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Suswamcooks at‘Benue

Woman’celebration

>>40

I used myshop as

bedroom– Damain

>>34

VOL. 2 NO. 19 SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012 AL-MUHARRAM 24 - 25, 1434 AH N150. . . putting the people first

You cannotsee any

policeman onthe street at

night in Kano– Tsav

>>13

JFT kills boko haram commanders in Borno>>Pg. 2

– Pg. 9,10,11 &12

Insecurity

Northern leadersspeak at last

• FG, Govs, religious leaders should dialogue with insurgents• North has to modernise agriculture, harness energy

InterviewThe EntrepreneurPeoples Page

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012PAGE 2

News

JTF kills four Boko Haramcommanders in BornoFrom Mustapha Isah Kwaru,Maiduguri

PrimusHospitals:Lawmaker,patientsimplore endto mischief

T he Joint Task Force inBorno state (JTF), saidyesterday, that its

operatives conducted special raidoperations in various parts ofMaiduguri, the capital city,killing four suspected topcommanders of the Boko Haramsect.

Spokesman of the JTF, Lt. Col.Sagir Musa, in a statement issuedto newsmen last night, said theoperations were a follow-up to theearlier one done last week, leadingto the killing of three other highprofile commanders of theinsurgents, including oneAbdulkarim Ibrahim, who hasbeen on the wanted list of the taskforce.

According to the statement,the four insurgents were killed ina gun duel with security forcesduring the operations, which werecarried out at Sabon Gere, SabonLayin Gwange, Dala Sajeri, Biafraand Silimanti areas.

The operations, the JTF,added, were conducted followinga tip-off and two persons whospecialised in assemblingimprovised explosive devices;(IEDs) were killed in a shootoutwith security agents, while twosoldiers were wounded.

The motive of the raid, JTFsaid, was to scuttle the plan bythe insurgents to carry outdeadly attacks named “BlackChristmas” – aimed atdisrupting the conduct of theforthcoming Christmasfestivities in the state.

Items recovered in theoperations comprised five AK 47rifles, a pistol, 11 emptymagazines of AK 47 rifles, a G3rifle, 176 assorted ammunitionand 24 quantities of assortedprimed IED gas cylinders.

Others were 12 pieces of IEDremote control switches, sixassorted IEDs and incendiarymaterials/chemicals and 15small primed IED cans.

“The JTF wishes to once againthank members of the public fortheir cooperation andunderstanding by givinginformation that has assisted inthe successes so far recorded.Members of the public arereminded to continue to givetimely and credible informationthrough its hotlines", thestatement further appealed.

S/Court acquits Akunyili's alleged shooter

T h e Supreme Court onFriday, upheld the appealbrought before it by the

suspected assailant of the formerMinister of Information andCommunications, Prof. DoraAkunyili, Jude Ugwu.

The seven-man panel ofjustices of the court presided overby Justice Datijo Mohammed,affirmed the lower court’s decisionwhich held that there was nosubstantial evidence linking theaccused person with the allegedattempted crime.

Jude Ugwu also known as"Agada" and four others werecharged before an Abuja HighCourt for attempted murder of

Prof. Akunyili when she wastravelling through Anambra toDelta state in 2003, at the timeshe was the Director General ofthe National Agency for Food andDrugs Administration andControl (NAFDAC).

According to the charge, abullet tore through her headgearwhen the accused persons fired ather car, an allegation the accusedpersons subsequently challengedthe competence of evidenceagainst him.

It would be recalled thatAkunyili moved an Abuja HighCourt with tears when shetestified before the court.

She told the court that: “Upontaking over office in 2001, Iintensified investigations into the

activities of Chief MarcelNnakwe, owner of MarcelPharmaceuticals, who inDecember 1996 importedIndomethacin capsules of 10mg(anti-inflammatory drug) andlabeled it Librium (tranquiliser).

“Chief Nnakwe wasaccordingly arrested by theEastern zone of the MiscellaneousOffences Tribunal in June 1996.

"In July, Nnakwe alsoimported fake 10 mg and 25mgIndomethacin capsules twice intwo years. The fake drugsimported by Chief Nnakwe wereseized by NAFDAC”.

She told Justice Ishaq Bellothen that: "Since then, I startedreceiving murder threats fromNnamdi Nnakwe and his father,

their agents have since then beentrailing me”.

“Long before Christmas2003”, she continued, “NnadiNnakwe had boasted around thathe would disgrace me by killingme in my home town, Aguluduring Christmas festival.

"His hatred for us arose fromthe fact that he is a leading dealerin fake drugs. At a time in the pastwe had to destroy a large quantityof fake in drugs which were foundin his warehouse.

“As a result of his threats, myfamily and I decided not to travelhome for Christmas. Accordingly,I stayed in Enugu with mychildren and celebrated theChristmas there", she told thecourt in her testimony.

Strike:UniAbujaseniorstaff issueultimatum

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

I n solidarity with thenational body of the SeniorStaff Association of Nigerian

Universities (SSANU), theUniversity of Abuja chapter of theunion is set to begin a one-weekwarning strike on Monday the10th- 17th December, 2012, todemand for the fullimplementation of the FederalGovernment (FGN/SSANU 2009agreement.

In particular, SSANU amongother things are protesting thealleged non inclusion of the earnedallowances in the 2009 budgetproposal submitted to theNational Assembly.

In a communiqué signed bythe chapter’s chairman, ComradeJude Nwabueze, on Friday,SSANU rejected in totality, thewhite paper on NationalEconomic Empowerment andDevelopment Strategy (NEEDs)assessment of universities inNigeria submitted to the FederalGovernment.

According to thecommuniqué, the chapter afteran extraordinary congress at themain campus of the university,on Thursday, resolved to embarkon the action to press home theissues in question.

Also in the communiqué, iturged the government toreconstitute the committee toreflect all the stakeholders in theuniversity, while condemningstrongly the recent unrest bystudents of the university,

which led to its closure, andcalled on the management to as amatter of urgency, compensateall those who sustained variousdegrees of injury and those wholost properties during the crisis.

By Stanley Onyekwere

P a t i e n t s includingmember of NationalAssembly, have called for

an end to the perceived mischiefby undisclosed aggrieved personsto damage the reputation PrimusSpecialty International Hospitalin Karu, Abuja.

This call was made in Abujaon Thursday by Hon. AlbertTanimu, representing Takum,Donga and Wukari constituencyof Taraba state and chairman,House Committee on Rules andBusiness in the House ofRepresentatives.

Alongside other patients whohave undergone treatment orsurgery in the facility, Tanimucalled for an immediate stop to therumour that the hospital is beingmanaged by quack doctors.

According to Hon. Tanimu,the hospital has gone a long wayto reduce the spending ofexorbitant amounts of money formedical treatment abroad. Hesaid: “I underwent total hipreplacement operation in PrimusHospital in December 2011. Topoint out my quick recovery, I wasat the sitting of subsidy removalresolution by January 2012”.

The lawmaker expressedsurprise that some people couldcome up with a story tagging thehospital as ‘incompetent’. “Thefacilities here are what can befound in any standard hospital inthe world”, he pointed out.

According to Chief Mrs.Fatima Muhammadu Sanni,President, Market Women TradersAssociation, Abuja chapter, theintensive care at Primus cannotbe compared to what she hadexperienced in USA where her sonis practicing medicine.

Showing newsmen her scar,she said she had an operation onher knee at the hospital and shecan now move without the aid ofcrutches. “The operation took longbut with comfort and care Ireceived in the intensive care unitof the hospital, I did not feel thepain. Now I can jump with mygrandchildren”, she said.

She however called onNigerian nurses to emulate thepractice of showing love topatients. “Love from care giversgo a long way in saving lives ofpatients”, she called.

She also recalled how the hospitalhas been rendering free services tomarket women. “I brought 6000women and they have been treatingthem free of charge.”

It will be recalled that thehospital was rumoured to be usingquack doctors to exploit Nigeriansand the case is ongoing in the court.

By A’isha Biola Raji

L-R: Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau (l), in a handshake with the state Commissioner ofPolice, Mr Dipo Ayeni, during a farewell visit to the governor in Jos on friday

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8— SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012 PAGE 3

News

Kano state governmenthas awarded a contractworth over N1 billion for

the dualisation of Airport-Ashton road-Hajj Camp in themetropolis.

The state Commissioner forInformation, Youths, Sports,Internal Affairs and Culture,Dr. Umar Faruk Jibrilannounced this while briefingnewsmen on the outcome of thestate weekly executive councilmeeting presided over byGovernor Rabi’u MusaKwankwaso at theGovernment House, Kano.

Similarly, thecommissioner mentioned thatthe council approved N855,383, 384 for construction of theSenate building at NorthwestUniversity, Kano; Ribadu Roadand Isa Kaita Road at the cost ofabout

N358. 4 million while work

will resume at the abandonedMandawari-Kwanar Goda roadat the cost of N185, 479, 129.

Other projects approved bythe council according to Jibril,are streetlights alongGwagwarwa Brigade andTudun Murtala, Marhaba-AdoGwaram Street and GwalePolice Station-VeterinaryClinic-Kwanar Diso-Chiranchi-Tudun Wazirchi junction –including Gidan Wambai Loopat the total sum of N126,4 8 4 , 3 8 7 .

The commissioner assertedthat the council also consentedto release N488, 487, 500 forthe training exercise to beconducted for 10,000butchers as part of the stategovernment’s effort tostrengthen the capacity oflocal entrepreneurs forenhanced economic activitiesin the state.

He added that the councilgave approval for the release

of N99.3 million for theexecution of sundry projects atthe headquarters of the stateBoard of Internal Revenueoffice complex while N147,580, 000 was set aside ascounterpart funding to theJoint Tax Board on TaxpayerIdentification Number project.

Dr. Faruk stated that thecouncil ratified the executionof other projects includingrenovation of BagaudaFisheries Institute at the costof N44.2 million, renovationof a section of BagaudaLivestock Institute, N27.6million while the fencing ofMakoda Institute will gulpN47.8 million.

He further revealed that thecouncil agreed to release N149.86 million for the purchase andinstallation of two highlightpumps at Challawa SecondWater Treatment Plant, N87.2million for the provision ofinterlocks at the City center.

Kano govt to spendN3.7bn on projectsFrom Edwin Olofu, Kano

L-R: Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe state; Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state; Minister of NationalPlanning, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan, and Gov. KashimShettima of Borno, during a North-Eastern alliance for transformation summit at Yankari, Bauchi stateon Thursday

To lay bare the perspectiveson administration ofSingle Widow (SW), the

Nigeria Customs Service hasscheduled a conference on SingleWidow with the theme:“Achieving the Nigeria SWVision – Feasibility StudyFindings”.

The conference which comesup in Lagos Command of theNigeria Customs Service, Apapa,is slated for 11th and12th December 2012.

Topical issues to be examinedby participants at the conference

Nigeria Customs holdsconference on Single WindowBy Jamila Musa

The National Drug LawEnforcement Agency(NDLEA) in Osun state

has arrested a pastor and a 27-year-old man with 181 bags ofcannabis sativa popularlyknown as Indian hemp.

The sector commander ofthe Agency, Anthonia Edeh,made this known on Friday whileaddressing newsmen in Osogbo.

According to Edeh, the 45-year-old pastor, and one otherperson were arrested at Ikire inIrewole local government area ofthe state on Dec. 5, with the illicitweed weighing 1,838.4kilogrammes.

“Men of the commandswooped into action based on theinformation received frompatriotic Nigerians and arrestedthe two suspects in a three-roomapartment, where the bags ofIndian hemp were stocked”, shesaid.

She added that two of the bagswere full with cannabis seeds,which the suspects wanted tokeep for the next planting season.

The commander alsorevealed that three otherssuspects, including a womanescaped arrest.

She said: “Efforts are on to nabthe fleeing culprits, though thepastor is claiming innocence ofthe crime saying that he wasonly a co-tenant of the other

Pastor, one other arrested with181 bags of Indian hemp in Osun

will have real faith in God”.He warned that pilgrimage

is not for pleasure seeking andimplored them to avoid casesthat will bring shame to the stateand the country.

“Nobody must abscond. Noneof you should deviate from theintention of the pilgrimage…”he advised.

Captain Wada stressed thatKogi is peaceful because of thereligious harmony that exist inthe state, adding that anywherethere is no religious harmonythere will be no peace.

Also speaking the chairmanand leader of the pilgrims, BishopEmmanuel Egbunu, assured thegovernor that all the pilgrimswill return as credibleambassadors of the state.

Pray for Kogi, Wada charges pilgrimsFrom Sam Egwu, Lokoja

EU to assist Nigeria combat terrorism

The European Union, EUthrough its EuropeanExternal Action Service

has indicated its readiness toassist Nigeria in the area ofcountering terrorism and otherchallenges the nation may begrappling with at present.

The Union made this knownon Thursday when Mr. TimJones led a team from theEuropean Union on a visit to theMinistry of Interior to discussareas of immediateintervention.

Speaking during the visit,Jones said the EU is here todiscuss ways it can help Nigeriamove forward in terms of

security as there can be nodevelopment without it. Theorganisation is in Abuja with amulti disciplinary team to lookat different areas of tackling theissue.

In his words, “We want tofind some projects in which wecan work together on in theshort period to help Nigeriaeven though it already has alot developmental projects it isinvolved in at the moment butthe response time to the issue ofsecurity is very important”.

He also advised that thefreedom of movementguaranteed by the ECOWAScharter be reinforced by asecurity dimension in order thatthe freedom is not abused.

Responding to the guests onbehalf of the Minister of Interior,the Permanent Secretary Mrs.Anastasia Daniel-Nwaobia, saidterrorism can only be addressedthrough concerted andcollaborated effectiveness ofcountries and various multilateral organisations.

“The ministry is particularlydelighted on the recognitionbeing accorded it by the variousEuropean delegations. All effortsgeared towards counterradicalisation and recruitmentto terrorism will be fullysupported by the ministry. Theprisons for example should notbe allowed to be a recruitmentground for extremists andterrorists”, she said.

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

include: to present the NSWroadmap, implementation plan,and key recommendations forrealising the NSW and to presentorganisational,

financial and cost/benefitanalysis for the proposedsolution.

Participants for theconference are policy makers,government officials, businessmanagers, analysts, serviceproviders, representatives ofinternational cooperationagencies working in the field oftrade facilitation, academia,and experts in trade and e-Business.

Kogi state governor, Capt.Idris Wada, has called onthe Christian pilgrims

from the state to pray for thestate, be good ambassadors andavoid any tendencies that couldtarnish the image of the state andthe country.

Addressing 183 intendingChristian pilgrims to the 2012pilgrimage to Jerusalem,Governor Wada in a farewellmessage congratulated them fortheir success at the screeningexercise.

According to the governor,“you will have the opportunitiesto visit places you read about inthe Bible and I hope thatthrough such direct contact, you

suspect.“The agency has no

constitutional power toexonerate him, only the courthas the power and the two menwill be arraigned soon”, shesaid.

Edeh further said that menof the command recovered68.8 kilogramme of Indianhemp, stocked inside aVolkswagen Vento car markedAW 652 AKR, on Dec. 2, alongIlobu Road in Osogbo.

She said that the owner ofthe car, who was on the roadside waiting for suspectedbuyer took to his heels whensighted men of the command.

The commanderadmonished the general publicto be conscious of theirenvironment and report theactivities of drug peddlers ortraffickers to the securityoperatives.

She reiterated thecommitment of the agency toput an end to the cultivation,trafficking and peddling ofIndian hemp across the state,and urged the people tocooperate with the agency inthe drug war crusade.

She also cautionedcommercial drivers to bewareof the loads they carry “nowthat we are at the peak ofharvesting period”. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8— SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012PAGE 4

Photo News

L-R: Lagos state Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye; his Information and Strategycounterpart, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, and commissioner for Tranportation, Mr. KayodeOpeifa, during a news conference on the update of the traffic law in Lagos state onFriday. Photos: Justin Imo-Owo

L-R: Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State and Commissioner of Information of AkwaIbom State, Mr. Aniekan Umana, during Governor's Mandate Magazine Conferenceand Award, recently in Abuja.

L-R: Olojoda of Oda, His Royal Highness Oba Bamidele Akosile, Deji of Akure Kingdom,His Royal Majesty Oba Adebiyi Adesida, and Director General, National OrientationAgency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, in a parley at the Palace of Deji of Akure Kingdom, duringthe Interfaith Peace and Unity meeting with stakeholders, recently in Akure Ondo State.

L - R Salihu Dantata Mahmud Director of publicity Arewa Youths for Peace and Security,Lt Yunusa Idris Kilishi and Dr. Mrs. Fati Yunusa Kilishi during their wedding reception inKaiama Kwara State recently.

A cross section ofphysicallychallengedpeople at the2012international dayof persons livingwith disability inPort Harcourt onFriday.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012 PAGE 5

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012PAGE 6

News

Clericpredicts crisesin Presidency,PDP By Miriam Humbe

An accident scene involving a truck, along Mokwa-Bidda road Niger state, recently. Photo: Hassan Hammanyaji

A cleric and self styledprophet, Oliver Mbonu, hascalled on Nigerians, the

leadership of the country and thePeoples Democratic Party (PDP),to be prayerful to avert disastersas 2015 elections draw close.

Mbonu who is the GeneralOverseer of Christ UniversalFamily Chapel (CFC) BibleMinistry (aka Universal Chapel)while addressing journalists athis church based in Suleja, Nigerstate, noted that a new force willemerge in national politics whichwill cause a serious problem inPDP and will threaten theposition of its national chairman,Bamanga Tukur, and PresidentGoodluck Jonathan.

Mbonu said he has a revelationof this issue leading to securitychallenges that will cause thecitizen to be afraid as well as causepanic leading to tight securityaround the Presidency and theNational Assembly.

He also prophesied that aretired army general will kickagainst this emerging force in theparty.

The Lagos state governmenthas made a u-turn in theprosecution of two

pharmacists Orji Osita andMaduakor Chukwunonso and twoco-defendants Gideon Okechukwuand Ezeaka Chinonso accused ofcomplicity and conspiracyrespectively, in the July killing ofCynthia Osokogu by her Facebookacquaintances in Lagos,xclusivenigeria.com reveals.

According to the online news

Facebook murder: Lagos govt makes u-turn on release of four accusedBy Stanley Onyekwere, withagency report

portal, Lagos state Attorney-General and Commissioner forJustice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, said thegovernment has decided to reverseits decision to charge one of thepharmacists, Mr.

Orji Osita, who had been set freeby a DPP advice dated Nov. 1, toensure justice and fairness is donein the case.

Recall, recent reports in themedia said sequel to an advice bythe office of the Lagos StateDirectorate of Public Prosecutions(DPP), forwarded to the new courthandling the trial, the presiding

judge, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo,ordered the release of four of theaccused from prison custody.

Kebbi NLC advocates dueprocess in minimum wagescreening

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin KebbiFollowing the controversy that

is affecting the full implementationof N18, 000 minimum wage inKebbi state, the state chairman ofNigeria Labour Congress (NLC),Comrade Abubakar Sadiq Kao'oje,has called on local government staffwho were unable to appear beforethe screening committee to go back

to their respective localgovernments so that due processwill be followed.

He made this appeal yesterdaywhile addressing newsmen in hisoffice, adding that without followingdue process the committee wouldnot know the number of staff thathave been screened for the exercise.

He assured local government staffthat labour was doing everythingpossible to ensure that report on thestaff audit in the state is submitted tothe government while urging themto remain calm as efforts are beingmade to ensure justice.

countries in the West Africansub-region.

The minister noted that theera of confrontation betweenlabour and the governmentwas over as according to her"we are all working for thedevelopment of our nation andits people".

Zara said the visit by labourunions to their counterparts inother countries would enable

Nigerien minister tasks labour on South-South cooperationFrom Lawal Sa'idu Funtua, inNiamey

The new Commandant,Armed Forces Commandand Staff College (AFCSC)

Jaji, AVM Eko Efiom Osim, hascharged the Nigerian Navy on theneed to continuously cooperatebetween all stakeholders tocombat contemporary maritimesecurity challenges.

Osim said this in his address atthe Junior Course 74/2012Department of Maritime Warfareseminar at the Department ofMaritime Warfare at the AFCSCheadquarters, Jaji, Kaduna.

He said the seminar willprovide the forum for thestakeholders and the students toreappraise the activities of all thesea users and generate discussionon issues relating to improvedsecurity in the maritime domain.

AVM Osim further stated thatthe seminar is aimed atacquainting the students with theNigerian Navy fleet operationswith emphasis on the policingrole, and to state the necessity forcollaboration between theNigerian Army and othermaritime stakeholders towardsmeeting the challenges inNigeria's maritime domain.

45 naval officers with the rankof Lieutenants and two personnelfrom the Department of StateSecurity (DSS) and DefenceIntelligence Agency (DIA)participated in the seminar.

New Jajicommandantcharges navyon maritimesecurity From Mohammed Adamu,Kaduna

Governors of the North-eastgeopolitical zone andstakeholders have appealed to

Federal Government to intensifyefforts aimed at dialoguing with theinsurgent group, Boko Haram, witha view to having lasting peace, whichwill in turn bring about rapid socio-economic growth and developmentin the region.

This was contained in acommuniqué read by the chairmanof the summit, General TheophilusYakubu Danjuma (rtd), representedby Maj. Gen. Tanko Abdullahi (rtd),at the end of two-day North-easternAlliance for Transformation (NEAT)summit held at Yankari Resort andSafari in Bauchi state.

Dignitaries presents at thesummit included Governors Isa

North-east govs, stakeholders petitionFG to dialogue with Boko Haram

Yuguda (Bauchi); Kashim Shettima(Borno); Ibrahim Damkwambo(Gombe), the acting governor ofTaraba state, Alhaji Garba Umar,deputy governor of Yobe state, AlhajiAbubakar Aliyu, while theAdamawa state governor wasrepresented by AlhajiAbdurRahman Abba.

"The meeting noted withappreciation, the role being playedby the Federal Government on thesecurity challenges facing the sub-region and urged that efforts shouldbe intensified to dialogue with theBoko Haram insurgents so that alasting solution is found for socio-economic growth and developmentin the entire sub-region", thecommuniqué stated.

The summit called on thegovernors of the zone to pool theirresources to meet the challenges of

insecurity, health, agriculture,tourism and culture, while they werecalled upon to initiate investmentsin the areas of agriculture, education,solid minerals, power and energy.

According to thecommuniqué: "Governors of thezone should set out targets on shortmedium and long term bases toachieve the economicdevelopment goals of the zone.

"The governments of the zoneshould also employ the services ofprofessionals to prepare strategic planfor the economic development of thesub-region.

"Apart from the government ofthe zone, other stakeholders shouldbe encouraged to take part in tacklingthe socio-economic problems of thezone.

"The governors should alsoapproach willing development

partners to assist with programmesto help in reducing the rate ofinsecurity and economic problems ofthe zone. Also in tackling theeconomic development challenges,governors in the zone should initiateinvestments in the areas ofagriculture, education, solidminerals, power and energy".

The summit resolved that allstakeholders, including elected andappointed officials, traditionalrulers, youth and labourorganisations, farmers,industrialists, government and non-governmental organisations, shouldcome together and adopt a holisticapproach to address the socio-economic challenges facing the sub-region with a view to finding lastingsolutions to them.

The next edition of the NEAT willbe held in Gombe state in June, 2013.

From Ahmed kaigama, Bauchi

The Minister for Labour inNiger Republic, MadameSabo Fatima Zara, has

tasked labour unions in thedeveloping countries to in thespirit of South-South Cooperationjoin hands in achievingdevelopment in their countries.

Zara stated this, yesterday

while receiving members of theNigeria Union of LocalGovernment Employees,(NULGE) Katsina state chapterwho called on her in her office inNiamey, Niger Republic.

The Permanent Secretary ofthe ministry, Malam MammanMagaji Hamidu who receivedthe delegation on behalf of theminister, stressed theimportance of unity among

them to share their experiencesand learn better ways ofconfronting governments withtheir grievances.

In a remark, the ChairmanNULGE, Katsina state chapter,Comrade Ali Haruna Kankara,told the minister that membersof the union were in Niger tostudy the structure andadministration of their localgovernments.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8— SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012 PAGE 7

News FeatureCoronation: Echoes from 20th Attah Igalamyth as Kogi set to install 22nd AttahFrom Sam Egwu, Lokoja

As the entire Igalas awaitsthe announcement andsubsequent coronation of

the 22nd Ata what has been onthe lips of most Igalas is the reechoing of the mythology of theactions and practice of the 20thAta, HRM Ameh Oboni.

Ameh Oboni assumed officeat a relatively young age of 38precisely in 1945. His tenurethough very short due tohandiwork of northernhegemony, the Britishimperialist and Igalaconspirators was laden withlandmark success.

His reign depicts thepopular saying that "not howlong one lives but how eventfulthat matters" . He launchedstupendous program ofexpansion and branding ofIgala race to the chargrin ofnorthern Jihadist. Hiskingdom blossomed in revenuemaking it the second largestcontributor to NorthernNigeria treasury after Kanoemirate.

Equally in military mighthis soldiers were dreaded as thekingdom stretched into theinnermost part of what isknown today as Anambra statewhile crossing the river Nigerto occupy areas like EbuOshimili ,part of Asaba andAgenebode even as a loosedgovernment was established inLokoja.

Meanwhile theneighbouring kingdom andindeed the Northern oligarchybecame paranoid of his exploit.Even at home some personsbecame envious of his supremepower considering his age asmost of his developmentalpolicies were second to none ofhis predecessors.

However, as his fame souredcynics were busy plotting hisdownfall with mythologicalfallacies . First to hit town wasthe observance of yearly ritualto appease the ancestors anddeities to ward off evil spiritsfrom the land which wasmisconstrued to be usinghuman beings especiallystrangers for rituals.

It was part of the erroneouspetition by some dissidents tonail him. It was told then thatwhenever the Ata embarkedon a journey though he had acar, six hefty men wouldtransport him on a cart likedevice on their headsintermittently in a relay fromone village to the next until hegot to his destination.

One landmark of his mysticpowers was when he attendedNorthern chiefs meeting inKaduna. The cynics had it thathe got to the meeting behindschedule. Attempt by otherchiefs to squeal out reasons forhis lateness remainedundaunted. The meetingwhich have the late Emirs of

Kano Lamido Sanusi, the fatherof Central Bank GovernorSanusi Lamido Sanusi and SuluGambari ,of Ilorin and othersin attendance. The grapevinehas it that one of the Emirs inorder to force him to showremorse for his action forciblyremoved his crown from hishead the action he considereda taboo .He instantly conjuredhis ancestors who sent in adetachment of bees who feastedon them until some of themwent into coma while hemystically flew to his kingdomin Idah.

This singular show ofinexplicable power earned himthe appellation 'Gara Tara'.This became a proverb at thattime.

In another scene, an Ibotrader met his untimely deathfor defiance to payingobeissance to Ata who was ontour of his domain. It happenedthat when the people lined upto catch a glimpse of theirimperial monarch the Ibo manwas busy selling his wares. Hesaw the action of the Ibo manas an affront on his person. Heinstantly issued

telepathic decree that beforehe comes back the Ibo manwould have kicked the bucket.His decree was confirmed as theIgbo man died mysteriously.

In a related chapter, oneunidentified witch who stayedoutside the gate of Ajaka wasbewitching people with adisease known as didymus orelephantiasis as the pandemicwas being felt throughout thekingdom.

A story was told of how he

summoned some of his chiefs toa journey to finding out the rootcause of the plaque, about twokilometer to the town heparked his Royce rose car andstarted trekking to the town.

At the gate he met the witchwoman and charged her whileshe chose to inflict the peoplewith a deadly plaque. Hismajesty dissatisfied with theexplanation pronounced acurse on her while hisinvocation permanentlyeliminated the disease from thekingdom even till today.

Also during one of his toursof the kingdom, as practicepeople would dress in their bestto welcome their king. When hearrived the village, he spotteda woman from the crowd whodressed like a deranged person.He beckoned on her andinquired why she decided todressed in that manner whenshe knows his majesty was intown. Filled, with fear

and trembling and tears ofjoy for his royal highness totalk to her, and narrated herordeal to him.

According to her, at thattime she was pregnant for sixyears, gone to every wherewithout solution stressing thatby dressing shabbily mayattract her to him for solution.

After having heard herstory, he instructed the womanto go to the bush plug any leafand boil it before drinking withthe command that after thedelivery if the baby is a girlafter weaning will be broughtto the palace to become his wifeand on the other hand a boywill become his son.

So after some weeks of thedrinking of boiled leaf she putto bed a baby boy who wasChristine late Steve Achemawho was brought up by AtaAmeh Oboni.

Another mystical incidenttook place at a function inDekina; a coconut fell on hishead. Enraged, he cursedcoconut trees that they willnever grow on Dekina soilagain. As a result of this, nococonut trees in grows inDekina till date.

Interestingly, the monarchwhose tradition was to travelon human cart decided toembark on the fateful journeyon a horse. The myth has it thatthe Ugane river along Aloma -Iga Ekeje road had over flownits bank and in a desperationnot to disappoint his alreadyassembled audience jumpedinto the river with his horse.

However, the raging riveroverpowered his horse and wasdrowned but he crossed unhurt.

Irked by the river he tooksand from inside the riversprinkle it on it an it became abridge till today while thedrowned horse will every fifteenyears come out for someminutes and then went back.

One of the strikingmythologies or fallacies leveledagainst Ata Oboni was his curseon Ankpa that erosion willbecome their neighbour for thesin of their son to commitlasciviousness with themajesty, ditto for Dekina wherehe had gone to kick the bucketsaying the name will be heardacross the globe but will lackdevelopmental amenities for

allowing him to die on theirsoil the plaque which hasrefused to shift after so manyyears of the incantations.

Succinctly at the twilight ofhis reign, the dissidents whoplanned and wrote petition forhis dethronement were cursedindividually. To him thatwrote the petition wasinstantly paralyzed unable touse the right hand which heused to write the petition tilldate while the architect of theconspiracy was pronounced tobe buried nine times before hisfinal death which wasconfirmed as parts of his systembegan to decompose leading toamputation for burial ninetimes before his actual death.

Meanwhile before he finallytook a bow, he had proclaimedthat Igala kingdom will haveset back on development untilhis son will mount the thronewhich resulted into underdevelopment of Igala land forover 56 years.

Similarly before hisinstallation, the GabaiduIdakwo Ameh Oboni has beenwelcomed with the samemythology.

