PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol. 38 NO.2676 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013 . N100.00

WORKSHOP: The Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (middle),Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Lawrence Aghedo (right) and Mr. Oseni Elamah, ExecutiveChairman, Board of Internal Revenue (left) during a one day workshop organised by BIR on revenueprocesses of the Ministry of Lands and Survey yesterday in Benin City. Photo: QUEENNETH A.OROBEDO.

HEALTHPage 18

BreastfeedingMotheringfrom heart

NATURALMEDICINE

Page 19Controlling

malariafever

STOP OIL BUNKERINGPeople of Edo State,Government has discovered thatinspite of measures taken by se-curity agents in the State to stopillegal oil bunkering, perpetra-tors of this shady business havecontinued unabated.The State Government iswarning all those still involvedin oil bunkering in the State to,in their own interest, stop thisshady and dubious businessforthwith as stiffer penaltiesawait them.Any person or group of personscaught in the illegal businesswill be dealt with according tothe law.All vehicles and equipment usedwill be burnt.Be patriotic, report any personsuspected to be in the businessof oil bunkering to the authori-ties concerned.Join Government to rid the Stateof enemies of progress.Edo State must continue tomove forward.This message is from the Edo State

Ministry of Informationand Orientation

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The Nigerian

Constitution Amendment

Senate rejects single term

Continues on page 2

Continues on page 2

Ihonvbererestates

commitmentto due

process

AAU V-C lauds NUC

Continues on page 2

Welfare: Govt assuresworkers

House directs EDSIEC toconduct Esan N’East LG Poll

Continues on page 2

Continues on page 2

BENIN CITY – EdoState Government hasassured that the Welfareof its work force is of topmost priority, ensuringthat salaries are paid asat when due. The Head of Service,

Princess (Mrs.) EkiuwaInneh gave theassurance when shereceived members of theNigerian Union of LocalGovernment Employees(NULGE) who paid her acourtesy visit in her

Office. Princess Innehmaintained that the Officeof the Head of Service

exists to provideLeadership for the CivilService, both at theState and Local

Government Levels. She further stated thather door was wide opento proffer solutions toproblems that may arisein the day-todaymanagement of the CivilService, and urged theUnion to feel free to comeand discuss suchproblems. On training, the Head ofService stated thatmembers of the Unionought to enjoy trainingopportunity from the l%training fund approved forworkers at that level.

By JOSES SEDE

ABUJA - For tact and dexterity displayed bypresiding Senate President, David Mark, yesterday,the clause by clause amendment of the 1999Nigerian Constitution could have turned into amirage.

This is even as theSenate of the FederalRepublic rejected theproposed 6-year singletenure for President of theFederation and ExecutiveGovernors of States intheir 16 amendmentrejections and 14approvals.

Also rejected by theSenate were: proposedabrogation of State andLocal Government

Council joint account sothat funds are directlyreleased to the LGCs; anelected Mayoral systemof administration for theFederal Capital Territory

(FCT), National YouthService Corps (NYSC);

separation of the Office ofAttorney-General and the

Minister/Commissionerof Justice at the Federaland State levels; and theLand Use Act amongothers.

The Senate however,introduced novelprocedures for enactinga new Constitution in

which they proposedsubjection of the finalamendment to areferendum that wouldconducted by theIndependent NationalElectoral Commission(INEC).

By QUEENETHOROBEDO

BENIN CITY –Secretary to Edo StateGovernment, Prof. JuliusIhonvbere has said thatenhanced effectiveness,transparency andcommitment to dueprocess areindispensable towardsensuring success inpublic service delivery. He stated this yesterdayin Benin while declaringopen a one dayworkshop on the“Revenue Process” of the

By KEN ABU/WINIFRED OSASOBO

BENINCITY – Edo StateHouse of Assembly hasadopted a resolution

calling on the StateIndependent ElectoralCommission (EDSIEC)to immediately schedulea date for the localgovernment election in

Esan North East LocalGovernment Area. The resolution wassequel to a motion underMatters of Urgent PublicImportance presented

during yesterday’splenary session by theMinority Leader, Hon.Emma Okoduwa (East

BENIN CITY – TheV i c e - C h a n c e l l o r ,Ambrose Ali University(AAU), ProfessorCordelia Agbebaku haslauded the UniformAcademic Calendar

(UAC) system put inplace by the NationalUniversities Commission(NUC). She made the assertionyesterday while speakingwith The NIGERIAN

OBSERVER, adding thatunlike in the past, auniform academiccalendar is paramount tonational educationalgrowth at the tertiarylevel.

She noted that already,all universities includingprivately owned oneshave queued into thesystem, and has resultedin positive uniformity in

NewsSenate rejects single term

Govt assures workers

Continued from page 1

Don’t panic, LG bossadvises flood victims

House directs EDSIEC to conduct Esan N’EastLG Poll Continued from page 1

Ihonvbere restates commitment todue process Continued from page 1

AAU V-C lauds NUC

IGARRA - The peopleaffected by flood in Akoko-Edo local government areahave been advised not topanic as the relevantgovernment agents havebeen intimated about thedevelopment. Chairman of the AreaCouncil, Mr. JosephAkerejola gave theadmonition while inspectingthe affected communitiesand the dam yesterday at0jirami. The torrential rains thatoccurred in neighbouringKogi State weekend overflew its banks to cause overflow of Ojirami dam in thelocal government. Akerejoal however told thepeople to build housesaccording to the rules toavoid flood disasters in thefuture. According to him, “wewant to urge our people tofollow building regulationsand put specifics intoconsideration because evenroad construction affects alot of things; you shouldknow that light poles andpipe lines would be laid. Notfor quick intervention of theresident engineer. Only Godknows what could have

happened today”. Meantime, the residentengineer, Mike Igwemho,adduced reasons for theflood to lack of new pipesthat pump water to substations like Ugbogbo,Ososo and othercommunities to decongestthe excess during rains. According to him, “therains from neighboringstate is the major cause ofthe flood and for my quickvigilance and intervention,the disaster would havebeen enormous. As at 1a.m Monday, I was alreadyhere for the monitoring toavoid flood butunfortunately a health carecentre is flooded at Enwanwhile some farm lands andproduce including fishponds are affected. Alsoaffected are some housesin Akuku. The Ojirami-dam is one ofthe dams awarded byfederal government fordredging but due topresence of stones androcks in the river, thedredging could not be doneby the company but has togo for another machinetype that can dredge rock,Igwemho added.

“The INEC shall within sixmonths of the receipt of thedraft Constitution, cause areferendum to be conducted toapprove the draft Constitution;if the draft Constitution receivesa simple majority casts in two-thirds of all States of theFederation, it shall come intoforce as the Constitution of theFederal Republic of Nigeria”,the proposal reads.

If this scales through, Mr.President’s assent power tomake an amended Constitutiona law shall have been removedand the usual controversy thatgreeted Constitutionamendment project wouldhave been put to rest.

Another significant decisionof the Senate yesterday was aclause strengthening the

legislative arm of governmentand ensuring timely passage oflaws. The insertion reads:“Where the President/Governorneither signifies that he assentsor that he withholds assent, thebill shall at the expiration of thirtydays become law”.

The Senate also approvedthat “any person who has heldoffice as President or DeputyPresident of Senate, Speaker orDeputy Speaker of House ofRepresentatives, shall beentitled to pension for life at arate equivalent to the annualsalary of the incumbent”.

Also approved by the Senatewere transfers from theExecutive, Legislative List to theConcurrent List and theyincluded Post andTelecommunication, Pension,Stamp Duties, Labour, Road

Safety, Arbitration,Environment, Agriculture, andYouths.

Transfer of Aviation, Prisons,and Public Complaints from theExclusive list to concurrent didnot succeed but, Railwaytransfer to the concurrent listwas made possible by presidingSenate President Mark whovoted in favour to break thestalemate.

Approved government Bodiesand Offices to draw from First-line Charge in yesterdayexercise included: State Housesof Assembly, State IndependentElectoral Commission (SIEC),Auditor-General of theFederation/State and theJudiciary.

In the case of Judiciary, “anyamount standing to the credit ofthe judiciary in the Consolidated

Revenue Fund shall be paiddirectly to the heads of thecourts.

The smooth sail amendmentwas in progress when, Sen.Ahmed Yerima coming underOrder 43 of the Senate Rules(Zamfara) accused SenatePresident Mark of bias againstMuslims hence he allowed thepassage of an amendmentwhich seeks to protect thechild’s right, by making itmandatory for a girl to attainmajority (18 years) beforebeing given in marriage.

He demanded that the issuebe revisited with a view todeleting the stipulated 18years as “full age” with “anywoman who is married shall bedeemed to be of full age”, butSenator Mark noted that thecitation was irrelevant ascontroversial matters cannotcome under it.

Even at that, Sen. DanjumaGoje (Gombe) insisted that theChild Rights Protection clausebe visited as it is againstIslamic laws, a request thatwas greeted with buzzy noisefrom the senators.

At this point, presidingSenate President Markwarned against making anissue out of the matter, noting,“I have been fair and I takeexemption to the allegation ofdouble standard, controversialmatters can’t come underOrder 43".

“Let’s not make an issue outof this, nobody should make itpersonal, we are bound tomake laws that will stand thetest of time; we are to finish thisamendment today, we will notstop and continue anotherday”.

Sen. Mark however returnedto the proposed clause andwhen he put the question, itwas rejected by the senatorsby which implication is that, thecitizens are free to marry orgive in marriage any girl ofwhatever age, whether minoror not.

Meanwhile, the Senateapproved amendmentproposals would beharmonized with that of theHouse of Representatives foronward transmission to StateHouses of Assembly for furthernecessary legislativeapprovals, and turn in theirinputs for collation and onwardtransmission to the Presidentof the Federal Republic for hisassent, to make it law andoperational.

Continued from page 1 Princess Inneh appreciatedthe governor of Edo Stateand organized labour for therole they played to end theschool teachers strike andsued for more collaborationbetween the Trade Union andthe Government to take theState to the next level. She allayed the fears of theUnion and assured that theCommittees set up byGovernment will do a goodjob that will ensure that theLocal Governmentemployees and teachers gettheir salaries as at when due. The Head of Service used

the opportunity of the visit tothank the newly electedExecutive of NULGE forconducting a free and fearelection, saying that theykeyed into the slogan of oneman one vote beingadvocated by one of their own,Governor Adams Oshiomhole. Speaking earlier, thePresident of the Nigeria Unionof Local GovernmentEmployees (NULGE), EdoStat Chapter, ComradeEdward Young Ilenkhenathanked the Head of Service,Princess Ekiuwa Inneh for hermotherly role culminating inthe payment of Local

Government Workers’ salaryarrears in 2012. Comrade Ilenkhenaappealed to the Head ofService to always support theworkers to meet their welfareneeds. At the courtesy visit were thePermanent Secretary, CentralAdministration, Mr. E.T.Idahosa, PermanentSecretary Establishment, Mr.A. O. Olaye, Mr. EddyEdionweme, Director, Office ofthe Head of Service, Mr. M.Ikoghode, Ministry of Localgovernment and ChieftaincyAffairs, Executive members ofNULGE and the 18 localgovernment branch chairmen.

ministry of Lands and Surveyput together by the state Boardof Internal Revenue Service. Prof. Ihonvbere pointed outthat the activities and policiesof government can only be fullytranslated when the publicservice is effective andcommitted. According to him, “Servicedelivery is almost zero in EdoPublic Service; we own thepublic service; people shouldcontribute to the process ofmaking things work. Servicedelivery, efficiency andeffectiveness must be takenseriously”. He said the state governmenthas put in place, processesthat would help in the taxationsystem and improve servicedelivery”. He expressed concern overthe gross inefficiency whichhad characterised the processof obtaining Certificate ofOccupancy in the StateMinistry of Lands and Surveyover the years, saying it hasrobbed the state government ofthe needed funds from thesector. The SSG, however,commended the leadership ofthe state Board of InternalRevenue Service (BIRS) in theefforts to boost the revenuebase of the state governmentand other initiative to improvethe process. The State Commissioner forBudget and EconomicPlanning, Mr. LawrenceAghedo said the interactivesession was primarily tobrainstorm towards enhancingthe process of obtainingCertificate of Occupancy andspecifically, to fasttrack theinternally generated revenuemechanism through “C of O”. In another engagement, theSSG also signed the officialMemorandum ofUnderstanding (MoU) betweenthe Resident, Africa Real

Estate Limited, MedianInfrastructure DevelopmentCompany Limited and EdoState Government. The MoU is for thedevelopment of a world classshopping mall on Sapele Road,Benin City. During the ceremony, Prof.Ihonvbere noted that the stategovernment takes the challengeof economic developmentseriously as Governor AdamsOshiomhole is committed tomaking the state a better place. While formally presenting thesite survey plan to the leader ofthe delegation, MedianInfrastructure DevelopmentCompany Limited, the SSGassured of government’ssupport at all levels to ensurethe rapid commencement of theproject.

Chief Executive Officer,Median InfrastructureDevelopment CompanyLimited, Mr. Olumide Akinsanyawho signed the MoU on behalfof the consortium for thedevelopment of a world classshopping mall assured that theproject would be completed anddelivered in 24 months. Executive Director, PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP), Mr.Igbinidu Inneh said it was apleasurable plan to introducesuch a world class shoppingmall to Edo State, especially,this being the first of its kind. Also present at the ceremonywere the Commissioner forHousing and UrbanDevelopment, Hon. FrancisEvbuomwan, the Deputy Chiefof Staff, Mr. Stephen Edehenreand Solicitor General andPermanent Secretary, Ministryof Justice, Barr. Oluwole Iyamu.

North East). Okoduwa said EDSIECconducted elections in 18 localgovernment areas on April 20,2013, but, however, cancelledthat of Esan North East, allegingviolence as reason for thecancellation. He noted that the April 24,2013 rescheduled election inthe local government area wasfree, fair and credible, but wasalso cancelled by EDSIEC. According to him, after almostthree months after thecancellation, EDSIEC has notshown any willingness andreadiness to conduct freshelection in the locality. He further explained that theabsence of a democraticallyelected chairman andcouncillors in the localgovernment council has stalledsocio-economic and politicaldevelopment in the entire localgovernment area.

Contributing to the motion,Hon. Kingsley Ehigiamusor(Igueben) quoted section 7 ofthe 1999 constitution asamended, saying it is very clearon the conduct of localgovernment election. He said the section clearlyspecified the number of dayswithin which to conduct electionin the event of violence, sayingthere was no room for discretionon the matter. Other lawmakers duringplenary who contributed to themotion expressed sympathyover the inability of EDSIEC toconclude the local governmentelections in the state. Concluding on the motion, theHouse therefore resolved thatEDSIEC should reschedule adate for the conduct of theelection in Esan North East andother wards where electionswere inconclusive. Meanwhile, the bill for a law to

prohibit the Act of Kidnappingand the committing of any Actas an Explicit or Implicitcondition was deferred toanother day for consideration.

Continued from page 1the academic calendarsystem of Nigerianuniversities. On the impact of the currentnationwide Academic StaffUnion of Universities (ASUU)strike action, she explainedthat the universityadministration was ongoingand not hampered in anyway. She added however, thather administration is anamalgamation of variousmembers including unions inthe university system working

in harmony to ensure thatAmbrose Ali Universityremains a citadel ofexcellence. Prof. Agbebaku allayed thefears of potential universityundergraduates that the JointAdmission AndMatriculations Board (JAMB)would be scrapped, pointingout that the new admissionsystem was to give everypotential student anopportunity to be admittedinto either a University,Polytechnic or College ofEducation, after theuniversities selection process

may have been concluded,so that other tertiaryinstitutions could take theirturns, based on the choicesof candidates in theinstitutions selected by them. Besides, the AAU Vicechancellor clarified theerroneous impression thatpre-degree students of theinstitution were exemptedfrom writing JAMB, stressingthat by requirement, theyfollow the same admissionprocess by first procuring theJAMB forms and also fulfillingother formalities as set downby the body.

BENIN CITY – The PeaceAssociation of Nigeria(PAN) has expresseddispleasure over the recentbreach of peace in PortHarcourt, capital city ofRivers State. PAN in a communiquéendorsed by its President,Apostle John Edokpolor,noted that the promotion ofhuman existence in any

society is peace and joy. It further stressed thatthose found wanting in theperpetration of lawlessnessin the land should bebrought to book for theinterest of peace. PAN, however, noted thatthe developmental stride ofany nation depends on therelative peace in that nation,adding that for democracy toreign in Nigeria, there wasthe need for absolute peacein the land.

Edo assures on resourcedevelopment

BENIN CITY – Edo StateCommissioner for Agricultureand Natural Resources, Hon.Abdul Oroh, says the stategovernment’s developmentalstrides is all embracing. The commissioner made theassertion when the Ijaw PoliticalVanguard, a non-governmentalorganization visited him inBenin City. He expressed the stategovernment’s commitment todevelop the natural resourcesin the state across the 18 localgovernment areas in a mannerthat would benefit futuregeneration. According to him, the stategovernment, as part of

PAN slams crisis in RiversBy VICTOR OMOALU

By DOROTHYEGBOBAMWONYI

measures to guarantee foodsecurity has perfected plans toboost the production of farmproduce in the state. Hedisclosed that many fishermenin the state have benefited fromthe various government assistedcredit scheme including the N1billion ECOWAS FisheryAccelerated Development Fundwhich is yet to be recovered fullyso as to enable another roundof disbursement to fishermen. The commissioner used theoccasion of the visit to urgemembers of the Ijaw politicalvanguard to furnish the ministrywith relevant information on landavailability in their locality so thatthe state government couldappropriately allocate it to thosewho are willing and ready tocultivate with a view to creatingemployment.

Inside EdoPregnancy, Highest Killer

Of Teenage Girls - NPC

Man, 24, Docked For Robbery,Kidnapping

Justice Erameh Appointed VacationJudge

Cleric CondemnsBaby Factory

EKPOMA - A 24-year-oldman, Emmanuel Okosun iscurrently standing trial beforean Ekpoma Magistrate’s Courtfor alleged robbery andkidnapping of a universitylecturer, Prof. CelestinaIsiramen in Ekpoma, Esan

West Local Government Areaof Edo State.

The university lecturer whoteaches in the department ofReligious Management andCultural Studies of the

Ambrose Alli University(AAU),Ekpoma, was robbedand kidnapped on March 27,2013.

According to the five-countcharge, the accused, Okosunand others now at large, hadrobbed the lecturer of N30, 000cash and wedding/engagementrings valued at N40,000.

They also robbed their victimof her gold chains and ear ringsvalued at N180, 000 usingoffensive weapons, including

guns, an offence punishableunder Section 1(1)(a) of theArmed Robbery and Firearms(Special Provision) Act CapR11 Vol. 14 Laws of theFederation of Nigeria 2004.

Okosun and his gangmembers allegedly kidnappedtheir victims after ward, andtook her to unknowndestination, where they heldher till ransom of N10 millionwas allegedly paid.

This according to the chargeis an offence punishable underSection 2(2) of the KidnappingProhibition Law of Edo Stateof Nigeria 2009.

BENIN CITY -As more “babyfactories” are being discovered inthe country, the Vicar, EbenezerCathedral, First African ChurchMission, Benin City, andPermanent Secretary, Edo StateMinistry of Local Governmentand Chieftaincy Affairs, Rev.Solomon Ohonba has stressed theneed for all to join hands againstthe illicit acts.

He made the remark in a chatwith newsmen on the recentupsurge in baby factory, notablyin the eastern part of the country.

Rev. Ohonba described thesituation where young girls arekept in a place, and men arerecruited to impregnate themwith the aim of selling the babiesproduced from the unholy sexualintercourse.

He noted that the pathetic actshows the level of moraldecadence in society, adding thatthose who established these babyfactories have no value forhuman life.

The man of God further notedthat the unlawful act shows the

By OSE EHEBHA

By CLIFFORD AGBAJOR level Nigerians worship money,saying that anyone who can goto the extent of establishing babyfactory, is a good candidate forarmed robbery, kidnapping andhuman trafficking.

The vicar contended that,those who established the babyfactories, the young menrecruited to impregnate the girlsas well as those privy to such actand refused to expose these areas guilty as the perpetrators.

He pointed out that prior tothe discovering, there were casesof people celebrating the birth oftwins in the church with little orno prior sign of pregnancy, andtherefore urged the church to bealive to its responsibility bypreaching against such evil act.

Rev. Ohonba called ongovernment to prosecute thosefound wanting withoutcompromising just as he appealedto members of the public toexpose those involved in thebusiness of baby factory.

MAN 24, DOCKED FORROBBERY, KIDNAPPING OFVARSITY PROFESSOR

BENIN CITY - Justice U.IErameh of the Edo State HighCourt, Okada has been named asvacation judge during the annualvacation of the state high courtwhich begins on Monday August5, 2013 to end on FridaySeptember 13, 2013.

A statement by the ChiefRegistrar of the state high court,Hilary Enemaku Esq said judicialactivities would however resumeon Monday September 16, 2013.

The vacation judge should sitin Benin Judicial division of theHigh Court and entertain onlyurgent matters especially issuesrelating to bail applications andmatters incidented thereto.

Matters to be entertained bythe vacation judge shall be freshones of utmost urgency filledduring the vacation period and

connected with matters alreadypending in the courts.

Cases pending before theregular courts may however beheard with the leave of the judgein charge of that court and withconsent of counsel to bothparties.

The High Court Vacation wasapproved by the state ChiefJudge, Justice Gromwell Idahosapursuant to order 43 Rule 4(2) ofthe High Court (Civil Procedure)Rules 2012.

By RICHARD EWEKA

BENIN CITY-TheHonourable FederalCommissioner, NationalPopulation Commission EdoState and former member ofthe Federal House ofRepresentatives, Dr. TundeLakoju said pregnancy is thehighest killer of teenage girlsworldwide, and it isincumbent on us as a peopleand a nation, to fight thisscourge.

Disclosing this in a lecturehe presented to mark thecommencement of the 2013World Population Day withthe theme “AdolescentPregnancy”, Dr. Lakoju saidit is incumbent on every oneto fight the scourge.

Dr. Lakoju said theincreasing incidence ofteenage pregnancy inNigeria is underscored by thefact that about one third ofthe country’s populationamounting to about 44.5million were young peoplebetween the ages of 10 and24 in 2006. By 2015 he saidthe number would haveincreased to 60 million.

Speaking further, he saidthe incidence of teenagepregnancy is exacerbated byearly marriages, early sexualexposure and pregnancy aswell as poor health serviceand facilities.

Consequently teenagegirls are at risk of sexual andreproductive healthproblems, he added.

“Teenage pregnancy hashad a slow decline since1990 as about 23 percent ofteenage girls (15-19) hadbegun childbearing in 2008compared to 28.3 percent in1990. This decline isattributable more to a

consistent rise in age at firstmarriage and at first sexualintercourse than increase incontraceptive use.”

According to him “33percent of teenage girls in theNorth had started childbearingin 2008 compared to 10 percentin the South. He said KatsinaState stands out at 65 percentwith the highest rate of teenagepregnancy and motherhood inNigeria while Edo staterecorded the least percentageof 2.9 percent”.

Dr. Lakoju attributed theproblem of teenage pregnancyto poverty and education andexpressed on the need forappropriate authorities totackle the issue head-on whileprotective laws that will keepgirls safe from sexual abuse areput in place.

Other guests at the occasioninclude the State Director ofNational PopulationCommission Mr. IsaacAmadasun, Head of VitalRegistration Dept. Mr. O.JSanni, Head of Administration/Public Affairs Dept. Mr.Ayodele Okiei, StateAccountant Mrs. R.A Ohonba,Snr. Admin Officer Mrs. O.OOloton, Parenthood Federationof Nigeria (PPFN) amongothers.

Barr. Solomon Imohiosen, Editor, NIGERIAN OBSERVER (right), presenting a copy of The NIGERIAN OBSERVER to Prof.Cordelia Agbebaku, Acting Vice Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma during a visit to the Editor’s Office yesterday.Photo: LUCKY AGIE

Edo State Commissioner for Special Duties, Oil and Gas, Ambassador Orobosa Omo-Ojo (JP) (sitting middle) in a handshakewith a Comedian Daniel Eromosele Popularly known “Pikolo” (right) and the Director over-seeing the office of thePermanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Dan Aigbavboa (left) surrounded by staff of the Ministry and members oftheon-coming event “Dream Alive With Pikolo” when the Comedian paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner in Benin Cityyesterday.

Inside Edo

Cleric DockedFor Theft

NDLEA Nabs Cocaine Distributor

Plateau Donates VehiclesFor Land Survey

Police Confirm KillingOf 2 Cops

Man Docked For Raping 58-Yr-OldWoman

GOMBE- The police inGombe State have confirmedthe killing of two of its men onSunday night by gunmenduring an attack at a fillingstation in the state capital.The state Police PublicRelations Officer (PPRO), MrFwaje Atajiri, confirmed this inan interview with newsmen inGombe.He said that the gunmenattacked the Nigerian NationalPetroleum Corporation(NNPC) mega filling station onthe Gombe-Biu road at 7.20p.m. with the intent of robbingthe station, but failed.He said that the two policemenwere killed by the robbers whilesome members of the gangescaped with bullet wounds.

