipline them; theywant them to be good ambassadorsof their homes, society, communityand by extension their country.

Those who know Wammakovery well will agree that he is ahumble person and as governor inthe last five and half years, he hastolerated the bad and the ugly, theyoung and the old, the rich and thepoor, and has been tolerating allkinds of insult, all because of thissingular virtue he possesses -patience. How do you explain theforbearance of a deputy governorwho extended his hands 79 timesfor a handshake with his boss and79 times his boss refused to shakehim? How many of our leaders can

tolerate this kind ofembarrassment?

To make himself available tothe electorate, he has refused torelocate to the government housewhere it would be impossible forpeople especially the less privilegedto get access to him. Gov.Wamakko’s personal residence isthe only residence in Nigeria todaywhere there are security personnelwho have become extremelyfriendly with the public justbecause he has made them tobelieve that they cannot preventhim from meeting the people.

On the issues that led to thealleged manhandling of Mr.Osigwe and two of his subordinatesit is not a new thing that PHCNstaff have been assaulted becausethey milk unsuspectingconsumers dry while they sleepin darkness. Nigeria is the only oilproducing nation where citizenssleep in darkness every day. Wayback in the 90s, former GhanaianPresident Jerry Rawlings visitedKano during the Babangida eraand only God knew how bad,Babangida felt when NEPA struckwhile he and his guest were

attending a function. Again, aboutthree years ago, late PresidentYar’adua was delivering a speechto PDP supporters and chieftainsin Kaduna when NEPA struck.When Nigeria hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2009, the sameNEPA which is today PHCN paintedthe country black. There areseveral instances to cite but inorder not to divert from the realissues, consumers in Sokoto provideover N140 million monthly toPHCN but for how many hours,minutes or seconds do they enjoyelectricity? This figure wasprovided by a top official of theGwiwa business centre office ofPHCN but Kebbi state which doesnot pay up to N100 million permonth is getting electricity morethan Sokoto state where PHCNcollects over N140 million.

It is not only Gov. Wamakkothat is sick and tired of PHCN’s poorservices but there is a nationaldislike of PHCN.Today, PHCN is themost corrupt institution or sectorin the country and even staff of thecompany have been saying so.Aminu Mohammed wrote infrom Sokoto.

The social and economic costs of unemploymentwhich should in turn lead to asteady decline in unemploymentand poverty.

At the moment, manysectors capable of creating jobsfor Nigerians remain untapped.Tourism alone can createmillions of jobs, but which touristwill visit a country that is asunsafe as Nigeria? Agriculture– potentially the largestemployer of labour- has been leftlargely at subsistence level, withissues like infrastructure deficits,high interest rates affecting thesector’s value chain. Whilst

commending the initiative toestablish the Agricultural SectorIntervention Fund, the N200billion was placed in interestyielding bank accounts for a longwhile, with many of themreluctant to lend, and to the realfarmers. Yet, this is a sector thatcan earn more foreign exchangefor Nigeria than oil and save usthe trillions we spend on foodimports.

Similarly, education – wheremillions of vacancies in teaching,lecturing and support servicesalso exist or can be created is stillchronically underfunded. Worseis the fact that the informal sector

– which is three to four times thesize of the formal economy, hasbeen left to its own devices becauseformalization channels aredifficult to reach – so animportant source of economicdevelopment, employmentgeneration and tax revenuesremains untapped.

Unemployment is at theheart of Nigeria’s poverty andinsecurity. Unfortunately, thegovernment of PresidentJonathan has consistently failedto devise policies to stimulateeconomic growth and create jobswhen he should be takingadvantage of inadequate

amenities like clean water,education, and health care toinvest in the requiredinfrastructure and humancapital development to createand retain millions of jobs inevery part of the country andall sectors of the economy.

Considering the huge socialand economic costs ofunemployment, a focusedgovernment should be raisingcapital expendituressubstantially – by buildingmore schools, roads, bridges,water systems, electricitystations and other projects thatcreate jobs. That would be the

best way to apologize to, andsalvage the futures of themillions of unemployed people inthe country and engage themconstructively in the Nigerianproject.

Regrettably, thisadministration does not seem tounderstand these concepts, andis, therefore, unable to createeven a mere 50,000 jobs everyyear when it should be creatingat least three million jobsannually, while parents like memust shoulder the burdens oflooking after our parents,extended families and children foryears to come.

Contd. from back page


On his 50th birthday, andminutes before he cut theanniversary cake as he

stood there holding a knife, a topbanker sauntered in and gentlysaid it in the ear of Sanusi LamidoAminu Sanusi, the Governor of theCentral Bank of Nigeria (CBN),that Mr. Erastus Akingbola,former Managing Director ofIntercontinental Bank, had beenconvicted by a court in the UnitedKingdom. “Very good”, the CBNGovernor was heard sayingelatedly and with the birthdayrituals over, he retreated into hisoffice to receive the details.

Sanusi’s leadership at theCentral Bank of Nigeria has beenquite eventful, beginning from hiswell publicised criticism of the 7-point agenda of late PresidentUmaru Musa Yar’adua during theconfirmation hearing in theSenate prior to his assumption ofduty in June 2009. Upon hisnomination, a section of theNigerian media aiming todiminish Sanusi’s academicqualifications and soundexperience in banking, haddescribed him as an Islamicscholar.

As the immediate pastManaging Director of First Bank(the first Northerner to be sonamed), Sanusi had his suspicionand after he was appointed theCBN Governor, further auditconfirmed to him that someNigerian banks were simplycooking up figures to give theimpression that all was well.Having establishedincontrovertible facts that therewas criminal meddling withdepositors’ funds, Sanusi sharedthis information with the NigerianPolice and the EFCC.

A Nigerian court had earliersentenced Cecilia Ibru, the formerManaging Director of OceanicBank, to six months imprisonmentand ordered a forfeiture of ill-gotten

property running into billions ofnaira. It was now the turn ofAkingbola, convicted by a Britishcourt and asked to return millionsof Pounds stolen from his formerbank. Moreover, Akingbola stillhas a date with another Nigeriancourt sitting in Lagos. This was onemore proof that CBN meantbusiness and its cases against thoseaccused were coming to light andone after the other they could beconvicted in the courts.

Sansui’s passions are banking,justice, philanthropy, insightfulintervention in public discourse aswell as vigorous defence of his ownopinions. As a notable Prince of thefamous Kano emirate, Sanusi’spassion for justice andphilanthropy could be understood,but it would appear that hiscommitment to banking is apersonal choice. Banking,especially the western type thatSanusi is supervising at themoment, is an anathema to Islamicheritage which is alleged todominate his thinking at this pointin time. Here lies the contradiction:Sanusi, an alleged Islamicfundamentalist superintendingover a banking system that thriveson usury punishable by Allah.

Sanusi, educated in a Catholicschool at a tender age, quotes theBible with ease, but is still viewedas a religious bigot by some critics.Still, it is worrying; Sanusi’sutterances and other actions haveattracted more attention, nayopprobrium, than his masterfuldelivery on the banking mandate.Sanusi’s flurry of reforms andimplacable commitment to protectdepositors funds and punishpilferers have attracted lessattention than his statements onrevenue allocation, CBN donationto Madalla and Kano bomb victims,or his comments on the nakedgreed of the elite that cornersnational resources to itself. To someNigerians, Sanusi’s comments onthose issues amount to less than hisdetermination to establish

corporate governance, the absenceof which provided a leeway for somechairmen and managing directorsof banks to steal the hard earnedmoney of the ordinary Nigeriandepositor.

It makes a lot of sense therefore,to strengthen the rules underwhich banks can lend out moneyand also how long a bank CEOremains in office. In the past, bankCEOs in Nigeria ran them likeempires and converted to their usemoney belonging to haplessNigerian depositors; Sanusi’sleadership would not tolerate thisand so the most brilliant Nigerianbank CEO is allowed a maximumof ten years to prove his mettle andthen leave. Even more important,Sanusi’s harsh critics have paid lessattention to his excellent handlingof the turmoil in the Nigerianbanking industry during the 2009financial crisis. Sanusi’s swift anddecisive application of CBN’spowers enabled him to seize theaffected banks and prevent theircollapse, thus safeguardingdepositors’ money without anyonelosing a Kobo.

Not to talk of the apex bank’sintervention in the power andaviation sectors, agriculture as wellas small and medium enterprisesin order to arrest decay in thesesectors and help jumpstart theNigerian economy. In all cases, CBNprovided guarantees to make surethat the aviation sector is made safe,power supply is improved, andagriculture is revived and value-chained so that small and medium

Lamido Sanusi: An avant garde central banker?By Abu Najakku

It is the season of plenty inNigeria. You don’t have to lookfar to see evidence of plenty

everywhere. All you have to do islook at the skies. There’s always aprivate jet kissing the Nigerianskies. Once, ownership of privatejets was the exclusive domain ofpoliticians and businessmen whoare government contractorsanyway. Now, a new group hasentered and put some colours intoNigerian private jet-dom. Theyare called the preachers. They areso colourful they still wear the samejerry curls Michael Jackson worewhen his hair caught fire threedecades ago. It’s a funny thing. Ikeep looking for African-Americans with jerry curls andthey all seem extinct. I think theymay have moved on to theNigerian pulpit.

I believe in God and I love theNigerian preachers who have putup ladders from their churches tothe gates of heaven. It alwaysgladdens my heart that sinceNigeria can’t export the oil it

produces properly, God has seen itfit that Nigerian preachers willrepackage Christianity, put a“made in Nigeria” on it and exportit to the land where it came from.

But, I have this friend who iscontemptuous of the riches God hasbestowed on Nigerian preachers.He always wonders why it’s alwaysyears of plenty for the preacherswhile famine ravage theirfollowers. It made me wonder whatchurch he goes to because most ofthe modern day churches preachwealth and plenty.

Nigerians are too smart to fallfor smarty-pants preachers. I’mcertain the followers of these jet setpastors are not far from owningtheir own jets. Surely, no poor manwould make a rich pastor richer?It goes against any logic and it goesagainst the Nigerian spirit.

My friend who I seriouslysuspect is jealous of Nigerianpreachers disagrees. “It’sexploitation, man,” he says withone tongue. Then, he added, “Imade a mistake. I should havebeen a preacher. I could have beena billionaire!” And, that

convinced he’s been bitter formany years. He dug in. “You’vebeen to a few places, is this how itis everywhere?” he asked. Thatmade me mad a little because Ilike to think I’ve been to a lot ofplaces, deliberately mistakingcities in one country as two orthree countries so I sound like aworld traveller. Laugh all you canbut let me tell ya, people love itwhen you say you’ve been to a lotof places. Sometimes I even goBaba Sala on people and inventcountries in Eastern Europe andAsia. But, my friend does have apoint. One of the countries I’vebeen in that you cannot counttwice because it’s really small isIsrael. My friend wonders whatthe man the private jet pastorsfranchised would think about thejets.

You see, the Middle Easternterrain is not for the faint hearted.But, Jesus Christ trekked all overit, winning hearts and pissing afew people off. If there was everyone man who needed a private jet,it was Christ. The man had afather that could make anything

happen. Surely, a private jet wasnothing. The private jet backthen was an elegant horse. But,when the man upgraded fromwalking, he chose a donkey. Once!

I felt my friend had a pointand I told him so. Bad idea. Hisgloom deepened. You see, he couldreally have been a billionaire. Hehas a sweet tongue and when he’son a roll, he can sell ice to anEskimo. He had a chance to be apastor but it would have left bloodon the floor in the competitiveworld of preaching.

My friend opted to go theinformation technology route.He’s done well for himself – nicehouse, good cars and a bankaccount he denies is fat. But, he’sgot no private jet. And that killshim. He guilt me into a belly achetoo. You see, before I made the longtrek from Maryland to Californiato study filmmaking a little overa decade ago, my local pastor wasso proud I was making a leap towhat some saw as animpossibility, he thought I couldinspire the younger member ofthe congregation by giving a

Our billionaire pastors and their private jetsBy Ose Oyamendan short speech.

Now, I hate public speaking. Myheart does multiple somersaultsevery time someone put amicrophone in my hand. I tried tosmile it off but the buckets of sweatrolling down my head always failto help. So, I get on stage and forcedmyself into giving a speech.Somehow, I got on a roll andimagined myself as Martin LutherKing on the Washington Mall. Inactual sense, I was more like a fakedrug hawker in a molue bus. But,the pastor was impressed, or he dida great job lying. He said, “BrotherOse, maybe you should join us onthis side. You have talent.”

I should have listened. But,who knew? Who knew you couldbe a billionaire talking the wordof God. Who knew you could bethe proud owner of private jets byjust ministering to poor, scaredsouls? Now, I got jets crowdingNigerian airspaces and a friendsad he missed the spiritual ATMtrain.Ose Oyamendan is LosAngeles-based Nigerianfilmmaker.

enterprises emerge to provide jobsfor the unemployed. It is alsoremarkable that in a countrywhere public institutions arecorruptly run, the CBN underSanusi has been free from anyverifiable allegation ofimpropriety.

Sanusi would introduceIslamic banking and thegroundwork for this had alreadybeen laid by his predecessor. In acountry with more than half thepopulation made up of Muslims,Islamic banking would offeropportunity to all Nigerians whodo not want to receive or giveinterest; and in any case, itappeared to Sanusi that theopponents of this banking modelhave failed to show what harmwould come to them if it is operated.The argument that Sanusi is outto Islamise the country looksirrational in the face of the fact thatIslamic Banks are flourishing inChristian and non-Muslim nationslike Britain, USA, Japan andFrance. Is Islamic banking inNigeria just a legal question? Or isit a moral issue?

How come that this IslamicScholar has been getting rivetingreviews, awards and accolades inmatters of central banking inAfrica and the world, to the envyof other central bankers in Kenya,South Africa, Uganda etc.? Sanusihas got more awards in his chosenfield than his critics have in theirs.As at the last count, he had wonthe following awards and honours:The Banker magazine, a

publication of the FinancialTimes of London chose him asCentral Banker of the Year 2010;the Forbes Africa magazinedeclared Sanusi as Africa Person ofthe Year 2011 from a shortlist thatincluded the names of serving andretired former Heads of State andNobel Laureates; the TIMEmagazine selected him as one of the100 most influential persons of theworld; the Tribune, Leadership, TheNation and Silverbird named himas their Man of the Year for 2009,2010 and 2011, respectively. In2010, the Jonathanadministration conferred thenational honour of CON on him,enabling him to match the recordof his father, AmbassadorMuhammad Aminu Sanusi, whohad also received CON in the1970s; the Emir of Kanoturbanned him as the Dan MajenKano and the Universities ofNigeria, Nsukka, Jos, Kano, Beninand Benue State awarded Sanusihonourary degrees.

These important institutionshave recognised that the CBNreforms required vision, courageand singleness of purpose whichonly Sanusi could have delivered.Sanusi can take on anyone,anytime and anywhere onmatters of economic policy. Hisrecent tirade on former PresidentOlusegun Obasanjo was probablymisjudged but the validity of hisargument is not lost on analysts.In the CBN Governor’s reckoning,Obasanjo had restructured theNaira many more times than anyother Nigerian leader, dead oralive, and should not therefore,objectively speaking, seek todissuade another administrationfrom doing so. As it was, few daysafter he countered the formerPresident, Sanusi himself wasshown the limit of political supportwhen President Jonathan said theexercise was being suspended.Abu Najakku wrote in from 19Shantali Road, Kofar Kola,Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state.

“As the immediate past Managing Director of FirstBank (the first Northerner to be so named), Sanusihad his suspicion and after he was appointed theCBN Governor, further audit confirmed to him that

some Nigerian banks were simply cooking upfigures to give the impression that all was well


Mechanic arraigned forcheating Nigerian PoliceA 28-year-old mechanic,

Malo Mafiyai of Jajivillage, Abuja,

yesterday appeared before anAbuja Upper Area Courtcharged with cheating theNigeria Police.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Mafiyai isstanding trial on a two-countcharge of criminal breach oftrust and cheating, theoffences contravened section

312 and 322 of the Penal Code.The police prosecutor, Mr

Danjuma Abdul, told the courtthat the case was reported atDutse Alhaji Police Station byone ASP Haruna Yohanna onNov. 9,2012.

Abdul said that sometime inOctober this year, the accusedwas entrusted with the sum ofN60,000 to be used to overhaula Nigeria Police Force ToyotaHilux Patrol Van with

registration number NPF 237C.

He added that the accusedwas expected to fix the topgasket, engine oil, oil filter andrings of the vehicle.

The prosecutor said that theaccused failed to execute the jobbut converted the money to hispersonal use.

Mafiyai pleaded not guilty tothe charges and the prosecutorprayed the court to fix a date

An Abuja SeniorMagistrates Court onWednesday sentenced

one Zubairu Mohammed, 28, ofDagba, Area 1, Garki, Abuja, tonine months imprisonment forcausing hurt and mischief.

Senior Magistrate Ann Akobipassed the sentence afterMohammed pleaded guilty tothe charges and begged thecourt for leniency.

Akobi sentenced Mohammedto 3 months imprisonment forcausing hurt and 6 months formischief.

She, however, gave theconvict an option to pay N2, 000fine for the offence of causinghurt and N2, 000 for mischief.

The senior magistrate saidMohammed must be punishedfor his actions to serve as a lessonto him and a deterrent to others.

Earlier, police prosecutorEmmanuel Nnamani had saidthat the case was lodged at theGarki Police Station on Nov, 1,2012 by Yinka Babalola andChimezie Chibuzo.

Nnamani said Babalola andChibuzo were in a Keke NAPEPgoing to Area 10, Garki, Abuja,when Mohammed, who workswith the Keke NAPEP Union,Garki branch, jumped intotricycle, causing it tosomersault.

“Due to Mohammed’s action,the Keke somersaulted and gotdamaged and the passengerssustained injuries in theprocess,’’ Nnamani said.

He said that Mohammedcould not give any reasonableexplanation for his actionduring investigation, addingthat the offence contravened theprovisions of Sections 246 and327 of the Penal Code.

Mohammed, who pleadedguilty to the charges, said hecommitted the act in the line ofduty.

“I was given a directive fromthe office not to allow any KekeNAPEP to operate within theCentral Business District.

“I tried to stop the KekeNAPEP but the driver wouldn’tstop that was why I jumped intoit.”

The prosecutor prayed thecourt to grant the ownercompensation to assist him torepair his Keke.

The magistrate said theprosecutor failed to state theexact amount spent on therepairs of the Keke, adding thatthe court could not give an orderbased on assumption.

Akobi, however, ordered theconvict to pay N10, 000 ascompensation to Chibuzo tosupport him in the repair of hisKeke.

She said that if the convictfailed to meet the requirement,he would serve another sixmonths imprisonment.

Man, 28, jailedfor damagingKeke NAPEP

for trial in view of the plea.The prosecutor also asked

the court to grant the policecustody of the accused personto enable the force conductfurther investigation into thematter.

The judge, Malam LawalMannir, remanded the accusedin police custody.

He adjourned the case toDec. 13,2012 for hearing.(NAN).

By Amaike Beauty with agency report

Kuje chairman urges NYSC members to be creative

Chairman of Kuje AreaCouncil, Danladi EtsuZhin has called on

National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) members serving inthe area council to beenterprising during theirservice year.

Zhin made the call during aworkshop on Agric Allied Skillsorganised by the Batch-A corps

members serving with theAgric Department of the areacouncil.

Represented by his personalassistant, Mr Gambo Bako, thechairman urged the corpsmembers to take advantage ofthe skills acquired and put togood use the knowledge gainedfrom the workshop.

The Head of AgricDepartment, Kuje AreaCouncil, Mr kayode

Babatunde, commended theefforts of the corps membersand advised them to beproactive in their places ofprimary assignment.

Mr Barnabas Jafet, a Batch-Acorps member said that theobjective of the workshop was toempower corps members tocontribute to the development oftheir societies by reducingunemployment.

``Only one per cent out of the

total number of corps memberscurrently serving may begainfully employed after theservice year,'' he said.

The NYSC supervisor in thearea council, Mrs ElizabethErughaen, also encouraged thecorps members to see the workshopas a rare opportunity andprivilege.

She advised the corps membersto acquire skills in agriculture toguarantee self employment.

The Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Alh. Yahaya Musa Mohammed during a meeting with traditional heads in the council recently.Photo: Adeola Tukuru

By Adeola Tukuru

A 27-year-old accountsofficer, Francis Idokoko,of No. 16D Jigo Extension,

Bwari, Abuja, appeared beforean Abuja Magistrates Courtover an alleged criminalmisappropriation of funds.

Police prosecutor,BubaIrimiya, told the courtthat one Cyprian Linhundibe,

Account officer in court for criminal misappropriationof Peace Micro-Finance Bank,Utako, Abuja, reported thematter at the Utako policestation, on Nov. 7,2012.

Irimiya said the accuseddishonestly diverted themoney he had collected fromcustomers to his own personaluse.

He said that the accused,

being the accounts officercollected the sum of N664, 000from customers and did notremit same to the bank.

He added that the offencecontravened the provisions ofSection 309 of the Penal Code.The accused, however, pleadednot guilty to the charge.

The presiding magistrate,

Mimi Katsina- Alu, granted theaccused bail in the sum ofN200, 000 and two sureties inlike sum. She said the suretiesmust be of a fixed address andresident within the jurisdictionof the court.

Katsina-Alu adjourned thecase to Nov. 29, 2012 forhearing.

Two scavengers at Nyanya refuse dumps, Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa


A 28-year old facebookfraudster, BenjaminAsuahor of Eleko town,

Lagos State, was on Thursdayarraigned before an AbujaMagistrate court, Life camp, FCTfor alleged cheating.

The accused, who appearedbefore Chief Magistrate RahmatuGulma, was also charged withcriminal breach of trust andcriminal intimidation.

The Police Prosecutor, Cpl. JohnIjagbemi, told the court that oneAmaka Okoye of number 2, Gafia

Street, Nasarawa State, reportedthe accused at the FCT policecommand headquarters, Abuja.Ijagbemi said that on June 4,2012the accused, who was a facebookcontact, proposed to sell ladies wearand hand bags to Okoye at the rateof N140,000.

He said on June 20, Okoye paidthe said money into a UBA account,in favour of one Obiowu Felix, butthe accused refused to supply theitems. The Prosecutor told the courtthat efforts to get the money backproved abortive, adding that in the

process, the accused threaten to killOkoye if she insisted on collectingher money back.

He said police investigation haddiscovered that the accused wasonly a scam that neither had a jobnor a shop. Ijagbemi said theaccused was charged with criminalbreach of trust, cheating andcriminal intimidation, which iscontrary to the provisions of sections312, 322 and 397 of the PenalCode.

When the accused was asked ifthe allegations leveled against him

Facebook fraudster remandedin prison over N140,000 fraud

here true, he pleaded not guilty. The Prosecutor, however,

urged the court for an adjournmentand urged the court to remand theaccused in prison custody till thenext adjourned date.

He argued that the accused hadno fixed address within thejurisdiction of the court and ifgranted bail on any grounds, he wasliable to jump bail.

Chief Magistrate Gulma,remanded the accused in prisoncustody and adjourned the case toNov. 21, 2012 for hearing. (NAN)

The Chief Nursing Officer,Kwali Area Council, MrsElizabeth Gabi, said that the

council has concluded plans toinvolve Traditional BirthAttendants (TBAs), to mobilisepregnant women for antenatal.

Gabi stated this in an interviewstated that the Traditional BirthAttendants (TBAs) were also to assistthe pregnant women in accessingHIV testing at the clinic.

Gabi, who is also the HIV andAIDS Coordinator, said the councilwould go from ward to ward toeducate the TBAs on the need toencourage pregnant women to knowtheir HIV status.

According to her, there are 10wards in the council and each wardhas a health centre that carries outcounseling. ``TBAs are experiencedwomen in the communities, theylive at various communities in thecouncil. ``they normally assistpregnant women during labour andpost deliveries.

`Àlso, we hope to sensitise themon the risk of delivering themwithout proper knowledge of theirHIV status," Gabi explained. NANreports that this plan was in line withthe FCT Agency for the Control ofAIDS strategic goal of achieving zeronew infection, discrimination, HIVand AIDS related deaths by 2015.

The transmission of HIV from anHIV-positive mother to her childcould occur during pregnancy,labour, delivery or breastfeeding ofa child. `Ìn the absence of anyintervention, transmission ratescould range from 15-45 per cent.

``This rate can be reduced tolevels below five per cent witheffective interventions. `Àlso, weare going to use the communityheads to sensitise the men on the needto encourage their wives to attendantenatal," she added.

According to Gabi, TBAs willserve as a vehicle through whichmore than 200 pregnant womenare to be mobilised and sensitised onpreventing mother -to-childtransmission (PMTCT).