As a chapter two ofmythology, it was rumouredthat during the radical

demolition of structures thatdistorted the demolitionexercise by the then ministerof the Federal CapitalTerritory Administration(FCTA), Malam Nasir ElRufai, which was forced tospare his property asbulldozers sent to pull downthe structure weremyst ica l ly

demobilized.According to verse one of

chapter two of the mythologyeffigy of the Ameh Obonelineage , it has become acommon commodity thatwhen the raging flood thatravaged Lokoja came close tohis House he barked at theflood rendering it ineffectiveto enter the premises evenwhen the flood has devouredall the houses in theneighborhood.

In the same vein hispenchant for due process anddiscipline was tested recentlywhen the Ata in waiting wentto a gasoline station to buyfuel.

While on queue a manwith 'Nigerian attitude'jumped the queue. Accordingto the gist, all attempt to lethim follow the line fell on deafears. He folded his legs in hiscar. When the lawlesspersonality's car was servedall efforts to kick start the carfailed until his royal majestywarned him not to beundisciplined even as he freedhim to go before he could movethe car.

In the same breath vulturesin Igala belief system meantdeath and rotten things. Sowhen he went to inspect someof his father's personal effects inone of the rooms in the palace,unimaginably vulturesbesieged him.

Enraged, he cursed themnever to find an abodethroughout the length andbreadth of Igala land and so it istill tomorrow.

Consequently, themythology associated withHRH Ameh Oboni of blessedmemory has reverberated inthe emergence of his son IdakwoMicheal Ameh whose selectionhas sparked jubilation amongIgalas both at home

and in the diaspora.According to some

commentators on Igala customsand tradition noted that for thefirst time in the selection of anAta that both the Igala melaking makers ,the Achadu Ataand Igala Area traditionalcouncil, after due screeninghad unanimously elect acandidate without genuinecomplaints.

They posited that the Ata 'sstool is the highest in thekingdom and which ischerished by all Igala sons anddaughters which must not betoyed with by anyone nomatter highly placed.

HRM Ameh Oboni

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012PAGE 8

FeatureThose who rape and violate womenshould be castrated —Dr. Nwosu

part and parcel of the carnival.Can you say women have

been given their place in thiscountry's economy?

Actually, there is no way youcan talk of economic growthwithout involving women. Over80% of the economy is beingcontributed by the women. I thinkwe have really taken our place inthe economic development of thisnation without waiting to begiven. Even in this just concludedcarnival, women benefited more.

The 25th of November wasthe International Day for theElimination of Violenceagainst Women. Is theNigerian government doingenough in this aspect?

Honestly, over timegovernment has been involved inthe fight to stop violence againstwomen, there have been policiesand laws on violence againstwomen. There should be consciousplans about castrating those whorape and violate women. Thereshould be campaigns in the ruralareas, states; there should beenlightenment about the evil ofviolence against women. Womenshould not be maltreated for anyreason, there is need to also teachour men how and why theyshould treat their wives properly,

H o w will you rate thejust concluded Abuja

carnival?Well, this year's carnival has

come to an end and it is a verysuccessful outing from thebeginning to the end. It showed alot of improvement from theprevious years. Therepresentation of different statesand countries, groups and thequality of presentations, thecostumes, the beautiful colours,the preparations, the timing,coordination, performances, theenergetic young stars, the elderlyare not left out. I saw a lady whowas 97years old and was actuallydancing and I couldn't believe it.So, this year's carnival came witha lot of excitement, hopes andespecially the theme of thecarnival which is 'Harmony,Peace and togetherness which weneed so much in the countrypresently. Government have notdone badly but Nigerians shouldbegin to see the carnival as theirown not government's thing. Thisyear's carnival is good and wemust all support it the more. ThePresident's economic agendathrough tourism is working, I sawempowerment andencouragement of local businessesand I also saw the incorporationwith international bodies. I thinkwe have the biggest internationalcommunity involvement in thisyear's carnival. We have over 12countries who participated thisyear and that is our aim, thecarnival should not be just for us,the more foreigners we have themore solid the carnival becomesand that will be for ouradvantage. Our culture andtourism sector needs the presenceof these foreigners to thrive, weshould be able to market outtourism and culture to othercountries just like other countriesare bringing theirs here, and wemust package it properly for it tosell.

How beneficial is thiscarnival to women?

Well, as you know, women arecreated by God to help the menmanage, coordinate, improve;empower and develop the world.So we have taken theseresponsibilities beyond ourhomes, communities and states.In everything that we are doingtoday, if we don't involve women,that initiative may not besuccessful. As you can see, thereare more women in this carnivalthan men, even the statecoordinators; you have morewomen than men. This carnivalis of value for us because womenare naturally culture oriented, wecan dance, dress, put colourstogether, this is not men stuff, wecan create, these are all attributesof women. So for any culturalfestival to be successful, we mustinvolve women, there is no twoways about it, that is why we are

dialogue between couples is thebest way to resolve any issue withyour wife than violating her. Godgave you the woman as yourhelper and you don't have to beather. Any man beating his wife ormen who rape women are likebeasts and should be treated assuch. The woman you married,she had children for you, cooks foryou and takes care of the children,what can make you beat or violateher? Every problem should not beleft to government alone; weshould also take responsibility forour actions.

Do you think our laws arestrong enough to prosecutethe culprits?

Well, as you know we are goingthrough constitutionalamendment presently, in manyquarters like the NGOs, privateindividuals are pushing forchanges in the constitution toaccommodate other laws that werenot there before now. The laws arenot enough to punish those whoviolate women and that is the morereason we say that thisconstitutional amend came at theright time. Like this morning, oneof the police officers was saying thatwhen they arrest a man forbeating or violating his wife, whenthe culprit is taken to the court,

the judge comes and gives him twothousand naira fine, or five daysor at worst one month jail term.Many a times, the culprit pays offthe fine and regains his freedomwithout going through any painor repenting from his crime. Eventhe police is seeking foramendment in the law to enablethem persecute the offenders andgive them stiffer punishments sothat people can take it serious.Government and civil society aredoing their best in this regard andmore need to be done by allNigerians because this case affectseverybody. This constitutionamendment is a great opportunityto look into the matter and solve itonce and for all.

You have contested forelectable positions forsometimes now withoutsuccess, do you think womenare being given a fair playingground in the politicalarena?

Well, our democracy is stillvery young. We will continuouslykeep making efforts. We won't saybecause we didn't win we cannotparticipate in election again. TheNigerian democracy is not wherewe want it to be yet, we don't haveone man one vote yet, we still doselections, appointments, who

knows who and things like that.There is no way if we do have oneman one vote, that a woman thatcome out to contest will not winbut while we are working towardsdemocracy, we will continue tocontest and participate. If we don'tparticipate, that will even be worstand I believe with continuouspersistence, one day we will getthere.

Do you think governmentis doing enough to put thecurrent security situationunder control?

Actually, I think thetransformation agenda of MrPresident is working. It justhappened that we are sounfortunate this year inparticular, not only securitychallenges, there are climatechallenges, flooding ravaging ourstates and communities, these arecertain things you cannot control100 per cent. Every society has thesame thing; in fact, our society ismore secured now than in the past.Look at all the military might, thesecurity gadgets, and watchdogs,all the information technologythat we have today which we didn'thave before because we were neverthreatened by any anything. Wedidn't bother to put anything inplace; we didn't bother to secureour houses, our churches and allthat. Other people in othercountries have been living withthese all these years but it’s wewere caught up unaware. Thegovernment is doing its best butthis is not an issue that will be leftto the federal government alone,all hands must be on deck, weshould all be security to ourselves,we should report every suspiciousmovement around us to the police.Countries that have been there likeIsrael and their neighbours havebeen fighting since timeimmemorial. I can say we are doingthe best we can to overcome thechallenge.

2015 is around the corner,are you warming up foranother election?

I think I will encourage womenwho have political ambition tobegin to prepare now, we need thenumbers to be able to achieve ourtarget in the field of politics. Wemust not shy away because wefailed in the past or becausemoney is involved, we must notshy away because there isviolence in the political arena. Wemust participate, encourage morewomen in politics, women shouldregister and cast their votesotherwise we can't be counted. Letit be that we contested and ourcounterparts did their selectionand appointment things, it willnot stop us from being part of whathappens in our nation. We cannotshy away from anything, itdoesn't matter if anybody says wehave contested 100 times withoutsuccess, this is our country andall of us own it.

Chief Dr Caro Nwosu is the Chairman of Dagger Nig. Ltd. A former PDP PresidentialCandidate in the 2007 elections, she is also the National President- NationalAssociation of Women Politicians (NAWOP), and the International President- Societyfor Arts and Culture (SAC). She spoke with Miriam Humbe on the just concludedAbuja carnival, violence against women, and women participation in politics amongother issues.

Dr. Caro Nwose

PAGE 9PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012

Cover

Contd on pages 10

Ostensibly overwhelmed andexasperated about the spate of insecurityin the country, some northern leaderslast week broke their silence and madebold to speak on government's seemingduck-footed approach and evasiveness onthe issue. The eminent citizens from theNorth, including the preeminentnorthern political group, ArewaConsultative Forum, ACF, took up thegauntlet and challenged government todeal decisively with the matter becauseit was glaring that the nation is headingfor anarchy.

At its meeting few days ago, inKaduna, the ACF challenged PresidentJonathan to carry out total overhauling

By Jamila Nuhu Musa, Agaju Madugba &Abdulkadir Isa

Insecurity:

Northern leadersspeak at last

of his security team with a view totackling the security situation in thecountry.

The leaders rose from a two-dayconference in Kaduna on Thursday, andpassed a vote of no confidence on theJonathan-led Federal Government overits inability to protect the lives andproperty of Nigerians.

At the Kaduna meeting, the leaders,obviously tired of being blamed for theplethora of problems, observed that: "Theweakening nature and perhaps thefailure of the Nigerian state to protectlives and property as well as its inabilityto provide basic social services andguarantee freedom and rights of citizenscumulatively accounts for the currentstate of siege in which the North nowfinds itself", the communiqué at the end

of the conference on SustainableDevelopment of the North said.

The Arewa Research andDevelopment Programme (ARDP) underthe auspices of Arewa House Centre forHistorical Research and Documentation,Ahmadu Bello University, organised theconference.

The communiqué explained furtherthat participants at the conference weredrawn from what the organisersdescribed as concerned northernerscomprising of former Heads of State, theVice President, governors, former ChiefJustice of the Federation, Speaker, Houseof Representatives, retired seniormembers of the armed forces, theacademia as well as women and youthgroups, among others.

Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu

Gowon, chaired the ceremony but wasrepresented by the Arewa ConsultativeForum (ACF) chairman, Alhaji AlikoMohammed while Governor PatrickIbrahim Yakowa of Kaduna state declaredthe workshop open.

In the communiqué read on Thursdaynight by Dr. Usman Bugaje, participantsquoted social indicators and statistics forhuman development which show dismalperformance in education, health, waterand sanitation services, thereby placingthe North far below other sections of thecountry.

The communiqué expressed a resolveby participants for the region to create astrong and united platform to address thecurrent security situation and the

CoverPEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012PAGE 10

Northern leaders speak at last

politics of the north with particularreference to 2015 elections.

The communiqué read in part: "Theobjectives of the conference are, to bringall the disparate groups working indifferent directions but all with the aimof promoting northern interests withina greater Nigeria under one platform.

"To complement and harmonise allefforts being made by long existinggroups, northern elders and theNorthern Governors Forum with a viewto creating a formidable, all inclusivepan-northern platform to tackle theproblems of the North in particular andNigeria in general.

"To build the requisite confidenceand assurance amongst the diversepeoples of the North, that the presentchallenges can be surmounted but onlyif all the people do come together.

"To assure the North and its friendsthat this initiative will draw lessons andexperiences from past and ongoingefforts by other groups and individualsto solve the problems of the regionthrough sustained, strategicengagement and development ofimplementable policy options in

Contd from page 9

partnership with the NationalAssembly, ACF Northern GovernorsForum and indeed all other groups withsimilar mission.

"The conference notes and expressesconcern that: "the systematic erosion ofcherished values of honesty, toleranceand integrity that were once thehallmark of public service in the Northhave resulted in bad governance,disregard for the rule of law and generaldecadence.

"The effect of the current insurgencyof Ahlis Sunna li dawa'ati wal Jihad andother forms of insecurity have impactednegatively on the socio-economic,political and the religious life of thepeople.

"Economic growth and development,commerce and trade in both formal andinformal sectors of the northern statesare being stifled with multiplier effectson the larger national and African sub-regional economies.

"The general conduct of the JTF andhow the fundamental rights of thecitizens of the North are being violated

Contd from page 11

in clear breach of the rules ofengagement. It is expected that the JTFwill strictly abide by the professionalterms of engagement in the interest ofpeace.

"The conference therefore resolves asfollows, that with over 72 percent of thenational landmass and favorableclimatic condition for both rain-fed andirrigation farming, millions of livestockand other sundry agriculturalendowments, the North has to moderniseits agriculture with all the priorityattention required to return the regionto its erstwhile leading position as thefood basket of the nation.

"That human capital developmentbeing the key to enhanced livingstandard must be given special attentionto address the northern peculiarities inthe primary, secondary and vocationaleducation as well as the provision ofrequired trained manpower for primaryhealth care to give special priority to theeradication of all preventable diseases inthe region and that leadership at alllevels must be open, transparent and

accountable."That the Federal Government in

liaison with state governors, the affectedcommunities, religious leaders should gettogether to genuinely dialogue with theinsurgents with the view to ending theinsecurity in the North.

"That there is the urgent need toexplore and exploit the abundantmineral resources existing all over theNorth in order to generate more revenuein support of the developmental needs ofthe region.

"That there is need to harness allsources of energy in the North to meetthe domestic and industrialrequirements of the region.

"That this current initiative besustained through the development of acommon vision which would beconsciously agreed upon by all groupswith clear implementation strategiesand timelines for the actualisation of thiscommon vision".

With the increasing sense of

Gen. Yakubu Gowon Gen. Ibrahim BabangidaGov. Babangida Aliyu

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal Gov. Patrick Yakowa Gov. Kashim Shettima

That the FederalGovernment in liaisonwith state governors,

the affectedcommunities, religious

leaders should gettogether to genuinely

dialogue with theinsurgents with theview to ending the

insecurity in theNorth.

“

CoverPEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012 PAGE 11

Northern leaders speak at last

insecurity in the country, many peoplehave expressed the opinion thatnorthern political leaders have notdemonstrated enough commitment toend the crisis, wondering why they havebeen silent on the matter. The northernleaders came under intense criticismover their palpable reticence as most ofthem have notbeen outspoken about theBoko Haram insurgency and othersecurity threats that have bedeviled thenation.

On different occasion however someof them have tried to defend theirpositions.

…We've shouted enough-Yakassai

Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, one of therespected leaders of thought in the regiondismissed the insinuation as unfounded,saying "we have spoken enough".

Reportedly, prominent Ijaw leader,Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, had funstoking up his campaign againstnorthern leaders over the activities of

Contd from page 10 Boko Haram by asking security agenciesto go after former Minister of Finance,Malam Adamu Ciroma and formerGovernor of Kaduna state, Alhaji LawalKaita.

…We must engage Boko Haram -Gambari

Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, formerNigerian Permanent Representative tothe UN last Monday, however urgedleaders in the northern part of thecountry to imbibe values of selflessservice while speaking at the 1st AnnualSir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture on"Leadership and Good Governance inNigeria" organised by The Ahmadu BelloFoundation in Abuja, where he delivereda paper entitled: "Leadership and GoodGovernance in Nigeria: Sir AhmaduBello, the Ghost of 1914 and the Audacityof Hope for Nation Building''.

The former envoy enjoined theregion's leaders to imbibe the legacy ofSir Ahmadu Bello, the first Premier ofthe Northern Region, which he describedas unparalleled.

According to him Bello's commitmentto development and modernisationresulted in colossal investment in theregion making it possible for youths,both men and women to be able tocompete with their peers across thefederation and beyond.

Gambari noted that the high level ofpoverty and illiteracy in the North wasunacceptable and urged the 19governors to work out specific policy incollaboration with the FederalGovernment to tackle the problems.

Speaking on the Boko Haram menace,he said there was urgent need to adopt acomprehensive effort to tackle thedreadful threat and suggested that thisshould be done to ensure there was anend to the killings and for peacefulcoexistence, religious harmony andcorporate existence of the country.

He noted that there were credible andrespected Nigerians who could bepersuaded by government to lead adialogue with the group and did not seemto have bought the idea that the sect is

faceless as he went ahead to recommendthe establishment of a core group ofNigerians who have led peace-making,peace-keeping and peace-building effortsin Africa and other parts of the world.

"Those individuals who havesuccessfully helped to bring peace tocountries abroad should be tasked to dothe same at home; after all, charitybegins at home",Gambari said.

…Blame northern governors too- Balarabe Musa

The chairman of the Conference ofNigerian Political Parties (CNPP) andformer Governor of the old Kaduna state,Alhaji Balarabe Musa, said on the issue ofinsecurity in the North, that Jonathanalone is not to be blamed as northernleaders are also culpable. He chargedNigerians to hold northern governorsresponsible for the insecurity in thecountry and advised the FederalGovernment to watch out for those who

Contd on page 12

Alh. Tanko Yakasai Alh. Yusuf Maitama Sule Prof. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari NSA Sambo Dasuki

Sen. George AkumeAlh. Aliko MuhammadSultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar

CoverPEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012PAGE 12

Northern leaders speak at lastmay want to use the Boko Haraminsurgency to perpetrate crimes.

For Balarabe Musa, Boko Haram is notthe only problem of Nigeria though theywere just the latest. "We have been havingdealing with this insecurity situation.Unemployment, the disabling level ofcorruption, stealing and waste ofresources are great sources of insecurity.The failure to have credible electionsleading to legitimate government is aserious source of insecurity. Even the door die approach to election by politiciansis a great source of insecurity. There aremany sources of insecurity prevalent inNigeria",the statesman and politician hadsaid.

...IBB, Obj ruined Nigeria - BuhariBut former Military Head of State and

presidential candidate of the Congress forProgressive Change (CPC) in the 2011general elections, Gen. MuhammaduBuhari while taking a critical look at thestate of the nation, declared thatcorruption and insecurity were fastundermining the future of Nigeria andargued that the situation came about asa result of the administrations of Gen.Ibrahim Babangida and Chief OlusegunObasanjo, to the current PresidentGoodluck Jonathan. He alleged that lackof sincerity on the part of the leaders underthe administrations of the trio caused theunimaginable level of corruption andinsecurity in the country.

Buhari spoke as the Catholic Bishop ofSokoto, Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, alsodeclared that no Nigerian president wasever prepared for the leadership of thecountry.

…Corruption has gone digital -Tsav

Also speaking on the state of thenation, retired commissioner of police,Abubakar Tsav in an interview withPeoples Daily Weekend, said PresidentJonathan lacks the acumen to leadNigeria. Speaking recently in Kano, thesecurity don said the president has notdisplayed the willingness to weedterrorists out of Nigeria.

He attributed the flops of Mr. Presidentto corruption saying: "Jonathan is part ofthe corruption, because corruption hasgone digital during his administration.Corruption is worst in Aso Rock andnobody is doing anything about it".

"Corruption has become worst duringthe tenure of Jonathan. Who even looksconfused, he hasn't got the acumen andthe capacity to rule this country" he

added.The former CP of Lagos state attributed

the failure on the side of politicians todeliver the dividends of democracy as themain cause of the spate of bombings.

"They didn't come because they wantto serve people, but because they want tomake money for themselves and theirfamilies. And that is why the securitysituation has gone bad".

Relating to the on-going constitutionalreview, Tsav stated: "I think we do notneed it, because no constitution in theworld is perfect; every constitution hasloopholes. What we should try and do nowis to face this insecurity challenges in thecountry".

Tsav enjoined government to embracedialogue with the Boko Haram sect, sincethe use of force has not yielded the desiredresult and instead, compounded issues.

He lamented the porous andunprofessional attitude of the securityagents in arms handling and called onscrutiny of allocated ammunition as wasthe practice during his tenure ascommissioner of police.

And now that the northern leadershave spoken, is the storm going to be over

CDS Vice Rear Admiral Ola Ibrahim CAS Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika CAS Air Vice Marshal Badeh

IGP Muhammad Abubakar CNS Rear Admiral Dele Ezeoba

Contd from page 11

T h e Peoples RedemptionParty, PRP, has said itwill challenge its de-

registration by the IndependentNational Electoral Commission,INEC.

The leader of the party andformer Governor of KadunaState, Balarabe Musa, made thedeclaration in a telephoneinterview with PREMIUMTIMES in Kaduna.

The former governor said PRP

was de-registered simply becauseit was considered a threat to thepresent leadership in thecountry.

He said INEC is just trying toremove the real threat to the“neo-colonialist and capitalist,”federal government.

“PRP is committed to socialistreconstruction of Nigeriastarting with the leading role ofthe economy; and to ensurepeace, equality of human

dignity, and progressive andeven development of the wholecountry. The government inpower today is opposed to this.

“The situation is againstchapter 2 in particular section40 of the 1999 constitution of theFederal republic of Nigeria. Weare going to resist it as we did inthe past,” he said

Mr. Musa said the party willalso consult other politicalparties, allies and Nigerians

generally who want to movetowards true democracy andjustice.

He said there was nojustification for the action takenby electoral commission.

“There is no justification forthe action they took to againstPRP. This is because PRP is one ofthe ten most relevantdemocratic parties in Nigeriaeven under the presentcircumstances. You cannot

compare PRP with otherpolitical parties that have noprinciples which are de-registered.

When asked if he intends tojoin another political party, Mr.Musa said “No.”

“They chose to underminePRP because it is considered athreat to the present system andleadership in Nigeria. To me PRPshould survive this and we aregoing to survive it,” he said.

NewsParty de-registration: PRP will challenge INEC in court —Balarabe Musa

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012

Cover

W h a t is your takeon the generalinsecurity in the

country?Honestly, it is very shameful

and disgraceful, because as far asI'm concerned there is no security,everything has broken downcompletely. There is no securityat all especially where people cango into the house of a retiredGeneral, who is supposed to beguarded by armed soldiers andshoot him in broad daylight andescape. It is a big shame, and ifbombers can penetrate themilitary cantonment in Jaji, andif gunmen can invade SARS inAbuja it means that every placein this country is porous, there isno adequate security and theworse is that our leaders andgovernment are not doinganything to address the situation.All that concerns them is for themto enrich themselves and to gethigh positions, that is all they areafter. Nobody cares about what ishappening, unlike in othercountries. It appears thatMaiduguri has been abandonedthe people in government haveabandoned Maiduguri, andMaiduguri is part of the presentcountry, government would haveconcentrated there to restorepeace. It is very sad indeed; whensomebody fortifies his house withbarbwire, put armed policemenor soldiers at the gate and he feelshe is secured. But we had all thesein General Shuwa's house inMaiduguri and they still went andkilled him. And the people whokilled him are still unknown, theyhave not been arrested and thisthing happened in broad daylight.How can you say security in thiscountry is perfect?

What do you think thegovernment can do to curtailthe insecurity?

Government must payadequate attention on security,the other time they said theyvoted a lot of money for security.But they only voted this moneyfor them to steal not that they careabout security or else they wouldhave listened to people who givethem advice, they would havetaken steps to reduce or eliminatethese bombings but nobody caresall that concerns them is justmoney and position. There isproliferation of arms andammunition which cannot beaccounted for by either the policeor the military. We have a lot ofunemployed people that have leftschools with no jobs to do;meanwhile people are beingdismissed from the police and themilitary. And there is no propersupervision of soldiers andpolicemen, they do whatever theylike.

What was the case whenyou served?

You cannot see any policeman on thestreet at night in Kano —Abubakar Tsav

During our time, before youare given ammunitions theywere counted before they wereissued to you and when you getback from your post they takestock of what you brought back,but these days nobody cares whatyou do with them. Now, people gohome with their guns, sleep anddo whatever they like, I don't knowhow long you have lived in Kano,but go out in the night and see ifyou will see a single policeman onthe road, you cannot see anypoliceman and if these peoplewant to do their bombings that isthe time they will do it becausethere is no security, people areafraid. Policemen and soldiers whoare supposed to provide securityare themselves afraid, people whowant to report to duty will puttheir uniforms in their bags it iswhen they reach their duty poststhat they would wear theiruniforms and when they areleaving they remove it, what typeof country is this? And even whengovernment provides money tobuy this equipment, this

equipment is nowhere to be found.And guns are in the hands of allmanner of people, there are a lotof political thugs and that is whywe are having these problems.Unless the police do their job verywell, people who are in possessionof arms that are not supposed to,should be arrested andprosecuted. Politicians should bediscouraged from having politicalthugs because it is what iscompounding the whole situation.I don't know for how long we willkeep talking on this. Because inthis country no matter what youwill say about insecurity as longas you are not a rich man, as longas you are not in government andas long as you are not influential,nobody listens to you. In developedcountries you have retired officersand old people who are themselvesvigilantes whatever happens intheir area they know if there is astranger who is visiting their areathey know, and they will informthe police. But now if you reportto the police they will not takeaction rather the police will even

tell the person that you reportedhim to the authority. This is whatwe are facing which is very sadindeed.

Do you agree with thenotion that Nigeria is in anear state of anarchy?

Of course we are already in astate of anarchy, in a situationwhere a retired General, who isabout 80 years of age, and a warhero is killed, then who should beprotected. Who was the hero that

PAGE 13

Abubakar Tsav is a retired Commissioner of Police, in this interview with Edwin Olofuin Kano, the former Commissioner of Police Lagos state said Maiduguri, which is stillpart of Nigeria, has been abandoned. He chides politicians and the anti graft agencieson corruption, and regrets that the streets are left unmanned by security operativesespecially at night, among sundry issues.

destroyed him; somebody who isa custodian of our military historyhas been destroyed. And nobodyhas been arrested. The BokoHaram sect said it didn't kill himgovernment said the same thing.Who was the person that killedthis man in broad daylight? Hehad military guards and theycouldn't react when they killedhim. There were road blocks nearhis house, the people at the roadblocks didn't react. There isconnivance somewhere, which isunfortunate I must say.

Would you link thisinsurgency to politics?

Well, the whole thing startedfrom politics, before the advent ofpolitics our security was perfect,we didn't have problems likekillings, kidnappings and so onbut as soon as this politicaldispensation came in, and peoplewere reaping a lot of dividendsfrom politics then politics becamea do or die affair and people starteddoing all they could to come intopolitics to make money. Theydidn't come because they want toserve people but because theywant to make money forthemselves and their families.And that is why the securitysituation has gone bad; I don'tknow whether we shall go back tothe good old days because thingsare getting worse every day.

Do you support dialoguewith Boko Haram?

If dialogue is the only thingthat will bring peace let thegovernment embrace it, becausewe have been using force but havewe succeeded? And when you useforce you kill innocent civiliansbecause these Boko Haram are notwearing uniform they have nomark of identity. For instance, if

Policemen and soldiers who aresupposed to provide security are

themselves afraid, people who wantto report to duty will put their uniformsin their bags it is when they reach theirduty posts that they would wear theiruniforms and when they are leaving

they remove it, what type of country isthis?

“Contd on Page 3

CP Abubakar Tsav (Rtd)

PAGE 14 PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012

you go to a place and see somebodywith beard or shoe shiner orsomebody reading the HolyQur'an, you just take him for aBoko Haram and then you killhim, you will be killing aninnocent person. But God'sjudgment is coming one day it willbe the turn of the murderersbecause they too will be murderedone day. We don't know what todo in this country becausegovernment is not interested inour security, like I saidthey just want money andpositions, and where does thismoney come from, it is from oiland one day God who has givenus this oil will take away his oiland we will go back to square one.We may not be alive then, but theday will come, if it is possible forour leaders who died many yearsback to come back to life they willbeg God to take them back therebecause this is not what theybargained for.

Do we really need to amendthe constitution?

I think we do not need it, becauseno constitution in the world isperfect every constitution hasloopholes. What we should try anddo now is to face the insecuritychallenges in the country. Becausewhat happened to late Shuwa canhappen to anybody, because thosewho are in power today will not bein power forever. I don't think this

Interview

‘You cannot see any policeman on the street at night in Kano’amendment of constitution isnecessary. Creation of states shouldnot arise as well, because we areunable to manage the existingstates and yet we want new states?What are we going to do with them?People are just trying to createavenues where they will berelevant, rule and haveopportunity to steal money that iswhy they are talking aboutcreation of states otherwise there isno need for that. The ones we havenow, if you go there you will findthat there are no roads, medicalservices are poor, schools are notfunctioning, everything isdilapidated yet Nigerians want newstates because people want to steal,I think another thing we need to dois to reduce the salaries of politicaloffice holders so that we can use themonies to develop the existing states.

Recently, the CBN governorSanusi Lamido Sanusi made asuggestion that federalgovernment should cut downthe workforce by fifty percent,would you subscribe to this?

You see the issue is not aboutcutting down the workforce; ratherwhat is happening is that there aremany ghost workers everywherein this country. People put thenames of people on payrolls whereactually they do not exist but arepaid and it is dishonesty that iskilling us because there are a lot ofnames of ghost workers on paymentvouchers all over the country. Thatis why there has been a lot of money

Contd from Page 2 on payment of salaries, for instancein an office where there are onlyten workers if you check thepayment list you will find out thatthere are fifteen names all othersare ghost workers and people incharge of payment always take thismoney. So if you reduce theworkforce it will create a lot ofunemployment adding to the onewe have on ground. It will sendmany people into the labourmarket and criminality will rise, Idon't think that is wise.

The proposed building of anew presidential banquet hallhas been generatingcontroversy, what is your ownopinion?

It is very unnecessary; thegovernment is just creating anavenue for someone to steal.Otherwise of what importance is it?What of the existing one what hashappened to it? You see people arejust creating avenues to steal andnobody is saying anything.

What is your assessment ofgovernment's fight againstcorruption?

(Laughs) Jonathan is part of thecorruption, because corruption hasgone digital during hisadministration. Corruption isworse in Aso Rock and nobody isdoing anything about it. Whensomebody is involved in corruptionthey take him to court for the firsttime and nobody hears anythingabout again. And people appointedto head anti-corruption crusade are

more involved in corruption thanthe rest of the people. Anybody whoworks as the head of anti-corruptionby the time he leaves he is a multi-billionaire, where does he get thismoney from? Corruption becameworse during the tenure ofJonathan, who even looks confused;he hasn't got the acumen and thecapacity to rule this country.

Do you think formerPresident Obasanjo can stopJonathan in 2015?

