Vol. 7 No. 78 Tuesday, February 21, 2012 Rabiul Awwal 29, 1433 AH N150

WWW.PEOPLESDAILY-ONLINE.COM

4 dead,4 dead,4 dead,4 dead,4 dead, houses houses houses houses houses,,,,, v v v v vehicehicehicehicehicles bles bles bles bles burururururntntntntntas NURas NURas NURas NURas NURTW thugs cTW thugs cTW thugs cTW thugs cTW thugs clash in Lalash in Lalash in Lalash in Lalash in Lagggggososososos

PAGE 3

I N S I D E

Again, FG delayspower sectorprivatisation

Alleged N20bn fraud:Reps threaten to arrest

NAPEP boss

Bombing: Motoristsstranded on Abuja-

Suleja road

Jonathan back-pedalson subsidy palliatives

L-R: Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Catholic Bishop of Minna, Most Rev. Martin IgweUzoukwu, and Parish Priest of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Rev. Isaac A. Achi, during a visit by the CBN management to thechurch to commiserate with victims of the Christmas day bomb blast, yesterday in Madalla. Photo: Mahmud Isa

CBNcommiserateswith Madallabomb blastvictims

Contd on Page 2

To sack 2015 campaignersBy Lawrence Olaoye

President Goodluck Jonathanyesterday back-pedaled onthe palliatives promised the

citizenry which was premised onthe complete removal of subsidyon Premium Motor Spirit (PMS),otherwise known as petrol.

Though the President did notdisclose details, pledges contained

in a programme called SURE(Subsidy Re-InvestmentProgramme) specifically listedestablishment of new refineriesand rehabilitation of existing ones,provision of infrastructure suchas roads, water as well as

enhancement of power andtransport sectors among otherareas for intervention.

However, the President saidyesterday that since the FederalGovernment could not achieve100 percent deregulation as

planned, it would be difficult forhis government to raise the fundsneeded to fulfil the promises madein the SURE document.

Making the disclosure at the58th National Executive Council(NEC) meeting of the ruling

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)yesterday, President Jonathanbuttressed his point by orderingthe withdrawal of a documentearlier circulated at the meetingcontaining the SURE deliverables,from the public.

He however assured that anew document, reflecting theeconomic reality of the country

Contd on Page 2

By Abdulwahab Isa

The Governor, Central Bankof Nigeria (CBN), MalamSanusi Lamido Sanusi

yesterday led the bank’smanagement team and otherexecutives to Madalla tocommiserate with SaintTheresa’s Catholic Church overthe Christmas day bomb blast.

Governor Sanusi informedthe leaders of the church andother parishioners that themanagement of the bank wasthere to commiserate with the

 

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PDP holds nationalconvention March 24,

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PAGE 2 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Jonathan back-pedals on subsidy palliativesContd from Page 1

CBN commiserates with Madalla bomb blast victimsContd from Page 1

Bombing: Motorists stranded on Abuja-Suleja roadBy Abdulwahab Isa

would be produced and circulatedeven as he cautioned that the oldone could send a wrong signal tothe public.

The President said “I think as Icame in I saw this SURE bookbeing distributed, we arewithdrawing it, this is the old one,we developed this with theexpectation that we are going tocompletely deregulate theDownstream of the oil industry;the 100 percent removal ofsubsidy, you know we could notachieve that though there isincrease in the pump price.

“So this is to be adjusted, I don’twant this thing to be distributed,it will give a wrong impressionwhen we said that Jonathan

government you promise this,what have you done? We areworking on a new document basedon the reality, but we don’t wantto promise what we will notachieve. Those who have it pleasewithdraw it, we cannot realize themoney that are stated there, butwe will still come up with adocument base on what we get,”he assured.

Jonathan equally warnedthat those who are alreadyengaged in campaigns for 2015should desist from doing so. He saidcampaigning at this period wasnot only ill-timed but premature.He said the activities of thosecampaigning for any position in2015 constitute a distraction topolitical office holders.

While congratulating thegovernors of Kogi, Adamawa,Bayelsa and Sokoto states for theirvictory at the recent governorshippolls, Jonathan warned thatanyone caught campaigning inhis cabinet would be sacked.

The President equally pleadedfor the unity of the partymembers just as he charged thestakeholders to always rememberthat they were one big politicalfamily irrespective of the positionsthey hold.

He said “I plead that the unityof the party and the cooperationof all of us is paramount and weshould not fight ourselves becauseit will not translate to dividend ofdemocracy, because for PDP to beregarded as a party that hassucceeded that means that the

governors will perform, thePresident and the states willperform. What we want are roads,good roads, health facilities, powerand so on, not people wearingboxing gloves and doing shadowboxing in different forms.”

He also advocated partysupremacy and discipline saying“We belong to the same party, wemust believe in that party andthat party must discipline usincluding Mr. President; we mustemulate what happened in SouthAfrica, because ANC is a strongparty. Even Mr. President feel heis bigger than the party they willpush him out from the party. So,nobody should be bigger than theparty, the party must insist onthat.”

Church and the Madallacommunity who were affected bythe unfortunate incident.

He stated that whathappened was despicable, in thatit took place at a holy place andon a holy day- Christmas.According to Malam Sanusi,“When you bomb a church on aSunday or Christmas day and amosque on a Friday or Eid day,such actions have implications farbeyond the immediate faithful orcommunity”.

Malam Sanusi stated that asa responsible corporate citizen,the CBN in 2006, came up witha policy framework on CorporateSocial Responsibility (CSR) which

was approved by the Board.Thus, in keeping with this policy,the Committee of Governors metand took a decision to donate inorder to alleviate the plight ofthose affected in Madalla andKano.

The CBN governor said thatthe CBN management went toKano on Friday, and planned tobe at Madalla the next Monday,but was told on Saturday that theBishop of Minna, Most Rev. Dr.Martin Igwe Uzoukwu was awayto Owerri.

According to Malam Sanusi,the church fixed Thursday lastweek for the visit, but because hewould be out of the country foran assignment, the bank

requested for Monday to ensurethat the governor was personallypresent at yesterday’s eventrather than send arepresentative.

He then announced adonation of N25 million, notingthat even though money couldnot compensate for lives, it was atoken contribution to help thevictims of the attack within andaround the church.

The Bishop of MinnaDiocese, Most Rev. Dr. MartinIgwe Uzoukwu thanked the CBNGovernor and the Managementof the Bank for their good gesture,stating that the CBN’scontribution will go a long wayto help the victims.

Earlier, the Parish Priest,Very Rev. Father Isaac Achirecounted the unfortunateincident on that Christmasmorning that took the lives of 44people, with many sustainingsevere injuries. He stated thatthe coming of the CBN governorwas a testimony of the concernthe governor and his team havefor the well-being of all Nigerians.

Some top members of the CBNmanagement in the Governor’sentourage were the DeputyGovernors, Operations,Economic Policy, and CorporateServices, Mr. Tunde Lemo, Dr.(Mrs.) Sarah Alade and AlhajiSuleiman Barau, respectively,and other executives.

Hundreds of peoplereturning from thecity centre of Abuja to

Madalla, Suleja and Kadunaroad axis after the close of workyesterday were stranded on thehighway, caught unawares bythe imposition of 6pm to 6amcurfew.

The curfew, our reportergathered was a fallout of theSunday morning explosionwhich rocked the Morocco areaof Suleja town, which has beenunder a state of emergencysince December 31, 2011.

A victim narrating hisexperience yesterday, told thisreporter on phone that he gotto Zuba by 5pm unaware of the

curfew, but was forced to jointhe grueling “sit-down on thefloor” order by soldiers while atthe same time, the entirehighway was sealed off.

The spate of frequentbombings in Suleja, Nigerstate, a border settlement tothe Federal Capital Territoryhas upped the presence ofsecurity checks in Madalla,

Zuba, Suleja axis.Meanwhile, the police

yesterday announced thearrest of five suspects inconnection with Sunday’s bombblast in Suleja, Niger state.

10 killed inIbadan road crash

Ten people were killedyesterday when a Lagosbound 18-seater commercial

bus rammed into a stationaryarticulated vehicle on the Ibadan-Lagos highway.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the accidentoccurred at the Isara-Sabada areaof the highway at about 6pm.

A NAN correspondent, whovisited the scene of the crash,reports that nine persons died onthe spot, while one died later in thehospital.

Eight other people injured inthe accident were rushed to OlabisiOnabanjo Teaching Hospital,Abeokuta for treatment.

The bus is registered KEBBI AA189 AUG, while the stationaryarticulated vehicle is numberedXV 512 BKY.

The Police Public RelationsOfficer (PPRO) in Ogun, Mr.Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed thestory, but said the cause of the crashwas yet to be determined.

Officials of the Federal RoadSafety Corps (FRSC) were at thescene controlling traffic, to avoidgridlock. (NAN)

Uncertainty trails Saturday’s Cross River governorship pollBy Sunday Ejike Benjamin

Feelers in Abuja yesterday,indicated that a FederalHigh Court, has restrained

the Independent NationalElectoral Commission (INEC)from conducting Saturday'sgovernorship election in CrossRiver state. A source disclosed toour reporter that Justice AbdulKafarati issued the orderfollowing an application filed andargued ex-parte by Mr.Nmerengwa Alozie, counsel tothe All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP) and its governorshipcandidate, Dr. Obol PatrickOkomiso who are the plaintiffs.

Although, efforts to obtainthe said order as at press timeproved abortive, findingsrevealed that Justice Kafaratiabridged the time for INEC toappear before him to defend the

suit. He ordered the electoralbody to come to court onThursday February, 28th for itsdefence. The plaintiffs hadargued that INEC did not havethe power to reschedule theelection to less than 48 days tothe initial date fixed for the saidelection. According to them, theelection had been earlierscheduled by INEC to hold on the14th of April, 2012 in view ofthe mandatory timetable setby the Electoral Act forsubmission of names andaddresses of party candidatesfor that election.

The plaintiffs have filed theapplication asking for an orderof interim injunctionrestraining INEC fromproceeding to conduct theelection into the office ofGovernor of Cross River Stateon the 25th of February, 2012

pending the hearing anddetermination of the motion onnotice filed in the proceedings.They also asked the court foran order directing INEC tomaintain the status quo, thatis as at 15th of February, 2012,to refrain from taking furtheraction or steps regarding therevised timetable for theconduct of the election into theoffice of Governor of Cross RiverState of Nigeria pending thehearing and determination ofthe motion on notice filed onFebruary 15, 2012 in theproceedings.

In an affidavit attached to theapplication, ANPP said thatINEC's reason that it brought theelection forward because of thejudgment of the Supreme Courtwhich removed five stategovernors from office was nottenable in law.

PAGE 3PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Again, FG delays powersector privatisationBy Aminu Imam andAbdulwahab Isa, with agencyreport

The Federal Government hasagain pushed forward thetimeframe for selling off the

assets of the Power HoldingCompany of Nigeria (PHCN), asthe Bureau of Public Enterprises(BPE) yesterday issued a freshtimetable for the conclusion of thelast phase of the privatisationprocess.

According to the revised bidtimeline issued to investors by theBPE, the announcement of thepreferred bidders for the 17successor companies"... will bemade on/or before October 23,2012”.

The BPE said revised legaldocuments are to be issued to thebidders on March 30, 2012 whileApril 20, 2012 is the deadline for

receipt of comments by bidders onthe legal documents. Thedistribution/issuance of final biddocuments is on May 11, 2012 andthe deadline for submission oftechnical and financial bids is July31, 2012.

The revised transactiontimeline reveals that theevaluation of the technical bids willtake place between August 14 and28, 2012, while the NationalCouncil on Privatisation (NCP) willapprove the results of the technicalevaluation on/or before September11, 2012.

The deadline for the shortlistedbidders for generation companiesto submit their letters of credit,according to the BPE, is September18, 2012 while October 2, 2012 isfor shortlisted bidders fordistribution companies. The NCPapproval will pave way for theopening of financial bids of the

shortlisted investors.In a letter to the prospective

investors, the acting director(electric power) at the BPE,Malam Ibrahim Babaganaexplained that the revision to thetransaction timetable becameimperative in order to address theconcerns raised at the Transactionand Industry Review Conference,which was held in Abuja onNovember 28 and 29, 2011.

Said he: “In view of theforegoing, we have been workingdiligently to create a bankablepackage of transaction andindustry documents based on yourfeedback.

Potential bidders for thedistribution companies areexpected to be existing powerdistribution companies or coreinvestor groups with powerdistribution companies as long-term technical partners.

JTF, Boko Haram gun duel claims 8 in Maiduguri

Successful bidders will beresponsible for operating thedistribution companies, makingthe necessary investments toimprove the distribution networkand customer service in line withthe objectives of the FederalGovernment of Nigeria set out inthe National Electric Power Policy(NEPP.)

It could be recalled thatPresident Goodluck Jonathanunveiled power privatisation plans18 months ago as a major flagshippolicy and pledged that country'spower generation and distributionassets would be sold off last year.However, several governmentdeadlines on privatisation havebeen missed and this would beviewed as another setback for theadministration’s power sectorreforms which investors had hopedwill unlock the potential ofNigeria’s economy.

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru,Maiduguri

The popular Baga market inMaiduguri, the Borno statecapital, was shut down

yesterday afternoon following agun duel between personnel of theJoint Military Task Force, (JTF)and members of the dreaded BokoHaram sect, which left eightarmed bandits dead.

Our correspondent reports thatthe market had recently sufferedseveral attacks, allegedly carriedout by Boko Haram gunmen,which claimed many lives, evenas the latest incident Acame fourdays after traders hadapprehended a gunman, whileattempting to shoot some people.

Spokesman of the JTF Lt. Col.Hassan Mohammed, toldnewsmen that the gunmen who

stormed the market at about12.00pm had detonated fiveimprovised explosive devices,(IEDs) in various locations, beforeshooting into the crowd, woundingthree yet to be identified civilians.

According to Lt. Col.Mohammed, the attackers raidedthe market when law abidingcitizens were carrying out theirlegitimate commercial activitiesand detonated explosives, before

firing sporadic shots into the crowd.He stated that men of the task

force, who were alerted over theincident, immediately arrived inthe scene and engaged the gunmenin a fierce gun battle, which left eightsuspects dead, with no casualtyrecorded from the military side.

The spokesman furtherexplained that at the end of theconfrontation, the blasts did notresult in any casualty, as three

other IEDs ready for detonation andseveral weapons were recoveredfrom the suspects, while the threeinjured persons were rushed to anundisclosed hospital for treatment.

As a proactive device to quellfurther attacks, he said all roadsleading to the scene of the incidentwere cordoned, while soldiers havecommenced extensive searchinside the market for possiblerecovery of exhibits.

L-R: Director-General, Nigeria Governors Forum, Mr. Ashishana Okauru, Delta state governor, Mr.Emmanuel Uduaghan, and Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum and Rivers state governor, Mr.Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, during a dialogue on oil and gas management, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

PDP holds nationalconvention March 24By Lawrence Olaoye

The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) yesterday came outwith new guidelines which

stipulate that the NationalConvention of the party would beheld on the 24th of March while

the hand-over process would becompleted by the 31st of March,2012. This formed part of thedeliberations at the emergencyNational Executive Committee(NEC) of the party held in Abuja.

The Acting NationalChairman of the party, AlhajiAbubakar Kawu Baraje, equallydisclosed that the congresses thatwould culminate in the emergenceof the new national officers of theparty would commence with theWard Congresses by March 3rd.

Also, the National WorkingCommittee (NWC) of the partyyesterday succeeded in makingthe NEC extend its tenure whichwas billed to end by March 8 to theend of the month.

NEC equally extended thetenures of ward, local government,states and zonal executivecommittees to terminate in line withthe revised time-table for congressesand national convention.

Explaining the reason for therequest for tenure elongation,Baraje stated that the protests thatfollowed the removal of fuelsubsidy in January charged thepolitical environment andtherefore made it difficult for thepolitical transition process in theparty.

Asked why the NEC refused toratify the party’s zoningarrangement as planned, theNational Publicity Secretary,Professor Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali, in apress briefing said the issue ofzoning and other burning issueswould be addressed at the next NECmeeting scheduled to hold at theend of the month.

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

Youths suspected to be AreaBoys belonging to theNational Union of Road

Transport Workers (NURTW), inLagos Island, yesterday clashed

with a rival group leaving about 4people dead.

Trouble started about 2 amMonday morning when youthsfrom Idungaran in Isale Eko areastormed Isalegangan Street(Onola) with dangerous weapons,

including AK 47 rifles, knives,cutlasses and gallons of petrol,burnt down a two-storey buildingat 28, Isalegangan Street and 20vehicles packed on the street.

The rampaging youths alsovandalised about 30 cars on

Agarawu Street, Isale Agbede,Aroloya and Tom Jones atIdumota.

The youths who were said to besympathetic to two chieftains ofthe NURTW, Alhaji AkanniOlohunwa and Alhaji MusiliuAkinsanya (a.k.a. MC Oluomo),contesting the chairmanship of theunion in the state, attempted todestroy an ATM machine locatedinside New Star Photo Studio at 28,Isalegangan Street but did notsucceed.

The renewed clash wasbetween youths in Isale-Eko andOnola/Agarawu/Itafaji boys overthe ongoing leadership crisis inNURTW.

Eyewitness said many otherresidents of the areas sustainedserious injuries during the clashand were rushed to the hospital

where four yet to be identifypersons were feared dead.

Eyewitness said residentsalerted the police but they did notcome early and when theyeventually did, the havoc had beendone by the invading miscreants.

During our correspondent’svisit to the scene, armouredpersonnel carriers belonging to theRapid Response Squad (RRS), werestationed at Itafaji, IdumagboAvenue and Tom Jones areas of theIsland after the police hadsucceeded in quelling the riot.

Meanwhile Police PublicRelations Officer, PPRO, JosephJaiyeoba could not ascertain thethe casualty figure as he was stillawaiting information on it, addingthat more policemen had beendrafted to the area to maintainpeace.

4 dead, houses, vehicles burnt as NURTW thugs clash in Lagos

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012PAGE 4

Two suspected vandals of thePower Holding Company ofNigeria (PHCN)

equipment were recentlyarrested in Anglo Jos area, in thestate’s capital following adistress call by the communityto the police.

Confirming thedevelopment to newsmen inJos, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the company in chargeof Plateau, Benue, Bauchi andGombe states, Mrs. VivianOsuhor said that the residentsof Anglo-Jos area alerted thepolice which led to the arrest ofthe two vandals. According toher, the suspects were in policecustody.

Meanwhile, the state PublicPublic Relations Officer (PPRO),ASP Samuel Dabai said theDivisional Police Officer (DPO) incharge of Anglo Jos deniedreceiving such case in hisdivision and challengedanybody with such claims tocome forward and prove it.

2 PHCNequipmentvandalsarrested in JosFrom Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

preliminary objection on thebasis that the applications wereincompetent.

The prosecution counsel, Mr.Godwin Obla told the court thateven though the case wasscheduled for hearing at the day’ssitting, the lawyers to theaccused persons had filed somefresh applications praying thatthe charges against their clientsbe quashed adding that the EFCC,in turn, had already filedpreliminary objections attackingthe competence of all theapplications.

In this regard, the EFCCcounsel urged the court to takeholistic look in handling the

matter because, according tohim, “justice is a two-waytraffic, for the accused and forthe state.”

“This is a public interest case,and for good case management,parties should be enjoined to filewritten addresses”, Obla furthertold the court.

Responding, the lead counselto the accused persons, Mr. LateefFagbemi (SAN) agreed that therewas need for written addresses bythe two parties but asked forshort adjournment since he hadjust been served the preliminaryobjection by the prosecution.

Fagbemi said: “There is noneed to rush the court and we

Akala, 2 others wantEFCC charges quashed

From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

cannot sacrifice justice on thealtar of speed. We are asking fortime to respond effectivelybecause the accused persons arefacing very serious chargeswhich, if proved, may curtailtheir liberty. We do not want tocome back and be asking for anextension of time. We don’t evenknow the content of theadditional proof of evidence justfiled by the prosecution as it washanded over to us thismorning.”

The trial judge adjournedhearing in the case to April 26,2012 while urging the two partiesto file their written addresseswithin the court’s time frame.

Justice Lateefah Okunnu ofan Ikeja High Court,yesterday admitted some

exhibits tendered by theprosecution in the trial of AkoladeArowolo, who allegedly killed hisbanker-wife, Titilayo Arowolo.

The exhibits admitted by thecourt included a kitchen knifewhich was allegedly used tomurder the deceased, four mobilephones and photographs taken bythe police.

Arowolo, is standing trialbefore the court on a one-countcharge of murder.

He was alleged to have stabbedhis wife to death on June, 24,2011 at their 8 Akindeinde Street,Isolo Lagos residence.

The Lagos state Directorate ofPublic Prosecution led by itsDirector, Mrs Olabisi Ogungbesan

Court admits exhibits against ‘killer’ husbandFrom Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

called their fourth and fifthwitnesses to testify against him.

The fourth witness, SaiduHusseni, a security man at theresidence of the Arowolo’s said hewas at the house on the day of theincident.

Husseni told the court thatAkolade and a friend had driveninto the compound around mid-day and spent about an hour inhis apartment before leavinghurriedly.

The witness further allegedthat he saw Akolade washing bloodfrom his hands while urging himto hurriedly open the gate.

“I saw him cleaning his handswhich was filled with blood and hewas telling me to open the gatequickly so that he can drive out”,he said

Husseni further claimed thathe later saw a blood soaked clothand some irons stained with bloodnear the Arowolo’s apartment inthe four storey building.

According to him, the accusedafter driving away in his HondaAccord car did not return to thehouse on that day.

The fifth witness, ASP TitusOgbonna, from Homicide Section,CID, Yaba , Lagos said he led theinvestigation after the matterwas transferred to them fromAswani Police Station.

Ogbonna said: “ When we gotto Aswani Police Station where theaccused vehicle was being kept asexhibit, we observed that therewas blood stains on the wheelsteering, on the driver’s seat andon the floor of the driver’s side.

“We also discovered a N100note stained with blood at the floorof the car which was recoveredand kept as exhibit.

He said a police photographer;Gift Eneche took photographs ofthe car and at the Arowolo’sresidence when the team latervisited the place for furtherinvestigation on that same day.

The witness said: “The housewas a two-bedroom flat in an eightapartment building. The kitchenwall was stained with blood.

“We observed that two itemswere missing from the kitchenrack and that there was no knifethere.”

According to him, there wasalso blood stain on the floor of theparlour while furnishings werescattered all over.

Ogbonna said: “At thebedroom where the deceased wasallegedly killed, we saw that themattress was soaked with blood.

“ There was blood on the floorand scattered clothes which wesuspected must have been a signof struggle.

“We recovered a short knickersoaked with blood and a lump offlesh suspected to be that of thedeceased which was later taken toa pathologist for investigation,” headded.

He told the court that some ofthe exhibits recovered were stillwith the police, adding that theywould be tendered before the courtwhen located.

The matter was adjourned toMarch 20 for continuation oftrial.

Former governor of Oyostate, Otunba AdebayoAlao-Akala yesterday

appeared before an Ibadan HighCourt with a fresh prayer that thecourt should quash the fraudcharges leveled against him andtwo others by the Economic andFinancial Crimes Commission(EFCC).

Alao-Akala and his erstwhilecommissioner for localgovernment and chieftaincyaffairs, Hosea Ayoola Agboola,who is currently a Senator andDeputy Whip in the Senate as wellas an Ibadan-based contractor,Mr. Olufemi Ademola Babalola ofPentagon Engineering Serviceswere docked at the State HighCourt No. 2, Ring Road, Ibadan.

Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN)with a team of three SeniorAdvocates of Nigeria (SANs) and23 other lawyers, prayed the trialjudge, Hon. Justice AkintundeBoade to quash the 11-countcharge leveled against his clientsfor lack of convincing evidence.

It would be recalled that theEFCC had slammed the trio withan eleven-count charge ofconspiracy, contracts scam andother criminal acts to the tune ofN25 billion.

But the EFCC swiftly reactedto the accused persons’ freshapplications upon which the anti-graft commission raised a

A member representingBauchi centralconstituency in the state

House of Assembly, Alhaji YakubuMohammed of the PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP) has beencharged before a Chief MagistrateCourt IV in Bauchi for allegedlyforging his primary schoolcertificate.

The suit was filed by a formermember, who represented Bauchicentral in the Assembly, AlhajiIbrahim Abdulkarim Angale ofthe Congress for Progressive (CPC)who accused Mohammed ofpresenting a forged primaryschool certificate for the purposeof the last general election.

It would be recalled that a

Court of Appeal had declaredMohammed as winner of the lastelection held in the constituencyand nullified the election of Angalefor violating the electoral Act2010.

Barister B A Oyefeso whoappeared for the plaintiff, told thecourt that the accused personmust be in the court even if thecourt in its wisdom deem it fit notto take his plea.

In his response, counsel to theaccused person, Barrister MuktarAbubakar opposed the application,saying that it would amount to anillegality for the court to grant suchprayers.

The presiding magistrate,Garba Inuwa Sambo adjournedthe case to March 5, 2012 forruling.

Bauchi lawmaker chargedfor alleged certificate forgeryFrom Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

R-L: Vice-PresidentMohammedNamadiSambo,walking withKaduna stateGovernor, MrPatrickIbrahimYakowa, afterthey met withPresidentGoodluckJonathan onthe state of thenation, at theState House,yesterday, inAbuja.Photo:Joe Oroye.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012 PAGE 5

Lagos may cremate corpses soonIf members of the Lagos state

House of Assembly eventuallypass the Cremation Bill 2012,

burning of dead bodies (cremation)will become legal in the state.

The bill titled: “A Bill for a Lawto Provide for VoluntaryCremation of Corpses andUnclaimed Corpses within LagosState”, came out of the state House

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos of Assembly’s findings thatinability of relations to claimcorpses has contributedimmensely to overfilledmortuaries which could also leadto epidemic in the state.

The bill would establish acrematorium to take care ofunidentified and unclaimedcorpses and for voluntarycremation of corpses within thestate. This would also solve the

problem associated with gettingland for mass burial and decongestthe mortuaries.

Section 6 of the bill, seeks topermit a child or children of thedeceased; a close relative of thedeceased; an undertaker and anagent/legal representative tocremate upon formal application.

Section 8 of the bill authorises theMedical Director of the state hospitalsto order for the cremation of

Oil prices rose yesterday,with Brent crude oil brieflyhitting an eight-month

high above $121 a barrel, as Iransaid it was halting oil exports toBritish and French companiesahead of a European Unionembargo.

Reuters reported thatmonetary policy easing by Chinaand hopes for a Greek bailout alsobuoyed prices.Brent crude was up87 cents at $120.45 a barrel by1603 GMT, having hit a sessionhigh of $121.15 earlier, its highest

since June last year.In euro terms, Brent crude is

nearing the record hit in summer2008, according to Reutersdata.U.S. crude reached $105.44a barrel, up $2.20 and its highestsince May last year. By 1603GMT, the U.S. crude contract wasup $1.91 at $105.15. Volume wasmoderate due to a public holidayin the United States.

Iran, OPEC's second-largestproducer, ordered a halt to its oilsales to British and French firmson Sunday in retaliation againsttightening EU sanctions as tieswith the West remained strainedover its disputed nuclear

programme.But the announcement came

after European oil buyers hadalready made big cuts in purchasesfrom Iran months ahead of thesanctions. Britain has importedalmost no oil from Iran over thelast year, EU data show.

"Banning the tiny quantitiesof exports to the UK and Franceinvolves very little risk for Iran -indeed quite the opposite, itcatches the headlines and leads toa higher global oil price, which issomething Iran is very keen toencourage," said Caroline Bain,analyst at the EconomistIntelligence Unit.

Fears of supply disruption inIran and upbeat economic datafrom the world's largest oil user,the United States, have pushed oilprices up over the past month.

JP Morgan Chase raised its2012 price forecast for Brentcrude by $6 to $118 a barrel onsupply risks and rising economicgrowth. It also raised its forecastfor 2013 to $125 a barrel, up from$121.

Political issues in Iran, Syria,Sudan/South Sudan, Nigeria andelsewhere are creating increaseddemand for crude stocks, analystsled by Lawrence Eagles said in aFeb. 19 note.

Oil hits 8-month high, nudges $121 per barrel

unclaimed bodies in their respectivemortuaries after six weeks ofdeposition, with the consent andapproval of the Commissioner forHealth.

Under Section 10 of the bill, thecremator in charge of a crematoriummust not dispose the ashes after acremation except in accordance withwritten instructions of the applicant.

“However, the cremator incharge may bury the ashes in a burial

ground if, within one year after thecremation, the applicant does not givereasonable written instructions forthe disposal of the ashes.

“Before burying the ashes, thecremator in charge must give theapplicant at least 28 days writtennotice of intention to bury theashes. The notice must be sent tothe applicant’s address for serviceon the permission to cremate,” thebill stated.

The Executive Chairman ofEconomic and FinancialCrimes Commission (EFCC),

Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, yesterdayassured Nigerians and theinternational community of thepreparedness of the Commissionto deliver on its assigned mandateof combating economic andfinancial crimes and other actsof corruption.

Lamorde said this whilereceiving the British HighCommissioner to Nigeria, Mr.Andrew Lloyd who paid him acourtesy visit at the corporateheadquarters of the Commission inAbuja.

According to the Acting Head,Media and Publicity, WilsonUwujaren, the EFCC Chairmanappreciated the envoy for being thefirst to pay him a courtesy visitsince his confirmation by theSenate last week and expressed hiscommitment to the realisation ofEFCC’s mandate.

“We are aware of theexpectations of Nigerians and theinternational community. Weshall not betray the confidence. Weshall deliver on our mandate andjustify the confidence reposed onus”, he promised.

He appreciated the supportwhich the Commission has, overthe years, received from Britishagencies such as the Departmentfor International Development,DFID, the Metropolitan Police andthe Serious Organised CrimeAgency, SOCA.

In response, Lloyd promisedgreater support for the EFCC.

“We would be looking tosupport in whatever way we can,if the EFCC succeeds, theinternational community andinternational investors win”, hesaid.

He also commended theNational Assembly for makingLamorde’s appointment a reality.

“It is a significant appointmentbecause what you represent is aclear sense of direction and progressfor the Commission”.

Others who accompanied Lloydon the visit were Julius Court,Team Leader, on Governance,DFID and Hooman Nouruzi,Political and Press Secretary.

EFCC will notfail the nation,says Lamorde

By Aminu Imam, with agencyreport

By Lambert Tyem

The Institute of ManagementConsultants (IMC–Nigeria)is determined to create,

maintain and extend highstandards of consulting practice inNigeria.

The President of the Institute,Prof. Addison Wokocha, whodisclosed this in Abuja, also saidIMC-Nigeria is being galvanised towork with global partners in over50 countries to sustain parity of

By Augustine Aminu standards across borders.Wokocha spoke in Abuja at the

IMC Round-Table Discussionorganised to set the fees forconsultancy services as well assharpen the skills of practicingconsultants as part of the IMCcontinuing education andprofessional developmentprogramme.

Over 50 consultantsparticipated in the continuingeducation programme which heldsimultaneously in Lagos and Abuja.

Management consultants setto raise industry standards

Federal Government hasbeen urged to give all theneeded attention to the

agriculture sector and ensure theutilization of all the naturalresources, in order to improve theeconomy of the country.

Governor Abdulaziz Yari ofZamfara state made the call inGusau, the State Capital whilechatting with newsmen over the

From Salisu Zakari Maradun,Gusau

weekend.Yari observed that if the sector

was recognized, the currentimportation of food from foreigncountries, would not have happeneddespite its fertile landmass.

He explained that the sector,which was most reliableeconomically, should not beallowed to die.

The governor stated that hisgovernment is currently inconsultation with the relevantdepartments of the state on how torevive agricultural activities infull force.

Hard times: Zamfara urges FGto revive agric

L-R: Senate President David Mark, Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, and Deputy Senate President IkeEkweremadu, during the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 58th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, yesterday, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012PAGE 6

Reps threaten NAPEP over N20bn fraud

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

The Kwara state governmentsaid it has complied with thejudgment of the Supreme

Court which reinstated the ChiefJudge of Kwara state, JusticeRaliat Habeeb-Elelu after threeyears of her removal by the Bukola

Saraki administration.The Attorney-General and

Commissioner for Justice,Barrister Kamaldeen Ajibade whoconfirmed the compliance to theorder at the press briefingyesterday, noted that the action ofstate government then was in linewith section 292;1(a)(ii) of the

1999 constitution.“The administration of the

state government respects the ruleof law and will not by any meansencourage the flouting or outrightdisobedience of the judgment of theapex court of our nation.

“To confirm the aforesaid, Ihave been directed by His

Reinstatement of Chief Judge: Kwara govt notifies CJN over compliance

By Lawrence Olaoye

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

issue a warrant of arrest on themanagement of the NationalPoverty Eradication Programme(NAPEP), for shunning itsinvitation to explain the allegedmismanagement of N20 billion.

The House Committee onPublic Accounts chaired by RepSolomon Adeola had summonedthe dormer Special Adviser toPresident Goodluck Jonathan onpoverty alleviation and thecoordinator of NAPEP severallyto answer 33 audit queries issuedby the Auditor-General of theFederation.

Adeola who briefed newsmen

after the botched meeting, statedthat the committee would againinvite them and if they fail, thecommittee would be left with nooption than to issue a warrant ofarrest against the coordinatorover some queries raised by theauditor general.

The lawmaker maintainedthat for over six years, the Auditor-General raised over 33 queries

against NAPEP and following thisdevelopment, the committeedecided to summon NAPEPmanagement to appear before thecommittee and address thoseissues raised; but NAPEP refusedto appear before the committee.

He explained that thecommittee yesterday resolvedthat the agency should appearbefore the committee within two

weeks with all the relevantfinancial documents, revenueprofile and the documents on theaward of contracts since 1999. Hethreatened that should the NAPEPofficials fail to honour theinvitation, the House wouldinvoke its constitutional powers toorder the arrest of Dr MagusKpakol and other managementstaff involved.

The Energy Commission ofNigeria (ECN) incollaboration with

Cometrobby Investment Limitedhas commenced a nationwidesensitisation project on the use ofenergy efficiency bulbs.Flaggingoff the North-west zone of theproject in Kaduna, the DirectorGeneral and Special Adviser onEnergy to the President, Prof.Abubakar Sani Sambo disclosedthat the energy bulbs besides theirefficiency, also save money andconserve energy use.

Prof. Sambo who wasrepresented by the ScientificOfficer in the commission, Mr.Joshua Yari Garba, also stated thatthe ECN in collaboration withCUBA and ECOWAS had a projectin 2008 and 2010 during whichabout one million compactflorescent lamps where used toreplace the incandescent bulbs insome selected estates in Abuja andschools, adding that, after thereplacements, the analysis showedthat the country has saved about45mega watts of energy.

According to him, “With 60watts of 10 ordinary bulbs, it willamount to 600watts but whenyou use compact florescent lampswhich is 8watts, 10 of it willamount to 80watts thereby savingabout 520 watts which can bechanneled to another house oranother use”.

“I will like to call on people toalways check out for the powerrating to authenticate its efficiencyboth for domestic and industrial usewhile purchasing or sourcingenergy”.We have tried it and itworked, he added disclosing thatthe UNDP brought in a project ofenergy efficiency which ispresently domiciled at thecommission and that more projectsfor sensitising the public was on thepipeline.

He said the commission will notrelent in its efforts in the area ofstrategic planning and policymaking in the field of energy, bothin terms of electricity, oil and gasand renewable energy.Earlier inhis address, the chairman andchief executive officer of theCometrobby Investment LimitedMr Robinson Anunobi also disclosedthat only five percent ofincandescent bulbs produce lightwhile 95 percent produce heat andconsumes energy.

ECN partnersCometrobbyon energyefficiencyFrom Lawal Sadiq Sanusi, Kaduna

Excellency the Governor of Kwarastate, Alhaji Abdulfathah Ahmedto write to Hon. Justice EleluHabeeb to immediately resumeoffice as the Chief Judge. The officeof the Chief Judge had since beenvacated by the occupant and hasbeen made available for the use ofthe Chief Judge accordingly”.

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

The Vice-Chancellor of theUniversity of Ilorin, Prof.Is-haq Oloyede, has

appealed to the Kwara stategovernment to construct a goodroad to Owu Waterfall fromOwa-Onire community in

Ifelodun local government areaof the state to develop touristcentre.

Oloyede who made thisappeal at a dinner he hosted inhonour of the NigerianCommonwealth and BilateralAgreement Scholars who were inthe university for the first

Unilorin VC urges Kwara govt to develop Owu waterfallorientation/ acculturationprogramme in Nigeria, notedthat the tourism sector in thecountry is underdeveloped.

While tasking thecommonwealth scholars to thinkabout what they could alsocontribute to the development ofNigeria as an act of appreciation

for her contribution to thebetterment of their lives,Oloyede urged them to seethemselves as a bridge betweenNigeria and their variousnations by becoming goodambassadors of the country,which has always been givennegative media coverage.

Diet soda may benefit thewaistline, but people whodrink it every day may

have a heightened risk of heartattack and stroke, according to anew US study.