Gabi said that PMTCT HIV andAIDS services were always availableat Kwali General Hospital, privatehospitals and other privateorganisations. ` In terms of PMTCTHIV and AIDS we run antenatalevery day.

"We don't have specific daysbecause pregnant women comefrom various parts of the council andsome are far to reach.

"We also give them health talkmost especially on PMTCT andduring the health talk. ``wenormally encourage them toeducate their husbands too.

She said the health attendantsalso visit the pregnant women intheir homes to know their heathcondition and to encourage them toattend antenatal.

She also encouraged the womento engage themselves in pettytrading and not to depend wholly ontheir husbands.

Kwali councilpartnerstraditional birthattendants forHIV prevention

An Abuja Senior MagistratesCourt yesterday sentencedone Yakubu Namadi to two

months' imprisonment with hardlabour for criminal trespass andtheft.

Senior Magistrate EmmanuelIyanna,, however, gave theconvict an option of fine of N2,000.

Police prosecutor ChristianMunonye told the court that onNov 9,2012 one Yakubu Liman ofNo 31, Area 1, Garki, Abuja,reported the convict at the Garki

Police Station.Munonye said that Liman told

the police that on the same day, by4.00 am, while he (Liman), wasasleep, Namadi trespassed into hiscompound at Utako village.

According to Munonye, theconvict gained entrance into thecompound by jumping throughthe back fence and stole two Tecnocell phones, one Nokia and LGX330 phones, all valued atN21,000. ``He had stolen from onehouse in the same compound before

going to the house of Liman to stealwhile Liman was asleep.

``He was, however, wascaught in the act,'' Munonye said.The prosecutor said that theoffences of criminal trespass andtheft were contrary to sections 248and 288 of the Penal Code.Namadi, who pleaded guilty,begged the court for leniencypromising that he would nevercommit such a crime again.

Reacting to Namadi's plea, theprosecutor urged the court to try

Man bags two months imprisonment for criminal trespass, thefthim summarily under Section157(1) of the Criminal ProcedureCode (CPC).

Iyanna said that the sentencewas to serve as a deterrent to "ablebodied young men" who have thestrength to be productive but haverather resorted to stealing.

``While serving his prisonterm, he will learn how to use hisstrength for positive things ratherthan jumping people's fences, atodd hours, to steal,'' Iyanna said.(NAN)

An Abuja SeniorMagistrates Court hassentenced two men to six

months imprisonment each forattempting to steal NITEL cables.

The convict are AbibuAbubakar, 20, and Umar Inusa,24, resident of Dutse Pantaker,Abuja.

The magistrate, Mr BashirAlkali, however, gave them anoption of fine of N10, 000 each.

Prosecutor Monday Akor toldthe court that on Nov. 10,2012 a

team of policemen arrested theconvicts while on patrol.

According to him, thepolicemen led by Cpl. FridayUgwu, were on patrol on ShehuShagari Way, Maitama, Abuja,when they saw the convictsparading themselves suspiciouslyat that late hour.

Akor told the court that one sawblade and one curve iron werefound in their possession.

He said on investigation theconvicts had planned to vandalise

communication cable belonging tothe Nigerian Telecommunication(NITEL).

Akor said that the offencecontravened Sections 97 and 95 ofthe Penal Code.

The convict had told the courtthat that they came from Zamfaraon the request of some individualsto do a job for them in Abuja.

``We had no idea of the type ofjob we were hired to do as we weredropped at the point we werearrested by the police.

2 men jailed for attempting to steal NITEL cables`Ìt was while we were waiting

for them that the policemenarrested us and since then we havebeen trying to reach the people thathired us,'' the convicts claimed.

The presiding magistrate saidthat on listening to the explanationsof the Abubakar and Inusa, it wasnot convincing, describing themas economic saboteurs.

While sentencing them to sixmonths and an option of N10, 000fines each, he said it would serve asa deterrent to others. (NAN)

By Adeola Tukuru with agency report


Bags of grains at Garki market, Abuja. Scavengers scrambling for used items in a refuse dump site, yesterday in Garki 2,Abuja. Photos: Justin Imo-Owo

Some women going to the popular local market in Bwari, Abuja.

Engine oil retailers waiting for patronage yesterday in Apo village, Abuja.

Women selling fura da nono yesterday in Dutse, Abuja.


Management Tip of the Day3 tips for rewarding bonuses

INSIDE

Bonus season can be toughfor managers. They haveto decide who to reward

and how to best reward them.And with many companiescutting back on perks, thesedecisions can be extremelydifficult. Here are three tips tokeep in mind as you navigatebonus season:

Three cars upfor grab

- Pg 20BBBBBUSINESSUSINESSUSINESSUSINESSUSINESSEmail: [email protected] Mob: 08033644990

1. Follow company policies.Most companies have protocols inplace to make allocationdecisions. Look to your boss or HRfor guidance so that you arealigned.

2.Tie awards toaccomplishments. Bonuses areonly motivating and meaningfulif they are connected directly to

specific achievements.3. Be transparent. Make it

clear from the outset whatpeople need to do to earnrewards. When delivering thenews, be open and honest abouthow you came to the decisionyou did.Source: Harvard BusinessReview

LASSACO records N2.7bn gross premiumLeigh stated: “Despite theprevalent insecurity andstability in the parts of thecountry during the year underreview and the impact of a tougheconomy, all of which sloweddown business opportunities anddevelopment, we were still ableto post 24 % growth in ourpremium earned, which is N2.1billion in 2011 against N1.2billion in 2010”, he said.

Claims paid within the perioddropped to N244.6 million fromN326.2 million recorded in the2010 financial year while totalexpenses which stood at N773.6million decreased to N536.5million in the period underreview.

Underwritten profitincreased to N1.7 billion from

From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

LASSACO Assurance Plc. hasannounced a grosspremium income of N2.7

billion for the financial yearended 31st December, 2011.

This represents 32 %appreciation when comparedwith N2.0 billion written in the2010 financial year.

Gross premium earned alsostood at N2.66 billion againstN2.05 billion in the previousyear while total incomeincreased to N2.2 billion fromN1.7 billion written in the 2010financial year.

Addressing shareholders atthe company’s 32nd annualgeneral meeting in Lagos, theChairman, Chief Edward Akin

961.1 million written in 2010while profit before tax whichstood at N322.5 million in theprevious year, grew to N487.9million in the year under review.

Profit after tax howeverdropped to N213 million fromN249 million written in the2010 financial year, this, thechairman attributed to theimpact of lower plannedinvestment and other incomeand general unfavourablebusiness environment within theperiod.

Total assets increased to N9.8billion in 2011 from N8.9 billionrecorded in 2010 whileshareholders fund which showedN6.3 billion in 2010 also rose toN6.5 billion in the period underreview.

Nigeria’s leadingelectronic transactioncompany, InterSwitch

Limited, has presented First BankPLC, with a MilestoneAchievement Award for being thefirst bank to cross the over 5millionverve card user landmark.

The award according toInterSwitch is for “significant featsin card issuance andtransactional activity” by thebank.

According to the GroupManaging Director of InterSwitch;Mr Mitchell Elegbe, “First Bank isdeserving of this plaque as it againdistinguishes itself from thepack.”

The award also recognizes keyareas in electronic transactionswitching and payment processwhich includes the following:

The first bank to hit the 90%card activity rate across the

switch since the issuance of theVerve Chip & PIN card and also thefastest issuer of Verve Debit cardsacross the InterSwitch network inthe last 12 months is the first bankto hit the 5million card issuancemark on the InterSwitch network

FirstBank is the first bank withcard activity growth rate from 56%to 91% in the last 12months andalso is the pioneer bank to start theCustomer Selectable PIN process i.e.customers are able to choose a PINof choice instantly upon issuance ofcards

FirstBank is the pioneer bank tobegin instant issuance of cards uponrequest.

InterSwitch Limited is anindependent company focused onfacilitating the exchange of valuebetween service providers(financial, telecommunicationsand utilities), merchants, theircustomers, and other stakeholderson a timely and continuous basisnationwide.

InterSwitch presents First Bank with‘Milestone Achievement’ awardBy Muhammad Nasir

L-R: Group Managing Director, Interswitch Limited, Mr. Mitchell Elegbe (left), Group Managing Director/CEO, FirstBank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Bisi Onasanya and Group Head, E-Business, Mr. Chuma Ezirim at thepresentation of “Milestone Achievement Award” from Interswitch to FirstBank in recognition of theBank’s leading role in driving electronic banking in Nigeria. The presentation was made at the Bank’sheadquarters in Lagos on Wednesday.

Socite Generale bank to soonre-open as Heritage Bank - NDICBy Aminu Imam

Embattled Societe GeneraleBank Nigeria (SGBN)Limited, is to commence

operations under a new name,Heritage Banking CorporationLtd.

This was revealed by theNigeria Deposit InsuranceCorporation (NDIC) Director,Special Insured Institutions,Bashir D Umar at the 2012workshop for Business Editorsand Finance Correspondentsyesterday in Dutse, Jigawa state.

The Director said that SocieteGenerale Bank, owned by theSaraki family, will come back,operating as a regional bank fiveyears after its licence wasrestored to the owners throughan Abuja Federal High Courtjudgement.

He also revealed thatSavannah Bank, which likewisegot its licence back through thesame court judgment in 2009

will soon recapitalise.“They should be opening their

doors to the public very soon. I don’tknow how soon, but most of thethings that they need to do fromour end are more or less 80 percentcompleted”, he noted.

The CBN revoked the operatinglicence of Savannah Bank inFebruary 2002, while that ofSociete Generale Bank was revokedon January 16, 2006. The NDICand CBN handed over SavannahBank to the owners on June 9,2009, with a promise of ensuring aspeedy conclusion of the necessaryprocesses for re-opening the bank tothe public.

Alh. Umar also stated that thecourt is yet to decide on whetherthe licenses of threeother merchant banks, PeakMerchant Bank Limited, whoselicense was revoked on Feb. 28,2003, Fortune and TriumphMerchant Banks, whose licenseshad also been revoked on Jan.16,2006 would be restored.

FG begins revitalisation ofAbuja commodity exchange

The Federal Governmenthas commenced theprocess of transforming

the Abuja Securities andCommodity Exchange (ASCE)into a first-class commodityexchange.

The measure is part of theFederal Ministry of Trade andInvestment’s broader NigerianIndustrial Revolution Plan.

The Managing Director,ASCE, Mr. Yusuf Abdurrahimwho stated this on Wednesday in Abuja during a stakeholders’sensitization workshop on therevitilisation of the Exchangesaid the transformation isexpected to be completed in thenext 12 months.

Abdurrahim disclosed thata new bill for the establishmentof the Nigerian Independent

Ware House RegulatoryAgency would soon be sent tothe National Assembly.

He noted that the Ministerof Trade and Investment,Olusegun Aganga, had alreadyinitiated reforms aimed atmaking ASCE a world classinstitution in line with the

Transformation Agenda of thepresent administration.

He noted that the workshopwas to sensitise stakeholders onthe Commodity ExchangeProject and to discuss thevarious building blocks of afunctional CommodityExchange.

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

instability in the world’s largestproducer of the main rawingredient in chocolate.

President Alassane Ouattaradismissed his entire cabinet amida dispute over a bill that wouldmake husbands and wives jointheads of households.

Political strife in the nationpreviously has rocked the cocoamarket. This new standoff comesalmost two years since Mr.Ouattara was elected in acontentious vote that sparkedmonths of violence. The electionaftermath also included a cocoaexport ban from Ivorian officialsthat sent prices for the commodityto a 32-year high in March 2011.

The latest political turmoil inthe supplier of more than a third ofthe world’s cocoa set off a rally.

Cocoa prices surge 3.1%By Chris Alu

Cocoa futures jumped to amore-than-three-weekhigh after Ivory Coast’s

president dissolved his cabinet,reigniting concerns of political

PEOPLES DAILY,FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012

COMPANYNEWS

Intrigues over SON 40% ofFMTI’s N16.21bn 2013 budgetAll is not well at

the Federal Ministry ofTrade and Investment

since it proposed N2.4bn fromN16.2bn representing about 40per cent of theministry proposed 2013 FederalBudget to the StandardOrganisation Nigerian (SON), asother agencies under the minis-try as begin to silently protestthe allocation to SON.

The ministry is expected todivide its N16.2bn proposedspending 18 agencies under itsstatutory supervision wish in-clude SON, Centre for Automo-tive Design and Development,National Automotive Council,Abuja, Industrial TrainingFund, Nigerian Export Promo-tion Council, Financial Report-ing Council of Nigeria, NigeriaExport Processing Zones Au-thority, Consumer ProtectionCouncil, Trade Fair Complex,Lagos.

Also , Federal Produce In-spection, Onne Oil and Gas Free

Zones Authority, TafaweBalewa Square ManagementBoard , Abuja Securities andCommodity Exchange , Smalland Medium Development En-terprise Agency of Nigeria ,three External Trade Sector, inGeneva, Shangahi and Taiwanand Nigerian Investment Pro-motion Commission .

The agencies, under thecontrol of the ministry headedby Olusegun Aganga has beginto lamented thatSON grabbing of highestamong the agencies in theministry’s budgetary allocationis not healthy for the growth ofother 18 agencies which arecurrently groaning under fundshortage.

While aggrieved, some Di-rector-General under the min-istry believe ‘the allocation isunjustifiable’, when manyother agencies under the minis-try are not are dying of funds.

An aggrieved CEO cited asituation where more than 100million naira was used to de-stroy sub-standard tyres.

Experts also argue that theMinistry of Trade and Invest-ment should devote its largerpart of its budget to Small Scalebusiness and non oil sector byproviding them with morefunds to achieve the presenttransformational agenda.

They argue that a situationwhere the country needs indus-trial training centres in the 36states to reduce the level of un-employment in the country.

“ITF has been in need of vo-cational skill training centres,an equipment can cost N15 mil-lion or even more but how muchis budgeted to ITF that has plansto set up industrial skill centresthat will cost about N3.5 billioneach.”

A top official in the minis-try said the budget allocationwas based on proposed activitiesand projects of the agencies inthe incoming budgetary year.

“All agencies submittedtheir inputs to budget before wepass it to the presidency, but youcan SON how they get thatlarge share”, he stated.

Stories by Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

NIMASA

The Fiscal ResponsibilityCommission (FRC) in Abuja hasdecried the repeated failure

of the Nigerian Maritime and SafetyAdministration (NIMASA) to renderits audited accounts from 2007 to2011.

Officials of the commission, ledby its Chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Yelwa,met with NIMASA officials, led bythe Director-General of theagency, Patrick Akpobolokemi.

In his remarks before themeeting went into a closed-door,the Director, Policy and Standards,FRC, Dr Sylvanus Mordi, said NIMASAignored requests to submit itsaudited accounts from 2007 to2011.

He said the fact that theagency’s financial statement forthe periods had not beenprepared and published was a clearviolation of Section 23 of the FiscalResponsibility Act 2007.

On budgetary planning, Mordisaid that NIMASA was listed amongthe 31 corporations, commissionsand agencies owned by theFederal Government expected tosubmit their Medium TermExpenditure Framework (MTEF) forthree years.

AMCON

With the dearth of funds foragribusiness, theMinister of Agriculture

and Rural Development, DrAkinwumi Adesina hasadvocated injection of funds fromthe pensions and AssetManagement Company(AMCON), to finance theagricultural sector throughlong term bonds.

Specifically, the Minister,while delivering a lecturetitled, The New AgriculturalTransformation in Nigeria:Opportunities for Banks andOther Stakeholders inEconomic Diversification, atthe Chartered Institute ofBankers of Nigeria 2012yearly lecture in Lagos,yesterday, urged stakeholdersto consider raising long termbonds to finance theagricultural sector.

Fidelity Bank

In furtherance to itscommitment toenvironmental sustainability

and risk management, FidelityBank Plc has adopted theEquator Principles.

The Equator Principles area credit risk managementframework for determining,assessing and managingenvironmental and social riskin project finance.

The Principles are adoptedvoluntarily by financialinstitutions and are appliedwhere total project capital costsexceed US$10 million.

By adopting the EquatorPrinciples, the bank commits toproviding loans only to projectsthat pass environment riskassessment, such that focus onprofit making does notendanger human lives.

ments and development of inno-vative brands by the Korean com-panies visited as well as the KoreanTesting Laboratory (KTL).

Dr. Odumodu KATS for therapid growth of the nation'seconomy and its industrializationin the last 20 years, stressing thatNigeria stands to benefit a lot fromtheir experience while it providesgreater opportunity for tradewith Korea in view of its large popu-lation, mineral and human re-sources.

He therefore welcomed the in-terest expressed by KATS in theSONCAP and also called for collabo-ration in other areas like labora-tory and human capacity devel-opment as well as promotion ofsmall and medium scale enter-prises in which the Korea has a lotof competence.

This according to him will al-low for actualising the great po-tentials for a rapid increase in thevolume of trade between Koreaand Nigeria, which Mr. Seo saidrose to about N3.3billion in 2011.

The SON DG and his Koreancounterpart then proposed thesigning of a memorandum of un-derstanding between the two or-ganizations with a view to explor-ing the signing of a trade agree-ment between the Federal Minis-try of Trade and Investment of Ni-geria and the Ministry of Knowl-edge Economy of Korea.

SON, partners Korea onstandards, conformity assessment

R-L: Director, Halta Travels and Tours, Mr. Thomas Ahmed, Executive Director, Halta Travel and Tours,Mrs. Lami Ahmed, Director Crinse International Pullinantur Mr. Vincenzo Oriandini and President NigeriaMalaysia Business Counsel,Mr. Larry Segun Lean, during the reception of Criuse Partners and Symposiumon Halta Truise Packages, on wednesday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Unity Bank Plc has setaside three brand newcars to be won by Custom-

ers who participated in its Aim,Save & Win Promo. The cars willbe won at the grand final of thePromo which is scheduled tohold on Saturday, November17, 2012 at the Yar’Adua Cen-tre in Abuja.

At the previous NationalDraws, Bikudaimai, a civil ser-vant in Maiduguri was the firstcar winner. Abubakar Tata, abusinessman from Hadejia, anda school teacher in Afuze, EdoState, Mary Iruafemi won thesecond and third car respec-tively.

The Bank’s Head of Mediaand External Communication,Sani Zaria said that besides thethree cars in the Saturdaygrand finale, other prizes thathave not been won would be upgrabs. These include a total ofN5million scholarship awardsfor kids.

Sani also revealed that fromthe commencement of thepromo in March to date, a totalof three cars, 15 motorcycles,21, television sets, 48 refrigera-tors, 50 bicycles and over 700mobile phones have been won.

He added that the Bank willcontinue to support and rewardits loyal customers with notonly the savings promo, butthrough the introduction ofproducts that are beneficial toall classes of people.

By Aminu Imam

In furtherance of its campaign on zero-tolerance tosubstandard products initia-

tive and the human and testingcapacity development efforts, theStandards Organisation of Nigeriahas secured an ally in the KoreanAgency for Technology and Stan-dards (KATS).

SON Director-General, Dr. Jo-seph Odumodu got the commit-ment from the Administrator ofthe Korean Agency for Technol-ogy and Standards Mr. Seo,Kwang-hyun and his manage-ment team during a recent visitto KATS as part of a quality assur-ance visit to some major Koreacompanies exporting to the Nige-

ria Market.Welcoming the SON delegation

to KATS, Mr. Seo expressed the in-terest of his agency in profiling thequality of Korean products ex-ported to Nigeria using accreditedLaboratories under the StandardsOrganisation of Nigeria off-shoreConformity AssessmentProgramme (SONCAP).

According to him, Korea hassix internationally accreditedlaboratories with capacity for test-ing in specialized areas including,electrical/electronics; householdequipment; machinery and ma-terials; standards and measure-ments; environmental technol-ogy equipment; medical devices

and telecommunications, includ-ing mobile telephones.

He disclosed that the KoreanGovernment through KATS andits sister agencies have been pro-viding a lot of support for Africathrough human capacity devel-opment programmes one of whichis scheduled to hold in Korea be-tween November 18 and 29,2012 under the auspices of theAfrican Organisation forStandardisation (ARSO) of whichDr. Odumodu is the acting Presi-dent.

Responding, the SON DirectorGeneral expressed delight at theproduct testing capabilities, re-search and development invest-

Three carsup for grab…as Unity Bank holdsPromo grand finale


Non-Interest Banking in Nigeria-Tax Issues (I)The storm surrounding the

introduction of Non-Interest Banking (NIB)

commonly called Islamic bankingis gradually settling down and itis important to begin to exhumethe challenges that might crop upin its operations with particularreference to the taxation of thesub-sector by the relevant taxauthorities, especially the settingof standards for the type of taxesthat apply and that are to becollected from the transactions.

As the name implies, Non-Interest Banking (NIB) is a systemof financial services that provideunique services in accordancewith Islamic religiousjurisprudence and Shariaprinciple and fully regulated bythe relevant regulatoryauthorities as provided for insections 9, 23 and 52 of the Banksand other Financial InstitutionAct (BOFIA) 1991 as amended.The CBN is empowered by law, toissue licenses to appropriateentities for the establishment ofNon-Interest Banks provided theymeet the regulatoryrequirements.

The establishment of anenabling ?scal and regulatoryframework in the UK for IslamicFinance becomes moreimperative today than ever.Though the Federal InlandRevenue Service (FIRS) technicalWorking Group on NIB is workingassiduously to enunciate policiesthat will guide the tax regulationgovernance of this sub-sector. It isalso crucial for sector stakeholdersto step in and make valuablecontribution to engender amutually acceptable tax systemon the operations of IslamicBanking in the Country.

Islamic financial instrumentscontinue to attract consumerattention, with the centralelement of being interest-freeproducts in compliance withIslamic Sharia law. According tofinancial sources, the value offunds involved in Islamic bankingworldwide grew by an average of15% annually over the past threeyears. Some analysts estimateIslamic banking to be worth some$500 billion, with the Middle Eastcontrolling a quarter of thoseassets. Kuwait is reportedly thebiggest contributor, accountingfor almost 29% of the sector’s valuein the Gulf region. It is followed bySaudi Arabia with about 27%,and the UAE with 15.2%. Nigeriawith its 160 million people shoulddefinitely not be left out ofemerging business frontier. Theunbanked population can be a keytarget.

There are a number ofchallenges that have to beaddressed for the successful

Introduction and operation ofIslamic banking in Nigeria.Indeed the challenges arenumerous, the absence of skilledworkforce and the technicalcapacity to even regulate Islamicfinancial institutions are lackingand must be resolved before wecan witness a boom in thisbanking sub-sector.

Much has been said of the Lackof Sharia-compliant liquiditymanagement instruments.Islamic banks cannot invest their

excess liquidity in interest-basedinstruments, which are theliquidity managementinstruments in the moneymarket.

This puts them at adisadvantage side by side withconventional banks. The currentinterbank market and theinstruments used by the CentralBank for monetary policyoperations are all interest-basedwith no equivalent governmentsecurities or other money marketinstruments that are Shariahcompliant, all of which areessential to avoid a liquiditybottleneck for Islamic banks whenthey come into operation.

Another key deficiency thathas been hotly discussed is the lackof knowledge of accounting andauditing standards pertinent toIslamic financial institutions. Thebalance-sheet structure of Islamicbanks is unique, and even thoughthe work of the Accounting andAuditing Organisation for IslamicFinancial Institutions (AAOIFI)on accounting and auditingstandards for Islamic bankingproducts is available, there is theneed to train conventionalaccountants and auditors in theapplication of the standards andhow it can be used with the recentbenchmark of the InternationalFinancial Reporting Standards(IFRS).

Should NIB products be taxedas conventional bankingproducts? One of the best ways tounderstand Islamic banking is togain an understanding of theproducts that are consideredacceptable. The important thingto remember is, as it is with theChristian Bible, there are severaldiffering interpretations of what

the Holy Quran and the Hadithactually intend. As a result, notall of these products areuniversally acceptable(particularly those where thereturn is determinable inadvance), but they are a usefulguide. Several of these are coveredbelow:

Wadiah (Safekeeping)-InWadiah, a bank is deemed as akeeper and trustee of funds. Aperson deposits funds in the bankand the bank guarantees refundof the entire amount of the deposit,or any part of the outstandingamount, when the depositordemands it. Mudarabah (ProfitLoss Sharing) Mudarabah is anarrangement or agreementbetween a capital provider and anentrepreneur, whereby theentrepreneur can mobilise fundsfor its business activity.

Musharakah (Joint Venture),this concept is normally appliedfor business partnerships or jointventures. The profits made areshared on an agreed ratio, whilelosses incurred will be dividedbased on the equity participationratio. This concept is distinctfrom fixed-income investing (i.e.issuance of loans).Murabahah(Cost Plus), this concept refers tothe sale of goods at a price, whichincludes a profit margin agreedto by both parties.