Obasanjo is the one who broughthim, you see it is easy to bringsomebody but it is difficult to puthim out. Already I cannot see howJonathan will go to campaign insome places because people aresaying that he has abandonedthem. For example, he hasabandoned Maiduguri, Bauchi andmany places and he wants to comeand contest. Anyway our peopleonce you bring money you can wintheir votes. If you give them moneyto even kill their father they will doit that is Nigeria for you. But for meI don't think I can waste my vote.

Who is the President thatNigeria needs?

We want a President who ishonest, straight forward; who willmake the whole of this country hisconstituency, who will be interestedin the welfare of the ordinary personnot a sectional president likeJonathan. Not a president who willcome and promote only his people,we want somebody who is straightforward. And we have them in this

country. Apart from Buhari thereare many people in this countrywho are not yet known and arestraight forward. But Buhari hasbeen tested though some people areafraid that if you make himpresident may be he will jail them.But ideally we have a president inthe person of Buhari, because hewas a minister and he didn't steal,as governor, Head of State, and headof PTF he didn't steal and up till nowhe is still a poor man. He has cleanrecord but people say he is harshand unbendable. This is the type ofperson we want in this country. Yousee people are not honest, you willsee people going to Church andMosque but they go to these placesof divine worship to show off, notbecause they want to worship GodAlmighty but to look for worldlythings, I understood the NationalPresident of CAN was given anaircraft. The man has become apolitician and I also understand thatthe Catholics have pulled out ofCAN because they said now CANhas become a political organization.Everything about CAN was goingwell until Oritsejafor came in. theman is flamboyant all the time heis in Aso Rock with the presidentand the president has been quotinghim. For instance, the first timesomebody said government will notnegotiate with faceless people, thenlater President Jonathan said thesame thing. So Oritsejafor is nowthe vice president to Jonathan.

You are one of theleaders of transportersof petroleum product

union, what are the problemsassociated with this business?

You know the transportationindustry is a very dynamicindustry; it plays key role inensuring deliverance of productsto the nooks and crannies of thiscountry ranging from petroleumproducts to other essential needsof almost every household in thecountry.

You do not need to be remindedof how deplorable the state of ourroads are in this country, so one ofthe greatest challenges we arefacing is the state of our roads, forinstance hardly can a truck leaveYola to Lagos or Calabar to Kanowithout reporting problems ofeither busted tire or damagedspare parts. On a general note theproblem of bad roads is causingtransporters loss of billions innaira which by implication isdraining our foreign reservebecause spare parts and tires arepurchased with hard currency.But if our rail system is workingit would have been better and ourroads in good shape, it is now leftfor a transporter to either bringproduct by train or by road,whichever the person feels ischeaper and safer for him. This isone among the numerousproblems we are having astransporters.

Do these problems

PEF is bias in payment of claims —Isa TijjaniAlhaji Isa Tijjani is the National Coordinator of the newlyestablished Association of Distributors and Transportersof Petroleum Products (ADITOP), in this interview withEdwin Olofu in Kano; he enumerates the problemsbedeviling the association, which equally contribute tofuel scarcity in the country.

contribute to fuel scarcity?Certainly, because like I said

petroleum products aretransported by road in ourcountry, a delay in timelydelivery of product as a result oftruck breakdown on the road canaffect the speedy dispensation ofthe products to consumers whichcould lead to scarcity of the

product. 95% of petroleumproduct transactions are done byroad so you can see the importanceof trucks in product distribution.

There is this new projectcalled AQUILA, what is it allabout?

Like you rightly pointed outproject AQUILA is a newlyintroduced electronic system of

loading by the PetroleumEqualization Fund which is thebody responsible for reimbursingtransportation claims ofmarketers. The project involvesthe placement of chips on thetanker truck which serves as atracker of the truck; this helps tomonitor the truck at loading pointand also confirms the arrival ofthe truck at the receiving depot.Thereafter the information istransmitted to the fund'sheadquarters in Abuja forpayment which is oftencompleted in two weeks.

What are the challenges ofthis newly introduced project?

At the initial take off we werevery happy with the system asthe project received applause andconfidence of most transportersand marketers. All of a suddentypical of our over zealousnessofficials we started encounteringproblems from change ofdestination other than theoriginal one provided by theNNPC/PPMC, you know there areseveral agencies involved in thispetroleum thing. You have thePPPRA, DPR, PPMC, PEF, POLICE,SSS and even state agencies. Allthese have jurisdictions as per thedecree setting them or acts ofparliament, you cannot afford toobey one and run foul to the other.

We also have a problem withpreferential treatment inpayment of claims, as it is now,the PEF only pays attention to

product lifted through theAQUILA which is very unfair, theaccumulated claims through thepast manual system is beenignored and this is exerting a lotof pressure on our members.There is also the problem ofsanctions, that every truck thatloses the chip placed on it will besurcharged two million nairaN2,000,000:00. We find this notonly reprehensible but abuse ofprivilege. You do not commence aproject which is yet to beunderstood with sanctions, youwill end up defeating the purpose.

What is the way forward?As a first measure, we have

written to all concerned andhighlighting the problemsinherent coupled with the likelyconsequences if there are nocorrections. And the forward is toensure that payments from bothsides are done promptly -manualand Aquila. Also attention mustbe given to early discharge ofdrivers after delivering products.Flashing of the chip in places otherthan PPMC designateddestinations must be avoided.Sanctions and surcharge to thetune of N2million in a pilot projectthat is yet to gain acceptance mustbe stopped. We will in the nearfeature communicate our nextline of actions in clear terms shouldthe ugly situation continue. Wehope those concerned will take thenecessary measures required toaddress the issues raised.

Alhaji Isa Tijjan

PAGE 15PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012

InterviewIf LG gets autonomy will state continue togive part of internally generated revenue?What is your

opinion on theissue of granting

full autonomy to the localgovernment areas?

As you are aware, the localgovernments do not operate fullautonomy but it is better forthem to have the powers tooperate their various councilsjust as the federal and stategovernments operate at theirlevels. As the name implies, thelocal government is the thirdtier of government, it ought tohave the full responsibility tofunction without interventionfrom the state government. Thelocal government does notoperate that way now because itis in the Constitution. The 1999Constitution gives that power tothe state government to checkthe local governmentadministration. But if the localgovernment Chairman wants tooperate as the chief executiveofficer, he has to be given thatauthority. It is not proper to callsomebody a chief executivewhereas he takes directives fromsome other person. As the thirdtier of government, the localgovernment council should begiven full powers to operate onits own without interferencefrom the state government.

Does it mean that theintervention of the stategovernment is of no benefitto the local governmentadministration?

No. What it means is that thestate government checks theactivities of the localgovernment, the stategovernment supervises theexpenditure of the localgovernment, the stategovernment actually directs thelocal government on what to do.Even if you grant the fullautonomy to the localgovernment, there will still besome level of check from the stategovernment because no matterthe level of autonomy, the localgovernment is still under thestate government. The localgovernment has to report backto the state government but thefull powers to operate as a bodyis what we are talking about.Local governments should begiven that executive power tooperate at their level.

The argument in somequarters is that if the localgovernment is given suchpowers, it may not be able toimplement programmesthat will benefit the people.How do you react to that?

From my experience, one cansay it is true and it may also notbe true. The FederalGovernment gives allocation tothe state government. How doesthe state handle such money? Itis the same thing if you apply it

Dr. Paul Wani, who was Chairman of Kaura localgovernment area of Kaduna state for six years, providesanswers to this question and many more, in this interviewwith Agaju Madugba.

to the local government. But onthe other hand, I believe thatthere may be instances wherethe state government reportsback to the Federal Government.If the allocation is given directlyto the local government, it doesnot mean that the stategovernment will distance itselfcompletely from the affairs of thelocal government. At somelevels, the local government hasto report back to the stategovernment. What we aretalking about is the fullautonomy to spend moneymeant for the local government.For now, if you want to constructa road in your local government,you have to go and beg thegovernor to give you approval.If you want to build a hospital,you have to beg the governor togive you approval. This is wherethere will be a problem if forinstance the governor is from a

different political party. If thelocal government is given fullautonomy, there are variousways to check its activities. TheMinistry of Local Governmentsis there, there is the House ofAssembly. The Ministry of LocalGovernments is the supervisorybody to checkmate activities ofthe local government.

What is truth in theallegation that when thelocal government gets itsallocation, it meets withsome of the people and theyshare the money amongthemselves and wait for thenext allocation?

What I know is that duringthe six years I spent as a localgovernment chairman inKaduna state, we did not practicethat kind of thing. I would notknow what happens in otherstates but certainly not inKaduna state. The local

government system in Kadunastate is well organised and theoperation is clear that if yourmoney comes in, it goes throughthe Ministry of LocalGovernments and before youspend, you must show what youintend to do with the money.And, the governor has to see it.That is why I said that even ifthe local government is givenfull autonomy, the stategovernment still has to havesome level of supervision. ForKaduna state, the governorsunder whom we worked did avery good job in theirsupervisory role. You cannot justtake the local government'sallocation and begin to spend it.You have to account for it. Thereis accountability. Every month,you have to give account of howyou spent the money given toyou. And, the state government,through the Ministry of LocalGovernments, on quarterlybasis, normally sends people tocheck whatever projects youmust have executed in the localgovernment within the period.The House of Assembly also doesthat. You have to show them theprojects you executed.

If the local government isgranted the full autonomy,can it sustain itselffinancially?

Apart from the federalallocation to the localgovernment, the stategovernment also contributespart of its internally generatedrevenue to the local government.The local government also hasits internally generatedrevenue. But the question is, ifthe local government is grantedfull autonomy to operate, will thestate government continue togive part of the internallygenerated revenue? But if youknow that you get certainamount of money every month,and you do not have any means

of getting any other money untilafter 30 days, you have to beprudent in your expenditure.The local government system iswell organized. It has all thedepartments when it comes tomanagement of resources andthere is budgetary provision forwhatever you do. With properplanning, the local governmentcan sustain itself.

There is also theallegation that governorsare opposed to the issue ofgranting autonomy to thelocal governments becausethey get a lot of money fromthe revenue accruing to thelocal government?

How does the governor getthe money? There is a ministryin charge of the localgovernments. In some cases, thegovernor does not even knowwhen the money comes in, so,how will he have access to it?The money does not go into theaccount of the state; it goes intothe joint account of the 23 localgovernments in Kaduna state.The money comes in bulk beforesharing for the various localgovernments and the governormay not even know when themoney is shared.

Then what is the basis forthe reported opposition bygovernors for localgovernments to haveautonomy?

Well, if the local governmentis given full autonomy, thechairman may no longer bereporting back to the governoras it is the case currently. Youshould also know that thegovernor is for the entire state.The people of the state come fromlocal governments. Now, if thegovernor says that he wants tosee all the local governmentchairmen in 10 minutes, all ofthem will rush there. But ifgiven full autonomy, a localgovernment chairman maydecide not to honour suchinvitation and give one excuseor the other. So, the governormay not get the requiredattention of the localgovernment chairman ifgranted full autonomy.

Dr Paul Wani, former chairman, Kaura Local Government,Kaduna state

“Now, if the governor says that he wantsto see all the local government chairmenin 10 minutes, all of them will rush there.

But if given full autonomy, a localgovernment chairman may decide not to

honour such invitation and give oneexcuse or the other.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 8, DECEMBER, 2012PAGE 16

TourismLord Lugard: Theman and the mythL u g a r d , ably assisted by his

girlfriend turned wife,Flora Shaw, concocted a

legend which warped understandingof him, Nigeria, and colonialism fordecades. The revenue that allowedstate development (harbours,railways, hospitals) in SouthernNigeria came largely from taxes onimported alcohol. In NorthernNigeria, that tax was absent anddevelopment projects far fewer. InNorthern Nigeria Lugard permittedslavery within traditional elitefamilies. He loathed the educated andsophisticated Africans of the coastalregions, ran the country with 50% ofeach year spent in England (where hecould promote himself and was distantfrom realities in Africa wheresubordinates had to delay decisions onmany matters until he returned), andbased his rule on a military system -unlike William MacGregor, a doctorturned governor, who mixed with allranks of people and listened to what waswanted. Lugard, who opposed "nativeeducation" later, became involved inHong Kong University, and the Lugardwho disliked traders and businessmen,became a director of a bank active inNigeria, these were strange aspects ofthe man and the myth.

Frederick John Dealtry Lugard,1st Baron Lugard GCMG, CB, DSO,PC (22 January 1858 - 11 April1945), known as Sir FrederickLugard between 1901 and 1928,was a British soldier, mercenary,explorer of Africa and colonialadministrator, who was Governor ofHong Kong (1907-1912) andGovernor-General of Nigeria (1914-1919).

Early life and educationLugard was born in Madras (now

Chennai) in India, but was raised inWorcester, England. He was the sonof the Reverend F. G. Lugard, a BritishArmy Chaplain at Madras, and MaryHoward (1819-1865), the youngestdaughter of Reverend John GartonHoward (1786-1862), a younger sonof Yorkshire landed gentry. Lugardwas educated at Rossall School andthe Royal Military College,Sandhurst.

Military careerLugard was commissioned into

the 9th Foot (East Norfolk Regiment)in 1878, joining the second battalionin India, and serving in the followingcampaigns:

-Afghan War (1879-1880)-Sudan campaign (1884-1885)-Third Burmese War (1886-

1887)In May 1888, Lugard took

command of an expedition organizedby the British settlers in Nyasalandagainst Arab slave traders on LakeNyasa and was severely wounded.

Post-military careerAfter he left Nyasaland in April

1889, Lugard joined the ImperialBritish East Africa Company. In theirservice, he explored the Sabaki riverand the neighbouring region, inaddition to elaborating a scheme forthe emancipation of the slaves heldby Arabs in the Zanzibar mainland.In 1890, Lugard was sent by thecompany to Uganda, where hesecured British predominance of thearea and put an end to the civildisturbances. The efforts came withsevere fighting, chiefly notable for anunprovoked attack by the French on

Lugard's lodge strategically overlooking the confluence of Nigerand Benue Rivers

Lugard's officeLugard's residence in Lokoja, Kogi state

the British faction. After thesuccessful efforts to end disturbances,Lugard became MilitaryAdministrator of Uganda from 26December 1890 to May 1892. Whileadministering Uganda, he journeyedround Ruwenzori to Albert EdwardNyanza, mapping a large area of thecountry. He also visited AlbertNyanza, and brought away somethousands of Sudanese who had beenleft there by Emin Pasha and H. M.Stanley during the Emin PashaRelief Expedition.

When Lugard returned toEngland in 1892, he successfullydissuaded Prime Minister WilliamEwart Gladstone and his cabinetfrom abandoning Uganda. In 1894,Lugard was despatched by the RoyalNiger Company to Borgu, where hesecured treaties with the kings andchiefs acknowledging thesovereignty of the British company,while distancing the other colonialpowers that were there. From 1896to 1897, Lugard took charge of anexpedition to Lake Ngami on behalfof the British West CharterlandCompany. From Ngami he wasrecalled by the British governmentand sent to West Africa, where he wascommissioned to raise a native forceto protect British interests in thehinterland of the Lagos Colony andNigeria against French aggression.In August 1897, Lugard organizedthe West African Frontier Force, andcommanded it until the end ofDecember 1899, when the disputeswith France were composed.

Early colonial services

After he relinquished commandof the West African Frontier Force,Lugard was made HighCommissioner of the Protectorate ofNorthern Nigeria in 1900, a positionhe held until 1906 and for which hewas knighted in 1901. At that time,the portion of Northern Nigeriaunder effective control was small,and Lugard's task in organizing thisvast territory was made moredifficult by the refusal of the sultan ofSokoto and many other Fula princesto fulfil their treaty obligations.

In 1903, British control over thewhole protectorate was made possibleby a successful campaign against theemir of Kano and the sultan of Sokoto.By the time Lugard resigned ascommissioner, the entire Nigeria wasbeing peacefully administeredunder the supervision of Britishresidents. There were howeveruprisings that were brutally putdown by Lugard's troops. A Mahdirebellion in 1906 at the Satiru, avillage near Sokoto resulted in thetotal destruction of the town withhuge numbers of casualties.

Governor of Hong KongAbout a year after he resigned as

High Commissioner of theProtectorate of Northern Nigeria,Lugard was appointed as Governorof Hong Kong, a position he held untilMarch 1912. During his tenure,Lugard proposed to return Weihaiweito the Chinese government, inreturn for the ceding of the rentedNew Territories in perpetuity.However, the proposal received lessthan warm receptions, and it was not

acted upon. Some believed that if theproposal was acted on, Hong Kongmight forever remain in Britishhands.

Lugard's chief interest waseducation, and he was largelyremembered for his efforts to thefounding of the University of HongKong in 1911, of which he became theFirst Chancellor, despite the coldreceptions from the imperial ColonialOffice and most local Britishcompanies, such as the Hong Kong andShanghai Banking Corporation. TheColonial Office called the idea of auniversity "Sir Frederick's pet lamb".In fact, Lugard's idea was to create acitadel of higher education which couldserve as the foremost bearer of Westernculture in the Orient. Whether or notthis lofty idea had entirely succeeded,the university has grown fromstrength to strength to attain thehighest reputation in the region.

Governor of NigeriaIn 1912, Lugard returned to

Nigeria as Governor of the twoprotectorates. His main mission was tocomplete the amalgamation into onecolony. Although controversial inLagos, where it was opposed by a largesection of the political class and themedia, the amalgamation did notarouse passion in the rest of the country.From 1914 to 1919, Lugard was madeGovernor General of the nowcombined Colony of Nigeria.Throughout his tenure, Lugard soughtstrenuously to secure the ameliorationof the condition of the native people,among other means by the exclusion,wherever possible, of alcoholic liquors,and by the suppression of slave raidingand slavery.

Many people, especially theyounger generation of Nigeriansmay not know that the things theyread about in the history books areactually on ground somewherearound us. For instance, the first houseand office of the much talked aboutFirst Governor General of Nigeria,Lord Luggard were, and still remainsituated at Lokoja in Kogi state. Today,almost a hundred years after hisdeath and fifty two years afterindependence, they have becomemajor tourist attractions.Source: Mailonline

Lord Lugard's girlfriend, Flora Shaw whonamed Nigeria

Lord Lugard

PAGE 18 PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012

What to do if yoususpect she'scheating on you

Relationship

It is 10 p.m. do you know whereyour girlfriend is?She may be out with another

man. According to research,women are almost just as guiltyas men when it comes tocommitting infidelity. In factthey might be cheating morethan ever.

Although the rising statisticsfor women are worrisome,they're not really all thatsurprising.

Experts list loneliness,disconnection, boredom, and alack of communication among thetop reasons people choose to cheat,so if your own relationship is onshaky ground, your partner maybe trying to fill those emotionalvoids with someone else.

Suspect she's sleeping around?Follow this four-step plan to findout for sure, without wreckingyour relationship if you arewrong.

1. Keep your eyes openFirst, analyze her behaviour

and be on the lookout for some ofthe common signs that point toinfidelity. Does she seem lesseager to be around you? Is shemore secretive than she used tobe (i.e. a locked cell phone and a

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new password to her laptop)? Hasshe put more effort into her lookslately? The biggest red flag is herlack of interest in spending timewith you.

2. Collect the evidence, ifyou can

Prior to confronting her, youneed to have proof and/or alegitimate reason for asking herif she is cheating. The easiest "in"is obviously some form of suspectcommunication, like mysterioustexts or emails. But if she keepsmost of her communicationoutlets locked, getting thatcontent may be difficult. Plan B:Scope her Facebook feed: Twenty-four percent of Facebook-flirtersused the social network to flirtwith someone other than his orher partner.

3. Prepare your planWhen you are getting ready to

drop the bomb, make sure you doit in a private place, and on a daythat's wide open. (It could take awhile-and get a little messy.) Oftenwhen people are confronted withthis topic, they automatically getscared, deny the accusations, andsomehow turn the scenario aroundon you. That's why it's crucial toenter the conversation knowing

If he will only showcommitment, I want to remarry

what you are going to say, and howto handle every rebuttal she willthrow at you.

4. Choose your wordswisely

It's time to approach her. Stickto the following mantra:conversation, not confrontation.If you don't have any physicalproof that she has cheated on you,there is a fair chance that yourrelationship just needs work. Soif you flat out accuse her of beinga bad person, you might neverrecover from that blow.

Instead, start off by telling heryou don't want to lose her, butexplain that something seems upand it needs to be addressed.Rather than saying, "I think youhave been hooking up withsomeone else," tell her it appearsas if she's lost interest in therelationship, and ask her if there'ssomeone else she would preferspending her time with. Give hersome space to talk, and allow herto respond. But once she is done,follow up with the examples thathave lead you to suspect herstraying in the first place. If sheconfirms your suspicions, it's timeto let her go-with tact.www.naij.com

I am a young widow andmother of two children, a boyand a girl. My children are

growing so quickly and I am afraidof being alone. Their father diedwhen my second baby was just fewmonths old. He willed all hisproperty for them but that, Ishould take care of it until they areof age.

My son is now 10 and I know itis only a matter of time before he isgone off to secondary school. Mydaughter is 15 and she will soon gainadmission into university. She islike my best friend. I am dating thisman, but he has no real desire tocommit. We live together but I amtired of the relationship becausethere is no real commitment on hispart. A part of me says to let him goand move on with my life, butanother part says to hold on maybeone day he will get serious and wewill get married. Please advise meon what to do.

—Helen

Re - Hi HelenMen are creatures of habit. I am

sorry to hear you are in such aposition. There is one thing that I

have learned in my relationships withmen and that is they are creatures ofhabit. If you allow such a thing tooccur he will exploit it to the fullest.You need to put out what you expectout of a relationship in the beginningand accept no less. This is one thingI believe is wrong with a lot oftoday’s relationships.

It takes a strong woman tomake a strong man; otherwise theywill be boys for the rest of their lives.Take the step and demand what youwant. It is worth it. If he loves youtruly, he will change in order to bewith you. It may even takeseparation for him to realize this.

If he does not come around, he isnot worth the effort and you willalways be giving more than you arereceiving. If this is the life you arewilling to live with then that is okay.But realize if you choose this path youcannot complain because you will beaccepting less than what you want.

Go in with eyes wide open! Donot fool yourself into thinking thatyou can change him or thatsomething magical will happen andhe will change himself. I wish youthe best of luck and all the strengthyou need to deal with the situation.

M y boyfriend and I havebeen together roughly19 months and we

have a 9 month old little boy.Obviously the baby was notplanned and we were notprepared. But we decided to try ourbest and have made it through alot of hardships to try and build agood strong family for our son.

My boyfriend is not from atraditional background and comesfrom divorced parents with lots ofhardship. I come from a verytraditional family, far fromperfect, but very loving. When Igot pregnant, my family assumedthat I would be getting married.While I agreed with my family Ialso understood my boyfriend's

Am I crazy? Or justexpecting too much

other very much, and wish tocontinue our family together, Ithink it's not too much to startdiscussing marriage.

He thinks that I'm being pushyand only doing it because of othersexpectations. He has no validpoint. He just simply rejects theidea that we get married yet, hejust says"not yet basically."

I only brought theconversation up once and hisreaction surprised me. I'm notlooking for a ring, just an honestdiscussion and maybe an ideawhen he will be ready consideringthat I am. Please advise me on thenext step to take because despiteeverything, I still love him.

—Joy

desire to wait andget married out oflove and notsimply because ofa baby.

So I've beenwaiting out ofrespect for him.When both mybrothers gotengaged in the pastcouple months, itwas hard on me towatch, but I reallytried not to be acrazy lady andtake it out on myboyfriend. Theway we love each

LearningPAGE 20 PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012

Book Review With Augustine Aminu07038749120julius2001_a@yahoo.com

Quick Fix forCommonBlackberry Issues

NightDancer

Night Dancer is apowerful andmoving novel

about the relationshipbetween mothers anddaughters, about thebonds of family, aboutknowing when to fulfil

Title: Night DancerAuthor: Chika UnigweGenre: FictionNumber of Pages: 272Publication Year: June 7, 2012Publisher: Jonathan CapeISBN: 978-0224093835

your duty, and when youmust be brave enough notto. Presenting a vista ofNigeria over the past half-century, it is a vibrant andheartfelt exploration ofone woman's search forbelonging.

P o i g n a n tbarrage ofemotions and

laments over a nation,society and individualventures disordered bypenury, injustice,greed, corruption andthe consequent mess isthe brunt in IndefiniteCravings. Here Paul T.Liam exposes-s o m e t i m e sp o n t i f i c a t e s ,sometimes bewails-the

Title: Indefinite CravingsAuthor: Paul T. LiamGenre: PoetryPublication Year: June, 2012Publisher: Leo Books Publishers,

MinnaISBN: 97-89785102826

extent of our fallenvalues, thus craves, likeevery esurient fellow,endless lots, too many,indefinite. A free-spoken and terrifyingmesh of metaphors,absent in manydoggerels paraded aspoetry collections,especially by new and youngpoets, Indefinite Cravings isanother remarkable debutfrom a dissenting voice ofnew Nigerian poetry.

IndefiniteCravings

The Playthings ofWar is a versedrama that

employs indiginousmotifs to addresscontemporary issues.Personified, Wardeclares, 'I am War!/The omnipresentvagabond/I reap in thefinale of a weak bond…He vowed to gain

Author: Opeyemi DedayoGenre: DramaNumber of Pages: 78Publication Year: February 28, 2012Publisher: Inkdepth PublishersISBN: 978-978-5050-3-0

dominance in the affairsof earthlings in one day.The playwright usedthis premonitorydeadline to foster swiftinterplay of characterswith rich poetic lines.The play's climaxunderscores war asfratricidal tragedyusually caused by trivialthings.

The Playthingsof War

The best word todescribe yourBlackberry is

"efficient." From the feelof your Blackberry onyour hand, you'd knowthat it is made from top-of-the-line materials puttogether in a crispprofessional design. Itdisplays the finestgraphics in a business-like but user-friendlyinterface. YourBlackberry works asyour handy virtualorganizer. But no matterhow pristine andefficient yourBlackberry is, it is still adeveloping technology.

Don't bedisappointed. Here aresome quick Blackberryrepair tips to restore theefficiency of yourBlackberry.

When yourBlackberry screenfroze

As you well know,this is one commonsymptom of an agingmobile phone. It couldalso be a potentialinconspicuous damage.Instead of rushing for aprofessional Blackberryrepair, try to remedy thesituation through thesetwo methods:

1 . Soft resetmethod involvespressing ALT + CAP +DELETE on yourBlackberry. It aims toreboot your Blackberryso that the system can berefreshed.

2. Hard resetmethod involvestriggering the RESETbutton of yourBlackberry through a pinor paper clip end. TheRESET button can be atthe back, near thebottom or under thebattery panel.

The best part of thesetwo methods is that youwill not lose any data inthe process.

When yourBlackberry is havingbacklight problems

You'd know thatthere is a problem whenthe screen backlightflashes off sooner thanexpected. For a quickBlackberry repair, here'swhat you can do:

1 . Go to Options or

Preferences and selectScreen/Keyboard. Youcan increase the timeinterval indicated onyour Backlight Timeoutsetting to extend thebacklight on yourscreen.

2. You can alsodownload BBLight forfree. This programprovides you quickaccess to your backlightsettings.

When yourBlackberry stopssending or receivingmessages

This failure can beattributed to the lack ofGeneral Packet RadioService (GPRS), due todamage in yourBlackberry or yournetwork's failure. Tocheck, here's what youhave to do:

Perform a soft reseton your Blackberryphone. The issue may becaused by some latencyon your phone'ssoftware.

1 . If it is still notworking, try a hardreset.

2. Check your

wireless antenna signalstrength afterwards.Your antenna shouldindicate it is in GPRSmode.

3. Now, try tomake calls or sendyourself an emailmessage. If successful,then you can proceedwith your tasks.

4. If otherwise, theproblem may be relatedto your networkprovider. Call them upand check.

No matterhow pristineand efficient

yourBlackberryis, it is still adevelopingtechnology.

“

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8— SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012 PAGE 21

Boy, 7, rushed to A&E with meningitisaccused of wasting NHS timeThe little boy of Georgina

Houghton, Colby, who is 7,developed a temperature,

vomiting and was sensitive tolight and so poorly he couldn'teven get out of bed.

With the GP surgery shut forthe weekend, GeorginaHoughton-Small rang NHSDirect, who said it could bemeningitis and told her to take thechild to hospital as fast as she could.

Mercifully, Colby wasdiagnosed with a viral infectionand sent home with antibiotics.

But Mrs. Houghton-Small'srelief turned to outrage a few dayslater when a letter arrived fromthe GP addressed to Colby -admonishing him for going toA&E instead of the surgery.

The practice said it hadreceived a letter from the hospitalabout his visit, and continued:'A&E is for life-threateningsituations such as a heart attackor stroke and for the care of peoplewho show the symptoms of seriousillness or who are badly injured.'

A furious Mrs. Houghton-Small condemned the surgeryyesterday, saying its attitudecould put lives at risk.

'I was so angry that theywould make us feel that we werewrong to seek medical adviceover something like that,' said the33-year-old mother of four.

'The letter said A&E is only forpeople with serious symptoms.How much more serious does it

Healthy Living

need to be for a child of seven?'This sort of thing needs to be

stopped. It could put people offtaking their children to hospitalwhen they are seriously ill.'

Colby developed atemperature at his home inArlesey, Bedfordshire, onNovember 9. The next day hestarted vomiting. By the thirdday he was too lethargic to walkor stand and was highly sensitiveto light.

His parents tried giving himfluids and Calpol but eventuallyrang NHS Direct. Their local GPsurgery was closed as it was theweekend.

'He always has the energy toget up and play, but he didn't getout of bed and all he wanted todo was sleep,' Mrs. Houghton-Small said.

'We were really worried. If akid is so ill they don't want towatch TV or play with theirtoys, you know something iswrong.

'NHS Direct said get him toA&E immediately and takeanother adult in case he takes aturn for the worse on the way sosomeone is free to call 999 as theother drives. That scared us evenmore.'

She and her husband Gavin,34, dashed over to ListerHospital in Stevenage. Staffthere said he had a viral infectionand prescribed antibiotics. A GPvisited Colby the next day, and

he soon recovered.But on November 17 the child

received the admonishing letterfrom his surgery, the ArleseyMedical Centre. BedfordshireClinical Commissioning Group,which is responsible for 55 GPpractices, saying the surgery hadnot realised NHS Direct had

A mother-of-three hasdied after her stomachlining was punctured

during weight loss surgery ata London Hospital. TraceyKorkmaz, 41, had hoped theoperation at University CollegeHospital London would help herreduce her weight from 23stone to 18 stone.