Although the researchers,whose work appeared in theJournal of General InternalMedicine, found that older adultswho drank diet soda every day

were 44 percent more likely tosuffer a heart attack, their researchdid not, however, prove that thesugar-free drinks alone were toblame.

There may be other thingsabout diet-soda lovers that explainthe connection, said leadresearcher Hannah Gardener, ofthe University of Miami MillerSchool of Medicine, and her team.

“What we saw was anassociation. These people may tendto have more unhealthy habits,’’she said.

Gardener and her teamstudied 2,564 New York Cityadults who were 69 years or olderat the study's start.

“Over the next decade, 591men and women had a heartattack, stroke or died of

cardiovascular causes including31 percent of the 163 people whodrank a diet soda daily at the startof the study”.

“I don't think people shouldchange their behaviour based onthis study”, Gardener said, notingthat further study is needed toconfirm a connection between dietsoda and cardiovascular trouble.(Reuters/NAN)

Daily diet soda may increase risk of heart attack, stroke - Study

L-R: Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Mr. Felix Atum, an official of Engineering Staff College ofIndia, Mr. Gopal Ojha, and Chief Consulting Engineer, EON Designers, Mr. Arvind Jaiswal, during COREN’s five-day internationalworkshop, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

PAGE 7PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

L-R: President, Academy of Science, Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr DereAwosika, Director-General, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Professor Olusegun Adewoye, andNASENI principal consultant, Professor James Momoh, during a stakeholders meeting on harmonisation of strategy to reposition theagency, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

Kano police assures residents ofprotection of lives and properties

police in the state have abandonedtheir constitutional duties ofmaintaining peace and order dueto the Boko Haram attacks on somepolice stations within themetropolis, saying all policeformations are fully operational.

“All the police stations are fully

operational and we urge membersof the public to feel free to visit anyof our stations to lodge theircomplaints.

“I must tell you that theCommissioner of Police has set upa special squad to monitoractivities of Divisional Police

The Kano state policeauthorities have urgedthe public to go about their

daily activities without fear ofattack or molestation from anygroup as the police are fullyprepared to protect lives andproperty.

The state command’s PublicRelations Officer, ASP MusaMagaji Majiya who was speakingto newsmen in a Press Conferenceat the Kano state Press Centreyesterday, said normalcy hasreturned in the state and chargedcitizens never to hesitate fromreporting criminal cases andother related issues that have todo with maintaining peace andorder to the police.

He debunked insinuations that

Senate President, David Markhas congratulated Sokotostate governor-elect, Alhaji

Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko onhis election in last Saturday’sgovernorship poll.

Mark in the message toWamakko, said his election was amanifestation of the peoples’ trustand confidence in his leadership.

He therefore implored thegovernor-elect and his team to mapout strategies for the overalltransformation of the state addingthat his re-election should be seenas a platform to further strengthenthe peaceful co-existence andunity within the state and beyond.

While encouraging thegovernor-elect to bring everybodyon board in the task of developingthe state, he, in like manner urgedthe losers in the election to acceptthe result in good faith andcooperate with the winner in theinterest of the people of the state.

A statement issued by Mark’sChief Press Secretary, Mr. PaulMumeh quoted him as saying;“You have all done your best andthe majority of the people of Sokotostate have decided. Besides, onlyone governor will be on sit at a time.All hands must be on deck in orderto consolidate the gains of the pastand move the state to greaterheights.”

He told Wamakko to build onhis past foundation that wouldimprove on the infrastructuraldevelopment of the entire state.

MarkcongratulatesWamakko, callsfor unity By Richard Ihediwa

Katsina state governor,Alhaji Ibrahim ShehuShema has inaugurated

an 11 member board of directorsfor the state’s Radio and TelevisionServices with Malam KabirDangogo as its chairman.

In his maiden speech, theboard chairman, Malam KabirDangogo, expressed the gratitudeof the board to the stategovernment for offering them theopportunity to serve andcontribute toward itsdevelopment.

According to him, “We see thisappointment as a call to serviceand promise to uphold themandate of the state broadcasting

stations, empower the employeesprofessionally and govern by therules in tandem with the spirit ofHis Excellency’s administrationin the state”.

Members of the board, he said,are drawn from differentbackgrounds and variedprofessions that promised toenrich contributions and fosterwide discussions on how toenhance the professionalism of thestate radio and television, addingthat “we see this as a challengeand a learning process”.

He said the board representsan unrepentant service to thepeople of the state and pledged todo all within their power to deliverthe dividends of democracy to thestate broadcasting stations.

Shema inaugurates Katsinaradio, television boardBy Mohammed SadaThe Chairman of the Taraba

state Taskforceon Petroleum Products,

Hamman Adama Tukur, hassaid that any petrol stationfound selling above thegovernment approved price ofN97 per litre will be closed.

Malam Tukur who said thisduring an interactive sessionwith newsmen in Jalingoyesterday said the taskforcewould be going round the stateto monitor petrol stations toensure that they sell at theapproved pump price.

He observed that whengovernment announced theremoval of oil subsidy, all thefilling stations immediately soldthe commodity between N150 toN200 without waiting for anygovernment circular to that

effect and wondered why thefilling stations were claiming notto have received any circularfrom the government.

He regretted thatindependent marketers who areindigenes of the state were in thehabit of exploiting the people inany slightest opportunity andurged them to have sympathyon the people.

He warned any petrol dealerthat was not ready to sell atgovernment approved price tostop selling the community or beprosecuted.

He assured that theCommittee would takenecessary action to ensure thatall petrol dealers in Athe statecomply with the new pump priceof N97 per litre and sopsmuggling of the products toCameroon.

Taraba petroleum taskforce chair warns againstsharp practicesFrom Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo

The Minister of Interior,Comrade Abba Morro, haslamented the rate at which

productive young men engage incriminal activities, saying suchtrends which have “beclouded thecountry in recent times aredisastrous for the future of its people”.

Comrade Moro who stated thisduring an on- the -spot assessmentof Koton-Karfe Prison in Kogi state, toascertain the level of damage doneto the prison during last week’s prisonbreak claimed by Boko Haram,added that such dastardly act wasunnecessary.

According to a statement signedby the minister, he expressed worryover the moribund nature of theprison, which he said, are “notpunishment places but correctionaland reformation centres whereinmates could learn variousvocations that will help them to beproductive”.

Meanwhile, the statement addedthat the Moro also visited the officeof Kogi state governor, Capt. IdrisWada, where he sought the stategovernment’s assistance inimproving the prison’s facilities andfor the relocation of the prison to itspermanent site.

Interior ministerexpresses worryover youthsbehaviourBy Tobias Lengnan Dapam

From Edwin Olofu, Kano Officers across the state and anyDPO found wanting in his place ofduty would be seriouslysanctioned. Things have falleninto place once again and the policein Kano are ever ready to protectthe lives and property of citizens,”Majiya stated.

Youth minister commissions NYSC distress call centre

The Minister of YouthDevelopment, Mal. BolajiAbdullahi, yesterday,

commissioned a new DistressCall Centre set up by theNational Youth Service Corps(NYSC), scheme to respond to thesecurity needs of corps membersnationwide.

The Minister whilecommissioning the Call Centre

at the NYSC Headquarters inAbuja, deplored how corpsmembers are exposed to violenceand attacks, noting further thatthe security of the corpsmembers was the responsibilityof everyone including the corpsmembers.

He also revealed that aspolicy makers, they have aresponsibility to ensure thatlives of corps members areadequately protected asaccording to him “no goal orobjective is worth the life of anycorps members.”

He therefore congratulatedthe Director-General of theNYSC, Brig. Gen. NT Okore-

Affia for ensuring theestablishment of the centre,adding that the initiative wasvery apt and is in line with theministry’s mission of an IT-driven youth developmentagenda.

Earlier in his address, theDirector-General, NYSC, Brig.Gen. NT Okore-Affia said the lastthree years have presented themanagement of the NYSCscheme with serious securitychallenges some of whichthreatened the very foundationof the scheme and which servedas the rationale for theestablishment of the DistressCall Centre.

By Etuka Sunday

PAGE 8 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Boko Haram: Police apprehendfour suspects in Benue

Four persons suspected to bemembers of Boko Haramsect were yesterday picked

up at St. Theresa’s CatholicChurch at High Level, Makurdi,the Benue state capital.

Peoples Daily correspondentlearnt from a member of thechurch who refused to disclose hisidentity, that the four suspectshad attempted to enter thechurch at the commencement ofsecond mass (Tiv service) whenthey were stopped by some private

security men for interrogation.Failure of the suspects who

were said to be dressed in kaftanand rosary hanging on their neck,to answer questions by thesecurity operatives satisfactorily,made them to alert police officersattached to the church who inturn invited members of theSpecial Rapid Squad, SARS whowhisked them away to the statepolice headquarters.

“The suspects claimed to havecome from Kaduna state and werescheduled to have anappointment with somebody

whose identity they vehementlyrefused to disclose. Their dressingwas very suspicious and therosary they had was notconvincing enough. So, the policeofficers who were attached to thisplace immediately put a call totheir office and the four suspectswere taken away”, theanonymous member said.

Confirming the arrest, thestate Police Public RelationsOfficer, ASP. Alaribe Ejikehowever said that the people werenot members of Boko Haram.

It would be recalled that

Governor Gabriel Suswam hadpenultimate Saturday at thePatron’s Night of Makurdi Club1930, raised alarm that over 100Boko Haram members of Chadian,Malian and Guinean origin werearrested by the state’sImmigration Services.

Following the alarm, thesState government and religiousleaders in the state beefed upsecurity in churches with heavypresence of security agentsequipped with bomb detectorsmanning their gates everySunday.

From Uche NnoromA, Makurdi

L-R: Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama'Ila Muhammadu Mera, His Royal Majesty, Asagba of Asaba, Professor Chike Edozien, PermanentSecretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs. Fatima Bamidele and Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, during the NationalNutrition Summit, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

NCCE, McArthur Foundation train lecturers on family life

Selected teachers from sixstates and private collegesof education drawn from the

six geo-political zones havebenefited from an intensivetraining for effectiveimplementation of the newFamily Life and Emerging HealthIssues (FLEHI) curriculum intertiary institutions.

The workshop which

commenced on January, 29 andbilled to end on February 24,2012 in Akwanga, Nasarawastate was organised by theNational Commission for Collegesof Education (NCCE) Abuja,under the sponsorship of aninternational agency, theMcArthur Foundation.

Among other things, theworkshop is aimed at giving theteachers a comprehensivetraining for onward passage to

others on family life emerginghealth issues especially thosebordering on HIV and AIDS.

In his opening address at theworkshop, NCCE ExecutiveSecretary, Prof. MuhammadJunaid, who was represented bythe Director of Research andStatistics of the Commission, Dr.M O Ojo, said the workshop wasmeant to strengthen teachereducation in the colleges ofeducation and sharpen their skills

for effective implementation ofthe FLEHI curriculum in schools.

He expressed optimism thatthe training would equip theteachers to ensure the reductionof risky sexual behaviour amongyoung people in their first fewyears in the schools.

Giving an insight into themain contents of the training,Professor Junaid explained that anew programme called e-FLEHI,the electronic version of the

By Richard Ihediwa course contents of FLEHIcurriculum, has been loaded intotheir training.

Participants were drawn fromZamfara State College ofEducation, Maru; MuyideenCollege of Education, Ilorin-Kwarastate; Bayelsa State College ofEducation-Okpaoma; WakaCollege of Education, Waka Biu,Borno State; Kogi State College ofEducation, Ankpa and AnambraState College of Education.

The Archbishop of theCatholic Archdiocese ofOnitsha, Most Rev.

Valerian Okeke has urged thepolice and the judiciary toexpedite action on awaiting-trialinmates as part of measures todecongest prisons in the country.

Okeke made the appeal afterholding a mass for inmates ofOnitsha Prisons as part ofactivities, marking the 10thanniversary of his ordination onSunday.

He said the growing number

of awaiting-trial inmates shouldgive well-meaning individualscause for concern.

“I commend the FederalGovernment for taking care of alarge number of inmates inprisons nationwide.

“There is a great need toexpedite action on some of theawaiting-trial cases that havetaken a long time as justicedelayed is justice denied”, hesaid.

The archbishop, however,urged public-spirited

individuals and groups tocontribute their quota to thereformation of the prisoninmates.

“We should remember thatthese inmates would one day re-join the society and they needreformation and correction,’’ headded.

In a homily, Bishop MartinUzoukwu, Catholic Bishop of theDiocese of Minna, Niger State,told the inmates to forgiveanyone who dumped them in the“correction schools.’’ (NAN)

Governor Danbaba Sunta ofTaraba state has orderedthe arrest of Tiv community

leaders from Chanchangi inTakum local government areaover the death of a Fulani herdmanas he expressed the determinationof his administration to give justiceto all citizens of the state.

He made this known yesterdayin Jalingo while addressing Tiv andFulani communities from Takum.

Governor Suntai expresseddismay over the killing of a Fulaniherdsman and the disappearanceof another around Chanchangi inTakum assuring that perpetratorsof the act must be brought to book.

The governor however said heordered the release of the Tiv leadersfrom detention following thedisclosure of the names of foursuspects.

He also assured thatgovernment would revive cattleroutes in the state to minimiseconflicts among farmers andgrazers in the state.

The governor appealed to theFulani community not to take thelaw in to their hands following theincident.

Spokesman of the twocommunities commended thegovernor for the steps taken toresolve the problem and promisedto maintain the peace.

Meanwhile, the Taraba statepolice command has intercepted aToyota starlet car with 11 singlebarrel guns, one locally made pistoland 225 live cartridges alongWukari road.

Suntai ordersarrest of Tivleaders overdeath ofherdsmanFrom Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo

Archbishop urges police, judiciary tohasten prisons decongestion

Hot weather: soft drinkhawkers record sales boomSoft drinks sellers have been

making brisk business inMubi, Adamawa state, due to

high demand occasioned by theharsh weather in the area.

The rise in temperature above34 degrees Celsius in the past fewdays has exposed the people toexcruciating heat.

The prevailing hot weather,coupled with the erratic powersupply, have made life unbearablefor the residents.

The situation has led tosignificant demand for soft drinksand cold water.

A check yesterday showed that

the prices of sachet water and softdrink, however, remainedunchanged in spite of the highdemand for them.

A sachet of cold water still sold atN5 while a bottle of coca cola andmaltina remained at N70 andN120 respectively.

Some of the vendors, who spoke,expressed joy over the highpatronage and hoped that the trendwould be sustained.

Mr. Rufai Victor, a soft drinksvendor, said he now sells more than1,000 sachets of water dailycompared to less than 200 sachetsduring the harmattan season.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012PAGE 10

From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

Trustees of the estate of theformer military governor ofLagos state, late Air

Commodore GbolahanMudashiru, have asked a LagosHigh Court sitting in Igbosere, tovary its order restraining G CappaPlc from collecting rents from alltenants at a property situate at plot1699 Sanusi Fafunwa Street,Victoria Island Lagos pending thefinal determination of a suitinstituted before the court.

Justice Doris Okuwobi had inher ruling in a counter claim filedby Foluke Asani Mudashiru,widow of the late military

governor, directed G Cappa torender accounts of all moniesreceived by the firm as rents inrespect of the disputed propertyfrom October 1, 2004 till date.

However, the 2nd-6thdefendants (trustees) in a Motionon Notice brought under Order 39Rule 1 of the High Court of Lagos(Civil Procedure) Rules 2004, filedby their counsel, Mr. OsahonIdemudia urged the court to setaside its order.

They argued that a Lagos HighCourt presided over by JusticeAyisat Opesanwo had in ajudgement dated December 15,2011 duly appointed them asexecutors of the estate of late

Mudashiru’s estate: Trustees want court to vary orderMudashiru.

But Chief Robert Clarke,counsel to Mrs. Mudashirusubmitted that the purportedtrustees are not entitled to thereliefs sought as they are notproperly before the court.

He submitted that the 2nd-6thdefendants are busy bodies as theywere not the ones the order wasdirected at and therefore have nocompetence to bring theapplication.

He further submitted thatthere was no evidence before thecourt that probate has beengranted on the Will of lateCommodore Mudashiru underwhich the trustees claimed they

have been admitted to probate.Justice Okuwobi had in her

ruling directed that the moneyshould be paid to the firm of AlongeOgumoyero and Co, EstateSurveyors and Valuers who shallin turn pay it into an interestyielding account pending the finaldetermination of the suit.

The court however refusedMudashiru’s request that the firmor any other persons be appointedas receiver/manager of the estate.

“From all facts andcircumstances in this case, theclaimant [G Cappa] may not be ina position to refund rents anddamages which the Court mayultimately award in this case. I

therefore do not find the balance ofconvenience in its favour,” thejudge added.

The counter claimant, Mrs.Mudashiru had through hercounsel, Modupe Awe stated thatshe acquired properties with herlate husband and that shecontributed immensely to theacquisition of the property as shewas running the family business.

She stated that they made ajoint will in 1990 which was lodgedin the court but added that she wassurprised at her husband's demiseto hear of a purported will made onJune 24, 2001 and in whichcertain persons had applied forprobate.

The ECOWAS Heads of Stateand Government hasapproved the appointment

of former Nigerian president, ChiefOlusegun Obasanjo, the leader of aJoint AU-ECOWAS High LevelMission to Senegal.

The decision was contained in

a communiqué issued at the end ofthe 40th Ordinary Session of theAuthority of Heads of State andGovernment in Abuja.

According to the communiquésigned by the 15-memberECOWAS countries, the joint AU-ECOWAS Mission to Senegal is to

engage political stakeholders onthe forthcoming general electionsin that country.

It mandated the envoy toengage relevant stakeholders witha view to promoting dialogue andensuring peaceful, fair andtransparent elections.

The communiqué, read by theimmediate past President ofECOWAS Commission, Mr. VictorGbeho, directed that efforts beintensified to strengthendemocratic culture in the sub-region.

The meeting directed thecommission to assist ECOWASmember-countries in theirelectoral processes to ensurecredible elections. (NAN)

Obasanjo heads AU-ECOWASMission to Senegal

The Federal Medical Centre,Jalingo, is making concertedefforts to control the dreaded

Lassa fever in Taraba state.The Medical Director of the

hospital, Dr. Inusa Wiza, made thisknown while speaking with ourcorrespondent on the outbreak ofthe disease in Taraba state.

Dr. Wiza explained that the firstcase of the disease was confirmed inthe hospital on third of February.

He said following theconfirmation of the outbreak of theailment, the management of thehospital held an emergencymeeting on the matter and resolvedto properly manage information onthe disease to the staff and publicwithout causing panic as well asinvolve the state government onstrategies to contain the disease.

The medical director disclosedthat immediately after themeeting, he released N1 million forlogistics and transfer of patients tothe National Institute for theControl of Lassa Fever at Irua in Edostate.

The director said on the sameday, he went to Abuja and informedthe minister of state for health onthe outbreak of Lassa fever inTaraba state and requested fordrugs and medical personnel fromthe Federal Ministry of Health toassist in controlling the disease.

He said his consultation withthe minister bore fruit as heobtained 10 cartons of protectivegear as well as four fieldepidemiologists from the federalministry of health who alreadyarrived the state and started workin the affected areas.

FMC Jalingobattles Lassafever outbreakFrom Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo

From Salisu Zakari Maradun,Gusau

The governor of Zamfarastate, Alhaji Abdul-Aziz Yarihas observed that only

leaders who fear God and exhibithonesty among their people willbe respected.

The governor made thestatement in Talata Mafara localgovernment area of the state at theoccasion of the distribution ofworking materials by the former

governor of the state, AlhajiAhmed Sani Yarima.

According to the governor,whatever a leader says or does, if itis not for the welfare of his people,there is no way he can succeed orbe respected.

He explained also that hisgovernment, which had alreadypromised the people of itsreadiness toward uplifting theirliving conditions, will not restuntil all the promises he made arefulfilled.

Do not enrich yourselves withpublic funds, warns Zamfara gov

From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

For his positive contributionsto the Keffi emirate, SalisuAbubakar Maikasuwa, Clerk

of the National Assembly, has beenhonoured with the title of CiromanKeffi by Muhammadu ChindoYamusa II, the Emir of Keffi.

In a colourful ceremony thatheld at the palace of the emir onSaturday, which was attended bymembers of the NationalAssembly, as well as prominentsons and daughters of the area, the

royal father stated that thetraditional institution will honouronly those who contributed to thedevelopment of the kingdom, thestate and the country at large.

According to Chindo-Yamusa II,“those that are given traditional titlesare people of proven integrity and aswell as those who have showedconcern to the development and socio-economic wellbeing of the emirate”.

While observing that thehonour was to encourage otherpeople to live an exemplary life forthe general good of the country,

the traditional ruler noted that theemirate would continue torecognise selfless service by its sonsand daughters, adding that highlyplaced individuals should continueto bring development to the area.

Chindo-Yamusa II said alsothat the title is a recognition of theClerk for his commitment to theunity of the people of the area andNigerians, urging the recipient touse the title as a springboard toenhance social relationshipbetween the people of the area andother ethnic groups in the country.

NASS Clerk turbaned Ciroman Keffi

ExecutiveChairman, Katsinastate PrimaryHealth CareDevelopmentAgency, Dr.Ma'awuya Aliyu(right),administering poliovaccine to a child,during the flag-offof 2012 NationalPolio ImmunisationPlus Day, atUnguwar MusaWard at theweekend, in Funtualocal governmentarea of the state.Photo: Mahmud Isa

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012 PAGE 11

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A human rights lawyer,Barrister Noah Ajare hasasked a Federal High Court

in Abuja to restrain the NationalJudicial Council (NJC) fromdeliberating on therecommendation of the JusticeMohammed Uwais led JudicialReview Committee whichrecommended the reinstatementof the suspended President of theCourt of Appeal, Justice Ayo IsaSalami.

The lawyer, in a motion onnotice is seeking an order of the

court restraining the NJC fromdeliberating on the saidrecommendation while Salami’ssuits challenging his suspension isstill pending.

The trial judge, Justice AbdulKafarati fixed March 1, 2012 forhearing on the motion which ispraying for an order of interiminjunction restraining the counciland the panel from further holdingmeetings, discussion and allrecommendations for thereinstatement of Salami pendingthe hearing of the substantivematter.

The council had fixed 29th

February, 2012 for its meeting todiscuss the panel’srecommendation and for membersto vote on whether the advice ofthe Uwais’ panel should be takenor rejected.

Ajare’s originating summonsis seeking a declaration that allmeetings, discussions and therecommendation for thereinstatement of Justice Salamiby the NJC on therecommendation of the JudicialReform Committee must be puton hold as it is illegal,unconstitutional, null and void,as the matter is sub judice.

Lawyer wants court tostop deliberation onSalami’s reinstatement

The Kano state PoliceCommand has launcheda programme tagged

‘Operation Restore Hope’ in itseffort to reposition the force inthe state.After a crucial meetingwith top police officers, theCommissioner of Police, IbrahimIdris underlined the need for thepolice in Kano to wake up to thechallenges of fighting crime.

The police boss insisted on hisresolve to stamp out corruption,corrupt practices and unduegratification and favouritismwithin the force in the state.

Among the measures, he saidinclude war against corruptionand abuse of office andauthority, including harass-ment at checkpoints, indecentassault of innocent citizens atstations, extortion, amongothers.

Idris charged officers andmen of the command to take thetask of redeeming the batteredimage of the police seriously andto ensure at all times that thecore values of law enforcement,which guides official duties aremaintained.

“We should collectivelydecide henceforth to curb thesystem of undesirable elementsand as supervisors takeimmediate and appropriateaction to curb these negativetendencies by few in our midst”.

Idris also called on heads ofdepartments, areacommanders, divisional policeofficers (DPOs), PMF squadroncommanders, sectorcommanders and supervisors atall levels in the command tovigorously join the battle ofredeeming the image of thepolice so that together the policecan provide all citizensprofessional service.

The Rector of Kwara statePolytechnic, Alhaji Mas’udElelu, has called on the newly

admitted students of the institutionto shun any unregisteredassociations in order to protect theirfuture careers from beingunrealised.

The rector who stated thiswhile addressing matriculatingstudents of the institution in Ilorin,noted that they would be approachby many agents of the differentassociations to join their group,warning that the students shouldresist any move to lure them tounregistered groups in the school.

“Anyone of them whopressurises you to join them, makesure you report to the securityimmediately. We are here toprotect you and your parentshould be rest assured that yousafe. We would not condone anyact of indiscipline and that is whywe also want you to shine your eyesand face your academic pursuitthan issues of joining associationthat would ruin your life”.

Elelu while appealing to thegeneral public to come to the aideof the institution to provide hostelfacilities for the students, said theinstitution has a parcel of land thatneeded to be developed; stressingthat only that way could hundredsof students d be able to settle downon campus for studies.

Rector warnsstudents againstbad associationsFrom Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

Governor Abiola Ajimobi ofOyo state has warned thatwith effect from next

month, anybody caught dumpingrefuse indiscriminately will bearrested and prosecuted.

The governor who stated thison Sunday at the maiden MauludNabiy celebration at theGovernment House, Ibadan,disclosed that mobile courts wouldbe constituted to prosecuteoffenders.

He expressed regret over whathe called apathy over the weeklyenvironmental sanitation, whichwas started by his administrationto keep the state clean and tidy,and which was widely embracedat the initial stage.

“We need discipline. We mustbe very neat. Islam is a neatreligion. Therefore, all Muslimsmust appear neat and tidy”, hesaid.

The governor, who stressed theneed for moral education, also saidthat Islamic and Christianreligious studies would be madecompulsory in all public primaryand secondary schools in the state.

Gov. Ajimobi charged Muslimsin the state to live to the truemeaning of Islam which preacheshonesty, integrity and discipline.

Indiscriminatedumping ofrefuse to attractprosecution inOyoFrom Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

Kano policelaunches‘OperationRestore Hope’From Edwin Olofu, Kano

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Director-General,National OrientationAgency (NOA), Mr. Mike

Omeri, has called for the adoptionof the second stanza of Nigeria’snational anthem as standardprayer at all national officialevents.

Omeri, made this call when theNigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Abuja council, visited hisoffice to congratulate him on hisappointment as NOA Director-General. He said the agency hadearlier called for the adoption aftera recent retreat and considered itimperative to emphasise it until itregisters in the psyche of

Nigerians.A statement issued by the

Assistant Director, Press, in theagency, Fidel Agu, explained thatthe hitherto practice of taking bothChristian and Muslim prayers atpublic functions tends toemphasise religious differences;saying the National anthem hasalready provided Nigerians witha national prayer in its secondstanza.

Earlier, the acting chairmanof NUJ Abuja council, MalamAbdulkareem Abdulrasheeed,pledged the support of journalistsand promised that NUJ wouldmobilise its members to assist theNOA in achieving its objectivesand programmes.

NOA boss advocatesadoption of national anthemstanza 2 as national prayer

From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

In effort to empower women,wife of Gombe state Governor,Hajiya Ummi Adama

Dankwambo has organised a two-month skills acquisition trainingfor 285 women across the elevenlocal government areas of thestate.

The co-coordinator of theprogramme, who is also the SpecialAssistant to Mrs. Dankwambo onSpecial Duties, Malam HassanAdamu, disclosed this to ourcorrespondent in Gombe over theweekend. He said the programmeis under the WomenEmpowerment Initiative of thegovernor’s wife.

He added that it is a pilot

scheme aimed at trainingwomen on various skills intailoring, hair dressing and fishfarming for two months afterwhich working materials wouldbe provided to them aftergraduation.

The special assistant furtherrevealed that, the governor’swife initiated the programmewith the aimed of assistingwomen to learn hand trades inorder to keep themselves andsustain their families ratherthan running from office to officeseeking for petty jobs.

He explained further thatthere is a mechanism ofmonitoring the trainees true aperformance evaluation systemon daily basis, including a weeklyallowance of N1, 000 to thetrainees for their transport.

Gombe gov’s wife trains285 women

Niger state Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, administering oral polio vaccine (OPV) to a childduring the flag-off of the third quarterly sensitisation campaign on polio eradication at the weekendin Zungeru, Niger state.

PAGE 12 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Kogi prison attack: TheBoko Haram claim

The February 15 attack on aprison at Koton Karfe, Kogi state,was as dramatic as it was

surprising. Dramatic because thatattack had all the ingredients of drama:action, surprise and violence. Gunmenstole up on prison workers includingwardens, blew up the gate, killed oneguard and forced the cells open,enabling 93 of the facility’s 115 inmatesto escape. “The invaders came at about7.15 pm on Wednesday and we suspectthey used explosives to bring down thegate of the prison and the roof andthereafter set free 119 inmates”, HadizaAminu, spokeswoman of the prisonauthority explained. However, 31 havesince been recaptured.

Boko Haram, the fringe Islamic sectthat has been spreading terror all overthe North, claimed responsibility forthe attack and also said it had in itscustody seven inmates that it said wereits members. “We staged the operationto rescue seven of our members thereand Allah made it possible for theoperation to be successful”, said a manwho claimed to be Abul Qaqa, the samespokesman of the sect believed to havebeen captured by security forces afortnight ago in Kaduna.

However, Mr. Abba Moro, Ministerof Interior, who visited the facility twodays later, faulted Boko Haram’sclaim, instead believing that armedrobbers attacked the prison to freetheir members held there. According tohim, no Boko Haram suspects weredetained in the prison. He said thegovernment had learnt a lesson from

“Has it occurred to thepeople in charge of our

security that they have onlysucceeded in making the

vehicles and their passengersthat pile up behind the

barricades sitting ducks foranyone mad enough to throw

bombs into the pile?

EDITEDITEDITEDITEDITORIALORIALORIALORIALORIAL

the incident, assuring there would be norepeat. The question is how certain washe that there were no members of thesect in the prison, more so that there isnothing that sets them apart from therest of us?

The attack was a surprise because itwas the first time that the sect, if indeedit facilitated the jailbreak as it hadclaimed, had extended its reach outside

so-called the core North. Even here, theviolence had been carried out largely inthe North-east and lately the North-west. Again it is a surprise that theauthorities at the Nigerian PrisonsServices (NPS) never, for once, thoughtBoko Haram might attack the prisons,after what happened at Bauchi inSeptember 2010 and the attacks by thesect on military targets on February 11in Kaduna.

Two things the Koton Karfe incident

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has revealed about Boko Haram andthe level as well as quality ofintelligence gathering by our securityforces. Before now, the sect has left usin no doubt that it is in a position todictate the pace and scale of itsinsurgency. So far, it has proved this bystaying several steps ahead of thesecurity forces. As usual, this time theywere forced into action only after thesect had struck. Over the weekend,there had been increased securitypresence around prisons in the FederalCapital Territory (FCT), Abuja, whichis a mere 100 kilometres from KotonKarfe.

Of late more security checkpointshave been raised on major highwaysacross the North, thereby reducingtraffic to a snail-speed. There is no stop-and -search, so what is the purpose ofthe roadblocks? Has it occurred to thepeople in charge of our security thatthey have only succeeded in making thevehicles and their passengers that pileup behind the barricades sitting ducksfor anyone mad enough to throw bombsinto the pile?

Meanwhile, Boko Haram has notbeen stopped in its track by these toughmeasures; instead they have increasedthe agonies of travellers in theNorthern states. As it is, this country isunder virtual siege by not Boko Harambut our military - which shouldn’t bethe case. The time has come for oursecurity forces to rethink theirstrategies, seeing they have failed todeliver the killer punch on BokoHaram.

DIRECTOR/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEFRUFA’I IBRAHIM

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012 PAGE 13

Okorocha: A new dimension to leadership

It goes without saying that lackof quality leadership is thebane of the Nigerian

society.Despite our country’senormous human resources we arestill in want of a crop of individualswho possess, albeit at minimallevels, the attributes oftransformational leaders. Fromthe success stories of westernsocieties to the recentdevelopments in south-east Asia,the quality of leadership hasalways defined the path ofdevelopment of a given society.Though many pundits have cometo argue that Nigerian problemscannot be completely blamed onpoor leadership, that the ability ofa leader to remain focus to hispromises depends on thewillingness of the followers toconstantly gauge his actions. Nodoubt, quality leadership requiresan active and participatoryfollowership. However, effectiveand purposive leadership remainsthe engine on which societaldevelopment revolves. This isbecause leadership is a complexprocess and there is a deepreservation as to what extentcertain set of qualities, standardsor competencies can effectively

encapsulate the nature of whatmakes certain leaders successfuland others less successful.

The only practical way todefine leadership, therefore, is bymaking references to leaders whoseactions have impacted positivelyto their followers. Afterall, thewhole idea of leadership will be aneffort in futility if the peopleremain in precarious economicsituation.

On the 29th of may 2011 Imostate was divinely given a newbreed of leader, one whoseleadership idiosyncracies remainsunmatched by hiscontemporaries. Governor RochasOkorocha, a man of few words butgreatly endowed with thecharacteristics of what definesleadership. leadership is all aboutempathy; knowing where the shoepinches. Governor RochasOkorocha has never failed inputting smiles on the faces of Imopeople because he knows where theshoe pinches.

During his electioneeringprocesses, governor RochasOkorocha pledged to transformImo state to be the envy of otherstates and to surpass theachievements of his predecessor,the highly revered Sam Mbakweof blessed memory. Let me quickly

give a recap of the governor’spromises to Imo people to enableme underscore his achievementswithin his few months in office. Inthe course of his campaign thegovernor stated that hisgovernment will revolve aroundemploment generation,environment and tourism,security, housing, education,science and techonology, youthdevelopment, womenempowerment and religiousharmony. Within few days in officegovernor Rochas Okorocha paid offall pension arrears, declared freeeducation, free feeding in schools,provision of school uniforms,reduction of Imo state Universitystudents’ school fees andcommenced the construction of allmajor roads in the state.

In the area of employmentcreation the governor has startedvery well, first by ensuring thatthe state has a conduciveenvironment necessary forbusinesses to strive. Many roadshave been built and many othersupgraded.The government hasalso put inplace variousprogrammes aimed atencouraging entrepreneurship.First is the introduction of practicalEducation System (PES) whichwill help develop such creative

areas such as mechanic,carpentry, fashion designing,filmproduction, craft making etc. Allthese are operational at the ImoVocational Village established inthe three senatorial districts.

No doubt, Imo state is theentertainment hub of south-eastand south-southern Nigeria. Merecoming to Owerri, the Imo statecapital, on a typical weekend willautomatically convince you thatthe entertainment industry in thestate is booming. All these wouldn’thave been possible without anenvironment where nature livesin harmony with humanbeings.Imo has been variouslyadjudged as the cleanest and mostpeaceful state in the federation.

Also, within his few months inoffice governor Rochas Okorochahas shown clear determination totransform imo state to be theepicenter of learning in modernNigeria. From his free educationprogramme upto the universitylevel to the proposed expansion ofthe state owned university. Thismeans that a child can go to schoolfrom nursery to the universitywithout paying a dime. For Imouniversity student of Imo state whois currently studying in an Imostate owned institution, each willget N100,000 per school year, out

When the governmentchose to play deaf

In the heat of the annoyingcrisis engendered by theJonathan administration’s

increment of petroleum products’prices on January 1, I hadmaintained that the albatross ofthe government was that nothingnew in the form of the enrichmentof the argument was being broughtto the table. The same reasons theBabangida regime employed tocause increments in the price ofpetrol some neon years back,remained the same arguments theObasanjo regime employed in hiscountless tampering of fuel prices.

Sadly, it is still the same reasonsthe Goodluck Jonathangovernment used to muzzle its wayto a thoughtless increment ofpetrol price to over a hundredpercent on January 1, 2012. Itseems that the country has ran intoa diktat with successive regimeson this issue such that everygovernment duplicitously sells thelie that it would collapse if it doesnot tamper with the prices oflocally consumed petrol, even withthe many negative fallouts of suchaction and even with the expansivecash cow it has in the form of hugecrude exports.

Whether you term it fuel priceincrement or deregulation orremoval of fuel subsidy, the goalhad been one – to raise more cashfor the operatives of governmentto play with. It has got nothing todo with the parlous state of theentire oil industry, the deprecationof infrastructures in the oilindustry and the unleashing ofcorruption wild cat that ravagesthe industry and ensures itremains a wellhead of graft foroperatives of successivegovernments. No increment, nomatter how it is termed, has everled to the improvement ofanything and the Jonathan

By Peter Claver Oparah

government has not convincedanyone that it will fare better thanits notorious predecessors thathave only approached the problemof the Nigerian oil industry fromthe prism of imposing higher fuelprices, which in turn, visit thecitizenry with increased hardship,widen the incidence of masspauperization and inflate theincidences of official stealing, whichhas seized Nigeria in a deadly gripat present.

Even in its argument onremoval of fuel subsidy as a cure-all panacea to the myriads ofproblems that whack the countryat present, the Jonathan regimefared worse because it commandsthe least citizen’s faith on itscapacity to plug the corruptionloopholes that are responsible forthe decrepit state of the country’soil industry, direct the abundantresources of the country towardsimproving the standard of lives ofNigerians, lead a renaissance of theoil industry as an efficient, lesscorrupt and responsible cash cowthat can grow the economy. Theregime suffers from a terrible lackof trust that are as a result of itswell known penchant to liecomfortably in the same bed withputrefying corruption, shovelunder the corrupt acts of itsoperatives and handmaidens andits annoying addiction tonauseating profligacy. It convincedno one that its almost suicidalcommitment to increase the priceof petrol was complimented by anymodicum of good faith except for

its notorious proclivity to financethe elephantine greed ofgovernment officials.