He said that the police wereinvestigating the incident witha view to find out where thewounded robbers were beingtreated.In another development, Atajirisaid that the police had arrestedsix suspects with locally-madepistols and a vehicle during araid in a hide-out early Mondaymorning.He said that the police alsointercepted a vehicle belongingto a Deputy Comptroller ofCustoms at Ture Balam villageon the Gombe-Yola road afterit was snatched in Yola.He said that the police wouldnot rest on its oars untilcriminals were flushed out fromthe state.

KADUNA-The NationalDrug Law EnforcementAgency (NDLEA) said that ithad arrested a major cocainedistributor in Kaduna aftermonths of surveillance.

The Commandant of theagency in the state, MrMohammed Jibrin, toldnewsmen in Kaduna that thesuspect, known in the drugsale circle as “Bishop”, wasarrested at his residence inNarayi area of the city.

Jibrin said that the suspectwas in possession of morethan 200 grams of cocaine.

“He is well known forcocaine distribution inKaduna; we nabbed him lastweek in a kind of surveillancethat took us months to reachhim, because he has beenmoving from one location tothe other, changing hisresidence.

“And like I said, my focuswill be on drugs suppliers toKaduna because once you cutoff the supply and the boys,the youths that are abusing thedrugs don’t get the supply,then the demand willdefinitely go down.”

He said that the suspect wasabout to distribute the drugsto retailers when he wasarrested.

The commandant said theagency was poised toeradicate sale of illicit drugs,warning those involved in thebusiness to shun the activity.

“The arrest of their kingpin,the arrest of their majordistributor should be a signalto all of them that it is no morebusiness as usual, that drugbusiness in Kaduna mustfizzle out.

“Drug dealers in Kadunashould leave the business andgo into genuine, morallysound businesses rather thancontinue in this criminalbusiness because there is nohiding place for them.

“We are going to hunt themdown where ever they are; weare going to seek thecooperation of the generalpublic.’’

Jibrin said that the agencyhad also nabbed and detaineda major distributor of Indianhemp in the Southern part ofthe state, and called on thepublic to assist the agency in

its fight against drug abuse soas to curtail crime andinsecurity in the state.

“ Help us with theinformation of where they areand where these people arelocated, so that we can alwayscome after them, they are theones destroying our children,they are the ones killing the

children, they destroy familiesbecause a drug dealer is likea fuel for the vehicle, heengineers the vehicle to move.

“ Drug dealers motivates allsorts of crimes we have in thesociety, family disintegration,school drop outs, crimes likearmed robbery, assassination,political thuggery.

“These are the people that

are fueling such crimes in thesociety. So the general publicshould help NDLEA to give usinformation about thesepeople, because they live in thesame community with them,expose them so that we can getthem arrested and take themout of this criminal businessfor the betterment anddevelopment of the state.’’

LAGOS- An Ebute Meta ChiefMagistrates’ Court, Lagos, hasadmitted one Michael Adedeji,29, to N100,000 bail followinghis arraignment over allegedrape.The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Y.OAje-Afunwa admitted Adedeji,who is facing five-count countof conspiracy, rape, assault,false representation andstealing, to bail, with twosureties in like sum.The accused was alleged tohave raped a 58-year-oldwoman.The Prosecutor, ASP Etim

Nkankuk, told the court that theoffence was committed on July14 at about 4.00 p.m. atRailway line Oto, Ebute Metain Lagos.Nkankuk said that the accused— and an accomplice still atlarge— attacked one Mrs. Alicein front of her house and forcedher into her room.He said that the accused tore hercloths and raped her.According to the prosecutor, theaccused also stole N10,000from the woman.The prosecutor said that Alicelater screamed and herneighbours forcefully enteredthe room, and apprehendedAdedeji, while his accompliceescaped.

He further said that the accusedalso gave the police a falsehome address duringinterrogation.Nkankuk said that the offencescontravened Sections 96,134,258, 285 and 409 of theCriminal Law of Lagos State,2011.The accused, however, pleadednot guilty to the charges.Section 258 provides that anyperson, who has unlawfulsexual intercourse with awoman or girl without herconsent, is guilty of the offenceof rape and liable to lifeimprisonment.Aje-Afunwa adjourned the caseto October 2 for further hearing.

JOS- The PlateauGovernment has pledged toallocate a Hilux vehicle toeach of its five LocalGovernment Land AreaOffices for effective landcontrol and usage.Mr. Yilji Gomwalk,Commissioner for Lands andSurvey, said this in aninterview with newsmen inJos.He said that the ministry’sfive area offices in Shendam,Mangu, Langtang North,Pankshin and Barkin Ladilocal governments wouldhave one van each.Gomwalk said the stategovernment was determinedto open up development in allthe towns in the 17 localgovernments of the state.“The area offices will need thevehicles toward actualisingour drive in creating layoutswhich will help to discourageindiscriminate erection ofbuildings by the public.“As area officers and our eyesin the local governments, webelieve the vehicles will assist

you to rise to the challenge atensuring that erection ofstructures, no matter whatkind, is properly done, “ hesaid.Gomwalk said that the Hiluxvehicles being used by theministry for enumeration oflanded properties within theJos greater master plan wouldbe released to them at the endof the exercise.He, however, warned the areaofficers against using thevehicles as their personal vansbut solely for office usetoward better performance.The commissioner pledged tolook into problems of the areaoffices; including lack ofbefitting offices and workingequipment to enable themwork effectively.He also warned against anysharp practises by landofficers to gain the confidenceof members of the public.

LAGOS-Rev. Praise McBassey, who allegedly stoleN3 million on the pretext ofassisting a lady purchase aHyundai SUV in Korea,appeared before an Ebute-Meta Magistrate’s Court,Lagos.

Mc Bassey, 37, a pastor atthe Lagos-based Householdof Destiny Church, is facingtwo -count charge of stealingand fraud.

The prosecutor, InspClement Okuoimosie told thecourt that the offence wascommitted on December 10,2010 at Zenith Bank Plc,Lagos.

“The accused collected thesum of N3 million from oneDivine Arong, under thepretext that he was in aposition to assist her inpurchasing a Hyundai 1x35SUV, from South Korean,’’Okuoimoise said.

He said that the offencescommitted contravenedSections 390 and 419 of theCriminal Code, Laws ofLagos State, 2003.

The accused, however,pleaded not guilty.

Section 419 provides apenalty of seven yearsimprisonment for any personconvicted of obtaining byfalse pretences.

The Magistrate, Mr. O.Olatunji granted the accusedbail in the sum of N500, 000,with two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case tillAug. 8, for mention.

Rt Hon. Uyi Igbe Speaker Edo State House Of Assembly (left) and Omakor Ichehoke Austine, Leader Concern Postgraduate Students plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin, presenting Diamond Award of Excellence toMr. Speaker in recongnition of his role as a distimguished Speaker who has impacted in the lives of youths and studentsin Edo State and Nigeria in general recently. PHOTO: GODWIN ISEGUAN

Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly (left) receiving an award fromMaster Excel Nomayo, SS II Student, Edo College, Benin City for his brilliant performanceat the 2013 Commonwealth Day celebration (CPA) held at the National Assembly, Abujaduring the students courtesy call to Mr. Speaker’s Office in Benin City recently PHOTO:GODWIN ISEGUAN.

Across The Nation

Reps Seek Proper ManagementOf Assets

APGA Chairmanship: Mixed Reactions Trail AppealCourt’s Decision

Journalist DonatesFertiliser To Community

Osun-OsogboFestivalHolds

August 23

ADUWAN-GIDA (KadunaState) - Mr. Midat Joseph,Bureau Chief of the ‘Leadership’newspaper in Kaduna, onMonday donated 100 bags offertilizer worth N400,000 to theAduwan-Guda community ofZango-Kataf Local Government.

Reports say that theconsignment comprised of 52bags of NPK variant, while 48bags were Urea.

Newsmen reports that 52 bagsof both variants were deliveredto the community, while thebalance was said to be in transit.

In a brief speech shortly beforethe first consignment was handedover to the community, Rev.Joseph Hayab, Special Adviser tothe Kaduna Governor onChristian Affairs, said that it waswise of the donor to rememberhis community with what Godhad blessed him with.

“It is a good thing to rememberthose in need; fertilizer hasbecome more difficult to get andthat has made this gesture evenmore appreciable,’’ he said.

He challenged others toemulate that gesture to achieve amore prosperous and progressivesociety.

Also speaking, the DistrictHead of Aduwan-Gida, Mr.Yariyok Kabantiok, thanked thedonor for the gesture andparticularly for rememberinghome.

“While others enjoy theirblessings in the cities, you havechosen to share with your people.May God bless you for this,’’ hesaid.

In his remarks, Mr BonifaceArege, the councillorrepresenting Madakia Ward inZango-Kataf Local GovernmentCouncil, commended Midat forcaring for the community.

“There are no politicalundertones in this gesture, but itis people like you with largehearts that are needed in thepolitical space. Such genuinekindness is getting more andmore scarce,’’ he said.

Midat told newsmen that hewas motivated by an innate questto help humanity— by improvingpeople’s capacity to helpthemselves.

“It is my own way of thanking

God for his abundant mercies andall that he has continued to do forme,’’ he said.

The journalist laughed offsuggestions that his gesture hadsome political interests nestled init.

“This has nothing attached toit; there is no political or anyother interest in it. I have nevernursed any political ambition.

“My dream is to go beyond theAduwan community and coverthe entire Southern Kaduna, byGod’s grace. OSOGBO-The 2013 edition

of the Osun-Osogbo festival isto hold on August 23, AlhajiAbduRasaq Adejare, the AareAlasa of Osogboland, has said.

Adejare, who is the head ofthe 2013 Osun-OsogboImplementation Committee,announced the date in aninterview programmemonitored on Osun StateBroadcasting Corporation,Osogbo.

He said the traditional‘Iwopopo,’ a public processionin which all Osun-Osogbostakeholders, would marchthrough Osogbo, had beenslated for August 12.

The Osun-Osogbo devoteeexplained that the daysymbolised the cleansing of thestreets as participants wereexpected to sweep the roadspreparatory to the arrival ofvisitors.

He said Osogbo indigeneswould from August 13 begin towelcome visitors from all overthe world in readiness for thecelebration.

The preliminary activities ,according to him, include theart exhibition on August 14 anda special drama feature on “ InaOlojumerindinlogun’’ onAugust 15.

Adejare also said there wouldbe a mini-festival for the‘Arugba’ (the calabash carrier)and a session in remembranceof the late culture icon, SusanWenger, on August 20 and 21.

He said a film on HIV/AIDSwould be shown on August 22in which Osun-Osogbostakeholders, including womenand youths, were expected tobe present.

The grand finale would holdon August 23 during whichdevotees would gather at theOsun-Osogbo groove towitness the annual ritual ofsupplication to the Osungoddess.

LAGOS-Some eminentlawyers in Lagos have expressedmixed reactions to the Court ofAppeal’s decision which nullifiedthe removal of Chief VictorUmeh as National Chairman ofthe All Peoples Grand Alliance(APGA).

Newsmen recalled that aformer chairman of APGA, MrJude Okuli, had challengedUmeh’s continuous stay in officeas chairman, after the purportedexpiration of his tenure.

Justice Innocent Umezulike,the Chief Judge, Enugu StateHigh Court, had in February,made an order restraining Umehfrom parading himself asNational Chairman of the party.

Umezulike held that hiscontinuous stay in office was

unconstitutional and illegal.The Enugu division of the

Court of Appeal, however,upturned the verdict of the lowercourt, holding that the plaintiff(Okuli) who instituted suit lackedthe legal right to do so.

A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr FredAgbaje, in his reaction, laudedthe decision of the appellatecourt, noting that the verdict hadrenewed the people’s confidencein the rule of law.

Agbaje, however, expresseddissatisfaction at the attitude ofsome party chairmen, who hesaid, exhibited unwholesomehabits by perpetuatingthemselves in office, after theexpiration of their tenure.

“I do not fancy the presentpolitical tangle ongoing in

APGA. Why must politicalparties always resort to the courtson issues that should be settledinternally?

“Political parties must desistfrom washing their dirty linen inpublic, and party chairmen mustshun all forms of “Mugabeism”

and the quest to perpetuatethemselves in office.

“In all, I am happy that thejudiciary one way or the other,had to intervene to restore sanityto the system, but I think partychairmen should learn to abide bythe provisions of the law

establishing the parties,” he said.Also speaking on the issue, Mr

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa said thedecision of the appellate court wasindeed commendable.

“The decision of the appellatecourt is a re-affirmation of Umeh’scandidature.

“I believe that this judgment isin line with the due process of law,the Constitution and the Electoral

Act.“The issue of leadership of

political parties is theprerogative of the officers ofthat party and there is the needfor the maintenance of partydiscipline.

“It is not necessary to do thebidding of political partiesbefore one can become anofficer of that party.

A former National President,Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), Mr Rotimi Akeredolu,said he was certain that thecourt had a good reason forarriving at its decision.

He, however, said he wouldcomment appropriately on theissue, after he had carefullyreviewed the judgment of thecourt.

In the same vein, Mr. FemiFalana, told newsmen that hehad yet to see a copy of thecourt’s judgment and so, wasnot in a position to make anycomment on the matter.

ABUJA- The Speaker of theHouse of Representatives,Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, saidthe House would ensure thatassets seized by the Economicand Financial CrimesCommission ( EFCC) wereproperly managed.

Tambuwal made this knownat a three-day investigativehearing in Abuja.

The hearing organised by theCommittee on Drugs, Narcoticsand Financial Crimes, was tounravel the status of assetsseized and sold by the EFCCsince its establishment.

The speaker said that theHouse had a responsibility to

ensure that the assets seized andsold through forfeiture courtorders were prudentlymanaged.

“My dear colleagues, wecannot allow a situationwhereby over 400 cars seizedthrough the diligence of theEFCC for instance continue towaste away.

“We have a vicariousresponsibility to ensure that theassets seized through forfeiture,court orders are prudently andcarefully manage.

“This is to avoid waste and

to ensure that the assets aremaximally disposed of for thebenefit of the public,” he said.

According to him, this is whythe House has resolved to carryout this investigative hearing,as it is not enough to just seizeassets.

“We need to ensure that theyare quickly utilised as part ofthe restitution for the originalcrime,” Tambuwal said.

Earlier, Rep. Jagaba Adams(PDP-Kaduna) Chairman of theCommittee on Drugs, Narcoticsand Financial Crimes, said that

the investigation was premisedon a mandate given to thecommittee.

He said that the committee hadearlier in the “spirit” of giving afair hearing called formemorandum from the generalpublic.

Adams also said that thecommittee equally reached out tomore than 200 key stakeholderswith a view to getting their sideof the story.

He said that in spite of theenthusiasm of the general public;the committee however, facedsome challenges, because someof the organisations andindividuals reached were notforthcoming in their responses.

“The committee realised that inspite of these challenges, we oweNigerians a duty to makegovernment and it’s agencies torender accounts of its deeds andmisdeeds.

“The results of which willmake the elected representativesto form their opinion and makenecessary recommendations,” hesaid.

He assured stakeholders andother Nigerians that the Housecommittee would do a“thorough” job as all memorandaand personal submissions wouldbe studied and recommendationsmade.

L-R: Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau, his wife and founder, women in Agriculture and youthempowerment (WAYE) Foundation, Talatu, and Minister of Women Affairs and Social De-velopment, Hajia Zainab Maina, during the 5th and 6th graduation ceremony of skillsacquisition training programme in Jos recently.

Graduands at the 5th and 6th graduation ceremony of skills acquisition training pro-gramme in Jos recently.

Lagos

Man Seeks Divorce OverInfidelity

Experts Blame BuildingCollapse On PoorRegulation

Don Flays Plans To EstablishMega Varsities

Court DismissesAkingbola’s Application

CNPP, PDP Disagree OverBudget Performance

LAGOS- Prof Jide Osuntokunof the Department of History,University of Lagos, has calledfor more funding of the existinguniversities in the country asagainst the Federal Government’splan to establish megauniversities in the country.

Osuntokun made the call in an

LAGOS-Mixed reactionshave continued to trail the 83per cent budget performancethe Lagos State Governmentannounced on July 11.

While the Conference ofNigerian Political Parties(CNPP) lauded the budgetperformance, the PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP)described it as far-fetched.

Reports say that GovernorBabatunde Fashola had in Ikejaannounced the rating at the2013 budget half yearappraisal.

He said the performancerepresented a 22 per centincrease above the first quarterfigure of 61 percent.

The 2013 budget of N499.6billion, comprising N269.87billion for capital projects andN88.95 billion for recurrentexpenditures, was approved bythe State House of Assembly inDecember 2012.

The State Chairman ofCNPP, Mr Akinola Obadia,described the budgetperformance as “agroundbreaking record.’’

“Roads and other projects wethought had been abandonedare now at various completionstages.

“The government has really

LAGOS-Some experts in thebuilding industry have said thatgaps in the regulatory frameworkin the sector were major factorsresponsible for building collapsein the country.

The experts told newsmen inLagos that the existing regulatoryprocess of buildings was verydefective and this had resulted tocollapse of buildings without anydisciplinary action against thecontractors.

Mr. Chucks Omeife, thePresident, Nigerian Institute ofBuilding (NIOB), said thatineffective regulatory frameworkin the sector was as result of poorenforcement of the NationalBuilding Code.

According to him, there is noenabling law in place to facilitateeffective enforcement of theBuilding Code.

“However, the NationalBuilding Code enabling law hasbeen sent to the NationalAssembly since 2006.

“Though, we have met with theNational Assembly twice, tilltoday, the law is still beingawaited.

“We are optimistic that whenthe law comes into force, punitivemeasures will be meted out toindividuals or organisationsinvolved in any building thatcollapses, ‘’ Omeife toldnewsmen.

He said that the institute wasafraid that the law had taken toolong a time and houses werecollapsing everywhere, withoutany deterrent measures.

“Sadly, most of the states areadopting the provisions of theNational Building Code, leavingbehind the area of punitivemeasures.

“This is why no person has beenindicted in all building collapseincidents all over the country,where people were maimed, killedand property lost, Omeife said.

Mrs. Nike Ladenegan,Coordinator, Building CollapsePrevention Guild, LagosMainland Branch, said that mostof the buildings that collapsed inthe country were constructed byquacks.

“For the Ebute Meta buildingthat collapsed, the structure hasbeen marked for demolition dueto the different signs the buildingwas exhibiting.

“But it is unfortunate that it hadto collapse while it was still beinginhabited,’’ she said.

Mr. Akomolafe Ademola,Secretary, Nigerian Institution ofSurveyors (NIS), said thatapproval requirements shouldinclude Quality ManagementPlan, Health and Safety Plan, andConstruction Programme, to beprepared by a professional builder.

“These are the documents thatwill be used to prosecute theconstruction work, in case of anyproblem like collapse in future,’’he said.

IKEJA- An Ikeja High Courthas dismissed an applicationfiled by a former ManagingDirector of IntercontinentalBank Plc, Erastus Akingbola,seeking to quash a N47.1billion theft charge against him.

Akingbola is beingprosecuted alongside BayoDada, the General Manager ofTropics Securities Ltd.

Reports say that theEconomic and FinancialCrimes Commission (EFCC)charged the duo to court forallegedly stealing the moneybelonging to the bank.

Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, ina ruling on the application filedby Akingbola’s counsel, ChiefWole Olanipekun (SAN),dismissed it for lacking inmerit.

Onigbanjo held that theEFCC, as a government agency,was qualified to institutecriminal proceedings underSection 211 of the 1999Constitution.

He said that the Court ofAppeal had settled the issue inits ruling on an appealAkingbola had previously filedagainst the ruling of the formertrial judge, Justice HabeebAbiru.

The judge said he could,therefore, not be swayed byanother ruling on a similar issuedelivered by Justice BabajideCandide-Johnson of a LagosHigh Court in Igbosere.

Onigbanjo said:” There is nodecision on this issue yet by theSupreme Court; so, the Courtof Appeal’s decision takesprecedence over the decision ofthe lower court.

“I am bound to respect theCourt of Appeal’s decision,irrespective of my personalconviction.

“Since this court is lower inhierarchy to the Court ofAppeal, it cannot wish away theCourt of Appeal’s decision onthe same issues filed earlier bythe same parties.”

The judge further held that aprima facie case had beenestablished against Akingbolain the proof of evidenceattached to the information.

He said Akingbola, in hisstatements to the EFCC, never

LAGOS- A 54-year-oldbusinessman, Adesola Bakare,has urged an Iyana-IpajaCustomary Court in Lagos todissolve his 23-year-oldmarriage to his wife, Kemi, overalleged infidelity.

The petitioner told the courtthat his wife was dating two menon their street, unknown to him.

“The day I knew she wasdating them, it was because thetwo men engaged one another ina fight on the street, claimingownership of my wife.

“I can no longer walk freely onmy street as people point andmake jest of me,” he lamented.

Bakare also claimed that hisestranged wife engaged in fetishpractice.

According to him, when heentered his wife’s bedroom aftershe moved out in June 2012, he

interview with newsmen inLagos.

Reports say that in a bid toaddress the problem of lowadmission quota in existinguniversities, the FederalGovernment said it wouldconvert one university in each ofthe six geo-political zones of the

country to a mega university.He said the lack of funding had

made universities to decline andurged the government to not onlyprovide the required funding butto also monitor how the fundswould be applied.

According to him, if thefacilities in the existinguniversities are expanded, thecapacity of such universitieswould also increase to take onmore candidates.

“I do not support it becausethe federal government createsUniversities without fundingthem. It is just politics.

“Nine University were createdwithout funding, the old ones thatare there are not being funded andnew ones are being created.

“It’s all politics, until weremove politics from education,we will not get anywhere.“

denied knowledge of varioustransactions relating to the sumsof money allegedly stolenduring his tenure at the bank.

Reports say that Olanipekunhad, on July 10, asked the courtto dismiss the charge, arguingthat the EFCC had no power toinitiate criminal proceedings atthe state high court.

He had further argued that theproof of evidence had notlinked Akingbola to any of thecharges preferred against him.

The application was,however, opposed by the EFCCcounsel, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala(SAN), who urged the court todismiss it.

Reports say that the matterwas adjourned till September19 for mention.

buckled up. The budgetperformance iscommendable,’’ he toldnewsmen.

But the PDP said theperformance rating wasunconvincing and alsoamounted to “self-praise.’’

“The opinion of the party is

echoed and premised on the factthat not only has GovernorFashola performed soabysmally, the so-calleddevelopments in the state aremeagre,’’ the party said in astatement.

The statement was signed bythe State Publicity Secretary,

Mr. Taofik Gani.It challenged the state

government to organise amedia tour of the projects so farexecuted, to justify the 83 percent budget performance.

“We continue to wonderwhether areas such as Ayobo,Igando, Makoko, Ajeromi,Ejigbo, Ifako-Ijaiye and othersare still part of Lagos State,considering the bad roads inthose areas.’’

discovered a bag of charms.“When I entered her room, I

saw a bag full of charms and Iwondered what she was doingwith those charms,” he said.

The petitioner pleaded with thecourt to dissolve the union as hehad fallen out of love with thewoman and had become an objectof scorn in the area, due to heradulterous lifestyle.

However, Kemi, a 39-year-oldtrader, said the bag of charmsbelonged to her late brother.

“The bag of charms belongs tomy late brother. When my brotherdied, his landlord called me tocome for his property,” sheexplained.

The mother of four denied beingfetish and rather accused the

petitioner of engaging in fetishpractice.

According to her, the last timeAdesola made love to her, heused one oily substance to rob hismanhood and after the episode,she took ill.

“After that day, I was very sickand became emaciated. If not forthe quick intervention of myfamily, I would have been deadby now,” she said.

The respondent also denied theallegation of dating two men ontheir street; but however urgedthe court to grant her husband’swish.

Kemi said that she was also nolonger in love with the father ofher children.

The Court President, Mrs.Salewa Banjoko, adjourned thecase to July 22 for furtherhearing.

According to him, the inclusionof these documents and theinvolvement of a builder are majorissues that when captured byregulation, can reduce theincidence of building collapse toa large extent.

Comrade Friday Obanor, former chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council(right) presenting a gift to Citizen Kola-Emma Okhaku, Deputy General Manager,Marketing, during the 2013 Annual General Meeting of The staff of Multi-purposeCooperative Society of Bendel Newspapers Company Limited last Thursday in Benin City.PHOTO: Lucky Agie.

Mrs. Mabel Imoisili, President of Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, staff Multi-purposeCooprative Society (middle) making a speech during the 2013 Annual General Meeting.Left is Mrs Emilia Ayeni, Assistant Secretary and Pastor Eghosa Idehen, Vice President ofthe society. Photo: LUCKY AGIE.

Across The NationArmy Intercepts Arms-Loaded Petrol Tanker

Expert AdvisesCouples on

Genotype Test

Anambra To Spend N1bn On HIV Test Kit

Obi Donates 250 Security Vehicles ToCommunitiesAWKA- Governor. Peter Obi

of Anambra has distributed 250security patrol vehicles tovigilante groups in177communities and major marketsin the state.