But during the surgery,known as a keyhole sleevegastrectomy, doctors failed tonotice that her stomach waspunctured, and she died 10days later.

Reports indicate thatduring the original keyholeprocedure, the surgeonsdiscovered that Mrs. Korkmaz'sliver was enlarged. HerLawyers later established thatthe surgery should have beenabandoned or switched to adifferent type of operation, butinstead the surgeons continuedwith the surgery leading tosevere internal bleeding.

"Mrs. Korkmaz then sufferedinternal bleeding and theoperation had to be convertedto open surgery". The reportonline said.

After her conditiondeteriorated following the

surgery, doctors operated onher again to try and discoverthe cause of her feverishsymptoms but could not findthe leak. Unknown to thempoisonous fluids had continuedto seep into her body causingirreparable damage.

Even after a third operationand repair of the leak herhealth continued to deteriorateand she died 10 days after theoriginal surgery.

The NHS reception workerleft behind three children, herhusband Yusuf, and a largefamily in Turkey.

Her heartbroken mother,June Sillitoe, 69, said herdaughter had thought long andhard about whether to go aheadwith the surgery.

'But she wanted to behealthier for the kids andwanted to know that she wouldbe around to see them reachadulthood and one day becomea grandmother herself,' sheexplained.

'The gastric bypass was a lastresort but sadly, because of themistakes made, she was robbedof this.'

Sillitoe, who now cares forKorkmaz's three children, Riah16, Enes, 13, and Zeren, 7,added: 'Tracey's death has left ahuge gap in our lives and we'vestruggled to come to terms withthe fact she has gone.'

Last month the family wona High Court battle whenUniversity College LondonHospitals NHS FoundationTrust, which agreed to pay asubstantial undisclosed

settlement to Korkmaz'schildren.

Sillitoe said: 'Tracey andthe children lived with me insouth west London before herdeath and we were a greatteam, with the children beingour focus and priority. 'I havetried to keep that going nowshe has gone. Things willnever be the same again andnothing will turn back theclock but Tracey's deathcannot be in vain.

'The settlement for thechildren means they can nowpursue their dreams, such asgoing to university andenjoying the hobbies theylove.

'These are things thatTracey worked so hard to tryand provide for them. It won'tbring her back, but knowingthey have financial security

What you need to knowabout sleeve gastrectomy

to begin to move on with theirlives provides some comfort.'

The High Court judgepraised Sillitoe for herdevotion to caring for hergrandchildren at thesettlement approval hearingin London.

Now, after winning herbattle for justice, Tracy'smum called on the UniversityCollege London Hospitals NHSFoundation Trust to provelessons have been learnt toprevent anymore 'needless'deaths.

She said: 'We had so manyquestions about why Traceydied and while the inquest andadmission of liabilityanswered some of these, Iwant proof that the hospitaltrust has done something tomake sure the mistakes madecan never happen again.'

given any advice.A spokesman added: 'It's

current practice for some GPsurgeries to write to theirpatients advising them of theimportance of using their A&Edepartments for emergenciesonly and to promote the use oftheir GP service or the local out-

of-hours GP service for non-emergencies.

'We very much regret if theletter caused distress but it wasintended to help the family makethe right choice about the servicethey need to ensure they receivethe best possible health care in thefuture.'

Tracey Korkmaz (picturedhere eight years before herdeath)

How mother of 3 died after weight loss surgery

A sleeve gastrectomyreduces the size of thestomach by about 75 per

cent. The stomach is dividedvertically from top to bottom,making it banana-shaped.

Medical literature suggeststhe death rate from thisprocedure stands at 0.05 percent. The risk of damage tointernal organs is said to be 1 in1000.

By Jamila Nuhu Musa withagency report

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012 PAGE 23

With Aunty A'isha rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

SHORSHORSHORSHORSHORT STT STT STT STT STORORORORORYYYYYSights and soundsWhy cats kill ratsHow much do know about

the former world boxingchampion Muhammad Ali?

HIS AND HERS CORNERHIS AND HERS CORNERHIS AND HERS CORNERHIS AND HERS CORNERHIS AND HERS CORNER

American boxer Cassius Marcellus Clay Junior was born onJanuary 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. Better knownas Muhammad Ali, he was perhaps the most celebrated

sports figure in the world during most of the 1960s and '70s.His rise to fame may be due to a combination of situations; his

role as a spokesman for and idol of blacks; his cheerful personality;his dramatic conversion to the Black Muslim religionand mostimportantly, his staying power as an athlete.

Ali first came to world attention in 1960, when he won theOlympic light-heavyweight championship;he then won thecontroversial championship bout from Sonny Liston in 1964 togain the heavyweight title.

He produced a steady stream of headlines. The fight wasquestioned because Ali seemed to be quitting before the bout wasover. After that he produced a steady stream of headlines. He thenchanged his name to Muhammad Ali. He was the first boxer tobenefit from satellite television, making him all the more visible.

Ali, however, proved to be a "fighting champion," acceptingthe challenges of every heavyweight with ranking credentials.

He was stripped of his title in 1967 for refusing to join theArmy during the Vietnam War. The government prosecuted himfor draft dodging and the boxing commissions took away his license.He was idle for three and a half years at the peak of his career.

In 1971 the Supreme Court ruled that the government hadacted improperly and he was allowed to resume fighting.

He won back the championship in 1974 in a fight with GeorgeForeman. He lost the crown again in 1978 to Leon Spinks butregained it the same year, thus becoming the first man to win thetitle three times.

Other than Joe Frazier (in 1971) and Spinks, the only boxersto defeat Ali, who had a 55-5 record, were Ken Norton (1973), wholater lost to Ali; Larry Holmes (1980), who foiled Ali's try for afourth heavyweight championship; and Trevor Berbick (1981),after which fight Ali retired.

The Ali-Frazier fights rank among the greatest in fistic history.In later years, Ali developed Parkinson's disease, caused by blowsto the head from boxing and he is still battling with the disease.

Ansa was King of Calabarfor fifty years. He had avery faithful cat as a

housekeeper, and a rat was hishouseboy. The king was anobstinate, headstrong man, butwas very fond of the cat, who hadbeen in his store for many years.

The rat, whowas very poor,fell in love with one of the king'sservant girls, but was unable togive her any presents, as he hadno money.

At last he thought of the king'sstore, so in the nighttime, beingquite small, he had littledifficulty, having made a hole inthe roof, in getting into the store.He then stole corn and nativepears, and presented them to hissweetheart.

At the end of the month, whenthe cat had to render her accountof the things in the store to theking, it was found that a lot ofcorn and native pears weremissing. The king was veryangry at this, and asked the catfor an explanation. The cat could

By ElphinstoneDayrell

not account for the loss, until oneof her friends told her that the rathad been stealing the corn andgiving it to the girl.

When the cat told the king,he called the girl before him andhad her flogged. The rat he

handed over to the cat to dealwith, and dismissed them bothfrom his service. The cat was soangry at this that she killed andate the rat, and ever since thattime whenever a cat sees a ratshe kills and eats it.

A new beginning

PAGE 22 PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012

Making a sand flower vase

With Aunty A'isha rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

ACTIVITIESACTIVITIESACTIVITIESACTIVITIESACTIVITIESUsing any colour of your choice, paint the imageof the girl below. Can you describe what she isdoing? Write it down and show to your teacherfor correction. Cheers!

CREACREACREACREACREATIVITYTIVITYTIVITYTIVITYTIVITY

AFRICAN AFRICAN AFRICAN AFRICAN AFRICAN TTTTTALESALESALESALESALES MODEL OF THE WEEKMODEL OF THE WEEKMODEL OF THE WEEKMODEL OF THE WEEKMODEL OF THE WEEK

O n opening the room hewas taken aback! Therewas a noose hanging

from the roof. A paper was alsoattached to it. Karim wasdesperate having lost all hope ofmoney. He took the paper andbegan read, "this noose is meantfor you but before hangingyourself, test the capability of thenoose if it is strong enough foryour weight or not."

Karim decided, "I will start anew life instead of hangingmyself to death." He came out ofthe room thinking of what heshould do.

He kept on thinking for sometime. Suddenly he felt veryhungry but there was nothing toeat in the house. He went to themarket and sold his cap to buysome milk and bread to eat. Healso felt thirsty. So he kept themilk and bread on a stone andwent to a nearby well to drinkwater. When he returned, he sawa dog running away with hisbread having spilt the milk. He

felt shocked to see this.Feeling too helpless to do

anything he burst into tears. Hewas very hungry and had nomoney to buy food. So he thought,"Now there is no other way exceptasking friends for help."

Despite, being very hungry,he walked towards his friends inthe hope of getting food. Hereached one of his friends andsaid, "Hello friend! I am starving.Give me some food. His friendsaid, "Karim, I am no longer yourfriend."

Thereafter he went to anotherfriend and asked for food,he alsothrew him out of his house. Oneby one he went to all his friendsbut none gave him food.

Desperately, Karim returnedhome, he was in great despairand thought, "Now I shouldcommit suicide by hanging. Thisis how I can get rid of mytroubles." Thinking this,Karimpulled the rope of the noose to seewhether it was strong enough tohold his weight. As he applied

force the rope broke up. With thebreaking of the rope a bag fell onthe ground. Karim picked up thebag and quickly opened it.

He was surprised to see thatthe bag was full of gold coins.There was also a slip in the bagwhich read, "Do not finish yourlife,start a fresh life with thismoney but first, you have tochange your habits."

Karim said to himself, "Thistime I promise that I will leaveall bad company since all myfriends have cheated me. Had Ifollowed your advice earlier Iwould have been very richtoday."

Karim started his businessafresh with the help of the wealthfound in the blog. Soon hisbusiness flourished. He startedearning a lot of money. Hisselfish friends came to meet himon knowing about his prosperitybut Karim refused to entertainthem. Now he had come to knowthe difference between right andwrong.

H a v e you ever seenan empty glass bottlelying in one corner of

the kitchen or store room? Itmakes you feel like giving it anew life. Make it a flower vaseand then see it take its placeproudly in the house as aprecious object.

What you need: An empty glass bottleSand or pebblesGlue

Poster coloursBrushesWhat to do:Your pebbly or sandy

flower vase is ready for use.What's more, it looks like a greatpiece of sculpture, remindingyou of pebbled paths in thegarden outside or near a beach.

What was trash just a whileago has been converted into abeautiful, artistic object with agreat use as well.

Fatima Aminu Jibril

Now paint the entire surface withattractive colours and allow themto dry.

Stick the pebbles on the bottlewith glue or cover the entiresurface with sand, depending onthe kind of look and feel youwant. Let it dry.

PAGE 24 PAGE 25PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012

Kannywood NollywoodEntertainmentLack of proper equipments ourmajor problem —Lawal Idris

How I tricked Omotola, Genevieve intoacting together In "IJE" —Chineze Anyaene

H o w long have you been inthe Kannywood

industry?I have been in the industry for

almost 6yrs.What attracted you to the

industry?From childhood I have had

interest in the industry. You knowacting is an imitation of life and Ihave always been interested inimitating people, so naturally Iended up with my love for theindustry. Another reason for goinginto the Kannywood industry is tobecome known, I like being popularand Kannywood can give me that.

Did you study acting inschool?

Not really but in my secondaryschool days I studied dramabecause we had a teacher whotaught it.

When you decided to jointhe industry did you face anyproblems from your familymembers?

When I joined, I started withWaziri movies I did not tell myfather but after that I informedhim of what I was doing and hegave his blessing. It is something

I'm very proud of because I satdown and explained what I will bedoing in detail and he approved.

How many films have youfeatured in so far?

Not many because I am usuallybehind the camera being anassistant director or editing. So farall the movies I have featured arenot out yet out but I was in "CaranZakara". I am also deeply engagedin policy decisions on how to movethe industry forward.

I have heard peoplingreferring to you as Chairman,are you the chairman of a localgovernment or what?

I am the chairman of a filmcompany called Waziri movies andalso the chairman of a newassociation we are about to start.

How many movies have youproduced under Wazirimovies?

Under Waziri movies we havethree films out but only one hasbeen out recently which is "YanUwan Juna".

What about theassociation?

We realized that the industryhere in Abuja is a little on its own,

you hardly find Abuja artistparticipating in movies producedhere in Abuja. Most of the producedmovies that you see Abuja artistsare usually films done by Abujaproducers but they are usuallynever part of outside productionseven though the movies are shotin Abuja. That is one of the reasonsfor creating Movie StarsAssociation Abuja so that it willensure the participation of allactors in productions.

So are you saying thatproducers who shoot movies inAbuja bring their actors withthem?

Yes, almost all the movies shotin Abuja come with their actorsrather than using the actors basedhere. Producers from Kano,Kaduna and other places usuallycome with their cast alreadychosen.

As the chairman of thisassociation, how are you goingto ensure the full integrationand participation of all actorsand actresses either based inAbuja or not in productionstaking place in Abuja?

It is one of the major reasons forcreating this association to giveactors and actresses an opportunityof participating in productionstaking place in Abuja. We want tosee a situation where allproductions taking place in Abujawe are informed and also we shouldbe the providers of all technical andproduction services for anyproducer who wants to shoot inAbuja. We are planning onensuring that all the technical andproduction needs for the shootingof a film are provided by us. Thisincludes actors, crew members andof course technical equipments.

But this requirement is nota must I suppose?

Actually we are saying it is amust for anyone outside Abuja toengage us because the association isgoing to be all encompassing. It willnot be just industry members whoreside in Abuja but everyone whopractices the profession in the north.Though we are based in Abuja, it isgoing to be open to everyone.

Since you are saying beingpart of the Movie StarsAssociation Abuja is going to bemandatory, what are youoffering to film producers tomake this mandatorymembership acceptable tothem?

What we will be offering is thenecessary things you need toproduce a movie from equipments,cast and crew. It will save theproducers the hassle oftransporting all that they need fortheir production and also willreduce the cost of productionbecause they will be able to find

Lawal Idris is an actor, editor and also one of theleaders of the Kannywood industry in Abuja. Inthis interview with Nasiru Mu'azu Isa, he shareshis vision on the future of the industry in Abuja.

all they need here.So is the registration of this

association complete and whenshould we expect to see it going towork?

Well we are almost done withthe registration; we just have a fewthings left to do. As for when weare going to start work, we willstart as soon as registrationfinishes.

As an association how wouldyou be able to proffer solutionsto the myriad of problemsbedeviling the Kannywoodindustry such as lack of goodlocations, props andequipments?

What we plan is to provide a onestop shop for all film makers. Wewant a situation where all a filmmaker needs to bring with him ishis or her clothes, but everythingelse we will take care of for them.And this will also include scriptwriters and location scouting.

How do you intend toimprove the prestige andquality of Kannywood moviesand also film practitioners inthe industry to be able toreach or surpass the Nollywoodindustry?

You will realize that ineverything one does there is needto use the proper tools in achievinga particular goal and it's the samein our industry. First and foremostis the need to get the rightequipments for our people. In someinstances you see producersshooting films on camcorders,which invariably will not give youthe quality you want, as such, wewant to ensure that every producershould have access to good qualityequipments to work with.

Is the registration into thisassociation open to all or is itjust industry practioners?

No, it will be open to all; youdon't have to be a film maker. Aslong as you have the passion,interest and willingness to be partand also contribute to thedevelopment of the Kannywoodindustry. You don't need to be infront or behind the camera, webelieve that anyone who joins uswill have some interest and willbe able to contribute in one way orthe other, so everyone is invited.

What is your advice to yourfans and colleagues in theindustry?

I want to beg them to be patientwith us. We know that there is needto improve our work to be able togive them the quality of films theydeserve. As for industrypractioners, I'd like to call on themto come together and for a strongbody that will be able to projecttheir vision and also ensure thatthe standards in the industry a setin place and maintained.

Enebeli Elebuwa’s death: NigerianFilm Corporation expresses shock

5 hottest young Nigerian musiciansWizkidCall him the "small boy wonder",

Wizkid is undoubtedly one of Africa'smost promising acts for the future.

He's got everything that shouldaid a smooth transition to the top. Afine singer who's got Africa dancingto his music, Wizkid has, since hisarrival on the Nigerian musicscene, given African music a wholenew meaning and twist.

With several awards andnominations from both local andinternational schemes to his credit,the "Don't dull", "Tease me","Pakurumo"and "Holla at your boy"

singer is the "kid" to watch.AsaOne of Africa's most well-known

artists, Asa makes singing lookeffortless. Her global hit song "Jailer"is a testament to the depth of talentshe wields.

Constantly making a case forNigerian musicians, Asa combinesabsolute skill, and a flawlesscommand of her act, to produce hitsone after another.

The 30-year-old World Musicsinger, born in Paris and raised inLagos, is inspired by the sounds ofMarvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Bob

Marley, Sunny Ade and EbenezerObey.

The 2011 Best Female Act at theFrench Music Awards is withoutdoubt, one of the finest singers theworld of music has ever produced.

Her 2010 effort "BeautifulImperfection" was a big success thatfollowed the now-famed 2007debut, which also saw her at herutmost best fusing pop, R&B, funk,soul and reggae, an end productthat wowed the world.

M.IHe is without doubt, the greatest

Nigerian rapper alive. He

commands an enormous respect notjust among his many Nigerian fansbut even within industry circles.

M.I's delivery skill and uniquepunch lines over the years haveendeared him to an almost cult-likefollowing.

Recognitions from MTV, BET,and other international mediumshave also helped boost his career,which has been on an upwardtrajectory since he entered thescene.

He holds the unofficial title of"African Rapper No.1", the same titleas one of his all-time hit songs.

D'BanjD'Banj is one of Nigeria's best

music heads. He has a globalfollowing that can't stop dancing tohis hits including the very latest"Oliver Twist".

He's been reviewed and featuredon almost every importantmedium, and he is without doubt,the hottest Nigerian act at themoment.

A signee to Kanye West's GOODMusic label, D'Banj is in manyaspects, an idol and a gift to theNigerian music industry.

He is winner of several music

awards including Best African Actat the MTV Europe Music Awards2007, Artist of the Year at the 2009MTV Africa Music Awards, and2011 BET Awards for BestInternational Act; Africa.

Tiwa SavageA Grammy Award nominee,

and once background singer forGeorge Michael, she's your typicalsinger of substance.

After years of vocal-backing forother top musicians such as MaryJ. Blige, Chaka Khan, Blu Cantrell,Emma Bunton from The Spice Girls,Kelly Clarkson, Andreas Bocelli, andMs Dynamite among others, TiwaSavage finally made an entry ontothe Nigerian music scene in 2010.

Almost immediately, her "KeleKele Love" single became a hit,recording enormous success acrossNigeria and parts of Africa.

An amazing songwriter, Savagehas also written songs for the likes ofBabyface, Kat Deluna, FantasiaBarrino, Monica and Mya. In 2009,she signed as a singer/songwriter withSONY/ATV a deal that did a lot of goodto her credibility as a fine material.

She is currently signed to MavinRecords, owned by Nigerianproducer Don Jazzy.Tiwa SavageD'BanjM.IAsaWizkid

U n l i k e the popular sayingthat 'when two elephants fight,the grass suffers', the case is not

the same with the two elephants in thecontemporary Nigerian film industrycalled Nollywood; Omotola JaladeEkeinde and Genevieve Nnaji as thereseems to be no grass that suffers as aresult of the rivalry.

Though, there have really not beenan open confrontation between thesetwo talented and Africa's queens of themovie world, but it is clear that there isan unwritten rivalry between themmainly brought about by theirrespective fans.

What makes their rivalry healthyunlike the rivalry witnessed among Fujimusicians in Nigeria is that their fansmay have had a better understandingthat it is better to keep the rivalry healthyrather than brutal like the Fuji fans.

Interestingly, both have acted inmore movies as sisters than any otherrivals in Nollywood. So, when both actedagain as sisters in "Ije", a movie byChineze Anyaene, which was her projectwork at the film school, many wonderedhow Chineze convinced the two screendivas in acting together again as sistersin the film.

Revealing how she achieved the feat,

"When I was even thinking of approachingthem, a lot of people discouraged mesaying the pair don't talk but I went aheadto 'chase' them for months.

"When I called Omotola, she askedwho the other actress was, I saidGenevieve and when I called Genevieveshe asked who the other actress was, Isaid Omotola (laughs) and she was like,'has she agreed?' I said yes and Omotolaasked me too if Genevieve had agreed, Isaid yes meanwhile they hadn't evenagreed (laughs) but I had to use thattrick to be able to get them together inthe film," the Masters degree holder inFilmmaking from the New York FilmAcademy (NYFA) disclosed.

On how both got together on set andher experience with them, Chinezerevealed, "It was a wonderful experienceworking with these two stars, they knewI was a student at the New York FilmAcademy at that time."

"So, when the production started onthe first day, they didn't take part but theyobserved the session. When their turncame, they were very professional all theway, it was pleasant scenery all through."

Ije was finally released on DVD onMonday, December 3, 2012. The filmhass sold over N60 million at thecinemas.

T h e Nigerian Film Corporation(NFC) has reacted to the deathof another Nollywood veteran

Enebeli Elebuwa who passed onTuesday, this week in India.

Describing the death as shocking,unfortunate and a great loss to theNigerian Motion Picture Industry andthe Nation, Mr. Afolabi Adesanya,

NFC’s Managing Director/ChiefExecutive said the passing away ofElebuwa, an actor he was privileged tohave worked with was equally a personalloss.

The Film Industry, Adesanyafurther said was indeed stricken by

the death of Elebuwa who heaverred, like others, was a toast tomany film enthusiasts. Adesanya,in the statement, commiseratedwith the Elebuwa’s family over theloss and prayed that Almighty Godwill give the family the fortitude tobear his irreparable loss. He equallypaid tribute to the veteran actor PeteEneh who also passed awayrecently, saying that theircontributions to the development ofthe Nigerian motion industry areimmeasurable. “They have writtentheir names in gold.”

The NFC, the statement added,

had assisted, and followed the greatstruggle by Enebeli Elebuwa to regainhis health, until his untimely death.He will be remembered for theenviable and impactful roles he playedin the several movie titles (celluloidand video) dating back to the seventies.They include; Oba Sanya Dosunmu’s‘Dinner with the Devil’, ‘Queen ofHasso Rock’, ‘The Corridors of Power’,‘Extra Time’, ‘True Love’, ‘Dons inAbuja’, ‘Bumper to Bumper’ andDomitilla.

Others are ‘Together as One’,‘Separate Live’, ‘Expensive Game’,‘Family Circle’ and more

E v e r since star actress, Tayo 'Sikirat Sindodo' Odueke has beenannounced to be recipient of an Islamic title, controversies havetrailed the incident.

The reason is that Tayo who is generally believed to be 'bad girl' ofNollywood cannot be honored with such a highly Islamic title.

Though, the title has not been disclosed to us in as much as the positionhas not been made public by the organizing committee of the coronationat the mosque where she worships at Surulere, Lagos. Therefore, otherside of the story has it that the actress has been bombarded with lots ofattacks, that the actress that always dresses abnormally is being pencileddown for an Islamic title.

To some Islamic scholars, they reacted that the act is very ridiculouswhile some people don't really bother about the act. But the actress hastold who cares to listen that nobody should mix her personality withIslam. Aside the fact that she acts, she is also very religious with Islam.

Hear her, "It is unfortunate that people are mixing my personalitywith Islam. I serve my God when it is necessary. It is unfair for people tostart judging me. I won't discredit Islam with my job."

I s AY on a sole mission to bringthe soaring Nigerian comedyindustry to disrepute? What's

with his new sissy idea of going aroundbegging and apologizing to everyonewho felt offended by his jokes.

AY, there's no way you can be aforce to reckon with in the comicindustry and not offend people withyour work. Almost every jokes toldon stage are about somebody.

It started when the comedianwrote what seemed like a whole bookon Facebook apologizing to the topnotches at Kennis music for makingfun of them.

While some of the fans who readthe very long, boring and tiringspeech thought the comedian wasbeing nice and humble, professionalcomedians found the speech belittlingand dangerous to their trade.

Now, AY towed the disgracefulpath again by apologizing to

controversial actress cum musicianTonto Dikeh, for making fun of hersong.

First, why is Tonto so sensitiveabout her songs? If she doesn't haveconfidence in them she should quicklywithdraw them from the publicdomain. She put them out there andso should take whatever criticismsthey generate.

And back to AY, if he wants toabandon comedy and take upapologizing as a profession, he's verywelcome. So here is the list of people toapologize to. Let him start with all thepoliticians he has poked fun at whileon stage, then D' Banj and the entireMo Hit crew, J Martins, all theprophets in Nigeria. When he's donewith them, he can now apologize toevery Nigerian, and in fact, toeveryone in the world, because it seemshe has made jokes about everyone andeverything in the universe.

Controversies TrailSikirat Sidondo'sIslamic Title

What's wrong withNigerian comedian AY?

Lawal Idris

Late Enebeli Elebuwa

PAGE 26 PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER, 2012

HHHHHollollollollollywywywywywoodoodoodoodood/////BBBBBollollollollollywywywywywoodoodoodoodood

I s Angelina Jolie headedfor an early retirement?Maybe, according to a

new interview the 37-year-old star did with Britain'sChannel 4 News. Askedabout her plans for thefuture, the Oscar-winningactress revealed that shewould likely put the brakeson her movie career in thenot-too-distant future to focuson taking care of her family.(Jolie and fiance Brad Pitthave six children: Maddox,11, Pax, 9, Zahara, 7, Shiloh,6, and twins Knox andVivienne, 4.)

"I think I'm going to haveto give up acting as the kidshit the teenage years," theMaleficent star said,explaining that there wouldbe "too much to manage athome."

"I've enjoyed being anactress," she continued. "AndI am so grateful to the job. I've

Angelina Jolie: I'm going to"Give up Acting" for My Family

Film stars shined in theMoroccan Film Festival

had great experiences, and Ihave even been able to tellstories and be a part of storiesthat mattered...It's a reallylucky profession to be a partof. But if it went awaytomorrow, I would be veryhappy to be home with mychildren."

The former UNHCRGoodwill Ambassador --recently appointed UNHCRSpecial Envoy -- added thatshe hoped to devote moretime to her humanitarianwork.

"I wake up in the morningas a mum, and I turn on thenews like everybody else,and I see what's happening,and I want to be part of theworld in a positive way," shesaid, noting that herphilanthropic efforts hadbecome a much bigger partof her life ever since sheadopted son Maddox in 2002.

Jolie is not alone in her

desire to explore otheravenues. Last year, herlongtime love also hinted atretirement, tellingAustralia's 60 Minutes thathe might want to stop actingwithin three years.

"I wasn't actually puttingan exact deadline on myexpiration date, but I see itcoming," Pitt clarified laterat a Moneyball pressconference in November2011. "I just have otherinterests."

Eddie Murphy Is the MostOverpaid Actor In Hollywood

Poor Eddie Murphydesperately needs acomeback. Remember

back in the day when he wasso funny on "Saturday Night

Live" and in movies like"Trading Places" and "BeverlyHills Cop"? His voice work hashelped make movies like"Shrek" and "Mulan" tolerablefor adults, and even hisfamily-friendly movies, like"Norbit" and "Dr. Dolittle,"were good for some chuckles.

But lately, Murphy'scareer has just collapsed."Imagine That," "A ThousandWords" and "Meet Dave" werecolossal flops. Last year's"Tower Heist," which wassupposed to be something ofa return to form for thecomedian, failed to wow atthe box office, earning $153

The MarrakechInternational Film Festivalhas been celebrating its12th year. This is a filmfestival that is held everyyear in the city of Morocco.This year the film festivaldecided to pay homage to aprominent branch ofcinema- the Indian cinema.The focus has been oncelebrating the 100 yearsachieved by our Indianpictures.

The festival had beeninundated with actors fromthe Hindi film fraternity.Film stars like Shah RukhKhan, Sharmila Tagore,Amitabh Bahchan, HrithikRoshan with wife SussanneRoshan, Tabu and Sridevigraced the event. Amongothers who representedBollywood were MalaikaArora Khan, Arjun Rampalwith wife Mehr, andAnurag Kashyap with hiswife, actress Kalki Koechlin.

Sharmila Tagore whohas been appointed as oneof the jury members this

year declared this festivalopen. Malaika Arora Khanrevved up the openingceremony by performing toher successful numberssuch as "Chaiyya Chaiyya",but not to forget the cult-hit"Munni Badnaam".

Amitabh Bachchanwas handed over the lifetimeachievement award by thefamous French actressCatherine Deneuve. On theoccasion of the openingceremony Hrithik Roshanfitted in some thoughtfulwords about the legendaryactor. He said, "When I was13 or 14 years old, myfriends and I had this littlecamera on which we wouldfilm various things. I wouldenact Mr. Bachchan's linesand try and find that placein myself that could reflectthis man's greatness. I neverdid. I hope one day I achievehalf of the greatness of thisman, who continues toinspire and encourage."

Amitabh Bachchan toore-joined saying that

Something definitely hasbeen brewing between two mostpopular stars of B-town who arenamely, Priyanka Chopra andSalman Khan.

A leading newspaper hadrecently published someexclusive photographs ofSalman and Priyanka that wereclicked below Salman's house.This was done to prove the newblooming friendship betweenthe two.

Both the stars slammed itas intrusion of privacy and alsostated it as a cheap way offurthering the popularity of thenewspaper. However, nowthings seem to be different as bothSalman and Priyanka seem tobe quiet open about theirequation.

The two stars flew off toDubai to perform there recently

and the two were lodged at thesame hotel. It all started with apress conference that wasattended by both. Towards theconclusion of the conference thetwo were seen toying. Salmanwas noticed sketching his patenthuman face on a piece of paperwhereas PC was seen doodlingon the same.

Backstage as well theirfriendly and warm vibes werepalpable. Salman announcedto the media backstage in ahumorous manner, "I didn'tchoose Priyanka or the others toperform with me. They(pointing to PeeCee and ZarineKhan, Sophie Choudry) choseme,". He added, "I am Priyanka'sfavourite co-star of late."

Priyanka too did not wantto miss this opportunity toreaffirm the thought saying

"Yup!". To this we wonder whatPriyanka's current stand is onher 'good friend' Shah RukhKhan who sometime back hadbeen her favourite co-actor.Things seem to have taken aturn and the actress is mum onthe issue that happened in thepast. Guess she has moved onfrom all the rumourssurrounding them and wantsto grow her friendship with themost popular star of late. It isnow also being speculated thatSalman has referred Priyanka'sname for a film.