In the rancorous debateleading to the unilateral decisionto impose a higher price regime onpetrol, this government wasconfronted at every corner byNigerians’ loud complaints of thegovernment’s own wastes, theunwieldy size of government thathas ensured that the countryspends almost all it has on financingthe ostentatious life styles of thosein government, in detriment tocapital and wealth generatinginvestments, the ravagingcorruption that reign supreme inthe oil industry, among manyother myriads of complaints. Thegovernment and its agents nevergave any satisfactory response tothese demands and complaints.Rather it waxed so monotonous ofhow much it was spending on thequestionable subsidy on petroleumimportation-which is consideredan insulting aberration by theNigerian citizenry in the firstinstance. It spoke of the abundantlife it will secure with theincrement, which is a staid rehashof the worn-out and unrealizablepromises that informed severalpast increments.

What more, the governmentchose to play deaf to criticaldemands by Nigerians that itshould carry out a drasticreduction on the size ofgovernment as well as the hugeoverheads in financing recurrentexpenses, radically carry out an

audit on the finances andoperations of the oil industry witha view to cleansing the heavystench of corruption that hassucceeded in grounding theindustry and made Nigeria alaughable contrast that dependson importation of petrol, when itshould be a net exporter of theproduct. The argument was thatthe entire subsidy mantra is builton the wrong precepts of totaldependence on imported petrol,pleading inaction to the ravaginginfluence of corruption in theindustry and makes maximumprotection to the forces that havesustained heavy graft in theindustry and visit untoldpunishment on the masses, whichare grand misnomers.

With the audacious incrementof petrol prices sparking the kind ofmass revolt it stirred in Nigeria,there was no doubt that Nigeriansknow the facts of the issue far morebetter than could be acknowledgedby their leaders. Among the manyquestions that arose from theprurience with which thegovernment reeled out projects ithoped to achieve with theincrement in petrol price in adesperate effort to placate a peevedcitizenry, was what thegovernment did with similarincrements in the prices of dieseland kerosene. This poser remainsunanswered till date and showedwithout doubt that there were noserious plans to ensure the recentprice increment will positivelyimprove life in Nigeria and not go

the way of similar exercises in thepast.

Buoyed by the loud protests ofNigerians against the attitude ofgovernment to corruption in theoil industry, which is alleged tohave sustained the hugecorruption complex in the oilindustry, the House ofRepresentatives has launched intoa probe of the operations of the oilindustry in general and thesubsidy regime in particular. Theprobe is as revealing as it isconfirmatory of the allegations ofNigerians that there is a clear cutofficial connivance in the big rot inthe oil industry. What is even mostcurious in the entire probe is thecacophony of voices and statisticson the industry, as being reeled outby those that should be trusted togive the true picture of what ishappening in the Nigerian oilindustry. It is as if everygovernment official has his or herown statistics on the oil industryin Nigeria. Let us take a glimpse;.

On the question of Nigeria’sdaily petroleum consumption,there were varied answers as therewere queried officials. From theMinster of Petroluem Resources,Diezieni Allison Madueke:52million Liters, from the NNPCManaging Director: 35m liters,from the DPR: 43m liters, from thePPPRA: 24M liters, from theMinister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: 40 million liters.Peter Claver Oparah can bereached onwww.saharareporters.com

of which 70,000 will be thebursary for the school fee and30,000 as loan/grant from thestate. After graduation and thegraduate starts working, then thegraduate can pay the 30,000grant to Imo state coffers. This is alaudable initiative.

The whole idea of educationresolves around the learner andthe first thing is to ensure that thelearner has a better frame of mindto undertake academic pursuit.This, the governor has done byensuring that students,irrespective of their familybackground, will have enoughfund to finance their studies. Thisis done every where in the world.Most of the educational modelsbeing currently articulated byRochas are derived from theadvanced societies of Japan,Singapore, south-korea etc.

It is my conviction thatEverybody is supposed to be giventhe opportunity to be educated,even up to the university level.There is nothing wrong in everybody getting university educationcontrary to what some peoplemight want us believe. It iserronous to assume that noteveryone is expected to go to theuniversity. What is actually

By Chamberlain Chinaka

Continued on page 14

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012PAGE 14

Now that we have a new IGPallegedly because he did not offerthe “traditional bribe” expectedautomatically from taxi driversand roadtransportersand users.A n o t h e rk i l l i n goccurred withthe LASTMApolice, whopulled a busc o n d u c t o runto the roadand wassubsequently,crushed todeath by atrailer truck.Of recentconcerns thes u p p r e s s e driot in Onitsha (Anambra State),where a police officer followed,traced a public taxi bus to wherethe officer finally butchered downthe driver of the bus, in public, fornot given ordinary twentynaira!!!! In public! In the neck! Shot

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WRITE TO US

at close range! Withoutcompassion! Without any feelings!Without recognizing that he, as a

police officer is there in the firstplace, to preserve the law andprotect the lives of citizens!

What has gone into the brainsof these human beings in the policeforce? What type of training dothey undergo before adorning

them with the “black garment”called police uniform? Are theseofficers Nigerians who live among

Nigerians? Dothey have familiesand have theirown families?

There is a needfor fundamentalshake-up in therank and file of theNigeria Policefrom top tobottom, not justat the top. Weneed officers whoknow the truemeaning of “toserve and toprotect”. We needofficers who haveblood running

through their arteries and veins.We need re-orientations of thefundamental philosophies of theNigerian Police Force. The publicimage makers of the police mustbe able to admit publicly withoutmaking up stories when their

officers commit crime. It is alwaysobvious. So, why is it that thePolice PROs always come up withlies such as “accidentaldischarges” and labeling ofvictims as armed robbers whenthe true situation clearly showsthat the Nigerian Police Officererred and have committed acrime? Can we get a leader, anIGP that can fundamentallychange the culture and practicesof the Nigeria Police Force? Canwe get for once, an IGP that cantransform the police into a truecommunity police, crime-prevention trained police andofficers who are welcomed in thecommunity, willing and ready toprotect and to serve? Moreimportantly, we need PoliceOfficers that will stop killinginnocent citizens at “wetin youbring for us” road blocks! Canthese police officers just changeand do something good? Can theleopard change its spots oh God?

Abe Ojo wrote in fromLagos.

Boko Haram has swept offtwo IGPs and has causedthe promotion of AIG

Abubakar to the exalted positionof acting IGP. Consequent uponthese (cosmetic) changes in thetopmost echelon of the force, thepublic should have expected somefundamental changes in theapproaches and the way that thepolice perform their duties basedon the leadership qualities of thesedifferent IGP personalities. To theamazement of many of us, theleadership direction and thefundamental generalperformances of the police remainstatic and in fact, actuallydeclining further south to an alltime unbecoming of a Police Force!

This write up is not about allthe necessary transformationexpected of the Nigerian PoliceForce and the current leadershipbut specifically concerned aboutand focused on the increasingoccurrences of intentional killingof innocent citizens at policecheckpoints all across the country.

Not too long ago, a police officerkilled someone in Osun state

By Abe Ojo

Their name, ‘Chipolopolo’which means copperbullets.The Zambian

players who are little known,except for their long standingdedicated captain, ChrisKatongo(Most Valuable Player ofthe 2012 AFCON), pelted theGhanain and Ivorian teams withbullets, even ‘shooting out’ thebiggest African players such asAsamoah Gyan, John Mensah,

Didier Drogba and currentAfrican footballer of the year,Yaya Toure in the semi-finals andfinals of the competition. TheZambian footballers had playedtogether for several years, thelikes of Chris Katongo, KennedyMweena, Joseph Musonda,Rainford Kalaba, CliffordMulenga and others havingplayed in the last four CAFAfrican Nation’s cup.This

enabled them to understandthemselves and play as a teaminstead of appearing as adisjointed side with players ofindividual brilliance.

Indeed, these underdogplayers proved the book makersand analysts wrong. They did notneed to be playing top-flightfootball in Europe and parade sixfigure earning players who havewon many laurels before they

could get to the top of Africanfootball.

Their story is a testimony ofdedication, determination and a‘never say never spirit,’ after thepain that the Zambian nation feltin April, 1993 as a result of theirloss of a generation of promisingfootballers of the national teamin an air crash soon after theaircraft conveying 30 passengersincluding 18 players exploded

after taking off from a stop in theGabon capital of Libreville enroute a world cup qualifyinggame with Senegal. 19 yearsafter, the memories of the hugeloss were still at the back of theminds of Zambians including theChipolopolo players, many ofwhom were school boys when thesad event occurred.

Okey Egbuluche wrote infrom Lagos.

The magical Chipolopolo of Zambia

The wisdom of a DavidOnly recently, the President

of Nigeria’s Senate, DavidMark, while delivering his

Eid-el Maulud message, stated asfollows: “I will defend Nigeria’sunity with the last drop of myblood.” Few weeks earlier, theformer President IbrahimBabangida, announcedquixotically that “I will call a tailor,take my measurement, get backinto khaki to go and fight even at71.” In apparent reference to the

indivisibility of the country, theformer leader had hinted that hewould also be willing to spill hisblood to maintain Nigeria’s unity.

To all intents and purposes, itwould appear that Nigeria’sgoverning (and out-of-power) eliteare commonly united in theirconviction that the only expedientway to dramatize theircommitment to the country’sfragile unity is by corrupting the

citizenry with the “vow” of doingthe impossible. While it has becomefashionable for Nigeria’s rulers toluxuriate in the fantasy ofpledging to fight and die in defenceof the country’s unity, the citizens,on the other hand, seem to havebecome patronizingly bewitchedby their rulers’ heroic pledge thatthey hardly raise anyinterrogation about the characterof “Nigerian unity,” its real and

supposed beneficiaries as well as thepolitical and economic interestswhich it is configured to serve.

Some elucidation on the wholeidea of “unity” will be in order atthis juncture since it has becomeone of the most abused andvulgarized concepts in Nigeria’spolitical discourse. The term“unity” basically refers to mutualagreement; a state of oneness; orthe quality of completeness. It is asituation in which a group ofpeople work together agreeably forthe achievement of a particularpurpose. It therefore logicallyfollows that the unity of an entitycan only be functional if it isfashioned by consensus, driven bypurpose and predicated on socialinclusiveness.

One of the salientcontradictions of Nigeria’s unity isthat it is neither consensual norpurpose-driven. It is a unity that isconstituted as an end in itself ratherthan a means to an end. At such, ithardly offers its citizens anyplausible sense of belongingness, noprospect of self-actualization and,worst of all, no allowance for equityand social justice.

Nigeria expresses itself as aconundrum that stands indiametric opposition to the solemninterests of ordinary citizens.Invariably, it mandates arelentless erosion of theirhumanity. It is therefore not

surprising that after 51 years ofpolitical independence (and muchlengthier decades after itsillegitimate procreation by aBritish adventurist – LordLugard), Nigeria’s individualityand statehood as an independent,sovereign nation is still largelyembryonic, inchoate andindeterminate. Nigeria hasremained essentially a countrymarooned in the wilderness oftruncation, arrested developmentand aborted dreams.

Politically, we have contrivedand nurtured a brand of politicswhich renounces the norms ofcivilization and embraces the lureof barbarism. We have promotedan idea of politics that is literallyconstituted as warfare andprosecuted with every conceivableweapon, including bombs! Withcorruption so deeply entrenchedand leadership incompetence sopervasive, the country has sufferedprogressive retrogression and hasbecome a classic metaphor of astillbirth. While pretending to beunited in one indivisible entity, wehave enshrined the practice ofperceiving some sections of thecountry as “certified infidels”ineligible to aspire for plumpositions in the land, including thePresidency.

Ugochukwu RaymondOgubuariri can be reached atnigeriavillagesquare.com

By Ugochukwu RaymondOgubuariri

...A new dimension to leadershipwrong in making everyone attendthe university if i may ask?Nothing absolutely. The problemonly lies in the failure of theNigerian leaders over the years tocreate opportunities where peoplecan effectively utilise the skills andknowledge they learnt at theuniversity towards thedevelopment of the society. TheJapanese trained engineers,scientists, economists etc wouldn’thave done much if thegovernment did not create theright atmosphere that enhancesinginuity and creativity. Theuniversity is a place for intellectualawakening, and there is nothingwrong in ensuring that every bodypasses through this mentaltransformation process.And onthis the Imo state governor

deserves commendation.The precedent set by governor

Okorocha is something everyNigerian leader has to emulate,especially the state governors. Heis a transformational leader, onewhose leadership capabilitiestranscends ethnic, regional andreligious compartments. These arethe attributes of great leaders likeAwolowo in the old western region,Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Belloetc. These qualifies are alsoexemplified by such rare leaderslike Nelson Mandela of south-Africa, Lim kuan yew of Singaporeand Mahathir of Malaysia.

Thomas Carlyle observed in hisGreat Man Theory that the traitsof leadership are intrinsic,maintaining that great leaders areborn and that great leaders will risewhen confronted with appropriate

situation. Why I do not subscribecompletely that leaders are bornnot made it will be appropriate tostate here that Governor Okorochacombines both the features of theGreat Man theory and thecharacteristics of thetransformational leader.

Good leaders are rare to find andoften difficult to maintain withoutbeing carried away by thearrogance that comes with power.Therefore, if Nigeria wants to findits feet on the ladder ofdevelopment and a voice in thecomity of developed societies,leaders such as Governor Okorochaneed to be given every support toenable them to stay focused on theNigerian vision.

Chamberlain Chinakawrote in from Owerri, Imostate.

Continued from page 13

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012 PAGE 15

Very few people will arguethe fact that the kind ofleaders Nigeria has had over

the years are indeed a rare breed. Abreed that seems only adept at selfaggrandizement and selfperpetuation at the expense of themajority for whom living hasbecome a constant struggle. Ourleaders have regularly proved thattheir own concept of leadership isquite different from the textbookdefinition that sees it as a platformto serve the people.

This selfish disposition partlyexplains why there is a dearth ofheroes and role models especiallyamong the political class in thecountry. Since the passing of whatcould be described as the firstgeneration of leaders after the firstrepublic ,very few public servantscan qualify as role models afterwhom the younger generation ofNigerians would aim to shape theirlives. To look for such kind of peoplewho have distinguished themselvesin leadership positions we mostlyhave to look outside our shores.

In this month alone, three publicoffice holders in Germany, Romaniaand Greece again proved that publicservice is all about meeting theexpectations of the people – earningtheir trust in the process - and onceit gets to a point where that cardinalprinciple cannot be upheld, thepublic office holder has no businessremaining in office. Here in Nigeria,however, it seems, for many, publicoffice is all about an opportunity forself enrichment and perpetuation at

all costs.Last Friday, the German

President, Christian Wulff, resignedfrom office after coming underpressure from political opponentsand prosecutors who claimed heaccepted bribes during histenure as the governor ofLower Saxony. He was alsoalleged to have receivedfinancial favours includinggifts and sponsoredvacations which were inclear violation of Germanlaws and code of conduct forpublic officers. Hisresignation paved the wayfor prosecutors to launchcriminal investigations againsthim, having lost his immunity. Inannouncing his resignation, Wulffsaid: “I had lost the trust of theGerman people, making itimpossible to continue in a role thatis meant to serve as a moral compassfor the nation. For this reason, it isno longer possible for me to exercisethe office of president at home andabroad as required”.

If Wulff were a Nigerian, heprobably would have clung tooffice and continued to heap blameon imaginary political opponentsfor his travails rather than do thehonourable thing. The whole ideaof resigning from office seems tobe an unheard of concept in thispart of the world. How else can oneexplain the continued stay inoffice of the Petroleum ResourcesMinister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who even before her

reappointment was dogged by allmanner of allegations about herinvolvement in shoddy deals inthe ministry. If this was notenough to make her bow outgracefully, her inglorious role in

the fuel subsidy removal earlierin the year and the glaringincompetence she displayedduring the public hearings by theHouse ad hoc committee on fuelsubsidy where she proved to allthat she has not kept abreast ofthe goings on in the nation’spetroleum sector were enough tomake her leave the stage. Sheneither knows the nation’s dailyfuel consumption figure nor doesshe know how much was spent onfuel subsidy last year. Now she hasgone into a frenzy setting up taskforces and, therefore, committeesthat are duplicitous and unlikelyto achieve much.

Much earlier this month, theRomanian Prime Minister, EmilBoc, also resigned after facing massprotests against InternationalMonetary Fund {IMF} backedausterity measures. The IMF had

Important lessons from elsewheregranted Romania a 20 billion euroloan in 2009 with the condition thatthe government implement severecuts in spending. In addition to thecuts, the government raised taxeswhich made life difficult for many

Romanianswho alsocomplained ofwidespreadcorruption ingovernment.In his farewellspeech, Bocsaid: “I tookthe decision torelease thetension in the

country’s political and socialsituation, but also in order not to losewhat Romanians have won”.

Faced with a similar situationduring the fuel subsidy protests, ourown President Goodluck Jonathannot only sent troops to Lagos to breakthe protests, his security forcesthreatened to charge those callingfor his resignation with treason.Rather than see the protests as aclear policy error which needed tobe reversed quickly, the presidentchose to blame defeated politicalopponents for orchestrating theprotests.

Amid the sad news of the harsheconomic situation that Greece hasfound itself in, a cheering bit of newscame last Friday which showedthat despite the people’s anger withtheir reckless leaders whose actionshave plunged that country into anear economic abyss, there are

leaders who do take their jobsseriously. The Culture Minister,Pavlos Geroulanos, tendered hisresignation after armed men brokeinto a museum and made away withdozens of antiques that were up to3,200 years old. The antiqueswhich dated from the 9th to the 4th

century, were stolen from themuseum of the ancient games ofOlympia and because of the proudhistory and heritage of the Greeks,Geroulanos felt he has let down anation by his inability to provideadequate security for its treasures,hence his resignation.

There is a glaring failure ofleadership at all levels in this countrybut our leaders seem unperturbedby it to even contemplate resigningfrom office. To them, leaving publicoffice before one’s time is perhaps theultimate admittance of failure andencouraged by an increasinglymaterialistic and docile society, theyget away with the more importantfailure of delivering on the objectivesof their office. Our situation is alsomade worse by the kind of politicswe play which ranks ethnic orregional loyalties above all else. Onmany instance, corrupt publicofficials have been left off the hookbecause their kinsmen have risen totheir defence and lobbiedvigouriously to get them off the hook.Until this changes and we have aleaders who inspire confidence bymaintaining the highest ethical andmorals standards in office, we maywait a long while for that equitablenation we truly deserve.

TUESDTUESDTUESDTUESDTUESDAAAAAYYYYYwith

Abdulazeez Abdullahiazizab40@yahoo.com

0805 100 0558

Romanticisation of our once shoeless JonathanBy Taju Tijani

The romanticisation of PresidentGoodluck Jonathan’s shoelesspast and the ongoing spin on

his underclass and underdogantecedents have gained thesympathy of many Nigerians. Butbeyond the overkill, we have theunconvinced advocates of pessimismwho see Jonathan as a fraud,temporizing and uncertain. Thepessimists can easily and rightlysatirize Jonathan as flaccid,dithering and a kind of front officemanager. Another summarymight echo Jonathan as theinnocent variant of the vermincalled mafia, cartel or cabal – thevery antithesis of our progressivedream.

In a nation where professionalcynics are being bred like maggotsthrough the nightmarishexperience of our revolving doorpolity, pray, where are the happy,optimistic, bleeding- heart liberalsthe president seeks in his dream totransform the Nigerian dinosaur?Paid acolytes of the president are stillperfecting the art of colonising, no,invading, both our public andprivate domains and asking forkinship loyalties to an Ituekejourneyman who started out fromhumble deprivation.

The emergence of Jonathan asour president foreclosed our old,timid and porcine accommodationof our leaders’ inanities. From thewasting era of Babangida’satomization of society to Obasanjo’sdo-or-die, to Yar’adua’s slow motiontenure and now Jonathan’s,Nigerians have truly waited for

their political universe to betransformed. We have all made astand. The stand is never again tonormalize the unthinkable and theabominable. Enough is enough!

Once Jonathan assumed themantle of scholar-leader as opposedto his predecessor’s servant-leader,he began to roll out a new politicalorthodoxy. The first brain box of AsoRock downloaded a newvocabulary. He divorced from theold, tired and outworn clichés wewere used to.

Jonathan, riding on the crest ofpopularity began to build interestin us for his new politics. Do-or-dieand 7 point agenda were PDP’sjaded, juvenile mantra no longerfit for the redoubtable chamber ofour democratic space. In his desireto keep faith with the power of anetworked world, Jonathanbought into a transformationalagenda. Here, I must confess that Iam one of his apathetic and law-abiding citizens who are clueless asto his newfound political self-indulgence of transformation. Eventhe select group of highly literateminds I spoke to was of the opinionthat the transformation on its ownsounds lofty and inspirational, butthe holistic renaissance it promisesis buried deep in confusion andoccultism.

What does the president wantto transform? Does he want totransform Nigeria and take it backfrom the rapacious hands of elitistpoliticians? Does he want totransform the shameless reductionof our democracy to electoral fraudas we saw in many stolen mandatesthat led to gubernatorial reversals?

Would Jonathan be able totransform our pretentioussectarian politics of identity wherethe Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa willcohabit in a patriotic capsule oftolerance, unity and collectivedream? Can we wager our last coinon his transformational agenda asthe perfect harbinger of equitablelaw and justice, transparency,eradication of corruption, providerof stable electricity, reformed Police,Army, Navy, Custom and FRSC,education, employment, goodroads, housing and direly neededinfrastructures like hospitals,industries and refineries?

The Nigerian public needsclarity and proper articulation ofJonathan’s transformationalwhammy. The rhetoric from themisinformed divide is accusingJonathan of shrouding histransformational creed in therealm of darkness. Most of what arebeing grind out by media advisers,willing intellectuals and paiddemagogues are merely calmingwords about the president’s benignand altruistic motive while theessential mission of educating,informing and encouragingintelligent exchange with thegoverned are lost in disputatiouspolitics of mere sound bite. We stillhave unbelievers, roundlyeducated by experience andprescience, who see Jonathan’stransforming agenda as a charterfor the warped-minded. It isperceived as a load of sentimentalguff devoid of hard sense. Whytransformation agenda whenNigeria needs a draconian, even,merciless swing of baton against

corrupt, lazy, empty-brained,phoney, dodgy, unpatriotic set ofgreedy fattened mice we calledpoliticians? They reckoned thattransformation agenda will soonbe swallowed up by thatimplacable Aso Rock animal calleddumb inaction. Of a truth,Jonathan must understand thathe presides over a nation ofgrumbling bunch of impatientcitizens. Citizens who are lining thecyber highways and holdingbanners of pain anddisappointments, all, calling forchange.

Frustrated and revolutionary-hungry Nigerians are spoiling for afight if transformational timelineexceeds their capacity to bear. Theywant to see transformation not as anebulous and archaic sound bitecrafted to deceive, but as a retoolinghardware for the dismantling of ourusual dinosaurs. They wanttransformation to morph into aretooling hardware for thedismantling of our vexing anxietieslike official high corruption, greed,tribalized impunity, political sacredcows, oil industry perfidy, anti-people constitution and thesystematic stripping ofgovernment assets by politicalcronies.

However, Jonathan must guardagainst his transformational agendabeing reviled as an intellectuallybankrupt creed that has nothing tocontribute to the triumphal progressof our democratic renewal. I stillremember a time when we wereserenaded by the patriotic vision ofone Prof. Dora Akunyili to rebrandNigeria.

If the ethical articulation of a dourDora had been a success, the endlessscandals of our nation would havebeen minimized. If dour Dora couldnot rebrand the dinosaur, can atransformer come out of Itueke?This land still faces the challenges ofpolicy failure and somersault. If thepresident is promoting himself as thechief transformer of a transforminggovernment, Nigerians want to seeaction. Transformational agendacannot exist in silent manoeuvreand official brick wall. We need tosee action on the reports of all theconstituted committees.

We want to see radical anddisrupting incursions into where theangels feared to tread. We cannottransform Nigeria by not naming,shaming, prosecuting and jailingsaboteurs, thieves, terrorists andblood sucking vampires.

It is hoped that Jonathan willrise from the dark dungeon ofcomplacency and transform thesickening mores of our society. It ishoped that he will unhinge ourparalyzing chains of business asusual and carve a tunnel of hopethrough the dark mountain of halfcentury of disasters,disappointment and documentedfailures. Mr. President has to bebold, brave and brash. He needs tobe heckling and provoking. Thepeoples’ ambivalent feeling is cryingfor a president who will take aprinciple stand without beingtimid, defensive and prevaricating-old Jonathan alter ego. Let the newtransformer from Itueke confrontthe dinosaurs.

Taju Tijani can be reachedthrough tajutijani@hotmail.com

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012PAGE 16

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A rickety van overloaded with cow and people, along Gwagwalada road, Abuja, recently. Photo: Mahmud Isa

The Minister of State for theFederal Capital Territory(FCT), Oloye Olajumoke

Akinjinde has solicited for thesupport of the House Committeeon FCT Area Councils andAncillary Matters fordevelopment of the area councilsand satellite towns.

Akinjide, who made the callyesterday, while receivingmembers of the committee whowere on oversight visit,emphasised that developmentshould not be centralised orconcentrated within the citycentre alone but the areacouncils and satellite towns aswell.

Hence, she urged thecommittee to assist theadministration with the neededresources to drive home thisobjective.

Akinjide stressed that the FCTadministration and the AreaCouncils would continue tocount on the wise counsel andguidance of the committee in theyear 2012.

She also urged thecommittee to facilitate thepassage of the pending billsaffecting the area councils in theHouse, especially the bill for anAct to provide for the system,structure, composition,functions and finance of FCTArea Councils.

The minister expressedoptimism that the passage of thebill would enhance the statutoryposition of the Area Councils andstrengthen their revenue base.

This was even as she chargedthe Committee to keep thevarious challenges confrontingthe area councils in mind whenthe House considers the annualappropriations of the AreaCouncils.

The partnership of thefederal legislature and the FCT

Minister solicitssupport of HouseCommittee on FCTcouncils for devt

Mararaba residents resort to fire wood,charcoal as price of kerosene goes up

told NAN.Another firewood seller,

simply identified as MamaPromise, said that four smallerpieces were sold for N100, whilea pack of charcoal was sold forN50.

However, Malam MurtalaIsa, one of the firewood breakers,locally called “paskere” in Hausalanguage, told NAN that hecharged N3, 000 to pieces aDYNA van of fire wood.

When NAN visited“MURAHAT” and “MRS” filling

stations in Mararaba onMonday, Kerosene attendants onduty said that the commoditywas being sold for N140 perlitre.

NAN reports though that alitre of kerosene is officially putat N50,consumers hardly get tobuy the commodity at that rate.

Mr. Precious Bright, anattendant at “MRS” fillingstation, expressed concern overthe high price of the commodity.

“We are not happy about theincrease in the price of kerosene

because we are also feeling thepinch,’’ Bright lamented.

He, however, denied that thestation had adjusted its meter inorder to cheat on consumers.

NAN findings furtherrevealed that Kerosene is beingsold for between N180 and N200per litre at the black market inMararaba.

Efforts to speak withmanagers of the two fillingstations were abortive as theywere said to be out of their offices.(NAN)

Dear reader, Metrowelcomes humaninterest stories in yourneighbourhood. Pleasecall or send SMS to08065327178 or e-mailjomarch4@yahoo.com to inform us abouthappenings in yourarea. Share yourexperiences or those ofyour friends andneighbours with fellowreaders.

Residents of Mararaba, adensely populatedsettlement in Nasarawa

State near the FCT, have resortedto the use of fire wood andcharcoal for cooking, as price ofkerosene continues to increase.

A survey carried out by theNews Agency of Nigeria (NAN)in the area on Monday, showedthat the prices of firewood andcharcoal had equally increasedas a result of the high demandfor them.

Malam Mohammed Kabiru,a dealer in charcoal at theMararaba main market, toldNAN that “a 500 kilogramme ofcharcoal was being sold for N1,500.”

“We witnessed an upsurge inpatronage of our charcoal sinceJanuary as the price of kerosenewent up,” he added.

Mrs Faith Wilson, whooperates a firewood and charcoaldepot on Elisha Dachor Street,Mararaba, told NAN that shesold five smaller pieces offirewood for N200.

“Three sizeable pieces offirewood is sold for N300, whilea pack of charcoal goes for N50depending on the size and type offire wood.”

“The best type of firewood isthe one called “Madiki” usedmostly by Hausa residents tocook and it is always in highdemand than others.

“A DYNA van of firewood,brought in from Kaduna costsN20, 000 and we have to payN3, 500 to “Paskere,” the localbreakers of the firewood to breakthem into smaller pieces.

“All these expenses add to thecost of the firewood. I am sayingthis because as a house wife, I amalso affected,’’ Wilson further

By Josephine Ella

Abuja clean as a model city inAfrica was not easy task, butpromised not to be deterred fromtheir given mandate until thecity is made clean and tidy.

“It has not been easy for ushere, let me tell you that someof our vehicles have beenvandalized while my men werebrutalized and are now inhospitals. It has been rough. Iprefer not to make news fromevery situation. “It has gottento the level where about four ofour vehicles were last weekvandalized while some of mymen on duty were seriously

wounded and rushed to Garkigeneral Hospital, this happenedat about 2am.

“It seems physical combats isthe only language streethawkers in FCT understand andwe are ready to give them fire-for –fire” he emphasized.

Shaibu who admitted somegray areas in his men’s conducts, explained that it was because ofsuspicion raised against some ofhis men and officers onallegation of bribery that madehim to personally swing intoaction by making sure that vehicles were provided for field

officers to take them to theirrespective beats and before heretires back to office.

He disclosed his board’sreadiness to commerce full scaleinvestigation on the activities ofsome staff that have been accusedof collecting bribe noting thatthose found guilty would besanctioned appropriately.

Responding to questions onthe sudden disappearance ofmobile courts from major streetsin the territory, the Directorpromised to reintroduce them inplaces where their safety can beguaranteed.

AEPB boss laments harassment of officials

The management of theAbuja EnvironmentalProtection Board (AEPB)

has expressed regret over theunwholesome attitude of someresidents, particularly streethawkers in the Federal CapitalTerritory (FCT) who harass andmolest officials of the agency ina bid to prevent them fromcarrying out their duties.

The AEPB Director, IsahMohammed Shaibu who statedthis in an interview explainedthat though the task of keeping

By Adeola Tukuru

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012 PAGE 17

AEPB to parley with traditionalrulers on sanitationThe Abuja Environmental

Protection Board (AEPB)has concluded plans to

collaborate with prominenttraditional rules in all the sixarea councils of the FederalCapital Territory (FCT) toensure a successfulimplementation of

Environmental NeighborhoodAssociation (ENA) that wasconceived by the Board with thesole objective of keeping the cityclean and diseases free.

In an interactive session withnewsmen yesterday in her office,the Deputy Director ofEnvironmental Health and

Safety in the Board, Mrs.Adebayo Aishat explained thather department was ready topenetrate all the area councilsin order to sensitize residents onreasons why houses and itssurroundings must always beclean and tidy.

In her words: “We have

departments and sections thatare doing the same work in allthe councils, but what we intenddoing is that we shall collaboratewith all of them to ensuring thatFCT remain the cleanest andfinest model city in Africa.”

She disclosed that adequateplans by her Board torecommend and give awards tohouses with the best setstandards on sanitation will soonbe put in place.

The Police in FCT havedeployed additionalpersonnel to beef up

security throughout the city inits bid to maintain peace.

This was contained in astatement issued on Monday inAbuja and signed by the PolicePublic Relations Officer, FCTPolice Command, Mr JimohMoshood.

The statement urged theresidents to go about theirbusinesses without fear andapprehension.

It said the police wereworking with other securityagencies and security posts inborder states of FCT to sustainpeace in the territory.

“The command willcontinue to work together withother security agencies in FCTand those of other statessharing borders with theterritory to further strengthenand sustain the present levelof security in the FCT,’’ thestatement said.

It said that all entry andexit points in the territory havebeen fortified, and urged thepublic to report any suspiciouspersons or incidents to thenearest police station or call08032003913 or08061581938. (NAN)

Police deploymore men tobeef upsecurity inFCT

The Chairman, kuje AreaCouncil, Danladi EtsuZhin, has cautioned

against improper disposal ofwaste especially the act ofblocking drainage systemswithout considerations to freeflow water.

Zhin noted this in aninterview with newsmen as areaction to forecast bymeteorologists that heavy rainsshould be expected across thecountry in 2012.

According to him, proactivemeasures would be taken by hiscouncil administration toensure that residents wereenlightened on the forecast

ahead of commencement ofrains for the year.

He further explained thatpreparations to ensure thatdrainages are evacuatedexpanded as well asconstruction of new ones wherenecessary will be adopted by thecouncil.

“Sometimes, when forecastare made by experts like this,people tend to ignore it but forus in Kuje Area Council, we willtake the prediction veryseriously to see that measuresare taken to avert problems.

“First of all we will start byenlightening residents of thecouncil on the prediction so as toenable them have firsthandinformation of the expected

heavy rains for the year.“Secondly, the council will

take proactive measures byensuring that drainages areevacuated with new ones to beconstructed where necessarybefore commencement of theraining season,” he said.

Zhin therefore called on theresidents to ensure that issuesbordering on environmentalsanitation were taken veryseriously in view of the 2012prediction.

He said the council would notcondole any act that wouldundermine its efforts atensuring that flooding wasprevented in the council addingthat offenders would be made toface the full wrath of the law.

Kuje boss warns against improper waste disposalBy Adeola Tukuru

Street hawkers displaying their wares, yesterday along Abuja-Keffi road . Photo: Mahmud Isa

An Upper Area Court inGwagwalada in the FCTon Monday sentenced a

25-year-old woman, MaryHaruna, to four monthsimprisonment for adultery.

The police prosecutor, Insp.Modupe Musa, told the courtthat Haruna brought oneEbenezer Kure, 35 into hermatrimonial home andcommitted adultery with him.

Musa said the incident tookplace on Feb. 14, in the house ofone Baba Sabo, Haruna’shusband and a resident ofAbattior, Abaji, Abuja.

Ebenezer Kure and Harunawere charged with trespass andadultery but Haruna pleadedguilty, while Kure pleaded notguilty.

The Judge, Alhaji BabagindaHassan, consequently sentencedHaruna to four monthsimprisonment with an option ofN20,000 fine.

Hassan directed that Kure, aresident of Gada BukeNassarawa should be remandedin prison till March 21 forcontinuation of hearing. (NAN)

Womanbags 4months foradultery

Hawkers in Wuse market, Abuja are at the mercy ofofficials of the Abuja

Markets Management a subsidiaryof Abuja investment Limited(AICL). The associationincorporated in August 2004 wasgiven mandate to take over themanagement of the markets andneighbourhood shoppingcomplexes.

These hawkers who go aroundtheir daily activities with theirgoods on their heads in the Wuse

market face a lot of problems fromthese officials. They howeveragreed that they have been warnedto desist from hawking on thewalkways outside and inside themarket but they could not complywith the directive because theyhave to make ends meet.

The officials assigned for the jobof preventing the hawkers fromplying their trade are said to fallinto different groups within thesame organization.

In a conversation with ourreporter, one of such traders whogave his name as Alhaji, a petty

trader that hawks rice on the walkway, made it known that thoughhe was violating the rules set bythe AMML but has no option sincehe has to feed his family and thathe cannot afford the prices for theleasing of shops or little spacesusually allocated in front of theshops to people.

According to him; I do not havemoney to rent a shop because it istoo expensive, even the little space,they say we should pay 30,000Naira every month. Where do I getthat kind of money? On how hecopes with harassment from

Hawkers at the mercy of AMML OfficialsBy Morufat Ojulari officials when they come around,

he said he has learnt not to displayhis goods until late in the eveningwhen the officials were usually offduty for the day.

One Musa at the marketsupports the organization for tryingto put a stop to the hawking butadvised the officials to do it in a morecivilised manner; adding that theofficials in charge of monitoring taxidrivers have invaded the market,arresting people at will, which isoutside their jurisdiction, accusingthem of causing more harm thangood.

An Abuja High Court onMonday dissolved a seven-year-old marriage between

an Abuja-based lawyer, ChiefNkereuwem Akpan, 42, and hiswife, Blessing, 34.

Akpan, who accused Blessingof abandoning and deserting him,filed a suit in January 2009, forthe dissolution of the marriage,citing “irreconcilable differences’’between him and his wife.

He also urged the court togrant him custody of their threechildren aged 12, 9, and 7, butBlessing, a businesswoman, toldthe court that it was herhusband, who deserted her sinceJuly 2007.

“My husband has not beencaring for me and the children ashe packed his things on July 28,2007, following an armedrobbery attack in our estate then.

“Since the day he packed outof our house in Gwarimpa andmoved into his office in Wuse II, Ihave been responsible for the up-keep of the children,’’ she said.

She alleged that Akpan, whoclaimed he was afraid of anotherattack in the estate, came backafter two weeks to pack hisbelongings.

Blessing, therefore, urged thecourt to dissolve the marriage andgrant her custody of the children.