The purchase and sellingprice, other costs and the profitmargin must be clearly statedat the time of the saleagreement. The bank iscompensated for the time valueof its money in the form of theprofit margin. Bai’ BithamanAjil (Deferred Payment Sale),this concept refers to the sale ofgoods on a deferred payment

basis at a price, which includesa profit margin agreed to by bothparties. This is similar toMurabahah, except that thedebtor makes only a singleinstalment, on the maturitydate of the loan. By theapplication of a discount rate, anIslamic bank can collect themarket rate of interest. QardulHassan (Benevolent Loan), it isa loan extended on a goodwillbasis, and the debtor is onlyrequired to repay the amountborrowed.

However, the debtor may, athis or her discretion, pay anextra amount beyond theprincipal amount of the loan(without promising it) as a tokenof appreciation to the creditor.Ijarah Thumma Al Bai’ (HirePurchase), these are variationson a theme of purchase and leaseback transactions. There are twocontracts involved in thisconcept.

The first contract, Ijarahcontract (leasing/renting) andthe second contract, Bai’contract (purchase) areundertaken one after the other.

Bai’ al-Inah (Sell and BuyBack Agreement)-The financiersells an asset to the customer ona deferred payment basis andthen the asset is immediatelyrepurchased by the financier forcash at a discount. The buyingback agreement allows the bankto assume ownership over theasset in order to protect againstdefault without explicitlycharging interest in the event oflate payments or insolvency.Sukuk (Islamic Bonds), in keepingwith the prohibition of riba, aconventional bond is notpermitted. A Sukuk bond,

however, is asset-backed and thereturns on it are not fixed, but arelinked to the return on the assetspurchased with the proceeds of theissue.

Interestingly there is no taxlaw specifically to regulate theNIB in Nigeria. The current taxlegislation therefore has to bestrengthened urgently toaccommodate the operations ofthe NIB institutions. Aside the JaizBank Plc and Lotus Capitalcurrently operating non-interesting banking institutionsin Nigeria non other exists. Cleartax legislation is the required toback the guidelines created by theCentral Bank to spur up growthin this sector.

The key issues are; how wouldCompany Income Tax be chargedon Musharaka, Mudarabah andSukuk (is it be charged likeconventional bonds)? Or VAT onIjara? The collection of taxes suchas Company Income Tax, ValueAdded Tax, Capital Gains Tax,Withholding Tax and Stamp Dutyneed to be properly highlightedand guided by appropriatelegislation to avoid multipletaxation of the sub-sector.

Does the purchase and thenonward sale of assets by the Islamicfinancier result in any capitalgains or other profit-based tax?What will be an equitable VATframework on Islamic bankingproducts? Issues remain unclear.Is VAT, which tends to be a keytax type with greater focus ondelivery procedure in commoditym u r a b a h a / t a w a r u qtransactions, be an issue? IslamicFinance requires properdocumentary evidence of thetransfer of title from the originalsupplier to the financier.

L-R: Coordinating Director, Field Operation Group, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FRIS), Mr. Akin Ogungbesan, Coordinating Director,Standards Compliance Group FIRS, Mr. Andy Ejjemeyovwi and Acting Executive Chairman FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mashi, during FIRS VAT Stakeholdersmeeting and Educational Forum,recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo


Foreign investors, market reformsput NSE ahead of peers Q3From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

Despite the globaleconomic slowdownplaguing global equity

markets, the Nigerian StockExchange (NSE) has witnessedan impressive run in its Q3(third quarter) 2012 as the AllShare Index (ASI) gained a20.43 percent leap during theperiod, after a previous dive inits Q2 well ahead of global

peers, owing to foreigninvestors and market makingreforms.

Foreign investors againdominated activity in themarket, accounting for 81percent of trading activity,according to the NSE, likelysupported by cheap capitalfinding its way into EmergingMarkets on the back ofcontinued quantitative easingfrom major central banks.

L-R: Front end controller, Shoprite EnuguVanessa Umeh, Chief Matron & Officer in-charge of the Daughters of Divine Love catholic institute,Rev. Sister Maria Goutti, Sales manager Shoprite Enugu, Nnenna Anyadiegwu, and Shelf packer, Donatus Nnamani, - when the managementteam of Shoprite Enugu donated N320,000 worth of shopping vouchers to the DDL Prolife Center Enugu; via Shoprites' Help-Change-A-LifeCharity project.

A previous review showsdespite a tepid NSEASIperformance in H1 (4.2percent), a resurgence ensuedin Q3 as most sectors rallied -buoyed by better than expectedresults in some sectors, increased interest frominternational investors, as wellas the commencement of someNSE reform initiative toenhance market efficiency.

While reviewing NSE’s Q3

performance, analyst at ARMresearch noted as part of theiroutlook the current resurgenceof the market would continuefor the rest of the year, partlyhinged on some marketcatalyst, such as the timing ofNSE reforms, as well as lowfixed income yields – whichbegan in Q3 due to theannouncement of NigerianBonds included on the JPMorgan Bond Index.

Dangote to build N300bn fertiliser plant in Edo

Chairman Dangote Group,Alh. Aliko Dangote, hasconcluded plans to build a

N300 billion fertiliser plant inAgenebode, Edo State.

Dangote, who is Africa’srichest man, made thedisclosure, on Monday, at areception in Benin City tomark the 2nd terminauguration of GovernorAdams Oshiomhole.

He said the company, whenbuilt, will employ more thanten thousand people directlyand indirectly.

“Comrade Oshiomhole hasdelivered on road,infrastructure, but now he’sgoing to deliver on jobcreation,” Dangote said.

“We will partner with himto make sure he gives us aconducive environment tocreate jobs here in Edo State.

“He has already mentionedthat we will set up a fertiliserplant here in Edo State. I amsure he wants me to reaffirmthat. Yes, we will build thebiggest fertilizer plant in Africa

here in Edo State.”The industrialist said that the

project is planned to commencein December or January 2013,adding that it will be completed

in three years.By “December or January,

next year, we will perform thegroundbreaking ceremony inEdo State,” he said. “I am

reassuring you, in the presenceof everybody, that in the nextthree years, Edo State will beexporting fertilizer from here toother parts of Africa.”

By Aminu Imam

First Hydrocarbon sees increasedproduction in Ogini and Isoko fields

First Hydrocarbon NigeriaLimited (FHN) hasannounced that an

independent assessment of thereserve and contingent recoursepotential of the Ogini and Isokofields has significantly increased 2Preserves and combined 2P/2Cresources.

Following completion of anindependent assessment of thereserve and contingent resourcepotential of the Ogini and Isokofields for FHN, gross remaining 2Poil reserves at the fields have beenestimated at 129.3 million barrelsand gross contingent resourceshave been estimated at 75.7

million barrels.This represents a 218 per cent

and 12 per cent increase on 2Preserves and 2P+2C volumesrespectively, that were previouslycarried by FHN.

FHN acquired a 45 percentinterest in the OML 26 portfolio ofassets from the Shell PetroleumDevelopment Company JointVenture (“SPDC”) in December2011 and raised US$280 millionof syndicated debt and mezzaninefinance to fund the fielddevelopment and furtherinorganic growth.

The OML 26 portfolio of assetsholds two producing fields (Oginiand Isoko, with 2P oil reservesestimated at 129.3 million barrelsand gross contingent resources

estimated at 75.7 million barrels)and three proven but undevelopedfields (Aboh, Ovo and Ozoro, withan estimated 144 mmboe of grosscontingent resources (previousoperator’s estimates)), as well as afurther 615 mmboe of grossprospective resources on the block.OML 26 also has gas resources of582 bcf (2C) and 1076 bcf(prospective) according to theprevious operator’s estimates.

The Nigerian PetroleumDevelopment Company (‘’NPDC’’),the oil and gas exploration andproduction subsidiary of NigerianNational Petroleum Company(‘’NNPC’’) is the Operator of OML26 and works closely inpartnership with FHN on the re-development of the assets.

By Muhammad Nasir with agencyreport

Nairaappreciatesacross foursegments offorex markets– FMDALast month, the value of

the naira against the USdollar appreciated in all

the four segments of the foreignexchange (forex) markets,recording an average of 3koboat the Central Bank of Nigerian(CBN), 25kobo at Interbank,100kobo at Bureau De Change(BDC) and 100Kobo at theparallel market, relative toSeptember’s average rate.

The Financial MarketDealers Association of Nigeria(FMDA) in its latest financialand economic report forOctober, hinged the foreignexchange (forex) gain on therecent review of the foreignexchange management policy,with increased complementarydollar sales from energycompanies.

The US dollar tradedbetween N155.75/$ –N155.78/$ at the WholesaleDutch Auction System(WDAS), N157.04/$ –N157.20/$ at the Interbank,N158/$– N159.00/$ at BDCand N159/$ – N159.50/$ atthe parallel market. The rangewidened more for the BDC andparallel markets in the monthunder review.

“The premium betweenCBN and Parallel market, as atend-October lowered to 2.08percent from 2.32 percentrecorded at the end ofSeptember 2012. The abovepremium is 292bps below theinternational benchmark of5% which has demonstratedthe CBN’s capacity to tamefurther volatility in the budand to avoid speculators fromhaving a field day, as well asthe possibility of a dollarisedeconomy, consequent uponthe MPC communiquéresolution end-July,” saidFMDA.

At the WDAS, the reportshowed that the wholesalemarket for foreign exchangefell markedly in marketdemand compared to thepreceding month.

“The apex bank offered$1.250billion and sold$1.10billion, in relation to$1.590billion offered and$1.54billion sold in September2012, reflecting a decrease of27.2 percent and 28.6 percentrespectively. The southwardtrend of demand from theWDAS window was on the backof progressive dollar inflowfrom energy giants, estimatedat $796.50million and theAugust 1 policy which hadhelped to limit speculativeactivities.

PAGE 25PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012

How science educationcan be a catalyst for fastereconomic development

Seasoned educationistsbemoan the poorperformance of

Nigerian students inscience, saying that theirconcern stems from the factthat no nation canexperience a meaningfuldevelopment withouthaving a strong sciencebase.

The experts stress thatany country that is desirousof development should havea tangible interest in scienceand technology, ascribingthe phenomenal growth ofsome Asian countries totheir resolve to embracescience and technology.

Sharing similarsentiments, Prof. Ita Ewa,the Minister of Science andTechnology, noted that the“Asian Tigers’’ were able toachieve their current levelof development because theyembraced science andtechnology.

“While some of themembraced a broaderscientific culture linked toeducation, others introducedmodern technology withheavy emphasis on buildingskills,’’ he added.

In spite of the generalawareness of the fact thatscience and technologyremains a dependentvariable in all pragmaticnational development plans,Nigerian students appearnot to be doing well in thesciences.

Mr Aina Kola, aneducationist, who cited the

performance of students inscience subjects in the May/June West African SchoolCertificate Examinations asan illustration, decried thepoor performance.

He said that in 2006,only 22 per cent of thecandidates passed in sciencesubjects, while the pass ratefor 2007 dropped to 20 percent.

Kola said that in 2009,2010 and 2011; the passrate was 26 per cent, 26 percent and 23 per centrespectively.

He attributed thecandidates’ poorperformance in sciencesubjects to the poorinfrastructure, the students’attitude to learning and thelack of appropriate teachingskills by science teachers,among others.

However, the Minister ofEducation, Prof. RuqayyatuRufa’i, described thedeclining interest ofstudents in the study ofmathematics and science-related courses asunacceptable.

She stressed that thetrend should be checked ifthe country must moveforward.

Rufai’i stressed thatNigeria could not achieveany meaningful progresswithout promoting the studyof mathematics and othersciences, adding thattangible efforts should bemade to encourageexcellence in science

education and research.However, the Federal

Ministry of Education,

through the National Officefor Technology Acquisitionand Promotion (NOTAP),

DG of NOTAP, Dr. Umar Bindir

Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Rufa'I

has been addressing some ofthe critical challengesmilitating against scienceeducation, especially insecondary schools.

To expand the students’access to laboratoryequipment, Dr. UmarBindir, NOTAP’s Director-General, said that theagency was collaboratingwith research institutes andrelevant agencies to providelocally made sciencelaboratory equipment.

“We believe that theslowness in the study ofscience is probably becausethe facilities are notavailable but Nigerians canprovide these materialseven at cheaper prices,’’ hesaid.

Bindir said that all thekey institutions in the sectorwere brought together for theproject.

He listed the institutions

as National Institute forChemical Technology,National BiotechnologyDevelopments Agency,National Mathematical

Centre and Raw MaterialsResearch and DevelopmentCouncil, among others.

Bindir said that along theline, the National Agency forScience and EngineeringInfrastructure was alsobrought into the group.

“We hope that before theend of this year, we shouldbe able to launch a productthat is domestic; one with100-per-cent local content.

“By the time we finish theproject, we will lobby thegovernment to enforce apolicy that every secondaryschool in Nigeria must havea science laboratory. This isbecause we can do it; we don’tneed to import anything,’’ hesaid.

As part of effort to boostscience education, Bindirsaid that NOTAP wasengaging some agencies andcompanies to producetechnology storyboards forall primary and secondaryschools in the country.

These storyboards willconsist of graphic details,showcasing the use oftechnology to process rawmaterials into end products.

“I am happy to report thatwe have got partnershipswith industries that havesubmitted assortedtechnology storyboards,’ ’Bindir said.

The NOTAP chief saidthat about N200 mill ionwould be invested in theproject, which would beexecuted with contributionsfrom industries and otherstakeholders.

“They have pledged to bepart of the experimentationand the study processes,while providing some oftheir raw materials andproducts that can beshowcased on thestoryboards,’’ he said.

He said that thestoryboards wil l be co-launched by the science andtechnology minister as wellas the education ministerbefore their introduction asa teaching tool.

Besides, Bindir said thatNOTAP, in collaborationwith a private sectoroperator, was planning tointroduce traditional

“As part of effort to boost science education,Bindir said that NOTAP was engaging

some agencies and companies to producetechnology storyboards for all primary and

secondary schools in the country.These storyboards will consist of graphicdetails, showcasing the use of technologyto process raw materials into end products

technology in schools acrossthe country.

He argued thattraditional scientif icknowledge, which ought tobe kept alive, was graduallyfading away.

“We want to bringtraditional scientif icknowledge back, in order topromote the understandingof science and technology inour schools,’’ he added.

Bindir also announced

plans to introduce anannual award, “The YoungInnovation Award’ ’ , topromote inventions andi n n o v a t i o n s a m o n gsecondary school students.

Commenting onNOTAP’s programmes, MrAdebayo Ishola, a teacher,urged the leadership of theagency to ensure al l theprogrammes were realised.

He said it was only afterthat achievement that

NOTAP would be able toearn the cit izens’commendation.

S t a k e h o l d e r sparticularly urge NOTAPand other relevant agenciesto sustain efforts to providelocally made laboratoryequipment for secondaryschools, saying that theventure wil l surely boostthe quality scienceeducation.

(NAN Features)Minister of Science and Technology, Prof ita Ewa


Muslim traveller: The pains and the anguish (II)Abu Hurairah related that the

Messenger of Allah,(SAW), said,"Travelling is a portion of thetorment. It denies you your sleep,food, and drink. When you haveaccomplished your purpose, youshould hurry back to your family."[Muslim: Book 20: Hadith 4725,Muwatta' Malik: Book 54: Hadith54.15.39]

In the name of Allah, theBeneficent, the Merciful. AllPraise is due to Allah! We praise

Him and we seek help from Him.We ask forgiveness from Him. Werepent to Him; and we seek refugein Him from our evils and baddeeds. Anyone who is guided byAllah, is indeed guided; andanyone who has been left astray,will find no one to guide him. I bearwitness that there is no deityworthy of worship but Allah, theOnly One without any partner;and I bear witness thatMuhammad is His servant andfinal messenger to mankind. Maythe peace and blessing of Allah beupon His last and final Apostle, hisHousehold, his companions and allhis followers until the end of time.

Last week we saw some ofanguishes and tribulationsMuslim travellers under-go, mostespecially when they are travellingto America and the West. This weekwe will be forecasting on theinconveniences they experienceboth on board and at the airports.In fact even where prayer roomsare reserved, they are still undersurveillance and watch by varioussecurity operatives. The mere factthat you ask for where to say yourany missed prayers, was enoughtrouble for you, once you areMuslim. In fairness to ourdiscussion, some airports are lessrestrictive and unfriendly topraying travellers.

Travelling today, from anypoint to another entails hardship,mental and psychological anguish,as well as surprising discomfort.That was why Allah i His infinitemercy, reveals the followingconcessions for travelers:

Allah says:"O ye who believe! approach

not prayers with a mind befogged,until ye can understand all thatye say,- nor In a state of ceremonialimpurity (Except when travellingon the road), until after washingyour whole body. if ye are ill, or ona journey, or one of you comethfrom offices of nature, or ye havebeen In contact with women, andye find no water, then take foryourselves clean sand or earth, andrub therewith your faces andhands. for Allah doth Blot out sinsand forgive again and again.[an-Nisa': 43]

All thanks be to Allah, the Lordof the worlds for granting us suchinvaluable concession withoutasking for it. He is indeed allknowing, all Merciful! Allah indeedis fully aware of our needs resultingfrom our natural incapacitationsand weaknesses, goes further togrant us respite regarding the fivedaily obligatory prayers; aphenomena that bothers everyMuslim's souls while in state oftravelling. The feelinguncomfortableness andincommodiousness and the fear ofthe sudden strike of death at anypoint of your journey, made ourburden lighter by the teaching andmessage of the following verses:

''Thy Lord doth know that Thoustandest forth (to prayer) nigh two-thirds of the night, or half thenight, or a third of the night, andso doth a party of those with thee.but Allah doth appoint night andDay In due measure He knoweththat ye are unable to keep countthereof. so He hath turned to you

(in Mercy): read ye, Therefore, ofthe Qur'an As much As may beeasy for you. He knoweth thatthere may be (Some) among youIn ill-health; others travellingthrough the land, seeking of Allah'sbounty; yetothers FightingIn Allah's Cause,read ye,Therefore, Asmuch of theQur'an As maybe easy (for you);and establishregular prayerand give regularcharity; andloan to Allah abeautiful Loan.and whatevergood ye sendforth for your souls ye shall find itIn Allah's Presence,- yea, better andgreater, In reward and seek ye theGrace of Allah. for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.''[al-Muzammil: 20]

Book 4 : Hadith 1514 ]Similarly, falling sick or even

death is a normal phase of ourbeing. The two calamities cansneak to anyone of us regardless ofour stqte of affairs. Thus, in the

circumstances one dreads deathwhile on a journey with people heor she is familiar or otherwise, awasiya should be made in from ofsome upright witnesses for onwardtransmission, actualization or the

floor, the squeaking was anothernuisance that deprived us ourmoney, peace and sleep. Thatnight was one of the longest one Iwitnessed!

In the early hours of thatmorning we setout to the airportunwashed! In factvacating the hotelwas a good reliefaway from highrising 'prison'!

E v e n t u a l l y ,we landed at theD a m a s c u sairport. Thescreening ande m i g r a t i o n a lprocedures wereefficient and shortbecause there

were X-ray and scanner machines.I stayed for six memorable days inDamascus.

When the social function thattook me there for the first timeended, I set out to Lagos via Cairo.This time the transit was for threedays. On arrival at the airport at8:30 pm local time, we wereushered into the arrival hall forimmigration and custom checks.When it was my turn for clearanceinto the city, I was politely asked towait behind. I complied. After allthe passengers were cleared, I wasasked to come to the immigrationoffice for a chat. I protested andasked me alone? Anyway, iobeyed. The officer in charge askedme my reason of coming to Egypt.I replied, 'I am forced to transit forthree days in Cairo on my home.He looked at and said, 'you are notallowed to enter our country'! Iasked on what ground? He said, 'onmy order! I said, 'did I break thelaws of your country? He said, notat all; we just do not want you inCairo! On hearing that, I quicklyreferred them a Qur'anic versesuperscribed on the main entranceof the airport which reads:

"...Enter ye Egypt (all) In safetyif it please Allah."[Yusuf: 99]

He replied with his face turnedaway from me, and said, 'this versedoes not include you! I stayed therestunned and dumfounded! I said,'alright allow to proceed to Jeddahwith any available flight, I haveentry visa! On hearing that, heordered another officer to lock meoff in the airport prison until thetransit period elapsed! I request fora telephone to inform the NigerianAmbassador, they refused; thattime there was no GSM in Africa. Iwas finally inequitably escortedinto the airport prison at about2:30 am local time.

The drama reminded me of theglorious story of Prophet Yusuf(AS). The set-up uplifted myperseverance and in my trust inAllah! I immediately murmuredsome verses of the Qur'an,confirming my recline to Allah!The verses are:

"Who say, when afflicted withcalamity: "To Allah we belong, andto Him is Our return"[al-Baqarah:156]

"He said: "O My Lord! the prisonis more to My liking than that towhich They invite Me: unless Thouturn away their snare from me, Ishould (in My youthful folly) feelinclined towards them and join theranks of the ignorant."[Yusuf: 33]

In the prison, I met nationals ofmany nations; French, Moroccan,Ghanaians, Lebanese. There wereMuslims and Christians. Soon, itwas time for Fajr prayers. I quicklyprepare myself for the prayers; Iwas alone! In the morning, I askedthe warder staying with us, whenwill the breakfast be served? Hereplied anytime! I said how do youmean, I enquired? Whenever you

are hungry I can buy for youanything you want for a'baqsheesh'! What is that? 'Tips, hereplied courageously! I sent myhand into the chamber of mytrouser pocket and gave him forall the inmates. I invited all of themfor a group breakfast. Thatsingular offer, naturally madetheir leader and Imam. I becamelike Sayyidna Yusuf, their spiritualand prison leader! After two daysof incarceration, an officerwhispered to if I can give abaqsheesh they can transfer me tothe airport hotel on my expense. Ihurriedly answered because fortwo day I hated myself; I wasstinking! I paid immediately, andresigned from the leadership rolefor the comfort of the hotel. On thethird day I was escorted to the Lagosbound plane. I was freed al last,without any charges.

Travelling, very true to thesaying of the mother of believers,A'Ishah (RD), who was reported tohave said, 'Had it not the saying ofApostle of Allah, "Travelling is afraction of hell fire....", cameearlier, I would have said hell fireis a portion of travelling! Thus, onecan hardly travel from a point toanother, without experiencing theunexpected; a kind ofdisappointment and frustration.

Allah, the Most High in Histypical types of mercifulness,included, probably as a respite duethe inherent torture and tormentof travelling, promises to grant thesupplications of a traveller alongtwo others. The hadith reads, thus:

Abu Hurairah narrated thatthe Prophet (SAW) said: Threesupplications are answered, therebeing no doubt about them; that ofa father, that of a traveller andthat of one who has beenwronged.[Dawud: Book 8: Hadith1531]

According to the tradition ofthe Messenger of Allah (SAW)never travelled without thefollowing supplications at theinstance of riding his camel. Hewould say:

"... "Glory to Him who hassubjected these to Our (use), for wecould never have accomplishedThis (by ourselves),"[az-Zukhruf:13]

"... In the name of Allah,whether it move or be at rest! forMy Lord is, be sure, Oft-forgiving,Most Merciful!"[Hud: 41]

Finally, we should understandthat travelling is a very seriousventure which may include,travelling for merchandize ortrading, for search of knowlegde,for religious purposes such as Hajj,Umrah or pilgrimage to the 'Baital-Maqdis'. Travelling to visit onesfamily or relation or visiting thesick or for search of medication orvisiting historical monumentswith the purpose broadening onesperception of the past in orderrestrain from making the samemistakes or sins, can be consideredas important and allowable. But,travelling for watching gamessuch football, hockey, boxing andsimilar undertaking areunnecessary. Likewise travellingfor social reasons such as traditiontittles coronation, marriagesolemnization and condolences arenot significant journeys in Islam.Travelling from hostile nations tosafe heaven as hijra or migrationis rewardable trip.

For whatever reason, and withwhatever means, travelling willever remain unpredictable. Moreso that it has never been so difficultand unpredictable as is today.

ISLAMISLAMISLAMISLAMISLAMEXPLAINEDEXPLAINEDEXPLAINEDEXPLAINEDEXPLAINED

By Husain ZakariyyaYawale

+234-8052952900 (sms only)[email protected]

and:"When ye travel through the

earth, there is no blame on you ifye shorten your prayers, for fearthe unbelievers may attack you:for the unbelievers are unto youopen enemies."[an-Nisa': 101]

We can see in these two versesvery clearly how Allah, the all-Knowing and the Oft-Mercifulgave us unlimited reprieve and andivine pardon to shorten to two,all prayers of four units while on ajourney! In addition, the Sunnahwent further to complement theconcessionary gift of combiningtwo prayers at the instance ofthem. For example, Zuhr and Asr,and Maghrib and Isha' duringeither of them; in advance orareas!