Presenting the vehiclesassembled by Innoson Comapny,a local assembly plant in Nnewi,Obi said the gesture was aimedat intensifying security in thestate.

AWKA - The AnambraGovernment says it will spendmore than N1 billion to buy HIVtest kit.

The Commissioner for Health,Dr Lawrence Ikeako, announcedthis on Saturday at an interactivesession on HIV, organised by thestate government in Awka.

Ikeako said that though theprevalence of HIV in the state,put at 8.7 per cent, was relativelylow, the government wasworried and determined to fightthe scourge.

The commissioner, whoidentified poverty andunemployment as some of thecauses of HIV, said the stategovernment was making effortsto create jobs and empower the

BIRNIN KEBBI - TheArmy has announced theinterception of a petroltanker vehicle loaded witharms and ammunitions inKebbi.

The Commanding Officer,1 Battalion, Nigerian Army,Lt. Col. Sunday Ilori, toldnewsmen on Saturday inBirnin Kebbi that thevehicle, bearing the logo ofMobil Oil, was interceptedon July 11, in a jointoperation with men of theState Security Service.

He listed the itemsrecovered in the fuelcompartment of the oiltanker as three AK 47Riffles, one RPG-2, nine AK

The medical expertemphasised the need for thepeople to always love andcare for people living withsickle cell.

Lukman urged religiousleaders to always enlightenprospective couples on thedangers of the diseasethrough their preaching.

He further advisedNigerians to always seek forappropriate information ontheir health status to improvetheir wellbeing.

47 magazines, two bombs,three RPG chargers and 790rounds of 7.62mm of specialammunitions

“The arrest andconfiscation of arms wassequel to the on-goingoperations of the 1 Battalionof the Nigerian Army withheadquarters in Sokoto,against insurgency andinsurgent activities within itsarea of responsibilities.

“The efforts resulted in thearrest of one suspect, armsand ammunition and a petroltanker on July 11, 2013 aftera combined operationbetween the 1 Battalion ofthe Nigerian Army and theState Security Services,”Ilori said.

He added that two othersuspects had escaped whenthe vehicle was intercepted,assuring that investigationwas on to “unravel thesource and ownership of thearms and ammunition”.

The commanding officerappealed to the public tocontinue supporting theArmy and other securityagencies in the current waragainst insurgents in thecountry.

The suspect claimed thathe was paid N500,000 todeliver the items to Sokotoand that the owners hadthreatened to eliminate hisfamily.

people economically.Presenting a report on post

flooding in the state, the Secretaryto the State Government, Mr.Oseloka Obaze, said efforts werebeing made to forestall arecurrence of the disaster.

Obaze said that flood destroyedproperty worth about N26 billionand urged the FederalGovernment to release more fundsto the state to enable it to fullyrehabilitate the victims.

Gov. Peter Obi expressed regretat the rising level of socialdecadence in the state andthreatened to pull down buildingswhere sex workers wereoperating.

Obi said government planned toacquire the test kit to make them

easily accessible to the people aswell as enhance detection andmanagement of the virus.

He warned the people againstdumping refuse on water ways,to reduce of floods.

“Again, it has been predictedthat there may be flooding thisyear; government is makingefforts to minimise the impact butwe must stop blocking drainagesystems,” Obi advised.

Meanwhile The Joint UNProgramme on HIV/AIDS(UNAIDS) has launched a newframework to accelerate actionaimed at reaching 15 millionpeople with antiretroviral (ARV)treatment by 2015.

This is contained in a statementissued by Ms Jeanne Seck,Communication Officer,UNAIDS, in Abuja.

It said that the frameworkentitled “Treatment 2015’’offered countries and partnersboth practical and innovativeways of increasing the number ofpeople accessing antiretroviralmedicines.

It quoted Mr. Michel Sidibé,Executive Director, UNAIDS, assaying: “These medicines willnot only enable people livingwith HIV to live longer andhealthier lives, they will also helpprevent new HIV infections.

“Reaching the 2015 target willbe a critical milestone; countriesand partners need to urgently andstrategically invest resources andefforts to ensure that everyonehas access to HIV prevention andtreatment services.’’

It added that the frameworkwould take into account the newconsolidated guidelines on theuse of antiretroviral drugs fortreating and preventing HIVinfection released in June byWHO.

According to the statement, theguidelines recommend thatpeople living with HIV startantiretroviral therapy (ART)much earlier.

It also quoted Dr MargaretChan, Director-General, WHO assaying: “Scale up of ART is anunprecedented global successstory for public health.

“Maintaining this momentumwill require earlier treatment andinnovative ways for enablingmore people to take the medicinesuch as the one-pill daily, aregimen recommended by thenew WHO guidelines.

“Substantial further scale-up ofaccess to these medicinesprovides us with a uniqueopportunity to push this epidemicinto irreversible decline.’’

Amb. Eric Goosby, U.S.

He warned that the vehiclesmust not be used to provideescort to politicians and othernon-security-related activities.

The governor also presentedcheques worth more than N250million for the payment ofsalaries to 10 vigilante personneland for fueling of the vehiclesfor a year.

Reports say that Obi’sadministration had earlierpurchased more than 300 vehiclesfor security agencies in the state.

The Chairman of TraditionalRulers Council, Igwe AlfredAchebe, who spoke at the occasion,commended Obi for his concern forsecurity.

Achebe also commended hisdevelopment of all sectors of thestate, describing the effort as“unprecedented”.

IIORIN - A healthprofessional, MalamOlatunbosun Lukman, onFriday urged prospectivecouples to ascertain theirgenotype before wedding toprevent giving birth tochildren with Sickle CellAnaemia.

Lukman, a medicallaboratory scientist with theUniversity of IIorin TeachingHospital (UITH), gave theadvise while delivering aRamadan lecture in Ilorin.

Reports say that the annualRamadan lecture was at theinstance of the IslamicMissionaries Association ofNigeria (IMAN).

The medical expert whosepaper titled: “Sickle CellAnaemia: its Prevention andManagement”, advocated theintroduction of geneticcounselling for potentialcouples.

This, he said, would reduceor eradicate cases of deathamong children.

Lukman, said that SickleCell Anaemia patients wereprone to various infectionsand complications whichcould lead to untimely death.

Global AIDS Coordinator, said inthe statement that scaling upaccess to antiretroviral treatmentwas critical to achieving anAIDS-free generation.

“PEPFAR is firmly committedto continue working with partnercountries and other stakeholders,to help make this vision a reality,but we all must in theresponsibility to get there,’’ hesaid. Goosby said.

PEPFAR is a 15 billion-dollar,five- year (2003–2008), initiativeby U.S. Government to help savethe lives of those suffering fromHIV/AIDS around the world.

The statement noted that theframework emphasised theimportance of HIV testing andcounseling as a gateway toexpanding access to antiretroviraltherapy and that further effortsare required to normalise HIVtesting.

It noted, with delight, thatcommunities where testingcampaigns had proven to beeffective were Kenya, Malawi,South Africa, Uganda, the UnitedRepublic of Tanzania andZambia.

The statement noted that just 30countries accounted for 9 out of10 persons eligible forantiretroviral therapy but did nothave access to the drugs.

A cross section of members of staff of Bendel Newspapers Company Multi-purpose Co-operative society at the 2013Annual General Meeting. PHOTO: Lucky Agie.

Pupils of Carol Primary School, Agege, dramatising at the 2013 tree planting campaignin Lagos recently.

Across The Nation

Nasarawa Shuts 4 Illegal Clinics

Council ToCompel

Landlords ToBuild Toilets

Rainstorm Destroys 200Houses

Procurement: FG ToImplement Debarment

Procedure

RenovationTenant DragsCaretaker To

Court

OKENE (KOGI)-The OkeneLocal Government of Kogi is toenact a bye-law to compellandlords in the area to providetoilet facilities in their houses.

Mr Salihu Adeku, SupervisoryCouncilor for Health, disclosedthis in an interview withnewsmen in Okene.

Adeku decried the rampantopen defecation on road sides andbushes in Okene and its environsdue to lack of toilet facilities inmost homes.

He said that besides its effectson the environment, the healthimplications of the practise wereenormous, adding that it wasresponsible for most gastro-intestinal diseases in the area.

He expressed concern whylandlords would build houseswith modern facilities and fail toprovide them with toilet facilities,saying the situation is deplorableand unacceptable.

The bye-law, when enacted,would address the problem onceand for all as landlords would becompelled to provide toilets ineach house, he added.

Adeku said that localgovernment sanitary inspectorswould be equipped and re-energised to enforce sanitationlaws and to ensure that thedirective on construction oftoilets was carried out.

He said that the situation wasgiving the council a lot ofconcern, adding that defaulterswould be adequately sanctioned.

ABUJA- The FederalGovernment said that everythingwas ready for the implementationof debarment procedure in itsprocurement process.

The Director General ofBureau of Public Procurement ,Mr Emeka Ezeh, made the planknown in Abuja at a one daystakeholder’s workshop on thepresentation of DebarmentProcedure.

Eze said the move was toensure effective implementationof the Public Procurement Act2007.

“For the successfulimplementation of the publicprocurement Act 2007, thebureau has developed adebarment procedure after otherinternational good practises thatcurrently exist elsewhere acrossthe globe.

“The proposed debarmentprocedure is one of themechanisms developed by thebureau to punish procurementrelated corrupt activities andinculcate the required disciplinein Nigeria’s public procurementsystem,’’ he said.

Eze said the step would“ultimately improve the way todo business to meet internationalgood practices’’.

He said the process was notnew in the procurement valuechain across the globe but hadbeen implemented by othercountries, even in Africa.

Eze said that the U.S.

debarment process was amongthe oldest and its groundsincluded anti- trust, tax evasion,false statements and bribery inprocurement related activities.

He listed the countries that hadestablished their own systems asKenya, South Africa, Malawi,Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda,Zimbabwe, United Kingdom,Bangladesh, Denmark Senegal,among others.

“In 2007, Nigeria also adoptedcross-debarment system in thecase of Messrs LahmeyerInternational, which was debarredby the World Bank.

He said the FederalGovernment through theSecretary to the Government ofthe Federation circular No. SGF/OP/I/S.3?VII?814 of Jan. 19,2007 concurrently debarredMessrs Lahmeyer international inNigeria.

“Therefore, what the bureau istrying to implement is not new asit already exists in other climeswhere the public procurement lawhas been implemented,’’ he said.

DUTSE-The Jigawa StateEmergency ManagementAgency (SEMA), said about200 houses were destroyed byrainstorm on July 14 inMalamadori Council of thestate.

Alhaji Aliyu Waziri, theExecutive Secretary of

LAFIA-The Nasarawa StateMinistry of Health on Mondayannounced the closure of fourclinics operating withoutlicences in the Karu LocalGovernment Area of the state.

The Head of the InspectorateTeam in the ministry, DrDamina Ali, told newsmen inLafia that the closure was inline with the resolve of the StateGovernment to sanitise the

health sector.Ali, who listed the affected

clinics as the MasakaSpecialist Clinic, MasakaCentral Hospital, Hati EyeClinic, Masaka and ActenMedical Laboratory Clinic,Mararaba, said the decisionwas aimed at shuttingunregistered clinics in the state.

“The offence committed bythe affected clinics include

quackery practice, lack ofqualified personnel, poorfacilities and non-registrationwith the ministry to obtainlicence.

“All the affected clinics willremain closed until they registerwith the ministry and thenecessary approval given to

KADUNA- Mrs. FlorenceAbbas, a tenant at Sabo Tasha,Kaduna, has dragged hercaretaker to a Magajin GariSharia Court, claiming for refundof N50,000 she spent to renovatea single room occupied by her.

Abbas told the court that thecaretaker of the house, MalamYunusa Ibrahim, refused to refundthe money.

The complainant told the courtthat she paid for a year’s rentwhich would expire by the end ofthis year.

According to her, part of theroom had collapsed, saying: “Inotified him before I tookN50,000 to renovate the damagedpart of the building.”

She added that: “Instead, hetold me that since I am stayingthere what is the need of askinghim for the money I spent; that iswhy I am in this court so that myright will be given to me.”

However, Ibrahim denied theallegation, saying that he neverasked the complainant to renovatethe room.

The presiding officer, KhadiIbrahim Muhammad, asked thecomplainant if she has anywitness but told the court thatonly God and the accused wereher witnesses.

The khadi then asked theaccused if he was prepared toswear to an oath as prescribed byIslamic law on his denial of theagreement, and reminded him onthe consequences of doing that.

Ibrahim agreed to take the oathinstead of agreeing to pay theN50,000, he claimed he knewnothing about.

The khadi adjourned the case toJuly 19, when the accused wasexpected to take the sacred oath.

SEMA, said this in Dutse inan interview with newsmen.

He said that the agency hadmobilised its workers torender immediate assistanceto the victims.

The secretary stated that“although no life was lost butthe destruction done by thestorm was enormous.

According to him, the areasmostly affected are: Kampala,

them.”Ali said that the team would

carry out inspection exercisesin all the local and developmentareas, to reduce cases ofavoidable deaths in the state.

He called on proprietors ofprivate clinics in the state toregister or renew their licenceswith the ministry, to guardagainst sanctions.

Dunari, Sirinya andSabongari.

Waziri noted that the stategovernment had set up aseven-man committee toaccess the extent of damageby the rainstorm.

He added that thecommittee was headed by thestate Deputy Governor, AlhajiAhmed Mahmoud.

Deputy Director, Highway planning, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Umunna Ekenna (L) and Director, solicitors De-partment, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Olusola Moore, at the ECOWAS Ministers of Road Infrastructure, Financeand Justice in Abuja on Monday

Cross-section of participants at an ECOWAS meeting of Ministers of Road Infrastructure, Finance and Justice inAbuja on Monday

Business + Economy

Group Wants ImprovedElectronic Transactions System

NACA Reads Riot Act ToForeign Airlines

Research Institutes Distribute Pro-Vitamin ACassava Variety To Farmers

NSE: StocksAppreciate

By 0.90Percent

ABUJA- The InternationalInstitute of TropicalAgriculture (IITA), Ibadan,and the National Root CropsResearch Institute, Umudike,Umuahia on Monday said theyhad commenced distribution ofPro-vitamin A cassava varietyto farmers.

This is contained in astatement signed by theInformation Officer of theIITA, Mr Godwin Atser, inAbuja.

The statement said that thevariety, popularly known asyellow cassava, was beingdistributed to rural householdsto help combat vitamin Adeficiency in the country.

“Popularly known as yellowcassava, the new improvedvarieties hold part of thesolution to Vitamin Adeficiency in Africa.

“It is no longer news thatvitamin A deficiency iswidespread in Nigeria,afflicting about 20 per cent ofpregnant women and 30 percent of children below the ageof five.

“A deficiency in vitamin Aleads to poor health, blindness,stunting and even death,” thestatement said.

It also said the researchinstitutes developed the varietyafter decades of conventionalbreeding efforts with fundsfrom HarvestPlus anInternational Food PolicyResearch Institute.

According to the statement,distribution of the variety willenable farmers to have accessto vitamin A cassava stems forplanting across major cassavaproducing states.

“The plan is to ensure thatover two million farmers haveaccess to vitamin A cassavastems for planting across themajor cassava producing stateswith initial emphasis on AkwaIbom, Benue, Imo and OyoState as regional hubs.”

It said that Harvestplus andits partners planned todistribute 300,000 bundles ofthe stems to 100,000households this year.

The statement said that over40,000 farmers in Akwa Ibom,Abia, Anambra, Benue, Edo,

Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti andRivers had received the stemsfrom June to date.

It said that more stateswould receive the stemsbefore the end of next month,adding that the effort wasmade possible because morethan 500 hectares of thevarieties were multiplied lastyear.

The institute said thatstakeholders believed that

rural households deservedbetter nutrition and theconsumption of morenutritious crops to reducemalnutrition globally.

It also said that Mr PaulIlona, the Country Manager ofHarvestPlus, had advisedfarmers to cultivate thevarieties and consume them,especially children under theage of five and pregnant

By AYO AYENI

LAGOS- The acting Director-General of the Nigerian CivilAviation Authority (NCAA), Mr.Joyce Nkemakom has read riot actto foreign airlines operations inNigeria.

The Director General wasmiffed by the non- compliance ofa substantial number of the airlinesto NCAA’s Revenue Automationrequirements, and therefore gavethe erring one two weeks to couplyor face sanctions.

The directive was given at ameeting with the foreign airline atthe Aviation House conferenceroom in Lagos.

According to NCAA’sregulations regarding revenuecollection, the operating airlinesare mandated to forward derivabledata from their last operations tothe regulatory body at the shortest

possible time. These datas are forwarded

using NCAA’s-AVISES portalfor easy and transparenttransactions that would facilitateappropriate billing for the ticketsales charge (TSC).

He said the close of any flighton the data required by NCAA forbilling is to cover the componentsincluding flight number light dataticket number, ticket class, flightroute, originating country,currency of sale, basic fare,security tax, airport tax, total fareand rate of exchange.

However, some airlinesrequested for more time tosynctnonise their operatingsystem with the portal whileothers were discovered to becontending with some parts of thecomponents especially, thesecurity and airport tax.

However, the DG said this wayunacceptable since they, werestipulated country taxes whichapply all over the world, sayingthat there were also fears to avoidantitrust tendencies fromcompetitors which was pithyallayed.

The NCAA is frowning at thedelay in compliance as thealternate measure is manualcomposition which iscumbersome time consumingand fraught with human errors.Which could lead to loss ofrevenue.

Mr. Nkemakolam thereforeadvised those airlines that have

LAGOS-Equity transactionson the Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE) has opened on a bullishtrend as some major blue chipsrecorded price appreciations.

newsmen reports that the All-Share Index, due to the gains,appreciated by 337.83 basispoints or 0.90 per cent to close at37,720.32 points from 37,382.49points.

Similarly, the marketcapitalisation grew by N107billion to close at N11.945 trillionfrom the N11.838 trillionrecorded on July 12.

Guinness led the price gainers’table with N14.89 to close atN266 per share.

7-UP trailed with N4.99 toclose at N59.99 per share, whileJulius Berger added N4.87 toclose at N74.89 per share.

Nigerian Breweriesappreciated by N3 to close atN168 per share, while theUnilever share price grew by N2to close at N60 per share.

On the other hand, CAP led thelosers’ chart by N2.50 to close atN46 per share.

Berger Paints followed withN1.09 to close at N9.85 per share,while Arbico dipped by 62k toclose at N5.60 per share.

NASCON lost 31k to close atN12.89 per share, while AccessBank dropped 19k to close atN3.16 per share.

In all, investors bought 189.46million shares worth N2.5 billionin 5,291 deals, as against the247.91 million shares valued atN2.1 billion traded in 5,032 dealson July 12.

FCMB stock was the toast ofinvestors as it exchanged 21.47million shares valued at N106.96.

It was followed by CustodyInsurance, which sold 16.43million shares valued at N26.45million.

FBN Holdings also traded 13million shares worth N235million, while UBA sold 10.92million valued at N90.39 million.

LAGOS-The President ofthe Nigeria Internet Group(NIG), Mr Bayo Banjo, hasadvised the FederalGovernment to provideadequate infrastructure, foreffective electronictransactions system in thecountry.

Banjo gave the advice in aninterview newsmen with inLagos.

He said that the provisionof adequate infrastructurewould put an end to thechallenges facing theelectronic transactionssystem.

The NIG chief regrettedthat the state of the electronicsystem in the country wasnothing to compare with theglobal standard.

Banjo said that thechallenges in the electronictransactions landscape wereincreasingly becomingworrisome amongstakeholders.

He said that theinfrastructure should includethe law of evidence, thetraining of security personneland judges to handleelectronic crimes effectively.

“If the country wants tosucceed with the cashlesstransactions, there is need totrain our judges to be capableof handling electronic

transaction crimes in ourpresent age.

“We need more than onedepartment in the police todeal with electronic fraud,even the average policestation should have peoplethat understand cyber-assisted crime,” he said.

Banjo said that the presenttelecom network were notreliable enough to handleelectronic transactionseffectively.

“The telecom network isstill not good enough to makeour electronic transactionsreliable; we need moreinfrastructure to meet with the

demand of transactions issues.“The government should also

enforce their licensingconditions, and make them toconcentrate on the quality ofservice, rather than engaging inpromos and lotteries that willcongest the network.’’

He urged the government toensure that electronictransactions penetrate all partsof the country.

“Presently, we only haveelectronic paymenttransactions in Lagos, Abujaand Port-Harcourt; but thecountry will require moreinfrastructure to penetrate otherstates in the country,” he said.

Banjo said that the countryrequired a cyber-crime lawand adequate infrastructure, tohandle the abuse of electronictransactions.

“By the time everybodystarts using the electronictransactions, the criminalelement will come.

“Anytime you bring insomething new, the firstchallenge is that the criminalswill begin to abuse it,” he said.

Banjo, therefore, urged theNational Assembly toexpedite the passage of theCyber Security Bill nowbefore it.

women for better health.Ilona also urged farmers to

give the stems to theirneighbours during harvest toensure rapid distribution of theplanting materials.

It said that beside improvingthe health and nutrition of thepeople, the cultivation of thevarieties could provide jobs,improve incomes and lift poorhouseholds out of poverty.

hot complied to integrate theiroperations to the NCAA portalfor seamless date transfer.

First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola SAN (middle),representative of Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Toyin Onisarotu (left) and theChairman, Kosofe Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Sofola (right) during the 2013Tree Planting Campaign with the theme, “Green is Peace” at Oworosoki Playing Ground,Oworosoki, Lagos recently.

L-R: AIG in Charge of Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti States, Mr. Gabriel Orubebe, his wife, Patience, Author of the Book, ProphetOluwole Adewale and Book Presenter, Chief Kola Oyadeji, at the launch of a Book Titled: “Keys To Breakthrough” inIbadan recently.