Justice Abubakar Umar, inhis ruling, said the court hadtried in the last three years toreconcile the estranged couple, tono avail.

He noted that divorce could bemore painful for the childrenthan the couple, saying “this isone of the most difficult cases inmy career as a judge.’’ (NAN)

Courtdissolves 7-year-oldmarriage

PAGE 18 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

PAGE 19PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Management Tip of the DayEmbrace Distraction

Gazing out the windowallows your brain to come upwith new ideas or processinformation. Logging on toFacebook for a few minutescan give you a much-neededbreak so you return to workin a better, more productive

mood.Instead of barring things

that take your attention awayfrom work, try creating andembracing positiveinterruptions.Source: Harvard BusinessReview

INSIDEamunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

08033644990

Flight schedule

LOS-ABJ: 07.15, 11.40, 14.00,16.30, 17.00, 17.20, 18.30.

ABJ-LOS: 07.00, 09.30, 10.30,11.15, 16.15, 19.15, 19.35

ABJ-KANO: 18.40

KANO-ABJ: 08.35

ABJ-SOK (MON): 09.35

SOK-ABJ (MON): 11.35

LOS-ABJ: 06.50, 13.30, 19.45

ABU-LOS: 07.30, 13.00, 14.00, 19.00

LOS-ABJ: 07.02, 08.10, 12.06,15.30, 17.10

ABJ-LOS: 07.20, 09.36, 13.05, 14.40

LOS-ABJ: 9.45, 11.45, 2.45IRS AIRLINES

AIR NIGERIA (MONDAY - SUNDAY)

DANA AIRLINES (MON - SUN)

AEROCONTRACTORS (MON - SUN)

ABJ-SOK (FRI): 10.10ABJ-SOK (WED/SUN): 11.20

SOK-ABJ (FRI): 12.00SOK-ABJ (WED/SUN): 13.20

LOS-ABJ (SUN): 12.30LOS-ABJ (SAT): 16.45

ABU-LOS (SUN): 10.30, 14.30, 19.30

ABU-LOS (SAT): 18.30

ABJ-LOS (SAT/SUN): 13.05, 18.00

LOS-KANO: 08.10KANO-LOS: 11.25KANO-ABUJA: 11.25ABUJA-KANO: 10.08

ABJ-LOS: 11.30, 3.45, 4.45

LOS-KANO: 6.15LOS-KANO (SAT/SUN): 16.30KANO-LOS: 07.30KANO-LOS (SUN/SUN): 10.30

Recent studies haverevealed theproductivity cost of

interruptions. But as the worldgets more distracting, can wetruly uphold the ideal ofundivided attention? Not alldisruptions are negative.

BUYING SELLINGCFA 0.2932 0.3132• 204.3044 205.6191£ 243.9935 245.5636RIYAL 41.4356 41.7022$ 155.4 156.4

CBN 15th Feb, 2012EXCHANGE RATES

PARALLEL RATES BUYING SELLING• 210 212£ 255 257RIYAL 42 44$ 158 160

Cement invest-ment: 10 govscourt Dangote

- Pg 21

Inflation rises to 12.6 %, says NationalBureau of Statisticspercent, up from 11 percent in

December, figures published bythe bureau showed.

Analysts polled by Reutersexpected January headlineinflation to rise to 11.75

and services which need liquidfuel and or transport fares forproviding their services,” anNBS document said.

Food inflation, the biggestcontributer to the headlinefigure, rose to 13.1 percent, upfrom 11 percent in December,NBS said. The partial removalof the fuel subsidies push foodtriggered a spike in food pricesin

The CBN kept its

The National Bureau ofStatistics yesterday saidNigeria’s consumer

inflation rose to 12.6 percent inJanuary, compared with 10.3percent the previous month, asa partial removal of motor fuelsubsidies pushed up consumerprices.

Food inflation rose to 13.1

L-R: MD/CEO, Airtel Nigeria, Rajan Swaroop, and GMD, First Bank Plc, Bisi Onasanya, exchangingpleasantries after the signing of MoU on Mobile Money Service between the two companies, recently,in Lagos.

Lagos shuts two popular marketsover environmental abuse

The Lagos state governmentat the weekend shut downthe popular Alamutu market

located at Idi-Oro, and GotankowaMarket in Oke-Odo, Abule Egbaarea of the state for constitutingnuisance to the stateenvironment.

Peoples Daily learnt from areliable source that the marketswere closed down on the order ofthe state Commissioner forEnvironment, Mr. Tunji Belloafter inspecting the markets.

According to Bello , it wasregrettable that most of themarkets have not yet buy-in intothe vision of the state, particularlyin the areas of environmentalsanitation and proper discharge ofwaste generated in their respectivemarkets.

At Alamutu Market in Idi-oro,

the drain constructed beside themarket has been turned into arefuse bin. “I have personally visitedthe area twice, to appeal to them todesist from this unsanitary habit.Similarly, meetings have been heldwith them, all to no avail. The stategovernment is left with no optionthan to close the market in order toprevent an epidemic outbreak, andflooding when it rains.” Bello stated.

At Oke-Odo Market, thetraders, rather than trade withinthe confinement of the existingmarket area, took over the entirestretch of the newly constructedroad. The traders dump refuseindiscriminately in all the sidedrains as well as cause serious trafficsnarl on the road similar to whathappened at Mile 12 Market.

His words: “It is sad that most ofour market men and women arestill guided with the old traditionalbelief that rain is a blessing thatmust cart away refuse any time itrains. One of the most topical issuesof discuss all over the world today is

climate change.While stating that the

developed nations witnessunprecedented flooding and Lagosbeen a coastal state is susceptible toflooding, which is the more reasonwhy the time to act is now, beforethe rainy season, thecommissioner added, “The tradershave constituted a nuisance inthose areas where the market arelocated. The traders will peel theirplantains and yams and dump therefuse on the drainage channelthat the state government is usingheavy amount of tax payer’smoney to clears ahead of the rains.

Bello, who said the stategovernment has declared zero-tolerance for environmentaldegradation which is a threat toour continuous existence,however, used the opportunity toappeal to all market leaders in thestate to urge their members on theneed to complement the ministry’sflood free Lagos exercise or risk aclosure of three months.

From Bimbo Ogunnaike, Lagos

benchmark interest rate on holdat 12 percent for the second timein a row last month onexpectations that any upwardmovement in inflation from theremoval of fuel import subsidieswould be short-term.

The apex bank expectsinflation to increase to around14-15 percent in the first half ofthis year, before moderatingtowards single digits by the endof 2013.(Reuters)

Naira sustains rally asdollar demand fallsThe Naira sustained its

rally against the U.Sdollar on the interbank

market yesterday as demandfor the dollar fell at thecentral bank’s bi-weeklyauction.

The local currency closedat 157.60 to the dollar on theinterbank, stronger than the157.70 to the dollar Friday’s

closed.At Monday’s foreign

exchange auction, the centralbank sold $145.27 million at156.10 to the dollar, less thanthe $250 million it initiallyoffered. The regulator sold$350 million at 156.40 to thedollar at the previous auctionon Wednesday.

“The naira was cheaper atthe interbank market than thecentral bank’s effective rate atsome point, so it does not makesense for customers to buy atthe official window,” one dealersaid.

Traders said there was alsoa decline in dollar demand fromfuel importers in the wake of aparliamentary probe intogovernment spending onimport subsidies.

“Fuel importers havedrastically cut back on theirdollar demand since the probeinto discrepancy in fuel subsidypayment by governmentstarted, this has also helpreduce pressure on the naira,”another trader said.

Increased dollar sales bylocal units of multinational oilcompanies and state-ownedenergy firm NNPC added tosupport for the naira.

Traders said with theprevailing increased dollarliquidity, expected month-endsales by some oil companies andsubdued demand for hardcurrency, the naira shouldstrengthen further in thecoming days. (Reuters)

percent.“The biggest contributors to

the consumer inflation were thehigh prices of some food items,liquid fuel and transport fares,and other miscellaneous goods

PAGE 20 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Omatek assuresshareholders ofimproved returnson investment

Information andCommunication Technology(ICT) firm, Omatek Ventures

Plc, at the weekend announcedplans to restructure the companyas part of strategies to improvereturn on shareholders’investment

NCC seals twophone companiesover standards

The NigerianCommunicationsCommission (NCC) has

sealed off the offices of two mobilephones companies at the popularComputer Village in Lagos at theweekend.

South African firminvests $200m in localcontent development

South African Televisioncompany – DSTV and itsproducts subscription

management company,MultiChoice Nigeria Limited saidthat over N31 billion ($200million) was invested in thedevelopment of local skills,technology transfer, use of localcontent development.

WAUTI to establishregional tax institutes

The West African Union ofTax Institutes (WAUTI)has instituted a Technical

Committee that would assist inestablishing tax institutes withinthe West African sub-region.

Govt plans vehiclerecycling plants forAbuja, others

Vehicle recycling plantsmay soon be establishedacross the country, under a

financing deal with JapanInternational Co-oporationAgency (JICA) and UnitedNations Industrial Organisation(UNIDO).

Nigeria’s low ratingon economic indicesworries govt

The Federal Governmenthas lamented thecountry’s inability to

improve on its trade performanceand reverse the severedeterioration in economic andtrade indicators, despite itsnumerous resources.

Hygeia HMOAppoints NewOperating Officer

Hyegia HMO, asubsidiary of HygeiaGroup has appointed a

Chief Operating Officer, Mr.Ramesh V. Kurup, to oversee theentire operations of Hygeia HMO.

COMPANYNEWS Etisalat Nigeria:

Expanding market frontier

When Etisalat Nigeriaannounced its berth onthe country’s

burgeoning telecommunicationsmarket in October 2008, not afew subscribers gave thecompany a chance to survive.Reason? There have beenestablished players in the marketwith not less than eight yearsexperience.

How then, can a brand likeEtisalat compete with such oldplayers? So, the arrival of thebrand was greeted withcynicism. But, marketing eggheads at the company seemed toknow the right marketingstrategies to deploy for a perceivedlate entrant.

The marketing strategistsrealized early enough that musicis a great avenue to explore to sellthe brand. The brand’s initialcode, 0809 penetrated the heartsvia the musical lyrics of popularmusician, Banky W. The notablecommercial by Banky, “0809ja’for life,” beside introduction ofinnovative products andservices, appeared the magicalwand that drove traffic involumes to the network.

Recently, in its continuedattempt at satisfying itssubscribers and further grow itssubscribers base, thetelecommunications company,unveiled data roaming servicesfor prepaid customers

The service, which is inaddition to voice and SMS serviceswill enable all new and existingprepaid subscribers enjoyaffordable and uninterruptedaccess to emails, chats,blackberry services, internetbrowsing, audio and videostreaming with their Blackberrydevice or internet enabled phonesand tablets while roaming in anyof its prepaid data roamingdestinations.

Prepaid data roaming isavailable to prepaid subscribersby default and customers simplyneed to switch on their deviceson arrival in the roamingdestination and the networksname or code and type of datatechnology supported, willappear on the handset. This couldeither be GRPS, EDGE or 3Gwhich must appear in uppercaseto start enjoying data services.

Explaining the new service,Chief Commercial Officer,Etisalat Nigeria, Wael Ammar,said the introduction of thePrepaid Data Roaming serviceprovides the subscriber with twooptions-Data roaming plans andPay as you go.

According to him, “The pre-

paid roaming plan has beendesigned to enable our customerspurchase data with ease andmanage costs before embarkingon their trips or whilst they arealready abroad. This uniqueservice also provides the flexibilityof 3 different plans to suit thecustomer’s data needs”.

With the pay as you go option,all customers need to do is loadairtime on their lines beforetravelling and on arrival abroad;they will be connected to theinternet. This option providesflexibility and cost control ascustomers pay for only what theyuse. Customers can recharge theirlines before travelling or whilst inthe roaming environment andalso receive e-top up and balancetransfers.

The data roaming plan,another first of its kind, enablesall prepaid customers managetheir roaming costs by providingthe flexibility of pre-purchasing

reality show, tagged ‘Giving Voiceto Your Dreams.”

Justifying the sponsorship ata press briefing on the maidenedition of the reality TV show, theChief Commercial Officer,Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. WaelAmmar, while expressing delightat the sponsorship, said theirdesire was to enable Etisalatcustomers achieve their dreamsand aspirations.

He said, “The sponsorship ofNigerian Idol is one of the manyways we choose to empower theyouth of our nation. We haveassured our consumers from theonset that we intend not only tobe their preferred telecomoperator but also their partner forlife.”

”Through this platform,young Nigerians can give a voiceto their dreams not just thecontestants but also the host oftalented men and women who aredirectors, content developers,producers, make up artists, voicecoaches, dance instructoramongst others who will developand execute this concept fromstart to finish and also utilize thisplatform to express their talentand in turn realize their dreams,”he added.

Another weapon in thearmoury of the telcom companyis, Cliqfest. Cliqfest is Etisalat’sannual campus tour, an initiativespearheaded by Etisalat’s easycliqpackage designed to entertain and

EMTS and a consortium of banks- First Bank, Zenith Bank, ,Access, Fidelity Bank,UBA,Oceanic Bank (now Ecobank),GTB and Bank PHB (nowKeystone), .

Other key stakeholders whocontributed to the success of thedeal include financial advisers,Citi and Aelex, Banwo & Ighodaloand Norton Rose, legal advisers.Etisalat also benefited in thistransaction from theunwavering support of itsshareholders: Etisalat Group ofthe UAE, Mubadala, theinvestment arm of the emirateof Abu Dhabi and Myacynth, theconsortium of Nigerian investors.

Managing Editor of ProjectFinance Magazine, Mr. SeanKeating while presenting theaward to Etisalat and partnerbanks commended theachievements of the relativelynew company and the trustexhibited by the banks. He said,“Etisalat’s $650m financingshows that even comparativelynew entrants in a fiercelycompetitive market canassemble a healthy bankfollowing.”

Responding after receivingthe award at the presentationdinner, Acting Chief FinancialOfficer of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr.Abhulime Ehiagwina expressedappreciation to the organizers ofthe Project Finance Awards aswell as the partner banks. Mr.Ehiagwina said, “This awardrecognizes the aggressiveexpansion strategy of Etisalatmade possible by the transactionbeing celebrated today. It is yetanother sign that we are on courseto achieving our goal of being oneof the top telecommunicationsoperators in Nigeria”.

Also speaking at the event, MrReginald Ihejiahi, ManagingDirector/CEO Fidelity Bank Plc,one of the eight arrangers,expressed sentiments echoed byall the partner banks present. Hesaid Fidelity Bank is excited atEtisalat’s winning of the AfricanTelecoms Deal of the Year 2011.“This is a large transaction andmore importantly it shows thatthere are great possibilities in theNigerian banking industry andattests to the belief Fidelity Bankhas in Etisalat. We look forwardto more deals of such magnitudein the near future”, heconcluded.

The Project Finance Deals ofthe Year Awards is organised byProject Finance Magazine, apublication ofEuromoneyInstitutional InvestorPLC. The Project Finance awardsare for innovation, dealrepeatability, best practice,problem solving, risk mitigation,value for money and speed ofdelivery in financinginfrastructure projects, large orsmall.

Representatives of First Bank,Access Bank Fidelity Bank, , UBA,Ecobank and Keystone Bank wereat the event to join Etisalat inreceiving the award in additionto other parties to the dealincluding Citi - financial adviseron the deal and Norton Rose –international legal adviser on thedeal.

The award ceremony held atthe Grand Connaught, CentralLondon was for Europe, Middle Eastand Africa and had 36 awardees.

With a subscriber base of over 10 million injust three years in the market, Etisalat Nigeriahas won for itself the brand as the fastest grow-ing Global System of Mobile Communications(GSM) company in the country. BamideleAlao writes on the phenomenal rise of thetelecomms brand.

data before travelling abroad orwhilst abroad. Usage of thepurchased plan will onlycommence when the customerarrives in their destinationabroad as well as giving customersthe best data roaming rates of aslow as 23 kobo per KB when theypurchase the 100MB plan.

Customers who wish to alsoenjoy blackberry services on anyof our prepaid data roamingoptions must ensure that theyhave an active daily, weekly ormonthly blackberry plan, whichcan be purchased beforetravelling or whilst in theroaming destination, as this willenable them access the blackberryservices with their devices.

The data plans are valid for usein the United Kingdom, SouthAfrica, Saudi Arabia, Republic ofBenin, Ivory Coast and CentralAfrica Republic.

In addition, the brand hasexploited sponsorship as amarketing platform. Itssponsorship of the Nigerian Idol,is a case in study.

For two years running, thebrand has been sponsoring the

educate Nigerian youths andundergraduates who are the coretarget of easycliq.

Last week, Etisalat kicked offthe 2012 edition of the specialprogramme tagged ‘cliqfest’ witha motivational seminar at theMoshood Abiola Polytechnic Ojere,Abeokuta, Ogun State, offeringexciting and unprecedentedexperience for customers in itsyouth market segment.

Etisalat Nigeria, with asubscriber base of over 10 millioncustomers is one of the 18operations of the Etisalat Groupthat spans across Africa, MiddleEast and Asia serving over 135million subscribers; and “it iscommitted to deliveringinnovative and quality servicesto its growing subscribers.”

Meanwhile, Etisalat, hasemerged winner of the ‘AfricanTelecoms Deal of the Year 2011’at the 13th Euromoney/ProjectFinance Magazine Awards inLondon.

This deal, one of the largestproject finance transactions inNigeria in 2011, was signed onthe 10th of March 2011 between

“Etisalat Nigeria, with a subscriber baseof over 10 million customers is one of the18 operations of the Etisalat Group that

spans across Africa, Middle East and Asiaserving over 135 million subscribers

PAGE 21PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Cement investment:10 govs court DangoteBy Aminu Imam

Following thes u c c e s s f u lcommissioning of the

Dangote Cement’s new 6million tons per annumcapacity Ibese plant, nofewer than 10 stategovernors have expresseddesire to lure the Presidentof Dangote Group, AlhajiAliko Dangote to invest intheir respective states.

Speaking with newsmenat the weekend, thegovernors, who were amongthe dignitaries at theopening ceremonycommended the businessingenuity of Alhaji Dangoteand said they would do allwithin their power toprevail on the businessmogul to considerinvestments in their states,saying that would be theonly way to grow theeconomy of their people.

The governors, whowere particularly consciousof the job potentials of such ahuge investment described

the new Ibese cement plantwhich will generate anestimated 7, 000 direct jobsand another 4,000 jobsindirectly.

Some of the governorswho claimed to have openeddiscussions with AlhajiDangote said lack of gainfulemployment among thepeople was a major challengebeing confronted by them inthe task of providing goodgovernance to their peopleand explained that AlhajiDangote has proved morethan able to help in thisregard to achieve theireconomic agenda.

Governors whoexpressed the desire to dragAlhaji Dangote to theirStates include, Mr Peter Obi,Anambra State, Isa Yuguda,Bauchi State, AdamsOshiomhole, Edo state,Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State,and Alhaji RabiuKwankwaso of Kano Stateamong others.

With thecommissioning, DangoteCement’s Ibese Plant, the

company’s total capacitywill be 20.25m metric tonsof cement per annum withObajana Cement producing10.25 million metric tonsand Gboko Plant with fourmillion metric tons.

The opening of the Ibesecement plant, reputed to bethe largest in Africa, wouldnot only satisfy domesticdemand, but also putNigeria as a net exporter ofthe commodity.

President of the DangoteGroup, Alhaji AlikoDangote, had said hisorganisation was taking upthe challenge to lead theway in making the nationself-reliant in cementproduction and,consequently, reduce itshuge foreign exchange onimports.

According to him,Dangote Cement intends tomove away completelyfrom import of certaincommodities, of whichcement is one, bystrengthening the localproduction capacity.

Nigerians bemoan hike inelectricity tariffBy Mohammed Sada

Since last week, whenthe FederalG o v e r n m e n t

announced a planned 88 percent hike of electricity tariff,Nigerians are alreadybemoaning their fate oversome of the recent policy.

Most of those who spoke toPeoples Daily about lastweek’s disclosure lamentedthat the planned hikecoming on the heels of thecontroversial subsidyremoval programme,describing it as another ofgovernment’s policy meantto further push Nigerians tothe wall.

According to a Nigerianlady based abroad butcurrently residing atAsokoro Abuja, who spoke toour correspondent oncondition of anonymity said,“It is too high and a lot ofpeople will suffer especiallythe low income earners. theservice is bad, it is sub-standard and has a negativeeffect on the nation’s

economy; let them bringabout foreign and othercompanies to compete withthe PHCN in managing thesector.

“This hike should come inthe next ten years when it ismuch more improved, in factcurrently the clients of thepower providing companyshould be refunded fordamages andinconveniencies caused bythe present condition ofpower supply in the country.Generators are taking overin power production and ithas a lot of health hazard,especially to the children,” hestated.

Also, a Nyanyabusinessman, Mr. Godwinhad this to say: “It is worth itif they will implement thepromised reforms andinvestments, but in Nigeria,normally one finds it hard tobelieve the promises of thegovernment. But advisably,the Federal Governmentshould upgrade the currentservice before increasing thetariff.”

Others who spokeindicted the government forits lack of proper insight intoending the perennial andembarrassing power failure.They pointed out that theproblem with the electricityproblem is not that the PHCNwas not making enoughprofit to run theestablishment and even funditself. The problem, theyaverred, is that the moneyas with so many sources ofrevenue does not go intogovernment coffers.

The chairman of theNigeria ElectricityRegulatory Commission(NERC), responsible forcreating sanity in the sector,Dr. Sam Amadi had howeverexplained in a recentinterview that the increasein tariff would not cut acrossboard as customers are nowclassified into 14 classeswhich includes the R1 R2 R3R4, the special customers,hospitals, street lightning,general service customer,and bulk metering, based ontheir energy consumptionlevel, the type of meteringand cost of service.

Seme Customs Command generates N461m revenue

The Seme BorderCommand of theNigeria Customs

Service (NCS) generatedN461.2 million revenue inJanuary.

The Area Comptroller,Alhaji Sadiq Sahabi told theNews Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Badagryyesterday that the amountwas generated from duties,levies, taxes and Value

Added Tax (VAT).Sahabi said that the

command recorded sevenseizures during the monthwhose Duty Paid Value(DPV) was N3.5 million.

He said that some of theitems seized includedtextiles, assorted wine,vehicles, poultry productsand leather wears.

Mr Ernest Olottah, thePublic Relations Officer of the

command, attributed thelow revenue for the monthto the strike on removal offuel subsidy and the usualdull business activities inJanuary.

“The fuels subsidy strikein January, which tookplace for over a week,affected business activitiesand above all January isalways very dull ofactivities,” he said.(NAN)

PAGE 22 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Kaztec has track record of excellencein project delivery– Emeka Offor

When was KaztecEngineering Ltd( K a z t e c )

incorporated and what is thecompany’s profile in terms ofmilestone projectaccomplishments in theNigerian oil and gas industry?

Kaztec was incorporated inNigeria in June 2005. By thespecial grace of God it has grownto be a leading EPCIC contractorin Nigeria. It is a subsidiary,Chrome Group. Kaztec hadperformed well over the yearsbecause it has satisfied therequirements of its clients andcontinues to do so. In the2ndquarter of 2007, it wasawarded a 24 inch X 107kilometer Calabar to AdangaPipeline EPC contract. Again, inthe 3rd quarter of 2009, it wasawarded another contract –Pipeline Integrity Assessmentand Metering StationRehabilitation and Upgrade/Expansion of Metering Facilities.In the 1st quarter of 2010 Kaztecwon another contract – TB: 1921Call Off contract for theInstallation of Subsea Pipelinesand Topsides for AddaxPetroleum DevelopmentCompany Ltd. These projects areall on-going and have reachedvarious advanced levels ofcompletion.

As a matter of fact, the PipelineIntegrity Assessment andMetering Station Rehabilitationand Upgrade/Expansion ofMetering Facilities will becompleted by April 2012. In theTB: 1921 contract for instance,which we are executing forAddax, Kaztec is currently in the3rd phase of a 3 year majorpipeline installation / topsidessetting and tie-in program.

As a leading indigenousEPC service provider, whatwould you consider to be thestrongest selling point as faras engineering procurementand construction isconcerned for Kaztec?

Kaztec has been able to puttogether a first class Procurementand Construction organization.We have procurement offices inLagos and Dubai. OurProcurement Staff is highlyexperienced and are tasked withproviding equipment andmaterials for constructionoperations, barge supplies forpipe-lay and lifting operations.Kaztec has acquired assets thatare fit-for-purpose such as DLBEkulo Cheyenne with 800tonnesfixed Manitowoc Crane, capableof meeting a good percentage oflifting needs in the West African

close to our host communities andcarry them along too.However, community agitationis still prevalent in the NigerDelta region and indeedwidespread in certain areas of theregion. To mitigate the adverseeffects of community restiveness,we developed a CommunityRelations Policy aimed at trulytreating host communities, askey stakeholders and engagingthem on a continuous basis.Kaztec enters into GlobalMemorandum of Understanding(GMOU) with them which areaimed at improving or providinginfrastructure, engagement ofcommunity members into theworkforce, direct financialpayments to key communityprojects or groups. These are donein addition to contractor’sresponsibility to preserve theenvironment.

So far, Kaztec has onlyexperienced minor issues withhost communities. Even so, weare proud to report that 100% ofthose issues have been resolved.Kaztec has a full time communityrelations staff focused oncontinuous engagement,mediation, prevention andresolution of crises if, and whenthey occur.

From its incorporation,

Kaztec set out to achievingindigenous participation in theoil and gas sector at a periodwhen the issue of NigerianContent was not on the table,what propelled the companyto follow such path?

Kaztec believes that the secretto success in the oil and gas sectoris ones’ ability to deliver productsin a safe, suitable, cost efficientand timely manner. These factorsare universally preferred. Wecreated an indigenous companyspecialising in oil and gas servicesin Nigeria at a time whenNigerian Content was in itsinfancy. Our vision was to createan indigenous EPC capability,covering both onshore andoffshore where few otherindigenous companies ventured.This vision I believe is dynamic,and will continue to grow toencompass new capabilitiesleading the company to becomea major player in the WestAfrican Oil and Gas industry.

What would you say aresome of the limitationsconfronting local oil servicecompanies like Kaztec underthe current local contentregime?

The single largest limitationis non- availability of funds inamounts and with terms thatensure we remain in business.Despite these obstacles, Kaztechas been able to establish a levelof trust with our customers andsubcontractors that allow us tofunction in a profitablemanner.

Companies like Kaztec havemany challenges under the localcontent regime. These includethe necessity to employ localstaff in senior positions whenthere is a dearth of qualifiedmanpower in the Nigerian oil andgas industry that have therequisite expertise and skills set.This is not unique to Nigeria; it isa common challenge that can befound in many countries aroundthe world.

Flexibility in enforcement inthe early years and extensivetraining of staff will enable morepeople to gain the necessary levelof experience and expertise thatis needed to sustain effectiveoperations.

Kaztec is participating atthe 2012 NOG in Abuja as wellas the 2012 OffshoreTechnology Conference inHouston Texas billed for lateApril, what does Kaztecintend to achieve in theseexhibitions, and what is thecentral message in thisregard?

Kaztec expects to be able topresent concrete proof of itsability to deliver offshore oil andgas projects. We will bringWrite-Ups, Pictures, Movies andKey Personnel prepared to shareour story withattendees. Kaztec willparticipate in the NOG in Abujafor the first time in 2012. Kaztechas successfully completedprojects and sub projects inrecent years and has developed atrack record of onshore andoffshore construction successes.

Looking forward, what isthe size of Kaztec’s dream?How far can the company goin its drive to achieving as wellas sustaining its dream oflocal content and globalvision?

Our current capabilitiesinclude onshore pipelines andstations, EPCIC and offshoresubsea pipelines and platforms.Going forward, we will extendthese capabilities to largerprojects with enhanced EPCcapabilities. We expect to moveinto deep waters offshore Nigeriaand then other West Africancountries. In addition to these, wewill expand into new capabilitiescovering onshore pipe corrosionand concrete weight coating,onshore platform fabrication,onshore supply base (for theoffshore fleet), a free zone port andother capabilities in the comingyears.

We strongly believe thatNigerians will be exportingtechnology and services to otherAfrican countries and regions, inthe near future.

sub-region, in addition to pipe laycapability. We also believe thatwe have a modest but successfuloffshore pipe lay and hook-upexperience in the last oneyear. Kaztec also provides aturnkey EPC capability withemphasis on projectmanagement and engineeredinstalled solutions. It provides allthe components of EPCcontracting, but the value isoften defined by the engineeringto reduce the time and cost of theoffshore construction.

In terms of shareholdingstructure, management andstaff expertise, how Nigerianis Kaztec?

Kaztec is 100% Nigerianowned. Management is also fullyNigerian. In terms of Staffexpertise less than 20%expatriate staff is engaged in theoffshore installation jobs. It mayinterest you to note that all ouronshore installation is handledentirely by Nigerians.

Which project do youconsider as the mostchallenging in terms ofconception and execution?

The Addax TB: 1921 contractis the most challenging in termsof coverage, variety andduration. It is a multiyearcontract and covers theinstallation (includingcommissioning support) ofnumerous subsea facilitiesincluding pipelines, risers, spoolpieces and other seabedequipment. It also involves theinstallation of platforms,structures and topside facilitiesand the hookup of above waterfacilities in various locationsoffshore Nigeria.

There will be manycampaigns during the life of thiscontract, which is expected to lastat least three years. It ischallenging because it involvesfive separate and differentoffshore construction spreads,and many ancillary supportvessels to complete the work, in avariety of water depths thatrequire ROV, air and saturationdiving in the current Campaign.

Kaztec, like most EPCproviders, operates in theNiger Delta terrain whereissues of host communityagitations have remainedintractable for so long. Whathas been your experience inthis regard?

We regard and treat our hostcommunities as partners inprogress, and therefore takethem along in whatever projectswe are involved in thecommunity. This way we are

Long before the local content law was enacted, KaztecEngineering Ltd, an indigenous company that providesspecialised engineering, procurement and construc-tion services to oil and gas companies, opened shopin Nigeria. Seven years down the road, its ExecutiveChairman, Sir Emeka Offor, relates the successstory, challenges, and vision of the company. Excerpts:

Sir Emeka Offor

“We strongly believe that Nigerianswill be exporting technology andservices to other African countriesand regions, in the near future.

PAGE 24 PAGE 25PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

The PTDF Nigerians knew before isno longer the same – Exec Sec

What has beenPTDF’s majorachievements so

far since you assumedoffice as ExecutiveSecretary?

Its been three years andthree months since I assumedthis position and since then wehave recorded lots ofachievements and principally,we have been able to achieve 3times what the Fund achievedin 8 years, in terms ofeverything, whether onprogrammes or scholarshipsaward, discipline, new

that is why you see usdeveloping trainings that arepertinent to the activities of theoil and gas industry, likewelding, fabrication and otherskills for the low cadre in the oiland gas industry. But then wesaid, If you keep on trainingpeople overseas to the bestinstitutions in the world whichare here in Nigeria, it means ,the more you have people, themore you take them overseasto train them.

Now, the question is: wouldyou continue to have resourcesto take these people to theUnited States, UK or otherEuropean countries to train?Obviously, the answer is no, so,because of that we now providea means of institutionalupgrade and institutionaldevelopment that will paveway for human capitaldevelopment for the oil and gasindustry.

As at now, we haveupgraded 26 Nigerianuniversities, that is 26 differentdepartments in 26 Nigerianuniversities all across the 6geo-political zones. And we havestarted the development fromthe scratch; some institutions,like the first oil and gasPolytechnic that I know of inthe entire Africa and the MiddleEast, it is about 65 % completednow in Bayelsa state.

We now have anotherinstitution that I know of theonly one existing in the entireworld, a Polytechnic for gas

technology andenvironmental sciences; wehave a similar institution inCanada but it is not calledPolytechnic, I think they callit technical institution but itgives diplomas just like thePolytechnics we have here.This Polytechnic we have hereis in Bonny, there are only twosimilar Polytechnics in theentire world.

We have also started skillsdevelopment and trainingcenters for the oil and gas. Thefirst after a similar center,which is in Nuremberg,Germany, owned by theUnited Nation. That is thecenter I know of which we aremodeling the one in PortHarcourt after. It is a centerthat, even if you don’t haveany formal education at all and you think you have someskill that you want to developand make it useful, come to thecenter. We will evaluate yourskill and then put you throughformal training that willqualify you as competentpersonnel with certificationby the United Nations (UN) topursue that trade.

Is that applicable toonly the Petroleumindustry?

Yes, only with regards tothe petroleum sector. In fact,as far as I am concerned thereis nothing that cannot belinked to the oil and gas. Thatis why in PTDF, we categorizeoil and gas training, in termsof core oil and gas courses andthen supporting oil and gascourses. If we are taking 90people for core oil and gastraining, we also recognizethat there are 10 people wemust take to support oil and gastraining; for instance inscholarship, if you areawarding 100 peoplescholarship, then we expect 90should be science andengineering, while 10 shouldbe in the oil and gas financebecause an engineer will notbe the same person to do the

finance the books.Thirdly, we also support

systems and institutions to seeto the advancement of the oiland gas industry. These arealready established systemsthat are either professionallyestablished or systems that arethere to ensure that even if youdo belong to a differentprofession you are in the samevocation; NUPENG forinstance, you could havedrivers, machinist, people indifferent categories but theycome together asNUPENG. PTDF alsocollaborate with these peopleand support them.

The fourth thing we do isthat, we also help in thedevelopment of some of the oiland gas materials andmanufacturing processes.Either in the form of researchand development or in the formof the actual businessdevelopment or anything thathas to do with the oil and gasindustry.

Apparently, there arefew schools helping todevelop but they are notenough to cater for thelarge number of applicantswho want to work in thepetroleum industry. Is itnot too hasty to put a banon the overseas trainingwhile the education sectorhas not been fullydeveloped?

I was a member of AcademicStaff Union of Universities(ASUU), so I know that some ofthe demands ASUU make allthe time is that there is

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), hascontinued to improve the fortunes of the oil and gas sector by contributing to the development of Nigerian expertise. In anexclusive interview with our team of editors, the Executive Secretaryof the agency, Engineer Muttaqha Rabe Darma outlines howthe fund is expanding its home-grown avenues for developingtalents for the nation’s oil and gas industry. Excerpts.

programmes design and also onresearch and project .

The mandate of the PTDF isto develop the petroleumtechnology, as the nameimplies, so first of all,understanding petroleumtechnology is very essentialtowards attainment of themandate. PetroleumTechnology means science andengineering of petroleumresources, that is science andengineering of hydrocarbonand it is hydrocarbon thattranslates into petroleumresources.

So, if you are to developscience and engineering ofpetroleum resources you haveto understand what petroleumresources are and what theindustry is all about. Theindustry is so complex and thiscomplexity arises from the factthat it is hi-tech, it is capital-intensive and also dynamic;dynamic because of theintricacies of the industryitself.

Today, the industry keepschanging, and because of thatwe, the people within theindustry need to change tocatch up with the changes inthe system. For Nigerians towork in the industry, theyhave to be skillful enough; theymust have the necessaryqualifications, they must becompetent enough to work inthe industry, but there mustalso be the necessaryinfrastructure to always catchup with the changes within theindustry. The industrychanges every second, becauseof so many things that arehappening in the industry asthe industry captures theattention of the world.

What is the currentposition of PTDF withregard to its trainingprogrammes, especiallythe popular OverseasScholarship Scheme (OSS)?

Human capitaldevelopment is our firstpriority in PTDF. That is whyyou see us giving scholarship;

inadequate funding of theuniversities which includefunding of research, fundingof infrastructures developingthe universities and humancapital development of theuniversity.

Presently, we have 26departments in 26universities that we havealready upgraded. In theprocess of upgrade, we take adepartment and look at itholistically, from the angle ofinfrastructure, that is: arethey up-to-date, do theysupport teaching andresearch, and do they supportlearning and scholarship? Ifthey don’t, then we link upwith the university, that isthe members of the facultyand the technical staff of thedepartment to ensure there isadequate infrastructuredevelopment to supportteaching - learning researchand human capitaldevelopment in thedepartment.

In all the universities, we

develop their entiredepartments from scratch, byproviding classrooms forlectures, seminar rooms, highdegree laboratories for research, workshops if need be,providing staff rooms andsegregation between the seniorand junior lecturers, we alsoprovide all the equipments thatthe department need.

Again, we link up thedepartment virtually with anydepartment of its choice in anyuniversity in the advancedworld. We pay the yearlysubscription so that thedepartment will be able toaccess research materials inNigeria from universities in theUnited States or UnitedKingdom.

Most importantly, we alsoupgrade the skills of thelecturers because we try toensure that we provide theseuniversities with what willmake them to be at par withthose universities we take ourscholars to outside Nigeria. Theonly other thing we cannot

Engineer Muttaqha Rabe Darma

“...the industry keeps changing,and because of that we, the

people within the industry needto change to catch up with the

changes in the system.

provide is to stop the lecturersfrom going on strike. (Generallaughter)

If these universities areprovided with all theserequired materials, whyshould we be taking Nigeriansto the United States? So, it willeven be better to give Nigeriansscholarship to theseuniversities so that the processof the scholarship is addingvalue to the funding of theuniversities that the FederalGovernment is doing.