A source who was travellingwith these stars, said that all theactors were hidden in Salman'ssuite all afternoon. Sohail Khanand Priyanka's manager toohad been there. The sourcerevealed, "There was a series ofmeeting. And they did notemerge till late for theirrehearsals."

It is being rumoured thatSalman has been planning amulti-starrer for quietsometime and thus they werediscussing matter on the film. Ithas also been mentioned that,Salman even made aconference call to a friendstationed in Mumbai to discussabout this project. Hisconversation with the friendended on this note: "Chal abhiwoh picture banate hain."

Hrithik Roshan was alwaysa part of AbhishekBachchan's birthdayparties. He added that hehad not anticipated thenthat he would become sucha huge superstar that he istoday but definitely showedglimpses of talent. He stated"This guy used to win allcompetitions. We didn'tknow what was going tohappen in the future. Ihave lovely memories ofHrithik in the house."Amitabh Bachchan's film"The Indian family" was alsoscreened at this festival.

Shah Rukh Khan toowas honored with amemento for hiscontribution to films by thePrince of Morocco, MoulayRachid. He was later seenconversing animatedlywith the popular Italianactor Monica Belluci duringa stately dinner.

This film festival will goon for nine long days andwill close on the 8th ofDecember.

Something special cooking between Salman, Priyanka!

Hrithik Roshan Sharmila TagoreMalaika Arora Khan

Salman and Priyanka!

million on an estimatedbudget of $75 million. (Inorder to even come close toturning a profit, a movie hasto earn twice its productionbudget in ticket sales, plusthe millions spent onmarketing.) Murphy thenbacked out of hosting theOscars, which didn't help hisreputation.

His string of flops landsMurphy at the top of our MostOverpaid Actors list for 2012.We estimate that for every $1Murphy was paid for his lastthree films, they returned anaverage of $2.30 at the boxoffice.Murphy

Angelina Jolie

C o n s i d e r i n g hecomes from a line ofentertainers, it might

seem like Damon Wayans Jr.'sdecision to get into showbusiness was an obvious one.But the actor tells omg! thathe initially had other plans.

"I wanted to be ananimator originally. I went toart school, I went to art collegeand everything," Wayansshares in the interview. "Butthat screen was just callingme."

The 30-year-old, who's theson of Damon Wayans andnephew of Keenan Ivory,Marlon, and Shawn Wayans(all comedic actors), got a tasteof the world of acting early on,starring in his dad's film"Blankman" back in 1994, andappearing on his sitcom "MyWife and Kids."

Since then, he's trulyfollowed in his famous family'sfootsteps, and now stars in theensemble sitcom "HappyEndings," in which he plays a

metrosexual unemployedbusinessman named Brad,sidekick to his competitiveperfectionist wife Jane (playedby Eliza Coupe).

If playing a comical rolelooks like it comes easy forWayans, well, it all goes backto some important advice hisdad gave him about thebusiness of entertaining others."He just said work really hard.Funny is simple, funny isn'trocket science, so just don'tworry yourself," explains

Wayans. "Just have fun andenjoy the ride. That's what I'mdoing."

When he's not busy beingfunny on his ABC show,Wayans has been trying tospread the word aboutrecycling and celebratedAmerica Recycles Day lastmonth with Bud Light, whichhas been touring the countrywith a 21-foot football goal postmade entirely out of recycledcans.

"They set it up at differenttailgating parties outside ofgames and they have fans kickthe ball in the spirit ofrecycling," he explains. "It's areally fun way to haverecycling in the front of yourmind and think about how wecan step it up even more."

As for why recycling isso important to Wayans,well, that's kind of in hisblood, too.

"My name is recycled ifyou really think about it," hejokes. "I was born to recycle."

Damon Wayans Jr. on Following in His Dad'sFootsteps: 'That Screen Was Just Calling Me'

Wayans Jr

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8— SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012 PAGE 27

Get the best mood lightingwith bedside lampsTable lamps provide a cosy

atmosphere and moodlighting in a room. As

functional pieces they caneasily be moved around asneeded and shifted toinstantly create a new 'roomstyle' without having tocompletely redecorate yourspace.

The location of a tablelamp in a room canimmediately change its effect.

Homes

Positioning a table lampagainst a mirror gives a roomdepth through light andshadow, while a taller lamp ona low side table has a quirkyeffect, making a decorativepiece.

Floor lamps are fantasticfor both lighting anddecoration in a room.

A floor lamp is capable ofmaking a dead space comealive as a functional reading

lamp and an intriguingsculpture piece. More thanthis, a floor lamp also providesw a r m t h .

To choose the perfect lamp,focus on the materials youhave in your home and choosesomething unique like glass,chrome or timber for the basethat perfectly matches yourdecor. From there, choose ashade that balances out thebase and brings life to theroom through a warm glow.You will definitely end upwith a functional readinglight and an art piece tocomplete your room.

When choosing a stand, tryto find something unique thatcomplements your style.Antique stores are a greatplace to start for a base withreal character. For a trulyindividualised stand,converting household objectsis a fantastic alternative.

Almost anything can bemade into a base - like a vase -even a watering can - So getcreative!

If you already have a base,it can be dressed up with avibrant shade. Meanwhile,bedside lamps should bepractical as well asdecorative, think about howyou use your bedside table;tall lamp for high ceilingrooms or to maximise tablespace perhaps a small light.

You can expand yourcreative skills by using aslender floor lamp placedbetween the bed and table tofree up table space andprovide excellent readinglight because the lamp basedesign is very simple and itallows the lampshade to standon its own.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012PAGE 28

Pots & PansWith

Hajiya Ramatu Usman DorayiCuisineChicken potatosoup to whetyour appetiteT h e s e light and

appetizing meals mayjust be what you need

to have a lovely day thisweekend. With a little breakfrom the usual stuff likepounded yam and rice, whichare rich in carbohydrate,these meals rich in proteinwill keep you feeling on thelighter side and above all, sovery healthy. Savour…..

Ingredients:One whole chicken,

potatoes, one largecucumber, carrots, Greenpepper, onions, freshpepper (attarugu), curry &thyme, salt and seasoningand a piece of fresh ginger.

Method:Cut & wash chicken, put

on fire, add some seasoning,salt and fresh ginger.

Peel and cut potatoes,wash and add to the cooking.Chop onions, carrots,cucumber and keep aside.

When the chicken andpotatoes are almost done,add the choppedvegetables, and theremaining seasonings likecurry and thyme. Cover tosimmer for few minutes andthen serve.

Kunun gyada is best taken with beans cake [akara orkosai]

Kunun gyada is best taken with beans cake [akara orkosai]

Ingredients:Three tins of groundnut paste, raw pap, 2 table spoons

of white rice, 1tin of sugar, one large lemon and enoughwater, preferably 3-4litres.

Method:1 . Soak groundnuts in water for 1 hour, wash and

remove the skin.2. Blend by adding water until smooth. Sieve and put

in a pot Wash the 2 table spoon of rice and add, cook for 1hr:

30min.Remove from fire, mix pap with little water and pour in

the boiled groundnut paste, squeeze in your lemon, addsugar and stir, serve hot with beans cake.

Groundnutpap (Kunungyada)

Ingredients:PotatoesOnionSaltPepperMilkButterMethod:Peel and dice potatoes,

dice onion then boilpotatoes and onion untilpotatoes are fork tender.Drain half of water andreplace with milk. Addsome butter, salt andpepper to taste. Cook untilhot then it’s done. Serve assoup.

Easy potatosoup

PAGE 29 PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER, 2012

How to buildconfidence in a child

Womanhood

S e l f -Confidence isimportant to enable theyoung ones achieve

success later in life. Children aresensitive and needencouragement to learn. Theyneed the support from parentsand adults to grow up wellbalanced. Confidence in childrencomes from positive support inadults.

It is important thatchildren develop a positiveimage of their own. A positiveimage means that they are selfconfident; they know their ownlimits and trust their ownabilities. People who have apositive image enjoy their livesand can handle themselves intough situations. So, it is the samesituation for children; in order tobuild self-confidence, parentsneed to bring out confidence intheir children. This feeling is notcongenital. It's created in thechild's environment. Verbal andnon verbal cues are important toimpart a message of confidence.Confidence from adults gives thechild the ability to handle newchallenges and activities.

Accept children for whothey are. Whatever the childdoes right, we should encouragethem, compliment them and bespecific. For example, don't say"You are a good kid", just say "I likethe way you cleaned your room,you have good organizationalskills". If a child does somethinginappropriate, then we have tocorrect them (without yelling atthem). They need to know thatwithout making mistakes, therecan be no wisdom.3

Children learn a lot more bytrying for themselves though itwill take longer and probably getmessier. Patience and confidencecan do a lot. Give children thetime and space to try somethingnew and learn from theirmistakes. Provide them withhelp, if they need it. Be proud ofthem, whether or not theysucceed. Children with self-confidence are not frightened bynew experiences or learningsituations. Allowing children tocomplete puzzles or projects ontheir own (you will help if theyask) will build their confidence.

Act as a role model.Children learn the most fromyour behavior. They are good atinvariably imitating adultbehavior, good or bad. They wantto be adults themselves. If theysee you cussing, they will cuss. Ifthey see you praying, they willpray. If they see you helpingothers, they will try to help.Abused children will becomechild abusers. Buildingconfidence in children will helpthem achieve success as adults.www.wikihow.com

Give child a sense of belonging

S

Child can be in control too

Let child feel close

PAGE 30

ArchivesPEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER, 2012

Do you have old pictures for memories?Send them to julius2001_a@yahoo.com

Barack and Michelle, Ca.1992

A snake charmer in front of US consulate, Lagos in the 50s. Inpresent day Nigeria, a snake-charmer cannot get close to the USEmbassy

Pre-independence Kaduna... "Building at left with white facade is an assembly hall, for state dinnersand official gatherings. The building at right with red facade is the house in which the premier willlive. A third building was to be built on the far side of the assembly hall."

William H. Herbert, teaches a class in motor mechanics at the Kano Government Trade Center in 1959. The center, opened in January 1954, was intended to help meetthe severe shortage of trained artisans in the North. In the picture, Herbert holds a generator. The demonstration chassis around which the class is grouped is an Austin K2.

PAGE 31

LeisurePEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012

WORD SEARCH With Augustine Aminu

Proverbs and wise sayings

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Find the words about airplane parts, listed below, in theword search grid. Circle each letter one by one. Each letterof the airplane word search grid may be used in more thanone word.

T H E F U S E E L A G E F I S

C O N T R O L S T I C K U E T

O H E B I G A B O O N W S N D

C S Y S E C N T I N I O E I N

K S E E O F D A N N F A L G I

P A L G N R I S G C L R A N A

I I F A U I N S P T A A G E N

T L D E T A G C A O C T E E R

R E I L E S G N F S I T A N H

E R O T A V E L E C T L R I E

W O A T N D A T H T R E E B L

P N A O S P R E L L E P O R P

S E N R S G E R S O V J R U T

H E C H S R E Z I L I B A T S

A R G T O L R U D D E R O A D

AILERONCOCKPITCONTROL STICKELEVATORFLAPSFUSELAGEGAUGESJET ENGINELANDING GEARNOSE

Airplane Parts Word Search Puzzle

A Real Lagos Child

CARTOON

QUOTESThe work of Nigeria is not complete for as longas there is any one Nigerian who goes to bedon empty stomach. —Ibrahim Babangida

Let me make a solemn pledge before all of you,before the whole world and before God, that Iwill devote all my energy and all I possess in mypower to serve the people of Nigeria andhumanity. —Olusegun Obasanjo

Nigeria has had a complicated colonial history.My work has examined that part of our storyextensively. —Chinua Achebe

Nigeria has no business with poverty. With ourhuman and material resources, we shall striveto eradicate poverty from our country.—Olusegun Obasanjo

PICTURE OF THE DAY

PROPELLERRUDDERSLATSSPOILERSTABILIZERSTAILTHROTTLETURBINE ENGINEVERTICAL FINWINGS

JOKES

Johnny Just ComeA man went on a visit to Lagos. Aftersome days, he decided to take a walkaround the streets for sights seeing.When he reached a place where therewere skyscrapers, he stood sti l l,overwhelmed by what he saw.Meanwhile, an Ajegunle area boy whohad been observing the manapproached him and threatened him,saying looking at a building in Lagoscosts N500 only. He then asked the manhow many buildings he had viewed. Theman replied, "I only looked at threebuildings". The area boy forced him topay N1500. After he left, the manchuckled...."Look at that fool, he didn'tknow I looked at 25 buildings today."

Many hands in a small bowl

1. It is an unthinking man who achievesprosperity, and then finds with time, thathis body can no longer pass throughthe door.2. When an only kolanut is presentedwith love, it carries with it more valuethan might otherwise be associatedwith a whole pod of several kolanuts.3. The man who remembers others,remembers also his creator.4. The bird that remembers itsflockmates, never misses its way.5. When a dying man cries, it is notbecause of where he is going which heknows nothing about, but because ofwhat he wishes he would have done inthe world but is leaving behind. 6. The head could not have got towhere it is now if it did not give.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012PAGE 32

You don't have to be a celebrity

FSensational lace dress:

Compiled by Jamila Nuhu Musa

H ow fantastic do the likes of KylieMinogue, Milla Jovovich andCheryl Cole look in these

stunning dresses? As always withcelebrity fashion there is a downside, thatusually being the price tag. Don't worrygirls; you can still copy their style even ifyou are not a celebrity.

The lace trend never dies and thereare more ways than ever to wear yourlace dress. Whether your style is demureor edgy rock chic, there are manydifferent styles of lace dresses available.They range from casual shifts toglamorous gowns. Here are a few tips onhow to turn out your best in lace dresses.

Coloured LaceStray from black and white lace

dresses and head for bright reds andpinks. As coloured lace makes quite astatement, team these dresses withneutral accessories. A red lace dress wouldmake an excellent party dress any day.

Casual wearWhen thinking about how to wear

lace dresses, look to the quality of thefabric. Lower quality lace is better forcarrying off casual, day-to-day looks.Heavier lace fabrics are also better forcreating that casual appearance. Choosea shorter length lace dress in neutralcolours. Top it off with tan leatheraccessories for a fun, casual look.

Evening wearBetter quality lace is more suited for

evening wear and special occasions.Longer length dresses and gowns arequite elegant. Black lace is quitedramatic, but be bold enough to trywhite or cream lace. If you are worriedabout white lace being a bit too bridal,team it with colourful accessories or addsome colourful trims.

Heavy laceThese types of lace are better for

keeping structure and creating a definedsilhouette. Think shift dresses and full-skirted tea dresses as they are mucheasier to style when it comes to how towear lace dresses. Sturdier lace fabricswith wider nets and more unique patternsare what you should be looking out forthis season.

Metallic laceVintage-type lace is all well and good,

but if you want something a little morecontemporary you can't go past metalliclace. The metallic lace dress is perfect fora party occasion. For a fun evening look,team a metallic lace dress in a flirty shiftstyle with some patent accessories andmetallic jewellery.

Hopefully these tips on how to wearlace dresses will avail you someconfidence about the fabric. Whether itis a staple part of your wardrobe or forspecial occasions only, lace is an elegantand on-trend choice of fabric.

Triangular trim lace long sleeve with fabulous flared cuff- Emuli Pucci lace one shoulder dress

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8— SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012 PAGE 33

Business

NEF plans internationalagri- business forum in 2013As part of its determination

to assist government indiversifying the economy

and creating the enablingenvironment for youthemployment, the NigerianEntrepreneurs Forum (NEF) isplanning and international agri-business forum to be held in PortHarcourt, Rivers state by themiddle of next year.

NEF president, Dr SidneyInegbedion who spoke at theunveiling of the group’ssecretariat in Abuja onWednesday, said that urgent stepshave to be taken by allstakeholders considering the fact

that about 49 million Nigeriansare presently jobless while out ofabout 6 million graduates ouruniversities churn out every year,barely a million of them getsomething to do.

The NEF boss added that theforum would attract globalinvestors and local producers aswell as other key stakeholders inagricultural business from all overthe world.

According to him, his grouphas keyed into the AgriculturalTransformation Agenda of theFederal Government aimed atturning agriculture into a properand more lucrative business.

Thanking the Ministry ofTrade and Investment for

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem providing the secretariat andother logistic needs of the forum,Inegbedion disclosed that hisgroup which started in 2010, hasbeen growing in leaps and boundswith present membershipstrength of 450 as well as growingbranches across the country.

He noted that with thecountry’s present growth rate, itwill become the 6th mostpopulous country on earth by theyear 2020, urging governmentand stakeholders to get preparedto take care of the hugepopulation.

“The foundation of anysuccessful nation is the peopleand their entrepreneural spirit.We started this forum with that

in mind. We have beenencouraging Nigerians toestablish businesses and employpeople. It doesn’t matter how youstart and the number people youemploy, what matters is your ownability to engage people andcontribute to the growth of theeconomy,” Inegbedion said

“We strongly believe thattraining is key in our bid toliberate Nigeria from its presenteconomic state. We have trainingprogrammes for both newbusinessmen and existingentrepreneurs and we have gonefar in training a lot of Nigerianyouths and women.”

NEXIM recovers N1.3bn debt,inaugurates debt recovery dept

The NEXIM Bankhas recovered N1.3 billion,and henceforth created a

Remedial ManagementDepartment to intensify thebank’s debt recovery drive.

Nexim’s chief executive Mr.Roberts Orya stated this weekendduring a briefing on the bank’sperformance in the past threeyears. He said a robustEnterprise Risk Management

Framework for the bank has beendesigned.

He added that in line with Mr.President’s transformationagenda, NEXIM bank has beenrepositioned to enhance theexport of non-oil sectors of theeconomy. He said the bank hasspent N23.33b to supportNigerian exporters majorly thesmall and medium enterpriseswith some engaged in Greenfieldprojects. He also disclosed thatthe bank issued guarantees

valued at $27.3m between 2009and August 2012.

Mr. Orya said the major areasof concentration are inmanufacturing, agro-processing,solid minerals and services. Oryasaid financial innovations by thebank have made it profit-oriented, adding that the bank,through its various operationalinterventions, generated andsustained direct jobs of over14,358 as at August 31, 2012.

He added that between

August 2009 and August 2012,NEXIM has facilitated thegeneration of estimated foreignexchange earnings of US$189.20million annually. He revealedthat for the first time since 2003,the dividend for the 2010financial year was declared andpaid.

He said the bank’s newstrategic initiatives for improvedperformance in deepening intra-regional trade with the launchingof ECOWAS Trade SupportFacility collaborated with theBorderless Alliance (an initiativeof the USAID/ West AfricanTrade Hub) to progress theregional initiative aimed atremoving non-tariff barriers.

The Nigerian Society ofEngineers (NSE) says it is ready to collaborate with

the Independent NationalElectoral Commission (INEC) inperfecting electronic voting forfuture elections.

The NSE President,Mr. Mustafa Shehu, said this onFriday while briefing journalistson the communiqué issued at theend of the group’s delegates conference.

Shehu said the group successfully deployed the use ofe-voting designed by Nigerianengineers to elect officers to runits affairs in 2013.

According to him, NSE wasable to use the e-voting throughthe collaboration of NigComSatLtd, a Federal Governmentowned company.

“It is important to alsohighlight that the software usedwas developed by Nigerianengineers in Nigeria.

“The lesson learnt in thisexercise is that it is possible forINEC to use e-voting in the localgovernment, state and federalelection.

“ NSE will be ready tocollaborate with INEC in thisregard,’’ he said.

The NSE in the communique called for autonomy andadequate funding of the FederalRoads Maintenance Agency(FERMA) as well as State RoadMaintenance Agencies.

The communique also calledon the Federal Government todeclare a state of emergency onmaintenance of publicinfrastructure.

It expressed the willingness ofNSE to play active role in theimplementation of the NigerianIntegrated Master Planframework and urged Nigeriansto support the power sectorreform,

The NSE regretted thatdespite the fact that the countrywas well endowed withindigenous technologies as wellas human and materialresources, the nation was yet toexploit them for economicdevelopment.

The communique said thatmost of the steel being consumedin the country were importedwhile the country’s major steelplants were moribund.

It called for a re-appraisal ofthe Osogbo and Ajaokutamachine tool plants with the aimof reviving them.

Apart from Shehu, also to runthe affairs of the NSE in 2013 areAdemola Olorunfemi, DeputyPresident and Otis Anyaeji, VicePresident.

Others are Adekunle Mokuoluand Mrs Valerie Agberagbe, whoare both Vice Presidents.

Mrs Margaret Oguntala, MrsAishatu Umar, AkintayoAkintola, Mohammed Abbass.Ezekwesili Onah and WahabIbrahim were named ascommittee members whileAhmed Amshi holds the positionof Executive Secretary

NSE ready topartner INECon e-voting

By Augustine Aminu

L-R: Minister ofState for Power,Hajia ZainabKuchi,ManagingDirector/ChiefExecutiveOfficer, EgbinPower Plc,Lagos, Dr.MichaelUzoigwe, andpermanentsecretary, Dr.Dere Awosika, atthe signing ofperformanceagreements withManagingDirector/ChiefExecutive Officerof PowerGeneration andTransitionCompanies inAbuja, on Friday.

Photo:Mahmud Isa

The EntrepreneurPEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8— SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012PAGE 34

‘I used my shop as bedroom’

How long have youbeen in thea l u m i n i u m

business?I have been in this business

for the past six years. That wasafter a two year training undermy master who also resideshere in Lafia, though after thetraining I had to work foranother year under him beforeI eventually graduated andwas subsequently able to set upmy own shop.

How much capital didyou commit in starting thebusiness?

As soon as I graduated fromthe training, I was able to setup a small shop here in Shabu,using my savings, which didnot amount to much. Butsomehow, I started on my own,savouring the joy of workingfor myself at last, rather thanfor my master. It was just asmall shop but I was happy. Ieven used the shop as mybedroom. At the close of work, Iwill convert the remainingspace inside the little shop intomy bedroom. Until, throughthe grace of God, I was able tosecure a juicy contract andfrom the proceeds, I was able torent this shop, which is biggerand spacious enough for me tobegin serious aluminiumwork. Even at that, I wasalmost koboless after gettingthe shop but then I startedproduction gradually and thensaving.

What types of services do

you provide yourcustomers?

I construct aluminiumwindows and doors, slidingwindows, casement windows,long span roofing, chairs andaluminium centre tables. I amalso into manufacturing showcases and other aluminiumproducts to meet the demandsof my customers.

How can you describeyour progress so far?

Yes, Iam happy to say thatthings are moving well for me.After all said and done, Iam notthe same person as at the timeI started this venture. By andlarge, you make marginalprofits but it is worth it. My lifehas changed for the better as I

Damian Agwabuci, owns Demco Aluminium Works, located in Shabu area of Nasarawa state, a thriving colony of welders and variousartisans cashing on the fast growing economy of the new state by establishing businesses to serve the expanding demand for the buildingand construction sector of the economy. In this interview with Ali Abare Abubakar, Peoples Daily Weekend correspondent in Lafia, theyoung entrepreneur opened up on the prospects and challenges of his line of business.

now live comfortably. Imarried in this business andblessed with a child. My parentswho live in the east, look up tome to solve some of theirfinancial difficulties. Iam gladthat Iam in a position to helpmy family membersfinancially and all from theproceeds from my aluminiumbusiness. I also bought a parcel

of land where Iam presentlydeveloping my own house.

What is your advice tomostly unemployed youthsinsisting on white collarjobs that are notforthcoming?

Some of these youths do notwant to learn trades but thereare others, like these ones yousee working with me, who arewilling to learn. Presently Ihave 13 apprentices workingunder me. Therefore, I willadvice such youths to learntrades to be able to sustain theirlives. One must not work ingovernment before beingsuccessful. Those that work ingovernment come to us andspend their money buying ourproducts. So youths shouldendeavour to learn tradesrather than resorting tobegging and creating nuisance.

What are yourchallenges?

Foremost is lack of rawmaterials. Most people buyaluminium from Abuja andsell to us at exorbitant rate,thereby cutting away ourmarginal profits. To beat that,I always travel to Abuja to buymy raw material as that is theonly way I can realise a profit.Another major challenge is thelack of steady power supply.PHCN hardly gives us light andas you can see, we resort tousing generators. Governmentshould support and encourageus by providing us with steadylight so that our business canflourish.

Damian at his workshop

Finished aluminnium work display at Damian’s workshop Damian displaying his product

TraveloguePEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012 PAGE 35

Networking For Justiceand a US road trip (II)S o l u t i o n s to the economic

decline of Northern Nigeria liesin its comparative advantages

particularly the wetlands in Hadejia- Jama'are - Kuduga - Yobe basin thatare suitably arable. This could be doneby rehabilitating water irrigationalinfrastructure, power generation,revamping agro industrial linkagesand resuscitation of the transportationsystem, particularly railways.Lubeck commends the initiativemaking women to invest in sheep andgoat breeding mounted by the KanoEconomic Summit (KAPEDI) andpredicts Kano - Zaria - Kaduna as theeconomic hub of the region.

The paper entitled "ReformingIndigene - Settler Dichotomy inNigeria, submits that the problem ofdetermining who is at a particularplace first is usually the dilemma thatsnowballs into open conflicts. Otherincendiary instances could bewhenever so called settlers attempt toassert their right to state privileges andinsist on their franchise of being votedfor. Present measures to boost nationalintegration (i.e. federal characterappointments, NYSC and UnitySchools) are subverted by lopsidedenrolment of children of elites in unityschools and the refusal by NYSC statesof primary to recruit ex - Corpersbecause they were not indigenes of suchstates. CSOs should propagate the tenetsof inclusive citizenship, fightdiscrimination against citizen's rightsand apply pressure for theamendment of legal instruments todiscountenance disclosures aboutreligion, place of birth, state of originand lay emphasis rather on places ofresidence.

The presentation,Rethinking Nigeria's Indigene-Settler Conflicts, observes that thepropensity of conflicts in societies withsocio economic disparities makesperception as important as reality.Questions demanding for answerswere: If peace is prevalent in somesocieties with low economicopportunities, would prosperity bringpeace to Nigeria? Does inequalitybreed violence? Shouldn't otherdifferences like those imposed byreligion, ethnicity, age, bad

governance and identity basedreasoning be taken seriously? And, bythe way what is the response of thegovernment?

Crises in Nigeria have longhistory. The modalities and profiles ofthe conflicts have also changed overthe years. From the use of axes, swordsand dane guns, violence is nowadaysperpetrated with kalshnikovs, bombsand mercenaries. In all probability,conflicts will abate only whenperpetrators of violence are held toaccount. Prosecuting high levelpolitical offenders will be difficult, ofcourse, but Nigeria has to find someway to do it. Compensations must alsobe paid. But conflicts could be used forbroader policy planning. Goals andspecific policies should be put in placeand tested like institutional reformsand if necessary a Truth Commissions.CSOs could similarly mediate bybroadening the concept of justice andgetting people to live with their pastand with each other.

The complexity of indigene - settlerissues in Nigeria's constitution was alsohighlighted. For whenever they flareup, State Governors are hamstrungfrom responding effectively. Thestructure of power distribution islargely to blame. "Policing power andtherefore law enforcement is outsidethe jurisdiction of State Governors".

More questions were raised at

plenary discussions. Many times,belligerent indigenes and settlers bothsee themselves as victims. Thecontinuing belligerence of South-South - South militants is attributedto the absence of political programme.Consequently, this claim agitated soulsearching inquiries; should economicreforms in conflict areas be precededby political reform or vice versa? Aparticipant provides ecologicalinterpretations to the on-goingconflicts in Northern Nigeria. To him,desertification in the northern mostparts and gully erosion in the deepsouth prod the sudden massmovement of people and grazers intothe central plains, and the populationdensity is resultantly exacerbatingtensions and crises between tribalgroups and new settlers in such places.Conclusions were therefore drawnthat just like Boko Harm insurgency,the increasing population is itself abomb. To rescue the situation,aggressive agrarian revolution mustbe pursued and implemented. Buttruth to tell, Nigerian state is hopeless.It cannot organize development. Onlythe market could attract investment.Nigerians have no alternative but tocreate conditions for investment bylooking towards India and growing"agricultural clusters".

During the working luncheon,several commentators took

alternative turns on the podium.Election Observation was one

of the topics. It was mooted that thepresence of foreign observers providesprotection to Domestic Observer teams.True enough, without the former thelater might not have been allowed toobserve election duties in many climes.The bedlam which manifested as postelection violence after the clean bill ofhealth the international observer teamhad passed on Nigeria's 2011 electionsalso make it mandatory upon foreignobserver teams to henceforth wait untilthe entire process (collation,compilation and declaration of results)is concluded before passing verdicts. Tofurther boost the prestige of the exercise,closer correspondence need to beperfected foreign observer missionswith domestic observer teams.

A Nigerian who spoke on reformsassured the audience that thecitizenry are reform minded.According to him, though youngNigerians openly yearn for change,they disagree on the character of thereform measures and the strategy formoving forward. Everybody has hisperspective. On-going narrativesindicate dissensions about thestructure of the nation state, fears ofpolitical restructuring, disagreementsover power sharing between federal,state and local governments, concernsabout overriding powers of stategovernors and with the presidentialsystem of government, revenuegeneration and distribution, indigene-settler issues etc.

Plural societies always grapplewith complex issues, thusdisagreements will continue toresonate. Even though there is noconsensus, clear directions haveemerged. There is overall yearningto create sound economy and pursuevalue reorientation. Many people arenon-challant about reforms becausethe measures thus far are piece meal,panders to vested interest and are notsustainable. The culture of impunitygives license to those who want toperpetrate evil to do so. Many inquirycommissions were inaugurated andhave submitted reports but nothinghas yet been done. The new narrative

is about growing lack of confidence ingovernment. To evolve enduringpolitical and economic reforms, boldand difficult choices have to be made.However, since Nigerians are alwaystalking about reform, there is hope inthe horizon

Floor space discussions generatedlively altercations. Legitimacy of theleadership, need to reform the reforms,boosting internal party democracyand inter party relations werevigorously debated and discussed.Need for individual reforms about theway and manner Nigerians regardand relate to each other was identifiedas cardinal. Permitting states andrespective local governments topartake in mineral exploration anddevelopment is similarly adjudged asprimary. Political education wasidentified as key to improving qualityof the followership to at least generateeffective demands for transparencyand good governance. It was alsoconcluded that reforms could beimportant only if the right attitudesare brought to bear. Rules of conductmust be adhered to by all Nigeriansbecause "if you don't know where youare going, all roads will take you there".

Afternoon Session Four papers were delivered at this

session; two focused on EducationalReforms and other two dealt withSecurity Challenges in NorthernNigeria.