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY(16/07/13)7UP  59.99 64.9 4.91 18 183,699 11,133,681.19

ABCTRANS  1.11 1.15 0.04 12 229,800 265,341.93

ACADEMY  2 2 0 3 16,551 30,533.84

ACCESS  11.2 11.2 0 251 12,085,992 135,209,358.14

AFRIPRUD  1.7 1.74 0.04 53 668,042 1,158,719.98

AGLEVENT  1.45 1.45 0 1 22,250 32,485.00

AIICO  0.94 0.93 -0.01 57 2,186,206 2,053,354.78

AIRSERVICE  4.8 4.8 0 20 312,000 1,495,738.50

ASHAKACEM  27 27 0 114 2,419,634 65,176,018.00

AVONCROWN  1.71 1.71 0 2 2,174 3,347.96

BERGER  9.85 9.85 0 7 15,196 146,474.99

BETAGLAS  11 11 0 9 34,585 380,551.00

BOCGAS  7.5 7.5 0 6 7,900 53,355.00

CADBURY  52.6 52.05 -0.55 64 405,210 21,135,580.19

CAP  46 45.05 -0.95 15 100,146 4,534,112.59

CAPHOTEL  4.59 4.59 0 1 500 2,070.00

CAPOIL  0.5 0.5 0 1 130 65

CCNN  10.6 10.3 -0.3 17 402,100 4,133,424.00

CHAMPION  7.77 8.54 0.77 3 85,000 725,900.00

CHAMS  0.5 0.5 0 2 138,727 69,363.50

CILEASING  0.5 0.5 0 3 165,144 82,572.00

CONOIL  23 23 0 23 17,884 426,884.98

CONTINSURE  1.28 1.28 0 3 5,908 6,853.28

CORNERST  0.62 0.57 -0.05 14 870,100 491,110.39

COSTAIN  1.43 1.43 0 30 539,356 779,030.52

COURTVILLE  0.68 0.69 0.01 24 3,703,300 2,541,649.00

CUSTODYINS  1.72 1.58 -0.14 30 1,020,665 1,628,553.88

CUTIX  1.98 1.8 -0.18 13 323,900 583,215.00

DAARCOMM  0.5 0.5 0 3 14,000 7,000.00

DANGCEM  190 190 0 35 217,642 41,329,715.42

DANGFLOUR  9.5 9.5 0 60 793,971 7,669,377.58

DANGSUGAR  12.17 12.2 0.03 132 7,149,842 86,899,951.49

DIAMONDBNK  6.82 6.85 0.03 114 4,940,580 33,821,342.52

DNMEYER  1.48 1.48 0 2 3,496 4,946.84

DUNLOP  0.5 0.5 0 2 144,072 72,036.00

EKOCORP  4.32 4.32 0 1 817 3,178.13

ETERNA  3.16 3.3 0.14 25 499,576 1,619,925.90

ETI  15.2 15.01 -0.19 82 6,668,935 101,525,793.24

EVANSMED  3.89 3.95 0.06 37 2,667,538 10,559,804.07

FBNH  18.2 18.37 0.17 624 13,543,738 249,459,411.22

FCMB  5 4.9 -0.1 66 7,727,101 37,853,399.15

FIDELITYBK  3.09 3.08 -0.01 109 3,499,610 10,714,786.18

FIDSON  2.04 2.02 -0.02 45 1,661,321 3,381,834.09

FLOURMILL  85.03 88 2.97 107 770,356 68,528,511.75

FO  20.34 22.37 2.03 22 183,497 4,104,827.89

FORTISMFB  6.6 6.6 0 2 5,500 36,300.00

FTNCOCOA  0.5 0.5 0 4 2,200,000 1,100,000.00

GLAXOSMITH  55.1 55 -0.1 92 2,007,162 110,411,140.20

GNI  0.5 0.5 0 1 4,968 2,484.00

GUARANTY  26.52 25.9 -0.62 479 14,587,202 379,987,153.49

GUINEAINS  0.5 0.5 0 2 10,200 5,100.00

GUINNESS  266 266 0 79 102,017 26,825,882.73

HMARKINS  0.5 0.5 0 7 222,810 111,405.00

HONYFLOUR  3.27 3.28 0.01 35 580,676 1,899,155.11

IHS  2.6 2.86 0.26 7 350,013 998,781.18

IKEJAHOTEL  0.95 0.86 -0.09 12 1,144,510 986,166.70

INTBREW  25.5 25.5 0 32 193,731 4,757,050.43

IPWA  0.9 0.99 0.09 17 636,247 629,630.53

JAPAULOIL  0.53 0.53 0 48 2,154,793 1,116,483.49

JBERGER  74.89 79.78 4.89 59 574,032 44,668,665.79

JOHNHOLT  1.4 1.4 0 6 18,336 25,856.76

JOSBREW  1.1 0.99 -0.11 3 109,800 108,702.00

LEARNAFRCA  1.76 1.76 0 5 30,509 53,208.58

LIVESTOCK  4.9 5.1 0.2 51 1,772,732 8,858,424.96

MANSARD  2.01 2.03 0.02 7 489,090 988,352.70

MAYBAKER  2.68 2.7 0.02 58 3,367,492 8,795,487.66

MBENEFIT  0.5 0.5 0 2 1,200 600

TOP 10 GAINERS TOP 10 GAINERSStock Close LossWAPCO 97.5 -2.48CAP 45.05 -0.95OKOMUOIL 45 -0.85GUARANTY 25.9 -0.62CADBURY 52.05 -0.55CCNN 10.3 -0.3REDSTAREX 4.75 -0.2ETI 15.01 -0.19CUTIX 1.8 -0.18CUSTODYINS 1.58 -0.14

Stock Close Gain7UP 64.9 4.91JBERGER 79.78 4.89FLOURMILL 88 2.97UNILEVER 62.49 2.49NB 170.05 2.05FO 22.37 2.03MRS 20.9 1.9PZ 40.29 0.93CHAMPION 8.54 0.77OANDO 13 0.57

TOP 10 LOSERS

MCNICHOLS  1.67 1.67 0 5 102,000 160,020.00

MOBIL  117.81 117.81 0 30 74,478 8,580,246.71

MRS  19 20.9 1.9 11 105,746 2,208,891.40

MULTITREX  0.5 0.5 0 2 19,000 9,700.00

MULTIVERSE  0.5 0.5 0 1 6,000 3,000.00

NAHCO  7.15 7.21 0.06 89 2,368,636 17,357,789.37

NASCON  12.89 12.86 -0.03 40 658,606 8,484,333.14

NB  168 170.05 2.05 280 5,989,230 1,017,619,575.27

NCR  18.7 18.7 0 1 58 976.14

NEIMETH  1.21 1.21 0 11 214,777 268,213.74

NEM  0.72 0.7 -0.02 40 7,417,737 5,230,158.64

NESTLE  999.99 999.99 0 112 60,667 60,670,740.04

NIG-GERMAN  8.17 8.17 0 2 300 2,208.00

NIGERINS  0.5 0.5 0 2 2,200 1,100.00

NIGROPES  7.85 7.85 0 1 6,500 45,955.00

NNFM  26.5 26.5 0 1 300 8,700.00

NPFMCRFBK  0.96 0.96 0 3 130,000 124,800.00

OANDO  12.43 13 0.57 292 7,398,403 93,005,935.86

OASISINS  0.5 0.5 0 2 11,000 5,500.00

OKOMUOIL  45.85 45 -0.85 74 1,460,844 65,802,966.74

OMATEK  0.5 0.5 0 1 3,743 1,871.50

PAINTCOM  1.84 1.84 0 3 25,124 46,228.16

PHARMDEKO  2.07 2.07 0 1 100 200

PORTPAINT  6.99 6.99 0 28 758,401 5,160,088.63

PRESCO  39.85 40 0.15 46 650,593 25,995,817.00

PRESTIGE  0.53 0.57 0.04 12 1,036,053 564,760.21

PZ  39.36 40.29 0.93 122 852,399 34,300,082.99

REDSTAREX  4.95 4.75 -0.2 8 143,822 680,771.50

REGALINS  0.5 0.5 0 1 687,500 343,750.00

RESORTSAL  0.5 0.5 0 2 3,500 1,750.00

ROYALEX  0.56 0.56 0 3 7,667 4,293.52

RTBRISCOE  1.63 1.6 -0.03 19 638,093 985,669.49

SCOA  5.32 5.32 0 2 1,000 4,790.00

SKYEBANK  4.9 4.9 0 103 3,036,009 14,730,374.52

SOVRENINS  0.5 0.5 0 6 1,890,000 945,000.00

STANBIC  15.3 15.3 0 35 172,210 2,640,412.13

STDINSURE  0.5 0.5 0 1 50,000 25,000.00

STERLNBANK  2.64 2.68 0.04 51 3,084,988 8,205,488.70

TANTALIZER  0.5 0.5 0 3 11,909,901 5,954,950.50

TOTAL  159.99 159.99 0 14 7,806 1,228,777.16

TRANSCORP  1.36 1.4 0.04 158 617,980,360 865,098,942.57

TRANSEXPR  2.21 2.21 0 2 2,075 4,173.25

UAC-PROP  15 15 0 10 68,125 1,018,153.40

UACN  59.25 59.25 0 91 255,607 15,188,605.37

UBA  8.21 8.4 0.19 412 15,709,593 130,926,132.70

UBCAP  1.1 1.11 0.01 128 15,882,461 17,530,051.71

UBN  12 12.28 0.28 81 634,250 7,730,017.87

UNIC  0.5 0.5 0 2 100,000 50,000.00

UNILEVER  60 62.49 2.49 79 626,195 38,139,914.27

UNIONDAC  0.5 0.5 0 15 5,165,000 2,582,500.00

UNITYBNK  0.63 0.64 0.01 65 10,845,932 6,753,630.95

UNIVINSURE  0.5 0.5 0 1 120,000 60,000.00

UPL  4.8 4.8 0 5 18,994 92,059.42

UTC  0.65 0.65 0 10 64,741 42,036.05

VITAFOAM  4.51 4.51 0 17 180,880 803,640.60

WAPCO  99.98 97.5 -2.48 39 338,136 32,965,565.38

WAPIC  0.9 0.99 0.09 38 3,027,857 2,708,500.28

WEMABANK  1.19 1.12 -0.07 53 4,527,022 5,007,845.78

ZENITHBANK  21 21.47 0.47 455 23,035,404 494,293,958.63

Increase InElectricity Tariff

THE NIGERIANTHE National Electricity RegulatoryCommission (NERC) recently increasedelectricity tariff of consumers in the fixed chargefrom N500 to N700 or N800, depending on thelocation. Also, private consumers with metreshad their fixed monthly re-charge tariff jerkedfrom N500 to N750.

THE Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi whiledefending the Federal Government’s position onthe recent increase in fixed electricity chargessaid the Multi Year Tariff Order had anapproved tariff stipulated for 2012 to 2016. TheMYTO, which was prepared by NERC showedthat there would be increases in electricity tariffevery year till 2016.

WE are worried at the rip off of customers bya government electricity regulatory agency asthe current tariff schedule revealed thatconsumers would have to pay higher on twofronts. Every year, the fixed cost will go up.Similarly, the energy cost or cost per kilowatthour of electricity.

NERC had consistently said that increase inelectricity tariff would be for the short run andthat the amount payable by consumers wouldbegin to fall when the country produced enoughelectricity. But we differ with the position of thecommission because, it is only exhibiting thecharacteristics of a monopolistic agency ofgovernment.

NIGERIANS have expected that the on-goingreforms in the industry would help break the

current monopoly being enjoyed by NERC andwhen that is done, the cost of electricity just as whatobtains curently in the telecommunications sectorwould be subjected to market forces of demand andsupply. A situation where NERC fixes pricesarbitrarily for consumers, very often withoutappropriate consultation, sometimes withoutappropriate metering is unacceptable. We believethat NERC still needs to put its house in order.

WE expect that electricity tariff should be lowestunder government regulation and citizens can beginto witness increases with entrance of privateinvestors. The current scenario is like, consumerspaying for private companies that would eventuallytake over the services of energy production anddistribution in the country, when they are noshareholders.

THE increase in tariff is also most reprehensiblewhen viewed against the backdrop of continuederratic power supply in the country and systemcollapses that has characterised the sector even inrecent times.

ADDITIONALLY, while the NERC chairmanregretted that the distribution companies havenot been very committed to meeting theirobligations, particularly in the area of metering,and accurate billing of customers, it still makesmatters worse by foisting new tariff onconsumers.

WE ask NERC to revert to the old tariff andput on hold the new tariff that has generated alot of controversy across the country and urgethe commission to await the takeover of suchservices by preferred bidders under the FederalGovernment Privatization agenda. We believethat as new investors enter the power sector,particularly the distribution companies, serviceswould also pick up and then we expect gradualincreases in tariff, not the current arrangementwhere there is a four year price jerking plan.

WHILE we appreciate the leadership of theNigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for rejectingthe new tariff introduced by NERC, we call onall well meaning Nigerians, Civil SocietyOrganisations and other Non-State actors to riseup to protect the rights of Nigerian electricityconsumers. We acknowledge that energyharnessing and distribution deserves incomefrom investments. We also assert that suchincomes have to be earned. In other words, justas we abhor consumers defrauding the energyproviders, we similarly abhor a situation whereelectricity providers would also take undueadvantage of Nigerians.

Environment

By WINIFRED OSASOBO

Pollution And The EnvironmentTHE World HealthOrganization (WHO)defined air pollution as anindoor or out doorinfestation of theenvironment by anychemical, physical orbiological agent thatmodifies the naturalcharacteristic of theatmosphere. Also, the common sourceof air pollution areHousehold Combustiondevices, motor vehicles,industrial facilities andforest fires. According to thechartered institute ofEnvironment HealthWebsite, Air Pollution isparticulate matter whichencompasses the smellsolid or liquid substancethat are released into theatmosphere through manyactivities. For instanceindustrial processes as wellas the burning of fossilfuels, release particulatematter into the atmosphereparticulate matter is easilyvisible as smoke, sect ordust and other particulatematter that is not easilyvisible include; air borne asbestows particles and smallparticles of heavy metalsuch as arsenic, copper,lead and zinc. Air pollution can resultfrom both human andnatural causes or activities.Natural events that pollutethe air includes forest fires,volcanic eruptional, winderosion pollen dispersaleusporation of organiccompounds and naturalradio activity. Pollutionfrom natural activities arenot often compare toHuman Activities. Humanactivities that result to airpollution includes; Emission from industriesand manufacturingactivities, when you see a

manufacturing companyyou will notice that thereare long tubes called(chimneys) erected highinto the air with fumescoming out of it. Wastei n c i n e r a t o r s ,manufacturing industriesand power plants emit highlevels of carbon monoxide,organic compounds, andchemical into the air.Petroleum refineries alsorelease lots ofhydrocarbons into the air. Burning fossil fuels;After the industrial agetransportation has becomea key part of our lives. Carsand heavy duty trucks,trains, shipping vessels andair plains all burn lots offossil fuel to workemissions from automobileengines contain bothprimary and secondarypollution. These are majorcause of pollution inNigeria. This is verydifficult to manage becausehumans rely heavily onvehicles and cars fortransporting people, goodsand service. Fumes fromcar exhaust containdangerous gases such ascarbon monoxide, oxide ofnitrogen, hydro-carbon andparticulates. On their own.They cause great harm topeople who inhale them,they react withenvironmental gases tocreate further toxic gases. Household and familychemical; crept dustingfumigation homes,household cleaningproducts or paintingsupplies, over the counterinsect or pest killer,fertilizer dust, harmfulchemical into the causepollution. In many cases when weuse these chemical at homeor offices with no littleventilation, we may fall ill

if we inhale them. The level of effect usuallydepend on the length oftime of exposure, as well asthe kind and concentrationof chemical and particlesexposed to; The short termeffect includes irritation of

the eye, nose and throat,and upper respiratoryinfection such as bronchitisand pneumonia otherincludes headaches, nauseaand allergic reaction. Shortterm air pollution canaggravated the medicalcondition of an individualwith asthma andemplysema, long terminclude chronic respiratorydisease lung cancer, heartdisease and even damage tothe brain, nerves, liver,kidneys among other evenchildren can be affected

when they breathe inpolluted air whichaggreuded medicalcondition or complicationsaccording to website,eschoel today.com In Nigeria, urbanenvironments is

characterized with increaseof particulate, becausemost dwellers areconstantly exposed to thehazard especiallymotorbike (Okada) ridersand their passengers anddoes who live close to thetraffic clogged area. Thus,urban inhabitants aretypically plagued by aseries of complaintsincluding eye irritation andrespiratory problems. Itwas asserted by Okecha(2000) and Efe (2003) thathigh rate if respiratory

disease occasioned byincreased concentrationwere experience byresidents of most urbanareas, they also noted thatresident of refinery road,commercial areas, trafficclogged areas are highdensitys residential in theWarri metropolis were

most effected, infant schoolchildren in Benin City,Ibadan, Kano and Por-Harcourt among other areaffected. A Scholar Generallybelieves that particulatematters in urban area ofNigeria has the followinghealth implication. Oxides of surpher andnitrogen combined withwater vapour in theatmosphere causes acidrain in cities when theseacids are consumed theycause acidosis in humanbody. Excess accumulationin human body can lead todeath. Gaseous pollutantstimulate cougher inpatients, suffering fromchronic bronchitis, andthose patients with heartand lung disease may

fatally succumb to sulphurIV oxide, more commonlyreferred to as sulphurdioxide. Particulate matter thatenter the lungs may lodgethere and result in chronicrespiratory problemincluding emphysema

respiratory tuberculosis. According to WHOReduction of air pollutionlevels will decreased theglobal burden of diseasefrom these illnesses.Pollution preventionrequires policies on airquality and transport, airpollution controlregulations includesemission controls industryand promotion of clean,renewable energy sourcesin door air pollution includeswitching from home use ofsolid fuel to cleaner fuelsand efficient technologyand ventilation in homes,schools and the workingenvironment and stoppingsmoking efforts tosignificantly reduce airpollutant will also help todecrease greenhouse gasemissions and nitigate theeffects of global warning.

“Burning fossil fuels; After the industrial agetransportation has become a key part of our lives. Cars andheavy duty trucks, trains, shipping vessels and air plainsall burn lots of fossil fuel to work emissions from automobileengines contain both primary and secondary pollution.”

Economy

The Role Of SMEs InWomen Empowerment

BY CHIJIOKE OKORONKWO

THE population ofwomen who live below thepoverty line in Nigeria standsat 65 per cent of the entirewomen population of thecountry, according to theNational Bureau of Statistics.

It, therefore, implies that 65out of 100 women in Nigeriaare very poor.

Economic analysts,therefore, view thedevelopment as worrisomeand call for a grassrootseconomic empowermentprogramme to emancipatethe womenfolk from theshackles of poverty.

In the quest to create anenabling platform for asustainable poverty reductionprogramme for women, theBank of Industry (BOI) ismandated to create fundingarrangements for Small andMedium Enterprises (SMEs)and related packages.

The bank’s ManagingDirector, Ms. Evelyn Oputu,said that 85 per cent of theBOI funds were gearedtoward developing SMEs forthe women

Oputu disclosed this at the“Private Sector InteractiveSession’’, recently organisedin Abuja by the Ministry ofWomen Affairs, UN Womenand ECOWAS Commission.

She stressed that the“SMEs desk’’ had beenintroduced in the bank, whileother financial institutionshad similarly introduced suchpolicies.

“We should be aware thatwhen a woman isempowered to play animportant role in the society,the Gross Domestic Productof the country will bepositively impacted.

“We should alsounderstand that the countrycannot attain any meaningfuldevelopment withoutcarrying along about 50 percent of its population in alldevelopment processes,’’ shesaid.

Oputu said that the bankhad a primary mandate tofinance and catalyse the

industrial development of thecountry.

“In the last five years, thevision has been to financegrowth and empower theweaker segments of thesociety to gain access toproductive assets andopportunities for sustainablegrowth and development,’’she said.

Perspective analysts,however, believe that themajor reason why poverty isprevalent among women isbecause they arepredominantly engaged inlow-income occupations.

They, therefore, urge thegovernment and its agenciesto facilitate the formulationof gender-sensitive policiesand initiatives which wouldenhance the wellbeing of thewomen.

In her remark, theExecutive Director of UNWomen, Ms MichelleBachelet, said that effortsshould be made to promote

However, Prof. ChristianaOkogie of the Department ofEconomics and Statistics inUniversity of Benin notedthat the private sector hadfared poorly in terms of equalopportunities for men andwomen in the workplace.

She said that women werehardly involved in decisionmaking in the companieswhere they were working,while an insignificantnumber of women had accessto credit facilities in banks.

Sharing similar sentiments,Mrs Bisi Fayemi, the wife ofEkiti State Governor, saidthat women ought to be givena pride of place in thenation’s scheme of things.

She, however, stressed thatthe Nigerian Women’s Trust

Fund was a veritablemechanism which could beused to increase the numberof women elected intopolitical positions at all levelsof governance in Nigeria.

She said that the mission ofthe Fund was to facilitateequitable participation andfair play in politics.

While calling for amechanism that wouldsupport women in all spheresof life, Fayemi, however,challenged the women toimprove on the quality ofleadership which theyprovided.

In his address, Amb. KadreOuedraogo, the President ofECOWAS Commission,

stressed that the finance ofgender-based projects waskey to sustainabledevelopment.

Quedrago, who wasrepresented by thecommission’s Vice-President, Dr Toga McIntosh,said that ECOWAS wasplanning to execute a projectfor African womenentrepreneurs.

“The project will embraceagricultural business,processing and handicrafts,financial and technicalsupport,’’ he added.

Mrs Ifueko Omoigu-Okauru, the formerChairman of the FederalInland Revenue Service,

however, has a differentview.

She said: “Getting thefinance alone does not solvethe problem, but believing inwhat you want to achievewith it.

“Women should bedecisive and prudent in theirfinancial transactions whilerunning their businesses.

“Financing is a difficultreality that must be faced;they should know what isavailable and how to find it.’’

O m o i g u - O k a u r u ,nonetheless, urged thewomen to be moreadventurous in order tobridge the occupational gapsexisting between men andwomen.

“Projects, such as ‘the LadyMechanic Initiative’, whichare established for thepurpose of empoweringyoung girls and women withtechnical and mechanicalskills should be encouraged,’’she said.

As part of efforts to tacklethe menace of poverty amongwomen, analysts urge thewomen believe inthemselves, while ensuringproper use of availableresources in the managementof their enterprises.

the economic interests of thewomen in the workplace, aspart of efforts to tackle socio-cultural factors hinderingtheir empowerment.

“Many women face a lot ofbarriers due to traditions;these barriers are holdingdown, not only the womenand their communities butalso their countries.

“In workplaces, womenshould be promoted based onmerit; there should be equalpay and benefits to all sexeswith 50-50 rights and astrong inclusive role forwomen,’’ she said.

Bachelet said that Nigeriacould only achieve ameaningful growth if the fulleconomic potential of thewomen was exploited.

“We should be aware that when a woman is empowered to playan important role in the society, the Gross Domestic Product ofthe country will be positively impacted. We should alsounderstand that the country cannot attain any meaningfuldevelopment without carrying along about 50 per cent of itspopulation in all development processes, she said.”

AgricultureNeed For Agricultural

DevelopmentTHE history of

agriculture dates back tothousands of years and itsdevelopment has beendriven and defined bygreatly different climates,cultures, and technologies.However, all farminggenerally rely ontechniques to expand andmaintain the land that aresuitable for raisingdomesticated species. Forplant, this usually requiressome irrigation, although,there are methods of dryland farming, pastoral,herding on rangeland whichare still the most commonmeans to raise lives stock.Agriculture in Nigeria fallsinto two main groups, foodcrops produced for homeconsumption and cashcrops for export. Cocoa isthe leading non- oil foreignexchange earner but thedominance of smallholdersand lack of farm labour dueto urbanization hold backproduction. In 1999 Nigeriaproduced 145,000 tonscocoa beans but Nigeria hasthe capability to produce300,000 per year. Rubberis the second largest non-oilearning foreign exchangeearner. Farming in Nigeriasuffers a lot of neglect andabandonment frominvestors who rather devotetheir finance into oil andother sectors. Majority ofthose who farm in thecountry suffers from lack offinance and man power torealize a large harvest whileonly a few rich are able toinvest in commercialfarming that can beconveniently used forexport trading.

Agriculture, accounts for23 percent of Nigeria’sGDP and engages 3 percentof the economically activepopulation. Agriculturecontributed more than 75percent of export earningsbefore 1970. Since then,however, agriculture hasdeteriorated, partly due togovernment neglect andpoor investment, and partlydue to ecological factorssuch as drought, disease,and reduction in soilfertility. Agriculturecontributed 32% to GDP in

2001. In recent times,agriculture’s share ofexports had declined to lessthan 10 percent. Once anexporter of food to nearbycountries, Nigeria nowmust import food to meetdomestic demand. Thepresent government ofNigeria has made endlesspromises to revitalize theagricultural sector of theeconomic which had oncefed this nation and nationsfar and wide with her palms(used to produce palm oil,sesame, cocoa, rubber,cotton, soya beans,plantain, gum Arabic, kolanut, melon sorghum, millet,maize (corn), yams, andcassava all of which wereonce exported but are nowsold mostly locally.Farming is one majoraspect that Nigeria canboast of if properly utilised.

The lack of developmentin agriculture which hasbeen relinquished to thepoor has greatly affect, thecountry’s economicalprogress. Most of ourgraduates even thosespecialized in the field ofagriculture will rather workin an office than work in afarmland. The idea of“white collar” jobs haseaten deep into the logicalreasoning of Nigerians thatfarming is regarded asstressful and sometimesdirty. They had preferred toget money to buy foodrather than produce thefood themselves. The totaloutcome of this is that, ifevery Nigerian is workingin an office and paid hugesums of amount, then therewill be lack of food andimportation of food stuffswill increase.

We often see that rearingof animals and farming iscommon only amongstindividuals who alsoconsume their farmproduce. They engage insubsistence farming thatmay only feed a smallnumber of those in theirhome. Commercialfarming is one reliable

support that Nigeria can fallback on to boost revenuegathered in the country. Itmay further be a substituteto oil when it finally failsto sustain the nation, as thisis seen in the successesachieved with agriculture inthe past years.

Over the years, value hasnot been added toagricultural commoditiesthis is due to the overemphasis placed onproduction than onprocessing, storage andexporting of agriculturalproducts. According toCentral Bank of Nigeriadata, (2003), oil accounts

a touch on agriculture.Agriculture is most andessential part in economicgrowth and sustainability.

Nigeria is blessed with avariety of agriculturalpotentials ranging fromvariety of plants, crops,animals and naturalagricultural supportivefactors like good climate,forest, water and sand. Weare blessed with so muchyet we lack so much.

Nigeria’s claim as anagrarian economy is hinged

in farming without havinga stipulated consumer forthe produce.

Agriculture is the hope ofevery nation, it is animportant sector in acountry’s economy and hashigh potentials foreconomic employmentgeneration, food security,poverty reduction, expandexports and reduce foodimport andindustrialisation. Boostingthe agricultural sector isseen as a major tool to help

realize these areasenumerated. When this isachieved, there will be aNigeria free from hunger,because the revenue fromagricultural produceexported will be judiciouslyused in settling dept andfeeding the nation.

Government should showsome more leadership toencourage and enable therural business communityto create employment andgenerate wealth in thecountry side. This is givennew life to a lot of beautifulfarm lands suitable foragriculture.

Imagine a newgeneration of Nigerianfemale and male farmerswho choose what to grow

next season after checkingdomestic and internationalmarket trends online, usingappropriate technology andmachinery even on mediumsize farms.agriculture can a primarydriver of Nigeria futuregrowth and provide anincrease proportion of herforeign exchange earnings.

A price support systemshould be re-introduced toguarantee our farmers thatwhat they produce will bepurchased. There shouldalso be subsidies to farmersby government with propersupervision although, thegovernment spend N4.7billion ($30 million) onfertilizer stabilization butthe fund is indiscriminatelyhijacked by bureaucrats,

BY ISOKEN UWADIAE

for 80% of our exportsearning and according toWorld Bank CountryDirector, Ms MarieFrancoise, the governmentsurvives mainly with oilrevenue which accounts forover 90 percent of exports.