When I first came here,there were 3,000 people whoapplied for PTDF scholarshipbut 1,200 were qualified to sitfor the examination and Iremember very well in theNorth West zone, there wereonly 54 candidates who sat forthe exams, in seven states. Butlast session, 11,000 peopleapplied for the scholarship, andout of these people, we haveclose to 6,000 that qualified tosit for the exam. So you can seethat if the number continuesto grow, you wont haveenough resources to give thesepeople scholarship to go outsidethe country.

Again, if you do a statistical analysis of thedescriptive distribution of thedata, out of the 1,200 people,300 were given scholarship,that is more than 30%. Now,7,000 people sat for the exams,500 were given scholarship,that is five per cent. So, themore they grow in number,the more it becomes difficultfor you to provide scholarshipfor.

There have beencomplaint fromprospective scholarshipbeneficiaries that Satelliteand Communicationsengineering course is notamong PTDF’s approvedlist of MSc courses. What isthe true situation?

No, maybe for this year.You see, our scholarships aredone based on the demands ofthe industry. We normally doa survey every two years, thelast one I think was in 2011.The survey looks at theexisting gaps in the industrythat have not been filled;secondly, it looks at vacanciesthat had been occupied by non-Nigerians and we train peopleso that they can come back andtake over. Thirdly, we look atthe on-coming jobrequirements, if there are newfields that will come on board.The next survey will be in2013.

As a technical assistantand consultant to thecommittee of the NigerianExtractive IndustriesTransparency Initiative(NEITI), what specificprocesses have PTDF put inplace to ensuretransparency in theindustry and what role canyou the play in thisinitiative?

Yes. I will want to say thatwe comply with all therequirements of transparencyand financial regulations in theindustry; we also comply withall the requirements ofregulatory authorities holding

the economy, which are allguidelines and policies that youcomply with to be transparentin whatever form. We alsoinstitute in-house policies tomake whatever we are doing inPTDF transparent. Of course Ican’t say we are perfect butpeople should understand thatthe PTDF Nigerians knew in thepast is no longer the same. Thisis a reformed PTDF that will tryas much to comply with all rulesas well as institute internalcontrols you hardly findanywhere.

The upgrading of thePetroleum TrainingInstitutes (PTIs) is one of thepriorities of the PTDF.What is the stage of theupgrade of the institutes inDelta and Kaduna states and what plans do you havefor infrastructuraldevelopment in the yearsahead?

The two Petroleum institues(PTIs) are two different thingsaltogether, with the one inDelta meant to cater for middleand some senior management, while the one in Kaduna ismeant for those that haveattained the general managerlevel The one in Delta has beencompleted 100 per cent, but theonly thing is that we need tocommission it, and we arelooking at the second quarter ofthe year, that is after some ofthe equipments that we havepurchased are installed andtested and we are sure thatthey’re working. The Kadunacenter is about 68 per centcompleted.

“....since that time, we have been able toachieve 3 times what the Fundachieved in 8 years, in terms of

everything, whether on programmes orscholarships award, in terms of

discipline......The PTDF boss

PTDF Executive Secretary elaborating a point

PAGE 26 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2011

Why the man behind the biggest royal securitybreach in a century broke into the Queen’s bedroom

Revelations: Michael Fagan has spoken of the night he broke intothe Queen's bedroom in 1982 for the first time in many years

police.According to Mr Fagan, he took

him to the Queen's pantry across thelanding and took a bottle of FamousGrouse from the shelf and poured hima glass of whisky.

Before he woke the Queen, MrFagan had walked around the Palaceand triggered the alarms twice.

Police officers turned the alarmoff, assuming the warnings were er-rors.

The then Home Secretary WillieWhitelaw offered his resignation toHer Majesty following the resultingscandal.

But despite the scandal followingthe break-in, it was not the first timeMr Fagan had been inside the Palace.

Just a month earlier he broke inand managed to spend most of thenight inside before leaving undetec-ted.

He revealed that while inside onthat occasion he urinated on the corgifood and drank some 'cheap Califor-nian' wine from Prince Charles room.

Despite the many years whichhave passed since the extraordinaryincident, Mr Fagan cannot explainwhy he decided to break into the pal-ace.

One view he has is that he did itbecause he put too many magic mush-rooms in his soup five months earlier.

'I forgot you are only supposed totake a little handful. I was high onmushrooms for a long, long time.'

But despite what happened, he isstill delighted the Queen is celebrat-ing her Diamond Jubilee.

He says he hopes she lives to be100, before adding: 'If she does, I'llsend her a hundredth-birthday tele-gram.'Source: Dailymail.co.uk

He is responsible for the biggest royal security breach ofthe 20th century.

It was in 1982 when MichaelFagan scaled the 14ft wall ofBuckingham Palace and wanderedinto the Queen's bedroom while shewas sleeping.

And now, as the Queen celebratesher Diamond Jubilee, Mr Fagan hasspoken of that incredible night for thefirst time in a number of years.

Speaking to The Independent onSunday, Mr Fagan, who was 32 at thetime, told how it was the scariest nightof his life as he recalled pulling backthe curtains on the Queen's four-poster bed.

'Then she speaks and it's like thefinest glass you can imagine breaking:"Wawrt are you doing here?!"

Mr Fagan reveals how the Queenwas sleeping alone in a double bed ina single room.

Despite insisting that he has 'greatrespect for the Queen', Mr Fagan saysthe Queen was wearing a 'Liberty print'nightie which was down to her knees.

Reports at the time of the incident- which shocked the nation - told howthe Queen held a long conversationwith her intruder to stall him whilesecurity guards were summoned.

But this is disputed by Mr Fagan. 'Nah! She went past me and ran

out of the room; her little bare feet run-ning across the floor.'

Once the Queen had summonedhelp, an unarmed footman watchedover Mr Fagan until the arrival of the

Worrying: Mr Fagan says when he broke into the Queen's bedroomshe went running past him and ran out of the room to get help

Extraordinary: Mr Fagan cannot still fully explain why he broke into Buckingham Palace, pictured. However, he says it could be be-cause he was high on magic mushrooms

PAGE 27PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

me as a Lt Col, I want everybody toremember that the leader of theConfederate Army in the UnitedStates that we always choose tocopy, Gen. Robert Lee, was made aGeneral on the Confederate side.Ever since then, he is referred towith honour for those of you inuniform as Gen. Robert Lee,” hesaid.

Talking more firmly, Ojukwuexpressed his anger at beingreferred to as a Lt.Colonel.

“It gets a bit annoying to see alittle boy look up at you and call youLt. Col. It is a pity. I am a General,four-star, in the Biafran Army. Iagree it is not the Nigerian Army butthe Biafran Army. Anybody who hasworn that uniform knows what thatmeans. There is no way you listento certain things and you don’t feelthat there are deliberat e insults.And if deliberate insults continue tobe heaped on you, reconciliationbecomes very difficult.

Concerning his burial, thesenate turned down request to grantOjukwu a state burial and insteadtold governors in the South East tomake sure they give the elderstateman a befitting burial and inthe opinion of a retired General ofthe Nigerian Army and formermilitary governor of old Oyo State,Gen. David Jemibewon, the refusalof Senator David Mark led-Senateto approve a state burial for the lateIkemba of Nnewi, Chief OdumegwuOjukwu, was in order.

According to him, the lateOjukwu does not deserve a stateburial by the federal governmntbecause he didn’t hold any officesuch as a head state, head of theNigerian army or equivalent inother fields of human endevour inthe country adding he was aseparatist who at a time took armsagainst the Nigerian state.

“I give kudos to all members ofthe Nigerian Senate for turningdown the request to so honour thelate Ojukwu in a state burial. As hiscontemporary in the army then,Ojukwu I know had all it takes to bea great because he had a rich familybackground coupled with educationso, these factors influenced hisindependence.

“He wasn’t a head of state at anypoint, he was a war lord and our lawdoesn’t have provision for sohonouring such a person. Webelieve so much in sentiments inthis country, it beats myimagination someone could makesuch request. Let his handworkimmortalise him because such iswhat I prefer to namingmonuments after the dead. If I die,let my handwork speak for me. Icongratulate the Senate for refusingthe request.” Jemibewon stated.

No matter the divide one findshimself on the issue of Ojukwu, thefact remains that the history of thenation cannot be written withoutmention of the role he played.

Ojukwu: A hero or a villain?Come next month, March

2012, Late Ikemba Nnewi,Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu

will be buried in his home town ofNnewi in the South Eastern part ofthe country. The question on thelips of most Nigerians is whether hewas a national hero or a villain.

This question is germanebecause of the role he played in theformation of the Nigerian statewhile he lived.

Those who would like to casthim as a hero point to his nationalistattributes. They point to his refusalto support the 1966 coup carried outby men and officers of Easternextraction as a pointer to that fact.Others say his decision to join theruling National Party of Nigeria(NPN) instead of the NigerianPeoples Party (NPP) which had hisfellow Ibo man, Nnamdi Azikiwe asleader on return from exile in 1983as another pointer to the fact thathe was truly a detribalized Nigeria.

However, those against thisbelief feel that the man should beviewed more like a tribalist than asa national hero for daring to lead asecessionist attempt against theNigerian state. They point to his roleas the leader of the short livedBiafria republic that sought to breakfrom the Nigerian state as a pointerto the fact that the man was moreof a sectional than a nationalist.

Though there is great rushespecially by people from the SouthEast to be part of his burialceremony, no many people arefooled by the fact that the man neverrealy enjoyed a great followershipfrom his people while he was alive.A pointer to this is the fact that helost his senatorial ambition in 1983to an obscure man of the then NPP.His support for the All PeoplesGrand Alliance in the run up to the2003 general election did not stopthe Peoples democratic Party fromsweeping the South East in thatelection.

Even his title of Ikemba washotly contested by his kins menwhen the title was bestowed on him.

Also, the Nigerian state did nothelp issues when it refused to accordthe man that rank of a general afterthe war. His fellow kinsman whopresently is the Chief of Army Staff(COAS), Lt. Gen. AzubuikeIhegerika only recently at thegraduation ceremony of recruitsfrom the army school in Zariareferred to him as late colonelOjukwu.

It took 41 years after theirdisengagement from the Nigerianarmy for him and 63 other Biafransoldiers to be paid their pension andgratutities by the Nigeriangovernment under the leadership ofLate President Umaru Yaradua in2008.

At the presentation of chequesat the ceremony, it was vintageOjukwu who out of anger exploded;“It’s an insult for people to address

Nigerian peace keepers

Therefore those who win everybattle are not really skillful-those

who render others' armies helplesswithout fighting are the best of all.

—Master Sun, The Art of War

On the marble

BYEMMANUEL

IRIOGBEemmacopi@yahoo.com

08026125552

Foreign envoys commendNigerian military

Even with security challengesin the country, the Nigerianmilitary had cause to

celebrate Thursday afterencomiums were poured on theirroles in keeping the peace in thecountry and on the Africancontinent.

The commendations came fromsuch countries like, the UnitedStates of America, DemocraticPeople’s Republic of Korea and theGulf of Guinea Commission, who allassured of assistance in its anti-terrorism fight.

The USA Senior Adviser onDarfur, Ambassador Dane Smith incompany of the Ambassador of USAto Nigeria, Ambassador Terence P.McCulley, made thiscommendation at the ministry ofdefence in Abuja, when he led anentourage of its officials to office ofthe minister of defence.

Smith, in his speech, said thepurpose of the visit was to commendofficers of the Nigerian army in thefostering of peace within the Africanregion.

Also, the Democratic People’sRepublic of Korea said the goals ofvision 20-20-20 could only beattained in a peaceful andharmonious atmosphereencapsulated transformationagenda of the currentadministration.

The Korean Ambassador, JangHak Se noted that there was nodoubt that officers of the Nigeriaarmy has performed creditably wellin the fight against terrorism inNigeria, he therefore called on theminister of Defence to fast track theMoU on security pact between thetwo countries.

He observed that bothcountries, in the last 30 years, havebeen of help to each other botheconomically and politicallystressing that the relationship wasequally capable of solving some ofthe problems facing the country,especially insecurity if thepotentials of the union are fullyharnessed.

Meanwhile, the executivesecretary, Gulf of Guinea

Commission and his deputy, MiguelTravoada and Adenike Ukangarespectively also commended therole of Nigeria military officers andcalled on the minister to formulatea comprehensive method on how tosolve African problems.

After all the encomiums, theMinister of Defence, Dr. BelloMohammed said was aware of thenumerous problems confrontingthe sub region and assured thevisiting envoys of the resolution ofthe present administration to fosterboth internal and external peaceamong African countries.

The minister, however,expressed displeasure over theattitude of Sudan government infrustrating peace keeping officers inits country.

On the spate of Boko Haram,the minister added that officers ofthe military have tried by ensuringthat their nefarious activities wererestricted to avoid widespread of theviolence while also expressingconfidence in halting thephenomenon soonest.

Though Maj. Gen. RaphaelIsa, the immediate pastDirector, Army Public

Relations (DAPR), performedcreditably well as the spokesmanof the army while he held forth,there is however a consensus thatthe general is returning to familiarterrain as the new ProvostMarshal of the Nigerian Army.

This is because all his years in themilitary before being seconded tothe information department, hehas remained a militarypoliceman. As a policeman in thearmy, his duties include disciplineerring men and officers of thearmy. Juxtaposed with hissecondment to the informationarm, some say negates his originalcalling.

However, it must be observedthat he is not going down as thefirst military police to speak for

the army. Late Maj. Gen. SolomonGiwa-Amu a man generallyreferred to as a soldier and agentleman was also a militarypolice. The irony of it all is thatthese two gentlemen performedexcellently well as army spokespersons. The question on every lipright now is; which department ofthe army is the next director ofarmy public relations going tocome from.

Maj. Gen. Isa replaces Maj.Gen. Yusuf Pyeng.

Gen Isa returns to familiar terrain

Gen. Raphael Isa as DAPR

PAGE 28 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

In other postings by the army,Maj Gen JO Nwaogbo is now thenew GOC for 3 Division, while MajGen Sunday O Idoko is leaving the82 Division to become the Chief ofLogistics (COLOG) at the ArmyHeadquarters. Maj Gen OOOshinowo of the Special TaskForce (STF) Jos is takes over fromhim as GOC 82 Division

The Commander, NigerianArmy Corps of Artillery (NACA),Maj Gen Emmanuel Etim Basseyhas been appointed as the Chief of

Administration at ArmyHeadquarters. Maj Gen MBIbrahim formerly of DefenceHeadquarters now commands theSpecial Task Force (STF) Jos.

In the same vein, Maj Gen ATJibrin and Maj Gen U Buzugbehave been confirmed as Director ofMilitary Intelligence (DMI) andMilitary Secretary (Army)respectively. The Director of ArmyPublic Relations, Maj Gen RaphaelIshaku Isa, is now the ProvostMarshal of the Nigerian Army,

while the new Commander of theNigerian Army Peace KeepingCentre (NAPKC) Jaji, is Maj GenJS Zaruwa. Maj Gen AS Agha-Okoro who until now was at theDepartment of Army Training andOperations (DATOPS) at the ArmyHeadquarters is now the DirectorLegal Services (DLS).

Other new appointmentsinclude the Commander 3 Brigade,Brig Gen II Abbah; Commander 31Brigade, Brig Gen Ilouga;Commander 21 Brigade, Brig Gen

Why GOC 1 Div was redeployed

Housing problems for servingand retired personnel of theNigerian Air Force will soon

be a thing of the past as the Chief ofAir Staff, Air Marshal M.D. Umaris poised to making sure thatofficers and men of the Service aredecently accommodated.

The Chief of Air Staff was at theHonourable Minister of Land,Housing and Urban Development,Mrs Amal Pepple office recently toseek for her assistance and supporton how to provide affordablehousing to NAF personnel.

Air Marshal Umarcongratulated the Minister on herwell deserved appointment anddeclared "I am in support of yourlaudable vision of providing shelterfor Nigerians. Your vision too is oneof our key drivers which is also partof the government transformationagenda".

Responding, the HonourableMinister commended the Chief ofAir Staff championing the cause ofhis personnel and assured him thather ministry would assist him torealize his dream of providingdecent accommodation for hispersonnel. In her words, "We willassist you to realize your vision andthat of other Nigerians".

Prior to the Chief of Air Staffvisit to the Honourable Minister,the Federal Mortgage Bank ofNigeria (FMBN) signedMemorandum of Understandingwith the NAF for the developmentof NAF 120 hectares land situatedat Abuja.

On the Chief of Air Staffentourage to the Minister wereBranch Heads, Managing DirectorNAF properties Ltd and Directors.

NAFOWA, the acronym forNigerian Air Force Officers'wives Association last week

commissioned its cancerdiagnostic and treatment centre inAbuja.

At the commissioningceremony which took place at theNigerian Air Force Base, NAFOWAPresident, Hajiya Aisha UwaniUmar said the associationprocured medical equipments thatwill cater for the health need ofboth men and women regardless oftheir geographical location.

According to her "We procuredstate of the art equipment forcervical cancer screening, a health

challenge noted to be mostlyprevalent in Northern Nigeria.Also, equipment for breast cancerscreening was procured to cater forthis health issue which is morecommon in Southern Nigeria.

"We considered it appropriateto provide for our men withoutwhom we couldn't have taken thesegiant strides"

Justifying the rationale forlocating the edifice in Abuja,Hajiya Aisha said as the nation'scapital city, Abuja was consideredapt since it is also located in theheart of the country.

On continuity, the NAFOWAPresident revealed that

comprehensive measures had beenput in place to foster continuity andoperational effectiveness. Shedisclosed that the centre will behanded over to the 108 NATHospital to operate whileNAFOWA will oversee the centre'sactivities"

In his remark at the occasion,the Chief of Air staff (CAS) said thecommissioning was anothermillstone achievement ofNAFOWA.

"Over time, available statisticshave shown that in Nigeria,cervical cancer remains the secondmost common cancer in women,after breast cancer, particularly

among those within the agebracket of 15 and 44 years. It mustalso be stated that it is not onlywomen who are at risk of cancersas men and children have becomevictims of this deadly malady too"The CAS stated.

He assured NAFOWA of thenecessary support required tosustain the project

Air Marshal Umar, used theoccasion to disclose that plans wereat top gear to revive the abandonedAero-medical centre at Kadunawithin the shortest possible time.

The occasion attracteddignitaries from all the Air Forceformations nationwide.

CAS visitshousing minister,solicits support

NAFOWA commission’s cancer diagnostic centre

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal M.D. Umar (4th from right), District Head of Dawakin Tofa, Alhaji Ibrahim Chigari (4th from left) in a groupphotograph with AOC TC and Branch Chiefs

The District Head of DawakinTofa, Alhaji Ibrahim YusufChigari, has commended the

Nigerian Air Force for establishingthe Air Force Comprehensive School,Kano in his domain. Alhaji Ibrahimgave the commendation when hepaid a courtesy call to the Chief of theAir Staff, Air Marshal MohammedDikko Umar at the HeadquartersNigerian Air Force Abuja.

Alhaji Ibrahim said he was at theAir Force Headquarters to registerthe appreciation of the entire peopleof Dawakin Tofa in particular andKano State in general to the NigerianAir Force for establishing the AirForce Comprehensive SecondarySchool in Kwa town which took offin of 2011. He disclosed that therelationship between the NigerianAir Force and the people of Kano

State has been very cordial sinceinception of flying activities in thestate. He therefore wished the Chiefof the Air Staff God's guidance,protection as he continue to anchorthe affairs of the NAF.

In response, The Chief of Air Staffsaid that I School would admit thewards of both Air Force personnel, thehost community and other Nigerians,Air Marshal Umar thanked the

District head of Dawakin Tofacommends NAF for siting school in Kwa

District Head allowing the NigerianAir Force to develop the parcel of landon which the school was built. Heattributed this to the Kano Statepeople's love for developing theirState. He reiterated the Nigerian AirFt commitment to improving theliving standard of their hostcommunities and to complimentgovernment's effort by providingthem with social amenities.

More facts have emergedon why the GeneralOfficer Commanding

(GOC) 1 Division, Maj Gen JosephShoboiki, was moved to DefenceHeadquarters as Director of Policy(D Pol) and former DirectorTraining at the ArmyHeadquarters, Maj Gen GarbaAyodele Wahab replaced him.

According to very reliablesource in military circles, therecent bombing of theheadquarters of the 1 Div, aformation regarded in army circlesas next only to the armyheadquarters in Abuja in rankingwas seen by the top militaryhierarchy as negligence on his part.Also, the shooting of the Directorof Finance in the government officeof Kaduna state by securityoperatives attached to governmenthouse was seen as something thatcould have been averted if the GOCwas in control of the situation inthe state.

To add to his woes, the inabilityof the army division to arrest theinsecurity in Kaduna metropolisand its environs which continue todegenerate by the day was pointedout as a reason for his replacementwith somebody capable of tacklingthe threat posed by the BokoHaram sect in the state.

RO Bamigboye anaaf of Staff at the81 Division, Brig Gen CO Okoro, isnow Sector Commander/NigerianContingent Commander of theUnited Nations Mission in Liberia(UNMIL), while Brig Gen MAKoleoso has been appointed theSector Commander/NigerianContingent Commander for theUnited Nations Mission in Dafur(UNAMID).

Twenty-nine Major Generalsand 43 Brigadier Generals areaffected in the redeployment.

Rice Production: FG,Taraba, Dominion farmssign $40m agreement

Nigeria’s rice production hasreceived a major boostfollowing the signing of

tripartite implementationagreement between the FederalGovernment, Taraba State andKenya’s Dominion Rice andIntegrated Farms Limited on theestablishment of a 40-million-dollar integrated farm in the state.

The Minister of Agriculture andRural Development, Dr AkinwumiAdesina, at the agreement signingceremony said the productionwould be fully integrated in a30,000 hectare farming area so asto rapidly transform the country’smoribund agricultural sector.

Dr Adesina also said that underthe Agricultural TransformationAgenda (ATA), the FederalGovernment, was ready toreposition agriculture as a businessthat will create millions of jobs,grow the country’s foreign exchangeand reduce dependency on food

import.“Yes, food security is important,

but given our immense naturalresources, our goal is even bigger;we want to make Nigeria anagriculturally-industrialisedeconomy and this requires that wechange how business is being donein agricultural sector,” the ministerstated.

According to him, through theproject tagged “Massive GreenRevolution on Rice”, Nigeria wasexpected to become self-sufficient inrice production within the next fouryears and the impact to be feltwithin two years.

The minister, who regrets hugefunds being spent on food import,explained that “Nigeria spends overN1.3 Trillion importing just fourbasic food items; wheat (N635Billion), rice (365 Billion), sugar(N217 Billion) and fish (N97Billion).”

Dr Adesina declared that theFederal Government was makingefforts to move Nigeria from a food

which poultry owners sometimesfound difficult to fulfil.

“They often request for theprovision of vehicles to convey themto and from farms; they alsocomplain of the bad state of roads toour farms and short notices,” shesaid.

She, therefore, solicited thesupport and cooperation of theveterinarians to prevent their birdsfrom dying.

Tanko urged Nigerians to eatmore of chicken than beef or otherred meat to avoid heart disease, gout,cholesterol and other relatedsickness.

She stressed the need for boththe government and the privatesector to invest in poultry productionto generate employment, increaseeconomic activities and encouragehealthy living. (NAN)

Poultry farmers inBwari tackle vet officials

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012 PAGE 29

importing nation into a food self-sufficient and exporting nation,saying the project would save thecountry more than N54 billion inforeign exchange annually from theamount spent on rice importation.

He assured that in addition tosome young Taraba farmers thatwould receive training in Kenya,over 14, 000 farmers would formcluster groups, while an additional1,000 individual farmers would becreated and all would be linked to aworld class rice mill to be installedby Dominion farms.

Also speaking, formerPresident, Olusegun Obasanjo,charged African leaders on foodsecurity and a lasting solution tofood shortage in Africa.

Obasanjo, who declared that alot of Africans ware hungry, saidquick attention at the highestpolitical level by the African leadersmust given to the agriculturalsector, while calling on stakeholdersin the sector to work hard towardsthe success of the project.

Poultry farmers in Bwari AreaCouncil of the FCT havecriticised what they described

as “poor attitude to work” by someveterinary officials in the area.

The Proprietress of SweetChicken Farm, Mrs Rifkatu Tanko,who spoke on behalf of the farmersin Bwari, in FCT recently, expressedconcern over the poor response ofsome of the officials whenever theywere called to render medicalservices to their birds.

“There is need for the veterinaryofficials to be up and doing whileperforming their official duties, tocurb the spread of poultry diseasesand there is need for them torespond quickly to calls to vaccinateor provide medication to our birds,”Mrs Tanko said.

Tanko criticised some of theofficials for making certain requests

Fertiliser: Yari asksLGs to remit over N2bnGovernor Abdulaziz Yari of

Zamfara state has directedLocal Government

Councils in the state to remit tothe treasury, the over N2.45billion realised from the sales offertiliser during the last farmingseason.

Yari, who gave the directiverecently in Gusau, the ZamfaraState capital, warned that failureto comply with the governmentdirectives would incur the wrathof the law.

The Governor also said the actwas not only criminal butunacceptable, saying that “onlyN396 was realised from the salesof the fertiliser which was sold tofarmers at the subsidised cost ofN1, 000 per bag.”

He said: “It would no longer bebusiness as usual for anyone whomismanage public resources inthe state, adding; “we will notcompromise fairness in order tosatisfy some selfish interests.”

Yari announced that the

government would spend N4billion to procure fertiliser forfarmers during the forthcomingfarming season, but warned thatlocal councils that failed to pay forlast year’s allocation would not getthe commodity.

“Even if the commodityarrived at a defaulting localgovernment, the council will notaccess it unless it settled its debts,”he said.

The governor, however,reassured that the governmentwould continue to supportfarmers and other citizens of thestate.

On the Supreme Court’sverdict which upheld his election,Yari said he would nowconcentrate in serving the peoplewithout distraction,

“I have always believed in theability of the judiciary to confirmthat my election was the people’smandate. With this development,I will now be more prepared toserve my people

Mechanised farming will boost food production in the country

well was constructed at the cost ofN45, 000 in 128 villages.

He said it started with a pilotproject at Kuzunzumi village wherethe council provided the farmerswith water pump generators.

Ahmed said the council wasencouraged to expand the project tovarious villages that had Fadama intheir areas.

“The council thereforecontacted the Hadejia/Jama’areRiver Basin Authority for supportand professional guide and itobliged,” the Chairman said.

The Chairman, who saidDankarda, Garungudunya,Insharuwa, Kuzunzumi, andRafintsamiya were among thebenefiting communities, however,commended the Authority for itssupport and encouragement.(NAN)

Babura LG spends N5mon irrigation farmingThe Chairman of Babura Local

Government in Jigawa State,Alhaji Aminu Ahmed, has

said that the council spent aboutN5.7 million to construct 125 tubewells to boost irrigation farming inthe area.

Ahmed, who announced thisrecently in Babura, in Jigawa State,explained that the council, incollaboration with the Hadejia/Jama’are River Basin DevelopmentAuthority, under Fadama irrigationdevelopment, constructed the wellsfor irrigation farms in differentcommunities in the area.

The Chairman also said theeffort was to complement those ofthe state and Federal Governmentin the drive to ensure food securityand improve agriculture throughirrigation farming.

The council boss noted that each

The International Fund forAgricultural Development(IFAD) said recently that it

would open country offices with fullcomplement of staff as part of itsplans to enhance its partnership inthe country.

The Director-General of theorganization, Mr Ides Willebois,made this known during a courtesycall on the Minister of Finance, DrNgozi Okonjo- Iweala, in Abuja.

“It is very important to focus oncountry offices and my policy fromnow on is that the entire largeportfolio we have, there would be

full compliments of staff that will bebased in country so that we havecountry programmer managers inthe country,” Willebois said.

“A larger county also anassociate country programmemanager, country officer and ofcause an assistant, as well as otherfull time staff to cover the portfoliowould mean that IFAD is muchcloser and nearer to you; you don’thave to fly in fly out to the mission,”the DG explained.

“We will drop some of the initialmode of operation starting with themode of this our interaction with

yourself and other partners both fordesign and supervision.”

According him, IFAD Nigeria’scountry office will be fullyoperational in the next few weeksto focus on the partnership.

He said that a host agreementhas been signed by the IFAD andthe Ministry of foreign Affairs toenable it establishe the countryoffice with full accreditation.

The agreement, he said, wouldhelp to reduce the repeatedmistakes made in designs of variousprojects carried out in the county.(NAN)

IFAD to establish country offices toenhance partnership in Nigeria, says DG

By Mohammed Kandi

Alleviating poverty throughmodern agriculture in Ondo state

ahead of them”.Mimiko expressed confidence

that the project would serve as amodel and a great motivation forNigerians to accept agriculture asa profitable venture and veritabletool for reducing unemployment.He noted that all necessaryfacilities, includingaccommodation, have beenprovided for the farmers.

“I want to encourage you allyoung graduate farmers that thisis about you, it is about the futureof this state, it is about a task tobe chosen by a nation if it wantsto get out of poverty. Throughyour activities here, I believe thatNigeria will come to learn thatfarming is a profitable ventureand it is one avenue that we can

explore to ensure that we defeatyouth unemployment in Nigeria.

“We’ve made this agric villagecomfortable for you so that youcan also concentrate on your job.The entire crop farming activitieshere will be tractor -driven, yourweed control will be chemicallydone, and each of you will beempowered with facilities for cropfarming, fish farming, poultryfarming, mushroom farming andI’m sure this is a solution to ourunemployment problem,” thegovernor said.

The second in the series of theAgriculture Villages in the state islocated in Epe in Ondo East LocalGovernment area of the state andit is nearing completion. Mimiko,during a recent tour of inspection,

expressed satisfaction at the levelof work on the farm where theconstruction of accommodationfor the over 1000 young graduateshas commenced.

The governor disclosed that1000 cows had been ordered fordiary purpose at the farm, whileabout 250 fish ponds are expectedto be built.

“Our dream is that there willbe no graduate left unemployed inthis state in a few years to come.This settlement will be mainly forcattle rearing. We have ordered1000 cows and I want to say thateach house here will have a cowthat will produce milk.

“We shall fight poverty to astand-still. We have no cause forpoverty in this state. Over 1000 ofour youth are engaged already atour farm settlement in Ore. Weare benchmarking employmentgeneration for Africa, we are goingto irrigate dry season farming, ourstrategy is to deliver quality job forour people.

“I can say with every sense ofresponsibility that we aredelivering good services to thepeople of this state and we shallcontinue to use our localresourcefulness,” he said.

The Auga Farm City, which isthe third farm settlement to beestablished by the presentgovernment in the state, coversabout 4000 hectares of land andit is expected to focus mainly oncattle rearing.During a recentnews conference in Akure, thestate government announced thatthe first set of arable crops plantedat the settlement were ready forharvest.

Chairman of the state’s WealthCreation Agency (WECA), Mr BisiAdegoke, told newsmen thatMimiko had also made available300 male and female cows toward

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012PAGE 30

Productivity and employmentare issues that are central tothe social and economic life

of every country. While it is a factthat a country with highproductivity is often characterisedby a high capacity utilisation(optimal use of resources), highstandard of living, low rate ofunemployment and great socialprogress, unemployment, on theother hand, has been categorisedas one of the serious impedimentsto social progress. It generateswelfare loss in terms of loweroutput, thereby leading to lowerincome and well-being.

It has been argued thatcontinuous improvement inproductivity is the surest way tobreak the vicious circle of povertywhich productivity andunemployment have generated indeveloping countries. Growth inproductivity provides a significantbasis for adequate supply of goodsand services, thereby improvingthe welfare of the people andenhancing social progress.

Perhaps it is the realisation ofthis fact that made Gov. OlusegunMimiko of Ondo State to resolveto tackle youth unemployment inthe state through massiveinvestment in mechanisedfarming. To achieve this objective,Mimiko has established threefarm settlements under his“Caring Heart” Programme as apilot scheme. These are: AgricVillage, Ore in Odigbo LocalGovernment area of the state,Auga Farm City, in Akoko NorthEast Local Government area of thestate and Epe Farm Settlement inOndo East Local government areaof the state.

At the inauguration of theagric village in Ore, the governorenjoined the 1,500 graduateresident farmers, who are the firstbatch of over 10,000 youths thatare expected to be accommodatedin the first phase of the agricsettlement, “to be focused andshow seriousness to the task

Women peeling cassava tubers

the establishment of a cattle ranchin the farm.

According to Adegoke, work atvarious departments of the farmis at different stages ofcompletion. He added that 68young graduates had beenengaged at the site. Adegoke saidthat the Auga farm had sincemoved beyond the teethingproblem of transporting materialsfor construction to recordingtangible results.

“We have constructed 60 fishponds and are also putting upresidential buildings. Already,some of the participants haveestablished their own irrigatedvegetable farms which they hopewill yield all through the dryseason. It is also of note that eachof the participants at the OreFarm has been producing 20crates of eggs per day,” he said.

The traditional ruler of AugaAkoko, Oba Samuel Agunloye,said that the entire Akoko peoplewould eternally remain grateful tothe government for citing theAgric village in his domain whichhe called an agrarian community.The monarch, who promised tooffer all necessary supports toensure that the governmentachieves the desired result, saidthat the project had provided jobfor about 80 artisans in thecommunity.

However, chairman of AllFarmers’ Association, Ondo Statebranch, Mr Joshua Oyedele, wasskeptical about sustainability ofthe projects. He was of theopinion that the young graduateswould soon desert the farms forgreener pasture in cities at theearliest opportunity. According tohim, the projects will yield betterresults in the hands ofexperienced farmers and not theyouths. (NAN)A farmer carrying out a manual irrigation

PAGE 31PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Senegal’s petit-dictator isthe West’s man (I)

Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade spurred protests upon announcing his plans to run for a third term [AFP]

The changes Wade has made to the constitution, enablinghis personalisation of the state, were ushered in alongside a

number of other changes that served to further open thecountry to foreign investment.

“

Kingston, Canada - Whilegovernments in Westernnations are beginning to

disassociate from SenegalesePresident Abdoulaye Wade, theunacknowledged fact is that he hasserved them dutifully. Wadecertainly knows this, which is whyhe feels capable of playing his handso confidently in his determinationto stay in power and suppressopposition, which left six dead inthe first week of recentdemonstrations.

The changes Wade has madeto the constitution, enabling hispersonalisation of the state, wereushered in alongside a number ofother changes that served tofurther open the country toforeign investment. The fact thatthis is not discussed by oppositionmembers leadingdemonstrations under thebanner of the "M23 movement"is an indication of the limits of itsability to remove him from power- or to offer the kinds of changesdesired by the population.

Media reports on growingopposition to Wade often mentionthe scandal that arose from thepresident's commissioning of a49m (160ft) statue outsideDakar, Senegal's capital, costing$27m. Not only has the statuebeen considered offensive toMuslim values, but Wade takes35 per cent of fees paid by touriststo see the statue, allmerchandising profits andcopyright, justified on the basisof it being his "intellectualproperty". As Wade is so closely

attached to the project, a closerexamination of it helps oneunderstand something about thenature of the man, whoseincreasingly dictatorialbehaviour the world must nowcontend with. Its constructionalso provides insights into thepolitical economy of Wade's rule,which is deeply inserted into themulti-polar global economy.These connections have fuelledthe rise of an internal businessclass working in tandem withpoliticians widely criticised forcorruption and theft ofgovernment finances.

While Wade's ego certainlycompetes with those of Tunisia'sBen Ali and Egypt's Mubarak, thepolitical strength of oppositionmovements in Senegal is muchweaker by comparison. Senegal's"M23" and Y'en a Marre ["Hadenough"] movements suffer fromweak analysis, weak - perhapseven non-existent - ideologicalpositions, and shallowconnections with narrowsegments of society. Y'en a Marremembers are fortunatelystarting to express somedissatisfaction with the culture ofthe M23, which is dominated byfigureheads, whose politicsclosely resemble those ofPresident Wade. However, itremains to be seen whether theywill generate a more powerfulanalysis and grassroots politicalpractice.

The statue and Senegal'sFDI 'renaissance'

Wade's scandalous statue iscalled "The African Renaissance",formed in ideological associationwith former South Africanpresident Thabo Mbeki's

campaign. Launched in 1997,the campaign aimed for Africato undergo a renaissance that,according to Mbeki, wouldinclude increasing socialcohesion, democracy, economicgrowth and the establishment ofAfrica as a significant player inworld affairs.

Mbeki, along with MuammarGaddafi, then spearheaded atransformation of theOrganisation of African Unity(OAU), folding it into the AfricanUnion (AU). Many havesuggested that this processresulted in the abandonment ofmany pan-Africanist goals ofsocial justice. The most obviousexample of this has been the AU'sadoption of the New Partnershipfor Africa's Development(NEPAD), a vehicle to expand thereach of neoliberal free-marketeconomic policy throughout thecontinent. In short, NEPADfurther opened the continent toforeign investment - enshriningproperty rights, treating foreignfirms on par with indigenousfirms, cutting taxes, enabling theexpropriation of profits, creatingtax-free zones, and limiting therights of workers.