In the paper, EducationalReforms in Northern Nigeria,statistical data to support claims ofimbalance at various levels ofeducation between the North andSouth were presented. Educationalproblems in the North wereprecipitated and compounded byinadequate funding, demographicpressure, management problems,lack of good educational planning,corruption, lack of political will etc

The consequences of theseabysmal despondency is lowenrolment at all levels of education,general decay of educationalinfrastructure particularly primaryschools, serious shortage of competent

Contd on page 39

By Dalhatu Yola

Sultan of Sokoto, MuhammadSa’ad Abubakar

NSGF Chairman, Gov. BabangidaAliyu

Education Minister, Prof RuqayyatuRufai

Gov. of Plateau state, David Jang US President, Barack Obama

Networking For Justice and a US road trip (II)Contd from page 35

teaching staff and the lack oftransparency in management ofschools. His conclusion therefore wasthat inaction by state governmentsin the North has, no doubt, contributedto the backwardness of the people andto the present insecurity.

Recommendations lie in electingleaders with sufficient political will toinvest in girl- child education,provision of free education at primaryand secondary school levels andpromulgation of laws to compel publicoffice holders to send their wards topublic schools. Other measures shouldbe to uplift quality of teaching in theNorth through diligentimplementation of educational reformpolicies.

I missed the main gists on PastoralistEducational Reforms in Nigeria and onEducational Reforms, Qur'anic Schoolsand Quest for Values when I went out topray. I returned midstream to hearconcluding remarks that Tsangayaschools are essentially 'urban phenomena'and characterized by cramped andcrowded conditions, begging, itinerancy,lack of social mobility and economicopportunities. If nothing urgent is doneabout these schools, the Boko Haramincidence traumatizing the nation nowwould be just "tangential". The real'explosion' is coming.

Northern States are advised toemulate the manner Missionary

schools in South Western Nigeriaintegrated religious knowledgealongside western education. TheTsangaya educational systemintroduced by Governor IbrahimShekarau in Kano State was a step inthe right direction but is notpractically sustainable because nosingle state could run it. A regionalplan is therefore necessary.

The session on Conflict andSecurity Reform dwelt on the fact thatmilitary are not trained in counterinsurgency tactics that is why'mistakes" and "accidents" arehappening. Military has a culture,procedure, technique's and tacticslargely account for present daycollateral damages. The killing ofMuhammad Yusuf was attributed tothe failure of command and control.

The next paper Security Reformand Conflict Resolution acknowledgesthe dilemma military confront incivilian law enforcement duties. It wasemphatic that rules of engagementwhich specifies composition of teamcomprising media, police andmagistrate during military searchand raid parties is not being compliedwith.

What to do? Possible solutions liewith meeting the full standards oftraining and the reform of ArmedForces Act like was done to the PoliceAct of 1960. The military has beenoperating without due regard tocontemporary challenges. For

instance, immediate therapy shouldbe administered for post traumaticdisorder among officers and men thatparticipate in peace keeping operationsbefore dispatching them off to anotherdangerous assignment.

Nigeria has also become a transitcountry for drug trafficking thereforeintegrated border patrols should beinitiated. The media also contributesto conflict. Security personnel readpapers close to them and get influencedby the drivel published as news. Themedia therefore need to be re-orientated. Churches and mosques fanembers of conflict. Military personnelthat attend churches outside thebarracks become easily influenced byreligious bigots.

Civilian and Military structuresmust combine to remove theperception of military brutality.Military could change the picture byparticipating in communitydevelopment, availing health servicesto the public, contributing towardseducation and getting involved withsanitation exercises. They shouldorganize social interactions like footballcompetitions with civil society and soforth.

Floor discussions wereexhilarating. A participant recalled ameeting of Kano civil Society Forumwhich convened over public concernswith JTF atrocities namely; extrajudicial killings, harassment ofcivilians and inconveniences

occasioned to movements andbusinesses in cordoned areas. Heinsisted that JTF operations in Kano,Bornu and Yobe have to be monitored,avenue for complaints need to beinaugurated, reparations paid toconvicts and culprit men and officersaccordingly punished.

Another participant puncturedthe claim that Boko Haram werecrushed since 2003 and citedinstances about how Boko Haramincubates and reproduce themselvesby preaching and recruiting insidethe prison yards and the Kanoinsurgency tactics of throwing moneyto the public and inviting aggrievedindividuals to join them.

Subsequent farewell dinner atmulti-purpose Founder's hallattracted lively discussions. Conflictsin Nigeria were attributed to randomsources: competition for power andresources, regional rivalries and abuseof freedom of speech.

Buses returned Delegation toMason Inn at Fairfax around 10.00pm.

Paden's mongraph also cameunder spotlight the following day atthe School for Advanced InternationalStudies (SAIS) in Johns HopkinsUniversity. Platitudes were dulyrendered. To wit, it is good news bynot harping about wars or famine-the usual news from Africa.Dedicating monograph to the unityof Nigeria was saluted as

commendable sign of goodwill,friendship and solidarity. Theconceptual and methodologicalweaknesses of the publication werehowever hammered. Internalmigrations have rendered as puerilethe fixation to label certain areas asimmutable ethnic conclaves. Forexample, FCT Abuja could no longerbe labeled as Gwari. The operationalconcept of ethnic groups needs toacknowledge changing facets of urbancenters and resultant migrations andmulticulturalism. Continuousintegration has made meaninglessand misnomers terminologies likeHausa- Kace or Hausa - Zuru.Methodological criticism were alsopointed at Paden's over reliance onopen sources i.e. newspapers andofficial reports instead of interviewswith critical actors and failure tocontextualize his analyses and findingson Nigeria as well as the sub region ingeneral.

No doubt, the various conferenceprescriptions are capable of makingconflicts in Northern Nigeriaamenable to mitigation andresolution. Due credits to identifyingsolution to present day troubledNigeria should to be given to bothNIPSS, S-CAR, GMU as well as theNetwork for Justice.Dalhatu Sani Yola is of theDepartment of Political Science,Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012 PAGE 39

Opinion

On assumption of office lastyear, President GoodluckJonathan reiterated the

commitment of the FederalGovernment to building formidablecapacity, capable of driving theadministrative machinery of theFederal Government. This assertion,undoubtedly, was hinged on thePresident’s recognition of theindispensability of professional andwell skilled personnel in the civilservice.

He promised to accord the civilservice its pride of place in thescheme of things and urged allconcerned in the training andretraining of the nation’s workforceto be proactive in the actualisationof this goal. This task by PresidentJonathan could not have come at abetter time considering grossinefficiency, ineptitude, lowproductivity and ruse which haveplagued the federal civil service overthe years.

One ministry that is key toNigerian economy is the aviationministry. The mandate of theFederal Ministry of Aviation is toformulate, update and implementthe National Aviation Master Planfor the overall development of theaviation industry in the country. Itis also to collect, store, analyze, anddisseminate meteorological data toend users; install, maintain andupgrade equipment andinfrastructure on timely basis andat all airports.

To set and implement safety andsecurity measures in the sector in

Aviation ministry under Princess Stella Oduah!Comrade Tosin Kakaki line with the International Civil

Aviation Organization (ICAO)standards, the World MeteorologicalOrganization ( WMO ) requirementsand recommended best practices forthe enhancement of safetyoversights. The Ministry’s mandatealso extends to airports developmentand management, the provision ofaviation security, and theimprovement of airspacemanagement.

There have been a lot of positivenews emanating from the AviationIndustry lately and they are alltailored to give meaning to theTransformation Agenda of PresidentJonathan. The array ofaccomplishments the AviationMinistry is hauling into its kitty is atestimony of the determined, focusand great leadership the HonorableMinster, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduahas deployed to turn the Aviationindustry around for good after yearsof lack lustre performance.

Since the arrival of the currentMinister, Princess Stella Odua,OON, who from the

onset of her assumption of dutieslaid a solid framework for herMinistry to lineup

with the TransformationAgenda of President GoodluckJonathan, there have been a lot ofvisible changes in our Airports,Airways operations and attitude ofstaff at various Airports.Immediately after she was sworn-in, Princess Odua undertook a tourof all Airports in the country toascertain their state, and reasonswhy our airports have not been ingood shape for years; and what is

required to improve them foroptimum use. With that, sheprepared a Road map for all thenation’s airports to transform intoworld class standards. This isunprecedented.

Though many were skepticalabout her capability to turn theaviation industry around, which allbelieve needed revolutionizing. Butin just one year down the road, heraccomplishments have proved anydoubting Thomases wrong.

Princess Stella has demonstratedability, doggedness, competence anda lot of resilience to ensure that theAviation Industry lines up with theTransformation Agenda of PresidentJonathan, as well as with the policiesand framework aforementionedwhich the Aviation industry hasevolved through all these years tobe here today.

Her handling of the Bilateral AirService Agreement (BASA) thatinvolved the Arik Airline and theBritish Airways authorities broughtto the fore her diplomatic ingenuityand negotiating skills. For the firsttime a Nigerian institution stood tallagainst the rampaging rascality ofa foreign imperialism, which hasmost a times subjected our peopleand National Agencies orInstitutions to serial manipulation.Not only did Arik Airline get backmore landing slots into HeathrowAirport, the slots were increased toseven from four per week.

Interestingly, as part of effort tosupport the transformation agendaof President Goodluck Jonathan, theMinister of aviation on assumptionof Office embarked on key

innovative interventions. In termsof real sector performance, therehave been efforts by the Minister toensure that airline passengers arenot taxed excessively or exploited byagencies, airlines or those who areinto Bi-lateral agreements with theaviation ministry.

She has ensured that air travelcosts remain reasonable, and therehas not been any appreciableincrease since she took over at theministry. The average cost of onehour travel within the country stillhovers between N10, 000 to N30,000. This is commendable in the faceof all the distortions the system hasfaced in the past one year. Safety ofpassengers has also been a top priorityof the Hon Minister except theunfortunate incidence of Dana crash.Our air space has remained safedespite all kinds of challenges rangingfrom natural circumstances toworkers restiveness and activities ofstakeholders and companies thathave Bi-lateral agreements with theAviation Ministry.

In all these, the HonorableMinister has maintained a sense offocus and duty that she owesNigerians a duty to ensure that airtravel remains affordable, safe andreliable at all times. In her remarksduring the Bi-Courtney servicecharge impase, Princess Stella Oduadeclared “that the decision to stopBi-Courtey from increasing thePassenger Service Charge fromN1000 to N2500 was not only toforestall the illegal and unilateralincrement, but also to protect thetravelling public from undueexploitation.

The Minister continued, “thatBi-Courtney unilateral increase ofthe PSC by as much as150% withoutcarrying out wide consultation withthe Grantor as required by theConcession Agreement, theCancellation of Maevis ConcessionAgreement that was heavilyskewed against the Nigerian Peopleand government is a furthertestimony of her Nigerianess.

Simultaneous reconstructionand remodelling of 11 airports(passengers/Hajj/Pilgrims camps)under the first phase of theremodeling programme-the firstsuch effort at rehabilitation of thedecayed infrastructure in the lastthree decades. The GAT, Lagos hasalready been commissioned and inuse. she equally secured approvalfrom the Presidency and the FederalExecutive Council (FEC) for theconstruction of five brand newInternational terminals as well asCargo terminals from aconcessionary loan from ChineseEXIM bank and got import dutywaivers from the Presidency and theFEC on all imported aircraft andspare parts as part of effort to growdomestic airlines, she is working onthe acquisition of about 30 newaircraft for domestic airlines throughan intervention fund to re-fleet theirairlines and boost their capacity anddomestic operations. Plans havereached advanced stage to float anew National Carrier that will becompletely private-sector drivenand professionally managed too.Comrade Tosin KakakiCivil Society Activistwrote from Abuja.

PAGE 36 PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012

Re: Sovereign wealth fund

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WRITE TO US

Garba Umar and Taraba'sActing Misconceptions

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

MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

ALI M. ALI

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION

HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

EDITOR, DAILY

ABDULAZEEZ ABDULLAHI

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND

JAMILA NUHU MUSA

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING

HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

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

industry by putting thepeople first, upholdingthe truth, maintaining

the highestprofessional andethical standards

while delivering valueto our stakeholders”

“To be a reputable,profitable,

innovative andtechnologically

reliant mediacompany offering

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ADESOJI OYINLOLA

T h e unfortunate air accident ofTaraba state's GovernorDanbaba D. Suntai, which

apparently has so far rendered himbedridden, has indeed triggered a lot ofpolitical discourses in the administrationof this North Eastern State. It is no doubtthat Taraba is a cosmopolitan andheterogeneous state, with so manydivergent ethnic nationalities; culturalbackgrounds and multiple religiouspersuasions with Christianity and Islamexpectedly being the dominant.

A new political horizon howeveropened in the state when on October 5,2012, a seasoned administrator andnotable political figure, Alhaji GarbaUmar, was sworn in as the new DeputyGovernor following the impeachment ofhis predecessor Alhaji Sani Danladi bythe State House of Assembly. BothDanladi and Umar are Muslim indigenesof Wurkun tribe from Karim-LamidoLocal Government of the state. The usualbut unofficial political configuration ofthe state is that if a Christian holds fortas elected Governor, his Deputy willnormally come from the Muslim faith,and vice versa.

However, typical of states with largeratio of these dominant religions or othersectarian identities, the struggle for groupsuperiority and political influence isnormal. In Taraba, by some politicalcoincidence, their elected Governors haveall been of one religious faith, beginningwith Reverend Jolly T. Nyame, a 3-timeGovernor who was succeeded by DanbabaD. Suntai, both of the same religion.Perhaps this is why some religiousirredentists believe that Taraba's highestcoveted seat should be reserved for aparticular religion or segment.

Politics of today has gone beyond meredogma, but drives greater success fromaccommodation and fairness to all. As atenet of democracy, it has also gonebeyond race, ethnicity, gender, age,economic status or religion. This is whyin America today an African-Americanis not only elected as a president despiteall prevailing racial prejudices, but alsore-elected to serve a second term. Politicsis about sharing common ideas, fairnessto all and equally important, adherenceto constitutional provisions. Taraba'scase is more unique because while

statistics are available on population ofgroups like of gender and tribes, no officialdata is available on religious strength orsuperiority.

When then Deputy Governor Umarwas elevated to Acting Governor onNovember 14, 2012, courtesy of theGovernor's indisposition and the StateAssembly's Resolution, many politicalcolorations pervaded the terrain. Rumorsstarted flying about that a loud oppositionwas building against his constitutionalascension to this acting capacity.Unfounded speculations even rented theair that political hoodlums opposed to hiselevation on sectarian grounds invaded hisresidence, sacked him from it with thesecurity personnel coming to his rescueand relocated him to their office. He hadto make a state broadcast to debunk theuntrue stories and reassure the citizens ofthe state of its peace and safety.

Why then is Acting Governor Umar'sascension a subject of such speculations?The constitution of the Federal Republic ofNigeria, 1999, is very explicit in section190 (for Governors) and 145 (for thePresident) that when the Governor or evenPresident cannot discharge theresponsibilities of such office due to ill-health, impeachment, death, or any legalabsence like of leave, his deputy shouldstep in to govern for the period of theabsence in acting capacity (in case ofsickness or leave); or for the remainingperiod of the tenure in case ofimpeachment, resignation, permanentdisability or death.

In developed countries wheredemocracy has taken roots, such powertransfer is just a normal procedure. Forinstance when the 40th President of theUnited States, late Ronald Reagan was shot

on assassination attempt by JohnHinckley on March 30, 1981, and was tobe wheeled into the theatre for anoperation, Congress in a special Billtemporarily transmitted power to histhen Deputy, George H. W. Bush (Snr),who himself later contested to become thenation's president after his boss recoveredand completed his tenure. Coming closerhome, we are witnesses to a similarscenario during the indisposition ofPresident Umaru Musa Yar'Adua (nowlate). The Senate in its wisdom invokedthe constitutional requirement of actingpowers and passed a Resolution, elevatingthen Vice President Goodluck Jonathan toActing President's capacity not mindingany sectarian affiliation. It is thereforelogical that in special circumstance ofunsound body or mind, especially whenthe indisposed principal is far awayabroad, it is impracticable to expect hiswritten transmission of power; leaving thelegislation to the rescue through specialResolution(s).

Even at state level, Kaduna is a goodexample when the erstwhile Governor,Arch. Namadi Sambo, was elevated to theoffice of the nation's Vice President. SirPatrick Ibrahim Yakowa automaticallytook over in full capacity as Governor asprovided by the constitution irrespectiveof his ethnicity or religion. In Bauchi Stateof 1983, the then Governor AbubakarTatari Ali (now late) took ill and was flownabroad for treatment. The State Assembly,in a special Resolution consistent withdemocratic principles and rule of lawhanded acting powers to his then DeputyAlhaji Adamu Tafawa Balewa. Hecontinued as Acting Governor even aftertheir re-election to a second term in thesame year. Balewa was still the Acting

Governor till the military coup of thesame year that pushed them out of officewhile Tatari was still in London receivingtreatment. The examples are many incontemporary Nigerian politics.

Political rubble-rousers shouldtherefore understand that this is a strictconstitutional provision that should beadhered to which is to avoid anadministrative vacuum. It is evidentthat a Deputy Governor who has nottaken the Oath of Office of an ActingGovernor at an expedient time has a lotof limitations and draw-backs in theexecution of state duties. For instance, hecannot present a budget or legallyexecute statutory fiscal responsibilities,thus creating a dangerous economic cliffthat could derail state administration.

A Deputy Governor with no legalacting powers also has no right to manageor discipline members of the StateExecutive Council and other topfunctionaries of government for goodgovernance of the state even if necessary.A sick Governor may also not have adefinite date of sufficient recovery, andas such of return to office like the one onleave. If acting status is therefore notbestowed upon the deputy, an uncertainfuture in the chain of stateadministration will be let loose with allthe problems associated to that.

As the political drama of Taraba statein the conjecture of some sectarians oreven alarmists is now diminishing withthe Acting Governor asserting dueadministrative responsibilities, the truthshould be told that Garba Umar evendeserves commendation for being modestenough to initially decline that officeuntil the House invoked theconstitutional provisions. Indeed he couldhave even been culpable if he didanything to the contrary to this vitalconstitutional injunction. Taraba citizensand other critics should realize that forhim to uphold the Oath he took for servingthe state when coming into government;and to save Taraba from falling into avoid in governance, he has no option thanto accept the call to duty of thisstatesmanship by being Acting Governorat this challenging moment of Taraba'spolitical journey.Kalla Simon is a Jalingo basedpolitical commentator, Taraba state.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012 PAGE 37

Opinion

2013 budget: Aliyu to sustain Niger through agriculture

D e s p i t e the huge national interestin crude oil generated revenue andnew finds of hydrocarbon in the

North, especially the Bida basin, Dr MuazuBabangida Aliyu, Governor of Niger state hasvowed to exploit the advantage of the largelandmass of the state in the area of agriculture.

In this light therefore, the Chief Servanthas skewed the 2013 budget to ensure thatevery local government set aside hectares ofland for the purpose of commercial farming.He declared that all Local Governments exceptthe metropolitan Councils should makeavailable 10,000 hectres each for commercialagriculture by private sector investors.

While other states are either in continuousagitation to protect what they describe as 'theirown oil', and others nuzzle deep into the earthsniffing for oil, Niger, despite its discovery ofsome quantity of hydrocarbon has insistedthat agriculture will continue to be the majordriving force of its economy. Aside frominsisting on giving agriculture priority, Nigerstate intends to indoctrinate youths in makingfarming a profession.

Already 6,000 hectares of land has beenprepared to engage youths in agriculture. Theprevailing security challenges across parts ofthe country is caused majorly by theindolence of youths who unfortunatelybecome available for any kind of act for theirpast time, and to chew off the vicious circle ofpoverty in the land instead of having youthsengage in criminality especially as suchactivities are unfortunately mass recruitingyouths of today. Unfortunately this is themajor reason the concept of peace and unity isfast eroding in Nigeria.

Niger state government therefore intendsto achieve a couple of objectives, one, to ensure

transforming of Farm Institutes towardssupporting agricultural initiativesimplemented by FADAMA III, the RTEP theRAMP II and development partners to ensurethat the state derives maximum benefits fromthe sector.

The Chief Servant also intends to leverageon the Nigeria incentive base-riskmanagement system for agricultural lending(NIRSAL), a Central Bank of Nigeria andFederal Ministry of Agriculture initiative toattract private sector investment inagriculture specifically to facilitate thedevelopment of rice value-chain in NigerState. The State Government is also inpartnership with the International Institutefor Tropical Agriculture [IITA], Ibadan to boostincreased rice, cassava and soya/milletcultivation in line with the State AgriculturalTransformation agenda.

As a result of the recent flood disasterthe Government will pursue thecompletion of Lioji and Guzan irrigationschemes to ensure food security and foodsufficiency in the State.

It is therefore the plans of the Chief Servantled administration to boost agriculture andwoo private investors to the state so as to turnaround its potentials so it must invest more inits sectoral budget. For these reason, the stategovernment has set aside the projected sum ofN11.33 Bn making it the highest allocation inthe 2013 budget with a total resourceprojection of N83.8 bn.

If Niger state government must succeedin the area of commercial agriculture as itintends to do, then it must think towardsmaking its roads motorable. It is in thisdirection also, that the state governor, sincethe last two years embarked upon the ten-kilometer road network in all the 25 localgovernment areas of the state. This move is

By Ayegba Israel Ebije that the state conquers the problem of limitedallocation of revenue from the FederalGovernment which has been the bane ofNorthern states by making agriculture amajor player in revenue generation just likethe groundnut pyramid days. The secondobjective is to provide employment for theteaming population of youths to avoid asituation where they will become availabletools in the hands of terrorist organizations andfinally, to ensure food security for flooddisplaced people, and everyone in the state. Toachieve on-point success in agriculture, thegovernment intends to pursue the completionof Lioji and Guzan irrigation schemes to ensurefood security and food sufficiency in the State.

The Chief Servant in his effort towardsmaking sure the goal of turning the economyof Niger state around positively has, underthe Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme,disbursed the sum of N637Million to 768 co-operative societies to facilitate access to creditand boost agricultural production, with 7,700farmers benefiting.

A total of 100 units of Tractors andimplements of which 75 units were distributedto Tractor Hiring Units (THU) in all the 25local government areas while 25 units werededicated to the Niger State Rice InvestmentConsortium (NSRIC) for hiring to rice farmersto boost rice production in the State. The 2013budget is aimed at adding more to alreadyestablished effort of the state government.

In this direction therefore, the governorintends to collaborate with Research Institutesin the development of improved technologiesand the extension delivery mechanism. TheNiger State Agricultural and MechanizationDevelopment Authority (NAMDA) will bestrengthened for better advisory andagricultural extension services. In additionNiger state plans the upgrading and

O n November 24, 2012, the Benuestate government held localgovernment elections. For over two

years, the local councils had been under care-taker committees. The exercise was professedlyobjectivized on deepening the content ofdemocracy at the grassroots level, but theactual reason was to serve the Benue peoplemore of the same PDP staple diet: imposition,rigging, voter-contempt and impunity.

And since Benue has 23 local governmentcouncils, 23 council chairmanships, and about300 councillors, were up for grabs. Expectedly,the Benue State Independent ElectoralCommission (BSIEC), which conducted thepolls, gave the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), a clean sweep of the polls. PDP is stillcheering. As it were, the state now has anextended care-taker system rather than arepresentative regime at the council level.

On paper, the results show an electoralmassacre and a political annihilation ofopposition parties in the state, especially theAction Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which isclearly PDP’s nemesis. But in fact, it is a scamof monumental proportions.

Preparatory to the council polls, the ACNhad readied itself to repeat its April 2011electoral feats, by receiving defectors into itsfold. And these were not just defectors fromthe All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and theLabour Party (LP) etc; the defectors wereespecially from the PDP.

The defections, which started in the run-up to the polls, took place in many councilsstate-wide, but climaxed at Anyiin – Logo(Suswam’s hometown) on November 20,2012, where Ugbah welcomed hundreds ofPDP decampees into the ACN. The significance

Benue 2015: November LG polls as a referendumSimon Imobo-Tswam of this cannot be more poignant, even ominous.

Nigerians recall how the Benue ACNunarguably made mincemeat of Suswam, thePDP and its atrophied 12-year structure in the2011 elections, but was short-changed. Theyalso recall ruefully how the machinery of justicestumbled, then crumpled and finally crumbledat the feet of the infamous PDP machine whenthe matter went to court. It was a classic case ofall machines being equal, but some machinesbeing more equal than others.

This political anti-climax effectively robbedthe ACN governorship candidate, Prof. SteveTorkuma Ugbah, of his mandate; andtragically denied Benue people the democraticprivilege of enjoying the fruits of one-man,one vote.

In other words, although in 2011, theBenue electorate resoundingly rejected thePDP and its best offer, Gabriel Suswam, andvoted in the ACN and Ugbah enthusiastically,the judiciary, overwhelmed by the Nigerianfactor, aborted the historic democratic rebirth.

That this shocking political heist wasperpetrated in a supposedly democraticdispensation is shameful enough. That thebeneficiary of this grand political larceny wasa party that prides itself as a democratic partyis an incredible scandal that continues toreverberate. But that the chief functionariesof our democracy kept mouthing suchinanities as“Transformation,” “fair play” and“the rule of law” while these electoral-cum-judicial robberies were going on left manydecent Nigerians stunned and stupefied. Andif the truth be told, and it is hereby told:Nigerians are still in shock!

But if the American professor caught thePDP and the Suswam entourage napping in2011, with his disarming simplicity, regalbearing, cultured disposition, world-class

political campaigns and a perceptivedissection of the Benue problem, the councilpolls in 2012 offered the PDP a chance to provethat indeed, it is awake and on ground. No,the Benue state chapter of the largest party inAfrica could not take the risk of facing the ACN,which it disparages as “a Yoruba party,” in anopen contest of “one-man, one-vote!”

And if the Senate Minority Leader, Dr.George Akume, had disabled the PDP riggingmachine in 2011, with his magnetic crowdpulls, the echoes of his salutary GovernmentHouse stewardship, his effervescentpersonality as well as his social conscience andenduring political structures, the PDP Familyin Benue had the opportunity almost two yearslater to expose him as a political light-weightvia transparent council polls.

However, rather than risk popularrejection a second time, and in polls conductedby its appointees, the Suswam governmentchose to beat the PDP record in political infamyby conducting elections that even PDPsupporters are describing, in their sobermoments, as “incredible” and“fantastic.”

But there are lessons to draw from thischarade. If the BSIEC chairman, Prof. Ahire,can promise the sublime and deliver theridiculous, he is merely affirming loudly thatthe quality of education in Nigeria has fallento abysmally low levels.

If Suswam and his entourage have such amorbid fear of the Akume-Ugbah-Votersbonding, as to warrant writing the results ofthe council polls in Makurdi, it means contraryto their half-hearted propaganda on RadioBenue, nothing has changed between April2011 and now, and the ACN is still the partyto beat in Benue state.

If the PDP continues to shout itself hoarsethat the ACN is dead in Benue, but dare not

confront the latter in a democratic contest, itis classic Goebbelian tactics: it simply meansthe PDP understands the arithmetic of Benuepolitics, which can be mathematicallycaptured thus: Akume + Ugbah + Electorate= Majority Votes.

Essentially, therefore, the Novembercouncil polls in Benue were a referendum onPDP rule, and the message it got was clear:PDP is still a minority party, and its continuedtenancy in Government House, Makurdi(GHM), is at once an assault and an affront:one, on all that is democratic; and the other,on all that is moral.

This does not only make the duo of Akumeand Ugbah very dangerous personages to thedesperate and inveterate enemies of the one-man, one-vote tenet; it places the entire Benuepeople, sadly, at the receiving end of deliberatemisrule and maladministration from thosethey have consecutively rejected andcontinue to reject at every electoral turn.

Against the backdrop of 2015, the resultsof the council polls present a challenge to boththe PDP and the ACN. For the ruling PDP,notorious for its contempt for popular votes, itschallenge is to start honing its rigging skills.And for the ACN, hamstrung, as it is bypolitical naivety, the challenge before it,therefore, is to harness its “victory,” sustainits winning streak and devise effectivemeasures against the underhand tactics of theminority party. As a mark of good stewardshipand respect for the people, the ACN must notonly be adept at soliciting votes; it must proveitself capable of defending those votes once theyare given. In other words, Benue voters cannotgo on voting in vain. After all, Vox populi, VoxDei (The voice of the people is the Voice of God).Imobo-Tswam, a newspaper editor andmedia consultant, wrote in from Abuja.

aimed at using transportation to generallysupport other sectors, as it facilitatesmovement of people and goods.

In the aspect of road construction, the 2013fiscal year, Niger will place emphases on thecompletion of on-going road projects across thestate. Furthermore, the state government inits determination to ensure easy mobility ofpeople and farm produce, have concluded plansto embark on the dualization of the Old Airport-New Market road in Minna, the Ndayako-GRAClub road in Bida, Badeggi-Bakeko-Katcharoad and the construction of Wayan Bridge inRafi LGA.

The State Road Maintenance Agency willbe provided with the requisite plants andequipment to enable it discharge its mandateof maintaining township and state roads. Toease up transportation, the state governmentis to inject more funds in the operation of theNiger State Transport Authority which willcontinue towards providing cheap andaffordable transportation services to thepeople especially farmers in the rural areas.These are strategic plans to ensure thatcommercial agriculture thrives in Nigerstate.

With the implementation of the N18,000minimum wage in Niger state, the total wagebill will almost consume total revenue fromthe federal government. Before theimplementation of the minimum wage, Nigerstate was expending virtually two-thirds of itsrevenue from the centre on salaries. Definitelyother smart and faster ways must be soughtfor in tackling the economically stiflingsituation and that is the reason why the stateseeks to go into large scale commercialfarming.Ebije is the Senior Special Assistant to theGovernor of Niger state on MediaAnalysis

TraveloguePEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012 PAGE 39

Interview

What is Firstchoicegroup of companiesreally into?

We have various companiesunder the group, we haveFirstchoice Properties Limited, webuild houses and sell and weencourage people also to come tothe estate and invest in it. We haveFirstchioce ConstructionCompany Firstchoice offshoreservices and we are into marineas well.

We also have Firstchoicemedicals where we supply medicalequipment to hospitals and otherplaces. We also have FirstchoiePetroleum Company.

So where and where haveyou gotten properties?