The road to economicadvancement in Nigeriacannot be feasible without

on two key factors; one isthe proportion of thepopulation that is engagedin agriculture in thecountry, while the second isthe share of agriculture inthe Gross DomesticProduction (GDP). Nigeriahas about 79 millionhectares of arable land outof which only 32millionhectares are cultivated.With modern research andtechnology, agricultureprovides a greatopportunity to turn ruralpoverty and stagnation intodevelopment. At least intheory, the rural youthcould produce the food thatthe urban youth consumecreating jobs for them asthere will be no beneficiary

middlemen and politicianswho often have nothing todo with farming. Even thePresident, GoodluckJonathan admitted the factthat only 11% of fertilizersget to farmers in thecountry.

There will continue to bea rapid demand for food atthe global and local levelthus, If the agriculturalsector is given neededattention, it will create longterm job employments forNigerian youths andgraduates, scale upproduction, developinfrastructures, establishagricultural processingzones and increaseproductivity.

“Government should show some moreleadership to encourage and enable the ruralbusiness community to create employmentand generate wealth in the country side. Thisis given new life to a lot of beautiful farmlands suitable for agriculture”.

Nigerian LeadershBy PAUL AMEN-AIFUWA

YET, it is above allthe foregoing that onecannot but find it as ofcardinal necessity toponder much moredeeply and holisticallyinto the organic make-ups of what belies thecourse of man being thecause of the havocs thatwreck nations out oftheir dreamed destiny,that is upon ap s y c h o a n a l y t i c a lglimpse into obstaclesand difficulties to whichhumans are prone, suchas are found inu n q u a n t i f i a b l eafflictions and traumas,other than those of actsof nature asexperienced., by Manand Society, are oforigin from nowhereelse than the counterfeitinterplay of the negativetemplate of the HumanMind. This is withemphasis on theexceeding supremacy ofthis cognate part of thehuman organ as thecognitive cerebrum,being the patentendowment in man,preferably referred to asthe mindset, this beingthe ‘conveyor-belt’ ofthe faculty of all senses,that are the mentalmeaning of exercisablefree will that is latent inhuman nature: as isdeductive from the traitsof man, in aprioriposition of dispositionthat is either Positive orNegative; Good or Bad;Right or Wrong,etcetera. This is alsobeing a juncture at

which to note that theissue of the mindgenerally for thehumans is not as muchof the alarming concernswith regards to thisexpose, than the crux ofthe matter being theaforesaid man’simpunity and flagrantabuse of the saidNature’s Mental ‘FreeWill’ - a phenomenon ofwhich instinctive‘intendment’ by natureis otherwise for thestrictly positive andphysical functionality ofman: but about whichperhaps, for acombination of lack ofassimilation, mentaldeviance and behavioralfrailties, man’s illicit useof this ‘Free Will’ hadwrought trails of ruinousand adverse reprisals onthe Grand Meaning ofLife and Living, withsmeared effect of thesubstance and essenceof the earthly advent ofMan: such that nowyearns for exhaustivereflection for a review,on what must be done tobe done, at its drasticbest, against this man’smindset of rascality andmental nuisance: andthis is to be at the behestof the now moreexposed Generation ofthe Human Race: with aSOLUTION offensivethat must be seen asexceedingly beyond thepast conventional and’prosaic efforts of theStakeholderships of theconcerned Group ofEminent Humanists, naythe Psychologists,

S o c i o l o g i s t s ,Theologians, etcetera, atsecuring effectivestemming of the tide ofthe perplexing humanphobias of anxieties andfear-of-fears, withtension-filled socialintercourses; for themind to be soquarantined as a citting-edge for peace on earthand unfettered good willfor Mankind; but thesolution wands must beseen to be beyond theroutine and a seeming‘fire brigade’ and/or ‘ad-hoc’ radius ‘of GospelSermonization andEvangelization; and thatthere is exasperate needfor a reach for a cluetowards a practicallyeradicative thrust thatwould be formidableenough to save Mankindfor Her to save Herselffrom Herself and fromthe eternity the strugglesin the cesspool of man-made

TROUBLES.Thus, for a cursory

analogy, be it grantedthat it is from thecognitive mental sourcethat are thoughtexpressions and actsand/or deeds at thepoints of mutual humaninteractions; such aswhen there may arise,angers and/or hurts asmay be psychologicallyprovoked or emotionallyupset by a party againstanother, that should besubject of legal penalprovisions: that is, just atthat ‘level’ that theaggressor may beregarded as ‘wrong’ or

the ‘offender’:even before such

‘encounter’ may haveclimaxed to the‘physical’ as in‘fisticuffs’, which maybe referred to as ‘affray’,in which either thepresumed aggrievedparty reserves the rightto remedy under theextant Civil Law, and

within the same mentalstorehouse; and with thefirst part being at thelevel of ‘thought’, or‘intent’, which verbalexpressions may onlybe ‘frowned’ at and/oras civil offence underthe law; while it’s onlythe second part as actionor deed that may beappended wit the “Penal

Criminal Charge(s)”.This is upon the factsthat thoughts whichgave birth to wordsbefore action(s) as thecause of a quarrel beforea ‘fight’ ought to beinclusively the‘principal’ or the‘prima-face’ or the‘first- point’ of ‘offence’under the operativelaws: because, if weightof logic is not out ofplace in evidence and/oronus of proof no act(s)may be of criminalitythan that which are bornfrom the root of thethought-plane of theMind. In other words,whatever is the ‘deed’ ofman in the ‘exterior’

must have incubated firstfrom within the ‘interior’of the womb of the mind:this being where itstrikes as if it may not bedue to the ‘assness’ of thelaw, but an inadvertentoversight by man, tohave sidetracked thissensitive aspect of theinevitable ‘insurance-hearing’ on the being ofthe same mentally-

related debasements onemotions of man by manas human species soendangered by the grossmoral malefaction ofman, that ought to beguarded against withappropriate statute andcodification: just as is ofa ‘dog-eat -dog’ scenarioof the wild to beimagined, were there tobe no law or maximumdeterrent against“Murder” as CapitalOffence(s): much as thisMORAL BRIDLE nowbecomes criticallynecessary, especiallywith the ‘corruptive’ andputridity of theadvancing globalnetwork of technology

andthe Whit isbadinitfrocomthainiexiThema

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incamespWagrulinga gcalhaupsythehadmoHArenof aspeper‘allwhannTheMi

President Goodluck Jonathan Senate President, David Mark

about which also existsthe leverage for criminalcharges to be preferredunder the penal statute:this is especially if thesame aggrieved partywere a victim of, forexample, ‘Robbery’ or‘Murder’; in which thisis being a scenario oftwo matters ofquestionable sorts from

Continued from last week

“Thus, for a cursory analogy, be it granted that it is from thecognitive mental source that are thought expressions and actsand/or deeds at the points of mutual human interactions; suchas when there may arise, angers and/or hurts as may bepsychologically provoked or emotionally upset by a party againstanother, that should be subject of legal penal provisions.”

hip Can Make Itd its eroding effect onculture of humanism.

hile it is arguable thats from the inexorablyd minds that aretially and basically

om which are thembat-arenas the duelsat remained brutallymical to humanstence, of all times:e example of which

ay be viewed

Defence scheme-of-things, such that are ofthe panic to ensuresafety and security at thePorts, Immigration andTrans-border Inter-and-Intra-links betweenCountries — all for theapprehension of banditsand armed crime-adventurers; this beingwith the toll of virulenceof alienation,xenophobia and

committed, to betherefore armed at thispoint in time? This issaying that it is high timethat the Nations of theWorld, at the behest ofNigeria (being amongstthe volatile and mostvulnerable States), toimmediately consider astand, for the WorldBody ofLEGISLATURES toevoke a scrutiny of

deemed as criminaloffence, and thusly besubject of prescribedrestraining provisions -with the appropriatelyattached penalties. Thisis even if for theexigency of the need forsuch promulgation, andeven if only for it also tobe a Handy device andor improvisation of adeterrent; ditto even ifthis be an exercise in‘Regimentation’ toentreat and compelhuman mentaltemperament into well-nigh comportments, andas instrumentality for thecriminally unrulyhuman behaviors to becurtailed. This is that theseeds of malleablecharacters are sownanew towards newhabits for theConception of newReflexes which wouldProduce new Nature ofHearts as the Structureof Crutches to Launchsocieties into un-jaundiced mentallyCreative endeavorswhich truly lead tolimitless possibilities ofthe Individual humans.That the Law Provisionsin quest, be absolutearbiter with human-faceto restrict thecharacteristics of man tobe Zero-Tolerant toBestiality and Satanism:with every Heart to be acultivation that yieldsCommon Good to theGenerality of theCommon Interest inGeneral HumanInteractions that shouldforeclose wickedness

and sadistic Mentaltemplate; and better still,that such order would bea Psycho-Auto-Monitorto enhance and stem andstir the mind into a sortof Man’s MoralAutonomy — aphenomenon in whichman would bereflectively internalizedin acts of Self-Mortification and to beof the ‘Silent-Voice-Policeman’ of One’sOwn Conscience.Herein is the hopefulenvisagement of apurifying effect of anantidote that would havebeen brought to bearredemptively for theriddance and effacementof the background to theExcruciating Human-Oriented debacles; andfrom which Mankindwould now recuperateinto the Inspiration ofthe right existentialcourse as is the initialOrdination of the Authorof all Creation.

NIGER IA TOCHAMPION LEGISLA TI VE ARMA MENT A GAINST HUMANETHICAL VIOLATION

Yet, it is from theforgoing that it would beworthwhile to imaginethat barring these time-honored but cancerousissues of inhuman actsof man against man,Nigeria cannot but be asure candidate to besoonest a World Leader— given the formidablereservoir of her potenthuman endowments, let

alone the enormousmagnitude of mineralresources at herdisposal. And whilesuch target of lofty goalwould be germane as aforay of aim to be thenation’s.

Gaze, may it thereforeform the fulcrum ofaction by Nigeria(especially as inaudacious spirit of herpreparedness to breakaway from theanomalous cocoon ofthe dark past), toconsider it as of nationalexigency to perfect themachinery for the utilityof a compatiblelegislative frame-workagainst the said man’sethical malady that isparental to the‘criminal’ behavior ofman: that this legislativecourse intended as amaster-stroke like anarbiter-in-morality to bemarshalled withaccomplishment byNigeria, more sopurposefully to serve asher monument of aCentenary Jingle bywhich to enjoin the restof the Sister- Nations ofthe World that arepeace-inspired to followsuit: this being by whichthe otherwise CaptiveMankind would betenaciously on a ready-steady track to HELPunchain herself into therealm of, unprecedentedresourcefulness ofhuman existialism andthe beneficialWONDERS that awaitman in Creation.

clusively from thembiance of wars,pecially the “Coldars”, of whichuesome aftermath stillgers in the memory asglobal museum oflamities that everunt and taunt theyche of humanity —e ripple effect of whichd sired the escalatingodern day insecurityAZARDS: as it hadndered Governmentsall Nations as colossalendrifts; with therpetual mess oflocation’ on security,

hich goes with hugenual budgeting as fore Police, The Nationalilitary Outfits and

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Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Reps

apartheid tendencies ofracism; let alone theunforgettable incidenceof “Nine-Eleven”perilous Day in America;as has become typical ofm a n - i n d u c e dsmoulderings of rampantdeath ‘tremors’ that hadeerily overwhelmed theworld - all of which thatare constituents of bomb-shells of unabatingtrepidations for theHapless Body ofMankind! Thus,shouldn’t all these sufficeas notes of warnings forthe collective interest ofHumanity whose fate isnot only in Her Hands,hut the Architecture towhich Her destiny is

cogent by-laws to beentrenched in theconstitutions of NATIONS againstattitudinal prejudices andmaladjustments of theindividual Humans: thatarguably but provablydeliberate errors,omissions andcommissions in ethicalconduct of man be

“Yet, it is from the forgoing that it would be worthwhile to imaginethat barring these time-honored but cancerous issues of inhumanacts of man against man, Nigeria cannot but be a sure candidateto be soonest a World Leader — given the formidable reservoir ofher potent human endowments, let alone the enormous magnitudeof mineral resources at her disposal. And while such target oflofty goal would be germane as a foray of aim to be the nation’s.”

Health

Breastfeeding: MotheringFrom Heart

By ANUGOR BLESSING IFEOMA

CHILD birth is a uniqueexperience that every womanprays for and as the childrencome they become theirguardian and care for them inall aspects as they grow up.These cares include exclusivebreastfeeding which plays avital role in the life of thechildren. This experience is said to benatural and emotionallyunique as it draws the mothercloser to her child. It is oneof the most natural, profiting,and benefiting acts that drawsa child and mother together toshare common bond which isgood for the health andgrowth of that child. Denyingthe child breasts feeding canbe classified as evil as thechild may suffer loss of someimportant nutrients whilegrowing up. The breast can be definedas the front part of the trunkfrom the neck to the abdomenthat consist of two soft,protruding organs on theupper front of a woman’sbody that secrets milk afterpregnancy. It can also be defined as thetwo mammary glands on thechest of a woman, or the frontpart of the human body fromthe neck to the abdomen(www.Dictionary.com). Feeding is the act of givingfood to a person or an animalfor growth. (Collins EnglishDictionary). Breastfeeding is the methodof feeding a baby with milkdirectly from the mothersbreast without supplement orformula of any type. It is also the normal way ofproviding infants with thenutrients they need forhealthy growth anddevelopment. The world healthorganization (W.H.O) havestated that colostrums, theyellowish sticky breast milkis recommended as the bestfood for new born babies andit must be initiated within thefirst hour after birth.

Doctor Donatus Amuzue ahealth educator at St MaryCatholic HospitalGwagwalada F.C.T stated thatexclusive breast feedinghappens where a mother onlygives her child breast milkwithout water, particular inthe first six month after birth.Also, it is a natural way ofimproving the love andaffection between mother andchild. The benefit of breastfeeding is incalculable andcolostrum has been proven tobe infant and prevent anumber of childhooddiseases. In recent times, the womenfolk have sought to abandonbreastfeeding as some believethat it is bad for both themother and the child for themto nurse longer than a monthsome who refused to nursetheir children do so for fearthat it will cause their figuresand feminine shapes likemaking their firm breast tosag. However, Dr. Garba Omale,an obstetrician andGynaecologist at the GarkiGeneral Hospital Abuja,insists that it is nature and notbreastfeeding that causesagging of breast “Whenbreast are pulled down bygravity genes whichdetermine the elasticity ofyour skin and ligament, thereare the only thing that cancause sagging.” Omale explains that themajor cause of flabby breastis pregnancy and notbreastfeeding. Many mother’s find thatgreatest number of flimsyexcuses for not nursing theirchildren not minding thatbreastfeeding allows her andthe baby to be emotionallybond in a special way thatcannot be matched. Sincebreastfeeding meets both thenutritional and nurturingneeds to nursing is a learnedskills for both mother andbaby that requires time andpatience. Health Minister Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu whoconfirmed that the rate ofbreastfeeding have reduceddrastically as Nigeria Exclusivebreastfeeding rate dropped from17% in 2003 to 13% in 2008described breastfeeding as “themost nutritious hygienic and

cost effective form ofnourishment for the infant.” Aside that there is no othersingle action through which amother can impact the presentand future health of her babythan breastfeeding. Nothing canduplicate the properties ofbreast milk no matter how manyvitamins, minerals andsupplement that is added towhat is basically a chemicalformulation.

So, young mother’s thatbelieve that infant formuladoes very well as areplacement for breast milkshould have a rethink andrevert to exclusivebreastfeeding. Moreover, Breastfeedingremains the one and only

natural, complete andcomplex nutrition forinfant. It is the natural formulafor ensuring the health andquality of life for infantsthrough childhood to adultlife. Similarly health benefitto babies who are breastfedare much as they receivethe most complete andoptimal mix of nutrients

and antibodies. Thecomposition of breast milkkeep pace with the infantsgrowth and changingnutritional needs. Breastfeeding also preventinfection and reduce risks ofchildhood diabetes, risk ofsudden infant deathsyndrome (S.I.D.S) amonginfants.

Breastfed infants develophigher intelligence quotient(I.Qs) and have improve brainand nervous systemdevelopment than those notbreastfed. Furthermore playsan important role in theemotional and spiritualdevelopment of babies andmother and reduces the riskof heart related diseases laterin life. According to the Minister ofHealth Prof. OnyebuchiChukwu, he stated thatbreastfeed is beneficial to thehealth of the mother as ithelps in delaying return offertility thus enabling her tospace subsequentpregnancies. Nursing of the baby by themother in an added advantageto the mother and the societyin general. Its benefits to themother according to Dr. John

Omega a Surgeon with theAbubakar Tafawa BalewaTeaching Hospital Bauchiargues that prolongedbreastfeeding also reduces therisk of contracting breastuterine, ovarian cervical andendometrical cancer. In addition breastfeeding ismore convenient whentraveling. All that is neededby the mother is the clothes,diapers e.t.c. The milk isalways there, reading for thechild at the right temperatureat any time. These babies, nursed via-breast milk develop goodhealth therapy reducinghealth care cost to family,

propelled by frequent visit tothe doctor’s office, drugprescription over the counter,medicine purchase andhospitalization bills e.t.c. In addition nursing is also ofbenefit to the environment asit drops the level of pollutionby decreasing the use ofresources and energy requiredto produce, process, package,distribute, promote, anddispose of materials createdby the manufacturer and usersof artificial baby milk. In same vein it reducesabsenteeism in the work placedue to child illness. In all, breastfeeding makesthe mother feel good therebyproducing hormones that havean endorphin effect giving hera relaxed feeling. Babies that are breastfedenjoy more special warmbinding and emotionalrelationship with her mothers.

“In recent times, the women folk have sought toabandon breastfeeding as some believe that it is bad forboth the mother and the child for them to nurse longerthan a month some who refused to nurse their childrendo so for fear that it will cause their figures and feminineshapes like making their firm breast to sag.”

Natural Medicine WithDr. MAO

08030717341

Controlling Malaria Fever MALARIA parasites in

the human blood, transmittedby the female anophelesmosquito, cause malariafever. The mode oftransmission is through thebite of the mosquito.Impliedly, if you can preventthis bite, you won’t havemalaria.

Studies have identifiedfour types of parasites thatcan cause malaria. Namely,they are: PlasmodiumMalaria…. PlasmodiumOvale ….. PlasmodiumFalcipaarasite live in the redblood cells. It is within thesecells that the parasitesmultiply and rupture, thusreleasing their toxic wastesinto the blood stream.

When these wastes buildup in the blood, a personbegins to experience clinicalsymptoms of malaria attack.The symptoms include: Lackof appetite …. Headache…Drowsiness… MentalConfusion …Malaise ….Lethargy …. Weakness orfatigue …. And Hightemperature accompanied byphasal chills. However, inpassing, I must not fail to saythat it is advisable to use alaboratory test to diagnosemalaria when in doubt. Thisis why health care giversrecommend that you go for alaboratory test to confirmyour malaria status if clinicaldiagnosis alone can’t do so.But how many of us canafford the burdensome costof all these procedures.Hence, the rush to treat theillness by either some healthcare givers withoutlaboratory test. Self –medication is even adoptedin most cases by the victimout of poverty anddesperation. Having saidthis, let me add that malariadeserves immediatetreatment. This is because ifuntreated or not adequately

managed the prognosis of themalaria is fatal in some cases.For instance, malaria lead tomild jaundice, diarrhoea,severe anaemia, enlargedspleen or splenomegaly, liverfailure and celebraltoxaemia. It is for this reason,infact, that malaria demandsa quick therapy. Given this,nobody needs to be told thathaving chronic malaria is adeath trap.

The cliché is thatprevention is better than cure.So, what can be done toprevent malaria? Firstly, a lotof us need to change oureating habits that malnourishus rather than lift usnutritiously. The goal shouldbe to eat a balanced dietdaily. Such a diet help tobuild our body immunitywhich is key for preventingattacks of not only malariabut other infectious diseased.

Briefly, a balanced dietinvolved the consumption ofatleast 80% of raw foods likefruits, vegetables, seeds,grains and nuts. This meansthat only 20% of your dietshould be cooked ones. Well,we know the contrary is thecase for most, 100% of ourdiet is even over cooked,dead foods. Therefore, whywon’t we be sick?

Also, don’t most ofconsume sugary foods witha passion. We do, of course.Yet studies show that suchfoods lower our immunesystem. Limit your intake ofsugar, therefore, in yourbattle against malaria feveror else you will lose it.

Here are tips if you wantto use herbs to boost yourbody resistance to all disease.Take dandelion, yarrow,stinging nettle, calendulamarigold, plantain leaves andspeed well. Don’t forget toadd golden seal. Like theother herbs, this one does notonly clean up the body and

detoxify the blood, it elevatesthe immune system. So far,it is one of the best substitutesfor quinine, a potent killer ofmalaria parasites in thehuman blood. Hence thiswonder herb is useful incases of intermittent and/chronic malaria and malaria–induced enlarger spleen.

Beyond eating well, wealso need lifestyle

modifications to preventmalaria attacks. This isbecause it had beendiscovered by researches thatthe way we leave our livescontribute to our ill health ingeneral. So, do youoverwork? The take it easy.Avoid stress, anxiety, worriesand work phobias. Try torest, relax and have adequatesleep. Also, exercise daily.Take in deep breaths atroutine intervals daily so asto oxygenate your blood and

free it of toxins which are thefoundation of sickness.Furthermore, ensure youdon’t have constipation. It isa source of toxic buildup inthe colon which end up astoxaemia in the whole body.This condition compromisesthe immune system and canbring on intermittent orchronic malaria.

Malaria parasites are

known to reconfigurethemselves to makethemselves resistant to drugs.This explains why today wehave malaria that are difficultto treat with orthodox drugscocktails. Hence, themigration to naturalmedicine which paradesherbs with active principlesthat no malaria parasite canresist. Below are someinsights into these herbs usedin combination with others tofight malaria.

Lemon Grass: With orwithout scentleaves this herbis a powerful immune systembuilder as well as a livertonic. Before the British lady,Mrs. Ogbe, passed on sheconfirmed these facts to me.She informed me, further,that a regular tea of lemongrass keeps malaria away, asthe books already state.

Vervain: This herb,

which the Yoruba people callPANLE, is credited withgreat anti- malarial healingproperties. Drinking a teamade from this herb clearsthe blood of malariaparasites.

Phylanthus Amarus:Also, this herb is good formalaria just like vervain andlemon grass above.

Siam weed: The leaves,flowers and solft stems ofthis weed is very effective formalaria. You can use theseparts of the weed forsteaming and drinking. Also,extract the juice of the weed’sleaves, flowers and softstem.Drink two cups of theundiluted juice a week.Within two weeks, themalaria parasites are clearedfrom the blood.

Hajiya Zainab Sharif,former assistant pharmacistof Federal Secretariat Clinicin Abuja, has her recipe for

malaria. She recommends:Get one handful of bitterleaf,one handful of scent leaves,one handful of lemon grassand two pint of water. Placeall of them in a pot. Simmerfor 10minutes. Drink two orthree cups of this brew daily,if you are an adult, for aweek.

For children, shecounsels: Simmer one lemon

… pineapple bark …fiveblades of lemon grass.. onegrape and some scent leavesfor ten minutes. Administerhalf a tea cup of the brew twoor three times daily adjust thedose to suit the age of thechild, if need be.

Other adjunct naturalsubstances that help inmalaria treatment includelemon juice, ginger; theleaves of neem, mango,cassava, guava and pawpaw;as well as the root of cassavaand ewedu plant lest I forget,everyone needs Swedishbitters besides him. Itstrengthens our whole body,is a powerful blood cleanserand builds our immunesystem. Taking Swedishbitters alone or adding dropsof it to your herbal teas canhelp to rid your body ofmalaria parasites.

“Having said this, let me add that malaria deservesimmediate treatment. This is because if untreated or notadequately managed the prognosis of the malaria is fatalin some cases. For instance, malaria lead to mildjaundice, diarrhoea, severe anaemia, enlarged spleen orsplenomegaly, liver failure and celebral toxaemia.”