According to Senegal InteriorMinister Maitre Ousmane Ngom

in 2009: "On the one hand, thesereforms aim at improving thebusiness environment, and on theother hand modernising the legalframework and the geologicalinfrastructures to attract anddevelop foreign directinvestments." Not surprisingly,international business interestshave offered significant praise forWade's government over theyears. Ousmane boasted that theWorld Bank's latest "DoingBusiness" report ranked Senegalas the top reforming country inAfrica, and the fifth in the world.

It is fitting, then, that Wade's"African Renaissance" statue wasbuilt by a North Korean firm,rather than by the Senegalese.Larger than the Statue of Liberty,it depicts a bare-chested,herculean man facing Meccawith a child on his left shoulder,pointing - presumably into thefuture (which, oddly enough, isin the direction of Europe). On hisright he holds a scantily cladwoman literally falling off herfeet in his grip, giving the scene asense of forward motion - led bythe strength of the African man.

The ideological lie here is thatfor at least 40 years, research hasshown that women are responsiblefor the vast majority of labour

performed on the continent. If thestatue were to depict somethingcloser to reality, it might show awoman with a child on her back,firewood on her head and food inher hands, while a man maybe sitsin the background waiting for ameal. This is not to suggestSenegalese men are not hustlingfor cash in a whole number ofways. Rather, unemploymentrates of around 48 per cent meanthey do so in a highly competitiveand degrading fashion for wageswhose purchasing powerconstantly diminishes.Understandably, many feel a deepsense of despair and humiliationon a daily basis.

In examining the self-proclaimed achievements ofWade's government, it is difficultto figure out where he derives thismuscular image of the Africanman venturing forth into theterrains of science, technologyand the arts - surely essential toany "renaissance". Wade'sprimary skill seems to have beensigning cheques to foreigncompanies. By far the mostsignificant achievement for Wadehas been opening up mineralexploitation in the country'sToumbacounda region, facilitatedby a $527m project to build thelargest port in West Africa.

The port is being built in apublic-private initiative with DPWorld - an affiliate of the DubaiWorld Group, a company that alsotook on an $800m deal to buildand run a special economic zone,based upon the Jebel Ali free-tradezone in Dubai. The port facilitatesthe extraction of gold by aCanadian and Saudi company,Oromin Venture Group, and twoother Canadian companies;Sabodala Mining and LamgoldGroup.

They are joined by Jersey-based Randgold, and the multi-national Arcelor Mittal.Numerous other valuable metalsare found in the area, such ascopper, chromium, lithium anduranium. The quantities seem tobe less significant than the rareproperties they offer for blendingin new metal composites.

These minerals will make theirway to port via massive roadrehabilitation and constructionprojects, which have been doledout to companies such as Swiss-based SGS Industrial, and China'sHenan Industrial CooperationGroup and APIX, the governmentinvestment agency. ManySenegalese find it painfullyinsulting that, after 50 years ofindependence, they still cannoteven build their own roads.

Source: Aljazeera

ANALYSIS

PAGE 32 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Egypt fails to set presidential poll date

The judicial committteesupervising Egypt's firstvoting since its revolution

has set a date for nominations tobegin for the presidential electionbut failed to follow through on apromise to announce when theelection will actually happen.

The committee had beenexpected to announce a date onSunday, but judges told a newsconference the decision was being

delayed as they worked out howto ensure Egyptians abroad willhave enough time to vote.

Farouk Soltan, the head ofEgypt's highest court and thecommittee chief, said countingexpatriate votes for thepresidential election would beharder than during theparliamentary election since thevote would happen on one day,rather than over nearly three

months.The military council that took

over from President HosniMubarak in February last year hasfaced repeated street protestsdemanding a swifter transfer ofpower to a civilian authority. Inresponse to protests, the SupremeCouncil of the Armed Forces(SCAF) promised to hold apresidential election by the end ofJune.

Zimbabwe's new mine licence feesand resource rentals willsignificantly raise the cost of

mining and threaten the sector'sviability, with as much as 60 percentof mining revenues going to thegovernment, an industry body saidyesterday.

The southern African countryhiked pre-exploration fees for mostminerals by as much as 8,000percent in January, with registrationcharges for platinum and diamondclaims going up to $2.5 million and$5 million, respectively, in a move itsays is meant to curb the speculativeholding of mine titles.

Miners now must also pay annualground rentals ranging from $500per hectare for chrome to $3,000 perhectare for diamonds, according to agovernment notice.

The Zimbabwe Chamber ofMines told a parliamentarycommittee hearing that the new fees,coupled with royalty increases of 7.5percent for gold and 10 percent forplatinum announced in the 2012budget, would seriously hurt minerswho have yet to fully recover from adecade-long economic crisis.

"The fee structure is unworkable.The industry is alreadyoverburdened by the totality ofstatutory charges, royalties, leviesand commissions," the chamber's vicepresident, Allan Mashingaidze, toldthe parliamentary committee.

Zimbabwe’s newfees will cripplemines: industry

Egyptians have already elected a new parliament but need to replace their ruling military council[REUTERS]

Election anger mounts in Senegal

The state-owned news serviceconfirmed the deathyesterday of a young man in a

suburb of the capital Dakar asdemonstrations intensified, and theopposition said they would organisemore protests.

Several people have been killedsince the street clashes began late lastmonth after Wade's candidacy wasvalidated by the country's top legalbody.

The 85-year-old Wade, who cameto power in 2000, is insisting onrunning again, despite the deepeningunrest and calls from both France,Senegal's former colonial master, andthe US to hand power to the nextgeneration.

Wade will face more than a dozenrivals in the election, including

Second miner killed in S.Africa platinum strikeA second miner has been killed

in clashes between rivalunions striking at Impala

Platinum's flagship plant, deepeningmore than a month of labour unrest atthe world's biggest platinum mine,police said yesterday.

Regional police spokesman ThulaniNgubane said a riot started on Sunday

Senegalese are continuing their protests against incumbentpresident Abdoulaye Wade's decision to seek a third term in office,erecting barricades and pelting police with rocks just days beforea presidential election.

"There was a lot of anticipationahead of the scheduledannouncement, with severalleaks and statements that perhapspresidential elections would takesome time in the first week ofJune," said Al Jazeera's RawyaRageh, reporting from Cairo.

Rageh said the delay, whetherintentional or not, would probablystart renewed anger against theSCAF.

Soltan said the nominationperiod would open on March 10and close on April 8. He alsopledged that elections would beheld according to the military'stimetable.

"The committee has decided topostpone announcing theschedule for elections until it canreach a solution that will

allow Egyptians abroad to votein a manner that will make theirparticipation real," Soltan said.

Several prominent figureshave already announced theyplan to run, including AmrMoussa, Egypt's former foreignminister and Arab League chiefand Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh,ex-Muslim Brotherhood member.

Egyptian media have alsoreported that Nabil el-Arabi, thecurrent Arab League chief - aformer foreign minister as well -has met the Muslim Brotherhoodand the ruling military councilto discuss his own potentialcandidacy.

former allies Macky Sall and IdrissaSeck. A runoff will be held if nocandidate wins more than half thetotal vote.

Adama Gaye, a Senegalesejournalist, told Al Jazeera thesituation in the country was"extremely serious" and brandedWade an "autocrat", adding that heis "power hungry".

"Nobody is going to accept whathe [Wade] is doing," he told AlJazeera.

Clashes took on a religiousdimension in the normally tolerantWest African Muslim nation onSunday with hundreds gatheringoutside a mosque as religious leadersmet to discuss an incident in whichpolice used grenade launchers andhit the wall of a mosque.

when 600 men went house-to-housethrough a township trying to forceothers to join them in a vandalismspree at the mine, which accounts for15 percent of world platinum output.

"Their intention was to take themto the mineshaft. The police struggledto disperse the crowd," said Ngubane.The dead man had been shot, and

another was found with a bullet woundin the thigh, he added.

Tensions at Implats' Rustenburgoperation, 120 km (80 miles) northwestof Johannesburg, have been high sincemore than 17,000 workers were sackedfollowing an illegal stay-away by drilloperators on January 12.

Striking miners fought running

battles with police last week, and a manwas stripped naked and beaten todeath by a mob for trying to report forwork.

The industrial action has broughtthe mine to a standsill and is costingImpala, the world's second-biggestproducer of the precious metal, about3,000 ounces a day in lost output.

In ‘failed state’ Somalia, instability is lucrative for someLife got easier for trader Siad

Hussein when SomaliIslamist militants pulled out

the capital. He no longer pays a Jihadtax nor does he have to watchmortars kill his customers.

Small mercies, Hussein said inMogadishu's frenetic Bakaramarket, under government controlsince al Shabaab withdrew itsfighters from the city in August

under pressure from African troops,ending the almost daily artilleryfire.

But the recent security gains inMogadishu, where vines crawl outof blown out houses and faminevictims squat under once majesticcolonial facades, have not beenmatched by political progress, aheadache for foreign powers andregional allies.

On a trip this month to the coastalcity, British Foreign SecretaryWilliam Hague described Somalia asthe "world's most failed state" as hedrummed up interest ahead of aLondon conference on February 23to tackle Somalia's festering turmoil.

U.S. Secretary of State HillaryClinton and U.N. chief Ban Ki-moonwill attend the meeting London hopeswill refocus and better coordinate the

international response to Somalia.One reason for the lack of political

progress is that war and instabilityare lucrative. Somalia's powerbrokers, pirate kingpins and businesstycoons are reluctant to give up thestatus quo.

Diplomats say many players inSomalia's turmoil find that byspoiling reform they can continueto reap the spoils of war.

Chad's minister for moralityand good governance hasbeen sacked and charged

with corruption, accused ofstealing hundreds of thousandsof dollars in funds meant forcracking down on graft, officialssaid yesterday.

Ahmadaye Al Hassan wassacked on Sunday night as theoil-producing Central Africannation's anti-corruption ministerbefore the state prosecutor andhead of the judicial police readhim his charges in person onMonday.

"They came this morning totell me that I have been chargedwith fraud and stealing publicfunds, which I deny," Al Hassantold Reuters by telephone onMonday.

A policeman close to theinvestigation, who asked not tobe named, told Reuters AlHassan had been accused ofdiverting several credit lines andstealing some 360 million CFAfrancs that had been meant forcorruption probes.

Chad’s anti-graftminister held oncorruption

PAGE 33PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Iran set for talks with IAEA teamA delegation from the UN

nuclear watchdog hasarrived in Iran yesterday for

talks aimed at defusing internationaltensions over the country's atomicprogramme.

"We hope to have a couple of goodand constructive days in Tehran,"Herman Nackaerts, deputy-directorgeneral of the UN InternationalAtomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saidat Vienna airport as the five-memberteam prepared to depart.

"The highest priority remains ofcourse the possible militarydimensions of Iran's nuclearprogramme," he told reporters,making clear he wanted to seeconcrete results in the talks withIranian officials.

Western diplomats havedownplayed any hopes of a majorbreakthrough during the two-daytalks, even though it comes just a fewdays after signs of a possible openingfor diplomacy in the long-runningnuclear dispute.

The outcome, after an

inconclusive first round of discussionslast month, could determine whetherthe international standoff over Iran'suranium enrichment programmeescalates further or offers scope toreduce tensions.

Iran denies Western allegationsthat it is seeking to develop nuclearweapons but its refusal to curburanium enrichment work, whichit says is for civilian purposes, hasraised concerns.

Ali Akbar Salehi, the Iranianforeign minister said his countrywas keen to quickly resume talkswith world powers, once a place anddate were agreed.

The last talks collapsed inIstanbul in January 2011, butTehran has responded positivelyto an EU offer to look at revivingthem.

"We are looking for amechanism for a solution for thenuclear issue in a way that it iswin-win for both sides," Salehi said.

But he added that Iran remainedprepared for a "worst-case scenario."

Protests have been held in many cities across Europe in solidarity with the people of Greece [Reuters]

Iran says its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes [IRIB Iranian TV/Reuters]

South Korea carries out militarydrill despite threats from North

South Korea fired live artilleryyesterday in a military drillnear the country's heavily armed

border with North Korea, which hasdescribed the exercise as a provocation.

The drill Monday involvedhowitzers, mortars and attackhelicopters, South Korean news agencyYonhap reported. It took place on islandsoff the west coast of the Koreanpeninsula where tensions have flaredin the past.

Seoul notified the North on Sundayof the drill, a regular live-fire exercisethat lasts an hour. About 1,000 islandresidents were moved to safe areasduring the drill, Yonhap reported, citingmilitary officials.

"This is a very dangerous play withfire to ignite a war against the North asit is a clear declaration of war againstit," Pyongyang's state-run KoreanCentral News Agency reportedSunday, citing a bulletin from theSecretariat of the Committee for thePeaceful Reunification of Korea.

In late 2010, North Korearesponded to a South Korean military

exercise in the same area by firingartillery at Yeonpyeong Island, killingtwo South Korean marines and twocivilians.

"If the puppet warmongerspreempt reckless firing despite ourwarning, they will not escapepunishment thousands-fold severer"than the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island,the bulletin said. It identified "thepuppet warmongers" as being SouthKorea and the United States, whichhas tens of thousands of troops in SouthKorea.

The death in December of NorthKorean leader Kim Jong Il and thesubsequent anointment of his son andchosen successor, Kim Jong Un, hascreated uncertainty about the futuredirection of the secretive regime inPyongyang.

Further tensions over militarymaneuvers on the Korean peninsulaare expected in the coming weeks.There are two joint exercises plannedinvolving thousands of U.S. and SouthKorean forces scheduled betweenFebruary and April.

Eurozone set to decideon Greek rescueEurozone finance ministers are

expected to approve a $170bnsecond bailout package for Greece

in order to prevent the beleagueredcountry from defaulting on its debt.

After weeks of difficult negotiations,the ministers are scheduled to startmeeting at the EU headquarters inBrussels from 3:30pm local time(14:30 GMT) on Monday, bidding togreenlight terms on an exchange ofbonds held by private investors.

Senior officials from eurozonefinance ministries and the EuropeanCentral Bank held a conference call onSunday to go over the final details ofthe bailout, including a debtsustainability analysis critical to theInternational Monetary Fund [IMF].

For the caretaker Greekgovernment led by technocrat LucasPapademos, financial aid is needed tomeet bond repayments of 14.5bn euros[$18.8bn] due on March 20.

Papademos flew to Brussels for last-minute preparations as thousands ofdemonstrators massed in the capitalAthens' central Syntagma square.

Riot police shielded the nationalassembly, braced against a repeat ofriots a week ago that saw buildingstorched and looted across downtownAthens after a much larger rallyinvolving tens of thousands.

There have been demonstrationsin many cities across Europe insolidarity with Greek people who havebeen hit hard in the wake of massiveausterity cuts.

Greek parliament last week passedausterity measures worth 3.3bn euros[$4.3bn] that included cuts in pension,salaries and tax increases.

There is still scepticism in Germanyand other countries that Greece will beable to live up to its commitments, butofficials said momentum was buildingfor approval of the deal.

A South Korean K-1 tank fires live rounds during a military exercise near the border with North Koreaon September 30, 2011.

PAGE 34 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Pakistan-Afghanistan talks ‘end in acrimony’After two days of high-level

talks with Iran andPakistan, Afghanistan has

failed to gain Pakistani support forits bid to advance its peace processwith Taliban fighters.

Pakistan's foreign minister toldAfghanistan on Friday againsthaving "ridiculous" expectationsof what Pakistan could do to helpTaliban peace negotiations, astalks between the two countrieson the process ended in apparentacrimony.

The minister, Hina RabbaniKhar, said it was "preposterous" tothink that Pakistan could deliverTaliban chief Mullah Omar to thenegotiating table as Afghanistanhas asked in the past, despite thePakistani government's allegedties to the group.

The public comments wereunusually harsh for thediplomatic world where suchquarrels usually play out behindclosed doors. Khar's wordsdemonstrated the depth of thefrustration between theneighbouring countries as thewar in Afghanistan enters itseleventh year.

Her words indicated a setbackfor a peace process that the US is

The leaders of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan met to discuss a range of regional peace efforts[Reuters]

strongly promoting as a way toend the Afghan conflict and allowit to withdraw most of its combattroops by 2014 without thecountry further descending intochaos.

Pakistan is seen as critical toefforts to reach a settlement toAfghanistan's conflict and isbelieved to have influence overAfghan anti-government groups.

"The talks were hard. Butsometimes you need to have hardtalks," Khar said after themeetings.

Before Karzai arrived inPakistan, Afghan officials said hewould press Pakistan to provideaccess to senior Afghan Talibanleaders belonging to the so-calledQuetta Shura, named after thePakistani city where it is said tobe based.

Pakistan has consistentlydenied giving sanctuary to thefighters and denies the existenceof any Quetta Shura, orleadership council.

"We are willing to look atanything. But if you haveunrealistic, almost ridiculousexpectations, then you don't havesort of common ground to beginwith," Khar said.

S Korea holds military drill defying NorthSouth Korea has conducted

live-fire military drillsnear the disputed Yellow

Sea border with North Korea,despite Pyongyang's threat toattack.

The South Korean defenceministry said the Marine Corps,which guards "frontline" islandsnear the flashpoint border -began the exercise at about10am local time [0100 GMT].

About 1,400 civilians livingon the islands were evacuated tobomb shelters during yesterday'sdrill, a local official said.

South Korean militaryofficials said they were ready torepel any attack, but there wasno immediate military responsefrom the North to what Seoulterms a "routine" drill, whichended after about two hours.

South Korean troops on thefive islands fired artillery intowaters southward, away fromnearby North Korea, a defenceministry official said.

The North, which wasnotified of the scheduledexercise on Sunday, had calledthe drills a "premeditatedmilitary provocation'' andwarned it would retaliate foran attack on its territory.

"We are monitoring everymovement by the SouthKorean warmongers. If theyprovoke us, there will be onlymerciless retaliatory strikes,''officer Sin Chol Ung from theNorth's Korean People'sSecurity Forces told TheAssociated Press news agencyon Sunday.

Early on Monday,Pyongyang repeated threats ofretaliation. North Korea is fullyprepared for a "total war",' andthe drills will lead to a"complete collapse" of tiesbetween the Koreas, the North'sCommittee for the PeacefulReunification of Korea said in astatement carried by theofficial Korean Central NewsAgency.

Seoul's unificationministry, which handles cross-border ties, said the regularexercise was held to safeguardnational security and was notrelated to inter-Korean relations.

The United States andBritain have urged Israelagainst any military action

against Iran and its nuclearprogramme, after Iranianwarships passed through the SuezCanal to dock at the Syrian port ofTartous, ratchetting up tensionsin the region.

Martin Dempsey, thechairman of the US joints chiefs ofstaff committee, and WilliamHague, the British foreignminister, both said that an Israeliattack on Iran would destablise theentire region, and urged Israel togive international sanctionsagainst Tehran more time to work.

In comments on Sunday,Dempsey said an Israeli attackwould be "not prudent", and Haguesaid it would not be "a wise thing".

In an interview broadcast onCNN on Sunday, Dempsey said

Israel has the capability to strikeIran and delay the Iranians"probably for a couple of years. Butsome of the targets are probablybeyond their reach".

He expressed concern thatan Israeli attack could sparkreprisals against US targets inthe Gulf or Afghanistan, whereAmerican forces are based."That's the question with whichwe all wrestle. And the reasonthat we think that it's notprudent at this point to decideto attack Iran,'' Dempsey said.

Describing Iran as a"rational actor", Dempsey saidhe believed that theinternational sanctions on Iranare beginning to have an effect."For that reason, I think, that wethink the current path we're on isthe most prudent path at thispoint."

US and UK urge Israelnot to attack Iran

"Deliver Mullah Omar? If thatis the expectation, then there's noreality check then. Then they'renot only unrealistic, butpreposterous," she said.

Karzai told the Wall StreetJournal newspaper in aninterview published onThursday that talks among his

government, the US and theTaliban had taken place in thepast month.

However, a Talibanspokesmanm Zabiullah Mujahidissued a strenuous denial, saying:"The Taliban did not talk with theKabul government anywhere,"he said in a statement.

Tajjudin Millatmal, anAfghan analyst in Kabul, told AlJazeera that Afghanistan wouldneed Iran and Pakistan to agreeto any decision it made towardsachieving lasting peace.

"It is very important for thesustainable peace in Afghanistanthat the neighbouring countries

Japan posts record trade deficit as energy costs climbJapan -- battered by a strong

yen, slowing global demandand increased oil and gas

imports due to last year'sFukushima nuclear disaster --posted a record trade deficit of$18.7 billion in January,according to official figuresreleased yesterday.

The record fall was stoked bygreater energy imports of gas andoil following the March11earthquake, tsunami andresulting nuclear disaster at theFukushima Daiichi power plant,which forced the closure of most ofJapan's atomic power plants.

"The sharp increase of oil pricecould be the main reason of thesharp deterioration of tradebalance," said Takahide Kiuchi,chief economist for NomuraSecurities in Tokyo.

Currently, only five reactors

out of 54 in the country are inoperation after officials allowedmost to fall idle in the wake of theFukushima disaster.

By April, if more reactors are

not brought online the country willhave no nuclear plants inoperation, placing more pressureon its energy suppliers. Liquidnatural gas imports alone climbed

28.2% year on year, according tothe ministry's preliminary report.

Last month, U.N. nuclearexperts gave a thumbs-up toJapan's planned "stress tests" for itsremaining nuclear power plantsto test whether they couldwithstand another emergency.The team from the InternationalAtomic Energy Agency (IAEA)recommended Japaneseregulators improvecommunication with the residentsaround the plants and addressplans for dealing with severeaccidents more comprehensivelyin the wake of the worst nuclearaccident since Chernobyl in 1986.

Monday's record deficit comesafter Japan posted in 2011 its firstannual trade deficit in 31 years,and underlines the difficultiesfacing the export-driven nation asit looks to rebuild.

Japan began allowing its nuclear reactors to fall idle after theFukushima nuclear plant disaster in March last year.

Ties between the two Koreas plummeted following the 2010shelling of South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island [EPA]

PAGE 35PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Cute alert: Scientists discover world’ssmallest chameleon in MadagascarWith the ability to change

skin colour to blend inwith their

surroundings, chameleons arethe masters at avoidingdetection and can be difficult tospot at the best of times. This onein particular, though, as it's theworld's smallest.

This specialist of the speciesis smaller than the width of afingernail, and could reasonablybe likened to finding a needle ina hay stack.

Eagle-eyed scientists visitingthe small island of Madagascar,just off the coast of Africa, rose tochallenge admirably afterdiscovering what is believed tobe the world's smallestchameleon.

The minute lizard, found onone of the country's smallerperipheral islands, measures just29mm and can standcomfortably on the tip of amatchstick.

Island researcher FrankGlaw believes the discoverysupports the theory that such

Hanging tough: Pete Whittaker tackles Century Crack upside down (Pic: Alex Ekins)

Meteorites usually fall to pieces upon impact (Picture: Reuters)

British climbers set record jammed upside down in a crevice

The micro-lizard is believed to be the world's smallest (Picture:Barcroft Media)

extreme dwarfism is a result ofthe small habitats in which thechameleons live.

'It is not accidental that thesmallest species of a giventaxonomic group often occur onislands,' said Dr Glaw.

'It is a typical and well-knownphenomenon.

'It is possible that the bigisland of Madagascar has

produced the general group ofdwarf chameleons and the verysmall island has produced thetiny species.'

Four new species were foundin total by the research team,who have raised their concernsover illegal logging in the areathat they believe is having anadverse effect on the micro-creature's vulnerable habitat.

Little by little: Tom Randall inches his way through his ascent ofthe crevice (Pic: Alex Ekins)

Two years training in acel lar fol lowed byhanging upside down

hundreds of feet above arocky gully may not beeveryone's idea of fun.

But that is what daredevilBrit ish cl imbers TomRandall , 32, and PeteWhittaker, 20, putthemselves through tobecome the first to completeone of the toughest rockclimbing challenges in theworld.

The duo travelled to theCanyonlands National Parkin Utah to take on a geologicalfeature known as CenturyCrack - a 49m (160ft)-longgap between two huge rockformations.

To scale the crack, Tomand Pete first had to take on a37m (120ft) horizontalstretch which meant theydangled peri lously, oftenupside-down, above a rockygully. And they did sowithout pre-placedequipment.

Tom, from Sheffield, said:'All the work is done by ourhands and feet. Feet work wellbecause they're around thesame width as the crackwhereas, with our hands, wehad to stack them together inall sort of bizarre shapes.'

The pair had alreadycompleted an arduoustraining programme using areplica of Century Crack builtin Tom's basement.

They completed 5,300m(17,500ft) of horizontal,upside-down climbing,42,300 pull-ups and bicepcurls, and almost 16 hours ofstatic abdominal holds duringtheir six-days-a-week regime.

A rock that lay on adoorstep for at least 80years could be the biggest

meteorite ever to fall in Britainaccording to experts.

Tests have shown the 90kg(200lb) rock, which is 49cm (1ft7in) in length, fell to Earth30,000 years ago.

The meteorite, which layoutside a house in Wiltshire until1991, was taken to be examinedby experts when the homeownersdecided to sell the property.

Planetary science professorColin Pillinger believes that themeteorite must have landed neara glacier which helped keep thespace rock intact for such a longperiod.

'It's very unusual to find ameteorite this big in Britain,' he

Britain’s biggest meteoritediscovered after 80 yearslying on doorstep

said.'They are very unstable, they

contain a lot of metallic ironwhich oxidises and the meteoritefalls to pieces.

'So the only logical explanationof how such a big meteorite mayhave survived being on Earth for30,000 years is that it fell on ornear a glacier and was in a deepfreeze for 20,000 years.'

The giant rock was thenpicked up and moved by druidslooking for interesting artefacts onSalisbury Plain according to theprofessor who said he was '99.9per cent' sure the meteorite fell inBritain.

It is currently on display at theRoyal Society in London as part ofthe Objects in Space exhibitionuntil March 31.

PAGE 36 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

So that’s why those new specsare giving you a headache...First, it was the blurry train

timetables on my dailycommute, then the fuzzy

specials on the blackboard at alocal pub. But the last episode ofBBC’s Sherlock was the finalstraw.

Long before the closing creditswere rolling, all I couldconcentrate on was not the cleverplot, but the aching, strainingsensation behind my eyes.

Almost instantly afterleaving my optician, Dollond &Aitchison, three weeks beforewith new shiny black frames andhigher prescription lenses for myshort-sightedness, I’d feltsomething was wrong with myglasses.

I was squinting to focus atanything in the distance. Putsimply, I’d spent £350 on glassesthat seemed no better than myold ones.

But during a return trip to myoptician (or optometrist, to givethe specialists who test our eyestheir proper title), I was assuredmy glasses were correct. Theydidn’t like to ‘over-prescribe’(make the glasses too strong), Iwas told. And the headaches? Ishould just ‘move closer’ to theTV.

Confused and not-so-quietlyfuming, I sought a second opinionfrom a rival chain, David Clulow,a few weeks later. Itrecommended a huge increase inmy prescription, from -9.5dioptres (the unit used tomeasure how much your eyesight varies from the norm, i.e,0) to -11.

Though my eyes are far worsethan average — I’m granted freeNHS eye tests at the grand oldage of 27 because I’m so severelyshort-sighted — the differenceseemed huge. So who was rightand who was wrong?

Well, what might come assomething of a shock to the 68per cent of Brits who wear glassesis that the answer was neither.For I was to discover when Iturned to the experts that eyeexams are not the objective testwe might think.

To investigate, I had five eyetests in a month, and everyprescription came back slightlydifferent. Dollond & Aitchisonremained the lowest and DavidClulow the highest, whileSpecsavers, Vision Express andBoots recommended prescriptionsin between the two.

What’s more, I discovered thatthe most ‘accurate’ prescriptionis not even necessarily the best.

According to research fromthe journal of the College ofOptometrists, an estimated 2 percent of spectacle wearers —400,000 of us a year — return toour opticians unhappy with newlenses.

The true figure might behigher still, as it’s thought thatmany people simply revert to oldglasses if they are unhappy withnew ones.

seems the mistake that myregular optician Dollond &Aitchison made was failing todiscuss a deliberately low partialprescription, which made mydistance vision too poor.

More positively, Specsavers,Boots and Vision Expressexplained that my trueprescription was up to 0.5 higherthan the one they were giving,but that they wouldn’t becomfortable giving it to me as I’dlikely experience headaches andspatial problems while I got usedto it.

Having visited all the mainHigh Street chains and learnedabout the process, I’ve opted forthis middle ground. Yes, it’sfrustrating to know I’ll have topay for new lenses in anotheryear or so, but it seems necessaryfor good sight.

Dr Blakeney advises findinga good optometrist — a memberof the College of Optometrists —and building a relationship sothey know your eyes. And alwaysgo back if you are unhappy withyour vision.

A spokesman for Dollond &Aitchison says: ‘It is our policy toexplain in detail what thecustomer is getting. We apologiseif this is not what youexperienced, and understand afull refund was given.’

WHAT TO ASK WHENYOU HAVE AN EYE TEST

DRIVING: Tell your opticianif you will be frequently takingthe car out after dark. Yourdistance vision needs to be verystrong to make the task easier.

READING: If you’re short-sighted, not yet in varifocals andover 30, bear in mind a distanceprescription might make itharder to read as your eyes haveto focus more. Make sure youroptician asks you to readsomething close up.

BIG CHANGES: If yourprescription has gone up or downby more than 0.5-0.75 dioptres,talk to the optician about whethera partial prescription(somewhere in between your oldand new one) might be moresuitable. If you have a sudden,dramatic change of prescription,it could be a sign of diabetes soseek your GP’s advice.

SPECS POSITION: Evernoticed if you push your glassescloser to your face or furtherdown your nose, your sight getsbetter or worse? This relates tothe distance your lens is fromyour face, or ‘vertex distance’.Your optician should alwaysmeasure the distance the eyetesting equipment is from yourface, and adapt your prescriptionto your frames accordingly.

REFUNDS: Check the policy.Legally, mistakes have to becorrected; however, if yourprescription is within the right‘range’, you might struggle to geta refund unless there’s a no-quibble money-back policy.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

The chances are that manyof these people, like me, weren’tgiven the right prescription fortheir needs — or at least anexplanation of what the opticianwas doing.

‘The difficulty withprescriptions is they can vary alittle from one day to the next,’says Dr Susan Blakeney, of theCollege of Optometrists.

‘If you had your eyes testedby the same person over severalweeks, or by a number ofoptometrists on the same day,you’d probably get slightlydifferent results each time. Theright prescription is the one thepatient is happy with.’

So, if it’s not an exact science,how does your optometrist comeup with a prescription for you?

The answer lies in acombination of the eye test and adiscussion about your lifestyle,work, hobbies and eyesight needs.For instance, some people — thosewho work in an office, forexample — might not need perfectdistance vision.

In fact, if you’re short-sighted,in your late 30s or 40s andworking, it can often be beneficialto have slightly weaker glassesthan you might ideally need —this won’t give you perfectdistance vision, but will allowyou to focus on things close to youmore easily, such as the computerscreen or a book.

This practice of deliberatelygiving weaker lenses than yourfull prescription is known as‘underprescribing’.

As Dr Blakeney explains: ‘Ifyour glasses are made up to your“correct” prescription to makethe distance vision clear, youreyes have to focus intensely to seeclose up. Some people can’ttolerate this; they find it toostrong and will get headachesfrom having to focus all the time.’

However, there is anothersituation where a lowerprescription may be given onpurpose: that is, where yourvision has substantially changedto the extent that your eyes maybe unable to cope with the largejump in prescription.

Instead, your optometristmay recommend a strength oflenses somewhere between yourold and new ‘true’ prescription soyou can get used to the changegradually.

This is known as ‘partialprescribing’ and, according toProfessor David Elliott, ofBradford School of Optometryand Vision Sciences, is often a toolused by more experiencedoptometrists.

It may be used for people whoare becoming more short or long-sighted or who have troublefocusing as they get older. ‘Youhave to adapt to your new lenses,and the older you are, the longerit takes,’ says Professor Elliott. ‘Abig change will affect themagnification of your glasses, sothings will look smaller and

further away or bigger andcloser.’

What this can mean inpractice is that giving you yourtrue prescription straight awaycan result in a higher likelihoodof falls and accidents — somethingthat optometrists are clearly keento avoid, particularly in elderlypatients.

So, why don’t optometristssimply partially prescribe foreveryone who has experienced achange?

First, according to ProfessorElliott, one criticism that mayget levelled at an optometrist forgiving a partial prescription isthat they are making moremoney by moving up people inincrements — the customer may

need a new prescription sooner,meaning a second pair of glassesor at least lenses to pay for.

On top of this, it can be hardto get the balance right. Givingtoo low a prescription can causeblurriness and headaches due tostraining to see — as Iexperienced — and it can even bedangerous in some situations,such as night driving.

However, in certaincircumstances — for example, ifyou drive for work — youroptometrist may recommendyour full distance prescriptionstraight away, despite problemsyou may have adapting in theshort-term.

This might explain why thesecond optician I saw

recommendeda largejump inprescriptionrather thana partialone.

It wasthe highestprescriptionof the fiveand wouldgive me theb e s td i s t a n c evision, butwould likelybe hardestto adapt to.

T h eother fouroptometristsI visitedrecommendedp a r t i a lprescriptionsto avoid thisleap —though it

Difference of opinion: Jenny needs glasses for short-sightednessbut got different prescriptions from different High Street opticians

Eye test: Jenny discovered finding the rightprescription is not an exact science

PAGE 37PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

‘We are poised to improvethe lives of our people’

Alhaji Rabi'u Mohammed Ribah is the Chairman, Dank-Wasagu local governmentcouncil, Kebbi state. He was a teacher, education secretary and council secretary

before retiring to join politics. He spoke with our correspondent, Ahmed Idris, on hisachivements, experience and other matters of interest since his assumption of office

as the sole administrator of the local area council. Excerpts:

You are well known inthe state as abusinessman and elderly

man with integrity, whatmotivated you to go into activePolitics?

I joined politics to contribute myquota towards changing thepolitical attitude of my people aswell as to transform the process ofleadership. It is a big task for us tooperate a good administration. Weare desirous of changing the plightof the people. We want to lift themout of the doldrums of poverty,disease and political backwardnesswhich has eaten deep into them.

One of our motives is tostrengthen the socio-economic andpolitical well being of the people ofDanko Wasagu local governmentarea of the state

How can you describe youroffice?

Thank God who made it possiblefor me to hold this position asChairman Danko Wasadu LocalGovernment. Although, the officeis very demanding, we are tryingour very best to ensure that thedividends of democracy get acrossto all nooks and crannies of Dankowasagu local government.

What raised your zeal to jointhe PDP in the state? Do youhave the experience to move thepeople forward?

As far as I am concerned, and asa politician, PDP has the largestfollowership in Nigeria and it is theleading political party in Africa. Iam proud that I belong to a partythat is serious in development. Weshall empower the people of DankoWasagu this time around becausethey are ready for thetransformation of the entire area.My zeal to serve the PDP ledgovernment is for development ofthe area and also to provide mypeople the change needed to bettertheir lives. The state must changefor good.

However, I have the experiencebecause after my retirement fromthe Ministry of Education in thestate, I was Local GovernmentSecretary, Educational Secretary

and was once elected LocalGovernment Chairman before I wasappointed as the sole administratorof the same local government. Withthis exposure before my retirement,I have full experience, and I amequipped enough to turn the lostfortune around. We are ready to seta good record in the administrationof this council for others to followwhen our time expires.

Can you x-ray some of yourcouncil's achievements?

In fact let me first commend myboss, the Executive Governor ofKebbi state, Alhaji Usman SaiduDakingari for releasing funds to thecouncil chairmen for the executionof the projects. A lot has been donefor the development of the area.Firstly, water provision. Inconsideration of the importance ofwater to human existence, even on

religious ground, the Danko-wasagu local government councilof Kebbi state is poised on massiveportable water provision in the area.

In fact, before myadministration the localgovernment had a problem ofportable water facilities.

During the past administrationin the state there was a seriousproblem of water, some of theprojects have been abandoned bythe contractors handling the waterprojects in the area while, with thecoming of the presentadministration, all the abandonedprojects have been completed. Atthe council level, possiblearrangements have been made toensure that water is adequatelyprovided for other areas of the LocalGovernment.

The provision of portabledrinking water now has made the

area, which was one time GuineaWorm Endemic Area, to be GuineaWorm Free one. This has made theNigeria ex-Head of state Dr. YakubuGowan on Jimmy CarterFoundation to visit the area but nowit is a thing of history.

In the health sector, a lot hasalso been done. Health is one of thecardinal focuses of this presentadministration. He (the Governor)constructed new general Hospitals;the governor also provided theMaternal and child Health careservices free, including free drugsfor expectant mothers and childrenof five years and below.

I also renovated rural healthcenters in Ribah including the staffquarters. We constructeddispensaries at Unashi and Kanyaand also did not record any case ofpolio in the area.

In the education sector, I

renovated secondary and primaryschools in the area. You know thateducation will be my major prioritybecause I am a one time teacher so Idid a lot to ensure that conduciveenvironment for learning wasbeing provided.

While for the Agriculturesector, you know Danko Wasaguhas been described as one of the FoodBaskes of Kebbi state and inNigerian North-West geo- Politicalzone. The council presently servesas facilitator through moralsupports and institutions.