Right now we are mostly inAbuja where we started from andwhere our office is. At themoment, we have been receivinginvitation from other states likePlateau state, Bauchi State, DeltaState to come and invest in realestate. But in Abuja by the specialgrace of God we have about sevenestates we have developed.

How much do you sell eachof your flats?

Well, for that information,you have to come to our officebecause the prices vary. So, if I giveyou a price now and tomorrowsomebody will come and the pricehas gone up and he will quote me,you said so and so price so werather not. So the time determinesthe price.

Do you have foreignpartners or it is purelyNigerian?

It is purely Nigerian. We don'thave any foreign partner.Though we have some friends inthe course of travelling abroad, wehave met one or two foreignerswho have shown interest topartner with us. At the momentone of them, though he is not yetwith us on board but has visitedNigeria one or two times on ourinvitation. Back in England he isa big real estate person and he hasshown serious interest but at themoment he is not on board.

How is governmentparticipation in real estate?

Well government is tryingtheir bit to encourage real estatedevelopers but one of the areas ofour challenge is acquiring landfrom the government. It is sodifficult in the sense that it ispolitical.

When you as a genuine estatedeveloper, when you apply forland, it is almost impossible. Theydon't give; rather, lands are beinggiven to those who are not reallythe developers, from whom webuy the lands expensively. Sothat is why you can see that inthe area of the estates in Abujaparticularly, the cost of houses are

Insecurity bane of estate developmentin Northern Nigeria says developer

very expensive because by thetime you buy land from somebodywho has allocation who is not ableto develop, who does not haveaccess to funds to develop and maybe you took facility from the bankto buy such property expensively,by the time you build and youwant to sell, you will just makesure you recover your money.This make prices f housesexpensive in Abuja.

Is it all parts of Nigeria orit's only in Abuja this highcost of houses?

Well in the states I think theyfind it much easier to get landallocation from the stategovernment so the prices are notas high as they are in Abuja.Though Abuja is the seat of powerthat is why we are appealing togovernment to recognize thosegenuine developers to be givenallocation to develop the land.

Is it possible to havehousing for all in Nigeria?

It is a big challenge forgovernment. It is easier said thandone but if government isgenuine; it will not take a longtime to have housing for all. Youknow like I just mentioned for youto get a land allocation fromgovernment it is not easy. Beforegovernment can do that they needto sanitise the whole system, theyneed to overhaul the wholesystem. With the kind of corruptsystem we have in Nigeria, it isgoing to be very difficult.

What are the other

problems related to housing? Of course there are other

problems, in the area of material;cost of cement and buildingmaterials is so high now. Whenyou consider the economy, a lot ofpeople cannot own their personalhomes because even if land ismade available to you, how do youdevelop it with the cost of buildingmaterials. So the government hasto look into those areas, honestlyspeaking, especially in the area ofcement and rods.

What do you thinkgovernment can do?

Well, the people selling cementare business people andgovernment should try tosubsidise for the price of cement tocome down. Otherwise, there isnothing they can do. Those whoare doing business with it are in it

to make their money. Ifgovernment can begin to producecement locally, I think that canhelp.

What about the securitysituation, do the estatedealers entertain any form offear?

Definitely! Before now it wasgood business. Now when thissecurity situation became worse,there is this apprehension frompeople of the south of not investingin the north. It has adverselyaffected the business. You knowpeople don't want to own theirhome again because they thinkthat there is going to be war, thereis going to be division, thereforethey are holding back theirmoney not to invest. So it ismaking the business very slow.Of course, the security situationis another big blow to the business.

You mean it is affectingestate developers?

Very well, it is affecting estatedevelopers. We had a lot of clients,before the issue of Boko Haram,everybody desired to own a housein Abuja. Some people werecoming from Lagos, even duringthe militancy in the Niger Delta,the white people, foreigners andour own brothers were coming toAbuja to buy lands. However now,everyone is saying, "I will rathergo and buy a house in my zone, Iwill rather buy a house in thesouth just in case this Boko Haramcrisis escalates."

I believe that Nigeria willremain as one; it's a passing phasewe don't have the fear. Even if itdoes, look at it; we have manyNigerian politicians, businessmenwho go to invest South Africa andLondon. Is South Africa theircountry? So even if Nigeriadivides today, we have the northand the south. I am from thesouth, from Delta State, so what ifI have a house in other country inthe north here. Many Nigerianshave houses in Ghana. Thesegroups of people are narrow-minded. They are not going to sayif you have a house in the north,

Insecurity has been a source of set-back affecting property development in the Northernpart of Nigeria. In this interview with our reporter, Lambert Tyem, A Private Developer, ChiefAustine Arah, Chairman, Firstchoice Foundation and Group of Companies, bares his mindon the negative ripple and effects of insecurity to business and other various issues. Excerpts:

go back to the south so you havelost your investment in the north.Your houses will still be there. Ifyou like put them on rent theywill still be there for you.Investment is investment. Whocan tell whether if Nigeria dividestoday, the south will be betterthan the north or the north betterthan the south, nobody knows. Sowe don't have that fear.

What is the situationpresently with developersacquiring land in FCT isgovernment honouring thedevelopers' application forland or they have no assessonly to buy from second orthird parties?

Before now, previousadministrations were givingallocation to their cronies andfriends who are not developers butthe present minister is trying tocorrect that so he has been takinghis time. For some time now, hehas not been giving allocationbecause he wants to correct themistakes that the pastadministrations made. I think heis doing well by making sure thatthe genuine developers are givenallocation so it is taking shape.

We have threat from FCTadministration concerningsome housing estatesespecially along Airport road.The minister said over 40 ofthose houses are to bedemolished And they arebuilt by estate developers.How did they acquire thoselands, do you think they didenough to acquire those land?

I think in every set up youhave the bad ones and thestubborn ones. Some of thedevelopers take things forgranted. Without mentioninganybody I will say that we haveheard of some that just go to aland without genuine papers andstart developing. What do youexpect the government to do?Now if government allocatessuch a land and the person comeswith his genuine papers and bythe time they get to the landthey see that another person isalready developing, they ask theperson to bring his papers, nopaper, is the land his father'sproperty. Then the person thatwas given the allocation goesback to government to complainthat the land that was given tome, somebody is already on it.Now they will have to go tovarious agencies set up bygovernment; we have theAGIES, development control, wehave Urban and RegionalPlanning. Before governmentgoes o demolish, they must havewritten to you, "please if yourpapers are not in proper shapecome and regularize."

“

Chief Augustine Arah

You know people don't want to owntheir home again because they

think that there is going to be war,there is going to be division,

therefore they are holding backtheir money not to invest.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8— SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012PAGE 40

Peoples Page

Suswam cooks at ‘BenueWoman’ celebrationOn 30th November, 2012

Benue women throngedthe IBB Square in their

thousands for the sixthanniversary of 'Celebrate BenueWoman'.

The event is a brainchild ofthe first lady of Benue State andChairperson NorthernGovernors' Wives Forum Arch.Dooshima Suswam.

This year's edition wasmarked with pomp andpageantry and attracted womenfrom outside the State. However,the program turned out to be amini trade fair and carnival ofsorts as it witnessed the display ofwares and farm produce by the23 local government areas of theState to depict the state as the'Food Basket of the Nation'.

Amongst dignitaries whograced the occasion and addedcolour to it were the minister forCulture and Tourism, ChiefEdem Duke, the Director-General, National OrientationAgency, NOA his NAFDACcounterpart Dr. Paul Orhii, whilethe two ministers from the State,Comrade Abba Moro, Minister forInterior and Dr. Samuel Ortom,Minister of State, Trade andInvestment were represented.The guest all showeredencomiums on Mrs. Suswam as arare gem whose humanitarianactivities are exemplary.

One significant feature of thisyear's celebration was thestriking support it enjoyed froma multinational Uniliver NigeriaPlc that identified the uniquenessand exceptional initiative of theBenue State First Lady anddecided to partner with her officein a very special way in providingmouth watering prizes forwinners of the food cookingcompletion that marked theclimax of the celebration.

Aside the contestants in thecooking competition who weredrawn from across the state, Mrs.Suswam showed the stuff she ismade of by preparing a localdelicacy in her executive kitchenfor the dignitaries that graced theoccasion from far and nearincluding her husband Dr.Gabriel Suswam and his deputy,Chief Steven Lawani.

Governor Suswam excited atthe participation as well as theorganization of the event, assuredthat the state government wouldsustain its support for the annualprogram to enable it achievegreater success.

Governor Suswammaintained that the programwas significant in so many wayssince it had gainfully engagedwomen and particularlyeducated and enlightened themon critical issues aside celebratingand appreciating their priceless

Mrs. Suswam preparing meal for guests.

against poverty by ensuring theprovision of fertilizers and otherfarm imputes for our teemingfarming women", she said.

Commenting on her NonGovernmental Organization, theSev-Av Foundation on whichplatform the celebration wasinitiated, Mrs. Suswam said it wasalso set up to avail women andyouths training in various artsand crafts aside providing succorto those infected and affected byHIV/AIDS.

She intimated that that over1,500 persons have benefitedfrom SEV-AV skills acquisitioncenters, while over 20, 000persons have also been attendingthe Sev-Av clinics at the threesenatorial zones of the state forHIV testing and counseling.

In his remark, the Minister ofCulture and Tourism, Mr. EdemDuke disclosed plans by hisMinistry to partner the Office ofthe First Lady of Benue State toupgrade the Celebration to aninternational status with intentto attract tourists from across theglobe to witness the fun fair andurged other states to emulate theBenue example so as to attractforeign tourists and resourcesinto the country.

DG NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri saidthe Benue woman remainleading examples for others toemulate in the transformationdrive of the presentadministration and sued forgreater recognition for them.

In his own speech theMarketing Director of UniliverNigeria Plc, a partner in theproject, Mr. David Okeme whowas represented by the CountryConsumer Activation Manager,Mr. Femi Atoyebi said thecompany was proud to identifyand partner with the office of theFirst Lady in the celebration

qualities.While commending his wife

for the initiative, Suswam notedthat the 'Celebrate Benue Womanand Food Festival' has alsopromoted creativity andencouraged healthy competitionamongst Benue women.

The Governor stressed theneed for all Benue peopleespecially men to celebrate andappreciate the womenfolk fortaking up the responsibility offeeding mankind from birth andthroughout life.

In her speech Mrs. Suswamnoted that the program was adeliberate effort by her office tobring to the fore the immensecontributions of the Benue

Woman to the sustainable growthand development of the state.

She further stated that heroffice has become a rallying pointfor women because of severalprograms aimed at enhancingthe quality of lives of women andyouths.

"By this program weconverge annually to assess eachother and also mobilize for socio-political responsibilities aswomen from the ruralcommunities, the urban centersand the diaspora".

"Our efforts have paid offbecause we have increased thenumber of Benue women inpolitics and more are now ingovernment. We have stood

because of her unrestrainedconsistency in uplifting the livesof the people of the state

Uniliver Nig. Plc. alsopresented an award of excellenceto the Benue state First Lady inrecognition of her contributionand service to humanityparticularly women, childrenand youths.

The event was climaxedwhen a local food vendor Mrs.Martina Aseen emerged theoverall winner of cookingcompetition and carted away aKIA Picanto car and N500,000cash.

While the second and thirdpositions went to Mrs. OnyinyeOkoye and Sylvia Avafa whowent home with a motorbike anddeep freezer, N300, 000 andN200, 000 respectively, whileconsolation prize were also givento other contestants.

Vandeikya LGA emerged firstin the Food fair while Ukum andTarka local governmentsfinished second and thirdrespectively. They went homewith over N1million cash rewardwhile consolation prizes were alsodistributed to other 19 LGAs thatparticipated.

Presenting the prizes to thewinners, Mrs. Suswam called thesustenance of the Celebrationeven after the tenure of herhusband as governor since itavails women a rallying point toventilate ideas and galvanizesupport for one another.

Wnner of the star prize, Mrs.Aseen in an emotion laden voiceexpressed appreciation to theFirst Lady for changing her lifestory for the best and positivelyimpacting on the lives of thewomen of Benue state whohitherto were never recognizedor reckoned with by previousadministrations in the state.

First Lady of Benue serving the meal

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Mrs. Aseen wins a car at the celebration

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012

WeekendPAGE 41

Men’s 200 metres backstroke swimming competition in progress at the festival which curtain will be dropped this Sunday.

NFF puts Baribote’NFF puts Baribote’NFF puts Baribote’NFF puts Baribote’NFF puts Baribote’sssssouster on holdouster on holdouster on holdouster on holdouster on holdFor now, Victor Baribote

remains the chairman of theNigeria Premier League

(NPL), until Tuesday when the leaguebody will hold its 7th congress inAbuja.

This was the consensus ofmembers of the executive committeeof the NFF who met in an emergencymeeting yesterday where theyextended the lifeline to the embattledchairman of the league board.

The Baribote-led board wasWednesday dissolved by 16 clubschairmen who adduced amongothers the board’s failure to midwifethe league in accordance with theNPL statutes.

They also decried “the lack oftransparency and accountability onthe part of the league board, grossmisappropriation of funds, lack oftitle sponsorship for the league,clubs payment of match officialsindemnities” among others.However, the executive committeeof the NFF ‘unanimously rejected theirresolutions’ and thedissolution of the Baribote-ledboard, thereby temporarilypostponing Baribote’s removal fromthe helms of affairs of the league.

Specifically, the executive said therejection of the resolutions washinged on non-compliance with the“provisions of the NPL statutes.”

The said breach of statutes rose

By Patrick Andrew from the provision that stipulatedthat meeting of such nature can onlybe called 60 days before prior to thedate of the meeting.

Peoples Weekend Sports recallsthat the clubs had set aside Articles22, 24, 26 which clarified onprocedures essential for the meetingand dissolution of the board.

But the executive committee,while not directing condemning thedissolution, only directed that the 7thcongress of the NPL be held in Abuja

on or beforeTuesday December 11, adevelopment some reasons may havebeen a veiled authorisation to theclubs to carry out their desire.

The NFF said it has mandatedthree of its members to attend thecongress as observers and warnedthat no further breach of procedureswould be tolerated. “The NPLmembers must conduct themselvesin a manner that will not bring thegame into disrepute and also allowthe commencement of the 2012/13

season in the shortest possibletime,” the communique releasedafter the meeting reads in part.

Those to attend as observers areEmeka Inyama, Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, and Shehu Adamu.

Meanwhile, Baribote hasreacted by stating that he wouldprefer to keep mute on theresolution of the NFF “just for thesake of peace,” in what appears tobe his dissatisfaction with thecontent of the comunique.

Handballcoachesapplausereferees forfair officiating

Handball coaches at theongoing 18th NationalSports Festival in Lagos

yesterday commended theofficiating of the event, noting thatit was better than what obtainedat the 17th edition, tagged“Garden City Games,’’ hosted byRivers in Port Harcourt in 2011.

Some of the coaches who spokeafter the final and medalpresentation ceremony of theevent at the Handball Courts ofthe University of Lagos(UNILAG), observed that officialsmade conscious efforts to be fairto all the teams.

They said that should theofficials continue with thefairness, handball would berevived, adding that badofficiating had been stifling thesport.

Mohammed Ali, Chief Coachof Team Borno, commended thereferees and other panel of judgesfor a doing a good job. “Theofficiating in this tournament isfair; there is a lot of improvementnow. It is like the officials haverepented of their ills,’’ he said.

Team Rivers Coach, OlusanjoOgundoro, said the officiating hadimproved tremendously, notingthat the dearth of impartialofficials had been responsible forthe slow growth of the game.

“The officiating, this timearound, is fair. It seems theofficials were not bought over bysome teams this year,’’ he said.

Ogundoro said that if the trendcould continue, players who havelost interest because of cheatingwould be lured back to the game.

Tomiwa Olalude, Ondo StateAssistant Head Coach, equallynoted that the officiating in thetournament had witnessed a newera.

“It is good, at least better thanthat of last year. If we cancontinue like this, it will not bevery long for us to restore theglory of handball in Nigeria,’’ hesaid.

Olalude noted that theproblem of bad officiating hadbeen militating against thedevelopment of all sports inNigeria and not only handball.

He called on officials of sportsfederations and state associationsto be fair in their judgment.

The head Coach, Lagos StateHandball Association, AnthonyIdolor, added that the officials haddone their jobs without partiality.

According to him, the officialshave been fair enough in the game,as the host was never favoured inany form. “No, this year’sofficiating seemed better. It is anindication that handball has agood future,’’ he said.

By the time the closingceremony of the 18thNational Sports Festival (NSF)-

EKO 2012 would have been performed,Delta state that was temporarilydethroned at the 17th edition of thefiesta, would have been declared thewinner of President GoodluckJonathan’s N20 m cash prize.

Team Delta as at yesterday eveningwere well ahead of its major rivals,Team Rivers as it amassed 90 gold, 77silver and 51 bronze medals while theimmediate past winners got 58 gold, 47silver and 51 bronze medals leaving thehosts Team Lagos in a distant thirdplace with 35 gold, 35 silver and 48bronze medals in what appears to bethe best performance of Lagos in recentyears.

Team Edo was fourth while

Bayelsa, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River,Plateau, Kano and Akwa Ibom followedin that order.

However, unlike previous festivalsthat left some states without any shapeof medal, the EKO 2012 has beenunique in that all participating stateshave won some medals.

Meanwhile, Uruemu Adu, HeadCoach, Lagos State Grassroots Sports,has appealed to the authorities toinstitute a follow-up programme fortalents discovered at the ongoing18th National Sports Festival (NSF) inLagos.

Adu said that such programme, ifinstituted, would go a long way toconsolidate the spirit and the gains ofthe 14-day fiesta.

He said the country stands to gainfrom newly discovered athletes, who he

judged to be young with prospects forgrowth if properly worked on. Aduasserted that a good lot of thesepotentials would eventually representthe country in future internationaltournaments, if they were adequatelyattended to.

“Organising the festival without aproper follow-up programme to workon young talents discovered will nothelp the athletes to grow.

“The government should have aplan for them so that in the nearestfuture, they could represent the countryin major international competitions,”the Head Coach said.

Adu added that sports in thecountry would only grow if necessarymeasures were put in place for theoverall development of sports in thecountry.

Curtain drops on 18th NSF as coachurges follow-up on new talents

PAGE 42 PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012

AFN confirms new10,000m festival recordAs the athletics event of the

festival is scheduled to endstoday, the Athletic

Federation of Nigeria has confirmedthat a Bayelsa state athlete, KayodeSeriki, has broken the 10,000mNational Sports Festival record.

The said record was set in the16th edition of the Games in

Kaduna in 2010 by Plateau’sEmmanuel Gyang.

Seriki returned 30.01.43 secsagainst Gyang’s record of 30.29.63secs in the race on Tuesday at theongoing 18th edition of the festivalin Lagos.

Reacting to the development,Bayelsa State Athletics Coach, Sam

Onikeku, said that he was happythat the state broke the 10,000mfestival record. Onikeku said thefeat was earned through “I amhappy that one of our athletes brokethe first record in the athleticsevent. It was earned through hardwork and commitment.

“I commend Seriki for a job well

done because it will show in therecords that we broke the 10,000mevent,’’ he said.

In the men’s pole vault final onFriday, Emmanuel Agaba of CrossRiver won with 3.80m, whileSunday Ochapa of Benue wassecond with 3.80m and DennisNgbodo of Delta third with 3.60m.

EKO

201

2

The Nigeria HandballFederation (NHF) saidyesterday that it had

identified 60 talented male andfemale players at the ongoing18th National Sports Festival inLagos who could fit into the nationalteam.

Moses Balogun, President,Handball Referees Association, whodisclosed this said that the identifiedplayers were more than what werediscovered at the 17thedition of thefestival in Port Harcourt in 2011.

“We are able to identify moretalents here in Lagos than last yearin Port Harcourt due to the highstandards displayed here.

“From the statistics availableand from the selections that havebeen conducted so far, we havealready discovered about 30 maleand 30 female players with highpotential.

“These talents are physically fit,with a very high prospect,’’ Balogunsaid.

The president, who is also amember of the NHF technicalcommittee, noted that Nigeria’sglory in handball would be restoredif the identified talents were properlyharnessed.

He said that the federation wouldorganise a two-week training campfor the identified players through theNational Sports Commission (NSC),during the next long vacation.

Meanwhile, Team Lagos hasdefeated Team Borno, 26-22, toclinch the men’s gold medal of theevent, while Team Rivers defeatedLagos, 29-25, to win the female goldmedal.

Mohammed Ali, Chief Coach,Borno State Handball Association,attributed the state’s loss at the final

to the crowd which, according tohim, was overtly in support of thehost team.

“My team played a better gamethan Lagos but because we wereplaying against the hosts at the final,everybody was in support of TeamLagos and we lost,̀ ̀he said.

Ali, however, said that TeamBorno would prepare early for thenext edition of the festival in Calabarin 2014.

Ondo male and female teamswon the event’s bronze medals. Themale team defeated Team Sokoto,30-23, while the female teamdefeated Team Plateau, 20-15.

Tomiwa Olalude, AssistantHead Coach of Team Ondo,attributed the inability of the state’smale and female teams to clinch thegold medals to injuries sustained bythe players.

“We were determined from thebeginning to deliver the gold medalsto our state, but we werecheckmated by the injuriessustained by our players. Thebronze medal is certainly not badtoo,“ he said.

Team Borno also lost at the finalof the 17th edition of the tournamentin Port-Harcourt in 2011 to the thenhosts, Team Rivers.

NHF identifies 60 talented players

Aliyu Yusuf of Abuja(red) and AbdullahiIbrahim ofAdamawa stateslugging it out in thetaekwondo event atthe 18thNationalSports festival thatwill end on Sunday.

SN STATE MEDALS WON

Gold Silver Bronze TOTAL 1 Delta 90 77 51 218 2 Rivers 58 47 51 156 3 Lagos 35 35 48 118 4 Edo 19 13 32 64 5 Bayelsa 17 15 16 48 6 Ondo 12 6 18 36 8 Oyo 9 7 11 27 9 Ogun 7 14 25 46

15 Cross River 7 11 12 30 7 Plateau 6 8 15 29

17 Kano 6 4 10 20 11 Akwa Ibom 5 15 18 38 12 Imo 5 12 13 30 14 Niger 4 1 3 8 16 FCT 3 8 4 15 10 Ebonyi 3 2 3 8 18 Nasarawa 3 1 1 5 13 Jigawa 3 0 6 9 19 Bauchi 2 2 7 11 20 Kaduna 2 2 7 11 25 Ekiti 2 1 5 8 26 Osun 2 1 3 6 21 Abia 1 4 7 12 23 Benue 1 3 17 21 22 Enugu 1 3 6 10 24 Kwara 1 2 6 9 27 Kogi 1 0 3 4 28 Kebbi 1 0 1 2 29 Anambra 0 3 1 4 30 Borno 0 2 2 4 31 Zamfara 0 2 0 2

32 Yobe 0 1 4 5 35 Adamawa 0 1 2 3 36 Gombe 0 1 2 3 33 Taraba 0 1 1 2 34 Katsina 0 0 3 3 37 Sokoto 0 0 3 3

TOTAL 306 305 417 1028

Medal Table As At Midday Yesterday

The defending champion in themen’s high jump, OnyekaNwaoye of Anambra,

yesterday vowed to deliver to thestate its first gold medal of theongoing 18thNational SportsFestival in Lagos.

Nwaoye leaped 1.95m to winthe gold medal in the event at the17th edition of the festival, tagged“Garden City Games’’ in PortHarcourt in 2011.

Though the athlete expressedconcern that Anambra had yet towin a gold medal at Eko 2012, hewas convinced that he would trynot to let the state down.

He promised the people ofAnambra that he would double hisefforts to clinch the ultimate medalof the event at the final onSaturday.

“I know people are expecting

much from me, especially now thatmy state has yet to win a goldmedal in Lagos. I believe God willbless my efforts.

“I will do my best to retain mygold and put the name of my stateamong the gold medal winners. Allhope is not lost,” he said.

One of the Team Anambraathletics coaches, John Igboka, saidhis team was the last hope of thestate for gold medals at the festivaland added that he was expectingthem to spring a surprise at theevent.

“Nigerians are watching us. Wewill do our best to improve on ourlast heights; definitely, Anambrais going to do well in the triple jumpevent,” Igboka said.

Team Anambra have so far haswon four medals, made up of twosilver and two bronze.

Anambra high jumpervows to defend title

6,000 viewers watch Games online

No fewer than 6,000viewers from 45 countriesare watching the ongoing

18th National Sports Festival(NSF) online, a consultant with theLocal Organising Committee(LOC), has said.

Mr. Bayo Okunowo, the ProductManager, Crown Interactive Ltd,said on Friday in Lagos that the UKand the U.S. recorded the highestnumber of viewers outside Nigeria.

Crown interactive is a serviceaggregation company that is inpartnership with the LOC of “Eko2012’’ sports fiesta to stream liveactions of the games.

PAGE 43PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012

United eyes epic Manchester City derby winAlex Ferguson lit the fuse

on a potentiallyexplosive showdown with

Manchester City asthe ManchesterUnited manager claimed avictory at Eastlands would beone of his club’s greatest ever

results.For the first time in 44

years, City will go intothe Manchester derby asreigning English champions,but the bragging rights frompiping United to the title on thefinal day of last season will

count for nothing if Ferguson’sside inflicts a first league defeatof the season on RobertoMancini’s men at Eastlandstomorrow.

United are three pointsclear of second placed City atthe top of the Premier Leagueand the prospect of allowingtheir bitter rivals to extendthat lead is certain to provoke aferocious response from thehosts after their exit from theUEFA Champions League inmidweek.

With United showingalarming defensive frailties inrecent weeks, encapsulated by

a chaotic 4-3 win at Readinglast week, Ferguson knows itwon’t be easy to subdue City,especially as the Blues have aformidable record on theirhome turf.

City haven’t lost a leaguehome game since Everton wonat Eastlands in December 2010and they can also takeconfidence from a pair ofleague victories over theirbitter rivals last season.

In the circumstances,Ferguson believes a derbyvictory would rank as one ofthe all-time great Unitedtriumphs.

“If we win tomorrow it willbe one of our best ever results.They are a really good,powerful team with massiveplayers,” Ferguson said.

“It won’t be easy and if wedefend like we did at Readingwe’ll be in trouble. Theimportant thing for us is totake lessons from the mistakeswe’re making and dosomething about it. We need tofind a solution.

Mancini faced renewedquestions about his future afterCity’s latest European flop and adefeat to United would only addto the pressure on the Italian.

Arsenal v West BromAston Villa v StokeSouthampton v ReadingSunderland v ChelseaSwansea v NorwichWigan v QPR

SundayEverton v TottenhamMan. City v Man. UtdWest Ham v Liverpool French Ligue 1PSG v Evian TGAS Nancy v ValenciennesTroyes v NiceSochaux v LilleMontpellier v AC AjaccioRennes v Brest

SundayReims v BordeauxMarseille v LorientSt Etienne v LyonGerman Bundesliga German BundesligaBorussia Dortmund vWolfsburgVfB Stuttgart v SchalkeNurnberg v Fortuna

Weekend clashes in EPLDusseldorfSC Freiburg v GreutherAugsburg v Bayern MunichFrankfurt v Werder BremenSundayBorussia M’gladbach v MainzHannover 96 v BayerLeverkusen Italy Serie AAtalanta v ParmaRoma v FiorentinaSundayCagliari v ChievoPalermo v JuventusPescara v GenoaSiena v CataniaTorino v AC MilanInter Milan v NapoliSpanish Primera Liga Spanish Primera LigaReal Sociedad v GetafeMalaga v GranadaValladolid v Real MadridOsasuna v Valencia

SundayLevante v MallorcaAthletic Bilbao v Celta Atletico Madrid v DeportivoLa CorunaReal Betis v Barcelona

2012-2013 BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE

OVERALL HOME AWAY

POS TEAM P W D L F A W D L F A W D L F A GD Pts

1 Manchester United 15 12 0 3 37 21

6 0 1 19 9

6 0 2 18 12

16 36

2 Manchester City 15 9 6 0 28 11

6 2 0 19 6

3 4 0 9 5

17 33

3 Chelsea 15 7 5 3 25 16 4 3 1 14 7 3 2 2 11 9 9 26

4 Tottenham Hotspur 15 8 2 5 28 23

4 2 2 13 10

4 0 3 15 13

5 26

5 West Bromwich Albion

15 8 2 5 24 19

6 0 2 14 6

2 2 3 10 13

5 26

6 Everton 15 5 8 2 25 19 3 4 0 12 8 2 4 2 13 11 6 23

7 Swansea City 15 6 5 4 23 17

3 4 1 13 10

3 1 3 10 7

6 23

8 West Ham United 15 6 4 5 19 17

4 3 1 14 7

2 1 4 5 10

2 22

9 Stoke City 15 5 7 3 14 12 4 3 0 7 2 1 4 3 7 10 2 22

10 Arsenal 15 5 6 4 24 16 3 2 2 16 10 2 4 2 8 6 8 21

11 Liverpool 15 4 7 4 19 18 3 3 2 9 7 1 4 2 10 11 1 19

12 Norwich City 15 4 7 4 13 21 4 2 1 8 7 0 5 3 5 14 -8 19 13 Fulham 15 4 5 6 25 26 3 1 3 13 10 1 4 3 12 16 -1 17

14 Newcastle

United 15 4 5 6 17 21

4 1 3 10 9

0 4 3 7 12

-4 17

15 Aston Villa 15 3 5 7 12 23 2 3 2 8 8 1 2 5 4 15 -11 14

16 Wigan

Athletic 15 4 2 9 15 28

2 2 4 11 15

2 0 5 4 13

-13 14

17 Sunderland 14 2 7 5 13 18 1 3 2 5 7 1 4 3 8 11 -5 13

18 Southampton15 3 3 9 21 32 2 3 3 13 12 1 0 6 8 20 -11 12

19 Reading 14 1 6 7 19 27 1 4 2 12 14 0 2 5 7 13 -8 9

20 Queens Park Rangers 15 0 6 9 11 27

0 4 3 5 13

0 2 6 6 14

-16 6

Arsenal boss ArseneWenger has been underfire of late and another

negative result against WestBromwich Albion today wouldtrigger more bile from thegrowing number of critics amongthe club’s previously loyalfanbase.

Wenger’s team are on amiserable run of two wins fromtheir last nine matches in allcompetitions and Spanishmidfielder Mikel Arteta, is well

aware that a victory over WestBrom is essential to ease the senseof crisis enveloping the Gunners.

At the Stadium of Light today,both Chelsea interim managerRafael Benitez and Sunderlandboss Martin O’Neill are indesperate need of a morale-boosting victory.

Benitez has yet to win a leaguematch since replacing Roberto Di

Matteo, while O’Neill haspresided over a woeful run of twowins from their last 22 leaguegames.

Aston Villa boss PaulLambert, whose lowly side hostStoke, and Nigel Adkins, whoseSouthampton team take on fellowstrugglers Reading, could also dowith three points to keep thecritics at bay.

Under-fire Gunners

Real Madrid president planning2012/13 without Mourinho

Florentino Perez is alreadyplanning Real Madrid’sfuture for the next few years

- but without current coach JoseMourinho.

According to media reportsthis week, Perez - one of Spain’srichest businessmen throughhis construction companiesis already planning hiscampaign to be re-elected clubpresident in thesummer of2013, forwhat wouldbe a fourthf o u r -y e a rstint.

Perez,65, isstill fairlypopular withthe Real fansand members,despite the recentstumblings of Mourinho’s team.

He has recently changed theclub’s rules to make it moredifficult for members to becandidates for the presidency,and therefore few opposition

candidates are expected.Even so, he is taking no

chances, and is already puttingtogether a strong campaign -based around a remodelledstadium, a new coach and new

star signings.Perez has an

ambitious plan to puta retractable roof

over the club’s Estadio Bernabeu,and to increase revenue bybuilding more shops andrestaurants around thelegendary stadium.

Coach JoseMourinho

PAGE 44 PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012

P.I.C.T.O.R.I.A.L

USA remains comfortably on top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking, while Korea DPR, Austria and Equatorial Guinea have made impressive leaps.

Arsene Wenger has admitted he is losing patience with Theo Walcott's ongoingcontract wrangle and has grown frustrated with his refusal to commit to Arsenal

David Price's promoter Frank Maloney says he will put his boxer in a position tofight for a world title next year

Chelsea captain John Terry's kneeinjury will keep him out of the ClubWorld Cup, manager Rafael Benitezreveals

England tightens their grip on the third Test against India, although Alastair Cookmisses a double century in bizarre fashion.

PAGE 45PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012

200m sprint techniquesBy Augustine Aminu withadditional informationfrom Wikipedia

T h e developmentof performancesin the 200 m

sprint has been affectedby i ts intermediateposition between the 100m and 400 m. All effortsto describe a statisticalrelat ionship betweeneither the 100 m or 400m distance with the 200m have beenunsuccessful. There aresuccessful double-starters from bothdiscipl ines: FlorenceGriffith-Joyner (USA) asworld record holder over100 m and also MichaelJohnson (USA) as doubleOlympic champion over200 m and 400 m areexamples. A widespreadspecialization upon thisdistance has possibly notoccurred or not yetoccurred. Twooutstanding leaps inperformance (Johnson19.32 s and Gri f f i th-Joyner 21.34 s) are themost obviouscharacterist ics of thepresent s i tuat ion andhave not nearly beenachieved by the majorityof world class sprinters.

Performance factorsin sprinting

The sprinter's goal isto develop the highestposs ib le hor izonta lvelocity. As an examplethis ve loc i ty i sdeveloped in the 100msprint wi thin 43 - 46strides (men) and 47 -

52 strides (women). Astr ide cons is ts o f as tance and a f l ightphase . The spr inter ' shorizontal propulsion isonly produced duringthe stance phase. Thepush-off leg (figure 1)presses aga inst theresistance of the floor ina backward-downwarddirection ("action") andthe interact ive forcesresult in the horizontalpropulsion of the bodyin a forward-upwarddirection ("reaction").The s tance phase i sprepared dur ing thef l ight phase . I t i simportant that all forcesact ing aga inst therunning direction (e.g.res is t ing movements)are minimized. Duringthe flight phase the legsmust ac t ive ly swingdownwards - backwardsbecause f rom asubjective point of viewit seems to the sprinterthat the ground i scoming towards him.

The braking forcesare minimized becauset h e f e e t b a c k w a r dswinging feet and the" r e t r e a t i n g " g r o u n dhave approximately thesame velocity. There iso n l y l i t t l e t i m ea v a i l a b l e f o r t h es p r i n t e r t o d e v e l o pforce during the stancephase. The stance phaseo f t h e f o o t o n t h eground is only 0.08 s -0.09 s long in the phaseof maximum veloci ty .However, the greatestpossible power must be

produced in this shortt i m e f o r f o r w a r dpropuls ion. Forces ofup to 3.5 times the bodyw e i g h t i n v e r t i c a ldirection and a singleb o d y w e i g h t i nhorizontal direction areacting during the stancephase. This explains theg r e a t i m p o r t a n c e o fs t r e n g t h i n s p r i n t i n gw h i c h i s c o m p r i s e dp r e d o m i n a n t l y o fmaximum strength ands p e e d s t r e n g t h .However, stronger legsm u s t a l s o h a v e acorrespondingly strongu p p e r b o d y b e c a u s e( a c c o r d i n g t obiomechanical laws) thes w i n g i n g a r m s m u s tproduce equal oppositeforces to the those ofthe legs. This explainst h e g e n e r a l l y v e r y

s t r o n g a p p e a r a n c e o fsprinters.

The sprinting velocityis mathematical lydetermined by theproduct of stride lengthand stride rate. Thesetwo factors interact :after they have reached acertain level af ter aphase of mutual lyincreasing (in the first50 m) an increase ineither parameter wi l lresult in a correspondingdecrease of the other, i.e.if the sprinter increaseshis stride length after 50m then the stride ratemust decrease and viceversa. The extent ofthese changes variesindividually dependingupon physicalcapabi l i t ies , traininglevel, form of trainingand body build.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8— SUNDAY 9, DECEMBER, 2012PAGE 46

News ExtraReps, AGF bicker over OPL 245By Lawrence Olaoye

Members of the House ofRepresentatives ad hoccommittee investigating

the sale of Oil Prospecting License(OPL) 245 and the Minister ofJustice/Attorney General of theFederation (AGF), MohammedBello, were on Friday locked in ahot exchange of words.

Bello, who was not comfortablewith some discomfiting questionsemanating from members of thecommittee chaired by the DeputyLeader of the House, Leo Ogor,suggesting his complicity in thematter, said it was unfortunatethat the petitioners had createdthe impression that he paidmonies to Malabu Oil Companyillegally from the FederationAccount.

“I was not that irresponsibleand I did not authorise thepayment of money from theFederation Account to Malabu.The perception there was that theAttorney-General and theMinister of State for Financeconnived to pay some money toMalabu”

Probed further, “I know wherethis question is coming from. Askme and I will give you the answer.I am not a crook and I don’t supportcrooks”.

A member of the committeeJohn Dyeign (ACN), responded in

Sequel to the conflict in Maliwhere Nigeria would beleading the ECOWAS

contingent against the rebelgroup, Nigeria’s embassy inNiger Republic has barred carsfrom entering its premises.

Nigeria’s ambassadorto Niger Republic, Alhaji AliyuIsa Sokoto, stated this yesterdaywhile receiving members of theNigeria Union of LocalGovernment Employees,(NULGE) in his office in Niamey.

Sokoto noted thatconsidering the role of Nigeriain the move to forcefully root outthe rebels, Nigeria’s embassieshad to be careful as the rebelscould launch a surprise attack.

“We made it an order thatall cars coming into theembassy would henceforth parkoutside. Even my car – securitychecked it before being allowedinto the premises”, he added.

The ambassador similarlydisclosed that a recent BokoHaram attack on the bordertown in Borno state has forcedover 1, 042 Nigerians to seekrefuge in the Niger Republicstate of Difa.

Sokoto also taskedbusinessmen and othercategory of persons visitingNiger Republic to always call onthe embassy for guidance andtheir personal security and thatof their businesses.

Mali conflict: Nigeria’s embassyin Niger bars cars from premises

Opposition parties in thecountry have agreed toforgo individual

identities as they prepare tomerge into a single entity tochallenge the ruling PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP) come2015.

Malam Ibrahim Shekarau,former governor of Kano stateand leader of a delegationcomprising former All NigeriaPeoples Party (ANPP) governorsof Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara aswell as members of the party’snational rebuilding and interparty relations committee,stated this in a chat withjournalists in Lafia, Nasarawastate Thursday, shortly afterpaying a courtesy call onGovernor Umaru Tanko Al-makura.

Shekarau who earlier oninformed Al-makura on thepurpose of their visit to thestate, which was to attend azonal meeting of the ANPP inthe North-central region, aimedat rebuilding the party byreaching out to its members atthe grass roots, propagating themanifesto of the ANPP as wellas forming alliances with otheropposition parties, explainedthat unlike in the previousarrangements, oppositionparties are talking of a totalmerger and not alliance, withall the parties accepting tomerge into a single entity.

He stated that unlike what

obtains in the past when partieshastily go into electoralalliances, which he said hasfailed to yield the requiredresult because parties went intosuch alliances very late,sometimes even after theelection, in the presentarrangement there is noquestion of alliances ormarriage of convenience, withopposition parties accepting atotal surrender of individualidentities.

Shekarau stated that at theend of the merger talks,opposition parties will fusetogether to have a commonideology, emblem and flags,stressing that the partiespresently negotiating themerger, ANPP, CPC, ACN andothers have ample time tofinalise on the arrangement,

with the three major partiestotally committed to a merger.

While observing that theopposition is gradually gainingground, with the oppositioncontrolling 12 out of the 36states in the country, theformer Kano state governor,maintained that when theopposition challenges the rulingparty from a larger platform, itwill be able to “dislodge themonster” that is the rulingparty, PDP.

“There is no singlegeopolitical zone that doesn’thave a state being controlled bythe opposition party, and thattells you the agitation for acredible opposition cuts acrossregional, tribal or religiousbarriers”, Shekarau observed.

He added that in the presentarrangement, no party iscoming into the merger withany predetermined condition,with the opposition resolved tofirst cross the bridge beforediscussing who takes what.

Earlier on, while receivingthe delegation at the conferenceroom of the NasarawaGovernment House, GovernorUmaru Tanko Al-makura,expressed his appreciation overthe choice of Lafia as venue forthe ANPP meeting, saying thatthe country was not able torecord progress despite theyears of democracy “because ofthe non progressive nature ofthe party at the centre”, whichhe described as not being peopleoriented.

2015: Opposition parties to sacrifice identitiesin merger against PDP, says ShekarauFrom Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

Malam Ibrahim Shekarau

Speaker House of Representative, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal

a charged voice thus:”You arecalling yourself names; nobody iscalling you such a name”.

But the minister replied: “Thepetition came well after the issuehas been resolved and I told thepetitioners to take the matter tothe appropriate agencies ofgovernment. The office of theAttorney-General is not aninvestigative office.

“The Malabu matter has beenon for 12 years and this latter dayclaimant did not come forwardto lay claim to the oil bloc. Thislatter day claimant waited tillafter the transaction had beenresolved and the issue had

become irreversible beforewriting a petition to the AGF. TheAGF advised them to approachthe relevant agencies as thematter was an internal affair ofMalabu”.

Intervening, the chairmansaid: “AGF, we are in the GreenChamber. We don’t presume. Weare here on a fact finding mission.Members can ask any question,no matter how foolish youpresume it is”.

Adoke however clarified “Icannot be unduly maligned bypeople who have been thearchitects of the ruins of thiscountry”.

The Nigeria Society ofEngineers (NSE) hasadvised Independent

National Electoral Commission(INEC) to learn from its e-votingmethod used in Ilorin, Kwarastate during the society’selection.

President of the society, Engr.Mustafa Sheu who stated thisduring a press conference at theend of the society’s 2012 nationalconference, said NSE adopted a

soft ware for its election whichwas designed by its member.

He explained that the lessonINEC and the FederalGovernment should learn fromthe initiative was that “it ispossible to use e-voting in eitherlocal government or nationalelections.

“Our members were voting onnet and they are monitoring theresults. So before election wasconcluded, they knew the winner.We are ready to partner withINEC on this …”

INEC should learn fromour e-voting says NSEFrom Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

The Small and MediumEnterprises DevelopmentAgency of Nigeria

(SMEDAN), has concludedarrangements to launch electronicregistration of micro, small andmedium enterprises in Nigeria,

Mohammed Nadada Umar,director general of SMEDAN hassaid.

Umar who was at the flag-offof Small Business OpportunitiesFair organised for the six North-central states and the FederalCapital Territory, in Lokoja, Kojistate, said the programme wasdesigned to build a functionaldatabase for developmentalinterventions.

He added that it was alsoexpected to formalise informalbusinesses as well as to facilitateeasy business registration.

Umar said: “Considering therelevance of the micro, smalland medium enterprises sub-sector in the economic growthand development of Nigeria, theevent is expected to provide aplatform for the development ofMSMEs in the zone.

SMEDAN beginse-registration of small firmsBy Chris Alu

INEC boss,Attahiru Jega

D-G, SMEDAN, MohammedNadada Umar

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 8 — SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER, 2012 PAGE 47

From the PulpitDoing what is right in God's eyes (lI)P r a i s e the Lord! It's a privilege

for me to welcome you to yourfavourite column. Before I

rounded off last week, I was talking fromJudg 18. In Judg 18, we saw how the tribeof the Dan in Israel also did what seemedright in their own eyes by stealing andadopting the idol of Micah and also hiringa Levite to be their father and priest. "Andthey said to him, 'Be quiet, put your handover your mouth, and come with us; be afather and a priest to us. Is it better foryou to be a priest to the household of oneman, or that you be a priest to a tribe anda family in Israel?' So the priest's heartwas glad; and he took the ephod, thehousehold idols, and the carved image,and took his place among the people."(Judg 18:19-20 NKJV) Unfortunately,the Bible says this priest was glad. Quiteamazing! That showed he hadcompletely gone astray doing what wasright in his own eyes!

The tribe of Dan was not only guiltyof idolatry, it was also guilty of murder.In Josh 19:40-48, the tribe of Dan wasallocated her land but didn't believe Godto possess all that was allocated to her."And the Amorites forced the children ofDan into the mountains, for they wouldnot allow them to come down to thevalley." (Judg 1:34 NKJV) They laterchose to look for a native land - the landof Laish - not the land allocated to them.

They had no right to invade the landof Laish, kill the people, burn the city andtake over the land. Why? Because theland wasn't part of the inheritance Godhad given as the territory of the tribe ofDan. But the tribe of Dan went to possessLaish seeking an inheritance for itself todwell in because until that time theirinheritance among the tribes of Israel hadnot fallen to them. If the people of Danwere not doing what was right in theirown eyes, they would have exercisedcaution and devoted themselves topossess the land allocated to them. But

GREENGREENGREENGREENGREENPPPPPASTURESASTURESASTURESASTURESASTURESBy Pastor T.O. Banso

cedarministryintl@yahoo.comGSM: 08033113523

they became lawless and killed the peopleof Laish, a people not among the peoplesGod said they should destroy. "Then,with Micah's idols and his priest, the menof Dan came to the town of Laish, whosepeople were peaceful and secure. Theyattacked and killed all the people andburned the town to the ground. Therewas no one to rescue the residents of thetown, for they lived a great distance fromSidon and had no allies nearby. Thishappened in the valley near Beth-rehob.Then the people of the tribe of Dan rebuiltthe town and lived there. They renamedthe town Dan after their ancestor, Israel'sson, but it had originally been calledLaish. Then they set up the carved image,and they appointed Jonathan son ofGershom, a descendant of Moses, as theirpriest. This family continued as priestsfor the tribe of Dan until the Exile. SoMicah's carved image was worshiped bythe tribe of Dan as long as the Tabernacleof God remained at Shiloh." (Judg 18:27-31 NLT)

Doing what seemed right in theirown eyes, the people of Dan continuedwith idolatry in Laish renaming it Dan.Dan, a place where God did not designas a place of worship for Israelites,became a place of worship. Theyappointed their own priest to worship acarved image. What a folly! But if you askthem, they would have justified it. It wasconvenient for them rather than going afar distance.

That was similar to what Jeroboam,the first king of Israel (Northernkingdom) did leading Israel into idolatry."So on the advice of his counselors, theking made two gold calves. He said tothe people, 'It is too much trouble for youto worship in Jerusalem. O Israel, theseare the gods who brought you out ofEgypt!' He placed these calf idols at thesouthern and northern ends of Israel - inBethel and in Dan. This became a greatsin, for the people worshiped them,

traveling even as far as Dan. Jeroboambuilt shrines at the pagan high places andordained priests from the rank and fileof the people - those who were not fromthe priestly tribe of Levi. Jeroboam alsoinstituted a religious festival in Bethel,held on a day in mid autumn, similar tothe annual Festival of Shelters in Judah.There at Bethel he himself offeredsacrifices to the calves he had made. Andit was at Bethel that he appointed priestsfor the pagan shrines he had made. Soon the appointed day in midautumn, aday that he himself had designated,Jeroboam offered sacrifices on the altarat Bethel. He instituted a religious festivalfor Israel, and he went up to the altar toburn incense." (1 Kings 12:28-33 NLT)Jeroboam became the reference point forthe sin of the kings that reigned after him.He was a negative pacesetter inpromoting idolatry which all the eighteenkings who reigned after him diligentlypursued; they didn't deviate fromworshipping the golden calves thatJeroboam made. For example, hear whatGod says concerning Jehu, one of thekings who reigned after Jeroboam: "Andthe LORD said to Jehu, 'Because youhave done well in doing what is right inMy sight, and have done to the house ofAhab all that was in My heart, your sonsshall sit on the throne of Israel to thefourth generation.' But Jehu took no heedto walk in the law of the LORD God ofIsrael with all his heart; for he did notdepart from the sins of Jeroboam, whohad made Israel sin." (2 Kings 10:30-31NKJV) Jehu refused to turn from thesins of idolatry which Jeroboam had ledIsrael to commit.

Jeroboam's case was a sad onebecause when God divided the kingdomof Israel into two, he gave him ten tribesto rule and even promised to give him anenduring dynasty if he did what was rightin his sight. "Then it shall be, if you heedall that I command you, walk in My ways,

and do what is right in My sight, to keepMy statutes and My commandments, asMy servant David did, then I will be withyou and build for you an enduring house,as I built for David, and will give Israel toyou." (1 Kings 11:38 NKJV) But thisJeroboam messed up. He wasted a greatopportunity that God gave him to havean enduring dynasty. He plunged thekingdom of Israel into idolatry, the samereason God had taken the kingdom fromthe house of David. Solomon's idolatrybrought about this division leavingRehoboam and the house of David withjust two tribes to rule over. "And he saidto Jeroboam, 'Take for yourself ten pieces,for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel:Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of thehand of Solomon and will give ten tribesto you (but he shall have one tribe for thesake of My servant David, and for the sakeof Jerusalem, the city which I have chosenout of all the tribes of Israel), because theyhave forsaken Me, and worshipedAshtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians,Chemosh the god of the Moabites, andMilcom the god of the people of Ammon,and have not walked in My ways to dowhat is right in My eyes and keep Mystatutes and My judgments, as did hisfather David.'" (1 Kings 11:31-33 NKJV)Knowing how he came to the throne, onewould have expected Jeroboam to doonly what was right in the eyes of Godand avoid idolatry. But he did what wasright in his own eyes.

If God allows everybody to do whatis right in his eyes everybody will bejustified in his actions, and that is a recipe

for anarchy. "Every way of a man is rightin his own eyes, but the LORD weighsthe hearts." (Prov 21:2 NKJV) Even afoolish person will insist that he is right."The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,but he who heeds counsel is wise." (Prov12:15 NKJV) But God has made it clearto us in His Word what He demands ofus.

Permit me to stop here today becauseof space. I will conclude this message nextweek. Don't do what is right in your owneyes; do what is right in the eyes of God.Obey the Word of God.

TAKE ACTION!If you are not born again, kindly say

this prayer now: "0 Lord God, I comeunto you today. I know I am asinner and I cannot save myself.I believe that Jesus is the Son ofGod who died on the cross to saveme and resurrected the third day.I confess Jesus as my Lord andSaviour and surrender my life tohim today. I invite Jesus into myheart today. By this prayer, Iknow I am saved. Thank youJesus for saving me and makingme a child of God"

I believe you have said this prayerfrom your heart. Congratulations! Youwill need to join a Bible believing, Bibleteaching church in your area where youwill be taught how to live your new life inChrist Jesus. I pray that you flourish likethe palm tree and grow like the cedar ofLebanon. May you grow into Christ inall things becoming all God wants you tobe.

FFFFFAITHAITHAITHAITHAITHDISCOURSEDISCOURSEDISCOURSEDISCOURSEDISCOURSE

WITH

Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

Hebrews 11:4-6

W e are living at such a timeand place when faith in Godis so needful for a

purposeful life. We will always need Godand we need Him now more than ever,speaking in human language. All aroundus, we see and hear of adversity anddisaster, “no peace, great vexations uponall the inhabitants of the countries,”“men’s hearts failing them for fear.” Andyet, there is no end in sight. This is notthe time to play religion; this is the timeto seek the true and living God withunwavering faith in Jesus, His onlybegotten Son. “And ye shall seek Me, andfind Me, when ye shall search for Me withall your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

God demands faith, real faith, purefaith, implicit faith expressed incorresponding confession, convictionand consecration if we are to please Him.Though we are living in perilous times, itis not peculiar to our community or thisera and age. Others have livedtriumphantly through similarexperiences as ours. They were victoriousby faith; we too can be overcomers andmore than conquerors, by faith.

1.TRUST ANDTRANSFORMATION BY FAITH

Hebrews 11:4; Genesis 4:3-5;Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22; Romans3:23-26; 5:8-11;

1 Peter 1:14-20; Hebrews 10:19-23;11:28.

“By faith Abel offered unto God amore excellent sacrifice than Cain.” Cainoffered a sacrifice too but his sacrifice wasnot acceptable to God. Cain was religiousbut he “was of that wicked one.” He

sacrificed but “his own works were evil.”Though religious, he hated his brotherand had no eternal life abiding in him (1John 3:12-15). He lived and died undercondemnation, not willing to repent andturn from the religion of works. In hisman-centred religion, he could not attainto freedom from sin, guilt and eternaldamnation.

“By faith Abel offered unto God a moreexcellent sacrifice, by which he obtainedwitness that he was righteous, God testifyingof his gifts.” Abel’s sacrifice was by faith,looking back to what God did in providinga substitute for Adam and Eve and lookingforward to the coming of the promised Seedwho will be our Sin-bearer (Genesis 3:15,21). His faith was in the acceptable Lamb“slain from the foundation of the world”(Revelation 13:8). Man-made religionattempts to worship God with inventionsof “men’s hands”, “man’s device” and“tradition” (Acts 17:25, 29; Mark 7:6-13).Religion without faith in God’s acceptableLamb is vain and displeasing to God.Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Abel’s faithwas counted unto him for righteousness.He was transformed and set free – free fromguilt and condemnation, free from thepower and curse of sin, free from eternalwrath and judgment.

2. TRANSITION ANDTRANSLATION BY FAITH

Hebrews 11:5; Genesis 5:22-24;Psalms 119:1-3; 15:1-5; Isaiah 33:15-17; 1John 1:7; 2:6; 3:1-3;

2 Kings 2:3, 5, 11; 1 Corinthians 15:51,52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Colossians

1:13. “By faith” “Enoch walked with God”

and “he pleased God”. “Can two walktogether, except they be agreed?” Godrevealed Himself to Enoch and he agreedwith God by faith. God’s revelation cameto him that, “Behold, the Lord comethwith ten thousands of His saints, toexecute judgment upon all, and toconvince all that are ungodly amongthem of all their ungodly deeds whichthey have ungodly committed, and of alltheir hard speeches which ungodlysinners have spoken against Him” (Jude14,15). Knowing the judgment of God,he turned from his own ways, asked andbelieved God for mercy, becamecommitted to God and His way, at age65. He received grace and divineenablement to walk with God. “AndEnoch walked with God after he begatMethuselah three hundred years”(Genesis 5:22). Consistently, heremained “undefiled and walked in thelaw of the LORD”. He walked “in the

truth” “in the light”, “in love”, “in theSpirit”, “uprightly”, “righteously”,“humbly” and “honestly” (Psalm 119:1; 3John 3; 1 John 1:7; Ephesians 5:2;Galatians 5:16, 25; Psalm 84:11; Isaiah33:15; Micah 6:8; Romans 13:13). Livingeach day at a time, it was possible for himto “walk with God ” because he walked“by faith” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

“By faith Enoch was translated thathe should not see death; and was notfound, because God had translated him:for before his translation he had thistestimony, that he pleased God.” Enoch’stranslation is a prophetic illustration ofthe Rapture of the true Church. All truebelievers who have put their faith inChrist, living and walking consistentlywith God in righteousness and holinessof life will be translated, raptured, caughtup to heaven, forever to be with the Lord.

3. THE THRUST ANDTRIUMPH OF FAITH

Hebrews 11:6; Deuteronomy 32:20;Psalm 78:22-24,41; Romans 14:23;

Freedom through faith that pleases God1:16,17; 5:1,2;

Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 6:10-12;10:38,39; 12:1,2.

“But without faith it is impossible toplease Him.” Can you be pleased andhappy with anyone who never trusts you,who always doubts your words, alwaysquestioning your sincerity and integrity?Will you be pleased with ‘a good man’,‘an innocent woman’ who is alwaysasking if you meant what you said and ifyou said exactly what you meant? Howpleased will you be with someone whoprofesses to love and honour you butnever trusts your words? How can Godbe pleased with anyone, any ‘good man’,any ‘innocent woman’, who does not trustHim, who does not have faith in HisWord and in His provision of salvation?

“For he that cometh to God mustbelieve that He is.” He who comes to Godmust believe that He exists and that Heis infinite, eternal, self-existent; theCreator of all other beings and things, onwhom all others depend and by whosepower and providence all others exist, liveand are supplied with the means ofcontinued existence and life. “And thatHe is a rewarder of them that diligentlyseek Him.” He who has genuine faith inGod must believe that He is notindifferent to the needs of His creatures,that He cares for their eternal andtemporal welfare, that He will fulfil Hispromises, that He will grant salvation ifsought in His appointed way and bestowblessings according to His infallibleWord.

The GatewaySATURDAY 10 — SUNDAY 11, NOVEMBER, 2012

BIG PUNCHBIG PUNCHBIG PUNCHBIG PUNCHBIG PUNCH

T h e Qur’an is thegateway. It stimulatesand nourishes the

human intellect whilethrowing open before it thegates of the universe, andjoining the Muslim to theEarth, to the Universe and,beyond it, to Nature in aninseparable bond . Everycardinal principle of Islam isintended to serve as a catalyst,in one way or another, tohuman development; everyprinciple of Islam, from whichthe practice and culture ofMuslims derive, forms anintegral part of the broadrhythm of the universe, and itis only proper and fitting thatmany of the landmarks in theonward march of humanintellectual and scientificadvancements have had theimprint of Islam.

Just one example willsuffice. Muslims pray fivetimes a day, at specific timesand facing a specific direction,the Sacred Mosque in Mecca orthe qibla.This rather simplerequirement has led toscientific and humandevelopments of monumentaland far reaching proportion,not only for Muslim but for allpeople. To fulfill the fullrequirements of this cardinalprinciple of Islam, Muslimshave to know the precise timesof prayers at different places onearth, as well as the rightdirection they must face, fromwhatever spot they are in anypart of the world. To achievethat the intervention of sciencebecame imperative. The desirefor precision and perfection inthe timing and direction of thedaily prayers created andwidened the scope forpioneering works onfundamental scientificprinciples, whose 'valuablespin-offs,' to quote JonathanLyons, 'includedbreakthroughs in geography,instrumentation, optics andnavigation.' In short theMuslim quest over thecenturies to pray at the righttime in the right direction wasthe genesis of the science ofgeography as we know ittoday.

More than that, Muslimswere bound to develop in theprocess perfecting the duty ofworship of God what JonathanLyons calls the art of tellingtime. This singular

“A government can never solve a problemit denies. Corruption has become the mostvirulent threat to Nigeria. Own it. Tackleit”.—Obi Ezekwesili former minister of education

WEEKENDWEEKENDWEEKENDWEEKENDWEEKENDIbraheem Sulaiman

sa427420@gmail.com

rare, so unique.The discourse so far leads us

to the main point we want tostress, namely that the Qur’anhas always been an inspirationto the attainment of the highestpinnacle in the pursuit ofKnowledge. In fact the fewexamples we have selectedfrom the galaxy of thinkers,philosophers, scientists,inventors, pioneers,pathfinders show the meaningof Islamic education: itsbreadth, depth, versatility,richness and vitality. We seeclearly the point made byJonathan Lyons, namely,'Islam's flush of enthusiasm forlearning,' and the resultthereof, namely, the titanicoutput of Muslim scholars overthe ages, and what theyaccomplished for Islam, forhuman civilization and forhumanity. The work of thesepioneers and leading lights wasnever an easy one for theyendured all kinds of hardshipand deprivation. Ibn Sina forexample went through all thetravails of life - poverty,prison, hunger - just as in

achievement revolutionized lifeon earth. 'Without accuratecontrol over the clock andcalendar, the rationalorganization society wasunthinkable,' Lyons explainsthe far reaching significance ofMuslim gift to the world. 'Andso was the development ofscience, technology, andindustry, as well as theliberation of man from thethrall of nature.' The precisionattained by early Muslimsreached absolute perfection.The great mathematician andgeographer, Al-Khawarizmi,measured the circumference ofthe earth between 1020 and2025, in his effort to provide thedirection of qibla for the citiesof the world. The result,recorded in his Determinationof the Coordinates of Cities,gives, according to Jim Khalili,a value for the circumferenceof the earth that is within 1 percent of the modern value - justunder 25,000 miles.

Similar efforts aimed atfacilitating and advancing thepractice of Muslim prayer didlead to unforeseen butabsolutely extraordinaryadvancements in other areasof science. According toMichael Hamilton Morgan, al-Khawarizmi's endeavors wouldyield the following results.'This mathematician, al-Khawarizmi, creates a systemthat will provide the key tobegin unlocking all planes ofthe universe. His numbers andnew ways of calculating willenable the building of 100-story towers and mile-longbridges; calculating the pointat which a space probe willintersect with the orbit of oneof Jupiter's moons; thereactions of nuclear physics;the cellular processes ofbiotechnology andpharmaceutical andmarketing research; thecalculus of a global economy;the language and intelligenceof software; and theconfidentiality of a mobilephone conversation.' So blessedwere the accomplishments ofal-Khawarizmi that in thesixteenth century, sevenhundred years after his death,some of his works were coretextbooks in mathematics andastronomy in the universitiesin Europe and Muslim world.The Qur’an transported him toan eminence and a height so