Place Of Prayer

How Intimate AreYou With God? (5)

WithPastor Samuel

O. OsaghaeSMS Only

08030809339

INTIMACY is the essence of our creation; it is the primaryreason why God created humans. Your relationship with Godwas not established by your deeds but by the covenant madeby Jesus on the cross of Calvary when He shed his blood.However you can be in a relationship with a person and not beintimate with the person. A clear illustration of this can be drawnfrom the example of the relationship between a child and hisparents. You are the child of your parents based on the covenantof marriage that was established by them, your relationship asa son stems from that covenant, without that you cannot claimto be a legitimate son. However, not all genuine sons benefitfrom their parents, what brings a difference in benefits is thelevel of communion and intimacy.Taking a look at our text for today’s study, Psalm 23:1-6, wesee a very beautiful illustration with the imagery of a Shepherdand his sheep. The Lord is my shepherd... likens our relationshipwith God to the one that exists between a Shepherd and hissheep. David, the writer of this Psalm, had himself been a keeperof sheep, and understood needs of the sheep and the many caresof a shepherd. He compares himself to a creature weak,defenseless, and foolish, and he takes God to be his Provider.Preserver, Director, and, indeed, his everything. It is well toknow, as certainly as David did, that we belong to the Lord.There is a noble tone of confidence about this sentence. Thereis no “if’ nor “but”, nor even “I hope so”; but he says, “TheLord is my shepherd.” We must cultivate the spirit of assureddependence upon our heavenly Father. The sweetest word of the whole is that monosyllable, “My,”David does not say, “The Lord is the shepherd of that world atlarge, and leadeth forth the multitude as His flock”, but “TheLord is my shepherd;” if He be a Shepherd to no one else, He isa Shepherd to me; He cares for me, watches over me, andpreserves me. This is an indication that Intimacy with God iscarried out on an individual basis, not as a group, in intimacy;it is you alone with God. No one, no matter how close or dearto you must share your intimacy period with you, here youbuild a personal intimacy between the Most High God andyourself. When you spend time in intimacy with God on a consistentbasis, you become so intimate with Him that you know Hismind at all time and can easily interpret signals he waves atyou just like the sheep, over time, can interpret and obey thesignals of the Shepherd. When God is your Shepherd and yousubmit to His leading and get to know Him very intimately byspending time with Him, you will enjoy the following benefits:1. All your needs will be provided. I shall not want vs 1. God isJehovah Jireh, our Provider and He graciously provides all theneeds of they that spend time consistently with Him in intimacy.Does He not feed the ravens, and cause the lilies to grow? How,then, can he leave His children to starve? You may not possessall that you wish for, but “you shall not want.” Others, farwealthier and wiser than you, may want, but you shall not. “Theyoung lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek theLord shall not want any good thing Psalm 34:10.” Come whatmay, if famine should devastate the land, or calamity destroysthe city, “you shall not want.” Old age with its feebleness shallnot bring you any lack, you have all things and abound; notbecause you have a good store of money in the bank, not becauseyou have skill and wit with which to win your daily bread, butbecause the Lord is your shepherd and you spend time dailywith Him in intimacy.2. You will dwell in fertile territories. He makes me lie down ingreen pastures vs 2. Green Pastures in that scripture refers toever fresh blessings and up to date miracles. It infers that yourbreakthroughs and blessings will come in the right season; thisspeaks of early satisfaction. When you dwell consistently inintimacy with God, He will make the lines fall unto you inpleasant places Psalm 16:6 and what ever you stretch forth yourhand to do will prosper because God’s hand is upon you.3. He will lead you by His Holy Spirit. He leadeth me besidethe still waters vs 2. Still waters in this place refers to the peacethat anyone that is led by the Holy Spirit has. When you submitto the leadership of the Holy Spirit, your steps are ordered bythe Lord and you will never make an unfruitful move; His Spiritattends to us in various operations, like waters—in the plural—

to cleanse, to refresh, to fertilise and to cherish They that areled by the Spirit of God live a victorious life, they have nobusiness with failure and disappointment.4. Restoration. He restoreth my soul vs 3. When the soul growssorrowful He revives it; when it is sinful He sanctifies it; whenit is weak He strengthens it. When you dwell in intimacy withGod, He will bring back to you those things you lost in thepast; He will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten,the cankerworm, and the caterpillar Joel 2:25.5. You receive grace to live a holy life. He leadeth me in thepaths of righteousness for His name’s sake vs 3. When youdwell consistently in intimacy, you will not struggle with sin,divine grace to live above sin will naturally rest upon you

6. You will be as bold as a Lion. Yea thought walk through thevalley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil vs 4. As youspend more and more time with God, His nature begins to ruboff on you; you will begin to live and speak in boldness even asyour covenant rights and privileges are revealed to you on adaily basis as a consequence of your consistent fellowship withdivinity. The kind of boldness that keeps you standing fearlesslyeven in midst of fearsome situations will rest upon you makingthe devil and his agents flee at your approach knowing that youcannot be intimidated by their tricks.7. God’s presence will never depart from you. For thou art withme vs 4. God will always stay with all those that acknowledgeHis presence, if you give God attention, He will give youdirection. When God is with you, you can be rest assured thatnothing can go wrong. The little child out at sea in the storm isnot frightened like all the other passengers on board the vessel,it sleeps in its mother’s bosom; it is enough for it that its motheris with it. All those that are intimate with God can rely absolutelyon God’s ability to save them at all time just like that littlebaby; you are assured of perfect comfort and absolute securitybecause He is always with you.8. Divine Guidance. Thy rod and thy staff comfort me vs 4.The shepherd carries a staff or rod with him when he goes forthto feed his flock. It is often bent or hooked at one end. With thisstaff he rules and guides the flock to their green pastures, anddefends them from their enemies. With it also he corrects themwhen disobedient, and brings them back when wandering. Thosethat spend time in intimacy with God are guided and directed

by God. He will keep them daily from failure, evil, accidents,sorrows, regrets, setbacks, loss etc all because they dependabsolutely on Him for guidance.9. Prosperity even in the midst of opposition. Thou prepares atable before me in the presence of my enemies vs 5. Whetheryour enemies like it or not, they will see you prospering, try asmuch as they may, they cannot bring you down because theMost High will be a wall of defense around you at all time. Youdon’t have to kill them with your prayers, all you have to do isworship God and He will handle your battles for you and grantyou victory over and over again.10. Anointing. Thou anointest my head with oil vs 5. Whenyou dwell in intimacy with God, you receive a fresh anointing

for the day’s duties. Every Christian is a priest, but he cannotexecute the priestly office without unction, and hence we mustgo day by day to God the Holy Ghost that we may have ourheads anointed with oil. A priest without oil misses the chiefqualification for his office, and the Christian priest lacks hischief fitness for service when he is devoid of new grace fromon high.11. Overflowing Blessings. My cup runneth over vs 5. All thosethat spend time consistently with God will be granted exceedingabundantly above whatever they ask or think Eph 3:20. Theywill always have more than enough; they will not just be richbut will have enough to spare. This is the state of beingestablished, at this stage you can no longer be shaken fromyour wealth.12. Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the days of mylife vs 6. These twin guardian angels will always be at yourbeck and call when you are intimate with God. Just as whengreat princes go abroad they must not go unattended, so it iswith the believer that spends time consistently in divineintimacy, Goodness and mercy follow him always.13. Eternal life. I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forevervs 6. All those that are truly intimate with God will not onlyenjoy the benefits of divine intimacy here on earth but will alsoenjoy the benefit of spending eternity in heaven with the MostHigh God. They will live as Kings both here on earth and inheaven when the Lord finally comes to take His people home.Pastor Samuel 0. OsaghaeE-mail: sarnuelosaghae@gmail.com

Environment

International News Compliled ByISAH STELLA

Korean People’s V-Day

7 Dead As Police And Protesters Clash InEgypt

Spanish Police Arrest OneOf Europe’s Most Wanted

Criminals

Northern IrelandParliament Recalled As

Violence Continues

International Features

ON July 27, 1953, theUnited States signed theKorean Armistice Agreementwhich is as good as a surrenderdocument for the first time inits history. Mark Clark, whosigned the armistice on behalfof the UN forces in pursuanceof the instructions of the thenUS president Eisenhower,deplored: I gained theunenviable distinction of beingthe first United States ArmyCommander in history to signan armistice without victory.

The Korean war (June 1950-July 1953) was anunprecedented war fought byan imperialist superpower,which had been boasting ofbeing the “strongest” in theworld, mobilizing the hugetroops of its vassal states,against a small country thatwas newly founded inSeptember 1948. The USthrew into the Korean front ahuge armed force of over twomillions, including one-third ofits ground force, one-fifth of airforce and the greater part of itsPacific Fleet, plus troops of 15vassal states and the southKorean troops and remnants ofthe defeated Japanese army,and spent 165 billion USdollars on the military

expenditure. During thethree-year war the celebritiesin the US political andmilitary circles wereengaged, like Truman,Eisenhower, Dulles, Bradley,MacArthur, Ridgway, Clark,Walker, Van Fleet and Taylor.

Nevertheless, the warprogress and results wentbeyond imagination.

The US political andmilitary celebrities who wereinvolved in the war were allsacked from their posts,being responsible for defeatin the war. Commanders ofthe UN Forces were changedthree times during the warand the so-called ever-victorious divisions of theUS were doomed to ruin. Onthe US side, 1 567 128 menincluding 405 498 USsoldiers were killed,wounded or captured, and anenormous amount of combatand technical equipment andwar supplies were lostincluding 12 224 aircraft, 3064 tanks and armouredvehicles, 871 warships andvessels of various types. Theloss was nearly 2.3 times asmuch as that the US hadsuffered in the Pacific War offour years.

Marshall, the then USSecretary of Defense,confessed that the mythexploded to atoms, and itbecame clear to everyone thatthe United States was not sostrong as others had thoughtit to be. As is seen, the Koreanwar shattered the myth of theUS “mightiness” to pieces.

Since then six decades havepassed.

Far from drawing a bitterlesson from its defeat in theKorean war, the US haspersisted in realizing itsambition to dominate thewhole of Korea, turning theKorean peninsula into one ofthe hottest spots in the world.It always drove the situationon the Korean peninsula to theverge of war by committingpolitical and militaryprovocations, such as theincidents of its armed spy shipPueblo in 1968, and largeespionage plane EC-121 in1969, Panmunjom Incident in1976, the first nuclear crisison the Korean peninsulabetween 1993 and 1994 andthe recurrent nuclear crisis inthe new century.

All the incidents, however,that were caused by the USended in its failure, and in

victory of the Korean people.For example, when the US

armed spy ship Pueblo hadbeen captured by the KPAnavy after intruding into theterritorial waters of the DPRK,the former at first threatenedto start a war against the latter,clamouring for retaliation.However, it had no choice afterall but to send a letter ofapology in which it recognizedits espionage and hostile actsand ensured the prevention ofsuch acts to the DPRKgovernment. The then USPresident Johnson deploredthat this was the only letter ofapology the US had left in itshistory ever since its founding.

The same was true for thenuclear crisis created on theKorean peninsula between1993 and 1994. At that time,too, the US staged the TeamSpirit 93 joint military exerciseon the largest scale whileclamouring about a “specialinspection.” But, when theDPRK took toughcountermeasures ofannouncing a semi-war statethroughout the country andwithdrawing from the NuclearNon-proliferation Treaty, theUS had to conclude theDPRK-USA Agreed

Framework of peacefulnature and send in the nameof its president a letter ofassurance guaranteeing itsimplementation. Entering thenew century, the Bushadministration slandered theDPRK as a part of “axis ofevil” and a “state sponsor ofterrorism,” making a big fussabout a preemptive nuclearstrike against it. But, towardthe end of his presidentialterms, he had no option butto sign a document relatingto deleting the DPRK fromthe list of “state sponsor ofterrorism.”

The internationalcommunity witnessed at theoutset of this year that theKorean people wonmiraculous victory inconfrontation with the USand its followers.

When the US picked aquarrel with its satellitelaunch for peaceful purposesand urged the UN SecurityCouncil to adopt a resolutionon imposing sanctions on itby enlisting its followers, theDPRK carried out the thirdunderground nuclear test asa measure to defend itssovereignty and dignity. TheUS and its followers then

forged another sanctionsresolution and staged KeyResolve and Foal Eagle jointmilitary exercises in southKorea by involving thenuclear-capable aircraftcarrier fleet and strategicbombers, and other means ofground, naval and aerialnuclear strike as well as thearmed forces from Britain,Canada, Australia and othercountries who had taken partin the Korean war. DPRK’sresponse to it was to declarethat its strategic rockets wouldattack the US mainland andthe US military bases in thePacific operational zoneincluding Hawaii and GuamIsland. It is an unshakeablewill of the DPRK that if theUS starts another war, it willresolutely wipe out the enemywith no one who will sign thesurrender document left.

The DPRK never makesempty words.

If another war is unleashed,the DPRK, which inflictedsixty years ago anignominious defeat on the USfor the first time in its history,will put a historical end to theUS empire.

Congratulations on the 60thanniversary of the Koreanpeople’s victory in the greatFatherland Liberation War!

MADRID - Spanish policesaid yesterday they had arresteda Briton suspected of leading adrug-trafficking organization,describing him as one ofEurope’s top 10 most wantedcriminals.

Brian Charrington wasarrested along with his girlfriendand son as part of a policeoperation in which 13 peoplewere detained between Spainand Venezuela.

It was not immediately clearwhen Charrington, a former cardealer from Middlesborough innorthern England, had beenarrested.

Police also said they had

seized 220 kg (485 pounds) ofcocaine from an apartment inAlicante, on Spain’s east coast,and blocked bank accounts,property and goods worth over 5million euros ($6.5 million).

Spain remains a populardestination for British criminals,who exploited the lack of anextradition treaty between the twocountries for several years until1985. Police arrested Britishfugitive Mark Lilley in Malagalast week.

Spanish police worked withforces from Venezuela, Colombia,Argentina and Britain in theoperation, with the support ofAMERIPOL.

CAIRO - Seven people werekilled and more than 260 woundedwhen supporters of MohamedMursi clashed with the deposedpresident’s opponents and securityforces through the night asviolence returned to Egypt’sstreets.

Two people were killed at abridge in central Cairo wherepolice and anti-Mursi localsclashed with some of hissupporters who were blocking aroute across the River Nile.Another five were killed in theCairo district of Giza, said thehead of emergency services,Mohamed Sultan.

The street battles, which ragedinto the early hours of yesterdaymorning, were the bloodiest sincemore than 50 Mursi supporterswere killed a week ago. Theviolence overshadows attempts bythe authorities to press on with atransition to full civilian rule bynaming a new cabinet after thearmy pushed Mursi, an Islamist,out of power on July 3.

“We were crouched on theground, we were praying.Suddenly there was shouting. Welooked up and the police were onthe bridge firing tear gas down onus,” said pro-Mursi protester AdelAsman, 42, who was coughing,spitting and pouring Pepsi on hiseyes to ease the effect of tear gas.

.”By sunrise calm had returned.The unrest is more localized thanin the days after Mursi wastoppled when 92 people died, butEgyptians still worry about theauthorities’ ability to restore order

nearly two weeks after Mursi’sremoval.

“I’ve had enough of thischaos,” said Ashraf Mohamed,who watched the clashes from adistance. “Egypt is just rubbish.”

At the bridge in the earlyhours, young men, their mouthscovered to protect them fromtear gas, threw stones at policeand shouted pro-Mursi and anti-military slogans, as well as“Allahu Akbar!” (God isgreatest).

Military helicopters hoveredoverhead and police vans werebrought in to quell the trouble,but when that didn’t work,dozens of riot police moved in.Medics treated men with deepgashes to their eyes and facesnearby.

Millions of Egyptians ralliedfor Mursi’s resignation on June30. The military said it deposedhim to fulfill the wish of thepeople. Mursi’s MuslimBrotherhood said it was a coup.

.””It’s the army against thepeople, these are our soldiers,we have no weapons,” said Alaael-Din, a 34-year-old computerengineer, clutching a laptopduring the melee.

“The army is killing ourbrothers, you are meant todefend me and you are attackingme. The army turned against theEgyptian people.”

Egypt has becomeincreasingly polarized by thecrisis, but one thing the two

sides share is a deep mistrust ofthe United States and itsperceived role in the unrest.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of StateWilliam Burns told reporters inCairo that Washington had nodesire to meddle in Egypt, whichit supports with $1.5 billion in aideach year, most of which goes tothe military.

.””Only Egyptians candetermine their future,” Burnstold reporters at the U.S.embassy. “I did not come withAmerican solutions. Nor did Icome to lecture anyone. We willnot try to impose our model onEgypt.”

Protests and other incidentswere reported in at least fiveother towns across the Britishprovince.

Thousands of pro-BritishProtestants march everysummer, a regular flashpointfor sectarian violence asCatholics, many of whomfavor unification with Ireland,see the parades as aprovocation.

Protestant marchers,unhappy because authoritiesruled they could not walkalong a stretch of road thatdivides the two communities,started throwing bricks andbottles on Friday.

U.S. Vice President JoeBiden expressed his “deepconcern” about the violenceduring a phone call withNorthern Ireland’s leaders onMonday, the White Housesaid.

The police service called onthe regional parliament to helpend the clashes.

“Today is a day for calmingwords and a renewedcommitment from theAssembly to finding politicalsolutions,” the force’s chiefconstable Matt Baggott said.

BELFAST - Protestantyouths hurled petrol bombs atpolice in Northern Ireland,wounding at least 27 officers ina fourth night of protests overrestrictions on traditionalmarches, as the White Houseexpressed “deep concern”about the violence.

The regional parliament,recalled from its summerrecess, was due to meetyesterday to discuss ways ofrestoring order.

Police said they respondedwith water cannon and at leastone baton round in Belfast.

“There are already too manyinjured police officers andyoung people facing prisonsentences for anything else tobe acceptable.”

At least six home-madeexplosive devices and severalpetrol bombs were thrown atpolice in east Belfast onMonday night, police said.

Catholic protesters clashedwith police in one protest in theAdroyne area of the city, theforce added. One car was setalight during clashes in northBelfast.

Protests and other incidentswere also reported in the townsof Newtownabbey, Antrim,Dungannon, Portadown andLondonderry.

A 1998 peace deal mostlyended decades of sectarianstrife in the British provincebut trouble still breaks out,particularly around the Orangeparades which mark a 1690Protestant victory over aCatholic king.

Police said they had broughthundreds of reinforcementsfrom Britain. Sixty peoplehave been arrested and 71officers wounded since thelatest clashes started.

International Compliled ByISAH STELLA

Members Of Syrian WarReconciliation Group Killed

Mexico Captures Leader OfBrutal Zetas Drug Cartel

Greeks Strike Against Public SectorCuts, Protests Gather Steam

DAMASCUS - Pro-government gunmen killed sevenmembers of a local Syrianreconciliation group near thecentral city of Homs, activists saidyesterday, as troops shot dead ninepeople including a child at acheckpoint in a suburb of thecapital.

The latest killings coincide withan offensive by President BasharAssad’s troops in Damascus andits surrounding suburbs, as well asin the strategic provincesurrounding Homs.

The Britain-based SyrianObservatory for Human Rightssaid the seven men, including tworetired army officers, were SunniMuslims working to convincegunmen to drop their weapons andreturn to normal life. They werekilled Monday in the village ofHajar Abyad, where residents areknown to be regime supporters, itsaid.

Assad’s troops have capturedseveral nearby rebel-held areas inrecent weeks including the townsof Qusair and Talkalkh near theborder with Lebanon. Late lastmonth, they launched an attack totry to capture rebel-held areas ofHoms, Syria’s third largest city.

They have also made headwayagainst fighter brigades on theedge of Damascus and easternsuburbs.

The uprising against Assad’srule began in March 2011 and hasdeteriorated into an insurgencywith increasingly sectarianovertones. Rebels, who areoverwhelmingly Sunni, have beenassisted by foreign fighters, whilegovernment forces have beenbolstered by guerrillas from theLebanese Shiite group Hezbollah.

The killing came three days afterrebels attacked a nearby armycheckpoint, killing seven peopleincluding members of the military.It was not immediately clear ifMonday’s killings were in

retaliation for Friday’s ambush..”A Syrian activist, who spoke

on condition of anonymity forfear of reprisals, said the gunmenwho attacked the checkpoint hadalready been cleared by thecommittee as they havesurrendered their arms.

The Observatory said the deadincluded two retired armyofficers, a mosque preacher and aformer mayor.

In the Damascus suburb ofQarah, troops shot dead ninepeople including a child at anarmy checkpoint in the area, theObservatory said.

It was not clear whether thosekilled were fighters or civilians.An amateur video showed seven

dead men, some of them withbeards, and a boy with a bloodiedface. The dead appeared to havesuffered bullet wounds, some tothe head.

“These are Bashar’s crimesduring Ramadan,” a man couldbe heard saying in the videoreferring to the Muslim holymonth that began last week.

The Observatory also reportedfighting in the town ofQahtaniyeh on the edge of theIsraeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Rami Abdul-Rahman, whoheads the Observatory, saidregime forces were attackingrebels in the town.

More than 93,000 have beenkilled and millions uprootedfrom their homes in the conflict.

MEXICO CITY - TheMexican government said onMonday it captured the brutalleader of the Zetas drug cartel inan early-morning raid, marking thebiggest victory for PresidentEnrique Pena Nieto in his fightagainst gang violence.

Marines arrested Miguel AngelTrevino, aka Z-40, afterintercepting his pick-up truck witha helicopter a few miles (km) fromhis home town of Nuevo Laredoon the U.S. border, governmentspokesman Eduardo Sanchez saidin Mexico City.

“Not a single shot was fired,”Sanchez reporters.

The Zetas have been blamed formany of the worst atrocities carriedout by Mexican drug gangs, actsthat have sullied the country’sname and put fear into tourists andinvestors alike.

Following a tide of gang-relatedbeheadings, massacres andgunfights that have claimed morethan 70,000 lives since the start of2007, Pena Nieto said his numberone priority was to restore stability

when he took office inDecember.

Murders have fallen slightly,according to official statistics,but violent crime is still rampantin parts of Mexico and, untilnow, the new government hadfew outstanding successes tocelebrate in its campaign topacify the country.

Trevino, 40, was caught withtwo associates following amonths-long operation to trackhim down, Sanchez said.Authorities also seized morethan $2 million dollars in cashand a cache of arms in theoperation, he said.

Trevino’s capture follows astring of blows in 2012 againstthe Zetas, whose previous leaderwas killed by marines in afirefight in northern Mexico lastOctober.

Among the most shockingincidents pinned on the Zetashave been massacres of migrantworkers, an arson attack on aMonterrey casino in 2011 thatkilled 52 and the dumping of 49decapitated bodies near to thesame city last year.

The government said Trevinowas wanted for a litany of crimesincluding murder, torture, moneylaundering and ordering thekidnapping and execution of 265migrants near the northern townof San Fernando. The bodies ofdozens of murdered migrantworkers were recovered there inboth 2010 and 2011.

By the time Pena Nieto tookpower, much of Mexico wasworn out by the bloodshed underhis predecessor Felipe Calderon.

Calderon, a conservative, hadstaked his reputation on bringingMexico’s powerful drug gangs toheel, sending in the armed forcesto regain the upper hand.

Though his forces captured orkilled many of the top capos, thebloodletting increased, led by theZetas excesses.

Founded by army deserters inthe late 1990s, the Zetas initiallyacted as enforcers for the GulfCartel. But cracks began toappear and the rupture wassealed in early 2010, setting offthe most violent phase inMexico’s drug war.

.”The U.S. State Departmenthas offered a reward of up to $5million for information leadingto Trevino’s capture.

ATHENS - Trains ground to ahalt and hospitals worked withemergency staff as Greek workerswent on strike yesterday in protestat government plans to firethousands of public sectoremployees.

Athens must reform and shrinkits civil service to receive morebailout funds from foreign lendersbut the latest plan of job cuts hassparked uproar among Greeksstruggling with an unemploymentrate of nearly 27 percent.

More than a week of marches bymunicipal workers are expected toculminate in a rally beforeparliament in the capital, withgarbage collectors, bus drivers,bank employees and journalistsamong the groups joining thewalkout.

“We are continuing our fight toput an end to policies thatannihilate workers and drive theeconomy to an even greaterrecession,” said the private sectorunion GSEE, which called thestrike with public sector unionADEDY.

“We will stand up to those who,with wrong and dead-end choices,have driven the Greek people topoverty and despair.”

Flights to and from Athens willbe disrupted as civil aviationunions stage a four-hour workstoppage in solidarity.

City transport was also affected

with bus and trolley bus drivesholding work stoppages in themorning and in the evening.Trains stopped running and taxoffices and municipal servicesremain shut.

Representing about 2.5 millionworkers, the two unions havebrought workers to the streetsrepeatedly since Greece slid intoa debt crisis in late 2009.

The latest strike comes beforea parliamentary vote todayreforms Athens agreed with itsEuropean Union and InternationalMonetary Fund lenders as acondition for 6.8 billion euros($8.9 billion) in aid.

.”Among the measures includedin the bill are job cuts for teachers,municipal police and localgovernment posts.

On Thursday, German FinanceMinister Wolfgang Schaeuble willvisit Athens, which is alsoexpected to draw protests fromGreeks who blame Europeanpaymaster Germany for austeritypolicies that have shrunk paylevels and boostedunemployment.

Greece’s lenders, which havebailed it out twice with 240 billioneuros in aid, have grownimpatient with the slow progressit has made in streamlining a600,000-strong public sectorwidely seen as corrupt andinefficient.

We wish to invite tenders from interested members of the public to execute the followingprojects:

PROJECTS TO BE EXECUTED1. Construction of PHC Centre in Ward 32. Renovation of building occupied by fire service for works department.3. Construction /Asphalt of Streets and Lanes4. Construction of borehole at Osakpamwan Street & others5. Construction of Six, unit Apartment Toilets at New Benin Market with Boreholes

and Overhead Tanks6. Extension of Electricity from Irue-Nowina to Emwinyomwanru7. Extension of Electricity from Emwinyomwanru to Ureghin8. Block of Twelve (12 Units) Lock Up Stalls9. Block of Twelve (12 Units) Open Stalls -10. Purchase of Tipper11. Procurement of Transformer/Installation

(a) 300KVA - 11KV No (2) + WHT, VAT. DEV. LEVY(b) 500KVA - 11KV No (1) + WHT, VAT. DEV. LEVY(c) 300KVA - 33KV No (1) + WHT, VAT. DEV. LEVY(d) 500KVA - 33KV No (1) + WHT, VAT. DEV. LEVY

12. Construction of a two Story Building Office Complex at Urhokpota Hall.13. Renovation of Ore-Oghene Primary School.14. Recommendation/Renovation of Main Secretariat Building.15. Renovation of four Blocks of 20 Units and 2 Blocks of four unit Toilets at Oba

Market.16. Renovation of Emwinyawanru Primary School and provision of Toilets and

Borehole.17. Supply of 750 School Desks and Chairs18. Renovation of 1st Cemetery, Grass/Tree Panting.19. Supply of furniture to offices of the main Secretariat Building20. Construction of Culvert (2) in Ward 221. Renovation of Odia Primary School (Evbuodia)22. Provision of School desk and chairs and renovation of Umegbe Primary School.23. Completion and equipping of Umegbe Health Centre.24. Renovation of Akpali Primary School (Ureghi).25. Sinking of 12 bore holes in 12 Wards.26. Reactivation of 12 existing borehole across the 12 Wards.27. Procurement and installation of Street light across the 12 Wards.28. Construction of police post at Iyekogba29. Renovation of Akhuakhuari pry school30. Construction of Airport polilce station fence.31. Installation of 500KVA-11/0.415kv sub station at Evbuodia extension community.32. Construction of Adeyan police station fence33. Construction of Military Base.34. Area Command deflooding35. Construction of perimetre fence at Irhinhi Primary School.

Accordingly registered contractors, with the requisite competence, acknowledged bythe Local Government through execution of similar jobs on its behalf, are invited to bidfor the execution of the above named projects.

Requirement:Interested tenders are required to submit their proposal with the following requirements,which shall be used as criteria for preliminary selection.

1. Evidence of Incorporation with Corporate Affairs Commission2. Evidence of previous jobs executed3. Evidence of payment of tax by the firm for the last three (3) years.4. Evidence of registration as a contractor with the Local Government.5. Six (6) months bank statement banks statement and reference letter from the

bank.6. Sworn affidavit that:

The Company is not bankrupt.The Company does not have directors convicted by any court in Nigerian orother countries for any criminal offence in relation to fraud or financialimpropriety.

Tender ProcedureTenders are required to pay a non refundable deposit of N15,000.00 only to the OredoLocal Government.

SubmissionAll applicants should be forwarded in sealed envelopes marked at the top left cornerand body written, Bid for the Oredo Local government projects and addressed to theChairman, Oredo Local Government, Benin City, not later than 14 days of this publication.

OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENTKING SQUARE,

BENIN CITYEDO STATE OF NIGERIA

INVITATION TO TENDER

Signed:Hon. Osaro ObazeeExecutive Chairman

Oredo Local GovernmentBenin City.

Foreign FeatureKenyan Peacekeepers Aid

Illegal Somalia Charcoal Export

Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General

SOURCE: reuters

A confidential report byU.N. monitors accusesKenyan soldiers in the AfricanUnion peacekeeping force inSomalia of facilitating illegalcharcoal exports from the portcity of Kismayu, a businessthat generates millions ofdollars a year for Islamicmilitants seeking to topple thegovernment.

The case of the failed banon Somali charcoal outlinedin the report highlights thedifficulty of cutting off alShabaab militants’ fundingand ensuring compliance withU.N. sanctions when there islittle appetite for enforcingthem on the ground.

The Kenyan military deniedthe allegations in the U.N.Monitoring Group’s latestannual report to the SecurityCouncil’s sanctionscommittee on Somalia andEritrea.

The report was completedbefore recent clashes inKismayu.

In that fighting, rivalmilitias battled for control ofthe strategic port city afterAhmed Madobe, leader of theRas Kamboni militia and aformer Islamist warlord,became leader of the Jubalandregion, which includesKismayu, in May.

The situation remains tensethough the Mogadishugovernment, which initiallyopposed Madobe, is lettinghim stay on as interim leader.

Kismayu is a lucrative prizefor clan leaders, bringing withit generous revenues fromcharcoal exports, port taxesand levies on arms and otherillegal imports.

The Security Councilbanned the export of charcoalfrom Somalia in February2012 to cut off one of the mainsources of income for alShabaab, which has beenfighting for control ofSomalia for years andenforces a strict version ofsharia law in the areas itoccupies.

Kenyan forces in theAfrican Union’s AMISOMpeacekeeping mission, whichhas a U.N. Security Council

mandate and receives fundingfrom the European Union andUnited States, helped theSomali government retakecontrol of Kismayu when theal Qaeda-aligned militantsfled in September 2012.

Afterwards, the AU almostimmediately urged theSecurity Council to lift thecharcoal export ban, at leasttemporarily.

Kenya supported the idea,arguing that Kismayu’s angrycharcoal traders couldundermine the security of itstroops. The MonitoringGroup, which reports oncompliance with the Somalia/Eritrea sanctions regime,disputed Nairobi’s analysis.

“The argument that a groupof charcoal traders constituteda greater threat to the KDF(Kenya Defence Force) thanal Shabaab that had just beenrouted in Kismayu, wasdifficult to appreciate,” thegroup said in an annex to itsannual report, which was seenby Reuters.

“Instead, it was far morelikely that exporting charcoalwould exacerbate clantensions and resourceinterests, leading to muchbroader conditions ofconflict,” the group said in itsreport, which is nearly 500pages with all its annexes.“And this is precisely whatsubsequently occurred.”

U.N. CHARCOALEXPORT BAN FLOUTED

The Monitoring Group’sreport is likely to elicit newcriticism of Nairobi fromSomalia’s government, whichhas accused Kenyan troops oftaking sides against it in therecent clashes in Kismayu andsuggested they should bereplaced by a more neutralforce. Kenya denied thecharge.

The group said SomaliPresident Hassan SheikhMohamud asked AMISOM inOctober 2012 to keepKismayu port closed tocommercial traffic, includingcharcoal. But it said he wasunaware that former PrimeMinister Abdiweli Mohamed

Ali Gaas had already askedthe Security Council’ssanctions committee to reviewthe ban.

The group said an AMISOMcommander lied to thepresident.

“As late as 26 October 2012,the AMISOM Deputy ForceCommander for Operationsand Plans, Major GeneralSimon Karanja (of Kenya),assured the President that theport was closed and there wasno shipping traffic, while he

knew otherwise,” theMonitoring Group said.

The Kenyans did not hidethe fact that they wanted toease the charcoal ban becausethey feared it could make theirjob of keeping the peace inKismayu that much moredifficult.

When it became clear thatthe Security Council wouldnot lift the charcoal exportban, the “the KDF (Kenyanforces), Madobe and his RasKamboni forces took theunilateral decision to begin theexport of charcoal fromKismayu port,” the reportsaid.

Once that decision wasmade, the charcoal exportbusiness in Kismayu, which

the Monitoring Group said isknown to have the highest-quality charcoal in Somalia,resumed in earnest.

Colonel Cyrus Oguna, aspokesman for the KDF,which has been battling alShabaab in Somalia sinceOctober 2011, said Kenya wasnot aiding the charcoalexports in any way.

“The KDF is not at the seaport. The port is beingmanaged and supervised by acommittee put in place by the

administrators of Jubaland,”Oguna said in Nairobi.

AMISOM did not respondto a request for comment.

Although the KenyanAMISOM contingent andMadobe’s Ras Kambonimilitia took over Kismayuafter al Shabaab left, the U.N.monitors said al Shabaabretained a share of thecharcoal business after it lostcontrol of the city.

“The nature of the businessenterprise forged by alShabaab continues with alShabaab, its commercialpartners and networks stillcentral to the trade,” theMonitoring Group said.

“Essentially, with thechangeover of power inKismayu, the shareholding of

the charcoal trade at the portwas divided into threebetween al Shabaab, RasKamboni and Somali Kenyanbusinessmen cooperatingwith the KDF (Kenyanarmy).”

Not only did the charcoalexport business continue inspite of the U.N. SecurityCouncil ban, but it saw adramatic increase, the U.N.monitors’ report said.

“In fact, its shareholding inKismayu charcoal, incombination with its (alShabaab’s) export revenues atBarawe (town) and itstaxation of truckstransporting charcoal fromproduction areas under itscontrol are likely exceeding

the revenue it generated whenit controlled Kismayu,” itsaid.

In the 1990s the Horn ofAfrica country implodedamid clan warfare after theoverthrow of a dictator andbecame virtually lawless fortwo decades. AMISOM wascreated in 2007 to supportefforts to restore order inSomalia, and today themission’s troops are mostlyfrom Uganda, Burundi,Djibouti and Kenya.

‘KING OF CHARCOAL’The Monitoring Group

estimated that al Shabaab,which has been driven out ofmany parts of Somalia butremains a potent force,exported some 9 million to 11million sacks of charcoalfrom the country in 2011,raking in more than $25million.

“At the rate of export sinceNovember 2012, theMonitoring Group estimatesthat this number is rising to24 million sacks per year andrepresents an overallinternational market value of$360-384 million USD, withprofits divided along thecharcoal trade supply chain,

including for al Shabaab,” thereport said.

The group said it estimatedcharcoal exports fromKismayu alone were worth$15 million to $16 million permonth. It noted that traders inDubai say the actual exportamount is probably muchhigher.

The group said there wasalso charcoal exporting fromBarawe, the al Shabaab-controlled town north ofKismayu, bringing themilitants $1.2 million to $2million per month in taxes.

One Kismayu charcoaltrader with strong links to alShabaab is Hassan MohamudYusuf, alias Awlibaax, fromthe Mareehan clan andchairman of the Juba BusinessCommittee, the group said. Heis also linked to Dubai’s keycharcoal businessman, SalehDa’ud Abdulla, who himselfhas connections to al Shabaab,it added.

Another is Ali Ahmed Naaji,from the minority Cawro-maleh clan, who “arranges orprovides loans to al Shabaab,and makes investments forthem in South Sudan,” thereport said.

It said Yusuf and Naaji aloneaccount for around 32 percentof charcoal exports fromKismayu, most of which go toDubai.

The largest purchaser ofcharcoal in Dubai is Al QaedInternational General Trading,owned by Baba MansoorGhayedi, alias Haji Baba, anIranian living in Dubai whodescribed himself to theMonitoring Group as the“King of Charcoal.”

The report said Haji Babadenied importing Somalicharcoal in violation of theSecurity Council ban and thatthe paperwork shows hischarcoal comes from Kenyaand Djibouti, both of whichhave banned charcoal exports.

The Monitoring Groupincluded in one annex what itsaid were examples of falsebills of lading certifyingSomali charcoal as comingfrom Kenya.

The United Arab Emirateshas been aware of the illegalSomali charcoal shipments,the monitors said. InSeptember 2012 it notified theMonitoring Group that it hadimpounded a shipment of100,000 sacks of Somalicharcoal.

The monitors said charcoaltraders in Dubai informedthem that the impoundedshipment eventually reachedthe market. Some 10,000 bagsof charcoal were unloaded inDubai and the rest in SaudiArabia. The consignee of thatshipment was Haji Baba.

“The Security Council banned the export of charcoalfrom Somalia in February 2012 to cut off one of the mainsources of income for al Shabaab, which has beenfighting for control of Somalia for years and enforces astrict version of sharia law in the areas it occupies.”

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DRAWS?

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Arteta Wants Gunners ToSpend Big

Utd EyeFellaini ToJoin Cesc

Hazard Wants ‘BrilliantRooney

Fernandinho Hails PellegriniInFluence

Mourinho To Target Four TrophiesFor Chelsea

Arsene Wenger

Wayne Rooney

JOSE Mourinho said TuesdayChelsea would be gunning forvictory in all four competitionsthis season as he prepared to kickoff his second spell in charge witha friendly in Bangkok.

The 50-year-old Portuguesesaid there were “no priorities” forChelsea as they tackle thePremier League, ChampionsLeague, FA Cup and League Cup,following their pre-season tour ofAsia and the United States.

“The next match is theimportant one. If our next matchis the Champions League, theChampions League is ourcompetition,” Mourinho told apress conference.

“And the same with the Cupsbecause we know what theEnglish Cups mean, especiallythe FA. And we want to playevery competition with thismentality — so for us, nopriorities.”

Mourinho won back-to-backPremier League trophies, the FACup and two League Cups duringhis first time in London. But theChampions League, which he has

MANCHESTER Citynewcomer Fernandinho believesManuel Pellegrini will bring a“winning mentality” back to theclub.

Fernandinho joined City fromShakhtar Donetsk earlier thissummer, and says that Pellegrinihas what it takes to lift the clubback to the top of the PremierLeague standings.

“Although Manuel is new, theplayers are already getting usedto his style on and off the pitch -pre-season is a good time for this,to learn his personality,”Fernandinho told The Sun.

“At meal times for example hewants everyone together at thesame time. This is the way hewants things to be done.

“I am enjoying working withhim. It seems like he has that realwinning mentality and a strongfootball philosophy that he willmake the players understand.

“I think it will be slightlydifferent because I spent eightyears with the same manager. Ourrelationship was fantastic and Ihope I will build the same withMr Pellegrini.”

Fernandinho and Pellegrinimade their City debuts in a 2-0defeat to Supersport United inPretoria on Sunday, and theforward says he was excited totake to the pitch for his newemployers.

“It felt like the first day atschool,” he explained. “Beingable to play in such a big team isvery exciting.

“I don’t feel 100 per cent fit yet,but I have two weeks of pre-season now to train then

CHELSEA attacker EdenHazard admitted bringingManchester United strikerWayne Rooney to StamfordBridge would be ‘brilliant’.

Rooney has long beenrumoured with an exit fromUnited, despite the protestsfrom United manager DavidMoyes, with speculationlinking the Englandinternational to JoseMourinho’s Blues.

And the move has received aringing endorsement fromBelgium international Hazard.

“Rooney would be a brilliantsigning,” Hazard told SkySports. “He’s a great playerwho has the experience andhe’s still only young, at 27.

“He’s got a few years left toplay. But it’s not up to me. It’snot my decision.”

Life at Chelsea is renewedunder Mourinho when theEuropa League winners facethe Singha All-Stars,Manchester Unitedconquerors, in Bangkok on

MANCHESTER Unitedmanager David Moyes isconsidering a move for hisformer Everton playerMarouane Fellaini, accordingto the Guardian.

Moyes is thought to be keenon bolstering his midfieldoptions amid reports of Unitedtabling a +30 million bid forBarcelona’s Cesc Fabregasafter they lost out to BayernMunich in the race for ThiagoAlcantara.

The Scot signed Belgiuminternational Fellaini fromStandard Liege for £15million in 2008, and it isthought the player has a

Manager Arsene Wenger isunderstood to be pursuingLiverpool striker Luis Suarezand Real Madrid’s GonazaloHiguain as part of a summerspending spree, and Artetabelieves it will help Arsenalbecome title contenders onceagain.

“The club have said they aregoing to be very ambitious inthe market and have got thefinancial resources to get bigplayers,” Arteta is quoted as

saying in the Guardian.“I think it’s about time. When

you compare us to the other topEnglish clubs and the money

they have paid, we are very farapart. The value of this club isthe class and what it means isvery difficult to match.

“Now, financially, they arevery strong so maybe we willbe more aggressive in thetransfer market. There has neverbeen a tradition at Arsenal topay crazy, crazy money.

“I am excited. They made itpublic that they are going to gobig and the sort of players theyhave been linked with makesme happy.

“It creates a good atmosphereand we need to do somethingbecause the other teams aredoing it, and I think we will.

“I believe we can becontenders again but it alsocreates a genuine atmospherefor the fans and they need thatbecause we haven’t wontrophies in the last years. Theyneed something back. I believein what we have but if we canstrengthen a bit, then we aregoing to make the gap with theother teams much closer. That’swhat we’re looking for.”

Arteta also insists there hasbeen a noticeable increase inmorale at the club of late, withprevious summers beingdominated by the departures ofRobin van Persie, Alex Song,Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

“There’s a difference [inspirit] when you are trying tosell players and when you aretrying to buy,” Arteta said. “Thedifference between those twoconcepts is very big.

“If we do well [in the transfermarket], I think you will see thedifference on the pitch. We’renot that far away. The fact thatwe haven’t won it [a trophy] foreight years makes it hardermentally to believe but that’swhat we need to do.

“I was disappointed whenRobin left. He was the bestplayer in our team, he made thedifference for us. I didn’t wanthim to go but we had to acceptthat he wanted to move on to anew challenge.”

release clause of around £23million.

On Monday, new Evertonmanager Roberto Martinezurged Fellaini to stay atGoodison Park and repeat hisfine form of last season.

The Guardian has reportedthat United are looking to addboth Fellaini and Fabregas totheir ranks, although it remainsto be seen whether Barca arewilling to let the Spaininternational leave.

The paper reported that asource said “the player is nottransferable”, but the RedDevils have not given up hopeof landing the former Arsenalman.

It is suggested Fabregas hasbeen made a top target afterUnited decided against chasingReal Madrid’s Luka Modric.

Wednesday and Hazard revealedthe Portuguese manager wantshim to be more ‘ambitious’ thisseason, perhaps a view fromwhen Mourinho tried to sign the22-year-old when he was stillmanager at Real Madrid.

“He told me he’d asked Lille,but I wanted to stay there until Iwas 21 and develop my game,”said Hazard. “I must have been19 or 20 at the time. Real Madridis a wonderful team, but I had somuch still to prove in the Frenchleague. I stayed because I didn’twant to leave too early.

“He told us all what heexpected of us, what he wants tosee. To me he told me to beambitious with my game, to trythings and that, if I do that, I cando something special this year.

“I told him I wanted to domyself justice, to do as well as Ican, and that is all he wants tosee from all of us. I hope it willend up being productive.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea defenderhas told the BBC that hebelieves the Premier League canbe won by “six or seven teams”this season.

“Squads are getting strongerand stronger. There’s six orseven teams pushing to get upthere,” he said.

hopefully I will feel top quality.“It was a great honour to play

with such big names and fantasticplayers so I’ve been lookingforward to my debut for the lastmonth.

“Manchester City are nowconsidered one of the best teamsin the world and after I signed,people back home in Brazilcongratulated me for signing for

one of the top teams in the world.“I feel very happy here, but the

biggest challenge for me now isthe language. Although Iunderstand English I need tolearn how to speak it better andwhen people talk too fast I’munable to follow the wholeconversation.

“This is the thing I need to getused to rather than the football. Ispeak Spanish, Portuguese,Italian and Russian so hopefullyit won’t be too long.”

lifted with Porto and Inter Milan,remained elusive.

He named Manchester Unitedand Manchester City, the twomost recent winners of thePremier League and both alsounder new management, as hismain competition in England.

“In European football we havemore candidates (to win theChampions League) and becauseof that it’s more difficult to win,but we want to be there and wewill be fighting for it,” Mourinhoadded.

Mourinho said he would try toinstil a winning culture from hisvery first game on Wednesday —against the Singha All-Star XI,who shocked Manchester United1-0 last week in David Moyes’sdebut game in charge.

The Portuguese, known for hismeticulous attention to detail,said he had sent his assistant toscout Saturday’s game and givehim a tactical blueprint of theopponents, whom he rated asdangerous.

“I don’t like to lose, the playersdon’t like to lose... for sure,tomorrow my boys will try to geta result,” he said. “Losing is nota drama, losing doesn’t changeanything in the team. But it’s notnice, we don’t like it.

“Winning is part of the cultureand if you can do that even infriendly matches, you have to doit.”

Mourinho also deflected thelatest transfer speculation, whichincludes links with ManchesterUnited’s Wayne Rooney, AstonVilla striker Christian Bentekeand even former Chelsea aceDidier Drogba, 35.

“Managers of big clubs areconnected with everybody untilAugust 31,” he said, referring tothe end of the July-Augusttransfer window.

“That’s the old story infootball: rumours and rumoursand rumours, and at the end ofthe day after so many rumours,something becomes true.

“But in this moment I’m sohappy with the people I have herethat I’m not thinking about otherplayers.”

ARSENAL midfielder Mikel Arteta says “it’s about time”the Gunners began to match the Premier League’s biggest clubsin the transfer market.

The Return Of TheProdigal son

Celebratory Fire Turns IraqFootball Win Into Nightmare

Torino ‘Keeper BannedIn Fixing Probe

Beckham Hopes ToUnveil MLS Plans

AFTER a year spent at FCSion, Oussama Darragi signed onMonday a two-year contract withhis former club Esperance Tunis.

Esperance is very familiarterritory to the 26-year oldattacking midfielder, who worethe Blood and Gold coloursbetween 2007 and 2012.

The Tunis’ giants arestrengthening their squad fewdays from the start of the 2013CAF Champions League’s Groupphase, where they will fight for asemi-final spot against Angola’sRecreativo do Libolo,Cameroon’s Coton Sport andIvoirian champions Séwé Sport inGroup B.

Darragi is Bab Souika’s outfitfourth recruit in July.

To start with, the Blood andGold signed Evian’s right backIheb Mbarki. The 21-year oldwho made his training at ClubAthlétique Bizertin joinedEsperance on a four-yearcontract.

The Tunis’ outfit finalized thenthe transfer of CAB attacking

midfielder Mohamed AliMhadhebi with a five-yearcontract, before signing UnionSportive Monastirienne 23-yearold left back Seifeddine Akermi.

Darragi, Mbarki and Akermiwill be able to help Esperancein their continental campaign,unlike Mhadhebi who alreadycompeted on the African stagewith Club Athlétique Bizertinthis season and is thereforeineligible.

The Blood and Gold will starttheir quest of a third continentalcrown (after winning the 1994and 2011 editions) this comingSunday in Angola, against ClubeRecreativo Desportivo doLibolo.

TORINO goalkeeper Jean-Francois Gillet has been bannedfor three years and seven monthsas the Italian investigation intomatch-fixing continues.

The Italian Football Federation(FIGC) said Gillet, 34, was oneof 20 people to be punished foreither violating the rules orfailing to report attempts to fixtwo games involving Bari in2008 and 2009.

The charges relate to Bari’smatches against Treviso, on May11 2008, and Salernitana, a littleover a year later.

Gillet, the Bari goalkeeper at

the time, denies being involvedfixing games or accepting anymoney for any attempted fix.

Two players, William Pianuand Nicola Strambelli, have beencleared. The other playersreceived bans ranging betweensix months and four years, theFIGC said.

Bari, who now play in Serie B,will begin next season with a one-point deduction, subject toappeal.

The investigation has beenconducted separately from thatinvolving Lazio captain StefanoMauri, who is set to learn his fatelater this month.

THIRTEEN-year-old Moqtada went outside his house toset off fireworks after a victory by Iraq’s football team, butended up a victim of celebratory gunfire, with a bullet lodgedin his back.

When Iraq beat South Koreain the U-20 World Cupquarter-finals this month,Baghdad erupted with thesound of gunshots, firedindividually or in automaticbursts.

But while some weregleefully firing in the air,

others were paying the price.Security and medical officialssaid at least four people werekilled and around 21 woundedby gunfire after the match.

Celebratory shooting addsyet another danger to a countrywhich has been hit by theworst violence since 2008.More than 2,600 people havebeen killed in attacks so farthis year.

At a house in centralBaghdad, Moqtada, a slightly-built boy with black hair,rested on his stomach on anarrow bed, a large bandagecovering his wounded lowerback.

“I went out ... to play withfireworks” and “was hit in myback,” Moqtada said in a quietvoice.

He intially thought he hadbeen struck by a firework, butit soon became clear it wassomething more serious.

“I was sitting at homewatching the match, whichIraq won. We were happy,”said Moqtada’s uncle Rahim.“Then they called saying yournephew was hit by a shot.”

Rahim said Moqtada wastaken to a public hospital inBaghdad, but they refused tooperate, saying it was toorisky.

So the wounded boy had to

be moved to a second publichospital.

It seemed the operationwould be performed there, butdoctors eventually decided itshould be done at a third,privately-owned hospital,where the bullet was finallyremoved.

The boy’s father Ali later toldAFP Moqtada was recoveringwell from the gunshot andwalking again.

But the operation, unliketreatment at public facilities,came at a steep cost — 2.5million Iraqi dinars (about$2,080) — a huge expense thatthe family could ill-afford.They pooled money to pay thebill.

It was “all because of thematch,” Rahim said. “Clap,dance, celebrate, but not withshooting.”

As for an upcoming match,he added: “I hope that Iraq willlose, it is better, I swear toGod.”

No victory would mean nocelebratory shooting.

Interior ministry spokesmanSaad Maan told AFP thatpeople who fire weapons in theair can face arrest and theconfiscation of their firearms.

“If you want to celebrate, youcan celebrate in a modernway,” Maan said. “Anythingelse except using guns.”

But celebratory shooting,which also occurs at someweddings and funerals, is still

common in Iraq, and securityforces are sometimes part ofthe problem.

The night Moqtada was shot,one witness saw federalpolicemen in the Zayouna areaof Baghdad firing aKalashnikov assault rifle anda machinegun into the air,though an officer came andcalled them to account.