Though the Kebbi stategovernment disbursed tractors tothe farmers and assorted seeds orgrains for them through loan whichcan be paid instrumentaly, thelocal government is also employingthe service of AgriculturalExtension workers to coach herfarmers on modern agriculturetechniques as a form of agriculturaltechnology transfer.

I also empowered youth inthe area; provide the securityand generate more revenues inother to boost the state revenuegeneration. The LocalGovernment is highlypopulated and it is currentlyreceiving the highest FederalStatutory allocation in thestate.

With the rate ofcorruption today, how haveyou been able to avert sharptendencies in your council?

The issue of corruption is awide spread demon. It has beenthere for long and localgovernments are affected. Wecan only reduce it throughproper planning and prudencein management of scarceresource for development. ButInshallhau, we will try our best toreduce it through the ableleadership of the Governor AlhajiSaidu Usman Dakingari with hisgood policy thrust of goodgovernance in the management ofaffairs of the state . We are takingafter him.

After your administrationwhat do you intend to do?

Well, if my people want meagain I will contest but if they don'twant me, then I will go back to mybusiness.

Alhaji Rabi'u Mohammed Ribah

“The provision of portable drinking water now has made thearea, which was one time Guinea Worm Endemic Area, to beGuinea Worm Free one. This has made the Nigeria ex-Headof state Dr. Yakubu Gowan on Jimmy Carter Foundation to

visit the area but now it is a thing of history.

INTERVIEW

PAGE 38 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Bayelsa PDP primaries: Jonathan, Sylva’s aides in war of words

The hitherto cordialrelationship betweenPresident Goodluck

Jonathan and the erstwhilegovernor of Bayelsa State,Timipreye Sylva, has taken a newdimension following the noninclusion of the former in the PDPprimaries, creating a stage for theiraides to engage in war of words onbehalf of their bosses.

Special Adviser to the Presidenton Communication and Media,Reuben Abati, was the first to set

the stage for the war of words, whenhe sought to justify Mr. Sylva'sexclusion from the Bayelsa Stategubernatorial race.

However, the former governor'smedia aide, Doifie Ola, in astatement, accused Mr. Abati of"cheap prevarications" and"lamentable imitation of truth andirresponsible misrepresentation."

The statement said "Abatiwould need a lot of seminars andlectures to interpret his principal's03 February "metaphor" in thelanguage Nigerians willunderstand and, perhaps, exorcise

him of the evil burden and guilt of"stoning" to conquer his home state,"the statement said.

Ola revealed that "Since thebeginning of the Bayelsagovernorship crisis, which thePresident attempted to excludeSylva, we have been very carefulnot to drag the presidency into it,considering the institution of theNigerian Presidency," the formergovernor's aide added.

"But the point at whichPresident Jonathan tended to forgetthat he was the president andbecame so partisan and petty that

By Lengnaan Tobias Dapam he jettisoned virtually all knownprinciples of objectivity to celebratelawlessness and anarchy, we hadthe responsibility to call him toorder. And that was what we did.

He said that the governor wasnot interested in engaging anybodyor telling lies against anyone despitethe various insults against him,adding that the president was theone who belittle himself in to thedrama in the state, forgetting hisfailed promises and disastrouslegacy he left in the state.

The statement debunked Abati'sclaims about a "law-abiding regime"of Jonathan, saying that the wholesystem is militarized with legions ofsecurity operatives, "who wereunleashed on the eve of an illegalparty primary election deliberatelyto wage a psychological warfareagainst the people and pave way fortheir anointed candidate to withouta contest."

"Why would you talk of a law-abiding regime when the Presidentopenly declared at the rally that"nobody can stop us"? It wondered thethreats such statements constituteand wondered whether such threatsalso referred to the judges who areyet to rule on the matter before them.

"Most disastrous in all these,perhaps, is the fact that PresidentJonathan is dividing Bayelsa Statefor his self-aggrandisement, and hehas done so in a very crude way.One would have thought that nomatter the "sins" of Sylva, thepresident would have found a wayto manage the situation since this isarguably our best time fordevelopment, so that there can beunity of purpose on all sides todevelop the state, the statementadded.

Gov. Babangida Aliyu ofNiger has congratulatedGov. Aliyu Wamakko of

Sokoto and PDP on the party's victoryin Saturday's election.

A statement issued by Aliyu'schief press secretary, Malam DanladiNdayebo described Wamakko's re-election as well-deserved.

Aliyu urged Wamakko to use the

Aliyu urges Wamakko to run all-inclusive governmentfresh four-year term to consolidate onthe good work he started during hisfirst tenure.

He advised the PDP-ledgovernment to extend a hand offellowship to those who were defeatedat the poll, saying ``only an all-inclusive government can bringabout the desired change for a better astate.''

Aliyu thanked all PDP supportersin the state for their continued beliefin the party and its leadership,urging them to continue to keepfaith with the party.

He urged those who lost in theelection to join hands withWamakko in the overall interest ofthe party and the development of thestate. (NAN)

Two weeks after theAdamawa governorshipelection, the tribunal sitting

in Yola has yet to receive anypetition on the election.The Secretary of the tribunal,Malam Adamu Mohammed, whoconfirmed the development toMonday in Yola, said there wasstill time for any candidate orpolitical party wishing tochallenge the election to file itspetition.``We still have up to Feb. 26 forany aggrieved party to file its

Adamawa: Election tribunal yet to receive petitionpetition, so for now, we have to waitand see if there will be anydevelopment before then" Adamusaid.Recalls that Murtala Nyako of PDPwas declared winner of the Feb. 4election scoring 302,953 votes outof the 658,253 votes cast.Marcus Gundiri of ACN who polled241,023 votes, and Buba Marwa(CPC) with 107,546 votes, rejectedthe results, but Ahmad of ANPPand Zainab Kwonchi of ADC whoscored 3,885 and 2,846 votes,accepted the outcome.

In another development, theacting Chief Judge of Adamawa,Justice Batimawus Lawi, hasfixed March 14 for furtherhearing in the case filed by theremoved Speaker of the stateHouse of Assembly, SadiqIbrahim and his deputy, WaleFwa, challenging theirremoval.Counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr AyoAkams, had sought theadjournment to enable the leadcounsel, Mr Kanu Agabi to appearin person. (NAN)

Lamido swears-in 27 LG chairmen

Thousands of peoplegathered at theMuhammadu Sunusi

arena in Dutse, the Jigawa statecapital, to witness the swearing-in of winners of last Saturday'selections in the 27 localgovernment areas of the state. Allthe newly elected chairmen are

of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

The mammoth crowd whichyesterday defied the scotchingsun alongside tight securitymeasures put in place everywhere in the state capital,chanted political slogans of thevarious elected council chairmen.

The chairmen whom were re-elected for the third consecutive

time were successful after the stateellectoral law allowing for onlytwo terms was ammended by thestate House of Assembly.

While swearing in the 27council chairmen and theirdeputies, Governor Sule Lamidoadmonished them to be uprightin the discharge of their statutoryresponsibilities to the electoratesthat voted them into office.

From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse Lamido challenged them tojustify to the world why they werere-elected through massiveexecutions of programmes thatwould have direct bearing on thelives of the populace.

He told the chairmen to seethemselves as not onlyambassadors of the PDP, but alsoas respective leaders of otherpolitical parties.

PDP supporters jubilating over Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko's victory, on Sunday, in the Sokoto governorship election. Photo: NAN

A federal high court yesterdayin Abuja slated April 24, 2012 to deliver judgement

in the suit challenging the electionof Governor Sullivan IhenachoChime of the Peoples DemocraticParty (PDP) in Enugu state.

The trial Judge, Justice AdamuBello gave the date for the judgementafter all the parties involved in thesuit argued and adopted theirwritten addresses.

A governorship aspirant in thestate, Chief AlexanderChukwuemeka Obiechina, ispraying the court in the suit to nullifyChime's nomination as the candidatefor the April 16, 2011 governorshipelection on the ground the primarythat produced (him) Chime did notcomply with the electoral law.

He asked the court through hiscounsel, Oba Maduabuchi, to declarethat the purported primary held onJanuary 12, 2011 which alsopurportedly produced the 3rddefendant (Chime) as thegovernorship candidate of the 2ndDefendant (PDP) for thegovernorship election in Enugu Stateand which was accepted by theIndependent National ElectoralCommission (INEC), the 1stDefendant, did not comply with theElectoral Act 2011 as amended andthat his purported nomination andacceptance by PDP (the seconddefendant) should be declared null,void and of no effect.

While adopting his writtenaddress yesterday when the mattercame up, governor Chime hadthrough his counsel, Mrs. JustinaOffia (SAN) asked the court to strikeout the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

Offia, along with otherDefendants in the matter collectivelychallenged the locus standi of theplaintiff to institute the action,saying that the matter has sincebecome an academic exercise andshould be dismissed.

The governor has furtherchallenged the mode of thecommencement of the matter byoriginating summons rather thanby a writ of summons sinceaccording to him; the issues raisedby the plaintiff are contentious innature.

In his submission, counsel tothe Plaintiff, Maduabuchi arguedthat the Section 87(9) gives theplaintiff the locus standi toinitiate the suit, adding that theaction of the Plaintiff is properbecause he came within theambit of the law.

He urged the court to declarethat Governor Chime was notvalidly nominated, not validlyelected as such his election shouldbe nullified.

In his originating summons,the plaintiff wants the court to,among other issues determine:"Whether the second defendantcan validly hold special congresscalled primaries in Enugu Statefor the purpose of nominating itsgovernorship candidate for April16 general elections withoutcomplying with sections 85 of theElectoral Act 2010 (as amended).

Enugu guber:Court to decideChime’s fateApril 24By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

PAGE 39PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

The National Secretary ofUnited Nigeria People'sParty (UNPP) Mr. Zanna

Usman, has applauded the peacefullyconduct of the Sokoto governorshipelection which was won by PDP'sMagatakarda Wamakko.

Usman made the commendationon Monday in Abuja.

He said although he was not thereto monitor the process, UNPPobservers said the election wasconducted under a free and fair

they were not such that theywould affect the outcome of theelection, and that as far as theywere concerned it was okay.

''So as far as UNPP isconcerned, my people are thereand they said it was free, fair andcredible so I'm going by what theysaid.''

Zanna said that although theelection was not perfect as applicationto all elections, the result wasacceptable to the UNPP. (NAN)

…UNPP lauds peaceful conduct

Conflictsinevitable in ademocracy, saysAl-makura

Nasarawa state Governor,Alh. Umaru TankoAlmakura has that

operational conflicts are inevitable ina presidential system of governmentas practiced by Nigeria.

Almakura stated this yesterdayat the opening of a retreat forGovernment officials held inMakurdi. Hen noted that suchconflicts which the state is not anexception to, take the semblance ofmuscle-flexing and even mistrust,adding "they we must suchdisagreements as necessary for thefunctionality of the principles ofchecks and balances which iswholesome for the efficacy ofdemocracy".

He explained that the retreatwould avail government officials theopportunity to sharpen theirintellect, broaden their horizon as wellas strategize on policy trust of hisadministration.

Governor Al-makura also notedthat it would afford them the chanceto have a full grasp of issues ofdevelopment of the state for servicedelivery and good governance,maintaining that the elements oftransparency, accountability andprudence in management of publicfunds will be the focus.

Furthermore, he said it is aimedat enhancing relationship betweenthe executive and legislative arms ofgovernment.

"We will take a look at the workingrelationship between the executiveand legislative arms of governmentfor service delivery to the Nasarawapeople. No government can achieveany meaningful development ifthere is no cordial relationshipbetween the executive andlegislature. The legislatures must beseen to be flexible to ensure checksand balances", Al-makura said.

He assured that his governmentwould continue to work assiduouslyfor the development of the state.

In a goodwill message, GovernorGabriel Suswam who wasrepresented by Speaker of the stateAssembly, Hon. David Iorhembanoted the harmonious relationshipthat exist between Benue andNasarawa states, while alsocommending the steadydevelopment going on in the solidmineral state within the short periodof Al-makura's administration.

"If this momentum is sustained,then Nasarawa would be an investors'haven", Suswam said.

Sokoto guber pollcredible, says INECThe Independent National

Electoral Commission(INEC) has said that the Feb.

18 Sokoto governorshipelection which was won by the

PDP was ''free, fair and credible''.Mr Kayode Idowu, the Chief

Press Secretary to INEC Chairman,Prof. Attahiru Jega, said this in aninterview with the News Agencyof Nigeria (NAN) on Monday inAbuja.

He said INEC's ability toimprove the conduct of electionswith the Sokoto experience was as aresult of knowledge gatheredduring governorship elections in

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

L-R: Edo state Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Woman Leader, ACN, Edo state chapter, Mrs ModinoEmovon, during the ACN women sensitisation programme for the 2012 governorship election, at theweekend, in Benin City.

The Chairman, House ofR e p r e s e n t a t i v e sCommittee on Defence,

Hon Bashir Adamu has describedthe current leadership of theHouse as people oriented, sayingtherefore that no amount ofpressure or

intimidation will coercemembers to go against thepopular interest of Nigerians.

Hon. Adamu gave the

assurance in an interview withPeoples Daily in Dutse yesterdaywhile attending the swearing inceremony of the newly electedlocal government chairmen inthe state.

While reacting to the fearsexpressed by many Nigeriansthat the report and findings ofthe ad-hoc committee probe intothe fuel subsidy managementmay be suppressed the sameway reports of previous probes,especially with the alleged

pressure on the committee, thelawmaker urged Nigerians to bepatient.

"We are fully behind theFarouk Lawan probecommittee, and you know he isa high ranking member in theChamber and would not risk todrag his image and integrity inthe mud; that is why all shouldbelieve that something would bedone after the exercise".

He further assured that, theHouse cannot close its eyes on

Fuel subsidy probe: House will not compromise-Repthe misappropriation oftrillions of Naira in the name ofsubsidy and themismanagement of thecountry"s petroleum sector thatwas evidently

being perpetrated by a fewindividuals.

Bashir who is the memberrepresenting Kazaure, Roni,Yankwashi, Gwiwa federalconstituency, furtherreiterated that the House willdo everything possible within its

atmosphere.Usman said that there was

constant communication withobservers of the election from theparty and their reports showedthat the election was hitch-free.

''I called them, I asked themhow the election went and theysaid as far as they were concernedthe election was considerably toa very large extent peaceful.

''Even though some arrestswere made here and there but

Kogi and other states recently.According to him, there is no

reason why any contender in theelection should describe the poll asunfair and unreliable.

He assured that the commissionwould continue to makeimprovements in the conduct offuture elections.

``I am waiting to see howanybody will contravene that;even the contenders duringvoting acknowledged that theelections were transparent andwere credible.''

Idowu pointed out that thecommission took pro-active

measures in collaboration withsecurity agencies to overcomesecurity challenges that couldhave marred the success of theelections.

The immediate past governorof the state, Alhaji AliyuMagatakarda Wamakko, wasdeclared winner of the election,beating 29 other contestants.

Wamakko polled 518,247 votesto beat his closest rival, AlhajiYusha'u Ahmed of ANPP, whopolled 131, 048 votes.

The CPC candidate, AlhajiAbubakar Yabo, came third with7, 323 votes. (NAN)

From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse powers to ensure that anycompany,

individual or officials indictedby the committee were made toface the wrath of the law.

He added that the leadershipof the House under its Speaker,Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal,is not one that some unpatrioticand unscrupulous people canintimidate and force to deviatefrom

discharging its primaryresponsibility.

PDP NationalChair: South-South groups urgePDP to considerAlkali

Groups from the sixstates of South-Southgeo-polit ical zone,

under umbrella of South-South Coalition Groups, haveurged members of People'sDemocratic Party, PDP fromthe zone to support and electProfessor Ahmed Alkali as theNational Chairman of PDP.

The coalit ion said itarrived at the choice of Alkaliafter careful study of thesituation of his role whenheld the off ice as PDPNational PublicitySecretary, particularly inthe area of informationmanagement and unitingparty members across thecountry .

Chairman of the South-South groups, Udoh Ufot whospoke at a press briefing heldat Le Meridian Hotel, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State at theweekend also stated thatconsidering AlkaliNationalist inclination anddetribalized nature, therewas need to elect someone likehim, who can use hisexpertise as an academic toaddress the issuesthreatening the peacefulcoexistence of the country.

According to him, PDP asa ruling party deserve tohave a leader whosebackground and personalityhas not only been tested, butalso proven to be trustworthy.

Ufot however, requestedthat President GoodluckJonathan should as a matterof urgency consider thesecurity challenges andparty's image when decidingon who to be elected to steerthe affairs of the party asNational chairman.

"it is important that theparty members look out for aleader that would make theparty and cement the unityof the country and anindividual with questionablecharacter the would mar theappreciable harmoniouscoexistence". Ufot noted.

From Lawal Sadiq Sanusi, Kaduna

PAGE 40 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Senator Gbenga Ashafa,representing Lagos EastSenatorial District, has noted

that the Indigenous Bill if passedinto law would engender thepreservation and promotion of thenation's indigenous languages aswell as harmonize the overalleducational and cultural policiesof the Nigerian state.

Indigenous Bill will preservecollective heritage, says SenatorBy Bimbo Ogunnaike, Lagos The Senate had on Tuesday,

February 14, 2012 deliberated onthe lead debate on the secondreading of the bill to establish theNational Agency for thePromotion and Preservation ofLocal Languages in Nigeria whichwas delivered by Senator Ashafa.

However, it was stood downbased on an order raised on thefloor of the Senate by SenatorAbaribe Harcourt representing

Abia South Senatorial District whoinformed the lawmakers thatthere is an existing institute(National Institute for NigerianLanguages) located at Aba andestablished by Decree No. 117 of1993. The institute is said to beaffiliated to the University ofNigeria, Nsukka.

But, Ashafa, who sponsoredthe Bill, explained that theintention of the Bill was to ensure

that the Agency cut across 774Local Governments in thecountry, adding that the Bill ifpassed into law has the capacityto promote indigenous languagesacross the federation.

His words: "The central aim ofthis bill is not to replace English asour lingua franca but to preserveour collective heritage and not tobe accused of indirectlyassassinating our culturalinheritance. It is simply a bill thatseeks to establish an agency for thepreservation and promotion ofour indigenous languages in orderto implement and harmonize theoverall educational and culturalpolicies of the Nigerian state."

Ashafa, explained that if thebill if enacted, it would encouragethe speaking of indigenouslanguages, stimulate publicationof books, production of films,documentaries and educationalmaterials in those languages andput in the front burner the needto respect the cultural heritage.

"Our indigenous languages arepart of our culture and if we donot do something about theirpreservation with the massivepush for universal basic educationwhich has English as its pivot, westand a danger of losing some ofthese languages. To compoundthings, we all know that some ofour children do not speak anylanguage other than English orpidgin these days, not even thethree major languages are spokenthese days in an average Nigerianhome." Ashafa said.

The Peoples DemocraticParty (PDP) South Westzone at the weekend

finalized strategy to receivethe former governor of Oyostate, Senator Rasheed Ladojaand other chieftains of Accordparty back to the ruling party.

The National Vice-Chairman of the party, South-West Alhaji Tajudeen Ladipodisclosed this to newsmenshortly after a closed doormeeting held to finalize thereturn of Ladoja and othersback to the mainstream party.

The meeting at privateresidence of the standardbearer of Accord party in thelast general election hadnotable members andchieftains of Accord party inattendance such as formerspeaker, Adeolu Adeleke,serving deputy speaker,Olaniyan David and membersof PDP from the zone amongothers.

Alhaji Oladipo described themeeting as one of the mostsuccessful meetings ever hadsaying Ladoja is back.

"Ladoja was part of us, he iscrowd puller, we want himback and we are ready tocelebrate his return along withother members of Accordparty in the South-West."Ladipo said.

He further explained that,South West PDP has lifted banon any aggrieved member ofthe party adding he hasmandate to facilitate thereturn of all defectedmembers back to the party.

Fielding question onrancour between Ladoja andhis deputy, Adebayo Alao-Akala, the party chieftaindeclared the former governorAlao Akala as the leader of theparty in Oyo state based onthe constitution of the party.

In his comment, SenatorRasheed Ladoja confirmedthat his readiness to return toPDP after due consultationwith other members of Accordp a r t y .

According to him, any steptaking would be in theinterest of Accord Partydescribing the party as adisciplined party that pursuesprogress.

Ladoja however deniedever had any grudges againstthe PDP saying the party byno means offend himdescribed his relationship withthe former President OlusegunObasanjo and his AdebayoAkala as very cordial.

Senator Ladoja furtherdescribed the meeting assuccess adding that this mightbe the last meeting before hisfinal return.

From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

The winner of Saturday'sgovernorship poll in SokotoState, Alhaji Aliyu

Wamakko, said Sunday that hewould do his best to serve the people.

Fielding questions from theNews agency of Nigeria(NAN)Wamakko said this whileresponding on the outcome of theresult. Said he would takepeoples' views and aspirationsinto consideration in executingdevelopment programmers forthe progress of the state.

My victory is the will of God - WamakkoINEC on Sunday declared

Wamakko of the PDP winner ofthe election, having scored518,247 votes to beat 29 othercontestants.

Wamakko, who thankedGod for the victory, imploredhis opponents to regard hissuccess as the will of Allah andurged them to join him in hisefforts to move the stateforward.

` ̀I appeal to them to accept thewill of Allah and join me to develop

the state. They should regard myvictory as theirs and come togetherto take the state to the next level.''

Meanwhile, hundreds of PDPsupporters have thronged theresidence of the governor-elect tocelebrate his victory, amidst pomp,shouting and jubilation.

NAN correspondents at theresidence report that the PDPsupporters, who rode onmotorcycles and cars, chanted thewinning party's slogans andvictory songs to welcome the

``return of Alu to power''.Similarly, people in the town

were seen celebrating Wamakko'svictory and thanking God formaking it possible for him ``toreturn and continue with the goodwork he started.''

NAN further reports thatalthough there were complaintsfrom the opposition parties on theconduct of the poll, the seat of thecaliphate remained calm andpeaceful, as people went about theirnormal businesses. (NAN)

...26 contestants accept governorship election result

Twenty-six out of thirtypolitical parties, whocontested the Sokoto State

Governorship election held onSaturday, said they have acceptedthe outcome of the poll in goodfaith.

In a statement jointly issued inSokoto, the political parties saidthey affirmed the election ``to befree and fair''

Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, PDP'scandidate, was on Sunday declaredwinner of the election.

The statement, which wasread by the Chairman of the statechapter of the Conference of NigeriaPolitical Parties (CNPP), AlhajiAbba Sidi, implored all contestantsto accept the outcome of the election.

``We patriotically implore allcontestants that had cause to testtheir popularity in the election to,in the spirit of goodsportsmanship, concede defeat

L-R: Alhaji Umaru Kyafe, congratulating Sokoto state Governor-elect, Alhaji Aliyu MagatakardaWamakko over his victory in the governorship election, on Sunday. With them is PDP Chairman,Alhaji Tukur Bodinga (middle). Photo: NAN

By Umar Mohammed

South-west PDPstrategize toreceive Ladoja,other AccordParty chieftains

and extend the hand of friendshipto the Governor-elect,,'' thestatement said.

They said it was natural thatin each contest, there must be a

winner and a loser.They appealed to the Governor-

elect to ensure that he ``is fair andjust to all manner of people, withoutfear or favour''.

Cleric rejects calls for Sovereign National Conference

A cleric, Pastor EffaEmmanuel, on Sundaydismissed calls for a Sovereign

National Conference outside theconfines of the National Assembly,describing such calls as abnormal.

The cleric rejected the calls whenhe spoke to journalists at a churchservice organised to mark the fourthanniversary of the World Royal CityChurch in Abuja.

``I think it is a misnomer whenyou say Sovereign NationalConference and you are having it

outside the confines of what theconstitution provides for you; youare tacitly trying to tamper withthe sovereignty of the nation.

``If you want to have a nationalconference, you need to call theHouse of Representatives and theSenate who are already representingus, in addition with local chiefs.''

Emmanuel, nonetheless,stressed that the current challengesfacing the nation could be effectivelytackled by the National Assembly,which ``represents the totality of

Nigerians.''He, however, canvassed a

specific role for the Church in theHouse of Representatives.

``The House of Representativesis not complete; I think the Churchought to have representatives in theHouse because the Church is anagent of social cleansing andtransformation

``Besides, I think different ethnicgroups and social institutions needto be represented in the NationalAssembly,'' Emmanuel said. (NAN)

PAGE 41PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Manu Garba began the screeningof prospective members of theGolden Eaglets yesterday in Abuja

ahead of the country’s CAF U-17 qualifyinggame soonest.

In the training cum screening yesterday,40 lads, who were selected across the countryby members of the technical crew, were ondisplay as they worked hard to impress thecoaches who watched on with a view topenciling down those with prospect.

Speaking before commencing thescreening exercise, the Head Coach, ManuGarba urged the players to conductthemselves well throughout the exercise,adding that they should considerthemselves lucky to be given theopportunity to compete for a place in the

The scorching sun did not deter the Super Eaglesfrom training yesterday afternoon at the NationalStadium Abuja as the team intensified

preparations for the Nations Cup qualifier against theAmavubi of Rwanda.

The 19 players in camp sweated under the scorchingsun even as the technical crew kept a watchful as theyprimed them ahead of the February 29 clash which isexpected played in a similar weather condition.

Peoples Daily Sports recalls that the Rwandan FAhad informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)that the match will be played at about 3pm which isequivalent to 1.30 pm in Nigeria.

According to report from the Nigerian Embassy inKigali, the weather condition in this time of the yearthere is intense and would require players who are usedto such harsh weather condition to cope with thescorching heat.

Media Officer of the team, Ben Alaiya disclosed thathead Coach Stephen Keshi, first psyched up the playersby telling them that he hates scorching heat but thathe had to adapt because of the necessity of doing so.

He later led the players and the members of thetechnical crew along with other officials to begintraining at about 1.15 pm.

Meanwhile, midfielder Gabriel Reuben said he wasgetting set for the encounter and was sure that histeammates will adapt to the weather before the teamjets out to Kigali for the qualifier.

Striker Sunday Mba and goalkeeper Chigozie Agbumspoke in similar vein, with a strong conviction that theonly thing on their minds at the moment is victory inRwanda.

All the 19 players in camp took part in the initiallight work out before the Heartland of Owerri duo ofBathlomew Ibenegbu alias Mosquito and Kabir Umar,were excused because they both played in the NigeriaPremier league clash against Rangers International onSunday.

The Eagles’ sunny training continues today underthe watchful eyes of Keshi, who has again challengedthe players to prove that they’ve got what it takes toplay at the highest level of international football.

Nations Cup qualifier:Super Eagles train underscorching heat in Abuja

Justice Donatus Okorowo hasadjourned till April 19 hearingon the stay of execution appeal

by the Nigeria Football Federationover a January 20 judgement thatdeclared the body illegal.

Counsel to the plaint i f f , ChigboUgochukwu, had drawn the attention

of the court to the filing process ofthe appeal , not ing that he onlyreceived the motion yesterday.

“Like I said in court, we were onlyserved this morning and we are notcomfortable with the fi l ing processof the stay of execution but as agreedwe begin argument on the case in

April,” he said.On his part , counsel to the

defendants , Akin Oluj imi,maintained that his c l ients can goabout their business insist ing thatthey followed due process in filing theappeal. “We will argue the case onApri l 19. But what the law says isthat my cl ients can go about theirjobs,” he explained.

Last month, Justice Okorowo ruledon the case brought before him bySam Sam Jaja contesting his unjustdisqual i f icat ion from the May 82010 election into the board of theNigeria Premier League (NPL). TheFederal High Court justice declaredNPL and NFF i l legal , not ing thatNFA and NFL were the legal lyrecognised entities by the laws of theland.

national youth team.“The fact that you are here is an indicative

of your good quality, and you mustconsidered yourselves very lucky toobecause there are so many players out therewaiting for such opportunity too,” Manu toldthe visibly excited players.

“You must show us why you have been

The president of the Nigeria FootballFederation (NFF), Alhaji AminuMaigari, has thrown the weight of the

federation behind Super Eagles Head CoachStephen Keshi, who has vowed not only to re-jig the team but restored the nation’s pride inthe comity of world football.

Keshi, who vowed to rebuild and returnthe team the top 20 in FIFA rankings asagainst the 53rd which is Nigeria’s worst sincethe ranking was came to being, has equallyinitiated rebuilding processes which centreof domestic league players and discipline.

“It is early days yet, but we have confidencein Keshi to take the team to new heights”,stated Maigari, as Keshi announced hisdetermination to take Nigeria back to the top10 on the FIFA Ranking.

“Yes, we expected a drop in the monthlyRanking because our team did not participateat the 2012 African Cup of Nations. But wehave a Head Coach who is equally ambitiousand is already looking forward to taking theteam back to the top,” he said. Keshi’stoughest day on the road comes in Kigaliagainst the Wasps on Wednesday next weekbut Maigari believes there is nothing to beanxious about. “With the kind of work Keshiand the technical crew have done on the homeboys and the fact that only the very activeforeign-based players have been invited, theSuper Eagles will go to Kigali to win, no less,”he assured.

Further, he said, “The important thing isthat the team has vital psychological meal togo on with, following the victory in Monrovia.Of course, there will be a number of foreign-based players added to the team, and thatcan only improve the team’s output inKigali”, observed Maigari.

It would be recalled that the Eaglestrounced the Lone Stars of Liberia 2-0 inMonrovia last Wednesday. Also, Keshi hascalled up 11 foreign-based players to team upwith their home-based counterparts for thequalifier.

NFF or NFA: Court adjourns ruling to April 19

Garba begins screening of 40 Eagletsselected by putting in your best and justifythe reason you are here,” he added.

The team is expected to train daily at thepractice pitch of the FIFA Goal project locatedwithin the Abuja National Stadium.Meanwhile, other players that would makeup the 50 called for the first phase of theexercise are expected in camp today.

Maigari backsKeshi’s plans

Aminu Maigari

Vincent Enyeama of Lille

Keshi

Stories by Patrick Andrew

PAGE 42 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Leaders of Doha’s bid for the 2020Olympics are proposing to hold thegames in October to avoid the searingsummer heat in Qatar.

The Doha bid calls for the Olympicsto be held from Oct. 2-18 and theParalympics from Nov. 4-15.

The dates were disclosed Monday asorganizers released details of the bid filethat was submitted last week to the

International Olympic Committee.A statement from organizers says the

October dates would “ensure idealconditions” for athletes and spectators.

Doha is competing against Madrid,Tokyo, Istanbul and Baku, Azerbaijan.

Qatar, which will host the 2022World Cup, has tried to ease fears aboutthe heat by promising air-conditionedstadiums and other areas.

Doha bid offers October Olympics to beat heat

Nigeria’s Dolphins are upbeat aftertrouncing hosts Sony elaNguema 3-0 in Malabo at the

start of their CAF Champions Leaguecampaign. The victory seems to havespurred them on as they have giventhemselves higher challenge in thechampionship.

The Nigerian Champions, who werein total control of the game postedvictory in Malabo courtesy goals fromEmmanuel Nwachi, Chidi Osuchukwuand Ifeanyi Egwim.

“We hope to beat them by a widermargin in the return leg. This was amassive victory no doubt, it was a goodway to start the competition. We werein control of the game and took ourchances well,” goal scorer Nwachi saidafter the match.

The preliminary round return legmatch will be played at the LiberationStadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday,March 4.

In Madagascar, Zambia’s PowerDynamos eased past hosts Japan Acutel5-1, also in the Champions League.

Two braces from striker Felix Nyaendeand midfielder Mukuka Mulengahanded Power a comfortable lead intotheir March 3 return leg match atArthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.

Mulenga gave Power a 1-0 first-halflead with the game’s opening goal in the15th minute before completing hisbrace on the hour after he finishing offa Kennedy Mudenda cross.

Simon Bwalya made it 3-0 in the 65thminute before 55th substitute Nyaende,who had replaced ineffective new boyGraven Chitalu, added Power’s fourthin the 70th minute.

Mario Baraki got Actuel’s lone goal aminute later, but Nyaende made sureof Power’s emphatic away victory twominutes from time.

Power need just a draw at home in afortnight to see them book a first round,first leg meeting at home with four-timeAfrican champions TP Mazembe onMarch 24. TP Mazembe are on apreliminary round bye.

Egyptian side Zamalek will be pleasedwith their 1-1 draw at Tanzanian sideYoung Africans that gives them theadvantage going into the return leg.

Gabonese team Missile caused asurprise when they beat Africa Sportsfrom Cote d’Ivoire 3-2 in their home tie.

Zimbabwe’s Platinum FC won 4-2 atSwazi side Green Mamba, while Ghana’sBerekum Chelsea are in control of theirtie as they won 2-0 at LISCR in Liberia,even as Liga Muculmana won by thesame scoreline at Zanzibar’s Mafunzo.

But it was not a pleasant story forOrlando Pirates who suffered ahumiliating 3-1 home defeat in theirpreliminary round, first leg, clashagainst Angolan champions RecreativoLibolo on Sunday.

Pirates’ campaign looks to be overbefore it has even really begun afterbeing sunk at home by the vastlysuperior Angolans.

Maieco Domingos Henrique bagged abrace for Libolo, before Henri Camaranetted a third. Pirates gave themselvesa glimmer of hope for the return leg asRooi Mahamutsa scored a lateconsolation for the home side.

They now need to score at least threegoals to advance to the return leg onMarch 4.

Dolphins upbeatafter massivewin in Malabo

Christopher Katongo of Zambia

Egyptian club side Al- Ahly startedtraining yesterday for the first time since the Port Said tragedy that took

place on February 1st.

Al-Ahly resumed playing football byobserving a minute of silence inremembrance of the tragic event. Ahly’sPortuguese manager Manuel Jose led a lighttraining session as the players try to regaintheir physical and technical fitness levelsafter a long break.

Jose also arranged another the teamtraining session to be conducted after the firstone as the country tries to get back to footballafter an indefinite stop to all football followingthe Port Said tragedy. About 74 fans werekilled and hundreds injured in a post-matchriots when Ahly played hosts Al-Masry inEgyptian Premier League.

Ahly were expected back in training lastFriday, but the players asked for more timeand Jose decided to give them further 48hours of rest before the team resumed trainingyesterday. Al-Ahly are expected to travel toQatar or UAE this week for furtherpreparation.

Ahly voted African Club of the Centuryare getting ready for their 2012 Orange CAFChampions League campaign. The Egyptianside will meet the aggregate winner of theencounter between Comoros’ Coin Nord FCand Ethiopian Coffee FC. Meanwhile it’s stillunclear whether midfielder MohamedBarakat will continue his career with theteam after he announced his retirement dueto impact of the tragedy.

Although Barakat attended yesterday’straining but he didn’t take part instead had aclosed meeting with manager Jose, footballdirector Sayed Abdel Hafiz and teampsychiatrist Dr. Mohamed Fikry afterwards.

The player refused to speak to press, whileAbdel Hafiz said that they are trying toconvince him to carry on playing and comeout of retirement.

Egypt’s Al-Ahlyback in training

Negotiations for a friendly inLibreville, between the AzingoStars of Gabon and new African

champions, the Chipolopolo of Zambiaare on.

The match, which is at the instanceof the champions, who want to returnto the site of this month’s Nations Cuptriumph, comes up on Feb. 29.

“For us Gabon is a special place.Firstly we would like to go and thankthe people there, they looked after usvery well,” Zambia FA spokesman EnockMwanza told reporters in Lusakayesterday.

“We won our first African cup there.We lost an entire team there,” he saidin a reference to their Nations Cup finaltriumph against Ivory Coast on Feb. 12and the 1993 air crash in Librevillewhere 18 players from the Zambiansquad died.

Zambia had no plans for a friendlyfor next Wednesday’s FIFA date beforetheir success in the Nations Cup butnow have several invitations for ahastily-arranged match in the wake oftheir unexpected triumph, with Gabontop of the list.

“A friendly against Gabon would besymbolic. Zambia upset the Ivory Coaston penalties after a 0-0 draw inLibreville,” Mwanza added..

Gabon co-hosted the Nations Cup withEquatorial Guinea.

ChipolopolonegotiatingAzingo Starsfriendly

Versatile Belgian coach, MauriceCooreman, is to resume today as thenew helmsman of Warri Wolves. The

former Kaduna United manager wasappointed head coach/technical adviser of theteam yesterday.

According to a statement from the NigeriaPremier League (NPL) club, Cooreman replacesPaul Aigbogun who is returning to Englandbecause of, “due to personal familycommitments.” The statement further revealedthat Cooreman has signed a deal to take chargeof Warri Wolves for the rest of this season.

“The management of Warri Wolves FC havesecured the services of Kaduna Unitedtactician, Maurice Cooreman, to stand in forPaul Aigbogun and lead the club in theremaining part of the season. “The experiencedBelgian is expected to resume duties onTuesday in Warri,” the statement from thePremier League club yesterday. Speaking to awire service, Aigbogun confirmed his suddenresignation and added that his departure wasby mutual consent between him and the club.“ I’m leaving (Wolves) but on personalgrounds,” he said yesterday. Wolves stated

that Aigbogun officiallywrote to the club to “askfor a brief break.”