Another mercy of Islam is thatthe prayers can be performedunder any circumstance; just astime and space offers. Read thefollowing verse:

"Men who celebrate the praisesof Allah, standing, sitting, andlying down on their sides, ... gloryto Thee! give us salvation from thepenalty of the Fire."[al-Imran: 191

in fact if there is any cause ofuneasiness to a Muslim travellerby whatever means oftransportation, is the fear ofmissing any obligatory prayers onits appointed time!

Anas reported that when theApostle of Allah (may peace beupon him) had to set out on ajourney hurriedly, he delayed thenoon prayer to the earlier time forthe afternoon prayer, and then hewould combine them, and hewould delay the sunset prayer tothe time when the twilight woulddisappear and then combine itwith the 'Isha' prayer."[ Muslim ::

case may be. The Qur'an clarifiesfurther, thus:

"O ye who believe! when deathapproaches any of you, (take)witnesses among yourselves whenMaking bequests,- two just men ofyour own (brotherhood) or othersfrom outside if ye are journeyingthrough the earth, and the chanceof death befalls you (thus). if yedoubt (Their Truth), detain themboth after prayer, and let themboth swear by Allah. "We wish notIn This for any worldly gain, Eventhough the (beneficiary) be Ournear relation: we shall hide not theevidence before Allah. if we do,then Behold! the sin be uponus!"[al-Ma'idah: 106]

I remember, of course withpains, when in 1995 I wastravelling Syria via Cairo, Egypt,what befall me. At that timetraveling to Syria was not a oneday or two days business fromNigeria. Travelers to Damascushad to transit for two days at Cairo,a night by the airline and thesecond night at your expense. Iwith a friend I met on board decidedto change a hotel after the freenight into the city of Cairo. Thetaxi driver persuaded us to a hotelShaharazad in the down town area,against our plan. He unwillinglyyielded, and the experience washell! It was an old deserted hotel bythe Nile river with heavy trafficand disturbing noise of trainsstation. The sounds of the hundredsof cars and train horns gave arestless night. While the rats andmosquitoes inmates entertainedwith disturbibg music anddancing. Our rooms where veryclose to first generation lifts,though we were at fourteenth


Let me take honor towelcome you. WelcomeMike, what is the

Percentage of Muslims in theUS?

The percentage of Muslims inthe US is rather small, but what Iwould like to emphasize is thatIslam is one of the fastest growingreligions in the US today. Therecent survey found out that thereare 11,200 mosques in the US, andhalf of those were just founded inthe last 20years. So, it's a rapidlygrowing religion and as you know,Unites States was built under thenotions of religious freedom andreligious tolerance guaranteed byour constitution. We interact verymuch with people of all faiths andhave very much respect for peopleof all religions. It is part of oursociety, people have differentfaiths, different cultural backgrounds that come from differentparts of the world, and its part ofour identity.

Are there any positivecontributions of Muslims andIslam to the development of theUS?

Most absolutely, it's somethingwe appreciate, you find Muslimsin all works and it's something weappreciate, I have workmates inthe State Department who areMuslims. You see Muslims who areinvolved is sports, doctors,professors, lawyers, so, we findMuslims in every walk of life in USand they make very importantcontributions as all Americans do.There is a lot of interest in the worldof how Muslims get along in theUS but we want to make sure thatits well understood that there aremany misperceptions, we arewelcoming of all faiths, tolerant ofreligions but we also have corevalues in terms of freedom ofexpression.

My incidences seem toprove otherwise of what youare saying, the recent filthyfilm (innocence of Muslims) isan example , If the US embracesdiversity, why would it allowsuch provocative film thatresulted in public outbursts ofrage in the Muslim world,leaving scores dead?

This is a question that has beenraised in very many parts of theworld and I hope you have seenstatements by president Obama,Secretary Clinton and a numberof US officials. When it comes to thevideo, it is something that the USgovernment had absolutelynothing to do with. In fact, weabsolutely reject the content andthe message in the video,Secretary Clinton was very clearabout this and she referred to it asdisgusting.

In reality, we can't shut downevery bit of information in today'sworld as you know, with the socialmedia, with the internet, there isgoing to be a lot of problematic,disgusting images, but that shouldnever be an excuse for violence.We need to talk about these thingsand talk about the virtues of ourreligions and beliefs, that's really

what the US is about.

The UN which is thecustodian of human rightsmade all disputations againstthe Jewish narratives on theHolocaust illegal that is bindingto the US. The least Muslimsacross the world would expectfrom the US government is toprovide for legal guarantee thatprevent people from infringingon freedom of others whileexercising their rights tofreedom of expression. Is thatexpecting too much from theUS?

Again, we have our ownhistory, own traditions, andfreedom of speech is one of those corevalues. We also have laws that goto the question of inciting hate thatapply to all religions, but here, wehave a view that's very open toallowing people to expressthemselves, critically importantin our democracy.

Even in the US, when themajority of people disagree, thereshould be a discussion. Butshutting down ideas that we don'tlike is not the way we think thatone should go about. In society, wehave to allow things to be said andthat can be a basis for discussion.There are laws obviously toprevent incitement and hate andviolence and that needs to beenforced.

On violence, I agree withyou. But the US should alsoknow that, there can never beguarantee of internationalpeace and security when thereis no justice and respect forreligion.

We completely agree that nopersons should lose their lives orhome as a result of violent protestin response to an appalling video. Iwould also remark again that inthe US, we are such a tolerant

We must take very aggressive actionto eliminate extrimists- Mike Hammer

Mr. Mike Hammer

society, and we have Muslims inAmerica. You may have seenexpressions of our religion, but wehave to accept that sometimespeople will say things that are verydistasteful and disgusting and thecommunities will come togetherin condemning it, but doing it in apeaceful way. Those voices arelouder than that minority group,so I think they can co-exist; thereis no reason again to react in aviolent way. People maydemonstrate and protest, aboutthis video, not to watch it, not topromote it, not to give it moreattention.

Some private organizationsmade campaigns againstblasphemous activities, but myconcern is about the USgovernment, where is the voiceof the government?

Am glad that you point outthat certain importantorganizations both Jewish andMuslim organizations have spokenout. The US government doesn'thave to be involved in veryactivity; it will be a nonstop job forus to comment on every issue thatgives us some kind of trouble. Sowhat I would say again is that wevery much appreciate what youdo, the Muslim communityworking with the US to promotehuman rights, inter-faithdialogue, to promote respect fordiversity coz we share principalsabout views that Muslims and non-Muslims are core in pursuit ofjustice and tolerance and respectof human rights.

So we need to be focusing on thepositive, where we all cometogether, and respect religion andcommon values, and that is whatreally this discussion should beabout and not focus on things thatdivide, we need to see things wherewe can work together and to makea better future for our children.

During the final presidentialdebate that focused on foreignpolicy, the issue of drone strikesin Pakistani, Yemen wasavoided. In Pakistani, Muslimshave demonstrated repeatedlyagainst these drones. Why thisissue of the use of unmannedarmed drones overseasavoided, thuogh it is an aspectof foreign policy?

On this, I think the USgovernment does not talk about theissue of drones, because thepresident has been very clear, wemust take very aggressive actionto eliminate terrorists. And indeedas the president of the US, he hasthe mandate to defend theAmerican people, against threatsand American interests. In fact, wework with our allies to ensure thatthis threat is eliminated. So that'swhy you don't see a lot of debate inAmerica. There are differentvoices on issues like this, and it'spart of American society to havemany perspectives. It's somethingthat for the most part, we don't talkabout it because of the nature of theactivities that you are trying to talkabout.

Independent reports haveindicated that there are morelives of innocent civilians lostwhen the drone strikes. So whenyou kill one terrorist and along,you kill many innocentcivilians, leave others disabled,others orphaned, doesn't thiscreate a new set of enemies thatare potential terrorists, don'tyou see terrorism becoming apredictable consequence?

I have to defer on this becauseit's not a program that am able tospeak about and even disputedirectly some of the figures that youare getting. But I must say that ama little bit struck by the fact thatwe are talking about this issue, why

aren't we talking about the manythousands of people that are killedby Al-Qaida terrorists includingPakistani Muslims? Why are wetalking about the recent horrificTaliban attack on the young 14year old girls in Pakistani? I thinkwe need to change the nature ofdiscussion, and identify here whatthe problem is. The problem is thata terrorist network that isindiscriminately killing innocentpeople, Muslims, Christians, Jews,regardless of their faith, regardlessof their country of origin, for nopurpose, and I think what thecountry is doing is to understandthat that's the focus of the problem.

My concern is, if we are tryingto eliminate terrorism but alongthe way, we create conditions thatare likely to create more terrorists,isn't that dangerous?

I don't want to completelysidestep the issue, it is an importantissue, and I can assure you that thisissue is discussed with in thequarters of Washington. Certaininformation that you may havemay not be the most accurate andwe have a challenge that we arenot at liberty to discuss here.

When drones fly USA toanother sovereign state, Isn'tUSA which is a role modelexhibiting behavior oflawlessness by interveningmilitarily anywhere it pleases?

Again am at disadvantagebecause you know that I told youthat I cannot be discussing this. ButI think president Obama has beenvery clear, he said when he wasrunning for president and hasacted on it as president of the US,that he will take whateveractions that are necessary toprotect American lives andAmerican interests and we dothis in cooperation with anumber of countries around theworld and in recognition ofinternational laws. And so, amnot in position here to bedebating these specifics, but Iwant to assure you that USA is alaw abiding country, we wantto promote human rights andact according to internationalhuman rights, and all thediscussions in Washington anddecisions that are made aboutwhat we do, we take these factorsinto account.

Looking at the powerfulnature of the social media,what is the US doing to usesocial media as a tool tocombat terrorism in all itsramifications?

We put a very high priorityat the state department tocommunicate with social media,not only concerning terrorismbut as way we can have dialogueand listen to peoples point ofviews, so that I can be sitting inWashington and participate ina face book chat, anybody couldask me questions, there aretwitter feeds, so people can beexpressing their views, verydirectly now to the USAgovernment and we, on behalf ofUSA government can explain ourpolicies because a lot of it is franklymis-understood. Other peoplethink we stand for something,when actually that's not true.

INTERVIEW Mr. Mike Hammer is the deputy Secretary in charge of public affairs,at the white house Washington DC. In an interview with HamzaKyeyune, highlights the stand of the US regarding Islam. Excerpts.


South Africa vineyardclashes leave one dead

One person has died inclashes between farmworkers and police in

South Africa's vineyard region.The agricultural workers

have been protesting for the lastweek demanding more pay.

Police have fired rubber bulletsas protesters have blocked roads,set fields alight, overturnedvehicles and destroyedequipment.

Locals have deserted their houses as properties were set ablaze

Ebola outbreak in Uganda kills two

Five other people have beeninjured in the unrest in the fertilewine-producing region outsideCape Town.

Several thousand strikingfarm workers are calling for theirsalaries to be doubled to 150 rand($16; £10) a day.

The vineyards are the latestindustry in South Africa to be hitby violent demonstrations overpay.

Mozambiqueawardcontinues forSouthAfrican pilots

The head of the air searchfor two South Africanpilots missing for more

than two weeks in Mozambiquehas said it will be suspended onFriday.

Richard Maier, however,said the $5,000 (£3,000)reward would remain on offer.

He said that the search hadbeen hampered because theMozambican authorities wouldonly let one of their five planesfly.

Bryan Simms, 60, and hisson Rob, 22, went missing on27 October as they flew homefrom Malawi.

They last made contactwhen their plane was flyingnear the Mozambican port ofBeira, when Mr Simms said oneof his engines was havingtrouble, South African mediasay.

The authorities inMozambique have called off thesearch but volunteers havebeen combing the area to tryand find the plane's wreckage,on foot and on motorbike, aswell as by plane.

"The local authorities areworried about security becauseof instability in the area andhave grounded [four of] ouraircraft," Mr Maier told theBBC.

The 11-member team haveplaced adverts in localnewspapers and radio stations.

Mr Maier said the permit forthe one plane that was allowedto fly would expire on Friday,which was why he wasreturning to South Africa.

"After that, we will rely oninformation from localcontacts we've made. Thereward will remain on offeruntil we get validinformation," he said.

Christine PecorellaSimms, who is married to RobSimms' brother, told the BBConce the team returned toSouth Africa the data theyhad collected would beanalysed to decide on how thesearch would proceed,especial ly the operation onthe ground.

Members of South Africa'saviation community havespent more than 200,000rand ($23,000; £14,000)from their own pockets to fundthe search, with privatedonors also helping withcosts.

Fighting breaks out in DR Congo

A fresh outbreak of the deadlyEbola virus in Uganda haskilled at least two people,

the health minister has said.Christine Ondoa said two

members of the same family diedover the weekend not far from thecapital - and a third person wasalso suspected to have died in thatarea of the haemorrhagic fever.

An estimated 17 people diedin western Uganda during anoutbreak in July.

According to the medicalcharity Medecins Sans Frontieres(MSF), there had been no casessince August.

Dr Ondoa said thatinvestigators had foundconclusive evidence of Ebola inLuweero, about 60km (37 miles)

Uganda health minister,Christine Ondoa

from the capital, Kampala.A third man had also died in

the area late last month aftershowing symptoms of Ebolahowever no samples were takenfrom the victim and the case wasnot reported to health officials atthe times, she said.

Five people who came intocontact with those who died arebeing monitored. Two of themhave been admitted to anisolation unit at Kampala's mainMulago hospital, the ministersaid.

There is no known cure forEbola, but patients can be treatedfor their symptoms with

Fighting has broken out ineastern DemocraticRepublic Congo between UN-

backed government troops and M23rebels, forcing people to flee.

Media men at the scene say hehas heard heavy gunfire andshelling north of the regional capital,Goma.

Nearly 500,00 people have beendisplaced since April when the rebelsmutinied from the army.

The UN accuses Rwanda andUganda of backing the rebels -allegations they both deny.

Gabriel Gatehouse says the

"We can confirm the deathof a 28-year-old man inWolseley and five otherswounded," Lybey Swartz of theWestern Cape police told AFP.

Andrew Harding inJohannesburg says theagricultural employees work inone of the one of the richest andmost beautiful corners of SouthAfrica - but the inequality isjarring.

antibiotics, drugs for pain reliefand for other diseases such asmalaria, to strengthen theirresistance.

The virus causes death in90% of human cases.

Dr Ondoa said the disease is"very infectious" and kills "in ashort time", but is "easily"preventable.

Among precautionarymeasures she urged people to takewere:

Avoid public gatherings,including funerals, in affecteddistricts

Bury victims immediatelyunder the supervision of health

fighting - around the village ofKibumba about 30km (19 miles)north of Goma - is the most serioussince July.

The government has sentreinforcements, includinghelicopter gunships, to the area, hesays.

A column of UN peacekeeperscould also be seen.

Our correspondent says it is notclear who started the most recentclashes.

But he says when he was in rebelterritory on Wednesday, he saw theM23 - also known as the CongoleseRevolutionary Army - redeployingtheir forces and preparing for a fight.

In August, 34 people died whenpolice opened fire at strikingminers, leading to widespreadshock.

The circumstances of the deathin Wolseley in the Western Capeprovince are to be investigatedby the Independent PoliceInvestigative Directorate,which looks into complaintsabout the force, AFP newsagency reports.

The presence of the rebels has made many locals flee for safety


China anoints Xi as new leaderXi Jinping has been

confirmed as the man tolead China for the next

decade.Mr Xi led the new Politburo

Standing Committee onto the stageat the Great Hall of the People inBeijing, signalling his elevation tothe top of China's ruling CommunistParty.

The party faced great challengesbut would work to meet"expectations of both history and thepeople", he said.

Most of the new committee areseen as politically conservative, andperceived reformers did not getpromotion.

Xi Jinping replaces Hu Jintao,under whose administration Chinahas seen a decade of extraordinarygrowth.

The move marks the officialpassing of power from onegeneration to the next.

Mr Xi was followed out onto thestage by Li Keqiang, the man set tosucceed Premier Wen Jiabao, andfive other men - meaning that thesize of the all-powerful StandingCommittee had been reduced fromnine to seven.

Those five, in order of seniority,were Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang,

Shanghai party boss YuZhengsheng, propaganda chief LiuYunshan, Vice-Premier WangQishan and Tianjin party boss ZhangGaoli.

The new leaders had greatresponsibilities, Mr Xi said, but theirmission was to be united, and to leadthe party and the people to makethe Chinese nation stronger andmore powerful.

"The people's desire for a better

Asia andMiddle East life is what we shall fight for," he said.

Corruption had to be addressed,he said, and better party disciplinewas needed.

"The party faces many severechallenges, and there are also manypressing problems within the partythat need to be resolved, particularlycorruption, being divorced from thepeople, going through formalitiesand bureaucratism caused by someparty officials," Mr Xi said.

Calendars of 2013 printed with Obama's picture already in stores

Police in a showdown with protesters

Mr Xi Jinping

Burma to free hundreds ofprisoners before Obama visit

Burma is releasing 452prisoners under anamnesty, officials say, days

before a visit by US PresidentBarack Obama.

The release, which couldinclude political detainees, is to"help promote goodwill and thebilateral relationship", state mediareport.

The move is the latest in a seriesof prisoner releases under thereformist government of PresidentThein Sein.

Mr Obama's visit, a first by aserving US president, is intendedto encourage continuedgovernment reform.

It remains unclear, however,how many political prisoners willbe freed this time. Rights groupsbelieve that there are still at least300 political prisoners in jail.

Some foreign nationals are alsoamong those expected to bereleased in the amnesty, statemedia say.

An amnesty in September sawthe release of more than 500prisoners, with the oppositionsaying that at least 58 politicaldetainees were freed.

The nominally-civiliangovernment led by Thein Sein hasundertaken a series of reforms sincethe end of military rule in elections

in November 2010.These include freeing hundreds

of prisoners, including politicaldetainees, and introducing morepress freedom. Western sanctionsagainst Burma have been loosenedin response.

Aung San Suu Kyi's oppositionNational League for Democracyparty - having rejoined thepolitical process after boycottingthe November 2010 polls -overwhelmingly sweptparliamentary by-electionsearlier this year.

However, critics question MrObama's decision to make Burmaone of his first destinations afterre-election, saying it is too soonto reward the government forreforms which have just started,Jonathan Head in Bangkoksays.

They argue that the repeatedpromises by Thein Sein that hewill stick to the reformist pathwill only be credible when allpolitical prisoners have beenfreed, our correspondent adds.

Dozens more people havebeen detained this year duringvarious protests, and theBurmese military still acts withimpunity in border areas whereit is fighting ethnic insurgents,says our correspondent.

Jordan violence escalatesduring second nightThe violence over fuel price

hikes in Jordan has escalated,as growing anger threatens to

plunge the kingdom into a wave ofunrest.

One armed civilian was killed andseveral policemen injured, somecritically, when gunmen stormed apolice station in Irbid, in the country'sfar north, and fired on officers there onWednesday night.

In Salt, northwest of capitalAmman, protesters set fire to a civilaffairs office.

The scene was less deadly inAmman itself on Wednesday night,although up to 1,000 people had spilledonto the streets.

Hundreds of young men gatheredat a usually busy road junction in thecapital, facing off with riot police, whoshot tear gas as tensions rose.

The unrest was not confined to thecountry's north, as about 2,000protesters in the city of Karak, about140km south of Amman, shouted:"Down, down with you, Abdullah,"and "Get out and leave us alone" asthey marched through the town onWednesday, shattering shop windows,witnesses and police said.

The violence started on Tuesdaynight after news spread of the price

increases, under which the cost ofhousehold gas will rise by 53 per centand petrol around 12 per cent. Themeasure aims to rein in a bulgingbudget deficit and secure a $2bn loanfrom the International MonetaryFund.

Minutes after state televisionannounced the price rises, severalthousand Jordanians poured into thestreets.

The hikes, followed by an 11 percent increase in public transport fares,drew sharp condemnation from theopposition, which warned of civildisobedience in the run-up to Januarygeneral elections.

"The street is seething with angerand an explosion is coming," said ZakiBani Irsheid, the leader of the MuslimBrotherhood, Jordan's most powerfulopposition group.

"We want to create a JordanianSpring with a local flavour - meaningreforms in the system while keepingour protests peaceful."

In Amman, around 500demonstrators clashed on Tuesdaywith anti-riot police and hurled stonesat them after they were preventedfrom holding a sit-in near the interiorministry on Gamal Abdel NasserCircle.


Europe andAmericas

France topush forarming Syria'soppositioncoalition

France's foreign ministerhas said he will discusssupplying arms to the

Syrian opposition coalitionwith European partners.

The government plans topush for a relaxation of the EUarms embargo to Syria toenable "defensive arms" toreach opposition fighters.

France is the first Westernpower to recognise the coalitionas the Syrian people'slegitimate representative.

Coalition representativesare due to hold meetings inLondon and Paris.

Opposition and humanrights activists estimate thatmore than 36,000 people havebeen killed since the uprisingagainst President Bashar al-Assad's rule began in March2 0 1 1 .

French Foreign MinisterLaurent Fabius said hiscountry was wary of pouringmore weapons into the countrybut that there was a danger ofleaving areas under oppositioncontrol open to attack fromSyrian armed forces.

"For the moment, there isan embargo, so there are noarms being delivered from theEuropean side. The issue... willno doubt be raised for defensivearms," Mr Fabius told France'sRTL radio.

The National Coalition forSyrian Revolutionary andOpposition Forces has beencalling on European nations torecognise it as the country'stransitional government,enabling it to buy weapons toassist its attempts to overthrowMr Assad.

"The issue will be raisedbecause the [opposition]coalition has asked us to do so,"Mr Fabius said, adding that"this is something that we canonly do in co-ordination withthe Europeans".

He said that Paris was stilltalking to Moscow and the UNSpecial Envoy to the country,Lakhdar Brahimi, about asolution.

EU group endorsestraining mission for Mali

African state.An African military

intervention is being planned toretake the north of Mali from theIslamists.

The African Union backed a planto send 3,300 troops to help thegovernment.

The proposal for the

Greek protesters hurl coffee at German diplomat

intervention is due to go before theUN Security Council for approvalbefore the end of the year.

Islamist groups and Tuaregrebels took control of the north afterMali's president was overthrown inMarch.

The Islamists, who have links toal-Qaeda, subsequently fell out

BP to get record US criminal fine

Foreign and defence ministersfrom five EU states havebacked a proposed European

mission to train Malian forcesstruggling against Islamist fighters.

The five countries - Germany,Italy, Spain, Poland and France -issued a joint statement in Parisendorsing the plan for the war-torn

German Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere, second left, and German Foreign Minister GuidoWesterwelle, centre, attended the talks

with the Tuareg groups andconsolidated their power in all themajor northern towns, introducingstrict Islamic law.

The UN has warned that theIslamist militias are imposing aharsh version of Islamic law onthe areas they control and thatforced marriage, forcedprostitution and rape arebecoming widespread.

Three of the states meetingin Paris - Germany, France andPoland - formed a loose groupingcalled the Weimar Triangle in1991 to foster relations.

At their talks on Thursday,they endorsed a decision of theEU's Foreign Affairs Council on15 October which says the EU is"determined to support Mali inrestoring the rule of law and re-establishing a fully sovereigndemocratic government".

On that occasion, the councilasked for work to begin onplanning a possible EU militaryoperation that would focus onreorganising and training theMalian defence forces.

The operation should take"account of the conditionsnecessary for the success of any suchmission, which include the fullsupport of the Malian authoritiesand the definition of an exitstrategy", the council said.

BP is set to receive a recordfine of between $3bn and$5bn (£1.9bn-£3.2bn) to

settle criminal charges related tothe 2010 Deepwater Horizondisaster.

It will be the biggest criminalpenalty in US history, BBCbusiness editor Robert Pestonsays.

The settlement with theDepartment of Justice involvesBP pleading guilty to criminalcharges.

It is thought that up to fourBP staff will be arrested, RobertPeston says.

Details of the settlement areexpected to be confirmed by theWashington-based Departmentof Justice later.

Earlier, BP said it was in"advanced discussions" with USagencies about settling criminaland other claims.

BP said that any deal wouldnot include civil claims fordamages under the Clean Water

Head of the coalition, AhmedMoaz al-Khatib

Protesters in Greece'ssecond city, Thessaloniki,have hurled coffee at a

German diplomat amidresentment over austeritymeasures advocated by Berlin.

They broke into a conferencecentre where mayors of Greekand German cities were due tomeet.

It was not immediatelyknown if the diplomat had beenhurt.

On Wednesday, an envoy ofGerman Chancellor AngelaMerkel said three Greek councilstaff were needed to do the workof a single German.

"Studies show that 3,000employees are required inGreece for local administrationwork carried out by 1,000people in Germany," GermanDeputy Labour Minister Hans-

Joachim Fuchtel said.Mr Fuchtel has been tasked

with working with Greek officialsto streamline the operation of localcouncils.

While he has been visitingThessaloniki, it is not thoughtthat the envoy was himselftargeted in the coffee incident.

Demonstrators chanted "Nazisout" and "This will not pass" as theytried to prevent delegatesattending the conference.

"These people haven't comehere to help us, but to announceour death sentence," said ThemisBalasopoulos, leader of Greece'smunicipal workers' union, whowas at Thursday's protest.

A visit by Mrs Merkel to Athenslast month drew street protests.

As the EU's biggest economy,Germany has a key say in debtrelief decisions over Greece.

Act, pending private civilclaims, and state claims foreconomic loss.

The 2010 DeepwaterHorizon disaster killed 11workers and released millions ofbarrels of crude into the Gulf ofMexico over 87 days.

The settlement is muchbigger than the largest previouscorporate criminal penaltyassessed by the Department ofJustice, the $1.2bn fine imposedon drug maker Pfizer in 2009.

The oil giant has been sellingassets worth billions of poundsto raise money to settle allclaims. The company isexpected to make a finalpayment of $860m into the$20bn Gulf of Mexicocompensation fund by the endof the year.

BP has booked provisions of$38.1bn to cover its liabilitiesfrom the incident, but thecompany has said the final costremained highly uncertain.

Anti-capitalism graffities adorn the streets


180 Million rats face 22 tons of poison on galapagosEcuadorean authorities

say the unique bird andreptile species that make

the Galapagos Islands atreasure for scientists andtourists must be preserved -and that means the rats mustdie, hundreds of millions ofthem.

A helicopter is to begindropping nearly 22 tons ofspecially designed poison baiton an island Thursday,launching the second phase ofa campaign to clear out by2020 non-native rodents fromthe archipelago that helpedinspire Charles Darwin's theoryof evolution.

The invasive Norway andblack rats, introduced bywhalers and buccaneersbeginning in the 17th century,feed on the eggs and hatchlingsof the islands' native species,which include giant tortoises,lava lizards, snakes, hawks andiguanas. Rats also havedepleted plants on which nativespecies feed.

The rats have criticallyendangered bird species on the19-island cluster 600 miles(1,000 kilometers) fromEcuador's coast.

"It's one of the worstproblems the Galapagos have.(Rats) reproduce every threemonths and eat everything,"said Juan Carlos Gonzalez, aspecialist with the NatureConservancy involved in thePhase II eradication operationon Pinzon island and the islet ofPlaza Sur.

Phase I of the anti-ratcampaign began in January2011 on Rabida island andabout a dozen islets, which like

Galapagos National Park, park staff test equipment that will hold poisonous bait to kill rats on the Galapagos Islands

Duke university scientistsunveil centimeter-scaleinvisibility cloak

Pinzon and Plaza Sur are alsouninhabited by humans.

The goal is to kill off allnonnative rodents, beginningwith the Galapagos' smallerislands, without endangeringother wildlife. The islandswhere humans reside, Isabelaand Santa Cruz, will comelast.

Previous efforts toeradicate invasive specieshave removed goats, cats,burros and pigs from variousislands.

Pinzon is about seven

square miles (1,812 hectares)in area, while Plaza Surencompasses just 24 acres(9.6 hectares).

"This is a very expensivebut totally necessary war,"said Gonzalez.

The rat infestation has nowreached one per square foot(about 10 per square meter)on Pinzon, where an estimated180 million rodents reside.

The director ofconservation for theGalapagos National ParkService, Danny Rueda, calledthe raticide the largest ever inSouth America.

The poisoned bait,developed by Bell Laboratoriesin the United States, is containedin light blue cubes that attract

Harry Potter fans, rejoice.A cloak of invisibility,like the one featured in the

movies, is now a reality -- on a muchsmaller scale at least.

Inventors have been workingtoward this for a while now, butresearchers with Duke Universitydiscovered a new way to tweakexisting technology,ExtremeTech.com reported. Thetheory is that invisibility can beachieved using metamaterials,man-made materials that bendelectromagnetic waves, like visiblelight, around objects to create anillusion. But past methods reflectsome light back, which ruins theeffect. Duke's new design uses thosesame metamaterials, but arrangesthem in a diamond pattern, whichcuts back on the reflective glare.

In an experiment, the cloakfully hid a 7.5 by 1 cm cylinder,The Week said. However, there area few kinks to be ironed out. Forexample, the cloak only works withcentimeter-scale objects andmicrowave radiation,ExtremeTech.com said. Also, theillusion only appears when it'sviewed from a very specific angle.Researchers are hoping to unveilan omnidirectional cloak next.

rats but are repulsive to otherinhabitants of the islands. Theone-centimeter-square cubesdisintegrate in a week or so.

Park official Cristian Sevillasaid the poison will be droppedon Pinzon and Plaza Surthrough the end of November.

A total of 34 hawks fromPinzon were trapped in order toprotect them from eatingrodents that consume thepoison, Sevilla said. They are tobe released in early January.

On Plaza Sur, 40 iguanaswere also captured temporarilyfor their own protection.

Asked whether a largenumber of decomposing ratswould create anenvironmental problem,Rueda said the poison was

specially engineered with astrong anti-coagulant that willmake the rats dry up anddisintegrate in less than eightdays without a stench.

It will help that the averagetemperature of the islands is75 degrees Fahrenheit (24degrees Celsius), he added.

The current $1.8 millionphase of the project is financedby the national park andnonprofit conservation groupsincluding IslandConservation.

The Galapagos weredeclared protected as aUNESCO Natural Heritagesite in 1978. In 2007, UNESCOdeclared them at risk due toharm from invasive species,tourism and immigration.

The invisibility cloak

Reckless driver orderedto cook copsthanksgiving dinnerLawbreakers in Ohio better

make sure they knowtheir way around a

kitchen because thepunishment for a Cantonwoman accused of recklessdriving will include makingThanksgiving dinner,CantonRep.com reported.

During the CantonMarathon in June, ValerieRodgers, 46, knocked over apolice officer directing trafficwhen she failed to stop at hissignal. Rodgers pleaded guilty

last month to felony assault andthree misdemeanors and wasplaced on probation for oneyear, CantonRep.com said.

But the judge handeddown another punishmentfor Rodgers-she was orderedto prepare Thanksgivingdinner for three policeofficers on leave or unable towork. The judge alsoreserved a year of prison timefor Rodgers if she violates herprobation, according toCantonRep.com.

Dinner for three other officers who are on leave.


Show east 2012: Major exhibitors sign for HighFrame-Rate ‘Hobbit’ despite format challenges

With Tobias Lengnan Dapam07036990957

Warner’s decision toopen HFR 3D in just400 theaters

domestically is “a blow” to somemanufacturers who hoped fora faster roll-out.

Hollywood reporterrevealed that major exhibitorslike Regal and AMC lined upTuesday to support WarnerBros, as it prepares forDecember 14, U.S. release of

Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit”,which is an unexpected journeyin the high frame rate of 48frames per second.

Meanwhile, the studiomoves cautiously with its plans

to introduce the theatertechnology, which hasencountered a number ofproblems as it goes through atesting phase.

It recalled that at last spring’strade shows, as the NAB andCinema Con, digital cinemamanufacturers of projectionequipment greeted the move to48 fps enthusiastically eventhough Warner had not yetsignaled its plans.

Sources within the industrypredicted there would be “tensof thousands” of screens ready forHobbit’s wide roll-out. Instead,Warner has decided to offer“Hobbit” in what is being calledHFR 3D as a platform release,using 400 screens domestically,that will include 90 screens fromRegal and 92 from AMC along

with another 500 ininternational markets.

The majority of theaters willshow the movie at the traditionalframe rate of 24 fps.

The studio’s decision to takeit slow has been “a blow” to somemanufacturers, in the words ofMKPE consulting president,Michael Karagosian, “Severalmanufacturers set asideprofitable projects to switchresources to supporting HFRs forHobbit,” he said.

“We put the money into it,”admitted Gary Johns, seniormember of digital cinemasolutions at Sony Electronics.“The opportunity for sales isdiminished, though we think wewill get there. I’m sure it will beback. We think HFRs is greatthing.”

Some of the casts of ‘The Hobbit’

Rumours Club, Ikeja,Lagos wore a joyous lookon recently as top

Nollywood actors stormed theupscale night club for theinauguration of Actors Guildof Nigeria’s (AGN) first femalepresident, Fiberesima Ibinabo.

Nigeriafilm.com revealedthat top stars like Genevieve

Nnaji, Fred Amata, Anaketwin led other actors to showsupport for Ibinabo.

This has become a welcomedevelopment as top Nollywoodstars have not been involvedin the Guild’s activities forsome time now due to internalcrisis rocking the Guild.

Nigriafilms recalled that

Top Nollywood actors at first FemaleAGN president inauguration

RealD, the 3D movietechnology specialist,has won the bragging

rights to provide the technologyfor the world premiere of Oscarwinner Peter Jackson’s “TheHobbit: An unexpected journey”,Hollywood reporter has said.

It added that Jackson andmovie backers, Warner Bros.Pictures, New Line Cinema andMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures(MGM), brought in RealD to set itup for the November 28, 2012,premiere at the Embassy Theaterin Wellington, New Zealand.

The technology company willalso be on hand to set up its RealDHigh Frame Rate 3D installationfor the movie’s screening at the65th Royal Film Performance onDecember 12, 2012, at the OdeonLeicester Square in London.

Jackson said: “I’m delightedthat RealD are helping us present“The Hobbi” with the best possiblepicture quality around the world.Their commitment to developing

technology that improves the 3Dcinema experience has my fullsupport.”

RealD Chairman and CEO,Michael V. Lewis, describedJackson as a “visionaryfilmmaker who has a keenunderstanding of how advancedtechnology can blend withstorytelling to enhance a movie-goer’s experience,” beforedescribing “The Hobbit” as “oneof the most highly anticipatedfilms of the year .”

Lewis added that, “We lookforward to such an extraordinarymovie making its debut in bright,realistic and immersive RealD3D.”

The Hobbit, “An UnexpectedJourney”-themed limited edition,collectible RealD 3D glasses will beprovided to attendees at eachpremiere.

RealD’s 3D cinema technologyis in approximately 21,500screens across 900 exhibitors in68 countries around the world.

… as RealD wins world premiere,royal gala duties for “The Hobbit”

Uche Elendu lambasts Tonto, OgeOkoye, Iyabo Ojo, over tattoo

For some time now, notmuch has been heardabout Uche Elendu but

sources close to the lightskinned actress toldNigeriafilms.com that Uchehas been busy on some movielocations within Enugu,Asaba and Owerri axis.

Getting into news thisweek, Uche lashed out at hercolleagues in the play-actingprofession.

She was quoted as saying,“The likes of Tonto Dikeh, OgeOkoye, Anita Joseph, LizzyAnjorin, Iyabo Ojo, AyoAdesanya and some othershave one thing in commonwhich is the tattoo they haveon their skins”.

The delectable actressfurther said that girls whotattoo their bodies areclassless.

UcheElendu

last week, one of Nigeria’sforemost comedian, CharlesOkarfor, popularly known asMr. Ibu, lashed at the AGNmembers, accusing them ofengaging in diabolical act,capable of sinking theindustry.

World politics inone sketch!

Uti, JoeBenjamin, IniEdo, others, winat BON awards

Recently, a galaxy of starswho trooped out in theirnumbers for the Best of

Nollywood (BON) Awards held atthe TBS Auditorium, Onikan,Lagos, went home smiling withseveral awards, Nigeriafilms.comhas said.

It further said, Uti and Tontowon the best kiss in a movie, whileAlex Ekubo won his first majoraward as a best most promisingactor.

However, Nigeriafilms.comsaid that the high points of theoccasion were the announcementsof Joseph Benjamin and FemiAdebayo as the best actors in aleading role in English and Yorubafilms respectively. It also indicatedthat Nse Etim Ikpe and AyoAdesanya, won the best actress in aleading role in English and Yorubamovies respectively.

Meanwhile Ini Edo’s movie withEmem Isong ‘I’ll take my chances’won as the best edited movie.

The fun was not finished as IyaboOjo family, had a double joy as theactress and her daughter, Priscillarespectively won as the best actressin a supporting role (Yoruba) andthe child actress of the year.


Ice Prince and Bonang to host 9th AnnualChannel O Music Video Awards

Nigerian superstar IcePrince and SouthAfrica’s ‘It girl’ Bonang

have been named as hosts ofthe 9th Annual Channel OMusic Video Awards, broughtby DStv and DStv Mobile,Pulse.com has said.

It added that the two willbring their uniqueindividuality when Africa’smost prestigious music awardsevent gets underway onSaturday, 17 November atWalter Sisulu Square inKliptown, Soweto.

The 2012 Channel O MusicVideo Awards will also bebroadcast Live on Channel O,making sure fans are part ofthe magic as well as the manyunique live performances thatare lined up.

Some artists to performinclude; Botswana rapper Zeus,Nigeria’s Mo Cheddah, multi-nominees Khuli Chana (SA)and many more.

Holding it down for themales on the night is Nigerian,Panshak Zamani – popularlyknown as Ice Prince. He beganwriting music in 1998 andlater formed a group with acouple of his friends called theECOMOG Squad.

The Jos-born artist hasbecome a bonafide solo staracross the continent over thepast few years, primarily

He who is thankful of agood done to him willsurely get another”, is

a popular saying in Nigeria,which recently manifested inthe words of BEFFTA Film Iconawardee, Omotola JaladeEkeinde.

Nigerifilm.com confirmedthat the actress who made thecomment recently whilereceiving award at a privatepresentation at London’sleading film studios, East EndStudios, added that her fans,and husband, Captain Mathew

Omotola wins BEFFTA award,expresses gratitude to fans

Pulse.com has revealedthat this year’s Koraawards 2012 is filled with

Nigerian celebrities.It said that the Awards which

is arguably the most prestigiousaward in sub-Saharan Africa,held annually to recognize

African talents are steadilychanging the African musicscene with their musical worksof art.

At this year’s award,Omawunmi, Davido, Chidinma,Clarence Peters and D’banj havebeen nominated in variouscategories in the Kora 2012awards.

D’banj (Oliver Twist) wasnominated for the Best Male WestAfrica, Omawumi (If You AskMe) and Chidinma (Kedike) inthe Best Female West Africacategory, Infinity (Press On) inBest Gospel Group, and Davido(Dami Duro) in the BestNewcomer Category.

Other Nigerian acts that werenominated include ClarencePeters for Capital Dreams with hiswork on Chindima’s Kedike, andRebecca (I Need You More) in BestFemale Group.

Dbanj, Clarence Peters, Davido, Chidinma,Omawumi nominated for Kora Awards 2012

driven by the mega hit“Oleku”. The song, featuringBrymo, saw Ice Prince winMost Gifted Newcomer Video atthe 8th Annual Channel OMusic Video Awards – and hiscurrent chart-toppers

“Superstar” and “Magician(Remix)” featuring Gyptianhave seen the artist earn anomination for Most Gifted HipHop Video as well as MostGifted Ragga Dancehall Video,respectively this year.

Ice Prince

Ekeinde remains her source ofinspiration.

“This is the best award Ihave received on a global level,it is such an honour and I’mtruly humbled that 16 years ofmy work in the film industryhas been rewarded in a specialway internationally.

Omotola became the firstmovie star to be awarded withthe special BEFFTA honoraryaward in the film category,while Sir. Trevor McDonaldOBE, also received a BEFFTALifetime time award.

Nigerian singer, Romeo drops 2 singles in Italy

At a time when the federalgovernment of Nigeria isinvesting heavily in

rebranding the perceivedbattered image of the country,the likes of a Nigerian singerbased in Italy, Romeo is doingeverything possible tocontribute to the bettermentof the country,

Nigeriafilms.com has said.It added that the R&B and

Afro-hip pop singer is reallyflying the Green White Greenflag of Nigeria high in the‘mafias’ land. He has alsoperformed in various parts ofEurope alongside some topNigerian acts.

The handsome singer, who

has a recording company, hasnow dropped two new singleswhich he hopes to finallylaunch as a household brandin his father’s land. To thiseffect, he hopes ‘Halleluya’ and‘Mama’ shoots him to the topas an artiste to be reckonedwith in the music industry inNigeria.

Dbanj

Omotola

“

PEOPLES FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Dramatic scenes as 100 firefighters tackle huge blazewhich engulfed 17th century stately home in DevonPart of an historic stately

home has been destroyedafter the 17th century

building was ravaged by a fire.Nearly 100 firefighters

battling to save Grade I listedSydenham House, in Devon,were forced to evacuate the areaat one point because it was fearedthe burning property wouldcollapse.

The roof and much of the firstfloor of the once imposingbuilding, which is believed todate back to the end of theElizabethan period, have beenleft in ruins after flames torethrough the house yesterday. Thecause of the blaze is not yetknown.

An investigation has beenlaunched into what caused thedevastating fire, which brokeout in a first floor bedroom insideprivately owned SydenhamHouse at around 4pm yesterday.

A spokesman for Devon andSomerset Fire and Rescue Servicesaid the glow from the flameswould have been visible for milesaround as the roof and most ofthe first floor of the stately homenear Launceston had been ‘well

alight’.‘Fortunately the house was

evacuated when the alarm wasraised so there are no injuries,’said the spokesman.

A total of 15 fire crews usedeight jet hoses to quench theflames, using water pumpedfrom a nearby lake.

‘It was a dangerous scene. Atone point there was a risk thebuilding would collapse, so wehad to withdraw thefirefighters,’ the fire servicespokesman said.

Area commander ChrisBridgeman said ‘hidden voids’inside the rambling propertymeant the fire spread rapidly.

‘With it being heavilywooden inside it was veryunsafe, so we were unable towork inside for any length oftime,’ he said.

Sydenham House was builtsome time between 1600 and1612 for Sir Thomas Wise, an MP.

The privately-ownedproperty forms part of theSydenham Estate, whichorganises farming and shootingfunctions.Source: dailymail.co.uk

Battle: At one point firefighters working to quench the flames at Sydenham House, Devon, wereforced to evacuate due to fears the entire building could collapse.

Nearly 100 firefighters rushed to tackle the flames when the blaze broke out at historic Sydenham House

After: Part of the Elizabethan stately home in Devon has been destroyed by the blaze, which 15 firecrews battled to put out.

'Dangerous scene': Firefighters perched on a ladder spray wateronto the flames at the house, which is thought to have been builtbetween 1600 and 1612.

An investigation has been launched into what caused the fire, whichbroke out in a first floor bedroom at around 4pm yesterday.

PEOPLES FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Court transfers Boni Haruna’sgraft charge case to YolaA Federal High Court sitting inAbuja yesterday transferred thecase of 28-count charge preferredagainst former governor ofAdamawa state, Boni Haruna andtwo others by the Economic andFinancial Crimes Commission(EFCC) to a Federal High Court in

L-R: Senate President David Mark (l) inaugurating a road, yesterday in Gombe right is Gov. IbrahimDankwambo of Gombe state Photo: NAN

Yola, the Adamawa state Capital.The suspects, Mohammed

Inuwa Bassi and John BabaniElias were

arraigned before JusticeAdamu Bello of the Federal HighCourt, Abuja alongside Haruna.

The transfer of the case to Yolafollowed an application broughtbefore the court by the accused

persons, praying the court totransfer the matter to Yola, theAdamawa state capital.

The court had earlierdismissed the application by theformer governor and three othersto quash the 28 count charges offraud and embezzlement of publicfund preferred against them.

They were re-arraigned on

February 9, 2010, by EFCC on a28 count

charges of fraud andembezzlement of public fundduring the administration of thefirst accused (Boni Haruna) asgovernor of Adamawa statebetween 1999 and 2007.

By Sunday Ejike BenjaminThe Niger state government

has earmarkedN123.5million to refurbish

the Governor’s Lodge, theCommissioner for Works andInfrastructural DevelopmentAlhaji Abubakar Baba Jibreelrevealed in Minna yesterday.

Addressing journalists after theState Executive Council meeting,Alhaji Jibreel said contract for theproject has been awarded to anindigenous firm and would becompleted within a month.

He said the contract involvesthe expansion of some of the roomsand provision of modern furniturefor the structure.

The commissioner also saidgovernment decided to embark onthe project to stop the building fromfurther dilapidation and to make itconducive for living.

Alhaji Jibreel also said that thegovernment will soon commencework on the street lighting projectbetween Chancahaga town on theoutskirts of Minna and theMaikunkele junction.

Though he did not disclose thecost of the project, the commissionersaid its completion would stop peoplefrom hiding under the cover ofdarkness along the road toperpetrate crimes.

Niger to refurbishgov’s lodge withN123.5m

The United States of America(USA) is keen on knowing howthe government spends

accruals to the Excess CrudeAccount (ECA).

ECA is a special account createdby former President OlusegunObasanjo to warehouse oil revenuerecouped by the government abovebudget oil benchmark . It currentlystands at $9.5 billion but stategovernors are challenging itslegality and want it shared.

A statement issued yesterdayby Deputy Director (Press) Office ofthe Accountant General of theFederation (OAGF) Charles Nwodosaid Mr. Douglas P. Climan of theAmerican Embassy made thedemand when he called on theAccountant General of theFederation (AGF) Mr. JonahOtunla in his office at TreasuryHouse, Abuja.

According to AGF spokesperson,the Diplomat “came to theTreasury House to understand theBudgeting and the operation ofFederation Account. He further saidhe would also like to know how ECAwithdrawals are made, and howthe unspent balance of capital ismanaged.”

The US Diplomat also expressedoptimism on early passage of 2013budget .

Briefing the diplomat on someof recent initiatives undertaken byAGF Mr. Otunla said no fewer than45,000 ghost workers had beendetected in the course of screeningconducted on 108 Ministries,Departments and Agencies (MDAs)using the Government IntegratedFiscal Management System(GIFMIS) in Nigeria.

“Since the inception andadoption of GIFMIS, about 45,000ghost workers have been detected.It has helped in manpowerplanning and budgeting; howmany people are on the payroll ofgovernment and the costimplications.

He said adoption of IntegratedPayroll and Personnel InformationSystem (IPPIS), GovernmentIntegrated Financial ManagementInformation System (GIFMIS),improvement in CashManagement System throughTreasury Single Account (TSA),and other non-financial Reformshave all assisted in no smallmeasure at improving the nation’sFinancial Management Systemand accountability which beganwith 7 MDAs as pilot project

In reducing maternalmortality rate in Nigeria, anexpert has enjoined the need

to train nonprofessionals as thereis little need for professionals inachieving the goal.

The Director, Primary HealthCare System Development, Dr.Muhammed Jibril Abdullahi saidthis while fielding questions fromjournalists at the TrainersWorkshop on Medical Officers atMSS (Midwives Service Scheme)Cluster held in Abuja yesterday.

According to Dr. Muhammed,

“we have enough manpower inthe area of MSS and we areworking on increasing thenumber because we don’t needlarge number of professionals inthe area of care giving forsurvival of both mother andchild, we can trainnonprofessional to deliver thisservice efficiently.”

According to him, countrieslike India have used the methodand it has yielded the desiredresults. “The initiative of villagehealth workers is to bridge the gapbetween the facilities andcommunity hence the

community-based driveninitiative which had necessitatedthe need for village healthworkers, just as it is realized inIndia, to bridge the gap byencouraging people to go tofacilities and also providing carefor the people.”

In his words, Dr. Silas Ochejele,Chief Consultant Obstetrician,MDR Consultant, FMC Markurdisaid, the training of trainers isintended at improving maternalsurvival through good qualityservice, “this will encourageclients to go out and access theservices,” he said.

By A’isha Biola Raji

Maternal mortality: ‘Too many professionals unnecessary’

As part of the efforts to addressthe shortage of manpowerin the country, the

Industrial Training Fund (ITF) hasunveiled plan to train over250,000 youths across thefederation within the next twoyears.

The Director General of ITF,Prof Longman Wapmuk disclosedthis during an interview withreporters on Wednesday.

The DG also hinted that ITFwas collaborating with somestakeholders to train enough handsto address the dearth of indigenoustechnical skills in the oil and gassector.

The DG said the Fund has beendiscussing with some stategovernors on how to make use ofthe training centres in their statesfor skill acquisition for the youths.

Wapmuk explained that theagency had been directed by theminister of trade and investmentto collaborate with all the stategovernments in the country onthe training of youths.

“What we have done is to havea phase programme whereby wewill be having training with thepeople in the state gradually, inthis year we are starting withabout ten states and next year wewill have twenty more states.

“And if fund permits, withintwo years we will be able to trainat least 10,000 people per state.

“We have signed a contractwith the minister to train at least250,000 youths; this is not asmall number and we are tryingto see how to partner with thestates,” he stressed.

ITF to train250,000 youthsin technical skillsBy Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

‘Tell us how youmanage ECA’-US Diplomatsask FGBY Abdulwahab Isa

Governor Mu’azu BabangidaAliyu of Niger State hasdeclared today, November

16, 2011 as half working day toenable workers in the state tomark the beginning of Islamicyear 1434 AH.

The declaration wascontained in a press statement

signed by the Chief PressSecretary to the Governor,Danladi Ndayebo.

The statement said allworkers in the state’s civilservice are expected to resumework at 8am and close at 12pmtoday.

Governor Aliyu urgedMuslims to see the occasion asanother opportunity to coexist

peacefully with non-Muslimssince Muharram is one of the foursacred months on the IslamicCalendar in which fighting isprohibited.

Governor Aliyu advisedMuslim faithful to observe thefast on the ninth and 10thof themonth in other to maximize thebenefits embedded in the monthof Muharram.

From Iliya Garba, Minna

Gov. Aliyu declares holiday

From Iliya Garba, Minna


How sugary drinks can give you soreknees (especially if you’re a skinny man)Downing too many glasses

of fizzy drink doesn’t justmake you fat - it could also

make your dodgy knees worse.Researchers studied patients

suffering from osteoarthritis intheir knees, which is a commondegenerative condition affectingsix million older adults in the UK.

They found that the more softdrinks patients consumed, thefaster their condition progressed.Slim men were found to beparticularly affected.

Study leader Dr Bing Lu fromBrigham and Women’s Hospitalin Boston, said: ‘Little is knownabout the course of disabilityover time in patients withosteoarthritis.

‘This study may offer thepotential to identify a modifiabledietary risk factor for diseaseprogression, enable evaluation ofprevailing recommendations ofhealthy diet, and thus havepotential public healthimplications.’

Sugary drinks joins the otherknown risk factors includingobesity, aging and joint stress.

For the study, researcherlooked at data on 2,149 patientswho had been diagnosed with

Sugary drinks could make knee osteoarthritis worse - a condition that affects most adults over 60.

osteoarthritis following an X-r a y .

At the beginning of thestudy, each participant’s soft-drink consumption, notincluding sugar-free drinks was

MEN are to blame for most cases of unexplainedinfertility - but a new test could help couples succeedMale fertility problems

are behind the vastmajority of cases where

a couple are unable to conceive,a study has found.

Each year, 50,000 couplesare warned they requirefertility treatment but up to athird are told by doctors that noproblem can be detected.

But a study has found that80 per cent of couples with

shape, speed and concentrationunder a microscope.

The new test checks for tinybreaks and tears in the sperm’sDNA. Sperm damaged in thisway is less likely to make awoman pregnant and, if shedoes conceive, she is more likelyto miscarry.

A study by Professor SheenaLewis, of the School ofMedicine, Dentistry and

Biomedical Sciences at Queen’sUniversity Belfast, looked at239 couples with unexplainedinfertility.

It found that 80 per cent hada detectable cause of infertilityin the form of high sperm DNAdamage.

Professor Lewis, a member ofthe executive committee of theBritish Fertility Society, saidprompt and appropriatetreatment could save money,heartache and – crucially –time.

She added: ‘For almost onethird of couples, until now,

there has been no obvious causefor infertility and these couplesare given the diagnosis of“unexplained fertility”.

These couples often invest alot of time and money infertility treatments, likeintrauterine insemination,which are unlikely to besuccessful.

‘Now that we have found thecause of infertility for thesecouples suitable treatments canbe tailored which will directthem straight to the besttreatment and increase theirchances of having a baby.’

Many couples use IVF to tryto start a family, at a cost ofbetween £3,000 and £15,000 acourse. But only one in four ofthe 40,000 women who have iteach year will have a baby.

NHS patients will generallyhave to pay for the test, whichis offered by several Britishclinics. It costs around a tenththat of an IVF cycle.

Dr Jane Stewart, ofNewcastle Fertility Centre, saidit was unclear whether it wouldincrease the odds of having ababy.

Source: dailymail.co.ukThe new test should cut the financial and emotionalcosts of repeatedly trying to start a family.

New research has found that 80 per cent of couples with unexplained infertility cannot conceivebecause of poor sperm quality.

measured using a FoodFrequency Questionnaire.

The researcher followed upwith the participants 12, 24, 36and 48 months later to tracktheir OA progression as

measured by joint space changein their medial kneecompartments.

Body mass index (a measureof obesity) was also measuredand tracked and data for men

and women were analysedseparately.

After controlling for BMI andother factors that maycontribute to knee OA, men whoconsumed more soft drinks perweek had worse progression oftheir condition.

The joint space becamenarrower by an average of 0.29millimeters in men who drankno soft drinks to 0.59 millimetersin men who drank more thanfive soft drinks a week.

Men classed as normalweight saw their knees get worsethan men who were overweightor obese. By contrast, onlywomen of normal weight showedan association between moresoft-drink consumption and kneeOA progression.

The researchers concludedthat the more soft drinks mendrink, the worse their knees mayget.

It is unclear whether thisproblem is due to high-calorie softdrinks leading to excess weightburdening knees, or if there areother ingredients in soft drinksthat contribute to OAprogression.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

unexplainedi n f e r t i l i t yc a n n o tc o n c e i v ebecause ofpoor spermq u a l i t y ,known ashigh spermD N Adamage.

Now atest has beendeveloped todetect thec o n d i t i o na n dmeasure itse x t e n t ,a l l o w i n gw o u l d - b eparents tomove on tot h et r e a t m e n tmost likelyto succeed.

M o s tf e r t i l i t yclinics judges p e r mquality bylooking at its


What is theachievement ofthe CPC renewal

committee headed byel’Rufai?

They set up committees, andthose committee broughtpapers, and on June 16th; wemet at NICON, and at thatplace, papers were looked at,suggestions on amendment ofour constitution; guidelines onthe conduct of primaries atwards, local governments,states, and at national level;code of conduct for all officeholders. Those were thesuggestions and also proposalson registration of partymembers. You know that CPCis more of a movement. Because,there are lots and lots of peoplewho are CPC at heart but arenot card carrying members ofCPC; also you have lots of peoplewho are claiming to bemembers of CPC and thencarrying out the registration ofCPC members, and theyorganized for themselves apower-house. In order words,you saw some members of CPCwho were influential, and theycollected many cards and gaveto members and registeringthem. So the problems we hadin the past include where youhave these many members ofCPC that are not reflected inour register at the center. So theel’Rufai committee will beresponsible for the coordinationof the registration of membersof CPC and with some membersof the NEC. They will soon moveinto the field, and theregistration will be bio-metric.This will solve the problem ofwho is a member of CPC, soanybody who registers withCPC becomes a member of CPC.And anybody, who is notregistered, no matter howhighly placed, is not a memberof CPC. So that is another area.All these issues of el’Rufaiorganizing people for himself isrubbish. He is not organizinganybody for himself; the NECgave him the assignment, andhe has been working on thatassignment. They have notfinished, it is more of a problemof coordination, rather than hisfault. The Board of Trustees willmeet; look at the work that hehas done, and then, endorse theregistration of CPC members. Sovery soon, there will be a lot ofpolitical activities where wewill go to gather all ourmembers. The el’Rufaicommittee, which he heads,reports back to me on weeklybasis. I do not know why all

I blame CPC members foraccepting PDP’s bribe – Momoh

these noise about it. But peoplegive the impression that he isthere, doing his own thing, thathe is on his own, but it is not soand it is not fair. We sat downand ask that he does that workfor us and he agreed to do it. Andwe are grateful that he ischanneling his energy to do it.The aim is being fully achieved.We will go into registration afterthe Board of Trustees meeting.

How have the mergertalks with other oppositionparties fared?

We are not going to do mergertalks before the public. In fact,where parties have agreed tocome together, as you can see,managers of chaos have movedin, and we are not going to allowmanagers of chaos to move innow. I think the beauty of thepudding is in the eating. We aremoving towards 2015, by midnext year, people will see wherewe are all moving. We are notgoing to discuss the strategy onthe pages of newspapers. It is onthe works, and it will result bythe middle of next year.

There are fillers thatel’Rufai committee’s draftreport has split your NEC?

That is serious, I am notaware of that. Before theTRANSCORP meeting, the NECmet and endorsed the work doneso far; so where is the basis of theNEC not being in agreement.

House of Assembly own will bethere. The senators’ agents willbe there. The governors andpresident’s agents will be there.Then, the collation of votes andannouncement of results by theCommission will take place. Wejust increase the cost of electionby staggering them. People willstart to talk about how tostagger them, because, if youhave the Presidential electionfirst, everybody will run to thatdirection. If you have theNational Assembly electionsfirst, people will go there. So webelieve that the elections shouldbe held the same day. Well, thatis a proposal, but we believe thatall elections can be held thesame day. Because, the trafficyou experience in one zone willrepeat in all the locations,moreover, people can moreseriously protect their votes.

The endorsement ofGovernor Sule Lamido ofJigawa by Obasanjo andBabangida, people say, mayerode the strength of Buhariand CPC in the north. How doyou react to this?

Well, you are talking of PDP,and I am not a member of PDP,nor am I a party to what theyare planning. But, in any case,if, out of 63 parties in Nigeria,of which CPC is one, and of whichPDP is one, and PDP is afraid ofCPC so much, that they arescheming, then, wecongratulate ourselves. Beingthe last party registered, if wehave become a threat to PDP, weare grateful; so, let them workharder. It is not their hard-workthat will bother us; but it is ourharder work that matters, toensure that we excel. What I amsaying is that they are membersof PDP and whatever they aredoing at their in-house is theirbusiness, and we in the CPChave our own programmes andstrategy which we are pursuing.So, why should I pass judgmenton them? Then, if PDP and theirleaders do not sit up toundermine the success of CPC,then they are not a politicalparty. Look, if PDP gives bribeto CPC to compromise, I don’tblame PDP for giving the bribe,but I rather blame CPC foraccepting the bribe. If a CPCmember can take a bribe to workagainst CPC, then I am sorry,you don’t merit being a memberof CPC.

What efforts has theel’Rufai committee made in

Prince Tony Momoh

INTERVIEW

reconciling the aggrievedmembers of the party, mostof whom you suspended andthey are running a parallelCPC?

We set up a disciplinaryand investigation committeefor the six zones; they broughttheir report. We set up awhitepaper committee, to lookinto the reports. Thewhitepaper committeebrought their reports. And theanchor of that report isreformation. We want toinclude people in our party. So,instead of throwing people outof the party because of whatthey have done in the past, wewant to forgive them and bringthem back so that we continueto live together as one people.But, if some people say theywant to move, what is wrongwith that? They have grownup enough; they have theirown right of association. Andthey can mix with any groupthey like. But we are notdriving anybody away. Thereare a lot of people who aremoving into our party from allover, including PDP, and so ifthere are people moving outfrom CPC to PDP, for whateverreason, it is their right to do so.But if they move out of CPCafter all our efforts to reconcilewith them, then, the door isclosed. We had the problem ofmanagement and structures,as well as disagreement, butnow, we have been able to putthings together. We are nowstronger and organized aheadof 2015. And we are nowmoving towards the area ofmerger, so we are stronger nowthan before.

How do you want INEC toimprove to ensure credibilityof 2015 elections?

INEC should not beresponsible to anybody in theconduct of the elections. So, ifthe INEC Chairman goes tomeet the President almost on adaily basis, then, they arefailing in their duties. Theyshould be strong enough torefuse to meet the executive onany issue whatsoever. I believethat INEC should be so fundedthat it does not have to go capin hand to anybody to beg forfunding. INEC has no businessgoing to the executive. What isthe business of Prof. AttahiruJega going to sit on the sametable with the President whenhe is a candidate in the election?

The NEC met before theTRANSCORP meeting. TheNEC met May 22nd, and theTRANSCORP meeting was June16th. I am not aware of what youare saying.

With Edo, Ondo as casestudy, many oppositionparties say election shouldbe staggered for credibility,what is CPC’s position on thisissue?

We in CPC believe thatelections can be held the sameday; why are you staggeringelections? You multiply the costof election; you multiplycorruption, if it is staggered. Weshould have the elections thesame day. All you need to do isto separate the elections withcolours. You can have theelection of the NationalAssembly by different colour ofballot papers. Election ofgovernors can also be printedwith another colour of ballotpaper, and election of the stateHouses of Assembly withanother colour of ballot paper,election of the President withanother colour of ballot paper.That is very easy. Before twodays, the results are out. So,what is the big deal? So, all theparties will have their ownagents at the polling units thesame time, protecting theirvotes. So, the House of Assemblyown will be there. The state

Tony Momoh, the National Chairman of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), in thisinterview with Ikechukwu Okaforadi, speaks on the party’s strategies ahead of 2015general elections as well as other germane political issues in the country. Excerpts:


The name, Dr. OlusolaSaraki, the Waziri ofIlorin strikes a cord in the

nation’s political milieuhaving played prominentroles, not only in the politics ofhis home Kwara state but in theentire country.

The Second Republic SenateLeader who contested manyelections had won some and lostothers but his grip on thepolitics of Kwara stateremained unquestionableuntil his death a few days ago.His political influence in thecountry and his larger than lifedomination of the Kwara statepolitics made him the de factoleader that his people havecome to honour and adore.Saraki, reverently called“Baba Oloye” by his admirers,especially women, was born onthe 17th of May, 1933 in Ilorin,Kwara to an Ilorin father andIseyin mother.

He won election into theNational Assembly on theplatform of the then rulingNational Party of Nigeria(NPN) and thereafter becamethe Senate Leader between1979 and 1983. Saraki, atrained Medical Doctor and adetribalized Nigerian also heldthe exalted traditional title ofthe Waziri of Ilorin, a tittleconferred on him by the IlorinEmirate, till his death.

Speaking with Peoples Dailyin his house, one of his closefriends, Professor AlbertOgunsola said it was God thatjoined them together.Ogunsola who had been withhim for many decades duringhis political career said “He didnot die young because whoeverlived above 70, such person didnot die young. I thank God thathe is useful for Kwara, andNigeria as a whole. He is a greatfriend because God joined ustogether before God took himaway. Last week, we spoke andwe discussed the part of bodythat were paining us . I praythat God will accept him as hisservant and protect those of ushe left behind.”

A chieftain of ACN, ChiefIyiola Akogu Oyedepo saidSaraki left without a successor.The opposition politician in thestate in a statement madeavailable to our correspondentstated “No doubt, AbubakarOlusola Saraki was a politicalgiant especially in Kwara statewhere he was actuallyvenerated. His legacies in theform of land mark projects andreduction of poverty may bedifficult to see. You may alsonot be able to track him downon any idea, believe or ideologythat may now live after him.

Accolades as Kwara politicalgodfather goes home

Nobody, however, can denythe fact that he was amotivator and a greatmobilizer of the people forwhatever cause he believed in.We should not be deceived thatAbubakar Olusola Saraki left asuccessor. His shoes are too bigfor anybody to put on.”

To Alhaji Gani Cook-Olododo, a former Secretary tothe Kwara State Government(SSG), former Commissionerand Saraki’s political godsonwho later dumped him to jointhe Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) when the deceased choseto form Allied Congress Partyof Nigeria(ACPN) in order toensure that his daughter,Gemisola becomes the firstfemale governor of the statesaid “he is a leader of all leaders,father of masses. Because Babadoesn’t believe in religionaffiliation. You may be hisenemy today, he will take youback tomorrow. His demise is agreat loss to Nigeria; it is greatloss to Sarakites worldwide andwe shall miss him.

In Kwara state, the fear ofSaraki was believed to be thebeginning of wisdom until hisson, Senator Bukola Saraki, theSenator currently representingKwara Central SenatorialDistrict, defeated him in the2011 general elections. BabaOloye, who many believed wasan era that would never finishin Ilorin was not convinced thatan emergence of femalegovernor in Ilorin was oddbecause such development wasconsidered a politicalabomination since Ilorin isregarded aa an Islamic town.The political disagreement

between the father and the sondivided Saraki’s political campand his political hegemony inthe state was effectivelychallenged and defeated withthe emergence of theincumbent governor,

Saraki also bankrolled theelection of Late AdmiralMuhammed Alabi Lawal wholater fell out with the godfatheronly to pay with his loss of thecontest for the State House toBukola, in 2003.

While making the death ofthe late politician public,Senator Bukola, on behalf of thefamily in a statement madeavailable to newsmen quotedHoly Quran [al-Baqarah:156] “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhiraji’un ; “Truly! To Allah webelong and truly, to Him weshall return.”

He added “ With gratitudeto Almighty Allah, weannounce the passage toeternity of our beloved fatherand grandfather, HisEminence, Oloye (Dr)Abubakar Olusola Saraki,Waziri of Ilorin, former SenateLeader, Second Republic,Federal Republic of Nigeria whoanswered the call to the greatbeyond, in the early hours oftoday in Lagos. (17 May 1933- 14 Nov 2012)

“We take solace in knowingthat our father lived anexemplary life of service, andselfless devotion to developmentof his people and nation. Babawill be sorely missed. We prayfor the repose of his soul thatAlmighty Allah grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.”

Former Kwara stateChairman of the Nigeria Bar

Late Dr. Olusola Saraki

ANALYSISFrom Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

and time will for ever remaina course of study in politicalengineering, doggedness,focused determination,perseverance and astutenessin planning and execution.Nigeria will miss the latepolitical juggernaut in thedays ahead.”

He however condoled withthe immediate family,extended and political familymembers, the Emir of IlorinMai Maritaba, SerikiMusulumi, Ilorin community,all Kwarans and Nigerians atlarge.

One of the Saraki’sassociate who later fell outwith the late politician,Senator SulaymanMakanjuola Ajadi, who wasbelieved to have been removedfrom Senate under theplatform of ANPP in 2003 andreplaced with Senator S. S.Ajibola of the PDP, when thelate political godfather wasbattling with Late GovernorLawal for the soul of Kwarapolitics said “I wish for himAlijana Friodus. I equally wishhis children and other familymembers the fortitude to bearthe loss. The death is not onlya loss to Kwara state but toNigeria as a whole”.

Baba Oloye’s vitriolic critic,who once contested against hisanointed candidate for a seatin the state House of Assemblyin the Third Republic, ChiefWole Oke, in an interview withjournalist on the death of theelder statesman said that thehistory of Kwara State wouldnot be completed without thecontribution of late Saraki inone or two paragraphs. He saidhe was personally against hispolitics because he kickedagainst the creation of Moroand Asa local government inthe 70s. He however pointedout that it would be verydifficult for Bukola to wear hisfather’s shoe in Kwara politicsbecause of many qualities helacked that made his father apolitical enigma in the state.

To Muhammed DeleBelgore(SAN), the ACN leaderin Kwara State, Nigeria haslost a politician who touchedthe lives of many people andwhose contributions would bedebated for years to come.

Belgore, who was ACNgovernorship candidate in the2011 governorship election inKwara state in a condolencemessage issued by his mediaaide, Rafiu Ajakaye, stated:“We are saddened by thesudden death of our father,Abubakar Olusola Saraki whopassed away today. No doubt,Nigeria has lost a politicalgiant. He was a man whotouched the lives of manypeople and whosecontributions would be

“In Kwara state, the fear of Saraki wasbelieved to be the beginning of wisdomuntil his son, Senator Bukola Saraki, theSenator currently representing Kwara

Central Senatorial District, defeated himin the 2011 general elections

Abdulfattah Ahmed havingdefeated Bukola’s sister, Gbemiat the polls. The politicallacuna created by thedisagreement between thefather and son was neverbridged until the passing awayof the senior Saraki lastWednesday.

This is suffice to say that theelder Saraki played dominantroles in installing governors ofthe state, including his son,Bukola who served two termsas the governor of Kwara stateon the platform of the PeoplesDemocratic Party. LateOlusola Saraki removed AdamAttah when their relationshipbecame sour. He also financedAlhaji Sha’aba Lafiagi underthe defunct Social DemocraticParty (SDP) during theGeneral Ibrahim Babangida’stransition period. In 1999, Late

Association (NBA), SalmanJawondo, in a statement madeavailable to newsmen said “Thedeath of Dr. Senator AbubakarOlusola Saraki, the Waziri ofIlorin Emirate marks the endof an era in the annals ofpolitical history of Kwara statein particular and Nigeria ingeneal. He is a greatphilanthropist, patriot,nationalist, an apostle ofpolitics of consensus and afearless party and politicalfinancier. Indeed, he was anenigma and a political colossuswithout whose name andrecognition of his politicalexploits and adventures, thepolitical and constitutionalhistory of Nigeria will not becomplete.

He added “He died at a timehis wealth of experience is mostneeded by the country. His life Contiuned on page 39


Edo guber: A/Court orders Tribunalto hear Airhiavbere's petition

The Court of Appeal sittingin Benin has ordered thereconstituted Governorship

Election Petition Tribunal to hearthe issue of qualification raised bythe appellant, CharlesAirhiavbere; just as it set aside thejudgment of the Tribunal ofSeptember 27th 2012.

Presiding Justice of the court,Justice Helen Ogunwuniju madethe order while deliveringjudgment in the appeal filed byCounsel to the Petitioner, EfeAkpofure (SAN).

The court held that theTribunal was right to have

determined the motions andpreliminary objections during thepre-hearing session. According toJustice Ogunwumiyi, the issue ofqualification of candidates could bechallenged at the Federal and StateHigh Courts as well as at theelection petition's tribunal.

The Judge however held thatthe lower tribunal should haveheard anddetermine thequalification aspect instead ofdelivering jurisdiction to entertainthe matter.

It was also the views of thethree-man court of appeal panelthat qualification of candidate wasboth pre-election and electionmatter which the law empowers

Accolades as Kwara political godfather goes home

Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representative, Hon. Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu (middle)in photograph with National Association of Mathematical Science Students and Computer science,during their visit to the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Former Special Adviser onPolicy Monitoring, Prof.Julius Ihonvbere,

implementation and SpeechWriter to former PresidentOlusegun Obasanjo has beenappointed as the Secretary to theState Government to GovernorAdams Oshimhole.

The Professor of PoliticalScience replaces Dr SimonImuekemhe in the key cabinetappointment. Former member ofthe House of Representatives, HonPatrick Obahiagbon is the newChief of Staff, replacing MrOsarodion Ogie, while Mr. StephenIdehenre is the new Deputy Chiefof Staff, Governor's Office. He

Obasanjo's aide becomesOshiomhole's SSG

any tribunal to hear anddetermine; citing section 177 of the1999 Constitution (as amended),as a grand norm of Nigeria law.

Justice Ogunwuniju also heldthat going by the way the petitionwas couched, it makes the issue ofqualification a pre-hearingmatter. The court further ruledthat the merit of the petition has tobe considered to allow an aggrievedparty to ventilate his anger asenshrined in the law.

The court then restoredparagraphs of the petition whichwas earlier struck-out by thetribunal just as the cross appealsbrought before the court wasdescribed as academic exercise.

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

Contiuned from page 38

debated for years to comeespecially in Kwara where hewas the dominant figure forover four decades.”

In spite of the lategodfather’s contributions to thepolitical development of Kwarastate, some still insinuate thathe was not an indigene of thestate. Alhaji AbdulGaniyuFolorunsho Abdulrazak, a

former Nigerian Ambassadorto Cote d’Ivoire, claimed to havemet the father of Dr. OlusolaSaraki in Abidjan in the sixties.In an interview withjournalists in Ilorin few monthsago, he said the Saraki’s werefrom Abeokuta. He said he metDr Olusola Saraki’s father,AlhajiMuttahiru Saraki and that theyspoke about the matter.He said“Then he asked me where I comefrom. I told him I am from Ilorin.

Alhaji Saraki said he was an Egbaman from Abeokuta. By thistime, I did not even know theexistence of Olusola Saraki. So,the man told me he was fromAbeokuta, but he went to aQuranic school in Ilorin at Agbaji,an area reputed for Islamicscholarship. The man, with hisown mouth, told me he was anEgba man from Abeokuta. Andas of that time, I knew of noexistence of any member of his

family. This was in early 1963.So, we carried on like that.”

Similarly, the leader of Agbajicompound had corroboratedAbdurazak’s claim by sayingthat the Saraki’s were not fromIlorin stressing that many peoplein Kwara migrated from oneplace or the other before theysetlled in Ilorin, the Kwara statecapital.

However,the late Dr OlusolaSaraki among his peers stood

firmly on his politicalachievements though his lastambition to enthrone Gbemi asthe first female governor of thestate was frustrated by his sonBukola. He would also beremembered for being the longestgodfather in Kwara state. Hisdeath obviously has created a bigpolitical space that may bedifficult to fill more so when thestate inches towards anothergovernorship election in 2015.

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin replaces Mr. John Odigie Ejale.Peter Okhiria retains his

position as Chief Press Secretary.Princess Theresa Erediauwa alsoretains her position as the focalperson and Executive Director,Millennium Development Goals(MDG). Comrade Yakubu Aliyu isthe Governor's new PrincipalPrivate Secretary.

Godwin Obaseki remains theChairman of the Economic Team,while the former Chief of Staff, Mr.Osarodion Ogie, is Vice Chairmanof the Economic Team.

Prof Ihonvbere was born inJune 1956 and holds a PhD inPolitical Economy from theUniversity of Toronto. He holds anational honour of Officer of theOrder of the Niger (OON).

House Representatives hascalled on FederalGovernment to subsidise

the importation of AtemisiminCombinations Treatments (ACT),drugs to make it affordable for allNigerians.

Presenting the motion, RepNkem-Abonta noted that "malariaaffects over 100 million Nigeria'sestimated 140 million population,with over one million Nigerianchildren between age 1-5 years,dying of malaria each year.Approximately 60 percent of allcases of malaria occur among thepoorest 20 percent world'spopulation, with young childrenand women at the highest risk ofmalaria infection and mortality.

"From the above World HealthOrganisation (WHO) certifiedstatistics, malaria kills morepeople than HIV/AIDS, or anyother killer diseases."

The lawmaker ,who expressedconcerns over near collapse of thecountry's health system, stressedthe need for deliberate actiontowards addressing the problemsof inadequate personnel, lack ofe q u i p m e n t / i n f r a s t r u c t u r e ,importation of sub-standard and/or counterfeit drugs, amongothers.

Nkem-Abonta who decriedlack of political will to the fightagainst malaria by government,faulted allocation of N200 millionin 2008 and zero budget allocationfor procurement of anti-malariadrugs and monotheraphies in2009, while subsequent budgetaryprovision for malaria treatment

Subsidize malaria drugs, Reps order FGremained on the decrease.

Nkem-Abonta who faulted theregulatory framework on healthsector, noted that despite WHOAssembly resolution WHA 60.18of May 2007 committed memberstates to cease the production andmarketing of ArtemisininMonotheraphies, these drugs arebeing imported and sold becausethey are cheap, even though theyhave a 45 percent failure rate with35 percent of them are being sub-standard.

In his assessment of thefunctions of the regulatoryagency, he posited that "NAFDAChas not been careful about it. It hasbeen proved that we are going tohave some species of malaria thatwould develop resistance to most ofthese drugs."

He argued Federal Government"has failed, refused and/or neglectedto intervene to ensure that theseefficacious anti-malaria drugs areprovided for our people at affordablerates".

In its resolution, the Housedirected the Committee on HIV/AIDS and malaria control to carryout an in-depth studies on malariaand advise the House accordinglyand urged Federal Government toconsider urgently the use of effectivemalaria drugs that malariaparasites are not resistant to in herbid to roll back malaria.

It also tasked FederalGovernment to as a matter ofurgency to intervene by subsidizingthe importation of theseArtemisimin CombinationTreatments drugs so that it canbe affordable by an averageNigerian.

By Lawrence Olaoye

Leadership of the Congress forProgressive Change (CPC)and the Labour Party (LP) have

commiserated with the family of lateDr. Olusola Saraki over the loss oftheir patriarch.

The CPC in a statement by itsNational Publicity Secretary RotimiFashakin said it joins the family,political associates, Kwara stategovernment and indeed all Nigerianson the death of the great man.

Also the National Secretary ofLabour Party, Comrade Ahmed Paikosaid the party received the death of

the elder Saraki with mixed feelings.He said that Saraki was

undoubtedly a patriot; a bridgebuilder whose services,contributions, commitment anddedication to the course of humanityand his father land is unequalled.

"He will ever remain an indeliblemark. It is important to note thatDr. Saraki was a democrat whobelieved in civilian Political ordereven in the face of militarydictatorship.

"Dr. Saraki's legacy shows howhuman he was particularly to therural poor and the needy who oversix decades looked up to him. His

generosity, humility, sense ofdirection and warm hospitality willequally be missed. During his lifetime,Oloye was the authentic father of thedowntrodden, the cheated, theoppressed, the forgotten andabandoned. Above all he loved Nigeria.

"The most remarkable essentialaspect of Saraki was however hisconsistent Political followership as wellas political leadership, having lost anelection in 1964, he showed that withperseverance and capacity to follow thepolitical direction of his own people,political setback can turn out to be anenduring and sustainable politicalforturne."

Saraki: CPC, LP commiserate with familyBy Lawrence Olaoye


Over dependence on Mali, Senegal’stextiles is killing our market, says HadizaCan you introduce

yourself please?I had my primary

education in Army ChildrenSchool in Tudun Wada, Kaduna in1979 from where I proceeded tothe secondary section of theschool for 3years before I wastransferred to Women Teachers’College, Kaduna, where Icompleted my secondary schooleducation and got my Grade IITeachers Certificate. I got marriedin 1987 and the marriage isblessed with four children.

I developed interest for textiledyeing back in the secondarywhere I learnt all classes of textiledyeing and continued through myNCE which I finished in 2010. Inbetween my studies, I trainedpeople in textile dyeing and pastrymaking. Presently I am doing mydegree programme in GeneralHome Economics in ABU, Zaria.

How did you get into thebusiness of tie and dye?

Like I said, the interest wasdeveloped during my days as astudent in Women Teachers’College but I became more seriouswith the business after my NCEprogramme when I could not getemployed, then I made up mymind to go into entrepreneurshipto be self-reliant. I do not only dyenew clothes but also re dyedpeople’s old clothes.

I also got additionalexperience from one of mylecturers who volunteered to teachme other aspects of textile dyeingso that I can have good finishingtouches at the end of the day andthat has really helped me.

How much was yourstartup capital?

I can’t say the specific amountI started the business withbecause it’s been a long time but Iknow that it was not much.

What is your staffstrength?

Presently I have 10 staff, 8 outof the 10 are women. I train peoplewho are interested for a durationof3-6months and sometimes itdepends on how fast they canlearn after which they leave to beon their own. My staff would havebeen more than the number I haveat the moment but lack of spacehindered me from accepting morethan that number. I plan to havea bigger place where more peopleespecially the youth can come tolearn the business and go back andteach others.

How much do you makein a day?

In a week after allexpenditures, I keep N5000 toN7000 depending on the numberof jobs I get from my customers.There are times I get order frompeople who sometimes ask me todye clothes for weddings or forHausa film production. You knowwearing uniform is part of themusical aspect of the Hausa homemovies.

What makes yourproducts different fromothers and how do youmarket them?

My designs are unique and

one thing that makes mymaterials different from others isthat the materials I dye and selland those that I re-dye hardlywash off no matter how long youuse them. This is because I useexpensive dyeing chemicals thatdon’t wash easily and over theyears I have created thatreputation for myself.

On how I market my goods,people who I have worked withand whom I maintain goodbusiness relationships, introduceme to their friends and wheneverI have a function to attend, I wearclothes that I produced to marketmy products.

Most times it works becausefrom the functions I attend, I getcustomers who later introduce meto more people and the list isincreasing by the day.

For now it is not the moneyaspect that I am looking at buthow to improve on my work and

how to attract more customers, Ibelieve that aspect can come laterwhen I produce qualitativematerials.

How do you combine thedemands of your job and thehome front?

I found it very difficult to copewhen I was having my childrenbut with the help I got from myfamily members, friends and my

determination to do what I alwayswant to do, I was able to make it.

The business of localtextile dyeing in Nigeria isgradually dying especiallywith the influx of brocadematerials from Mali andSenegal into our markets. Inwhat ways do you think thetrade can be promoted toachieve the same feat?

[email protected]

The collapse of our textileindustries contributed to theinflux of Malian and Senegalesebrocade and materials as well asour over dependence on theirproducts which also affects ourlocally –made tie and dyematerials. When you look at itfrom the other angle, thoseneighboring countries producequalitative goods which ourproducers cannot produceperhaps due to lack of finance andour craziness for made in outsideNigeria’s products which weconsider more qualitative thanours.

One of the ways I thinkgovernment can promote thetrade is for government at alllevels to establish more vocationalcenters where youth who haveinterest in the trade can be trainedand empowered with substantialamount as capital to startproducing qualitative materialsthat are of standard internationalstandard or export quality.

Again, another way thegovernment can promote localtextile dyeing is by recapitalisingour textile industries which hasbeen out of operation for years.

It is sad that whenever thereis trade fair in any part of thecountry, most if not all the textilegoods brought to such venues andthat which Nigerians rush to buyare textiles made locally in Mali,Senegal and even Benin Republicwhile those that are made in ourcountry are of low quality andpoorly packaged and therefore,record low patronage.

If textile dyeing is promoted,it has the potentials to boost oureconomy and create more jobs forour teeming youths.

What are the challengesyou face?

Of course, like mostbusinesses, capital is always aproblem especially when thebusiness is owned by one who isnot financially buoyant.

The second challenge I amfacing which also has to do withmoney is that the materials andchemicals I use in dyeing thematerials that can last long isexpensive and the patronage forlocally made goods in this countryis low.

What is your advice forthe young generation ofentrepreneurs?

They should find out theirtalents and build on it even beforethey finish their high school andbegin practicing it if they have thechance while they await theirresults or admissions into higherinstitutions. It will be an addedadvantage to those coming frompoor homes and those whoseparents or guardians cannotsponsor them to highereducation.

Hadiza Abdullahi

“The collapse of our textile industriescontributed to the influx of Malian andSenegalese brocade and materials aswell as our over dependence on their

products which also affects our locally-made tie and dye materials

Hadiza Abdullahi, is a small scale entrepreneur with over two decades business experience in textilesdyeing and baking. In this interview with Maryam Garba Hassan, she talks about her venture which hasspanned over two decades, low patronage for Nigeria’s locally made textiles due to the collapse of thecountry’s textile industries and the influx of foreign textile and what can be done to arrest the situation.


Bright Dike Shola Ameobi

Debutant Foluwashola Ameobi received arare applause from Head Coach StephenKeshi even as USA-based Bright Dike also

got into the ‘Big Boss’ good books for theirexcellent performances against Venezuela.

“Ameobi showed his experience, holding theball, talking to the players and he made the thirdgoal, while Bright Dike worked very hard andwill be a good addition to the team,” Keshi said.

Questions have been asked about the Eaglesdefence and Keshi admitted there were problemsin that department against the SouthAmericans ranked 48th in the world.

“Oboabona was a bit jittery and Azubuikestruggled and it was later in the game that wediscovered he has a back problem. Otherwise Iwas impressed with (Solomon) Kwambe and

Elderson Echiejile in the defence,” said Keshi.“I was also not surprised about Ejide. That he

has been on the bench did not mean he is not agood goalkeeper. He was once the No.1goalkeeper and he did an excellent job, played acaptain’s game.”

The Eagles said overall he was satisfied withthe performance of the team.

“It was a tough game because most of theplayers have not played together before as weonly had one training session together onTuesday.

“So, we did well against a team that havebeen together for much longer especially in thesecond as we increased our tempo and we triedto keep the ball. It was a good result and we hopeto continue with the same spirit,” said Keshi.

Keshi scores debutants Ameobi, Dike high

...promises Obafemi second chance

After watching his fledglings tookapart the experienced LaVinotinto of Venezuela in the

early hours of yesterday in Miami,Florida, Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, isupbeat his work in progress is nearingmaturity.

Keshi, who was delighted with theperformance, and indeed the 3-1 scoreline, is confident the Eagles will not onlyfly but soar in South Africa, whereNigeria hope to clinch the Nations Cup

Onazi Ogenyi Austin Ejide Nosa Igiebor

title for the third time.Albeit, the La Vinotinto’s hands were

heavy on the Eagles in the first, Keshisays he took away several positivesespecially from the players’performances in the second where theydemonstrated feasible teamwork andunderstanding.

“Still, we have works to do. I can saywe will be ready but we still have workto do on the team to give them that lookof a squad going for a championship likethe Nations Cup,” Keshi said.

The former Mali and Togo coach alsobelieves the win over the South

Americans will help the confidencelevels of his players as they prepare forthe Africa Cup of Nations.

“The result against Venezuela was agood one for the team. It will help boostthe confidence of the players as wecontinue to prepare for the Nations Cup.

“I’ll admit to you it wasn’t one of thesmoothest of games for us but it was goodthe lads got the result for the sake of theirconfidence. Their performance in thesecond was fine and forward-looking.

“I say it’s good for the confidence ofthe players here because a few of themare new in the team. At the same time,

Eagles will soar higher thanexpected, Keshi assuresBy Patrick Andrew with agency report they had just a day or two to train together for

the first time before the game,” Keshi saidnoting that they trained together for just twice.

Nigeria’s goals against Venezuela were scoredby Brown Ideye, Nosa Igiebor and Ogenyi Onaziwhile Frank Feltscher scored for the SouthAmericans.

The Super Eagles game against Venezuela isone of several tune-up games on the cards asthey prepare to face Burkina Faso, Ethiopia andAfrican champions, Zambia ahead of the 2013AFCON.

Nigeria are expected to face Angola, CapeVerde and Morocco in international friendlymatches in December.

O b a f e m iM a r t i n sless than

i m p r e s s i v eperformance againstLa Vinotinto earlyyesterday will not beused to eliminate himfrom the Nations Cup-bound Super Eaglessquad.

Instead, the Levanteforward will be alloweda second opportunity toamend his game andmerit a seat in theEagles’ flight to SouthAfrica.

Head Coach, StephenKeshi, assures that theformer Newcastle andRubin Kazan striker

fondly called ‘Weaponof Mass Destruction’ byhis fans, will be given asecond chance to tryand lift his game for apossible place in thefinal squad.

“Obafemi must lifthis game. He needs tostep up his gamebecause I know he can

do better than he didbecause he has thepotentials but I did notsee much of him. And Iwill give him anotherchance,” Keshi assureseven as Obafemiacknowledges that andpromised to grab theopportunity with bothhands.

“But I will be backand better when wereturn to camp, I knowwhat I can do and I’msure the coach will giveme the opportunity toprove myself,” asobered Obafemi saidon reflection of hisperformance duringthe match.

Obafemi last lacedboots for the Eagles atthe 2010 World Cupfinals where the Eagleswere a flop.

Meanwhile, Lazio ofItaly midfield sensationOgenyi Onazi, whoscored the team’s thirdgoal has vowed to graba shirt ahead of the

Nations Cup.“I’m happy at the

manner the coach hasbeen given meopportunity and I canassure Nigerians thatI will be part of theteam that will bringthe Nations Cup to thecountry next year”,Onazi assured.


David Ferrer, will lead Spain’s assault, Tomas Berdych, theCzechs hope bearing

Christine Ohuruogu

Team Lagos’ athletes have restated theirresolve to go all out to win the bulk of theevents at the forthcoming 18th National

Sports Festival (NSF).They declared their determination while

speaking in Lagos after the series of qualitytraining programmes they have been exposed to.

Oghene Eferobor, a bronze medalist at the 2011Port Harcourt NSF, said that she was prepared towin the gold medal this time around.

“I won a bronze medal in hurdles at the lastedition of the NSF in Port Harcourt, and now Iintend to improve on my performance by goingfor gold.

“I am confident of attaining this feat, becausemy pace and bound have improved, judging frommy performance in recent competitions.

“I participated in the All African Games, theWest African University Games and the LagosTertiary Games; and I won medals in all of them.

So I am prepared for gold,” she said.Matthew Egbeogu also tow the same line

stressing that he was looking forward to setting anew record in the discus event at the NSF; statingthat his throw had greatly improved from hisprevious ones.

“Although I was a bronze medalist at the PortHarcourt NSF, but my exposure there revealedthe areas I needed to improve upon.

“I won’t tell you how I have worked on myweaknesses, but would just urge you to keep yourfingers crossed at the festival; because a new recordmight emerge,” he said.

Michael Obisesan, the Lagos State AthleticsCoach, said that they had left-no-stone-unturnedin terms of training drills during their preparationfor the festival.

Obisesan assured that the bulk of the medalswould be won by Team Lagos, considering the levelof hard work they had put into preparation for it.

The Lagos State AmateurBoxing Association isoptimistic its pugilists

would excel at the Gamesespecially after taking custodyof modern training equipmentand kits provided by thegovernment, ahead of the18th National Sports Festival.

The association’s secretary,Adejuwon Adesoye, who disclosedthis, said that the boxers arecurrently using the newequipment to shape up for theGames at their closed camp at theJalisco Sports Centre, Oshodi.

Adesoye said the equipmentand kits, including punching

bags, boxing gloves, headgears,mouth guard, canvasses andjerseys, would help to improvethe boxers’ skills and enablethem to perform optimally.

“We have just taken deliveryof modern equipment and kits;they came at the right timebecause they will put our boxersin an advantaged position to winmedals at the sports festival.

“The boxers are excited at theequipment and kits. I think thiswill motivate them to surpasstheir records in Port Harcourt,’’Adesoye said.

The boxers won seven gold, twosilver and one bronze in boxing,

to put the state in the seventhposition at the 2011 sportsfestival in Port Harcourt.

Adesoye also disclosed that theassociation had selected 12 of itsbest boxers who would representthe state at the Games.

The scribe, however, declinednaming the selected boxers sothat others still in camp withthem would not be discouraged.

“We have selected our bestboxers for the sports festival,though it will not be easybecause every state wants toconquer Lagos, but I amconfident in the selection,’’Adesoye said.

Olympic gold medallist, Christine Ohuruogu, says she will continuetop level athletics and is targeting next year’s WorldChampionships in Moscow.

But Ohuruogu, 28, who added Olympic silver this summer toher Beijing gold, will not commit to Rio 2016.

“For me to retire, I’d have to be bored with what I’m doing and I’m not.We always look at the championships and Moscow is one that we havepinned down to run next year,” the Great Britain athlete told BBC Sport.

Ohuruogu, who won 400m world gold in Osaka in 2007, struggledfor form after her triumph in Beijing and was disqualified from the400m final at last year’s World Championships after a false start.

However, she produced a blistering finish in the Olympic final onhome soil to pip DeeDee Trotter and Amantle Montsho on the line to takesilver behind Sanya Richards-Ross.

She added: “I still think there’s a lot more for me to do and work on asI’m not extremely happy with how I run the 400m.

“I want to push on from the ground I made this summer. Me and mycoach are changing things a little this season.”

Should Ohuruogu compete in Rio, she will be 32 and it will be herfourth successive Games.

“I can’t think seriously about competing at Rio,” she said. “I don’tknow what will happen tomorrow let alone in four years. Everythingcomes down to fitness, passion for the sport, injuries and whether you’llbe competitive - there are a lot of factors.

“Of course I’d love to go to Rio but I’m happy with what I have done inmy career so far. If it does take me to Rio, that will be brilliant.”

Team Lagos athletes outto sweep medal table

… As Scribe says new equipment,kits will spur boxers to victory

Spain play Davis Cupunderdogs without Nadal

Eko 2012 Eko 2012

Ohuruogu commits to 2013 WorldChampionships but not Rio

Spain are playing the DavisCup final this weekendagainst the Czech Republic

without their best player, RafaelNadal, but they still like theirchances.

After all Spain already won aDavis Cup final away and withoutNadal, in 2008 in Argentina.

The Spaniards are out to claim asixth Davis Cup title in 13 years.They are to play on a very fastsurface but they rely on theconfident leadership of world No 5David Ferrer, who has only lost oneof his last 13 matches on indoorhard courts.

“If it has happened before, whycan’t it happen again?” Spain’sDavis Cup captain Alex Corretjatold dpa in an interview.

“We have not come this far todie on the bank of the river. Wehave swum a lot all through theyear,” player Nicolas Almagrosaid of the team’s intentions inanother interview with dpa.

“It’s a very difficult, verycomplicated final,” said Corretja,38, who played 19 Davis Cup tiesbetween 1996 and 2003.

“We’re not going to win it withFerrer alone. We assume they are thefavourites: they were born on thissurface, they play perfect on it, butwe’re convinced that we can win.”

World number 11 Almagro doesnot agree with those who thinkthat Spain should put pressure onveteran Radek Stepanek, who at34 is the Cezchs’ No 2 player, asthe key to winning the tie. The No

LOC to train 1,000 stewards for festivalThe Local Organising

Committee (LOC) for the18th National Sports Festival

(NSF) in Lagos said on Tuesday thatit had concluded arrangements totrain 1,000 stewards for the Games.

The LOC Sub-CommitteeSecretary on Security, DeleAdeniran, who disclosed this to theNews Agency of Nigeria (NAN) inLagos, said the exercise was toacquaint them with the philosophyof the Games.

Adeniran said the three-day training,which would begin on Saturday at theTeslim Balogun Stadium, would helpto sharpen the participants’ skills inmaintaining orderliness at venues andathletes’ hostels.

He said the need to maintain ahumane and friendly relationship withall parties, different from the style andapproach of regular police personnel,necessitated their engagement.

“We want the stewards to be ableto effectively key into the

philosophy of the 18th NSF, suchthat they can never derail fromchampioning the course of theevent, in all their activities,’’Adeniran added.

He said that six feet tall guardswould be deployed to the eventsvenues, to nip in the bud anyemotional outburst that couldresult to crisis.

NAN recalls that the LOC hadlast week trained 55 ushers whowould be used at the Games.

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1 player for the 1980 champions(then as Czechoslovakia) is sixth-ranked Tomas Berdych.

“The key is to win three points. Itdoes not matter who, when andwhere we win them.”But it’s truethat if David (Ferrer) can get us thatpoint on the first day, that will bringa lot of calm to the team,” he said.

The Spaniards are worried aboutthe super-fast court chosen by theCzechs might be, but they knowthat is just the problem withplaying away.

“It is a faster surface than any Ihave played on so far this year, butwe knew that before we camehere,” Ferrer admitted.

“According to the ITF it is withinthe boundaries of what is allowed,so we have to accept it,” Corretjasaid. “We’re going to play and that’sthat.”


Sure, it was bound tohappen: theromance between

the Nigeria FootballFederation (NFF) and itssubordinate- the NigeriaPremier League (NPL),which having beenstretched thin by sundrynervy incidence,s wasalmost certain to snap off.

In fact, except for theblind, it was obvious thatsooner or later, tempershaving boiled over, thefalse marriage wasbound to go sore. Ofcourse, as always, thereare several extraneousforces responsible for theh i c c u p s .

Yes, muscles flexingmostly from the part ofthe National SportsCommission (NSC)- thatinfamous body thatalmost always play theostrich while things goawry only to awakenfrom its slumber toindulge in gibberish.

Or maybe just somefew smart guys close tothe corridor of power who

delight in name droppingand flaunting purported'power from above' to dothat or this. We've seen allthat before.

One recalls the HighChief Oyuki Obaseki's erawhen the forces that hadheld down the leagueboasted its the value won'tbe more than N70m.Even the peanut thatsupposedly came throughthem developed wings andended in several vauntswhich remotely hadnothing to do with thel e a g u e .

Papa Oyuki stood hisground and thus began abattle that almostconsumed the league. Infact, it dented the imageof Nigeria and smotheredthe game. He wassuspended, ridiculed andstarved of funds. ButOyuki, a hard fighter inall respect, trudged onand eventuallytriumphed over thecombined forces of thewarp leaderships inexistence then.

Those were days ofsuccessful wars, fought onprinciple and focusednational objective and,therefore, far from theselfish prism prevalentt h e n .

And the leagueprospered. Hitherto scaresponsorship fundstumbled in and almost hitthe roof top. No, forget thesorry story and poorapplication of such funds.The thing is, there wassponsorship, and thingswere done somewhat closeto international bestpractices. We then sawhope, yes light at the endof a dark tunnel.

But then, good thingsdon't last. The league orrather Obaseki' s era wasno exception. Then camethe return of the period ofthe jackals. And thevicious circle returned:the battle for the soul ofthe league rages withfury and intensity thatanyone with a half alogical mind could thewisdom in scampering for

s a f e t y .Yes, the

sponsors wereeither pushedout or made topull out. Butw h os u p e r i n t e n d e dwhile thea l t e r c a t i o nlasted? Whoi n d e e dinstigated thewarriors and stoke thee m b e r ?

Well, the same agent/s,always at the ready toposit a truce for a disorderthey initiated andsupervised all the way.The excuse has alwaysbeen the same: thingsmust be done well.

And yet the same triteattitude and performancelingers. If the NSC, whichis obvious, is behind thelatest efforts to scuttle thecommencement of theseason, has been up anddoing, one doubts the NPLwould be without sponsorsn o w .

Again, were the NFFforthright in its quest toreposition the league, onedoubts whether the issue

WATCH DOGBy

Patrick [email protected]

of publicly suspending theNPL congress would havearisen? Isn't the chairmanof the NPL the second vicepresident of the NFFexecutive committee?Why choose to wash dirtylinings in public if bothbodies pursue uniformpurposes for the league?

It seems obvious thatwhat has transpired issimply the voice of Esaubut the hands of Jacob.And that's where theworry lies. Yes, there areissues to be addressed forthe betterment of thegame, indeed ourdomestic football. Butmust the state wield thebig stick against somehapless persons/ group ofpersons before things are

Suspension of the NPL Congress

brought to order?It doesn't seem logical.

It's all the game of musicalchairs, motion withoutmovement and thehighhandedness that hasled us to nowhere. No, oneis not exactly happy withthe leadership of VictorBaribote board, it seemsthe most unserious,directionless, andu n c h a r a c t e r i s t i cmanagement so far.

Yet, were theenvironment conduciveone could readilychallenged it for crassfailure. I bet it would onlybe hypocritical to do sowhen it is clear the path ofthe board has been laidwith mires, thorns andthist les .

Carl Froch

Carl Froch is set to make thefirst defence of his IBF super-middleweight title when he

meets the American inNottingham, England.

And it will take an adventurouspunter to put money on Mack,ranked among the top 15, todethrone Froch in tomorrow night’sfight to be held at Englishman’shometown.

Froch has a professional record of29-2, with 21 knockouts. He is atwo-time WBC super-middleweightchampion and won the IBF super-middleweight belt when he knockedout Lucian Bute on May 26.

The 35-year-old Froch won hisfirst WBC belt in December 2008when he beat Jean Pascal on points.

He retained it in defences againstJermain Taylor and Andre Dirrellbefore losing the belt to MikkelKessler on points in October 2009.

However, seven months later heregained the title when he beatArthur Abraham. He made onedefence, against Gen Johnson,before losing it to Andre Ward.

Mack, who has a record of 31-4-2, including 17 knockouts, hasfought mostly at light-heavyweight. He has not fought atsuper-middleweight since 2007.Johnson stopped him in the sixthround in an IBF eliminator inFebruary 2010.

The Philadelphian won the USBAlight-heavyweight title when hebeat Otis Griffin on a split decision

in March last year. In June 2011he lost on an eighth-round technicalknockout against Tavoris Cloud ina challenge for the IBF light-heavyweight belt.

Early this year he retained theUSBA title against Omar Sheika(32-11) and in July he outpointedSabou Ballogou (8-5) over sixrounds.

In Los Angeles, WBO flyweightchampion Brian Viloria takes arecord of 31-3; 18 into hisunification bout against WBAchampion Hernan Marquez, whostands at 34-2; 25.

Viloria, 31 and nicknamed theHawaiian Punch, could find it atough assignment against the 24-year-old Mexican, who has won

seven fights – five inside thedistance – since he was stopped byNonito Donaire in 2010.

Marquez won the WBA belt inApril last year and has madesuccessful defences against EdrinDapudong, who fought GideonButhelezi in South Africa lastweekend, and Luis Concepcion.

Viloria is unbeaten in the past twoyears and is on a five-fight winningstreak.

On the same card, 24-year-oldRoman Gonzalez is scheduled todefend his WBA junior flyweighttitle against Juan FranciscoEstrada, a 22-year-old Mexican.

Gonzales, who has a record of 33-0, with 28 knockouts, is fromNicaragua.

Estrada, who stands at 22-1; 18,and suffered his only loss whenJuan Carlos Sanchez Jr beat himon points over eight rounds in Maylast year, has won four fights sincethen.

Froch holds no fear of Mack for Saturday’s fight

Winner of the 2012 SparGrand Prix Series,Southern Africa’s top

female road runner Rene Kalmeris now looking ahead to next year’sIAAF World Champions in Russia.

“I have already qualified for theWorld Champs Marathon in Moscownext August, so hopefully ifeverything goes well and I stay injuryfree, I’ll be representing SA at theWorld Champs as well,” Kalmer saidin Johannesburg on Wednesday.

“I will use the next Grand PrixSeries to keep fit and motivatedthroughout the year as its helpsto set the stage for world class

events.”Kalmer, who won a Nissan

Micra for her achievements inthis year’s Grand Prix Series,represented South Africa in thewomen’s marathon at the LondonOlympics in July, where shefinished 35th.

In October, she came 16th at theIAAF World Half-MarathonChampionships in Bulgaria andtook the titles at the SA Half-Marathon NationalChampionships as well as the TwoOceans Marathon in Cape Town.

“2012 has been a great andamazing year for me,” she said.

“Winning the Grand Prix Seriesand taking part in the OlympicsGames have been great highlightsfor me this year.”

It was 32-year-old’s third GrandPrix Series win, finishing top of theleader board with a total of 110points.

“It has always been my dreamto win a car. When I heard thatthis year’s prize was a car, I madeup my mind that I was going to bethe one to take that car home.”

After winning races in CapeTown, Port Elizabeth, Durban andPretoria, an Achilles injury forcedher to drop out of the final race in

Johannesburg, shattering herdreams of being the only womento win all five races.

“I was bitterly disappointed thatI couldn’t run, but at least I hadmade sure of my position on theGrand Prix ladder,” Kalmer said.

Meanwhile 2010 and 2011Grand Prix winner Irvette van Zyl(formerly Van Blerk), who wonthe Johannesburg race to clinchsecond place in the series, with 74points, said she was happy to beinjury free and is looking aheadto a better year.

“It wasn’t my greatest yearwith all my injuries, but I havebeen doing well in training andlooking forward to next season,”Van Zyl said.Rene Kalmer

Kalmer looks towards World Champs

Kell Brook’s promoter EddieHearn says a possible fightwith Amir Khan would

have to be on Brook’s terms.Brook, 26, is expected to face

Devon Alexander for the IBFwelterweight title in America onJanuary 19.

“He’s coming off back-to-backlosses, he has no belt and hedoesn’t really bring that muchto the table. If Amir Khan wants

to fight for the title when we’vewon it then that’ll be on ourterms.”

Khan, who lost to DannyGarcia in July, is set to take onAmerican fighter Carlos Molinain Los Angeles on 15December. Brook defeatedArgentinian Hector Saldivia in

October to stretch his unbeatenrun to 29.

After the fight Brook said: “Iwould love to take Khan’s chinclean off and everyone knows Iwant to destroy Khan.”

Hearn is confident theSheffield fighter can get thebetter of Alexander, who has a

record of one defeat from 25bouts.

“Devon Alexander is veryskilful and quite tricky. He’s abit of a spoiler and a counterpuncher. He’s not the biggestpuncher in the world but he istechnically very gifted and he’sonly 25,” he continued.

“Kell needs to go in there andput it on him with a new level ofintensity. He needs to go in thereand stop him and I think he cando that.

“Kell Brook wants to win thetitle and he wants to win it instyle. This fight could change hislife.”

Hearn doubts Brook, Khan fight


Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is hoping to prisestriker Luis Suarez away from Liverpool in the Januarytransfer window, according to widespread reports.

Mancini hopes the club will back him with a bid for the Uruguayinternational despite the recent appointment of former Barcelonasporting director Txiki Begiristain to oversee the Premier Leaguechampions’ transfer policy.

A report in the Daily Express, since picked up by most of England’sother national newspapers, claims Mancini wants the 25-year-olddespite already having Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzekoand Mario Balotelli on his books.

Mancini is under pressure following a poor Champions Leaguecampaign which looks destined to end in failure to qualify for theknockout stages for the second successive season.

Backing him with an audacious and sizeable bid for Suarez wouldbe seen as a clear sign that the City hierarchy are fully behind theItalian.

Suarez is on a long-term contract at Anfield, which runs until2018, meaning City could have to stump up a British record fee tosign him.

He has been in sparkling form for the Reds this season, scoringeight Premier League goals to put him alongside Manchester United’sRobin van Persie at the top of the scoring charts.

Liverpool would understandably be unwilling to sell their starman, who is currently their only dedicated striker with Fabio Boriniout injured and Andy Carroll on loan at West Ham with littleprospect of a return to Merseyside.

However, Liverpool have previously been persuaded to sell theirmain striker midway through the season if the price is right, havingsold Fernando Torres to Chelsea for £50 million in January 2010.

Liuz Suarez

Falcao

Schalke 04 arrow head, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, is the subjectof many English Premier

League clubs, according to his agentArnold Oosterveer.

Already, the player has declaredthat he would fancy relocating tothe premiership and has thussparked off interest from Liverpool,Arsenal and Chelsea plus severalothers from the La Liga andBundesliga.

Liverpool though are said to haveopen talks with the Netherlandsstriker for a possible transfer inJanuary, but nothing has beenconclusive as yet.

Huntelaar’s contract expires atthe end of the current season, andArsenal, Chelsea and Liverpoolhave all been linked with the strikerin recent weeks.

A report in The Sun newspaperclaims Schalke will accept a £7million bid when his currentcontract expires at the end of thisseason.

“Klaas has not decided,”Oosterveer told The Sun. “He’s hadoffers from England, Italy andSpain. It’s also possible he could stay Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

in Germany.“He wants his future planned by

the winter. In the next 45 days hewants to know his next project andit will be decided by his footballambitions and not by money.

“His dream is to fight to win titlesin Europe and to have chances to besuccessful, because today he is oneof the best strikers in Europe.”

Huntelaar enjoyed a fine seasonlast term, scoring 48 goals in 47games in all competitions, and hasnetted eight in 15 appearances inthis campaign.

Falcao, 26, has been strongly linkedwith a move away from AtleticoMadrid, whose financial concernsappear likely to necessitate a sale atsome stage in the coming months. TheColombia striker this week told RadioCaracol he was “dreaming” of atransfer, adding: “The chance ofplaying in another league and foranother club will come.”

Chelsea are believed to bemonitoring the situation amidconcerns over Fernando Torres’ goalreturn, and Brazil centre-back Luiz

has made clear that he would relishthe chance to play alongside Falcao.

“I’m happy when there are greatnames attached to Chelsea,” Luiz saidon Goal.com US. “He’s a great player.It would be a good choice for Falcao tocome to Chelsea ... All of the playerswould be happy because Falcao wouldbe a great player.”

On Wednesday, asked aboutFalcao’s radio interview, Atletico coachDiego Simeone had said in Marca:“Everything that is happening toFalcao makes me happy as I have

They may not be asimportant as a Barca-Real in terms of the

quality of players, the spectacle onoffer, and the media coverage, butthey are passionate games. Theyare tougher than a ‘Clasico’.” DaniAlves was quoted by Spanishmedia as telling Algeriannewspaper Le Buteur.

Though the Real Madrid-Barcelona “clasico” is televisedaround the world and often decidesthe La Liga title, but Alves believesa Seville derby is a tougherproposition,

Real Betis travel across theAndalucian city to take onneighbours Sevilla on Sunday fora derby of huge importance locally,and a match of major significancein the push for the European placesin La Liga. Betis lie fourth in LaLiga with 19 points from 11 games,four behind champions RealMadrid in third, and 12 behindunbeaten leaders Barcelona. Mostsignificantly for their supporters,however, they have a four-pointadvantage over Sevilla in 10th.

Betis coach Pepe Mel, a formerstriker for the club, wasrefreshingly honest about hisenthusiasm for Spain’s mosthighly-charged city derby.

Sevilla, like Betis, have beeninconsistent of late but did beat Realat the Sanchez Pizjuan 1-0 inSeptember, and narrowly lost toBarca 3-2 there conceding twogoals in the last few minutes.

Sevilla and Betis, along withQatari-owned Malaga, Levanteand Valencia are all laggingbehind, leaving Atletico Madrid asthe only side really keeping pacewith the two Spanish powerhouses.

Atletico, in second with 28points, returned to winning wayswith a 2-0 victory at home to Getafelast weekend and travel to take onlowly Granada on Sunday.

They are three points behindBarca, who are at home to RealZaragoza on Saturday.

Tito Vilanova could have CarlesPuyol and Gerard Pique back frominjury at the centre of defence, butSergio Busquets is suspended.

Real have yet to eat in to Barca’seight-point advantage over them,but host struggling Athletic Bilbaoon Saturday with midfielder SamiKhedira and striker KarimBenzema back after injury.

City are the only side still unbeaten in the Premier League thisseason but are currently in second place, two points behindManchester United.

United have scored 29 league goals so far compared with City’s20, while Chelsea, Everton and Fulham have all scored more thanthe defending champions.

In apparent plea to clubowner, Roman Abramovic,David Luiz has expressed his

hope that Radamel Falcao joinsChelsea during the Januarytransfer window.

The defender openly made thedemand after Brazil’s 1-1 draw withColombia in New Jersey. Chelseaare in need of top finisher and wouldbe certain to profit from the prolificform of Falcao, who singularlydestroyed them during theEuropean Super Cup.

known him since he was a kid.Falcao has yet to feature in the

Europa League this season, and therehave been suggestions that theprimary reason for his absence is toensure he is not cup-tied ahead of aJanuary move.

The player had insisted it was“not because I’m leaving inJanuary” during the week, andSimeone added: “I am the coach - Ido not have to explain my decisions.I do what I have to so we arecompetitive in three competitions.”

Bring Falcao now, Liuz pleas with Abramovic

‘Sevillederbytougher thana ‘Clasico’“

Man City preparing to tempt Liverpool’sSuarez with big offer

Huntelaar’s agent confirmspremier league clubs’ interest

Neymar Brazil’s sensation,Neymar, has set the alarmclock ticking faster than

usual as he admitted a switch to aEuropean club would be a personal“dream”.

Though he insisted he does nothave any firm offers to leave Santos,the youth prodigy has been linkedto several interests from Barcelona,Real Madrid, Chelsea, Man United,Man City, PSG, among others.

Neymar has already played 200games for Santos, and played onBritish shores for the Selecao duringthe 2012 Olympics.

When asked if a move to Englandor Italy appealed to him, theforward told reporters: “They areboth big countries with great teamsand great national teams. I don’thave any [specific] choices rightnow.

“I do dream about playing inEurope, but there’s nothing

concrete at this time. Maybe in thefuture.”

Neymar was speaking afterBrazil’s friendly with Colombia inNew Jersey that saw him equaliseJuan Cuadrado’s opener beforemissing a penalty just 15 minuteslater, with the match finishing 1-1.

Again, Neymar alerts top clubs,admits dream Europe move

Neymar


Quick CrossWord (71)

ACROSS1 Punctiliously (2,3,6)9 Look over (3,2)10 Ability to stay the course (7)11 Kitchen tool (7)12 Extricated (5)13 Those defeated (6)15 Large prawns, fried in batter (6)18 Badgers’ homes (5)20 Makers of the Spitfire saloon (7)22 Suffered (7)23 Himalayan raccoon-like animal (5)24 International consent on weaponslimitation (4,7)

DOWN2 First players (7)3 Wishes (3)4 Finally (6)5 Illicit commerce (7)6 Banished person (5)7 Issues in print again (11)8 Chap advertising betweenboards! (8,3)14 Has recourse (to) (7)16 Keepsafe (7)17 TV recording room (6)19 Mary __, Henry Vill’s daughter (5)21 Fed data (5)

Yesterday’s answer

* About 75 acres of pizza are eaten in in the U.S. everyday.

* The largest recorded snowflake was 15 Inch wide and 8 Inch thick. It fell in Montana in 1887.

* The tip of a bullwhip moves so fast that the sound it makes is actually a tiny sonic boom.

* Former president Bill Clinton only sent 2 emails in his entire 8 year presidency.

* Koalas and humans are the only animals that have finger prints.

* There are 200,000,000 insects for every one human.

* It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery had in it to begin with.

* The world's largest Montessori school is in India, with 26,312 students in 2002.Source: Weird facts

FACTS

Say what?

Two herons fight over a fish in the Camargue area of southern France

PHOTO OF THE DAY

SPORTS LALALALALATESTTESTTESTTESTTEST

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012

QQQQQUOUOUOUOUOTTTTTABLE QABLE QABLE QABLE QABLE QUOUOUOUOUOTETETETETEIndeed, we have lost a great man who loved his

people passionately and served them diligently, aman who in every way exemplified commitment to

the betterment of people's lives.– Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, ex-Kano state

governor on demise of Dr. Abubakar OlusolaSaraki, former Senate Leader

One depressing reality invirtually every Nigerianfamily is the sight of adults

in their late 20s and 30s who leftschool years ago, but have beenunable to secure gainfulemployment. Thus, at an agewhen they are supposed to beproductive and integral parts ofour economy, building thefabrics of our social life by settlingdown to raise families, andsupporting their parents in theirold age materially andemotionally, millions of them arestill at home – with parents,relatives or simply roughing itout with more fortunate friendswho have managed to findsomething to do.

To put the situation incontext, Colonel (laterGeneral)Yakubu Gowon becameHead of State of Nigeria at the ageof 32. Not many people realizethat despite his impact andlegacy, General MurtalaMohammed was assassinated atthe age of 38. Late Mathew Mbuwas an ambassador at the age of26. Obasanjo handed power tocivilians in 1979 at the age of 42.Late Anthony Enahoro thenmember of Federal Parliamenttabled the motion for Nigeria’sindependence at the age of 30.Most of the military officers whocommanded battalions duringthe civil war were in their 20sand 30s….the examples areendless.

While recognizing the specialcircumstances under whichthese patriots operated, the factis that they were in charge ofgovernment, making andimplementing public policydecisions affecting the lives ofmillions while in their 20s and30s. That many Nigerians stillyearn for the good old days meansthat the earlier generations werelargely successful and managedto keep Nigeria united despitecivil unrest, the civil war,military coups and through verydifficult periods in our history.

By contrast, many youngmen and women in Nigeria todayof the same age are still waitingto graduate, have graduated butcannot find jobs, have found jobsbut lost them to governmenteconomic mismanagement,have never left home or aresquatting somewhere with noend in sight. Many of the few whohave found jobs cannot affordaccommodation. It is a sad truthtoo, that many Nigerians in their20s and 30s have never

basic ingredients for settlingdown – a job and a home are notonly unobtainable, but far fromreach?

It was with shock that I readthe reported revelation from theDangote Group, that in responseto the company’s adverts forexecutive drivers, about sevenPhD holders and thousands ofmaster’s degree holders wereamong the 13,000 that appliedfor the available 100 openings.In other words, 1,300 people werejostling for every single position.

Is President Jonathan awareof the social and economic costs ofwasting the potentials of 20million youths? Does he have aplan to tackle unemployment?What happened to the promisesof YouWin and all the‘transformation’ hype he made?Is it sensible to fritter N2.4 trillionon his friends and cronies ingovernment when Nigeria hasabout 90 million people who arewilling and able to work, butabout 70 million of them cannotfind productive, full-time andpaying jobs or what to ‘manage’?

It is a shocking fact that onlyabout 20 million Nigerians havesustainable and regular jobs, outof a population of about 162million. This simple statisticcauses the country a loss of aboutN2 trillion annually from theabsence of commercial activitiesthat ordinarily should havetaken place but did not. The socialcost is unquantifiable but hasshort and long term effects thatsociologists have to study. Whatcannot be denied is that thesituation is doing severe harm tothe creativity and productivityof millions of Nigerians betweenthe ages of 21 and 40 years - thefuture leaders of our country, andnearly half of its population.

It is sad that when theperformance of the Jonathanadministration is mentioned,rather than objective analyses ofthe situation devoid of the usualconnotations, a few Nigerianyouths, who perhaps by virtue of

Former Super Eagles'Assistant Coach and ex-Green Eagles, Henry

Nwosu, has urged the Eagles'technical crew to seriouslyconsider taking on Africanoppositions preparatory to nextJanuary's Nations Cup fiesta inSouth Africa.

The Eagles in the early hoursof yesterday defeated hard-fighting Venezuela 3-1 in Miami,USA in an international friendlywhich Stephen Keshi used to takea second look at some players aswell as see others for the first timeahead of the biennial footballshowpiece.

Nwosu said the Africa Cup ofNations is meant for Africanteams and an Africa challengewould best prepare the Eagles forthe kind of oppositions theywould face at the tournament.

According to him, playingAfrican foes would be the perfectpath for the Eagles to trek andthus be in the mental andphysical condition necessary forthe show-piece.

"AFCON is for African teams,we need African opposition morethan Europeans because at SouthAfrica our opponents areAfricans, we need to get used totheir patterns. I'm not sayingchallenge outside Africa is badbut emphasis must be on Africa.

"I'll love to see a build-up gameagainst the likes of Egypt orCameroon. Though both sideswon't be in South Africa, they'resolid and African powerhouses.A challenge against Cote d' lvoirewill be excellent," he said.

The former Nigerian playersaid he is satisfied with theoutcome of the Venezuelan gamewhile he believes the errors notedin the tie will be corrected in time.

"I'm satisfied with the result,they played well. It is a goodresult. Cohesion is what is needednow and that's the importance offriendly. Friendly helps you tosee the strength of your team,what they can absorb, errors,loopholes and how to correct it.

"Venezuela is not a weakopposition, names don't playfootball, every country isimproving and on the field ofplay it is 11-11 players. Keshimust have gained from theencounter and will bring it tobear in his team's formation.

"Featuring of NewcastleUnited player, Shola Ameobi isfine. The older the experience weneed at the Afcon, we need moreof such experienced and fit playersfor the AFCON games," he said.

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

. . . putting the people first

experienced the joy and privacyassociated with having a room tothemselves, much less a tinyapartment. How can we get thebest of them? How can weactualize the true potential of a30 year old that still has to sharerooms with siblings and otherrelatives? Personally, I have twoholders of masters’ degrees athome, waiting for their very firstjob. What can we as parents do?

This gross waste of our humanresources potential – whichshould be one of our greatestassets - has grave social andeconomic consequences that thegovernment glosses over orsimply chooses to ignore. But thisis one problem it cannotdisregard. To continue to wastethe lives of our young people thisway is not only criminal, butignores the impact on the psycheand quality of leaders of thefuture: Why should our youngmen not be angry, when severalyears after graduation andalready in their 30s, they stillhave to ask their parents formoney to pay for meat pie or ahaircut? Why should our youngwomen not be irritated whendespite graduating with goodgrades, they remain unemployedor unmarried simply because the

The social and economiccosts of unemploymentNwosu urges

Keshi to focus onAfrican teamsfor friendlies

their proximity to power benefitfrom the mindless looting of thenation’s treasury, distort thediscussion and sing baselesscommendations. But when all thepraises have been sung, the hardfacts still stare back at us: millionsof our unemployed daughters,sons, brothers and sisters –including those entering theworkforce for the first time andothers who have lost their jobs dueto the incompetent managementof our economy - will scan thepages of newspapers and websitesfor job advertisements, but likethe situation at Dangote reflects,thousands of youths will chaseevery available vacancy. And aswe know, it is those connectedrather than those best qualifiedthat will end up filling mostvacancies when they areavailable.

Sadness turns to fear whenone ruminates on the fact thateven as the ranks of joblessNigerians grow, at least threemillion more unemployed peoplewill join them next year. Atcurrent rates, even ifgovernment policies, enablingenvironment and direct effortsmanage to create one millionnew jobs a year (an impossibilityunder Jonathan), it would take20 years to close today’s existingjob gap. Except that by that time,at least 60 million moreNigerians would have joined theworkforce.

It is almost cruel to talk ofunderemployment when somany millions are unemployed,yet we cannot pretend thatunderemployment is not a seriousconcern in our economy. This hasnegative consequences on ournational productivity output.The twin factors ofunemployment andunderemployment causesubstantial economic lossesbecause we are unable to producegoods and services for the lostmillions of wage earners, butbecause unemployed people donot earn money, that gapremains unfilled. In most placesin the world, job growth leads toeconomic growth and vice versa,but not in Nigeria. How cangovernment claim that theeconomy is truly growing whenit is not creating jobs? If thegrowth figures released bygovernment are to be believed,Nigeria should be creating aboutthree million jobs annually

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Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako,Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office:No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308.e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] ISSN: 2141– 6141

President Goodluck Jonathan

NNNNNASIR EL-RASIR EL-RASIR EL-RASIR EL-RASIR EL-RUFUFUFUFUFAIAIAIAIAION FRIDON FRIDON FRIDON FRIDON FRIDAAAAAYYYYY

[email protected]

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Peoples Daily Newspaper, Friday 16, November, 2012

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