People usually fire into theair at an angle, meaning that“the bullet will come back toearth on a parabolic curve withsome residual velocity,” saidRonald Scott, a US-basedforensic consultant onfirearms, ballistics, andshooting reconstructions.

This poses serious danger:“Gunshots fired in the air havea very high degree of causingserious bodily injury or deathbecause it is rare that they areactually coming back to earthin a free-fall vertically,” whenthey pose much less danger,Scott said.

Some Iraqis have had morethan enough of the practice.

“We don’t want it tocontinue,” Ahmed MidhatIbrahim said at a Baghdad cafe.“It is unbelievable for thosewho are going to celebrate tobe shot and maybe killed.”

And one fan urged in a textmessage displayed at thebottom of the screen duringanother match: “If you loveIraq, do not fire in the air afterthe game.”

PSG Poised To UnveilRecord Buy Cavani

PARIS Saint-Germain are setto unveil Edinson Cavani as thelatest addition to their Frenchtitle-winning squad on Tuesday.

Cavani, 26, will join the clubin a Ligue 1 record +64 milliondeal from Napoli, just over aweek after PSG had said theywere confident the switch wouldsoon be completed.

Monaco paid a reported +60million to sign Radamel Falcaofrom Atletico Madrid earlier thissummer, having earlierestablished a new top-flightrecord fee by paying +45 millionfor James Rodriguez.

PSG, however, will trump theirrivals with the signing of Cavani,who is set be presented to themedia at a press conference at4pm local time.

The Uruguay internationalforward arrived in Paris onMonday and was met at CharlesDe Gaulle airport by his agent,Pierpaolo Triulzi, and PSGdeputy sporting director OlivierLetang.

He then met the club’s sportingdirector, Leonardo, before

undergoing a three-hour medicalat the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital.

With Leonardo having told theclub that he will leave his post atthe end of the summer transferwindow on September 2, PSGpresident Nasser Al Khelaifi isexpected to return from Doha onTuesday morning to presentCavani to the press instead.

GomezArrival

Paves WayFor Jovetic

ExitMANCHESTER City

appear to be closing in on thesigning of Stevan Joveticafter Fiorentina’s unveiling ofMario Gomez as their newstriker.

Over 20,000 fans packedinto Florence’s StadioArtemio Franchi on Mondayto hear the Viola’s newsigning say he was “very,very, very happy” to be partof their family, but it seemsJovetic is edging towards anexit.

City are believed to beready to meet Fiorentina’s+30 million asking price witha move reportedly imminent,so much so that the 23-year-old has not been summonedalong with the rest of thesquad to a pre-season trainingcamp in Moena, Trentino.

Instead, his visit to the sameclinic where Gomezunderwent his medical onMonday was to gauge therecovery progress of an injuryhe picked up while oninternational duty withMontenegro.

Jovetic has scored 35 goalsin 116 league appearances forFiorentina, including 13 lastseason. He shot to fame in2009-10 when the Viola beatLiverpool home and away inthe group stage of theChampions League beforebowing out on away goals toBayern Munich, in spite ofJovetic’s five goals in sixappearances.

With Sevilla warning Citythey will have to pay the fullasking price if they are to signstriker Alvaro Negredo, it isreported that Jovetic is nowtheir top attacking target.

DAVID Beckham hopes tomake an announcement later thisyear about his plans to launch anMLS expansion franchise.

The former England captain,who spent four years at LAGalaxy before retiring after ashort spell at Paris Saint-Germainlast season, visited Miami lastmonth to explore the option offounding a new team in Florida.

The 38-year-old had a clause inhis contract from his time as aplayer at LA Galaxy giving himthe option to take up ownershipof a club in the MLS for a set feeof $25 million.

Beckham was joined on thatvisit by Bolivia-born billionaireMarcelo Claure, who triedunsuccessfully to launch an MLSfranchise in Florida inpartnership with Spanish giantsBarcelona back in 2009.However, the prospect of aBeckham-led operation enhancesthe prospects of success this time

around.“It will be in a few months

maybe but it’s important to get itright,” Beckham is quoted assaying in The Sun. “This is a bigdecision where I’ll have myfranchise and how I’m going todo it. It’s something I’m excitedabout.”

There is not currently an MLSfranchise in Florida, nor any ofthe closest dozen or so states inthe region. The closest clubs toMiami are Houston Dynamo tothe west and DC United to thenorth. The last time the state hadany MLS franchises was in 2001,the year both the FortLauderdale-based Miami Fusionand the Tampa Bay Mutinyfolded.

New York City FC, the jointventure between Premier Leagueside Manchester City andbaseball giants New YorkYankees, will enter the MLS in2015 as the league’s 20thfranchise.

Oussama Darragi

Wolves Loan Mba For Free

Eagle Battle Coted’Ivoire On Artifi-

cial Pitch

Match Fixing Scandal Probe Al-most Concluded - Sanusi

Federation Cup: HeartlandHenchman Promises Vic-

torious Outing

AgbetuCheats Death

ABUJA - Mohammed Sanusi, Director of Competitions,Nigeria Football Association (NFA), said yesterdayinvestigations into the match fixing scandal in the NigeriaNation Wide League (NNWL), were almost concluded.

Speaking to newsmen aftera meeting of the investigation/disciplinary committee inAbuja, Sanusi said that thecommittee had a very fruitfuldeliberation.

It would be recalled thatPlateau United FC’s Feederteam scored a whopping 79un-replied goals to overcomeAkurba FC of Nasarawa.

Also, the Police MachineFC, Adamawa “crushed’’Babayaro FC of Gombe 67-0both in the Nigeria NationWide League NNWLDivision 4.

Plateau United Feeders andPolice Machine FC were tiedon four points each with the

same goal difference, andneeded the last matches toqualify into NNWL Division3.

The four teams were placedon an indefinite suspension bythe NFA on July 8, pendingfurther investigations into thematter.

Sanusi said that thecommittee took decisions thatwould serve as deterrent towould-be offenders anddescribed the scandal as adisgrace to the nation’sfootball.

“We invited the four teamsinvolved in the saga, twoteams attended: PlateauUnited Feeders and Akurba

FC of Nasarawa; while PoliceMachine of Adamawa andBabayaro FC of Gombe didnot come.

“All the two matchcommissioners and the centrereferees were in attendance.

The hosts’ FootballAssociations (FAs) were alsoin attendance as well as thezonal coordinators.

“Some of the players fromthe teams involved also cameand testified, especially thecaptain of Akurba FC ofNasarawa.

“At the end, based on theevidences before us, we tookdecisions which we think willsalvage Nigerian football,” hesaid.

Sanusi, who doubles as theSecretary of the OrganisingCommittee, noted that the

country’s integrity was atstake because theinternational community wasvery interested in the outcomeof the cases.

“FIFA has been keeping aclose watch on the issues.

“In fact, while we were inthe meeting, some foreignnewsmen called; every daywe receive calls frominternational organisationseager to find out our decisionon the matter.

He said that the outcome ofthe meeting would be madepublic as soon as possible.

“By the time we present ourreport to the people whoassigned us to carry out thisinvestigation, and it isapproved, then our findingsand actions will be madepublic,” he said.

NIGERIA have said theyare ready to tackle hosts Coted’Ivoire on a synthetic pitchin a 2014 CHAN second legqualifier.

The home-based Eaglesbeat their Ivorian counterparts4-1 in the first leg played atthe Ahmadu Bello Stadium inKaduna earlier this month.

“We learnt from theleadership of the NFF that thegame will be played onartificial turf and I must saywe were delighted because wewill give our all on such apitch but we are keeping ourplans close to our chest,” teamco-ordinator Emmanuel Attasaid on Monday.

Head Coach Stephen Keshiand his assistants were calmover the development becauseaccording to team secretary,Dayo Enebi Achor, “Anythingthey want to throw at us we

FAN Ndubuoke,Chairman, Heartland FC ofOwerri, yesterday said thatthe team would doeverything within its meansto ensure a victoriousouting in the FederationCup.

Ndubuoke told newsmenin Lagos that the playersand coaching crew werebent on winning the cup fora third time, to set a record.

The Owerri-based sidewill lock horns with IngasFC of Enugu, a non-leagueside on July 17, in theround of 32 of thecompetition.

“We know lots of clubsare prepared for this

CHAIRMAN of WarriWolves Amaju Pinnick hasrevealed Eagles star Sunday

Mba is now at Rangers on afree loan till the end of theseason.

Pinnick said part of thereason for agreeing on a freeloan deal for Mba is that thereis a player, EteborOghenekaro, who plays asimilar role to that of the 2013AFCON hero at Wolves.

The Wolves bossmaintained though that hisclub still own Mba 100%.

“Mba’s coming in to WarriWolves now can be negativeor positive because we havea player who is doing well inMba’s role here, that is EteborOghenekaro. We can’t bringa player like Mba to come andsit on the bench here,” Pinnicksaid on a televisionprogramme.

“We had a meeting overSunday Mba, a promisingyoung man that can do wellfor Nigeria team, so wedecided to have an agreement- we asked him what hewanted and he said he wantedto play for Rangers becausethey have been good to him,and in our usual generosity,we gave him to Rangers on afree loan without collecting a

tournament; we are goingthere to set a record, Godwilling.

“But we will do anythinghumanly possible to ensurethat we achieve our goal;we know we are the targetof other clubs so the onlything to do is to preparehard enough.

“We have put together allthe necessary logistics toensure that our plan doesn’tsuffer any hitch,’’Ndubuoke said.

The nationalpreliminaries of theFederation Cup will hold infour centres: Lagos, PortHarcourt, Bauchi andLokoja and the

are sure we have capablehands led by Keshi to counterthem.”

The Eagles will resumetraining on Tuesday morningat the FIFA Goal ProjectAbuja and will train once inthe morning until otherwisedecided.

Meanwhile, Super Eaglesgoalkeeper and skipperChigozie Agbim was the firstto arrive camp on Mondayafternoon as the training campopened for the return leg ofthe CHAN qualifier finalround against Cote D’Ivoirein Abidjan, July 27.

Agbim was soon joined bythe likes of GodfreyOboabona, AzubuikeEgwuekwe, BenjaminFrancis, Rabiu Ali and bydinner time almost all the 24players invited for the crucialtie have reported.

FORMER Nigeria U20 strikerAkeem Agbetu cheated death inTurkey when his BMW car burntto ashes Monday afternoon.

TKI Tavsanli Linyitspor ofTurkey striker toldMTNFootball.com that he wasshocked with the event as he hadnever witnessed such in his life.

“My car got burnt downcompletely. It was shocking, Ihave never witnessed such in mylife,” Agbetu toldMTNFootball.com

“I thank God for my life that Iescape unhurt. It happened whileI was driving to training. It wasmiracle that I was out of the car.”

The 5 Series BMW was valuedat about 30,000 Euros.

Linyitspor are Agbetu’s sixthTurkish club since he movedthere in 2009. He has alsofeatured for Sivasspor,Samsunspor, Kocealispor andBoluspor.

dime. “When he is moving to

Europe which is imminent, wewill be the team they willdiscuss with because he is ourplayer 100%.”

preliminaries will holdfrom July 16 to July 28.

On the level ofmotivation of the players,the chairman told NAN thatall outstanding sign on feesand due payments havebeen settled.

“We have paid asubstantial part of their signon fees and we have paidsalaries, so they are wellmotivated

“They are preparing welland are currently training atRojeny, near Onitsha,’’ thechairman added.

Agbelu Car on fire

Coach Keshi

Mba

De Boer Backs Eriksen To JoinLiverpool

Valencia WasMy OnlyChoice

Zaha In Awe At United Life

One Year ToGreatness- Lukaku- Lukaku- Lukaku- Lukaku- Lukaku

EPL: Giggs Hungry For More

MertesackerPredicts Ti-

tle Chal-lenge

CHELSEA’s midfielderOriol Romeu says he is lookingto make the best of his season-long loan move to La Liga sideValencia.

The 21-year-old has battled tosecure a regular role at StamfordBridge and will look to gainmore experience with Los Chein the Spanish league as well asthe Europa League.

The former Barcelona playerrevealed that a move to Valenciahad been on the cards duringprevious transfer windowsbefore the two sides eventuallyreached an agreement last week.

“I feel very proud to be here,”he told reporters. “I have cometo this big club to contribute andto enjoy football. We are goingto compete for big things.

“We tried to get me here threetimes, and finally we havesucceeded. I really wanted toplay here. I didn’t want to listento any other offer; my onlychoice was Valencia CF.”

Romeu came through theBarcelona youth ranks and madehis La Liga debut in May 2011before joining Chelsea on a four-year deal two months later.

HOTLY tipped Chelseastriker Romelu Lukaku set hissights sky-high Monday bysaying he plans to be among theworld’s best players within ayear after combining with newmanager Jose Mourinho.

The 20-year-old Belgian,fresh from a storming loanseason with West BromwichAlbion, said he believed Chelseawere building “something big”under the charismatic and highlysuccessful Portuguese boss.

And the six foot four (1.93metres) powerhouse saidMourinho was also pushing himto achieve his personal goals —which include becoming one ofthe top players in the world bythe age of 21.

“We’re just here and we’rebuilding to something big,” hetold AFP during a coachingclinic for schoolchildren inBangkok, first stop on Chelsea’spre-season tour.

“We have great players, wehave great leaders, a lot of greatquality in the team and we arehere to build something great.”

AJAX coach Frank de Boerinsists he will not preventChristian Eriksen from joiningLiverpool this summer if themidfielder requests a move tothe Premier League side.

Eriksen, 21, has a yearremaining on his contract withthe Dutch club, but has beenstrongly linked with a move toeither Liverpool or BorussiaDortmund.

The Denmark international’sagent last week confirmedEriksen is in talk with anumber of clubs, although amove away from theAmsterdam ArenA has not yetbeen confirmed.

With Eriksen reluctant tosign a contract extension, theEredivisie champions could beforced into selling their star to

avoid him leaving on a freenext season.

De Boer suggestedLiverpool are now in the boxseat to sign the playmakerafter Henrikh Mkhitaryanjoined Dortmund, claiminghe will not stand in the wayof the Reds’ approach.

“It is up to Christian whathe wants,” De Boer said,according to Sky Sports. “Ifhe feels good going toLiverpool, then it is up tohim. I would want nothingmore than having him withus for a few more years.

“But we realise the interestin this kind of player is huge.

And I can also understand that

he wants to make another stepin his career. I can’t stop him.”

Oliha For Burial July 26By NICHOLAS EBOIGBE

THE remains of the former Super Eagles midfield ace,Thompson Oliha aka “Midfield General” will becommitted to mother earth July 26.

MANCHESTER Unitedlegend Ryan Giggs says it is‘crazy’ that he has maintainedhis motivation over the yearsof success.

Giggs, about to start his23rd season as a Unitedplayer, is the proud owner ofa record 13 Premier Leaguetitles.

The fact he can still turn inthe type of top-classperformances that persuaded

Sir Alex Ferguson to hand himanother contract is testament tothe 39-year-old’s phenomenalmental strength.

Giggs admits he cannot reallyexplain it himself. However,speaking on his arrival inSydney for the second leg ofUnited’s pre-season tour, it isclear he loves the game as muchas he ever did.

“Crazy, aren’t I?” he said.“I’m enjoying it just as muchas I did 20 years ago. It’s assimple as that.

“Every year is a bonus to me.Take last year: winning theleague, that feeling you haveafter the hard work you put in.Winning that trophy makes it allworthwhile.

“The thing about ManchesterUnited is you have to do it allover again.”

And that philosophy willremain the same even thoughthere is now a new man at thehelm.

“This is the start of thejourney this season and I hopeto be lifting a trophy again atthe end of it,” he said.

“We have to put the hardwork in now in order to achievethat.”

It is United’s first visit toAustralia since 1999 and thistime round Giggs will have thechance to see one of sport’sfiercest rivalries.

Cardiff-born Giggs onlyended up in Manchester in thefirst place because his dad

moved north to playprofessional rugby league forSwinton.

Giggs played the sport as ayoungster and has retained ahealthy interest even thoughhe has gone on to achieve somuch success in a differentfootballing sphere.

So Wednesday’s State ofOrigin decider betweenQueensland and New SouthWales - in the same ANZStadium United’s sell-out tourmatch against the A-LeagueAll Stars will take place onSaturday evening - is going tobe an occasion for Giggs torelish.

“I’m a big rugby leaguefan,” he said. “I had the greatpleasure of spending sometime with Melbourne Stormwhen they were playing inLeeds in the World CupChallenge.

“I spent some time withBilly Slater and CameronSmith, who areQueenslanders. I’ve also hada text off Andrew Johnstelling me in no uncertainterms who I need to supporton Wednesday.

“I’m in Sydney so I’ll besupporting New SouthWales.”

MANCHESTER United newboy Wilfried Zaha admits that heis in awe after his move to OldTrafford.

Although Zaha joined the OldTrafford outfit in January, in theprocess becoming Sir AlexFerguson’s last signing as RedDevils boss, he spent theremainder of the season on loanback with his previous clubCrystal Palace.

It meant when he linked up withhis team-mates for their currenttour to the Far East and Australiahe did not really know what toexpect.

But after three days in Bangkok,Zaha is now acutely aware of howbig United are.

“It’s my first time on a tour likethis,” he told MUTV.

“I’m not used to it. To have somany fans coming to watch a pre-season game is different.”

The England Under-21 star ismaking a positive impressionthough.

He might only have featured forthe final half-hour of Saturday’ssurprise defeat by the Singha AllStars but he was one of the betterplayers on view and came closest tograbbing an equaliser for the OldTrafford outfit when he smacked ashot against the post.

“I really just put my head downand tried to connect with the ballproperly,” he said.

“It would have been a differentstory if it had gone in.

“I’m glad I had a go and itwould have been a great day forme if I’d scored one. But itdoesn’t matter now.

“Just knowing I was on thepitch with Rio (Ferdinand), RyanGiggs and Anderson was goodenough for me.”

United flew straight out ofBangkok in the early hours of themorning and have now reachedSydney, where they will spend aweek before facing the A-LeagueAll Stars in the second game oftheir five-match tour this comingweekend.

ARSENAL defender PerMertesacker believes ArseneWenger’s side are ready tochallenge for major honours nextseason, with the Germanrevealing the north London clubare not preparing to sell anotherone of their star players thissummer.

Wenger has spent the last fewyears battling in vain to hang onto star names likes CescFabregas, Samir Nasri and Robinvan Persie, yet it is playerrecruitment and not big moneysales that appear to be top of theagenda in this off-season.

That change of emphasis hasinspired Mertesacker to suggestWenger’s men are well placed totake advantage of the uncertaintythat surrounds many PremierLeague clubs after a glut ofmanagerial changes.

With Arsenal continuing to belinked with ambitious moves forReal Madrid striker GonzaloHiguain and Manchester United’sWayne Rooney, the mood in theGunners camp appears to bebuoyant.

“I would say that consistencyis the most important thing. If wecan do that then we should bechallenging for trophies andtitles,” Mertesacker is quoted inthe Daily Mail.

“We haven’t sold any playersyet so we are coming from a goodbase at the moment, we’re at agood level and no-one is leavingat the moment. Maybe someonewill come and strengthen oursquad so it’s in a better positionthan last summer when we losttwo important players (Robin vanPersie and Alex Song).”

Late Thompson Oliha

Christian Eriksen

According to the Edo StateFootball AssociationSecretary, Victor Edokpayi,the body of the fallen soccerstar will arrive Benin nextweek.

“The family have fixed July26 and 27 as date for the burialof Thompson Oliha, he said. Heexplaned that the body of thelate midfield sensation will belying–in-state at the Samuel

Ogbemdia stadium where hisfans, coaches colleagues willaccord him their last respect.

“It is sad and very painful thatour own son and brotherThompson Oliha has left thissinful world when he was neededmost to contribute more of hisknowledge and ingenuity to thedevelopment of the game offootball in the country.

NFF officials and his formerteam mates in the 1994 SuperEagles squad are expected to arriveBenin next week to honour theNigerian soccer hero and bid himtheir final farewell.

The “Mmidfield General”Thompson Oliha died on June 30,2013 after a brief illness in Ilorinwhere he worked as a coach at theKwara Football Academy.

CMYK

Civi Society Intervention

Printed and published by Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, 24, Airport Road, P.M.B. 1334 Benin City. Telephone; Lagos: 01 4930929, Benin: 052 257492, 257531Editor: BARR. SOLOMON IMONHIOSEN (KSJI)• (07030699646), Marketing Manager (08023457566), Advertisement Manager (08023808856) Lagos Office: 3/4 Amode Close, Kudirat Abiola Way,

By Olusosun Bus Stop, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. Abuja Office: Floor 1, Edo House, 75 Ralph Shodeinde Street, Central Business District, Abuja. Tel/Fax: 09-5237631.All correspondence to: 24 Airport Road, Benin City. E-mail: nigerianobserver@yahoo.com (ISSN 0331-2674)

TOMORROW ON THIS PAGE

-Hon. Josef Omorotionmwan

“The state of the NationAddress is certainly anidea whose time hascome.”

PRODEMOCRACY,human rights andlabour activitiesmust consistentlyand persistentlye n g a g ethemselves inthose strugglesand lofty ideasthat will lead tothe drasticcleaning up of thestate for thebenefit of all andsundry. Weshould supportcomrade AdamsOshiomhole in hisd e t e r m i n e defforts-Quoted inCONQUEROROF THE GODFATHERS (Page75) It is no longernews that thestrike actioncalled by NigeriaUnion ofTeachers (NUT)Edo State, alongwith some statesin the federation,over theirallowances, hasbeen called off.What is news isthat the civils o c i e t yorganisations inEdo State livedup to expectationand played a verymajor role inresolving themore than onemonth strike thatp a r a l y s e dlearning activities

at the primaryschools level. That is to say civils o c i e t yorganisations inEdo state havebeen veryproactive andfocused in EdoState mostespecially sinceComrade AdamsO s h i o m h o l eemerged as theelected Governorof Edo State onNovember 12,2008. We must notforget in a hurrythat when theNigeria MedicalAssociation (NMA)Edo State had hadsome issues to sortout with theO s h i o m h o l eadministration inthe early stage ofthis regimemembers of thecivil society roseup to the occasionand broke the iceof thornydisagreement thatled to thesuspension of thestrike called thenby medical andhealth officers. I want to go downmemory lane to the1990s before thereturn to civilianrule in Nigeria andcompare what wasavailable then ascivil society

organisation ormovement in EdoState. Between1995 and 1999 Iwas chairman,committee for theDefence of HumanRights (DHR) EdoState I remembervividly that Rev.David Ugolor,Executive Directorof Africa Network

for Environmentand EconomicJustice (ANEEJ)initiated a land ofc o l l a b o r a t i v enetwork ofactivities gearedtowards holdingthose at the helmof affairs thenresponsible to thecitizens of EdoState by thehuman rights

community in thestate. As chairman ofCDHR Edo State Iheld series ofmeetings andprotestations withRev. David UgolorANEEJ, weachieved little thenbecause theatmosphere wasnot conducive for

civil society groupsto blossem intopractical network,as military rulerswere notresponding evenas hard as wetried. Butnevertheless ascomrades andactivists we werestill able to makeour mark. Then,comrade PaulOhonbamu wascoordinator ofSouth-South Zoneof the civil libertieso r g a n i s a t i o n s(CLO) etc. buttoday things havec h a n g e ddramatically assince the coming ofthe Oshiomhole

regime, even asRev. David Ugolorof ANEEJ hasgraciously made itsi n t e r n a t i o n a lsecretariat in BeninCity available for

various civil societyorganisation to robminds andstrategies on howto hold the presentG a l i a nadministration ofEdo Stateaccountable to thepeople of the state. Therefore, whenRev. Ugolor alongwith comradeK a d u n aEboigbodin (Ex-chairman of

Nigeria LabpurCongress EdoState) CurrentChairman, GaniF a w e h i n m iMovement forGood Governance

( G F M G G )convened thestakeholders TownHall meeting atUrhokpota BeninCity, recently tofind a way out ofthe imbrogliooccasioned by thestrike called by theNigeria Union ofTeachers (NUT)over allowance, allof us the civilsociety movementin Edo State.

The point beingmade here isthat the civils o c i e t yorganisation inEdo State havenever quiter e s p o n s i v e ,focused andd e t e r m i n e dmore than everbefore to makesure that thepeople arecarried along,and that aninjury done toany member ofthe society inEdo State isautomatically aninjustice to all ofus. The case ofcitizen IbrahimMomodu comesto mind. Here is a citizenwho was cruellymurdered by thepolice and thep o l i c eauthorities arepresently tryingto cover thingsup. But, whenwe made apeaceful protectto the Edo StateHouse ofAssembly theOba palace andthe office of theA t t o r n e yGeneral andcommissioner“It is no longer news that the strike action

called by Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) EdoState, along with some states in the federation,over their allowances, has been called off.What is news is that the civil societyorganisations in Edo State lived up toexpectation and played a very major role inresolving the more than one month strike thatparalysed learning activities at the primaryschools level.”

David Ugolor, ANEEJ Executive Director.