Aigbogun’s last dutyat Wolves was Sunday’sNPL game away toEnyimba, which theclub lost 2-0. Last seasonAigbogun guided WarriWolves to third place toearn them a ticket to viefor the 2012 CAFConfederation Cup.

Cooremanresumes today asWolves coach

MauriceCooreman

CAF Champions League results:ASFA Yennenga (BUR) 0- 0 ASO Chlef (ALG)Vita Club (COD) vs Athletico Olympic (BDI)*

DFC Arrondissement (CAF) 1-0 Astres Douala (CMR)Young Africans (TAN) 1 -1 Zamalek (EGY)

Missile (GAB) 3- 2 Africa Sports (CIV)Ports Authority (SLE) 0- 0 Horoya (GUI)

Foullah Edifice (CHA) 0- 0 JSM Bejaa (ALG)AFAD Djekanou (CIV) 1- 0 Diables Noirs (CGO)

Tusker (KEN) 0- 0 APR (RWA)Coin Nord Mitsamiouli (COM) 1- 0 Coffee (ETH)

ASGNN (NIG) 0- 0 Tonnerre (BEN)Orlando Pirates (RSA) 1- 3 Recreativo Libolo (ANG)

Revenue Authority (UGA) 3- 0 Correctional Services (LES)Mafunzo (ZAN) 0- 2 Liga Muculmana (MOZ)Brikama Utd (GAM) 0- 1 US Ouakam (SEN)

Ela Nguema (GEQ) 0- 3 Dolphins (NGR)LISCR (LBR) 0- 2 Berekum Chelsea (GHA)Green Mamba (SWZ) 2- 4 Platinum (ZIM)

Japan Actuel (MAD) 1- 5 Power Dynamos (ZAM)

*Postponed to March 10.

PAGE 43PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

P ele, the 2014 FIFAWorld Cup Brazil isapproaching. How

do you feel about it?Pele: It’s a very special

time and a very importantone for me personally, noquestion. The World Cup isfinally coming to my country.I supported the tournamentin South Korea and Japan, inthe USA where we saw one ofthe best organisedcompetitions ever and thenSouth Africa. Now it’s mycountry’s turn, and I want tobe part of the team, even ifit’s off the pitch (laughs).

What’s the feeling inBrazil ahead of thetournament?

Brazil eats, sleeps anddrinks football. It livesfootball! There’s a huge senseof expectation and ambitionto match. As everyoneknows, there were a fewproblems to begin with, butthat’s all been sorted out now.It’s all in order. PresidentDilma Rousseff is workingvery hard to ensure that thetournament’s a success andthat everyone’s pulling in theright direction.

It’s a great opportunity,and not just in footballingterms. Brazil has to show theworld what it has to offer. Alot of people will be comingand we need to make themost of this chance to growas a country. The economy’sdoing really well but we needto seize this opportunity sothat we can push on evenmore.

Let’s talk about A

Seleçao. Do you think there’s going to be too muchpressure on key young players like Neymar andGanso?

It depends what you mean by ‘young’. They’re 20 years oldbut I was only 17 when I played in my first World Cup. They’renot kids any more (laughs). There’s a lot of pressure on thembecause they’re the stars of the moment. It’s not just aboutindividuals, though. The most important thing is that the teamperforms as a unit. Brazil’s always had great players, both athome and abroad, but we need to put all that talent togetherand mould a team out of it. And we’ve still got time to do that.

Brazil had some big-name players at my last World Cup in1970: people like Rivelino, Tostao and Pele. But we were verywell organised too and we worked hard as a team. It was avery strong unit and I think that was the key.

Do you think the team’s heading in the rightdirection?

I hope so! The good thing is that the coach has got ourbacking and that we’re giving him time to get his philosophyacross. If you change the coach, then the new guy goes andchanges the players and that’s not good. You have toremember that Brazil have a tremendous responsibilitybecause they’re at home and the fans will be expecting anawful lot of them.

Which of the more experienced players do youthink can help meet that challenge?

We’ve got some big names but there are still two years togo. It’s a long-term job and we need to have a proper plan inplace and be very, very disciplined. The players have to getused to playing together, which is the way forward, as we’veseen in recent years. The Netherlands, Spain andBarcelona are all teams that have been together for along time.

Talking of Barcelona, were you surprisedby how comfortably they beat Santos in thefinal of the FIFA Club World Cup?

No, not really. I’ve been watching this Barçaside a lot lately and they’re like Santos were inmy heyday, or the great Benfica, Ajax, AC Milanand Real Madrid sides. They all set the standardin their day and, like I said, the key to theirsuccess was the fact they had settled line-ups overa long period of time. And don’t forget thatBarcelona is the core of the Spanish team. There’s aconnection there, just as there was between Ajax andthe Dutch national team all those years ago and betweenSantos and Brazil.

Is their style the future of football?That’s the football people want to see and I really hope it’s

the blueprint for the future. I really hope skill wins out overstrength. Look at Germany. They play a much moretechnical game today, and that’s the football we want tosee. We want to see the ball moving, not the players, and

you only get that with teamsthat are really well organised.That’s the way Barça playtoday and that’s the way mySantos played. I was verylucky.

But your success wasdown to talent, not luck.

My father used to say tome: ‘You were born to playfootball. You’ve got a gift forit. But if you don’t work at itand you don’t practice, thenyou’ll be just like the rest.’ Hewas absolutely right, but thenagain, I was born to playfootball, just like Beethovenwas born to write music andMichelangelo was born topaint.

I’ve been watching this Barça side a lotlately and they’re like Santos were in myheyday, or the great Benfica, Ajax, ACMilan and Real Madrid sides. They all setthe standard in their day and, like I said,the key to their success was the fact theyhad settled line-ups over a long period oftime

Triumphant in three of the four FIFA World Cup competitions in which he appeared, Pele’s appetite for thegreatest footballing show on the planet remains undimmed at the age of 71.

An enthusiastic and sprightly ambassador for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, Pele is eagerlyawaiting the chance to welcome the world in two years’ time, his passion for the game

burning as brightly now as it did when he was in his magnificent prime.Holding court in an exclusive chat with FIFA.com, O Rei Pele gave his

view on the upcoming tournament, Brazil’s hopes of emergingwith the trophy, Barcelona’s style of football and

the secret behind his amazingcareer.

Barcelona’s styleblueprint for futurefootball, says Pele

Pele

PAGE 44 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Doha, QAT - 11 MayShanghai, CHN - 19 May

Rome, ITA - 31 MayEugene, USA - 2 June

Oslo, NOR - 7 JuneNew York, USA - 9 June

Paris, FRA - 6 JulyLondon, GBR - 13 / 14 July

Monaco, MON - 20 JulyStockholm, SWE - 17 AugustLausanne, SUI - 23 August

Birmingham, GBR - 26 AugustZurich, SUI - 30 August

Brussels, BEL - 7 September.

WomenPole Vault1. Holly Bleasdale (GBR) 4.70m,2. Anna Rogowska (POL) 4.70,3. Nicole Buchler (SUI) 4.4160m hurdles1. Jessica Ennis (GBR) 7.87secs,2. Danielle Carruthers (USA) 7.91,3. Phylicia George (CAN) 8.04800m1. Angelika Cichoka (POL) 2mins01.90secs,2. Elisa Cusma (ITA) 2:01.99,3. Marilyn Okoro (GBR) 2:02.6260m1. Tianna Madison (USA) 7.07secs,2. Ivet Lalova (BUL) 7.14,3. Ezinne Okparebo (NOR) 7.17Long Jump1. Shara Proctor (GBR) 6.80,2. Karin Mey (TUR) 6.66,3. Jessica Ennis (GBR) 6.473,000m1. Meseret Defar (ETH) 8:31.56,2. Helen Obiri (KEN) 8:35.35,3. Gelete Burka (ETH) 8:36.59400m1. Shana Cox (GBR) 52.18sec,2. Denisa Rosolva (CZE) 52.44,3. Nadine Okyere (GBR) 53.031,500m1. Genzebe Dibaba (ETH) 4:01.33,2. Hannah England (GBR) 4:09.79,3. Anna Pierce (USA) 4:11.85.

MenLong Jump1. JJ Jegede (GBR) 8.04m,2. Luis Meliz (ESP) 7.91,3. Godfrey Mokoena (RSA) 7.89High Jump1. Robbie Grabarz (GBR) 2.32m,2. Michal Kabelka (SVK) 2.26,3. Samson Oni (GBR) 2.23800m1. Mohamed Aman (ETH) 1:45.40,2. Marcin Lewandowski (POL)1:45.41 ,3. Boaz Lalang (KEN) 1:45.75400m1. Nigel Levine (GBR) 45.71secs,2. Chris Brown (BAH) 46.17,3. Rabah Yousif (SUD) 46.851,500m1. Nixon Chepseba (KEN) 3:34.70,2. Bethwel Birgen (KEN) 3:34.88,3. Gebremedhin Mekonnen (ETH)3:34.8960m hurdles1. Liu Xiang (CHN) 7.41secs,2. Dayron Robles (CUB) 7.50,3. Dexter Faulk (USA) 7.5460m1. Lerone Clarke (JAM) 6.47secs,2. Nesta Carter (JAM) 6.49,3. Asafa Powell (JAM) 6.50.Two miles1. Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) 8:07.39,2. Mo Farah (GBR) 8:08.07,3. Moses Kipsiro (UGA) 8:08.16.

Japan-based Bedan Karoki won themen’s Kenyan cross countrychampionship on Saturday over 12

kms ahead of Timothy Too in a sprintfinish. Karoki clocked 35 minutes 19.2seconds to Too’s 35:25.0 with VincentKiprop third in 35:37.0.

The women’s eight kms race was wonby Joyce Chemtai in 26:08.0 ahead ofanother cross country veteran MargaretWangare, who clocked 26:09.4.

World marathon champion EdnaKiplagat finished third in 26:12.8 and the2010 world cross country championEmily Chebet was fourth.

Several leading runners opted to missthe championships after the worldgoverning body’s decision to make theworld championships a biennial instead

of an annual event. The worldchampionships will not be staged thisyear.

Saturday’s race will instead decide theteam to compete at the Africa crosscountry championships in Cape Town onMarch 18. The men’s race failed to attractdefending champion, Geoffrey Mutai,who is also the New York and Bostonmarathon champion.

Twice world marathon champion AbelKirui and Commonwealth Gamessteeplechase champion RichardMateelong also stayed away.

Double world champion VivianCheruiyot, former 10 000 worldchampion Linet Masai and Dubaimarathon champion Lucy Kabuu wereabsent from the women’s race.

Asafa Powell, the former 100m Worldrecord holder, has joined the 100mfield for the Compeed Golden Gala,

the third stop of the 2012 SamsungDiamond League series, where he will facecompatriot and current 100m standardbearer Usain Bolt.

Powell is no stranger to the eternal city,where he lived and trained in the earlyyears of his career.

Nor is he a stranger on the StadioOlimpico where one year ago he nearlyupset Bolt in the 100m, coming just 0.02seconds shy, 9.91 to 9.93. The matchboosted an unforgettable 2011 edition ofthe Compeed Golden Gala, one cheered

by 47,732 spectators.This year Powell will try again during

one of the first top-class 100m sprintmatches of the Olympic season, and justa little more than two months prior tothe London final, set for 5 August at 21:50local time.

Powell has been competing this indoorseason and has put up some impressivenumbers. Last Saturday he clocked 6.50at the AVIVA Grand Prix in Birmingham,a personal best over 60m.

It was the third best result in 2012; onlycompatriots Lerone Clarke (6.47) andNesta Carter (6.49) have run faster thisseason.

Chinese star Liu Xiang beat Cubanrival Dayron Robles at theBritish Grand Prix Indoor in

Birmingham over the weekend in thefirst clash of the hurdlers since theircontroversial World Championshipshowdown last year.

Liu blasted to victory in the 60mhurdles in a world best time thisseason of 7.41secs while Robles wasa distant second in 7.50, withAmerica’s Dexter Faulk third in 7.54.

Robles, the reigning Olympicchampion, was stripped of his 110mhurdles gold at the WorldChampionships in Daegu last Augustafter being adjudged to have fouledLiu as the two dashed for the line.

The disqualification saw JasonRichardson elevated to gold while Liuwon silver. However many felt Liuwinner of gold at the 2004 AthensOlympics would have won had it notbeen for Robles’ actions.

In Birmingham on Saturday the 28-year-old from Shanghai had no suchproblems, leading from the start andclearing every hurdle smoothly asRobles struggled in his slipstream.

The result was the perfectconfidence-boost for Liu, who ispreparing for the upcoming WorldIndoor Championships in Istanbul ashe attempts to win back his Olympiccrown from Robles later this year.

In other events Saturday, AsafaPowell suffered a surprise defeat to

compatriot Lerone Clarke asJamaican sprinters dominated the60m final.

Commonwealth Games 100mchampion Clarke swept home in6.47secs, the fastest time of the year,ahead of another Jamaican, NestaCarter in second with 6.49. Powelltrailed in third with 6.50.

In the finale to the day, Britain’s 5000m world champion Mo Farah hadto be content with a second placefinish in a race over two miles, theSomalia-born distance runnerclocking 8min 8.07secs behindwinner Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya.

Uganda’s MosesKipsiro finished

third

Samsung DiamondLeague - 2012 Calendar

Xiang routsRobles at BritishGrand Prix

Powell dares Bolt for Rome’sSamsung Diamond League 100m gold

Karoki wins Kenyan championshipMeseret Defar

Samson Oni

Liu Xiang

Mohammed Aman

Genzebe Dibaba

Shana Cox

PAGE 45PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Pix 1: Arsene Wenger believes a top-four finishwould be like winning a trophy this season afterArsenal's mid-season revival suffered two serioussetbacks this week.Pix 2: Sir Alex Ferguson says he intends to walkaway from management on a "winning note" addedthat he will likely remain at Manchester United insome capacity.Pix 3: Leicester skipper Geordan Murphy lands alast-gasp drop-goal to beat Saracens 20-19 andinflict their first Premiership home defeat in morethan a year.Pix 4: Great Britain's divers will be among the firstathletes to compete at the Olympic Aquatics Centreat this week's Diving World Cup in London.Pix 5: Ricky set to make announcement on

international future after being droppedfrom Australia's one-day side.

Pix 6: World number three RogerFederer sweeps aside Juan Martin

del Potro in an hour and a half towin the World Tennis Tournament.Pix 7: German prosecutors sayDavid Haye is suspected of

grievous bodily harm andDereck Chisora of maliciousinjury after their Munich

brawl.

Pictorial

7

6

5

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2

1

PAGE 46 PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Giant killers Napoli are relishingtheir prospects of edging outembattled Chelsea from the

Champions League as they clash in thefirst leg at San Paolo today.

Though Andre Villas-Boas is familiarwith the territory having scouted SerieA opponents for Inter Milan as an assistant

UEFA Champions League

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri hastold his players that they mustnot take their status as favorites

for granted when they face Chelsea intheir Champions League round of 16 tie.

The two sides square off in the firstleg tonight with many tipping the SerieA outfit for a win against Andre Villas-Boas’ floundering side.

However, Mazzarri has urgedcaution, saying that complacency is anissue that will affect his players, shouldthey believe the hype.

“It is funny that we are consideredfavorites, but we are proud of that.However, there will be trouble if wereally believe that we are. We are notfavorites. “My players have impressedme with the way they have grown over

the last two seasons,” he said during apress conference yesterday.

The 50-year-old went on to urge hismen to give their best possibleperformance, saying: “We know of thedifficulties that we will come up against.If I look at their squad then we have tobe alert to all of their players. It’simportant that we don’t concede,” headded.

Mazzarri will watch the game fromthe stands, having been dismissed inNapoli’s final group game againstVillarreal, but has promised that NicoloFrustalupi will be a competentreplacement.

“Frustalupi will be on the bench. He’sa really good coach and I guarantee thathe’s tactically better than me.”

…But coach cautionsagainst complacency

to Jose Mourinho, he will not be underany illusion as to the threat Napoli pose

Napoli’s rise has been one of the majortalking points of this season’s ChampionsLeague. Re-founded following bankruptcyin 2004, it is nothing short of remarkablethat, in less than eight years, they havegone from Italy’s third division to the last

16 of the Champions League.The club’s reputation as football’s

equivalent of Lazarus was only enhancedby their emergence along with BayernMunich from the so-called Group of Death, which also included Premier Leagueleaders Manchester City and Villarreal.It’s without precedent in Italy. No teamhas come so far so quickly.

Searching for a comparison, LaGazzetta dello Sport could only think ofone better: Brian Clough’s NottinghamForest, who earned promotion to the topflight in 1977, won the old first divisionin 1978 then lifted the European Cup inconsecutive years in 1979 and 1980.

The pink paper has since revised itsopinion finding more in common withRafael Benitez’s Liverpool in 2005. Theyfinished fifth in the Premier League, butstill reached the Champions League finalin Istanbul and came from 3-0 down toovercome AC Milan against all odds .

Chelsea supporters remain haunted bythat year. They were eliminated byLiverpool in the semi-finals after LuisGarcia’s controversial “ghost goal” in thesecond leg at Anfield. Whether it crossedthe line or not is still subject to fiercedebate today.

Up until now, Walter Mazzarri’s Napolihave followed a similar pattern to thatLiverpool side. When the spotlight is on,they have risen to the big occasions,tasting victory over City, Milan andInter, as well as drawing with BayernMunich and Juventus. The impression isthat they can beat anyone on their day.

Getting up for the smaller teams has,however, proven a problem. Tipped forthe title after spending £37.2m on a teamthat finished third last season, defeats toChievo, Parma and Catania plus thedraws they’ve been held to by Novara,

Bologna, Siena and Cesena have seenthem fall out of contention.

The 3-0 victory at Fiorentina on Fridaywas their second in a row. It movedNapoli up to sixth place in Serie A andserved as a reminder to Chelsea of whatthe team is capable of. Their ‘ThreeTenors’ up front; Edinson Cavani, EzequielLavezzi and Marek Hamsik were all onsong.

Cavani scored his 21st and 22nd goalsof the season, while Lavezzi ran the lengthof the pitch in the 91st minute to get onthe scoresheet.

Napoli’s unorthodox 3-4-2-1 formationand their fast-break counter-attackingstyle will ask questions of Chelsea - whosepenchant for defending with a high lineplays right into their opponent’s hands.Villas-Boas can ill-afford to get this tiewrong.

Speaking after Saturday’s 1-1 drawwith Birmingham City in the FA Cup fifthround, when he was forced to deny“ridiculous” claims Didier Drogba hadgiven a team talk in the tunnel at half-time, Villas-Boas said he had the“unconditional” support of Chelsea ownerRoman Abramovich despite a run of fourgames without a win.

Today’s result against Napoli mightstill prove decisive for his future. Lose andhe could be out. “If he leaves Chelsea, he’llbe the next coach of Inter Milan,” Villas-Boas’s former boss, Porto president Pintoda Costa told La Gazzetta dello Sport lastweek. That suggested current coachClaudio Ranieri’s future is in grave doubt.

While that would mean he would havecome full circle, let’s not jump toconclusions. Villas-Boas won’t be treatingthis as an audition, but rather as anotherappraisal of his work so far at Chelsea andpassing a test like Napoli will not be easy.

Napoli relishing edging Chelsea tonight

Fernando Torres Didier Drogba

Nigeria’s lively winger, Ahmed Musa,will debut tonight in a dreamChampions league clash favourites

Real Madrid.Albeit, CSKA Moscow coach Leonid Slutsky

has surrendered victory to his counterpartJose Mourinho of Real Madrid in theChampions League round of 16 tie, Musa islikely to grab the opportunity of playingagainst top flight stars with both hands toexhibit his qualities.

His manager Slutsky named the runawayLa Liga leaders as huge favourites againstCSKA, playing their first competitive gamein almost two-and-a-half months. But it maybe a different ball game on the pitch.

Slutsky may have to hand starting rolesto two debutants, Swedish midfielder PontusWernbloom and Nigeria striker AhmedMusa, after they were signed during the lasttransfer window.

Musa, who joined from Dutch side VVV-Venlo, will have big shoes to fill following the

departure of Brazilian Vagner Love, theirtalismanic forward who left for Rio de Janeiro’sFlamengo last month after spending sevenseasons with the army side and scoring theclub’s record 117 goals.

CSKA’s Japan midfielder Keisuke Hondaand Chile winger Mark Gonzalez are alsounlikely to feature in Tuesday’s game as theyhave not fully recovered from knee and hipsurgery respectively.

If he plays, Musa will partner Ivory Coast’sSeydou Doumbia the Russian league’s topscorer with 24 goals last year in CSKA’sattacking formation.

The Russians have been concerned aboutDoumbia’s lack of match practice as thepowerful striker had watched most of theaction during the recent African Nations Cupfrom the bench.

However, CSKA’s biggest worry is thegoalkeeping position with first-choice IgorAkinfeyev still out following knee surgeryand experienced Vladimir Gabulov joiningbig spenders Anzhi Makhachkala during thewinter break.

That leaves Slutsky with untested SergeiChepchugov and 16-year-old SergeiRevyakin, both of whom have yet to play onthe international arena at the senior level, toface the Spanish giants.

CSKA will also miss defender KirillNababkin and midfielder Pavel Mamayevthrough suspension for the first leg.

Similarly, Real, who have won 27 of theirlast 30 matches in all competitions sufferingonly one league defeat against Barcelona, anda draw and a defeat against their arch-rivalswhich put them out of the King’s Cup lastmonth, also have several key playersmissing.

Winger Angel Di Maria, who returnedfrom injury and scored a goal against RacingSantander on Saturday, has suffered abruised muscle, Hamit Altintop has a torncalf muscle while fellow midfielder LassanaDiarra is out with a back complaint.

But they have Cristiano Ronaldo, XaviAlonso, Sergio Ramos Sami Khedira MuesutOzil and in-form Karim Benzema plus Kakato deploy against the Russians.

Today’s matchesCSKA Moscow V Real Madrid

Napoli V ChelseaWednesday

FC Basel V Bayern MunichMarseille V Inter Milan

Musa debuts as CSKA face rampaging Real

Ahmed Musa

Xabi Alonso

Edinson Cavani Ezequiel Lavezzi

PAGE 47PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

David Mark

years, the prosecutors said.Also, Chisora is under

suspicion of malicious injury,which equally carries a jailsentence of up to five years, anda “threat”, a lesser offencepunishable by a fine orimprisonment of up to one year.

The duo had clashed afterVitali Klitschko defeatedChisora to retain his WBCheavyweight title on Saturdaynight.

Chisora was arrested at theMunich airport on Sundaymorning just before he boardedfor home and was detained forfew hours to help the police intheir investigations. But Hayewas no where to be found.

Prosecutors say Haye left thecountry on a plane before hecould be questioned by police.

However, Haye said in astatement yesterday he would,if requested, “happily assist theboxing authorities with any

German prosecutors haveconfirmed that Britishboxers, David Haye and

Dereck Chisora, are beingsuspected of committingoffences that could carry prisonsentences following their brawlin Munich, Germany lastSaturday.

In the brawl which hasgenerated internationalcondemnation, Haye issuspected of causing grievousbodily harm - a crime which, ifproven, carries a prisonsentence of six months to 10

investigation they wish tolaunch”.

“I realise I am no angel - anddon’t mind a bit of professionaltrash-talk to help raise boxing’sprofile - but, during my 21years in the sport, I have neverbeen involved in, or evenwitnessed, such a seriousfracas,” he said.

On top of a policeinvestigation, the BritishBoxing Board of Control GeneralSecretary, Robert Smith, saysHaye and Chisora could face lifebans from the sport.

“It’s a possibility,” Smith toldBBC Radio 5 live. “The boardhas many powers. They canfine, they can suspend and theycan withdraw a licence.”

The British Boxing Board ofControl (BBBofC) said amisconduct investigation hadbeen opened into Chisora’s“behaviour... prior, during andafter” the Klitschko fight.

“A further statement will beissued once the stewards havedecided on what action will betaken,” the BBBofC said.

“With regard to Mr DavidHaye, Mr Haye is not a licensedboxer with the British BoxingBoard of Control and thereforeno longer under ourjurisdiction.”

Although Haye has retiredfrom the sport, the board couldchoose to effectively ban himby denying him a licence if heseeks to fight again.

The scenes unfolded afterHaye showed up at the newsconference to confrontKlitschko, who he believeschanged his mind on a potentialfight between the pair.

But that sparked a verbalexchange with Haye andChisora squaring up to eachother before a brawl ensued.

Chisora accused Haye of“glassing him”, before saying

at least four times that hewould shoot the former WBAheavyweight champion.

Chisora has had part of hisfight purse withheld by theWorld Boxing Council afterslapping Klitschko at the pre-fight weigh-in on Friday.

Chisora spat water towardsKlitschko’s brother, Wladimir,moments before Saturdaynight’s bout began. Morecontroversy followed whenChisora exchanged words withthe Klitschko brothers after theresult was announced.

Haye, Chisora risk prisonsentence over brawl

By Richard IhediwaThewinner of the 2ndECOWAS International

Cycling Tour, RasmaneQuedraogo, said he dedicatedhis victory to God and histeammates, adding that hecould not on his ownaccomplish the task in thegruelling four-stage raceacross five countries.

The Burkinabe pooled acumulative 104 points toemerge the overall winner ofthe tour covering 450 kmfrom Lagos, Nigeria to

Abidjan, Ivory Coast.Speaking after the last lap

of the race in Abidjan, the 24years old cyclist said that theevent went beyond a mererace because his compatriotsat home would have acceptednothing less.

“The country invested somuch in me. I have been inSwitzerland training not justfor this event but for othercompetitions. For us inBurkina Faso, cycling is like areligion,” he said.

Quedraogo said they tried

to size up other country’sriding skills and devised ameans to counter them.

“I must say that our teamspirit saw us through. Wewere there for each other. Forme, good team spirit did it forus. The tour was tough andcompetitive. We knew wewould encounter obstacleslike bad roads and strongwinds but that propelled usto go all out,” he said.

The two other Burkinabes,Seydou Bamogo andOumarou Minoungou, also

helped to ensure thatBurkina Faso dominated thetop three spots.

Bamogo, winner of the firststage from Lagos to Cotonou,notched up 94 points to comesecond, while Minougouposted 86 points for the thirdposition.

The closest Nigerian to thetop was Caleb Kalazibe, whohad a cumulative 27 pointsto claim the 13th spot.

Other Nigerians, QodiriAjibade, with 19 pointsplaced 16th, and Samuel Eyo,

who garnered four points,came in 29th.

In the generalclassification, Burkina Fasowas also placed ahead of theothers, followed by Coted’Ivoire in second andSenegal in third place. Ghanaand Mali were fourth andfifth, while Nigeria clinchedthe sixth position.

Some 66 cyclists startedthe race but only 49completed it. While somewere disqualified, a few tookill and pulled out of the race.

Senate President DavidMark, has again harpedon the need for the

governments and privateorganizations to collaborate inthe development of sportsstressing that it has proved tobe a strong tool for peacefulco-existence and unitybetween and among thediverse ethnic and religiousgroups in the country.

Speaking at the closing of the4th edition of Governor GabrielSuswam Annual Pro-AM golftournament in Otukpo, BenueState at the weekend, Mark wasoptimistic that sports, like deepaffection conquers allgrievances or aggression.

“I am convinced that withsports, there would be healthycompetitions between andamong our people. Theoccasional ethno-religiousoutbursts would be addressedbecause sports speak only onelanguage “friendship, peace,love and togetherness.

“In the good old days of theSuper Eagles of Nigeria, thelanguage was Nigeria andNigeria. There was no ethnicor religious coloration. It wasone love Nigeria. The samespirit could be rekindled todayif we develop all aspects of oursports and promote healthycompetition rather than thecontrary”, he said.

In his remark, hostGovernor Suswam expressed

appreciation to the SenatePresident for promotingsports and contributing to thesocio- economic developmentof the state.

“The Otukpo Golf Course hasplaced Benue state on theInternational tourism mapand so I have no doubt in mymind that the first set of futureTiger Woods will come fromBenue state”, Suswam said.

Mr. Emos Korblah theOtukpo resident Professionalemerged the overall winnerwith a gross of 288. IderiahSolomon of Port-Harcourt golfclub emerged category onewinner with 310 while AminaWilfred of Kano Golf clubclinched the Ladies trophywith 177 points.

Quedraogo wins ECOWAS cycling tour

Sports, panacea to ethno-religious conflicts, says MarkBy Richard Ihediwa

David HayeDereck Chisora

SPORTS LALALALALATESTTESTTESTTESTTEST

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Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza,Utako, Abuja. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos,Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.comISSN: 2141– 6141

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

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Rwandachange Eaglesmatch venue

The 2013 Nations Cupqualifier betweenRwanda and Nigeria

will not be played at theAmahoro Stadium, but asmaller facility also in thecapital city of Kigali, officialshave disclosed.

General secretary of theNigeria Football Federation(NFF), Musa Amadu confirmedthat he has been officiallycommunicated by hiscounterpart from Rwanda FAthat the February 29 matchwill be played at the StadeRegional de Kigali.

"We have been informedthat the match will be playedat a different stadium becausethe Amahoro Stadium is underrenovation," Amadu disclosed.

Further investigationshave revealed that the newmatch venue is more compactand has a capacity for 22,000fans and, like the Amahoro, hasan artificial pitch. It is also thehome ground of the country’sbiggest club APR.

The Amahoro Stadium, onthe other hand, is Rwanda’snational stadium and has abigger capacity of 30,000.

The Eagles should thereforenow expect to play in a noisy,crammed arena with the homefans playing as the 12th manfor the Amavubis.

In the meantime, theEagles began getting set for theheat they are expected toencounter on match day inRwanda by training in Abujaby 1.15pm local time Monday.

The tropical heat will alsomean the artificial pitch is hotand so make the players’ bootsalso unbearably hot.

The training lasted forabout two hours with theplayers expressing theirreadiness to fight for victory nomatter the discomfort theymay face.

"Guys, bear the heatbecause Rwanda would behotter than this on the matchday," warned Keshi as hisplayers struggled with the earlyafternoon heat.

"This is your business andyou must be good and ready.

Of blank cheque and its dangers (II)Whether by design or

accident, most of the JTFmembers now operating

in Borno and Kano are of southernorigin and Christians. There areeven suggestions from somequarters, as well as strong hints,though no real evidence, thatmany of the JTF soldiers in Bornotoday are former Niger Deltamilitants hurriedly given a fewweeks military training and postedthere.

Maybe it is the standardpractice in our armed forces thatofficers and men from one part ofthe country are sent to other partson operations such as this. Onerecalls, for instance, that it wasmostly soldiers of Northernextraction that were sent to theSouth-west during the Abacha dayswhen NADECO was, to theauthorities at the time, a real painin the ass.

Ordinarily, these shouldn’t bemuch problem with Nigeriansoldiers of whatever backgroundserving anywhere in the countryto keep the peace. Soldiers, after all,are supposed to be above politics,and to conduct themselves anddischarge their duties with thedetachment of trainedprofessionals, guided only by themilitary ethics and codes ofconduct. Unfortunately, this ishardly the case with our armedforces these days. Our militarymay still boast some appreciablelevel of professionalism. But the lasttraces of neutrality seem to havelong been bleached from it – theresult largely of its decades of directintervention in politics and theproblem of totalisation of politicalinfluence in Nigeria. More to thepoint, in this particular case of BokoHaram insurgency, the militarycommanders have been presentingthe problem, to both the public andthe soldiers, as being essentiallyethno-regional, and one requiringthe field soldiers themselves todemonstrate their loyalty to thecommanders by siding with them.

When the problem is simplifiedand presented this way, andagainst the backdrop of growingtension, fears and suspicionsbetween the nation’s diversegroups, there are bound to beproblems. And giving the soldiersa blank cheque to kill and destroywhole neighbourhoods becomes, insuch a situation, an open invitationto genocide.

Consider, first, the mostobvious problem. These soldiersand policemen operating in Bornoand Kano have little or no realunderstanding of, and even lessregard and respect for, the cultures,religion and sensibilities of thepeople they are supposed to beprotecting. They are behaving likean army of occupation in aconquered territory, holding the

local population in utter contemptand visiting on them all mannersof impunity, violence andbrutality. How, given all this, canthe JTF hope to win the support andcooperation of the local people,without which it will be completelyimpossible to fight and defeatinsurgents fighting an asymmetricwar?

In many neighbourhoods inBorno especially, these JTF soldiershave been making it impossible forthe residents to perform theirprayers in congregations and at theprescribed times. They arrest anddetain people at random and for nojust cause other than that theyhave the guns and the power to doso. They force all those in theirdetention camps, no matter theirreligion or custom, to drink andbath with urine – presumably tobreak any spell or “juju” that thedetainees may have. They forceinnocent passers-by near theirnumerous check-points to do frog-jumps or roll back and forth on thehot tarred roads. They subjectwomen to all sorts of indignities aswell. And even the dead are notspared the soldiers’ indignities.Corpses are not released to relationsfor the usual religious rites on time.

It seems these soldiers are senton such important and sensitiveassignments without any civilizedcodes of conduct and proper rules ofengagement. If our military hassuch codes of behaviour and rulesof engagement, it is doubtful thatthese have been given and/ortaught to the field soldiers in Borno.If the soldiers have been given andtaught these codes and rules ofengagement, then it is clear thatthese codes and rules have not beenunderstood and internalized, much

less entered deeply within theconsciousness of the field soldiers.If, however, these codes and ruleshave been taught to and properlyunderstood by the soldiers, then onething is obvious: the soldiers know,from official nods and winks, thatnon-compliance attracts noadverse consequences and thatwhat the commanders actuallyexpect, and reward, is theobservance of these codes and rulesin the breach.

Now, in any case, the blankcheque given to the soldiers haschanged the entire game plan andpurpose of the JTF operation fromone of containment to one of killingfor its sake. And the soldiers areliving up to their commanders’expectations, killing at random.

Between January andDecember last year, for instance,official records at the MaiduguriUniversity Teaching Hospitalshowed that the JTF deposited 635brought-in-dead (BID) bodies to thehospital. This number does notinclude other BID bodies depositedby JTF in other hospitals inMaiduguri and other towns in thestate. The 635 BID bodies depositedat the teaching hospital alone giveus an average of 60 dead bodies permonth, killed extra-judiciously,victims of a brutal and bestial force.

In December last year, the JTFbrought to the teaching hospitalbodies of 35 people who, this timearound, were all hanged till theydied. The hospital authorities madepublic announcement calling onpeople to come to check to see if theirmissing relatives or friends wereamong the dead, most of whomwere young and able bodied.Hanging certainly isn’t part of BokoHaram’s methods. So, the JTFcould not blame the atrocity on thesect. And no one was in any doubtas to who to blame for the senselessmurders.

Then there is the case of the 11young men pulled out of theirhouses by the JTF men at about3.00 am and who were all foundkilled later in the day – which theJTF blamed on in-fighting betweenBoko Haram factions. But, giventhat there is a curfew in Maiduguriwhich is being strictly enforced bythe JTF itself, no one was fooled bysoldiers’ claims.

The fact is that we have aserious problem in the country.

And the sooner the authoritiesrealize this and change gear thebetter it will be for all of us. BokoHaram constitutes a seriouschallenge that puts to test ourleaders’ ability to manage crisesand conduct our affairs in waysthat promote understanding,unity and peace. But the state’soppressive conduct constitutes, inmy view, an even bigger problem.

Largely because of the state’soppressive conduct, Nigerians arenow caught between two extremes– none better than the other. Onthe one hand, there is Boko Haram,and other criminal gangs,bombing, shooting and killing atrandom. On the other, we have thestate itself, whose coercive forces,no less murderous than BokoHaram, have also been killing anddestroying at random.

It ought to be clear to theauthorities that the JTF is notmaking any appreciable headwayin the fight against the Boko Haraminsurgency. By its conduct, the JTFhas been amassing not friends butenemies. It is not winning thehearts, or getting the support andco-operation of the local population.It is, instead, driving the populationinto the hands of the insurgents. Itis creating a situation wherebymost residents, if they have tochoose, would prefer living withBoko Haram to living with the JTF.With the former, a resident couldbe relatively safe unless he or shecrosses the sect’s path or happens tobe in the wrong place at the wrongtime. With the JTF, however, onecouldn’t be sure when the soldierswould visit the neighbourhood andwhat would make them pull thetrigger on defenceless people, orarrest and detain people and subjectthem to all sorts of torture, for nogood reasons.

The state’s oppressive conduct,as represented by JTF activities,remains the biggest impedimentto the resolution of the crisis we face.There is now talk everywhere ofthe need for dialogue between thegovernment and the sect. Whichwill be quite in order. For, as theysay, a tolerated voice is a quietervoice. But how can there be anymeaningful dialogue of the kindthat will bring about a solutionwhen the state remains obduratein its oppressive conduct?

The biggest problem now,though, is that, with the blankcheque now given to our soldiers tokill, main and destroy, the groundsfor a full genocide have been laid.The authorities should be careful.For, a blank cheque like this makesthings easier for those who maywant to file petitions at theInternational Criminal Court forwar crime trials. People arewatching and documentingeverything.

Concluded

FOR THEFOR THEFOR THEFOR THEFOR THEMASSESMASSESMASSESMASSESMASSES

ruf585@hotmail.com

By Rufa’i Ibrahim

Chief of Army Staff,Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika